Wednesday, july 20, 2016 by Newtelegraphonline

Emefiele to Senate: Nigeria’s economy in deep crisis

l Says inflation'll worsen Chukwu David Abuja

he Governor of the Central Bank of Ni-

geria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday told the Senate that the nation's economy had entered into a deep crisis, as

it remained recessive in the first and second quarters of the 2016 fiscal year. Emefiele, who met with the apex legislative

chamber in a closed-door session for two hours, also said that Nigerians would have to pay more sacrifices because inflation would

further skyrocket. This was as the apex chamber appreciated the enormous economic challenges facing the nation,

MTN to post half-year loss over N330bn fine }3

commending and supporting the CBN for its policies so far to strengthen the ailing economy. A senator, who attended the session, disclosed to CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Why Rivers is hosting 2016 Editors’ Conference – Wike }4

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Forgery: PDP backs Ekweremadu }5

Ekweremadu

Again, militants invade Ikorodu, kill five, abduct three }8

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Owoseni

EFCC quizzes REC over alleged N20m bribe }6

N150

Magu

Meeting with niger delta Avengers:

Minister in trouble, Buhari orders probe

Dalung disguised, sneaked into Oporoza }2 Community denies minister's visit Ex-Supreme Court Justice’s son facilitated trip L-R: Lagos State Governor and Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the September 10 Edo governorship election, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Edo gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and Governor Adams Oshiomhole, during Ambode’s visit to Benin City... yesterday.

Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Solomon Dalung, and his guide, Jude Tabai, departing Oporoza in Delta State

DSS detains legislators over plot to impeach gov

Benue lawmakers in rowdy session over N750m scandal }3 OTC drugs may raise heart disease risks –Study }5

NEWS

WEDNesDAY, July 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Minister in trouble, Buhari orders probe Wale Elegbede and Ola James

ays after his acclaimed meeting with the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), Sports and Youth Development Minister, Mr. Solomon Dalung, appears to have run into trouble as President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the probe of circumstances surrounding the parley. “Mr. President has ordered that the minister provides an answer as to whether or not he actually met with Avengers, and if truly he did, he wants to know from him who authorised the meeting,” a presidential aide told our correspondent. This development came, as it emerged that one Jude Tabai, the son of a retired justice of the Supreme Court, facilitated Dalung's trip to Oporoza. But the minister did not disclose his identity to the host community during his visit as he introduced himself as the head of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) working for development in the Niger

Delta. The duo of the minister and Jude went without any security escort, a local source said. On Monday, the Sports Minister claimed to have met with the leadership of the militant group as well as community leaders in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom of Warri South West Local Government area of Delta State. But the source, who spoke on the heels of the NDA's and Oporoza community's denial of any meeting with Dalung, disclosed that the president has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Mohammed Monguno (rtd) to “get to the root of the meeting. “The first question Mr. President raised on the report that the minister visited the leadership of the Avengers and Oporoza community was, who authorised the visit? The question became necessary because neither the NSA nor the petroleum minister or even the military task force was aware of the minister's trip to the area. ''One thing again is the

fact that anything could have happened. And again, it raises the question that if government now knows who the leaders of the Avengers are, then what next? “Mr. President is unhappy over this and he directed the NSA to get to the root of the said meeting because it became more embarrassing when both the Avengers and the community are denying that they met with the minister,” the source told New Telegraph. A community leader from Oporoza, Mr. Ekilegha Elvis, said the only person who visited the community was the head of an NGO who came with Jude Tabai to meet a few youths. ''They said the man was an NGO man, he only met with some youths who were playing football, interacted with them and left without even seeing the traditional ruler,” he said. Meanwhile, the Oporoza community has dissociated itself from the purported meeting between the sports minister and the community. The community, in a statement raised the

alarm that the claim was an attempt to link Oporoza with the Avengers. “Our attention has been drawn to a statement by the minister of youth and sports as contained in the newspapers, that he paid a visit to the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oporoza town to have interactive session with members of the Niger Delta Avengers and community people. “It is pertinent to state that, to the best of our knowledge, we the leadership of the community did not receive the minister of youth and sports, or any other government official in Oporoza town last week. We have stated in many fora and occasions that we do not know anything about the Niger Delta Avengers. “Oporoza town or any other community in Gbaramatu Kingdom has nothing to do with the Avengers and their activities. We have, in time past, condemned the activities of the Avengers, therefore could not have anything to do with them in our community,” the statement, signed by Mr. Johnbull

Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru (left) and President Muhammadu Buhari, during Baru's visit to the president in Abuja ...yesterday.

Demebi, said. The community added that the minister should know that he has been deceived by mischievous persons and perhaps must have been swindled. The community stated that: “As peace loving and law abiding citizens of Nigeria, we make bold to say that we are very receptive people, and have received several top government functionaries in our community, Oporoza. For the avoidance of doubt, the last government visitor to Oporoza community was the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, and he was given a rousing welcome by the community, led by the chairman, Mr. Johnbull Demebi. And so, we doubt the claim of the Hon. Minister that he visited Oporoza community last week and had a meeting with members of Niger Delta Avengers and other community people. "At this juncture, we wish to warn and advice government functionaries and Very Important Persons (VIPs) to be careful and mindful of persons they associate with, particularly with the intention of visiting our communities, as some persons are out there to make money from top government functionaries and bring the name of the community to disrepute. “And so, whoever, wants to visit our communities should make proper arrangement with the leadership of such communities so as to avoid any mishap in the course of embarking on such journey.” Dalung, who spoke to some journalists at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting of the southern senatorial zone of Plateau State in Shendam, said he took a

two-hour journey on the sea to Oporoza in Gbaramatu Kingdom where he met with the leadership of the NDA who gave him a sealed hand-written letter to deliver to President Muhammadu Buhari. He said: “On reaching the community after the two-hour journey on the high sea, I met with the members of the communities who told me that their dream was to be included in the Nigerian project, that the education facilities and other basic social amenities are almost nonexistent in the communities. They also raised concern of incessant attacks by the Nigerian military. “As a youth minister, I know that the Avengers are mostly youths who have potential to be great citizens of this country,” he had said. Dalung stated that after meeting with the communities, he was escorted by the Niger Delta ambassadors to the leadership of Avengers who gave him a hand-written letter specifying their demands which, he said, he was yet to present to the president. Although the minister said he did not unseal the letter, he said the Avengers had raised three important issues to him. “The issues include the Niger Delta Maritime University, pipeline community policing, which, they said, government had denied them and the inability of government to continue with the amnesty programme established by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua,” he had said.

622,984

The total area (in sq. km) of land of Central African Republic. Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

NCS impounds N76m bullet-proof cars Buhari: Politicians shouldn't blackmail my ministers

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Command yesterday seized three bulletproof cars with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N76 million. The Area Controller, Mr. Victor Dimka, a Comptroller, disclosed this at a briefing held at the command. He disclosed that individuals who desired to import bulletproof cars into the country must get clearance from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). “The command seized three bullet-proof cars with a Duty Paid Value of N76 million and this was done through intelligence gathering by officers of the command. “A particular bulletproof car, which was a 2012

Mercedes C300, was intercepted at the Gbaji area of Badagry and it had an official plate number of FG 35 S02. “Due process must be followed in the importation of bulletproof cars and the process is that the individual must apply to the ONSA and if it is approved, the office would send an approval certificate to the NCS and the individual would be allowed. “All the cars that were seized have been handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS), for further investigation,” he said. The Area Controller, however, warned that any further attack by smugglers on its officers would no longer be tolerated.

“A situation where officers performing their legitimate duties are always ambushed and maimed with dangerous weapons would no longer be accepted or tolerated. “Enough is enough. We are backed up by law, so we are carrying out our legitimate duties by working to stem smuggling. We are ready for war over this matter. “Smuggling is dangerous to the economy, so anyone involved in it is considered as an enemy of the nation. “We have upgraded ourselves and we have everything we need, so people should desist from smuggling or be ready to face the full wrath of the law,” Dimka said.

Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari has warned politicians and other Nigerians to stop blackmailing his cabinet members with allegations of corruption. The president, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, appealed to discerning Nigerians to ignore orchestrated attempts to smear the integrity of ministers and other senior government officials. He disclosed that some of his officials were currently being tarred with the brush of corruption without any concrete evi-

dence. The president's remarks is coming on the heels of reports that the immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), who is also Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, is being investigated over crude oil swap deals and gas lifting contracts during his tenure as GMD of the state– owned firm. Kachikwu was recently removed as GMD of NNPC by Buhari and replaced with Maikanti Kachalla Baru. His removal sparked off reports that it may not have been unconnected to his involvement in an alleged oil swap deal, which

the president was presently investigating. But in the statement yesterday, Buhari appealed for decent and civilised comments, particularly when it has to do with the integrity of those who are serving the country. He said: "Terrible and unfounded comments about other people's integrity are not good. We are not going to spare anybody who soils his hands, but people should please wait till such individuals are indicted," the president said. The president reiterated the administration's commitment to probity, accountability and integrity, promising that transparency remains a watchword, which would never be trifled with.

NEWS

WEDNesDAY, July 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

DSS detains legislators over plot to impeach gov Cephas Iorhemen and Idris Salisu

rincipal officers of the Zamfara State House of Assembly were yesterday quizzed and detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) over an alleged threat by the House to impeach Governor Abdul'aziz Yari. Also, members of the Benue State Assembly nearly engaged in exchange of blows over allegations of N750 million car loan scandal. Confirming the arrest of the principal officers yesterday, a member of the House, who was on his way from Abuja to Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, Hon. Aminu Abubakar Danjibga, told New Telegraph on the telephone that those in detention were the Speaker of the House, Hon. Sanusi Garba Rikiji; the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Gummi; House Leader, Hon. Isa Abdul'mumini Mafara; the Chief Whip and the Deputy Chief Whip. The youth wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state had, on Monday, attacked the Speaker, over the impeachment threat. Rikiji had, along with 23 other members of the

House, escaped lynching after the attack by the angry APC youths, who staged a peaceful demonstration in Gusau against any alleged plan or move by the lawmakers to impeach Yari. The angry youths, who in their hundreds had, about 4:30p.m., stormed the residence of the Speaker, located at the GRA, Sokoto Road in Gusau, where all the lawmakers were suspected to have gathered for a meeting for the removal of the governor. The youth attacked and destroyed several vehicles belonging to the lawmakers, who escaped being lynched by a whisker from the meeting. The House was reported to have been sealed off by the police who refused to allow any member of the House and other staff entry into the complex. The Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who doubles as Acting Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Dayyabu Adamu Rijiya, however, debunked the impeachment allegation. According to him, the motive behind the meeting at the Speaker’s residence was to address the issue of bailout funds released by the Federal Government

Reps probe HOS, insurance firms over N35bn Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), Mrs. Oyo-Ita Ekanem, and heads of other statutory government establishments over alleged misappropriation of N35 billion insurance cover funds. The HOSF and all who purchased direct insurance covers are expected to provide detailed data of all premiums paid on group life (general) and related government assets within the last three months. The House will also investigate the complicity of brokerage firms, insurance and reinsurance companies in the alleged multi-billion naira return on premium practice and also carry out an in-depth audit of the selection process and execution of such covers by government assets underwriters with the view of “eradicating this fraudulent process.” The issue came under urgent need to investigate the fraudulent multi-billion naira cash payments to government officials an-

nually by insurance companies mandated to insure government’s fixed and non-fixed assets by way of return on premium. Explaining the development, Prestige said: “At the beginning of every financial year brokerage, firm, insurance and reinsurance companies are invited to bid for insurance of government’s fixed and non-fixed assets. That, although the processes are presumably carried out in line with the Public Procurement Act, it is generally believed that some companies are unduly favoured during such bid. “The unduly favoured companies reciprocate by engaging in a fraudulent practice termed Return on Premium, whereby a percentage as much as 50 per cent of the premium paid by government are returned to government officials as cash pay back thus creating the biggest recurring fraud in the public sector. “To best appreciate the magnitude of fraud being perpetrated, for every N10 billion paid as insurance premium by government, N5 billion is returned to corrupt government officials.”

and how the money was spent by the state government, the problem of deduction of salary of the civil servants, the issue of 1,400 employed youths by the state government about two years ago without putting them on the payroll, sacking of local government workers under the guise of ghost workers, among others. Meanwhile, the Benue State House of Assembly was yesterday thrown into a rowdy session as the lawmakers from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) engaged those of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in fisticuffs and demanded the immediate resignation of the Speaker, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange. They threatened outright impeachment of the speaker. The 16 aggrieved members also demanded that principal officers of the House resign over their alleged involvement in the N750 million car loan scandal rocking the House. New Telegraph learnt that trouble started shortly after the Speaker, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange, called for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of July

12. But, as the lawmakers commenced page-by-page consideration of the Votes and Proceedings, Hon. Kester Kyenge cited Order 8, Rule 4(A), to allow for the adjournment of the House to enable it discuss a matter of urgent public importance, which was the leadership's involvement in the N750 million scandal, among other issues. When the Speaker demanded to know what constitutes a matter of urgent public importance, Kyenge said he was referring to an issue on the first page of the Votes and Proceedings, which was under consideration leading to its adoption. The Speaker, thereafter, ruled him (Ikyenge) out of order and explained that all members were expected to go through the Votes and Proceedings and bring out any issue they wished to observe, corrected or discussed, and stressed that he (Kester) needed not come by way of a motion of Urgent Public Importance as contained in the Standing Rules of the House (Order 8, Rule 4 a). The Speaker further said that Ikyenge ought to have briefed him on the

$170m The net worth of Robert Redford in 2016. Source: Fropky.com

0.04%

The capital importation percentage share of IT Services of Nigeria in 2008. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

intended urgent matter before citing it on the floor, as that was the conventional practice in the Assembly. Following this ruling by the Speaker and the consequent refusal by Kyenge to respect the ruling and allow for the consideration of the Votes and Proceedings, the Chambers became rancorous as many lawmakers, mostly from the opposition PDP, staged a walk out to brief the media. All attempts by the Speaker to calm the House failed as all the PDP members insisted that the Speaker must reverse his ruling to allow the Logo representative to continue with his motion of urgent public importance. Ikyange, accordingly, invoked the relevant sections of the House Stand-

ing Rules to adjourn the Assembly for 30 minutes (in the first instance), and later adjourned the sitting to Thursday, July 21 by 10a.m. The lawmakers, led by the member representing Logo constituency, Hon. Kester Terna Ikyenge and his counterpart representing Ukum constituency, Mr. Paul Biam, told journalists shortly after the session, that they were worried over the speaker's continued silence on the scandal and other issues that continue to agitate their minds. He said the matter has dampened their reputation and image as lawmakers. Besides the call for his resignation, the lawmakers asked the speaker to account for the N500 million that was discovered in his personal account by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as well as the N86 million, which they said was funds meant for oversight function for members, but which they accused him of cornering. Already, the speaker and the other principal officers are under investigation by the EFCC.

Managing Director, UBA Foundation, Ms. Ijeoma Aso (standing) flanked by the students of Holy Child College, Obalende, during 'Read Africa' session, an initiative of the foundation, in Lagos... recently.

MTN to post half-year loss over N330bn fine Kunle Azeez

trong indications have emerged that MTN Nigeria’s lingering fine settlement and the currency crisis in the country will affect the Group’s half-year profits. MTN Group fell in Johannesburg trading, as Africa’s largest mobile-phone company said it expects to report a first-half loss after agreeing to pay a record fine in Nigeria, according to Bloomberg. The company’s shares dropped 2.5 per cent to 138.13 rand by yesterday morning, after earlier slumping as much as 3.8 per cent, the most in three weeks on a closing basis.

The N330 billion ($1.18 billion) settlement in Nigeria, announced last June, will reduce earnings per share for the six months through June by R4.74, while foreign-exchange losses, joint ventures and adjustments for inflation in Iran will further hurt results, MTN said in a statement yesterday. According to Bloomberg data, MTN is set to report first loss-per-share for a sixmonth period in at least 20 years. MTN is seeking to turn the page on a dispute with the Nigerian government, which initially imposed a $5.2 billion fine after the company missed a deadline to disconnect unregis-

tered users. Johannesburg-based MTN is overhauling senior management and has added new directors, as it seeks to convince investors the penalty won’t be repeated and revive a share price that’s 36 per cent lower than a year ago. Earnings were also dampened by underperformance in MTN’s two largest markets, it said. Nigerian results were further weighed on by government-mandated subscriber disconnections and a temporary withdrawal of regulatory services, while profit margins in South Africa were narrowed by an increase in handset sales. The loss would be the

first over any half-year period for at least 20 years, data compiled by Bloomberg show. MTN, which reported earnings per share of 6.53 rand for the same period a year earlier, said it would issue a further statement once it is ready to provide more details about the projected loss. The final results will be announced on August 5. It would be recalled that after nearly six months of negotiation and re-negotiation over the N1.04 trillion fine imposed on MTN Nigeria by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) last year, the fine was finally reduced to N330 billion.

NEWS

WEDNesDAY, July 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Why Rivers is hosting 2016 Editors’Conference – Wike Wale Elegbede

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that the hosting of the 2016 Editors’ Conference, scheduled for August 3-7, would afford the state the opportunity to showcase its investment potential. He added that the conference would be a fitting platform to partner with editors and the media to

consolidate development in both the state and the nation at large. Speaking through his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor said the state was hosting several national and international events as a demonstration of the fact that Rivers State is an investors’ destination. Wike stressed that the state is peaceful and the people hospitable.

The 12th edition of the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) will hold in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital with the theme: Economic Diversification: Agriculture as Option for a Prosperous Nigeria. No fewer than 300 Nigerian editors, a collection of mainstream farmers, agribusiness financiers, policymakers and captains of industry are expected to grace the event.

According to the governor, “Hosting this year’s conference will also make the editors witness firsthand the development projects and programmes of my administration which has improved the living standard of the people.” The All Nigeria Editors’ Conference is the largest gathering of Nigerian editors. It is a watering hole of ideas that have shaped government policies and pro-

Chairman, Cadbury Nigeria Plc., Mr. Atedo Peterside (left), with Managing Director, Mr. Roy Naaman, at the company’s 51st Annual General Meeting in Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Emefiele: Nigeria’s economy in deep crisis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

New Telegraph that Emefiele had to own up to the true position of the economy because it appeared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had lost hope of proffering solution to the worrisome situation. The senator, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, noted that based on the briefing of the CBN boss, the Federal Government might not be able to sustain up to 75 per cent of salary payment in the 2016 budget implementation. The lawmaker also expressed pessimism on the ability of the economic team of President Muhammadu Buhari to come up with strategies that would use the agricultural sector to diversify the economy. The senator, who is a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that the only way to rescue the economy from further recession was for government to reflate the system, stressing that it was the measure applied by other economies that faced the challenge of recession. "The CBN governor admitted that the economy is in trouble. And from the look of things, it is not going to get better. Salaries may not get 75 per cent implementation when you see the level of budget implementation so far. The CBN governor admitted that the economy was in recession in the first quarter and in

the second quarter. In fact, they may not get 60 per cent implementation. "Reflating the economy is what other economies in recession have done, but that is not happening here. The economic team is not able to come up with strategies on how they can even use agriculture to diversify the economy.” The source further said that Emefiele did not want to disclose certain critical issues raised by the senators because they were serious policy issues that had to do with the competence and capability of the ruling party. However, in a press statement issued by the leadership of the Senate at the end of the executive session, the Upper Chamber said that the governor of the CBN presented a comprehensive and lucid account of the performance of the Nigerian economy in the last one year. The statement claimed that Emefiele’s presentation began with current global economic conditions, which had been characterised by external shocks, including the sharp decline in commodity prices, the geopolitical tensions along important global trading routes and tightening of Monetary Policy in the United States of America. It further said that the appearance of Emefiele was in line with Section 8 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007, which

requires that the governor of the bank provide, to the National Assembly, periodic updates on the activities of the bank as well as the performance of the economy. The Senate’s statement reads: "He drew linkages of these occurrences with the Nigerian economy, especially with respect to the over 70 per cent decline in oil prices from about $116 per barrel in June 2014 to about $30 per barrel earlier in the year. “The governor’s presentation also gave us an insight into the bank’s decisions in the Foreign Exchange Market and the rationale underlying the recent re-introduction of a flexible exchange rate mechanism in Nigeria. "He also delved into the health of the financial system and discussed the bank’s detailed examinations of financial institutions, as well as its zero tolerance for insider dealings by board and management of deposit money banks. In sum, the governor declared that the strategic health of Nigeria’s financial system is still strong at this time. "After the presentation, many senators asked a host of pertinent questions and raised issues concerning the banking system, the slippage in economic growth for the first quarter of 2016, the gradual rise in inflation, fall in foreign exchange reserves and policy coordination between the fiscal and monetary au-

thorities. "Following an exhaustive response by both the governor and his team, the Senate acknowledged that these are indeed difficult times all over the world and not just in Nigeria. "The Senate also acknowledged the pains that many people may be facing at this time, especially in light of increases in price of electricity and fuels. But having carefully considered the policies of the CBN, the Senate would like to commend and support these policies because they are mostly geared towards increasing local production, creating jobs here in Nigeria, safeguarding our commonwealth and expanding economic opportunities and growth in Nigeria. "It is critical that we all put hands together to seek long term solutions to our underlying problem of non-diversification of foreign exchange earnings and revenues, rather than pointing fingers or apportioning blames.

49.05

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Belgium in 2000. Source: Itu.int

N59.87bn

The total revenue of 2015 Government Quarterly Actually Collection from EDT for the 2015 Q4. Source: Firs.gov.ng

grammes over the years. The maiden edition was held in 2004 at Ada, in Osun State. Subsequent editions have been held in different parts of the country. The conference also attracts both local and foreign speakers as well as editors from organisations such as the West African Editors’ Forum (WAEF), the African Editors’ Forum (TAEF), the World Editors’ Forum (WEF) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). This year’s edition has been tailored primarily to focus on agriculture as a counterfoil to the dwindling receipts from crude oil. Speakers include a rich mix of practising farmers, agriculture financiers and policy-makers. The Founder of HoneySuckle PTL Ventures, Mosunmola Cynthia Umoru, would speak on Agriculture as Panacea for Unemployment while Mr. Kola Adeniji of Niji Farms would talk on Agriculture

as a Foreign Exchange Earner. The Chief Executive of Bank of Agriculture, Prof. Danbala Danju, would be explaining the Role of Banks in Agriculture Financing while Kano-based farmer, Muhammad Abubakar, the Managing Director of L&Z Integrated Farms, would experientially explore the topic: Making the Most of Agriculture Value Chain. The Acting President of the Guild, Funke Egbemode, said: “The sole emphasis on agriculture for this year’s conference was in response to the falling price of crude oil at the international market which has automatically reduced government’s earnings and revenue base. This is the first the conference is focusing on agriculture in the most pragmatic sense and it is meant to draw the nation’s attention to the limitless opportunities that abound in agriculture.” Previous editions have bordered on good governance, electoral values, among others.

Buhari sends NNPC, CBN, NPA, FIRS, 34 others’ budgets to Senate Chukwu David Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday forwarded the 2016 budgets of 38 revenuegenerating agencies of the Federal Government to the Senate for consideration and approval. Buhari, in a letter to the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, which he read during plenary, said that his action was in compliance with the requirements of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007. Buhari, however, noted that in line with the provisions of the Act, budgets of the agencies and corporations, which had been privatised or ceased to exist, were not included among the ones sent to the Upper Chamber. Part of the letter reads: "Further to the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, which provides that the budget of agencies listed in the Act be collated and forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration, I forward herewith the 2016 budget proposals of the under listed agencies for your consideration and passage." The agencies are: Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), National Agencies for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council, National Maritime Authority; Raw Materials Research and Development Council,

and National Sugar Development Council. Others are: Nigerian Postal Service; Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). Also included in the list are: National Broadcasting Commission, National Insurance Commission, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nigerian Copyright Commission, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Others include: Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Radio Nigeria, Federal Housing Authority, Nigerian Television Authority, National Automotive Design and Development Council, Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, and National Business and Technical Examination Board. The president pleaded with the Senate to expeditiously consider and approve the budget of these agencies and corporations to enable them effectively execute their mandate.

wednesday, july 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Chukwu David Abuja

he Peoples Democratic Party( PDP), Board of Trustees (BOT), yesterday condemned what it described as an attempt to tarnish the image of the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu or rope him into the forgery case. The BOT, which made the statement when it paid a solidarity visit on Ekweremadu, at the National Assembly complex, also

national | news

Forgery: PDP BOT backs Ekweremadu warned that any attempt to remove him would not augur well with the nation's democracy. The top hierarchy of the opposition party, said they were calling for fair play and justice in the ongoing trial of the Deputy President of the Senate over the alleged forgery of 2015 senate standing rule. Addressing the PDP Senate Caucus, the Chairman of the party's BOT,

Senator Jibril Walid, said they were at the National Assembly to give support to the embattled Ekweremadu, describing him as a man of honour and exemplary character worthy of emulation. The BoT Chairman, added: “We are here to show solidarity and recognise the leadership of Senator Ekweremadu, especially when we hear stories of what is happening to him. We are here to give

our total support to him over the recent framing of him in an alleged forgery case, because we cannot, as fathers and conscience of the party, sit down and just watch. "Senator Ekweremadu is a man of integrity with a high record of performance. We want to advise strongly that nobody should try to tarnish his personality and we are strongly calling for fair hearing and justice in the

L-R: Former President of the Senate, Senator Adolphus Wabara; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; BOT Chairman, PDP, Senator Jubril Walid; and former National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, during a solidarity visit by the PDP BOT to the PDP Senate Caucus, at the National Assembly, Abuja… yesterday

new scientific report from the American Heart Association has found that many common drugs overthe-counter (OTC) medications can cause or worsen heart problems. To this end, the study authors have suggested that healthcare providers should talk to heart failure patients during every visit about all prescription and over-the-counter medications they are taking, as well as nutritional supplements and herbs. These are the findings of a new American Heart Association (AHA) report published in the advocacy organisation's journal ‘Circulation’. Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalisation for seniors, and the average heart failure patient takes an average of seven prescription medications per day, according to the AHA. A third of heart failure patients also take herbal supplements, two thirds take vitamins, and seven out of eight use over-thecounter medications. The study found that wide range of over-thecounter drugs which raises the risk of heart problems include antacid for heartburn, ibuprofen for a headache, an overthe-counter allergy remedy, among others. Similarly, the study found that even herbal products can interact negatively

He, however, said that the challenges of the party notwithstanding, PDP would win all its elections, especially the forth coming Edo gubernatorial election. On his part, another ranking member of the BoT and former President of the Senate, Adolphus Wabara, noted that the era of executive interference in legislative business, was over. He said unlike before, the other 14 South East Senators were not interested in the seat of the Deputy President of Senate, but were rather behind Ekweremadu, just as the overwhelming number of Senators were solidly behind Saraki and Ekweremadu leadership, adding that the unity of purpose was one big lesson the executive should learn.

104.69

The mobile teledensity of Nigeria in May 2015. Source: Ncc.gov.ng

OTC drugs may raise heart disease risks Appolonia Adeyemi

attempt to rope-in Senator Ekweremadu for political reasons. "He was elected Deputy President of Senate by 48 PDP senators with the support of APC Senators, which is a good ingredient of our democracy. No attempt should be made to rope him in. He should be left alone to continue the good service to the country.” On the leadership crisis rocking the party, he stated that the organs of the party were working hard to resolve all their differences, adding that the party would overcome the challenges shortly. While urging party members to remain calm, he called on those that instituted cases against the party to withdraw them in line with the constitution of the party.

with heart medications. So, it is important for patients to tell doctors about everything they are taking, according to the AHA report’s authors. “Since many of the drugs heart failure patients are taking are prescribed for conditions such as cancer, neurological conditions or infections, it is crucial but difficult for healthcare providers to reconcile whether a medication is interacting with heart failure drugs or making heart failure worse,” said Robert L. Page II, a co-author of the report and professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Colorado Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine, University of Colorado Hospital. To lower patient risks, the AHA has compiled a comprehensive guide to prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and complementary and alternative medicine products that can worsen heart failure. According to the report, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including commonly used painkillers such as ibuprofen, can trigger or worsen heart failure by causing sodium and fluid retention and making diuretic medications less effective. “Over-the-counter medications that treat acid reflux often contain significant amounts of sodium, which can boost blood pressure and is usually restricted in patients with heart failure and those on

low-salt diets. “Certain OTC medications that knock down allergy and cold symptoms (including antihistamines and decongestants) — for example, those containing pseudoephedrine or similar components — may cause increases in heart rate or blood pressure that could exacerbate some cardiac conditions.” They may also contain sodium, the report added. According to the United States (U.S) Food and Drug Administration risk-assessment reports, the commonly used nutritional supplements and alternative medicines were generally far safer than prescription medications. But some

can cause or worsen heart failure when taken with cardiovascular medications. Among them: Products containing ephedra (which raises blood pressure) and others that can interfere with heart failure medication, including St. John’s wort, ginseng, hawthorn, danshen, and green tea. According to the AHA, such medications and remedies can cause problems by being toxic to heart muscle cells or changing how the heart muscle contracts, interacts with medications used to treat heart failure, so that some of their benefits are lost and contains more sodium than advised for patients with heart failure.

Stakeholders advocate incentives for private refineries Philip Nyam Abuja

perators in the oil and gas industry have said that incentives for private refineries would help in boosting the economy of the country. Speaking at a public hearing, on a bill to provide for the licensing, regulation and incentives for petroleum refineries in Nigeria, organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (downstream) in Abuja yesterday, the stakeholders said they were in total support of any legislation that would

lead to the liberalization the petroleum industry. In their submission, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), represented by its legal adviser, Modu Shettima, said their support for the incentives for private refineries was to encourage local investment, ensure fair competition and encourage participation of Nigerians in ownership, control and management in the industry. Shettima added that their support for the Act was to attract direct foreign investment, boost general employment, check-mate capital flight and make products available in the country.

Osinbajo: Anti-corruption war not one sided Anule Emmanuel Abuja

ice President Yemi Osinbajo has insisted that the anti-corruption war being prosecuted by the present administration was not one sided as insinuated in certain quarters. The Vice President said yesterday that such comments criticising the anticorruption fights were absurd. Osinbajo, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, said: "I think it's entirely absurd. I think that view is absurd and without foundation or basis whatsoever. We look at corruption from all possible facets. He stated that "If you look at for example, corruption on the military, from military procurement; obviously, the only

individuals responsible for that could be persons who had held office within the period in question and that has been done and clearly, the opposition was not in the office at that time.” He added: "Those who were in the office were not necessarily opposition individuals. These were Service Chiefs and other personnel who had served for a while. "The other issues for example is the fraud and the corruption that is associated with large sums of money given out by the past National Security Adviser which went to several political figures and again these were large huge sums of money, over $2 billion and the sheer size and the enormity of what we are talking about, must not be diminished in any way or trivialised in any way by any suggestion that it is partisan."

Lawyer sues NASS over immunity, life pension Akeem Nafiu

lawyer and rights activist, Mr. Kabir Akingbolu, has asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain the National Assembly(NASS) from sitting and debating for the purpose of passing into law any bill seeking to grant immunity and life pension to principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives. The lawyer, in an originating summons, said the

move by the federal lawmakers, apart from being a coup against the people, was also detrimental to the well-being of every citizen of the country as it amounted to gross violation of constitutional provisions which frowns against corrupt practices and abuse of power. Apart from the National Assembly, other defendants in the suit are: Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

News|NATIONAL

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tinubu’s wife petitions Saraki, Oyegun over Melaye Wale Elegbede

he Senator representing Lagos Central senatorial district, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has sent a twin petition to the chairman of

the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, and the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, urging both to call Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) to order. Tinubu and Melaye had

EFCC quizzes REC over alleged N20m bribe Emmanuel Onani Abuja

peratives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have interrogated the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Abia State, Mr. Sylvester Ezeani, over allegations that he received of N20 million bribe. Highly placed sources at the commission, who spoke in confidence with New Telegraph yesterday, said Ezeani allegedly received the N20 million bribe in Cross River State, where he was the REC during the 2015 general elections. It would be recalled that the anti-graft agency had quizzed former

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, and the former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ntufam John Okon, over a N500 million the state chapter of the party was alleged to have received during the 2015 presidential election. New Telegraph gathered that the Abia REC was being quizzed at the PortHarcourt office of the Commission. This came barely two months after operatives interrogated 11 staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Gombe. They were alleged to have received and shared an estimated N120 million, ostensibly to compromise the 2015 election, in favour of a particular party.

Presidency, IT professionals collaborate to tackle insurgency Kunle Azeez

tronger collaborations between the Federal Government and top-notch Information Technology professionals in the country will soon be incubated to evolve a holistic, high-level digital approach to tackling the rising wave of Niger Delta insurgency and Boko Haram terrorism in the country, New Telegraph has gathered. In the new move, the government will work with the crop of professionals under the umbrella of the Nigeria Computer Society to effectively leverage Geographic Information System (GIS) and other digital tools to address Niger Delta militancy and terrorism in the North. Dropping the hints yes-

terday at the a three-day National Conference and Exhibition organised by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), which started in Abuja yesterday with the theme: ‘Information Technology for National Safety and Security’, one of the speakers at the conference, Air Vice Marshal Udoh Tommy Victor, said “the government will work with the IT professionals and academia to engage in research and develop and develop IT solutions locally that can help us succeed more in our counterinsurgency efforts.” According to him, using GIS and other IT tools, the Nigerian security forces van achieve more efficiency and successes in their operations to protect lives and property in the country.

altercations during a closeddoor session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 12. In a letter addressed to Saraki, the lawmaker, who is the wife of the National Leader of APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, noted that she was lodging a formal complaint concerning the improper behaviour of Melaye, adding that the Kogi’s senator action transgresses all norms of legislative etiquette and decorum. Tinubu said: “I write that such misconduct as that exhibited by Senator Melaye shall never be repeated against me or any other Senator and so that reputation and the vital functions of the Senate as a respectful deliberative body shall not be undermined. “I note that a week has passed since the indecorous eruption by Senator Melaye. However, the Senate leadership has been silent

and has not reacted to the threatening misconduct of Senator Melaye. “So that this serious transgression of legislative behaviour is not allowed to pass, I formally submit for the record that I object to the reckless misconduct of Senator Melaye during the July 12 Executive Session. What he did was completely unjustifiable and contrary to the established customs and norms that govern the behaviour of members of this body.” While explaining that she was verbally abused and threatened by Melaye for merely voicing her opinion on the floor of the Senate, she noted further that, “He did not stop there. He used

€8.5m

The annual salary of coach Andre Villas-Boas of Zenit in 2015 season. Source: France Football

Abuja

he executives of Association of Road Transport Owners( NARTO) and Petroleum Tankers Drivers( PTD) have issued a seven day notice of service withdrawal on management of Petroleum Equalization Fund( PEF) to resolve all contentious freight rate charges or face

members’ strike action The management of the two organizations said they arrived at the resolution to suspend their services in next seven days, after all available options to amicably resolve the issues failed. Addressing the media, yesterday, in Abuja after a closed door meeting involving members of NARTO and PTD, National President of Nige-

N5.51bn

The total value of non-crude oil export to Indonesia in 2014 fourth quarter. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

Ebere Ameh Abuja

he Federal Government has urged Public Servants in the country to rediscover itself and enthrone the culture of innovation both in imagination and routine work as well as develop appropriate tools for the anticipated change and emerging challenges. The Chairman Technical session of the National Council on Establishment and Permanent Secretary, Service Policy and Strategy Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Hajiya Nuratu Batagarawa, made the call yesterday in her opening remarks at the 39th meeting of the officials of the National Council on Establishment holding in Minna, Niger State.

L-R: Executive Director, Corporate Services and Commercial Banking, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Jonathan Tobin; Acting Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Waheed Olagunju; Acting Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Mr. Daziba Patrick Obah and Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Mr. Bank Anthony Okoroafor, at the official launch and MoU signing ceremony for the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund), in Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Fayose wants emergency in agriculture lAfe canvasses reduction in agric courses’ tuition fees

Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

he Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to declare emergency in the agricultural sector. Speaking at the opening of a 4-day agricultural summit in Ado-Ekiti, the

state capital, Fayose urged the FG to affirm it was serious about improving the agricultural sector and diversifying the economy. Fayose said that making the move was imperative considering the dwindling revenues from the oil sector, charging the Federal Government to commit more funds into

NARTO, PTD to embark on strike over outstanding claims Abdulwahab Isa

blatantly sexist and misogynistic language, offensive to every woman in Nigeria and offensive to every person who truly believes that gender discrimination has no place in the Nigeria we are trying to build for ourselves and all future generations. “In summation, unless Senator Melaye is appropriately disciplined, he remains a danger to me and to the Senate at large. He has promised twice within one week to attack me. “In an attempt to preserve the dignity of the Senate, I have refrained from saying anything in public outside of the Executive Chamber about this incident.”

FG urges civil servants to enthrone culture of innovation

rian Association of Road Transport Owners, Alhaji. Kassim Ibrahim Bataiya, said that, despite the down turn in economy, with high inflation, phenomenal increase in exchange rate, the freight paid to transporters remained unchanged from 2011 until December 2015. “And when the review finally came in January 2016, the rate was actually reduced instead of

increasing it. This became a source of worry for our members nationwide, who, if not because of their maturity and patriotism, would have withdrawn their services in the downstream sector in protest. Our anger was however assuaged by assurances received from well-meaning industry players, stakeholders, regulators, and the expressed commitment of PEF.

agriculture, especially for food production. Notable philanthropist and founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) also called for 50 per cent reduction in the tuition fees of all agriculture related courses in the Nigerian universities, noting this would encourage youths in acquiring professional skills in the business of food production. Afe said his institution had begun the move by cutting tuition fee for students offering agriculture and by giving them handson experience on various aspects of modern farming. According to the philanthropist, the country could make headways in food sufficiency only if serious investment was done in the agriculture sector.

The governor said: “Federal Government should declare emergency in the agriculture sector. Even, there must be a bailout fund for the agriculture sector. What Nigerians need is food on their tables. “It is sad that the state government can’t diversify again because they are financially incapacitated. So, the Federal Government must come to our aid. They must bail the people out. If emergency is declared in the sector and people are attracted into farming, they can use the gains to run around and better their lives”, he said. Fayose advised the Federal Government to also do more by way of increasing electricity generation in the country and in the provision of storage facilities to add value to agricultural products.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Atiku: l was at APC secretariat to appraise challenges A

News|NATIONAL

BPE DG wants representation of 2009 version of PIB to N’Assembly

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

or mer VicePresident, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday explained why he visited the headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday. Atiku in a statement from his media office

in Abuja said he was at the party secretariat to appraise the challenges faced by the party. The media yesterday reported that the former Vice President was at the party’s secretariat to explain his utterances in the media. But the media reports were swiftly refuted by Atiku, as he stated that his visit was also to rub minds with

the party hierarchy. In his statement to the media, Atiku said: “My visit to the national secretariat of our great party was to rub minds with the party hierarchy, and it was of a routine kind as a chieftain of the party. “I was neither summoned nor queried by the party on any issue as being speculated. Rather, my visit was at

my behest. “As a party chieftain, I owe it a duty to my party to appraise challenges within the structures of the party and to proffer suggestions on how to manage those challenges. I urge you all to discountenance any malicious insinuations about my visit to the party secretariat,” the Turaki Adamawa said.

NLC calls for abolition of security vote, immunity

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the abolition of security vote for the president and governors in the country. NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja that security vote had become an avenue for siphoning public

funds. “The issue of security vote is another form of corruption; in fact, there was a particular state which took N1 billion in one month as security vote. “It is an avenue for corruption. In good governance, all monies spent by government are budgeted and transparently applied. That is

what happens in other spheres. So, for our sake, the issue of security vote should be done away with. “All monies to be spent should be transparently budgeted for, including the so-called security vote, so that it can be tracked, to prevent corruption,” Wabba said. Also, Wabba called for the removal of the im-

munity clause from the constitution, to enable the president, his vice, governors and their deputies to be prosecuted for criminal offence. He noted that such political leaders in other parts of the world do not enjoy immunity against criminal prosecution, adding that Nigeria should not be an exception. The NLC president L-R: Representative, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs(NIIA), Prof. Osita Agbu; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to African Union (AU), Ambassador Olusegun Akinsanya; Consul General of South Africa in Lagos, Mr. Darkey Africa and President, United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNAN), Mr. Ade Oyewole, at a symposium in commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Dogara seeks shorter period for processing contracts Philip Nyam Abuja

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has called for the amendment of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the possibility of shortening the time spent on public procurement in order to ensure budget execution within a budget year. He equally made case for an increment in the mobilisation fees for government projects by ensuring that there are sufficient safeguards to ensure security of government funds. The Speaker made this known while declaring open the public hearing on

a bill for an Act to amend the Public Procurement Act, 2007, organised by the House Committee on Public Procurement. He charged the committee to get inputs from stakeholders for the purpose of amending the Act in line with international best practices and report back to the House. Dogara also advised the committee to look at the composition of the National Council on Procurement to ensure its neutrality and effectiveness. He said there was the need to strengthen the Public Procurement Act for optimal budget performance and to check corruption. He recalled that the Pub-

lic Procurement Act 2007 was enacted to curb the excesses in the award and execution of government contracts and the sheer inadequacy of existing regulations. He, however, said that; “It has become inevitable in the light of recent happenings, that the Act is due for amendment to further check corruption and procurement irregularities.” In his welcome address, Chairman of the committee, Hon. Wole Oke (PDP, Osun) advocated for a new procurement system for the nation’s defence sector. He maintained that; “There is urgent need to create a new procurement system for our defence sec-

tor.” According to him, “The events of the last few months underscore this need for a paradigm shift in the way we conduct our defence procurement in Nigeria. We need a system that is backed by the right and most appropriate legal framework. A system that has global reference and that we can be proud of in the comity of nations.” Part of the amendment the committee is working on, he said, has to do with inclusion of “a new member to the council, amending the procedure for appointing the Director General and fully extending the application of the Act to Defence procurement.”

cting Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Dr. Vincent Onome Akpotaire, has suggested the representation of the 2009 Petroleum Industry Bill (BIP) to the National Assembly with necessary adjustments to reflect current realities. BPE in a statement issued yesterday, said Akpotaire made the submission in a paper titled: The Petroleum Industry Reform

said that immunity was hindering the fight against corruption and decried a situation whereby political office holders could not be prosecuted for criminal offence. “Even after they leave office, they use their influence and resources they have accumulated to frustrate prosecution. I have seen cases that lasted for eight to 14 years and were inconclusive. Some of these cases outlived the life of the administration that started the probe, due to this particular challenge. “There are some cases that started before the administration of former President Olusegun Obansajo till now, it is still ongoing,” he noted. Wabba said that nobody should be given immunity against criminal prosecution while in office.

in Nigeria: Reinventing the Wheel by Innovation, which he presented at the National Stakeholders’ Workshop on Petroleum Industry Reform. He said the 2009 PIB conceived by the BPE with the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had no controversial provisions which the current version of the PIB has. “NNPC currently acts as the policy maker, the regulator as well as an operator of the policies which go against international best practices,” adding that it was because of the need to reform the sector that the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) in 2009, through the Federal Executive Council (FEC), transmitted to the National Assembly the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). He said the 2009 version of the PIB seeks among other things; to promote transparency and openness in the administration of the petroleum sector in Nigeria, separate the commercial institutions in the sector from the regulatory and policy making institutions deregulate petroleum product prices, increase domestic supply and put in place a fiscal framework for increased revenue.

The number of academy graduates of Barcelona playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues in 2015. Source: Goal.com.

Reps to probe HoS, insurance firms over N35bn cover Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. OyoIta Ekanem and heads of other statutory government establishments over alleged misappropriation of N350 billion insurance cover funds. The HoS and all who purchased direct insurance covers are expected to provide detailed data of all premiums paid on group life (general) and related government assets within the last three months. The House will also investigate the complicity of brokerage firms, insurance and reinsurance companies in the alleged multi-billion naira return on premium practice and also carry out an in-depth audit of the selection process and execution of such covers by government assets underwriters with the view of eradicating this

fraudulent process. The House also yesterday raised the alarm over the N35 billion allegedly appropriated and expended on the insurance covers. The issue came under the urgent need to investigate the fraudulent multi-billion naira cash payments to government officials annually by insurance companies mandated to insure government fixed and non-fixed assets by way of return on premium. Hon. Prestige Ossy, who brought the issue before the House, noted that every N10 billion paid as insurance premium by government, N5 billion is returned to corrupt government officials. Explaining the development, Hon. Prestige said at the beginning of every financial year, brokerage, firms, insurance and reinsurance companies are invited to bid for insurance of government fixed and non-fixed assets.

wednesday, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Again, militants invade Ikorodu, kill five, abduct three Taiwo Jimoh

fter what seemed like a lull, militants cum oil pipeline vandals have returned to Ishawo community in Ikorodu, Lagos and unleashed terror on the residents. The bandits invaded the community about 11p.m on Sunday and operated till about 3:30am the following day. At the end, the armed men reportedly shot dead five people, among them a woman said to be a hairdresser. The militants also abducted three persons – a hotelier identified as Chicago and twins. The gunmen went to OkoIya Olosa area of Ishawo where they shot a man, identified as Kamoru, and the hairdresser for resisting abduction. The woman died on the spot while Kamoru reportedly died later. A resident said bullets did not penetrate Kamoru’s body. “Annoyed, the gunmen brought Kamoru outside his house and started to attack him with machetes. They inflicted several cuts on his body. He died later,” the resident, who craved anonymity, said. Also, a top police officer said the hoodlums killed three other persons in parts of the community. The militants abducted

The house where the twins were abducted

Chicago, whose facility is located on Olainukan Street at Ishawo. Residents said the gunmen, numbering about 10, stormed the victim’s house about 11p.m., while shooting sporadically. They took him away through the creek in one of their waiting speedboats. A family member, who did not want his name in print, said Chicago’s relatives were concerned about his safety. He said: “I don’t live in the community; I was called on the phone by one of his sons about his abduction. Unfortunately, I was told the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N13 million from the children before their father could be released.

“We are appealing to the abductors to free him because our concern now is how to raise the money. We cannot afford such amount of money because of the situation of the country now. We are appealing to them to free him.” Another resident, who identified himself simply as Mrs. Kalani, said the vandals took to kidnapping to survive. She said: “We are always on the alert in the community. Only on Sunday night alone, about three persons were kidnapped at different parts of the community. “Immediately the kidnappers left the hotelier’s house, they went to Hunjo Royal Estate where they abducted twins - Taiwo and Kehinde.

City Briefs

Reopening unresolved killings commendable –NOPRIN

Murdered preacher for burial Saturday –Family

Farida Mohammed and Faith Ebute

he family of the late Assistant Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Mrs. Eunice Olawale, said yesterday that she would be buried on Saturday. Eunice was murdered in the early hours of Saturday July 9 while preaching at Kubwa, a suburb of Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Her sister, Bola Fatuashi, said the burial activities for the 42-year-old preacher would start with a Wake Keep at 5p.m. on Friday at the New Life Assembly Parish, RCCG, Kubwa. According to her, lying-in-state will begin at 8a.m. on Saturday also in Kubwa.

But the twins were later released after the intervention of the Army. They, however, collected N20,000 from their parents. “We cannot sleep in our houses anymore; they are looting shops and raping women in the community. Many people have abandoned their homes and run away for safety. Those of us who remain here are always on the alert because the kidnappers can strike any time.” When our correspondent visited the community, some of the residents who had fled for fear of being attacked, were returning to pick their belongings. One of them, Mr. Alaba James, told our correspon-

dent that it was his wife who called him on the phone on Sunday not to come home because some people had been kidnapped in the estate. He said: “I have relocated my family out of the community. I am just returning to the estate since Sunday to take my bath and change my clothes after which I will go back to Bariga. I will not come to the community until normalcy returns.” When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Dolapo Badmos, said she was not aware of the killing and the abduction in the community. She said: “No report has been made of this, as at this evening. The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, has directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Owutu Division to investigate the matter and feed him back. “But if actually there is such occurrence, I implore the relations of the victims to file in the report to allow us get first-hand information that will give strength to the investigation.”

Olawale

Eunice is survived by her aged parents, six siblings, her husband, Mr. Elisha Olawale, and seven children. Fatuashi said that they had not informed their aged father of Eunice’s death because of his state of health. She added: “We have not told my father, but my mother already knows. My mother is stronger than my aged father. We will all meet at the village, after everything, then find a way to relay the news to him, in such manner as to prevent another tragedy.”

group, Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for directing the acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, to reopen investigations into numerous unresolved political and other killings in the country. The NOPRIN National Coordinator, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, said in a statement that it showed the President’s determination to ensure that justice was attained in the lingering cases. He said: “One of the key sources of the grave damage

to the image of the Nigeria Police, and which continue to portray the country in a very unfortunate light is the failure by the police to fulfill one of their fundamental obligations - to effectively investigate cases of politically-motivated and other controversial killings in the country with the view of bringing perpetrators to account and ensuring redress and justice for the victims.” Nwanguma added that such cases as the Bola Ige case was intriguing to have been attended by the investigation and prosecution of suspects, which had exposed the police and the judiciary to unspeakable ridicule. He said: “The contradic-

Buhari

tions and obfuscation in the different reports made by the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) in the case of the killing of Olaitan Oyerinde, Private Secretary to Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole, also did so much to create confusion and hinder the effort at unraveling the actual perpetrators of that dastardly killing and ensuring that they are brought to account.”

METRO

wednesday, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

We pinned murder on our brother over inheritance –Siblings Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

hree brothers yesterday told journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State that they killed two women and implicated their elder brother because he had a larger portion of the father’s inheritance. The siblings, Saidi Amadu, Idris Amadu and Quadri Ayodele, were paraded by the police. The men allegedly murdered a patent medicine dealer, Rohimat Kehinde and her assistant, Fasilat Azeez, at Alapa last month. They, however, told the police that the crime was committed by their elder brother, Ayodele Adama. Adama was arrested and charged to court and is currently in prison facing trial. Police, however, later discovered the crime was by the trio during further investigations. Some people overheard them boat that they had succeeded in removing the obstacle to their full inheritance.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sam Okaula, said the father of the suspects had left them the inheritance and that Adama got the largest part to the consternation of the others. He said: “We now have the duty of bringing the innocent man out of the prison.” Okaula said the trio had confessed that their elder brother knew nothing about the crime. The police also paraded the 30-year-old welder, Segun Bamidele, who allegedly beheaded a farmer, Sunday Owolabi, for ritual purposes. Bamidele told journalists he committed the crime in a drunken state and also because Owolabi had been stealing kolanuts from his farm where they shared boundary. Journalists were shocked when the suspect brought out the decomposing skull of his victim from a bowl on the premises of the state Police Command Headquarters. Narrating what happened, Bamidele said: “I

Six arraigned for attack on traffic officials ENUGU

olice yesterday arraigned six people before a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Enugu North for allegedly beating up two officials of the Enugu State Ministry of Transport. The accused, Ndubuisi Izukamma, Onyebuchi Aniamalu, Peter Chibuzo, Eke Chukwuebuka, Chukwujekwu Aniozo and Uka Chibuike, were arraigned on a four-count charge. The police prosecutor, C. O. Ugwu, told the court that the accused had on July 15, 2015, on Chime Avenue, New Haven, Enugu, conspired among themselves to attack two enforcement officials of the state Ministry of Transport, Eze Michael and Eze Sunday, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 495 (a) of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Vol. 11, Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria. They were accused of assaulting the officials by giving them blows and throwing stones at them while they were in uniform performing their official duties and thereby committed offence under 259(a) of the Criminal Code Cap 30, Vol 11, Law of Enugu State of Nigeria. They were accused of damaging one official motorcycle, valued at N500,000, property of the state Ministry of Transport. After the charges were read, all the accused pleaded not guilty.

Divorce court

‘He wanted to rape my 11-year-old daughter’

Bamidele

am here because I killed a man. The man was known to have mental challenge. Actually we have been having misunderstanding because we share farm boundary and each time our kolanuts drop he would just take them. On the day of the incident actually I was very drunk and I didn’t even know what I was doing again. It was after I had done it and there was nowhere to dispose it that I went to bury it and ran

to Lagos. The police later traced me to Lagos and that was how I was arrested.” It was gathered that he attacked his victim, who was bent down tilling the ground, from behind and macheted his two legs to ensure he would not be able to run. Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sam Okaula said the suspect took operatives to the bush where he had hid his victim’s head while the cutlass with which he did the act was also recovered.

Monarch’s abductors yet to contact us, says family

Charles Onyekwere

Oba Oseni

Muritala Ayinla

embers of the family of abducted Lagos monarch, Oniba of Iba, Oba Yishau Oseni, yesterday said kidnappers were yet to establish contact with them. This was even as sympathisers comprising religious leaders and traditional rulers continued to throng the palace. But members of the family are worried over the inability of the abductors to establish contact with them more than 72 hours after he was kidnapped in his palace. One of the children of the monarch, who spoke with journalists on the phone yesterday, bemoaned the development. According to him, the monarch’s immediate and extended families are apprehensive and worried over the situation. The prince, who did not want his name published, expressed concern over the health of the monarch, wondering why the kidnappers were yet to call and make their demand known.

He said: “We are not just worried, but greatly worried that 72 hours after, abductors of our aged father have not established contacts with us. “We are appealing to them not to hurt him and allow him return home safely. We are also praying fervently that he will return home safely. “They have not demanded any ransom, neither have they established contacts with us.” Earlier, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has condemned Oba Oseni’s abduction. In a statement issued by the association and signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abdussobur Salaam, SSANU decried what it described as the degenerating security situation in the country. It said the monarch’s abduction was a desecration of the sacred traditional institution and disrespect for culture. The statement reads in part: “SSANU frowns at and condemns in the strongest terms, the continued criminal act of kidnapping by unscrupulous elements in our society and urges the Nigeria Police to do all within its capacity to ensure the release of the father of one of our branch chairmen, the Chairman of the Lagos State University Branch of SSANU, Prince Saeed Oseni.”

businesswoman, Muinat Jamiu, yesterday begged a Karu Upper Area Court, Abuja, to dissolve her fiveyear-old marriage to Semiu Adesina for allegedly attempting to rape her first child. Muinat, 30, who resides at Karu village, told the court that her husband was in the habit of beating her 11-year-old daughter from a previous relationship at the slightest provocation. She said her husband attempted to rape her daughter on several occasions. The petitioner, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), also said Adesina neglected his responsibilities on their four-year-old daughter and was in the habit of beating her at the slightest provocation. She said: “Whenever I ask him for money for the upkeep of our child, he beats me up; he always promises to pay her school fees but end up not paying. “My 11-year-old daughter from a previous relationship stays with us and he attempted to rape her on several occasions whenever I am not around. “I had to take my daughter away to stay with a relative. Last week because I refused him sex, he gave me the beating of my life to the extent that I sustained grave injuries and I have pictures to prove it. “We have been married since 2012 and I have endured lots of beatings since then, but now, I am fed up and there is no going back because I don’t want to die.’’ Responding, Adesina expressed surprise that his wife could bring their issues to court. Adesina also pleaded with the court to give them some time to go and settle their marital differences. He said: “I am surprised that she brought our issues before the court; we have always settled our issues amicably before now until she left the house with my child unceremoniously three months ago. “I always beg her whenever she provokes me or when I beat her. I have also never attempted to rape her daughter. “Please the court should give us some time to see if we can settle.”

Threat to life: Court dissolves five-year-old marriage n Ado-Ekiti Customary Court yesterday A dissolved a five-year-old marriage between Kayode Olusesan and his wife, Titilayo,

for lack of rest of mind and threats to life. The President of the court, Mr. Joseph Ogunsemi, observed that the marriage had broken down irretrievably and consequently dissolved the marriage. Ogunsemi awarded custody of the child, Ayomide, to the wife, while the husband should be responsible for the child’s education. He ordered that the husband should be paying N4,000 monthly as the upkeep allowance of the child and granted the husband access to see his child. Olusesan, 33, a resident of Ajilosun, AdoEkiti, told the court that his wife abused, harassed him on phone and even came to his matrimonial home and place of work to disgrace him. He said: “I used to give her N5,500 monthly, apart from expenses on drugs and medical care of the child.” Olusesan prayed the court to dissolve the marriage and award the custody of the one year, 11 months old Ayomide to his wife. But, the respondent, Titilayo, 31, a resident of No 22, Ekute Street, Ado-Ekiti, told the court that she did not know that he had a wife already. She said: “We did not live together but I stayed briefly with him sometimes and I later rented an apartment for myself and the child to live.

POLITICS

WEDNESDAY, JUly 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Treasury looters can’t be governor – Oshiomhole

overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says self-confessed treasury looters will be rejected at the polls on September 10 by the people of Edo State. Speaking when Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State visited him yesterday, Oshiomhole decried those who looted the nation’s treasury and have confessed to stealing public funds are now offering themselves to govern Edo State. He said: “I know there are a lot of people who don’t quite understand what is going on. Our party inherited a federal treasury that was completely bastardized, emptied from the vaults to soak away pits and farm houses. Even in Edo here, the people who are asking for Edo votes are those who have already made statements to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that they collected N500 million, N700 million: that is already N1.2 billion. And

Edo DECIDES

their leader confessed in his own right that he collected N300 million from money meant to secure Nigerians against terrorism. “So for us, our campaign message is cut out for us. The choice is between a bunch of people whose philosophy is ‘share the state money’ and those who believe that the state money belongs to the people, and the task is for the governor to manage it in a way that will deliver prosperity to the people.” Oshiomhole commended his Lagos counterpart for taking his assignment as the chairman, All Progressives

Congress (APC) national campaign council for Edo State governorship election seriously. He said: “For us in Edo, it is clear that you have taken this assignment seriously. It is one thing to accept an assignment, but the passion with which you have accepted it, and to the extent to which you are determined to go to ensure that we do everything we need to do to continue to

retain the governance of this state. Under your leadership, I have no doubt. We couldn’t have had a better campaign organisation. So, I thank you for that.” He introduced the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his running mate, Hon. Philip Shaibu to Governor Ambode, saying: “We have a credible messenger that you are going

to be able to help us to market, and we also have a compelling message to put across to Edo State. And we believe the election will be won on the basis of the pedigree of the political parties, the pedigree of the individuals and what the two parties have to show to the people.” On his part, Governor Ambode assured that Lagos and Edo states will

immediately develop a major commerce and economic relationship as soon as Obaseki emerges as governor of Edo State, saying this will ensure that Edo develops at a faster pace. He said: “I have come here this afternoon to accept physically the daunting task which has been laid upon me by our party in appointing me as the chairman of the guber-

Esele tasks political office holders on peoples’ welfare Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

ormer governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Peter Esele, yesterday tasked the political class to strive towards ensuring the common good of people at the grassroots rather than emphasis on selfish, individual and ethnic benefits. Esele, who stated this while briefing newsmen

in Benin, noted that the ugly trend if unchecked would pose serious danger to the nation's fledgling democracy as well as impact negatively on the much desired equitable distribution of resources and amenities to the citizenry. According to him, “politics is not a matter of individual position. You know most times, when we talk about these things, even if Peter Esele is deputy governor today the first thing is that Peter

Esele is from Edo Central. If I was governor today, one thing would be clear, and which is; how do we ensure that the position brings development and employment? I think this should be the focal point. I have always grown to look at things from the perspective of how good are you? How will you put food on our table?” He added: “Since I started this journey into politics, I found out that it majorly doesn’t put food on our tables and

that is very dangerous for our country,” regretting that the trend has degenerated lately and has contributed in no small measure to the polarization of the people. The former president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) urged Edo people to look beyond narrow angle as they go to the poll to elect a new governor, while urging the leadership of the APC to assuage the feelings of the Central senatorial district.

Progress School proprietor restates commitment to quality education Kayode Olanrewaju

he owners of Progress School, a private school located at New Oko-Oba, Agege in Lagos State, have restated the commitment of the co-educational school to sound moral discipline and academic excellence. According the Director of the college, Mr. Babatunde Akinyefa, the school, which is anchored on the core value of training a total child, who are imbued with sound knowledge, moral rejuvenation and character building, has put in place measures that would continue to promote and sustain

Cross section of SS3 students.

Cross section of JSS3 students.

the core values. Towards achieving its stated goals, the director noted that it had been possible through an array of qualified teachers with the right academic qualifications and moral rectitude employed to impart meaningfully on the pupils in high school, primary, nursery and kindergarten sections of the school. He said the performance of the school is evident in the record of achievements it has attained in less than a year, especially since the school established the nursery and primary school sections. The nursery and primary

school sections, which Akinyefa recalled took off with no fewer than 10 pupils at inception, today could boast of over 150 pupils in its enrolment. While describing the school as a solution provider, the director, however, pointed out that it had been able to assist parents, especially in the locality in solving the various academic challenges of their children, even as he hinted that some of the children who were performing below average in their former schools have been brushed up through the use of modern techniques and methodologies, which not only simplify the teaching-learning process, but also makes it child-centred. According to him, the teaching-learning process and the curriculum appealed to the three domains of the children – affective, cognitive and psycho-motor domains, which made them total child. The high points of the valedictory and prize-giving ceremony, which took place on the school premises, were presentation of awards to students who distinguished themselves in the academic activities and character, as well as cultural dance, songs and poem rendition, and choreography. They are Adewale Olumide, the Best student in Sciences; Ogunlaja Mosope, best students in Commercial class; Okebu Blessing, best student in Arts; while Ogunlaja Mosope (overall best students); Nyong Glory (best behaved student); and Nazeef Jubril (best sporting student).

Students of Catoky school in a talk show during the event

Catoky International School holds graduation Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

or the seventh time in its fruitful and impactful existence, Catoky International Secondary School, Port Harcourt has held its graduation/ prize giving ceremony, tagged "Victors Feat." The event once again brought together students, parents, teachers, friends and loved ones in a serene atmosphere to reward excellence in learning, and equally presented a platform for the students to showcase their talents in the arts through talk shows, choreography and other performances. Speaking at the event, the Vice Principal Administration, Mrs. B. L. Chima, urged the graduating students to remain focused and continue to be good ambassadors for Catoky, stressing that they were being sent forth to succeed. She added:" The next level you will be going into requires attention if you must make in life. Always take your studies seriously, and if you must be a high-flying student, do not follow the trends happening on the campus, just be yourself and have self-control."

The form tutor of the graduands, Mr. Momoh Innocent, informed them that they are entering a new phase in their life pinsuit, and that their destiny lies in their hands through the choices they make. He said he was proud of their transformation and their achievements under his watch, but urged them to continue to forge ahead irrespective of the challenges before them. Momoh added: "No matter what path you have chosen, this is where the adult in you begins to pull back and let you take charge. It is our hope that the skills, knowledge, and morals we tirelessly impressed upon you will aid you to reach your full potential." The outgoing senior prefect, Miss Tamuno-Ipirinye Ogolo, who spoke on behalf of the graduands, expressed sadness they would miss the school, its staff, but pledged to continue to uphold the school's name and honour wherever they find themselves. The former senior prefect, who read her speech amid applauses from other graduands, specially commended the teachers "who devoted themselves in discovering the best traits in students."

WEDNESDAY, JUly 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ekiti Protests as Fayose, FG's feud deepens

Politics Philip Nyam reports on the uproar that erupted in the House of Representatives over the debate on immunity for presiding officers of the National Assembly

Interview PDP’s misrule responsible for Nigeria’s woes – Ardo

12 14

Immunity divides Reps

he House of Representatives returned from a three-week recess last Tuesday to begin its plenary on a rowdy note as the move to confer immunity on presiding officers of the National Assembly caused a sharp division amongst the lawmakers. Immunity for lawmakers had been muted before in the previous assemblies but it never got to this stage because anytime it was mooted, a majority of Nigerians kicked against it. Hence, in all the amendments to the constitution since 1999, it has not been effected. But due to the travails of the presiding officers of the 8th Senate, the National Assembly has suddenly realised that it must protect itself. Of course, this is the first time both a serving Senate president and his deputy will be docked. In fact, no presiding officer of both chambers has ever being prosecuted while in office. The first House of Representatives speaker of the present dispensation, Alhaji Salisu Buhari, was prosecuted and convicted after he had resigned his position and membership of the House, while a former Senate president, Adolphus Wabara was only arraigned in court after he had resigned. However, the ongoing war against corruption, which is a respecter of no person, seems to have prompted the presiding officers of the parliament to run for cover. The idea actually bill seeking to alter the immunity clause and confer immunity on the Senate president and speaker of the House and their deputies emanated from the Senate, which the anti-corruption war is clamping down on its leaders. Consequently, the House bought into the initiative but the litmus test over its workability produced a rancorous session that was experienced in the lower chamber last Tuesday. The immunity clause under the Nigerian Constitution is contained in section 308 (1)(a-c), which states:

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

Dogara

“No civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against a person to whom the section applies during his period in office; and a person to whom the section applies shall not be arrested or imprisoned during that period either in pursuance of the process of any court or otherwise; and no process of any court requiring or compelling the appearance of a person to whom the section applies, shall be applied for or issued.” Section 308(3) clearly and unequivocally identified the class as consisting only of “a person holding the office of President or Vice President, Governor or Deputy Governor…” Consequently, any other public official not belonging to the immunity class under the section, cannot claim or be accorded the immunity. When the matter came up in the House last week, members almost engage in fisticuffs over the passage to second reading, the bill seeking to alter the immunity clause and confer immunity on the Senate president and speaker of the House, their deputies and their state counterparts. The bill titled “A Bill for an act to alter section 308 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and for other related matters” is sponsored by the House Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor (PDP, Delta). For about 20 minutes, the chamber was thrown into confusion as members shouted at one another and expressed their displeasure or otherwise to the proposed immunity for presiding officers of the legislature. Trouble started when the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, after listening to an opposing view to the bill by the House leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos), did not avail members the opportunity to vote on it but instead ruled that it be committed to the Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review for further

Ogor

You cannot convince the people that this bill is not politicallymotivated

Gbajabiamila

legislative actions. “Bills like this are sent directly to the House Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative input,” Dogara ruled. But the ruling did not go down well with those opposed to the bill and they started protesting and shouting “no to immunity,” while supporters of the bill countered “yes to immunity,” leading to break down of order on the floor. The rowdiness continued until the Speaker hit the gavel and announced that “in line with our rules, the bill has been referred to the Special ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review. We have experts in that committee, who can advise and when it is presented to the public, if they want, they throw it away completely. We are not passing the bill today, so, let the Rules and Business Committee to enlighten us on the rules of the House.” Deputy Chairman of the committee, Hon. Olabode Ayorinde (APC, Ondo) cited Order 8 (98) (3) arguing that any bill that seeks to alter the constitution, shall be sent to the committee on constitution amendment for legislative advice. The exchange of words between those for and against the bill degenerated to an embarrassing level, when they started jeering at the chairman of the Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano), apparently referring to the controversies they had with the 2016 Budget process. Jibrin, who is on the forefront of those opposing the bill, displayed a paper on the floor with the inscription “no immunity,” while the rowdiness lasted. He also exchanged words with the chairman of the House Committee on Federal Capital Territory, Hon. Herman Hembe (APC, Benue). Presenting the bill earlier, Hon. Ogor explained that the proposed

alteration seeks to increase section 308(3) to include the Senate president, speaker, deputy Senate president, deputy speaker, speaker of a state House of Assembly, deputy speaker of a state House of Assembly, who are presiding officers of the legislative arm of government. He argued that the essence of the bill was to strengthen the National Assembly and separation of powers, adding that it was meant for only presiding officers. According to him, since principal officers of the executive enjoy immunity, it was only proper that presiding officers of the legislature too, be accorded the privilege. Chairman of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Hon. Ossai Ossai, who supported Ogor, said the bill is a potent tool for the legislators to defend the legislature. But rising in stout opposition to the bill, Gbajabiamila, reminded members that as legislators, their primary responsibility is to make laws and represent the people, but in doing so, they must feel the pulse of the people. “We must feel the pulse of the people we represent. There is something about timing in any piece of legislation and it is important. There are issues in the Senate and I pray it is resolved. Because of what is going on in the Senate, you cannot convince the people that this bill is not politically motivated” Continuing, the House leader argued that there is no legislature in the world that enjoys immunity and it will be abnormal for Nigeria, which is a member of the United Nations (UN) to grant immunity to its lawmakers. While the House awaits the report of its Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review on the matter, the bill seems dead on arrival as most Nigerians have expressed strong opposition to it.

POLITICS PLATFORM

Restructuring’ll address Nigeria’s problems – Jimoh Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh is the Deputy Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and member representing Apapa Constituency II. In this interview with WALE ELEGBEDE, he speaks on restructuring of Nigeria, anticorruption war and insecurity There have been incidents of killings and kidnappings in Lagos in recent times, how do you think the rising cases of crime could be combated? It is incumbent on us as a government to do something about this because any society that such things are happening would not grow. We need to secure our society as much as possible. Government should do more in the area of security. In any true federal system of government, there is nothing stopping us from having state police. The fear of a lot of people is that it would be used against members of the opposition parties. Even if that is so, you have to weigh the merits with the demerits. People feel that governors would be too powerful and use the state police against the opposition but state police will create more employment and people would be committed to revealing information to the police, which will give room for more policing of the society and pre-occupy some minds. I discovered through study that our local government was fashioned after that of Britain, so nothing is stopping us from having state police. When you bring a police officer from the North to come and police Lagos, how would he cope? These are the issues we should address. What is your take on the call for restructuring of Nigeria and the demand that President Muhammadu Buhari should implement the 2014 National Conference report? I think we need restructuring; we even need it more now than before. There are so many imbalances in our federal system and if we don't restructure, we would not get much things

Jimoh

5 Questions

done. The outcome of the National Conference is being debated in both the print and electronic media but I have not taken my time to look at the report. However, with what I heard from people, I think it would do us a lot of good by even examining the report for our collective existence. There is nothing stopping us from looking at the report, see the one that will favour us and look at what we can absorb. Do you support the agitation that immunity clause should be extended to presiding officers of the National Assembly? We should know that those who put the immunity clause in the constitution were those in government, when there was no legislature, which is why it was not extended to the legislature. It was limited to the president, vice president, governors and deputy governors. If immunity clause can protect the governors, I think it should also protect the Senate president even if it is not extended to others. During the military era, it was only the executive and the judiciary that were in office. That is why a commissioner that I screened would have orderly, why I don’t have. He has a cook, but I don't have. I derived my mandate from the people and responsible to the people, yet I don’t have access to what a commissioner has access to. Don't you think gains of public offices are promoting corruption in public offices? There is a wrong with the perception about what the government is all about. Most of the phone calls I receive daily are about demands by the people and the perception of the people is that you are in office to make money. They always make demands from you. They expect you to make as much money as possible. That perception needs to be corrected. So, getting our priorities right is a gradual process or else you would be forced to do what you are not supposed to do. What is your view on the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and its anticorruption war? The anti-graft agencies were established by laws and they have the power to arrest, investigate and prosecute and they take the cases to the judiciary for adjudication. It is the responsibility of the judiciary to now determine the cases based on the evidences against the accused. It is either to condemn or to set the accused free. The argument is that it is only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members that are being prosecuted, but has it been proven that they did not steal money? Even as the anti-graft agencies are starting with the opposition party, they would still shift to the ruling party. Members of the opposition were the ones in the ruling party then, so they have more money to refund. We know how much that have been realised since then and this is one of the cardinal campaign promises of this government, why must we now do otherwise. Yes, the economy is in shambles, but it is the same all over the world.

WEDNESDAY, JUly 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ekiti: Protests as Since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) froze the bank account of the Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, over his alleged involvement in a N4.7 billion transaction in 2014, the Fountain of Knowledge State has lost its peace. In this report, WALE ELEGBEDE writes on the series of pro and anti-Fayose’s protests that have rocked the state

hese are not the best of times for the blunt chief executive officer of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose. On the home front, he is grappling with how to pay backlog of salaries of the state workforce, while at the national level, he has an axe to grind with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In sum, the enfant terrible of Ekiti politics is fighting the political battle of his life. Fayose, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor, has in addition to his position, has taken up the role of spokesperson of the leading opposition party though unofficially. He is by far the most outspoken critic of President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration. Expectedly, his criticism of the President and the APC has earned him both kudos and knocks, depending on the perspective of the assessor. But Fayose believes that his criticism is healthy for Nigeria, stressing he would rather die than conceal the truth. He added that it would be absurd for all to watch and refuse to talk even when the ship of the nation is drifting. “I don’t abuse Buhari because he is my grandfather. But we all must not sleep and face the same direction in this country. The people voted for him because they wanted change, and I agreed with that because we really needed change," the governor said. In the last two years, public protests and agitation has become a patent signature of Ekiti State. In April 2015, a protest in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti, by PDP members against attempts by the then APC House of Assembly members turned bloody with one person allegedly killed. The pro-Fayose protesters, who were in their hundreds, grounded the state, set up bonfires and blocked major roads in the state. They ended their solidarity procession at the Ekiti Government House, where they met with the governor and his deputy, Mrs. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka and promised that they are stoutly behind him. The governor, who denied

Youths rallying support for Fayose

receipt of any notice of impeachment then, described the APC legislators as enemies of the state, adding that anyone who wants to impeach him would have to impeach God first. For Fayose, who dubbed himself professor of politics, nothing good can come out of the Buhari government and by extension the APC. For this, he keeps tab and pick holes in almost every policy of the administration. However, a new chapter to his feud with the Federal Government opened recently, when the governor on June 20, in Ado-Ekiti, said his personal account in a commercial bank, has been frozen by the Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Fayose, who described the action of the anti-graft commission as criminal and illegal, said he decided to personally visit the bank after a counter-cheque he issued was rejected by the bank. “I got wind of the fact that the EFCC had placed restriction order on my personal account and that of my associates. I came here today and I have been able to see it. This action shows that this government has no respect for the constitution because I enjoy immunity under Section 308,” he said. Just as tongues started wagging on why a governor, who has immunity, would have his personal account frozen, the EFCC came out with its own side of the story, absolving itself of contravening Section 308 of the Constitution. According to its spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, the commission is only investigating the governor. He further explained that immunity does not shield governors or public officers from investigation. His words: “It is true that we have frozen Governor Fayose’s account in connection with an ongoing investigation. We froze the account because Fayose has no immunity against investigation.” It was later gathered that the antigraft body froze Fayose’s account over alleged money laundering to the tune of N1.2 billion believed to be part of the N4.7 billion slush fund from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under

CROSSFIRE When I took over, there were no vehicles. I discovered that the last IG went away with 24 vehicles, including two BMWs. As for the DIGs, some took seven and they left me with an old vehicle -Ibrahim Idris

I suspect there must be a disconnection somewhere because information needed by my successor is provided in my hand-over notes. I am also not aware that any letter was written to me -Solomon Arase

POLITICS PLATFORM

WEDNESDAY, JUly 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Fayose, FG's feud deepens

Anti-Fayose demonstrators calling for his prosecution

Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). While the governor has decided to seek redress in court and the legal fireworks ongoing, the battle for his political survival has moved to the streets of Ado-Ekiti as protests, procession and agitations have become the order of the day in the past weeks. The protests were kicked started four days after the allegations against the governor by a coalition of interest groups under the auspices of a non-governmental organization – Be the Change Organisation (BCO). Executive Director of the group, Mrs. Omotunde Fajuyi, said Ekiti people were embarrassed by the latest revelation of Fayose’s link with N4.7 billion arms cash, adding that all Nigerians must support all moves to recover the peoples’ commonwealth from looters. She said: “We support President Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade, we have come out to protest looting of our money, corruption in government and scandals digging this government in Ekiti. Workers are dying at home, we want Fayose to explain what he has done with allocations he had so far collected because he had received more than N50 billion as allocation since he came to power. “Fayose claims to be a Christian, he must come out clean and give account to the people of Ekiti State and he must submit himself and all his aides and associates to anti-corruption agencies for inves-

The party that was openly rejected by the people has persistently waged war against the person elected

tigation.” The demonstrators expressed outrage at the alleged diversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms to fight insurgency in the North-East to sponsor Fayose’s governorship campaign. Some of their placards read: “Support Anti-Corruption Crusade, Probe Executive Looting in Ekiti,” “We Don’t Want a Criminal as our Governor in Ekiti,” “Fayose Stole N750 million from Ado-Ifaki Road Account,” Grids Associates, Fayose’s Conduit Pipe,” “Fayose’s Wife is a Fake Prophetess, where is Ekiti’s N100 million.” “What Happened to Ekiti Airport Fund,” “Fayose Must Go,” “Access Bank is Aiding Fraud in Ekiti,” Fayose is a Disgrace to Ekiti People.” among others. Few days after BCO's march against Fayose, supporters of the governor, mostly youths, including students of tertiary institutions, organised a rally in the state capital in support of the governor. The protesters were led by the president of the Federation of Ekiti State Students Union (FESSU), Obayemihe Peters; presidents of the Students Union Governments of the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti (Ibrahim Oladimeji); Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti (Ayegbusi Paul); College of Education, Ikere Ekiti (Onilearo Gbenga) and College of Health Technology, IjeroEkiti (Oyebade Adeyemi). The protesters moved from Fajuyi area of Ado Ekiti through

Okesa, Ojumose, Oke Iyinmi, Old Garage, Ijigbo, Irona, Oke Ori-Omi, old Governor’s Office and later converged on Fajuyi. They carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Buhari is a dictator,” “Buhari, Obey court orders and respect Human Rights, we are in Democracy,” “Buhari/ APC can’t take Ekiti by force, it’s all about 2018,” “Under APC government, No money, No job, No single infrastructure,” “Corruption in EFCC today is worst ever in Nigeria,” “Probe the $60m Sahara Energy donation to APC campaign,” “Fayemi/APC ruined Ekiti economy,” “Diesel/Kerosene now N220/litre,” “Masses are suffering,” “Probe Fayemi’s N1.5bn, donation to Buhari’s campaign,” “Fayose: Voice of the Voiceless” and “Fayemi diverted SUBEB’s N850m, probe him,” amongst others. But differing from the stance of the student groups on Fayose, members of the APC and the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) as well as other interest groups, staged another demonstration in Ado-Ekiti in support of the anti-graft campaign of President Buhari. The protesters said they are demonstrating against alleged misplacement of the state’s funds by Fayose' administration, just as it described the freezing of his account as proper. The party urged the EFCC should dig deeper into the finances of the state and prosecute whoever was indicted in the mismanagement of the treasury. “We are out on the streets because we are tired of immunity clause, immunity has become impunity in Ekiti, we condemn corrupt practices in whatever form. Things must change, the EFCC must be allowed to do its job and ensure that looters of states are brought to justice,’’ the party said. Also speaking, CNPP State Chairman, Tunji Ogunlola, asked Fayose to waive his immunity and face prosecution over alleged involvement in a N4.7 billion arms deal. “On the issue of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, we ask the 17 members alleged to have falsified their certificates to also submit themselves for prosecution. It is very unfortunate that their primary roles have been abandoned CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

POLITRICKS Triple celebration for APGA chairman Anenih suddenly finds voice

ast weekend was a moment of joy for the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor IkeOye, as he celebrated his 60th birthday and 30th wedding anniversary with an Ozo title and Charity Day. The triple celebration of the APGA boss attracted many politicians and eminent Nigerians to Awka, the capital of Anambra State, to celebrate him and his family at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Awka. Without any iota of doubt,

the celebration showed clearly that Ike-Oye as a committed politician, philanthropist, father, husband and community leader, is worth celebrating, considering the array of people who honoured him. On hand was Governor Willie Obiano who led the creme-de-la-creme of APGA leadership including former National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh and other distinguished guests to honour a man who deserved to be honoured.

Former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih has resurfaced on the political scene as the clock ticks close to the September 10, Edo State governorship election. Anenih, popularly called Mr. Fix It by his admirers has been off the political radar since he relinquised his position as PDP BoT chairman after the party lost the 2015 presidential election. Even when many had thought that he would cham-

pion his party's cause in the forthcoming election, he opted to be on the sideline. But suddenly, Anenih is back to the game he knows best with his appearance during the flag off of PDP's campaign in his native Edo Central Senatorial District. His suprising come back has pitted him against Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who he had led his party to battle twice for the Edo Government House but failed. Will Anenih succeed in his third attempt? September 10 will tell.

POLITICAL NOTES

Kashamu’s volte face

enator Buruji Kashamu’s political clout is never in doubt especially in his home state, Ogun. Since he became senator representing Ogun East senatorial district, his influence has moved from the Gateway State to the national level, especially at the level of his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). At a point, he was declared SouthWest leader of the party by some stakeholders. At the commencement of the current crisis ravaging the party, Kashamu’s stance in the leadership tussle was never in doubt. As the spine of former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, the Ogun State born politician was the major factor in the power game that engulfed the party. In the thick of the crisis, he swore to high heavens that nobody will assume the chairmanship seat except his ally, Sheriff. His rage against the anti-Sheriff ’s opposition also made him to abdicate his friendship with his erstwhile ally and governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose. However, last week’s sudden turnaround of Kashamu to mend fence with the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led faction for reconciliation left many agape. The meeting held at Taraba State Governor’s Lodge had in attendance top echelons of the party including Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, six serving governors, senators and other notable leaders of the party. Clarifying his departure from Sheriff, Senator Kashamu denied dumping his ally. He then dropped a line for him in a statement issued this week, “I can only plead with our great leader, Senator Sheriff, who has been hurt, to soft-pedal and let go, in the interest of the party and our teeming members.” While it is commendable that the party is about getting its groove back, the questions on the lips of many are: What will become of the followers of Kashamu and their aspirations? Will he still be in control of the party structure in Ogun State? What will happen to his severed relationship with the likes of Governor Fayose, Chief Bode George and others? With the chairmanship of the party zoned to the South, who is he going to roll his structure behind? These and other pertinent questions are begging for answers.

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

WEDNESDAY, JUly 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP’s misrule responsible for Nigeria’s woes – Ardo Taraba State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Hassan Ardo, believes that Nigeria would have collapsed by now if not for President Muhammadu Buhari’s prudence in managing the country’s lean resources. He also speaks in this interview with Sabiu Mustapha on governance in Taraba, declaring that there is no governance in the state

What is your take on the state of the nation against the backdrop of complaints by Nigerians over high cost of living, which many have blamed on the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government? It is very unfortunate but you must realise that you cannot go to the farm and start harvesting when you have not planted. The ordinary masses wouldn’t know the direction of the country before APC took over. Nigeria would have disintegrated by now and happily enough, no right thinking Nigerian will fault APC or the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari because before now, people were afraid to go to the mosques, churches and places of worship and can you get us one report on the recent Sallah, where you have a bomb blast, or you have an attack in any of the places? None was received. And look at the turn out of the people during Sallah across the country. The most important thing is peace. Let us restore peace; when you restore peace, you then start looking for food. This is because, there will be a time that you will have the food but you will have no place to sit and eat the food. When there is no peace, you may have the food but you cannot eat it because, if you want to eat, they will kill you. Boko Haram really ravaged this country which affected almost all the states in the North. Now, everybody is sleeping in his or her house. I refer you back to one of our interviews, sometimes in May last year when President Buhari took over. I said that I am giving you people just one year for us go to our houses and sleep with our two eyes closed

without closing our doors. Now peace has returned but those who destroyed this country are trying to use other mediums to destroy President Buhari’s government. Are you absolving the APC of the problems? Some people are talking about high cost of living but the same people refused to believe the wise man’s saying that an idle mind is the home of the devil. In the past, people believed that you can steal government money and share it the way you like. You can see that those who shared government money are accounting for it now. Look at Sambo Dasuki, where is Olisa Metuh and the others? If this is the type of style they want APC to imbibe, sorry, it is not possible. Neither President Buhari nor the APC leaders will do that. We cannot steal money and start distributing when this country is going out to borrow to pay salaries before Buhari took over the government. The looting happened under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration of the last 16 years. APC just took over last year.

Ardo

The hardship we are experiencing now is not as a result of the coming of the APC

I overheard somebody saying that they are chastising the PDP; can you penalize somebody who was not in government or had no access to the public fund? So, whosoever that was in position and who had access to public funds; if you tampered with peoples’ property, you will definitely face the law. So, the hardship we are experiencing now is not as a result of the coming of the APC. How much was a barrel of crude oil before President Buhari took over government and how much is it today? During the PDP era, a barrel of crude oil was sold at about $140. What was our foreign reserve, what was our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and what was our output in the oil sector before now? From two million barrels per day, it has dropped to eight hundred thousand barrels per day today. How can you compare that with somebody who had been producing over two million barrels per day, selling it out to collect the money at the rate of $140 and today, it has dropped up to $28. In fact, any Nigerian who wants to destroy President Buhari’s government is not wish-

ing this country well. This is because, even at $28 per barrel of oil, the President has been able to give out bailout loans to the states though some of them lied on it, particularly Taraba State, which collected N9.4 billion. That money was solely released for the payment of outstanding salaries. They should have accounted for the consumed salary when they were getting billions of naira from the Federation Account but failed to pay salaries. The state government collected N9.4 billion yet it couldn’t’ settle the arrears of salaries. At the same period, it applied for N10 billion loan payable in 20 years from Zenith Bank to offset some of the debts. What have they done with the money? I heard that they are still applying for another N14.5 billion but I want to tell you that we will write Mr. President not to approve it. We will demonstrate because the reason is, after getting N10 billion from Zenith Bank and collecting N9.4 billion as bailout, deductions between N20,000 and N100,000 were made from the salaries of our civil servants. Some names were omitted during the pay-

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

WEDNESDAY, JUly 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

ment, while some people were deliberately denied their salaries because they are supporters of APC. What have they done with the money? What are they doing with the allocation from the Federation Account? We will not allow that to happen. We have been talking about the N9.4 billion, look at our pensioners, they are not getting their pensions, our local government retirees; their names have not even been captured. Those who retired from the state civil service are being owed an accumulation of over N10 billion. When is this money going to be paid and who is going to pay it? What project do we have on ground that the state government can show us that it has done? The roundabout in the Ministry of Works was constructed during the Danbaba Suntai's era, the road leading to the Jalingo Main Market was constructed during the regime of Sani Abubakar Danladi as acting governor. The Donga road was also constructed during the era of Governor Suntai. The machines they commissioned in Zing and Yorro were supplied by the missionaries and the machine that was commissioned at Gembu, Kakara, was supplied by the United Nations. What are the projects these government has done to consume all these monies and the allocation they are getting? We know how much is the wage bill of Taraba State, we know the total workforce of the state, what have they done with the money? It is very unfortunate and there are impeachable offences that have been committed by Governor Darius Ishaku but we have a docile state Assembly that can’t do anything. We are saying it to the world, it will get to the point that Tarabans will come out to demonstrate and send out these people that are defrauding the state; members of a cabal that constituted themselves to be an island. We will never allow that to happen. That is the position of APC. What is your reaction to a recent statement credited to the PDP chairman in the state, Victor Kona that APC is dead in Taraba? Ask the PDP members themselves, have they conducted congresses to even have executives? There were no congresses in Taraba State and that was the same way the present government came into power, through fraud. So, if they said, there is no opposition party, yes, there is no opposition party in Taraba State that can do what PDP is doing because we believe in sincerity and in doing the right thing but what PDP is doing is the PDP affair and they are doing it for themselves, not for the masses. What they did and what they are saying is their own actions. If he is saying that there is no opposition, go and ask him, why the governor is sending people time without number that he wants to see me but I said no. Why don’t you want to see him? I wouldn’t want to see him because he is not sincere and the cabal around him will not allow him to do the right things. I did

not refuse sitting with him, but I want him to call me and let us sit in an open place with you journalists around and let him ask me whatever questions that he wants to ask and let everybody comment. What if the governor wants to decamp to the APC? If he wants to declare for APC, it is a very simple thing. He should declare that he wants to join APC and he should go and register in his ward in Takum. Will the party accept him if he does? We will accept him provided he is going to change his attitude because in APC, we don’t allow people who cheat people. We don’t allow people who use power to lord it over the people because we believe that people should give their mandate to whoever they want. We won’t stop anybody from joining APC, provided you are willing to carry everybody along, irrespective of their religion or tribe. We want someone who is going to be a leader of all not people who are preaching religious differences, tribal differences and regional differences. We believe that this type of leader will not lead us in Taraba State because, in every family, every home, that you go to in Taraba State, you find out that they are divided into two or three. Some are Muslims, some are Christians, and some are pagans. So, we believe that any good leader must carry everybody along, not people like him. So, he is not leading Taraba State and he is not carrying everybody along and he is not intending to carry everybody along. We want people who will carry everybody along, people who will discriminate, people who are willing to develop the state, not people who will go and commission a project that was done by someone some 100 years ago. Should we continue to commission projects that were done by the military, Governor Jolly Nyame, Danbaba and others? Where is the progress that we are talking about? Peace is not commissioning projects done by others and you expect me to keep quiet or creating commotion between tribes. For instance, the press statement that he issued that some people from some parts of the country like Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Bauchi and Yobe should not come to Taraba is inflammatory. This is not the type of leadership that we want. If all those states say Tarabans should not come to their own place, where are they going to stay? The governor has stayed in Kaduna all his life but he is the same person who is saying that the people from other states should not come to Taraba. Is that the type of leadership we want? And you don’t want us to talk. The highest that they will do is to jail us. And we are prepared for that but we will talk. So far, what is your assessment of the present administration in the state? Well, we are law abiding citizens. If not because of the law of this country, I will tell

Ardo

There is no way PDP will come back in Taraba State if there is a free and fair election

you without mincing words that there is no government in Taraba State because what is expected of a government, first of all, is to provide security for the citizens irrespective of tribe or religion, but that is far from being heard in this government. Secondly; is to take care of the welfare of the people and to ensure that government delivers dividends of democracy to the people. This is the same government that commissioned other peoples’ projects. I have every reason to substantiate my argument that there is no government in Taraba State but since the Supreme Court has affirmed that he is the governor, whether you like it or not he is the governor but he is not governing Taraba State because, what he is doing is not governance. What we expect from every serious government is to welcome development. This government is solely dependent on allocation from the Federation Account. Today in Taraba State, we have over 4.9 million cattle, which is the highest in the country but when we were talking about grazing reserves, the same government was telling the Federal Government that it is not ready to give out land for grazing reserves. For the fact that he doesn’t like a Fulani man means that he hates all Tarabans. If you have 4.9 cattle in Taraba State, which is the highest in the country, it is something of a pride to the state because there is no state in this country that you can get the exact number of cattle as we have here in the state. So, can’t you develop the livestock sector when you know that it is a source of income? Take a look at state’s 2016 Budget and ask how much was allocated to veterinary and live-

stock development in Taraba State? Even a single kobo was not allocated for that. That was why I said the other time that if I see the governor eating meat, I will take him to court. This is a sector that we need to build on. People are moving into agriculture. Look at what is happening in the Niger Delta today, we are solely dependent on oil and when that oil is not forthcoming, you cannot even survive as a state. Taraba State is among those states listed to be bankrupt but I don’t believe that Taraba State is bankrupt as I believe that the state’s money has been stolen by few individuals and kept somewhere and they are still stealing. But very soon investigators will come and we will recover our money. So, the issue is that there is no government and governance in Taraba even if there is a governor in the state. Where will the APC be in 2019 both at the federal and state levels? As long as President Buhari is going to contest, he will remain on that seat because the masses are prepared to vote for him again because he has the interest of the masses at heart. We are challenging anyone to come out and tell us where President Buhari has once stolen public funds. So, in 2019, if President Buhari is contesting, it is a very simple matter. At the state level, there is no way PDP will come back in Taraba State if there is a free and fair election. You know how they bribed their way to get judgment after the last election but in 2019, it will be difficult. Those Tarabans they planted in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to work for them and make sure that they deliver PDP will not be there in 2019.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Tinubu, Dino: Defining the 8th Senate? TREASURES BOLA BOLAWOLE turnpot@gmail.com 0807-552-5533 (sms only)

“If you live in a glass house don’t throw stones; and if you can’t take blows throw no blows. Harm no man; let no man harm you. Do unto others as they would do to you” – Peter Tosh, Jamaican reggae musician.

he face-off between senators Oluremi Tinubu and Dino Melaye on the floor of the Senate has attracted widespread attention and rave reviews. The venue of the dog-fight apart, the social status and political stature of the combatants as well as the contending political tendencies they represent in the Senate contributed in no small measure to the interest the unfortunate incident has generated. While Tinubu belongs to the Unity Forum senators opposed to the emergence of Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President, Dino is a staunch member of the Like Mind senators rooting for Saraki. Commentators have taken sides, some on gender basis and others on partisan political considerations, thereby obfuscating the real issues. There are conflicting reports concerning who started the war of words: While some said it was Tinubu; others said it was Dino. Both combatants have also pointed accusing fingers at each other in this regard. If Tinubu was the first to insult Dino, calling him “childish”, “dog”, and “thug”; this, certainly, is un-Parliamentary language. In the event that Dino first made the threatening statements that provoked Mrs. Tinubu; that, also, is un-Parliamentary. Anyone who has followed Dino’s political trajectory (from the House of Representatives presided over by Mrs. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, going forward to his “promotion”

to the Senate) will not find it hard to believe he is capable of what Tinubu accused him of. As for Tinubu, prior to the issue of Saraki’s controversial emergence as Senate President, she had been well-behaved. This is her second term; therefore, she is a ranking senator while Dino, a first-timer, is a rookie. But since the leadership crisis in the Senate began, Mrs. Tinubu had been caught off-guard at least twice by me, in which she made snide remarks at the Senate President and or her colleagues. So, my hunch is that both senators have allowed the rift in the Senate get the better part of them. Whoever cast the first stone needs be told in plain language that he/her overshot the runway. That is the import of the quotation above by a Rastafarian. And whoever it was who retaliated against the offence of the other is a worse offender. Senate rules allow neither threatening words nor the use of un-Parliamentary language by members; it is safe to also believe that it leaves no room for retaliation or selfhelp. That being so, the excuse of both combatants that; “he/she assaulted me first”, holds no water. In soccer, the rules frown at retaliation; thus, a player who retaliates against a foul committed on him bags a sterner punishment than the original offender. If footballers understand this, we expect no less from the highest-paid legislators in the world! Neither should have engaged in self-help but should have left that task for the presiding officer in the same way an aggrieved footballer is expected to leave the job of punishing infractions for the referee. To avoid anarchy and honour constituted authority – that is the path of rectitude. By crossing swords, the combatants demonstrated their lack of confidence in, and respect for, constituted authority. And, gosh! Dino over-reacted if, truly, he said all the unprintable things credited to him. His response was not measured at all. He has, however, recanted. This unsavoury event rubbishes the Senate and lowers it in the estimation of right-thinking Nigerians. Did the incident not happen in an Executive Session, which is supposed to be

The Tinubu\ Dino war is, no doubt, also the battle of proxies

out-of-bounds, out-of-view, and out-of-hearing of non-members? How come it became common knowledge? I have yet to hear of appropriate steps taken by the Senate leadership to call its errant members to order. Instead, senators who should be sorry are falling over one another taking sides and desperately outdoing one another in their choice of derogatory words. This is quite unfortunate. Sharply divergent positions are hardening rather than thawing in the Senate. The die, as they say, is cast! The Tinubu\Dino war is, no doubt, also the battle of proxies. The fire-work has, understandably, gutted the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, husband to Oluremi and himself an erstwhile Senator. Which of two hats will the Asiwaju put on in this matter: that of a husband protecting his wife or a party leader’s dispassionately adjudicating in a quarrel between two party leaders? Dino is a staunch supporter of Saraki who is estranged from party leaders. Saraki has severally fingered Asiwaju Tinubu as the brain behind his ongoing travails – an allegation Tinubu has denied. I know Dino. When he failed to get a second term ticket in the House of Representatives on PDP’s platform, he dumped the party, joined the opposition ACN and became, characteristically, a fire-eating and unsparing critic of Dr. GoodluckJonathan. He also became an anti-corruption and Bring-Back-Our-Girls crusader. Pronto, he was rewarded with a big post and became a regular in the company of party leaders. Contesting for the Senate under APC was also one of the rewards for a job well done that Dino got from party leaders. Everyone who gets close to Dino should know him. He does not hide; probably, naturally, he cannot hide. There is nothing that he is today that he has not been since I knew him in 2006. Therefore, there is nothing people are noticing in Dino today that they should not have noticed a long time ago. And I can swear that they did! But because they were the ones holding the leash of the “attack dog” as they unleashed him on others, it was sport; but now that the “attack dog” has turned on them is when they see the need to appropriately tag him to hang him! Give me a break, please!

Should Buhari fail Ifeanyi Ekenasi

n general, Nigerians have contended with so much throes and travails in the hands of rulers, they no longer distinguish one from the other, the good from the bad and ugly, leaders from rulers. All they treat as the same—enemies of the people out to cheat and defraud, steal and rob not only the people’s oil wealth but also the dividends of the people’s milk from their cows, or the harvest of their yams and cassava, millet and groundnuts, palm oil and cocoa which they produce in non-commercial quantities meant to eke out a living. The approach of these rulers has always been the same. To create a gulf of social gap between them and the ruled with the intent to blackmail the people to submission with a significant ease and silence them with the instrumentality of heavy siren outfit with a band of swaggering, red eyed, broad-shouldered bandits in the garb of security agents rendering helping hands to intimate and subdue in order to exploit. When the ruled spoke of them they did so with a mighty awe. When they conceptualize the rulers the people per-

ceive a colossus and they themselves defenceless and unprotected Lilliputians viewing upwards from under the humongous foot of the aggrieved gods that ruled. In Nigeria, the ruler has been the master, the people servants. The civilian and military rulers all are alike, no distinctions. No exceptions. Nigerian rulers wield power that pales in comparison with the reign of Teodoro Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea. Idi Amin Dada of Uganda, Joseph Stalin of Russia, Benito Mussolini of Italy, these only could match the level of dictatorship that Nigerian citizens had to endure from their rulers for upwards of 49 years. It was a reign of terror only punctuated by a small degree of benevolence here and there and underlined by the lavish spending of the model of the French Louis Philippe (Louis the 16th ) and Marie Antoinette of the blessed memory. It was a tale of two dimensions –corruption and coercion. Many of the rulers robbed the people and looted their treasury in broad daylight leaving Nigeria without an economic system and operating a haphazard economy that violated not only the laws of demand and supply but other simple and basic economic principles. Inflation ate away the real

wage rendering money wage useless. Nigerians helplessly watched their standard of living slip below the United Nation’s standard of poverty line. In Nigeria almost all the bread winners are broke, They have been so rendered due to stealing, embezzlement and looting of public fund becoming fashionable among the rulers. Nigeria was turned into a perpetual theatre for sordid financial and monetary deals and maneuvering. The middle class fizzled out with the lower middle class. Only the top 2 per cent of the population survived, dominated and drove the economy to the direction of their own choice. Productivity nose-dived and the public sector of the economy pulled the private in its tragic descent. Financial justice evaporated along with human conscience. In the logic of the rulers two plus two is no longer pure. It’s measured in naira terms, anywhere between a hundred million and a hundred trillion. Nobody called a halt to this nonsense for no one could. The moral fiber to do so was lacking. If anybody dared to do so he did it in a surreptitious manner-- he was not serious. Consequently, not much has been shown for a vast array of natural resources with which Nigeria is en-

dowed. The nation has still been wallowing in exterior darkness since the cessation of hostilities in the gruesome 30 months of Nigerian civil war on January 12, 1970. The roads were put out of use by the devastations of the war but their reconstruction has remained a daunting challenge to successive Nigerian governments. The fate of education is still hanging in the balance as school buildings are collapsing or dilapidated. Strikes remain an accepted norm and students benefited from studies less than one half of the real academic year. Nigeria has become a tragedy waiting to happen. General Murtala Mohammed and President Muhammadu Buhari in his first coming both tried in vain to use their own power to instill discipline and rescue the people but Murtala was cut down within 200 days and Buhari’s administration was nipped in the bud. Nigerians developed phobia for government, hated it, despised it and loathed governmental structures and functions but had to resign to their fate having no viable alternative or knowing of any. They grumbled, whispered, murmured and cursed as their only recourse. • Dr. Ekenasi wrote in from Lagos.

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ers eight. And they left me with an old vehicle. Even the one I followed the president with, the last time I went for an engagement, the president asked me what I was doing with that kind of vehicle. The headlight has changed colour, which means it was parked for long under the rain.” The IGP also disclosed that he

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

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Managing Editor, Business & Strategy n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor, Publication & Operations n Emeka Obasi

Managing Editor, South n Emeka Madunagu Managing Editor, North & Abuja n Laurence Ani (Leave of Absence) Editor n Ayodele Ojo Editor, Sunday n Juliet Bumah Editor, Saturday n Waheed Bakare Deputy Editor, Group Head, Newsroom n Geoffrey Ekenna

on an issue well documented in my handover notes.” While we commend genuine efforts meant to kill corruption in the country before it kills the nation, we caution against trial on the pages of newspapers by top government functionaries who are supposed to bring their experience to bear. It is difficult to explain how

President Buhari. It therefore does appear that the new IGP is in a hurry to let Nigerians know that it is not the hood that makes a monk. While we appreciate Idris’ resolve to make reform the police, it absolutely necessary to do a thorough check before going about these changes. He talked about promotions and welfare. These are areas that touch the an IGP could had written to heart of every policeman. come out to Arase remindNow that Arase’s response pelt a former ing him of the counters some of the allegaboss with allestanding rules tions, there will be more issues gations within the force that coming out. There are insinuout first going allow a retiring ations that pay back time is through the police chief to playing out. Probably , some of internal chango home with the former IGP’s disciplinary nels of comfour of his ofmunication or actions did not go down well ficial vehicles. even formally with those involved and some According to of them may be playing key roles in the new police manageIdris , “ what does one need 24 hearing from the accused. ment team. vehicles for?” By taking the accusations to We advise IGP Idris to stay Arase who was in London at the press before hearing from away from controversies before the time of the conference reArase, if we must believe the sponded in the next 24 hours. former IGP, Idris may be showing his eventual confirmation as Arase said, “ I suspect there traits which president Buhari did substantive police boss. The bad blood following the retirement must be a disconnect somewhere not see before picking him as a because every information need- worthy Police boss. And this does of some Assistant Inspectors General[AIGs] is still spewing. ed by my successor are provided not speak well of the present The promotions that came up in my hand over notes . I am also administration. have also raised issues. not aware that any letter was If there was a place that the The police could do with less written to me because if there President scored high marks, it was any dropped in my house, should be the retention of Arase, distraction. Idris has a rich profile and we expect the best from someone would have alerted me. a man appointed by former It is unfortunate that this matter President Goodluck Jonathan. At him. Sanitising the force is a welcome idea. In the process of is being made a media issue bea time other Service Chiefs were reformation heads are bound to cause my successor has my telebooted out, Buhari allowed the phone number and could have police to function without disrup- roll. When the bad eggs are affected, it a plus for progress. At called me for any clarification tion. the same time let not the good or even sent me a text message Arase bowed out gallantly rather than addressing the media recently at 60 with garlands from be sacrificed.

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

Between Arase and Idris

he recent allegation by Acting Inspector General of Police [IGP] Ibrahim Idris that his predecessor, Solomon Arase, took away as many as 24 vehicles belonging to the force is as disturbing as it is strange especially coming a few weeks after the latter was given a befitting farewell by no less a person than President Muhammadu Buhari. Nigerians are not in the dark about stories of corruption but it is rare to see accusation of such magnitude coming from a high ranking Police Chief, an IGP in this case, confronting an immediate past boss through the media. It is an interesting development that rightly questions the much perceived esprit de corps within the services. Idris had chosen the Kam Selem House in Abuja announce to the world through the media thus: ‘A week before I was appointed, if you looked through my office window, you could see so many cars. But the cars all disappeared when I came in. What I did was to assign a directive to the Special Investigations Unit to investigate all vehicles’ purchases and donations to the police in the last three years as well as their positions. “ When I took over, there were no vehicles. I discovered that the last IG went away with 24 vehicles including two BMWs. The DIGs , some took seven, oth-

EDITORIAL

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed Sales/Circulation Manager n Oyebanji Abiodun Head, Arts & Creative n Ugochukwu Nnakwe Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

We caution against trial on the pages of newspapers by top government functionaries

POLITICS

WEDNESDAY, JUly 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

As Dogara leads Capital Market campaign Turaki Adamu Hassan

t. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, made history on Friday, 8th of July, 2016, when he became the first ever presiding officer of the National Assembly to visit the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and to sound the closing gong to signal the end of the trading on its floor. But while his visit was a new development, it is well known that since his emergence as the Speaker of the Green Chamber last year, Dogara has been very active in championing calls for the revival and deepening of Nigeria's Capital Market. The NSE is not in its best of times. The market is yet to recover from the global financial meltdown of 2008 which resulted in over N10 trillion being lost by hapless Nigerian investors. Sadly, efforts to investigate and bring all those responsible for the crash to book for their actions or inactions have been frustrated by powerful forces, leading many Nigerians, especially the middle class, to stay away from the NSE after losing their life savings and pensions to the fraudelent activities of insider abuses and other infractions by some operators. The situation is worsened by the fact that recent studies have shown that whether in rich or poor economies, there is growing concern over increasing income inequality where incomes of the wealthiest few are rising, whilst the incomes of the majority poor are not just stagnating but declining resulting in growing wealth and income inequality. Infact, it was Thomas Piketty, who opined that inequalities of wealth and income are influenced by a whole host of institutions especially political institutions because markets, when left to their own devices tend to produce a high degree of inequality. This explains why wealth tends to accumulate and concentrate at the very top of the income distribution and to tame the worst effects of market inequalities requires active political intervention as is being championed by speaker Dogara. It is no longer news that over 100 million Nigerians live below the poverty line according to the 2010 report of the National Bureau for Statistics and with the dwindling revenue acruing from oil resulting in non-payment of salaries by 27 out of 36 states, and almost 500 local government councils, it means more Nigerians are being plunged into poverty.

Dogara

This calls for desperate and urgent measures by political institutions to diversify the economy, create wealth, and reduce income inequality. There is therefore the urgent need to deepen the capital market and make it attractive to the ordinary Nigerian who can eke a living doing daily trading. Not new to the happenings in the stock market, having served in the committee of the House that investigated the events that led to the crash of the market, Dogara, has continously advocated for measures that will deepen the market and return investors' confidence. It is his conviction that democracy, the best system of government ever to be invented by mankind, can only function effectively and deliver on its promises of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness when wealth is created and deliberately allowed to trickle down to the ordinary people. He believes strongly that this can be achieved through the capital market. For him, a situation where a large chunk of the nation's resources or capital is heavily concentrated in the hands of few chief executive officers, CEOs, would further widen the inequality gap, eliminate the middle class and plung more people into abject poverty, thereby posing serious threat to the sustenance and survival of democracy. He has made it known in different fora that the skewed distribution of wealth is even more worrisome because the flow of resources from

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

for Fayose’s defence,” he said. However, in a response to the APC/ CNPP anti-Fayose protest, private sector workers under the umbrella of Conference of Ekiti Private Sector Unions (COEPSU), trooped out the next day in support of the governor. The group decried what it described as the persistent use of agencies of the Federal Government to harass and intimidate the governor. The union’s secretary, Lanre Agbede, said the coming together of the workers was aimed at defending the rights of the people and that of the state government. “The workers are miffed by what is being witnessed in the state, in which the party that was openly rejected by the people has persistently waged war against the

We need to create and sustain confidence in the market

Nigerian citizens to multinational companies operating in the country that makes them rich but unfortunately, these same companies, rather than invest in the NSE and grow the economy of Nigeria, would rather repatriate their profits 100 percent to their own countries without investing a dime back to the system. On many occassions, the speaker has made his position on this sad trend clear, sounding it out to all that care to listen that major extra-ordinary measures will have to be taken by the parliament and indeed all political institutions in the country to compel these large multinational companies with interests in oil and gas and telecommunications to get listed on the NSE. His argument is simple; foreign telecommumication companies who have been operating in the country since 2001 have not only been declaring huge profits, but are also listed in their countries' stock exchanges but they have continued to rebuff calls for them to list in the NSE, even though they make most of their profits here. Furthermore, Dogara has noted that ironically, it is only from the patronage they get from Nigerians that they make this huge profit, which explains why even though Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, its capital market ranks third-a very big anomaly. Speaking when he sounded the closing gong of the Nigerian bourse on the 8th July 2016, he said that the parliament would strengthen capital market laws to empower regulators to sanction erring operators. The Speaker told the market operators that his visit underpins the fact that the House pays serious attention to the Nigerian capital market and that for the capital market to take its rightful place, drastic measures must be adopted. He said that having rebuffed calls for them to list on the stock market, it was now time to get these companies to comply by adopting the carrot and stick approach. Dogara also charged the capital market regulators who he said needed to be on top of their responsibilities in order to boost investors’ confidence in the market. To make them more efficient, he continued, regulators will be empowered to sanction operators that arbitrarily abuse the market so as to regain investors’ confidence. He said it was important to regain investors' confidence and give them the needed assurance that anyone who perpetuates infractions in the market would be dealt with.

He further disclosed that insider dealings were the major cause of capital market crash, noting that people that abused the market in the past were not adequately sanctioned. The speaker said, “We need to deepen the market, we need to create and sustain confidence in the market for confidence to come back, we need to do more. When we start sanctioning, confidence will come back to the market.” The speaker received a standing ovation when he told operators on the floor of the NSE that the House would soon pass laws that would compel multinationals, oil and gas companies, telecommunication firms and privatised companies to list on NSE to deepen the market as part of efforts to engender economic prosperity. One thing that emerged from the speaker's visit is that unknown to many, most of the public enterprises that were privatised were actually mandated to list certain percentage of their shares on the NSE as part of the sales and purchase agreement. Regrettably, none of the companies listed, in contravention of the sales and purchase agreement they signed with the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE). Dogara, however, assured that the House, through its committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, will investigate these cases of abuse with a view to getting them to stock to the terms of agreement they had with BPE. During the visit, Aigboje AigImoukhuede, NSE's council president, described Dogara’s visit as historic, noting that the House under his leadership had shown concern about the economy and the capital market. While assuring the speaker that market operators will not relent and would do everything to ensure that the market becomes the best in the continent, Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede said it was very gratifying that Dogara is leading moves to create a conducive environment for the market. Undoutedbly, the speaker needs the support of all men and women of goodwill to bring his dream of deepening the capital market to fruition. Here, his colleagues, senators and Reps alike must, as a matter of necessity and urgency, consider and treat proposed legislations related to this purpose with the seriousness and urgency they deserve and for the President to assent to the bills when they are eventually passed into law. •Hassan is the Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs to the Speaker

Gale of protests as Fayose, FG feud deepens person elected by Ekiti State,” he said. Also making its point known on the issue, leaders of the PDP in the state, protested in Ido Ekiti against alleged subtle plot by the Federal Government to silence Fayose as the lone opposition voice in the country. At the rally also attended by members of the state cabinet, the party leaders declared that they were ready to defend the governor with the last drop of their blood, threatening to recall any lawmaker found working with the opposition APC to hatch any impeachment plot against the governor. Perhaps, the icing on the cake of all the pro-Fayose's protest was the sit-out

session held on the highway by the 26 members of the state House of Assembly. The lawmakers held their plenary session on the Okesa highway in Ado Ekiti to condemn the EFCC’s action. Some of the lawmakers brandished placards that read: “We are ready for arrest,” “Harassing Ekiti lawmakers/ government won’t give you 2018,” “No matter your media trial and blackmail, on Fayose we stand” and “Leave Fayose alone” among others. Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Kola Oluwawole, told reporters that the sit-out assignment was meant to pass a warning to the Federal Government that they were solidly behind Fayose and that no-

body could use them to impeach him. As the various interests continue to take to the streets to either support or oppose the happenings in the state, questions being asked by analysts are: Whose interests are these processions serving? Who is funding them and from what source are the resources coming from? What is the motive for these protests? Are there external hands orchestrating proceedings in the state? Why can't the various interests seek solace in the law court? Clearly, answers to these posers rest in the bosom of time but it is evident that the fight of two elephants in Ekiti will bounce back on the grass in the Fountain of Knowledge.

WEDNESday, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Life in the city Journalists’ new lease of life

The Mega City

Life in Mega City Berger bridge: A dream springs to life

...EXCLUSIVE LAGOS MAGAZINE

Proceeds from sports betting

About five to six years ago, when Internet activities started flourishing at its peak in Lagos State, a new business opportunity emerged and people who seized the opportunity started trooping into wooden stalls as beneficiaries of the newly found business to make the most out of it. EMMANUEL UTI reports on the new culture

OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI CITY Editor

tosin.omoniyi@newtelegraphonline.com

20 23

photo: www.thetrentonline.com

Betting for fortune or misfortune T

he business, which now serves as a likely source of revenue and jobs for some people, was first advertised as predict and win business based on one’s level of proficiency in a particular sports around 2012. As the business kept thriving in the state, it now serves as an opportunity for sport lovers to reward their passion for tangible substances. New Telegraph observed that in Lagos where sports betting is fast becoming a culture, many people, especially young men, would rush to enter offline shops of sports betting, where they would have to raise their heads up for minutes, picking out match codes for the next games. As observed, the business has turned some people to “Sports prophets.” These self proclaimed prophets have now become a source that many go to for final approval before playing. Before now, many Lagosians would blatantly condemn anything like predict and win. Many did not even patronize it because it was believed to be a bad act for people

The business has turned some people to “sports prophets"

to rely on luck. In fact, some say if one does such, one has gambled. Around 2007, an average Lagosian would give an official frown to those who play sports betting. But now, as the business keeps thriving in the society with evidences, the perception of sport betting has changed. It is now the business for the day especially the unemployed. Yemisi Olaitan, a student, who resides in Lagos, said that while she was growing up, when assiduous individuals of Lagos believed that hard work springs up success, one would not only discourage sport betting, but totally discard the idea. She then said that instead of embracing hard work, sport betting has officially become the habit of young men. Another student, who resides at Iyana-Ipaja, Solomon Ogunbanjo, said that before sport betting started thriving in Lagos, many people thought it wouldn’t work out. But since the introduction of many offline branches in Lagos, it has presented a golden opportunity

for young men to get monetary rewards by just predicting the outcome of games. Telling New Telegraph how sport betting has made life a boom to him, Chika Adibeli, a factory worker, said that since he joined the business in late 2015, he had won N15, 000 more than two times. He said that even though he barely plays the game like a habitual player because of his job, yet he still wins small amounts whenever he plays. He further said that although he didn’t come to Lagos with the intention of playing sport betting, after seeing how life is in Lagos, he decided to join his friends at the factory to start playing the game. He added that for one to win a huge amount of money as a player, one must know how to predict well. He said, “When I started playing the game around last year December in desperation for money, I didn’t really get money as I wanted to. But after I started becoming CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

20 LIFE/MEGA CITY

WEDNESday, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

For some Nigerian journalists, the groundbreaking ceremony of Pen Jewel City, a private estate being developed by the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in partnership with a real estate company, Primewaterview Holdings Limited, signals concrete hopes of having their own homes. SANDRA DICKSON-OYETAYO reports

ast Wednesday, the people of Aberen Community in Mowe area of Ogun State had cause to be joyous again. The National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in collaboration with their principal body, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, performed the ground-breaking ceremony of Pen Jewel City, a private, purpose-built estate for journalists. Powered by Primewaterview Holdings Limited, a home grown, major player in the luxury property development business in Nigeria, the N4billion housing scheme, comprising an initial 800-units 3-bedroom bungalows, and a further 200 units, complete with ample parking space and other amenities that make life and living comfortable and convenient, the estate is expected to be completed within six months. The second phase of the remaining Pen Jewel City hopes to kick off almost immediately after and expected to be completed within the spate of 36 months. In his welcome address, Deji Elumoye, chairman, NUJ, Lagos State chapter, expressed his appreciation to NAWOJ, initiators of the project, for allowing the union to be a part of the laudable project. He recalled that the pilot housing project for journalists in Arepo, a community in Ogun State, which commenced about a decade ago, has turned the community into a mini-city, thanks to the influx of journalists. “What we did with Arepo has enabled many journalists to have their own houses when the place was a virgin land, and a plot of land was sold at most for N250, 000. Today, a plot of land in Arepo is sold for N24 million.” Elumoye appreciated the host community for their accommodation of the proposed Pen Jewel City and assured them that it would bring about accelerated development. “The project would come along with shopping complex, schools, police post, playing ground and other facilities,” he said, while assuring them that the houses would be ready for delivery in the stipulated time. Elumoye noted however that it would be a first come, first serve bases for subscribers with the required deposits while the rest would be spread over five to ten years. Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi, chairman, Primewaterview Holdings, also commended the NUJ and NAWOJ for the brilliant initiative while promising the host community that the issue of no electricity supply would be a thing of the past

The prototype of the Pen Jewel City

Journalists’ new lease of life as they intend to power the estate and the host community with renewable energy. He further emphasised that the project would bring an unprecedented development to Aberen and adjoining communities. During her address, Iffy Omowole, National President of NAWOJ, expressed her displeasure with the fact that even though journalism is a profession that celebrates the ordinary and extra ordinary in the society, professionals are seldom recognised which has, over the years, culminated in the penurious state of many journalists. Thus, the Pen Jewel City project, she said, “was borne out of the need for journalists to own their own homes and stop being slaves to Lagos landlords.” She expressed profound gratitude to God for enabling her witness the occasion and to everyone who stood by her to ensure the dream came true. She narrated how the idea was conceived but with no money to execute it. She had to speak with the NUJ chairman who then connected her team to Primewaterview Holdings Limited who embraced the idea enthusiastically. Additionally, she vowed that the Aberen Community Primary School, which is in a dilapidated state, would be reconstructed as part of the association’s Corporate Social Responsibility. For the spokesperson of the community, Olatunji Ogunjimi, “The project is a dream come true which we have been praying for which was why when they approached us, we accepted them with open arms and have been giving them the support they require of us. I pray for the success of this project so that it can bring rapid development to our land and so that the youths can be useful to themselves and their family. Aberen is a happy community because of this development.” Chief Solomon Taiwo Babatunde Akinyemi, the Otun-Baale of Abereland, told our reporter, “The

The ground breaking ceremony performed by the NAWOJ National President, NUJ Chairman Lagos Chapter, Primewaterview Chairman, Aberen community spokesperson and other dignitaries

The city was founded for journalists to own their own homes

Workers on site at the Pen Jewel City

community has been expecting this kind of development for the past 10 years because we have seen what they did in other communities. So, we are hoping for same or even better can happen here. They have promised us so much that when they turn to reality, there would be unprecedented development in the entire Obafemi Owode Local Government Area. They have promised schools (both primary and secondary), road network, electricity, job opportunities and market sites. So, we are hoping on these promises and praying with them to be achieved.” When asked if he doesn’t feel

PHOTOS: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

threatened about the visitors contravening the laws and tradition of the land when they get in, he assured the prospective occupants that they are hospitable but they should try and obey the rules they would meet on the ground. On the town opening up to crimes and criminal activities, he said, “Only God protects but the town would do its best by collaborating with the NUJ to see that security of lives and property would be the number one priority of the community. Just like the state devotes a large chunk of its budget to security, we would apply same locally to ensure our people can sleep with both eyes closed.

LIFE/IN THE CITY 21

WEDNESday, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tackling impact of climate change in Lagos with trees

Environmental experts have stated that the world needs about 30 billion trees annually to preserve the environment, but to mitigate the negative impact of climate change in Lagos state, Governor Ambode has set a target of 10 million trees by 2020. Muritala Ayinla reports

he world is experiencing uncommon change in whether condition with extreme and sometime violent climatic condition. Why some parts of the world are lamenting over drought, others are furious about excessive rainfall accompanied by violent windfall which sometimes blow up their roofs and left their buildings collapsed and partially collapsed. Hence, the numbers of internally displaced persons keep increasing as a result of these natural disasters. All these, according to experts, are signs of global warming and climate change. In Nigeria, Lagos State and other states in the country have had their own fair share of the changing whether condition with disasters attributed to negative impact of global warming. Hence, the state is not immune from battling with cases of ocean surge to rainstorm, which frequently sack residents of coastal areas from their homes; and from frustration resulting from building collapse cases and constant flooding especially in flood plane areas. But to address this challenges, the Lagos State Government came up with the idea of tree planting nine years ago. The government set aside July 14 of every year as a Tree Planting Day where millions of trees have been planted to beautify and reduce the negative impact of global warming. The annual event take place simultaneously in 87 locations in the 57 Local Government/Local Council Development Areas and eight other ceremonial sites. Speaking at the 2016 Tree Planting Day held at the National Youth Service Corps Camp, Lagos, the state Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode said that the state government has set a target of 10million trees to be planted by 2020 as part of the strategies to mitigate the negative impact of climate change. Describing tree planting as one of the most reliable and cheapest means of combating the effect of Global Warming and Climate Change, Governor Ambode charged the residents to compliment the state government's role in tackling several environmental challenges which Lagos is prone to as coastal city-state. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, the governor said trees planting would help conserve energy, save water, prevent erosion, save our children from

ultra-violet rays. The Governor said: "Planting of trees is very important for our environment because trees provide oxygen, cool the atmosphere. Tree planting will help conserve energy, save water, prevent erosion, save our children from ultra-violet rays." In spite of the fast growing urban development areas across the State, Governor Ambode, however, charged residents to curtail the uncontrolled felling of trees and ensure all developers adhere to all the Town Planning and Greening regulations. "We must plant trees to replace those removed from vast acres of land so that we reduce the rate of ocean surge and erosion with its attendant problem of displacement of homes and communities. Lagos State has become a positive reference point in Nigeria about creating a Green environment. We remain committed to this cause and will vigorously pursue the state greening policy of total regeneration of degraded sites as part of our pact with Lagosians. We will do even more. Already the Security and Light Up Lagos initiatives of our administration are complementing our beautiful city at night and ensuring the parks and gardens that are safe for recreational purposes," the Governor added.

Trees planted to tackle climate change

Describing the theme of the 2016 Tree planting entitled: "Lend a Hand to Save Treesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;,as apt, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Idiat Adebule said that the State government is solidly behind the three planting exercise. According to her," Scientists have stated that the world needs about 30 billion trees annually and that if the last tree dies no human will survive. A world without trees is a world without life so we must resolve as a people, to ensure that we not only save our trees but plant more trees. As a country, if we resolve to plant 1 million trees per State every year, we shall be able to achieve 360 million trees by the next decade which will go a long way to protect our nation." Adebule, who poke at cherubim and seraphim primary school Ikoro-

Lagos has become a reference point in Nigeria about creating a green environment

du, venue of another tree planting ceremony, said that the state shall enforce tree planting along all new roads. Also speaking, the state's Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Samuel Adejare, said that human infrastructural activities are threatening the survival of tree, saying that Lagosians must also ensure that environmental degeration is minimised irrespective of human needs. "I agree that we need trees for foods,shelter, furniture and other basic necessities of life. We must however understand that as felling of trees icreases day by day, the ecological balance should be maintained. We should plant more and more trees in order to provide a minimum basic requirement for human existence," Adejare said.

L-R: Director, Accounts, Lagos State Parks and Gardens (LASPARK), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Popoola; wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; Special Adviser to the Governor on Arts & Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola; former Managing Director, LASPARK, Dr. Titi Anibaba and wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibiyemi Bello, during the 2016 Tree Planting Day at the Ikosi Senior Secondary School, Ikosi, Lagos...recently

22 LIFE/MEGA CITY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

more of a football fan, I started winning in large amount.” He concluded by saying even though he knew that some people’s perception about sport betting is bad, especially his brothers, he hides while playing it. According to him, he only plays it at night when no one would be aware. In like manner, Samuel Amechi, who has won a lot from sport betting, said that it is an opportunity everyone can hijack. He said that it is not really advisable to play it but he played it due to joblessness. He said that as a result of his joblessness, he stayed in the offline shop in his area before he started working. Narrating how he became acquainted with sport betting in spite of the society’s frowning at the game, he said that after he had finished his secondary school and there was no job for him, he started going to the offline shop in his area to play ‘play station’. Later on, he decided to play it since he saw that many people won from it. “That was how I became a good forecaster. The agent started leaving his shop for me to play for people whenever he was not around. So, I started putting more efforts to see that I became successful. Then I started putting small amounts. In no time, I became a winner everyone knew. I beat the odds. People in the area then stopped seeing me as a bad child. After all, sport betting is legalized”, he added. In a chat with a former sport betting agent who only identified his name as Nigga, he said that before he closed his shop, he used to make nothing less than N5,000 as proceeds from sales daily. He explained that he gets personal gain as an agent on every ticket he plays because for every ticket, he gets 25 per cent commission. “For example, when someone plays a game of N1, 000, I easily get N250 as my own gain. And because my shop is usually crowded with players from morning till night, I just make a lot of gains. But from Fridays till Sundays, I make more gains than how I do during the weekdays. The reason is that people would naturally want to increase the odds because it is during the weekends that they get to bet on the teams they know well, so as to get more money. While they play, I make my money.” However, even though many sport betting players have overtime created the impression that sport betting is game where one’s luck speaks for one; some people still hold the perception that sport betting is menace that has crept into the Nigerian society to destroy unwittingly, the bright future of the youth. According to information revealed by series of investigation conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), with over more than half of the country’s population online, about 60 million Nigerians between 18-40 years may be spending up to N1.8 billion on sport betting daily. Meanwhile Valentino Alfred, an Information Technology professional at Ijaiye advised that youths should shift their attention from sport betting. He said that they should embrace hard work which is a prerequisite for success. He add-

WEDNESday, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Betting for fortune or misfortune

A sports betting agent and youths playing the game at a centre

ed that if the youths did not shift their attention from sport betting, the future can be lost. Valentino, who said even though sport betting appears not to be wrong, also said that sports betting is a form of gambling. He then said that gamble is the illegal risking of money, but the youths are not seeing that because the government legalized sport betting. He added that “Some people have become mendacious due to constant gambling. They would not notice the imperceptible changes which is a direct effect of gambling on their lives. In the end, the hell bent gamblers will be a problem to the society.” But as the case is, the business of sport betting will keep thriving in Lagos because football is still the number one sport in the nation.

Jubilating after winning sports betting

Sports betting is a menace that has crept into the Nigerian society

Sports betting picture

LIFE/IN THE CITY 23

WEDNESday, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The pedestrian bridge at Berger Bus Stop under construction

Emmanuel Uti

ike a dream of the night, what many Lagosians would have assumed to be unachievable within a specified time is fast becoming a reality as the ongoing construction of the pedestrian bridge at Ojodu Berger is now almost completed. Early this year, the construction of the bridge, which was graciously approved by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in response to the yearnings of the masses to enable pedestrians navigate both sides of the ever busy road started. But now, it is almost completed. The bridge, which is still under construction by the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), was scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, but with the speed attached to the construction of the bridge, it appears that it would be completed even before the time. When New Telegraph visited the area, it was observed that every feature a pedestrian bridge needs to become a reality has been put to place except for the roof which any pedestrian bridge is expected to have. It was learnt that before the approval of the construction of the bridge, commercial activities were high in the area. Stalls were affected and activities were disrupted due to the bridge, but state government had already pleaded with the people. In fact, the expressway was blocked for about 1,300 hours before now. Seemingly, since the declaration of the bridge being built by the state government, things have changed in the area. No more heavy traffic by the roundabout junction. The crowded bus park has be-

Berger bridge: A dream springs to life come empty, giving a clearer view of the bridge and easier movement for passersby. Before now, the number of accident cases that occurred on the Ojodu Berger road was so many that it couldn’t be numbered. No pedestrian was safe to cross the ever busy road. People risked their lives daily, crossing the roads because they didn’t have a choice. Almost every time, either a fatal or ghastly accident takes place as a result of lack of a pedestrian bridge. In a chat with one Chibest, a regular commuter, who tours the road daily, he said accidents occurred on the roads almost every time. Chibest said that virtually every time he passes the road, he hears about accidents or get to witness the scene himself. He said also that from his observations, at least every month, there must be an accident scene on the road. In his words: “Before the commissioning of the bridge, the area was as if a spell had been on it. Though commercial activities flourished, yet the level of accidents was another thing as many people lost their lives while trying to cross the road from one side to the other.” Chibest further said that he was happy with the construction of the bridge. He told New Telegraph that although the bridge has not been completed, he is sure that the excessive traffic slow down on the road will be reduced by reason of the creation of the bridge. He added that the excessive traffic slow down on

the road was so much that it contributed to the series of accidents that have happened on the road. He said, “With the creation of the pedestrian bridge, lives would be preserved except for those who would choose to violate the law after its completion by still crossing the roads. Again, when the bridge would finally be completed, the regular routines of traffic slow down and accidents would reduce.” Explaining how helpful the bridge would be after its completion, a trader by the roadside, Toyin Ogunbanjo, said that the frequency at which accident takes place on Berger road will reduce and that traffic snarl will not be as it used to again. She added that after several complains by the people, it became necessary for the government to build a pedestrian bridge in the area, and that whenever accidents occurred on the road, the victims were mostly teenagers and students. She said that many students have lost their lives to the former condition of the area. According to her, as the Lagos State government ordered the construction of the bridge, lives would be saved and accidents reduced to the barest minimum. In like manner, Muibat Durowoju, a recharge card seller in the area, expressed her gratitude to the state government for saving the lives of people in the area by the construction of the pedestrian bridge. She said that since the start of the construction of the bridge, which has made the area open, traffic slow down which

Fatal accidents take place due to lack of a pedestrian bridge in Berger

stirred up stealing activities have reduced. She said: “Unlike before when traffic slow down was too much, the lives of pedestrians were not safe. Numbers of accidents were uncountable in the area because it happened more than how it should. What baffled me most was how people lost their valuables to thieves. One would be making a phone call, and another person will just snatch the phone.” According to her, as the government ordered the construction of the bridge, the future of pedestrians in the area will be secured. She said that the government has not only tried in safeguarding the environment but also the lives and property of the people in the area. Describing the efficacy of the bridge, Christiana Oke, a student in the area, affirmed that after the completion of the bridge, no one would have any reason to complain of theft as it would reduce. She, like others, asserted that traffic slow down would be reduced too in the area after the completion of the bridge. She said, “Accidents or delay in crossing to the other side of the road will be a history as soon as the bridge is completed except for those that will not adhere to change.” Although no one is fully certain about the time the bridge would be completed, but signs from sighting the bridge has indicated that it would soon be completed. The ongoing pedestrian bridge at Ojodu Berger is now almost a reality.

24 LIFE/MEGA CITY

WEDNESday, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

s the Lagos State government is keeping a clear focus on the state’s development, through harnessing intellectual resources and opportunities for utmost productivity, it is channelling its efforts towards addressing the challenges of unemployment in the state through implementation of sustainable programmes. This is evidenced in the establishment of the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment as a proof of the government’s commitment to maximizing the potentials and innovative capacity of the youths and the unemployed in the state for the growth of the nation’s economy. According to the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode’s speech at the first stakeholders summit tagged ‘Strenghtening Partnership for Employment Opportunities and Wealth Creation in a Competitive Environment’ organised by the state’s Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, held recently, the intention of the state government is to put in place an empowerment initiative that will ultimately benefit the entire populace. The governor, who was represented by the state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, said that his administration has fulfilled its financial commitment to the Lagos State Empowerment Trust Fund for year 2016 with an initial release of N6.25billion. As he stated during the inauguration of the Board of the Fund, largely comprising successful and experienced men and women from corporate world, the initiative was designed specifically to be driven by private sector, which is better positioned to drive employment and wealth creation. The governor added that the only qualification needed to access the fund by beneficiaries is to be a resident in the state with marketable business idea. For avoidance of doubt, he reiterated that the entire process for accessing the fund has been designed to be credible, transparent, accountable and nondiscriminatory on account of gender, religion, physical ability or disability, political affiliation and socio-economic background. Ambode said, “The economic challenges facing our country as a result of dwindling revenue from crude oil presents a unique opportunity to chart a new direction for sustainable economic growth. Part of what we need to do is to support the establishment and growth of small businesses to create job oppor-

A cross section of some of the unemployed Lagosians

Hope for jobless Lagosians tunities and generate wealth for our collective posterity.” The governor further added that while the government has the responsibility to drive the wealth creation process through business friendly policies, and incentives, relevant stakeholders must be carried along, and that is the true essence of inclusive government to which the administration is irrevocably committed. He therefore enjoined all stakeholders to bring up ideas and suggestions that will add value to the strategies guiding the design and implementation of sustainable programmes for harnessing the opportunities for job wealth creation. In addition to the governor’s speech, the Honourable Commissioner for Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, said that since inception, the Ministry has developed a strategic roadmap towards the attainment of its core mandate. He said that they have also commenced meeting with stakeholders and residents of each division of the state to identify the wealth creation opportunities available in the state and the possibility of harnessing them for the benefit of citizenry. The commissioner added that, in line with the mandate of the Ministry, three job registrations /labour exchange centres had been established in Badagry, Lagos and Ikorodu divisions in the state and the centres are fully operational. “In the next two months , we

The centres would serve as employers databank

expect the Ikeja and Epe Divisional Centres to come on stream and the employment centres will afford all the unemployed in the state the platform to register in collaboration with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA),” he said. Durosinmi-Etti also said that the centres would also serve as databank where employers of labour could access and reach out to the unemployed youths in the state. The information will also assist in planning appropriate intervention programmes, including training. He thereby enjoined unemployed youths in the state to register online using the websitehtpp//wealthcreation.lagosstate.gov.ng/employmentregisterationlagos. The commissioner also said that the Ministry, in its bid to seek ways to redefine solution to the challenge of unemployment, has convened the stakeholders’ summit to deliberate on and design ways to create the enabling environment for sustainable employment and wealth creation and also to provide a mechanism to facilitate deeper understanding of employment issues and to generate a plan of action through strategic conversations with high-level leadership from both private and public sectors. He added that the employment centres were established with guidance and counselling for youths and the most important thing is to have a repository of information domiciled at the centres which the guidiance and counselling office can use to guide the

youths to make them employable. “We are going to reinforce the employment centres with interactive sessions on a monthly basis, mindset orientations and also discussing with them opportunities that are available, and that is why we are working with the private sector and other stakeholders, and we are looking at a lot of potentials which will involve internships, vacation jobs and in one way or the other, this is to strengthening their capacities and change their mindsets.” He said. In recognition of the job creation scheme and sharing his experience as an unemployed graduate, one of the prospective beneficiaries, Mr. Adekunle Abiodun, who is a graduate of forestry from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, in a chat with New Telegraph, said that he has been in search of job opportunities for a year and he has submitted applications to series of companies across the state. He said that he hoped to benefit from the scheme, so as to actualise his dreams of becoming a forester and conserving the environment for human benefits as he would register and await the favourable disposition of the government’s new innovation. However, he added that while he awaits the benefits of the scheme, he would continue exhibiting his skills in photographic and graphics to sustain his life. Another unemployed graduate identified as Mr. Johnson Oalei, who studied Urban and Regional Planning at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, said that the problem of unemployment in the country is going beyond control, recalling his experiences as he has been to different town planning offices and various organisations where his qualification is relevant in a bid to achieve his childhood dream of establishing proper housing standard for his country. Unfortunately, the responses he gets is the question that “do you have a connection with anyone in the organisation” as he needs to have one before he can be employed and that is the problem he has been facing since that past two years when he graduated. However, he expressed his delight in the wealth creation and employment plan of the Lagos State government and said he has the belief that the plan would work out for good as he hopefully wants to become a beneficiary though he is about to embark on the registration process.

QUOTE

OF THE WEEK

“The three tiers of medical care will continue to receive our attention in order to have a healthy population that will be in position to create wealth for our state. Let me assure you that our administration will continue to be motivated to make life more livable and comfortable for the residents”, the Secretary of the Lagos State Government, Mr. Olatunji Bello during the inauguration of the new Critical Care Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

IN NUMBERS JU LY

Oluwatosin Adepoju

Government to revive 10, 000 health centers nationwide

WEDNESDAY, july 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FCT

Business What's new Deregulation: Four oil stocks gain N96bn

2016 budget endangered by shrinking revenue

Money Forex reforms:One month on… liquidity worries linger

27 28

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE May 2016...........................15.6% April 2016.............................13.7% March 2016........................12.8%

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

EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at July 15)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N365 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N471 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N398

l Foreign Reserves – $45.62 as at 14/7/2016

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at July 15)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N290 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N380 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N317

Source: CBN

p.26

How remittances can boost Africa’s economic devt’

L-R: Manager, Sahara Foundation, Babatomiwa Adesida; Executive Director and cofounder, Sahara Group, Tonye Cole; Director, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Fund (UNSDG-F) Paloma Duran; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Josef Roca (of the Roca Brothers) during a meeting with Osinbajo in Abuja.

p.26

REGRESSION However, there were general declines in monthly cheque transactions value this year

Cashless: Cheque usage drops by 10%

●As e-channels adoption rises The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Kunle Azeez

igerians are moving away from traditional cheque transaction to a more convenient electronic means of carrying out financial exchanges as the value of half-year cheque transactions this year dropped by over 10 per cent, New Telegraph’s checks have revealed. The decline compares with the value of transactions during the same period last year, where more cheque transactions took place, going by the latest official data obtained from the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS). According to the report, which provides information on the status of the e-payment ecosystem in the country, from a total of N3.194 trillion cheque issuance value in the first half of last year, the figure crashed to N2.894 trillion during the same period this year. The N300 billion transaction difference thus represents about 10.36 per cent decline in cheque transactions this year.

Details of the data showed that in January, February and March last year, cheque issuance values stood at N541.062 billion; N548.116 billion and N565.138 billion respectively. In April, the transaction value was N510.442 billion; N487.937 billion in May and in June 2015, the figure stood at N542.08 billion. However, there were general declines in monthly cheque transactions value this year, as N464.553 billion was executed in January, N501.166 billion in February and N487.572 billion in March, ending the first quarter. In the second quarter of the year, spanning April, May and June, cheque transactions were valued at N472.465 billion; N480.409 billion and N488.627 billion respectively. In terms of volume of transactions, the NIBSS’s report indicates that while the total number deals stood at 6,407,507 in 2015, only 5,731,805 units of transactions were recorded this year. This means there was a decline in the volume of transaction by 675,702 this year when compared with what

N18.02 billion Being the total amount involved in fraud cases in the banking industry in 2015

was transacted last year. Chief Executive Officer, NIBSS, Mr. Ade Shonubi, said: “As more and more Nigerians and organisations begin to key into such truly cashless payment platforms such as the National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) and NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP), Point of Sales (PoS), Automated Teller Machines Funds Transfers as well as mobile money, the emphasis on cheque transactions will continue to decline.” He said the decline in the use of cheque is also an indication that “increasingly, more individual Nigerians and organisations are embracing the cashless platforms, which are more convenient, faster and safer. Shonubi, who noted that as efforts around war against electronic fraud continues to record more successes, more people would have increased confidence in electronic transactions rather than cashbased transactions, however, said no country in the world had a zero CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

WEDNESDAY, july 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |news

Cheque usage drops by 10% CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

cash economy. “What we are advocating at NIBSS is that cashless transactions would remove the cost of cash handling and consequently lead to increased financial inclusion in the system,” he said. In a random interview conducted with banking customers at different locations in Lagos State, majority of the banking public told this newspaper that they were more attuned to electronic transactions. Those who said they were yet to fully embrace cash transaction maintained that they would go the way of epayment once they have the guarantee that their money is in safe hands. “Since the introduction of cashless policy and subsequent opening up of different transactions channels, I have stopped going to the banking hall to unnecessarily waste my time. For instance, I have a token that I use to do transfers within the four corners of my office and home. I can’t just fathom going to join a long queue in the banks again because I want to pay or withdraw,” said Mr. Bolu Abayomi, who said he had dropped his savings withdrawal slip and cheque. In the same vein, Bisi Adewunmi, 34, said he started a housing project two years ago. “Since I started building the house around Ikorodu area, I have never paid my workers cash. The good thing is that all the artisans that have been working with me on the housing project are banked, ranging from the bricklayer, block maker, the welder to the carpenter, so, I pay them cashless: I just do transfer. That, to me, brings a lot of convenience to me and saves me time,” Adewunmi said. “Electronic payment is the way to go whether in the private or public sector. We need to leverage technology to ensure efficiency in our financial transactions,” said Executive Director, Systemspecs, Mr. Deremi Atanda, said. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN), Mrs. Regha Onajite, stressed that with more collaborations among stakeholders to tackle e-fraud, more Nigerians would be adopting e-payment channels. “Despite the great advantage that e-payment brings to us as a people, the issue of electronic fraud appears to be a threat to adoption. This is where all hands must be on deck to work collaboratively towards dealing with e-frauds to ignite greater adoption,” Onajite said, stressing that in order to significantly reduce fraud, it is essential to formulate a solid and comprehensive e-payment security mechanism.

Deregulation: Four oil stocks gain N96bn RENEWED CONFIDENCE Subsidy removal will provide stronger incentive for private investment in refining and distribution Chris Ugwu

hareholders of four top oil and gas companies quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) recorded a gain of about N95.787 billion in six and half months (between January and July 15, 2016) following the recent deregulation of downstream sector by the Federal Government. The stocks are Seplat Petroleum Development Company, Oando Plc, Total Oil Nigeria Plc and Mobile Oil Plc. Investors of these firms, which are quoted on the Ex-

change, had reacted positively to the Federal Government’s removal of subsidy and increase in petrol price from N86.50 to N145 per litre. Specifically, checks by New Telegraph showed that Seplat, which is quoted on both Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges and currently occupied the leading position in term of share price with N330.00 per share, led the top four league with a gain of N71.557 billion or 62.56 per cent to close at N185.936 on July 15, as against the opening balance of N114.379 billion at the beginning of trading last January. Total Oil Nigeria Plc, which occupied the second position with N182.00 per share trailed with a gain of N11.794 billion to close from N49.913 billion to N61.792 billion in July, accounting for 23 per cent growth. Oando Plc with a share price of N6.88 per share and also quoted on both NSE and LSE appreciated by N11.794 billion

or 16.61 per cent, from N71.004 billion to N82.798 billion during the period under review, while Mobil Oil Nigeria, with a closing share price of N161.00 per share, trailed behind with a gain of N557 million, an increase of 0.96 per cent to close at N58.254 billion, last Friday from N57.695 billion. Foreign and local investors have renewed interest on the oil and gas stocks, which was unprecedented in recent times. Before the recent action by government, the sub-sector had witnessed persistent sell pressure, as the price of crude dropped following upset in financial sector and on concern that measures the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) put in place to stem capital outflows would hinder their ability to sell holdings in the country. The Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Limited, Mr Ambrose Omordion, attributed the growth in the local bourse to positive sentiments posted by oil and gas

sector stocks due to hike in petrol price. He explained that many of the companies in the sector were into distribution and marketing of petroleum products with investors’ expectations that they would make higher margin. He said: “It is positive news for both oil and banking sectors because fuel importers will be able to cover more margins and repay their outstanding debt to banks.” Analysts at ARM Securities Limited, reacting to the development, said that the move would provide stronger incentive for private investment in refining and distribution infrastructure. “Under this competitive environment, players with scale advantages, good logistics network and crucially greater access to capital and FX like Total Nigeria and Mobil Oil Nigeria are our favoured picks among listed petroleum marketers,” the analysts noted.

L-R: President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Nike Akande; Vice President, Mr. Varkey Verghese and Head, Branding and Communication, Sterling Bank Plc, Chimaobi Nwaokoma, at the Sterling Bank-sponsored inauguration of the Medical, Pharmaceutical and Allied Services Group in Lagos.

‘How remittances can boost Africa’s economic devt’ COUNSEL Funds are over four per cent of continent’s combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Tony Chukwunyem

frica is not taking full advantage of remittances as a source of funding despite the large number of graduates who leave the continent annually to earn a living overseas, Executive Secretary at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Dr. Carlos Lopez, has said. Speaking at the 27th African Union Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, Lopez said the continent’s skills gap has been exac-

erbated by brain drain and a recent United Nations report revealed that one in every six university graduates left their country of origin. Lopez did not think the brain drain could be stopped, unless economies were transformed. On the other hand, Africa could take advantage of educated migrants going outside the continent. He said: “(Migrants) have been contributing a lot in terms of remittances, so much so that right now remittances are surpassing, by far, official development assistance and even foreign direct investment,” the doctor said, adding that the amount was over 4 per cent of the continent’s combined GDP. “We have to create the conditions for them to stay and for that it is necessary to look into the broader picture, which is

transformation because a lot of these graduates are not finding opportunities appealing enough in their countries of origin, so they migrate. “There are countries that are very cautious of the effect the remittances have in their macro-economics and they have very proactive policies to try to mobilise productive activities. But many do not and so you have a use of remittances that is very diverse depending on the countries and I must say that most of the African countries are not really taking advantage of this source of funding.” Approximately 250 million people live outside of their countries of origin with about 8.5 per cent of them being from the African continent. The numbers from Africa are not that significant in relation to countries like China.

“Normally migration has nothing to do with growth,” said Lopez, adding that Africans have accelerated the pace of migration into countries with a deficit, which was amplified by an aging population. “It’s a normal trend everywhere in the world and also, historically, when you have a specific country with a certain standard of living and quality of life, it attracts people who see opportunities here while they may not find jobs in their own countries.” He said the reasons why majority of African migrants moved to other African countries were beyond ambition, and often driven by conflict and terrorism. “So we really have to master the conflict in such a way that the reason that people migrate is just about ambition and nothing else,” he concluded.

WEDNESDAY, juLY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

fct business watch

After years of dependence on crude oil harvest by the Federal Government to fund its operations, the 2016 budget may be the most endangered fiscal budget in the history of Nigeria’s budgeting. Abdulwahab Isa writes

recent comment by the Country Representative of International Monetary Fund (IMF), Gene Leon, clearly underpinned the frailty of the Nigerian economy. Juxtaposing Leon’s view with the lamentation by various government officials, one gets a clearer nose-diving direction Nigeria economy is headed in 2016. Taking into account several problems confronting an economy fast receding to a recession, Leon had, a couple of weeks ago, concluded: “Nigeria’s economy will probably contract this year, as energy shortages and the delayed budget weigh on output.” With 2016 already half spent and the economy yet to respond to fiscal stimulus, the IMF resident representative handed its verdict with a resounding declaration: “I think there is a high likelihood that the year 2016 as a whole will be a contractionary year.” However, Leon added that while the economy should look better in second half of the year, growth will probably not “be sufficiently fast, sufficiently rapid to be able to negate the outcome of ” the first and second quarters. The economy in first quarter (January- March) shrunk by 0.4 per cent - the first contraction in over a decade, as oil output and prices slumped and the approval of spending plans for 2016 were delayed. In the view of the IMF boss, the currency peg and foreign exchange trading restrictions, which were removed last month after more than a year, led to shortage of goods from gasoline to milk and had contributed to the contraction in the first quarter. “While conditions that impeded growth in the first half of the year, including shortages of power, fuel, and foreign exchange, as well as the higher price of dollars on the parallel market, may have been reduced, they still weigh on the economy, Leon said. Avoidable mistakes The current frailty that beset the economy didn’t start in 2016. Nigeria’s economy began manifesting trouble signs in 2013 and heightened in 2014 as a result of sudden crash in crude oil price .

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun

Minister of Budget Planning, Sen. Udo Udoma

2016 budget endangered by shrinking revenue For a country that lacks culture of saving in season of harvest -a period her best commodity was selling at a high attractive priceit’s only logical and reasonable that it will face a testy moment in time of economic drought. However, crossing over to 2015 with the general elections successfully concluded and a new government fully in control at the centre, Nigerians were inspired to a new hope of economic re- birth. The apparent long delay by the new government to constitute its cabinet slowed down government’s pace to dispense off some fiscal policies that were very urgent. Everybody applauded the 2016 N6.02 trillion budget. It was one budget that contained lots of provisions including but not limited to engaging 500,000 teachers, provision of conditional cash transfers to vulnerable class and lots of laudable provisions. While Nigerians were anxious for budget passage and its implementation to lift up the economy already in comatose, there was buck passing over budget padding between the executive and legislative arms. A good time was lost to the controversy. 2016 budget endanger For years gone, Nigeria has had all its major operations funded from crude oil sales with minimal disruptions. The twin challenges arising from the slump in crude oil price at the global market and persistent wage of hostilities by the Niger Delta militants, have truncated government’s economy forecast for 2016. The nosedive in crude oil price and disruptions in crude supply occasioned by destruction of oil facilities by the militants made the N6.02 trillion 2016 budget unrealistic. Confirming government’s apparent handicap in relation to the 2016 budget implementation last week, the Secretary to the

The nosedive in crude oil price and disruptions in crude supply occasioned by destruction of oil facilities by the militants made the N6.02 trillion 2016 budget unrealistic

Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal, said the government earnings had declined by 40 per cent as a result of the drastic fall in oil prices, as well as the persistent attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta. Against this backdrop, he said the N6.06 trillion budget for this year will only be partially implemented. Lawal blamed the decline on the activities of the militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, which has claimed responsibility for the wave of attacks on oil installations in the oil-rich region. The SGF was summoned by the Senate to appear before the committee over a comment credited to him that the Federal Government would not implement constituency projects as provided in the 2016 budget. Lawal explained that the oil benchmark of $38 per barrel set by the Federal Government in the 2016 budget had not been effective in view of the protracted attacks by militants on oil installations. He also disclosed that the nation sometimes produces as low as 800,000 barrels per day. “Government based its funding on zero budgeting this year. Funds will be released to finance key projects in line with the implementation plans of government. I will explain why it will be hard for government to implement the budget. I spoke with the minister of budget this morning and I asked him for the revenue base of government. We are now receiving about 50 per cent to 60 per cent of earnings as against what we projected. Some ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) might find it impossible to implement projects appropriated in their budgets. We have to re-prioritise,” the SGF said.

Diversification as way out Hooking the Nigerian economy on single revenue source precipitated the economic logjam currently being experienced. Aside the crude oil deposit, the nation is vastly endowed with agriculture, solid minerals and other resources. These sectors have been out rightly neglected over the years because of the cheap and easy crude oil funds. The Federal Government, last week, said it had identified additional 1000 dormant revenue lines to be harnessed as additional sources of revenue. Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, made the disclosure in Kano at the opening of the two-day national revenue retreat. The minister also expressed the determination of the Federal Government to work with the private sector, where required, in order to maximise the nation’s revenue potentials. She said: “The administration has started the process of maximising our revenues with a number of initiatives. The most important change introduced is a re-orientation in the thinking about public money. Discipline and accountability in the spending of public money is a trademark of the President Buhari led administration. Making every naira count is a commitment and a policy focus and not a slogan. Citizens will not willingly pay revenues if the funds are seen to be leaking or being wasted”. “All spending must start with revenue and therefore we have commenced the work of plugging the leakages of government revenues. Such leakages can arise from a number of factors including inefficient collection systems, evasion of payments due, collusion and other malpractices, as well as obsolete tariffs. Adeosun also stated: “The first step required is the preparation of a detailed revenue map, which identifies the specific lines of revenue and understands how such revenues are generated. Disaggregating revenue into line items is an important first step. The triggers in our various processes that result in a revenue transaction must be clearly understood and well documented. To maximise revenue collection, the task of plugging these leakages must be undertaken. It is also important to understand the costs of collection. That is the essential equipment, technology and resources that are required to support revenue. The administration is committed to ensuring budgetary provision for these costs,” she added. Conclusion The rhetoric about economic diversification has ruled the airwaves too long with no tangible action. The present administration should demonstrate sincere commitment to diversify nation’s earnings to broad based sources.

WEDNESDAY, july 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |MONEY

Forex reforms:One month on, liquidity worries linger

It is exactly a month today since the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) began the execution of its flexible exchange rate policy. TONY CHUKWUNYEM reports that despite widespread optimism that greeted the policy, concerns over currency market liquidity persist

ast Friday, the naira declined by about four per cent against the dollar on the interbank market, closing at N290 to the greenback. It was the local currency’s steepest fall against the dollar since trading in the interbank market under the new flexible exchange rate rules, which began on June 20, 2016. Forex dealers said that, like it had done on virtually every trading day since the new policy took off, the apex bank, again, had to intervene last Friday, by selling dollars as part of efforts to boost liquidity on the interbank market. Attributing the naira’s weakness to lack of liquidity, dealers have also pointed out that since trading under the new rules began on the interbank market, a shortage of dollars had curbed activity, leaving the banking watchdog as the main supplier of hard currency. Furthermore, the dealers blamed the naira’s decline against the dollar on the parallel market in recent days on the shortage of dollars in the system. For instance, as at last Friday, the naira fell to N365 against the dollar on the parallel market from the N348 to the U S currency that it exchanged at less than a fortnight ago. As the National President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Aminu Gwadabe, explained in a chat with journalists last week, “it is a supply and demand market. A lot of demand is being pushed to the parallel market due to the shortage at the interbank market.” Robust take-off Interestingly, the new foreign exchange policy had commenced on a promising note on Monday, June 20, with the CBN clearing all the backlog of $4 billion pent up demand for forex and the naira exchanging at N280 to the US dollar. According to traders, the CBN sold $697 million in one-month futures, $1.22 billion in two-month contract and $1.57 billion due in three months, in order to clear the $4 billion backlog of demand. In a statement issued at the end of trading on that day, acting Director, Corporate Communications of the apex bank, Isaac Okorafor said that the CBN was happy that its objectives of clearing the FX demand backlog, performing its roles as strictly a market intervention participant

Naira and dollar notes. Inset: Emefiele

ing a managed float on 20 June, has created much more interest in its monetary policy. In real terms, Nigeria’s policy rate is negative (the central bank rate is 12 per cent; official CPI inflation accelerated to 15.6 per cent y/y in May). Across its local currency yield curve, real yields are also negative (excluding shortlived spikes at primary auctions). However, the success of Nigeria’s currency liberalisation effort is likely to depend on its ability to attract greater foreign portfolio inflows.”

and re-launching a functioning and efficient interbank market were being met. He gave assurance to the market participants and the general public that the regulator was committed to making the Nigerian forex market globally competitive, credible, transparent, liquid and efficient. First naira-settled FX futures There was another positive development about a week later, as the CBN and Citibank executed the country’s first naira-settled futures trade against the dollar. The transaction followed the apex bank’s introduction two days earlier of an over-the-counter futures market on the currency, to help manage dollar demand, quoting the naira firmer at N279 to the dollar in a month’s time and at N210 by April next year. Currency market liquidity But since then, liquidity has remained an issue in the market with dealers being reluctant to commence trading until the CBN starts the ball rolling by selling dollars. That liquidity was going to play a crucial role in determining whether the new forex policy was successful or not was obvious right from the moment when the CBN unveiled guidelines of the policy. Financial analysts said the new rules surpassed their expectations as they amounted to a de facto devaluation of the naira (something foreign investors had been calling for), pointing out that the success of the new policy will be mainly determined by the volume of foreign inflows it was able to attract. An economist at NKC Economists, Cobus de, said: “The success of the new exchange rate regime will ultimately depend on how effective it is in attracting more foreign investment and getting pockets of dollars hoarded on the domestic front back into the market place.” Similarly, in a note obtained by New Telegraph, respected analyst and Chief Economist, Africa at Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, stated: “Nigeria’s decision to liberalise its FX regime, adopt-

There should be no real cause for concern yet

Emefiele’s UK, US trip Indeed, last Friday, Reuters reported that the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and some key officials of the apex bank flew to Britain and the United States to try to lure back investors who had been scared off by the plunge in oil prices and the CBN’s earlier reluctance to devalue the naira. According to the news agency, during the trip, Emefiele and the Deputy Governor, Economic Policy at the CBN, Dr. Sarah Alade, held meetings with investors in Britain and the United States. “It was more like a roadshow to get investors back into the country,” Reuters quoted an unnamed CBN official as saying. The official was also reported as saying that the authorities were particularly keen to boost dollar liquidity. Avoiding recession However, the same news agency had reported a few days after the take-off of the new forex policy that despite being pleased with the CBN’s decision to allow the naira to float, most investors still said they would stay away until Nigeria’s economy shows signs of recovering from the impact of the authorities’ previous naira stance. In the Reuters report, for instance, Emerging Market specialist at UBS Wealth Management in Zurich, Jonas David, had cited the economy’s imminent slide into recession, the fresh spike in inflation coupled with uncertainty about whether the CBN will not reverse the new policy

as reasons why investors were wary of returning. In a recent chat with another news agency, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) resident representative in Nigeria, Gene Leon, said: “It is not sufficient to focus on going from a de facto peg to a flexible regime. The authorities need to be announcing at the same time how the change affects fiscal policy, how is it impacting inflation, balance sheets of corporates, balance sheets of the banks, and how the increased fiscal receipts allows the undertaking of development.” Leon said the economy will probably contract this year, even as the IMF still forecast growth of 2.3 per cent in its April Regional Economic Outlook. The Fund had warned that Nigeria’s fourmonth delay in passing its N6.1 trillion budget would affect the country’s economy. Investors also believe that with currency devaluation likely to push inflation above 20 per cent in the second half of the year, authorities will need to hike interest rates if they want to lure back foreign money to bond markets. “Right now you have negative real interest rates, so, investors will not be enamoured with buying Nigerian bonds given where inflation is or where it is headed,” said Kevin Daly at Aberdeen Asset Management. “You need (a yield) somewhere between 15-20 per cent to make this attractive.” In her note earlier referred to, Standard Chartered Bank’s Khan had also stated: “Further monetary policy tightening that restores positive real returns is necessary for Nigeria to attract more FX-sensitive, yield-seeking flows.” Besides, she said: “With Nigeria in the process of transitioning from its oil dependency, the perceived quality of economic management is likely to emerge as a much stronger influence on the naira’ value in the future. Failure to tighten in a credible manner may erode faith in the currency. However, a renewed spate of banking-sector worries, as well as widespread economic concerns, could influence the authorities’ appetite for aggressive tightening near-term.” Call for ‘full’ execution of policy But there is a growing belief in some quarters that aside from fears over the state of the economy, foreign investors may be staying away because they believe that the exchange rates of the naira to the dollar so far recorded on the interbank market do not reflect the correct market value of the local currency. Speaking at an event in Lagos last week, the Emir of Kano and former CBN Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, argued that the flexible exchange rate policy was not being fully implemented and urged the apex bank to allow the forces of demand and supply to determine the true value of the naira. According to him, by targeting a pegged rate during trading as the CBN seems to be doing, will not resolve the current liquidity CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

BUSINESS |MONEY

WEDNESDAY, july 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

CONTROVERSY Inflation already high due to naira depreciation

Tony Chukwunyem Against the backdrop of the worsening economic crisis in the country, the recent call by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for an upward review of Value Added Tax (VAT) from five per cent to about 7.5 per cent may have reignited the debate over the necessity of such a move at this time. Chairman, RMAFC, Mr. Shettima Gana, who made the call while speaking on strategies to expand the revenue base of the government and new sources for revenue generation at a two-day National Revenue Retreat in Kano last week, said the measure was needed in order to improve the country’s revenue base. The RMAFC boss argued that Nigeria’s current VAT rate of five per cent was one of the lowest in the world, pointing out that in South Africa VAT was 14 per cent while in Togo, Senegal, Guinea and Chad, it was 18 per cent, and Niger 19 per cent. He urged the Federal Government to start the process to increase the VAT rate to between 7.5 per cent and 10 per cent, stressing that VAT was a high tax revenue yielding instrument that could be used to shore-up revenue required for financing the ever-expanding public expenditure and the needs of all the tiers of government. Although Mr. Gana is not the first government official to call for an increase in VAT in recent times, the consensus in financial circles at

RMAFC reignites debate over VAT hike

the weekend was that the nation’s increasingly volatile economic situation, which has seen most States unable to pay salaries could lead the Federal Government to consider hiking VAT. Indeed, at the beginning of the year speculation was rife that an increase in VAT was one of the measures that the government was considering to get the country out of the woods. Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, had during her visit to the country in January urged the government to gradually increase the VAT rate. The government, however, rejected the Fund’s advice, as the Minister of National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said that while the government wanted to increase tax collection, it did not want to impose an extra

burden on Nigerians. He said: “We do not intend to increase VAT rate at the moment but increase collection rate from 20 per cent. We will also not raise the corporate tax because we do not want to impose additional burden on Nigerians. Government’s position is however, that those who make money and have not been paying taxes should pay. We expect at least 20 per cent increase in tax collection rate, which is conservative in terms of our revenue projection.” But just as industry watchers assumed that the issue was settled, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo again raised it in April when he announced that the current five per cent VAT rate in the country was very low and that the Federal government would increase the tax payer base this year as part

of efforts to diversify the economy away from hydrocarbons. He said: “To move the nation forward, we must move beyond oil. The reality is that while oil accounts for 14.4 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it continues to be the source of 90 per cent of official foreign exchange earnings; and prior to this year, up to 76 per cent of the government revenues. In order to move forward, we must reduce the current dependence of the federal and state governments on the ritual sharing of revenues from oil. Doing so requires broader and genuine efforts at the diversification of our economic structures in terms of drivers of economic activities.” However, financial analysts have argued that while the government clearly needs every kobo it can get to turn

around the economy, this may not be the best time to increase VAT as such a move will further fuel inflation which is already in double digits. They further contended that given that Nigeria operates a consumer economy, prices are already high, as a result of the devaluation of the naira, warning that a VAT rate hike could make inflation to spiral out of control. Commenting on the issue in chat with New Telegraph, a financial analyst, Mr. Gregory Aghedo, said that increasing the VAT rate now would not be a wise decision, as Nigerians were already grappling with severe economic hardship. According to him, instead of hiking VAT, government should focus on widening the tax net.

L-R: Acting Director, Chemical Evaluation and Research Directorate, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), Mr. Adedeji; Director, Registration Regulation Affairs, NAFDAC, Dr. Monica Emunjeze; Acting Director General, NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni and Director, Port Inspection Directorate, NAFDAC , Mrs. Maureen Ebigbeyi, during a press briefing in Lagos .

Deloitte, IRTI launch new report on Islamic finance mplementing change strategies to reinvent the value proposition of the Islamic financial services industry is high on the agenda of industry leaders, according to Deloitte’s new whitepaper entitled, “The catalysts for change: Strategic priorities in governance and regulation in Islamic Finance practice.” This necessity is fueled by recent global economic downturn coupled with geopolitical risks that have put more pressure on industry strategists and policymakers. Deloitte’s Islamic Finance Knowledge Center (IFKC) and the Islamic Research & Training Institute (IRTI) issued the whitepaper jointly. It is the first publication of the Deloitte IFKC’s new Islamic Finance insights series “Leading by Engaging;” a series of whitepapers and policy documents aiming to address industry issues and present practical analyses and policy briefings to practitioners.

“The primary goal of Deloitte Islamic Finance insights series is to provide a forum through which best practice, knowledge and Islamic finance research can be shared with industry stakeholders,” said Joe El Fadl, Partner and Financial Services Industry leader at Deloitte Middle East. The whitepaper explains the practice areas debated in the joint IRTI-Deloitte executive program and other related industry thought leadership programmes, with a particular emphasis on the industry’s pain points. It also sheds light on the progress made in developing good practices in areas such as governance, regulatory compliance, risk, sustainable business models, financial reporting, transparency and leadership. “Today, industry leaders and executives need to make significant investments in planning and executing a change strategy. Embracing

the issues and challenges discussed in this whitepaper will arguably help IIFSs sustain business continuity,” said Dr. Hatim El Tahir, Director of the Deloitte IFKC. “The whitepaper brings together a consensus analysis of focus group responses on key industry

issues and presents practical insights on prioritising strategies to improve governance and practices.” “Considering global growing significance of Islamic financial services and products, and given that Islamic banking and Islamic capital market are

gaining ground in many jurisdictions, several key issues deserve the attention of policy makers to strengthen the Islamic finance sector in their economies and to integrate it better with global financial system,” said Professor Mohamed Azmi Omar, Director General, the Islamic Research & Training Institute (IRTI).

One month on, liquidity worries linger CO N TI N U ED F RO M PAGE 2 8

challenges hindering the market. A national daily quoted him as saying: “There is a fantastic document by the Central Bank on the flexible exchange rate. We need to implement that document properly. So long as the implementation is not total and faithful to the document itself, you would have residual market risks. You have to let the market decide where the naira is going to be, to start with, before inflows come in and then when the inflows are in, you have an appreciation of

the naira. So, you have to live with a devaluation to N300/$1 plus and then it will firm up to N270/$ or N280/$1 or whatever. But so long as you target a rate of N280/$1, you are just moving the peg.” Also, experts, who met at the breakfast session of the Chartered Institute of Banker of Nigerian (CIBN) over the weekend, noted that although the flexible exchange rate policy had boosted the economy by removing distortion, hoarding and speculation in the currency market, the reform would have a greater positive impact if the CBN allowed the naira’s

value to be fully determined by the market forces of demand and supply. Conclusion Although the naira’s current decline on both the interbank and parallel markets is raising questions in some quarters about the new forex policy’s sustainability, industry watchers believe there should be no real cause for concern yet, as experts had predicted that the local currency is likely to trade at N275 to N300 per dollar in the first few weeks of the commencement of the new policy.

WEDNESDAY, july 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Investor

Concerns over insurance stocks’ poor outing

As most insurance stocks remained at par value, CHRIS UGWU writes on the need for the sector to rise up to the expectations of investors

stock management and ensure that their stock management is good enough,” he said.

t is a known fact the most people in Nigeria take insurance policies out of compulsion rather than as a necessity, resulting in a situation where most players operate at an abysmal level. The operators have also been accused of being poor in product innovation and marketing, resulting in a gross inability to convince and even attract quality businesses, besides the poor record of good corporate governance industry wide. As the equity market continues to explore the green territory, insurance sub sector of the financial sector of the economy has remained in a state of despondency and less visible in the scheme of things. Unlike other sub sectors, the insurance companies rather than appreciating in value have remained relatively stagnant even as a larger percentage of the companies have remained at the nominal prices of 50 kobo at which they were quoted on the market. It would be recalled that when companies approach the equities market for listing of their shares, the nominal value quoted is usually 50 kobo as against the actual price they are being sold to the investing public. It is worrisome however, that of all the insurance companies quoted on the floor of the Exchange; only seven stocks have marginally risen above nominal value of 50 kobo as at close of trading activities last Friday. This few lucky ones that have weathered the storm include, Custodian and Allied, N3.99, AXAMansard Insurance, N2.10, Continental Reinsurance N1.15, NEM Insurance N1.00, AIICO Insurance 75 kobo, Law Union and Rock Insurance 60 kobo and Goldlink Insurance 53 kobo. Among the sub-sector indexes, barometers that measure the performance of each sector, insurance index also ranks the lowest in the gauge table. In an Index table released by the Exchange last Friday, the NSE insurance Index, which has an opening week value of 135.19 basis point, closed the week lower at 134.36 basis points. Why sector is being neglected Since the crash of the nation’s capital market in 2008 negative perception has trailed the subsector, which was compounded by inability of about 85 per cent of the companies in the industry to pay dividend to shareholders for many years. Investors in the insurance subsector of the market are lamenting the par value state of insurance

SEC DG, Mounir Gwarzo

share prices. Speaking to New Telegraph, the Managing Director, Crane Securities Limited, Mr. Mike Eze, said some of the insurance companies are not helping matters, as they are most visible among companies that are often sanctioned for breaching post-listing requirements. He linked the inability of the sub- sector to rise above the nominal level to crisis of confidence. According to him, the few insurance firms that raised high expectation for good results ended up posting negative financial results. “There were high expectations that some of them will bring good results to the market, investors started taking position on the insurance stocks, but they ended up posting negative results, which now has a spiral effect on other insurance companies, hence investors started dumping their shares,” he said. Chief Executive Officer, Highcap Securities Limited, Mr. David Adonri said insurance sector has not improved on its performance after the recession because of volatility of the sector. He said the stocks (though penny stocks) would have attracted investors but because of low dividend payout of the companies, investors are not willing to take position. Adonri said that the trend in Nigeria’s insurance sector has remained a product of underdevelopment of the sector as well as public perception of the insurance business in the country. He noted that even though a few of the insurance companies have already submitted their reports, most of the companies are still challenged in terms of filling their reports and regulatory approval of their reports among other issues. Speaking on why the sector has not been able to thrive in the Nigerian capital market as obtainable in other parts of the world, he said that the Nigerian market and her economy have not been able to break even because of general perception of insurance business in the country. Andorin said: “The insurance sector may find it difficult to ma-

Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed kari

Regulators need to fashion out good policies that would drive awareness campaigns to help ginger investors’ confidence

terially affect the economy and the capital market. You know that insurance sector has not gained the people’s confidence and long before now when the sector was poorly regulated, it carved for itself a negative image because of their inability to settle claims promptly” He added that even as the situation has changed now, looking at the situation in the Nigerian economy, which is more of mercantile economy, financing short term activities, banks drive such an economy. Such scenario has placed the banks in a position to play dominant role in the Nigerian economy, as well as occupying a commanding height in the Nigerian capital market, for which the insurance sector has not really been positioned to play, even as most of the listed insurance companies are still trading at par value. According to Mr. Sunny Nwosu, National Coordinator of Independent Shareholders’ Association of Nigeria (ISAN), the subsector was grossly hit because the money raised during their capitalization had melted with the market. Nwosu noted that the subsector performance has been so poor; adding that after their consolidation, there should have been growth in their income and others. A senior broker said on the condition of anonymity that, “what is seen in the market is that insurance companies seem not to be up there, so, investors’ confidences are really down on it. They are just in the market and they are not doing much to improve on their performance. “It was actually a failure on the part of the regulator to do the thorough work. Some of them should not have come to the market initially; some of them are faced with a lot of management problems. Nwosu noted that in terms of confidence, there have not been any improvements as the sectors were not doing what they are expected to do in other to improve their performance. He said investors ought to be careful in insurance company basically. “If you must invest in insurance, invest on insurance that has improved fundamental, in terms of

Way forward Miffed by the sector’s penetration at a mere 0.4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), shareholders of insurance companies quoted on the floor of the Exchange have called on the regulators to implement an aggressive expansionary policy to increase penetration to enhance return on investment. The shareholders under the aegis of Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN) while expressing concerns over the stunted growth of the sector, said expansionary policies became necessary to facilitate the growth of the industry. “We believe in effective enforcement policies, policies to stop rate-cutting, policies to allow various payment frequencies e.g. monthly premium payment, stricter enforcement of the law and no premium no cover for brokers. NAICOM should stop the levying long-term business and look for other ways to generate healthy income. Long-term businesses are not for shareholders. They belong to policyholders and are usually reserved. What shareholders benefit from is profit on investment income,” they noted. The President of PSAN, Mr. Boniface Okezie, who noted that a shareholder requires returns and performance, said the amended Company Income Tax Act 2007 is punitive to insurance companies. “The provision for unexpired risks (Section 14(8)(9) and provision for other reserves, claims and outgoings, section 14(8)(b) are restricted. There is no country that this is done even emerging markets like Ghana, South Afica, Malaysia, Brazil and India, among others. Period of recovery of losses is also restricted to a maximum of four years (this is not applicable to any other industry in Nigeria). This is not also not normal. Despite the insignificance of PBT of insurance companies in comparison with the banks, the minimum tax payable by both is comparable. In reality, it shows lack of understanding of the insurance business. The company income tax (CIT) limits unearned premium reserve. Claims paid are management expenses, all of which are reasonably incurred in the insurance ordinary course of business. Therefore, insurance companies are penalised when paying claims. Ordinarily, these expenses should be considered as cost of sales and treated as allowable expenses,” Okezie noted. He said the shareholders believe that NAICOM under its new leadership could do a lot to change the ridiculous rule that was not friendly with the shareholders in the insurance industry. Conclusion With the current state of the insurance stocks, regulators need to fashion out good policies that would drive awareness campaigns to help ginger investors’ confidence and curb the history of stagnancy in the sector.

WEDNESDAY, juLY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

maritime

Ship berthed at the Lagos port with containers

Port users are worried that the recent 43 per cent hike in import duty by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will hurt their businesses at seaports, lead to inflation, cargo diversion and hardship to consumers of imported goods. BAYO AKOMOLAFE reports

he extant exchange rate issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which is the basis for Customs import duty calculation at the ports and borders has become the subject of contention among stakeholders in the port industry. While Customs agents and importers said that the rise in exchange rate from N197 to N282 would weaken the purchasing power of Nigerians in the urban and rural communities, terminal operators, however, believe that the new exchange rate is good for the growth of the port. It was learnt that the service had earlier in the year attempted an increase in the exchange rate to N282 for the purpose of calculating payable duty and rates, but the finance ministry rejectes it. Operators’ perspective According to a former national President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chief Ernest Elochukwu, who was miffed by the action of NCS, the import duty hike will not only fuel inflation but also worsen smuggling of goods across Nigeria’s

Mixed reactions trail 43% hike in import duty frontiers. Also, Managing Director of Okpoto Logistics Limited, Mr. Sam Elem, said 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 for goods and services. Implication Okpoto said some importers may likely abandon their consignments at the port because of naira’s sharp fall. He added that the development would lead to smuggling from Cameroon and Republic of Benin. Already, he said that cargoes were being diverted to Cotonou Port because of the unfavourable government import policies. The Treasurer of the Association of ANLCA at PTML, Mr. Frederick Akintomide, complained that agents were not carried along on policies meant to promote trade at the ports. He alleged that the leadership of the Customs had no respect for licensed Customs agents. Akintomide said: “The agents are calling on the government to revert it to the old rate. We are also appealing to the government that the Form ‘M’ that has been opened on N197 calculation should be allowed to leave the port without debit notes or additional payments. Merits However, acting Managing Director of Port and Cargo Handling Services Limited,

Before the implementation of this policy, we were not properly notified

Mohammed Bulangu, said that the new forex policy by the Federal Government was a welcome development in port operation. He said: “I can tell you that within these few weeks of this new forex policy, the signs are already there that the sector would gain tremendously. “More activities are now returning to the port terminal, which is a good sign for us as operators and the country’s economy as a whole.” Prior to this, he noted that importers had found it difficult to get dollars to do their businesses and this had greatly affected almost all the stakeholders in the industry, especially the port operators, as there was a sharp decline in throughput. The acting managing director further explained that with the expected surge in throughput and increased revenue, the sector would contribute substantially to the country’s economy. Bulangu added: “The maritime sector has the potential to be one of the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. Like the minister of transportation said recently, the sector should be providing about a quarter of the nation’s annual budget. “I believe it is achievable and the new forex policy is a step towards achieving this.” Opposing views But the explanation did not go well with the agents, as they crippled all activities at PTML and Tin Can Port in Lagos last week. Representative of ANLCA at PTML, Prince Amusa Olukoya Abdulsemiu, said that the recent protests by their members were meant to express their

grievances to the government. He further added that Customs agents had already demanded that consignments whose bill of laden had been issued before June 30, 2016 commencement of the exchange rate be cleared with the exchange rate of N197 and not N282. Also, he added that all values that were issued by Customs prior to the commencement of the new exchange rate on cargoes should not be queried. He said that every value of cargo that had been issued from the Customs valuation unit should not be queried. He noted: “Before the implementation of the policy, we were not properly notified, they only brought it into the system to catch us unawares. “Before this implementation, all jobs that had been captured and paid for should be allowed to exit the port, these are our demands.” It will be recalled that on May 2016, the CBN issued a circular to the Customs, explaining that payable duty on all imports would be calculated based on the exchange rate at the time of placing import order. The circular titled: “Application of exchange rate at the time of making entry,” noted that where the value of imported goods was shown in foreign currency, such value should be converted to the equivalent of Nigerian currency as at the rate at the time of making declaration to Customs. Conclusion Stakeholders should embrace policy that will promote public interests in order to grow the port industry and the nation’s economy.

business \ maritime

WEDNESDAY, juLY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Dearth of manpower hits NIWA RESTRUCTURING Agency plans reform to enable it achieve its core mandate

Bayo Akomolafe

he National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is currently understaffed and unable to enforce provisions in the Act establishing it. Also, the authority lacks funds to execute capital projects due to poor generation of revenue. NIWA, the former Inland Waterways Department of the Federal Ministry of Transport, was established through an Act of the National Assembly, CAP 47, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria in 2004. It was founded primarily to improve and develop Nigeria’s inland waterways for navigation, design ferry routes, collect river tolls, provide regulation for inland water navigation and develop infrastructural facilities for a national inland waterways connectivity with economic centers among others. Its former Managing Director, Danladi Ibrahim, while handing over to Mustapha Boss, the new boss, said that the only way out was to

L-R: Former Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) handing over to the new NPA boss Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, at the authority’s head office in Marina, Lagos... on Monday.

amend the Act establishing the authority. He said that the agency had procured water hyacinth equipment, gun boats and 18 ferries, which were concessioned to private operators. However, the new managing director

pledged to restore the organisation to the path of profitability. Boss said that he would initiate a reform to enable the organisation achieve its core mandate. He also promised to block leakages and cause the process of en-

Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, disclosed this at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and Maritime Organisation for West and Central Africa (MOWCA) sponsored integrated subregional coast guard function network in Brussels, Belgium. Peterside, who led a delegation to the meeting, according to a statement, noted that crime at sea in the Gulf of Guinea was transnational. He explained that a regional integrated approach was most suited for checking the menace. According to him,

Muhhamadu Buhari and promised to do everything to develop the country’s over 10,000 kilometres inland waterways for socio-economic prosperity of the people. While calling for hardwork and commitment to duty from the management and

staff of the authority, he promised to operate an open door policy in order to put the organisation in an enviable position. He said: “We will not fail President Muhammadu Buhari; we will not fail the people of Nigeria.

FG issues guidelines to halt illegal wood exports Bayo Akomolafe

fresh guideline to stop illegal exportation of wood has been issued by the Federal Government to exporters, agents and shipping lines. The rules also warned that there would be outright seizure of such wood from shippers by the government. The policy is in line with the Convention

on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It was learnt that some Nigerians were flouting the rules against wood export. The convention is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. According to the Fed-

Nigeria to support regional fight against piracy igeria has resolved to support regional initiative geared towards eliminating piracy and maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.

forcement of laws guiding the usage of the nation’s inland waterways to enhance NIWA‘s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The new managing director said that the development of the inland waterways was very dear to President

“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 will 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 occurred globally. He added that freight rates, insurance and ports of call for vessels were the functions 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

at the forum 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 the IMO had been pushing for early passage of a dedicated antipiracy bill to provide the needed legal framework to tackle crime. He urged the governments in the Gulf of Guinea to show greater interest in dealing with maritime crimes in the region. Addressing the summit, the Secretary General of MOWCA, Ambassador Alain Michel Luvambo of Angola, said that the summit was a follow up to the Memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by 16 coastal member states of MOWCA at its 13th General Assembly of Ministers.

eral Ministry of Environment, after exportation there will be a CITES permit, which will be issued, and the government has urged the operators to comply with all regulations. Speaking at a sensitisation programme put together by Tropical Wood Exporters Association of Nigeria (TWEAN) in Lagos, the Director of Forestry at Federal Ministry Of Environment,

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)’s anti-smuggling arm, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C in Owerri, has arrested 42 smugglers over 169 contraband goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.3billion in the last six months. The service in a statement, listed the seizures to include used tyres, bags of rice, vehicles and furniture. Its Controller, Haruna Mammudu, also explained that the command recovered N394.81 million as underpayment, within the period. The controller noted that there were 25 cases pending in court for possible prosecution of culprits found wanting between January and June 2016. The statement signed by the zone’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Ifeoma Onuigbo, an Assistant Superintendent II, said the half year record was in contrast to a total of

Mr. Phillip Bankole, warned that Nigeria may be banned from the international timber market, if exporters failed to do the trade right. He stressed the need to communicate to the operators involved in the trade. The director explained: “CITES is an international law signed by so many countries and once people are exporting wood that they don’t get

CITES where it is supposed to, first the item will be seized and they will see Nigeria in bad light. “Government rules are that we cannot export all woods because we will lose employment and we are not adding value to our society. “The penalty is that the wood will be confiscated and it’s a bad image for the country and that is why they must comply.”

Customs arrest 42 over N1.3bn contraband in Owerri •Seize 61 containers of wood

N39.64 million underpayment recovered and a DPV of N1.01 billion recorded in 2015. Haruna said that the contraband were intercepted and confiscated by the officers and men of the unit on the Benin, Calabar, Owerri, Enugu and Aba/Eleme axis. According to him, the items, packaged and concealed to deceive security agents include 90 vehicles, 2,758 bags of 50 kilogrammes of rice, 4,160 pieces of used tyres, 1,337 cartons/set of furniture and 625 cartons of fake drugs. Haruna noted: “Others are 61 containers of logs of wood, 2,600 pieces of imported school bags, 97 pieces of 14 stroke engine generator and used fridges, 3,550 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products,

992 bales of second hand clothing, 897 cartons of foreign detergents and creams as well as 167 pairs of foot wear.” He emphasised on the implications of smuggling into the country, noting that the ugly practice had continued to devastate the nation’s economy. Haruna added that many families had been ruined as a result of the unpatriotic practice. The controller noted that NCS was better equipped, trained, motivated and reinvigorated to neutralise the antics of smugglers and evil acts. Haruna appealed to members of the public with useful information on smugglers, their agents and collaborators to always make them available to security agencies for necessary actions.

business \ maritime

WEDNESDAY, juLY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria seeks partnership with IMSO to track ships CAPACITY Federal Government plans to enhance staff training and update new technology and equipment in the maritime industry Bayo Akomolafe

igeria is to collaborate with the International Mobile Satellite Organisation (IMSO) to enhance the country’s Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT) system. Also, the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has sought collaboration with the IMSO on the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC) base and the Nigerian Maritime and Aviation Search and Rescue services in Nigeria. He did this when he visited the Director General of the organisation,

Captain Moin Ahmed in London, according to a statement from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). IMSO is the intergovernmental organisation over sighting public satellite and security communication. It was appointed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to act as the international LRIT coordinator to ensure the operation of the international system for the LRIT worldwide by auditing

and reviewing the performance of the system. The minister explained that IMSO had been offering technical assistance to the country. Amaechi added that as a member state of IMSO, Nigeria had an LRIT data centre operated by Pole Star. He noted that Nigeria could benefit from greater collaboration with the IMSO in order to enhance the performance of the LRIT system. In his remarks, Ahmed, who expressed his plea-

sure for hosting the minister, assured Nigeria of IMSO cooperation. He promised to collaborate with the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in terms of staff training and update on new technology and equipment. He also pledged the commitment of IMSO to offer guidance on the integration of the Maritime and Aviation Search and Rescue services in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the minister said that Nigeria

would collaborate with the IMO to develop the maritime industry. Amaechi commended IMO for the technical assistance rendered to Nigeria when he paid a courtesy visit to the Secretary-General of the organisation, Kitack Lim, recently in London. He called for more cooperation on piracy and maritime education. He said: “Nigeria has already put in place action plans and initiatives through the Nigerian Maritime Administra-

tion and Safety Agency (NIMASA).” Responding, the IMO secretary-general commended Nigeria for its commitment toward meeting the obligations of the organisation and other international bodies. He gave assurance to Nigeria of IMO cooperation in the areas of training, Maritime Security, Search and Rescue (SAR), Port State Control (PSC) and capacity building for instructors at MAN, Oron.

Forex: Terminal operator sees growth in cargo throughput

he Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, a subsidiary of SIFAX Group, has said that the new flexible foreign exchange (forex) regime adopted by the Federal Government will lead to a steady growth in the maritime sector. The Acting Managing Director of the company, Alhaji Mohammed Bulangu, in a statement, explained that the new forex policy now allowed commercial banks to transfer foreign currency

in customers’ domiciliary accounts to their local and international business partners subject to a daily cumulative limit of $10,000. While reviewing the impact of the policy on the maritime industry, Bulangu noted in Lagos that the policy signified a new dawn for both the port terminal operators and their clients, particularly importers, who had experienced a great deal of difficulties in sourcing foreign exchange for their

business transactions. He said: “The new forex policy by the Federal Government is a welcome development. “Prior to this, importers found it difficult to get dollars to do their businesses and this greatly affected almost all the stakeholders in the industry, especially the port operators as there was a sharp decline in throughput and as a consequence, loss of revenue. “I can tell you that within these few weeks of this

new forex policy, the signs are already there that the sector would gain tremendously. “More activities are now returning to the terminal, which is a good sign for us as operators and the country’s economy as a whole.” The acting managing director noted that the outlook for the sector in the second half of the year was very positive. He explained that with the expected surge in throughput and in-

creased revenue, the sector was well positioned to contribute substantially to the country’s economy. Bulangu added: “The maritime sector has the potential to be one of the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. Like the minister of transportation said recently, the sector should be providing about a quarter of the nation’s annual budget. “I believe it is achievable and the new forex policy is a step towards achieving this.”

MONEY

t exactly one year ago, Skye Bank Plc embarked on a comprehensive transformation of its retail operations, focusing essentially on the customers and the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). The business retooling became necessary as part of efforts to reposition the retail business and make it the centre piece of its business operations. The retail transformation project known as the ‘Retail Transformation and Growth (R-Tag), was designed to revolutionise retail banking business in the country and serve as a game-changing business model that takes care of all customer segments. It was, among others, expected that the project would bring about customised and needs-satisfying financial solutions in a manner that will exceed the expectations of the customers. The underlying premise and principle for the change in business model then was the trend in retail banking that it is imperative to know the financial needs of the customer and design appropriate solutions to meet those needs. The approach was seen as capable of helping to effectively meet the bank’s goal of serving as a de-

Skye Bank renews retail drive pendable development partner to its customers across the country. While launching the project last year, the former Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, had said: “Our renewed drive and focus on retail banking is anchored on the premise of giving strong impetus to the financial inclusion drive of the CBN so as to bring a lot more people into the financial system and the formal economy.” According To him, the current banking environ as well as the acquisition of Mainstreet Bank, and its integration with Skye Bank had significantly increased the branch footprint of Skye, giving it a clear competitive advantage in the Retail Banking model. To ensure quick and clear results as an offshoot of the transformation project, reviews were made to the bank’s existing retail products by streamlining and positioning them for better fit with the identified customer segments. New products have since been introduced targeted at the ‘emerging middle class’ customer segment, which

Group Managing Director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Tokunbo Abiru

forms part of the new focus segment for the bank. The new retail banking model identified three consumer segments for primary focus, namely mass market, emerging middle class and mass affluent. Head, Retail Banking Group, Nkoli Okoli, believes the R-TAG project would help streamline the bank’s product portfolio targeted at Individual and SME customers via the identification of primary focus segments, with a maximum of two products to serve each segment. Similarly, the new Group Managing Direc-

tor/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru, has announced his intention to focus on the retail and commercial segment to increase the bank’s market share and consequently increase its revenue and profitability in the medium–long term. He said Skye Bank’s expansive branch network and strategic investment in relevant technology platform already have given the bank a competitive edge to deliver customer centric products and services. Abiru said the steady growth in the commercial and retail deposit in the last six months has

confirmed that the lender is moving in the right direction. The new Skye Bank boss said his team would leverage on the bank’s reputable information technology platform to make the lender not just a frontline retail and commercial bank, but an industry leader. Reward scheme To underscore the new focus on the customers by the Retail Group, a new customer reward promo was also launched tagged the ‘Reach for the Skye Millionaire Reward’, it was launched by the bank to encourage savings culture amongst the mass market segment. The scheme was not just launched to encourage customers to save, but also reward them for doing so. “In the end, the scheme is a win-win for both customers and Skye Bank as we seek to grow our customer base”, Okoli said. The monthly reward scheme comes with monthly draws, with three customers emerging as millionaires, while 10 others would be rewarded with N250, 000 and N100,000 each as consolation prizes for having at least a minimum opening

balance of N2,000 with the bank within that month. Season one of the promo, which started in June 2015 and ended in June 2016, produced 36 millionaires and hundreds of other cash prize winners. At the end of the season, one of the reward scheme, a total of 36 millionaires were produced, while over 200 winners of N250,000 and N100,000 also emerged during the 12 months that the season one lasted. Some of the lucky millionaires included businessmen, Damie Morrison, Okoro Donatus, Oguabi Innocent, Uche Kyrian, Kazeem Adewale, a civil servant with the Lagos State government and Adekunle Adeyemi. Others were Mr & Mrs Titilayo Ogunlowo, Obianyor Patience, Oloyede Abiodun, Ogunesan Olawunmi and Temitope Adekanye. The Season 2 of Skye Bank’s Reach for the Skye Millionaire promo is expected to start soon, even though those desirous of winning have started saving with the bank. Students, artisans, market women, civil servants and businessmen were some of the people who became millionaires through the Save for the Millionaire promo.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Literature

Arts

Women-folk as angels in Happiness Like Water

L-R: Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (3rd left), Prof. Soyinka (5th left), Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Adedayo Adeneye with participants at the grand finale of the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange program held at the Obas Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

WS @82: For stakeholders, corruption Battle for the Arts

Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

obel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has surely paid his dues not only as a literary icon but also as a frontline human rights activist and advocate of social justice. His numerous interventions for the socio-economic and political advancement of Nigeria have attracted him wide acclaim, and it seems the renowned playwright and poet wouldn’t give up even at old age. This perhaps informed why his birthday has lately become a quintessential platform not only to celebrate but to focus attention on critical issues affecting the country’s national life. The theme, this year, was about fighting corruption and the importance of joining the fray by all stakeholders in the Nigerian project. On July 13, specifically last Wednesday, Soyinka clocked 82. As usual, the Wole Soyinka

TONY OKUYEME ARTS EDITOR

tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) project rolled into town to commemorate the anniversary. The two-day event is organised yearly under the auspices of the Open Door Series as designed and promoted by Zmirage Multimedia Limited. This year is actually the seventh edition. Various activities were lined up for the birthday, as put together by the Executive Producer of WSICE, Alhaji Teju Kareem. These included a special mentorship session with secondary school students and other youths on the topic, “Challenges Or Not; I Love My Country.” The event, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, also included an essay competition that featured 82 students tackling the topic in a reality television-like setting. Haneefat Ikharo, the producer, told New Telegraph that the promoters of the project would remain undaunted in spite of challenges. She said, “What we do every year is using the Nobel Laureate as our pivot, we bring together both young and old to create a sense of unity on the way to eradicate fear and prejudice among the younger generation and also bringing in the older ones together to have certain intellectual discourses that would also prompt the youth to think to take better actions. At the Obas’ Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, last Thursday, the winners of the essay competition were presented with trophies. Miss Naomi Akinremi of St. Peters College, Olomore, Abeokuta; Miss Adedoyin Sotonwa of Mayflower Secondary School, Ikenne and Friday Zacheaus of Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu-Ode, emerged first, second and

What we are basically about is using the arts to... encourage people to keep believing in Nigeria

third respectively in the writing contest. Soyinka, who spoke at the event, canvassed imprisonment for politicians and public officers found to have corruptly enriched themselves. Apparently speaking against the backdrop of the ongoing anti-corruption campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari, the literary icon noted that the fight against graft is a battle for all Nigerians. He urged creative writers and artistes to use their work to fight corruption. According to him, the nation must be returned to its place of honour and dignity where anybody found to be corrupt in the society should be ashamed to walk freely. He said, “It’s a battle for everybody and definitely the arts must be in front as usual. Not just the arts, the theologians, the moralists, the philosophers, the architects, builders, the lawyers; it’s everybody’s work. Everybody is involved, even including you (journalists). “There is only one way for corrupt people; it ends in the prison. It ends in Ibara or Oba (prisons in Abeokuta) or Kirikiri (Lagos prison).” Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, who also spoke on the occasion, enjoined students and indeed the youth population in Nigeria to emulate the life of heroes like Prof Soyinka. He urged the youth to never give up on Nigeria in spite of the various challenges facing the nation. “Just like Prof Soyinka is doing, you must continue to show love and support for the country,

irrespective of the challenges facing the nation,” he added. The governor, who expressed satisfaction that many Nigerians now appear to appreciate arts, promised to extend the participation in the subsequent edition of the programme to students in other parts of the country and beyond. At the amphitheatre of Ijegba Forest, Soyinka’s residence in Abeokuta, an advocacy lecture was held to round off the memorable event. The event was in two sessions. The first session tagged: “Corruption: A battle for the Arts” was chaired by an interdisciplinary scholar, Prof Omofolabo Ajayi-Soyinka, while renowned dramatist and theatre scholar, Prof Femi Osofisan, was the special guest of honour. It also featured two keynote speakers, Comrade Tunde Fagbenle and Prof Segun Ojewuyi. Osofisan, who described Soyinka as their father in the literary arts, said his legacy has taken different forms and shapes. On the issue of corruption in the society, the scholar said people tend to look at it from the angle of stolen huge sums of money. He identified greed and moral lapses as the driving force of corruption in Nigeria. “When you help your kids to get admission into school despite the fact that you know they aren’t qualified, that is corruption. Corruption will not change by itself, we would have to fight it by leaving good examples at our own immediate environment,” he added. On his part, Fagbenle, a prominent newspaper columnist, said the society has been gravely affected by corruption. He challenged practitioners in the movie, audio-visual and media industry to do more in fighting graft and other social vices by ensuring “self-censoring” of their works. He said the culture of glorifying corrupt people and inviting them to the high table at social functions must stop forthwith. The keynote speaker stressed that for the war against corruption to be effective and successful in the country, the government must form partnership with professionals in the literary arts. He mentioned Hubert Ogunde’s ‘Yoruba Ronu’ song, saying despite being proscribed by government in the then old Western Region, it went viral and ultimately helped to change the system of things in that part of the country. While corroborating Fagbenle, Prof. Ojewuyi noted that the country’s leadership has a great role to play in stamping out corruption. He said the heroic exploits of people like Dele Giwa, Bola Ige and Chief MKO Abiola are examples of leadership that Nigerians should emulate. He also tasked the media and literary arts to be in the vanguard of fighting injustice.

ART

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEWS When Lemons Grow on Orange Trees for launch

iterary Crossroads is a new series of talks where Nigerian writers meet colleagues from all over the world and from the African diaspora to discuss trends, topics and themes prevalent in their literatures today and for the future. The second session in 2016, at the Goethe-Institut in Nigeria features a Book launch of a young lady that is currently doing her Equivalent Year Abroad Program (EYAP) at the Goethe-Institut Lagos. When Lemons grow on orange Trees, the debut novel by Diekara Oloruntoba-Oju, published by Kraft Books Limited, Ibadan, will be launched on Friday, July 22, 2016, at Goethe-Institut, Lagos. Diekara Oloruntoba-Oju was born in Ilorin, Kwara State. She is an undergraduate student of foreign languages at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Seyilaw’s Fast & funny in Lagos

omedy enthusiasts and indeed, Lagosians are in for bumper humour harvest as the comedy show “Seyilaw Fast & funny (Kings & Queens Edition)” live holds this Sunday, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The show which expected to be a royal rumble, features top comedian such as Alibaba, I Go Dye, Gordons, Ay, Akpororo, Kenny Blaq, Buchi, Senator, Funny Bone, Elenu, Shakara, Osama and many more. Musicians billed to perform at the event include Olamide, Iyanya, Kcee, Ycee, Phyno, BurnaBoy, Kiss Daniel, Dbanj, Wande Coal, Oritse Femi, Tekno, Banky W, Chidinma, Harry Song, Mi, Terry G, Solid Star, and Vector. Others are, Adekunle Gold, Korede Bello, Sexy Steel, Reekado Banks, Sugar Boy, Duncan Mighty, 9ice, Rugged Man, Klever Jay, Pepenazi, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Seyi Shay, Omawunmi, Dija, Cynthia Morgan.

Short Story Day Africa Prize entries close July 31

he Short Story Day Africa Prize is an African writing prize open to African citizens, permanent residents of African countries, or second generation Africans living in the diaspora only. Unpublished works between 3000-5000 words in response to the theme are eligible for the prize. The 1st prize is R10 000 (approx US$500), while 2nd prize is R2 000 (approx US$125), and 3rd prize is R1 000 (approx US$60). In addition three emerging writers will receive a 20-week online creative writing course, according to the organisers. “These will be selected from the long list or slush pile. The 21 long listed stories will be published in the annual Short Story Day Africa anthology, and selected stories entered into The Caine Prize for African Writing (£10 000). Submissions close Sunday, July 31, 2016

immy Jean-Louis is an international model and Hollywood Actor. A Haitan now based in the United States, he starred in Kunle Afolayan’s block buster movie, the CEO and was in Nigeria for the films premier at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. He had a chat with EBERE AMEH where he said that Nollywood has a huge potential to be the next biggest movie industry When at age 12 Jimmy Jean-Louis left his rural village in Haiti for Paris, he did not envisage the success and fame that he is now swimming in. A Business Administrator by training, he dumped the profession for the performance industry and by sheer dint of hard work and determination, risking homelessness and poverty, he is where he is today, an award winning and internationally acclaimed actor and model. The amiable actor, whose career has seen him transverse the globe, has been to Nigeria several times, even to the extent of hosting the 2012 edition of African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). He also acted as a Nigerian Doctor, Dr Tunde Jonathan in ‘Phat Girlz,’ a movie written and directed by Nnegest Likke, which starred Academy Award winning actress Mo’Nique Angela Hicks. No wonder he said he feels at home in Nigeria. Speaking on his role in Kunle Afolayan’s CEO, Nollywood’s rave of the moment, he said he always wanted to work together with the ace director and producer, Afolayan. “I have known Kunle for quite some time and we always wanted to work together. He contacted me last year and offered the part to me. I was shooting Heroes Reborn at the time but I was able to squeeze it in my schedule. It was a Pan African cast including Angelique Kidjo and Wale Ojo. The CEO is a great movie that sort of unites Africa, it was shot in the four corners of the continent, with many languages spoken. It is a great drama the first movie to premier in an aircraft,” he said, adding that Afolayan dared and succeeded.

Jean-Loius: I feel very much at home in Nigeria

Jean-Loius

Jimmy played the role of JeanMarc, in the CEO. He acted as a husband who supports his wife to become the next CEO. A non-Nigerian, though he has been in the country a couple of times, how would working with Afolayan and other Nollywood stars be to him? What could be his impression of the Nigerian film industry? Jimmy has this to say. “I first came to Nigeria for the premiere of the movie PHAT GIRLZ. Then I hosted the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in 2012

and I directed the documentary titled “Jimmy Goes To Nollywood”. I took great pleasure to work with my fellow actors and Kunle is a real professional. I think Nollywood has great potential, it could be the next biggest movie industry, and we need to be aware of the qualities of the products we are putting out there. We need to provide excellence and Kunle is doing just that,” he said, adding that he hopes to continue to work with Nigeria and its filmmakers and that he is also open to collaborate with brands.

FG endorses new book on Nigeria

he Beauties of Nigeria, a new book written by Mr. Bonaventure Melah, has received official endorsement of the Federal Government as a relevant contribution to Nigeria’s perception management as well as for showcasing investment opportunities in the country. Mr. Melah, in a statement issued on Monday, said he submitted the manuscript of

the book to the government for assessment after which an official endorsement was received from the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. The statement reads: “The ‘Beauties of Nigeria’ is a projection of Nigeria’s Unique Selling Points to the world. That is to say, a celebration of the various Nigerian positives, from its weather, beautiful landscapes, to its honest,

cheerful and accommodating people. The Book showcases Nigeria’s mouth-watering cuisines; unique art collectable and the nation’s fashion revolution, while serving as a massive platform for the unveiling of the yet- to- be-seen aspects of Nollywood, the best of Nigerian music and the exploits of the nation’s stand-up comedians.” According to the author, the 400-page book contains the various investment opportunities in the country, state by state list of solid minerals deposits in Nigeria, what the Federal Government is doing to encourage investors, top fun/adventure/ exotic sites in Lagos and Abuja as well as tourist sites/festivals in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. He said while the book is meant to tell the story of Nigeria to the rest of the world, it serves as evidence to Nigerians themselves that their country has many good things for which they should be proud of. “It was a deliberate decision to deploy simple and plain English language in trying to present the accurate narrative about Nigeria and

to project the nation to rest of the world, making use of mainly pictorials with classical aesthetics and perfect finishing in an attempt to ensure that anyone who picks the book will enjoy pleasure reading, and end it all, cover to cover, within one hour.” “The overall objective is to pass the message about Nigeria through a pleasurable reading spiced with eyecatching never-seen photos as you pick the book from coffee tables at Embassies and High Commissions, international airports, hotels, banks and other corporate institutions, lobby of federal and state agencies as well as libraries of universities and other educational centres.” “We have in the book, list of Nigerians, wherever they may live in the world, who have impacted, or are impacting positively on humanity in science, medicine, literature, sports, music, the art, among other fields, as well as roll-call of the nation’s heroes, icons, role models, successful business leaders and those whose public service records are loud and visible,” he said.

LITERATURE

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Women-folk as angels in Happiness Like Water Book stand W

hen one deliberately spills ink, splattering it wherever one never imagined, then it becomes imperative that one considered the underlying currents of such exercise of recompense. Needful to state is the need not to fear how the rebuttals would come, but it is assured that the junctures of emotive flurry guarantee definite abstract and concrete responses from its impact. Happiness Like Water is a collection of short stories that are fictive realities of our lives. The part of us we love to share, or those moments which are locked up in our remotest recesses. Expressing itself in cunning artistry, the stories become personified as you would a speaking ink on an accompanying piece of white paper, rustling under the weight of a dexterous hand, crafting thoughts and moulding minds without being bridled. ‘On Ohaeto Street’ opens readers to the un-put-down-able collection. Eze and Chinwe becomes a married couple after the intrigues of evangelism by Eze. Chinwe’s ideals of a man she wants differ, but as would in many homes, her mother’s will prevailed and she becomes the wife of a man whose religious inclination and financial prospects are enough to make him qualify, thus becoming a husband to a woman whose life he values less than his cars and other material possessions. The challenges of child-bearing and the length a woman is made to go in getting it splatters the pages of the story which make up ‘Wahala’. From the cleansing process at a herbalist’s place, to the hosting of a family party, the threads of pain felt by every woman who makes effort at bearing a child resonates. Nneka, Ezinne’s mother would not be alive to see her daughter bear the name, mgbaliga – an empty barrel. Her daughter’s pain combines the pressure of not becoming productive for Chibuzor, her husband. Again, a woman’s pains rises to a crescendo as she desires the completeness that is associated with a woman’s lifetime cycle. The yearning, the challenges and eventual hope for the ‘fruit of the womb’ prompt deep thoughts. ‘Fairness’ is the third and most replete with comical relief of the stories. The mischief of secondary school students was explored, and what rib-cracking moments there were, as an attempt to have lightcomplexioned skin turns out way beyond expectation. Onyechi suddenly turns fair, while freely availing Uzoamaka and Clara the secret of her magical physical conversion. Experience turns out to be the best teacher afterwards. The devious nature of humans gets the proper examination in the fourth story. ‘Story Story’ is in fact a narrative told about Nneoma and how desperation to have her emotions satiated and motherly longings gratified, results in satanic entrapment through her fetish practices. Four pregnant women lost both ways all for her to conceive a child. The zenith and seeming un-forgiveness of her actions is that, she seeks her prey in the church,

Book title: Happiness Like Water Author: Chinelo Okparanta Publisher: Granta Number of Pages: 196 Year of publication: 2013 Reviewer: Adeniyi Taiwo Kunnu

showing penitence just for a momentary reprieve of graver ill. Survival series is definitely on the cards as well. Charles Darwin in the Origin of Species says; the most adaptable to change of any living creature survives. By implication, neither the strongest nor the smartest cope, but the ones which understand the dynamics of change. Ada’s mother appears on a journey to death land because of her sickness, having initially lost her husband. Without a father and with a sick mother, Ada becomes a ‘Runs Girl’ in the self-titled story; seeking to cater to her mother’s needs and her education. ‘America’ and ‘Shelter’ are in tow. With both settings in the USA, America examines Lesbianism in ways that only few have, while Shelter dwells upon the lack of choice for a woman in a grossly abu-

sive relationship. The former considers the pains of same sex sexual preference and the latter flays the irascible excesses of a man who cannot take a count of his teeth with his tongue. ‘Grace’ is the seventh and arguably the most profound of the stories in this fiction. It is an unusual lesbian connection between a lecturer in religion and a student of the same department. From seeking answers to prodding on faith, to a sudden swing in mood and complete transfer of intimate loveliness to another; Chinelo Okaparanta demystifies the illusions of amorous expressions between same sex of old and young diversions. ‘Design’ pitches a simple Nigerian wife-to-be against a no- holds – barred former girlfriend. Nonso is the man who wants to eat his cake, have it and be a person whose tendency never to lose a thing, while opening his palm facing down is legendary. But legends die, so does the sexual theatrics and subtle ‘penile’ excesses of the man in the middle of an American girlfriend meant to be in the past by the name Celeste, and an unarguably dutiful Ifeinwa, who is now living in America to be a wife. ‘Tumours and Butterflies’ is about the indifference to make a mother get out of an abusive relationship. She stays put, while Uchenna, her only daughter could not enjoy the least cordiality with her parents, particularly her father. He falls ill, her mother calls, he remains unbearable, his wife supports him, Uchenna takes a final walkoff and nothing seems the same again. Chinelo Okparanta elevates the women-folk as angels to say the least, whereas the men are sure the albatross of the she-human kind. This position evidently demonstrates a deliberateness to enable women assume more power and positivity, which in itself is good, but her obvious stance may give this brilliant author up as one whose world and literary view needs utmost diversity and elastic geography, which in itself would be very needful.. On page 144 she writes: “Happiness is like water…. We are always trying to grab onto it, but it’s always slipping between our fingers….”

What we are reading

When others are eating Oladipo Kehinde A Case of Two Cities by Qiu Xiaolong deals with investigations of high level corruption among communist party members in the communist government. It is a case of a highly placed party member misusing his position and acquiring all sorts of privately organized wealth. It is a fantastic novel, but it teaches so much about what investigating high ups in the political systems means.

It is not good for the eyes to behold the soup without the forest Global Nollywood, edited by Prof. Ono- game and the fruit of the sea kome Okome and Prof. Matthias Krings, Too much of meat does not spoil essentially talks about the popularity the soup of Nollywood in both Diaspora and also in the Western world. I think what these crop of writers were trying to do with these essays was not just to draw our attention to not just the popularity of Nollywood but how Nollywood film productions have been able to influence other countries that found some of these text very significant. Book reading is very essential. There is no way you can be educated without reading. The hall mark of a genius is when you are knowledgeable.

TONY OKUYEME ARTS EDITOR

tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

POETRIP

Prof. Kole

Tunde Onikoyi

I hide behind my eyes Our eyes don’t lie to us I see you when I see you in good season May we look like the good time we are passing through Many eyes look but few eyes see You have eyes You have taken your eyes to the market Those who listen to the noise of the market Will see nothing to buy A lady is impatient at the market But she has the whole time before the mirror It is nice to eat when others are eating This season of change is an eye opener

wedneSDAY, july 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Money Line

Sterling Bank ends bid to acquire Keystone Bank

JETTISONED Lender to review new candidates

Plans bond issue

Tony Chukwunyem

terling Bank Plc. has ended talks to buy rival Keystone Bank after finding it an unsuitable fit and is now focused on raising funds, as it considers other acquisitions, Reuters reported the lender’s Chief Finance Officer (CFO), Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, as saying yesterday. The news agency quoted him as saying: “We reviewed

Keystone Bank and concluded the strategic fit was not strong enough. We will continue to evaluate all the options. As new candidates come into the market, we will also review them.” Sterling Bank said last February it was aiming to buy one or two mid-sized lenders, as sharp falls in the value of the naira and increased regulatory pressure forced banks to recapitalise. Keystone Bank is the last

CBN begins Certificate of Capital Importation issuance automation Tony Chukwunyem

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has commenced the process of automating the issuance of Certificate of Capital Importation (CCI), New Telegraph has learnt. The move, which this newspaper learnt is aimed at boosting efficient service delivery and operational efficiency, means that the CCI issuance process would now be done electronically and physical (hardcopy) certificates would no longer be issued. Following the development, Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) have started sending emails to their customers requesting them to reconcile all CCIs in their cus-

tody in preparation for submission to their account officers. In one of such emails sighted by this newspaper, which a Tier 1 bank sent to its customers, the lender stated, “We are pleased to inform you that in order to facilitate efficient service delivery and increased operational efficiency, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has commenced the process of automating the issuance of Certificate of Capital Importation (CCI). This means customers will be profiled with login details to enable them access the electronic platform and view the status of the CCIs. “In light of this new development, we would like to encourage all our customers with active CCIs (i.e. CCIs with outstanding/ un-repatriated amounts) to rec-

of the nationalised lenders, which the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is seeking to sell. Suleiman reportedly said Sterling’s strategic plan was still to acquire a rival in Nigeria but that any move was likely to come after studying the impact of last month’s 30 per cent fall in the value of the naira. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) abandoned its 16-month old peg of N197 to the dollar last June to allow the currency oncile all CCIs in their custody in readiness for submission to their various account officers in the Bank. Submission window for the CCIs will be communicated once we confirm a Go-live date from the Central Bank of Nigeria.” According to the lender, the regulator will maintain the eCCI application server and users across banks will be connected to it. The apex bank will also have oversight powers over the process. The DMB also listed benefits of the e-CCI to include: no more worries over safe-keeping of physical CCIs, eradication of incidents of lost CCI in transit (as a result of mishandling) or damage from fire outbreaks; easy tracking of investments across the banks as users will be able to access their investments using a unique identifier and a drastic reduction in paper usage.

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 12 10.77 US$46.45 US$26,336,484,560

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 June, 2016 28/03/2016 Mar 2015 19/7/2016 15/7/2016

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 104.96 114.56 112.10 120.50 109.35 100.24 83.91 98.09

1.08 3.25 3.87 5.83 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.30

NIBOR

Rate (%) 15.0000 10.6864 12.4601 13.8466

Bid Yield 10.09 10.57 11.56 11.46 12.32 12.45 12.43 12.41

Change (%) 2.17 ▲ 0.20 ▲ 0.24 ▲ 0.22 ▲

Change (%) 0.04 ▲ 0.00 ↔ 0.25 ▲ -0.07 ▼ 0.08 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.04 ▲

Price 105.11 114.86 112.40 120.80 109.65 100.54 84.21 98.39

Tenor (Months)

NITTY

Rate (%) 5.4817 7.3699 7.8938 9.2453 9.3846 10.0913

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 9.95 10.47 11.47 11.40 12.26 12.40 12.38 12.37

Change (%) 0.04 ▲ 0.00 ↔ 0.25 ▲ -0.07 ▼ 0.08 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.04 ▲ 0.04 ▲ Change (%) 0.25 ▲ 0.06 ▲ 0.29 ▲ 0.60 ▲ 0.45 ▲ -0.44 ▼

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) Change (%) 7.90 8.06 0.26 ▲ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 12.67 0.00 ↔ 30-Jun-16 8.15 8.32 0.26 ▲ 22-Sep-16 8.71 8.46 8.82 0.46 ▲ Overnight (O/N) 13.75 0.42 ▲ 9.10 0.46 ▲ 9.06 9.92 0.00 ↔ 16-Mar-17 9.31 10.22 0.00 ↔

Spot($/N)

Bid 198.45

Offer 198.55

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 (%) 0.00 ↔

to trade freely, in an effort to resolve a chronic dollar shortage that has stifled economic growth. However, dollar shortages remain as Nigeria suffers from a plunge in oil prices, which has battered its currency and stoked inflation to an almost 11-year high. Analysts see the slowdown as catalyst for mergers. Suleiman also disclosed that Sterling Bank had completed book building for a N35 billion bond sale, its first tranche of a debt programme, but added

that the bank will raise only 20 per cent of that amount to gauge appetite once it receives regulatory approval. Bond yields in Nigeria are currently below inflation at 16.5 per cent in June. The most liquid 5-year government bond traded at a yield of 15.17 per cent yesterday. “Once we see that the structure is acceptable and yields are moderate, we will complete series one this year. If the market remains turbulent, we will do it next year,” Suleiman was quoted as saying.

Union Bank deploys modern IT-driven services in Anambra Kunle Azeez

nion Bank of Nigeria Plc. has deepened its investment in deploying state-of-the-art Information Technology (IT) innovations to drive its banking transformation activities in Anambra State with the launch of two newly-upgraded branches and a Smarter Banking Centre. The lender, which currently has over 300 sales and service centres across Nigeria, said the move was part of its efforts to deploy innovation IT innovations to deliver quality financial solutions to its wide customer base across Nigeria. The bank launched a new Smarter Banking Centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko as well as two upgraded branches in the state. According to the bank, the one-of-a-kind Smarter Banking Centre is designed to offer innovative services to Union Bank’s mobile customers. It said with its all-in-one standalone 24-hour boutique for self-service banking, customers could open their ac-

counts, deposit and withdraw cash via the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). The centre also has interactive projector screens, which enables 24-hour live video chat with a customer care representative. Union bank said the user friendliness of the Smarter Banking Centre ensures that the staff, students and all customers within and around the Federal Polytechnic Oko can enjoy quick, convenient and hassle free banking. Addressing the students and special guests at the Oko branch launch, Transformation Director, Union Bank, Mr. Joe Mbulu, said, “At Union Bank, quality is our watchword, from our customer experience to our state-of-the-art banking platforms, we want to ensure that banking is indeed seamless for our customers. “Previously, each branch operated as a standalone but now we have installed a core centralised banking platform that ensures our customers can carry out their transactions conveniently in real time from any location.”

Budget preparation: AfDB boosts parliamentary staff capacity

he African Development Bank (AfDB), last Monday, began hosting a five-day training programme to provide parliamentary staff with critical skills in policy analysis. In a statement, the bank said the staff would also be trained to analyse and synthesise data into policy briefs in order to position them to prepare briefs, which will then be distributed to relevant parliamentary committees to inform decision making and advisory functions. According to the statement, parliamentary staff across the continent, particularly those that work in research departments, as well as finance and public accounts committees are the primary recipients of this training that will help bridge existing gaps. Speaking at the opening ceremony in Abuja, AfDB’s Nigeria

Country Director, represented by Mr. Andoh Mensah, Chief Programme Officer for Nigeria, urged participants to share experiences and take on new ideas and techniques to introduce knowledge and best practices acquired to address the problems confronting the African countries they serve. He pointed out that training was a principal mechanism through, which parliament and its committees could ensure domestic accountability, consequently influencing the governance of public goods and services delivery through the annual national budget process. According to him, in carrying out this duty on behalf of citizens, “parliaments need to have access to timely, up-to-date, accurate and well-researched independent information for effective oversight and decision-making.”

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

wedneSDAY, july 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SLOW DOWN Sell pressure dominates market activities, as bargain remained on the sideline Stories by Chris Ugwu

rading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday declined further, as the overall performance measures, NSE ASI and market capitalisation, fell by 0.85 per cent. There were only seven gainers against 26 six losers. The NSE Banking Index slid by 2.88 per cent while the NSE Industrial Index dipped by 2.03 per cent. However, the NSE Consumer goods Index

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

Stock market falls by N84bn advanced by 0.42 per cent following gains on shares of Nigerian Breweries and Cadbury Nigeria Plc. Specifically, the All-Share Index shed 245.34 basis points or 0.85 per cent to close at 28,488.56 index points as against 28,733.90 recorded the previous day while, market capitalisation of equities depreciated by N84 billion or 0.85 per cent to close lower. Meanwhile, a turnover of 242 million shares in 3,684 deals was recorded in the day’s trading. The banking sub-sector of the financial services sector was the most active during the day (measured by turnover volume) with 104.6 million shares

GTB seeks late filings for H1 2016 financial results

uaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc has called for the extension of time to submit the bank’s half year 2016 audited financial statements. The bank in a notification to the Nigerian stock Exchange (NSE), explained that in pursuant to the post-listing requirements of the NSE for quoted companies, the board of directors of the bank was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 27, 2016, to consider the audited financial statements for the half year ended June 30, 2016. It added that issues relating to interim dividend might also be discussed at the meeting. The bank noted that it was also required to forward the audited accounts to the CBN for approval, prior to the release of the results on the floor of the NSE. “We shall notify you of the decisions reached after the approval of the CBN is obtained. In the light of the foregoing we seek extension of time to submit the

bank’s half year audited financial statements not later than September 30, 2016,” it said. Also, Access Bank had last week also informed NSE that its board of directors would be meeting on July 28, 2016 to approve the bank’s half year audited financial statements after, which it will be submitted to CBN for approval. It had also sought for extension of time to submit the bank’s half-year results not later than August 31, 2016. There are fears by market watchers that rising bad loans due to the slow growth in the economy might lead some Nigerian banks to record low profits when their financial results for the second quarter are released. According to reports, analysts who are forecasting lower profits in the second quarter of this year attributed the development to drop in national imports due to foreign exchange challenges, lull in economic activities and slow implementation of the 2016 budget, among others.

exchanged by investors in 1,286 deals. Volume in the sub-sector was largely driven by activities in the shares of Skye Bank Plc and UBA Plc. Insurance sub-sector also of financial services sector, boosted by the activities in the shares of Linkage Assurance Plc and NEM Insurance Plc followed with a turnover

of 44.4 million shares in 115 deals. Further analysis of the day’s trading showed that Skye Bank Plc for the second day in the week topped the gainers’ table with 9.09 per cent to close at 72 kobo per share, while AIICO Insurance Plc followed with 4.11 per cent to close at 76 kobo per share and UACN Plc with a gain of

1.99 per cent to close at N20.50 per share. On the flip side, Oando Plc led the losers’ chart with a drop of 4.97 per cent to close at N21.81 per share. Tiger Branded Goods Plc trailed with a loss of five per cent to close at N3.99 per share, while Wapco Plc also dropped by five per cent to close at N60.06 per share.

Emerging market stocks halt eight-day advance

merging market stocks fell for the first time in nine days on speculation the gains were overdone after prices climbed to their highest since November. Currencies weakened as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) scrapped its forecast for a pickup in global growth this year. According to Bloomberg News, Hong Kong-traded Chinese stocks fell as valuations reached a peak for the year. Russian stocks slid to a oneweek low as Brent crude extended declines into a second day. Shares in South Africa fell the most since July 6 and the rand weakened as commodity prices slumped. The Turkish lira fell after the central bank cut the overnight lending rate. The premium investors demand to hold developing market debt over US Treasuries widened for a second day. Speculation that central banks from Asia to Europe will act to stimulate their economies after concern that the UK vote last month to leave the European Union will undermine global growth helped fuel the longest winning streak in developing-nation equities since April. A gauge of momentum in MSCI’s

emerging-market stock benchmark, known as the relative strength index or RSI, reached 67 this week, approaching a level that frequently precedes a decline. The IMF said that the real effects of Brexit will unfold gradually. “What we are seeing today is possibly just a pause for breath as from a technical point of view, it looks like emerging markets are breaking out,” said Tony Hann, the London-based head of equities at Blackfriars Asset Management, referring to the RSI. “Economic growth continues apace in Asia and sentiment on the Fed swings toward a more accommodative stance,” said Hann, who favours stocks in India, Thailand and the Philippines. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index lost 0.4 per cent in New York, breaking its longest winning streak since April. The IMF sees global gross domestic product rising 3.1 per cent this year, down from April’s 3.2 per cent projection and equal to growth in 2015, according to the fund’s quarterly World Economic Outlook, released yesterday in Washington. All 10 industry groups declined in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, led by losses in

energy shares after the gauge rose 5.2 per cent in the previous eight trading sessions. It is valued at 12.2 times estimated 12-month earnings, the most since May, 2015. Gazprom PJSC slid 5 per cent in Moscow, weighing on Russia’s Micex Index that lost 1.5 per cent in its third day of declines. Shares in Saudi Arabia and Dubaitraded stocks slid at least 0.3 per cent as Brent crude fluctuated between gains and losses during their trading day. The Ibovespa rose 0.2 per cent as investors waited for Brazil’s government to announce the extent of budget freezes this year. Turkish stocks declined one per cent after plunging 7.1 per cent last Monday, the most in more than a month, following an attempted military coup last Friday. Shares in South Africa dropped 0.4 per cent, with BHP Billiton Plc leading declines with a 2 per cent drop. The MSCI Emerging Markets Currency Index slid for a third day, heading for its lowest level since July 13, as traders put the chance of an increase in rates by the Federal Reserve this year at 42 per cent, up from 34 per cent a week ago.

NEWS | south-west

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

he Federal Government has approved N123billion as refund for the road projects executed by the Ogun State Government on behalf of the Federal Government. The refund, the government said, would be ploughed back to provide more infrastructure and developmental projects in the state when the money was eventually released. While restating his commitment towards providing infrastructure to attract massive employment generation, Governor Ibikunle Amosun assured the state that the approved N123 billion

wednesday, july 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG refunds Ogun's N123bn road projects would serve some of the economic problems being experienced in the state. Also, the governor yesterday said it was erroneous to accuse state governors of mismanagement of the bailout funds released to their respective states by the Federal Government. Amosun, who spoke during a meeting with the Organised Private Sector at the Government House, Abeokuta, declared that the responsibilities of state governments had grown beyond the current resource allocation. He also noted that the "era of free money from Abuja" had stopped, add-

ing that the development had made governors become endangered species among their people. According to him, the huge depletion in the nation's revenue owing to falling oil price had made it imperative for Nigerians to think out of the box. The governor said stakeholders should not remain complacent about the economic situation of the country, urging them to work harder to diversify into agriculture and other

The life expectancy of women at birth of Faroe Islands in 2008. Source: Un.org

non-oil sectors. He said: "Governors are now endangered species because people believe that governors collected this (bailout) money and they cannot pay and they have mismanaged. "You know why? It is because everybody was so complacent. People would just say 'no problems, allocation is coming from Abuja;' and nobody wanted to think out of the box. And when the money stopped because we didn't prepare for it, there is a crisis. "Everybody now is down. So, those are our challenges. For us to now

Staff of Obafemi Awolowo University, jubilating over the decision of the Federal Government to appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor by the Senate of the Institution, in Ile-Ife …yesterday.

Ado-Ekiti

Osogbo

he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of allegedly paying for his private legal matters with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with state money. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said the party was in possession of facts that the N22 million spent to charter airplane that conveyed his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, from Lagos to Akure airport was allegedly taken from Ekiti's treasury. He accused Fayose of appropriating the state's funds as his personal money, citing IGR cash balances allegedly kept in secret accounts that were only known to the governor. EFCC had frozen the governor's account about six weeks ago over alleged fraudulent diversion of arms cash from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, to finance Fayose's election. About N1.21billion of the cash was traced to the

Fayose is funding private litigation from state’s coffers –APC governor's accounts and those of his friends and family, including Abiodun Agbele. The governor had denied collecting money from Dasuki for his election, claiming that his election was financed by Zenith Bank, which had since in turn denied the allegation. The governor had sued the EFCC for acting illegally in freezing his accounts. APC which kicked against the governor for the alleged moves, said Fayose's lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, was flown from Lagos to Akure, Ondo State capital, twice since the beginning of the case, all at the expense of the state government. It said: "We gathered from a reliable source that a warrant for the payment of N22 million being the cost of chartered aircraft that flew Ozekhome twice from Lagos to Akure was issued and the money released almost immediately by the office of the Accountant-General. "The N22 million is outside of the legal fee, which has been reportedly paid

to Ozekhome by the state government to pursue a personal matter for the governor whose private account was frozen. "Fayose is fond of using state funds for his personal affairs as it is the case with his latest matter with the EFCC, the same way he has been spending state's money on adverts in several newspapers to abuse President Muhammadu Buhari," Olatunbosun ex-

plained. "Fayose has taken corrupt practices in government to a ridiculous height by renting out his personal house in Abuja to the State Government to be used as Abuja Government House for eight years at N50 million per annum, even though Ekiti State Government has a befitting guest house and hotel called the NANET SUITES in the Federal capital."

PDP youths vow to scuttle Ondo AG’s governorship ambition Babatope Okeowo Akure

he seeming crisis rocking the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the adoption of the state’s AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, as the party’s governorship candidate, worsened yesterday as some youths from the Ondo South and the North senatorial district vowed to frustrate

the move. The youths under the aegis of the North/South Senatorial Youth Campaigners (NSSYC) also accused the leadership of the party in the state of allegedly working for a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to deliver the state to the opposition. The youths insisted that the PDP must conduct party primaries to pick a candidate instead of imposition being planned by the leadership of the state chapter of the party.

ernment and the private sector to revitalise the nation's economy. On the spate of militant attacks rocking riverine communities in Ogun and neighbouring Lagos States, the governor said government was working to tackle the emerging security threat notwithstanding the alleged connivance by some traditional chiefs and residents of the affected communities with the suspected militants to engage in oil theft while assuring that the creeks would soon be cleared of criminals to secure government's investments.

Police interrogate pastor, others over alleged trespass Adeolu Adeyemo

PHOTO: NAN

Sulaiman Salawudeen

surmount those challenges, what we need to do is to work with the private sector and create the enabling environment. "These are tough times. But for me, I found out that it is when there are challenges that people are forced to think out of the box and they would get better result. So, if I have my way, I even don't want the oil price to rise beyond what it is so that all of us can be forced to get it right." Amosun, who noted that oil dependence made Nigerians to be lazy, stressed the need for partnership between the gov-

even persons, including church leader of the Apostolic Church, Temidire Estate, Osogbo, Elder Faloye Festus Ayoku, are now being quizzed by the Osun State Police Command over alleged illegal possession of a piece of land by the church. The people who were arrested yesterday are now in the State Criminal Investigation Department of the command, explaining their alleged role in the matter. Also arrested are the land agent, Muritala Adewale, who was alleged to have allocated the piece of land to the church and the bricklayers working on the land. New Telegraph investigations revealed that the alleged invasion by the church belonged to Dr. Charles Oluokun who lived in the United States

of America and was assigned to be overseen by his two brothers in Nigeria who later discovered that the land had allegedly been invaded by the church. Siblings of the alleged owner of the land, Adebowale Oluokun and Adeniji Adekunle, through their lawyer, Benjamin Akindoyin, on July 8 petitioned the Osun State Commissioner of Police, alleging demolition of a building erected by their brother before he traveled to the United States. The petition reads in part: "Our clients were surprised when they discover the demolition by the alleged church members and from their preliminary investigation, they told our clients that they thought their elder brother is no more having interest in the said land and they (the Apostolic Church) being the church of God wants to use the land and they decided to demolish the entire building.

Police lament abduction rate as Lagos convenes security meeting Muritala Ayinla

iqued by the growing rate of kidnapping and other crimes in the state, Lagos State government has convened an emergency security meeting with all the service chiefs in the state. This was even as the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, expressed worry over the kidnapping rate, assuring that efforts would be intensified to rescue those kidnapped recently in the state including the Oniba of Ibaland, Oba Yushau Goriola Oseni. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had on Monday presided over an emer-

gency Security Council meeting with heads of security agencies, assuring residents that efforts were being put in place to make kidnapping a thing of the past in the state. Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, the Police Commissioner said the entire security chiefs in the state were worried over the increasing trend in the crime especially kidnapping, assuring that efforts were being made to intensify security in all the nooks and crannies in the state. Owoseni said: "All of us are bothered. As the people are bothered, government is bothered and law enforcement institutions in the State are bothered."

News|SOUTH-EAST

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Why ban on traffic enforcement was lifted – Enugu Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

nugu State Government yesterday gave reasons why it approved the lifting of the ban on the operation of the traffic enforcement taskforce of its Ministry of Transport, saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that road users obey traffic rules and regulations in the state. The approval, which was part of the decisions taken at the meeting of the State Executive Council, according to the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Godwin Udughele, was sequel to the request by the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Vitus Okechi, for the ban to be lifted. Giving more insight into the circumstances surrounding the decision, Okechi through a statement made available to newsmen, disclosed that road users took advantage of the ban to abuse traffic rules and

regulations in the state. He regretted that the untoward act had posed serious threat to security of lives of the property, adding that most road accidents and obstruction in the state were caused as a result of the incessant abuse of traffic rules and regulations by road users. While announcing that the ministry had commenced the arrest of motorists who make phone calls when driving or drive without putting on their seatbelts, Okechi said the lifting of the ban would save lives, enforce discipline and enhance smooth and orderly transportation system in the state. He added that the enforcement exercise would also enable adequate orientation of a civilised method of traffic regulations in the state, adding that the ministry has trained its personnel on how to discharge their duties professionally without engaging in any form of misconduct.

Abia North rerun: Tribunal chairman warns against contacting members Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

hair man of the Abia North senatorial rerun tribunal in Umuahia, Justice James Abundaga, has advised parties to the petition to ignore any dishonest overtures for contacting members of the tribunal to get some advantage in the case pending before it. He gave the advice yesterday at the close of witnesses in the petition brought against Senator Mao Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the former Governor and candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) in the election, saying “in these days of dishonesty let no one deceive any of you that he has a way of

reaching any of us; if you see any such person arrest him. Go to our states and find out our background, be not deceived.” Justice Abundaga adjourned sitting to August 8, 2016 for the adoption of addresses. He appealed to the counsel to make their addresses brief and straight to the point in order to reduce the time spent on studying them. He also directed that the Respondents reply should be served on or before July 27 while the reply on points of law must be filed on July 30. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier tendered certified true copies of documents used in the rerun without calling any witness. The chairman shifted the adjourned date to

August 8. Counsel to Mao Ohuabunwa, Mike Onyeka, had appealed to the tribunal for one extra day to be able to conclude it, but counsel to Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, Kelvin Nwufo (SAN), opposed it on the ground that all parties should stick to the days allotted by the tribunal in order to conclude it in record time. In his ruling, the chairman noted that the days allotted to the parties was to abridge the time so that the tribunal will have enough time to write the judgment, saying that early conclusion of the case is advantageous to the tribunal. He said that submission of written addresses should start on Wednesday and no longer Tuesday which, he said, would serve as additional day for all parties.

Northern, Southern Nigeria amalgamation, despicable – IPOB Okegwo kenechukwu ONITSHA

he Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has described the amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria as a colossal injustice, saying the amalgamation lacked moral justice and that it was a crime against humanity. Media and Publicity Secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, said “it is most despicable and immoral as it was committed when Lord Luggard and his fellow British decided to join the Southern and Northern protectorate as one country. “Hundreds of thousands of our people were massacred and their houses set ablaze on minor issues.” He condemned the recent killing of Christians in Northern Nigeria urging the international community to speak out. He lamented that the leadership of the country led by Mohammed Buhari, is doing everything humanly possible to make Nigeria an Islamic state. The IPOB spokesman called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to rise to the challenges. He also called on the international community to come to the aid of the harmless Christian faithful who are being slathered every day by the Islamic fundamentalists.

Abia state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (right); his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, addressing a mammoth crowd of stakeholders and supporters from Abia North Senatorial zone when they paid him a solidarity visit at the Government House, in Umuahia

Cleric thumbs up for Soyinka, Ikedife’s stance on Biafra Victor Mba ABA

cleric, Bro. Samuel Ajayi, of the John 3:16 Ministry, Aba, Abia State has lauded Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka and former Ohanaeze President, Dozie Ikedife over their stand on the agitation for Biafra. Soyinka had last week in an interview with Al Jazeera, an international TV cable network, said he supported the agitation and that he was “very much pro-Biafra because I recognize that the Igbo have been wronged desperately”. Condemning what the Igbo have passed through in the country, Soyinka further stated: “They (Biafra) have been brutalised in a way that justifies their feeling that they were not part of the nation”. Ikedife on his part said no man can stop Biafra, stressing that Biafra is a spirit that drives every Igbo man at home and in diaspora which is beyond any human destruction. Ajayi commended the two elder statesmen over their views on Biafra contending that as a people they have been marginalised in their own country. He added that the time has come for the Igbo to be given the right for selfdetermination. The cleric said both Soyinka and Ikedife deserve commendation by every Igbo man and woman for speaking so glowingly in support of Biafra and that it behoves on the people to continue in the struggle.

Nimbo killings: I would have resigned if Group accuses Abia elders of fleecing N5bn Financial Crimes CommisMojeed Alabi sion, EFCC, and the IndeI didn’t try to prevent attack –CP group of concerned in- pendent Corrupt Practices Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

ormer Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr. Nwodibo Ekechukwu, has debunked widely held insinuations that police personnel deployed to protect Nimbo community in UzoUwani Local Government Area of Enugu State prior to the attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen on April 25, 2016 abdicated their duties. Testifying before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to unravel the mystery behind the invasion and the killing of scores of indigenes of the area despite prior warning and deployment of security personnel,

Ekechukwu blamed the lapses on some “obvious challenges”. Ekechukwu, who was the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State during the incident, but has been redeployed as Police Commissioner at the Nigerian Ports Authority, Port Harcourt, admitted that they got intelligence information leading to the attack. “If I had not done what I was supposed to do to prevent the killing, I would have resigned on my own. “We are not laying claim to perfection, but there was no bias in the handling of the attack that led to the death of 11 residents of the community,” he said. Ekechukwu insisted that the Nigeria Police are not biased in handling clashes between herds-

men and their host communities. The commissioner said that available records show that no fewer than five herdsmen that engaged in unlawful activities in the state had previously been arrested. “We have arrested some herdsmen in the past. Charges were preferred against them but we ran into jurisdictional cob-wed. “The information we got suggested various areas of attack and all the officers did what they were supposed to do under operational guidelines,” he said. The commissioner said that there were “obvious challenges” during the intervening time, but full deployments of manpower were made to contain the killing.

digenes of Abia State, under the auspices of Abia Redemption Congress, have accused those it described as self-appointed elders of the state and the state government of fleecing the state of about N5 billion within the last one week. The money, it claimed, was part of the huge resources belonging to the state allegedly being used to bribe the said elders towards influencing the judgement on a series of pending cases against the state. In a statement issued yesterday and signed by the group’s National Coordinator and its Executive Director in charge of external relations, Sam Anyalewechi and Justice O. Ike respectively, the group sought the intervention of anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and

and other Offences Commission, ICPC, to investigate the matter. The statement reads in part: “The EFCC and the ICPC are hereby invited to track the accounts of these heartless men, so-called Abia elders and stall the squandering of over N5 billion moved from Umuahia into Abuja, in the last one week and aimed at procuring favourable Judgment for the ousted Robin Hood in Abia.” The group called on those it described as genuine elders of the state to intervene in the crisis rocking the state, adding that by standing aloof, the future of the younger generation people was in danger. “Elders set the standards and ethics by which a society is determined and judged. These ones are extremely compromised.”

NEWS | national

Tension in Delta as allocation drops to N2.5bn

Dominic Adewole ASABA

here was palpable tension among workers in Delta State yesterday, following the news that only N2.5 billion accrued to the state for June 2016 from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). The tension heightened as top government functionaries on Grade Levels 13 to 16, whose last month’s

Idahor

Prior to this, the Governor had lamented the dilemma of his administration in paying salaries of over 69,000 workers, which stood at over N7 billion since May 29, 2015. But after the news spread out in Asaba yesterday that there was a sharp drop again in the federal allocation to the state from N3 billion to N2.5 billion, their fears became aggravated. A director on Grade Level 16 in one of the rev-

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as Ejechi Ebele Mercy now wish to be known and addressed as Idahor Ebele Mercy. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Adokiye

This is to confirm that Okereke Wadigiyo Adokiye and Okereke Adokiye refer to one and same person who now wish to be known and addressed as Okereke Wadigiyo Adokiye. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

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Emerald

salaries were placed on hold, owing to the N3 billion that accrued to the state for May, went on rampage, wondering how they would be paid. Pensioners in the state were also angry that they were yet to be paid for last month. It will be recalled that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, in a circular, approved the payment of salaries to workers on Grade Levels 01 to 12 before he embarked on his annual leave.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Enor Okoi Eteng now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emerald Enor Eteng. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public please take note.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

DARFAT ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF NIGERIA

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Mukadam Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulrasaq 2. Alhaji (Chief) Ridwanullahi Adewale Teluwo 3. Alhaji (Chief) Muhammed Mutairu Ogidi 4. Alhaji (Chief) Lukmon Bolaji Kolawole 5. Alhaji (Chief) Surajudeen Abdraheem 6. Hon. Fatai Adeshina Ishola 7. Alhaja (Chief) Modinot Ashani Apena 8. Alhaja (Chief) Faidat Ashabi Sulaimon 9. Alhaja (Chief) Amudalat Bello 10. Alhaja (Chief) Mrs. Ajarat Ibrahim AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote Islamic knowledge and values. 2. To propagate Islamic Education and Institutions 3. To advance the teachings of morality and Islamic principles

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: LANRE ADEDOYIN ESQ. 2ND FLOOR (WEST WING) DAILY TIMES BUILDING 3/7, KAKAWA STREET, TINUBULAGOS STATE

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enue-generating ministry in the state, who did not want his name in print, wondered how the governor would leapfrog from the indebtedness of last month. He lamented that despite the billions of naira being generated by his ministry, top workers were left unpaid. He said: "The governor is yet to pay workers' salaries and other pension arrears for last month, yet not enough money has come into the state. The magic the governor will perform if the high profile workers must be paid for the two months is what I still cannot understand." An Assistant General Manager (AGM) in one of the state-owned media outfits, expressed disappointment in the way the resources of the state was mismanaged. "We are now paying the price for several years of gross mismanagement. When we had surplus, those at the helm of affairs emptied the treasury, leaving nothing for the future. They did not stop at that, they went ahead to borrow several billions of naira in the name of the state and did nothing with it."

wednesday, july 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NDDC, experts list ways to develop Niger Delta Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

he Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the Ford Foundation and other development agencies, yesterday identified how development could be brought to the region to stem the wave of unemployment and restiveness in the area. They all agreed on the need for collaboration and consensus building among the people of the region, government agencies and also the need for the youths to expand their skill and knowledge base in order to become role players in the region's economy. The experts, who spoke at NDDC's Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD) Forum in Port Harcourt, said with proper planning, collaborations among critical stakeholders, the Niger Delta region can become a development model in the country. Acting Manager Director of the NDDC, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said there was the need to ‘jump-start a platform for effective collaboration among the multiplicity of stakeholders in the development of the Ni-

ger Delta region.’ She urged the people to see themselves as stakeholders, build synergy and utilise the limited resources available, stressing that the Niger Delta region has suffered so much in the past, but could make the needed progress if stakeholders work together. "If we collaborate, we can avoid duplicity of efforts. We should also talk to one another. We should also resolve the existing conflicts in the region; let's not create new ones,” she added. Semenitari also said that the main objective of the PSD ‘is to provide a clearing house of information for stakeholders during project planning, budgeting and implementation stages. The Country Director of UNITAR, Dr. Larry Boms, who harped on ‘collaborative leadership,’ said the agency was ready to assist the region in training its youths, noting that it has always been a traditional partners of the NDDC. “We want to collaborate with the NDDC in putting our youths, graduates in United Nations’ projects. UNITAR is the only UN agency with a functional office in the Niger Delta," he said.

Lawmaker sued for alleged illegal trespass in Delta Ola James WARRI

federal lawmaker, Hon. Daniel Renieyeju, has been dragged to a Warri High Court by members of Prince Ogbe family of Ugbuwangue, for illegal occupation of their land. The applicants, Pa Peter Eburajolor, Major-General Missan Ogbe Femi (rtd) and two others, contended that the defendant. Hon Renieyeju, who is representing Warri Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, illegally and forcefully occupied their land, measuring approximately five acres situated along Slaughter Road, Ugbuwangue, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. In the statement of

change OF NAME

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Oluwole

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claim filed by their counsel, J. O. Kpedi, the applicants further averred that Prince Ogbe founded a large portion of land in Ugbuwangue by deforesting a large expanse of land which includes the land now in dispute. Consequently, the claimant/applicants are demanding for N50 million as general damages for trespass, adding that sometimes in March 2016, the defendant, Hon. Renieyeju, without the consent and author-

ity of the claimants, broke and entered the parcel of land and started moulding blocks on the disputed land. The applicants sought a declaration that they are entitled to a statutory right of occupancy in and over the parcel of the land. Besides, the applicants are seeking an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendant, his agents, servants or whosoever, from trespassing or further trespassing into the parcel of land.

Protest in Delta over detention of community leader

James, Warri

omen and youths of Ekpan community, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State in their hundreds yesterday stormed the office of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) in protest against the arrest and detention of a community leader, High Chief Newton Agbofodoh, Unuevworo of Ekpan, over trumped-up charges. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Godspower Odewero, said the protesters want the CDHR to wade into the issue by ensuring that the highly respected Unuevworo of

Ekpan is released unconditionally. Odewero said some policemen, soldiers and thugs, recently stormed the residence of the Unuevworo without any formal invitation, beat him up and forcefully took him away to an unknown destination. He said: “After the arrest of the Unuevworo, thugs hired by those who want to soil his name by all means, have been terrorising innocent citizens of the community, especially those they perceived to be his loyalists. They use soldiers to molest the people of the community in the night, all in the name of trying to broker peace.”

north | news

wednesday, july 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Reps to IGP: Arrest culprits of Plateau killings Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives yesterday directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris to arrest those behind the gruesome murder of the head of council and paramount ruler of Bokkos, Saf Ron Kufere, Sir Lazarus Agai. This was just as the Plateau State caucus in the House accused President Muhammadu Buhari of complacency in the midst of gruesome murder of Nigerians, especially indigenes of the state. The House resolution directing the police chief to investigate the matter was sequel to a motion of urgent importance brought by Hon. Solomon Bulus Maren. Maren, representing Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency of Plateau State had in the motion titled: "The gruesome murder of His Majesty, the Saf Ron Kulere, Paramount Ruler of Bokkos and Chairman, Council of Chiefs, Bokkos Local Government Area, noted that the monarch was killed

by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen alongside his son, daughter in-law, orderly (a Police Inspector) and a relative. He said that the killing was one too many in the series of killings in the area since the advent of the present administration. He said: "First, it was the Makai Forof Dah Ali Magaji sometimes in January 2016; the second was the District Head of Manguna Saf Anjong Adake,

who was the Secretary to the Council of Chiefs, Bokkos Local Government Area. "And worst of it, the one that occurred on Monday happened to the Head of the Council and the paramount ruler of Bokkos LGA, who was brutally killed by some unscrupulous people." He alleged that in all the cases mentioned above, there had been no security intervention to either stop the killings or bring

the culprits to book. Maren noted that the wanton killing and unwholesome act of terrorism by mischievous people ought to have been tackled even with greater intensity than Boko Haram, but expressed dismay over the slow and consistent manner and pattern of operation and elimination of peaceful and law abiding citizens, who have been working hard towards achieving lasting peace in the state as a whole.

He said if the trend is not urgently checked, security in the area and the entire Plateau State might degenerate into unimaginable proportion. The lawmakers alleged that there is a deliberate attempt to erase the people of Plateau State from the surface of the earth, while the government that was supposed to provide security for the people has abdicated its responsibilities. He recalled that the

Niger: Governor condemns attack on Suleja church

Jos

Dan Atori

housands of irate youths in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, yesterday defiled the curfew imposed by the state government following the assassination of their traditional ruler by alleged Fulani herdsmen, as they trooped to the streets and blocked all roads leading to the localities protesting the killing. It will be recalled that the paramount ruler of Bokkos Local Government Council, Sir Lazarus Agai,

the Saf Ron Kulere, was on Monday evening killed by the suspected Fulani herdsmen along with his driver, security, daughterin-law and one of his aide. The monarch and his aides were said to have been allegedly ambushed and killed by heavily armed men while on his way from Sha, another village to his aides. New Telegraph investigation revealed that the youths took to the streets yesterday morning brandishing dangerous weapons, burning used tyres with a pall of smoke covering the sky. The protesting youths

were said to have prevented security operatives and journalists from entering the Bokkos LGA as they scampered to safety as the armed youths chased after them. Our correspondent, who was at the scene of the protest, noted that tension was still high in the area as the natives are already overwhelmed with fear following the killing of their traditional ruler. While investigations also revealed that no one was able to go to the farm following the incident, the youths have vowed to avenge the killing of their traditional ruler.

MINNA

iger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has condemned and described as unacceptable last Friday attacks and vandalisation of St. Philip's Catholic Church, Bakin-Iku in Suleja by a group of miscreants, who paraded themselves as Muslim youth. The governor in a statement through his

MAKURDI

T Senate President, Bukola Saraki (carrying a baby); Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima and others, during Saraki’s condolence visit over the death of Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno and Alhaji Garba Abba Satomi in Maiduguri… …on Monday

Shiites: Commission blames Kaduna government

he Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba Commission of Inquiry which was set up to probe the clash between soldiers and Shiites that occurred last December, has indicted the Kaduna State government in its report. The clash led to loss of lives and property. The Commission of Inquiry was set up on January 29, 2016, by the Kaduna State government and it submitted its report last Friday to Governor Nasir El Rufai. An online news portal reported on yesterday that the commission indicted the General Officer Com-

manding Ist Mechanised Division, General Adeniyi Oyebade and other senior army officers for the massacre of the Shiites. A member of the Commission, who confided in New Telegraph yesterday, said that their report equally indicted the state government, which set up the Commission of Inquiry in the first place. Speaking to our correspondent on the telephone, he said that Kaduna State officials were indicted for burying both female and male dead members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in a mass grave. “The commission noted that burying men and women together goes

against Islamic rites. A state government official even conducted the funeral prayer before the burial. The Commission frowned at the level of disrespect for the dead,’’ he said. According to the source, the Commission also condemned the state government for demolishing Shiekh Ibraheem Zakzaky’s residence at Gyellesu in Zaria, Hussainiyya Islamic Centre of the Shittes which is located along Sokoto Road, Zaria and Darur Rahma Cementary along Jos road in Zaria. The report described the state government’s handling of the clash as negligent and a violation of the rights of members

of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. A government official who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the indictment, lamenting that the state government had spent over N200 million to fund the activities of the Commission of Inquiry, According to him, the government will not make the contents of the report public as El Rufai had earlier promised when receiving the report because ‘’it will generate tension in the state.’’

603,700

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

Chief Press Secretary, Jibrin Baba Ndace in Minna yesterday, stated that the attack on the church was inimical to peaceful co-existence that the state is noted for, stressing that Islam is a religion of peace and not of violence. He, however, cautioned that his administration would not tolerate anyone or group of people, who want to turn the state into a theatre of religious disharmony.

NNPC to build $300 energy plant in Benue Cephas Iorhemen

Adebayo Mojeed

people have advocated for a state police to tackle the security challenges, saying that with state police some of these security problems would have been nipped in the bud. Addressing journalists, after plenary, the Plateau State House caucus lamented that apart from the paramount ruler and four others that were gruesomely murdered, two people, however, sustained high degree of injuries.

Plateau youths protest killing of monarch Musa Pam

he Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), yesterday unfolded plans by the Federal Government to set up an energy renewable plant in Benue State that will use agro-products to generate energy. Group General Manager of the corporation in charge of Renewable Energy Division, Mr. Rabiu Suleiman, an engineer, disclosed this in Makurdi, the state capital, when he led other top management of the corporation on a visit to Governor Samuel Ortom at the Gov-

ernment House. Rabiu, who said the project, which would gulp about $300 million would be financed through joint partnership with some foreign partners, noted that NNPC has already secured technical partners that were ready to support the project. He hinted that the decision to diversify energy generation from existing sources to agricultural products was conceived by the Federal Government in 2005, and pointed out that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has already taken initiatives to commence the diversification programme.

Kogi women to Tinubu: Tame your wife Muhammad Bashir and Zacchaeus Ozovehe Lokoja

coalition of Kogi State Women, especially from Kogi West Senatorial District of the state, yesterday called on the former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tutor his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on how to respect men. The call was coming on the heels of the raging personality feud between Senator Dino Melaiye, representing Kogi West

and Senator Oluremi Tinubu at the upper chambers of the National Assembly The women, while addressing journalists in Lokoja described the action of Mrs. Tinubu against Senator Melaiye as shame on womanhood. The Coordinator of the women coalition, Mrs. Funmilayo Olumodeji, alleged that Mrs. Tinubu has formed the habit of embarrassing men in the recent past. The women said: "The same Remi Tinubu embarrassed the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President on different occasions."

WORLD \ NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Turkey coup: Purge widens to education sector

ore than 15,000 education staff in Turkey have been suspended after last week’s failed coup, as a purge of state officials widens still further. The ministry of education accused them of links to Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric the Turkish government says was behind Friday’s uprising. Mr. Gulen denies any involvement.

More than 1,500 university deans have also been ordered to resign and the licences of 21,000 teachers working at private institutions revoked. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim vowed to take action against Mr Gulen’s supporters. “I’m sorry but this parallel terrorist organisation will no longer be an effective pawn for any country,” Mr Yildirim said, according to Reuters news agency. “We will dig them up by

their roots so that no clandestine terrorist organisation will have the nerve to betray our blessed people again.” The army, judiciary, security and civil service have all been targeted following Friday’s coup attempt: • 6,000 military personnel have been arrested, with more than two dozen generals awaiting trial • 9,000 police officers have been sacked

• Almost 3,000 judges have been suspended • More than 250 staff in Mr Yildirim’s office have been removed Turkey’s media regulation body on Tuesday also revoked the licenses of 24 radio and TV channels accused of links to Mr. Gulen. The country’s Religious Affairs Directorate has banned religious funerals for supporters of the attempted coup, the

Anadolu news agency reported. Meanwhile it has emerged that the army first received intelligence a coup was under way at 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Friday, hours before a rogue faction deployed tanks and targeted key infrastructure. The General Staff said in a statement it alerted the relevant authorities, adding that the majority of members had nothing to do with the coup.

Mugabe: Activist pastor funded by foreign states

Z Migrants sitting in their boat during a rescue operation by Italian navy ship, Borsini (unseen) off the coast of Sicily, Italy yesterday.

2,500 boat migrants rescued, one body recovered – Italian govt

ore than 2,500 migrants were plucked from overcrowded boats off the coast of Libya yesterday and one dead body was recovered, Italy’s coast guard said, as people smugglers operating in Libya took advantage of calm seas and warm weather. A coast guard spokesman said the smugglers had sent at least 26 boats toward Italy, the latest in a tide of migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Three Italian navy ships participated in the rescues, pick-

ing up more than 1,000 of those brought to safety so far, a statement said. British and Spanish ships participating in the European Union’s anti-people smuggling mission, Sophia, also conducted rescues. The charity Doctors Without Borders said its ship, the Argos, had rescued migrants from five boats. A deal with Turkey and border closures have helped the EU to stem the flow of migrants from the Middle East and Asia coming through Turkey and Greece. But Italy has received

about the same number of migrants setting off from North Africa this year as during the same period of 2015. As of Monday, 79,861 migrants had arrived in Italy by sea, compared with 83,119 during the same period of last year, while the number of migrants arriving in Greece from Turkey was down 95 percent. Almost 3,000 boat migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean this year, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Mali: Militants attack army base, kill 12 soldiers

t least 12 soldiers were killed when militants attacked an army base and an adjacent town in central Mali yesterday, firing on troop positions, burning buildings and pillaging shops, officials said. “They attacked the city and the army posts, plundered stores, burned public buildings and then left,” army spokesman Souleymane Maiga told Reuters. At least 12 soldiers were killed and 27 wounded in the attack, according to a senior local elected official and a local security source. The official said the assailants had briefly taken control of the military base in Nampala, in semi-desert scrubland close to the Mauritanian border, and that Malian troops had then

retreated to nearby Diabaly to regroup. A separate Malian intelligence source told Reuters that, after briefly seizing the base, the militants retreated into a forest with weapons and vehicles they had seized. Awash with guns and home to a plethora of rival armed groups nursing various local grievances, Mali has seen a surge in violence since a 2015 peace agreement, which has failed to prevent violence between different ethnic factions. French forces intervened in the vast desert country in 2013 to drive back Islamist fighters who had hijacked a Tuareg uprising in 2012 to take over the desert north. But despite 11,000 U.N. peacekeepers deployed since, militants have

reorganized and continue to launch attacks across Mali and its neighbors. There was confusion over who was behind yesterday’s attack. Authorities blamed Islamist militants, but a donorfunded national radio station, Studio Tamani, said it had received a phone call from a new militia defending the Peul ethnic group. The station said the call came from The National Alliance for the Safeguarding of Peul Identity and the Restoration of Justice (ANSIPRJ), headed by Oumar Aldjana. If confirmed, it would be the first time the group, which was set up last month and includes some who fought alongside the Islamists, has launched an attack.

imbabwean President Robert Mugabe yesterday said an activist pastor behind anti-government protests this month was being sponsored by foreign countries set on destabilizing his administration. On July 8, a ‘stay away’ protest movement led by church minister Evan Mawarire shut down most businesses, government offices, schools and hospitals in the biggest act of public defiance against Mugabe in a decade. Mawarire, who rallied followers under his #ThisFlag Twitter campaign, was arrested last week and formally accused of treason but was freed when a court threw out the charges. In his first public comments on Mawarire, the 92 year old

Mugabe accused the pastor of urging Zimbabweans to engage in violent protests, questioning whether he was a “true preacher”. “You can’t urge people to adopt violence, violent demonstrations as the way of life or a way of solving grievances, no. We will say no, forever no,” Mugabe said at the burial of a senior politician in Harare. “The Mawarires, if they don’t like to live with us, let them go to those who are sponsoring them, to the countries that are sponsoring them,” Mugabe added. Mugabe’s government has previously accused French and American ambassadors in Harare of supporting Mawarire’s #ThisFlag movement.

US states sue Volkswagen over emission scandal

hree US states have taken legal action against Volkswagen in the wake of the carmaker’s emissions scandal. New York, Massachusetts and Maryland all filed lawsuits yesterday. New York’s Attorney-General called the use of “defeat devices” a “widespread conspiracy” and a “cunningly cynical fraud” committed by all levels of VW management. The company said the allegations were “not new” and that the carmaker had been cooperating with US authorises. “It is regrettable that some states have decided to sue for environmental claims now, notwithstanding their prior support of this ongoing federalstate collaborative process,” VW said. Last month, it announced a $15.3bn (£11.6bn) settlement with federal regulators, several

states and thousands of owners of the affected vehicles. That deal included a “partial settlement” with New York and 43 other states worth $603m. Volkswagen admitted last year to installing “defeat devices” that disguised the level of emissions from its diesel cars when the vehicles underwent environmental testing. The devices were placed in 11 million cars worldwide. Massachusetts Attorney-General Maura Healey said VW damaged the environment and “plotted a massive cover-up to mislead environmental regulators”. “With today’s action, we want to make clear to all auto manufacturers that violating laws designed to protect our environment and our public health is unacceptable and will be punished with significant penalties,” she said.

Chinese tourists die inTaiwan bus fire

t least 26 people have died after a tour bus caught fire in Taiwan’s Taoyuan city, according to local officials. The bus smashed into a roadside barrier on a national highway and caught fire, Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) reported. It had been bringing the group of Chinese tourists to Taoyuan Airport to catch a flight back to Dalian. Officials said there were 24 tourists on board plus a local guide and driver. “The fire moved very fast. All 26 died,” Lu Jui-yao,

an official with the National Highway Police Bureau told Reuters. Pictures from the scene showed thick black smoke and flames engulfing the bus. The cause of the crash, shortly before 13:00 (05:00 GMT), was not immediately known. Taiwan authorities are still investigating. Taiwanese cabinet spokesman Tung Chen-yuan said tourism government officials had reached out to their mainland counterparts and would arrange for relatives of the victims to come to Taiwan.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport News

Did you know?

Sport

Visa hitches stall Iheanacho’s Man City pre-season tour

That between 1952 and now, Nigerian athletes have taken part in the Olympic Games 15 times. The country did not honour the 1976 Games which some other countries also boycotted

International Ronaldo vows to come back stronger after knee injury

46 47

S-H-A-M-E!

Le Guen snubs NFF, rejects offer Says no to World Cup target Not ready to stay in Nigeria NFF: We never said Le Guen had Eagles’ job

Adekunle Salami

Efe Ambrose (left)

ifty-two -year-old Frenchman Paul Le Guen who was picked by the Nigeria Football Federation as the new coach of the Super Eagles on Monday in Abuja has rejected the offer of the NFF. Information about this development came as a rude shock as the former PSG manager declined offer while negotiating the personal terms with the federation. A French Newspaper, LEquipe, was first to blew the lid early on Tuesday as it reported that : “Paul Le Guen will not go to Nigeria. Conditions not met to be the coach. He has nothing to do with the team yet” The Director of Communications of the NFF, Ademola Olajire, told our correspondent that negotiations with the Coach were not conclusive on Monday. Talks between both parties broke down as Le Guen insisted that the federation must not set any target for him while the NFF gave him a mandate of qualifying the Super

Le Guen

Eagles for Russia 2018 World Cup. The former Cameroon coach also rejected the idea of residing in Nigeria which is contrary to the plan of the NFF to have him stay parmanently in the country for the job. It was so shocking that all the loose ends were yet to be tidied up before the federation came up with a Press release that a new coach had been named ‘pending personal terms’ In a swift turn around however, the NFF after a meeting of the top-

shots in Abuja on Tuesday denied ever naming Le Guen as the Super Eagles coach. Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, dismissed reports in local and international media of the Frenchman’s rejection of the position as simply preposterous. “The press statement was clear, to the effect that all appointments made at the Technical and Development Committee meeting were mere recommendations, which had to be deliberated upon and agreed to by the Board. No sub–committee takes decisions, they only make recommendations. “In truth, the committee finds Mr. Paul Le Guen suitable for the post. But during final negotiations, he objected to being given a target and also did not wish to live in Nigeria, which was a sore point with the Board.” The NFF however failed to state its next line of action on the Eagles coach saga.

Rio: Buhari warns against jamboree, frivolous spending Urges athletes to shun drugs The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

Anule Emmanuel ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari has warned against unauthorised travelling of athletes and officials as Team Nigeria storm Rio, Brazil for the 2016 Olympic Games. The President gave the directive on Tuesday when he officially handed over Team Nigeria to the Nigeria Olympic Committee at the presidential Villa, Abuja. Speaking at the event, President Buhari warned that in the face of dwindling revenue and current global economic challenges, funds provided for the Games must be utilised judiciously. “I want to assure you that the Federal Government is fully committed to our delegation’s successful participa-

tion in the Rio Olympic Games and will ensure that funds budgeted for the Games are released without further delay. “In this regard, any official who has no business at the Games should stay at home to cheer the team from here and if

Sport Minister, Solomon Dalung (left) presenting Team Nigeria’s flag to President Muhammadu Buhari during the official handover of the team by the President to the Nigeria Olympic Committee in Abuja... Tuesday PHOTO; TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

they must travel to the Olympics, they should do so at their own expense,” the President stressed. President Buhari who was decorated as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Olympic Committee also warned the team to stay off drug. “The menace of drug use in sports is threatening the core foundation of sports and has led to embarrassing situations as well as sanctions of some great sporting nations. I therefore urge you to keep the integrity of our nation intact by competing clean and fair at the Olympic Games,” he added. Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung in his remark commended the President for his support for sports despite the dwindling resources. “We are grateful you have not waiver ed in your support of sports despite economic adversity... it is only imaginable what you would have done in the time of plenty,” he said. He said a total of 86 athletes will represent Nigeria in nine different sports.

SPORT NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Visa hitches stall Iheanacho’s Man City pre-season tour Emmanuel Tobi

uper Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho on Tuesday missed out of the Manchester City’s pre-season tour to China due to visa hitches. Pep Guardiola named a 32-man travelling party for the tour to Germany and China but left out Iheanacho who had visa issues entering the

Asian country. City blocked Nigeria’s attempts to include Iheanacho in their Olympic squad, with Guardiola insisting on the striker joining him for pre-season, rather than taking part in the Rio Games. The 19-year-old who scored 12 goals in all competitions last season could still make the squad to China for the games against Manchester United and Borussia

Dortmund in Beijing and Shenzhen if his application is granted. Iheanacho will be given the chance to establish himself as Sergio Aguero’s understudy next season and the tour was going to be his chance to make an impression on City’s new manager. Aguero, David Silva, Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling are among those who will meet up with the squad in China.

Iwobi: EPL defenders will struggle against Musa

Ajibade Olusesan

rsenal striker Alex Iwobi has said many defenders in the English Premier League will struggle to cope with the pace his Super Eagles teammate and new Leicester City signing Ahmed Musa possesses. Musa sealed his dream move to the EPL few days ago when he joined the

Iwobi

English champions in a record deal worth £16m Iwobi who has played about four international matches with Musa said the Super Eagles vice-captain was a fast player who could cause a lot of trouble for the opposing teams and would be a success in England. “Yeah, he is a good player. I have played with him and one thing I can tell you for sure is that this guy is fast. I think he can do well in England because he is exactly what you want in a winger, he will go past people and can cross the ball well,” he said. The player enjoyed incredible second half of last season and hopes to build on that success. He also admitted Juventus midfielder was the player he loves to watch. “I would say Paul Pogba was my favourite player to watch. I know he didn’t play too well in the final, but there is so much to his game. It’s actually his work off the ball that impresses me the most. It was definitely something I noticed and was impressed by. I like watching players that I can learn from,” he added.

Cowbell Academy Summer Camp starts July 24

esidential and non-residential Summer Camp takes place July 24 to August 13 as one of the main planks for the development, skill acquisition social and educational growth of participants. Activities include physical drills and conditioning, small sided games, fun games and team games of the conventional 11-aside. Motivational speakers in interactive and mentoring sessions with star footballers and ex-internationals are on offer. This summer, ex-internationals such as Segun Odegbami, Austin Okocha,

Team captains Babangida Hassan and Adamu Atta holding the Access Bank Charity Cup with Herbert Wigwe GMD/ CEO, Access Bank and the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II at the end of the Access Bank Charity Cup match

Mutiu Adepoju, Jonathan Akpoborie and Peter Rufai would be guests at different sessions. Okon Iyanma, Communication expert, Seyi Akinwunmi, 1st Vice President NFF, Bolaji Abdullahi, former Minister of Sports, Mr Solomon Arase, immediate past Inspector General of Police, Barrister Agu Imo, lawyer and sports consultant, Mr Nduka Irabor, CEO League Management Company, Alex Goma, MD PZ Industry captains and opinion moulders are also expected at the summer camp.

Iheanacho (right)

SWAN CUP

New Telegraph strikers warn NAN, VON, others

Zenith Sports, Winners Golden Bet boost tourney

Charles Ogundiya

ew Telegraph Strikers will make their debut in the 2016 Winners Golden Bet/Lagos SWAN Cup starting on Friday, July 26 at the Legacy pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, and they have promised to surprise all in their first appearance. The team which returned from training tour of Europe few days ago, including the home of newlycrowned Euro champions, Portugal, are in Group B alongside Voice of Nigeria, News Agency of Nigeria and SuperSports. Speaking on the coming games, the skipper of the side kitted by Zenith Sports , Adekunle Salami, popularly called Sport Slaming said his boys were ready to take on all comers. “We played some strong friendly matches against top sides during our training tour of Europe; we ac-

tually defeated the newly-crowned European champions, Portugal, 2-1 while also playing a goalless draw with France.” He further appreciated the efforts of the Managing Director, Funke Egbemode, in securing the technical services of Portugal coach, Fernando Santos, for the team. Meanwhile, Chairman of the 2016 Sports Committee, Debo Oshundun, added that the 2016 edition will be bigger and better with Zenith Sports and FC IfeanyiUbah all willing to support Winners Golden Bet as partners. According to event schedule, the first day will witness an opening game between the Lagos SWAN veterans and Lagos Sports Commission team to be led by its Chairman, Deji Tinubu, with group matches expected to commence on Monday, July 25.

Access Bank Polo takes Charity Shield to UK ...makes extra donation to UNICEF Emmanuel Tobi

he Access Bank Group along with 5th Chukker hosted the ‘Access Bank Polo Day’ at the Guards Polo Club, Windsor, United Kingdom on Saturday July 16 as part of its continued support of UNICEF. The annual event is the climax to the high-profile Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield Polo tournament, which is in its ninth year and is aimed at reaching out to and highlighting the plight of vulnerable chil-

dren and orphans and internationally displaced persons. A new introduction to this year’s was the Emir’s Cup in honour of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II who was in attendance throughout the afternoon. For both polo games of the afternoon, His Highness made a ceremonial throw-in to begin each game. Keffi Ponies defeated Delaney 7-6 in the first game for the Emir’s Cup while La Dolfina and Fifth Chukker played a 4-4 draw in the Access Bank Charity Cup in the second

game of the day. Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe said, “We are continually seeking ways through which more resources can be pooled towards supporting the children. We are part of the community and as such should support its wellbeing.” His Highness, the Emir of Kano, made the prize giving to the teams to bring an end to a very successful day for Access Bank and Fifth Chukker, at one of the most beautiful polo clubs in the world.

INTERNATIONAL

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Chelsea warn Atletico over Costa

Ronaldo vows to come back stronger after knee injury

eal Madrid and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed to return bigger and better for the 2016-17 season after suffering a knee injury at the European Championships earlier in July. A tearful Ronaldo was carried from the field after sustaining a knee problem in the first half of Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph over host nation France in Paris. Ronaldo suffered the injury following a crunching tackle from Dimitri Payet, with reports claiming the 31-year-old could miss Madrid’s start to the LaLiga season. But Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer took to Instagram to insist he is on the comeback trail. “Hi everyone! I just wanted to thank all my fans,” Ronaldo said in the video, having been seen on holiday with his left knee in a brace. “I wanted to tell them that all is well and that I will come back much stronger.

helsea will issue a hands-off warning to Atletico Madrid over their links to Diego Costa, as new coach Antonio Conte is intent on keeping the forward at Stamford Bridge. The 27-year-old striker has been linked with a move back to the Spanish capital this summer and the Blues will speak with Atletico over their reported interest in their former star forward. Chelsea are under-

eicester City have slapped a £45 million price tag on winger Riyad Mahrez as they look to ward off interest from Premier League clubs, according to the Daily Telegraph. The Algeria international has been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona after winning the PFA Player of the Year award last season. But the Foxes are confident he will follow Jamie Vardy’s lead and remain at the King Power Stadium as the English champions embark on the Champions League for the first time.

Ronaldo

ayern Munich forward Arjen Robben has no intention of retiring from international football despite admitting that it could help him avoid the kind of injury that will see him miss the start of the season. The 32-year-old has been plagued by fitness concerns throughout his career

but, despite being at an age when many players wind down their international careers to focus on club matters, Robben says that is not on his agenda. The former Real Madrid man told Goal: “No. No, not at all. Not yet. “Of course you think about every situation and especially the physical stuff is an issue for me. You can have some more breaks [if you leave international football] which might be good but I’m very proud to be able to play for Netherlands.

Countdown to

Mahrez

Olympics

Days to Go

D’Tigers battle Argentina again Emmanuel Tobi

fter a revenge 96-92 victory over their Argentinian opponents in Monday’s first of two friendlies lined up as warm-up for the Rio Olympics next month, the senior national male basketball team, D’Tigers will today (Wednesday) in the same Las Vegas battle the South Americans in the second game. The high point of Monday’s victory was the return of D’Tigers big man, Ike Diogu, the team’s co-captain, who was denied action at last year’s Afrobasket

Costa

Leicester want £45m for Mahrez

Robben: I’m not quitting international stage

stood to be angered by reports linking Costa to Spain and will again seek clarification over the transfer rumours. “Diego is our player,” Conte said on Tuesday. “He’s a fantastic player for me. He is a player with fundamental importance. For me it’s no problem to read there is possibility to go to another team because Diego announced he stay with us.”

in Tunisia due to injury, as he hit 18 points with seven rebounds to his sterling performance. After trailing by three points in the first quarter at 24-27, the Diogu inspired team parading a rejuvenated Josh Akognon, who last appeared for the side in the 2009 Afrobasket, out-dunked the Argentines in the second quarter by five points, 50-45. D’Tigers took 35 shots from beyond the arc against their opponents and hit 15 of them, with seven of the 11 players that played knocking down three-pointers.

I never thought I would make seven Olympic Games – Toriola

Al-farouq (right)

hen Segun Toriola made his debut at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games in Spain, he just wanted to fulfil his childhood dream of competing at the biggest sporting event in the world. But when the Rio 2016 Olympic Games kicks off on August 5, Toriola will etch his name in the annals of Olympic history as the first African to compete at seven Olympic Games. “I feel very great about my seventh Olympic Games because it is a record for me, Nigeria and for the continent of Africa. At the beginning of my career, I didn’t know that I’m going to play in seven Olympics but here I am heading to Rio and I am super excited for this feat,” he said. Toriola, who is yet to get national honour for his feat as the most successful table tennis player in Africa is focusing on doing well a Rio Olympic Games. However, Toriola is optimistic of good outing in Rio despite the lack of preparation, “The team is trying a lot to prepare ourselves because it is very important that we put up a good performance and make the country proud at the Olympics. We are preparing ourselves very well and hopefully we will have something to celebrate in Rio.”

Cummings set for Rio after late call-up

tage winner Steve Cummings will ride for Great Britain at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games after all, following the withdrawal of Team Sky’s Peter Kennaugh.

Two-time national champion Kennaugh, a gold medallist on the track in 2012, was set to ride as part of the five-man British team for the men’s road race in Rio but took the deci-

sion to withdraw after struggling for form on his comeback from a broken collarbone. Cummings, 35, a silver medallist in the team pursuit at the 2004 Olympic Games in

Athens, raced the men’s road race in Beijing 2008 but was not selected for London four years ago. He said of his selection: “I’ve shown over the 2016 sea-

son to date that I am in great shape and I look forward to going to Rio to represent my country and hopefully we as a team come back with a medal from the road race.”

NEWS 48On Marble

Sanctity of Truth

The clearest way to show what the rule of law means to us in everyday life is to recall what has happened when there is no rule of law.

Bola Bolawole Tinubu, Dino: Defining the 8th Senate?

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

– Dwight D. Eisenhower

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016

}16

N150

Elitist legal education

he externs posted to various Law Firms in Nigeria from the Nigerian Law School have finished their Law Office attachment and gone back to the Nigerian Law School to continue with their studies preparatory to their Bar Final Examinations. The Law School places the students in various Law Firms to enable them see how Firms are run and for them to gain practical knowledge of how documents are drafted. Some of them follow their Principals to Court and gain practical knowledge of “legal maneuvers”. I interacted with some of the students posted to my office for their Law Office attachment. I interacted with some of them posted to other law offices including the ones I met in court having accompanied their Principals and other lawyers in chambers to court. I also met with some of them posted to the Law Office of JB Daudu and Co when JB Daudu, SAN hosted them to a get together preparatory to their heading back to the Nigerian Law School. My personal observation is that a large number of the externs posted to the various Law Offices for their Chambers attachment attended private nursery, primary and secondary schools and ended up in private universities in Nigeria and abroad. I also observed most of the spokespersons and leaders of the various groups attended private schools in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. Speaking to some of the externs, it is clear to me that the face of the Legal Profession is changing very fast and something must be done about it. I observed that a large number of the externs did their Law Programmes outside Nigeria and came back to write their Bar Exams and qualify as Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against these externs. Some of them have good education and are well cultured and will be an asset to the legal profession but I am concerned with the short and long term implications of sharp class differentiation in legal education and the educational system in general. I do not know whether the Nigerian people saw this coming but I am sure that the bulk of Nigerian students did. I remember vividly that between 1983 and 1984 I served as the Secretary General of the National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) under the leadership of my late friend, brother and Comrade Chris Abashi. As students, we were concerned about the morbid desire of the State to commercialize education and make it only affordable to the sons and daughters of the rich and powerful in the society. Prior to our assumption of office, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) adopted a Charter of Demands at the third Annual Convention of the Association held at Bayero University, Kano on the 14th day of December 1982. The Document is relevant today as it was in 1982 when it was adopted. “The central theme of the document is anchored

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

NBA president, Augustine Alegeh

on the democratization of education at all levels in Nigeria. By this we do not just mean free education, which is not even so in concrete reality, but the elimination of gerontocracy (from primary schools to higher institutions) and a replacement with democratic rule. Hence, the question of democracy in education hinges on some factors. First, adequate funding of our education to the extent that every Nigerian is well educated (not just the ability to read and write). Second is the relevance of the content of such education to those receiving it while the third is the introduction and entrenchment of the most democratic culture in the schools? In reality, these factors are not mutually exclusive” The truth of the matter is that Nigeria is at a cross road and must be ready to face the challenges of class education. Most of the leaders of our country today went to the best public schools in the country and outside the country. Most of our leaders went to school at public expense and enjoyed all manner of scholarship which en-

The leaders of this country have technically expelled the sons and daughters of the poor

abled some of them from poor homes to acquire education. How do we then explain the fact that some of the leaders of Nigeria that should extend the same rights and privileges they enjoyed to others are the ones denying the sons and daughters of poor and vulnerable Nigerians quality education? Are we really prepared for the consequences that will eventually result from our educational policies and programmes? Most of the public primary and secondary schools across the Federation are in shambles. In some of them, the buildings are collapsing and or have collapsed. There are no equipment and teaching facilities and aids in most of the schools. To compound the situation, some of the schools have been closed down for a long period of time as the teachers have been at home due to nonpayment of their salaries, emoluments and entitlements. For those in session, some of the teachers run other businesses to survive and teaching is their secondary vocation. And yet the political elite budget huge sums of money for primary and secondary education and it never trickles down to those in need of empowerment. Conversely, the leaders of this country send their sons and daughters to the best private nursery, primary and secondary schools in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. Having destroyed our educational system, some of them have flooded Ghanaian schools with their sons and daughters. They have their sons and daughters in schools where the fees are simply outrageous. Of course the sons and daughters of the ordinary people cannot dream of going to such schools. The leaders of Nigeria and those that are rich and powerful send their sons and daughters to the best universities abroad where teachers are paid and where teachers have the facilities to teach and impart knowledge to the students. The reality now is that the leaders of this country have technically expelled the sons and daughters of the poor and vulnerable from school because what those that are in public schools are acquiring can no longer be tagged as knowledge. That is the truth because a student that has been at home for one year on account of teachers not being paid has technically been expelled from school. Those of them whose teachers sell “provisions” and other things to survive and teach for an hour cannot really be said to be acquiring education. I am also worried that some of the law students in public schools cannot make it to the Law School because of the high fees being charged by the School. Some of the poor students that manage to graduate from the

public universities cannot afford the fees charged at the Law School and must therefore remain at home and be contended with their law degrees. We have raised a high wall and created a barrier between our sons and daughters in the private schools and in the ones in public schools. Some of our sons and daughters in public secondary schools can hardly compete with students from private schools that trained with the best teachers and the best facilities. The implication is that a large number of students from public schools can hardly pass their examinations and gain admission to the public universities. When they do, they complete with students that are from average homes that have attended average private schools and they still have the same challenge of poor beginning and poor orientation. The well to do and some of those in government who have no faith in public universities still send their sons and daughters to Universities in the West African Sub region or send them to schools in Europe and in the United States. We must close the existing educational gap between public and private schools if we do not want to experience the fury of a frustrated and angry generation. Only the docile will see what is going on and accept it as ordained by God. The smart poor children know that their inability to go to school or get good education is a class contrivance meant to keep them as hewers of wood and servants of the sons and daughters of the rich. It is this class conspiracy against the sons and daughters of the poor that fuels insurgency and different types of insurrection. It is the class conspiracy against the sons and daughters of the poor that makes them vulnerable to religious and ethnic influences that are antithetical to national cohesion and progress. We must arrest this class challenge before it gets out of hand.

HIGH CHIEF

BUHARI WON’T LET NIGERIANS DOWN –Presidency

- But hunger is biting hard!

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotlines: (Lagos 0902 928 1425), (Abuja 0805 5118488) Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: AYODELE OJO.