Tuesday, march 24, 2015 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

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Vol. 2 No. 398

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Lamido: Why Obasanjo won't back Buhari }16

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Parties breach abuja accord, says Peace C'ttee }14

US, ECOWAS call for violence-free polls

lCommonwealth seeks peaceful elections Yekeen Nurudeen, Johnchuks Onuanyim and Anule Emmanuel Abuja

he United States and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) yesterday rallied support for

non-violence during the general elections whose first stanza holds on Saturday with the presidential and National Assem-

N150

bly polls. President Barak Obama, in a message to all Nigerians, urged them to ensure free, fair,

credible and violence-free polls when they come out on Saturday to perform their civic duty. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

4 days to go... Nigeria Nigeria votes votes

2015

5 201}14-15

How Rivers State Deputy Governor’s Defection Exposed Amaechi’s Treachery and Inordinate Ambition “The more I struggle to belong, the more the Rivers man in me rejects APC. After carefully studying, interacting and analyzing the leadership of the party, I have come to the sad conclusion that the APC is a party of rebels, insurgents and anarchists, clothed in the robes of pretense and deceit. APC is a party founded on deception and it thrives on unholy propaganda and falsehood. I, therefore, on behalf of my teeming supporters and my humble self, denounce APC and we all jointly and severally (sic) resign our membership of APC.”

Engr Tele Ikuru

Deputy Governor, Rivers State,

t is no longer news that the Deputy that he is being used or willing tool in the Governor of Rivers State, Engr Tele hands of pretenders who have looted and Ikuru has dumped the All Progressives are still looting Lagos State. Congress Party (APC) for Peoples First he was promised running-mate to Democratic Party (PDP) where he rightly the Presidential Candidate; he never got it belongs. The reasons he gave reflects but was found only worthy to be appointed our long held view that APC is a party of Campaign Director General for Buhari’s "rebels, insurgents and anarchists". A party Presidential Campaign Organization and a of "walking wounded politicians with promised ministerial position. The question vendetta ideology." for all South-south people especially people rotimi amaechi The Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State is, which is better for the has become a face of this treachery in the people of the region? To have the honor South-south. He has done everything to undermine the of producing the President of Nigeria and Commander in Jonathan presidency. Jonathan who is also a son of the Chief of the Armed Forces or to be appointed Minister with South-south is being openly antagonized, insulted and no fixed term and who can be fired at any time. routinely molested by Rotimi Amaechi and his fellow "rebels’ For those who are still with him on his futile and self-serving insurgents and "anarchists" who have waged a relentless enterprise, now is the time to jump from his sinking boat. propaganda war against him on all fronts in the pursuit of The treacherous and vaulting ambition of one man cannot his (Amaechi's) own personal interest. supersede the interest of the entire South-south people and Unfortunately for him, it is either he is too dumb to see the lager strategic interest of Nigeria. This message is sponsored by:

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News

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Election uncertainty, oil price rout take toll on construction industry

lInfrastructure projects stalled due to lack of funds lConstruction firms cut staff

olitical uncertainty over Nigeria's election on Saturday and economic turmoil from low oil prices have delivered a double blow that has slashed revenues and triggered layoffs for businesses across Africa's biggest economy. But while some, such as consumer goods’ firms, are less exposed to Abuja's troubles, others like construction firms heavily dependent on government cash, are facing frozen projects, unpaid bills and mass redundancies, putting badly needed infrastructure development on ice, industry sources have said. "The situation is terrible and there is more ... to come," one construction industry source told Reuters. "There is a desperate lack of funds." The fall in world oil prices to $55 a barrel, half of what they were in June, could not have come at a worse time for Africa's biggest producer. The run-up to an election is traditionally when government finances come under huge pressure from election spending on advertising and patronage. Standard and Poor's ratings agency downgraded Nigeria to B+ from BB- last week. The naira has fallen 20 percent since being devalued in November. Because this vote is expected to be so closely fought, much more money

has been needed to fight it. Capital spending in the budget has been slashed and a source in parliament said government contracts were massively in arrears because government had not been meeting its obligations to them. The top 10 construction companies in Nigeria accounted for 70,000 jobs a year ago but since then their workforces have been cut by a third, industry sources said. "Most of the compa-

nies tightened their belts because of no payments, while overheads are getting higher," expatriate civil engineer Daniel Hazim said. "That's why the majority of construction companies are passing pink slips to their employees ... expats and locals." Thousands of job losses are bad timing for President Goodluck Jonathan's re-election bid, but they may do little to sway an electorate divided along

regional and ethnic lines. Yet, the job losses are also a reminder that whoever leads Nigeria after the election will need to end its dependence on oil as the motor for the economy. "We have neglected agriculture, solid minerals, we have neglected human empowerment, we simply sell oil," political analyst and lawyer, Onyebuchi Emenka, told Reuters TV on Monday. The country needs a candidate who will diversify the economy, he

said. However, contractors are suffering as a spokesman for the Ministry of Works said it had received only N44 billion out of N98 billion allocated last year. The minister, Mike Onolememen, was quoted by the media as saying that contractors were owed about N230 billion between 2011-2014 and that 177 projects lacked sufficient funding to move forward. Leading construction firm, Julius Berger and

several other large firms have all stopped working on projects such as roads and bridges because the government is not paying them, according to sources. Firms with a smaller presence, such as Italy's Salini Impregilo, which is building Abuja's glitzy Millennium Tower, are in similar difficulties. Julius Berger declined to comment and Salini officials were not immediately available for comments.

L-R: Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Mrs. Saratu Umar; Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga; Managing Director, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Mr. Uche Orji and Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the launch of Development Bank of Nigeria in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

US, ECOWAS call for violence-free polls CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

He also called on political leaders and candidates to impress it on their supporters that violence has no place in democratic elections. Obama, in the message, contained in a statement by the US Embassy in Nigeria, said: "Hello. Today, I want to speak directly to you—the people of Nigeria. "Nigeria is a great nation and you can be proud of the progress you’ve made. Together, you won your independence, emerged from military rule, and strengthened democratic institutions. You’ve strived to overcome division and to turn Nigeria’s diversity into a source of strength. You’ve worked hard to improve the lives of your families and to build the largest economy in Af-

rica. "So I call on all leaders and candidates to make it clear to their supporters that violence has no place in democratic elections— and that they will not incite, support or engage in any kind of violence—before, during, or after the votes are counted. "I call on all Nigerians to peacefully express your views and to reject the voices of those who call for violence. And when elections are free and fair, it is the responsibility of all citizens to help keep the peace, no matter who wins" The US president said Nigerians had a historic opportunity to help write the next chapter of Nigeria’s progress—by voting in the upcoming elections. For elections to be credible, he said they must be free, fair and peaceful and

the electorate must be able to vote without intimidation or molestation. Obama expressed the hope that successful elections and democratic progress would help Nigeria meet its urgent challenges. He also called for an end to Boko Haram its activities in the country. "Boko Haram—a brutal terrorist group that kills innocent men, women and children—must be stopped. Hundreds of kidnapped children deserve to be returned to their families. Nigerians who have been forced to flee deserve to return to their homes. "Boko Haram wants to destroy Nigeria and all that you have worked to build. By casting your ballot, you can help secure your nation’s progress," he stated. He appealed to Nigerians to unite and keep Nige-

ria as one just as he pledged the continued friendship and partnership of Washington to Nigeria. He said: "I’m told that there is a saying in your country: “to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.” Today, I urge all Nigerians—from all religions, all ethnic groups, and all regions—to come together and keep Nigeria one. And in this task of advancing the security, prosperity, and human rights of all Nigerians, you will continue to have a friend and partner in the United States of America." Obama said ECOWAS Chairman and Ghanaian President John Mahama also spoke in the same vein yesterday. He told reporters in Abuja that the regional body would do all it could to make the elections non-

violent, credible, free and fair. As part of its efforts to ensure non-violent and credible polls, Mahama met with President Goodluck Jonathan and his main challenger, Major General Muhammadu Buhari. Mahama and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Desire-Kadre Ouedraogo, arrived in Abuja where they met with Jonathan at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport. Sources said the closeddoor meetings were to extract assurances from the president on his commitment to hold free and credible polls. But Mahama, after a meeting that lasted about one hour with Buhari and the Director General of the All Progressives Con-

gress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, at the airport in Abuja, stated that the meeting was a continuation of his talks with other stakeholders. According to him, he had earlier met with Jonathan and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who had all assured him of their preparedness for free and fair elections. On his discussions with Buhari, he said the APC presidential candidate had raised some concerns and he was going to forward those concerns to the ECOWAS monitoring team. He, however, did not disclose those concerns to the media. Mahama said: "We expect the elections to be CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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Court bans troops' deployment for elections Akeem Nafiu

he Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, yesterday reaffirmed an order stopping the Federal Government from deploying soldiers for Saturday’s general elections. Justice Ibrahim Buba, while delivering judgement in a suit filed by the Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila against President Goodluck Jonathan and five others, declared the deployment of troops for election unconstitutional. The other five defendants in the suit are the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and the Attorney General of the Federation. According to the judge, "It is unconstitutional to deploy military for the supervision of election purposes without the approval of the National Assembly". In his arguments, Gbajabiamila's lawyer, Seni Adio, said there were allegations

and evidence that the military inhibited free movement, free access and intimidated voters when soldiers were deployed for governorship elections in Osun, Ekiti and Anambra states. He further argued that it was not ideal to deploy military for the supervision of election in a democratic setting, adding that the Armed Forces Act is subordinate to the 1999 Constitution. He consequently urged the court to restrain the defendants from using the military for the general elections. However, the defendants' lawyer, Dele Adesina (SAN), argued that the president, being the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, is empowered under the Armed Forces Act to deploy military to maintain law and order. Yesterday's judgement is the third from the court banning the deployment of troops for the general elections. The Federal High Court, sitting in Sokoto and the Court of Appeal had earlier banned the use of troops for elections.

Commonwealth seeks peaceful elections CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

free, transparent and credible. ECOWAS is going to do everything possible to work with the political stakeholders and the Independent National Electoral Commission to make sure that election process is credible and acceptable to the people of Nigeria. "Following my meeting with President Jonathan, I met with the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega and he gave me the figures of their roll-out in terms of logistic and deployment and I believe that from what he showed that the commission has done satisfactorily well to be able to ensure that every Nigerian can exercise their franchise. "My final meeting has been with General Buhari and I feel appreciative for him taking his time to meet with me. We have held discussions about the election and I feel assured that all political leaders are looking forward to free and fair elections. Of course, there are few issues Buhari has brought out which I will refer appropriately to our monitoring group and I hope that in the discussion that will take place before the election some of the issues that have been raised

will be addressed. I want to affirm to the people of Nigeria that the country is an important one not only for ECOWAS but the African Union." Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Observer Group has stressed the need for the elections to be peaceful and in accordance with the rule of law and other democratic values. Chairperson of the observer group to Nigeria's 2015 elections and former President of Malawi, Dr. Bakili Muluzi, told reporters yesterday in Abuja that conducting the elections in a democratic manner by providing an environment for credible elections was important. "We will assess whether the elections are conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which Nigeria has committed itself, including the constitutional framework and national legislation as well as Commonwealth and other international commitments," he said. Muluzi said the group had already met with the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega and had noticed some improvement in the preparations for the elections.

L-R: Widow of the former Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mrs. Inem Okon Uwah; her son and the state Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, during a condolence visit to the family on the death of the former speaker, Hon. Okon Uwah in Uyo...yesterday.

Lamorde: EFCC still investigating Saraki, clears Soludo Emmanuel Onani

he Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, has disclosed that the antigraft commission was still investigating former governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, over his alleged role in the collapse of Société Générale Bank of Nigeria (SGBN). Lamorde made the disclosure in Abuja yesterday, at a press briefing to present Red Alert on Corruption, a publication of the anti-graft agency's Media and Publicity Unit. He lambasted some politicians making the EFCC's fight against corruption the focus of their campaigns, saying some of them ought not to be talking about corruption since, apart from having pending cases of graft in courts, they are "corruption personified." He also give a clean bill of health to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, in respect of the bribery scandal that trailed Minting and Printing Company's currency printing contract to an Australian firm, during Soludo's

tenure. The EFCC chairman further lamented the delay cases of corruption suffer in court, expressing worry that unless the procedures are amended, there is nothing the commission can do. Answering a question on what has become of the EFCC's investigation of Saraki in relation to the defunct SGBN, Lamorde said: "With regards to Bukola Saraki, some of the investigations around him are going on. Those that we have proven, which was not directly by him, but his associates, last week we took them to court in Kwara, although the court did not sit. So, that is as far as that investigation has gone." On the emphasis on corruption by politicians, he noted: "I think, without mincing words, corruption has become an issue in this political campaign currently going on. The most unfortunate thing is that in as much as we may not be able to stop people from talking, it's their own fundamental human rights to express themselves, but it's an irony of life that people, who are currently even standing trial (it's not that their trials have been concluded, or they have been dis-

charged and acquitted by courts), are the people who are talking about corruption. "Right now, as we speak, some of them are standing trial for the very corrupt activities they conducted while in office, and they are also busy playing to the gallery; also trying to participate in the discussion going on about corruption. It's unfortunate. They don't seem to see themselves first before seeing others. "Otherwise, they shouldn't be talking about corruption at all. They are people who have no business, because they are corruption personified themselves. And, they are the people, who come out and talk about corruption. It's unfortunate, but these are ewlectioneering time with campaigns; everybody wants to be heard, everybody wants to say something about what is going on. "We cannot stop them from doing that, but we want to remind them that they still have their day in court. The cases are still going on, and they will still go on.” On Soludo, Lamorde said: "It is true that we invited Prof. Charles Soludo and the then Managing

Director of the Nigerian Printing and Minting press, with regards to the issue of bribery in respect of the printing of currency by an Australian company; it involves the UK and Nigeria. "From the investigations so far conducted, we did not find anything that Soludo was directly involved in. He was invited because at the time the thing happened, he was the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor; the printing and minting was and still is a subsidiary of the CBN, and the thing happened under his watch, and the foreign partners requested certain things to be clarified from him, which we did. "And at the end of the day, there was nothing that he could be said to have done wrongly, and no money could be traced back to him from all the bribes that were given. So, he was exonerated as far as that investigation is concerned." In the Red Alert on Scam obtained by New Telegraph, the commission revealed that "in 2006, 61 per cent of Internet criminals were traced to locations in the United States, while 16 per cent were traced to the United Kingdom and six per cent to locations in Nigeria."

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Banks’ credit to economy hits N17.2trn, says CBN Ayodele Aminu

l Foreign assets in banking system down to N6.4trn

ggregate credit of Deposit Money Banks to the domestic economy rose by 7.1 per cent to N17.2trillion in January, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said. This according to the banking watchdog’s latest Monthly Economic Report released yesterday was in contrast to the growth of 1.5 per cent recorded at the end of December 2014. The report, nevertheless, stated that the growth in aggregate banking sector credit to the domestic economy as of January 2014 was 7.2 per cent. The reported stated: “At N17.2trillion, aggregate banking system credit to

the domestic economy at end -January 2015 rose by 7.1 per cent, on month-on -month basis, compared with the growth of 7.2 per cent at the end of the corresponding period of 2014, but was in contrast to the 1.5 per cent decline at end -December 2014. The development reflected, largely, the 55.4 per cent increase in (net) claims on the Federal Government. “Banking system’s credit (net) to the Federal Government, on monthon-month basis, rose by 55.4 per cent to negative N899.7bn, compared with the growth of 71.1 per cent at the end of the corresponding month of 2014, but was in contrast to the 15.4 per cent decline

at the end of the preceding month. The development reflected largely, the increase in banking system’s holdings of government securities. “At N18.1tn, banking system’s credit to the private sector increased by 0.2 per cent, over the preceding month’s level, compared with the 0.1 per

cent increase at the end of the preceding month. The development reflected, wholly, the 0.3 per cent rise in credit to the core private sector.” Also, the report revealed that foreign assets in the banking system fell by 12.5 per cent to N6.4trillion in January. The decrease was in

contrast to an increase of 2.4 per cent recorded at the end of the preceding month. The central bank, however, attributed the development to the 24.5 per cent decline in the banks and the CBN holdings respectively. The CBN report read, “At N6.4tn, foreign assets (net) of the banking system fell By 12. 5 per cent at end January 2015, in contrast to

the increase of 2.4 per cent at the end of the preceding month. The development was attributed to the 24.5 and 10.7 per cent decline in the banks and CBN holdings, respectively. “Other assets (net) of the banking system, on a month on month basis, declined by 3.7 per cent to negative N6.9tn, in contrast to the 3.1 per cent growth recorded at the end of the preceding month."

US, Nigeria to collaborate on bird flu scourge Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

s part of efforts at curtailing the ravaging trend of the Avian Influenza, popularly called Bird flu, the United States Agency for International Development in collaboration with the Federal Government yesterday trained 160 agricultural experts. The training workshop took place at the Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre with many dignitaries in attendance, including the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who was represented by Dr. Demola Majasan. In his address, Adesina

pointed out the devastating nature of the disease in affected areas, disclosing that in 2008 when the nation was hit by the disease for a second time, 25 states were affected with a total of 1.2m birds and 118,183 eggs destroyed. He said that the government paid the sum of N631m in compensation to farmers who were affected, adding: “Considering the highly mobile nature of the bird flu and its ability to wipe out entire poultry population in an affected farm within 72 hours, intervention measures were put in place which included the deployment of human and material resources to the affected states to curtail its spread."

Election: Shagari sues for peace

econd Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, yesterday asked Nigerians, especially politicians to give embrace peace towards the presidential election in the country which holds on Saturday. Shagari spoke yesterday in Sokoto, following rumours that he had died. Speaking with journalists at his residence at Sama Road in Sokoto yesterday, Shagari told politicians in the country to be mindful of the need to put Nigeria first no matter their ambition. He said that nobody should sponsor or perpetrate violence in the name of politics, as it was not a do or die affair. He emphasised that anybody who did such was working against the interest of Nigerians.

"As Nigerians go to the polls on Saturday, it behoves on all Nigerians to put Nigeria first irrespective of ethnic and religious differences. "God gives power to whoever He wishes and takes leadership. Nobody should sponsor or perpetrate violence as the country belongs to all of us. "So, politicians in the country should strive hard for a united Nigeria and refrain from doing anything that will destroy the country," he said. The former president said God does not make a mistake and has a reason for bringing various ethnic groups in the country. He appealed to all Nigerians to live in peace with another irrespective of political difference for peace to continue to reign in the polity.

Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha; APC presidential candidate, Gen. Buhari and other APC leaders, acknowledging cheers from the crowd at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri …yesterday

Akeem Nafiu

he Federal Government has dragged five members of staff of the Emirates Airlines before Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court, Lagos over alleged theft of $1.6 million belonging to one, Prince Chu Ikem Orji. The names of the five staff were given as: Abayomi Adekanbi Abiola, Isiaka Adegoke Adedeji, Awonubi Abayomi, Obinna Onyeukwu Onyenso and George Ikpekhia. They were charged alongside Emirates Airlines, Pathfinder International Limited and the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc.

FG sues Emirates Airlines, three others for $1.6 million theft The accused persons are facing an 11-count charge bordering on stealing, fraud, obtaining money under false pretence, wilful destruction of evidence and failure to report an international transfer of fund. The accused persons were alleged to have on December 19, 2007, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, stolen four bags with tag number EK 428682, EK 428683, EK 650162, EK 650161, containing the sum of $1.6million, belonging to Prince Chu

Ikem Orji, on the promise of keeping them intact for onward delivery to him at Guangzhou, China. They were also alleged to have conspired to fraudulently defraud the victim of the four bags containing the said amount by wilfully destroying the evidences through deletion of baggage details in the system with an intent to prevent it from being used in evidence . The offences according to the prosecution lawyer, Michael O. S., who appeared alongside Bar-

rister Chris Ekemezie, who was watching brief for the complainant, were contrary to and punishable under sections 516, 390 (0), 442, 421, 419, 123, of the criminal code Act, Cap C38 and 15 (2), (b) and (3) of the Money Laundry Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The arraignment of the accused persons, which was earlier fixed for yesterday was stalled owing to a request for a short adjournment by the defence lawyer, Awa Kalu(SAN).

Elections: ADC drops presidential candidate, endorses Jonathan Yekeen Nurudeen ABUJA

ith less than a week to the presidential election, the African Democratic Congress(ADC) took a dramatic U-turn yesterday dropping its presidential candidate and his running mate, Dr. Mani Ibrahim Ahmad and Dr. Obianuju Uzohue respectively, whose

names were submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the Saturday’s election. The party's National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, however, said the party has decided to opt for President Goodluck Jonathan, having considered the political pedigree of the two major presidential candidates in the 2015 general elections.

Surprisingly, both Ahmad and Obianuju, who have been alleged to have stepped down from the presidential race were conspicuously absent from the interactive forum organised by the party's leadership in Abuja, yesterday. But in a swift reaction, the party's presidential candidate, Dr. Mani Ibrahim Ahmad, told New Telegraph that he was not

part of any endorsement. He said he was going to Niger State today (Tuesday) to round off his campaign, noting that the party's leadership was always inclined towards adopting President Goodluck Jonathan. According to him, he has been having a running battle with the leadership of the party over their attempt to endorse the President.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

First Lady disagrees with police over 'vote-and-go-home order' Uwakwe Abugu ENUGU

irst Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, yesterday faulted the recent order given by the Inspector- General of Police(IGP), Sulaiman Abba, that voters should leave the polling stations as soon as they cast their votes during the coming general elections in the country. Jonathan, who spoke at the Michael Okpara Square in Enugu, yesterday also taunted the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) over the defection of the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the development meant clearly that the op-

position would be defeated clearly after the election. Disagreeing with the IGP, she asked voters not to leave polling units after casting their votes but to stay on until voting and counting were over in order to protect their votes, a development that aligned her with other Nigerians who have expressed similar views on the controversial order. Jonathan, who used the occasion of the women presidential campaign rally in Enugu to attack the main opposition party said: "APC is dead. How can you be there and your deputy that knows your secret left you less than one week to the election. It shows their party only thrives on propaganda and filled with corrupt people.

Nyako’s lawyer worried over CJ’s interference Mohammed Kawu BAUCHI

ounsel to former Gov. Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State in the impeachment saga, Olukoye Ogungbeje, has expressed dismay over the insistence by Chief Judge of Adamawa, Justice Ishaya Banu to be joined in a suit. Ogungbeje made his feeling known yesterday in Bauchi while arguing on a notice on motion of no jurisdiction he had filed before a Bauchi High Court presided over by Justice Muhammed Umar. He told the court: "Since I joined the judiciary, l have never heard of or seen a serving judicial officer who will like to be join as a party to a typical

political suit. "Justice Banu applied to Justice Bilkisu Bello Aliyu of Federal High Court, Yola, to join him as party to a suit filed by Nyako challenging his impeachment. "After Justice Aliyu refused Banu joinder application, Banu instead of going on appeal as demanded by law, instead petitioned to Office of the Chief Judge of Nigeria and the case file was removed from Yola High Court to Abuja," Ogungbeje said. He had posited that the Bauchi High Court lack substantive and territorial jurisdictions to entertain the case because Justice Aliyu had earlier heard and set aside February 12, 2015 for judgement when the file was taken to Abuja.

Jonathan launches Development Bank Anule Emmanuel

resident Goodluck Jonathan has officially launched the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) to assist in the funding of medium and small businesses in the country. The President, while performing the ceremony in Abuja, yesterday, said that the small and medium enterprises have always been the backbone of the nation's economy. According to him, the sector has however never had the opportunity of accessing cheap funds for its development. Jonathan disclosed that the nation has over 17 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which employ

over 32 million people while contributing over 45 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He said the existing developmental institutions in the country, including the Bank of Industry (BoI) and other commercial banks cannot satisfy the funding needs of the MSMEs hence the establishment of the DBN. “A long term finance has been a challenge for the MSMEs. Most MSMEs cannot get long term funds from banks and other financial institutions, forcing them to spend on personal savings, friends and family for loans. These loans are typically short term and come at a high interest rate, thereby stemming the growth of these businesses."

L-R: Head, Mass Marketing Segment Airtel, Oladipo Jolaosho; Vice-President, Segment and Usage Retention, Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh; Chief Commercial Officer, Maurice Newa and Director of Marketing Communication, Obinna Aniche, during the launch of Airtel Smart Connect in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

I’m not a trouble maker, says Clark Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

eader of Ijaw nation and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday said he was not a trouble maker and that all those calling him bad names are not being fair to him. This was as the foremost politician stated that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari has a relationship with the Boko Haram sect. Clark stated this in Abuja while playing host to Borno indigenes living in Abuja, who came to pledge their support towards the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 presidential polls. Speaking further, Clark stated that Boko Haram had been in existence since 2002 when Olusegun Obasanjo was the President, contrary to what is being speculated by the opposition that Jonathan brought Boko Haram to destabilize the North. He further noted that when Jonathan started fighting the insurgence,

the former Governor of Adamawa State, Muritala Nyarko, wrote a letter to other governors alleging that the President was carrying out genocide against the North. "Members of the opposition are not sincere, not patriotic. They were happy when Boko Haram was killing people. But the good thing is that people have now known the truth. Boko Haram started in 2002 when Obasanjo was the President of the country. "It went on till it moved from Bauchi to Yobe and to Borno states. Then, Jonathan was a deputy governor in Bayelsa State. Trouble started when their leader was killed extra judicially. At that time, Jonathan had not assumed the President of this country. The opposition are just being malicious. "Recall that Buhari then warned Jonathan not to fight Boko Haram. When the Federal Government wanted to negotiate with them, it requested for a representative because the group was faceless. "When they ask them to nominate, the group nominated Buhari. There is a relationship between

Buhari and Boko Haram people. Buhari said if he is elected as the President, Boko Haram will stop overnight. This is true because he is part of them; he knows them and he is using them to wage war against Jonathan. "Buhari cannot offer this country anything. I do not hate the Northerners. If I am causing trouble, it is because they are not being fair to me. If our own person is the President and you are not supporting him, rather you are making the country ungovernable, will I keep quiet? I have supported all Northerners who have ruled this country. "Nigeria belongs to all of us. No one in this country can manage this country without others. We need one another. We should treat and regard ourselves as brothers and sisters of equal status. What is going in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe is a sad development. It is the problem of Nigeria and we should tackle it together", Clark stated. Earlier, the leader of the Borno indigenes living in Abuja, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abba Gana, stated that the group is

supporting Jonathan because he has performed very well and at the same time brought peace to Borno by recapturing the territories earlier taken by Boko Haram. CPC decries high rate of consumer rights abuse The Director-General, Consumer Protection Council, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, has decried the high rate of consumer rights abuses in the telecommunications, aviation, banking and power sectors of the Nigerian economy. In a statement, Atoki said the prevalence of consumer abuses in different sectors of the nation’s economy had resulted in a situation where consumers were not getting value for their money. She noted that the Council had adopted the strategy of criminal prosecution of recalcitrant businesses or litigation to achieve satisfactory redress. The Consumer Protection Council boss spoke yesterday in Lagos, during a public lecture on “The State of Consumer Rights Protection in Nigeria, organised by the Centre For Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos.

Nigeria, others move closer to single African sky Wole Shadare

top level technical team of the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) led by its Director General, Mr Amadou Guitteye, has held crucial discussions with officials of the Nigerian Airspace Managing Agency (NAMA), along with Managing Directors of other aviation agencies in Lagos. The meeting was

centred on issues bordering on harmonious collaboration and partnership with Nigeria, aimed at further enhancing safety and seamlessness in airspace coordination within the AFI region. African airlines, including Nigerian, through African Airlines Association (AFRAA), are pushing for the creation of an aviation policy on single airspace for the continent. Meanwhile, Nigeria

has been tasked to drive this initiative because of the size of her aviation market and as the biggest economy in the continent. This idea is similar to what the European community has, which makes member states of European Union treat the market as a single airspace. Already, President of African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Iyabo Sosina, is working towards realising this

objective where the continent would treat the entire African airspace as a single airspace. ASECNA, with headquarters in Dakar, Senegal was established in 1959 with 18 member states such as Chad, Cameroun, Gabon, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, South Africa, the Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Comoros, Niger and Madagascar.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

News

NATIONAL

Solar power solutions to save Nigeria N500bn — FG Kunle Azeez

he Federal Government has said that Nigerians’ adoption of LED lighting and solar-inverter integrated solutions for their home and office purposes would save the country N500 billion in power infrastructure investment. Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, stated this at the inauguration of the renewable lighting solutions developed by an indigenous Information Technology company, Omatek venture Plc, in Lagos yesterday. Nebo, who earlier inspected renewable lighting projects by Omatek at the Nigerian Stock Ex-

change (NSE) and Greenwich School, Corona at Lekki before coming to Omatek’s factory in Oregun, to commission the lighting innovations, also said the Omatek’s initiative was also in tandem with the government imminent policy on renewable and energy efficiency policy, which is at its final state of formulation. He explained that by adopting the new lighting solutions across the country, the country would be able to free up 1, 200 megawatts of power over 4,000 megawatts of power the country is generating, saying if the freed-up watts is to be generated from a power plant, it would cost the nation about half a trillion Naira (N500 bil-

lion). “This kind of initiatives by Omatek makes it possible to live off-grid and this means you don’t need to be connected to the national grid before you can get efficient power supply to handle your home, office and industrial activities. “Omatek has also demonstrated what is perfectly in line with the Federal Government’s policy. President Goodluck Jonathan has asked us to develop a renewable and energy efficiency policy, which is at the final stage of formulation now; we only await the President’s approval to go ahead with the implementation. “With the implementation, we believe it is

something that will liberate Nigeria. Nigeria has never had a renewable and energy efficiency policy and what Omatek has demonstrated here in terms of solar power supply and LED indicate that they know exactly what the government wants to do, because this resonates with government policy on energy conservation and efficiency.” Explaining further, Nebo said, “With regards to LED bulbs, Omatek has shown that everyone, not just a company, every Nigeria can cut power consumption by anywhere from 70 to 90 per cent. In other words, if your electricity bill in a month is N10,000, you can reduce it to N3,000 if you use LED

bulb and this bulb conserves a lot of electricity. “For a hundred watts of regular bulb, if you have five watts of LED, it will serve you the same purpose, give you the same luminosity. So, at the end of the day, the whole country would benefit and what we are saying is this: If the whole of the country put LED solutions into use, it will free us 1,200 megawatts of power for industry, manufacturing, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and consequently, leads to industrial revolution. “So, this is a clarion call to all Nigerians to begin the process of modification by making all their offices and homes LEDified.

In fact, new housing estate shouldn’t get approval until they demonstrate that they will use LED solutions all through, because that is the only way we can save energy that we waste a lot in this country. “We should start doing the right thing now. Another way of looking at the LED solutions and conservation through the LED technology is that, when you free up 1, 200 megawatts of electricity for real-time good use for industrial and other functional use, it is like building a power plant. That kind of power plant would cost about half a trillion Naira and that is what you save and that is for the power plant.”

Jonathan mourns Lee Kuan Yew Anule Emmanuel

resident Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness over the death of Singapore's former Prime Minister, Mr. lee Kuan Yew. The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, commiserated with the government of Singapore on the passing away of its founding father. He assured Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong and the people of Singapore that Nigeria stands in full solidarity with them as they mourn his legendary father, who transformed

L-R: Strategic Account Manager, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Steve Nwabuani; Managing Director, MBA Microfinance Bank, Mr. Bode Ajayi; Senior Manager, Corporate Segment, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Olutayo Egunjobi; Head of IT, Chanelle MFB, Mr. Samuel Inyang and Group BDM, MFI & Channels, CWG Plc, Mr. David Olatilo, at the MTN Xaas Forum in Lagos.

Nigeria to export food items Buhari to Ndigbo: Don’t vote Jonathan on sentiment soon, says Jonathan Mohammed Kawu BAUCHI

resident Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said that the Federal Government’s transformation programme under the aviation sub-sector is to make sure that every state in the federation has a domestic airport. The drive, according to the President, is to stimulate commerce and industry, especially for states that produce items for exportation, saying that the country would no longer be exporting raw materials alone but would process and export food. The President, who was speaking yesterday while commissioning the Bauchi International Airport and Special Hospital, explained that to meet these needs, the country requires cargo airport such

as this in Bauchi. He commended the Bauchi State government under the leadership of Governor Isa Yuguda, stressing: “We have been assisting the state governments to do that. The governors are willing. So, the Federal Government will also be keen on these projects.” On the Specialist Hospital, the President expressed delight that the referral hospital is capable of handling a number of cases that usually takes Nigerians out of the country, describing the outside medical trips as mere medical tourism. Jonathan recalled that on primary health care level, the country is doing very well and that is why it has been able to eliminate issues such as guinea worm from Ebonyi State and some states that suffer from the disease.

Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

he presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari has urged Ndigbo not to cast their votes for President Goodluck Jonathan based on sentiment. He maintained that a vote against Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would be in the best interest of Nigerians as only such action could save Nigeria from total collapse. Addressing political and religious leaders from the South-East at a Town Hall meeting yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, the APC presidential candidate stated that no amount of sentiment would justify the re-election of President Jonathan.

Buhari further pointed out that President Jonathan who has already spent six years as president of the country lacks the vision and willpower to tackle the problems of corruption, insecurity and high rate of graduate unemployment in the country. The economy of the country, he said, is in a state of near collapse because of the problem of corruption and that President Jonathan lacks the capacity to tackle it. “I am here for second time to appeal to you that it would not be justified for the people of the SouthEast to vote President Jonathan back to power based on sentiment,” he said. He added that the PDP has failed to deliver on its promises for the past 16 years and if voted into power for another four years the country will totally collapse.

Singapore from a small port city into a highly developed and prosperous centre of global enterprise. "The President and people of Nigeria, for whom the globally acclaimed achievements of Singapore under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew have been a great source of inspiration over the years, join his compatriots and many admirers across the developing world in paying very well deserved tribute to the late Prime Minister, who moved his country “from the Third World to the First World” with immense wisdom, courage, resilience and perseverance."

FG told to okay separation of Justice Minister from AGF Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre PLAC, yesterday, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to approve the proposed amendment as it relates to the separation of the Office of the Minister of Justice from that of the Attorney General of the Federation. The call was contained in a communiqué issued in Abuja at the end of a workshop on "Media Advocacy Strategy to Achieve Presidential Assent to Constitution Amendment". Speaking through its Executive Director, Clement Nwankwo, the group said that it welcomed some of the ground breaking amendments contained in the fourth alteration of the Constitution. Meanwhile, the amendment of Section

150 of the 1999 Constitution as it relates to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and Minister of Justice proposed by the National Assembly is still awaiting the assent of President Goodluck Jonathan. The amendment to the section separates the Office of the Minister of Justice from the Attorney General of the Federation. The amendment proposed that the Minister of Justice shall only be concerned with administrative and legal matters of government. The aim is to separate the political and prosecutorial roles of the Attorney General as currently exists in the Constitution. The Centre also charged the President to approve the amendment on the expanding the extent of residency, citizenship and indigenes rights.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro Victim recognises robber on the street

Mustapha

Juliana Francis

female victim of robbery at Bariga area of the Lagos metropolis was shocked to see one of the robbers on the street, days after she was attacked. The lady summoned courage, grabbed the suspect and raised the alarm.

The suspect, Akeem Mustapha, 20, said he never believed in his wildest imagination that he would run into a victim on his street. He said he belonged to a four man gang of robbers. Mustapha named his partners as Sulaiman, Ibrahim and Segun. He said Sulaiman was the gang leader before his demise. The police have congratu-

lated the lady for her courage. The police said Mustapha was one of the robbery suspects on the wanted list. Mustapha said that after they robbed the lady, his gang leader was shot and killed by the police. The police recovered a gun on the body of the leader. Mustapha identified the gun as the one they used for the robbery

Silverbird employee: Police recover killer’s weapon Camillus Nnaji

olice in Lagos State said yesterday they had recovered the knife used to stab the Silverbird employee, Aisha Noble-Mustapha, to death. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Kenneth Nwosu, told our correspondent that the knife had

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

been recovered while investigation to unravel Aisha’s actual killer was still ongoing. Nwosu said because of the sensitive nature of murder case the police were not leaving any stone unturned in their investigation. He said: “Nobody has right to take the life of another person, not even his or her own. We are still on course in the investigation. We have arrested key suspects but we want to be tactical about it. Investigations in murder cases are not discussed on the pages of newspapers.” The PPRO added that autopsy result would be made public as soon as investigation was complete. Aisha was murdered at Ogudu Estate while on her way back from work. It was alleged that his boyfriend, identified simply as

Chima, was the culprit. Aisha was murdered allegedly because was pregnant for Chima. The pregnancy, it was alleged, would destabilise the man’s matrimonial home. As a result, the prime suspect allegedly ambushed and stabbed Aisha 11 times, which led to her death.

The late Mustapha

operation. The suspect, a child of a broken home, said that since his parents went their different ways, his 68-year-old grandmother had been taking care of him. Mustapha said he was staying with his grandmother at Bariga and it was the same area that his gang used to carry out their robbery operations. Mustapha said he was expelled for fighting while he was in SS3 at Ajayi Crowther Memorial Secondary School at Bariga. Since then, he had tried his hands in barbing and learning window designing before the lure of robbery came calling. He said: “The police arrested me because we went to rob. We used to rob people of phones and necklaces at Odunsi area in Bariga. We use machetes and guns as our weapons. I was arrested because of the last operation we went at Bamiji Lawal Street in January 2014. “The lady we robbed saw me on our street and recognised me. We robbed her of her necklace and N50,000. We robbed her in front of her home, where she used to sell phones and recharged cards. The operation was at night. She cooperated. We sold the necklace. Sulaiman said he sold it for N30,000. My share was N20,000.” Mustapha, who said the gang used to operate around the Bariga area, said they had

robbed more than six times in Bariga. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the arrest. Nwosu explained that in June 2014, Ibrahim, Sulaiman, Segun and Mustapha conspired together, armed themselves with a locallymade pistol, some cutlasses and started to rob people in Bariga area of their property. He said: “The gang leader, Sulaiman, was shot dead by policemen from Bariga Police Station, while the remaining gang members took to their heels. “Further investigation revealed that Mustapha had been on the wanted list of police since the robbery which took place on December 13, 2014. “The lady who was robbed sighted Mustapha and identified him. She subsequently raised the alarm, which attracted policemen. The suspect has confessed to the robbery. He identified the gun recovered from the dead robber as their operational gun.” But Mustapha said it was Sulaiman who lured him into robbery. He said: “Sulaiman met me one day as I was returning from work. He and some boys were smoking Indian hemp; they called me to join them. The next day, he called and told me he would teach me how to make money; since then, I started going to operations with them.”

Immigration repatriates 61 illegal immigrants Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

n a bid to rid the nation of illegal immigrants ahead of the general election, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has repatriated 61 illegal immigrants arrested in different parts of Nasarawa State. The illegal immigrants, who were repatriated at the weekend, came from Niger Republic. Speaking with journalists at the NIS headquarters in Lafia, the state capital, the Comptroller, Mr Baba Mamodu, disclosed that the illegal immigrants were arrested in Lafia, Keffi and Akwanga during a simultaneous operation carried out by men of the command. Mamodu disclosed that the illegal immigrants who were doing menial jobs in the state were between the age brackets of 20 and 40 years. He said: “Form the record we

have here, most of them are between the age brackets of 20 and 40 years. It is only one person that is 56 years old.” The comptroller debunked the allegation that some of the illegal immigrants were the alleged fake soldiers brought into the state by some selfish politicians to foment trouble during the general election. He said: “To my knowledge the command had never heard that kind of information, because I have my officers in the whole of the 13 local government areas of the state keeping vigil.” According to Mamodu, most Nigerians hide and give protection to the illegal immigrants who found their ways into the country because of the porous nature of the nation’s borders. He, however, reiterated the commitment of the command in the state to sustain the exercise with the view to ridding the state of illegal immigrants.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

Sabotage suspected as oil pipeline explodes Joe Obende Warri

major oil pipeline in Delta State, the Afisiere Delivering Line, belonging to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), exploded yesterday at Ekiugbo in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. The explosion, which caused a massive oil spill and fire, occurred after the residents of the community had retired to bed. Although the cause of the explosion could not be immediately ascertained, community sources linked it to recent angry reaction from the Urhobo axis of the state to Federal Government’s award of the multi-billion naira oil pipeline surveillance contract to a company owned by former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo (Tompolo). Urhobo stakeholders, under the aegis of Urhobo Host Communities (HOSTCOM), had last week given a week ultimatum to the Federal Government to review the contract, with a view to factoring Urhobo into it. When contacted, Manager (External Relations Department) of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Ugo Atugbokoh, said he was on leave, but promised to make enquiries on the matter. But a source, who pleaded

Enugu

File picture of an Explosion site

anonymity, told our correspondent that the people suspected a deliberate sabotage of the facility by youths in the area. The source added that there had been tension among leaders and youths over the approach to adopt to register their displeasure. “There has been a major explosion in Ekiugbo. So the Eyemukokoare delivery line is shut down now. The fire from the explosion was still burning as at 7am today (yesterday). This is just a phase of what is to come, but what is to come will be deadlier than this. “The ultimatum that was given by the host communi-

ties will expire tomorrow (today), but already we have started seeing warning signs. “A meeting was proposed, but we are yet to hear anything so everybody is just looking, doing their things as usual. The meeting with the governor did not hold and communities are getting impatient. “In some communities, youths who are outraged are already exchanging words with community leaders,” the source said. Meanwhile, the coordinator of HOSTCOM in Delta Central, Morris Idiovwa, while reacting to the development, asked the youth to calm down as steps were being tak-

BENIN

t least 10 students of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki have been hospitalised after eating African salad popularly known as “abacha”. The students, who ate the salad at the weekend, were rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA). The students, studying at the College of Agricultural Science (CAS) campus of the university, were rushed to the hospital after they fell sick.

en to resolve the matter. He said: “This is the kind of things we have been trying to prevent, which we have been warning against. “We are appealing to the youth to be a bit more patient. We are making moves to get the matter resolved. At the same time we are calling on the Federal Government to take this matter seriously. There is a limit to how long we can prevail on these youths, especially when what they are asking for is valid. “Government and the NPDC should make a move now so that the anger in the minds of the youth and community leaders could be assuaged.”

Confirming the incident, the Director, Rural Health, Ministry of Health, Dr Christian Achi, said that the delicacy was infected by cholera. He said: “This is a case of Cholera; the food they ate was already infected following the activities of flies that go around perching on food items and dirty substances. “I want to urge the people of the state to cook and eat in their homes; they should not expose their food and cooking utensils to flies. They should maintain hygiene and avoid dirty environment.”

he Benin Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) yesterday said it had sensitised about 10,000 students in nine secondary schools in Edo and Delta states in the last one week. The Zonal Commander, Mrs Oluchi Ebiringa, who disclosed this, said the sensitisation programme was carried out in collaboration with the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA).

According to her, trafficking is usually at its peak during the holiday periods when many students and young persons are at home. Ebiringa expressed concern over the activities of human traffickers and their agents who, according to her, have shifted their operations to rural areas due to the vulnerability of the areas. She said: “The life of every student, youth, men and women is very dear to the heart of the agency and precisely our executive secretary and this is why we have decided to make it tough for these criminalminded individuals whose means of livelihood is the exploitation of our children.

Ikenne communities get Adebutu’s transformers O

nce again, Hon Oladipupo Adebutu has donated two 500 KVA transformers under his Power Intervention Programme to Ita-Oyila (Mayflower School) and new Ogbodo quarters in Ikenne Remo. Adebutu, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate, Remo Federal Constituency, Ogun State, made the

12 suspected cult members held Uwakwe Abugu

NAPTIP sensitises 10,000 students 10 Ebonyi varsity students hospitalised after eating abacha Cajetan Mmuta Charles Onyekwere T A ABAKALIKI

City Briefs

donation during the continuation of his campaign tour of Ikenne Local Government. The tour took him to Iperu, Ogere, Ilishan, Irolu and Ikenne. Speaking at Ikenne Motor Park, venue of the rally, Adebutu urged the people to vote for him and other PDP candidates in the coming elections. He said: “Our party, PDP, is one of discipline,

equity, fairness, justice and transparency; it is a party that takes the interest and welfare of the people as a priority. “I hereby assure you that a vote for PDP and its candidate is not a misplaced one, as I enjoin you to collect your PVC and cast your vote for me and all other PDP candidates in the elections holding on March 24 and April 11.”

One of the transformers donated to Ita-Oyila community

olicemen attached to Abakpa Division in Enugu State have arrested 12 people suspected to be members of a secret cult group in Enugu metropolis. The suspects were picked up while at a ‘night of honour’ for one of their colleagues shot dead by a rival cult group. Police sources said the deceased, Onyeka Ani (23) who hailed from Onueke, Ezza in Ebonyi State but resided at Abakpa area of Enugu, was shot dead by members of a rival secret cult group in the area. However, it was gathered that policemen, acting on a tipoff, swooped on the hoodlums last Thursday. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the arrest. The PPRO said: “The arrested suspected cult members had converged on TransEkulu where they were having a honour vigil in favour of their deceased cult member identified as one Onyeka Ani.”

We won’t allow bank robbery again –Lagos CP Juliana Francis

he Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti, has vowed that bank robbery would never occur under his watch again. Aderanti made the pledge while parading some kidnappers and gunrunners at the Command’s Headquarters at Ikeja. This came days after robbers attacked the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) on Admiralty Way, Lekki and killed three policemen and a fish seller. The robbers, said to be over 12 men, reached the Island, through waterways, in canoes. They were dressed in military camouflage uniform. Addressing journalists, Aderanti said that the police were working tirelessly to hunt down the bandits. He said: “We’re working assiduously to ensure that perpetrators of Lekki robbery attack are brought to justice. The type of weapon used by these robbers showed that they were well prepared.”

Robber to die by hanging Dominic Adewole ASABA

High Court sitting at Akwukwu-Igbo in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday sentenced one Vincent Okwekwu to death by hanging. The convict was caught six year ago at Umueha Quarters in Ibusa stealing a GSM handset and snatching N10,000 cash from his victims at gunpoint. The verdict was based on the offences of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, the substantive offence of armed robbery, which was thereafter reduced to a lesser offence of robbery. Prosecutors from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) had told the court that Okwekwu on or about November 1, 2009, with two others now at large armed with cutlass, broke into the apartments of one Ofoyeju Peter and Tietie Moses and robbed them of cash amounting to N10,000 and a telephone handset.

News

Again, LASU shut indefinitely Mojeed Alabi

ollowing the protracted crisis rocking the Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, the management of the institution has announced the indefinite closure of the school, citing the forthcoming general election as the reason for the closure. In a statement issued by the institution yesterday and posted on its website with copies sent to both staff and students via their mobile phones, the management urged all occupants of the campus to vacate the

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-WEST

premises immediately. The statement read in part; “In view of the forthcoming national and state elections scheduled for March 28 and April 11 respectively, the University management has declared recess for both staff and students with effect from Monday, March 23, 2015. Students and staff are therefore advised to vacate the campus immediately. The date of resumption will be announced later.” The latest development, which is against the position of the Federal Government that no holiday should

be declared by schools based on elections, may not be unconnected with the alleged deployment of armed policemen to the University yesterday, which prompted another protest by workers of the institution. Investigations by New Telegraph, revealed that the entrance gates of the school earlier locked by the protesting coalition of the workers’ unions on the campus had been forcefully opened by the security guards and the barricades removed. The development had further angered the workers’ unions whose reactions had allegedly created

tension on the campus, leading to the eventual closure. It would be recalled that the workers’ unions under the umbrella of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), had last week protested and disrupted the institution’s 20th convocation ceremony, which kicked off on March 13 with a Jumat service, calling for the sack of the Vice-Chancellor Professor Oladapo Obafunwa.

Patients’ plight worsens as federal hospitals join doctors’ strike Appolonia Adeyemi and Esther Albert

he current industrial strike embarked upon by doctors in Lagos has become worsened following the joining of the strike by doctors in Federal Government hospitals. For instance, the Alimosho General Hospital in Igando, a Lagos suburb, was like a ghost town yesterday as the strike bit harder. Doctors at all Lagos State hospitals, eight days ago, embarked on an indefinite strike to put pressure on the Lagos State Government to pay them withheld salaries. However as patients were left unattended to, doctors under the auspices of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Branch yes-

terday declared an indefinite strike in all Federal hospitals in solidarity with their colleagues in Lagos State. Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Branch, Dr. Babajide Saheed, who disclosed that doctors under the NMA were joining the strike in solidarity with Lagos doctors on Monday, stated that “the NMA Lagos will commence the indefinite strike from Monday, March 23 with the provision of emergency service following the failure of the Lagos State Government to resolve the demands of the Medical Guild.” The Lagos NMA declared the strike following the failure of Lagos to pay withheld salaries to the doctors.

Ogbomoso residents dump PDP, APC, Accord for Labour party Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

L-R: Group Managing Director, Omatek Ventures Plc, Mrs. Florence Seriki; Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mr. Ademola Olorunfemi, at the inauguration of Omatek 24-hour Solar Power solution in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIAMN HUSAINI

Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

he recent endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan, by the outlawed Odu’a People’s Congress (OPC), is threatening to tear the ranks of the group apart, as a faction of the group is seeking the ouster of its leader, Chief Gani Adams. Specifically, the Oyo state Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the group, Senator Akinpelu, said he and other members had

Jonathan’s endorsement splits OPC

asked Adams to leave. According to Akinpelu, Adams, whom he described as ‘a serial liar’, was told to leave the group completely, because of his open support for the candidature of Jonathan contrary to the tenets of the group. Akinpelu, who was reacting to a purported report that Gani Adams had expelled him from the group, accused Adams of collecting money on behalf of the group, to

campaign for President Jonathan in the South West. The Oyo State coordinator of the OPC, Chief Adeagbo Adeola Musediq, had said that Akinpelu was no longer the PRO of OPC in the state because “Chief Gani Adams had ordered his expulsion from the congress since 2014 and that he no longer has the right to speak on behalf of the congress”. Akinpelu was accused of acting as PRO

‘Amosun not planning to sack workers’ Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

he Ogun State government yesterday dismissed claims that it was planning to reduce the size of the state work force if Governor Ibikunle Amosun, was re-elected. In a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, the government also refuted the allegation by the Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO) of the

everal members of the Peoples Democratic Party, Accord, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ogbomoso yesterday joined the Labour Party, in solidarity with its governorship candidate, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala. The car nival-like

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it was planning to sack workers. Olaniyonu described the allegation as “false, wicked, baseless and reckless,” urging people of the state to ignore the falsehood being dished out by the opposition “whose leaders obviously hold the people in contempt and are definitely manifesting their frustration after being rejected.” He said the allegation was designed to create panic by a desperate party facing certain defeat at the

forthcoming general elections. The commissioner stated that not only were there no plans to retrench workers, but that a fresh recruitment exercise was at advanced stage. He said, “We have no reason to reduce the size of the work force because the workers remain an integral part of the successful pursuit of our mission to rebuild Ogun State. Indeed, our assessments have indicated need for additional personnel in key areas.

for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and OPC in the state at the same time, a position Adeagbo said was at variance with principle of the group. “OPC is not a political party and he cannot combine the work of OPC with PDP and that was why Chief Gani Adams ordered his expulsion from the congress,” he said. Akinpelu was also flayed for having issued a press release to counter the rally held in Lagos by

the OPC where he asserted that he had no hand in the rally. Adeagbo said the OPC had, since 1999, clamoured for a sovereign national conference which Jonathan’s administration was planning to implement, explaining that the rally was held to oppose the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Atahiru Jega’s action on the 2015 elections.

campaign train traversed many areas of the Ogbomoso North and South local government, where loyalists assured the former governor of their votes in the April 11 election. Speaking at the Oja Igbo Market, the former governor said, “I have said it several times that Ogbomoso people will never let me down. My people know who and what they want and this is a demonstration of the fact that they are in full support of our political move. “I am passionate about my town and its growth is crucial to me and that is why I did what I did when I was in power. I promise to do more both in Ogbomoso, Ibadan and other parts of the state if re-elected”, he said. Akala, also assured the people that he would run an all- round development gover nment that will make life better for all and sundry in the state.

Arewa youths seek Ethnic Affairs Ministry in Ogun Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

he Arewa Youth Forum, Ogun State chapter, has called for the establishment of Ethnic Affairs Ministry to cater for the interests and welfare of non-indigenes, especially the residents of northern extraction in the state. The AYF Chairman, Prince Hadi Sanni, made the call at a press conference in Abeokuta, where the group also endorsed

the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Senator Akin Odunsi and other candidates of the party ahead of the general elections. Sanni said the establishment of the Ethnic Affairs Ministry became imperative in view of the trends in other states where non-indigenes were given appointments and incorporated into governance. He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government

in the state of allegedly neglecting the Hausa community since its inception in 2011, saying the development had resulted in the lack of social amenities in their areas. Sanni said, “We are also entitled to take charge of some appointments which are supposed to be headed by non-indigenes that will bring about equality. We are clamouring for that because some states in the north have Yorubas as commissioners.”

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MarCH 24, 2015

Electoral violence Parties breach Abuja accord – Peace C’ittee

General elections

Presidency

REC Forum

Court threatens to jail party officials over misrepresentation

Why Obasanjo won’t back Buhari, by Lamido

Card readers’ll curb election fraud, says Ibitoye

Politics

How Jonathan braced eligibility hurdles The Court of Appeal, on March 3, finally decided that President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to re-contest in the March 28 presidential polls in one of the retinues of cases challenging his eligibility. TUNDE OYESINA examines the various suits and the final judgement

ntil March 3, it was not clear whether President Goodluck Jonathan would participate in the March 28 presidential polls due to retinue of cases pending before the courts challenging his eligibility to re-contest on ground that he had spent the two terms provided for by law. However, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on March 3, in judgement in an appeal brought by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Cyriacus Njoku held that Jonathan is eligible to re-contest in the March 28 polls Njoku, who was the first person to challenge Jonathan’s eligibility, had in 2012 approached an Abuja High Court seeking to stop the party from nominating Jonathan as its candidates in the general elections. The trial judge, then, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi on March 1, 2013 dismissed the suit on ground that the plaintiff lacked locus standi to initiate such suit. Not satisfied, Cyriacus approached the Court of Appeal. While the matter was still pending at the appelate court, another chieftain of the party, Umar Ardo, had applied to be joined but the court refused him on ground that he was not a party to the suit at the lower court. The apex court had held the same view when Ardo approached it to challenge the decision of the Court of Appeal which refused to join him in the appeal. Meanwhile, while Cyriacus appeal was still pending at the appellate court, about four other cases were initiated challenging Jona-

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY Editor, POLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

than’s eligibility. The renewed battle against Jonathan began when two persons who claimed to be presidential aspirants – Adejumo Ajagbe and Olatoye Wahab, approached the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, seeking the disqualification of Jonathan on ground that he is spending his second term. After hearing in the suit had commenced, the plaintiffs asked for the referral of the suit on the grounds that the suit raised “a substantial question of law” which the Court of Appeal has to make pronouncement on. The trial judge, Justice A.R Mohammed on February 9 granted an order of referal of the suit challenging the eligibility of Jonathan to re-contest to the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division for the interpretation of Sections 135 (2) (a)(b) and 137(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended as it relates to tenure of a president. On February 6, the same Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, in a similar development approved service of court process on Jonathan in a fresh suit filed by one Nkemija Nkemija challenging Jonathan’s eligibility to re-contest in the presidential election. Cited as defendants alongside Jonathan in the fresh suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and PDP. The court’s order was a result of an ex-parte application brought by the plaintiff. He had argued in his ex-parte application that he could not effect personal service on the president, as he could not gain entrance into the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. The court while granting the exparte application ordered that the process be served on the President through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) or office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). In another development, the court on February 3 ordered the service of court processes on Jonathan in another fresh suit filed by four senior citizens seeking his (Jonathan) disqualification. Plaintiffs in the fresh suit, Prof. Tunde Samuel, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, Mr. Razak Adeosun and Yahaya Ezeemoo Ndu are praying

Jonathan

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

The first oath taken by the first defendant (Jonathan) was the oath he took as the Vice President and not as President

the court to restrain President Jonathan from contesting the office of the President of Nigeria in the general elections. The plaintiffs through their counsel, Yusuf Ali (SAN) who led other five SANs contested that by the provisions of Sections 135 and 145 of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan is not eligible to contest for the election having taking oath of office as president more than twice. Though, eight days after the suit filed by Ali, the court on February 11 struck out the suit because the plaintiffs brought an application for discontinuance. However, the striking out did not bring about any excitement as the plaintiffs withdrew the suit at the Federal High Court to enable them file a fresh one before an Abuja High Court. The prayers sought in the fresh suit filed at the Abuja High Court is the same as the one withdrawn. In their suit, relying on Sections 135 to 146 of the 1999 Constitution, the plaintiffs contended that Jonathan cannot take the oath of office more than twice as president. They also submitted that under the constitution, any President of Nigeria cannot be in office beyond

eight years of two terms. The plaintiffs asked the court whether having regards to the intention and general scheme of the Constitution, especially the provisions of sections 1 (1) &(2), 135 (1)& (2), 137(1)(b), 140 (1) &(2),142 (1)&(2) and 146(1)(3)(b)(c) thereof, it is constitutional, lawful, legal and permissible for a person to occupy the office of the president for a cumulative and or aggregate period of more than eight years. Meanwhile, two other lawyers, Mase Acho, Saeeq Sarki and citizen Murtala Abubakar, also challenged the eligibility of Jonathan and his deputy, Namadi Sambo, to seek re-election. The plaintiffs in both suits asked the court for, among other prayers, an order restraining the INEC and the AGF from allowing Jonathan and his deputy, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, to seek re-election for their respective offices in 2015. They argued that by virtue of constitutional provisions, the oaths taken by Jonathan and Sambo following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010 and their subsequent re-election in 2011, both of them were deemed to have completed the two terms allowed by law. The parties in the second suit, numbered, FHC/ABJ/CS/661/14, are President Jonathan, Sambo, the PDP and INEC. In a judgement that seems to have put all the cases to rest, the Appeal Court interpreted all the cited sections of the Constitution and Electoral Act and came to a conclusion that Jonathan is eligible to re-contest. While delivering judgement, Justice Abubakat Yahaya, who led the full panel of the court, unanimously held that Jonathan had only spent one term in office as the President going by the provision of the Constitution. The court noted that it is fundamental that where a party lacks locus, the court cannot assume jurisdiction. It was on that premise that the court upheld the decision of the lower court which dismissed Cyriacus’s suit for lack of locus standi. “We agree with the lower court that the appellant has no locus to sue,” the court held. On the cause of action, the court held that the case of the appellant was speculative and imaginary as none of the reliefs he sought accrued to him any benefit. The court had earlier noted that a cause of action is what gives CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Politics

TUESDAY, MarCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Parties breach Abuja accord – Peace C’ittee Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he National Peace Committee for the 2015 general elections yesterday said some of the utterances and statements of party leaders in the ongoing election campaigns did not fit into the peace accord signed by 14 national chairmen and presidential candidates of political parties participating in the March 28 presidential election. The committee, which was set up after the peace pact, was on a courtesy visit to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu. Led by former Chief

of General Staff (CGS), Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd), the committee advised political parties to focus more on issues and use language that unite the people and not the ones that divide them. “I will encourage them to focus more on issues; what they want to do, the type of development they want to tackle. And to stop what looks like hate speeches, personality attack and so on because that will only bring anger and retaliation which may result into a crisis we don’t wish,” said Ukiwe, who stood in for the chairman of the committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar. He said the purpose of the visit was to preach for

peaceful co-existence so as to avoid post-election violence. “We don’t want any violence, we don’t want to lose our children, our brothers and sisters. It happened before and so whatever result that comes out of it, there should be no violence. I don’t wish that we have violence and so I am also

preaching against violence after this election,” he added. Mu’azu, who described the committee as a watchdog for peaceful and credible elections, said the ruling party will continue to pursue issuebased campaign. “If you watch my utterances personally, you find that there is noth-

ing I do than to be a good resource man or what I should be for my party and for Mr. President to make people love him and vote for him. “Unfortunately, when the opposition go haywire, some of the small boys in our own party shout back and that is why you have this. But believe me I will give

them very serious signal that we don’t expect that. That is why it is even the way it is; it would have gone even much worse because it is absolutely unnecessary to call somebody’s product bad, it is better for you to sell your product and show how better your own is than the other,” he said.

No credible substitute to Jonathan, says Obi T he former Governor of Anambra State and the Deputy National Director General of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign group, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to return President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election. He said that none among those contesting against the president is a credible alternative. Obi, who was speaking yesterday at Onitsha during the visit of the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, insisted that Jonathan remains the best candidate. He noted that no past president had done what Jonathan did in four years. According to him, Jon-

athan had not only resuscitated dead corporations in the country such as railway, but was building new ones and expanding the frontiers of the country’s economy. Obi said that under Jonathan, Nigeria’s food import bill had reduced by 50%. The former governor said that President Jonathan possessed essential qualities of leadership which, according to him, includes patience, fairness, sense of justice and integrity among others. He argued that General Muhammadu Buhari’s taunted integrity does not translate into APC’s integrity as, according to him, all those surrounding Buhari cannot be said to be men of integrity.

Ambode gets NULGE’s endorsement

he All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday got the backing of members of the state’s National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) for his governorship ambition. Ambode, who celebrated the 2015 Local Government Workers’ Day with the NULGE member, described the local government workers as the pivotal force that drives the workings of any government. He reiterated his readiness to work at the local government level when elected as governor to ensure that the merits of governance get to the people. “The local government was where I started

my career of service to our great state, and it has made me recognise this tier as the functional unit of government, which must be regarded as important by any serious administration that truly intends to govern,” Ambode said. In his address, the state NULGE President, Comrade Lasisi Ayinde, said that the union is elated about the emergence of a local government man as a governorship front runner in the state, adding that Ambode’s rise in the cadre of service in the state has consistently made the union proud and that also serves as great encouragement for the union members. The union officially endorsed Ambode for the April 11 election.

L-R: President, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Lagos State chapter, Mr. Adesegun Ibraheem; All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye at an interactive session with Ambode in Lagos ...at the weekend.

Court threatens to jail party officials over misrepresentation Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday gave the officials of the Young Democratic Party (YDP), 24 hours to retract its statement that the court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to shift elections or else be sentenced to prison. The trial judge, Justice A.R Mohammed, had on March 12 summoned the party to appear before him based on the claim by the party officials at a press conference that the court on March 4 ordered INEC to shift the

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

2015 elections in order to accommodate the party in the polls. At the resumed hearing, the court ordered the party to call a world press conference within 24 hours and retract the statement and also file an affidavit in court to the order. Justice Mohammed further stated that failure

of the party to do so, the court would not hesitate to commit all officers of the party to prison. The court later adjourned till March 31 for hearing of the reports of the complaints. The court had earlier established a case of contempt against the party. Counsel to the party, Kelvin Nwufor (SAN) however apologised to the court. The court, however, emphasised that it did not at any time ordered INEC to include the name and logo of YDP on the ballot paper and also did not ask INEC to shift election dates. At the last adjourned date, INEC had filed an

Lawmaker empowers constituents Wale Elegbede

he lawmaker representing Yewa-South/ Ipokia Federal constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, has canvassed support for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of Saturday’s election, saying that the transformation agenda of the president will be complemented when re-elected at the poll. Akinlade, who is also

the House Committee Chairman on Science and Technology, said that there is nothing meaningful the All Progressives Congress (APC) can offer the populace. He stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the party to beat. The lawmaker spoke at the weekend in Idiroko, Ogun State, during the graduation of students from the free Information Communication Technology (ICT) scheme

initiated by him, The gathering had over 1000 constituents of the lawmaker smiled home with one form of empowerment or the other; 350 young secondary leavers graduated from his free ICT scheme, about 300 women, youth and the aged got free medical services, 250 people benefited from the free eye glass scheme and not less than 500 farmers went home with a dualpowered tractor to ease farming in the domain.

application for stay of execution of the March 4 judgement. The electoral body is seeking a stay of execution of the judgement on the grounds that it had filed a notice of appeal dated March 9 against the March 4 verdict before the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal. Delivering a short ruling on that day, Justice Mohammed, held that the party’s claim during the said press conference had put the court in “a very negative light.” He said: “As far as the court is concerned, no such orders were made. In fact, even the plaintiff, the YDP, did not seek such reliefs from the court. It is therefore very unfortunate that that the court is portrayed in a very negative perspective. “In the light of the embarrassing situation, I hereby directed the learned senior counsel to the plaintiff to investigate this ugly development and bring the persons or possible persons who held the press conference to court on the next adjourned date to show the court where the said order was made, failing which the court will not hesitate to cite any person who misrepresented its record and judgement for contempt,” the court held.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESday, March 24, 2015

16 Politics

TUESDAY, MarCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Why Obasanjo won’t back Buhari, by Lamido Geoffrey Ekenna

overnor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has stated that former President Olusegun Obasanjo will never endorse the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari, against President Goodluck Jonathan. Lamido, a political son of Obasanjo, who spoke with New Telegraph in Dutse, the state capital on Sunday, said even though it was in the human nature to forgive and forget, he saw no reason Obasanjo should back Buhari, who worked with late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, when Obasanjo was jailed. He said: “Obasanjo was in jail when Buhari was calling the shots under Abacha. Who jailed him? Abacha. What was Buhari under Abacha? He was the PTF boss. He knew that Obasanjo was his own Commander-in-Chief. “As a former Head of

State before Abacha, did Buhari caution Abacha and say ‘look, don’t demystify our national symbol, don’t demystify Nigeria, don’t rubbish our spirit de corps. Let us tolerate him’. He did not say so to Abacha. Obasanjo was head of state before Buhari and Abacha. Did Buhari tell Abacha to leave Obasanjo alone? Obasanjo is free now and is seeing Buhari in the spirit de corps. But here was a man who never stood for him in his hour of need, when his life was threatened because he could have died like the late Shehu Yar’ Adua. Yar’Adua died and God saved Obasanjo. It is our history. If Obasanjo is now loved by Buhari, it is because God saved him under Buhari and Abacha. For him to now know those who love him and those who hate him is because he is alive.” He said the APC will cease to exist after the March 28 presidential election. The governor, said that there was no chance of the APC winning the presi-

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

dential election. He said: “By the time voting ends on Saturday, they will come to the ground, knowing that they have been fooling themselves. That’s why I said no matter who dies in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party will remain. It is just like Nigeria. It is not about individuals; it is the people. That is why anywhere you go, the whole idea has been bought by the people. “In other political parties, they are owned by entrepreneurs who are hallucinating. The fear in APC now is that they are reading the final chapter of their political life. That is why the intensity of the falsehood is intensifying. That is not how to win

elections. They should wake up. You can see the desperation because they have sensed it; it is just very clear that they are losing it.” Lamido said that even some leaders of the APC, such as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and a key section of the PDP block, who formed an arm of the APC are not working for Buhari. He said they are still embittered that Buhari, who came into the arrangement with only Nasarawa State as his area of control, picked the ticket of the party for the presidential election. He said that beyond the propaganda of the APC, most of the people behind Buhari were not working for him. According to him, “Even Atiku too, I know him. It is these same PDP members, who fought Buhari in 2003, 2007 and 2011. They fought him. Even some of them as governors, shut down their airports to deny

Buhari going to their states. These are the people who are there now.

The truth is that they never forgive Buhari for defeating them.”

Court remands two over attack on Buhari’s wife Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

n Ilorin Magistrate court yesterday remanded two men, Sulaiman Lawal (27) and Lukuman Isiaka (20) in prison custody over their alleged role in attacking the convoy of Hajia Aisha Buhari, wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, during her recent visit to Kwara State. Lawal, who resides at No. 25, Ori-Okoh area of Ilorin and Isiaka of Eleran compound, Akalambi area, were arraigned on a five-count charge of criminal conspiracy, mischief, belonging to gang of thieves, extortion, assault and disturbance of public peace contrary to sections 97, 327, 306, 292 and 113 of the penal code law. According to Police First Information Report (FIR) on the incident dated March 18, the suspects allegedly attempted to extort money from Mrs. Buhari,

who was accompanied by APC vice presidential candidate wife, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo and Kwara State First Lady, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, while they were returning from the palace of the Emir of Ilorin after paying homage to the royal father. The FIR further indicated that the suspects and others at large, “criminally conspired in an attempt to extort money from them and in the process they smashed the side mirror of a car in the convoy and for a while caused pandemonium in the area.” The report further stated that investigation at ‘C’ division of the police in the state later revealed that the two belong to a group of social miscreants who use to extort money from passers-by at Ile-film junction, Ilorin. In his ruling, Magistrate Jubril Salihu ordered that the accused be remanded at Oke-Kura prison custody, Ilorin and adjourned the matter till April 2, for mention.

Obanikoro, Agbaje parley artisans for Jonathan Wale Elegbede

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission sensitising voters at Ambursa Community in Kebbi State...yesterday. C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

right to a plaintiff to sue in a matter. On the issue of taking oath of office and allegiance twice by the president, the court held that the constitution is the ground norm and sacrosanct to the extent that all other laws emanated from it and such it must be respected and obeyed by every Nigerian. “A court of law is therefore duty bound to consider the entire provision of the constitution. “In this appeal, it is not controverted by the appellant that the first oath taken by the first defendant (Jonathan) was the oath he took as the Vice President and not as President. “But he took the oath in May 2010 to complete unexpired tenure of late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. “Section 37(1)(b) disqualifies a person from contesting for president if he had been elected twice. Disqualification is through election and not oath taking. Election is a process of choosing a per-

PHOTO: NAN

inister of State for Foreign Affairs II, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jimi Agbaje, yesterday held an interactive session with the Lagos State Association of Vulcanisers (LSAV) urging them to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday and Agbaje on April 11. The parley which was held at the association’s secretariat at Mushin,

Lagos, had over 5,000 members in attendance displaying their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to the minister, promising to vote for the PDP in all the elections. Obanikoro, who reiterated the innovative programmes of President Jonathan in education, agriculture, youth empowerment among others, stated that the reforms in different sectors will only make the Nigerian economy stronger when the president gets re-elected.

How Jonathan braced eligibility hurdles son to occupy a position by voting. When election is given its literal meaning, it connotes when a voting is employed to choose a person for political office. “This did not take place when Jonathan stepped into the shoe of his principal who went to the great beyond. To say these things were done is to import words not used by the constitution. Section 146(1) of the constitution cannot be deemed an election for a VP to step into the office of a President. “Election involves conducting primaries by party, nomination, election and announcement of results. All these processes were not done. If a VP succeeds a President that dies, that cannot be challenged. It is a mode of stepping into the vacant office provided for by the constitution. “When a President dies, the Vice President automatically becomes President as provided for by S130 (1)(2) of the 1999 Constitution,” the court held.

In addition, the court also held that oath taken by Jonathan in May 2010 was a constitutional process. He noted that going by Section 135 (2) (b), the President took the oath of office for the first time in May 2011, adding that 2010 oath was to complete the unexpired term of Yar’Adua. The court also noted that if the first respondent is disqualified as prayed by the appellant, the system of election would have then be altered. “It was not election that produced the first respondent in May 2010, the oath he took then was not an oath of elected President as provided for by Section 180 of the constitution. “The process which produced the first respondent in 2010 was not election but a constitutional process. This was different to what happened in 2011. “The process of election was followed in 2011. The oath of office taken in 2011

was the first oath taking by the first respondent as an elected President having fulfilled all the process of election,” the court further held. Justice Yahaya however noted that the case of Buba Marwa relied upon by the appellant was not applicable in the instant case. “The first respondent had not been elected as President before 2011 and his two terms cannot end in 2015. “If you are not disqualified, then you are qualified to contest. The first respondent is not disqualified and on that note, he is qualified to contest. “The appeal lacks merit and fails in its entirety. It is hereby dismissed. Judgement of lower court is hereby affirmed. The sum of N50,000 each is to be paid as cost to each of the defendant,” the court held. Indeed, it was a long battle well-fought for the president.

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MarCH 24, 2015

Chief Timothy Ibitoye is the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ogun State. In this interview with KUNLE OLAYENI, he speaks on preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the conduct of hitch-free elections in the state. Excerpts:

What are the preparations by your commission for conduct of the general elections in Ogun State? We have prepared in the sense that all the non-sensitive materials for the elections have arrived and we have immediately sent them to the 20 local governments in Ogun State. The only challenge we are having is the issue of PVC. But we thank God that there is a considerable improvement of the distribution of the PVC. At least, we have a total number of 1,795,794 registered voters. So far, we have received 1,642,614 PVCs. And the total PVC distributed so far is 1,025,737 which is about 57 per cent. The total PVC uncollected is 616,877. The PVC we are expecting from Abuja is 153,180. That is why I said we have gone far on this issue of PVC. We have trained all the ad-hoc staff in preparation for this election. The only categories of staff who had not been trained is the returning and collation officers. Those are the two that have not been trained. And refresher training is going on; because we felt when there was a change of date, so the commission believed that they should still have refresher training for all the categories of staff that had been trained before. The returning officers and collation officers have not been trained. What have you put in place to ensure adequate training of these staff? The training venues are ready, the materials are ready and the trainers are ready. This is an indication that we have prepared at least for that training. According to the statistics released by INEC, Ogun State has the lowest number of PVC collection nationwide. Why is this so? That’s what I told you. I said the challenge we are facing is this issue of distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs). The problem didn’t start now. It was during the time of registration that Ogun State had 639 zero PUs where they said the data crashed. They did another one in November 2014 which they are now releasing to us from the headquarters batch by batch. That’s just the summary. And we have tried our best. They said it was 47 per cent before. As I’m talking to you, it’s 57 per cent. We have sent our ICT unit head to go to Abuja and bring the balance of our PVC. We

Card readers’ll curb election fraud, says Ibitoye What is your reaction to that? There is nothing like that. Among the PVCs that have arrived now, the electoral officer for Imeko-Afon Local Government, where the candidate hails from, came to tell me that about 90 per cent PVCs for Imeko-Afon have arrived. This time around, we are now distributing at the polling unit level. So, there is nothing like that. INEC is not prepared to disenfranchise anybody. By next week, more PVCs would have arrived. What synergy is in place to ensure the security of men and materials during the elections? We have been having InterAgency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meetings. We are holding one at the state Commissioner of Police’s office. There, we would still discuss the issue of materials and security of personnel. By the time he came to us here, the new CP assured us that there would not be any problem as far as security is concerned.

Ibitoye

REC’s

have told her not to come back until all our PVCs are completed.

F RUM

Are you optimistic that all the PVCs will arrive before the elections? By the special grace of God, every eligible voter in Ogun State will get his or her PVC. There are claims that alien or strange PVCs exist in Ogun State. The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, even gave credence to this when he stormed the INEC office to protest the development. Is it true there are alien PVCs in the state? No. You see, we tried as much as possible to convince the governor; there is nothing like alien PVCs in Ogun State. And that’s why the commission went ahead to write the names of those who have not collected their PVCs unit by unit. Our staff at the local government level wrote everything and pasted so that it is now the community leaders, the elders who saw this and discovered that some of them are dead. And that’s why we are having about 1,300 dead cases across the 20 local government areas. Not that alone, you know that the Redeemer University was based in Redemption Camp during the time of registration. The Redeemer University has now relocated to Ede. And if you look at the statistics of tertiary institutions, it appears Ogun State has the largest number of tertiary institutions; about 23 tertiary institutions. All these students have passed out. Some have left and some have relocated and they felt

INEC

The card reader will authenticate whether the PVC you are holding is yours or not... So, as far as INEC is concerned, if anybody is going out to buy PVC, he’s just wasting his time

they cannot even come back to Ogun State because of collection of PVC. Not only that, if you look at the geographical structure of Ogun State, it has so many gates that enter this state. And we have the Immigration, the Customs and all these security personnel who have been transferred and they registered by the time registration was ongoing. In fact, these were the sources of uncollected PVCs. We explained this to the governor. So, there is nothing like alien cards. Relocation and transfer have resulted to the cards that have not been collected. So, what is the commission planning to do with those cards that have not been collected? People have been collecting them and that’s why we have the percentage of distribution now from 47 they were claiming before to 57 per cent. And by the special grace of God, by next (last) week, we would have risen to 70 per cent. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Gboyega Isiaka, claimed that INEC was trying to disenfranchise eligible voters in Ogun West because the area has the lowest number of distribution in the state; that probably some people wanted to give his opponent some advantage.

There are allegations that some political parties are buying PVCs from voters in the state… What do they want to do with the PVCs they are selling? What do they want to do with them when there is a card reader? The card reader will authenticate whether the PVC you are holding is yours or not. And it is going to reduce the incidence of election fraud. So, as far as INEC is concerned, if anybody is going out to buy PVC, he’s just wasting his time. With the level of controversy that has trailed the card reader, do you think it is still feasible? At least, we have tested the card reader in 12 states and we have seen the success. It’s only in Ebonyi State that we had problem and it has been repeated last Saturday with considerable level of success. The card reader is just to reduce election malpractice. What specific challenges is your commission facing apart from PVC distribution? You know Ogun State is a peaceful state and you will see it in their various campaigns. They are not trouble-makers. I’m confident that we would have free, fair, credible and non-violent elections come March 28 and April 11. What measure of cooperation have you received from the political parties in the state? We had a stakeholders meeting and they promised that they would try as much as possible to cooperate with INEC. They have given us that assurance and the governor himself was at that meeting. With the jingles (advocacy and publicity) which we are releasing periodically, I’m sure people will abide by the rule of the game.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Poetry, mainstay of oral tradition

Fred Nwaozor

oetry – a genre of literature, which is a collection of series of poems, can be defined as a literary work in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm. Poetry is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language such as phonaesthetics, sound symbolism, and metre, to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, the prosaic ostensible meaning. Poetry has a long history or lineage, dating back to the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh. Early poems evolved from folk songs such as the Chinese Shijing, or from a need to retell oral epics. Ancient attempts to define Poetry focused on the uses of speech in rhetoric, drama, song and comedy. Later attempts concentrated mainly on features not unlike repetition, verse form and rhyme, as well as emphasized the aesthetics which distinguish poetry from more objectively informative, prosaic forms of writing. From the middle of twentieth (20th) century, poetry has sometimes been more generally regarded as a fundamental creative act that employs language. Poetry uses forms and conventions to suggest differential interpretation to words, or to evoke emotive responses. In poetic presentation, devices including assonance, alliteration, onomatopoeia and rhythm are sometimes used to achieve musical or incantatory effects. The use of ambiguity, symbolism, irony or sarcasm, and other stylistic elements of poetic diction invariably leaves a poem open to multiple interpretations. Similarly, figures of speech to include metaphor, simile and metonym create a resonance between otherwise disparate images – a layering of meanings, forming connections previously not perceived. Some poetry types are not unconnected to particular cultures and genres, and respond to features of the language in which the poet writes. Most modern poetry reflect a critique of poetic tradition, playing

In celebrating World Poetry Day, UNESCO recognizes the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind with and testing among other things, the principle of euphony, sometimes altogether forgoing rhyme or set rhythm. Perhaps, in today’s increasingly globalized world, poets often adapt forms, styles and techniques from diverse cultures and languages. Because of its nature of emphasizing linguistic form rather than using language purely for its content, poetry is notoriously difficult to translate from one language into another. A possible example of this is the Hebrew Psalms, where the beauty is found more in the balance of ideas than in specific vocabulary. In most poetry, it is the connotations and the weight of words that are majorly important. Such attribute can be difficult to interpret thereby causing different readers to hear or understand a particular piece of poetry differently. While there are logical interpretations, the truth of the matter is that, there can never be a definitive or specific interpretation attached to a particular poem. So far, by painstakingly considering the use of poetry in various artistic areas or fictional works such as folk tales, advertisement, music, short stories, children’s literature, drama or play, prose, and what have you, anyone can easily assert that its significance in both human and societal development cannot be overemphasized. Poetry has indeed created an enormous positive impact on literature, and has contributed immensely in the promotion of languages, cultures and education in general. No doubt, poetry has succeeded in awakening man’s quest for learning or discovery as well as his

interest to educate, entertain or inform his immediate society through the use of any language within his reach. Apparently, the use of sarcasm or irony in poetic presentations is one of the yardsticks that signify how far poetry can go while conveying messages irrespective of its content. Last Saturday March 21, the world over celebrated the 2015 World Poetry Day. A decision to proclaim 21st of March as an annual World Poetry Day was adopted during the 30th session of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conference, held in Paris, France in the year 1999. One of the main objectives of the Day is to support linguistic diversity through poetic expressions, and to offer endangered languages the opportunity to be heard within their respective communities. In celebrating World Poetry Day, UNESCO recognizes the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind. As the global community marked the World Poetry Day, I enjoined every individual across the globe, especially Nigerians, to acknowledge the unique essence of poems in literature by understanding the fact that poetry reaffirms our common humanity by revealing to us that individuals, anywhere in the world, share the same questions and feelings. Thus, we ought to comprehend that poetry is the mainstay of oral tradition; and over centuries, can communicate or convey the innermost values of diverse cultures. Above all, we should always note that poetry is the only genre of literature that saves time, space as well as energy. On this background, I urge every concerned sector and stakeholder such as the parents, guardians, counsellors, teachers and various citadels of learning, to vigorously contribute their respective quotas to ensure that the unique art of poetry will no longer be considered as an outdated form of literature, but one which enables any society to regain and assert its real identity. It is better late than never, considering the anticipated impact of this crusade. Think about it! • Nwaozor (frednwaozor@gmail.com), is a Public Affairs Analyst & Civil Rights Activist (+2348028608056)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Alao-Akala and his bright chances in Oyo guber race

Jonathan 'll win: UK firm’s survey on target

THE bright chances of the immediate past governor of Oyo State and the gubernatorial candidate for the Labour Party in the coming elections in the State, Otunba (Dr) Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala in clinching the reins of power are very incriminating and alluring..It is very obvious that His Excellency is really aware of the political chess board of Oyo State, and its under currents that will determine success in Oyo politics; hence his full preparations for the coming race and his resolve not just to participate but to become the next occupant of the Agodi government house come May 29. It is not surprising that almost everybody is identifying with the former governor in his current bid to rule Oyo State again all because of his past achievements and antecedents when he was in government. Alao-Akala never practiced politics of isolation or nepotism. When he was the executive governor, he spread the dividends of democracy to the nooks and crannies of the state. No zone in the entire state was counted inferior or relegated to the background. There was even distribution of developmental projects without criminal neglect

AHEAD of the presidential election holding March 28, several biased and self-serving predictions have inundated the political space. The two key candidates are President Goodluck Jonathan of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and General Muhammadu Buhari of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Unfortunately, the science of poll prediction is still in infancy here and not surprisingly much of the local ‘prophecies’ are mere drivel. This is why the recent survey by UKbased Kevin, Charlyn & Kimberly Associates, a research and political risk consultancy firm which projected victory in the March 28 poll for President Goodluck Jonathan deserves some commentary. The firm which utilized a combination of what it called “monkey survey” and “Political Risk Index” to forecast the election projected that President Jonathan will win by 13 per cent probability if everything remains constant. Kevin, Charlyn & Kimberly Associates’ survey rationale and parameters are straightforward and sophisticated. This was properly communicated to Nigerians by Mr. O.C Vince, Kevin,

or reckless abandonment. This is being attested to by the large followers he is receiving in all the zones of the State especially Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso. His participatory and inclusive style of governance is making many political bigwigs and stakeholders in the state to be at home with him because they have tested him before and know him to be a listening leader and down to the earth; very approachable and available for them 24/7. His magnanimity in nature is captivating. His grace to respond to the needs of the down trodden, including the physically challenged ones who are in the majority is giving him competitive advantage over other contestants in the gubernatorial race of the State. His knowledge of grassroots politic is taking him to all towns, cities and villages to canvas for their votes. His humility and altruism make him not to see any village too small to visit or any traditional ruler or chief too minor to reach out to . Hardly is there any place his foot will not touch to give expression to the promise of God that says everywhere the sole of his foot shall touch shall be given to him for possession. • Mark Debo Taiwo, Takie, Ogbomoso. 08038264924

Charlyn & Kimberly Associates’ Vice President for West Africa. His words: “Many people around the world, including politics and business leaders are focused on Nigeria. They want to see how the ongoing democratic process is managed. Hopefully our non-partisan efforts will help strengthen democracy, encourage peaceful and credible election and enable the different contending parties manage their final push towards the May 28 Presidential Election as scheduled.” Vince stated his firm had no partisan interest in the outcome of the election as it is left for the people of Nigeria to decide and explained it decided to conduct the survey because of the general global interest the Nigeria election has generated. This clarification was very important. According to the Briton, his firm randomly conducted a nationwide opinion poll focusing on the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria: North east, North-West, North-Central, SouthWest, South-East and South-South. In this connection, the sampled population were asked questions. • Lewis Chukwuma, Gariki, Abuja.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

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Waiting for female governors

n November 3,2006, the womenfolk in Nigeria took a giant stride on the political turf when Mrs Virginia Ngozi Etiaba emerged as Governor of Anambra State. She was hitherto, the Deputy Governor of the State but when her then boss, Governor Peter Obi was impeached by members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Etiaba had to step into his shoes as demanded by the Nigerian Constitution. Although her tenure was short lived, it was a significant milestone for female politicians in the country who have been largely relegated to the background in a terrain dominated by the men folk for a long time. Since the Etiaba breakthrough almost a decade ago, no woman has been able to make it to the exalted position of governor of a state in the country. As the nation prepares for the 2015 general election, a number of women have indicated interest in the governorship race while others have filed their nomination papers to contest as deputy governors. At the last count, the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) said that a total of 372 candidates will

The African Charter Protocol, says women must have 35 per cent representation at all levels of decision-making but it will be a great delusion for the womenfolk to fold their arms and expect a miraculous achievement of this goal contest the April 11 governorship election across the federation. Out of this number, only twenty four (24) of them are women. Similarly, there are 372 deputy governorship candidates but only eighty - six (86) of them are women. With the scanty number of females at the starting line of this strenuous race, we can only imagine how many of them that would get to the finishing line. In spite of the much talked about Affirmative Action, it is obvious that only a few of our women are willing to dare their male counter-

parts in the contest for the hot seat. The African Charter Protocol, says women must have 35 per cent representation at all levels of decision-making but it will be a great delusion for the womenfolk to fold their arms and expect a miraculous achievement of this goal. It appears that a lot of women believe that they are just good enough as running mates to their male counterparts. They often complain of being schemed out by the men but it does seem that this wound is largely, self- inflicted as only the courageous wins a battle. We acknowledge the socio- cultural and economic barriers that tend to limit the ambition of the women to achieve the utmost in politics. We appreciate the fact that in many parts of Nigeria women are beset by cultural norms that require them to be totally submissive and subservient to the men. In addition, politics is seen as a dirty game played in the jungle by those who are prepared to do anything just to grab power and wealth. In many of our communities, politicians are perceived as dubious characters who hold nocturnal meetings to plot evil against their opponents. These images of politics are

so scary that most women would rather stay away. Beyond cultural inhibitions, most women do not have the financial wherewithal to participate fully in political contests and even whey do, they are held in contempt by the rest of the society. They are expected to be seen and not to be heard. Those who brave the odds often end up being pilloried for venturing into what ordinarily should be their right just, like the men. We urge the womenfolk to discountenance these wrong perceptions and see politics in positive light- an avenue to bring good governance to the people.. They must know that women constitute about half of the population and they can be easily elected if only they mobilize their fellow women during elections. Over the years, women have excelled in a number of elective and appointive positions in Nigeria and they must summon enough courage in contesting the governorship position. Women must brace up to the challenges that confront them instead of feeling intimidated by their male counterparts and confining themselves to playing the second fiddle. They could just be the magic wands through which our states could be transformed for the better.

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Politics

TUESDAY, MarCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buying PVCs, waste of resources – Kebbi REC Alhaji Jibril Ibrhaim Zarewa is the Kebbi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). In this interview with Abubakari Abdul, he speaks on the preparation for the forthcoming elections. Excerpts: What are your preparations towards the forthcoming elections? We have completed all our arrangements and waiting for March 28. Recently we did a mock election and it was successful. We have intensified on the activities of the commis-

sion to ensure full readiness and delivery of free, fair, credible and transparent elections. We have achieved a lot in our preparations for the elections. We have achieved 90 per cent distribution of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs),

REC’s

F RUM INEC

production of electronic register and relocation of Polling Units (PUs). As a policy of the commission, we have ordered for relocation of PUs located in individual houses, places of worship, palaces and public places in Kebbi. In all, 681 PUs have been relocated. The voter education and public enlightenment have been done. We

have also engaged NGOs, CSOs and CBOs on sensitisation, meeting with stakeholders and other political parties, and organising workshops for relevant people. In fact, we have completed what we are supposed to do. What are your challenges? I don’t have any challenges. My major challenge is the politicians. They should play politics by the rules, conduct violence-free campaigns, educate and enlighten their followers on the need for peaceful elec-

tioneering. We should do everything to maintain the peace Kebbi is known for. There is also need to sanitise the polity by putting the national interest above self in order to deepen and sustain our democracy in the best interest of not only the commission or politicians but those of all citizens. We must therefore avoid the temptation of throwing away the baby with bath water. We must also avoid overheating the state by continually promoting peaceful conduct and civility in political engage-

ments and electioneering. However, the rising tendency towards thuggery, acrimonies, violence in campaigns and election is worrisome and retrogressive. The cumulative effects of these include disruption of the electoral process and undermining our aspirations for credible and peaceful election. How many smart card readers have you received so far? So far the commission has received a total of 2,898 card readers for the elections. You have also seen how the mock election looked like; it was very successful. The commission has distributed sensitive materials to local governments offices across the state while RAC centres have also been revived to enable the commission to provide conducive atmosphere for the ad-hoc staff to take off effectively on the day of election to their respectively PUs of assignment. What about the cancellation of the use of card reader, which some people are calling for? I don’t think it would also work, because the commission has been advocating for free, fair and credible elections. With the use of the card reader, there would be no room for ringing any election now. In fact, it is time we do away with sentiment. We are advanced in term of technology and with this machine, there would be free and fair elections, as has never done in Nigeria would be done this time around. What about those alleged of buying PVCs from people? Those buying PVCs are wasting their resources; let them even buy what is even above the PVCs; it would not work this term around. If you look at the way they configure the machine, it would be difficult for someone using another person’s card for voting. I can tell you authoritatively that those who are buying PVCs are just wasting their money. What is your advice to Nigerians, especially the political parties and politicians? I have said it early that on their part they should play politics by the rules, conduct violence-free campaigns, educate and enlighten their followers on the need for peaceful electioneering. People should do everything possible to maintain peace in the state and Nigeria as all.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MARCH 24, 2015

Arts

Tony Okuyeme

or dance as a profession in Nigeria to attract the desired support, recognition it should have, the practitioners need to come together and work for its development. Managing Director of Enhance 360 Ltd, and founder, WAJO, a multi-faceted dance project, Mr. Seun Adeleye identified some of the various factors militating against the progress and cohesion essential for growth of the dance community in Nigeria. These, he stated, include awareness and exposure of dancers, perception of dancers by the society, strong division amongst dancers, perception of few notable dancers by whole numerous dancers, absence of standardized structures to help push the economic value of dance, and literacy level. “This is obviously a reflection of our larger society but we can take the bull by the horn and drive a new order,” Adeleye stated at a media parley in Lagos, organised by WAJO, to call attention to the need for support for the industry. Also at the event were notable dancers, choreographers, artistes, and dance enthusiasts. They include Dayo Liadi, Ikem from the Society for Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), and Charles a renowned dancer. To help elevate the dance industry, he posited, concerted and deliberate effort from key players or everyone associated with dance remotely, actively or otherwise is critical. “This is paramount and of utmost importance at this stage. A thinktank seminar/workshop to further breakdown to build afresh must happen and at the end of it a communiqué must be issued that all must abide by. We are proposing a holistic approach from all parties and active players in this sector to harmonize a development structure and pathway to stardom/success will alter and reshape the whole dance sphere,” Adeleye further stated, noting that WAJO is in the process of being registered as a not for profit, non-governmental organisation in order to be better positioned to manage the enormous task ahead. “Our vision is to make dance more prominent and relevant thereby making it a profession of repute and helping dancers maximize their talents and skills albeit in a properly structured and standardized setting or scenario as you may have it. WAJO is not a dance school or dance company. We are a platform for dance to take on a mean

THEATRE

Renewed call for promotion, development of dance industry

Apex Dance Company performing at WAJO in Lagos

of its own through dancer. We seek to bring everyone together to form and create the future we have all dreamt about for dance in Nigeria where dance can contribute to the national economic GDP. “Education formal or informal plays a prominent role in any of life’s endeavor and it equips and prepares for the challenges that might come any individual’s way; this necessitate the having of frequent periodic seminars and workshops in conjunction with

established institutions both locally and internationally to further enlighten dancers on topics ranging from health, technical knowledge of different dance styles, dance business and management and so on. “As a cultural issue, we do not keep records; hence western influence is fast corroding our cultural values that have been handed down from generation by means of teaching. But how

about standardizing a dance move and keeping record of it just as you have it in most of the foreign dances we are adopting today. Examples are Salsa with basic steps that are taught the same way across the world but not Galala, Shoki or even Bata.” Collaborating Adeleye’s position, Liadi in his remark, spoke on the need for stakeholders work together for the growth of the industry.

Final lap for Fool’s Day on stage Tony Okuyeme

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

ool’s Day, a rib-cracking play written by Olufemi Oke, ends its three-Sunday run at the Ethnic Heritage Centre, 35a, Raymond Njoku Street, off Awolowo Road, ikoyi, Lagos, this Sunday March 29, 2015. The show is produced by

Tiata-tori series and Kininso-koncepts Productions. The play, directed by Joshua Alabi, is a dramatic survey especially on contemporary Nigerian family. Fool’s Day tries to examine dramatically the resultant effect of the nonchallant attitude of parents towards their children’s affairs outside the home. Though

a comedy, this play touches serious issues that parents could face when all they do is provide for their children’s needs and believe all is well. The family is the nucleus of every society and this means that, if the family is not well taken care of and structured in a way to improve the societal moral and human sanc-

tity, then chaos would be the order of the day. In the play, a certain chief and his wife are faced with the discovery of the wayward lifestyles of their children and househelps on a day they least expect… “When chaos thrives in the nucleus of the society, then everyone is left at the mercy of fate.”

Arts

he National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has engaged the process of strengthening bilateral cultural ties with the Chinese government, through the Chinese Cultural Centre in Abuja. The Chairman, Governing Board of NICO, Alhaji Ibrahim Isma’il, on Wednesday, 18th March, 2015, led some Members of the Governing Board as well as Management of the Institute, on a courtesy call to the Director, Chinese Cultural Centre in Abuja, Yan Xiang Dong, intended to create a mutually beneficial working relationship between the two organisations. The meeting, NICO’s Board Chairman stated, was informed by the need for the Chinese Cultural Centre to synergise with NICO in the promotion of cultural partnership between Nigeria and China, stressing that both countries will have a lot to learn from each other’s culture. While maintaining that China is a very big country that is known for cultural excellence, Alhaji Isma’il expressed optimism that Nigeria can benefit greatly from China in the area of culture, saying culture is one area the nation can do well, hence, it has to do with the totality of the way of life of a people. The Executive Secretary of NICO, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, in his remark, said China is a country that places culture at the fore in national development and that it will no doubt go a long way for Nigeria to identify with China, especially through the NICO platform. Ayakoroma gave a brief on the activities of the Institute over its 22 years of existence to include the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), NICO Cultural Clubs, Children’s Cultural Extravaganza, Promoting Nigerian Dress Culture and, above all, the hosting of SONTA 2015 International Conference, which, he said, is usually hosted by Nigerian universities but for his presence in NICO. On his part, the Director-General, Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Professor Bola Akinterinwa, who was

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NICO seeks to strengthen cultural ties with China on the delegation as a Member of the Institute’s Governing Board and facilitator of the courtesy visit, said after discussions on the challenges facing the Institute during a recent Governing Board meeting in Abuja, he realised that since the leadership of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Nigeria was known for its interest in bridging the cultural gap between the two countries, it would not be out of place to engage the process of strengthening cultural ties. His words: “What NICO wants, everything can be addressed in the Memorandum of Understanding on a Cultural Bilateral Relationship between the Chinese Government and Nigeria, which is still undergoing consultations. NICO looks forward to Chinese support and assistance culturally and because we know that you are known for cultural excellence, NICO wants to follow you in that line of excellence.” Responding, the Director, Chinese Cultural Centre, Mr. Yan Xiang Dong said the Centre is into promotion of Chinese Culture through the teaching of Chinese language, working in partnership with Nigeria by interfacing in various cultural events and competitions. He further disclosed that, the Centre usually invites lecturers from Chinese Universities, as resource persons, especially in the area of teaching ChChina1inese Culture, just as they organise art competitions for Nigerian Children stressing: “The Centre is indeed interested in collaborating with Cultural Institutes, Centres, Agencies and stakeholders in Nigeria. In fact, most festivals we have in China, we replicate them here in Nigeria. So, we are really happy that you have found time to visit us. And on our part, we look forward to when it is convenient for you so that we can also

NICO troupe performing at the launching of Ayakoroma’s book Trends in Nollywood in Lagos

L-R Barclays Ayakoroma, Alhaji Ibrahim Isma’il and the Director, Chinese Cultural Centre, Mr. Yan Xiang Dong

come to pay you a visit to see what you have on ground.” Highlight of the visit included the presentation of NICO publications by the Chairman of the Governing Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Isma’il to the Centre and a facility tour of the Centre.

Also on the entourage of the board chairman were NICO’s Director, Orientation and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Alex Omijie; Co-ordinator, NICO Training School, Abuja, Mrs. Regina Onuoha; Head of Protocol, Mr. Ibrahim Malgwi and other members of staff.

D’Banj backs NAFDAC’s anti-drugs counterfeiting programmes Appolonia Adeyemi

D’banj

ward winning ace musician, Mr. Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo popularly known as D’Banj has thrown his weight behind efforts of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in tackling fake food and drug products. This is contained in a statement from the Director General of NAFDAC and signed by Abubakar Jimoh who is the Agency’s director for Special Duties. According to the statement, D’Banj stormed the new ultra-modern regional administrative headquarter and laboratories of NAFDAC in Lagos State, to lend support to the Agency’s Public Enlightenment Campaign against counterfeit drugs and

other substandard regulated products in the country. D’banj who was conducted round NAFDAC’s laboratories at Oshodi and Yaba commended the Agency for its relentless fight against counterfeit drugs and efforts to save the lives of millions of Nigerians. He explained that his tour of NAFDAC laboratories and the illuminating explanations offered by the Regulatory officers on duty should be widely disseminated to millions of vibrant Nigerian youths who are ignorant about public health issues and regulatory activities. His words: “I am very impressed and inspired with what I have seen at NAFDAC laboratories and other offices. Before now I find it difficult to distinguish a genuine drug from the counterfeit. We hear a lot of news about fake drugs.

From what i have seen today, I am well informed. On behalf of the Nigerian youths, I just have to commend NAFDAC for their good works.” D’banj who was mobbed by enthusiastic fans, praised the director - general of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, for taking the agency to greater heights as one of the top 20 medicines Regulatory Authorities in the world. In his response, Orhii, who was highly elated, said D’banj’s visit was a morale booster and source of encouragement for the NAFDAC Regulatory workers saddled with the sacred mandate of safeguarding public health. He thanked the celebrated musician for his show of solidarity and readiness to strengthen NAFDAC’s public enlightenment campaign through his musical platform.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

Controversy

Sensitisation

Missions, parents divided over return of schools

Minister sensitises students on agric programmes

Education Boko Haram: Students recount ordeal Adamawa University gate

AGONY

Six months after Boko Haram insurgents attacked and sacked the Adamawa State University and Federal Polytechnics, Mubi, the students are still licking their wounds

Ibrahim Abdul YOLA

heir dream like other Nigerian students is to acquire higher education that will position them to function and be relevant in today’s world of work. But, that dream almost crashed like a pack of cards on October 29, 2014, when the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents invaded their institutions and sacked the entire community, leaving many students either dead or maimed, while some were conscripted as militants. Five months after, life seems

KAYODE OLANREWAJU EDITOR, EDUCATION

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

not to be the same for the students, who are still counting their losses, due to the continued closure of their institutions. This is the sordid story of students and lecturers of the Adamawa State University (ADSU) and the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State; the two institutions that were invaded and sacked by the Boko Haram insurgents last year. “We narrowly escaped being killed. We were 10 in a taxi with which we escaped to a forest where we joined several other students and lecturers. We spent some days in the forest without food or drink, while trying to flee from the Boko Haram insurgents. We spent three days in the bush running day and night before we got to a place from where we took tricycle to Yola.” With these words, 23-year-old Hamid Ibrahim, a Sophomore in the Department of Public Administration at the Adamawa State University, Mubi, and Miss Gift Ugo, a Higher National Diploma (HND II) Mass Communication student of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi recounted their ordeals and experiences when the deadly Boko Haram insurgents sacked their institutions. The dust raised by the serial attacks on the institutions located in Mubi, Adamawa State, one of the hotbeds of the Boko Haram insurgence in the North Eastern states may have settled, the students said they would not forget in a hurry the incident, which claimed the lives of some of them. As a result of the attacks on their institutions, many of the

Five months after, life seems not to be the same for the students

students, who said they would prefer to rewrite the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) if transferring to other institutions in other states is difficult, have vowed never to return to the institutions to complete their education. Recalling the ugly incident, a 53-year-old lecturer, Mr. Malachy Tizhe, who is currently a refugee in Yola, said: “The Boko Haram insurgents came to Mubi on several motorbikes shooting sporadically and chanting Allah Akhbar, saying they were here to impose Sharia.” Hamid, while recalling the terror and confusion that greeted the university on that fateful day, said” “We were attending a 7 am lecture, when we heard the sporadic sound of gunfire and bombs with a pall of thick smoke covering the entire Mubi town. Before we knew what was happening, the insurgents had already advancing forcefully towards the campus.” He, however, noted that some students who had got hint of the bloody attacks took to their heels and escaped from the campus, even as he expressed shock that by the time he got to the university main gate, the heavily armed security officers with their Armoured Personnel Carrier had already disappeared, leaving the students to their fate. Hamid recalled: “To confirm our fears, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Zira, by then told us in clear terms to run for our dear lives because the insurgents had taken over the town. And, with the speed of lightening, we all rushed out of the lecture hall with

other students and lecturers running in different directions. “I rushed to my hostel, which is quite close to the university. At that time, there was sound of gunshots everywhere, and bombblasts at different locations. There was noise and confusion everywhere as people fled for their lives.” It was the same story at the Federal Polytechnic, as Rejoice David, a student of the polytechnic, who narrated her ordeal, described the scene as a “horror,” which is better imagined than experienced. Like Hamid, David, who said there was confusion in the polytechnic, which at the time of the attack was preparing to commence the semester examination, as gunshots and bomb explosions rocked everywhere in the town. She said: “The polytechnic security officers at the gate took to their heels, deserting their duty posts as there was pandemonium on campus. “The Boko Haram insurgents who disguised in military uniform and camouflage were shooting at different directions, while we were running in all directions for our dear lives. We were just running hopelessly with the intention that if death comes, we have tried our best. It was the worst experience of my life.” Ugo, who also recalled the incident of that fateful Wednesday morning, lamented that before they escaped from the campus, an HND I students had been killed, adding that more than CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

24 Education

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Covenant varsity lauds Diamond Bank on ICT project Kayode Olanrewaju

he Chancellor of Covenant University (CU), a private university owned by the Living Faith Church (aka Winners’ Chapel) and located at Ota, an industrial community in Ogun State, has lauded the management of Diamond Bank Plc for the bank’s robust corporate social responsibility initiatives and commitment to strategically empower Nigerian youths with cutting edge ICT knowledge. Bishop David Oyedepo gave the commendation during the inauguration of a state-of-the-art ICT Centre built and donated to the university by the bank as part of its CSR initiative. Dr. Oyedepo, the Presiding Bishop of church noted that the bank has through the ICT Centre opened a window of limitless gateway to knowledge in the institution. He said: “Let me thank the management of Diamond Bank Plc for identifying with our vision here at Covenant University, which is to become a research hub, not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa. One of the reasons why Nigeria seems not to be growing is the trivialization of important aspects of development such as this centre where research can be carried out to find solutions to national problems and needs. I think it is time for more corporate organisations to get involved in this type of effort to help facilitate research in academic institutions.” The Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Uzoma Dozie, while speaking at the ceremony, stated that the project was in line with the bank’s commitment to ensuring that academic institutions in the country adopt

Oyedepo (2nd right) and other officials of the bank and the university at the event

up-to-date technology in research projects. His words: “We would like to thank the Chancellor and the entire management of Covenant University for facilitating this partnership. For us at Diamond Bank, it is not only a dream come true, but also an expression of our commitment to ensuring that academic institutions in the country, like their counterparts all over the world, adopt cutting-edge technology in their research projects which will ultimately increase academic excellence.” Dozie expressed optimism that the centre would go a long way in ensuring that the students of the university and researchers access data for

research analysis. While adding that “the availability of data for research is fundamental to qualitative analysis of the problems affecting humanity,” he pointed out that it hopes that the students and other researchers of the institution would be able to access information faster at the centre.” Echoing Bishop Oyedepo’s position, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Ayo, said the university was proud to be associated with the bank, even as he noted that the centre is symbolic in view of the university’s vision to become one of the top 10 universities in the world in the next 10 years. “The university is proud to be as-

Education colleges to award degrees Yekeen Nurudeen ABUJA

arring any unforeseen circumstances, Colleges of Education in the country will soon commence awarding degrees like universities. The Chairman, Committee of Governing Boards of Colleges of Education, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, who gave the hint, disclosed that the Committee has commenced processes that would ensure that all colleges of education in the country acquire degree awarding status. Speaking to journalists in Abuja shortly after a meeting of the Chairmen of Governing Boards of Colleges of Education, Anosike said the colleges were well positioned and equipped to be considered for degree awarding status. While noting that most of the colleges had already been affiliated to universities in which they award degrees, he emphasised that the transformation they have undergone in terms of staff strength, carrying capacity and infrastructural development have qualified them to award degrees on their own.

Anosike said: “Originally, Colleges of Education were known to award the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE), but as we are speaking today, most of the colleges are affiliated to one university or the other to award degrees. And this body is working assiduously to make sure that our colleges are upgraded to degree awarding institutions. When we talk about colleges of education, what comes to the people’s mind

is that it is just NCE certificate for one to be a teacher. We want to change this. But I put it to you that most people that pass through colleges of education come out with double major. You could either be a teacher or work in any office.” On efforts to forestall industrial crisis at the colleges, Anosike explained that the council is always in touch with the various staff unions by ensuring that their demands are

addressed promptly. He added: “We are completely in touch with the unions; we interact with them at every particular time to ensure that we are on the same page. Therefore, the various council chairmen have decided that we would not witness any strike in the system anymore. That was why in the last nationwide strike in the colleges we took it upon ourselves to resolve the problem.”

L-R: Senior Technical Assistance to the Managing Director, Keystone Bank Ltd, Temitayo Olutoye; a teacher at the Isolo Junior Secondary School, Mr. Oke Olarewaju; Keystone Bank’s Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Mr. Hafiz Bakare; Divisional Head, Festac Region of the bank, Mr. Emmanuel Ntomchkwu; Principal of the school, Mrs. Anthonia Adekemi, with the school’s prefects during the financial literacy programme organised by the bank at the school.

sociated with Diamond Bank and this partnership is unique,” the ViceChancellor stressed, adding that “the commissioning of the project today resonates with Covenant University’s vision and the partnership is a step in the right direction.” The ICT centre is fully equipped with an e-library, an e-banking centre with Automated Teller Machines (ATM) and an e-classroom with 48 smart PCs. With the ICT centre strategically located within the research centre of the university, the bank is also deploying other technological facilities in the university such as e-attendance register and unified payment and identity system.

Don’s paper thrills participants at conference

lecturer at the Department of Banking and Finance at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Prof. Tomola Obamuyi, was among the resource persons selected across the globe to present a paper at a two-day international seminar, which took place between March 3 and 4 at the Mahatma Gandhi University, Anneparthi Yellareddygudem, India. The seminar was titled “Global Financial Meltdown – Issues and Challenges”. Obamuyi, who spoke on: “The Influence of Personal Characteristics and Entrepreneurs’ Source of Start-Up Finance in SubSaharan Africa,” is the Director of AAUA Linkages and International Programmes Office. The seminar, he said availed participants the opportunity to net-work as well as provided them a unique platform to proffer solutions to the current global financial crisis and entrepreneurship.

Education 25

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

Missions, parents divided over return of schools Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

he seemingly plan by the Abia State Government to return some 102 primary schools to their original mission owners, have continued to generate mixed feelings among stakeholders, especially parents, who are challenging the government’s decision. The implications of the government’s decision, according to them, for the teachers, parents and the readiness of the missions in terms of quality personnel and financial muscle for the takeover would not be palatable. The government handing over of schools to missions is no longer new in the state, as similar move was taken in 2012, when some secondary schools were handed over to their original owners. The success of that exercise, it is believed, has encouraged the government to return some primary schools to the missions, in what the government said is the first phase of the handing over of the schools. Although, the names of the schools were not specified, investigations by the New Telegraph revealed that eight of the schools to be returned belong to the Adventist church; while Catholic Church has 24; Qua Iboe Church (13); Anglican Church (24); Christ Apostolic Church (two); Methodist Church (16); Assemblies of God Church (six schools); and the Presbyterian Church also six schools. But the government has expressed satisfaction over its decision to return some secondary schools to their owners in 2012, stressing that Abia State has consistently taken the second lead in the WASSCE results for two consecutive years. This feat, it noted, has been attributed to the improvement in academic performance of the students as a result of redirecting their energies and restoring high moral and discipline tone by the mission owners. Governor Theodore Orji, who bemoaned the sliding moral and discipline among teachers and students in schools, admitted that discipline was better enforced by the missions. Reacting to the development, Most Reverend Sunday Agwu, the Archbishop of Archdiocese of Umuahia Methodist Church Nigeria, said the Church being the pioneer mission to incorporate education in its missionary work, was ready for the take-over of their schools. He recalled that the mission has achieved huge success in the secondary schools previously returned to it, saying apart from the high moral tone in the schools, the pupils are now doing well in state and national competitions. He said the Church, which the cleric hinted has 55 primary schools across the state, is adequately prepared and ready to take over the 16 school as announced by government in the first phase. “The Church took over the Methodist High School in 2012 when it was returned to the mission by the government, and the school has been transformed morally and academically with adequate infrastructural facilities without increasing the school fee above N5,000

Orji

as pegged by the government,” the Archbishop said. On the preparedness of the mission to take over the schools, Agwu added: “The mission has no money kept in the bank, but when there is a project we appeal to the members and other corporate organisations.” While stressing that the mission is eager to take its schools back, he specifically pointed out that the government was already aware of the high level of discipline and development in the schools earlier returned to the mission. The cleric, who insisted that the government only cannot run the schools, despite the fact that it could afford to pay the teachers, explained that “returning the schools to their original owners would go a long way to tackle the moral decadence and poor quality in the schools. Lauding the government on the initiative, Agwu said the state government realized that it could address the moral problem confronting the society by returning the schools to the churches. “We are confident that if all the schools are fully returned to their mission owners, we can deal effectively with any erring teacher and student, since the undue freedom that makes some teachers and pupils do what they like in public schools will no longer be there,” he noted. Explaining the rationale behind its decision, the government said at a meeting with the Interdenominational Committee on the Return of Schools, that it was however conscious of any crisis that might happened between the communities and churches as a result of the return of the school, and to avoid such crisis some schools were yet to be returned to their owners. However, New Telegraph investigation revealed that Ugba Community Primary School in the governor’s community was not listed among the schools to be handed over to its original owners, the Anglican Church, due to opposition from the community. But, in swift reaction, some teachers that spoke on the development viewed it differently, even as they lamented the fate of the teachers, parents/guardians and pupils in those schools.

They, however, wondered why the governor should hand over schools funded by the state government and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to missions. The teachers, who noted that basic education (Primary I to JSS III) is being funded by the SUBEB and is free, therefore expressed fear that now that the schools had been handed over to the missions, they automatically become private schools with the attendant increase in school fees. They argued that if the policy is to be implemented to the letter, it therefore means that all primary schools especially those in the cities will be returned in the exercise. Rather than hand over the schools to the missions, the government, the teachers further argued should relocate the ones that share the same premises with their mission owners. However, a Methodist Minister, who also did not want his name in print, said the mission are not run their schools for money making, even as he explained that the missions are merely toeing the line of charitable organisations. While lamenting that education began to witness it’s collapsed as a result of government forceful taken over of the school, he added: “You can see how teachers are buying and selling in the schools, with some of them turned to politicians.” “Under the control and management of the missions, no teacher will flout the missions’ directive and get away with it,” the Church Minister noted. In his reaction, a parent, Mr Kalu Eziyi, said the handing over of schools to the missions was not in the interest of education development or the parents. He, therefore, expressed dismay over how parents would be able to cope with the anticipated increase in school fees, doubting whether the missions have the financial muscle or the wherewithal to pay the teachers adequately. Another parent, Mr Chidi Asonye, condemned some of the secondary schools handed over by the government for increasing their school fees, thereby increasing the burden of many parents, who were already finding it difficult to pay the fees charged by the government before their handing over. Apart from the payment of school fees, the bias religion might play itself out in the scheme of things as some parents due to their religious beliefs may be forced to withdraw their children and wards from schools managed by missions or churches that are opposed to their faith. Specifically, stakeholders however expressed doubt over the sincerity of the government in implementing the free education policy, now that all the schools are being handed over to the missions. Towards ensuring effective implementation of the handing over of school policy, the government had promised to continue to pay the teachers in those schools as it did for the secondary schools earlier handed over, till the end of the tenure of the present administration, and until when the fate of the teachers and the future of the schools would be properly evaluated.

Agony as students count losses C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 3

150 students fled to the Cameroon boarder and were protected by the Cameroonian soldiers. “We were informed that the university had been burnt down and that the next target was the polytechnic. We ran for our dear lives and we were in the bush for four days,” Ugo added. The students recounted that many of her male colleagues were said to have been captured and forcefully conscripted by Boko Haram insurgents, who allegedly promised them handsome reward if they joined the group. Investigations by New Telegraph, however, revealed that the number of students killed, maimed or conscripted by the insurgents could not yet be established since the two institutions are yet to reopen for academic and administrative activities. In fact, there is palpable fear in the two institutions that many students would have been killed or forcefully captured with the intent of recruiting them as Boko Haram fighters. “The insurgents were saying even if we died for God’s sake, we would go to heaven. Apparently, they were pursuing us to conscript some of us. They asked us to repent and join them in the fight for the true God,” a student who identified himself simply as Babangida said. Though normalcy had gradually returned to Gombi, Hong, Maiha towns and Mubi, a commercial border town recently recaptured by Nigerian troops from the Boko Haram insurgents, no date is yet to be fixed for the students to return to their classrooms. According to the Acting Registrar of Adamawa State University, Mallam Hassan Tanko, the institution will soon re-open, but declined comments on the possible date. He said the reopening of the institution would depend largely on approval from the military, insisting that this would be based on security measures put in place to ensure the safety of the students, staff and other members of the university community. Already, the students are groaning over the continued closure of their institution, even as Maryam Garba, a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi condemned the invasion of the institutions by the insurgents and the killing of some of the students, as well as disrupting their education. “Yes, we want to go back to continue our studies. Boko Haram will not stop us from acquiring knowledge and education. I am not afraid to go back provided the government will guarantee our security. Though, death is inevitable, we don’t want to be killed by criminals who have no human face,” Bello Ya’u, another student stressed. However, Maria David differ in her position, saying: “Mubi again, I don’t think I will go back to that university again. I don’t want to be killed like a fowl, especially when there is no guarantee for our safety. Though, some residents of Mubi, who spoke with New Telegraph, expressed happiness with the relative peace which has returned to the town, as it is now under the firm control of the military.

26 Education

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Yekeen Nurudeen ABUJA

ore than 100 pupils of Government Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, have been trained by the Zenith Bank Plc on how to grow their income and save money that will prepare them for the future. The training, which was part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, was organised jointly by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Junior Achievement Nigeria, a nongovernmental organisation to commemorate this year’s Global Money Week. The theme of this year’s week is: “Save Today, Save Tomorrow.” The General Manager of Zenith Bank Plc, Abuja/North-

Zenith Bank sharpens pupils’ skills in financial literacy ern Zone, Mr. Lanre Ishola, said the bank decided to key into the global money week as part of its corporate social responsibility to equip the young ones with the skills to save money. He said: “It is an initiative from CBN in conjunction with Junior Achievement Nigeria. As a socially responsible bank, the week is an activity that Zenith Bank Plc has naturally keyed into. Naturally in life, everybody needs to be conversant with academic literature. But above all, you need to be financially literate and educated. “It is an initiative that allows for young students to cul-

tivate the savings culture early in their life, even before they start to work. That is the normal thing to do in a developed society. Thus, that they have been availed that opportunity early enough in life to cultivate that culture is quite amazing.” Ishola, however, said the children would not be discouraged academically because of early exposure to money, adding that “what the bank was doing is to educate the children and train them to know that savings is supposed to be a culture of our society as it is done in developed countries worldwide.” The Director of Pro-

Varsity teacher advocates Nanomedicine for malaria, HIV treatment

Attama

Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Anthony Amechi Attama, has advocated the use of Nanaomedicine in the treatment of ailments such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and Ebola Virus Disease. The don, who noted that nanomedicine is more exact in locating and killing diseases than any other drug, disclosed this while delivering the 91st inaugural lecture of the university, which took place at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium of the institution. Attama, whose lecture dwelt on: “The Road to Nanomedicine,” hinted that the field of Nanaomedicine involves the science

and technology of diagnosing and preserving human health using molecular tools and molecular knowledge of human body. According to him, Nanomedicine is effective for the treatment of diseases because human body is composed of nano cells, since the diseases that affect the body are in nano particles. The inaugural lecturer said that Nanomedicines provide new ways of fighting prevailing medical problems such as HIV/ AIDS, Ebola Virus Disease and Cancer, which conventional medicine had failed to cure. The don said there was need for paradigm shift to Nanomedicines because they offer improvement

on circulatory life-time of drugs and eliminate toxic substances in drugs. Meanwhile, Attama stressed that his research group had since discovered that Nonomedicine targets diseases directly anywhere they are in the body without passing through processes that make conventional drugs lose their efficacy and leave side effects on patients The don hinted that Nanomedicine performed better than the normal eye drugs solution when used in ocular application, saying the reason for this is because Nanomedicines are more adhesive and could linger in the eye until the disease is killed. For instance, in Veterinary Pharmaceutics, Attama recalled that his research group had successfully used Nanomedicine to control Newcastle disease in chicks, even as he noted that “nanomedicine saves cost and it is more efficacious.” Attama, expressed the determination of his research group to apply nanotechnology on old drugs to improve their performances. He said: “The conventional drug formations and delivery systems that dotted the road to nanomedicines are still very relevant today, we should be interested in conversion of the already existing drugs to nanaomedicines to derive maximum benefit nanaomedicines offer while not losing the benefits we have been enjoying with macromedicines.” Attama, however, sought the establishment of nanomedicine research centres in Nigerian universities, and that interdisciplinary training in nanomedicine should be encouragement.

grammes and Operations of Junior Achievement Nigeria, Ms. Efe Adefulu, said the project is aimed at catching the pupils young on how to make and save money for the future. She noted: “Junior Achievement Nigeria in partnership with CBN initiated the programme that will teach children financial literacy as part of the Global Money Week and that is what we are celebrating as this year’s theme: “Save Today, Save Tomorrow.” In the presentation, the students learn how to grow their income and save money to prepare them for the future.” According to her, the stu-

dents are not too young to think of how to start making money. Rather she added: “It starts from when you are very young and when you have that culture of saving, it takes you to a better future because we have young children who have the habit of saving money in little boxes. So, from little boxes, they grow to saving money in the bank. Then, they will start investing; so we are catching them young and by doing this, we are already instilling the habit in them so that when they become adults, it will no longer be difficult for them to do.”

FUTA to strengthen postgraduate programme Mojeed Alabi

owards strengthening its postgraduate programmes and academic activities, the management of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has restated commitment to focus more on building sound relationships with industries and highflying ivory towers globally. This was the submission of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola during the matriculation ceremony for no fewer than 1,635 postgraduate students who took the institution’s oath of allegiance. The Vice-Chancellor, while declaring that marketing the students’ skills would not be difficult with the university’s planned interactions with global businesses, however assured stakeholders that all machinery had been put in motion to achieve this objective. Daramola, who was represented by the University Librarian, Dr. Femi Oguntuase, urged the matriculating students to join forces with the management towards achieving the ultimate goal of academic ex-

cellence. The Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Moses Ajewole noted that the university, under the current administration has strategically positioned itself to provide the appropriate platform to enhance the quality of teaching, learning and research. He assured the students that the management was doing everything within its powers to remove all perceived bottlenecks that often serve as impediment to the completion of programmes within stipulated time frame. Ajewole, therefore, urged them to be more focused in their studies and make good use of opportunity offered them to achieve success. At the induction which preceded the matriculation ceremony, papers in relevant postgraduate and general guidance and counseling in relation to the university’s value were presented on the lead paper titled: “Global Relevance in Postgraduate Studies.” The lead paper was delivered by Prof. Oyedapo Fagbenro of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology.

Cross-section of postgraduate students during the matriculation ceremony

Education

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

50,000 candidates jostle for NASSMAC’s first stage exam Kayode Olanrewaju

he first stage examination of this year’s edition of the Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC), which took place across the country on Saturday March 14, has come and gone, but the contestants are still recounting their gains and losses. Over 50,000 pupils in the junior and senior secondary schools across the federation sat for the first stage examination of the competition, instituted by Promasidor Nigeria Limited, maker of Cowbell brand of milk to promote the teaching and learning of Mathematics, as well as reward excellence in the core subject. According to the Category Manager of Promasidor, Mr. Abiodun Ayodeji, who spoke shortly after the examination

at Immaculate Heart Secondary School, Maryland, Lagos, one of the 184 designated centres for NASSMAC examination, of the number, 600 pupils wrote the examination at the centre, while many other pupils sat for the test at other 18 centres in various parts of the state. Ayodeji, who expressed deep concerns over mass failure of students in Mathematics in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) yearly, said the urge to develop the students’ interest in the subject propelled Promasidor to initiate the NASSMAC 16 years ago. While reiterating that he was impressed that the yearly competition has increasingly rekindled the interest of secondary school students in the subject in the country, the Cat-

Cowbell MD, Mr. Olivier Thiry

egory Manager hinted that Promasidor has continued to witness a steady increase yearly in the number of students and school participating in the competition.

Ayodeji expressed Promasidor’s determination to rekindle the interest of students in the competition, saying such action has resulted in the jerking up of the cash prizes to the winners at the various stages of the competition this year. The overall best student in the junior and senior categories will receive N750,000; while the first and second runners-up will laugh home with N500,000 and N250,000 respectively, while the teachers of the best students in the junior and senior categories will get N250,000 and those in the second and third positions will receive N200,000 and N150,000 respectively. Determined to add value to the competition, Ayodeji recalled how Cowbell introduced a radio programme this year, which is already running on 15 stations pan-Nigeria. On the programme, he ex-

plained that a five-minute Mathematics class is being aired over the radio stations between Monday and Friday, stressing that the topics treated during the radio programme are in sequence with the school syllabus, and it is aimed at helping the students participating in the competition to excel in Mathematics. Expressing satisfaction over the conduct of the examination, the English teacher of Caleb British Academy, Mrs. Adaobi Muonagor, who led the school’s team to the examination centre, commended Cowbell for the initiative, which according to her, will improve the students’ interest in the subject. She described the competition as a credible platform through which recognition is being accorded to students’ commitment to excellence in Mathematics.

Barachel College’s proprietor harps on adequate funding of education John Edu

L-R: Aiyelari; Prof. Dele Layiwola, Director, UN Institute of African Studies; Aniekwe and Mr. Ibrahim Olaniyi Aponmade during the visit.

Preserve our cultural heritage, VC tasks Nigerians

igerians have been tasked on the need to revitalise and preserve the African cultural heritage for posterity. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, gave the advice when the DirectorGeneral of the Centre for Black and African Arts Civilization (CBAAC) in the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Sir. Ferdinand Ikechukwu Anikwe, visited him in his office. Adewole, who was represented by his Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. EmilOlorun Aiyelari, however, noted that most of our cultural norms and values were gradually eroding, stressing that there was no more respect for elders as it was the norm in the past. He lamented that the “home videos being

watched by the children nowadays do not project our true image of African and its people,” even as the Vice-Chancellor lauded the Nigerian film industry for projecting the true life story of events compared to what was obtained in other parts of the world. Adewole, who assured his visitor of the university’s commitment towards the development of the country through the promotion of the black African culture, expressed the readiness and wiliness of the Ivory Tower to partner CBAAC to achieve its mandate. In his remarks, Anikwe recalled that the centre took off from the University of Ibadan with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2007. He described the Centre as a Pan-African initiative designed to celebrate the Black culture, adding that CBAAC was a product of the Festac 1977

and it has as mandate to project Pan-African culture. Anikwe said he was at the institution on behalf of the centre to seek the university’s expertise advice and to discuss how to repackage the country’s new project and positive image so as to improve its world rating. The CBAAC boss, however, frowned on the negative reports about Nigeria by the media, saying that “such should not have been the case. He further explained that the African culture needed to be properly organised and harmonised for the promotion of the country. Anikwe said of the African culture: “The cultural sector has great potentials which should be projected to the world. The centre has plans to repackage, retain, revise, project and promote the African culture for global understanding.”

f the Proprietor of Barachel Model College, Lagos, Mr. Segun Alonge has his way, government at all levels should declare support for private school owners through grants and zero-interest loans. The Proprietor, however, attributed poor funding to the major problem facing the education sector in the country, saying it is the bane of education development and growth in the land. Alonge, who noted this while speaking at the eighth biennial inter-house sports competition of the school held last week at the Agege Stadium, also advised those interested in establishing schools to give adequate consideration to quality.

While stressing that the major goal of such would-be proprietors should always be how to build future leaders who could compete favourably with their counterparts globally, he lamented that the challenge of inadequate funding has continued to raise concern among sponsors that government at all levels should increase funding to education sector. Alonge said: “We can do more for education in this country if the government is ready to lead the way by improving funding of education at primary, secondary and higher institution levels.” He further explained that the interhouse sports competition was part of efforts by which education promotes global peace and unity.

“Our school has been taking the lead in all the sporting competitions in which it has participated both within and outside the Ifako Ijaye Local Government Area and that with the performance of the pupils in sporting and academic activities, the future is certainly going to be bright.” The Proprietor, therefore, urged the government, parents and schools to impact and motivate the younger generations on the need and importance of education in order to have a credible future leaders. The traditional ruler, Oba Taofik Fatusi, the Obawole 1, Onifako of Ifako Kingdom, who chaired the sporting events, lauded the efforts of the school towards impacting positively the lives of the children.

‘Entrepreneurship,solution to unemployment’ Shola Adefuwa

he Managing Director, Management Education and Training Limited, Mr. Olatunji Omotosho has said improved government policy on entrepreneurship is the best solution to the rising case of unemployment in the country. Omotoso disclosed this during the commissioning of the Kalesanmi House, Ikeja, Lagos, a training centre established by his

organisation to build future entrepreneurs, who he said will contribute meaningfully to the national economy. He said an entrepreneur should be concerned mostly in raising such questions as; when should one become an entrepreneur; how does one identify the ideal business ideas and how does one raise funds for the business ideas, among others. Omotosho added that for professionals who

have already sought career in Medicine, Accountancy, Law and Engineering, they already have what he called “entrepreneurship on graduation” because they could use their qualifications to render service to consumers. He said the location of a business as well as other liabilities like acquisition of office, purchase of equipment, furniture, start-up capital and some operational costs must be provided by the entrepreneur.

28 Education Emeka Onwudinjo UNN

resh men and women admitted to the Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe (NOCEN), Anambra State for the 34th Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE)/18th B.ED, regular and sandwich programmes have been admonished to shun indecent dressing and all other forms of vices that could jeopardise their education in the college. The Provost, Dr. Ego Uzoezie, who warned the students during their matriculation ceremony, which took place at the Convocation Arena of the college, reiterated that the college which is affiliated with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has zero tolerance for bad conduct in whatever form. She noted that the management’s eagle eyes are effective enough to discover any student or group of students involved in any social vice such as cultism, examination malpractice, drug abuse and rape, and show them the way out of the college. She congratulated the students on their admission to the college and urged them to toe the footsteps of great men and women who had passed through the college to prominence. She cautioned the fresh students against the erroneous notion that attendance in lectures is not essential, stressing that “all students must attend 75 per cent of all lectures in order to qualify to write examinations

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Shun cultism, bad behaviour, college cautions students

Dr. Uzoezie addressing the students

in the courses.” Uzoezie, who noted that her administration’s drive is to transform the college and insisted that by the end of her tenure it would have been positioned as one of the best colleges in the country, reminded the students that there is always the need for sober reflection on the path they have chosen. Her words: “Your new status carries immunities, privileges as well as responsibilities. Gold

is a precious ornament which is highly demanded because it glitters. But it glitters only when it had gone through the processes of heating and refinement. So, the road to academic success requires self-discipline, hard work and perseverance.” The Provost told the gathering comprising of principal officers of UNN, that the college essentially focuses in effective teaching, learning and research towards the attainment

of excellence. The UNN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, who was represented by Prof. U.C Umoh, stressed the need to guide the students rightly on the path of honesty, self-discipline, faith, perseverance and service to the people. While adding that this would enable the students to make the right choice in their march to academic greatness, he urged them to always uphold the rules

VC, provost read riot acts to students on malpractices, other vices

he Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, FUT, Minna, Niger State, Prof. Musbau Akanji and the Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Dr. Sijibomi Olusanya have warned the newly admitted students to the institutions for the 2014/2015 academic year to desist from engaging in activities that could truncate or abort their dreams. Olusanya gave the warning while addressing the 1,088 fresh men and women who enrolled for the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes in the various schools in the college which are the Schools of Science and Technology and Business Administration, among others. The Provost, who also warned them against self-medication in case of any illness, urged the students to always use the college’s clinic to avoid risking their lives as the need arises. Olusanya, while reminding the new students of the level of academic work expected of them by the college authority, he added that their success at the institution would be measured by their grades or results. Towards this end, he assured them of the availability of the college’s e-library facilities with wellstocked collection of books, journals and V-SAT facility to enhance

Olusanya

their learning if put to maximum advantage in their studies. He said: “Be assured that you will derive maximum benefits from various courses offered in the college if you pursue your academic studies with necessary vigour and commitment. This citadel of knowledge expects you to serve as shining models of exemplary behaviour and dedication to academic excellence. “As students you are expected to exhibit discipline, loyalty and honesty at all times during your stay in the college. Energy wasting in pursuit of unlawful gains or destructive union activities is tantamount to misplaced priori-

ties and contributes to lowering of standard of education.” The College Registrar, Mr. Henry Othoghile, while administering the matriculation oath of the students, enjoined them to consider the ceremony as a formal admission into the college as genuine students. He warned that failure to fulfill all admission requirements will automatically put paid to their academic pursuit on the campus. On his part, Akanji cautioned the students while addressing the degree students of the college in affiliation with the university. At a separate matriculation ceremony for some 40 students, who were admitted to the various degree programmes in the university’s College of Science and Technology, he told the students to adhere strictly to the rules and regulations of the two institutions, saying failure to do so would earn them summary dismissal from the college. The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by Prof. Ogbonnaya Chukwu, advised the students not to see their involvement in students’ unionism as licence to misbehave, even as he stressed the need for them to be models and good ambassadors of the two institutions wherever they go.

and regulations of the institution through their commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence and dignity of man. The Acting Registrar, Mr. Godwin Okeke, while administering the matriculation oath on the fresh students, urged them to live up to the institution’s expectations, even as he warned them not to engage in examination malpractice and other social vices. He said: “While congratulating you on your achievement, I urge you to make the best use of the golden opportunity presented by your admission into this college. You need to be conscious of the expectations of your parents as well as the enormous sacrifices they are making to ensure you acquire quality education despite their socio-economic status. You must, therefore, make personal commitment not to let them down.” Some of the fresh students, who spoke to Telegraph Campus, expressed determination to excel in their academic work, even as they pledged to abide by the rules and regulations of the college. One of the matriculating students at the Department of Education Biology, Nwuko Ogechukwu Gladdys, expressed gratitude to God for her for scaled through the rigour of the admission process, while Okwuonu Frncis Chibuike of the Department Political Science described NOCEN/UNN is enviable institutions of learning any student will be proud to attend in view of its quality tuition.

LASU’s students’ union leaders take oath Moses Adeyemi LASU

he new Students’ Union leaders for the Lagos State University (LASUSU) that were elected last week have taken their oath of office, amid fanfare. The President, Sulaimon Wasiu, fondly called Onikoro by his admirers, was said to lead other executive members and those of the Students’ Representatives Council of the union during the swearing-in ceremony. The event, which signaled the commencement of the administration’s tenure of office, was witnessed by principal officers of the university including the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oladapo obafunwa; his deputy, Prof. Sena Bakre and the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Kabir Akinyemi. Sulaiman, who was installed as the 25th President of the union, in his inaugural address described the occasion as historic, while he showered encomium on his predecessor, Nurudeen Yusuff, whose adminis-

tration, he said had restored the students’ hope in vibrant unionism. He said: “I give thanks to Almighty God who has made it possible for us to gather here for this laudable ceremony. I salute the gallant comrades, the students and the entire LASU community. I know what the students had to go through, in order to ensure that you cast your votes to elect a new set of leaders that will pilot the affairs of the Lagos State University students’ union for the 2014/2015 academic session. “I must say emphatically that the vibrancy of the restoration team, led by Nurudeen Yusuf Temilola has indeed restored, to some extent, the desired confidence for a vibrant union, not only in the eyes of the students alone or members of the university community, but also to the world at large.” He, therefore, promised that his administration will focus on rebranding LASU by running a violence-free system that will ensure a stable academic calendar.

Education 29

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

Rotary installs president, charges members to be focused Eddy Uwoghiren and Ezekiel Effobhokhan UNIBEN

mid frenzy, members of the Rotary Club, UNIBEN District last week installed Olaoluwa Adene, a 300-Level undergraduate in the Department of Social Works at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) as the 30th President of the international club. The installation ceremony, which took place at the Banquet Hall of the institution, was attended by many dignitaries from the various Rotary Districts in Edo State. In her welcome address, Princess Ann Akenzuwa from Public Administration Department of the university recalled that Rotary Club was founded mainly on the principle of helping the less-privileged and the needy in the society. While stressing â&#x20AC;&#x153;that a life lived for others is one worthy of emulation,â&#x20AC;? she called on members of the club to portray it in good light wherever they may be. This was even as Princess Akenzuwa encouraged the new officers to forge a way forward for the association as she expressed her readiness to support the club. The outgoing President, Akoji Basil highlighted some of the achievements of his administration, saying despites the achievements it was not a smooth ride as his administration was bogged down by lack of funds. He listed some of the activities undertook by his administration and achievements to include visitation to orphanage homes, distribution of clothing materials to persons living with disabilities, customized dictionaries, notebooks, club birthday cards and stickers, among others. Other members of the newly installed executive officers are Emmanuel Ndueche (Vice President); Tabitha Edim (Secretary); Erinfolani Olusola (Treasurer); Oyetayo Oluwafemi (Service Director) and Efficient Temitope, who is to serve as Adviser to the Board. The high points of the event were induction of new members into the club and presentation of award of service to humanity to some members.

Dignitaries at the event include President of Rotary Club Benin, Mr. Percy Okojie; Rotaract Agharese Idubor, and Ogie Ogienagbon from Rotary Club of New Benin. In his inaugural speech, on behalf of the other executive members, Olaoluwa thanked members for finding him worthy to serve as their president, pledging his readiness to make them proud by executing various projects that would stand the test of time.

Olaoluwa (middle) and members of the executive of the club.

30 Education

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

VC restates varsity’s zero tolerance for misconduct T he Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, has read a riot act to the fresh students. This was as he warned them that the institution, which has zero tolerance for all forms of crime and misconduct, would not hesitate to show any erring student a way out of the university. Ajibefun, who gave the warning during the opening ceremony of a three-day orientation programme, organised by the university management for the fresh men and women, however counseled them on the need to look out for those who are successful and excelled in their various careers for mentorship. The Vice-Chancellor said: “I implore you to shun illicit acts that may fracture your dreams and hamper your academic pursuit in this university. Let me make it clear that Adekunle Ajasin University has zero tolerance for all forms of vices and bad conduct such as examination malpractice and indecent dressing that may bring its hard-earned reputation to disrepute. Ajibefun, who counseled the students on hard work, diligence and efficient performance and advised them to get mentors in their professional lives, said: “I advise you to get a mentor, a successful person in your career line or life that you want to be like, approach the person and make request for mentorship.” He said the orientation programme was organised to formally integrate the students into the life and workings of the university in order to make them functional members of the university community. While congratulating the 4,465 students

out of the 16,826 candidates (about 26 per cent) that applied to the state university for admission, the Vice-Chancellor said: “I congratulate you on your admission to AAUA, the best state university in the country and a budding 21st Century University, properly called.” He described the university, named after the Second Republic Governor of the old Ondo State, the late Chief Michael Adekunla Ajasin, as an institution established to produce globally competitive graduates who are well trained to transform the world. “Your admission to the university whose admission is strictly merit-driven is a proof that you are among the brightest of the best among students offered admission to the university this year,” he added. Meanwhile, Ajibefun advised the students to be determined and focused towards achieving academic excellence, which is the hallmark of the university. He stressed the need for the students to maintain the peace and stability of the university community in order to sustain the five years of unbroken academic calendar in the institution. The Vice-Chancellor, while acknowledging the commitment of the Ondo State Government, the Proprietor of the university, to providing quality university education to the people of the Sunshine State, noted: “Your parents and guardians do not need to spend millions of foreign currency to make you acquire qualitative education at record time abroad. Neither do they need to spend fortune to send you to private universities to achieve the same purpose. What others look for in those academic expensive institutions is available at the cheapest rate and at record time in this university.”

A cross-section of the students at the orientation programme. Inset: Ajibefun

NCC donates ICT books to BUK Kunle Azeez

rom its deep pocket, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has donated 87 books on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to Bayero University Kano (BUK). The gesture, which is part of the commission’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative to spread digital facilities to tertiary institutions across the country, was received by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed. The books were presented to the university by the NCC Board Commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Bintube on behalf of the Commis-

sion. The books, which will be stocked in the university’s ICT Centre christened: ‘T.Y Danjuma ICT Centre’ that is made up of the Postgraduate School, Departments of Information Technology (IT), Software Engineering and Computer Science. The gesture, according to NCC, has been extended across the six geo-political zones of the federation. The NCC Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, in a statement said: “The Commission is honoured and privileged to be present in one of the citadels of learning in the country. We appreciate the efforts made in ICT within the university.” Presenting the books,

Bintube also applauded the Vice-Chancellor and the university’s management for keeping pace with global trends in ICT with the rest of the world. The Commissioner explained that “the ICT book donation is part of the NCC’s project to fill the dearth of educational materials within the ICT sector in the country.” The Head, Policy and Research for NCC and a member of the delegation, Dr. Henry Nkemadu, stated that the telecom revolution in the country which has resulted in the unparalleled surge of growth from 400,000 connected lines to the current 139 million connected lines should be sustained.

EDUPEACE

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

To lead is to serve; to serve is to sacrifice

ne of the profoundest quotes I got from the boxing legend, Muhammad Ali, is the one he gave in 1978 in a Time magazine interview. According to him, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth”. How many of us pay our rent? Serving others is undoubtedly a fundamental attribute of leadership and this is what good education should instill. Leadership is all about service and selfless service is sacrifice, which the seventh letter of the word leadership, “S”, symbolises. What therefore is sacrifice? It is giving something desired up for something more desirable and beneficial. According to author Khuram Murad, “Sacrifice is the stuff of which good and successful, ordinary human lives are made. Without it, life will be devoid of peace, harmony and cooperation, full of conflict and discord, a prey to self-centredness, covetousness and immediate gratification of desires. Moreover, neither families nor communities can exist or achieve cohesiveness and strength without some sacrifice on the part of their members. Also, no human endeavour can succeed in reaching its goal unless one sacrifices things valued and desired.” True leaders are embodiments of sacrifice as they are impassioned by the desire to offer more to their followers. They sacrifice their money, their property, their time, their knowledge, their comfort, their skills, their family and even their life, if need be, for the sake of their followers. Nothing is too much when it comes to serving and sacrificing for their people. The bane of leadership in our country is that instead of selfless service that sacrifice engenders, our leaders engage in self-service. They serve for their long throats, bottom-less pockets and parochial interests. For them, leadership is about dichotomy: “we versus them.” A good theory of leadership is the one propounded by the Prophet, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), when he said, “the leader of a people is their servant.” He lived it by being a servant leader to the core – a leader who served his people conscientiously. The concept of servant leadership has been developed in contemporary times by Robert Greenleaf and his followers like Larry Spears, John Barbuto and Daniel Wheeler. Based on Greenleaf’s ideas, eleven characteristics of servant leadership are identifiable. These characteristics were shared by the highly-acclaimed and resourceful former ViceChancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Is-haq O. Oloyede, on July 15, 2010 in an address he called “No Condition Is Perma-

Sacrifice is the stuff of which good and successful, ordinary human lives are made nent” delivered to the University of Ilorin Student Union leaders. The points are adapted thus: • Calling: A servant leader is called. If you are not called, don’t lead so as not to mislead. That politics is deemed a big business into which one must go uncalled to have a slice of the big bazaar is the crisis of leadership in Nigeria. • Listening: A servant leader is an excellent listener. He listens to advice and follows his instincts, which are also developed by listening. Do our leaders even have ears? • Empathy: A servant leader feels for others and puts himself in their shoes; he is considerate. But do our leaders give a damn about our people’s pains and suffering? • Healing: A servant leader provides succour when his followers are stricken by calamity or distress. Ask the families of Chibok girls. • Awareness: A servant leader has a good understanding of his environment. Without being fully aware of one’s situation, one cannot take positive action. • Persuasion: A servant leader is persuasive and his arguments are convincing. He has the “connect” factor and he is easy to “follow” because he is reasonable. • Conceptualisation: A servant leader makes people to think big by conceiving possibilities in them, not impossibilities. He nurtures their creative ability. • Foresight: A servant leader has an uncanny ability to anticipate what may happen. When people think of being good, he thinks of making them great. Being good is not always good enough; being great is better. • Stewardship: This is making a positive difference through selfsacrifice. A steward prepares his country or organisation for the attainment of the greater good. • Growth: A servant leader wants the society or organisation he leads to grow. Community Building: A servant leader has a strong sense of community and he works hard to foster harmony among the various members, not discord by playing one against the other. As Nigeria prepares for the elections, who among the contestants fits these attributes most? That’s the leader Nigeria needs as Nigeria Decides.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

Energy

NIPCO’s 2014 profit rises to N2.3bn

Property

Aviation

Shaginsha landlords bent on recovering 549 plots

Stemming brain drain in Africa’s aviation

Business Oil price rout: 2,000 oil What's news

FID delay raises Trans-Sahara project’s capex to $20bn

Foot-dragging on the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Trans-Sahara gas pipeline project was responsible for the surge in the capital expenditure (CAPEX) for the project to $20 billion, New Telegraph has leant.

workers sacked in March

p.32

Boeing forecasts 1000 new aircraft for Africa Aircraft giant, Boeing, has forecast that Africa will need over 1,000 new airplanes over the next 20 years.

p.32

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

L-R: Managing Director, Microsoft, Mr. Kabelo Makwane; Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Lanre Adesanya and Deputy Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Tony Okpanachi, during the Businessday’s Nigeria Top 25 CEOs award presentation in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

HIGHEST WAGE

Nigeria’s expat oil workers are the highest paid in Africa

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

Adeola Yusuf

ver 2, 000 oil workers lost their jobs in the last 21 days of March, investigation by New Telegraph has revealed. This came as the cash crunch rocking the global oil industry

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

hit harder on Nigeria’s oil multinationals and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). About 1,400 were sacked by local contractors due to the international oil companies (IOCs’) termination of their contracts, while both the IOCs and their local counterparts directly kicked out the remaining 610 due to the on-going downsizing. Further checks revealed that 800 workers in the employ of Oando crude shipping/haulage lost their jobs when Shell and Eni terminated the contracts

with the company. Chief Executive Officer of Oando Energy Resources, Mr. Wale Tinubu, confirmed the termination of the contract by Shell and Eni. “800 members of staff have been sacked due to this unavoidable situation,” he said on the sideline of the just-concluded

800 Total number of Oando Energy Resources staff sacked in March

Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) conference in Abuja. An industry source told this newspaper that many oil workers would still lose their jobs before the end of the year. “Even though all the oil firms have highlighted different approaches to this on-going right-sizing, the bottom-line is that they have all decided to go ahead with measures that will lead to the end of engagement for some of their workers. “While some have decided to lay-off their contract staff, CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE February 2015.........................8.4% January 2015...........................8.2% December 2014.........................8%

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

EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at Mar. 20)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N225 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N328 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N238

l Foreign Reserves – $30.077bn as at 19/03/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at Mar.20)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N198 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N301 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N223

Business | News

INSECURE

Shell, Total and Eni’s interest in project shaky Adeola Yusuf

oot-dragging on the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Trans-Sahara gas pipeline project was responsible for the surge in the capital expenditure (CAPEX) for the project to $20 billion, New Telegraph has leant. The project, when completed, will transport

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FID delay raises Trans-Sahara project’s capex to $20bn  As Nigeria, Algeria agree on 2018 job deadline some 30 billion cubic feet of natural gas from Warri through Niger Republic to Algeria, Spain and Europe. It also emerged that the Federal Government has finally agreed with its Algeria counterpart the new deadline for project’s delivery in 2018. The pipeline had been expected to be operational

by 2015 while the investment for the project was also pegged at around $10 billion and $3 billion for the gas gathering centers. “Now, the estimated capital expenditure for the whole project is $20 billion while the date of commissioning has been moved to 2018,” a promoter of the project who

craved anonymity, told our correspondent in a chat in Abuja. He insisted that the decision of the governments of Nigeria and that of Algeria to dissuade Shell and France’s Total S.A., Italy’s Eni SpA and Indian company, GAIL, from partaking in project, remained ‘sacrosanct.’

“If things go right,” he said, “all the IOCs will not be allowed to invest in the Trans Sahara gas pipeline project. “The Algerian Energy Minister, Youcef Yousfi, has confirmed that only partners that can add value to the project, not just money, should be accommodated,” he said.

L-R: Federal Commissioner, lCPC, Mr. lsa Ozi Salami; Group Managing Director, Arco Group Plc, Alfred Okoigun and Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Nigeria, Ms Nyeche Tifase, during a dinner hosted by Arco Group for delegates to the Nigeria Oil & Gas Conference (NOG 2015) in Abuja

2,000 oil workers sacked CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

others are planning to sack (their staff) based on last-to-come, first-togo approach. Another set have also settled for termination of appointment of some non-technical staff,” he said. Meanwhile, the Nigerian oil workers who will escape the axe will go home with higher naira salary values due to the devaluation of the currency. Local workers in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, according to a survey, earned an average of $55,100 as at the third quarter of 2014. This was equivalent to N8.706 million as at that period. With the devaluation, however, an average oil worker who escapes the on-going sack will go home with an average annual salary of N11.02 million. The survey, titled: ‘Oil and Gas Global Salary Guide 2013,’ published by Hays, a global recruitment firm, also

shows that Nigeria local oil workers are the second highest paid in Africa, after South Africa. The study, which was based on the responses of 25,000 people working in the oil and gas industry across 53 countries, reported that South Africans working in the country’s oil and gas sector are the highest paid in Africa, with an annual average salary of $75,300. In the eight African countries sampled, Angola’s local oil workers were the third highest paid workers in Africa with an annual average salary of $53,700, followed by Algerian workers with an annual average salary of $45,200 and Libya, with average annual salary of $42, 200. Others are Egypt, with average annual salary of $41,900; Ghana, with average salary of $40,500 per annum, while Sudan trailed with $31,100 average annual salary.

e-ENABLED PLANES

Over the next 20 years, the e-Enabled airplanes will increase from 5% to over 50% Wole Shadare

ircraft giant, Boeing, has forecast that Africa will need over 1,000 new airplanes over the next 20 years. The United States aircraft giant also stated that 740 of the projected planes would be single aisle, 230 small wide-body and 50 medium wide-body. Senior Aviation Consultant in Boeing’s Professional Services group, Dan Ryan, disclosed these to New Telegraph at the just concluded 24th African Aviation MRO, convened by Chief Executive Officer, African Aviation Services Limited, Nick Fadugba, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He said that there are huge potentials in airline business in the African continent, which would become the new frontier for aviation in the decade. Ryan lamented that airline industry’s profitability is still

Royal Dutch Shell, France’s Total S.A., Italy’s Eni SpA and Indian company, GAIL, have expressed interest in participating in the project, a promoter of the project told this newspaper at the weekend. He said that Russian gas company, Gazprom, which also expressed interest, has negotiated with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) about its possible participation in the project. Energy ministers of Algeria and Nigeria have, according to him, said that “if things go well, there will be no need to bring international oil companies into the project” and “if the need for partnership in the project arises, not every partner will be welcome on board on the project.” The pipeline is to be built and operated by the partnership between the NNPC and Sonatrach. The company would include also the Republic of Niger. Initially NNPC and Sonatrach would hold a total 90 per cent of shares, while Niger would hold 10 per cent. The gas pipeline (also known as NIGAL pipeline and Trans-African gas pipeline) is a planned natural gas pipeline from Nigeria to Algeria. It is seen as an opportunity to diversify the European Union’s gas supplies. New Telegraph had earlier reported exclusively that the Federal Government had completed the concept design for the $20 billion Trans- Sahara gas pipeline project.

Boeing forecasts 1,000 new aircraft for Africa Aviation industry fuel costs nears $200b yearly at dismal levels, stressing that with total industry fuel costs approaching $200 billion per year, there was the need to look at the business environment. He said: “Over the next 20 years, the e-Enabled airplanes will increase from around five per cent today to over 50 per cent of the entire African fleet. As this percentage grows, airlines need to customise their ability to operate the fleets efficiently.” Speaking on fuel price, he stated that as fuel spiked, became a larger part of the airlines’ cost structure and as airline profitability fell, it became important to identify ways to be more fuel efficient. Fuel is the largest operating expense for airlines, accounting in recent years for, on average, about a quarter of airlines’ operating expenses. He noted that even as fuel prices have decreased, fuel is still a major expense, making airlines to have fuel dashboard with a fully integrated view of

all relevant fuel-consumption data from all phases of flight. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the clearing house for global airline, the sharp drop in oil prices and stronger global economic growth are expected to bolster airlines’ profits by as much as 26 per cent in 2015. But, the story may not be the same in Nigeria where local airlines still purchase a litre of fuel at exorbitant rates of N162 and N165, depending on the quantity and the airport such an airline is buying from. The price has remained stagnant for about 18 months despite the recent drop in oil prices. While many airline customers in Europe and America are already benefiting from the price drop, their counterparts in Nigeria are still waiting to see drop in ticket prices. Until recently, Nigeria was one of the preferred destinations for refueling because of the nation’s favourably competitive price of aviation fuel.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

Energy

NIPCO’s 2014 profit rises to N2.3bn BULLISH

Company excites shareholders with N703.7m shares from the profit after tax Adeola Yusuf

IPCO Plc has announced a profit after tax of N2.3 billion for the 2014 fiscal year. This indicates an increase of 9.5 per cent against N2.1 billion declared in the previous year. Chairman of the company, Dr. Bestman P. Anekwe, said this at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company in Abuja. He said that the company was able to surpass its performance in the previous year due to the commitment, dedication, diligence and prudent management of resources. The company’s turnover increased from N137 billion to N145 billion, while a total dividend of N703.7 million, translating into 375 kobo, was proposed. Anekwe said: “This is a noteworthy improvement and is rather delightful considering the harsh environment we operated in last year. It also means that we are emerging stronger, bigger and more committed to excellent services. The industry is replete with average performance by our competitors. That we are able to surpass our performance in the preceding year is a hallmark of commitment, dedication, diligence and prudent management of resources.” Besides, he said that the rise in profit was achieved due to numerous marketing strategies and purposeful management prudence. He said: “The result before you has confirmed the resolve of the Board and management to brace all odds in achieving superior shareholders’ value in the industry in line with the Board’s long standing policy of exceeding shareholders’ expectations.” Stating that NIPCO’s focus in the coming year would be to continue to build a formidable petroleum company that would fit better into the energy reforms of government, the chairman added that the firm also has its eyes on delivering greater value to both customers and shareholders. “Our retail division has continued to experience phenomenal growth. Two mega stations (in Abuja and Lagos) were added to the kitty,” he said.

L-R: Managing Director, Nipco Plc, Venkataraman Venkatapathy; Chairman, Chief Bestman P. Anekwe; Barrister Paul C. Obi and Executive Director Corporate Services, Alhaiji Abdulkadir Aminu, at the company’s Annual General Meeting held at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja.

Oando mulls partnership with Asia’s refinery ON COURSE

Oando is on course to achieve its five-year production target of 100,000 bpd Adeola Yusuf

ando Oil & Gas Plc has began talks on partnership with refineries in Asia, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wale Tinubu, has said. He stated this on the sideline of the just concluded Nigeria Oil and Gas conference in Abuja (NOG). The Oando boss said that the company is exploring

possibilities of partnering with some refineries in Asia to boost its market share. Although he did not disclose the name of the Asia country, he expressed optimism that the talks would yield positive results. Tinubu said that his company is currently producing 55,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, boosted by output from assets purchased from ConocoPhillips, a United States’ firm. “Our oil production today stands at 55,000 bpd, and 80 per cent of this output comes from assets we bought from ConocoPhillips,” Tinubu stated during the Abuja conference. He said that Oando remained on course to

achieve its five-year production target of 100,000 bpd. The energy company banks on significant increase in output from the Qua Iboe field, like in its Ebendo field, where production has risen to over 7,500 bpd from 900 bpd, “through the identification and drilling of new reservoirs in the field.” Listed on the Lagos, Johannesburg and Toronto Stock Exchanges, Oando, last year, completed the takeover of ConocoPhillips’ four Niger Delta onshore oil blocks – OMLs 60, 61, 62, and 63, and offshore oil blocks OML 145 and OML 131, for a total cost of $1.65 billion. The company also announced, on February 9, that it had begun commercial production from its

Shell’s marathon: Nigerian students test self-built cars

tudents from three Nigerian universities tested self-built cars in Lagos on March 18 in the build-up to the 30th edition of Shell Eco-marathon Europe (SEME) in Rotterdam in May this year. A statement from the oil firm said that the students from the University of Lagos, University of Benin and Ah-

madu Bello University, Zaria, built the cars, which were transported to Lagos for a historic rehearsal benchmarked against the key SEME rules of fuel efficiency, distance of travel and safety. “This exercise is more about the technical and safety compliance measured against energy efficiency of the cars,” said Mike Da-

wodu, who led the Technical and Safety Inspection Team of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) Ltd. He added: “The focus on energy efficiency underscores how the future of energy is critical to Shell’s mission globally as we constantly seek alternative energy sources in a sus-

Qua Iboe River marginal field in the Eastern Niger Delta, with output of 2,150 boe/d (barrels of oil per day). Meanwhile, Nigeria expects indigenous producers to account for about 30 per cent of the country’s over two million bpd crude oil production over the next five years, industry monitors, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), had announced. “With the success recorded in the marginal field awards since 2003, oil production from indigenous operators has risen to about 12 per cent. The target is to raise this to 30 per cent over the next five years,” George Osahon, head, DPR, told delegates at the conference. tainable and environmentfriendly manner. In doing this, we fuel innovation and local capacity development among youths.” SPDC and its joint venture partners, NNPC, Total and Agip, are sponsoring the participation of the Nigerian students. Guests invited to witness the test drive – staff of NAPIMS, SPDC, as well as some parents - cheered on as the students drove the cars around the Campos Mini Stadium. Their determination to win laurels at Rotterdam was evident to all.

Business | Energy

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Power tariff slash: Mixing business with politics electricity supply industry meets the needs of the Nigerian economy. The decision to review tariff is completely compatible with the terms of the privatisation and has been reviewed with the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE). NERC and BPE are working together to advocate for series of fiscal policies that will foster easier access to investible capital to further increase capacity and enhance reliability in the sector.”

The Federal Government announced over 50 per cent cut in electricity tariff, just 11 days to the presidential election. ENERGY EDITOR, Adeola Yusuf, who examines the disagreement of the power firms to this reduction, reports that it is not yet uhuru for consumers

hairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, stirred the hornets’ net penultimate week with the announcement of the reduction in electricity tariff by over 50 per cent. Many, including opposition parties, financial experts and investors, interpreted Dr. Amadi’s declaration, which came when the power supply became persistently worse, as politically motivated. This interpretation became rife because the announcement was made just 11 days to the presidential elections, which is expected to be keenly contested between the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan and his main challenger, retired General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Motive Announcing the new tariff last Tuesday, the Chairman/ CEO of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, said that the approval stemmed from complaints against the increase in tariff of different consumer classes by industrial and commercial consumers under the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). Electricity tariff shot through the roof because power distribution companies were passing on collection losses to consumers, the NERC boss said. He explained that NERC invited the CEOs of power distribution companies for talks following the complaints. “The Commission also invited the Chief Executive Officers of the distribution companies to the hearing to respond to the case of the consumer groups. Furthermore, the Commission reviewed the technical and financial assumption of MYTO 2.1. The review shows that the major underlying cause of the skyrocketing increase in the tariff is the huge Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses, which are passed through to consumers. In some DISCOs ATC&C losses increased tariff by as much as 80-103 per cent. “… It is the responsibility of the DISCOs to collect their revenue from their customers. Failure to do so should not be a penalty to customers who pay their bills. It is clear that removing the collection losses will lead to lower tariffs for consumers. The removal of collection losses from customer tariff has reduced tariff by more than 50 per cent in some places. Please note that the reduction does not affect the CBN facility and its repayment. “Therefore, On Monday,

March 9, 2015, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) issued a new order to the effect that henceforth, collection loss, which is defined as the ‘amount billed but not collected’, will not be automatically passed on to consumers of electricity. Consequently, the collection loss for all Discos is set at zero. It is now the responsibility of Discos to convince the regulator of any exceptional circumstances for such loss to be passed to the consumers,” Amadi said in a statement. Rewane’s perspective One of those who were enraged by the Federal Government’s timing for the reduction in electricity tariff is Bismarck Rewane, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Limited. Rewane believed that the government’s action was simply to put the privatisation in jeopardy. “The Federal Government of Nigeria has reduced the electricity tariff by 50 per cent, a move that could prove to be politically wise but business foolish. The timing of the decision has raised eyebrows as the government faces a widening fiscal gap. Consumers are supposed to celebrate the cut in electricity costs but a price cut with no supply is a pie in the sky,” he said. The expert noted: “The initial price increase was part of a gradual normalisation of pricing to support the privatisation of the power sector. The Discos and Gencos have been struggling to break-even. This arbitrary slash in tariffs now puts that industry in jeopardy even though this could be temporary,” Rewane stressed. Power supply nosedives The Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, had a Herculean task at hand in the last two months due to dwindling power supply. The former vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria (UNN) was repeatedly issuing press statement to convince Nigerians that the power generation, which fell by 800 Mega Watts (MW) penultimate week, was caused by vandals of gas pipeline. While Nebo was busy with efforts to convince Nigerians, President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Udemba-Jacob, ignited the fire. Udemba-Jacob had led members of MAN to a meeting with the NERC where he stressed that the new tariff charges for electricity supplies to manufacturers was unfair and capable of undermining the growth of industries in Nigeria as well as rendering many employees jobless. The manufacturers insisted

Bulk trader supports FG But reacting to the development, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company Plc, Mr. Rumundaka Wonodi, stated that the ATC&C losses of some of the Discos were in excess and that NERC was not comfortable with the situation, hence the tariff cut. “The tariff that we work with is the wholesale tariff between us and the generation companies. To some extent, I think the incorporation of some of the collection losses were in excess and I guess the commission is having consultations with the distribution companies on that issue,” he said.

Nebo

Government should not mix business with politics

that if left the way it is, the tariff structure would lead to massive closure of industries in the country and possible relocation outside the country. Udemba-Jacob had requested the commission to reduce their monthly fixed charge from an average of N120,000 to N25,000, particularly, for small and medium businesses to enable them remain in operations. Speaking during a customer forum, the Ikeja branch Coordinator of the Steel Manufacturers Group, Felix Okojie, lamented that the NERC increased the fixed charge from N750 to N198, 447 for factories supplied by the Ikeja Disco, a development he said, was an attempt to destroy the sector as such charges was the highest in the world despite the country’s poor power supply. NERC’s stance The NERC CEO said: “This new order now amends the MYTO 2.1 and has reduced the tariff to be paid by all class of consumers. In the review MYTO 2.1 the Commission followed due process and the regulatory principles. The EPSR commits the Commission to ensuring full recovery of prudent costs for efficient operators. The Commission is obligated to make sure that only prudent and efficient costs are passed to consumers. The principle is to ensure that the distribution company operates efficiently and provide quality and affordable services to consumers. “NERC remains committed to the principle of cost- reflective pricing and to the development of an efficient and financially viable electricity market. These are important to support the investment that is needed to ensure the

Investors kick The announcement of the reduction of electricity tariff by about 50 per cent by the NERC has caused tension among power distribution companies, who have kicked against the move. The DISCOs had made their position known to NERC at a meeting in Abuja last Wednesday between the regulator and some of them. A senior official of one of the Discos said after the Abuja meeting that the tariff reduction would lead to the tightening of the revenue sources of the power firms. The cut in tariff, he argued, came at a time when the country is faced with a weak national currency and the supply of power from the generation companies is nothing to write home about. Confirming that they earlier had a meeting with NERC on the plan to reduce the tariff, the official said that there was no agreement on the time to announce a reduction in tariff. The Discos had, according to reports, anticipated recouping their Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection losses from consumers based on the provisions of the Multi Year Tariff Order 2.1. Before the official cut of the tariff by NERC on Tuesday, the MYTO 2.1 order, which took effect on January 1, 2015, allowed the Discos to recoup their losses from customers by passing the bulk to ‘paying’ consumers for losses incurred from ‘non-paying’ consumers. Conclusion Although many electricity consumers have expectedly celebrated the tariff reduction, the opposition against the price cut could make government to retrace its steps after the election. If it is truly a political gimmick, it is not expected to last long. Government should not mix business with politics.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

Experts endorse Eko Atlantic City p.36 FACE-OFF Landlords are asking Lagos State Government to obey Supreme Court’s judgment Dayo Ayeyemi

f fresh threat by the original Shangisha landlords to recover their 549 plots of land in Magodo Scheme II of Lagos State,which was alleged to have been taken forcibly away from them, is anything to go by, the current occupiers of the plots may forfeit their property or pay additional fee to retain them. To avoid a major breakdown of law, Shaginsha Landlords’ Association is prevailing on the Lagos State Government to obey the judgment of the Supreme Court, which backed the release of 549 plots of landed property in Shangisha-Magodo Town Scheme II, Ikosi-Ketu Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) to their original owners (landlords) in the affected neighborhood. The landlords said that they were not bothered by several hiccups that have hindered the execution of the Supreme Court judgment of February 10, 2012, which was in their favour and vowed to get what belong to them at all costs. Crux of the Matter Members of the Shangisha Landlords’ Association had bought various plots of land from different families who owned the entire Shangisha Village and built their houses on the said plots before 1980. However, without being served with any contravention or demolition notice, the then military government of the state between June 1984 and May 1985 executed the demolition of those houses, rendering the landlords and their tenants homeless. Briefing newsmen at the weekend, Chairman of Shangisha Landlords’ Association, Chief Adebayo Adeyiga, said that his members have come to claim their land pursuant to the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (SCN). He called on the people who have undertaken property development in Shaginsha/Magodo Scheme II to come forward with their documents to ascertain if they are outside all the restriction areas. Efforts to get reactions of the Lagos State Commissioner of Justice/Attorney-General, Mr. Ade Ipaye and Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Lawal Pedro, proved abortive as the duo refused to respond to the text messages sent to them. Chairman of Shangisha Landlords’ Association had recalled that the matter concerning the plots of land was instituted at the Lagos High Court in June 1988, adding that courts of competent jurisdiction had intervened and given orders and judgements in their favour. He decried the state

Property&Environment Shaginsha landlords bent on recovering 549 plots

How to maximise performance, by ATOPCON boss p.36

A major road in Magodo Scheme II, Lagos.

government’s attitude of disregarding court orders. He said: “The Trial Court, Court of Appeal, Lagos and Supreme Court of Nigeria had on 31/12/1993, 25/09/2001 and 10/02/2012 granted possession of 549 plots of land in favour of the applicant/judgment creditor against the government of Lagos State and others, but the judgment debtors had during the trial and after the subsisting judgment/decisions of all courts of competent jurisdiction, transferred or allotted the said, 549 plots of land aforesaid in favour of the 549 persons whose names are unknown and are now holding unto the possession of the said 549 plots of land in Magodo Scheme II aforesaid, in the instance and authority of the judgment debtor despite and in contravention of the judgment/ decisions of the courts aforesaid.” Government’s intervention Rather than obeying courts judgments, Adeyiga said that the government once promised to relocate the affected landlords to Badagry. The chairman maintained that his members would not yield to plea to relocate them to Badagry in order to avoid another 30-year land dispute, pointing out that the judgment of Supreme Court was very specific as to where the 549 plots should be allocated. “It did not state anywhere aside from Shaginsha/Magodo. We don’t have any locus standing anywhere except Shaginsha. The court asked Lagos to give us land in Shangisha,” he said. Past efforts Another affected landlord, Pa. Timothy Ayanbadejo, explained the injunction given by court in 1992 had asked all parties to stay execution, but the state govern-

Fashola

Rather than giving us the plots, they sold the land out after the Supreme Court’s judgment

ment refused to obey it, saying that his colleagues would not relocate to any land in Badagry, which does not belong to them. According to him, the state government had deceived them in the past by not respecting court orders and judgments. He said: “What they told us then was that there was no more land in Magodo and we told them that we could still find. We went together to the site and located over 1,000 plots of land in 1994. Rather than giving us our land, they promised 150 plots, which we rejected. They claimed it was not of right that they are just considering us. They even asked us to pay for the land again despite the judgment. “We got another judgment, we went to the site again and located 311 plots in 2013, but rather than giving us the plots, they sold the land out after the Supreme Court’s judgment.” Another landlord, Mr. Adebola Osunniyi, said: “ The plots of land should be given in the same

neighbourhood. We want to get back our land. What they are telling Nigerians is that there is no judgment in Nigeria despite the judgment of the Supreme Court that has declared government’s Certificate of Occupancy null and void.” In a document handed over to New Telegraph, the Landlords’ Association of Shangisha-Magodo, after their inability to secure a possession order from a Lagos State High Court, had asked the Supreme Court of Nigeria to wade in and make a judicial pronouncement that would give effect to the execution and possession of their landed property. In an originating summons brought pursuant to Order 113 rules 1 and 3 of the Rule of the Supreme Court in England, also under the Supreme Court Practice, the applicants are, among others, asking for an order of the court for the recovery of possession of the 549 plots of land in the Shangisha Village Scheme II in Ikosi-Ketu LCDA of Kosofo Local Government Area of Lagos State against unknown 549 persons/ occupiers of the disputed land. The apex court had, in its ruling, affirmed the judgments of the Lagos State High Court and the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, which ordered the state government to immediately allocate 549 plots to the landlords under the Shangisha/Magodo Estate Scheme II. Supreme Court’s intervention The Supreme Court held that the Lagos State High Court and the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal came to the right conclusion in 1994 and 2001 when they ordered the state government to re-allocate the same 549 CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

Business | Property & Environment

Experts endorse Eko Atlantic City

SHORT FALL Nigeria has a shortage of 16 million houses Stories by Dayo Ayeyemi

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

eal estate experts and investors across the globe have lauded the development of Eko Atlantic City, describing it as a pinnacle real estate project in Africa. Speaking during the MIPIM’s event in Cannes, France, experts, according to a statement, said the project has unveiled to the world the positives of sub-Saharan Africa other than all the normal issues of conflict, corruption and fraud. Chairman of JLL for subSaharan Africa, Mark Bradford, noted that it was an eyeopening to see the scale and ambition of the Eko Atlantic city, noting that the project has become a marketing tool for the potential of real estate

in Nigeria. He said: “It’s the pinnacle really of ambition on the continent and definitely something that more people should get to learn about.” According to the Managing Director of Projects Ducain Forbes Limited, John Okonkwo, with the project and many others ongoing , “international momentum is now in Africa’s favour.” He noted that it was one of the few times he was seeing people focusing on the positives of sub-Sahara Africa other than all the normal issues. “Eko Atlantic, is in part showcasing what is, possible in Africa. It showcases that very large ticket investments can be done successfully at an international quality standard in Africa,” Okonkwo said. This was the first time that the organisers of MIPIM focussed on the investment

opportunities in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda), and West Africa (Angola, Ghana and Nigeria). The developers and planners of Eko Atlantic city in Lagos, Nigeria, had presented a specialised case study of the project to an audience of real estate experts and investors at MIPIM. MIPIM is the world’s leading property market that is held every year at Cannes in the South of France. The fourday event brought together the most influential players from all property sectors - office, residential, retail, healthcare, sport, logistics and industrial, offering unrivalled access to the greatest number of development projects and sources of capital worldwide. The workshop was designed as an interactive ‘How to’ toolkit for anyone looking at the region: Investors, developers, brokers, consultants, service

firms and hotel and tourism operators. During his presentation on: ‘Sub-Saharan Africa - Let There Be Light’, Vice Chairman of South Energy Nigeria Limited, Promoters of Eko Atlantic, Mr. Ronald Chagoury Jr., said that it was time for international companies to take a much closer look at investment potential in sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria. He told the audience that if they could get the perception issues for Nigeria and look at the market, they stood the chance to gain more. He said: ‘If you can just get over some of the perception issues for Nigeria and if you can look at the market as it actually is, you will automati-

How to maximise performance, by ATOPCON boss

L-R: Principal Partner, Akin Olawore & Partners, Mr. Akin Olawore; Chairman, Africa JLL, Mr. Mark Bradford; President, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Louise Brooke Smith; Vice Chairman, South Energyx, Mr. Ronald Chargoury Jnr; CEO, 3invest Nigeria, Ms. Ruth Obih and CEO, JD Forbes, John Okonkwo, at the MIPIM’s event in France recently.

New Oyingbo market: 618 original shop owners get allocation

ears raised by displaced Oyingbo market traders over the possibility of getting back their shops after the reconstruction of the market into ultra modern edifice has finally been allayed. To this end, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has ordered the allocation of 618 shops to the original open shop owners even as he commissioned the complex in Lagos, last week. While giving the directives, the governor explained that resettlement of original shop owners through allocation would allow traders to leave road side and trade inside the new market. He said: “After series of meetings with the market men and women and their leadership, we will be allocating 618 of the open shops to the original owners who were displaced. I expect that with this development, they will leave the road side and

move into this more comfortable and secure location. If they do this, we expect to see improved traffic flow.” Fashola said that with the new market infrastructure, he has kept his word, adding that the new Oyingbo market “is much more modern than what it used to be.” Fashola congratulated the original occupants of the old Oyingbo market that are still alive to witness the ceremony. He recalled with nostalgia how important the Oyingbo market was to Lagos and Nigeria in the early 1980s, stressing that even his grand mother used to be one of the traders. Commissioner for Works, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, urged traders to package their refuse/waste and drop it at the designated depot in order to keep the market clean daily. Built on a 544 square metres land, the market was estimated to have been built at the cost of N1 bil-

lion. The new market comprises four- floor structure, 270 lock up shops, 632 open shops, 48 open offices, three cold rooms, one fire service station, 66 parking spaces and 134 toilets. It was learnt that the market, which had been in existence since the 1920s, was demolished after it was gutted by fire about 24 years ago. Many of the structures were later rebuilt with wood. The new market was re-awarded in 2009 to Messrs Palmyra Construction Limited with a completion period of 60 weeks. Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade TinubuOjo, urged traders in Oyingbo market to properly take care of the facilities. Iyaloja of Oyingbo, Abeni Basiratu Balogun, thanked the governor for the gesture, particularly for keeping his promise. She said that her joy was full witnessing the commissioning of the ultra modern market.

cally have an advantage over everyone else. “Nigeria is now the continent’s largest economy and has a rapidly growing population. We have a need for everything and the key ingredients for success are being presentconsistency and quality.” Chagoury mentioned that the real-estate sector was desperately in short of housing and that Nigeria has a shortage of 16 million homes with a shortfall of five million homes in Lagos alone. He pointed out that Eko Atlantic city, which encompasses 10 million square metres of land reclaimed from the sea, would become home to 250,000 residents with 150,000 commuters.

cquisition of necessary managerial skills to maximise business performance has, again, brought together practitioners in the fold of Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON) at a two-day Professional Development Workshop in Lagos. Tasking his colleagues at the forum, President of Town Planners Registration Council, Professor Layi Egunjobi, explained that business of managing a planning firm would not be effective and profitable when certain essential skills are lacking. He mentioned communication as one of the vital skills. According to him, in an organisation where free flow of communication was lacking, there is bound to be failure in procuring jobs, carrying out professional activities and eventual service delivery.

He said: “In such an organissation, there is bound to be actions based on wrong assumptions or an outright ignorance.” He explained that patience and calmness remained the second skills that managers should acquire to overcome provocative situations. Themed: “Maximising Business Performance: Leveraging on Managerial Skills,” Egunjobi noted that skill is essential in managing a professional business, adding that actions based on anger, bitterness or hateful words would not be correct, no matter how good the intention. He urged managers to develop culture of integrity and delivery of high quality products and services. These qualities, he said, have become essential for building and maintaining good image of the profession.

Landlords push to recover 549 plots C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 5

plots to the landlords or allocate plots of their choices to them. The five-man panel, in a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Olufunlola Oyelola Adekeye, held that it could not disturb the concurrent findings of the High Court and Court of Appeal as they were premised on sound legal footings. “In the instant appeal at this juncture, there are two concurrent findings of the two lower courts. The Supreme Court will not ordinarily disturb concurrent findings of facts made by the High Court and the Court of Appeal unless a substantial error apparent on the face of the record of proceedings is shown or when such findings are perverse. On going through the record, it is my conclusion that the court has no duty to interfere with the decision of the two lower courts,” Justice Adekeye held.

The apex court also dismissed the complaint of Lagos State government over the lower court’s decision to hear the case of the Shangisha Landlords and even issue a mandatory injunction against the then military government of Lagos State during the Christmas vacation, saying that it amounted to no issue as the court had discretion to exercise and did so. “In this case, the learned trial judge exercised his discretion in considering the trial of this case as a matter deserving urgency and thereby heard same during the Christmas vacation and furthermore acted judicially and judiciously in granting the mandatory injunction. Where the exercise of discretion by the trial court is in issue, an appellate court is usually reluctant to interfere with the decision, except where the discretion was exercised in an arbitrary or illegal manner or without due consideration of the issues by the trial court,” he stated.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

Traffic engineers flay aging safety tools at airports p.38

Aviation

Stimulus not solution to Nigerian airlines’ woes p.38

Stemming brain drain in Africa’s aviation The African aviation industry is not new to the phenomenon of brain drain. Aviation Editor, WOLE SHADARE, who was at the just concluded African Aviation training conference and exhibition in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, writes that highly trained professionals and skilled employees have been migrating to greener pastures Manpower shortage For quite some time now the loss of skilled manpower in aviation in Nigeria and developing nations has generated not merely a shortage in local markets, but posed alarming issues for air safety. In Nigeria, the loss of qualified workforce, especially in aircraft maintenance, engineering, inspectors and pilots has done incalculable damage to the sector. For instance, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been terribly weakened in the past three years. The agency is highly deficient in the area of inspection and other regulatory activities. That the industry has not witnessed mishaps in over a year is not necessarily as a result of strict oversight but by sheer providence. The NCAA is said to be broke to even sustain itself. It finds it extremely difficult to send inspectors and other technical staff on refresher courses. Some of their best hands have been forced out of the system because of high politicking, as their replacements are not what the sector need. The same scenario is playing out in the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). The airspace agency is short of over 500 air traffic controllers and engineers. Support and unskilled workers populate the agency. Many of the aviation agencies have been accused of poor recruitment of the kind of manpower they need to reposition the ailing Nigerian aviation industry. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is not different with the engagement of wrong people with the exception of the current Managing Director, Saleh Dunoma, Director of Airports Operations, Capt. Henry Omeogwu and a few others. But majority of them are what many described as square pegs in round hole. Skills exodus has long been a constrictive factor affecting the

Aircraft maintenance hangar

sector. Indeed, there are areas where the impact has been more profound. While the issue has been covered a number of times in the case of pilots – equally pressing is that which has brought upheaval to the maintenance sector. Reasons for exodus Speakers at the just concluded African Aviation’s third Training Conference and Exhibition held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said as the loss of qualified technicians to more prosperous regions takes hold, air operators from as far as Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Central America are struggling to find the necessary technicians to meet their daily operational demands. In order to abate this issue, a closer look at skill retention strategies is vital. Chief Executive Officer of African Aviation Services Limited and former Secretary General of African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Nick Fadugba, stated that low pay, poor conditions and protracted efforts to improve the status quo, are routinely cited as reasons for the increasing shift of skilled technicians to other regions – in particular the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. He said, “For instance, Gulf airlines have shaped a wide pool of expat technicians, offering competitive salaries, tax-exemption and free accommodation, which by and large, cannot be matched by airlines based in developing economies. Fadugba, however, noted that in the last 5-6 years, there has been a significant upward increase in the loss of professional and skilled manpower especially pilots, engineers/aircraft technicians, air traffic controllers, safety inspectors among others. Besides, he said that the scope

has also expanded to include professionals employed in almost all other major areas in civil aviation and airlines, such as management, marketing and finance, adding that the frequency and the numbers being taken without adequate notice have dramatically increased. “When you consider the fact that over the next 20 years the world’s airlines will need to add a further 601,000 technicians to maintain their fleets, including 3,000 in Indonesia and 16,200 in the whole of Africa alone, one questions the capability for growth in markets where a brain drain is apparent”. Already, we have become aware of workshops staffed with barely enough trained and qualified personnel to meet both daily tasks and subsequent oversight. Undoubtedly, a shortage of qualified maintenance staff in the future will cause disruption to air services, adversely impact on safety and force operators to scale down their operations,’ he added..

Skills exodus has long been a constrictive factor affecting the sector

Five percent annual manpower loses Speaking in the same vein, the Managing Director of Africa’s largest airline, Ethiopian Airways, Mr. Tewolde Gabremariam, lamented a loss in skilled personnel to other countries approaching almost five percent every year. He noted that the problem is compounded by the fact that training and retaining highly skilled persons is prohibitively expensive in many cases, with a large share of developing countries needing huge investments to expand infrastructural facilities in the sector. With the demise of airlines in emerging markets every so often,

skilled ex-employees are taking advantage of opportunities further afield, rather than staying in the region where they are needed most. Less bureaucratic hurdles to the regional movement of persons such as Africa would encourage more skill retention within the continent. However, Gabremariam said progress is now being made in reducing the extent of a skills exodus. Governments in effected nations have sought the benefits of skill retention plans, including special allowances, defined salary increments and additional noncash rewards. No end in sight All indications are that the current trend will continue and get even worse as demand for highly skilled manpower and professional staff increases with the anticipated growth in the sector. This will have a negative impact on the overall growth of air transport in the continent at large and cause disruption of air transport services, adversely impacting on safety and force operators to scale down operation and or put on hold plans for expansion. Cost-effectiveness of poaching Many of the large Middle East airlines as well as some start -up airlines have found it cost-effective to poach trained and experienced manpower such as pilots and technicians from other carriers instead of investing in costly training. As a result, they have opted to pursue an aggressive poaching strategy utilising the services of highly skilled hiring agencies and offering attractive packages to entice professionals from all over the world, particularly from airlines in developing nations.

Business | Aviation

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Traffic engineers flay aging safety tools at airports Our greatest challenge today is spare parts for our safety equipment

Stories by Wole Shadare

he national President of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE), Ebenezer Makanjuola, has la-

mented the lack of spare parts for Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) equipment at airports across the nation. He made this lamentation at the 33rd NAAE day celebrations in Lagos. He however, called on the government as a matter of urgency, to expedite action on the clearance of the equipment at the Lagos sea port to allow for installation to enable the AIS project take off.

The NAAE boss explained that the lack of spare parts has negatively affected the performance of equipment at airports across the country. “Our greatest challenge today is spare parts for our navigational and communications equipment and we are facing this today because of the lacuna in the system. Government is aware of it and they are doing something about it,” he lamented. Decrying the ageing equip-

ment, Makanjuola said there can never be a perfect system, adding that there were bound to be hitches in every system hence there were professionals to attend to them in times of need. “If there is no failure, there won’t be engineers. December 14, 2014, the whole of UK the airports lighting system failed and they cancelled all the flights. Nobody should premise what is happening on the engineers or equipment,” he stressed. Speaking on the delay in the clearance of AIS tools, he said that AIS automation ought to have started long ago but due to bureaucracy in the system, NAAE is appealing to the government to expedite action on the AIS project. He disclosed that there has never been any accident

traceable to air traffic engineers as a result of negligence in the past 25 years. The NAAE president explained that over 20 engineers will be retiring this year from NAMA but added that there was no cause for alarm as management has been training and retraining people to take over from the ageing professionals. “The gap will not be too much felt and there will be no deficiency in the system as regards manpower development,” he assured. He gave the assurance to the flying public that the Nigerian airspace is safe, secured and reliable, advising them to ignore any negative statement about the airspace. He added that only the user can tell when the equipment is not functioning.

AIR RAGE

WITH

DRAWBACK

Wole Shadare

Stimulus not solution to Nigerian airlines’ woes

L-R: Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Omni-Blu Aviation, Akin Olateru, representative of the Minister of Petroleum, Dr. M.M. Zagi, Chairman, NOSDRA, Major Lancelot Anyanya (rtd), Minister of Environment, Mrs. Laure Mallam; DG, NOSDRA, Peter Idahor and General Manager, Health, Safety and Environment, NNPC, Alhaji Rabiu Suleiman, at stakeholders’ forum on use of air transport services in oil spill management held at the Sheraton Hotel Abuja...recently.

British Airways bags top aviation awards

ritish Airways has won two awards at the Superbrands 2015 awards, clinching both the Business and Consumer titles. A statement from British Airways’ Executive Chairman, Keith Williams, noted that the airline had secured the Consumer Superbrands title last year, but this is the first time any carrier has secured both the top titles. Google was the last brand to win both categories in 2008. According to the statement, it means that British Airways has beaten Apple, Virgin Atlantic, Microsoft and Visa to the top business brand slot and Rolex, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Microsoft

and Nike to the best consumer brand accolade. The British public in a national survey of 2,500 adults chooses the UK’s Consumer Superbrands, while a panel of marketing experts and 2,000 individual business professionals from across the UK choose the Business Superbrands. Williams said, “We want to say a huge thank you to our customers for helping us to secure this top spot. Everything we do is for them so to be recognised by both travellers and businesses alike means an enormous amount to all of us at British Airways.” Chief Executive of The Centre for Brands Analysis and Chairman of the Superbrands

Council, Stephen Cheliotis, said, “British Airways has consolidated its brand strength and not only retained top spot in the Consumer Superbrands survey but also taken pole position in the Business Superbrands survey for the first time. To lead both surveys is remarkable, especially considering over 1,500 well-known consumer brands and 1,200 business brands were analysed. British Airways’ overarching ‘To Fly: To Serve’ positioning and daily focus on exceptional service clearly continues to resonate with flyers, while the brand is also benefitting from recent investments in its planes, lounges, marketing and technology.

Dana begins N9,900 flights to Owerri A

s part of its ongoing domestic route network expansion plans, Dana Air has commenced daily flights service to Owerri. The service according to the statement commenced last Thursday. Announcing the scheduled commencement of the Owerri route, the Chief Commercial Officer of Dana Air, Mr. Obi Mbanouzuo, said the airline was working with the objective of integrating most major cities in Nigeria into its route network and making air transport accessible by developing new routes

and linking same to its existing routes network to better serve the demands of passengers. “We are constantly reviewing our operations and our decision to commence operations to Owerri is hinged on our desire to offer passengers in Owerri and its environs access to Dana’s wider route network”, said Mbanuzuo. Also, the airline has set an introductory online fare of N9,900 to boost leisure and business trips across its route network. Dana Air currently operates flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt and Uyo; will operate

daily flights from Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), Lagos to the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, as well as onwards flights to Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja. Dana Air, which is the only domestic airline to have successfully undergone an operational audit by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and its foreign partners the Flight Safety Group, according to the statement, has also successfully gone through the three phases of the IOSA workshops and is now due for full IOSA audit coming up within the year.

f we were to go by what the Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka said last week, Nigerian airlines and the entire aviation sector would soon get a package of financial incentives. Chidoka had in a statement, disclosed that the financial assistance would help to grow the budding, but fast-paced sector. He added that the government had considered the idea to save the nation’s floundering airlines. The Federal Government must be commended for taking the initiative to save the airlines through direct public funding. Except for countries such as United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ethiopia among very few where government fund aviation, elsewhere, what governments do is to provide enabling environment for the growth of the industry. Since Chidoka made the disclosure, what came to mind was that the Federal Government would again inject or ‘dash’ airlines public funds. This is not the first time monies would be given to airlines to revive their operations.

Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka

The government had eight years ago given airlines over N200 billion. That did not help the carriers. Rather, the funds allegedly ended up in private pockets. Some of them claimed that they used the funds to offset debts hanging on their necks. Aero, the defunct Air Nigeria, IRS, Arik and others got substantial amount to help them resuscitate their operations. Air Nigeria, owned by business mogul, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, got N35 billion and Aero over N25 billion. It was not known how much Arik Air got. The funds was to help the carriers offset their debts rather than buy equipment. Years after the monies were assessed; virtually all the airlines are in a serious financial crisis threatening their continued existence. What the government needs is not stimulus or financial assistance to airlines. Everywhere else in the world, government’s support for airline business is geared towards creating jobs for the populace, and stimulating other economic activities. In aviation-friendly countries, adverse policies, exorbitant charges and undue regulations (especially nonsafety- related regulations) are regularly reviewed to give airline operators a breather to survive and prosper. For Nigerian airlines, they seem to be missing the bigger problem. as they are neither involved in consolidation nor merger. The operating environment in Nigeria is absolutely expensive and unrealistic. Generally, airline business is marginally unprofitable.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESday, March 24, 2015

Photo | News

L-R:Wife of the Vice-President, Hajia Amina Sambo; First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Islamic Affairs and State House Mosque, Alhaji Tahir Umar, at the National Muslim Women Town Hall meeting in Abuja.

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Plc, Mrs. Bola Adesola; President, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Chairperson, Mrs. Osayi Alile, during an annual lecture in Lagos. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

L-R: Col. Akinsola Aboyade-Cole; Coordinator, Christian Conscience Group, Venerable Folarin Shobo; Senior Special Assistant on Christian Religious Matter, Rev. Sam Ogedengbe; Tunji Oguntuase; Prophet Adeleye O. and Bishop Solomon Okokoni, during the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit to the Lagos State governor.

Managing Director, Bayswater Industries Limited, Mr. Piyush Nair (left), congratulating the winner of Hyundai Accent saloon car, Mr. Chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s North Central Zone distributor, Alhaji Abubakar Mahali, in Suleja, Niger State.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

President, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Mr. Foluso Fasoto (left), with others, welcoming the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (right), at an interactive meeting in Abuja. PHOTO-NAN

L-R: Chairman, Ondo East Local Government, Wale Akinlosotu; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju and Governor Olusegun Mimiko, at a town hall meeting with the people of Ondo East local government area, at Bolorunduro, Ondo State.

L-R: Personal Assistant to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Femi Odutale; National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed and another Personal Assistant, Mr. William Adeleye, during a press conference on the state of the nation in Lagos.

L-R: Consumer Activation Manager, Unilever Nigeria, Femi Atoyebi; Financial Secretary, Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Dr. Evelyn Eshikena; Brand Manager, Pepsodent, Unilever Nigeria, George Umoh; Vice Principal Admin, Government Technical College, Ikorodu, Mrs. Imoudu Adeyinka and Public Relations Officer (NDA), Dr. Victor Nwubudike, during a free dental treatment organised by Pepsodent/NDA at the Government Technical College, Ikorodu, Lagos.

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

Less than $30bn reserves’ll hurt naira – Analysts BELOW PEAK

External reserves level is 29.74% below 2014’s peak of $43.51billion Stories by Tony Chukwunyem

cant unmet dollar demand. Nonetheless, in the medium term, we project some level of stability and efficiency in the exchange rate platform as traders and investors adjust to the new system. However, if external reserves fall below the resistance level of

$30 billion, the pressure on the currency may intensify as the CBN’s ability to intervene in the market reduces further.” The analysts noted that there had been a steady decline in foreign portfolio funds coupled with lower oil prices, which had im-

pacted negatively on the level of Nigeria’s external reserves, pointing out that the reserves had depleted 11.3 per cent ($3.92 billion) year to date to $30.57 billion as at March 10. “The external reserves level is 29.74 per cent below 2014’s peak of $43.51

S&P downgrade’ll hinder Nigerian bond sales

nalysts at Financial Derivatives Company Ltd (FDC) have predicted that the naira will come under increased pressure if the country’s external reserves fall below $30 billion. Commenting on naira’s prospects in the current edition of the firm’s “Bimonthly Economic and Business Update,” the analysts stated that while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s scrapping of the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) window would lead to some level of stability in the exchange rate in the medium term, the local currency’s fate would ultimately depend on the country’s level of reserves. According to the FDC, “the new forex structure is still experiencing problems of market clearing evidenced in the signifi-

he downgrade of Nigeria’s credit rating by Standard and Poor’s (S&P) will affect the country’s bonds, analysts have predicted. S&P, last Friday, cut Nigeria’s foreign and local currency long-term rating BBby one level to B+, that is, four levels below investment grade and with a change in outlook to stable. It cited the sharp drop in oil prices and rising political risks in the country before delayed elections scheduled for Saturday for its move. In a chat with Bloomberg, an economist at Exotix Partners LLP in London, Alan Cameron, noted that since there was a high possibility that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may devalue

the naira after the elections, it would not make sense to buy local bonds. Similarly, an analyst at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Kunle Ezun, said: “A downgrade worsens public and investor perception of the economy, which is already being hit. Borrowing costs will increase because of the negative signal it sends. Also in his reaction, a money manager at Investec Asset Management, Joseph Rohm, said, “Investors are waiting for the election to pass; the downgrade will probably push yields higher, which may eventually help to lure investors back to Nigeria should the currency be devalued. Once you see the naira

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

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

billion and 21.11 per cent lower than 2014’s average of $38.75 billion. The level of imports is now 4.55 months for goods and services, down from 4.67 months in February. We expect the external reserves to decline further before the end of March,

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

devalue further you’ll see foreign portfolio flows back into Nigeria again.” The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had cut its 2015 growth forecast for Nigeria to 4.8 per cent on March 5, from

albeit at a slower pace as the forex demand pressure gradually reduces. However, if the external reserves level declines below the psychological resistance level of $30 billion, there will be increased market panic,” the firm stated.

6.3 per cent last year and about half the average rate over the past 15 years. The CBN cut foreign-exchange reserves by 13 per cent this year to $30.1 billion to defend the naira. Naira bonds returned two per cent this month, the most among 31 emerging markets after Russia and the Dominican Republic, according to Bloomberg indexes. Naira debt lost five per cent in February.

Renaissance Capital doubles 2014 profit to $40.5m

enaissance Capital, one of the leading emerging and frontier markets investment banks, has announced that it doubled its net profit from core business for the full year 2014, bringing it to $40.5 million from $19.2 million in 2013. In a statement, the firm said that it recorded strong revenues from core business and continued to reduce its cost base, which demonstrated a 17.5 per cent decrease. Total operating expenses fell to $197.1 million in 2014, from $238.8 million in 2013. Total operating income reached $250 million. According to the statement, “Renaissance Capital’s balance sheet remains strong with its equity-toassets ratio at 14.2 per cent, compared with 13.5 per cent at the end of 2013. Total assets and equity stood at $3.31 billion and $468.6 million, respectively.” The company said that

in 2014, it remained strongly committed to its core regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, Russia/the CIS, and Turkey, as it further focused on growing its marketleading frontier and emerging markets offering. The Firm opened an office in Dubai, UAE, and launched trading in the Middle East markets, including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman and Tunisia. Commenting on the results, Renaissance Capital CEO, Igor Vayn, said: “Amidst the challenging market conditions in 2014, Renaissance Capital not only maintained its leading position across the product offering and regions of focus, but also exceeded the expectations of profit, doubling it year-on-year. As global institutional investors are shifting their focus to frontier markets, we believe these represent the catalyst for the Firm’s franchise growth.

Keystone Bank empowers female entrepreneurs

eystone Bank Limited has unveiled “The Pink Network”, an initiative for women entrepreneurs and professionals to share business ideas and interact. Speaking during the premiere interactive session held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos, President/ Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN), Otunba (Mrs.) ‘Debola Osibogun, said: “Keystone Bank Limited has creatively set up this platform to cater for the dreams and aspirations of women SMEs and the professional working class women.” While commending the lender, the CIBN President also said: “This initiative,

beyond supporting the Central Bank’s Financial Inclusion Policy, would also solve some of the challenges built around markets and infrastructure that SMEs face.” In his remarks to the gathering of businesswomen and women opinion leaders, the Managing Director/CEO, Keystone Bank, Mr. Philip Ikeazor, spoke about the possibilities that partnering with Keystone Bank Pink Network offers. He listed such partnerships to include financing of ventures in “agriculture, technology, education, hospitality and tourism, media and entertainment, professional services and advisory. Once it is a Small and Medium Scale venture, the possibilities are endless.”

Business | Financial Market News

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

23-Mar-15

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

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

0.08 1.40 2.10 2.35 2.44 3.19 4.27 4.59 4.89 6.85 8.98 13.69 14.16 14.66 15.33 19.32

14.48 16.00 15.97 16.01 16.01 16.04 16.04 16.05 16.02 15.89 15.95 16.52 16.59 16.67 16.25 16.18

12.72 15.87 15.88 15.93 15.93 15.90 15.94 15.94 15.93 15.82 15.88 16.46 16.53 16.58 16.17 16.11

99.10 96.38 98.46 88.28 86.95 87.02 99.79 71.37 98.35 101.98 91.78 91.78 77.80 55.63 65.00 76.29

99.25 96.53 98.61 88.43 87.10 87.32 100.09 71.67 98.65 102.28 92.08 92.08 78.10 55.93 65.30 76.59

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

5,023.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,454.71

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

0.17 0.91 1.71 2.07 2.29

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 2.85

17.14 17.40 18.03 17.01 18.86

97.11 100.00 97.03 97.97 91.31

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

310.18

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.44

4.44

20.06

96.90

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.28

3.23

17.93

98.74

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.80

4.46

19.81

95.90

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.80

3.48

18.83

97.59

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.07

1.00

17.01

88.13

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.34

1.00

16.69

96.62

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.78

1.79

17.81

91.85

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

1.95

1.80

17.82

94.23

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.96

1.00

17.01

95.38

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.15

1.00

17.01

95.74 89.15

‡ /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

2.15

4.78

20.79

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.34

1.00

17.01

97.23

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

2.58 4.67 2.74

1.00 1.00 1.00

17.02 17.04 17.02

97.10 91.96 95.32

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.19

1.00

17.04

94.74

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.68

1.00

16.95

87.66

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.78

1.00

16.94

92.94

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

3.44

1.44

17.49

92.85

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.47

1.00

17.05

95.00

97.54

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

459.68 424.14

Corporate Bonds ‡ /Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.41

1.00

16.43

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.46

1.00

16.77

97.91

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.55

2.63

18.51

97.76

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.52

1.00

17.05

94.77

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.59

1.34

17.38

95.76

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.52

1.00

17.02

92.02

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.54

1.88

17.93

100.80

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.55

1.00

17.05

98.70

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.54

09-Sep-18

1.97

1.00

17.01

101.51 98.40

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.70

09-Sep-18

1.97

1.00

17.01

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.50

1.00

17.05

92.21

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

1.82

2.29

18.32

96.36

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

2.15

6.11

22.12

93.56

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.77

2.16

18.18

95.46

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.65

2.76

18.71

88.16

A/GCR

UBA

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

30-Dec-14

16.45

30.50

30-Dec-21

6.77

1.13

16.99

97.80

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.52

1.00

17.02

76.39

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.52

1.00

17.02

82.53

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

162.73

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

152.93

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.89

1.00

17.03

84.87

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

17.04

81.02

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 20.68

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

6.51

6.28

101.14

102.24

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

6.01

5.68

97.38

98.34

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.77

6.59

97.51

98.61

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

1,480.16

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

118.77

48.00

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

7.72

6.23

99.75

101.38

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

13.12

88.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

13.98

13.24

82.50

84.13

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

9.19

8.56

90.34

92.17

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

39.13

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

8.62

92.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

16.03

15.25

78.48

80.50

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

14.08

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

23.97 14.71 13.62

23.97 14.31 13.62

47.50 78.13 76.00

47.50 79.50 76.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

11.51

10.99

87.00

89.13

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,658.08

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

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

Bid Discount (%) 12.49 12.21 12.34 13.90 13.92 12.87 14.59

Offer Discount (%) 12.24 11.96 12.09 13.65 13.67 12.62 14.34

Bid Yield (%) 12.53 12.27 12.44 14.07 14.12 13.08 14.89

Money Market Tenor

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 9.8750 15.6251 16.6405 17.5155

Rate (%)

OBB

9.25

O/N

9.92

Tenor Call

REPO

Rate (%) 11.00

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

199.08 201.81 202.13 202.87 204.24

199.18 201.93 202.28 203.37 205.31

***LCRM

0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

116.70 66.49

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.38

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

310.18

19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

2.07 2.29

1.00 2.85

17.01 18.86

97.97 91.31

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.44

4.44

20.06

96.90

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.28

3.23

17.93

98.74

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.80

4.46

19.81

95.90

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.80

3.48

18.83

97.59

/Agusto NEW‡ TELEGRAPH TUESDAY,*IMO MARCH 24, 2015

Business | Financial Market News

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.07

1.00

17.01

88.13

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.34

1.00

16.69

96.62

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.78

1.79

17.81

91.85

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

1.95

1.80

17.82

94.23

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.96

1.00

17.01

95.38

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.15

1.00

17.01

95.74

12-Dec-18

2.15

4.78

20.79

89.15

14-Feb-19

2.34

1.00

17.01

97.23

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

2.58 4.67 2.74

1.00 1.00 1.00

17.02 17.04 17.02

97.10 91.96 95.32

17.38

95.76

FEAT ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

NIGER *EKITI

FMDQ OTC lists N30.5bn UBA Bond

12-Dec-13 14.00 10.20 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 An‡ /Agusto average value of *NIGER 14-Feb-12 15.50 27.00 ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR *ONDO 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 circa N561A-/GCR billion is *GOMBE 02-Oct-12 15.50 16.23 BBB+/Agusto; 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 22-Nov-12 14.50 80.00 billion United Bank for Afprice activity portal, ontransparency and market traded on the FMDQ 12-Dec-12 14.75 25.70 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR *OSUN integrity . platform. line quotations service, 10-Oct-13 14.75 11.10 BBB-/Agusto *OSUN rica Bond on its 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 platform daily 27-Nov-13 13.50 that listing 87.50and Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 As a securities ex- which involves a continuIt noted

31-Dec-13 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 change and self-regulaous disclosure of relevant 31-Dec-13 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 tory organisation (SRO) information on fixed in06-Jan-14 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 registered by SEC, FMDQ come issues listed on its TOTAL VALUE Stories byOUTSTANDING Chris Ugwu provides a platform for platform, and the publicaTOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION ollowing the re- the registration, listing, tion of the FMDQ Daily Corporate Bonds Quotations List (DQL), cent approval of quotation and10.00 trading of UPDC 17-AUG-2015 17-Aug-10 ‡ /Agusto *UPDC FMDQ has empowered FMDQ Bond Listbonds and other in-9-DEC-2015 12.00 fixed FLOURMILLS BBB-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS the Nigerian bond 06-Jan-11 marcome securities. ing and Quotation 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A+/Agusto; A-/GCRSecurities 29-Sep-11 NAHCO Rules by the In a statement made ket with price discovery , 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 25-Oct-13 FSDH available by the andA-/Agusto Exchange Commismanage13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR 30-Sep-10 UBA sionBBB-/GCR (SEC), FMDQ OTC ment of the18.00 company , C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 30-Nov-12 *C & I LEASING Plc (FMDQ) yesterday anMPR+7.00develDANA 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 Nil *DANA through its market MPR+7.00 TOWER 09-Sep-11 A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR nounced the approval of such9-SEP-2018 *TOWERopment initiatives, MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR of N30.5 *TOWERas the FMDQ e-Discovery the pioneer listing A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

15.00 5.00 quotation on FMDQ pro14.50 4.55 vides 15.00 a host of benefits 4.56 across the debt market 459.68 value chain, positively 424.14 impacting stakeholders in the 10.00 Debt Capital2.50 Market (DCM) 12.00 such as issuers, 18.75 investors, 14.00 issuing houses, 0.42 market13.00 makers and15.00 regu-

Bonds listed and admitted17.04 on FMDQ94.74 will be traded16.95 by Fixed87.66 Income 16.94 92.94 Specialists (FMDQ Deal17.49 92.85 ing Members), who 17.05 95.00 will act as market makers to these bonds, thus providing trading liquidity to the bond. An average val16.43 97.54 ue of circa is 16.77 N561 billion 97.91 traded18.51 on the FMDQ 97.76 plat17.05 . 94.77 form daily

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.59

1.34

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.52

1.00

17.02

92.02

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.54

1.88

17.93

100.80

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

A/GCR

UBA

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

09-Apr-18

1.55

1.00

17.05

98.70

09-Sep-18

1.97

1.00

17.01

101.51

16.00

0.70

09-Sep-18

1.97

1.00

17.01

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.50

1.00

17.05

92.21

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

1.82

2.29

18.32

96.36

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

17-Feb-19

2.15

6.11

22.12

93.56

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

6.01

5.68

97.38

98.34

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.77

6.59

97.51

98.61

SCI Inc. 16.00 (NYSE: 4.50In a statement 01-Apr-19 made avail2.77 14-Nov-13 2.05 14-Nov-20 5.65 MSCI), a 15.25 leading able to newsmen, existing 30-Dec-14 30.50 6.77 provider of16.45invest- and future30-Dec-21 indexes will be 30-Sep-14 11.93 0.10 30-Sep-24 9.52 ment 30-Sep-14 decision support tools co-branded as the MSCI/NSE 13.25 15.44 30-Sep-24 9.52 worldwide, and The Nigerian 162.73 Indexes, including the flagStock Exchange (NSE), yes- 152.93 ship NSE 30 Index and NSE 50 terday announced a strate- Index, which will become the gic co-operation agreement MSCI/NSE 30 Index and the 11-Feb-13 and market 10.20 a co12.00 11-Feb-18 2.89 MSCI/NSE 50 Index, respecto develop 10-Jul-14 11.25 12.95 01-Feb-21 branded family of indexes for tively . Additional indexes4.75will the Nigerian equity markets. 24.95 also be jointly developed and The pact between the pair 20.68 launched in the future based came on a day the Chief Exec-Outstanding on client demand and market Value Issue Date Coupon (%) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) utive Officer of Exchange, Mr. ($mm) development. The indexes Oscar N. Onyema, was listed will be used as performance as one of the most powerful benchmarks and as the basis 07-Oct-11 6.75 500.00 28-Jan-21 6.51 men in Africa for 2015. for index-linked products for 01-Apr-14

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

CMB Group Plc has creased 32 per cent YoY to posted a 32 per cent N126 billion, representing Supranational increaseBond in a profit 20 per cent of total bank 10.20 enabled IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC before tax (PBT) for the credits. These 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P AfDB the continued increase full-year ended DecemOUTSTANDING VALUE in FCMB Limited’s net ber TOTAL 31, 2014. MARKET CAPITALISATION InTOTAL a filing with the Ni- interest margins to 9.14 gerian Stock Exchange per cent in 2014. Description Rating/Agency Issuer (NSE), the bank reported “The bank also made pre-tax profit of N23.9 up significant progress in FGN Eurobonds 32 per cent from N18.2 its non-financial goals. 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P billion for the full-year As FCMB Limited’s franBB-/Fitch; FGN grew in acceptabilended December 31, 2013. chise 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 BB-/S&P According to a state- ity in the retail market; it BB-/Fitch; 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 BB-/S&P ment from the bank, re- acquired over 500,000 new OUTSTANDING VALUE tail TOTAL banking divisions of customers in 2014. It also TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION FCMB Limited contrib- supported over 278,518 uted a PBT of N4.1 billion borrowing customers durCorporate Eurobonds or 18 per cent of FCMB ing the year with consum11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN PLC I Limited’s total profits, up er loan disbursements. 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I from N1.8 billion for the Not only do these trends7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC previous year. Deposits demonstrate the broad 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC received from individuof FCMB Limited 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANKimpact PLC als increased 14 per cent onII the economy, but also 10.25 APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P (YoY) to ZENITH BANK Year-on-Year the PLC fact that FCMB Ltd B/S&P representing DIAMOND PLC N166B/Fitch; billion, isBANK increasingly the bank8.75 May 21, 2019 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC 22 per cent, of the bank’s of choice for individuals 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN PLC III deposits, while loans isand small businesses,” 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II sued to B/S&P individuals intheLTD statement said.8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; FIRST BANK TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

ema Bank Plc has posted a 48 per cent growth in net earnings for the financial year 01-Feb-11 11.50 ended December 31, 2014. 19-May-11 7.50 According to a notice to 25-Jul-12 7.25 the Nigerian Stock Exchange 09-May-13 6.88 (NSE),08-Nov-13 the bank reported a 6.00 profit 08-Apr-12 after tax of N2.37 bil10.25 22-Apr-14 6.25 N1.59 lion, up 48 per cent from 8.75 billion21-May-14 during the comparable 8.25 year of07-Aug-13 2013. 09-Dec-13 6.63 The24-Jun-14 lender’s profit before 9.25 tax grew to N3.1 billion dur23-Jul-14 8.00 14-Aug-14

8.75

1,500.00 ing the

year under review, up 1,480.16 59 per cent from N1.9 billion in December 2013. Managing Director/CEO of 450.00 01-Feb-16 118.77 Wema Bank Plc, Segun Olo500.00 19-May-16 7.72 ketuyi said that Wema Bank 350.00 25-Jul-17 13.12 has continued to record year300.00 02-May-18 13.98 on-year improvement in 400.00 08-Nov-18 9.19 its financial performance. 300.00 08-Apr-19 39.13 500.00 22-Apr-19 8.62 “The Bank has improved 200.00 21-May-19 16.03 significantly on its profit300.00 ability and07-Aug-20 customer 14.08 base 360.00 09-Dec-20 23.97 despite shrinking margins 400.00 24-Jun-21 14.71 and intense competition. 450.00 23-Jul-21 13.62 250.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

98.40

investors seeking exposure to 2.16 18.18 95.46 2.76Nigerian 18.71 88.16 the capital markets. 1.13 97.80 “As the 16.99 largest economy 1.00 17.02 76.39 in1.00Africa, Nigeria is increas17.02 82.53 ingly positioning itself at the center of the development of the region’s capital markets,” said Baer Pettit, Managing 1.00 17.03 Director and Head of84.87 MSCI’s 1.00 17.04 81.02 Product Group. “MSCI is very proud to establish a strategic relationship with The Nigerian Stock ExOffer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price change, and we look forward to working with them to raise Prices & Yields the profile of these indexes 6.28 101.14 102.24 around the world.”

Wema Bank’s net earnings up by 48% to N2.37bn

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

6.30

2.54

22-Sep-11

FCMB’s pre-tax profit rises by 32% to N23.9bn

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

16.00

18.00

Onyema makes Forbes’ ‘powerful men’ list

A/Agusto; A/GCR

B-/S&P

lators. FMDQ’s value-add to1.00 10-Oct-20 3.19 27-Nov-20 DCM includes 5.68 visibility1.00 31-Dec-20 5.78 and transparency to the1.00 31-Dec-20 3.44 1.44 listed/quoted debts, im-1.00 06-Jan-21 3.47 proved secondary market liquidity, benchmark pricing and price formation, among others, 0.41 resulting1.00 17-Aug-15 in09-Dec-15 a more globally com-1.00 0.46 petitive 06-Jan-16 Nigerian 0.55 capital2.63 29-Sep-16 1.52 1.00 market.

NSE, MSCI sign strategic pact

#{r}

14-Aug-21

11.51

The progress recorded is a result of the continued execution of our three-year growth strategy – Project 118.77 48.00 48.00 LEAP. 6.23 99.75 101.38 “Specifically for the 2014 13.12 88.50 88.50 financial year, the Bank re13.24 82.50 84.13 corded a growth in profit be8.56 90.34 92.17 fore 39.13 tax of 58.8 43.63 per cent 43.63 from 8.62 billion 92.00 92.00N3.09 N1.9 in 2013 to 15.25 78.48 80.50same billion in 2014 on the 14.08 77.95 77.95 capital base, an indication of 23.97 47.50 47.50 improved efficiency and better 14.31 78.13 79.50 utilisation of resources.” 13.62 76.00 76.00 10.99

4,760.00

87.00

89.13

23-Mar-15

3,658.08

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 **Treasuryfinancial Bills or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” FIXINGS Money Market 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 (%) purpose Offer (%) Information, Bid Yield (%) do we accept liability for the results of any action Tenor (%)of the Information. the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance or fitnessBid forDiscount a particular ofDiscount any of the neither taken on theRate basis NIBOR

10 2-Apr-15 12.49 17 9-Apr-15 12.21 24 16-Apr-15 12.34 FGN Bonds 31 23-Apr-15 13.90 38 30-Apr-15 13.92 45 7-May-15 Rating/Agency Issuer Description12.87 52 14-May-15 14.59 59 21-May-15 13.08 4.00 23-APR-2015 73 4-Jun-15 14.57 13.05 16-AUG-2016 80 11-Jun-15 14.13 15.10 27-APR-2017 94 25-Jun-15 13.78 9.85 27-JUL-2017 101 2-Jul-15 13.97 115 16-Jul-15 14.60 9.35 31-AUG-2017 122 23-Jul-15 14.85 10.70 30-MAY-2018 129 30-Jul-15 14.34 16.00 29-JUN-2019 136 6-Aug-15 14.35 7.00 23-OCT-2019 NA 143 NA 13-Aug-15 14.63 15.54 13-FEB-2020 157 27-Aug-15 11.80 16.39 27-JAN-2022 164 3-Sep-15 14.25 14.20 14-MAR-2024 171 10-Sep-15 14.74 15.00 28-NOV-2028 185 24-Sep-15 14.80 12.49 22-MAY-2029 255 3-Dec-15 13.93 269 17-Dec-15 14.07 8.50 20-NOV-2029 290 7-Jan-16 14.15 10.00 23-JUL-2030 304 21-Jan-16 14.15 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 318 4-Feb-16 14.22 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 332 18-Feb-16 14.15 346 3-Mar-16 14.29 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 360 17-Mar-16 13.38 *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 Rating/Agency Issuer **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

12.24 11.96 12.09 13.65 13.67 12.62 Issue Date 14.34 12.83 23-Apr-10 14.32 16-Aug-13 13.88 27-Apr-12 13.53 27-Jul-07 13.72 14.35 31-Aug-07 14.60 30-May-08 14.09 29-Jun-12 14.10 23-Oct-09 14.38 13-Feb-15 11.55 27-Jan-12 14.00 14-Mar-14 14.49 28-Nov-08 14.55 22-May-09 13.68 13.82 20-Nov-09 13.90 23-Jul-10 13.90 18-Jul-14 13.97 13.90 14.04 13.13

12.53 12.27 12.44 14.07 14.12 13.08 Coupon (%) 14.89 13.36 4.00 15.00 13.05 14.58 15.10 14.28 9.85 14.53 15.31 9.35 15.63 10.70 15.10 16.00 15.16 7.00 15.52 15.54 12.43 16.39 15.23 14.20 15.84 15.00 16.00 12.49 15.43 15.69 8.50 15.94 10.00 16.04 12.1493 16.23 16.24 16.52 15.42

Bonds

Description

Issue Date

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Outstanding 6M

(N'bn)

Value

OBB

Rate (%) 9.8750 15.6251 16.6405 17.5155

9.25

O/N

Maturity Date

535.00 23-Apr-15 NITTY 581.39 16-Aug-16 476.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 1M 13.7119 2M 14.0708 100.00 31-Aug-17 3M 14.2144 300.00 30-May-18 6M 14.5819 351.30 29-Jun-19 9M 15.6370 233.90 23-Oct-19 12M 16.5966 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)200.00 199.0250 20-Nov-29 OFFER ($/N) 199.1250 591.57 23-Jul-30 254.50 18-Jul-34

9.92

REPO Tenor Rate (%) TTM (Yrs) Bid Yield (%) Call 1M 0.08 3M 1.40 6M

11.00 12.00 14.48 13.00 16.00 14.00

Tenor

Spot 7D 14D Offer 1M Yield 2M(%) 3M 12.72 6M 15.87 1Y

2.10 15.97 15.88 2.35 16.01 15.93 2.44 16.01 15.93 :Benchmarks 3.19 16.04 15.90 * :Amortising 4.27Bond 16.04 15.94 µ :Convertible Bond 4.59 16.05 15.94 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 4.89 16.02 15.93 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 6.85 Mortgage Bank15.89 15.82 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 8.98 15.95 15.88 IFC: International Finance Corporation 13.69 16.52 Management 16.46 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables 14.16 Aviation Handling 16.59 Company 16.53 NAHCO: Nigerian O/N: Overnight 14.66 16.67 16.58 UPDC: UAC Property Development 15.33 16.25Company 16.17 WAPCO:West 19.32Africa Portland Cement 16.18 Company16.11 NOTE:

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

199.08 199.18 Price201.93 201.81 202.13 202.28 202.87 203.37 Bid Price Offer Price 204.24 205.31 205.60 207.21 99.10 99.25 206.28 213.47 96.38 96.53 220.29 226.27

98.46 98.61 88.28 88.43 86.95 87.10 NA :Not Applicable 87.02 87.32 # :Floating Rate Bond 99.79 100.09 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 71.37 71.67 98.35 98.65 ‡ : Bond rating under review 101.98expired 102.28 †: Bond rating 91.78 92.08 N/A :Not Available {r} :Issuer91.78 in receivership 92.08 77.80 78.10 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 55.63 55.93 UBA: United Bank for Africa65.30 65.00 76.29 76.59

5,023.13 4,454.71 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 0.00/16.50 Porfolio Market Value(Bn) 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 03-Apr-12 FMDQ FGN 17.25 BOND 09-Dec-11 0.00/16.00 20-Apr-12 0.00/16.50 Weighting by Weighting by Mkt 06-Jul-12 Vol 0.00/16.50 Outstanding Value

24.56

INDEX 2.40

112.22 116.70 Bucket66.49 Weighting

322.38

1,380.38

1,409.48

42.92

46.49

3<5

1,033.75

1,059.68

32.27

34.82

310.18 0.32

555.03

815.07

24.82

18.69

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

2,969.16 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_ 06-Jul-17 Mod_Duration

0.17 0.91 1.71 2.07 Implied2.29 Yield

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 Implied Portfolio2.85 Price

17.14 17.40 18.03 17.01 INDEX 18.86

1,135.66

97.11 100.00 97.03 97.97 YTD Return (%)91.31

21.18

16.01

101.3622

38.30

15.92

98.3064

980.91 -

2.5100

0.25

40.52

16.23

69.8335

981.51 -

2.5323

1.00

100.00 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18

16.06 0.44 0.28 0.80 0.80 2.07 1.34 2.78 1.95 1.96

92.5515 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 1.00 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00

1,045.82 20.06 17.93 19.81 18.83 17.01 16.69 17.81 17.82 17.01

0.8869 96.90 98.74 95.90 97.59 88.13 96.62 91.85 94.23 95.38

3.1267

44 Travel Advisory

TUESday, March 24, 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-LomeKinshasa 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 24, 2015

Features

Caring for 270,000 Boko Haram’s ‘refugees’ They are devastated, dejected, homeless and hopeless. But the American University of Nigeria (AUN) is giving hope to the internally displaced people running away from atrocities of Boko Haram, writes MARGEE ENSIGN

Some of the refugees in Yola being helped by the university, Muslim and Christian leaders

he kidnapping of schoolgirls in Chibok in Nigeria by Boko Haram caught the attention of the world. Some of the girls who escaped are being taught at a school run by the American University of Nigeria. The university now finds itself helping to feed 270,000 displaced people, pushed out of their own homes by violence. The university’s president describes the humanitarian crisis unfolding around her. How does an American-style university survive in northern Nigeria, where Boko Haram has been waging war against education? Can a university function in a town

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

that has doubled in size with people fleeing the terror? This is a region where thousands of citizens have been killed, villages have been destroyed and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. Against this backdrop, at the edge of Boko Haram controlled territory, sits the American University of Nigeria (AUN), which stands for western education in name and practice. It is located in Adamawa State, one of three northern Nigerian states in a state of emergency with a curfew. Yet the capital, Yola, remains a safe haven, free of the violence that plagues so much of the North-East. But now with an estimated 400,000 “internally displaced persons” in Yola, there is another humanitarian crisis right outside the gates of this outpost of American education. Raising the alarm The magnitude of Boko Haram’s devastation was not evident to those outside North-East Nigeria until news reports and photos began showing the violence and devastation. For those of us here in Yola, we have been daily confronted with the realities of the violence of Boko Haram. A year ago in March 2014, we were asked by the

Emir of Mubi to bring food and clothing to a group of displaced women and girls. When we asked, “Where are your boys and husbands?” the women cried and then turned quiet. Finally one said: “They were burnt or forced to join Boko Haram.” Since then, we have been trying to raise the alarm by sharing the story of these women who ran with their daughters and lost their husbands and sons to Boko Haram. At first a few thousand internally displaced people, mostly women and children, came to live in our city. Many stayed with their relatives. With the university the largest employer in the region, we heard their stories through family members who are employees. Most arrived only with the clothes on their backs. The university gave them food and blankets. Then 5,000 more came and community leaders rallied to help them. Planting crops A local chief from the village of Bole, where AUN is located, offered to settle the displaced on his land if the university and the Adamawa Peace Initiative, which brings together community and religious leaders, could give them seeds to plant on the land.

Now this visionary traditional leader, Chief Abdulomumuni, counts those seeking refuge as part of his village. But more kept coming: 20,000, then 100,000, now close to 400,000 displaced people are in Yola. The population of Yola, which is normally 300,000, has more than doubled with the addition of people who have fled the horror of Boko Haram. Only a small percentage of them, about 10,000, are living in governmentrun refugee camps. The Nigerian culture is generous and dedicated to family. Extended relatives are offered shelter regardless of the strain it will put on already stretched resources. As a result, some Yola residents, including one of AUN’s drivers, have as many as 50 displaced persons living with them in their homes. It is a mark of shame to let even a distant family member go to a refugee camp. While there is food distribution in the camps, the living conditions are not good, and lately there have been serious allegations of abuse. Church grounds This leaves the vast majority of the C O N T I N U E D on PA G E 4 6

FEATURES

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

displaced living in our community with relatives or on church grounds. Close to 3,000 Christians and Muslims live on the grounds of St Theresa’s Catholic Church. Here Bishop Mamza, a member of the Adamawa Peace Initiative takes care of housing and distributing food to them. An additional 30,000 women come to the church grounds to receive food aid from the university and Adamawa Peace Initiative. Why only women? When we began the food distributions the men were disorderly and at times unruly, so at St Theresa’s we have limited the distributions to women only. Each woman represents an extended family of about 20. Recently, we gave aid to 5,000 at the church. This means 100,000 will have food for two weeks. Food distribution also takes place almost every week at the Muslim Council. And just as at St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Christians and Muslims come together. Here the “feedings” are deliberately smaller so women, children and men participate. Imams and bishops Organised by Imam Dauda Bello, the rice, maize and beans are passed out to the hungry with the help of local bishops, other imams, our university students, faculty and staff. One of the Christian bishops also assists. Most large Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are set up to provide aid to refugees in camps, but are not set up to deal with hundreds of thousands of refugees outside of the camps. AUN is now feeding 270,000 of the 390,000 sheltering with family or relatives. While we have been fortunate to receive $100,000 (£65,000) from US Agency for International Development (US AID) and another $200,000 (£130,000) from AUN’s founder, Atiku Abubakar, this will not last past the new date for elections on March 28. And the university is appealing for more support to help displaced people and to provide scholarships. Even if Boko Haram were suddenly defeated and no more displaced people came to Yola, people will shelter in Yola for the foreseeable future. Most have no homes or villages to which to return and many no longer have husbands or sons to provide for them. Witnesses to terror Funds to feed, clothe, provide medicine are desperately needed - and they need to go to local organisations that have the knowledge and experience to provide in the community and not in camps. Among our 400,000 displaced persons in Yola, there are approximately 200,000 children in Yola. Some are orphans, while others do not know whether their parents are still alive. Many have witnessed Boko Haram’s gruesome atrocities first hand. None of these children is in school. With a few vans, tablet computers, books and the dedication of our students and staff, we could create a mobile education programme to make sure the future of Nigeria keeps learning. But this too requires funds. As a development university, we are committed to community development programmes that are enabling an environment for peace, women’s empowerment, and socioeconomic equality. Today we are embracing a much broader definition of community - both inside and outside our uni-

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Help in time of need

Children gather at a camp for displaced people in Yola

A family at a camp for displaced people in Yola

versity gates - and the problems that come with that larger community. Almost a year ago, Boko Haram abducted 276 girls from their school in Chibok. The #BringBackOurGirls campaign garnered headlines, international attention and outrage. Yet 10 months later, they are all but forgotten by world, but not by the AUN community. We are now home to 21 of the “girls” who escaped after being kidnapped in April 2014 by Boko Haram. These girls - who are actually strong young women of 16, 17, 18 and 19 years old - inspire us every day. The entire campus has embraced them. Our female head of the Honour Society and chair of Society of Ethics and Leadership Club live in their residence hall and mentor them. 'Obsessed with peace' They play sports with our students, yet their memories of the evening they were kidnapped still weigh heavily on them and are a topic that is still too painful for them to talk about. They are continuing their education and aspire to become teachers, lawyers, dentists and doctors and go back to Chibok to help their families and town rebuild. They are in intensive classes from 8am to 5pm, preparing for the exams that they were about to take when they were

A woman holding the picture of her daughter kidnapped in Chibok last year

kidnapped last year. I asked them recently if they would write me what education means to them. One of the young women, Grace said, “Education gives me the wings to fly, the power to fight and the voice to speak.” How does a university not only survive, but also enable its students

to thrive in such circumstances? Imam Dauda Bello says he is “obsessed with peace”. We all are obsessed with peace in Yola. Perhaps that is why we are safe in the midst of violence and anarchy and our students are growing the wings to fly. • Ensign is at the AUN

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

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PDP, LP clash as Ebonyi council boss alleges assassination plot Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

t least one person was critically injured while many others sustained injuries when supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) clashed in Effium community, Ohaukwu Local Government area of Ebonyi State. In the clash, which occurred at Ekpitom village, a Labour Party supporter, Elechi Omeligwe, had his head broken with another machete cut on his hands. Narrating his ordeal on his hospital bed, Om-

eligwe told New Telegraph that he had, along with other members of his party, travelled to the village to mobilise other members for a ward campaign rally during which members of the PDP, who are alleged supporters of Hon. Frank Nwaka Onwe, candidate of the PDP for Ohaukwu North Constituency, attacked them with dangerous weapons. He said the thugs, who mounted road blocks to prevent movement of vehicles, also shot sporadically into the air to scare them, but that when he refused to yield to their intimidation, the hoodlums pounced on him and inflicted machete cuts on

him. “Trouble started when we were trying to ensure that our supporters entered the vehicle. The PDP supporters mobilised themselves when they went around disseminating false information that they were holding a rally and that our supporters should not get into the vehicle. “The people I saw include Fidelis Agena, Joseph Aduma and former Councilor, Hon. Akpu

Onyebuchi, members of the PDP, even the motorcycle we went with, they prevented us from taking bite. They broke my head with a stick; it was Joseph Aduma, who broke my head and threatened that if I insisted on conveying my supporters to the venue of the rally; he would shoot me. Meanwhile, the Caretaker Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government,

Chief Chaka Nweze, yesterday alleged that thugs hired by the Ebonyi State PDP gubernatorial candidate, Chief Dave Umahi, planned to kill him. Nweze, who is a member of the Labour Party, made this allegation in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen. He said the thugs attacked him during his party’s ward rally in Uburu on Friday. He said: “Their leader,

Mr. Ogbonnaya Enodi, started shouting that Umahi sent them to kill me and suddenly four PDP branded vehicles stormed the venue with fully armed thugs.” According to Nweze, on sighting them, I beckoned to the security men around, including the police, State Security Service personnel, to intercept them, but they ignored me.

Bishop warns politicians against violence Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

he Bishop of Methodist Church, Nigeria, Abakaliki Diocese, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Agupusi, has warned politicians to desist from instigating political violence and shedding innocent blood in the country. The bishop said this yesterday in a press statement he signed and made available to journalists during the 21st annual synod of the church held at Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government area of Ebonyi State with the theme; “Aglow with the spirit.” He said the March 28 and April 11 general elections should not be ‘a-door-die affair,’ but that the interest of the nation should be paramount. The cleric, who condemned in totality the at-

titude of some groups in the country who feel that they are the ones that should rule Nigeria alone even if it will take the killing of Nigerians, said people should not forget that power is of God. Agupusi said there is the need for serious confession, restitution and genuine repentance by politicians towards God and cleansings from sin after the elections, adding that ‘all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.’ He lamented the high level of terror and aggression and other warlike challenges facing the country and called for immediate scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme and replacing it with the training of graduates in the military as a way of inculcating security consciousness in our people.

L-R: Hon. Pandola Edward Okwuosa; Hon. Okwudili Ojiba; PDP senatorial candidate for Anambra North, Princess Stella Oduah; Archbishop of Onitsha Diocese, Archbishop Valerian Okeke and former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Stella Odife, during a courtesy visit to Archbishop Okeke in Onitsha …at the weekend

Nnewi traders brainstorm on alternative to oil economy Tony Okafor Awka

he Nnewi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), yesterday organised an industrial forum in the commercial city, where the two organisations

Shelve vigils on polls’ eve, TAN tells clerics Tony Okafor Awka

he Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a proJonathan campaign organisation, yesterday enjoined clerics nationwide to shelve any vigil engagement this Friday to enable their members be in good stead to vote in Saturday’s general

elections. TAN’s Vice-Chairman, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba made the plea during the launch of Ward Volunteer Scheme Training of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Nnewi High School, Nnewi, Anambra State He said President Goodluck Jonathan has done well for Nigerians adding that no sacrifice made for his re-election

that would be too much. He e nu m e r at e d some empower ment programmes of the Jonathan administration to include Youth Empowerment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP), Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), Subsidy Reinvestment and Empower ment Programme (SURE-P) and various scholarship programmes.

N450m realised at Umahi’s fund raiser CharlesOnyekwere ABAKALIKI

t least N450 million was, last weekend, realised at the fund raising dinner in support of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor-

ship candidate, Chief Dave Umahi and other flag bearers of the party by the Divine Mandate Campaign Organisation (DMCO), ahead of the March 28 and April 11 general elections. The donations, which took place during a fund

raising dinner in Abakaliki, had in attendance prominent personalities in the state, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, represented by Senator Ogiji Ngele, former Governor Sam Egwu, Chair-

brainstormed on the benefits of export promotion in the country to reduce dependence on oil revenue. The event, which took place at Nnewi with the theme; “Moving the Economy to the Next Level, Through Non-Oil Sector,” attracted captains of industries, importers, traders from Nkwo Nnewi market and other interested participants from the industrial city. In his keynote address, the Head of Products and Market Division, NEPC, Owerri Zonal Office, Mr.

Okorie John Okorie, xrayed the prospects and benefits of the exportation of various commodities to other countries of the world where Nigeria had comparative advantage. He told members of Nnewi business community that the process was not cumbersome, adding that there are many countries across the globe that needed products from Nigeria, which could be exported with maximum profits. In his paper entitled; “Export as a panacea to moving the economy

foward,” Mr. Okorie pinpointed all it takes to be an exporter in Nigeria. He identified packaging as one of the major challenges of the Nigerian exporter. He advised prospective exporters to always consider making their consignments attractive to ignite demand for them. Okorie articulated the benefits of exportation to include foreign exchange earnings, business expansion, promotion of Made in Nigeria goods, reduction in dependence on oil and creation of employment, among others.

Elechi swears in new judge Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

bonyi State governor, Martin Elechi, yesterday swore in a new judge of the state high court, Justice Thelma man, PDP Council of Elders, Chief Franklin Ogbuewu, state PDP Chairman, Chief Onwe, former state commissioners, former council chairmen and coordinators, contractors, among others. Contributions came from friends and partners of Umahi from the 13 local government areas of the state, outside the state and the country.

Achom. Achom, until her appointment, was a Chief Magistrate in the state judiciary. Swearing in the new judge at the Government House, Abakaliki, Elechi prayed God to grant her the grace to work according to her will, not as a human being, describing the human being as fickle-minded. The governor said the judicial system was witnessing a steady growth like other arms of government. He told the new judge that her position was a critical one in which she must take difficult, but nec-

essary decisions. Governor Elechi said the government cannot guarantee 35 per cent affirmative action for the judiciary, because of the rigours involved, unlike the political system, saying “there are rules and traditions that must be adhered to strictly.” He congratulated the new judge and pledged his continued assistance of the judiciary when the need arises. Responding, Justice Achom thanked the governor and the government for finding her worthy and promised to discharge her duties diligently.

News

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-SOUTH

PDP: Amaechi has only five commissioners, few lawmakers left

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Rivers State has said that Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, only has five commissioners and a handful of lawmakers that are still supporting him and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. The party Chairman, Felix Obuah, who said this at the official defection of Rivers Deputy governor, Mr. Tele Ikuru to the PDP,

lIkuru lauds Wike for ‘saving Rivers from evil’ said that there was overwhelming support for President Goodluck Jonathan, and Mr. Nyesom Wike from politicians that were close to the governor. Obuah, who handed an umbrella, the PDP’s symbol to Ikuru, who stormed the event with his supporters, noted that Ikuru’s defection would strongly boost the party’s chance in the coming elections, describing him as the “stron-

gest and most intelligent member of the APC” in the state. “I don’t want to mention the names of the remaining members of cabinet still left with Amaechi. But he has only five commissioners left. More than two thirds of the assembly members are no longer with him,” Obuah said. Also speaking, Wike, the governorship candidate of the PDP, said that

Ikuru’s defection has demonstrated that God has abandoned Amaechi, who he described as impatient. “God is not with you; God has abandoned you a long time ago,” Wike said, declaring that the PDP has a target that the APC does not only lose in the state, but that “it loses woefully.” Wike also commended Ikuru for being courageous to return to the party he contributed in

building. “Those whose blood is PDP, no matter where they are will come back to the party. When you pray with commitment and with passion, God will answer your prayer. Is it not by providence that a South-South man is the President of this country? We in the South-South have always supported the North and South-East. So, how can anybody sit down and say we cannot possess our possession? “It has nothing to do with the PDP Chairman, or myself; but can any-

body sit down and say that President Jonathan should not be re-elected as President? Why is it that people want to burn down this country? 48 months is like tomorrow. Four years is like tomorrow. People should learn how to make sacrifices in life. Jonathan has done well.” In his remarks, Ikuru commended Wike, for saving the people of the state from evil, by standing up against oppression, explaining that he slept very well for the first time in the last 18 months shortly after returning to the PDP.

Buhari’s endorsement done by wrong group, says ex-militant leader Chris Ejim YENAGOA

L-R: Rivers State Coordinator, Justice Development and Peace Commission, Rev. Fr. Donatus Ukulor; state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dame Gesila Khan and Administrative Secretary, INEC, Mr. Royce Obijuru, at an interactive forum with Civil Society Organisations in Port Harcourt …at the weekend

Rivers gets new Fitch stable outlook rating

lCommends Amaechi on debt reduction, development

nternational credit ratings agency, Fitch has placed Rivers State’s Long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at ‘BB-’, affirming its National Long-term rating at ‘AA-’ with a stable outlook. Fitch also commended the administration of Amaechi, for reducing the debt level of the state, while continuing with de-

velopment projects and maintaining investments. The ratings, reflects Fitch’s expectations that Rivers State will continue to report a solid operating margin in the medium term, mainly driven by growing non-oil revenue. “This will be partially offset by decreasing transfers received in reflection of lower oil price although the budget should con-

tinue to be balanced due to flexibility in expenditure.” According to Fitch’s base case scenario, “the operating margin will stabilise at 60 per cent over the medium term (preliminary figures show 58 per cent in 2014). Internally generated revenue (IGR) is forecast to rise towards 30 per cent of total revenues and exceed NG-

N100bn by 2016, or about NGN8.5bn per month, up from NGN84bn in 2014. “Backed by 2014 preliminary figures, IGR is expected to continue rising also due to more sophisticated collection, alleviating Rivers’ dependence on oil revenue. Fitch forecasts oil revenue would represent 65-70 per cents of annual revenue in the medium term, compared with 75-80 per cents in 2011-2013.

Bayelsa students told to mobilse Residents besiege collection for Jonathan’s re-election centres for PVCs in Bayelsa tudents of Bayelsa state in various institutions of

origin in higher institutions of learning across the country have been tasked to mobilize support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in next Saturday’s presidential poll. This charge was given by Governor Seriake Dickson when the National Executive of the National Union of Bayelsa State Students, (NUBSS) paid a courtesy visit on him in his office in Yenagoa. Dickson noted that President Jonathan has performed well to deserve a second term in office. While, urging them to obtain their permanent voter’s cards, the governor also tasked them to sensitize their colleagues

learning across the state and beyond, to collect their PVCs and vote massively for the President. The governor commended the discipline and humane disposition of the students’ union leadership and assured them of government’s intention to ensure the payment of outstanding bursary of all students of Bayelsa State origin within the next couple of weeks. Attributing the delay to the dwindling revenues accruing to the state, Dickson also pledged to remit monthly stipends owed Bayelsa students in foreign universities as soon as possible, to alleviate their sufferings.

Chris Ejim Yenagoa

undreds of indigenes and residents in Bayelsa State at the weekend turned out in high numbers at collections centres for the permanent voters’ cards to beat the Sunday deadline by the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC). Many other groups, including the Bayelsa State Government led by the Governor Seriake Dickson and the pro-Jonathan group, the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), had embarked on last minute sensitization of eligible voters to turn out to collect the PVCs.

Others, including traditional rulers, provided some logistics support for officials of INEC, to aide the issuance of voter’s cards to indigenes. New telegraph visit to some parts of the state showed an increase in the numbers of eligible voters coming out to collect their voter’s cards, six days before the presidential election. Commenting on the development, the leadership of the TAN in the state led by its coordinator, Hon. Wenipire Seibarugu, said though the rate of collection of the PVCs has improved, the INEC should ensure that all PVCs for all registered voters in the state are made available for collection to avoid being disenfranchised.

n ex-militant leader and president of the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, Reuben Clifford Wilson, has stated that those who posed under the guise of ex-militants to endorse the All Progressives Congress (APC), presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and the Delta State governorship candidate of the party, Chief O’tega Emerhor, are not ex-militants, stating that no true member of the group were ever involved in the endorsement. Wilson said he was responding to media report that ex-militants, under the aegis of Coalition of Association of Ex-Agita-

tors have endorsed the said candidates. Speaking to the gathering of ex-militant leaders, Wilson declared that the group that endorsed the APC candidate was not recognized by his group, stating that the leader of the group, Isreal Akpodero, was not an ex-militant. He called on the group’s leader to show proof that he was a recognized leader of ex-militants. “We, former freedom fighters, don’t know Israel. We don’t know the body he represents. We don’t know the identity of the group. President Goodluck Jonathan has done so much, so, if any person is coming to make negative comments about him, that person is under attack and should seek medical attention,” he stated.

Dickson rallies support for Jonathan Chris Ejim YENAGOA

ayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson at the weekend in Yenagoa met with the members of the supreme council of nonindigenes in the state to solicit their support for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, restating his commitment to the economic development of the state. Commending them for their support, the governor stated that necessary measures have been put in place to make the state ranked among best economies in the country as he called on the non-indigenes to avail themselves of the opportunity. The governor, expressed the readiness of his administration to partner with them in the area of commerce, adding that, it was one of the key areas the government is focusing on to boost the inter-

nally generated revenue, (IGR) profile of the state. According to him, work is on-going on the expansion of the Swali, Kpansia and other markets within the state, pointing out that as promised by President Jonathan during his visit to the Nigeria Stock Exchange in Lagos, the commissioning of Agge Seaport would create employment opportunity for the teeming youths, not only in Bayelsa, but the nation as a whole. Describing the completion of the Agge Deep Seaport as critical to the economic well-being of the state, Dickson noted that it was one of the reasons why every resident of Bayelsa State must ensure the re-election of President Jonathan. “For continuity, let us team up with other well-meaning Nigerians and ensure the return of President Jonathan in the presidential election”.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

Female suicide bombers killed in Borno Ahmed Miringa Maiduguri

n Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blew up two female suicide bombers in Auno village of Konduga Local Government of Borno State on the outskirts of Maiduguri yesterday. Auno village is about 15 kilometers from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The suicide bombers, were on a deadly mission to Maiduguri Mon-

day Market to carry out their dastardly act, when the IED blew them up in Auno town while waiting for buses to the city. An eye witness account from Auno, Mallam Gaba Idrisa, said the incident, which occurred about 2.00 pm on Sunday scattered the bodies of the suicide bombers, while seven other people were injured and had since been rushed to Maiduguri General Hospital for treatment. He said: “The suicide bombers were said to have been brought in

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from Damaturu by one suspected Boko Haram terrorist, who dropped them in Hakana and told them to take a bus to the next town. On getting to Auno, they thought it was Maiduguri and they start ed asking for the Maiduguri Monday Market. “We were told that their master dropped them in Jakana, because he knows that it will be very difficult for them to beat security checkpoint and get entrance into Maiduguri, Idrisa stated. A taxi driver, Mallam Mohammdu Abor, told

our correspondent that he saw the bodies of the suicide bombers littering the roadside, while people were standing at a distance as they were afraid of another explosion. Speaking on the matter, the Legal Adviser to the Borno Youths Empowerment Scheme (BOYES), popularly known as Civilian JTF, Jibrin Gunda, said he was informed about the incident, but that his men has intensified stop-andsearch mission that there is no way they would get access into Maiduguri.

Buhari’s wife predicts victory for husband Muhammad Kabir Kano

he wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in the March 28 election, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, yesterday predicted victory for her husband, General Muhammadu Buhari, in the election. She said the APC is certainly going to win Saturday’s presidential election and that General Buhari will govern for eight years as he is healthy enough to go the whole hog. She said: “He is fit, healthy and strong enough to lead the country for the next eight years.” Aisha said the wave of change has come and it has come to stay, adding that it was ripe for President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife and members of his family, to take their leave from Aso Rock. She spoke on Sunday at the Government House, Kano, during a town hall meeting organised for her to meet with women groups and representatives from Kano, Jigawa and Katsina States. She said the issue of Buhari’s health has been

adequately taken care of. She further expressed worry at the consistent bashing of the north by the wife of President Jonathan, who allegedly described the region as a leading enclave of the Almajiris, just as she urged the north to use the might of their population to vote out the PDP and its presidential candidate. Hajia Aisha also promised Kano women that General Buhari and the APC would be faithful to their electoral promises and would initiate programmes that would be favourable to women and make them economically self-reliant. “With General Buhari in office, the spate of kidnapping and reckless assassination of innocent people will be history in Nigeria. With him in office, the nation’s depressing economy will rebound in line with the expectation of the citizens and world best practices.” She, however, said that she was in Kano to canvass support for Buhari from the women, knowing their role as important pillars in winning elections the world over. She said it would be a disaster for any politician to ignore the vital role of women.

Group condemns attack on Benue PDP guber candidate L-R: Governance Adviser, DFID Nigeria, Ms. Clara Barnet; Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy of Centre, Clement Nwankwo and former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Oyelowe Oyewo, at a media advocacy strategy to achieve presidential assent to constitution amendment in Abuja ,…yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

IDPs reject call for polls in recaptured areas Ibrahim Abdul Yola

hough Nigerian troops have recaptured major towns previously overran by Boko Haram insurgents in Michika and Madagali Local Government areas of Adamawa State, there are indications that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the affected communities have rejected calls for the conduct of elections in those areas. Michika and Madagali were the last areas that were recaptured in Adama-

Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

he son of the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, Prince Kaase Torkula, yesterday escaped death when gunmen attacked him in broad daylight in Guma Local Government Area. The monarch’s son

wa as mop up operations continued in some the communities, where terrorists have been cleared in the course of the ongoing air and land operations. “Yes, the insurgents were killed in their dozens,” so confirmed a local hunter, Mr. Young Morris, who is also engaged in the mop up operations. Many residents, who fled their communities, said they are unsure of returning home despite successes reported by the Nigerian military. Over 148, 375 voters, according to INEC statistics,

fled Madagali and Michika Local Governments in Adamawa State after they were raided and captured by Boko Haram. The Federal Government had assured the people that it was determined to retake communities under Boko Haram control to ensure residents return home before the elections, rescheduled to hold on March 28 and April 11. This, it said, was responsible for the six-week shift of the 2015 general elections. But, most of the displaced persons at Internally Displaced Per-

sons (IDPs) camps in Yola and other places, said they are not planning to return home yet. “The military were on ground when Boko Haram came and took over our town. Though, the same military has recaptured our land now, but we aren’t sure the insurgents won’t come back,” said an elderly man, Zira Yohanna at the NYSC IDP camp. Though Yohanna lauded the military intervention, he said the security situation even after the recapture of their communities was cloudy.

Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he National Democratic Front (NDF) has condemned the attack on the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Prince Terhemen Tarzor, allegedly carried out by All Progressives Congress (APC) thugs, describing it as a barbaric and animalistic. The group further described those behind the attack as anti-democratic forces that are not ready to settle down with the norms and ethos of democratic practices the world over. National President of the group, Comrade Philip Agbese, in a reaction to the attempt on the life of Tarzor

and his supporters after a church service at Agasha in Guma Local Government area of Benue State, in a statement, said the ugly incident must be investigated by security agencies. He said any individual directly or indirectly involved in the act must be brought to book as the nation can no longer afford to conduct its activities like motor park touts, who use all manner of weapons like guns, charms and cutlasses, during their elections. According to him, the promoters of violence in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria must be reminded that the era of ‘garrison politics’ is gone and the Nigerian people are now wiser and much more prepared to use their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVCs) to decide candidates of their choice.

Gunmen attack Tor Tiv’s son Plateau’s non-indigenes endorse Pwajok was on his way to his father’s village at TseTorkula in Guma Local Government when the assailants opened fire on his car, which was badly damaged. New Telegraph gathered that Kaase was on his way to Mbadwem in the local government to canvass support for

the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Samuel Ortom. Kaase is married to the daughter of Ortom, the governorship candidate of the APC and the attack was reported to have been masterminded by PDP thugs.

Musa Pam Jos

roups of non-indigenes in Plateau State have endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Senator Gyang Pwajok, as the most reliable and cred-

ible candidate in the gubernatorial election in the state. The groups from all the geographical zones of the country had converged on Jos to officially endorse President Jonathan and Senator Pwajok for the coming elections. A community leader for the Igalas in Plateau State

said his people have enjoyed the serene environment and cordial relationship provided by the state and have endorsed the candidature of Pwajok. He said if the senator was elected, he would bring development closer to the people and give them a sense of belonging in decision making in the state.

WORLD | News

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lee Kuan Yew, ex-Singaporean leader, dies at 91

ee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first prime minister, died yesterday aged 91, triggering a flood of tributes to the man who oversaw the tiny citystate's rapid rise from a British colonial backwater to a global trade and financial center. US President Barack Obama described Lee, who ruled Singapore for three decades, as "a true giant of history" whose advice on governance and economic development had been sought by other world leaders down the years. In his lifetime, Lee drew praise for his market-friendly policies, but also criticism at home and abroad for his strict controls over the press, public protest and political opponents. Lee had receded from public

and political life over the past few years, but was still seen as an influential figure in the government of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, his eldest son. "The first of our founding fathers is no more. He inspired us, gave us courage, and brought us here," a choked Prime Minister Lee said in a live television address. "To many Singaporeans, and indeed others too, Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore." The government declared a period of national mourning until his funeral Sunday. Singaporeans had been bracing for the news for days, and a sea of flowers had already piled up at the Singapore General Hospital where he was being treated for pneumonia. "I'm so sad. He is my idol. He's been so good to me, my family and everyone," said Lua Su Yean, 64. "His biggest

achievement is that from zero he's built up today's Singapore." In keeping with Lee's famously no-nonsense, pragmatic approach, business carried on as normal throughout the city, one of the world's leading wealth management centers. Hundreds of office workers queued at lunchtime in the central business district to buy a commemorative issue of the Straits Times newspaper. At the stock exchange, the message "Remembering Lee Kuan Yew, 16 September 1923 to

23 March 2015" replaced the normal stream of news and market prices displayed on a bank of video. Lee, a British-educated lawyer, is credited with building Singapore into one of the world's wealthiest nations on a per capita basis with a strong, pervasive role for the state and little patience for dissent. He was unapologetic for clamping down fiercely on his opponents, saying it was essential for the country's security. "We have to lock up people,

without trial, whether they are communists, whether they are language chauvinists, whether they are religious extremists. If you don't do that, the country would be in ruins," he said in 1986. Among other hardline measures, long hair for men was outlawed in the 1970s - the Bee Gees and Led Zeppelin canceled gigs due to the ban - and the sale of chewing gum remains forbidden. Graffiti is punishable by caning.

UK election candidate accused of plot with far-right quits

candidate in Britain's national election has quit the race after a newspaper accused him of plotting with a far-right group to stir up racial tensions in order to win votes. The Conservative Party said Monday that Afzal Amin was no longer its candidate in Dudley North. His fate had looked sealed since the Mail on Sunday newspaper reported that Amin had suggested the

English Defense League call a demonstration against a planned mosque in the central England constituency and then call it off, with Amin taking the credit. He was recorded saying that in return he would be the group's "unshakeable ally" in Parliament. Amin, one of relatively few Muslim officers in the British Army, had previously said the newspaper's account was misleading.

Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan sign accord over Nile waters

gypt, Ethiopia and Sudan yesterday signed an initial agreement on sharing water from the Nile River that runs through the three countries, as Addis Ababa presses ahead with its construction of a massive new dam it hopes will help alleviate the country's power shortages. The dam had been an issue of contention among the three countries, with Egypt concerned it would reduce its share of the Nile established under a colonial-era agreement that gave Egypt and Sudan the main rights to exploit the river's water. But yesterday, leaders of the three nations Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah elSissi, Sudanese President Omar Bashir and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn welcomed the agreement in speeches in Khartoum's Republican Palace, linking hands and smiling at a signing ceremony. "While you are working for the development of your people, keep in mind the Egyptian people, for whom the Nile is not only a source of water, but a source of life," el-Sissi said, addressing his Ethiopian counterpart after the three watched a short film about the Grand Renaissance Dam highlighting how it could benefit the region. Cairo previously had voiced

fears that Ethiopia's $4.2 billion hydro-electric project, announced in 2011, would diminish its share of the Nile, which provides almost all of the desert nation's water needs, especially under previous governments. The agreement, hashed out by officials from the three countries weeks beforehand in Khartoum, outlines principles by which they will cooperate to use the water fairly and resolve any potential disputes peacefully, leaving details on specific procedures to be determined later after the release of joint, expert studies. "The Egyptians don't really have any other options," said Ethiopian water researcher Seifulaziz Milas, adding that once the dam had been built and the land behind it flooded, the amount of water flowing down the Nile would return to normal. "It's just a question of filling up the reservoir, after that there's nowhere else for the water to go besides downstream." Until recently, Ethiopia had abided by the colonial-era agreement that gives downstream Egypt and Sudan rights to the Nile water, with Egypt taking 55.5 billion cubic meters and Sudan 18.5 billion cubic meters of the total of 84 billion cubic meters, with 10 billion lost to evaporation.

People queue up to pen their condolences as they mourn the passing of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew outside the Istana in Singapore yesterday. (Inset: Lee Kuan Yew).

Senegalese court jails ex-president's son for corruption

he son of Senegal's former president Abdoulaye Wade was jailed for six years for corruption yesterday, dealing a blow to his hopes of running for office and deepening fault lines in the country's political landscape. The court in the capital Dakar, which found Karim Wade guilty of hiding funds in offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands and Panama, also fined him 138 billion CFA francs ($228 million). Raising the political stakes ahead of the verdict - read out as police patrolled the city's streets in large numbers to counter possible protests - the opposition Senegalese Democratic Party

(SDP) chose Wade on Saturday as its candidate for a presidential election that could take place as soon as 2017. In detention since April 2013, Wade, 46, denied wrongdoing and branded the trial a witch-hunt, something the government denies. He and lawyers boycotted the end of the trial. Prosecutors had demanded a seven-year prison term and a 250 billion CFA franc fine for Wade, known as the 'minister for heaven and earth' during his father's government as he controlled several ministries. "The crime of illicit enrichment being proven, Karim Wade: six years in prison and a fine of 138 billion CFA francs," judge Henri Gregoire Diop said. Op-

position supporters inside the specially created Court for Repression of Illicit Enrichment (CREI) protested loudly after the verdict. "I no longer want to be Senegalese," shouted one woman. "This verdict is shameful." Wade's father left the court without commenting to the media. His son and his legal team had accused the judge of bias, which Diop had strongly denied. "The CREI is the armed wing of the government put in place explicitly to execute a political adversary," Cire-Cledor Ly, one of Wade's lawyers, told a news conference after the hearing. They would appeal the verdict before the Supreme Court, he added.

Hadi calls for Gulf military, UN action

emen's embattled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi has asked Gulf countries to intervene militarily against Shiite rebels who have seized the capital and are advancing toward his new base in the south, his foreign minister told Saudi media yesterday. Riad Yassin said Hadi has also asked the United Nations to impose a no-fly zone so that the rebels, known as Houthis, cannot use the airports they seized. He accused the rebels of being a proxy of Shiite Iran, charges they deny. Yassin spoke to Saudi-owned Al-Hadath TV yesterday. He

made similar comments to the Saudi-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal meanwhile warned that "if the Houthi coup does not end peacefully, we will take the necessary measures for this crisis to protect the region." He did not elaborate further. Riyadh also renewed its offer to host talks between Yemen's rival groups which has already been rejected by the rebels. The sixnation Gulf Cooperation Council -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Bahrain -- warned earlier this year that they would

act to protect the Arabian Peninsula's security and described the Houthi takeover of parts of Yemen as a "terrorist" act. "Time is not on our side," Yassin told Al-Hadath. He didn't say what Gulf military intervention would entail but said the Houthis' advance toward Hadi's base in the southern city of Aden must be stopped. He said the rebels want to foil attempts to reach a political solution. Yassin said the request was made to the Gulf Cooperation Council after warplanes struck near the presidential palace in Aden over the weekend.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MARCH 24, 2015

Sport News

International Sport La Liga title race not over, says Ancelotti

D’Tigers will make it to AAG, Afrobasket – Umar

Fenerbache coach wants fans to support Emenike

Nigeria/Uganda friendly: Seven Eagles hit Uyo camp

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Did you know? There have been seven red cards issued to Liverpool players against United in the Premier League Michael Owen, Danny Murphy, Sami Hyypia, Javier Mascherano (twice), Jonjo Shelvey and recently Steven Gerrard being the recipients.

Uganda will be tough – Musa

Ajibade Olusesan

uper Eagles striker, Ahmed Musa, has said that the international friendly match with Uganda is as important as the cancelled Bolivia game, saying that it is always tough playing against African opposition. Bolivia football authorities, last week, pulled out of a proposed friendly but the Nigeria Football Federation found an immediate replacement in the Cranes of Uganda. The match takes place at the Uyo International Stadium on Wednesday.

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

In an interview, the CSKA Moscow player said that the match was very important to the Eagles and he was looking forward to playing his part in the game. “I expect a tough match and I am ready to represent my country again. I always have this great feeling anytime I have the opportunity to play for my country and it is not different this time. I will do my best to help the team win our next two matches and I know that my teammates have the same feeling. The first match is coming up at home and we have to make sure that we win that, although it is a friendly, winning it is very important to us and our fans,” he said. The former African champions will four days later confront the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in another friendly encounter in Nelspruit. The South Africans played a 2-2 draw with Nigeria in Uyo to stop the former African champions from making it to the last African Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea. Musa said that the friendly match would not be about revenge but an opportunity for them to bounce back from the Nations Cup debacle. “It is normal for us to view the friendly match as some kind of revenge because of how they denied us the chance to go to the last AFCON but we have to forget about that now. We don’t have anything against them, they are professionals, we are professionals too, we have another match to play and I am sure the players and the coaches will achieve our objectives,” he said.

Ahmed Musa (left) competiry with an Argentina player

Indian Wells victory excites Djokovic

orld number one Novak Djokovic recovered from a second-set battle to beat Roger Federer 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 in the BNP Paribas Open final. The Serb had dominated the opening set at Indian Wells but the Swiss rallied in the second set, coming from a break down to win the tie-break. Djokovic, 27, seemed rattled both by Federer and the crowd in the decider. But he regained his composure to win his 50th career title and his fourth Indian Wells crown. “All the hard work I have done in the off-season has paid off,” eight-time grand slam title-winner Djokovic told BBC Sport. “Nothing has been handed to me. I had to earn this, to fight for it with all the com-

mitment to my everyday routine with my team. Hopefully I can use this confidence for the rest of the season. It’s a great start.” The Swiss threw everything at the Serb but the world number one, who won the Australian Open in January, gave it back to him and broke again in the third game. The match looked to have gone Djokovic’s way when he went 2-0 up in the decider but his frustrations started to show again and he was broken and also demolished one of his rackets. “I would like to congratulate Novak on a great final and a wonderful tournament,” 17-time grand slam champion Federer told Sky Sports 3. “It’s a great start to the season and I hope we can play some more this year.”

Sport

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria/Uganda friendly: Seven Eagles hit Uyo

CAF confirms Brazil, Korea, Hungary for Flying Eagles

Ajibade Olusesan

SKA Moscow striker, Ahmed Musa, tops the list of seven Super Eagles players to have arrived the Le Meridian camp of the team yesterday (Monday) ahead of the international friendly match with the Cranes of Uganda which is slated for International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom tomorrow (Wednesday). The new Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye, told our correspondent that Watford striker, Odion Ighalo, Middlebrough defender, Kenneth

Omeruo and Rizespor of Turkey player, Godfrey Oboabona, were the other early birds. Aaron Samuel of Guangzhou R&F of China, Akeem Latifu of Aalesunds FC of Norway and goalkeeper Chidere Ezeh who plays for Gabros International are also in camp already. “We have seven players in camp at the moment but we are still expecting more before the end of the day,” Ibitoye told our correspondent about 7pm on Monday. “We have some players still in Abuja, Vincent Enyeama

for instance is already in Uyo but he is yet to report to camp as I am talking to you. We are likely going to have more players here tomorrow morning.” He also said that the team would have its first training on Tuesday morning (today) and a light training later in the evening. “Coaches Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorunmu are already in Uyo and would lead the team in training on Tuesday and by this time we would have had almost all the players in camp,” he said.

•Jonathan ready to reward victorious team igeria’s victorious Flying Eagles have been pitched against South American giants, Brazil, in the FIFA U20 Championship, New Zealand 2015. The Flying Eagles will also contend with Korea DPR and Hungary in Group E as confirmed by officials of the Confederation of Africa Football. The four African representatives for the tournament learnt their fate for the fiesta on Monday, following the draw conducted in Dakar, Senegal. With the exception of African champions, Nigeria, the three other representatives – Senegal, Ghana and Mali – had to wait for the draw to know their groups. Ghana were drawn in Group B alongside Argentina, Panama and Austria with Senegal in Group C with Qatar, Colombia and Portugal while Mali will battle it with Mexico, Uruguay and Serbia in Group D. The draw was conducted by Rhianon Martin, FIFA Senior Competitions Manager, and as-

sisted by Felipe Restrepo of the FIFA Competitions Division. The final tournament will be held from May 30 to June 20, 2015 in New Zealand. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed readiness to host the victorious Flying Eagles after their Sunday’s victory over Senegal in the final of the 2015 African Youth Championship. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President promised that the team would get the support of the Federal Government ahead of their participation in the 2015 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand. “In keeping with his administration’s policy of giving Nigeria’s sports men and women the greatest possible support and encouragement, the President looks forward to receiving the team at his earliest convenience to honour them for bringing more sporting glory to their fatherland.”

NFF reconfirms Nigeria, Uganda match for Uyo Emmanuel Tobi

Onazi (left) in action for Nigeria

he Nigeria Football Federation has confir med that Wednesday’s international friendly match between Nigeria and Uganda will be played at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo in Akwa Ibom. There were speculations that the match might be played at the Abuja National Stadium, but the NFF reconfirmed that the match against the 1978 Africa

Cup of Nations runnersup would take place as scheduled. The NFF President Amaju Pinnick said on Monday: “We have been discussing with the Government of Akwa Ibom State over the past few months and nothing has changed. We appreciate the keen interest of Governor Godswill Akpabio in the development of Nigerian football and also the good people of Akwa Ibom State for their hospitality at all times. “We have never had

any problem with the Government of Akwa Ibom State. They are desirous of hosting big games at the marvelous venue that everyone calls the Nest of Champions.” The delegation of Uganda’s Cranes, which arrived in Abuja aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight on Monday, as well as players and officials of the Super Eagles, are expected to be accommodated at the Le Meridien Hotel in Uyo. Wednesday’s match will kick off at 6pm.

Stakeholders seek ways out of players union crisis World Cup: No automatic shirts

ver 90 former Nigerian footballers have proffered solutions to the lingering crisis which has continued to rock the players’ union. Under the name, Concerned Stakeholders Group of Nigeria, the ex-players, in a statement said “the body was specifically set up with the main aim of settling the crisis between the National Association of Nigerian Footballers and Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria.” The statement added, “After due consultations with the leaders of NANF, APFON and stakeholders in Nigerian football, we have decided to institute an interim administration that will encompass NANF and APFON members. “A transitional government headed by Harrison Jalla, with the inclusion of Austin Popo, Dahiru Sadi, Larry

Kubeinje and other members will be put in place.” The statement signed by ex-internationals Clement Temile, Peter Rufai and the others said the transitional period would be two years, with the executive members using the first year to “reorganise and reposition the union, while the second year would be used to conduct proper and transparent elections in the six geo-political zones of the country, that will usher in a new leadership for the union.”

for Iheanacho, Success – Ugbade Charles Ogundiya

F Temile

Nigerian footballer sentenced in Malta

Nigerian football player has been handed a suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty to attempting to leave the country using false documents. Ita Francis, 24, came to Malta after being promised a trial with the first division

team St George’s, however his contract with the team did not materialise and so he decided to try to find work in Italy. He was stopped at the airport by immigration officials who noticed that his Italian passport had been falsified.

lying Eagles Assistant Coach, Uduka Ugbade, has maintained that Kelechi Iheanacho, Isaac Success must fight for their shirts in the team ahead of the World Cup in New Zealand. The Flying Eagles won the African Championship without some of the players who triumphed at the last U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates two years ago. Speaking on a Supersport programme monitored in Lagos on Monday, the former Super Eagles defender said the players were still part of the family. “Iheanacho, Success, Chidiebere Nwakali, Musa Yahaya are still part of the team. We are a big family and they will be coming to fight for shirts with the current players in the team,” Ugbade said.

“We want to have a very strong team because at the World Cup, there will be no room for mistakes. We are not going there to complete the number but to compete with the other countries.” He however said the technical crew has noticed some shortcoming in the team which would be corrected ahead of the World Cup in May.

Iheanacho

International Sport

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MARCH 24, 2015

Mata: Anfield goal one of my best

La Liga title race not over, says Ancelotti

arlo Ancelotti insists there is still all to play for in the battle for the La Liga title despite Real Madrid’s 2-1 El Clasico loss at Barcelona on Sunday. A goal in each half from Jeremy Mathieu and Luis Suarez either side of Cristiano Ronaldo’s 42nd goal of the season settled an enthralling encounter at Camp Nou. The Catalan giants are now four points clear of Real at the top of the table with 10 games remaining, but Ancelotti stressed that his side could still be crowned champions. He said: “The league isn’t over. Barcelona have the advantage but anything can happen in football.

Ancelotti

We won’t prioritise the Champions League.” The Italian said: “Two very good teams played each other this evening (Sunday). I think that we played well for an hour, up until the second goal. Then things turned complicated. “We were very good in the first half. We were solid at the back but in the end we couldn’t capitalise. We played well for an hour and not so well for half an hour. “We’re disappointed but we go home knowing that we played a good game. That should give us some confidence for the rest of the season.”

Tevez: Juve must wrap up Serie A title

uventus striker Carlos Tevez is desperate for his team to wrap up the Serie A title as soon as they can to allow them to turn their attention to the Champions League. Massimiliano Allegri’s men enjoyed a 1-0 win over Genoa on Sunday, with Tevez netting the only goal of the game as well as missing a penalty in Turin. Juve are 14 points clear at the top with 10 league

games remaining as they look to seal a fourth straight title. Tevez is eager to see the league wrapped up and focus turned to the Champions League, where Juve will face Monaco in the quarter-finals. “We are in a good shape, we are in excellent form and this is the most important thing,” the Argentine told reporters. “We have to win the title

anchester United midfielder Juan Mata has described his acrobatic strike against Liverpool as one of the best goals of his career. The 26-year-old opened the scoring on 14 minutes before doubling United’s lead on the hour mark when he met a cross from Angel di Maria with a scissorkick inside the area. Louis van Gaal’s side went on to claim victory in the match, despite Daniel Sturridge grabbing one back, and Mata says he can’t explain how he scored his second goal. “I don’t know very well how to explain it. It’s something you just don’t think,” he wrote on his blog, One Hour Behind. “It’s more a resource you use when you understand it’s better to shoot the ball as it comes rather than trying to control it and

must pay his taxes and the problem was apparently resolved late Saturday following talks - but not enough to keep him in the job. Iran were among the favorites at the Asian Cup in January but their disappointing quarterfinal exit after losing on penalties to arch-rivals Iraq stepped up the pressure on their Portuguese coach who took over in 2011 and successfully guided the team to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Queiroz

Mata

keep the play. Angel’s pass invited me to do so. “It’s one of the best goals of my career for

sure, among other things because it happened in such a massive game. And it helped us win.”

Liverpool can still qualify for Champions League – Rodgers

rendan Rodgers admits Liverpool’s target of Champions League qualification is a ‘big challenge’ after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, but maintains belief in his side’s chances. The loss at Anfield which saw Steven Gerrard sent off for a stamp on Ander Herrera just Tevez 38 seconds after coming as soon as possible and focus on as a half-time subon the Champions League.” stitute - leaves Liver-

Queiroz quits Iran amid tax confusion and ‘pressures’

arlos Queiroz’s uncomfortable tenure as Iran’s coach ended on a bitter note when he was briefly barred from leaving the country over allegations of a reported $300,000-plus in unpaid taxes. The former Real Madrid and assistant Manchester United boss, whose time in charge of Iran has been fraught with tension, announced his resignation on Friday citing external pressures but was due to finish his term at the end of this month after friendlies against Sweden and Chile. He was apparently stopped at Tehran airport as he and the Iranian team were leaving for Europe and the team had to travel without him. The incident came 24 hours after Queiroz resigned despite signing a contract extension through to 2018 six months ago. Local reports said the contract specifies that the Iran Football Federation

pool five points behind fourth-placed United. Liverpool’s next outing comes at Arsenal after the international break and, despite admitting Sunday’s loss was a setback, Rodgers maintains his side can finish in the top four. “It’s a big challenge, but when I look at the 10 games that are remaining it is always going to be difficult to win all 10 of them,” he told reporters.

Rodgers

“We’d hoped it wouldn’t be in this game against a rival but it’s still very much possible.”

Alonso fit to race in Malaysian Grand Prix

ernando Alonso will return to the cockpit on Sunday for the Malaysian Grand Prix providing he passes final FIA medical this week. McLaren confirmed in a statement that the Spaniard will compete in Kuala Lumpur after missing the season opener in Australia. Medics advised him

to sit out the race after crashing during pre-season testing in Barcelona. “McLaren-Honda is pleased to announce that, subject to a successful final FIA medical assessment this Thursday March 26, at the Sepang International Circuit, Fernando Alonso will return to the cockpit of his MP4-30 car for

this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix,” said McLaren. “Since his Barcelona testing accident, Fernando has followed a rigorous, specialised training programme, designed and closely monitored by leading sports scientists, to ensure his safe and timely return to racing,” McLaren said in a statement.

Diego Costa out of Spain squad

iego Costa has withdrawn from the Spain squad for their upcoming fixtures against Ukraine and the Netherlands. The striker was forced off with a hamstring strain during Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Hull City in the Premier League on Sunday. Malaga youngster

Juanmi has replaced Costa in Vicente del Bosque’s squad. The 21-year-old, who is yet to play for Spain’s senior team, has scored four goals in his last seven games in La Liga. Spain continue their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign on March 27 when they host Ukraine.

Costa

Sport

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

senegal 2015

F’Eagles are Nigeria’s future, says Manu Ifeanyi Ibeh

Manu

lying Eagles coach, Manu Garba, believes his victorious team, made up of only a handful of players from the country’s top two divisions, is the future of Nigerian football, following Sunday’s 1-0 final victory over Senegal at the 2015 African U-20 Championship. Jo s h u a Enaholo (MFM), Christian Pyagbara (Dolphins), Usman Sale (Wikki Tourists), Obinna Nwobodo (Enugu Rangers), Ifeanyi Matthew (El-Kanemi Warriors), and Olorunleke Ojo (Giwa

FC) were the only players in the Flying Eagles who play for teams in either the Nigeria Professional Football League or the Nigeria National League. The rest of the squad either play for Nigerianbased academies or the youth teams of Europeanbased teams. And Manu, a member of the Flying Eagles side that won the country’s first African title, back in 1983 when the tournament was still played on home and away basis, expressed his delight at winning the championship both as a player and a coach; a feat previously achieved by Samson Siasia, who won

twice as a player – in 1983 and 1985 – before going on to lead the Flying Eagles to continental success in 2005. “I feel elated and great. I was part of the team that won the same competition in 1983, as a player and I am now happy to win it as a coach,” sl10.ng quoted the former Golden Eaglets coach as saying after the match. He also described Bernard Bulbwa’s unbelievable volley in Sunday’s final against Senegal as the goal of the tournament. The Shuttle Sports Academy player brought a stray pass from a teammate under control with the outside of his right

foot outside the Senegalese penalty area before turning to strike an unstoppable volley that sailed unhindered into the back of the net. The goal already looks like a contender for FIFA’s annual Goal of the Year award, and Manu said: “The difference is the goal of the tournament which was scored by Bernard Bulbwa. “This team is the future of Nigerian football as we have only a few players from the Nigeria Premier League, while the rest are from academies, which is a good sign for the development of Nigerian football,” he added.

Senegal coach hails exceptional players

enegal Head Coach, Joseph Koto, has praised his players following their second-place finish at the 2015 African U-20 Championship. The Senegalese lost 1-0 to the Flying Eagles in the final at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium on Sunday, but the young Lions are now looking to carry the momentum into the big stage, at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. “I’m very satisfied with the performance of my team. They played very well and were exceptional. From the start till the end, our presence was felt,” Koto said

at the post-match press conference. “We fluffed a lot of goal scoring opportunities. Our performance showed that Nigeria is not superior to us and I believe we won’t disgrace ourselves at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. “We give the players about 10days rest and after begin preparations for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. I have submitted my programme to the Senegalese Football Federation and it is important we prepare very well for a competition such as the World Cup.” In New-Zealand, Senegal will be facing Mexico, Uruguay and Serbia in their Group D.

Flying Eagles players celebrating their AYC triumph

Basketball Flakes

with Ifeanyi Ibeh 08054175662

D’Tigers will make it to AAG, Afrobasket, says Umar

resident of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Tijjani Umar, is confident the country’s men’s national team, D’Tigers, will qualify for both the All Africa Games, slated for Congo, and the Africa Cup of Nations, in Tunisia. Umar, who was in South Africa at the weekend to watch D’Tigers emerge winners of the

four-nation invitational tournament involving Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Mozambique, expressed confidence that the team, managed by Kano Pillars Head Coach, Sani Ahmed, would defeat Burkina Faso and progress to both the All Africa Games and the Afrobasket when both sides meet on Wednesday in Lagos. Nigeria hold a com-

fortable 23 points lead over the Burkinabe team following their 87-64 win in Ouagadougou penultimate Monday and Umar does not see a way back for the French-speaking West African team. “I expect the team to win. Anybody who is a manager, especially coming from an away victory such as the one we got in Ouagadougou,

would be confident,” he said in an interview with New Telegraph. “We are not going to be overconfident and blow a comfortable lead, but I hope they will play well and keep the momentum going,” added Umar. The former national team player also congratulated D’Tigers on their successful campaign in South Africa.

Customs will get better with games – Nnaji

H Obum Onyia in jersey No 13 of Union Bank trying to dribble Emmanuel Balogun in jersey No 11 of Customs during the 2015 Nigeria DStv Premier Basketball League at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium, Lagos. Customs won by 61-40 points.

ead Coach of Customs BC, Scott Nnaji, is confident his players will still get better as the season progresses despite last Friday’s comfortable win over Union Bank. Customs defeated Union Bank 61-40 in their DStv Basketball Premier League season opener at the National Stadium, Lagos, dominating the home side from start to finish. It was an impressive performance from a side that

had only last season struggled to avoid relegation, but Nnaji, a former handler of the country’s women’s national team, expects much more from his players, most of whom are new to the Customs setup. “It is good when you start with a win and I am grateful to God for that but we still have so much to do to be able to play as a team,” said Nnaji. “I have so many new players in my team, and they are still trying to get used to

our system, and we hope to do much better in our next game.” Customs next game comes up on Friday in Lagos against Delta Force, and Nnaji said he would be working on eliminating some of the lapses noticed in last Friday’s win over their city rivals. “We want to improve in every aspect from the offense, their coordination, and their limitations in working as a team,” Nnaji said.

Sport 55

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MARCH 24, 2015

The 19th edition of the CAF African U-20 Championship ended as it began: with Nigeria beating Senegal. The Flying Eagles beat the host in the competition’s opening game two weeks ago 3-1 and then added a 1-0 victory on Sunday to win their seventh continental title.

n between their two matches against Senegal, the Flying Eagles beat Congo 4-1, dropped their only point during the tournament against Côte d’Ivoire in a 2-2 draw, before beating Ghana’s Black Satellites 2-0 in the semi-final. Manu Garba’s team went into the final as the overwhelming favourites and the coach said they had one more rung to climb. “Our objective in Senegal was to qualify for the World Cup as the African champions.” The West Africans had a number of star players in their side, most notably Taiwo Awoniyi, Chidera Ezeh, Obinna Nwobodo and tournament top scorer Musa Muhammed, and they could be even stronger at the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 with more players prepared to play in the global tournament. A fairytale ride The hosts enjoyed a fairytale ride to the final. After losing their opening game, they conceded a last-gasp equaliser against Côte d’Ivoire in their second match and were staring elimination in the face in their third as they were down 3-2 against Congo with just three minutes to go. Needing to win to progress and qualify

Flying Eagles players celebrating their AYC success

The world at the feet of F’Eagles for their first-ever U-20 World Cup, Les Linoceaux pushed everything forward and were rewarded with two late goals from substitute Sidy Sarr that gave them a dramatic victory. Having made the last four, the Senegalese had already qualified for the world finals, but more was to follow as they scored another late goal to secure a 2-1 victory against Mali in the last four. That set them up with the opportunity to win their first continental championship at any age level, but it was not to be. “We wanted to win, but we did not and now we have to congratulate the Nigerians,” said Koto, who previously played for and coached the senior national team.

Ghana lose the plot Ghana, who were expected to meet the Flying Eagles in the final, meanwhile, made their own job more difficult by losing their final group game against Mali 1-0. Both teams had already qualified for the all-important semi-finals by beating South Africa and Zambia in their two opening matches, but plenty rode on their last game as the group winner would avoid favourites Nigeria in the last four.

it was Ichaka Diarra’s early goal that separated the two teams and gave Mali top spot in the group. As both sides went on to lose their respective semi-finals, they met again in the play-off for third place, with the Ghanaians turning things around and taking home a comfortable 3-1 victory through a Yaw Yeboah brace and another goal by Spanish-based Clifford Aboagye. Malick Toure scored a consolation goal for Mali late in the game.

The Black Satellites had a slight advantage as their 2-0 win over South Africa and 2-1 victory against Zambia, saw them top the group and needing ‘only’ a draw against Les Aiglons du Mali to avoid the Flying Eagles. But at the end of the 90 minutes

One of the stars in the Mali side was goalkeeper Sory Ibrahima Traore, who only got a chance to play because the regular goalkeeper picked up an injury. The 19-year-old, who plays for AS Bamako, said their New Zealand campaign will ben-

efit from their matches against strong teams like Ghana. “I am confident. I think we will go to the World Cup with an ambition to do better than the 1999 class of players [the Malian U-20 team, led by Seydou Keita, finished 3rd in the World Cup]. It is very exciting to go to a World Cup. This will be a first for me, and I will be highly motivated.” Traore will, obviously, not be the only highly-motivated player in New Zealand and for the Nigerian, Senegalese, Ghanaian and Malian players, the U-20 World Cup will provide them with an opportunity to play on the highest stage available to youth internationals. They will surely need no more motivation than that.

Man Utd renew Fenerbache coach wants fans to Globacom, West Africa partnership support Emenike M Emmanuel Tobi

enerbache coach, Ismail Kartal, has solicited support for Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, who stormed off the field after abuse from the club’s fans during their 1-0 win over rival Beskistas on Sunday. Soon after blowing a one-on-one chance with Besiktas’ Tolga Zengin after a poor touch to control a long ball, Emenike was booed vociferously by his own fans, with allegations that some of the abuse was also racist. The Nigeria international appeared to angrily remove his shirt and marched towards the sidelines during Sunday night’s match against rivals Besiktas.

Emenike gesticulated wildly on his way off the pitch, showing his displeasure at the home fans’ booing. But his coaches on the touchline ordered him to put his top back on and continue playing, pushing him back into the pitch. Former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt had to calm the striker down as he continued playing, before he was eventually replaced at half time. “Emenike is a great guy but he is emotional, he wants to score more than anyone but he needs the support of the fans,” Kartal told Lig TV. “The fans need to start backing him, he needs their support.”

Emenike being appealed to by teammate Dirk Kurt and coach

anchester United and their official Integrated Telecommunication Partner for Nigeria, Ghana and the Republic of Benin, Globacom, announced a multi-year extension of their partnership on Monday. Since establishing their relationship in 2009, Manchester United have worked with Globacom, on a number of promotional activities. These included the innovative Recharge and Go to Old Trafford Promo in which over 100 Glo subscribers were taken to the Manchester United Stadium to watch the team’s Premier League home games and European Champions League matches. It also included the launch of the Glo Soccer Academy, a reality TV show created by Globacom, which gives aspiring young footballers in West Africa the opportunity to win a once-in-a-life-time trip to the United Kingdom to train with Manchester United Soccer School coaches in the UK. Manchester United Group Managing Director, Richard Arnold said, “Manchester United are pleased to be extending the relationship with Globacom. Over the past six years, the partnership has given ambition and inspiration to the youth of West Africa.” According to Globacom Regional Chief Marketing Officer, Ashok Israni, “Manchester United remain one of the biggest clubs in world football. It has a rich culture of excellence and we are, therefore, proud to be extending our association with the club.”

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– Cecelia Ahern

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015

N150

Amelia Earhart (born on July 24, 1897 in Atchison, Kansas, in America's heartland), the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, mysteriously disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937.

Smart card reader and hackers GUEST COLUMNIST Adewale Kupoluyi

n the next few days, Nigerian electorate will be exercising their important civic duty by electing their preferred candidates during the presidential election, holding on March 28. As excitement fills the air, one disturbing piece of information that should not be taken for granted is an allegation by the opposition, All Progressives Congress that the smart card readers procured for the general elections could be rendered useless through undue interference. The APC claimed that some Israeli firms had been contracted to specifically develop prototype card reader jammers that would be used to circumvent the elections by disabling the electronic device. The party further claimed that apart from disabling the card readers, the jammers would also render useless other electronic equipment such as telephones and iPads of persons carrying them during the election period. The opposition party equally alleged that an order had been placed for 75,000 pieces of the device to be purchased at a cost of $200 per piece, amounting to a whopping sum of $15m! A smart card reader basically authenticates a voter by matching his or her fingerprint with the code on the chip of a card and as such, keeps a record of all cards that had been verified. In otherwords, the card reader has been carefully designed in such a way that it is capable of eliminating multiple voting to the barest minimum by removing a major source of election fraud. When the equipment are jammed, their functions become impaired and greatly compromised making the manipulation of the voting process prone to malpractice. The introduction of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and card readers for the general elections has been a subject of serious debate, contention and litigation in the country. Jamming is simply a process that disturbs the normal course of the elections through the synthesisation of a signal that prevents the Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID) reader from communicating with the tag that should lead to the recording of accurate vote cast. The signal emanating from the jamming device can be transmitted externally and turned on and off at will. This way, the attacker or intruder can create a denial of service attack as desired, depending on the voter. In order to block the communication between the reader and the tag, there is a need to transmit the signal that mimics the load modulation of the tag by preventing the reader from receiving the reflected signal correctly. In short, the jamming machine can be deployed to manipulate the choice of a voter without the voter knowing about the distortion. Jamming is also seen as property theft in the sense that a private company may have purchased the rights to own the radio spectrum while jamming the spectrum could be likened to stealing the goods

Jonathan

Jega

Buhari

such a company has purchased. Jamming also constitutes safety hazard to the environment because it could block all the legitimate calls within a locality. Although, the Peoples Democratic Party has denied its alleged involvement in jamming the card readers, as alleged by the APC. It is a fatal decision that should never be taken. Notwithstanding, any attempt to revisit the decision, persons or groups would bring about serious jeopardy to the credibility of our electoral process that has been enmeshed in one controversy or another ranging from the hullaballoo over the use of PVCs, creation of polling units, shifting of polls’ date, the deployment of the military, among others. It was heartwarming that the United States government decided to join other patriotic interests to support the call by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use both the PVCs and card readers for the elections. The American Vice-President, Joe Biden, was reported to have called our President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, stating the stance of his country towards supporting INEC’s commitment to the delivery of free, fair, transparent and credible elections. Biden also expressed his concern about the violence that occurred during recent election-related events while stressing the need for candidates to eschew violence. Legally speaking, jamming of card readers and private communications constitute an infringement on the privacy of voters not only in Nigeria but elsewhere, except for official security reasons where exceptions could be granted. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently issued a warning against unauthorised importation, sales and use of frequency jammers in the country. The commission said its attention had been drawn to the illegal and continuous sales and use of frequency jammers which had resulted into the worsening of telecom communication frequency quality in some parts of the country. NCC

claims that these devices interfere with electromagnetic signal in telecom and other wireless radio. The NCC is empowered by virtue of Section 13 and 14 (1) (b) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act (WTA) 2004 to prevent the use of any apparatus that causes illegal interference with communications and which does not comply with its regulation. The section further provides that any person who willfully uses any apparatus for the purpose of interfering with any wireless telegraphy shall be guilty of an offence stipulated under the act. The NCC had variously warned the general public to desist from illegal sales and use of any device that may cause interference with communication and other radioactive equipment. Telephone jamming in other countries like Australia, United Kingdom and the USA, is also strictly monitored. The blocking of cellphone services, just as any other electronic transmissions, is illegal. In the USA, cellphone jamming is covered under the Communi-

cations Act of 1934, which prohibits people from ‘maliciously’ or ‘willfully’ interfering with the radio communications of any station granted license or authorised to operate. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is charged with enforcing jamming laws. Under the US rules, fines for a first offence could range as high as $11,000 for each violation or imprisonment for up to one year while the device used may also be seized and forfeited to the government. In most countries, it is illegal for private citizens to jam cell-phone transmission, but some countries are allowing businesses and government organisations to install jammers in designated areas where cell-phone use could lead to public nuisance. France once legalized cell-phone jammers in movie theaters and concert halls and other places with performances. India has installed them in some prisons and parliament purely for security reasons. To allay the fears of Nigerians, INEC, through its Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Chidi Nwafor, has assured that everything necessary would be done to protect the card readers from being hacked or jammed during the elections. Also speaking on Channels Television, Professor Attahiru Jega, chairman of INEC, disclosed that no machine can jam the card readers, saying “there is a lot of talk about jammers, but it won’t work on the card readers”. Beyond these promises, the relevant law enforcement agencies should be on the full alert to prevent lawlessness and the truncation of the electoral process. They should be prepared to apprehend and punish lawbreakers within the ambit of the extant laws, irrespective of their class, social status or political affiliation. Offenders of such magnitude should not go unpunished. This time around, votes should count.

The NCC is empowered by virtue of Section 13 and 14 (1) (b) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act (WTA) 2004 to prevent the use of any apparatus that causes illegal interference with communications

• Kupoluyi writes from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), adewalekupoluyi@yahoo.co.uk, Twitter; @AdewaleKupoluyi, Blog; www.adewalekupoluyi.blogspot.com

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