Wednesday, august 31, 2016 by Newtelegraphonline

Cement price rises by 35% to N2,300 in 24 hours

Dayo Ayeyemi

ement manufacturers yesterday shocked home seekers and builders by suddenly increasing the price

of a 50 kilogramme bag of cement by 35.2 per cent from N1,700 to N2, 300 in 24 hours. As at Monday, the prod-

uct was still sold at N1,700 per bag. The major price increase is coming at a time when Nigerians are pass-

ing through a difficult economic situation and when everybody believes that the country is self-sufficient in cement production.

PenCom recovers N9bn pension contributions from firms }4

Homebuilders who bought some bags of cement on Monday at N1,700 in Lekki, Lagos, could not understand happenings in the building materials market, as they were told by

traders that cement price had increased to N2,300. A survey by New Telegraph further revealed that while the product is sold at N2,300 in Lekki CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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Emefiele

EFCC arrests Umahi’s brother over N400m }3 campaign funds

Umahi

Nigeria, UK sign MoU on return of stolen assets }6

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Adamu

Militants: Bloodbath ahead …blow up NPDC pipeline in Delta

lUmar to Buhari: Don’t bomb Niger Delta }2 lAvengers re-affirm appointment of dialogue team

Former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, leading other BringBackOurGirls group during their silent march protest in Abuja…yesterday.

Ezekwesili sitting on the floor as security officers barred her and the group from gaining access into Aso Rock.

Security officers barricading the protesters

Lawyers to EFCC: We’re not rogues, vultures

...demand apology from Magu NBA President: I’m not Ibori's counsel }3 Study: Men more likely to die from cancer than women }7

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Militants: Bloodbath ahead

Dominic Adewole Asaba

militia group, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Man-

date, has launched 'Operation Crocodile Tears' to counter the military exercise in Delta State, tagged 'Operation Crocodile Smile.' The militants threat-

ened that bloodbath is underway in the oil-rich region as Nigerian troops comb the creeks. To demonstrate its seriousness, the group, yesterday morning, blew up the

Ogor-Oteri major delivery line yesterday with its Uproot Team B. The pipeline belongs to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC)/Shoreline Re-

Co-founder, Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg (third right), at a meeting with some Nigerians at the CoCreation Hub in Yaba, Lagos... yesterday

sources. The group, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Gen. Aldo Agbalaja, claimed responsibility for the bombing. It dissociated itself from the ceasefire, maintaining that it would no longer fold its arms and watch men of the Nigerian Army harass indigenes of the region. "We had once warned against the victimisation and harassment of defenceless people of the region, especially in the creeks, but rather than heed, the Nigerian military has increased its presence and makes life more difficult for our people. "They are now killing our people on the basis of mere suspicion. This can't continue," the group noted. Agbalaja confirmed

Militancy: Avengers re-affirm appointment of dialogue team

…say Soyinka, Kalu, others still on board lUrhobo group disowns Edwin Clark Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

he Supreme Consultative Council (SCC) of the Eastern and Central Divisions of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) yesterday re-affirmed its appointment of seven eminent Nigerians to represent their interest at the proposed dialogue with the Federal Government on the restoration of peace to the Niger Delta. The group, comprising agitators operating in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states as well as splinters from other states, said it remained committed to total ceasefire and using dialogue to achieve peace in the volatile region. The group had, last Saturday, unveiled a team of seven eminent personalities who have been mandated to hold talks with the Federal Government and explore avenues to end the hostilities in the oil-rich region. Top on the list of the team is a former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and Professor Wole Soyinka, who was designated as the Adviser to the seven-man panel. Others on the panel included Professor Steve OdiOwei, Etibom (Dr.) Anthony A. Ani, Nalaguo Chris Alagoa, Chief (Mrs.) Alice Mobolaji Osomo and Mr. Inienimi Ballantyne Agiri who has been the spokesman of the group. In a telephone chat with New Telegraph yesterday, Agiri expressed confidence in the capacity of the dialogue team to entrench sustainable peace by prevailing on government to

address the grievances of the oil bearing communities in the Niger Delta. "We trust and believe in the quality and pedigree of members of this committee. We believe this committee shall accommodate inputs from personalities of oil producing communities within the region as well as outside the shores of this nation. “The Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who is from the South-West is also a member of the approved team as advisor. "We are only fighting against the demonic powers of oppression, slavery, injustice, extra-judicial killings, total neglect and impoverishment of the oil-rich region. Over two months ago, we partially and now have heed the clarion call to a total ceasefire to dialogue on peace and development with government. "We truly and sincerely hope that with the agenda for discussion, lasting peace and tranquility will return if the people and government of Nigeria will be sincere, considerate with the spirit of love and justice to the people of the region that have sacrificed and given all for the past 60 years to keep Nigeria alive and united," he said Meanwhile, a pressure group known as the Urhobo Youth Assembly has disowned a prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, over his alleged claim to being "the overlord and clearing house" on the current moves to restore peace in the Niger Delta. The group, in a letter mailed to New Telegraph, warned Clark not to parade himself as the only

person that holds the key to peace in the troubled region as he does not have their mandate to enter into any negotiation with the Federal Government on behalf of the Urhobo ethnic group in respect of the ongoing efforts to restore peace in the Niger Delta. Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information during the General Yakubu Gowon’s military regime, recently fell out of favour with some Niger Delta leaders following his alleged claim to be the sole authority on the proposed dialogue and negotiations between the central government and the militant groups in the Niger Delta.

Clark reportedly queried a group of traditional rulers for going to Abuja without his consent and holding a meeting with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, on the peace process. In a petition dated August 29 and addressed to President Muhamnadu Buhari, the group decried the action of the elder statesman, describing it as provocative and the height of insult. The petition, which was endorsed by the president of the group, Comrade Jude Akpore and two others, condemned what the group described as the

self-appointed leadership position which Clark has arrogated to himself, warning that it could generate a new crisis in the region, if not checked immediately. "It is most disheartening and unbelievable that the said Chief Clark will arrogate to himself such power that does not rest in chiefs like him except recognised royal institutions in kingdoms and clans in the Niger Delta. "Chief Clark, no matter his age and attainment in life, remains a subject to these royal fathers and cannot assume a self-styled leadership position over and above royal fathers in the Niger Delta," they said.

that his group launched their 'Operation Crocodile Tears' and attacked OgorOteri installation to serve a note of warning to the army's 'Operation Crocodile Smile'. He said: "It shall, from now on, be an eye for an eye, for every military atrocity carried out in the creeks and hinterland of the Niger Delta. "The Nigerian Armed Forces will have the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate to contend with. "To this end, we are alerting all those working in the UQCC UPS Erhomukokwarien in Ughelli, Eriemu Pigging Manifold in Agbarha, Otorogun Gas Plant, Olomoro Flow Station, Warri Refinery, Port Harcourt Refinery, Eleme, Ob-Ob and Obite Gas Plants in Omoku to evacuate sites, because what is coming to those facilities are beyond what anybody has seen before. "We do not want innocent blood being spilled, therefore we advise all indigenes living in the vicinities of the facilities to relocate for the time being. "The world should, however, note that the bloodbath that is about to commence in our already CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

N450.19bn The total import value of products of the chemical and allied industries of Nigeria in 2012. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

432,162

The total area (in sq. km) of land of Iraq. Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

Umar to Buhari: Don’t bomb Niger Delta Felix Nwaneri

ormer Military Governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Umar (rtd), yesterday, warned President Muhammadu Buhari against use of force on Niger Delta militants, saying the collateral damage of any military option in the oil-rich region would be colossal. Umar argued in a statement entitled: “War in the Niger Delta: A most dangerous option,” that the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) should not be treated like Boko Haram insurgents, responsible for the killing of over 20,000 Nigerians in the North-East. Buhari recently vowed to deal with Niger Delta militants the same way his administration dealt with Boko Haram if they fail to negotiate with the Federal Government as the atten-

tion of his administration is now focused on stopping the destruction of the country’s economic assets by militants in the oil-rich region. Buhari, who spoke on the sidelines at the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) in Nairobi, Kenya, insisted that the militants must dialogue with the Federal Government or be dealt with in the same way like Boko Haram. But, Umar, who warned against deployment of troops in Niger Delta, noted that the militants could not be likened to terrorists, adding that dialogue remains the best option. His words: “I am really frightened by the sudden escalation in the Niger Delta from where there are some reports of skirmishes between our security forces and the Niger Delta

militants. This is happening after the president was quoted as vowing to deal with the militants as he did to Boko Haram. “All factors considered, the use of military force in an attempt to resolve the lingering crisis is not a good option and must, therefore, be discarded. As a retired general, Mr. President is well aware of the serious and daunting challenges any military will face in its operations in the most difficult and densely populated Niger Delta. “The creeks are so heavily polluted with oil, rendering them highly inflammable. It will take the firing of a few high explosive shells to set the whole area on fire, resulting in the inestimable collateral damage among innocent civilians. “It is also difficult to see how an armed conflict can

secure our oil and gas assets in the region. Instead, it will aid the destructive activities of the militants and lead to the total shutdown of all oil and gas operations in the area. “Besides, the Niger Delta militants cannot be said to be terrorists in the real sense of the word. I believe they are amenable to meaningful dialogue. I need not to remind the president that a war in the Niger Delta will be opposed by most objective Nigerians and the international community as unjust and merely aimed at the control and exploitation of the region’s oil and gas resources. “I therefore beseech you, Mr. President, in the name of all that is good, to continue to explore peaceful means of resolving the Niger Delta crisis as painful as you may find this. May God direct and guide you on the path of justice.”

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lawyers to EFCC: We’re not rogues, vultures Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday kicked back at the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, over the statement credited to him that lawyers in the country as rogues. The Bar condemned the statement in strong terms, stating that lawyers are not rogues and vultures. This was just as the National President of the bar, A.B Mahmoud (SAN) denied ever being a lawyer to a former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori. The position of the bar was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by its General Secretary, Isiaka Abiola Olagunju. The bar called on the commission to withdraw the statement. It, however, criticized the chairman of the anti-graft agency for using uncivil language of 'rogues' and vultures on lawyers who are doing their constitutional duties. "The NBA condemns in the strongest term the

use of abusive and uncivil language of 'rogues and vultures' and such structures by the public authority. Name calling and abusive language is not expected of any public institution. It is unacceptable. The NBA demands unequivocal withdrawal of these statements and unreserved apology from the EFCC," NBA stated. The association justified his position on EFCC. The statement reads in part: "The inaugural address of the NBA President was a statement of nearly 30 pages, which set out its vision and direction of his programmes for the Nigerian legal profession. He committed himself to leading a brave new Bar fully aligned with the aspirations of Nigerians in their quest for national development which can only be anchored on the rule of law built on strong institutions. "In the paragraph of the statement dealing with corruption, the NBA President restated the commitment of the NBA in the fight against corruption. He commended the modest achievement of the EFCC but called for the reform of the agency to enhance its capability to

deliver on its mandate on a consistent and sustainable basis devoid of political interference and on the basis of well-established institution safeguard that demands proper regulation of the wide discretionary power involved in the investigation and prosecution of criminal matters. “Combining investigative powers with prosecutorial powers in one single agency, (called the Roskill Model in England), is the exception rather than the norm. In the UK only the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) enjoys such combined powers. But given the institutional safeguards, both within the SFO and the maturity that characterizes the UK Criminal Justice Institutions, the abuse of such powers will be highly unlikely. “The NBA Constitution demands that it promotes law reform and legal development. It therefore commits itself to promoting healthy public debate about our institutions and interrogating their capa-

bilities and performance, including all criminal justice agencies such as the EFCC. The NBA will not be intimidated or cowed in the discharge of this responsibility.” The bar however charged EFCC to endeavour to get its facts correctly before making statements or insinuations. New Telegraph recalls that the EFCC had last weekend described the Nigerian Bench as one populated by rogues and vultures. It added that such group of people cannot sit in judgement over others or command their respect. EFCC’s statement was prompted by the call by Mahmoud calling for the restructuring of the EFCC. Among other proposals, Mahmoud made in his inaugural speech was that the anti-graft agency be stripped of its prosecutorial powers. The NBA, however, noted that its President, Mahmoud, has over the years supported the work of the

N501.66bn The total revenue of 2015 Government Quarterly Actually Collection from Company Income Tax for the 2015 Q2. Source: Firs.gov.ng

EFCC in many ways and acted as counsel in a number of matters on behalf of the organisation. "However, neither he nor his firm has ever represented the EFCC or the Attorney General of the Federation or been involved in any prosecution or defense of Mr. James Ibori in any criminal matter before any court in Nigeria or outside. "On the case involving the former Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Peter Odili, the EFCC is aware that Mr. Mahmoud was lead counsel in its defense in a civil appeal at the Court of Appeal involving the constitutional challenge of the powers of the EFCC by the Rivers State Government. “In spite of his best efforts, the case has remained

stuck in the Court of Appeal, even after all briefs of arguments had been settled. The records of the EFCC will also show that neither Mr. Mahmoud nor his firm has been paid any fee, notwithstanding the nearly 20 court appearances in the matter in the course of the last several years involving air travels (Abuja to Port Harcourt) and hotel expenses. "It is therefore unkind and misleading for the EFCC to suggest that Mr. Mahmoud was ever involved in any way in the conduct of its criminal cases against any of the two former governors". The commission through its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, had in a statement on Monday maintained that there were some rogue elements in the NBA. His words: "EFCC is of the opinion that as in several professions (including law enforcement), there are some rogue elements in the Nigerian Bar Association giving the Bar a bad name."

BoT resolutions fall short of expectations –Sheriff Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

actional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, said Monday's resolution of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) fell short of the earlier decisions reached with the Dickson/Mantu-led reconciliation committee. The BoT had, in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, directed the National Caretaker Committee to work towards holding the next national convention in Abuja. The board further recommended the setting up of a new national convention planning committee to organise the convention while it passed a vote of confidence on the Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee. But in a statement yesterday, the factional chairman disclosed that the agreement earlier reached was that a chairman of convention planning committee would be appointed at a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to be chaired by Sheriff and Makarfi. The statement, signed by the acting deputy national chairman of Sheriff faction, Dr. Cairo Ojoug-

boh, noted that it was further agreed that "The venue of the Convention will be in Abuja, where a new leadership of the party will emerge, internal democracy will be respected and confidence will return to the party. "And we had hoped that opportunity will be given where everybody will meet under one umbrella and shake hands and will see the PDP re-emerged for the challenges ahead." The faction said it rejects the vote of confidence passed on the caretaker committee as "it failed to successfully organise a convention on two occasions." Sheriff also called for the reconstitution of the BoT and the resignation of Senator Walid Jubril as BoT chairman, alleging that his tenure has brought crisis to the PDP. "In any case, his tenure has expired as he has spent more than 10 years as Secretary and Chairman, BoT which runs contrary to the constitution. "As we move towards reconciliation, PDP should prevent any person or group from hijacking the party. Be rest assured that the PDP will emerge stronger as we note that impunity marred the party’s success in 2015 general elections," the statement added.

L-R: Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Waheed Olagunju; Country Director, UNAIDS, Mr. Bilali Camara; Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazo; Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu and Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, during the Google Digital training for youth empowerment in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

EFCC arrests Umahi’s brother over N400m campaign funds Emmanuel Onani and Charles Onyekwere

peratives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Mr. Austin Umahi, the younger brother of the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Dave Umahi. He was arrested over allegations that he collected N400 million from the Peoples Democratic Party's Presidential Campaign Organisation. Umahi was arrested on Monday alongside Chinyere Egwuche and Mabel Dikibo. A source at the commission informed New Telegraph that the suspects, who are employees of Brass Engineering and Construction Nigeria Ltd., as well as Osborn La-Palm Royal Resort, were picked up upon their alleged re-

fusal to appear before a team of detectives investigating these companies' involvement. It was further gathered that the young Umahi may be the chairman of both companies, while Egwuche and Dikibo are said to be signatories to the companies' accounts. It was also alleged that the two companies may be owned by the governor. According to the source, the N400 million was released to the Ebonyi State chapter of the PDP, by the Director of Finance of the party's campaign organisation, Mrs. Esther Nenadi Usman. The fund, which was allegedly lodged in a new generation bank, was said to have been moved to another bank, from where it was allegedly moved to the accounts of the companies under investigation. "The EFCC, on Monday,

August 29, arrested one Austin Umahi, brother to the current governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, along with two others: Chinyere Egwuche and Mabel Dikibo over a N400 million slush fund linked to 2015 Presidential Campaign of the PDP. "The suspects, all staff of Brass Engineering & Construction Nigeria Limited and Osborn LaPalm Royal Resort, were arrested, following their refusal to collect and honour invitation by the EFCC, for questioning in an ongoing investigation involving both companies. "While Austin Umahi doubles as the chairman of both companies, Chinyere Egwuche and Marbel Dikibo are also signatories to the companies’ accounts. "Investigations by the Commission revealed that the sum of N400 mil-

lion was released by the Director of Finance, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Senator Nenadi Usman, to PDP Ebonyi State, for the 2015 presidential election," the source said. He further alleged that: "One of the suspects, Chinyere Egwuche subsequently withdrew the N300 million paid into the account of Osborn LaPalm, which according to her was used to finance further construction of Osborn La-Palm Hotels in Abakaliki, Uburu and Port Harcourt, while the N100 million paid into the account of Brass Engineering & Construction Nigeria Limited was transferred to a certain David Umahi Faith Foundation." An official at the EFCC's Enugu zonal office, Mr. Chris Oluka, confirmed the arrest to New Telegraph yesterday.

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

PenCom recovers N9bn pension contributions from firms Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he National Pension Commission (PenCom) has so far recovered N9 billion from employers who failed to remit their employees' pension contributions to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

This is coming just as the commission has finalised discussions with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the prosecution of employers who deduct pension contributions from workers' salaries but fail to remit to PFAs. To drive home its seriousness, the Director-Gen-

eral of the commission, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, met with the EFCC Chairman, Ibraihim Magu, a fortnight ago to seek the anti-graft agency's assistance in enforcing compliance. Anohu-Amazu, who confirmed these updates yesterday in Abuja, where she featured as guest

Militants blow up NPDC pipeline in Delta CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

beaten, battered, squeezed and impoverished homeland, the Niger Delta, is all the baby of the Nigerian government." The group had, in the last three weeks, blew up two major trunk/delivery lines, which take oil from Isoko to the Eriemu Manifold in Urhobo land in Delta State. A few days after, the group attacked another major trunk/delivery lines in Udu Local Government Area of the state, also being operated by the NPDC. Last week, it rejected the choice of the foremost Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as contact men on plans for the militants to dialogue with the Federal Government.

It described the Niger Delta stakeholders' meeting recently convened in Warri as a charade. The group wondered who gave the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) the audacity to single-handedly hand pick the elder statesman, who hails from Ijaw ethnic nationality, as the middle man. The group maintained that those in the field just for the money quickly aligned with the Clark's arrangement. "We want to reiterate our lack of confidence in the Clark-led arrangement. Chief Clark is not the leader of the whole of Niger Delta; he can hold the front for the Ijaw nation, but definitely not for all the ethnic nations in the region. When lines

are blurred, justice is most likely to be miscarried. "If there shall be a negotiation, it must be seen and indeed, must be in actual sense, be representing all the individual nations of the region equally. "The drama that trailed the visit of some Ijaw royal fathers to the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, in Abuja recently is more reason why equity must be a factor in setting up a body that will dialogue on behalf of all the people of the Niger Delta. "If Clark could not respect the royal fathers of his ethnic nation, lording his will over them, what chance do other nations have, which do not have adequate representation?" the statement read.

speaker at the third quarter forum of Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN), said because the commission lacked the power to prosecute, it had to seek the intervention of the EFCC. She was represented at the event by Head, Investment Supervision of the commission, Ehimene Ohioma. She said: "You are aware that the commission also engaged the services of private recovery agents to look through the books of companies and, so far, about N9 billion has been recovered from companies as pension funds deducted but not remitted. "It is an ongoing exercise. We are categorising companies. There are some that are not doing well. Those ones are not even paying salaries; how do they remit deducted pension? "We need to separate the companies that are not doing well and can’t pay salaries from companies that are still running, they have done deductions and have not remitted. "That is criminal act, a new dimension added to it. You have deducted and refuse to remit. We are taking

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2019, 40 per cent of the pension funds asset will be invested in various types of infrastructure as well as housing because "we want to see visible projects being developed using pension assets. "That is our target, such projects that will impact positively on contributors.” She also disclosed that the commission was working with other institutions like Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Africa Development Bank (AfBD) to put in place structures that will guarantee institutional investors the confidence to invest in bonds for infrastructure development.

0.87

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Benin Republic in 2003. Source: Itu.int

The total number of open play goals scored Portugal at Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Fifa.com

Cement price rises by 35% to N2,300 in 24 hours CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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these things in stages. We engaged recovery agents, they have done some works, and we are now going to the next stage. "We are going to prosecution stage and you know the commission cannot prosecute; you need the assistance of the law enforcement agencies to do that. "That was part of recent engagement with the chairman of EFCC and it will commence anytime shortly.” She said that the commission had begun the compilation of defaulting firms that deduct contributory pension without remitting. “We have the record, a lot of quoted companies and that will be publicly announced using name and shame prosecution because you are denying people their lifelong benefits. "This engagement was done about two weeks ago with the chairman of EFCC,” she added. She also recalled that infrastructure was one area the pension assets can be invested in to bridge the high deficit in the country. According to her, part of the PenCom’s five-year strategy goals is that by

corridor, it is being sold between N2,150 and N2,200 in Ikeja, Mowe and Ibafo axis of Ogun State. When this newspaper made enquiries, a cement retailer in Ibafo, Mrs. Ibidun Oke, said: “That is how we see it. My supplier just told me yesterday (Monday) that cement price has gone up from the factory. You know we are in change period and many things have happened since this government came on board.” Efforts to get spokespersons of Cement Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (CMAN) and Dangote Cement Plc., Mr. Salako Salako, and Tony Chiejina, respectively to commend on the situation proved abortive as the duo did not pick their calls or respond to text messages sent to them. Lamenting over the situation, Managing Director of Megamound Investment Limited, developer of Lekki County Homes, Mr. Olumide Osunsina, said he foresees massive job loss and dearth of affordable housing in the sector if the situation persists. He said that he got to know about the price increase on Tuesday morning. Osunsina said that the increase in cement price was too much, adding that

developers may have no option than to limit housing construction activities and also increase house price to stay afloat. Effects of construction activities, Osunsina said, would lead to sack of construction workers, high cost of housing units and increase homelessness among Nigerians. Former President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr. Chuks Omeife, said that the latest hike in cement price was confusing. “We don’t know what is going on here. We are confused because there is no explanation adduced for it,” he said. However, he blamed the situation on foreign exchange and monopolistic nature of cement manufacturers in Nigeria. If the situation persists, Omeife stated that housing projects are going to be delayed with increase in cost of delivering affordable units. He said: “If the price increase in cement remains for a long time, it is going to compound the problems of affordable housing in the country because it will trickle down to block manufacturers and artisans.” Cement is a major component used for building production process, especially in Nigeria. Dangote Cement Plc. and Larfarge Africa are

major manufacturers of the product in Nigeria. The major issue raised recently by cement manufacturers was about lack of gas supply owing to the blowing up of oil and gas pipelines by militants in the Niger Delta region. Nigeria is currently facing one of its worst financial crisis in decades, coupled with inflation rising, the economy weakening and production of oil, which provides the bulk of export earnings, down since last February as militants attack pipelines. Economic output will probably shrink 1.8 per cent this year, the first contraction in more than two decades, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said recently. Besides, pressure is also building, with bank loan books – nearly half of them in dollars – hammered by a shrinking economy, a plunging currency and acute foreign exchange shortages in Africa's biggest oil producing nation following the slump in oil prices. As at yesterday, the naira had slumped further at the parallel market to N418 per dollar, while it traded on the interbank at N305. These developments have raised the cost of living in the country without any corresponding increase in wages of citizens.

wednesday, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Mojeed Alabi

or the umpteenth time, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has kicked against the appointment of the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Kwara State, Prof. Isiaq Oloyede as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The union accused him of dictatorship, abuse of rules and utter disregard for constituted authorities. The union, which demanded Oloyede’s immediate removal from office, stated this yesterday during a media briefing at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, by the Lagos Zone of ASUU, comprising the Lagos State University, LASU; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State; Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, and UNILAG. That was even as the union berated the Federal Government for allegedly reneging on its promise to implement the contents of the FGN-ASUU 2009 agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2013, which included among other things, the funding

national | news

JAMB: Remove Oloyede now, ASUU insists

of the public universities to the tune of N1.3 trillion in a spate of six years. According to the Coordinator of the zone, Prof. Olusiji Sowande, as at today, and apart from the N200 billion paid to the universities in 2013, the Federal Government is owing the universities a total of N605 billion, saying many projects initiated by the institutions with the first tranche of the universities needs Assessment fund are already being abandoned because further payments are yet to be made by government. Sowande said the media briefing had become necessary, so as to sensi-

tise the public about the insincerity on the part of government and to seek intervention of relevant stakeholders to let the Federal Government know that the consequences could be bad for the nation’s economy. “We are making all the noise now so that when we act, the public will not say ASUU has come again. Pension issue was part of the agreement we reached with the Federal Government. Sections 3.4 and 3.5 of the agreement allow professors and associate professors to retire at the age of 70 with their respective salaries, and allow for the formation of the Nige-

fter several hours of rescue operation, two lifeless bodies of trapped workers were yesterday recovered under the rubbles of the four storey building that collapsed on Plot 444 Citec Villas, Gwarinpa Estate on Monday. According to the Zonal Coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Abuja Operations, Ishaya Chonoko, the dead bodies were recovered after several layers of rubbles were excavated. He told New Telegraph that rescue operation was still on to find the remaining workers trapped beneath the collapsed building. Six out of eight workers working on the collapsed building were rescued alive, with injuries on Monday when the building collapsed. Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has directed the Development Control Department of the FCT Administration to take full responsibility

rian University Pension Management Company NUPEMCO). “It is disheartening that after scaling all the hurdles and various stumbling blocks targeted at making it impossible for the registration and licensing of NUPEMCO, the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) has vehemently refused to release the license for the take-off of NUPEMCO, and government has done little or nothing to compel

for building plan approvals and construction supervision in the Territory in accordance with extant regulations. The Minister gave the directive in reaction to the building collapse. Malam Bello also directed the Department to ensure that the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), that approved and was supervising the collapsed building, and other stakeholders in mass housing development subsector in

the FCT to henceforth adhere strictly to all regulations on property development in the Territory. Meanwhile, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola visited the site yesterday. Fashola, who decried incidences of building collapse in the country, also chided NEMA and other agencies involved in the rescue operations for the conflicting figures of casualties of the ill-fated building.

PENCOM to issue this license.” But contrary to this latest position by ASUU, the Federal Ministry of Education in a letter addressed to the President of ASUU and dated August 8, 2016, had assured the union that it was making efforts to address all the issues raised by the union and that a letter of reminder has been sent to PENCOM

The annual salary of Peter Cech of Arsenal in 2014/2015. Source: Paywizard.co.uk

inister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, yesterday called for the strengthening of bilateral ties between Nigeria and Sudan in the areas of cultural/creative industry and digital economy to boost the efforts of the two countries to diversify their economies away from oil. Mohammed made the call in Abuja when he received the Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Bushra, on a courtesy visit to his office. The Minister described cultural and creative industry as the economy of

Akeem Nafiu

ustice Abdulazeez Anka of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand in prison custody of four sales representatives over alleged theft of N92, 391,350. 25, belonging to Global Healthcare Limited. The order was sequel to the arraignment of the four accused persons by the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police Force before the court yesterday. The names of the four

sales representatives were given as: Badmus Oladimeji, Austin Odokara, Gbenga Babatunde and Ademola Olanisha. The police in a charge dated August 30, 2016, and marked FHC/L/364C/16, alleged that the accused persons while working as sales representatives with Global Healthcare Limited, between October 2014 and February 2015, conspired with one, Olufemi Olaniyan, the company's National Sales Manager, now at large, and converted the sum of N92, 391, 350. 25, belonging

ActionAid warns FG against communication service tax

Onyekachi Eze

Abdulwahab Isa

ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Media watchdog has accused the Nigeria Police Force of partisanship in the leadership crisis rocking the party. The group described the continued sealing of the party's national secretariat at Wuse zone 5, for over two months by the police as sign of autocracy in the country. Police authority, on June 17, sealed off Wadata Plaza, the PDP national secretariat, and Legacy

the future because of its huge potential to create wealth, generate employment, especially for the youth, and foster cooperation among the nations of the world. “To me, the economy of the future is the creative and cultural industry, which does not come with the headache of oil. I can say this because my country and your country have suffered from the same problems related to oil production." On the contrary, when an economy is built on the creative and cultural industry, it engenders more understanding, breeds cooperation and friendship and at the same time brings in more money,” he said.

Four sales reps remanded in custody over N94.5m

PDP crisis: Group accuses police of partisanship

House, the party's presidential campaign office, to forestall a breakdown of law and order. But PDP Media watchdog, in a statement yesterday by Tunde Lawal, said the police choose to act on interim order obtained by factional chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to stop the August 17 national convention whereas it claimed ignorance of the judgement of Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, which accorded recognition to Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee.

urging it to issue the certificate of registration to NUPEMCO. The letter, which was signed by Mr. Fayemi E.O on behalf of the Director of Tertiary Education Unit of the ministry, added that the issue of staff school was already before the industrial arbitration court, and that parties should await the decision of the court.

Mohammed seeks stronger with Sudan £4.41m ties Temitope Ogunbanke

Director, Public Affairs Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Tony Ojobo (left), receiving the Regulator of the Year award from Chief Executive Officer Teledom, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, during the Africa Digital Award in Lagos…recently.

Two corpses recovered from Abuja collapsed building Yekeen Nurudeen and Caleb Onwe

Abuja

ctionAid Nigeria has kicked against the proposed bill to impose Communication Service Tax (CST) of up to 9% on all phone calls, short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), data Packages, and pay televisionby the Federal Government. It is demanding the termination of the bill. The agency, in a statement issued yesterday by its Communicating

Coordinator, Onyinyechi Okechukwu, quoted the Country Director, Ojobo Ode Atuluku, as referring to the impending tax as another burden on the poor masses. “This is not acceptable as it puts a huge burden on poor people who are already paying a very high price from multiple taxes”. She further said that the Federal Government needed to focus on luxury and property tax as more progressive nations are doing to generate revenue for their countries.

to the company for their personal use. One of the accused persons, Gbenga Babatunde, in conjunction with, Olufemi Olaniyan(now at large) was also alleged to have between June 2015 and July 2016, converted the sum of N2. 6million, belonging to the company. The first accused person, Badmus Oladimeji was also accused of collaborating with Olufemi Olaniyan, between October 2014 and February 2015, to forge and falsify Local Purchase Order (LPO), which they used in obtaining pharmaceutical products from the company. The offences, according to the prosecutor, CSP Effiong Asuquo, are contrary to and punishable under Sections 15(1) (a)(ii) of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended, and Section 1(2)(C) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Upon their arraignment, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecutor then urged the court to remand them in prison custody pending the conclusion of their trial.

News|NATIONAL

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria, UK sign MoU on return of stolen assets

he Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the British Government on the modalities for the return of Nigerian stolen assets. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, signed on behalf of the Federal Government in yesterday. Malami said that the MoU reflected the desire and willingness of both countries to continue cooperation and mutual support. Malami said that this was in the responsible and transparent return of all recovered assets.

He outlined the objectives of the MoU to include the fact that the processes of returning stolen assets was a partnership recognising the interest of both countries and based on mutual understanding, confidence and trust. “That both countries recognised that they have a mutual interest in ensuring that returned assets are not at risk of being misappropriated again. “And that both countries recognised they have obligations toward their own citizens for providing such assurances. “That both countries recognised the importance of ensuring that the

highest possible standard of transparency and accountability are applied for the return of assets.” He gave the assurance to the international community that all funds recovered would be judiciously utilised for projects that would benefit the poorest segment of the Nigerian society. Earlier, leader of the UK delegation, British Minister of State for Immigration, Robert Goodwill, said that the MoU provided the mechanism by which monies could be returned. Goodwill, who is also a member of the British Parliament, noted that

there was no safe place for stolen assets in the UK. “Our ability to recover and return stolen assets should send a clear message to all who may seek to habour such assets that there is no safe haven in the U.K,” he said. According to him, the British government is committed to the return of all funds looted from the Nigerian State. “We are keen to do this as soon as the necessary legal process allow. “As outlined at the summit, we will be taking steps to accelerate the procedures for identification and confiscation of illegally acquired assets.”

Court refuses Kashamu’s application to stop extradition Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday refused an application filed by a Peoples Democratic Party, chieftain, Senator Buruji Kashamu, seeking an order to restrain the Department of State Services from extraditing him to the United State to face charges. Cited as 1st to 3rd defendants are the DirectorGeneral of DSS, InspectorGeneral of Police and Mr

Oladipupo Adebutu. At the resumed hearing yesterday, counsel to Kashamu, Godswill Mrakpo moved his application. The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, however refused the application to stop the extradition. The court held that the third respondent should be served outside jurisdiction of the court. The court also held that the respondents should be given the opportunity to show cause why restraining order should not be granted

against them. In addition, the court also held that it would give the respondents time to respond. However, the court also refused another prayer seeking to serve the respondents through a substituted means. Justice Abang held that the applicant did not place any material before the court to show that he made any effort to serve the respondents which did not yield any result. The court later struck

out the two reliefs sought by the plaintiff and adjourned till September 8 for hearing. In the suit, Kashamu is praying the court to restrain all the respondents and their agents from arresting and detaining him. Reacting to the suit, media aide to Kashamu, Austin Oniyokor, in a statement said that the suit in the Federal High Court has nothing to do with extradition. According him, “we wish to state that the case has nothing to do with extradition.”

L-R: Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Representative of Victoria Island/ Ikoyi Residents Associations (VIIRA), Dr. Ishola Salami; Sole Administrator, Ikoyi/ Obalende LCDA, Mr. Goke Ona-Olawale and others, during the inauguration of a Committee on Clean-up of Victoria Island/Ikoyi/Lekki Areas, in Lagos … yesterday

Insurgency: CSOs hold rally in support of Buhari Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE), a coalition of over 5000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) yesterday in Abuja held a peaceful protest in appreciation of the success made by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the current military leadership in the war against Boko Haram insurgents. Addressing journalists during the rally, which kicked off at the Federal Secretariat and ended at Office of the Secretary to the

Federation (SGF), Secretary General of the Coalitions, Comrade Daniel Obaje, said since the government of President Buhari came into office, significant progress has been made in addressing the security breaches that had threatened the integrity of Nigeria. He said areas where Boko Haram once set up camps have been cleared, adding that some displaced persons were already beginning to return to their homeland. He said: “The Army freed over 5000 persons that the terrorists once held captive even as efforts are being intensified to free

those that are yet to regain freedom. Remnants of the terrorists are risking death to flee across the desert into the Mediterranean. The group in this defeat can only now think of hit and run attacks by fighters who now increasingly opt to fail in their assignment so that the military can capture them for rehabilitation. “The recent weeks have seen the higher echelon of Boko Haram decimated with several commanders killed in troops’ operations. Others have been captured, which has left the group being fragmented with split in its leadership. Every-

thing points to a group that has been finished. “We therefore want to urge Mr President not relent in continuing with measures that will ensure Boko Haram terrorists are not allowed to regroup anywhere on our territory ever again.

The life expectancy of women at age 60 years of Fiji in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

The life expectancy of men at age 60 years of Fiji in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

FRSC ready for ‘ember’months – Spokesman

he Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) yesterday said it had concluded arrangements to ensure safety of the nation’s highways during the Ember Months. The Public Relations Officer (PRO), FRSC, Mr Bisi Kazeem, made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. “Ember Months are here again and we want to disabuse peoples’ mind that the months are months of mystery and myths. “The months are neither dangerous months nor about sucking of human blood as it is believed in some quarters, but rather, in most of the periods, we witness more upsurge in vehicular traffic.’’ he said. Kazeem explained that the prevalent upsurge during yuletide compared to other months both in vehicular and human traffic was due to overzealousness of people in order to maximise profits. “You will find that commercial drivers will want

to carry more passengers in order to maximise profit and by so doing, they drive dangerously without consideration for other road users. “So, having observed this development nationwide, what we did first was to embark on sporadic enlightenment and public education to curb this ugly development by all our formations,’’ he said. Kazeem said further that the commission had also started rallies and enlightenment campaigns at the motor parks, Mosques, Churches, Companies and other relevant areas to enlighten them on road safety during yuletide. Kazeem said all the efforts were geared toward making the nation’s roads safe for the users. He explained that the commission had zero tolerance for accidents during yuletide periods, which was the reason why each command normally inaugurated campaign at its various areas without necessarily waiting for the headquarters.

NAF bombs Boko Haram’s new camp Emmanuel Onani

Abuja

he Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday, said its fighter jets have destroyed a new camp set up by Boko Haram elements, between Malam Fatori and Kangarwa in Northern Borno State. A statement by the NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ayodele Famuyiwa, said the camp was located about six kilometres away from the fighters’ location, which came under air raids on August 20, resulting in the death of about 300 suspected insurgents. “The Nigerian air force (NAF), during a night operation conducted yesterday, suc-

cessfully destroyed a new Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) camp located between Malam Fatori and Kangarwa in northern Borno. “The new camp is about 4-6km away from the BHT location attacked earlier on 20 August 2016 by NAF Mi-17 helicopter within the same vicinity in a similar night operation that led to the death of about 300 insurgents. The poststrike battle damage assessment (BDA) mission had revealed that surviving BHTs converged at the new location. “The information was later confirmed to be true by series of follow-up intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions that led to the latest strike.”

Export: SON assigns code to 15 agricultural products Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

n furtherance of easing the export of Nigeria’s farm produce, the Standards Organization of Nigeria(SON) has developed standards and codes for 15 priority agricultural products. The codes are enablers to pave the way for export of such commodities without being rejected by countries of destination. The Acting DirectorGeneral, SON, Dr Paul Angya, said this yesterday in Abuja at a national congress of the Nigerian Association of a Small Scale Industrialists. Some of the coded prod-

ucts include rice, beans, maize, soya beans and cassava among others. According to him, the step was taken by the agency in order to avoid situations where Nigerian products were rejected abroad for lack of standards. No fewer than 103 made-in-Nigeria products exported last year were rejected by the European Union. “This program is designed to educate the members of the association on their collective responsibility in determining the performance of the sector through the production of quality products by self regulation of all practitioners.”

national | news

wednesday, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG, UN move to address jailbreak, congestion Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Federal Government and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have begun a partnership aimed at decongesting Nigerian Prisons. The collaborative effort is also expected to address the rising spate of jailbreaks in the country. The disclosure was made yesterday in Abuja by the UNODC's Country Representative, Ms. Christina Albertin. Speaking at a workshop on measures to promote non-custodial sentencing, Albertin said the partnership was "aimed...at enhancing the functioning of the justice sector, including reducing undue delays, improving prison conditions and reducing backlogs." She further noted that: "Backlogs and undue delays in the trial of criminal cases and unresolved civil disputes, remain key problems in the justice sector, and is one of the main causes of very high numbers of awaiting trail detainees in prisons across Nigeria."

Navy spends N437m on aviation fuel monthly –Air Chief Flora Onwudiwe

he Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has said that the Nigerian Airforce uses 1,900,000 litres to fuel an aircraft monthly. At the going rate of about N230 per litre, that translates to about N437million per month. The Air Chief made the disclosure yesterday at a two-day Nigerian

Air Force (NAF) Logistics Seminar 2016, tagged ‘Repositioning NAF Logistics for Efficient Employment of Air power in response to contemporary National Security Imperatives’ held at the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Mess, Sam Ethnan Air Force Base Ikeja. He said that the “main fighter aircraft that we used in an operation use 2,500 litres per hour and we fly them in formation that means we don’t fly

one aircraft at the same time. We fly at least, two air planes at the same time, so at that consummation rate for every one hour ,they consume 5,000 litres.” He added: “ We ran at least, a minimum of two missions; that is about 10,000 litres just for one air craft. We have so many other airplanes like Alpha jet, which consumes 2,400 per hour. It also flies in formation. So, we are talking about 4,800 litres. So, there

IYC warns military against harassing civilians Ola James Warri

he Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has called on military officers carrying out the military operation styled operation crocodile smile in the Niger Delta to stop the constant harassment and intimidation of innocent villagers along the Warri and Forcados Rivers in Delta State. “For the past two days, villagers plying these Rivers have been subjected to all sorts of harassment and in some cases, deprived from having access to their communities. From Monday to Tuesday

morning, several people going to communities like Ogulagha, Odimodi, Ijaw Oborotu, Forcados and other surrounding communities were denied from accessing these communities”, Said the Ijaw Youth Council in their one page statement signed by Eric Omare the spokesman. According to them, the worrisome development has now resulted in cases of communities having shortage of food with possible humanitarian crisis. This is condemnable and totally unacceptable. The military must have respect for human rights in their activities in the Niger Delta. “We therefore call on

the military high command and the Federal Government to call the military officers on operation crocodile smile to order”, said the Council Spokesman. Meanwhile, scores of riverine dwellers have deserted their areas following the daily harassment and intimidation by the military, who often fire sporadic shots now causing serious tension in the communities. Consequently, the Niger Delta Avengers has warned the military to restrain from harassing innocent and defenceless citizens, adding “They (Military) should confront us directly and not civilians.”

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Ayo Adesugba; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan to Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Bushra, during a courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja … yesterday

oing by the estimates of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the number of new cancer cases globally is expected to rise by about 70 per cent over the next two decades. However, the latest figures released by the Cancer Research, United Kingdom (UK) shows that men are more likely to develop cancer then women. These are the findings in a new study published in the ‘British Journal of Cancer’. Cancer is when abnormal cells divide in an uncontrolled way. Some cancers may eventually

are many other air planes that fly on daily basis.” Addressing the current challenges, he said, “the NAF must put together a carefully planned strategy not only for the movement of equipment and personnel to the theatre operations but also for the maintenance of its air assets.. “It is only when we get the strategy right that we can hope to effectively and efficiently deploy air power necessary for addressing the challenges facing Nigeria, to

support air operations in the North East. The NAF must put an excellent plan that will ensure availability of aviation fuel in the operation area, whether the product is locally available or not.” He also mentioned another challenge the NAF is facing to “be provision of spare parts for routine and non-routine maintenance of our air assets. Airforce is doing everything possible to address gaps in logistic management through robust and result oriented training.”

NIMASA to be world class organisation –Peterside

he Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, has said that the management is determined to making the agency a world class, high performing organisation. Peterside said this during the Management Performance Review (MPR) of the agency held in Lagos yesterday. He said that the agency’s repositioning initiative was all encompassing and when concluded, would be beneficial to the entire maritime sector. The director-general said that the MPR was an avenue to assessing the progress being made by the agency in terms of its reform, restructuring and repositioning drive to ensure that the agency’s mandate was achieved. According to him, there was no organisation that can grow without innovation and the MPR affords

us a rare opportunity to assess our journey thus far. He said that it was a rare privilege to match set goals with results and to carry out an assessment on how far the agency had gone in this journey. “When I joined you in NIMASA, we sat down and agreed to build a world class high performance organisation. “In subscribing to that, we set out to craft a Medium Term Strategic plan which would be our roadmap. “We have already started the critical elements of the things we agreed that are necessary to build a world class maritime organisation. “One is the automation of our processes and to fast track this, we set up a special taskforce. “It is our vision that by October, NIMASA would be fully automated,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Peterside as saying.

Ayade approves recruitment of 1,000 teachers he Governor of Cross teachers to be hired. “We are glad to inform T River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, has given approval the general public/appli-

Study: Men more likely to die from cancer than women Appolonia Adeyemi

spread into other tissues and there are more than 200 different types of cancers. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 8.2 million deaths in 2012. WHO’s projections show that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) would be responsible for a significantly increased total number of deaths in the next decade. According to a Radiotheraphist and Oncologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)/ College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Prof. Aderemi Tajudeen, about two million cancer cases were recorded in Nigeria with

over 100,000 new cases recorded annually. Highlighting the reason why more men would likely die from cancer in the new study, the Cancer Research UK, stated that if a woman found a lump in any part of her body, she would most likely seek urgent medical advice, while if the same happens to a man, all too often he would ignore it. Men don’t seem to like going to the doctor — even when it comes to something as potentially serious as cancer. A study of over 2,300 people with 15 different cancers found that men were most likely to delay going to the doctor. If a woman found a

lump, she would most likely seek urgent medical advice, while if the same happens to a man, all too often he will ignore it According to the results, 44 per cent of men with prostate cancer delayed visiting their Family Physician also known in the UK as the GP about their symptoms for three months or more, while only eight per cent of women with breast cancer symptoms put off getting help.

11m

The number of people in industrialized countries who suffer from undernourishment. Source: Unesco.org

for the recruitment of 1,000 teachers in the state by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). Consequently, the board has commenced the process of employing the 1,000 teachers by calling for applications from suitably qualified Cross Riverians. A statement released in Calabar and signed by the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Dr. Stephen Odey, said the governor gave the approval for the employment of more teachers following discoveries made by the board during its teachers verification exercise. The board said it discovered that there were insufficient teachers at the basic education level on account of high rate of teachers with fake certificates, retirement and deaths, thus compelling it to approach the governor with a request for more

cants that His Excellency, the governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade has graciously approved the recruitment of 1000 teachers across the state by SUBEB,’ the statement by Odey read in parts. The statement therefore, requested applicants “to forward their application with photocopies of their credentials (NCE/B. Ed) including email/telephone numbers to the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board. The statement stressed that applicants would be subjected to vigorous aptitude test, oral interview/ verification of certificate before they can be employed while emphasizing that “that any applicant that submits fake/forged certificates would be handed over to the security agencies for prosecution.”

wednesday, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Three swept away as flood sacks hundreds Camillus Nnaji, Taiwo Jimoh, Tobi Ayinde and Farida Mohammed

t least three persons were swept away while hundreds of houses were submerged by furious flood in parts of Lagos and Ogun states following torrential rains. In Ketu Alapere and Ikosi area alone, two persons were swept away while over 200 houses were flooded on Sunday. Also, a 56-year-old man, identified as John, was swept away at Isawo area of Ikorodu. John’s body was, according to residents, found floating on the community river yesterday. When his family members could not locate him, they reported the incident to the police. Mr. Alaba Peter, a resident of the area said, it was a sad movement for John’s family members and the community. He said: “The deceased went to a party in the neighbourhood only for him to be washed away by the flood while returning home. It was some people who live close to the canal that saw him when he was being swept away who later informed his family members.” The downpour started about 10:30p.m. on Saturday and rained all through the night. It only stopped about 4p.m. on Sunday. This came as some of residents of Owoade and Bakare streets in Alapere said they stood on their wall units and shelves all through the night. The flood also rendered hundreds of residents homeless in communities in Ogun and Lagos states. Two persons, one identified simply as Toyib who was a carpenter and a yet-to-be identified

One of the families sacked by the flood on Bakare Street, Alapere

man of northern extraction, who lived in shanties on KetuMile 12 waterway, were said to have been swept away by the flood. While Toyib was being carried away by the flood, the second man dived into the canal to rescue him. Both of them did not make it and their bodies have not been recovered. The incident occurred on Aisatu Street at Ikosi area of Ketu. At Agiliti and Oluwabukunmi area, many houses collapsed while others were flooded. Household items such as television sets, refrigerators, mattresses and furniture as well as clothes were staked outside houses. A resident, who identified himself as Emma, said they had not experienced such type of downpour. He said: “The rains started on Saturday night, we thought

photo: Camillus Nnaji

it was joke. People went to bed but not knowing the rains would persist. “Those who live on waterways were badly affected. The two persons who died were living inside shanties near the canal. Over 100 houses were flooded that night.” At Owoade Bakare Street, about 70 houses were filled with water. The level of the flood was about three metre high. Churches such as the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), His Majesty Chapel and Christ Chapel as well as Miracle Outreach International were taken over by flood. It was learnt that worshippers on Sunday were made to congregate at a nearby shop for service. Yesterday, many people were packing out their belongings while others abandoned their houses and fled. One of the families sacked

from their houses on Bakare Street, said they stood on top of their wall units and shelves all through the night. Head of the family, Mr. Malik, said the ordeal had traumatised them. He said: “From midnight till about 6a.m., we stood on the cupboard to avoid stepping on water. The water reached our waists. We had to bail out water throughout the day. Government should help us and construct water channels.” A resident, who identified himself as Mr. Chima, said the road had not been passable in the last seven months owing to water flowing out from the canal. He said: “People have dumped refuse in the canal which has blocked the water channels. So, on a day like this, with heavy flooding, the water has no other channel than to enter houses, compounds and streets.

“Again the construction of houses here is not good. Some houses are built on waterways. That is risky. We are appealing to the Lagos State government and Agboyi Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to come and assist us.” A public relations practitioner, Mrs. Omozele Mohammed, at Denro Ishasi, Akute in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, said that the rain destroyed a lot of structures. A foodstuff seller, Mrs. Chioma Ayanwu, said: “The rain prevented many people from going to church and their places of work. The roads are flooded.” A civil servant, who gave her name as Mrs. Iyabo, said: “There is no disaster in our area. We have only flood. I feel the three-day rainfall was caused by climate change.” Another resident, Mr. Kehinde Olorunishola, living at Ajenlanwa, Ipaja area of Lagos metropolis, said anytime it rained, the roads would become impassable. He said: “Our homes usually become flooded. There was a day it rained heavily. It started about 1:30a.m. I couldn’t sleep that night. My whole room was like a swimming pool. My bed was like bread soaked in water. “These days, anytime it rains, I know that at least one of my property would be destroyed. I don’t have anywhere else to go, so I endure it. I don’t know the cause of the flooding of our apartments. But I know that our area has drainages.” Olorunishola said that for the three-day rainfall, fortunately didn’t flood homes. It, however, left community muddy and slippery.

City Briefs

One dies, four injured in Ebonyi auto crash Prophet held for allegedly defiling boy olice in Anambra State homosexual and unnatural of- reached him that the police t least, one person died yesThe sector commander said have arrested a self-ac- fence; a situation where you were seeking to arrest him.” Aterday while four others that the FRSC officials were P claimed prophet with Jesus have unlawful carnal knowlNwode, according to the sustained injuries in an acci- drafted to the scene to ensure Miracle Ministry, Ifite-Awka, Ekene Aboji, 35, for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old boy after a vigil. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Nkeiru Nwode, said in Awka yesterday that the incident occurred on August 19 on the church premises. Nwode told journalists that medical report showed that the victim sustained bruises on his neck and anus. According to him, investigations are ongoing. She said: “This is a case of

edge of a minor. “The young boy went for the vigil and was asked by the prophet to stay behind since it was late to return home. “The boy obliged only to be forced by the suspect who had carnal knowledge of him through the anus.” The PPRO added that the police swung into action when they got the information and went to the church to arrest Aboji but he was at large. She said: “The suspect absconded and he was nowhere to be found when information

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that the motherin-law of the prophet was arrested; and that the suspect was later arrested on August 25 while attempting to settle the matter without involving the police. She described the incident as “unfortunate” and advised parents to take proper care of their children. However, Aboji denied the allegation. The suspect said he only advised the boy against going home after the vigil for his safety.

dent on Abakaliki-Afikpo Road. The Ebonyi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Charles Aborchi, said the accident involved an 18-seater bus and an articulated vehicle. He said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, while the injured were receiving treatment in the same hospital. Aborchi, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), attributed the accident to speed violation.

free flow of traffic. He said: “According to preliminary investigation, the accident was a collision between the bus and the articulated vehicle.” Aborchi reiterated that speed violation was responsible for 60 per cent of road crashes in the country and urged motorists to abide by the speed limit. He also reminded them that the installation of speed limiting device would be enforced from October 1 and urged motorists to install the device before then.

METRO

wednesday, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kenneth Ofoma

Divorce court

ENUGU

olice in Enugu State said they had arrested a suspected herdsman found in possession of a sophisticated gun suspected to be AK47 in Enugu community. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent (SP) Ebere Amaraizu, who identified himself as Ibrahim Adamu, about 20 years’ old, was apprehended at Affa Udi Local Government Area of the state. The PPRO added that 24 rounds of live ammunition were also found on the suspect. Suspected Fulani herdsmen last Wednesday invaded an Enugu community, Ndiagu Attakwu-Akagbeugwu, in Nkanu West Local Government Area, killed a Catholic seminarian, Lazarus Nwafor, and wounded four others. One of the injured, 65-year-old Mrs. Ifeoma Agbo, later died in the hospital. Amaraizu said the suspect arrested with automatic rifle on Tuesday by the combined efforts of the police and the members of the public at Affa. According to him, Adamu claimed that he is from Nassarawa State but lives at Hausa quarters, 9th Mile and a herdsman with some cows at Affa Udi bush. He said: “It was further gathered that the suspect, before he was nabbed, had expended about six shots into the air to evade being nabbed. The suspect is now helping the police in their investigations in relation to how he came about the rifle. “The state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, has expressed delight at the efforts of his men and the community leading to the arrest of the suspected hoodlum and the recovery of the gun and ammunition.

Police train Festac residents to check crime

‘My wife threatened to poison our children’ 36-year-old man, Abraham Dominic, yesA terday told a Mararaba Upper Area Court in Nasarawa State that his wife always threat-

Adamu with the gun recovered from him

Herdsman arrested with AK47 rifle in Enugu “He pointed out that Enugu State, under his watch, will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders and sister agencies for a safe and secured environment.” Last Thursday, a day after the attack on Attakwu community, the police said they arrested one of the suspected herdsmen responsible for the attack. Amaraizu then identified the suspect as Umaru Isah from Gusau in Zamfara State. He said: “His arrest came through intelligence information gathering. The

suspect, who claimed that he is 20 years’ old, revealed that he came from Gusau, Zamfara State to Enugu recently for the purposes of rearing cattle but has none to rear till now. “Meanwhile, investigations have commenced in full scale into his alleged nefarious activities and with a view to unmasking his gang members so that they can be brought to book. The state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, has vowed to unmask all those involved in the dastardly act and bring them to book.”

Agbonika addressing the forum

termined that it is night time that had issues. Some of them, who can’t come out on patrol at night, can pass out information gathered in the community, which can assist the police in curbing and checking crime.” At least, about 2,000 members of the community were present at the Festac Police Station on Saturday, as the first ever Community Accountability Forum (CAF) was inaugurated. Agbonika said that the forum would

Lagos begins prosecution of Oniba’s kidnappers Muritala Ayinla

agos State government yesterday moved to charge the suspected kidnappers of the Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Oseni, to court for criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, murder and armed robbery. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said in a statement that the four suspects - Duba Furejo, Ododomo Isaiah,

ens to poison his children anytime he corrects her mistakes. Dominic, a businessman of Gwagwa Mararaba, had urged the court to dissolve his eightyear-old marriage to his wife, Onyedikachi, for alleged lack of understanding and peace. According to him, the respondent goes out and comes back at will, which makes him lose confidence in her and the marriage. The presiding officer, Mr. Ibrahim Shekaru, adjourned the matter till September 20 to enable the petitioner present his witnesses. The petitioner, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said he was seeking dissolution of their marriage and also for the court to award him the custody of their four children. He said: “Since I married the respondent in 2008, I have not known peace. I can never correct my wife whenever she makes mistakes. “She goes out without my knowledge. Whenever I talk to her, she always threatens to poison my children in order to get back at me. “She took two of my children to Onitsha without my knowledge and she would not tell me what they were doing there. “There is frequent trouble in my house and I cannot let my children get entangled in this situation as it might affect them.” Onyedikachi, however, denied all the allegations. According to the respondent, her husband does not care for her and the children’s school fees. She said: “I can never poison my own children. I am the one who always provide for the children and take good care of them.

Court dissolves pastor’s 19-year-old marriage

Camillus Nnaji estac Police Station has trained over 150 residents to partner with its men in ensuring safer community. Speaking at the training at the weekend, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in charge of Festac Police Station, Mr. Monday Agbonika, said it was to deepen partnership with the residents to ensure security of lives and property. He said: “We trained 150 residents. About 100 for voluntary policing sector initiative. The idea is for the residents to volunteer to police the community themselves. Some of them that volunteered can come out at night to patrol the community, since it had been de-

Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh - would be prosecuted in accordance with the relevant laws applicable to the alleged crimes committed. Kazeem, who has already issued legal advice for the prosecution of the suspected kidnappers, said the suspects would be charged for offences of conspiracy, kidnapping, murder and armed robbery. He added that the charge would be filed at the state High Court to ensure prompt prosecution.

address issue of security accountability between police and residents. The Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) said that establishing CAF was in line with the idea of the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, towards ensuring community participation. The DPO explained that the forum would hold monthly, as a platform for security interactions, networking and accountability among residents, police operatives, business owners and local vigilantes. He added: “The division has been able to train and is still training many youths in Festac, on the basic security service provision and information gathering. They are now a formidable team, and not only complement the police, but also assist in checkmating crime. This is in line with the policy of community policing as ordered by the IG. “In a mixed residence as FESTAC, where the rich and poor live together, such co-habitation can be turned to advantage, by involving them in securing the community.”

n Alimosho Customary Court, Lagos yesterday dissolved the 19-year-old marriage between Pastor Idowu Abiola and his wife, Esther. Esther had accused the 50-year-old pastor of being fetish and marrying her with juju. Abiola, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), had sued for divorce on grounds of defamation of character. In her ruling, President of the court, Alhaja S. O. Mumuni, said it was obvious from available testimonies and the respondent’s refusal to appear in court that the marriage had hit the rocks. She said: ‘Throughout the duration of this case, the respondent refused to honour the court’s invitation; therefore, the court has no other choice than to dissolve the marriage. “The marriage between Idowu Abiola and Esther Abiola is hereby dissolved from today in accordance with the Lagos State Customary Law, 2013, Cap.19. “Both parties are no longer husband and wife; they are free to marry any partner of their choice without any hindrance or molestation.” Earlier, Abiola said Esther accused him of using juju to marry her when she saw a fetish object he recovered from a church member after a deliverance session and which he wanted to burn. He said: “She moved out of the house five years ago to an unknown destination, claiming that I married her with charms. “I called her family to inform them of her action and they promised to talk to her and plead with her to come back, but up till now she has refused to come back.” Abiola accused Esther of attempting to kidnap their children on two occasions. He added: “First, she came to the house without my knowledge and absconded with our three children.

News|South-west

Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

fenifere Renewal Group (ARG) yesterday met the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers in Ado-Ekiti, state capital, and disclosed its plans to organise a national conference for all monarchs across the Southwest, including Kogi and Kwara states. National Chairman of the Group, Hon. Wale Oshun, who led a six-man delegation to address and invite the monarchs to the conference, explained that the conference billed to hold in Ibadan, capital of Oyo state, would aid better understanding and cooperation among the people. Others who came with Oshun were Chief Segun Odegbami (MON), Chairman (Conference) Planning Committee, Ayo Afolabi,

Afenifere plans confab for S’West, Kogi, Kwara monarchs

ARG General Secretary, Kunle Famoriyo, ARG publicity secretary, Bunmi Awotiku, Coordinator, ARG Ekiti Chapter and Segun Balogun, Programme Officer. According to him, ARG, an entirely non-political group, was equally networking both The Yoruba Academy and Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) to ensure there was preservation of the Yoruba language and culture while exploring the region’s economic progress. Chairman of the Council, Oba Samuel Oladapo Oyebade, the Ologotun of Ogotun Ekiti, commended the group for the initiative, assuring that Ekiti Obas

would consider the invitation and send representatives to the coming conference. Oshun said: “The entourage has visited some state governors and we have written to Governor Ayodele Fayose also for a meeting where we also which to explain our purpose and seek for more cooperation and support. “Yoruba people currently are not acting like one united people and not speaking with one voice on issues of common interest. This is unlike other ethinc groups in the country. Our group has taken up this challenge and the first move is to work out ways on greater unity and coop-

eration among the region’s monarchs.” “Our worry lately is that there are traditional councils in each of the region’s constituent states, but as yet there is no forum where they meet to forge common grounds on common issues.” This is not so among similar traditional councils in other ethnic groups. “This time yesterday we were with the Ooni of Ife and he endorsed our plan, and tomorrow, we also have plans to meet with the Alaafin of Oyo. We have written to Governor Ayodele Fayose to book an appointment to enable the group make necessary clarifications.”

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Lagos seeks residents’ cooperation to tackle land grabbers

he Lagos State Government yesterday said that residents in the state have the right to report land grabbers in their areas, calling on the residents to join hands with the government to fight the menace of forceful eviction of rightful owners from their property. Speaking with New Telegraph, Special Adviser to the Governor on Communities and Communications, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, said that residents had the right to inform government of any known land grabbers in their domains.

According to him, residents were implored to give valid information to members of the newly inaugurated taskforceonland grabbing on their action especially as they moved from one place to another to foment troubles in construction sites. Bamgbetan, who noted that the Ambode administration was communitydriven, said that the policy of government on the menace of land grabbers was all-inclusive in nature as it addresses the need of the rich and the poor. Also, while addressing members of the Community Development Committees (CDCs), Community Development Association

(CDA) and Neighbourhood Watch security outfit with other stakeholders across the State, Alternate Chairman, Lagos State Special Task force on Land Grabbing, Akinjide Bakare, said that with the law being in place, anyone found guilty of land grabbing would now be jailed 10 years. According to him, whoever bought illegal land after thorough investigation would pay a fine of 5million and that any land

2.6m

The total population of Melanesia in 1970. Source: Un.org

Akure

he Deputy National Chairman (South) of All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr Segun Oni and the Ondo State Executive Committee (SEC) of the party have ruled out the possibility of removing from office the embattled

Chairman of the party, Mr Duerimini Isaacs Kekemeke. Oni and the SEC of the party comprising the State Working Committee and the Chairmen of 18 Local Government Chairmen at after a meeting held in Akure, the state capital said the removal of Kekemeke as Chairman by some members of the State

grabber caught on the land with weapon would bag four years in jail. Bakare said: “If you are the government and the people at the community are not feeling your impact, then you are just doing everything in vain, everything we do as a government should be about the people we govern. The only way one can be sensitive is to have listening ears and meet the needs of the people.”

N502.01bn

The total import value of products of the chemical and allied industries of Nigeria in 2013. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

Oni, APC declare Kekemeke’s sack illegal Babatope Okeowo

Ondo Assembly dissolves standing committees

he Ondo State House of Assembly yesterday announced the dissolution of all its standing committees. The announcement was made during the plenary at the Ondo State House of Assembly in Akure. The Speaker, Jumoke Akindele also announced that all committee chairmen were however, to remain and function as heads of the committees pending the reconstitution of new committees. Mr Olamide George, a member representing

Executive Committee did not follow due process and declared it null and void. There have been crisis in the State Chapter of APC over the move by some aggrieved members of the party and SEC to remove Kekemeke ahead of the party’s primary fixed for September 3. The major grouse of the members was the en-

dorsement of one of the governorship aspirants by the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. But yesterday, the SEC at a press conference addressed by the State Secretary of APC at the party secretariat, Mr Rotimi Rahman said only four out over 40-member committee did not have numerical figure to remove the chairman of the party.

Akure North constituency, said the dissolution was a usual and normal process of parliamentary process. Olamide, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Youth and Sports, explained that the dissolution would also give room to reshuffle members of the various committees. ``This is in order to gain more legislative and oversight experience; the house committees will soon be reconstituted’’, he said.

Ambode inaugurates committee on operation clean-up Ikoyi, VI Muritala Ayinla

L-R: Human Rights Activist, Mrs. Abimbola Junaid; Former Ogun State Commissioner for Information &Strategy/ Keynote Speaker, Dr. Niran Malaolu; Executive Chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders(CACOL),Comrade Debo Adeniran and Representative of Lagos State Commissioner for Information &Strategy, Mr. Toyin Awosika at exploratory conference on the 3rd LAGOS OPEN PARLIARMENT in Lagos… yesterday.

Muritala Ayinla

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

agos State Government yesterday began a move to clear Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikoyi areas of shanties, hawkers and abandoned structure as Governor Akinwunmi Ambode inaugurated a special committee to clean up the areas. According to the governor, the move became imperative as ‘a safe, clean and prosperous’ Lagos was not negotiable. With the inauguration of the Committee members, New Telegraph learnt that hundreds of shanties and illegal structure located on the right of way will be demolished or evicted. Speaking after inaugurating the 15- member committee at the state House Ikeja, Ambode said his administration was determined to rescue its environment from avoidable impediments

through a major clean-up exercise of the Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki areas. According to him, gross abuse of urban planning and environmental laws of the state necessitated the action to clean-up its environment and restore it to its desired form. Ambode said: “Cases of abandoned property have become very rampant with miscreants and criminal elements taking over these property as their base to cause havoc. The neat road sides of the past now parade pockets of kiosks, illegal parking lots, unapproved mechanic workshops, roadside beer parlours and commercial centres.” “In addition, originally residential areas now have industrial and commercial concerns located there, distorting the balance of the environment.”

Extortion: Lagos Assembly ratifies dismissal of LASTMA officer Wale Elegbede

he Lagos State House of Assembly has approved the dismissal of a Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) officer, Mr. Onipede Olusegun from the state’s Civil Service over an alleged extortion. Onipede had submitted a petition titled “dismissal from civil service” to the Assembly seeking reversal on a judgement by the LASTMA Authority. In the petition, he stated he was on a patrol around Ojota axis when vehicles were parked indiscriminately at the bus-stop which resulted in a traffic build-up and he instructed the driver of the vehicle in the front to move in order to ease traffic but the driver refused vehemently. The petitioner further stated that he snapped the vehicle with his phone as a result of his refusal and the bus conductor held his

hand and pleaded with him to delete the pictures, in the process of holding his hand while pleading that a passersby took the photograph and shared same on the social media which the LASTMA Authority came across and accused him of extortion from a bus conductor. He also stated that all attempts to explain what transpired between him and the bus conductor to LASTMA Authority was rebuffed. He stressed that he couldn’t have done anything that would jeopardize the operational guidelines of the Agency to enrich his pockets. In response to the petition, Chairman Committee on Establishment, Training, Pension and Public Service, Hon. Dayo Famakinwa invited necessary stakeholders to investigate the matter and reached a conclusion to adopt the position of the Civil Service Commission.

WEDNESDAY, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Interview Buhari more democratic than most people think, says Odigie-Oyegun

Politics

Thinking outside the box The dire situation of the country's economy has compelled the Muhammadu Buhari administration to think out of the box following government’s proposal for an emergency power to reflate the economy. WALE ELEGBEDE and TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE report

hen the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari took over the reins of leadership of the country about 15 months ago, many Nigerians, including those opposed to the emergence of the former military Head of State, were expectant of one thing – change. But more than year into the life of the administration, the shape and state of the economy has made many citizens to start to think otherwise about the capacity and competence of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government to take the nation out of the woods. From the plunge in revenue occasioned by the falling prices of crude oil, which is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy to the activities of Niger Delta Avengers, who are blowing up oil installations and thereby reducing the volume of the country’s crude oil sale, tumbling of the naira against major foreign currencies many have averred that the books are not looking good for the current administration to quickly fill the economic gap in the immediate. On a daily basis, the narration of the country’s economy appears bleak. Aside experiencing contraction by almost 40 per cent with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) standing at $296 billion from $501 billion, the recent rebasing of the continent’s economy that saw Nige-

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

Buhari

ria being the knocked off by South Africa as Africa’s largest economy, appears to be the icing on the cake that perhaps got the administration's economic team back to the drawing board. Although many reasons are been adduced by the Federal Government for the parlous state of the economy, some Nigerians, however, don't want to listen to the long list of excuses from the government and its sympathizers over the plummeting economy. In fact, some find it hard to reconcile why the nation’s currency has continued to fall against the dollar. For the government and rightly so, the comatose state of the economy was not its making but a combination of many avoidable and unavoidable factors. For the administration, the primary blame should be placed on the activities of past governments especially the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The Jonathan administration was labeled as being culpable in the conspicuous deficiencies in fiscal and monetary policies, massive corruption, inability to diversify the economy and failure to address challenges of decrepit infrastructure. Perhaps, last week’s nugget for the administration by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammadu Sanusi, on the economy might be a bitter pill to swallow, but many believe that the context of the charge is the timely reality of the state of the nation. The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who spoke at the 15th meeting of the Joint Planning Board and National Council on Development Planning in Kano State, said some policies

Saraki

The decision to seek emergency powers for the president was based on a proposal from the economic team

of the government were bad for the economy, adding that Buhari must retrace his steps. “We should not just keep blaming the previous administration; we also made some mistakes in the current administration. “They must retrace their steps. They have to retrace those steps all the way. We should not fall into the same trap we fell the last time when the government was always right. The bottom line is that if your policy is wrong, it means you must change it and nothing will make it right as it has to be changed. “If this government continues to behave the way the last government behaved, it will end up where Jonathan ended. The country has not been able to attract investment. We need to move from our present mode of investment. "The funny thing is that you did not stop borrowing; all you have to do is borrow the right amount and apply them to the right purposes. It doesn’t matter whether it is consumption spending or investment demand, the GDP will grow. ‘’Countries like Nigeria and Angola are among the lowest growing countries of the world, growing with the rate of Europe and Latin America. We are the worst performers in terms of investment,” he said. While the Federal Government through the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has admitted that the country is currently on technical recession, many, however, opined that the economy is in full blown recession and may likely drift to depression if concerted efforts are not made by the government to address the deficits in the economy. Economists measure recession in an

economy by two negative growths periods, which literarily means that a decline in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country for two or more consecutive quarters is a recession period. Interestingly, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report for 2015 showed that the country had negative growth periods all through the year. In one of the many efforts to stimulate the economy, Adeosun said the government had released over N450 billion for capital projects funding, adding that, “we are pumping money into the economy at a very rapid rate.” While cautioning that it would take time to start feeling the impact due to the time lag between spending and effects, the minister said the procurement process that usually accompanies capital projects was slowing down releases. Perhaps, the economic team of the current administration realised that the long rope of the procurement process in capital projects, is one of the bottlenecks affecting the quick delivery of democracy dividends to Nigerians, hence, the need for a stop-gap measure to salvage the economy. In a report exclusively obtained by some select newspapers including New Telegraph, the Buhari administration is said to be seeking the approval of the National Assembly for emergence powers in order to urgently address the economic lockdown of the country. A bill, titled: Emergency Economic Stabilisation Bill 2016, which is in three parts: Objectives and application; Timeliness, thresholds and other limitations; and miscellaneous, is expected to address all the contending tailbacks to the growth of the economy in the next one year. It was learnt from government sources that the decision to seek emergency powers for the President was based on a proposal from the economic team headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo after a thorough review of the various policies so far introduced by the administration and how they have affected the economy. The economic team, it was learnt, gauged the mood of the polity and decided that unless there is an urgency which some of the extant laws will not permit, “The recession may be longer than expected and Nigerians will not get the desired respite, which is the goal of this government.” In the bill, the president wants to carry out radical reforms that have both executive and legislative components. The executive orders will involve issuance of visas, registration of businesses, granting of waivers, process of tendering and CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

POLITICS PLATFORM

WEDNESDAY, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Emergency Power Bill: C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 1

Oni

APC: We’re elected to do the impossible

...Says Nigerians would have been refuges Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, said it was elected into power to do the impossible, insisting that there is no magic to the country’s problems at the moment. Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party, Engr. Segun Oni, who stated this during an interaction with journalists in Abuja, said Nigerians are expecting APC to do a quick fix to a battered economy, when the truth is that the citizenry would have been refugees by now if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had returned to power. Oni, who was responding to questions on the delay by APC administration to fix the economy and the belief that the party is failing on its campaign promises because it had no Economic Team, explained that it was wrong for Nigerians to insinuate that the present administration has no such team because Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is the one heading the team. He stated that no vice president could have served better than Osinbajo in that position as he has, before now, consulted for the World Bank and other international organisations. He said: “Well, the public is right to expect that we would do magic, but the truth is that there is no magic way out of the problem on ground for Nigeria. The economy was traumatised by a government whose only agenda was to win another round. Therefore, everything was put into trying to win a second round; even bastardising the economy and we are all here now. Fortunately for them, I would say they are not there any longer, but the reality on ground is that if the previous government were in power by now, Nigeria would have virtually packed off and many of us would have been refugees by now. “It is very easy not to remember where we are coming from. We were elected to do the impossible, but we

will do our best. I just want to plead that people should give us more realistic expectation. This economy must work, we must get Nigeria back, but it is not as quick as anybody could imagine by touch of a hand. “People are entitled to their expectation, we as a government we will do our best to ensure that the end would justify this course. We were not elected to run Nigeria for one year or two years; we were elected to run Nigeria for four years and before we get to an appreciable length of time, I am confident that we would begin to see very, very obvious changes.” Speaking further on the economic team, Oni said: "There are experts. There is an Economic Management Team headed by the vice president and I want to tell you that if there is anything the vice president cannot do about economy, no other vice president in the history of Nigeria would have made any attempt, even an economist. "Who is an economist who has more pedigree than him? You see, we should not quickly forget where people are coming from. As a professor of Law, it is not a mean rating. He has done a lot of consultancy work for the World Bank, African Union (AU) and so on. He has a team that he is heading, it is not a one-man team, I know the Economic Adviser, a guy that all of us know when we were in school as one of the best brains we can find on the terrain who also had a chequered career in Foreign Service." The party chieftain, who also spoke on the security situation in the country, alleged that some persons who looted the treasury are the ones sponsoring the Fulani herdsmen to destabilise the government though he said the situation is not as terrible as it used to be. According to him, "it personally worries me because these gunmen who suddenly become so notorious invading villages and so on are people that had always been around. But my guess is that many of these are sponsored by people who had so much money and want to create instability.”

sales of non-core assets. The emergency powers that have the legislative components include the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Act, procurement process and virement of budget allocations. It was gathered that the objectives of the emergency powers are to reflate the economy by creating more jobs, boost foreign reserves, ensure inflow of foreign exchange, strengthens the naira, resuscitate the manufacturing sector and get contractors back to site. A source in the Presidency confirmed to New Telegraph that the radical reforms are in the executive bill, which will be tabled before the National Assembly. According to the source, “the president is worried about the state of the economy and attendant hardship in the country. And to tackle some of the challenges, President Buhari is seeking for emergency powers to carry out radical reforms in the polity. “Buhari must respond frontally to the challenges of recession. He can’t do it under the extant conditions. He is now seeking powers to enable him roll out some economic packages. “In three days’ time, Buhari will be seeking from the National Assembly powers to amend procurement process in order to support stimulus spending in critical sectors; he is seeking power to favour local suppliers/ contractors in contract awards.” In the area of budgeting, Buhari plans to issue executive orders to allow virement of budgetary allocations of projects within Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that are of topmost priority. Noting further, the source said that the president is concerned about the delay in the procurement process, which takes more than six months. Hence, Buhari is seeking the suspension of Section 34(3) of the Public Procurement Act. This, according to sources, is to ensure that the administrative encumbrances in the procurement process and award of contracts are done away with. The president is also considering sales of noncore assets to raise money. “Nigeria has a lot of noncore assets that can be sold to reflate the economy. But the process to lease or sell the assets will take one year. So, the president wants to fast track the pro-He believes that there is no need keeping those assets if the nation can generate over $50 billion through lease and sales.” It was learnt that Buhari is proposing two approaches to issuance of visa. One is visa on arrival while the second one is to ensure that henceforth, tourist and business visas are issued within 48 hours at all the consular offices of Nigeria. Buhari is also seeking the nod of the National Assembly to amend the UBEC Act so as to free the N58 billion trapped in the Fund as a result of the inability of the states to pay 50 per cent counterpart funding. The President wants an amendment to the Section 11(2) of the UBEC Act. “Today, N58 billion is trapped in UBEC Fund. The

Okorie

law states that states must pay 50 per cent counterpart funding. Unfortunately, many states can’t pay because of their financial situation. You know payment of workers’ salaries is a big issue for most of the states. “So, the President will be seeking amendment to the UBEC Act which manufacturmandates the states to commit 50 per cent of the counterpart fund. With the proposed amendment, the states will only be required to contribute 10 per cent instead of 50 per cent,” the source said. In sum, the President will be seeking from the National Assembly when they resume from their recess on September 12, to do the following: abridge the procurement process to support stimulus spending on critical sectors of the economy; make orders to favour local contractors/suppliers in contract awards; abridge the process of sale or lease of government assets to generate revenue; allow virement of budgetary allocation to projects that are urgent, without going back to the National Assembly and amend certain laws, such as the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Act, so that states that cannot access their cash trapped in the accounts of the commission because they cannot meet the counterpart funding. As expected, Nigerians are divided over the proposal. While some hailed the move and expressed the belief that the approach was long overdue, others averred that the President does not any special power to pull the nation out of its economic brink, since he wasn’t granted any extra power to tackle insecurity in the North-East and the war against corruption. For the chairman, Small and Medium Enterprise Group (SMEG) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Jon Kachikwu, the idea of seeking an emergency economic bill is a welcome idea. He added that the move is in tandem with the position of private sector groups. The LCCI SMEG boss also explained that reviving the country's economy at this time of recession will be a big task for the government because of the dwindling

CROSSFIRE We commend the efforts of the EFCC for the work it is doing and for its modest achievements. However… its broad objective as an investigative and prosecurial agency should be reviewed -Abubakar Mahmoud

The suggestions appear perfectly in sync with a cleverly disguised campaign by powerful forces that are uncomfortable with the reinvigorated anti-graft campaign -Ibrahim Magu

Yakasai

POLITICS PLATFORM

WEDNESDAY, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari thinks outside the box

Olajide

Obioha

economic fortunes in the country, which was already battered beyond repairs. "President Buhari must change his current economic policies in the country as they are not impacting positively on the country's economic growth and development. His move to approach NASS for emergency economic stabilisation bill is a welcome idea in all ramification and we (OPS members) are ready to support him in this move but we doubt if that will be the antidote to retuning the country's economy at this time. I still believe that going back to the drawing board will be the only lasting alternative to the country's economic downturn." On his part, the National Chairman of the United Progressives Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, urged the National Assembly to look at the bill critically. he said: “If the power that the President is seeking is already in the constitution, then there is no point of duplicating power. But if what he is looking for is a temporary measure to get Nigeria out of the wood, the National Assembly should consider it patriotically and with the best of intensions. “This is not the first time a President is finding solution under the economic circumstance we are into, in seeking for extra ordinary power to be able to solve the economy problem; it has happened in other climes. So, if the bill is for economy reason and not political reason, I will urge the National Assembly to look at it

We doubt if that will be the antidote to retuning the country's economy at this time

very dispassionately and support the president to do what is needful because our economy needs a rescue programme. “I am in support of the bill but not without National Assembly having a dispassionate and critical look at the power the President is seeking. The National Assembly should make sure that the power the President is seeking for is power to get the economy out of the wood. I believe that our economy require such intervention to be able to get it out of the wood. The economic situation is really critical now and the government must be supported to solve the problem.” But Special Adviser to ex-President Shehu Shagari in the Second Republic and Chairman of Northern Elders Council, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, differed with those supporting the bill. According to him, the President does not need any emergency legislation to solve the country's economic problems. “People should be weary of giving any former military Head of State a lot of power because they don’t know where to stop. We all know about the Odi massacre in Bayelsa State during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. “The case of former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) is another example. Despite granted bails by various courts, Dasuki is still in incarceration. The truth is that military people when they are fighting don’t know where to stop; so it is danger-

ous to give them a lot of power. Adding his voice on the issue, the National Publicity Secretary of Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), Kunle Olajide, said the president and his economic team should still consult widely with experts in the field of economics. “I believe the President has enough powers already to tackle the economy. I think we have too much power concentrated in the centre already, so personally, I do not think there is need for any emergency power to address our economic problems. “I think the National Economic Team must consult experts in economics in the private sector and everywhere to be able to get the necessary remedy to address the problem. But emergency power for me will be too wide, so I personally do not support it. National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain, Chief Ralph Obioha, believes that the National Assembly should expedite work on bills from the executive that touch on the plummeting economy, stating that the two arms of government must swiftly work together to save Nigeria economy from collapse. His words: “Any democrat will not accept an emergency power outside the emergency power entrenched in the sovereignty of Nigeria. It is only in a situation of war that an emergency power should be contemplated. The reason why we have National Assembly is for the executive to go to them and get whatever measure needed. “So, the President has the National Assembly to work with and if there are laws that he wants to enact to help the economy, he should be able to take it quickly to the National Assembly and I am sure that National Assembly members as patriotic Nigerians will look into the bill and draft the necessary laws that will enable the president to tackle the economy problem.” As all eyes turn to the National Assembly to make the details of the proposal known when it resumes plenary next month, there are lots of questions already begging for answers over the proposal. But one thing is irrefutable, the President and his team have been able to think out of the box to move the nation forward and it is left to be seen to what extent the proposal, if granted, would pull the nation’s economy back from the brink.

POLITRICKS Who will shut Jibril's mouth? Contest for Edo First Lady spices poll

ince the announcement of his removal as the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropraition, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin has taken it upon himself not to go down alone. He has revealed lots of issues that had hitherto been restricted to the confines of the Green Chamber, or among the principal officers of the House. When the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) mediated in the crisis and gave a matching order to the lawmaker to

maintain a sealed lips, many thought that the loud sound of Jibril's vituperations have been addressed once and for all. But to the chagrin of all, the youthful politician picked up from where he stopped and even widen the net of his accusation against his colleagues. The resonating question is since the hierachy of APC and the grilling by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) couldn't keep Jibril quiet, who will? Perhaps, he is hoping for a presidential intervention.

he saying that ‘behind every successful man, there is a woman,’ is playing up in Edo State and may likely determine the faith of who wins the September 10 governorship election in the state that prides itself as The Heartbeat of the Nation. Ahead of the election, which comes up next Saturday, wives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Besty and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Pas-

tor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Idia, are passionately embarking on independent campaign to woo voters for their respective spouses in their bids to occupy Edo Government House. Perhaps, both ladies decided to join the campaign because the September 10 poll, apart from being a governorship election will also determine the next First Lady of Edo State and there is no doubt that their performance in the ongoing campaign will go a long way in boosting the chances of the leading candidates.

POLITICAL NOTES

Mimiko, Ibrahim renew rivalry

he political drama in Ondo State ahead of the November 26 governorship election has taken a new twist with the emergence of two gubernatorial candidates on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. While the immediate former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede emerged as the gubernatorial candidate of the Senator Ahmed Markarfi-led Caretaker Committee, the Group Managing Director of Global Fleet Group, Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim is the candidate of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction. Though some analysts may see the outcome of the primaries of the two factions of PDP as a continuation of the leadership tussle between Sheriff and Markafi , many are of the view that the governorship election will produce another round of political battle between political gladiators in Sunshine State, especially in the PDP. This time, the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Ibrahim, are going to renew their rivalry in the battle for the soul of the PDP and the governorship seat. Though Mimiko is not a candidate in the November governorship poll, his anointed candidate, Jegede is expected to battle Ibrahim for the PDP ticket in the November 26 election. For many years, the relationship that existed between Mimiko and Ibrahim, who were both alumni of the Great Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) is that of a cat and rat, and both of them have worked at cross-purposes on several occasions during past elections in Ondo State. For example, Ibrahim during the 2012 governorship poll in Ondo stood solidly behind the PDP governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, to stop Mimiko’s second term ambition but the governor, who ran on the platform of the Labour Party emerged victorious. The rivalry between the Ibrahim and Mimiko became deeper when the governor defected from Labour Party to the PDP, as both belong to different factions of the PDP. While Mimiko pitched his tent with the Markarfi’s faction, Ibrahim is a staunch supporter of Sheriff and this seem to be a major reason why he emerged as the flag bearer of the Sheriff-led PDP. As the people of Ondo State prepares for the November 26 governorship election to elect a new occupier of the Ondo State Government House, Mimiko and Ibrahim will also be working strategically on how to outsmart each other in the battle for the control of the Sunshine State. Will Ibrahim stop Mimiko from installing his successor or will Mimiko truncate Ibrahim's governorship ambition? Time and future events will tell.

temitope ogunbanke

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

WEDNESDAY, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari more democratic than most people think, says Odigie-Oyegun National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, in this interview, speaks on his party’s chances in the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, the crisis over the party’s gubernatorial primaries in Ondo State and other national issues. Cajetan Mmuta reports

The governorship election in Edo State is less than two weeks, how optimistic are you that your party will win? Our campaign has been very good; there was a period of drama but all that is behind us and the arguments are very clear irrespective of whatever individual issues there must be and there have been. The issue is simple, we have had the All Progressives Congress (APC) in government for seven years plus, before that we had the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in government in Edo State for 10 years and the little I have been around, you can hardly see anybody who can point to any single substantial development in the 10 years of PDP compared with the almost eight years of APC under Governor Adams Oshiomhole and that in-fact decides the issue. When you ask people, what is your preference, do you want the good time to continue or do you want to revert to the bad old days, the issue becomes very clear and then you get a resounding let the good days continue and that is where the debate rests and the result has been very good. Yes, there was a bit of time when there were all sorts of discordant tunes as a result of group interests, personal interest but all that have been sorted out now, I think we are roaring down to a very substantial victory no doubt at all. But some people see the PDP candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as a politician who can create and upset against Mr. Godwin Obaseki, your party’s candidate, who is a technocrat? Again we are back to the same odious comparison for most of the 10 years Ize-Iyamu was at the heart of the mis-governance of this state. For a total period of eight out of the 10 years of non performance, at a time also when funds from the excess crude account were being disbursed, there wasn’t a single and I stand to be challenged, one single item of solid development in Edo State in those eight years. He was one of the most powerful people in that administration. Now that times are hard, is that the kind of person anybody would want to bring back to manage the affairs of this state? The answer is clearly no. Meanwhile, you have a Obaseki, who has been at the heart of the management of the economy of this state throughout this hard time and everybody attests to the fact that he was at the heart of the economic management of the state, the result is that out of the 36 states of the country over 22 are unable to pay salaries and Edo State is not one of them. Out of the 36 states of this nation, Edo State is one of those

that are still continuing with developmental projects. Edo State has remained one of the fundamental ones that have tremendous development in the field of infrastructure and Obaseki was at the head. So, what kind of man do we need to lead the state through this hard times, the person of-course is Obaseki, who was very successful in the private sector and then came to Edo State to help out and have distinguished himself by making the state one of the very few states that is keeping its obligation and at the same time continuing to work in developing the economy. So, we are lucky that we have an Obaseki available for us in the state and my appeal has been clear, there is no choice at all apart from Obaseki. Ize-Iyamu; everybody will tell you was even as influential as Igbinedion in that administration. They ran the state economy down, sold our industries to themselves, handed the treasury of this state to few leaders and in fact, crippled the entire assets of the state. So, is that the man you want for Edo people? No way! We are aware they want to come back through the back door, to continue to siphon the treasury for their own pockets. Our people are happy today because even the poor in Edo State has been given a sense of belonging, the rich, yes, they will cry because they don’t want to pay taxes and they are using that to deceive the poor masses who has nothing to do with taxation. But everybody has seen what the tax money has done in the state and we want that to continue and Obaseki remains the answer, not Ize-Iyamu or any other person from PDP. But there is this fears among APC members that the hardship in the country may affect your party’s chance of winning the election? Again if you stretch it down, it is the same argument. One thing that pleases me today is that Nigerians and the ordinary voter is more perceptive than we think he is. Yes, the APC at the national level have been in office for one year plus but everybody knows that the problems we have today could not have been created in one day. We have come to fix the nation, to fix the problems otherwise as a people, as a nation, we would have been going through a struggle for existence and a great challenge would have been confronting this nation. These were issues and challenges that were inflicted on this country by years of or a decade and a half of mis-governance at the national level. Unfortunately, as if that was not enough, we also took over at a time when the crude

Odigie-Oyegun

In spite of his military background, he (Buhari) is more democratic than a lot of us who never got near the military

market collapsed from a $100 to sometimes $140 for a barrel to a time when sometimes we were managing to make $40 at some stage it was less than $30 per barrel. That is the reality and the people recognise this. It does not stop the fact that they are aching, it does not stop the fact that they are in pains, that they are hungry, but they know these are not the creation of the APC and that what the APC under Buhari is set to do is to ensure that the fundamental problem with the country; a mono-culture economy is solved once and for all, that this nation does not ever have to depend on one crop, one mineral or one source of major sustenance. That we have to go through these pains is unfortunate. It is like saying a woman giving birth there are pains, but the joy is going to come after delivery. We are going through these hard times now so to speak in the maternity but the joy will come. We depended solely on oil and for so many years, the party at the centre – the PDP squandered what accrued to the nation. So, you members of the media have to be of help to the nation, you need to make the nation understand that the problem we are going though today were cumulative, neglect in governance over years when we had excess crude account yet there wasn’t a single investment to develop new sources. Whether in agriculture, whether in solid minerals, whether even in petro-chemicals

so that we can supply ourselves the full diversity of petroleum products whether it is petroleum, aviation fuel or diesel and the rest of it or whether it is the chemical that emanates from the oil industry. We had Excess Crude Account running into multiples of billions which we kept on sharing until nothing was left by the PDP administration. They owe this nation a very tremendous apology. There was nothing in agriculture, nothing in other sectors except just pumping oil and exporting. That was the nation that was bequeathed to the APC. The determination of the APC is to ensure that this will never happen again and that from now on, a solid base must be created for this economy, so that when in few years time, we will be talking about growth, we will talk about growth that is solid, that is well based, that will never again result in the kind of situation we have today. The light is there at the end of the tunnel but we have to pass through the tunnel the people must know that this is not an APC problem but we have come to solve the problem. There is tension in Edo State ahead of the election and the fear is that the poll may be marred by violence. Do you nurse such fear and what do you make of preparation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)? There will not be thuggery or anything like that. Don’t forget that

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

WEDNESDAY, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

before our primaries, people were talking about thugs and about many other things, people were fearful but these days, the security agencies are no longer under political control, so they will make sure everything is under control. We are going to have a complete free, fair, violence free election. I expect same thing from INEC now that commission has been removed from the shackles of influence. We now have a government that will not tell INEC to declare the result for it and let the other person do whatever he wants to do or go to court. This administration is not that type. INEC is free to do its job, follow the law, follow due process and decide according what the rules say. The Muhammadu Buhari administration will not say declare the APC winner at all cost. No! There is no such interference anymore and I believe that is why we are seeing inconclusive elections. President Buhari does not interfere in the workings of the commission at all. Your party’s is engulf in crisis over its inability to pick a candidate for the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State and some of the aspirants have alleged plan by some leaders of the party to impose a particular aspirant. How is the party planning to resolve the impasse? The party is not in crisis and I have called them to Abuja just to tell them the difference between endorsement and imposition. Basically, anybody can endorse anyone just as it is anywhere and how you make that endorsement, you tell the people, you give the person support to move on. That is endorsement and people do it but imposition is when the party itself decides that it is a particular candidate that must be. The party will not do that, rather it will provide a level playing field for every one of them because all the aspirants are equally respected members of the family, so we had to get that difference clarified and cleared out so that you don’t think because an important member of the family has declared support for one of them it becomes the position of the party. That is not the case and they understood the situation, so we are prepared to go ahead with a transparent and free primary in Ondo State.

Obaseki remains the answer, not Ize-Iyamu or any other person from PDP

How has life been, from a political activist and now APC national chairman? Finally, we are building what the pro-democracy activists fought for; that the nation will be under the control of the left to the centre party, where the welfare of the people is the prime concern of government; that the government will have no other business except to manage our common patrimony to utmost benefit of the common people. I bought into the struggle only because it suddenly dawned on me that the military was the major problem of this country. It doesn’t mean that the politicians are perfect, it doesn’t mean that the system is perfect, it does mean that politicians must now be allowed to make mistakes and then learn from it, correct it such that we continue to correct our democracy in stages. That was what led to the pro-democracy group and that is what is still influencing my attitude and actions.

What is your take on President Buhari’s request for emergency powers to reflate the economy given the recession and the attendant economic hardship in the country? Is the President not asking for absolute power? No, not this President! The reality is that in spite of his military background, he is more democratic than a lot of us who never got near the military. He is a strictly due process person, strictly rule of law person. Like when you asked why INEC is declaring elections inconclusive, he will not take his phone and call INEC to declare for APC and let them go to court. He will ask you what the law says and direct that you do it according to the prescription of the constitution or whatever relevant law there is. So, I have no fear about that at all. If anything needs a quick fix and he needs the powers to do it, that is how he will do it. Look at the cases of corruption, a lot of us have been asking for a quick fix process to fight the battle against the corrupt elements but he insists on the rule of law. How have you been able to cope as the national chairman of the ruling party given the various interests?

Basically, the job of a national chairman is to reconcile all interests because there are so many interests in every party and you have to make sure that at all times, everybody must have a bit of the action and ensure that no one person becomes so dominant and will now feel he or she owns the party. Of course, at every stage, you have to give policy direction so that everybody can subscribe to it. That is a continuing challenge. The way we operate, we don’t settle our issues in the pages of newspapers while the talkative ones are talking, we are busy getting to the nitty-gritty and settling the issues not in the fashion of the old PDP that will say public issues are private family affairs. Where there are blames to be given we do. Basically, I do not do anything that I will not want to see in your headlines the next day, so I sleep very well. If they say there are a group of policemen outside, I say tell them to come in because it doesn’t ever occur to me that they may be after me because there is actually nothing for them to be after. I don’t fear about thugs because I don’t go into deals and I don’t take shortcuts that could create mortal enemies for myself. If somebody calls me his enemy, it is either because he doesn’t like my face or he doesn’t have integrity. So I have no worries and that is the way to live. Obey your conscience, know the difference between right and wrong and try to keep yourself on the right track, you will live long and you will live healthy. I can drive myself anywhere without a single fear that somebody will be after me.

Odigie-Oyegun

Adamawa @ 25: An improbable story Margee Ensign

t's an improbable story. Imagine any of the destitute young children we see today: begging on the street, herding cows, selling water. Now imagine them grown up to be successful business people, leaders in education, generous employers, philanthropists, even Vice-President of their country. Improbable, but it is true. As Adamawa State celebrates its 25th anniversary, it is a time to face challenges and to acknowledge progress. In the midst of enormous economic and social problems, there are some very bright spots in Adamawa. Let’s start with water and beverages. Yola, like many poor communities, does not have a regular source of clean water. Adama Beverages Limited (ABL) was established to solve that problem. In 2005 it began producing high quality sachet water pouches for the local community. Two years later, table water and fruit juice came on line. In 2015 (in the midst of the Boko Haram crisis) the plant leapfrogged in production to 40,000 bottles of Faro water per hour. Even this level of production barely keeps pace with demand from the 5,000 retailers all over Nigeria. Employment at the plant has risen from 17 in 2005 to 705 (as well as an additional 200 day laborers) by 2016. Adama Beverages has won numerous national and international awards for high standards and quality, and gives back to the community. Public taps have been established in the community, scholarships given to poor students, and generous donations to IDPs.The economic and social benefits from just this one company are huge. But that’s just the beginning. It's sister organization, Adamplast, started commercial production in 2004. Producing low cost essential goods for the poor, such as mugs, bowls, and jerrycans for water, and commercial products like PVC pipes for industry, it employs 91 local youth. Both Adama Beverages and Adamplast focus on a triple bottom line: generating revenue, producing essential goods, and ensuring that the poor have employment and income. Accurate and up-to date information and entertainment are hard to come by in a poor region. But with Gotel Communications, which was established in 2008, this has all changed not only for Northeastern Nigeria but for all of Nigeria and the neighboring countries. With its 50 kilowatts transmitter, Radio Gotel covers virtually the whole of Nigeria, and extends to the neighboring Republic of Cameroun, the Central African Republic, Niger and Chad, TV Gotel began transmitting in 2011. Using the most modern equipment, it broadcasts not only in Northeastern Nigeria but also has established offices in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Kano, Borno, Yobe, Bau-

Jibrilla Bindow, Adamawa State Governor

chi, Taraba and Gombe. The station produces news, drama, entertainment and cartoons, and educational programming. Its mission is to provide the highest quality programming for Nigeria and the continent, and to increase global understanding of African issues and contributions. The poor are never far from the heart of the person who started all these organizations. Standard Microfinance Bank (SMFB) was started in 1992 as a community bank and was converted to a microfinance bank in 2012. Employing 75 people, its goal is financial literacy and helping the poorest, people with whom banks won’t do business. Adamawa has one of the highest rates of financial exclusion in the country - over 70% of the people of Adamawa! Those shut out from the formal economy are mainly women, smallholder farmers, micro entrepreneurs, and youth. These are the people SMFB is focusing on. Standard Microfinance Bank gives them flexible and easyto- access savings accounts and credit on easy and generous terms. It also provides financial education. To date, more than 50,000 individual households have benefitted from the services of SMFB. SMFB has also assisted more than 7,500 smallholder farmers. No other MFB in the North East has such a large presence among smallholder farmers, farmers who often are reliant on credit to continue their vital work. The most recent addition to this family of companies in Adamawa State is Rico Gado. The Rico Gado Adamawa plant was opened in 2015 and another will open in Abuja later this year. With 40 Nigerian employees it fills a huge local need in agriculture: Rico Gado purchases the crops from farmers and provides the highest quality feed to poultry and cattle farmers. The farmers now have a reliable buyer, and cattle farmers now have a constant and reliable source of feed, especially for during the dry season. These companies were all started by one man. The largest recipient of this man’s philanthropy is the American UniverCONTINUED ON PAGE 18

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Futility of killing in God’s name TREASURES BOLA BOLAWOLE turnpot@gmail.com 0807-552-5533 (sms only)

“And when the men of the city arose in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built. And they said one to another, who hath done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing. Then the men of the city said unto Joash, bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it. And Joash said unto all that stood against him, will ye plead for Baal? Will ye save him? ...If he be god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar...” – Judges 6: 28 – 32.

od does not need any man to fight His battles for Him. Bible teaches that the right hand\arm of God does valiantly and gets Him the victory. God does not rely on man to fight His battles. In fact, it is God that fights our battles; He is the One who gives us the victory. Since the Bible also teaches that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are mightier than these, then, God’s own weapons cannot be AK-47 or bows and arrows. God has more and better means than us and is better able to fight His battles by Himself. Besides, our world has become just too complex for the adherents of any religion to over-awe everyone else. Killing in the name of God for whatever reason(s) is nothing but a wild goose’s chase. Why, then, is our country, Nigeria, so whacked by religious intolerance? Some have said that

the underpinning factor is politics – but I dare to say that it is also religious. Those perpetrating these heinous crimes know they can get away with it. If they know they will be caught and sanctioned, many would recoil from their criminal acts. Why they get away with their impunity is because they have the support of the political authorities. The powers-that-be believe in what these criminals are doing and support them. They may not by themselves carry out the killings because they are too politically exposed to do so but they hide behind the curtains and give the criminals cover. They allow them go scot-free; and where arrests cannot be avoided, they secretly order their release in a short while. Where prosecution cannot be helped, they allow the criminals escape from detention\jail or frustrate any diligent prosecution of the case so that the judge would have no choice but throw away the case in open court for lack of diligent submission or on technical grounds. That is when the judge himself or herself is not a part of the conspiracy! The barbarity of cold-blooded killings is bad enough but the hypocrisy that underlines the utterances of religious and political leaders is worse. It is, in fact, the real reason why this criminality has not abated. Lots of lies, half-truths, and denials are peddled that will not help us get anywhere near a solution. It is a lie that the two main religions of Christianity and Islam do not\did not support proselytising by the force of arms. What of the Crusades and the Jihads? It is also a lie that both religions do not\did not support, even encourage or compel\ command, honour killing. In the Bible I know of Phinehas (Numbers 25: 1 – 11); the sons of Levi (Exodus 32: 25 -29); and Elijah (1Kings 18: 17 – 40; 19: 9 – 18). It is banal to say both religions do not\did not see heresy\blasphemy as a crime deserving capital punishment. People were burnt at the stakes for heresy in distant times. Jesus

Much of what we call religion is, at best, the culture of Palestine

Christ Himself was crucified on accusations of heresy\blasphemy. It is a lie from the pit of hell that religion taken and practised as a total way of life is compatible with democratic norms and values. Take, for instance, the Hijab controversy, the Jehovah Witnesses’ attitude to national anthems or the Seventh Day Adventists’ to Sunday as work-free day! Religion is unquestioning submission to dogmas and beliefs, even where they are no longer rational in present circumstances or there are better, more efficient ways of going about the intendments. Rather than go under the shower and have a clean wash before prayers, we must continue to do ablution, even where water is available. During prayers, we must shout “Allahu Akbar” the number of times it was first shouted even though we know the special circumstance that warranted it on that occasion. Much of what we call religion is, at best, the culture of Palestine. Ossified in religion and marooned in the past, we shall continue to reap crises; we must move away from dogmas and embrace salvation. God’s response to Prophet Elijah who, out of so-called jealousy for God, caused 450 prophets of Baal to be put to death not only shows He was not impressed but also that He has a better way of going about His business. We have all been guilty; those who are yet to accept this should now do so and stop living in self-denial. Playing the ostrich will not do. A growing number of Christians and Muslims have since moved away from honour killing; killing in the name of God; proselytising by force and have embraced peaceful means of doing so. Persuasion is the norms these days. Grace has also replaced an unquestioning devotion to law and salvation has taken the place of blind acceptance of religion for religion’s sake. May their tribe increase! We, however, still have a large number of adherents stuck in dogmas; half-truths, outright lies, and things they do not even understand, least of all intelligently defend. May they see the light!

Consolidating on gains against AIDS, TB and Malaria Steve Aborisade

tinuke recently completed her national youth service having graduated from the University of Ibadan in 2014 where she studied Pharmacy. She was born HIV positive in 1990. Now 26, she has lived with the disease all her life. She had once coped with TB co-infection but being the fighter she is, had beaten TB hands down. Both her father and mother are also HIV positive, everyone is fine now, with undetectable viral loads, a clear indication of the progress in HIV/AIDS treatment. Atinuke and her family represent a generation of Nigerians whose lives were shaped by HIV/AIDS in its entirety, and they come not in small numbers, with 3.4 million Nigerians projected to be living with HIV/AIDS. For Atinuke and others in her shoes, they got a second shot at life and are able to live productive lives because of the programmes being supported by the Global Fund which provides treatment which also ensures they can have children who are free of the burden of the disease. It is instructive to note that several others are not as lucky as Atinuke, lacking every access to the life saving treatment they require. HIV/AIDS remains a major development crisis. Since the pandemic began, it has killed millions, separated

families, and destroyed and impoverished communities. In some countries, life expectancy has fallen by more than 20 years. The scale of the epidemic is causing informal social safety nets to collapse. Overall health care is under pressure as health services struggle with mounting demand. Workforces are being decimated, with severe consequences for investment, production, and per capita income while posing as a severe threat to global health, development, and security. In retrospect, we have to appreciate the tremendous progress that has also been made in the fight against the three diseases achieving life-saving impacts that were unthinkable at the turn of the millennium. In 2000, just 50,000 people were receiving antiretroviral (ART) therapy in sub-Saharan Africa, but by 2011, it had climbed to over 7 million. Now, more than 17 million lives have been saved. Current projections show that more than 2 million lives are being saved each year. About 8.6 million people are receiving lifesaving antiretroviral therapy for HIV and 16 million people with HIV-TB co-infection have been treated. Nearly 3.3 million mothers have received treatment to prevent the transmission of HIV to their babies and 560 million people with malaria have been treated. However, if global funding for HIV / AIDS and TB were to remain static as we are currently experiencing, some of the consequences would include: 2.6

million new HIV infections every year, of which 1.3 million could be averted through scale-up. In total 3.9 million new HIV infections was projected for the period 2014-2016 and $47 billion of costs throughout the lifetimes of those additional people infected. three million less people will be treated for TB and one million lives would be unnecessarily lost with uncontrollable multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) if we don’t treat TB now for as little as $30 per patient because MDR-TB can cost up to 1000 times more to treat. It will also mean 196,000 lives lost to Malaria per year and 430 million malaria cases that could have been prevented, according to Cost of Inaction, a report on how inadequate investment in the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will affect millions of lives across the globe. It is crucial to acknowledge that the fatigue in donor replenishment of the Global Fund is coming at a time that experts have suggested offers the most hope in the fight against HIV, TB and malaria. It therefore goes to show that the Global Fund needs a robust infusion of pledges from traditional donor countries most notably world economic powers such as Germany and China, to successfully hit, and hopefully exceed, the fundraising target of $13 billion for the Fifth Replenishment Round. It is in this regard that we must acknowledge the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and its global partners

on the launch of the Fund The Fund campaign, targeting countries like Germany, Japan and China to act in the interest of humanity and increase their contributions to the Global Fund. Across AHF country programmes, Nigeria inclusive, various activities have been launched, ranging from advocacy meetings with country reps at various embassies to staging press conferences to put the issue on the global agenda and highlight the sense of urgency. In May of 2016, Japan announced a contribution of $800 million for the fifth replenishment of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria which shows AHF’s effort and messages is reverberating. Nowhere else can the Global Fund’s impact be louder than Nigeria where the Fund has provided HIV care and treatment to 750,000 people, ensuring TB treatment to 310,000 as it provided 93.4 Million Mosquito nets to households to ward off malaria. Nigeria also currently represents the Global Fund’s largest portfolio with a total of $1.1 billion allocated to fighting the three diseases from 2014-2016. Unfortunately, since 2010, the Global Fund has never achieved its targeted funding. Therefore, increasing and sustaining the funding to the Global Fund is imperative to sustaining the gains achieved over the last decade, and the last few years in particular. • Aborisade wrote in from Lagos.

EDITORIAL

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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How to win the drug war

he alarming state of insecurity in the country should rattle the Federal Government in its bid to create a conducive environment for rapid development. One area that deserves more serious attention is the prevalence of hard drugs in all nooks and crannies of our society. To a few of our countrymen, it sounded wicked when Indonesia continued its maximum policy that has seen about seven Nigerians executed for drug related offences on Nusakambangan Island, Central Java. There were pockets of demonstrations in the Federal capital Territory condemning the executions. Indonesian president Joko Widodo has refused to be swayed by such demonstrations and appeals even from the West. Attorney General Muhammed Prasetyo defended the executions. “ I would like to say that an execution is not a pleasant thing. It is not a fun job. But we must do it in order to save the nation from the danger of drugs. We are not making enemies of countries from where those executed came. What we are fighting is drug related –crimes,” he said. In April 2015, four Nigerians were among eight drug traffickers who faced execution in the same country. Jamiu Owolabi, Sylvester Obiekwe Nwolise, Okwudili Ayatanze and Martin Anderson rendered songs of praise as they were prepared

for a firing squad. World wide outrage especially by Australia which lost the duo of Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan did not matter. What mattered was that those who led the infamous Bali Nine had to pay the Supreme price. In July 2016, three more Nigerians, Seck Ousmane, Humphrey Jefferson and Michael Titus were shot in Indonesia. Earlier, the Nigerian Senate had debated the worrisome trend of compatriots filling the jail houses of Far East countries following drug related offences. Gbenga

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Kirikiri and Ikoyi prisons has not helped in the fight against drugs. While we do not support the death penalty, we are all out for tougher measures that will keep the polity smelling sweeter. Bringing back the death penalty will take everyone back to the days of military dictatorship. The issue at the time was not the offence but the wickedness in the

The penalty for drug trafficking is like a slap on the wrist

Ashafa and Jibrin Barau were concerned that about 158 of our country men were awaiting death is such far flung places as China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Although the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency [NDLEA] has been busy apprehending offenders around the country, the penalty for drug trafficking is like a slap on the wrist. We make bold to say that the Federal Government must review the penalty for drug trafficking. If what it will take to fight drug traffickers is life jail, it will help the society. The fact that couriers walk in and out of

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

punishment. A retroactive decree was promulgated by the junta to kill young men who in their confession admitted possessing drugs but

would not have been into it if they knew they were going to die for such offence. The condemnation of the military government by Nigerians forced the Beret Generals to suspend the death sentence especially after a woman, Gladys Iyamah, was going to be the next to face the bullets. The executions were halted over 30 years ago. Today, drugs have come to assume a dangerous place in our national lives. In every corner of the inner city, drug joints abound like market stalls. Motor parks are full of drinking spots. Even beer parlours appear so only to the uninitiated. Behind the façade, drugs

can come across the counter. We need to be asking ourselves why there are deadly cult groups fighting for supremacy even in primary schools. Boys now kill without looking back. A pass at someone’s girlfriend is just enough to ignite a cult war. And the truth is that most of these fights are induced by drugs which are available so easily. The drug fights assume a higher dimension when emboldened by their dutch courage , the youth turn to terrorism under the guise of militancy. It was not so easy to behead fellow humans in our country in the last decade. Today, if it is not Boko Haram, it is a nephew beheading his uncle or a man axing his spouse. Government must take a tougher stance on drugs. In a letter to President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007, shortly before the execution of two Nigerians, Amara Tochukwu Iwuchukwu and Nelson Okeke at Changi Prison, the Singaporean Prime Minister wrote, “ Mr. Tochi’s family will find Singapore’s position difficult to accept, but we have a duty to safeguard the interest of Singaporeans, and protect the many lives that will otherwise be ruined by the drug syndicate.” While we expect a review, government must also begin to revamp the economy by providing jobs to young Nigerians who are forced into drugs majorly because they have been rendered idle by bad leadership.

POLITICS

Garba Shehu

he TOKYO International Conference on African Development "TICAD 6" just ended in Nairobi, Kenya and in attendance were several African Presidents and Prime Ministers including our own Muhammadu Buhari and the co-convener of the conference, Shinzo Abe, the head of the Japanese government. The TICAD seeks a win-win partnership between Japan and Africa. A key objective of the conference is to build up African ownership of its own vision of growth and development. In furtherance of this, Japan seeks to differ with the other players on the continent by placing emphasis on high quality infrastructure that do more than job creation by transferring technology through the training of youth and women. The conference held every five years from the time it started in 1993 until the last one in 2003 when it was decided that it should be convened every three years instead. The one that just finished is significant in the sense that this was the first time it took place in Africa. They met in Japan all the time in the past. Another significant departure is the recognition of the role of the private sector in the economic take-off of the continent. In this respect, more than 100 Chief Executive Officers, CEOs from leading Japanese companies accompanied Prime Minister Abe. This is a clear indication that more and more Japanese companies are eying the African continent. A modest number of Nigerian business and state-owned enterprises were equally present. From its start, Prime Minister Abe made known the intention of Japan to spend 10 Billion Dollars in the next twelve months and overall USD 30 Billion over a three-year period on areas key to African economies, targeting infrastructural projects such as roads, energy, ports,hospitals and training institutions. The money will partly be disbursed through the African Development Bank, ADB. At the end of the conference, a statement tagged "Nairobi Declaration" was issued. Among its highlights is the launching of "Initiative for Food and Nutrition Security for Africa, IFNA." This aims to bring African governments together to swiftly implement food and nutrition security policies and programs. There were important resolutions taken on economic diversification and industrialization; promotion of "resilient health system for quality of life" and measures for the promotion social stability and shared prosperity. For Nigeria in particular, "TICAD 6" milestones include the important meeting between President Buhari and Prime Minister Abe, at which event problems militating against the inflow of Japanese investment into Nigeria were discussed and agreed upon. Japanese companies had done a lot by way of investment in the past in Nigeria but there has noticeably been a drop in the last decade or two. Chiefly to blame is the problem of security, disguised in official discussions as "business environment."

WEDNESDAY, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Takeaways from Buhari's participation in TICAD 6

Buhari

President Buhari used this meeting effectively in giving assurances that the problem is being addressed. Boko Haram terrorism is nearly gone and sabotage in the Niger Delta will soon be ended preferably through dialogue and if not, by force of arms. Coming into close personal contact for the second time, the two leaders discussed the issues of trade and investment, health, peace and development of the continent. In addition, they discussed issues in diplomacy and international relations. President Buhari's statement at the Head of States' round table meeting with business leaders underscored the serious efforts government is making to improve Nigeria's notoriously bad business environment. At this meeting, he announced the coming into place of a soon-tobe inaugurated "Presidential Enabling Business Council, PEBEC." He described it as an inter-

TICAD 6 milestones include the important meeting between Buhari and Abe

ministerial council to oversee the efforts of government to remove various bottlenecks that stifle business and economic activity to give way to the right enabling environment and investment climate in Nigeria. It will be powered by the government but will be private-sector driven. According to its vision, the PEBEC will make Nigeria one of the most attractive business destinations in the world. It will start with the modest effort of moving the country up 20 points in the World Bank ranking in the ease of doing business in the first year, taking it into the top 100 at the end of the four-year mandate of the current administration. A third takeaway is on the sidelines of the TICAD where the Nigerian government delegation met a good number of big Japanese enterprises. Collectively and individually, these businesses expressed their intention of either coming in newly or expanding their participation in Nigeria's private sector. The companies with varied interests in power, agriculture, automobile, motor cycles, textiles, financing and the service sector included the Honda Manufacturing (Nigeria) Limited, representing Honda Motor Co. Ltd; Japan Tobacco Inc., Marubeni Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation. Others included Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Toyota Tsusho (Nigeria) Ltd, an affiliate of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, West African Seasoning Co. Ltd., affiliate of Ajinomoto Co. Inc., and Japan External Trade Organization, JETRO. At these meetings, they explored the scope for the incentive packages the Nigerians government will give them so as to deepen and expand their investments. These included export rebates, access to Foreign Exchange, land, interest rates, transparency in business regulation and favorable regulatory structure. The fourth important takeaway is the formation of a new group KENSA made up of industry leaders on the continent, Kenya representing East Africa, Egypt for North Africa, South Africa for

the south and Nigeria, from West Africa. The four countries agreed to consolidate their quadrilateral grouping initiated at the 19th July UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) meeting and decided to expand business and trade between the four of them, inject impetus into the CFTA, the African Unioninspired free trade agreement among African countries and to coordinate their positions on trade and investment inside and outside Africa. Fifth, Nigeria and Kenya seized the opportunity of the meeting of their leaders to not only strengthen bilateral relations but to follow up on the achievements of the State Visit to Nairobi by President Buhari earlier this year. From the time of the visit, both countries have seen a growing impetus for trade and investment between them. Kenya which discovered oil lately is picking lessons from Nigeria's vast experience in oil and gas. Nigeria is learning from Kenyan experience in managing animal grazing. There are efforts on both sides to share experience and promote private sector participation in trade, cooperatives, micro finance, cotton farming and palm oil processing. Sixth, under the auspices of the Bank of Industry and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council NIPC, several memoranda of understanding, MOUs were signed between Nigerian parties and their foreign counterparts. From many of these, investments and jobs will follow. On the President's delegation were the Ministers of Agriculture, Health, Budget and Planning and Trade and Investment. There were also the National Security Adviser, NSA and the Director-General National Intelligence Agency, NIA. Members of the delegation expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the conference and the side engagements. •Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity)

Adamawa @ 25: An improbable story C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 5

sity of Nigeria. The American University of Nigeria (AUN) admitted its first class in 2004, following on the heels of the creation of the AUN Academy, the state’s best secondary school. Now encompassing an early learning center, primary and secondary school, undergraduate and graduate schools, AUN hosts faculty and staff from 37 countries and employs close to 1300 people. One of AUN’s Economics professors estimated in 2014 that the annual contribution to the local economy exceeds 16 billion naira per year! Offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, entrepreneurship, sciences, humanities, computer science, and information technology, AUN’s pioneering School of Law opened in August

2016. It is the only School of Law in Nigeria to focus on gender, environmental, and humanitarian law. According to global rankings, AUN’s founder is now listed among the very top of benefactors to higher education in the entire world. Confronting the Boko Haram insurgency, AUN, through its Adamawa Peace Initiative, has been feeding and educating many thousands of IDPS who have fled south to Yola. The thread that binds all of these varied success stories is a single person, someone who wants to make positive change. He was one of those destitute little boys you see on the street. His Excellency Atiku Abubakar had the humblest of beginnings. Herder, street boy, and orphan, he had a passion for learning and making Nigeria a better place. That passion has impacted not just

Adamawa State but all of Nigeria. As President of the AUN, I have met his teachers from the US Peace Corps who taught His Excellency when he was that youngster. They told me that there was something very special that they all saw in the young Atiku - drive, uncommon determination, and a strong desire to learn. His Excellency has channeled all of that drive into businesses, education and of course his very successful political career. As Adamawa celebrates its silver jubilee, it needs to thank the generosity, vision, and contributions of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar. Who is doing more to build his home state? •Prof. Ensign, President, American University of Nigeria and Chairperson of the Adamawa Peace Initiative, Yola, Adamawa State

WEDNESday, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Life in the city Keeping vigil on flooding

The Mega City

Life in Mega City Surviving in Isale Oja - Agege

...EXCLUSIVE LAGOS MAGAZINE

22 23

Abandoned blocks of buildings in the estate

The Fashola Estate is one of the housing estates wasting away in Ibeshe area of Ikorodu, Lagos State. It is one of the projects yet to be completed. OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI reports

OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI CITY Editor

tosin.omoniyi@newtelegraphonline.com

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And Fashola Estate rots away

his housing estate under the Lagoshoms housing scheme is directly opposite Nichemtex, the acclaimed largest textile company in West Africa, sitting on 145 acres of land with workforce of 3,500 workers. Right from entrance of the estate that is sharing similarity of fence with the Textile Company; tall grasses and weed with scattered building materials all over the estate, were the first tenants to welcome visitors into the estate. According to one of the site engineers living inside one of the uncompleted buildings,

This estate is an abode for miscreants, and serial rapists

the estate is also expected to accommodate a big primary health centre, police station and a government primary school. He said that the project started and was near completion during the administration of Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), the immediate past governor of Lagos State, under the Lagoshoms project housing scheme. But this gigantic project seems abandoned like other usual abandoned government projects. The estate has now been hijacked by wandering artisans, who the community accused are responsible for stealing and raping within the community. Upon entrance, New Tele-

graph observed that there were some mean and fierce looking young men sitting idle and playing games or listening to music on their phones at the entrance of the first gate. At the same time, they were scanning their necks clockwise looking like bird ready to fly at the slightest throw of a stone. Several workers (artisans) were seen roaming inside the estate. Some of the guys were seen sleeping on the floor of the uncompleted buildings and some were drinking cassava flakes (garri). This housing estate is commonly believed within the CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

20 LIFE/MEGA CITY

WEDNESday, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

community as an abode for miscreants and especially a group of cultists known as Badoo, known as serial rapists. The estate is indeed so vast that by the time it is occupied, the occupants may likely never get to see or know one another. But tall grasses and weeds are struggling to be in same height with the uncompleted buildings. Some parts of the buildings have been completed except for a few finishing touches in terms of electrical works, fixing of some toilets and door handles, including proper ceiling and tucking away of exposed wires on the walls and ground. The back of the estate that is fenced off (but it is part of the estate), is currently serving as farmland for vegetables and crops. This farm land is also on several acres of land and owned by Lagos State government. Men and women (women mostly) were seen going in and out of the second gate that is chain locked. But the people, probably those operating inside, have forced it open by one side; slacking the tight chain holding the iron gate together. Ironically, it is not only vegetable farming that goes on inside the place. It is also over taken by tall green grasses, reptiles and some animals roaming the vicinity. A snake, brown and greenish in colour was seen moving in its elegance deeper inside the bush and a squirrel was seen hopping about, even a small size monkey was also seen hopping from tree to tree. All these are indications that the place is a mini-forest within a modern town. Outside the farming, other activities seem to be going on in this place as young men, mostly motorcyclists were seen in groups entering and coming out of the gate. New Telegraph observed that those going inside the gate would first pause outside the gate, look left and right, or perch by the woman selling local gin at the entrance, chat and take a shot of hot drink, then stagger inside the gate. For those coming outside the gate, some appeared high in spirit, and some appeared dazed and lost in balance while walking. When New Telegraph entered it, some guys were squatting to pass faeces, or standing to urinate. Then a deeper look

Blocks of uncompleted buildings in the estate

750 apartments rot away inside the thick bush, it was observed that a large number of men, smoking and sniffing substances (white and black in colour) about four ladies were also seen among them. Approaching one of the women cultivating vegetable inside the place, she told New Telegraph that the place is a better place now than it was some years ago when they usually see dismembered body parts within the place. “But after much outcry, the police came to comb the place and the state government came to chain lock the place. But after sometime, we just saw it slack opened and we the farmers trooped back to start farming. To avoid history repeating itself, we had agreement among us that no such like dead bodies littering this place again. And truly, there hasn’t been such but smoking and exchanging of drugs and arms take place in this place but they don’t disturb us. We are co-tenants,” she said. Another female farmer said only once had she witnessed a lady raped inside the place. “From my understanding, that lady was part of them. I learnt she was trying to play double game; she was robbing Peter to pay Paul. Reason the one that felt cheated decided to tie her mouth and hands to the tree and had his satisfac-

Smoking, exchanging of drugs and arms take place in this place

tion on her. After that, he came to warn those of us who witnessed the scene that if we valued our lives, we should not voice it out. Ever since then, there has never been such a thing again except the smoking of marijuana and possible cocaine,” she said. The woman selling small provisions and gin by the entrance denied knowledge of such shenanigans going inside the place. “All I see are the farmers and those who are pressed to ease themselves of body waste. Any other thing outside such, I don’t know. I have never entered inside since I have been selling here and I have been here for four years going,” she claimed. Going by history, it was gathered that the vast land was bought and fenced by the Nichemtex Company more than 30 years ago for its staff. But the land was neither developed nor used for anything tangible. That was until recently when the Lagos State government under Fashola came to forcefully snatch a large chunk of it from the company and developed into housing estate. The other part of it is not yet clear what the state government intended it for. All efforts to get to the management of the company proved abortive as there were too many flimsy excuses: “Manager is not around. Or the person authorised to speak with you has

not been cleared to do. Or please come back next week.” The Olubeshe of Ibeshe land, Oba Richard Abayomi, however pleaded with the state government to see to the completion of the housing state and proper clearing of the surroundings. Abayomi believed that the housing estate is the largest estate in Lagos and no doubt would help ease accommodation stress in Lagos State. “After all, government should be all about continuity and for the people. But as the completion of the housing estate is ongoing, they should please be sensitive to the plight of this community in terms of school and security. The whole of this Ibeshe community only has one government primary school which is even lacking in teaching facilities. I urge the Lagos State Government to speedily complete the housing estate, so that it will stop accommodating criminals and rapists,” he pleaded. Dehinde Tunwashe, Managing Director, LagosHoms told New Telegraph that he cannot say anything about the Ibeshe Housing estate. "I cannot tell you anything about that Estate. Please visit the Lagos Housing unit for proper information about it," he said. However, New Telegraph gathered the housing estate has total number of 750 units of two and three-bedroom apartments.

LIFE/IN THE CITY 21

WEDNESday, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Pains of relief at Abule Egba Merit Mbah

uccour is coming to Abule Egba area of Lagos as the ongoing construction of the fly over bridge is nearing completion. The bridge, which started on February 19, has shown signs of a beautiful sight to behold when completed. And by May 2017, smiles will return fully to the faces of the people and its environs for that is when the construction is expected to be completed. The scope of the construction, according to the site engineers include; two lanes, maintenance of traffic, relocation of services demolition of structures affecting the project, installation of street lights, sidewalks and service ducts. But no development comes by without its attendant discomfort one way or the other. So is the case of the ongoing construction of this Abule-Egba bridge. There is now constant traffic snarl in the area. Complaints are on the rise daily by road users and people living and operating businesses within the vicinity. Those having businesses there groaned loudly that there is drastic decline in the sales rate which the people believe is caused by the ongoing bridge construction. The area is a very busy one as businesses of almost all kinds go on there. Mr. Cyril Eniareh, a worker at a transport company (Ohoniba motors) said: “The concept of the bridge is a good one but work should be faster. The quality of the work is good. The bridge construction has made everything worse. Before now, we were managing the bad market but now, that market has been shut down totally. As a loader, I get about N2,500 a day. As it is, I hardly get N500 lately.” Leye Abegunle is the restaurant supervisor of an eatery, Sweet Sensation, Abule Egba branch. He said: “It is a good work but it is really affecting our sales. As you can see for yourself, the restaurant is almost empty. This is a place where about N500, 000 was our average sales per day but selling up to N100, 000 now is very difficult. Aside the bridge work, the economy is affecting us too as some people have lost their jobs as a result of the restaurant not being able to pay its workers. Sweet Sensation at Abule-Egba used to have four sales girls at the counter on a shift but presently, we just have one because we cannot afford to pay more than one person as a result of low sales which boils down to the economic state of the country and the ongoing construction.” Chibuzor James Philip, a worker with SLOT electronics at Abule-Egba, said that, “our average sales per day is between N500,000 to N700,000 but immediately the bridge started, it dropped to N200,000

On-going construction of flyover bridge at Abule Egba

A section of the on-going construction

and N100,000. “Anyway, I believe that as soon as the bridge is completed, things will go back to normal because I have seen the completed picture of the work. If the work could be fast forwarded, it will be greatly appreciated.” Ayoola Ibikunle, a worker with NNPC Filling Station, Abule Egba said that, “before the bridge construction began, our average sales per day was 20,000 litres but as soon as the bridge construction began, it dropped to 7,000-8,000 litres now .It’s affecting us but we are very hopeful that once the construction is completed, we

The concept of the bridge is good, but work should be faster

won’t have reason to complain again.” Sunday Adelano, working with Total Filling station also lamented that “before the bridge work commenced, our average sales was 10,000 to 12,000 litres per day but as soon as the work started, sales dropped drastically to 1, 800 to 2,000 litres per day for us. I just hope when the work is completed, it will be worth the wait. I also believe that the government is trying their best for the people by bringing the construction to our area because the kind of traffic jam we experience here is nothing

to write home about”. Obi Chrisantus, a business man, who deals in electronics around the area, said the ongoing work is good but very slow. “I believe they can do better. Before the work started, I go home happy but now, coming to the shop is tiring because you can hardly sell N5,000. As you can see, I am looking sick already because I used to be fatter but this present administration coupled with the bridge work is enough to give one high blood pressure. The workers are just lazying around. If they need more hands, they should get more hands on deck as many jobless youths are willing to work,” he said. A source from the Lagos Ministry of works and Infrastructure told New Telegraph that nothing good comes easy, therefore he urged Lagosians to be patient. “The same people, who constantly complained about the traffic in that area are the same people complaining towards the answer to their plea. Before the work started, the government held a meeting with them to seek their opinion. It is very disheartening that the people from the area are complaining. The discomfort they are facing is just for a while. As soon as the bridge is completed, their joy will know no bound as the area will be totally redefined. A bridge construction is not a day’s job and the earlier they accept that, the better for them,’’ he said.

22 LIFE/MEGA CITY

WEDNESday, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Keeping vigil on flooding

Olapade Olapoju

he Lagos State Government has assured residents that it was doing everything possible to ensure that the reports of flooding in other parts of the country and the adverse weather predictions by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) do not impact negatively on Lagos State. Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, said so during a press briefing on Year 2016 Seasonal Rainfall Predictions and its socio-economic implications for Lagos State at the weekend. The Nigeria Meteorological Agency and Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency, in their 2016 Annual Flood Outlook released recently had warned that this year’s flooding would be higher than that of 2015. The predictions indicated that coastal cities like Lagos will experience “flooding, sea-level rise and tidal surges.” The Agency named OgunOsun as one of the River Basins in the country which will experience flooding, urging the communities in the adjoining plains to keep safe distances. Adejare disclosed that the predictions of the agencies were valuable as vital weather and early warning tools for planners, decision makers and operators of the various sectors and businesses that might be impacted by the annual rainfall, if not well managed. Reassuring Lagosians on the issue of floods, the commissioner said that it was natural that, “sometimes when it rains, we are likely to have flashfloods on our roads as normal occurrences all over the world. As long as the drains are clean, we should be assured that, in a matter of time, the flash flood will disappear.” According to him, it is only when flood remains on the roads

People wading through the flood in Lagos

for days that there can be report of the place being flooded. He explained further that anytime the Lagoon level rises, it will “lock up” the state drainage channels and until it recedes, there would be no discharges. Occurrences like these, he pointed out, also cause backflows, resulting to flooding. But as soon as the Lagoon recedes, all the generated storm water will immediately discharge and the roads will be free. He said:“The long-established synergy and partnership with Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority have moderated mutual control and monitoring of the steady and systematic release of water from Oyan and Ikere Gorge Dams by the Authority. This is a mutual relationship which we cherish and we shall continue to sus-

Vendors selling meat at the Oshodi night market

Seyi Alani

gainst the popular ancient myth (especially among the Yoruba speaking tribe) that only the dead patronise night market, night market is indeed a way of life in Lagos. The typical lifestyle of most Lagosians-hustle and bustle requires ‘on the run’ type of living. It is the reason people liv-

Anytime the Lagoon level rises, it will 'lock up' drainage channels

tain. The low-lying Agiliti, Agboyi, Itowolo and Ajegunle communities in Lagos State are also being closely monitored with respect to the likelihood of Ogun River flooding.” The Ogun River is particularly monitored to ensure that the threshold or maximum level of 3.0m above sea level is not achieved before the alarm of flooding is raised, Adejare said. Giving the forecast for some parts of the state, the Commissioner also revealed that “Forecast for Ikeja, Ikorodu, Ikotun, Iyana Ipaja, Kosofe, Marina, Ojo, Oshodi, Somolu, Surulere, Yaba and Lagos Island confirmed that onset date ranges between March 28th and April 1st, while the season ending is predicted to range between December 2nd -5th 2016. Lagos State shall experience a rainy season of 248-253 days; the Maximum Annual Rainfall is predicted to be 1,857mm.” According to him, the state has

since last year embarked on massive clearing and dredging of primary and secondary channels or collectors in the state, expansion of existing drainage channels, in order to contain more storm water, lining of many earth channels, to ensure flow efficiency, strengthening of Resident Engineers/ Drainage Maintenance Officers to oversee drainage matters in all our Local Government Areas/LCDA’s across the state and regular monitoring and oversights of storm water. Adejare, however, appealed to Lagosians to desist from acts that can lead to flooding, indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places, clogging drains with silt or construction materials, erecting structures within and around drainage Right of Way and setbacks. “Lagosians are advised to report cases of blockages, dumping of waste into canals and other unauthorised places to our Resident Engineers.”

Buying and selling at night

ing in Lagos, especially the working class (bank officials, doctors, business tycoons, etc.) enjoy patronising night markets. They start their shopping even right inside the usual thick traffic snarl of Lagos. For Tomisi Ekundayo, a bank official, with one of the new generational banks, night market is the way out, after a stressful day at work and a saviour to her home. She said: “Buying from the night market is one of my favourite pastimes. I enjoy it and it is fun because different people are out to get one thing or the other. In fact, it saves me from having to get home and start thinking of what to cook. I buy the food ingredient from traffic at night. Closing from work around 7.00 pm and I spend two hours before reaching home, I observe that things are quite cheaper at night than day time. Most interesting is that there are varieties of commodities to buy from different people. So, I start my shopping right from the traffic and often time from almost every bus stop the driver stops before getting to my bus stop. Typically, I get most of my woman wears and accessories from night markets at a cheaper rate on my way back home.” According to Tunji Mayowa, a fashion

designer, patronising night markets has become a hobby and an avenue to getting cheaper things. “I buy things at cheaper rates at night because most traders are willing to sell all that is left of their goods so as to avoid left over. It has been a wonderful experience for me,” he said. But Mayowa expressed displeasure with the other side of night market. He said on two different occasions, he was robbed while trying to patronise some traders by the road side. Mrs. Chinaza Eze, a businesswoman, who deals in Indian fabrics, said as much night marketing is interesting, it could be dangerous. According to her, there was a time she preferred buying her needs at nights to day time. But a nasty experience stopped her short in her desire for patronising night markets. “One of such nights, my purse was stolen and there was lot of money in it, including my phone. And I had planned getting something for myself, my children and household items but all got lost within a twinkle of an eye. I cried bitterly that day. From then onward, I ceased patronising night market even when I feel tempted to

do it, I resist the urge,” she said. On passing by some of the places where traders displayed their goods by the road sides, New Telegraph gathered that most of the night traders prefer night trading to daytime, so as to avoid government agencies (KAI) who chase them away from constituting traffic nuisance. Most of them told New Telegraph that they cannot afford the shop rent which they described as too exorbitant. Abbey Ikposo, a trader, said he doesn’t believe in paying N60,000 yearly as shop rent just to sell goods that put together may not be more than N40,000 perhaps. Reason he and others who reasoned that way prefer to cut cost by coming out at night to sell their goods thereby, evading tax payment and shop rent. Ike Uzo , a cloth seller by the road side at Ojodu Berger, Lagos, said: “ I don’t have choice but to take to selling at nights for no cost at all. My profit margin from night marketing is much more than what I could make by day time. The harassment of street urchins known as agberos has lessened. In fact, we don’t get to see them at all by that time of the day.

LIFE/IN THE CITY 23

WEDNESday, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

There are markets and there are markets. In some busy markets in Lagos, it’s more than just buying and selling. It is also about the bargaining, actions, reactions and environment. Faith Ebute reports on the busy activities of Isale-Oja market

sale Oja market is a popular one in Agege area of Lagos, where sanity meets with insanity. At this market, bargaining and customer relationship depends on mood of the seller/trader and sane mood of the customer. If however, the traders’ mood negates the customer sanity, then there would be commotion between them both and it would become a war of sorts. The noises from other traders and customers coupled with blasting of vehicular horns makes the market a place to behold. Isale Oja is a beehive of activities of sort. There is never a free flow of traffic for pedestrians and motorists. In fact, there is no demarcated walk-way for pedestrians and the vehicles plus tricycle and motorbikes. That aside, the traders also constitute their own nuisance by spreading and extending their wares to the main road, thereby making movement tough for both pedestrians and motorists. Upon entering Isale Oja, one is confronted with array of different commotion, making only the bold to brave through the market. The market has no drainage system; it also has no proper parking space. The disorganised parking space there was provided by the area boys, who charge N200 per car space. However, the main attraction of this market to most nearby Lagosians is the affordability of goods. Though prices of commodities in this market are relatively cheap, the market is where cheap food items like, cassava, yam flour, crayfish, stock fish, fresh farm produce with best prices, including provisions could be found. A driver trying to drive through the market, John Anebi, expressed dissatisfaction at the arrangement of the market and government’s seemingly blind eyes towards the market. “Imagine yourself driving and suddenly, your vehicle hit a human being or goods, what will you do? You will have to get down and apologise or you try to react but somebody appears out of the blues and talk to you sarcastically- are you blind? Why did you pour my goods away? You will have to pay for the ones on the floor. I pass this market almost on daily basis and this has happen to me often times.” John added that the main problem of the market is the lack of parking space. “Even if you park your vehicle with the little space available, it will take you more than 30 minutes to come out of there because one has to be conscious of the people passing, commodities,

Isale Oja market, Agege

Surviving in Isale Oja market also the other vehicles passing through the road. I believe the government still has more work to do to this market. I also observe that the marketers/traders are not interested in selling their commodities inside the market. They rather prefer selling by the road side, causing problems for us. Honestly, there should be rules and regulations guiding this market,” he said. Angela Okeke, another passerby simply described the market as mad place where only the bold can venture. “This place is hell. I don’t think about anything at all each time I drove through this road or come to buy things. About two weeks ago, I bought things from this market and on my way home, I was trying to give way for other road users, and also trying to avoiding vehicles from hitting me; at the same time, manoeuvring my car away from knocking off the displayed road side wares. Unfortunately for me, I couldn’t cope properly. I ended up knocking off a few items by the road side and one Mrs. Effeh, who was in her late 50s. Luckily for me, the woman didn’t have much injury. And she was a nice woman, who forgave me immediately and started confronting those people selling things on the road for causing the mayhem.” Bridget Ifedapo, a trader in the Isale Oja market, said: “Some of us moved our commodities to the main road and on the gutter because there is no enough space for us inside the market and the little space we have inside is where our customers will not be able to find us. So, we have to move to where there will be sales for us at the end of each day. Moreover, the government is not complaining about us staying on the main road to sell our goods.”

But Ifedapo vowed not to let go easily anyone who caused her items to fell. She emphatically said that such offender would have to pay for it. “Because the road is for all of us, not just for passers-by or for vehicles. I won’t pick a fight. I will just report the culprit to police. Luckily, and there station is close by.” Mr. Thaddeus Ndu, the Charge Room Officer (CRO) of the market, said that the government fenced-off the set back on Isale Oja, which is to sanitise and beautify the entire market area and bring transformation. Ndu said further that, “there have

This place is hellish whenever I drive through the road

Part of Isale Oja, Agege

The other side of Isale Oja

been several cases between customers, drivers and marketers in this station. Most of them are minor cases that could be solved immediately. Traders like selling on the road because it’s not all customers that like going into the market, which is the main reason why they bring their commodities to the road side to enable them have mass sales of their goods.” He however implored both traders and customers to avoid clashes and passer-by to cooperate with the government to avoid distraction and chaos.”

24 LIFE/MEGA CITY

WEDNESday, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

lmost 80 per cent of bank customers have embraced the use of Automated Teller Machines because of the ease and speed it offers in terms of fund withdrawal and other transactions. It is an electronic banking system that uses computer and electronic technology in place of cheque book and other paper transactions. However, the use of this machine in Lagos State has become something unbearable for many bank customers as staying on a very long queue has become a usual and normal routine for ATM users whenever they want to withdraw fund or carry out any other transactions during business hours. But that has become the regular practice in Lagos. Almost every corner or point that there is ATM, there must definitely be queue, to the extent that the inside of most banking halls are becoming empty. In fact, more ATMs are springing up in Lagos. It seems banks are really taking their energy to invest more into ATMs; a move that shows they are sensitive to their customers’ time and patience. Yet some customers still opt for the use of withdrawal slip and cheque book, probably because they find the use of withdrawal slip and cheque book safer and secured or they believe the use of ATM is an easy means of siphoning their money. A student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Wunmi Akingbogun,

Stranded ATM users at a bank

ATM to the rescue said, “I have been using ATM for the past four years. I think I like it because it is faster and easier. I normally use other withdrawal systems such as cheque book when my daddy wants to give me money but I don’t use it for personal account. The access I have to the money in my account at any particular time or place makes

I don’t mind the queues. I prefer ATM because I have total access to my money

Bank customers in one of the ATM points

me prefer electronic banking system.” She believes ATM queue is preferable because it moves faster, unlike the withdrawal slip or cheque book queue inside the banking hall. Fatimah Audu, a customer of one of the banks said, “I don’t mind the queue. I prefer ATM because I have total access to the money I have in my account whenever and wherever I want to withdraw, unlike the withdrawal slip or cheque book that one can only use during working hours of banks.” According to Audu, paper transactions are very slow and difficult, most especially cheque book because it will be verified in order to know if it was issued by the authorised person and the bearer’s identity card and signature are required before the fund can be issued out, thereby taking more of one’s time. Omowonuola Kuti said: “I have been using ATM for the past five years. I prefer ATM system because I can access my

account anywhere without going to the bank that I have an account with. ATM queues move faster than that of any other withdrawal system. I believe ATM is more secured as long as your pin number is confidential.” Different stroke to different folks, the old adage says. Another bank customer, who preferred to be addressed simply as Emmanuel, preferred withdrawal slip to ATM. To him, withdrawal slip is safer than ATM system in the sense that withdrawal slip transaction is carried out within the bank, while the ATM transaction is usually exposed and very risky when dealing with huge amount of money in the public. “I find withdrawal slip to be the best because it helps me to manage my money. Although most bank customers don’t like it because of the queue stress and network issues, they have to go through to withdraw via withdrawal slip.” A bank official, Adeoye Adeniyi, said: “ATM is strictly meant for urgent transactions; for security purposes any withdrawal transaction beyond N50, 000 should be carried out at the counter and not the ATM. For customers who don’t like paper transactions, there are cashiers at the counter that issue out money through the use of point of sale (POS)”. Speaking on the queue that customers encounter in banks when they want to collect money via withdrawal slip of cheque book he said that cashiers need to verify if the cheque book is genuine, check if the bearer of the slip or the person who authorised the cheque book has an account with them and most importantly if the person have sufficient fund in his or her account. All these are done for the safety of customers. He added: “I solicit with customers who carry out transactions on ATM to make their pin numbers confidential, guide the last four digits of their ATM numbers and most importantly to avoid using one digit number as their pin number because it can easily be revealed to other parties.”

QUOTE

OF THE WEEK

The owners of all illegal structures, shanties, abandoned buildings and all those who have converted road median to commercial uses in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki have between today (Monday) and two weeks ‘ time to comply or have the State Special Task Force on the Clean Up of the areas to contend with.”Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello

IN NUMBERS

The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit Task Force at the weekend impounded 98 motorcycles including tricycles at Rainbow Bus Stop in Mile 2, Lagos

AU G.

Abiodun Olokode

WEDNESDAY, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Money

Business What's new Unclaimed dividend: Shareholders flay proposed rule

TSA continues to haunt banks

Maritime Misuse of Export Expansion Grant

28 31

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE June 2016 ..............................16.5% May 2016...............................15.6% April 2016............................13.7%

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

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parallel Market as at August 26)

(Interbank as at August 26)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N412 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N530 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N454

l Foreign Reserves – $25.600bn as at 24/8/2016

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N314.95 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N403 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N345

Source: CBN

p.26

Soybeans production hits N183.9bn in Nigeria p.26

L-R: Director, West Africa Regional Office, African Reinsurance Corporation, Mr. Sory Diomande; Deputy Managing Director/COO, Mr. Ken Aghoghovbia and Director of Finance, Mr. Seydu Kone, during a press conference on the awareness campaign of the company, in Lagos. PHOTOS: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Economic downturn: Banks review official vehicles’ terms COST-CUTTING

Kia replaces Honda, Toyota brands of vehicles

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Tony Chukwunyem

ith no end in sight to the worsening macroeconomic conditions, banks in the country are intensifying their cost cutting efforts in a bid to remain profitable, New Telegraph has learnt. Sources with knowledge of the situation told this newspaper that banks are extending their cost cutting to budgets for official vehicles as well as travel for staff. One source at a new generation bank said: “Official vehicles for staff used to be replaced every four years, but we have been told that because of the tough times, the vehicles will be replaced after the fifth year. Also, branch managers and other middle level officers used to be given Honda and Toyota brands as official cars. But what they now get are Kia brands. The interesting thing is that nobody is complaining, because everyone knows just how bad the economy is.”

According to the source, the harsh economy, especially the impact of the depreciation of the naira, is taking its toll on the banking industry, making it difficult for lenders to replace official vehicles as at when due. “We were told that official vehicles would be replaced every five years instead of four. But some of us have been using these cars for five years now, the year is drawing to a close and there is no sign that we will be given new cars,” the source said. New Telegraph gathered that because of naira’s decline against dollar, a new Toyota Prado that banks purchase as official vehicles for their management staff now sells for about N30 million, compared with its former price of N16 million. In addition to cuts to the budget for official vehicles, it was learnt that banks have drastically cut down on sponsorship of official foreign travels for staff and that even when it was imperative for staff to make such trips, they were advised to fly low cost airlines. Only last week, this newspaper reported that bank employees across the country were bracing for pay cuts following mounting speculation that their employers had resolved to adopt that option given the Federal Government’s strong opposition to

N3 trillion Being the amount the Federal Government had mopped up as at last February, as revenue accruals since the policy of TSA commenced

further lay-offs in the industry. Investigations had revealed that the pay cuts had commenced and several lenders had cut staff pay by as much as 30 per cent. This newspaper recalls that the harsh business environment had triggered a spate of lay-offs in the banking industry, which resulted in over 3,000 employees losing their jobs between January and May this year. The development made the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, to direct banks, insurance firms and other financial institutions to suspend further staff retrenchment until after a conciliatory meeting the Federal Government was planning to have with stakeholders in the industry. However, while there has been no report of mass retrenchment since the Minister’s intervention, most lenders have decided to slow down on their branch expansion plans and, in some cases, have even completely frozen such plans. In a recent note obtained by this newspaper, analysts at Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited projected that Profit Before Tax (PBT) in the industry would: “decline on an average to -9 per cent and -11 per cent for full year 2016.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

WEDNESDAY, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |news

Unclaimed dividend: Shareholders flay proposed rule APPREHENSION The issue of unclaimed dividend has been of great concern to the capital market community

Chris Ugwu

ome shareholders have opposed the proposed rule by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that companies and registrars in custody of dividends, which remain unclaimed by shareholders 12 years after the date of declaration, shall be transferred into the Nigerian Capital Market Development Fund (NCMDF). The shareholders, who object-

Banks review official vehicles’ terms

ed to the proposed rule, contended that it was an indirect way by the government to control the fund and that as a private sector problem, it should be resolved by the private sector. They insisted that any fund that government initiates or is in anyway involved in, would be mismanaged. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 313(1) (n) of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2007, the Commission had last week proposed rule on application of 12 years and above unclaimed dividends. SEC, in a circular, had proposed that companies and registrars in custody of dividends, which remain unclaimed by shareholders 12 years after the date of declaration or subsequently attain the 12 years threshold, shall upon the coming into effect of this rule transfer such monies into the Nigerian Capital Market Development Fund (NCMDF). The Commission added that all companies and registrars

shall not, later than 30 days after the end of every calendar year, forward to the Commission a report of unclaimed dividends in their custody, which shall specify compliance with Sub Rule (1) of this Rule. According to SEC, companies shall also disclose details of compliance with this rule in their annual reports. The Commission, however, urged that all comments and input should be forwarded to the Secretariat, Rules Committee of the Commission or through the DG, SEC, not later than two weeks from the date of publication. Reacting to the development, a Shareholder Activist and CoFounder of Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA), Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo in a chat with New Telegraph, said the rule will hit the brick wall. He said that if passed, it would amount to a case of ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul,’ as shareholders may lose the monies within a shorter period of time than 12

years, which was the length of time allowed before the dividend becomes status barred. Olatokunbo noted that the proposed rule was a surprise to him after his recent accolades to the pro-activeness of SEC on unclaimed dividend matters. He said: “Really, one continues to wonder on this movement in circle on what to do with the huge amount in unclaimed dividends, despite the known facts that the rules were already established on it. “It is also a surprise that the regulatory agencies that are supposed to cater for the investing public and their investments, were the same organs that were always in the vanguard of destroying the space to breath and develop. “I respectfully wish to ask the following questions on which l intend to base shareholders’ objection to the proposal: Who owns the companies, is it the investors or SEC? What are the free services rendered by the regulatory agen-

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

They attributed the industry’s problems to regulatory headwinds, the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Nigeria’s slowing economy and naira depreciation. As at last February, the Federal Government had mopped up over N3 trillion as revenue accruals since the policy of TSA commenced. The experts said: “For most part of the year, banking liquidity was affected by further tightening by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) policies through the increase in rates and the increase in Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR). There was also the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which saw most of the cheap funds leave the banking system. Another major event for banks was the further reduction of Commission on Turnover (COT). All of these put further pressure on the earning ability of banks for the period.” Nigeria is currently facing one of its worst financial crisis in decades, coupled with inflation rising, the economy weakening and production of oil, which provides the bulk of export earnings, down since last February as militants attack pipelines. Economic output will probably shrink 1.8 per cent this year, the first contraction in more than two decades, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Tuesday. Besides, pressure is also building, with loan books - nearly half of them in dollars - hammered by a shrinking economy, a plunging currency and acute foreign exchange shortages in Africa’s biggest oil producing nation following the slump in oil prices. The apex bank has told lenders to set aside extra provisions against their dollar loans in the wake of the sharp fall in the naira since it floated the exchange rate in June.

cies to the companies? Is the proposed rule on unclaimed dividend an incentive to investors or disincentive? Do the shareholders/ investors share from the profit of the regulatory agencies? Whose baby is “Nigerian Capital Market Development Fund (NCMDF)”? Who’s supposed to fund/cater/ nurse NCMDF? “It is hoped that if sincere deep reflection on the above questions with the intention of honest reaction by SEC, would be contemplated, then the indication to SEC, would be that the so called new proposal on Unclaimed Dividends might be called; ‘Regulatory Recklessness or Radicalism and Impunity’, which is the Grand-Mother of corruption. “We hereby wish to advice SEC and her co-travellers to focus more on solving the issues surrounding unclaimeddividend, than looking for them to start once again on how to acquire what does not belong to them under the guise of regulations.

L-R: Guest Speaker, Dr. Bayo Adaralegbe; Director General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs. Dupe Atoki; Acting Head, Customer Feedback and Collaboration, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mrs. Mosunmola Samuel and Director, Econs and Statistics, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Ambrose Oruche, at a stakeholders meeting on enforcement of warranties and guarantees on products and services in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Soybeans production hits N183.9bn in Nigeria DEVELOPMENT There is improvement in soy beans production in the country in the last 20 months

Bayo Akomolafe

etween 2015 and August 2016, Nigeria soybeans production has reached 600,000 tons valued at N183.9 billion (587.4 billion) despite some diseases and pest ravaging the commodity. The diseases include rust, red leaf blotch, frog-eye leaf spot, bacterial pustule, bacterial blight and soybean mosaic virus, while the pests include stink bugs and foliage feeders, bean flies and nematodes, causing up to 60 per cent yield loss. Although, the country still

needs some 130,000 metric tons of the commodity to support the dwindling local production, as the global price of the commodity moves up to $979 per ton. According to Community of Agricultural Stakeholders of Nigeria (CASON), the demand for soybeans in Nigeria was about N300 billion. It was learnt that over the past seven years, soybeans production has expanded because of the rapid growth in the industrial sector that requires it. An import portal, Index Mundi, said in its statistics that in 2015, the country imported some 130,000 tons of soybeans, while in 2014, it ferried 121,000 tons; 2013, 100,000 tons and 2012, 75,000 tons. Due to dearth in production of the commodity, in September 2008, the Federal Government removed import ban on the commodity,

as some milk manufacturers were using the beans as alternative to cow milk. Nigeria is the largest consumer of soybeans in subSahara Africa followed by Uganda. Worldwide consumption of soybean is nearly 11 million tons. Africa consumes about 618,000 tons annually and uses another 4,800 tons for animal feed. It was revealed that soybean has an average protein content of 40 per cent and richer than any of the common vegetable or animal food sources found in the country. Meanwhile, Soybeans, a major ingredient in producing chicken feed is said to be threatening poultry farming across the country, as poultry farmers found it difficult to feed their birds due to its acute shortage. Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), in 2014, had complained that the soya

beans price had skyrocketed and the commodity had disappeared from the market. It explained that SALMA Oil Mills in Kano, Grand Cereals in Jos, ECWA Feeds in Jos, AFCOT Oil Seed Processors now depend on the commodity for their production. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) explained that the soybeans processing sector, which had an estimated capacity of one million tons per annum is hampered by low production. It said that the 30 per cent growth in the poultry industry in the last 10 years and expanding market for vegetable oil, had increased the demand for the crop. The institute explained that many Nigerian vegetable oil producing firms had been going to neighbouring countries to buy soybeans to meet their industrial demands, paying higher prices in the process.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FCT BUSINESS WATCH

For two days in Abuja, the Assembly of Governors of the Association of African Central Banks (AACB) brainstormed on best ways to shield Africa from untoward economic policies of advanced economies. Nigeria’s CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, is the arrowhead of AACB, elected to deliver on positive changes. ABDULWAHAB ISA writes

African Central Banks: Tasks before Emefiele

rom a layman’s perspective, economic polices of European nations are of no consequence to Nigeria’s economy. But given the current realities, such thought is not tenable any longer in a modern economy. Worlds’ economies are now inter-dependent. Any key economic pronouncement by United States’ Federal Reserves or central banks of developed nations are watched closely, not just by Nigeria’s Central Bank, but those of Africa as a whole. Now that various economies across the globe are confronted with different economic challenges, any untoward unconventional monetary policy measures by United States’ Federal Reserve and central banks of developed countries could trigger negative impact on economies of African countries. This is due to the interconnectedness of economies. It’s against the foregoing that African countries, as a continent, are rallying round to shield their economies against the vagaries of economic decisions by advanced countries. Unconventional monetary policies The Assembly of Governors of the Association of African Central Banks (AACB), two weeks ago in Abuja, held its 39th Ordinary Session and symposium with a theme, ‘Unwinding unconventional monetary policies: Implications for monetary policy and financial stability in Africa’. The two-day forum attended by 27-member central banks and the African Union Commission (AUC) and representative of International Monetary Funds (IMF), examined the unwinding of Unconventional Monetary Policy (UMPs) measures adopted during the financial crisis by the United States Federal Reserve and central banks of developed countries, and their potential negative impact on African countries due to the interconnectedness of economies. But beyond the uncertainties such UMPs decision may portend for Africa’s economies, the forum noted that, unwinding of unconventional monetary policy could be an opportunity for African countries to develop appropriate measures to strengthen their resilience in the face of exogenous shocks. Tackling continent challenges To underscore the importance

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

AACB gathering commands, President Muhammadu Buhari graced the occasion as against sending a representative. Setting the tone for the two-day brainstorming session, he implored the continents’ central banks eggheads to look inward by evolving local solutions to tackle various local economic problems . Buhari advocated policy coordination between monetary and fiscal policy for desired economic relief to be delivered to Africa citizens. Noting that monetary policy was imperative in macroeconomic management, the policy alone, he said, would be insufficient to bring about the desired level of output growth needed to take Africans out of poverty. The president went down memory lane to recall some economic challenges facing the continent. These include, but not limited to weakening global aggregate demand, rising inflation, capital flow reversals as a result of tapering in the United States, rising debt levels, increased exchange rate volatility and depleting external reserves due to dependence on primary commodity exports. He said: “While monetary policy is imperative in macroeconomic management, it cannot act in bringing about the desired level of output growth needed to take our people out of poverty. Monetary policy must be complemented with fiscal and other policy measures. Therefore, strong coordination between monetary and fiscal policy is extremely important. For Nigeria, he said the country recognised the challenges it’s confronted with and is prepared to surmount them with conscious effort being made to diversify the economy. “We are taking measures and implementing policies that would ensure we are self-sufficient, generate massive employment for millions of our youth, and explore our untapped human and natural resources. We shall also embark on export and production diversification steps in-

Emefiele is expected to lead the body to achieve key resolutions adopted at the Abuja symposium

government in ensuring that we are able to stimulate the economy, we are able to stimulate the agriculture and what I mean is primary agriculture sector, particularly by some of our brothers and sisters that are getting into small scale business and some manufacturing companies that are producing goods that cluding investment in infrastruc- we currently import outside the ture; promotion of manufacturing country.” through agro-based industries and expand regional trade. All these IMF cautious advice would involve integrating the inforThe global fund - International mal economy into the mainstream Monetary Fund (IMF) – added its and providing funds to small and voice. medium enterprises (SMEs),” the The Fund’s Managing Director, president said. Christine Lagarde, represented by Atingi Ago, noted that, to tackle Significance of AACB forum the slow growth being witnessed Symposium chief host and Ni- in major economies, there was geria’s CBN Governor, Emefiele, need for the governors to come up went beyond his welcome remarks, with vibrant initiatives to stimulate to underscore the significance of growth. the symposium. Speaking with For instance, she said that the select journalists on the choice of appreciation of the dollar against symposium theme, ‘Unwinding other currencies in Africa was causUnconventional Monetary Policies: ing pressure on the balance sheet of Implications for Monetary Policy the banking sector. and Financial Stability in Africa’, According to Largade, while Emefiele said the bank is doing ev- the governors deliberate on how erything to support the diversifica- to chart way forward for monetary tion of the economy. policy, they should be mindful of On the significance of the sym- some of the challenges associated posium, he said: “Like you already with unconventional monetary know, the theme of this symposium policies. being organised by association of African Central Banks is on unAACB’s outlook under Emefiele winding monetary policies, and its leadership implications for African countries. One of the highpoints of the 39th You probably know that, sometimes ordinary meeting of AACB was the around 2008, when global financial election of CBN Governor, Godwin crisis started, that was the time Emefiele, as president of the group when unconventional monetary for the 2016 – 2017 year. policies were adopted by various Elected alongside Emefiele to central banks in the world to help run the affairs of the Bureau for stimulate and stabilise their econ- the period, are the governor of the omies. And, of course, you also Bank of Ghana as chairman of the know that United states started the West African sub-region; governor unwinding monetary Policy (UMP), of the Central Bank of Mauritania, the quantitative easing. This was chairman of the North African subfollowed by Japan, trailed by Bank region; and the governor of the of England by the European Central Bank of Central African States, Bank. And of course, in Nigeria, Chairman of the Central African we had also, in our own little way, sub-region. adopted it through the stimulation Also elected were the governor, of agricultural and manufacturing Banque de la Republique du Busectors. Some of these intervention rundi as Chairman of the East Affunds that we have done in the area rican sub-region and governor of of agriculture to support farmers as the Central Bank of the Kingdom well as manufacturing were entire- of Swaziland as chairman of the ly our own version of UMP to sta- Southern African sub-region. bilise the economy, to make cheap Under his leadership as presiliquidity available to agriculture dent of ACCB, Emefiele is expectand manufacturing sector.” ed to lead the body to achieve key Emefiele said the emerging mar- resolutions adopted at the Abuja ket started noticing the effect of symposium. UMP in the last quarter of last year, These include the urgent need leading to inflationary pressures in for coordination between monetary most Africa countries. and fiscal policy across all African “From last year, we started see- countries, strengthening efforts at ing incidence of unwinding the implementing structural reforms UMPs to the extent that in the last in order to diversify Africa’s requarter year 2015, over $40 billion in spective economies; improve the foreign exchange flow moved out of business environment and proemerging market and of course it mote intra-regional trade as a way has its own impact not just in Africa of strengthening their resilience but also in Nigeria.That is why you amidst external shocks. see most African counties suffering foreign exchange pressures, infla- Conclusion tionary pressures and it has had Apparently, time is not ripe for its own impacts on what we should any stocktaking against the current be doing at this time on unwinding leadership of the ACCB. Certainly, unconventional monetary poli- such an opportunity for evaluating cies. And of course in Nigeria, we some of the key resolutions is next are also doing our best and govern- year when ACCB will be gathering ment says it’s no longer fashionable for another session to brainstorm to continue to depend on oil but to on ‘prospects for monetary integradiversify our economy away from tion in Africa: Lessons learned from oil. That is what we are doing and the experience of monetary and figovernment is very committed. nancial integration of Europe.’ The CBN in its own little way will Emefiele and his team have one continue to support the effort of the year to deliver on their mandate.

WEDNESDAY, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |MONEY

TSA continues to haunt banks The ongoing controversy over the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s recent suspension of some lenders from the forex market for allegedly failing to remit funds to the Federal Government’s coffers is an indication that the industry is yet to get over the effects of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), writes TONY CHUKWUNYEM

learly, there was widespread concern in financial circles about banking system liquidity in the wake of the September 15, 2015 deadline set by President Muhammadu Buhari for full compliance with his directive that all revenue due to the Federal Government or any of its agencies must be paid into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) or designated accounts maintained and operated in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). As analysts pointed out then, over the years, Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in the country had mainly relied on cheap public sector funds to drive their business operations. With the TSA being fully implemented, banks were expected to lose the deposits of key government agencies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Indeed, following the President’s directive, the banks were reported to have remitted over N3trillion public sector funds to the CBN. Conceived under the previous administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, the TSA is a unified structure of government bank accounts through, which the government transacts all its receipts and payments and gets a consolidated view of its cash position at any given time. Proponents of the policy said it would end the previous public accounting situation of several fragmented accounts for government revenues, incomes and receipts, which in the recent past, meant the loss or leakages of income meant for the Federation account. Boosting liquidity However, in order to address the concerns of banking system liquidity, the CBN, a few weeks after the president’s directive took effect, lowered the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) from 31 per cent to 25 per cent, thereby paving the way for it to inject N740 billion into the banking system. Also, at the end of the first Bank-

CBN building

ers’ Committee meeting held after the expiration of the president’s deadline, the CBN Director of Banking Supervision, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, dismissed fears that the implementation of the TSA could trigger distress in the industry. She said: “The Committee is satisfied that the banks are safe and sound and advises banks to improve their risk management and hold sufficient cash to mitigate any shock that may arise.” TSA fines But despite these assurances, there were signs that lenders were having issues complying with the directive. Reason: in late October, First Bank of Nigeria Limited and United Bank for Africa (UBA) were fined a total of N4.8 billion by the CBN for TSA breaches. While First Bank was fined N1.87 billion for allegedly not remitting to the FG’s coffers, about N37.55 billion belonging to the NNPC, UBA was slammed with a N2.94 billion penalty for not remitting a portion of the energy corporation’s funds totalling N58.84 billion. Responding to the penalty, the banks contended that they had a directive from the Accountant-General of the Federation, exempting some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) from transferring their funds to the TSA. But the CBN rejected their claims, maintaining its stance that all MDAs must remit their funds to the TSA. However, reactions were still trailing this development when the regulator hit another Systemically Important Bank (SIB), Skye Bank, with a N4 billion fine for failing to render appropriate returns on accounts of some government institutions and agencies in line with the TSA policy. In its statement to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on the issue, the bank said that the fine imposed by CBN was misdirected since it did not conceal any information on the accounts. Skye Bank said that a significant portion of the money for which penalty was applied belonged to NNPC’s Pension Funds and National Assembly Legislative Aides’ account balances. Interestingly, in announcing

With the TSA being fully implemented, banks were expected to lose the deposits of key government agencies

after the MPC meeting on September 22, 2015, that the regulator had slashed the CRR to 25 per cent to boost liquidity, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, emphasised that no government agency had been exempted from complying with the TSA policy. He said: “The truth is that as far as I am concerned, I have not seen any memo that exempts any institution from the TSA. So, as a result, I will advice those who think that they are exempted to avoid creating confusion. I have not seen any memos on that and for that reason no organisation is exempted. I will appeal to those affected by the movement of funds to the CBN to please comply.” Suspension of banks from forex transactions With no further breaches of the TSA policy by banks reported since November last year when Skye Bank was penalised, industry watchers may have assumed that compliance with the policy was no longer an issue in the industry. So they would have been taken aback when reports emerged last Tuesday that the CBN had suspended nine banks from further dealing in foreign exchange transactions for failing to remit NNPC funds to FG’s coffers. According to the reports, the nine banks were barred for concealing $2.12 billion belonging to the NNPC/NLNG and failing to remit the funds into the TSA as directed by the Federal Government. Although the CBN did not issue a statement on the suspensions, the apex bank’s officials were reported as saying that the banks would not be readmitted into the forex market until they remitted all the outstanding funds, adding that further disciplinary actions awaited the erring banks when they finally remit the funds in full to the government’s coffers. The nine banks comprised three old generation banks and another six new generation banks. Interestingly, as the CBN governor was meeting with the bank CEO’s in Abuja over the issue, Thisday newspaper had reported the forex suspension and the amount held by each bank on its

website. One of the lenders, which had funds with CBN, did a currency swap and escaped the CBN’s hammer. Also, last Wednesday, the CBN announced that it had re-admitted UBA into the foreign exchange market. Although the remaining eight banks rejected the CBN’s alleged claims that they concealed the NNPC’s deposits, they pledged to work with the regulator to settle the issue. In fact, in a meeting of Body of Banks’ Chief Executive Officers held at the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Lagos, last Thursday to discuss the suspensions, the CEOs clarified that there was no concealment in any form as the banks had always disclosed the fund in their returns, noting that the situation arose out of the maturity mismatch of funds found in certain strategic sectors to ensure the growth of the economy. According to a statement signed by the Registrar/CEO, CIBN, Seye Awojobi: “The consensus in the meeting was that there is no crisis in the industry, as it is strong and stable. The bank chief executives have also resolved to continue to collaborate with the CBN and other stakeholders to forestall this and other issues that may impact on the growth of the banking industry.” But a banking industry source told New Telegraph that while it was imperative for the banks and the CBN to quickly take steps to ensure that the issue does not impact the growth of the industry, the regulator triggered the crisis in the first place by leaking the report of the banks’ suspension to the media while it was still holding talks with them (banks). The source said: “There is nothing stopping the CBN from sanctioning the banks if it believes that their reasons for not remitting the funds don’t hold water. But it could have done so without releasing details to the media. The CBN clearly overreacted. The industry is passing through very difficult times and investors both at home and abroad are watching developments here very closely. The CBN’s action could have led to a run on the nine banks.” Calls grow for review of TSA Significantly, although most analysts support the TSA on the grounds that it boosts transparency in the system and helps government to monitor its revenue, a growing number of them are seeking a review of the policy to reduce pressure on banks. For instance, speaking on a Channels Television business programme recently, the Country Chief Executive Officer of Jeff & O’Brien, Mr. Pascal Odibo, called for a review of the impact of the TSA on banks, stating that the policy was a key reason why lenders are struggling. He said: “TSA is a good policy, but we are in a recession. Banks must be supported. Pulling out sources of liquidity may be counterproductive. This is because CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

BUSINESS |MONEY

WEDNESDAY, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Budget funding: Analysts advocate joint venture assets’ sale OPTION Borrowing from IMF, AfDB takes time

Tony Chukwunyem

gainst the background of reports that the Federal Government has stepped up plans to borrow massively from foreign sources to bridge the funding deficit in the 2016 budget, analysts at Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited have said that

this strategy may not yield the desired results. In a note obtained by New Telegraph, the experts argued that given the delay usually associated with obtaining loans from multilateral institutions, coupled with weak investor confidence in the country, Nigeria may need to focus on short term options such as selling some of its joint venture assets in the oil and gas sector. The Debt Management Office (DMO) recently announced that it was seeking two lead managers and a financial adviser to organise the issuance of $1 billion (N315 billion) of Eurobonds in 2016 as part of ef-

forts bridge the funding deficit in this year’s budget. But as the FDC analysts stated: “To address the gaping fiscal hole, the Federal Government has embarked on several road shows to raise funds in the international market. The first option that usually comes to the forefront is borrowing from multilaterals, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the African Development Bank (AfDB). This strategy takes time and with weak investor confidence in the country, government needs to have some short-term options. One is the sale of some of the joint venture assets in the oil

and gas sector such as refineries that are performing below optimality. This would create quick funds, which the government needs.” They pointed out that N400 billion has so far been released for the execution of some capital projects out of a budget of N1.75 trillion for capital expenditure in the 2016 budget of N6.07 trillion. It will be recalled that Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had in April last year proposed that the Federal Government should consider selling down its majority stakes in joint ventures with multinational oil

L-R: Past President/ Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations(NIPR),Lagos Chapter, Mr. Yomi Okusanya; Deputy Registrar, NIPR, Dame Nancy Oghennekaro; President/Chairman of Council, Lagos Chapter, Mr. Olusegun McMedal; Guest of Honour, Mr. Nnemeka Maduegbuna and Director, Lagos Chamber of Commerce& Industries(LCCI),Dr. Vincent Nwani at NIPR 3rd Stakeholders’ conference on ”Communication, Reputation & Sustainable Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria” in Lagos. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

PwC: Partnerships, key to mobile money usage

anks that would be successful in this era will be those that have partnerships with telcos and other technology companies and develop products and services around mobile and other new technology offerings, a survey by PricewaterHouse (PwC) has found. The survey entitled: “‘How to win in an era of mobile money”, sought the perspective of Chief Executive Officers of banks as to the extent to which mobile money is expected to affect their business and the importance bankers attach to critical success factors in the delivery of mobile money service. While the bankers surveyed perceived mobile money as an opportunity to be explored, they also viewed it as a potential threat should non-banks be allowed to provide the service in competition with the traditional banking services. The survey also identified favourable Regulations, Technology and partnerships as critical success factors. “Rather than being viewed as taking part of a fixed pie, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) should be viewed as contributors to an expanding pie,” it says. “With new solutions come new products, services and new revenue channels.” Bank executives were unanimous in their view that Mobile

Money has had some impact on the way the business of banking is conducted. There were, however, differences in how bank executives perceive the scale of impact that mobile money has had on the business of banking. More than half of respondents are of the view that mobile money has moderately impacted the way they conduct business, raising questions for

banks with regard to whether the impact is going to get stronger or not and how they will respond to it. “Overall, it became obvious from the discussions that bank executives are feeling the impact of mobile money on their business, either positively or negatively,” the survey states. Despite the opportunities mobile money presents, a large percentage of respondents viewed it

as a threat. The major threat, according to the banks, emanates from the potential for telcos and other mobile money operators to enter into the banking space. “Mobile money is significantly threatening the payment solutions offered by banks. Executives believe both bill payment services and point of sale (POS) payment offerings are currently under threat.

TSA continues to haunt banks CO NT INU E D F RO M PAGE 2 8

banks deal in cash, if you pull it away, they would not be able to do anything.” Stressing that a review of the TSA policy will not affect transparency in the industry, he argued that CBN could use “simple software” to monitor the levels of MDAs’ funds with the banks. If the banks go down, things will get worse for the economy. So government must sit down and talk with the banks to find out what it should do to reflate the economy. “The economy is contracting; it is below -0. So, we have to first ensure that we get above zero,” he stated. Odibo urged the CBN to see the banks as partners that will assist it in growing the economy. It will be recalled that a former Governor of the CBN, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, had

also called for a modification in the TSA implementation format. In a paper he delivered late last year, he said: “The TSA is a great initiative… however, we don’t have to return to the past of having every penny of government largely redundant in the central bank. For an economy desperately in need of stimulation, piling up idle cash at the CBN is not sound economics. “We should deploy technology and transparent rules to implement a hub and spoke model of TSA whereby CBN is the hub while the commercial banks remain the spoke. Of course there are some benefits of keeping it at CBN, including possible anti-corruption outcome but as a proverb says, you don’t set your house ablaze because of the irritation of a rat in the house. We can rid the system of corruption and realise all the benefits of TSA but still not starve the economy of the

necessary liquidity,” he stated. Other analysts, however, disagree with calls for a review of the TSA, arguing that the policy will compel banks to focus on sourcing retail deposits. Conclusion But as an Assistant General Manager at a Tier 1 lender pointed out, the current debate over the TSA may turn out to be academic if the current impasse between the indigenous company, SystemSpecs, which designed Remita the software, which powers the TSA and government, is not resolved. He said: “Yes, TSA has put a lot of pressure on banks. However, for some of us, the biggest issue is the problem that SystemSpecs is having with government over the non-payment of its agreed service fee. If this is not resolved, it could result in the dismantling of the policy.”

companies to shore up the country’s finances and raise funding for infrastructure development. He stated then that he had asked CBN officials to evaluate how much could be raised if the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) substantially reduced its 55 per cent equity in the joint ventures — with Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Total and ENI — which pump about half of Nigeria’s two million barrels a day of oil production. The CBN governor told the Financial Times of London that he believed that the country could raise $75 billion through such transactions and that private equity groups could be encouraged to compete with the oil companies for acquisitions to ensure the price is competitive. Mr. Emefiele said he had commissioned the research and would present the idea to then President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, when he assumed office on May 29 2015. “If you sell down a 30 per cent stake you could raise something substantial. It is an option they need to consider as a way of raising further funding. It is an option now because our revenues have dropped and we don’t need to pile on more debt. The alternative is to look for ways of releasing value from some of the government’s assets,” he said, adding that petroleum profit taxes could be adjusted upwards to compensate for the state’s reduced stake in crude oil sales.

AfDB president seeks structures to support agriculture trade

resident of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has said that creating markets, developing infrastructure and providing financing for farmers are key ingredients for transforming agriculture in Africa. He stated this at a symposium on: “Contributing to Social security and jobs through agriculture-30 Years of Sasakawa in Africa”, held at the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) in Nairobi, Kenya. The AfDB boss noted that these factors were necessary for transforming agriculture into a wealthcreating sector, generating income opportunities for farmers in rural areas. “Governments can do this by developing agro-allied industrial zones and staple crop processing zones in rural areas. The zones, supported with consolidated infrastructure, including roads, water, electricity, will drive down the cost of doing business for private food and agribusiness firms,” he emphasised. Such zones, he noted, would create markets for farmers, boosting economic opportunities in rural areas, stimulating jobs and attracting higher domestic and foreign investments into the rural areas. “They will turn the rural areas into zones of economic prosperity,” Adesina said.

WEDNESDAY, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Investor

ternational Bank Plc with market capitalisation of N3.12 trillion, N112.35 billion and N495.12 billion respectively as at August 22, 2016.

With the launch of premium board last year to feature big firms that meet the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s (NSE’s) stringent listing criteria, CHRIS UGWU looks at the impacts and moves by others to achieve new listing status

Impact on the firms Investigation by New Telegraph showed that since the launch, the Premium Board market capitalisation increased by N264.5 billion, representing eight per cent appreciation in market capitalisation. The NSE Premium Board Index had a fouryear average return of 17.65 per cent versus the All Share Index (ASI) return of 11.31 per cent over the same period and has outperformed the ASI by over 15 per cent since its launch August 2015.

orld over, capital markets are acknowledged to be bastion of economies of nations through their activities. It is however, the expectation of the regulators and other stakeholders that the hidden potential of the sector will be unleashed for maximum impact that would induce economic growth if there is entrenchment of a sound code of good corporate governance for any quoted company and others willing to be admitted on the floor of the Exchanges. That is why before companies are listed on the NSE, there are certain requirements they must meet. After listing, there are also standard requirements they must comply with. These include regular dissemination of information about the financial performances and any changes that can affect their operations. It was therefore on this premise that market regulators have continued to make efforts to promote good corporate governance practices and reposition the Nigerian capital market for development. In a move that would also reinforce corporate governance adherence among quoted companies, the NSE launched the NSE Premium Board and the associated Premium Board Index on Tuesday, August 25, 2015. Premium board The premium Board was developed to feature companies that meet the Exchange’s most stringent listing criteria of capitalisation, governance and liquidity. It aims to provide a platform for greater global visibility for eligible African corporates to make it easier for them to attract global capital flows and reduce the cost of funding. The Premium Board Index on the other hand, is an equity index designed to provide a benchmark to capture the performance of companies listed on the Premium Board. The index will also provide a basis for developing products (such as ETFs and equity index derivatives) that are tradable on the bourse. Commenting on the new listing Board, Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema said, “The Exchange is a member of the United Nation’s Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative, which is designed to encourage stock exchanges to influence their ecosystem to adopt sustainable ways of doing business around Environmental, Social and Governance dimensions. “The Premium Board is one result of our commitment to place corporate governance front and

NSE building

Enhancing corporate governance via premium board centre as a way to improve the climate for doing business in Africa. We expect that companies on the Board will enjoy the highest levels of visibility and appeal to investors looking for large companies with the highest standards of corporate governance.” He noted that the Premium Board Index would serve as a benchmark for investors looking to track the performance of large firms with excellent corporate governance and sustainable business models. “Typically, similar indices outperform their market wide index by double digits. The NSE Premium Board Index had a four year average return of 17.65 per cent versus the All Share Index return of 11.31 per cent over the same period,” he said. Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, stated: “The launch of Premium Board and the Premium Board Index is in line with NSE’s commitment to promoting and continuously developing a more transparent, liquid, accessible market. Requirements To achieve a listing on the Premium Board, the issuer must satisfy the National Council of the Exchange by making a written application to the Exchange requesting to list on the Premium Board, must undertake the Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS) evaluation and achieve a minimum rating of 70 per cent, must achieve a market capitalisation (where the company is already listed on a listing Board of the Exchange) or have a valuation (where it is a fresh listing) that is equal to or

There is the need for regulators to continue to tighten the noose on market infractions

in excess of N200 billion on the date the Exchange receives the issuer’s application to list on the Premium Board. Others include that the issuer must satisfy either of the following: A minimum free float requirement of 20 per cent of its issued share capital; or the value of its free float is equal to or above N40 billion on the date the Exchange receives the issuer’s application to list; and must execute the General Undertaking for listing on the Premium Board. The differences between any of the Exchange’s listing Boards is simply based on the qualifying standards as stated in the NSE Green book. The CGRS rating is a key eligibility requirement for the Premium Board. The CGRS assessment was developed by the NSE in conjunction with the Convention on Business Integrity (CBi), which administers the test independently. To sustain a Premium Board listing, The Exchange shall evaluate an Issuer’s eligibility to remain on the Premium Board, at regular intervals as may be determined by The Exchange. Such evaluation shall be based on stated criteria for achieving a listing on the Premium Board; as well as such additional requirements as may from time to time be prescribed by The Exchange. Provided that each Issuer shall also comply with all other continuing listing obligations as specified under the listings rules of the Exchange. Pioneer companies The pioneer issuers that qualified and listed on the Premium Board were Dangote Cement Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, and Zenith In-

More firms set to join Further investigation showed that one year after the board was developed, at least three companies currently quoted on the Main Board of the Exchange are concluding arrangement to be migrated to the Premium Board. A source at the Exchange who disclosed this to this newspaper and declined to mention the names of the companies on the ground that the process of the migration was yet to be concluded, said the companies, which were from the Financial Services, Oil & Gas and Industrial Goods sectors, will be migrated in no distant future subject to final confirmation from Convention on Business Integrity (CBi) and the Exchange. Operators’ reactions The Managing Director, Mr. Mike Eze, Crane Securities Limited, reacting to the development, said despite the downturn in the economy, most of the companies listed on the premium board have enjoyed considerable measure of investors’ confidence. He noted that the development would encourage more firms into the board and shore up investors’ confidence in the listed companies. “It will encourage other investors to take position in the shares of the companies and also encourage other listed companies on the main board to achieve the new listing status,” he said. A senior broker, Mr. Peter Adekunle said the premium board is for big players that separated the men from the boys. “As stock brokers, more investors will approach us for the shares of these companies because of their corporate governance ratings,” he said. While commending the NSE management on the launch of the Premium Board, he noted that the initiative would help the NSE to achieve its vision of becoming one of the leading stock exchanges if it is handled transparently in line with good corporate governance structure. Conclusion As much as good governance practices would promote the development of the capital market, weak corporate governance practices would also inhibit its development, as it would erode confidence in the capital market with potential wider implications for the Nigerian financial markets and the general economy. Hence, there is the need for regulators to continue to tighten the noose on market infractions through corporate governance ratings.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

MARITIME

Bags of cocoa prepared for export at the Lagos Port, Apapa

Misuse of Export Expansion Grant T he suspension of the EEG introduced in 1976 by the Federal Government had sparked criticisms from agro-processors and manufacturers. They described the decision of government as a disincentive to raw commodity exportation. Trouble started recently when the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, justified why the Federal Government would not review the scheme for now. The minister disclosed this to the leadership of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) during their visit to her office in Abuja. She pointed out that the decision was in order, going by the attitude of exporters. Abuse

Adeosun said that government had realised that some exporters were using the grant to export stones, declaring them as high valued goods. She said that it would no longer be business as usual, noting that exporters were using the grant to import fish. The minister said: “Export grant was set up to encourage export business. However, in a situation where we do not have control, we open up doors for the kind of abuse, which are only imaginable. Stakeholders’ position

President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Frank Jacobs, had initially appealed to the

Forty years after it was introduced, the Federal Government has said that it would no longer approve the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) as it has been highly abused by beneficiaries. BAYO AKOMOLAFE reports

Federal Government in Abuja to re-introduce the scheme to salvage the manufacturing sector. Jacobs said that recipients of the export grant held an instrument called Negotiable Duty Credit Certificate (NDCC), which they used in the payment of import and excise duties. He explained that the suspension of the scheme had affected exporters of manufactured goods, thereby drastically reducing the volume of export trade. The president noted that the inability of exporters to meet delivery targets had destroyed the confidence built over the years by overseas importers of Nigerian products. The scheme

EEG, until now, remained the only functional incentive of all instruments introduced by government to encourage exporters of non-oil products. The scheme was introduced as a buffer for those who export non-oil products from Nigeria so that they could be encouraged to expand their production base, penetrate and add more value into new markets. With the grant, exporters are entitled to certain percentage of their turnover, so that they could continue in business. The incentive was also introduced bearing in mind that Nigeria’s infrastructure and business climates are not particularly healthy for business. The Federal Government

The Federal Government listed those eligible for the grants as exporters who have registered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)

listed those eligible for the grants as exporters who have registered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). It added that such exporters must be producers or merchant of products of Nigerian origin for the export market and must have a minimum annual export turnover of N5 million and evidence of repatriation of proceeds of exports. The exporter-company shall submit its baseline data, which includes audited financial statement and information on operational capacity to NEPC. Justifying government’s intention, Jacobs said that the introduction of the scheme was useful for the diversification of Nigeria’s revenue base. He noted that the policy recorded a major success with the volume of non-oil exports increasing from $700 million in 2005 to $2.9 billion in 2013. The president added that the grant also led to an increase in value chain expansion in terms

of processing manufacturing capabilities, which resulted in significant new investments and job creation in the manufacturing sector. He said: “We have made it clear to government to re-introduce the EGG and pay outstanding NDCC areas to save many companies that are folding up. “Some have folded up already. The vice president has promised us that something will come up soon but we do not know how soon it will be. “If nothing is done fast many companies are still going to fold up. We are hoping that government does something positive soon.” Conclusion There is need for government to reconsider the grant in order to boost non-oil exports. Also, the Federal Government should impose sanction on those who have abused the scheme to deter others.

Vessels expected at Lagos Port this week Ships

Terminal

Tonnage

Commodity

Date

MSK Cotonou

APMT

1020FCL

Empty Cont.

28-82016

Cape Daly

ABTL

10,036tons

Ethanol

28-8-2016

Summer E

APMT

850FCL

Containers

28-08-2016

MOL Devotion APMT

300FCL

Containers

29-08-2016

MSk Tema

APMT

730FCL

Containers

30-08-2016

R Rickmers

APMT

650FCL

Containers

30-08-2016

BUSINESS \ MARITIME

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Customs to scan 1,000 containers daily at Lekki Port FACILITATION

Necessary equipment and Information Communication Technology (ICT) will boost Customs revenue at the free zones

Bayo Akomolafe

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is planning to install high profile scanners to examine about 1,000 containers daily at the Lekki seaport and Free Trade Zone in Lagos. The service’s Zone A Coordinator, Assistant Comptroller General Charles Edike, who disclosed this during the inspection and tour of the zone . Edike said that cargoes should be able to leave the seaport under 24 hours, adding that the containers will be pre-scanned as soon as the arrive the port. He also said that the images would be captured while the cargoes would be processed and released immediately. The assistant comptroller general added that only containers that had queries would be referred for physical examination to disallow harmful imports. Edike said: “We should not be spending so many hours on container examination. We expect containers to be cleared here within few

New SIFAX off-dock roll on roll off vehicle at Okota in Lagos

hours so that when the port comes on stream, Customs will fit in.” The Customs boss said that his visit to the zone was to seek avenue of increasing Customs revenue at the free zones. He stressed that NCS sought to know how investors in the zones processed Customs duties. Edike said that the service would prepare its officers ready to meet the challenges that would come with the Lekki deep seaport. The Customs zonal coordinator said that the service would be ready to train its officers and provide the necessary equipment and Information Communication Technology (ICT).

He explained that the service would not fancy any loopholes that could create room for revenue leakages. The assistant comptroller general stressed the need to establish a Customs Processing Centre (CPC) and enforcement station at the free trade zone to capture the consignments before they are released. He suggested that there should be dedicated points for exports and spaces for examining goods in the zone so that some people would not play smart. “We want to encourage water-tight revenue collection,” he said. The Director of Finance, Lagos Free Zone, Kundan Sainani, said

Railway moves 3,200 tons of fertilisers, pipes from Lagos

he Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) moved 3,200 tons of fertiliser and pipes out of the Lagos Ports Complex by rail last July. The Lagos District Manager, Jerry Oche, in a statement, said that the corporation’s rail freight services had helped to remove about 160 trucks off the roads in the last one month. He said: “We just started rail freight services and we now move containers from Lagos to Kano with two train services a week and each train moves 500 tons. “We are moving fertilisers from Lagos to Kaduna and from Lagos to Gombe with

two trains a week and each train moves 600 tons. We also moved pipes from Lagos ENL terminal to Zaria, with two trains a week and each train moves 600 tons.” Oche explained that each train had 20 wagons and each wagon moves 30 tons of goods, while most trucks could only move 20 tons. “If a haulage firm wants to move 1,200 tons of goods, it will need about 60 trucks, which may affect operations and logistics at the port. Whereas only two trains will be needed to move them, thus preventing road accidents and making our roads last longer.” The district manager

said that some haulage firms had started making enquiries about the corporation’s freight services on the movement of their heavy goods. Oche said that the rail freight services were helping to decongest the ports. He noted that the corporation had already partnered with haulage firms on the movement of heavy goods from Lagos to different parts of the country. Oche said that the rehabilitation of tracks linking coastal tank farms was underway to allow optimal use of pressurised tank wagons for lifting of petroleum products by rail.

that the Lekki seaport was a private public partnership arrangement, which involved the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Lagos State Government. Sainani said that the issue of the CPC had been on the company’s table based on availability of bandwidth, connectivity and further discussion with NCS. He said that apart from the Lekki deep seaport, the zone would accommodate diversified industries

such as food industry, marine industry, gas pipes, liquid storage, petrochemical industry, international business park and exclusive residential zone. Sainani listed others to include port-related industries, sugar refinery, club house, educational institutions, power plants, water treatment plants, banks and insurance companies. He said that the sum of $1.6 billion had so far been invested in the zone by private investors.

NPA moves to rehabilitate two major port access roads

he Nig erian Ports Authority (NPA), Western Ports, is gearing to ensure the rehabilitation of the Creek and Wharf roads in Apapa to ensure smooth port operation and restoration of socio-economic activities in the community. Its General Manager, Chief Michael Ajayi, told Apapa Local Government delegation, led by its Sole Administrator, Alhaji Luqman Babatunde, during a visit to his office, that the completion of the rehabilitation work would restore the lost glory of the community. In a statement, he stressed that NPA management had contracted works for the repairs of the Creek road, adding that the work had reached an advanced stage. Ajayi appealed to the sole administrator of the local government, to devise a means of checking the menace of indiscriminate parking by tanker drivers

on Apapa roads, considering the attendant negative consequences of their action to other road users. He told the delegation that plans by the authority to improve the sanitary and parking space of the popular Abuja car park, located opposite the Tin Can Island Port Complex, was ongoing. He implored the local government to partner with NPA to realise this objective when the project comes on stream. Ajayi urged the local government to assist by contacting utility providers along the wharf road to come forward and assist AG Dangote to locate such in preparation towards the start of the reconstruction work by the company. He added that NPA was ready to partner with Apapa Local Government in all areas of

Sainani noted that the seaport would be of 14 metres draught and efficient to handle 8,000 containers-laden vessels. He explained that four operational companies were on ground and the rest estimated to be about 250 to 300 large-scale companies were being expected. He, however, stressed that there were delays in taking the port off the ground due to bureaucracies on the part of the government, the lenders and strategic partners.

interest under its corporate social responsibility. Ajayi said that the authority would continue to accord greater responsibility to the Apapa community as the host of the two busiest ports in West Africa. The general manager said that the relevance of Apapa community could not be underestimated in the overall activities of the NPA. Earlier, the sole administrator of the local government told the general manager that the delegation was at the zone on a solidarity visit. He stressed the need for greater cooperation between the local government and NPA in areas, which would have direct positive impact on both the socioeconomic and business activities of the community.

BUSINESS \ MARITIME

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Marine insurers pay heavy claims on rice CREATIVITY Cargo underwriter’s surveyors have taken the initiative to address any operational deficiencies at port during rice handling.

Bayo Akomolafe

arine insurance firms are paying heavy claims to West African rice importers over issues relating to handling damages and pilferage during discharge and storage. Thailand and Vietnam are the region’s main rice suppliers. Other common types

of challenges faced by the insurers in Lagos, Tincan, Cotonou, Tema and Takoradi ports are damage during sea transport and rice leakage inside the holds amongst others. To avoid further heavy claims by the consignees, it was learnt that the cargo underwriter’s surveyor had taken the initiative to address any operational problem or deficiencies to the stake-

holders. The DP Survey Group Manager, Africa, Caroline Paul, advised rice receivers to place supervisors in each of the vessel’s cargo holds and at the loading platform of the trucks. She said workers causing damage to the bags should be removed from the vessel or terminal. She added that once the cargo had been dis-

charged and stored inside warehouses, regular follow-up surveys and stock controls should be carried out. She said: “Despite the fact that most of the time clear instructions are given to local stevedores on how such consignments of rice need to be discharged, handled and stored, we can only conclude that often these instructions

are not entirely followed, and consequently a vigorous supervision is necessary in order to prevent damage occurring and to safeguard the interests of the cargo owners and underwriters.” She added that there should be a good business relationship between the receiver and the stevedoring company to check on the performance of the various labour teams.

NIMASA reacts to proposed CEMA amendment

igerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said that it will articulate its position at a public hearing when the need arises on the proposed amendment to the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEM A) at the National Assembly. The agency said that the recent media report, which said that NIMASA opposed the Customs comptroller general as chairman of the board in the proposed amendment to CEMA, was not its opinion but of its staff, Mr. Momoh Alhassan. In a statement by the agency’s Head, Corporate Communications, Hajia Lami Tumaka, the reports, which quoted Mr. Momoh Alhassan also stated that NIMASA was pushing to be represented on the board of the NCS. She said: “Mr. Momoh Alhassan, though a staff of the agency, was merely expressing his opinion in his personal capacity. “NIMASA is not unaware of the correct procedure to be adopted in making its own presentations on matters of this nature, which the agency regards as very important. “Being a draft law that will be forwarded to the National Assembly for legislative input and passage, the agency will articulate its position at a public hearing at the National Assembly when the need arises. “As a responsible organisation, NIMASA is dedicated to its core mandate of promoting the development of indigenous commercial shipping in international and coastal trade and the regulation of the maritime industry in Nigeria. “The agency will therefore always commit to only those ideals that can further this course.”

Oil tanker, MV Erria Dorthe sailing to Nigerian wharf jetty in Apapa, Lagos

Bad roads: Concessionaire moves RoRo service out of port

IFAX Group has opened two terminals at Okota in Lagos to enhance trade facilitation and easy clearance of imported vehicles due to the deplorable sate of roads at the Apapa port. The company’s Group Managing Director, Mr. John Jenkins, who disclosed this, also said that the need to decongest the terminal was another factor responsible for the management decision. In a statement by the group’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Muyiwa Akande, the managing director noted that company moved its releasing office to Okota to meet importers’ demand who had been asking for a dedicated roll-on roll-off dock terminal solutions outside the port area. He added: “With an increase in import cargo and deteriorating roads, consignees are seeking for better accessibility in the release of their cargo. “SIFAX Group off dock terminals located at Okota offer this unique logistic advantage, which is highly recognised in Lagos. “The off-dock terminals are strategically

located along the main roads of Lagos and they are new purpose-built logistics center for handling RoRo products for the Nigerian market. “Its geographical position in the center of Lagos industrial zone provides consignees with faster and more cost effective transport solution.” Jenkins said that it was necessary to open the new terminals to

customers because the ports area was a temporary transit base where cargoes were stored before being transferred to an off-dock terminal. He gave assurance to the Customs agents and consignees of an innovative, excellent and unparalleled customer service that would make the releasing of vehicles at the terminals a pleasurable experience. General Manager of

the group’s roro terminals, Mr. Saheed Lasisi, noted that both terminals had all the required facilities to meet and exceed expectations of the agents. He said: “At the Okota terminals, we have the presence of the Nigerian Customs Service officers, a billing and manifest office and all other services that can make the releasing of vehicles very convenient. This

is because we care a lot about our customers and clients.” The SIFAX Group vehicle importation service is a partnership involving foremost international shipping agent, Auto Export Shipping (AES) and Hyundai Glovis. Over 1,000 vehicles are expected to be imported into Nigeria from major ports in the United States every month.

Customs to sanction 243 agencies over duty payment evasion

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ports and Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Command, will suspend 243 clearing licences over several containers cleared between 2014 and 2016 without duty payment. Already, the command’s Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has started blocking licences of some Customs agencies for not paying the actual value of duty on the consignments cleared at the port. It was learnt that some of the agencies and their consignees owe the

service between N14 million and N15 million in unpaid duties. Some of the affected agencies include Pajerry Nigeria Limited, Trans Atlantic Nigeria Limited, Chrisben, Tripple Kay, Fountain Olives, AAA Logistics Limited, Vester Lee Nigeria Limited, Walin Waziri and Sons Investments, Dabra Freight, Hont Global, and Double Crown Services. Others are DHL Global Forwarding Limited, MGM Logistics, Ben Moore, Bolagbade Nigeria Limited, Efglo Nigeria, Edlyna Ventures Limited, Eliton and Citi-

Ade Nigeria Limited. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Steve Okonmah, said that a debit note (DN) would be raised for any of the defaulters that show up at the unit within the deadline given by the service. The spokesman said that defaulter’s licence would be blocked. Meanwhile, the Controller of NSC, Ogun Command, Multafu Wandu, has intercepted two trucks laden with 6,412 sacks of mosquito coils valued at over N37 million. He noted that the items were seized at Id-

iroko by customs operatives while on surveillance patrol. Wandu stressed that the mosquito coils were seized not only because they were hazardous but also for breaching the import prohibition order of the Federal Government. The area controller said one of the drivers, Usman Abubakar, had been arrested while preliminary investigation is ongoing after, which he will be charged to court. He said the command would seek directive from the headquarters on how to properly destroy the items.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Literature

Arts

Tackling graduate unemployment in Nigeria through innovation

Let Me Be, Mixed Media on Canvas, by Nmadinachi Egwim

Joy of Motherhood, Acrylic on Canvas, by Zipporah Coleman Reflection, Oil on Canvas, by Kehinde Omolayo (right).

On canvas, renewed voice against gender inequality Tony Okuyeme

n exhibition of paintings, drawings, and mixed media artworks which opened recently at Terra Kulture, Lagos, not only brought to the fore the issue of gender inequality as it affects women but also shows that nurturing and educating the girl child will, indeed, bring out the best in her to contribute to national development. The three-day exhibition which ended penultimate Sunday was hosted by the Creative Art Director of Tender Arts Nigeria, Olakunle Adewale, who is an alumnus of the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship within President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative. Tender Arts Nigeria, is a Nigerian NGO that seeks to promote girl-child education and women empowerment advocacy through

TONY OKUYEME ARTS EDITOR

tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

arts programming. The works on display show diverse perspectives by exhibiting youths drawing from their experience in the workshop, on the issue of gender inequality and genderbased violence against the girl child and women. The works include ‘Reflection’ (Oil on Canvas) by Kehinde Omolayo, ‘Joy of Motherhood’ (Acrylic on Canvas), by Zipporah Coleman, ‘Mama Africa’ (Acrylic on Canvas), by Chioma Akamelu, ‘The Visionary Woman’ (Acrylic on Canvas), by Chioma Akamelu among others. In an interview at the opening of the exhibition, Consul General of the U.S. Consulate, Lagos, Nigeria, F. John Bray commended the exhibiting artists, saying, “All the works that I have seen here today, they are very emotional; they demonstrate a great deal of talent. The works are tremendous, and the course that they are supporting is very important. These are important issues, and to see them portrayed in art is very touching. “Every one of the issues here is very important, and the way they were portrayed here today is very powerful. Everybody who contributed to it did a terrific job.” The Consul General further said: “Part of what we did is that through the Mandela Washington Fellowship programme we empowered an individual, a Nigerian who came back and put this idea together, and that is important.” Explaining the idea behind the exhibition, artist and Creative Art

The whole essence of this programme is to empower the girl child and to use art to respond to global issues that affect girls and young women

Director of Tender Arts Nigeria, Olakunle Adewale said it was inspired by passion for empowering the girl-child. His words: “Years back I tried to remember the role that my mother played in my life while hawking on the streets of Lagos where she sold sachet water to ensure that I have quality education; she was also a roadside food seller. She eventually ensured that I actually got education, but unfortunately, three years after I graduated from the college, my mother died. And for me, that says a lot, that a woman that a woman that has done so much, she didn’t live to reap the fruit of her labour. “So, I told myself that what I could not do for my mum, I would do for every girl, I would do for every young woman that comes my way. My mum never knew that one day I would meet the president of Nigeria; that one day, I would meet president Barrack Obama in the U.S., even though she was a street hawker, she had no idea of the kind of a child that she was actually breeding. So, all this empowerment, all this access opportunity that my mum had given to me, she is not alive tody to reap the fruit of her labour, so, what I would have done for my mum if she was alive, I would do for every girl child, every young woman that comes my way.” According to him, the exhibition, featuring over 115 works, is a product of eight-week long workshop with the girls. “We had

100 girls that were empowered through workshop on graphic design, animation, painting, drawing, spoken word poetry, expressive writing, and filmmaking. so out of the participants over 50 of them actually put up creative works that we are showcasing in this exhibition. “The issues that the works portray include gender inequality, gender-based violence against women. They also look at the theme of education, empowerment and entrepreneurship, which is important because if girls are empowered, they can’t be vulnerable. The girl you see today, if she is empowered, if she has education, if any man comes out to harass her she has education as a tool to stand against that man. So, the whole essence of this programme is to empower the girl child and to use art to respond to global issues that affect girls and young women.” President, Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Joe OkeiOdumakin said the quality talent on display affirms the fact that “if the girl child is encouraged we can bring out the best in the girl child”. “We have seen a lot of issues being brought out here; we have seen women in business; we have seen somebody that suffered low self-esteem because of lack of education; we have seen somebody that was stabbed by the husband; we have seen somebody that remained silent, and silence should not be golden at this point on time. “So, we have seen this, using art to bring out the best in women, and for women to realise that they need that applause in business, education, in any spheres of life that they find themselves. And women should no longer agonize but that they should organize themselves to bring out the best in whatever they have.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEWS After They Left: Book reading in Lagos

ook reading and signing of After They Left, a debut novel written by Edify Yakusak holds on Saturday September 3, at Quintessence Gallery, Ikoyi Lagos. After They Left is the heartrending story of how a somewhat dysfunctional family pulls through an inter-ethnic/religious crisis. In this intriguing tale, the author weaves in all the sides to crises and survival in Northern Nigeria. The audience becomes more than just spectators but follow in on a journey through massacre, an IDP camp, as well as a mega kidnapping and human-trafficking syndicate. Yakusak is a Lawyer with a flair for writing. Her dream is to draw the attention of relevant authorities to find a permanent solution to the crises that have bedeviled Northern Nigeria, especially the middle belt.

Artist residency programme in Lagos

he Arthouse Foundation announces a call for applications for its Artist Residency Programme 2017. This call for applications is open to local and international visual artists and curators who wish to engage a new artistic project within the city of Lagos. The Arthouse Foundation provides artists live/work space and logistical support for the creation of a new artistic project, along with an intensive public programme and a final exhibition. Deadline for applications is September 2, 2016

Digital Lab Africa T

he Digital Lab Africa is a new platform for African talents in multimedia, launched by the IFAS Research (French Institute of South Africa), in partnership with DISCOP AFRICA and TRACE. The DLA incubation ticket comprises a 3000 Euro cash prize and a residence time in France in digital clusters. This call targets artists, producers, designers, startups, students in the media and creative industries. It is open to any professional or individual having an innovative project in four categories of multimedia production: web creation/transmedia, virtual reality, video game (serious game) and digital music. Deadline is today.

ART

Araism Movement commemorates anniversary with 15th exhibition Tony Okuyeme

t started as idea, then, it became a technique; and decades after, Araism has not only become a movement, but is also expanding the frontiers of creativity in the visual art. The 15th exhibition series of the Araism Movement titled Araism Movement 15 has been scheduled to open on Saturday, September 15, 2016 at the Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Lagos, and it will run till September 17, 2016. The exhibition will parade 13 members of the Movement led by its founder and inventor of the technique, Mufu Onifade and two guest artists. The show, Onifade said in a statement, is planned to celebrate the Movement’s 10th year anniversary. Exhibiting artists are Mufu Onifade, Abiola Mautin Akande, Oludotun Popoola, Oluwanbe Amodu, George Egunjobi, Kesa Babatunde, and Bolarinwa Olowo, Jonathan Imafidor, Adeniran Odumbo, Tope Adebayo, Oluwasegun Phillips. They are joined by two new entrants into the Movement: Olabode Olaolu- Alubata - Acrylic on Dish wa, and Emmanuel Eweje. The by Dotun Popoola two guest artists are Fidelis Odogwu whose exploration of metal gives a new direction to Araism, and Ebong Ekwere who employs fibre glass to interpret his own idea of Araism. It is the first time in the 10year history of the Movement that guest artists are included in its exhibition series. The show will parade a total of 61 artworks - 57 by the thirteen members and four by the two guest artists. Although Araism painting technique, invented by Mufu Onifade, was launched in 1988 with his solo exhibition of 32 Hope Rising - Acrylic on Canvas - by Onifade paintings, the Araism Move- Bini Chief - Acrylic on Canvas Abiola Mautin Akande ment was established and for- by Jonathan Imafidor mally launched on Saturday, enon of the painting technique Movement has developed its July 22, 2006 with an exhibition to the sensibilities of artists, membership base, and successof paintings in Araism tech- art writers, gallery owners, the fully expanded its scope. So far, nique by Mufu Onifade who arts community and the general it has staged fourteen local exAraism founded the group and five of public. With the emergence of hibitions (nine in Lagos, three his disciples namely Olaniyi the Movement and its activities in Abuja) and one international Movement Omojuwa, Tope Oguntuase, in the last 10 years, it becomes exhibition held at the Studio 18 has Dotun Popoola, Abiola Mautin much easier to distinguish bein the Pines, Pembroke Pines, Akande and Jonathan Ikpoza. tween the technique of, and USA in 2014. The forthsuccessfully Florida, The epoch-making event was styles in, Araism. This is made coming 15th edition holding at expanded its the Nike Art Gallery coincides held at the Bruce Onobrakpeya’s possible by an array of styles Harmattan Workshop Gallery, developed by Mufu Onifade and with the 10th anniversary of scope Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. other outstanding members of the Movement and it promises That maiden exhibition was em- the Movement. to be a show of high quality and ployed to re-launch the phenomIn the last 10 years, Araism standard.

Rapping in Yoruba gives me brighter chance – Zayo

Electronic music producers

Shola Adefuwa

oethe-Institut Nigeria and Institut Français du Nigeria are organizing a second Electronic Music workshop as a follow-up to the very successful first edition that took place in 2015. The workshop is aimed at expanding the scope of Nigerian music’s already booming scene and previously featured 6 participants DJs and music producers. Submission of applications ends Sunday, September 18.

Zayo

aheem Adeyemi popularly known as Zayo, is a fast growing rap artiste. He won Koga Open House Music Competition and signed under Koga Entertainment. In this interview, he recalls that everybody has a starting point, noting that rapping in Yoruba gives language offers him a lot of opportunity. “I will say that I started longtime ago but when I got signed, that is when I started in the industry professional-

ly, and that was three years ago,” he said, adding that “music has been in me for a long time”. Zayo further said he becomes more emotional when he listens to music. “I react to lyrics, so I may start something on my own that is, when I reason that I should start putting one or two things together that make sense. That is how I started andIthank God for where I am. “I dropped Eru Omo, Ororo, Malo Soke white, and my latest song is Obi which I featured Puffy Tee. I’m a rapper,

and I rap in Yoruba. I have the local song; it is my heritage, so we need to keep that legacy by teaching the whole world our language. “For me rapping in Yoruba gives me higher chance to do my music “. According to him, his first song titled “Mercy of the Lord” was dropped just to let people know what Zayo is all about. “My number mentor is Fela and I have other people I looked up too, like 2 Baba, D banj , Olamide and others.

LITERATURE

Tackling graduate unemployment in Nigeria through innovation

ntrepreneurship has become a major buzz word in Nigeria, and that is not for nothing. Most of us are aware that youth unemployment has gone beyond just an economic problem to also become a social problem. The issues of pipeline vandalism, terrorism, thuggery, electoral violence, kidnapping and sectional agitations are hugely due to the fact that these young ones (majority of them graduates) are not properly engaged. Those clamoring for entrepreneurship have also come up with different approaches for tackling this, the most notable of them being skill acquisition. Kachi Ogbonna has however done something completely different. As much as he believes in entrepreneurship and skill acquisition, but in his new book, How They Started, he argues that the solution to unemployment in Nigeria must begin with a fundamental mind shift. He believes that Nigerian youths are talented enough to tap into the numerous opportunities that exist in the country, but they must first of all believe that they can. They must first accept that those opportunities are there because, according to him, no one can feature in a future that he cannot picture. The author is an entrepreneurship and youth consultant. From his many years of mentoring young entrepreneurs and growing startups he discovered that the ‘entitlement mentality’ and the ‘blame game’ has become about the biggest hindrance to the realisation of the full potential of Nigerian youths. He insists that everyone is ultimately responsible for his or her own success or failure. The author argues that the solution to graduate unemployment in Nigeria is not rocket science. He maintains that if the universities can focus more on how to produce job creators rather than job seekers then unemployment will soon become an issue of the past. He insists that each problem in this country provides a great business opportunity for those who are willing to add value to the society. In showing how Nigeria has always been a land of opportunities, the author traced how businesses that started decades ago are still waxing strong. He also gave examples of how other businesses that were launched just about four years ago have grown to become multinationals today. He profiled 25 innovative brands cutting across different sectors including technology, the internet, entertainment, learning and development, manufacturing, restaurants, health and transportation. Through these, he showed that opportunities abound

Book title: How They Started: Innovative Nigerian Brands Author: Kachi Ogbonna Publisher: MiH Consulting Limited, Lagos Year of publication: 2016 Pages: 252 Reviewer: Apeh Omede

in almost every sector of the Nigerian economy. His efforts in securing one on one interview with the founders of these brands also go a long way to validate the information in the book. Each of the founders shared their own unique experience of what it takes to start, the challenges faced and how they handled them, how they funded their businesses and, most importantly, every one of them has words of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Book stand

This book couldn’t have come at a better time than a period when the Nigerian economy has plummeted to an incredible low. It couldn’t have been more appropriate than at this time when the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported that 4.3 million jobs were lost in just 10 months. Maybe that is just a mere coincidence, yet government and citizens alike will benefit immensely from the latent force of possibilities the book ignites as we seek to drag ourselves out of the present mess. Perhaps for the first time, someone has embarked on the important task of documenting how Nigerian brands started in a country where there is little or no regard for history (by the way, I heard History has been removed from the Secondary School curriculum) and credible data is difficult to come by. Maybe not for the first time, but in a very unique way, someone has told the story of the best of Nigeria. It is difficult not to appreciate the difficulty the author must have passed through before the selection of these 25 brands out of the 150 companies that he reported to have researched. However, the more the author attempts to lay down the criteria for such selection, the more some of us are forced to ask if these are the only 25 brands that met those criteria. Also the fact that no company from the agricultural sector was featured means that the book is still a work in progress. I also expect to see another edition of the book possibly dedicated to just the big brands in the banking and oil and gas sectors. In my opinion, this book provides a very good roadmap for producing a new generation of entrepreneurs who will run the upcoming global brands with roots in Nigeria. It is impossible for me not to recommend this book to both the federal government and National Universities Commission (NUC) as a manual for practical entrepreneurial studies across our higher institutions.

What we are reading

POETRIP The Village Voice Oladipo Kehinde The Trial of Mallam Ilia by Mohammed Ben-Abdala, is basically about dictatorship in Africa, and it zeroes in on the succession of military coups in we witnessed after independence, in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ghana and so on and so forth, to show that unless we have a democracy in place we will always be going on the circle of dictatorship. Reading is like bringing touch light into a dark room; when the light enters into a dark room, the room will not be the same again. So a person that reads will not be the same again; the light will clear away the ignorance that is in existence before.

“The Duet belongs in the special league of such double-voiced texts as Temilola Abioye and Tade Ipadeola’s Voices (1996), Hannatu Abdullahi’s She Talks, He Talks (1998), and Amaka Azuike’s Tides of Time (2000), the remarkable difference being that it is the first congenitally bonded of notable dual-authored collections of modern Nigerian poetry. “The Duet” An Anthology of Poems co-authored by Toki and Damola Mabogunje, a Mother/Son Affair. It is a meeting point between responsibility and the age of innocence.

TONY OKUYEME ARTS EDITOR

tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Prof. Gbemisola Adeoti

Fred Agbeyegbe

The farm and the market The market and the farm It is time for the farmer to go farm To farm the earth with words This time tomorrow the earth will smile The earth will smile with the fruit of time The earth will smile with bumper harvest The village and the stream The stream and the village Every stream has a name The stream flow with the rhythms of time The village voice in the market place for the birds on the tree of metaphor Echoes resonate the seed sound of the clouds Seed sound for the chambers of the ears strings of seed sound of a melodious singer

wedneSDAY, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Money Line

CBN licenses 11 new international money transfer operators RISING Nigerians in diaspora remitted $21bn in 2015 Tony Chukwunyem

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has licensed 11 new International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) to operate in the country.

In a statement posted on its website yesterday, the apex bank said the move was: “In furtherance of efforts to liberalise the Foreign Exchange Market, ensure liquidity and make foreign exchange more readily available to low end users.” According to the CBN, the new (IMTOs), which were licensed: “In line with the existing Guidelines on International Money Transfer Services in Nigeria (2014)”, are Trans-fast Remittance LLC, WorldRemit

Limited, UAE Exchange Centre LLC, Wari Limited, Homesend S.C.R.L and Small World Financial Services Group Limited. Others are Weblink International Limited, Cashpot Limited, DT&T Corporation Limited, Fiem Group LLC and CP Express Limited. The CBN also said that it wishes to reiterate its commitment to providing an enabling environment for international money transfer services in Nigeria.

Analysts brace for inflation, recession data Tony Chukwunyem

inancial analysts and investors are bracing themselves for grim news about the economy, as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is set to release a slew of data today including the latest inflation figure, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates, labour force estimates and capital importation numbers. The Statistician General/ Chief Executive, NBS, Mr. Yemi Kale, disclosed this while refuting speculations that the release of the July inflation data had been delayed by the Presidency because it was unfavourable. He said that the: “Delay was due to some challenges … at NBS, which delayed progress,” adding that the data would now be published on August 31 in line with its revised data calendar.

According the NBS’s revised calendar, other data to be released today are the foreign trade estimates and labour productivity statistics and FDI reports among others. Most analysts believe that the economy is already in recession. Bloomberg reported yesterday that all 13 analysts it surveyed ahead of the NBS’ release of the GDP data today, predict that the figures will show that the economy contracted by 1.6 per cent. Experts at First Security Discount House (FSDH) Group have also predicted that the depreciation of the local currency will push July inflation to 17.35 per cent from 16.48 per cent recorded for the previous month. In a note obtained by New Telegraph, the analysts said: “We expect the July 2016 inflation rate (year-on-year) to increase to 17.35per cent from

16.48per cent recorded in the month of June 2016. We expect the increase to come from the increase in the prices of food items and other non-food items as a result of the depreciation in the value of the naira.” Similarly, the Economic intelligence group at Access Bank Plc predicted 17.2 per cent inflation rate in July from 16.5 per cent posted in June. “The expected upward momentum in headline inflation in July reflects increases in both food and core components of inflation. …The core index should also inch up slightly due to cost push factors on the back of continued depreciation of the naira. The local currency depreciated more than 28 per cent against the green back in the interbank and parallel market over the levels in June,” the Economic intelligence group at Access Bank stated.

Economic Indicators As at M2* CPS* INF 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 16.5

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 June, 2016

14 10.77 US$49.83 US$26,195,609,337

26/07/2016 Mar 2015 30/8/2016 30/8/2016 Source:CBN

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 104.65 114.59 111.96 120.58 109.60 100.54 83.82 97.56

1.07 3.24 3.87 5.82 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.29

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.4583 9.1071 11.0102 12.3790

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 ▼

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)

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

NITTY

Rate (%) 6.9949 7.2368 8.0819 9.2061 9.5872 10.5042

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 10.24 10.45 11.51 11.38 12.22 12.34 12.39 12.44

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 ▼

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.14

Offer 199.24

Change (%) 0.57 ▲

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

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

196.00

197.00

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

The licensing of the new IMTOS brings the number of such firms operating in the country to 14. The CBN had earlier licensed Western Union Money Transfer, Moneygram and Ria Money Transfer.

According to World Bank’s recent estimates, the number of Nigerians in the Diaspora is in the range of 20 million and they sent home an estimated $21billion in remittances in 2015.

CBN sells dollars to boost naira

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold around $1.5 million at the interbank forex market yesterday to support the naira and ensure the closing rate stabilises, traders said. The naira closed at N305.50 to the dollar on the interbank market, same level it has traded since last week, having touched N325.50 a dollar intraday, but gained after the CBN’s intervention. Traders said the naira had consistently closed around N305.5 to the dollar since August 22, an indication that the apex bank is concerned about a particular price range for the local currency. “Actually, we don’t expect the central bank to continue to keep the rate at this level considering what the demand is ... but it seems they (central bank) are

concerned about a particular closing rate,” one senior currency dealer said. Last Monday, the currency market registered $327 million worth of trades, about six times more than its usual volume. That included a single $270 million transaction at 345 naira per dollar, by foreign investors buying local currency bonds. Average trading is around $50 million a day on normal days. It might reach $100 million on days the central bank intervenes in the currency market. Traders said dollar shortage remains a major concern in the market even with the daily intervention by the central bank and a pocket of flows from offshore investors. The naira traded at a fresh record low of 418 to the dollar on the parallel market, against 414 a dollar on Monday.

Forex scarcity hits firms

usinesses are struggling to get hold of foreign exchange even after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) devalued the naira in June to attract investment from abroad, according to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). According to the association, many factory owners can still only access the hard currency they need for importing equipment and raw materials on the black market, where dollars are more expensive than on the official one. Bloomberg quoted MAN President Frank Jacobs as saying : “I don’t think there are any more dollars in the system since the devaluation.” he said. The CBN let the naira float on June20 after a peg he imposed in early 2015 caused foreign investors to flee, starved local businesses of foreign exchange and sent the economy to the brink of recession. While the currency has since weakened 35per cent to 315.25/$ on the official market, it trades at about 410/$ on the street and foreigners have been reluctant to start buying naira stocks and bonds. The CBN’s decision last week to make banks allocate at least 60per cent of the foreign exchange they sell to manufacturers and importers of raw materials was “excellent”, said Jacobs, chairman of Jacobs Wines. Jacobs is confident the government will also ease a ban on importers of goods ranging from glass to toothpicks from accessing foreign exchange from banks. He has met Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo and spoke to Emefiele last week to persuade

them to reduce a list of 41 prohibited items that was announced in June 2015. The bans had shut factories and cut thousands of jobs, Jacobs said. They were “making progress” in talks with officials, he said. “I’m very hopeful that before the end of the year they’ll say something about the 41 items. Around 60 of our factories have closed in the last year. And we’re blaming it on the list of 41 items and the high cost of foreign exchange.” Emefiele, who became governor in 2014, introduced the rules as part of capital controls to protect the naira as the price of oil crashed. He argued that, as well as protecting Nigeria’s foreign reserves, the restrictions would boost manufacturers by curbing demand for imports and forcing Nigerians to buy local products. Instead, the sector went into recession in 2015 and contracted 7 per cent in the first quarter of 2016. The 41 items included “essential raw materials” that factories could only buy from abroad, Jacobs said. “Our members affected by the ban are going to the parallel currency market. It’s the only place they can buy dollars from.” Investors have blamed the central bank’s policies for afflicting the wider economy, which shrank 0.4per cent in the first quarter. Output dropped in the second quarter too, Jacobs said Nigeria’s manufacturers were further hampered by power cuts. It has become worse in the past year, he said, despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s pledge to double electricity generation by 2019.

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

wedneSDAY, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

wedneSDAY, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SEC to investors: Beware of Illegal operators PONZI SCHEME

It is illegal to carry on any kind of capital market business without registration

Stories by Chris Ugwu

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cautioned investing public on

the activities of two illegal capital market operators in the country. SEC in a notice obtained by New Telegraph, said its attention has been drawn to the activities of an online investment scheme tagged ‘MMM Federal Republic of Nigeria (nigeria.mmm.net). The apex market regulator said the platform had embarked on an aggressive online media campaign to lure the investing public to participate in what it called ‘mutual aid financial net-

WFE’s distributed ledger technology survey out

he World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), which represents more than 200 market infrastructure providers have published the results of a survey of Financial Market Infrastructures (FMIs) regarding their use of, and perspectives on Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT), including blockchain. Highlights of the survey, undertaken in conjunction with the Affiliate Members Consultative Committee (AMCC) of the International Organisation of Securities Committees (IOSCO) obtained by New Telegraph include that: “More than 84 per cent of respondents indicated they were either investigating the applicability of DLT, or actively pursuing DLT initiatives. “FMIs were at different stages of evolution in their DLT initiatives, with one having already deployed a DLT-based application, some at proof-ofconcept, and others on the spectrum of evaluation, design, and proof-of-technology. “While FMIs were measured in their assessment of the opportunities presented by DLT, respondents believed that its application to clearing and settlement was likely to have the largest impact on the capital markets industry, through

process efficiencies and cost savings. Some are, however, also pursuing new service lines and revenue opportunities. “Despite its potential, the survey notes that there are a number of barriers to the adoption of DLT, not least the relatively nascent stage of the technology, along with various regulatory, legal and technical risk factors, and challenges around user take-up. “ As such, expected time for DLT rollout varied from those respondents not prepared to commit to a time frame, to those citing rollout in less than three years. Finally, respondents agreed that continuing collaboration and open dialogue is the most important next step in the evolution of DLT”. Chief Executive Officer, WFE, Nandini Sukumar said: “A powerful finding from our survey is the overwhelming number of FMIs who are already progressing work around DLT. This shows we are firmly moving towards a world where the technology could become applicable to global capital markets. DLT has been a key strategic focus for the WFE PostTrade Working Group, and today’s research report is the first in a series of public material we will be issuing on the topic.”

work’ with a monthly investment return of 30 per cent. Consequently, SEC said: “The Commission hereby notifies the investing public that the operation of this investment scheme has no tangible business model hence it’s a PONZI SCHEME where returns are paid from other people’s invested sum. Also, the Commission does not register its operation. “The general public is hereby advised to distance themselves from this online scheme. Please note that

anyone that subscribe to this illegal activity does so at his/her own risk.” Also, SEC said its attention has also been drawn to the activities of Mrs. Oge C. Ottiwu of No. 118 Zink Avenue, Opposite Eke Market, Awka, Anambra State, who engages in capital market activities without registration within Anambra State and its environs. According to the Commission, section 38(1) of the Investments and Securities Act, 2007 requires any person

who intends to operate as a professional in the capital market or carry on securities business to be registered by the Commission before engaging in such activities. It is therefore illegal to carry on any kind of capital market business without registration. “In view of the above, the general public is hereby warned that any person dealing with the named person in any capital market related business is doing so at his/her own risk,” the regulator noted.

Stock market gains N43bn

ctivities on the floor of the Nigerian stock market yesterday rebounded on moderate advancements in industrial and consumer goods stocks. Key market indicators, the NSE ASI and market capitalisation increased by 0.46 per cent while the NSE Industrial Index and the NSE Consumer Goods Index rose by 59 bps and 70 bps respectively. Consequently, the All-Share Index grew by 124.71 basis points or 0.46 per cent from 27,368.41 index points the previous day to close at 27,493.12, while the market capitalisation of equities appreciated by N43 billion or 0.46 per cent to close at N9.442 trillion from N9.399 trillion.

On the activity chart, banking subsector of the financial services sector dominated in volume terms with 125.6 million shares exchanged in 1,028 deals. The sub sector was enhanced by the activities in the shares of ETI Plc and UBA Plc. Insurance subsector boosted by the activities on the shares of NEM Insurance Plc and AIICO Insurance Plc followed with 33.3 million units traded in 146 deals. Premium subsector enhanced by the activities on the shares of Zenith Bank Plc and FBNH Plc trailed with 31.2 million units traded in 667 deals. In all, investors exchanged a total of 230.1 million shares

exchanged in 3,536 deals. The number of gainers at the close of trading session was 17, while decliners equally closed at 18. Seven Up Bottling Nigeria Plc led the gainers’ table with 9.41 per cent to close at N127.99 per share, while Nacho Nigeria followed with a gain of 8.36 per cent to close at N3.50 per share. Skye Bank Plc added five per cent to close at 63 kobo per share. On the other hand, May & Baker Plc led the price losers’ table, dropping 8.91 per cent to close at 92 kobo per share. Conoil Plc followed with 4.99 per cent to close at N20.57 per share, while Cutix Plc trailed with a loss of 4.85 per cent to close at N1.57 per share.

GSK extends divestment of bottling, distribution business

laxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc has extended the closure date for the divestment of its drinks bottling & distribution business to Suntory Beverage & Food Nigeria Limited. GSK yesterday in a notice informed the Exchange that the completion date for the transaction earlier scheduled for 31st August 2016, has been moved to 30th September 2016 to enable both parties to com-

ply with the terms of the asset purchase agreement entered into on 31st May 2016. “No further delay is anticipated and both parties will continue to work diligently together to conclude the transaction. “In view of the above development, the register of Members and Register of Transfers of the Company would be closed from Tuesday 4th October 2016 to Friday 7th October 2016, both days inclusive.

“Subject to the receipt of the consideration and completion of the deal on 30th September 2016, dividend warrants for the special dividend declared by the company at its Extraordinary General Meeting of 4th July, 2016 would be posted on 12th October 2016 to holders of shares whose name appears in the Register of Members at close of business on 30th September 2016,” the company noted.

News|SOUTH-EAST

Biafra: We can’t negotiate with FG, says MASSOB Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

ovement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday condemned the inclusion of its leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu as one of those selected to negotiate with the federal government to end its agitations. The group said it would not be a part of any negotiation to stop over 17 years of struggle for the actualisation of Biafra. In a statement issued by the National Director of Information, Comrade Samuel Edeson after its National Executive Council Meeting in Okwe, the group rejected the inclusion of Madu’s name in the list of trusted Igbo leaders to negotiate with the federal government. It however warned a splinter group, Rebranded Indigenous People of Biafra (REIPOB) to stop including MASSOB in the negotiation list. It reads: “The leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), after

our National executive meeting at MASSOB headquarters, Okwe, warns the Re-IPOB to stop their unguided and stupid exhibitions in the name of Biafra which will bring harms to them than good. “We condemn and reject the inclusion of our leader’s name, Comrade Uchenna Madu as one of the trusted persons to negotiate for Biafra on behalf of Re-IPOB with FG.”

It further stated that MASSOB can never allow her image, leadership or name to be dragged into, what it called, a dirty mud of cheap propaganda of over 17 years of Biafra struggle. “MASSOB reaction is against the online news that included the name of Comrade Uchenna Madu, leader of MASSOB as a member of trusted Igbo leaders to negotiate with FG on Biafra. Though MASSOB

acknowledged the regards and respect given to Comrade Uchenna Madu as a credible Igbo leader by Re-IPOB, we insist that Biafra is not negotiable or can be renounced, it’s not personal or religious belief, faith or human establishment; Biafra is the very existence and future of our people. “What is Re-IPOB negotiating, a group that comes up today and wants to negotiate Bi-

ABAKALIKI

overnor of Ebonyi state, Chief Dave Umahi yesterday raised the alarm over influx of fake drugs in the state. He also warned that drugs being supplied to some hospitals in the state by some persons without medical background, saying it was no longer acceptable. Umahi raised the alarm while flagging off comprehensive health system programme for the state at the Banquet Hall, Governors Lodge, Abakaliki, adding that he would approach

the state House of Assembly for a law against the phenomenon. “There are lots of fake drugs in the state; there is no patent medicine shop you will go without fake drugs; and there is no place in any developed country that you will go and buy drugs in the shelves. “So we want to say no to this. We want to liaise with foreign pharmacists so that we can import these drugs by ourselves. “Regrettably in one of our Mission Hospitals, somebody that is a farmer was a contractor to supply drugs, a rice farmer and when you ask the management, they said he was the

only man that can supply the drugs on credit. “We have a programme of save one million lives and we have said save one million lives must save three million lives of Ebonyians. “We will soon come up with a law that will be tagged ‘National Health Insurance and other related matters of Ebonyi state’. When passed, it becomes an offence for anyone to sell fake drugs; it becomes an offence for somebody to practice without certification; and it becomes an offence for anybody to walk to a doctor for treatment without a doctor making prescription,” he said. According to him, it was

not acceptable, if you were a doctor who wanted to give a prescription, the patients must appear physically before you prescribe drugs. “If you do that, you will lose your certificate and you can no longer practice. So, we must checkmate the abuses of our health situation. “We are going to enshrine in the law against quackery. It becomes life threatening offence for you to sell fake drugs in Ebonyi state,” Umahi said. He earmarked the sum of N1bn for comprehensive health system programme in the state and N500million for save one million lives programme of the state.

Enugu is investment haven despite herdsmen’s attacks – Commissioner Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

nugu state government has stated that as part of its four-point development agenda, it is exploring opportunities for employment generation. It has therefore initiated plans to resuscitate ailing industries in the state.

afra immediately. Who is fooling himself ? What have you done for Biafra or what headache has ReIPOB done that will force FG to negotiate with them? Biafra struggle is not a business venture. “MASSOB reaction is not because of external or internal pressure but for our dignity, pride, integrity, trust and confidence the people of Biafra bestowed on MASSOB. “We also warn those delighted in creating confusion among Pro Biafra groups with falsehood and blackmailing to desist from it now or face the consequences and punishments of saboteurs. A stitch in time saves nine,” it also stated.

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi (right), with former SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim ... recently

Umahi raises the alarm over influx of fake drugs Uchenna Inya

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

It also stated that despite recent attacks in some communities and killings of some people by suspected Fulani herdsmen, Enugu state remained the safest state in Nigeria for investors. The state Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Poverty Reduction, Hon Obinna Mbeke, who disclosed this

yesterday during the inauguration of development committees in Ibagwa Nike community in Enugu East local government area of the state, listed ailing industries slated for resuscitation as the state vegetable oil industry at Nachi, Flour Mill industry at Emene and Hotel Presidential, Enugu among others. Mbeke stressed that

the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at inception set up an economic advisory committee headed by Monsignor (Prof) Obiora Ike, with Prof Bath Nnaji, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and others, whose advice helped the state in organising Oganiru Enugu State Investment Summit in April.

Senator canvasses technology village in South-East Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

enator representing Imo West at the National Assembly, Sen. Hope Uzodinma has called on Ndigbo to have faith in the Nigerian project and work for an equitable society where they can optimize their talents and actualize their destiny. Speaking to his constituents yesterday, Uzodinma also called for the establishment of a technology village in the South-East, stressing that in a strong united Nigeria, Igbos using technology and innovation as their compass would build a secure and prosperous South-East where their “abiding worth as equal players and partners in the great Nigeria project will become even more unassailable”. Uzodinma, in a speech to Imo West Association in the Diaspora, said he was confident that using the instrument of technology and innovation, Igbos would actualise the vision of her foremost political icon, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who believed that Igbos had the capacity to spread their wings and be the beacon of hope for their African brethren.

Flood: Ugwuanyi orders palliative measures for affected communities

overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has ordered Arab Contractors, a firm handling road projects in Nsukka Metrolpolis to immediately take measures to check adverse effects of the recent heavy downpours on communities within the construction vicinity. To this end, he instructed the engineers to construct a borrow pit that would act as a collecting point for flood water generated by the rains in order to prevent it from causing havoc in Uwani Ugwu and adjoining communities in the area. Governor Ugwuanyi assured the anxious residents who had gathered to welcome him when he paid an unscheduled visit to witness the extent of damage done by the rains that a permanent solution would be provided later. According to the governor, the engineers would redesign the road in a way that would enable them to create a permanent channel for flood water. He also asked the Director of State Emergency Relief Agency to provide

relief materials for those affected by the floods, noting that it was the responsibility of government to ensure that the welfare of her citizens was accorded priority. He explained that the road construction works in the area was a positive index of development, urging them to endure the temporary pains caused by the rain, pending the provision of the said palliative measures. Representatives of the affected residents, who were on hand to receive the governor and his entourage, took turns to speak on the incident, and commended the governor for his prompt response to their cries. In her response, the Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Council, Prof. Rose Onah, thanked the governor for his quick action to salvage the situation, pointing out that they owe him a debt of gratitude for the measures he had so far taken to transform Nsukka Metropolis and raise the standards of life of the people of the area.

south-south | news

wednesday, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ex-DESOPADEC commissioner asks N’Delta to work in unity

L-R: Secretary, APC Rivers State, Mr Emeka Bekee; Vice Chairman, Prince Peter Odike; and Publicity Secretary, Mr Chris Finebone, at a news conference on the murder of a renowned lawyer, Mr Ken Asiwate, in Port Harcourt …yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Rivers APC urges police, DSS to find killers of activist lawyer

he Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday called on the state police command and the Department of State Services (DSS) to fish out the killers of Ken Atsuwete, the human rights lawyer killed in the early hours of Monday. Chairman of the party in the state, Dr. Davies Ibiamu-Ikanya, who made the call in Port Harcourt, while condemning the murder of Atsuwete, also called on the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to fish out his killers. He also called on the security operatives looking into the matter to

extend their investigation to the Rivers State government, saying Atsuwete was always with the citizens and public servants while alive, and handled some cases for the APC. He said Atswete had complained severally to close associates that he was being sent threat text messages, phone calls by suspected agents of the state government over his views. He said: "We call on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to rise up to the challenge of prevailing on the relevant authorities to unravel this heinous crime. “If a lawyer handling

cases for the opposition in Rivers State could be this cheaply assassinated, who knows who the next victim will be? "The APC also called on the Rivers State Police Commissioner, the Director, Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General, DSS and the entire security apparatus in the land to quickly solve the riddle surrounding the murder of Ken Atswete and en-

3.79m

The total number of connected mobile lines (CDMA) of Nigeria in March 2015. Source: Nc.gov.ng

sure the eventual prosecution of all those who may directly or indirectly be involved in planning and execution of this heinous act. "Late Ken Atswete was one of the leading counsel to APC chieftain, Hon. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, who is presently incarcerated on trumped-up charges surreptitiously inspired and driven by the Rivers State Government. "Again, late Ken Atswete had not relented in standing with citizens and public servants against the wrongful use of state power. The many cases he has instituted in this regard attest to that fact," Ikanya said.

Shell trains 30 youths in power plant operations

Adeola Yusuf

hell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) operated Joint Venture yesterday said it has increased its power plant operations' investments with a completion of training for 30 youths from its Afam VI plant. The 30 engineering graduates from host communities of the Afam VI Power Plant at Oyigbo in Rivers State were trained in the operation and maintenance of combined cycle power plants, the company said in a statement issued by its Corporate Media Relations Manager, Precious Okolobo. It added that the engineers also received specialised certificate training at the Osborne Training Services Newcastle, United Kingdom. “We can confidently say that the trainees are the best set of engineers in the Nigeria electricity industry today,” Afam Power Project Manager, Ben Agbajogu, said during a ceremony in Port Harcourt to mark the end of the one-year training. "They are the second set of 30 graduates from

the host communities to benefit from the initiative, which incorporates training sessions in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. “The trainees have been adequately equipped theoretically and practically on operating and maintaining modern power plants, and can compete favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the world.” The training included exposure of the graduates for 11 months at the Afam VI Power Plant, to operating and maintaining a

combined cycle power plant and one-month specialised certificate training at the Osborne Training Services Newcastle, United Kingdom. The member representing Oyigbo constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Chisom Dike, said that the initiative had become a personal dream come true, as he recalled how SPDC accepted his proposal as a youth leader about 12 years ago to train over 100 youths in various skills. “The success story of

Flood: A’Ibom to build rescue, emergency camps Tony Anichebe Uyo

kwa Ibom State government yesterday said it has commenced the building of rescue and emergency camps in the state’s 15 local government councils in anticipation of excessive flooding in the state. The directive to build followed an earlier warning by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) on impending flood expect-

ed to occur in 11 states of the federation including Akwa Ibom State. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Ministry of Environment, had suggested that building emergency camps would be necessary to accommodate victims, should a flood disaster occur. When New Telegraph visited some of the affected council areas, the sites were found to be under construction to prepare for the impending flood.

that initiative today is that our youths are major participants in virtually all construction and fabrication projects undertaken anywhere in Oyigbo Local Government Area and beyond,” he added. Rivers State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, John Bazia, advised the graduates to make the best of the opportunity of their training by exploring entrepreneurial opportunities and providing employment to others.

public affairs analyst and former commissioner with the Delta State Oil Producing Communities Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Sir Ken Okolugbo, yesterday urged leaders of the Niger Delta region to work together in the interest of the region. He said working together in unity would ensure the development of the region. He also lauded the decision of leaders and activists in the Niger Delta to line up behind Chief Edwin Clark and others in the effort to resolve the crisis in the region. Okolugbo, a member of the concerned stakeholders of the Niger Delta, lauded the meeting of concerned stakeholders held at the conference room of the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, on August 19, which he said “settled the question of who leads us in the Niger Delta to enable us speak with one voice.” He said it was in the interest of the Niger Delta

to go into any negotiation with the Federal Government in unison, present a common front and ensure that the issues bordering the region were resolved once and for all. According to Okolugbo, “Chief Edwin Clark has shown once more he is indeed one leader that cares for the people of the coastal states and the search for peace, which has eluded us for some time.” He said peace in the region would ensure stability of crude oil export at an optimal level of 2.2 million barrels per day. “That all the groups in the region have keyed into this peace move, goes to show the creditability and confidence reposed in Chief Clark,” he said. Okolugbo called on the people “to see the struggle beyond the Ijaw ethnic nationality, adding that so many other ethnic nationalities like Itsekiri, Uhrobo, Isoko, Ndokwa, Ibibio, Etche, Kalabari, to mention a few, are all affected, less we encourage others to go into violence.”

NUJ to partner organised private sector on investment Tony Anichebe

Uyo

he Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) yesterday expressed its readiness to partner the organised private sector in the state to help the people on the need to explore maximally, the state’s resources, thus boosting investment. The partnership deal was struck at the NUJ Press Centre, when the Akwa Ibom Organizsed Private Sector Association paid a courtesy call to the State Working Committee of the NUJ in the state. In his address, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, Patrick Al-

bert, said the media as a tool of social and economic engineering, had the role of not only checkmating the excesses of government, but also contribute to the economic prosperity of the society in which it operated. He said with the low level of investment in the state, in relation to the resources of the state, it was imperative for the media to partner the private sector on how people can be encouraged to invest. Albert commended the body for their drive to help businesses in the state thrive and offer insight into the fact that in a bid to support them, the council will set up a committee that would work with them in the actualisation of their goal.

Pensioners to Oshiomhole: Our members are dying of hunger Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

ensioners in Edo State yesterday called on Governor Adams Oshiomhole to come to their rescue by paying their accumulated pension arrears, saying many of their members are dying of hunger by the day. They said recently three pensioners in the state had died while others were presently languishing in penury with different ailments, following the long wait

for their arrears of pension and gratuities after retirement from service. The pensioners drawn from various establishments in the 18 local government councils and the state with placards had protested along major roads and streets in Benin, the state capital, with a call on the governor to urgently come to their rescue as some of them were dying gradually. The pensioners took their protest to the state House of Assembly, the Government House and

the secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) respectively, to lodge their complaints. Besides, they blocked the Airport Road, thereby causing hours of gridlock for motorists and other road users. Spokespersons for the pensioners, Mr. Gabriel Osemwenkha, said many of the pensioners died due to deteriorated health conditions following paucity of funds to cater for their needs and also meet other domestic issues affecting them and their families.

NEWS | north

wednesday, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

We can't have two governors in Kano, says commissioner Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

ano State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Malam Mohammud Garba, has warned the former governor of a state, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso and his movement, Kwakwasiyya, that there would never be two governors in a state. The commissioner also advised the Kwakwadiyya movement not to take the civility of Governor Abudullahi Ganduje for granted. Garba spoke in a telephone interview on the crisis that led to the sealing of the office of the former governor in the state capital. Meanwhile, former

Chief of Staff to Kwakwanso, Dr. Yunusa Adamu Dangwani, yesterday warned the state government to stop blackmailing the former governor with his 2019 presidential ambition. Dangwani, who also reacted to the crisis between the former governor and the incumbent in a telephone chat, said the state government was blackmailing his principal with the 2019 presidential election. According to him, the governor and his commissioners were currying the favour of President Muhammadu Buhari by claiming that they are against the presidential ambition of the former state governor for 2019. He said Kwakwanso, representing Kano Central senatorial district,

had no presidential ambition in 2019. Asked about the presidential ambition of Kwakwanso, he said: "Let me say it, the governor is using that to attract sympathy from Buhari, but he doesn't know that Buhari is too smart for that. The only way he can get the sympathy and attention of Buhari is for him to do the right thing,

but first, let him gain the favour of the people of Kano State. "Kwakwanso as a Nigerian has the right to go for any position, but let me tell you, the fact is that Kwakwanso is not looking at 2019 and you know that he contested for the primaries for the 2015 election, but as a Nigerian and member of a party, he can't start thinking of 2019

election. That is not in his mind. He is a senator and that is what he is doing and he is going to continue to do it till 2019 and only God would decide what he would do next. "The 2019 Kwakwanso for President Campaign is just the handiwork of his political enemies and the governor. The governor is just using it to gain favour from Buhari and he

doesn't know that Buhari is a very straightforward leader." In his reaction to the crisis, the Information Commissioner said: "Kwakwanso has done his best as a governor and we gave him all the necessary cooperation and support and nobody will undermine our own administration that was one and half years old. Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal with Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, during their visit to address residents and community leaders on the floodravaged Tudu village of Dange Shuni LGA of Sokoto State… yesterday.

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

Samuel

Pedro

I, formerly know and addressed as Mrs. Peace Imoh Ossom now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs. Peace Imoh Samuel. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public should note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Queen Okere now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Queen O. Pedro. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ERIYO

Odihiri

Former Mrs. Joy Osarenoma Ezenobie now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Joy Osarenoma ERIYO. All formal documents remain valid. Sterling Bank Plc and members of the general public should take note.

Doubo-Ere

I, formerly known and addressed as Ebimene Afuruku, now wish to be known and addressed as Doubo-Ere Afuruku. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public should note.

Haya

I, formerly known and addressed as Esther Otu now wish to be known and addressed as Esther Haya. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and the general public should take note.

Hitler

I, formerly known and addressed as Matthew Selekekemebiemor Hitler now wish to be known and addressed as Matthew Hitler. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc, UBA Plc and the general public should take note.

Inokoba

This is to confirm that the names Woyengikuro Godspower and Woyenwomoemi Inokoba refer to one and the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Woyenwomoemi Inokoba. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc and the general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Toyin Bolanle Okesola, now wish to be known and addressed as Toyin Bolanle Odihiri. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. FCMB and general public should note note.

Stephen

I, formerly known and addressed as Moses Oviezibe, now wish to be known and addressed as Moses Stephen. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public should note.

Ekwegbeli

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ekoh Roseline Azuka now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ekwegbeli Roseline Azuka. All former documents remain valid. Banks, Nursing and Mid Wifery Council of Nigeria, Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, National Open University of Nigeria and the general public should please take note.

Nwali

This is to notify the general public that the names Chinedu Anayo Nwali and Kingsley Nwali refer to one and the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Chinedu Kingsley Nwali. All former documents remain valid. Access bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Tubu

This is to confirm that the names Mabel Dio and Numoyo Mabel Tubu refer to one and the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Numoyo Mabel Tubu. All former documents remain valid. General public should note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

REHOBOTH WOMEN FOUNDATION

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, 2004. The Trustees are: 1. Omole Deborah Sekinat 2. Nasamu Ayobola Anne 3. Ajagbe Busola Adeseyi 4. Ogundipe Franca Akamma 5. Adeyewa Olabisi Olubunmi 6. Adekunle Titilayo 7. Lamidi Modupe Abiodun

- President - Vice-President - Secretary - Treasurer - Member - Member - Member

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To support the needy materially and spiritually. 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: TRUSTEES

2,000 Borno IDPs return to Banki border town

orno State Government yesterday returned no fewer than 2, 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Bama to their respective communities in the border town of Banki, after the military had successfully reclaimed the area from the Boko Haram terrorists. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the returnees were part of the 40, 000 IDPs evacuated to the General Hospital, Bama, following

the escalation of the Boko Haram crisis last year. The Caretaker Chairman of the Bama Local Government Area, Alhaji Modu Ali, supervised the transportation of the IDPs back to their communities from Bama, headquarters of the local government. Addressing newsmen at Banki, Ali thanked Governor Kashim Shettima for providing logistics for the exercise. He also commended the State Emergency Man-

agement Agency (SEMA) for its support to the IDPs during their stay in Bama. Ali urged the IDPs to be security conscious and law abiding as they returned to their ancestral homes. A spokesman of the IDPs, Alhaji Bukar Mustapha, thanked the state government for returning them home. NAN reports that Banki is a town located on the border between Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon.

Igala youths distance self from attack on Kogi gov Zacchaeus Ozovehe Lokoja

group in Kogi State, Igala Youth Forum, has debunked news as reported by an online news media that Governor Yahaya Bello, was attacked at Ankpa when he went for the third day Fidua prayer of the late Ejeh of Ankpa, Alhaji Ahmadu Yakubu.

The group in a statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Abu Kadiri and Secretary, Ibrahim Achadu, yesterday in Lokoja, said the publication was false as well as an attempt to cause confusion in the state. It added that the governor was warmly received by the people, including the former governor, Ibrahim Idris and other prominent Igala dignitaries at

Flood wreaks havoc in Bauchi

o fewer than 12 people have been confirmed dead while property valued at millions of naira were destroyed by flood, which ravaged part of Ganjuwa and Giade Local Government Areas of Bauchi State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred

in the remote areas of the two councils late on Sunday following a downpour. It was learnt that eight persons died at Gulbuk in Giade council area while the remaining four deaths were recorded in Gala-Makera and Galam Baba villages in Ganjuwa council. A source said the bod-

the Ejeh's palace. According to the forum, the false report was intentionally crafted to tarnish the good reputation and image of the people of Ankpa and the entire Igala people, adding that the Igala were not law less people. “The Igala are not lawless and will never act in such a manner as reported by the online news media." ies of the deceased, including children, were recovered by some public-spirited Nigerians at various locations in the affected areas. The Permanent Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Aliyu Ahmad, told reporters in Bauchi that a team of experts from the agency had visited the affected areas.

Kogi Assembly tasks govt on development

he Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Umar Imam, has urged the state government to learn from achievements and challenges of successive administrations in order to move the state forward. Imam gave the advice yesterday in Lokoja in his welcome address to members of the House on resumption from their recess, saying the last 25 years of the state had been eventful. He also urged the government to learn from the pitfalls of past administrations as the state marked its silver jubilee. “The last 25 years in the life of our dear state are a lifetime of hope, good governance, infrastructure, physical and human development, social justice, among others. “We have shared experiences of successes and challenges since the creation of the state to situate ourselves for a better future. “These experiences should permeate our official responsibilities as signposts to guide against the pitfalls of past administrations and to direct our achievements from their successes,” he said. Imam described the ongoing renovation of the assembly complex as an attempt to improve on the working environment and to experience the beauty and power of a true legislative assembly for good governance.

north | news

wednesday, august 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Plateau: PDP accuses Lalong of mismanaging N97bn revenue Musa Pam Jos

he Plateau State chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Simon Lalong of mismanaging N97 billion revenue collected by his administration in the past one year, without alleviating the sufferings of the

people. The state Chairman of PDP, Hon. Damishi Sango disclosed this yesterday in Jos, the state capital, while addressing journalists at the PDP Secretariat. Sango also challenged the governor and the All Progressives Party (APC) administration in the state to explain to the people how the state government spent N18 billion loans it took from

IDPs: Organisation provides emergency aids, shelters Ebere Ameh ABUJA

he International Organisation on Migration (IOM) Nigeria with funding from ECHO and CERF has provided emergency shelters for about 6,800 people recently liberated in Bama and Gwoza Local Government Areas of Borno State from the Boko Haram insurgents. This is in addition to the distribution of 3,000 nonfood relief items (NFI) kits to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the border town of Banki, North East, which the Nigerian office in conjunction with IOM Cameroon donated. The IOM Nigeria, in a release yesterday said the gesture was part of the organisation’s humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of families displaced during the violence in the region. According to Head of Office of IOM Cameroon, Roger Charles Evina, “Despite the daunting security and logistical challenges, IOM Cameroon is determined to support IOM Nigeria to reach the affected population that is in dire need of humanitarian assistance.”

The NFIs, which included mosquito nets, sleeping mats, laundry and bathing soaps, jerry cans, sanitary pads and water purification tabs, were funded by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO) and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in Nigeria. They were procured and distributed by IOM Cameroon in close collaboration with IOM Nigeria. The Chief of Mission of IOM Nigeria, Enira Krdzalic reiterated the need for continuous support for the displaced population. “IOM remains committed to supporting the government of Nigeria in ensuring that the plight of the IDPs is alleviated,” she said. The successful distribution in Banki was closely coordinated with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian and Cameroonian authorities. But, according to Krdzalic, more aid is needed in Banki, as the IDP population is greater than expected, totaling an estimated 26,000 people, including women, children and the elderly.

some commercial banks, while crying foul that he had inherited crippling loans from the previous administration. Meanwhile, in a swift Lalong said that the allegations were merely wild chase that had no logic and devoid of documentary evidence, which must be ignored by all right-thinking people. Lalong, who in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Mark Longyen, described Sango's diatribe as something that was akin to the ranting of the leader of a political party, which requiem mass the APC Government in Pla-

teau State is already celebrating. He said: "In fact, joining issues with the PDP and its drowning leaders will be tantamount to overflogging a dead horse, which PDP represents". "It is noteworthy, however, that the comments constitute a mischievously orchestrated opposition falsehood and diversionary tactics aimed at gaining public sympathy, and settling scores with the governor by diverting people's attention from the multi-billion naira looting mess that the PDP and its leaders bequeathed to Governor Lalong, which the recently constituted

emergency disaster management workers and relief materials to the area. In the meantime, the governor explained that the state emergency management agency would carry out full assessment of items destroyed by the flood with a view to assisting the victims. While offering prayer to God to forestall such calamity in the state, Tambuwal said efforts were being made to ensure that those houses to be rebuilt would be strong enough to withstand heavy downpour and strong winds.

$350m

The net worth of Tom Hanks in 2016. Source: Fropky.com

as our people are still languishing in the corner of APC's mismanagement. We, therefore, have no hesitation to expose the deepseated mismanagement of resources of the state. "We are calling on the EFCC to investigate the diversion of Local Government Council funds by this administration. We state here very confidently that we are very much in the know of the massive diversion of Local government Council funds by the APC government and this is the main reason why Local Government Councils are facing difficulties in the payment of their staff." L-R: Minister of State for Power, Works, and Housing, Mustapha Baba Shehuri; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; and the Managing Director, Polystyrene Industries Ltd., Hamza Atta, during the visit of the Ministers to the Polystyrene Industries’s factory at Idu Industrial area phase one in Abuja …yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Niger seeks FG’s intervention as flood sacks 23 villages

Dan Atori MINNA

he Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has pleaded with the Federal Government to urgently intervene in addressing the ecological challenges devastating several communities across eight Local Government Areas of the state. The governor, who made the call yesterday when he visited some of the communities ravaged by flood in Lapai

Local Government Area, said the financial outlay required to tackle the challenges was not only enormous, but beyond the state, hence the appeal to the Federal Government for intervention. The over eight-hour downpour, which ravaged the communities, claimed four lives and sacked 23 villages and overran several farmlands. Other affected Local Government Areas ravaged by the flood are Shiroro, Muyan, Gurara and Bida, Lavun, Wushishi, Mokwa and Borgu.

Tambuwal, Sultan visit flood-ravaged Sokoto communities okoto State Governor ernment had already in- Yobe conducts verification S Aminu Tambuwal, tervened to assist victims and the Sultan of Sokoto, of the flood by deploying exercise to pay workers’ salary Sultan Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, have assessed the extent of damage by thunderstorm and flood that wreaked havoc on Tudu village and surrounding communities in Dange Shuni Local Government Area of the state. This is as persistent rainfall and rising water level had destroyed more than 100 homes, while a toddler was reported to have died in the village following the heavy downpour. While addressing the victims of the disaster, Tambuwal said the gov-

Judicial Commission of Inquiry will soon unearth and make public. He said that instead of dissipating energy to distract the governor, they should go and bury their dead party.” But, Sango added: "We make bold to say that the state government received over N97 billion as revenue in the past one year, yet the money was not utilised towards alleviating the suffering of the people after one year down the lane

Hassan Jirgi DAMATURU

obe State Government has carried out verification exercise of Local Government Council workers to detect ghost workers in the state government’s pay roll. Through the exercise that was carried out in Fika, Nangere, Potiskum, Bade, Gujba, Nguru and Damaturu Local Government Areas of the state, the government was able to discover several ghost workers in the system. Investigations by New

Telegraph, however, revealed that the Local Education Authority (LEA) teachers and Local Government Area workers were most affected in seven councils in the ongoing verification exercise across the state to fish out the bad eggs in the system. Sparking yesterday through a telephone interview, a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Yahaya Ado, who confirmed the alarming figure of ghost workers detected during the exercise.

On the extent of the flood, Bello noted that the challenges ranged from sub-merging and washing away of houses, public schools, places of worship, farmlands, roads and bridges, as well as deep gully erosion in several communities in the state. The governor said: “To address the devastation of the ecological problems is beyond the resources of the state government. I have spoken to the President about our challenges and the need for the Federal

Government's intervention. I am still going to reach out to the government for intervention in tackling envisaged future re-occurrence. “However, as a government, we sympathised with the people and the communities, and we will offer our support despite the lean resources of the state so as to reduce the hardship of our people. I want to assure them that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) will come to the aid of the affected people."

Sokoto to plant 1m trees to tackle desertification

iven the threat of desertification in the state, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal said the state government has raised over one million assorted seedlings of economic trees for distribution to people to plant in the state. The seedlings that will be distributed free, is to mitigate the effect of desert encroachment threatening some part of the state. Speaking yesterday during the launch of the 2016 Tree Planting Campaign at Bissalam village in Dange-Shuni Local Government Area of the state, Tambuwal listed the

trees to include moringa oleifera, baobab, mango, eucalyptus, cashew, neem, pawpaw and tamarind. The governor said: "These tree seedlings will be distributed free to the people in the 23 Local Government Areas across the state. Apart from serving some economic purposes, these trees will help in the re-afforestation efforts of the state government. "This is very crucial as such efforts are aimed at curbing the menace of perennial desert encroachment, as well as mitigating the impact of global warming."

WORLD \ NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

EU hits Apple with â&#x201A;Ź13bn Irish tax demand

he European Commission ordered Apple Inc. to pay Ireland unpaid taxes of up to 13 billion euros ($14.5 billion) yesterday as it ruled the firm had received illegal state aid. Apple and Dublin said the US company's tax treatment was in line with Irish and European Union law and they would appeal the ruling, which is part of a drive against what the EU says are sweetheart tax deals that usually smaller states in the bloc offer multinational companies to lure

jobs and investment. The US feels its firms are being targeted by the EU and a US Treasury spokesperson warned the move threatens to undermine US investment in Europe and "the important spirit of economic partnership between the US and the EU". Starbucks Corp has been ordered to pay up to 30 million euros ($33 million) to the Dutch state, while Amazon.com Inc. and McDonald's Corp are also under investigation by the Commission, the EU's executive arm.

EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager questioned how anyone might think an arrangement that allowed Apple to pay a tax rate of 0.005 percent, as Apple's main Irish unit did in 2014, was fair. "Tax rulings granted by Ireland have artificially reduced Apple's tax burden for over two decades, in breach of the EU state aid rules. Apple now has to repay the benefits," Vestager told a news conference. Analysts said the size of the claim underlined the Commis-

sion's aggressive stance, but since each case involves different circumstances and tax rules, lawyers said it was hard to see if further big claims were any more or less likely. Readily marketable securities at the end of June, is likely to see the case drag out for years in EU and possibly Irish courts. The EU's ruling challenges the way that Ireland agreed to tax the profits of Irish registered Apple subsidiaries, through which most of its non US profits flowed. Apple Inc. licenses the rights to technology designed in the

United States to Irish subsidiaries. These then hire contract manufacturers to make devices which they sell to Apple retail subsidiaries around Europe and Asia. Since the manufacturing cost is a small portion of device sales prices and retail subsidiaries are allocated a small operating margin, Apple Ireland is very profitable. In 2011, it earned $22 billion after paying $2 billion to its US parent in relation to the rights to Apple intellectual property.

Ex-Malawian Minister jailed for murder conspiracy

he High Court in Malawi's capital, Lilongwe, has sentenced for mer Justice Minister Raphael Kasambara to 13 years imprisonment with hard labour for conspiring to murder a for mer budget director in the Ministry of Finance, Paul Mphwiyo. In 2013, Mr Mphwiyo survived being shot outside the gate of his residence in Lilongwe. The shooting led to the uncovering of a scandal that became known as Cashgate, the systematic plundering of public resources

during the administration of President Joyce Banda. It is estimated that up to $250m (ÂŁ150m) may have been lost through fraudulent payments to businessmen for services that were not rendered. Just days before the shooting, a junior civil servant was allegedly found with bundles of cash totalling more than $300,000 in the boot of his car. More cash was confiscated from some civil servants' homes and car boots. Immediately after his conviction last month, Kasambara had hinted that he would be appealing against the verdict.

Suicide bomber hits Chinese embassy in Kyrgyzstan

suspected suicide car bomber rammed the gates of the Chinese embassy in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek yesterday, killing the attacker and wounding at least three other people, officials said. Officials from both countries described the assault as a terrorist act, and Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev ordered the government to take extra counter terrorism measures in the capital and regions, his office said in statement. China condemned the attack and urged Kyrgyz authorities to "quickly investigate and determine the real situation behind the incident. "China is deeply shocked by this and strongly condemns this violent and extreme act," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing in Beijing. The ministry later said China would "resolutely strike against all forms of terrorism" and protect the safety of its people and government organizations overseas A Kyrgyz Interior Ministry spokesman said the car exploded inside the compound. Police cordoned off the embassy and adjacent area, and the GKNB state security service were investigating the bombing that occurred at about 10:00 a.m. (0400 GMT). Three embassy staff suffered minor injuries and had been taken to hospital, but no organization claimed responsibility, Hua said. China's state news agency Xinhua reported that five peo-

ple were wounded: two security guards and three Kyrgyz nationals working at the embassy. Authorities in Kyrgyzstan, a mostly Muslim former Soviet republic of 6 million people, routinely detain suspected militants they accuse of being linked to Islamic State, which actively recruits from Central Asia. A Turkish official said in June that one of three suspected Islamic State suicide bombers involved in the deadly attack on Istanbul's main airport was a Kyrgyz national. An anti-Chinese militant group made up of ethnic Uighurs a Turkic-language speaking, mainly Muslim people living in China's Xinjiang region - is also believed to be active in Central Asia. Some security experts have questioned the group's cohesiveness, however, and say China's policies in Xinjiang, where hundreds have died in recent years in unrest blamed by Beijing on Islamist extremists, have contributed to the unrest. In 2014, Kyrgyz border guards killed 11 people understood to be members of that group who had illegally crossed the ChineseKyrgyz border. Attacks on Chinese missions abroad are rare but in 2015, an Islamist militant attack on a hotel in Mali killed three Chinese citizens, and in Pakistan, Chinese workers have occasionally been targeted by what police say are nationalists opposed to Beijing's plan to invest tens of billions of dollars in a new trade route to the Arabian Sea.

The Abu-Dhabi tower on fire

Fire razes 28-floor Abu Dhabi tower

ire swept through a 28-storey skyscraper under construction in Abu Dhabi yesterday and injured 13 people, the latest in a series of blazes to hit tall buildings in the United Arab Emirates over the last 18 months. Thick black smoke billowed from the top 20 floors of the almost completed commercial building in the UAE's capital. Firefighters, overseen by helicopters, were working to put the blaze out two hours after it started, witnesses said. Civil defense personnel helped construction work-

ers in the building, as well as guests and staff at an adjacent luxury hotel, evacuate with no serious injuries, the witnesses said. Ten of those injured were civil defense and other emergency personnel, according to a statement carried by state news agency WAM. The WAM report quoted the head of Abu Dhabi's civil defense department as saying that investigations to determine the cause of the fire were still in progress. Early this month, a fire damaged part of a multi storey building under construction in Dubai. In July a fire broke out

in the residential 75 storey Sulafa Tower in Dubai's upscale Marina District, while on New Year's Eve a blaze hit a Dubai hotel and in February 2015 there was a fire at a 79-storey residential tower in the emirate. In some of those cases, experts said the flames may have been encouraged to spread by exterior cladding, used for decoration or insulation. The UAE revised its building safety code in 2013 to require that cladding on all new buildings over 15 meters (50 feet) tall be fire resistant; but older buildings are exempt.

Track bomb kill 22 in Somalia

truck bomb has exploded outside a hotel in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, killing 22 people in a heavily secured area close to the presidential palace. A BBC reporter says politicians are among the injured. The Islamist al-Shabab group, which is affiliated to al-Qaeda, says it is behind the attack. The Somali Youth League (SYL) Hotel is a popular meeting place for government officials and has been targeted by militants before. A security conference was

under way at the hotel yesterday morning at the time of the blast. "Security forces tried to stop the bomber who used back roads before he sped through checkpoints near the presidential palace and detonated the bomb," the Associated Press news agency quotes police officer Col Ali Nur as saying. "He reached near the gate of the state house with flat tyres." The BBC's Ibrahim Aden in Mogadishu says politicians and journalists are among people being treated at the city's main Medina Hospital.

Dr Abdulkadir Haji Aden, head of Mogadishu's ambulance service, told the BBC that 22 people had died in the hotel blast and more than 30 were injured. Al-Shabab is fighting to oust Somalia's UN backed government and establish an Islamic state. It was forced out of Mogadishu five years ago by African Union (AU) and government troops, but has continued to carry out bombings in the city. The group appears to be stepping up its attacks ahead of planned elections in Somalia, with a president due to be elected by MPs in October.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport US Open: Edmund bundles out Gasquet

Djovovic, Nadal move on

yle Edmund upset 13th seed Richard Gasquet before fellow Briton Johanna Konta powered past American Bethanie MattekSands on day one of the US Open. Edmund, ranked 84th, beat former semi-finalist Gasquet 6-2 6-2 6-3 to claim the best win of his career on a hot afternoon at Flushing Meadows. The Briton, 21, will face American wildcard Ernesto Escobedo in round two. British number one Konta, seeded 13th, was in superb form as she beat Mattek-Sands 6-3 6-3 in the evening session. The 25-year-old goes on to face Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova in round two. Edmund bullied former semifinalist Gasquet with his huge forehand on his way to a two-set lead, as the Frenchman struggled in 32C heat on court five. “It’s definitely one of my best wins in my career,” Edmund said, who added that working with Andy Murray in the Davis Cup setup had helped improve his overall game.” World number one Novak Djokovic began his campaign with victory over Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz - despite the Serb requiring treatment to his arm. Djokovic won 6-3 5-7 6-2 6-1 after calling the trainer in the first set. Fourth seed Rafael Nadal beat Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin 6-1 6-4 6-2. Germany’s Angelique Kerber, seeded second in the women’s draw, led Polona Hercog 6-0 1-0 when the Slovenian succumbed to leg cramps.

Iheanacho overtakes Mikel as highest earner

anchester City starlet Kelechi Iheanacho is now the top Nigerian earner in the Premier League with 85,000 pounds-a-week pay to knock off Chelsea star

Mikel Obi. This month, Iheanacho signed a new two-year contract extension at City till 2021, saying his new contract will “change the lives of his family”. Mikel, who moved to

England 10 years ago, has been the ‘Biggest Boy’ from Nigeria for many years and he is now on 70,000 pounds a week at Stamford Bridge. The midfielder’s compatriot at ‘The Blues’, Victor Moses bagged a 50,000

pounds-a-week when he joined Chelsea from Wigan Athletic in 2012. Watford striker Odion Ighalo is believed to have improved on his 25,000 pounds-a-week after he recently signed a contract extension. Defender Kenneth Omeruo is on 15,000 pounds every week even though he has yet to play an official match for Chelsea.

Abdulahi, Aliu call for change after Olympics flop Say non-performing federation bosses should go

Akwueze Ugochi

former Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi and ex-international sprinter, Deji Aliu, have blamed poor administration for the disappointing performance of the Nigerian athletics team at the recently concluded Olympics Games in Rio. Nigerians had banked on athletes like Commonwealth Games gold medallists Blessing Okagbare, Ese Brume and others to challenge for medals at the Games but none the sprinters made it to the final of their events to make it one of the country’s worst outings in the Olympics. Abdullahi stressed that the leadership of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria did not do well at the games and also in recent time. He said: “The AFN has been a disappointment and so we need change of leadership to help the sport. We have to be very candid, there is need of an overhaul of federations where there are no improvements. Look at Table tennis and even wrestling, they did not win medals at the games but we can see the work the federation presidents have put in.

Weightlifting federation is also poor. “If we are again sentimental in an attempt to move on, we are going to be in big trouble. Things are already bad and the way forward is to strengthen the federations especially athletics.” Aliu also said professionalism was lacking in the administration of sports in the country which has further reflected in the performance of athletes in major competitions. Speaking with New Telegraph, t h e

Athens 2000 Olympics relay bronze medallist said that problem in Nigerian athletics started about 10 years ago and the Rio debacle showed it was getting out of hands. He lamented that a country that used to have up to three athletes in the final of one event now struggles to even produce one. Aliu who commended the athletes for their individual performances insisted that the problem was multifaceted and the only solution is overhauling of the administration and re-orientation of both athletes and administrators. “We didn’t prepare well for the Olympics but the athletes put up a good show at the games. Everyone knows that lack of preparation has always been our problem ahead of competitions,” he said. “Our failure did not start today and it is because things are not done properly. Every aspect of the administration should undergo restructuring, if not, I’m afraid Nigeria cannot do well in competitions. Some athletes behave unprofessionally and this is also affecting the sport so they need re-orientation.”

Aliu

Abdulahi

Rio 2016: Ministry probes NFF

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

...queries topshots, demands details of spendings Adekunle Salami

he Ministry of Youth and Sports has begun probe into the expenditures of the Nigeria Football Federation at the just concluded Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. Authoritative sources told our correspondent that the Minister, Solomon Dalung, on Monday ordered the General Secretary of the federation, Muhammed Sanusi, to present comprehensive

accounting details of how the NFF spent all ‘monies’ collected from the ministry for the assignment. To render account is believed to be a normal thing but the ministry according to sources believes the federation might not have followed the due process in its spendings at the games.

“The NFF will have to account for the money because of several incidents from Atlanta, USA to Brazil. There is also the issue of people who were not supposed to be in the team handing around the U-23 team,” our source said. It was also learnt that the some topshots of t h e

Dalung

federation collected over 20 days estacode but only spent two days in Brazil. An official of the NFF who prefers anonymity however said there was no big deal in the move by the ministry to probe the federation. “Probe or no probe the federation will ordinarily render account of how money was spent at the games to the ministry since that is the nor m here,” the source said. So far, it is not clear if the ministry will also extends the current probe to other federations that represented Nigeria at the games.

SPORT NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Rohr resumes as 20 Eagles battle for shirts S uper Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr on Tuesday took charge of the team’s training sessions for the first time ahead of Saturday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania. Rohr and a number of players could not fly to Uyo from Lagos on Monday as ARIK airline eventually cancelled their flight after many hours. But the entourage landed in Uyo just after noon on Tuesday. On arrival at the team’s Le

Meridien Hotel, Rohr had a meeting with his assistants, backroom staff and players, before the evening’s training session at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. In camp as at Tuesday evening were Skipper Mikel John Obi, assistant captain Ahmed Musa, goalkeepers Emmanuel Daniel and Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defenders Musa Muhammed, Chidozie Awaziem, Abdullahi Shehu, Jamiu Alimi, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong and Elderson Echiejile, midfield-

ers Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi and Nosa Igiebor and forwards Brown Ideye, Imoh Ezekiel, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo and Victor Osimhen. Team administrator Dayo Enebi confirmed to thenff. com that Belgium –based Moses Simon and Slovakia –based Kingsley Madu will arrive on Wednesday. The delegation of Tanzania’s Taifa Stars is expected to arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday, while the match officials will jet in on Thursday.

Iheanacho (right)

Emulate Okocha, Allardyce tasks Rooney Charles Ogundiya

ngland national team coach, Sam Allardyce, has urged Three Lions captain, Wayne Rooney, to emulate retired Super Eagles

captain, Austin Okocha, describing him as the best team captain he ever worked with as a coach. Allardyce, who was the coach of Bolton when Okocha was the captain of the team, admitted that the Nigeria

Okocha (left) and Allardyce

Rio: Dalung begs Buhari to hosts U-23 Eagles

...hails Japanese surgeon’s $390, 000 donation Anule Emmanuel ABUJA

inister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to host Nigeria’s U-23 Eagles which won bronze medal at the just concluded Rio Olympics in Brazil. Dalung who spoke to State House Correspondent after a meeting with the President expressed disappointment at the treatment meted to the Coach of the team Samson Siasia by the Nigerian Football Federation. On the $390, 000 donation to Siasia and his team by a Japanese, the minister said that after he met the donor in Rio, he was convinced there were no strings like match-fixing, attached to the donation. He explained that it was high time the nation returns to grassroots sports in the country, stressing that “we need to go back to grassroots” and groom talents for future competitions. According Dalung, those criticising that he was the problem of Nigerian sports

were wrong because the abysmal performance of predates his appointment. He said that the National Sports Commission was necessary but was unfortunately scrapped by a government committee that recommended merger of ministries.

Football Federation’s technical committee board member has set the bar high for any other skipper to emulate. “On and off the field, Jay Jay was the captain you looked for,” Allardyce said. “In a multi-national side from all over the world, he could speak four different languages and communicate very well with some of the players who couldn’t speak good English. “He sorted the odd scuffle out in the dressing room, talked to the players about how we had to go out and win. He’d take the manager’s instructions and apply them in the right way. “Then there was outstanding ability on the field, leading by example and showing

everybody he wasn’t a mercenary which was suggested in the beginning, that he’d only come for the money.” Okocha spent four years with the Lancashire outfit from 2002, making 145 appearances. Also Allardyce has urged retained ‘Three Lions’ captain, Wayne Rooney, to follow in the footstep of the former PSG midfielder. Allardyce admits he will expect Rooney to become his voice on the pitch and a player prepared to make changes during the game if required. “Wayne has been an excellent captain for England and the manner in which he has fulfilled the role made it an easy decision for me to ask him to continue,” he said.

Emmanuel Tobi

anzania coach Boniface Mkwasa has named three newcomers in his 20-man squad for the Group G final day clash against Nigeria on Saturday, September 3 at the Akwa Ibom Stadium, Uyo. The trio includes Ibrahim Rajab from Mtibwa Sugar and Simba duo, Mdhamiru Yassin and Jamal Mnyate. Recalled to the squad is defensive pair, Kelvin Yondan and Shomary Kapombe, who missed out on the last encounter against Egypt in June. There was however no place for TP Mazembe midfielder Thomas Ulimwengu, who is nursing an injury whilst captain Mbwana Samata of Belgian outfit Genk is the only foreign-based player. The encounter will only serve academic purposes with Egypt having sealed the group’s automatic slot. The Taifa Stars has managed just a point from their previous three games whilst Nigeria has two points, eight shy of Egypt who are not involved on the final day of matches. “It is the last game, I do not see the burden of calling many players because we have already lost our chance to qualify, I believe the L-R Bola Arotiowa- Sales Director, Eelco Weber- Managing Director, Kalyan Bandyopady- squad I called is enough to win in ang- Marketing Director and Raphael Agbaje- Category- Marketing Manager during the Nigeria,” said Mkwasa, a former 5-Aside football Championship press conference in Lagos...on Wednesday captain of the Taifa Stars.

MFM, Warri Wolves continue relegation battle Charles Ogundiya

Tanzania unleash three debutants on Eagles

fter starting the season on a high note, Lagos-based MFM FC, has found themselves in the relegation and will be hoping for miracle to escape the drop. The club arrived Enugu on Tuesday to take on Rangers who is also battling for his first league title in 32 years later on Wednesday (today) in a rescheduled league match. Speaking on the game, the media officer of MFM, Olawale Quadry, informed New Telegraph that they are facing six finals in their quest to retain their top flight position. “We are not giving up despite our position in the league,” he said. “There is believe in the team that we can get points from our next two games away to Rangers on Wednes-

day and Akwa United on Sunday.” Rangers on the other hand will be hard press for total victory as they prepare to keep pace with leader, Wikki Tourists. It has been a difficult season for Warri Wolves with players embarking on strike on more than two occasions this season. The club who finished second on the table last season is currently occupying 18th position on the team and will be hosting defending champion, Enyimba today in Warri. Anything short of victory will spell doom for the coach Mansur Abdullahi-led team. League leader Wikki Tourists have the chance of extending their lead on the table with a home game against Lobi Stars in another rescheduled game also on Wednesday.

Olympic 5-Aside football kicks off November

he second edition of the Olympic 5-Aside Football competition has been slated to kick off on November 2, 2016 with about 250 teams participating across eight cities across the federation. According to the Category Marketing Manager, Nutricima, Nigeria Limited, Raphael Agbaje, over 5,000 players are expected to participate in this year’s edition. The eight cities include Ibadan, Abuja, Enugu, Owerri, Kaduna, Kano and Port Harcourt with the national finals slated for Lagos early next year. “The Olympic 5- aside tournament was inspired

by the need to create a platform to engage and support young football talents who have the energy and passion for the game and seek the right exposure”. “Registration for the competition will commence September 8. The MVP will win an all-expense paid trip to Etihad, home of Manchester City FC to have a full match day experience,” he said. Agbaje added that first place winners would take home N1million, the runners up earn N500,000 while the third placed team will take home N250,000.

SPECIAL FEATURES

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

My conversation with those youths S ince I left the office of the Abia State government as governor some nine years ago, I have never had the amount of discourse and engagement with the Nigerian youths, especially youths from God’s own state itself now than ever before. The conversations have ranged from the mundane, sarcasm, pry into my personal life and outright fabrication tailored around the unholiness to defame. And, have I allowed myself to be distracted, provoked? I laughed atimes and give serious ponder sometimes. For the simple reason that I made myself available in the domain of public scrutiny when I opted to be the governor in one of the states in the country, a state so enriched with intelligence and brilliance and resources, that, when rightly harnessed, could deal with all its problems and contribute to the furtherance of the country, and maybe the world. Did I made mistakes, especially as governor of Abia State? Yes, I did. I am human. Did I learn any lesson from any such mistakes? Yes, I did. I am human. Somebody said Kalu, you could have remained in business and still serve your people and Nigerians. And I said to the person, true, you can still go into politics and serve the people even more and better. And to date, I have never regretted that decision and never will. Politics is human just as business is, and to aspire to be anything in our span of life is a God-given gift no human being should ignore or reject. But my only mistake, my only regret, was a political one as a politician, as governor of Abia State. I made a wrong judgment on the human character, and that is one mistake you do not make in business because you end up killing the business for good or you lick up your wounds for a long time until that decisive rectification is made. In politics-the politics of truth and service-one does not impose- at least, I learnt that in my elementary politics- one endorses because one trusts and one believes that there would be a carry-on and over of every good intention of previous government. My intentions for the state were right and good and positive because my thinking has always been, if I can succeed in business nothing should stop me from doing same in politics or wherever. But politics and business are different; in business, you are the CEO and it is mandatory that you call the shots at all times, whereas in politics, you only call the shot for four years, and, if you are lucky that you still have the goodwill of the electorate because of your proven track record or performance and delivery, you are granted another four years. I had that goodwill, my track record was good and the electorate gave me another four years. And when you have exhausted your full two terms in office, you want to endorse a confidant of trustworthiness and belief to carry on from where you left off. There, I erred. I blamed none but myself. I trusted too much. I believed too much. And the human character that can never

be predicted if it is not rooted in principle and goodness on its own was shoved into my face and the Nigerian youths from that richness are still having their go. And you will not blame them left for the fact that they just refused to share in the blame when again they became the electorate. But, my joy in all this is that, in spite of my many fallouts with President Olusegun Obasanjo, which are based on principles and nothing else, I earned the title, ‘Action Governor’ from him, which does not come cheap from a man as difficult as the former president. And he still refers to me as, ‘my boy.’ As governor of that state, surely, I would have done something to deserve that title. And what is the lesson I have learnt from all this? That the greatest obstacle that would ever confront a leader is the choice to lead a society that is dominated by illiteracy, humans who cannot forgive their past even though there is nothing in that past to forgive and be able to recognise a promising future when that future is presented to them. A society that allows its mind to be bought over by worthless coins when there are better ornaments of everlasting profit in the future. That this is the kind of society that thinks with its stomachs rather than its brains. It remains ever fixated. When you have such a society, the tasks are always ever so great. It should be said, also, with an educated and enlightened society where the brains are only allowed to think negatively, the mind is rendered useless because that society’s first recourse is the satisfaction of the now while the future for it should go to blazes. This form of society can be bought over only too cheaply because its construct is cheap, fake and false. Many a times I have been reminded of the amount of money I have, which has been equated to riches. And many of these reminders have often referred me to why I could not use my riches to turn their abode into a paradise. To these youths, I have always asked them, how do you define the riches of any human being? Does a man’s riches attribute to the bank notes in terms of Naira, Dollars, Euros and, or Pounds that have been acquired? And let us assume I am rich according to this myopic reasoning and why I should have every reason to turn the darkest of those thoughts into paradise. My said riches can never take the place of the government because it is only a voice amongst more than one hundred and seventy million voices, and what that one voice can do is to establish foundations and charities with a specific focus. And on this focus, should it welcome who are afraid to dream let alone find the path to the realisation of their dreams and the purposeless?

Even this, I absolutely understand because a society that has been ravaged by poverty overtime would always look over the shoulders for the nearest available assistance. But this, though true, should be laced with principle and self-respect, as no society is formed on that premise neither is creation hence society would be chaotic and creation a mockery of itself. All these are not my definition or meaning of riches. Riches to me is the day that I shall see a true and free smile on the face of every Nigerian. When there is justice in the land, when that man or woman can feed three times daily and have inbetween meals; when the ordinary person does not feel any way inferior before his fellow human being whether here or elsewhere. And when one can look straight into the face of a leader without being a bootlicker and tell that leader the truth without being patronising. That was how I grew up and that is how I have been formed to this day. Never allow myself to be a bootlicker. Never to be buried in the now but to work very hard and tirelessly towards a future that holds the utmost promises. Never for any reason allow myself to take peanuts- I call it peanuts because every ill-gottenness only has its leads in temporarinessfor the sale of my conscience and a future I hold so dear with its offering of everything in decency. And not give myself the chance to participate in the promises of the now where the only guarantees are wastages. And these wastages are everywhere in the stupid compromise we are inducted. In this induction, we have stopped the beauty and venture of aspiration. Instead, the choice to be the trigger in the hands of failure continuously holds sway. One of these ever restless youths who has still not got his definition of riches right had asked, you have been a governor, you have been in the House of Representative, you contested to become president, what else do you want out of life? Did I scoff at that? What would life had been if we all did not want something out of it? Some youthful exuberance was my conclusion with that youth because he has not been thinking because if he had been, he would have known that he was a baby once, then a teenager and now a youth who would soon become an adult. And what would that adulthood fetch? To that youth directly, I said, I am not rich and I have not got everything yet, and I can only say I am rich and be content with that definition and meaning once I recognise education and enlightenment in you. That the day you stop to aspire that moment would mark the beginning of your death and you shall be held accountable for all your failures. What inspires you? What drives you? What target do you have in front of you that you must do ev-

erything possible within the limit of legality to meet? If you do not have any of these, you are a failure, you are not fit to be a human being and you cannot be qualified to be equated to animals because you can never be fit for any purpose. Many years ago, I was a young man. The only target I had in front of me was success- and that has never changed. I was more or less a wharf rat at the Wharf in Lagos with my small office where I had to scavenge the ground for my living having borrowed that unforgettable thirty-five pounds sterling from my mother to go into business. I had closed for the day and in my car on my way home. Something happened that would change my life forever. In front of me was a Rolls Royce that had broken down. A Rolls Royce was an attraction then even now, so, I was attracted to it and not to the owner. I went to offer my service to the owner to see how the fault in the car could be corrected and get it off the road. The car became more or less distaste and the owner a marvel. The owner of that car was the Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I did everything I could to see that the car was fixed and back on the road again. After that incident, a father and son relationship was born. Every evening, at the close of my scavenging as a TinCan rat, I would find myself in the sage’s residence at Ikoyi where I would sit like a little child ready to hear some folktales from the master who had seen it all. The sage would tell me, both of us seated under a tree while we enjoyed the cool, salty ocean breeze: ‘My son, I know you will become something and somebody some day; whatever you aspire and you become, do not forget education. You must educate the people. When they are educated, half of their problems would have been solved and the other half would have been solved from the enlightenment they so got for being educated. When the people are educated, they will be able to confront the lies of any government and of any human.’ I have been shaped by that philosophy to this day, that only an educated and enlightened mind can show appreciation without blaming all woes on imaginations. And if we do, our imaginations and thoughts are only ours and nobody else’. Nine years of leaving the State House of Abia and seventeen years or more of our democracy as a nation, my question to you has always been, what amount of education and enlightenment have you got? Do you still allow yourself to be bought and used cheaply by good-for-nothing societal elements that do not have your interest at heart? Have you stopped aspiring, or if you have not, in what direction are your aspirations? Or you are locked up in the butter and bread inspiration that only tend to hinder your growth and development? As for me, there is no way I can ever stop being inspired by the right things and the right people to lay claim to the realisation of my aspirations.

NEWS 48On Marble

When men are pure, laws are useless; when men are corrupt, laws are broken.

Sanctity of Truth

Bola Bolawole Futility of killing in God’s name

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

– Benjamin Disraeli

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

}16

N150

Vultures in the temple of justice

ometimes, conflicts and fights can lead to profound changes in the society and in public institutions. Sometimes such conflicts and fights begin with innocuous statements, insinuations, omissions, commissions, actions and inactions of individuals, groups, organizations or institutions. Sometimes the changes lead to the advancement of countries, societies and institutions and at other times they lead to regression. Sometimes the conflicts and fights consume their initiators and at other times the initiators become heroes and are given the mandate to lead their societies and institutions. I therefore view and analyze the derogatory statement made by the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the President of the Nigerian Bar Association Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, SAN and the entire members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)as an invitation to a mud fight. The Chairman and members of his Commission deliberately and maliciously sought to ridicule the leadership of the Association and its membership. What are the issues one may ask? The NBA concluded its Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Friday the 26th day of August 2016 with the inauguration of the new President of the Association in the person of Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, SAN. In his inaugural address at the closing ceremony of the 56th Conference, he stated in relation to the EFCC that “We need to define its mandate more narrowly and more clearly... I strongly recommend that the EFCC be limited to investigation… while prosecution should be handled by an independent resource prosecution agency”. After the inauguration, some members of the Association exited the Garden city on Saturday the 27th of August 2016 while others exited on Sunday the 28th. However, on Sunday the 28th day of August 2016 while some members of the Association were on the road or on air heading back to their homes and offices, the Chairman of EFCC authorized the issuance of a statement wherein he referred to members of the legal profession as “rogues and vultures” on the basis of contents of the inaugural address of the President of the Bar Association. In the said statement issued by the EFCC, they asserted that “...Mahmoud’s suggestions appear perfectly in sync with a cleverly disguised campaign by powerful forces that are uncomfortable with the reinvigorated anti-graft campaign of the EFCC and are hell-bent on emasculating the agency by stripping it of powers to prosecute with the tame excuse that an agency that investigates cannot also prosecute”. The Agency accused the President of the Association and the Association of mounting a campaign aimed at creating “a cabal of untouchables who can be investigated but may never be prosecuted”. On the basis of this assertion, the EFCC declared emphatically that “A Bar populated or directed by people perceived to be rogues and vultures cannot play the role of priests in the temple of justice”.

Hard Choices FESTUS OKOYE festokoye2003@yahoo.com 0805-448-0565 (sms only)

Magu, EFCC boss

It is clear that the Chairman of EFCC is setting up a mud fight with the Nigerian Bar Association and the newly elected President. This is the only reasonable deduction that can be gleaned from the contents of the statement issued by the Commission. If this is not the case how can one explain the fact that Nigerian lawyers are now rogues and vultures on the basis of a statement made by the President of the Association calling for the reform of the Commission for better effectiveness and service delivery? How can we explain this Dutch courage by the Chairman of the EFCC in profiling all Nigerian lawyers as rogues and vultures? For me, there are critical issues and lessons to be learnt and drawn from the statement issued by the EFCC and this will assist the NBA fashion clear policies of engagement with the Commission and similar agencies and organs of

He wants to belong and be counted as a great fighter that took on the Bar Association

government. We must admit that the Bar Association, civil society groups and organisations and other critical stakeholders that keep public institutions and officers on their toes will continue to be badgered by people like the Chairman of EFCC when critical national institutions are wrapped around individuals who are virtually not accountable to anybody or any institution. No organization can grow, function well and be properly grounded when its vision, actions and inactions are wrapped around individuals. When such individuals exit the organization, the organisation collapses or reverts back to the old order of doing things. Our country is replete with examples of such individuals and institutions and the EFCC is a good example. I do not know why we are averse to building institutions that are divorced from individuals? I do not know why we love to start things from the scratch the moment the “strong man” or “strong individual” leaves? Why have we refused to learn from history and understand that it is strong institutions and collectives that propel a nation to greatness and not necessarily strong individuals? The Bar and Civil Society Groups must make it clear at all times that the EFCC is a Commission created by an Act of Parliament. Some individuals and groups felt the impulse to break the rampaging impunity of economic and financial crimes and proposed the Bill to the National Assembly. The National Assembly did not kill the Bill because some members did not want the Bill to die. They worked on the Bill, made the necessary compromises and passed the clean copy of the Bill to the President for his assent. The President Assented to the Bill and it became law. The Legislators that worked on the EFCC never claimed to have worked on a Bill that is perfect for all times. The society is dynamic and a good law must respond to societal changes and dynamics. A forward looking society does not allow its laws to become obsolete before proposing alterations, changes and amendments to them. Those that worked on the EFCC Bill never claimed to be infallible as they are not clothed with one. They knew that a time will come when improvements may be made to the law they drafted or that the institution they created may be merged with other institutions or be scrapped outrightly. Why then should an individual nominated to superintend the institution clutch same as if it is his private property and no individual is permitted to make suggestions on how the institution can serve the country better? I am sad because there are quality lawyers, thorough bred professionals in the EFCC who toil day and night to make our country better and they have been

lumped, profiled and branded as “rogues and vultures”. I am aware that there are thousands of our colleagues in different walks of life who are role models and making honest living who have now been branded and profiled as “rogues and vultures”. I know that there are thousands of our colleagues that that have never taken a brief from any government agency or institution and have never defended those now referred to as politically exposed persons and yet one individual given public responsibility has now branded them as “rogues and vultures”. But come to think of it, the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu is not a new entrant into the Commission. He was the pioneer head of the Economic Governance Section of the operations department of EFCC and only returned to the Police Force in 2008 and recalled to EFCC in 2011. He was there when some people looted the Commonweal of the country. He did not resign his appointment to show his revulsion. He only developed muscles because the President in power is fighting corruption and he wants to belong and be counted as a great fighter that took on the Bar Association. The institution the leadership of EFCC claims to be protecting is not the property of any individual or a family trust. The Nigerian people want to build strong institutions that can run on their own irrespective of the regime in power. The Nigerian people want to build institutions that are fiercely independent. The Nigerian people want an institution that can investigate and prosecute high profile individuals in government including Governors and the President. The Nigerian people want institutions that are blind to party affiliation. The Nigerian people want institutions with professional and ethical officers with the requisite skills and equipment to conduct thorough investigation. The Nigerian people want a separate Agency that can carry out prosecution of those that have betrayed the nation through their looting of its commonwealth. I do not see why anybody should be afraid of having such an institution.

HIGH CHIEF

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- That is love turned-sour!

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