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Vol. 2 No. 462

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

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N150

Tambuwal steps down as Ihedioha emerges acting speaker }6

FG moves to enforce sale of petrol at N87 lKalu seeks removal of fuel subsidy

Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government yesterday moved to enforce the regulated pump

price of petrol at N87 per litre days after a biting scarcity, occasioned by the disruption of the supply system, forced price to rise as much as N500 per litre. The Department of Petro-

leum Resources (DPR), in a statement, warned filling stations against selling above the official pump price or risk being shut down. The DPR's position came a

day after a deal by fuel marketers and the Federal Government led to the restoration of lifting the commodity, leading to the easing of the fuel shortCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

NEW TELEGR

APH WEDNES

The Mega DAY, MAY 27,

2015

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}21

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How Mu’azu escaped EFCC's prosecution plot 27

OLUWATOSI N OMONIYI CITY EDITOr

tosin.omoniyi@ne wtelegraphonline

.com © Daily Telegrap h Publishin g Company Limited

UED ON PAGE 22

lEx-PDP chair's resignation saved him from trial for alleged N19.8bn fraud lRespite for PDP NWC as Bello emerges BoT chairman }4

Quick Read Petrol tankers back on Lagos-Apapa Expressway after the resumption of lifting petrol…yesterday.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Disquiet in military over soldiers' acquittal lWe don't interfere with judicial process - Army

Our Correspondent

he Army Headquarters (AHQ) is uncom-

fortable with the discharge and acquittal verdicts given some accused officers and soldiers by court-mar-

tials across the country, New Telegraph has learnt. It was gathered yesterday that the army was al-

legedly angry that some accused officers and soldiers, who stood trial for various offences committed dur-

ing the fight against Boko Haram in the North-East, had been discharged and CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Editorial

Time to overhaul our justice }19 system

Female suicide bombings on the rise, says }6 UNICEF

WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SPECIALonREPORT The 8th Senate’s Fresh Generation Godswill Akpabio

Aliyu Wamakko

Jonah David Jang

Stella Adaeze Oduah

Samuel Egwu

Rabiu Kwankwaso

Theodore Orji

Mao Ohuabunwa

Uche Lilian Ekwunife

Buruji Kashamu

Jeremiah Useni

Abubakar Kyari

Ben Murray Bruce

Peter Nwaoboshi

Biodun Olujimi

Dino Melaye

Monsurat Sunmonu

Bayero Usman Nafada

Bala ibn Na’Allah

Isiaka A. Adeleke

Abubakar Danladi

Adeola Olamilekan

Binta Masi Garba

Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim

Mustapha Bukar

Duro Samuel Faseyi

Fatimat O. Raji-Rasaki

Shehu Sani

Mustapha Bukar

Philip Aruwa I Gyunka

Buhari Abdulfatai

Suleiman O. Hunkuyi

Osinakachukwu Ideozu

Danjuma La’ah

Bassey Albert Akpan

Olanrewaju Tejuoso

Mohammed A. Ohiare

Nelson Asuquo Effiong

Achonu A. Nneji

Sabo Mohammed

David Umaru

Umaru Ibrahim Kurfi

Barau I Jibrin

Nnaemeka Anyanwu

Clifford A. Ordia

John Enoh Owan

Mathew A. Urhoghide

Utazi Godfrey Chukwuka

Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi

Gbolahan Dada

Abdul-Aziz M. Nyako

Francis A. Alimikhena

Olaka Johnson Nwogu

Ogba Joseph Obinna

Tijjani Yahaya Kaura

Donald Alasoadura

Rose Okoji Oko

Yele Omogunwa

Ogola Foster

Gershom H. Bassey

Suleiman M. Nazif

Malam Ali Wakili

Abdullahi A. Gumel

Marafa Bashir Abba

Yahaya Abdullahi

Abdulrahman Abubakar

Salihu Hussain Egye

Mohammed Garba

Ighoyota Amori

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Ahmadu Abubakar

Mohammed Hasan

Isah Hamma Misau

Ibrahim Abdullahi

Muhammad Ubali Shitu

On June 4, 2015, the eighth Senate of the National Assembly will be inaugurated. Of the 109 Senators who will be taking their seats, 75, representing 68 per cent will be fresh in the upper chamber. Who are these fresh Senators? What are their backgrounds and antecedents? What quality of debate and contributions are we likely to see from them? These and more will be the kernel of a special report by New Telegraph on that day. The report presents a unique opportunity for family, friends and associates of these fresh Senators to felicitate with them. For enquiries and participation: Call Biodun: 0802-301-5582, Taiwo: 0803-304-2915, Onwuka: 0803-733-9843, David: 0810-759-1663

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015

News

WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

How Mu’azu escaped EFCC's prosecution plot Ayodele Ojo, Onyekachi Eze and Anule Emmanuel

ontrary to the health reason cited as basis for his resignation as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, actually quit his job to avoid prosecution for corrupt practices. A source told New Telegraph yesterday that the presidency had perfected plans to make the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reopen Mu’azu’s file for prosecution before he suddenly travelled abroad. Mu’azu has a pending case with the EFCC bordering on the alleged mismanagement of public funds to the tune of N19.8 billion when he was governor of Bauchi State between 1999 and 2007. It was learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan bowed to pressure from some of his aides to allow EFCC prosecute Mu’azu following his resistance to resign after he led the party to its first humiliating defeat in 16 years. Jonathan was said to have advised Mu’azu to toe the path of honour and quit as national chairman after the PDP lost its ruling status in the general elections to the All Progressives Congress (APC). But the former governor was said to have declined the president’s request. Mu’azu was accused by the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation of sabotaging Jonathan’s re-election by working for the opposition. It was learnt that when Mu’azu got the hint that the hawks in the presidency were bent on humiliating him with the corruption case and in the face of growing calls by governors and PDP stakeholders for the dissolution of the National Working Committee (NWC), he travelled to Singapore, on the excuse that he was going for medical treatment. On Wednesday May 20, Mu’azu resigned while abroad. “Mu’azu has no health challenge. He resigned to wade off the onslaught the presidency was bent on launching against him. Mu’azu has business interests in Singapore. As I’m speaking with you, he shuttles between Singapore and Malaysia where he manages his business interests. “The presidency felt the former PDP national chairman sabotaged the re-election bid of President Jonathan. So, they

are after him. The plan was to re-open his file with the EFCC which had been put at abeyance because of his cosy relationship with President Jonathan. So, the man is in Singapore to save his name,” an associate of the former governor told New Telegraph. The source stated that Mu’azu would return in June after the exit of Jonathan on Friday. The petition against Mu’azu had prompted the anti-graft agency to invite the former governor for investigation and he was billed to appear before EFCC operatives in Abuja in July 2008. Rather than honour

the invitation, Mu’azu travelled to the United Kingdom on the pretence that he was attending the graduation of his daughter. After the event, Mu’azu relocated to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. He was in Dubai on self-exile for two years. As soon as Jonathan became president in 2010 after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, Mu’azu returned to Nigeria in September 2010. On his return, EFCC in October 2010 maintained that the former governor still has a case to answer. “We wish to state emphatically that ex-Governor Adamu Mu’azu is still

being investigated and as such could not have been cleared of graft allegations against him. “The former governor who until recently has been out of the country is still expected to honour an invitation to be interviewed by a team of operatives investigating the case against him,” EFCC’s spokesperson at the time, Femi Babafemi, had said. But the anti-graft agency never presses any case against the former governor despite his failure to honour the invitation. Jonathan and Mu’azu enjoyed bosom relationship when the president was deputy governor of

Bayelsa State. New Telegraph learnt that in the heat of the political crisis in Bayelsa State when the Olusegun Obasanjo administration moved against the then Governor Diepriye Alamieyeseigha, Mu’azu accommodated Jonathan at the Yankari Games Resort in Bauchi and provided a shield for him. Jonathan left Bauchi shortly after the Bayelsa State House of Assembly impeached Alamieyeseigha to become the governor of the oil-rich state. The relationship between the president and Mu’azu helped the former governor to be appointed

as PDP national chairman in January 2014 following the ouster of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. As soon as Mu’azu became the PDP national chairman, the corruption petition against him became an issue. But the PDP described the purported investigation of Mu’azu as part of a plot to distract its national chairman from his “determination and commitment to rebuild and reposition the PDP as the pre-eminent party in Nigeria.” PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, who on January 26, 2014 defended Mu’azu, deCONTINUED ON PAGE 7

L-R: Guinean President, Alpha Conde; All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu; Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and former APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, during Conde’s arrival for a meeting in Lagos…yesterday.

We don't interfere with judicial process -Army CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

acquitted notwithstanding the belief that the charges against them were weighty enough to secure convictions. The Army had, through its acting spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, said it was prosecuting 579 officers and soldiers for offences bordering on professional misconduct as well as indiscipline. “There are currently two separate court-martials going on in the Army Headquarters Garrison and 81 Division, Nigerian Army, with a view to ensuring quick dispensation of justice, discipline and professionalism," the army said. Prior to the restriction of the trial of the accused personnel to Abuja and Lagos, court-martials

had sat at the 1 and 3 Divisions in Kaduna and Jos, respectively, to try officers and soldiers. The court-martials were set up to deal with cases of mutiny, attempted mutiny, cowardice and other offences committed in the course of the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in the North East. It was further gathered that the authorities have allegedly ordered the prosecutors to gather more incontrovertible evidence against the accused. New Telegraph, however, learnt that the development was not an attempt to stampede the courts into miscarriage of justice since, according to a source, the AHQ wants justice to be manifestly seen to have been done. The source said: "I can

tell you that the Army Headquarters is not very comfortable with some acquittal pronouncements and judgements passed by past or present courtsmartial. "For example, one Colonel Ebamene was recently discharged and acquitted by the ongoing court-martial in Lagos. "The officer I just mentioned was the Commanding Officer (CO) of 23 Brigade in Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State. "As a matter of fact, the officer was supposed to move his troops on advance mission to capture Bazza, Michika, Gulak and Gwoza. "The authorities could, however, not reconcile themselves to the manner of prosecution that may have led to the acquittal of the officer.

"Moreso, this decision may benefit his lieutenants, some of whom are facing trial in Abuja." Reacting to the claim of disquiet in the military over the soldiers' acquittal, Usman said the army had absolute respect for the judiciary and judicial process and so would never do anything to obstruct or interfere with the ongoing trials. He said: "Which army officer did he (your source) talk with? Who did he talk with in the Army Headquarters and who told him that? How can we interfere with the judicial process? "I would understand if today, you say the Chief of Army Staff or Usman said so." When New Telegraph explained that the call was meant to get the offi-

cial reaction of the army to the report, he said: "I respect you a lot. Let me tell you, honestly, I don't like how your editor is always being antagonistic. I can understand if there is an issue, I will not talk to you officially unless you confirm to me who in the Army Headquarters said that. "There hasn't been any official response in any of the ongoing jurisdictions either within the army or outside about acquittals; there hasn't been any. "The source of information in the Nigerian Army is either the Chief of Army Staff or I as being the official spokesman. "Be rest assured that the army will never, ever be angry with government or any segment of the Nigerian society."

News

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015

APC to Reps-elect: Be passionate with Nigerians Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday told House of Representatives’ members-elect to be passionate about the people. The APC national chairman stated this in Abuja at a two-day retreat organised by the party for its members-elect, to prepare them for the task and challenges ahead of the 8th Assembly. His words: “While I congratulate all of you on your elections, I must caution that your task is not easy. This is because you are being called to service at one of the most challenging periods in the history of our nation. You must dig deep into your inner reserves of wisdom, unshakeable faith in country and a fearless commitment to service of fatherland in order to surmount the daunting legislative challenge that will swiftly face you in the days and weeks to come. “I have no doubt in my mind that the coming days will be rough and tough choices will have to be made. This is not intended to scare, but rather to frame the magnitude of the challenge that confronts us. This is because to reposition our country for growth and development, hard choices concerning the way we managed our business in the past and our attitude to public as-

sets have to be undertaken. “You may be required to pass important bills at very short notices. There will be unprecedented demands on you, but as members of the same party with the president and having campaigned on a common manifesto, your buy-in to the programmes of the president and the party is assumed. There is, therefore, an assured willingness to work with him and the party for the benefit of all Nigerians. The demands on you will be tasking, but you are up to the task!” Oyegun added: “What

is important for now is to have the courage, the passion to face the challenges that confront our nation. ''And for each and every one of us from the date you are sworn in, by personal conduct, be personal proselytes to the issues of change. “If issues come before you in the National Assembly, your sole guiding principle should be the good of the long suffering people of our nation.” Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), Mrs. Saudatu Mahdi, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and Dr. Ayo Teriba presented papers on State of the Na-

tion; Affirmative Action; The need for Legislature Action; Relationship between the party, executive and legislature, and the Realities of the Nigeria Economy. One of the discussants, Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi, who spoke to the legislators on benefits of Affirmative Action, told the members-elect the importance of having women in governance. Affirmative action or positive discrimination (known as employment equity in Canada, reservation in India and Nepal, and positive action

in the UK) is the policy of favouring members of a disadvantaged group who suffer from discrimination within a culture. According to her, 23 countries have adopted the Affirmative Action for women in their policies and urged the incoming legislators to make Nigeria the 24th country. She said countries like India, Uganda, Italy were among countries that had policies mandatorily reserving seats for women in governance, reiterating that Nigeria could toe the same path to encourage the women.

She urged the party not to forsake the women who have fought hard to ensure its victory. “One strategy that can be adopted is twinning; we propose that when a man is the head of a committee, a woman should deputise for him and vice-versa. "And if there are sub committees or groups of three formed for a purpose, women should be included," she said. The retreat held from Monday to Tuesday. The party held a similar retreat for incoming senators on Friday and Saturday.

L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Hon. Bashir Adamu; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Rear Admiral G.E Okon; President Goodluck Jonathan; Minister of State for Defence, Col. Augustine Akobundu (rtd) and Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, during the inauguration of Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Dialysis Centre in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

FG moves to enforce sale of petrol at N87 N’Assembly distributes assets CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

age that worsened in the last two weeks. However, a former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has considered the deal between the marketers and government as a short-term solution to the frequent fuel shortage in Nigeria and called on President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently remove subsidy before he hands over to the President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday. This came as the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA), an association of marketers and importers, disowned one of its members, Capital Oil and Gas Limited, for being "mischievous," over claims that the association was on strike, an allegation, he claimed caused fuel scarcity. The DPR, in a statement by its Head Public Affairs, Dorothy Bassey, tasked Nigerians to report any marketer who sells the product above the

regulated price to its officials or law enforcement agents. "While the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) is making every effort to ensure that fuel is available and reaches every part of the nation, it is hereby emphasised that the Federal Government has not increased the price of fuel. "The price remains at N87. Any station caught selling above the stipulated price, will have its licence revoked. "No station should sell in jerry cans as there is enough fuel and for safety reasons. Any station caught dispensing into jerry cans will be sealed. "We ask that the public exercise caution and cooperate with all guidelines and processes for the safety of all," it said. However, in his reaction to the fuel crisis, Kalu, while calling on the president to float fuel price, said if Jonathan should fail to stop the subsidy regime, which has cost Nigerians over N6.354 trillion in the

last five years, Buhari should implement it immediately he is sworn in on Friday. Kalu, in a statement yesterday, said: “The Federal Government has spent N6.354 trillion as subsidy on petroleum products in the last five years, when President Goodluck Jonathan assumed leadership of Nigeria. Penultimate week, it paid N156 billion to oil marketers, bringing total payment to over N500 billion in five months, including over N300 billion in two instalments in December last year and N31 billion in interest differentials recently. “In 2010, a total of N673 billion was paid on subsidy, rising significantly to N1.3 trillion in 2011, before being revised upwards to N2.19 trillion by the Ministry of Finance, after arrears were paid in 2012 for products consumption in 2011. “In 2012, the sum of N888 billion was allocated to subsidise petroleum product imports in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

declaration forms to lawmakers Philip Nyam Abuja

s part of measures to fight corruption, the management of the National Assembly has distributed declaration of asset forms to all the lawmakers as the seventh Assembly set to wind down on June 6. All the 109 Senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives including the principal officers have been given forms from the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). It is statutory obligation for all public servants including the President, Vice President, members of the National Assembly, State Assembly as well as Ministers to declare their assets in line with Section 53, 140 and 149 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Section 52(1) provides that: "Every member of the Senate or the House of Representatives shall, before taking his seat, declare

his assets and liabilities as prescribed in this Constitution and subsequently take and subscribe the Oath of allegiance and the oath of membership as prescribed in the Seventh schedule to this Constitution before the President of the Senate or, as the case may be, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, but a member may before taking the oaths take part in the election of a President and a Deputy President of the Senate, as the case may be, or a Speaker and a deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.” Section 52(2) further provides that "the President and deputy president and the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall declare their assets and liabilities as prescribed in this constitution and subsequently take and subscribe the oath of allegiance and the oath of membership prescribed as aforesaid before the Clerk of the National Assembly."

Similar verification exercise is ongoing across all the over 600 federal ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals. In a related development, the National Assembly management has commenced the audit of all its staff. This was contained in a memo issued by the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA). Director (Management services), Aisha Mohammed, in an internal memo titled "Re-confirmation of personal emolument form 2015" explained that the staff audit was in line with the CNA's directive. Under the arrangement, all National Assembly are to present their current identity cards for verification. All those on secondment to the National Assembly are included in the exercise. According to sources, any staff who fails to participate in the verification exercise will forfeit the June salary in line with extant laws.

News

WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Female suicide bombings on the rise, says UNICEF lSeized Boko Haram video shows foreigners' involvement in insurgency Obinna Odoh Abuja

he United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern about the rising incidence of Boko Haram, using girls and women as suicide bombers. The international organisation warned that if immediate measures are not taken to arrest the ugly trend, children will, in future, be perceived as potential threats, which would put all children associated with armed groups at risk of retaliation and would impede their rehabilitation and reintegration in the community. UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Jean Gough, said yesterday in Abuja that the number of reported suicide attacks had jumped to 27 in the first five months of this year compared to 26 throughout last year. Women and children carried out three-quarters of all such attacks with girls aged between approximately seven and 17 years blamed for nine suicide bombings since July,

UNICEF said in a collation of reports. Its report was released on a day a report by Reuters showed that an analysis of video footage seized from Boko Haram showed the involvement of foreigners in the sect's terror campaign in the North-East. Gough said the conflict had severely constrained full-scale provision of health care services and education to children, thereby threatening their right to survival. According to Gough, in Borno State, children have not been to school for more than one year. "The use of children as suicide bombers and the increase in the number of suicide bombings is alarming and an appalling trend in the perpetration of violence against children. "In 2014, 26 suicide attacks were recorded compared to 27 attacks as of May 2015. In at least three-quarters of these incidents, children and women were reportedly

used to carry out the attacks. Girls and women have been used to detonate bombs or explosives belts at crowded locations, such as market places and bus stations. “Children are not instigating these suicide attacks; they are used intentionally by adults in the most horrific way”, he said. According to him, since July 2014, nine suicide incidents involving children aged between approximately seven and 17 years – all of them girls – have been reported. He added that their identity and exact ages have not been verified, as estimates are based primarily on eyewitness accounts. "An estimated 743,000 children have been uprooted by the conflict in the three most affected states in Nigeria; the number of unaccompanied and separated children could be as high as 10,000, according to UNICEF estimates.

“Many children have been separated from their families when they fled the violence, and have no one to look after them. “Without the protection of their families, these children are at greater risk of exploitation by adults, and this can lead to involvement in criminal or armed group activities” Gough stated. Meanwhile, video footage found in captured Boko Haram camps by the military and seen by Reuters have given some of the clearest indication that foreign fighters hold positions of power within the militant group. The military said it was analysing the footage to identify fighters and study the group's internal dynamics. The Federal Government has previously spoken of foreign influence within the ranks of the jihadists, but lacked hard evidence to back up its assertion. "They (foreigners) car-

ry arms and fight alongside the other terrorists," a senior military source, which declined to be identified, said. "They are also experts and trainers." Reuters was not able to establish how many other foreigners were at the filmed event or what percentage of the militants' fighting force they account for overall. In 2012, Boko Haram was reported to be receiving training from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), although there has been little to back up claims of foreigners at the core of the group beyond anecdotal evidence from civilians who escaped or soldiers who fought them. The footage shows Boko Haram administering sharia judgements in front of a big crowd in a field stained with blood with a man speaking in Sudanese Arabic. "God ordered all believers to enforce his punishments," the man, whose face is completely covered

by a white turban, said. "God ordered us to cut off the hand of the thief and flog the adulterer and adulteress." Standing in the middle of a circle formed by the crowd and near a preacher shouting into a loudspeaker in Hausa, the man appeared to be overseeing at the gathering called to implement sharia law. A man wearing a black turban stands next to him as he speaks in Arabic and occasionally nods in agreement while another waves the group's black flag behind them. Turbans in this style are not typical in Nigeria's northeast. In other parts of the film, men and women are flogged and several have hands amputated while the crowd cheers. A man is also stoned to death after being buried up to his head in a pit. The military said it believed the events took place in Borno State, around Gwoza, Boko Haram's former headquarters.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

ABUJA

PORT HARCOURT

KANO

ENUGU

30o C 26oC Thunder Storms

32oC 24oC Partially Cloudy

22oC 19oC Storm

41oC 27oC Mostly Sunny

31o C 23oC Thunder Storms

L-R: Imo State Governor, Mr. Rochas Okorocha; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III and Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko, when the governors paid a visit to the sultan in Sokoto…yesterday

Tambuwal steps down as Ihedioha emerges acting speaker Philip Nyam Abuja

IBADAN

CALABAR

MAIDUGURI

ONITSHA

31oC 21oC Partially Cloudy

28oC 23oC Storm

41oC 28oC Mostly Sunny

29o C 23oC Thunder Storms

ouse of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday stepped down as speaker ahead of his inauguration as Sokoto State governor on Friday. In his stead, his deputy, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, will act as speaker to complete Tambuwal's tenure. Ihedioha will take over today to avoid a constitutional crisis. Tambuwal told the House press corps in

Abuja yesterday that the House would today resolve the matter by "empowering the deputy speaker", to preside till a new speaker is elected for the eighth Assembly. The House is expected to suspend provisions of the 1999 Constitution and other relevant conventions, to effect the transfer of the powers to Ihedioha. Order II Rule 9 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives (Eight edition) provides that "whenever a vacancy has occurred in the office of the speaker or deputy speaker during

a session, the clerk shall report same to the House at its next sitting, and the House shall either forthwith, or at its next sitting, proceed to the election of a new speaker in the manner hereinbefore provided." The House rule, however, does not make provision for "acting speaker" but instead "speaker protempore". The rule nevertheless envisages this scenario. Order VII Rule 26 provides that "in the absence of the speaker and deputy speaker without any communication to the clerk

of the House within a period of three consecutive days or where both have either been certified incapacitated by the officer in charge of the medical department of the National Assembly, such member of the House as the House may elect for that purpose, shall preside, such member shall be known as speaker pro-tempore." This will be the first time an acting speaker will preside over the House since 1999. In 1999, when the first speaker of the Fourth Republic, Hon. Salisu Buhari, was forced to resign, his successor

was elected immediately. Similarly, in 2007, when the first female speaker of the House, Hon. Patricia Etteh, also resigned, Hon. Terngu Tsegba, was elected as speaker pro-tempore before Hon. Dimeji Bankole was elected to take over as speaker. Many commentators have expressed fear over the likely constitutional crisis that may arise should Tambuwal leaves for Sokoto Government House on May 29. The House is expected to elect a substantive speaker for the eighth National Assembly in June.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015

Senate Presidency: Saraki emerges North Central sole candidate Johnchuks Onuanyim and Chukwu David

he chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North Central states have endorsed the candidature of Senator Bukola Saraki for the Senate Presidency of the 8th National Assembly. The chairmen – Letep M. Dabang (Plateau), Haddy Ametuo (Kogi), Philips Shekwo (Nasarawa), Usman Malik (FCT), Jibrin Mohammed (Niger) and Ishola Fulani (Kwara) – officially adopted Saraki as sole candidate of the North Central in the race for the Senate Presidency. Saraki, a former governor of Kwara State, is the chairman, Senate Committee on Environment. The APC North Central said that the choice of Saraki as sole candidate followed the withdrawal of another contestant from the zone, Senator George Akume, from the race. Akume had last weekend stepped down for Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe) for the Senate Presidency. He agreed to deputise Lawan. In a communiqué at the

end of a crucial meeting of APC chairmen in the zone held in Abuja, the North-Central said with the withdrawal of Akume from the race, they are left with no option than to adopt Saraki as the sole candidate for the position of Senate President of the 8th Assembly. The chairmen stated that the sole endorsement of Saraki was borne out of his unprecedented commitment to the growth and success of the party at all levels in the zone and across the country. “We are resolute in our collective decision to produce a single candidate from the zone to the Office of the Senate President and we abide with same considering the fact that all our distinguished senators from the zone had equally maintained similar position in their earlier meetings,” the communiqué reads in part. The chairmen also rejected attempts by some individuals and groups within and outside the North Central to jeopardise the collective will of the people of the zone. They vehemently opposed any alliance, horse trading and fixing of positions in a way that may

Mu'azu's resignation saved him from trial for alleged N19.8bn fraud CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

scribed the fraud allegation against him as political persecution. He added that based on the judgement of the Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Mohammed Ibrahim Zango, who quashed the White Paper that indicted Mu'azu by the administration of his successor, Alhaji Isa Yuguda, the former PDP chair had been cleared of all allegations as contained in the White Paper. Meanwhile, respite has come for members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) as the president has failed to press for their resignation after Monday's meeting of the party's Board of Trustees (BoT). There have been calls for the remaining members of NWC to resign after Mu'azu quit. It was expected that Jonathan would call for the resignation of the PDP national leadership at the Monday's meeting. But a source at the meeting said the president was cautious in his approach to the issue and would not like the NWC members to be stampeded into tendering their resignation letters like Chief Tony Anenih was made to resign as BoT chairman.

At the Monday meeting a former National Chairman of the party, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, emerged as an interim successor to Anenih. The former minister of defence was unanimously selected at the meeting of the BoT members presided over by Jonathan. A former Customs officer, Mohammed served as a Commissioner, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission in 1999, and later as Minister of Communication in 2001 under the Olusegun Obasanjo government. Haliru became the National Vice Chairman of the PDP, North-West Zone and later the deputy national chairman of the party and acting national chairman in 2010. PDP acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, while welcoming the selection of Mohammed as the acting BoT chair, said he was adequately equipped to steer the ship of the BoT in the quest to rebuild and reposition the party. Secondus in a statement yesterday by Metuh, said the NWC would work hand-in-hand with the trustees and other key stakeholders in stabilising and reengineering the party to restore its preeminence in the polity.

sabotage the official position of the APC North Central. “As the party leaders in our various states, we hereby unequivocally say that our people unanimously give their support to Saraki’s Senate Presidency without iota

of doubt in his ability to make the zone and Nigeria proud in no distance future just as he had delivered in other endeavours he has been involved in the past. “Also, we solicit the support of all elected Senators and House of Representa-

tives members from other geo-political zones to give their total support to this great son of Nigeria who has distinguished himself in a similar responsibility in recent past and they should be rest assured that he will not disappoint them.

“It is our candid belief that his leadership would not only provide for an open door in the Senate and all-inclusive administration, but also be a good ambassador of our dear country that we shall be proud of,” the state chairmen.

A cross-section of students of the University of Nigeria protesting poor electricity supply and ‘outrageous’ billing in Nsukka, Enugu State… yesterday

Kalu seeks removal of fuel subsidy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

budget, but in December, a supplementary budget of N161.6 billion for payment of arrears of fuel subsidy was submitted by the president and later approved by the National Assembly. “By the following year, 2013, the government earmarked N971 billion for petroleum subsidy. For 2014, the Federal Government again budgeted N971.1 billion for payments of subsidy, keeping it at the same level with that of 2013. “Though, despite insinuations and reports that there was no provision for fuel subsidy in the 2015 budget, the Senate Committee Chairman on Finance, Ahmed Makarfi, cleared the air, saying that a total of N100 billion was provided for as subsidy for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), while N43 billion was approved for Dual Purpose Kerosene for the 2015 fiscal period. “You can imagine what the N6.345 trillion spent on subsidy can be used for in terms of infrastructural development in this country.”

According to Kalu, it is high time Nigeria stopped wasting public funds on subsidy, which benefits only the rich. He described the fuel subsidy regime as nothing but fraud, which is only benefitting a few people. “The subsidy is not benefitting the poor because the marketers smile to the bank after collecting the full benefit on the over 40 million litres of products (PMS and DPK) consumed by Nigerians per day, leaving a lopsided distribution network, where not all Nigerians are able to get the products at the regulated price of N87 per litre. “In fact, a recent study showed that it is only in Lagos and a few urban centres that the products are sold at regulated prices. The larger chunk of the populace buys the product still at exorbitant prices despite subsidy.” Kalu, who lamented the agony and suffering Nigerians who voted Jonathan into power four years ago have had to go through, said the subsidy regime could not be sustained. Besides, he urged the Jonathan administration

to stop playing politics with the apparatus of government by using it to intimidate and embarrass innocent citizens. Rather, he said, such agencies should be used to fight corruption. “All these intimidation is damaging a lot of serious business people in this country. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) knows who those corrupt people are and where to get them. How would a public officer wake up one day and buy a house in Maitama and hop on private jet every minute? Nigeria should get serious,” he added. Meanwhile, DAPPMA in a statement yesterday by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Olufemi Adewole, criticised Mr. Ifeanyi Uba's Capital Oil and Gas Industries for its claim that marketers were on strike. It said the company was being mischievous as it "had been disqualified from the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) scheme by the government regulatory agency and does not import PMS (petrol)." "The company is not

owed a kobo under the 'PSF scheme as they cannot make any claim, hence they do not feel the impact of non-payment of subsidy reimbursements; instead, the company stores petroleum products for NNPC/ PPMC under a ‘throughput arrangement’ as do a few other members of our association," it added. It was also learnt yesterday that the outgoing government has agreed to pay $800 million debt to fuel marketer to resolve the fuel crisis crippling the economy. The ABC News, in a report, quoted an Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) source to have said that the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, agreed on Monday to pay the marketers the $800 million. There was no immediate statement from the minister, who accused the suppliers of holding Nigeria to ransom over the disputed debt, bemoaning, "so much fraud allegations and scams in this business of oil marketing."

News

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NATIONAL

Workers shut down Halliburton over job cuts Adeola Yusuf

il workers have shut down the operations of United States (US.) oilfield services provider, Halliburton. Rising under the aegis of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the workers declared that their action was in protest against job cuts by the company. Over 100 workers- 46

permanent and 54 contract staff, were said to have been relieved of employment by the company in Nigeria as a measure to mitigate the effects of global oil price rout. Lagos chairman of NUPENG, Tokunbo Korodo, told Reuters that the group halted operations on Monday, maintaining that his group was particularly opposed to Halliburton’s decision to sack 46 local staff members. The union accused Halliburton of not fol-

lowing due process. Halliburton, which offers drilling services to Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron in Africa’s top oil producer, was not immediately available to comment. Meanwhile, Oando Plc, a Nigerian energy company, said that it is investing $36 million to build three gas-compression plants in the country’s southern industrial belt within a year to produce 20 million cubic feet of gas a day initially, and

then increase capacity as demand rises. The chief executive officer of Oando Gas & Power Limited, Bolaji Osunsanya, who said this, maintained that his company is also building a business to truck natural gas to industrial users whenever they are cut off from pipeline supply. “We’re basically creating a market for the future,” Osunsanya said in a phone interview with Bloomberg. “Markets that other-

wise you won’t have been able to use pipelines to serve, today it is possible to truck compressed natural gas there.” Though Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, also has the continent’s largest gas reserves of more than 184 trillion feet, it lacks the pipeline network to reach most potential users. Existing pipelines passing through the restive Niger Delta are frequently sabotaged, causing supply disruptions.

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Portland Paints and Products Nigeria Plc, Mr. Olufemi Oguntade; Chairman, Mr. Larry Ettah and Company Secretary, Mr. Adeleke Yusuf, during the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

APC denies zoning Senate presidency Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected insinuations that it has zoned the Senate Presidency to the North-Central and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the South-West. The party said that was far from the truth. Also debunking the report is the National Vice Chairman of APC, North East, Engr. David Lawal. Lawal, in a text message to New Telegraph said he was at the APC NWC meeting and there was no time the issue of zoning was discussed. He said: “I was at yesterday’s meeting of the NWC and the issue of Senate Presidency was not on the agenda. Zoning never came up in any form or shape during the meeting which had a one item agenda - Inauguration. No other issue came up. I therefore rebut the news item which is totally false and mischievous.

Court orders NDLEA to vacate Kashamu’s residence Buhari must appreciate our modest contribution, says Jonathan •We’ve warrant to arrest senator-elect, says agency Anule Emmanuel

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said that the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari needs to reckon with the modest achievements of his government to be able to make any meaningful impact of developing the country. The President stated this when he received members of Universal Peace Federation, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. The delegation, led by a constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), was at the Presidential Villa to bid Jonathan goodbye and confer him with awards as he bows out of power on May 29. The group conffered on the President an award of Peace Loving Global Citizen. The group also appointed President Jonathan as Nigeria’s Rep-

resentative at Global Peace Council to replace Nigeria’s former head of Interim National Government, Chief Earnest Shonekan. Ozekhome, who spoke earlier, poured eulogies on President Jonathan and explained that he merited the awards in view of his commitment to peace and stability as demonstrated in his quick acceptance of defeat in the March 28 presidential election. President Jonathan had told his visitors that he took the decision to concede defeat because of his conviction that he would not be party to the disintegration of Nigeria. He reiterated that he would dedicate the rest of his life to issues of peace and unity across the African continent in particular and the world in general. Jonathan said: “I took that decision because no matter your ambition, you must have a country before you can be president.

Juliana Francis and Akeem Nafiu

emporary reprieve yesterday came the way of the Senator-elect of Ogun East Senatorial District, Prince Buruji Kashamu, as Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos, has ordered the officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) that has been laying siege to his residence since Saturday, to vacate the place immediately. The order was sequel to an oral application by Kashamu’s lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN). Iziyon had while responding to a call for an adjournment of the matter by a lawyer from the Attorney General’s office, A. C. Akwiwu, urged the court to direct the NDLEA officers to vacate his client’s house. The silk argued that the action of the agency is against the order of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos, in a fundamental rights enforcement suit

filed by his client against his extradition. Akwiwu had sought for an adjournment of the matter on the ground that the case is quasi-criminal in nature. According to her, all the orders being sought by the applicant should await the response of the AGF to the processes filed. After listening to the arguments of both parties, Justice Buba, in a bench ruling described the case as a unique one, in the sense that the applicant has been in and out of the court. According to Justice Buba, “the order of Justice Abang, whether rightly or wrongly must be binding on parties and must be obeyed. The position clearly is that the person against whose an order is made is bound to obey it or go on appeal,” he said. Justice Buba added that even though it will be in the interest of justice to grant the AGF’s application for adjournment, justice will be done on the case if the oral application made by Kashamu’s lawyer is granted.

“The men of the NDLEA are hereby ordered to vacate the residence of the applicant in line with the order of Justice Abang,” the judge said. Justice Buba also directed that the Nigerian Police Force must be informed of the pending contempt proceedings before the court. He thereafter adjourned the matter till June 4, for the hearing of the contempt proceedings against the Attorney General of the Federation and the Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, on its merits. Meanwhile, the NDLEA has defied the court order. The anti-drug agency said it has not received any court order to appear in court in its attempts to arrest and extradite Kashamu. NDLEA described as diversionary, reports of a court order directing NDLEA operatives to vacate the residence of Kashamu, requesting both the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Bello Adoke and chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade to appear in court.

NDLEA spokesman, Mitchel Ofoyeju said: “The NDLEA does not believe that any court will issue an order preventing a government agency from performing its statutory responsibilities in a lawful manner. The agency has therefore refused to be distracted and will continue to maintain presence at the residence. It is advisable that Kashamu respects the law by submitting himself to the due process of the law.” Ofoyeju stated that the NDLEA wished to reiterate that Kashamu’s rights, like that of other citizens shall be respected and the due process of law followed in this case. He said: “We’re prepared to explore all legal means in handling this case to a logical conclusion. The Nigerian Government has received a formal request from the United States Government for the extradition of Prince Buriji Kashamu. NDLEA also has a provisional Warrant of Arrest on him contrary to claims by his attorneys.”

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY,MAY 27, 2015

News

NATIONAL

Group moves to stop Buhari’s swearing-in Tunde Oyesina Abuja

ess than two days to the swearing-in of the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja was yesterday asked to stop the handing over ceremony over alleged certificate forgery suit earlier slammed on the President-elect. The plaintiff, a civil society organization, the Incorporated Trustees of Advocacy for Societal Rights Advancement and Development Initiative, in a suit filed at the registry of the court, is seeking to stop the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed from swearing the Buhari as President on May 29. The plaintiff, through its counsel, Philip Ekpo, in its suit submitted that Buhari did not meet the qualification enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act to have contested the position of the president of Nigeria at the 2015 general elections. Cited as defendants in the suit are Buhari, the

Independent National Electoral Commission and the Chief Justice of Nigeria. The plaintiff is asking for an order of interim injunction restraining the CJN or any person acting in his capacity from swearing in Buhari as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29th, 2015 or any other date thereof pending the determination of the Motion on Notice. The plaintiff however submitted that it relied on the ground that Buhari gave false information in the affidavit he presented to INEC and on the strength of which he contested and purportedly won the presidential election which was conducted by the electoral body on March 28. The plaintiff also submitted that Buhari deposed to an Affidavit dated 24th November, 2014 that his West African School Leaving Certificate is in the custody of the Secretary to the Military Board The group further noted that the Nigerian Army on January 20, 2015, said that in the personal file of Buhari with

FCT minister leaves behind N400bn debt Yekeen Nurudeen ABUJA

ndications emerged yesterday that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed would be leaving behind a huge debt profile of about N400 billion when he exits as the 11th FCT Minister. Senator Mohammed who said his greatest regret is the huge debt profile he would be leaving behind, noted that the debt profile of FCT administration in the last ten years was about N300billion while the 2015 debt profile stands at about N80billion. Though the Minister

said part of the debt was those his administration inherited, he disclosed that the current debt arose from the various on-going projects in the nation’s capital. He disclosed this at his Life Camp official residence after inaugurating the FCT Board of Internal Revenue. Senator Mohammed expressed concern that the FCT administration was in trouble due to the debt profile as contractors are already leaving sites due to unpaid outstanding money. He, however, said the administration targets between N300 to N400 billion annual revenue from the board.

the Nigerian Army, they did not have the original copy of his West African School Leaving Certificate (WASC) nor does the Nigerian Army have the Certified True Copy of his WASC results neither do they have a photocopy of the said result. In addition, the plaintiff argued that Buhari has not met the qualifications enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act, Cap E6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,

2010 (as amended) to have contested the position of President of Nigeria at the 2015 general elections. The plaintiff, however, noted that the authority conferred by Section 140 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) on the CJN to administer oath of office to any person who will occupy the office of the President of Nigeria cannot be exercised in respect of Buhari who has not fulfilled the requirements of the same Constitution and the Electoral Act as it relates

to his eligibility to occupy the office of President of Nigeria. In the originating summons attached to the suit, the group asked the court to declare that the information contained in the Buhari’s FORM C.F.001 stating that his educational qualification is the West African School Leaving Certificate (WASC) and that same is with the Secretary to the Military Board amounts to False Information. It also asked the court to hold that the informa-

tion contained in the Buhari’s Affidavit deposed to on 24thNovember, 2014 stating that his West African School Leaving Certificate (WASC) is with the Secretary to the Military Board amounts to False Information. Based on all its submissions, the plaintiff wants the court to declare that the CJN is estopped from swearing in Buhari as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as the issue of perjury involving him has not been resolved.

L-R: National Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Mai-Mala Buni; National Chairman, Chief Jonh Odigie-Oyegun and the party chieftain, Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, at the party’s retreat for House of Representatives’ members-elect of in Abuja… yesterday.

N120m transfer bicker: ITF, unions meet to avert protest Abdulwahab Isa ABUJA

he management of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has engaged the leadership of the two in house unions - the Senior Staff Association of Communication, Transport and Corporations (SSATAC) and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Techni-

cal and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) - in a marathon meeting in a bid to avert planned industrial unrest by workers who have resented against N120m earmarked for staff transfer. The meeting, which commenced on Monday morning at the Abuja’s corporate headquarters of ITF, after New Telegraph’s exclusive report on the matter, dragged on till yesterday with both

parties unable to reach amicable agreement. Insider sources informed our correspondents that the representatives of the unions came from Jos Headquarters of the ITF for the meeting. She said they refused to yield ground on their demand while the management also stuck to its position on staff transfer as at the time she briefed our reporter. According to the source, the management

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

insists that staff transfer is the prerogative of the management which unions do not have the right to interfere. “The meeting was a marathon one since yesterday and even today. After a prolonged session with the leadership of the unions throughout yesterday, there was another one with the entire staff of the Abuja Headquarters. They said the union should apologize for not honoring the DG’s invitation, but I can tell you that no agreement has been reached yet,” said the source who spoke in confidence to our reporter.”

Jonathan condoles with Obasanjo Instil moral values in children, Kalu tells parents E over sister’s death Anule Emmanuel

resident Goodluck Jonathan has condoled with for mer President Olusegun Obasanjo on the death of his younger sister, Madam Adunni Oluniola Eweje-Obasanjo. The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben

Abati, joined the former President and his family in mour ning the late Madam EwejeObasanjo who passed away recently at the age of 76. He said “As they mourn her, President Jonathan urges Chief Obasanjo and his family to be consoled by the knowledge that his late sister lived a worthy

and very fulfilled life in the service of her family and community.” The President prayed that God will grant Chief Obasanjo and his family the fortitude to bear the loss of Madam Eweje-Obasanjo. He also prayed that God will receive Madam Eweje-Obasanjo’s soul and grant her eternal rest.

minent businessman and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu has congratulated children and parents on the 2015 children’s Day celebration. He noted that in the traditional Nigerian set-up, discipline must be instilled in children at an early stage in life for them to live a decent life. In a goodwill message signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “As we join

our children in celebrating, we should see this opportunity as a special grace from God who has continued to spare our lives. It is a period of appraising our children’s moral ethics with a view to positioning them for greater challenges ahead. “Children are future and potential leaders of tomorrow and we must ensure they reach their full potential by giving them the best home

training and education.” The former governor urged governments at all levels to implement policies that are children friendly, adding that government must, through innovative programmes, encourage children to go to school at subsidised fees. “Conducive teaching and learning environment and welfare of children should be paramount in government decisions,” he added.

WEDNESDAY,MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro ‘How I escaped from ritual killers’ DIVINE ESCAPE A night crawler escapes death from the hands of suspected ritual killers by a whisker Taiwo Jimoh

ut for divine intervention, a 40-yearold mechanic, Toyin (surname withheld), would have been murdered by suspected ritual killers. The man said he boarded a commercial bus at Onihale, a community in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, while returning to Lagos. Toyin said he attended a naming ceremony at the community, located on the LagosAbeokuta Expressway, but left the party about midnight. He said: “About midnight I told my friends and the father of the baby that I was set to go. They saw me off to Onihale bus stop. After a while, a commercial bus painted in Lagos commercial colours came with some passengers already on board. At a point, some of the ritual killers sprayed a substance on the occupants of the bus and we all slept off immediately.” The man disclosed that after a few minutes, he suddenly woke up only to discover that others were still sleeping. According to him, the bus was then on top of the Sango Bridge. He said: “It was then I knew I was in a serious danger. Thereafter, what came to my mind

he Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos has is building an ultra-modern hostel for participants in the trainings organised for retirees from the civil service. The trainings are for those who intend to learn how to deal with life in retirement. At the ground-breaking ceremony of the hostel, the Chief Executive Officer of Urban Space Services Limited, Mal-

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

Toyin

was how to escape from the bus. “When they saw that I did not sleep, the driver told his partner that they would have to kill me because if they allowed me to go, I would expose them to the whole world.” Toyin said he decided to fight his abductors to save his

life. According to him, in the process of fighting, the ritual killers pushed him down from the moving vehicle at Sango Tollgate. He added: “After they had pushed me down from the vehicle, I went to hide. But where I was hiding, the only female

among the ritual killers, who dressed like an Alhaja appeared. Initially I thought she was also a victim but I later realised she was one of them. “Before I knew what was happening, a Toyota Siena bus came to a halt near where I was hiding. Three herbalists came

out of the vehicle and asked the woman how many ‘rams did you people bring today?’ “When I heard that, I came out of hiding and ran towards the Customs officers at the tollgate. Four of the kidnappers went after me. The Customs officers saw what was happening but they chased me back.” Toyin said he then ran to the police post at the tollgate. But, according to him, the police also chased him away. He said: “When I discovered that I could not seek refuge in those places, I turned to the four men running after me. I told them that two of them would die before they kill me. “At that point, policemen from the police post came to my rescue and chased the ritual killers away. Thereafter, I ran into a nearby market where I passed the night.” The man also claimed that while hiding in the market, kidnappers brought more innocent people who had been hypnotised on motorcycles into some of their buses. He said: “It was the grace of God that saved me from the hands of the kidnappers. Among those of us kidnapped that fateful day, I was the only one who escaped. I believe the families of those who were in the vehicle would be searching for them by now.” Toyin urged the police in Ogun State to beam their search light on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. He added that many innocent souls had got missing in the axis without trace.

NAFRC builds hostels for retirees’ training linson Ukatu, explained why his firm opted to partner with the Nigerian military on the project. He said: “This is in line with the Public Private Partnership scheme all over the word. Essentially, what we are doing is to give the military the best real estate services. “We are building this facility with our money to lessen the financial burden on the government. It saves the government the rigour of protocols in acquiring money from banks among other things. “We build, operate and transfer the project after fulfilling the terms by both partners.” The NAFRC Commandant, Air Marshal R. M. Morgan, who led the ground-breaking

ceremony, shed more light on why the military embraced the intervention. He said: “This groundbreaking ceremony is for the hostels for participants in further trainings before exiting to the civil society. What we are seeing here is the private investor coming to invest in the trainees that are coming in, the para-military, some police officers who we have contacted and have agreed to be part of this programme, including deserving civilians.” Morgan added that the 600-hostel facility was just to “test the ground”. According to him, it will have catering facilities that will make participants feel they are home away from home.

L-R Ukatu (left), Morgan and NAFRC Deputy Commandant, Maj. Gen. S. D. Aliyu at the ground-breaking ceremony

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY,MAY 27, 2015

City Briefs Remove subsidy, build refineries, group tells FG

hristian Welfare Initiative (CWI) has called on the incoming administration of the President-elect, Mohammadu Buhari, to remove oil subsidy to check corruption in the oil sector. CWI, in conjunction with other Christian Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), also called on the government after inauguration to immediately build more refineries, one in each state of the federation, starting with one in each of the six geographical zones. Addressing a news conference on the state of the nation in Lagos, the group’s spokesman, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, described the oil subsidy as the greatest fraud and a daylight robbery by those in government, using a cabal to steal the people’s commonwealth. According to him, the oil subsidy has been used in the past to siphon the nation’s money into foreign personal accounts by those stealing Nigerians’ money.

CNS gets ‘Environment Champion Award’ Kayode Olanrewaju

he Institute of Environmental Accountants of Nigeria (IEA) will today confer on the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral U. O. Jibrin, the “Environment Champion of The Year 2015 Award.” The event holds at the Banquet Hall, Lagos Sheraton Hotel & Towers. According to the President and Chairman of Council, Dr Olusegun Lawal, the institute will also confer its Distinguished Fellowship Platinum Award on the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr Jonah Otunla, while Awards of Excellence in Environmental Best Practices will be bestowed on some leading greenconscious corporate organisations. Speaking on the selection process, Lawal said the task of the institute’s Search and Selection Committee in nominating the awardees was daunting as they were selected among several eligible personalities and organisations who had contributed in no small measure through their proactive steps in sustaining environmental best practices for common future.

12-year-old kids donate library to Anambra school Kenechukwu Okegwo Onitsha

nambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to partner with individuals and corporate organisations to raise the standard of education. The governor spoke during the handover of a library built and donated to Amenyi Community Basic School by 12-year-old children, Netochukwu and Gozzy Nwogbo. Obiano, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke, described the children as great ambassadors of Anambra State in the making. He directed the Head Teacher of the school, Mrs Eunic Okoli, to come to his office for more materials to equip the library. The governor commended the pupils for their courage and their parents for supporting their idea, noting that not all parents would buy into the efforts and vision of their children. The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha,

called on other citizens of the state to partner with the government in improving the education sector. She poured encomiums on the children for thinking of other children and asked God to continue to see them through to enable them to do more for society. Netochukwu, who handed over the key of the library to Omenugha, said they embarked on the project because they were heartbroken when they visited the school in 2013. He said: “Our parents always teach us to be grateful for the things they are able to provide for us. They taught us that giving to those that do not have is lending to God. They practiced these teachings in their own lives by always seeking opportunities to bless others. It was therefore not surprising to them when we decided to embark on this project. “We paid a visit to the Amaenyi Community Basic School and we were heartbroken at the dilapidated state of the library. “We are extremely grateful to all the people that responded to our fundraising requests.

Flora Onwudiwe he Nigerian Navy has donated computers and printers to Amuwo Odofin Senior Secondary School, Mile 2, Lagos, as part of activities marking the 59th anniversary of the Force. The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango and the Commander, NNS Wey, Commodore C. Odiase, said the donation was to assist the school. Also, the force said it would be taking members of the public to sea on a free cruise to mark its 59th anniversary. The spokesman, Western Naval Command, Lieutenant Commander Abdulsalami Sani, said in a statement that members of the public and friends of the Nigerian Navy were invited. According to Sani, it is an opportunity for the public to get to know the workings of the Navy and to celebrate with it.

We could not have done this without you. We are also grateful to our mum, who helped coordinate the process and took care of the adult aspects of the projects. “We hope that this project will improve the reading culture of the pupils, encourage more development in our

Physically-challenged persons march for Fashola

Navy donates computers, printers to school

The kids

Mrs. Williams (left) receiving the award from Mrs. Beyioku-Alase

John Edu

he Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) yesterday held rally to thank Governor Babatunde Fashola for taking its members into cognizance and creating the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA). The state chairperson of JONAPWD, Mrs Adedoyin Beyioku-Alase, said the rally was a way to show appreciation to Fashola for giving them a sense of be-

longing as citizens of Nigeria and recognizing them. Members of JONAPWD, in a rally tagged: “BRF’s Will,” took off from Mobil Junction, Ogba, around 10am and headed for the governor’s office at Alausa. Beyioku-Alase said: “As far as persons with disabilities in Nigeria are concerned, the name BRF signifies a positive turning point in our lives and history. “Since the BRF administration commenced

the implementation of the Special People’s Law, other states in Nigeria, the Federal Government and many other African countries have made Lagos State their reference point in the design, development and implementation of disability laws and policies. “Several other sociopolitical policy changes in Nigeria such as the policy on inclusive electoral process which was implemented during the 2015 general election have been greatly influenced by the Lagos State Special People’s Law.” The General Secretary of the association, Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, said Fashola had encouraged persons with disabilities through the signing and implementation of the law in 2011. According to him, the rally would be an annual event that would be done to remember Fashola’s efforts while in office as the governor. The members presented an award to Fashola. The award was received by the Director in the Ministry of Education, Mrs Oluwatoyin Williams.

schools, as well as ensure that our children are well-equipped to be the great leaders of tomorrow.” Responding, Okoli commended the children and their parents for the kind gesture, noting that the project would encourage reading culture among the pupils.

Teenager arraigned for stealing tricycle Camillus Nnaji

19-year-old man, Lekan Omoaka, was yesterday arraigned before Ikeja Magistrates’ Court 21 for stealing a tricycle popularly known as Keke Marwa, valued at N450,000. Omoaka and one other person still at large were said to be tricycle repairers before they reportedly stole the one belonging to Suleiman Akeem from his residence at 51 Oredapo Street, Dopemu, Agege, Lagos State. According to the charge sheet No. MIK/N/67/2015, the defendant did conspire (with another person now at large) to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 409 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011. It reads: “That you, Lekan Omoaka ‘m’ and others now at large, on May 22, 2015 about 2130hrs, at No. 51, Oredapo Street, Dopemu, Agege, Lagos in Ikeja Magisterial District, did steal one tricycle popularly known as ‘Keke Marwa,’ valued at N450,000 being property of one Suleman Akeem thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 285 of the criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.” The prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, told the court that the defendant mastered his plan very well because after stealing the tricycle, he removed the number plate and repainted it apparently to make sure he was not discovered. However, the defense counsel, Bright Idahosa, prayed the court to grant Omoaka bail.

News

SOUTH-WEST

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tribunal grants Lagos APC leave to inspect poll materials Akeem Nafiu

he All Progressives Congress (APC), was yesterday granted leave by the Lagos State governorship election petition tribunal to inspect all documents used in the April 11 election before the pre-hearing session. Specifically, the tribunal Chairman, Muhammad Sirajo, issued a direc-

tive that the applicant, it’s counsel and/or its agents should inspect and make copies of all polling documents or packets relating or pertaining to the conduct of the governorship election in the state. The tribunal chairman further gave an order, compelling the 1st respondent (INEC), to make available to the applicant (APC), it’s counsel and/ or agents, certified true

copies (CTC) of all polling documents in the prescribed form used and/or purportedly used for conduct of the election to the office of the governor of Lagos State held on April 11, 2015. The tribunal also gave an order, allowing the applicant and/or its agents to inspect, by way of machine/electronic scanning, all ballot papers and other electoral materials,

which were used in the conduct of the election to the office of the governor of Lagos State, held on April 11, 2015. Earlier, the APC’s counsel, Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan (SAN), had drew the tribunal’s attention to the motion on notice, dated May 19, 2015, brought pursuant to section 285 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as

amended), section 151 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010, paragraph 47 (1) (2) and (3) of the first schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and under the inherent powers of the tribunal. He then prayed the tribunal to grant the application, a request that was not opposed to by other lawyers in the matter. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), can-

didate Jimi Agbaje, had petitioned the tribunal, to challenge the declaration of Akinwunmi Ambode, of the APC, as the winner of the April 11, 2015 gubernatorial election. Agbaje had alleged in his petition that he observed some irregularities during the election, which was in contravention of the provisions of the INEC’s approved guidelines.

Don tasks pharmacists on ethics Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

university don, Dr. Niyi Ola-Olorun, has charged pharmacists in the country to shun unethical practices such as aiding non-professionals, incursions into the practice pharmacy in the country, saying they must guide against such abuse which was capable of putting the country’s image in disrepute. Delivering a lecture in Ado-Ekiti yesterday at the 2015 Merit award of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ekiti State branch, he decried the practice where pharmacists would use their influence to allow non-professionals practice in their field.

L-R: Chairman, Media/ Publicity, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), National Council of Elders, Pastor Ayodeji Olulani; Vice-Chairman, Pastor Obadiah Mulero; Chairman, Pastor Isreal Abatan and Elder Kayode Ajayi, at a press conference to announce the forth coming RCCG National Council of Elders 14th Annual Elders’ Congress and Praise Night in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Oyo APC faults NLC’s directive for strike Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

ollowing the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo state chapter to workers in the state to commence an indefinite strike over non-payment of about four months salary, the All Progressives Congress in the State yesterday faulted the decision, saying that it was without recourse to due process. In a statement issued in Ibadan by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, the APC expressed shock over the manner in which the state chapter of the NLC, declared the industrial action given the fact that there were on-going ef-

forts by the state government to offset the arrears of workers’ salaries. “We received the news of the strike action as ordered by the state chapter of the NLC with rude shock in view of its timing and the fact that the governor was never comfortable owing staff their dues as demonstrated in greater part of his first term in office. “The situation that led to the inability of the state government to continue with prompt payment of workers’ salaries was well known to the public as Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, has also received kudos from many residents for managing the problem well enough to reduce its negative impact to its barest minimum.

Lagos announces new Ikorodu monarch Muritala Ayinla

he Lagos State Government has endorsed the appointment of Prince Kabiru Adewale Sotobi as the next Ayangbunren of Ikorodu, to succeed the late Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi, who passed away on August 2nd, last year.

Government has also approved the upgrading of the Baale of Imeke to a second class Oba with the title of Onimeke of Imeke and appointed Chief Abraham Olatunji Adewale Ogabi for the position. Briefing journalists, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy,

Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, who announced the approval, said the two appointments take immediate effect The new Ayangburen, Prince Sotobi, who will be crowned as the 20th Ayangbunren, emerged from the Lasunwon Ruling House. Other members of

the state cabinet present at the briefing were, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affair, Mr. Ademorin Kuye, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Raji and Special Adviser to the Gover nor on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello.

Fashola inaugurates sixth IPP for LFTZ Muritala Ayinla

arely 24 hours to the expiration of his tenure, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday inaugurated the new 12MW independent power plant (IPP) project, to supply power supply to the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) and it’s environs.

Fashola also inaugurated the Candel Agrochemical Manufacturing Plant, which he described as another milestone in the life of his administration, saying the completion of the projects at the twilight of his tenure was a clear demonstration of his administration’s commitment to enhance

productivity of the business zone. The LFTZ IPP was built by the Chinese Railway Construction Company (CRCC), under the build, operate and transfer partnership agreement with state government. The IPP, which was currently in its phase one, is the sixth power plant inaugurated by thr state government in

the last eight years. Speaking at the event, Fashola said with the IPP, the Lekki Free Trade Zone and his environs would begin to enjoy uninterrupted power supply which, he said, would certainly boost the state’s economy, the trade zone and enhance the living standard of the residents and workers in the zone.

Osun Girls’ Brigade advocates compulsory female education Adeolu Adeyemo OSOGBO

sun State Chapter of the Girls Brigade, has advocated that the

girl child education was compulsory in any given society saying, it was a necessity for the nation development. The national Vice President/ State Com-

mandant of Girl’s Brigade, Mrs. Toyin Ashaolu, stated this yesterday at a programme held at the Methodist Church Cathedral in Osogbo. Ashaolu who referred

to education as an harmonious training of physical, mental and socio capability of every individual, noted that, the three domains in humanity which she identified

as phycomoto and cognitive must be developed in every girl child to be a able to have a virile and advanced society. She revealed that the state chapter of the asso-

ciation has spent a total sum of N3.5 million to train youths and adult women across the 30 local governments of the state, to make them more productive in the society.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

Agenda

Interview

Governance

National Assembly

What Nigerians expect from Buhari, by Aliyu

Ezugwu: Only stable power supply’ll address unemployment

Between Buhari’s success and governors’ relevance

Impropriety of an all-North Senate Presidency

Politics President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, speaks on the expectations of Nigerians and organised labour from the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari. YEKEEN NURUDEEN reports

What should be the major priorities of General Muhammadu Buhari when he is sworn in as Nigerian president on May 29? With the pattern of how he was voted into power, Nigerians have high expectations. This is because of the fact that the country has been faced with myriads of challenges ranging from economy to the issue of security, the issue of good governance. All of these have been serious areas of challenges. For us, for the first 100 days, the president must focus essentially on two critical issues. As you can see, Nigerians in the last few years have been subjected to untold hardship. Power which is the fulcrum of development has virtually collapsed. Two, you can see that queues have since returned to our filling stations and Nigerians are being sub-

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Power, anti-graft war must top Buhari’s agenda – Wabba

Wabba

jected to a lot of hardship. For us, it is not unconnected with the fact that the subsidy regime has been a source of corruption in the past years. Therefore, at every given opportunity those cabals take advantage of the situation and unleash hardship on Nigerians. From the aftermath of 2012 uprising by labour, it is very clear that subsidy is synonymous with the issue of corruption. In fact, it is a very clear fact

that has been established. Therefore, we expect him in the first 100 days in office to look at the mystery surrounding the issue of oil and gas sector. From the issue of importation of products, how they are delivered, how they are transported and how they are getting to our filling stations. All of these have been shrewd in mystery. We expect him to sit down to unravel those mysteries and make the process very

transparent so that we would not be going round this circle over and over again. It is really an untold hardship that Nigerians are going through. I drove from Abuja City Centre up to Keffi on Monday, I did not see a single filling station where fuel is being sold. There were only queues and people with jerry cans running helter skelter. Fuel is a necessity and people are compelled to go and buy petrol to be able to power small generators that are called “I pass my neighbour” because most people cannot afford big generators. Therefore, the Federal Government is very critical. On Sunday, I was coming back from Lagos, virtually all the flights were grounded. I had to stay at the airport for over 12 hours for me to get to Abuja. The common excuse is that aviation fuel is also not available. Why is it that at this point in time we will not ask ourselves questions because I heard this argument where government is claiming that subsidy has been paid and the other people are saying we still have outstanding. So, it is shrewded in secrecy. A lot of Nigerians including organised labour expect him to put his feet down and look at the issue of availability of petroleum products which is the major issue. This has affected our development as a country and it has also reduced productivity because you can’t work in your office if there is no light and you cannot afford to buy fuel above the regulated price. This is the challenge that we feel that the incoming president in the first 100 days should be able to look into. The issue of the power sector, despite the fact that over $40 billion have been invested in the sector, despite the fact that it has been privatised, output has dwindled and we are in a situation where it is virtually impossible for people to get light in their houses. Those issues are critical challenges because our industries cannot even work. You can’t talk of industrialisation, creating jobs if we don’t have power. Power is a major factor in any CONTINUED ON PAGE 43

Politics

Mr. Mike Ejiofor is a former State Director of the State Security Service (SSS). The security expert spoke with EMMANUEL ONANI on some fundamental issues of national concern, which he charged the incoming government on As a former State Director of the State Security Service (SSS), what new strategies should the incoming administration adopt, to win the war against Boko Haram? Well, you see that security and development go together. Now, you are talking about what the incoming government should do differently. First of all, they have to consolidate on the gains achieved so far in the North-East if they must settle the issue of Boko Haram. This is because, despite the successes recorded so far, we cannot just easily wish away the insurgents. You recall that there have been series of isolated attacks, despite the fact that Sambisa forest is now under intense military action. So, we should consolidate on our gains by further equipping the military and the police, to meet up with the responsibility of internal security. You have to reorganise the police in terms of re-equipping them, as to getting more arms. The police is grossly understaffed. So, they need to look at the internal security operations, by looking at the police. Then, we also expect that, even if we win the war against the insurgents, other security challenges will come. You know that the issue of kidnapping had gone down, but we recently see what is happening in Ekiti, Rivers and Delta states. So, we should also be looking at proper measures against kidnapping. This is because, it is going to come up, just like the economic downturn. The next administration also needs to look at the Niger Delta crisis. The reason is that, if the measures put in place for the amnesty, are not sustained or pursued, the tendency for the people to go back to the creeks, is there. So, it is going to be another challenge. The government needs to address the issue of gas/pipeline vandalism. That is the major challenge in the issues of transmission and distribution. So, the government should do that because, if we get our power sector right, more than 50 per cent of our security challenges must have been addressed. This is so in the light of the fact that a lot of people would have been employed, hands will be engaged. So, we need to look at the issue of power, especially as it relates to pipeline vandalism. That is very key. Also in the area of training, we need to train more of our military personnel, and provide welfare for them. We also need to collaborate with other international organisations like the Multinational Joint Task Force, take our sub-regional challenges, before we talk of other international areas. You cannot rule out

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ejiofor to Buhari: Consolidate on gains against Boko Haram

Ejiofor

the possibility of some of these insurgent leaders escaping from this zone, to align with other terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS). You remember that Boko Haram had pledged allegiance to ISIS, and ISIS also accepted the allegiance. How far that could have gone, no one can guess. But, I can assure you that once the leadership of Boko Haram is dismantled, the likelihood of their aligning with other international terrorist groups, cannot be ruled out. So, that is another challenge that will require Nigeria to collaborate with other international security agencies. This is because, insurgency is not peculiar to Nigeria. You can see what is happening all over the world. In what area would you advise the incoming government to focus on, in order to enhance the financial fortunes of the nation? Well, cutting down the cost of governance without law backing it up, is going to be difficult. The National Assembly should start by example. You remember when former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, who is now Emir of Kano, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said that 25 per cent of our budget, was going to the National Assembly or recurrent. Well, they have to cut down cost concerning National Assembly, reduce the number of political appointees; they are so many. You have a situation where one person, like a governor, will have over 1,000 aides. These are costs and we have to cut down on appointments. Again,

look at the civil service, there are so many ghost workers. You know how much we saved in the process that the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, brought in that regard. But, I believe that the mention of Buhari alone, is enough to send fears down the spines of those who may want to get involved in corrupt activities. So, he needs to pursue the anti-graft war. People around him must also cooperate with him because a tree cannot make a forest. We also have a lot of bad people around him. More than 50 per cent of people in the All Progressives Congress (APC) are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.

We should consolidate on our gains by further equipping the military and the police

So, the change in name, does not change the character. Is it right for APC to start giving Nigerians excuses even before it assumes power? Well, I believe this is no time for excuses. The party was aware of the situation in the economy before they started campaigning. So, they should just go and hit the ground running. The expectations are very high, and Nigerians are not ready for excuses. And, I think what is causing this is because this is the first time we are having a transition from one party to another. To strengthen our democracy, PDP should be prepared to play the part of opposition.

What Nigerians want is Rev. Dr. S.O.A Ayokunle is the President, Nigerian Baptist Convention and National Vice President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) What do you think should be the approach of the incoming government of General Muhammadu Buhari to address the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenge in the power sector? The first thing is for the incoming government to know where

the outgoing government stood on the issue of revamping our power sector and to continue to build from there. One of the things which we think can help is that if the government does not have the capacity or financial muscle to do it, they can invite other countries that have succeeded in power generation to assist us to build the sector. Government can sign memorandum of understanding with them for a number of years for which they would recoup their money and Nigerians will continue to enjoy power. What Nigerians want is power. It is not really the cost of power, but having it constantly. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

The outgoing governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, speaks on how the incoming President, General Muhammadu Buhari, should tackle unemployment, security and other issues. DAN ATORI reports What would be your advice to the incoming President on unemployment? The unemployment phenomenon in the country had created restiveness among youths and has resulted in several social vices that were inimical to societal development and the growing unemployment rate among youths in the country has reached an alarming proportion. So, the incoming government must treat it as an emergency situation. It has led most parents to question whether there was benefit sending their children to school. Such situation could thwart government’s efforts at educating the populace. I will advise that there is the need for all unemployment agencies such as NAPEP, NDE, SMEDAN and others to be brought under one umbrella, articulate strategies and set target or projection for the mass poverty reduction in the country. To be successful in job creation and employment generation, there is need to pay serious attention to agriculture and make farming lucrative and easier for the youth through mechanisation. How do you want the new administration to confront the security challenges in the country? I will advise General Buhari to pay attention to security details. I will advise and insist that there must be regular security meetings. In the states, there should be regular security meetings especially in the local government areas with whoever is in charge of the local government because that is how you can get feedback on security. All the security agencies you see are represented by their officers on ground. So, if you are proactive and appreciate what you must do, believe me, you will be able to succeed. For example, about the kidnapping challenges

What Nigerians expect from Buhari, by Aliyu Aliyu

we have been having that started sometime in Kebbi, Sokoto and now almost to our place. Within the last three months, we have had more than 11 cases of kidnapping but lucky enough, we have been able to discover the way and manner that they do it and I believe that this will help the government. So, they should partner strongly with the security agencies by holding regular meetings.

that people needed to appreciate the direction of government. On the reforms, they must be open and transparent. That does not mean that other people may not accuse you. In fact, by the information that you give, somebody may turn back and accuse you later on. But the most important thing is that the majority of the people will appreciate what the issues are and how the issues have been tackled. But regular meetings to appreciate and understand is important because if you are to say they will not do much, then we will run into problems. Mr. President has laid a precedent and we can only hope the incoming government will improve on it.

Do you think there is need for the incoming government to embark on electoral reforms? On electoral reforms, the openness of the administration is very important. I know that when we started, some Nigerians who did not understand thought we were talking too much, not knowing

What about power issue?

power – Baptist President even protest over the bills of electricity by generating and distribution companies. They bring the bills even without supplying electricity. We understand that government cannot do everything, but there should be public private partnership in such a way that those who have the muscle can come and do it, not necessarily Nigerians. I don’t mind the person that can give us power as long as we have power. How does the new administration address the issue of high cost of governance? I have placed this as advertisement in some newspapers as the

National Vice President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), saying that the new administration of General Muhammadu Buhari must prone the size of government down. What those in public offices earn must be reduced, what they earn is far apart from what workers in this country are earning as their statutory package. In fact, they don’t know the feelings of the people. So, the cost of running government must be reduced while the pay package of public officers is also looked at for this nation to move forward. The money that is saved from there can be invested on provision of social amenities for all Nigerians.

Ayokunle

I can only say that they should improve on the power situation. I don’t think anybody would arrange for power to go down in this country, although there could be some form of sabotage. If you notice, all our hydro dams, there are no water, even the rains did not come the way we expected it because by now we would have started complaining of rain being too much and most of them are below capacity, the gas situation in the country is also a problem. The incoming government should focus on how to improve on the megawatts. I am sure they know that all that Nigerians want is an improvement in the power sector. I would advise they build more dams, and take advantage of the gas we have. How do you think the incoming government should tackle corruption? There is the judiciary and other anti-corruption agencies. The incoming government should ensure these agencies are effective and also ensure that the law takes its course. Like I always say, corruption is everywhere including our homes. So, it is about selfdiscipline and if the family can stamp out corruption, it will be a lot easier for the government to fight corruption. In any case, a lot is expected of the incoming government to ensure corrupt persons are brought to book, but I can assure you that if things are not done the right way and if they don’t follow the right procedures, they will miss it. They should make the anti-corruption agencies viable.

16 Politics National Secretary of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Chief Willy Ezugwu, in this interview with JOHNCHUKS ONUANYIM, believes that the incoming government has ability to change things for Nigerians if the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari would apply the right political will. Excepts:

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ezugwu: Only stable power supply’ll address unemployment is supplying us finished product of petroleum. You see it is very, very unfair the our leaders have treated us in this country. How can we produce crude oil and we will now take it out for refining and we will go and buy it again. It is like double dealing. The expense of exporting them, the expense of refining them and the expense of bringing them back, all these things are on the taxpayers when many states cannot pay workers’ salaries. In my state, Enugu, the local government workers are being owed four months salaries and they went into elections with billions of naira. All these things are things that are totally waste to this country. We believe that the incoming government, even if it is one refinery that they would be able to close their eyes and make sure that it is working and at the same time they could privatise the refineries to individual businessmen like Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola and others, so, the private sector can be allowed to handle them so that we don’t suffer again.

There have been complaints of a faulty electoral process in Nigeria. What would you want the incoming government to do differently? The President-elect, General Buhari, had already said that he would reform the whole electoral processes and I quite believe and agree with him because most elections we have in this country are like mere appointments not elections. It is either by allocation of votes to different people. Knowing the President-elect and as much as he has said, he will reform the process because he is a man of integrity. How would you want the incoming President-Elect to address the issue of corruption? Well, as far as I am concerned, he knows that the problem we have in the country is corruption and he has promised to fight corruption. Given his records as former military Head of State, we believe that he will fight corruption. And how do you fight corruption? I said we don’t need even the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or any other anti-corruption agency because most of them are parts of the problems because they negotiate with corrupt persons. Therefore, if you want to fight corruption, just stand in Maitama, Asokoro or any other place and see a house and find out who owns that house and how much that house costs and know what the person does for a living to own such a house. It is a very easy thing if actually we want to genuinely fight corruption. However, there is need to set up a special court, not a situation where somebody will go to a regular court and obtain a perpetual injunction not to be probed, not to be charged to court. It is only in Nigeria that such a thing can happen. So, as far as we are concerned in this country, we are looking forward to see how actually the President-elect will actualise his election promises. Even if any other thing didn’t happen, but he was able to make corrupt citizens, pay for their deeds, Nigerians would know that total change has come but if it is only by saying it and not carrying out what you say, then we will go back to the trenches as an opposition. However, if Mr. President-elect was not sincere on the issue of corruption, he wouldn’t have used it as an issue during his campaign, he would have left it out. But the man started from day one outlin-

Ezugwu

confab recommendations? Well, since the confab report has not been approved by the sitting government, the incoming government should look into it because the confab addressed many issues that are bothering Nigerians. So, they should look at it genuinely and see what the confab has suggested. If it is something that is beneficial to Nigerians, it adopt it and include it into the constitution.

ing those who have stolen this money and start telling them that he must probe any corrupt person. So, we believe that he can do it. How about the challenge in the power sector? The power sector is another conduit for corruption. After the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the next one is the power sector because in power, we have spent over $30 billion and we couldn’t get up to 3,000 megawatts. More than $30 billion has been spent on power since inception of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government and we cannot boast of 3,000 megawatts of electricity. Where are those monies and where have they put them to. So, automatically those areas are the areas I believe that the incoming government must really address in terms of probing those who have been stealing our money. The other time it was President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government and now it is President Goodluck Jonathan. Therefore, these are the areas we would want the incoming government to put its searchlight on. In power, the issue of corruption must be addressed. The monies must be returned. Nigeria has no money now as it is running zero economy. If you spent $30 billion in power sector and we can’t see electricity, the question will be: where is the money? It is either the money entered into individual pockets or they threw it into the ocean. These are the people buying private jets, building mansions and buying the whole of Abuja and the whole of Lagos. What would you expect the incoming government to do with the

Unemployment can only be addressed when the issue of power has been addressed

What is your advice on the security challenges? Well, as far as I am concerned Buhari as a retired military General should have what it takes to address security challenges in the country. I believe the issue of security should be tackled properly by him. I think he gave some timeframe that he would tackle security challenges in the country. So, from the President-elect, we believe that most of the things he has promised Nigerians would have to be done. Also, the problem of insecurity is tied to corruption. For example, you can see the CCTV in Abuja that they spent billions of naira and none has worked at all for one day. How would you classify this type of thing? Would you prefer the incoming government revamp the refineries or you will want a total sale of the refineries? This is a country that produces oil. Look at what we are going through. Look at the queues at the filling stations. People sleep two days at the filling stations just to get fuel. We are not talking about the money. Now, the question is: What has made our refineries not to work? A country as large as Nigeria, Niger Republic

For unemployment what do you think should be done? The only way you can address unemployment is by providing power. If the power is there, the industries would be working; if the power is there the factories would be working. Go to somewhere like Ajaokuta and you will cry for this country. Ajaokuta can employ over 200,000 people and look at how the place has crumbled. So, if the power is not working where is the factory that people would be employed? Go to Apapa, Ilupeju and other areas in Lagos, a lot of factories and industries have been closed down because of power. So, unemployment can only be addressed when the issue of power has been addressed because every other thing would be working and even the agricultural sector would work properly because of power and this sector will accommodate millions of people. How do you see the cost of governance? It is absurd. For example, let me take the issue of state; you see a governor collecting N200 million monthly as security votes yet you see what is going on in those states and the governor can’t do anything. Look at the governors’ convoy alone and see how many cars that are there; you talk about how many people go with the governor or the president on tours. All these things are money. If you know how much they buy these cars as people buying bicycles you will pity this country. So, the expenses alone is too high for governance in this country and it is really uncalled for. When they were campaigning, they were campaigning that they were coming to serve the people, but when they get into office, the people serve them on daily basis. So, I believe that the incoming government should look into it if they want Nigeria to be better as it used to be.

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

Awa Kalu is one of the oldest Senior Advocates of Nigeria and a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Abia State. In this interview with TUNDE OYESINA, Kalu sets an agenda for the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, on electoral reform, anti-corruption, cost of governance and other critical issues Electoral Reforms We have to concede that all is not well in that sector, notwithstanding the ovation that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) received for successfully conducting the general elections into the presidency, National Assembly, governorship and state assemblies offices that were vacant at the time. We need to acknowledge that it could be better, particularly because soon after the national elections in Nigeria, we all saw the parliamentary elections in the United Kingdom; no rancour, no violence, no election petition, no thuggery, absolutely no destruction. They did not have to stop human beings from moving, they did not have to disrupt the system even for a minutes. That is the kind of thing we want to see in our country. A country that God has heavily endowed with human capacity and infrastructural capabilities. The dynamics of our life may be different, if we massively tackle the malpractice that follow elections in this country. That is the agenda. That agenda is escapable. We need to be able to transfer power from one government to another without stress. Tackling corruption I will prefer a recommendation that will take it as the Chinese say that the journey of a thousand miles begin with just one step. The one step I want to see from the President-elect is ‘body language’, affirmative body language which indicates zero tolerance for corruption, we need to see it from the cabinet that he is going to name; from the economic agenda, he will set for his government, and we need to see it from the lifestyle of the president, his executive council and other power wielding individuals. We don’t want to see people we have voted into power, driving us off the highways and the streets with their powerful sirens. That is the beginning of corruption, when a person who is used to traffic jams, comes into power and then thinks he is lord of the road. A lot of people don’t understand the dimension of corruption. Corruption is not simply ‘chopping’ government money, it is also appropriating more than the power that proportionate to the office you are holding. It is body language and aura of those who govern us that should be worked upon. Power and infrastructures In short, what the president is

Kalu: President must check impunity in Nigeria’s system President-elect should move very slowly on that confab. Cost of governance It has to massively come down. Under President Goodluck Jonathan, I recalled that a committee was set up to look into that, about collapsing certain government agencies and collapsing others in order to trim the cost of governance. Unfortunately, that was not to be. Government appears to chicken out of that concern and returned to the status quo ante. What I want to see is a performance-based creation of agencies that will enhance our wellbeing, not creation of offices that will provide jobs for the boys. For instance, there are ministries and agencies of government that are inevitable. Such as health, works, justice and so on. There are some that are unproductive and contribute to waste, corruption and ineptitude. Those are the ones that must be pruned. Government agencies must be reduced to the minimum and we must attend to the consequences of multiplication of agencies. You have a minister, who has a number of advisers. The advisers too get their own advisers. You must limit the hangers on. When General Ibrahim Babangida introduced special assistant as a necessary tool for enabling minister to work optimally, it was limited to two. Each minister had two, and no assistant known to me at a time has his own assistant. The work force should be trimmed.

Kalu

going to face is a very massive input from himself and well-meaning Nigerians he will appoint to serve in different capacities. Power is a disgrace; I am a consumer of public and private power. The cost of diesel is disproportionate to the expectation of any well-meaning Nigerian. Some days, you power generator for like 10 hours. Other days, you are alternating every five minutes. Gadgets and appliances in the house are destroyed. Rather than making progress, you are replacing things you already have. So, the power sector is very important, critical, not just to individuals but to our economic wellbeing as a nation. That is a priority for sure. Other infrastructures, particularly roads, the rail network, aviation industry. These are determinants of the wellbeing of the economy. If you get those indices right, then we will be on the path to recovery. Security and Unemployment There is no point dwelling on security. Unemployment is massive, security is desperately inadequate in terms of personal security, in terms of security of public infrastructure, public institution, highways and so on. If you set out, on a journey say from Abuja to Lagos, you cannot confidently predict what will happen on the road. You can say how many times you will run into the bush because of marauders on the way. We are not talking about kidnapping, insurgency, in some part of the country, so that is another massive assignment. But luckily, our incoming president is a retired general and as such he must be an expert in security matters. I think that for that reasons we are in good hands. Revamping of refineries The President-elect should start something on that. It is a massive problem which I don’t expect him to accomplish within the first two years. But he has to start something.

At the moment, four refineries, none of them are operating at optimum capacity and so we import fuel and other derivatives. We subsidise those who import them and you see what it has resulted into. Three months here in Abuja and Lagos, queue at the filling stations. Those refineries have to be put to work. Implementation of confab resolutions As a lawyer, I did not believe in the confab. At a time, I did not believe that it will take us to anywhere. While the confab was going on, the National Assembly was pushing ahead with constitutional amendment, and the ultimate destination of most decisions of the confab is the amendment of the constitution. The National Assembly went ahead with their own agenda, ideas, probably not taken from the results of the deliberation of the confab and then the climax is that a lame duck legislature, wanted a lame duck president to hurry over an amendment of constitution which is supposed to be the foundation of all laws. If you hurry the foundation of your house, any building you put on it will collapse. I think what the President-elect might do is look critically at the recommendations. I am not going to condemn the resolutions of the confab. There are some recommendations that will move the nation forward. Let me take one aspect of it, which does not make sense to me. There are 36 states in Nigeria, as we exit one government and bringing another, the dominant story in the media now is the inability of some states to pay salary. If that is the reality, why do you want to multiply bureaucracy, because any state you create will have three arms of government, civil service, and you will begin to develop infrastructure. We should rather consolidate on the 36 states we have and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The

If you get those indices right, then we will be on the path to recovery

Rule of law With the present situation in the country, the President-elect will spend many sleepless nights. If you think about the rule of law, what first occurs to you is the rule of impunity that we have developed in the past 16 years across the board. You appoint a councillor, he becomes a law unto himself, you give somebody a police uniform, he becomes a law unto himself, even boys scout appropriate powers unto themselves. In the past one month, I have seen multiplication of traffic light in Abuja but the astonishing thing is that people don’t want to obey the traffic light. Rather than ease traffic, it has complicated traffic in certain area. It is nothing but impunity and that must be curbed. The starting point is limiting the nonchalant attitude in which people in power approach their responsibilities. The maxim all over the world is that power belongs to the people. But when you take over the power and arrogate it to yourself, then you cannot think about the rule of law. So, to be able to restore the rule of law which presume that no human being in this country is above our laws, then we will begin to return to normal. Despite impunity, the law will prevail. But if you think that because of the office you hold, no policeman can talk to you, no custom agents can talk to you, no immigration agent can talk to you, then there is a problem.

MORE STORIES ON pageS 40-43

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Opinion A good omen for the bench Adewale Kupoluyi

ecently, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, disclosed that the era of appointing persons considered to be unfit, questionable and improper as judges had gone. He said the National Judicial Council’s newly revised guidelines of appointment of judicial officers had provided for a more detailed, robust and transparent method of appointment in the Council’s new Extant Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers of All Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria. The Nigerian constitution generally provides that a person shall not be qualified to hold the office of head of the respective courts unless he is qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a certain period of time. In the new NJC guidelines, Rule 4 (i) (a) specifically provides that the candidates seeking to be appointed as judicial officers must be of good character and reputation, diligent, honest, hardworking, and versed in the knowledge of law and consistently adhering to professional ethics. Justice Mohammed added that the new guidelines would ensure that only best legal minds with high moral standards serve as judges in our revered temples of justice. He described the guidelines as merit-based, adding that appointment of judges would no longer be based on sentimental reasons such as god-fatherism, “fraternal connections” and nepotism because the guidelines in force would provide a mechanism which would ensure that only qualified, intelligent, astute, morally sound, meritorious and deserving candidates were appointed as judges. Due to the uniqueness in the duties of judges - administration of justice and interpretation of the laws - their mode of appointment has remained one of the most debated issues in the legal profession. Hence, selecting men and women of integrity, who would sit at the Bench to interpret the laws, uphold the rights

and frameworks within which the state functions, should certainly attract more than a passing interest. To say the least, judicial corruption desecrates the temple of justice, undermines the rule of law, allows impunity to flourish, leads to unfair trials and makes fighting of corruption unnecessarily herculean and even impossible. Routine perversion of the course of justice has been damaging to the image of the judiciary. It has been argued at various fora that the Nigerian judiciary has been compromised largely due to alleged corruption, lack of autonomy and the overbearing influence by the government. The executive arm - both at the federal and states levels - has been largely accused of suppressing judicial independence in spite of the principles of separation of powers enshrined in our constitution and court rulings, including those of 2012 and 2013, which reaffirmed the autonomy and financial independence of the judiciary. Unfortunately, this important provision remains unimplemented. Above all, one of most serious devastating problems facing our Bench is corruption. This comes under various shapes and sizes in a bid to pervert justice. Nothing could be more criminal and damaging to a society than having a situation when justice is purchased by the highest bidder. For instance, judges were found to have granted frivolous orders and applications that simply lack merit. Not only that, Justice Mohammed’s predecessor, Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar ,in 2013, had decried the prevalence of indiscipline in our courts, saying “some judges didn’t deliver up to four judgements in a year, and wouldn’t open their courts by 9am. Some even travelled abroad without permission”. Similarly, some retired senior members of the Bench, who cannot practice as lawyers again, under the guise of being “legal consultants,” allegedly became middlemen between the litigants and tribunal members, for monetary gains. No doubt, there are many hardworking, respected

and honest judicial officers in the country. Better still, many people still believe that the image and reputation of the Nigerian judiciary may not be the best at the moment. That is why the decision of the NJC to allow ordinary Nigerians to contribute to the appointment of judges, is appropriate. At this time as this would reduce the likelihood of allowing questionable characters from infiltrating our Bench. This idea is not going to be peculiar to Nigeria alone but also it is operational in other climes and democracies like the United States of America. Beyond public advertisement in the appointment of judges, there is the need to embark on an overhaul of the system due to these observed lapses. It is not a secret that litigants still undergo excruciating delays despite the fact that they are in the courts to seek succor and be lifted out of their nightmares bearing in mind that justice delayed is justice denied. The CJN should do his best to fast-track and revive our justice delivery system. The advent of digital technology is meant to help courts around the world to deliver rulings in record time. It is imperative to modernise the system. The judicial system needs to adopt integrated technology network that will aid the judges in discharging their duties. Nigeria should also work hard towards having a vibrant Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism as obtainable in several European courts, as a way of decongesting the courts and seeking judicial redress. Justice Mohammed once decried the worrisome and very high volume of pending cases at the registry of the Supreme Court, which he said had 5,000 cases waiting to be decided. Not only that, cases that were instituted as far back as 2005 or even earlier, were yet to be decisively concluded! Hence, the decision of the CJN to subject the appointment process to members of the public, is laudable. • Kupoluyi writes from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), adewalekupoluyi@yahoo.co.uk, @AdewaleKupoluyi, adewalekupoluyi.blogspot.com

The law and Mobocracy Kingsley Charles

fortnight ago, a man died. With his tongue clenched between his teeth, his charred body of mangled limbs lay sprawled across the sun-baked tarmac, in a tiny pool of his blood that seeped from the crevices of his mutilated brain. His horrendous state told of a man that had been administered a lethal dose of the lynch law by a whole posse of apoplectic mob, for an alleged crime. The man and woman in the street have had to weather a successive storm of horrors, from the jackboot of a dictatorial regime through the tidal wave of felony and banditry to the unprecedented carnage by a class of homicidal maniacs. Now is a rising crescendo of mob rule—or jungle justice, as it is termed in our clime. Now is an emergent malaise of extrajudicial killings in our landscape. An alleged thief or rapist or felon is stripped naked in the torrid heat of the day, strapped to a stake and clubbed with murderous zeal until his head shatters and spews out blood, his neck drops dead. Or, more commonly, the supposed thief is necklaced with a car tyre, doused with petrol and set alight, like a festival lamb, before a frenzied mob. And soon his entreaties of innocence are drowned by the overpowering heat of a furnace. What we are witnessing in this present time is an injurious corrosion of

civilization from our geopolitical space. It emerges that a new crop of Homo sapiens with mutated genes now parade the along the verdant greenery of our land with a flush of dacnomania. This is a class of warped minds that seeks to inflict its unvarnished turpitude on a few hapless humans. The gruesome sight of a defenseless man hacked to death by another man is just bas galling as it Is absolutely heartrending. It is, in itself, a ne plus ultra of man’s inhumanity to man. The chilling remembrance of Aluu 4, who were immolated in October 2012 in the most barbarous fashion, leaps to my mind. Even if expurgated from our books of history, memories of such savagery will ever cling to the minds of those who witnessed it. Like the Ebola virus Disease spreading its contagion effortlessly about a state, the monster of lynch mob extends its tentacles to more territories, unabated. Lugubriously, the majority of mob attacks go unreported so that an increasing number o f alleged criminals are subjected to the ochlocratic judgment everyday. My increasing perturbation is having to share the same biosphere with these scions of Satan. For the thinking man, it is the irksome thought that gnaws at his soul as he ponders on his uneasy coexistence with these perverted humans. For to set a man on fire like a sacrificial lamb on the score of criminality is a flagrant disregard for the sanctity of human life. Succinctly, it is an inimical

descent into mobocracy. More so, it is a patent breach of a citizen’s Right to fair Hearing engraved in the Nigerian constitution, which stipulates, in Section 34(1) (a), that ‘every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person and accordingly no person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman and degrading treatment’. To delve further, Section 315 of the Criminal Code maintains that ‘any person who unlawfully kills another is guilty of an offence which is called murder or manslaughter, according to the circumstances of the case’. But do these bloodhounds care? Fiddlesticks .They would instead mete out the lynch law to the alleged culprit than to have to go through the rigmarole of an adjudication system. The law is an ass; its delivery of justice is tardy and prejudiced, they contend. So they would have the supposed criminal face trial in a mob court with a stand-in judge of a traditional chief, who returns a verdict of lynching. And with the swashbuckling ferocity of a gladiator, the blood-hungry mob pummel, maim and mutilate the intruder, the Ole, until rivulets of his blood course over the asphalt. What morbid obsession! Offering no clemency, the ochlocratic law seeks immediate ‘justice’. Hence, it confers on its practitioners the right to identify and prosecute an alleged thief, without a smidgen of investigation. Unlike the state law, its judgment is not contingent on the pedigree of the crime

committed: all misdeeds are granted the same lethal dose of lynching, differing only in style. Methinks that it is premised on a fallacious belief in the nothingness of human existence. Be that as it may, it is a rule of passion over reason. But the law enforcement agencies share culpability in these savageries. They lay the groundwork for the gladiatorial scene of mob courts. It is they who set the rabble loose and teach them to adopt the brute force as the best form of justice. It is their cavalier attitude towards the man in the street that strengthens this group of self-righteous bloodhounds. It is, also the tardiness of the nation’s judicial system that causes the quick recourse to mob lynching. But for how many months –or years—shall the man, woman or child wait before they become the victims of the next jungle justice? Of course there will be more lynching and necklacings until the poltergeists of those murdered extrajudicially are conciliated and a requiem mass is held to lay their roving souls to eternal rest. An adjudication system that seeks not to uphold the crest of justice cannot be considered fair and just. The judiciary must ensure its system is reviewed and regenerated. State laws must seek to establish a reign of justice in our clime whilst striving to halt the rain of injustice that beclouds our landscape. • Charles writes from the University of Calabar (08038274995)

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Time to overhaul our justice system

t has often been said that Nigeria’s social, political and economic growth is stagnated because of pervasive corruption in every facet of the country’s life. It is common knowledge that ‘justice’ can be procured in the nation’s courts if the person knows his way and has the right price. Offer of monetary reward has often swayed the outcome of litigations. But the declaration last week by the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, that 197 convicted drug traffickers avoided serving their sentences with the connivance of court clerks and prison wardens is surprising and at the same time worrying. It only shows the despicable descent into abyss of the Nigerian justice system. This also confirms the saying that the Nigerian legal system is like a cobweb. It catches small flies while big birds fly through it. Giade said the plot was discovered when a drug convict, who ought to be in prison, was re-arrested while attempting to smuggle drugs at the Kano airport. According to him, that was how a cartel of about 197 convicted drug traffickers supposed to be serving their

sentences was detected by the agency. The investigation was conducted by the police, he said, adding that it was confirmed that the convicts were left off the hook with the connivance of some court clerks and prison warders. The NDLEA, the chairman added, discovered that the criminal act took place between the court and the prison officials after an accused had been sentenced. The discovery, according to him, is a wake-up call on all stakeholders to remain sensitive and prevent any act capable of undermining the criminal justice system. “We must continue to discharge our responsibilities without compromise from the time a case is reported, to when a convict completes serving the prescribed punishment by the court,” he

One can only weigh the import of this discovery because of the impact of the said convicts on the generality of the Nigerian people

said. One can only weigh the import of this discovery because of the impact of the said convicts on the generality of the Nigerian people. According to Giade, illicit proceeds from smugglers are mostly used in funding terrorism and insurgency. Thousands of innocent Nigerians have been killed while scores of others have been permanently maimed by terrorists since the beginning of the bloody campaign by Boko Haram. Hundreds of thousands of children have been orphaned while uncountable number of people have lost their loved ones, especially their breadwinners. It is simply callous for anyone to, because of filthy lucre, help those who either directly or indirectly fund the activities of terrorists to escape not only justice but the punishment for the crime. In many nations, particularly in Asia, drug-related offences carry the maximum punishment. But it is sad that in Nigeria, where these offences carry lighter punishment of jail terms, some criminals in the judicial system help drug peddlers to pervert justice. The war on drug peddling must be fought and won collectively by Nigerians.

The revelation by Giade is probably a tip of the iceberg. It may turn out to be insignificant when the whole picture of those who have similarly avoided serving their jail terms emerges. The new administration must probe the discovery by the NDLEA. After all, those 197 convicts were prosecuted for drug-related offences. Nigerians deserve to know how many convicts prosecuted by the police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other prosecuting organisations have avoided serving prison terms through similar ways. After the probe, the convicts must be tried for bribing their way out of prison and made to face stiffer penalties. Not only that, their accomplices in the courts and prisons must also be tried and, if convicted, be jailed. This is to serve as deterrent to other corrupt officials still in the system. It is high time the Nigerian legal system was overhauled. That is the only way to restore the sagging confidence of the generality of Nigerians in the justice system.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Arts

Book Review

Dance as metaphor for life M emoir, notes William Zinsser, in On Writing Well (2006; 30th Anniversary Edition), “isn’t the summary of a life, it’s a window into a life, very much like a photograph in its selective composition. It may look like a casual and even random calling up of bygone events. It’s not; it’s a deliberate construction”. This aptly describes Life Is A Dance. The book is, however, not a memoir, it is a true story written by Chibuzo Okoro and Aaron Oteze. As the authors note, the book is an intriguing story of a child condemned to death at birth for being born a twin. It is based on a true story. Kiri is born a twin. Twins are killed in Umuduru. His father, being a Christian, risks his life to save him. In the 209-page book, the authors take the reader on a journey of discovery; offering rich canvas of events that shaped the protagonist, from birth to adulthood. It is divided into five chapters, a preface and author’s note. The inspiration for the writing of the book appears on the preface, where the authors note that, “every person on earth has a unique story – most mundane and routinely, but there are pockets of people with tales so interesting it would be a travesty not to share. Unfortunately a good many go to the grave without telling and so the world soon forgets after the last witness dies”. However, while it is a true life story, Chibuzor Okoro notes, that this book “may not be an exact representation of how things happened – for I was not in existence – but what I am sure of is that my father was born a twin in a time when twins were a taboo, that his father, my grandfather, killed a big snake in the farm, which was used as meat, that my father was granted scholarship to

TONY OKUYEME Arts Editor tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

where the chapter derives its title. It states: “What is this life if, full of care, / We have no time to stand and stare. / No time to stand beneath the boughs / And stare as long as sheep and cows. / No time to see, when woods we pass, / Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass / No time to see, in broad daylight…..” Chapter one dwells on the birth of Kiri; rather than bring joy to the family it left Title: Life Is A Dance them confused and shocked. Author: Chibuzo Okoro and Aaron Oteze He was born a twin. Twins are killed in Umuduru. But Publisher: HFB Books his father, being a Christian, Pages: 209 risks his life to save him. Eventually, both twins and Year of publication: 2014 their father survive death Reviewer: Tony Okuyeme threats by the witch doctor. What follows are Kiri’s child-

Government College Afikpo where he went on a daring boat excursion with a number of school mates and that during the war he joined the Red Cross and was in many near misses. “I know he beats the odds to pay his way through the University of Lagos and finally left for the United Kingdom where my mother

joined him. They got married there and had two children, of which, yours truly is the first followed by my dear sister Amara who lives in Canada with her husband and two children.” In the chapter titled, No Time To Stand And Stare, the author begins with a quote from a poem from Leisure by W.H. Davies, and from

hood encounters; how Christianity eventually took its root in the village. Chapter two - as will all the chapters – tiled Triumph And Disaster, also begins with a poem from where the title is derived. This chapter follows Kiri’s growing up, his encounters with his mates, the masquerade dance, how he almost got strangled by a snake; and how he is eventually gets admission into school. In Chapter three tiled When The World Was Young, the author captures Kiri’s experiences in Government College Afikpo, first as a junior student vulnerable to bullying and harassment by the senior students, the structured life as a boarding student, his exceptional performance in school, their excursion to Brass by sea as members of Man O’ War. In The Place Of Wrath And Tears and Life Is A Dance, which is the title of chapters four and five respectively, the journey continues for Kiri with his quest for a university degree, a good job and the right partner. But first he must garner the will to survive a war, do whatever it takes to pay his tuition and marry the one girl he wants to – if she will agree. Running through the story is character and a strong will to survive. So what makes Life Is A Dance a compelling read for anyone in search of discovery and knowledge? It is not just in the story itself, told in simple, lucid language adorned with imageries, idioms and suspense, but also in its plot, its handling with such power, palpable pain, passion, sparkling humour and suspense. The dance metaphor is instructive. Indeed, the editors have done a great work; the print is clear, the layout appealing. However, some typographic errors abound in the book. For instance, in the first paragraph on page 72, line two reads: Struggling with his suitcase, He (he) picked his way through school the lawns…. Page 73, 4th paragraph, last sentence reads: “The bell for brea (break) went and he ran…; page 80, second paragraph reads: …. “As he felt the presence another…” In spite of these errors, Life Is A Dance, is no doubt a compelling read. I therefore, recommend it to all lovers of literature, students, scholars, critics among others.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

The Mega City ...EXCLUSIVE LAGOS MAGAZINE

A gas plant in Lagos

Ticking time bomb It has become a common sight these days to see chemical plants installed within residential areas. Some are planted beside windows while at the front door of living rooms are situated many others. They are named cooking gas plants or Telecommunication mast. Majority believes that they are signs of development, growth and economic emancipation, while to some others, they are inimical to human life and are time bombs, reports EZURIKE UGOCHUKWU

LIFE IN THE CITY Behold New LASTMA, KAI patrol vehicles

MY CITY MY WORLD ‘Lagos, exceptionally lovely place’ 27

OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI CITY Editor

tosin.omoniyi@newtelegraphonline.com

he use of cooking gas in the country not quite long ago was the preserve of the elite. Many people were afraid that cooking on a gas cooker is one of the riskiest domestic chores. Then, refilling of gas cylinders was done in petrol stations and few gas refilling outlets. In an effort of the government to convince the people that cooking gas is in abundance, cheap, active than kerosene and also to discourage overdependence on firewood, which is today seriously deforesting our environments, many entrepreneurs were licensed to build cooking gas plants. And this, some of them built within neighbourhoods, to the horror of humans. On the other hand, the telecommunication mast has been enmeshed in claims and counter claims. Some health officials are claiming that the rays which Electromagnetic waves from the masts radiate are injurious to health. While the operators and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) disagree with that, they rather posit

Electromagnetic waves from the masts are injurious to health

that cellular transmission trend today is towards 4th Generation(4G) technology which assures better and faster cellular services, that radiation from them go far to connect elements that guarantee coverage. The mobile phones are the only elements of the network close to public; it is through radiofrequency (RF) waves that mobile phones communicate with towers. It is no longer news to hear that cooking gas plants sited in many locations especially residential areas in Lagos have caught fire or that telecommunication masts built inside many compounds in Lagos have collapsed, all with their attendant loss of many lives and billions of Naira worth of properties. At present, the fate of two staff of Allen cooking gas refilling plant at Ago area of Lagos that were badly burnt by the fire incident in the plant complex April 25, 2015 is raising eyebrows. While the death of a 52-year old, Mr.Adeolu Adeleke, a petty trader as a result of a telecommunication mast that fell on him is a

forgone issue. Some time ago, Mr. Afolabi Oyekanmi was diagnosed at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital of an illness said to have been caused by the radiation from the telecommunication mast erected very close to his house. Reports on Oyekanmi’s health from doctors read, “This elderly man was brought into the Accident and Emergency Unit of our hospital with complaints of loss of consciousness associated with convulsion. He is not a known epileptic, diabetic, hypertensive or asthmatic. It is apparent that locating the telecoms mast too close to his house is detrimental and hazardous to his medical condition if not the cause. Kindly give necessary assistance to address the problem.” What are the expediencies necessitating gas plants and telecommunication masts even Petrol stations being built within residential areas in a mega city? The April 25th fire incident at Allen cooking CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Life | Mega City

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sitting on a keg of gun powder CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

gas plant, Ago, has perplexed the residents of the area so much that most of them are now in psychological trauma. Mr. Ambrose Uwamuanu, who lives within the neighbourhood of the gas plant, the street at the back of the plant-Ayodele Ogunkoya street, narrated how his wife called him on phone that evening while he had attended a marriage ceremony not too far from his area. From a distance, he looked up and saw the whole area 200metres away enveloped by smoke that had reached high heaven. Many people were standing at far ends of the road. There were no vehicular or human movements along the road or near the plant. He said: “While I was running and panting, one Malam(Hausa) told me I should not kill myself, that my house has already been gutted by fire. I ignored him. When I got home, I saw my family outside. I went into my house and saw that it has not be razed as I was told. “My wife told me how they suddenly saw columns of smoke, as well as shouts of help from the gas plant. Around 5:30p.m, we were trying to remove some things from our house in the premonition that the fire will get to our house when we heard a thunderous noise like that of bomb explosion that shook our house and other houses around to their foundation. The ceiling in our house started falling off; ceiling fan also could not stay. Pieces of iron and glass both from the plant and houses around were flying all corners of the neighbourhood. Some people have serious lacerations on their legs and other parts of their body on account of that.” Uwamuanu went further to narrate the effect of the inferno. “The whole vicinity became so scorcher that day as a result of the fire. Even the ground was extremely hot with no place to step on. The atmosphere was gloomy and cloudy as if the moon has eclipsed. The heat and rumbles caused by the fire carried some roofs and iron particles to the top of many houses like the sheets presently on the church opposite us. We never knew we will live to tell this story.” Another eyewitness pointed out that the fire nearly entered the neighbouring stores that share fence with the plant, only that the shops had concrete roofs not aluminium Zinc. “We are not sure whether the fire was caused by gas leakage or any other factor. Moreover, their power plant was on then. We are not sure also whether there were other people apart from the two staff that were inside. None of us had the courage to stand around here because everywhere was shaking. We were in terrible fear. Even rodent in their holes around here must run that day. The heat was horrible. Because of the bad road to this place, fire fighting vehicles could not get to this place on time.” A peep that was only possible at the back fence of the plant

A decrepit gas plant in Lagos

premises revealed that two heavy tankers, one on a raised platform and the other on a lorry truck were razed by the fire. Another small car was also seen inside the compound burnt. Virtually nothing was spared in the compound. Few small gas cylinders were not touched. Trees, an overhead tank of over 25feet, and many other unidentifiable items were torched by the inferno. The compound at the moment is under lock and key. There was also a sticker bearing ‘Sealed’ order from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources pasted on the front gate. Another resident of the area, Mr. Pius Okoko, said he wondered why the tanks were thundering the way they did that day. He knew so well that the gas tanks were not buried like fuel tanks. “I am aware that gas tanks are never buried because they don’t need heat. Most of us ran away from this vicinity because we thought there was a repeat of the Ejigbo bomb blast. The way the thing blustered three times was so terrifying. “The neighbours here have tried to draw the attention of the owner to the inherent danger of having a gas plant in a residential area, the woman told them to stop poking their nose into her affairs. If she had given audience to them, they would have come out with solution that could have averted this situation. I learnt the woman is also in the hospital; that her personal affair has now become public. The people that sealed it now, where were they all these days? They would have persuaded her to relocate the

Quality of pipes accounts partly for incessant mast collapse

plant or install equitable fire fighting equipment. Though the plant was here even before development got to this place, the fact still remains that there are things that are supposed to be within residential areas and things that are not.” He asserted. While gas has its major hazard- fire, telecommunications cause more nuisances to the society. Like the fear of the mast falling as has been recorded in the past, the dilemma of gaseous emission from generating sets powering the masts and the alleged radioactive emission cause health defects. There is a general reluctance of people living in houses and compounds that have masts in them to talk. One said he would not talk for the fear of being ejected by the landlord. But one man perceived to be in his forties who spoke on anonymity, said, “I am new to the compound. It may not be far from reality if I say that people in the house are always sick including me. I cannot try to give a portion of land close to my house for mast construction no matter the cost. The landlords that give theirs, look at it from the monetary perspective only, regardless of its consequences. The incentives they often give the landlords look rewarding, not minding they have paid their rents to the landlords. They supply regular electricity to our landlord; any time they come to fuel their plants, any diesel left is given to him also. The network providers know the health implication of their actions, which accounts for the reason they entice them with so many things. But I still see

negligence and poverty as factors that drive our people to all that.” Mr. Hakeem Alabi said his fear about the mast starts from mere looking at the mast, “If you see how towering the masts are, you will get frightened to have your house around them. To me, it’s like signing your death warrant. It was because of mast that was contracted to be erected close to the house I was in living in at Ketu, that I relocated to this place with dispatch. Telecommunication has helped us in no small measure, but the way the masts are built every corner unarguably constitutes social nuisance.” An information Technology consultant, Mr. Ephraim Thomas, said the masts are reasonably safer, especially now many of the masts that were earlier built with hollow pipes are being replaced with modern galvanized steel pipes. “It’s the type and quality of pipes that accounts partly to the reasons we have incessant mast collapse. Another factor also is giving quacks masts to build. People may begin to worry when the masks are low. The microwave and your television sets radiate more than the mast you talk about. What comes out from microwaves and TVs are more than what radiates from masts. If you can use your microwaves and TV without fear, then why bother about masts? What is not good is positioning. It is as low as a storey building in residential areas. Facing the mast to somebody’s room or where he comes out very often is not good.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Life | In The City

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

Container trucks in traffic bedlam in Apapa

n a follow-up visit made by New Telegraph to the area to assess development, it was discovered that the quit ultimatum issued to the obstinate tanker drivers was, somewhat, effective as there was an unhindered journey through much of the area that previously became a-no-go-area for commuters. Before the evacuation, the fuel tankers-induced traffic logjam had spread beyond Ijesha Bus-Stop of the expressway. But it was fairly delightful to drive from Oshodi to Berger/ Cement area. From that point, commercial bus operators and private vehicles tried to manoeuvre to the Apapa-Oshodi axis of the road and drive against the traffic. The reason for this anomaly was that trailers and trucks have, once again, blocked the expressway from that point to TinCan Port, leaving just a lane for other road users. Even the spare lane was not as free as the volume of traffic was overstretching. Thus, the pains and agonies of the past weeks seemed to being reinforced. However, there was a disposition of mixed feelings to the seemingly intractable traffic situation in Apapa axis as stakeholders and businessmen shared their views with New Telegraph. Abom Nwaonicha, the Vice Chairman of Sunki Motors Association at Berger on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, exuded great delight at the traffic clear-up which now make commuting

No respite yet For several weeks, the fuel-tanker drivers, which had besieged the numerous depots domiciled on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway to lift oil products, held residents in the jugular and suffocated socioeconomic activities along that axis. But at the command of the state government, the area became free, Monday last week, from the tanker drivers’ siege and there is now a pervading sigh of relief. But it is not yet Uhuru as another round of traffic bedlam is about returning to the area if no proactive measures are taken by the government. ELIJAH SAMUEL reports to and from Apapa fairly better. He attested that the evacuation of tankers has ushered relative ease of traffic and commuting in the area. Thus, prospective customers are beginning to visit the area again. “We are happy that the traffic logjam caused by the tanker drivers has been cleared. We came on Monday and saw that the whole place had been cleared of the tankers which had earlier blocked the whole of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. Now, unlike the experience of the past months that we hardly could subsist as a result of non-patronage which was caused by the tankers traffic gridlock, customers have started coming to this area to transact business with us as usual. Though patronage is still low because not many are aware that the area is now clear

Others scenes of the traffic chaos in Apapa

The containers are the ones that are now trying to take over the road

from gridlock,” Nwaonicha said. Remigus Opurum, a clearing and forwarding agent, who was panting, apparently under the stress of long trek, though was grateful to God that the tankers have been evacuated but was apprehensive that the tortuous commuting of the past weeks may be brought back as “the containers are the ones that are now trying to take over the road. Although they are moving, it is different from what it was during the tanker drivers’ traffic congestion. Then, I’d rather stop at Sunrise Bus-Stop and take motorbike or trek the remaining distance to Tin-Can Port. But it is fair now, at least commercial bus can take one to Coconut Bus-Stop while you decide to either trek or take bike to wherever you destination is.” Decrying the corruption and the ill-disposition of port opera-

tives which are identified as responsible for the building-up of another traffic snarl in the Apapa axis, Opurum said, “this present gridlock is being caused by the attempt of trailer drivers to return their empty containers back into the port. We learnt that the people going to the second gate (of Tin-Can Port) are the ones blocking the road. The reason is that they (port operatives) use to charge them a fee at the first gate before they can get inside to discharge their containers. That is why you find a lot of the drivers on the queue until it gets to their turn. But if they want to do it express, they won’t stay on the queue: they just have to go straight to the first gate where they collect N7,000 from them (drivers).” CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

PHOTOS: ELIJAH SAMUEL

Life | Mega City

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ticking time bomb CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 22

There is a general consensus that having gas plants and telecommunication masks too close to living houses are not the best for a developing country like ours, a county where rules are easily bent. There are cases in Lagos today where gas plants are on the ground floor of storey buildings and people are living at the upstairs or even schools operating on the higher floor of such buildings. Telecommunication masts are seen built against the standing rules, especially where vendors contracted to acquire sites for telecommunication companies bribe some staff of regulatory agencies to bend the rules. In 1987, when toxic waste was dumped at Koko village in Delta State, Nigeria was said to be ill-equipped to manage serious environmental crises; that there were no institutions for enforcement of environmental laws and regulations in the country. Nearly three decades gone, Nigeria is still grappling with myriad of environmental issues. However, The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) instructed that no house should be built 10 metres dimension from the foot of any telecommunication mast. Such laws are being disregarded daily with impunity. It is not an uncommon site to see houses that share the same fence with a mast plant or even the window to a nearby room located by the mast. In most cases, those are people that have collected reasonable amount of money from the telecoms companies.

Responding to safety issues, the Director, Lagos State, Fire/ Safety Services, said such projects as gas plants could be sited in residential areas if certain safety conditions are met, among which are, proper training of staff on safety and emergency. “ The gadgets available will determine. Even in advanced countries, you have them but you must have adequate and appropriate gadgets that can protect such projects. If you have the adequate arrangements in term of fire protection, you are in order and other things you have to consider like fence and high quality firefighting equipment, you will be rest assured to have them anywhere.” There are enormous gains from the introduction of telecommunication in Nigeria according to Professor Pat Utomi of the Lagos Business School. He said telecom has reduced transaction cost. 10 to 20-years ago, people make uneconomical trips; like an auto mechanic who travelled from Ikeja to Ikoyi on an invitation of a client. On reaching there, he found out that the person was not at home. Utomi further said, “The expansion of telecom, which is what they help at achieving is of economic value. The question is, has it been cost effectively done? The concept of co-location which means that one mast can take the equipment of all the networks could reduce the multiplication of the masts and attendant health challenges.” He added that approach towards reducing the adverse effect which they may have on the environment should be heartily pursued.

A telecom mast

Gridlock remains on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 23

Ifeanyi Onugha, a car dealer, also showed excitement and was brimming with hope that their losses will be made up during this period of traffic relief in Apapa. He said: “The road just cleared up a few days ago. All the while that the gridlock lasted, there was no sales and this affected us so much that taking care of ourselves and our families became very difficult. But since Monday that the area was rid of the tankers, we can see that things are looking up. The only snag now is these containers that they are trying to return to the port.” He however appealed that “the incoming president should make this road a priority and ensure that it is always free because of its economic importance to the country: the oil depots and the seaports are located on this axis. Now that the road has been made free from tanker drivers, the first gate and the second gate of Tin-Can Port need to be given attention as the present traffic congestion is being caused by activities at these entry points into Tin-Can. The trailer driv-

ers couldn’t take back the containers during the time that tankers blocked the roads; now that the roads have been cleared is the time they have to return the containers to the shipping companies.” Abiola Ibrahim, one of the drivers that were stuck in the traffic dilemma debunked the claim that the drivers are responsible for the present logjam in Apapa. Rather, he pointed that inherent tardiness and

lackadaisical disposition of port operatives are what should be rid from the system so that a permanent solution can be attained. “The government should come into our plight by seeing that those that are assigned to attend to the returning of containers sit up and do their job. They are the ones causing this present traffic that is building: it is a deliberate delay because if you go to the office where

Long queue of containers-laden trucks Oshodi-Apapa road

they are supposed to be attending to drivers who are returning empty containers, you find them doing nothing. This is meant to frustrate drivers so that we look at the option of express clearance. This involves paying money to hasten the process. This traffic snarl is baseless and unwarranted, because if you go inside the port, you will discover the place is free. So, it’s not the fault of the drivers,” Ibrahim bemoaned.

He added that “the government should look into it and resolve this gridlock the way they did to the tanker drivers. We are suffering being on this queue: some of us have been here for not less than three days just trying to return containers. We bath and eat while on this queue; we buy bags of pure water and do the bathing in the silence of the night when there is no more public activities.”

Life | In The City

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

We have saved 6,000 offenders from being jailed – Lagos Attorney-General The Lagos State Attorney General, Mr Ade Ipaye is one of the egg-heads in Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration. In this interview with Muritala Ayinla, he reveals the drive behind many justice reform initiatives, laws made under the outgoing administration and other sundry issues. Excerpts As the administration is winding down, there are still records of unresolved cases, such as the case involving the former Chief Security Ofiicer of Late, General Sanni Abacha, Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha’s murder charge, the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, case against monthly sanitation and others? That is the nature of things, whether you like it or not. At this level of public service, you get an opportunity for a pre-determined period. You then do your best and leave the rest for those coming after you. We have had many important cases concluded during my tenure and many will necessarily remain unconcluded. The lifespan of cases going from the lowest to the highest courts in Nigeria could easily be up to ten years or even more. I have only been here for four years. Remember also that the Al-Mustapha case has been there since the first term of the Tinubu’s Administration. It is certainly not an ideal situation, but in legal history that case at the High Court level will continue to stand out as the worst specimen of court system manipulation. There is no doubt that you contributed to the reform of justice in Lagos by ensuring speedy access to justice, what are those thing you would like to be remembered for as a former Attorney-General in Lagos? That is difficult to say, but let me put it this way. What will I stress in handing over to a successor? When I became Attorney General, I took an interest in criminal justice administration. This was due, perhaps, to the large number of mails, petitions and press reports on the subject – prison congestion, awaiting trial inmates, delayed issuance of DPP’s advice, poor investigation, slow rate of prosecution, poor rate of conclusion, difficulty of getting witnesses to show up in court, etc. It was depressing and we were having NGOs suing the Police on behalf of detainees awaiting trial and joining me as Attorney General. One or two of them got judgment and monetary awards. Unfortunately, the Police who were responsible for the problem would never pay and the lawyers didn’t bother with them much. They preferred to pursue garnishee orders against the State Government’s Revenue Accounts, which were very well known. In consequence, we quickly set to work in finding solutions. In collaboration with Kennedy School of Government, we developed indicators to monitor the issuance of DPP’s Advice. The emerging statistics revealed clearly that, at the rate we were going, we would never ever catch up with the backlog of case files awaiting DPP’s advice. This led to the division of Counsel in DPP’s office into two groups. A group now handles report of investigation and issuance of DPP’s advice exclusively while the other group

the same time. One of the remarkable laws made under you administration is the NonCustodian Law which gives room for community service as form of punishment. How many people have been sentenced to community service? Our Community Service Unit is another first in the country, established within my first year of office. Our Criminal Justice Administration Law 2011 recognises Community Service as a sentencing option, so we created this Unit to support the judiciary in making that option feasible. As of today about 6,000 convicts have done community service in Lagos State, instead of having their lives, jobs and families disrupted, sometimes irretrievably, by having to go to jail.

Ipaye

does the prosecution in court. This has increased greatly efficiency and assisted us to catch up. Now, we deal with as many files as we get from the police and other agencies on a monthly basis. Second, we created a Witness Support Unit to contact, counsel, assist and reassure witnesses with a view to ensuring that they eventually make it to court. In the absence of proper forensic investigation, we found that witnesses make or mar our case, hence the close attention that we now give them. As a result, many more of our witnesses now appear in court. In the area of civil litigation, we have also tried to improve supervision, ensure that all cases are attended to in court and standardize the production of pour court processes. We also had an interesting collaboration with the International Senior Lawyers Project in the UK whereby Senior Lawyers from that country come over to Nigeria to do advocacy training for litigation counsel (both civil and criminal) in the Ministry of Justice. This has had a wonderful effect in improving our Advocacy skills with some of the trainees attending higher advocacy courses in South Africa on that basis. Time and space would not permit us to go round all the Directorates and Units of the Ministry. How many landmark cases did you win during your tenure as the Attorney-General of Lagos State? An Attorney General should really not talk of landmark cases won. Administration of Justice is not about winning or losing. It is about making your case as well as you can. All the same, the case

Idea of a State Police should be pursued to a conclusion

of AG Lagos v. AG Federation on Tourism and Hotel taxation is one I had the privilege of handling at the Supreme Court. It was a landmark case that liberated all the States and left them free to develop their tourism industry, regulate hotels and impose necessary taxes without interference from the Federal Government. The proper role of the Federal Government should therefore be to encourage, give grants in aid, collate information and sell Nigeria Tourism to the outside world, rather than just collecting fees from hotels and restaurants all over the country. Another remarkable one at the Supreme Court was the case of Patrick Olufemi Kolawole Ogedengbe v. The State, concerning the tragic murder of Retired Navy Captain Yetunde Peters by her driver and estate agent in 1999. Following our arguments, final appeal filed by one of the accused persons was dismissed in June 2014. We also had a serious criminal case of Boko Haram elements trying to carry out a bombing crusade in Lagos (Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Ali Modu & ors). They were promptly prosecuted, convicted and jailed. The State v. Esther Phillip & ors involved kidnappers who were also apprehended in Lagos. Five of the Defendants have already been convicted and jailed. We have just concluded the case of the last two. Also at the High Court, we had the case against the restriction of commercial motorcycles on Federal Highway dismissed. These are just some of the cases I was personally involved in as team leader. Of course I had a brilliant crop of lawyers assisting me on each. Several others were also going on and being concluded in the Ministry at

There are criticisms that some laws made by the state only exist on paper but not implemented. Some of these laws are Tenancy Law, Anti-Smoking law and others. What is your take on this? We need to keep in mind that we have a very odd situation in Nigeria. A State Government is empowered to make laws on several matters, but it is not empowered to enforce those laws. It cannot create its own Police Force. Rather, it is compelled to rely on Federal Police. In terms of numbers, we all know the Police is grossly inadequate, especially for a State like Lagos. Invariably, they choose which laws to pay attention to. I think the idea of a State Police is one that we should pursue to a logical conclusion this time. In that way the administration of law and order will be under the same umbrella and we can begin to align policing with State policy regarding crimes. Also, I have always said in respect of the Tenancy Law, that it is a peculiar specie. Tenancy is based on contract, which is in the realm of private law. When Government intervenes by statute, it is in recognition of the fact that one of the parties need special protection. However, tenancy nevertheless remains a private affair, the Police can only intervene in what is brought to their attention. The law is however normative. It makes clear the agreed standard of behaviour, and just by doing that, many good citizens feel bound to obey without more. Mr Ade Ipaye is known to be one of the most brilliant aides of Governor Fashola, what is the magic? What is your philosophy about public service? You flatter me! But really, I know of no magic other than hard work. You simply have to give it all, or almost all, your time and attention. You need to be devoted and painstaking because the job never really ends. Integrity is very important. The public needs to know that you don’t do anything for selfish interests, but in the public interest. I also find that it is easier if you are able to maintain a degree of objectivity, so there are no hard feelings if you cannot get what you want.

Life | Mega City

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

New lease of life for LASTMA, KAI Muritala Ayinla

he officials of the Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) may no longer be seen fighting with motorists and pedestrians or engaging in aggressive model of law enforcement as the outgoing Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola has presented 200 brand new specially fitted, specially equipped and branded for the law enforcement agencies. With the vehicles, New Telegraph gathered that capturing the record of traffic law offenders in the state would be easier as the vehicle are fully fitted with computer and other data capturing gadgets. Presenting the vehicles to the agencies at a One-Day seminar for the for the officials of the agencies at the Ikeja House, Governor Fashola emphasized that the duty of law enforcement agencies was to convince the public on the need to embrace law and order. He said: “As I will be leaving the office, I believe that it is time to strengthen what we have build in the last few years. There is no mystery to law enforcement. All we need to do is to convince the public on the need to adhere to the laws. “In the next few days, we want to see an understanding by our people that they will be better off if they live within the law than living outside the law. Saying he would like to see people voluntarily registering their vehicle for number plate and displaying their vehicle number in the front and at the back of their vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles, the Governor expressed dismay that although the issue was important, people often took them for granted. He said the significance of the handover lay in the purpose for which the vehicles were being provided, which, according to him, was to enforce law and order adding, “So in a very simple way you need to understand what we are doing and what are the results we expect to see”. Harping on his administration’s efforts to enhance the welfare of the personnel of the agencies, the governor added that over the last few months, his administration had tried to retrain and reorientate LASTMA and KAI adding that the two agencies have been converted from an adhoc team that was on contract, to a career team of professional cadre in the Public Service with pension. He added: “We have created a Law enforcement cadre which is now part of the State’s Public Service. You must bear in mind that you are pioneers pathfinders and whatever LASTMA becomes in future will depend on what you do today. It is incumbent on you to write the history of LASTMA for many generations to come”. He appealed to the agencies to make the judicious use and maintenance of the vehicles, saying “When you get the vehicles, I want you to understand that those vehicles are public property and bought with tax payers’ money. It is meant for public use and not for personal use. It mustn’t be taken to your personal homes. “I believe that your leaders will

Rows of patrol vehicles newly acquired for LASTMA and KAI operations in Lagos

work out how these vehicles are used and how they are maintained,” he added. Governor Fashola, who noted that the maintenance of law and order had earned the State both local and international reputation in the last few years, said he would be most delighted to see the agencies strengthening what his administration has built in the last eight years. Governor Fashola, who urged all vehicle owners to carry their plate numbers on their vehicles as a matter of law and order, added, “One is better protected by doing so. If an accident occurs with such vehicles, how will it be possible for anyone to know who the owner of the vehicle was; call his relatives? If it is stolen, how will the security officials locate the vehicle?” The Governor expressed the hope that in the next few weeks, members of the agencies would be able to convince members of the public that part of their safety lay with registering their vehicles and displaying their number plates. He said the significance of the handover lay in the purpose for which the vehicles were being provided, which, according to him, was to enforce law and order adding, “So in a very simple way you need to understand what we are doing and what are

Our people will be better off if they live within the law

the results we expect to see”. The state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, said the members of LASTMA and KAI were grateful that the Governor had invested so much on the agencies, adding that it was only incumbent on them to reciprocate the government gesture by carrying out their duties to the State. According to him, the vehicles would, no doubt, enhance delivery of service, adding that Lagosians should expect better and efficient LASTMA and KAI. “ that is the way to go. Those vehicles will be symbol of the law. The Governor out of his commitment to service provided the vehicles,” he said. Speaking with New Telegraph, the General Manager, LASTMA,

Engr Babatunde Edu, said the specialised vehicles would boost the morale of his agency, adding that would be properly maintaind. Edu said:” Obviously, they are not expected to chase motorists with the cars. In the cars are modern working tools to make their job very easy. The idea is that at the sight of any infraction, the record will be taken and the time of the Offence. “Note that the patrol vehicles used by LASTMA won’t be discarded but the new cars will play complementary role to the vehicles and the power bikes we already have. As for the maintenance arrangement for the vehicles, that has been sorted out. We won’t have issue with that at all.”

Gov Fashola at the presentation of the patrol vehicles

Life | In The City

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

Our Expectations

Lagos must be free from extortion and nepotism, says Ukaegbu Ezurike Ugochukwu r. James Ukaegbu, a public M analyst and an international marketing consultant, who

A LASTMA official manhandling a driver

Fagba Road: Where extortion is the game Okocha Ruth

aws are made to be adhered to but when oppression sets in, it loses its value. Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) (What is the full meaning?) is meant to keep traffic laws, make sure citizens obey the rules and regulation on the road so as to reduce accidents and congestions. Now, some LASTMA officials have taken it upon themselves to stand as judges over citizens by way of using oppression and threats to extort motorists, especially, commercial vehicles. The LASTMA officials on Fagba, along Iju/Ishaga road, in collaboration with police officials have become a threat not only to residents in the area who have closely been observing them but also to motorists who use the road regularly, bases on complaints reaching New Telegraph. Okwume, Adeyemi, Olatunji and Sodiya are the LASTMA officials stationed on Fagba road causing chaos and extorting motorists. These are the common names mentioned by most bus drivers and residents as extortionists. In fact, they describe them as public nuisance! Reaching the scene last Friday, a police woman was seen harassing a tricycle operator, commonly referred to Keke NAPEP. The police woman eventually arrested the driver for an offence he knew nothing about. Watching the drama closely, the police woman insisted that the driver must settle her with some cash before she could release him. She was at the same time, cursing him. While the dramatic scene was going on, she obstructed the traffic flow on that road, also abusing other drivers and passers-by who tried to intervene. Indeed, the police woman cut the perfect picture of a mad woman in uniform. Eventually, she released the keke napep driver after taking a picture of the plate number on his tricycle with a promise from the driver of settling her at a later time. That same Friday, Akin Salami a Danfo driver on that road was accosted by a LASTMA official for making a U–turn. He was made to part with a sum of N10,000 for turning at a spot it was not indicated an offence for turning there. New Telegraph observed that other motorists turned at the same junction that same day and hour without being harassed. It was certain that they harassed and just picked on

an unlucky prey. Most of the drivers caught as road offenders last Friday, were actually innocent of the offences alleged against them by these officials. It is an indication that most of them do not know their rights or what the law says. Speaking to Oluomo Yusuf, an eye witness at the scene of the tricycle driver’s arrest, he said: “I wanted to park my vehicle inside but the tricycle is blocking the entrance because, the police woman tried to arrest another tricycle driver and he escaped. As a result of this, she caught the available and nearest driver in his place. I don’t know how long it will take them to resolve this issue, as the police woman is demanding for money before he will be released.” Speaking to residents concerning their attitude towards road users, Golden Anderson, a food vendor on that road revealed that the officials are really extortionists. He added that they are used to oppressing and extorting commercial drivers, including cart pushers. Anderson revealed further that the policewoman is aggressively used to obtain money from drivers and in situation whereby she is denied, she would throw tear gas on motorists and passers-by. This she did, last week Thursday, when a commercial driver refused to pay the bribe she demanded for. As a result, a fight broke out. In a commando style and probably in self-defence, she threw a tear gas into the face of the driver and to passers-by. He lamented that he has not recovered from the effect of it as he inhaled a lot of it into his lungs. “This attitude is not befitting for government officials who are supposed to maintain laws and order in the society,” Anderson concluded. Also, a staff working with Savory Eatery, some kilometers away from the stand of the uniform officials, confirmed that the LASTMA officials on Fagba road are not discharging their duties effectively and justly. A member of the staff who pleaded anonymity, told New Telegraph that sometimes, the LASTMA officials especially would dress in mufti and lurk around just to trap drivers and extort them of their hard earned money. According to the member of staff, the officials not only create public nuisance, they also collect nothing less than N5,000 or N10,000 aggressively from the drivers without issuing receipt. Another staff revealed that all the officials have a caucus and meeting point. She said they operate like cult

members on that road. According to her, the officials do gather at a beer parlour called Olasupo Stores during working hours to share drinks and lavish their money. The store is divided into two sections, one for selling alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks; the other is the pepper soup. According to the Eatery member of staff, the officials do daily contribution of N10, 000 each with the money they extort from motorists. The staff also revealed that the officials share the massive loot in a toilet not far from the T-juntion of their duty post. Raymond Orilomo, a driver, lamented seriously saying, “I want the government to remove LASTMA from the road especially this side of the road. Even if it means bus drivers paying a particular sum of money directly to the state government monthly to enable us operate freely. These officials constitute nuisance on the road. By the time we pay N5,000 to LASTMA officials, also remit money to the owner of our vehicles, there will be little left to cater for ourselves and families. The government should help us tackle the issue of LASTMA and Police, especially, on this Fagba road. Only then, will we be able to operate freely,” he said. Stephen Kelly, another driver on that road, said: “I want the government to take away the LASTMA from the road. In fact, those on this Iju/Ishaga road have a beer parlour where they drink and also do daily contribution with all the money they get from us. The money which they collect is used for their own profit. They unleash hell on us here. Though, we don’t mean LASTMA should not control traffic, they should stop arresting us over every little offence. If they continue to extort us like this, we will be left with nothing to provide for our families.” Eniola Badmus, also a driver on Iju road said, “the LASTMA on Fagba road is the worst; they build houses, buy exotic vehicles with our sweat while we are left to struggle for survival. Policemen come out by 8pm to raid; they lock us up in their station and make us pay heavily. Some of us sleep on the road because we can’t afford house rents and yet we work.” On trying to get to get the reaction of the uniformed officials, they simply rejected an audience with New Telegraph.

has lived in Lagos for over 15 years, harps on the need for the incoming administration of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to consolidate the gains made in the state Ukaegbu by the outgoing administration of Mr. Babatunde Fashola. He advised the incoming administration not to be ‘an urban centred government’ to the detriment of the rural communities of Lagos State as experienced in the outgoing government. “I commend Governor Fashola on his achievements. He has laid the foundation for a new Lagos, though; there are blemishes in some of his policies and in their implementations. The incoming administration should not limit its presence in high-profile cities. There are communities in Lagos today people are relocating to in droves. Such locales are yawning for urgent government attention. Ukaegbu frowned at the activities of those he called vehicles levy collectors whom he said have turned Lagos to a Banana Republic. Their patterns of levies collection are antithetical to the hopes of a 21st century mega city state. They use clubs and other dangerous weapons to harass drivers, conductors and innocent passengers. According to him, “an incident occurred where one of these collectors in an attempt to flog a bus conductor, rather flogged an innocent passenger and badly injured her.” He reasoned that the incoming administration should device a polished means of collecting revenue from motorists, and also check some nefarious activities such as ‘one- chance’ and kidnapping in practice by some commercial bus drivers. Ukaegbu also took a swipe on the activities of callgirls (prostitutes) along a highbrow area in the state capital -Opebi-Allen axis. He also condemned the discrimination in giving out houses for rent by landlords, collection of taxes and rents in Lagos by government agents, and collection of two year agent fee by house agents. He called on the incoming administration to rise up to the challenge.

‘Lagos, exceptionally lovely place’ Elijah Samuel Basiratu Balogun, the Aketlhaja Iyaloja of Oyingbo and marleader of Mainland Local

Government is highly nostalgic about the moral decency and serenity that was experienced in the early days of Lagos. Balogun “We enjoyed every bit of Lagos during the time of our fathers. There was satisfaction in all that we did and everybody took things as they were, then. Lagos has really undergone great times; it has witnessed stages of development. It wasn’t what it is today: Although, it has passed through different era of development, it is important to say that it witnessed more dramatic changes during Governor Babatunde Fashola’s as the helmsman in control of the affairs of the state in the last eight years. “Like I’ve earlier said that life was good in the Lagos of old, yet, the kind of facilities and structures that we witnessed cannot be compared with the modernity that has encased the state today. Although several factors played in the evolution of the beautiful Lagos, we cannot rule out the role of education: that it lifted many people from the realm of illiteracy and poverty. “There was also a display of high sense of morality even though we had some rascals, but it wasn’t as brazen as what we have today. I think the reason for this is the tide of the influence of bad company. The way it works these days is that children and youths, who have questionable people as parents and mentors, are badly influenced. In turn, these corrupted children influence other children who are their peers. Thus, the parents need to pray and move close to monitor what influences their children or wards, so that we will begin to have emergence of responsible people in the society and this state particularly.

The Mega City

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

PHOTO SPEAK OF FUEL SCARCITY IN LAGOS

Different scenes of the fuel scarcity across the state

PHOTOS: SULEIMAN HUSAINI, GODWIN IREKHE AND TONY EGUAYE

UPCOMING EVENTS

Worshippers Collective Worship Campmeeting 2015 Organiser: May 28, 2015 From: 4:00 PM - 4:00 AM Venue: Faith Plaza Behind CMS Grammar School, CMS Road, Bariga, Lagos Nigeria

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FCT Watch

Fall in revenue retards Nigeria’s growth

29 Money

Maritime

Experts to Buhari: Focus on economy, rule of law

Stakeholders seek marine ministry, coast guard from Buhari

The Investor

Stock market: Schema for incoming govt

Business What's news

10 top brokers trade N129bn shares in April Ten leading stockbroking firms on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) exchanged 11.99 billion shares worth N128.6 billion in April 2015.

p.30

Why buyers shun Nigeria’s crude for Angola’s low quality grade –Report Crude grades from Angola, despite the lower quality compared to Nigeria’s, are selling swiftly, a report on Reuters has revealed, blaming poor marketing strategy for Nigeria’s fate.

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L-R: Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Group Managing Director, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Mr. Graham Clark; Deputy Group Managing Director, Mr. Abdullahi Sule; and Director, Ms. Benedickta Molokwu, during the company’s 9th Annual General Meeting in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Customs seize N41.32bn worth of contrabands in six years ANTI TRADE

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

Smugglers flood Nigerian markets with contrabands Bayo Akomolafe

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded N41.322 billion in revenues from contraband seizures in the last six years at the nation’s seaport, airports and borders, New Telegraph has learnt. Some of the seizures, according to this newspaper’s investigation, include arms and ammunitions, animals, animal products, air conditioners, chemicals, used fridges and freezers.

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst. Production Editor

Others are boats, electrical machinery, equipment and parts, frozen and dry fish, furniture, poultry products and rice. Also included are hard drugs and narcotics, pharmaceutical products, motorcycles, scrapped metals, general merchandise, hard currencies, textile, sugar, used tyres, used compressors, vegetable oil, wine and spirits. In a data and comparative analysis of commodity seizures obtained by our correspondent, the service said that N5.244 billion goods were seized in 2009; 2010 in N5.042 billion; N8.398 billion in 2011; N4.659 billion in 2012; N8.506 billion in 2013 and N9.470 billion in 2014. It said that general merchandise goods seized within the period were valued at N8.437 billion.

Besides, the Customs said that N1, 782 billion merchandise goods were seized in 2009; N2.247 billion in 2010; N1.168 billion in 2011; N885.4 million in 2012; N1.687 billion in 2013 and N698.37 million in 2014. Also, it said that rice valued at N2.592 billion were confiscated, noting that in 2010, N31.96 million worth of the commodity was seized, while rice valued at N96.12 million, N109.76million, N947.43 million and N1.407 billion were impounded in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. The service also impounded

N9.47billion Total value of illegal goods seized last year

textiles worth N7.517 billion. A breakdown revealed that in 2009, fabrics valued at N1.729 billion were seized, while cloths valued at N893.6 million, N2.202 billion, N537 million, N1.473 billion, N678 million were held in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. The data also showed that 11,797 vehicles were seized during these periods. It was also revealed that in 2009, 1,685 vehicles valued at N1.268 billion were confiscated from smugglers, while in 2010, 1,682 vehicles with duty paid valued of N1.348 billion were apprehended. Further analysis of the data indicated that the service seized 3,256 vehicles worth N2.583 bilCONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE April 2015................................8.7% March 2015.............................8.5% February 2015.........................8.4%

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

EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at May 22)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N222 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N340 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N245

l Foreign Reserves – $29.789bn as at 21/05/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at May 22)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N200 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N301 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N214

Business | News

CONTROL

Increased level of domestic participation needed to improve volume of trades Chris Ugwu

en leading stockbroking firms on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) exchanged 11.99 billion shares worth N128.6 billion in April 2015. Investigation by New Telegraph showed that the N128.6 billion was responsible for 61 per cent of the total value between 01/04/2015 and 30/04/2015. Also, the 11.99 billion shares accounted for 55.95 per cent of the total volume during the period under review. Further checks showed that while the top 10 broking firms accounted for 61 per cent of the total value of transactions during the month, CSL Stockbrokers Limited dominated with 14.09 per cent or N29.271 billion exchanged in 2.347 billion shares. Rencap Securities Limited accounted for N28.521 billion or 13.73 per cent of the invested funds in the 1.161 billion shares. Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited recorded N22.547 billion or 10.85 per cent exchanged in N1.977 billion shares. EFCP Securities Limited traded N10.300 billion

Customs seize N41.32bn contrabands CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

lion in 2011; 2,026 vehicles valued at N1.461 billion in 2012, 1,473 vehicles worth N1.914 billion in 2013 and 1,675 vehicles valued at N4.911 billion last year. Furthermore, the Customs said that N92.66 million worth of wines and spirits were confiscated between 2013 and 2014, adding that in 2013 and 2014, the wines and spirits were valued at N69.56million and N23.11 million respectively. Other seized items with duty paid value in the period were: animals - N6.17 million; chemicals, -N10.61 million; frozen products N288 million; furniture - N1.05 billion and hard drugs - N355.38 million. Also included are mechanical appliances N1.475 million; motor cycles -N85 million; pharmaceutical products - N1.073 billion; poultry products - N2.727 billion and sugar - N19.28 million.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

10 top brokers trade N129bn shares in April or 4.96 per cent recorded in 652.422 million shares, while FBN Securities Limited recorded N10.274 billion or 4.94 per cent in 991.370 million shares. Chapel Hill Denham Management Limited accounted for N7.833 billion or 3.77 per cent. Cardinal Stone Securities Limited traded N7.549 billion or 3.63 per cent exchanged in 774.445 million shares, while ARM Securities Limited exchanged 471.735 shares

worth N4.340 billion or 2.09 per cent. Partnership Securities Limited staked shares worth N4 billion or 1,93 per cent, while Cordros Capital Limited traded N3.969 billion or 1.91 per cent exchanged in 418.782 million shares. In an efforts to stimulate demand and engenders competition in the stock broking community, the management of the Exchange had in September 2011 introduced the rank-

ing of the brokers by transaction value and volume. The Managing Director of Securities Africa Financial Limited, Mr. Folabi Afolayan, identified volume of transactions as a major challenge facing stockbroking firms in Nigeria. He said institutions, mainly foreign ones, have been dominating the market, while the domestic retail investors have not sufficiently returned to the market since the financial crisis of 2008/2009.

Afolayan pointed out that there were a few stockbrokers working with these foreign institutions who collectively control the major volumes traded in the market. “Foreign investors are also very sensitive and any information that reflects uncertainty in politics and government policies trigger a fast withdrawal from the market, which results in high levels of volatility. “Thus, the market still

suffers from confidence issues within the domestic sector. We need increased level of domestic participation to improve the volume of trades and to contain the high volatility currently being experienced in the market.” Other challenges, according to him, include the issue of brokerage commission, as well as increase in regulatory costs of doing business. “Of course operational costs or what I will call high infrastructural deficit costs is a common challenge across board for anyone running a business in Nigeria as you try to maintain a good and conducive working environment and service a level of redundancy.”

L-R: Chairman, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo; Winner, Toyota Awards 2014/Category buyer, First Bank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olanipekun Smith; and Head, Dealer Special Project, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Henry Ade-Ojuoko, during the Toyota awards in Lagos…at the weekend. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Why buyers shun Nigeria’s crude for Angola’s low quality grade –Report CASUALTY

Nigeria remains the biggest casualty of rising US shale oil production

Adeola Yusuf

rude grades from Angola, despite the lower quality compared to Nigeria’s, are selling swiftly, a report on Reuters has revealed, blaming poor marketing strategy for Nigeria’s fate. A fair share of Nigerian export crude cargoes every month are grappling to attract end user and refinery demand, and are instead being stored on ships and on storage termi-

nals, idling away, the report entitled: “A tale of two crudes: Nigeria and Angola,” noted. “But it is not only due to higher prices and economics that Nigerian crudes are struggling; a lot has to do with the customer base of both countries,” the report said. “Angolan crudes rely on countries that are growing at a rate of five per cent to eight per cent while (crudes out of) Nigeria rely heavily on Europe, where economies are generally on a decline,” Reuters said, quoting one oil trader. This has a very simple yet effective explanation for why crudes from Angola, despite the lower quality compared to Nigeria, are selling swiftly. The bulk of the over-supply in the Atlantic Basin crude market is comprised of Nigerian Crude.

A lot of Nigerian crude is floating on the seas and in storage tanks with no home and no destination. Nigeria and Angola, both situated in West Africa, are the two biggest producers in the region, but the crudes from these two countries have treaded divergent paths in the past year, despite a lot of similarities. Nigeria produces just over two million barrels per day of crude oil that is largely light and sweet. This crude is largely low in sulfur and yields a generous amount of diesel, jet fuel and gasoline, which are the profitmaking products for global refineries. Angola, on the other hand, produces almost 1.7 million b/d of heavy but sweet crude oil — oil that is low in sulfur,

but, when refined, yields a lot of fuel oil and residual fuels. Angolan crude, however, has been finding it easier to attract buying interest than the light sweet and better quality Nigerian crude in the past year, which, until a few years ago, was the preferred choice for most refiners. Almost 65 per cent of Angolan crude exports last year went to Asia, with 49 per cent of that going to China, according to data published earlier this year by the US Energy Information Administration. China is the biggest consumer of the Angolan heavy to medium sweet crude oil, while conversely not even one per cent of Nigerian crude goes to China. CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Business | News

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

China is also the second largest consumer of crude oil, and when it does not figure at all as one of the regular buyers, then there is a problem. And Nigerian crude is suffering because of this. China likes crude oil that is heavy and sweet, as it fits the appetite of its refineries that produce a lot of fuel oil to keep its industrial and manufacturing economy marching on. China also has a lot of complex and sophisticated refineries that can still produce middle distillates by distilling heavy crude oils, making the refiners much better margins. So China ignores Nigerian crude for now, as their demand for light sweet crude oil is very sparse. It is high time Nigeria found a way to attract its crude oil to China, said the report. Until about seven years ago, the US, which remains the largest oil consumer in the world, used to buy more than one million b/d of light sweet Nigerian crude oil — almost 50 per cent of Nigerian oil exports at the time. In 2014, only three per cent of Nigerian exports went to the US, according to the same data published by the US EIA. Nigeria lost its biggest buyer, and the reason for this has been the dramatic rise in US shale oil production. US shale oil is extremely similar in quality to light sweet Nigerian crude oil, and as more and more shale basins were discovered in its own backyard, the US did not need any more oil from Nigeria. Last year, there were six weeks in a row starting from early July during which the US did not import a single barrel of crude oil. This was the first time that the US had not imported any Nigerian crude oil for such a length of time, since US EIA started compiling this data almost four decades ago. The shale revolution has had a profound impact on the makeup of the US import market, which has, by extension, greatly altered the direction of crude flows both within Europe and Asia. And Nigeria has been the biggest casualty of this. As the imports of light sweet crudes in the US decline substantially, its appetite for heavy crude oils have in fact observed a bit of a boost over the last few years. As a lot of US refiners are blending these heavy crudes with shale oil, demands for heavy Canadian, Venezuelan and Saudi Arabian crudes have remained robust.

Why buyers shun Nigeria’s crude Angola has another unique selling proposition, as advertisers or marketers would say. Angolan is one of the few regions in the world that produces heavy crude oil that is sweet, as in, low in sulfur. And with global environmental policy shifting towards cleaner fuels, Angolan crudes are benefiting from this. Nigeria needs to find demand in growing economies said the report. India is the largest buyer of Nigerian crude, which has been one of the posi-

tives for the West African country in the last few years. Indian state-owned refiners like Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation are key and consistent buyers of Nigerian crudes like Qua Iboe, Bonny Light, and Agbami. But demand from India for Nigerian crudes is slightly on the wane as its demand for Latin American crudes is growing sharply. India is also the largest buyer of Venezuelan crudes, and with re-

fineries getting more and more complex in the subcontinent, their demand for light sweet crudes is expected to tail off. The world’s largest refinery complex situated in Jamnagar in the western state of Gujarat in India, operated by Reliance, runs primarily on heavy crudes, dominated largely by crudes from the Middle East and Latin America. In 2014, 45 per cent of Nigerian crude exports went to Europe, according to the EIA data. But the issue for Nigeria is

that it is so dependent on a region where crude demand is stagnant as a lot of economies are still stumbling and it needs to find demand in countries that are growing, particularly in Asia. It also needs to be more creative in finding customers. Five years ago, no crude from the North Sea used to find its way to South Korea, but the European Union and South Korea signed a free trade agreement almost four years ago, and now For-

ties crude from the United Kingdom regularly flows to South Korean refineries — and sometimes even to China. Angola also recently found a new buyer in Chile last year as both countries signed a term agreement. Angola is now the largest supplier of oil outside of South America to Chile. Nigeria, according to the report, needs to be inspired by such examples, and with a new government taking over in Nigeria in just in two days, it needs to up its game if it wants its oil industry — which it depends on heavily — to prosper.

Business | FCT

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Fall in revenue retards Nigeria’s growth Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

ong before the current gradual climb in inflation, the team of economists at the Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), including researchers/analysts in banks and research firms, foresaw a gradual creep towards a double–digit inflation. The nation’s monthly inflation figure has remained at single digit, hovering around seven per cent region for the better part of 2013, but moved grudgingly up to the eight per cent region. However, with the recent fate and travails that befell the national currency, the Naira, the crash in reserves and drastic steep fall in oil proceeds occasioned by the fall in supply of nation’s crude oil prices, the inflation figure began a gradual climb, adding on monthly basis as much as 0.2 per cent. April inflation The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the body saddled with the responsibility of gauging, tracking the movement of price of consumables (CPI) in the country, released its monthly inflation report for the month of April last week. NBS report said the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation in April, rose by 8.7 per cent (year-on-year), 0.2 percentage points from the 8.5 per cent rate recorded in March. According to the report, this is the fifth consecutive month of a faster increase in the headline index to reach the highest inflation rate recorded for the year. The headline rate for April also equals the highest rate recorded since July 2013. The faster pace of the headline index was as a result of increases in most COICOP Divisions, which contribute to the headline index, with the exception of slower increases in recreation, culture and communications divisions. The faster paces of increases were also observed in the food and core sub-indices. The CPI measures the average change over time in prices of goods and services consumed by people for day-to-day living. The construction of the CPI combines economic theory, sampling and other statistical techniques using data from other surveys to produce a weighted measure of average price changes in the Nigerian economy. Consumable items push up prices The NBS April report observed substantial increase in food sub-index, which rose by 9.5 per cent, up from 9.4 per cent in March as a result of increases in most of the groups that yield the index. The pace of increases was weighted upon by a slower increase in the meats, fish, and dairy groups. The pace of advances recorded by the ‘All Items less farm produce’ or core subindex increased for the fourth

Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

consecutive month in April.

cent of total real GDP; down 1.38 per cent points from the 11.83 per cent recorded a year earlier, and yet up 1.49 per cent from the 8.97 per cent recorded in Q4 of 2014. Growth in the non-oil sector was largely driven by the activities of trade, crop production, other services, construction and telecommunications. The non-oil sector grew by 5.59 per cent in real terms in Q1 of 2015. From the 8.21 per cent recorded one year previous, representing a decline of 2.62 per cent points, and a fall of 0.85 per cent from the value of 6.44 per cent recorded the preceding quarter.

Effects of revenue shortfall The NBS also released a report on overview of GDP for first quarter of 2015. The report revealed that in the first quarter of 2015, GDP grew by 3.96 per cent in real terms, year-on-year. This was lower by 1.98 per cent points from the preceding quarter and by 2.25 per cent points from the corresponding quarter of 2014. Quarter on quarter real GDP was lower by 11.57 per cent. In nominal terms, aggregate GDP stood at over N21 million at basic prices. Compared with the opening quarter of 2014 value of N20.16 million, this was 4.32 per cent higher, whereas relative to the preceding quarter value of N24.20 million, nominal growth was lower by 13.07 per cent. The Nigerian economy can be more clearly understood by separating the oil and non-oil sectors. Oil sector Taking into cognisance the depressed global oil prices and the challenges in supply in Nigeria that prevailed during the period under review, oil production stood at 2.18 million barrels per day (mbpd) in Q1 of 2015, remaining at the same level as it was in the preceding quarter, and 0.08mbpd lower than the 2.24mbpd recorded in Q1 of 2014. Real growth of the oil sector was negative, at -8.15 per cent in real terms, representing a further decline of 1.55 per cent points from the rate of -6.60 per cent recorded in Q1 of 2014. Nonetheless, quarter on quarter growth remained positive, at 3.08 per cent. As a share of the economy, the oil sector represented 10.45 per

Experts have predicted long before now that the nation may continue to witness a gradual inch in the inflation figure

Non-oil sector The NBS report revealed that growth in the non-oil sector was largely driven by the activities of trade, crop production, other services, construction and telecommunications, which grew by 5.59 per cent in real terms in Q1 of 2015. From the 8.21per cent recorded one year earlier, this depicted a decline of 2.62 per cent points, and a decrease of 0.85 per cent from the value of 6.44 per cent recorded in the preceding quarter. However, growth recorded in non-oil sector was driven by agriculture and mining sector. Agriculture contributed 17.77 per cent to nominal GDP in the first quarter of 2015 as against 17.25 per cent it contributed in the first quarter 2014. Real agricultural GDP growth in the first quarter of 2015 stood at 4.70 per cent (year-on-year), a decrease of 0.83 percentage points from the corresponding period of 2014, which recorded a growth rate of 5.53 per cent. The first quarter figure indicated an increase of 1.06 percentage points from 3.64

per cent report for fourth quarter 2014. Crop production was the main driver of growth in the sector in the first quarter of 2015 with a growth share of 82.57 per cent. The contribution of agriculture to GDP in real terms was 19.79 per cent in the first quarter of 2015, compared to 19.65 per cent in the first quarter of 2014 and 23.86 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2014 respectively. The mining and quarrying sector comprises of four main activities, which include crude petroleum and natural gas, coal mining, metal ore and quarrying and other minerals. Mining and quarrying nominal GDP in the first quarter of 2015 recorded negative growth of 46.20 per cent (year-on-year), 41.13 percentage points lower than -5.07 per cent growth rate recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2014 and 29.03 percentage points lower than growth rate estimated for fourth quarter of 2014. Coal mining and quarrying and other minerals were the fastest growing activities at 18.24 per cent and 12.56 per cent respectively. Conclusion Experts have predicted long before now that the nation may continue to witness a gradual inch in the inflation figure, which may hit a double digit unless there is a gradual improvement in reserves accruals, improvement in oil prices at the international market and increase in the buffers. However, there is hope that the incoming government may adopt some drastic measures to arrest the current trend and restore sanity to the economy.

Business | Money

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

BOGGED DOWN

Delayed process of land allocation Tony Chukwunyem

he long delay experienced by the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in getting the required land allocated for its academy, was responsible for the delay in the takeoff of the project. Chairman, Governing Council of the local branch of the agency, Hajia Maryam Ibrahim, disclosed this in Lagos during a press briefing. She revealed that although land had now been allocated for the academy, the FRC was still holding discussions with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on the possibility of using some of the Exchange’s classrooms for IFRS lectures. Mrs. Ibrahim said, “The IFRS academy ought to have taken off by now but getting the land for it has been quite an issue. But we have recently been allocated land. However, in the short term, we are talking to NSE to get classrooms.” She also noted that the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) appeared to regard the IFRS academy as a sort of rival project to theirs. Mrs Ibrahim stressed that the FRC decided to establish the academy as

Why IFRS academy is yet to take off, by FRC boss part of measures to help companies build the capacity needed for effective implementation of IFRS. She explained that what Nigerian institutions currently teach about IFRS was still at, “the elementary stage.” The implementation of IFRS commenced in Nigeria in 2012. Although the FRC had initially slated the first quarter of last year as the commencement date for the IFRS academy, the project is yet to take off. Then, Ibrahim said that it was delayed to ensure basic structures were put in place. She said, “As much as possible there are structures to be put in place. You are all aware there are no shortcomings when it comes to infrastructure; we are ensuring that as much as possible within the first quarter of next year (2014), we would be starting the IFRS Academy in Abuja. “There are basic things that needed to be put in place, and we have done that. We have registered the IFRS as a company limited by guarantee, and with that, we are going to put forward the board of trustees, and after that the academy will start.” However, the Executive Secretary/Chief Execu-

tive Officer, FRC, Mr. Jim Obazee, had told journalists in 2013 that the academy would commence operations in April that year.

He had said, “We intend to commence the use of Nigerian Capital Market Institute owned by the Securities and Exchange

furniture and do the admission. So, by first week of May, we would commence the school.” Concerns had been raised in some quarters about the delay in the take-off of the IFRS academy especially as commercial banks, financial system operators and other regulators had donated handsomely towards the establishment of the project.

L-R: Chairman, Auditing Committee, Financial Reporting Council (FRC), Prof. Emmanuel Okoye, Chairman, FRC, Hajia Maryam Ladi Ibrahim and CEO, FRC, Mr. Jim Osayande Obazee, during the briefing.

How oil slump impacts Africa’s trade patterns –Standard Bank he sharp drop in oil and other commodity prices has significantly affected Africa’s trade patterns with the rest of the world, a report has found. The study by Standard Bank’s Senior Political Economist, Simon Freemantle, stated that figures on trade flows last year show that the United States has lost its position as a major export partner for Africa. According to the report, “Last year US-Africa trade totalled just $73billion, down 15 per cent from $86billion in 2013. US-Africa trade flows are now half as substantial as they were at their peak in 2008, at $145billion, when the US was easily the continent’s largest single trade partner. “The primary element of the lessening of US-Africa trade has been lower demand for crude oil. Naturally, US demand for (and the value of) crude oil was smashed in 2009, and African producers were affected: US imports of

Commission (SEC) by April. “This means that by April, we would then do the facelift, bring in the

African crude oil halved from $89billion in 2008 to $47billion in 2009,” the report added. The study also stated that shifts in the US, such as shale gas exploration, have structurally lowered demand for energy imports over the past five years in particular, noting that last year, the US imported $253billion of crude oil, 30 per cent less than the $363billion it imported in 2008. It cited Nigeria’s crude oil exports to the US, which have fallen from $40billion in 2008 to $2.7billion last year, a decline of more than 90 per cent. Angola has also seen a dramatic drop from $19billion in 2008 to $5.2billionn last year, the report stated. The study revealed, “Last year Africa exported just $11.6billion worth of crude oil to the US, meaning it is now a peripheral energy source for the world’s largest economy. And, quite remarkably, the value of total US exports to Africa in 2014 was greater, by $2billion, than the value

of its total imports from the continent, allowing the US to run what may be its first trade surplus with Africa (a dramatic contrast to the $88bilion trade deficit it ran with Africa in 2008). These shifts will undoubtedly alter the tone of the US’s political engagement with Africa.” Besides, the report noted that the US retreat has also allowed China an “untrammeled” path to the summit of Africa’s trade pyramid. “We estimate China-Africa trade grew 6 per cent from $210billion in 2013 to $222billion last year,” the report stated. It predicted, “It is inevitable that this year will see the value of Africa’s trade with virtually all of its key partners shaved by lower commodity prices, particularly crude oil. Last year, Europe imported $94billion and China imported $51billion worth of crude from Africa, almost half of both of their total imports from the continent for the year.”

IMF, EU seal deal on capacity development

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Commission, (EC) on behalf of the European Union (EU), a have signed a new Framework Administrative Agreement that allows the two organisations to continue their close and fruitful cooperation in capacity development. IMF Deputy Managing Director Carla Grasso and EU’s Commissioner for International Development and Cooperation, Neven Mimica, signed the agreement in New York City recently. Ms. Grasso said, “Since the 2009 Agreement, the EU has become a key strategic partner in IMF capacity development. Together our two organisations have responded to increasing demand in our partner and member countries for hands on technical assistance and training that help build institutions in support of strong macroeconomic policy-making and financial stability. This new Framework Administra-

tive Agreement will further strengthen our collaboration through bilateral engagements, topical trust funds, and importantly, the network of regional technical assistance centers, which effectively leverage our institutions’ expertise and global presence.” In his remarks, Mr. Mimica stated, “The EU-IMF partnership, with its strategic dialogue on domestic resource mobilisation, public financial management, debt sustainability, assessment of developing countries’ vulnerability to exogenous shocks, and complementarities between EU budget support and IMF country programmes, is highly appreciated by our member countries and development partners. Similarly, our capacity development cooperation under the Agreement will continue to strengthen recipient countries’ abilities to design and implement sound macroeconomic policies geared toward achieving sustainable economic growth and development.

Business | Money

Tony Chukwunyem

head of Friday’s swearing in of Presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and his team to run the affairs of the country for the next four years, financial experts and industry stakeholders, have urged the new administration to observe the rule of law and focus on growing the economy. They told the New Telegraph in separate interviews that how well the incoming government adheres to the rule of law will determine its success or failure. Rule of law/corruption Former President of the Association of Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr. Sam Nzekwe, said a major cause of the country’s problems is that a lot of people holding high-ranking positions in government and the society tend to act as if they are above the law. He pointed out that this attitude, which breeds corruption was responsible for the high level of impunity often displayed by these officials. He said, “Rule of law is critical to the success or failure of any government. In Nigeria, it is a big problem because people especially when they are in important positions, believe that they are above the law and can get away with anything. For example, I am usually amazed when I ever travel to Western countries and see Nigerian big men queuing up at the airports like ordinary citizens. But when they get back home they are reluctant to join such queues. If the new administration is to succeed in turning the economy around, it must ensure that the rule of law is strictly observed.” Similarly, the Country representative of the Institute of Certified Forensic Accountants (ICFA) in Nigeria, Dr Richard Mayungbe, said that the first thing the new administration should do is to decisively tackle corruption. He said, “There are so many things that they (new government) have to do. But the first one is that they must effectively address the issue of corruption. Corruption is at the root of all our problems so, if they can curb it, it would be not that difficult to resolve most of the other issues. “What is the definition of corruption? If you go to Transparency International website and look up the meaning of corruption, it says, ‘Corruption is the abuse of power entrusted to a senior government official or a senior corporate official on behalf of others.’ So, that is just the meaning of corruption; an abuse of authority given to someone on behalf of some many others. He now turns that authority into an opportunity to enrich himself. It does not stop at small theft; it goes beyond that. This is because it is the collapse of corporate governance that gives birth to all these vices that we know as fraud, abuse of power, stealing and so on.” He contended that the new government has to adopt a zero tolerance attitude to corrupt practices by imposing stiff sanctions against those found guilty of engaging in such acts. “Why are so many people

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Experts to Buhari: Focus on economy, rule of law He said, “The budget structure as it is today, is not consistent with the need for job creating growth of the economy. The balance between the Capital and Recurrent aspects of the budget must be restored. A situation whereby 80 per cent of the budget is consumed on recurrent expenditure in not conducive for job creation imperatives. We must only borrow to spend on capital projects. And, therefore, a situation whereby the deficit in the budget is in excess of the capital budget is not acceptable. There will be the need to deepen the contribution of non-oil revenue by expanding the tax net. Currently, there are many people who make good profit but do not pay any tax because they are not in position whereby their tax obligations could be deducted at source. We must endeavor to get such citizens to make their due contribution.”

Jonathan

involved in it? It is because the room for corruption is wide open. In fact, it is an open door policy; go in there, take your own and come out and nobody is going to ask you anything. Have you seen the outcome of the fuel subsidy scam? Without any judicial sanction, it is like people feel that they can always find themselves out of the net and go back to business,” Mayungbe stated. Also echoing this position, a Senior Financial Analyst, Mr. Dafe Onomakpome, stressed that the new government should ensure that the rule of rule prevails at all times and that no group of persons should be made to feel that they are above the law. He said, “The rule of law is everything; once you get this right, everything will fall in place. No matter how highly placed anyone accused of corrupt practices is, he or she must be prosecuted.” Urging the incoming administration to be transparent in its activities, Onomakpome said, “We often read stories of government officials having stake in major companies. This must be stopped as it usually leads to conflict of interest.” Calibre of appointees However, in his e-mailed comments entitled, “Memo to the President-elect”, financial expert and management consultant, Dr Boniface Chizea, noted that while the new government should robustly tackle corruption, it must ensure that those appointed to political offices are competent men and women of integrity rather

than those whose antecedents do not recommend them for such positions. He said, “The sentiments overseas are that the investment environment in Nigeria would be burnished if you crackdown on corruption thereby positively impacting on the cost and ease of doing business in the country. But one thing that would send a strong and definite message is the calibre of your appointees particularly those you put in charge of the key public facing ministries and departments. “The mark of the leader that wants to succeed is to appoint those who will add real value as could be gleaned from their antecedents. It would also make a strong statement thereby assuaging the wait and see attitude, which overseas investors would, inevitably, adopt following your assumption of Office. Yes, the constitution requires that you observe the federal character in making such appointments. But Mr. President- elect, there are no section of this country that do not have those who are meritorious and, therefore, on no account must merit be sacrificed. We should also be wary of recycling individual,” he added.

Agriculture, diversification Significantly, all the experts also urged the incoming administration to embark on a complete diversification of the nation’s economy to ensure sustainable economic growth. They noted that the country’s rich agricultural resources were yet to be effectively harnessed and advised more support for farmers. According to them, because the outgoing administration performed well in the agriculture sector, the new government should retain most of its policies. In Onomakpome’s words, “Everybody must eat, but not everybody will drive a car. So, the new government should focus on agriculture. It should continue with the policy on fertilizer distribution started by this government and introduce new ones that will ensure that farmers receive equipment for farming and storage.” A fortnight ago, Buhari had listed challenges that his administration would focus on to include, general insecurity and insurgency; devastation and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta; decline in revenues due to fall in oil prices and endemic corruption. Others include poor provision of power supply; high levels of unemployment and especially youth unemployment reaching over 40 per cent; high cost of governance and erosion of public social services such as infrastructure, health and education. He also promised to develop the agricultural and solid mineral sectors.

Budget process In addition, Chizea advised the incoming government to quickly ensure that the annual budget is ready for implementation in the first day of the year. “This is done elsewhere and there is no reason why it should not be so in Nigeria,” he argued.

Conclusion However, analysts believe that the task ahead for the incoming administration is so challenging that it would take more than a few years to be solved. So, Buhari has to hit the ground running because Nigerians would not accept any excuse.

Buhari

If they can curb corruption, it would not be that difficult to resolve most of the other issues

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

Maritime

Freight forwarders clash over practising fees p.36

AGENDA Stakeholders in the maritime industry have said that the creation of marine ministry, establishment of coastguard, building of local capacity and appointments of professionals to man the industry’s agencies will make the President- elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, achieve his agenda for the sector, BAYO AKOMOLAFE reports Complaints Stakeholders in the maritime industry have stressed the need to restructure the maritime industry, which has been battered by appointees who lack the requisite expertise to midwife the industry. They noted that the maritime industry had suffered perennial neglect by successive governments before and after President Olusegun Obasanjo. The stakeholders said that the industry suffered the most under President Goodluck Jonathan who did not see anything wrong in putting square pegs in round holes. They noted that the outgoing government had turned critical maritime agencies into avenues for dishing out patronage to its cronies and kinsmen. They cited the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as examples, stressing that the former has become an ethnic kingdom. A former Consultant to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the Group Managing Director of African Maritime Events and African Maritime Consultancy Limited, Captain Solomon Omoteso, said that the new government should exploit the resources in the maritime industry to develop the country. Also, the Chief Executive Officer of Ships and Ports Company, Mr. Bolaji Akinola, said that an agency like NIMASA should be restructured and must be devoid of ethnicity. He said that political appointees who lacked professionalism had destroyed the industry. He alleged: “ The Director General of the agency, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, came into NIMASA and destroyed the agency by implementing an ethnic agenda and signing off maritime security contracts with ex-militants. “The result of this is the systemic destruction of the maritime industry and with it the desecration of indigenous shipping. Today, more than 80 per cent of Ni-

Stakeholders seek marine ministry, coast guard from Buhari

Bolaji

Capt. Omotosho

gerian-owned shipping firms have closed shop during the five years of Jonathan’s administration and Akpobolokemi’s NIMASA.” He explained that government must empower the local ship owners and build indigenous capacity. Appointment of professionals Omoteso noted that the desired change, which the Nigerian maritime stakeholders were expecting from Buhari may not materialise if the incoming government fills up the board-members slots of maritime agencies with contractors and politicians. He said: “Buhari must first consider the options of those in the service and those with relevant experience in various parastatals before rewarding politicians and political associates who totally lack the competence required by the industry. Omoteso recalled: “In the past, the wholesale appointments of different categories of contractors as board members have weakened most of the parastatals’ output. This is why the incoming president must ensure the appointment of quality industry operators and core stakeholders into the government’s parastatal boards.” Major problem of maritime He said the weak board was one of the major problems in the maritime industry. Omoteso added: “We have witnessed a situation where some board members could not make meaningful contributions to important issues. If you have a board of directors in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) today, and for the next seven or eight months, some of them will still be visiting the port because they don’t know what the port is all about and this would not be in anyone’s best interest.

Agbakoba

“If you assembled board members that are contractors and you then cap it with a managing director who is seasoned, the lapses would still show. NPA and NIMASA are good examples and the country has made such mistakes in the past.” He noted that the first mistake was when the government brought an outsider as the managing director. He said: “Now that they are bringing another one, we should not be surprised if the same thing happens. If at the end of the day you also appoint executive directors that are politically biased, what do you want the managing director to do? “We should also be talking of a succession programme like it’s being done in vibrant parastatals. It’s not being done in NIMASA. They bring them from nowhere, so they also get nowhere. “The board means a lot. When you have a remarkable board, there is the tendency that the board will divide into sub-committees to monitor different aspects of the organisation.”

Buhari should target professionals not just those with certificates but with good records

Board of directors Besides, he said: “The President -elect should go back to the drawing board to examine these parastatals board materials, to see who should, or not be a board member. Establishing these boards may be the starting point; and then we can make headway. “Buhari should target professionals, not just with certificates; but with good track records. There are currently many professionals in Nigeria, who have nothing to offer but he should zero in on core professionals some of which can be sourced from professional bodies like the maritime law association, mas-

Folarin

ter mariner association, and marine engineers and surveyors.” Probe Echoing him, Akinola said: “The new government must sack and prosecute Akpobolokemi. They must probe that agency and expose all the atrocities committed in that organisation over the past five years. “The so-called maritime security contract must be thoroughly investigated. Employment in NIMASA over the past five years must be reviewed. The agency needs restructuring if it must fulfill the roles it was created to perform. Indigenous capacity To break even in the industry, Akinola said that the new government should build indigenous capacity. “Until we develop indigenous capacity in the shipping sector, we will not derive its benefits. “I look forward to a situation where NIMASA, NPA and other agencies in the sector will be professionalised rather than politicised. This means appointing qualified professionals and not political stooges or ethnic errand boys into the executive management of these agencies. “I also hope to see the full implementation of the Cabotage Act, disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) and the redefining of our crude oil sales term from FOB to CIF under President Buhari. “We look forward to the new President working with the Lagos State Government to resolve the embarrassing and menacing Apapa gridlock once and for all. “The new government must CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

Business | Maritime

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Freight forwarders clash over practising fees There is a conflict of interest among freight forwarders operating in the country’s port as its regulator, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) moves to collect practising fees from June 25,2015, BAYO AKOMOLAFE reports

due to disagreement between the leaders of the agents’ associations and the CRFFN management. According to the arrangement, every 20ft container being cleared at the port will pay N1,000 while a 40ft container will pay N2,000. Also, every car will pay N500, truck, N1,000 and N30 per ton for bulk cargoes. It was noted that with the collection, CRFFN and the various associations would be in a position to finance their various programmes that have suffered as a result of lack of funds.

Conflict Miffed by the sharing formula, the National Executive Council (NEC) of ANLCA has ordered its members to shun the directive by the council over payment of practitioner’s fee. The association’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Kayode Farinto, said that the highest decision making body of the association had also suspended any further discussion between the association and council until further notice. He said that the association would resist attempt by CRFFN to introduce levy that would increase cost of clearing goods at the ports. Farinto noted: “NEC has constituted a committee to interface with the management of CRFFN to come up with recommendation towards further engagement. “The committee is empowered by NEC to discuss, negotiate and take all appropriate steps towards ANLCA professional interest.” The association said that it would advise its principals to divert their cargoes from NAHCO to other warehouses at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport should NAHCO proceed with the 30 per cent increase in its cargo handling charges.

he Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has issued a notice to freight forwarders in ports and borders of its intention to collect practising fee. In exercising the powers conferred on it under section 4 (d) and 6 (2) (C) of the CRFFN Act No 16 of 2007, the council said the collection would commence in June 2015. The decision was taken following the agreement reached between the council and the leaders of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and three other associations. The collection date scheduled for June 11,2015 was shifted to June 25 for logistics reasons. It was learnt that the collection of the fees at the ports would be handled by two agencies for all the parties. Sharing formula Under the sharing formula, CRFFN would take 65 per cent while all the five associations would get 35 per cent of the proceeds. The approval for the collection of the fees was delayed

Opposition However, other freight forwarding groups moved against ANLCA’s decision. They petitioned the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris, over the action bordering on rebellion and disloyalty of ANLCA members to the constituted authority of the CRFFN officials . In a letter jointly signed by the leaders of other associations, the freight forwarders said that the despicable action by ANLCA was nothing but an affront on the constituted authority of the Federal Government. They said: “It is also a deliberate act to deny the Federal Government of its rightful revenue due to the council’s administration and management as well as the economy. “The present thinking of the Federal Government is to build capacity in all sectors of the economy and thereby create employment for our teeming youths and young freight

forwarders in particular. “We must emphasise that ANLCA has no monopoly of violence and cannot stand in the way of the government and the freight forwarders in this regard. We must at this point tell ANLCA that enough is enough. If they pretend not to know, they should be told in clear terms that their actions at Seme border on the May 19, 2015 is capable of destabilising the economic entry points of the federation. “The situation where ANLCA is now dictating to the regulator cannot be tolerated. Those who are fixated in the past where they got their way by thinking that might is right should be told in no uncertain terms that the era is gone for good forever. Enough should be enough.” The group also threatened to seal ANLCA offices as well as deregistered it in order to put a stop to its impunity and disobedience to lawful orders.

They told CRFFN to commence the collection of the practitioners’ operating fees as directed by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Honourable Minister of Transport and as duly gazetted. Violence It would be recalled that attempts by the CRFFN to commence collection of the professional operating fee at Seme border a few days ago ignited tension as some ANLCA members attacked some CRFFN officials. It was revealed that the CRFFN Deputy Registrar, Enforcement, was taken hostage but was rescued by the combined efforts of NAGAFF chairman, his team and the police. The Chairman, Seme chapter of NAGAFF, Mr. Ekene Ajunwa, blamed ANLCA for the crisis that greeted the collection.

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)’s tug boats rusting at dockyard in Apapa.

Stakeholders seek marine ministry CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

also, as a matter of urgency, review obnoxious policies that have been promoting smuggling, putting undue pressure on the Nigeria Customs Service and depriving our economy of enormous revenue. These policies include the fraudulent rice quota system, fish quota system and national automotive policy.” Marine Ministry In his opinion, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), urged the President-elect to create a Ministry of Maritime Trade and appoint a professional to drive the ministry. He said that every coastal nation had room for such a

position. He said: “So the agenda for this new President is to see to it that there is an aggressive maritime policy that would bring benefits to Nigerians. The starting point for him is to appoint a minister of Maritime Trade. Every coastal nation has this. “The new president should find out what makes up our maritime sector. What we have done well; what have we not done well? Why is Cabotage enforcement not working? Why is NIMASA, NPA, Nigarian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigeria Shippers’ Council are not effecient?” Agbakoba noted that if the maritime sector was properly harnessed, it would be a very strong alternative source of revenue for the country. He stressed that things had

not worked well in the industry. Coast guard and Marine laws He said: “The Port and Harbour Bill has not been passed and without a Port and Harbour Bill, how can you talk about ocean, sea-going vessels or coastal vessels. The money that we are losing from no law relating to how we manage our port is incredible.” The former NBA president suggested that there should be a Coast Guard and a Maritime Security Force including the Navy for the sector. Road map The Port Consultative Council (PCC) Chairman, Otunba Kunle Folarin, also stressed the need to create a road map to drive the industry in order

to make it the hub of maritime in West and Central Africa. He said that a 21-member Steering Committee had been inaugurated to facilitate the roadmap and modules for the port industry in the next four years. He noted that the ultimate goal of the committees’ assignment was to provide instruments that would guide and shape the roundtable of a wider regime of participants. Folarin added that members of the roundtable would design the road map for the new government in order to regain the hope and aspirations of the maritime sector. The chairman explained that the roadmap and modules would serve as the pillars for the policies, legal framework and economic targets that

would propel the maritime sector and the port industry. Challenges Folarin said: “We are all aware of the challenges we have faced in the maritime sector in the last two decades, the decline and the decay of both operational modes and infrastructure in the port industry. “This is the gateway to the economy. So the changes we expect is that the road should be open. Why should the road be that bad? We don’t need this type of tiny road between Ijora and Apapa. The government has what it takes to break up the road to open up the axis and compensate those living there. That is what government can do especially when it is being done for public interest.”

Business | The Investor

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

Chris Ugwu

lthough investors in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) are still groaning over the depression in their shareholdings, stakeholders believe the local bourse has acted as a catalyst in the nation’s stride to economic greatness and relatively performed well comparatively with other Exchanges in the emerging economies. The market has continued to weather the storm over the years in spite of some economic policies by authorities, which have affected the capital market adversely. The Exchange, like any other entity, has passed through different administrations from military to civilian governments, and now under democratic regime of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. The Jonathan government at the assumption of office in 2010 had inherited a near crash market when the clamour for government to release an intervention fund for a bailout was louder. Investor confidence For the stock market to become an investment destination in Africa and reclaim its position as bastion of economy, market operators have charged the incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari to redirect the market to shore up investor confidence. They agree that reactivating the market towards investor confidence is urgently needed to save the stock market from eventual collapse. The Managing Director, Crane Securities Limited, Mr. Mike Eze, in a chat with New Telegraph, said for the new administration to bring succour to the comatose economic situation in the market, Buhari must ensure he comes up with good initiatives that would bring investors back to the stock market. “It is a direct intervention that the market needs now and I think that should be one of the priorities that will be uppermost in his mind because the market has been down for a time longer than normal. Markets don’t lie low up to this long time and we know that we are in an emerging market and emerging markets are known for their pragmatic reaction in market situation, but our own has defied all odd, so, the only thing that he can do as the person at the helm of affairs of the economy, is to compel government to directly intervene in the market,” Eze said. He noted that the capital market remained the engine room of any economy, which if neglected would bring down the economy. The Chief Executive Officer of Lambeth Trust & Investment Co Limited, Mr. David Adonri, noted that the economy was presently structured towards short-term trading activities that fuel short-term finance provided by the banking industry. He said for the capital market to blossom without suffering another bubble, the economy, under the new government needs to be restructured towards longterm productive activities where the market is most relevant. Viable commodity Exchanges

Stock market: Schema for incoming govt

The trading floor

On his part, the President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS, Albert Okumagba, said, “The core capital market operators should work with the regulators to come with a pragmatic timetable, which will be endorsed by the Federal Government for the commencement of viable commodity Exchanges, which are either privately owned or government owned. “The commodity market should be developed in such a way to provide underlying instruments on which other structured products in the financial market can be developed to increase the number of tradable instruments in the capital market.” He noted that the promotion of national savings was better achieved through comprehensive review of the rules and regulations guiding the Collective Investment Scheme, CIS. “In the same vein, there is a need to amend all clauses that are affecting the operations of the Pension Commission, to ensure its developmental impact on activities in the capital market,” he added. Mandatory listing In a bid to restore stability and liquidity in the nation’s equity market, market analysts also called on the incoming government to push for mandatory listing of major government owned enterprises in electric power, energy and telecoms industries when privatised. Adonri, who made the call, said that revival of the equities primary market was of necessity if new listings are to be attracted by the Exchange. He noted that the modification of the listing and post-listing re-

Buhari must ensure he comes up with good initiatives that would bring investors back to the market

quirements could align the Exchange with international best practices thus encouraging more cross border listings. The analyst, who lamented that the country missed the opportunity of compelling telecoms companies to list on the NSE when NCC licensed them, said in attracting major private companies that occupy the commanding heights of the economy to list, the government must as a matter of necessity grant them fiscal incentives. Adonri noted that companies list their securities in stock markets for several reasons but basically to have access to long-term capital. He explained that capital formation was the essence of an efficient stock market. “New issues that facilitate capital formation take place in the primary market. Although new bond issues have in recent past inundated the primary market, new equity issues have virtually disappeared. New listings are essentially in pursuit of equity capital as against debt finance, which companies can obtain easily from the money market. As a result, the incentive to list afresh is almost non-existent now. Revival of the equities primary market is a necessity if new listings are to be attracted by the NSE,” he said. The Chairman, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, ASHON, Mr. Emeka Madubuike, however, believes that incentives should be given to listed companies and prospective companies to be listed so as to have some advantage over unlisted companies. Consequently, he proposed some tax incentives for listed companies and those that are in the process of getting listed. He said: “Policies that would

promote marketability of agricultural products should be enunciated and implemented to boost operations of the commodities Exchanges. Also, governments at the highest level must continue to make positive statements and assurances that will engender investor confidence. Borrowing rate In his comments, the Chairman, Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria, AIHN, Mr. Victor Ogiemwonyi, said: “Government borrowing rate in the capital market should drop to avoid crowding out of funds in the capital market so as to make the market attractive for private sector to raise funds. We are ready to support the Federal Government in advisory capacity at anytime the need arises on how the capital market can be fully utilised to drive economic growth and development in Nigeria. He added that the Federal Government should accord regulatory support to the two existing Over-the Counter, OTC Markets - National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) and FMDQ platform to enhance expansion of their operations in the financial market. Conclusion For the new government to bring succour to the comatose situation in the market, it is high time that the various processes that have been put in place by both the regulators and other decision makers in the capital market were implemented to encourage and ginger the expansion of local investment base so as to make the nation’s capital market an investment destination in the African continent.

WEDNESday, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

L-R: Baale of Odolewu, Ogun State, Chief Paul Ogunkoya; Chief Host, Senator Anthony Adefuye and former Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya, at the 2014 Lewu Day celebration held at Odolewu, Ogun State.

L-R: Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Monday Abuen; member, Ad-hoc Committee on the Seized Goods in Kano Market, Hon. Tijani Yusuf; Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Tahir Musa and Chairman of the committee, Hon. Nnanna Igbokwe, shortly after a meeting at the National Assembly over the seizure of textile materials from a Kano market in Abuja. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Real Admiral Goddy Anyankpela, administering drug on one of the children, during the visit of the Navy and presentation of drugs and mosquito nets to Internally Displaced people from Goza Borno and Adamawa in Abuja.

L-R: Brand Manager, Goldberg, Mfon Bassey; Public Affairs Manager, West, Mid-West, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Tayo Adelaja and Owa Obokun of Ijesha land, Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, at the presentation of Goldberg Lager Beer to the monarch in Ilesha.

Photo | News 39

L-R: Police Commissioner, Ekiti State Command, Mr. Etop John James; Governor Ayodele Fayose and former state Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin, at a closed door meeting to resolve the political impasse between the governor and APC lawmakers in Akure.

L-R: Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Eko Project, Mrs. Ronke Azeez; Governor Babatunde Fashola and Head Manager, Festo Automatic Nigeria, Mr. Peter Senpel, at the inauguration of Festo Authorised and Certified Training (FACT) Centre in Lagos

L-R: Representatives of Ojora of Ijora, Chief Jelili Akinlabi; Chief Joseph Ogunmola; Portfolio Director, Lager & RTD, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Ms. Eyitemi Taire and Divisional Sales Manager, Mr. Biyi Latunji, at the unveiling of the Orijinal Largest Drum in Africa in Lagos.

L-R: Rivers Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari; Commissioner for Transport, Mr. George Tolufari; first Female Commissioner of the old Rivers, Mrs. Constance Saronwiya and Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrenceonemi, at the ingratiation of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Radio Broadcasting Cooperationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OB Van in Port Harcourt. PHOTO: NAN

40 Politics

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Akpabio’s eventful years in A’Ibom JACKSON UDOM, Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Media, writes on the eight eventful years of Godswill Akpabio

he Holy bible says that there is time for everything under the sun; going ahead to cite the transient nature of life and living. In the same vein, there is time for every government to come to an end; when office holders will look back at the years spent in service and beat their chests in pride or become downcast at the fluffed opportunities and efforts wasted, which could have translated into better lives for the people or greater service. For Nigeria, that time is now. In a matter of days, elected and appointed officials at the state and national levels will cease to hold office and will only have memories of what was and what could have been. As the country witnesses another transition on May 29, there is no doubt that many present office holders would officially become yesterday’s men, with only the memory of the good or bad they had done lingering. The evil [or good] that men do, they say, lives after them. It is also time for today’s men, those taking over different offices, bearing in mind posterity and the transience of political offices, to set their sights on good governance and selfless service [or rejoice over the opportunity to enrich themselves]. Whatever way it goes, whatever has a beginning will always have an end. But that end doesn’t always have to be regrettable or viewed with disappointment. This is the case in Akwa Ibom State, where the outgoing governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has spent the last eight years in office building infrastructure and developing human capacity in different ways. Though opinions may differ on the performance of the outgoing government in the state, there can only be one conclusion; that Akpabio is leaving the state better than he met it in 2007 and that Akwa Ibom people do, indeed, have a reason to rejoice about the state in the areas of physical development, education, agriculture, fiscal discipline and infrastructure. Right from his first days in office, Akpabio had set his sight on changing the story of the state, which was hitherto known for being the highest supplier of house-helps and children engaging in lowly and menial jobs in different parts of the country. Back then, hardly would one get to any middle class home in Lagos and not meet an Okon, Akpan or Idarabong attending to one’s needs on the order of the home owners. But immediately Akpabio took over power, he demonstrated his determination to put an end to such despicable record. With the

Akpabio

introduction of the free compulsory education scheme, which he introduced to the state, children of school age were not only returned to schools, many who had been ferried off to distant places for menial jobs were returned to the state to enjoy the free primary and secondary school education introduced by the government, with the government paying for examination fees and the provision of text books. The free education scheme earned Akpabio several awards and commendations, with his action being likened to that of the late Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whose legacy of free education placed shoulder above other leaders. Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka was one of the many people who commended Akapbio’s stride in education. The Akpabio government also helped in the accreditation of courses in the higher institutions in the state, while he also instituted a foreign scholarship for students in science and engineering disciplines. Under the Akpabio government, the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) grew in leaps and bounds, becoming an enviable institution, which indigenes of the state can be proud of. Only last week, the governor promised to release the balance of N500 million grant for development projects in the institution, noting that his government had earlier released N1.5 billion for the same purpose. Without a doubt, it will be difficult for the history of AKSU’s development to be written without mentioning the outgoing governor. To cap his commitment to education, Akpabio ensured that the infrastructural transformation of the state also touched the education sector, building hundreds of classrooms and other facilities. However, what will remain

Though opinions may differ... there can only be one conclusion; that Akpabio is leaving the state better than he met it in 2007

one of his greatest achievements in this regard is the e-library he constructed in Uyo, a development that attracted the attention of who-is-who in the country as a first of its kind project. Without contention, the complete overhaul of the state’s infrastructure is the handiwork of the Akpabio administration. From the first year in office, the governor turned the state into a huge construction site and eight years down the line, Akwa State can boast of world-standard roads across the state, with over 400 roads spanning over 1,300 kilometres built. During the same period, the outgoing government delivered a standard airport, which has now become the pride of the Niger Delta; built a first-of-its-kind flood control mechanism in Uyo and Abak, constructed one of the best stadium in Africa, christened The Nest of Champions, constructed a world class entertainment centre called Ibom Tropicana and also the Ibom Power Plant, which generates over 80 megawatts today. As a matter of fact, Akpabio’s detractors always become short of words whenever they reach the topic of infrastructure, anytime they criticise him, with some noting that infrastructure was the only thing he achieved in eight years, though they know that this is far from truth for a governor who delivered an all-round development. To drive home its vision of human development, the state government introduced several empowerment and employment schemes ranging from micro credit facilities for market women and youths interested in agriculture to the introduction of interministerial direct labour jobs, which engaged youths in some of the projects of government. The government also encouraged private investments, making the state attractive and conducive for

local and foreign investors. The government-introduced empowerment programmes for women and farmers to make life easier for the people of the state. While some may argue that poverty is pervasive in Nigeria, Akpabio’s efforts at empowering women through agriculture as well as taking the restive youth off the street, no doubt, lifted the state from the abyss of poverty. Through the Women Agro-Entrepreneurship Development Programme, a scheme that earned Akwa Ibom State a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) award in 2012, the state government under Akpabio changed the story of the state in terms of agriculture. The governor, it would be recalled, received a United States Congress Award for human development. In the tourism sector, the outgoing Akpabio administration has placed the state on the world tourism map, with the organisation of the yearly 9999 carol singers, and just this year, he broke the Guinness Book of Records as the only governor to have had the largest number of choral singers in one place in the world. The construction and commissioning of the Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene, the almost completed Tropicana Hotel and other tourism infrastructures across the state are enough testimonies of his giant strides in that sector. In the health sector, the recent completion of a 308-bed international specialist hospital in Uyo appeared to be the icing on the cake for a government that has shown nothing but passionate commitment to the improvement of the health sector in the last eight years. But before then, the government has built general hospitals in different local governments of the state and equipped several hospitals to give care to the people of the state. The cottage hospitals built in Ika, Ibeno, Eastern Obolo, Essien Udim and Ukanafun Local Government Areas are a few examples, with the provision of medical equipment to the School of Nursing, Anua. Other efforts of the outgoing government in the area of health include: donation of N50 million to University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) and building of a peadiatrics block; building of an oxygen plant at General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, activation and expansion of eight Anti-Retroviral therapy centres; construction of Renal Dialysis centre/donation of 17 Dialysis machines to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital; procurement of state-of-the-art ambulances, among others. But for me, and probably thousands of Akwa Ibom indigenes, the biggest achievement of the Akpabio government in the health sector is the introduction of free medical services to children, pregnant women and the elderly. Today, Akpabio can only look back and retrospect on what he has achieved for the state and it is sure that posterity will speak well of him. Also, the brand new governor and the man who receives the baton from Akpabio can beat his chest for being part of the state’s success stories in the last few years.

Politics 41

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

The path to forming the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013 wasn’t as rosy as it looks. In this report, WALE ELEGBEDE looks at the contribution of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) bloc to the formation of the party, the emergence and election of President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, visà-vis his disclosure not to defer to state governors for ministerial nominees

Between Buhari’s success and governors’ relevance

he All Progressives Congress (APC) is a young party having joined the political fray less than two years ago. Notwithstanding being a newcomer in the democratic space, the party has succeeded in unseating the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is over 15 years older, taking the presidency, winning 19 states out of the 29 states where governorship elections took place, and having majority seats in the National Assembly under its belt. With two days to the inauguration of its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, the perception of Nigerians about the party is expected to change, either for good or bad, depending on the side of the divide the assessment is coming from. Turning APC into a dominating political brand was a tedious task for its promoters as many intrigues and brick walls were surmounted along the way to floating a viable opposition party which will now assume the position of the ruling party from May 29. While the party and its Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari, is going to contend with a gloomy situation in the country, the expectations of Nigerians for a quick-fix of the economy and other sectors would be a major test of the new team. With such a huge challenge of performance hanging on the head of the party and Buhari, the APC may have to delve back to its formative years and look at its start-off techniques that ensured it was able to escape from the claws of the PDP at the point of its conception. Aside individual commitment and influence of some individuals in the floating of the APC, it will be a passing argument to question the dexterity and political clout of perhaps the strongest power bloc – the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) – in the copulation of the party. The PGF didn’t just come on board; it was preceded by moves for alliance and the need to copulate for a new, virile opposition party by the three legacy parties as championed by their governors. The plan was hatched as far back as 2011 by the progressive minds within the nowsolidify APC. According to a member of the merger steering committee of the party who chooses to speak on condition of anonymity, the merger of the APC was conceived and promoted by the progressives’ gover-

Buhari

nors using their networks through Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to reach out to other colleagues in the other parties as early as late 2011. He said the PGF as a platform for the opposition governors played a significant role in strengthening the alliance with other key stakeholders, adding that the seed that germinated to the formation of PGF in itself was sown by the trio of Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara Governor, ANPP); Alhaji Tanko Almakura (Nassarawa Gov, CPC) and Dr. Kayode Fayemi (then Ekiti State governor, ACN). Holding its first meeting in Lagos on February 5, 2013 and hosted by Lagos Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the PGF which became a power bloc in the NGF, said its goal is to, “mobilise all APC state governments to facilitate accelerated human capital development through undertaking policies and programmes to improve the quality of life of citizens, eradicate poverty and create jobs in the country.” According to the APC chieftain, “the soaring influence of PGF ensured and determined the direction of the NGF’s last election where Governor Rotimi Amaechi defeated the Presidency-backed candidate, Jonah Jang of Plateau State. Whereas the Jang faction later formed a parallel NGF, it was obvious that the PGF has used that singular election to test its strength. “At the election, former Governor Fayemi was Amaechi’s campaign manager. And in the bid to canvass for the Amaechi’s re-election as NGF chair, the campaign team built alliance with some PDP governors, especially the G7,” he said. The fallout of the election paved the way for the G7 to declare its romance with opposition publicly. Within weeks of intense lobbying and the failure of the PDP leadership, five of the G7 governors defected to the opposition and thus gave APC 16 states (governors) at formation.

Fayemi

The Presidentelect will be pushing for ‘war’ if he decides to shun the governors who supported his quest for presidency at every point in time

“The APC governors, united in their determination to wrest power from the PDP, played leading roles in the consolidation of the merger plans. It was the APC governors (operating under PGF) that chose the name APC, which was later adopted by the merger committee. “The PGF meetings in Maiduguri harmonised the logos of the three merging parties, while the meeting in Nasarawa State recommended the slogan – CHANGE.” For many analysts, the commendable performances of many of the governors in their respective states and the mature handling of party structure contributed to the acceptability of the APC by Nigerians. The steering committee member recounts that, “the governors played significant roles at the party’s convention, funding of the new party and in the emergence of its national leaders. They were particular on the kind of leadership the party should have at the national level and worked assiduously towards realising that the right candidates emerged.” In the build-up to picking the presidential flag bearer of the party, the various blocs in the party decided to choose Fayemi as the chairman of the presidential convention committee less than six months after bowing out as the governor of Ekiti State. Interestingly, political watchers described the presidential convention under the watch of Fayemi as the best organised convention in the country and the success of the election helped give the APC campaign a great deal of credibility before, during and after the polls. “Even when some of the presidential aspirants of the party were sceptical about the choice of Lagos, the governors encouraged them to accept the choice of Lagos because of the massive support promised them by the Lagos State government which they may not enjoy in other states.

“The convention committee also assured the aspirants of levelplaying field and got all of them to nominate a representative each to the convention committee so that they would have first-hand information on the activities of the committee and also report back to them. This proved a master stroke and it increased the aspirants’ confidence in the process. “Despite the fact that two of the governors – Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo) – contested the presidential primaries against Buhari, majority of the governors supported Buhari’s candidacy defying the aspirations of members of their own clique,” he said. He noted further that, “After Buhari’s emergence as flag bearer of the party, the governors wanted one of them as running mate to the President-elect. The prominent names were Amaechi, Fayemi, Fashola and Adams Oshiomhole. But when the lot fell on Prof Yemi Osinbajo, they bowed to party supremacy and supported the GMB/PYO ticket. “While Amaechi emerged the Director General of the presidential campaign and ran an excellent and well-structured campaign, Fashola was head of Directorate for Finance while Fayemi was head of Policy, Research and Strategy Directorate,” the APC stalwart noted. However in a recent interview, the President-elect sets tongues wagging when he disclosed while answering questions on how he would constitute his cabinet that governors on the platform of the party may not have a say in the choice of ministers picked from their states. Buhari said, “Well, I am ardent listener to the Hausa Service of the Voice of America (VOA) and the British Broadcasting Corporation from 6a.m. to 7a.m. every morning. I am going to quote myself because I heard in one of the interviews I said the type of people I am supposed to appoint, like in the cabinet and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Service Chiefs will be different from how the PDP appointed its. Definitely the system is going to be different from what we had under the PDP where governors nominated ministers.” Already, different permutations have started flying around about what and how the President-elect would select his cabinet members. While some believe that he should defer to the party’s working committee and leaders, others averred that the President-elect will be pushing for ‘war’ if he decides to shun the governors who supported his quest for presidency at every point in time. Is Buhari equating the progressives’ governors and their forthright politics with that of PDP governors? Is anyone feeling threatened about the clout and unity of purpose within the ranks of the governors? What becomes of the relationship between the governor and the would-be appointee if the Presidentelect stick to his words? Would the governors be sidelined after putting so much in the APC? It is only left to be seen how the drama will play out.

42 Politics

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Zacheus Adebayo

he event of Saturday, March 23 in which some All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorselect abandoned the retreat organised for them by their party in Abuja to announce the adoption of two northern Senators as President and Deputy Senate President is a big goof. The action of the Unity Forum, as the group is called, is strange, insensitive, overtly reprehensible, and bereft of a sound sense of history. The faction of APC Senatorselect had announced the adoption of Senator Ahmed Lawan from Yobe State and Senator George Akume from Benue State as Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively. More strangely, the group’s statement read by Senator Barnabas Gemade claimed that the weird agenda was “in the collective interest of our party and our dear nation, Nigeria.” Yet this did not come as a surprise since there were several media reports to the effect that some APC leaders and National Assembly members-elect led by Ahmed Tinubu were pushing for the distribution of the Senate presiding offices to the North East and North Central to take care of their strong agitations in order to clear perceived roadblocks to the emergence of Tinubu’s loyalist, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as the Speaker. The APC chieftain and Tinubu’s ally, Bisi Akande, declaration that the APC does not believe in zoning and never zoned anything to anybody strengthens the speculations even stronger. Yet, these signposts notwithstanding, no Nigerian in his right senses, and who understands the multifarious nature and political history of Nigeria, could have taken such reports seriously. Sadly, the announcement by the so-called Senate Unity Forum has not only proved the reports right, but has also confirmed that we live in a country where the strangest things happen normally. Talking about irony, it beats the imagination that a group, which goes by the name Senate Unity Forum would make a proposition that neither promotes unity nor cares a hoot about the sensibilities of other parts of the country. Whereas Section 14 (3) provides that “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few state or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies,” this strange Unity Forum believes it is cool for one part of the country to pocket virtually all the key substantive positions in the land, while the others can go empty-handed. It doesn’t matter that the nation survives on oil wealth from South-South and partially from South-East. While it has always been the norm to give every part of the country a sense of belonging right from the days of the na-

Lawan

Akume

Impropriety of an all-North Senate Presidency tion’s founding fathers to the present era, this Senate ‘Unity’ Forum believes key offices in the three arms of government could be occupied after May 29th as follows: President Muhammadu Buhari (North West), Senate President Ahmed Lawan (North East), Deputy Senate President George Akume (North Central), Deputy Speaker (North West), Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmoud Mohammed (North East), President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa (North East), and Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Auta (North Central). Simply put, they are proposing a Federal Government of Northern Nigeria. This is thoughtless and obscene. Incidentally, this insensitivity to the sensibilities and interests of southerners and Christians has been the major problem with Senator Lawan’s politics. It is also hunting in the Senate presidency race. He is perceived as arrogant, ethnocentric and sectional to a fault. Although he is brilliant (at least, he was a former lecturer and holds a PhD), his education has unfortunately not changed his “Born to Rule” mentality in any way. His vociferous arguments on the floor of the Senate, his militant and obstinate approach in canvassing northern interest over and above national interest leaves no one in doubt that to Lawan, southerners are second-class citizens, while southern interests are also second-class interests. This runs so deep in him such that he cannot pretend about it again. For instance, even as a Senate President hopeful, Senator Lawan’s attitude has not changed. Speaking in Abuja just last April, he left no one in doubt he believes that the Petroleum

It has always been the norm to give every part of the country a sense of belonging right from the days of the nation’s founding fathers

Industry Bill (PIB) is a southern bill, which must not see the light of the day. To him, the 10% Host Community Fund is an anathema. He boasted about how ‘they’ killed it in the 6th and 7th Senate, and how ‘they’ would kill it in the 8th and future National Assemblies if the bill was not radically redrafted. Whatever the subject, Boko Haram, etc, Lawan takes extremely unbending stand. It is the duty of every lawmaker to protect the interest of his people and give expression to their feelings. We all have interests, even personal interests to protect, but Nigeria is and should be bigger than all our narrow interests. So, a lawmaker should be able to manage sectional/constituency and national interests diligently. This is where Lawan misses it. He has no pan-Nigerian sentiments and approach. Information once had it that it was for the same extremity and obstinacy that his colleagues in the constitution amendment panel felt they could no longer work with him. So, nobody would be surprised that Lawan plotted or agreed to a plot that will make the Senate presidency an all north affair. Typical of him, not even an APC senator-elect from the South-West is worth Lawan’s consideration. So, how can such a person be entrusted with the exalted office, which automatically makes him the Chairman or overall head of the National Assembly, wielding a lot of influence over the fate of the entire nation? Moreover, the APC must be reminded that it is gambling away its goodwill so fast and its lack of sense of justice and equity could be the straw that might break its back. Even with all of its excesses, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) never ever went this far. In

2011, when the party did not do well at all in the National Assembly elections in the South-West, the party still zoned the House Speakership to them. Although that plan did not materialise, it at least tried to give the people a sense of belonging. Concerning the Senate in particular, I am deeply surprised that the APC leaders are playing the ostrich, burying their heads in the sand of greed and powergrab instead of taking a realistic evaluation of the situation. One, APC is inheriting a highly fragmented country flowing from 2015 general elections. More than anything, it needs to show some sense of sacrifice to be able to weld the whole country together. Two, with 59 Senators (that, minus late Senator Zanna) against PDP’s 49, the APC cannot just do what it likes with the Senate because it does not enjoy the kind of majority PDP used to enjoy. Therefore, I thought a party that genuinely cares for Nigeria beyond merely grabbing the levers of power, a party that wants stability in the National Assembly would have looked the way of the PDP in the South-East or South-South in its search for a Deputy Senate President. Some would wonder if the PDP itself could have been that magnanimous. One can’t be too sure, but that is the reasonable thing to do in this circumstance. That is also why Nigerians elected APC – to change the way we do things. Now that Senator Lawan, Senate Unity Forum, and their supporters among the APC leadership have goofed this much, Senator Bukola Saraki has just been awarded a penalty. How he plays it will determine his political future. •Adebayo writes from Ibadan

Politics 43

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

country that can stimulate development and bring about employment and I think those are two key issues we want him to address. But there is also the problem of insecurity. What does labour want the new president to do to ensure adequate security in the country? The issue of insecurity is there which I think our military men need to be commended for the efforts they have put in recent time to fight the terrorists. But the Chibok girls are still missing. This should be the third issue that they need to work assiduously to be able to bring about peace, because without peace you cannot have development. Without peace a lot of their developmental plans would also be impeded because you need to commit a lot of resources towards addressing the issue of insecurity. Therefore, those three key issues for now I think should be the major challenges that the new administration needs to tackle headlong. How about the anti-graft war? You must have heard that they are inheriting an empty treasury. All these we are talking about cannot be achieved without money. So, the new government should be able to address the problem of corruption in the oil and gas sector and also make further investigation. Whoever that need to pay back must pay back the money he or she has collected. And as a labour movement, we are ready to support the government to ensure that these monies are brought back. If there is transparency and good governance put in place a lot of resources will then be made available to government. Using the same process to make sure that accountability is put in place, then there would be more resources to drive development. But for now, those are the issues that are very critical and needed to be taken headlong. Time is of essence to address those myriads of challenges. Workers’ salaries cannot be paid in about 13 or 14 states even the Federal Government we are told, had to borrow about N435 billion to be able to pay workers. Once we see transparency in place, we would do our best and support the government to ad-

Power, fighting graft must top Buhari’s agenda – Wabba dress the issues. It cannot be business as usual, Nigerians don’t expect business as usual. That’s why the wind of change has come and that is why they must make sure that this confidence that has been reposed on them by Nigerians is not in anyway undermined. They should do their best. I know it is not going to be easy but

I know that once we are able to right size the system and ask the people that have looted the treasury to bring back such money, I’m very sure development is going to take place and the rule of law is going to be entrenched. We need to do the first thing first. I mean we must address those issues that are current-

ly affecting the larger Nigerian society. Fuel scarcity has dislocated the social life of Nigerians, it has dislocated

their economic arrangements because most of them never bargained for what is playing out. Even as workers, our purchasing power has drastically reduced; the value of naira has also fallen flat. Those are critical challenges that are biting hard and are affecting all of us. I think if they are able to look into those imme-

diate issues, they will form the foundation for the new government to launch out to other sectors. You can’t launch into other sectors except you have minimum standard. We are also working on a very comprehensive submission. It is possible for the government with the will to break this cabal that has perpetuated themselves into oil and gas sector. Who are those importing? Government must be able to publish them and also allow a situation where Nigerians can go into societies, can go into unions.

Business | Money Line

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Fuel crisis throws spotlight on proposed IPP for banks

Panacea

Will check high running costs of diesel generators

Tony Chukwunyem

s more banks announce a return to normal services after the end of a nationwide fuel distribution strike that forced them to close their generator-dependent branches early last Monday, analysts have pointed out that the crisis underlined the need for the industry to aggressively pursue the plan to establish an Independent Power Project (IPP) for lenders in Lagos. Under the leadership of its former Governor,

Lamido Sanusi, the CBN had in 2010 revealed plans to set up an IPP to provide power supply to all banks operating in Lagos as a pilot cluster. According to the apex bank, the project coupled with its shared services initiative, would lead to a drastic reduction of overhead costs and ultimately reflect positively on the cost of funds. Indeed, the regulator had projected that the measures would reduce the overhead costs of banks by 30 per cent by 2013. Senior Financial Analyst at Berta Consultants, Ben Mordi, argued

that if the IPP had been completed, the impact of the fuel shortages on the banking industry would not have been so serious as to lead to some of the country’s biggest lenders shortening opening hours on Monday. He said: “It is no longer news that some banks’ branches spend close to N400, 000 monthly to purchase diesel to power their generators. In fact, branches that have more than one generator spend more than this amount. With the IPP, banks will save what they are currently spending to generate their own power. This

will eventually result in lower interest rates.” Following a worsening of the fuel scarcity over the weekend, banks on Monday announced that they were shortening their opening hours until the situation improved. Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) started it all when it said, via a statement on Twitter that, “The current shortage of petroleum products in the country has limited our ability to supply diesel to all our branches in order to continue normal branch operations. Due to this we unavoidably have to close our branches

CBN announces new process for linking BVN

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced new ways by which banks can link Bank Verification Number (BVN) with customers’ accounts. In a circular posted on its website yesterday, the apex bank stated that bank customers do not need to be physically present at banks to get the financial institution to link their BVN with their accounts. According to the cir-

cular, “Deposit Money Banks are required to provide an interface on their internet banking platforms and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) channels to enable customers log-in with their password or PIN and submit their BVN to the banks. Thereafter, the bank could use the webservice provided by Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) to validate the BVN and other details of the customer

in order to take decision whether to link or to reject the request, thereby necessitating a physical visit to the bank.” Also, the circular stated that where a customer already communicates via email with his or her bank, the lender could use this means to obtain the BVN from the customer. In addition, the customers could send their BVNs to their account officers through this channel. The CBN further stated

that customers can use a self service portal driven by NIBSS to log in with their BVNs and obtain a passcode that will be used to complete the required information online indicating the account number and names in all banks. It stated that on a daily basis, the NIBSS will provide a report showing all the required information to enable banks link BVNs with the customers’ accounts.

Economic Indicators As at

As at M2* CPS* INF IBR MPR

N14,737,618.7m N16,509,472.5m 8.7 0.0000 13

Description

TTM

4.00% 23-Apr-2015 13.05% 16-Aug-2016 15.10% 27-Apr-2017 16.00% 29-Jun-2019 16.39% 27-Jan-2022 10.00% 23-Jul-2030

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 May, 2015 2/5/2014 1/20/2014 Source: CBN

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

91-day NTB DPR PLR Bonny Light Ext Res**

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

Treasury Bills Maturity Date 08-May-14 07-Aug-14 22-Jan-15

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

10.899 7.96 17.01 US$109.9 US$29,808,779,751

NITTY

11/6/2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 1/20/2014 15/5/2015

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

First Bank, Access Bank and First City Monument Bank (FCMB) to their customers, announcing that they would close early due to the fuel crisis.

African leaders mull measures to stem illicit capital outflows

frican leaders have criticised their corrupt colleagues and crooked business people for robbing the continent of as much as R500billion (about $45billion) through illicit capital outflows. A discussion on the topic was prompted by a report, which former president Thabo Mbeki tabled during a Pan African Parliament sitting. Mr Mbeki’s report was expected to provide guidelines on how African governments could stem the bleeding as they sought to come up with new laws to achieve this objective. Transfer pricing; trade misinvoicing and other misdeeds were among the ways in which Africa lost much-needed revenue. At least R500billion a year flows out of the continent undetected through fraudulent schemes, which enable multinational companies to rob some of Africa’s poorest countries of tax money, according to Mr Mbeki’s report. In February, the African Union summit held in Ethiopia endorsed Mr Mbeki’s report, which was commissioned in 2011, and adopted it into the meeting’s declaration as an area of focus. Mr Mbeki told the Pan African Parliament, that new laws clamping down on illicit cash outflows

presented “a possibility of getting large resources into our hands” and urged that the report not be allowed “to gather dust”. “We are not begging. It is our money. The money could be used to deal with poverty and unemployment,” he said. Having toured the continent while compiling the report, Mr Mbeki was content that, at least on paper, “all our governments have said: ‘We accept and we are ready to act on these issues’.” The Pan African Parliament was “a very important voice” towards driving the implementation of the report and its MPs should do oversight, he said. “The Pan African Parliament must make itself an activist on this issue, become a nuisance, so that we are able to deal with the issues of political will,” said Mr Mbeki. Although MPs were unanimous in their support of Mr Mbeki’s report, one official highlighted “the colossal challenge is the scrupulous implementation of the document”. A Nigerian representative said the country’s traced funds that had been “looted” by former leader General Sani Abacha to Switzerland. It had been difficult, however, to get Switzerland to give the money back, the representative said.

‘Apex bank yet to disburse N300bn real sector support facility’

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

nationwide at 1pm from Monday 25th May, 2015.” Notices followed this via emails and text messages by other banks such as Union Bank,

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said it is appraising the over 200 applications received in respect of the N300 billion Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF). In a statement by its Director, Corporate Communication, Ibrahim Mu’azu, said: “The policy objectives of the RSS Facility are to provide long-term, low-interest financing intervention in support of the real sector of the Nigerian economy to increase output, create jobs and conserve foreign exchange.” He further stated that

the appraisal of the applications by Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for the N300 billion RSSF facility was still in progress in strict compliance with the eligibility criteria of the facility. As soon as the appraisals are concluded he assured, recommendations would be made to management of the bank for approval and subsequent disbursement. He urged applicants for the RSSF to exercise a little patience to enable the bank conclude the appraisals and to disregard speculations.

Business | Financial Market News

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

26-May-15

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description ^13.05 16-AUG-2016 ^15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

16-Aug-13 27-Apr-12 27-Jul-07 31-Aug-07 30-May-08 29-Jun-12 23-Oct-09 13-Feb-15 27-Jan-12 14-Mar-14 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14

13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

581.39 476.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 193.73 600.00 573.14 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 299.50

16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

1.23 1.92 2.17 2.27 3.01 4.09 4.41 4.72 6.67 8.80 13.51 13.99 14.49 15.16 19.15

13.89 13.83 13.82 13.83 13.87 13.92 13.90 13.89 13.79 13.78 17.02 17.53 18.13 15.54 13.78

13.75 13.74 13.73 13.74 13.74 13.83 13.80 13.80 13.72 13.72 16.95 17.46 18.03 15.47 13.73

99.03 102.05 92.73 91.51 92.41 106.29 77.78 105.53 111.05 102.06 89.45 73.98 51.18 68.00 89.06

99.18 102.20 92.88 91.66 92.71 106.59 78.08 105.83 111.35 102.36 89.75 74.28 51.48 68.30 89.36

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,746.32

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,422.50

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.98 1.54 1.90 2.11

2.27 2.19 2.71 2.85

16.62 16.03 16.53 16.67

100.60 99.94 101.57 97.93

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

297.82

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

298.22

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.27

4.44

16.47

98.88

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.35

3.23

15.84

99.00

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.62

4.46

18.30

97.59

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.62

3.48

17.32

98.94

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.90

1.00

14.82

92.24

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.16

1.00

15.21

98.50

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.60

1.79

15.63

96.58

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

1.98

1.80

15.61

97.37

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.99

1.00

14.81

98.61

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

1.97

1.00

14.81

99.48

Bb-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

1.97

4.78

18.59

93.03

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.17

1.00

14.82

101.11

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

15.09 80.00 25.70

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

2.60 4.49 2.57

1.00 1.00 1.00

14.84 14.90 14.84

101.24 98.72 99.80

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

10.78

10-Oct-20

3.11

1.00

14.87

99.70

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.51

1.00

14.83

95.11

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.60

1.00

14.82

100.62

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.26

1.44

15.32

98.02

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.29

1.00

14.88

100.23

99.25

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

452.88 440.26

Corporate Bonds BBB+/Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.23

1.00

13.23

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.29

1.00

13.20

99.66

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.37

2.63

15.40

99.53

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.35

1.00

15.01

97.58

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.42

1.34

15.28

98.70

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.35

1.00

14.83

96.43

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.37

1.88

15.87

103.28

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

5.40

09-Apr-18

1.62

1.00

14.84

101.55

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.54

09-Sep-18

1.79

1.00

14.82

104.59

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.70

09-Sep-18

1.79

1.00

14.82

101.66

A+/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.33

3.00

16.88

92.82

BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.10

18-Oct-18

1.90

2.29

16.11

99.38

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

17-Feb-19

1.98

6.11

19.92

97.10

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.60

2.16

16.00

99.93

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.47

2.76

16.59

95.28

BBB/GCR

FCMB

14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021

20-Nov-14

14.25

26.00

20-Nov-21

6.49

1.80

15.56

94.76

A/GCR

UBA

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

30-Dec-14

16.45

30.50

30-Dec-21

6.60

2.11

15.86

102.29

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.35

1.00

15.02

84.66

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.35

1.00

15.02

91.19

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

187.53

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

181.86

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.72

1.00

14.85

89.87

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.75

1.00

14.88

85.21

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 21.82

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

5.72

5.51

104.92

105.97

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.58

4.28

101.57

102.45

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.92

5.78

102.87

103.83

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,546.82

Corporate Eurobonds B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

6.43

3.93

100.99

103.37

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.34

99.80

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

10.69

9.35

90.56

93.75

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

7.28

6.80

96.16

97.57

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

7.41

96.13

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

10.38

9.68

94.78

96.97

B-/Fitch; B/S&P B-/Fitch; B/S&P B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

8.25 AUG 07, 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

07-Aug-13 24-Jun-14 23-Jul-14

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

07-Aug-20 24-Jun-21 23-Jul-21

8.77 10.30 9.08

8.77 9.95 9.08

97.21 95.49 94.23

97.21 97.01 94.23

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.27

9.75

92.38

94.63

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,650.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,509.26

**Treasury Bills^ DTM 9 16 30 37 44 51 58 65

FIXINGS Maturity 4-Jun-15 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 2-Jul-15 9-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15

Bid Discount (%) 13.83 12.60 13.75 13.83 11.77 13.43 11.72 12.26

Offer Discount (%) 13.58 12.35 13.50 13.58 11.52 13.18 11.47 12.01

Bid Yield (%) 13.88 12.66 13.91 14.02 11.94 13.68 11.94 12.53

Money Market Tenor

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.8333 15.0437 16.2397 17.4504

Rate (%)

OBB

10.58

O/N

11.04

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 11.00 12.00

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

197.44 201.81 202.13 202.87 204.24 205.60

197.54 201.93 202.28 203.37 205.31 207.21

^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034

23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14

10.00 12.1493

591.57 299.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,746.32

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,422.50

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

15.16 19.15

15.54 13.78

15.47 13.73

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.98 1.54 1.90 2.11

68.00 89.06

68.30 89.36

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

2.27

16.62

100.60

2.71 2.85

16.53 16.67

101.57 97.93

Agency Bonds 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

FMBN

Business | Financial Market News

***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

297.82

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

CONFIDENCE

Sub-National Bonds

A/Agusto Equities market A-/Agusto BBB+/Agusto gains N50billion ‡ /Agusto ‡ /GCR as‡A+/Agusto; oil marketers /Agusto ‡ /Agusto suspend strike ‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE

Stock market recovers 298.22

*IMO

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.27

4.44

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.35

3.23

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.62

4.46

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.62

3.48

17-Aug-15

0.23

1.00

13.23

09-Dec-15

0.29

1.00

13.20

99.66

06-Jan-16

0.37

2.63

15.40

99.53

10.00 billion 57.00 of 557.6 shares 25.73 worth13.75 N3.7 billion in 3,663 14.00 25.00 deals14.00 was recorded30.81 in the 9.00 day’s 14.00 trading. 14.50 13.73 The insurance sub sec14.00 10.20 tor was active 15.50 the most27.00 15.50 15.09 (measured by turnover 14.50 80.00 volume); with 238.1 14.75 25.70mil14.75 lion shares worth10.78 N129.9 13.50 million exchanged87.50 by in15.00 5.00 vestors 14.50in 110 deals. 4.55 15.00 4.56 Volume in the sub-sec452.88 tor was largely driven by 440.26 activities in the shares of Wapic Insurance Plc and 10.00 2.50 NEM12.00 Insurance Plc. 18.75 Also, 14.00the banking 0.42 subsector13.00 boosted by15.00 activi-

LAGOS

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

25-Oct-13

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

#{r}

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK LTD

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

14.25

5.53

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

Shareholders endorse fresh capital for Portland Paints

hareholders of Portland MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 *TOWER Paints & Products Nigeria MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 *TOWER Plc at their Annual Gen14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 A+/Agusto; A/GCR UBA 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA eral Meeting, (AGM) yesterday, MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS gave approval to their board of 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 Nil *DANA directors to undertake a capital respectively , orII any combination 15.25 NAHCO 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO 14.25 FCMBby I 20-NOV-2021 BBB/GCR FCMB raising exercise. determined the directors at 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 A/GCR UBA The fresh capital, which is by a price182D approved by the SecuriT.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR STANBIC IBTC 13.25Exchange STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 way of Rights Issue, is in pursuit ties and Commission A/GCR STANBIC IBTC TOTAL OUTSTANDING of plans to improve VALUE returns and (SEC). TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Portland Paints recorded sigactualise the company’s businificant improvement in its botness expansions. Supranational Bond tom-line Profit after tax The shareholders as 10.20growth. IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC part of 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P authorised AfDB special business, that rose from N57.3 million in 2013 OUTSTANDING VALUE theTOTAL amount forming the autho- to N53.7million to N148.6 milTOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION rised share capital of the compa- lion in 2014. Operational profit ny be increased to N500 million also grew from N174.3 million to Description Rating/Agency Issuer by the creation of 600 million N304.5 million. FGN Eurobonds additional ordinary shares of 50 Addressing the shareholders kobo each, which shall rank pa- at the AGM, Chairman of the 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P ri-passu company , Mr Larry Ettah, exBB-/Fitch; in all respects and form FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 theBB-/S&P same class with the existing plained that for strategic reasons, BB-/Fitch; JUL 12, 2023 shares in the company. the board is not 6.38 recommending BB-/S&P They also approved that the the payment of dividend for the TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE directors be authorised to issue year ended 31st December 2014. TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION up to 600 million new ordinary He was however, optimistic that Corporate Eurobonds shares of 50 kobo each out of with the company’s improved 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I theB+/S&P un-issued share capital of performance, this may not be a 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 ACCESS BANK PLC theB/Fitch; company to the FIDELITY existing 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/S&P BANK PLC challenge anymore. NOV 08, B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC shareholders or their respecJustifying the6.00 need to2018 re-posi6.25 APR 22, 2019 BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC tiveB+/Fitch; nominees, in proportion of tion the company for improved 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC three new shares for every two performance into the future, 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN,24, 2021 “Consequently we ordinary shares heldACCESS by them B-/Fitch; B/S&P BANK PLC IIEttah said: Nil

per share, while Unity Bank Plc followed with an appreciation of 5.42 per 16.47 98.88 15.84 cent to close at 99.00 N2.53 per 18.30 97.59 share.17.32 Costain West Africa 98.94 14.82by 4.88 per 92.24cent to Plc rose 15.21 98.50 close at 86 kobo per share. 15.63 96.58 On15.61 the other 97.37 hand, 14.81 Baker Plc 98.61 led the May and 99.48 price 14.81 losers’ table, drop18.59 93.03 ping 4.84 per cent each to 14.82 101.11 101.24share, close 14.84 at N1.77 per 14.90 98.72 while14.84 Livestock 99.80 Feeds 14.87 99.70 a loss Plc followed with 14.83 95.11 of 3.75 per cent to close 14.82 100.62 at N2.31 15.32 per share. 98.02 NEM 14.88 100.23 Insurance Plc trailed with a drop of 3.37 per cent to close at 86 kobo per share.

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

19-Apr-10 eral Government the19-APR-2017 pre- mance measures, the NSE 10.00 LAGOS 30-Jun-10 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 *BAYELSA vious day to end fuel crisis. All Share Index and30-Dec-10 mar14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 EDO Trading activities on ket capitalisation, rose by 30-Sep-11 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 *DELTA 04-Oct-11 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 0.42 per cent as market Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR NIGER the floor of the Nigerian 09-Dec-11 ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR† *EKITI 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 the Stock Exchange (NSE) sentiments beamed 12-Dec-13 Bb-/Agusto *NIGER 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 had returned to the green light to trade up on 14-Feb-12 ‡ /Agusto; by A-/GCR *ONDO 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 Stories Chris Ugwu 02-Oct-12 BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR *GOMBE trenches after 15.50the GOMBE 02-OCT-2019a positive note. bears Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 22-Nov-12 nvestors in the Nigeregained dominance due Consequently , the All12-Dec-12 BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *OSUN 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 BBB-/Agusto *OSUN 14.75by OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 Share Index gained10-Oct-13 rian equity market to profit taking market 146.87 27-Nov-13 Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 got respite yesterday , speculators. 13.50 basis points or 0.42 per 31-Dec-13 A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 as the jinx of market Analysts 14.50 said the recent to close at 34,298.64 31-Dec-13 ‡ /Agusto *EKITI EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 06-Jan-14 A-/GCR *NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 index points as against depression that had persurgence of 15.00 theNASARAWA bulls to TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE sisted for five consecu- sustain market rally after 34,151.81 recorded the preTOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION tive days was broken. five-day streaks of losses vious day, while the marCorporate Bonds This followed the re- was an indication that ket capitalisation of equi10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 17-Aug-10 BBB+/Agusto *UPDC returning ties appreciated by surgence of the bulls*FLOURMILLS as confidence is N50 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 BBB-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 oilBB/GCR marketers entered into to market. 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 billion or 0.42 per cent. 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 NAHCO agreement with the FedThe key market perforMeanwhile, a turnover

BBB-/GCR

2.19 MAY 27, 2015 16.03 NEW TELEGRAPH 99.94 WEDNESDAY,

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

09-Apr-11

18.00

2.54

16.00

0.70

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.10

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

1.35

1.00

15.01

97.58

25-Oct-16

1.42

1.34

15.28

98.70

30-Sep-17

2.35

1.00

14.83

96.43

23-Jul-21

9.08

94.23

14-Aug-21

10.27

9.75

92.38

94.63

ampak1.37Limited, omy 15.87 grew at 103.28 a slower 1.88 09-Apr-18Africa’s 1.62 biggest 1.00 14.84the first 101.55 pace in quarter, 09-Sep-18 1.79 1.00 14.82 104.59 m a n u 1.79 f a c t u r e 1.00 r the statistics office said 09-Sep-18 14.82 101.66 of22-Sep-18 beverage cans, said in a report yesterday , as 3.33 3.00 16.88 92.82 18-Oct-18 2.29 99.38factory first-half profit1.90fell 13 per power16.11 cuts curbed 17-Feb-19 1.98 6.11 19.92 97.10 cent, as declining maroutput and a drought cut 01-Apr-19 2.60 2.16 16.00 99.93 gins at its South African harvests, undermining 14-Nov-20 5.47 2.76 16.59 95.28 20-Nov-21 6.49 1.80 15.56 94.76 unit offset gains elsejob creation. 30-Dec-21 6.60 2.11 15.86 102.29 where in the continent. “The manufacturing 30-Sep-24 9.35 1.00 15.02 84.66 According 9.35 to Bloomgame 15.02 in South Africa is in 30-Sep-24 1.00 91.19 berg News, net income for a tough space at the mothe six months through ment and we certainly are March declined to 644.7 no exception,” Nampak Chief14.85 Executive Officer million 11-Feb-18 rand ($54 2.72 million) 1.00 89.87 01-Feb-21 4.75 85.21 from 740.1 million rand 1.00 a Andre14.88 De Ruyter said by year earlier, the Johan- phone. nesburg-based company The company is also addressing operational said yesterday in a stateMaturity Date Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price ment. issues at its glass division, & Yields The average marginPrices which contributed to the decline in profit, and has on trading profit 28-Jan-21 5.72 in South 5.51 104.92 105.97 Africa fell to 6.9 per cent, started seeing improve12-Jul-18 4.58 4.28 101.57 102.45 from 10.7 per cent a year ments, De Ruyter said. 12-Jul-23 while the 5.92 compa5.78 102.87 103.83 earlier, Nampak shares ny’s overall margin was dropped 13 per cent to 36.59 rand in Johannes9.8 per cent. Nampak is working to burg, the biggest intrareduce operating costs day slump since103.37 May 2013. 19-May-16 6.43 3.93 100.99 while expanding in other The stock has declined 16 25-Jul-17 7.34 7.34 99.80 99.80 African per cent 02-May-18 countries 10.69 as weak 9.35 90.56 this year, 93.75 com08-Nov-18 7.28 6.80 economic growth in its pared96.16 with a 7.297.57 per cent 22-Apr-19 7.41 96.13 96.13 home market7.41squeezes gain in the 170-member 21-May-19 10.38 9.68 94.78 96.97 FTSE/JSE Africa Allprofits. 07-Aug-20 8.77 8.77 97.21 97.21 South Africa’s econShare95.49 Index. 97.01 24-Jun-21 10.30 9.95

3,650.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

29-Sep-16

30-Nov-17

5.40

09-Sep-11

99.25

Nampak’s profit declines

are realigning our portfolio and 2.05 14-Nov-13 15.25 20-Nov-14 14.25 making strategic shifts where 26.00 30-Dec-14 16.45 30.50 necessary . We will continue to 0.10 30-Sep-14 11.93 focus 30-Sep-14 on innovation and seek 15.44 13.25 opportunities to introduce new 187.53 offerings into our portfolio of 181.86 brands as well as build capacity in our11-Feb-13 people.” 10.20 12.00 10-Jul-14 that the11.25 He noted outlook for 12.95 the Nigerian economy in 2015 is 24.95 expected to be significantly af- 21.82 fectedIssue byDate low crude oil prices, Outstanding Value Coupon (%) increase in exchange rates of ($mm) naira against major currencies, national security issues 07-Oct-11 6.75 and the 500.00 political risk associated with the 12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 elections. 6.38 500.00 He 12-Jul-13 noted the International Monetary Funds (IMF) has pro-1,500.00 jected 4.8 per cent Gross Domes-1,546.82 tic Growth (GDP) growth for Nigeria,19-May-11 while both the Nigerian 500.00 7.50 government and the World Bank 350.00 25-Jul-12 7.25 assume a 5.5 per cent 09-May-13 6.88 growth 300.00 rate; a08-Nov-13 decline from6.00 the range 400.00 6.25 of 6.5 22-Apr-14 per cent-7.0 percent that 500.00 21-May-14 8.75 200.00 the Nigerian economy had been 07-Aug-13 8.25 300.00 growing at for some years now. 400.00 24-Jun-14 9.25

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

16.00

19-Apr-17 1.90 of UBA 1.00 ties in the shares 30-Jun-17 1.16 1.00 Plc and Access Bank Plc 31-Dec-17 2.60 1.79 followed with 1.98 a turnover 30-Sep-18 1.80 1.99 shares 1.00 of04-Oct-18 205.2 million 09-Dec-18 1.00 valued at N1.61.97 billion in 12-Dec-18 1.97 4.78 1,384 deals. 14-Feb-19 2.17 1.00 02-Oct-19 2.60 1.00 The number4.49 of gainers 22-Nov-19 1.00 at12-Dec-19 the close of trading ses2.57 1.00 10-Oct-20 3.11 1.00 sion was 26, while declin27-Nov-20 5.51 1.00 ers closed at 18. 31-Dec-20 5.60 1.00 Vono Products 31-Dec-20 3.26 Plc Ni1.44 06-Jan-21 3.29 1.00 geria Plc led the gainers’ table with a gain of 9.70 per cent to close at N1.47

26-May-15

3,509.26

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute **Treasury Bills^ Money Market professional, financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS FIXINGS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up Exchange to date. We do &not guarantee Foreign (Spot Forwards) Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount Bid Yield (%) Tenor (%)of the Information. the accuracy,DTM timeliness, completeness,Maturity performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of(%) the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on theRate basis NIBOR

9 16 30 FGN Bonds 37 44 51 Rating/Agency 58 65 72 79 93 100 107 121 128 142 NA 156 170 191 205 226 233 240 247 254 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 261 268 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 275 282 296

4-Jun-15 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 2-Jul-15 9-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 Issuer 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15 6-Aug-15 13-Aug-15 27-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 10-Sep-15 24-Sep-15 1-Oct-15 15-Oct-15 NA 29-Oct-15 12-Nov-15 3-Dec-15 17-Dec-15 7-Jan-16 14-Jan-16 21-Jan-16 28-Jan-16 4-Feb-16 11-Feb-16 18-Feb-16 25-Feb-16 3-Mar-16 17-Mar-16

Rating/Agency 303

Issuer 24-Mar-16

13.83 12.60 13.75 13.83 11.77 13.43 Description 11.72 12.26 ^13.05 16-AUG-2016 12.47 ^15.10 27-APR-2017 12.28 9.85 27-JUL-2017 11.39 11.29 9.35 31-AUG-2017 13.72 10.70 30-MAY-2018 12.04 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 13.82 7.00 23-OCT-2019 13.33 15.54 13-FEB-2020 13.92 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 13.60 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 12.89 15.00 28-NOV-2028 13.14 12.49 22-MAY-2029 13.46 13.92 8.50 20-NOV-2029 13.15 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 13.96 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 13.41 13.89 13.62 13.97 13.65 13.25 13.38

Description

13.58 12.35 13.50 13.58 11.52 13.18 Issue Date 11.47 12.01 16-Aug-13 12.22 27-Apr-12 12.03 27-Jul-07 11.14 11.04 31-Aug-07 13.47 30-May-08 11.79 29-Jun-12 13.57 23-Oct-09 13.08 13-Feb-15 13.67 27-Jan-12 13.35 14-Mar-14 12.64 28-Nov-08 12.89 22-May-09 13.21 13.67 20-Nov-09 12.90 23-Jul-10 13.71 18-Jul-14 13.16 13.64 13.37 13.72 13.40 13.00

7-Apr-16

13.40

13.15

331 Agency Bonds

21-Apr-16

13.29

13.04

345 5-May-16 17.25 FMB13.12 II 03-APR-2017 FMBN *for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration

14.85

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Outstanding 6M

(N'bn)

Value

14.98

03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS *BAYELSA

‡ /Agusto

EDO

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

Bb-/Agusto

*NIGER

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

*OSUN

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

2.17 13.82 13.73 2.27 13.83 13.74 3.01 13.87 13.74 :Benchmarks 4.09 13.92 13.83 * :Amortising 4.41Bond 13.90 13.80 µ :Convertible Bond 4.72 13.89 13.80 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 6.67 13.79 13.72 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 8.80 Mortgage Bank13.78 13.72 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 13.51 Finance Corporation 17.02 16.95 IFC: International 13.99 17.53 Management 17.46 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables NAHCO: Nigerian 14.49 Aviation Handling 18.13 Company 18.03 O/N: Overnight 15.16 15.54 15.47 UPDC: UAC Property Development 19.15 13.78Company 13.73

NOTE:

WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

Offer ($/N)

197.44 197.54 Price 201.93 201.81 202.13 202.28 202.87 203.37 Bid Price Offer Price 204.24 205.31 205.60 207.21 99.03 99.18 206.28 213.47 102.05 102.20 220.29 226.27

92.73 92.88 91.51 91.66 92.41 92.71 NA :Not 106.29 Applicable 106.59 ^ : Market Prices 77.78 78.08 # : Floating Rate Bond 105.53 105.83 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 111.05 111.35 102.36 ‡ : Bond102.06 rating under review 89.45 expired 89.75 †: Bond rating 74.28 N/A :Not 73.98 Available {r} :Issuer in receivership 51.48 51.18 68.00 68.30 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 89.06 89.36

UBA: United Bank for Africa

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.98 1.54 1.90 2.11

2.27 2.19 2.71 2.85

16.62 16.03 16.53 16.67

100.60 99.94 101.57 97.93

16.47

98.88 YTD Return 99.00 (%)

298.22

Modified Duration Buckets

‡ /Agusto

Rate (%) 11.00 12.00 13.89 13.00 13.83 14.00

Bid Yield (%)

Bid ($/N)

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

Sub-National Bonds KADUNA

TTM (Yrs)

Spot 7D 14D Offer 1M Yield 2M (%) 3M 13.75 6M 13.74 1Y

297.82

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

*EBONYI

Tenor Call 1M 1.23 3M 1.92 6M

11.04

REPO

Tenor

4,422.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

A/Agusto

O/N

Maturity Date

4,746.32

10.58

15.11

12.87

Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk ***LCRM and liquidity risk premiums 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

A-/Agusto

OBB

Rate (%) 10.8333 15.0437 16.2397 17.4504

581.39 16-Aug-16 476.80 NITTY 27-Apr-17 20.00 27-Jul-17 Tenor Rate (%) 1M 13.8560 100.00 31-Aug-17 2M 13.9585 300.00 30-May-18 3M 14.1267 351.30 29-Jun-19 6M 14.3604 233.90 23-Oct-19 9M 14.6534 193.73 13-Feb-20 12M 14.7780 600.00 27-Jan-22 573.14 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 NIFEX 150.00 22-May-29 Current Price ($/N) 200.00 20-Nov-29 BID($/N) 591.57 199.0000 23-Jul-30 OFFER ($/N) 199.1000 299.50 18-Jul-34

15.16

0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016

Bonds

Issue 15.05Date

13.13

317

13.88 12.66 13.91 14.02 11.94 13.68 Coupon (%) 11.94 12.53 13.05 12.78 15.10 12.62 9.85 11.73 11.65 9.35 14.29 10.70 12.54 16.00 14.52 7.00 14.06 15.54 14.79 16.39 14.51 14.20 13.83 15.00 14.18 12.49 14.68 15.28 8.50 14.39 10.00 15.41 12.1493 14.79 15.42 15.13 15.61 15.26

<3 3<5 >5 Market

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 Total Outstanding 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 Volume(Bn)

Porfolio Market Value(Bn)

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 1,435.73 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

1,201.79 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 651.18 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 3,288.69 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

1,409.48 1,124.68

31-Aug-10 Weighting by 30-Sep-10 Outstanding Vol 30-Jun-11 41.39 30-Jun-09

871.07

33.03 19-Apr-10 25.58 30-Jun-10

3,405.23

12.50 Weighting by Mkt 13.00 Value 14.00

15.50 43.66 10.00 36.54

8.50

Bucket Weighting

2.16 4.86

5.73 0.41 57.00 0.33

31-Aug-15 % Exposure_ 30-Sep-15 Mod_Duration 30-Jun-16 18.97 30-Jun-16

0.27

Implied Yield

0.35

0.62 13.88 0.62

38.70 19-Apr-17 42.33 30-Jun-17

13.78 1.90 14.83 1.16

100.00 30-Dec-10

13.75 19.80 100.00 14.00

25.73 0.26 25.00 1.00

100.00 31-Dec-17

14.24 2.60

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

1.98

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.99

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

1.97

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

1.97

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.17

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

15.09 80.00 25.70

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

2.60 4.49 2.57

10-Oct-13

14.75

10.78

10-Oct-20

3.11

4.44 Implied 3.23 Portfolio Price 4.46 105.4190 3.48 111.5570 1.00 78.4972 1.00 100.5596 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 4.78 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

INDEX

15.84

18.30 1,181.11 17.32 1,113.13 14.82 1,103.28 15.21 1,136.31 15.63 15.61 14.81 14.81 18.59 14.82 14.84 14.90 14.84 14.87

97.59 6.6128 98.94

9.9307 92.24 9.5597 98.50 7.6888 96.58 97.37 98.61 99.48 93.03 101.11 101.24 98.72 99.80 99.70

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

Obi promises to continue promotion of education in South-East

he former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has promised to continue initiative on the promotion of education in the SouthEast zone of the country. Obi who has been visiting schools in different States of the South East zone and raising funds for the rehabilitation of the schools, especially those in the remote parts of the States told journalists in Lagos that most of the schools he has visited were in various states of disrepair, stressing that the state governments cannot grapple with the sorry situation alone. Obi, who has visited schools in Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia and donated money to them, also pointed out that no governor in any of the states should see him as interfering in their governance of their states or distracting them since what he was doing was merely to complement what they are supposed to be doing. ‘Meanwhile”, he said, “I do not visit Government schools.”

Tribunal orders INEC to grant Elechi’s son access to poll materials

he election petition tribunal sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, yesterday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to allow seven petitioners and candidates in the 2015 general elections, their counsel or any forensic expert to inspect electoral materials used in the March 28 and April 11 elections in the state . The tribunal Chairman Justice J. O. Agya, gave the order following the exparte motions filed by the lead counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Victor Ozioko. The petitioners, Mr. Elechi Nnanna Elechi, Ebonyi Central Senatorial Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Chief Peter Ogeali, the North senatorial candidate of the party , Chief James Aro Nweke, Mrs. Helen Nwobashi and Chief Emmanuel House Nwobo House of Reps Candidates of the Labour Party and Mr. Ndubuisi Nwokporo of All Progressive Congress, APC, are challenging the declaration of candidates of the People’s Democratic Party as winners of the election.

L-R: Comrade Ignatius Okafor; Governor Willie Obiano; Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Anambra State, Comrade Jerry Nnubia and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Joe Asike, during a courtesy visit by the NLC at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia …yesterday

Buhari’s election raises hope of a new Nigeria – Onu

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and for mer Governor of Abia State, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has said that the election of General Muhammadu Buhari, as the nation’s new president has rekindled hope of a new Nigeria, where fairness and justice would reign. Onu, who made this remarks as the chairman on the occasion of the investiture of Alhaji (Dr.) Aliyu Wamakko, Governor of Sokoto State, as the ‘Verba-

tim Magazine Man of the Year’, held at Giginya Hotel, Sokoto, stressed that as the nation’s president, Buhari would work closely with distinguished Nigerians in the Senate such as Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, to build a nation where every citizen is equal before the law. The former governor assured Nigerians that the future of the country under General Buhari will not only witness the enthronement of fairness and justice, but will also achieve a greater level of development in all sectors

of the nation’s economy. He noted that the announcement of the March 28 Presidential election results, created an environment which gave hope for a brighter future to Nigerians, more so that the tension that characterized the runoff to the general election suddenly disappeared, the impact also felt in the nation’s currency which became strengthened, while the people’s expectations and confidence on the country was bolstered tremendously.

While commending the management of Verbatim Magazine for their choice of Governor Wamakko as its 2014 Man of the Year, Onu stated that the honour was in celebration of excellence in governance and in recognition of a leader who puts the interest of the people first. The APC chieftain stressed that the people of Sokoto State were proud of Wamakko’s initiatives in putting in place all necessary mechanisms aimed at making Sokoto State an envy of other states of the

federation with the manner he built roads and extended electricity supply to virtually all parts of the state, thereby bringing development to the rural parts of the state. He further noted that Wamakko’s developmental strides in education, agriculture, health, transportation, information and technology, housing and urban development endeared him to the people of the state, hence his election as a member of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Nigerian emerges best Reconcile aggrieved members, Ph.D student in UK varsity APGA chair tells Umeh Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

Nigerian, Dickson Ndukwe Agbai, has emerged the best doctorate student with the highest grade from the Newcastle University, England. Dickson, a native of Ugwueke Community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, was adjudged the best student for the award of the doctorate degree, following his outstanding thesis on: ‘Analysis of Biofuel Potential in Nigeria.’ A joint report of examiners endorsed by Dr. Paul Wilson of the University of Nothingham and Dr. P. J. Dawson of the Newcastle University testifying to Dickson’s outstanding performance reads: ‘‘That the candidate be

admitted immediately to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. This is the very best and the topmost Ph.D viva/thesis examination grade based on the university’s grading system.’’ The report further read: “This thesis examines the potential of biofuel production in Nigerian using programming methods. Various scenarios are estimated and appropriate policy recommendations follow. It is an interesting and worthy piece of research which tackles a problem that is highly relevant to the Nigerian Government. The method of analysis is appropriate and while not novel, the application is. The thesis is well-written and wellpresented, and its structure is appropriate. It is of doctoral standard.”

Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

head of the June 6, national convention of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), the Ebonyi State Chairman of the party, Comrade Jerry Obasi, has called on the National

Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party so as to bring all dissenting voices under unified structure. Comrade Obasi made the call yesterday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, while briefing journalists on the next month national

convention of the party, noting that this was the right time for the party to bring back to the party every aggrieved member. He noted further that those offended should be allowed to run for any position, adding that this was the right time to reposition the party.

President-elect urged to overhaul security Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

he President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has been urged to overhaul the nation’s security to safeguard lives and property of the citizenry when he takes over the mantle of leadership. This advice was given

by a former council Chairman in Ebonyi State, Chief Marcellinus Nwokporo, who, in a statement in Abakaliki, also urged Buhari, to intensify effort in the fight against insurgency in the country. He described security as paramount to the development of the nation, expressing optimism that the incoming President would

bring his experience to bare in the fight against it. He advised Buhari to avoid those that may mislead him, so as to perform well in office, adding that Nigerians will not accept any excuse from him as expectations were high that he could ensure the much needed change in the country.

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SOUTH-SOUTH

WEDNESDAY,MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Amaechi: Wike used Ateke Tom to kill Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

overnor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi yesterday alleged that Governorelect, Barr. Nyesom Wike hired former militant leader, Ateke Tom to kill perceived enemies during the last general elections in the state. He also alleged that Tom killed a man and cut off his private part in Okrika, where the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan hails from, noting that when Wike worked for his re-election in 2011, nobody was killed. Speaking at a lecture, titled, “Deepening Democracy Nigeria-Implication

For Development In Africa,” delivered by former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Renee Sanders, the outgoing governor noted that many people were killed, and that God will not allow Wike to govern the state. The Governor said: “In a bid for Wike to be governor, he hired Ateke Tom (ex-militant ‘General’). They killed a young man in Okrika (Dame Jonathan and Ateke’s hometown) and cut off his private part. “They slashed a young man’s throat and decided to hang his head on a tree. When I wanted to become governor, God took me aside and allowed Rivers people to vote for Celestine Omehia and He brought

me back. So, nobody died. In 2011, the opposition joined to vote for us. Nobody died. But because of one man’s ambition, we were losing human beings everyday. Walking like a thug. Killing people like a thug. “The God I worship will answer our prayers. God will not allow those who kill people to be governor of Rivers State. God will allow only those who worship Him. I am not perfect. Even some of you pray more than me. My priest told me God said we would defeat Nyesom Wike. God said so. The same way God told me in 2007 that I would be governor. “God will not allow us to make a killer, somebody who has killed human be-

ings, to become governor of Rivers State. But we must learn to be patient and have endurance. You must also have resistance. Injustice will not be sustained in Rivers State. Continue to trust God.” Continuing, Amaechi said: “I have been listening to Mr. Nyesom Wike and I have been trying not to reply him. He has been accusing me of corruption and I have been trying to keep quiet over the issue of corruption. A thief cannot call me corrupt. The first lesson he needs to learn is that he was Chief of Staff to my government. If I have no records, I have records on him. “One way we succeeded in moving this state forward was that we refused to

probe Dr. Peter Odili’s government, despite the pressure on me to probe Dr. Odili’s government, because at the end of the day, they will not ask me the number of persons I probed, but what I did while in government. “This convention centre (built by his government) is one of the testimonies. If we had gone to the Obi Wali Cultural Centre (in Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt, now taken over by Sliverbird Cinema), the hall would have looked very full. This hall accommodates 2,200 persons. The convention centre is very big. On top of the roof is a plenty space for big parties, for those who want to organise ‘Owambe’ and there are many conference/committee rooms in the hall.”

Cross River workers embark on indefinite strike Clement James Calabar

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Cross River State yesterday called out their workers on an indefinite strike even as the state government prepares to hand over the reign of governance to a new administration on Friday. A release signed by the Chairman of the Joint Action Committee of both the state NLC and TUC, Comrade Ndoma Akpet, said the strike takes effect from yesterday and that workers would stay at home until further notice. Last week, the state government paid workers their March salaries, but the NLC claimed that it was only the net salaries that were paid and that workers wanted both the March and April salaries paid before Imoke leaves office. According to the release, which was made available to New Telegraph, the strike action was being embarked upon because the Liyel Imoke administration could not pay arrears of salaries before the expiration of its tenure. “It is clear that in spite of the assurances by the government of Cross River State conveyed through Governor Liyel Imoke that arrears of salaries will be cleared before the expiration of the present administration, there is no intention of doing so on his part,” the release said.

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson (left), receiving an Interim Report from the Chairman, Bayelsa State NDDC Committee, Chief Lionel Jonathan–Omo, at the governor’s conference room, in Yenagoa.

Seven ports show interest in Ibaka deep sea port Tony Anichebe

state government spent a lot of money to secure documents to meet international requirements for the port, attributing the delay in getting approval of the port to strict due process, saying that the port has now received approval from the Nigerian Port Authority and the Federal Ministries of Finance and Transport. The governor said the port is expected to create between 50, 000 to 100, 000 jobs and that it will comple-

ment the sea port in Apapa, Lagos and other ports in the country, calling for sensitisation and education of the youths to guarantee peace and harmony in the area. Akpabio further stated that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the establishment of the Federal University of Maritime Studies at Oron to offer Ordinary National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and degree to students.

Friends, associates mourn Ime Umana

Group of Companies. Another report alleged that the business mogul and former Chairman of Abak Local Government Council, died on his way back from the High Court in Uyo in a case instituted against him by the state. In 2003, Umana contested the governorship of the state against former Governor Victor Attah on the platform of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP).

Uyo

t least seven port authorities have indicated interest to participate in the development of Ibaka Deep Seaport in Mbo Local Government area of Akwa Ibom State. Governor Godswill Akpabio, stated this yesterday when elders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the Oron nation paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo.

Tony Anichebe Uyo

former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Newswatch Communications Limited, Dr. Ime Sampson Umana, is dead. Umana died in an auto accident on his way to Owerri, Imo State, to catch up with a flight

The governor mentioned Bolorous, a Spanish group, as among the core investors. Akpabio, however, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for granting approval for the commencement of the deep sea port and the Ibaka Deep Seaport Authority, which confers on the port the status of a Free Trade Zone that will enable prospective investors build and pay no tax for five years. He recalled that the

when flights scheduled for Uyo Airport were cancelled due to aviation fuel scarcity. New Telegraph gathered that Umana’s driver and personal aide survived the accident though they are still in total shock and hospitalised. As at the time of filing this report, the cause of the accident was un-

known, though some attributed it to over speeding on the side of the driver to meet up with flight departure in Owerri, which is about three hours journey from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Umanah, until the sad incident, was a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State and the Managing Director, Imesco

Oshiomhole inaugurates, suspends new council chairman Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

do State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday swore in Mr. Alhassan Mohammed as Chairman, Etsako West Local Government Area and immediately suspended him for two months. The new chairman was sworn in following the death last Friday of the former Chairman of the Local Government, Alhaji Hassan Kadiri. The governor directed the new Vice-Chairman of the Local Government, Mr. Busari Yusuf, to act as the interim chairman pending the outcome of a panel set up to investigate allegations against the suspended chairman. Oshiomhole said at the ceremony that he has “just performed the task of swearing in the ViceChairman of Etsako West Local Government as the substantive chairman of the local government following the death of the Chairman, Alhaji Hassan Kadiri, who passed away last week Friday.” He described the task as one he had done with mixed feelings. He said: “This afternoon I have performed a task with mixed feelings,” he said. “On the one hand, I had the privilege of having to swear in a chairman and on the other hand I am pained by the loss of someone who worked so hard for this party and who believed so much in his community, but what made me even more sad is the fact that there were controversies as to what happened the very day that Hassan passed away.” He noted that, “some disgruntled elements whether they were masquerading as student union government officials or they were just touts and thugs, were hired by some persons to organize a protest that was almost turning violent such that they had to bring in the police and even the army to intervene to restore peace in the local government. “I am informed that the purpose of this protest was that Hassan, on his sick bed, should be relieved of his duties as chairman so that the vice-chairman could take over his job. I do not think human beings should play God. Today, I am hale and hearty and I thank God for being here to be able to sign what I have to sign, this is not by my strength, it is only by the grace of God.”

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY,MAY 27, 2015

News 49

NORTH

Guests from Turkey, Poland, others to attend Jigawa inauguration Dahiru Suleiman Dutse

oreign guests from countries like Turkey, Poland and Niger Republic are expected to witness the inauguration of Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar as the elected governor of Jigawa State on Friday, May 29. This was even as the outgoing governor, Sule Lamido, charged the incoming government not

to destroy the legacies of his tenure. Addressing the media yesterday, Alhaji Ahmed Rufai, who stood in as the Chairman, Publicity Committee of the transition programme, said all is set for the ceremony that will hold at Parade Ground, Dutse, the state capital. Rufai added that the various committees like the inauguration, security, protocol committees, among others, have been constituted for the success of the event.

Other dignitaries expected at the ceremony, according to him, are all former governors of Jigawa State, the Emirs of Ringim, Dutse, Kazaure, Gumel and Hadejia, all in the state. Others include the business community from within and outside Jigawa State, politicians, among others. The transition committee headed by Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, has extended its profound gratitude and appreciation to the people

for electing the APC as a vital tool for positive change in the state. Meanwhile, Governor Sule Lamido has called on the incoming government to preserve the legacies his administration is leaving behind to ensure continuity in governance. Speaking while receiving officials of both Jigawa Forum and the Jigawa Council of Elders yesterday, who came to pay him a farewell visit, the governor urged them to uphold the objectives

of their formation as a viable tool in fostering good rapport, unity and development in the state. He challenged the inhabitants of the state on the need to shun emirate dichotomy, greed, selfishness among them, ‘if at all we want to prosper.’ According to Governor Lamido, it was about time for the two bodies to embrace advocacy on how to foster unity, co-operation among the Jigawa people to attain progress and develop-

Suswam to dissolve cabinet today Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

Kano State Governor and Senator-elect, Kano Central, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso (left), congratulating the Director of Protocol, Government House, Alhaji Dahiru Mohammed Yakasai-Baban Hajiya, after he was sworn-in as Permanent Secretary at the Executive Council Meeting in Kano

Fuel subsidy, a fraud, says Aliyu Dan Atori MINNA

iger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday discredited the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy package, describing it as a ‘cartel for corruption.’ He said a complete removal of the petroleum subsidy by the Federal Government is the only solution needed to bring sanity to the sector and the economy. He also added that monies believed to be coming from SUREP into the states are from the federation account. Aliyu spoke yesterday in Minna at the inauguration of a N620 million three-star hotel jointly built by the Niger State Development Company Limited (NSDC) and the state SURE-P office. According to him, “I have been vindicated, some years back I took a principled position as one of the few governors then who said remove ‘fuel subsidy’, it is a cartel for corruption. “Many people did not

understand that time, some publicist didn’t agree with me, they said don’t remove it, it is the common man that will suffer, but I said which common man, when already the time you are talking about subsidy, the common man goes to buy it triple the price that you call subsidy. “Earlier, we deceived ourselves that there was SURE-P money, but it was the money from our federation account that they were giving us as SURE-P funds. But we are happy, at least they have set that

aside. For me, you will remember when I said remove fuel subsidy they burnt my town, people were imported from outside to burn Minna. “There is no government out there, you are the government. Anything that is done is for your welfare, own it, take it and don’t allow somebody to come and reduce you and make you a pauper and then he will go back to his village and start sinking things. Own up what is yours. Government is not all about the officials alone,” Aliyu said.

s part of process aimed at ensuring a smooth transition in the state, the Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, is to dissolve his cabinet today. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, told our correspondent yesterday that the governor would dissolve the cabinet after a valedictory session scheduled to hold inside the Executive Hall of the Government House, Makurdi. Akwaya, who said today’s meeting would be the last in the life of the administration of Governor Suswam, said the governor would use the valedictory service to commend all

Jang: I’ll be handing over a happy man Musa Pam Jos

utgoing Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, yesterday said that he will be leaving office on May 29, a happy man, having fulfilled most of his campaigns promises to the people of the state. According to Jang, all the projects executed during his administration was done based on the promises he made during his campaigns while assuming office in 2007, saying that he was satisfied with all the projects he has done,

especially the road network across the 17 local government areas of the state. The governor spoke yesterday while inaugurating various road projects constructed by his administration in Jos, the Plateau State capital. Also, Gadabiyu road, ECWA Staff School road, Bukuru Low Cost road and the Jonah David Jang road, among others, were inaugurated. The governor also commissioned the ultramodern Solid Mineral Museum, aimed at sustaining the mining programmes of the state.

‘Insurgency cripples revenue generation in Borno’ Ahmed Miringa Maiduguri

he Chairman, Borno State Internal Revenue Service Board, Alhaji Mohammed Kolomi Mutah, yesterday said that the insurgency in the state in the last six years has drastically reduced revenue generation. Muttah, who disclosed this while presenting cer-

tificates and awards to 105 staff and management of the Borno State Revenue Service Board held at the conference hall of the board yesterday, urged the affected ministries and departments to remit their revenue generation figures or records to the board for documentation as the law requires for the sake of transparency. He also said that the non-remittance of month-

ly revenue figures to the board by the ministries and parastatals has further incapacitated the board as their failure has resulted to low performance on the part of the board. The chairman appealed to members of his staff, participants and awardees to put what they acquired during the six months training programme into practice

ment. He commended the forum’s initiative at different fora in supporting government’s laudable objectives in the areas of education, commerce, among other noble objectives, in the last eight years. Lamido said: “Honestly, I am very proud of you as you played key roles and assisted us with visionary advises based on your expertise in restoring human dignity.”

while commending the organisers of the programme and participants for their commitment and dedication. He further explained that the board decided to enroll them for the training programme in line with the national directive that all revenue board activities must be automated to prevent linkages or loopholes and enhance revenue generation.

those who served in his government, adding that he would equally solicit the prayers of the people for a peaceful transition to the next administration. Suswam, who lost his bid to go to the Senate as well as install a successor, is expected to handover to the Governor-elect, Dr. Samuel Ortom on Friday, May 29, at the Ibrahim Babangida Square in Makurdi. New Telegraph gathered reliably that ahead of the handover date, political appointees and commissioners have resorted to pilfering of government property including computers, printers, air conditioners, fridges, stationeries, ceiling and standing fans, cars, office cabinet, as well as other electrical appliances.

Kebbi governor’s whereabouts unknown Abubakari Abdul Birnin Kebbi

hree days to the inauguration of a new government in Kebbi State, the out-going governor, Alhaji Saidu Usman Dakingari, has left the state and his whereabouts unknown. He was said to have left the state yesterday, but his aides were said to have been at a loss about his destination. New Telegraph, however, gathered that the governor was invited by the EFCC for interrogation while he ordered the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to undertake the handing over activities on his behalf. A report allegedly compiled by the Third Eye Network in the state, said the governor left the state around 6.00am without the notice of some stakeholders, adding that there was no serious arrangement made by the government for the handover ceremony. The report also said the governor left contractors unattended to as he refused to pay them, leaving the state with over N100 billion debt.

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WORLD | News

Dokpesi, others to testify in Tinubu’s N150bn suit Akeem Nafiu

igh Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman, DAAR Communication Plc, owners of African Independent Television (AIT), alongside seven others have been listed as witnesses that would testify in the N150 billion libel suit slammed on the media outfit by a former Lagos State governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Hearing on the matter has been fixed for today by

Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe of an Ikeja High Court. Apart from Dokpesi, others expected to testify against the APC national leader in the libel suit are: Namure Joy Edoimioya, Chief Medan Tenke, Ajibola Adewusi, Olumide Idowu, Chief Stanley Odidi, Engr. Nwabueze and Dr. Stanley Bassey. Tinubu had dragged AIT to court for allegedly peddling false accusations about his person in a documentary titled, “Lion of Bourdilion” and broadcasted by the television station. Tinubu had alleged

that the said documentary was politically sponsored to tarnish his reputation in the eyes of the populace. Justice Akinkugbe had also on April 1, 2015 given an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the AIT from airing further of the documentary, pending the final determination of the libel suit. However, in a statement of defence and counter-claim filed by AIT yesterday, the defendant denied all the allegations as contained in the claimant’s Amended Statement of Claim.

Jonathan nominates Justice Bello FCT Judge  Chukwu David Abuja

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday forwarded the nomination of Justice Ishaq Usman Bello for screening and confirmation for appointment as the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.  In a letter dated May 21 and addressed to the Senate President, Senator David Mark, President Jonathan explained that his request was in line with Section 249 of the 1999 Constitu-

tion (as amended).  He said, “the Constitution provides that the Federal High Court shall consist of a Chief Judge and such number of Judges as may be prescribed by Act of the National Assembly”.  “However, due to the voluntary retirement of Justice Ibrahim M. Bukar from service on March 31 as the Chief Judge of the High Court, Federal Capital Territory, the National Judicial Commission has recommended the appointment of the most senior judge at the High Court of the FTC.

“In this connection, I attached herewith, a copy of the letter CJN/ PFRN/A.1/11/527 of May 20, 2015 from the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, National Judicial Council.   “I have accepted the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and in accordance with Section 250(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which states that the appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.

... Inaugurates DIA Dialysis Centre   Anule Emmanuel

resident Goodluck Jonathan has inaugurated a new Dialysis Centre for the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Abuja.  The President, while performing the ceremony, said the centre will go a long way to assisting in the treatment of kidney diseases among the members of the armed forces and the public. He said: “Let me

first congratulate the Chief of Defence Intelligence for what he has done today. I was here last year to commission the office complex and it was quite a befitting edifice.” He noted: “That was completed by your predecessor, I guess. I always believe that when somebody takes office, he should add value to it.” “You have provided this facility, a dialysis centre that will be used by the Defence Intelli-

gence community and of course the extended armed forces which we all appreciate so much.”  According to President Jonathan, “Within this period, whenever you looked at the television screen, there were always complaints about people who have kidney problems.. The first level of intervention is dialysis before you talk about kidney transplant which is more expensive.”

Police to reorganise SARS –IGP Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, has assured that some perceived excesses of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), will be addressed. Arase, who made the promise at a meeting with senior police officers in Abuja yesterday, also reminded the public that bail was free. According to the IGP, “The mode of operation of SARS, has to change.

“A situation where their dress code is repugnant to decency will be addressed,” the police chief said. The IGP also reminded the public that “Bail remains free” at all police stations. Meanwhile, three persons, including a woman, have been arrested by the police in connection with the spate of abductions that gripped Ekiti State in recent time. A statement on Tuesday evening by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Idowu Adelusi, quoted Governor Ayo Fayose as

saying that the two of the suspects, whose names were given as Olumide, 31 and one Folorunsho both from Esure-Ekiti were arrested between Ikere and Iju while trying to escape. The 11 abducted persons were rescued on Saturday inside a thick forest in Esure-Ekiti. According to the press statement, the woman among the suspects is reportedly the wife of the leader of the kidnappers, Austin, who is still on the run. The woman is believed to be the one preparing food and other items for the kidnappers and their victims.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Air France faces probe after jet narrowly avoids mountain

rench investigators have opened a probe after an Air France jet with some three dozen people on board narrowly avoided hitting the highest mountain in central Africa in early May, according to information published by France’s BEA air accident agency. The Boeing 777 jet was making a short evening trip from Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, to Cameroon’s largest city of Douala where it was due to pick up more passengers en route to Paris, when it ran into bad weather

on May 2. While cruising at about 9,000 feet, the pilots of Flight 953 diverted northwards to avoid storm clouds, but their route back toward Douala took their jetliner toward the 13,000-foot Mount Cameroun, the BEA and the airline said. That triggered an emergency warning from an automated ground proximity warning system urging the crew to take avoiding action, the BEA said in a regular update of new investigations. The crew climbed straight to ‘Flight Level 130’ or about 13,000 feet before

continuing to Douala. Mount Cameroon, an active volcano, stands at 4,090 meters or 13,400 feet. Air France said the crew of Flight 953 had reacted in accordance with their training and the plane’s manuals but that they had been taken off flying duties for more training. Pending the airline’s own internal investigation, they are receiving “pedagogical, managerial and medical support,” a spokesman said by email. The airline said it had also issued extra briefings to all crews about the landscape around the coastal city of Douala.

The Air France Boeing 777 ran into bad weather close to the coast of Cameroon.

Somali militants attack Kenyan police

slamist militants from Somalia attacked two police patrols in neighboring Kenya yesterday, triggering a gun battle in a rural area hit by a string of cross-border raids, both sides said. Somalia’s al Shabaab fighters said they had killed 25 Kenyan officers, an account contradicted by the police force that said one of its men had died and four had been wounded. The al Qaeda-linked militants said they ambushed the police about 70 km (40 miles) north of Garissa, a town where the Islamists raided a university and killed 148 people in April. Al Shabaab militants, fighting to overthrow a

Western backed government in Somalia, have launched several attacks inside Kenya, trying to force it to pull troops from an African peacekeeping force in their homeland. The assaults have piled political pressure on the Nairobi government, which has promised to carry on with its Somali mission, and devastated Kenya’s tourism industry, one of its main sources of foreign income. Police said one officer had died from his wounds after the attacks in the Fafi and Yumbis areas, one was critically wounded and three others suffered minor injuries. “A contingent

of officers responded for reinforcement and on arrival at the scene, engaged the attackers in a heavy fire-fight,” Inspector General Joseph Boinnet said in a statement. Kenyan media had earlier reported that as many as 20 officers could have been killed, and al Shabaab said 25 died. “We took all their weapons. There were some Kenyan forces that escaped in the course of the ambush fighting,” al Shabaab’s military operations spokesman, Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, said. Somali and African troops have pushed al Shabaab out of Somalia’s main cities in recent years.

India heatwave toll climbs to 800

he death toll in the heatwave sweeping India has reached nearly 800 with temperatures nearing 50C (122F) in some areas. Most deaths have taken place in the southern states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where more than 750 people have died since last week. Reports say 24 people have died from the heat in West Bengal and Orissa. Hospitals are on alert to treat heatstroke patients and authorities have advised people to stay indoors. Heatwave conditions have been pre-

vailing in the two worstaffected southern Indian states since mid-April, but most of the deaths have happened in the past week. In the worst-hit state of Andhra Pradesh, 551 people have died as temperatures climbed to 47C on Monday. “The state government has taken up education programmes through television and other media to tell people not to venture into the outside without a cap, to drink water and other measures,” news agency AFP quoted P Tulsi Rani,

special commissioner for disaster management in the state, as saying. “We have also requested NGOs and government organisations to open up drinking water camps so that water will be readily available for all the people in the towns,” he added. In neighbouring Telangana state, 215 people have died in the last week as temperatures hit 48C (118F) over the weekend. Alfred Innes lives in its capital Hyderabad and says members of the public have received little help so far.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

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International Sport

League Rendezvous LMC ready to woo governors over facilities

Asaba is Tennis Hottest Spot venue

Canada coach rues goalless draw with Falcons

Chelsea lineup 28m for Bundesliga defender

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Racket & Bat

Did you know? That Manchester City was the only team that did not play a goalless draw in the EPL in the 2014/2015 season

Oshoala is Women’s World Footballer of the Year •Falcons star beats Marta, Kessler to BBC’s top award

Ifeanyi Ibeh

uper Falcons superstar, Asisat Oshoala, on Tuesday emerged as the maiden winner of the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award. The BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award was voted for by football fans around the world and the 20-year-old Liverpool Ladies forward beat Spain’s Veronica Boquete, Germany’s Nadine Kessler, Scotland’s Kim Little and Brazil’s Marta to the honour. “I would like to say thank you to the BBC, to my fans around the world and to everyone who voted,” Oshoala was quoted as saying by the BBC. Oshoala was the leading scorer at last year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada where her impressive performances led the Falconets to the final, where they were narrowly beaten by Germany. The former Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt player was in January named the African Women’s Footballer of

the Year, as well as the African Young Player of the Year, three months after leading the Super Falcons to success at the African Women’s Championship in Namibia. Success in Namibia ensured Nigeria’s qualification for this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, where the Super Falcons will compete against the United States

of America, Sweden and Australia for a ticket to the knockout rounds of the tournament which gets underway on June 6. And ‘Super Zee’, as she is fondly called by her teeming fans in Nigeria, hopes her recent accolade will help inspire the Super Falcons to victory in Canada. “It’s a really good thing for us as a team because we now

know that we have something great and now we want to go for the trophy. We can do it, we did it in 2014 [at the U-20 World Cup] we can also do it this year as well,” said Oshoala. She added: “There is going to be a lot of motivation for women’s football in Nigeria now because of this award because there are a lot of fans out there. “Support for women’s foot-

French Open: Nadal cruises as Venus crashes out

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

ball in Nigeria is now growing very high. “I know my Liverpool Ladies coach [Matt Beard] is going to be happy right now. Before I left the UK he called me and said to me ‘don’t worry I hope you win the award and we’re going to celebrate it when you come back’.” Oshoala is currently in Canada with the Super Falcons.

Asisat Oshoala in action for Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada

INSET: Oshoala with BBC Award

afael Nadal began his quest for a 10th French Open title with a straight-sets victory over teenager Quentin Halys. In what amounts to the first big casualty of the second Grand Slam of the year, Venus Williams lost in the first round for the second time in the last three years. The former world No. 1 then skipped her mandatory postmatch press conference after she lost to countrywoman Sloane Stephens, the two facing off for the first time in their careers. Frenchman Halys, an 18-year-old wildcard, had the crowd on his side but was not consistent enough to trouble Nadal. Nadal, 28, won 6-3 6-3 6-4 in one hour and 50 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier. Nadal has slipped down the rankings because of a combination of lack of fitness and form. The sixth seed could meet Novak Djokovic, who is in the same half of the draw, as early as the quarterfinals. He took the first step in that direction, and improved his record at

Roland Garros to 67 wins and one defeat, with a solid opening effort. There were a few worried glances to coach Toni Nadal in the stand when one service game went against him in a scratchy first set, but the nine-time champion made just one error in the second as he tightened things up. Halys, the US Open boys’ runner-up in 2014, showed enough flashes of talent to engage his home crowd with his forehand, drop shot and willingness to attack the net. Nadal was restricted to a single break of serve in the second and third sets but it was all he needed to earn a second-round meeting with Nicolas Almagro or Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Venus

Sport

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Canada coach rues goalless draw with Falcons Emmanuel Tobi

anadian women’s football coach John Herdman has expressed disappointment after his team played a goalless draw with Nigeria’s Super Falcons in a pre-World Cup training match Monday night. The match which was

played on an artificial pitch at Toronto FC’s training centre saw Canada captain, Christine Sinclair, going down hard twice as the African champions showed no mercy in their physical style of play. The resilient Sinclair had the best scoring chance late in the game but could not get

a rebound off an Adriana Leon shot past the Nigerian goalie. Herdman, who spent most of the match yelling instructions from high above on a mobile crane, charitably called it a good learning experience. “It wasn’t the best game, they know that. A couple of players probably didn’t stand

Amuneke returns, charges Eaglets

olden Eaglets’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has for the umpteenth time enjoined his wards to redouble their efforts as preparation towards the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup gets underway. Amuneke, who joined the team at the weekend from his base in Spain, said the challenge ahead of the team was enormous, insisting the players must either shape up or be sent packing. He advised older

players to show a sense of responsibility so that the newly invited ones can follow suit. The Golden Eaglets secured a ticket to the 2015 World Cup after placing fourth at the CAN U-17 Championship in Niger in February and Amuneke has categorically told the players there won’t be margin for errors in Chile. “What happened in Niger is now in the past but we can do much better in Chile if we are

ready to work harder and be responsible in our conduct,” began the former African Footballer of the Year.”We have the opportunity to show what we can do and I want to advise the older players to lead the way for others to follow.” The team currently trains twice daily at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project pitch in Abuja and Amuneke informed players would only be guaranteed a place only on merit.

41-year-old Awojobi eyes comeback with D’Tigers

hen it comes to Nigeria basketball, Tunji Awojobi is a household name at club level but especially with the national team as he was part of five of Nigeria’s six podium appearances at the AfroBasket. Between 1995 and 2007, Awojobi represented the D’Tigers, helping them to three second-places (1997, 1999 and 2003) and two third-places (1995 and 2005) in Africa’s biggest basketball tournament and playing a prominent role in Nigeria’s two FIBA Basketball World Cup campaigns (1998 and 2006). After going into ‘semi-retirement’, the 41-year-old recently

re-launched his career in Nigeria’s domestic league with the Islanders basketball club. Talking to FIBA.com, the 2.01m forward said he believes he can still play for the national team. “With what I’ve seen of most of Nigeria’s post players, I believe I still have something left to contribute to Nigeria, if the Nigerian Basketball Federation and coaching crew can give me the opportunity and not look at my age,” said the former player of Hapoel Jerusalem. Awojobi played 31 minutes and grabbed 12 rebounds in a recent league game between the Islanders and Dodan War-

riors, playing alongside AfroBasket 2013 Nigeria squad member Ben Uzoh. “I am passionate about this game and that passion drove me back to the court,” he explained. “I have a willing management in Islanders basketball club who was ready to give me an opportunity to re-launch my career. “I have seen the draws and without any doubt Nigeria has what it takes to win the trophy for the first time and gain qualification to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.” At AfroBasket 2015, Nigeria will play in Group A alongside host nation Tunisia, Uganda and Central Africa Republic.

up the way they should have in this match. They’ll be asking themselves questions, because they’re honest like that.” “We had a good 15 minutes and that’s about it really,” he added. Herdman revealed that he selected the Super Falcons, knowing that he could face an Afri-

2017 AFCON: Keshi gives foreign pros June 3 deadline Emmanuel Tobi

uper Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi has warned all the 15 foreign based players invited to report to camp on June 3 or forget about next month’s 2017 AFCON qualifier against Chad billed for June 13 in Kaduna. Captain and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who only recently won his 100th cap, is expected to lead a contingent of established internationals like Ahmed Musa, Ogenyi Onazi, Kenneth Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona alongside some new comers to camp in time to beat Keshi’s deadline. “I want all the foreign based players in camp on or before midnight on Wednesday, June 3,” Keshi told thenff.com “Apart from Aaron Samuel who is still involved with his club and has been granted special permission to report to camp after that deadline, I expect to have

NIS governing council faults Director’s appointment Charles Ogundiya

he Governing Council of the National Institute for Sports has concluded arrangements to challenge the appointment of Prof. Eke Chukwudi as the new director of the institution. According to a source who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, the council felt the director was imposed on the Institute without advertisements, interviews and a good selection process.

“The atmosphere at the NIS right now is fraught with tension despair and anger,” he said. “This appointment reeks of impunity because the due process of advertisement and interviews were not duly followed.” The council also requested that the alleged gross misconduct levelled against the ex-director Dr. Sunny Ikhioya should be properly investigated. It was also revealed that some of the senior staff lecturers at the NIS have not been promoted for 12 years.

The source further stated: “The reputation of NIS is in grave danger of diminishing because the allegations of gross misconduct the Institute witnessed in the era of the ex-Director, Dr. Ikhioya, has not been looked into by the appropriate authorities. “Some of the senior lecturers have remained stagnant without promotion for 12 years all because they believe and stand by the truth as enshrined in the law that established the school.”

Keshi

everybody in by June 3.” “They are to report to the Bolton White Hotels and Apartments where their home based colleagues have been camped since May 21,”Keshi added. The home-based Eagles are expected to resume training at the Abuja National Stadium on Thursday after their friendly match against Spotlight of Katsina on Tuesday to open the new Karkanda Stadium in Katsina.

Islanders battle Oluyole Warriors at Landmark Centre Ifeanyi Ibeh

I Awojobi (right) at the 2006 FIBA Basketball World Cup

can side in the round of 16. The eighth-ranked Canadian women face England in Hamilton on Friday in their last outing before opening the World Cup on June 6 against China in Edmonton. The Falcons who are ranked 33rd in the world, are in Group D with the USA (2nd), Sweden (5th) and Australia (10th).

slanders of Lagos will on Friday, May 29, play their first DStv Premier Basketball League game at the Landmark Event Centre on Victoria-Island against the Oluyole Warriors of Ibadan. Now under a new management led by telecommunications expert, Oladamoye Oyesiku, who took over the franchise in 2009, the club looks set to become the envy of their DStv Premier League rivals in both the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences after partnering with the management of Landmark Event Centre. Having played its home games so far at the National Stadium, Lagos Islanders will be keen to mark their first home game with a win against a side they defeated earlier in the campaign 86-62 in Ibadan. And the club’s chairman, Oyesiku, expects his side to host

a hitch free home debut at the Landmark Centre. “We are on top of the situation and are set to have our first game at the Landmark Event Centre,” he said. “Gate fees will be charged and adequate preparation has been made as we are set to make basketball games an enjoyable event that people will always yearn to see as we have lined-up great artistes to perform on the night.” Some of the artistes expected at Friday’s game against the Oluyole Warriors include Sound Sultan, TuFace Idibia, M.I, Ice Prince, Sasha and Vector. Islanders currently have the best offense in the Atlantic Conference, scoring an average of 71 points per game. Their defence have also let in an impressive average of 56.86 points per game. They will also play host to Kwara Falcons of Ilorin (June 7), Union Bank (June 16) and Delta Force (June 28) at the Landmark Centre.

Islanders

International Sport 53

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

Chelsea table 28m euro for Bundesliga defender

helsea are lining-up a 28m euro bid for Augsburg defender Baba Rahman as doubts over the future of Filipe Luis continue to grow, according to reports. Luis only moved to Stamford Bridge in a bigmoney deal from Atletico Madrid last summer but things haven’t quite gone according to plan for the Brazilian international in England. He’s failed to establish himself as a first team regular under Jose Mourinho with Cesar Azpilicueta making the left-back spot

Arsenal’s Sanchez wins 2014/15 PFA Fans Player award

his own this season as Chelsea marched towards a League and Cup double. There has been constant speculation linking Luis with a move back to Spain this summer and it appears Mourinho is already liningup a potential replacement for the 29-year-old South American. The Daily Star claim that Chelsea have been keeping a close eye on Augsburg’s highly-rated full-back Rahman and are now lining-up a 28m (£20m) bid for the Ghana international this sumBaba Rahman mer.

Benitez close to Real Madrid job Basketball fans trapped for

hours by flash floods

arlo Ancelotti’s agent Er nesto Bronzetti says Napoli boss Rafa Benitez is “99 per cent certain” to take over at Real Madrid. The La Liga club announced the sacking of the Italian on Monday and also confirmed they would unveil his successor next week. Madrid president Florentino Perez refused to shed any more light on Ancelotti’s potential replacement but admitted a Spanish speaking coach would be his preference. Goal revealed last week that Benitez is top of the club’s shortlist and it appears only to be

Benitez

a matter of time before Benitez is appointed at the Bernabeu. “Rafa Benitez is 99 percent certain to take charge of Real Madrid,” Bronzetti told Rai Sport.

undreds of basketball fans in Houston were trapped inside an arena hours after an NBA game because of flooding. Nearly five inches of rain have fallen on the city since Monday evening. Fans were advised to stay in their seats overnight because of the weather following Houston Rockets’ win against Golden State Warriors in the NBA Western Conference Finals on Monday night (Tuesday morning in Nigeria). Many were in the Toyota Centre for al-

most 11 hours, until the early hours of Tuesday morning. The game had finished at 22:45 local time on Monday but many fans were left stranded as the city’s freeways were heavily flooded. Lauren Finkelstein, 33, a DJ on Houston radio station Mix 96.5, spoke to BBC Sport from inside the arena midway through the evening. “There are a couple of hundred fans still left now. Thank goodness the Rockets won or I think it would have been a different atmosphere,” she said.

rsenal and Chilean international attacking midfielder Alexis Sanchez has been named the PFA Fans’ Player of the Season Over 200,000 votes were cast since the final 10-man shortlist was announced at the start of this month and Sanchez beat off competition from Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard who finished second and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero who finished third to take the award. The Arsenal midfielder has enjoyed an outstanding first season in English football scoring 16 goals and providing eight assists for his team-mates in 35 appearances. Sanchez helped Arse-

nal finish in 3rd place in the Premier League to ensure Arsene Wenger’s side qualified directly for the Champions League group stages next season Sanchez was deservedly named the PFA Fans’ Player of the month in October in which he scored three goals and one assist and his fine form for Arsenal also saw him included in the PFA Premier League team of the year. The PFA Fans’ Player awards are designed to give a strong voice to the supporters who are the lifeblood of the game One lucky fan voter will be chosen to present Sanchez with the award in person at an Arsenal home game next season.

Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez (left) attempts to dribble past Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko

Countdown to FIFA U-20 World Cup

Success, Simon doubtful for Brazil game

Flying Eagles of Nigeria in training

ent’s Moses Simon and Granada’s Isaac Success are in danger of missing Nigeria’s opening game of the FIFA U-20 World Cup owing to visa issues. Both players sent their passports to the Nigeria Football Federation for the issuance of New Zealand visas but they received their passports on Monday without the visas in them. The NFF, according to reports, has however expedited action on the

case and both players are set to be issued visas on Thursday at the earliest. With the Flying Eagles scheduled to play their first game of the tournament on June 1 against Brazil, Success and Simon are in a race to be available for the match against the South Americans. Nigeria are still searching for their first win over Brazil at the U-20 level and there are hopes that the current Flying Eagles squad will break the jinx.

Isaac Success

F/Eagles hold first training today Hungary maul Fiji in final friendly

igeria’s Flying Eagles will today (Wednesday) hold their first training session in New Zealand. The session is scheduled to commence at 1pm local time, which will be midnight in Nigeria as New Zealand is 11 hours ahead of Nigeria. The Flying Eagles are staying up at the Quality Hotel Plymouth International and

will take on Brazil in their opening game of the U-20 World Cup on June 1, in New Plymouth. The weather in New Plymouth, according to reports, is chilly, as this is the beginning of winter in New Zealand. Hungary, who will share the same hotel in New Plymouth with Nigeria, are expected to check in on Wednesday.

ne of Nigeria’s group stage opponents at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, Hungary, on Monday defeated Fiji 7-0 in a warm-up match in Cambridge, New Plymouth, New Zealand. Monday’s match was played on a school field because the town’s main football field had been ruled unplayable following wet weather.

Márió Németh (2), Donát Zsótér (2), Zsolt Kalmár, László Oláh and Roland Sallai scored the goals as Hungary romped to a five-goal lead by halftime. Hungary, one of four countries who will be playing at the Taranaki Stadium when the World Cup kicks off on May 30, had earlier beaten Myanmar 3-0 and drawn 1-1 with Mexico.

The side, captained by Atalanta’s Ákos Kecskés, has been coached since March by Germany-born Bernd Storck, who is also the technical director of the Hungarian Football Federation. The Hungary team have been in New Plymouth since last Friday and their first game will be on June 1 against North Korea.

Sport

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigerian League Rendezvous

with charles Ogundiya

charlesog2001@yahoo.com,

08098042287

Facilities: LMC ready to woo governors …clarifies importance of three-week break

he League Management Committee Chairman, Shehu Dikko, has said the body is ready to engage governors of state owned clubs on the benefits of investing in infrastructure. He said this would be done shortly after the inauguration of the new administrations after May 29 handover either individually with the governors or collectively through the Governors Forum. “We are working on creating incentives that will encourage state governments to open

up club ownership to the fans and immediate communities,” the LMC chairman said. Dikko said the LMC was also looking forward to engaging the incoming government at the center towards developing policies that would make football a huge revenue earner through taxes that are derived from the business side of football. He clarified that the threeweek break that began after Matchday 10 was consistent with the fixtures drawn up at the start of the season. “The fixtures were re-

leased to clubs and it was made clear we will go on break after Matchday 9 to enable us to assess progress made by the clubs in terms of meeting registration requirements as they were only granted provisional registration at the start of the season. “More fundamentally, it was also an opportunity for the clubs to interface properly with the incoming or re-elected political leadership of their owner states that have have in the last few months been pre-occupied with election campaigns.”

Shooting Stars’ Tope Orelope (left) in action against Rangers’ Odah Onoriode

First Bank, MFM lead in NNL

he battle for promotion in the Nigeria National League Group B2 has thrown up two early challengers in First Bank FC and MFM FC. After two matches played, the two Lagos State sides have garnered four points each with First Bank leading on goal difference. At the weekend, the two clubs battled to a 2-2 draw inside the Agege Township Stadium as they remain the only teams yet to lose a game in their group. Recently, the chairman

Ambition took me to Abia Warriors - Obanor

hrun Obanor has said he joined Abia Warriors FC of Umuahia because of his personal ambition to win trophies and raise his profile. Obanor, who joined the Ochendo Babes from Bendel Insurance of Benin at the beginning of this season, said he took the decision despite several overtures from bigger clubs like Enyimba

and Kano Pillars. “Football is not just about playing the ball but a place where you will have some serenity,” the Nigeria’s U-23 team Captain said. “Abia Warriors is a place where you play football and you have a peace that is why I decided to be here. “Two of my colleagues in the national U-23 team, Peter Onyekachi and Michael

Ibe also played a part in my joining Abia Warriors.” Obanor said Abia Warriors had the potential to win trophies this season if they remain focused since they have a good coach and a wellestablished management. Speaking further, the defender revealed that the players were determined to do well and win domestic trophies as well as pick a continental ticket.

of MFM, Godwin Enakhena, said the target of the team was to be promoted at the end of the season. MFM missed promotion on the last day of last season and will be seeking to become the first church club to play in the premier league. The club started the season with a 1-0 away win at Gateway FC while First Bank defeated Julius Atete 2-1 in their first game of the season. Other teams in the same group are Julius Atete, Akwa Starlets, Atiba United, Nembe City, Bendel Insurance and Gateway FC.

Asaba is tennis hottest venue • NCC League starts this weekend

he Gover nment House tennis courts in Asaba will host, what is on paper, the toughest tie this weekend between Team Tombim from Abuja and Team Delta. The matches are scheduled for Saturday May 30, and Sunday May 31. Tombim has in its ranks, the highest ATP ranked player, in Nigeria, Moses Michael, Henry Atseye a former No. 1 and CBN 2015 doubles finalist Christian Paul. Sarah Adegoke, also a former No.1 is the star lady player.

Team Delta is featuring Candi Idoko who has won several national doubles and singles titles, Albert Bikom, an enigmatic player who won the 2015 CBN doubles title and John Otu. The ladies have in their team the 2014 CBN Ladies singles runner-up Elizabeth Pam and the Okoro sisters - Ann and Marian. Other ties will be taking place in three other cities. In Abuja, Team FCT, featuring Blessing Samuel and Emmanuel Sunday as the star players, will be hosting

at the Abuja National Stadium Team Kalotari from Port Harcourt with CBN 2015 champion Thomas Otu, former No.1 Sunday Maku and Anu Aiyegbusi leading the challenge. Onitsha Sports Club is home of Team Anambra led by Augustine Nwokedi and Lovette Donatus. The city will host a star studded Civil Defence Team parading the current male and female national champions Clifford Enosoregbe and Christie Agugbom. Others are Shehu Lawal, Abdulmumuni Baba-

lola and Bukola Olowu. The last tie will hold at the Abeokuta Sports Club with Team Ogun hosting the CBN Futures Team. The Ogun team has Ronke Akingbade and Patience Onebamhun as the star female players with Joseph Imeh, Monday Igbinovia and Michael Eludoyin as the leading male players. The CBN Futures team is made up of current junior champions Martins Abamu and Angel Mcleod supported by Umoru Balami, Emmanuel Idoko, Michael Michael and Marylove Edwards.

Roland Garros: Djokovic moves into second round

Djokovi

ovak Djokovic started his bid for his maiden French Open title with a straight sets win over Jarkko Nieminen. The Serb won 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 in little over two hours. Djokovic broke Nieminen in his first game to take a solid lead right at the start. But he struggled in his own service games early on, though was able to prevent the Finn from making any serious attempts on his serve. Eventually, a second break of serve in the seventh game followed by an easy consolidation in the eighth game allowed the Serb to take the first set 6-2 in 35 minutes. Djokovic put in 73% of his first serves, winning 74% points off them.

Nieminen served 59% of his first serves in and won 69% of points off them. The Serb hit 14 winners and had 10 unforced errors to the Finn’s five winners and seven unforced errors. In the second set however, it was Nieminen who broke Djokovic in the fifth game and followed it up with a hold to lead 4-1 in the set. Nieminen had a second break point in the sixth game, but Djokovic saved it and held his serve to keep the set divide to merely a single break. Nieminen’s lead however didn’t last long and he was broken back in the ninth game. A second break in the 11th game on the Finn’s serve saw Djokovic take the second set convincingly in the 12th game.

with Ajibade Olusesan 0706 537 7853

Oribamishe

Oribamishe ready for world tourney challenge

ational junior champion, Esther Oribamishe, has said that she is ready for a successful outing at the World Juniour Circuit slated to serve off on June 8, in Cairo, Egypt. Oribamishe will lead two other girls and three boys to the competition, and she said that she was not going to disappoint the country at the competition. Muyibat Bello and Halimot Ayinla are the other girls, while African Youth Games champion, Olasunkanmi Oginni, Nurudeen Hassan, as well as teenage sensation, Abayomi Animashaun, are the other boys in the team. Oribamishe, who won the Aso tournament recently in Abuja said, “I am looking forward to a good competition. We have been preparing well and I believe God we are going to do well in Egypt. I have my target and I am working hard to win the gold there.”

News Feature

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

Lamorde and the 10 ex-governors Adisa Olawale

t is no longer news that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which was established by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003 to investigate financial crimes such as advance fee fraud (419) and money laundering and in essence curb corruption had been paying lip- service to the menace that has continued to set Nigeria backwards among the committee of nations. As an advocate of best practices and good governance, I have vowed to resist and expose any anti- graft agency that has failed or performed below expectations. I was irritated when I read on the social media that the spokesperson of the supposed anti-graft agency, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren addressed a press conference in Abuja on Monday stating that the EFCC is closing in on the corrupt charges against ten former Governors: Chimaroke Nnamani, Lucky Igbinedion, Aliyu Akowe Doma, Joshua Dariye, Danjuma Goje, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, Abubakar Audu, Rev. Jolly Nyame and Saminu Turaki. After reading the vanguard newspaper of May 26, 2015 with the caption-Corruption: EFCC closes in on 10 former govs, the first thing that came to my mind was that why is it now that such an issue is being raised . On a second thought, I said to myself, I guess the commission’s chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde wants to show the world and in particular, the newly elected President Muhammadu Buhari, that he has the capacity to sustain the fight against corruption. In my own opinion, addressing such press conference is uncalled for, ill- timed and a mere attempt

by the EFCC chairman to retain his position as most of the alleged former governor’s cases are pending at the courts of law and it is only constitutional to allow the law take its course on such matters. Although, I am not holding brief for any of the alleged individuals, it is worthy to mention that the case of Orji Kalu is political due to his strong and courageous voice against the third term bid of the then President Obasanjo. It was on that note, the erstwhile President used the EFCC to drag Kalu’s name into the mud by clamping down his well established business empire, Slok group, which had been existing and employing thousands of Nigerians and foreigners even before fourth republic. I would have expected Lamorde who was appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan to expose the can of worms of the outgoing administration. In the history of Nigeria, the Minstry of Petroleum Resouces had never witnessed the level of corrupt practices as it is under the failed leadership of outgoing Minister Allison Madueke. It is still fresh in the memories of Nigerians what led to the untimely sack of the erstwhile Central Bank Governor and now Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who had alleged that $20b oil revenue was missing from the coffers of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Just a few days ago, the Association of Petroleum Importers, Tanker Drivers and Oil and gas workers embarked on strike following refusal by the federal government to pay an outstanding debt of about $2 billion owed the major oil importers by the outgoing administration. At the policy dialogue of the All Progressive Party (APC) in Abuja last week, the Vice President

elect, Professor Yemi Osibajo had decried the level of debt exposure of Nigeria which is put at $63billion, with nothing to show for the borrowed funds. I believe Mr. Lamorde and his team are not sincere in the fight against corruption in Nigeria as most sensitive corrupt practices are happening within the same geographical area where the head office of the supposed anti graft body is located. I would not want to dwell on details and activities of various federal ministries and agencies and the so called oil cabals under the outgoing administration of President Jonathan but one fact remains that if Nigerians had gotten what they bargained for, President-elect Buhari wouldn’t have had landslide victory at the recent poll. President Jonathan’s government condoned stealing of state resources with impunity and the head of the anti-graft agency never for once brought any corrupt government official or their cronies to face the wrath of law despite series of petitions submitted against the individuals. The outburst by the EFCC on the former governors in my opinion, is a shame on Lamorde who many had thought would bring sanity to the society by fighting corruption without bias. Mr. Lamorde has shown the world that he is unfit for the position of Chairman of the anti-graft agency but I rest my case here and leave the rest for the incoming federal administration to tackle and bring the perpetrators of Nigeria’s backwardness to book without fear or favour. Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde should please remember that a good name is better than gold. • Olawale wrote in from Lagos.

Lessons from Omobola Johnson Tunji Olaopa

his is really a unique occasion for me in many respects. In the first place, it is not a usual thing in the civil service for civil servants to pass any comment that goes beyond social compliments on their bosses. The code of bureaucratic ethics and conduct binds us all to a culture of total loyalty and ministerial responsibility. Except for assessments that are required for confidential documentation, bureaucrats are limited in what they say about their ‘Ogas’ in official capacity. This address will be no exception, as it is a mild but seminal reflection on ideas germane to the deepening of MDAs’ capability readiness as the powerhouse of policy implementation of governments. What inspired this valedictory address? I have been pretty hard as a civil service reform conceptual worker on my colleagues on our inability to rise above conventional bureaucratic standards when we have to work with bosses who came in with some best practice knowledge, skills and competence that we could leverage to enhance our practices. So when my team in Communication Technology asked me to do a reflection on lessons they should draw from working with a subject-specialist Minister with such a strong technical-managerial background like Dr. (Mrs.) Omobola Johnson, based on my comments along the lines of practice as a coach and team leader, I chose to make this seminal statement from the perspective of public administration scholarship. In terms of experience working with technocrats and intellectuals in government, I have been fortunate, as a career officer, to have worked with a sizeable number and Dr. (Mrs.) Omobola Johnson is eminently one of them. She has littered the entire Ministry with some lessons in achievements

and expertise that should inspire some reflections for our continuing reform programme of the civil service. In 2011, the FGN, in a bid to respond to the global imperative to connect to the evolving information/knowledge society, made a crucial decision to establish the Ministry of Communication Technology out of the existing Ministry of Information and Communication. The FGN took a further critical step in hunting for and appointing an ICT core professional in the person of Dr (Mrs) Omobola Johnson as the pioneer Hon. Minister. For me personally, I have found in her a kindred reform spirit such that celebrating her today will be less than illuminating if we do not distil the essence of her reform contributions specifically to the Ministry. As Dr Johnson is taking a deserved and glorious exit as cabinet Minister of the outgoing administration, what do her tenure and achievements tell us about the policy-administration nexus in the civil service as well as the governance of the MDAs? Dr. (Mrs) Omobola Johnson—A Brief Citation We begin to have a feel of Dr Johnson’s motivation for success by taking a little glimpse at her background. She was born into the renowned Yoruba family of the rich and cerebral Lisa of Ondo land, High Chief Bayo Akinnola. Her educational journey to distinction began at the International School, Ibadan. This was just the beginning as that insatiable taste for excellence took her further to Manchester University and Kings College, London, before she eventually began a distinguished career with one of the six leading consulting firms in the world, Anderson Consulting and rose to become its Country Managing Director when it came to be known as Accenture. She holds a doctorate and is married into the family of another renowned Yoruba statesman, Brig.Gen. Mobolaji Johnson, rtd.

As a Minister, the Ministry of Communication Technology literarily became, in my view, a huge laboratory for her to distil her critical professional ideas, processes and institutional commitment and insights. Some of her achievements would include but not limited to: • Pioneer Minister of Communication Technology responsible for setting up the structure of the Ministry. • Development of a holistic National ICT Policy that seamlessly integrated its telecoms, postal and IT components. • Involvement of the ICT/Telecoms industry in policy formulation and feedback through annual Stakeholder workshop. • Establishment and sustenance of National Council on Communication Technology, to ensure inclusiveness of the States in National ICT adoption and developmental efforts. • Reinvigorating of a rather challenged NIPOST to make it more relevant in an IT age and more viable through the financial inclusion partnership with CBN to drive cashless policy. • Implementation of the National ICT Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB) through the USD100m China EXIM bank loan. • Initiation and implementation of a ‘Whole-of-Government’ approach in ICT/e-Government - this received a UN Public Service award in 2013. • Developing and obtaining presidential approval for a National Broadband Plan (2013-2018). • Development of a National e-Government Master Plan. • Standardization of the websites of Federal Government Ministries and agencies. • Adoption of the ‘.gov.ng’ domain name across Federal and state governments. • Creation and adoption of “@fedcs. gov.ng” email address system for all Civil Servants.

• Creation of the Council of Heads of ICT of Federal Government MDAs to engender unity of purpose in implementation of ICT budgets within the FGN. • Improved penetration of Telecommunications and Internet services to rural and underserved areas through the targeted focus of the implementation of the USPF. • Adoption of an Agreed User Policy (AUP) and global Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the shared ICT services by Galaxy Backbone. • Implementation of various E-Government projects such as - Government Services Portal (GSP), Government Contact Centre (GCC) etc. • Digitization of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) memo • Initiation of the Girls’ in ICT programme consisting of the - “Digital Girls’ Club”; “1,000 Girls Training” and “Smart Women Initiative” - this program received International recognition by receiving an award at the ITU plenipotentiary in 2014. • Micro works training - Online Jobs Initiative in collaboration with Rockefeller Foundation (grant of US$ 650,000). One of the lessons for the civil service to learn from the harvests of technocrats in government taking a reference from Dr. Johnson’s tenure is this: It is not just enough to inject technocrats with professional expertise and commitment into the public service through technocrats in governments and consultancy services. What becomes highly essential is to also find a way of institutionalising their professionalism and core expertise into a pool of reform ideas and strategies to be deployed regularly into policy architecture that the civil service requires for its continual modernisation. • Condensed from a farewell speech by Dr. Olaopa, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communication Technology.

On Marble It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.

– Henry David Thoreau

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

he victory of General Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress (APC) means so much to the Nigerian people. In some parts of the country, people died celebrating this historic victory. Others celebrated for days. Its significance and impact is not lost on the people and the international community. On the whole, the victory, the celebration and the anticipation of change is an affirmation and validation of the expectation that change has arrived Nigeria and the vehicle for that change is APC and the driver of the change is the man of integrity, General Muhammadu Buhari. It is a notorious fact that the “General of Change” will be sworn in on the 29th day of May, 2015 as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He will take over from President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). My worry as the new President takes over the mantle of leadership is that a lot of Nigerians expect so much from the General of Change and this expectation is coming at a period when the country is adrift. But the General and his Party promised to change the way things are done in Nigeria. That is not all the story. The challenge of change is that some of the followers and supporters of the General of Change are not really interested in the party to which he belongs or the programmes of the Party. As far as these followers are concerned, the person they know and the person they have vowed to follow and the person they voted for is the man of integrity who will wipe off their tears and mend their broken hearts if the powers that be allow him to assume the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So, to these people, the APC is only a platform and Buhari is the Party and the Party is Buhari. These groups of followers can be loosely grouped as the “Fanatical Followers or Supporters”. They have been with the General since he was the military head of State and no form of propaganda or mud could change or could have changed their opinion and support for the General. These are the groups that I am really bothered about. Most of them live on the fringe of society and see the General as the only one that understands their suffering and can alleviate it. To some of these people, the wealth and resources of the country are being and continue to be frittered away by uncaring elite. They are convinced that the elite are so imperious to hearing and have become utterly indifferent to their plight. These people, am sure, believe that they perfectly fit the picture of the people that His Holiness Pope Francis described in His Lenten message 2015 as indifferent to the plight of the poor and the weak. His Holiness had said in the said message “Usually, when we are healthy and comfortable, we forget about others (something God the Father never does): we are unconcerned with their problems, their sufferings

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The Buhari magic Hard Choices FESTUS OKOYE

festokoye2003@yahoo.com 08054480565 (sms only) and the injustices they endure… Our heart grows cold. As long as I am relatively healthy and comfortable, I don’t think about those less well off. Today, this selfish attitude of indifference has taken on global proportions, to the extent that we can speak of a globalization of indifference.” These are the ones that want instant change and they may not be patient with the niceties of governance and the whole concept of separation of powers that allows the different arms and organs of government to perform their constitutionally assigned duties. What they want is visible improvement in their conditions. The other group is the “We Want Change Group”. A substantial proportion of the members of this group supported the 2011 Presidential bid of President Jonathan. They took over the cyberspace and preached the gospel of “fresh air” and “Goodluck”. They expected so much from President Jonathan but the President appeared ineffective and ineffectual. These persons who are not necessarily members of any Political Party decided that the message of change may be better than the fresh air that is suffocating and decided to seize the cyberspace and pounded President Jonathan to submission. This group will also demand change if the change that is promised is not forthcoming. There are those that got completely disappointed with the handling of the security situation in the country. These persons just felt that the President was incompetent and most Nigerians will become refugees and victims of insurgency if he is allowed to continue. These are the “Anybody will be better than Jonathan” group. They want a strong leader that can protect

The Nigerian people will scrutinize and analyze the regimes choice of Ministers and Advisers

Buhari

the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These groups want a quick resolution of the specter of insurgency, kidnapping, unbridled bunkering and armed robbery in the country. The unemployed and those suffering from abject poverty are also in this group. Some patriotic businessmen and women are also in this group. They believe that the lack of stability and poor handling of the economy is a threat to their business interests. There are the “cautious optimists”. These are those that believe that General Buhari can make a difference. They are worried that the General is assuming power at a time that a large number of public institutions have collapsed. They are worried that the General is coming to power at a time that the price of crude oil in the international market is on a free fall. They are worried that the General is coming to power at a time when teachers are owed months and months of salaries and the prospect of labour unrest is looming. They are worried that the outgoing government is planting booby traps for the new regime all aimed at presenting the message of change as hollow. They are worried that key members of the outgoing regime are tampering with the commonwealth of the Nigerian people and will definitely shout “dictator” and “we told you he cannot change” when the long arm of the law comes after them. On the whole they believe in the General and want him to succeed. These groups expect so much from the President and the President is duty bound to deliver on some of his prom-

ises. To deliver and deliver effectively, the General of Change and the new President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria must be open and transparent to the people of Nigeria. In other words, the President and his government must be upfront with information and not allow the rumour mill to define its character. More often than not, governments hardly realize that in the era of globalization, classifying some documents as “secret” and ‘confidential” is meaningless. The regime must decide from the onset what information should be put in the public domain and be less secretive with its challenges as a government. The General and his government must also lay down achievable and deliverable milestones. It is hollow and unrealistic for the government to pretend that it can solve all the challenges of Nigeria in four years. Realistic and achievable goals are required as distinct from soap box promises. The Nigerian people will scrutinize and analyze the regimes choice of Ministers and Advisers. Nigerians would like to know whether they are change agents or rebranded members of the outgoing regime. The choice of Ministers and Advisers will be a major indication of the direction of the regime. The General should find the right balance in his appointments. There should be a good balance between persons with the requisite competence, savvy, progressive mind and risk takers and the traditional politicians that will maintain the “constituency”. The President should also ensure a good balance between his own nominees and the nominees of the various State Governors and the Party. It is defeatist and out of sync for a President to complain that the bulk of his advisers are useless when the Constitution gives him the exclusive discretion in their nomination and dismissal. The President must bear in mind the demographic changes in the Nigerian society in making his appointments and taking key decisions. The youth constituency is large and the disability constituency is large. Gender is also a serious demographic challenge and the President should include these groups in his choice of Ministers, Advisers and in making other key appointments. On the whole, the President is coming to power at a time that most Nigerians are without electricity. He is coming to power at a time when most Nigerians sleep and wake up in the filing stations. He is coming to power at a time when large proportions of Nigerians are internally displaced and or are refugees in other countries. He is coming to power when the country is adrift. Our hope and prayer is that the President will have the courage and the staying power to make Nigerians proud. Nigerians expect so much from the President but are ready to moderate their expectations the moment the regime shows good faith.

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