Tuesday, november 1, 2016 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

Manufacturers seek N1.5trn bailout to save ailing industries Taiwo Hassan

anufacturers in Nigeria have requested from the Federal Government a

bailout of N1.5 trillion at single digit rate to resuscitate the ailing industrial sector. President, Manufactur-

ers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Frank Udemba Jacobs, and Chairman, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and

Industry (LCCI) Small and Medium scale Group (SMESG), Jon Kachikwu, made the calls in separate interviews with New Tele-

FG shops for $67bn gas, FTZ investments

graph in Lagos. Kachikwu said it was time for the government to support the sector with bailout funds in order to save firms from further closure of factories/in-

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dustries. Jacob also noted that the current economic recession and harsh operating environment have made it impossible for CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Sanctity Of Truth

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Skye Bank sacks 50 employees, outsourced staff }37

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Vol. 3 No. 986

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Abiru

Alleged corruption: Justices Okoro, Ngwuta step down }6

Mahmud

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APC govs write Buhari over lopsided appointments }5

Buhari

N150

Strike: Amosun fires NLC, NUT chairmen, 14 others }41

Soldiers, policemen sexually abuse IDPs –Report Amosun

Victims narrate exploitation ordeal Buhari orders IGP to investigate rights abuse day, he (policeman) ‘Onedemanded to have }2

sex with me. I refused but he forced me... But soon I realised I was pregnant. When I informed him about my condition, he threatened to shoot and kill me if I told anyone else. So I was too afraid to report him

‘

– 17-year-old girl rape victim

L-R: Deputy Managing Director/Vice President, Arik Air, Capt. Ado Sanusi; Managing Director, Mr. Chris Ndulue; Chairman, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide and Commercial Officer, Mr. Suraj Sundaram, during the airline's briefing on the company's 10th anniversary, in Lagos…yesterday.

Boko Haram kills 5 soldiers, injures 19 in ambush …attack claims four civilians Army arrests sect's drugs, logistics suppliers }2 }5 researchers: Exercise, good treatment for type 2 diabetes

NEWS

tuesday, november 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Security operatives sexually abuse IDPs – Report Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

omen and girls displaced by the activities of Boko Haram in the North-East have accused govern-

ment officials, including soldiers and policemen, of sexual exploitation and denial of basic human rights in the various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps. Many of the female IDPs are reportedly being raped by security

operatives and camp officials who were ordinarily posted to these camps to protect these citizens who fled their homes to avert being killed, maimed or abducted by the terrorists. Human Rights Watch (HRW), in a report released yesterday, disclosed

that at least 43 women and girls living in seven IDP camps in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, had passed through the ordeal of sexual exploitation. The victims had been displaced from several Borno towns and villages, including Abadam, Bama,

statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, expressed worries over reports by the Human Rights Watch (HRW), which alleges sexual abuse and exploitation of women and girls in camps for those displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency. Buhari said the welfare of these most vulnerable of Nigerian citizens has been a pri-

ority of his government. “Nigerians and the international community can rest assured that the allegations raised in the HRW are not being taken lightly,” he said. The president said the IGP should move on swiftly with the state governors of the affected states to immediately commence investigations into the issue. Buhari noted that their findings would de-

termine the next course of action for the government and define an appropriate response. "While the Nigerian military continues to work hard so that these unfortunate victims of Boko Haram terrorism can soon return safely to their homes, the government will do its best to ensure their protection and welfare in the temporary IDP camps,” the president assured.

...Buhari orders IGP to investigate rights abuse Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Idris Ibrahim, to begin immediate investigations into the sexual abuse of female Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in some camps across the country. The president, in a

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike during the Rivers State Executive Council meeting in Port Harcourt...yesterday

Boko Haram kills 5 soldiers, injures 19 in ambush Emmanuel Onani Abuja

uspected elements of Boko Haram have killed five soldiers and injured 19 others, in an ambush they laid in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. The ambush also claimed the lives of four vigilantes. The disclosure was made in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman. This came as troops intercepted two men at different locations, suspected to be suppliers of drugs and other logistics items to insurgents. The 19 soldiers that sustained varying degrees of injuries in the ambush are receiving medical attention. "Operation Lafiya Dole troops carrying out clearance operations on suspected Boko Haram

terrorists’ hideouts in Talala and Ajigin, southern part of Borno State, were ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Ugundiri village, Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State, while returning to base after clearance operations on Saturday. "Unfortunately, five soldiers, three vigilantes and one Civilian JTF lost their lives during the ambush, while 19 soldiers and one Civilian JTF sustained various degrees of injuries. "The bodies of the late soldiers and civilians have been evacuated to Maiduguri while the injured are receiving commensurate medical care and are in stable condition," Usman said. He added that: "The troops destroyed the terrorists gun truck and recovered two anti-aircraft guns, two spare gun barrels, one General Purpose Machine Gun, one Rocket

Propelled Grenade, one AK-47 rifle and 320 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. "Troops have been mobilised into blocking positions to further neutralise fleeing Boko Haram terrorists." Usman recalled that "another set of troops had earlier cleared Zira, Abulam, Dusula, and Buk villages before returning to base in Bulabulin." On the separate arrests of the drugs and logistics suppliers, the DAPR noted: "Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on patrol from Bama to Pulka, intercepted suspected Boko Haram terrorists drugs and other logistics suppliers from Firgi and Zawan axis, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, at suspected Boko Haram terrorists crossing point, trying to cross into Sambisa forest on Sunday afternoon. "The troops pursued them, but were only able to apprehend Kadiri

Umate, 35 years, while others fled into the bush. The patrol team recovered 35 packets of 500ml of Glucose Intravenous infusion (Drip), assorted analgesics and pain killer drugs, clothes, bathroom slippers, insecticides, salt, kolanuts and a bicycle. "In a related development, a suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ logistics and fuel supplier, Fantoma Lasani, was arrested on Sunday by troops in conjunction with Civilian JTF at Muna garage when he came to pick his wife to finally relocate out of Maiduguri. "The suspect, who hailed from Flatari village, Bama Local Government Area, is among some unpatriotic elements in the society that had been supplying Boko Haram terrorists with Premium Motor Spirit and Automative Gas Oil in Bama, Gwoza and Sambisa general area."

Baga, Damasak, Dikwa, Gamboru Ngala, Gwoza, Kukawa, and Walassa. HRW stated that most of the women and girls were drugged and raped, while others were lured into sex through false promises of marriage, financial assistance and other benefits. According to the report, many of those coerced into sex said they were abandoned if they became pregnant and their children have suffered discrimination, abuse, and stigmatization from other camp residents. One of the victims, a 17-year-old girl, said that just over a year after she fled the frequent Boko Haram attacks in Dikwa, a town 56 miles west of Maiduguri, a policeman approached her for “friendship” in the camp, and then he raped her. “One day, he demanded to have sex with me,” she said. “I refused but he forced me. It happened just that one time, but soon I realised I was pregnant. When I informed him about my condition, he threatened to shoot and kill me if I told anyone else. So I was too afraid to report him.” A 16-year-old girl who fled a brutal Boko Haram attack on Baga, near the shores of Lake Chad, northern Borno in January 2015, said she was drugged and raped in May 2015 by a vigilante group member in charge of distributing aid in the camp. Her word: “He knew my parents were dead, because he is also from Baga. He would bring me food items like rice and spaghetti, so I believed he really wanted to marry me. But he was also asking me for sex. I always told him I was too small [young]. The day he raped me, he offered me a drink in a cup. As soon as I drank it, I slept off. It was in his camp room. “I knew something was wrong when I woke up. I was in pains, and blood was coming out of my private part. I felt weak and could not walk well. I did not tell anyone because I was afraid. When my menstrual period did not come, I knew I was pregnant and just wanted to die to join my dead mother.

The total number of open play goals conceded by Japan at Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Fifa.com

The sex ratio of women to 100 men (international migrants) in Germany in 2010. Source: Un.org

“I was too ashamed to even go to the clinic for pregnancy care. I am so young! The man ran away from the camp when he heard I delivered a baby six months ago. I just feel sorry for the baby because I have no food or love to give him. I think he might die.” Another victim, an 18-year-old girl from Kukawa, a Borno town 112 miles from Maiduguri, said that a member of Civilian Joint Task Force, initially gave her privileges, including passes that allowed her to leave the camp, but then raped her. "The man started with preaching, telling me to be a good Muslim girl and not to join bad groups in the camp. He then sent his mother to propose to me, which convinced me that he was serious. When he asked me to visit his newly allocated room in the camp, I didn’t see any reason not to go because I felt safe with him. He gave me a bottle of Zobo (locally brewed non-alcoholic drink) and I immediately felt dizzy and slept off. I don’t know what happened thereafter, but when I woke up he was gone and I was in pains and felt wet between my legs. For three days, I could not walk properly. "Some weeks later, I fell very ill, and was told at the hospital that I was pregnant. Then everyone turned away from me: (He) refused to help me, and my stepmother who I lived with in camp pushed me out, saying I was a disgrace. I reported (him) to the police in camp several times, but they have not done anything to him because they work together. Whenever I see him, I wish something terrible would happen to him. It is because of him that I have lost everything. I don’t even think the baby will last because she is always crying and I can’t cope. I pray that God will forgive me for neglecting the baby, but I am helpless.” Similarly, a 30-year-old woman from Walassa, near Bama, about 43 miles west of Maiduguri, said that she fled into a nearby wooded area after Boko Haram fighters killed her husband and abducted her daughters, ages 12 and 9. According to her, she stayed there for three months, hoping to find a way to rescue her daughters, until Nigerian soldiers arrived in the area and the fighters escaped with their captives. "A few weeks after soldiers transported us to the camp, near Maiduguri, one of the soldiers CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

tuesday, november 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

APC govs write Buhari over lopsided appointments Anule Emmanuel Abuja

overnors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have written

President Muhammadu Buhari to express their grievances over the lopsidedness in his numerous appointments including the recent nomination of Ambassadors designate. The decision is part of the agreement reached

at an emergency meeting held between the APC governors and the president last week Monday at the presidential villa, Abuja. Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, in an interview with State House Correspondents

Security operatives sexually abuse IDPs –Report CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

guarding us approached me for marriage. He used to bring food and clothes for me and my remaining four children. So, I allowed him to have sex with me. He is a Hausa man from Gwoza. That is all I know about him. Two months later, he just stopped coming. Then I realised I was pregnant. I feel so angry with him for deceiving me. “When he was pretending to woo me he used to provide for me, but as soon as I agreed and we began having sex, his gifts began to reduce until he abandoned me. Now my situation is worse as the pregnancy makes me sick, and I have no one to help me care for my children,” she told HRW. A woman from Bama living at the same camp said: "The soldier showed his interest by bringing me food and clothes. He used to wear the green army uniform and carried a gun. I accepted him because I needed help to take care of me and my four children. "Feeding in the camp is only once a day so you have to accept any help that comes. We started having sex in my camp tent – my sister who was sharing it with me left – or at night in the open field where soldiers stay in the camp. Five months later when I realised I was pregnant and told him, he stopped coming. I have not seen him since then. I feel so ashamed because my neighbours talk and stare at me. I cry whenever I think about him. “I delivered the baby two months ago but he is also suffering – I eat once a day, so (I am) not producing enough milk to breastfeed him well. Things are so bad in the camp, there is not enough water or food.” An 18-year-old girl from Baga said when she met a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the camp, she felt she could trust him because he is also from Baga. "He took me from the camp to a house on Baga Road so we could meet freely. I stayed with him in that house for about one month. Then I fell ill, and went to a clinic. The people at the clinic asked for the person I was living

with, and invited him. That was when they told him I was pregnant, and he accepted the pregnancy. But immediately (when) we came out of the clinic, he took me to a man to abort the pregnancy. I refused and he said if I would not abort, we should separate. Then I moved to the camp. I gave birth almost a year ago, but the man has refused to take responsibility. Some months ago, he followed the military to catch Boko Haram far from Maiduguri. Even when he visits his two wives in the camp, he never asks for my baby and me. I go outside the camp to beg so that we can survive.” Also, a 25-year-old woman from Dikwa said that when she fled Boko Haram’s attack on the town, she lived with her brother in a rented apartment in Maiduguri. When he was no longer able to feed her and her three children, he took her to the camp where he handed her over to camp elders. One of these elders, a local government employee – who are often financially better off than most displaced people because they receive salaries – proposed marriage and regularly brought her food and money. But the marriage did not materialise, and he began to shun her when she became pregnant. He continued to ignore her when she delivered twins and asked him for money to pay for her midwife. The woman said: "If I have a gun, I will shoot him. It is because of him that people call my babies names and me. I am so ashamed that I cannot participate in camp activities and keep to myself because of the jeers.” Another 17-year-old girl said that a young man she knew took her home to his grandmother when she arrived Maiduguri from Dikwa in mid-2014. She narrated: "He told me he wanted to marry me, and his grandmother referred to me as her grandson’s wife. I lived with them, cooking and cleaning the house, until a month later when he disappeared for weeks. The grandmother asked me to leave, promising to come to the wedding… It was a lie. I did not know it but I was already pregnant. Maybe she already

saw the pregnancy signs and I was too young to understand. I heard the grandson fled the town because he heard I have given birth. Now I have been left alone to fend for the baby. I don’t know if any other member of my family survived the Boko Haram attack on Dikwa.” The Boko Haram conflict has led to more than 10,000 civilian deaths since 2009; the abductions of at least 2,000 people, mostly women and children and large groups of students, including from Chibok and Damasak; the forced recruitment of hundreds of men; and the displacement of about 2.5 million people in North-East.

yesterday, disclosed that protest letters over the appointment issues were presently before the president for consideration. Ortom, however, insisted that it was the prerogative of Buhari to choose whomever he wants to serve in his government. "It is the prerogative of Mr. President to do appointments, but where there is need, we always give support. We have written where we have reservations and it is being attended to,” the governor said. The issue of the ambassadorial appointments had featured prominently during the meeting with the president. New Telegraph had exclusively reported that most of the APC governors are angry with the president for excluding them in the selection of the nomination of ambassadors designate whose names are currently with the Senate for confirmation. Most of the 23 APC governors are angry be-

cause they had no input as to who represents their respective states in the list of 46 ambassadorial nominees. The source added that in instances where governors and party leaders were asked to submit nominees, their lists were not considered. Speaking on why he was at the presidential villa, Ortom explained that his meeting with the president was to help address some of the security challenges faced in the state. He said the Benue State Government has been partnering with security agencies and have received support from the Federal Government to tackle the level of crime and clashes between herdsmen and farmers. "We have been having security challenges, but thank God with the collaboration with some security agencies in my state and with the support of Mr. President, I can say that is relatively calm. Today, the issue of herdsmen

and farmers we have been able to, through dialogue, agree to work together in a manner that there will be win-win," Ortom said. The Benue State governor noted that one of the best ways to end clashes between farmers and Fulani herdsmen was to adopt ranching. Ortom disclosed that the state was also planning the construction of Cargo Airport in Markudi to assist in the export of the huge agricultural produce from the state to other parts of the country and for export. The airport project, according to him, will be executed through 85 per cent contribution from a consortium of private sector with Benue putting in 15 per cent. Also speaking on security issues, Governors Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa) and Ahmed Abubakar (Bauchi), who also met with the president, said they were making efforts to stop the excesses of Fulani herdsmen.

L-R: Board Member, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Kolawole Banwo; Executive Secretary, Waziri Adio; Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and the Deputy Head, EITI Secretariat, Eddie Rich, at a workshop in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Researchers: Exercise, good treatment for type 2 diabetes Biodun Oyeleye

xercise is excellent medicine for an ailing heart or for keeping a healthy one healthy. Now, the American Heart Association (AHA) has affirmed that it is just as important for type 2 diabetes. This is the kind of diabetes that tends to develop gradually, often in response to excess weight or lack of physical activity. Is one kind of exercise better than another for diabetes? An “exercise prescription” from the AHA recommends a combination of aerobic exercise and strength training. It is also a great combination for the heart. This dual strategy

makes sense. Aerobic activity, like walking or swimming, strengthens the heart, lungs, and muscles. It helps control blood pressure and blood sugar. It keeps arteries flexible. It is also essential for losing weight and excess body fat, or for maintaining weight. All of these are key strategies for many people with diabetes. Strength training helps muscles respond better to insulin, the hormone that ushers blood sugar into cells. A single bout of it can make muscle cells “listen” to insulin better for 12 hours or more. The exercise prescription involves walking or doing other moderateintensity exercise, three to seven days a week, for a total of 150 minutes per week/ jogging or doing

other vigorous exercise, three days a week, for a total of 90 minutes per week; and weight lifting or other muscle-strengthening resistance exercise (weight machine, etc.), three days a week. Most people with diabetes can start a walking program without having any tests. However, to be on the safe side, the AHA recommended having a stress (treadmill) test first if you haven’t been active and you have been diagnosed with heart disease, peripheral artery disease, or another cardiovascular condition; have occasional chest pain or unexplained shortness of breath; or plan to jump right into a regimen of vigorous exercise. Similarly, the American Diabetes Associa-

tion broadens this a bit, suggesting a pre-exercise stress test for anyone who has had diabetes for 10 years or longer. However, the researchers warned that people with diabetes needed to be a bit more careful about exercise than other folks. “For some, low blood sugar can be a hazard. Others need to pay special attention to their feet or eyes,” they stated. Tips for exercising safely with diabetes includes starting slowly, timing it right which is an hour or so after eating, when your blood sugar is likely to be a bit higher, knowing your limits which includes checking your blood sugar before and after exercise to see how your body responds to exertion, among others.

NEWS

tuesday, november 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Alleged corruption: Justices Okoro, Ngwuta step down Tunde Oyesina and Chukwu David Abuja

wo Justices of the Supreme Court, Inyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta, who were among the seven judges arrested and released on bail by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged corruption yesterday stepped down from sitting over cases. There have been calls from different groups that all the judges involved in the corruption allegation should cease from presiding over cases pending their trial. Prominent among the groups that called for the judges’ sack is the Nigerian Bar Association

lLawyers storm NASS to protest judges' arrest (NBA) and the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria. The National Judicial Council (NJC) had, however, said it would not sack the judges based on the allegation of the DSS. Two judges of the Federal High Court, Justices Adeniyi Ademola and Nnamdi Dimgba who were also involved in the corruption have resumed sitting. New Telegraph’s findings revealed that the two justices voluntarily recused themselves from all judicial functions since the raid occurred. Though the two justices have denied the allegations of corruption levelled on them. The NJC had, how-

ever, called for an emergency meeting starting from tomorrow to decide the fate of the affected judges. Meanwhile, a group of lawyers, under the auspices of Lawyers in Defence of Democracy, yesterday called on the international community to call the Muhammadu Buhari administration to order. The lawyers, who protested on the streets of Abuja over the arrest of judges by the DSS on October 8 and 9, called on the United Nations, United States of America, the United Kingdom the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and Amnesty International to save the nation’s democracy from drifting into

anarchy. In their protest letter, the lawyers, in partnership with Citizens for Good Governance (CGG), equally called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to direct all judges in the country not to hear any applications from the DSS and other agencies, except bail applications until there is obedience to all pending orders against them. The protesting lawyers stormed the National Assembly to protest the call on the embattled judges to step aside from office. The coalition, which addressed journalists in Abuja, also carried out a public procession to the

Federal High Court and the NHRC, carrying banners and placards with inscription "Nobody is above the law," "Rule of law must be respected," "Attack on judges who granted bail on bailable offences against government’s wish is an attempt to silence Judiciary" and "No to call on judges to step down." The DSS had, between October 7 and 8, arrested Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and John Okoro of the Supreme Court; Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and Justice Muazu Pindiga of the Federal High Court, Gombe Division. Another judge of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court, Justice

L-R: Secretary, National Judiciary Institute (NJI), Mr. Abubakar U. Maidama; Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Tony Ojobo; Head Legal and Regulatory Services, Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye; Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen of the Supreme Court, representing the Chief Justice of Nigeria; Administrator, NJI, Hon. Justice Rosaline Bozimo and Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ujam, during the judges’ workshop on Legal Issues in Telecommunications in Lagos…yesterday.

Nnamdi Dimgba’s residence was also searched, but was not arrested. Speaking on behalf of the group, Barrister Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, alleged that the affected lawyers were attacked by the DSS because of the various judgements they had delivered, contrary to the expectations of the government or its agencies. The lawyers faulted the clampdown of judges, noting that the independence and integrity of the bench cannot be sacrificed under the guise of anti-corruption crusade. It further urged the NJC to compile the list of the agencies of government and security agencies that have any orders of court that is yet to be obeyed and should direct the judges not to hear any such agency till all outstanding orders against them are obeyed. Responding to the letter of protest, the Executive Secretary, NHRC, Prof. Ben Angwe, said that the commission had, before now, been waiting for petitions from the public on the arrest of the judges and violation of their human rights, but did not receive any. He said the commission would immediately commence investigation into the recent invasion of homes and arrest of some judicial officers by the DSS, to unravel what actually transpired between the security operatives and the judges vis-a-vis the allegations of corruption.

Manufacturers seek N1.5trn bailout to save ailing industries CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

firms to operate, adding that intervention funds for the industry would help to cushion the effect of the harsh economy on their operations. The MAN president said: “I can categorically say that the manufacturing sector needs not less than N1.5 trillion as bailout funds for the sector to thrive and the economy to re-bounce. “I always like to refer to what is happening in the advanced countries like United States and China. When President Barack Obama assumed office for second term and the economy was not okay; what did he do? He brought the idea of stimulation to manufacturing, automobile, production and SMEs industries, which propelled these companies to employ more workers into their sectors following the stimulant bailout fund from government.” He noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

has given various intervention funds for Micro Small and Medium scale Enterprises (MSMEs) operators at a single digit rate to assist them re-jig their businesses. He, however, rued that banks have been frustrating the success of the bailout funds given to the SMEs because of their high interest rate charges. “Definitely, we’ve been saying that the manufacturing sector needs bailout fund from the government to survive. You know that the major part of the challenges confronting the manufacturing sector is source of funding. So, intervention funds have come and gone for MSMEs. But majority of these intervention funds from CBN do come at high interest rates. For instance, nine per cent interest rate is too high and not so friendly for SMEs compared to other industrialised countries where interest rate runs from 3, 4 or 5 per cent. We would like intervention funds where

the interest rate will be 5 per cent or less for manufacturers. That is when it will really make sense,” Jacob said. The MAN president lamented that the economic recession had impaired the sector’s growth and development, particularly its contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He, however, charged the government to provide conducive enabling environment for business to thrive for manufacturers in the sector. “It is unfortunate that the Nigerian economy has gone into recession despite attempts made to prevent it. I do, however, believe that the industrial sector, especially the manufacturing sub-sector, should be strengthened by removing all obstacles restraining the growth and competitiveness of the sector such as the indiscriminate changes in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), which changed as many as four times between 2014 and July 2016,

with its distorting effects on the economy; the exclusion of 41 items, some of which are essential raw materials, from the official forex market as well as failure to synchronise monetary and fiscal policy actions. “This will enable the sector to be optimally productive and play its expected role of employment generation, capital mobilisation, wealth creation and technology acquisition.” For Kachikwu, the country’s manufacturing industry is ‘dying systematically’ because of decades of neglect by past governments. He explained that various sectors of the economy are in need of bailout funds, citing the aviation, education and maritime sectors. The move by the manufacturers on the bailout funds is coming on the heels that the sector is currently in comatose situation and urgently needs government’s intervention. In addition, government has identified the

sector, including agriculture and solid mineral, as critical sector of the economy in its diversification programme as a way of repositioning the country. Meanwhile, Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Okey Enelamah, will lead a high-power Federal Government delegation to meet with Organised Private Sector (OPS) to find solution to the lingering Export Expansion Grant (EEG) scheme and Negotiable Duty Credit Certificate (NDCC) claims today in Lagos. The meeting, which will be the second within one week, following last Thursday’s meeting, was specifically aimed at bringing succour to the country’s export sector, as the government concludes plan to review and address the EEG/NDCC issue. The EEG scheme was introduced in 1999 by the Federal Government to encourage non-oil exports and reduce the effect of cost disadvantages faced by Nigerian exporters due

to infrastructural gaps in the country. Already, the lingering EEG scheme has cost Nigeria about N100 billion in foreign exchange earnings since its suspension in 2014, following alleged petitions over abuse of the scheme by the country’s exporters. The scheme, however, recorded $2 billion growth between 2006 and 2013 before it was suspended. Enelamah, in a chat with New Telegraph in Lagos, said that today’s meeting with the OPS is meant to align with the private sectors on the government’s readiness to enter into negotiation with them on the need to re-jig the country’s export sector to attract the much-needed foreign exchange into the economy. MAN President also confirmed the meeting to New Telegraph. Jacobs said manufacturers/exporters had done the needful by passing the necessary recommendations to the government on resolving the EEG scheme and NDCC claims impasses.

News|NATIONAL

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NBA inaugurates taskforce on Niger Delta, North-East crises Tunde Oyesina

Abuja

he Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, yesterday inaugurated two different task forces on the reconstruction of the North East and resolution of the crisis in the Niger Delta. The NBA noted that the twin challenges of insurgency and militancy facing the North East and the Niger Delta respectively were a threat to national security. Speaking before inaugurating the task force, the national President of the Bar, A.B Mahmoud, SAN, noted that Nigeria had been experiencing a high level of insecurity as a result of the activities of insurgents and militants. Mahmoud said: “Although the 1999 Constitution provides that the security, protection of life and property is the primary duty of the government, the Bar and the general public have roles to play in tackling the security problems in Nigeria. Let me also commend the commitment and political will exhibited by the Buhari administration in the fight against in-

surgency in the North East. “We have in the last year and half seen the liberation of most of the areas previously held by the insurgents and the restoration, to a large extent, of normalcy in the region. Earlier this month, Nigerians were delighted to receive the heart-warming news of the release of 21 out of the 219 Chibok school girls held in captivity for more than two years”. The Bar also commended the military and other security agencies for the success achieved. “The NBA has reviewed the state of affairs in the North East region of Ni-

geria, especially the severe security problems confronting our members in particular and innocent citizens in general. In the last 12 months, I have visited the IDPs in Maiduguri three times, the last being a campaign tour in my quest to occupy this office. I recall during our last visit, some of my colleagues on the campaign, broke down in tears on sighting the hundreds of malnourished children, who were orphaned in the camps. “It is also worthy of mention that the insurgency in the North East has affected the indepen-

dence of the legal profession and the welfare of our members. Legal practice in North Eastern Nigeria has been largely disrupted as a result of the insurgency in the region. Our noble colleagues in that part of the country are besieged and endangered. “There are even many of our members from other parts of Nigeria who have lived and practiced in North Eastern Nigeria for years. Some even married and settled there. But as I speak, most of our members have not only lost their practice as professionals, but have also lost their livelihoods and physical wellbeing.”

How Ricky Tarfa perverted course of justice –Witness John Chikezie

lawyer, Mr Sulaiman Salaudeen Abiola, yesterday narrated how a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Rickey Tarfa allegedly obstructed the course of justice by preventing the arrest of two Beninoise, Nazaire Sorou Gnanhoue and Modeste Finagnon by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Tarfa is standing trial before the court on a two-

count charge bordering on obstructing officers of law from carrying out their official duty and attempt to pervert the course of justice. Abiola, while being led in evidence by EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. G. A. Lakanmi, told Justice Aishat Opesanwo of an Ikeja High Court that he witnessed all that transpired between the commission’s operatives and Tarfa, alongside his clients who were billed for arrest over a pending criminal matter.

According to him, the incident occurred on February 5, 2016 at the Lagos Division of the State High Court, Igbosere, after the conclusion of a case filed before Justice R.I.B Adebiyi of the same jurisdiction, where the suspects appeared. He said that the senior lawyer indeed restrained the operatives when they approached the suspects in court for an invitation to be questioned at the EFCC’s office.

NIMASA inaugurates committee on 3% freight benchmark

he Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has inaugurated a committee to review parameters for charging the three per cent freight benchmark currently collected by the agency, saying that the vision of the agency is to advance Nigeria’s global maritime interests. According to him, the inauguration of the committee was coming on the heels of a recent visit to the agency by the Shipping Association of Nigeria, an assemblage of the major shipping companies operating in the country who expressed concern over the

He said: “After the court proceedings at about 11 am, the EFCC operatives led by Mr Moses Awolusi were at the court’s car park to arrest the suspects in the case I came for. “The operatives approached Mr Tarfa and informed him of their plan to arrest his clients, but Mr Tarfa asked for his identification and warrant, which he showed him.” “Mr Tarfa later asked the clients to enter his car and instructed his driver to start the engine and wind up the window glasses of the car.”

current benchmark freight rate used in the industry. The shipping companies had argued that the benchmark did not represent three per cent of the freight and that if it was calculated using some other parameters, it would be discovered that they are being charged more than what they should pay. “As an organisation that is sensitive, we acknowledge that our actions have overall impact on businesses and our function as a regulatory agency is not to stifle business, but to encourage businesses, promote shipping and support both indigenous entrepreneurs and those who do business in our country. “Also, our ultimate objective is to create the enabling environment for the industry to thrive, not for us to kill the industry. And we realize that there must be a meeting point between practitioners in the industry and those of us who are on the regulatory side. It is on that basis that we decided to assemble a team of stakeholders; a mixed team made up of practitioners in the industry, other regulators and other stakeholders to come together to advise us on what should constitute our benchmark,” the DG said.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

t was wailing yesterday as four students of the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Owinni, Oyo town, who died in an accident on Sunday evening while returning to school after the mid-term break, were buried. The school’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Akin Olumide Omitade, said the students had arrived Oyo town from their various destinations, alighted at the popular Owode Garage and board a bus to the school located at Sabo area, close to Oranyan Grammar School before the unfortunate incident. The victims were two Senior Secondary School III students, one Junior Secondary School 1 and the other in Junior Secondary School 3 class. A source said one of the students had lost her mother and that her father was still overseas. Others, who sustained injuries in the accident, were rushed to a hospital in Oyo town. The PRO gave the identities of the deceased as John Olubukola (SS3), Giwa Taibat (SS3), Ladipo Mojisola (SS1) and Ibirogba Maryam (JSS3). The victims were buried at the public Muslim Cemetery and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Cemetery in Oyo. Yesterday, the staff, students, parents and family members of the deceased gathered on the school premises while the school management was per-

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Accident: Tears as four FGGC students are buried fecting the burial processes. The PRO said the students board the famous ‘Korope’ commercial bus in Oyo town from Owode, with a parent who sat in front of the bus. He added: “The incident occurred around Sabo Junction of the Sabo Market. The students were trapped at the back seat of the bus. People around could not get a towing vehicle to lift the truck which fell on the bus on time.” Omitade said the school management had contacted the parents and families of affected students, sought their permission, as well as police report before their remains were interred yesterday afternoon. The PRO called on the Federal, State and Local Governments involved to put the necessary infrastructure in place. “This untimely death of the students was avoidable. The road is bad. Market women display their wares on the side of the road, thereby making the road to be narrow for vehicular movements. The local government should control market women from displaying their wares by the side of the road. Possibly, the driver of the truck was trying to avoid some items on the bad road.”

Scene of the accident

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said that “A DAF truck loaded with garri fell on a Suzuki commercial minibus conveying students of the Federal Government Girls College, Oyo. As a result, four of the students and the bus driver died while five others were injured

and were taken to Peamark Hospital, Oyo for medical treatment. They are responding to treatment and investigation has since commenced.” Ajisebutu said the truck driver had been arrested. Also, the image maker of the state Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Oluwa-

seun Onijala, the affected vehicles were a Toyota Hiace bus marked Oyo BDJ 183 XA and a 911 Mercedes Benz with registration number Lagos EPE 139 XJ. As a mark of commiseration, the Sabo Market was closed for business yesterday when New Telegraph visited the place.

City Briefs

Heroes and Helmets unites civilians, military personnel Man, 24, pummels girl to death The founder of Lost for A Rea- awareness and help to nurture a ecently concluded Heroes known as Red Buildings. and Helmets commemora- son USA, Ron Grace, who partici- better relationship between civilR Ola James tive project has been described pated in the circumnavigation ad- ians and service people.” The suspect, who did not Warri as an ‘epic and uncomfortable challenge’ aimed at improving the relationship between civilians and people in uniform. The project was organised by Out of Nigeria (OON), an adventure and social good organisation. The OON founder, Mr. Toyin Adebola, said it was a fulfilment of his dream of a local motorcycle-inspired project that would resonate across the nation and the world with a soul stirring message and cause. He said: “The project, which recorded almost 4,000 selfies, broke the ice with Nigerian service men and women and it has contributed to achieving our goal of creating better appreciation of members of the armed forces for their role in nation building.”

venture of Lagos State and was visiting Africa for the first time, also commended the initiative. He said: “I am both proud and honoured to have been a part of the Heroes and Helmets project, which was a great way to raise

Mr. Dele “Bami” Bamidele, who also participated in the adventure, described it as “a ride that no one had done before and it had a social impact project; we made it happen and the rest is history.”

Grace (left) and Adebola

24-year-old man, Abel Edoja, has reportedly beaten a young girl, Miss Tina Oghi, to death the Delta Steel Housing Complex in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State. Edoja allegedly dealt several blows on Oghi during a quarrel which ensued between them on Sunday. Sources said the suspect was known for breaking and entering into peoples’ houses to steal. Trouble started when Oghi accused Edoja of damaging her window net with the intent to break into her apartment located at the Delta Steel Housing Complex, popularly

take the accusation lightly, pummelled the girl to stupor. Sources said that as soon as Edoja saw that the girl had given up the ghost, he threw her remains into a fish pond behind their residential building. The cat was, however, let out of the bag when passersby saw the suspect while dragging the girl’s body to the fish pond behind their residence and dumped her remains into the pond. Edoja, who fled the area, was later arrested by the police in Warri and taken to the ‘A’ Division. Meanwhile, parents of the deceased, are calling for justice.

METRO

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Adulterated kerosene: Two children die, three-month-old baby, others injured Tony Anichebe Uyo

wo children died while three people, among them a three-month-old baby in two explosions resulting from the use of adulterated kerosene in Akwa Ibom State. The two incidents occurred at the weekend in two communities of Ikono Ibom clan in Uyo Local Government Area. A tricycle rider, Mr. Nsikak Michael, suffered severe burns from the kerosene explosion, while two of his children died. The father of three, who also operates a small poultry farm near his house in Ikot Enyingne Ikono, Uyo, said he bought the kerosene from a filling station on Idoro Road.

He said: “When I got home, I decided to light up the lantern in my poultry farm to keep my birds warm but I needed to top up the kerosene in the lamp as it was going

off. So I came out of the poultry while my kids followed. “As I attempted to light up the lantern, there was a loud explosion with a big fire which left me un-

Michael at the hospital

conscious.” One of the two children died a few hours later, while the other died the following day at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital where they were rushed to. The Chairman of Uyo Local Government Transition Committee, Mr. Mfon Ben and wife, Bridget, visited the victim who lies critically ill at the hospital. At the hospital, another woman from the same community and her three-month-old baby were also victims of kerosene explosion. Ben condoled with the families over the incidents and advised members of the public to be cautious and vigilant. The chairman promised that the perpetrators of such unwholesome act would soon be brought to book.

Don’t demolish our houses, shops, residents beg Ambode Muritala Ayinla

orried by the planned demolition of their shops and houses by government, residents of Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa, Isolo, yesterday stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly, urging Governor Akinwummi Ambode

to shelve the plan. They explained that the Lagos State Building Investment (LBIC) Corporation visited their area on Friday, announcing that their shops would be demolished today. Speaking during a peaceful protest, a resident, Mr. Adeniran Ad-

The protesters

ewale, said the agency headed by Mrs. Folashade Folivi told them that government had planned to beautify the estate, which would lead to demolition of some houses and shops. He said: “We are here on behalf of the entire inhabitants of the community for the stoppage of the planned demolition of our shops within and around the estate. “We are not saying they should not beautify the estate, but let them start by beautifying our roads, give us regular power supply, water and do their social responsibility, not demolition of our shops. Besides, most of these shops serve as shield around the estate. If they are demol-

13 arrested for snatching motorcycles Alhassan Yusuf Bauchi

olice have arrested 13 suspected bandits who specialised in snatching motorcycles in Bauchi State. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mahmoud Muhammed, said the suspected motorcycle snatchers were arrested by police operatives attached to Intelligence Bureau of the command. The PPRO said that the suspects usually sell the snatched motorcycles to different buyers in various locations across the country.

The suspects

Muhammed added that the suspects were behind the series of motorcycle theft. According to him, the suspects sometimes injure or kill their victims who try to prevent them from snatching the motorcycles. He, however, said that the suspects were well-coordinated and maintained division of labour among

themselves. According to him, some specialise in removing motorcycles from public places such as markets, mosques, relaxation areas while others specialise in dismantling the motorcycles before moving them to Magama Gumau via Tor Local Government where the principal receiver resides.

ished, that means we are exposed to high level of insecurity.” Also speaking, Mrs Folashade Hamzat, who sells provisions and food items, said most of the occupants of the shops were widows and retirees. She said: “I have two graduates and my husband is a retiree, so my income is from the shop.” It was learnt that the estate has over 600 blocks, with a block housing six flats while 90 per cent of the occupants own shops. But addressing the protesters, the Speaker, House of Assembly, Mr. Mudasiru Obasa, promised to investigate the issue to ensure no one is illegally displaced in the state. The principal receiver, the PPRO disclosed, hails from Unguwar Bawa in Saminaka town of Kaduna State. Muhammed said the police recovered from the suspects one Huojue motorcycle valued at N180,000. The PPRO gave the names of the suspects as Abdulrasheed Adamu aka Gaye (23) of Wuntin Dada, Bauchi; Abdullahi Yahaya aka Abba Lara (22) of Wuntin Dada and Faruk Yakubu (23) of Wumti Street; Shama Daniel (25) of Wuntin Dada. Others are Julius Haruna aka Don Jazzy (25) of Bayan Gari and Kenneth Innocent aka Bow Leg also of Wuntin Dada among others.

Woman stabs girl, 13, with sharp iron Chris Ejim Yenagoa

olice attached to Azikoro Division in Bayelsa State yesterday arrested a woman, Miss Beauty Chime (39), for allegedly stabbing a 13-yearold girl, Miss Hope Chimezie. Chimezie’s offence was that she refused to care for her 84-year-old grandmother. The teenager, who lost her mother in August, was accused of playing with her peers while neglecting her grandmother. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, threw Goodnews Street off Azikoro Road into confusion as neighbours desperately tried to stop the bleeding from the injury. While some people rushed the victim to the hospital, others quickly contacted the Interna-

tional Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) who promptly alerted the police. Witnesses said the incident occurred at 7:30a.m. when the residents were preparing for church service. “The woman attacked the young girl with a sharp iron rod for refusing to take care of the grandmother,” a witness said. Many of the residents accused the woman of repeatedly assaulting the teenage girl. Chimezie told the police that trouble started on Sunday morning when she was cooking for the grandmother. She said: “My aunty came into the house and started hitting me and accusing me of neglecting my grandma. She hit me with iron rod and I started bleeding.”

Five killed as cultists unleash terror on Lagos Taiwo Jimoh

ive people were killed on Tuesday after suspected cult members’ unleashed terror on the residents of the Federal Housing Estate, Abesan, Ipaja, Lagos State. The clash was between members of the Black Axe and Aiye confraternity. One of those killed was the second in command of Black Axe. According to residents of Abesan, four people were killed when Black Axe members came to carry out a reprisal attack over the death of their second in command. The second in command, Olawadamilola Ajiwokewu alias Bebe, was alleged to have been butchered by the Aiye cult group in broad daylight. Ajiwokewu was trailed to Greenland Pharmacy where he went to buy drugs on Akinyele Road in the estate. Determined to avenge Ajiwokewu’s death, his members stormed the community in search of Aiye members. The Black Axe zeroed in on four Aiye members and gunned them down on Saturday, bringing the pile of corpses to five.

The bodies of the Aiye cult members were said to have being evacuated by policemen from Gowon Estate and moved to a public mortuary. When our correspondent visited the estate yesterday, there was still apprehension on the faces of some of the residents. A resident, who identified himself simply as Idowu, said: “On October 25, this community was like a war zone. Some Aiye members stormed the estate on five motorcycles and started shooting sporadically before they went after their targets. “Immediately Oluwadamilola saw the cult members, he took to his heels. They chased and caught up with him; they butchered him at the spot. Since then, we have been living in fear. On Saturday, information filtered out that some Aiye cult members’ bodies littered the estate.” When contacted the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, denied knowledge of the incident. She said: “The report from the Gowon Estate Police Division is that nothing like that was reported.”

Abesan Estate entrance gate

10 News|NATIONAL

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Reps query NIPOST’s N50m insurance over-payment Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives yesterday queried the management of Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST) over various infractions in her insurance policy, including alleged over payment of over N51 million premium to some insurance companies. The House’s ad-hoc Committee on Insurance probing allegations of wrongdoings between insurance outfits and ministries, departments

and agencies ( MDAs) of government from 2013 2015, raised the queries yesterday when it hosted NIPOST management led by the Post Master General, Asiwaju Adebisi Adegbuyi. The insurance companies that allegedly benefited from the over payment include Regency Alliance, Royal Exchange Prudential Life, Equity Assurance Plc, Regency Insurance and GNI Insurance Plc. Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade Abdulkabir, who presided over the probe session, disclosed

that they discovered that between January and December 2013, Regency Alliance (lead underwriter) received N17.869 million overpayment on insurance cover for fire. He said the sum insured was N37.686 billion, while gross premium invoice was N81.233million but premium received N40.611 million leaving a difference of N40.611 million. The committee also disclosed that Regency Alliance was overpaid to the tune of N10.172 million on a group personal accident insurance cover for NIPOST.

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

Paul-Ajuwape

Alhaji

Odunlami

This is confirm that my name Samuel Olushola Paul-Ajuwape and not Paul Shola as it was wrongly written on my BVN. Henceforth, wish to be known and addressed Samuel Olushola Paul-Ajuwape. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known as Ciroma Ibn B. Bernabas henceforth wish to known and addressed as Alhaji Ciroma Bernabas. All former documents remain valid and the general public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Amadi Linda Miriam now wish to be known as Mrs. Odunlami Linda Miriam. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

Ishaku

Isah

Emmanuel

I, formerly known and address as Ibrahim I. Isaac now wish to be called Ibrahim Ishaku. All former document remain valid General public should take note.

Dugu

I, formerly known and address as Hassan Biyu from Warji local government area of Bauchi, But now wish to be call and address as Hassan Biyu Dugu. That all former documents remain valid. General public should take note, please.

Samuel

I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs Banjo Adejumoke Adetoun now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Samuel Adejumoke Adetoun. All former documents remain valid. FUNAAB and general public should take note.

Micheal

I, formerly known and addressed as Idowu Bamgboye Olaoye, now wish to be known and addressed as Olaoye Micheal Idowu. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Edwin

This is to confirm that the names Edwin Inemo Ndaliki and Edwin Ndaliki refer to one and same person who now wish to be known and addressed as Edwin Inemo Ndaliki. All documents bearing the above names remain valid. General public take note.

Ufot

I, formerly known and addressed as Joseph Jonah now wish to be known and addressed as Jonah Bokeime Ufot. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and address as Sirajo Muhammad Kuchi now wish to be called Sirajo Muahmmad Isah. All former document remain valid General public should take note.

Akindinugha

I, formerly known and addressed as Oluwamayowa Pius, now wish to be known and addressed as Akindinugha PIUS, with correct date of birth to be 31st December, 1955. All former documents remain valid. Heritage Bank Plc, and general public should please take note.

Solomon

I, formerly known and addressed as Brown Rita Roli, now wish to be known and addressed as Solomon Roli Rita. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Teinghen

I, formerly known and addressed as Bomo Lazarus, now wish to be known and addressed as Lazarus Iboso Teinghen. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

Hannah

I, formerly known and addressed as Ebizimor Hannah Samuel, now wish to be known and addressed as Samuel Hannah. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

Young

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Jewel Umosung Umosung now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jewel Aniekan Young. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE MANIFESTATION CHAPEL

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part 'C' of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Mr. Ekpangbo Michael Dare 2. Mr. Ibitoye Olufemi Emmanuel 3. Mr. Ekpangbo Olumide David 4. Mr. Afolabi Biodun .B. 5. Mr. Falokun Michael Olatunji 6. Mr. Aworh Oluwaseun Seyi AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To transform lives for God purpose. 2. To be established on the Fruit of the Spirit and operate with the Gift of the Spirit. 3. To see the power of God be manifested in all generations. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Tosin Adeleke A.O.S Hodonu & Co (07031073599)

This is to confirm that my name Emmanuel Ehi Blessing And Sunday Ehi Blessing is the same person. Henceforth, wish to be known and addressed Emmanuel Ehi Blessing. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

Juwon

I, formerly known and addressed as Musah Muhammed Isa now wish to be known and addressed as Musah Muhammed Juwon. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Omowunmi

I, formerly known and addressed as Oke Funmilayo Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Omowunmi Funmilayo Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Rita

I, formerly known and addressed as Amaraudoubaeemi Azebri, now wish to be known and addressed as Azebri Tamaraudubami Rita. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

Ilori

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bukola Omoyemi Orosun now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bukola Omoyemi Ilori. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Salaudeen-Oni

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aransi Rukayat Omobolanle and Mrs. Rukayat Omobolanle Salaudeen-Oni now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Salaudeen-Oni Aransi Rukayat. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Mamah

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezeh Stella Chinweudo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mamah Stella Chinweudo. All former documents remain valid. Local Govt. Service Commission and the general public should take note.

Anasoh

I, formerly known and addressed as Ikwuegbu Eucharia Chizoba now wish to be known and addressed as Anasoh Eucharia Chizoba. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Salam

I, Mr. Salam Waidi Ishola, that my date of birth is 26 of July 1977. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank and general public please take note.

According to the chairman, the sum insured was N772,321 million whereas the gross premium invoiced was N16.954 million with N16.954million being premium received. The committee also discovered that the lead broker, Legend Insurance Brokers was unlicensed at the time of the cover and her fee was not specified. Similarly, Royal Exchange Prudential Life was said to have been over paid by N20 million for a group life insurance cover for the period July 2013 to January 2014. The sum insured for this

policy was N20.591 billion, while N133.844 million was the gross premium invoiced and premium received stood at N66,922 million. In another transaction of motor vehicle cover policy, Equity Assurance Plc, which was the lead underwriter, was allegedly over paid to the tune of N10.686 million. The total sum insured was N320.470 million with N19.430 million as premium received and gross premium invoiced respectively. The committee said it discovered that over N47 million was unaccounted for in various transactions.

The chairman noted that in the fire policy cover involving Legend Insurance Plc and NIPOST from June to September 2014, “50 per cent of GPI was N40.611, 584, thus the sum total of N20,305, 792 representing the balance of PR is unaccounted for” Again, in a group life policy involving Royal Exchange Prudential, the committee contended that “35 per cent of GPI is N46, 845, 590, thus the sum total of N13,384,455 representing the. Balance of PR is unaccounted for” Defending himself, the postmaster general, Adegbuyi said he resumed at NIPOST barely three months ago and had not got the detailed briefing on the insurance transactions.

Kalu, others re-arraigned, granted bail Akeem Nafiu

or the umpteenth time, a former Governor of Abia State and business mogul, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and two others were yesterday rearraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They were arraigned on an alleged N3.2 billion fraud before Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos. Kalu was arraigned alongside a former permanent secretary in Abia State, Udeh Jones Udeogu, and Slok Nigeria Limited on a 34-count charge. Their re-arraignment came days after the accused persons raised the alarm over a surreptitious plot by the EFCC to convict them at all cost without recourse to due process following curious transfer of their case from the Abuja division of the Federal High Court to the Lagos division of the court. Kalu and others had earlier been arraigned by the EFCC on September 27 before Justice Anwuri Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja on the same charge just as the court already fixed December 6th, 7th and 8th as trial dates. But in a twist, the EFCC sought transfer of the case change OF NAME

Isijola

I, formerly known and addressed as Adebimpe Omowumi Oluwatayo now wish to be known and addressed as Adebimpe Omowumi Isijola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Ojeomokhai

I, formerly known and addressed as Fagbongbe Ajibola Bukola, now wish to be known and addressed as Ojeomokhai Ajibola Bukola. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Ezon

I, formerly known and addressed as Destiny Emizibo Ezon now wish to be known and addressed as Emizibo Ezon. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity bank Plc and the general public please take note.

to the Lagos division of the court from the Abuja division without any formal application before the court for such purpose. At yesterday’s proceedings, Kalu’s lawyer, Chief Mike Ozhekome (SAN), expressed displeasure at the action of the EFCC in seeking for the transfer of the case from Abuja to Lagos. He said: “When we learnt that the case has been transferred from Abuja to Lagos, we protested because there was no formal application to that effect from the prosecution. “The desirability or otherwise of transferring the matter would have been determined through the application. “However, we were comfortable and our fears were dispelled when we learnt that the case is before my Lord. We believe that justice will be served in the case with my Lordship in charge and so, we are not opposed to the re-arraignment of the accused persons.” In his own submissions, lawyer to the 2nd and 3rd

accused persons, Solo Akuma (SAN) informed the court about a pending application challenging the transfer of the case from Abuja to Lagos, saying the action violated certain provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. Akuma said: “Though, we are here in due obedience to the hearing notice served on us, we are in no way waiving our rights in challenging the transfer of the case from Abuja to Lagos.” After the submissions of the defence lawyers, the court directed the reading of the 34-count amended charge to the accused persons and they all pleaded not guilty to all the counts. Thereafter, Ozhekome and Akuma urged the court to allow the accused persons to continue on the existing bail earlier granted them by Justice Adamu Bello on April 30, 2008. The request was later granted by the court while December 12 and 13 were fixed as dates for commencement of trial.

Bankole: Four years not enough to fix economy Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

ormer House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, has declared that four years would not be sufficient for President Muhammadu Buhari to fix the nation’s poor economy. Bankole, who averred that Buhari was currently doing a thankless job, said any economic reform that would positively transform a nation cannot be designed and executed by a government within a term of four years. He spoke in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State while delivering the fifth anniversary lecture of Ijebu News Xtra magazine published

by a celebrity journalist, Dayo Rufai. The lecture titled:”Ogun State: Stimulating youth entrepreneurship potential in recessive economy,” was chaired by an oil and gas mogul, Engr. Femi Omotayo. In his presentation, Bankole noted that the answer to the present recession in Nigeria was not in any economics textbook but lies in the willingness of the citizens to make the right sacrifices. The former Speaker bemoaned the rate of inequality and unemployment in the country, saying the social structure was getting beyond control.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ondo Buhari endorses Akeredolu

Politics

Parliament Echoes of Lagos special status bill as Senate approves N’East Commission

12 13

Office of First Lady: To be or not? Felix Nwaneri writes on calls for the abolishment of the Office of the First Lady, which started as a way of exuding influence and power beside the man on the executive, but has turned into an avenue of wealth accumulation and waste of public funds

ormer governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, recently stirred the honest nest with his call for the scrapping of the Office of the First Lady. Obi, who described the office of First Lady in states and at federal level as an office of confusion, noted that it adds to the reckless spending by the respective levels of government. According to him, “it costs an average of N2 billion to run that office and all the office does is to create confusion. If you do away with it, you have saved a state government of N2 billion and N72 billion for all 36 states.” Perhaps, copied from the United States (US), where the use of the title, First Lady to describe the spouse of an executive first began in the early days of the republic, the office of the First Lady is not recognised by the Nigerian Constitution though wives of the president and governors have over time continued to enjoy public acknowledgement and some perks. This has over time generated controversy among stakeholders, who not only see it as an illegality but a drain to the nation’s resources. From a mere status in the First and Second Republics, the First Lady phenomenon has metamorphosed to a power broking one. It

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

Wife of the President, Aisha (middle) during a recent meeting with wives of the governors of the 36 states.

particularly became part of the polity in 1986 through the wife of the then military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, late Mariam. Since then, wives of subsequent leaders, military or civilian have not only continued to glamourise the position, but strengthening it as well. As a result of this scramble for power, the title, which has no mention anywhere in all of Nigeria’s different constitutions from colonial times to the one of 1999 (as amended), has become an affliction at all levels of government - federal, states and even local councils. And despite the fact that formal budgetary provisions are not made for this office, it is very generously funded with public funds. Also, the various first ladies are allocated a retinue of aides, who are paid from public funds. These are beside their pet projects which are equally funded by the government. Like in the Babangida era, when the then First Lady introduced the Better Life programme, it has become the norm for spouses of successive presidents and governors to introduce one form of pet project or another. These projects, many have argued, are avenues to siphon public funds as they make little or no impact in the lives of the people even as they fizzle out once their initiators leave office. Apart from the Better Life Programme, which ceased to exist after Babangida relinquished power, other examples of pet projects by former first ladies’ that fizzled out

There is no such position as the Office of the First Lady under the 1999 Constitution, but one of the terrible legacies of prolonged military rule

immediately spouses of their initiators left office include the Family Support Programme/Family Economic Advancement Programme by late Maryam Abacha (late General Sani Abacha’s wife); Women’s Right Advancement and Protection Alternative by Hon. Justice Fati Abubakar (General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s wife); Child Care Trust Programme of late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo (former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s wife), which focused on empowerment of children with physical and mental disabilities, and the International Cancer Centre project by Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua (late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s wife). The center, meant to spread over an expanse of seven hectares of land, with 128 beds and pediatrics ward was to serve as a screening centre and hospital for the treatment of cancer in the country, but like the ones before it, funds expended on it went down the drain. It is the same story for the Women for Change Initiative by the immediate past First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan. It was against this backdrop of wastages that most political analysts and observers hailed the recommendation that the office of the First Lady to be scrapped by the Justice Alfa Belgore Presidential Committee on the Review of Outstanding Constitutional Issues in 2012. The committee’s report read in part: “The committee noted, the response from the State House on the Office of the First Lady and recommends that since the office

does not operate under any legal framework, that the operation and funding (both in kind and cash) of such offices at all levels of government should be discouraged and abolished forthwith.” Despite the commendation that greeted the recommendation, it was never implemented as the then First Lady, Dame Jonathan, argued that rather than scrap the office, constitutional roles should be assigned to its occupants. Little wonder that the Belgore committee’s recommendation that the Presidency come up with an executive bill to be forwarded to the National Assembly on the issue did not materialize. However, the Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government seems to have revisited the recommendation as the president, on assumption of office in May last year, promised that there would be a clear difference between the role played by his wife during his tenure and that played by many previous first ladies. He declared that all that ostentation, ubiquitousness and arrogance that comes with the Office of the First Lady are over and done as his wife, Aisha, would be designated as “Wife of the President” though the latter, like her predecessors had gone ahead to launch a pet project known as Future Assured. No doubt, Buhari’s unofficial scrapping of the Office of the First Lady has not gone down well with many, especially the women folk, but those who backed his action said it is overdue. They decried the rate at which an office that has no iota of constitutional backing is being used by those in government to carry out some sensitive state functions. “There is no such position as the Office of the First Lady under the 1999 Constitution but one of the terrible legacies of prolonged military rule in Nigeria,” they argued. While the First Lady phenomenon seems to have come to stay, Nigerians cannot, but watch how the executive – the president and state governors whose wives are beneficiaries will handle the issue, especially in the wake of dwindling revenue which calls for a review of the nation’s already over-bloated bureaucracy.

POLITICS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Oke promises to redress neglect of Ondo south Stories by Babatope Okeowo

he governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, has assured the people of the Ondo South Senatorial District that his administration will redress the neglect the area has suffered in the last seven and half years. Oke, who bemoaned what he termed as deliberate abandonment of life-transforming projects and amenities in the oil rich district, assured the people that the AD government will complete the projects for the benefit of the people of the area and other parts of the state. Speaking at campaign rallies in wards and communities in Okitipupa council area, Oke said the neglect by the present administration in the state has left the people impoverished and also impacted negatively on

the economy of the state. He listed the neglected projects, which his administration would give attention to include the Olokola project; the State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Omotoso Power Plant, Omotoso; Cassava Processing Company, Ikoya; Irele-Ayeka/Okitipupa Road and igbokoda - Ugbonla Road. Oke also promised to restore electricity to the six local government areas of the district, which have been in total blackout in the last three years. His words: "The picture of the agony of joblessness, huge debt burden, poor infrastructure and the state of hopelessness that hover around the state dominate my thought, but I am determined to surmount the difficulties because I have the experience, blueprint and possess the capacity to translate my concern to action for the good of the state and her citizens."

Ondo elders ask FG to wade into PDP crisis E lder statesmen, who are of Ondo State origin, yesterday, asked the Federal Government to wade into the crisis over the substitution of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The elder statesmen including former Nigerian Ambassador to Australia and Greece, Prof Olu Agbi; former Minister of Education, Dr Adewumi Abitoye; Dr Tayo Dairo; Dr Lucas Gbakinro; Lady Lydia Olafunmiloye and Dr Bode Iwaloye, among others, warned against breakdown of law and order in the process of choosing PDP’s candidate for the November 26 election in the state. Addressing reporters after an emergence meeting held in Akure, Prof Agbi , who spoke on behalf of others advised the Federal Government and the Independent National

Electoral Commission (INEC) not to use judiciary to set the state on fire. The former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) expressed worry that the court order, which INEC implemented, apart from being capable of causing violence in the state, will set a dangerous precedence for the future. Agbi said a dangerous precedence would be created if the injustice meted out to Jegede is allowed to stay as someone in the future would just conduct a presidential primary outside the country and ask the court to accept him as the candidate of an established party. He said: “INEC’s decision to substitute Jegede’s name with that of Jimoh Ibrahim is a deliberate action and an attempt to destroy the peace, tranquility and progress that we have been enjoying in this state for the past seven and half years.”

L-R: Plateau State Governor, Simeon Lalong; President Muhammadu Buhari and Ondo State APC governorship candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu during a visit to Buhari in Abuja…yesterday.

Buhari endorses Akeredolu Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari has officially endorsed the candidacy of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State. The president yesterday met with Akeredolu who was led by to the presidential villa, Abuja by the governor of Plateau State and chairman of his campaign organisation, Simon Lalong. Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, the Plateau State governor said: "Mr. President is a loyal party man, so he is answerable to the party although the president of Nigeria. He has also confirmed that he has seen the candidate and is also praying for a successful election in Ondo State." Explaining why he led Akeredolu to the State House, Lalong said: "A few weeks ago, I was given the responsibility of leading the campaign on behalf of the party’s national executive for the Ondo election. And the candidate since his election at the primaries, have not come to be presented to the leader of our party, that is Mr. President. “So, today we came in with the candidate and to

Buhari, APC behind PDP crisis – Babatope Temitope Ogunbanke

or mer Minister of Transport and member of Board of Trustees (BoT), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari and All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the crisis in Ondo State over the emergence of Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim as PDP candi-

date for the November 26 governorship poll in state. Babatope, in a chat with New Telegraph, alleged that President Buhari threw his weight behind Ibrahim as PDP governorship candidate to destroy the party in Ondo State. He therefore called on Nigerians to rise and resist the injustice. His words: “Jimoh Ibrahim has no electoral

value and everybody knows that he is a right hand person of Buhari and they want to take Ondo State to destroy everybody including Bola Tinubu. Nigerians should rise up and stop the injustice. “I am really afraid about the situation of things in Ondo State because as things stand now, Buhari and the APC may destroy the PDP in the state.”

...candidate says no rift with Tinubu confirm to the president that APC has only one candidate unlike other parties that are fighting about who is their candidate. We have only one candidate and that candidate is Mr. Oluwaritimi Akeredolu Rotimi (SAN)." On APC’s chances of winning the election, Lalong said: "That is not a problem to APC. Since inception, you knew what happened in Kogi; you knew what happened in Edo, we won the elections. It was as if it was going to be very difficult for us but we won. "Today again we are going into Ondo. All the mistakes we made in other states, we have corrected them; we are seeing a very smooth election; not only a smooth election but the credibility of the candidate itself is something worth selling." Commenting on Governor Olusegun Mimiko's recent visit to Buhari, Lalong said: "Let me say it was even wrong for them to start running to Mr. President to help them solve the problem in their party. Mr. President is the president of Nigeria and he is not a member of PDP. Even

ONDo DECIDES

when we have problems in APC, we don't run to Mr. President. If he has a problem in his state, he is the governor; let him stay there and resolve the matter. "It is a matter between PDP and PDP and the matter is in court. So, why should you run to the president? Is the president the Chief Judge of Nigeria? He is not the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission either." Akeredolu in an interview with reporters boasted that he would defeat both Eyitayo Jegede and Jimoh Ibrahim if they both combine to face him in the election. He also said that he had no rift with the National Leader of the party and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

He said: "I can assure you I would have been happier facing both of them together. If Eyitayo Jegede was chosen as candidate and Ibrahim as his deputy, I will still win. In fact, Jegede happens to be a friend, Ibrahim too. Ibrahim went to Ife. So, we have known ourselves for long. I have no fear about both of them. We know that we are going to win this election and I have no doubt." On Tinubu, he said: "I don't have any rift with him. Since the primaries, you would see that as leader of the party, he has not said anything about it. He has accepted the primaries and we are moving on. So, I don't have any rift with him at all and we are moving on." He cautioned Governor Mimiko to ensure security and peaceful coexistence in the state alleging that those demonstrating on the streets of the state capital were paid miscreants by the government. According to him, local issues in the PDP should not be externalized, while calling on security agencies to be up and doing so as to restore normalcy to the state.

PDP Governors' Forum accuses APC, INEC of plot to rig poll Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors' Forum has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of planning to rig the November 26 Ondo State governorship election. A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal will today decided between Messrs Eyitayo Jegede and Jimoh Ibrahim, who

will stand as PDP candidate for the election, but the PDP governors, in a statement by its Secretary, Patrick Okon, said APC has enlisted the assistance of INEC to rig the poll in its favour. They therefore called for an overhaul of the electoral umpire for it to have the confidence of the electorate. The statement said: "From the way things are going, the people are already losing confidence in the commission. INEC should stick to its electoral mandate and should not subvert the

law of the land. "INEC should conduct itself very well in this forthcoming Ondo State governorship election to avoid a repeat of what happen in the Edo election." The governors, who warned that they would not fold their arms and watch what they described as "impunity and day time robbery" to be committed, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure a level playing field in the election and prevail on INEC to be fair to all parties.

POLITICS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Echoes of Lagos special status bill as Senate approves Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;East Commission CHUKWU DAVID reports that the passage of North-East Development Commission (NEDC) Bill by the Senate last week has provoked questions of equity and justice over the way the upper legislative chamber handles issues

n a heterogeneous society like Nigeria, one of the greatest challenges of government is how to make policies that will accommodate the diverse interests of the various geo-political components that sum up to form the nation state. In Nigeria for instance, politics within the country is usually influenced overwhelmingly by religious, ethnic, political and sectional factors. And these interests can never be waved aside by politicians, if they are not going to be accused of being positively or negatively biased towards or against one or combination of these leanings. In the National Assembly, certain legislations, by their nature provoke controversies and conflicts among the lawmakers. Most times, such issues are those that tend to split the northern and southern Nigeria into two parallel camps. However, as politicians, they usually find a way to navigate out of such situation and ensure that the system moves forward, even when some aggrieved interests are not satisfied with some decisions. The one that is confronting the Senate at the moment is the request by senators from Lagos State, where Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos Central), sponsored a bill, entitled, "A bill for an act to make provisions for Federal Grants to Lagos state in recognition of its strategic socioeconomic significance and other connected purposes." While leading the debate on the bill, Senator Tinibu made desperate effort to convince her colleagues to support the proposal so as to help uplift Lagos financially, in view of the fact that it was a former federal capital of the country and still plays critical role in the nation's economic development. She noted that the bill sought to tackle many problems confronting residents and visitors in Lagos by empowering the Federal Government to make provisions for economic assistance through grants as provided for under section 164 sub-section (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Kwankwaso

The lawmaker also explained that the bill will allow the grants payable to be determined by the President and Commander-inChief on the recommendation of the governor of Lagos. Tinubu said that the recommendation would come with the proviso that recommends the modest amount not less than 1 percent of the share of the revenue accruing to the federal government; the amount of which would be payable upon appropriation by the National Assembly. She stated that the grants would be utilised in meeting the public infrastructural need of Lagos State, such as improving on rail infrastructure to decongest the roads and for promotion of conducive social economic environment for federal institutions, as well as increase the state's capacity to continue to play host. She described Lagos as a state with strategic socio-economic significance being "the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria with available statistics indicating that six of 10 international passengers arrive in Lagos while eight of 10 depart from Lagos." According to her, a report from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in 2008, revealed that 86.2 per cent of companies' income taxes were collected in only Lagos, while another 56.7 per cent value added tax (VAT) was collected in Lagos. She said with the degree of revenue being generated from Lagos, the state deserves a special treatment. Unfortunately, despite her appeal, most senators vehemently opposed it, as they argued that it would amount to giving undue advantage to Lagos over other states, resulting in the bill being killed.

Tinubu

It has been agreed by our constituents to reintroduce the bill and we believe that our colleagues and all Nigerians will support it

Ironically, two weeks after this bill seeking financial boost for Lagos was rejected, the Senate on Thursday last week, passed the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) Bill, which empoweres the Federal Government to set up a commission to rehabilitate the Boko Haram devastated North-East region. While approving the report of its Committee on Special Duties on the bill, the Senate even included Kano and Plateau States on the list of states to benefit from the commission's funds for rebuilding the region, even though they are located in the North-West and North Central geo-political zones, respectively. The decision to include Kano and Plateau in the rebuilding plan followed a protest by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano Central) that the two states also received series of attacks by the insurgents. The Senate, in passing the NEDC Bill, approved three per cent of the country's total annual Value Added Tax (VAT) to be allocated to the commission for a period of 10 years. However, the three senators representing Lagos kicked against this approval, saying that their earlier request for one percent of earnings from VAT for Lagos was rejected by the same chamber. Consequently the Lagos senators renewed their campaign and urged the Senate to accommodate their request by revisiting and passing the bill. At a joint press briefing, Senators Gbenga Ashafa (APC Lagos East) and Adeola Olamilekan (APC Lagos West) said it was wrong for the Senate to approve three per cent for the North-East Development Commission with-

out considering their request of one percent for Lagos. The lawmakers therefore, said that they are going to reintroduce the proposal in the Senate, saying that "what is good for the goose is also good for the gander," even as they wondered why the Senate rejected the Lagos special status bill whereas it approved three percent for the North-East. Senator Ashafa said: "Every one of us knows that 68 per cent of VAT income nationwide comes from Lagos. Two weeks ago, a bill by Senator Oluremi Tinibu was presented, asking the Senate to approve one per cent for Lagos State as a former federal capital but the bill was not passed. We feel we should present our feelings to the press and Nigerians; we are appealing to Nigerians to assist us ensure that they give us listening ear. "We, the contributor of 70 per cent of the VAT income believe that one per cent is not too much. We are calling on the Senate to accord Lagos one per cent of VAT income. It has been agreed by our constituents to reintroduce the bill and we believe that our colleagues and all Nigerians will support it." With this development, the Senate is definitely faced with a critical decision to make because if it fails to pass the Lagos special status bill, it will certainly be interpreted that the apex chamber has favoured the North-East and done great injustice to Lagos. It is obvious that equity and Justice will always give rise to peace, stability and progress in any society, while injustice breeds acrimony, instability and retrogression. In reconsidering the bill, the Senate has to think twice and do what could be seen to be justice to all.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Aisha Buhari's moment of truth My Word CLEM AGUIYI totalpolitics@ymail.com 0803-474-7898 (sms only)

eneral Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) is not your regular politician. He does not believe in the time consuming finesse of politics, due process and democracy. Even as an elected president, he is yet to come to terms with the concept of separation of powers neither does he comprehend why his not very effective and efficient social and economic policies will be opposed by those who for 16 years ran the country aground. As far as he is concerned, those opposed to him are either corrupt or aiding corruption and will bear the consequence of their actions. Because of him, Nigeria is in coma; the once vibrant media is stifled, the opposition emasculated and the people live in fear of political terrorism unleashed by overzealous aides too eager to please him. Curiously, the once opposition leader with a sizable cult follower-ship has forgotten that without opposition democracy is dead. There is also a credible doubt if indeed he appreciates the golden rules of politics that says ‘do not kill your opponent and stay clear from their spouse or children’. Every good politician strives to live by these rules as those who don’t, end up ingloriously. The memory of Gen Abacha would have been better served if he and his goons had stayed clear of Kudirat Abiola. I also wish that the goons working hard to make our ‘oga in AsoRock ' happy stays clear of Fani Kayode's wife, Mrs. Patience Jonathan and other spouses of opposition politicians. A word is enough for the wise. Over the years, I have resisted the temptation to write on the spouse or children of politicians I am opposed to except I have something positive

to say about them. On Aisha Buhari, I must confess that I never expected her to go public with her frustration with her husband’s government. It’s audacious for her to speak the way she did. When the social media promoted the highlights of her BBC interview, my first reaction was disbelief because I grew up to learn that the media hardly report any event accurately. I only came to terms with the interview after watching the full video clip where she revealed that her husband’s government has been hijacked by some strange cabal. She threatened that she will not go out to campaign again if things continue like this up to 2019 Aisha didn’t say anything new as she only reechoed the concern of many Nigerians with the only difference being that she is the wife of the president. Sadly, in a country where the first casualty of every intelligent conversation is the truth, Aisha has come under fire for speaking the truth to power. She is vilified and threatened by her natural constituency some of whom have gone as far as accusing her of working for the opposition, the wailers and the five percent. Given the viciousness of the cabal controlling and holding the husband hostage, it won’t be a surprise if she gets the Princess Diana card, the Winnie Mandela option or the FFK treatment. I pray and I hope nothing happens to her. As a dutiful wife and a courageous woman, she has done her part; she has spoken for posterity and need not say more. History will vindicate her as a just mother of the nation. As for her ‘belonging to the kitchen, the living room or the other room’, I believe President Buhari is right to decide where the wife belongs. He also has the responsibility to protect the wife from the murky waters of our politics. Politicians in this clime are dirty and very often up to no good. It does not matter whether they are PDP or APC. They corrupt and have successfully corrupted the judiciary, the military, the police and every institution of government. Vice President Yemi Osibanjo was right to say that all government institutions and arms of government are corrupt. If you are not guided and guarded they will corrupt you. Ask our undergraduates and mothers that

Being the president’s wife from the other room is sufficient

messed and mingled with them; ask Mrs. Diezani Madueke; her biggest regret today was not being properly guided and guarded as she championed the implementation of the Local Content Act in the downstream sector of the Oil and Gas industry which opened opportunities for some local players and their political collaborators. For that singular error, all that she worked for and the legacy she lived for are today at risk because they messed her up, messed themselves and messed up the country by not living up to their responsibilities. Sick and down with cancer I am certain she wished she had belonged to Admiral Alison Madueke’s kitchen, living room and the other room. She would have wished she continued with her once flourishing career at Shell. For Aisha, I will say she is lucky the husband does not know which party she belongs to, which means she is not of APC, because according to Fayose ‘only a mad person will go to APC’. With the brutality of Aisha’s frank talk I doubt if she will be comfortable with such a community of liars called APC. I will urge our dear president’s wife to use the president’s living room and the other room to carve a niche as the first lady that fought tirelessly for other causes other than partisan politics. She can fight for the protection of the girl child who is a victim of poverty, disease, ignorance, abuse, molestation, rape and violence. Each day that I turn to the pages of the newspapers, my heart bleeds at the incessant cases of rape and violence against minors who never gets justice either because our laws are weak or that the security agencies are complacent or that the judiciary is corrupt. Your Excellency can conspire with the National Assembly, police and judiciary to ensure justice for abused minors, rape victims and children that suffered domestic violence. Her Excellency does not need to speak from the Office of the First Lady. Being the president’s wife from the other room is sufficient. As for Baba’s 2019 aspiration, I will not support him if things continue this way, after all I never voted for him in all his previous four attempts. However, I may work for him in 2019 if he is able to fix our broken politics and economy.

Who’s after Orji Kalu’s progress? Kelvin Ezedimbu

o man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it. I remain overwhelmed when I see a lot things going the wrong way in Abia State. During my time as a student of Abia State University (ABSU) I witnessed what we call tremendous hike in school fees. In year one we paid N31,010, year two N47,500, year three N55,500, year four N80,000 and year five N83,000 all this was in Theodore Ahamefula Orji's administration, I could remember vividly that in 2009 students wore black and protested in Government House, Umuahia, all because of school fees hike. In 2012 we lost a great comrade, Chidi Uruakpa, ABSU Student Union Government President, on his way back from the Government House. He had an accident and died all because he refused to sign the tremendous increase in school fees. There is no doubt that T. A. Orji can just wake up from sleep and decide to compare himself with Dr

Orji Uzor Kalu, an enigma and a successful business mogul, for his sinful administration with that of Dr Kalu. During the era of OUK as fondly called, education was his first priority in Abia State which was free in primary and secondary sections, in university level both the indigenes and non indigenes were paying less. Many that benefited can also testify about all this goodwill done by him, his love and care for ABSU students made him to build the biggest hostel which is the Acon hostel. We have prayed to God for peace to reign in Abia State (Gods own state) but a father and son keep holding Abians to ransom. Now, the immediate-past governor of Abia State, T. A Orji, who described himself as a rising political star should hide his face in shame and show Abians what were his assets before he became governor or who was he in Nigeria. To an ordinary Abian, the leadership of T. A. Orji brought merciless hardship to people, poverty, hunger and enmity. Using Abia money to acquire properties in and outside Nigeria, buying and making enemy to his predecessor OUK. This devel-

opment is so ugly and has made my mind heavy as I wonder what level of measure he wants to use his sinful, hatred and ungodly administration to compare with that of our Great leader, a man with a heart of Gold Dr Kalu that handed over power to him peacefully. Mothers enjoyed the free medicals, students enjoyed the free education, businessmen and women also enjoyed peace of mind while the sports sector hail him for his love and support towards and more especially for supporting Enyinmba FC for winning the cup back to back which the then Commissioner for Sports testified that Dr. Kalu is blessed leader and cannot be compared to a greedy successor that finds it difficult to pay workers but is ready to use the money to buy himself all those that love OUK's into his team for them to hate OUK because 97 per cent of those working with him are all OUK's loyalists. Over to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu it takes a great leader that finds himself in a big position to humble himself and serve the masses, you are an Adventist I am calling on you

to make a change and leave a legacy in Abia that all will remember you with, I got this information from an insider the message is strong that the reason why you refused to pay Dr Kalu his pension is said to have been that he did not acknowledge you as a governor! This is heart aching and worrisome when heard because it does not portray peace in the mindsets of the common man in Abia while you pay his successor and your predecessor T. A. Orji his pension, this is not worthy of your leadership as a man that fears and respects God don't just see it as playing politics. Several great men of God have called T.A. Orji and Kalu for peace, Kalu came but T. A. Orji did not honour the invitation, this was a big slap to those men of God, T.A Orji now keeps hunting Orji Uzor Kalu because he is more sociable and interacts with the masses. Ochendo is so scared of Kalu that he does not want him back in the political system but the good will message here is that Orji Uzor Kalu has forgiven him for what he did in 2011. • Ezedimbu wrote in from Benin City.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Dylan and the Nobel Prize

here is something to learn from the rare honour bestowed on American musician, Bob Dylan (Robert Allen Zimmerman),who was recently announced as the Winner of the 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature. Nigerian musicians especially the new kids on the rise, must be looking up, instead of churning out tracks that are laced with obscenities. Music pays not just in cash, it goes beyond shaking the waists and jumping to the skies. It is a message, a movement that can change the fate of many and also affect society positively. It does not have to be a turn off even if a lot of cash flows with the vulgarity that tends to take control of some of the followers. Dylan, 75, is an all rounder who has moved from folk to blues, country music to rock and down to gospel. Above all, he has used his music for good as an activist, supporting Civil Rights and fighting against war. He has sold over 100 million records, making him one of the greatest artistes ever. With tracks like ‘Blowing in the wind’, ‘If not for you’ and ‘Hard Rain’, Dylan came on strong and became a leading figure in not just entertainment but the arts as well. He thus earned respect among lovers of good music, but also world leaders. President Barack Obama of the United States honoured him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Nobel Prize is probably going

to be the height of it all. The new generation of Nigerian musicians must learn from this. The lewd lyrics that foul the mind of teenagers will lead them nowhere even if they are smiling all the way to the banks today. There must be something for the future. Dylan has been in music for about 50 years and his works have fetched him an award that smells sweeter than money. The kind of songs and dance steps that some of these musicians project has nothing to challenge the brain yet the young ones are high on emptiness. Words are abused, language is debased and everything is arranged in utter

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nor Yoruba but he loved ‘Omo mi seun rere. It is instructive that the former Master Sergeant did not quite love Nigeria especially following President Shehu Shagari’s condemnation of his bloody overthrow of William Tolbert. Love for music eventually drew Doe closer to Nigeria and when he was threatened by rebels led by Charles Taylor, it was Dodan Barracks that raised troops to help him. However, ECOMOG was not an entirely Nigerian affair. Doe died in a very cruel manner

Many of today’s musicians are not singing to educate

confusion. There must be measures to check this immorality before it becomes a national religion. In the past, our heroes and heroines were celebrated outside our shores. Ozzidi King, Sunny Okosun’s music was oxygen to the souls of Southern Africans during the Liberation Struggle. The track, ‘ Papa’s Land’ appealed to Zimbabwean guerilla fighters that when independence eventually came, many of them thought it could become the country’s national anthem. As brutal as Samuel Kanyon Doe was in Liberia, some of his best moments came anytime he listened to Christiana EssienIgbokwe’s voice. The Liberian dictator understood neither Ibibio

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

in the hands of soldiers led by Yormie Johnson. Before Okosun and Essien –Igbokwe, men like Isaac Ke-

hinde (I.K.) Dairo and Victor Efosa Uwaifo had made impressions. The former was even honoured with an M.B.E. by Queen Elizabeth of England. The latter went further to become the first Nigerian to hit a Platinum. Uwaifo hit it big with ‘Guitar Boy’ and ‘Joromi’. The single, ‘Guitar Boy’ appealed to lovers of music because it was a true life story of an encounter with a mermaid at the Bar Beach on Victoria Island. At that time, the musician worked with the Nigeria Television Authority on Ahmadu Bello Way, Lagos. Many of today’s musicians are not singing to educate, they are not telling a story. Most of what they sing is like vomit. Attention is paid to sex and parts of the body that

have to do with love making. And they are selling. The constitution guarantees freedom of speech. Sponsors are more interested in marketing their products and because these musicians are popular, business interest counts more than moral values. We urge government not to fold its arms and watch. There should be moderation in whatever these musicians are doing. There is a Regulatory Agency. The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has had cause to ban some of these tracks on our airwaves. More needs to be done. The National Orientation Agency and religious organisations also have big roles to play. Every year, there is World Music Day. That should be an opportunity to sensitise the youth and also enlighten the musicians. Good enough, there are artistes who are willing to support this cause. Eedris Abdulkareem has come out to condemn vulgar music. Lil Presh has decided to move away from the raw past to something better because he observed that many young people are influenced by his music. We join in celebrating Bob Dylan. We also encourage our musicians to learn from those that are celebrated for the positive things they did for the society. Today, Yeni Kuti is a regular face on television, monitoring the polity and away from the stage where she was a dancer. That is change. Others should follow her worthy example.

POLITICS

Musbau Razak

he Lateef Jakande Auditorium of the Lagos State House of Assembly was packed full on Wednesday, September 28. The faces in the hall were friendly, they were smiling faces but you can deduce the seriousness in their looks. It was the one day public hearing organised by the House Committee on Health, where members of the public, particularly stakeholders in the health sector were invited to discuss and make suggestions on a Bill for the Establishment of a Cancer Institute in the state. The attendance, the passionate discussion and the commitment of the participants to contributing their quota to the eradication of the cancer disease in the state were confirmation that the bill when passed into law would be one of the most people oriented laws to be enacted by the House. Not a few who participated at the one day event heaped praises on the state Assembly, particularly the Speaker, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa, for their determination and commitment to the eradication of cancer of all sorts from the Nigerian society with special emphasis on Lagos State. Participants were particularly pleased that the House sought contributions and suggestions from members of the public especially stakeholders from the health sector. "The House deserves praises particularly the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa who we learnt was the initiator of the bill. This is an initiative that will go a long way in reducing the menace of the disease to the barest minimum," one of the participants said. Indeed, the speaker has been leading by example. Since the commencement of the 8th Assembly, he has led his colleagues in introducing private member bills. It is also a fact that most of the bills initiated by the speaker are people oriented which have direct impact on the welfare and standard of living of the people. The recent Neighbourhood Safety Corps Bill, which he initiated and has been passed by the House and assented into law by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is a typical example of such bill. The Neighbourhood Safety Corps law apart from improving security at the grassroots is set to provide 5,000 jobs with the recent decision of the state government to employ 5,000 neighbourhood watch personnel. In initiating the establishment of the Cancer Institute Bill, the speaker was guided by the alarming statistics released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on increase cases of cancer globally particularly the third world countries among which is Nigeria. Before discussing the aims, objectives and operation of the bill, there is the need to explain in brief what cancer means. According to medical experts, cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body hence it has the potentials to kill if not detected and treated early. It should be noted however that not all tumors are cancerous; thus, benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Cancer does not occur without

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Fighting cancer: Lagos Assembly's bold initiative

Obasa

symptoms hence if you are having an unusual lump in any part of your body, you are bleeding abnormally, you are losing weight without cause, you have a prolonged cough or you have a sudden change in your bowel movement, then danger may be lurking and you have to see your doctor fast. The popular cliché: “smokers are liable to die young” is indeed true if it is related to cancer. This is because it has been discovered that smoking tobacco is a major cause of cancer with statistics showing that tobacco smoking causes about 22 per cent. Thus what we eat is a major cause. The way we live is also a major cause. Thus, obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity and excessive alcohol intake are major causes of various forms of cancer and in fact are responsible for 10 per cent of cancer deaths. It is not limited to this: infections, exposure to ionizing radiation and environmental pollution are all causes of cancer. It has been reported that nearly 20 per cent of cancers are due to infections of various forms. Thus, the way we live is a major cause of cancer and the major reason it is prevalent in developing countries such as Nigeria. Let us also add that in some cases, some cancers are generic and could be inherited. What this means is that we all have one cancer trait or the other but it is our lifestyle that is key to its development or not. And that is why the way we live and what we put in our mouths and stomachs should be on positive level. Many cancers can be prevented by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, not drinking too much alcohol, eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, vaccination against certain infectious diseases, not eating too much processed and red meat,

There is need for us to take the bull by the horn and tackle this menace because we can't continue to lose precious lives

and avoiding too much sunlight exposure. To the layman, cancer is notorious because it is a terminal disease which eventually terminates the live of anyone afflicted with it. To make matter worse, it is of different kind: skin, lungs, throat, prostate, cervical, breast, blood, bone and mouth cancer among others. Some are common to females like breast and cervical cancers while prostate is only associated with men. But they all have one grim consequence if not detected and treated on time – death. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IAPC), as at 2008, 7.6 million people have died globally from cancer while it was predicted that the figure will reach 21 million in 2030. In 2012, about 14.1 million new cases of cancer occurred globally and this does not include skin cancer other than melanoma. It caused about 8.2 million deaths or 14.6 percent of human deaths. Apart from this, cancer has been responsible for 13 per cent of all deaths in the world while 70 per cent of these deaths occur in middle and low income countries like Nigeria. It was also reported that only 17 per cent of African countries have fund for cancer control programmes while less than 50 per cent of the countries of the world can boast of such fund for cancer control programmes. Coming home to Nigeria, 10,000 people die annually from cancer while 250,000 new cases are reported annually. Prominent Nigerians have died of one cancer ailment or the other. Perhaps one of the most celebrated Nigerians lost to cancer was human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who died of lung cancer in 2009. Another prominent Ni-

gerian lost to cancer was celebrated musician, Sunny Okosun, who lost his life battle to colon cancer. The biggest loss to cancer in Nigeria was former President Umar Musa Yar Adua, who died of lung cancer while in office in 2010. Former Nigerian First Lady, Mrs. Maryam Babangida, died of ovarian cancer in 2009. There are more but space won't allow us to mention, but we won't fail to mention Atinuke Ikpeba, wife of former African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, who died of breast cancer. Therefore, to say that the decision of the Lagos State House of Assembly to initiate the bill that will pave way for the establishment of the Cancer Institute was well applauded round the state will be an understatement. "There is need for us to take the bull by the horn and tackle this menace because we can't continue to lose precious lives to this deadly disease every year," Obasa said during the public hearing. Giving a breakdown of the bill, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, said the Cancer Institute expected to be established by the bill seek to provide among other things: provide affordable and subsidized medical care for cancer patients; carry out research in other terminal diseases but with special emphasis on cancer related ones; carry out extensive diagnosis; provide current, advanced and latest technological diagnostic instruments; gather and provide accurate data of terminally ill patients in Lagos; provide guidelines for all palliative care providers; and ensure that curative and palliative medical care are vigorously provided in hospitals in the state. Agunbiade explained further that the Institute will be managed by a board which will consist of: three medical profesionals who shall be professors of medicine or consultant; a member of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA); and three members of the public of proven integrity. The board shall have a chief executive officer named the general manager. Board members are to serve for a minimum of five years. The bill also seek for the establishment a terminal illness centre in all the 57 councils of the state while there will be a cancer advisory council to be chaired by the governor. "Our intention is to ensure that the gains of this initiative are taken to the grassroots and we want to ensure that all are involved to boost its success," the Lagos speakeradded. Overall, the praises being rained on this iniative is an indication that the Lagos State House of Assembly is not only the leading state Assembly in the country but also the most proactive. Indeed it is a confirmation that the Assembly under the leadership of Obasa is above common standard of excellence. • Razak is the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Condition NBS, UNICEF storm Zuba for human index survey

Inside Abuja Kabusa community is one of the closest low income earners haven within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). However, navigating through the access road in the area is a 'hellish' experience that residents have no choice than to go through on a daily basis. MONDAY RUTH reports

Armed Forces Day Wooeing them for volunteerism

18 20

Kabusa: One hell of a condition journey

he residents of Kabusa had at different times cried out to successive Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over the condition of the road leading to the community but it appears that these cries have fallen on deaf ears. The community is one of the densely populated settlements within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and because of its proximity to the city centre, it has become a choice abode for both middle and low income earners who work in the city. Kabusa boasts of several mega private housing estates, but the access road to the community is a serious nightmare. The road is a dangerous terrain to travel all year round. During the rains, vehicles have to struggle through slippery mud; while the dry season commuters have dust to contend with. As the raining season is coming to an end, the worries of the residents of both the Kabusa community and the estates around that axis have increased because of how dusty the road used to be. Inside Abuja’s reporter who went on a fact-finding mission to Kabusa through the popular Gudu District market bus stop confirmed that the condition of the road is worsening. The reporter observed that at some points of the road, there was some construction work on a section of the road, but it does

Onwuka NzeshI

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF nzeshi@newtelegraphonline.com

The road leading to Kabusa

not appear that the repair work will be extended to Kabusa community. Another aspect of the journey to Kabusa that is capable of creating 'high blood pressure' for the residents who depend on the public transportation system, is the fact that most of the vehicles that ply the road are rickety. The worst scenario is that these rickety vehicles are usually overloaded with both passengers and luggages. Residents of the community who must get to their places of work or back home have no option than to subject themselves to the apparently debasing conditions of travelling in unsafe vehicles. Some of these vehicles have no proper window glasses to protect passengers from the dust, a situation that has forced many people, especially those that work in offices, to always leave home with extra clothes with which to cover themselves. Travelling on the road by motorcycle (Okada) is a decision that requires a caveat, except for

The road is a dangerous terrain to travel all year round

those going back home, this is so, because the whole of your body must be covered with dust. Inside Abuja's attempt to reach out to both the Chief of Kabusa and the councillor representing the community in AMAC to comment on the matter, was not successful as at the time of filing this report. However, some of the residents of Kabusa who spoke to Inside Abuja made a unanimous appeal to the authorities concerned to expedite action on the road, so as to save them from the untold hardship this dry season. They also called on the FCT minister, Mallam Mohammed Bello, to show exceptional leadership by fixing the road for them. They advised the minister not to follow the example of his predecessors who made promises they never fulfilled. Inside Abuja visit to Kabusa market about 12 noon was a terrible experience due to the untarred road as vehicles try to meander their way through the muddy and slippery ground. Madam Mary Ode, a resi-

dent of Kabusa community and mother of four kids, narrated her ugly experience when she was involved in a motorcycle accident on that road. Ode said that she had her baby strapped on her back and the older child sitting in front of the Okada rider when all of a sudden the motorcycle slipped off the road and an oncoming car knocked them off the road, but was lucky that nobody sustained any injury. Another respondent, Mr. Waziri, who must use the Kabusa road to the city, said that going through Kabusa is tortuous. He also said that if commuters who go on foot or bike or non-air conditioned vehicles, they will be coated with red soil during the harmattan. “I have lived in Kabusa for five years and the road has been a major challenge for us residents,” he said Waziri also added that there is no time of the year that the road is good and that road is a nightCONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Inside ABUJA | SLUMS

NBS/UNICEF team at Zuba survey

In pursuit of Nigeria's quest to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), two agencies have moved to conduct a pilot survey of social indicators in a community in Abuja. CALEB ONWE reports

igeria has commenced fresh efforts towards avoiding some of the identified pitfalls that hampered the full realisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the country. Following the expiration of the MDG, the United Nations initiated the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a set of new goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all has begun to build up momentum; with relevant government agencies, and stakeholders striking synergy intended to ensure its overall success. The 17 goals which replaced the MDGs have been adopted by world leaders as a global agenda to tackle the indignity of poverty and hunger, prevent deadly but treatable disease, and expand educational opportunities to all children. The United Nations, the global body that is promoting the agenda, has stressed the need for all hands to be on deck because each of the goals has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years. It is in response to this clarion call that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) unveiled a national survey exercise to collate statistics to help monitor and appraise the progress of basic social indicators among women and children in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Zuba survey The choice of Zuba community, a densely populated satel-

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NBS state officer addressing the press at Zuba

NBS, UNICEF storm Zuba for human index survey lite town, located in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, for the survey pilot scheme, may not be unconnected with the fact that Zuba is a typical example of how a human habitat should not be. From all indications, Zuba lacks almost all the basic social amenities required for decent human habitation and for the realisation of the SDGs. In most of the areas, the houses are clustered beyond the limit that encourages good ventilation. The roads within the community are ‘valleys of death’. Some of the residents, who apparently looked over stressed and helpless due to the excruciating pains of economic hardship, said that the electricity poles and cables in the community are nothing more than “useless and powerless” relics of the electricity distribution companies. Access to portable water is said to be as expensive as searching for non-existent goldmines. Public healthcare centres and schools are available but poorly maintained. Leading journalists to identify

NBS staff testing water quality at Zuba

The survey seeks to establish authentic data on the educational and health conditions of the children and women in the communities

the Enumeration Areas (EA) for the purpose of getting a firsthand information on the modalities of the MICS exercise was Mrs. Rakiya Mohammed, NBS/ UNICEF State Officer. She said the essence of the exercise was to generate relevant information about the environmental conditions in the community. Mohammed also said that the survey seeks to establish authentic data on the educational and health conditions of the children and women in the communities. The survey team's first port of call was the household of one Mr. Sunday Ezeri, whose house was used in identifying the EA. As a resident of the community for about 20 years standing, it was obvious from all indications that he possesses the competence to give credible information about the area. The team used his household to do a survey that is likely going to represent the whole of the EA. Ezeri revealed that apart from the physical environmental degradation that is conspicuous in the area, water and electricity

supply was a serious challenge to the residents. Agency collaboration Statistician General of the Federation, Mr. Yemi Kale, who flagged off the Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS 5) at Zuba, said the survey is expected to last till December 16. The NBS boss observed that Nigeria has participated in the survey for more than four times, adding that it would produce indicators to monitor the progress of children and women, including the realisation of various indicators used in monitoring and evaluation of SDGs and MDGs. "Data from the survey would include indicators across all aspects of social life, to monitor the progress on children’s mortality rate, women education, health, development, nutritional status of children used for proper implementation of children development programmes in the country," Kale said. UNICEF’s Chief Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinator, Denis Jobin, said UNICEF has been supporting Nigeria to develop and generate data on children and women development, education, nutrition, health, water and sanitation. According to Jobin, the survey would also test the quality of water in all the 36 states of the federation and FCT. He noted that it would be the first survey to be conducted at the state level to generate statistics at the senatorial level in the country’s largest populated states of Lagos and Kano. Jobin noted that the survey would cover the result of the intervention on the MDGs in 2015, while helping the government in its policies and programmes implementation as well as assisting the World Bank, UNICEF and other international agencies in monitoring the country’s level of poverty as well as provide up to date data and information on the condition of children and women in Nigeria.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Handbag snatching and pick pocketing are agelong crimes perpetrated by hoodlums, touts and other deviants in the society. This illegitimate endeavour was thought to have given way to advanced fee fraud and cybercrimes. However, CHUKWU DAVID reports that there has been a resurgence of these petty crimes in the satellite towns of Abuja

Inside ABUJA

Return of handbag snatchers, pick pockets

he menace of handbag snatchers and pick-pockets used to be associated with school drop outs, motor park touts and lazy characters who have no identifiable means of livelihood. Today, the story is different as even some supposedly highly educated young men have been found to actively involved the demeaning trade. In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the menace of pick pockets and bag snatchers is more prevalent in the suburban areas and satellite settlements. Handbag snatchers Residents of Mararaba, Nyanya, Karu, One-Man village, Masaka, Mpape, Kubwa, Gwagwa, Gwagwalada and Idu-Karmo, are all under severe torments of these petty thieves whose specialty is snatching of hand bags, phones and picking pockets. Right now, this criminality has become a nightmare around the Mararaba and Nyanya axis, where these miscreants operate day and night. They operate mostly at bus stops, traffic jams and markets places where there are a lot of people struggling to make their ways through a congested pathway. People who usually leave their houses for work or other engagements early in the morning, now do so at a great risk of being attacked by these criminals. Many residents are now scared of going out early in the morning with bags, phones, money and other valuables because these are the targets of the hoodlums.

Thieves on bikes Often times, they use motorcycle to carry out their nefarious operations. The bike rider usually carries his cohort at the back; when they see their target victim, he will slow down near the person and the one at the back will quickly snatch whatever is their target and zoom off, leaving their victim in pains. Sometime ago, commuters and traders in the ever busy Mararaba bus stop had heaved a sigh of relief following the disappearance of pick pockets and handbag snatchers from the area. Their disappearance followed the mounting of series of security checkpoints in the area to rid the place of criminals. Inside Abuja learnt that the security beef up was because a

A bike snatcher set ablaze at Mararaba

senior military commander was living in the area. Unfortunately, this reprieve was ephemeral because the armed soldiers vacated the place shortly after when they had issues with some human rights groups, who accused them of violation of human rights in the discharge of their duties. This security gap left the people at the mercy of the criminal elements who did not hesitate to return to their operations. Residents speak out Some of the residents and commuters who spoke with our correspondent lamented the departure of the soldiers and the return of the hoodlums to Mararaba and other adjoining settlements. Patience Abang told Inside Abuja that they were happy when the notorious incidents of pick pocketing and phone snatching at the Mararaba bus stop reduced considerably because of the presence of the soldiers. "Unfortunately, these criminals have returned again even in greater number. The regular complaints of handset, hand-bag and wallet snatching have been so rampant especially with the deteriorating state of the economy, which made some of these people to lose their jobs.

The regular complaints of handset, handbag and wallet snatching have been so rampant

“For some few years, I have been operating here, there have been rampant cases of hand sets, hand bags and wallets snatching by hoodlums at this bus stop, and that gave this place a very bad name anywhere you go. We thought that a permanent solution had come but it's a pity we are back in the pit," she said. Abang noted that the resurgence of the menace was as a result of the departure of policemen and soldiers positioned at strategic spots every morning and evening, as they always monitored the movement of people at those peak periods. “I want to believe that the situation would not continue because these snatchers have formed themselves into serious cult groups; anywhere you go, you see them. They are in the market, on the road and at bus stops. "The situation has gone so bad that the snatchers position themselves from Kugbo hill down to Nyanya where they target unsuspecting passengers and drivers to snatch their phones and bags through the car windows that are not wound up" she noted. Suleiman Musa, a taxi driver said: "The hoodlums always pose as commuters, snatched my handsets at hold-up through the window of my vehicle and disap-

peared. We are unhappy because this situation is getting worse by the day." Mr. Peter Okeke, a furniture maker at Kugbo furniture market, lamented that the activities of bag and phone snatchers were getting out of hands. "The pick pockets are still around. Just last week, I was coming with a bike from Ado to this bus stop, I didn’t know that one boy was pursuing me. It was when I got down, I noticed that the boy was after me to snatch my handset. “I quickly changed the position of my handset. So, as he couldn’t reach me again, he changed direction and moved away. Also, that same week, as I arrived the bus stop under the pedestrian bridge, two men attempted to snatch my handset but failed," he said. However, as the menace of handbag snatching aggravates in and around Abuja, some aggrieved residents have vowed never to spare anybody caught in the criminal act. Recently, two Okada snatchers were reportedly beaten to death and burnt to ashes at Mararaba bus stop, while one was killed by a car after he snatched a bag from a passenger in a vehicle and was running to cross to the other side of the road.

Kabusa: One hell of a condition journey C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

mare for the road travellers . “It is hectic during the rainy season and worse in the dry season. We will be so delighted if the government will construct this road; we are begging the government to come to our aid. “There are thousands of people residing in Kabusa, Sherrite, Budwe, Paselle, Katie not to mention the numerous estates. It is horrible in the rainy season, cars get stuck more often in some places, sometimes vehicles often get spoilt on the spot and it becomes difficult for other vehicles to drive through,” Waziri added. Another respondent, Mr. Ugochukwu who had lived in Kabusa since 2012 but

now resides in Global Estate in Dakwo District, explained that residents of Lokogoma especially the estates will be ready to collaborate with the government in constructing the road even if it means contributing half of the money needed as long as the work is being done, because the suffering has to come to an end. "Lokogoma has a bad inter-linking road, there are so many estates around Lokogoma District that have sprung up in the recent years that have been approved by the FCDA for developers to build and the population has also gown," Ugochukwu said. A taxi driver told Inside Abuja that the bad road network has led to the issue of arm robbery in the area.

"I drive on this road everyday and not just that the road is bad but arm robbers have decided to make use of the opportunity to attack vehicles within the time from 8p.m.," he said. A woman who did not identify herself said she goes through the Kabusa route to the main market in the early hours of 6a.m. every day. She expressed disappointment that the government has neglected the community. "The weather is getting dry, the government should help us to fix it before the rain comes again. Let us make do with the dust because when the rain comes we won't even find vehicles going to town and even if one is lucky to find one, the price is never the same," she said.

INSIDE ABUJA

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Wooeing them for volunteerism Every year, the Federal Government and the Nigeria Armed Forces remember the nation's fallen heroes and their families. As President Muhammadu Buhari gears up to flag off the next edition, a non-governmental organisation has volunteered to lead young undergraduates in varsities to make a difference. CALEB ONWE reports

Chairman, NFHP, Gen. Barau (right) addressing journalists.

he Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration is an annual event held by members of the Nigerian Armed Forces in honour of their colleagues who fought in the first and second World Wars as well as those who fought in the Nigerian civil war. It is also meant to remember the contributions of Nigerian soldiers who served or are still serving in various peace keeping operations in different parts of the world. It was initially marked on the 11th day of November every year to coincide with the Remembrance Day for war veterans in all commonwealth countries. However, it was changed to the 15th of January to honour Nigeria's fallen heroes and commemorate the surrender of Biafran troops and the end of the civil war on January 15, 1970. Over the years, the event has been marked with colourful military parades, laying of wreaths at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier or Cenotaph. These are usually preceded by the launching of the Remembrance Day Emblem which is meant to raise funds towards the welfare of the veterans and their families. While the federal government has always hosted this event and donated towards it, there has been complaints especially among the veterans that what is realised every year was a far cry from what they require to cater for their needs and those of their families. Nation building Some Nigerians have therefore advocated the involvement of civil society groups in raising funds for these living and fallen heroes and their families. The argument is that catering for this important segment of the society represents an integral part of nation building and should be the responsibility for all and not the exclusive preserve of few individuals. However, a society like Nigeria appears to be bedevilled by people who often are more concerned

Participants at NIGERIA Fallen Heroes workshop at UniAbuja.

about the benefits that they could derive from a venture than the sacrifice for their country. Unlike in the more advanced societies where people are always eager to contribute towards the development of the communities, Nigerian society seems averse to the concept of volunteerism and selfless service. In a bid to change the tide and establish a new order, it has been argued that there must be an attitudinal revolution needed to bring about a complete new mindset and orientation. This may have influenced the decision of a non-governmental organisation, the Nigeria Fallen Heroes Project (NFHP) to take the campaign for volunteerism and increased awareness for nation building to the university environment. The NFHP is collaborating with the Ministry of Defence and the Nigerian Legion of Ex-Servicemen to mobilise about 200,000 youths who will participate in a massive fund drive towards the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration. The mobilisation campaign took the form of a workshop designed to enlighten undergraduates of the University of Abuja and other tertiary institutions on

The idea of sensitising the university community... was to get the students to imbibe the spirit of volunteerism

the essence of selfless service to the fatherland. In one of the lectures delivered during the workshop, Dr. Emmanuel Nnamuchi, a lecturer at the Anambra State University of Science and Technology, spoke about 'the role of community development in nation building'. Nnamuchi said that "nation building is about building the tangible and intangible threads that hold a political entity together and gives it a sense of purpose." Community development, he said, is usually preceded by community service. The fallen heroes The promoters of the project are of the opinion that honouring the fallen heroes by providing succour to their families is a moral duty as well as an aspect of nation building which the government and citizens cannot afford to ignore anymore. The decision to look in the direction of the academic environment for this attitudinal transformation was said to have emanated from the belief that the younger generation holds the torch to the future. According to NFHP Director of Student's Affairs, Nnamuchi,

"Universities are the most appropriate grounds for the intellectual incubation of our leaders of tomorrow; and the greatest apparatus of socio-economic development.â&#x20AC;? The project, he explained, was designed to provide a fertile ground for cross fertilization of ideas, expected to impact positively on the NFHP. He also stressed that the group wants the young people to understand the concept of community service, which refers to "a donated service or activity performed by an individual or a group of people for the well-being and benefit of the public." National Coordinator, NFHP, Dr. Kenneth Ibe-Kalu, also said that the idea of sensitising the university community on the fallen heroes project was to get the students to imbibe the spirit of volunteerism. He enjoined the young people to contribute their own quota towards alleviating the hardship of the families of these people " who died to let us live." Ibe-Kalu argued that volunteerism is a universal norm designed to promote goodness and improve the quality of human life. Ibe-kalu explained that the one-day national sensitisation workshop was for the purpose of creating synergy with Deans of Students Affairs and all National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) state coordinators, who are expected to mobilise the youth to key into the fund drive project. He noted that the NFHP as a Public Private Partnership is collaborating with Nigerian Legion with the approval from the Ministry of Defence to massively promote the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations. According to him, the youth will participate in the fund drive by selling the Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem. Apart from inculcating the spirit of volunteerism in the hearts of these young people, the exercise will also be empowered economically. On the procedure for the fund drive, he explained that as President Buhari is expected to flag off the Armed Forces Remembrance in November, the youth who will participate in the drive will directly sell the Emblems. He further explained that students from over 250 tertiary institutions in Nigeria and NYSC members will be participating in the donation drive. The funds, he also noted, are for the welfare of the families of the fallen heroes who have made enormous sacrifices for the unity of Nigeria. In his keynote address, the Chairman, Tradewyse Concept Ltd, a private company that is promoting the Nigeria Fallen Heroes Project, Gen. Suleiman Sa'id (rtd), said that going by available statistics, Nigeria has been rated among the lowest countries in terms of remembering the fallen heroes. He said that it was the desire to change that orientation and status that his organisation is promoting the project intended to be a catalyst for the needed change.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Features

A man at a local distillery PHOTOS: ONLINE

Ogogoro: Death in a local bottle

mportation of many brands of alcoholic beverages, most of which are fake and substandard, into Nigeria has both impact on health of Nigerians and the nation’s economy. Over $500 million goes out of the country for importation of the alcoholic beverages. As the country grapples with its present economic recession, such huge amount of money could have been put to use to build local production, boost export and provide over 30 per cent jobs to youths. All these are missing even as the nation looks at different sources to build and reinvigorate her mono- economy. Speaking with New Telegraph on the development, the National Coordinator, Association of Raw Gin Producers of Nigeria (ARGPON), Mr. Wilson Boakpo,

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

Many consumers of local gin, ogogoro, lose their lives because fraudulent distillers give them ethanol instead of gin, report STANLEY IHEDIGBO and EZURIKE UGOCHUKWU described the current trend as unhealthy and a setback to the growth of the nation’s economy. ARGPON is an umbrella body of raw gin producers and dealers in the country. Boakpo said Nigeria had the potential of producing the over 800 million litres of gin consumed annually and more for export. This, according to him, is possible with the abundant raw materials as, palm wine, corn, sugarcane and cassava, the consumption of raw ethanol mixed in water. The consumption of ethanol has proven to be a major cause of the death of consumers of local gin which has several names such as ‘Ogogoro,’ ‘Kaikai,’ ‘Akpeteshi,’ ‘Sken,’ ‘Akpuruachia,’ ‘Paraga,’ among others. In recent times in Rivers and Ondo states over 30 persons lost their lives to the consumption of ethanol. According to Boakpo, the consumption of fake and adulterated gin has taken root among Nigerian gin consumers, the majority of who do not have the discerning ability to differentiate between the real distilled gins among the bourgeoning brand names. Boakpo expressed worry that over 80 per cent of consumers of

80 per cent of consumers of the local gin consume adulterated gin got from ethanol only

the local gin consume adulterated gin got from ethanol only, which comes into the country largely unregulated. He said: “Ethanol, no doubt, constitutes some essential ingredients in the production of gin, but what we experience today is a situation some fake and unregistered dealers buy some quantities of ethanol. In their secret homes, they add some litres of water into the ethanol; agitate it and start selling it to consumers at a little fee which accounts for one of the reasons most people consume those fake and killer gins. A situation the regulatory agency, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has vehemently kicked against as out of standard and rules. “It was the need to forestall like the current absurd situation which has bedevilled the local gin production and consumption that one of the founding fathers of our union, which was known then as Nigerian Distillers Association (NDA), Dr. Tai Solarin, championed the cause of a research test into the desirability of the beverage, which was carried out at the University of Lagos Chem-

istry Laboratory by Dr. Femi Odeyemi. The research gave clean bill to the distilling and consumption of the local beverage which is contrary to the pattern being practiced in different hideaways today.” Boakpo said that ARGPON had come to the rescue, to correct the wrong impression of gin by the public, rebrand it, as well as restore confidence in his members, who until now felt unprotected by the association. “We are making great progress towards packaging our local gins, we have met with substantial number of our local distillers across the states, and we are educating them on modern scientific ways of distilling because NAFDAC can never recognise the present methods. We have been to the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO). We are in the process of fabricating modern equipment that will be used by local distillers. “Our worry, as we learnt, that there are cabals promoting the ethanol gin distilling, knowing quite well that due to hardship, our people will prefer to patronise cheap products in defiance of campaigns against its side effects. We are happy by the change mantra of the present administration. Hoping CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

FEATURES

Distillers rise against killer gin

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

they will encourage local distillers like the Ghanaian government that protects her local distillers by making sure that no importation of any kind of gin is allowed into Nigeria as well as ethanol which is 90 per cent imported into the country,” he said. But according to the ARGPON national coordinator, his members are constrained by the fact they do not have what it takes to differentiate the fake and the genuine gins. At the same time, the real gin is not easy to come by. “If by chance one sees it, it is very expensive. I think that accounts for why many people trying to harness its medicinal value consume anything that comes their way regardless of the numerous warnings from government agencies and ARGPON. “All we need is proper enlightenment as well as making the genuine gin available even though it is pricier,” he added. In his contribution, a registered distiller with ARGPON who is the Managing Director of Soul Investments Limited, Mr. Shobande Olubunmi, said frantic efforts were on to establish a chain for the distribution of the packaged, finished and improved Ogogoro from the source of bush distillers to the final consumers. By so doing, production and sale of crude and contaminated gin (Ogogoro) will be removed from public menu. They will not stop at that, according to him, but will establish an operational task force which will work with the law enforcement agencies across the country to stamp out distillers of killer gins. He said: “It is no longer business as usual. We have the support of the regulatory agencies such as the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and NAFDAC. All we ask for is enabling environment from the government and support from financial agencies.” Olubunmi added that there was plan among the distillers in the country to initiate campaign to change the name of local gin from Ogogoro and that would be with extensive effort of branding of the product. According to him, the stakeholders need to apply control damage about the name Ogogoro when the local gin is properly packaged in the country and the packaging would help in identifying ethanol from the local gin which will enable Nigerians consume the right drink. He said: “If we have a branded bottle of the local gin in the market and there is a complaint from any quarter it would be easy for people to hold someone responsible.” Olubunmi disclosed that he started the business of distilling since he was a youth. According to him, what encourages people to fake and adulterate local gin is the scarcity of the product because Nigerians consume alcoholic drinks no matter the economic situation in the country or their religious beliefs. “If we increase the supply of the product in the country, I believe the local gin will be affordable for Nigerians, as a five-litre of Ogogoro presently is sold for N5,000, while ethanol goes for N2,000 for the same litres, which made it possible for some fraudulent people to buy ethanol and mix it with water and sell it as local gin to consumers. “We are partnering with FIIRO, Oshodi, to help us fabricate more modern distilling equipment that would be af-

A man tasting freshly distilled gin

An array of imported alcoholic beverages with local herbs

A local gin drinker

Boakpo

fordable to distillers in the country,” he added. Olubunmi said boosting local production of gin would contribute to the nation’s economy as well as to the process of distilling gin; other useful products would be made available as raw materials for some manufacturing companies. He said: “It is very important for us to build capacity in the country and we want financial institutions to come into the industry to help by providing funding for the stakeholders. It is a sector full of opportunities for job creation and foreign earning through exportation.” Also, the Managing Director of C. C. & Co International Company, Mr.

Herbs mixed with Ogogoro

Ogbudu Ige, decried the difficulty in accessing loans by the local investors. According to him, the laws and conditions of obtaining loans from commercial banks are very stiff for the local investors. Ige added that it was very easy for the foreign investors to access loans in Nigerian banks than the citizens. A situation which, he said, had discouraged many of the local investors and had forced them out of business. A commercial driver and an ardent consumer of local gin, Mr. Kunle Akiolu, who claimed to have been drinking it for over 10 years, said the consumers were not unaware that most of Ogogoro consumed in the country were only but ethanol.

A woman selling drinks at Ikotun motor park, identified simply as Iya Seun, who was not comfortable to speak with our correspondent, said that she used to buy her local gin from a recognised shop in Mushim, Lagos. She added that her supply had been giving her good local gin for years and which she trusted could not give her what was not good for her customers. One of Iya Seun’s customers, who gave his name simply as Mr. Ekeson, said that he had been drinking from the woman’s shop for years and had not experienced any health-related issue. In Rivers State in 2015, about 70 people were confirmed dead after drinking home-brewed gin that was found to contain a very large amount of methanol, senior health officials said. The permanent secretary in the Rivers State Ministry of Health was quoted as saying that deaths from consuming local gin were recorded in five local government areas in the state. He said: “The death toll recorded from the consumption of ogogoro is about 70.” The Director of the Centre for Disease Control in Rivers State, Nnanna Onyekwere, confirmed the death toll and said there had been 80 reported cases in the five local government areas. “We collected samples of Ogogoro consumed and sent them for laboratory examination. NAFDAC found that the liquor contained large doses of methanol which is injurious to health,” Onyekwere said.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Energy The snags before new oil road map –7BIGWIN

Business

Aviation Foreign airlines’ exit: Opening for Nigerian careers

25 29

What's news Why airlines won’t get new bailout funds

p.24

‘10m skilled workers needed to build 1m houses per year’

p.24

L-R: Managing Director/ CEO, NIBSS, Mr. Adebisi Shonubi; Director, Banking and Payment Systems, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Dipo Fatokun; Head, Process ReEngineering GTB/Co-Chair, BVN Communication/ Publicity Committee, Mrs Yemisi Bayagbon; Director, Banking and Payment System, CBN, Mr. Biyi Dosunmu, and Head , Corporate Affairs and Media, First City Monument Bank (FCMB)/ Co-Chairman, BVN Communication/Publicity Committee, Mr Louis Ibe, at the BVN Project Team/ Bank Champions Dinner organised by NIBSS in Lagos.

Marine contracts cut NNPC’s revenue by $40.15bn in 5 years RESTART NNPC returns to marine crude supply contracts for Warri and Kaduna refineries

Adeola Yusuf

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has officially returned to marine vessel contracts for crude oil supply to Warri and Kaduna refineries, the deals that reduced the corporation’s revenues by $40.15 billion in five years. New Telegraph exclusively gathered at the weekend that the corporation returned to the contracts as a palliative measure for crude supply to the installations after attacks by Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups grounded supply through pipelines. The NNPC confirmed a return to the contract in a document obtained by this newspaper. The corporation added that except for the “Port Harcourt Refining and Petrochemical (PHRC) re-streamed after repairs of vandalised pipeline, other refineries, particularly the Warri Refining and

Petrochemical Company (WRPC), are on with crude supply by vessels.” The corporation, the document revealed, “resorted to the new marine contracts following the failure of the pipelines’ network, which evacuates crude oil from well heads to the refineries.” For five out of about seven years that Escravos/Warri and Bonny/ Port Harcourt crude pipelines were shut down, the NNPC revenues were down by $40.15 billion on an annual average loss of $8.03 billion. Although details of the new contracts were sketchy as at the time of this report, Heavy vessels Contractors, MC Cosmic and MC Jewel, an earlier documents showed, would collect between $12 million and $15 million per daily transfer of about one million metric tonnes crude to Warri refinery. These heavy vessels would later need to load crude and transfer to smaller vessels. The cost of the smaller vessels, a source close to the deals told this newspaper, ranges from $6 – $7 million per day, adding that the smaller vessels are also expected to later move the crude to terminals where trucks would have to load to the refineries at another operational cost. The new contracts, which have, according to checks, raised the loss-

$15 million Being the amount collected daily by heavy vessels contractors, MC Cosmic and MC Jewel, for transfer of about one million metric tonnes crude to Warri refinery

es in refineries to over N1.27 billion, was consummated first with NIDAS Marine Limited last September following the cancellation of crude oil delivery contract with Ocean Marine Transport (OMT). “The new deals were re-tendered and awarded on a stop-and-go basis, meaning that it ceases to exist when the pipelines begin to work,” the NNPC noted, adding that it resorted “to the delivery of crude oil to the refineries by marine vessels following incessant attacks on the Bonny-Port Harcourt refinery pipeline and the Escravos crude pipelines.” Describing the contracts as rigorous and transparent process, the corporation had said in a statement that the move was to secure capable and competitive contractors for the delivery of crude oil by marine vessels to Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries pending the restoration of the crude oil pipeline infrastructure. The contracts were stopped in the first quarter of 2016 following the shutdown of the refineries. When these pipelines were attacked last January, NNPC said it swiftly shut down the facilities and ended the contracts. Before this, the contracts with OMT were CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE Sept 2016 ..............................17.9% August 2016 ...........................17.6% July 2016...............................17.1%

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

EXCHANGE RATE (Parallel Market as at October 28

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N470 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N565 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N505

l Foreign Reserves – $49.59bn as at 28/10/2016

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at October 28)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N305.5 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N373 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N333

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |news

Why airlines won’t get new bailout funds CAVEAT One of the conditions for the bailout is that they have to open their books to scrutiny every year

Wole Shadare

here are indications that the Federal Government is not disposed to assisting Nigerian carriers through another round of bail out, as pressure mounts on government to do so.

Marine contracts cut NNPC’s revenue by $40.15bn in 5 years CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

cancelled in September 2015. “The marine crude delivery contracts were awarded to serve as an alternative to pipeline supply, but what we have now is that the contracts are no more healthy,” said the NNPC. The multimillion dollar contract with OMT founded by the former Chairman of Skye Bank, Mr. Tunde Ayeni and Edo Stateborn business mogul, Capt. Hosa Okunbor, among other investors, was cancelled in September 2015, because it was said to have being paid for even when crude oil was not being delivered to the refineries. Another reason given for the cancellation of the contracts was irregularities in their award. Besides, the corporation frowned at the terms of the contract. In the new evaluation by the new management, it also faulted some of the terms of the contract agreed on by the former management of the corporation. As a stopgap measure, NNPC engaged NIDAS Marine Limited to provide crude delivery service to its refineries on a negotiated industry standard rate, pending the establishment of a substantive contract. An oil and gas expert who craved anonymity based on implication that a full disclosure of his name could have on NNPC’s relationship with his company, said; “The concept of using marine vessels to supply crude oil to the refineries is an exercise in self-deceit.” He said using marine supply crude oil feedstock to Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries is short sighted, as it might be vulnerable. He added that NNPC must confront the issue of security of oil and gas facilities once and for all. “The issue of ship-to-ship transfer, which NNPC employed to get crude oil to the refineries, is very unsustainable and a good platform for corruption because of its byzantine modules that involves different interests at different points,” he said. Besides, he disclosed that the same scenario is replayed to get the crude to the Port Harcourt refineries.

New Telegraph learnt that the airlines under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had written many petitions to government to consider fresh bail out for them, which it has turned down with condition that they would be subjected to periodic financial audit of their books at the end of every financial year. Another reason government is reluctant to give them money has to do with paucity of funds occasioned by the recession the country is currently going through. To show commitment to the carriers, government had excluded them from payment of duties on aircraft and aircraft parts. This has saved the carriers enormous foreign exchange they would have spent to bring in their equipment into the country. Just recently, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, secured a special sectorial allocation of forex for Airline Operators in the Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) for

airline operators. This is to further engender market confidence, ensure access to forex by the airlines and sustain the integrity of the Nigerian Inter-bank forex market. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had resolved pursuant to the minister’s show of concern to intervene in the inter-bank forex market through forward settlement. For clarity, the Special Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) – Retail is an important one-off exercise dedicated to the clearance of the backlog of matured forex obligation for airlines. It is expected that this is a major window for those airlines that had earlier ceased their operations to recommence in earnest. Therefore, with this intervention comes a landmark incentive for both local and foreign operators to carry out safe, secure and lucrative operations in Nigeria. In addition, all scheduled and mandatory checks, which are done in the diaspora, will be un-

dertaken with this leverage at a reduced cost. Speaking on the development, aviationsecurityconsultant,Group John Ojikutu (rtd), said there seem to be no end to airlines operators’ financial desires or wants. His words: “Yet they remain financially insolvent and perpetually in debt to major safety services providers in the sector, including fuel marketers, insurance, aircraft spares vendors, staff salaries many months in arrears and they provide very poor services and comfort to air travellers and have very short lifespan and exit the sector silently, still in debts.” Ojikutu alleged that Nigerian domestic private airlines operators and their politically-exposed supporters in and out of government know their ways to drawing funds from our commonwealth in government coffers for their benefits alone without considering the consequences of their actions on the overall social economic wellbeing of Nigerians. He stated that the present situations of these airlines and govern-

ment services providers are of serious concern, adding that the situations need proper scrutiny and investigation by the National Assembly if the aviation committee members of both chambers of the House would not want to be seen as accomplices in what has now become deliberate exploitation of “our commonwealth by some few individuals’ proxy to senior government officials in the Presidency.” Ojikutu recalled that according to official source from the CBN at one of the Senate public hearings in 2012, the intervention was not meant for the beneficiaries to refleet their airlines but specifically, for them to pay their debts to the banks. This act of intervention in private businesses with public funds, according to him, was done by whosoever authority and approval without necessarily finding out the airlines debt portfolios and the natures of the debts and without the knowledge of the responsible authority in the ministry of Aviation.

L-R: Guest Speaker, Chidi Anameje; Chairman of the occasion, Olusola Ajayi; Chief Marketing Officer, Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc, Steve Ajudua and Chief Executive Officer, Almond Production Limited, Faith Ughwode, during the 2016 Insurance Consumer’s Forum, in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

‘10m skilled workers needed to build 1m houses per year’ GROWING Investment inflow into Nigeria’s construction industry to hit $9.4 billion by 2021

Dayo Ayeyemi

or the Federal Government to actualise its goal of constructing one million houses in a year, it would require at least five to 10 million skilled workers from key trades in the built environment, New Telegraph has learnt. Such experts include masonry, carpentry, steel fabrication, plumbing, electrician, tiling and painting. Project Director, Construction Skills Training and Empowerment project (C-STEmp), Professor Anthony Okwa, a builder, disclosed these at the 2016 Builders’ Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos. He said a huge number of skilled workers would be required to meet the urgent and very criti-

cal housing and infrastructure needs across the country. Okwa noted that various authorities have predicted that the nation’s construction sector has great potential irrespective of on-going economic recession, but that dearth of skill workers might mar the predicted growth. Relying on the 2010 report by Global Construction Perspective and Oxford Economics, which predicted that from 2009 to 2020 only Nigeria and India will experience higher growth rates than China in their construction output due to their rates of urbanisation, Okwa stated that dearth of skilled manpower to cope with the growth might serve as bottleneck. He said: “According to Business Monitor International’s first quarter report of 2012, investment inflow into Nigeria’s construction industry will attain $9.4 billion by 2021. However, an independent study in 2011 suggests that the current shortage of construction skills in Nigeria may prove a significant obstacle.”

While decrying shortage of skilled manpower and lack of interest in vocational trainings in the country, the director general urged government and stakeholders to do something urgent about it before the bubble busts. Critical to any nation’s infrastructural development and housing delivery, Okwa said, was the quality and quantity of skilled manpower, artisans and craftsmen, noting that there has been lack of interest in technical education, describing it as “one of the major bottlenecks in the nation’s quest to produce artisans in the country.” He explained that immediate effect of dearth of artisans in the country was noticed in high cost of construction, noting that the nation is losing huge sums of money to artisans and craftsmen from neighbouring countries. Despite high rate of unemployment in the country, he noted that indigenous artisans have not taken the bull by the horns to hone their skills for employability.

In this circumstance, Okwa said there was an urgent and critical need to develop local capacity and skills to ameliorate the situation, “not only towards new housing provision, but also to forestall systemic collapse of the existing infrastructure and housing stock.” He described housing and infrastructure development as a product of construction that required adequate planning and use of resources within the natural environment culminating into enormously dynamic complex system. Contributions of teams of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled manpower, he said, have become a major requirement for the effective and efficient delivery of housing and infrastructure. While emphasising the need to build skilled manpower for the construction sector, former Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Dipo Lewis, noted that remuneration for the nation’s artisans and craftsmen was too low compared to their counterpart in other climes.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

energy

Just like it was hailed during the previous administration, last Thursday, the Federal Government launched a road map for the oil industry christened 7BigWins. ADEOLA YUSUF, in this report, examines seven hurdles that, if not checked, may rubbish this noble initiative.

resident Muhammadu Buhari displayed sufficient knowledge about the trouble ahead for the new oil road map launched last Thursday, using the larger part of his address at the launch to discuss measures government intends to take to make the programme a success. The elements of the plan outlined are: a business environment and investment drive, transparency and efficiency, stakeholder management and international coordination, gas revolution and finally refineries and local production capacity. Nigeria, the president added, was also considering asset sales and wants to improve the investment climate and enable development of the nation’s gas assets. The country’s crude production was previously at 1.8 million barrels a day, compared with the 1.9 million bpd the Petroleum Ministry announced earlier last week. This new production notwithstanding government, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu added, hoped to get back to 2.2 million bpd next year - the level seen at the start of 2016. “We have a capacity to produce three million,” he said. While a few of the hurdles ahead of the oil roadmap were addressed, this write up intends to explore the issues and others that were left unaddressed. Kachikwu, Baru’s cold war The alleged cold war between the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Kachikwu and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Mainkanti Baru, is a major hurdle ahead of the oil road map. Although Kachiwku and Baru who have for some time not been seen together at any oil and gas fora have, through their aides, debunked the “rumour” of the cold war, checks showed that the two important figures in the successful implementation of the roadmap are still neck deep in wrangling traced to the scheming that led to the emergence of Baru and displacement of Kachikwu as NNPC boss. Generally, this issue must be addressed and failure to do so will make huge mess of the entire process. The two actors must

Oil rig. Inset: Buhari, Kachikwu

The snags before new oil road map –7BigWins not only work together but must also be seeing by all and sundry as working together in harmony. Niger Delta questions With the promise of driving $10 billion infrastructural investments to the Niger Delta region, the president intends to address the renewed militancy in the region, which had dipped the country’s crude production by over 700,000 barrels per day in June. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. ibe Kachikwu, added that ending the insurgency in region is the first goal of a seven-point plan for the petroleum industry. Kachikwu added: “Our target is to ensure zero militancy in the area. This planned meeting shows the level of interest the president has to ensure peace in the area.” The $10 billion investment, he noted, is “not necessarily” going to come from theFederal Government, but rather from “oil companies, investors and individuals.” President Muhammadu Buhari is billed to meet representatives of militant groups and community leaders from the Niger Delta in Abuja this week in a bid to end the attacks. Despite this, the way and manner government is able to address the Niger Delta question will go a long way to determine the success or failure of the oil road map. Militants in-fighting The divisions in the oil-rich Delta undermine Nigeria’s bid to end insurgency. The incident of persistent blockage of oil companies’ facilities must address when government meets community leaders and militants in Abuja next week in an attempt to end armed attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta, which had reduced oil output by a third earlier this year. Officials hope the meeting which will be attended by Presi-

It would be impossible to move forward without the oil industry

dent Muhammadu Buhari - will lead to an agreement for militants to lay down their arms in exchange for funds for the region that produces most of Nigeria’s oil. But divisions between the militant groups and the communities where they live, as well as disputes among different groups of residents, will make it hard to reach a deal. Community leaders warn that if they do not receive development funds, it will be hard to keep their jobless young men away from the militant groups. “An amnesty in 2009 between the previous government and the militants provided about $300 million a year in cash payments and job training to stop the fighters blowing up pipelines,” a report by Reuters stated. “But much of the money ended up in the pockets of the militants’ leaders, known as “generals.” This made them rich and favoured their ethnic groups and villages, while angering those left out of the spending spree,” the report added. The issue bubbled to the surface during the two-week protest at Chevron last August, as the unemployed demonstrators demanded access to a development programme funded by the US firm that has benefited other areas. “The oil producing communities were having rivalry among themselves,” said Thank-God Seibi, special assistant to the Delta State Governor. “They had a power tussle on who controls ... Chevron’s community development strategy embracing all the oil producing communities.” Oil price rout and production dip Currently, Nigeria is contending with the price rout rocking crude, its biggest revenue earner. This is made worse by the general dip in production. The price rout is a major factor contending with success of

the oil roadmap. The IOCs The Federal Government is, at the moment, in a cat and mouse relationship with international oil companies whose cooperation and support government needs for the success of the oil roadmap. Government is in partnership with the IOCs on all its joint ventures and production (PSC). Recession Nigeria’s economy is in recession and this is seen as a big deal for the 7BIGWIN. While government has emphasised diversifying the economy as way of addressing this economic downtime, Buhari however, said that it would be impossible to move forward without the oil industry. “Oil and gas resources still remain the most immediate and practical keys out of our present economic crisis,” Buhari said, and the plan for the industry is “a national imperative and a core thrust of our economic policy.” Foot-dragging with the PIB The seven-part strategy also envisaged passing a long-delayed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) by December. The bill, which covers everything from an overhaul of state oil company, NNPC, to taxes on upstream projects, was delayed by corruption, ethnic mistrust and violence in the Delta, which at one point cut production to 30-year lows. The first part is already pending in the Senate and Kachikwu said the second part, which deals with fiscal aspects of the petroleum industry, is “almost completed” and will be presented to the oil industry in the next week or two. Conclusion Government, therefore, needs to address these seven hurdles to guarantee the success the 7 BIGWINS.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Energy

Oil & gas freight: FG cuts foreign control to 40% LAUDABLE Ghana, Kenya, Gabon and Oman have also adopted some of the local content models

Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government has reduced the foreign vessels dominance in the oil and gas freight services to 40 per cent. A document of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), which revealed this, maintained that the feat was achieved between 2010 and 2016. “The number of Nigerian vessel owners in the oil and gas industry have increased to about 60 per cent of the total operators - a marked improvement on what obtained in 2010 when the Act was enacted,” the document read. Describing Nigerian Content as a national security imperative, the NCDMB document noted that the Nigerian oil and gas industry must depend on Nigerian owned assets and personnel to avoid a scenario where the sector is forced to shut down because foreign owned assets or expatriates have to be withdrawn due to insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea region, diplomatic tensions or outbreak of an epidemic in the country. “Spend on procurement of manufactured goods gulp over

50 per cent of contracts budgets, much more than other elements like fabrication, construction and engineering,” the document added. This, the document explained, informed the emphasis of Nigerian Content implementation on in-country manufacturing and domiciliation of industry activities “because of their capacity to create employment, retain spend in the economy and contribute to national industrialisation.” Meanwhile, the Nigerian defence community has been advised to adopt the Local Content Policy in their operations, particularly in the manufacturing and maintenance of security equipment and development of software. Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote, gave the advice in Abuja during a lec-

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has shed light on reasons its Group Managing Director, Dr. Mainkanti Baru, ran to the headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to seek partnership few hours after the bombing of Chevron’s Escravos export line. NNPC said in a statement that its GMD and NPF pledged “to work more closely together to tackle the incessant attacks on oil and gas facilities across the country,” after the meeting. “Speaking during the event, Dr Baru drew the attention of the police to the growing insecurity around oil and gas facilities with the latest being the attack on the Chevron gas pipeline in Delta State.” The GMD according to the statement, explained that the attacks on oil and gas facilities are taking a toll on the national budget with mas-

Nigerians, skills acquisition, local manufacturing and asset ownership and prompted sectors such as power, telecommunications, and construction to adopt the policy. Wabote added that countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Gabon and Oman have also adopted some of the local content models implemented in Nigeria. He explained that NCDMB is implementing the Nigerian Content Act using a four-pronged approach that focussed on Manufacturing and Infrastructure, Human Capital and Technology, Supplier Development and Funding and Asset Ownership. The Executive Secretary expressed satisfaction that the Board’s participation at the Defence College event in 2015 resulted in the partnership the military has forged with Oildata Wireline Ser-

vices - an indigenous service company. The duo collaborated in the deployment of fiber optic technology for pipeline monitoring and protection between Ugheli and Kwale, Delta State in 2015 and set up of Oilfield shaped charge manufacturing facility in Nigeria in partnership with the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). He also explained that the Board’s Expatriate Quota Policy regulates the participation of expatriates in the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry through the issuance of biometric cards after confirmation that such skills are not available locally. The policy also assists the Board to electronically track their length of stay, compliance with provided succession plans and expected date of exit.

Gas plant

Chevron pipeline: ‘Why NNPC boss ran to Police’ Adeola Yusuf

ture to participants of the Nigerian Defence College, Course 25. He charged military authorities to also consider adopting Local Content in the production of security clothing, construction of security vessels and include the policy in other security contracts, especially in offshore locations and maritime facilities. The Executive Secretary, whose paper centred on “Local Content Policies and National Security: An Assessment of the Oil & Gas Sector,” pledged the support of the Board to the Defence Community in developing a unique local content policy that would fit its operations. He said the implementation of Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry has yielded enormous achievements, including employment generation for thousands of

sive shortfalls in revenue as well huge losses in petroleum products, environmental degradation, refineries shutdown and loss of lives. “He called on the police boss to deploy police personnel to all oil and gas facilities, adding that the corporation was ready to provide whatever support that is needed for enhanced security,” the NNPC statement signed by Group General Manager, Group Public affairs, Mallam Garba Deen Muhammad, stated. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, who received Baru at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, stated that the police had enjoyed long-standing cooperation with NNPC and expressed optimism that such collaboration would continue. He said the police was working on a number of strategies to build capacity for effective policing of the difficult terrain where some of the oil and gas facilities are located.

OPEC officials disagree on oil supplies’ curb model

he Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) officials meeting in Vienna to work out the details of their plan to reduce oil production failed to reach agreement after hours of talks last weekend. This came amid objections by Iran, which has been reluctant to even freeze its output, OPEC sources said. The high level committee of experts will meet again in Vienna on November 25 ahead of the next meeting of OPEC ministers on Nov. 30, to “finalise individual quotas”, one source said. They will also meet as scheduled on Saturday with representatives of non-OPEC producers, which OPEC wants help from in curbing supplies. “Yes, we continue tomorrow with non-OPEC,” one of the sources said. “(There was) no complete agreement today since Iran refuses to freeze production. We didn’t finish all. We are looking to the next meeting on November 25 to

finalise individual quotas,” Rigzone reported quoting another source said. The meeting of the High Level Committee is comprised mainly of OPEC governors and national representatives - officials who report to their respective ministers. Talks lasted just over 11 hours last Friday with Iran appearing to be the main sticking point. “There is no agreement yet, all agree except Iran,” one OPEC source said, adding Iran was asking for an exemption. OPEC had agreed last month in Algiers to reduce their production of crude oil to a range of 32.50 million to 33 million barrels per day, OPEC’s first output cut since 2008, in an effort to prop up prices. But from the outset the proposed plan faced potential setbacks with Iraq wanting to be exempt from cuts and countries including Iran, Libya and Nigeria whose output has been hit by sanctions or

conflict also wanting to raise their output. “It is getting complicated,” a delegate said before the meeting began on Friday. Every day there is a new issue coming up.” However, other OPEC officials including Secretary-General Mohammed Barkindo remained optimistic. “Our deliberations today, and tomorrow with some non-OPEC producers, could very well have fundamental ramifications for the market, as well as for the medium to long term of the industry,” Barkindo said in a speech on the opening day of the two-day meeting, according to a text provided by OPEC. The committee does not decide policy and will instead make recommendations to the next OPEC ministerial meeting on Nov. 30. Iraq, OPEC’s second-biggest producer, said earlier this week that it would not cut output and should be exempted from any curbs, as it needs funds to fight Islamic State.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Homes&Property

Units of luxury apartments in Caltongate Estate, Lekki, Lagos

orried by an ageing workforce and a poor pipeline of young people, professionals, under the auspices of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), have canvassed the need to adopt PPP in order to phase out skills crisis rocking their sector. This is one of the strategies agreed on at the end of a two-day Conference/Annual General Meeting of Lagos chapter of NIOB. At the confab, most of the builders emphasised the need for the private sector to establish training centres in partnership with government, while the latter was tasked to overhaul all technical schools in the country for training and retraining of artisans in order to bridge skills gap in the construction sector. The stakeholders said that it had become imperative for them to invest more energy and resources in vocational training for the required workforce, who would in turn impact on the productivity of the nation’s infrastructure and housing development. Experts’ views Speaking at the event, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Dipo Lewis, canvassed PPP in skills development for the construction sector. Such PPP, he said, would engender skills acquisition and a structured accreditation process in transforming the country. He observed that the current dependence on foreign artisans, contractors and consultants without emphasis on relevant transfer of knowledge and skills to Nigerians was a fundamentally flawed policy that needs to be reversed through PPP. He said: “It is an accepted and established policy of international organisations and bodies like the United

Skill gap: Builders mull public-private partnership

With dearth of skilled manpower spreading rapidly across all sectors of the economy, professional builders in the country are tinkering with the idea of public-private partnership (PPP) to bridge the gap in construction. Dayo Ayeyemi reports Nations and similar agencies that skills are to be transferred when foreign companies are engaged in emerging economies. We need to harness this opportunity to our benefit.” Opportunities to develop skills acquisition through PPP, Lewis said, included the establishment of a training and accreditation structure for skills acquisition in the construction industry; development of training academies and schools for structured training and establishment of structured practical training programme on construction sites, among others. Project Director, Construction Skills Training and Empowerment project (C-STEmp), Professor Anthony Okwa, a builder, warned that a large number of skilled workers would be required to meet the urgent and very critical housing and infrastructure needs across the country. He stated that various authorities had predicted that the nation’s construction sector has great potential irrespective of on-going economic recession, but that dearth of skilled workers might mar the predicted growth. Contributions of skilled, semiskilled and unskilled manpower, he said, had become a major requirement for the effective and efficient delivery of housing and infrastructure. While decrying shortage of skilled manpower and lack of interest in vocational trainings in the country, the director

If an organisation expects to have a highly skilled workforce, it must be prepared to develop those workers in a variety of ways

general warned government and stakeholders to do something urgently about it before the bubble busts. Critical to any nation’s infrastructural development and housing delivery, Okwa said, was the quality and quantity of skilled manpower, artisans and craftsmen, noting that there had been lack of interest in technical education, which he described as “one of the major bottlenecks in the nation’s quest to produce artisans in the country.” Okwa said there was an urgent and critical need to develop local capacity and skills to ameliorate the situation, “not only towards new housing provision, but also to forestall systemic collapse of the existing infrastructure and housing stock.” On his part, a former lecturer at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Mr. Kolawole Borokini, pointed out that a major problem in construction sector was how to reconcile the need for manpower that is capable of high productivity in carrying out simplified sequential operations and a substantial number of craftsmen capable of high skilled work. If an organisation expects to have a highly skilled workforce, he advised that it must be prepared to develop those workers in a variety of ways, saying that the most effective could be coaching and mentoring. “Training should be centered on skills and technologies in order

to close or at least mitigate any gap,” he said. Introduction of NVQF Okwa stated that a recent positive development for vocational training in the industry was the adoption of a six-level National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF) for the country. The framework as approved by the Federal Government makes for recognition and certification of skills and vocations outside the school system, thus enabling their placement in the scheme of service both in public and private sectors. NVQF is a system for the development, classification and recognition of skills, knowledge and competencies acquired by individuals, irrespective of where and how the training or skill was acquired. The system gives clear statement of what the learner must know or be able to do whether the learning took place in a classroom, on the job, or less formally. Conclusion In order to stop capital flight valued at N9 billion per annum through the influx of foreign artisans, craftsmen and technicians in the country, all hands must be on deck to ensure the skills gap in the nation’s construction sector is bridged by constant training and retraining of workers.

Business | Homes & Property

Mr. Olufemi Odetunmibi is the Chairman, Association of Private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN), Lagos State branch. In this interview with DAYO AYEYEMI, he speaks on the importance of surveying to national development and why government must engage the services of surveyors for policy implementation.

hat has been the role of APPSN in the growth and development of Nigeria? There is no way you talk about development and growth that you will not talk about surveyors. We always say that surveying is the bedrock of all sustainable and meaningful development. So, everywhere you see growth, development and advancement, a surveyor must have passed through the place. And in our association, we keep encouraging our members to ensure that they practice ethically and do things in the right way to ensure that right foundations are always established for every form of development. So, in a way, you could see that we are contributing to the foundation of the national development.

‘Surveying is bedrock of sustainable development’

What does the Association of Private Practicing Surveyors (APPSN) represent? APPSN re presents registered surveyors that are in private practice coming together for a common good, to foster their interest and economic wellbeing. It is a sub group within the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS). Is government making use of surveyors as at when due? Well, as at now, the answer is no. There have been some form of involvement but it can be better. We should ask ourselves; why do we have a lot of decay and lots of things that are not passing the test of time? The simple answer to that is that the right foundations were not laid. For example, if you want to do a road construction and you want to talk about designs, the alignments Odetunmibi must be given to you by a surveyor based on which not be able to ascertain how you can come up with your effective that particular construction is going to be. design. After construction, do We will always request that we get back to find out surveyors be involved right whether that construction from the conception stage was actually done in to the construction stage to accordance to the designs? ensure that contractor does not If we do not, then we may shortchange the government.

Quantity surveyors sharpen skills on global standards Dayo Ayeyemi

n order to attract global investment to the country, professionals, under the auspices of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Lagos chapter, are already grilling themselves on international measurement standards in their practice. The professionals, who met in Lagos for a one-day workshop, were enlightened on how inter national measurement standards will improve qualities of their services to client in terms of management and assurance. Ju s t i f y i n g the importance of the training, NIQS Deputy President, Mr Obafemi Onashile, pointed out that globalisation had made it possible for indigenous quantity surveyors to compete favourable with their counterpart around the world, hence the need to be familiar with international standards of measurement. He noted that NIQS was considered very

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

important in the world due to the level of service rendered to clients, hence the need for international benchmarking. He said: “Quantity surveyors in Nigeria are at par with international standards. The level of standard for surveyors is one of the best in the world. We are being sought for all over the world.” Chair man, NIQS Lagos Chapter, Mrs. Adenike Ayanda, while stating the importance of the workshop, noted that sound measurement was fundamental to property markets, as it underpins decisions made by all property users and provides a tool for comparison. She pointed out that financial institutions, investors, clients, consultants and contractors stand to benefit from international construction measurement standards. Director, Property Standards, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Chair of the International Ethics Standards Coalition, Peter Bolton King, stated

that professional quantity surveyors would need to embrace international standards in order to help them provide transparency, certainty and higher standards in their practice. Besides, he said that it would help them to enhance or rebuild trust, reduce confusion and reposition the importance of ethi “It will enhance necessary elements to stimulate investment and growth and importantly de-risk decision,” he said. According to him, developers would have the ability to attract foreign clients while the government would be able to promote market transparency and i nv e s t m e n t potential through international standards of measurement. Besides, he stated that embracing international standards by professionals would help multinationals to have better understanding of property portfolio, while members of the public would have confidence in government and markets.

It is only surveyors that can give you information that will help you know that a particular construction has been done in accordance to the design or not. So, we will request that the services of surveyor should be sought if we want to move forward as a nation.

A closer look at unfolding events these days indicate flooding everywhere and there are reports that it is because surveyors are not carried along to determine flood prone places. What is your take on this? The opinion is 100 per cent correct, and you will also see that from what I have said previously. You have specifically asked about flood, we want to ask, how many of our states can give their flood plain maps? Water, they say, will always find its level. Water must flow, so if you do not create a channel for water to flow, when it comes, it will overrun whatever you have in place on its course. So, how many of our states have a flow channel map, how many of our states monitor the state of these channels periodically before the rains come? How many of our states get to ensure that there is flow in all of our drainages and the flood channels? The only professionals that can give you all these information are surveyors.

Bon Hotels plans expansion to 37 Nigerian cities

he management of BON Hotels, a hospitality company that owns, manages and markets hotels throughout Africa, has disclosed plans to complete construction works of additional three new hotels in Apo - Abuja , Ado Ekiti in Ekiti State and Owerri in Imo State in 2018. These properties, BON Hotels’ founder and Chief Executive Officer, Guy Stehlik, said in a statement, were additions to the seven newly refurbished and rebranded assets located in different areas in the country. The refurbished properties include BON Hotel Grand Towers, BON Hotel Stratton Asokoro, BON Hotel Abuja, BON Hotel Delta, Protea Hotel Ikeja, and Protea Hotel Victoria Island. Speaking at the official launch of BON Hotel Stratton Asokoro in Abuja, Stehlik said that the company’ s plan was to build first class standard hotels in 37 locations in Nigeria and 30 places in Africa over

the next 10 years. He explained that with nine hotels across five cities in Nigeria, and the potential of 36 states with their own cities and towns, Nigeria had endless opportunities. Justifying his firm’s investment in the country, he said: “With Nigeria being more than ready for tourism and economically viable powerhouse of Africa, she offers huge potential in the hospitality landscape.” Chairman, Africa Alliance Group, Gregory Ozegbe, who is engaged in a joint venture agreement with BON Hotels on new projects, said the firm was positioned with the support of shareholders and strategic partners across the world to embark on the ambitious expansion in Nigeria. He said: “Over the past year, BON Hotels has undertaken an aggressive rebranding and refurbishment campaign of their hotels in Nigeria, with creative input from Delta Design Studio, a specialist

hospitality interior design and procurement company. “The hotels will be positioned as international 4-star, boutique-style, fullservice hotels, at affordable prices, offering personal, friendly and efficient service that is synonymous with BON Hotels’ operating standards.” Stehlik said that the company had rolled out the upgrades with minimum fuss - the hotels are operating as usual with all staff and general managers remaining in place, adding that his group was also committed to training and empowering Nigerians. Director of BON Hotels International West Africa, Bernard Cassar, said: “With many larger groups exiting their business interests in Nigeria, we believe that now is the time to support the country that has given us decades of success and we will continue to add value to the local hospitality industry.”

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AVIATION

Foreign airlines’ exit: Opening for Nigerian careers While foreign carriers are withdrawing their services, Nigerian airlines should see it as an opportunity to win back the market but they lack the wherewithal to do so. WOLE SHADARE reports Awaited opportunity n a normal situation, the exit of foreign airlines from Nigeria should have been welcomed with so much joy because the scaling down of international carriers’ operations or stoppage of service to the country or some routes in Nigeria should have provided Nigerian airlines the opportunity to fill the vacuum they have created. Everything points to the fact that Nigerian carriers are very weak, small and fragmented. They do not have the capacity and capability to call the bluff of these international airlines. For Nigerian airlines to survive and prosper in today’s world, they need a critical mass of aircraft, air traffic and an optimal route network. Arik Air, to its credit, has most of the ingredients to be effective and efficient. It has the largest airline fleet in Nigeria, with over 20 modern aircraft, the largest route network and almost certainly the largest revenue turnover. So, the size and scale of an airline’s operations are important. It is very hard to compete against bigger African and international airlines with just a handful of aircraft.

Airlines’ long suffering For years, airline operators, stakeholders, particularly, members of Aviation Round Table (ART) have been very vociferous in their condemnation of granting multiple designations to foreign airlines, which they claimed have put their businesses in jeopardy. The more they protested, the more foreign carriers open more route network in the country and spread their wings to places such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port-Harcourt and lately to Enugu. Nigeria has Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) with over 40 nations. This underscores the fact that the air transport system is still in the woods. From a few foreign carriers that were flying into Nigeria a few years ago, the number later increased exponentially. From BASA to ‘Open skies’ While BASA is synonymous with European and Gulf

Arik Air and Medview aircraft

carriers, Nigeria also enjoys ‘Open Skies’ pact with the United States. This agreement liberalises air transport between both countries and does not have restrictions on the number of flights that can be designated into each other’s territories. In line with the ‘Open skies’ pact, Delta and United began flight services to Lagos and Abuja with Arik reciprocating. United had since stopped services to Lagos, leaving Delta on the Atlanta-Lagos route. While some countries have activated theirs, only two carriers, Arik and Medview Airlines are weekly competing with these mega carriers. BASA’s are treaties between two nations that agree that flight operations should be done between the two countries based on principle of reciprocity or at best, payment of royalties for the extra frequencies flown by one of the parties. Nigeria’s losses This ugly development is short-changing indigenous carriers as well as the country with foreign airlines remitting over $5 billion out of Nigeria on ticket sales yearly. Apart from multiple entry points into Nigeria, some foreign carriers, before Nigeria fell into recession, had two daily flights out of the Lagos Airport. Emirates Airline, for instance, operated two daily flights out of the Lagos Airport to Dubai. But the airline had, since last June, limited itself to just one daily flight into Lagos. The carrier went a notch further by stopping flight to Abuja last Thursday. The carrier, in a statement, said the decision was made after a review of the airline’s operations, to ensure best utilisation of its aircraft fleet for overall business objectives. With the interruption, the airline is left with once-a-day operation from Lagos. It will be recalled that

Nigeria does not have local airlines that can readily fill the gap and provide the same efficient and high quality service

Emirates, some months ago, ran four flights daily on the Nigerian route, two apiece, from Abuja and Lagos. With the scarcity of foreign exchange and partial devaluation of naira last June, it began to reduce flight operations, while the likes of Iberia and United Airlines, among others, withdrew services. The development might, however, not be exclusive to Nigeria. President of the airline, Tim Clark, at an International Air Transport Association (IATA) event in Dubai, recently said Emirates could reduce the frequency of its flights to African cities or cut routes completely if current economic and financial challenges on the continent continued. Clark said foreign airlines flying to Africa now refuel abroad because jet fuel supplies had become more expensive and scarce. “In certain African countries, the currencies have really gone down, so we’re reflecting on a number of these to look at where it’s just not worth the travel,” Clark said. He added that Emirates’ load factor – a measure of capacity utitlisation – for the rest of 2016 and 2017, would probably be in the mid-70s to low-80s in percentage terms. Foreign airlines expansion Aside Emirates that expanded operations to Nigerian cities during the booms day, Ethiopian Airlines operates into four Nigerian cities, including Lagos, Abuja and Enugu and Kano. Yet, no Nigerian carrier has traffic rights to fly into Ethiopia. Turkish Airlines operate into Lagos and Kano; British Airways operate into Lagos and Abuja airports enjoying multiple entry rights into Nigeria. No Nigerian carrier flies into two points in the United Kingdom. Air France and Lufthansa

Airlines fly into Lagos and Port Harcourt airports. No Nigerian carrier has traffic rights into France and Germany. While British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways operate into Nigeria, Arik Air and Medview operate flights into the United Kingdom. The failure of Nigerian carriers to reciprocate some of the bilateral air services agreements is due largely to lack of capacity, as indigenous carriers cannot match any of the foreign carriers on routes when the agreements are either utilised or reciprocated. Experts’ views A former Secretary General of African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Nick Fadugba, said Nigeria does not have local airlines that can readily fill the gap and provide the same efficient and high quality service by many foreign airlines. “It has become a big problem for airlines in Nigeria because various Nigerian governments have been very generous in giving traffic rights, concessions, designations and entry points to non-African and African airlines alike. Meanwhile, Nigerian airlines are now left with just three per cent of the air traffic market to and from Nigeria.” He said African airlines collectively carry only 20 per cent of the air passenger traffic to and from Africa. Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa as well as the most vibrant air transport market on the continent. “It is hard to rationalise and justify why Nigerian airlines have such a small share of their own market. The fact remains that Nigeria is a signatory to the Abuja Treaty of 2004 under, which the Yamoussoukro Decision of 1999, liberalising CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

BUSINESS | AVIATION

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Emirates’ $11m Dubai Airport business class lounge ready INVESTMENT The project took two years to complete and provide enjoyable travel experience

Wole Shadare

Opening for Nigerian careers CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 29

African skies, is legally binding. Nigeria has no choice than to abide by the treaty. President of Sabre Travel Network, Mr. Gbenga Olowo, said Nigeria has not been able to reciprocate traffic rights to most of the partnering countries, adding that this has resulted in huge negative balance of trade against Nigeria and capital flight. He also stated that it has also put strong pressure on the naira by further weakening the exchange rate. Oluwo added that this aids unemployment, as Nigerian airlines growth remains stunted. Conclusion Single point entry of choice in Nigeria would be beneficial to the country’s airlines. This will stimulate domestic traffic and hub creation; an indirect way of market protection for Nigerian flag carriers and subsequently retain the wealth at home.

Emirates airport lounge

furious sack and demotion of top officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) jolted many. It also shows the high turnover of personnel in the aviation sector, as people are primed to lose their jobs whenever there is a change of government or whenever there is a new minister appointed to oversee any ministry. In less than eight years, over 400 people have either been sacked or frustrated out of the system with incoming ministers resorting to recalling some of them when they eventually discover that people saddled with responsibilities lack requisite experience to carry out their duties. This does not in any way excuse mediocrity that is on display in most of the agencies. There are many who do not deserve the positions they held and this writer is in total support of many that were asked to go who got promoted beyond their wildest imagination. More worrisome is the fact that there are many who should have been booted out that are still proudly holding on their positions in FAAN. In the system, you have people who keep altering their ages and length of service to remain there and it is so shameful that the system allows it. Government reserves the right to hire and fire, but the manner of doing it according to many is less than satisfactory. Even if government was going to fire them, it needed to be done with respect, decorum and not the humiliation they were subjected to especially when a very few of them have not been found wanting in their jobs. Ministerial appointees are needed to be advised by not negotiating away expertise and competence on the altar of mediocrity. The position of director is said to be political and does not call for demotion since they did not come in through the civil service system, so, why subject political hires to civil service rules? Penultimate week, over 22 directors, general managers and deputy general manager got a rude shock of their lives when they were demoted. Others were sacked or advised to go. Many of them who were on Grade Level 17, 16 and 15 were demoted to between Level 10 and 12 following a recommendation by a committee set up by government to

AIR RAGE

WITH

ega carrier, Emirates has undertaken a massive investment to ensure premium passenger comfort, as the airline said it had completed a major makeover of its Business Class lounge at Concourse B of Dubai International Airport. The carrier in a statement, said the $11 million refurbishment project took two years to complete and is part of the airline’s continuous investment to improve and upgrade its products for a seamless and enjoyable travel experience. Emirates’ premium customers can now look forward to an enhanced lounge experience with three new distinct concept areas within the Emirates Business Class Lounge. The latest food and beverage concepts cater to diverse tastes and include a barista experience in partnership with Costa Coffee, a Health hub with Voss water featuring healthier options, and an exclusive Moët & Chandon champagne lounge. The new offering according to the statement, is in addition to the seven other locations within the lounge with gourmet cuisine prepared by on-site chefs and a complimentary full bar service, which includes premium wine, spirits and champagne. All the food and beverages offered within the lounge are complimentary for Emirates First Class and Business Class customers, as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum, Gold and Silver members – the airline’s frequent flyer programme. Customers passing through the Emirates Business Class lounge in need of a caffeine fix can enjoy complimentary handcrafted beverages prepared by Costa Coffee baristas as well as a fresh range of pastries, provided round the clock. The coffee bar will serve signature Costa drinks made using their unique Mocha Italia espresso blend.

Wole Shadare

FAAN: Case of throwing away baby with bath water? look at placing in virtually all the aviation agencies. It was a gnashing of teeth for most directors and general managers who could not fathom reasons deduced for the Tsunami that puts many of them in the labour market with just one pronouncement. In truth, there are many who came to FAAN that do not deserve pity because they came in like thieves in the night and became a thorn in the flesh of their colleagues and carried on as if they are special breeds. This article is not for them. Some of the professional hires distinguished themselves and helped FAAN to be where it is today. For those very few people, the Federal Government should reconsider their actions and recall them to finish what they started to reposition the agency. Gover nment should be careful not to throw away the child with the bathe water. It would look patronising if these people who are in a few number are recalled or at best be consultants to the agency in its revenue drive and complete the innovation they started in the agency, which people are sure would be discarded going by past experiences. Some of these professional hires were said to have been brought in by former MD of FAAN, George Uriesi, to turn around FAAN’s critical matter to improve revenue generation. Some of them excelled in their different careers, which spanned engineering, banking and financial institutions. Since

2012, FAAN’s annual revenue generation has continued to rise. The agency’s revenue skyrocketed from N34,212,579, 917.51 in 2012 to N48.7 billion in 2015. This is no mean feat and it shows that some leakages could have been blocked while other sources of revenues may have been opened to make this successful. Don’t ask me what FAAN did with the huge revenue it generated. That is a topic for another day, considering the fact that most of the facilities at the airports are in decrepit shape. There had been a noticeable renewed level of energy within the workforce and the display of higher value system, which shows commitment to moving the agency from a business as usual to one that looked responsive even though there are overwhelming evidences of corruption. This is a situation where a high majority of the workforce had, through the years grown a laid back attitude to work, lacking the zeal for both personal and organisational development, nursing instead a contentment for the years to steadily roll into a pensionable period, as a result, losing the capacity, ability and determination to continuously work on an inherited system. Specifically, the authority has moved over the years from a period of financial stagnation to substantial revenue growth, principally owing to factors such as reduced revenue leakages and new business ideas.

TUESDAY, november 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Interview Varsities should determine admission criteria, ex-EKSU VC

Education

Skills College sharpens workers’ skills on capacity building

33 35

CONTROVERSY Criticisms have continued to trail the bill passed last Thursday by the Senate on sexual harassment of students by their lecturers Mojeed Alabi

or higher institution lecturers, who sexually harass their female students, it is no longer business as usual; as such lecturers are to face a maximum five-year jail term or N5 million fine or both. With the passage of the bill, which is entitled: Bill for an Act to Make Provision for the Prohibition and Punishment of Sexual Harassment of Students by Educators in Tertiary Educational Institutions and for Related Matters, and aimed at criminalising all forms of advances from lecturers to female students of tertiary institutions in the country, there seems to be no longer any hiding place for randy lecturers. Over the years, there have been rising cases of allegations of sexual harassment of female students on various campuses by their male lecturers, putting the female students at the whims and caprices of these lecturers, who advertently demand sex to award marks. But as soon as the bill, which was sponsored by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, representing Delta Central Senatorial District of Delta State in the Senate, was passed last week, mixed reactions have continued to trail it. Meanwhile, the concerned stakeholders, who have criticised the bill, are lecturers under the auspices of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU); Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), as well as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). While ASUU vehemently kicked against the law, accusing the Senators of prejudices and bias against male lecturers, its polytechnic counterpart, the ASUP and SSANU have condemned the manner with which the public hearing and other processes leading to the passage of the bill were conducted. But, ASUP and SSANU have said that they would reserve their

kayode olanrewaju Editor, education

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

National Assembly complex

Reactions trail sexual harassment bill • • ASUU: It won’t stand ASUP, SSANU: We’re in the dark •Ekweremadu: Law’ll ensure justice, fairness

comments and further reactions on the development until the entire bill is accessed and appraised. The bill also abolishes the “consent” defence claim by sexual assault and rape suspects, as contained in the criminal and penal codes. It provides that: “An educator shall be guilty of committing an offence of sexual harassment against a student, if he or she has sexual intercourse with a student who is less than 18 years of age, an imbecile or of generally low mental capacity or blind or deaf or otherwise physically challenged.” It also categorises it as an offence when such a person “has sexual intercourse with a student or demands for sex from a student or a prospective student as a condition to giving a grade, award marks or granting of honours and scholarships, or the payment of stipend, allowance or other benefits, privileges or considerations.” The bill further provides: “An educator shall be guilty of committing an offence of sexual harassment against a student, if he or she solicits sex from or makes sexual advances towards a female student when the sexual solicitation or sexual advances result in an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for the student. “Or directs or induces another person to commit any act of sexual harassment under this bill, or coop-

Saraki, Senate President

We did that because we felt that this menace had been there for too long...

erates in the commission of sexual harassment by another person without which it would not have been committed; grabs or hugs or rubs or strokes or touches or pinches the breasts or hair or lips or buttocks or any other sensual parts of the body of a student. “Or displays, gives or sends by hand or courier or electronic (means) or any other means, naked or sexually explicit pictures or videos or sex related objects to a student. “Or whistles or winks at a student or scream or exclaims or jokes or makes sexually complimentary or uncomplimentary remarks about a student’s physique.” Therefore, if successfully passed into law, any lecturer found guilty to have sexually harassed a student, will risk a maximum fiveyear jail term or N5m fine or both. According to Omo-Agege, the passage of the bill is a landmark achievement for wives, daughters and women generally, as the menace which had been there for so long and unchecked, has reached an alarming proportion. He said: “You will recall that immediately I got into the Senate, the first and major bill I sponsored was a bill to prohibit sexual harassment of students in our tertiary institutions. We had a reason for doing that. “We did that because we felt

that this menace had been there for too long and it had gone unchecked, but we have had our daughters, sisters, nieces and wives and students, who have been harassed and nothing was done.” But, ASUU has insisted that the law is only targeted at male lecturers, saying apart from not carrying stakeholders along in the process leading to its passage, it also raised questions about lecturers that are daily harassed by their female students. The National President of ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, in an exclusive interview with New Telegraph, explained that the union had presented its opposition to the bill during the public hearing having noticed the Senators’ ulterior motives over the matter. According to Ogunyemi, ASUU is not opposed to any law that aims at guaranteeing the rights and protection of students and lecturers on campuses, but that the union was averse to prejudices and that there are already existing laws over such cases. He said: “It is unfortunate that when such very important bill was to be passed, the Senate had to do it in a surreptitious manner. The public hearing listed many stakeholders including ASUU CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

education

Temitope Ogunbanke

meritus Professor of Medicine at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe and former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Dr. Christopher Kolade have charged Nigerian universities, especially McPherson University to strive to be among the best 10 universities in the world. Akinkugbe, who spoke in Lagos during the unveiling of Kolade as Chancellor-Designate of McPherson University, a private university located in Ogun State, urged Nigerian universities to strive toward quality and imbibe in their students all the values needed for someone to be a total person in a society. He said: “I hope to see a Nigerian university as one of the best in the world and I hope that McPherson University will rank

Chancellor, ex-VC harp on universities’ ranking

among the top 10 universities in the world. I have no doubt that Kolade will be a major asset to the university. He will add value to the institution.” In his acceptance speech, Kolade, the former Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, said he would do his best as Chancellor of the university by ensuring that the institution is repositioned as a role model and example to other universities in the country and rest of the world

by building people of integrity, excellence and service. “I will put everybody to work to meet the value of the institution under my watch. I will do the best as I can and commit myself to serve the university so that when I leave, it would be said that I left the place better than I met it,” he said. On his part, the Visitor to the university and General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rever-

L-R: The ProChancellor of Mc Pherson university, Prof. Israel Adu; Dr. Kolade; Prof. Agunbiade and Registrar, Mrs. Adebola Abegunde, during the unveiling of Dr. Kolade as Chancellordesignate of the university in Lagos.

Commonwealth varsity scribe warns against ‘rush for ranking’ Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

enowned scholar and Secretary-General, Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), Prof. John Wood, has warned universities against the rush for ranking across the globe, saying it had led to some ‘playing games’ with the series. Wood, who spoke in Ilorin, Kwara State at the 32nd convocation lecture of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), lamented that the rush for ranking has created a system where students are made to rank their teachers in some universities. While insisting that such development was counterproductive to the original idea of the university system, he said: “The Research Assessment Exercise, now the Research Excellence Framework started in the United Kingdom and similar approaches were used now in many countries. There is now a new Teaching Excellence Framework being developed in the UK that has had bizarre consequences in the misuse of metrics. How this will develop is not clear, but the early signs are that it will be detrimental to the best universities. “While it can be argued that the early effects of the RAE/ REF were beneficial in rooting out poor performing academics, leading UK research productivity and academics soon realised how to play the system and use it to their own advantage. “We are facing challenging times and universities are key to the future. The plethora of university ranking tables means that most universities can now find some ranking that shows them in good light. Universities take great care to analyse how these rankings and how best to position themselves.”

end Felix Meduoye, expressed confidence that the institution would soar higher and higher in the comity of universities in the country and Africa under Dr. Kolade as Chancellor. Also, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adeniyi Agunbiade, said the institution would continue to strive toward academic excellence and complement government’s efforts in producing highly skilled manpower.

Minister restates FG’s commitment to poly sector Kayode Olanrewaju

ducation Minister, Mallam Adamu Adamu had said the Federal Government will continue to respond to genuine demands for the development of polytechnic sector in relation to national needs for the growth of the economy. This was as he noted that the importance of Technical and Vocational Education could not be over-emphasised as it holds the key to a pragmatic industrial growth and development of the nation’s economy. To achieve this, the Minister said that conscious efforts should be made to research and the source for local content that would enhance the manufacturing and production process even in a hyper-competitive environment. Adamu, who spoke at the 30th convocation of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, hinted that education plays a key role in the development of any nation and based on this, the sector has become the major focus of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. “In this connection, tertiary institutions have a fundamental role to play, particularly in the area of manpower development, research and innovation as well as collaboration with the private sector,” he said. The Minister, who was represented at the ceremony by the Director of Science and Technology in the ministry, Dr. Joel Samuel Ojo explained that the need for technology education, informed the emphasis placed on technical, vocational and entrepreneurial education by the Federal Government to encour-

age job creation and consciously aid poverty alleviation. According to him, in the face of rapid technological changes in the 21st Century, tertiary institutions must keep abreast of contemporary global trends and be able to adapt cutting-edge technology, innovation and research for the growth and development of their environment. Towards this end, the minister said Nigerians are resourceful, innovative, dynamic and ready to face the acute challenges of our environment, existence and the current situation the country finds itself. The Rector, Dr. Margaret Kudirat Ladipo, however, pointed out that no fewer than 7,102 graduating students for the 2014/2015 academic session, received their scrolls for the award of Higher National Diploma (HND), National Diploma (ND) and professional certificates of the 69-year-old college. Giving the breakdown of the graduating students, she said at the HND Full-time level, 40 students graduated with Distinction; 489 with Upper Credit; 907

with Lower Credit and 275 with Pass Grade; while at HND Parttime level, eight students obtained Distinction, 84 came out with Upper Credit, 228 obtained Lower Credit and 71 with Pass. According to the Rector, at the ND Full-time level, 132 students graduated with Distinction, 769 (Upper Credit), 852 with Lower Credit and 326 students graduated with Pass, and at the ND Part-time, 36 students graduated with Distinction, 573 with Upper Credit, 1,556 had Lower Credit and 1,428 obtained Pass results. On the overall, she told the gathering comprising top government functionaries, members of the academia, traditional rulers, parents and students that 216 had Distinction, 1,915 students emerged with Upper Credit, 3,543 with Lower Credit and 1,428 obtained Pass Grade. On the academic development, she noted that in furtherance of the college academic excellence, the management introduced some course with direct relevance to the economic and technological development of the country.

TUESDAY, november 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NMEC tasks stakeholders on non-formal education Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he National Mass Education Commission (NMEC) has tasked stakeholders in the non-formal education sector to come up with new strategies on effective monitoring and data collection, aimed at eradicating illiteracy through its various programmes in the country. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Abba Abubakar Haladu, gave this charge in Kaduna during a two-day strategic meeting on how to evolve and a design new system for non-formal education routine monitoring and data collection. While saying that the Decree 1990 that established the Commission recognises the importance of proper monitoring and evaluation as veritable tool in the government quest to address the problem of illiteracy in the country, the NMEC boss said the meeting was to build the capacity of members of staff and participants on effective monitoring of the Commission’s programmes. He said: “It is expected that this meeting will develop a new strategy that will put in place modalities for effective and maximal utilisation of staff members in the conduct of monitoring and data collection in such a way that NMEC workers could be deployed to states and local governments to monitor non-formal education programmes and collect data in collaboration with the state agencies for mass education.” Haladu further added: “Assessment, monitoring and evaluation are expected to be regular activities in NMEC that should be used to enhance efficiency, adjust work patterns and lead to achievement of set objectives including accountability of resources.” The high points of two-day meeting were the presentation of previous strategies for monitoring and data collection in the non-formal education subsector, presentation of the 2015 monitoring and data collection report, discussion of gaps and shortcomings of existing strategies, among others. L-R: Mr. Joel Ojo; Dr. KudiratLadipo; Registrar, Ms Biekoroma Amapakabo; Deputy Rector (Admin), Mr. Omobayo Raheem; Deputy Rector (Academic), Dr. Tayo Oyelola during the ceremony

TUESDAY, november 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigerian universities seem not to get it right yet in terms of delivery of quality tuition and cutting-edge research. How would you react to this? I do not believe there is problem in the quality of knowledge dispensation. The enabling environment may be compromised, but l do not think it has really affected the dispensers of knowledge to the extent of a depreciation in the quality of tuition. This does not imply lack of the need for improvement, but the actors in the system in my opinion, are doing their best in the circumstance. However, the problems of deficit in research output in our universities are multi-dimensional. One is the perception of scholarship in Nigeria against societal values. It seems to me that our society by its value system does not appreciate the essence of academic research. This sub-consciously discourages total commitment to research. The truth is that the academic person strives to meet the society at the mid-point of its value system by diversification for economic betterment so as not to be seen as societal failure. He, therefore, tends to spend some of his time on other areas that can yield him resources to meet family demands. The other reason is lack of funds for research. Unfortunately, successive governments have not been helpful in this regard. The implication is that the academic is held in derision by society, which ought to appreciate and encourage his scholarship. In contrast, in the United States of America, the academic is held in awe and seen as the agent of development and future greatness of America. The third reason is the apparent indifference of the private sector of the economy to research output. For example, how many firms and industries are sponsoring research in our universities? How many national or multinational corporations have endowed Chairs in our universities even if only in the areas of Science and Technology? There is an urgent need to refocus, redirect and redefine national policy to stimulate meaningful commitment to productive research in our universities. It is worrisome that the admission criteria into Nigerian universities favour catchment area, and less disadvantaged states, at the expense of merit which accounts for less than 35 per cent. What in your view should be the ideal criteria for admission into our higher institutions? Well, the admission criteria into our universities are too regulated by national directive. There is a need to decentralise admission process such that each university determines what it needs for its own prospective students. The over centralisation of admission procedure hampers choice of real candidates who have potentials to benefit from university education. This is why l advocate domesticated admission processes and procedures. After 68 years of university education in Nigeria, no Nigerian university has ranked among the top African universities, except the University of Ibadan which recently ranked the first 1,000 in the world. Where and when did we get it wrong as a nation? Of course, the Biometric World Universities Ranking takes into consideration a lot of factors, some of which culturally and technologically put Nigeria at a great disad-

education

Varsities should determine admission criteria, ex-EKSU VC

Dipo Kolawole, a Professor of Political Science is a former ViceChancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti, now Ekiti State University. He speaks with KAYODE OLANREWAJU in this interview about his unceremonious removal by the Kayode Fayemiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administration, admission criteria into Nigerian universities, varsity ranking and other salient issues in the system vantaged position in the spectrum of ranking. I mean central to these factors is the level of Internet technology and connectivity of the universities. This is what is used to measure the degree of global competitiveness of a university. The universality of universities assumes commonness of factors such that a student at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria is presumed a peer of another student at the Cambridge University, UK. A Professor in the University of Ibadan is seen as equal to a Professor in Harvard University, United States of America. Specifically, Nigerian universities are not doing well in the biometric assessment because of developmental problems, which many are now struggling to overcome. From an insider perspective, Nigerian universities are on pins and needles to surmount the hurdles inhibiting their doing well in the biometric ranking. How will you react to this scenario where no Nigerian university has been able to generate its own electricity in the 21st Century, when university is supposed to be the purveyor of knowledge? It is depressing that up till now, no single Nigerian university generates its own electricity as a precursor to helping national electricity generation. From a personal experience, the process is cumbersome and entails more than one tends to anticipate. I toyed with the idea of generating electricity for Ado-Ekiti. But, we were told we would need to contact and negotiate with an industrial outfit in Kwara as a base of our supply. We have to give up the idea.

Nonetheless, l strongly believe our Engineering faculties especially the Departments of Electrical Engineering in our universities need to do a break-through in this respect.

It is, therefore, safe and better to allow the current policy to subsist

Appointment of Vice-Chancellors has been narrowed down to the locale of each university, especially federal universities, is this not a threat to the system? I believe the narrowing of ViceChancellorship position even of federal universities to citizens of the local environment where the university is sited flows from past experiences where and when non-indigenes were harassed and humiliated. It is better to allow history to rest. One of those who experienced it is still alive. But, beyond the cosmetic projection of our country as one, reality shows we are many countries conditioned into one. Therefore, national issues flow from primordial considerations. It is, therefore, safe and better to allow the current policy to subsist, if that will ensure peace, stability and sanity in the system. How did you receive your exit as Vice-Chancellor from the university, because you were sacked from office by Governor Kayode Fayemiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administration apparently when your tenure was yet to expire? The level of underdevelopment in the continued development of our gover nance architecture grants u n d e -

Kolawole

served access to political leadership to some who are at best subjects of media creation lacking the maturity, experience, mien and comportment for such positions. They, therefore, use the positions for political vendetta and vengeance. Rather than utilising the unique opportunity for betterment of society and mankind by serving as symbol of unity, they become divisive agents. The settling of political score with real or imaginary enemies becomes the object of state policy. As to my reaction to my unceremonious removal, the university never expected that a change in state leadership could lead to the removal of the Vice-Chancellor. The reasons were obvious. Our administration was a watershed in the life of the university. We moved the university in infrastructure, academic, student growth, accreditation of programmes, discipline among staff and students, among others. It was a glorious moment in the life of the university such that up till now, the university community continues to refer to, and appreciate the tenure of the administration under my watch. The society has continued to commend the administration. This gives me eternal joy and satisfaction for which l thank God. I also appreciate the entire university community, our students past and present and those who made us successful. The only agony l had, was the meanness of the government in struggling to justify by different attempts its ill-advised and unpopular decision. Attempts were made to criminalise, intimidate and humiliate me for going to court to challenge the illegal action of the government. But, God proved Himself as the rescuer of the just by vindicating me and my administration. Hence, I immediately sought academic sanctuary at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, where l was from September 2011September 2014 as Visiting Professor of Political Science to utilise my Sabbatical and accumulated leave. And indeed, when the then Government in Ekiti State was expectedly rejected by the electorate, I returned to the university. Vice-Chancellors complain of lack of funding for the system and rely most on the proprietors of the universities, without really tapping into those areas where income could be generated for the institution. How do you think this inadequate funding problem could be resolved? It is conveniently often forgotten that a university is not a trading post. In our milieu, it is at times treated as a social service. This is why universities find it difficult to increase tuition fees. In Harvard University, MIT and Stanford University, among others, it is easier to generate internal revenue to maintain and sustain the universities. In our environment, the issue of university funding has been made over the years a political issue. Pathetically, no university has the indepenCONTINUED ON PAGE 34

education

TUESDAY, november 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG’s query of OAU VC over payment of workers’ allowance

Olarewaju: It’s simply no issue Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju is the Public Relations Officer of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife

Olarewaju

here is really no point in the matter as it has been resolved. I may not have been privileged to get the details of the meeting held among the stakeholders over the matter in Abuja recently, but the summary is that the matter has been appro-

priately addressed by concerned authorities. The university does not have anything to hide about its finances and am sure those who are attempting to stoke fire of discord and create another round of crisis on our campus must have realized that they have failed. They are only making mountain out of a molehill. There is simply no issue there at all. The arrears paid to the workers are their entitlements and just as the government

must have found out that there was no diversion of any fund on the campus. The university management is not only committed to the peaceful academic atmosphere on the campus, but it is also committed to the welfare of its workers and students because that is the simple requirement to guarantee peace. We will, therefore, appeal to all stakeholders to embrace peace for the sake of the future of our students.

Odewunmi: Those behind it are enemies of progress Comrade Wole Odewunmi is the Chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), Obafemi Awolowo University chapter

t is unfortunate that as much as we are trying to achieve peace on the campus, some people are bent on creating confusion. They are carrying all sorts of news all over the place, but unfortunately their tricks are always thwarted. Apart from the issue of the arrears paid, these people have also raised questions about the transfer of our matter against the university management to the National

Industrial Court, and the yet to be debated report of ASUU Committee on the dissolution of our governing council. Over the matter of the query issued to the Acting Vice-Chancellor, we have protested it and we had cause to go to Abuja to meet the stakeholders. Today, I can confirm to you that the matter has been resolved because there was nothing hidden in the process.

We should also make it clear, as against the news being circulated around that we lost at the court. Our union has not lost in any way. There was nowhere in the court where the judge inferred that, and the transfer of the matter to the Arbitration Court was justified by the Judge. So, those who are desperate to create confusion where there is none should consider the consequence of their

Akinola: Issues raised on the matter unnecessary Prof. Adegbola Peter Akinola is a former Chairman of the Obafemi Awolowo University chapter of the Academic staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Akinola

e need to interrogate this matter in connection with the circumstances leading to the present situation we have found ourselves. There were lots of issues that led to the prolonged conflicts between the former administration and the workers and some of them hinged on the owed allowances. In its effort to sustain the present at-

mosphere of peace on the campus, the new management has only thought it wise to address some of the issues that led to the crisis the other time, and on this, I think I am on the side of the management. There is really no basis for the issues the matter has generated, but I don’t think it is also inappropriate for the government to ask questions about certain things it feels

are unclear about the university administration. I am very sure this issue has been attended to and resolved by the concerned individuals and groups. The university deserves peace and I think that is strictly the preoccupation of the current leadership on campus, and I feel everyone deserves to join this train towards reclaiming the institution’s lost glory.

interviews conducted by mojeed alabi

‘We’re in the dark’

CO N TI N U ED F RO M PAGE 31

and other workers’ unions to be part of the hearing, but none of the stakeholders was communicated. “We were surprised that only ASUU gatecrashed into the session and we did not hesitate to expose the flaws in the bill and gave them (Senate) other existing laws with provisions for such cases. But, now that they refused to heed our call, we have no doubt that they have their victims in male lecturers in mind and we will fight to protect our members against all forms of harassments and distractions. What happens to lecturers being harassed on daily basis by female students?” Ogunyemi said ASUU will take its official stance on the matter very soon, urging the government to focus on other important issues to return the institutions to the path of glory. In a similar development, the leadership of ASUP declared its support for any move to create conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning on the campuses, but it, however, queried the rationale behind singling out lecturers in the bill. The National Vice-President of the union, Mr. Timothy Ogunseye, queried what happens to the moneybags and politicians, who flood the campuses to use their influence and material wealth to harass the unsuspecting students. He said when the union meets in Kano in the next two weeks; it is likely to take a definitive position, but declined to comment further on what action the union would likely take on the matter. Ogunseye added: “There is really nothing new in the new bill because each institution already has existing laws and mechanisms to

Ogunyemi

deal with such situation. Sexual harassment at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, where I teach is a grievous offence and the punishment is not light at all. “Even though, we support any move that aims at protecting people’s rights, but we are, however, cautious because even these moneybags and politicians are culprits when it comes to harassment of our students. And what is the bill’s provision for harassed lecturers with students wearing provocative dresses and openly harassing their lecturers?” On SSANU’s position, the National Vice-President of SSANU for South-West, Mr. Alfred Jimoh, said the union was in the dark on the matter and that it only heard of it on the pages of newspapers. Jimoh, who hinted that the union will make efforts at appraising the bill and peruse it for further comments, craved for caution on the matter to avoid creating further confusion and distractions on the campuses. The National President of NANS, Aruna Kadir, noted that the union would also need to read through the bill before passing comment,

but pledged the support of his union to any policy, law or programme aimed at protecting the rights of students across all levels. Also reacting on the matter, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, said there was nothing new in the bill, claiming a military regime had once issued similar decree, criminalising sexual harassment on campuses. He, however, called for caution in the execution of the law. But, while allaying the fears of stakeholders on the matter, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in an exclusive interview with New Telegraph, noted that the law only aimed at protecting students’ rights and that justice and fairness would be ensured in its application. Ekweremadu said: “We are aware of all the objections to it and the facts of students harassing lecturers as well, but we must understand that he who accuses must also prove, so the law will not just pick on anybody except the case is proven in a competent court of law.”

‘My sack is a political vendetta, vengeance’ CO N TI N U ED F RO M PAGE 33

dent leverage to arbitrarily increase fees so the capacity of any university to utilise Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as a means of enhancing financial existence is limited. Until and unless the operational autonomy of universities is guaranteed, the financial survival of the universities will remain a problem. At a personal level, in 2000, l led a five-member Federal Government Investigative Panel to a university in the South-West. However, the Vice-Chancellor in an aggressive determination to shore up their institutions’ Internally Generated Revenue em-

Kolawole

ployed some unorthodox means. He was removed by the Federal Government. This clearly shows that the universities have limitations in mode of generating internal revenue. After your tenure as ViceChancellor of EKSU, one

would have expected you would remain in the system to offer your wealth of experience in mentoring and supervising graduate students, what have you been doing since you left office? As we speak I am at the Ekiti State University, AdoEkiti where I am a Professor of Political Science. Indeed, am seated for the commencement of October statutory meeting of Senate. I think this responds to your concern. I, not only supervise and mentor Masters and Ph.D students, I teach and supervise undergraduate students. I am by the grace of God, the first former Vice-Chancellor at this university to do so.

TUESDAY, november 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

campus

opinion

education

Time to end agony of floating citizens Afolabi Funto Seun UNILORIN

person who knows where he/ she comes from, his or her root is able to adequately understand who he or she is. It is quite unfortunate that in a country of diverse languages and cultures like Nigeria where many live in cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, most children do not have the opportunity to visit their villages and home towns regularly to acquaint themselves with their kith and kin. When asked why they no longer visit their ancestral homes, the parents and children have their reasons and opinion about their towns or villages. While the parents offer such reasons as presence of evils and witchcraft in their homes or the entire villages, the children hide under lack of basic facilities and social infrastructure, such as electricity, portable water and of course, internet facilities. Another reason why most people especially parents and adult do not go to their hometowns is because they do not have their personal houses and may not want to live in their father’s or other siblings’ houses, because living under such circumstances in most people’s point of view is counted as erosion of one’s pride and ego, and because most women not want to share a kitchen with others without privacy, they may decide not to go to their villages or towns. But, when a man has a house of his own at his hometown, there is every tendency for such family to visit home regularly and participate in the family or community activities. Unlike when the wife insisted not to go home, if the husband has a house, she will be the one to demand from her husband “when are we going home?” It is unfortunate that rather than telling the truth about their handicap or shortcomings, they will blame the witches and wizards in their homes or village, who wanted to kill them as the reasons for their running away from their towns or villages, where they grew up and no witch or wizard killing them then or the evil people seeking after their destiny and progress. While I agree and believe in the presence of

witches and wizards, the truth of the matter remains that these evil people are everywhere, and at work in school and even in the church, but it takes only those who know their God to escape from the witches and wizards, even while staying away from home. Meanwhile, adults or parents’ staying away from their home towns or villages and deny their children or off springs from going home, has negative effects on the people rich culture and languages, and the rich history. And, for this reason mainly, the people’s culture, language and rich history are being extinct and eroded day by day as children could no longer speak or understand their native languages. In other climes, the people’ mother tongue (native language) confers cultural identity and affinity on the people, and a child who has never been to his or her ancestral home can never know how to speak his mother tongue when the children never visit the place where the language is being spoken. Total immersion for a couple of weeks can have an amazing effect. It is antithetical that for those people who claim their villages are uncivilised and undeveloped, if everyone keeps running away and refusing to go home, how and who will develop the place for them? The fact remains that is it when people visit their home towns or villages regularly that they will see things themselves and how to come in to make the town better and for it to become civilized and developed But, if they don’t go home and make it better, build schools and hospitals no magic will do it for them Some parents are of the opinion that it is a good thing to take one’s children home at least during every festive season, others believe that such visit should be once in a while due to the reasons aforementioned. Some parents are also of the opinion that regular visit to their hometowns or villages with their children will give the children a sense of identity and sense of belonging. The irony of the people’s action and inaction is that we are growing a new generation that has no affinity and identity as Nigerians.

Cross section of the management, led by Prof. Ogbuagu (4th right) shortly after the workshop

College sharpens workers’ skills on capacity building Emeka Onwudinjo UNIZIK

o bring about total transformation and sanity into the system, there is need for a disciplined workforce, while the main objective of any organisation is to achieve its aims and goals of its policy. This was part of the views of the Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State, Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu, while declaring open a three-day capacity building workshop for the academic and non-academic staff of the college. According to him, it was in the dire need to transform the system that the management is continuously building the capacities of its members of staff to reposition them for the challenges of the 21st Century. Ogbuagu, who noted that the workshop was to sharpen the workers’ skills and knowledge, awaken and refresh them through interactive session and exchange of ideas

Ajibefun

he management and students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), are still basking in the euphoria of the outstanding performance of the graduates of the institution at the Nigerian Law Schools. One of the students, Falade Faith Olayinka, has made the university proud by obtaining First Class Honours in the 2015/2016 Bar Part II Final Examinations, thereby reestablishing the university regular feat of its graduates at the Nigerian Law School in recent years. The student’s performance, according to the university, was coming

so as to underscore the importance of discipline in their workplace and consequently get things done efficiently in a harmonious working atmosphere. The lead paper presenter and a former Director of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Dr. Peter Abdu, in his paper entitled: “Discipline in Civil Service,” noted that the main objective of any organisation is to achieve its aims and the goals of its policy. According to Abdu, the civil service is that organ of government that assists in the formulation and implementation of approved government policies. “It is a known fact that virtually all systems of government have written or unwritten rules which guide the objectives, responsibilities, functions and structure,” he said. Abdul added: “Any worker and officer in the payroll of Federal Government is referred to as a public servant. The public service is made up of the core civil service and the parastatals and governments owned-

establishment. The core civil service comprises the ministries, extra ministerial departments and agencies (MDAs). It is to secure orderliness and the absence of chaos, irregularity and confusion in the behaviour of the public servants that the Public Service Rules (PSR) was produced. It is essentially imperative, therefore, for all officers in the service to know what the expectations are as well as the penalties when a rule has been violated.” However, he urged workers of the college to acquaint themselves with the disciplinary procedure and rules of the college. Also in her paper: “Procedure for Addressing Grievances in Civil Service,” Mrs. C.N. Odionyenfe, explained that in the civil service, grievances may result from a feeling of an unfair disciplinary treatment or action meted on officers of the civil service. She added that the power to exercise disciplinary control over all officers is vested in the Federal Civil Service Commission.

on the heels of similar outstanding performance by the duo of Opeyemi Akeem Longe and Ebunoluwa Bamigboye, at last year’s Law School Bar Examinations for which they were feted and celebrated by the university management. Longe, who was the first student to obtained First Class in Law in the 16-year history of the institution, also scored First Class and emerged the best student nationally at the Law School for that year. The Dean of Faculty of Law, Prof E. Taiwo in a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said a good number of the graduates of the university’s Faculty of Law performed exceptionally well at the recently released Bar Part II final examinations. In the memo, announcing the students’ exceptional feat, Taiwo said: “Quite a number of our products finished with very good grades and Falade Faith Olayinka’s performance was outstanding as she finished with First Class Honours. “Falade graduated in her Bachelor of Law (LL.B) degree from the university during the 2014/2015 aca-

demic session with Second Class (Upper Division). She was the third best graduating student in her set with CGPA of 4.34 points. Her recent performance has made the Faculty and the university proud.” In another development, the university has extended this year’s Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) by five weeks to pave way adequate supervision of the exercise. According to the Director of SIWES, Dr. Olanrewaju Olotuah, who confirmed the development, the exercise, which was to end on November 7, has been extended to December 12, 2016 as a result of the recent disruption of academic activities in the university by academic staff. Olotuah, who insisted that the decision was taken to ensure adequate supervision of the students during the exercise, added: “The need to supervise students currently observing their internship has prompted the university management to shift the completion date for the SIWES from November 7 to December 12, 2016 which makes a summary of 24 weeks altogether.”

Ajasin Varsity graduates shine at Law School

education

TUESDAY, november 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Mayflower PTA rewards teachers Kayode Olanrewaju

arents of students of Mayflower Private School, Ikenne in Ogun State, under their umbrella group, the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) have rewarded teachers whose students performed excellently by scoring 100 per cent in the May/June 2016 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The association, however, expressed delight over the performance of the school in the examination, where the school recorded 100 per cent in English Language, Physics, Biology, Agricultural Science, Technical Drawing, Food & Nutrition, Further Mathematics, Accounts, Commerce, Book Keeping, Catering, Literature-In-English, Tourism and Geography, as well as 90.1 per cent in Mathematics. While presenting various gift items to the teachers at the PTA meeting, as a reward and mark of appreciation for a job well done, the PTA Chairman, Mr. Lawal said the parents would continue to appreciate the teachers for their excellent performance. “We want to appreciate our hard working and dedicated teachers, who made last session’s impressive WASSCE results a reality. Excellent teachers are the backbone of success for our students since no education can rise above

the quality of the teachers,” he said. While welcoming parents, who turned out in their large number to the meeting, the Principal of the school, Mrs. Oluwakemi Yusuf, said the management frowned at the manner in which some parents of students in Senior School (SS III) register their wards for the November/December WASSCE, popularly called GCE, whereby they absent themselves from school throughout the duration of the examination. She warned: “The school discourages students from writing the GCE in which some students misbehave and no longer take their studies serious since they realize that they have passed the GCE. We register our students for both WASSCE and the National Examination Council (NECO) and we strongly believe that the students will be able pass very well and hence there is no need for other unauthorised or unapproved examination that disrupts the school programme.” Besides, the school insisted that for a student to be promoted to SS III from SSII, such student is expected to have scored at least 40 per cent in English Language and Mathematics as condition for promotion. According to the principal, any student who failed to meet this benchmark would not be allowed to go to SSIII and no influence would be enter-

tained except for such student to repeat that class. Also, the management said it is forbidden for students to bring cell phones, electronic games and MP3 players to the school, saying any of such gadgets seized from such students would not be released. The school, however, warned parents from given any of the appliances to their children, but that only students in SS I class, who offer the newly introduced French Language are allowed to bring MP3 to the school for their Listening Comprehension and Speech Practice. “These devices will be kept and recharged by the teacher and are not to be kept in the dormitory. No student should be found with such device,” Mrs. Yusuf warned. The principal, who read the report of the Proprietor, Coren Solarin, advised parents to buy textbooks for their children, and to always request for their children and wards’ results at the end of each term, saying parents who resides overseas should forward their emails to the school for their children’s report sheets. On the registration for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the parents agreed that the school should register the students collectively to save them from the burden, but agreed to pay for transporting the students to Babcock University CBT Centre for the examination.

L-R:, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Prof. Shalom Chinedu; Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AronAnthony Atayero; Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo and Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe during the university’s 15th convocation ceremony.

Lagos plants trees to mark school’s anniversary Mojeed Alabi

s part of its environmental protection programmes and in appreciation of the contributions of the school to quality education delivery and care for special needs children, the Lagos State Government has pledged to plant 30 trees in honour of the M.D School’s 30th anniversary. The Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, who disclosed this during the 30th anniversary of the school in Ikeja, decried what he described as Nigerians’ poor attitude to the environment. While saying that but for God’s love for the country, many communities would have perished as a result of

the people’s disregard for the environment, he said: “A lot of us are ignorant of our environment and as a result we disrespect the environment. Many people destroy or fell trees that produce oxygen we breathe, but we are determined to instill the culture of discipline and respect for the environment in this state. “One of the best ways to do that is by planting trees and part of our gifts to the MD School will be to plant 30 trees in its honour as the school marks three decades of its existence. If we all choose to be planting a tree each time we celebrate our birthdays or any anniversary, then by the time the last man on earth goes, the trees will exist for at least extra 100 years.” According to the commissioner, within the last 30 years

of existence of the school, many children and particularly the special children, have received hope through the commitment of the school owners’ to offer equal opportunities to all category of children regardless of their health challenges. The Chairman of the occasion and Chief Executive Officer of Animal Care Services Consult Nigeria Limited, Dr. Olatunde Agbato, commended the school management for the doggedness, tenacity of purpose and commitment to excellence. He said despite the death of the husband of the school’s Proprietor, Dr. Bamidele Adedugbe, just 10 years into the life of the school, the wife, Mrs. Omolara Adedugbe has remained faithful, steadfast and committed to the vision.

EDUPEACE

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

for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin

Abdul Hafeez Adedimeji: A life of learning

n Saturday, October 22, Dr Adedimeji joined the ser2016, news broke that vices of Al-Hikmah University, a PhD graduand of Ilorin, in 2008 and shortly after the University of Ilo- he became the College Officer rin died just a few hours to his of the College of Humanities. convocation ceremony. While He would soon become a docit was another tragic news to toral student of the University many people in our tragedy- of Ilorin two years after he argenerating country, to me, it was rived at Ilorin. In 2012, he joined not news, it was a heart-shatter- Fountain University, Osogbo, as ing reality. The late Dr. Abdul a Lecturer in the General StudHafeez Adeniyi Adedimeji was ies Unit. He was also the Grand my immediate elder brother, the Imaam of the University. His entire life had been devotman after whom I suckled. The late Dr. Adedimeji was a ed to intense learning, studying, good head and a good heart that preaching, teaching, researching Nelson Mendela called “a formi- and public intellection. Three dable combination.” He lived a weeks before his death, he perlife worthy of emulation, a life formed his last major academic devoted to learning and impact- exercise at a conference in Casaing on others. Born on July 30, blanca, Morocco, where he daz1970 in Iwo, Osun State, he had zled his global audience with his his primary education in St. mastery of Arabic and English Anthony Roman Catholic Pri- as a simultaneous translator. mary School, Ile Idisin, Iwo, afProphet Muhammad said ter which he attended St. Mary’s learning is from the cradle to Grammar School, Iwo. During the grave and my beloved brother the period, he also completed his and teacher lived it to the full. He intermediate Arabic and Islamic might have completed his PhD education at our father’s Islamic since September last year when Youth Centre, Iwo. he successfully defended his theAfter his secondary education sis and awarded his PhD earlier in 1987, he proceeded immedi- in the year, the fact that he would ately to the Arabic Institute of be formally conferred with his Nigeria, Elekuro, Ibadan, and degree on the same Saturday he graduated on top of his class died was kismet. God is unquesin 1990. He followed up with an tionable: we come from Him and Arabic Teachers Diploma of the we return to Him ultimately. International Islamic Relief OrAs Vicki Corona once said, ganisation (IIRO) also in Ibadan, “Life is not measured by the while he also worked as a teacher number of breaths that we take in his alma mater. but by the moments that take Between 1992 and 1994, my our breath away.” My brother brother was a teacher at our Islam- lived an awesome life devoted to ic Youth Centre. With his excel- acquiring knowledge, promotlent O’ level results in the kitty, he ing peaceful co-existence and advancing scholknew he must arship. Based proceed to the University. So, on his erudition he sat for the and personality, His entire life had U n iv e r s i t y he was a man in Matriculation a million and a been devoted to Examinations loss to humanity. in 1993 and When all is intense learning, passed, gainsaid and done, we ing admission studying, preaching, appreciate that every day, death to study Engteaching... fires its arrows. lish at Obafemi Awolowo Whoever escapes University, Ile-Ife, in 1994. the arrow today will surely be hit The long strike of the Aca- another day, one way or another. demic Staff Union of Universi- He lived great. He died great. ties (ASUU) in 1994 provided May the Almighty Allah grant him an opportunity to accept Him Aljannah Firdaws! the scholarship of Saudi Arabia to study Arabic in the Kingdom. Re: Be word wise: Therefore, between then and 2004, he was in the holy city of communicate peacefully Medinah, acquiring the best of ood afternoon, Mahfouz. I Arabic and Islamic Education. have read all you have writHe first obtained his Arabic Flu- ten about being civil and polite. ency Diploma in 1995, then fol- And I think I have done my best to lowed up with a first degree in remain within the realms of the Arabic (Second Class Upper Divi- positive attributes that you mension) in 1999 and later a Master tioned. But in a world full of guile of Arts Degree in Arabic Rheto- and strong arm tactics, people ric (First Class) in 2004. take advantage of you and make A brother, friend and confidant, you appear helpless and pitiable. we decided he should return home But that is even the Victory of the for his PhD in order to blend seam- sublime and humble mind. We lessly with the Nigerian universi- shall endure much to stay above ty system. After his youth service the pale of competition and strife. as a teacher at the Federal Govern- I’m a Christian and all you have ment Girls’ College, New Bussa, said sums the Perfect Profile of between 2005 and 2006, he taught at Jesus Christ. Imam Malik College, Ibadan, from Dalu Sir. – Obu UDEOZO 2006 to 2008.

BUSINESS |Money Line

TUESDAY, november 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Bank customers seek passage of financial ombudsman bill REQUEST Independent body needed to resolve financial related disputes

Tony Chukwunyem

ank customers under the aegis of the Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN), have called on the National Assembly to hasten action in passing into law, the Financial Services Ombudsman Bill currently awaiting

its action. The bank customers made this call as part of their recommendations at the 2nd bank customers’ summit organised by BCAN, which took place in Lagos. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the objective of the bill for an “Act to Establish the Office of the Nigerian Financial Ombudsman; an Independent Body Charged with the Responsibility for Resolving Financial Related Disputes, 2010”, was to avoid the delays encountered in resolving financial disputes through the conventional courts. As at 2011, the bill along with, “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian International Financial

Skye Bank sacks 50 employees, outsourced staff Tony Chukwunyem

here are indications that about 50 employees of Skye Bank and staff in outsourced and auxiliary functions have been relieved of their jobs. Although the numbers of the affected non-core staff could not be deter mined since they are not direct employees of the bank, New Telegraph gathered that the reasons for the exit ranged from perfor mance, disciplinary issues as well as right sizing. Most of the af fected are staf f in Outsourced Functions (SOF) comprising tellers, drivers and internal security guards. It was also learnt that the management of the bank had approved the payment of generous entitlement and severance packages to those affected as contained in their engagement letter and as agreed with the workers’

Centre to Provide Financial Free Zone, 2010”; and “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Alternative Dispute Resolution Regulatory Commission and for Related Matters” had passed first and second readings on the floor of the House of Representatives. Defending the bills, the CBN Governor at the time, Lamido Sanusi, explained that the National Alternative Dispute Resolution Regulatory Commission had the responsibility to “promote and regulate the practice and use of alternative dispute resolution mechanism in Nigeria.” He added: “The bill seeks to create alternative dispute resolution centres in states of the Federation to promote and coordinate the practice and

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

eaching of financial studies in all the secondary schools in the country may soon become compulsory going by the agreement between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Education . CBN’s Head of Consumer Education in the Department of Consumer Protection, Hajia Khadijah Kassim, gave this hint yesterday while addressing students of Government Secondary School, Suleja, Niger State at this year’s World Savings Day celebration. She said the apex bank has been able to prevail on relevant education authorities to embed financial education in the curriculum of

As at

MPR 91-day NTB Bonny Light Ext Res**

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

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 17.9

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 Sept, 2016

14 10.77 US$49.59 US$23,947,628,178

26/07/2016 Mar 2015 31/10/2016 27/10/2016 Source:CBN

FGN Bonds

TTM

1.07 3.24 3.87 5.82 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.29

Price 104.65 114.59 111.96 120.58 109.60 100.54 83.82 97.56

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.4583 9.1071 11.0102 12.3790

Treasury Bills

Bid Yield 10.38 10.55 11.60 11.44 12.27 12.40 12.44 12.49

Change (%) -2.50 ▼ -0.74 ▼ -0.65 ▼ -0.68 ▼

its theme: “Developments in Nigeria’s Banking Industry: Implications and Ways Forward for Bank Customers,” focused on how bank customers and bankers should operate within the legal and regulatory provisions and the importance of each party always honouring obligations. Significantly, the bank customers also called on the banking watchdog to urgently address the public on the fate of bank customers’ deposits trapped in Savannah Bank Nigeria Plc for the past 14 years and when the bank would re-open for business. They pointed out that being unable to access their deposits have made the tough economy even more difficult for the customers.

‘Financial studies to be enforced in secondary schools’

union. In a bid to cope with the prevailing headwinds in the economy, banks have let go over 1,000 employees since the beginning of the year. Following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) intervention in Skye Bank last July, the reconstituted board of the bank has been given the mandate to run a lean and efficient organisation; control cost; aggressively recover debts owed by debtors and grow deposit liabilities and shore up the liquidity position of the bank. Skye Bank, designated by CBN as one of Nigeria’s eight Systemically Important Bank (SIB), is one of Nigeria’s leading retail and commercial banks with over 373 branches and cash centers across Nigeria offering premium financial services, with subsidiaries in the West Coast of Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Guinea.

Economic Indicators M2* CPS* INF

use of alternative dispute resolutions in the Federation.” President of BCAN, Dr Uju Ogubunka, said given the critical role that the legislature plays in the ongoing financial reforms; there was the need to establish a sustainable relationship to address emerging and contemporary banking, finance and allied issues. “Banks in Nigeria and other financial institutions are global players and they are not restricted to domestic issues and there is need to take care of other things that we will be empowering ourselves to play in the larger economy.” According to him, recommendations made at the customers’ summit, which had as

primary and secondary subjects. She added that the current curriculum was over bloated, explaining that the CBN in conjunction with the education authorities had succeeded in infusing financial education into most compulsory subjects including English language. She said the apex bank had been working on means of expanding financial literacy to all segments of the nation. Khadijah Kassim noted that as part of the World Savings Day programme, over 200 schools are receiving mentoring from the CBN on the importance of saving. “The World Savings Day is used to encourage Savings in the formal financial system with the CBN partaking actively in marking the World Savings Day through a mentoring programme in various schools across the six geo-political zones.” The primary objective, she said, is to increase awareness on financial literacy among various segments of the general public to sensitise them on the importance of savings,

earning a livelihood, inculcate savings habit, employment and entrepreneurship for personal and national development. Consequently, the consumer protection department of the CBN in collaboration with the financial sector regulators, the bankers’ committee, microfinance banks and institutions, various non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders she said, “are commemorating this global event to raise awareness on the importance of Savings by implementing an outreach mentoring programme in over 200 schools spread across the six ego-political zones.” In his remarks, the Principal of Government Secondary School, Suleja, Mr. Garba Shuaibu commended the banking watchdog for choosing his school for the mentoring programme but lamented that in spite of the school producing serving and past state governors, the institution was in dire need of renovation and rehabilitation as most of the buildings in the school are in deplorable situation.

Ecobank boosts sustainable environment campaign

M Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

Price 104.80 114.89 112.26 120.88 109.90 100.84 84.12 97.86

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Offer Yield 10.24 10.45 11.51 11.38 12.22 12.34 12.39 12.44

NITTY

Rate (%) 6.9949 7.2368 8.0819 9.2061 9.5872 10.5042

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲ Change (%) 1.12 ▲ -0.27 ▼ -0.17 ▼ -0.11 ▼ 0.03 ▲ 0.42 ▲

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 7.67 7.82 -0.51 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 3.83 30-Jun-16 7.92 8.08 -0.51 ▼ 6-Oct-16 8.59 8.34 8.71 -0.31 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 4.33 8.99 -0.31 ▼ 16-Mar-17 9.36 10.28 -0.07 ▼ 9.11 9.98 -0.07 ▼

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

anagement and staff of Ecobank Nigeria, last weekend, engaged in a walk and work for sustainable environment in Nigeria. The sustainable environment campaign of the bank, according to a statement, operates as an employee volunteer initiative during, which staff carry out environmental sanitation in the key communities where the Bank operates. The event ran simultaneously in nine locations including Lagos (Victoria Island and Ikeja), Ibadan, Abuja, Kano, Sokoto, Port Harcourt, Onitsha and Calabar. Addressing the staff, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Charles Kie stated that the Bank’s commitment to the protection of the environment is non-negotiable. According to Mr Kie, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative is an integral part of the bank’s

business. He added that, this year’s focus is on removing non bio-degradable elements from the environment, which includes plastics, polythene and others. His words, “Sustainability in banking has never been more important than it is today. It’s not just about improving the bank’s products and operations, it’s also about how we integrate the economic, social and environmental factors in our decision-making; and at the same time help our clients to conduct their business in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner.” Kie pointed out that setting a day aside annually to address environmental issues further portrays the bank as an eco-friendly financial institution and underpins the Bank’s commitment to sustainability.

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

TUESDAY, november 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

TUESDAY, november 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Fidelity Bank reports N9.8bn pre-tax profit in 9M PROGRESS Gross earnings grew by 10.7% to N39.9 billion driven by a 22.6% growth in interest income.

Stories Chris Ugwu

idelity Bank Plc has posted a profit before tax of N9.8 billion for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016 from N13.8 billion reported in nine months (9M) ended September 2015. In a financial statement made available to New Tele-

graph, the bank’s gross earnings increased by 3.0 per cent to N110.3 billion from N107.1 billion in 9M 2015. Net Interest Income increased by 13.1 per cent to N50.5 billion from N44.7 billion in 9M 2015, while operating Income increased by 8.6 per cent to N67.3 billion from N62.0 billion a year earlier. Commenting on the results, Managing Director and CEO of Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo, said: “Our financial performance for the period is reflective of the recessionary environment characterised by lower government revenues, rising inflation, lower consumer disposable income, significantly tougher operating environment in all sectors and the impact of these headwinds

FG committed to ending recession –Minister

he Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okey Enelamah, has reiterated government’s commitment to ending the current economic recession through strategic policies. He spoke at the 2016 Annual Investor Conference organised by FBN Capital Limited, the Investment Banking and Asset Management subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc. He listed such strategies policies to include robust partnership between the government and the private sector, support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as intervening in high potential sectors including manufacturing and agriculture. In his presentation tagged ‘Matching Opportunities with Patient Capital,’ Enelamah emphasised the importance of the government partnership with the private sector in order to move the nation’s economy forward. He said despite the reces-

sion, Nigerians should see the economy from a positive perspective and deemphasise on the negative side of the recession. He noted that the oil price crash exposed the structural deficiency in Nigeria’s large and thriving economy. The minister said: “Countries in difficulty have used different strategies to strengthen and diversify their economies. That is why Nigeria needs to move away from over dependence on oil. Diversification and growth is key to economic recovery and ensuring a more stable future. Nigeria should have a strong local base of investors because foreigners will always leave leading to dry up of capital.” Enelamah recommended applying practical solutions such as creating the right environment and polices to harness the productivity of Nigerians in order to overcome the current inflation in Nigeria, as the economy remains large and full of potentials.

on asset quality and foreign trade transactions. We continued with the disciplined execution of our medium term strategy and recorded decent growth on some key operational metrics while moderating the impact of the headwinds above on other financial indices.” He noted that on a qoq basis, gross earnings grew by 10.7 per cent to N39.9 billion driven by a 22.6 per cent growth in interest income. The interest income growth

was largely driven by 25.6 per cent (N5.4 billion) growth in interest Income on Loans while interest income on Liquid Assets increased by 13.5 per cent (N0.9 billion) for the quarter. On a qoq basis NIM increased to 7.0 per cent from 6.5 per cent in H1 2016 as the increase in our average yield on earning assets (0.8 per cent) outpaced the growth in our funding cost (0.4 per cent). The increased yields on earning assets were driven by the re-pricing of the loan book and

higher yields on liquid assets. Deposits grew by 3.4 per cent (N26.0 billion) from December 2015 with the devaluation of the naira accounting for N53.6 billion of our deposit growth. Low cost deposits now account for 78.4 per cent of total deposits. The banks noted: “Savings deposits grew by 20.4 per cent from December 2015, as we continued to drive our retail banking strategy, which is being driven by our electronic products and channels.”

Federal High Court dismisses BGL cases against SEC

he Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has delivered its judgments on the three cases filed against The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by BGL Plc, its sponsored individuals and subsidiaries. The cases BGL had brought before the Lagos High Court against the Commission are: FHC/L/CS/767/2015 BGL Plc & 4 ORS VS Securities and Exchange Commission FHC/L/ CS/1050/2015, BGL Plc & 12 ORS VS Securities and Exchange Commission & 2 ORS and FHC/L/121/2016 BGL Assets Management Limited & 22 ORS VS Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor. A statement made available

yesterday to New Telegraph by SEC, said the Court dismissed all the above cases for” being incompetent”, handing a major victory to the regulatory and investor protection mandates of the Commission. SEC had banned the Managing Director of BGL Plc, Mr. Albert Okumagba and his deputy, Chibundu Edozie, from carrying out capital market activities for 20 years and ordered his companies to restitute investors over N2 billion. The ban also followed complaints from investors against Okumagba and his company over failure, refusal and or/ neglect to liquidate their investments in both the Guaranteed Consolidated dated

Notes and Guaranteed Premium Notes, two investment products run by the company. SEC had suspended Okumagba and BGL from operating in the market a year ago and had since been investigating the complaints. He was also removed as the President of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS). According to SEC, in a bid to obtain justice for the complainants and grant all parties fair hearing, the matter was presented before the Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC) of the commission, which sat on February 6, 2016. During the proceedings various parties tendered testimonies and documentary evidence.

Dangote Sugar posts N19bn Q3 gross profit

angote Sugar Company Plc has reported a gross revenue of N115.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. According to the unaudited quarter result released at the weekend on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the earnings for the period indicates a 58 per cent leap over N78 billion gross earnings in the corresponding period in 2015. Breakdown of the result indicated that gross profit rose to N19 billion compared to N18.7 billion in 2015, representing a

1.2 per cent increase. Profit before tax rose from N14.2 billion to N15.3 billion while profit after tax grew from N9.3 billion to N10.1 billion. Speaking on the performance, the Acting Group Managing Director, Dangote Sugar, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, said: “Despite the continued challenges in the economic and business environment, orchestrated by the continued rise in inflation, insufficient foreign exchange to finance raw materials and equipment inputs, our revenue grew by 58.0 per cent over the corre-

sponding period in year 2015.” “We continued with efforts at actualising our sugar Backward Integration Master Plan with focus on Savannah Sugar, Lau/Tau and other project sites in the first phase of the project. We remain resilient and optimistic that our set goals will be achieved with the continued implementation and review of our initiatives to grow sales volumes, increase our market share, and focus on the actualisation of our “Sugar for Nigeria” backward integration projects plan.”

NEWS News|NATIONAL

FG shops for $67bn gas, FTZ investments Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government yesterday declared that about $67 billion investment shortfalls are in the Nigeria gas sector and the Free Trade Zones (FTZ) infrastructure development. It also unveiled moves to seek investors to take full advantage of the “opportunities.” Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Mainkanti Baru, who said this in a key note address at the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) 10th International Conference and Exhibition in Abuja, maintained that $51 billion of the investment shortfalls exist in the Nigeria gas sector while the $16 billion investment shortfall exists in the Free Trade Zones (FTZ) infrastructure development and concessioning, port infrastructure, central gas processing facilities, gas transmission, LPG plants, real estate development, pipe milling and local fabrication yards among others. Stating that what it described as opportunities exist today in the midstream and downstream gas sector,

Baru, stated that plugging these investments shortfall was imperative to achieving “the growth phase in the Industry in Nigeria.” Speaking while delivering paper titled “New Growth Phase for Gas Business in Nigeria,” Dr. Baru posited that about $35.4 billion investment will be required in the gas exploration and production activities, power plants projects, fertilizer plants, virtual pipelines and flare gas commercialization initiatives. The GMD added that $16 billion investment will also be needed in the Free Trade Zones (FTZ) infrastructure development and concessioning, port infrastructure, central gas processing facilities, gas transmission, LPG plants, real estate development, pipe milling and local fabrication yards among others. Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, advocated a shift in revenue generation to gas sector to address the resent economic recession. According to the Minister, Nigeria has neglected the sector for a very long time, even when the sector could be as buoyant as the petroleum sector.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

10,000 police recruitment: FG adopts equality per LG Chukwu David Abuja

he Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Abu Ibrahim, yesterday confirmed that the Federal Government has adopted equality per local government in the recruitment of 10,000 police officers proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari. That was against equality per state being canvassed by many Nigerians, particularly those from the southern states of the country. He also said that the Senate, the Police Service Commission (PSC) and

the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had resolved the disagreement they had over the recruitment of the police officers and were set to resume the process which was temporarily halted in the midst of the controversy. The proposed recruitment of 10,000 personnel into the police force was put on hold due to misunderstanding between the Senate Committee, Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Inspector- General of Police (IGP) on the appropriate formula to use in the exercise. Following this disagreement, according to Ibrahim, the Senate

committee wrote to the President to intervene and resolve the issues, which were basically if the recruitment should be done on the basis of equality per local government in the country or equality per state. The other issue of contention, he further explained, was to ensure that the police force was carried along in the recruitment exercise and their contributions considered. The Senate had suggested that the recruitment be done on local government basis but the PSC insisted that it should be done per state. “We have resolved the

issue and the recruitment would be done on local government basis. Very soon, the exercise will resume,” Ibrahim said yesterday. “Nine personnel would be recruited per local government area. The policemen would be used to form a unit for community policing in all the 774 local government areas of the country”, he also said. He also revealed that in the next three years, 30 personnel would be recruited per local government for the community policing programme, which has been in the offing for effective policing in the country.

Arik: Our $8m trapped in Angola, Sierra Leone ...Airlifts 19.5 million passengers in 10 years Wole Shadare

igeria’s flag carrier, Arik, said it has deployed diplomatic option to get its $4.5 million trapped in Luanda, Angola just as there are indications that the carrier also has

almost the same amount of money trapped in Sierra Leone. Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide, made the disclosure to New Telegraph on the sidelines of press briefing on the 10th anniversary of the airline in Lagos, stressing that the carrier has made moves to recover its money in those countries. He, however, stated that he was optimistic that the monies would be released, but noted that the trapped funds would have been more helpful to the carrier. As at two months ago, airlines trapped fund in Nigeria was close to $600 million, but the government released $300 million to the carriers that have scaled down their operations while others outrightly stopped their services because of recession that have made people shun air travels. Other countries where airline funds are trapped

are Venezuela which tops the list with $3.7billion (16 months); Sudan $360million (4 months); Egypt $291 million (4 months) and Angola $237 million (7 months). The airline chief lamented the poor infrastructure at the airports, saying that decrepit facilities at the aerodromes have inhibited their operations. He called on the Federal Government to fix the airports, runway and helping airlines with aviation fuel, otherwise known as JET A1. Speaking to reporters, Executive Vice President of Arik Air, Chris Ndulue, said that 10 years of operations was not a mean feat considering the crises airlines are faced with, adding that the carrier started as a small airline in 2006. “Today, we have 28 aircraft. From 2006 to 2016, we have airlifted 19.5 million passengers

and with 2, 300 employees. Our future outlook is to have our footprint across Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.” “To do this, additional airplanes are required about 50 in year 2025 including long and medium range planes.” Ndulue further stated that the last one year has been very challenging for them and many airlines in the country, occasioned by scarcity of foreign exchange to purchase spare parts and other logistics. He hinted that a lot of their expenditure is dollarized. He was piqued that while international airlines were already enjoying the benefits of fallen oil prices, Nigerian carriers are yet to do so, as aviation fuel price in Nigeria has gone up by 100 per cent from N120 per litre to N220 per litre and more in stations outside Lagos.

Kukah meets Fani-Kayode, Obanikoro, Abati in EFCC custody Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, yesterday paid an “unscheduled visit” to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he met and prayed for detainees, including two former Ministers, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, as well as former Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati. Fani-Kayode, Obanikoro, and Abati, who

was former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, have remained in the custody of the EFCC, since their separate arrests over a week ago, on allegations of corruption. Also in the custody of the anti-graft agency, is a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, whose offence borders on alleged contract fraud and abuse of public trust. Kukah’s visit to the EFCC yesterday, was announced in a statement by the commission’s spokes-

man, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren. According to Uwujaren, the cleric had described the anti-graft agency’s detention facility and clinic in Abuja, as “clean and orderly”. He was said to have been conducted round the facilities by the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, during the visit. “Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Father Matthew Hassan Kukah has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, over the state of its facilities in Abuja, which he described as ‘clean and orderly.”

News|SOUTH-WEST

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Adekunle Ajasin varsity denies rift with ASUU Babatope Okeowo, Akure

he management of the Ondo State university, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, (AAUA) yesterday denied any rift with the local branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) following suspension of six lecturers of the university. The institution’s Registrar, Mr Michael Ayeerun who disclosed this in a statement said the suspension of six lecturers of the institution was a routine administrative procedure aimed at restoring sanity and order. Ayeerun in the statement said the suspended lecturers were disciplined because they went round the campus, disrupting normal academic activities and prevented others from carrying out their assigned academic and administrative du-

ties and not because they were mostly executives of the local chapter of ASUU as being insinuated in some quarters. The statement reads: “The Management of Adekunle Ajasin University wishes to, for the umpteenth time, put the record straight by clearing the air on the recent development in the institution. For the sake of clarity and avoidance of doubt, management wishes to state the following: “That the recent suspension of some lecturers in the institution is not an attack on any union or its leadership, but mere administrative process aimed at restoring sanity and order. “The suspended lecturers went round the campus disrupting normal academic activities, and were preventing others from carrying out their assigned academic and administrative duties.”

Court stops UI from ejecting sacked lecturer Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

fforts of the authorities of the University of Ibadan to eject a sacked lecturer, Dr. Adenike Ogunshe from her official residence, yesterday failed as the National Industrial Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, gave an order stopping it from ejecting her pending the determination of the suit filed by her. Ogunshe, a lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, had her appointment terminated over alleged misconduct. But she approached the court, challenging the institution and its Council over the alleged

unlawful termination of her appointment. She also challenged the institution’s attempt to eject her from her allocated quarters on the campus. The order halting her ejection was sequel to an ex-parte motion filed on her behalf by her lawyer, Mr Femi Aborisade, who urged the court to stop the University of Ibadan from carrying out the directive. In his argument, Aborisade told the court that the appointment of his client was wrongly terminated as due process was not followed, and that it was “unconstitutional, unlawful and a violation of my client’s constitutionallyguaranteed right to life, natural justice and fair hearing.”

Leadership crisis rocks OAU ASUU Mojeed Alabi

he Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been embroiled by leadership crisis as two individuals lay claim to the union’s chairmanship position. In a communiqué issued and signed by the Chairman of the union’s Caretaker Committee, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu announced the suspension of the union’s executive committee led by Dr. Caleb Aborishade. But in a swift reaction, Aborisade denied being suspended, saying he remained the chairman of

the union on the campus as it was not the practice of the union to discuss its issues on the pages of newspapers. According to Sunmonu, the union had called the congress to appraise the activities of the executive committee and review some allegations levelled against them, adding that the October 27 meeting was to ratify the decisions reached on October 20. The communique reads in part: “After intensive and exhaustive deliberations, congress came to the conclusion that the crises in the branch have reached an alarming proportion, and as such, must be apprehended.”

Strike: Amosun sacks NLC, NUT chairmen, 14 others

lSuspends 19 teachers Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

he Ogun State government yesterday dismissed the state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Akeem Ambali, and 15 other leaders of the organised labour. The Governor Ibikunle Amosun-led administration also suspended 19 members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) who are chairmen of the union at various local government areas. The development was a new twist in the face-off between the state government and the workers who had embarked on indefinite strike since October 20 over unremitted deductions. New Telegraph had exclusively reported last Wednesday that there was palpable tension among striking civil servants over impending move by the state government to sack

union leaders. The government had constituted a panel of inquiry to investigate alleged misconduct of executive members of the NUT at the 2016 World Teachers Day celebration. But yesterday, the state government accepted the recommendations of the report of the panel and conveyed its position in a statement signed by the Head of Service, Elder Sola Adeyemi. The government directed the appropriate agencies, including Local Government Service Commission, State Universal Basic Education Board and Teaching Service Commission, to implement the approved recommendations with immediate effect. The statement claimed that government received complaints from concerned members of the public against some public and civil servants allegedly involved in various acts of misconduct and contravention of extant

regulations during the 2016 World Teachers Day celebration. It found the dismissed workers guilty of contravening the Public Service Rules 04401, 04421 (c & d) and 04406 (a). Apart from Ambali, who was until his dismissal Deputy Director, Community and Social Development, Sagamu Local Government, the state NUT Chairman, Comrade Dare Ilekoya, was also dismissed. The list included A.O. Oshin, Nola Balogun, Eniola Atiku, Solaru O, Adebanjo T, Akinola A. S, Oyolola S. A. and Obafemi O.B. Other dismissed workers are Ogunsola Peter, Akinlade S.A., Christopher T.A, Ogunrombi A.A, Azeez K.I, and Taiwo A.O. Those placed on suspension are Comrade Odusanya S.A, Comrade Akapo, Comrade Atiku E. T, Comrade Adegbesan J.O, Comrade Adelami S.I, Comrade Obadara O,

Comrade Ogunnuga O.A, Comrade Ayokambi T.A, Comrade Tijani A.A, and Comrade Adegbesan J. Ola. The government also suspended Comrade Idowu A.O, Comrade Olaifa O.A, Comrade Bayo Lasore, Comrade Ahmodu S.A, Oludotun Oliyide, Comrade Tijani Y.A, Comrade Awode I.A, Comrade Dada O.A, and Comrade Adesanya Abiola A. The NLC chairman was accused of being the brain behind the political campaign rally held during the Teachers Day programme. “He actively gave interviews, press statements and met several times with politicians in preparation for the D-Day. In his goodwill address to NUT on 5th October, 2016, he gave inflammable and scandalous speech, lambasting the state government which is a risk to peace and security of the state. He knowingly partook in the charade,” the panel submitted in its report.

Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi (left) presenting a talking drum to the World Bank Country Director, Mr. Benmessaoud Rachid, during the visit of the bank’s team to the governor in Ibadan... yesterday.

Wale Elegbede

eading opposition party in Lagos State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the state had a better lease of governance under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode than his predecessor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola. In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Taofik Gani, the PDP said it doubted claims of achievements by Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola on injection of 30 megawatts of power into the national grid, stating that the former governor of Lagos State had a style and practice of promoting mediocrity, propaganda

Ambode’s 19 months in office better than Fashola’s eight years –PDP and inappropriate speculation. PDP said: “Without adopting the government of Ambode, at least we can now see signs of government’s presence in some erstwhile abandoned areas under Fashola. “This patriotic advise is on the heels of the minister celebrating a proposed injection of a mere 30 megawatts of power from the Gurara-hydro power plant, when indeed the minister has collected monumental funding well enough to have injected over 500 megawats into the National grid.” However, the party described an attempt

by Fashola to celebrate a mere 30 megawatts as laughable but infuriating because Fashola should rather admit failure and feel sober having mismanaged the power ministry to the extent of a drop of supply from over 6000 megawatts when he took over to now less than 2000 megawatts. It went on: “We sincerely advise President Muhammadu Buhari to

$1.01m The capital importation of the Drilling sector of Nigeria in Q1 2015. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

be very wary of the deceptive skills of Fashola who will usually hype and celebrate even mediocrity. “Fashola has penchant for misrepresenting facts of his achievements in government and would always rationalise obvious inadequacies. As governor of Lagos state, he enjoyed unprecedented revenues and donations, yet left many services untouched or unfinished. “He employed this model to promote his eight years government of mediocrity. Fashola ended up making Lagos state the biggest debtor with local and foreign debts well over N1 trillion.”

SOUTH-south

SOUTH-EAST

Anglican diocese decries state of South-East roads Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

sukka Anglican Diocese, Enugu State, yesterday expressed concern over the decay of some roads in the South-East part of the country, saying that the neglect has affected negatively on the wellbeing of the people of the zone. This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its eighth synod with the theme: “The

Return of the Ark,” held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Nsukka Local Government Area, signed by the Rt. Rev. Aloysius Agbo, Bishop of Nsukka Diocese and President of the synod and Ven. Chinedu Onah, clerical synod secretary. The synod expressed dismay that 9th MileMakurdi Road, EnuguOnitsha Expressway and Enugu-Port-Harcourt Road had become a death trap causing avoidable accidents and making motorists stay hours on the road as a result of the

bad state of the roads. “Federal Government should urgently intervene to fix these roads as well as improve on the well-being of South-East residents,” it said. It also condemned the recent attack on Nimbo community in UzoUwani Council Area, where suspected herdsmen attacked the community, killing many and injuring others. The synod also called on law enforcement agencies to expedite action in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Anambra gets FG, World Bank’s approval for cassava production Pamela Eboh Awka

he Federal Government and the World Bank yesterday approved additional value chain for cassava production in the state, which would expected to gulp hundreds of millions of naira to help boost the initiative of the state government in the area of agriculture, especially as there has been a recorded success in the area of rice production.

The World Bank assisted project under FADAMA 111, is to be executed in six states of Anambra, Enugu, Niger, Kogi, Kano and Lagos, while the Federal Government has just admitted 21 other states as production centres. So far, six local government areas in the state known to have an edge in the production of cassava have been selected for the project. The local government areas include Orumba North, Orumba South,

Awka North, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West and Ogbaru. According to the team leader of the sixth FG/ World Bank joint mission currently assessing the level of implementation of FADAMA 111 projects in Anambra State, Dr. Ben Herbert, the state government was expected to pay N56 million counterpart fund for the new cassava project, adding that about 2, 500 farmers were being targeted for the project.

Foreign investors to revive NNMC, EPZ in Akwa Ibom Tony Anichebe Uyo

group of investors from the United States, China and Taiwan, under the auspices of Phonix Group has expressed readiness to invest in the abandoned Nigeria Newsprint Manufacturing Company, Oku-Iboku and the Export Processing Zone, Ikot Abasi both in Akwa Ibom State. The group led by ChiuLing Wang, President International Affairs, Phonix Group, who toured various abandoned and moribund industrial sites in the state, assured

the people that the revitalisation of the moribund newsprint firm and investment in the Export Processing Zone remains a priority to the group. He said: “We will bring resources from all over the world to ensure that these investments are properly kick-started to serve the public and make profit. “We will do our best for the country and Akwa Ibom State, we will return within 90 days with all we need to kick start the turning around of these industries and will pick more areas of investment when the first two succeeds.” Also speaking, the facilitator of the visit and Chair-

Ebere Ameh

nited States Government yesterday said it has initiated a five-year $18 million public-private partnership that addresses three primary delays associated with maternal and newborn health - the delay in seeking services, the delay in reaching care, and the delay in receiving highquality care at a health facility. In a release by the Public Affairs Section, United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, USAID sponsored a week-long,

Gabriel Efeduku and Cajetan Mmuta

FRSC raises the alarm over fake soldiers in Ebonyi Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

he Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) yesterday raised the alarm over fake soldiers in Ebonyi State. The commission said some men in military uniform had been going round the metropolis impounding vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles from unsuspecting driv-

ers and operators. In a release signed by the Sector Command of the corps, Mr. Sunday Inyama, the hoodlums had been going about collecting tricycles forcefully from unsuspecting victims and thereafter accused them of dangerous driving while their vehicles and tricycles would be taken to the FRSC office. He noted that the com-

mand had no record of such impounding in his office neither did his men carry out such act. Inyama said his men were always in FRSC uniform, not military uniform, when on the field, adding that the perpetrators were criminals who camouflage in army uniform. Inyama disassociated the corps from such criminal activities.

man, Gestrics Group Limited, Dr. Chris Ekpenyong, said Akwa Ibom State was blessed with a lot of solid minerals and yearning for investors to come and leverage on them. The chairman, a former deputy governor of the state, explained that Governor Udom Emmanuel was keen on industrialising the state, which prompted his commitment towards ensuring the success of the governor’s vision for the state. According to him, “I have seen a man with vision and one desirous of industrialising our state; I want to thank the governor for encouraging the coming of the Phonix Group to take a study of where to invest in Akwa Ibom State.”

US initiates $18m PPP support in Cross River global team-building meeting of the initiative called Saving Mothers, Giving Life (SMGL) Initiative, in Calabar, Cross River State, last week. In 2014, Nigeria became the third country to adopt the initiative after successes were reported by the programmme in Uganda and Zambia. The meeting, organised by the Cross River State government in partnership with USAID, brought together national and regional partners and key stakeholders to share updates on the progress of activities in Uganda and Zambia and

Ijaw flay Niger Delta dialogue without restructuring

L-R: Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade; his Deputy, Professor Ivara Esu; Speaker, Cross River House of Assembly, Hon. John Gaul Lebo; his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey; with other members of the state House of Assembly and State Executive Council members shortly after the presentation of the 2017 state budget to the House by the Governor in Calabar…yesterday.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

he Ijaw people of the Niger Delta yesterday described as meaningless any dialogue on the Niger Delta crisis that has no consideration for restructuring the country. Such an exercise, they said would be in futility. The people also described as disappointing, the meeting held by pan-Niger Delta Dialogue Team led by Chief Edwin Clark with the United States Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Homeland Rights, Dr. Sarah Sewall in Abuja, saying that the issues canvassed at the parley seemed to be a prelude to what South-South leaders will present to the Federal Government at the forthcoming dialogue being convened by

President Muhammadu Buhari. The Ijaw in a joint statement by some groups; Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade; Ijaw Human Rights Monitors, Niger Delta Security Watch Organisation and Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, said the Niger Delta people want a restructuring of the country that would usher in political autonomy and resource ownership by the component states. Meanwhile, foremost activist in the Niger Delta, Paul Bebenimibo, yesterday declared today’s meeting between leaders from the oil rich region and President Buhari over the lingering crisis in the region as an exercise in futility without the participation of former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo.

guide inputs on expansion in Nigeria. The United States Consul General, John Bray, USAID Acting Mission Director, Aler Grubbs and the Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, participated in the opening ceremony.

Ayade presents N301bn budget Clement James Calabar

he Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade on Monday appropriated the sum of N301, 203, 204, 977, 84 as the amount for the 2017 fiscal year. Presenting the budget at the State House of Assembly in Calabar, the governor, who tagged it “budget of infinite development,” explained that capital expenditure is projected at N226,483,103,979 (75.2%) while recurrent expenditure stands at N17, 937,774,852,38 (24.8%). He said the internally generated revenue for 2017 is projected at N81, 142, 339, 895, 32k while statutory allocation from the federation account is estimated to be N41, 676, 220, 118, 34l. Similarly, grants from international donors will be N76, 70, 534,23,35 and money from the economic recovery programe of the federal government will amount to N38,479,892,55,29, just as the projected investor fund is put at N63,839,236,850,70. Ayade, who did not breakdown the budget into sectoral units, simply told the House that that the money will be used to pay salaries, as well as develop infrastructure such super highway, deep sea port and development of new cities.

News|NORTH

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Zamfara: 520 pregnant women on HIV antiretroviral drugs Idris Salisu Gusau

o fewer than 520 pregnant women in Zamfara State, who were confirmed positive to HIV, have already commenced antiretroviral drugs facilitated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Prevention Organisational System, AIDS Control and Treatment (PRO-ACT) HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis Control Programme. This was disclosed by the Project Director,

Management Sciences for Health (MSH), the implementation project partner in the state, Dr. Med Maumbi. He said that the USAID has continued to fund the programme since 2013 in six out of the 14 Local Government Areas of the state, where landmark achievements had been

recorded particularly in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV virus. She said the programme had enrolled 4,436 people after they were eventually tested positive to the dreaded decease in 2013, adding that the programme was able to manage their treatment across

that long period. The Programme Director noted that the programme had witnessed 94,141 pregnant women, who voluntarily presented themselves for HIV test out of which the 520 were discovered to be positive. She expressed satisfaction that the

L-R: Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Mohammed Kanar; Chairman, Humanitarian Support, Mr. Bulama Mali-Oubio; Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Alhaji Mustapha Baba-Shehuri; and representative of the North-East senators, Sen. Ali Ndume, during the minister’s visit to NEMA intervention store where grains promised Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by the Federal Government were kept before distribution to them, in Maiduguri… yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

15.5m

The estimated number of family and friends that provided unpaid care to those with Azheimer’s and other dementias in 2013. Source: Alz.org

The life expectancy of women at age 60 years of Gibraltar in 2001. Source: Un.org

ACF holds security summit in Kaduna Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

he Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a pan Northern sociocultural group, has spoken of plans to organise a security summit, aimed at finding a lasting solution to the security challenges in the northern part of the country. The security summit, according to the Forum, would take place in Kaduna, the capital of Kaduna State. Deputy Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Liman Kwande, who led a delegation of ACF chieftains on a courtesy call on Governor Malam Nasir El Rufai, disclosed this yesterday in Kaduna. He said that the delegation was at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House to seek the gover-

nor’s support towards a successful summit. Kwande, who pleaded with El-Rufai to canvass support of other northern state governors on behalf of ACF, however, lamented the spate of attacks in some parts of the state in recent times. While underscoring the imperative of the summit on security, he said “the recent attacks by suspected herdsmen on some communities in the Godogodo community, where several lives were lost and properties destroyed, as well as the trust among the communities was severely damaged, are most condemnable.” Kwande went on: “The rampant kidnapping of innocent people along Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, among others have become a great concern to us. The threats to our peace, as a region and collective as a people, must be addressed by the government and

socio-cultural groups such as ACF. “Therefore, to respond to the serious security challenges, the ACF thought it necessary to organise a Northern Security Summit, where stakeholders will be invited to openly discuss the various forms of insecurity as well as proffering workable solutions. Responding, El-Rufai noted that the proposed security summit was coming at a time the north is battling with the spate of insecurity, ranging from cattle rustling, kidnapping, rural banditry and reprisal attacks in different parts of the region. The governor, who expressed optimism that the summit would find solutions to these threats to peace facing the region, assured ACF of the state government’s support towards a successful summit in view of its importance.

CBN Governor lauds rice production in Kebbi Bubakar Abdul, Birnin Kebbi

he Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele has said that the 1milliom metric tons of rice expected to be produce in Kebbi State had been achieved.

programme had also trained 26 health personnel in the field of healthcare service delivery in 19 facilities, which significantly recorded huge success particularly in area of public awareness and enlightenment over HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis control and treatment.

This was even as he reiterated that the development would go a long way in bringing about sufficiency in rice production as the country would be able to feed itself. He disclosed this yesterday during his assessment tour to the state on the Federal Government’s targeted produc-

tion of food crops across the country, adding that Kebbi, Niger, Anambra, Calabar and other rice producing states, would feed the nation and make food items available in the country. Emefiele explained further that the ongoing progamme would continue so as to boost economy.

PDP crisis: Markafi group takes over Kwara secretariat Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

embers of the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State yesterday took over the party’s secretariat in Ilorin, the state capital. The group, led by the state party Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, arrived at the secretariat along Asa Dam Road at about 9 am amidst drumming and singing, proclaiming an end to the leadership of the party under Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo and his faction. Fagbemi, who spoke with newsmen shortly after gaining entry into the secretariat, said the reopening of the secretariat had become necessary as preparations for council election in the state had commenced and the need to put an end to the activities of the Oyedepo group in the party. He said his leadership had written to the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), requesting for guidelines and time-table for the conduct of the Lo-

cal Government Council poll, adding that he would soon begin a tour of the 16 Local Government Areas of the state to assess the well-being of members of the party. He said: “Our mission here today is to take effective charge of the secretariat to ensure the smooth running of activities of our party. For some time now, you will observe that the secretariat had been put under lock and key; this is not good enough and does not portray us in good light. “We would not want to preside over the funeral of our baby. PDP is our baby. The people that claimed to be in charge of the affairs of the party because we thought the people at the helms of affairs from the national level following what happened on May 10 were all witnesses to it where there were sporadic shooting at the Stella Obasanjo Centre. Indeed, when seven members of the Congress Committee that was constituted by the Senator Modu Ali Sheriff came, five of them wrote that these people did not participate in the congress.”

Cattle rustlers kill five, injure others in Niger Dan Atori MINNA

espite stringent moves by Niger State Government and security agents to curb the menace of cattle rustling, suspected cattle rustlers in the early hours of yesterday attacked Gbada community in Kaure, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state, killing five people and leaving several others injured. According to a source in the community, who did not want his name in print, the attackers, numbering over 30, stormed the community at about 3 am and rustled undisclosed number of cattle. Gbada, a community on the border with neighbouring Kaduna State has come under sever attacks by cattle rustlers who were believed to be fleeing from the Joint Military Operations in Kaduna. Speaking to our Correspondent, a senator, representing Niger East in the National Assembly, David Umaru recalled how he received calls from some members of the community early yesterday on the attack and promptly alerted the police command in the state. While confirming figure of affected victims, Senator Umaru said “many of the villagers are still missing, and some houses were torched in the bloody attack.”

Sokoto to build 160 new schools

okoto State Government said that it has commenced construction of no fewer than 160 primary and secondary schools across the state. Special Adviser to Governor on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam disclosed this yesterday in Sokoto, the state capital. Imam, who spoke during opening ceremony of a one-day Training of Field Officers for Pilot Survey on Schools’ NEEDS Assessment under the state of emergency on education in the state, hinted that the new schools consisted of 100 primary schools, 45 senior secondary schools and 15 junior secondary schools. “If there is any sector that needed to be turned around, it should be the education sector. And this does not only lie with the teachers, but with us collectively as citizens,” he added.

FeaTURES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

When royalty visited ABUAD Tunde Olofintila

xactly one week after the world congregated at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), to celebrate its 7th Founder’s Day and 4th Convocation Ceremonies, it was another celebration on Friday, October 28, 2016 when the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, together with other royal fathers, including the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Aladesanmi III, visited the six-year old university. Dressed in an immaculate white apparel with a golden crown and a golden staff of office, the brand new Ooni, a man of royalty who has been bitten by the bug of hunger and thirst for the unity of the Yoruba nation, strolled into Alfa Belgore Hall amidst a tumultuous and rousing welcome attended by people from the different rungs of the ABUAD community who were at their sartorial best. After the pleasantries and the razzmatazz associated with this type of up-beat event, the frontline Royal Father, who said that he was more than impressed with what he saw in the six-year old university, described Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) as a typical example of “something growing out of nothing and becoming great within a very short time of its existence”. Oba Ogunwusi commended the Founder and Chancellor of ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, whom he described as forthright and straight forward personality for his vision in establishing the university and taking it to a very high pedestal in six years and for the rousing welcome the Babalolas and the entire university community organized in his honour. His words:”I have been reading about Aare Afe Babalola in the newspapers for many years now, but today, I will tell him something he doesn’t know: he has been one of my mentors. He is a very forthright and straight forward Ekiti man. Future leaders should take a study on what Ekiti is and what makes it what it is today, the Fountain of Knowledge” He added: ”I have equally noticed that it is not money that drives this great man, it is passion and a clear vision, a passion for excellence and a vision so clear that it cannot be mistaken. I then asked him why this vision and he told me somebody has to do it, someone has to bell the cat. “Aare Afe Babalola told me how he planted a tree 25 years ago and how he has now started reaping a bountiful harvest thereof ”. He thanked Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola for her support for the vision, stressing that her name which has already been etched in letters of gold can never be erased. Addressing the students who turned out in their thousands to catch a glimpse of him, the Ooni who said his visit to ABUAD was another memorable day for him and a great honour to address “great leaders of tomorrow”, urged them to plant a tree now, like Babalola did 25 years ago and nurture it into fruition, stressing that there is no short cut to success. Affirming that the students have what it takes for them to have their destinies shaped and nurtured in ABUAD, Oba Ogunwusi said: “Your Founder planted at tree 25 years ago

(R-L) : Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, Aare Afe Babalola, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti and another monarch

The Ooni of Ife presents a gift to the Babalolas

and he is reaping the harvest today. Each of you should plant a tree today and nurture it because there is no short cut to success. There is a process for everything. Just look at the way the sun rises and sets. Look at the way the moon shines. Look at the way the rain falls. There is a process that cannot be short circuited”. He urged the students to identify people who can shape their lives and have plans of what they want to grow in their souls, how happy they want to become in future and how fulfilled they want to become in future and work assiduously towards attaining those goals. The Oba who declined to sit down, but elected to stand up, to address the students because of his philoso-

phy of life and his love and respect for the younger ones said: ”I have a very simple philosophy of life and that is the fact that I have a lot of respect and love for people coming behind me. I accord them greater respect and honour than those in front of me because only God knows what those coming behind me will become. “There is only one Supreme Being who knows tomorrow. Nobody, but God Himself, knows the future of the beautiful and handsome faces I am seeing here today. But I know there are future Presidents, Governors, wives of Presidents and great Engineers that will transform this country here, future leaders that will turn around the future of this

When a man thinks about how to change the world and he demonstrates it through the way he relates with others, including students, such indeed is a true leader

country.” He therefore advised them to put themselves together, conduct themselves very well, be of good character and put up very clear action plans because people will look up to them as leaders in future. I his remarks, Oba Adejugbe described the Ooni as “the Ooni of our dream, who has been visiting the hot spots in Yorubaland in search of peace and unity”. No wonder then that on January 17, 2016, Oba Ogunwusi visited Oyo Alaafin, embraced the Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the first of such in 79 years, thus thawing the near four decades of thick and foggy ice of impasse between the two powerful and leading thrones in Yorubaland. He has equally visited the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, the Ogunsua of Modakeke and many others preaching the gospel of peace and unity. In his comments, Babalola, who donned his trade mark hat and flashing his ubiquitous smile, described Ooni’s visit as an important day in the life of his university, the life of the nation and in his own life as he was receiving in audience a Royalty who believes in oneness and unity of the Yoruba nation and demonstrating it in action and not in mere words. He commended the Ooni for choosing to visit the Alaafin, embracing him, thus resolving the supremacy tussle between the two frontline Obas which no one, including the courts, has been able to resolve in decades. “This is the type of leaders this country needs. When a man thinks about how to change the world and he demonstrates it through the way he relates with others, including students, such indeed is a true leader. I salute you sir”, Babalola said. He thanked the Royal father for his words of commendation and encouragement for his family and the university, stressing that he will continue to strive to raise a new generation of leaders and build a new Nigeria. • Olofintila wrote from Ado-Ekiti.

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Ebuehi shuns Eagles invitation

That Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday against Alaves recorded his 38th career hattrick and 31st in the La Liga after helping Real to win 4-1.

Sports Conte hails Moses’ defensive qualities

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Panic grips NFF, Rohr over Ikeme’s fitness Alloy begins search for replacement

Emmanuel Tobi

igeria’s number one goalkeeper Carl Ikeme’s fitness is a source of concern for the Nigeria Football Federation and Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, after he was substituted during Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 1-1 draw at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday due to a hip injury. The 30-year-old who was instrumental to Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Zambia in their opening match of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers has been invited for the World Cup qualifier against Algeria on November 12. “We hope he gets back on time because we know the role he has played in the Super Eagles since the sudden retirement of former first choice keeper, Vincent Enyeama. I pray the injury don’t relapse during the game against Algeria, that is why we must have a strong back up,” a top shot who preferred anonymity told New Telegraph on Monday. New Telegraph also scooped that the coaching crew was keeping tabs on the situation in order to have a backup plan should Ikeme fails to recover fully before the game against Algeria. Already, Ikechukwu Ezenwa of FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Dele Alampasu are in the team for the Algeria game but

Ideye

No excuse not to beat Algeria –Ideye Temidayo Kpossou

Ikeme

NFF’s leadership is not too convinced either of the two can step into Ikeme’s shoes if he is unavailable. “Daniel Akpeyi is doing well for Chippa United in South Africa and Emmanuel Daniel was excellent with the U-23 Eagles at the Rio Olympics. Either of them can come in for Ikeme,” said another top source in the NFF. Rohr was said to have called Ikeme twice in the last 48 hours to confirm his fitness level while goalkeeper trainer, Alloy Agu, has been told to begin

search for replacement. Meanwhile, Wolves interim manager, Rob Edwards, is hoping the injury would not keep him out of contention for too long. “Carl was struggling around his hip area, which I think came after he stretched to make a save. “He was having it iced at half time and I don’t yet know the extent of the problem. “Hopefully, he won’t be out for too long because he is very important for us,” Edwards told the club’s official website.”

lympiacos of Greece striker, Brown Ideye, has said the Super Eagles have no excuse not to defeat Algeria’s foxes when they play Nigeria in the 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo on November 12. Speaking during a live TV programme, Ideye expressed confidence in the Eagles’ ability to secure the three points against the visitors. Ideye said: “It will be a very good and interesting game for us. We just have to prove to the world and to our fans that we can beat Algeria, we have no excuse than to qualify the country for the World Cup and I am sure we are going to do that,” he said. He added that the Eagles have what it takes to curtail the Algerians despite the array of stars at their disposal. “We know they have some good players but we have players who can threaten their defence too. “We have to be defensive and curtail their attack and they should also watch out for our strikers.”

Oshonaike: I’ll retire when I achieve my dream

…as Dalung urges athletes to emulate Quadri, Toriola Charles Ogundiya

A The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

frican Table Tennis queen, Funke Oshonaike, has said she will only retire from the sport that gave her fame after achieving her dream of discovering new female players better than herself. The 41-year-old defeated African number one, Dina Meshref, 4-2 on Sunday to emerge African singles champion, a title she won last 24 years ago. She has been the most consistent Nigeria female player and was the only female player from the country at the recently concluded ITTF-Africa championships in Agadir, Morocco. Oshonaike said as long as there was nobody to replace her, especially who can beat the Egyptian players, she would continue to play for the country in major championships. “My dream for Nigeria is to get a female table tennis player, to take over from me, to be better than me, then I can say okay, I can throw in the towel,” she said in a video on her

Facebook page. “For now, as long as I have not gotten someone better than me, that can beat the Egyptians because the only problem we are still having are the Egyptians, then I will still continue.

Oshonaike

“The Egyptian have spent a lot of money to develop Table Tennis in their country, I just hope things can be better in Nigeria again, it used to be very good in the past, in the 80s, the 90s and the early 2000, but unfortunately something went wrong, but I know for sure we are going to get it back.” Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has charged Nigeria’s budding athletes to emulate the trio of table tennis stars Segun Toriola, Aruna Quadri and Funke Oshonaike following their feats at the just concluded ITTF Africa Senior Championship in Agadir, Morocco. Dalung said the ability of players like Toriola and Oshonaike to still remain competitive at the continental stage has proven again that an athlete can stay relevant for a very long time if disciplined. He said Oshonaike’s performance was a pointer to the fact that “impossible is nothing with the right levels of preparation, mental strength and the desire to win.”

SPORT NEWS

Ebuehi shuns Eagles’ invitation Charles Ogundiya

ewly-invited defender, Tyronne Ebuehi, has turned down opportunity to feature for Nigeria against Algeria in a World Cup qualifier scheduled for November 12 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The defender who currently plays for ADO Den Haag in the Dutch Eredivisie, was handed his first invitation to represent his fatherland by Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr. In a statement on his club’s official website, Ebuehi, described the invitation as a big honour but decided to bid his time before playing for the country. “I see it as a great honour that I was recognised in my homeland,” Ebuehi said. “But at this moment my attention is needed at ADO, especially now that I am already settled in the first team. “This is not the right time for me to travel to Nigeria for the

match against Algeria. I want to focus completely on my club, but certainly, I am not going to rule out playing for Nigeria in the nearest future especially if I get another call up.” The 20-year-old was born in Haarlem to a Dutch mother but of a Nigerian father and has taken over the right-back position

for his club after making his debut two years ago in a 1-0 defeat to Feyenoord Rotterdam. There has been problem in the right-back position of the Super Eagles leading to Rohr deploying a midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, to that position in a 2-1 victory against Zambia in the team’s last match.

Guardiola: Barca match, a final

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES Basel vs PSG 8:45pm Ludogorets vs Arsenal 8:45pm Besiktas vs Napoli 6:45pm Benfica vs Dynamo 8:45pm Kyiv M’gladbach vs Celtic 8:45pm Man City vs Barcelona 8:45pm Atl Madrid vs Rostov 8:45pm Eindhoven vs Bayern 8:45pm

Rangers to retain 90 percent of current squad – Amapakabo Charles Ogundiya

oach of Rangers International, Imama Amapakabo, has said he will retain at least 90 percent of players that won the Nigeria Professional Football League title for the club. He said he could only sanction a transfer abroad for any of the players. “We started by believing that anybody could travel out to sign a professional contract outside, I made contigency plans for such situation,” he said. “I don’t think any of them will want to leave me and sign for another club within the country, no amount of money can take any of my players away apart from travelling abroad. “The plan is to keep 90 percent of the players we used last season, people should not forget that Rangers were the only club that started with 35 players and fin-

Amapakabo

ished the season with the same number. If anything comes from Europe, I will embrace the player and give him my blessing.” He added: “For the 2016/2017 season at the national level, we will defend our hard-earned NPFL title and participate in the CAF Champions League. “We need to fortify the team with some experienced players because competing on the continent is a higher task. “Also, we needed to keep a good number of reserve players to meet-up with the national encounters – Federation Cup as well as in the NPFL- where we needed to defend our hard earned title.”

NCC Tennis League:

Offikwu whip Goshen in Ilorin

ep Guardiola wants Manchester City to treat Tuesday’s clash with Barcelona as if a final, but accepts they need to be perfect to win. City host the Spanish champions at the Etihad Stadium after being thrashed 4-0 by the same opponents in the Nou Camp a fortnight ago. That has left City facing a battle to qualify for the Champions League last 16 from Group C - having also been held to a draw by Celtic. City manager Guardiola, speaking at his pre-match press conference, said: “I think we know what we have to do to beat them and hopefully our quality up front will make a difference. “We have to play in that way - like a final. It’s not a final for them, it is a final for us. There are just three games left and we dropped two points in Glasgow, so we have to recover those points in the next two games. “We have to be focused for 90 minutes, knowing they are going to provoke mistakes because of the quality they have. “But we had a few chances and have to keep going in that sense and try to finish better than we did in Barcelona. Former Barcelona boss Guardiola said: “Winning the last game will help us a lot. When you play a game having won the previous one the feeling is much better. We play the best tomorrow and we’re going to try to win.”

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

T Ebuehi (left)

Supreme Court strikes out Giwa’s motions

he Supreme Court on Monday struck out two motions by Chris Giwa and his group seeking to stay the execution of the ruling of the Court of Appeal. The motions barred one Mr. Oba Maduabuchi from appearing before it on behalf of Giwa and his group, and the judgement of the same court vacating the orders of the Federal High Court re-listing the case and restoring the orders. Giwa has been in and out of court against Nigerian football in the past 28 months, sustaining his quest even after a celebrated loss at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. On Monday, Justices at Nigeria’s highest court were of the

view that the said Maduabuchi could appear in the case until the ruling of the Court of Appeal refusing him audience is vacated. Giwa’s lawyers immediately saw the futility of the twin applications and withdrew same, and the Supreme Court promptly struck out both applications. Giwa and a member of his group, Yahaya Adama, were both in court on Monday when the Supreme Court made the ruling. It would be recalled that on Monday, July 25, the Court of Appeal, Jos Judicial Division, had thrown out Giwa’s case, vacating the order of the Federa High Court of the same division that re-listed the suit and restored earlier orders.

eam Offikwu of Kaduna parading top national players - Sylvester Emmanuel, Emmanuel Idoko, Albert Bicom and Aanu Aiyegbusi defeated Ilorin-based Team Goshen 7-0 at the weekend. Team Offikwu overwhelmed Team Goshen in a well-attended tie that was watched by the Kwara State Commissioner for Sports, Khale Ayo Nuhu, and director of sports, Tunde Kazeem. Team Offikwu now holds second position with two wins and one loss. Reacting to the onesided scoreline, Goshen team coordinator, Ad-

ewale Obalola, said: “It is a good experience for our boys and girls to see how advanced Nigerian tennis has become since this league started last year. They can now appreciate how much hard work they have to put in to attain the kind of level they have seen in this match. The coaches do not have to beg any of the players to train, they are now selfmotivated and we can see the players improving with every tie,” The next match for Goshen will be in Abuja next weekend where they take on defending champions Tombim.

Green: Omagbemi’ll get 8-month unpaid salaries ess than a month be- cial Chris Green told BBC fore the start of the Sport on Monday. L ...Asks Giwa to replace counsel African Women’s Cup of He added: “Omagbe-

igeria’s Supreme Court on Monday asked Ambassador Chris Giwa to replace counsel, Oba Maduabuchi, representing him in a suit challenging a Jos Court of Appeal judgement which stated that the high court erred in relisting a case against the factional leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation led by Amaju Pinnick more than three months after it was withdrawn. The court which did not hear the substantive matter in the suit, only dwelt on an application by the NFF lawyer, Festus Keyamo who drew the attention of the court to the composition of Giwa’s legal team. Keyamo had told the court that the lawyer representing Giwa disqualified himself at the court of

appeal and that it would be wrong for him to still be representing his principal at the Supreme Court. The judges agreed with Keyamo and asked Giwa to reconstitute his legal team, while it mandated Keyamo to respond within thirty days in writing his defence to the matter. Speaking after the court session a lawyer, Onyekachi Ezemma, said the pronouncement of the Supreme Court was not strange but added that it did not diminish the merits of the matter. It would be recalled that on Monday, 25th July 2016, the Court of Appeal, Jos Judicial Division, had thrown out Giwa’s case, vacating the order of the Federa High Court of the same division that re-listed the case and restored earlier orders.

Nations in Cameroon, it has emerged that Nigeria coach Florence Omagbemi has not been paid by the Nigerian Football Federation. The former international, who played in four FIFA Women’s World Cups, has now gone eight months without pay. The continental championship takes place from November 19 to December 3 with Nigeria in Group B alongside Mali, Ghana and Kenya. “It’s been a challenging year for the federation financially but we’re working hard to resolve this before the team departs for Cameroon,” NFF offi-

mi has been very calm about it and it has to be sorted out as soon as possible.” “I’m working round the clock to ensure the coaches and players are paid what they are owed,” said Green. It is not the first time Nigerian coaches have been caught in the web of unpaid salaries.

Omagbemi

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Conte hails Moses’ defensive qualities

ntonio Conte has hailed Victor Moses as a ‘great surprise’ following Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Southampton on Sunday. Goals from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa sealed another comfortable win for Chelsea, while the club’s run of clean sheets has now extended to four English Premier League games. Moses has been one of the players who have benefited from Conte’s change to a 3-4-3 system after the defeat to Arsenal last month, with the Nigeria international impressing in a wing-back role.

epublican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said he believes the FBI have found the "motherlode" of Hillary Clinton's emails. At a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he said he hoped the Democratic candidate's

And when asked about the significance of wing-backs in his new formation, Conte said: ‘This role is very important in this system. ‘You must have good stamina and quality to play as wing-backs. I ask my wing-backs to do offensive and defensive work. ‘Moses is a great surprise in this aspect. We know him as a winger, but he’s playing in a fantastic way. “Also Alonso, it wasn’t easy to go in to the English league and play in this way, and I’m pleased.”

Trump: Clinton email 'motherlode' found 33,000 deleted messages could now be recovered. The FBI is investigating new emails that may be linked to its probe into

Mrs. Clinton's private email server. The White House said it would neither defend nor criticise the FBI decision.

Gambari bags NSSM top job

Buildings have been destroyed, including this church in the village of Campi

Moses (left)

Nigeria Pitch Awards get March 2017 date

he 2016 Award Ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards has been scheduled to take place in March 2017. Speaking on the significance of this choice of date, the organiser Shina Philips, said ‘we need to pick a date which will attract the attention of football lovers and guarantee the presence of award winners.’ Philips also announced that November 23, 2016 had been set aside to celebrate the 2015 winners, especially those who were unavoidably ab-

sent from the award ceremony in Kaduna. Among those set to be presented with certificates and statuettes at the Ibis Hotel, Lagos, are Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine FC), Paul Onobi (Sunshine FC), Godwin Enakhena (SportSplash), Austin Okon-Akpan (Channels TV), and Tana Aiyejina (Punch). The other winners are: Globacom, Nigerian ex-international and multi-talented entrepreneur, Chief Segun Odegbami, Enyimba FC, Lagos State and Ferdinand Udoh, Referee of the Year.

ead of the Kinesiology, Health Education and Sports Administration Department at the Kwara State University, Professor Mohammed Gambari, has been appointed President of the rejuvenated Nigeria Society of Sports Management. The 56-year-old professor of sports management and administration and Provost, College of Education at KWASU, who took over the position from Prof. Clement Oluwasuen Fasan of the University of Lagos, was unveiled at a meeting last week in Ibadan where for mer director at the National Sports Commission, Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba, and NSC’s Zone II Coordinator, Dr. Steve Olarinoye, among other sports administrators, were present. “Sports in Nigeria is in a critical state at the moment and needs direction that can be most sustainable and this is exactly what myself and my time will aim to address in the most efficient and professional way,” Gambari said.

Gowon, Ekweremadu stress importance of sports to unity A

former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Deputy Senate President, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, and other prominent Nigerians have stressed the importance of sports to national unity, arguing that the country would be more unified if leaders paid adequate attention to the sector’s development. Speaking during the unveiling and lighting of the Unity Torch for the Legends Wrestle For National Unity Festival in remembrance of Nigeria’s past heroes at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Gowon stressed the importance of sports to the development of Nigeria. The Legends Wrestle For National Unity Festival will take place in Enugu on December 9 and 10 with over 20 wrestlers drawn from across the world featuring in different contests. “You do not need a university degree to be a good sports person. What

you need is a good skill and a conducive environment,” Ekweremadu said. World-renowned wrestler, Osita Offor, also known as Dee Ultimate Commander, said the event would be used as platform to showcase an array of internationally revered wrestlers, who will be fighting for the peace and unity of the nation.

Italy quake: At least 15,000 in temporary shelters

taly's most powerful earthquake since 1980 has left more than 15,000 people homeless, according to the country's civil protection agency. No-one was killed in Sunday's quake but 20 people were injured and there is extensive damage in and around Norcia. The 6.6-magnitude quake struck near the central region where nearly 300 people were killed by a quake in August. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is due to chair a meeting of his cabinet to discuss emergency reconstruction. Mr Renzi said that Italy's soul was unsettled. It

was an "enormous relief" that no-one had died this time, he added. The earthquake struck Sunday morning, destroying buildings or rendering them structurally unsafe in several towns and villages in the mountainous central region. Many of those affected are living with relatives or friends, but the civil protection agency said it was providing assistance to 15,000, with 10,000 accommodated in tents and converted sports halls. Thousands spent the night in their cars or under canvas. Hotels on the Adriatic

coast are sheltering some 4,000. More than 100 aftershocks were registered overnight into yesterday, including one of magnitude 4.2. Tremors from the latest earthquake were felt in the capital Rome, more than 100km (60 miles) away from the epicentre near the historic town of Norcia. The Rome metro system was closed Sunday; an early 20th Century bridge, Ponte Mazzini, has been shut to traffic after cracks appeared; and a crack was visible on the facade of St Paul's Basilica, one of the four principal papal churches.

UNICEF: 2bn children breathing toxic air

s Indians awake to smoke-filled skies from a weekend of festival fireworks, Delhi's worst season for air pollution begins - with dire consequences. A new report from the UN children's agency, UNICEF, says about a third of the two billion children in the world who are breathing toxic air live in northern India and neighbouring countries, risking serious health effects including damage to their lungs, brain and other organs. Of that global total,

300 million children are exposed to pollution levels more than six times higher than standards set by the World Health Organization, including 220 million in South Asia. New Delhi's dirty air threatens public health. The alarming numbers are hardly a surprise. Delhi's air pollution, among the world's worst, surges each winter because of the season's weak winds and countless rubbish fires set alight to help people stay warm. Even days before the city erupted in annual

firework celebrations for the Hindu holiday of Diwali, recorded levels of tiny, lung-clogging particulate matter known as PM2.5 were considered dangerous at well above 300 micrograms per cubic metre. Yesterday, Delhi residents were advised to stay indoors, with health warnings issued for the young, elderly and those with respiratory or heart conditions. Since being identified as one of the world's most polluted cities, Delhi has tried to clean its air in recent years.

South African: Prosecutor drops fraud charges against Gordhan

S Gowon

outh Africa's state prosecutor dropped fraud charges yesterday against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, the latest twist in a police investigation that has rattled financial markets in the continent's most industrialized economy. Worries that Gordhan

could be prosecuted or even removed from his job have also increased the risk that credit rating agencies would downgrade South Africa to "junk" status, undermining efforts to revive economic growth. The rand gained as much as 1.6 percent against the dollar, while bonds firmed as the head of the National

Prosecuting Authority, Shaun Abrahams, read his decision at a media conference in the capital, Pretoria. "I am satisfied that... Gordhan did not have the requisite intention to act unlawfully," Abrahams said, adding he owed nobody an apology and would not resign after the flip-flop on the decision to prosecute.

On Marble “You will face your greatest

opposition when you are closest to your biggest miracle.”

Clem Aguiyi

Sanctity of Truth

Aisha Buhari's moment of truth

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Debt financing for economic recovery: How it will work

here has been a cloud of ambivalence around current discussions on the need to use debt financing to exit Nigeria from economic recession to recovery. The controversy can be resolved from two broad perspectives: one is the lesson from the historical and ongoing experiences of advanced and well-knowledged economies, in response to the threats of deflation and recession; the other is an examination of the dictates of the peculiarities of the prevailing Nigerian condition. In response to the Great Recession which started roughly with the collapse of Lehman Brothers in U.S.A. in 2008 and got re-enforced by various local economic and financial crises, the U.S.A., Japan, the Eurozone and the U.K. channeled massive new liquidity into their economies, through, mainly, their central banks. They conducted unprecedented and unconventional purchases of both sovereign and private sector securities. They also provided direct lending to the banks and other credit institutions via standing facilities. The major goals were, and still are, to prop up economic growth and reduce unemployment by boosting aggregate demand. By June 2016, the advanced economies had spent more than USD 12.3 trillion on quantitative easing. The U.S. Fed had spent about USD 3.7 trillion, including USD 2.394 trillion on government securities. After an initial programme of monetary financing of between Yen 60 trillion and Yen 70 trillion per month, the Bank of Japan had since October 2014 committed to a programme of purchasing Yen 80 trillion of government bonds, per month. The European Central Bank started in January 2015 to buy public and private sector financial assets at the rate of Euro 80 billion per month, for eighteen months ending in September 2016. Given that this type of unconventional monetary financing (Quantitative Easing) has been accepted, more or less universally, as being appropriate for fighting economic downturn, conventional public borrowing by a country such as Nigeria, for the same purpose of pushing back the forces of recession could be considered as being even more normal. Looking at the issue from within, we have ample body of information to guide thinking, discussion, decision and action. Long before the structural collapse of oil export prices in mid-2014, it had been established that Nigeria needed investments of about USD 25 billion per annum for seven to 10 years to cover its huge infrastructure deficit. An additional structural financing gap has arisen from the drastic drop of oil revenue; the estimate is that oilrelated public revenue has dropped by about USD 20 billion per annum compared to the average in the pre2014 years. This means that Nige-

ABRAHAM E.NWANKWO

Guest Columnist ria’s total investment deficit is not USD25 billion per annum but USD 45 billion per annum. What does this simple arithmetic tell us? First, it tells us that given the enormous size of the structural financing gap (SFG), we need to tap capital from all available sources. Therefore, ongoing debates canvassing in favour of one or a limited number of sources and against other sources, are a disservice; they are not helpful. Activities for exploring and exploiting all sources should commence pari passu, even though their realizations and impacts will follow some natural sequence – short-term, medium-term and long-term. Second, it tells us that all public revenue sources, including monetization of eligible public assets, when added to private sector equity and debt resources, can contribute only so much of the required total annual investment, and no more. This maximum contribution cannot be reasonably expected to be more than 50 percent. Therefore, the balance has to be raised in the form of public debt, preferably with tenure of 15 years and above but not below 10 years. Should the borrowing be from domestic or external sources? The relevant background information are as follows: (i) average cost of domestic debt is higher than average cost of external debt by more than seven percent; (ii) significant domestic

The country will have the capacity to service and repay its external debts

borrowing will worsen the existing high debt service-to-revenue ratio, whereas the impact of more external debt on debt service is much thinner; (iii) the country’s Debt Management Strategy (2016-2019) provides for a strategic remix of the total public debt portfolio from the current domestic-to-external ratio of 82:18 to 60:40; (iv) there is a need to avoid crowding out the private sector, so that they can have enough borrowing space to play their lead role in growing the economy, in response to the enabling policy and infrastructure environment provided by government. In view of the foregoing, the preferred sources of public borrowing over the mediumterm is external. What about the foreign exchange risk associated with foreign currency debt? The starting point is to note that the country has enormous idle capacity; therefore, a well-programmed and targeted debt capital injection will have high capital-output ratio. Hence, strong real effect. The essence of the massive investment plan is that within five to seven years, the country should be moving on a trajectory of sustainable and continuously strengthening economic recovery. And, from about the Year eight to Year 10, the economy will start generating adequate public revenue, including forex revenue from the export-oriented diversification programme. That is why the tenor of the new debts should preferably be 15 years and above so that there will be enough time for a “break-even”. Local substitution of food and other eligible items over the next three to four years will save the country about USD 6-10 billion in foreign exchange. Diversified and expanded export earnings, will grow foreign reserves and generate a growth supporting exchange rate of the Naira. For these reasons, the country will have the capacity to service and repay its external debts. The channels and sequence of economic recovery and prosperity following massive investment with debt and non-debt capital will be as follows. Investors (local and foreign) will react positively to a credible and comprehensive recovery investment plan. Inflow of external loan

proceeds will substantially and immediately impact on forex reserves and moderate the Naira exchange rate; the actual building of infrastructure will stimulate economic activity around construction, generating effective demand for labour and materials, which will trigger a chain of income multipliers; a boost in real sector activity in response to improvements in infrastructure will be the ultimate consequence. At this stage, the recovery process, which was led mainly by the public sector through massive investment in infrastructure, is taken over by the private sector, which plays the dominant role in producing actual goods and services in their pursuit for profitable business opportunities. To conclude this simple analysis, it is necessary to emphasize two points: (i)There is the need to guard the economy from committing the “sinof-avoiding-a-sin” (SAS): The fact that during much of the country’s past, public debt and revenues were not appropriately utilized to build a strong and inclusive economy, cannot justify failure to mobilize debt capital at this time, when the need is compelling, and the governance environment for prudent and productive use is dependable. We must act bold. (ii)Nigeria is an upside case, and discerning investors (local and foreign) should know that this is the time to take a profitable position along the recovery path. Many of them are already acting accordingly. FDIs and LDIs, imminent Eurobond and other offers in the Inter national Capital Market – Nigeria offers a whole range of profitable investment channels.

Solution to B. Teaser 10

•Dr. Nwankwo is the Director-General of the Debt Management Office, Nigeria

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