Wednesday, august 3, 2016

Multiple taxation crippling telcos' expansion –NCC Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

T

he Nigerian Communications Commission

(NCC) yesterday raised the alarm over recurring cases of multiple taxation in various states of the federation.

It stated that the de-

velopment poses serious threat to the expansion of telecommunications sector in the country.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC,

Cash crunch: AMCON to lease seized property }37

Professor Umar Danbatta, said this in Abeokuta when he led the management team of the commission on a courtesy visit to Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Kano State government

RESULTS FOR MINJIBIR BY-ELECTION

APC

21,970 votes

PDP + KWANKWASIYYA 1,238 votes

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Budget padding: APC leaders quiz Jibrin }4

/newtelegraph /newtelegraph

Vol. 3 No. 896

Jibrin

'I tried to jump into lagoon to end 36-year illness' }9

Onweji

NDLEA nabs man with N1.78bn hard drugs }9

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com @newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

George

N150

Buhari appoints Tinubu's aide as NCC Commissioner }4

Dare

Republic of Benin President laments:

Nigeria's economic woes affecting African nations }3

‘

As Nigeria is not using its potential, it is making other West African countries suffer. The crisis hitting Nigeria is what is hitting us –President Patrice Talon

Again, beggar held with rented twins

‘

L-R: President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; President of Togo, Mr. Faure Gnassingbe and Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, during Gnassingbe’s visit to Dangote Refinery at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos…yesterday.

}9

Umaru with the rented twins

PDP crisis: Party leaders angry over Jonathan’s silence Suspense, doubts over national convention

Red meat raises risk of early death –Study }5

}2

2

NEWS

WEDNESday, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP crisis: Party leaders angry over Jonathan’s silence

Geoffrey Ekenna, Oluwatosin Omoniyi and Wale Elegbede

L

eaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are angry over the continued silence of former President Goodluck Jonathan on the crisis rocking the party since after the 2015 general elections.

They have been expecting the former president to intervene to resolve the crisis which currently has placed the party into three factions – the Ahmed Makarfi-led committee backed

by governors of the party; the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction, which was displaced at the last national convention in Port Harcourt and the Jerry Gana faction, which currently has its members scattered in different camps.

Penultimate week in Abuja, some PDP senators had gone to seek an audience with Jonathan.

Sources that were privy to the meeting said they got no commitment from the former president on his intervention.

A former member of Jonathan’s campaign told New Telegraph yesterday that what they got from

Jonathan was not encouraging.

He said: “His body language was that he did not want to meddle into politics now. He was like, his entry back to politics now would jeopardise the ongoing probes and investigations by the Federal Government on different activities of his administration. They left without a firm promise from him of his intervention.”

Some of the leaders, who spoke with New Telegraph, expressed worries that Jonathan, who benefitted from the party from 1999 until 2015 on different levels, could not just fold

his hands and watch the party in ruins on the pretence that he was on a sabbatical from politics.

Between 1999 and 2015, Jonathan was a Deputy Governor and Governor of Bayelsa State; Vice President, Acting President and President of Nigeria.

But soon after his defeat by the Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC), just few days before the handover ceremonies, Jonathan had stunned select party leaders in Aso Rock, when he told them that he was taking a sabbatical from politics.

He had thanked them

L-R: Chief of Staff to the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Usman Mallah; Director, Project, Ms. Ayodeji Sofolahan; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Prof. Umar Danbatta and Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, during Oyeyemi's visit to the NCC headquarters, in Abuja....recently.

for their efforts and the height the PDP had taken him.

Efforts by leaders of the party to persuade the former president from ‘retiring’ in form of sabbatical hit the brick walls. He did not shake.

“I was there the night, few days before handover when he called us and told us that he wanted to thank all the leaders and wanted to go on sabbatical. A lot of people said, ‘Sir, Mr. President, you cannot go on sabbatical. This is not a university. You should continue to manage the party until another presidential candidate emerges.’ That is because in our party, the president is the leader of the party,” said Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party.

Reminded that both Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, two former presidents of the party were no longer playing active roles in the party, George said that has affected the party badly.

He said: “I remember that night. It was a night I would not forget because a lot of appeal went to him that he has to stay because that’s what happens in America. He must manage the party until a new candidate emerges.”

Suspense, doubts over PDP national convention

lKashamu seeks political solution to the crisis Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

T

here has been air of suspense and doubt over the August 17 national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite assurances by leaders of the party that the convention would hold as scheduled.

The convention, which was again scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is being threatened by court order.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and presided over by Justice Okon Abang, last Thursday, fixed August 15 to rule on a motion brought before it by factional National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, seeking to stop the convention.

The court's sitting is just two days to the convention.

There was confusion last week after the judge declared the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Working Committee illegal, and re-affirmed Sheriff as national chairman.

Justice Abang had also noted that PDP missed the road by going to obtain a

judgement from Port Harcourt division without first vacating the order by a Lagos court, which stopped the party from holding elections into three national offices.

Activities at both camps seemed to have come to a standstill less than two weeks to the convention.

Although the 88-member zoning committee, set up by the caretaker committee to recommend new zoning arrangement, submitted its report last Tuesday, sale of nomination forms is yet to begin.

The committee had reserved 10 national offices, including the national chairman and first deputy national chairmanship positions to the South and 11 national offices to the North.

It was expected that with the submission of the report, sale of nomination forms for various positions would begin this week.

But a source at the temporary national headquarters of the party where the national caretaker committee operates, said the national caucus would meet to ratify the zoning before sale of nomination forms could commence.

"We are still going ahead with the convention, our leaders have said it, including the governors. There is no going back. Sale of nomination forms may start next week," he stated.

Spokesperson for the caretaker committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said he was in a meeting when he was contacted for comment.

New Telegraph was informed that the caretaker committee would hold a private meeting with the Board of Trustees (BoT) on Monday night. It could not be confirmed whether the meeting eventually hold.

It is most likely that party leaders are tired of the court processes and are looking for political solution to the leadership crisis.

Senator Buruji Kashamu, who is a principal actor in the crisis, is suggesting political solution to resolve the matter.

In a position paper released yesterday, Kashamu was of the opinion that the courts may not be able to resolve the issues in a manner that would ultimately work out for the greater good of the party.

"After due consideration and consultations from various quarters and stakeholders, I am of the opinion that it is incumbent on the elders, leaders, members of the National Assembly, members of the Board of Trustees and all leaders of the party to seek peaceful resolution of the issues in order to put an end to the protracted crisis rocking our party," he added.

A source confirmed that there were reconciliation meetings going on since last week's court judgement, but he could not confirm who was mediating it.

Kashamu said in his position paper that the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, mandated him and former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, to open a discussion immediately with Sheriff.

According to him, the factional chairman expressed willingness to meet and work with other well-meaning leaders of the party to return it (the party) to the people.

"He drew our attention to the last reconciliation meeting that was held at the Taraba State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.

Senator Sheriff said he attended that meeting because of the discussions Senator Mantu and I had with him.

"One of the first suggestions he made at that meeting was that he and Makarfi should sacrifice their positions and step down from office and then jointly appoint members of the National Convention Planning Committee that will be responsible for organising a national convention," he recalled.

He said the bone of contention was Sheriff's demand to be allowed to nominate a serving governor as chairman of the committee.

Kashamu regretted that Sheriff's suggestion was shot down at an enlarged meeting with Makarfi.

He added that Sheriff lamented that a meeting convened by the Makarfiled National Caretaker Committee at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre, appealed to Governors Olusegun Mimiko and Siriake Dickson of Ondo and Bayelsa states respectively, to intervene to ensure that the meeting was not held without due consideration for all agreements reached at the meeting held the previous day at the Taraba State Governor’s Lodge.

Many within the party believe that the failure of Jonathan to intervene in the crisis was responsible for the lingering feud, especially between Sheriff and Markarfi.

A party leader from the North told New Telegraph last night that if Jonathan or Obasanjo were in the party, the situation would have been different. “All these rubbish would have stopped if we had any of the former presidents as leaders of the party now.

All they needed to do was to summon a meeting of the parties. Overnight, the problem would be over. But now, we are in the hands of the governors, who are toying with the future of the party.”

He said that what was shocking was the fact that Jonathan knew that the party was rudderless and has not made efforts to settle the intra-party strife.

Another source, who was a member of the Jonathan’s Presidential Campaign team, blamed the former president for the crisis in the party today. He asserted that but for Jonathan’s insistence to run in 2015, against advice from party leaders and the then PDP governors, led by now Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, the party would not have lost the election and arrived on a path to perdition so soon.

He said that the interest of the former president to vie for another term pitched him against the then Amaechi-led Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).

According to a source who was privy to what transpired at the time, the governors were initially against the 2011 candidature of Jonathan, but he threatened them and they caved in because their political interests were also at stake.

He said: “After Jonathan finished Yar’Adua’s term, stakeholders within the PDP, especially the governors, felt he had benefitted enough after one year and six months in office as president. They actually wanted a Northerner to take over from him by barring his candidature in 2011.

“But the ex-president threatened them and said he was going to sink the ship if they didn’t allow him run, which means some of the governors who CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

785,000 The total population of men of Gabon in 2012.

Source: Un.org

7.18%

The percentage of the club-trained players by Italian clubs in 2012-2013.

Source: Football-observatory.com

NEWS

WEDNESday, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

3

'Nigeria's economic woes affecting African nations' Anule Emmanuel Abuja

T

he nation’s dwindling economy, which the government has confirmed is technically in recession, is currently affecting other African countries.

President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, confirmed the situation yesterday when he visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Attacks on oil and gas installations by militants in the oil-rich Niger Delta have affected gas supply to turbines, forcing a sharp drop in power to about 3,485 megawatts.

With the current situation, Nigeria is unable to supply power to its neighbouring countries that depend on her before now.

Nigeria, considered as giant of Africa, supplies electricity and gas to neighbouring countries, which include Benin Republic and Ghana.

Addressing State House Correspondents at a joint press conference with Buhari after a closed-door meeting, President Talon explained that his people and his country were currently being affected by the downturn in the Nigerian economy.

He said: “As Nigeria is not using its potential, it is making other West African countries suffer. The crisis hitting Nigeria is what is hitting us. This is an opportunity for us to go back and develop other sectors.”

The Beninoise President, who described Nigeria as the engine room of West Africa, urged the Federal Government to explore its non-oil sectors in order to increase the country's revenue profile being reduced by falling oil prices in the international market.

He said Nigeria remained a Big Brother in

Africa and needed not to rely for too long on crude oil revenue to the detriment of other sectors.

While disclosing that the discussions at the closeddoor meeting bordered on security and economy, Talon said that his country was looking forward to reactivate the existing bilateral relationship between Benin and Nigeria, especially in the areas of trade relations, economy, energy development and education.

According to him, his country will work with Nigeria to end the current illegal trade going on between the two countries and make what is going on pass through legal processes.

He said: "There is illegal trade between the two countries, which is creating difficulties between the two countries. We looked at the possibility of re-energizing the trade between the two countries so that illegal trade is discouraged."

He invited Buhari to visit Benin Republic towards enhancing the cooperation between the two countries.

While thanking Talon for the visit to Nigeria, Buhari noted that the Republic of Benin has always supported efforts by the Lake Chad Basin Commission to address insurgency and other trans-border crimes in the sub-region.

President Talon said that Nigeria was committed to making the West Africa gas pipeline more efficient.

Buhari also promised Nigeria's continued support for Benin, particularly in the area of energy development.

Also, Buhari hosted the President of Togo, Faure Nasimbi, who paid him courtesy visit after inspecting a refinery project in Lagos State.

Buhari told the Togolese leader that because Nigeria is facing power supply problem, her neighbour, Benin Republic, was also

PDP crisis: Party leaders angry over Jonathan’s silence CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

wanted a second term may not get it and those who wanted to install their successors may be frustrated.

“After different parleys, the governors gave him the passage to run, but an agreement was reached that he would only run for a term and the ex-president agreed to that term.”

While noting that the North deliberately worked against the party and its candidate in the presidential election, he noted that if the party had fielded a Northerner as its presidential candidate in the

2015 election, PDP would not have been in its present crisis.

“There is no way one can divorce the unbridled ambition of Jonathan which was fuelled by sycophants and those making fortunes from the administration, from the present crisis within the party. A Northern candidate in 2015 instead of Jonathan would have put the party in a pole position to maintain its winning streaks since 1999 and those governors won’t have left the party and our structure would have been intact,” he said.

facing a similar issue.

He said: “If you will recall, I mentioned to the President of Benin that we have power problem. We have power problem and Benin has power problem because they depend on us and we are working very hard to stabilise the situation. The resources are available, the technology is available, and we are trying to stabilise the situation.”

According to the president, “if we improve power which means our productivity can be competitive and God willing we are going to achieve our objectives.”

Both leaders also held a closed-door session where they discussed the crisis in South Sudan and Burundi and how the African Union could assist in ending them during its next meeting.

The Togolese President, in his remarks, said he had visited Lagos State to inspect the refinery project being built by Aliko Dangote.

“I'm impressed by the investment of Dangote because we have been talking of socio-economic integration and promoting trade among African countries “If you want to promote trade, you have investors that are very competitive and will contribute to reduce import from non-Af-

rican countries,” he noted.

According to Faure, “I was told the gas pipeline that will be built would be buried under the sea. It means if you want to promote blue economy, our ocean needs to be very safe.

We need security.”

He said he invited President Buhari to attend the maritime summit on October 15 that will be held in Togo this year.

Meanwhile, the Economic Management Team (EMT) of the Buhari administration yesterday held crucial talks with experts at the presidential villa with the view to finding solutions to the nation's dwindling economy.

The meeting, which was presided over by VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo, deliberated on policies that could be adopted in the short term to reflate the economy.

A statement after the meeting by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, said experts made suggestions on how best to reflate the economy, bring it out of recession and promptly restore growth topped the agenda.

During the meeting, Osinbajo expressed Buhari's determination to continuously consider and

adopt policies that would boost business, increase employment and provide succour to the poor and disadvantaged.

According to him, "We will continue to engage with experts and other stakeholders so that we can measure progress of the economic policies that have been put in place.

“The challenges are many, but the opportunities are much greater, we are clearly on the path to building an economy that will create jobs and ensure inclusive growth."

Akande said the EMT meets weekly and also holds special consultations with members of the private sector and economic experts from time to time.

Experts who attended the four-hour long special meeting were Mr. Bismarck Rewane, Mr. Bode Augusto, Prof. Akpan

25.77%

The percentage contribution of Petroleum Profits Tax to total collection for 2015 Q2.

Source: Firs.gov.ng

49.82

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Belgium in 2001.

Source: Itu.int

Ekpo, Dr. Ayo Teriba and Prof. Badayi Sani.

He said other issues discussed at the consultative forum include the review of the new foreign exchange regime and its effect on the economy, as well as the draft Medium Term Economic Framework for 2017-2019.

The EMT members and the experts made a plethora of suggestions on how to reflate the economy, especially through massive infrastructural spending with active private sector participation, ensure propeople economic policies; increase the supply of dollars to the forex market, among other issues.

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, in his remark, said: "We’ve just finished a special meeting of the economic management team, as you know; we are in the middle of consultations to develop the new mid-term economic framework, MTEF." He disclosed that the meeting is "part of a comprehensive consultation process that we are embarking on to make sure that we reach out to a wide spectrum of Nigerians to get a feedback in terms of how best to make sure that we come out of this recession."

L-R: Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Dan Ali; Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari; President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin and President Muhammadu Buhari, during Talon’s visit in Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

Jailbreak: FG threatens to sack prisons officials Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

M

iffed by the incessant jailbreaks and the recent escape of 13 inmates from Koton Kafea Prison in Kogi State, the Federal Government has threatened to sanction state controllers of prisons or any officer in involved in future jailbreak.

While giving the warning in Abuja during a parley with state controllers of prisons and senior officers in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen. Abudulraham Dambazau (rtd), however, blamed the

incident on several teething challenges.

Admitting the specific challenges such as congestion, negligence and structural deficiency confronting the prison services, the minister said: "You are here to interact with the Controller-General of Prisons on an issue that is very important in our minds.

"I know the significance of prison service as a custodian of inmates. You also have the responsibility to rehabilitate those in custody. That is why this meeting has become important to know how to tackle the problem of incessant escape of inmates

in the last two months.

"The first at Kuje Prison and another at the Koton Karfe Prison in Kogi State, this is certainly not good news at all. We need to find way to deal with this incident. I am aware that some of these prisons have structural problem.

Even the most recent ones are not constructed to standard. Secondly, I am also aware of the fact that quite a few of them are very old.

"I have visited many of them and I know that a few of them are as old as a century like the Kano Prison that is more than 100 years old. I am also aware that the number of inmates

has increased without improving the facilities.

"Despite all these problems, I am aware that there are some things that are very fundamental that rest on your shoulders. There are those things you know must be done to ensure the security of prisons. They include patrolling the prisons, manning the towers, keeping records and knowing the numbers of prisoners you have.”

Meanwhile, giving update on the recent jailbreak at Koton Kafea Prison, the Controller-General (CG) of Prison, Ja' faru Ahmed, revealed that seven out of the 13 escapees had been recaptured.

4

NEWS

WEDNESday, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Budget padding: APC leaders quiz Jibrin

Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

A

s investigation continues into the allegation of budget padding by the leadership of House of Representatives, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday waded into the crisis by quizzing the immediate past Chair-

man of the Appropriation Committee, Hon. Abdulmunin Jibrin, who opened the can of worms.

Jibrin arrived the party’s national secretariat in Abuja by 2:30p.m. in a black Land Cruiser with registration number, BWA 768 AM, and was quizzed for hours.

He had alleged that Speaker Yakubu Dogora; his deputy, Yusuf Lasun; Majority Whip, Alhassan Doguwa and the Minority

Leader, Leo Ogor, padded the 2016 budget with N20 billion.

The allegation has been a source of embarrassment to the National Assembly and leadership of the party as the former appropriation chairman was summoned to the national headquarters of the party in Abuja to face the party’s disciplinary committee chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuiabu.

Other members of the committee that were at the meeting were the National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni; National Treasurer, Bala Mohammed Gwagwarwa; and National Vice Chairman (North-West), Inuwa Abdulkadir, among others.

In his brief speech to the media after the closed door meeting, Shuiabu said: "It is in respect of what is going on in the House of Representatives, which you people know

L-R: National Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Mai Mala Buni; former Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmunin Jibrin and Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu, at the party's National Secretariat in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Buhari nominates Tinubu's aide as NCC Commissioner ...appoints Durojaiye as board chairman

Anule Emmanuel and Kunle Azeez

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Mr. Sunday Dare, the Chief of Staff/Media Adviser to the former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as an Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management in the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The president also nominated people into positions of Chairman, Executive Commissioner, and Non-Executive Commissioners of NCC. The president has requested the Senate to confirm the nominees.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina, the nomination is contained in a letter dated August 2, sent to President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, The statement said Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye (South-West) was nominated as Chairman.

Those nominated as Non-Executive Commissioners, according to the statement, are Aliyu Sa'idu Abubakar (NorthEast), Clement Omeiza Baiye (North-Central), Chief Okoi Ofem Obono Obla (South-South), Pastor Ezekiel Yissa (North-

Central) and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume (SouthEast).

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof.

Umar Danbatta and the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr.

Ubale Maska have been only two individuals on the board of NCC since last year.

This followed tenure expiration of Mr. Peter Igho, Dr. Eugene Juwah, Mr. Okechukwu Itanyi as NCC board chairman, NCC EVC and Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Engagement respectively.

Durojaiye, who was born in Ogun State in 1933, earned a BSc (Economics) London, and an LLB, London.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1979.

He also graduated from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru. He worked for 35 years in the Nigerian public sector, including 28 years as a Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Mint.

He worked with the Inter national Monetary Fund, the Federal Reserve System in the United States and the City University London between 1964 and 1982.

Durojaiye was senator between 1999 and 2003.

Dare is an investigative journalist with over

two decades of media experience at both the local and international levels.

He was General Editor of The News and Tempo magazines in in the 1990s.

He served as the Head of the Hausa Service of the Voice of America in Washington DC for eight years.

In 1997 he was awarded the Freedom Forum Journalism Fellowship to study at New York University in New York City. And in 2000, he became the third Nigerian journalist to be awarded the Nieman Journalism Fellowship to study at

Harvard University in Boston Dare holds a baccalaureate degree in International Relation and a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy.

He co-authored "Making a Killing-The Business of War" which won the 2003 Sigma Delta Chi Awards for excellence in Journalism and Independent Investigative Reporting.

He authored "Guerrilla Journalism-Dispatches from the Underground," published in 2007.

more than all of us. I asked him to come and brief the party; honestly speaking, we never thought it would be covered by the media.

"I that summoned him, the national secretary of the party and the national vice chairman of his zone sat down to discuss it. There is nothing like passing any judgement on any member of the party; we only play our role as the umpire in this matter to see how we can create some atmosphere of peace and unity among our members.

"I was reading today in the papers that we called him to discipline him; discipline him on what?

Whatever happens in the House of Representatives or the Senate under the constitution and their rules, they are immune.

"But when certain things go off hand, of course, the party needs to call its members to know how best to unite, and that is exactly what we have done.

"What we did actually was that we heard from him. We have heard earlier from the speaker, but because it was not in the newspapers, like you just went and published, nobody knew we held a meeting with the speaker.

"I want to say what we discussed honestly speaking was to get a better brief because we have to be carried along. They are our members; we should know from them directly what is really going on so that we can see how we can handle the situation without necessarily making it a town square dance."

Speaking further on how to resolve the face-off, Shuiabu said: "We are discussing with them and it is an ongoing consultation, we are not done with them,

we sat with the speaker, we just finished sitting with him and we would continue to sit with him."

Jibrin, who did not speak to the media while leaving the secretariat, had earlier stated at Shuiabu's office that he was at the secretariat on the invitation of the party leadership.

He said: “I am here on the invitation of our great party, the APC. We discussed extensively on the crisis in the House of Representatives. We will continue to discuss and engage ourselves. I will continue to honour the invitation of our party and I am sure that whatever it is we decide, you will know in due course."

Jibrin had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offence Commission (ICPC), the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other government agencies on the padding of the 2016 budget.

It would be recalled that a chieftain of the party and Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Timi Frank, had over the weekend called for the resignation of the NWC over its inability to resolve the crisis in the House of Representatives.

$24.29m

The amount of the market capitalization of exchange traded products of Nigeria as of December 31, 2014.

Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

-24.5%

The percentage by which the Construction/Real Estate sector of the NSE dropped for Jan – Dec 2014.

Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

Multiple taxation crippling telcos' expansion, says NCC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Danbatta said the intervention of state governors was urgently required to address the challenges heavily stifling telecom companies in various states.

According to him, vandalism and pilfering of telecoms equipment also negatively impact on the sector.

He, however, noted that despite the negative growth rate of the nation's economy, the telecoms sector contributed 8.83 per cent to the Gross Domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2016.

Danbatta said: "There have been recurring cases of multiple taxation which threaten the operators and by extension telecommunications services. There

have also been issues of Right of Way (RoW) approvals to telecom companies.

"Various tiers of government, including local council and state government agencies have created enormous challenges to the sector and some of these agencies often threaten to shut down Base Transceivers Stations (BTSs) over alleged refusal of the telecoms companies (Telcos) to comply with a tax regime which the operators see as grossly excessive and at times inappropriate.

"The operators are in a dilemma and because of this, expansion of the networks is heavily stifled.

There is also the challenge of vandalism and pilfering of telecoms equipment."

He recalled that the immediate past administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) on the issues threatening the sector, but regretted that the provisions of the MoU have not been adhered to.

The NCC boss said the issues needed pragmatic approach for the common good of nation building, adding that the commission would continue to manage the telecoms sector in a transparent manner.

Speaking on the commission's eight-point agenda, Danbatta stated that the broadband penetration of the country will rise from its present 10 per cent to 30 per cent by the year 2018.

"We have made steady progress with the licensing of companies through the 2.3GHz spectrum band won

by Bitflux Consortium.

Only recently, we concluded auction for the 2.6GHz broadband spectrum and the licences will be issued in due course," he added.

In his remarks, Amosun said the state government would look into the issues raised by the NCC. The governor noted that the telecommunications sector had, indeed, contributed to the current huge economic base of the country.

He said the sector had also helped in reducing the security challenges facing the nation and ensured gainful employment for teeming unemployed youths.

News|NATIONAL

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG, Lagos laud Dangote on refinery project lTogolese president commends businessman Sunday Ojeme and Muritala Ayinla

T

he Federal Government has commended the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for giving support to industrialists in the country and Africa at large.

Speaking in Lagos yesterday during the visit of Togolese President, Faure Gnasingbe, to Dangote Refinery/Petrochemical outfit in Lekki, Lagos, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, said that Dangote’s investment had demonstrated Public Private Partnership at its best.

He said: “Dangote is an African/Nigerian champion. We can dream and envision how Africa should be. He has a choice to invest anywhere in the world but he has chosen Africa just as he also supports a lot of industrialists.”

On his part, Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, commended Dangote for his confidence in Lagos economy.

He said Dangote’s investment in Lagos reflected positivity and massive investor confidence in the state.

He described Lagos as home to all nations and providing opportunities for investors to go ahead in their endeavour.

Ambode said: “This investment is one of the

biggest in the world. When completed, it will be refining 650,000 barrels of crude daily. We are happy with what has been done here.

We commend Aliko Dangote for his confidence in Lagos economy.”

Ambode expressed optimism that the ongoing Dangote Refinery at the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) would contribute immensely to solving the fuel supply challenge in the West African region when completed.

The governor, who described the largest single line refinery in the world as another confirmation that Lagos is a prime investment destination, said that

the project will create more jobs for Nigerians.

The governor said: “This investment (Dangote Refinery) is one of the biggest in Africa today and will have a huge impact on the economy of not only Nigeria but the whole of West African region.

“This refinery, when completed, will be the largest single line refinery anywhere in the world refining 650,000 barrels of crude oil daily.

“Apart from creating jobs, this refinery will contribute immensely to solving the fuel supply challenge in the West African region.”

Dangote commended

Gnasingbe for finding out time to inspect the refinery, adding that he was happy with the interest and encouragement being received over the project.

Gnassingbe lauded the investment drive of Dangote across the African continent, describing him as a man with a mission to aggressively transform the African economy.

Gnassingbe said Dangote is a worthy son of Africa who has chosen to buoy the economic activities of the continent with his investments.

“Aliko Dangote is our pride in Africa and his aggressive investment drive towards developing the economies of the continent

L-R: Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; his deputy, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, PDP Chieftain, Chief Segun Adegoke and Commissioner for Adult, Technical and Vocational Education, Remi Olatubora, at an interactive session with members of the Ondo State Artisans Group (OSAG), at the International Events Centre (The Dome), in Akure…yesterday

Red meat raises risk of early death Appolonia Adeyemi

I

t has been shown that people who eat red meat as their main source of protein, could be shortening their lives.

The findings, which were published online August 1 in the journal ‘JAMA Internal Medicine’, made a case for including more plant protein in daily diet.

According to the study, people who get more of their protein from plant sources have an overall lower risk of dying early than those who consume a lot of animal protein, the researchers said.

Red meat or dark meat is red when raw and dark in colour when cooked, in contrast to white meat, which is pale in color before and after cooking. This definition only refers to flesh from mammals or fowl.

Processed red meats include items like bacon, sausage and deli meats.

Processed meats contain loads of sodium and nitrates, which have been linked to heart disease and cancer.

Reacting to the development, Lead Researcher and Nutrition Research Fellow with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public

Health in Boston, Dr. Mingyang Song, said it was not all animal proteins that carry the same level of risk.

Besides, the researchers said many of the red meat eaters also had unhealthy habits such as drinking and smoking.

“We found protein from red meat, particularly processed red meat, is strongly associated with mortality,” he said, adding, “The protein from fish or chicken is not really associated with mortality.”

For every three per cent increase in plant protein in their daily diet, participants experienced a 10 per

cent lower risk of death from all causes and a 12 per cent lower risk of heartrelated death, the investigators found.

Participants experienced a two per cent increased risk of death from all causes and an eight per cent increased risk of heart-related death for every 10 per cent increase of animal protein in their total daily calories.

Swapping three per cent of calories from animal protein with plant protein lowered overall risk of premature death, based on the type of animal protein being substituted.

We’re dealing with threats by militants in Niger Delta – Military he Joint military force of troops and equipment Okojie, who briefed any part of Nigeria at any T deployed to the Niger noticed on Monday at Kai- newsmen after a meeting time, we are merely doing Delta, Operation Delta Safe, ma in Bayelsa was part of with unit commanders our normal duty within says it would remain professional and civil in dealing with security threats by militant groups in the area.

Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, Commander of the joint operation, who said this in Yenagoa yesterday, added that the deployment

should be lauded” he said.

Dangote said the $12 billion refinery would have a capacity of 650,000 barrels a day. He assured that there will be market for the refined products because even in Africa, only three countries have effective functioning refinery with others importing from abroad.

Dangote named the countries with refinery as Egypt, South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire, saying “Our refinery will be ready in the first quarter of 2019.”

Mechanical completion will be end of 2018 but we will start producing in 2019.”

He said: “Agriculture is the way to go, but a critical component of that sector is fertilizers.”

normal operations to keep the region safe.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that troops and military hardware were deployed to Kaima in Bayelsa following threats by a militant group to take control of the area.

within Operation Delta Safe in Yenagoa, said the military had the freedom to be in any part of the country.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria belongs to all of us and the armed forces have the freedom to be at

our mandate.

“We were in Kaima to show that Operation Delta Safe was on ground to ensure that the report by some faceless organisations about creating a ‘territory’ to themselves is not allowed to happen.

Risk of early death dropped 34 per cent if people ate less processed red meat, 12 per cent for less unprocessed red meat, and 19 per cent for fewer eggs, the findings showed

5

Ogun owing workers 11 months deductions, says NLC Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

O

gun State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday appealed to the Governor Ibikunle Amosun-led administration to consider the payment of 11 months deductions being owed workers in the state.

The state NLC Chairman, Comrade Akeem Ambali, made the appeal while speaking with reporters at the Labour House, Abeokuta, shortly after meeting with the state government representatives.

The meeting, held at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, was held behind closed doors on issues concerning workers welfare in the state.

Ambali, who was flanked by other labour leaders, said the pending issues with government had not been resolved.

He contended that workers’ welfare should not suffer for infrastructural development in the urban areas.

He lamented the nonremittance of contributory pension funds of workers in the state, adding that the state government also needed to be proactive in paying gratuities that had accrued from 2012.

Ambali also urged the state government to evolve means through which the salary arrears of both the academic and non-academic staff unions of Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE) as well as local government workers will be promptly paid.

Court refuses to reverse Fayose’s ally, Agbele’s bail Tunde Oyesina Abuja

A

n Abuja High Court, yesterday, dismissed the application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seeking to stay it’s earlier judgement wherein it admitted an ally of the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, Abiodun Agbele to bail on July 21.

The EFCC had arrested Agbele over his involvement in the movement of N1.3 billion being part of the arms deal fund from Abuja to Ekiti.

Agbele had through his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, approached to court seeking it to admit him to bail.

The trial judge, Justice Oluwakayode Adeniyi, had on July 21, admitted Agbele to bail in the sum of N50

million and one surety in like sum.

The EFCC was also ordered to return all the applicant’s seized properties within 21 days if they failed to charge him to court.

The court also awarded a cost of N5 million against the EFCC. In an application filed by the anti-graft agency, the EFCC is seeking for an order of stay of the court judgement pending the determination of the appeal it filed.

The EFCC also wantan order to continue to hold Agbele in its custody and also restrain him from taking any step.

Dismissing the application, the court held that the EFCC cannot hold Agbele in custody without any justification and that there was no special circumstances upon which the motion for stay can be granted.

6 News|NATIONAL Atiku to establish animal plant feed in North-West

I

n support of the diversification of the Nigerian economy, Rico Gado Nutrition, the animal feeds company founded by a former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar, is to establish another plant in the North-West zone of the country.

The former Vice President made the disclosure Monday when he received the national executive committee of the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) in Abuja.

Rico Gado Nutrition in 2015 commissioned its plant in Yola, Adamawa State and in May of this year broke grounds for its Abuja plant located in Idu Industrial Area of the Federal Capital Territory. That plant will produce more than twice the capacity of the Yola plant.

Atiku told delegation of NVMA that the report of a feasibility he caused to be conducted

in 2013 concluded that 95 per cent of the livestock in Nigeria are in the northern part of the country.

The for mer Vice President said that following that report, he took a strategic decision to build animal feeds plant in each of the three geopolitical zones of the northern part of the country.

He said that the first located in Adamawa, his home state is to service the North East zone while the ground breaking of the second in Idu Industrial Area will cater to the needs of the North Central and that the third will follow suit and be domiciled in the North West region.

The Turaki Adamawa said that he was committed to delivering on the projects with his Portuguese partners because the Yola plant has been a runaway success, as it is becoming increasingly challenging to meet demand of customers for animal feeds.

FG reintegrates 800 repentant Boko Haram insurgents Obinna Odoh Abuja

T

he Federal Government has reintegrated about 800 repentant and surrendered Boko Haram insurgents and presented food and non-food items to the military for Operation Safe Corridor programme. The project is meant to de-radicalize and rehabilitate the repented terrorist members to fast track peace process in the North East.

Presenting the items in Gombe, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sani Sidi, said “the initiative, which is in line with international best practices, allowed those engaged in the terrorism activities to voluntarily surrender and embrace peace so that they undergo rehabilitation’’.

He said NEMA would play its role in the programme by providing regular support of food and nonfood items for their up keep.

According to him, items to be released for this purpose every three months

include; 410 bags of rice, 400 bags of beans, 200 bags of millet, 200 bags of sorghum, 750 cartons of spaghetti, 50 cartons of Maggi cubes and 810 cartons of tomato paste.

Others are 101 kegs of vegetable oil in 20 litres, 101 kegs of palm oil in 20 liter, 50 bags of salt, 100 bags of sugar, 420 cartons of milk and 420 cartons of milo chocolate.

Sidi added that non food items will include; 800 pieces of mattress, 500 pieces of blanket, 500 pieces of nylon mats, 1,000 plastic buckets, 1,000 plastic spoons, 1,000 plastic cups 1,000, plastics plates, 1,000 plastic pairs of slippers, 2,000 men’s wear, 63 cartons of bath soap and 1,000 bath towels.

Receiving the items, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, BrigadierGeneral BM Shafa, said the initiative was designed to de-radicalize, rehabilitate and re-integrate willing and repented Boko Haram insurgents, who have come out to surrender to the military and believing that it would quicken the peace process in the North east.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

El-rufai :Why I introduced preaching bill Ibraheem Musa kaduna

G

overnor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has said that his administration introduced the preaching law so as to allow people to practice their faith without challenge and to bring peace in the state.

Addressing the Kaduna State Council of Emirs and Chiefs yesterday, the governor clarified that the proposed law was not aimed at preventing people from practicing their religion as widely alleged in some quarters.

El Rufai warned that Nigerians must stop those who were using religion and ethnicity to cause disunity and confusion, adding that his administration would continue to ensure peace and purposeful integration.

The governor appealed to the traditional rulers to preach peace to their subjects on issues that would bring development.

He pointed out that human life was sacred and government would do its best to protect lives and property.

According to him: “People are using religion and ethnicity to

divide people to achieve political and several interests. We must work hard and ensure that forces of disunity and confusion fail. We must continue to stand up and nip in the bud all attempts to divide Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines.

“The proposed amendment of religious bill before the State House of Assembly has nothing with stopping anybody from practicing his or her religion, whether as a Christian or a Muslim.

“We are calling on the people to be on alert in order not to fall in the hands of people trying to divide the people along

Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Yemi Adelakun; Chairman, Civil Services Commission, Deaconness Joana Ayo and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, during an interactive session of the head of the civil service of the federation with federal civil servants in Abuja …yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Court affirms seizure of Fayose’s property Tunde Oyesina Abuja

T

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday affirmed the seizure of the Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state’s property by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC pending when investigations on them would be concluded.

Fayose had through his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, approached the court to set aside the interim forfeiture orders of the EFCC. Opposing the application, EFCC’s counsel, Andrew Akoji, argued that the commission had violated no law by obtaining the order.

The property affected by the interim forfeiture orders re-affirmed by the court yesterday were four sets of four-bedroom apartments at Charlets 3, 4, 6 and 9, Plot 100, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The two others are at 44 Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja and Plot 1504 Yedzeram Street, Maitama Abuja.

The trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, however held that the order of interim forfeiture did not violate the provisions

N481.88bn

The total revenue of 2015 Government Quarterly Target from Petroleum Profits Tax for the 2015 Q2.

Source: Firs.gov.ng

of section 308 of the Constitution which confers immunity from civil and criminal proceedings on the Governor.

“It is my considered opinion that the order of court, made on July 20, 2016 in respect of some property of the applicant, and within the limited scope and duration within which it was obtained, was duly procured and does not offend the provision of the Constitution referred to.

“Although Section 308 of the Constitution serves

9%

The estimated percentage of the antiretroviral therapy coverage (range) of North Africa and the Middle East in December 2009.

Source: Who.int

Troops foil attempt on Borno town, kill 5 suspects

Ajiboye takes over as TRCN Registrar

Emmanuel Onani

Kayode Olanrewaju

Abuja

T

he Nigerian Army, yesterday, said troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, in conjunction with civilians, successfully thwarted an attempt by Boko Haram suspects, to attack Yauri com-

munity near Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The disclosure was contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman.

The Army said in the ensuing encounter, five Boko Haram suspects were killed, even as several weapons re-

religion and ethnicity to cause problem.

“Those people trying to divide our people for their selfish interest should desist. If you are a Christian, you must respect your fellow Muslim brother and if you are a Muslim, you must respect your fellow Christian brother too. Violence will not take us nowhere in the state”.

On his part, deputy chair man, Kaduna State Council of Chiefs and Emirs and Chief of Kagoro, Ufuwai Bonet, promised that the royal fathers would continue to sustain peace in their domain.

covered.

It noted that on “Monday, 1st August 2016, at about 8.00pm, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole accompanied

by Civilian JTF successfully thwarted an attempt

by Boko Haram terrorists on Yauri Community at the outskirts of Maiduguri city, Borno State.”

F

ollowing his inauguration by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, the newly appointed Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer of Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Prof Segun Aji-

boye, yesterday assumed office, with the pledge to take teacher education to a higher level.

Ajiboye, former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) University of Ibadan Branch, said he and other chief executive officers of the agencies

to isolate governors of states from the distraction of litigation and legal proceedings, to enable them to attend to official responsibilities, it should not be interpreted in such a way as to defeat the fight against corruption, to mean that the EFCC or other investigating agencies cannot take a peep into the assets or personal accounts of a serving governor in the execution of a strictly worded and mutually supervised interim attachment orders for the purposes of obtaining evidence for use in future when the immunity has lapsed”, the court held.

He further held that the order of interim forfeiture made on July 20 had a lifespan of 45 days from the date it was issued. were tasked to key into the change mantra of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

According to him, the minister urged them to go to their various agencies as change agents, with full understanding of the problems and finding lasting solutions to the issues, as well as move the education sector forward.

national | news

wednesday, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

7

Ministers: Why FG is holding town hall meetings

M

inister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the town hall meetings being held across

Ekejuiba

the country by the Federal Government would provide an avenue for both the government and the governed to exchange ideas, thus fostering good governance.

He said: “It's not so much about the government explaining its programmes and policies but also about those who are governed expressing their satisfaction or

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

This is to confirm that Ekejuiba Christian Castro, Ekejuiba Chriastian Chidi and Ekejuiba Christian Nwosu refers to the same person. Henceforth, wish to be known and addressed as Ekejuiba Christian Nwosu. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank, UBA Plc, Union Bank and the general public take note.

Oti

This is to confirm that Oti Chikezie Ogbonna and Oti Joseph Ogbonnaya refers to one and same person.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and address as Oti Chikezie Ogbonna. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and General public take note.

Andrew

I, formerly known and addressed as Biobelemoye Nikor, now wish to be known and addressed as Biobelemoye Andrew. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public should take note.

Obozuwa

This is to notify the general public that my correct name is Obozuwa Victor Raimi but was wrongly written as Obozuwa Victor. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Obozuwa Victor Raimi. Also, my correct date of birth is April 11, 1979.

All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Isah

I, formerly known and addressed as Murtala Shugaba Isa now wish to be known, called and address as Muritala .A. Isah. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public please take note.

Shakurr

I, formerly known and addressed as Adeonjno Shakiru Lawal now wish to be known, called and address as Shakurr Adetunji Lawal. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE THE REALM OF LIFE EVANGELICAL MINISTRY This is to notify the general public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Rev. Dr. Alani Yusuf Somuji 2. Pastor (Mrs.) Mary Olufunmilayo Somuji 3. Mr. Isimaila Samuel Adeogun AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. To lead men with love out of bondage unto liberty in Jesus Christ.

3. To create a platform on which Christians may gather for fellowship 4. To carry out rehabilitation and health care assistance to the needy and less privileged.

5. To facilitate workshops, camp meetings, education, training and other empowerment programmes to children, teenagers, and youth.

6. To do such other lawful things that is similar to its objectives.

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: OGUNSOLA ESQ.

PUBLIC NOTICE

DIVINE ABUNDANCE CHARISMATIC REVIVAL MISSION

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named Association/ Mission has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2004.

The Trustees are: 1. Deacon Desmond Ebosie 2. Brother Chinaedu Obiajunwa 3. Evang. Bridget Udezuka 4. Brother Ogochukwu Ochiabuo AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. Evangelism- Through promotion of ministry at market and business places and fostering of spiritual growth of the saints.

2. Discipleship- Through training and teaching of the saints.

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: Pastor Pius Amajuoyi - Pastor in charge 08067240543

PUBLIC NOTICE

FREEDOM GATE DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

This is to inform the general public that the above named evangelical ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Evangelist Okoro Maryann Chidi 2. Mr Godson Anayo Nwosu 3. Mrs Ifeyinwa Nwadi 4. Mr Sylvanus N. Ihebunuche 5. Mr Godwin Omoke 6. Mr Ogbonna Akpuru AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To propagate the gospel 2. To set free as many captives held in spiritual bondage 3. To put smiles on the face of the downtrodden 4. To groom believers for heaven.

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: PrinceEvangelist Okoro Maryann Chidi

Akeem

This is to confirm that Akeem Abimbola and Akeem Adebayo Abimbola refers to the same person.

Henceforth, wish to be known and addressed as Akeem Adebayo Abimbola. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

AJAH

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Igwe, Oyiri Salome now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajah, Oyiri Salome. All documents bearing my former name remain valid.

National Orientation Agency (NOA), Banks and general public take note.

Andrew

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

Udosi

I, formerly known and addressed as Chukwuma Gerald Udoka now wish to be known and addressed as Chukwuma Jared Udosi. All former documents remain valid.

GT Bank Plc and general public please take note.

Vondoly

I, formerly known and addressed as Anthony Celestine now wish to be known and addressed as Anthony Vondoly. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Lebia

I, formerly known and addressed as Violet Deegbara now wish to be known and addressed as Lebia Violet Deegbara. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Nwanja

This is to notify that the names Uke Sunday and David Okoro Sunday refer to one and the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Nwanja Uke Sunday. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc, Diamond bank Plc, Ecobank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Okrinya

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ujagbor Lilian now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lilian Richmond Okrinya. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

Ibumiegha

I, formerly known and addressed as Imbazi Kenneth now wish to be known and addressed as Imbazi Kenneth Ibumiegha. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

Wisdom

This is to confirm that the bearer of these names Franklin Sinime Wisdom and Franklin Sinime refer to one and the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Franklin Sinime Wisdom. All documents bearing the above names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Ayomide

I, formerly known as Yusuf Ayomide hereby wish to be now known as Yusuf Halimat Ayomide. All former documents remain valid.

General Public take note.

Abiola

I, formerly known as Miss Afolabi Yetunde Folasade now wish to be known as Mrs. Abiola Afolasade Afolabi. All former documents remain valid.

General Public take note.

dissatisfaction. What I found today is that there is a lot of misconception and prejudices, which this kind of platform will throw more light on.”

He said each part of the country had its unique and peculiar challenges, and that sustained and robust engagement through the town hall meetings would provide the veritable platform to correct some of the misconceptions and throw more light on government's policies and programmes.

Mohammed went on: “The major takeaway is that there is no substitute to such meetings, because it provides the avenue and vehicle for both the government and the governed to exchange ideas.

You can imagine the kind of questions we received here today, either on agriculture or appointment or infrastructural development. Clearly, at the end of the day, I felt better because we were able to explain to our brothers and sisters here that this government will not marginalise any part of the country."

Also speaking to newsmen after the meeting, the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said as a follow up to the town hall meetings, cabinet ministers would soon hold a retreat to discuss and articulate ways through which they can enhance service delivery to Nigerians.

Ogbe said: “Very soon, we will have a cabinet re-

treat where all ministers will come together and discuss issues and find out what people's reactions are and how we can help each other to solve the problems as well. It's a finer way of running a country. Keep in touch with the people and they will tell you what they don't like or what they are unhappy about and suggest to you how to do it.”

On his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, said through the economic diplomacy initiated by this administration, his ministry would create more avenues for Nigerians to access foreign investors and partners in order to enhance the quality of their businesses.

Shiites killings: el-Rufai urged to prosecute indicted officials John Chikezie

B

arely 72 hours after a Commission of Inquiry set up by the Kaduna State Government to probe the December 2015 clash between members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army indicted the military, a group, Access to Justice (AJ), yesterday asked Governor Nasir elRufai to initiate criminal proceedings against the indicted officers.

It said it would amount to injustice to put 256 Shiites on trial without the indicted officers, adding that the Kaduna State government must not only put the Shiite members on trial,

but identify the indicted officers and made them face prosecution.

The state government on Sunday released the Justice Mohammed Lawal-Garba panel’s report, which recommended the identification and prosecution of the soldiers who participated in the killing of the members of the Islamic sect.

Besides, the commission indicted the Nigerian Army for its excessive use of force on the Shiites.

Yesterday, AJ asked the Kaduna State government not to leave any stone unturned until the unknown soldiers were identified and brought to justice.

In a briefing in Lagos,

Saraki, Dogara congratulate new NBA President Chukwu David and Philip Nyam

S

enate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday congratulated the newly elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud and other national officials of the association.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the election of Mahmoud could not have come at a better time in the life of the NBA and the nation's legal system, considering his reputation and wealth of experience.

President of the Senate called on the new national executive of the NBA to build on the legacies of their predecessors, work for the

unity of the Bar and ensure that the principles of fairness, equity and justice come to play in all their actions.

He reiterated his pledge that the National Assembly would continue to welcome the input from the Bar in its efforts at reviewing the nation's obsolete laws as well as the introduction of other progressive legislations that will help to improve the socio-political and economic development of the country.

Also yesterday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, urged the newly elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mahmud Abubakar, SAN, to use his new position to restore and defend the integrity of the legal profession in Nigeria.

AJ’s Managing Director, Joseph Otteh, while applauding the commission said there was the need to make the indicted officers face justice as no one was above the law.

According to Otteh, since there was no second class citizen, the government must prosecute all military officers indicted by the Justice Garba panel for murder.

He said: “The act of releasing this report is worthy of commendation and promotes transparency and accountability in government. According to the panel’s report, military officials refused to cooperate with its investigation, which hindered its ability to ascertain the exact number of deaths arising from the incident.

Mining concession: GSHL to present business plan to FG

F

ollowing Monday’s signing of the modified Nigerian Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) concession between the Federal Government and Global Steel Holdings Limited, the GSHL is to submit its business plan for government’s approval within the next 105 days.

The submission of business plan for approval by the Federal Government is part of the timeline agreed upon by both parties for the revitalisation of the entity.

The submission and approval of the business plan is to come after the release of claims by GSHL. Under the new arrangement, the concessionaire is to implement the business plan as approved by the government.

8

wednesday, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

NSCDC officials during the deployment

Military presence brings peace, say Arepo residents Camillus Nnaji and Flora Onwudiwe

R

esidents of Arepo and Ibafo in Ogun State yesterday commended the ongoing efforts to rid creeks in their communities of armed vandals.

Residents of Orange Estate at Arepo said they were initially taken aback by the bombardment but were happy when they realised it was to flush out the militants cum kidnappers terrorising Arepo and Ikorodu communities in both Ogun and Lagos states.

Those, who spoke with our correspondent, expressed happiness that the intensity of the bombardment had been scaled down.

The residents reported that about 5a.m. yesterday there were gunshots which did not last for too long.

Some of them also claimed they discovered three bodies near the creek but were not sure whether they were militants or not.

The residents, however, appealed to the Federal Government not to withdraw the military from their domain.

They said the presence of the military will stop the militants from returning to the area.

A resident of Ebute at Ibafo, who gave his name simply as Ezekiel, said crisis in the area escalated because men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and soldiers arrested a leader of the militants at Ebute and killed four suspected vandals.

City Briefs

NCC arrests 10 for piracy Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

N

igerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Ibadan Zonal Office, yesterday arrested 10 suspected pirates and confiscated several bags of pirated works found in their possession.

Seven of the suspects were arrested for illegally downloading copyright works, while the others were arrested for selling pirated books.

The NCC Zonal Manager, Mrs. Bisi Ogundiran, said the suspects had benefited illegally from the

creative works of others, which were protected by law.

According to her, the commission acted because piracy is a menace to the nation’s economy and that the pirates are feeding fat from the illegal reproduction of other people’s intellectual properties.

Ogundiran said the commission had visited them on several occasions to sensitise them to the implication of exploiting people of their intellectual or creative properties.

She said: “They reproduce other people’s creative work and sell at cheap prices, depriving the owners of the benefit from their creativity.”

According to him, to avenge the killing of their colleagues, the militants destroyed the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) stationed at Ebute.

He said: “To be sincere, the government of Ogun State has abandoned Ibafo community. We have been living here since 2013, but we have not used electricity for one day. The road leading to the Ebute is not motorable; when it rains, motorists use other adjoining streets to get to their homes. The traders also suffer because nobody comes around to buy anything.

“It was through the efforts of the landlords association that the road was graded.

Even Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State who came yesterday (on Monday) could move easily with his entourage to the scene of the bombardment.

“If it were not for the landlords, the governor would be ashamed to move with his entourage on this road. This place is thickly populated.”

Another resident, who identified himself simply as Chike, said since July hoodlums had been terrorising residents of Ebute by the raping women and kidnapping people.

He said: “Even some people who cannot boast of N10,000 in their homes are being terrorised. About 70 per cent of the residents of Ibafo have relocated from this community. I don’t think that most of them will come back because of the problem on ground.

“I am a businessman who deals on generator spare parts, nobody patronises us. Sometimes they will speculate that the militants are coming to attack us, fear will grip us; we will start running helter-skelter.

“We are happy when the military intervened on Thursday. The presence of the soldiers has brought peace to the community. At least we can now sleep with our two eyes closed.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday deployed 50 more officers to join the military and police to comb the creeks of Arepo and Ikorodu in Ogun and Lagos states.

This comes as the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, said some of the vandals were seen in a cluster through NAF’s camera platform on Sunday night, apparently for meetings.

The Lagos State NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Kehinde Bada, said combing of the creeks, which started on Monday, had been reinforced because of the successes of the operation.

Bada said some monumental successes had been achieved beside the arrests of fleeing suspects.

She said: “Fifty more officers are leaving for Arepo and Ikorodu creeks for land combing; it is 24-hour surveillance. We already have a similar number on ground since the weekend’s aerial bombing by the NAF’s helicopters and Alfa jets commenced. Some monumental successes have been achieved, which we shall disclose later.”

The PRO said the officers on foot operation had studied the terrain such that they would not walk into ambush or creek mines.

Four to die by firing squad for robbery Babatope Okeowo Akure

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n Akure High Court, Ondo State, yesterday sentenced four armed robbers, Abdurahman Yinusa, Maliki Sanni, Ajayi Saliu and Mohammed Jimoh, to death by firing squad.

The convicts specialised in hijacking petroleum tankers and selling the contents in different parts of the state.

Before their arrest in December 2009, the quartet and one other at large, had robbed several people at different

times on Isua-Idoani Expressway in Ose Local Government Area of the state.

According to the prosecution counsel, Mr. John Olowookere, the convicts hijacked a DAF truck with registration number XN 810 ABC laden with 33,000 litres of petrol on the same road but were later apprehended by the police.

Olowookere said three of the convicts drove the truck away to dispense the content while the remaining two led the driver and the conductor to the bush where they were tied until they disposed the

petrol and sold the truck.

The convicts stood trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, murder and illegal possession of firearms contrary to Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act R11, Laws of Federation, 2004.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice David Kolawole, of the Special Criminal High Court within Olokuta Medium Security Prison, said the prosecution counsel was able to substantiate the case against the convicts.

METRO

wednesday, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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NDLEA nabs man with N1.78bn hard drugs

Pamela Eboh Awka

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Suspected robbers

Police arrest kidnappers, recover N7m Idris Salisu Gusau

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olice in Zamfara State have arrested three suspected armed robbers/ kidnappers trying to escape from Sokoto to Gusau.

The police also recovered N7 million from the suspects Parading the suspects at the command headquarters, the Police Commissioner, Mr. Adaji Gabriel, gave their names as If-

eanyi Paul from Awka, Anambra State, Echo Chukwuemeka Michael from Enugu State and Mathew Obi also from Awka, Anambra State.

He said the men robbed and kidnapped a 23-year-old youth corps member, Ngozi Dabiri, from Delta State serving in Abuja.

According to him, the robbery occurred near Holy Trinity Church, Maitama, Abuja.

Gabriel said they were arrested after his men received a dis-

‘I tried to jump into lagoon to end 36-year illness’

Onweji

Farida Muhammed

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58-year-old man has disclosed why he attempted to jump into the lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge at Oworoshoki area of Lagos State.

The man, who introduced himself as Mr. Joseph Onweji, said he had been ill for over 36 years. He said the illness used to make him uncomfortable, restless and sleepless.

Sick and tired of being uncomfortable, with no solution in sight, he decided to end it all.

He was about to take the plunge into the lagoon when officials of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), grabbed him.

Onweji, who attempted to take his life on July 24, spoke with New Telegraph in his home, at Iju-Ishaga, Lagos, on Monday.

He said he had been sick for

long.

According to him, he became afflicted with the mysterious illness after he visited the site, where he was building his house.

He said: “I have been sick for a long time. This illness started when I was just 22 years old. I was building a two-bedroom flat at Ibadan.

On one occasion, when I visited my site, I noticed that unknown people abandoned plywood in front of my doorstep. Later that day, when I was taking my bath, I felt a burning sensation on my body. I felt really hot.

I couldn’t sleep for days. Since that day, I have been feeling restless. I can’t even sleep.”

Onweji added that he spent two months at a Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, where he received all sorts of treatments. He said that the doctors were unable to cure him of the illness.

When asked why he picked that particular day to kill himself, Onweji said: “On that Sunday, about noon, I went to the Third Mainland Bridge. I was about to jump when RRS men saved me. They took me to Alausa, Ikeja. They asked me why I wanted to commit suicide; I told them I was sick.”

Asked why he hadn’t killed himself years ago, he said: “For anyone to kill himself is not an easy task.

If it is easy, I would have done long ago.”

Onweji said his wife and children had been taking good care of him.

tress call in connection with the robbery on Sokoto-Gusau Road.

The commissioner said the suspects, who specialised in armed robbery, kidnapping and other heinous crimes, had also been terrorising Abuja and its environs.

He added that the suspects had also confessed to the crime and had mentioned other members of the gang now at large.

Gabriel gave the names of the other members of the gang as Alhaji Usman Argungu and Danladi Argungu, while Hussaini Abdullahi and Musa Lawal, both from Tudun Wada, Zaria, Kaduna State, were among those who conveyed the suspects at the time of the arrest.

He explained that the kidnapped youth corps member was rescued while over N7 million was recovered after their arrest.

ational Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it had arrested a 31-year-old man, Vincent Chidiebere, for allegedly peddling hard drug worth N1.78 billion in Anambra State.

Parading the suspect in Onitsha yesterday, the state NDLEA Commander, Mr. Sule Momodu, said Chidiebere was arrested in Awka on July 28 with methamphetamine weighing 25.2kg.

Momodu said that the arrest followed a tip-off that a shipment of methamphetamine would pass through Anambra State from Enugu State to Lagos.

He said: “Based on the information, we were able to set up a team to search certain vehicles from a particular company.

“About 11a.m. same day, we were able to intercept the vehicle carrying the substance and arrested the suspect.”

Momodu, who said the substance tested positive to methamphetamine, described the substance as “one of the most potent illicit drugs in the world which has a lot of destructive tendencies on the user”.

According to him, someone under the influence of such drug can make disastrous decisions.

He also said that the drug could make criminals to test the nation’s security to its limit.

The commander said besides the security threat

posed by the users, the drug posed a health hazard in the community.

Momodu said the chemicals used for the production were highly toxic and could cause permanent destruction to the eco-system.

He added: “The waste from the drug is more toxic than the extracted substance. The people around where it is being produced are likely to be exposed to cancer and other incurable diseases while children that are also born in the area are likely to be deformed.”

Momodu, who expressed the readiness of the agency to fight illicit drug production and peddling in the state, urged the public to volunteer information that could help stop the illicit business.

Although the agency had discovered three methamphetamine laboratories located at Nanka, Ozubulu and Obosi areas of the state, the commander also expressed the belief that there were more laboratories.

The commander reminded the public that Governor Willie Obiano had pledged a reward of N500,000 to anyone with information on where the substances were being produced within the state.

He said: “Most of the methamphetamine being produced are destined for Asian countries.”

According to him, a kilogramme of methamphetamine is sold at $150,000.

Momodu said the suspect would be arraigned when investigation was completed.

Again, beggar held with rented twins

Muritala Ayinla

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woman, Mrs. Adiza Umoru, was arrested for using rented twins to beg on the streets of Lagos.

Umoru’s arrest came barely

a week after three women were arrested by the officials of the state Ministry of Youth and Social Development for using rented babies to beg for alms.

This was as the Commissioner for Youth and social Development, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, yesterday urged the residents to stop giving alms to beggars especially those with Umoru and babies, so as to the babies discourage the begging.

Umoru, who was caught using twins for begging at Costain area of Lagos, claimed that her younger sister, Aminat, was the biological mother of the babies.

However, according to the

beggar, who hails from Niger State, she pays per time whenever she uses the twins to beg.

At press time, efforts were still on to locate the real biological mother of the babies.

Sources in the ministry told New Telegraph that the biological mother of the twins might have fled her residence for fear of being arrested.

Akinbile-Yussuf described Umoru’s arrest as a follow up to the zero tolerance of alms begging.

The commissioner said giving alms was a good gesture, but it should not be brought to the streets.

She said: “It is an established law in Lagos State; Section 168 of Criminal Code of Lagos State 2015 amended prohibiting street begging. We don’t want anyone going on the street and be begging. We have told people times without number that it is illegal to be begging on the streets of Lagos. If anyone wants to give, they should go to government resettlement centres.”

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POLITICS

WEDNESDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

474,000 yet to collect PVCs, INEC reveals Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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head of the September 10, gover norship election in Edo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, revealed that an esti-

mated 474,000 persons are yet to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in the state.

This is as about 3,000 voters in the state have been removed from the voters’ register due to multiple registration.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr. Sam Ol-

Ize Iyamu to voters: Reject APC’s continuity campaign

T

he governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has said that a vote for the “continuity” in the September 10 election as being canvassed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, will be a vote for unceasing abject poverty, unemployment, insecurity and stealing of public funds.

Ize-Iyamu stated this, while addressing party supporters at rallies in Ugo'Niyekorhionwon and Urhonigbe towns in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.

The PDP candidate, who is from Orhiomwon, advised the people to completely reject the APC and its candidate in the coming election for subjecting them to “inexpressible suffering” in the past seven and a half years, adding that it is the

turn of the local government, which has nothing to show for its rich natural resources of oil and gas, to have its own son as the next governor of the state.

He said: “Orhionmwon Local Government Area is rich in oil and gas and we intend through Public Private Partnership to establish a gas plant at Oben in Orhiomwon because of the abundant gas in that area. We will also revitalise the Urhonigbe Rubber Plantation.

“A garment-manufacturing cluster that will be equipped with state-of-theart equipment and will supply the clothing need of our people, especially uniforms for school children, would be established. We shall exploit the growing demand for African clothes abroad and make our state a major exporter of well-designed African clothes."

umekun, revealed these at a stakeholders’ forum tagged Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

The forum was organised to address some of the knotty issues and grey areas in the preparations by the various participating political parties and security agencies.

The REC urged the parties and their candidates

to stick to rules of the game and to also abide by the provisions of the law and guidelines governing political campaigns, especially as it relates to hate campaigns, warning against acts capable of truncating the process.

According to him, the electoral commission is committed to conducting a free, fair and credible election, which its outcome would be a model.

Edo DECIDES

He, however, observed that the ongoing political campaigns have been

quite rancorous and laced with hate speeches, abusive language, name calling and slanderous languages, which according to him is capable of creating fear and apprehension in the minds of potential voters.

In his remarks, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, said the command would strive to ensure a violence-free election.

Oshiomhole accuses PDP of buying PVCs Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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overnor Adams Oshiomhole has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state of allegedly buying Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) from voters in different parts of the state with a view to rig the governorship election in the state.

Oshiomhole, who stated this when he spoke at a rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state, warned that anyone caught in the illegality would be prosecuted and jailed if found guilty.

He said: “They are

going round, collecting PVCs and dropping lies, please don’t sell your PVCs. Poverty cannot be cured with a dash, it has to be fought on a systematic basis. In Agenebode, they are buying PVCs, they will say bring it, we will give you N5,000. Ask them, if they sweated to make the money, will they use it to buy PVCs?” He urged the people not to allow themselves to be deceived with monetary inducement, stressing that the PDP, while in power impoverish the people. “Don’t allow them, after impoverishing you, they offer you N5,000 and stop you from voting. I’ve told the security agencies to investigate the matter, but please, N5,000 will not bail anyone out of

poverty,” he said.

The governor added: “When we say the PDP, you actually buried it and it will remain politically dead. It died in sin, it undermined the people, looted the treasury, failed all the questions and breached all 10 commandments of development, so it died in sin and will never resurrect in our lifetime.

“I hear them say ‘change the change,’ the dead cannot change the living because they are dead politically, they cannot change us who are politically living. So it’s a futile slogan.”

He further said that the PDP ruined the nation’s economy in 16 years. According to him, “on May 29, 1999, when the PDP

took over the reins of the Federal Government, the official rate of naira was N21.90 to $1, by the time they were chased out of power, the naira was already exchanging for close to N200. We have written our own development testimonial in our own ink and they have written the testimonial of their failure in their own ink.”

The candidate of the APC, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on his part, said the progress of the state cannot be put on the reverse by the PDP. “We will continue with what Oshiomhole has started; he has built roads, schools, hospitals, so we will continue with the next phase, which is human capital development,” he said.

I joined APC to avoid being stoned – Edehor Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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he chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in ward 11, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Chief Sunday Edehor, yesterday, said he decided to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) to avoid being stoned to death by his kinsmen.

He said apart from being stoned, it would amount to exhibiting acts of ingratitude following what the people of the area have benefited from the APC-led government under Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the past eight years.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the APC governorship campaign rally held in Jattu, in Etsako council, Edehor who also

hails from the same ward with Hon. Philip Shuaibu, the running mate to the APC governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, said: “I have been in PDP since its formative stage in 1998 and today I had to decamp to APC. This is the first time somebody from Jattu will be a deputy governor, it has never happened since I was born.

“I am glad that Philip Shuaibu our son is going to be deputy governor. The truth is that I found out that some of us have been deceiving ourselves in PDP for a long time. Come to think of it, this is the first time Etsako man will be governor in the person of Oshiomhole and now the same APC is giving us a deputy governor, so how do you expect us to remain in PDP? It is not possible."

Traditional rulers in Edo North giving royal blessing to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Godwin Obaseki and his running mate, Hon. Philip Shaibu, at the Palace of the Otaru of Igarra, Oba Adeche Saiki … yesterday.

LP warns against recycling of politicians

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do State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has declared that it is ready for the September 10 governorship election, warning the people of the state against continued recycling of those who squandered the state resource in the past.

Speaking to journalists in Benin, the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Samson Uroupa, said the LP candidate, Pastor Amos Areleogbe, is eminently qualified without any blemish.

According to him, LP is the only alternative to

Abudu community declares support for Obaseki T he people of Abudu in Orhiomwon Local Government Area have declared their support for the candidacy of Mr. Godwin Obaseki, gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 10 election in Edo State.

Speaking at a rally of the APC in Abudu, Orhiomwon Local Government Area, yesterday, Secretary of the Community, Mr Osakpolor Martins,who spoke on behalf of the Odionwere of Abudu Community, said: “Our heart is full of gratitude to Almighty God for

the way He has used Governor Adams Oshiomhole to meet the yearnings of the youth and old members of this community that had hitherto been neglected over the past years by successive administrations at federal, state and local levels.

“We want to say that

every lover of progress, every lover of light, every lover of truth, every lover of good things, every lover of God’s gift will listen to your request in Abudu. We will give your candidate full support by giving our votes as a token of our gratitude for what you have done for us."

Edo People at the moment as the party’s social democratic ideals are hinged on equal opportunity and social justice, food production, affordable healthcare system and security for all.

He also said that the attention of the leadership of the party has been drawn to some fraudulent activities of certain faceless individuals, impersonating the name and logo of the LP in PDP rallies in the state to obtain money.

According to him, “these fraudsters are claiming to be members, officers of Labour Party,” wondering why the PDP and its

candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, will allow themselves to be associated with such illegal group.

“We have severally debunked such claims by this group in recent times both in the print and electronic media but recently, the leadership of the party noticed a whatsapp platform know as ‘Labour Party Patriots’ by this same group to mislead, misinform and misdirect the general public.”

Advising members of the public to beware of the fraudsters, Uroupa, said the party has reported activities of the fraudsters to the relevant security agencies.

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WEDNESDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

2019 Setting the stage for women

Politics

Interview Ize-Iyamu: Edo must be rescued from Oshiomhole

12 14

Echoes of restructuring at Fajuyi's lecture Eminent Nigerians who converged on Ibadan, Oyo State capital last Friday to commemorate late Lt. Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi's unalloyed loyalty for his boss and former Head of State, Maj. General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, during the July 29, 1966 coup, used the occasion to reiterate the call for the country’s restructuring, SOLA ADEYEMO reports

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any eminent sons and daughters of Yorubaland, who felt that the ex-Military Governor of old Western Region, Lt Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, died for the unification of Nigeria, last Friday converged on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and called for the restructuring of the nation against the skewed federalism being presently practiced.

Except the North, where the soldiers who carried out the July 29, 1966 coup in which Fajuyi and his guest, the then Head of State, General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi were killed, the people from South-East and South-South geo-political zones were represented at the symposium organised by the Yoruba Think Tank held at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan in commemoration of Fajuyi’s death 50 years ago.

The Ado Ekiti born soldier and Aguiyi-Ironsi were arrested by the Northern soldiers at the Agodi Government House, Ibadan, where Ironsi was the guest of Fajuyi during his nationwide tour. Although the then Head of State was the target of the coup, Fajuyi as a patriotic leader would not release his boss to the coupist but rather volunteered to be killed along with him if the coupist would not hearken to his plea. The duo were killed

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

L-R: Governor Mimiko; Chief Olanipekun; Ali and Adejuyigbe at the memorial lecture.

and buried in a forest at Idi Ito village along Lalupon in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State. Record had it that their bodies were exhumed on the third day and they were later buried in their respective states.

Participants at the forum unanimously agreed that the nationalistic and egalitarian principles, which Aguiyi-Ironsi and Fajuyi died for have not been appreciated 50 years after, and thereby called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take the bull by the horns and correct the injustice and anomaly in the political structure of the country.

To them, the Northern elders who have been and are still opposed to restructuring of the country “have deviated from the ideals of the founding fathers of Northern Nigeria like the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa.”

Chaired by the Alani of Ido-Ani Kingdom in Ekiti State, General Olufemi Olutoye (rtd), the symposium witnessed a thought-provoking guest lecture delivered by renowned poet, Prof. Niyi Osundare, who spoke on “Adekunle Fajuyi and the Politics of Remembrance.”

Among the dignitaries present were Governors Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Olalekan Alli; Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; Convener of Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare; Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoraunti; former Governor of Kwara State and president of Yoruba Council of Elders, Chief Cornelius O. Adebayo and Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi,

We cannot afford not to do something about this imperfect union

who was represented by Oba Babatunde Tokunbo.

Others were General Oviemo Ovadje (rtd) who represented the South-South people; General Alani Akinrinade (rtd); Prof. Banji Akintoye; Sir Olanihun Ajayi; president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, who was represented by Chief Olner Akubueze, as well as some of the family members of late Adekunle Fajuyi, including Mrs. Desolation Olajuyigbe (his daughter), among others.

The thoughts of the dignitaries coalesced when they agreed that the ultimate price paid by Fajuyi should not be allowed to go unsung, noting that it is rare for any Nigerian of present day to lay his life for another person. They also reasoned that the gallantry displayed by Fajuyi in laying his life as a mark of loyalty to his boss, should serve as a unifying force that should strengthen the cord that binds the people of Nigeria.

Prof. Osundare said: “Were Nigeria a country with a solvent memory bank and a faculty of active remembrance, Adekunle Fajuyi would have his statue in prominent public spaces all over the country, and the story of his gallantry told and retold from generation to generation.

“Living heroes are powerful; those dead are doubly so, because though dead, they are never gone.

On the contrary, they are believed to have merely transited to the realm of ancestorhood, that zone of reverential omniscience and respectability, of unvarnished verities and settled wisdom, beyond the giddy hustles and petty bickering of sublunary existence.

You know a country by the kind of people it chooses to celebrate

Photo: nan

and valorise; you also know it by the kind it seeks to denounce and denigrate.”

He gave President Muhammadu Buhari a stern wake-up call to restructure the country in order to remove the age-long lopsidedness beleaguering it, when he said: “Nigeria has no unity to negotiate or not to negotiate, which is why President Muhammadu Buhari must not only read the report of the 2014 National Conference; he owes himself and the country a critical duty to read, digest, deliberate on, and identify its implementable parts beyond all partisan and ethnoregional considerations.

“To wave the lingering call for restructuring of this country is to risk the possibility of suicide through denial. Frederick Lugard's expedient contraption has been acting in every joint since 1914. We cannot afford not to do something about this imperfect union. To refuse to restructure is to prepare to de-structure.”

One of the discussants, Pastor Bakare, who alluded to the speech of the guest lecturer, also said in his speech that “Adekunle Fajuyi, the heroic soldier, lived in an era that saw a budding nation of multifarious constituents grappling with the challenge of self-definition within the whole. The struggle for identity soon degenerated into distrust and distrust deteriorated into mutual suspicion. That atmosphere of extreme sectional sensitivity proved too volatile to sustain the aftermath of the first coup and, in no time, suspicion further congealed into hate which resulted in senseless killings.”

Bakare, was however emphatic CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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POLITICS PLATFORM

Kurfi: There’s no illegality in constituency projects Hon. Danlami Muhammad Kurfi represents Dutsinma/ Kurfi Federal Constituency of Katsina State in the House of Representatives.

In this interview with WALE ELEGBEDE, he speaks on the budget padding controversy presently rocking the Green Chambers The former chairman of the House of Representatives Appropriation Committee has alleged that the some principal officers of the House are corrupt. What is your take on that?

Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin is trying to deceive Nigerians with all his allegations against the House and some of its presiding officers. In the committee he chaired before he was sacked, he had no iota of human relationship with his members and same for the Kano State caucus of his party. All the activities of his committee were shrouded in secrecy between him and the consultant of that committee, he didn’t carry any of the members along. To start with, why didn’t he raise all these allegations before he was sacked as Appropriation Committee chairman?

He wants to present himself as a good guy but he should have spoken up since, if he is indeed a good person that he is trying to make us believe. All these so-called evidence of constituency projects he is presenting now are just an after-thought. I can tell you that the constituency project he is talking about is not an illegal thing. For example, I have a constituency project that is in the budget and my people are expecting it because that is what they want. But I don’t know who will be the contractor for that project and I don’t have any interest on it. All I am out to see is that the project is delivered in my constituency. I want Jibrin to remember that Kurfi during the last Assembly, he had a project of over N1.2 billion in the budget.

There are many projects that he collected money for but deceived his constituency by not delivering them.

Are you saying that those fingered are not guilty?

The House or its leadership is not guilty whatsoever of anything. There was nothing illegal about constituency projects. The ousted Appropriation Committee chairman was only looking for an excuse for his incompetence, inordinate ambition and questionable character. It is like when a reporter turned in a news story to his editor and the editor, who is superior to the reporter edits the story by removing some points and adding others. When he does this, do you call it padding?

This was the same thing that happened in the National Assembly. Jibrin is incompetent to handle a committee; peo-

5 Questions

ple always hurled him down in our sittings at the House of Representatives.

That was why he stopped standing up to talk in the chambers.

What is the position of members of the House of Representatives on the matter?

We are stoutly behind our leaders because they have neither done any wrong nor have they deviated from the rules of the House. If Jibrin has evidence, he should take them to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He can’t scribble some illogical and irrelevant stuff on pieces of paper and force them down our throats. Those ones can’t stand as evidence to his spurious allegations.

What is your take on the comment of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the National Assembly?

Obasanjo is a former president and he made many contributions to the development of Nigeria. But I want to tell you that the administration of Obasanjo was the one that taught the National Assembly corruption. Some members of the National Assembly were offered as much as N300 million to give their support for the alleged third term ambition of Obasanjo. Some collected and some didn’t. But we thank God that the whole project failed. So, if Obasanjo says that the National Assembly is corrupt, I don’t think people will be surprised because he expects up till now that the people he knew or taught corruption are still there.

But I want to tell Nigerians that those set of people that Obasanjo taught corruption are no longer in both the Green and Red Chambers, they have left. This is a new National Assembly that comes with a gospel of change and discipline.

There is no agency or parastatal that can say it gave the National Assembly this or that to do things for it. If there is any, let it come out. We are not corrupt as opined by him; we are here to uplift our people and our nation.

Do you still think the Muhammadu Buhari administration has the capacity to uplift the country given the various hues and cries in the country?

We should thank God that He gave us Buhari. I doubt if there would still be Nigeria if Buhari didn’t come in when he did. Look at the issue of Boko Haram, they were taking our local governments at will and they were bent on turning the country upside down.

It was just by a small magnitude; Nigeria would have been destroyed because people have started leaving our country. But God saved us through Buhari.

He has tried his best to decimate the insurgents and we have relative peace in the North-East now. Yes, our people are crying that there is no money and food, but I want to implore them to be patient. By the grace of God, Nigeria will return to her glory days. They should not see this time as the end of everything but together we must be patient and prayerful for our nation.

The reformation of this country cannot come once, it’s a gradual process.

WEDNESDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE writes on the clamour for more women participation in politics

Setting the

W

omen from all walks of life converged on Lagos last week to redefine and take positive action on how to increase women participation in politics, governance and leadership.

During the roundtable discussion which lasted for over three hours, the women took the bull by the horns by expressing their determination to ensure more women participation in politics, governance and leadership.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion on the role of professional women in supporting women participation in leadership, politics and governance, organised

by Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in conjunction with Cosmopolitan Women’s Club, eminent women professionals, captain of industries, ex-governors wives, former public office holders, politicians, leaders of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), urged government and political parties to give opportunity for more women in leadership, politics and governance.

They also charged the women folks on the need to be actively involved in the build-up to the 2019 general elections such that the participation of women can be on the increase.

Kick-starting the discussion, former acting Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Yemi OlatunjiBello, who chaired the event, called on government to give more opportunity to women in politics and leadership through implementation of the United Nations Affirmative Action.

“Women can play varieties of roles in politics and leadership like being a member of political parties and Civil Society Organisations. They can also vote and be voted for during elections. Women have right to join political party and seek elective position. Women always play active roles during elections but hardly occupy political offices,” she said.

In her presentation, the wife of former governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Angelina Adebayo, said government must influence implementation of gender equity by putting in place laws in favour of women participation in politics and governance.

Adebayo while delivering a lecture on “Role of professionals in ensuring qualitative women’s leadership in private and public sector” also implored political parties to allocate some slots for women during general elections.

Her words: “Women are making a lot of impacts in different sectors of the country but they are not well represented in politics and leadership position.

Presently in Nigeria, the population of women occupying leadership positions cannot be compared to other countries, where women occupy top political offices.

“The first move that can encourage

L-R: Abiola, Akiyode-Afolabi, Adebayo, Onabamiro, Disu, Fayemi, human rights activist, Ms. Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, Olatunji-Bello and Agomo at the event

influence and more participation of women in leadership position is that government must implement gender equality law. And I want to charge Nigerian women to pressurise government to implement the law. We must also advocate laws in favour of women.”

Adebayo also advocated for gender presence in organisation board and urged professionals to put pressure on organisations to give women more opportunity in leadership positions.

She also advocated for more opportunities for fresh women in politics and stop recycling the same people in political offices.

Former Managing Director/Editor-inChief of Concord Group of Newspaper, Dr. Doyin Abiola, who attributed Nigerian women’s problem to lack of love and adequate care for one another, urged women to be kind to one another and be supportive to ensure that they voted for fellow women during electioneering period.

“I believe it is high time for us to help ourselves. We must be kind to one another. Let us care about one another and love ourselves first. We must not be judgemental. We should be one another’s keeper.” she advised.

A professor of Law at the University of Lagos, Prof. Chioma Agomo, said government should create equal opportunity for women to be able to attain their potentials.

She said change cannot happen over the night unless people push for it, urging women to fight for their rights by ensuring that their voices are heard in the country.

Speaking on “Challenges of women in political leadership: Strategies for Action,” a former Member of House

CROSSFIRE Why has it become a crime today that the National Assembly passed zonal intervention projects in the budget? The N4 billion he put for himself; how did he get it?

-Leo Ogor

There has never been any N4.1 billion project.

It is a creation and blackmail orchestrated by the Speaker himself and the three other principal officers -Abdulmumin Jibrin

POLITICS PLATFORM

WEDNESDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

stage for women in 2019

of Representatives, Hon. Rafeequat Onabamiro, said opportunity should be given to credible women to occupy political offices and urged political parties to field more female candidates as party’s flag bearers during general elections.

Her words: “It is to the advantage of men if they give women chance considering their population. We should give women a chance by voting for a woman candidate.

“I will appeal to women support and vote for fellow women.

If women had voted for fellow women in the past, Sarah Jubril and Prof Remi Sonaiya would have been president. Opportunity should be given to credible women to occupy leadership positions.

“To increase the number of women in political offices and governance, I am of the view that the Beijing Conference Affirmative Action should be put into the constitution and the implementation should start from political party level. A particular number of women should be given opportunity into legislative and executive positions.”

Former presidential candidate of KOWA Party, Prof. Remi Sonaiya, charged Nigerian women to start thinking about Nigeria and ensure that they play crucial roles in the

It is to the advantage of men if they give women chance considering their population

Like Aluko, like Jibrin

T

he notion that there are no permanent friends or enemies, but only permanent interest in politics is playing out as friends are now turning to foes while foes are turning to friends.

For over two weeks now, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and former chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumi Jibrin, who were once political allies, have been at loggerheads over alleged padding of the 2016 Budget.

The war of attrition be-

next general elections for women to occupy more political offices.

“We (women) must see it as our duty to take active parts in politics.

It is in the interest of the country to have women in political offices because having women in public office will stabilise the country and reduce violence.

“I will also implore professionals to get involved in Nigerian politics. If they are involved, they will help in changing political culture in Nigeria through advocacy and education. Professional women should also support their female colleagues financially,” she advised.

On her part, the wife of the Minister of Solid Minerals and former Ekiti State First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, charged women to go into mainstream politics and invest in political machineries by aspiring to hold key party positions that will enable them fight for other women at party levels to increase slots being allocated to women at party levels for general elections.

She also charged women to go into mainstream politics by ensuring that they play crucial decisions in party politics.

“It is high time for women to improve our seed and political capital. We should use our social and political capital very well to achieve positive result and increase number of women in political and leadership positions.

“The plan for 2019 should start from now. People should get prepared for future elections. We must start to identify with people through social and philanthropic gesture to build social and political capitals.

“We should invest in political machineries by ensuring that we take active part in party politics.

Women should get themselves register as members of political parties and invest in political parties. We need women who can be chairmen of political parties,” she advised.

The Executive Director of WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said professional women can serve as a catalyst for change. She therefore urged professional women to work assiduously for greater inclusion of women in leadership, politics and governance.

“Women are underrepresented in areas of governance, directorship, and executive leadership. So,

WARDC is of the firm opinion that creating a support base and pool of women willing to take up leadership positions, strengthening women’s alliances and collective pressure strategies is key to allowing deeper changes as concerns women participation in leadership, politics and governance.

The Vice President of Cosmopolitan Women’s Club, Mrs. Aderinola Disu, said increasing number of women in politics and governance will provide opportunity for credible people to serve in public offices. She therefore advised women to take active participation in politics.

“Cosmopolitan Women’s Club played crucial role during last general elections by educating women on the need for their involvement in politics. There is a lot of lopsidedness in the legislative and executive positions because despite the fact that Nigerian women account for 50 per cent of the country population, less than 10 per cent of them hold public offices,” she said.

A former Lagos State deputy governor, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, said good character is crucial in politics and urged women to deal with corruption before coming into politics. She also advised them to be sure of their quality before venturing into politics.

The South-West Women Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson, said women must be ready to lose their privacy for them to be relevant in Nigeria politics.

She also charged Nigerian women to take active parts in politics by contributing their quotas to party politics, especially in decision making.

For popular Nollywood practitioner, Mrs. Joke Silva, women who are aspiring for political offices should get closer to the people, especially people in the entertainment industry. “We should groom women for future elections on how they will hold public office,” she advised.

With the decision of professional women to set the space in engaging the stakeholders and decision makers for more women participation in politics, especially 2019 general elections, the success or failure of the agenda depends largely on women, who have the largest voting population. Will Nigerian women achieve their set goal or not? Only time will tell.

POLITRICKS The two-faced governor in PDP crisis

tween duo is a reminder of the drama that played out between Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mr. Tope Aluko, after they fell out.

Aluko, who worked closely with Fayose during the 2014 Ekiti State governorship election, became a whistle blower immediately he felt out with the governor.

Politricks wonder why politicians usually turn to whistle blowers once they lose out in power play.

T

he crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has continued to evolve. The different court injunction papers flying around appears to have put the two factions in a state of confusion and palpable fear of losing out in the power play.

Interestingly, for a second-term governor of the party, political wisdom demands that he should not put all his eggs in one basket. In the past few weeks, the governor (names withheld), have been hobnobbing with both the Senator Ali

Modu Sheriff's camp and the Senator Ahmed Makarfi's faction.

It was gathered that the governor decided to seek solace in both camps given the uncertainty of developments within the party.

The governor's aides are even said to be surprised by their principal's action and are already anxious that he may lose on both sides.

Although the said governor is trying to have a say in the affairs of both camp, it is only left to be seen whether his political tact will pay off at the end of the day.

13

POLITICAL NOTES

Ondo: The contenders and pretenders

F

rench philosopher and thinker, Francois Marie Arouet may not have had Ondo State in mind when he wrote in the book, Philosophical Dictionary, that ‘‘the pleasure of governing must be exquisite given the vast number who are eager to be concerned with it,’’ but the array of personalities jostling for the November governorship election in the state compels one to believe that it might have been his reference point.

With the stage getting set for a tough battle, the various political gladiators in the race are perfecting strategies to emerge the candidates of their respective political parties and perhaps take over from Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who is on the verge of leaving the Ondo State Government House.

The governorship race, which started in form of subtle moves but blossomed with time, have resulted to alignment and realignment of politicians, who were hitherto in opposing camps, thereby justifying the belief in some quarters that politics is a game of the possible.

On another hand, the contest has pitched once political allies, resulting to name calling and all sorts of spurious allegations by the principal actors, their aides and supporters, and lending credence to another axiom that politics is game of interest, masquerading as contest of principles.

So far, there are scores of aspirants who want to succeed the Mimiko from both the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), main opposition party - All Progressives Congress (APC)and others, a handful of them contenders, while many are pretenders, who are only in the race to make up the number.

Some of the aspirants, especially within the two contending parties – PDP and APC, have in the course of the campaign to woe delegates, who would be voting at the primaries, dropped names of powers that be both in the state and Abuja as backers of their respective ambitions even when the ultimate power to elect Mimiko's successor is in the hands of the electorate.

But as the clock ticks to the primaries, the pretenders are gradually quitting the stage for the contenders with some opting for the less visible parties, perhaps, after realising that though politics is exciting, it is almost as dangerous as war.

FELIX NWANERI

14

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, is not new to the state’s politics. He was former Chief of Staff to the governor and Secretary to the State Government. He speaks in this interview on factors that will shape the poll. FELIX NWANERI reports

What informed your optimism of winning the September 10 governorship election even when you are contesting against the ruling party both at the state and federal levels?

The reason is obvious; the present All Progressives Congress (APC) government in Edo State has not done well. They had the opportunity to prove themselves in eight years, but today, people are very disillusioned. Just some days ago, our pensioners went on protest to Government House. Even though Governor Adams Oshiomhole was in his office, he refused to see them. He refused to grant them access and it is interesting to hear what he said. The pensioners mentioned that many of them have not received their entitlements and that in the past seven months; at least, nine pensioners have died because of the frustrations and sufferings they are going through.

The pensioners are a critical number in the state. They have families and dependants and I can bet you that with this situation, majority of the pensioners will not vote for them even if they decide to start paying pensions now, which is not even possible.

To make it even more difficult, the governor has closed the pension office, which means that pension papers cannot be processed.

Of course, these are experienced retired civil servants. They understand the game the governor is playing. Judicial service workers have not been paid their entitlements for over a year now. They went on a strike, asking that government should obey the court ruling, which said they should enjoy financial autonomy. Even when they called off their strike, the governor declared that their entitlements should not be paid for the period they were on strike and it runs into months. The judicial workers as at today are complaining. Students who voted for him, believing that he will make education more accessible, not only has he reduced the standards of education, he has increased school fees. So, on what basis are students going to vote for the APC? Okada riders who were at the forefront of the agitation to get him re-elected into government, the moment he came in, he banned them. Worse

WEDNESDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ize-Iyamu: Edo must be was the fact that there wss no attempt to create an alternative for them.

The only people he employed throughout his tenure were those youths he took under Edo Youth Empowerment Scheme. The moment the second term election was in the kitty, he sacked them; over 7,000 youths. They are not going to vote for him. The farmers in the state are also not going to vote for him. So, who are the people that will vote for APC apart from party members? Even within his party, look at the way he has conducted himself, a man who openly accused his deputy of planning to assassinate him, you can imagine the gravity of such an allegation.

His deputy was attacked in his own local government, yet no word of condemnation or sympathy from Oshiomhole. So, even his party is a divided house. Our confidence is the fact that he has failed woefully and you can see that every campaign he has gone to, rather than show Edo people his scorecard, he has resorted to name-calling; insulting Ize- Iyamu, insulting Chief Tony Anenih and everybody in PDP. It was a tragic mistake to have allowed such a person to be the governor of the state.

At what point did the Edo people realise that Oshiomhole was a mistake given the fact that they voted for him twice?

To be honest with you, in the first term, a lot of people applauded him. There appeared to be a lot of work in progress. Let me reveal something a lot of people are not aware of. The greatest achievement of Oshiomhole in his first term was the cosmetic renovation of schools. I call it cosmetic because when you renovate schools and there are no chairs or tables, no science laboratories, no teachers in the classrooms, then it is cosmetic. But even that renovation was a UBE scheme. 85 of the schools that were renovated were primary schools under the Universal Basic Education (UBE) scheme. The UBE scheme was an initiative by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Under that scheme, the then PDP-led Federal Government contributed 60 per cent of the funds that were used for that renovation. What many people did not realise was that the 40 per cent counterpart funding that Edo State government brought was actually contributed

by Prof Oserhiemen Osunbor, a PDP governor before the court removed him.

So, when Oshiomhole came in as governor, he had billions waiting for him because the Federal Government had just released the money. After that money was spent, what has happened? His second term is almost over, how many schools were renovated during his second term? The reason is not farfetched. The counterpart funding was not paid, so the Federal Government did not release money.

His second term has been a disaster. On road construction, when you do one road, people will expect that another one is coming; but the roads were deliberately chosen to deceive people. He deliberately chose roads that a casual visitor

Ize-Iyamu

The best Obaseki can lay claim to is that he was chairman of a non-existent Economic Team

will want to pass through without going deep into the city. So, if you land at Benin Airport and you drive to Government House, and then you drive back to the airport, you might have a very good impression about Benin on the state of roads. But if you take the pains to go outside the city, you will find out that the roads that have been done are less than three per cent.

It will shock you to know that the road to the palace is in a deplorable condition. If not for the rains, I have contacted a construction company to go and fix it because it is a disgrace. We are planning a coronation of the new Oba, visitors are coming into the state and the road to the palace is impassable. If the road leading to the Oba’s palace is bad, you can imagine other roads. Before he came in as governor, we had pipe borne water. Ikpoba River Dam was functional. Ojirabi Dam was functional; today they are no more.

Even the pipes that were procured with ADP loans for the Benin water expansion, they have mysteriously disappeared. We have been told that they were sold but the money is nowhere to be found in government coffers and nobody has raised any eyebrows about it.

In the course of rehabilitating the so-called roads, a lot of water pipes were destroyed. For any government now to bring water to Benin, it is going to cost trillions because all the pipes have been destroyed.

For the first time, we have a government that has no plan for pipe borne water. Everybody in Edo State, now have to rely on selfhelp; either you sink a borehole, go to the river or wait for the rain

to come. We are back to the Stone Age in Edo and that is why you can imagine the kind of diseases that we have because the water from the boreholes are not tested or treated.

So, in the absence of water, light, jobs, what is going to make Edo to be interested in continuity of this government? The second term has been a disaster and Edo people cannot wait to push him out. In fact, they were hoping that the election, which was done four years ago, would be in July. They were disappointed when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the election would be in September. So, everyday, Edo people are waiting; they are counting the days. Every Edo worker wants this government to exit and they are praying frantically for the election day.

Are you saying there is nothing you can credit to Governor Oshiomhole as achievements worthy of praise?

It will be difficult though there are two areas that I felt he has tried. First, is Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which is key to the sustainability of any state.

When he came in, it was about N300 million and he announced that it has gone up to N2.5 billion.

That to me was something to applaud. However, that money has nosedived and the reason is not farfetched. The government has not been able to put in place any machinery for attracting businesses or to sustain existing ones. The tax policy is arbitrary and punitive. So, Edo people are over-taxed and a lot of the money is going

POLITICS

WEDNESDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

rescued from Oshiomhole

into private pockets. Lots of revenue collectors have resorted to self-help. Money that ought to go into government coffers is going into private pockets. Sometimes ago, a member of the Produce Board resigned his appointment, saying that the chairman of that board is collecting all the money meant for the state and putting it into his private accounts. Interestingly, the chairman of the Produce Board is a nephew of the governor, so he never bothered to investigate such a weighty accusation.

So, I find it very difficult to praise him on the IGR because of the fraud going on. At the same time, in terms of percentage, he has not even done any miracle.

When we were in government in 1999, the IGR of the state was N26 million, maximum was N30 million. Before we left, we moved it to N300 million. So, what they have done in terms of percentage is not even extraordinary, when compared to what we did. But the reality is that the money has nosedived. What makes it even worse is that they collected $75 million in one tranche and they collected the second one for the purpose of growing our IGR. They borrowed money from the World Bank to increase the IGR. After collecting the money, the IGR has gone down. So, something is wrong somewhere.

They are going to make us pay for money they collected in growing the IGR, yet the IGR is not growing, instead it is going down.

The second area that I felt he should be praised is the attempt to deal with the flooding problem in Benin. I have often said in the past that the problem of Edo is not really that of bad roads. It has always been that of drainage system. In the absence of drains, the roads cannot last. So, when he came up with this concept of a Storm Water Project, some of us encouraged him because for the first time, Edo will have a comprehensive masterplan that will tackle the flooding problem. Tarring of roads is not difficult once you can deal with primary and secondary drains. So, when he took N30 billion, nobody complained; but at the tail-end of his administration, he announced to Edo people through his Commissioner for Environment that the job cannot be completed in 30 years. Of course, he doesn’t have a tenure of 30 years. He did not disclose the percentage of work the N30 billion did. He only said the project cannot be completed in 30 years. What this means is that after collecting N30 billion, he is telling us that he won’t be able to do what he has promised us.

The election is not between you and Oshiomhole but Godwin Obaseki, who many believe have a rich profile.

Are you not intimidated by this?

How can you be intimidated by a man you don’t see? Every time the APC campaigns, the only man who speaks is Oshiomhole, while the governorship candidate, Obaseki is pushed to the background. So, if the APC candidate is contended with hiding under him, no problem. But when you say rich background, I am surprised. What rich background? Are you talking about his financial or academic

background? With due respect, even if one wants to be modest, when you want to talk about governance, the best Obaseki can lay claim to is that he was chairman of a non-existent Economic Team.

I have been Chief of Staff, Secretary to Government. The experience I have, he cannot come near it. The Economic Team they talk about, have they ever told you who are the members? How many times did they meet? What were the policies they churned out?

With the level of economic mess that the state is in, it is shocking that somebody can stand up and say ‘I was in charge of the Economic team.’ He said he is a technocrat, technocrat in what sense?

A man who was a stockbroker, do you even know how he left the place? It is a common secret that he was forced to resign as Managing Director of Afrinvest before he came here. Here is a man, who has never voted in Edo. A man who prides himself as being a very strong businessman, who wants to govern our state, have you asked him ‘where are your businesses in Edo?’ ‘How many people have you employed in Edo?’ He hasn’t done all these things and he wants to come and take the number one position in Edo. It shows the disdain he has for us.

Are you worried about INEC conducting a free, fair and credible election?

Yes, we are worried about INEC because of the inconclusive nature of most elections in recent times. Whether you believe it or not, elections are very expensive, so to do an election and it is declared inconclusive and you conduct it again and it is declared inconclusive, is not the best. I think that INEC just have to put its acts together. At least, let Edo election be different from the ones we have seen. If you cannot do a state or senatorial election, how are you going to do a general elections for an entire country? So, I think that even if these guys are learning, by now they should have learnt.

Ize-Iyamu

If they need logistics support, they should ask; but the media must help us appeal to them to put their acts together. We don’t want a situation whereby on election day, materials are in abundance in a particular local government and in some other key or targeted local governments, materials are not forthcoming. We know that these are things that can be done and they might pretend that it is due to logistics difficulties. It is difficult to explain why materials will get to Edo North before they get to Edo Central. They cannot be voting in Edo North and you say materials have not reached Benin.

There is no level of violence that will make us allow anybody to rig us out

How united is the Edo PDP and how can violence be averted?

Our party is united. In fact, we have never been this united. The leaders of this state are in PDP. If you look at the APC, it is a one-man squad. If you go to their rallies, it is very boring because one man (Oshiomhole) begins the rally and ends it. It is like there is no state chairman, no national chairman, and no woman leader. In fact, there is no gubernatorial candidate. The PDP in Edo is very united. The Ali Modu Sheriff distraction was external. In Edo, there is no distraction at all, we are focused.

On violence, let me assure you that PDP in all fairness in Edo State does not have a history of violent conduct. We went through primaries, I am sure that you didn’t hear that somebody was slapped; but in APC, even the deputy governor with all his security cover was attacked. Security details attached to him were shot.

That will give you inkling to where the violence will come from. We can assure you that we will not be violent and we will encourage our people not to be violent; but I can assure you that nobody can intimidate us. Violence is not one of our agenda but there is no level of violence that will make us allow anybody to rig us out. We will be vigilant and prepared Some people claim that you are attacking Oshiomhole because he refused to hand over to you as governor. Did you at any time sign a pact or is there an understanding between you that you will take over from him?

I never signed any pact with Oshiomhole that he will hand over to me. When we talk about betrayal, the betrayal is more general than personal. All the promises, all the hopes, he betrayed.

Remember that when people are criticising Oshiomhole, invariably they were criticising us because they didn’t know this man at all.

There are many things we don’t know about him. Let me tell you, till today, Oshiomhole will tell you that Ize-Iyamu is hasty. But the reality is that it was far beyond my ambition. My ambition is nothing. My leaders will confirm that.

Throughout our campaign to get the ticket of our party, I constantly said whoever emerges as a candidate of our party, I will support.

There was no time I ever said if I don’t get the ticket, there will be trouble.

I told my people I have come into the PDP to stay. I left APC in May 2014 and this is July 2016. If

15

it was governorship, I had enough time to remain in APC to get what I want. Even if I get the APC ticket, the damage Oshiomhole has done will make it difficult for me to win the election. He has betrayed Edo people; he has betrayed those who helped him to get there, he has even betrayed APC members. He said Ize-Iyamu should come and account for the money former President Goodluck Jonathan gave him as campaign coordinator.

Thank God, the money was sent to me as campaign coordinator but I am also privy to the money he collected as a member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) from the same former President to betray his party and ensure that Jonathan won Edo State in the 2011 presidential election.

Do you think you have the financial wherewithal to fight this battle?

The governor is not fighting me. He is fighting the people of Edo State. He is fighting pensioners, civil servants, students even the market women, he is fighting them because foodstuffs from the rural areas have become so expensive. This is not the first time he is giving money to market women days to election. He gave them N100 million before. How many market women benefited from that money? Has he bothered to ask for a detailed breakdown of how that money went? From my own investigation, even before that money left Government House, commissions were taken at the highest level. So, what came to the market women was a fraction and I am sure the same thing will happen to the N120 million he gave out recently. But, is it not a sign of insensitivity to be donating N120 million at a time when pensioners are dying over their legal entitlements and the governor has refused to see them?

The media should ask him if the N120 million he donated is in the budget. Even if it is security vote, it is being wrongly applied.

Local government employees are being owed 18 to 20 months and nothing is being done, yet the government is dashing out money at a time we are in dire financial crisis.

So, Oshiomhole is not fighting me at all. If he thinks I am his only enemy, on election day, he will find out that he has many enemies. I don’t regard him as an enemy, I just see him as somebody who has plundered the state and the state must be rescued. He is fighting Edo people and I don’t see how he can win.

To be fair to President Buhari, I think that he has maintained a level of statesmanship. I don’t see his hand in any election that has been done. The fact that he does not even come for campaigns shows that he wants to make a radical change and give some respect and dignity to the office of the president. I think what the governor is doing is name dropping. He said ‘I will use the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) to deal with Ize-Iyamu, I will use INEC.’ Is EFCC an organ of the state? I want to assure the people of Edo that it will not happen. Edo people are too enlightened and they are waiting eagerly for September 10.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

NDDC: Ajasin deserves his appointment TREASURES BOLA BOLAWOLE turnpot@gmail.com 0807-552-5533 (sms only)

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r. Tokunbo Ajasin has been nominated as a Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by President Muhammadu Buhari. If confirmed by the Senate, Tokunbo will represent Ondo state on the board of the NDDC. Tokunbo is scion of the late Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin, erstwhile civilian governor of old Ondo state (now comprising of Ondo and Ekiti states); ex-NADECO leader that fought the military to a standstill to force a return to democracy; acclaimed brain box of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Action Group’s “Free Education Programme” in the old Western Region; and the unforgettable proprietor and principal of my alma mater, Owo High School, Owo in Ondo state. ‘Uncle’ Tokunbo’s appointment, well-deserved as it is, fell far short of the expectations of Ondo state indigenes. Early this year when Mrs. Ibim Seminitari, Rivers state former Commissioner for Information, was named acting Managing Director of NDDC, I was one of those who kicked against the appointment in one of my write-ups last February titled “NDDC: Marginalising Ondo state, others”.

Our grouse was that Ondo State had been short-changed in appointments to the NDDC – it never got appointed as Executive Director, not to speak of smelling the MD position – and we felt that this was not fair enough.

Not only Ondo but also all the other so-called “marginal” oil-bearing states have been so shoved aside while only the “big” oil-bearing states of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Delta have monopolised the MD and Executive Director slots. And we felt, rightly, I dare

to say, that this was not good enough.

So we insisted that the post of MD should now be given to one of the marginal states and Ondo, being the leading state in this respect, should get the post. As it would turn out with the latest nominations made by the APC government of Buhari, Ondo has again lost out on that score. A CHANGE government has proved not bold and audacious enough to go the whole hog but has handed Ondo the “crumbs”, as it were, of a Director when it should have been named MD. It could be that the government has felt the need to placate the Big Four after yanking Ibe Kachikwu off as NNPC MD and replacing him with a Northerner from Bauchi in furtherance of the obvious Northernization policy of the Buhari administration. It could also be the government also felt the need to cut the ground off the feet of the Niger Delta Avengers and curry favour in the restive region by retaining the big post there. It cannot be that there are no suitable candidates for NDDC MD post from Ondo State.

In fact, with the impressive credentials of Tokunbo Ajasin, his cognate experience, and excellent pedigree, he is eminently qualified to occupy the post of NDDC’s MD. It could also be that in the highest hierarchy of the ruling APC or in the kitchen cabinet of Buhari, there is no intimidating voice that could rise in favour of Ondo state. Which brings us back to the same issue of adequate representation: Where your representation is weak, you end up getting crumbs even when you are eminently qualified to sit at the head of the table.

When we fought to have Ondo get its fair share in NDDC, it never occurred to me that those of us who invested time, talent, resources, and emotions into that project were doing it so that when the largesse comes, it will only be for a local government in the state. I am not from that local government; I put in my widow’s mite because I believed the largesse would come to the entire state and the whole state would benefit from it. It is thus with a heavy heart that I

It cannot be that there are no suitable candidates for NDDC MD post from Ondo State

read the antics of a latter-day group of persons claiming to have come from Ondo state now saying that only one local government in the entire state qualifies to produce the representation of Ondo state on the NDDC board. This is not only selfish and pig-headed; it is also ridiculous and banal. History does not support their claims.

Their sophistry and manipulations fly in the face of precedence and clear-headed interpretation of the law setting up the NDDC. It is trite that when we read any piece of legislation, both the letters and spirit of the said legislation must be taken together into consideration. It is also trite that what the law does not expressly prohibit is not denied. Previous appointments to the NDDC board – and, indeed, some of the latest nominations awaiting Senate confirmation - have followed the interpretation that takes the entire state to mean “oil-producing area” and not necessarily the village or hamlet where oil rigs are sited. That has been the precedence. We dare to ask: Where were the new protagonists when this interpretation was applied in all the other oil-producing states since the establishment of the NDDC? Why must it be now that it is the instance of Ondo state that the time-honoured precedence, which has fostered love, unity, peace, and justice in the other communities, be jettisoned for a selfish, self-serving, acrimonious, and patently nebulous formula?

We must be consistent in our demands. If we speak out against unfair sharing of posts by the Buhari administration at the national level, it will be wrong of us to return home to uphold and preach the same unfair and unjust practice.

Ondo state has three senatorial districts: Ondo south, where the oil-rigs are, already has taken the plum post of Minister through Prof. Claudius Daramola; Ondo Central has taken NNPC board appointment through Chief Pius Akinyelure.

The least of the three posts – Director, NDDC - is what is coming to Ondo North through the appointment of Tokunbo Ajasin. Fair, they say, is fair. I therefore commend the President for this appointment and wholeheartedly beseech the Senate to confirm it without delay.

The demolition of Mbari shrine Jones Onwuasoanya

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people are mostly known not just by the name they are given, but by the history of that name, and the culture they uphold. How did the Igbos become Igbos? This question cannot be answered without a good understanding of the traditions and cultures of the Igbo people. It is not just about the history we read, but about the practices, the religion, the totems and the art that are Igbo.

Mbari is central to understanding the Igbo identity, industry, religion, education and creativity.

I was about writing something else for the week, before my phone beeped and it was a message from a good friend and one of the finest voices on radio, Maximus Agbaegbu who reminded me of the tragedy that the Governor of Imo State has meted on our culture, history and even future.

I knew of this, but hadn’t gathered enough facts to write about it.of late, I have begun to deliberately ignore news about our Governor and his curious policies and programmes.

But the news about Mbari demolition was too strong for me to really

think about, as I never believed it could happen. As much as I do not like Governor Rochas Okorocha’s leadership styles, I still had my doubts that he could actually order his bulldozers to destroy the Mbari Shrine. I know he demolished some shops within the Mbari Cultural Center, but didn’t know and could hardly believe that the Governor would destroy one of the most sensitive totems of the Igbo.

The morning after my chat with Maximus, I had to drive down to Mbari Cultural Center, the building that houses the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture. True to Maximus’ report, the Mbari shrine has been reduced to rubbles and all the totems and murals distorted.

One of Africa’s best writers, Chinua Achebe was one of those at the forefront of promoting the Mbari heritage of the Igbos and by extension Africans.

He was one of the pioneer members of the Mbari Club and is credited with suggesting the name Mbari at the formation of the club, because of Mbari’s concept of creation.

The Mbari Club which was founded by an expatriate, Ulli Beier, played a fundamental role in honing the literary skills and talents of great some of those who eventually turned out to be

some of the world’s greatest and most celebrated artistes, including the Nobel Laurette, Wole Soyinka. The afromusic pioneer and activist also had his debut as a bandleader in the makeshift Arts Center situated in a market place, where the Mbari Club members used as their meeting place and rehearsal ground.

Mbari is one of the biggest cultural exports of the Igbo people. it had so much impact in the literary and general artistic life of Nigeria, especially the Yoruba, that they had to yorubanize or adapt the name in a Yoruba form, when a group of Yoruba literati founded a new group which they called, Mbari Mbayo. Even thoug this new name has a meaning in Yoruba language, there is no argument that its coining was inspired by the original Mbari name, which has lots of significance to every Igbo person, especially, those of Owerri part of Igboland.

I cannot sincerely put my brain to any reason that could have led my Governor to destroy this very important museum of Igbo Culture. If it is in extension of his vendetta to against the Owerri people, then, it is misplaced.

It is certainly not for road expansion which is the reason he has given for demolishing many structures across

Owerri, because the shrine is built far away from where any road can get to.

If it is because my Governor wants to build a fresh Mbari shrine anywhere else, then, it is also needless.

At a time when the Governor and those in his government are singing about making Imo a tourism and hospitality hub, I do not know if there is anything that attracts tourists more than historical artifacts, like the one the Mbari shrine represented. What better thing could have attracted people from across the world than a museum that many students of visual arts across the world must come in contact with in the course of their studies?

No country develops by destroying its history and artefacts. Some of the most enlightened countries in the world, have kept their artefacts and preserved their historically relevant sites for millennia and these have in turn become major sources of revenue for such countries.

The Mbari shrine could have been to the Igbos and indeed Imo State, what the Diorama Bethlehem is to Switzerland.

The Diorama Bethlehem is noted as one of the world’s largest nativity displays, boasting of about 450 hand carved figures.

•Onwuasoanya wrote in from Owerri.

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This impunity must end

he failure of the Nigeria Police, the organ of government responsible for the protection of lives and property of the citizenry, and ensuring the maintenance of law and order in the polity to close its eyes to the spate of lawlessness and impunity in the system, is apparently disgusting.

One of the major problems with the Nigerian nation today is the high level of lawlessness, among the ruling elite class, which ostensibly permeates the social, economic, political and religious strata of the country.

It is certainly pitiable that rather than the country to rising up to the debilitating challenge with the required vigour and address the misnomer, which to a large extent, has continued to stagnate the nation in all frontiers, the aberration is flourishing with pervasive ignominy.

Beyond this, there is no gain saying, therefore, the fact that Nigeria is being governed with impunity, as the system seemsto have lost control and direction.

In any social order, where laws are respected and obeyed, it is guaranteed that the law is no respecter of anybody, no matter how highly placed in the society.

But, with the latitude in

which some people disregard and disrespect the law and order of the land, as well as run foul of the Constitution, it appears sanity no longer exists in the country, where virtually the highly placed have created empires for themselves, believing they are above the law.

Recently, at the heat of the leadership tussle or crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the embattled National Leader of the Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, stormed the

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The exponential rise in the apparent use of thugs by the “Big Men” in the society is not only disturbing and condemnable by every inch it deserves, but should also be discouraged and dispensed with by all legitimate reasoning.

The police should realise that no one is above the law of the country, and anyone who thinks

The law is no respecter of anybody, no matter how highly placed

Wadata House of PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, with stern looking thugs numbering said to have numbered about 300 with dark goggles as early as 7.30 am with intention to force his way into the secretariat complex, which had already been taken over by policemen from Wuse Police Station.

In the like manner, similar incident happened at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) during the leadership tussle over the NFF President between Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa, when Giwa had to storm the Glass House with thugs apparently to take over the leadership of the federation.

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or is so convinced needs to be told or checkmated, using the apparatus of the law.

Specifically, there is the consti-

tutional question to this recklessness and aberration of the so-called public and political office holders, who resort to the use of thugs at any slight provocation to intimidate and harass perceived opposition, while the police, set up by the law of the land, feel unconcerned.

The use of thugs by Senator Sheriff and Giwa, without being queried and no arrest was made by the Nigeria Police calls to question the level of decadence of our society, without recourse or mindful of the insecurity threat this portends to the nation at this period of national life.

What this ignominy suggests is the illegality in our system,

where “influential people” in the society seem to be above the law of the land mainly because of the weakness of our policing institution.

If not, how would anyone, no matter how highly placed in the society, resort to the use of street urchins in a sane society where the law is allowed to work and take precedence without anyone and neither the police calling them to order.

To a large extent, what is, however, not clear at this point is whether they have the legitimate right to hire or raise personal thugs as their security aides, or have they been licensed by the police or other security agencies to legally go about with thugs.

Besides, it is incontrovertible that the Inspector General of Police or any other relevant authority owes Nigerians explanation whether the Constitution or law provides for such in the system, and if not, why should some people go about the streets with hired thugs without questioning.

Government must come hard on these acts of impunity especially through the police force to reassure citizens that our country is not a jungle where the strong and mighty determine who does what. Lawlessnes is not in any way part of democracy.

18

POLITICS

WEDNESDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kudos as Lagos Assembly renders stewardship Lagos State House of Assembly complex was a beehive of activities recently as the House marked its first session in office in a rather unique manner, Wale Elegbede reports

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o doubt, the Lagos State 8th House of Assembly had from onset set a clearly defined mission when it was inaugurated by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on June 8, 2015. The speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who is in his fourth term, did not mince words in his inaugural speech when he set an agenda of the state legislature.

He said: "We are here to serve the people. Our new members will find that we are often besieged by lobbyists. Their advocacy plays a valuable role here but we must never forget whom we really serve – the people of Lagos State" In line with this objective, the House revved its engine re-ordering the state budget to enable Governor Ambode deliver on his promises to the people of the state in good time. This, no doubt was like a stitch that saves nine, as the re-ordering of the budget enabled the state government to purchase state-on-the-art crime fighting equipment running into billions of naira.

This, in itself is historic as no state in the country had ever procured such equipment which included surveillance helicopters, patrol vehicles, armored personnel carriers and more at the same time.

Noteworthy is the fact that the Ambode administration's first major challenge was tackling an upsurge in crime which greeted his assumption office. This was even as the state 2016 budget was delivered to the state chief executive in record time as promised by Speaker Obasa, when the document was laid by the governor.

Close watchers of the Obasa-led Lagos Assembly believe that this may not be unconnected with the

Obasa

promise that the state lawmakers would not unnecessarily tackle the executive in the overall interest of the state.

It was therefore not unsurprising that the Lagos Assembly made giant strides in the last one year, passing 88 resolutions and six bills within the period. These include the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund law, 2015, armed at tackling unemployment in the most populous state of the nation.

This is aside the Local Government Administration (Amendment bill), to deepen grassroots democracy, Neighborhood watch Bill to enhance Security. Some of these bills have been signed into law by Governor Ambode.

Apparently keeping to its promise to Lagosians, the House is currently working on a bill to stem the spread of cancer. Putting it more succinctly, Hon. Tunde Braimoh, Chairman, House Committee on Information, said the bill which is one of the four sponsored by Speaker Obasa aims to assist poor Lagosians in the high cost of cancer treatment spread and generally look for the cure of the deadly disease.

When the Lagos Assembly

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 1

that the delay in restructuring of Nigeria was being caused by northerners when he said: “Any anti-restructuring position taken by the North would bring to the courts of historical opinion the sincerity of the motives of the perpetrators of the counter coup that led to the death of Adekunle Fajuyi. The elders of the North who, today, are opposed to the call to restructure Nigeria have deviated from the ideals of the founding fathers of Northern Nigeria like the Sardauna, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Abubaker TafawaBalewa; leaders of our nation, who were forerunners of Fajuyi in the Nigerian hall of martyrdom.”

He added: “Lest we forget, these great Nigerian leaders from the North made it clear at the series of constitutional conferences that heralded Nigeria's independence that true federalism with regional autonomy were the only condition under which they would exist within a Nigerian nation. Need we remind those

Most times, their debate is only centered on how to better the living standard of the people of Lagos

therefore hosted media executives and civil society organisations to unveil her social media platforms, it was joy flowing like a river among the lawmakers and others present. Obasa seized the opportunity to reel out the House achievements under his leadership and formally unveiled four the online platforms.

He said: "For purpose of record, I will like to state that this House within one year has passed about 60 resolutions while 6 bills have been passed and consequently signed into law by Governor Ambode. These resolutions and laws are those that border on the security and well-being of Lagosians, and have direct impact on them.

We shall remain undaunted and resolute in our resolve to take Lagos to a greater height.

"I wish to reiterate that I am passionately committed to my 10-point agenda, as stated in my inaugural speech. Within one year that I took over the mantle of leadership of this great House, we have had landmark achievements in prompt but thorough passage of the year 2016 budget, timely commencement of plenary sittings, organizing constituency stakeholders' meetings simultaneously for the first time in all the 40 constituencies of the state, holding the MDAs to account through intensive and effective oversight activities and in responding earnestly to the petitions by Lagosians through appropriate standing or ad hoc committee.

The Lagos legislature also recently played host to renowned constitutional Lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), human rights Activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) and a former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Musliu Smith in continuation of its anniversary and to mark the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election won by late Chief Moshood Abiola.

Speaking on the theme: “Lagos State in a true federalism and state police,” the two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), agreed that Nigeria needed both political and physical federalism for rapid development. Both observed that Nigeria is the only Federal Republic without a state police and that States, Local Governments, and even schools could have their

own police.

Falana revealed that Lagos for instance provided the Federallycontrolled Nigeria police with not less than 600 vehicles in 16 years while the Federal Government accorded the state with less than 200 within the same period.

Their agitation for state police was supported by the former police boss, who said Lagos in particular was ripe for state police by virtue of its peculiarities and special position in Nigeria.

In his remarks, Speaker Obasa declared that every state that has the resources should be allowed to have state police in the spirit of true federalism.

He equally seized the opportunity to demand a special status for Lagos in view its strategic position and contributions to national development.

Appraising the 8th Lagos Assembly, a former chairman of the Ikeja branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Monday Ubani, thumbed up the performance of the Lagos lawmakers in the last one year.

He said: “I have watched the proceeding of the Lagos House.

Most times, their debate is only centered on how to better the living standard of the people of Lagos, how to improve their welfare and how to ensure that the issue of basic infrastructure is addressed.

“Most of the people elected in this 8th Assembly are massesoriented people; you will see it in their pronouncements, actions and debate at all times. Therefore my view and opinion of this 8th Assembly is that they have done some things that show that they are very sensitive to the yearning and aspiration of the people which is very key.”

Ubani’s views were shared by the first elected female chairman of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Mrs. Olufunke Fadugba, who said: “I will say the 8th Lagos Assembly seem to be more active and less controversial than their predecessors who were engulfed in one crisis or the other. This particular Assembly seems to be focused and we can only pray that they remain so till the end of their tenure because it is not the beginning that matters but how well you end.”

Echoes of restructuring at Fajuyi's lecture in opposition to restructuring today that one of the main grouse of Nigerians of northern extraction within the army and civil society after the first coup was the abrogation of the federal system by the Aguiyi-Ironsi government?"

Corroborating Bakare, former President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), said: “Nigeria has been very unfair to the hero, Fajuyi. Nigeria has virtually forgotten him. We celebrate those we should not celebrate; give kudos to those we should condemn. Fajuyi demonstrated patriotism to his country and loyalty to his boss. In our secondary schools, we don't teach History as a subject anymore. Nigeria should accord Fajuyi decent recognition post-humously. If we want to celebrate him, the Federal Government and states, should teach Fajuyi as a subject."

In their contributions, some participants of Igbo extraction also identified

with the late Fajuyi as Akubueze aligned with proponents of restructuring of the country. According to him, heroes like Fajuyi should be celebrated.

He said: “Fifty years ago, the sky of our dear country was darkened by the unfortunate coup that took the lives of our dear compatriots. We have come to join our Yoruba brothers to remember our dear Lt. Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, who displayed absolute loyalty for his boss. We are all remembering him with awe and reverence. Fifty years after, it is unfortunate that we have not been able to restructure Nigeria. We call on the Federal Government to ensure that the report of the 2014 National Conference is implemented. With this, the soul of the gallant officers will find eternal rest.”

In a four-paragraph communiqué signed by the Chairman of the occasion, General Olutoye, (rtd), it was unanimously agreed that “Yoruba people are un-

happy at the damage that has been done to our cultural and economic life by the unitary governance structure, which has drastically limited and constrained our civilization. Many young Yoruba people below 30 years have either faint or have no idea of historical figures like Fajuyi because Nigeria has stopped the teaching of History in our schools thereby repressing our culture. Yoruba Language should be a compulsory subject in our schools.

“Yoruba frown at the terrible poverty that has become the lot of millions of our people as a result of the crisis of Nigeria's structural defects which have made it impossible for most of our states to pay basic salaries to their workers”.

And in recognition of the valour of “Omoluabi” which Fajuyi displayed, Oyo State government promised to establish a Tourist Park at the Lalupon area, where Fajuyi and Aguiyi-Ironsi were buried before their remains were later exhumed.

19

WEDNESday, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Life in the city Overwhelmed by population

The Mega City

Life in Mega City Competing on men’s field

...EXCLUSIVE LAGOS MAGAZINE

The popular 90 rooms building

Flora Onwudiwe

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t sounded and looked absurd.

But it is true! A 90-room building exists somewhere in Ijegun Egba in Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

Not only that, its name has also overwhelmed every other community within that vicinity.

It’s a very popular house on Abiodun Orebiyi Street, along Badagry Express Way, Lagos. A first timer to that area cannot miss his or her way. As soon as the name ‘90 rooms’ is mentioned to any of the motorcyclists of that area, there would be no question for proper description or mistake about the direction of the building.

The 90-room building built on two floors- with 20 rooms each on

OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI CITY Editor

tosin.omoniyi@newtelegraphonline.com

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PHOTOS: TONY EGUAYE

90 rooms: The monster house of Amuwo Odofin the ground floor, another 20 rooms on the first floor and 20 on the last floor. Also within the compound, behind the building, another two story building is seated housing 10 rooms on each floor. Painted in wine colour, it is looking neat but in bad shape. Dilapidated, aptly captured the current state of the building. The structures of the building are weak, the septic tank has broken, giving way to the mess and waste to sip through to the street. There are deep open cracks on the pillars and walls of the house. Lizards and roaches were having a field day in the cracks. In fact, going by the look and the vibration of the building under feet, it could collapse anytime soon.

When New Telegraph visited the building, it observed that the house, which is undergoing renovation, has become desolate as not a single soul was left in the house.

Bricklayers were seen working fastidiously inside the compound and gates of the house. New Telegraph gathered that the house, which has been deserted for more

than two years, now accommodates area boys who use the place as hideout for their heinous acts.

The road leading to the house is also in terrible shape- muddy and deep pot holes. Nevertheless, motorcycle riders worry less about the road as they were perfect in meandering through the rough, muddy and untarred road with bouncing passengers behind.

The floors are weak, the walls also broken, a lot need to be done

HISTORY OF THE HOUSE The 90-room building had been sold to two different landlords, starting from the original owner, who hailed from Ilorin, Kwara State. The real intention of building such a house remains a mystery shrouded in speculations of sorts. According to a resident of the area, who identified himself as Ezekiel, the original owner of the 90 rooms was one Alhaji Olatunji Olaiya from Kwara State. He said he first sold the house to one Commissioner of Police from 1994-1999.

Ezekiel said further that Olaiya was a merchant; he took loan from different banks to build the house.

Unfortunately, he explained

that when the former military head of state, the Gen Sani Abacha, came up with the issue of failed bank tribunal, “Alhaji Olaiya was arrested. He sold many of his properties to repay all the loans he collected from these banks and that was the first time I knew the house was sold.”

However, “my message to the state government is that the building needs total rehabilitation to avoid a loss of lives and properties. The grounds are weak, the walls also broken, a lot needs to be done to whoever that is going to be the next landlord of the 90 rooms,” he warned.

Ezekiel also pointed out that the tenants occupying 90 rooms were more than a thousand. And that majority of the tenants were used for nothing good more than elections.

“Politicians, specifically go into the house to solicit for their votes and in return, they get handsomely rewarded.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

20 LIFE/MEGA CITY

WEDNESday, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Showing Lagos through 'One Lagos' Last Friday, the much talked-about 'One Lagos' brand re-launch took place at the Bar Beach, where Governor Akinwunmi Ambode reiterated his administration's readiness to aggressively boost the tourism potential of the state. MURITALA AYINLA reports

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istorically, there is no way anyone would tell the slave trade story in Africa without mentioning Lagos, where some of the historic places are located.

Apart from its economic viability, Lagos State also holds an important role in Africa's history. Hence, the state had always been at the centre of entertainment, tourism and hospitality for ages and, till date, it has retained its’ reputation as the pulse of Nigeria’s entertainment world.

But in furtherance of his administration's determination to drive the state’s economy using Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Sports for Excellence, the state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, launched the “One Lagos” brand, saying that brand will showcase the true spirit of Lagos through different creative expressions while leveraging on the City’s abundant soft power in an attempt to reverse the negative conversation while celebrating the Lagos people and their unique heritage.

The 'One Lagos' brand, the governor said, would leverage on the best of the most populous black city, the second largest film industry on the globe, the richest City in Africa and the fashion, technological, design and aviation hub in Africa.

At a colourful and fun-filled event were thousands of residents, mostly youths and some entertainment-loving elder statesmen, who thronged the Bar Beach to catch fun.

The carnival-like fiesta also featured top rated musical artistes, comedy shows, cultural displays, dance competitions, models on the fashion runway and kids’ entertainment segments.

The Mega City, gathered that the celebration will continue on a monthly basis with a series of scheduled events up until the celebration of Lagos State at 50 and beyond.

Speaking at the event, Ambode said the rebranding of the 'one Lagos' would promote the diverse multi-cultural heritage of Africa’s largest mega-city and showcase the vibrant energy of its people.

According to Ambode, who was represented by the lawmaker representing Lagos

Some dignitaries at the event

Representative of Governor Ambode, Senator Gbenga Ashafa

Dignitaries at the event

East Senatorial District, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, the “One Lagos” brand was conceived to drive economic growth across all communities in Lagos by ensuring that Lagos takes advantage of its population density, its wealth and its culture by focusing attention on community consumption to grow and deepen Lagos tourism assets.

Ambode said: "It is obvious that “Project One Lagos” is the next big thing waiting to explode on the global stage. The brand launch of “One Lagos” today is indicative of our willingness and desire to project global best practices in the promotion and projection of Lagos State as the centre for entertainment, tourism and hospitality in the ECOWAS sub-region and the African continent.

"This brand will be a major driving force for our renewed commitment to harness the potentials in the tourism, en-

tertainment and hospitality sectors as a major source of wealth generation and job opportunities for our state and our people.

"Today, the “spirit of Lagos” lands on the world stage with the public launch of “One Lagos” brand and we invite foreign and local investors and entrepreneurs to join the train of economic prosperity offered by the tourism, entertainment and hospitality platform in Lagos State, host location of Nollywood, the third largest film production centre in the world.

It is our pleasure to welcome the world to the heartbeat of African rhythm and vibes which is best experienced with the spirit of “One Lagos.”

Explaining the rationale behind the event, the Commissioner for Tourism in the State, Mr. Folorunso Folarin-Coker, on his part, said the event was to further bring the diverse multi-cultural heritage of Af-

One Lagos” brand was conceived to drive economic growth of the state

rica’s largest mega-city to the forefront and show case the vibrant energy of its people.

He noted that the ‘One Lagos’ brand was conceived to drive economic growth across all communities in Lagos by ensuring that government takes advantage of the robust population of the state, adding that the brand would showcase the true spirit of Lagos through different creative expressions while leveraging on the city’s abundant soft power in an attempt to celebrate our people, places and the unique heritage of Lagos.

Folarin-Coker, who expressed optimism that exploring all the tourism potentials of the state would drive Lagos economy, improve its hospitality, added that the government would also reinvigorate its entertainment scenes and gain a prime place in the comity of cities renowned for tourism monuments, sites and scenes.

LIFE/IN THE CITY 21

WEDNESday, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Patients at BT centre at LASUTH

A medical personel operating a new medic machine

Overwhelmed by population Accessing medical facilities in Lagos State still remains a tug of war as patients queue up and receive numbers at general hospitals to see doctors and for medical attention. Abiodun Olokode reports

F

rom observation by Mega City crew, the Lagos state medical facilities are yet to be developed. The available facilities are lacking are scanty to meet the immense population.

However, the state government has promised to upgrade the medical facilities of the state and to invest enormously in capacity building of medical staff in order to provide world class health care for its residents at the primary, secondary and tertiary health care level.

There are about 57 Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in Lagos State, authorised to provide treatment for ailments such as malaria, immunization, fever and tuberculosis, render maternity services, HIV and AIDS counselling, family planning services and environmental health sanitation services at the communal level.

These PHCs are created to provide medical services at the grassroots level.

Speaking with a staff at the primary health care level, Mrs. Alaka-Yusuf, she said, “In Primary Healthcare Centres, we treat children from age 0 to 5 years and minor injuries. We treat minor ailment such as fever and malaria with the Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) available at our disposal. But if we observe that the ailment is beyond the medical services we can offer, we refer the patient with such ailment to a general hospital. Lagos State Government has done their best to improve the medical services that we render in PHCs. We have all the equipment for minor ailment and injury treatment. We have remarkably trained staff, who are ready to discharge their responsibilities”.

The secondary health care level, general hospitals are provided with a conducive en-

vironment and required medical facilities to render medical services, but they are always congested. Most general hospitals, Somolu and Gbagada precisely are always congested and patients who cannot arrive at the hospital as early as 6am will spend almost the whole day on the queue.

While observing the Somolu General Hospital, New Telegraph witnessed how patients are being given cards and number arrangement according to the order of their arrival before they can see the doctor for medical attention. Patients sit and are called into the hospital for medical attention.

A lady patient with a chest pain said, “I arrived at this hospital last week at about 10am. After my registration, I was given a card and number arrangement which was number 85”.

She was examined by a doctor who later prescribed a drug to use and informed her to come back for a scan if the pain persisted.

In another development, the family of an aged ailing woman lamented aloud bitterly that they have paid the sum of N25, 000 and different tests had been carried out, but no genuine result has been issued to them.

Their aged mother was later discharged by the hospital without any improvement in her health condition.

A man, who pleaded for anonymity at this same hospital said, “General hospital staff, most especially, the doctors, need to go for attitude lecture because their attitude towards patients and visitors are awkward and a sharp contrast to the nature of their profession. Doctors are expected to find a way to calm their patients in order to attend to them even when they are not cooperating but I heard a doctor saying in this hospital

Most general hospitals are always congested

Patients in the hospital ward

that a patient is not cooperating and for this reason, the doctor decided to stop treating the patient”.

He added: “In emergency cases, doctors and nurses attend to patients in this hospital, but after the emergency case, patients are expected to pay before treatment. Lagos State Government has harnessed its resources and strength to improve our health facilities, but more is still expected of them to make our health facilities equipped and better”.

A Lagos State University Teaching Hospital staff, LASUTH, Doctor E.A. Gbeleyi, said, “When we compare the health facility of Lagos State to other states in Nigeria, Lagos State health facility is still the best, but the enormous number of people in Lagos State is more than the available health facilities. Patients get to queue up to see the doctor because the number of patients that come for treatment outnumbers the available facilities, but there are emergency section for patients with severe ailment or emer-

gency case”.

He added: “We have three distinct levels of health facilities which are primary, secondary and tertiary health care levels.

To curb the issue of congestion in general hospitals, the government needs to enlighten the public to use the primary health facilities and if the ailment requires more than the services that a PHC can render, the patient with such ailment will be referred to a general hospital.

Many patients with minor ailments or injuries go straight to the general hospital instead of going to a PHC. The working hour of PHCs also needs to be extended to 24 hours”.

According to him, to improve medical services and health status in Lagos State, the government needs to recruit more qualified and certified staff in order to meet the huge population of Lagos State, give incentives to doctors to motivate them to discharge their duties to the optimum level and provide all levels of medical services with more and standard equipment.

22 LIFE/MEGA CITY

WEDNESday, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

According to Ademola another resident, the first owner of the 90 rooms was a tall huge man, Alhaji Olatunji Olaiya.

He was the sole distributor of broken plates, as such, he was stupendously rich but couldn’t manage his wealth properly. “He was my client as at that time. I used to clear his goods at the Tin Can Port. He was an illiterate but the letters of credit that he deals on, he knew letter of credit more than a Managing Director of a bank. He was indeed a generous man which perhaps was his undoing,” he said.

Francis, a resident within that community told Mega City that, “the first time I saw 90 rooms was in December, 1984.

Then, I was looking for accommodation. The building was new and there were a lot of vacancies inside,” he said.

Francis said further that the ‘90 rooms’ is a building that has caused a lot of concern to the people, mostly the name anywhere it is mentioned rings bell. He said there is no mistake right from Alakija bus-stop. The building, he believes is one of the populated compounds in Lagos State.”

“In one of the census they did, it turned out that they are the largest building occupying with people with average of 10-12 people in a room as at that time.

90 rooms have seen so many things that gave me concern; it is like a whole nation with different tribes, different people with different character, and different culture with different behaviour,” he said.

Corroborating the other residents mentioned above, Ademola said that there was no bore hole inside the compound, but there was enough ventilation in the building. According to him, it was a peaceful and calm. “The people who lived there were not

Side view of the 90 rooms building

low income earners; some of them were business men, while some were government workers.

I know of two people that were working with the Central bank of Nigeria, (CBN) and lived inside that compound. One thing that attracts people to live here was because of the serenity of the environment. This house used to bubble with life and activities,” he said.

House of Babel

Politicians spent all they have to lure tenants of 90 rooms to vote them in

He added that the petty traders within the house enjoyed great patronage from the tenants of the house. “You can imagine what it looks like about one thousand tenants patronised just only a small fraction of five traders. It was obvious that the traders were always smiling to the banks,” he said.

He went further to explain that politicians struggle to spend all that they have to the tenants occupying 90 rooms in order to vote them in. “ The Local government chairmen, the Councillors do not play with 90 rooms. They make every effort to get 90 rooms. They don’t play with the compound.

“Immediately they turn up, they will win the elections. they spend anything to get 90 rooms because of the population. If you capture 90 rooms, you have won election.

The 90 rooms is a nation of its own; we have Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and other minorities living in 90 rooms,” he noted.

However, Ademola pointed out that because of the poor maintenance of the building, the septic tank is full to the brim and over flowing, toilet seats are broken, walls broken, the house itself is covered with cobwebs and dust.

“Soon, the pipe will burst and it is the neighbours living around that will suffer it,” he said.

Tenants Testimonies Mr. Isaac Nzekwe was one of the tenants who lived in the building. “90rooms is just like any other building. You may talk of the location but 90rooms had thousands of people living there. There is nothing like inconvenience. Each floor has its own toilet and bathroom likewise kitchen. When it is your time to wash the toilet and bathroom, you

do it either by yourself or hire someone to help you clean it. Even those that call themselves bachelors, they paid people to keep the environment clean whenever it was their turn.

The only problem is when it comes to electricity bills, arguments ensue. I did not spend up to five years living in 90 rooms. I moved in 2011.

There was shower when the house was newly built, but because of the caretaker that refused to maintain the place, those basic amenities were not there again. And if you complain, it will amount to the landlord asking the tenants to pay more. So, we all kept quiet. There was borehole that serves the whole tenants before it got spoilt.”

He explained that when the second landlord bought the place, things had already gone bad, people did not complain for fear of increment. I paid N2, 000 every month, agreement fee was N50,000. Though, throughout the period I lived there, it was peaceful environment, there was nobody suspected of any criminal act.”

When Mega City visited the original owner of 90 rooms, Alhaji Olaiya , he lives on the first floor located at Hawley street off Lafiaji, Lagos Island. He admitted that he built the 90 rooms but he is no longer the owner. On inquiry why such building? He replied by asking us to go meet the new Landlord as he is no longer the landlord.

Even with the plea of his wife asking him to talk to Mega City, he bluntly refused. But judging from his countenance, his facial expression depicted regret and sobriety.

It is probably a memory too painful for him to talk about. But the 90 rooms need urgent attention and perhaps a renovation of modern type.

LIFE/IN THE CITY 23

WEDNESday, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

When tricycle, popularly known as Keke Marwa was introduced by Buba Marwa, the former military administrator of Lagos State, some years ago; many had taken it to be a child’s toy. Of course, it was a job for able-bodied men. But today, women are aptly depicting the popular adage that says “what a man can do, a woman can do better.” OLUSEYI ALANI reports

I

n Lagos nowadays, a lot of women are seen in the field of men doing what the men used to prove that they were men indeed. What pushed them out into men’s field, majority allude, is the current tight economic situation of the country.

They are seen at various bus stops to be more aggressive than their male counterparts, A female Keke rider in Lagos beckoning on passengers and even driving very aggressively on the road. For these female drivers, there is no intimidation from their counterparts.

At Berger bus stop and Ikorodu axis, these female drivers are taking the shine off male she said. drivers.

Adejare Kudirat, 22, a feIn terms of ruggedness, they male conductor opted for the are proving to be more rugged job after finishing her Nationand mean. They also play loud al Diploma, DP, and she needed (Fuji) music and speak rascally to make money for her Higher to passengers or road side touts National Diploma, HND. But who feel they could intimidate conducting from Ikorodu to them.

Fadeyi on daily basis has reAlso among bus conductors, ally exposed Kudirat to a weird women are seen in the field lifestyle. For she now talks and nowadays. These set of women behave unruly to both passenare more rugged and mean than gers and touts at bus stop. She the male conductors. Passen- became fearless and become gers dare not play funny with a dare-devil too. According to them nor should touts dare her, she wasn’t like this; she look their faces to cow them. claimed to be the shy type.

They are popularly called ‘she- “But ever since I joined this devils!’ For them, business is job, I became bold and wide,” strictly business; there is no She said. She said men are her mixture of pleasure at all. major problems as they always On a ride to Ikorodu from challenge and intimidate her, Ojota, a female conductor was but she said she has mastered seen challenging one hefty look- it.

In a chat with Mrs. Aderoning male passenger to a fight.

She stood arms akimbo, legs ke, a female tricycle driver, apart in front of the man dar- the mother of two said that ing him to raise his hands to she was a business woman her face as he had threatened. in Ketu but her shop was deThe man probably thought he stroyed during the regime of could scare her by saying, “I former Lagos State Governor, feel for you, otherwise, I would Babatunde Fashola. have dealt with you.” On hearAccording to her, the ing that, she sprang to his face, land she was occupying was choking him with her full body, claimed by the state governshouting, “beat me, slap me if ment. Thereafter, no place for indeed you are a man!” Other her to stay to operate her busipassengers in the bus quickly ness. “After they claimed the rushed to the front seat to pacify land, no jobs to refund money, the man. When New Telegraph I waited for some months but approached her to demand rea- no job indeed to do. Then, I son for her unladylike attitude, decided venture into driving she replied, “You don’t do such tricycle from Berger to Omole job with simplicity. One needs unit 1,” she said. to add a bit of madness to be acBeing in the commercial job tive and fit for this type of job,” going to two years, she said she

Competing on men’s field

These women are more rugged than their male counterparts

enjoyed the support of her husband and relatives. “What matters is that I am making money through decent and legal means. On the maximum, daily, I take home from N6000, to minimum of N4,500,” she revealed. According to her, she operates from the early hours of 6.30 am and close for the day by 6:30 pm. Reason for this long hours of business, she said, she was on hire purchase of the tricycle. But she declared that if there is any opportunity that is better suited for her, she wouldn’t mind quitting the men’s field.

Mrs. Adedoyin Ajayi, another female tricycle driver from Berger to Ogba, said she has been in this job for over two years. According to her, she operates on hire purchase of N15,000 per week, which she must finish paying within a year. “As it is with me now, anybody that wants to help me should do by getting me another tricycle. I have come to love the job and I am enjoying it greatly. I can’t leave it. Now, my first child is in 200 level in the university and it is with this job,” she said.

On inquiry on what she feels is the perception of people around her, she replied that she cares less as long as she is doing the right thing and making a living through a decent means; she is perfectly fine. Regarding her husband, she said her husband does not really care about what she does, “my

husband is there in his own world. Please, let’s not talk about him,” she said.

Felix Uche, another female tricycle driver said she took up the commercial job meant for men so as to survive. The mother of four said she joined the commercial business in year 2011, after she lost her job.

She got inspired by a woman whom she saw driving the tricycle before she lost her job.

Then she decided to start the job to make a living. She was operating from Sabo to Yaba, area of Lagos, and from there to first gate by Ikorodu garage.

In her case, she enjoyed the support of her husband and children.

No doubt, Keke Marwa is a very easy means of transportation. It helped ease and still easing especially in places where vehicles cannot access or where there are no enough vehicles plying the area. In fact, it became a preferred alternative means of transportation for most Lagosians.

According to Anuolwapo Daniels, a receptionist with a private firm, it is her best and only means of transportation to and fro office and home.

“Since, I started working in Lagos, it is Keke Marwa that is my choice of transportation.

It’s decent and airy. Nobody’s sweat will smear you or one child pee on you or some pick pockets stealing from you. I just love Keke Marwa and feel very comfortable in it,” she said.

24 LIFE/MEGA CITY

WEDNESday, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Oluwatosin Adepoju

O

f all means of transportation, the rail system across the globe is seemingly the easiest, safest and cheapest. It is considered to be more convenient than any other means of transportation due to the fact that its proneness to accidents is minimal. This reposes confidence in the patrons, who chose to use the system at the expense of other means.

This could be an evidence of the effective services rendered by the agency in charge of the system.

However, some chose to exhibit unruly acts in utilizing the rail transport services. While some passengers chose to board the trains going through the ticketing processes and patiently waiting for the next available trains for departure, some chose not to consider the boarding process and hang on the trains, on the roof tops, door posts, and even between the coaches.

About 7-8pm weekdays, is always a time to watch the interesting drama of Lagosians along the Ikeja and Agege rail track, awaiting the arrival of a train. The loud blast of horn of the train arrival keeps them on the alert as they are ready to plunge on the train on every side. The climax of this drama is the act of mounting on rooftops, door posts and between coaches like flies perching on a peeled mango fruit, ready for sucking. They pay less attention to the danger as they display different postures on the train with relaxation and euphoria, while some sit placing their feet firm on the roof edges, others choose to lie on it as if it were a bedroom relaxation time.

Could they have been seeking a cheaper or free means of getting

Passengers dangerously mounted a train roof in Lagos

to their destinations?

As a witness to these facts, Ismial Aliyu, a student, who has been schooling at Yaba, in Lagos for the past seven years, using the rail means of transportation, confirmed that it has become a usual habit for the people who hang on trains as it sets for its trips. However, he said that this act of indiscipline has reduced as he commended the effort of the corporation in taken measures to reduce the act.

With reference to these facts, the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s Public Relations Officer, Lagos District, Mrs. Khadijat Aroyewun-Adekomaiya, in an interview with theNew Telegraph, affirmed the fact that these individuals are trespassers on a ‘suicide mission’ as they are not qualified passengers, who had bought the train tickets which permits them to move on board as anyone who seems uninterested or impatient to await the next available train does have the fee refunded.

She appealed to all citizens of the country who are care-

They pay less attention to the danger as some lie on it as if it were a bedroom

less for their lives, to desist from the undisciplined act of mounting roof tops and hanging at the train door’s, as it attracts severe incidences which would be at their own peril.

She said. “They would also be asked to pay certain fines before their corpses are released as they have violated the rules and regulations of usage binding our operation at every of our stations. Every time, the corporation goes on various media platforms to announce to the people to stop the unruly acts.”

Going by the concern for the safety of the passengers, she added that measures have been put in place to curb these acts as the Railway Police Command officers are always out unannounced at the stations to arrest offenders, who will be charged to court for prosecution, and as at the time of interview, six offenders were already arrested the previous day as they now await prosecution.

She added that these are lenient measures taken to save their live; either they pay fine or be charged to court.

QUOTE

OF THE WEEK

We are working on 19 estates across the state and we are also committed to completing all of them. Ambode's administration had made provision to cover everybody irrespective of economic statue and was committed to making sure that home of ownership was not restricted to a privileged few," Commissioner for Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal during the handover of 60 homes to subscribers under the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme in Lagos.

IN NUMBERS

5,000 housing units are projected in the 3 senatorial Districts over the next 1year to celebrate LAGOS @50.

AU G.

On a suicide mission

She further said that the corporation in its commitment to the safety of the passengers is open to receiving, verifying and validating the complaints of train users on any misconduct and unruly acts in the coaches which has led to the arrest of some miscreants on board as they involve the police.

She added that there are taskforce officials at the train stations to ensure peaceful conduct of the passengers on board.

“We are accountable for the safety of the people in our train and not the trespassers on our train”. She said.

She further appealed to all other trespassers such as people who trade along the railway tracks, loiters and drivers who park on the rails as well as people who use headphones while on the rail track to desist from these acts, as there have been a lot of reports on incidents of such people who had fallen victim leading to loss of life.

However, she said that the rail system remains one of the cheapest and easiest in terms of moving passengers and freights. In confirmation, Mr. Adewale Banjo, who resides at Ijoko, in Ogun State and works in Lagos, also said that the rail system became his favourite since the situation of things in the country has made the cost of road transportation go on the increase. He said it helps him to save extra N300 which could have been spent daily on road transport and also helps him avoid intense traffic jam on the road to save time.

However , he said that there are challenges involved which includes overcrowding in the coaches and delays at the station as the time slated for the arrival of trains sometimes is usually extended without due apology from the station officials.

Also complying with these facts, Adeola Ojo, who works as a plumber in Lagos, and also residing at Ijoko in Ogun State, said that his choice of rail transport is informed by the fact that the system is not prone to accidents and it saves time.

25

WEDNESDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FCT

Business

Lessons of 2016, panacea for efficient 2017 budget

Money Interest rate hike adds to banks’ woes

27 28

What's new Consumer goods, healthcare stocks down by N112bn p.26

Norway, Uruguay fish exports to Nigeria drop

L-R: President, African Ship-owners Association, Mr Stanley Ahorlu; Director, Department of Trade and Industry, African Union Commission, Mrs. Treasure Thembisille Maphanga; Commissioner Department of Trade and Industry, African Union Commission, Mrs Fatima Haram Acyl; Secretary General, African Ship-owners Association, Ms Funmi Folorunso; President, African Federation of Freight Forwarders, Chief Lexzy Nwangwu and member African Ship-owners Association, Mr Bilala Abdourahman, during the signing of MoU between African Union and African Ship-owners Association sign in Addis Ababa .

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

p.26

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

EXCHANGE RATE

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at July 29)

(Parallel Market as at July 29)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N316 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N410 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N345

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N378 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N495 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N415

l Foreign Reserves – $26,229 as at 26/7/2016

Source: CBN

Only 60% phone lines active in Nigeria –Investigation INACTIVITY The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Total number of inactive telephone lines has risen to 69.8 million

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

Kunle Azeez

D

espite the growth momentum in Nigeria’s telecoms sector, only 60 per cent of total connected telephones on various mobile networks are active, New Telegraph has learnt.

This emanated from the latest industry status report released by the country’s telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The report showed that as at May this year, the total connected phone lines in the country reached 218.7 million.

However, of the 218.7 million total connected lines on all networks, including the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and fixed line networks, only 148.84 million were active.

This newspaper learnt that the ratios of active and inactive lines standing at 148.84 million and 69.86 million represents 60 per cent and 40 per cent respectively.

A phone is said to be inactive if it is not used by the subscriber to make or receive calls and/or access data services for a period of 90 days, at the minimum.

As at last February, the total number of inactive telephones in the country stood at 65.6 million, but this increased to 69.86 million as at the end of May this year.

Till date, major operators in the industry such as MTN, Glo, Airtel and Etisalat have about 60 million; 32 million, 31 million and 23 million active lines on their networks with varying installed capacity rates.

Meanwhile, according to industry experts, the growing rate of inactive lines in the country represents “revenue erosion” for telecoms companies.

As at last February, service providers are estimated to be losing about N78.3 billion monthly to cases of inactive lines in the country.

Speaking on the current profile of inactive lines in the country, President of the Association of

N78.3 billion Being the estimated revenue loss to inactive lines by service providers monthly as at last February

Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, said inactive lines result in loss of revenue to telecoms companies.

Also, former President of ATCON, Mr Lanre Ajayi, said by phone that “no operator wants to lose its subscriber to competitors.”

He said: “Competition in the telecoms sector is getting keener by the day and this makes subscribers have the tendency to abandon a line for another network, especially if they find a better tariff plans or more quality service on a new network.”

Also speaking, President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo, said: “If a telecoms operator sells a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) to a customer and gets him connected on its network, the intention is to start generating revenue from the subscriber anytime the subscriber loads its account with airtime to access services.”

Ogunbanjo, however, noted that in a situation where the subscriber, for one reason or the other, does not CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

26

WEDNESDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |news

Consumer goods, healthcare stocks down by N112bn SELL PRESSURE Volatile political and macroeconomic environment continued to take toll on equities market

Chris Ugwu

C

onsumer goods companies and healthcare firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) recorded a loss of about N111.624 billion between January and July 2016, following sell pressure that had pervaded the equities market.

Investigation by New Telegraph showed that the subsectors, which opened at the beginning of January at N2.624 trillion and N52.627 billion each, closed at N2.532 trillion and N33.003 billion respectively at the end of trading activities last July. This represented a loss of N92 billion or 3.5 per cent for the consumer sector and a depreciation of N19.624 billion or 37 per cent for the healthcare stocks.

Just like the other quoted firms in Nigeria that are facing depression in share prices, market sentiments for the shares of most of the companies have dwindled relatively due to challenging environment faced by the real sector

of the economy.

Chief Executive Officer of Partnership Investment Plc, Mr. Victor Ogiemwonyi, in a chat with New Telegraph, said that the market lacks long-term liquidity and this makes it hard to attract investors who don’t see growth in the immediate.

“Those who have traditionally provided liquidity have gone away one by one. The retail investors were driven away in the crash of 2008 with the casino banking crisis we saw and the severe losses that followed.

“They have not come back.

The banks that provided margin loans have also permanently stayed away and now foreign portfolio investors who want quick profits have also now left for good. We will have to seriously find some way to make liquidity available for the market. Those who talk of confidence are right but that is not the problem now. The mar-

ket has gone through a lot of reforms and the regulation is much better now. Liquidity will correct the remaining issues,” he said.

Assessing the current state of the market, some financial analysts said that the positive market environment witnessed in the first half do not point to a more sustainable recovery for equities in the second half of the year.

Analysts at Cordros Research in a report tagged ‘Nigeria Half Year 2016 Outlook: Clear Picture; Dim Outlook’ noted that sentiments were mixed in the Nigerian equities market over H1, with the bulls dominating overall, leading the benchmark index to a 3.34 per cent gain.

They explained that the rally on the domestic bourse was largely driven by the expectation and eventual announcement of the government’s eco-

nomic policies and decisions.

“Our view going into the second half is that the positive market environment witnessed in the first half do not point to a more sustainable recovery for equities,” they noted.

On fixed income securities, the experts noted that the rising inflation expectation and recent exchange rate pronouncements posit an increased likelihood for further yield expansion in H2’16.

“A threat to our forecast is the possibility for lower than expected bond supply to fill the hole from plummeting fiscal revenues,” they noted.

The analysts noted that Nigeria’s fiscal policy space over the first half of 2016 significantly fell short of expectations with the delayed signing of the 2016 budget into law, and the condition is being exacerbated by the ongoing sabotage of crude oil facilities resulting in a colossal

L-R: General Manager, British American Tobacco Nigerian Foundation, Abimbola Okoya; Senior Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mrs. Adejoke Orelope -Adefulire and Fund Director, Sustainable Development Goals, Paloma Duran, during the Universal Sustainable Development Agenda Workshop for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG-F) in Abuja.

Only 60% phone lines active in Nigeria CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

load the line for a long time, thereby rendering the telephone line redundant, “the network is definitely losing some potential revenues.”

Meanwhile, a telecoms subscriber, Mr. Adewumi Abiodun, however, maintained that adoption of mobile number portability (MNP), where subscribers are able to switch from networks to another with a single line, may have led to further increase in incidence of increased inactive lines.

“Before now, Nigeria has been known as a multi-SIMing telecoms market but with the introduction of an innovative service like MNP by the regulator in collaboration with the GSM operators, some subscribers have opted for porting such that somebody hitherto using more than one line has limited his or her number to just one.

“This means rather than porting their lines, a lot of subscribers still prefer to dump current line for a new line on another mobile network that offers them better propositions than their current networks,” Abiodun said.

oil revenue loss.

They projected a 300bps interest rate hike over the second-half of the year from 12 per cent to 15 per cent, as inflationary pressures curtail the CBN’s expansionary ambitions.

“In as much as we expect a modest improvement in economic activity in H2’16 following the passage of the 2016 budget and reduced structural bottlenecks like the petroleum scarcity, our inflation forecast remains high and depicts our expectation of further monetary policy tightening. Important to mention that the CBN has struggled to adjust to the new economic realities resulting from the collapse in crude oil prices. These struggles have been especially highlighted with regards to exchange rate strategy, which has been characterised by various policy somersaults,” they noted

Norway, Uruguay fish exports to Nigeria drop GAP The species of fish being targeted by government for consumption are not available in large quantities

Bayo Akomolafe

T

he restrictive import policy introduced by the Federal Government has forced fish imports from Norway and Uruguay to Nigeria to drop by 12 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

According to Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), since the Nigerian government placed a structured embargo on import quotas, Norwegian fish exports to the country including, herring, mackerel, horse mackerel, and blue whiting had recorded huge decline.

The most important market for frozen Norway’s mackerel is Nigeria, which took 15.4 per cent of the total export volume

during the first nine months of 2015.

It said that exports to Nigeria fell by 9.5 per cent compared with the same period in 2014. The country exported 52,300 tons to Nigeria in the period.

It was learnt that the recent flexible policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would ease pressure on the nation’s currency but a market analyst with NSC, Paul Aandahl, said that there was evidence to suggest that Nigeria was still not open for fish business.

He explained that with the naira fallen to a low record; bigger import quotas would not solve the problem.

Aandani added: “Fish must be out of the CBN list to get access to dollars to a lowest possible price. Fish traders operating in the country currently face curbs on dollar funding for imports, with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) restricting importers from using the foreign-exchange market

for some goods including fish.

Aandahl, who was referring to the list of 41 imported items banned by the apex bank in June 2015, explained that fish importers were still required to turn to Nigeria’s longstanding black market to get their dollars.

He said, “Fish must be out of the CBN list to get access to USD to a lowest possible price.”

He lamented that no Norwegian mackerel was exported to Nigeria since June 2016.

In 2013, the Federal Government announced that it would take measures to start a structured embargo on fish imports from January 1, 2014 as part of measures to make the country self-sufficient in seafood and boost its domestic fish farming business.

Annual total fish demand in Nigeria is estimated at 3.32 million metric tons, while the domestic fish production stands at 1.12million metric tons.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Food and Agriculture

Organisation (FAO)’s report revealed that Nigeria’s current fish consumption was 7.5 kilos per person as the against global fish consumption of 18.7 kilos per person. It noted the country’s current consumption shortfall per person was 11.2 kilo per person.

According to the agency, the catfish farmed in Nigeria was sold for about $2.50 per kilogramme, while imported fish species sell for sixty cents per kilogramme.

It said: “Over 70 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line and fish currently constitute 41 per cent of total animal protein intake for the average Nigerian. The quota introduction has begun to put upward pressures on domestic fish prices.”

The UN agency noted that the species such as mackerel, herring, horse mackerel, croaker and blue whiting, which the government was targeting for substitution, were not available in suitable quantities.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

fct business watch

Disclosure, two Monday’s ago, by Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, that 2017 had begun in earnest, brings to focus the pitfalls of 2016 budget.

Lessons of 2016, experts say, are useful guide to achieving efficient 2017 budget, Abdulwahab Isa reports

are projected to be moderated downwards for 2017 and thereafter a modest growth. UdoUdoma said recoveries of misappropriated and looted funds would also form part of their anticipated revenue for the years to come.

To avoid a repeat of hitches that created crisis for 2016 budget, experts have proffered what they described as valid suggestions for 2017 budget.

Buhari

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even months gone and barely five months ahead to exit 2016 fiscal year, the ripple effect of a padded budget still bear knocking effects on Nigeria’s economy.

The N6.04 trillion budget is President Muhammadu Buhari’s maiden budget of ‘change’. Designed with the intention of fast-tracking the economy on diversification lane, the budget proposed to create social safety palliatives for the vulnerable unemployed members of the society. Also contained in the budget, is a forecast to hire 500, 000 teaching personnel as part of effort to boost quality of education in the country.

Regrettably, most items earmarked for execution in 2016 budget are either being reviewed at the moment, or stepped down out rightly due to drastic cut in revenue. The disruption that characterised crude oil supply as a result of militants’ attacks on oil installations and the drop in crude oil price invariably put 2016 fiscal budget implementation on edge.

But more importantly, the confession of budget padding is a further indication that , the N6.04 trillion budget is not only a herculean task to realise, the 2016 budget unarguably is the nation’s worse budget in the history of budget making.

Alleged padding Confession, sordid revelations by key principal actors involved in 2016 budget formulaation underscored the rots previous budgets underwent undetected. It all began in the National Assembly.

Ministers , Chief Executives Officers (CEOs) of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) had gone for their budget defence. A certain Minister had denied knowledge of a particular item and huge funds allocated to it. Turn after turn, ministers and CEOs of agencies engaged in blame game in respect to correctness of funds allocated to items in 2016 fiscal budget.

A visibly embarrassed president Mohammadu Buhari vowed to punish any one involved in budget stuffing.

As the dust raised by budget padding settled, President Buhari approved the immediate re-

27

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun

Lessons of 2016, panacea for efficient 2017 budget organisation of Budget Office, thus keeping to his promise.

He approved the immediate removal of the Director -General of Budget Office, Yahaya Gusau, and immediately replaced him with Tijjani Abdullahi. Days later, the Office of Head of Service of Federation approved the immediate deployment of another 22 top directors from the Budget office.

Fresh confessions However, fresh confessions by principal members of the lower chamber of the National Assembly on their nefarious roles in the padding of the 2016 budget, further confirmed why 2016 budget, and by extension, previous ones, failed to impact positively on economy.

The removal of Jibrin Abdulmumin by the peaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, as the Head of the committee in charge of budget and appropriation, set him on a coalition with the speaker. The two camps, in their various defences, have been churning out hidden facts on how they had been undercutting the interest of hapless Nigerians by diverting and padding of budget estimates.

While the police and Department of State Services (DSS) have stepped in with a view to commencing full investigations into the N480billion budget padding in the House of Representatives, the economy and by extension, citizens’ welfare, which 2016 budget target to enhance, have suffered incalculable setbacks.

Avoidable mistakes Still grappling with the challenges of implementing subsisting 2016 budget, the Federal Government announced, two Mondays ago, of plans to kick off 2017 budget in earnest. The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo-Udoma,

It’s pertinent for government to imbibe lessons learnt from fatal errors of 2016 budget

said the 2017-2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework would be ready and submitted to the National Assembly for consideration by October.

Disclosing this at a stakeholders’ consultative forum with Civil Society Groups and organised private sector on the 2017-2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework( MTEF), Senator Udo-Udoma said that the Federal Government had expended N2.1 trillion out of the N6.06 trillion approved budget for 2016 while only N253 billion of the N1.8 trillion earmarked for capital projects had been spent so far.

Giving tit-bits on 2017 budget, the minister said: “We are considering a conservative oil price benchmark of 42.5 dollar per barrel for 2017, 45 dollar per barrel in 2018 and 50 dollar per barrel in 2019. We estimate oil production to be 2.2 million barrel per day for 2017; 2.3 million barrel per day in 2018 and 2.4 million barrel per day for 2019.

We have pegged exchange rate for 2017, 2018 and 2019 at N290 to a dollar,” he said.

Though Udo-Udoma did not give projected total expenditure for government in the coming budget, he talked about the revenue projection for the 20172019 MTEF. “A significant increase in non-oil revenue receipts is projected due to a gradually recovering domestic economy and government’s expected improvement in FIRS tax collection efforts. Company Income Tax is projected to increase from N1.79 trillion in 2016 to over N1.86 trillion in 2017 and beyond. VAT collections to increase by about 42.4 per cent in 2017. Operating surpluses projection have been moderated downwards for 2017 and thereafter, a modest growth,” he enthused.

Besides, VAT and taxes, he said the Customs collections

Experts’ perspective To avoid pitfalls that characterised the 2016 budget, which rendered it unrealisable, experts have counselled government on way forward to achieving efficient and implementable 2017 budget.

Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice, Mr. Eze Onyepere, said government should learn and build on the mistakes of the 2016 budget.

He said: “We should draw lessons from the mistakes of the last budget. We have all seen that the revenue projections for 2016 were over optimistic. This is why we are finding it difficult to get money to fund the budget, especially the capital expenditure. 2017 onwards, we should be more empirical in our revenue forecast. Let it be more realistic so that there won’t be a deviation of more than minus or plus five per cent. This is because if we have more money, we can do supplementary budgets rather than have an overly optimistic revenue projections and at the end of the day, we are not able to fund our budget.”

Also, the Governance Programme Manager, Actionaid Nigeria, Mr. Obo Effanga, reminded government of the limited time they had to fulfil their promises.

“This administration is a four-year period and one year has gone already and even the government had admitted that the last year will be given to politics, so effectively, they have just two years left. And we are preparing the budget for one of the two years remaining. So, if we don’t make sure that this works very well, it means that we can only look up to 2018,” he said.

Effanga commended the Federal Government for its bold decision to actively involve the civil society in the process leading to the preparation of the budget. He said it was the first time in many years.

Mr. Uche Uwaleke, an Associate Professor and Head of Banking and Finance Department, Nasarawa State University, Lafia, said: “Government should learn a lesson from the 2016 budget and avoid repeat of such mistake in the 2017 budget.

Besides, he said the 2017 budget should be submitted latest

by October 2016 for assent.”

Conclusion With 2017 budget in earnest preparation, it’s pertinent for government to imbibe lessons learnt from fatal errors of 2016 budget as tips to navigate to efficient 2017 budget.

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WEDNESDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |MONEY

Already in dire straits as a result of rising Non-Performing Loans (NPLs), a shrinking economy, weak naira and acute foreign exchange shortages, banks’ woes could be further compounded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s increase in its benchmark interest rate. TONY CHUKWUNYEM reports

A

head of last week’s meeting of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s rate setting body, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), financial analysts had predicted that members of the committee would be torn between leaving rates unchanged in order not worsen an economy already sliding into recession and hiking the rates to curb rising inflation as well as attract foreign inflows to boost liquidity in the interbank forex market.

As it turned out, five out of the eight members that attended the meeting of the 12-member body voted to increase the benchmark interest rate-the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)-by 200 basis points from 12 to 14 per cent.

They, however, voted to retain the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 22.50 per cent; the liquidity ratio at 30.00 per cent and the asymmetric window at+200 and -500 basis points around the MPR. As the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who announced the committee’s decision put it, “the MPC, in putting forward for tightening considered the high inflationary trend, which has culminated into negative real interest rates in the economy; noting that this was discouraging to savings. Members also noted that the negative real interest rates did not support the recent flexible foreign exchange market, as foreign investors’ attitude had remained lukewarm, showing unwillingness in bringing in new capital under the circumstance. Members further noted that there existed a substantial amount of international capital in negative yielding investments globally and Nigeria stood a chance of attracting such investments with sound macroeconomic policies.”

Fitch note However, barely forty eight hours after the announcement, global rating agency, Fitch Ratings, issued a note, in which it stated that rising interest rates will make things tougher for Nigerian banks.

According to the agency, “rising rates are likely to put additional pressure on banks’ asset quality. Almost all lending is extended at floating rates and banks should be able to reprice their loans quite quickly but borrowers will face more diffi-

CBN building

Interest rate hike adds to banks’ woes culties in servicing their debts.

Impaired loans are already high in the Nigerian banking sector, where average non-performing loan ratios reached 6.2 per cent at end-March 2016, partly reflecting the impact of currency depreciation on businesses as well as higher oil-related problem loans at some banks.”

Besides, the agency said: “We also expect loan growth (excluding foreign-exchange translation effects) to slow during 2H16 and into 2017. Banks have already tightened underwriting standards as economic conditions in the country worsen.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted by 0.4per cent year on year in 1Q16 and we forecast GDP growth to fall to 1.5per cent in 2016 (2015: growth of 2.7per cent). With rising rates, excess liquidity in the banking sector is, in our opinion, likely to flow into additional holdings of higher-yielding government debt.”

Fitch noted that the government securities represent about 16per cent of total Nigerian banking sector assets and 10year senior bonds yield about 15.3per cent. It pointed out that despite the rate rise, real interest rates remain negative when considering inflation, which soared to 16.5per cent in June 2016.

It further stated that the rate increase will also lead to higher funding costs for the banks, adding: “This and the switch away from loans and into fixedincome government bonds are likely to squeeze Nigerian bank net interest margins.”

The agency, however, stated that while it expects Nigerian banks’ operating costs and loan impairment charges to rise, they will remain profitable in 2016.

Fitch said: “We downgraded

Although the rate hike may make things more difficult for the economy in the short term, the decision was best for the country in the long run

Nigeria’s sovereign rating to ‘B+’ in June and various bank ratings were downgraded in July. The challenging and volatile operating environment in Nigeria, as well as such factors as the banks’ financial profiles, mean Nigerian bank standalone Viability Ratings (VR) are in the highly speculative ‘b’ category.

Nigerian bank VRs are sensitive to a prolonged economic downturn and depressed oil prices, and to materially weaker asset quality.”

Lender’s downgrade Indeed, the rating agency had in note issued a fortnight before the MPC meeting downgraded the Long-Term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) of two of the country’s leading banks: First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FBN) and United Bank for Africa (UBA), from ‘B+’ to ‘B’, although with a stable outlook.

Fitch said its ratings action was driven by the weaker ability of the Nigerian state to support domestic banks, particularly in foreign currency, due to falling oil prices, which have reduced the country’s foreign exchange earnings and foreign currency reserves.

It noted: “Since the last review in February 2016, bank asset quality has continued to weaken with average impaired loans (NPL) ratios of about 6.2 per cent at end-March 2016, although this is skewed by FBN’s high NPL ratio of 21.5 per cent,” the ratings agency said. “Impairments in banks are increasing in the commercial, trading and manufacturing segments, mainly due to foreign currency depreciation and scarcity.”

The ratings agency, however, affirmed the credit ratings of eight other Nigerian banks and

affirmed the VR of all Nigerian banks.

Also, a financial analyst, Mr. Ben Osakwe, said the rate hike would impact banks negatively as it could worsen the already serious NPLs problem in the industry.

He said: “Banks are already grappling with rising NPLs due to the slump in oil prices and acute foreign exchange shortages. But the problem will worsen because with the hike in the interest rate, many customers will find it difficult repaying their loans especially given that the economy is in a recession.”

Osakwe pointed out that the rate hike would also lead to significant reduction in the revenue that banks used to derive from lending to customers, noting that most banks had, in fact, stopped lending even before the MPR hike.

He said: “With the interest rate hike, banks will increase their already high lending rates thus making it difficult for their customers to access loans. Indeed, as soon as the new MPR was announced banks began an upward review of the interest rates on all outstanding loans.”

The financial analyst noted that while banks will enjoy more interest income from the upward review of the MPR, this would not amount to much compared to the number of loans that could go bad as a result of the decision.

Impact on economy Industry watchers, however, told New Telegraph that apart from having the potential of worsening banks’ NPLs problem, the increase in the MPR will also impact the banking industry as it will lead to a decline in economic activities.

For instance, according to a Lagos-based Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operator, Mr. Ike Okeke, the rate hike had made it even more difficult for operators like him to access bank loans.

He said, “Before the rate hike, lending rates at the banks were between 25 and 30 per cent. Of course, it was impossible for most SMEs operators to access loans at this rate. So, you can imagine what will happen now that with the increase, lending rates will be well above 30 per cent.”

According to him, with producers getting loans at a higher rate from financial institutions, the hike will lead to a rise in the cost of production and with most people having less disposable income due to the economic downturn consumption in most areas will also fall.

Conclusion However, as a top banker insisted that although the rate hike may make things more difficult for the economy in the short term, the decision was best for the country in the long run.

He said: “The hike was primarily targeted at boosting the naira, which is the major problem of the economy at the moment. If the CBN, by this move, succeeds in stabilising the exchange rate, it will eventually result in reviving the economy and ultimately help the banking industry.”

BUSINESS |MONEY

WEDNESDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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CBN, banks disburse N364.7bn under commercial agric scheme RISING Amount for 452 projects

Tony Chukwunyem

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) have disbursed a

cumulative sum of N364.77 billion for 452 projects under the apex bank’s Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) from inception of the scheme to May 31, 2016.

The CBN stated this in its monthly economic report for May 2016 posted on its website last weekend.

The regulator said that the amount “comprised releases from the DMBs Receivable Account (N199.83 in respect of 273 projects) and the Re-

payment Account (N164.64 billion in respect of 179 new projects).”

Also, according to CBN, “a total of N561.79 million was guaranteed to 3,741 farmers under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS) in May, 2016. This amount represented a decline of 25.0 and 38.2 per cent below the levels in the preceding month and the corresponding period of 2015, respectively. Sub-sectoral

analysis showed that food crops obtained the largest share of N329.6 million (58.7 per cent) guaranteed to 2,747 beneficiaries, livestock got N127.8 million (22.8 per cent) guaranteed to 392 beneficiaries, while N37.6 million (6.7 per cent) was guaranteed to 161 beneficiaries in the fisheries subsector. The cash crops sub-sector received N34.7million (6.2 per cent) guaranteed to 252 beneficiaries.

Managing Director, Africa Oil & Gas Council, Drake Lawhead (left), presenting the Sustainability and Responsibility Award to Director, Government Affairs, Seven Energy, Chidi Chukwueke, at the 2016 African Assembly of the Oil and Gas Council in Lagos

Q2 2016: Global venture capital deals hit $27.4bn

V

enture Pulse, the quarterly global report on Venture Capital (VC) trends published jointly by KPMG International and CB Insights, has revealed that $$27.4 billion was invested across 1,886 deals globally, in Q2 2016.

This represented a slight increase in total funding over Q1 2016 but a fourthstraight quarter of investor pull-back in activity.

The report also showed that the total number of deals declined by additional six per cent from Q1 2016, after reaching a high in Q2 2015.

According to the report, the trends visible across major venture hubs were decidedly mixed with North America and Asia seeing funding climbing slightly across fewer deals, while Europe saw total investment drop 20 per cent as deal count rose.

“It’s a challenging time for VC investors,” said Brian Hughes National CoLead Partner, KPMG Venture Capital Practice, and a partner for KPMG in the US. “There’s a lot going on, with uncertainty dominant in every market. Many investors are holding back to see how these uncertainties shake out, while others are focusing on companies they see as having a solid foundation and growth plan

– like Uber, Snapchat and Didi Chuxing.”

According to Ramachandran Narayanan, Partner and Head of Deal Advisory at KPMG Middle East and South Asia (MESA), the situation in the Middle East is quite different. “Although there are a number of emerging opportunities in the region, the size of funds being raised by Mid-

M

asterCard Incorporated has announced financial results for the second quarter of 2016, reporting net income of $983 million, an increase of seven per cent or eight per cent on a currency-neutral basis, and earnings per diluted share of $0.89, up 10 per cent or 11 per cent on a currency-neutral basis versus the year-ago period.

In a statement, the company also reported that net revenue for the second quarter of 2016 was $2.7 billion, a 13 per cent increase versus the same period in 2015.

Similarly, the company said that operating income for the second quarter of 2016 increased 10 per cent, or 11 per cent on a currency-neutral basis, versus the year-ago period. Excluding special items, operating income increased 13 per cent, or 15 per cent on a curren-

dle Eastern venture capital firms has always been modest in comparison with the US and Europe. However, it remains a promising sector with growing number of technology led companies in a region with young tech savvy population with high smartphone usage and internet penetration rates.

“Currently, there is significant emphasis on entre-

preneurship and startups funding, especially in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, as part of their economy diversification plans. Governments have established funds and organisations to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which makes VC investors far less attractive.” Mr. Narayanan added.

“Mixed crops received N20.4 million (3.6 per cent) guaranteed to 104 beneficiaries, while others had N11.6 million (2.1 per cent) guaranteed to 85 beneficiaries.”

The CBN further stated that 25 states (including Abuja) benefited from the scheme during the review month with the highest and lowest sums of N85.6 million (15.2per cent) and N1.7 million (0.3 per cent) guaranteed to Borno and Ebonyi states, respectively.

It will be recalled that the CBN, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (FMA&WR), had in 2009 established the CACS to provide finance for the country’s agricultural value chain (production, processing, storage and marketing).

Some of the objectives of the scheme include, fasttracking the development of the agricultural sector of the economy by providing credit facilities to large-scale commercial farmers at a single digit interest rate; enhancing national food security by increasing food supply and effecting lower agricultural produce and products prices, thereby promoting low food inflation, reducing the cost of credit in agricultural production to enable farmers exploit the untapped potentials of the sector; and diversifying Nigeria’s revenue base.

The scheme is financed through N200 billion bond raised by the Debt Management Office (DMO) while loans to eligible entities under the scheme are disbursed at a maximum interest of 9 per cent.

However, in May last year, the CBN amended the guidelines for the scheme, stating that the nine per cent interest must be inclusive of all charges, which should be shared in the ratio of seven per cent to the participating banks and two per cent to the CBN.

MasterCard posts $983m

cy-neutral basis, versus the year-ago period.

It stated that net revenue growth was driven by the impact of factors such as an increase in processed transactions of 14 per cent, to 13.7 billion; an 11per cent increase in gross dollar volume, on a local currency basis, to $1.2 trillion; and an increase in cross-border volumes of 10 per cent.

According to the statement, “these factors were partially offset by an increase in rebates and incentives, primarily due to increased volumes and new and renewed agreements,” adding: “Worldwide purchase volume during the quarter was up nine per cent on a local currency basis versus the second quarter of 2015, to $897 billion. As of June 30, 2016, the

company’s customers had issued 2.3 billion MasterCard and Maestro-branded cards.”

In addition, the company said its total operating expenses increased 15 per cent, or 17 per cent on a currency-neutral basis, to $1.3 billion during the second quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. “Excluding special items, total operating expenses were $1.2 billion, an increase of 12per cent, or 13per cent on a currency-neutral basis, compared to the year-ago period. The increase was primarily due to continued investments in strategic initiatives, as well as higher legal costs,” it stated.

The company reported other expense of $15 million in the second quarter

of 2016, versus $10 million in the second quarter of 2015. It said the change was mainly driven by higher interest expense related to the its Euro bond debt issuance in November 2015.

Commenting on the result, President and CEO, MasterCard, Ajay Banga, said: “We carried solid momentum into the second quarter, delivering 14 per cent revenue growth for the first half of the year, after adjusting for currency. With last week’s VocaLink announcement, we will expand our capabilities beyond core card-based solutions into a broader set of transactions and payments. The collective technology and experience will provide consumers, businesses and governments more choice and value in how they pay and are paid.”

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WEDNESDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Investor

Audit c’ttee: Discordant tunes trail FRC’s stance Shareholders are divided over a draft rule by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) stating that audit committee chairmen must be members of certified professional accounting body in the country. CHRIS UGWU writes

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n order to promote good governance and give clear understanding of the principles of business conduct and ethics that are expected of shareholders during general meetings of public companies as well as their relationships with the companies outside general meetings, a code of conduct for shareholders’ association was formulated in 2006 by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in conjunction with shareholders associations, regulatory authorities in the financial sector as well as other stakeholders.

The code was aimed at sanitising the activities of shareholders’ association and positioning them to effectively promote good corporate governance in public companies for enhanced shareholders value.

It was also intended to ensure highest standard of conduct among association members and the companies with whom they interact as shareholders.

However, the intent of the regulators seems to be defeated, as most shareholders’ associations have become more of praise singers sponsored by corporate organisations for the smooth flow of their Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Why the code was formulated?

The SEC, the apex market regulatory body, which lamented that the majority of shareholders of quoted companies in the country are inactive and are often focused on short term profits, explained that formulation of code of conduct for shareholders’ association was designed to ensure the association members’ high standards and make positive contributions in ensuring that the affairs of public companies are run in an ethical and transparent manner and in compliance with code of corporate governance for public companies.

The Commission noted that although the corporate governance framework is built on the assumption that shareholders engage with companies and hold the management to account for its performance, it is however, evident that the majority of them are passive and are often only focused on short term profits.

“Shareholders should pay more attention to monitoring how their companies are managed. While some institutional investors are known to demand good corporate practices from

SEC building

the managers of their companies, a lot more is expected of the majority of small holders who are known to be very passive.

They do not attend annual general meeting and so, there is no real effort to take management to task regarding their management of their companies,” the Commission noted.

In order to help raise the bar in promoting corporate governance, other regulators have also continued to make a lot of efforts to promote good corporate governance practices among the quoted companies and reposition the Nigerian capital market for development.

FRC’s draft rule In its commitment to ensuring sound corporate governance and retool performing regulatory oversight in the nation’s capital market, the FRC recently came up with a draft rule stating that the qualification of individuals aspiring to the position of audit committee chairmen of quoted companies must be members of certified professional accounting body, which has been described as unacceptable by shareholders.

The draft rule was contained in a circular tagged ‘Transitional Concessions Agreed between the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the FRC regarding Rules 1& 2 of the FRC’s Rules published by the NSE on March 29, 2016, with reference no: NSE/ L A R D/LR D/CI R5/16/0 3/2 9.

It stated, “Chairman of audit committee to annual report, financial statements, accounts, financial report, returns and other documents of a financial nature, shall be a professional member of an accounting body established by Act of the National Assembly in Nigeria.”

The draft rule however, noted that the current chairman of the audit committee shall be permitted to attest to accounts of financial nature regardless of whether he is a professional member of an accounting body or not for the current financial year only.

It added that the foregoing concessionary arrangement

The audit committee is not auditing account; they are looking at what the auditors, who are accountants, have done

shall apply only to entities, which in the case of a holding company shall include its subsidiaries): (i) Which are not currently in court with the FRC and/or having any of its director(s) currently holding FRCN numbers that have been suspended by the FRC. Every subsequent annual report, financial statements, accounts, financial report, returns and other documents of a financial nature of the audit committee shall be attested to by a chairman who is a professional member of an accounting body established by Act of National Assembly in Nigeria in compliance with FRC Rule 2.”

Discordant tunes However, shareholders groups who spoke to New Telegraph frowned at the guideline, which they described as unacceptable and called for immediate reversal. They insisted the FRC rules is in contravention of section 359(3) and (6) of Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap. C20.

National Coordinator, Independent shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, said that the rule is unacceptable.

He noted that there is difference between rules and laws and where there is clash, the law takes precedence over the rule.

He added that that provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) supersedes FRC regulation and as such, the Council should reverse the regulation, which he said runs contrary to CAMA requirements.

Nwosu said: “FRC don’t have to impose a chairman on audit committee, it is law that established CAMA, which said that one person among the committee shall be financial literate and it did not say the person who is financial literate should be the chairman of the committee. It is just like in the board where everybody is director and they pick one of him or her to be the chairman of directors.

“We don’t want an imposition of chairmanship of audit committee unless the CAMA said it is the position.”

Speaking in the same vein,

President, Constance Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Mallam Mikail, said: “CAMA did not say that it is only when you are a chartered accountant that will make you be a chairman of audit committee. To me, what FRC is trying to put up is not a welcome idea.

I think FRC wants to create jobs for their colleagues. We don’t have to be an accountant to read and understand a financial statement. We reject the rule in its entirety and will take legal action if it is not revered” Mikail noted that what FRC need to do is to put in place punitive measure to deal with any member who did not participate substantially in audit activities, as many tends to take the oversight functions with levity.

Also, Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Mr. Boniface Okezie, said that a shareholder need not possess any accounting qualification as adduced by FRC to sit as chairman of audit committee. He argued that no requirement like being an ICAN member was attached as preconditions to buy shares.

Okezie said: “FRC has no legal backing to say that shareholders should not be audit committee except they are ICAN qualified.

That means you must be chartered accountant before you can serve in audit committee.

We say no because that law is alien as far we are concerned.

Nobody told shareholders that before you buy can shares, you must possess a degree; you must be an accountant or an engineer before you buy into a company.

“The law says that shareholders should nominate two or three members to contest in audit committee in any quoted company, while the directors should nominate their own members. And all the directors nominated in the committee must not be chartered accountants. They can be from any profession.

“The requirement is that audit committee members should be able to read and write. The audit committee is not auditing account; they are looking at what the auditors, who are accountants, have done. They are reviewing what the auditors have done; they are looking at reports written by management.

It is the audit committee that ensures that the recommendations made by the auditors to the management team are enforced; that is basically what they do. In terms of looking at figures, they can liaise with the auditors who are paid to audit the figures,” he said.

Conclusion Recent events at AGMs have shown that shareholder activism has taken a negative turn in the country, as many of them compromise to participate in several executive corrupt behaviors.

It is therefore pertinent that regulators should step up initiative towards regulating them, as they could constitute potential force for shaping the direction of corporate decision-making in the country.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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maritime

Nigerian Navy gun boat

Navy’s war against piracy As the number of crew being kidnapped for ransom in the Gulf of Guinea keeps increasing, the Nigerian Navy has deployed 10 warships to check this menace, just as a new report by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) revealed that most of the crime occurred within the Nigerian waters. BAYO AKOMOLAFE reports

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new report by the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre has revealed that 98 incidents of piracy and armed robbery occurred in the first half of 2016.

The bureau said that it recorded 72 vessels boarded, five hijackings and 12 attempted attacks, while nine ships were fired upon.

The IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre is the world’s only independent office to receive reports of pirate attacks 24-hour-a-day from across the globe.

The report added that 64 crew were taken hostage onboard, noting that the Gulf of Guinea accounted for seven of the world’s 10 kidnapping incidents, with armed gangs boarding vessels between 30 and 120 Nautical Mile (NM) from the shore.

According to the report, Nigerian attacks were often violent, accounting for eight of the nine vessels fired upon worldwide.

It stressed that many assaults were not unreported by ship owners.

However, the bureau explained that the trend of the attacks was not like that in Indonesia where the authorities had improved security at sea and ports.

It noted: “Low level theft to ships at anchor has been brought down by introducing designated anchorages with improved security.

“This has contributed to a fall in the number of incidents in Indonesia to 24 in the first six months of 2016, compared with 54 in the same period in 2015.”

Due to the incessant attacks, Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurers have raised the rate of war-risk insurance for Nigeria as the country was classified among high risk countries for international maritime business.

Nigerian Navy As part of efforts to tackle the crime, the Nigerian Navy said it had deployed 10 war ships in a massive operation called Tsare Teku II to stop pirate attacks on local and international merchant ships on the nation’s waterways.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, explained at Onne in Rivers State recently that the operation would contain the high spate of attacks by oil thieves on critical oil and gas installations and other illegal activities on the nation’s territorial waters.

He said that the Navy would soon take delivery of many gun boats to complement 30 newly built gunboats it recently deployed to waterways and creeks in the Niger Delta.

Ibas stressed that the operation was a continuation of the one it launched in the first quarter to tackle incessant attacks on merchant ships.

Attacks The chief of naval staff explained that pirates and oil

Nigeria needs international support to fight crime on its coastal waters

thieves carried out 30 attacks on Nigerian waterways, noting that 16 of these attacks were successful between January and April 2016.

He said that there had been less than seven attacks on the sea with only one pirate attack being successful, since the first phase of operation Tsare Teku II was launched to protect ships.

Ibas said that the operation seeks to inject new tactics and robust operational initiative to tackle the emerging security challenges in the Niger Delta.

He added that the operation would enable merchant ships move their cargoes freely in order to improve economic activities and revenue for the country.

He said: “We felt the need to extend the operation with focus to sustaining the protection of shipping and oil and gas installations particularly in high risk prone areas.

“The Navy is ready to partner with investors to upgrade its naval dockyard and shipyard while improving other key facilities. We urge state governments to assist the Navy by sensitising coastal communities on the need to protect critical oil facilities in their domain.

“It is equally important that other coastal states that are yet to regulate the use of high capacity outboard engines should do so because these engines are used to perpetrate crimes.”

Also, Ibas advised ship owners and charterers to vet and profile their crew members before recruitment.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has resolved to support regional initiative geared towards eliminating piracy and maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.

Its Director General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, had said

at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and Maritime Organisation for West and Central Africa (MOWCA)’s integrated sub-regional coast guard function network in Brussels, Belgium, that crimes at sea in the Gulf of Guinea were transnational.

Regional approach He explained that a regional integrated approach was most suited for checking the menace.

According to him, “Nigeria with the longest coast line in the continent is mostly affected by the activities of the criminals.

“If the continent and maritime actors do not rise up to tackle piracy, it would affect commerce, which is the driver of growth and by extension hamper development.”

The director general noted that the Gulf of Guinea had become notorious as one of the top three locations where piracy occurs globally.

He added that freight rates, insurance and ports of call for vessels were the function of the perceived maritime security of the region.

The director general said that human capacity, infrastructure, legal and organisational frameworks were important in regional initiative to fight piracy.

Peterside explained that apart from military led patrols on Nigeria territorial waters to deter the criminals and high intelligence and surveillance network, the country, with the assistance of IMO, had been pushing for early passage of a dedicated anti-piracy bill to provide the needed legal framework to tackle the crime.

Conclusion Nigeria needs international support to fight crime on its coastal waters in order to boost shipping and her economy.

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business \ maritime

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Customs import tariff may rise by 55% FOREX

The cost of clearing cargo in Nigerian ports and borders will be determined by foreign exchange rate

Bayo Akomolafe

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here are fears that tariffs on cargoes coming into the country will rise to 55.1 per cent as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) further adjusted its import duties from N282 to N316.

The development stemmed from the crash of the naira to the dollar on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s official exchange rate window.

The import duty rose to 43 per cent three weeks ago when NCS adjusted to CBN’s N282 per dollar.

Last July, NCS in a memo issued to all zonal coordinators and area controllers directed that all commands should begin to charge duties based on the foreign exchange regime of N282, three weeks after the CBN made another adjustment.

It would be recalled that the circular signed

by NCS Deputy Comptroller-General, Tariff and Trade, A. Adewusi,

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)’s patrol boats

noted that the calculation of customs duties based on the N197 to one US dollar exchange rate was no longer acceptable.

Worried by the development, the Shippers’ Association of Lagos State (SALS) said that its members might be forced to abandon their cargoes at the port due to the high import duty imposed on them.

Also, the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF)

complained that their members were not carried along in the implementation of the new policies by the NCS management.

Meanwhile, a former National President of ANLCA, Chief Ernest Elochukwu, who was miffed by the action of NCS, said that the import duty hike would not only fuel inflation but would worsen smuggling of goods into the country.

Also, the Managing Director of Okpoto Logistics Limited, Mr. Sam Elem, protested that NCS’s decision would

bring more hardship on Nigerians, while the government revenue generation would rise at the port and the borders.

He added that consumers should be expecting to pay more on goods and services.

The managing director added that the development would lead to smuggling from Cameroon and Republic of Benin.

He said that cargoes were already being diverted to Cotonou because of the unfavourable government import policies.

UK to partner Nigeria on maritime, oil

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he United Kingdom (UK) would partner with Nigeria to develop companies operating in the maritime and oil and gas sectors.

The UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria, John Howell (MP), disclosed this during the official visit of a high-powered British Government delegation to the Apapa base of the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL) base.

Howell, who led a seven-man delegation to Nigeria, was accompanied by the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright, and his acting Deputy High Commissioner, Ahmed Bashir.

The Managing Director of LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi, who conducted he group round the $3.8 billion oil platform at base, received the team.

Howell said that his country would be willing to partner with LADOL possibly in the areas of finance, training and technology transfer.

He said: “I am here because I have just been posted as the UK trade envoy to Nigeria as a sign of commitment that UK has to Nigeria and the way to develop trade between our two countries.

“We are hoping to bring in here the expertise that is in place in UK, to be able to work with Nigeria, to be able to work with Nigerian companies, to be able to take advantage of that to the benefit of all, because the more the prosperity that is generated

in Nigeria, the better for the British Government as well.”

The envoy, which lauded the Egina Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) at the LADOL base, described the facility as meeting worldclass standard in modern oil and gas undertakings.

ANLCA insures members for N100m

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he Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Tin Can Island chapter has partnered Niger Insurance Plc to create a health insurance scheme worth N1million each for 100 of its members operating at the port.

Chairman of the chapter, Prince Segun Oduntan, disclosed this during the swearing in of the newly-elected executive members.

Also, he promised that within 100 days in office, the chapter would acquire a new bus for operation at the port.

Oduntan added that his administration would provide monthly remuneration for 20 elderly members of Tin Can chapter.

He stressed that this would be done to assuage

Firm launches capacity building for financial institutions

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leading law firm, Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL), has launched a quarterly Maritime Master Class Series (MMCS) in Lagos to train financial insti-

tutions in the area of maritime law and practice, with particular focus on ship arrest procedure.

A statement by the firm’s Head of Maritime unit, Dr. Olu-

wole Adeyeye, said the event provided an opportunity for sensitising the legal departments of various financial institutions about the dynamics and intricacies of

Vessels expected at Lagos Port this week Ships Terminal Amapola ABTL Avisoa ABTL Virtuors Striker GNDL Vijitra Naree ENL Desert Moon ABTL Agata M Eko Support MSK Patras APMT Msk Capecoast APMT Glyfada GNDL Western Wilton GNDL

Tonnage 32,303 tons 650 tons 46,000 tons 27500 tons 11, 758 tons 505 tons 500 FCL 560FCL 33,000 tons 46,000 tons

Commodity Fertiliser Base oil Sugar Fertilizer Wheat G/ cargo Containers Containers Wheat Sugar Containers

Date 2-8-2016 2-2-2016 2-8-2016 2-8-2016 2-8-2016 3-8-2016 5-8-2016 5-8-2016 6-8- 2016 6-8-2016

ship arrest procedure.

He said: “It is recognised that financial institutions provide finance to ship owners for various maritime business activities, most especially in the area of ship building, ship mortgage and ship purchase.”

Adeyeye noted that the capacity building would expose financial institutions to how they could recover loan facilities from any defaulting ship owner.

“A crucial tool available to such financial institution Wis the possible arrest of the ship in respect of which a loan has been provided,” he said.

the financial difficulties faced by some inactive elderly members.

The chairman noted: “In case of any eventualities, insurance is one of our agenda that we have promised.

“Niger Insurance is here and I can assure you that we are paying for 100 people immediately here.

“There is going to be remuneration for our elders, they have to be well taken care of, the work is stressful and at a particular age they cannot be running around again.”

Oduntan gave assurance to the immediate past chairman of the chapter that he was going to improve on his achievement, adding that the association’s relationship with the Customs would also be improved upon.

He noted: “Anytime you have a problem in handling your job, there is going to be a help desk at strategic points at each terminal and bonded terminals.

“We are also going to bring the best IT hands here that Customs cannot contend with. We cannot fight alert, but you need to criticise constructively.”

Speaking earlier, the immediate past chairman of the chapter, Prince Kayode Oyinlola, urged members of the association to resist any foreign association from springing up within their fold.

He urged them to set aside any acrimony from the conduct of the recent election and support the new chairman.

business \ maritime

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Petitions flood transport ministry over NPA’s alleged frauds CURIOUS Nigerian Ports Authority’s contractor failed to deliver 18 months rehabilitation project six years after

Bayo Akomolafe

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he Federal Ministry of Transportation is under pressure to probe the N5.1billion Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)’s headquarters building rehabilitation and expansion in Marina, Lagos embarked upon six years ago.

A group of petitioners have asked the transport ministry to probe the NPA’s revenue remittance, capital, personnel and overhead expenditure to enable the government block leakages.

The N5 billion renovation contracts were awarded on December 22, 2010 to Sageto Nigeria Limited with an 18-month completion mandate.

However, as at July 2016, the renovation was yet to be completed, implying that the 18month mandate might take the company six years to execute.

Former Managing Director of the NPA, Engr. Omar Sulei-

Containership at the Lagos Port channel sailing to Apapa Port.

man, awarded the contract but the rehabilitation job was largely executed during the tenure of Habib Abdullahi, who was kicked out of office recently.

Investigation revealed due to the renovation, some employees of the authority have been displaced, as they now move from one office to an-

other.

A source at NPA alleged that the same money earmarked for the project had been reflecting in the annual budget of NPA in the past.

In 2014, the Senate Committee on Marine Transport was angry with the management of NPA over the contract.

Its former Chairman, Hajia

Zaynab Kure, gave a low mark to the contractor handling the project during an oversight function to NPA headquarters.

Also, it was alleged that the NPA had under-declared its revenue and failed to remit a sizeable percentage of its operating surplus to the government’s coffer for over five

NIMASA to execute IMO instruments

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he Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said that it will implement all the instruments of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for the continuous development of the maritime industry.

The agency’s Director General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said that NIMASA had developed a programme of action to keep its personnel abreast with the provisions of the IMO instruments and to encourage regular interface with member states.

In a statement by the agency’s Head of Corporate Communication, Hajia Lami Tumaka, the di-

rector general noted that this was why the Nigerian delegation attended the sub-committee meeting of the Implementation of IMO Instruments III held in London recently.

Delegates attended the meeting from member states, which established four working groups in order to deepen discussions and encourage more robust and technical inputs with each group forwarding its report to the plenary for consideration.

He listed the working groups to include analysis of marine safety investigation reports, harmonisation of Port State Control (PSC) activities and analysis of PSC data.

Others are the analy-

sis of consolidated audit summary reports and the working group on survey guidelines under the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) and non-exhaustive list of obligations under instruments relevant to the IMO implementation Code.

He stressed that the Nigerian delegation was made up of staff from relevant agencies of the Ministry of Transportation including NIMASA, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

He said that Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the IMO, Mr Bala Dikko, coordinated the delegation.

Peterside said: “One of the key items on the subcommittee’s agenda was the review of Port State Control procedures 2011 to further standardise the work of Port State Control officers and improve overall effectiveness.

“Maritime training institutions in member states were also encouraged to make use of IMO’s Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) module on marine casualties and incidents to access reports of marine casualty investigation filed by IMO Member States as this could provide case studies and valuable lessons for the training of seafarer.”

Freight forwarders decry foreigners’ encroachment

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reight forwarders under the umbrella of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) are not happy over foreign domination of export and import of goods in Nigeria.

The association’s National President, Mr Oluwole Adeyemi, complained to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Enalamah, at a trade forum in Abuja that the sector was dom-

inated by foreigners.

He added that unprofessional conduct had become the bane of maritime sector in the country.

The national president according to a statement, identified lack of adequate infrastructure, importation of fake and substandard goods, import bans and restriction of goods as other challenges facing the trade chain in Nigeria.

Adeyemi called for full automation of car-

go clearance process and adherence to some global trade treaties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), World Trade Organisation (WTO), World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) among others.

He said: “Nigeria supply chain environment is characterised by trade malpractices by the importing public, high local shipping/ terminal charges, frivo-

lous issuance of notice of under payment D/N and incessant server failure and alert system, as well as ambushing of containers on the highways by government agencies.

“We are aware that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is a global tool often used by developing countries to pursue rapid development and growth of their economies, create employment, develop businesses, inject fund and develop capacity.”

years.

It was reported that in 2011, the authority remitted N29 billion into the Federation Account, being its highest remittance in history.

However, it paid $2.7 billion and N32. 4 billion between 2012 and 2015 through the Lagos pilotage district only.

China to help Nigeria, others fight piracy

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hina has resolved to send its soldiers to Nigeria, Benin, Ghana Togo and other countries in the Gulf of Guinea to secure navigational safety at a time the region is facing an increasing threat from pirates.

The country also said that it would join the international anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Guinea by helping littoral states in the region to build necessary infrastructure.

A former Head of the Foreign Affairs office of China’s Ministry of National Defence, Qian Lihua, disclosed this at a meeting on African peace and stability in Lome, the capital of Togo.

The Chinese major general according to a report, also put forward a few proposals on fighting piracy in the region.

He called on the international community to help regional countries strengthen their capacity by training maritime security troops, putting more financial and technical resources into anti-piracy efforts and expanding development aid to those countries in order to rid poverty and raise the employment rate among young people.

Lihua said: “China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace and security in Africa based on the principles of respecting the will of African countries, not interfering in African internal affairs and observing the basic norms governing international relations.”

He noted that the country would welcome third-party initiatives regarding cooperation on peace and security in Africa.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Literature

Arts

How to tackle corruption

A scene in Dance On His Grave performed by final year students of the Department of Performing Arts of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Dance On His Grave, renewed voice for gender equality Tony Okuyeme

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he need to address the “misrepresentation of women right from the family level to society” was again brought to the fore at the 2016 edition of the African Theatre Association (AfTA) annual International Conference, hosted by the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Abuja, Nigeria.

This was the focus of a paper, entitled, “A Feminist Reading of Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma’s Dance on his Grave”, by Bernard Bem Assoh and Hycentha Madu of the Department of English, Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil,

TONY OKUYEME ARTS EDITOR

tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Kano State.

The three-day AfTA Annual International Conference, which was held last weekend, at the Main Auditorium of the Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Abuja Main Campus, was themed: “Paradigm Shifts in African Theatre and Performance”.

Speaking on the tragedy of equality in Ayakoroma’s Dance on his Grave, Hycentha Madu, posited that in Nigeria, women in most communities have been reduced to second class citizens, because in most of the traditional settings, it is assumed that the best place for women is in the kitchen, which is a serious misrepresentation of women’s right from the family level up to the larger circular society, where they are discriminated upon; and that the foregoing informed the paper’s analysis of Dance on his Grave as a reference to bring equity in the society.

The paper also argued that, Barclays Ayakoroma, a male playwright, wrote from a feminist perspective in Dance on his Grave to promote equal rights for women with their male counterpart, which is a departure from other stereotyped portrayal of women

It is assumed that the best place for women is in the kitchen, which is a serious misrepresentation of women’s right

by fellow African male writers, like Cyprian Ekwensi, Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, among others, who, the presenter stated, have been “accused of presenting negative images of women as prostitutes, nagging wives, gossips and as passive characters that play very little roles in society and are only good for sex, child-bearing and the kitchen”, in their works; adding that this advocacy by Ayakoroma is indeed an “inspiration for women in Nigeria” and also across Africa, which goes to show that there is hope concerning paradigm shift in African theatre and performance.

However, while commending Barclays Ayakoroma, whose other works include, A Matter of Honour, Castles in the Air, A Chance to Survive, Once Upon a Dream, and A Scar for Life, among others, for projecting the actualisation of a proper place for women in Nigeria, the paper raised pertinent questions as food for thought.

According to them, in this male dominated world where women are hardly ever given enough space to develop their full potentials in both imaginative and actual reality, can men

36

actually write to truly fight for the rights of women? And do men believe that women can and should have equal rights with them?

They, however, queried whether Ayakoroma was only making fun of women in his work, against the backdrop that men do not suffer the same oppression women suffer, as such, cannot comprehend women experiences, which have necessitated the feminist movement, and hence men cannot constructively contribute genuinely to feminist movements or concepts.

The lecturers also wondered whether the men must die first before women can access equal rights as portrayed in Dance on his Grave, where the Queen, Alaere, in an attempt to win her position of insisting on equal rights with her husband, King Olotu, by having an input in decisions taken on the future of their daughter, Beke, resort to sensitive war of words about the true paternity of their daughter, which resulted in King Olotu taking his own life.

They posited that the play is an arousal to the need to recognise the role and position of women in contemporary African society, where they ought to be given a listening ear; be consulted in matters concerning them and their children; as well as to understand their agitations for an enhanced environment and recognition of their roles for effective social and family harmony.

They also noted that paradigm shift towards equal rights for women with their male counterpart is not just clamouring for the female folk to rule over or dominate the male folk, as stated by the playwright through the character Alaere in the play, where she stated: “… I am not thinking of ruling this land, but the question is, should we not be consulted even in matters concerning our children and us? … and not argue? ... now the time has come for us to speak with one voice ...”

The authors conclude that Barclays Ayakoroma, an African male writer and literary artist, has through the play, Dance on his Grave, added his voice to the liberation of the larger womenfolk towards the enhanced development of the African women by presenting the female in a more feminine light, portrayed in a serious manner that women are taking a firm stance in their decision for equal rights in a more organized and uniform way, which seems to be calling for immediate change for equality in the male-dominated society.

They averred that this call should be emulated by other African male literary and theatre artists in the spirit of the muchdesired paradigm shift in African theatre and performance.

ART

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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NEWS Electronic Soundscapes calls for application I

nstitut Français du Nigeria and Goethe-Institut Nigeria are organising 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 six participants from DJs to music producers.

Nigeria boasts a very rich musical tradition. Alongside the traditional music forms and percussion-based style found in its diverse cultural regions, the scene has, over time, been shaped by Western influences from the 50s and 60s (Highlife and Afrobeat) through the 80s and 90s (Hip hop and R & B).At the turn of the millennium, increasingly electronic elements came into the various music styles, which nonetheless retained their traditional rhythmic structures.

Taking this into consideration, the two partner organisations– with additional support from the FrancoGerman Cultural Fund - will once again select a small number of Nigerian DJs /electronic music producers to take part in a 9-day Electronic Music workshop, labeled “Electronic Soundscapes”.

Facilitated by three internationally-renowned producers, the workshops will take place daily from October 9 to 17, 2016 in Lagos and Abuja.

DJs and producers with a strong artistic interest in electronic music are encouraged to apply.

“Electronic Soundscapes” is inspired by the TEN Cities Project, which presented an intersection of club and electronic music between different European and African cities. The workshop is set up within this context and aims to foster artistic interaction among German, French and Nigerian musicians in the area of electronic music.

CORA, Arterial Nigeria holds cultural managementpProgramme

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ORA/Arterial Nigeria have called for applications from Port Harcourt based artists and creative entrepreneurs to participate in the Arterial Network integrated Cultural Management Programme.

The vision of Arterial Network’s Cultural Management programme is to contribute to capacity building in the African arts sector with an approach that is practical, efficient, fast, and focused on specific skills of cultural management. It aims at continuing to professionalize the sector and limiting the dependence on foreign expertise through local workshops and courses.

According to a statement by the organisers, this programme in Port Harcourt is supported by Africalia and Department of Theatre and Film Studies, University of Port Harcourt.

The programme targets artists, arts administrators, managers, cultural officers, cultural planners and practitioners in Africa who feel the need to improve specific skills such as ability to write successful funding proposals, marketing their cultural products and strategic management of their projects and events.

Arese ( middle) receiving her prize

Team Waje’s Arese wins The Voice Nigeria Tony Okuyeme

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fter three months of excitement, breathtaking performances and creativity, intrigue, heartbreak and jubilation, Arese from team Waje has emerged as the first ever winner of The Voice Nigeria.

Arese walks away with a recording contract with Universal, an SUV from Africa Magic, worth N7 million and a four-day allexpense paid trip for two to Abu Dhabi courtesy Etihad Airways.

Sunday’s finale began on a high note as the audience was treated to individual and group

performances, and the coaches graced the stage with their charges. The ensemble performances of the evening opened with Timi Dakolo, Cornel and Dewe performing Timi’s song, Heaven Please.

Chike, from TeamPatoranking, followed with a memorable rendition of Bob Marley’s ‘No Woman No Cry’ and the hunky Nonso Bassey also stirred the audience’s emotions with a bass laden performance of Impossible.

Petite but powerful voiced Viveeyan from Team2baba was next for the evening, and she got a standing ovation from the audience with an amazing performance of Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking

The Waiting Room, Jungle Justice go on stage Tony Okuyeme

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he Crown Troupe of Africa’s 20th anniversary celebration which began on Monday with seminar, carnival procession, film screening as well as workshop and interactive lecture, continues today with Art exhibition and performances.

Today activities begin with an exhibition featuring works by Ibrahim ‘SirGai’ Ganiyu, Jimga concepts, Ore Apparels, and Crown Troupe of Africa, at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos.

Following the exhibition is the stage production of ‘Wats Dis All About’ to be performed by OneSix Productions, at the Food Court, Freedom Park, at Freedom Park, Lagos.

Today’s line up of performances ends with live music as Seun Olota takes centre stage at 8.30pm.

The festival continues tomorrow with the Renegade Theatre production of The Waiting Room, while Edaoto & the AfroGenius Band will thrill audience with inspiring performances.

Other performances at festival include the stage play, Jungle Justice which will be staged by Kiniso Konsepts, at the Amphi Theatre; live music by Gbadun Squad; Ola Rotimi’s play Grip Am to be performed by Oxygen Koncepts, live music by Wura Samba, Crown Troupe’s production of Wole Soyinka’s play Death

and the King’s Horseman’, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Climax of the festival also include award ceremony on Sunday at the Main Stage of Freedom Park, Lagos.

Crown Troupe of Africa in performance

Ball.

Brenda, who is, arguably, everyone’s favorite stage performer, followed with an energetic medley of ‘Rumour Has It’ and ‘Someone Like You’. Waje, ably assisted by Arese and Patrick, performed the hit single ‘Ominiknowest’ as TeamWaje thrilled the audience with an amazing display of stage mastery.

Cornel came through with an exhilarating performance of RKelly’s ‘The Greatest’, and Dewe followed suit with a sonorous performance of Lucas Graham’s ‘Seven Years Old’. TeamPatoranking was next and the team leader, assisted by Chike and Nonso, performed the hit song ‘No Kissing Baby’, off the hotly anticipated debut album ‘GOE’.

2baba took to the stage with Brenda and Viveeyan as they went ‘spiritual’, performing his song ‘The Devil is a Liar’. The reggae-toned performances continued as Patrick got the studio audience dancing with his reggae-inspired version of John Legend’s ‘All of Me’.

Arese took to the stage and elicited screams as she literally kicked off her shoes performing ‘Freedom’. Following Arese’s performance was the unveiling of the top four finalists. Making the cut from Team 2baba was Brenda, while Arese made it through from TeamWaje. Chike made it from TeamPatoranking and Cornel made it through for TeamTimi as the nail biting evening progressed.

Cornel returned to the stage as he gave an inspring performance of Lionel Ritchie’s ‘All Night Long’. Chike followed and got the ladies swooning with Kiss Daniel’s Mama and Arese took to the stage afterwards with an emotional performance of Hallelujah whilst the bubbly Brenda rocked the stage with Wizkid’s Ojuelegba.

The climax of the evening was when the host IK announced Arese as the winner, with Chike coming second. The Voice Nigeria was proudly sponsored by Airtel in conjunction with Coca Cola.

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LITERATURE

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

How to tackle corruption

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his book ‘Anatomy of Corruption in Nigeria’

by Yusuf O. Ali, SAN, is a master piece that must be read. I read through from chapter one to the last chapter and could not see a chapter that is not useful to all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora. The inspiration behind writing this book is superb as all the contributors wield words together to tackle the menace of corruption, which has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation’s social, political, cultural and religious lives which calls for questions on the moral rectitude of the institutions of governance in Nigeria. As the editor and author aptly put it in the preface of the book, “Together, we have set out to answer the questions posed by corruption. We have not only dealt with the subject of corruption in full, we also proceeded to proffer suggestions towards finding solution on how to tackle and eradicate the menace”.

Ali, equally described corruption as hydra-headed monster, which has ravaged our country, Nigeria.

The scholastic endeavour can change the socio-cultural milieu of all Nigerians if all the remedies provided by these contributors can be put into practice. In fact, I am the better for it, when I browse through the book extensively during my study hour.

In the first chapter of the book, Ali delves into definition of corruption and its various species like breach of trust, nepotism, influence peddling and so on; and equally states the causes and the historical background of corruption in Nigeria and the way forward on this endemic disease.

In the concluding part of chapter one, I quite agree with the author that the truth seems to remain that however comprehensive law enforcement agencies may be, whatever fear factor law agencies may deploy as weapon in the anticorruption warfare, the principal weapon against corruption is people with high personal moral standard and a disdain for crass materialism.

Chapter 4 deals with the role of the youth in combating the monster called corruption. This, the author says, the parents and guardians must be role models in all they do.

Chapter 5 of the book deals with the fight against corruption which he looked at from the perspective of sharia law as a model to suppress corruption in Nigeria.

Chapter 6 is a comprehensive examination of the issue of corrup-

Book title: Anatomy of Corruption in Nigeria: Issuses, Challenges and Solutions Editor: Yusuf O. Ali, S.A.N. Pages: 468 Reviewer: Seyi Shodipo

tion vis-a-vis the role of the Bar and how it can be combated using the law to forestall sanity in the country, Nigeria.

The two preceding chapters are what the various political parties in Nigeria have done in the fight against corruption in Nigeria by setting up various anti-graft agencies and whether these agencies are independent or not.

Chapters 9 and 11 deal with the

Book stand

challenges of sectional fight against corruption in Nigeria and legislative advocacy to combat corruption, respectively.

The final part of the book is a critical thrust on how corruption can be seriously dealt with in Nigeria. This, the writer says, “Concerned patriots must search for ways of taming corruption before it brings the nation to a calamitous disintegration”.

The book, ‘Anatomy of Corruption in Nigeria’ is a critical view of the author on corruption, an issue that must be tackled headlong if we are as a nation. The book does not only discuss the problems, it also to proffer some solutions and recommendations, which if some are strictly adhered to, will make Nigeria better than we have met it.

In conclusion, this scholastic endeavor, ‘Anatomy of Corruption in Nigeria’, by Yusuf Ali, must not be judged by its cover as its thematic concern is a serious discourse that must not be toyed with looking at the state of things in this nation.

Ali is seen here taking a cursory look at his environment and thought that one of the ways to checkmate corruption in Nigeria is by putting pen to paper and discuss the issue and proffer some reasonable recommendations to all and sundry.

Ali, is a consummate legal practitioner and teacher of the law practice with experience spanning more than three decades. He attended the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) for his first degree and graduated with a second class upper division in 1982. He also made a second class in the class of 1983 in the Nigeria law school. He went back to the institution for his master of law degree in 1991.

What we are reading

Baldwin is a master, and if there was any one voice that stood out against backdrop of the civil rights movement, that stood out to defend the dignity of black people, of African-Americans within the American space, it was Baldwin.

And The Fire Next Time was basically like his magnum opus in a sense in terms of that defence.

For a Nigerian who does not have a direct experience of racism it was an eye opening experience for me to find a writer who can actually situate you in that experience even though you are divorced from it.

Chimamanda Adichie’s Americanah is a big book and it’s interesting. It’s about racism. It’s a book that covers very wide expanse of landscape, terrain and cultural experiences. I like it because it is quite original. What intrigues me, in fact I am trying to do a paper using that book and a few other books, and what I found in it is a kind of transcultural experiences, what I describe as trans-culturalism. I like the ways cultures merge, and there is a kind of mingling of cultures – you have African culture, Black America, African American culture, white culture.

Efe Paul Azino

Prof. Akachi Adimora

TONY OKUYEME ARTS EDITOR

tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

POETRIP

In A House Oladipo Kehinde

In a house of love We can eat a cup of rice And be satisfied Where there is no love A bag of rice cannot Go round We read words of a book Words are building Blocks of wisdom Where there is no love Hatred come through the front door Love jump through the window In a house of love We can eat a cup of rice And be satisfied

wedneSDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Money Line

37

Naira appreciates to N310.50 per dollar

Cash crunch: AMCON to lease seized property

T

T

he naira closed at N310.50 against the dollar yesterday, firmer than previous close of N315.50, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Reuters reported that the local currency traded $23 million at N280.50 just after the interbank market opened at N316.50.

One trader attributed the N280.50 rate to a dollar resale on the spot market of outright currency forwards sold by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The naira, however, depreciated further against the dollar on the parallel market yesterday, exchanging at N384 to the dollar, from N380 it traded last Monday.

It also exchanged against the Pound Sterling and the Euro at N495 and N415, respectively.

At the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the market, the currency exchanged at N378 for the dollar, N490 for the Pound and N413 against the Euro.

The naira has dropped 40 per cent on the interbank market since June 20, when CBN ditched its 16-month-old peg of N197 to the dollar in a bid to lure back foreign investors who had fled after a plunge in the price of oil, Nigeria’s economic mainstay.

CBN to raise N245.18bn in treasury bills

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) plans to raise N245.18 billion ($773.44 million) worth of Treasury bills with maturities ranging between three months and a year today, traders said yesterday, citing a CBN Treasury bill calendar.

The apex bank plans to issue N45.18 billion in 3-month debt, N80 billion of 6-month paper and N120 billion of 1-year bills in a Dutch auction, they said.

Indicative rates for the auction are 16 per cent for 3-month, 18 per cent for 6-months and 18.5 per cent for 1-year bills, one trader said. The auction’s results will be published the day after the sale.

Yields on fixed income securities have been rising in recent months with the apex bank mopping up naira liquidity to try to lure back foreign investors who sold naira assets following the plunge in the price of oil, Nigeria’s economic mainstay.

The regulator increased interest rates by 200 basis points last week to 14 per cent to help fight inflation, which hit a 10-year high of 16.5 per cent in June.

RECESSION Employment level index stood at 43.8 points he Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (CBN) is considering leasing out properties seized from companies that are failing to repay loans as it grapples with its own cash crunch, Bloomberg reported yesterday.

The news agency reported Chief Executive Officer

Ahmed Kuru, as saying that the corporation may introduce the “real-estate investment scheme” by the end of the year to raise money to meet its bond repayments.

It plans to sell the properties when the economy improves and the assets can attract fair value, he said.

The agency is confiscating more assets than its receiving from its recovery efforts as businesses battle to sell products and generate cash, Kuru said. Companies that owe money to AMCON are struggling to meet their debts as Africa’s

largest economy and one of its biggest oil producers heads for a recession because of a slump in crude prices and a 15-month currency peg to the dollar that crippled foreign-exchange supplies.

According to him, AMCON has no plans for another rescue package for banks and is focused on how it will repay N5.2 trillion ($16.5 billion) of outstanding bonds over the next nine years. The agency purchased about 14,000 nonperforming loans at a cost of N3.9 trillion in a governmentled bailout of 10 companies fol-

lowing the 2009 banking crisis.

A levy that sees banks pay 0.5 per cent of their assets annually generates as much as N190 billion for AMCON and is helping the agency fill funding gaps, Kuru said. The shortfall widens as the downturn in the economy causes the price of assets to fall below their book value, making sales difficult, Kuru said.

“We are in the second phase, which is redemption of our debts, not bailing out banks,” Kuru said. “We are not in the perpetual business of bailing out banks.’’

CBN cautions on unregistered money transfer operators

•Business activity declined in July’ Tony Chukwunyem

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has advised Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to beware of the activities of some unlicensed International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) in the country, which it said are hurting the economy through their modes of operation.

In a statement issued last night by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, the apex bank pointed out that all financial service providers in the country are required to be duly licensed in order to protect both customers and the financial system as well as to ensure the credibility of financial transactions.

He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, all licensed International Money Transfer Operators, in line with the CBN Circular on the sale of foreign currency proceeds of July 22, 2016, are required to remit foreign currency to their respective agent banks in Nigeria for disbursement in naira to the beneficiaries while the foreign currency proceeds are to be sold to Bureaux De Change operators, for onward retail to end users.”

The regulator stressed that it would not condone any attempt aimed at undermining the country’s foreign exchange regime.

The CBN had recently directed banks that are approved agents of international money transfer firms to sell the remittances they receive from such companies to BDCs. Meanwhile, the level of business activity in the country continued its decline in July according to the banking watchdog manufacturing and non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).

The apex bank stated that although the PMI for July fell, as it had done in the last seven months, the rate of decline was slower compared with the preceding month’s.

According to the report, “The manufacturing PMI rose marginally to 44.1 index points in July 2016, compared to 41.9 in the preceding month. This indicates a slower rate of decline in the review period. The compos-

ite PMI for the non-manufacturing sector recorded decline for the seventh consecutive month.

The index rose to 43.2points, indicating a slower decline compared to that in June 2016.”

The report showed that the production level index for the manufacturing sector fell to 43.0 index points, declining for the seventh consecutive month, but at a slower rate than that recorded in June 2016.

It stated that of the 16 manu-

facturing sub-sectors, 12 recorded declines in production level during the review month while computer & electronic products, chemical and pharmaceutical products sub-sectors recorded growth in production level during the period.

NIPOST: Robust address system’ll boost banking Kunle Azeez

A

cting Post Master General of Federation, Mr. CYB Ndahi, has said having an effective national addressing system (NAS) in place would support banking operations in the country.

Ndahi stated this in a presentation to the Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, in Abuja, saying developing a robust national address system will also

help in addressing other teething national challenges.

“Banks and other commercial institutions need accurate addresses to locate their customers against fraudulent activities,” he said.

As such, Ndahi has urged the Federal Government, through the ministry of Communications, to establish a national addressing system across the country in order to promote effectiveness of mail delivery and foster security

in the country.

According to him, the new development will help individual to secure a legal identity, facilitating the planning and implementation of public policies and to fight against any national disasters and diseases.

He explained that this is necessary to reinforce national and international security and help in sending mails, adding that people need addresses to be recognised as members of their communities.

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

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 16.5 14 10.77 US$41.56 US$26,209,234,809

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 June, 2016 26/7/2016 Mar 2015 2/8/2016 28/7/2016

Source:CBN

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

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 104.54 114.58 111.91 120.62 109.79 100.32 83.54 97.16

1.06 3.23 3.86 5.81 7.94 9.80 14.30 18.29

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.2500 8.2420 10.1127 11.7162

Bid Yield 10.45 10.54 11.61 11.43 12.23 12.43 12.49 12.54

Change (%) -0.21 ▼ -0.87 ▼ -0.90 ▼ -0.66 ▼

Change (%) 0.07 ▲ -0.01 ▼ 0.01 ▲ -0.01 ▼ -0.04 ▼ 0.04 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.06 ▲

Price 104.69 114.88 112.21 120.92 110.09 100.62 83.84 97.46

Tenor (Months)

Change (%) 0.07 ▲ -0.01 ▼ 0.01 ▲ -0.01 ▼ -0.04 ▼ 0.04 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.06 ▲

NITTY

Rate (%) 5.1731 6.4137 7.3300 8.8857 9.6247 10.5416

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 10.30 10.44 11.52 11.36 12.18 12.38 12.44 12.50

Change (%) -1.82 ▼ -0.82 ▼ -0.75 ▼ -0.32 ▼ 0.04 ▲ 0.04 ▲

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 7.34 7.47 -0.35 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 3.75 30-Jun-16 7.59 7.73 -0.35 ▼ 6-Oct-16 8.37 8.12 8.47 -0.24 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 4.25 8.74 -0.24 ▼ 16-Mar-17 9.40 10.32 0.04 ▲ 9.15 10.02 0.04 ▲

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.14

FX

Offer 199.24

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

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 (%) -0.08 ▼ -0.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

38

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

wedneSDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

wedneSDAY, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

39

Stock market records marginal loss BEARISH

Equities drain on sustained sell pressure

Stories by Chris Ugwu

A

ctivities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday slipped deeper into the red zone, as shares of highly capitalised stocks closed on downswing.

Overall market performance

NASD, firm partner to boost Nigeria’s financial market

P

roshare, Nigeria and NASD Plc, Nigeria’s foremost securities exchange for unquoted public companies, yesterday announced a partnership aimed at communicating the activities and developments of the NASD OTC market towards fostering transparency, education and growth.

According to a statement from Proshare, this followed the launch of its 10.0 Phase 1 project on February 29, 2016, a hub designed to have a direct linkage between markets, businesses, technology and the economy; partnering with other Exchanges that make up the Nigerian financial market became essential.

The partnership according to the statement, will thus combine the professional expertise of NASD Plc with Proshare’s investor education and enlightenment methodologies to boost the activities of the OTC market and the Nigerian Financial Market.

indicators, the NSE All Share Index and market capitalisation each declined marginally by 0.04 per cent.

Consequently, the All-Share Index shed 9.36 basis points or 0.04 per cent to close at 27,843.00 per share as against 27,831.95 recorded the previous day, while, the market capitalisation of equities depreciated marginally

by N4 billion or 0.04 per cent.

Foreign investors have been fleeing Nigerian assets, unnerved by the plunge in the price of oil and its impact on the naira and the government’s revenue.

Meanwhile, a turnover of

275.7 million shares exchanged in 4126 deals was recorded in the day’s trading.

Banking sub-sector of the financial services segment was the most active (measured by turnover volume) with 93.2 million shares exchanged by investors in 1,178 deals.

Volume in the sub-sector was largely driven by activities in the shares of Access Bank Plc and UBA Plc. Also, the premium sub sector, boosted by activities in the shares of Zenith Bank and UBA Plc followed with a turnover of 66.1 million shares in 647 deals.

Shares of Dangote Cement,

T

Total posts 271% H1 PAT growth

otal Nigeria Plc has reported 271 per cent growth in profit after tax for the half year ended June 2016.

According to the financial results released to the Nigerian stock Exchange (NSE), the oil firm recorded a profit after tax of N8.934 billion in half year 2016 as against N2.411 billion reported in 2015, accounting for a growth of 271 per cent.

Its profit before tax stood at N12.938 billion, from N4.333 billion in 2015, representing a growth of 199 per cent, while revenue grew by 30 per cent from N111.97 billion in 2015 to N145.48 billion during the period under review.

Total Nigeria full year 2015 profit after tax had fell 24 per cent to N4.047 billion from N5.290 billion recorded a year earlier.

In a filing from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) the company’s pre-tax profit also dropped by five per cent from 6.832 billion the previous year to N6.495 billion during the period under review.

The company’s revenue equally shed 6.22 per cent from N240.027 billion in 2014 to N208.027 billion during the financial year 2015.

Total’s fortune dwindled

in third quarter of the year as the company posted 19 per cent decrease in profit after tax to N2.132 billion in the recent released Q3 2015 from N2.648 billion in 2014.

Its profit before tax dropped five per cent from N4.204 billion during the period under review to N4.009 in 2014.

The company’s revenue equally shed 10 per cent to N159.299 billion from N177.807 billion during the comparable period of 2014.

The company also posted 10 per cent drop in profit before tax for the half year ended June 2015.

In a filing with the Ex-

Guinness Nigeria, PZ Pharmaceuticals, and Oando Plc gained N3.00, N1.00, N0.85 and N0.51 to close at N183.00, N94.00, N18.45 and N5.58 respectively. Conversely, shares of Nestle Nigeria, Seplat Petroleum Development Company and Forte Oil depreciated by N21.30, N14.89 and N7.80 to close at N816.20, N282.94 and N167.00 respectively.

Nigerian Interbank Treasury Bills True Yields (NITTY) rose for most maturities on the back of sell pressure – yields on 1 month and 3 months and 12 months rose to 17.04 per cent, 17.88 per cent and 23.78

per cent respectively. However, the yield on 6 months maturity fell to 18.81 per cent. In the same vein, NIBOR rose for all of the maturities amid liquidity strain – NIBOR for overnight funds, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months tenor buckets rose to 16.33 per cent, 17.96 per cent, 19.42 per cent and 21.97 per cent respectively.

Bond prices moved in mixed directions across the maturities – 20-year, 10.00 per cent FGN JUL 2030 bond rose by N0.24 (yield fell to 15.20 per cent).

However, 7-year, 16.00 per cent FGN JUN 2019 debt fell by N0.08 (yield rose to 15.46 per cent).

change, the company’s pre-tax profit declined from N2.178 billion during the comparable period of 2014 to N1.967 billion, accounting to a drop of 10 per cent.

Gross earnings of the fuel marketer also dropped to N111.974 billion from N120.157 billion in the previous year.

Total had begun the year with bad numbers, reporting 79 per cent drop in net earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015.

The oil company’s profit after tax declined to N223.219 million from N1.069 billion in the same period of last year, indicating a loss of 79 per cent.

Revenue also was flat at N60.042 billion, compared with N60.595 billion last year, a drop of one per cent.

Total Nigeria’s result had during the financial year ended 31st December 2014 showed a drop in key profitability indices.

Revenue was flat at N240.618 billion in the financial year as against N238.163 billion posted the previous year. Profit after tax in the year stood at N4.42 billion in comparison to N5.3 billion the company achieved last year, accounting for a drop of 17 per cent.

dropped from N15.444 billion in the H1 period of 2015 to N13.96 billion in the review period of 2016, showing a decline of 9.57 percent, the company said in a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria posted a 47.77 per cent slide in profit after tax for the financial year ended December 31, 2015.

According to filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange

(NSE), profit after tax (PAT) dipped 47.7 per cent to N965.047 billion from N1.848 billion in the corresponding period of 2014.

Its pretax profit for the year ended also declined 57.95 per cent to N1.157 billion from N2.752 billion recorded a year earlier.

Revenue moved from N30.521 billion in 2014 audited period to N30.634 billion in the review period of 2015; indicating a marginal growth of 0.4 per cent.

...GlaxoSmithKline reports N3.7bn loss

D

rugmaker, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc has recorded a loss after tax of N3.705 billion for the half year ended June 30, 2016 as against a profit after tax of N2977.373 million declared a year earlier.

Similarly, the group recorded a loss before tax of N3.620 billion compared to N424.819 million posted the same period of 2015.

Similarly, the firm’s revenue

40

NEWS | south-west

Ondo guber race: APC begs Tinubu to shun aspirants’ overtures

Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

I

nvestigations have revealed that the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress had appealed to the National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu not to endorse any aspirant for the governorship ticket of the party in Ondo State before the party commenced the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms.

According to a source at the National Secretariat of APC in Abuja, the appeal became necessary as the party knew the implication of the national leader endorsing an aspirant ahead of the party's plan to sell its forms.

The source who stated that the National Vice Chairman of APC, South West, Dr. Pius Akinyelure had made passionate appeal to Tinubu, stated that the party would have lost the money it had made in the sales of the governorship forms if Tinubu had endorsed any aspirants before the party's sales of forms.

More than 18 governor-

ship aspirants from Ondo State had collected the APC expression of interest and nomination forms at the cost of N5.5 million for the party's governorship ticket. With this, the party has raked more than N80 million from the sales of the governorship forms for Ondo.

During the sales of Edo State governorship forms, APC made over N65 million as more than 13 persons collected the forms at the same cost of N5.5 million.

The source, who spoke

to New Telegraph exclusively, stated that the party took the decision to convince Tinubu to be indifferent on who becomes the flag bearer of the party in Ondo State until the closure of the sales of the forms.

The source explained that the party constitution had no provision for automatic ticket for any aspirant, but could not move away from the influence that Tinubu had in the party and in the South West.

He said: "If Tinubu

had anointed or endorse any aspirant, the party wouldn't have made as mush money as it has made."

"You know what happened in Ondo in 2012, when Tinubu endorsed the former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN on the platform of the Action Congress and in 2013 when he endorsed the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi as the governorship candidate of APC in Ekiti

State.

"Also, Nigerians and party members know the role he played for the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari as the APC presidential flag bearer and that he single handedly picked the vice presidential candidate for the party.

“The party, which expects to make money from governorship aspirants, believes that any endorsement of aspirant

by Tinubu would jeopardize the aspirations of the party.”

Some officials of the Nigeria Copyright Commission raiding the shop where pirated books are sold in Ibadan … yesterday

Lagos pays N891m to 324 retirees in July Muritala Ayinla

L

agos State government yesterday said it has paid the sum of N891 million to 324 retirees in the state for the month of July 2016.

The government said that senior citizens from the mainstream civil ser-

vice, local governments, state universal basic education and other parastatals had no reason to groan as their entitlements had been paid up till last month.

The Director-General, State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, who disclosed this during the 29th Retirement Benefit Bond

Ikeja obaship tussle: Don’t subvert popular choice, group warns LG boss

A

group, the Ikeja Orile Youth Association yesterday cautioned the sole administrator of the Ikeja Local Government, Lagos Engr. Taiwo Abiodun not to allow himself to be arm-twisted by powerful cabal to subvert the popular choice for the Olu of Ikeja.

The association, in a statement by its coordinator, Alhaji Sina Balogun said only the choice of five kingmakers as led two years ago by a former deputy governor, late Chief Rafiu Jafojo remained valid.

The Jafojo-led kingmakers had recommended to the council, Prince Samshondeen Adegboye Adeleye as the Oba-elect

of Ikeja.

“We just gathered from the grapevine that there is a serious pressure on the Ikeja Local Government chairman to subvert the kingmakers’ decision and impose the puppet of a powerful female politician in Ikeja."

“We know the council chairman as a complete gentleman and he should not allow his reputation to be dragged through the mud,” the group said.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Body of Ikeja Kingmakers, Chief Titi Thomas, has petitioned Governor Akinwumi Ambode, urging him to expedite action on the moves to appoint a new traditional ruler for Ikeja.

presentation ceremony, advised the beneficiaries to use the lump sum payment by their respective Pension Fund Administrator judiciously.

According to her, the State government has fulfilled its own part of paying the retirees’ entitlements as it was now left for the Pension Fund

Administrators /Annuity Service Providers to fulfil their part of the arrangement by ensuring that monthly payment to retirees were made.

Reiterating that the commission would continue to monitor the activities of pension operators to guarantee that they continue to fulfil their

obligations to the retirees, Onanuga implored beneficiaries to seek professional advice when making an investment decision with their payment.

It will recalled that the sum of N16,336,552 billion had already been paid to 3,924 retirees by the Lagos State Government as accrued pension rights through LASPEC from August 2015 to July, 2016.

wednesday, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

CDHR wants masterminds of budget padding to face prosecution Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

T

he Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), yesterday charged the anti-corrupt bodies- the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practice and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to arrest and prosecute those allegedly involved in the 2016 budget padding at the National assembly.

CDHR which made the charge in a statement made available by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Rasheed Raji Ropo affirmed that the agencies should make use of confessional statements by Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin to arrest and prosecute those involved in the alleged criminal act.

It said: "We have been following the whole scenario emanating from the messy issues going on at the National Assembly, it shows that the country has been in serious political and economic mess due to the selfish conduct of some politicians who claimed to be leading the affairs of the country.

"As a human Rights organization, we cannot continue to watch these leaders to continue to ruin our countries and we believe that the EFCC and the ICPC do not need any evidence any longer to arrest, investigate and prosecute the culprits mentioned in the statements."

27.44

The average age of football players in Italy in the 2012-2013 season.

Source: Football-observatory.com

Ekiti appoints 3 Perm Secs to correct civil service inbalance Why Ekiti Assembly can’t swear in

E

kiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has appointed ranking civil service executive in the state, Mr. Kunle Olofin, as Permanent Secretary.

Also appointed as Permanent Secretary are Mr Stephen Adunmo and Dr Ayotunde Omole. Olofin's appointment, according to popular opinion had been seen as long overdue.

The governor said the appointments were effected to correct the lopsidedness in the state's civil service, adding that he would no longer allow anyone to bastardise the system.

Fayose spoke in AdoEkiti, the state capital,

yesterday at a meeting with top civil servants where he announced the selection of the trio.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, pledged to be always guided by the fear of God in whatever he was doing while handling the affairs of the state.

Fayose said: "I want it be on record that I did not and will not bastardise the civil service and we will not allow anybody to do that. I am guided by the spirit of fear of God in all I am doing. I met lopsidedness in the civil service when I came on board and we have corrected that."

Obayemi, by Speaker Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

E

kiti State House of Assembly has said it refused to swear in Mr Toyin Obayemi as a member as directed by a High Court order owing to the respect for the House’s policy of adhering strictly to the rule of law.

Obayemi had gone to the Assembly complex yesterday and demanded to be sworn in as a member of the House, with a judgment of the High Court and a certificate of return issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaker of the House, Right Honourable (Pastor) Kola Oluwawole, said the House would continue to hold the rule of law sacrosanct, maintaining that “as a House of Assembly, it is not just our vow, but also our duty to ensure that decisions of courts of law are held sacrosanct.

He said: “There is a subsisting stay of execution and notice of appeal against Justice Taiwo Taiwo’s ruling on the said suit No. FHC/AD/CS/17/2015, which Mr Obayemi brought to the House. The House must wait until the law courts exhaust their processes before actions can be taken.”

News|south-east

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Abia govt restless over Ogah Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

T

he precarious political atmosphere in Abia State generated by the governorship tussle has brought much heat on the political structure of the state making the government restless.

One solidarity visit has followed the other, almost on a daily basis, since the Abuja Federal High Court judgment of June 27, 2016, that sacked the Governor, Okezie Ikpeasu, to reassure him of the support of every section of the state.

The state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have

severally spoken in support of Governor Ikpeazu and finally filed a suit challenging the issuance of the certificate of return to Dr. Sampson Uchechukwu Ogah by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The government contended that the certificate issued to Ogah bore April 11 date whereas the election that produced Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu was conducted on April 11 and 25, 2015.

As political stakeholders in some local government areas have issued hate statements against their Abia North brothers, even threatening to make the state ungovernable if

Ikpeazu is removed, so also political appointees of the government have moved into the local communities to sensitize them on the true political situation in the state.

The exercise, which kicked off at Afugiri Ohuhu in Umuahia North Local Government was aimed at dispelling the rumour making the rounds in some quarters that Ikpeazu ceased to be governor following the judgment of the court over tax issues, and reassuring the people that the occupant of the seat of power has not changed.

At the sensitisation forum attended by village heads, town union

presidents and traditional rulers as well as representatives of women and youth groups, political office holders from the area made strenuous efforts to explain that Dr. Ikpeazu still remains the governor.

“This is a very dangerous and risky time in Abia,” the General Manager of Abia State Passenger Integrated Manifest Scheme (ASPIMS), Kingsley Megwara, told the people, adding that post-election legal disputes “has become the standard practice” in Nigeria unlike in developed democracies where losers promptly congratulate winners after election.

Ebonyi resolves 25 boundary disputes

Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

E

bonyi State government yesterday said it has resolved over 25 community boundary disputes across the state.

The state Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Mrs. Elizabeth Ogbaga, disclosed this to reporters in Abakaliki.

She noted that the boundary disputes were threatening peace in vari-

ous communities in the state, hence the intervention of the government.

“We have a lot of boundary cases in various communities which we have put into consideration and peace has returned to those places. ‘’For now, we have handled 25 cases and some committees were formed.

There are threats of war in some communities but we took a decision that we must settle them to

ensure peace and order in the state.

“Some of the cases we handled include Azu-inyeba township union leadership crisis, which there was an allegation of fraud.

We had to setup a committee made up of the local government chairman as the chairman of the committee and coordinators as members. When we investigated the case we found out that it was union leadership tussle.

“We also handled another case of local war and threat to peace in Umuoguduosha Ngbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area against Amaezegba in Ishielu Local Government Area that had lasted for the past 37 years. Both Amaezegba and Umuogodoosha went to court, up to Supreme Court, but peace finally returned to the area through the effort of our ministry,” Ogbaga said.

L-R: Enugu state Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Eucharia Offor; Technical Partner, Motir Dusable Power Investment Limited,Frank White; a partner of the firm, Emmanuel Guyut; Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Chairman, Motir Dusable Power Investment Limited,Emmanuel Irono, during the state’s Commissioners’ Retreat at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu… yesterday

41

Enugu Assembly sets up 7-man committee to probe Chime Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

F

ormer governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime, may face another trouble as the Enugu State House of Assembly has resolved to investigate the alleged diversion of the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) that accrued to the state between 2008 and June 2016.

Also to join the former governor in the probe is the former Chairman, Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Felix Chime, and other principal officers of the Board, who may be privy to the suspected pilfering of the state treasury.

The house decision to beam a searchlight on the Internally Generated Revenue within the period under review sprung from petitions received from the general public to investigate the alleged diversion of the state’s internally

Generated Revenue (IGR), by the chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue, Enugu State between 2008 and June 2016.

Subsequently, the Enugu State House of Assembly has set up a seven-man committee to investigate the allegation.

In a petition presented at the floor of the House, the member Representing Enugu South Urban Constituency, Obinna Okenwa, said that the House has received petitions from members of the public alleging that the former Chairman of the Board Of Internal Revenue, Mr. Felix Chime and other principal officers of the Board had continually diverted the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) between 2008 and June 2016 into their private pockets.

Okenwa lamented that alleged diversion had further worsened the economic situation of the state.

Set-up taskforce on herdsmen, Ebonyi orders LG chiefs Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

E

bonyi State government yesterday ordered the 13 local government caretaker committee chairmen and 64 development centres’ coordinators to set-up committee in their various areas to checkmate the activities of herdsmen.

Senior Special Adviser to Governor Umahi on Internal Security, Dr. Kenneth Ugballa, gave the directive in Abakaliki during a meeting with LG Chiefs in the state.

He noted that the state government is interested in finding lasting solution to the activities of the

herdsmen, adding that most of the herdsmen are so violent that they are ready to attack anybody or community on a slightest provocation, describing it as worrisome.

He said the committees will be inaugurated

by Governor Umahi when he returns from his vacation.

Ugballa said the state government will also set-up new vigilante group known as Ebonyi Community Safer group across the political wards in the state to strengthen security.

He urged the council chiefs to always send monthly security report to the government to assist in maintaining law and order in the state.

Imo deputy governor calls for unity among APC leaders where in his homestead in Governor of Enugu gets $200m renewable energy project TheImoDeputy State, Prince Eze Ezinihitte but he appealed United States-based re- with the Federal Govern- geria and we are licensed after would also cost $200 Madumere, has canvassed to me to join him to see for unity among All Pro- someone. Surprisingly, A newable energy power ment to site the project in and have gone through all million. firm, Motir DuSable Power Enugu State with the goal the processes and proce“Depending on the ca- gressives Congress (APC) here I am. I am happy with Investment Limited, has sited its $200 million solar project in Enugu State to generate 300 megawatts of solar power into the national grid.

In the first phase of the project, the firm is to generate 100 megawatts of solar energy which will subsequently be increased to 200 megawatts in the second phase.

The drivers of the project, which is a joint venture between two US-based power firms, have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

of making the state the hub for renewable energy generation in sub-Sahara Africa.

Chairman of the firm, Mr. Emmanuel Irono, yesterday made a presentation of the company’s planned take-off of the project during a performance review retreat of the Enugu State Executive Council holding at Nike Lake hotel, with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in attendance.

“We have a joint venture that would enable us to bring this project to Ni-

dure in terms of the power purchasing. Also, we have an alliance that can help us go through the various segments necessary for this project to be successful.

“So, today is the first day that we are meeting with the governor and his executive council members right here in Enugu, and we are very pleased that it turned out a positive meeting,” Irono said.

He further stated that the project would come in phases, adding that the first phase will cost about $200 million while another phase that will come there-

pacity we can do as they allow us but our partners are willing to consummate the project,” he added.

7

The number of listed exchange traded products of Nigeria as of December 31, 2014.

Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

15,600

The total population of Cook Islands in 2011.

Source: Un.org

leaders and members in Mbaise nation.

Madumere made this call last Saturday while addressing Mbaise Leadership Assembly at Umuemeri-Nkwogwu in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State shortly after his arrival at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri.

He expressed gladness for the calibre of people in attendance of the meeting.

His words: “I never knew that I was coming here. My Chairman was to accompany me to some-

what I am seeing here. I owe you a word of appreciation for standing up and planning ahead even in the face of present realities.”

He used the opportunity to commend the leaders of the group led by its National Chairman, Chief Agaptus Onuoha and others for keeping the flag of APC flying and for rallying round and supporting one another, and assured them that the state government led by Owelle Rochas Okorocha will make them proud.

42

NEWS | south-south

wednesday, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Encomium as Ibru's body arrives Asaba Dominic Adewole ASABA

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ributes yesterday continued to pour in for the late former Delta State governor, Olorogun Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru, as he commenced his final journey home in Asaba,

•Ibori, Okowa, Uduaghan, senators pay tributes

the state capital.

Born in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State on December 7, 1935, Ibru died on March 12, after a brief illness.

His foray into politics began in 1983 when he contested for a senate

seat but lost. The prevailing risk factor, in 1988, he contested again but won the constituent assembly election.

Despite the odds against him in 1991, he joined the race for the governorship election and emerged as the first Exec-

utive Governor of the newly created state in 1992.

He later realised his senatorial ambition in 2003, making his 27 years in active politicking a successful electoral scorecard.

At the lying-in-state

A cross-section of some youths in Ogoni land in Khana local government area in Rivers state during a protest against plans by the state government to dredge the river in their community.

B

ayelsa State Gover nor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday asked political and opinion leaders across the state and the Niger Delta to show more understanding and cooperate with security agencies in their current effort at maintaining peace, law and order in the area.

While urging youths of the region to be law abiding, the governor urged them to channel their grievances through the relevant organs of government.

Dickson also called for continued collaboration between the government and the people of the region as a way of ensuring lasting peace and development in the region.

The governor, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel

Dominic Adewole ASABA

A

suspected armed robber was yesterday killed by men of the Anti-Robbery Patrol Team of the Delta State Police Command.

The gang of robbers had laid siege at the popular Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Eku Road, Warri, before the crack team from the Area Commander’s office intercepted them.

They were allegedly cruising and surveying unsuspected commuters in their black coloured Volkswagen car with registration number, Delta

Dickson seeks cooperation as police dispel threat by militants

Iworiso-Markson, gave the charge during an emergency state security council meeting in Yenagoa.

Dickson also called on the various security agencies to collaborate with the government in sustaining the existing peace and security in the state.

He assured them of his administration’s support, stressing that no effort will be spared in keeping the state peaceful and secured in the face of the current challenges.

Dickson said: “Government will give the necessary support to all the security agencies

and I expect you to collaborate with the government. I urge you all to contribute to our robust debate to better the state even as I call on all to keep the peace.

“I also want to use this medium to urge everyone to channel their grievances to the appropriate authority, so as to keep the peace, as I call for continued collaboration between the government and the locals.”

Speaking with journalists after meeting with the state Commissioner of Police, Adeyemi Ogunjelimusi, the governor advised youths in the region to look for legitimate means of live-

lihood, noting that, it will not be business as usual for pipeline vandals and other criminal elements.

He reaffirmed government’s determination to make the state safe and peaceful, stressing that, non-state machineries will not be allowed to hijack the security of the state as act of criminality would not be condoned.

According to him, the threat by the Adaka Boro Avengers to declare a republic in the region was extensively discussed, pointing out that, the various security agencies acted promptly to put the situation under control.

Suspected robber killed in shootout, kidnapper nabbed in Delta

AG 625 DSZ, with four occupants before the onslaught.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu, at the headquarters in Asaba yesterday, said the hoodlums opened fire to beat arrest.

She said: "The team flagged the occupants to stop for a search, but they opened fire on the patrol men. In the ensuing gun duel, one of the suspected armed robbers was gunned down while the others disembarked from

the vehicle and escaped with bullet wounds."

Kalu listed the items abandoned by the gang to include one K2 rifle No. 97000 with a magazine and 12 rounds of live ammunition; one G3 rifle No. 8112982, its magazine, 16 rounds of live ammunition and their operational Volkswagen Jetta car with registration No. Delta AG 625 DSZ. While she said the command had swung into intensive investigations to track down the fleeing

bandits, she narrated how a suspected kidnapper was nabbed in Ndokwa East axis of the state.

"Following information that suspected kidnappers were sighted around Okpara Inland, detectives attached to Isiokolo Division mobilised to the scene and arrested one Saturday Oyouvwe ‘m,’ Samson Iroorowo ‘m’ and Janet Onya Akpowene ‘f.’ Items recovered from the suspects include one locally made short gun."

conducted for him at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, yesterday, glowing tributes were lavished on him having genuinely conquered the primordial barriers of ethnicity.

At the ceremony, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, said his political dexterity and leadership acumen shone brightly when he doused the tension that greeted the making of Asaba the state capital by the former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida in 1991.

He said: "It was in this tensed political atmosphere that Ibru assumed the leadership of the state. It was his noble disposition and unrivalled commitment that undoubtedly laid the foundation for the growth and development of the state."

Former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who found in Ibru, ‘a trusted and reliable elder,’ however, lamented that his wise counsel was gone, maintaining that ‘his counsel were mainly on peace, equity and fair-play.’

While Chief James Ibori, who succeeded Ibru as governor of the state in 1999, hailed his accomplishment in the service of the Urhobo nation, the state and the world at large, Senator James Manager, supported by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, lauded his exemplary contribution at the fifth Senate.

Others who spoke at the event admitted that it would take the entire state a long time to recover from the news of Ibru's death, because he was a unifying factor.

Abductors of UBTH nurses insist on N17m Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

A

nxiety heightened among the management and medical personnel at the University Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Benin, Edo State, yesterday, as suspected kidnappers holding two nurses hostage for a week now are demanded the payment of N17 million as ransom before they can let go the victims.

The nurses, Osemelu Lydia and Ovbiosu Bose, were said to have been abducted on Wednesday at densely populated Oluku community in Egor Local Government Area of the state.

They were said to be on their way home after work to pick up their children from an unidentified school, when the kidnappers swooped on them and whisked them away forcefully in a vehicle to an unknown destination.

New Telegraph learnt that the kidnappers had contacted family members of the victims and demanded the sum of N15 million for the release of one of the nurses and two million naira for the other of her colleague.

But Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, UBTH chapter, Comrade Austin Osigbeme, when contacted yesterday, said the gunmen reduced the ransom.

24.06

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Bahrain in 2003.

Source: Itu.int

Ogoni community protests illegal dredging by govt Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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he people of Kaani and Bori communities yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Bori, the headquarters of Ogoni in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State over the dredging of the sand in the area by the state government without first carrying out an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) at the site.

They said the site where the government directed extractors to dredge the sand accommodates the only stream that supplies them drinking water, noting that government also failed to recognise the health implication of its action.

The protesters, mostly youths from the communities, were seen carry-

ing placards with varying inscriptions condemning the dredging just as they sang solidarity songs and marched aroud the area.

Coordinator of the protest, Celestine Akpobare, said the dredgers were forcefully removing the sand, and that the protest was the only way to let government know that its action was unacceptable.

He said: "The protest you are seeing here this morning is to send a signal to the government that will not consider the environmental and health implications of their actions on the citizens before embarking on projects.

"Over 4,000 young people on the street against the Rivers State Government that has moved in dredgers to forcefully extract sand from the community's only source of drinking water."

north | news

wednesday, august 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Niger warns residents against imminent flood

Dan Atori MINNA

S

equel to the recent prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) of flooding in some states this year, the Niger State government has called on those living along the river banks, to take precautionary measures to avoid being caught up in the flood and over-flow of the rivers this year.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa disclosed this yesterday in a statement that the state government was concerned about the condition of the people during such natural disasters.

Specifically, he said the

government has decided to take proactive measures aimed at ensuring that the people put in place temporary arrangements until the flood subsides.

He said: “The government is concerned especially now that NIMET has warned of impending flood in some states in which Niger State is listed, we are calling on the people to be more careful in order not to allow flood before taking any measure.

"We understand the attachment that some of the riverine communities have to their ancestral home because of their vocations, which mostly are fishing and farming, but we are advising them to at least move away until the river banks are free from overflowing.

“We are aware that the people living downstream in Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro Dams are often more vulnerable, the government is appealing to them to move up land till the rain subsides because we cannot afford the lost recorded in the past.”

The commissioner assured the people that the government in its peopleoriented approach will do everything within the available resources to ensure that the people are not devastated by the predicted flood in the state.

$853.26m The total amount of the Construction/Real Estate sector of the Nigeria Stock Exchange for 2014 Q4.

Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

EU invests €50m in fight against Boko Haram Ebere Ameh Abuja

T

he European Union (EU) has signed a 50 million support agreement from the EU's 'African Peace Facility to the Lake Chad Basin Commission Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in its fight against Boko Haram, as mandated by the African Union Peace and Security Council.

A communiqué issued

by EU High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission, Federica Mogherini, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica; and AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smail Chergui, while signing the agreement, said the support would allow the construction and maintenance of MNJTF headquarters in Ndja-

T

F

or Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, the state government’s Infrastructure Development Fund (code named IF-K) will accelerate infrastructural growth and development of the state on a sustainable basis.

Ahmed, who said this during a meeting with investors in Ilorin, the state capital, however, noted that by providing dedicated funds for infrastructure projects, the IF-K would ensure that the state government would be able to implement developmental projects and pay its numerous contractors promptly.

According to him, the implication was that contractors would not be mobilised before they commenced projects since they were guaranteed payment at different milestones of the project.

He stated that the primary aim of IF-K was to provide sustainable funding for continuous infrastructure development through partnership with private sector and efficient resource allocation.

The governor, according to a statement, signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Communication, Dr. Muideen Akorede, added that IF-K was an alternative funding window for projects worth over N300 million.

While noting that the projects executed would be certified by independent assessors before the contractors were paid, the governor hinted that other high value infrastructure projects would be funded through other funding windows as enshrined in the budget.

He restated that the infrastructure fund would outlive his administration as it had been enshrined in the Kwara State Public Private Partnership Law 2015,

insisting that the IF-K will commence in the last quarter of 2016 with a N4.2 billion energy sector project.

Ahmed, however, assured the people that the scheme will not put any undue pressure on the

state’s finances, as adequate plans had been made to ensure that the government contributes to the IF-K regularly through prudent resource allocation, while meeting other state obligations.

Kogi, Chinese firm sign MoU on industrial pack K ogi State Government and the China Roads Construction, Design and Consultancy Company (CCDCC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of Industrial Park (wood and granite tiles processing factory) and other viable investments in the state.

Towards endorsing the document, the Vice President of the company, Mr. Long Weihai and his team on Monday met with the Kogi State Economic Team to formalise the process ahead of the commencement of work on the pro-

posed sites in the state.

This development is coming on the heels of extensive feasibility study conducted across the state by the technical team of the company, led by the Special Adviser on Job Creation and SMEs Development, Mr. Abdulkareem Onyekehi Suleiman a few days ago.

Among other targets, CCDCC is to construct an industrial park that would absorb thousands of unemployed youths, boost the economy, and raise the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through improved internally generated revenue (IGR).

a command, control, communication and information system, will put the central command in a position to coordinate operations among troop contributing countries in their respective territories.

“The scope is to prevent Boko Haram's ability to move across borders when fighting uncoordinated bilateral operations. We reiterate our strong mutual engagement to contribute to restore a safe and secure environment to the civilian population in the areas affected by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups. Boko Haram attacks against the population have severely affected the North-East of Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

Kogi tasks Global Steel Holding on Ajaokuta Lokoja

Ahmed: Kwara infrastructure development fund’ll accelerate growth Ilorin

mena as well as its sector Headquarters in Cameroon and Niger."

According to the communiqué, which was made available to New Telegraph yesterday, the agreement will further strengthen the regional coordination of the response.

The communique read in part: “Our support will allow for the construction and maintenance of MNJTF headquarters in Ndjamena as well as of sector Headquarters in Cameroon and Niger. We will also provide transport and communication assets to the force headquarters; allow effective coordination and command of military operations. These assets, including vehicles, aerial transportation and reconnaissance capacities and

Zacchaeus Ozovehe

L-R: Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello; Deputy Governor, Central Bank, Alhaji Suleiman Barau and Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora, Alhaji Sa’idu Namaska, during the 21st graduation ceremony of Mustafa Comprehensive School Kontagora, Niger State

Biodun Oyeleye

43

he management of Global Steel Holding Limited (GSH) has been tasked on accountability and probity as it embarked on the implementation of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Federal Government to resuscitate the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO).

The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who gave the charge in Lokoja yesterday, while receiving the company’s technical team, recalled that the state which was highly endowed with mineral resources, had not been judiciously harnessed by successive administrations due to lack of political will.

Bello said: "There is change in the country and indeed Kogi State, and the President, Muhammadu Buhari is known for probity and

accountability when it comes to public asset. As the governor of the state and of course a protégé of Mr. President, I will not condone sharp practices of the past, where investors merely wanted a win-lose system, where they make their gains at the expense of the government and the people.

"This relationship must be a win-win system for both the investors and the government and by extension the custodian of the assets or resources, which are the people."

Bello, who reiterated that the vision of his administration, which was based on the change mantra of the All Progressives Congress (APC), would ensure the development of infrastructure, human development and uplifting the standard of living of the people, especially in areas of poverty alleviation, education, health care and youth empowerment.

Kebbi: Governor’s wife makes case for girl-child education Abubakar Abdul Birnin Kebbi

T

he wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Zainab Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has appealed to parents, guardians, government and other key stakeholders in the state’s education sector, to complement the government in its efforts at ensuring that all eligible young girls are enrolled in schools in the state.

She stated this yesterday during the screening of the ‘He Named Me Malala’ Film sponsored by the Malala Fund from the Of-

fice of the Wife of the Governor, which took place at the Presidential Hall, Birnin Kebbi, adding that for the country to move forward the government, parents should address the issue of child abuse, domestic violence, quality health care, food security and human rights of the Nigerian women irrespective of their age, religion and tribal differences.

“In all situations, young girls become the easiest or vulnerable target for abuse, neglect, forced marriage, rape and persecution.

These inexplicably affect the future of our society negatively,” she stressed.

44

WORLD \ NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

US election: Trump unfit to be president – Obama

P

resident Barack Obama has said Republican nominee Donald Trump is unfit to be president, and questioned why his party still supports the New York billionaire’s candidacy. “There has to come a point at which you say: ‘Enough’,” Mr Obama said.

Mr. Trump has been sharply criticised for attacking the parents of a fallen US solider who spoke out against him. He has also been condemned for backing the Russian annexation of Crimea. Mr. Obama said he had

had policy differences with previous Republican presidents and candidates - but added that he had never thought they could not function as president.

At last week’s Democratic National Convention, Khizr Khan - a Muslim whose son was killed serving in the US military in Iraq - criticised Mr Trump’s plan to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the US. Mr. Trump responded by attacking the “Gold Star” family, the term for families that have lost a relative in war. Demo-

cratic and Republican leaders as well as veterans’ groups quickly condemned him.”The Republican nominee is unfit to serve as president and he keeps on proving it,” Mr. Obama said yesterday.

“The notion that he would attack a Gold Star family that made such extraordinary sacrifices means that he is woefully unprepared to do this job.” Mr. Obama also took to task Republican leaders who have frequently clashed with Mr Trump over his statements

and policies about women, undocumented immigrants and Muslims. “What does this say about your party that this is your standard bearer?” Mr Obama asked Republicans.

“This isn’t a situation where you have an episodic gaff, this is daily and weekly where they are distancing themselves from statements he’s making.”

Top Republican leaders such as House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have been highly critical of Mr Trump,

but the billionaire has retained their support. Yesterday, New York Representative Richard Hanna became the first Republican member of Congress to publicly say he would vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Mr Hanna said Mr Trump’s comments about the Khan family were the deciding factor. Until recently, many Republicans opposed to Mr Trump had stopped short of supporting Mrs Clinton, saying they would vote for a third party or write-in candidate.

Hundreds of Uber drivers in Kenya go on strike after price cuts

H

undreds of drivers signed up with ridehailing service Uber [UBER.UL] in Kenya went on strike yesterday to protest against fare cuts.

The US-based company, which started operations in the East African country in January 2015, is cutting total fares by up to 35 percent to boost demand for the service, amid growing competition from local firms.

“We want them to bring back the original fares we used to have,” said Simon Mutembei, one of the drivers who marched to Uber’s offices in a Nairobi suburb. “If they don’t do this we have other alternatives. We have so many other platforms where we can go, because I need to eat,I need to feed my family,” he said.

He said drivers were considering signing up with other ridehailing companies like Little Cab, launched last month. There are at least three ride-hailing apps in Nairobi and the services have not spread beyond the capital, heightening the scramble for customers, analysts said. Uber, which allows users to book and pay for a taxi by smartphone, said the cuts were in the drivers’ interest as they would attract more customers, adding it had consulted with its drivers before cutting prices.

“More people are requesting more rides with Uber,” the company told Reuters. Uber dropped the price per km to 35 shillings from 60 shillings ($0.59) last week.

It also cut the waiting rate per minute to 3 shillings from 4 shillings previously.

Pope sets up commission to study question of women deacons

P

ope Francis has set up a special commission to study whether women will be allowed to become deacons in the Catholic Church.

The issue has historically troubled the Church, with many opposing the appointment of females.

The commission of seven men and six women will study the issue, and look into the historical role of women in the early years of the Church. Deacons are a clergy rank one below priest.

They are ordained ministers who can preach or preside over weddings and funerals, but cannot celebrate Mass.

Supporters say women are poorly represented within the church and that appointing female deacons would give women greater sway in decision-making.

The Pope first remarked in May

that he was willing to set up a commission to study the issue.

He had told senior members of women’s religious orders he was open to the issue of considering female deacons: “It would be useful for the Church to clarify this question. I agree.’” The Vatican also clarified that the Pope was not considering the possibility of ordaining women priests.

Currently all Catholic priests and deacons are male.

Priests must be celibate, but deacons can be married men.

It was two years ago, addressing a meeting of international Catholic theologians, including both men and women, that Pope Francis first raised the possibility of opening up more posts to women inside his Church. He said “women are the strawberry on the cake and there is need for more of them”.

Russia anthrax outbreak affects dozens in north Siberia

N

inety people are undergoing hospital checks in remote northern Russia because of an anthrax outbreak that killed a boy yesterday.

Eight people are confirmed as infected with anthrax, a rare but deadly bacterial disease. It is believed to have spread from reindeer. More than 2,300 rein-

deer have died in the outbreak, in the Yamalo-Nenets region of Siberia. Reindeer-herding families have been moved out.

A heatwave has fuelled the disease. Temperatures in the danger zone - now under quarantine - have soared to 35C. Russia has sent troops trained for biological warfare to help deal with the emergency.

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve was one of the attendees at the funeral.

Thousands attend French priest’s funeral

T

housands have attended the funeral in Rouen cathedral in Normandy of French priest Father Jacques Hamel, who was murdered in his church by Islamist extremists last week.

A public ceremony was led by the city’s archbishop, after which Father Hamel was to be interred in a private burial. French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and senior Roman Catholic clerics attended the service.

Father Hamel had his throat cut when two men stormed his church during Mass. At the service his sister, Roselyne, told the congregation that her brother, who was 85, had been a man of “mercy and love”.

She said he had turned down an officer position when doing his military service in Algeria, as the role would have required him to give the order for his men to kill other men.

“His refusal was categorical.” she said. “He chose to serve God so that he can cultivate love and sharing and tolerance among people of all faiths and denominations, believers and non-believers, throughout his life.”She said Father Hamel’s message to everyone would be: “Let us learn to live together.

Let us be the workers and artisans of peace, each one in his own way.” In the homily, Rouen Archbishop Dominique Lebrun said: “As brutal and unfair and horrible as

Jacques’ death was, we have to look deep into our hearts to find the light.” He called for forgiveness, quoting the New Testament command to love your neighbours.

Muslims and Jews attended the ceremony in a show of solidarity. “It was a duty,” Hassan Houays, a Muslim maths teacher from Saint-Etienne, told AFP. “We are here so that we can get along together.”

The attackers - Abdel Malik Petitjean and Adel Kermiche - had both pledged allegiance to so-called Islamic State.

The pair, both aged 19, were shot dead by police after taking hostages. A cousin of Petitjean has been arrested on suspicion of knowing he was planning the attack.

UNHCR: Violence in South Sudan prompts mass flight

U

nited Nation’s refugee agency says up to 60,000 people have left South Sudan over the past three weeks.

Up to 60,000 people have fled South Sudan since violence escalated over the past three weeks, the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR said.

An already shaky 2015 peace deal signed after a bloody civil war in the world’s newest nation looks uncertain as clashes rage on between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and those allied with former rebel leader Riek Machar. “They brought to us very disturbing reports.

Armed groups operating on

roads to Uganda are preventing people from fleeing,” UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming told a briefing yesterday.

“Armed groups are looting villages, murdering civilians and forcibly recruiting young men and boys into their ranks.”

The bulk headed to neighbouring Uganda, doubling the flow over that border over the past 10 days, and the rest to Sudan and Kenya, the agency added. South Sudan was founded with optimistic celebrations in the capital on July 9, 2011, after it gained independence from Sudan in a referendum that passed with nearly 100 percent of the vote.

The country descended into conflict in December 2013 after Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup. Civil war broke out when soldiers from Kiir’s Dinka ethnic group disarmed and targeted troops of Machar’s Nuer ethnic group.

Machar and commanders loyal to him fled to the countryside, and tens of thousands of people died in the conflict that followed.

Many civilians also starved.

The pair of rivals signed a peace agreement late last year, under which Machar was once again made vice president. The latest setbacks are putting the fragile peace plan at risk.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport Adekunle Salami

A

fter two cancellations of travelling arrangements, the national U-23 team left Atlanta after about four weeks of training tour in preparation for the 31st Olympiad which opens on Friday in Rio, Brazil.

The players and officials left Atlanta Tuesday afternoon (evening time Nigeria) after strings of frustrations ranging from non-payment of allowances of players to non-payment of salaries of coaches.

The players and officials repeatedly cried out from their camp base over their poor welfare condition following the neglect by the authorities.

Travelling arrangements for the team in the past three days have also been awful as the coaches and administrative staff members of the team were in the dark over the plans.

The team under the tutelage of Coach Samson Siasia was billed to initially leave the United States on Sunday but for poor arrangements which led to cancellation on two ocassions.

As at Tuesday morning, Siasia said on a radio programme monitored in Lagos that, “We are not sure of when we are travelling until we see the tickets.”

A member of the team however confir med to our correspondent on Tuesday at 7pm Nigerian time that the team was on the way to the airport. He added that it was a chattered arrangement that eventually saved the situation.

The team is expected to arrive Brazil today.

Sport News

Did you know?

Mikel formalises NFF’s ‘blunder name’

That only sports widely practised by men in at least 75 countries and in four continents, and by women in at least 40 countries and in three continents may be included in the Games of the Olympiad.

International Man United treated me unfairly – Moyes

46 47

Olympics: Stranded U-23 team leaves Atlanta …after weeks of frustration, neglect

U-23 Eagles’ Usman Mohammed (right) trying to dribble past a Tunisian defender during the U-23 AFCON in Senegal

A release from the Ministry of sports signed by Nneka Anibezie, SA Media to the minister, Solomon Dalung, on Monday stated that ar rangements had been concluded to airlift

the team to Manaus, Brazil venue of their first game in a chartered plane on Tuesday August 2.The s t at e m e n t a d d e d t h at clearance was obtained from the Inter national

Olympic Committee IOC in Rio to facilitate smooth flight operations.

The minister however frowned at the camp conditions and welfare of the players as he restated that

the Ministry was not carried along in line with approved training and camping programs for the games.

Nigeria have a date to keep with Japan on August 4 (tomorrow).

IOC calls for major anti-doping The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

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he way sport deals with drug cheats needs fundamental reform, according to International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach.

More than 100 Russian athletes have been banned from this summer’s Games in the wake of a World AntiDoping Agency report into state-sponsored doping.

Bach said: “We need a full review of the Wada anti-doping system.

“The message is quite clear - we want to keep the cheaters away from the Olympic Games.”

He added: “The IOC is

calling for a more robust and efficient anti-doping system.

“This requires clear responsibilities, more transparency, more independence and better worldwide harmonization.”

In the wake of its McLaren report into doping in Russia, Wada had recommended all the country’s competitors be excluded from Rio 2016, but the IOC devolved responsibility to individual sport’s federations.

It then announced that an IOC panel would rule on which Russian athletes could take part in the Games.

Voigt rues D’Tigers’ loss to USA

Bach

Pg 46

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SPORT NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Mikel formalises NFF’s ‘blunder name’ Ready for Conte challenge

Charles Ogundiya

S

uper Eagles skipper, Mikel Obi, has finally formalised his change of name after the Nigeria Football Federation mistakenly changed his name to Mikel on the submission form for the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championships. The name stuck ever since.

According to the London Mirror, the midfielder who was born as John Michael Nchekwube Obinna, has changed his name to Mikel John Obi.

Mikel

Onazi undergoes Trabzonspor medicals uper Eagles mid- paign, where they had to and has since made over S fielder Ogenyi Onazi settle for 12th place.

100 appearances in all has undergone medical Trabzonspor previ- competitions for the Seexaminations at Turkish club Trabzonspor and he is close to seal a deal from Lazio.

The Super Lig side are desperate to add to their ranks after an underwhelming 2015-16 cam-

ously already secured the services of Suk Hyun-jun, Jan Durica and Bahadir Gungordu and have now signed Onazi.

Onazi joined Lazio from My People in 2011

rie A side.

The 23-year-old Nigeria international only started 14 times in Serie A last season, though, and does not feature in Simone Inzaghi’s plans for 2016-17.

U-23 Eagles to inaugurate new kits Emmanuel Tobi

T

he U-23 Eagles will inaugurate Nigeria’s new Nike home and away kits featuring Dri-FIT technology against Japan on Friday in the men football match of the Rio Olympics.

The Nigeria Football Federation while unveiling the kits on Tuesday said the home kit is a solid green, with white ribbing around the back of the modern crewneck collar.

“In keeping to the national colours of Nigeria, the new away kit is white with a green stripe that runs the length of the sides of shirt and shorts, and a green stripe along the back of the collar,” the NFF said.

“The kits which are made of the Nike Dri-FIT technology draws sweat away from the body to the exterior of the shirts and shorts, where it quickly evaporates. This allows players to per-

form at their best by remaining cooler, drier and more comfortable.

“The shirt is crafted using mesh fabric that makes up the full front and back panels of the shirt, increasing airflow and facilitating enhanced movement,” NFF added.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi

Gymnasts shine at African juniors Charles Ogundiya

The holding midfielder is now hoping to impress his new manager, Antonio Conte, in order to secure a contract extension with Chelsea.

“I want to help the team fight for every point, every win and to win trophies,” Mikel told Sky Sports. “I also want to help the team qualify for the Champions League again as soon as possible.

“For 10 years I have been going to the same training ground, the same locker room. It is an amazing club, with an amazing owner. They are like a family to me. It is a place that has become a part of me.

“I have a year left and then we will see what happens. If I play well this season, it will help me earn a new contract.

“I will give 120 per cent every time I’m on the pitch or come off the bench. I will always give my best.”

Meanwhile, Mikel also believes he can lead the U-23 Eagles to win-

Voigt rues D’Tigers’ loss to USA Emmanuel Tobi

C

oach of Nigeria’s senior male basketball team, the D’Tigers, Will Voigt, has expressed disappointment following his team’s loss to USA on Tuesday.

USA men’s basketball team early Tuesday morning completed their Rio 2016 preparations with a convincing 110-66 victory over Nigeria in Houston.

Reflecting on the match, Voigt conceded that his African champions, ranked 25th in the world, were outplayed by the top-ranked Americans, who are favourites for gold in Rio. “It’s hard because they’re so good in transition,” Voigt said. “It seemed like all of those three-point misses kind of led to their leak outs and as we know when they can get into an open court they kind of feed off of that.”

For the Americans, New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony led the rout with 19 points, with Klay Thompson bagging 17 points and DeMar DeRozan also getting in on the action with an impressive 13 points in just 22 minutes.

For Nigeria, Chamberlain Oguchi was the best of the bunch with 21 points, having sunk all four of Ni- USA’s Draymond Green (right) guarding Nigeria’s Ekene Ibekwe during the match geria’s three-pointers.

him from taking part.

Emeka Ekezie, Hariz Shehu, Daniella he team departed the country unher- Asemota and Patient Akinbobore all won alded but the young gymnasts will gold with Asuquo also winning gold medal be returning to the country today with as the best coach of the championships. joy after finishing second behind hosts at the just concluded All Africa Junior Gymnastics Championships in Pretoria, South Africa.

According to the coach of the team, lub owner, Chris Giwa, has given us September 19, 2016, for that moAnthony Asuquo, the kids were sponreasons why he has taken a lead- tion of stay of execution to be heard. sored by their respective parents after all ership tussle of the Nigeria Football Once that is done by law that judgefforts to get the support of the ministry Federation to the country’s apex court, ment is ineffective till when that moof sports failed. the Supreme Court. tion is argued.

With over 1,000 kids taking part at the Giwa at a press conference in Abuja “When we got our ruling from the championships, Team Nigeria won four on the state of the nation’s football ex- Federal High Court (Jos), I know gold, one silver and eight bronze medals plained why his group has had to go to some people may ask why you held to finish second. the final court of the land to determine on to it. Yes we held on to it because “These kids have shown that with sup- the legitimacy of the NFF leadership. the defendant there did not ask for port and proper training, Nigeria can be “We have taken the matter to the stay (of execution). If they had apa force to reckon with in gymnastics,” Supreme Court. Appeal is different plied for stay, that judgment wouldn’t Asuquo told New Telegraph from their from stay of execution. They are two have been effective till when the base in South Africa. different processes. We have filed an Court would give a pronouncement.

“We travelled with 14 gymnasts but appeal and we have filed a stay of ex“But they never did that. So they only 13 of them competed because the ecution saying that we do not agree withdrew it and they relied on leave captain of the team, Dana Nzerem, sus- with the judgment,” he said. to appeal and went to the Appeal tained an ankle injury that prevented “The Court of Appeal has given Court. We have appealed to the Su-

T

ning gold in Rio while drawing inspiration from the heroes of Nigeria’s 1996 Olympic team that won gold.

“Watching Nigeria beat Brazil in the semifinal and then Argentina in the final really inspired me,” Obi told Standard Sport. “I was just kicking a football around for fun back then in the streets. But after seeing Nigeria win the gold medal, I changed.

“I realised that football is amazing and you can do something incredible. All my friends and everyone around me could talk about was the final. We kept playing football.

We kept getting into trouble with our parents for not coming back early, for playing football rather than doing our homework.

“The 1996 team inspired me and my friends and I’d like to do the same thing for the current generation.”

Why we dragged NFF to Supreme Court –Giwa

C

preme Court against the ruling of 21st July 2016 and the judgment of 25thJuly 2016. The effect of this application is that the judgment of 25th July shall be stayed pending the hearing of the application.

“With the quality of patience we have exhibited, we shall explore all legal means without violence. This is not to say we are not capable of violently taking what belongs to us otherwise, we would have posited that if the next stage will warrant forceful execution, we may consider same.

“We are going to inform the structure in a matter of days to agree and take all steps to take our legal mandate.”

INTERNATIONAL

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Man United treated C me unfairly – Moyes

47

Conte tips Hazard to play as a striker helsea manager Antonio Conte has suggested that he may play Eden Hazard as a forward this season.

The Belgium international has played on the wing and through the middle for Chelsea since his arrival from Lille in 2012.

Conte, though, believes that Hazard can make an impact as a striker, but has stressed that the 25-year-old needs to improve his physical shape.

“I like him in this po-

N

ew Sunderland manager David Moyes has insisted that he was “unfairly treated” during his brief reign at Manchester United.

The Scot was appointed as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor on a six-year deal in 2013 but was sacked just ten months later as the club limped to a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League, their worst performance since the 1989-90 season.

“You don’t get offered those big jobs - Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United - for no reason,” a defiant Moyes told reporters at his debut press conference for the Black Cats on Monday.

“I’ve said all along I was unfairly treated there. When you sign a six-year contract and you end up with 10 months ... yeah, I believe I was. I didn’t win enough football matches but you must say there were mitigating circumstances. And I think you could say there are maybe things which have gone on since then that would actually justify that even more so.

Countdown to

T Moyes

before he left permanently to Everton for £28m in 2014.

Despite his disappointing stint at Stamford Bridge, the Belgium international wants to move back to play under Conte, and is pondering whether or not to lodge a transfer request, according to the London Evening Standard.

yson Fury has launched legal proceedings against UK AntiDoping over allegations that he took a performance-enhancing drug.

The 27-year-old world heavyweight champion was accused of using the banned substance nandrolone after traces of the drug were allegedly found in a urine sample from February 2015.

Fury’s cousin Hughie was also charged by UKAD, prompting Team Fury to take the matter to the High Court.

Lawyer Lewis Power said in a statement: “The two boxers strenuously deny taking any performance-enhancing drugs. However, during the last five weeks, leaks about these charges have appeared

Olympics

in the press and both boxers have been the targets of continual abusive language on Twitter.”

Power added that an interim ruling is expected ahead of Fury’s rematch with Wladimir Klitschko in October.

Fury

Days to Go

2

Kosovo’ll realise her dreams – Kelmendi

Australian basketball player ridicules accommodation

I

t’s hard enough finding suitable accommodation when you’re 7ft tall, so the Golden State Warriors’ and Australia center Andrew Bogut may not have been expecting too much when he turned up at the athletes’ village before the start of the Rio Olympics.

But it’s safe to say his room didn’t match his expectations.

Bogut ripped the standard of the Australian team’s accommodations shortly after his arrival on Monday night, coining the sarcastic hashtag #IOCLuxuryLodging in a series of acerbic tweets.

Some of the tweets read: “In the OLY village. Upon first looks its only fitting I will be posting pics with the hashtag #IOCLuxuryLodging #rio2016 “#IOCLuxuryLodging. Putting together a shower curtain so we can shower and not flood the place. “#IOCLuxuryLodging will not comment on our delegates penthouse villas in downtown Rio. “At #IOCLuxuryLodging we believe a bed is not vital for sleep.

Fine-tuned athletes can sleep standing up.”

The comments came one week after the Australian team’s refusal to move into the village until concerns over “blocked toilets, leaking pipes and exposed wiring” were resolved. The team were due to move into the village on July 21 but instead decamped to nearby hotels.

Conte

Fury sues over doping allegations

Lukaku to hand in transfer request verton striker Romelu Lukaku is re- having an initial £57m bid rejected.

E portedly considering submitting an Lukaku made just one Premier League official transfer request in order to force start during a three-year spell at Chelsea through a move to Chelsea.

Antonio Conte is believed to be keen to add Lukaku to his squad in West London, but the four-time Premier League champions are struggling to agree on a fee with Everton.

It has been reported that the Merseyside outfit will not budge on a £75m asking price, but Chelsea are preparing a £68m offer after

sition, like a forward,” The Mirror quotes Conte as saying. “It can be a good solution for us.

He can play as a winger, but also he can play as the second forward.

“He must improve his shape but he is working hard and his shape can improve a lot, the same as the other players.”

Hazard scored two goals in a pre-season friendly against Real Madrid after coming off the bench to make his first appearance under Conte.

T

he 31st Summer Olympics are due to open in Rio de Janeiro on August 5, but for some athletes they will be the first. Kosovo, which became a member of the International Olympic Committee less than two years ago, will become the newest addition to the Olympic family.

Majlinda Kelmendi, 25, a double world judo champion, will be Kosovo’s flag bearer at the opening ceremonies, one of eight Kosovar athletes competing in Rio. For her, it all seems like a fairy tale.

“It’s such an honor for me because it’s the first time

that Kosovo is going to be in the Olympic Games and it’s going to be me who’s holding the flag. I have dreamed of this for a long time and finally it is coming,” Kelmendi told CNN. When Kelmendi won her first world title -- in Rio in 2013 -- it was a first for Kosovo, which had been recognized by the International Judo Federation the previous year.

On August 5, she will be parading her country’s flag in front of the whole world.

Recognized by more than 110 countries, Kosovo is still not a member of the United Nations. However, the country became a full member of Kelmendi the IOC in December 2014.

Swimmer sells cakes to fund mum’s Rio trip A

s a member of Team GB at the Olympics, swimmer Chloe Tutton need not worry about travel and accommodation in Rio - but it is more complicated for her most dedicated follower.

Mum Claire was desperate to be at her daughter’s career-defining moment but needed a little help from friends and a crowd-funding page.

“My mum is a single mum and, ever

since I was young, we’ve been putting everything into my swimming,” the British 200m breaststroke recordholder said.

“Coming into Rio, the expenses are really expensive so me and my mum have been setting up meetings so I can have my photo taken with people, signing autographs.

“It’s really sweet because the little kids love it. It’s completely out of my

comfort zone but I need to get used to it.

“We’ve been baking cakes and selling cakes and all sorts. I’m so grateful for everyone who’s helped my mum.

It means a lot to me, I’m glad she’ll be there.”

The 20-year-old’s mum was able to successfully raise the amount required - £3,714 to be exact - and join her daughter in Brazil as the world number five will mix it with the best.

NEWS 48On Marble

Sanctity of Truth

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

Bola Bolawole NDDC: Ajasin deserves his appointment

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

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}16

N150

Berth of brave new Bar

Brave New President for the Nigerian Bar Association and the Nigerian people emerged on Monday the 1st day of August 2016 and he is Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, SAN. He polled a total of 3055 votes to defeat his opponent Gadzama Joe-Kyari, SAN who polled a total of 2384 votes.

During the campaigns, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, SAN promised to usher in a Brave New Bar rooted in integrity, professionalism and etiquette. He promised to expand possibilities for junior members of the Bar, rebuild confidence in the profession and lead by example.

The elections are over and the new President will be inaugurated during the Annual General Conference of the Association that will take place in Port Harcourt Rivers State from the 22nd day of August 2016. Although the election has been won and lost, there are a few things that must be interrogated and addressed for the future guidance of the Bar and the development of the profession. Some of the issues emerged during the electioneering and the voting process and must be addressed by the New President of the Bar Association as part of Brave New Bar he has promised to usher. It is also important to decode, explain and understand the contents and dynamics of the Brave New Bar that has just berthed.

Goodbye to the Analogue Bar The different branches of the Nigerian Bar Association must carry out a biometric registration of its members. The biometrics will contain the telephone numbers, email addresses and other biometrics of members. This data will be used to compile the voters register for each branch and make the process of verification, updating and accreditation for future elections easy for the next Bar Association elections and branch elections. We will not pretend that the elections that ushered in Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, SAN was perfect. No human endeavour can be said to be perfect. Given our experiences and where we are coming from it is a masterstroke and creative innovation by the Austin Alegeh, SAN led executive. The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Service providers addressed a substantial number of the challenges raised and challenges encountered. Unfortunately, a number of legal practitioners do not have email accounts.

A number of lawyers handed over their verification, authentication and accreditation to their secretaries and this created challenges for them during the voting process. Some of them forgot their passwords and some of the secretaries used the same email address for all the lawyers in the office. Some of the lawyers got messages from the Electoral Committee and did not respond to the messages. Some made genuine efforts to comply with the requirements and logged out in frustration after trying severally to comply. These I dare say are the teething problems associated with new innovations. The truth of the matter is that the Bar Association has blazed the trail and we will never go back to the analogue electoral process. Electronic voting enabled committed members of the Bar presently outside the country to cast their votes. It enabled those that are in their farms, hotel rooms, offices and those on the road to

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

Justice Mahmud Mohammed, CJN

NBA president, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud

cast their votes. A Brave New Bar entails courage in introducing innovations and courage in adjusting to new thinking and innovations to serve the greater good of the greater number of lawyers.

eignty in the hands of Nigerian lawyers. A Brave New Bar will expand the possibilities available to all members of the Bar and make it possible for those who could not partake in ushering in the Brave New Bar to be equal partakers in the next two years.

Deepening universal suffrage I hold the view that the Nigerian Bar Association does not have the capacity to organize and handle universal suffrage wherein all eligible voters will cluster in one town and exercise their franchise. I also hold the view that the delegate’s option that has been in use was also getting unwieldy and unmanageable and was ridden with corruption and total abuse of the electoral process. I hold the view that only an ICT backed universal suffrage will prevent an implosion in the Bar Association. I have always insisted that the crisis that erupted during the 1992 Nigerian Bar Association Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has various dimensions and one of the dimensions is the fact that the Bar Association did not anticipate the explosion in the number of persons attending election related Annual General Conference especially when the stakes were high.

Universal suffrage backed by and propelled by ICT has finally domiciled sover-

A Brave New Bar entails courage in introducing innovations

A new electoral mindset Those that aspire to lead the Nigerian Bar Association in various capacities must develop a new electoral mindset. We must campaign for various offices as professionals. We cannot campaign on the platform of ethnicity and religion and exacerbate other fault lines that have held Nigeria hostage. We must show the Nigerian people the way to a new Nigeria where competence, courage, integrity and pedigree are the major determining factors. We cannot destroy and or dismember our Association on the basis of personal ambition.

Speaking with courage A Brave New Bar means that the Nigerian Bar Association will speak with courage on matters concerning the practice of law. It means that it will never be business as usual. It means that the practice of law will no longer be reduced to doing deals and cutting corners. It means that the professional ethics that all legal practitioners subscribed to must be adhered to and that the practice of law must be ethical and professional. It means that the Bar must not and must never shield any legal practitioner that brings the profession to disrepute.

Holding governments accountable A Brave New Bar will engage the government and its agencies. A Brave New Bar will examine and analyze the policies and programmes of government and make recommendations and proffer solutions.

A Brave New Bar will keep a tab on Bills before the National and State Assemblies

and test them against the rule of law and due process. A Brave New Bar will speak with courage and stand up for the Nigerian people. A Brave New Bar will not play to the gallery or engage in grandstanding. A Brave New Bar will be a Bar of the Bar men and a tribune of the people. The Brave New Bar will be totally committed to the Rule of Law and Due Process.

The independence of the judiciary A Brave New Bar will never allow any government or any individual or institution to humiliate the judiciary. The powers of the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary are classified and categorized as the powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and no arm of the government is permitted to live in sabotage of the other.

A Brave New Bar will promote integrity in the Bar and insist that the ethics of the judiciary and their oath of office must be their bond and their commitment. A Brave New Bar must insist that those with deficient judicial DNA must voluntarily retire from the Bench. A Brave New Bar must insist that those indicted and those with questionable judicial records are proceeded against and shown the way out of the bench. A Brave New Bar will protect and fight for the courageous and principled members of the Bench. A courageous Bar will never allow the humiliation of judicial officers doing their work professionally and ethically. A Brave New Bar will insist that court orders must be obeyed and that no government or its institution must live above the rule of law.

The Confidence of the Nigerian People A Brave New Bar must earn the confidence of the Nigerian people. It is a notorious fact that the people believe that the Bar has not lived up to the ethics of the profession. The leadership of the Brave New Bar must strive to earn their confidence and this it can do by rising up to the challenge of poverty that speaks for itself, unemployment that is a national embarrassment, elite pillage of the country and the near collapse of public insistitiutioons.

HIGH CHIEF WE’RE SET TO WIN 2019 LAGOS GOVERNORSHIP POLL –PDP

- Hmmmn..., it’s a good thing to have lofty dreams!

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