Tuesday, march 17, 2015 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

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

Vol. 2 No. 391

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

Traditional Council declares Oba of Benin ‘indisposed’ }5

AMCON puts Ibru's debts at N16bn Chukwu David Abuja

he Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) yesterday put the

debt of former Managing Director of the defunct Oceanic Bank, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru at N16.1 billion. Its acting Managing Director, Mrs. Foluke Dosunmu, told the Senate

Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption that the debt was the shortfall of the assets listed in the plea bargain Ibru entered with the Federal

Government through the Attorney-General of the Federation. She also denied the allegation that Ibru had re-acquired some of the property she had forfeited

11 days to go...

to AMCON. The Senate committee had summoned AMCON, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Securities and Exchange Commission

Nigeria Nigeria votes votes

2015

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

5 201}14-15

Jega: I'm not quitting

lSays he won't proceed on terminal leave lOPC, PDP }2 supporters ground Lagos with anti-INEC chair's protest

Quick Read Editorial

Preparing for the rainy season }19

Ericsson sends staff home }8 over elections Travel Advisory

Your guide to local and international flights }4

Protesters calling for the removal of Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Buhari can't fight corruption, says PDP lVoters should reject ruling party –Tambuwal

Onyekachi Eze and Philip Nyam ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday faulted the ability of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate,

Major General Muhammadu Buhari, to fight corruption, if he emerges president. Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presi-

dential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, said in a statement that Buhari could not fight corruption because he was surround-

ed by corrupt men. He, however, added that President Goodluck Jonathan, unlike his predecessors, has successCONTINUED ON PAGE 7

News

TUESday, March 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

I'm going nowhere, says Jega Onyekachi Eze, Temitope Ogunbanke and Wale Elegbede

he Inde pendent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, yesterday ruled out quitting his post before the conduct of the forthcoming general elections. He told stakeholders at a town hall meeting in Abuja, organised by Reinvent Media, in conjunction with Ford Foundation and Kukah Centre, that he would not resign or would he go on terminal leave. As he was speaking, the campaign for his ouster gained more traction in Lagos as supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) marched on the streets of Lagos to demand Jega's ouster. Jega denied that he was under pressure to resign before the general elections or being forced to proceed on a terminal leave. He said: “Terminal leave is an option, a grace period given to

anyone to go on leave before he finally leaves office. (For me) terminal leave is not an option. Nobody has asked me to proceed on terminal leave, other than what I read in the newspapers," he stated. On the controversy over the deployment of soldiers for the general elections, he said their roles were defined in the constitution as maintenance of law and order. He did not see the spiraling controversy over his ability to conduct the elections as distracting as he is focused on the job ahead. "It would be unfair for me to say that I will resign when I have a job to do. I remain focused," he added. He blamed politicians for the call for his resignation and assured Nigerians that many things being said were diversionary. Jega, however, expressed satisfaction with the security situation in the North-East. On security for the elections, he said there would be three policemen at every polling station, but no armed po-

liceman will be allowed near the polling units. "Armed policemen are allowed only 300 metres from the polling units. The military personnel are allowed as defined in the constitution where they are expected to maintain their constitutional duties. "The ar med personnel are allowed to ensure that there are maintenance of law and order and avoid the breakdown of law and order. We have never had military men within the polling units. The military is only invited by the Inspector General of Police,” Jega stated. He also dispelled fears that the court order that the Young Democratic Party (YDP) should be registered could impair the conduct of the general elections. INEC, he added, has appealed against the order of the Federal High Court and for a stay of execution of the judgement. The commission, he also said, was ready for the elections. He expressed confidence that the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and Smart Card Readers

(SCRs) will add value to the general elections. “We are ready for peaceful, credible and transparent elections. We are adequately prepared to provide free and fair elections that are better than the 2011 elections,” Jega stated. He expressed satisfaction with the distribution of PVCs that has reached about 81 per cent stating that during the Ekiti State governorship election, the collection rate of the PVCs was at about 65 per cent. According to him, the remaining over 700,000 PVCs yet to be distributed will be made available to their respective states latest by tomorrow. However, as Jega was speaking on preparations for the elections in Abuja, the campaign for his ouster gathered momentum in Lagos with PDP and OPC supporters pouring onto the streets to demand his removal. The protesters disrupted traffic in Lagos and some parts of Ogun State, forcing many commuters to resort to trekking to get to their destinations.

Various groups under the aegis of Coalition of Concerned Nigerians, consisting of OPC, human rights groups and Nollywood artistes, participated in the protest. The protesters kicked off the carnival-like road show from the old Lagos Toll Gate and rounded it off at the National Stadium in Surulere. Fuji artistes like Saheed Osupa and Abass Akande, popularly known as Obesere, and Nollywood artistes spiced up the protests with songs. Policemen were around to monitor the protests to prevent a breakdown of law and order. The protesters carried different placards bearing inscriptions such as “Give us our PVCs”, “Jega is partisan” ”The south is deliberately disenfranchised”, “Jega must go”, among others. Mostly vociferous in clamouring for Jega's removal among the protesters were hundreds of OPC members who were joined by PDP supporters.

Chief convener of the group, Chief Gani Adams, said Jega would have embarrassed Nigeria if the elections had been allowed to commence on February 14 as originally planned. “Jega should proceed on terminal leave and let a credible Nigerian be appointed to conduct the elections,” he said. But the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) condemned the demonstration that it accused the PDP of sponsoring to disrupt the forthcoming general elections. The party said the syndicated protests by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and OPC were desperate efforts by the Federal Government to sabotage the elections. Lagos APC, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said the fact that the protesters were destroying campaign posters and billboards of the APC showed the intention of their sponsors.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESday, March 17, 2015

Travel Advisory

TUESday, March 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule Air France

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

Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

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

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

Amsterdam-Lagos Lagos-Amsterdam

KL587 KL588

13:15hrs 23:05hrs

20:00hrs 05:50hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

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

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

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

BRITISH AIRWAYS

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

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

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS

16:00hrs

Lagos-Kigali

11:15hrs

16:45hrs

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

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

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

14:00hrs

17:30hrs

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

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

hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

01:00hrs

hrs

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 07:20hrs

23:45hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 16:00hrs

5:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

air maroc

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

12:30hrs

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

IBERIA

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

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

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

MEA 571 MEA 572

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

to Lagos)

UNITED AIRLINES

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

KQ 533 KQ 534

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

DELTA AIRLINES

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

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

QATAR AIRWAYS

VS 652 VS 651

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

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

EMIRATES AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos

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

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

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

Air Côte d'Ivoire Lagos to Abidjan Abidjan to Lagos

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

ASKY AIRLINES

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

10:10hrs

10:50hrs

19:20hrs

21.50hrs

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

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

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

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

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

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE ARIK AIR

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

AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE

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

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

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS

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

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

AEROCONTRACTORS

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

MEDVIEW AIRLINES

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

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

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESday, March 17, 2015

Boko Haram torches homes as troops regain control of Bama lDHQ certifies Adamawa, Yobe free of insurgents Emmanuel Onani Abuja

undreds of people have fled their homes in the North after Boko Haram set buildings ablaze. A report yesterday by AFP said the incident occurred in the rebel-controlled town of Bama, in

Borno State, as Nigerian troops advanced and regained control of the area. Boko Haram has been raiding several cities in the north of the country in a bid to take control of more land. Witnesses said the insurgents warned residents to leave before torching the town. Dozens fled towards Maiduguri. "They came into the

town around 12pm, warning that anyone who wanted to leave should leave the town. And soon after, they began torching homes," a resident, Umar Kaka said. "Not all residents could leave because some were too sick or old to leave and we are afraid they were burnt in the homes." The attack in Bama was carried out after troops managed to push the in-

surgents out of the nearby Boboshe and Yale villages. "We learnt soldiers were coming. They advanced on Bama on two fronts and met some resistance at Boboshe and Yale, but succeeded in crushing the Boko Haram gunmen," said a Bama resident, Ibrahim Kyari. "They asked residents to leave which came to us as a surprise because they kept

us captives all these seven months and would not allow us to leave." Another report by the Associated Press said Cameroonian troops attacked Boko Haram Islamic extremists in a Nigerian village, killing several of the militants and destroying some of their equipment. The forces entered Nigeria after residents of Ndaba in Borno State said

L–R: Husband of the winner of the brand new Toyota Corolla, Mr. Kenneth Onyema; winner, Ebison; Group Managing Director, First Bank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya and Executive Director, South, Mr. UK Eke, at the presentation of prize to the winner of the bank's savings bonanza in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Boko Haram militants were massing in the hills around the village and planning an attack, said Col. Jacob Kodji. Several militants were killed in the fighting on Thursday and Friday near Ndaba, from the Cameroonian border, said Kodji. He would not give an exact number of casualties and did not say whether any Cameroonian forces were killed or wounded. Other militants fled and some may be hiding out in Ndaba, he said. Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the total liberation of all towns in Adamawa and Yobe states, which were hitherto under Boko Haram control. The announcement yesterday, followed the recapture of Goniri, which, it said, was the last Boko Haram-occupied territory in Yobe State. Making the disclosure on the DHQ's twitter handle yesterday, the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade, said: "We announced the reclaiming of Goniri today (yesterday). That was the last stronghold of terrorists in Yobe. "Adamawa is free, Yobe is free. Borno is soon to be freed by our able military."

Nigeria needs change, Traditional Council declares Oba of Benin ‘indisposed’ says Onaiyekan Cajetan Mmuta

Philip Nyam Abuja

rchbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has said the forthcoming elections must usher in change because that is what Nigeria deserves. According to him, irrespective of which party wins between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), change must be instituted in the country because Nigerians are generally disenchanted with the state of the nation. Onaiyekan, at the 2015 Cathedraticum celebration at St. John's Catholic Church, Abuja, lamented that there was widespread fear and anxiety in the country over the general elections. The Cathedraticum is an annual mass in the Catholic Church where followers bring gifts for the bishops. He said: "We are in a state of fear and anxiety, but God will usher in a state of renewal. My position is that there has to be change. I am not talk-

ing about change from bus conductors. I don't care who wins, whether it is PDP or APC; but whoever wins, there has to be change because people are not happy with what is happening; people are hungry, people are suffering. "We must claim the prophecy of Prophet Isaiah. The year is full of pessimism, anxiety and fear. It's like people no longer believe in this nation again. People are running away but people like us cannot run away. We have to replace pessimism with optimism. Whoever wins must do things differently," he stated. Onaiyekan, who charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free and transparent elections, also urged Christians to pray for the will of God to prevail. On the insurgency in the North, the Archbishop expressed optimism that Boko Haram will be defeated as everything that has a beginning has an end. He prayed for peace to return to the troubled areas just as he sympathized with victims of the insurgency.

he Benin Monarch, Omo N'Oba N' Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, has been confirmed indisposed. That came from the palace chiefs, ending weeks of raging speculations over the health of the Benin monarch, who has not been seen in the public for weeks. In a terse statement released yesterday by the palace chiefs, Uhunmmwunye Ekpen vb Ato, and signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Mr. Frank Irabor, the chiefs informed the general public that the Oba has taken ill, therefore, all public engagements by him have been suspended while all palace chiefs and functionaries are enjoined to carry on with their traditional and statutory duties. The statement reads in full: “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Palace parlance, Uhunmwun ve Ekpen vb Ato. "The explanation is that Omo N'Oba N' Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Erediauwa is indisposed. Public engagements including

courtesy visits, hearing of complaints from individuals, families and communities, and in particular, complaints over inheritance and land disputes, are therefore suspended until further notice. “All palace chiefs and functionaries are to note that their routine traditional duties continue as usual.” Meanwhile, a visit to the ancient Benin palace by our correspondent yesterday indicated that normal activities by palace attendants, chiefs and shop operators by members of the family were going on as usual. Besides, some relations, community heads and leaders of various communities who pay visits on daily basis while others hang around the imposing premises were seen discussing as they used to do in groups. Most of the palace employees, including security guards were on duty when our reporter visited yesterday. Also, all the office staff were in their various offices attending to visitors as usual. Efforts to get some of the Benin chiefs and other traditionalists to comment on the current state

of affairs, regarding the statement from the palace proved abortive as none of them agreed to comment on the issue, stating categorically that there is nothing to the statement to warrant any speculation or fear as it is the right thing to be done to let the public know of the state of health of the palace. They debunked the fear that there is something strange or untoward in the development, rather urged all the people of Edo State and Nigerians to pray for the quick recovery of the Oba. It would be recalled that speculations on the state of the health of the Oba who ascended the thrones of his forefathers in March 1979, started when the monarch could not play host to President Goodluck Jonathan when he visited then palace during his campaign in Benin City last month. The Oba was said to have received the president in his private reception, therefore fuelling the speculations. Shortly after the president visit and campaigns to Benin City, the palace chiefs were embroiled in controversies with a section of the chiefs and other important personal-

ities said to have publicly announced the support of the Benin Monarch for the re-election bid of the president. While this battle was raging, the Crown Prince of Benin, Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa, who is also the Ediaken of Osule, visited the president in Aso Rock, where he was believed to have delivered a private message from his father, the Oba Erediauwa to the president. The visit was also interpreted by the political gladiators in the state as conveying the endorsement of his father formally of the president. However, the festering battle and disquiet within the palace and quarrels among the palace chiefs were two weeks ago put to rest when the palace chiefs and even the Crown Prince himself released formal statements denying all support for the president by the monarch and the divisions within the ranks of the palace. In a statement signed by Irabor, the Crown Prince stated that his visit to President Jonathan last year was misconstrued by politicians as an endorsement for President Jonathan by the monarch.

TUESday, March 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sanitation: Court declares restriction of movement illegal Akeem Nafiu

Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday declared illegal restriction of movement during the monthly environment exercise in the state. The court presided over by Justice Mohammed Idris said restricting people’s movements during the exercise contravenes the right to freedom of movement as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution. The judge who delivered the judgement following a suit initiated by an activist lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, who challenged the conduct of the monthly environmental exercise by the Lagos State Government, insisted that there was no law in force in Lagos State by which any citizen could be kept indoors compulsorily. Accordingly, Justice Idris said that since the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria equally granted freedom of movement to every citizen, no one could take away such freedom, not even by executive proclamation in the absence of any law to that effect. Justice Idris stated further that there was no

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

32oC

26oC

26 C

14 C

Rain Shower

PORT HARCOURT

26oC

19oC

Storms

KANO

38oC

21oC

Partially Cloudy

37 C 24 C Thunder Storms

IBADAN

26oC

14oC

Rain Shower

CALABAR

31oC

23oC

Storms

MAIDUGURI

ONITSHA

39oC 21oC Partially Cloudy

34o C 24oC Thunder Storms

the practice of keeping people at home for three hours only on the last Saturdays of the month was meant to keep society and environment clean and safe. He added that there were classified exceptions to the restriction, including emergencies and ambulance services and those

on essential services. In the suit, Adegboruwa had sought a declaration that the restriction of his movement, and that of other residents of Lagos State on last Saturdays of every month, constituted a breach of their rights to freedom of movement. The Inspector General

of Police, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Governor of Lagos State and the Attorney General of Lagos State were joined in the suit. Other respondents are: Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and the Lagos State Ministry of Environment.

Polls: ICC threatens to prosecute electoral offenders Abuja

head of the March 28 and April 11 polls, the International Criminal Court (ICC) yesterday said that it would prosecute any Nigerian found guilty of criminal offence in the forthcoming polls. This was contained in a statement by the ICC Pros-

ecutor, Fatou Bensouda. Bensouda noted that the ICC has jurisdiction over Rome Statute crimes committed on the territory of Nigeria. "Any person who incites or engages in acts of violence in the context of the upcoming elections or otherwise – including by ordering, inciting, encouraging or contributing to the commission of crimes that fall within ICC’s juris-

diction – is liable to prosecution; either by Nigerian courts or by the ICC. "No one should doubt my office’s resolve to prosecute individuals responsible for the commission of ICC crimes, whenever necessary," he added. He, however, stated that the conduct and outcome of elections in Nigeria, free from violence, will not only prevent further instability in the country, but will

also send a clear message that electoral competition does not have to result in violence and crimes that shock the conscience of humanity. He also noted that the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC conducts independent and impartial investigations and prosecution of the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. He further stated that

the Office of the Prosecutor has opened investigation in Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Kenya, Libya, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Darfur, Sudan. He added that the office is also conducting preliminary examinations relating to the situations in Afghanistan, Colombia, Georgia, Guinea, Honduras, Iraq, Nigeria, Ukraine and Palestine.

AMCON puts Ibru's debts at N16bn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ENUGU

saya, argued that Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution permits government to make laws that may derogate from the right to freedom of movement, hence the Environmental Sanitation Law of Lagos State, 2000, was an example of such derogation. He argued further that

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose; his wife, Feyisetan and wife of the president, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday.

Tunde Oyesina Partially Cloudy

ABUJA

regulation in force presently, in Lagos State, which authorised the restriction of movement of citizens on last Saturdays of every month for the purpose of observing environmental sanitation. The Lagos State Government, had through its lawyer, Jonathan Ogun-

(SEC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Ecobank Plc, which bought over the now defunct Oceanic Bank to appear before it over the N150 billion assets and cash Ibru was said to have forfeited on her conviction for bank fraud. The summon followed a petition by a concerned Nigerian, who alleged underhand dealings in the transaction. Dosunmu also told the committee that AMCON was not involved in the plea bargain between Ibru and the government, adding that even the EFCC was not part of the process. She said: "The N150

billion was the first set of funds in respect to non-performing loans paid back to Oceanic Bank with consideration to the underlying collateral. Second set was N336 billion of depositors’ funds that had been eroded. The primary motive of AMCON was that no depositor would lose his funds. "On the 5th of September 2010, Ibru entered into a plea bargain with the Attorney-General (of the Federation) for the value of certain specified properties and funds illegally acquired. An order forfeiting the properties of Ibru was made by an FCT High Court. AMCON was no party to the plea bargain

between Ibru and the AG. AMCON paid Oceanic Bank N83 billion for assets listed in Schedule 4. Only N67 billion was received in assets by AMCON and N15.7 billion was lost. "After parting with all these set of funds, AMCON assumes full ownership of the property and does not owe anything to Oceanic Bank. These assets have been verified; they are either in the custody of AMCON or have been sold. In terms of the liquidation of the assets in question, we are not liable to render these accounts to Oceanic or Ecobank." Also, EFCC Legal Officer, Mr. Ibrahim Audu, who represented the com-

mission, said Ibru's investigation was conclusively done by the commission and there was a court order which mandated the anti-graft agency to hand over all the recovered property to AMCON to manage. He added that there was no property in the custody of the EFCC as insinuated by the petitioner alleging impropriety in the handling of the property and cash allegedly recovered from Ibru. In his testimony, CBN Deputy Governor, Dr. Okwu Nnanna, said the Central Bank had no business in overseeing the management of assets acquired by AMCON.

Similarly, Mr. Abatcha Bulama, who represented the Acting Director General of SEC, stated that the commission had no knowledge of the shares mentioned in respect of the Ibru saga. Also, the Executive Director from the Ecobank, Shehu Jafiya, said after acquiring Oceanic Bank in 2011, the bank did not know anything else pertaining to the property recovered from Ibru. The Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Victor Lar, said it would be criminal and obnoxious if Ibru would be allowed to re-acquire the property she forfeited after her conviction.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESday, March 17, 2015

Jonathan imports $15m worth of card reader jammers -APC lPDP: Your allegation wild, baseless

Johnchuks Onuanyim and Onyekachi Eze

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan has concluded plans to import $15 million worth of card reader jammers in a bid to scuttle the general elections. But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential campaign organisation said the APC was engaging in wild allegations in a bid to cause panic, balkanise the nation and create the way for a reign of anarchy in the country. The opposition party in a statement issued yesterday in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, alleged that President Jonathan had placed order for 75,000 pieces of the card reader jammers at the cost of $200 per piece, bringing the total cost to $15 million. Mohammed alleged that an Israeli, Gyora Berger, has been hired to do the dirty job. Berger, according to him, will be air freighted to Nigeria next week. The APC national Sec-

retary stated that the plan to render the card readers ineffective was to justify the fears about the use of the card readers and ultimately to scuttle the polls. He said: "We can authoritatively inform Nigerians that the morbid fear of card readers by the Jonathan administration and the PDP has now been translated into concrete action: They have hired an Israeli, Gyora Berger, to do the dirty job of jamming the card readers. "To those who might accuse us of crying wolf, they should realise that every alarm we have raised in the past has been true, including that the Jonathan administration was pushing for the postponement of the elections and that they are mortally afraid of the use of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and card readers." According to APC, the Israeli was hired specifically to develop three prototype card reader jammers. “He has now developed three of such jammers (25 metres, 50 metres and 100 metres range) to be carried in the pockets of trusted PDP stalwarts on election day with a view to disabling the card readers

within the stated radius,” he said. The party also alleged that apart from disabling the card readers, the jammers will also disable all telephones, iPads, etc within the stated radius of those carrying them on their persons. APC said: "An order has been placed for 75,000 pieces of the jammers at a cost of $200 per piece, bringing the total cost to $15 million. The jammers will be air freighted to Nigeria next week. “The plan is to deploy the card jammers to the areas deemed to be the strongholds of the APC, such as the North-West, North-East, North-Central and the South-West.” Meanwhile, Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, described the allegation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) wild and baseless. "President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP do not have any plans to sabotage the card readers and neither do we need to indulge in such shady, sinister and tardy practices," Fani-Kayode stated. He said APC is desper-

are you the one we are looking for? A fast-growing newspaper needs the services of the following: 1. Online Editor 2. Production Editors 3. Head, Supplement 4. Business Development Executives – South East, South South and North West ONliNE EDitOr: Candidate for this post must have at least a first degree in Mass Communication, Social Sciences or Arts and 10 years’ post-qualification experience, four of which must be in the online department of a reputable newspaper. The candidate must have good writing and editing skills, news judgment and be Internet savvy. He must be able to generate content for the web edition of the newspaper. PrODuctiON EDitOrS: Candidates for the post must have at least first degree in Mass Communication, Social Sciences or Arts and 10 years’ post-qualification experience, four of which must be in a similar position. In addition, the candidates should have strong computer skill and an eye for details. They should be able to drive the production process in such an efficient manner to ensure that the production deadline is timely met. HEaD, SuPPlEmENt: Candidate for the post must have at least first degree in Mass Communication, Social Sciences or Arts and seven years’ post-qualification experience. He/she must have strong editorial background with good writing skills. He must have proven track record in supplements and event execution and must be able to conceive and execute revenue-generating ideas. Business Development Executives in: i. South East ii. South South iii. North West Candidates for the post must possess a minimum of HND/BSC in Mass Communication, Marketing or Social Sciences with at least 3 years’ post qualification experience in similar position. He/She must have very strong communication skill and must be able to meet required sales target. Such candidates are also expected to reside in zones applied for. interested candidates should direct their applications to tHE HEaD, aDmiNiStratiON, DailY tElEGraPH PuBliSHiNG cOmPaNY limitED, 1, aJimOBi StrEEt, OFF acmE rOaD, aGiDiNGBi, iKEJa, laGOS or newjobstoday2015@gmail.com. The applications should reach the company within one-week of the publication of these vacancies.

ate for power and has resorted to telling different lie for every day of the week and described allegation as absurd, irrational and illogical. According to him, "It is clear that the opposition are already preparing the grounds and making excuses for their own defeat. “They are running scared and they are already preparing the minds of their supporters for their imminent failure at the polls. “Instead of saying something tangible and attempting to ginger up and encourage their supporters, all they indulge in is giving them a daily dose of sub-standard fairy tales and dirty lies. “We look forward to the elections which will commence in two weeks’ time and we have no doubt that the overwhelming number of the Nigerian people will

vote for our candidates and support our party.” Also, the ruling PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the allegation that the Federal Government has hired an Israeli expert to sabotage card readers on election day was not true. "For the APC, it has become a matter of ‘if we can’t have it, then let’s destroy it’. Having been exposed in its hypocrisy, lies and empty promises, the APC in obvious frustration is now engaged in dangerous mind game," the party noted. Metuh observed that the opposition party and its leaders have engaged in dishing out dangerous false alarms in a bid to discredit the electoral process, heighten tension, create fear in the minds of the people and push the polity to the brinks.

"We are aware that the APC has lined up many of such false allegations and nuisance alarms, which would be methodologically released to the public to swell the tension as the elections draw nearer," Metuh added. He alerted the nation, especially security agencies, electoral officials and Nigerians to be vigilant, alleging that "these allegations could indeed be a subterfuge by the APC to cover a grand plot to unbridle violence on innocent citizens.” “Our final advice to the APC is that rather than plunge our dear nation into chaos in the pursuit of its selfish interests, it should be humble enough to face reality, acknowledge its electoral inferiority to the PDP and surrender to the will of the Nigerian people,” the PDP said.

Voters should reject PDP –Tambuwal CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

fully plugged all loopholes which corrupt persons take advantage of to operate freely in the country. “More than any other president in the history of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan has fought corruption and has successfully plugged all the loopholes that allow corrupt persons to operate freely and with impunity in our country. “His reforms in the agricultural sector with special reference to the new system for the procurement of fertilizer and his reforms in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the whole area of oil subsidy prove this. Millions of dollars have been saved in these areas alone as a consequence of Mr. President's new and innovative initiatives," he stated. According to him, the president has not focused on arresting people without any credible evidence and parading them before television cameras in handcuffs, but "he believes in fighting corruption in a responsible, humane and credible manner with special emphasis on civil liberties, human rights and the rule of law." He said unlike Jonathan's predecessors, the president believed that the fight against corruption should not be selective and security agencies should not be used to intimidate or persecute innocent people or his perceived enemies. “With respect to General Buhari, it is clear to the discerning that he is the last person that can offer and

deliver a credible and honest fight against corruption simply because the rule of law and due process are completely alien concepts to him. The truth is that the man belongs to the dark ages and he cannot rid himself of that mindset. “The government that he led between 1983 and 1985 did not fight corruption but was, in fact, the biggest manifestation of corruption and abuse of power in the history of Nigeria. He jailed innocent people and sent many to their early graves for no just cause. He also applied retroactive legislation to kill people. “Buhari says he now wants to fight corruption, but the truth is that this is a contradiction in terms and it cannot be so simply because he is surrounded by some of the most corrupt, dishonest, incompetent, irresponsible and perverse souls in Nigeria. Anyone that doubts this just needs to consider the names of some of those that are leading his party," Fani-Kayode said. However, House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has cautioned Nigerians against voting for PDP in the general elections. He said the ruling party had proven to be incapable of steering the ship of the nation. Tambuwal spoke on Sunday while addressing a town hall meeting of the APC in Tsafe Emirate, Zamfara State. The speaker, according to a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said if he and some of his colleagues in

the National Assembly wanted the easy option for themselves, they would have stayed in PDP and made themselves richer. He said since 1999, the PDP had proven to be incapable of steering the ship of state in an effective manner, adding that for Nigerians to regain their dignity and self-worth, they must join hands to vote out the party from power. "Many patriotic Nigerians who felt the need to change the course of our country have protested the inept administrative style visited on this country. They made their voices known by abandoning the PDP and teaming up with progressive-minded Nigerians. "Remaining in the PDP would have been the easy option for us. We would have been richer and would have been enjoying the benefits of being in the same political camp with the Federal Government. But we chose a different option because we felt enough is enough. We felt Nigeria deserves better leadership, that is why we are in the APC. "So, a vote for PDP would be undignified. We must re-discover our selfworth as a people, we must move the country forward," the speaker added. In his speech, Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, commended Tambuwal and the House for their patriotic stand on issues, and assured the people of Tsafe Emirate of his commitment to provide quality representation when elected for a second term.

News

TUESDAY, march 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

national

Election: Ericsson orders staff to stay at home from March 25 Kunle Azeez and Juliana Francis

trong indications have emerged that the telecoms sector may be hit with mass exodus of expatriates from Nigeria as the general elections draw closer. Already, a telecom equipment company, Ericsson, has ordered its staff to remain at home from March 25. The development, it was learnt, followed the fears and uncertainty being expressed by multinationals in the telecoms

sectors over the forthcoming election in the country. While the local staffers of the telecoms companies are expected to be at work, the companies are taking measures to ensure that expatriates stay at home with their families during the election period. It was gathered that while most of the expatriates are mainly those involved in engineering and infrastructure deployment operations, which are purely field work, some of them may choose to stay with their

l Expatriates jet out of Nigeria families in Nigeria or jet out of the country to their home countries. Already, some expatriates and local staffer working with a multinational engaged in infrastructure deployment for telecoms networks in the county, Ericsson, may have been asked to stay from work as the presidential election draws closer. New Telegraph gathered yesterday that due to the uncertainty surrounding the forthcoming general elections, Er-

icsson is toeing a cautious path by directing its expatriates working to stay at home with their families, starting from March 25. The stay-at-homehome measure, it was learnt, would be observed until the election is over. The Presidential/ National Assembly elections, which will hold across the country has been rescheduled to hold March 28, while the governorship and state house of assembly elections are to hold April 11, this year. Speaking with New

Telegraph, a staff of Ericsson, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “It’s because of the election. People really don’t know what would happen. So, many people are leaving the country. “Most of the whites are leaving and most of our projects are pending. Yes, pending until the outcome of the election. If there are no issues, we would all come back and resume work.” According to the source, “Based on the election issues, all the engineers, expatriates have been asked to stay at

home with their families starting from on the 25th, until the election is over.” The source also explained how strategic the Nigerian market is to Ericsson’s operation. “We have a hub. We have hub in Nigeria. Ericsson is a multi-national company. But in Nigeria here, we have only one and that one covers most of the African countries, especially West African countries. Formerly, the headquarters was in South Africa. But another hub has been created for Nigeria now,” the source said.

New owners take control of Alaoji, 9 other NIPPs, Dec Adeola Yusuf

INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega (left), with the Director of Voters Registry, Mr. Emmanuel Akem, during a special televised town hall meeting in Abuja …yesterday

Buhari condemns Benue bloodshed FG signs MoU for 250kw, Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has condemned the recent killings in Benue State, stating that bloodshed would not solve any problem. Buhari, who stated this in reaction to the incident at Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, where dozens, mainly women and children, were killed in cold blood by suspected herdsmen, stated that resort to violence in whatever form was not acceptable

and justifiable, no matter the grievances. The APC campaign organization Director of Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in a statement, quoted Buhari as deeply saddened that the cordial relationships that once existed between and among the people have been replaced by intolerance and hate. Shehu said political leaders should be able to build trust among the people as the basis for dialogue, adding that "if the people can no longer listen to their leaders, such crises might persist and make life more miserable for the people.”

1MW solar power

Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, on behalf of the Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) with Ezektech Limited for the provision of 250kW – 1MW solar powered plant all over the country. Signing the MoU in Abuja, Nebo described the initiative as the right thing to do. He said: “The project should not be put in the archives;” insisting, “we want to see ac-

Udensi celebrates mothers Norman Obinna

others in St John’s Anglican Church Itaja/Amuzu parish and St Luke’s Anglican Church Amakama Olokoro, had a blissful mothers’ day celebration as the Progressive Peoples Alliance gov-

ernorship candidate in Abia State, Sir Chikwe Udensi, paid them an unannounced visit on Sunday. The two Anglican churches, which have their parishes in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, saw what started

tion, because these things are do-able”. Nebo said that the initiative is in line with the Presidential directive to ensure provision of electricity 24\7 for every Nigerian. Describing the provision of electricity in smaller ranges as laudable, the Minister disclosed that it would be devoid of licensing bottlenecks as stipulated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which would make the delivery of power to the people easier and quicker.

he Federal Government said yesterday that winners of the bids for Alaoji and nine other National Integrated Power Plants (NIPPs) will get possession of the assets before December. Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, who gave this hint at the Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference (NOG) in Abuja, maintained that the transfer of assets would be perfected in a matter of "months." The Federal Government, according to Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, expects to garner $3.2 billion (about N512 billion) from the sale of the 10 power plants. "It is worthy of note that all the 10 NIPP Power Plants have now achieved gas supply. All these power plants are now on the way to being privatised with preferred bidders already announced. "We expect in the coming months to have the transfer of the assets to the new private sector owners concluded," Nebo said. A source at the ministry told this newspaper that these arrangement is in preparation for December handover. "It is evident from the foregoing that a lot of progress has been made. These achievements are a demonstration of what is possible and can be said to

have set the scene for the way forward, which will see Nigeria well on the path of meeting its target of generating 20MW by 2020," Nebo added. Meanwhile, the oil price rout rocking the global oil and gas industry took the centre stage as experts gathered in Abuja for the NOG conference. Minister of Petroleum resources, who declared the conference open, told participants that though the oil price is moving up gradually, they should focus discussion on how Nigeria could continue to benefit from oil. Represented by the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Joseph Dahwa, she stated that the government would continue to strive to ensure that the transformation of the oil and gas sector is taken to a logical conclusion. Meanwhile, Professor Nebo, has said that incidents of vandalism of oil and gas pipelines have blighted many of the achievements that have been recorded in increasing the supply of gas to power. He said: "These acts by their sheer savagery and regularity have constrained the generation of power to much less than the current system capacity of about 5,500MW."

APC decries discrepancies in fuel price as a normal service turn to festival as Udensi; a Knight, his wife Mrs. Chidinma Udensi; his deputy, Hon Uche Enyioko and PPA Abia State chairman, Prince Emeka Okafor, visited to felicitate with the mothers on mothers’ day celebration.

Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organization yesterday decried the discrepancies on fuel pump price across the country. Addressing journalists

at the presidential campaign office in Abuja, the Deputy Director General of the campaign organization, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, stated that only Lagos and Abuja sell fuel at the pump price of N87. He said: "We have called this press confer-

ence today to draw attention to the worsening fuel supply situation in the country and other sundry matters. "Across the country, except Lagos and Abuja where fuel scarcity has eased off, due largely to the huge presence of the media."

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, march 17, 2015

attack

Political thugs working against APC attack convoy, damaging 10 vehicles

Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

he convoy of Hajia Aisha Buhari, wife of the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), was attacked yesterday in Ilorin, Kwara State by people suspected to be political

Abuja

he Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has solicited the support of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, and its partners towards capacity building for the incoming lawmakers. Ekweremadu spoke during a strategic meeting between the National Institute for Legislative Studies, NILS, and the UNDP Democratic Governance for Development, GDG, Project team in Abuja. The Senator, who also chairs the Governing Council of NILS, said

thugs working against the APC. Although no one was injured in the attack which was said to have taken place while she was returning from a courtesy visit to the Emir of Ilorin, about 10 vehicles were said to have been damaged during the incident. Commissioner of Police in the state, Garba Shehu, confirmed the incident but said that only one vehicle was damaged. State chairman of the

pre-inauguration capacity building for the next legislature was imperative, especially given the high turnover of lawmakers across the country, which he said takes tolls on both experience and material resources. He said: “You are aware of the constant turnover of parliamentarians. It is obvious that this year will not be different, given what we have already seen during the primary elections across the parties. So, between the end of the elections and the inauguration of the new parliaments, we need to deal with the capacity of those who are coming newly and to enable them to interact with the older ones”.

CJN orders judges to use ADR for speedy justice delivery Tunde Oyesina Abuja

n a bid to clear all the backlogs of cases in the court, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, yesterday called on judges to adopt the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, to resolve cases pending before them, instead of the long process of adjudication. The CJN, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the Refresher course for judges on Alternative

Dispute Resolution and Criminal Justice Reform organized by the National Judicial Institute, NJI, Abuja stated that the number of cases dispensed of by judges using ADR will form part of their performance evaluation. In her opening address, the Administrator of the Institute, Justice Rosaline Bozimo, noted that the use of non-litigation dispute resolution processes fall within the ambit of Alternative Dispute resolution (ADR), which is not widely accepted in a variety of dispute contexts.

APC, Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani, addressed newsmen on the development late last night. Excerpt from his terse statement which he read to the press is as follows: "A worrisome incident took place today, March 16, 2015 during the visit of Hajia Aishat Buhari, wife of APC presidential candidate. Her convoy was attacked around a film house along Emir road, Ilorin. About 10 vehicles were vandalised. "We are using this medium again to call the Police and other security agencies to be alert and

call those concerned to order." Earlier, Mrs Buhari, had charged leaders of the party to embark on aggressive education of their grassroots supporters to avoid losing prospective ballots due to ignorance about party logo. Already, she said that, APC women leaders across the country have commenced aggressive political education on the broom logo of the APC in order to ensure that Nigerian women vote enmass for the party during the polls. Hajia Buhari, who stat-

Abuja

strategic 3-day Chief of Army Staff (COAS) first quarter conference opened yesterday in Abuja, with discussions expected to centre on general administration of troops, development plan for the Nigerian Army,

and preparations for the March 28 and April 11 general elections. The COAS, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, who stated this in his opening remarks, further noted that the conference was convened "primarily to review our operational, administrative and logistical activities in the first three

ed this in Ilorin, Kwara State, during a courtesy call on Governor AbulFattah Ahmed, said given the diverse political backgrounds of the legacy parties that merged to form the APC and the fact the most supporters of her husband are masses and non-literate, it has become necessary to embark on such a move. While noting that so far, women constitute over 50 per cent of registered voters for the 2015 polls, Hajia Buhari said there was the need to interact with them at different levels, promising to achieve that in the

two days she would spend in the state. She told her host, "It has become necessary for our political leaders to go out and educate women on party activities and logo bearing in mind that, many of APC candidates particularly, the party's presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has moved from ANPP to CPC and finally to mega party called APC. "Recently, one of my people was in a bus and she was talking with a woman who said she had been voting for Buhari and she will continue to vote for him."

L-R: Senior Manager Operations and Programme, The Bible Society of Nigeria, Mr. Samuel Sanusi; Assistant General Secretary, Publishing, Pastor Victor ‘Damilare; General Secretary. Dare Ajiboye; His Royal Majesty, Oba Nathaniel Fasina, Onitoro of Itoroland, Ogun State and Assistant General Secretary, Finance, Pastor Kola Sokunbi, during a courtesy visit to the BSN by the Oba …yesterday

Obanikoro: We complied with Court sacks Ibinabo legislative procedures, says Mark Fiberesima as AGN President Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

resident of the Senate, Senator David Mark, yesterday, said that the Senate did not breach any rule in last week's screening of ministerial nominees which resulted in the confirmation of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and six others. Mark explained that contrary to the insinuations in some quarters, the Senate fully complied with all the legislative practices and procedures in the confirmation of all the ministerial nominees that appeared before it.

The explanation came on the heels of the controversies that arose from the exercise, particularly the walkout staged by Senators elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress( APC) in protest on the decision of the upper chamber to confirm Obanikoro's nomination. In a statement signed by Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President of the Senate, Mark described as misplaced, the argument of the APC legislators that it was the tradition of the Senate that where three Senators from a state were opposed to a nominee.

2015: Army chief, senior officers in strategic meeting Emmanuel Onani

Buhari's wife’s convoy attacked in Ilorin

Ekweremadu seeks UNDP’s support on capacity building Chukwu David

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months of the year." Minimah, who expressed satisfaction with the renewed counterinsurgency operations in the North East, vowed that "never again" will the Army allow Boko Haram fighters, to overrun any Nigerian. This is as he admitted that the activities of Boko Haram, prior to the

Army's equipment upgrade, training as well as improvement of soldiers' welfare, had humiliated the Nigerian Army, and threatened to bring it to its knees. He thanked Nigerians for the renewed support for the Nigerian Army, promising to sustain the tempo until the Boko Haram insurgency is eliminated.

Akeem Nafiu

ustice James Tsoho of a Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday nullified the election which produced Ibinabo Fiberesima as the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN). The suit that brought about the judgment was filed by an actor, St. Maradona Mikevine, who was the National Treasurer in the election that produced another popular actor, Emeka Ike, as AGN President. Justice Tsoho, in the judgment, declared the election that brought Ibinabo-led AGN executive into office as null and void and of no effect whatsoever. The court held that the election was conducted against a clear order of court that parties should maintain status quo. Justice Tsoho added that the Incorporated Trustees of AGN acted with utter impunity in disobeying the clear order of court. The court held: "It is not in doubt that the parties in this suit are entertainers

but the business of court is a serious one and it cannot be turned into a legal play and for this reason, the election is hereby declared null and void." Justice Tsoho further ordered Ibinabo as well as other national officers that emerged from the said election to henceforth, stop parading themselves as national officers of the Guild. Besides, Justice Tsoho ordered Ibinabo and all the national officers to render full accounts of monies generated by the AGN under her, including details of income and expenditure. The judge specifically ordered that a comprehensive audit of the accounts of AGN be conducted within 90 days of the date of delivery of the judgment. The judge further held that from the processes before the court, it was clear that the plaintiff (Mikevine) had locus standi to file the suit, in the sense that the identity card of the said plaintiff, which was attached to the suit, was not contested by the defendants.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro

‘I’ve sold over 100 AK47 rifles to militants’

GUNRUNNING A suspected gunrunner says he used the proceeds of arms dealing to train his children, but did not know selling arms is illegal Shola Adefuwa and Gbemisola Oyedepo

50-year-old suspected cross border arms dealer, Andrew Moukwue, said yesterday that he used to supply AK47 rifles to militants in different parts of the country. Moukwue and members of his gang were paraded at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters, Ikeja. The suspect disclosed that he used to smuggle the guns from Mali, adding that he had brought more than 100 guns into Nigeria. One of those arrested for gunrunning is a 400 level undergraduate of Economics, University of Port Harcourt. Moukwue also said he bought some guns in the country and resold them to criminals. He said: “I bought some guns from one Alhaji Amau in Ibadan. I have sold more than 100 guns. I bought one for N350,000 and sold it for N400,000. “People came from Anambra, Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, Enugu and Lagos states to buy rifles from me. I have a store at Onitsha Market where I used to keep the guns. I used the money I realise to train my children. I did not know the business was illegal until I was arrested.” The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti,

The suspects

who paraded the suspects, said Moukwue, who is leader of the gang, was arrested at Onitsha, Anambra State, following information from an informant. According to the commissioner, the suspect was later used as bait to catch other members of the gang. He said: “After we arrested Moukwue, he led detectives from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) back to Onitsha, where one Edwin was arrested and three AK47 rifles, with serial numbers AB256591, VL420219 and Ax6217 recovered.” Following information

from the suspects, SARS team stormed River State, where Onyeale and Reginald were arrested. Four English pistols, two berretta pistols, with serial numbers 148847 and 682304 and two brownie pistols, with serial numbers 42649 and 1137366, were all recovered from them. “Detectives have embarked on combing Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia states, in order to fish out the remaining gang members who went underground. We will get them,” the police boss added. Stating his own side of the story, Edwin said: “I was sell-

ing beverages before somebody introduced me to this business last year. I used to sell each of the 14 guns I bought from Moukwue for N430,000. Nomads and businessmen used to buy from me.” But on his part, Reginald denied being a gunrunner. He said: “I’m innocent of this crime. I was arrested by SARS men at the home of my mentor. My mentor, Onyeali, used to assist me with money for my education. I do not know Onyeali’s full name. “I have seen Onyeali with a gun. It was a pump action gun. I also know that Onyeali

used to issue gun licence to his numerous clients. These clients usually come in large numbers. The truth, however, is that I am not aware that Onyeali is a robber.” Asked how he came to know Onyeali, who is presently in the United States, Reginald said that he became friendly with the man after they met at a cyber-cafe somewhere in Romuolo area of Port Harcourt. Reginald said he assisted Onyeali to type some documents. The documents had to do with Onyeali’s Master’s degree theses at the University of Port Harcourt.

BRT vandalism: Tribunal indicts soldiers, bus management Muritala Ayinla

he Tribunal of Enquiry set up to investigate the July 4, 2014 accident involving a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), in Lagos State, yesterday submitted its

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

report to Governor Babatunde Fashola. The report which indicted the soldiers, said they threw caution to the wind in the wake of the fracas. The report came about eight months after the government setup a tree-man tribunal chaired by Justice Ebenezer Adebajo (rtd) to investigate the cause of the incident which occurred at Palm Grove. But submitting the report at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja House, Adebajo asked the Nigerian Army to publicly apologise to the governor and Lagos residents for the disturbance of public peace as well as destruction of public utilities instigated by some of its

Fashola

officers. The tribunal, which also found the management of the

BRT buses culpable for abandoning the vehicle on the road, recommended a review of the agreement on the management of the buses. There was pandemonium when the soldiers went on the rampage and set some BRT buses ablaze. They were protesting the killing of one of their colleagues allegedly by a BRT bus while riding his motorcycle on the BRT dedicated lane between Palm Groove and Onipanu area on the Lagos-Ikorodu Road. Speaking before handing over the report, Adebajo said the tribunal held 19 public hearings, with the findings and recommendations compiled in eight volumes.

According to him, the tribunal was able to ascertain that the deceased soldier rode his motorcycle into a stationary BRT bus, which was reported to have been left outside the BRT corridor after it ran out of fuel. He said: “The tribunal found that the soldier motorcyclist caused his own death. The late soldier motorcyclist rode his motorcycle without a helmet in breach of Section 3, Sub-section 3 of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State 2012. “Extensive vandalism, harassment of innocent citizens that followed was caused by identifiable soldiers of the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army garrisoned at the Ikeja Cantonment.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

Father of two arrested for Facebook lover’s death Juliana Francis

father of two, Christopher Ezekiel, has been arrested by the police in Lagos for the death of his lover who he met on Facebook. The suspect left his home and family at Ibadan, Oyo State and travelled down to Lagos to meet Adekemi Faboro. Incidentally, it was the first night that Ezekiel spent with the lady that she fell sick and died within hours. Ezekiel, an engineer, married to a woman work-

Family, friends protest man’s death in police custody

The protesters

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

here was wild protest in Benin, Edo State yesterday over the mysterious death of a 27-year-old man, Chibuike Edeh, in the hands of police at Area Command Sapele Road. The deceased was said to be a house keeper/cleaner at Protea Hotel, Benin. He was accused of stealing N48,000 in the hotel. Edeh, an indigene of Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, was arrested and detained by the police.

He, however, died in police custody. Edeh was found dead with broken legs and a deed cut in his head while the body was mutilated. His neck and back were also burnt. The body of was deposited at the morgue of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and labelled ‘unknown person’ by the hospital authorities. The development angered family members and friends, some of who spoke with the late Ede at the police station hours after he was arrested. He was said to have been arrested on Friday and taken into custody by the police at

the Sapele Road Area Command on the invitation of the management of Protea Hotel over alleged theft of N42,000 belonging to a guest who lodged at the hotel. Family members and friends went to the station about 10am on Saturday and they were asked to buy him food, after which arrangements were made for his bail. But hours after Edeh’s mother left the police station to look for the money, members of the family were shocked to learn on their return that ‘somebody’ had bailed their son and that he had since left the police station. The family said the name of their son was listed as number 18 on police suspects’ crime board, but his name

Adebutu empowers constituents

he people of Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State have expressed appreciation to Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu for empowering the needy in their midst. Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party, House of Representatives candidate, Remo Federal Constituency, donated items such as deep freezers, sewing machines, motorcycles, hairdryers, generators, gas cookers, washing machines, fans, clippers, toasting machines,

pressing irons and cash to people. The items were donated by the Ladi Adebutu Democratic Organisation (LADO). A woman, Mrs Abosede Christanah Omotayo, also won a Toyota Camry car in a raffle at the event which was held at the Sabo motor park, Isara Remo. Adebutu described his gesture as a way of empowering his people economically, thereby providing them a daily means of livelihood. The PDP candidate urged

the beneficiaries to make a judicious use of what was given to them, while also enjoining

Ikeja residents protest blackout, crazy bills John Edu and Vivian Oshile

ing with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Ibadan, was picked up by homicide detectives as the prime suspect. A source said: “We gathered that the deceased started coughing while they were in her home, around 1am. She was rushed to the IfakoIjaiye General Hospital, but died. We are still investigating.” The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Kenneth Nwosu, who confirmed the story, said that the matter would be charged The late Faboro to court today.

The late Edeh

Metro Briefs

was suddenly deleted from the board. The family appealed to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Samuel Adegbuyi, and Governor Adams Oshiomhole to intervene in the matter. A member of senior management staff of Protea Hotel, who did not want to disclose his name, told journalists that the late Edeh “had been a staff of the hotel for the past two years. Last week, I cannot tell you exactly what transpired, a guest complained about a missing item because he attended to the room and the matter was referred to the police. That is all I can tell you right now. “You can speak with the police who will give you details of information about what happened.” When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Joseph Edoigiawerie, said the deceased confessed that he stole the money and that he kept it on the perimeter fence demarcating the NNPC and the hotel. Edoigiawerie claimed that it was while the suspect led policemen to the spot where he kept the money that he tried to run away. He added that Edeh was killed in the process by a Toyota Camry car. them to vote for him as well as the Ogun East Senatorial candidate, Prince Buruji Kashamu, and President Goodluck Jonathan.

Adebutu handing over the car keys to Mrs Omotayo

he residents of Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday marched on the office of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) at Alausa, to protest blackout and ‘crazy bills’. Some of the protesters wondered why they kept getting ‘crazy bills’ while there was no proportional supply of power in return. One of the protesters, who identified himself simply as Ayo, said “unless the power company supplies power in return for the money it charges, we shall burn down their buildings”. Another protester, who craved anonymity, asked IKEDC to provide them with pre-paid meters, saying the consumers were no longer ready to be short-changed. Reacting to the protesters request, Head Communication, IKEDC, Mr Kweku Adeyanju, said the company could only offer its customers the allocation it got from the National Grid.

Peace ambassador bites fiancé’s sex organ Mary Okpalaume

woman simply identified as Ms Onajite is now in police cell at Ughelli Police ‘A’ Division, Delta State, for allegedly biting her lover’s sex organ. It was gathered that the woman, who works as a peace ambassador for a popular Non-Governmental Organisation (name withheld) descended on her fiancé after a misunderstanding. Trouble started when the woman met her husband-to-be, identified as Sparco, who is a commercial motorcyclist at the popular Post Office Roundabout in the Ughelli metropolis and demanded refund of remaining N15,000 out of the money she loaned to him to purchase a motorcycle. Sources said the argument degenerated into a rowdy scene when the man pushed the woman on the ground and took to his heels. A witness said: “The woman started shouting thief, thief, thief. This attracted a mob which beat the man to the state of coma after which the woman bit him on his manhood.”

Palm wine tapper batters septuagenarian Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

70-year-old man, Agu Enu, who hails from Aguoguji, Ezzagu in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, almost lost his when palm wine tapper (name withheld) battered for allegedly stealing palm wine. A witness, Nwali Zaachaus, said the palm wine tapper saw Enu in the bush and attacked him. He said: “Immediately the tapper noticed that the man had fainted, he took to his heels while blood started gushing out from the man’s mouth and nose. So I have to raise the alarm which attracted villagers and sympathisers who revived Enu. We thanked God that he did not die in the process.” The witness added that the youth of the area mobilised to get the tapper but were advised to report the matter to the traditional ruler of the area who was said to be out of town.

12 News

south - west

TUESDAY, march 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NUJ calls for recognition of journalists in civil service Muritala Ayinla

he Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Information Chapel, Mrs. Adeola Lawal, has made a case for the recognition of more media professionals in the permanent secretary cadre. Lawal, who also urged journalists to pay attention to their health to enable them carry out their constitutional roles in the society, described good health for journalists as an impetus for high productivity and a

better society. Lawal gave the charge during a press conference to mark the 2015 Press Week of the union, saying that journalists were good enough to attain peak positions in the civil service. She cited an instance of the Information Ministry which had seven directors on Grade Level 17 but with little or no prospect of any becoming a permanent secretary. She said: “Presently, we have seven directors from our union on Grade Level 17."

NUC grants accreditation to EKSU medical college Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he National Universities Commission (NUC) has given full accreditation to the College of Medicine, Ekiti State University (EKSU) just as the institution is set to graduate 6, 807 students at its 20th convocation ceremony. The institution is also expecting accreditation of the College by the Medical and Dental

Council of Nigeria and feelers from the council are positive. The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Patrick Aina, while briefing the press in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said 19 of the graduating students bagged first class degrees in various fields. Aina, who said the convocation would cover the 2012/2013 academic session, said due to the strike by lecturers nationwide, the school lost the 2013/2014 session.

Reps’ candidate warns youths against electoral fraud

former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Social Development and Special Duties, Hon. Yusuff Lakunle, yesterday warned youths in the country not to allow themselves to be used as tools by desperate politicians to perpetrate electoral fraud in the coming elections. Lakunle, who dropped the warning at a programme organised by South-West Youth Voters awareness and sensitisation programme in Osogbo, to garner support

Babatope Okeowo Akure

ouths from the oil producing communities of Ondo State yesterday threw their weight behind the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan. The youths who were drawn from the four kingdoms of Aheri, Etikan, Ugbo and Mahin in Ilaje Local Government, based their support on the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)'s candidate is one of them being a person from a riverine

for President Jonathan’s re-election, charged youths in the country not to allow themselves to be bought over in the coming election, but conduct themselves in a good manner at the polls. The former special adviser, who is the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Lagelu/Akinyemi Federal Constituency in Oyo State, also charged politicians in the South-West to shun violence and acrimony that could bring electoral malpractices during the elections.

South West Coordinator, Buhari/Osinbajo Presidential campaign, Governor Rauf Aregbesola (left), addressing the Oludo of Idominasi, Oba Folorunso Ademiju Obasanya and the Osun Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, during a grassroot campaign rally for Presidential, National/State House of Assemblies, at Idominasi, Obokun Local Government Area…yesterday

Strike: Lamentations as LASUTH discharges patients Appolonia Adeyemi and Esther Albert

s the strike declared by Lagos State doctors under the umbrella of the Medical Guild commenced yesterday, some patients admitted in the wards of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, were discharged and told to go home irrespective of their health status. Also, patients who turned up at LASUTH and the General Hospital, Igando, a suburb of the city, were yesterday turned back unattended to. However, doctors attended to critically-ill patients, who were on emergency. It will be recalled that the strike, which was enforced by the doctors in all public hospitals in Lagos commenced yesterday, leaving some patients that had been admitted in LASUTH wards stranded as doctors that had been providing care before the commencement of the strike, discharged them

and advised them to leave the health facility. One of the patients, a 60-year-old retired female civil servant, who declined to be named, said she was admitted into Female Surgical Ward at LASUTH penultimate Sunday with blocked intestines. By the time she was rushed to LASUTH, she could neither eat nor sleep over severe discomfort from her intestines. Initially, doctors prescribed surgery for her, but changed their minds due to her advanced age and have been monitoring her condition. However, as at the time she was discharged yesterday, she lamented that she was still in severe pain. According to her, doctors advised her to report to the Emergency Section if her health situation worsens. Another patient, Mrs. Stella Odeyemi, who came for the treatment of her son who fell from a story building and suffered severe head injury and needed a doctor’s attention had

to go back home without been attended to. “I don’t know what to do any more since the doctors had been attending to my son for some time and now that they are on strike, I don’t know what will happen to him, because I don’t have enough money to take him to a private hospital for further treatment.” Similarly, a patient, Mr. Kayode Ibukun, who was in the hospital for treatment, said he was supposed to see his doctor for check-up yesterday, but due to the strike, he was not attended to by any doctor. He said he suffered severe arthritis pain, which made sleep impossible all night, hence, his visit to the hospital. “Without the expected treatment, I will not sleep again tonight,” Ibukun said. Also, speaking with New Telegraph, a patient, Mrs. Abimbola Adebisi, who lamented that since the doctors are on strike, she does not know what will be the fate of her twoyear-old daughter who was

involved in an auto crash on their way to Akure. Both mother and daughter were admitted in LASUTH. But reacting to the position of the Lagos State government on the salaries’ issue yesterday, Chairman of the Medical Guild, Dr. Biyi Kufo, said the government has been discriminating against doctors. According to a statement from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), “six other groups that had embarked on strike within the said period with the Lagos doctors, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for six months in 2013, had their pay in full during the period.” Other demands of the doctors include ending the appointment of doctors in Lagos under locum arrangement and the appointment of resident doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos, which had been stalled for some years.

Mojeed Alabi Oil communities’ youths LASU boils again as workers t was yet another round support Jonathan’s re-election Iof trouble at the Lagos disrupt convocation community. Okunomo, the group said State University (LASU), cates, staff victimisation, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Also, the youths said the last four years of Jonathan's administration has brought positive changes to the oil producing communities and the country at large. In a communique at the first Ilaje Graduate Summit tagged, “The Significance of the forthcoming General Elections on the Future of Ilaje Nation,” organised by the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Banji

President Jonathan has achieved a lot in his first term and would deliver more if elected again. Okunomo said the summit became imperative to the Ilaje nation to define and locate the agenda of the Ilaje as it relates to the recommendations of the 2014 national conference, saying that the Ilaje race cannot afford the back seat in the overall corporate existence of the Yoruba agenda.

Ojo, yesterday when the traditional Coconut Breaking Festival scheduled as part of the institution’s 20th convocation ceremony was disrupted by angry workers who were protesting around the campus. The workers were protesting at the expiration of their earlier 31-day ultimatum issued to the university’s management over allegations of withdrawal of PhD certifi-

non-payment of outstanding salary arrears and violation of due process, among others. The protest, involving members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU); Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the NonAcademic Staff Union (NASU), also put paid to the Senate meeting that was billed to hold allegedly to elect a new

in charge of Academics. The workers, who defied the presence of armed policemen, used vehicles to block the two access gates to the university while singing several anti-Obafunwa songs. And at about 11.00am when the protest became uncontrollable, policemen escorted the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oladapo Obafunwa, out of the campus through the LASU-Iba gate.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MarCH 17, 2015

Presidency

Propaganda won’t save APC from defeat – First Lady

General elections

Lagos guber

REC Forum

Jega

Isiaka

Ambode intensifies campaign for final onslaught

S’Court decides Ekwunife, Oduah, Uba’s fate today

Votes’ll count in Abia, says Oko

Politics Statistics by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that Ogun State has the lowest Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) collection rate nationwide. In this report, KUNLE OLAYENI writes on the worries of political gladiators in both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state as the general elections draw nearer

head of the rescheduled general elections, the distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) is generating anxiety among political players in Ogun State and casting shadows over the polls. Of all the states of the federation, Ogun accounts for the lowest in terms of the number of registered voters that had collected their PVCs. In a report released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the percentage of PVC collection nationally was put at 78.93 per cent. The commission stated that of the 68,833,476 registered voters nationwide, it had delivered 67,206,600 PVCs across the country while only 54,327,747, which represents 78.93 per cent of the cards, had been collected. But, according to the INEC report, only 808,590 out of the 1,829,534 registered voters in Ogun State had collected their PVCs. This figure represents a mere 44.20 per cent. The report also indicated that 1,387,401 PVCs had been delivered to the state, meaning almost 600,000 cards remained unclaimed. This development has gener-

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY Editor, POLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Amosun

PVC distribution unsettles APC, PDP ated hoopla in the state polity and upset hitherto calculations, even as many stakeholders continued to lament their inability to obtain PVCs. Yet, states like Jigawa, Gombe and Akwa Ibom are topping the chart with highest collection of PVCs with 98 per cent, 95 per cent and 94.46 per cent respectively. Of the 1,831,276 registered voters in Jigawa, 1,794,646 of them had collected their PVCs while in Gombe with 1,120,023 registered voters, 1,064,577 PVCs had been picked. For Akwa Ibom, out of its 1,680,759 registered voters, 1,587,566 voters had collected their cards. What then could have gone wrong with the Gateway State despite all its mighty records of political sophistication in Nigeria’s history? While answers to this poser are still far-fetched, many political actors have re-strategised and intensified campaigns to address the ‘unimpressive statistics’ as the deadline for PVC collection approaches. INEC initially set deadline for March 8 but has extended it to March 22. Findings revealed that areas considered as the strongholds of the major political parties and their governorship candidates are lacking in PVC collection. For example, Abeokuta North and Abeokuta South local government areas which are reputed as the political base of Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Ogun Central Senatorial District could hardly boast of

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

We want to vote in Ogun State and perform our civic responsibility. INEC should put their house in order and sort us out

more than 30,000 collected cards. In Imeko-Afon, where Prince Gboyega Isiaka of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hails from, PVCs are grossly inadequate. In Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, which used to produce the largest number of voters in the state, the PVCs so far distributed have not been commensurate with the council’s registered voters. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) standard bearer, Senator Akin Odunsi, hails from the area. Some major towns, including Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Ipokia and Odogbolu have also not received adequate PVCs. Worried by the development, Amosun accused INEC of plotting to disenfranchise 800,000 eligible voters in the state. He also raised the alarm over 600,000 “strange” PVCs, which he said, have surfaced in the state. The governor had to storm the INEC office in Magbon, Abeokuta and express his dissatisfaction about the shoddy PVC distribution to the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Chief Timothy Ibitoye. He argued that the lack of voter cards was an attempt to disenfranchise teeming voters in the state. Amosun stated that of the 450,000 eligible voters who reregistered in November 2014, only 150,000 voter cards were produced and distributed by the electoral body. While alluding to the fact that some unknown persons were

manipulating the electoral body in Abuja, Amosun also kicked against the distribution of the PVCs in piecemeal in the state. “It is a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise us because how can you bring cards that do not belong to Ogun State? All other states have collected their own, why are they not releasing our own? We want to vote in Ogun State and perform our civic responsibility. INEC should put their house in order and sort us out. In Ogun State, only about 40 per cent of cards have been distributed,” he added. The governor explained that the state government failed to declare a work-free day for eligible voters to access their PVCs due to the commission’s failure to deliver the cards. But the PDPPresidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO) in the state countered Amosun over his visit to INEC. The organisation, which is sponsored by ex-Governor Gbenga Daniel, noted that the governor had no legal and moral right to visit the INEC office to complain about the distribution of PVCs. In a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Oliyide, the PCO contended that it was “crass opportunism and open blackmail” for the governor, who is a candidate like every other candidates standing for elections, to have embarked on such visit. He said: “Governor Amosun, CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Politics

Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

igeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has said no amount of propaganda by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) will save it from defeat by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 28 presidential election. Addressing women in Ado-Ekiti yesterday during the PDP Women Presidential Rally, Patience, whose husband, President Goodluck Jonathan, is seeking re-election, also faulted the APC’s stance on the Office of the First Lady. “PDP is not a party that tells lies. Whatever we promise to do we do. We are not a party of propagandists. I will not tell you lies but the truth. Those in the opposition, what did they do when

TUESDAY, MarCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Propaganda won’t save APC from defeat – First Lady

they were in government? “When Fayose was in Ekiti as governor in his first term, didn’t he do something? If he didn’t do something for you then, will you vote him again? If you have done something, your handwriting will be visible. “If anyone is telling you change, they are deceiving you. These were people that when they were there before Goodluck Jonathan, they did not count you women as anything. But today, PDP has wiped off our tears. Jonathan has wiped off our tears. He has fulfilled his promise of giving women 35 per cent partici-

pation. He gave 16 seats to women out of 42 slots in his cabinet. He is a performer,” she said. On the position of the First Lady that the APC said it did not recognise, Mrs. Jonathan argued that if there was no Office of the First Lady, “at least the President has a wife who must support him.” In his speech, Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, described the APC as a combination of strange bed fellows.

“President Jonathan is a digital President. This is the time to pay back and vote him, don’t go analogue, go digital. APC is analogue, PDP is digital. “Youths are also qualified to rule, let every old man give young men a chance. Ekiti people, if you love Fayose shine your eyes. Our own product is a doctorate degree graduate, he is young, energetic. Nigerians, we must shine our eyes and prevent an avoidable problem. Af-

ter Goodluck is through with his second term, the North would have an uninterrupted eight-year tenure,” he said. Ekiti First Lady, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, promised that women would vote massively for President Jonathan and the PDP, saying the opposition had no hiding place. The PDP National Women Leader, Mrs Kema Chikwe, said from the reception that the party was getting from across the

country, Nigerians were solidly behind the president and the party. Meanwhile, no fewer than 140 wives of traditional rulers in Ekiti State (Oloris) welcomed the First Lady. The wives of the monarchs, who spoke through the wife of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Mrs. Abosede Adejugbe, also appealed to her to fully extend the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) to Ekiti State.

S’Court decides Ekwunife, Oduah, Uba’s fate today Tony Okafor Awka

he Supreme Court will today decides the fate of Hon. Uche Ekwunife, Princess Stella Oduah and Senator Andy Uba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in their bid to contest the March 28 senatorial election in Anambra State. Ekwunife, a member of the House of Representatives, is contesting the Anambra Central Senatorial District seat while Oduah, a former Minister of Aviation, is vying for Anambra North senatorial seat. Uba, a serving senator, is contesting the Anambra South Senatorial District seat. The Oguebego-led executive of the Anambra PDP had gone to the apex court to challenge the decision of the Court of Appeal declaring Ekwunife, Oduah and Uba the authentic candidates of the party for the senatorial election. The Court of Appeal

had in its judgement quashed the decision of the Federal High Court that recognised the candidates – Chris Uba (Anambra South), Annie Okonkwo (Anambra Central) and John Emeka (Anambra North) – presented by the Oguebegoled PDP executives for the elections. The appellate court ruled that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter. Consequent upon that, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had to remove the names of those earlier published by it. Meanwhile, apprehension has pervaded the political atmosphere of the state following this development. As at yesterday, people were seen in clusters discussing the impending judgement. However, the gladiators in the race were said to have travelled outside the state for the judgement.

L-R: Deputy Director (Media), Buhari Campaign Organisation, Paul Ibe; Director of Media, Garba Shehu and Deputy Director General, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora, at a press briefing on the state of the nation in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Idoma give condition for support to guber candidates Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

head of the April 11 governorship election in Benue State, the Idoma people of Benue South Senatorial District have threatened not to vote for any governorship candidate that fails to undertake a written agreement with them. The agreement will indicate specific plans the

Taraba: 12 parties form coalition against PDP Sabiu Mustapha JALINGO

welve opposition political parties in Taraba State have formed a coalition to work for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, in the April 11 election. State Chairman of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Mal. Faruk Waziri Kunini, who addressed journalists yesterday in

Jalingo, the state capital, on behalf of the 12 state chairmen of the parties that formed the coalition, said the decision was hinged on the failure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to provide good governance for the state in the past 15 years. “In the previous elections, we supported PDP to win Taraba. Today, we are regretting what we did because even the party itself cannot show any developmental project that it can claim it executed

in the state within its 16 years of rule,” he said. The 12 political parties that formed the coalition and endorsed the APC’s candidate are: DPP, AA, ACPN, UDP, APA, PDC, UPP, PPN, ID, PPA, CPP and KOWA party. Kunini said five of the 12 parties earlier fielded governorship candidates for the April 11 election, but they have agreed to work for Alhassan because they want to rescue the state from the misrule of the PDP.

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

governorship candidate has for the Idomas when he assumes office as governor. Addressing a gathering of Idoma people in Otukpo, at a town hall meeting organised by Idoma National Forum at the weekend, elder statesman, Major General Geoffery Ejiga (rtd), regretted that in spite of the loyalty of the Idoma people to their Tiv brothers since the creation of the state 39 years ago, they have not been treated fairly. Apart from the governorship seat which he said has become an exclusive preserve of the Tiv, Ejiga, who is the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in Benue South (Zone C), also lamented

the difficulty in having an Idoma person as Speaker of the state legislature or Chief Judge. “We don’t have future in Benue. Let nobody deceive you; the solution is to have our state. Let us go because we don’t have a future in Benue State. Let the politics of Benue State be for Zones A and B. “What we should do, since our votes make them to win, they should come and tell us what they will do for our people; they must tell me and my people or we will even not vote for them,” Ejiga stressed. He observed that other states in the country have allowed minority tribes to be governors and wondered why the case of Benue is different with the Idoma perpetually made to occupy the seat of deputy governor. Also speaking, former Chief Press Secretary to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, Chief David Attah, wondered why “the position of governor of the state is a no-go-area for the Idoma people, noting that the only logical thing for the Tiv people to have done was to

allow the Idoma to produce governor after Governor Gabriel Suswam who have spent eight years like Senator George Akume.” Earlier, President of Idoma National Forum, Engr. Alex Okopi Momoh, said the forum was created to allow the people dialogue with the governorship candidates in order to know what they have in store for them. The chairman of the occasion, Prof. Tony Edoh of the Benue State University, said the time has come for the people to take the bull by the horns as they cannot continue to be slaves for ever. Governorship candidates that graced the occasion included Dr. Samuel Ortom of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rev. Samuel Gar of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Dr. Iyorwuese Ligom of the Labour Party (LP), while Hon. Terhemen Tarzoor, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his running mate were represented by Hon. Harris Ogbole and Hon. Austin Awodi.

Politics 15

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MarCH 17, 2015

Atiku supporters back Jonathan lPDM: They’re PDP agents Babatope Okeowo Akure

head of the March 28 presidential election, supporters of former Vice-President Atiku Abubarkar in the SouthWest yesterday pitched their tent with the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan. Atiku’s supporters under the auspices of AAA and PDM Collectives yesterday predicated their decision on the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries, which they said was skewed to fa-

vour Major General Muhammadu Buhari at the expense of Atiku. Addressing a press conference in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the leader of the Collectives, Hon. Bode Ajewole, also said the decision of President Jonathan to implement the report of the National Conference influenced their decision. Consequently, Ajewole, a former federal lawmaker directed all the 138 local governments and 1,534 ward coordinators to work assiduously and ensure victory for President Jonathan in their various units in the forthcoming election. Governor Olusegun

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Mimiko, who is the coordinator of President Jonathan/ Sambo campaign coordinator in the South-West attended the press conference. Ajewole said they would remain in APC and work for the victory of President Jonathan. They said their action would not amount to anti-party activity as the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu betrayed

Atiku in 2007, Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and may likely betray Buhari in the March 28 presidential election. Ajewole said the PDM and AAA were not sure that Buhari would not be betrayed in the forthcoming election by other leaders of APC. In his remarks, Mimiko said Atiku was a believer in true federalism and would want the report of the 2014 National Conference to be implemented, hence the need to support President Jonathan’s re-election. Mimiko said the group being a grassroots movement would have positive influence in the re-election of the president as other South-West groups including Afenifere, Ood-

ua People’s Congress (OPC) and Oodua Determination Movement (ODM) have expressed their support for Jonathan’s re-election. According to him, Atiku in his memo to the National Conference delegates dated March 1, 2014 supported devolution of powers, democratisation of key government agencies, security outfits and anti-graft agencies and true federalism, the reasons Yoruba nation is supporting Jonathan for a second term. But the National Chairman of PDM, Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, described the Ajewoleled group as “political jobbers and PDP agents.” Ibrahim stated that they are not PDM’s members. PDM stated that the APC members turned PDP agents are reportedly aggrieved that APC had not met their expectation during its last presidential primaries and are unhappy with the position PDM has taken in support of the candidature of General Muhammadu Buhari. “We wish to make it categorically clear that members of the group

that addressed the press conference in question are not members of PDM. They defected from our party in June last year to pursue their aspiration in APC and are no longer members of our party. “Since they are not card-carrying members of PDM, they do not speak for PDM nor have any basis for doing so. While we wish them luck with their new project of supporting President Jonathan in the forthcoming election, we call on them to desist from using the name of PDM in this obviously sponsored and commercial misadventure. They should find another platform to realise their aspiration since PDM is not for the highest bidder.” Ibrahim said the National Executive Committee of PDM had, at its meeting of January 22, unanimously resolved to support the candidature of General Buhari. He said PDM will stand by that commitment until the end. “These political jobbers should please leave PDM out of their Jonathan-for-president misadventure,” he said.

Yoruba can’t be bought, APC elders tell President Mojeed Alabi

T A cross-section of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters at the training of ward volunteers in Gombe …yesterday.

Sustained attacks can’t unseat Jonathan, says Uduaghan Dominic Adewole ASABA

elta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday said sustained campaigns of calumny of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the Goodluck Jonathan administration have shown that good governance was under siege in Nigeria. He said the opposition party has become a nuisance to the achievements of the Jonathan administration. The governor, however, said such attacks cannot unseat Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election. Uduaghan, who argued that the rival party has confined reasoning and objectivity to the

dustbin and elevated falsehood and propaganda, said little did APC know that Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), its presidential flag bearer, does not represent the change being canvassed by the party. At a Town Hall meeting with professional groups and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), tagged Governing Under Siege: An Assessment of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, yesterday, the governor said no amount of hate campaigns would stop Jonathan’s re-election. He said: “I did not call you here to campaign for Buhari. I called you here to campaign for Jonathan. In my years in politics, I have never

witnessed campaigns that have moved from issued-based to all sorts of insults on personality, from names calling to throwing of salvoes.” In their separate remarks, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the governorship flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and Prof. Sylvester Monye, the former Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, condemned supporters of APC for blowing a wind of change. “If we talk about change, it should not be for somebody who ruled this country 32 years ago but could not make a change. President Jonathan has respect for the sanctity of legislation; he has respect for the rule of

law and fundamental human rights. I know that the past administration which threw many into prisons without been heard and even killed others, do not have this,” Okowa said. Monye, the guest lecturer, who provided an evidence-based evaluation of the president’s achievements, said despite the sustained attacks on the president, the last four years have been rosy. He said: “Most times you hear the opposition say Nigeria’s economy has collapsed, Goodluck has brought bad luck because he failed to fight corruption and Jonathan was responsible for insecurity. These are clear indications that performance has come under siege in Nigeria.”

he Elders’ Council in the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to stop the alleged bribery of some Yoruba leaders ahead of the forthcoming general elections. The Council, otherwise known as Igbimo Agba, said Yorubas are too disciplined to be bought. The Council in a statement issued yesterday by its Chairman, Engr. Sola Akinwumi, said last-minute efforts to tilt the scale of the people’s support for the party’s presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, cannot be achieved overnight. Akinwunmi, a former Secretary to the Osun State Government, decried what he described as the “dollar rain,” saying it “is a gratuitous insult to the dignity and integrity of Yoruba culture and tradition as it presents our people as purchasable items for any moneybag with deep purse.”

He said: “The 11th hour visitation by President Jonathan did not come to us as a surprise because he, like a poor student of history, realised too late that Yoruba people are worth more than passing attention in the past six years of his presidency. A careful look at Yoruba states shows evidence of neglect by the Federal Gover nment under Jonathan leadership.” The Jonathan administration, according to the Elders’ Council, has nothing to show for the massive votes given by Yoruba people in 2011, stressing that this apparent failure forced the president to resort to underhand dealings to win a second term. The party elders declared that Yoruba people have decided to vote out President Jonathan and his party insisting that “no amount of Dollar Rain that can stop Yoruba people from proving their worth one more time as they have done in the past even under the most unpleasant clampdown.”

16 Politics As the governorship election inches closer, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State is making inroads into the nooks and crannies of the state and winning the hearts of residents. WALE ELEGBEDE was on the trail of his campaign

TUESDAY, MarCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ambode intensifies campaign for final onslaught

egardless of the postponement of the 2015 general elections, the campaign strategy of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has remained tenacious without allowing the new window dampened its vision. Rather, he intensified his campaign rallies, town hall meetings and roadshows across different areas of Lagos State during the week. In line with his campaigns, the normal sight of tumultuous crowd, enthusiastic reception and a genuine interest to identify with the man who has come to embody the concept of continuity in the governance of Lagos State was evident throughout the week. Picking from the one million-man march in which he joined the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the vice presidential candidate of the party, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo among other party stalwarts on the walk from Maryland to the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Ambode resumed his campaign to be governor with a town hall meeting and a rally at Festac Town last Monday. It was an exceptionally great day for the former Accountant General to be so accepted among the Igbos and other different ethnic groups in Amuwo Odofin Local Government area. Not only was the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha present at both the town hall meeting and rally to lend his support to Ambode’s candidacy, he was also being prophetic when he formally welcomed the candidate into the fold of APC Governors Forum. “I am only announcing now what will become a reality in a matter of few months,” says Okorocha, adding that Ambode is the choice of the Igbo in Lagos State because “he will protect their interest once he becomes governor.” On Tuesday, it was the turn of Eti Osa with a grand rally that had Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) in attendance as well as the deputy governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and the former deputy governor of the state, Mr. Femi Pedro, while Wednesday was at Obalende where a town hall meeting that addressed concerns of the residents were raised and thrashed before a grand roadshow that affirmed the popularity and acceptance of the APC candidate. Same template of mass appeal and focused presentation was adopted on Thursday when the campaign train moved to Kosofe Local Government. The central message from the

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.

Epe-born candidate in the last three weeks that his campaign has regained momentum after the postponement of the election is clear and unequivocal: it is the need to use the next four years to consolidate on the remarkable progress being witnessed in Lagos State by retaining the state for APC in the governorship poll slated for Saturday April 11. Last week’s campaign had built on the talk-of-the-town rallies, which recorded a major success when the campaign train reached the Seme border/Badagry and Ibeju-Lekki respectively. Last week Wednesday’s roadshow, which mesmerized the whole stretch of the Mile 2–Badagry expressway, was perhaps the first by any candidate to reach the border town of Seme. From Topa road and its environs, people – young, old and the physically challenged – trooped out to welcome Ambode, who had worked for three years in the late 1990s at the Badagry Local Government. Chants of “Sai Buhari, Sai Ambode” rented the air. And the APC standard bearer did not disappoint them, promising that not only will his administration complete the multi-billion naira Mile 2-Badagry expressway and the light rail project, but will also ensure that the Badagry division, which is one of the five divisions that make up the Lagos State, will be empowered to witness rapid development, especially in the areas of infrastructural development and job creation. “The future of tourism in Lagos State is here. This is also an important base for agro-economic development. Our administration will place a lot of attention in these areas to ensure that Badagry Local Government and every area around here experience a new layer in the type of developments they are already witnessing,” Ambode told the crowd. As if the Badagry/Seme border crowd was not enough, several thousands more welcomed the APC candidate the next day, Thursday, at Ibeju-Lekki where he had yet another opportunity to urge the people of Lagos State

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Ambode is on a familiar ground, he was the only aspirant that toured every local government in the run-up to the primary election

to allow the “progressive governance that APC is known for” to continue in Lagos. For Ambode, who had a 27-year meritorious career as a civil servant in Lagos State before venturing into the private sector as an entrepreneur and Public Finance consultant, the reason continuity is sought for the ruling party in Lagos State and change at the federal level is simple: “While the whole world acknowledges the giant strides of the last 16 years in Lagos, due to the people-oriented programmes and creating management of resources, which are succeeding in making Lagos a true mega city-state, the international community, like most Nigerians at home and abroad, are unanimous in rejecting the current maladministration that is going on in Abuja.” To this Fulbright scholar, therefore, while Lagos is working and deserves continuity, the government at the centre needs the type of change that a Buhari-Osinbajo ticket promises, in order to redirect the affairs of the nation that is rapidly falling apart. His good news for the people of Ibeju-Lekki was that his administration will provide a new airport and seaport in Epe, in order to bring development and prosperity to more people in the state. Earlier that week, it was Surulere that had first welcomed this consummate technocrat and grassroots mobiliser, first with a town hall meeting at Aguda, where Ambode reiterated his promise to establish an Office of Civic Engagement when elected. Borne out of the conviction that artisans and people in the lower middle class constitute the majority in the state, the office, he explained, would serve as an effective liaison between the governor’s office and the people. He added that just the way indigent students are rewarded with scholarships when they display excellence, skilful artisans should also be able to benefit from the state government in the area of honing their skills, either at home or abroad, in addition to having access to the proposed N25 billion

Employment Trust Fund. The previous week had seen Ambode’s campaign train stopping at Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Apapa, Ifako-Ijaye and Epe. Each town-hall meeting entertained more than 20 questions because Ambode believes that it is the people’s needs that will shape his programmes and policies, when elected, hence the need to give as many people as possible the opportunity to air their views. And at each local government and towns visited, there were royal blessings in abundance for the Ambode-Adebule team that has demonstrated its firm belief in consultations and government of inclusion. Rather than slow down, Ambode’s campaign has regained momentum, totally refusing to lose steam, in spite of the six-week postponement of the general elections from the original February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 for the presidential and gubernatorial elections. “It is about the message and the method,” says Steve Ayorinde, the Director of Media and Communications for the Ambode campaign. According to him, 24 hours is sometimes not enough to further push out the message of continuity and Ambode’s thoughout plans that aim at empowering the 20 million citizens of the state in the next four years. The busy campaign schedule, he says, simply confirms the strength and popularity of the APC and the candidate and the team’s position not to take anything for granted. The renewed campaign, he explains, is an everyday affair that is broken down into mega rallies, town hall meetings, roadshows and door-to-door campaigns and strategic consultations. “Mr. Ambode is on a familiar ground, he was the only aspirant that toured every local government in the run-up to the primary election last year. And his promise then was that he would knock on every door and campaign on every street. This is why the party’s rallies took him round all the five divisions and local governments before the elections were postponed. “We are already one month into the six-weeks of the election postponement and the whole state has seen that Ambode wasted no time in hitting the road again, getting acquainted with the people all over and the massive turnout and acceptance confirm the obvious that this is the man of the people who is destined to serve,” Ayorinde said. He added that the rallies and town hall meetings, which will run till April 9, perfectly compliment the world-class communications campaign by the APC candidate that is widely acknowledged as arguably the most impactful in this electioneering. Clearly, the APC candidate is working for his victory and won’t be distracted by campaign of calumny from any quarters. As the race to succeed Fashola continues, it is evidently clear that Ambode and the APC are still the issue in Lagos politics.

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MarCH 17, 2015

Prof. Celina Oko is the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Abia State. In this interview with IGBEAKU ORJI, he speaks on the preparations and challenges ahead of the general elections. Excerpts:

What is the level of preparations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) so far in Abia State for the elections? The adjustment in dates of elections has given the commission a very good opportunity to try to improve on the preparations. Although the level of readiness before the poll shift was good enough for us to conduct the election but when that security issue came up and we have to shift, it now gave us another opportunity to look at those preparations that were not 100 per cent ready and improve on them. For example, the distribution of voters’ cards, we have now received more Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and have been distributing them. As of now, Abia distribution has hit 84.47 per cent as of March 11. This brings the total number of PVCs distributed to 1,179,395. I know by today, I am yet to receive an update and you can be sure it will be higher than this. You are aware that some states were chosen to conduct the public demonstration of the card readers. In the South-East, Anambra and Ebonyi states were chosen. I was one of those that went to Anambra to monitor/supervise it and it was quite impressive. The authentication/confirmation of INEC cards for those who came out were 100 per cent, there was no card that came that day that was not INEC card. Where we had some problem was in the reading of the fingerprints. There were so many issues involving that; dirty fingers, greasy fingers and so on. I say greasy fingers because when we clean some of the fingers that were not identified, they were now identified. So, we are telling people that before you go for the election that day make sure you wash your hands. We will use pieces of cloth to clean the hands because we noticed that it improved. That was one of the good things we discovered during the demonstration. The best finger to start with is the index finger, the two index fingers, you try the one hand, you try the other if it didn’t pick before you try the thumb. These are the ones that should be tried, after which if it still fails, we will take the particulars and still

Votes’ll count in Abia – Oko

Oko

REC’s

allow you to vote once the card has been identified as authentic INEC card. What are the challenges you have in Abia State? Well, we haven’t tested the card readers in Abia and so we can’t say we are going to have the same challenges that other states had. But from the summary, I don’t think that of Abia is going to be different from the result of the other states. I have told people what to do; make sure your hands are clean of grease and other dirt so that it will pick your fingers. For the ones that were very clean it took less than 10 seconds but if one failed and we are trying others that it went up to more than 10 seconds. So, we don’t envisage a different result in Abia from what we had in the 12 states. The other challenge we are having in Abia is for people to come out and pick their cards. We are still appealing to people that there is no way other than using the card reader. So you better come and pick your PVC. Meanwhile, we are compiling the names of those who have not picked their PVCs; we will try to investigate and know why. We know that between 2011 and now some who registered must have passed on, some must have relocated to other places, that could be the reason but will try and investigate and know. We plan to go to the communities to ask about these people who have not picked

F RUM INEC

their cards, can we get information on them.

Although the level of readiness before the poll shift was good enough... it now gave us another opportunity to look at those preparations that were not 100 per cent

Any measures to sensitise them in that regard? We have been sensitising them. I have been appearing in media programmes, telling people to come and take their cards. So, what kind of elections do we look forward to in Abia State? Free, fair and credible election. The votes will surely count in the general elections. That I can assure you. You mean that everything is set including security? Yes, the latest enlightenment we are going to embark on is to educate people that there will be three ballot boxes for the federal election and two for the state election. The presidential box will be red and so is the ballot paper for the president. The Senate box will be black and so is the ballot paper. And the House of Representatives is green and so will be the ballot paper. Now if you drop your ballot paper in the wrong box you have lost it, it will not count. There has been argument; why not when you are sorting it you now separate them. There is

a lot of implication. First of all, when we start sorting, that of the president will be counted and sealed in tamper proof envelop. Now if you go to that of Senate and you find a president’s own, are you going to open the envelop to put it there. No. That is why it just won’t count. Or if you are counting that of the president and see that of Senate, though you haven’t counted it, once you move it the people will accuse you of moving somebody’s vote to another box. So, the best thing is to reject a wrongly placed paper, it’s a wrong vote. So, make sure that you drop the ballot papers to the corresponding coloured boxes. There would be an ad hoc staff sitting in front of these boxes. His duty is to direct people in case he notices somebody going to drop a ballot paper in a box that is not correspondingly coloured, he should help them know that’s the wrong box, that’s the only time he will interfere otherwise he is not to do any other thing except to help people so that their votes will not be lost. You know that agents will be there, observers will be there, at least, to see that all that he is directing is for the person to drop his ballot paper in the corresponding box. We have received the sensitive and non-sensitive materials. The sensitive ones are in the custody of the Central Bank. We have started moving the nonsensitive ones to the local government areas.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Why governor Amosun matters

Ademola Orunbon

t is an acceptable norm, that a democratically elected government must meet the need of the people that voted them into power. They enjoy the ultimate sovereignty, from the liberty perspective. Since governance derives it backing and supporting from the constitution and the people. It is mandatory for the same government, to listen, carry along and feed the people back, about its activities. The strength of a good government lies in its victory which comes from the ballot system and this has a numerical strength, where the highest numbers of vote form a simple majority. The contrary view of democracy equally says when a government voted into power refuses to perform or meet the yearning and aspiration of the people that democratically voted for them, same electorates or the people have the right to reject such government by voting them out of power in subsequent elections. This means that when a government becomes destructive and retrogressive, the same people that empowered them with their votes can abolish or terminate such government. Having said little about what constitutional government is all about, I now need to come to back to the main issue. Senator Ibikunle Amosun; he has within a short period of time in office, being able to correct the negative view of the people of the state towards governance. Yes, democracy is about being responsive to the people that voted you into power. Our amiable governor has within three and half years in office proved critics wrong by being responsive and progressive in the discharge of his duties to the people of the state. I remember on assumption of office, his address to the people of the state, in the presence of traditional rulers. He openly exposed the debt profile of the state, and how government properties had being sold out, within a limited time to the expiration of the last government. I was not opportune to be in the public sitting in my physical capacity, due to my preoccupation. But, as I stayed glued to my television set

In life, you don’t change a winning team; rather you encourage them to do more. Senator Ibikunle Amosun has so far done well. We can only encourage him to do better, through mobilization and support for continuity beyond 2015 listening to the governor’s address to the people of the state, I instantly developed my sympathy for the gateway state, now turned to a debtor and a shadow of itself. Infact, I emotionality concluded that if I were in the new governor’s shoe, I would have resigned, after all, he had been sworn in, and could be addressed an ex-governor. Why my conclusion? I was looking at the sorry and the financial mess of the state, its debt profile, loss of government properties and resources to illegal sales, massive recruitment into the state Civil Service in just few weeks to the expiration of the last government. But the present governor came into power with his reform agenda, managerial potential and regeneration ability to rebuild and recover the lost fortunes and glories of the state. Today, the common man is not only happy in the gateway state, peace which eluded the people some years ago has totally returned. Today the senatorial zones in the state are witnessing massive reconstruction and rebuilding process or the other. Roads, schools, health institutions are being structured for a lasting use. Yes, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has done very well to reposition the economy of the state. He has further

demonstrated the servant role of a government to the people. The governor has taken the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to an enviable and sustainable position, thus deriving some funds to collectively embark on infrastructural development. Today, talk about the peoples’ welfare and security. A government is worth protecting and supporting for continuity if it has met the yearnings of the people. “A golden fish has no hidding place”, so said the common fact. The people have seen this in the government of the day. No nation or state survives without attention to its educational sector. Here in gateway state, he has given the primary, post primary and tertiary institutions a very good attention, by increasing their funding and stabilizing the academic calendar. Students now, learn in a better and more conducive environment. I engaged an old friend who served in the government of the last regime, in a constructive argument. It centred on infrastructural development of the state, which is unprecedented; he asked me where the government of the day has being sourcing money from? I was quick to answer by referring him to the present Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state, which I earlier dwelt on and currently stands at about five billion naira, generated monthly compared to the previously declared 750 million naira attained in the year 2011. The people of the State now see what the government is spending the money on. Amosun has further proved the essence and importance of taxation to rural and urban development, through the provision of essential services like good roads, water, health facilities and the rest to the people. In life, you don’t change a winning team; rather you encourage them to do more. Senator Ibikunle Amosun has so far done well. We can only encourage him to do better, through mobilization and support for continuity beyond 2015. • Orunbon (orunbonibrahimademola@gmail.com) sent in this piece from Federal Housing Estate, Olomore, Abeokuta, Ogun State, 08034493944.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

APC Senators and transparency AS Nattional Coordinator of Move On Nigeria, a civic action group that supports good governance, democracy and the transformation agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, I see as immature, the sulking walkout staged by the APC senators during the screening confirmation of Senator Obanikoro before the Senate. In so doing the Senators attempted to hoodwink the general public on their abhorrence for supposedly scandal tainted individual from serving the nation whereas APC as a political party has transparency problem. APC as a party, fields a candidate for the presidency of Nigeria who has a long history of acting unilaterally without recourse to due process, fair hearing or rule of law. This candidate it was, who jailed people without any charge, detained innocent citizens after the court had pronounced them not guilty on two occasions (Chief Michael Ajasin), or murdered them through executive retroactive action (Bartholomew Owoh, Bernard Ogedegbe, Akanni Ojulope ). This is a candidate with so much blood on his hands and is perceived to be in league with the insurgents that have murdered over 20,000 citizens and as such merits a day with ICC. This candidate whose unguarded and provocative utterances led

to the death of 10 Youth Corp Members in an orgy of post-election violence. It’s a puzzle that APC did not walk out on this tainted character. The APC Presidential candidate had been fraudulently presented to Nigerians as a repentant person, who has supposedly been converted and currently embraces Democratic ethos. He also for the first time admitted responsibilities for the actions and inactions of his administration. This indeed is a first step to granting closure to the above named individuals and others to whom he had grievously wronged. However, the hypocrisy in this position becomes self-evident when the repentant sinner dictates the terms of his pardon, which includes that he must rule Nigeria again as some sort of messiah. His pardon also precludes his victims from expecting any remorse, restitution or apology. It is unfortunate that APC still thinks that politics can be staged on evening news without realizing that this is the 21st century and people have become wiser. Nigerians are still astonished that Prof. Attahiru Jega was praised and is being rabidly promoted by the APC. • Clem Aguiyi, Abuja.

Corruption and leadership in Lagos elections THE recent AIT documentary on a former Lagos State governor was as shocking in its revelations on compulsive acquisition just as it provided an eye opener on his source of power. In one of Wole Soyinka’s plays - the King Must Dance Naked-, the King once intoned -they paraded me before my people logoloto. That aptly sums up how the AIT documentary demystified the APC national leader by tearing the mask from the face of the hitherto unknown , but now the celebrated and mighty lagbaja of contemporary Nigerian politics. The AIT documentary opened a pandoras box on the life and times of the leader who has been running Lagos State like his personal fiefdom for the last 16 years.Indeed he has already consummated plans to continue ad infinitum but for the challenge of one man at the next governorship elections in the state. That man is Jimi Agbaje of the PDP who is giving both incumbent governor Raji Fashola and Akin Ambode the APC governorship candidate in the state, serious

political and electoral nightmares with his unexpected but steady growth in popularity amongst Lagosians as they prepare to vote in a new governor on April 11 this year. The AIT revelations can only add to the woes and nightmares of Ambode and Fashola on Agbaje’s popular challenge while consolidating the lead of Agbaje in the race for governorship in the state . But then that is how it should be in this tussle for power in Lagos state which calls itself ‘ the state of excellence’ but had been run with rut and opprobrium, which the AIT documentary has rightly exposed in the interest of the welfare and progress of the hitherto blindfolded people and masses of Lagos State. In terms of electoral value, the expose is a God sent political capital to lubricate and smoothen the quest of Jimi Agbaje of the PDP to become the next governor of Lagos State. Similarly it is potent political hemlock for the ambition of Akin Ambode, the APC governorship candidate. • Busola Awolesi, Lagos

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

EDITORIAL

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Preparing for the rainy season

he rainy season is here again, and with it the apprehension of flood disasters in some states of the federation. In quite a number of countries, flood disasters are almost annual occurrences which vary only in their degree. Though Nigeria cannot be said to belong to this class, it has experienced its fair share of flooding and attendant adverse effects, including deaths and huge economic losses. Perhaps, the most devastating flooding experienced in Nigeria in recent memory is that of 2012. According to reports, the authorities considered it the worst flooding in over 40 years, with 30 of the country's 36 states affected, in just five months, between July and November. Heavy rain submerged much of Delta and Bayelsa states, affecting some 350 communities and making 120,000 people homeless, according to the state authorities and the Nigerian Red Cross (NRC). The flooding started in Plateau State in central Nigeria in July, spread through Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Nassarawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Katsina and Kebbi states in August, hit Taraba Benue, Niger, Kaduna and Kano in September, before af-

fecting Delta and Bayelsa states in September and October. Thousands of people who had sheltered in dozens of temporary displacement sites in Delta and Bayelsa states had to flee again as these camps were flooded, forcing agencies to build new ones on higher ground. In Bayelsa's capital, Yenagoa, 3,000 people had to be sleeping in the Ovom State Sports Complex. Thousands of houses, some 20 health clinics and five hospitals, as well as dozens of schools, churches and government buildings were destroyed or damaged in Delta State. Most of the schools in the affected areas were closed or occupied by internally displaced persons (IDPs). In most of these states, the water level rose several meters high, submerging whole buildings and entire communities. Even the home of President Goodluck Jonathan in Otuoke, Bayelsa State was affected. That year, 363 people were killed in the flood disasters which affected seven million people, displaced 2.3 million others and damaged 597,476 houses. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the estimated total value of infrastructure, physi-

cal and durable assets destroyed was $9.6bn. Additionally, the total value of losses across all sectors of economic activity was estimated at $7.3bn. Thus, the combined value of these damages and losses amounted to $16.9bn. Flood has been defined as an overflow of water that submerges land which is usually dry. Its primary effects include loss of life, damage to buildings and other structures, including bridges, sewerage systems, roadways, and canals. However, the long term effects could include food shortages, cost of rebuilding and psychological damage to those affected, in terms of deaths, serious injuries and loss of property. Floods have several causes. They can happen on flat or lowlying areas when the ground is saturated and water either cannot run off or cannot run off quickly enough to stop accumulating. This may be followed by a river flood as water moves away from the floodplain into local rivers and streams. Also, when the rate of rainfall exceeds the drainage capacity of an area, and the area experiences localized heavy rain, what results is flash flooding. Floods can also occur if water falls on an impermeable surface, such as concrete, paving or frozen ground, and cannot rap-

idly dissipate into the ground. However, according to NEMA, the highly devastating flood disaster of 2012 could be attributed to climate change. Thankfully, the country has not experienced another flooding disaster of the same magnitude since 2012. The forecast for this year, published on Thursday, March 12, by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the federal agency responsible for providing flood forecasting services which include flood warnings and advisories, assures that there will be less and delayed rainfall across the country, unlike in the previous years. As a result of less rainfall, the agency said the likely event of flooding will be very negligible. Regardless of the unlikelihood of flood disaster, we are of strong opinion that the federal and state governments should have their relevant emergency and disaster relief agencies very well prepared, just in case mother nature decides to defy human forecast. Also, just like NIMET noted, our farmers need to brace up for the consequences of the expected lengthy dry spell and short planting season that will characterise the insufficient rainfall in the course of the year.

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Politics

TUESDAY, MarCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

PVC distribution unsettles APC, PDP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

being a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is also standing for election in the April 11 governorship election, just like every other candidates standing for elections, has no legal and moral right to visit the INEC office to complain about the distribution of PVCs in the state. “This is crass opportunism, and open blackmail, aimed principally to compromise the integrity, neutrality and independence of the election umpire. We condemn this in totality.”

However, the reality of the skewed PVC distribution appeared to have dawned on the PDP too. Last week, the Ogun PDP governorship candidate, Isiaka, described the PVC distribution as “curious,” saying he suspected that the electoral body wanted to disenfranchise eligible voters in Ogun West Senatorial District where he hails from. He said: “The distribution is quite curious as our people suspect clear attempt to exclude eligible voters in the Ogun West areas where I happen to come from. Let it be stated

that the Yewa/Awori people are very determined to vote en masse in order to make their dream of producing the governor of Ogun State a reality.” “I am using this medium to implore INEC to be circumspect and make sure that as many Ogun eligible voters that turned in their TVCs (Temporary Voters’ Cards) get their PVCs; especially in Ogun West so+ that they will be able to perform their civic duties. We shall not accept any surreptitious attempt to give advantage to a particular candidate

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

by disenfranchising my people,” he declared at a press conference held at the PDP state secretariat in Abeokuta. Isiaka, however, threatened to drag INEC to court if the commission fail to

unravel the puzzle of PVC distribution, especially in his Ogun West zone. INEC, in its reaction to the series of allegations trailing its distribution of PVCs in the state. The commission maintained that while there are some challenges rocking the process, it was not interested in disenfranchising any eligible voter or put any candidate at a political disadvantage. The commission also disagreed with the governor over claims that “strange” or “alien” 600,000 PVCs exist in the state. Speaking on behalf of

the REC, the commission’s Administrative Secretary in the state, Mr. Dickson Atiba, explained that the owners of the purported strange PVCs were people living in the state before but who had relocated due to one reason or another. He said: “There are no alien cards in Ogun State. Those cards that the governor was referring to as alien cards are those that are meant for the state. Ogun State has the largest number of institutions and some students who were here before and have completed their studies and some security personnel who have been transferred out of the state have their cards lying fallow with us here; who will collect it on their behalf ?” Atiba assured that INEC was doing all within its powers to ensure adequate distribution and collection of PVCs in the state without hitches. He said due to publicity and voter education, the commission had been able to reduce apathy towards electoral process among the electorate. “I have instructed all the electoral officers across the state to forward the names of those that have not come to pick their cards and we will compile them and paste them at every local government area; that will as well hasten people to just get there, check their names and once it is there, their cards will be given to them without much stress,” he added. The administrative secretary allayed the fears of registered voters in the state, saying none of them would be disenfranchised in the rescheduled general elections. He said new consignment of PVCs had been delivered to the state from the INEC headquarters in Abuja. According to him, the new consignment contained between 170,000 and 190,000 PVCs belonging to nine out of the 20 local government areas of Ogun State. With the arrival of the new voter cards, Atiba said the percentage of PVCs received in the state had reached 65.6 per cent. He, however, put the percentage of PVC collection in the state based on registered voters at 50.1 per cent. The administrative secretary said contrary to earlier report that 1,829,534 people registered as voters in Ogun State, the correct number of registered voters in the state is 1,795,794. He explained that the number of PVCs distributed as at March 9 in the state remained 899,214 while the PVCs not yet collected were 474,078.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2015

Arts

Tony Okuyeme

articipants in the second edition of Playwrights’ Confab held at the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture, Ilorin, have called for an Endowment Fund for playwrights from where creative artists can draw funds with minimal conditions. They also recommended that theatre which seems to have lost its voice among other contemporary forms of arts should be re-energized to attain a competitive and profitable level. These were among the recommendations contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 2nd Playwrights’ Confab held from Friday March 6th to Sunday March 8th, 2015. The theme of the conference which was convened by Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan under the auspices of the Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, Kwara State, was ‘The Time is Out of Joint’ – Playwriting in the Time of Global Incoherence’. The confab brought together renowned theatre scholars, dramatics, critics, among others, including Prof. Olu Obafemi, Prof. Ahmed Yerima, Prof. Ayo Akinwale, Prof. Gbemisola Adeoti, Mr. Ben Tomoloju, the Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), and Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma. One after another, participants thanked the authorities of the host University, especially the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah and appreciated the foresight and commitment of the Convener in periodically bringing playwrights together to deliberate on issues pertaining to the discipline. Salient issues considered at the Conference include: the present situation of plays in their various forms – stage drama, screen plays, television scripts, radio scripts, etc. Participants deliberated on the position of the academia vis-à-vis Nollywood as well as on various allied institutions and professions that come under the purview of the dramatic arts. Sequel to the deliberations, the Confab recommends: that theatre which seems to have lost its voice among other contemporary forms of arts should be re-energized to attain a competitive and profitable level; that leadership problems, lack of vision, the macro and micro economic disequilibrium as they affect our society should be addressed in an engaging and entertaining way by playwrights; that Nigerian playwrights should try as much as possible to write in a way that they would be able to carry even the grassroots people along; that for playwrights should to earn a place in the front-burner in the national reckoning, they must interrogate issues that in the

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

THEATRE

Confab calls for endowment fund for playwrights, revival of theatre

Students of KWASU School of Visual and Performing Arts during a performance at the confab

front burner of social discourse; that playwrights should take into reckoning in their works the crucial reality of social media/multimedia; that playwrights should take into consideration the moral and psychological health of children in the face of the corrupting influences of the multimedia channels that these children are currently exposed to; and that there should be an effective collaboration between the town and the gown in the playwright’s pursuit of excellence. The Confab also recommends: that there should be an Endowment Fund for playwrights or a specialized bank from where creative artists can draw funds with minimal conditions; that the symbiotic relationship between playwrights, filmmakers and screen writers should be encouraged while recognizing for each of them to develop as distinct genres respectively; that in order to practically promote playwriting as a discipline, cottage theatres should be established by governments across all local governments in Nigeria; that the atmosphere for creativity and free expression be enhanced, and sustained by relevant authorities - governmental and non-governmental. The Convener and participants express their profound appreciation to the the Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University, Kwara State Government and look forward to more fruitful collaborations. Earlier, in his welcome address at the opening of the Confab, Prof Femi Osofisan set the background to the confab against the backdrop of the coming elections and the economic, socio-political

situation in the country, when he said that “it is with a mingled feeling of joy and apprehension that I welcome you to this year’s confab of Nigerian playwrights. The first one, as you remember, was held two years ago at the ObafemiAwolowo University at the historic town of Ile-Ife, where I was then Visiting Research Professor at the institution’s Institute of Cultural Studies. It was there that we took the decision to meet at the interval of every two years.” Osofisan noted that the fate of our nation hangs in the balance once again, “all because we are in the season of elections, an exercise that elsewhere is a normal routine of democracy, we find ourselves suddenly faced with the prospect of Apocalypse! Here elections are conducted like warfare, with all that this implies in terms of violence, furious and mendacious propaganda, and callous blood-letting. “In our season of elections, we do not have politicians but instead, maniacal freewheelers and gladiators. Law-enforcement officers turn to partisan thugs; professional assassins rage unchecked on the open street,” Osofisan said. According to him, “the terror is that we are going exactly the same way again, with the same predictable, dire consequences. Everywhere it is the same fa-

miliar thunder and chaos that we have experienced before, the same old destructive confrontations, the ‘do-or-die’ tactics of homicidal robber barons desperate to rule us by all means whether we wish it or not. As ordinary citizens, what can we do to rescue ourselves? Do we just fold our arms and watch helplessly, while wailing meekly for divine deliverance or—as the privileged are doing—purchase a flight ticket and jet away elsewhere, at least till the madness is over? Or do we organize ourselves and fight back? What, in the season of anomy, is the individual’s most viable option for survival? “Perhaps we should take a lesson from the immortal English bard who remains our profession’s most famous universal icon. At least all of us in this gathering today will remember the desperate cry of the young prince Hamlet when, in a similar moment of social and personal disjunction, he burst in to those heart-rending, immemorial lines: The time is out of joint. O cursèd spite, That ever I was born to set it “right!... Poor Hamlet! Too young, or perhaps too fickle, he failed to take appropriate steps to meet the situation. And in the end, dithering and doubting, unCONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Arts

Imunga

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Channer

Coker

Goebel

Eno

Documentary films take centre stage in Lagos Tony Okuyeme

bout 12 international guests from countries that include Germany, United States, United Kingdom, France, Cameroon, Gabon, South Africa, Kenya and others are expected at the 2015 edition of the yearly iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival which begins on Thursday, March 19 and will run through Sunday March 22 at the Freedom Park, the old Broad Street Prison on Lagos Island. The Festival is conceived and organised by the iRepresent Documentary Film Forum, an affiliate of the West African Documentary Film Forum (WDFF), and the Documentary Network Africa (DNA). The festival also offers training sessions, workshops, seminars as well as Master Classes for young, aspiring and already practising filmmakers, which usually throng its programme in every edition since 2010 when it was birthed. This 2015 edition marks the 5th anniversary of the festival, which in its short lifespan has attracted the attention of world documentary film circuits including the People2People Festival in South Africa, the Munich-Germany based Dokfest; South Africa-based Discop; and Cameroon-based Ecrans Noirs. The 2015 edition will explore the theme: Reinventing Documentary Filmmaking in a Digital Space. Though conceived on the traditional iREP thematic framework of Africa in Self-conversation, the theme is premised on the reality that Digital media technology is

expanding narrative possibilities and shaping audiences’ experiences of how realities are articulated. The Festival Executive Director, Femi Odugbemi, stated that documentary filmmaking is coming to terms with these new realities and continuously finding hybrid strategies to navigate the blurred lines crisscrossing verite and satisfying the ever changing temperament of the digital world that is hip, funseeking, chaotic, multi-tasking, and attention sapping. The programme for the 2015 edition include: screening of a carefully selected films representing the best of recordings of African experiences; conference, seminar and workshops on the journeys, challenges and prospects of digital broadcasting; training Programme for young African filmmakers on the technicalities of digital broadcasting; the iREP Producers’ Roundtable; exhibition of Digital Broadcast equipment; live conversation with the public on the prospects of digital broadcasting; iREP Distinguished Award for Excellence in FilmMaking, Support for Industry; and Unveiling of iREP Tv A core item in the 2015 iREP Festival, the organisers stated, is the Festival Cocktails & Reception; a ceremonial event that will bear the festive nature of the edition. It will feature a Red Carpet reception with a jazz band performing; a brief keynote on the journey of iREP Film festival so far by Prof. Niyi Coker of University of Missouri, St. Louis, USA; goodwill messages by Mrs Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Regional director of MNET West Africa, a key

partner of iREP since birth; cutting of anniversary cake by the Director-General of Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Emeka Mba as well as conferment of the iREP Excellence Awards on certain individuals and organisations that have been instrumental to its story since inception. There will also be Poetry and musical performances by the singer-guitarist, Aduke. About 50 films have been carefully selected and lined up for screening in the course of its four-day duration. “The films were curated by the iREP directorate in collaboration with its partners -- the US-based African World Documentary Film Festival, AWDFF; the Germany-based Association of Documentary film makers (Ag-Dok): and the British Council, which is supporting the festival for the first time this year. The screening list including award-winning works such as Chameleon (by Ryan Mullins/Canada); Love is All (by Kim Longinotto/UK); Poverty Inc (by Michael Matheson/US); Unforgiven (by Lucas Augustin/Rwanda-Germany); Katlehong (by Irene Loebell/South Africa); Olu Amoda: A Metallic Journey (by Tam Fiofori and Joel Benson/ Nigeria); Skyfall (by Juliet Asante/ Ghana); A Leaf in the Wind (by JohnMarie Teno/Cameroon-France); Scarred: Anatomy of a Massacre (by Judy Kibinge/Kenya); Comrades in Dream (Uli Gaulke/Germany); Deeper Than Black (Sean Addo/USA); The Supreme Price (Joanna Lipper/USA); Unbroken: The John Sunmonu Story (by Toyin Poju-Oyemade/Nigeria) and When I Was Water (by David Forbes (South Africa) among others. Festival guests include Jean_Marie Teno (Cameroon/France), Africa’s

preeminent documentary filmmaker, who has been producing and directing films on the colonial and post-colonial history of Africa for over two decades; Alan Channer (United Kingdom), a media and Peace-building Consultant, and the director of For the Love of Tomorrow Films; Anja Göbel, who has worked in the exhibition department and in the film archive at the Deutsche Kinemathek - Museum für Film und Fernsehen in Berlin; Prof. Prof. Niyi Coker Jr. (United States), whose film writing, directing and producing credits include “Black Studies USA”, which won best short documentary at the Berlin Black Film Festival (2005); Silver Remi Award at Worldfest in Houston (2007); and was Official Selection at the Hollywood Black Film Festival (2007); and Imunga Ivanga (Gabon), author, filmmaker, critic and film producer, who has to his credit several documentaries including Les tirailleurs d’ailleurs, Les Flots de Libreville; and fiction and animation short films such as Le départ, La grenouille qui voulait se faire aussi grosse que le boeuf, Gozamb’olowi. Dolè (Money), his first feature film, received The Golden Tanit in Carthage 2000 and Best screenplay in Fespaco 2001. The iREPRESENT Documentary Film Forum is the producer of the iREP International Documentary Film Festival (located in Nigeria), initiated with the objective of promoting independent documentary features in Nigeria and on the continent of Africa. The Festival places emphasis on training and skill development to the benefit of the young, aspiring and practising film makers in Nigeria, especially for those with flair for Documentary films.

Confab calls for endowment fund for playwrights CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 21

able to take a decisive step, he died messily in a messy scene crowded with messy corpses. “For me, this seems a grey warning from Shakespeare to us, of the fate that might befall us if we too fail to act when we are likewise confronted with the menace of anomy. The problem, some would say, is that we are not soldiers but writers, and as writers we have only one weapons— our pen. And pens only weave words. And yet remember this-that, weighted with metaphors and images, and other tricks of rhetoric, words can carry a deadly power. Furthermore, put in the mouth of actors on a stage, words can become a formidable arsenal of resistance or of re-assuring hope. At a moment when the

Prof. Ahmed Yerima, Prof. Ayo Akinwale, Dr. Ayakoroma, Prof. Olu Obafemi, KWASU VC, Steve Sha’aba, and Dr. Rasheed Adeoye at the event

people are stricken or confused, our stage should seek to be a refuge of resurging possibilities, a raft of dreams to keep the people

above despair, a guiding light to serve as beacon to those adrift. “Yet in the situation nowadays the theatre seems to have

lost its voice, if not its relevance. Where other contemporaneous arts—music especially, and the films of Nollywood—are thriv-

ing, the theatre industry has fallen into decadence and decline. Why has this happened? What role should we as playwrights strive to play in a time like this, so patently ‘out of joint’? Or should we be content like Hamlet to simply keep on agonizing each of us, routinely throwing out a self-indulgent lament that, ‘The time is out of joint. O cursèd spite, That ever I was born to set it right!... “Or is there something we can do to force our voice on the present malaise and thwart the prophesised harvest of corpses? It is left to us to decide.” But it is not all about speeches, as students of the School of Visual and Performing Arts, Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, Kwara State, thrilled participants with stimulating performances.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

Goal

Stability

UNIBEN rolls out 5-year strategic plan

We’ve moved LASU out of crisis, says VC

Education

Gains, pains of JAMB’s CBT mode SANITY Sanity and quality have finally been restored to the conduct of the UTME with the introduction of the Computer-Based-Test mode for candidates Mojeed Alabi, Yekeen Nurudeen, Dominic Adewole, Musa Pam, Adeolu Adeyemo, Dan Atori and Cajetan Mmuta

t is good-bye to malpractices, cheating and cutting of corners in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Thanks to the spirited efforts of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure that sanity was restored to the conduct of qualifying examination into the nation’s higher institutions of learning. When the board introduced the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode of testing candidates two years ago, the idea was to ensure quality delivery and bring sanity to the conduct of its examination. Prior to the introduction of the CBT mode for the conduct of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the examination was marred by various degrees of cheating and examination malpractices, which to a large extent had eroded public confidence in JAMB and its examinations. Following such lack of confidence, the Federal Government and administrators of universities canvassed and championed the introduction of Post-UTME, conducted by each university and polytechnics to curb various levels of fraud characterising UTME. Confronted with the challenge of distrust, rising cases of mas-

kayode olanrewaju Editor, education

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

JAMB candidates at the University of Lagos ICT centre

sive examination malpractice and Special centres, use of mercenaries to write the UTME by candidates, as well as delayed arrival of examination materials during examinations, among other forms of examination fraud, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board undertook various measures towards conducting fraudfree examination and restoring dignity to its examinations. To address these, the board took some major steps which included among other things the introduction of the Type-Based Question papers, cancellation of the use of calculators during examination as well as disallowing candidates from going into examination halls with mobile phones. Unfortunately, rather than achieve its goal, the rising cases of malpractice continued unabated. Piqued by the development, however, on assumption of office in 2007, the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, swung to action by putting in place several other policies and measures such as the use of biometric data capturing of candidates, use of metal detectors on candidates, among others to curb the alarming rate of malpractice. Still unfazed by the situation, JAMB did not rest on its oars as it strengthened its search for a lasting measure, and by 2013, for the first time, it introduced the Computer-Based Test mode for the conduct of its examinations in which 2015 was set as the deadline for the

It would be practically impossible anywhere in the world to conduct examination in 400 centres without hitches.

adoption of the technology for all candidates writing the UTME. Ahead of the use of the CBT mode in 2013, Ojerinde had at a media briefing in Lagos in January that year, cited several reasons why the mode of testing had become imperative, which according to him, include its flexibility, security, efficiency and being time-bound. While making a case for CBT, he recalled that as a major player and stakeholder in the education sector, he had since the late 70s been experiencing the CBT mode of examination, and that Nigerians should be prepared for the challenges that could come with the new development. He explained, “Therefore, by 2015, there shall be no alternative to CBT as all our candidates would have to face it. And I promise that latest by 30 minutes after the examinations, students would be sent their graphical representation of their scores before being sent the exact scores. “They will receive it through their mobile phones. We could have released the results immediately but there are two reasons why we will not do that for now. First, we do not want those, who performed badly smash our screens when they see their results, and again we want to compare the CBT results with those of Dual-Based Test and Paper-Pencil-Test modes.” On the credibility of the process, Ojerinde explained that for every single question, there are 99,999 others of equal weight “and

so the chance of repeating questions is very slim.” He said: “I must also add that unlike the Classical Test Theory system that was being used in China, USA and other places, JAMB is employing the new Item Response Theory and the 50 Factorial System of generating questions, which make cheating extremely difficult. And those questions will only travel from our Abuja office to all the centres within seven minutes, so the question of hacking into our server does not arise because those questions will remain encrypted until they are opened by individual candidates. We have tested this more than four times with sets of students and it worked perfectly.” Meanwhile, with the 2015 deadline set by JAMB for adoption of CBT mode for its examinations, many stakeholders particularly parents and prospective candidates doubted the capacity of the examination body to make real its plans. Towards this end, last week JAMB made real its plan as the country witnessed the commencement of the 10-day conduct of computer-based public examinations on national scale. When this year’s edition of UTME finally kicked off last Tuesday with the CBT examination mode, New Telegraph visited some of the examination centres across the country to monitor the new process, where it was gathered that the examination held amidst mixed feelings on the part of the candidates and other stakeholders. For instance, in some centres in Lagos such as the University of Lagos ICT Centre and the ETC Centre, also at UNILAG the conduct of the examination was flawless, while it was not so at other centres including ETC Centre at Ikeja, where many candidates were faced with the challenge of abrupt shutting down of their computer systems, thus leading to their inability to complete their examinations. Meanwhile, at Idimu College of Professional Studies, Egbeda in Lagos, less than 50 of about 200 candidates scheduled to write the examination on that day were able to write their test with the rest returning home dejected. But, at UNILAG, the no fewer than four candidates whose thumbprints did not match what was filled were allowed into the examination hall after they were CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

24 Education

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

UNIBEN rolls out five-year strategic plan Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

etermined to enhance the quality of tuition and boost infrastructural development of the institution, the authorities of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State have rolled out a fiveyear strategic plans. In fact, the management also announced its readiness to ensure that the salaries of the workers are paid on the 19th of every month, as part of moves to improve the welfare of staff members towards quality service delivery. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Osasere Orumwense disclosed this during the Strategic Plan Forum which coincided with his 100 days in office. Orumwense, who lauded the immediate predecessor, Prof. Osayuki Godwin Oshodin for laying a solid foundation, which according to him, would go a long way in helping to further improve the university, however expressed his administration’s desire to focus on the development of Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub of the institution. Besides, he spoke of the determination of his administration to raise the funding profile of the university with a view to completing all existing projects and embark on new ones. The Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee, Prof. L. Ojogwu and the Deputy ViceChancellor in charge of Administration, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, showered encomiums on the Orumwense-led administration for its determination to improve the university’s internally generated revenue (IGR). He also praised the management for ensuring that the lecture halls and hostels had been given a facelift in line with what obtains in other universities in Europe

UNIBEN gate

and America. Orumwense, while declaring open the forum, said the strategic Plan Forum would avail all relevant stakeholders the opportunity to know the actions that will shape and guide his team’s developmental plans for the university in the next five years. He said: “As you are aware that the various administrations in the past had done great things to ensure steady growth of the university, my administration is ready to build on the achievements recorded by my predecessors so as to ensure that the university maintains its position in global ranking. I have enjoyed tremendous goodwill from everybody since I assumed office. My

Engage in anti-social activities and face expulsion, UI VC tells students Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

niversity of Ibadan (UI) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has warned the over 6,000 new students admitted to the institution’s Distance Learning Centre (DLC) to shun all forms of anti-social activities and bad conduct or face the wrath of the university. The Vice-Chancellor gave the warning during the matriculation ceremony for the 2013/2014 academic session, which took place at the International Conference Centre of the institution. Giving the breakdown of the fresh students, Adewole, who hinted that over 7,716 applications were received for admission into the six programmes offered by the centre and out of which 6,443 were offered admission, stressed that engaging in any anti-social activities by any

Adewole

student or group of students would mar their admission and academic life in the university. In a lecture delivered by Prof. Francis Egbokhare, entitled: “Open Distance Learning and Nigerian Educational Crisis,” the Vice-Chancellor assured the students that with their matriculation they have become bona-fide students of the uni-

administration is open to all for meaningful collaboration and partnership. “I embarked on an on-the-spot assessment of various faculties, I saw for myself the good work done by my predecessor and I want to assure you that all the problems I identified in terms of improvement of the lecture theatres, hostels and offices will be properly addressed as they had already been categorised into short, medium and long term projects. “Recently some promotions were announced and I want to assure you all that nobody will be denied his or her promotion as at when due. A worker is entitled to his wages and my team and I have decided that salaries will be paid

versity with the opportunity to enjoy the rights, privileges and responsibilities like every other student of the institution, noting that “no fewer than six graduates of the Distance Learning Programme obtained First Class in the last convocation ceremony.” He added: “Many of them are now pursuing their higher degrees up to the PhD level. I want to advise you not to be involved in any anti-social activity inherent in the contemporary society in order not to mar your expected goals of acquiring education. “Specifically, there is no room for cultism, hooliganism and rabid unionism. As a matter of fact, student unionism is alien under the (distance learning) mode. However, the centre has many windows of opportunities for students to organise themselves to properly channel your complaints, questions or enquiries.” Against the belief in many quarters that regular or conventional university system is better than the Distance Learning mode, Adewole said that the students were admitted with the same entry requirements.

on the 19th of every month.” According to him, as part of efforts at boosting the academic quality of the university, six inaugural lecture series had been delivered in the last 100 days under review as Vice-Chancellor. “For us to work together and work well, we must work according to the laid down rules so that there will be no hitches,” Orumwense pleaded with the workers, pledging his administration’s commitment to ensure that the university is taken to the next level. He expressed gratitude to the workers and particularly the unions for their cooperation, saying: “I know that with God on our side the harvest will be bountiful.”

Diya returns to alma mater, institutes scholarship Mojeed Alabi

ormer Chief of General Staff, General Oladipo Diya (rtd) two weeks ago returned to his alma mater, Odogbolu Grammar School, fondly called OGS by its products, to institute a scholarship scheme for students with the best result, particularly from the House named after him. The scholarship scheme was instituted penultimate week during the school’s 49th annual Inter-House sports competition. Diya, the nation’s former Second-In-Command to the late military dictator, General Sani Abacha, said the beneficiary, who is the student with the best Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results, will receive free university education at any university in the country.

Diya, who chaired the sporting event, advised the pupils to accord priority attention to their studies and learning which is the foundation for their success in life, adding that the country desires their immense contributions towards regaining its lost glories. Reminiscing on his school days at the college, the retired military officer recalled: “While I was a pupil of this school, we always put in our very best. We were just 60 in number. When we sat for our final examinations, every one of us made excellent grades. Incidentally, when I was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, there were also 60 of us. Today, I can proudly tell you that, all the 60 of us made Nigeria proud in our various fields. That is why the number 60 is always special to me.”

Education 25

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

Kayode Olanrewaju

he management and students of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, Oregun, Lagos, penultimate week joined the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s edition of the World Book Day, with the determination to develop the reading culture in the college. Tagged: “World Book Day – Celebrating Nigerian Authors,” May 5 every year is set aside by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a celebration of books and reading, which is marked in over 100 countries across the world. While describing the relevance of books to human development and critical thinking, the college said books fuel people’s imagination and transport them off to new places and situations. “Books spread ideas and stories, inform, enlighten, thrill, fascinate and excite,” it said, stressing that the main aim of the World Book Day is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books. On the importance of the day, the college said people celebrate all kinds of things from birthdays to weddings and that having a day such as this to celebrate books across the world is a great initiative to develop reading skills of the people. The event held at the school main auditorium, was attended by the Chairman of the college’s Parent Teachers Forum (PTF), Otunba Sore Osibodu, who chaired the event; a presenter with Channels Television, Mrs. Ijeoma Onyeator; Head of English Department of British International School, Mr. Arnold Fletcher; Convener/CEO, SMI Nigeria, Mr. Nelson Ayodele.

Vivian Fowler College makes case for reading culture The college dedicated this year’s celebration to all Nigerian authors, especially the late Prof. Chinua Achebe, author of Things Fall Apart; Prof Wole Soyinka, author of The Lion and the Jewel; Sefi Atta, who authored Everything Good Will Come; and Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani – I Do Not Come to You By Chance (2010). Giving the brief history of Nigerian authors, Eniola Oladapo, a Senior School (SS III) pupil, said from Olaudah Equaino, who wrote Equiano’s Travels, the first African to write a book, to Wole Soyinka, the first African to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, Nigeria has continued to pave the way in the literary sphere. According to her, over the centuries, many Nigerian authors have succeeded in telling the Nigerian story in its

l DVC counsel pupils to be honest

companions in order to learn how to write well. Other guest speakers in their presentation urged the pupils to inculcate reading habit, as this would go a long way to enhance their knowledge and skills. “Leaders are readers, and readers are leaders. Success and failure depend on the use of the mind. We must love the act of reading, since book is to the mind, what food is to the body,” they said. Other high points of the event were reading by some parents and teachers to the pupils, poetry reading by some pupils – Tomi Famadewa (Haba) and Yewande Alatishe, whose poem is entitled: Revelation; as well as presentation by some invited schools including Topgrade Secondary School, Surulere and Indian Language School, Ilupeju, Lagos.

A cross-section of the pupils at the event

Alumni association boosts indigentstudents’education he dream of some 20 indigent students of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti to complete their university education has been boosted by the alumni association of institution. Each of the students, from the deep pockets of members of the association, were awarded N10,000 bursary to assist them in their education. According to a statement by the National President of the association, Dr. M. A. Ayeni, the National Executive Council and the Board of Trustees of the association resolved to award the bursary to the 20 beneficiaries across all the faculties as part of their gesture to reduce the financial burden of the students. The association, therefore, requested the Director of the Counseling Centre of the university to fast track the short-

various nuances. “Their pieces of work have captured the metamorphosis of our nation over decades and continue to alter the globe’s perspective of our land by providing refreshingly diverse insights,” she added. In her presentation, Mrs. Onyeator, compared the mind of the younger ones to a slate, saying whatever impressions imprint on it, will not only last longer, but will also be enduring and impressionistic. “This is what the college is doing today by encouraging the students to read,” the TV presenter noted, advising the pupils to take their learning very seriously. Mrs. Onyeator, while counseling them to read always and make learning their priority over other mundane things, also advised the pupils to make dictionaries their

listing of names of students who are expected to benefit from the bursary award. Meanwhile, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of state university, Prof. Olufemi Adeoluwa has counseled the young ones to be honest and painstaking in whatever they do. He gave the advice while addressing pupils of Peace and Joy Group of Schools, Ikere-Ekiti, who visited him in his office. Adeoluwa, who noted that youth should have the fear of God, and stressed that nothing could be achieved without the grace of God, further told the pupils that teaching profession is more rewarding when professionalism is applied. The pupils, who asked various questions about the life and experience of the Deputy Vice- Chancellor, were conducted round some facilities in the university.

Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

ll is now set for the centenary celebration of the Government College, Katsina-Ala, Benue State. The 100-year anniversary celebration is being organised by the school’s old students, under the aegis of the Government College, Katsina-Ala Old Boys Association (KAOBA). The National President of the association, Dr. Haroun Adamu, disclosed this while inaugurating the Makurdi branch of the old boys association. Adamu, who added that a N500 million fund would be launched for the development of the institution, how-

Norwegian Ambassador to speak at AUN he Norwegian AmbassaT dor to Nigeria, Mr. Rolf Ree, is expected to be at the

American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State on a three-day working visit which will begin today March 17. A statement by the institution’s Information Unit, said the Diplomat is expected to deliver a talk to the members of the university community on March 19, in furtherance of the American University of Nigeria Diplomatic Lecture Series. The lecture series, according to the university, was instituted in 2011 as a forum for interaction between the diplomatic community in Nigeria and the university community. A holder of a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Oslo, Ambassador Ree has had a long career in the Norwegian Foreign Service. Prior to his deployment to Abuja, he had served as Deputy Head of Mission at the Norwegian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 2007 to 2012. During the visit to the North East state, the Norwegian Envoy will meet members of the Adamawa Peace Initiative (API) and interact with students and faculty of the university. The AUN’S Diplomatic Lecture Series has in the past included presentations by the Ambassadors from Switzerland, Ireland, Canada, Israel, the European Union, and the United States.

Govt College Katsina-Ala set for centenary celebration ever explained that the list of students that passed out from the college in the past 100 years would be collated and presented to the public during the celebration. According to him, the old boys who are occupying important positions in all spheres of national development would be on hand to tell the younger students about their success stories at the epoch making event. The college was established in Wannune in Tarka Local Government Area of the state before it was relocated to Katsina-Ala because of its uniqueness.

Adamu, who urged the Chairman and other officials of Makurdi branch of KAOBA to uphold the tenets of the school, which include diligence, hard work and trust, insisted that all branches should support the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Mustapha Agwai, as he is working assiduously for the launching of the development plan. Responding, the newly elected Chairman of the Makurdi branch of association, Prof. Rufus Sha’Ato, promised on behalf of the executive members to make the celebration a huge success.

Momoh to deliver UNILAG maiden MCAA lecture

he Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Channels Television, Mr. John Momoh is expected to deliver the maiden edition of the Distinguished Lecture Series of the University of

Lagos Mass Communication Alumni Association (UMCAA) scheduled for March 24. Momoh, an alumnus of the Department, will speak on: “The Mass Media: Setting the Nigerian Agenda.”

The programme, according to the President of the association, Chief Lawson Omokhodion, is aimed at refocusing the pivotal role of the fourth estate of the realm in nation building.

26 Education

orried by the alarming statistics of people suffering from kidney disorder in the country and the need for urgent medical intervention, a group of researchers at the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, have discovered a new Phytomedicine for the management of the deadly disease. The research group, led by Mr. Sabiu Saheed of Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, presented their findings recently at Ogbondoroko, in Asa Local Government Area of the state. The project, which is an action-research, was sponsored by the University’s Centre for Community Development, is entitled: “Utilization of Corn Silk for the Management of Kidney Disorders among the People of Ogbondoroko, Kwara State, Nigeria.” Apart from teaching the people of the community different ways of applying corn silk to manage kidney disorders, the principal investigator also educated them on how to

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Researchers introduce alternative medicine for kidney diseases commercialise the product by packaging it into teabags. He stated that corn silk has macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats (volatile oils), and proteins, as well as micronutrients, which include vitamins and minerals. Saheed explained that the corn silk phytomedicine had been scientifically tested for the management of liver and kidney disorders, even as he lamented that a lot of renal patients have died due to high cost of dialysis and transplant. He said: “For instance, it costs about N25, 000 (140 USD) for a session of kidney dialysis and three sessions are required per week, amounting to N75, 000. It costs approximately 20,000 USD (about N3.5 million) in India to treat the ailment. The cost is estimated at over N5 million in Nigeria, and several hundred thousand dollars

Na’Allah

in the United Kingdom and the United States.” According to him, about 300 million people suffer from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) worldwide, while 3.4 million

people died from it in 2012, as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). He stressed that in Sub-Saharan Africa, the numbers are more staggering with recent report putting affected Nigerians at 36.8 million, representing 23 per cent of people suffering from various stages of kidney disease. This figure, he said, translates to one in seven Nigerians being at risk of any of the different forms of the disease. “In fact, about 16,000 patients develop kidney disease every year with about 5,000 patients requiring dialysis,” Saheed noted. While supporting the renewed interest in phytomedicine by various researchers in recent years, the principal investigator made a case for natural and traditional system of medicine as an alternative

to orthodox medicine, which he said, was already gaining grounds in many quarters of the world. Saheed, whose presentation was on “Phytomedicine: A Case Study of Nephroprotective Potentials of Corn Silk,” said apart from its effectiveness in the treatment of liver and kidney disorders, corn silk could also be used to treat diabetes and urinary tract disorders, among others. He, therefore, advised the people of Ogbondoroko to set up “Corn Silk Bank” as an avenue for turning the product to wealth. His co-researchers, Dr. AbdulAzeez Abubakar and Mr. Nurain Ismail, also sensitised the participants on the need to take full advantage of the medicinal values of corn silk and several other plants. Speaking on behalf of the community, Alhaji Anafi Akorede, thanked the KWASU researchers for choosing the community for the programme and, prayed for its success. The programme also featured free medical checkup for the community members.

Commissioners on why Lagos adopts same certificate policy Mojeed Alabi

AAUA VC Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (2nd left) being presented with an award by members of Youth Ambassadors of Nigeria, YAN, in

Ex-VC lauds varsity’s development

ormer Vice-Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Prof. Funso Akere, recently returned to the university after nine years he bowed out of office, expressing satisfaction over the level of infrastructural development and academic ethics in the institution. Akere, a Professor of English, who was received by the principal officers of the institution, lauded the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Femi Mimiko for the rapid infrastructural growth and academic transformation of the university. Speaking after inspection of the newly inaugurated Senate Building and the 30-Classroom Quadrangle, the former ViceChancellor noted: “I am awed by the huge infrastructural development and academic ethic entrenched by my predecessor, Prof. Mimiko.” Akere, who expressed hap-

piness that Mimiko laid endurable bricks on the foundation of the new AAUA he laid with him as his Deputy Vice-Chancellor, charged members of the university community to focus more on skill-based researches that will further complement the ongoing wave of academic excellence in the institution. He said: “There is a current research trend which is designed to make universities develop skilled-based programmes such that students, upon graduation, can be relevant and employable in the developing industries. It is designed to make such graduates set up vocations based on the entrepreneurial skills acquired. AAUA must strive to key into this in order to remain relevant in the society.” Therefore, Akere challenged members of staff on the need to join hands with the management to move the institution forward, saying the workers to drop their old way of think-

ing and philosophy that the workforce is not doing enough if they do not oppose the ViceChancellor and protest against the management. Strike as a weapon of protest, he stressed, was no longer tenable, even as the former Vice-Chancellor counseled that the workers should form partnership with the management with a view to running a progressive system, while they too should be seen as partners of development.” Akere, however, admonished the students to eschew all forms of vices and activities capable of disrupting the peace on campus, saying the era of Aluta is gone. “Protests here and there will not help the university in its unrelenting quest for development,” he added, urging the students to focus more on their academic programmes, as well as come up with ideas and innovation that would foster the university’s growth.

he Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, has explained the reasons why the state government introduced a uniformed attestation/ testimonial for both public and private primary school leavers in the state. According to her, the strategy was to encourage pupils to get to Primary Six before going to secondary schools, as it is the practice in the country currently. Oladunjoye, who disclosed this at the presentation of the attestation/ testimonials to some selected schools, added that the decision was part of the ongoing reform in the state’s education sector. The Commissioner noted that the introduction of the attestation/ testimonial would go a long way in addressing the needs of many primary school leavers, who more often than not, usually requires one form of certification or the other. “It is my conviction that pupils must have completed Primary Six before going into secondary school and it is not right for pupils to go through Primary One to Six without any form of certification at the end of their education,” she said. Oladunjoye, however, charged the Head teachers to take the well-being of pupils in their care as a special assignment, adding that they should also inculcate in them good moral values and

Mrs. Oladunjoye

norms in view of the fact that they are more susceptible and easily influenced. She congratulated the first beneficiaries of the attestation/ testimonials certificate, which are embossed with the photograph of the holder, and which is the first of its kind in the country. Meanwhile, the Commissioner pointed out that pupils, no doubt, will be happy that they now have evidence of completion of primary school education. Some of the schools that collected their certificates include Dopemu Primary School; Divine Touch Nursery/Primary School; Dairy Farm Primary School; Ahmed Memorial Primary School; Abiks Private Nursery/ Primary School all in Agege; as well as Surulere Community Primary School; African Church Primary School, Mosan; Akowonjo Primary School; Abule-Egba Community Primary School; and NASFAT Nursery/ Primary School, among others.

Education

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

We’ve moved LASU out of crisis, says VC Kayode Olanrewaju

or more than two hours last week, the management of the Lagos State University (LASU) shed lights on some developmental strides that have taken place to reposition the university and return it to the path of stability. The university, which in the past few years has been engulfed in one crisis or the other, according to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, has since the past three years intensified efforts at moving the system forward to the delight of the founding fathers and members of the university community. Parts of his administration’s efforts, Obafunwa said include the massive construction activities on going in the institution, which when completed will change the face of the 31-year-old state university. “Very soon, LASU will wear a new look that will transform it from its present toga of crisisridden institution to a centre of academic excellence,” he said. The Vice-Chancellor listed some of the infrastructural projects being executed by his administration to include the Students’ Arcade building; the Twin Faculty of Law lecture theatre; the new Science complex building; School of Transport complex, already commissioned and in use; the seven-storey Senate Building complex under construction; four-storey ultramodern Central Library building under construction; Faculty of Management Science; LASU Home of three blocks of 12 flats each for staff accommodation; drainage system on campus. Others, he said, are the provision of buses for staff transportation to and from work to ease their transportation challenges; a multi-media language laboratory, which the rehabilitation of access road network at Ojo main campus of university will soon commence, as well as the LASU Radio 95.7 FM, donated to the institution by Sir Adebutu Kesington, which will be commissioned on Thursday by the governor of the state and Visitor to the university, Babatunde Fashola, during the institution’s 20th convocation ceremony; construction of Car Park behind Block II. While several other faculty building have been renovated

Obafunwa

such as the MBA Hall, staff quarters, the university health centre, postgraduate school building and the 3 in 1 lecture theatre, Faculty of Education, while the university has secured the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for LASU, Ojo Campus; as well as the Deed of Gift for AgemowoMosafejo Land donated to LASU by Late Justice Elias. As part of moves to consolidate the development of the university, he said plans had already been concluded for the final relocation of LASU School of Communication presently domicile at Ojuelegba to the Ojo Campus as this will further boosts the new Radio station. Obafunwa, who hinted that the university which receives N395 million monthly subventions from the state government, spends N440 million on staff overhead cost apart from maintenance cost and cost of diesel to power the generators. To raise the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile of the university, which is facing financial crunch as a result of the scrapping of the External Programme, the Vice-Chancellor said the management was already

developing the LASU Consult which objective is mainly to generate income for the Ivory Tower. Still on the academic front, Obafunwa noted that the university has changed its process of registration, under which the system has been digitalised for the Heads of Department to know how many students in each department and the number of scripts top examine. He said: “There is no more a situation in which a 400-Level student will be looking for 100-Level results. Students get their results latest two weeks after examinations, while certificates of graduating students are ready for collection immediately after their graduation. “The entire system is now online. We operate e-registration, e-payment, where all payments including school fees are made online without paying physical cash to any university officer and the students’ results are released promptly. In our External System, the students’ results are ready 48 hours after their examinations and the students can now upload their results online.” The Vice-Chancellor, who explained that one major achievement of his administration is that accountability and probity have been ensured in the system, however noted that the issue of several bank accounts of the university, which he inherited, has been reduced to one account to minimize cheating on LASU money. Obafunwa insisted that this would be the first time in LASU’s chequered history that the university would have four convocation ceremonies back to back in the past four years, saying that despite the hues his administration has restored stability to the system. To ensure quality service, he said the university is carrying out O’Level certificate verification of the workers in which certificates of some workers are questionable. “The system is not to witchhunt anyone but to bring sanity to the system,” the Vice-Chancellor noted, saying that the management introduced dress code for the students in order to maintain discipline, sanity and decorum on campus. According to him, the management is not playing any religious or tribal politics with the dress code, as it is not new in LASU but not being implemented.

“As much as the management is against and will continue to fight sexual harassment on campus, female students should be moderate and decent in their dressing,” Obafunwa said, reiterating that there is greater compliance with the dress code as the students and the university is proud of the students who a now more mature. On the ultimatum given by the university’s senior workers, under the aegis of the Senior Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (LASU-SSANU) over their unpaid outstanding arrears of salary increment, Obafunwa said the management which took the welfare of the workers as priority, paid the workers’ salary as at when due and did not owe any worker. He said the increment as introduced by the government, which paid 50 per cent of the arrears and ordered the university to pay the remaining 50 per cent. “The university has since paid about 45 per cent and had agreed with the union on when to pay the remaining five per cent,” the Vice-Chancellor stressed. He added: “I inherited the N2.2 billion of 18 months arrears, which after discussion with the government it pick 50 per cent and directed the university to pay the remaining 50 per cent, in which we have paid 45 per cent. “We are going to pay the arrears, but they have to be patient with us. The ultimatum is a smoke-screen for another agenda to put the university into crisis.” Obafunwa, who spoke during an interactive session with journalists, debunked allegations by some sections of the university that the management is sponsoring another faction of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the institution. According to the Vice-Chancellor, plans had been concluded for the graduation ceremony of the While explaining how the Protem chairman of a splinter faction of the union wrote the university management that they no longer recognised the leadership of the union, the Vice-Chancellor noted that the management only wrote back demanding for those that were involved, when and where the action was taken. On the issue of no vacancy, no promotion, Obafunwa said the matter has since been resolved during their meetings at Alausa with the government.

Don offers antidotes to food insecurity

don and Professor of Food Chemistry, Ibiyinka Ogunlade at the Ekiti State University (EKSU) has stressed that the crisis of hunger and food insecurity could be addressed through proper education on how to make abundant food available to the people. According to her, adequate awareness and enlightenment drive as well as a robust advocacy on abundant food production coupled with research and implementation of such findings would provide an avenue to arrest the situation particularly in Nigeria.

This was part of the don’s views while delivering the 41st inaugural lecture of the university, which was entitled: “Food and Education: Catalyst for Sustainable Development,” where Ogunlade suggested the establishment of small scale industries for effective mode of utilization of weeds in food and chemical industries. While insisting that the government should muster the political will to tackle food insecurity in the land, the lecturer recommended the establishment of agro-based industries

which could convert farm produce into finished products, such as “pounded yam” from yam; cocoa and coffee beans to all kinds of beverages and tea. In her 82-page lecture, Ogunlade further advocated the need for Nigerians to return to nature for food programme with what she described as “Return to Nature” Food programme advocacy, even as he warned that Nigerians should avoid eating junk foods which could result in the occurrence of diseases such as cancer and diabetes, among others.

Ogunlade, who reeled out her contributions in the field of chemical evaluation and nutrients potentials, however noted that the government should encourage indigenous safe food processing and reservation technologies to ensure food availability throughout the year. The lecturer urged the government and tertiary institutions to establish well equipped laboratories to facilitate generations and utilization of nutrient profiles data of various indigenous and underutilized food plant.

Aina

The lecture was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina, who described the lecture as stimulating and apt in the quest of the country for food security.

28 Education C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 3

screened with the exemption mode. Also, of the four visuallyimpaired candidates expected to write the examination at the UNILAG centre that Tuesday, only three showed up, and they commended JAMB for putting up a standard system for them. Similarly, at the JAMB’s Computer Based Centre at Bwari, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, where the Registrar monitored the examination, some of the candidates and their parents expressed satisfaction with the development, saying the CBT was long overdue. According to Ojerinde, a total of 1,475,477 candidates, including 192 visually-impaired persons as well as 208 prison inmates would be writing this year’s UTME examination, but not without a strict warning that the Board would not reschedule the examination for candidates who missed their scheduled sitting. While insisting that candidates had abused the privilege of rescheduled examinations in the past, the Registrar, however, noted that enough grace was given to candidates to arrive at their respective examination centres before the starting time. As part of the efficiency of the system, Ojerinde assured that the candidates’ results would be released less than 24 hours through the Short Messaging Service after the examination. But, at some of the centres, the candidates complained of either delay or server failure during the examinations across the country. At the University of Jos (UNIJOS) ICT Centre, candidates expressed frustration at the difficulties experienced in securing their slips and the late commencement of the examinations. They regretted that with the repeated assurance from the JAMB Registrar that all was well with the conduct of the examination many candidates had to protest non-availability of their examination slips before they were issued.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

JAMB: Recorded hitches not unexpected It was the same story across the five examination centres in Minna, the Niger State capital, where the candidates expressed disappointments following the breakdown of some of the computer systems at the centres. Specifically, at the Hajiya Jumai Aliyu Babangida ICT Centre at Chanchaga Local Government Area of the state within Minna metropolis, the candidates complained of delay in the conduct of the examination. But, the story was more disheartening in Asaba, Delta State capital, where candidates expressed fear of undeserved mass failure, alleging that the examination body failed to provide functional computers and the much-needed software and dependable energy back-ups for the conduct of a smooth examination. Several other candidates in the rural and riverine communities of the state were not spared of the difficulties they faced in using computers and have continued to express the fear that this would greatly affect their performance. However, some candidates who have started receiving their results since Tuesday commended the examination body for the prompt release of the results. Also at Benin, Edo State capital, especially at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) where over 12,700 candidates took part in the examination and Osogbo in Osun State, candidates applauded JAMB for what they described as the successful and hitch-free conduct of the examination, noting that the process was perfect and free of stress. It was however observed that some of the candidates lacked the knowledge of computer applications and as a result some of them could only manage to operate the systems with little effort to write the examinations. The examination was also held at the National Open Uni-

versity of Nigeria (NOUN), Ekenwan Road, Benin, Study Centre, the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi and Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, ICT centres respectively. At the centre, there was the presence of technology experts who ensured that there were no hiccups during the test, particularly, with the operational systems. The Public Relations Officer

ABSU

Mrs. Marion Babs-Akinyeye, has hailed the Spirit of Lagos for initiating the Students Challenge, an innovative platform for secondary school students in the state to proffer solutions to some of the social problems confronting their communities. She gave the commendation during the unveiling of the Students Challenge initiative at the Ministry of Education, in which pupils from some selected public schools in the six Local Education Districts in the state made presentations

According to her, the initiative is in tandem with the government’s efforts in ensuring the overall development of various communities in the state. The Director said: “We commend the Spirit of Lagos for creating this wonderful platform for the students of the state to deploy their creativity in bringing about solutions to the challenges they face in their respective communities. We are impressed by the students’ display of creativity and great ideas that

Anatomy of rag day

Amanze

ing” these were, purportedly, coined to convince a manager in a large charity of the value of working with student fundraisers. In summary, based on the above origin and definition of rag day, it is palpable that

(NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola lauded JAMB for what he described as a successful transformation of testing candidates in the country. He said: “This is a note of congratulations to Prof. Dibu Ojerinde and his team in JAMB on the kick-off of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) implemented through CBT. This is a landmark achievement in the history of conducting of nationscale public examinations in Nigeria, as well as indexing a noteworthy step in the match to the goal of full utilisation of ICT in the delivery of education in the country. It is our hope that experience gleaned from this inaugural outing should be basis for further refinement of the process of conducting UTME through CBT in the coming years.” Also, the Head of UNIBEN ICT Centre, Mrs. Onyebueke Stella Abike expressed optimism that the new innovation would go a long way in putting all forms of malpractices in check including hacking of any sorts due to fraud proof technology system deployed by the joint efforts of JAMB and the university.

Lagos commends student challenge initiative he Director of Co-Curric- on how they would solve some will complement the efforts of ular Services in the Lagos of the challenges facing in the state government in movT ing the state forward.” State Ministry of Education, their communities.

CAMPUS OPINION

Uchechukwu Amanze ag Day is a day in which students of higher institutions of learning across the globe engage in crazy and funny things for charity. The origin of the word ‘Rag,’ according to Oxford English Dictionary, is an act of ragging; especially an extensive display of noisy disorderly conduct, carried on in defiance of authority or discipline.” Its origin provides a citation from 1864, that the word was known in Oxford before this date. Early Rag collectors would rag the passers-by until they made a donation. Alternatively, it is thought to be from the Victorian era when students took time out of their studies to collect rags to clothe the poor. Much more recently, backranyms have been invented for RAG to stand for “Raise A Grand” or “Raising And Giv-

Ojerinde

for JAMB, Mr. Fabian Nenche in his reaction on the conduct of the examination, described the process as “almost perfect,” saying the few hitches recorded were not unexpected to a novel initiative such as this. “It would be practically impossible anywhere in the world to conduct examination in 400 centres across the federation and expect to have an error-free process throughout,” he said. For candidates who missed their examinations as a result of logistics problems, Nenche said JAMB has agreed to reschedule them for another date, even as he called on other stakeholders to support the initiative for the country to meet up with the global trend. Also commenting on the process, the Coordinator of Lagos office of JAMB, Dr. Beatrice Okorie, who monitored the UTME test at the Bafuto Computer and Secretarial School, Ikotun-Egbe, advised parents not to offer money to operators of any centre, while insisting that anyone who approach them for money should be reported to JAMB. Meanwhile, the former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission

the aim of rag day or ragging is to solicit funds for orphans, widow, the people living with disabilities and the poor in the society. Sadly, today, the purpose of ragging has been abused, as students in higher institutions especially in the country have put the original purpose of ragging in the back seat. They have bastardised the concept, to say the least. Regrettably, in our institution today, rag day has turned out to be a money-making venture for students, as students no longer account for or remit the money realised during the activity. The ragging activity which is usually one of the activities used to wel-

come freshmen into higher institutions as well as raising funds for the less-privileged, has also turned out to be a free-ranch-activity, where every Dick and Harry now joins the bandwagon, without the prerequisite of being a fresh student. It is no longer surprising to see students who are in levels other than 100-Level or who are not fresh men and women running around the ever-busy roads of the nation’s commercial cities, in their ‘crazy attires’, extorting money from passers-by. Similarly, youths who are neither graduates nor who are yet to secure admission into higher institutions are not

Mrs. Babs-Akinyeye also praised the teachers for their efforts in grooming the children, saying that their efforts were reflected in the students’ project ideas as well as presentations. Speaking at the event, Project Director of the Spirit of Lagos, Mr. Olaniyi Omotoso, said that the 2015 Spirit of Lagos Students’ Challenge was designed to enable students come up with ideas that they could work on as part of their contribution towards restoring the past glories of the state. left out in the practice to make money out of false pretense. Although, the rag day activity was borne out of good intention; to raise money for the less-privilege, however, it has not been a smooth sail as it is resulting to either the death or injuries of students. The first death recorded on a rag day was in 1873, when a freshman from the Cornell University, U.S.A fell into a gorge as a consequence of ragging. To an extent, cases of death recorded during rag days have continued to be on the increase. This is because most of the students who have the mindset that rag day is a day to make money to enrich themselves, would leave their schools for commercial cities, where they believe they would make surfeit of money. Not only this, they also rag on roads that are too busy, without considering the dangers such busy roads posed to their well-being.

Education 29

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

As the information officer for this university, how has the Directorate been able to effectively disseminate information to members of the university community? Well, we have done reasonably well. When I came on board in 2007, I met four members of staff with a manual typewriter. That time it was obvious that the university was not visible in all forms by the people. I mean within and outside the university, and so it was a big task and challenge for me. And the first thing I did was the recruitment of staff members that I needed to work with me. Then, the university bulletin was not in existence in 2007. We initiated it as part of moves to enhance the visibility of the university and since then we have been publishing the bulletin on weekly basis without missing out a week. I believe you know how tedious this could be. As media people, you know what that means, but we have been able to do it and that has helped to correct certain impressions and misrepresentations. Presently, we can boast that we have less rumour in the system than it used to be. Now, when the management takes a decision we publish, when the Governing Council takes a decision we publish and circulate within the campus, and we equally go around to look for news items of great interest to the students such as the students Legal year and what their Attorney-General and Chief Justice said as in our current bulletin. We reflect diverse opinions and interest within the university community. How would you describe the relationship between the management and the students? I will say it is very cordial. Presently, we have a very humble and mature Students’ Union President, Comrade Noble Eyisi, the young man is very practical and to me he would go places. He realises the need for collaboration between the management and students and we are vigorously working with him on this. Every time you see him, he will be busy trying to find out things, and he has been able to achieve a lot. Look at the transport system in the university, it has been reduced from N30 to N20. He did it, he has sacrificed a lot. He told me that he was supposed to receive a huge amount of money daily which he was ready to forfeit and sacrifice for the students. So, we encourage him and the management will give

Our plan is to reposition UNIZIK as number one varsity, says Ojukwu Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Director of Information of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, speaks with EMEKA ONWUDINJO and FRANKLIN ONWUBIKO of Telegraph Campus about the achievements of Prof. Joseph Ahaneku’s administration. Excerpt: him the support he needs to succeed. One way in which we have supported him was when the campus shuttle operators or transporters were flexing muscles that they would withdraw their buses from our route, we brought out the univer-

sity buses to support him and the university buses were ferrying students to and from the school. Of course, when the transporters realised that they could not achieve anything by withdrawing their buses they came back, and there was peace on the campus. So

we are trying our best and the relationship was very cordial. The management is cooperating with the students’ union since we are all here because of the students and if the students are not here we won’t be here.

What is the current ranking of the university in Nigeria? In the last count, the university ranked between 13 and 16, but I am sure that if you check now a lot of improvement has been recorded. In terms of visibility, when the ranking was conducted last

Ojukwu

year our website was very weak, but now we have a world class website.

30 Education

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Proprietress restates need for cultural day Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he Proprietress of Hills Montessori Schools, Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mrs. Victoria Ugwu has lamented what she described as poor attitude of many parents to teaching the children their culture and expose them to other people’s cultures within the country. Mrs. Ugwu, who stated this during the cultural day celebration organised by the school, said if care is not taken the people’s culture may soon go into extinction. She explained that the cultural day was introduced as part of efforts to imbue and expose the pupils to relevant Nigerian culture, noting that such effort would help the kids to understand the importance of culture. Her words: “From my personal observation and what I have heard in the past that very soon some of Nigerian cultures will extinct. So, as an educationist and a teacher, I introduced cultural activities in my school to help in reviving the culture so that it will not die in our time. “For the children understand the importance of culture and that culture is a way of life of the people; what they eat, the way they dress and language, we incorporated it in the school calendar such that we organise a cultural day once in every session, where by people will come together as a microcosm. “In a school such as this, we have pupils and teachers from different cultural

background and the management tries as much as possible to encourage every pupil to participate by representing his or her culture. We do not marginalize any pupil or culture. We try to remove that cultural prejudice of people feeling that some culture is greater or better than the other.” Mrs. Ugwu blamed the state of various cultures in the country on the ability of Nigerians to appreciate their own cultures, adding that many people have lost their identities in the process of copying foreign culture. She added: “We do not really know who we are and we do not appreciate who we are. We do not see ourselves as a people. We like copying other people’s culture and ways of life. We appreciate other people and we don’t appreciate ourselves. Yet, when you travel outside this country you will realise that our culture is very rich. We have not been able to appreciate who we really are and the moment we start it the better for the future of our children and the country. “We underrate ourselves, we have to make people know who we are and appreciate what we have. We have to let the world know that what we have is rich and good. Some people have religious bias that if you wear your traditional attire, you are demonic, what you are doing is fetish. This is wrong because wearing your traditional dress does not make you evil or eating your local delicacy does not make you demonic.”

Some of the pupils, parents and teachers at the event

Access Bank partners UNILAG medical college Mojeed Alabi

he Provost of the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Idi-Araba, Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola has described the nation’s medical schools as ravaged institutions. This was as he said that the low figure of quality workforce in the health sector is a direct product of the neglect the institutions have suffered. Ogunsola, who spoke at the orientation programme organised for the 200-Level students of the college in partnership with Access Bank Plc, further revealed that the entire African continent contributes a paltry four per cent of the world

health workers, but with a damning report of 26 per cent of the global diseases. Ogunsola, the pioneer female provost of the college, while lauding the bank for the support, stressed that to address the challenge would require more philanthropic individuals and organisations to come to the aid of medical schools in the country towards grooming more qualified heath workers to rescue the nation and Africa by extension from the impending doom. The bank’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, who noted that the about 150 students is the hope of the nation, said the decision to kit them with laboratory coats, and other

items, was to ensure that they know that they are being appreciated by the society and to build in them the spirit of service to humanity. He lamented the problem of brain drain confronting the sector, saying part of the measures put in place to halt the drift was to give adequate support to the medical schools and the students towards retaining the best brains for the betterment of the nation. Wigwe, however traced the partnership with the college to few years ago, and pledged the readiness of the bank to foster the support by looking into other areas that will further add value to the country’s health education.

EDUPEACE

with Mahfouz A. Adedimeji (08066372516, sms only)  Dr Adedimeji is a Senior Lecturer and Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin

Leadership is responsibility

he sixth letter of the word leadership is “R” and for our purpose, it stands for responsibility. If leadership is anything fundamentally, it is about responsibility. To lead is an opportunity but every opportunity carries with a commensurate responsibility. So anyone who wants to be a leader should watch it; being a leadership is not ice-cream, being a leader is being responsible! It is unfortunate that many people look for leadership opportunities or positions without thinking seriously about the accompanying responsibilities. That Nigeria has a vast array of irresponsible leaders is an open sore that assails our collective conscience. We have many leaders who are only interested in the paraphernalia of office, the artificiality of title and the vagaries of fleeting power. Irresponsibility in leadership is especially worrisome in a situation where people offer themselves for leadership. Leadership is not by force and whoever puts himself forward should prepare himself for the responsibility. Rather than contest an election and get into the office and be irresponsible, it is better to enjoy one’s privacy and keep out of public office. Out of sheer irresponsibility, some people assumed that leadership is all about wielding power and perpetrating impunity. They forget easily that nothing in life is permanent and abdicate from the very responsibility for which they were elected. At the end of the day, they squander resources, pollute the system and drag the name of their organisation in the mud. The youth, as leaders of today and tomorrow, should therefore appreciate the need to have a sense of duty and show responsibility right from now. This is because if leadership fails, everything else fails. The hope of any nation rests squarely on the youth and it is essential for them to be wired rightly lest they lose their focus. According to the National Youth Development Policy (2001), “youth are the foundation of a society. Their energies, inventiveness, character and orientation define the pace of development and security of a nation. Through their creative talent and labour power, a nation makes giants strides in economic development and socio-political development. In their dreams and hopes, a nation finds her motivation; on their energies, she builds her vitality and purpose. And because of their dreams and aspirations, the future of a nation is assured.” To assure the future of Nigeria and all organisations that people may belong to, the youth should be ready to take up responsibility and discharge their

To lead is an opportunity but every opportunity carries with a commensurate responsibility

duty to the best of their ability. To be a responsible and effective leader, you must create a vision of the future that takes into account the legitimate long-term interest of the group or organisation you lead; you must develop a rational strategy of for moving towards that vision; you must enlist the support of the key power centres whose cooperation, compliance and teamwork are necessary to produce the movement and you must motivate the core group of people whose actions are central to implementing the strategy. A student or youth that aspires to be a leader should train himself or herself to have the qualities of thoughtfulness, impartiality, justice, trust-worthiness, truthfulness, fairness, honesty, proficiency, knowledge, good communication skills, directness, tenacity, decisiveness, dignity, humility, public interest, self-motivation and hard work. You don’t build something on nothing. A responsible leader does his best but an irresponsible wants to please everybody, ending up disappointing everyone. Bill Cosby was mentioned to have said, “I do not know the secret of success but the secret of failure is trying to please everybody.” The story is told of a man who had a quarrel with his wife and his friend came to mediate. He asked the man what the problem was and told him, “You are right!” The wife narrated her own case and the man replied, “You are also right!” Someone who was listening to the conversation shook his head and challenged the man, “These husband and wife complained about each other and you told both of them that they were right, how could that be?” The man looked at his direction with a smirk, saying “You know what? You are right too.” It is sheer irresponsibility that makes leaders lament and complain all the time. A responsible leader is able to cope with situations since he has resources at his disposal to do the needful in the interest of the community. If the resources are not available, he creates them. So, lead, if you are responsible. If you are not, just follow or simply get out of the way!

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

Energy

Oil spills: FG begins aerial scrutiny of IOCs, others

Property

Aviation

Ogun: Residents bicker over high C-of-O charges

‘Why we want Nigerian airports ready for A380’

Business What's news

Nigeria’s Internet users now 82m, says NCC The total number of mobile Internet users on telecoms networks in Nigeria has hit 81.8 million, according to the latest data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

p.32

Stakeholders knock DPR for delaying 2013 oil block bid CREEPY MOTIVE

Government is allegedly planning to auction the oil field to its political allies controlling major local oil firms

petroleum engineer, said that the body language of the industry regulator shows that it is neither willing to announce the identities of the blocks nor make them available on its website for now. This action, which, he claimed, has political intonation, is “already dampening the morale of prospective in-

vestors.” His view was corroborated by a Chief Executive Officer of one of the marginal field operators in Nigeria who, after pleading anonymity, said: “The investments of between $15 -$17 billion are being delayed with the continuous foot-dragging by the DPR to make identity of the oil blocks available in time.

“This has created a very big lacuna in the flow of investments, which would have been hastened if the agency had followed the time table for the bid round exercise. “What we know is that the DPR is still waiting for a goahead, which it may not get as CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Adeola Yusuf

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

nvestors and stakeholders, at the weekend, came down hard on the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for its alleged role in worsening the investment drought rocking the oil and gas industry by foot-dragging the 2013 marginal field bid round. It is over one year after the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, promised to, by February, 2014, complete the oil blocks allocation and checks by New Telegraph showed that the agency is yet to make the identities of the blocks for bidding known through its website. Some of the stakeholders expressed grave concern in a chat with this newspaper that the DPR is sabotaging the bid round programme with its deliberate act of not disclosing the identities of the 31 blocks as well as the agency’s “silence” on the issue. Investments of about $17 billion are being setback by the foot-dragging of the DPR on the allocation of oil blocks for the 2013 marginal field bid round programme. Spokesperson for the agency, Dorothy Bassey, could not be reached by phone while a Short Messaging System (SMS) sent to her mobile for comment did not go through. But Ibraheem Alamutu, a

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Compact Communications Limited, Mr. Chuddy Oduenyi; Permanent Secretary/ TutorGeneral Education District IV, Mrs. Derinsola Soname; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Omolara Erogbogbo and Chief Corporate Services Officer, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, Mr. Tobe Okigbo, during the presentation of Corporate Social Responsibility Support for Schools Initiative award to Smile Communications Limited in Lagos.

Airspace safety: NAMA to deploy pilot data link communication tools Wole Shadare

he Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, (NAMA) is set to deploy Controller to Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) and Automatic Dependent Sur-

veillance-Contract (ADS-C) to improve aircraft communication throughout the Nigerian airspace. A statement from Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques (SITA), said: “The Nigerian Airspace

Management Agency (NAMA) has selected SITA OnAir to enhance aircraft communications across Nigeria. SITA OnAir’s advanced systems will enable NAMA to comply with the 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.13)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N225.50 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N334 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N240

l Foreign Reserves – $30.414bn as at 12/03/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at Mar.13)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N198.10 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N303 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N225

Business | News

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria’s Internet users now 82m, says NCC MOBILE DEVICES

More Nigerians continue to access Internet through their mobile devices Kunle Azeez

he total number of mobile Internet users on telecoms networks in Nigeria has hit

81.8 million, according to the latest data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The data obtained by New Telegraph revealed that mobile Internet users have increased from 76.3 million at the end of December 2014, to 81.8 million at the end of January this year. This represents a growth of additional 5.5 million mobile Internet subscriptions on the

mobile networks in the country. New Telegraph gathered that the data represents the total mobile Internet subscriptions on only Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) operators, excluding the Code Division Mobile Access (CDMA) and fixed line networks. Of the total figure, MTN Nigeria, which is the largest telecoms company in the country, has 39.1 million mobile In-

ternet users, followed by Airtel with 14.9 million. Globacom came third with 17.6 million, while Etisalat has 10 million mobile internet users. From 64 million Internet users on all the GSM networks in January, 2014, the figure declined slightly to 63.4 million in February, but picked up again with 63.9 million in March, while in April, mobile Internet users on the four networks stood at 65.8 million.

Also in May, mobile Internet users increased to 67.4 million, but fell to 67.1 million in June, while in July, August and September, mobile GSM Internet users increased to 70.3 million, 72.4 million and 73.4 million respectively. Accordingly, mobile Internet users slightly fell to 73.1 million in October, but moved up to 74 million and in December, the figure increased to 76.3 million. This newspaper gathered that the shift in demand for mobile data services by telecoms consumers has continued to increase the number of Nigerians accessing Internet services through their mobile lines on their respective networks. Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, had expressed worry over what it termed ‘slow data connectivity take-up’ in the country despite the increased 3G network expansion by the mobile networks with only 13 million 3G devices connected on mobile net-

works. Though Juwah noted that there is increasing and pent-up demand for Internet services after near saturation of voice, the Commission was making efforts to provide enabling environment for effective data service delivery with its policy on broadband development in the country. He said: “Information and Communication Technology (ICT) remains a priority of the Federal Government and an important sector in the transformation agenda of the current administration for strong, inclusive, non-inflationary growth, using ICT as the major driver for transformation. Government requires us, as regulator, to ensure that ICT facilities are extended to all citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “In this regard, Internet and broadband have been globally acknowledged as the foundation for the nation’s transformation to a knowledge-based economy.”

Stakeholders knock DPR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 L-R: Channel Marketing Manager, Wiko Nigeria, Mr. Adebayo Adams; Key Accounts Manager, Lagos and South-West, Mrs. Abiola Anifowoshe and Country Sales Manager, Mr. John Peters, during the unveiling of the new stylish smartphone, Wiko Getaway, in Lagos. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

recommendations of ICAO’s regional Air Navigation Plan and in doing so, increase safety and efficiency in Nigerian airspace. “In this multi-year deal, SITA OnAir is supplying Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) solutions and services at the Lagos and Kano Control Centers to enhance long range data communication between air traffic controllers (ATC) and pilots.” In his response towards the agreement, the Managing Director of NAMA, Ibrahim Abdulsalam, said: “SITA OnAir is already well-known for its superior VHF datalink coverage on the African continent and with its highly reliable services, SITA OnAir is the ideal partner for NAMA. “The new CPDLC systems at our air traffic control centers in Lagos and Kano will move voice traffic off congested frequencies and allow for accurate data exchange between the controllers and pilots.” He noted that with this new ADS-C capability, the agency will receive automatic position reports from aircraft to its air traffic services. This will enable NAMA to acquire

NAMA to deploy pilot data link communication tools surveillance information from aircraft flying outside of radar coverage. Vice-President, Aircom, SITA OnAir, Philip Clinch, said that NAMA was making significant changes that will ensure increased safety while boosting Nigeria’s airspace capacity. Besides the new Future Air Navigation System (FANS) capability, Clinch disclosed that NAMA would also benefit from SITA OnAir’s connectivity and technical support. The FANS is the protocol, which airlines follow to manage increasing levels of air traffic. With it, an air traffic control center (ATC) can track aircraft along their full route. When an ATC has accurate position data and knows exactly where an aircraft is, it can reduce distances between aircraft and safely allow more in the airspace. The use of CPDLC, according to Abdulsalam, will improve ATC communications in Nigerian airspace. He said that NAMA handles an average of 550 flights daily across the nation’s airports and airlines could see improvement in communica-

tion and surveillance efficiency almost immediately. The use of air-to-ground data link has been endorsed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as a key enabler in its vision of a performance-based Global Air Traffic Management system. According to SITA, the benefits of CPDLC are much, supplementing traditional voice communications with direct data links between aircraft and Air Traffic Control. It allows air controllers to handle more aircraft and manage them more safely. The NAMA boss explained that it helps to conserve scarce radio frequency resources, adding that “it has no interpretation problems caused by poor voice quality or regional accents. “Messages are sent directly between ATC and the aircraft concerned,” he said. He noted that trials show very positive feedback from pilots and controllers, adding that it helps in 11 per cent capacity gain across the Link Airspace and expected 29 per cent reduction in controller workload.

soon as we think.” Stakeholders, he said, are “disturbed at the level of embarrassment this kind of arrangement is having on our level of coordination.” He said that the foreign and local investors who want to bring massive investments to the country through the marginal field bid round are pushed aback by this non-disclosure of oil blocks identities, 10 months after the commencement of the process. A timetable for the oil blocks allocation given by the minister showed that the DPR is expected to make the identity of the oil blocks known by February, 2014. The DPR had earlier, according to one of its spokesperson, Paul Osu, promised to make the names of the blocks available for bid round ready on its website. Last check on the website at the weekend showed that the agency was yet to do so. Meanwhile, fifteen months after the commencement of the bid round in November 2013, the identity of 31 oil blocks for sale is still shrouded in secrecy. The Federal Government, it would be recalled, had indicated

that it would conduct the exercise in March 2014. Mrs. Alison-Madueke who announced this on November 28, last year, stated that the bid round would be completed by March this year. The failure to meet the deadline has further fuelled speculation that government has a sinister motive to auction the field to its political allies controlling major indigenous oil firms. Also, the failure of the DPR to release the lists of oil fields that are available for sale has eroded transparency in the process. The prospective buyers in the industry had earlier accused the regulator of deliberately flouting the guidelines. At an energy forum in Lagos recently, some investors accused the DPR of not implementing the guidelines for the fields, saying that the agency is being used by the Federal Government to woo politicians with oil blocks ahead of the 2015 polls. For the first time in 12 years, the Federal Government kick-started the process for the second marginal field licencing round, offering 31 onshore and offshore fields. Some operators had expressed fears that their technical partners may become apprehensive and withdraw their funds.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

Can ex-militants stop oil, gas pipelines’ vandalism? p.34

Energy

US tips Nigeria as biggest hub for $205bn power investments p.35

Polls: Experts envisage huge risk for Nigeria’s 2.3 m bpd ON Course

NNPC insists that there would not be disruption

Collapsed NNPC mega petrol filling station at Oregun Road, Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Oil spills: FG begins aerial scrutiny of IOCs, others ALLIANCE

NOSDRA partners firm on aerial management of oil spill Stories by Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government, at the weekend, advanced its war on oil spill with plans to commence aerial scrutiny and combat of spills by international oil companies (IOCs) and their local counterparts. The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), which disclosed this, maintained that it had entered into collaborative venture with Omni-Blu Aviation Limited in the area of using specialised aircraft or air tractors. This, the agency said in a statement by its Deputy Director/Head, Public Affairs, Henshaw Ogubike, was in line with the spirit of Public Private Partnership (PPP). He said: “The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has entered into collaborative venture with Omni-Blu Aviation Limited in the area of using specialised aircraft or air trac-

tors for oil spill combat emergency preparedness in Nigeria.” The statement quoted DirectorGeneral/Chief Executive Officer of NOSDRA, Peter Idabor, to have stated this during the stakeholders’ meeting on aerial capacity building on oil spill management in Abuja. He said that the strategic alliance with the firm was a modern approach that was in line with global best practices. Idabor explained that the aerial spill combat capacity programme would involve using customised aircraft located within our shores to, among others, undertake surveillance and aerial dispersant spraying. The DG announced that with NOSDRA’s partnership arrangement with Omni-Blu Aviation Limited, the dream of having a tier-3 oil spill response capacity fully domiciled in the country was coming to fruition, with the Ground Receiving Station of the aerial surveillance equipment positioned at the agency’s Incident Command Centre. He noted that the specialised aircraft will enhance NOSDRA’s regulatory capacity by enabling

the agency and all stakeholders to effectively handle major spills in deep and shallow water areas. Earlier, the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Lawrencia L. Mallam, expressed delight at the partnership arrangement on aerial management of oil spills, saying that the initiative was in line with the transformation agenda of Mr. President in the environment sector, as championed by her ministry. The minister urged relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), to support the aerial capacity project. In a presentation by the Chairman/CEO of Omni-Blu Aviation Limited, Akin Olateru, he explained that when fully implemented, the aerial aviation service, the first of its kind in Nigeria and indeed West Africa, will optimise the window of opportunity for timely application of dispersant to contain the spread of oil spills and significantly reduce consequent environmental damage, as well as swiftly and efficiently deploy aerial firefighting to support ground efforts in the event of associated spill fire incidents or accidents.

nalysts at the Barclays Energy have envisaged a “huge risk” of 2.3 million barrels per day oil production in Nigeria being disrupted by political instability arising from the forthcoming general elections. This came on the heels of promises from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that there would not be disruption to oil production. Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter, is planning to conduct presidential and governorship elections on March 28 and April 11, respectively. These elections have, however, raised concerns that the outcome may threaten Nigeria’s daily output of about two million barrels of oil, which makes it the continent’s largest producer. Miswin Mahesh, Barclays Energy analyst, who led the opinion that the outcome of the elections is a major determinant, said that he envisaged a “huge risk” of oil production in Nigeria being disrupted by political instability arising from elections. He said: “We are not sure how it will play out on the political front; Nigeria will do whatever it takes to maintain its production. The risks are still there. There is a genuine risk that we might see some disruptions.” The Federal Government has been contending with a slump in the international price of oil, which accounts for 70 per cent of government revenue and 90 per cent of foreign-exchange earnings. The incoming government will still grapple with it. The price of Brent crude, which serves as a reference for Nigerian oil, has dropped by almost 50 per cent since June last year. Mahesh said that despite Nigeria being a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and wanting the group to reduce output to lower a global glut and push up prices, it holds little sway over such decisions. “They will just have to get used to lower oil prices,” Mahesh said, adding that “it’s just a new reality.”

Business | Energy

day before the Federal Government renewed pipeline security contracts for “host communities,” including ex-militants, the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) has said that Nigeria had lost N8 billion to vandalism of pipelines in just three months. Since the beginning of this year, Nigeria has witnessed an unprecedented increase in the spate of gas pipeline vandalism, the NGC, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), declared at a press briefing in Warri, Delta State. The loses Managing Director, NGC, Mr. Dafe Sejebor, who said this, did not mince words. He pegged the figure of loss to the act at N8.04 billion since January 2015. Gas and oil pipelines are the worst hit by vandals. From vandalism of oil pipeline too, Nigeria has been losing huge revenue. Also, the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin, recently disclosed that the country had been losing an estimated 100,000 barrels of crude oil valued at N1.18 billion daily to oil thieves. This amounts to an annual loss of N433.62 billion. Meanwhile, hours after the NGC came with revelations, the report filtered into the newspapers that the Federal Government was set to execute its new plan to safeguard the waterways and pipelines. The Presidency, the report said, is believed to have directed the Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to quit the job for some companies, which have been signed on by government. The report also disclosed that the companies are owned by some former Niger-Delta militants and prominent citizens. They include Government Tompolo; Mujaheedin Asari-Dokubo and Chief Bipobiri Ajube (aka Gen. Shoot-At-Sight). Founder of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) Dr. Frederick Fasehun said that his company was being considered for the multibillion naira contract. The OPC National co-ordinator, Otunba Gani Adams, is also said to be part of the deal. He has since declined comments. The contracts’ details The takeover is said to be with effect from March 16, according to the report, which quoted a source as saying that seven companies had been allocated “regions” or operational areas as follows: Egbe Security River One (Bayelsa); Gallery Security (Mosinmi -Ore); Close Body Protection (Edo State); Adex Energy Security(Rivers) ; Donyx Global Concept(Lagos and Ogun); Oil Facilities Surveillance-(Delta) and New Age Global Security (MosinmiIbadan). It added that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will coordinate the jobs. Incessant attacks on pipeline Managing Director, NGC, Mr. Dafe Sejebor, showed that he knew better than many Nigerians on the level of attacks

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Can ex-militants stop oil, gas pipelines’ vandalism? The rate of oil pipeline vandalism increased after the expiration of pipeline security with the ex-militants. Energy Editor, Adeola Yusuf, who reviewed the Federal Government’s renewal of these contracts, reports that tongues are wagging over the new deals on gas pipelines. Within the last two months, the NGC boss said that his company recorded three major attacks on its pipeline network, mainly in the Niger Delta region. According to Sejebor, who was represented by Executive Director, Services, Mr. Joseph Olisa, “Whenever these pipelines are sabotaged, we are forced to shut down the pipeline, and we defer a minimum of 200 million Standard Cubic Feet, SCF, of gas per day.” He put the average price of gas at $3 per unit of1,000 scf, adding that it takes an average of two weeks to repair the damage, and an average of one week to locate the damaged spot and mobilise personnel, equipment and materials to site. Also, the minimum cost for the repair of a damaged pipeline in the Niger Delta region, according to Sejebor, is about N160 million. To this end, at an average price of $3/1,000SCF, multiplied by 200 million SCF product loss plus repairs, Nigeria may have lost about N8.01 billion between January till date. President Goodluck Jonathan This is put at 1,500 megawatts, as power plants will be deprived of gas to generate electricity. The NGC boss lamented that the recent increase in the spate of vandalism is negatively affecting the economy and the operations of the company. He said: “The spate of vandalism of our pipelines have been on the increase and this is alarming. We are hurting, especially as it has affected us negaRenewal of tively. It is a willful damage and contracts has not as a result of our inability to maintain our pipelines.” made the exHe further stated that the militants the first NGC is already holding talks with all its key stakeholders, suspects such as contractors, security agencies and leaders of communities in its areas of operations, on ways to ensure the safety of the pipelines. Also the Executive Director, Operations, NGC, Mr. Gabriel Aggrey, argued that the spate of pipeline vandalism in the last three weeks is alarming and queried the rationale for the act of sabotage. He said: “We continue to wonder why anyone would want to vandalise a gas pipeline, especially as gas cannot be stolen with a basket.” Describing vandalism as an act of sabotage, Aggrey condemned the colossal amount the company incurs on repairs whenever a pipeline is sabotaged.

Effects of attacks Electricity supply worsens in Nigeria as gas pipeline vandalism downs supply by 800 Mega Watt. The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, who confirmed the supply drop, said that vandalism of gas pipeline led to shortage of gas for firing power plants. He was quoted as saying: “The electricity market, which has 5,500MW installed capacity, now generates an average of 3,575.85MW following paucity of gas as vandals always strike whenever the sector is about to hit 4,500MW.” Meanwhile, the supply of electricity across the country will worsen in coming days due to the loss of about 800 megawatts of power as a result of the blasting of the Escravos Lagos Gas Pipeline at midnight of last Wednesday. According Nebo, the recent damage was done by vandals, who ruptured the ELGP with an explosive device at Egwa, near Batan, in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State. Speaking through his Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Kande Daniel, the minister said this attack, being the fourth this year, came only hours after repairs on an earlier attack of Sunday, March 1, 2015 were completed

and gas were being transported through the pipeline again. Nebo, in a statement on Thursday night, said the exact extent of the damage was being assessed but the impact was the loss of about 200 mmscf/d of gas, equivalent of about 800MW per day of generated power. According to him, it has become clear that the vandals, who perpetrate these acts are intent on crippling the power sector and bringing untold hardship on Nigerians for either political or financial gains or both. He said that although pipeline vandalism had held power generation at less than 4,000MW as against currently available capacity of over 5,000MW, government was not deterred from its commitment to provide security for its oil and gas, as well as power infrastructure. The minister stressed that the nation could now conveniently generate and wheel out over 4,500MW, but for gas supply disruptions through vandalism. Nebo also appealed to Nigerians to become more vigilant and report suspicious movements and actions to security agencies for effective protection of public infrastructure for the common good of Nigeria. NNPC’s perspectives The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) officially announced last Wednesday that it had renewed contracts for companies owned by “members of the host communities.” Although the corporation was silent on the terms of the contracts, New Telegraph gathered that the contracts were renewed for another four years. “The contracts will last till 2019,” a source at the corporation told this newspaper. The NNPC, however, maintained that these contracts were renewed “in a bid to effectively combat the growing scourge of pipeline sabotage that has impacted negatively on its operations.” FG’s rationale for contracts’ renewal Explaining the rationale behind the renewal of the contract, which was first awarded in 2011, the Corporation stated that there has been a noticeable increase in the spate of attacks on crude oil, products and gas pipelines since the expiration of the first community-based contract in 2012, leading to frequent production shut-ins and deferrals of gas supply to power plants. “The pipeline protection contract is part of our community engagement programme across our host communities aimed at getting community members to CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

Business | Energy

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

BOOST

Electrification rate in sub-Saharan Africa to rise from 32 to 70% in 2040 Stories by Adeola Yusuf

he United States has tipped Nigeria as the biggest hub for the planned $205 billion capital investments in Africa. A US agency, International Energy Agency (IEA), said this in its latest report. Specifically, it said that an estimated cost of about $205 billion in capital investment is needed to bring the electrification rate in sub-Saharan Africa up from 32 per cent today, to 70 per cent in 2040. This $205 billion capital investment, it explained, is less than onefifth of total power sector investment in the region. Nigeria is expected to account for about 60 per cent of the projected investments in power in the West African subregion by 2040, the IEA said. According to the report, projected investment flows largely mirror the split by the type of access. Most of the investments go towards providing on-grid access, with more than half of the total required for new transmission and distribution lines. Mini-grids and offgrid solutions that are

US tips Nigeria as biggest hub for $205bn power investments less capital-intensive and require less investment in infrastructure account for about 30 percent of the total. Categorised by subregion, the report said the largest share will go to West Africa with $75 billion over the projected period, 60 per cent of which is in Nigeria. Southern Africa followed with about $65 billion, East Africa with $50 billion and Central Africa with $15 billion. Averaged over the projection period, the report stated that this amounted to capital investment in energy access of about $7.5 billion per year, a figure not far from the current estimate of total annual power sector investment in sub-Saharan Africa. It represents a significant increase in spending for this purpose over the coming decades, reflecting declared government intentions. The report however noted. “Achieving this level of investment will require not only steady improvements in the investment conditions for electricity access-related projects, but also rapidly improving capacity and effective co-ordination among the various actors involved.

Stopping oil, gas pipelines’ vandalism CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34

help in the task of protecting the pipelines around their communities. “It would be recalled that while the earlier pipeline protection contract to the communities, which lasted from 2011 to 2012 subsisted, breaches to our pipelines were minimal, which contributed to the rise in production. “The recent rise in the frequency and intensity of willful attacks on our pipelines dictates that we step up our community engagement programme to help stem the tide of the pipeline vandalism scourge. “In the current programme, we have not only renewed the contracts for the three initial community-based companies involved in the 2011 contract, we have extended the programme to five other communitybased companies in other states where we have a high concentration of pipelines stretching from the Niger Delta to the Ondo, Ogun, Oyo and

Lagos states. “The contracts do not in any way obviate or undermine the responsibility of the police and other security agencies to protect the pipelines. “They are actually designed to complement the work of the security agencies by raising the alarm and drawing the attention of security agencies to any suspicious movements around the pipelines right of way,” the corporation stated. It called on the media members of the public to desist from reading political meanings to the Corporation’s operations. Conclusion The renewal of contracts has actually made the host communities, nay the ex-militants, the first suspects in the incessant attacks on the pipelines since the expiration of their contracts. Nigerians deserve a commitment from these contractors, hoping that now that their contracts have been renewed, the pipelines will be safe again.

“Realism, clarity and consultation over the pace of grid extension allows the stakeholders, including local communities, to make an informed assessment about the best options for expanding access, whether through coor-

dinated development of the grid, mini-grids or off-grid systems. Donor programmes likewise need to be managed carefully, both to ensure that the beneficiaries are fully involved from the outset, not least to guarantee adequate and ongo-

ing maintenance, and to avoid undercutting fledgling commercial energy providers.” The report also explained that grid extensions are set to remain largely within the domain of the public authorities and utilities.

This will rely on a combination of self-financing from within the power sector (if the tariff structure allows for a degree of cross-subsidisation), government budgetary allocations and funding from international donors.

Power installation

Elections: IPMAN allays fuel scarcity fear

he Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has given assurance to Nigerians that it would effectively distribute petroleum products during and after the general elections. Chairman, Western Zone of IPMAN, Alhaji Debo Ahmed, gave this assurance at the weekend during the inauguration of Caretaker Committee saddled with the responsibility to steer the affairs of the Ore Depot pending when proper election would be conducted. Allaying the growing fears of scarcity ahead of the elections, he stated that its members would make the products available across the country. Ahmed explained that following the expiration of the tenure of Ore Depot Executives and shift in general elections, the leadership of IPMAN inaugurated a Caretaker Committee to ensure affective distribution of products in Ore, among members. While administering the oath of office on the Caretaker Committee members, the Legal Adviser, IPMAN Western zone, Prince Doyin Ajidagba, urged them to discharge their duties without fear or favour. He said that they should be

fair to all members of the Ore Depot. The setting up of a Caretaker Committee became imperative due to shift in date of elections originally slated for March 24, 2015. Ahmed said: “IPMAN Western zone hereby constitutes a Caretaker Committee for Ore Depot to pilot the affairs of IPMAN Ore Depot for the next three months effective from Friday 13th March, 2015 at the first instance. “The Zonal Executive Council took this decision on the grounds that the IPMAN Ore Depot election had earlier been fixed for 24th March 2015 without envisaging shift in Nigeria’s general election slated for 28th March 2015 and the security situation usually accompanying the period of general election.” Besides, he stressed that the sensitivity of petroleum product supply at that period gives the Zonal Council no alternative than to shift the election. He argued that the shift in election should not make the depot administration to be left in a vacuum, hence the constitution of the caretaker committee, which is constitutionally allowed. He further said that the

Zonal Council’s action was also in view of suit no HOR/21/2014 of the 23rd day of October 2014 under the Hon Justice A. Adegoroye judgement of Ondo State High Court of Justice, Ore judicial division. Members of the Caretaker Committee who took oath of office last Friday included Akinbiola Oluwatobi Nicholas, Chairman, Olatobosan Johnson, Vice Chairman, Adeeso Ebenezer, Secretary, Otunba Awe Olabisi, Treasurer, Erelu Modupe Johnson, Financial Secretary and Akinjare Jacob, Auditor. Others were Adebola Abejide, Assistant Secretary, Falade Oluwasiji, P.R.O, Eruaga Jonathan, Legal Officer, Prince Akin Omoyele, Organising Secretary, Ogunsola Afolayan, Chief Whip and Yinka Iwakun, Welfare. The chairman told the Caretaker Committees: “You are all aware that Nigeria is just coming out of fuel scarcity situation and IPMAN will not allow further interruption in the supply chain. “Your committee is hereby mandated that we have free flow of petroleum products at all times. Kindly accept my congratulations.”

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Property&Environment The rationale behind the perceived exorbitant levies on property under the Ogun Homeowner’s Charter programme is generating concerns among residents as they crave explanation. DAYO AYEYEMI reports

Ogun: Residents bicker over high C-of-O charges

hen Ogun State Government unveiled its Homeowner’s Charter programme in 2013, a scheme designed to enable homeowners in the state regularise and properly document their properties at a discounted rate, many, especially those who built their houses without recourse to building approvals and Certificate of Occupancy applauded the initiative without reservation. Many who embraced the scheme saw it as an avenue to right their wrongs and give life to their dead assets (property with title). However, 15 months after the scheme was inaugurated, many residents whose property have been inspected by government agents and assessed for requisite payments, have decried what they described as ‘exorbitant charges’ levied them by the authority. They are contesting the levy, saying that it was beyond what government publiciced when the scheme was inaugurated. According to them, government had told the public that the rate would be discounted and that owners of a bungalow building in locations covered by the scheme would not pay above N100,000 at the end of the day. Residents bicker Lamenting the alleged high rates by Ogun Homeowner’s Charter, Mr. John Aderemi, (45), who works in a private firm in Lagos and lives in a two-bedroom bungalow in Ogijo, a suburb of Shagamu Local Government Area, said that high tax of N191, 177 levied him was excessive. He told New Telegraph, that his grouse was that his friend, who also owned a two-bedroom apartment in the next street to his was levied just N90,450.31, wondering how the authority arrived at higher rate for his property. He alleged that assessment of rates for each property by the authority has been shrouded in misery, saying that no one was ready to give explanation for high charges levied him when he inquired at the centre where he collected his letter. Aderemi wants to know why his house, a two bedroom flat attracted N200,000 under the scheme while the same building in another street within same location only attracted N90,450. He said: “Staff of Ogun Homeowner’s Charter came for my house’s inspection four months ago, I was later invited to collect my assessment rates, but to my

Presidential Mandate Housing Estate, Abeokuta

surprise, the fee I got was not what I expected. “I tried as much as possible to find out reasons for the crazy levy given to me, I was asked to pay my fee before December 2015.” Looking dejected, Aderemi said that the exorbitant rates for residents were not what they bargained for, recalling that the state authority had earlier promised discounted rate of not more than N100,000. Another resident, Olusoji Esan, (48), who lives in Ogijo, also wants to know the rationale for levying him N240,000 by the state authority. Although, he explained that his house came with two additional shops, but queried the huge bill levied him, saying two shops should not be a condition for charging him excessively. Also, Francis Adigun, a resident of Arepo Jounalists’Estate on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, has been groaning under high levy by the Ogun Homeowners’ Charter. He told New Telegraph that he was taxed N450,000 for a three-bedroom and a duplex building on a single plot. Since he got the assessment fee in January this year, he stated that he has been struggling to pay the first installment which is about N150,000. He said: “I was surprised when I received a bill of over N450,000 from the Ogun Home Owner’s Charter. I tried to compare my bill to some of my co-landlords, I could not reconcile why they levied me so high. “Nobody from the government‘s circle is ready to explain to me how my property’s assessment and charges soared above other peoperty within my neighbourhood. “I pray to meet up with the deadline for the payment because I have other bills such as children school

Amosun

Property owners who registered for the programme are required to make an initial deposit of N5,000

fee, transportation, electricity and security bills to pay.” Also recently, residents in other parts of the state have raised the alarm that they are being visited by suspected impostors who pretend to be officials of the state government and demand for money to cover the cost of transportation, which is outside the requirements of the Homeowners’ Charter. A resident from Ijoko, Mr Dele Amoo, alleged another sharp practice by some staff of the commission, who they said were demanding fee from them before their house could be inspected. They alleged that many residents had to part with N5,000 after their property was inspected by three-member team, who insisted that they must pay for their transport back to Abeokuta. Government’s explanation Spokesperson of Ogun State Land Bureau, Mr. Ademola Orunbo, however, told New Telegraph that many homeowners got many things wrong about the programme. He stated that many of them have come to the authority to complain about their charges, explaining that the fee covered their title, building approvals and penalties for building on government acquired land . He said that the minimum of N90,000 they were referring to was meant for owner of a mini two bedroom building and tenement apartment, and not necessarily for ‘big’ houses. Survey from field officers employed by government, he said, had shown that many who claimed to have built two bedroom bungalows have additional rooms and shops attached, which ordinarily would attract additional charges. He urged residents to cooperate with the state government on

the programme, pointing out that before now, they would have to pay nothing less than N400,000 for perfection of their title alone after they must have waited for three to five years to get the documents. Justification The homeowners’ charter was inaugurated in 2013 by Governor Ibikunle Amosun to ensure that all penalties and fines against those who built houses without requisite approvals and Certificates of Occupancy were waived so that they could get title documents. The scheme also relaxes the documentation requirements, while fees are discounted so that many residents, especially those who would otherwise not be able to afford it, can benefit from the programme. Amosun had said at the time that the scheme was to make homeownership in the state easy and also attract investments into the sector. He explained that without the relevant documents, it would be difficult to lay claim to landed properties because such could not be used as collateral for loans. Property owners who registered for the programme are required to make an initial deposit of N5,000, and then submit documents that can be used to establish ownership of the property, including land purchase agreements, deed of gift or sub-lease, receipts and survey plans. Update As at December 14, 2014, Ogun State government claimed that it had distributed 5,000 Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) and other land title documents to property owners across the state under its Homeowners’ Charter programme, which is aimed at deepCONTINUED ON PAGE 37

Business | Property & Environment

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

FMBN, developer deliver Jedo housing units PPP Boost for Ministerial Housing Initiative aiming at building 2,600 dwelling units across geo-political zone Dayo Ayeyemi

he Federal Government has inaugurated the first set of 102 housing units developed by FMBN- and Jedo Investment Company Limited, a private developer, in Abuja. The housing scheme is part of the Ministerial Housing Project expected to deliver a total of 2,600 housing units across the country. The 102-unit residential housing estate commissioned

at the weekend in Abuja comprised 32 units of one bedroom units, 40 units two bedrooms and 30 units 3 bedroom flats. Commending the developers for prompt delivery of the project within budget, Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, explained that the ministerial housing project was being executed through the collaborative partnership of her ministry, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and some private real estate developers. While the ministry provided unencumbered land for the project, the minister said that FMBN handled the financing arrangements and developers were responsible for the actual construction based on the agreed specifications and timelines of project completion. She described the housing scheme as “another important

step by the present administration, under the visionary leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to bring affordable homes to the door step of the citizenry, especially to the low-income earners in Nigeria.” She recalled that over the past four years, the nation has witnessed impressive strides in the housing and urban development sector arising from the determination of the president to ensure that the sector is revamped and reinvigorated to enable it serve as a virile engine of growth for promoting socio-economic development. “We are, therefore, appreciative of the genuine concern that Mr. President has shown over the past five years to effectively place the sector at the epicenter of national development under the on-going Transformation Agenda in order to fully harness its potential for sustainable and

equitable growth,” she said. In the last one year, the minister noted that many initiatives have been launched to phenomenally improve citizens’ access to affordable homes. She said: “These include the launch of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) and offer of 23,000 mortgages under the scheme; flag-off of the 100,000 housing project for workers in Nigeria by the president recently, and development of a framework for undertaking a national housing survey to determine whether Nigerians are adequately housed in order to implement remedial measures to reduce the national housing deficit.” One of the measures, Eyakenyi mentioned that it included the construction of 10,000 hous-

Group targets Africa for real estate businesses

L-R: Housing Minister, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi; Chairman Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr. Bisi Ogunjobi; Managing Director of FMBN, Gimba Yau-Kumo, President, Real Estate Developers’ Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Rev. Ugochukwu Chime and Chief Executive, JEDO Investment, Alhaji Aliyu Wammakko, during the commissioning of Jedo Estate in Abuja, last week.

Building: Stakeholders lament dearth of artisans Shuaib Yusuf

takeholders in Nigeria’s building industry have expressed regret over increasing dearth of artisans and craftsmen in the industry. They disclosed this at the inauguration of the Committee on Construction Skills Training and Empowerment Programme (C-STEmp), in Abuja. Speaking after the inauguration, President of Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Chief Tunde Lasabi, pointed out that the building sector was currently experiencing rising shortage of artisans and craftsmen. One of the reasons for this unfortunate development, according to him, was parents’ and guardians’ failure to encourage their children and wards to acquire vocational and technical education, which could result in skilled manpower develop-

ment and availability. He added that such parents would rather want their children and wards to study law, medicine, engineering and the likes. Also, Managing Director, Abuja Property Development Company (APDC), Mr. Bashir Salisu Haiba, an architect, noted that the country’s tertiary institutions, colleges and post primary schools were merely churning out graduates with just ordinary certificates without skills, a situation he described as ‘very unfortunate’. While saying that there was need for builders to undertake practical test, Haiba suggested that they also had to be involved in social corporate responsibility, such that they would train labourers to become skilled artisans or craftsmen. He stated: “In each of the estates you are developing, what is your social corporate responsibility in train-

ing youths? Please, take note of this. Ladies can be good in finishing, in furnituremaking.” Lasabi earlier said that the country had some men and women that were well skilled in the areas of artisanship and craftsmanship, but they were not being made use of. He said: “We all know there have been housing deficit in this contry. We all know that even the houses that are being built in some areas when you look at them, you feel sad that some of these houses are being built by people who are expected to be professionals. “Somehow, we have had cause to look and realise very well as the chairman mentioned that we had lost a lot of ground to people in different parts of a particular country. I mean different parts of West Africa, which are our neighbours, who come in here and engage in jobs that are supposed to be for our people.”

ing units under the Presidential Initiative on affordable housing being championed by her ministry, adding that some Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) have been signed with reputable developers for the purpose. Others, she said, involved the development of a Revised National Building Code to improve standards and enhance professionalism in the sector; and the development of a roadmap for the housing and urban development sector in order to transform the sector sustainably through interventions which involve taking short, medium and long term perspectives of the gamut of issues to be addressed in the sector in order to effectively reposition it over the next 30 years.

uantum Global group, an investment and private equity specialist, is seeking to target African delegates at the prestigious international gathering of global real estate businesses (MIPIM) The group is undergoing a period of rapid growth as it seeks to add to its burgeoning African footprint and its rapidly expanding raft of mandates across the continent. This year’s MIPIM event will see the group host a series of invitation only African themed meetings including a prestigious VIP African Reception and a string of private dinners to which it has invited key players from the African real estate and investment markets. With a growing number of funds and a swelling deal pipeline, the group will also take the opportunity to continue its efforts to promote Africa as an increasingly pivotal world center

for innovation and investment. Speaking ahead of the convention, the group’s Founder, Jean-Claude Bastos De Morais, restated Quantum Global’s strategic goal of positioning itself as a partner for Africa, saying: “The Quantum Global group is comprehensively upscaling its commitment to Africa through an accelerated recruitment programme, which is targeting experienced and high quality African investment specialists, the provision of training schemes for young African professionals and our enhanced efforts to identify opportunities to work with African partners. “It is increasingly clear that Africa is an ever more powerful magnet for global investment, however, it is equally the case that business dealings in Africa are at their best and most productive when there are longstanding relationships of mutual trust and goodwill.”

Ogun: Residents contest high charges C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 6

ening the property market in the state. Director General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Adewale Oshinowo, said that government was well positioned with investment in technology to issue up to 1,000 C-of-O per day until all genuine applications have been processed. Beneficiaries One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Babajide Dasaolu, expressed satisfaction for being lucky and commended Governor Amosun for making it possible to get his C of O at discounted rate. He urged other state governments to emulate the unprecedented gesture of Ogun State government for proper documentation of land title and building plan approval in their respective states. Experts’ view Property experts noted re-

cently at one of the events of handing over C-of-O to some residents in Abeokuta, that the move by government to ease and fast-track the processing of land, property and land title documents would deepen the property market in the state. Chairman of Ogun State Chapter of Nigerian Institution of Town Planners, Ranti Oshoko, said that the programme marked a unique significance in creating access to land, property and land title documents. He noted that it would provide a unique platform that boost land and property market in the state since access to land titles has been simplified by government. He said the policy, which ensured the distribution of C of O to 5,000 home and property owners is uncommon in the country. He asserted that the materialisation of the Homeowners’ Charter would definitely bring investors and, in the long run, boost the state’s economy.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Aviation Omni-Blu Aviation leads industry diversification In an era of unprecedented change, a focus on collaboration and diversification tops the list of priorities for airlines and aviation service providers. Aviation Editor, WOLE SHADARE writes on the partnership between Omni-Blu Aviation Limited and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to use specialised aircraft (or air tractors) for oil spill combat emergency preparedness in Nigeria Tough terrain The aviation industry globally is tough. This has, however, brought out the best in airlines and aviation supports services. While others are compelled to diversify due to toughness of the terrain, others are simply doing so in order to look at other areas that are money spinning. For those in the airline services, it has become what is described as the proverbial road to success as companies transform, reduce costs and consolidate their ways to what we all hope is a brighter future. For Omni-Blu Aviation, it is a way of providing aviation services in other critical areas such as oil and gas industry and the agriculture sector, using aviation to propel these. The US example The United States aviation is a prime example of how diversification can be a powerful tool for any aviation company to use as a means to grow. An aviation expert, who spoke to New Telegraph under the condition of anonymity, said that every company has its own path to find. The source noted that there is no such thing as a predefined route, adding that through diversity, many new things are possible. “You can’t know where your next customer will come from, but the more possibilities you explore, the more your world opens up-the proverbial think outside the box.” At US Aviation, aviation firms look for diversity through services that complement what they already do. Everything has to work hand in hand to create a sort of synergy. With a little luck and the right emphasis on quality, efficiency and safety, any aviation business

Air Tractor – 802 in aerial fire fighting drill. One of the aircraft acquired by Omni-Blu Aviation Services to combat oil spill

can make it through to the brighter end of the economic tunnel. The deal This may have informed why NOSDRA entered into an agreement with Omni-Blu Aviation Limited to use specialised aircraft or air tractors for oil spill combat emergency preparedness in Nigeria. The deal between NOSDRA and Omni-Blu is under Public Private Partnership (PPP) with annual subscription – payable by all international oil companies (IOC’s) and industry operators based on average production factor. Speaking during stakeholders’ meeting on aerial capacity building on oil spill management in Abuja, the Director-General of NOSDRA, Peter Idabor, stated that the strategic alliance with the firm was a modern approach that was in line with global best practices. He explained that the aerial spill combat capacity programme would involve using customised aircraft located within Nigerian shores to, amongst others, undertake surveillance and aerial dispersant spraying. The DG disclosed that with NOSDRA and Omni-Blu Aviation Limited partnership arrangement, the dream of having a tier-3 oil spill response capacity fully domiciled in the country was coming to fruition, with the Ground Receiving Station of the aerial surveillance equipment positioned at the agency’s Incident Command Centre. He noted that the specialised aircraft will enhance NOSDRA’s regulatory capacity by enabling the agency and all stakeholders to effectively handle major spills in deep and shallow water areas. Speaking in the same vein,

Our plane is brand new while the one they initially subscribed to in the UK is 30 years old

Minister of Environment, Mrs. Lawrencia Mallam, expressed delight at the partnership arrangement, saying that the initiative was in line with the transformation agenda of Mr. President in the environment sector, as championed by her ministry. The minister urged relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), to support the aerial capacity project. Chairman of Omni-Blu Aviation Limited, Akin Olateru, explained that when fully implemented, “the aerial aviation service, the first of its kind in Nigeria and indeed West Africa, will optimise the window of opportunity for timely application of dispersant to contain the spread of oil spills and significantly reduce consequent environmental damage, as well as swiftly and efficiently deploy aerial firefighting to support ground efforts in the event of associated spill fire incidents or accidents.” He stated that the acquisition of air tractor 802 installed with infra-red cameras to relay pictures in real time to base enables prompt and effective real time assessment, analysis and decision-making. “Two x brand new AT-802 aircraft are fully dedicated, registered and domiciled in Nigeria. Aside that, it does aerial surveillance and tracking services - real time detection and reporting of oil spills,” he said. Speaking on the air tractor, Olateru explained that the former arrangement for the aircraft that was leased in the UK took days to respond, adding that “they don’t provide surveillance system.” He further said that air tractors is a specialised aircraft manufactured for spraying and used

all over the world for agriculture and fire fighting. “The air tractor they subscribed to in the UK is not fully dedicated to that operation. Ours is brand new while the one they initially subscribed to in the UK is 30 years old.” About air tractor 802 The AT-802/802A is the world’s largest single engine aircraft, and its popularity reflects the industry’s trend to larger, highproduction turbine equipment. With a payload of 9,249 lbs, the AT-802A provides more working capacity than any other singleengine plane. Its power, speed and payload deliver large operation efficiencies and opens up new income opportunities. Equipped with Wipaire amphibious floats, Air Tractor’s AT-802F “Fire Boss” adds yet another dimension of capability for fire fighters. It can scoop 800 gallons of water in 12-15 seconds and be off the water and on its way again to the front lines in as few as 20-30 seconds. With the ability to work as a land-based aircraft or a scooper, the “Fire Boss” can drop an initial load of retardant and remain close to the fire by scooping water from a nearby lake. Conclusion Experts welcomed the diversification initiative, urging other operators to emulate Omni-Blu. To them, aviation, oil and gas will benefit immensely from this project that would help to provide rapid response operation for management of oil spills, optimise the window of opportunity for an effective area application without creating harm to the environment.

Business | Aviation

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

How has your operation been since you started service to Lagos? We started with four flights a week in 2004. In 2005, we managed to increase our frequencies to five a week with a link with Accra, Ghana and towards the end of the year, we increased it to six and by 2006, we increased it to daily flight. After that, we introduced second daily flights to Lagos in 2009 and last year we introduced our daily service flight to Abuja. In 2013, we started freighter service to Kano, which is once a week service. Last year when we completed 10 years on Dubai Lagos route, we managed to carry 2.6 million passengers and don’t forget that we started with less frequency; we started link with Accra, which has changed right now. Our current financial year usually end in March and we are towards the end of our financial year, with a new financial year starting April. The statistics of passenger we carried is around 500, 000 passengers in one month; so by the end of March, we will be close to the number of passengers we carry in one year. If you look at Abuja, we started daily flight with A340-300 and immediately after a couple of months we had the capacity and we came up with the A340-500. After that, we saw that there was a huge demand and good business; we introduced the B777-200. Nigeria is an important market for Emirates and one of the top destinations for us in Africa.

‘Why we want Nigerian airports ready for A380’ current market. We have formally ordered between 233 and 240 wide body aircraft that will be delivered to us. I cannot tell you the real figure because if I step out of this place, the number could have changed. There are new airplanes coming. There was a time Lagos-Dubai was reduced to one flight, but it has been restored, what happened? This happened from May 21 to July 21. It was due to pressure we got from Dubai, our hub, which is Dubai airport. The airport has two runways and they had to go for maintenance. The management of Emirates had options and decided to go with the option of closing one runway and do the maintenance. That took us like 80 days and we could not continue with all our operations with a single runway. We needed to cut capacity and we went to the drawing board and cut 15 per cent of our operations. We looked at destinations, which had more frequencies and we avoided touching destinations, which had daily flights. We looked at destinations, which had five daily flights and we cut them to three. We looked at Nigeria and we felt they could do with one flight. If we had the chance to put A380, we could do that. It was more of operational decision and nothing to do with commercial deficiency. Nigeria is a very big market. You operate B777 to Nigeria. Are you

What are your projections for the Nigerian market? We had almost 11 years plan. If you have the time, I could give or show you these plans and the expansion we do from time to time. We do have short time plans, which we announced last year for Abuja, which we feel can take additional capacity. Your question that this market has over capacity, I don’t think so because of the seat factor and we did a good study on seat factor. Abuja was planned earlier. I thought somebody would ask me why Abuja and Kano came as last minute change. Last minute change was not due to any reason; it was due to operational reason. We always want to offer quality service. For now, we think this Al Ghaith is the perfect capacity for the

ready to deploy the A380 to the Nigerian market if the facilities are there? Won’t that help to compress the traffic for you and save costs? I think this is the question you should be asking the Nigerian government. I think the way we are growing Nigeria, this is what we need right now. We have more plans for more frequencies and 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. Before we fly A380, there are a lot of requirements; airports have to have the facilities to handle A380. Our team of airports operations is in touch with authorities in Lagos airport and I think they have given time frame, which 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 them 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.

plans. The moment decisions are going to be made, we look again, where we stand in terms of number of passengers. I think taking the A380 to Lagos shouldn’t be a problem. The seat difference between the B777 and A380 is 80 more passenger seats. Nigeria has very strong and premium class passengers. In business class of B777, we have 42 seats while the A380 has 76. That is the advantage we are going to have for the Nigerian market.

Any plan to cut frequencies because of lack of capacity? We only think of growth. We don’t intend to reduce. We want to grow more and more, build more frequencies, more conveniences, timing and connection for our

I am very concerned about competition and what are you doing to remain a top airline and a global brand? We don’t pay too much attention to what our competitors are doing. We are more concerned with what

we deliver to our customers. By now, we believe we are working hard and everybody sees what we are doing. We provide the top of the range service to our customers. A Nigerian airline (Arik) started flight to Dubai from Lagos. Do you have any partnership with airlines in Nigeria? Our strategy and plan is to keep growing organically, not having to go into alliances and that is why we are not into any airline alliance. But we do have some kind of code share and commercial partnership agreement with Arik Air. Six months ago we did sign with them commercial agreement, which is the first step. Sometimes, we give them business.

AIR RAGE

WITH

Adil Al Ghaith is Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, North and Western Africa for Emirates. He spoke passionately about the airline’s vision for Nigeria. In this interview with Aviation Editor, WOLE SHADARE in Dubai, he unfolds his plans for more capacity for the lucrative route. Excerpts

Wole Shadare

Serial stowaway exposes airports’ security flaws t is no longer a one off thing. Stowaway cases are becoming regular occurrence at Nigerian airports. It is becoming worrisome for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the agency that is saddled with the responsibility of protecting the airports. It is equally worrisome for airlines and passengers considering the huge security challenge Nigeria is faced with. At the weekend, FAAN said in a statement that the Police had found the lifeless body of a man inside the under carriage of an Arik Air’s A340-500 aircraft. The airline equally confirmed the incident, raising concerns over how the man was able to beat supposed multilayered airport security. The truth is that Nigerian airports, including Nigeria’s premier airport, the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, are very porous. Aside the parlous infrastructure, anything goes. Most of them lack perimeter fencing, with persons and animals moving around sterile and authorised areas. In August, 2013, Daniel Ohikhena hid himself in the wheel well of Arik Air aircraft flight WS 544 and flew from Benin City to Lagos undetected. The man whose identity was yet to be made known was the fifth person in the last few years to risk his life that way. In March 2010, a Nigerian, Okechukwu Okeke, was found dead in the nose

wheel compartment of the United States carrier, Delta Air Lines, Boeing B777 aircraft parked on the tarmac of the Lagos airport. On September 19, 2010 another Nigerian man was discovered crushed in the wheel well of Arik Air flight, which arrived from Johannesburg, South Africa, and before Daniel’s incident, another Nigerian was discovered in the undercarriage compartment of Arik Air aircraft, after it returned from a flight to New York. Although, incidents of stowaways are not limited to Nigeria, it is worthy to note that it behoves on security agencies at the airports to continue to improve and device methods of countering these challenges as it tells a bad story on the security of the airport from bigger threats. As at today, FAAN is deficient with about 1,400 security staff and new terminals are being opened at the airports. FAAN should not even coordinate the security at the airports. So what is happening now is abnormal to the national security programme. The implication of these loopholes include the fact that the airports are exposed to terror attacks and because an unauthorised person can easily gain access to the airport, it would be easier for insider threat, which terrorists take advantage of. It also indicates that security operatives are not alert to their duties.

Photo | News

L-R: Wife of the author, Mrs. Titi Ogunsakin; All Progressives Congress (APC), Vice Presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; former Bayelsa State Attorney General, Mr. George Okoli; Mr. Shola Ogunsakin and author of the book, Mr. Mustapha Kunle Ogunsakin, at a book presentation entitled: For the love of their Nation, Lawyers as Agents of change in Nigeria, in Lagos. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

L-R: Wife of the Anambra State governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano; wife of the Archbishop, Dame Jane Efobi; Cathedral Administrator, Venerable Chijioke Nwankwo and wife of the Archdeacon, Mrs Glory Nwankwo, during the Mother’s day at the Cathedral Church of St. John, Anglican Communion, Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area.

L-R: Citizenship Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Olusola Amusan; Managing Director, Mr. Kabelo Makwane and President/CEO, Jobberman, Mr. Ayodeji Adewunmi, after the signing of MoU between Microsoft Nigeria and Jobberman on the Employability Portal (aiki.ng) in Lagos.

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)’s North East Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Kanar (left), presenting a wrapper to a widow at the launch of weekly food distribution to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) camps in Maiduguri. PHOTO-NAN

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

L-R: Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola; Patron, Yeye Cabaret, Mrs. Omotayo Omotosho and Rector, Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Mrs. Kudi Ladipo, at the Yeye Cabaret 2015 Mother’s Day celebration in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmadu (middle); Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade (second left); Commander of Troops, Col. Asuquo Eka and others, when journalists on tour of recovered territories visited the Emir’s palace in Mubi, Adamawa State.

L-R: Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Mr. Oliver Fages; Marketing Director, Mr. Sola Oke and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Michael Ehindero, during official launch of BAR150 Program, in Lagos.

L-R: Head, Academics, Loral International Secondary School, Igbesa, Ogun State, Mr. Emmanuel Anyonwu; Director, Training, Edusoft Associates Limited, Mr. Devesh Varrier; Head of Academics, Loral International Secondary School, FESTAC Town, Lagos, Mr. Abdulyekini Rasheed and Head, Marketing Information Systems, Edusoft Associates Limited, Mr. Anindya Bhanja, at a seminar in Lagos.

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

DERISORY

Federal government’s cost-cutting measures won’t be sufficient Tony Chukwunyem

ith the oil price slump triggering a significant decline in the revenue accruing to governments both at the Federal and State levels, analysts at FBN Capital Research have predicted that the development will lead to aggressive tax drives by government collection agencies. Oil, which accounts for about 80 percent of government revenue and about 90 percent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, has lost about half its value since last June amid weakening international demand growth and rising supplies from US shale formations. In a note made available to New Telegraph, the firm pointed out that the recent harmonisation of the 2015 budget and the 2015-17 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) by the National Assembly, had highlighted the extent of the shortfall in the nation’s

Oil rout: Expect more aggressive tax collection, say experts revenue projections as a result of the sharp drop in oil prices. According to the FBN Capital, “That spending compression has become unavoidable is clear from the sharp fall in gross revenues in the federation ac-

count for monthly distribution from N630billion in July 2014 to N416billion in January. Details of the harmonised position of the assembly are very limited. We do know that its projection for statutory allocations amounts

he naira traded within a range at which it has been stuck for almost a month on the interbank market, supported by dollar sales from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and oil companies, dealers said yesterday. The naira according to Reuters News, closed unchanged at N199 to the dollar, while it traded at N224 against the greenback at the parallel market, operated

idelity Bank Plc has said it would not relent in its efforts to promote financial literacy amongst the youths. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc. Nnamdi Okonkwo stated this at the weekend while speaking with newsmen during the Financial Literacy Day programme organised by the lender in conjunction with

to N368billion, which includes a N30billion reduction from recent years to N120billion for the assembly itself.” The firm pointed out that the Federal Minister for Works had told the Senate recently that

Dollar sales stabilise naira at interbank market by bureau de change (BDC) agents. The apex bank scrapped its bi-weekly forex auctions last month and fixed its clearing rate at N198 to the dollar, in a move to curb speculation on the currency. The naira has since been trading

the Junior Achievers, Nigeria for the students of Day Waterman College Abeokuta, Ogun State. He disclosed that the bank was set to partner with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to introduce financial literacy as a subject in the curriculum of schools across the country. Okonkwo, who was repre-

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$30,340,087,165

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 13/3/2015 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

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)

at around N197 to N199 to the dollar. A total of 104.5 million dollar sales were carried out yesterday at a range of N197 to N199 to the dollar, just before the market closed, Thomson Reuters data showed, with dealers attributing some of the

ing for the budget to be signed off, we can expect a more aggressive stance from the revenue collection agencies. New taxes on luxury goods and services have been promised, as has a review of the many waivers and exemptions in place. “These welcome steps and the elimination of ghost workers and pensioners from the federal payroll will not be sufficient,” the analysts added.

trades to the banking watchdog forex sale. The local units of Chevron sold $30.4 million while Shell sold an undisclosed amount to some lenders to buy naira for local use yesterday. The CBN this month fixed the rate at which banks can buy dollars from oil companies at not more than N2 spread to its clearing rate, its latest attempt to prop up the currency hit by the drop in oil prices.

Fidelity Bank boosts financial literacy

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

just N46billion had been released from his ministry’s capital budget for 2014 of N99billion, and that his allocation for the current year had been slashed from N100billion to N11billion. “Although we are wait-

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

sented by the Chief Compliance Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Adeboye Ogunmolade, said the initiative was part of the lender’s commitment towards deepening the economy. He commended the CBN for mobilising stakeholders towards ensuring that financial literacy became part of the curriculum of schools in the country and assured the regulatory agency that Fidelity Bank would contribute effectively in making the project a reality. According to him, as a commercial bank with physical presence and Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) in many educational institutions, the bank naturally takes interest in projects, which have the objective of teaching students financial education and literacy. “For a start, we must emphasise and give credit to the Central Bank of Nigeria. They are the initiators and

the champions of this agenda. They are now mobilising all stakeholders, including even the Federal Ministry of Education to incorporate this financial literacy project as part of the curriculum of the students. “So, as far as we are concerned in Fidelity Bank and in the industry, we are willing and prepared to partner with the CBN to go the whole hog. As I said earlier, our products for students are second to none and we know there is hardly any higher institution in Nigeria where we don’t have our physical presence and even our ATM galleries. So, we know the importance of this programme and as I’ve said, we’ll partner with the CBN. Apart from the things we are doing, we’ll also support them in every aspect to make sure that this project is a success,” Ogunmolade said.

GTBank’s training academy gets CIBN accreditation

he Guaranty Trust Bank Training Academy for pre-entry level staff has been accredited by the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) as a School of Banking Excellence. In a press statement, the bank said that the accreditation was in recognition of the quality of the academy’s entry level programme, which takes fresh graduates through an intensive Four-month pre-career course. According to the statement, “ The criteria for endorsing the GTBank’s Academy for Basic Banking by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) focused on evaluating the level of

alignment of its curriculum with the professional papers of CIBN and the Competency Framework of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). CIBN, the sole accreditation agency for the Banking and Finance industry in Nigeria, set up a panel of eminent Scholars and seasoned Bankers in September 2014 to assess the curriculum and learning facilities of the academy. “ At the end of the evaluation, the panel applauded the high learning standards of the academy as well as the foresightedness of the Bank to set up a credible institution that prepare participants for a professional banking experience whilst recommending the academy as a School of Banking Excellence.”

Business | Financial Market News

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

16-Mar-15

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description 4.00 23-APR-2015 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 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 54.00 600.00 499.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 254.50

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

0.10 1.42 2.12 2.36 2.46 3.21 4.29 4.61 4.91 6.87 9.00 13.70 14.18 14.68 15.35 19.34

15.01 16.21 16.36 16.30 16.30 16.21 16.13 16.06 16.05 16.07 16.71 14.11 13.81 13.50 14.97 16.79

13.56 16.08 16.27 16.22 16.22 16.07 16.03 15.94 15.96 15.99 16.64 14.07 13.76 13.44 14.90 16.72

98.84 96.09 97.77 87.70 86.36 86.58 99.54 71.27 98.26 101.25 88.53 105.24 91.83 68.37 70.38 73.52

98.99 96.24 97.92 87.85 86.51 86.88 99.84 71.57 98.56 101.55 88.83 105.54 92.13 68.67 70.68 73.82

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

5,023.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,505.94

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 2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.19 0.92 1.73 2.09 2.31

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 2.85

17.74 19.38 18.24 17.31 19.15

96.69 98.40 96.71 97.16 90.49

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

322.38

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

308.20

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.46

4.44

20.26

96.71

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.30

3.23

18.57

98.47

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.82

4.46

21.27

94.82

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.82

3.48

20.30

96.52

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.09

1.00

17.31

87.57

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.36

1.00

17.50

95.68

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.79

1.79

18.05

91.33

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

1.97

1.80

18.10

93.76

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.98

1.00

17.31

94.89

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.17

1.00

17.31

95.23 88.64

‡ /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

2.17

4.78

21.09

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.36

1.00

17.30

96.71

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/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 25.70

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

2.60 4.69 2.76

1.00 1.00 1.00

17.29 17.06 17.27

96.57 91.90 94.81

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.21

1.00

17.21

94.34

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.70

1.00

17.03

87.36

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.79

1.00

17.03

92.63

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

3.45

1.44

17.62

92.53

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.48

1.00

17.17

94.69

97.32

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

459.68 422.23

Corporate Bonds ‡ /Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.43

1.00

16.72

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.48

1.00

16.90

97.77

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.57

2.63

18.76

97.56

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.54

1.00

17.19

94.53

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.61

1.34

17.55

95.49

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.54

1.00

17.29

91.44

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.56

1.88

18.07

100.61

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.57

1.00

17.19

98.49

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.54

09-Sep-18

1.98

1.00

17.31

101.07 97.95

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.70

09-Sep-18

1.98

1.00

17.31

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.52

1.00

17.17

91.87

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

1.84

2.29

18.56

95.98

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

2.17

6.11

22.42

93.09

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.79

2.16

18.42

94.95

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.67

2.76

18.79

87.88

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.54

1.00

17.88

73.19

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.54

1.00

17.88

79.15

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

132.23

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

122.19

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.91

1.00

17.25

84.36

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

17.06

81.19

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 20.64

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

7.05

6.81

98.55

99.70

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

6.34

6.01

96.41

97.38

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

7.28

7.10

94.39

95.50

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,446.77

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

113.57

48.50

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

7.80

6.10

99.66

101.55

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

13.35

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

81.83

84.50

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

8.99

8.40

90.88

92.60

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

39.01

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

9.24

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

15.86

15.01

78.83

81.04

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

14.09

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

23.78 14.49 13.06

23.78 13.85 13.06

47.75 79.00 78.00

47.75 81.25 78.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

11.46

10.92

87.25

89.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,662.95

**Treasury Bills DTM 10 17 24 31 38 45 52 59

Money Market

FIXINGS Maturity 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15 16-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 7-May-15 14-May-15

Bid Discount (%) 12.74 13.93 13.61 14.37 14.63 14.93 13.58 14.58

Offer Discount (%) 12.49 13.68 13.36 14.12 14.38 14.68 13.33 14.33

Bid Yield (%) 12.78 14.02 13.73 14.54 14.86 15.20 13.85 14.93

Tenor

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 44.0000 16.8382 17.8797 18.8028

Rate (%)

OBB

25.00

O/N

26.75

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 22.00 23.00

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

199.13 201.81 202.13 202.87 204.24 205.60

199.23 201.93 202.28 203.37 205.31 207.21

***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

322.38

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

308.20

08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

1.73 2.09 2.31

2.00 1.00 2.85

18.24 17.31 19.15

96.71 97.16 90.49

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.46

4.44

20.26

96.71

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.30

3.23

18.57

98.47

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.82

4.46

21.27

94.82

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.82

3.48

20.30

96.52

NEW‡ TELEGRAPH TUESDAY,*IMO MARCH 17, 2015 /Agusto

Business | Financial Market News

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.09

1.00

17.31

87.57

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.36

1.00

17.50

95.68

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.79

1.79

18.05

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

1.97

1.80

18.10

93.76

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.98

1.00

17.31

94.89

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.17

1.00

17.31

95.23

12-Dec-18

2.17

4.78

21.09

88.64

14-Feb-19

2.36

1.00

17.30

96.71

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

2.60 4.69 2.76

1.00 1.00 1.00

17.29 17.06 17.27

96.57 91.90 94.81

18-Oct-18

1.84

2.29

18.56

95.98

6.11

22.42

93.09

2.16

18.42

94.95

2.76

18.79

87.88

1.00

17.88

73.19

1.00

17.88

79.15

NEGATIVE ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

NIGER *EKITI

Zenith, Seplat lead stock market fall

12-Dec-13 14.00 10.20 ‡ /Agusto fall most in a*NIGER 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 Stocks 14-Feb-12 15.50 27.00 ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR *ONDO 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 month as A-/GCR elections *GOMBE 02-Oct-12 15.50 16.23 BBB+/Agusto; 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 investors’ modity for over 70 percent draw near, investors will Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS losers to deplete 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 22-Nov-12 14.50 80.00 loom and A-/GCR oil falls *OSUN wealth. 12-Dec-12 14.75 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 of government revenue BBB-/Agusto; get cautious and pull25.70 out,”

10-Oct-13 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 Consequently , the eq- and 90 percent of export 27-Nov-13 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 uity market fell the most earnings. 31-Dec-13 A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 politiConsequently, the31-Dec-13 All‡ /Agusto *EKITI in over a month 14.50as EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 Stories by Chris Ugwu 06-Jan-14 A-/GCR *NASARAWA 15.00less NASARAWA cal tension rises than06-JAN-2021 Share Index shed 789.8 baTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE two weeks before a presisis points or 2.63 per cent TOTAL igerian MARKET CAPITALISATION stock dential election and as oil to close at 29,929.56 basis slumped to a six-year low. points as against 30,719.36 market Corporate Bonds yester10.00 UPDCmar17-AUG-2015 recorded the previous 17-Aug-10 Nigeria’s capital day, ‡ /Agustoday opened the *UPDC 12.00 been FLOURMILLS BBB-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS week on a negakets had already hit9-DEC-2015 while the market capitali14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB/GCR 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS tiveA+/Agusto; trajectory as activiby crude prices falling sation of equities depreci13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 NAHCO around 50 percent since ties A-/Agusto on the shares of Zeated by N263 billion or 2.63 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 25-Oct-13 FSDH nithA/GCR Bank Plc and Seplat June, battering an econoat 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 per cent to close lower 30-Sep-10 UBA C&I LEASING BBB-/GCR Plc led other 30-Nov-12 *C & I LEASING N9.987 trillion as against Petroleum my that relies 18.00 on the com-30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 Nil *DANA N10.250 trillion. MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR *TOWER “We’ve always expectMPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR *TOWER 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 ed that as the elections A/Agusto; A/GCR 22-Sep-11 UBA BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

#{r}

Courteville’s pre-tax profit leaps by 12% #

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

15.75

2.40

14-Aug-14

8.75

most active (measured by turnover volume); 17.21 94.34 with 183.5 million shares 17.03 87.36 worth 17.03 N867.5 million ex92.63 17.62by investors 92.53 changed in 17.17 94.69 1,208 deals. Volume in the subsector was largely driven by activities in the shares 16.72 of Unity Bank Plc97.32 and Ac16.90 Plc. 97.77 cess Bank 18.76 97.56 Also, other financial 17.19 94.53 services boosted by ac17.55 95.49 tivities17.29 in the shares of 91.44 100.61 with FCMB18.07 Plc followed 17.19 a turnover of 60.598.49 million 17.31 101.07 shares17.31 valued at N233.1 97.95 million17.17 in 921 deals. 91.87

250.00

14-Aug-21

11.46

the number one market position in the UK in cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, 1.00 17.25 84.36 asphalt and17.06 construction. 1.00 81.19 Lafarge Tarmac was formed in January 2013 following the merger of Anglo American and Lafarge’s cement, aggreOffer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price gates, ready-mixed concrete, Prices &and Yields asphalt asphalt surfacing operations in the UK.99.70 6.81 98.55 In order for the Lafarge 6.01 96.41to CRH97.38 Tarmac sale to proceed, the operation’s 50 per 7.10 94.39 95.50 cent owner Anglo American will first sell its stake in the UK business to Lafarge. As well as ownership of Lafarge Tarmac, the deal 113.57 48.50 48.50 will 6.10 give CRH 99.66 a presence 101.55 in a number of 88.00 new markets 13.35 88.00 such as Germany Czech 13.04 81.83and the 84.50 8.40 90.88 92.60 Republic. 39.01 43.63 reported 43.63 that It has been 9.24 90.00 90.00 private equity firm KKR is set 15.01 78.83 81.04 to14.09 pick up 77.95 any assets, which 77.95 CRH may need to sell 47.75 in order 23.78 47.75 to13.85 address 79.00 competition 81.25 con13.06 78.00 78.00 cerns. 10.92

4,760.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

91.33

Holcim, Lafarge merger doubts hit Irish firm

17-Feb-19 2.17 he seven billion18.00 euro sale 0.36 01-Apr-14 16.00 4.50 01-Apr-19 2.79 of the United Kingdom’s 14-Nov-20 5.67 14-Nov-13 15.25 2.05 biggest cement maker 30-Sep-14 11.93 0.10 30-Sep-24 9.54 to Ireland’s CRH has 30-Sep-14 13.25 been 15.44 30-Sep-24 9.54 thrown into doubt after a set- 132.23 back in the merger of Lafarge 122.19 tio and governance issues. and Holcim. Lafarge replied that it reCRH recently agreed to buy mains committed to the proj11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 11-Feb-18 2.91 Lafarge Tarmac, which em- ect. But it added: “The board 10-Jul-14 11.25 12.95 01-Feb-21 4.75 ploys 6,600 staff at 330 sites and said it is willing to explore the 24.95 produces 45 million tonnes of possibility of a revision of the 20.64 aggregates and seven million parity, in line with recent marOutstanding tonnes of asphalt a year, in a ket Value conditions, but it will not Issue Date Coupon (%) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) deal seen as key to smooth- ($mm) accept any other modification ing the regulatory path for of the terms of the existing the 4207-Oct-11 billion euro merger of 500.00 agreements.” 6.75 28-Jan-21 7.05 France’s Lafarge and SwitThe move throws into 12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 6.34 zerland’s Holcim to create the jeopardy Dublin-based CRH’s world’s largest cement group. acquisition, which includes 12-Jul-13 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 7.28 Last April the pair agreed assets covering operations in the mega-merger in a deal 1,500.00 Europe, North America and where Lafarge shareholders 1,446.77 emerging markets. The ratioreceived one Holcim share for nale for selling the unit to CRH each Lafarge share. 11.50 But since 450.00 disappears unless the merger 01-Feb-11 01-Feb-16 113.57 is completed. then Holcim’s shares7.50 have out- 500.00 19-May-11 19-May-16 7.80 performed stock. CRH, which 25-Jul-12 Lafarge’s7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 is Ireland’s 13.35 According to an online me- 300.00 largest firm, noted the 14.24 state09-May-13 6.88 02-May-18 6.00 400.00 08-Nov-18 and Lafarge 8.99 dium,08-Nov-13 Holcim said yesterday ments by Holcim 10.25 08-Apr-19 39.01 to that it08-Apr-12 had concluded that the 300.00 and said that it still planned 22-Apr-14 6.25 9.24 combination agreement can no 500.00 hold its own22-Apr-19 shareholder meet8.75 200.00 21-May-19 15.86 longer21-May-14 be pursued in its presing to approve the potential ac07-Aug-13 8.25 300.00 07-Aug-20 14.09 ent form, and has proposed to quisition later this week. 09-Dec-13 6.63 360.00 09-Dec-20 23.78 enter into negotiations The total24-Jun-21 deal is worth 24-Jun-14 9.25in good 400.00 14.496.5 23-Jul-14 8.00 faith around the exchange ra- 450.00 billion euro23-Jul-21 and will give13.06 CRH 17-Feb-12

ourteville Business company, Group Captain 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 STANBIC IBTC Solution Plc has reSalami (rtd), had 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR STANBICMurtala IBTC corded 11.8 per VALUE cent at the company’s Annual TOTAL OUTSTANDING growth pre-tax profit General Meeting (AGM) TOTALin MARKET CAPITALISATION for the financial year in Lagos, said, “The comSupranational Bond ended December 31, 2014. pany initiated a mix of 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC The statement of finanlong-range strategies and 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P AfDB cialTOTAL position of the comagile tactical responses OUTSTANDING VALUE pany in a filing with the to the challenges and TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Nigerian Stock Exchange opportunities that were in the envi- Description (NSE) showed that the developing Rating/Agency Issuer profit before tax (PBT) ronment. FGN Eurobonds increased 11.8 per cent Salami noted that the to N457.031 million from thrust of these strategies6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P N403.029 million in the Q4 and responses, which BB-/Fitch; FGN to create a sound 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 were of 2013. BB-/S&P BB-/Fitch; Similarly , profit after base for sustainable future6.38 JUL 12, 2023 tax BB-/S&P (PAT) firmed up by growth, was the adoption OUTSTANDING VALUE 3.10TOTAL per cent to N317.657 of a new strategic direcTOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATIONtion that had been encapmillion from N307.804 million recorded in the sulated in a five-year plan Corporate Eurobonds document and effectively corresponding period of 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN PLC I out in 2013. 2013.B+/Fitch; B+/S&P 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 GTBANKrolled PLC I The also He 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P company ACCESS BANK PLCalso said that in of the year, posted revenue of N1.350 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITYthe BANKcourse PLC 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; GTBANKamong PLC billion inB+/S&P its fourth quarseveral others in10.25 APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch period compared AFREN PLC II ter 2014 vestments, the company 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC with N1.289 billion reexpanded its flagship 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC AutoReg motor vehicle corded in the same period 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC of 2013. This indicatedAFREN a PLC administration documen6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P III growth ofB/S&P 4.51 per cent.ACCESStation to cover 21 LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 9.25/6M USD B-/Fitch; BANK PLCsolution II 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD of the federation. The Chairman of the states

to be the tightest election since Nigeria, Africa’s 10-Oct-20 3.21 largest oil producer, end-1.00 27-Nov-20 5.70 1.00 ed31-Dec-20 military rule in 1999. 5.79 1.00 31-Dec-20 3.45 The poll was delayed by1.44 six06-Jan-21 weeks after3.48 security1.00 forces said they needed more time to end Boko Haram’s insurgency in 1.00 the17-Aug-15 north-east. 0.43 09-Dec-15 Meanwhile, a0.48 turnover1.00 06-Jan-16 0.57 of 29-Sep-16 298.9 million shares2.63 1.54 1.00 worth N1.8 billion in 3,7031.34 25-Oct-16 1.61 deals was recorded in the 30-Sep-17 2.54 1.00 30-Nov-17 1.88 day’s trading. 1.56 09-Apr-18 1.57 The banking sub1.00 09-Sep-18 1.98 1.00 sector of the 1.98 financial1.00 09-Sep-18 services sector was the 22-Sep-18 3.52 1.00

14.75 11.10 Mr. Seun Olanipekun, a 13.50 87.50 Lagos-based analyst 15.00 5.00 at 14.50 4.55 Investment One Finan15.00 4.56told cial Services Limited 459.68 Bloomberg on phone. 422.23 “That’s the major reason for the fall. The consumer10.00 names, the 2.50 bank12.00 the oil and 18.75gas ing names, 14.00 0.42 names13.00 - all have signifi15.00 cantly 14.25 declined,” he 5.53 said. President Goodluck 13.00 20.00 18.00 and his 0.64 Jonathan main 16.00 6.30 rival Muhammadu Bu18.00 2.54 hari will face each other 16.00 0.70 on March is set 14.00 28 in what 35.00

18-Oct-13

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

A/GCR

B-/S&P

87.25

89.50

16-Mar-15

3,662.95

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 26-Mar-15 12.74 17 2-Apr-15 13.93 24 9-Apr-15 13.61 31 16-Apr-15 14.37 FGN Bonds 38 23-Apr-15 14.63 45 30-Apr-15 14.93 Rating/Agency Issuer Description13.58 52 7-May-15 59 14-May-15 14.58 4.00 23-APR-2015 66 21-May-15 14.41 80 4-Jun-15 14.77 13.05 16-AUG-2016 87 11-Jun-15 14.35 15.10 27-APR-2017 101 25-Jun-15 14.37 9.85 27-JUL-2017 108 2-Jul-15 14.72 9.35 31-AUG-2017 122 16-Jul-15 14.93 10.70 30-MAY-2018 129 23-Jul-15 14.77 16.00 29-JUN-2019 136 30-Jul-15 14.52 7.00 23-OCT-2019 143 6-Aug-15 14.81 NA NA 15.54 13-FEB-2020 150 13-Aug-15 14.83 16.39 27-JAN-2022 164 27-Aug-15 11.80 171 3-Sep-15 14.61 14.20 14-MAR-2024 178 10-Sep-15 14.74 15.00 28-NOV-2028 192 24-Sep-15 14.80 12.49 22-MAY-2029 262 3-Dec-15 13.67 8.50 20-NOV-2029 276 17-Dec-15 13.82 10.00 23-JUL-2030 297 7-Jan-16 14.44 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 311 21-Jan-16 14.16 325 4-Feb-16 14.72 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 339 18-Feb-16 14.66 353CAPITALISATION 3-Mar-16 15.42 TOTAL MARKET *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

12.49 13.68 13.36 14.12 14.38 14.68 Issue Date 13.33 14.33 23-Apr-10 14.16 14.52 16-Aug-13 14.10 27-Apr-12 14.12 27-Jul-07 14.47 31-Aug-07 14.68 30-May-08 14.52 29-Jun-12 14.27 23-Oct-09 14.56 13-Feb-15 14.58 27-Jan-12 11.55 14.36 14-Mar-14 14.49 28-Nov-08 14.55 22-May-09 13.42 20-Nov-09 13.57 23-Jul-10 14.19 18-Jul-14 13.91 14.47 14.41 15.17

12.78 14.02 13.73 14.54 14.86 15.20 Coupon 13.85(%) 14.93 4.00 14.80 15.26 13.05 14.85 15.10 14.96 9.85 15.39 9.35 15.71 10.70 15.58 16.00 15.34 7.00 15.72 15.54 15.79 16.39 12.46 15.68 14.20 15.89 15.00 16.05 12.49 15.15 8.50 15.43 10.00 16.36 12.1493 16.10 16.94 16.97 18.12

Bonds

Description

Issue Date

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M Outstanding

(N'bn)

Value

Rate (%) 44.0000 16.8382 17.8797 18.8028

25.00

O/N

26.75

Tenor

Maturity Date

535.00 23-Apr-15 NITTY 581.39 16-Aug-16 Tenor Rate (%) 476.80 27-Apr-17 1M 14.5511 20.00 27-Jul-17 2M 14.5811 100.00 31-Aug-17 3M 14.8606 300.00 30-May-18 6M 15.1153 351.30 29-Jun-19 9M 15.1433 233.90 23-Oct-19 12M 17.0464 54.00 13-Feb-20 600.00 27-Jan-22 499.68 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-30 254.50 18-Jul-34

OBB

REPO

TTM Call(Yrs) 1M 0.10 3M 6M 1.42

Rate (%)

Bid22.00 Yield (%) 23.00 15.01 24.00 25.00 16.21

Tenor

Spot 7D 14D 1M Yield Offer 2M(%) 3M 13.56 6M 1Y 16.08

2.12 16.36 16.27 2.36 16.30 16.22 2.46 16.30 16.22 :Benchmarks 3.21 16.21 16.07 * :Amortising Bond 4.29Bond 16.13 16.03 µ :Convertible 4.61 Management Corporation 16.06 15.94 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 4.91Government of Nigeria 16.05 15.96 FGN: Federal 6.87 Mortgage Bank16.07 15.99 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria IFC: International 9.00 Finance Corporation 16.71 16.64 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables 13.70 14.11 Management 14.07 NAHCO: Nigerian 14.18 Aviation Handling 13.81 Company 13.76 O/N: Overnight 14.68 13.50 13.44 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 15.35 14.97 14.90 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 19.34 16.79 16.72 NOTE:

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

199.13 199.23 201.81 Price201.93 202.13 202.28 202.87 203.37 Bid Price Offer Price 204.24 205.31 205.60 207.21 98.84 98.99 206.28 213.47 220.29 226.27 96.09 96.24

97.77 97.92 87.70 87.85 86.36 86.51 NA :Not Applicable 86.58 86.88 # :Floating Rate Bond 99.54 ***: Deferred coupon bonds99.84 71.27 71.57 98.26 under review98.56 ‡ : Bond rating †: Bond rating 101.25expired 101.55 N/A :Not Available 88.53 88.83 {r} :Issuer in receivership 105.54 105.24 91.83 92.13 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 68.37 68.67 UBA: United Bank for Africa 70.38 70.68 73.52 73.82

5,023.13 4,505.94 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

A+/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 2.40

112.22 116.70 66.49

Bucket Weighting

322.38

1,374.48

1,409.48

42.92

46.28

3<5

1,014.46

1,059.68

32.27

34.16

308.20 0.32

580.67

815.07

24.82

19.55

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

2,969.61 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

0.19 0.92 1.73 2.09 Implied Yield 2.31

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 Implied Portfolio2.85 Price

17.74 19.38 18.24 17.31 INDEX 19.15

1,130.92

96.69 98.40 96.71 97.16 YTD Return (%)90.49

21.08

16.22

100.9393

37.56

16.35

97.5139

0.25

41.35

15.45

72.7401

1,022.37

1.5246

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

15.95 0.46 0.30 0.82 0.82 2.09 1.36 2.79 1.97 1.98

92.8357 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 1.00 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00

1,049.04 20.26 18.57 21.27 20.30 17.31 17.50 18.05 18.10 17.31

0.5826 96.71 98.47 94.82 96.52 87.57 95.68 91.33 93.76 94.89

973.00 -

2.0823 3.9077

TUESday, March 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

Features

Some of the applicants at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium

NIS tragedy: A year after A year after, victims of NIS recruitment tragedy get government's attention, writes CAJETAN MMUTA

n March 15, 2014, the hopes of getting the dream job, after a long search by thousands of unemployed graduates drawn from the 18 local government areas of Edo State, crumbled like a pack of card. It was a sad experience Nigerians would not want to remember. Like locusts they had besieged the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium as early as 6:30am prepared for the test organised for graduates of various cadres for recruitment into the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The determined young Nigerians had defied all the odds - the scorching sun, poor security arrangement despite the large number of policemen, NIS officials, members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) - to participate in the scheduled test. The army of the applicants struggled among themselves

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

to gain entrance into the 10,000 capacity stadium. Some of them had to scale the fence to gain access to the overcrowded venue. When the test billed for 10am eventually commenced, the atmosphere had become charged. The applicants and NIS officials were in a confused state over the distribution of question papers and sitting arrangements. But overwhelmed by the surging crowd of applicants struggling to get the question papers and other materials for the test, the NIS officials threw the papers at the crowd. The applicants’ daring move to get the papers caused a stampede. By the time the dust settled down, many of the applicants had been injured. Cries for help rent the air as many of them broke their limps. Some of the victims were later rushed to the emergency units of the nearby Central Hospital and Stella Obasanjo Clinic in Benin. It generated anger, blame and condemnation for the NIS across the country. During a probe of the incident by the Senate on Interior on March 27, 2014, a member of the NIS Board, Zakariya Mustapha, said the board was neither part of the recruitment planning process nor was informed of developments leading to the exercise. Mustapha also alleged that the signature in the agreement where the Ministry of Interior and the NIS Board reached understanding to engage the services of a consultant, Drezel Technology Nigeria

Jonathan

Limited, was forged. Also, the NIS Comptroller-General, David Paradang, faulted the recruitment process. According to him, the exercise was a gross perversion of the existing process over the years where it was the prerogative of the NIS to conduct recruitment of its operatives from grade levels 1 to 6. Paradang distanced NIS from the newspaper adverts allegedly authorised for publication by the Ministry of Inte-

rior that the recruitment exercise would hold on March 15. According to him, NIS was side-lined in the exercise and there was nothing he could do except to comply with the ministry’s directive as expected of officers in the nation's services. But the Interior Minister, Abba Moro, condoled with the families of the bereaved. Moro accepted ‘total responsibility’ for the death of the young applicants. He said: “I cannot abdicate my responsibility. The buck stops at my table.” Moro said the applicants were young Nigerians needed as a critical human resource factor for nation building. The minister said the exercise was awarded to a consultant because of his sincere approach to instil discipline and ensure sanity in the recruitment process of the NIS, which according to him, was characterised by a lot of irregularities over the years. He said such irregularities ranged from incoherent procedure, favouritism, job racketeering and unequal opportunities among others that required immediate remediation. Moro added that the urgent task before him on assumption of office was “to institute measures that would ease the application procedures, enthrone an open and transparent process, allow for equal opportunities, institute a process for the engagement of qualified and deC O N T I N U E D on PA G E 4 6

FEATURES

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

A helping hand from Oshiomhole C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

serving persons and also to ensure the reflection of federal character pursuant to applicable federal laws.” This was, however, different from Moro’s initial reaction to the tragic incident when he blamed the NIS hierarchy for the shoddy recruitment exercise. However, shortly after, President Goodluck Jonathan pledged three automatic employment slots into the service for all the families who lost their loved ones in the stampede including those who sustained injuries. Those promises were only fulfilled on March 15, 2015, exactly a year after the tragedy. On Friday, the President handed out N75 million as well as employment letters to families of those who lost their lives in the botched recruitment exercise. The presentation, which took place at the press briefing room of the Presidential Villa, had in Moro, Paradang, the supervising Minister of Information, Edem Duke, and other government officials. Families of the deceased was handed a cheque of N5 million each, while three members from each family were each given employment letters. In a brief remark after handing over the cheques and employment letters Jonathan promised that such incidence would not repeat itself again. He said: “I promise this country that such will not happen again. This will be the last of such things.” The President said the monies given to the families of the deceased should not be seen as compensation because it could not replace the lost lives. But before Friday, the seemingly endless wait was excruciating for the hapless victims and families of those who lost their lives. For over 20 distraught victims and their families in Edo State, it was a tale of woes amid protests, abandonment, lamentation and anguish. One of the applicants, 27-year-old Mrs Sandra Amu, died and left three children aged eight, five and three for her husband. The widower, Mr Austin Amu, told journalists that life had been tough for him and his three children. He said the loss of his wife had traumatised the family. According to him, it has been difficult prowwviding for his family. Amu, who also participated in the recruitment exercise but was lucky to escape, said that efforts to get positive response from officials of the NIS after several visits had yielded nothing. He said: “I have visited the office so many times but they keep telling me to be patient because there has been no response from Abuja. That was why I decided to cry out to let the public know my feeling because carrying these children along is not an easy task for me.” Another victim, Timothy Omoagbon, said life had been difficult for his family. He said: “I saw my wife lying down on the ground. In fact, my wife collapsed in the stadium. It took the efforts of immigration officials to revive her. They poured water on her before she stood up. “She later started coughing out blood and could not breathe very well. We went to Immigration but they told us that they are waiting for directive from Abuja and promised to let us

Oshiomhole

Paradang

know when the get they directive. But we have not heard anything till now. We are appealing to President Goodluck Jonathan to fulfil his promise.” While the victims and their families continue the endless wait, Edo State Government brought them a ray of hope. Governor Adams Oshiomhole gave 20 of them automatic employment. Oshiomhole also doled out N2 million to the husband and children of the late Mrs Sandra Amu. The gesture, no doubt, is coming a year after the Federal Government promised automatic employment for those injured in the exercise and three employment slots to families of those who lost their loved ones. Oshiomhole disclosed the employment offer during a meeting with the family of Amu and 11 of the 20 people who sustained injuries during the illfated recruitment exercise. He said: “It is unlawful for people seeking employment to pay money. It is the employer who pays the consultant and not the applicant. That transaction was mainly illegal collection and it is extortion. “It is important that people do not exploit office power to compound the problem of those who are already down. Without prejudice to whatever

Moro

Amu

plans the Immigration Service or the Ministry of Internal Affairs is making, we can see how we can assist in terms of employment.” The governor also promised that his government would also “provide the family of the deceased with legal representation so as to sue the Immigration authorities for the loss of life. “Each time people are reckless with human lives and they go home and sleep, it is why we talk about the culture of impunity, where people can do anything and go free. “We are also going to offer the graduates employment opportunities in our Information Communication Technology Agency if they are interested in that. In that case, you need to take their documents and they start work by Monday. However, if the Immigration option opens up, you are at liberty to move from one job to another.” Some of the victims had told the governor that while they paid N1,000 each for online registration for the recruitment exercise, they were yet to get a refund one year after the tragedy. The victims lauded Oshiomhole for the courage and timely intervention to employ about 20 victims. “He is the only one who has shown

enough interest in our plight. He is the first to call us, commensurate with us and to make efforts to alleviate the suffering of the victims by donating N2 million to the three children of the late applicant,” Osumah added. Efforts to get Alana to speak on the allegations were not successful. The state NIS Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Osekhogba Oguns, said he could not grant an interview. He merely said that the list of affected victims had been submitted to the Abuja office of the service. “If they feel aggrieved they should go to Abuja, we are answerable to our headquarters in Abuja,” Oguns added. Of great concern to some interest groups and individuals, however, is that the state government should, as a matter of necessity, issue those employed official letters. Observers also said that their names and work must be gazetted in line with the state civil service rules. This is to ensure that they are not thrown out into the labour market at the end of tenure of the present administration. With the employment, Oshiomhole has wiped tears off the faces of the victims.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

n alleged N100 million doled out to the Labour Party (LP) by Ebonyi State governor, Martin Elechi, has split the party’s stakeholders and supporters in the state. New Telegraph gathered from a reliable source that the largesse was shared before last Saturday’s rally organised by the party in support of President Goodluck Jona-

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

Elechi’s N100m donation splits Labour party than’s re-election bid. The source further said the money in question was also given in a ‘Ghana Must Go’ bag at the Government House to be distributed to the 171 electoral wards of the state through the help of Development Centre Coordinators and Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen. It was also gathered that the largesse was not only generating ripples

as some of the party supporters are threatening to defect to other political parties if the money is not shared the way it should be. The state wing of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has condemned the action by Governor Elechi, saying it was not in the interest of the political development of the state. Reacting to the development at a news brief-

ing yesterday, President of the group, Elder Sam Igwe, said it was abnormal, selfish and wrong for the governor, who is disguising to be a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to sponsor Labour Party activities with public funds despite the present socio-economic condition of the state. Also, when contacted, the Media Director of LP governorship candidate, Dr. Chike Onwe, denied

that the governor gave out N100 million to the party, stressing that Elechi was not a member of the LP. Meanwhile, the youth leader, who described the governor as a black sheep in the PDP fold, called on the state House of Assembly to facilitate the process of impeaching the governor as the youth of the state are solidly behind them. “It is wickedness on the part of the governor

to release such money to LP despite the ongoing strike by workers in the state; imagine that House of Assembly members, whose seats have been declared vacant, are still being paid their salaries by the governor. “Labour Party officials told Ebonyi people that President Goodluck Jonathan was coming last weekend which was a lie; Labour Party is full of mischief.

Army ready for polls, says Bello Tony Okafor Awka

Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere (third right), with the priest and mothers, during the celebration of the Mothers’ Day at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Achi Mbieri, Mbaitoli LGA, Imo State.

‘I’ll reduce school fees in state-owned institutions’ Catholic NGOs train female Udema-Eze promised the people, living without Charles Onyekwere to complete all uncom- politicians any basic needs of life. ABAKALIKI

female governorship candidate, Mrs. Grace Udema-Eze, who is running on the platform of the Independent Democrat (ID) in the April 11 election in Ebonyi State, has said that if given the opportunity, she would reduce the school fees in state-owned institutions. At a news conference in Abakaliki yesterday, Udema-Eze said she is vying for the governorship position not to challenge anybody, but because of the pitiable conditions of

She said the state governor, Chief Martin Elechi, was not sincere that power should go to the south; otherwise the governor would have adopted a southerner from the opposition Labour Party, rather than getting the in-law of a former governor from the north for the position. The governorship candidate added that she stands for equity that power should go to the south no matter who wins, as her ambition was to ensure that a southerner stood for the election, no matter whose ox is gored.

pleted projects with priority on subsidising the cost of education and creating an enabling environment for academic activities to thrive. According to her, “I am not coming out to challenge anybody, but I am out because of what I saw, the people are weeping, shedding tears. A lot of things have happened which also affected me. “The education sector was not what it used to be. Our school fees have been increased to over N120, 000 and our children are now out of school. I will reduce it to N20, 000.”

Rights’ group holds voter education workshop Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

non-governmental organisation, Women Aid Collective (WACOL), yesterday organised a voter education workshop for people in Enugu, the state capital and called for credible and non-violent elections across the country, especially in the SouthEast of the country. The one-day programme drew select people from different parts of the South East in prepara-

tion for the March 28 and April 11 polls. Speaking at the event, Executive Director of WACOL, Prof. (Mrs.) Joy Ezeilo, said her group’s voter education and mobilisation programme was meant to educate and empower the populace towards a peaceful, non-violent, credible and free and fair elections. She regretted that Nigeria has, over the years, become politically lawless even as it

has been hijacked by ‘a conclave of godfathers, money bags and mercantile politicians.’ Ezeilo said: “Although, the political history of Nigeria and past elections are nothing to write home about, we feel that the situation calls for all hands on deck; and extra vigilance and action towards fostering a peaceful election and ensuring the participation of the marginalised, especially women, youths and people with disability.”

Tony Okafor Awka

wo Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) in the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Anambra State, have embarked on the training of women politicians in the state. The Director, Justice, Development Peace and Caritas (JDPC) and Voice to the People (V2P), Rev. Fr. Damian Obi, disclosed this at St Felix’s Catholic Church, Otolo, Nnewi, during a mass to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day. He said the NGOs, which fought for good governance, also stood for the promotion of gender equality and women emancipation. He advised women not to be afraid to join politics, where he said they would do well “because of their special intelligence and endowment.” The programme manager of the organisations, Mrs. Ugochi Ehieahuruike, said women had made economic, political and social achievements worthy of note in Nigeria, adding that they should double their efforts in all spheres, particularly in politics, for their total emancipation.

head of the March 28 and April 11 polls, the military yesterday assured the country of maximum security throughout the exercise. Commander, 302 Military Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Col. Abubakar Mohammed Bello, disclosed this during the burial of the father-inlaw of Major-General Lincoln K. J. Ogunewe at Egbu Umuenem Otolo, Nnewi in Anambra State. Bello said the soldiers would keep providing security during and after the elections to ensure that there would be no crisis. He said the army was ready to play its statutory role in any

circumstance. “We are going to play our role in the elections by ensuring the security of lives and property. So, we are prepared and everybody is prepared,” Bello assured. He urged the bereaved family to take heart, adding that God in His infinite mercy would grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. He said: “We are here to console him as our senior colleague in the military and the entire bereaved family of Okoye.” Earlier at the church service, the presiding priest, Very Rev. Chike Nwizu, reminded the congregation that no amount of prayer could raise the dead, adding that ‘God giveth and taketh.’

NDDC: N8bn Nworie dredging project sabotaged by Okorocha Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

he Commissioner representing Imo State in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Hon. Kyrian Uchegbu, yesterday lamented the loss of the massive economic and tourism benefits that could have come to the state from the abandoned N8 billion Nworie dredging project in the state. According to him, the project, which was politicised during the Ikedi Ohakim administration, was still viable until it was allegedly sabotaged by the Rochas Okorocha administration. “Imo people were misled to believe that Ohakim was deploying state funds into the dredging project while the project was being funded by the NDDC. It was a wonderful project that was politicised at the consultancy level, which would have had far reaching beneficial consequences in massive job creation, attracting investment and boosting

the tourism industry in Imo State.” According to Uchegbu, before work could commence again after the election, it became obvious that Okorocha was more interested in the sand excavated than in executing the project proper. He said the governor initiated the construction of low capacity bridges that were inconsistent with the design of the dredging project in spite of the NDDC specification of overhanging bridges that would accommodate marine transportation. According to Uchegbu, the governor effectively shut down the dredging project, when he covered the high density pilings installed by NDDC with asphalt. “The project fund has already been approved for Imo and the only option left for the commission was to re-direct it to other beneficial uses. The fund was subsequently deployed to shore protection at Ogbuoma to protect the people against the surge of Orashi River,” the commissioner explained.

News

Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

ivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has described the State Police Command and the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan as the biggest threat to a free, fair and peaceful elections in the state. Amaechi, who spoke to journalists at the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday, noted that the police had abandoned its duties and was taking sides with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), by arresting the members of the All Progressives Congress in the state. Amaechi said that 30 members of the APC have so far been killed, with four others arrested for defecting from the PDP to APC, while 307 members have been harassed and threatened by the police. He said that despite repeated appeals to the Inspector General of Police, and several meetings with the Police Commissioner, thugs carrying out the orders of the PDP, continue to kill, injure and destroy the property of APC members. ‘Regrettably, the state’s greatest offence is being the home state of othe wife of the President of

SOUTH-SOUTH

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Amaechi: Police, Jonathan’s wife, biggest threats to peace in Rivers the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan. Mrs. Jonathan has made it her ambition to murder all the members of APC.” Amaechi said that the recent withdrawal of policemen from top members of the APC, including its governorship candidate was a serious source of worry, and has fuelled concern over the security of Dakuku Peterside, the party’s governorship candidate. “This fear if fuelled by the unanswered question as to whether this withdrawal of security personnel is linked to the aforesaid plans to assassinate Dr. Dakuku Peterside and possibly has the backing of top echelons of security agencies in the state and country. Those hired to for this assassination attempt are still roaming free in Port Harcourt, housed and catered for by Barr. Nyesom Wike, the PDP governorship candidate in Iwaikwowo Hotel off Oroekpo Road, owned by one Promise Onuoha,

Nyesom Wike’s cousin. “Unfortunately, the Nigerian police Force in Rivers has led to a great escalation of these acts of killings, unlawful arrests and detention on frivolus and unsubstantiated reasons, as well as constant

and un-abating harassment using the very same Policve meant to protect all sides. Specifically, DCP John Amadi, DC, Operation, and Promise Nwosu , head of SARS are in the fore of this. “The most ridiculous

is that the police, whom we are supposed to run to for protection have commenced the withdrawal of police security for top APC members , including that of the governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.”

L-R: Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, John Jonah; Governor Seriake Dickson and the National President, Association of Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary School (ANCOPSS), Hajia Fatima Abdulrahman (FCT), during a courtesy call on the governor in Yenagoa…yesterday

Oshiomhole congratulates new NLC president Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

overnor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday congratulated the newly elected President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, urging him to provide

a focused and dynamic leadership for the labour movement. Oshiomhole also appealed to aggrieved contestants on the outcome of the Congress to resist the temptation of floating a factional congress either as being threatened. He asked them to sheathe their swords and extend a hand of fellow-

Amaechi, who also urged the IG to demonstrate to Nigerians that he remains an officer and gentleman, by doing the needful, said that the people of the state have never had it so bad in terms of security.

ship to the new President to help reposition the Congress. In a congratulatory letter addressed to the new NLC President, Oshiomhole said he was pleased to offer his hearty felicitation to the new NLC President. He said, “I am pleased to offer my hearty felicitation over your election as

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) during the just concluded 11th National Delegates Conference of the Congress. Your emergence as President of the NLC, in a hitch-free exercise, is no doubt well deserved. It is a befitting recognition of your leadership capabilities, sound trade union antecedents, loyalty and

commitment to the Nigerian Labour Movement.” Continuing, Oshiomhole noted, “It must be obvious to you by now, Comrade President, that the Nigerian Labour Movement, and in particular, the Congress has lost a significant amount of prestige and influence in the eyes of the Nigerian working people and the

Nigerian public at large. The Nigerian people no longer see the Congress as the “voice of voiceless” and a bulwark against socio-economic and political oppression and injustices in the polity. The Congress is essentially viewed as either being complicit or at best indifferent to the cries of the poor working class people and the middle class citizens who are daily at the receiving end of an unjust social order.’’

Twelve Edo PDP chiefs defect to APC Ohanaeze dissolves A’Ibom youth exco Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

he Chairman and eleven members of the executive council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress in Ukpato Ward, Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo State. Receiving the decampees at the Government House, the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said the decision of the executives has further reduced the PDP in the state. He said: “Your journey is coming at a very strategic period. When the PDP postponed the elections, they wanted to buy time but as they buy time, they

are losing people and as they lose people and they are losing more votes. “I believe that God has a purpose for touching everybody’s heart to join the movement for change because people like you who live in the rural areas know much more than anyone else the pains of poverty, the pains of the failure of the Nigerian State. He said further, “When we buy you a transformer, there is no light. When light comes, the fees the community is asked to pay is more than the entire income of the community. Other than what the state government is doing in Orhionmwon, there is no Federal Government presence in the community. “The Federal Govern-

ment has spent 52 per cent of our earnings on your behalf over the past 16 years and you cannot show one thing they have done. We haven’t fixed all the problems but we have shown that it is possible to begin to address the problems. This is why in Orhionmwon, we are building schools besides the long road that we are doing from Ugoneki to Urhonigbe, also we have done roads in Igbanke and all the adjoining communities. We are currently working on the road in Abudu and several others. Oshiomhole however, assured the defectors of equal privileges in the party, adding that they would not regret their actions and decision to join forces with the APC.

...urges Igbo to vote Jonathan, Udom

Tony Anichebe UYO

he apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo youth wing, has said that it has dissolved its Akwa Ibom chapter youth executives with a promise to appoint an interim leadership in the state. The dissolution was announced by the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, Chief Okechukwu Isiguzoro, at a town-hall meeting of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Akwa Ibom Chapter in Uyo yesterday. Isiuguzoro attributed, the decision for the dissolution to the parallel leadership of the executives

in the state youth wing of the Ohanaeze. He said that the factional youth wing leadership were not elected in accordance with the tenets of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo constitution. He said, “Based on the powers vested on me as the dully elected National President of the Ohanaze Ndigbo Youth Wing, I officially dissolve the parallel leaderships of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Akwa Ibom chapter. “This is because a house divided against itself cannot stand and we don’t want such to continue as it is not in the interest of the Igbos resident in Akwa Ibom. “The national leadership of the Ohanaeze

Ndigbo youth wing would in a few days appoint an interim leadership that would be composed of neutral parties to work towards conducting a credible election.” On the 2015 general elections, He said that the Igbos considers political parties that have policies which will favour the Igbos wherever they are residing to do their businesses. Isiguzoro commended the cordial relationship that exist between the Igbos in Akwa Ibom and the Peoples Democratic Party led administration, appealing to Igbo to vote for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan as President and the PDP’s governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

YEDC blames low power supply on allocation, vandalism Ibrahim Abdul Yola

he Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) has attributed the low power supply to its customers in Adamawa, Taraba, Borno and Yobe States to low power allocation, as well as vandalisation caused to the company’s facilities by some unidentified persons. Speaking to newsmen in Yola, the Senior Corporate Communication officer of the company Mr. Kingsley Nkemneme, said the problem was not the making of the company, but was caused by low megawatt supply from the national grid. Nkemneme explained, that YEDC required 176 megawatts to service the four states, but was currently receiving less than 50 megawatts. “ YEDC covers four big states in the North East and what is required of us to be able to operate efficiently is 176 megawatts. However, we have been receiving less than 50 megawatts from the National Grid. “ This is less than one per cent of the 3.5 per cent that has been allocated to us”, Nkemneme said.

He said the company had already forwarded its complaint and request for more power supply from the national grid to the Ministry of Power and other relevant agencies. On its part, Nkemneme said the YEDC technical department had put a lot to ensure stability of

MINNA

iger state Governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu yesterday charged the opposition elements in the country to emulate the qualities the late Mallam Aminu Kano, was known for, stating that despite being in the opposition, he still found time to work for the development of the North controlled by a government in power. Aliyu said in the day time, Malam Aminu Kano, would embark on campaigns to win the electorate to his Peoples Redemption Party, but would forgo party loyalty for the greater interest of his region. Governor Aliyu spoke in Minna, at the opening of a one-day strategic meeting of executives of Non Governmental Organisations from the northern part of the country under the aegis of the Centre for Communication and Reproductive Health Service, with the theme: ‘Effec-

power supply in the affected states, adding that already, it had restored electricity supply to Maiduguri and Gombi towns. “ However, due to last week’s attack on Gombi, some of our facilities were damaged. “ On Mubi axis, we will commence operations there as soon as

there is stability in terms of security. “ You know, we need to replace all our facilities vandalized in those areas recovered from insurgents. “ We lost billions in terms of revenue and facilities damage due to insurgency in the North East”, Nkemneme said.

INEC trains 16,350 ad hoc staff in Jigawa Dahiru Suleiman Dutse

he Independent National Electoral Commission in Jigawa State has trained 16,350 adhoc staff that would take part in the conduct of the forthcoming general elections in the 27 local government areas across the state, the Commission Public Re-

L-R: Representative of the Commander, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Plateau State, Dr Micah Bwala; representative of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division of the Nigeria Army, Jos, Col. Ibrahim Dogara and Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) North Central Zone, Mr. Muhammed Abdulsala, at a sensitisation and awareness creation workshop on the dangers of post-election violence in Jos …yesterday.

Aliyu urges opposition to emulate Aminu Kano Dan Atori

News 49

NORTH

tive Partnership to Compliment Government’s Efforts in addressing Developmental Challenges in the Region’. The governor said Mallam Aminu Kano and other members of the opposition never allowed their political differences to affect their goals for the North, a trend that has been abandoned by the present crop of opposition politicians.

Plot to impeach Adamawa speaker fails Ibrahim Abdul Yola

here was uneasy atmosphere around the Adamawa State House of Assembly complex, Yola during yesterday’s plenary sitting as the Speaker, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, was said to have scuttled an attempt by a group of lawmakers to impeach him. Fintiri,who had spearheaded the impeachment

of the former Governor Murtala Nyako, has been at daggers-drawn with the state governor, Mr Bala James Ngillari and some lawmakers that see him as a traitor because they failed to secure return tickets during the last PDP controversial primaries held in Abuja. During yesterday’s sitting, the Speaker was said to have escaped the impeachment plot by a whisker as some lawmakers that were bent

Group mobilises votes for Jonathan Musa Pam Jos

he Middle Belt Professionals Forum and Technocrats Association, MBPFTA, Jos Branch has called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) controlled States in the northern region to mobilize the citizens to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan. The group, which is canvassing support for the re-election of the President said that he was the most criticized Nigerian leader

lations Officer, Alhaji. Surajo Usman Koriyel has said. The commission’s spokesman said all the trained INEC staff will be deployed to 27 local government headquarters of Jigawa State, including Dutse, the state capital. “The engagement of adhoc staff in the INEC herculean task was to facilitate our job, as well as get ourselves prepared to cover Jigawa State effectively” According to him, the adhoc staff will be used in 4,085 polling units, four per each unit including Dutse the state capital of Jigawa State during elections. On the issue of uncollected PVCs, the INEC PRO advised all eligible voters that have not collected their PVCs to hasten to do so immediately, stating that they could get their voting cards through their respective local government headquaters as INEC has dispatched all cards for collection. He assured that INEC has taken steps in seeing that all the uncollected PVC cards must get to the owners before elections through advocacy, radio jingles, among other means of communications.

whereas, such criticisms do not presuppose failure nor do they engender freedom of expression. In a statement issued in Jos yesterday and signed by its branch Coordinator, Nyi-or Sekulla, the body argued that the re-election of President Jonathan would give him the opportunity to complete the good works he had started. The group commended the President, whom its said despite the avalanche of criticisms, “some constructive, false, frivolous and even malicious and mischievous, he has re-

mained focused and resolute.” The statement said, “His administration has put education in the front burner as 14 federal universities have been established across the country with every state and the FCT having a federal university in their domain. “He approved the implementation of the salary wages for civil/public servants. Though insurgency has posed a serious national security challenge, the resilience and commitment of the administration has started yielding results.”

on removing him were taken unawares, following the sudden change in the leadership of the House of Assembly. The perceived sponsors of the plot were hurriedly removed from their positions which include the majority leader, Mr Salihu Kabilo and Jerry Kundusi, the Chief Whip. Kabilo was replaced by the Speaker’s loyalist and former majority leader, Ishaku Bala while

Aminu Iya Abbas took over from Jerry Kundusi and, subsequently, the Speaker who presided over the sitting, re-constituted the Local Government Probe Committee . It was gathered that there was tight security within the premises of the Assembly while Fintiri’s antagonists had planned to stage street celebrations in the event of the success of the impeachment.

PUBLIC NOTICE UMUORLU-ISU BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with the provision of part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004. TRUSTEES: 1. Pst. Okey Fidelis Emeh 2. Pst. Ohaka Maurice Obinali 3. Pst. Henry Eberechukwu Duru 4. Pst. Odunze Donatus Chinonye 5. Evang. Emeh Yadirichukwu 6. Rev. Alloysius Ezedike 7. Dcns. Emeh Augusta Amara

- Chairman – Secretary - Member – Member - Member - Member - Member

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To foster unity, peace and love among born again Christians of Umuorlu-Isu extraction throughout Nigeria and all over the world. 2. To assist members who are needy 3. To promote and encourage charity-oriented programs and assisting the aged ones, widows and the motherless. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication. Signed: Pst. Ohaka Maurice Obinali Secretary

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TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NLC: Wabba declares planned Cote d'Ivoire's ex-first lady Lagos delegates' conference illegal  appeals 20-year sentence Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he newly elected President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, has called on his close rival in the last election, Comrade Joe Ajaero and other aggrieved members of the congress, who lost out in the polls to join him in providing a purposeful leadership that Nigerian workers deserve.  This was as he declared that the National

Executive Council (NEC) is the only organ of NLC that has the power to convene a delegates' conference, noting that any other conference organised by any organ other than the one recognised by the union's constitution is illegal.  "As far as I'm concerned, the only organ that can convene a delegates' conference is the National Executive Council (NEC) by our constitution. Therefore, that organ has conveyed the conference, a returning officer was appointed

and the results were declared. Everybody was there; all of you were there. But I think the most important thing is to extend and to continue to extend our hand of fellowship to them and we stand on the constitutional provisions. All issues raised before the election were addressed" he said His declaration followed threats by Comrade Joe Ajaero and other aggrieved affiliate unions that they would convene a fresh delegates' conference in Lagos on March 21.

NIMC to open card enrolment and collection centres in 774 LGAs   Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

o ease the collection of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) identification cards, the Commission said it would open offices in the 774 Local government areas across the country.   However, the Commission, presently has established card collection centres in all of its state offices nationwide.  The NIMC General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Abdulhamid

Umar, in statement issued in Abuja, stated that efforts were being made to ensure massive distribution of the cards to the Card Collection Centres, with a view to also issuing the cards to Nigerians in the rural areas as directed by President Goodluck Jonathan. He said: “It will be recalled that the President urged the Commission to ensure that at least, 100 million Nigerians are enrolled for the National Identification Number and issued their e-ID Cards, at the celebratory launch of the National e-ID Card on

he claim by the former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi that his party, All Progressives Congress, APC, has evidence against President Goodluck Jonathan about his plan to install an Interim National Government, ING, has been described by a civic organisation, Move on Nigeria, as a lie. The organisation, concerned with the promotion of good governance and democracy, lambasted Fayemi over the

claim, saying he was only peddling unsubstantiated rumour and deceiving the public. Fayemi had insisted that the National Leader of his party and former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was offered the position of Vice-Presidency in the allegedly planned ING as a bait to withdraw his support for the APC’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari. The group stated; “Truth means nothing to APC because within the

party, there is a resolve to inundate Nigerians with propaganda because they think Nigerians are gullible. Our advice is that they should stop telling lies and focus on issues affecting the masses.” In a similar development, the group, while extending its sympathy to the people of Benue State where over 90 persons were reportedly killed by insurgents masquerading as Fulani herdsmen, urged the security forces to be on high alert, so as to prevent reoccurrence of such dastardly act.

Nigeria now haven for investors, Rajis-Okpara tells Singaporeans Mojeed Alabi

he Nigerian High Commissioner to Singapore, Mrs. Nonye Rajis-Okpara, has enjoined more Singaporeans and the world by extension to see Nigeria as one of the best destinations for investors, saying as the most populous black nation of the world, the country is endowed with lots of untapped resources.

The high commissioner, who spoke recently while addressing members of the Rotary Club of Singapore in the Asian country, added that having been ranked the largest economy on the continent, Nigeria dreams of reaching the status of one of the best 20 economies in the world by 2015 through diversification of her economies. Rajis-Okpara, who spoke on the theme; Insight Nige-

appeal. "The public prosecutor's office has filed an appeal," prosecuting attorney Simon Yabo Odi told AFP, without giving precise grounds for the decision to take the case to the Court of Cassation. However, Odi rejected any change to the prison term handed down March 10 to Gbagbo, 65, who was jailed by an Assize Court for "undermining state security." Ivorian law makes no provision for an appeal against the verdict of an Assize Court in criminal cases. However, it is possible to turn to the High Court of Cassation

for a ruling on the validity of a sentence on the basis of legal procedure, rather than evidence raised during trial. Gbagbo and 78 fellow defendants were accused of playing roles in the violence that broke out in the country's economic capital Abidjan when her husband Laurent Gbagbo refused to admit defeat in the December 2010 election. The vanquished leadership allegedly used brutal militias to attack supporters of the declared winner of the poll, President Alassane Ouattara, but some of his backers are equally accused of atrocities.

28th August 2014, in Abuja". He quoted the President as saying that ordinary Nigerians must benefit from the use of the card. “The card builds a window to a social security benefit system and therefore, it is a card every Nigerian should get.”  Stating that not all the local government areas have enrolment and collection centres, he said, “NIMC currently has over 400 enrolment centres nationwide and is working tirelessly to ensure that more of such centres are opened in all of the 774 local government areas.”

Group accuses Fayemi of peddling lies over ING Mojeed Alabi

ote d'Ivoire's exfirst lady Simone Gbagbo has appealed the 20-year term she got for her role in post-election violence that killed over 3,000 people, her lawyer announced yesterday. "We lodged an appeal in the highest court," said defence counsel Habiba Toure. "The procedure is irregular and must be nullified." In a surprise decision prosecutors, who had argued Gbagbo should be given 10 years behind bars for her part in the bloody 2010-2011 unrest, announced that they too had lodged an

ria: Opportunities in Africa’s Largest Economy, said with 70 per cent rate of return on investment which has been rated 4th highest globally, Nigeria is a bride for investors. She added that the country’s credit rating has continued to receive positive reviews as an attestation of Nigeria’s improved financial stability, which she credited to the reforms in several sectors of the economy.

Cote d 'Ivoire's former first lady, Simone Gbagbo arriving at the Court of Justice in Abidjan.

Netanyahu vows more buildings in Jerusalem

sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed yesterday that if reelected he will build thousands of settler homes in Arab east Jerusalem to prevent future concessions to the Palestinians. Speaking ahead of tomorrow's general election on a whistle-stop tour of Har Homa, a contentious settlement neighbourhood of annexed east Jerusalem; Netanyahu vowed he would never allow the Palestinians to establish a capital in the city's

eastern sector. "I won't let that happen. My friends and I in Likud will preserve the unity of Jerusalem," he said of his ruling rightwing party, vowing to prevent any future division of the city by building thousands of new settler homes. "We will continue to build in Jerusalem, we will add thousands of housing units, and in the face of all the (international) pressure, we will persist and continue to develop our eternal capital," he added. Israel seized Arab east

Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community. The Jewish state refers to both halves of the city as its "united, undivided capital" and does not see construction in the eastern sector as settlement building. Successive Israeli leaders have vowed that Jerusalem will never again be divided -- in war or peace. The Palestinians want the eastern sector of the city as the capital of their future state.

Russia starts nationwide show of force

ore than 45,000 Russian troops as well as war planes and submarines started military exercises across much of the country yesterday in one of the Kremlin's biggest shows of force since its ties with the West plunged to Cold

War-lows. President Vladimir Putin called the Navy's Northern Fleet to full combat readiness in exercises in Russia's Arctic North apparently aimed at dwarfing military drills in neighboring Norway, a NATO member. "New challenges

and threats to military security require the armed forces to further boost their military capabilities. Special attention must be paid to newly created strategic formations in the north," Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said, quoted by RIA news agency.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2015

International Sport Arsenal can outclass Monaco –Wenger

Ibaka to undergo surgery

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Matthew, Enahoro boost for Flying Eagles

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Did you know? That the first football game to be televised was a friendly match between Arsenal’s first and second team in 1937.

KEShi splits eagles, Nff

Adekunle Salami

he key players in the Super Eagles are sharply divided over the intention of the Nigeria Football Federation to retain out of contract coach, Stephen Keshi, as the Head Coach of the senior national team. Authoritative sources on Monday revealed to our correspondent that the football house had begun wide consultations with major stakeholders on whether to retain Keshi or not. This was after a threeman committee was named to meet with the lawyers of the former coach of Malian national team. Though two goalkeepers, Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide, are some of the few players who still believe Keshi should stay, our source noted that many of the players were against the return of the Big Boss. “Many of them say it is better to start the rebuilding process of the team with a new technical crew. They believe it will be better to change focus and start plans for the next Nations Cup and the World Cup finals qualifiers,” the source said. A former skipper of the team who does not want to be quoted noted that the time wasted on the process was enough reason to dump Keshi. “The NFF no longer has trust in Keshi. The body has demonstrated this on many

The Sport Team

occasions and that is why we find ourselves in this position of searching for a coach in the past nine months. Both parties cannot work together and the best way out is to get another coach to move Nigerian football forward,” he said.

Pinnick

Victor Ikpeba, Garba Lawal and Jonathan Akpoborie are some of the former international players who have openly stated that it was better to have a new handler for the Eagles. Our correspondent also

learnt reliably that some members of the board are not happy with the delay in the employment of a new coach. This group wondered why the federation was still discussing with the out of contract coach when the Upper and the Lower cham-

bers of the country’s National Assembly have rejected Keshi. The proposed meeting of the executive board members of the NFF later in the week could be explosive as the Eagles job issue is top on the agenda.

Keshi

Enyeama

Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

Athletics: Ethiopia vow to emulate Nigeria Charles Ogundiya

he Ethiopian Athletics Federation has declared its intention to emulate the Athletic Federation of Nigeria by focusing on the country’s weak area, sprints. Speaking exclusively to New Telegraph, the Communication Officer of the federation, Sileshi Bisrat, said he was surprised to see Team Nigeria winning medals in field events. “The area of specialisation of

Team Nigeria is sprints, but I was shocked to see the country winning medals in field events like pole vault, javeline and discuss,” Bisrat said. “If we can work on sprint events, we can win the championship in a few years. “At the last championship in Maurutius, we finished third and now we finished third, it shows how consistent we are in Ethiopia.” He congratulated Team Nigeria for winning the championship back-

to-back. While evaluating the 12th edition of the recently concluded African Junior Athletics Championship, Bisrat said it meant a lot for the fans. “It was a great moment for the fans and the federation. It shows that Ethiopia is the heart and soul of athletics in Africa. If you look at the turnout of the crowd, it was amazing. We recorded more than 15,000 spectators during the four-day event and that is unprecedented,” he added.

Sport

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Matthew, Enahoro’s return boosts F’ Eagles •As Team returns to Dakar Emmanuel Tobi

igeria Under-20 midfielder Ifeanyi Matthew is expected to return against Ghana in the semifinal of the ongoing Africa Youth Championship in Senegal. The youngster was rested in their final group game against Cote d’Ivoire due to a hamstring injury. But he has recovered in time for the big showdown against the Black Satellites. A team official said: “Ifeanyi was rested so as not to worsen a hamstring complaint. He will be back for the semifinal on Wednesday.”

The attacking midfielder scored two goals and provided three assists as Nigeria qualified for the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand in style. Also returning is first-choice goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo who has served out his one-match ban and will be expected to take his place in goal on Wednesday. Central defender Prince Izu Omego was not risked against Cote d’Ivoire as he was on a booking. His place was taken by Abdulganiyu Saheed on Saturday. Meanwhile, the team is now safely back at “lucky” Alafifa Hotel after an hour’s bus ride

from Mbour on Monday. It was from Alafifa Hotel that the Flying Eagles won their first two group games before they traveled to Mbour for their final group game against Cote d’Ivoire, which ended in a 2-2 draw. “It is our anointed hotel,” joked team doctor Ozi Salami after the team’s arrival at the four-star hotel. The Flying Eagles trained at the Diambars Academy in Mbour Monday morning and after lunch headed for Dakar. Wednesday’s semifinal at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium will kick off at 5pm local time, which will be 6pm in Nigeria.

Flying Eagles celebrating after scoring a goal

Tunisia 2015 AJC: Nigerian players in good start Ajibade Olusesan

igerian players opened their ITF/ CAT African Junior Tennis Championship on a good note as Oyinlomo Quadri and Adetayo Adetunji progressed to the next round with wins on Monday in Tunisia. In the girls’ U-14, Quadri defeated Nesrine

Troubia of Algeria as she came from a set down to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 while Adetayo Adetunji held her composure to beat Emma Fahmia of Tunisia 6-3, 6-4 despite the tremendous support enjoyed by her opponent who was playing in front of the home crowd. Nigeria was however made to taste the pill of defeat as Ayoola Michael

lost to an Egyptian opponent in the boys’ U-14. Nigerian players had put up an average display in the traditional warm up tournament which was concluded last weekend with Nigeria’s Michael Osewa being the only player from West Africa that got to quarterfinals at the warm up tournament. But it was a different story entirely when the

tournament proper got underway as the Nigerian players were in top form to send fears into the camp of their counterparts from the other participating countries. Mar tins Abamu, Godsgift Timibra, Angel MacLeod and Charity Patrick will all be in action on Tuesday at the tournament featuring 32 countries.

U-23 Eagles ready for Zambia-Siasia •CAF picks Tunisian referees for match Emmanuel Tobi

U Siasia

-23 Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, has declared his team’s readiness to battle Zambia when both teams meet in the 11th All-Africa Games qualifier billed for Sunday at the Abuja National Stadium. “My boys are ready for the Zambians. Our focus

is on doing the job here in Abuja on Sunday so that we can then put our feet down in the return leg. “Our match against Lobi Stars on Saturday helped a lot. We have been able to notice a few areas that we need to continue to work on.” Meanwhile, the Confederation of Africa Football has appointed Tunisian referee, Said Mohamed

Kordi, as the referee for the All-Africa Games final round, first leg qualifying match. His compatriots, Anouar Hmila, Mohamed Bitouta and Nasrallah Jaouadi will serve as assistant referee1, assistant referee 2 and reserve referee respectively. Apanga Lucien Nazaire, from Gabon, will be the match commissioner.

Ex-U-23 Eagles coach, Willy Bazuaye, dies

ormer Nigeria international Willy Bazuaye has died, some days after being rushed to the intensive care unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. “We were set to conduct the Draw for our State preliminaries of the 2015 Federation Cup when Bauldwin Bazuaye, Willy’s son, called to break the sad news. We stopped the event, but later went on with it after observing a minute’s silence,” chairman of Edo State Football Association, Mr. Frank Ilaboya, told thenff.com. Ilaboya led members of the Edo State Football Association executive board to pay a condolence visit to the Bazuaye family on Monday evening. Thenff.com learnt that Bazuaye, 80, died of complications to his kidney, a side effect of the stroke he suffered several years ago. Bazuaye played for Nigeria’s senior team for several years, including featuring at the Men’s Football Tournament of the 1968 Olympic Games, and was assistant coach to the U-23 National Team when the squad won Africa’s firstever football gold at the Olympic Games, in 1996.

Heineken to reward UCL consumers Estako community celebrates Okpekpe Race

s the UEFA Champions League battles intensify on the football pitch, Heineken is also raising the bar in terms of their offerings to Nigerians. For nine consecutive years, Heineken has sponsored the world’s biggest club football tournament, while delivering amazing benefits to the fans. Every year, Heineken has rewarded Nigerian fans with once-in-alifetime trips to watch the UEFA Champions League finals, live in Europe. This season, in addition to fantastic prizes being

given away every minute of every UEFA Champions League match, Nigerian fans also have a unique opportunity to enjoy the UCL final match in Ibiza, an exotic island off the coast of Spain. Nigerians will join fans from 35 other countries for Heineken’s worldfamous Ibiza Final, where Heineken creates the ultimate match night in a way only Heineken can. This week, raffle draws are being held across the country to select 13 lucky Heineken fans for the Ibiza trip. They are being held on the last lap of the

second round knock out stage of the Champions League matches on Tuesday and Wednesday night. This evening, while Arsenal FC are hoping to overturn the 3-1 home deficit against Monaco in the all-important second leg match, hundreds Heineken consumers in Abuja will enjoy the excitement of the matches at Dreams Active Recreation Bar where four lucky winners will emerge from the pool. In Enugu too, four winners will also emerge from the pool at the Bush House Arena during the interval of the matches.

Charles Ogundiya

he Secretary to Etsako East Local Government Council, Benedicta Attoh, on Monday said that the Okpekpe 10 Kilometer Road Race, which commenced in 2013, has increased local and small businesses in the community and its environs, claiming that the tournament had placed Okpekpe on the global map. The secretary added that the tournament had culminated in the establishment of various sports groups. “The race has impacted positively on the lives of the citizens and the community at large in so

many ways,” she said. “First, it has increased local and small businesses in the catchment area especially during the event thereby boosting the local economy. “It has also placed the community on the world map. Third, it has raised awareness of sports among the local people and Nigerians as a whole. Within the Okpekpe community, various sports groups are springing up as a result of the road race. “ A retiree in Okpekpe, Mr. Jacob Egwame, maintained that the event had not only brought the community to limelight, it had also created an avenue for petty traders to make brisk business.

International Sport

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2015

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES

Atletico v Leverkusen

8:45pm

Monaco v Arsenal

8:45pm

Arsenal can outclass Monaco –Wenger A rsene Wenger believes Arsenal have the form to outclass Monaco on Tuesday and reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Arsenal slumped to a shock 3-1 loss to Monaco at the Emirates in the first leg, but since then they have impressed with a 2-1 FA Cup win at Manchester United and a 3-0 trouncing of West Ham on Saturday. The manner of the recent

Giroud (right) in action for Arsenal

victories gave Wenger hope that he can celebrate his return to Monaco, where he made his managerial reputation as coach from 1987-94, with a victory. “We now go to Monaco, come out of a big week, played at Manchester United, played today a derby. We have a little belief,” he said after the West Ham win. “If you have no belief, you have no chance. We have to have belief and give everything.” To get past Monaco, Arsenal

will have to do what no other side has managed in the UEFA Champions League era – win having gone into an away tie needing to score more than once to avoid elimination. Only twice have teams come back from a home firstleg loss in the UEFA Champions League, and both were beaten 1-0 first time out: Ajax over Panathinaikos in the 1995/96 semi-finals and Inter Milan over Bayern Munich, in the 2010/11 round of 16.

Ibrahimovic: I did not mean to insult France Atletico bank on home

aris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic apologised for describing France as a “s*** country” after his side’s 3-2 loss to Bordeaux, claiming he was simply talking about football. Ibrahimovic was caught on camera by infosport+ after Sunday’s game, ranting about the performance of referee Lionel Jaffredo, before adding “don’t even deserve PSG to be in this country”. But speaking to L’Equipe later, Ibrahimovic insisted he only meant to criticise the referee and had simply been carried away. “I wanted to say that my comments were direct-

ed neither towards France nor towards the French,” the Swedish striker said. “I talked football and nothing else. I lost the game, and I accept it but I do not agree when the referee does not follow the rules. This is not the first time that this happens. “I was speaking at the height of my anger and everyone knows that at that time, words can exceed thinking. I apologise if anyone felt offended.” When returning to the change rooms at the Stade Jacques Chaban-Delmas, after Diego Rolan had struck an 88th-minute winner for Bordeaux, Ibrahimovic let fly at Jaffredo: “[I’ve] played 15

support against Leverkusen

Ibrahimovic

years I’ve never seen a referee this s*** country. Don’t even deserve PSG to be in this country. F****** too good for all of you.”

Mourinho’s son slams ‘disgraceful’ Chelsea fans

he son of Jose Mourinho has leapt to the defence of underfire Cesc Fabregas and blasted the ‘disgraceful’ Chelsea fans guilty of booing him on Sunday Having kicked off his spell in west London with 19 assists in 31 games, Fabregas has since failed to set up a goal in his last 10 outings, culminating in criticism from the fanbase. But frustrations appeared to reach boiling point in the 1-1 draw with Southampton as the Spaniard was reportedly jeered by some sections of the Stamford Bridge crowd for another lacklustre display. And the vitriol seems to have irked mini Mourinho, who took to Instagram to launch a passionate defence of the £27 million summer signing. “Why is everyone hating and blaming Fabregas for Sunday’s performance… It was a team effort,” Jose Mario Mourinho Junior wrote. “Fabregas might have not

tletico Madrid will once again have to rely on their formidable home form as they look to overcome a 1-0 first leg deficit against Bayer Leverkusen to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League on Tuesday. Last season’s beaten finalists have failed to win a game since falling to Hakan Calhanoglu’s stunning strike at the Bay Arena three weeks ago. “In football there are moments in a season where sometimes you are more deadly in front of goal than others. Sometimes the goal comes easily and other times you have loads of good chances and it doesn’t go in,” said Diego Simeone after Saturday’s 0-0 draw

away at Espanyol. “We need to keep going, roll up our sleeves and work hard because that is the only way we know how to improve.”

Simeone

Federer, Nadal, Williams cruise at Indian Wells

ormer champions Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal breezed through their Indian Wells opening matches while Serena Williams stepped up her comeback from a 14-year boycott with a similar crushing victory on Sunday (Monday in

Nigeria). Second seed Federer opened his bid for a fifth Indian Wells title by easing to a 6-4, 6-2 second round victory over Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman. Nadal also opened his campaign on a successful

note, blitzing Igor Sijsling 6-4, 6-2 in the joint WTA and ATP hardcourt tournament. Williams stepped up her comeback from a 14-year Indian Wells boycott by storming into the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-0 demolition of error-prone Zarina Diyas.

Sunderland sack Poyet

R Mourinho

played as well as most expected but at least he kept fighting… Showed a lot of character. “I’ve seen bad Chelsea fans but Sunday was the worse I’ve ever seen, Fans booing Cesc not singing at all, I completely agree with the chant ‘Mourinho’s right, you fans are shite’. Our fans are a disgrace!!!!”

elegation-threatened Sunderland have parted company with head coach Gus Poyet following Saturday’s Premier League 4-0 hammering against Aston Villa. Fans vented their fury at the Uruguayan as Villa scored all four goals in a humiliating first half for the Wearside club at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland are just a point above the relegation zone after winning only four top-flight games this season and Poyet’s 17th-month tenure came to an end on Monday, with the club saying that an announcement on his replacement will be

made “in due course”. In a statement released on Sunderland’s official website, chairman Ellis Short commented: “I would like to thank Gus for his endeavours during his time at the club, in particular last season’s ‘great escape’ and cup final appearance, which will live long in the memory of every Sunderland fan. “Sadly, we have not made the progress that any of us had hoped for this season and we find ourselves battling, once again, at the wrong end of the table. We have therefore made the difficult decision that a change is needed.”

Poyet

Sport

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

The unending NFF, Keshi imbroglio

Keshi

Ifeanyi Ibeh

n a matter of days, on March 26 specifically, the Super Eagles will be playing against their Bolivian counterparts at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo. The game against the Bolivians will be the third international match the team will be prosecuting without the services of a fulltime coach since the qualifying matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations came to a conclusion in November when Stephen Keshi led the Super Eagles to a 2-2 draw against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Uyo. Since then the Super Eagles have played friendly matches against Cote d’Ivoire and Jordan, both under the watch of Keshi’s assistant, Daniel Amokachi who, with no end in sight regarding the lingering faceoff between Keshi and the Nigeria Football Federation over the former’s contract,

may likely be called upon once again to take charge when the former African champions take on the Bolivians on March 26, before travelling to South Africa to take on the Bafana Bafana three days later. In fact, the issue of Keshi’s contract has been in the front burner for much longer than the four-and-a-half month that have passed since the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2015 AFCON as it is nine months since the team last had a fulltime coach. A lot can happen in nine months: a regular football season can run its full course in nine months, while, theoretically, one can get to watch 4320 football matches nonstop within the same period. It has been nine months since the Super Eagles lost to France in the second round of the World Cup, and nine months since Nigerian football fans have been clamouring for the NFF to either get a new coach to manage the affairs of the men’s national team, following that 2-0 loss to the former world champions, or offer a new deal to Keshi. The latter of the two foregoing options has been exercised to some extent by the NFF with Keshi refusing to put pen to paper on what he termed a ‘slave contract’, but the amazing thing is why the NFF continues to waste time on trying to get someone it apparently does not want. It has been reported across the media that one reason the NFF continues

to tarry on the subject is because of Keshi’s closeness to the nation’s president, Goodluck Jonathan. But even the president advisers know, like most followers of the game in Nigeria, that the NFF does not want Keshi in charge of the Super Eagles. But it is also obvious that the NFF is afraid to come out openly and declare its official position on Keshi apparently because of its overdependence on the presidency for funding. After all, as the saying goes, it is he who pays the piper who dictates the tune. But the NFF owes it a duty to Nigerians and its corporate partners to name a coach for its number one brand as it would amount to a disaster of enormous proportions, not only for the already diminishing reputation of the Super Eagles, but also the organisation’s before the corporate world, if it fails to do so as soon as possible. Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, and Ghana, who were all at the 2014 World Cup, wasted no time in naming new coaches following the respective exits of their previous coaches. Even Burkina Faso, whose former coach resigned following the Stallions’ poor showing at the 2015 AFCON, named a new coach less than a month after the conclusion of the tournament. So why should the NFF’s case be different? Building a formidable national team capable of regularly challenging for honours in Africa and across the world and making the NFF financially

Basketball Flakes

Ibaka to undergo surgery

The 25-year-old Ibaka is averaging 14.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks this season.

LeBron James treats injured knee

eBron James on Monday got his right knee looked at after tweaking it in the second half of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 123-108 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday night in Orlando, Florida (Monday morning Nigerian time). James fouled Magic for-

ward, Dewayne Dedmon, while trying to block a shot with 8:13 remaining in the third quarter and landed awkwardly on the floor, twisting his right knee. “It was a scary moment for myself, obviously,” James said after the game. “I couldn’t get my foot from

underneath me, and I was able to play through it. But I haven’t (had) one of those falls, I don’t know if ever, but in a pretty long time.” James stayed in the game and finished with 21 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds and three steals.

with Ifeanyi Ibeh 08054175662

didas will not extend its deal as the official apparel sponsor of the NBA after the 2016-17 season, the shoe and apparel manufacturer said in a statement on Monday. “We have decided not to renew our partnership as official outfitter of the NBA after our current contract expires following the 16-17 season,” the statement said. This announcement comes almost a week after the NBA informed Adidas that it would open the bidding to other companies. Nike and Under Armour are interested in becoming the next official apparel sponsor of the NBA. And while Adidas told the Portland Business Journal that the deal with the NBA wasn’t as lucrative as it had

Ibaka

travel to New York to see a specialist. We will provide an update as appropriate.”

independent were some of the plans highlighted by current NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, upon his emergence as boss of the football body. Pinnick has done well in many aspects of the job and the prospect of winning over the corporate world is bright. But he and other members of the NFF board may likely ruin their good deeds with their very own hands if they do not name a coach for the Super Eagles before the March 26 game against the Bolivians. It is the duty of the NFF, and not the presidency or the sports ministry, to employ a coach for the Super Eagles. It was a mandate that was given to the current NFF at the end of last year’s Congress in Warri and they owe it as a responsibility to millions of Nigerian football fans to name a coach for the Super Eagles, and as soon as possible, or take the honourable and bold step of resigning en masse.

Adidas to end romance with NBA

erge Ibaka will undergo surgery on his knee after missing the last two games for the Oklahoma City Thunder due to persistent soreness on one of his knees. The procedure will be performed to remove fluids from the knee with the expectation that the Congo-born Ibaka will alleviate the soreness and be ready for the postseason playoffs, should the Thunder make it. Ibaka has appeared 64 times for the Thunder in a season that has been marred by injuries to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. A statement made available to New Telegraph read: “As we continue to monitor and evaluate the soreness in Serge’s knee, in consultation with his representation, we decided the next best step is to have him

Amaju

hoped, Nike and Under Armour could get into a bidding war for the new deal. Adidas has slipped to third behind Nike, the apparel powerhouse, and Under Armour, the evergrowing upstart. Nike was the NBA’s official apparel sponsor until 2004, and Nike is the official apparel sponsor for the US national team. Nike and its Jordan Brand also dominate the NBA shoe and apparel market, and several of the game’s best players have deals with Nike and Jordan Brand, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, LaMarcus Aldridge, Anthony Davis, Carmelo Anthony, Kyle Lowry, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Chris Bosh, Marc and Pau Gasol and Paul George.

2019 FIBA World Cup to hold in Asia

asketball’s governing body says the 2019 World Cup will be played in Asia, with China and the Philippines bidding to host the tournament. FIBA’s Central Board will decide in June who will host its flagship event, previously known as the world championship.

The United States won the 2014 World Cup. Instead of being played in 2018, the next tournament has been moved to 2019 and will be held from then on in four-year cycles. The new schedule will allow the event not to be played in the same years as the FIFA World Cup.

Sport 55

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2015

Eaglets not under pressure, says Amuneke After the average performance displayed at the Africa Junior Championship, sl10.ng speaks exclusively with Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, and he shared his thoughts on the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

the team to Chile, while you serve as an assistant. What’s your reaction to this? Nobody has said anything of such to me and I have not heard anything like that from the federation. I am just hearing this for the first time, so I can’t really say much about it.

Let’s start by taking a look at how you’re coming along with preparations for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile. First of all we thank God that we have qualified for the World Cup in Chile. When we went to Niger, the biggest objective was to be in Chile and we thank God that we were able to achieve that. So we’re no longer talking about Niger, we’re talking about Chile now and we know that for us to do well in Chile, we must prepare. What we are doing now is to evaluate ourselves as a team. Not individually, but collectively and then looking at the areas we can be able to strengthen our team and that’s the only thing we can do now.

Alright then. As defending World Champions at the U17 level, do you think this will put some pressure on you and your team? Nothing and nobody is putting us under any pressure. We are defending champions but there is nothing like getting mad because we are defending champions. The only thing we can do is what is right and that is what we are doing. In football you can only predict but I know I am focused on what I want to do and the objectives that I have.

And talking about strengthening your team, does this mean you’ll have another open screening exercise, or you’ll just scout for players? We already have a team on ground. What we’re looking for are players that can add more value to what we have and we are reaching out to Nigerian youths. Since I came back from Niger, I’ve not rested, I’ve been on the road travelling from one state to the other

and hopefully when we are done, we will have players that can live up to expectations. Don’t you think it would be best to have a new screening exercise because it is believed in some quarters that the best Nigerian U17 players were not taken to Niger? If you’re telling me that the best players were not in Niger, then I don’t know which player or players they think should have been there that were not. Everybody knows what this category is all about and everybody knows what it is, except if we’re not being realistic to ourselves. We know how complex it is in this category, so we must deal with the complexities that this category brings. There are a lot of factors involved in this category and whether we like it or not, we cannot shy away from responsibilities. And the only thing we can do is to find ways to meet with the challenges that this category brings. There’s a report that Manu Garba and Nduka Ugbade might be drafted in to lead

Finally, the NFF is yet to resolve its issues with Stephen Keshi. Are you disturbed with this development and do you think Keshi is the right man for the Super Eagles now? I’m not disturbed because I’m not the one employing coaches. I believe when the time comes they will act but I’ve been reading about NFF trying to reach an agreement with Keshi. I believe they will give us a coach that will build our national team. If they go with Keshi, fine and if they choose someone else, fine. My opinion is that if they decide to give it to Keshi, we must support him and that’s my opinion. Whether we like

Amuneke

or not, we must support Keshi and besides Keshi has played for this country and he has also won the Nations Cup both as a player and as a coach, so we must support him. Keshi may not be perfect but is there anybody on earth who is? So that’s the way life is and we should learn to encourage and support our own.

League TV rights: Total Promotions heads for British court

igeria Professional Football League broadcast right owners, Total Promotions, is poised to drag South Africa-owned television giant, Supersports, to a United Kingdom court over infringement on the broadcast rights signed with the Nigeria Premier League Limited/Nigeria Football League Limited on September 16, 2009. Total Promotions has

complained that Supersports has been defiant to Nigerian laws after Justice O. A Ogala ruled in June 2014 warning the League Management Company to stop interfering with Total Promotions contract with the NPL. Supersports had entered into a broadcast right partnership with Total Promotions till 2016 but in defiance of the agreement, made a

detour and signed a broadcast right partnership with the League Management Company in 2013 with a proviso that the contract would not run till the end of the 2015 league season. In a letter from Ayanlaja, Adesanya & Co, lawyers to Total Promotions, and addressed to the CEO of Supersports International (Proprietary) Limited, Total Promotions warned the South African outfit of the consequences of a continued flouting of the Nigerian laws reminding them of the licensee

covenants not to have any direct dealings with league matches. Agreement between Total Promotions and Supersports stipulates that in case of breach arising from any of the two parties, the matter should be adjudicated in a neutral country aside from Nigeria or South Africa and both parties agreed to settle whatever differences in any court in the United Kingdom. Total Promotions Secretary, Mrs Funke Akerele, is miffed that several Nigerian compa-

nies had closed shops in South Africa after falling foul of their laws saying it is sad that Supersports had been disrespectful of Nigeria laws. “Supersports were served the court injunction restraining the LMC from interfering with the broadcast rights yet they went ahead to sign a fouryear partnership deal with the LMC,” Akerele said. “Total Promotions has a detailed agreement with them and good enough the case will come up in the UK.”

senegal 2015 AYC

World Cup ticket nothing if we’re not champions – Manu

Manu

lying Eagles coach Manu Garba has said there will be no point in qualifying for the U-20 World Cup if the team fails to win the African Youth Championship title in Senegal. Nigeria face perennial rivals Ghana in Wednesday’s semifinal in Dakar. “There will really be no point qualifying for the World Cup, if we cannot go there as champions of Africa,” said Manu ahead of the semifinal. “Our tournament starts with this game and we have to be prepared to win it so as to stay on track for our main target, which is to be champions of Africa.

“This is the final before the final, it will even be tougher than the final.” Interestingly, both the Flying Eagles and the Black Satellites clashed last month in two warm-up matches in Ghana. The first match ended in a 2-2 draw in Accra and the second, which was played in Tema, was won 2-0 by Nigeria. Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles will return from Mbour to the Alafifa Hotel in Dakar Monday afternoon ahead of the midweek showdown. The team trained at the Diambars Academy in Mbour Monday morning.

Ghana captain not afraid of Nigeria

hana U20 captain, Joseph Owusu Bempah, is upbeat about his team’s chances going into the African Youth Championships semifinal clash against tournament favourites Nigeria. The Black Satellites needed at least a draw against Mali to come top of their group and avoid their West African rivals on Wednesday for a place in the finals of this year’s tournament being staged in Senegal, but they lost to mail. Tetteh’s team however go into Wednesday’s clash as the underdogs as they come up against a team that is yet to suffer a defeat at the tournament and has scored nine goals in the group phase. “We will go back to training and work on our lapses for the next game,” Bempah said after the defeat to Mali. “It will be a tough game against a good Nigerian side but this is football and anything is bound to happen,” he said.

On Marble

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.

– Frederick Douglass

Sanctity of Truth

World Record

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

The first player to miss a penalty in World Cup finals was Brazil's Valdemar de Brito. De Brito missed the penalty in Brazil's 3-1 loss to Spain on May 27, 1934.

Between Jega and the Constitution GUEST COLUMNIST Aloy Ejimakor

his piece has nothing against Prof. Attahiru Jega as a person or an umpire but is merely a bonafide legal commentary on his insistence that the only voters he will allow to vote are those possessing their PVC. That is well and good; but in such event, the INEC must also be mindful of the following provisions of the law: First, the PVC regime is not mandated by the Constitution or even the Electoral Act. What the law clearly requires is simple registration. Jega is the one that is creating this unlawful and disagreeable situation of upgrading this notion of PVC to such an infamous extent that is now threatening the stability and good order of Nigeria. To be sure, instead of these runarounds, to vote just requires you to be a Nigerian of at least eighteen years of age; and then stepping up to any designated INEC centre to register. Once you have done that, you have done your part, preparatory to ultimately performing your civic rights to vote and be voted for. Conversely, INEC has a legal duty to oblige you with due registration, and then publish your name in the voters register thirty days to the date of the pertinent election. It is that simple and clear, as intended by our laws; yet, Jega has, for reasons best known to him, single-handedly brought a whole nation to infamy by introducing these burdensome rules of his own. So, what Nigerians are now dealing with is Jega virtually legislating that you won't be allowed to vote unless you present a PVC. Nonetheless, despite its pitfalls, failed tests, discriminatory distributions, warts and all, Nigerians now appear helpless and verged on playing along with this patent illegality. But shouldn't that be on the proviso that Mr Jega must demonstrate, before the elections, that he has achieved hundred percent PVC distribution? Hell, yes, because it is only after Jega has achieved his hundred percent that it might be reasonable to then shift the burden of collection to the voter. If, however, before the elections, Jega fails to achieve hundred percent PVC distribution, he must postpone the elections to allow time for that, otherwise any election result issuing from such willful disenfranchisement of voters will surely be invalidated by the courts for failing the basic constitutional muster. Alternatively, Jega can save the nation all these troubles by simply abiding with what the black-letter law says, and that is: allow all registered voters to vote. I might add that Jega's inexplicable absolutism with this PVC and the hideous dangers it portends for our country are clear enough to every patriot, except the duplicitous few who have decided that they will win the elections only when millions of voters have been deliberately excluded by Jega. If the INEC boss, in deference to the secret

Nigerians waiting to collect their Permanent Voters Card

Under the Nigerian Constitution, Nigerians have but a single citizenship, and thus should be legally able to cast their votes from any location or State in the country forces that are said to be pushing him to this perfidy, ultimately decides to proceed with the elections sans distributing PVC to all voters, then he must be prepared to be solely held responsible for all the terrible consequences that are sure to follow. Those consequences are better imagined than stated. Further, in the making of this inferior administrative rule which suddenly requires PVC as the sole ticket to vote, Jega must ensure that no single voter will be turned away or otherwise willfully or even negligently frustrated from collecting his PVC. And while Jega is at it, he must also be guided that to refuse a voter his PVC on grounds of his partisan affiliation is as evil as it is also grossly unconstitu-

Jega

tional. Such refusals have been widely and credibly reported to be happening, with impunity, in Lagos and other parts of far Northern Nigeria. As of now, whether these millions of mistreated compatriot-voters later collected their PVC remains to be seen; yet, I am sure that a slew of well-meaning candidates and their attorneys have been gathering quantum evidence of such willful disenfranchisement, to be later arrayed as material grounds for judicial annulment of all election results that issued from such blatant unconstitutionality. Finally, there's this little discussed

PHOTO: scannewsnigeria.com

but important matter of Jega restricting voters to vote only in States of their registration. While this may be administratively convenient for a tardy umpire, there's nothing in our laws that expressly supports such strange policy. Under the Nigerian Constitution, Nigerians have but a single citizenship, and thus should be legally able to cast their votes from any location or State in the country. If the professor had cared to think about this retrograde policy carefully, he would have been minded that the following unsavoury scenarios will surely result from it. First, it will mean that all Nigerians will be restricted to places of their usual domicile throughout the election period, lasting almost two months. That's very bad and potentially violative of our constitutional right to travel. Second, if you have to travel for whatever good reasons, you will thereby be automatically disenfranchised. This too is as silly as it is latently unconditional, to boot. Third, millions of Nigerians who are now justifiably afraid of voting from certain locations in the country are fleeing, and thus will never be able to vote from their new locations; thanks to Jega and his many bad rules. And now this: While INEC rule says you can migrate or transfer your registration, Jega made it almost impossible for voters to do so when he allowed only a few days window for such voter-migration applications. Those few days expired over two months ago, long before Jega's ill-fated February 14. • Aloy Ejimakor, a lawyer wrote in through alloylaw@ yahoo.com

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