Wednesday telegraph wednesday, june 22, 2016 by Newtelegraphonline

Naira recovers as Moody’s, others back forex reforms

lLocal currency firmed to N282/$ lBDCs record low patronage Tony Chukwunyem

he naira strengthened against the dollar yesterday,

recovering after suffering a sharp drop the previous day when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) commenced its new market

driven foreign exchange policy. The naira’s appreciation comes against the backdrop of fresh support

for the new policy from respected international organisations such as rating agency, Moody’s. Traders said that the

day to sell dollars into the interbank market after floating the naira failed to attract trading between banks due to liquidity concerns.

local currency gained against the dollar, rising to N282 from a low of N286 on Monday after the CBN intervened for a second

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

FG sacks resident doctors }7

/newtelegraph /newtelegraph

Vol. 3 No. 854

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Kalu to Tribunal: Recount votes, declare me winner }10

Fayose is a shameless character –Presidency }3

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

Arms deal: Court remands AVM Mamu in Kuje Prisons }4

N150

Forgery: Senate fights back, summons AGF Adewole

Kalu

Fayose

AVM Mamu

…accuses Buhari of dictatorship lReps to President: Stop prosecution lCourt fixes June 27 for Saraki, Ekweremadu's arraignment }2 Buhari appoints Idris as IGP }4

Ibrahim Kpotun Idris: The 19th indigenous IGP  Born on January 15, 1959  Hails from Kutigi, Lavun in Niger State  Enlisted into the Nigerian Police Force in 1984 as Cadet ASP  Degrees in Agriculture and Law  Graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and University of Maiduguri  Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) in Sokoto and Zamfara Commands  Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa and Kano states

L-R: Outgone InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase; President Muhammadu Buhari and the acting IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, at the State House, Abuja... yesterday.

 Commandant, Police Mobile Force (PMF) Training School in Gwoza, Borno  Commissioner of Police, Police Mobile Force at the Force Headquarters  AIG, Force Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja  Participated at the United Nations Mission in Liberia and East Timor and  Awarded “Medal of Merit” by the President of the Republic of East Timor

Sex scandal: Reps begin probe lDogara inaugurates panel lIkon: I never sought for prostitutes in US }5 Cell phones use could trigger stomach upset, lung infection

}10

NEWS

WEDNESday, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Forgery: Senate fights back, summons AGF Chukwu David and Philip Nyam Abuja

he Senate yesterday resolved to summon the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, in connection with the allegation of forgery prevailed against the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu. The Senate resolved that Malami should appear before it to explain and justify with evidence the basis for charging its leadership to court in spite of an earlier court order restraining him from interfering in the internal affairs of the Senate. The minister is also required by the lawmakers to explain why his action did not constitute gross misconduct, incompetence, contempt of court and court processes as well as abuse of his office. The Senate also affirmed that its Standing Orders 2015 (as amended) was not forged and that it remained the authentic rule of the current Senate. This was as the chamber accused President Muhammadu Buhari of plotting to destroy the National Assembly in order to impose one-man rule. The Upper Chamber arrived at these resolutions following a motion of urgent public importance raised by Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West), which he entitled, "the imminent threat to our democracy as it relates to the alleged invitation of our principal officers by the high court in Abuja." After members made their contributions, the Senate mandated its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, to within two days summon the AGF to face the apex Chamber on the above concerns. The Senate expressed serious concern that the executive had abandoned the multifarious problems confronting the nation and focused its attention on witch-hunting the parliament, with an intention to make it powerless in order run a dictatorship. Presenting the motion, Melaye lamented what he described as the ongoing systematic degradation and abuse of leadership of the National Assembly by the executive arm of government through intimida-

$2.69bn

The amount of the market state and municipal bonds of Nigeria as of December 31, 2015. Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

tion and harassment. He regretted that the executive arm of government had not come to terms with the constitutional tenets of separation of powers and the independence of the legislative arm of government. He noted that though the National Assembly had shown enough maturity and nationalistic commitment to help sustain democracy, there had been a grand plot by the executive arm to silence the parliament in order to run a dictatorial regime. Seconding the motion, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas, Bassey Akpan, said he was handed over a copy of the Constitution and 2015 Standing Orders during accreditation. He expressed concern that the leadership of the Senate was accused of forging it when they had not been elected as presiding officers then. "I second this motion and challenge every member of this chamber to speak their mind. "It is time that we rise and speak and defend democracy because if democracy is under threat, then the existence of this country is under threat,” he said. Senator Isah Misau (APC-Bauchi Central) described the current development as injustice being done to the judiciary.

He insisted that it was on the basis of the standing orders that he was given the privilege by the Senate to ask Malami to take a bow and go when he came to the Senate for confirmation as minister. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Services, Ibrahim Gobir, said he was completely in support of the motion, saying that the standing orders is authentic and should not be used as a move to destabilise the Senate. In his remarks, Ekweremadu said: "I don’t intend to say much because I am involved. "Those that use their position today to intimidate others must realise that no condition is permanent.”

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to compel the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to stop prosecution of the officers. The House also advised the executive to always abide by the provisions of the constitution of the nation in all respects. This call was made following the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance titled: “urgent need to safeguard the nation’s democracy and protect the integrity and independence of the National Assembly” sponsored by Hon. Yusuf Ayo Tajudeen representing Kabba/Bunu Federal Constituency of

Kogi State. Leading the debate on the motion, Tajudeen noted that the Fourth Republic has endured, uninterrupted since 1999 with five general elections, but “observed with grave concern that the independence of the National Assembly is under unprecedented, severe, and sustained attack by the executive arm of government.” He denounced the move by the executive “to cripple National Assembly by filing charges and seeking to arraign the presiding officers of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in relations to matters that are wholly the internal affairs of the Senate.” He prayed the House to

“strongly urge the president, who has sworn to an oath to defend and protect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to prevail on the members of the executive council to desist from further steps that will cripple the National Assembly, including prosecuting the presiding officers of the Senate over alleged forgery of Senate Rules, which a competent court of law has also recognised as strictly the internal affairs of the National Assembly and which judgement has not been set aside by any superior court.” The motion was debated, but Speaker Yakubu Dogara put it to questions and it was endorsed.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Wole Olanipekun (left) and former Abia State Governor/ Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) candidate in the Abia North Senatorial election, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (right), at the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia… yesterday

Court fixes June 27 for Saraki, Ekweremadu's arraignment lCCT sets July 13 for ruling in SP's suit

Tunde Oyesina and Chukwu David ABUJA

n Abuja High Court, yesterday, fixed June 27 for the arraignment of Senate President Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and two others on two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and forgery of Senate Standing Rules. The trial judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, fixed the date after ordering substituted service of the charges on the defendants. The prosecution had complained that several attempts of personal service on the defendants had failed. The court, however, held that the charge sheet be pasted on the notice board of the National Assembly. Charged alongside Saraki and Ekweremadu are former Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi. They were slammed with two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and

forgery of the Standing Rules used for the leadership election of the presiding officers of the Senate on June 6, 2015. The prosecution submitted that the offence of conspiracy is punishable under Section 97 (1) of the Penal Code Act; and offence of forgery with “fraudulent intent” punishable under Section 364 of the same law. It was alleged that the 2011 version of the Senate Orders was secretly altered by some individuals to produce the 2015 edition. It was also alleged that Rules 3(3)(e) and (k) in the 2015 edition of the orders were not amended in accordance with the provisions of Rule 110 (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) of the 2011 Orders. After several denials, the court yesterday officially summoned Saraki, Ekweremadu, Maikasuwa and Efeturi, over their alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 (as amended). The summon was effected through a substituted service, which was pasted at the corridor along the President of the Senate's office.

Parts of the summons read: "By oral application dated 21st June, 2016 moved by D.E Kaswe, Principal State Counsel, Federal Ministry of Justice in this case praying the court for: "An order of this Honourable Court granting leave to the complainant/ applicant to serve the criminal summon on the defendants by substituted means to wit by pasting it at the Notice Board of the National Assembly Three Arms Zone, Abuja. "And after hearing D.E Kaswe with A.A Kaltingo Esq, counsel for the complainant/Applicant moved the court orally for the above relief." Also included in the summon, were statements already volunteered by the former clerk to the National Assembly, Maikasuwa, and the outgoing Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, Ben Efeturi, on their alleged involvement in the forgery. Maikasuwa, in his statement, said: "the Senate Standing Orders used in Seventh Senate was not known to me. The Clerk of the Senate is in position

to know. I was not aware of the amendment that was made to the Standing rules." Also, in his statement, Efeturi said the Senate leadership handed the 2015 Standing Rules as amended by their convention and practice to him. "The Senate leadership handed the 2015 Standing Rules as amended by their convention and practice. Standing Orders 2003, 2007, and 2011 followed similar practice," he said. However, the Senate, in its first reaction to the allegation last Sunday, stated that production of the standing rules was done by the National Assembly bureaucracy. In a similar vein, the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, yesterday fixed July 13 to deliver ruling in an application filed by Saraki, asking him (Umar) to disqualify himself from further presiding over false assets declaration suit against him (Saraki). While arguing Saraki's application before the tribunal, a lawyer in the defence team, Paul Erokoro (SAN) told Umar that the defendant cannot get justice from

him because of his bias and prejudicial comments in the trial. The CCT chairman had, on June 7, stated that the "delayed tactics employed by Saraki's lawyers will not reduce the consequences he would face at the end of the trial." Erokoro had further submitted that the comment by the chairman was prejudicial to the defendant and that he can no longer get fair trial from the tribunal in line with the provision of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution. The counsel told the tribunal that neither the chairman, who was personally served with the motion informing him of the prejudicial statement made in the open court, nor the prosecution had denied the statement. Opposing the application, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacob (SAN) submitted that the application is frivolous, abuse of court process and a deliberate attempt to delay the trail. After listening to all the parties, the tribunal chairman, who said he would be away for two weeks to perform lesser Hajj, adjourned till July 13.

NEWS

WEDNESday, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Fayose is a shameless character –Presidency

lEx-EFCC chairman, Lamorde, denies president’s wife's involvement in Halliburton's scandal Anule Emmanuel Abuja

he Presidency has described Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, as a “shameless character” for linking Mrs. Aisha Buhari, wife of the president, to the US Congressman William Jefferson's bribery scandal for which the American lawmaker was convicted in 2009. It said the allegation was a desperate attempt by the governor to mislead Nigerians. A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said ordinarily the presidency would have ignored Fayose because he "is a man childishly obsessed with the desire to grab the headlines and insulting people at will because of his incurably boorish instincts." Garba explained that the presidency chose to respond on this occasion for the sake of innocent Nigerians who might be misled by Fayose's shameless and blatant distortion of facts. According to him, ignoring Fayose carries the risk of giving traction and credibility to outright and brazen falsehoods inconsistent with the status of anybody that calls himself a governor or leader. He noted that Aisha had no direct, indirect or the remotest connection with William Jefferson's corruption scandal in the United States. The president's spokesman challenged Fayose to tell Nigerians if the socalled Aisha whose pictures he proudly, but ignorantly shared, was the same Aisha married to President Muhammadu Buhari, or if the Aisha of his idle imagination had any relationship by blood or any relationship in whatever form with Buhari's wife. He also challenged Fayose to produce evidence from the records of investigation and subsequent trial of Jefferson to prove that Buhari's wife, Aisha, was in anyway linked to that scandal. The presidential aide explained that common names alone were not enough to automatically link innocent people to crimes or scandals, especially in an era of identity thieves. He further challenged Fayose to show proof when and where Aisha Buhari was invited for interrogation in connection with Congressman Jefferson's bribery scandal, let alone indicted for a crime locally

or abroad. According to Garba, free speech did not entitle Fayose to falsely accuse innocent people of crimes they knew nothing about. He warned Fayose that Aisha Buhari was entitled to protect her reputation from being recklessly maligned, adding that political opposition was not a licence to attack people's reputation brazenly without legal consequences. Also, the former chairman of the Economic and

Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, has denied the involvement of the president’s wife in the Halliburton scandal. In an interview with New Telegraph, Lamorde said there was no truth in Fayose’s claim. "This is a case of what transpired about 10 years ago when I was the Director of Operations at the EFCC. But, one thing I am sure of is that the Aisha Buhari mentioned in the

case is not the president's wife. I can tell you authoritatively that she is not the one; it's another Aisha Buhari entirely." he told New Telegraph on phone. When asked what the identity of the said Aisha was, the former EFCC chairman said he doesn't have the details as he is presently in Kuru, Jos, for a course. "I don't have the details of the file. This was a case of what happened years ago. But what I know for

certain is that the Aisha in the Jefferson case has nothing to do with the wife of the president,” Lamorde said. Fayose had, on Monday, accused the president’s wife of involvement in the Jefferson’s Halliburton scandal in the United States during ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. He said: “Even the president cannot claim to be an angel. The estate he built in Abuja is known to us. His

wife was indicted over the Halliburton scandal. When that American, Jefferson, was being sentenced, the president's wife, Aisha, was mentioned as having wired $170,000 to Jefferson. Her name was on page 25 of the sentencing of Jefferson. We can serialise the judgement for people to see and read. So, Buhari and APC should not see themselves as saints.” The governor spoke after his account was frozen by EFCC.

Looking for a better Return on Investment? Try our Business Class

Get a better Return on Investment when you fly Business Class on our Airbus A330-200* because it offers a fully flat bed, an exclusive bar and a choice of Nigerian and Continental gourmet cuisine. The best part, you enjoy all these luxuries for much less than what you pay on other airlines.

Lagos – London Heathrow 7 days a week

Lagos – New York JFK 3 days a week

Lagos – Johannesburg 7 days a week

*Airbus A330-200 operates to London Heathrow and New York JFK

Book on www.arikair.com or call +234 1 2799999 or contact your travel agent

West and Central Africa’s Leading Airline

NEWS

Buhari appoints AIG Idris as IGP

...I'll restore police integrity –Idris Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Ibrahim Idris Kpotum as the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP). Idris, an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Operations replaces Mr. Solomon Arase who proceeds on retirement after clocking the age of 60 years. Both the outgoing IGP and his successor yesterday met with Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja for a few minutes where the new police chief was presented to the media.

The number of listed State and Municipal Bonds of Nigeria as of December 31, 2015. Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

$35.82bn The total bonds market capitalization of the Nigerian Stock Exchange as at Q4 2015. Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

Idris is expected to serve in acting capacity until his confirmation by the Police Council and later by the National Council of State. In his remarks, Arase thanked the president for the opportunity to serve the country and Nigerians for the support he received during the period of his headship in the police. He enjoined Nigerians to also give his successor the same level of cooperation. "I want to formally introduce my successor, AIG Idris, he is going to be in acting capacity until the Police Council confirms,” Arase noted. He continued: "I want to seize this opportunity to thank Nigerians for the cooperation given me while I served as Inspector-General of Police, by extension I want to also appeal to you to give the same support that you gave to me to my successor. "He is a younger man, so I am sure he will be abreast with the contemporary policing issues." The Acting Inspector General of Police, Idris, previously served as Com-

N5.9m bribery scam: Court remands AVM Mamu in Kuje Prisons Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

n Abuja High Court yesterday remanded another Air Vice Marshal Alkali Mohammed Mamu in Kuje Prisons pending the determination of his bail application. The Federal Government had arraigned the defendant who was a former Air Officer Training Command and a member of the Committee for Procurement, Ministry of Defence on a threecount charge bordering on bribery to the tune of N5.9 million. When the charge was read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel, Cosmas Ugwu, had asked the court for a date for trial. He further prayed the court to remand the defendant in prison custody pending trial. Defence counsel, Tawo E. Tawo (SAN), however, prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail. Tawo had brought the application, pursuant to Section 162, 163 and 164 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. “We seek an order

to grant the defendant bail pending trial. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. He has been enjoying administrative bail and has been reporting to the commission. We urge that the court exercise its discretion and grant the defendant bail to enable him prepare and attend trial,” Tawo pleaded. Opposing the application, Ugwu argued that the reliance on presumption of innocence is misplaced at this stage. The trial judge, Justice Salisi Garba, after listening to both counsel adjourned to July 1st for ruling on the bail application and commencement of trial. The prosecution had alleged that Mamu, while being the Air Officer Training Command and member of Committee for Procurement under the Ministry of Defence, allegedly collected a cash gift in the sum of N5.9 million for the purchase of a Range Rover Evoque, $300,000 and two vehicles (Ford Expedition SUV and Jaguar XF Saloon) valued at N15 million and N12 million respectively from Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nigeria Limited, a contractor with the Nigerian Air Force.

missioner of Police in Nasarawa and Kano states. Speaking to State House Correspondents, the Acting IGP said: "Honestly, by collective leadership, the Nigerian police is going to be governed by internationally-recognised core values of policing everywhere in the world. "That is the issue of integrity and accountability, issue of respect for diversity, issue of compassion, issues of ensuring that our streets, our neighbourhoods, our communities remain safe. "We are going to do everything possible to ensure

that we provide the best service to this country." The Acting IGP, who hails from Kutigi, Lavun in Niger State, was born on January 15, 1959, and was enlisted into the Nigerian Police Force in 1984, after graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria with a Bachelor degree in Agriculture. He also holds a degree in Law from the University of Maiduguri. AIG Idris has served in various commands and formations in the Nigerian Police Force, working in the Police Mobile Force for 17 years as Unit Commander, Squadron Commander, and Commandant.

He served as Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa and Kano states and was also the Commissioner of Police in charge of Police Mobile Force at the Force Headquarters. He was also at the United Nations Mission in Liberia and East Timor and was awarded “Medal of Merit” by the President of the Republic of East Timor in recognition of his service. Idris was in charge of Operations at the Force Headquarters before his appointment. The implication of the appointment of Idris is that all the seven serving Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs) of Police, who con-

WEDNESday, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

stitute the Police Management Team (PMT), hitherto headed by the outgone IGP, Arase, will proceed on retirement. This is so in the light of the fact that as DIGs, who are senior to the new IGP, who was until his appointment an Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police, they cannot salute him as their boss. The DIGs that are likely to retire, consequent upon Idris' appointment, are: Messrs Dan Azumi Doma (Finance and Administration), Mamman Tsafe (Logistics and Supply), Hashimu Argungu (Training), Kakwe C. Katso (Investigations), S. L Wakama (Operations), Jubril Adeniji (Research and Training), and Chintua Amajor-Onu (ICT).

L-R: Secretary, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Mr. Felix Adeoye; Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Garba Danbata; Minister of Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu; Guest Speaker, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu and Director, Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, NCC, Josephine Amuwa, at a forum in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Naira recovers as Moody’s, others back forex reforms CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The apex bank was said to have sold a total of $31 million at between N282 and N285. The interbank market quoted total traded volumes of $73 million yesterday. The naira also appreciated further against the dollar at the parallel market yesterday. It gained N9 at the close of trading yesterday to exchange at N335, from N344 it traded on Monday. The naira also appreciated against the pound sterling and the Euro as it traded at N450 and N356 respectively. Traders at the market said that the consolidated appreciation of the naira at the market reflected the impact of the flexible exchange rate. They added that the new foreign exchange policy had the potential of frustrating the activities of currency hoarders and speculators. Expressing support for the new forex policy, Moody’s said that although the CBN “is likely to continue to intervene,” the new system would “gradually eliminate any gap between unofficial exchange rates” and help boost the country’s income.

Analysts also attributed the naira’s strengthening to the CBN’s spending of more than $4 billion on Monday to clear pent-up demand for foreign currency. The foreign-exchange trading platform, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, said in a statement on its website that the regulator sold $532 million on the spot market and $3.49 billion on the forward market on the first day of trading under the new system. Bloomberg quoted head of Africa strategy at Standard Chartered Plc. in London, Samir Gadio, as saying, “Given the quantum that was cleared at this point, this will probably be viewed as a positive result. That said, the pressure on foreign-exchange reserves is only likely to be deferred in the forward market. The Central Bank of Nigeria will also remain the main provider of dollar liquidity in the spot market for the time being.” Similarly, analyst at Capital Economics, John Ashbourne, said investors would be “encouraged” by the performance of the new system, adding that it may lead to greater inflows of capital that the country desperately needs. Investment into Nigeria

has shrunk, as foreigners were deterred by capital controls that were put in place by the CBN under the old forex system. It will be recalled that another rating agency, Fitch, had said the new foreign exchange policy provided access to dollars for Nigeria’s banks, which would allow them to meet their internal and external obligations. Meanwhile, the implementation of the new forex policy yesterday made Nigeria's dollar-denominated bonds to rise as much as half a cent. The 2021 issue gained 0.51 cents to trade at 99.760 cents in the dollar – its highest level since early November, according to Tradeweb data. The 2023 issue rose 0.40 cents to 96.150 cents, its highest level in more than 10 months. Also, interbank overnight rate soared to 60 per cent yesterday from 18 per cent, as banks expected the CBN to debit them around N1.2 trillion to cover hardcurrency purchases, traders said. Meanwhile, Bureau de Change (BDC) operators in Abuja have lamented poor patronage since the commencement of the new Foreign Exchange (FX)

policy. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that BDCs in Abuja were bereft of customers. The dealers were seen hanging around as they wait for customers. Alhaji Abubakar Kura said that naira was now trading for N315 to a dollar at parallel market as against an average of N365 it was trading last week. “Even with the drop in dollar price, we are surprised that customers are not coming. We are very worried about our business and hope this new policy does not mean the end of our livelihood," he said. Alhaji Mahmoud Madawa, another operator, said the BDCs were willing to buy from the banks if they would sell in a way that would allow the BDCs to also make profit. Chairman, Association of BDC operators in Abuja, Mr. Yusuf Ibrahim, was optimistic that the market would soon improve. However, the President, Association of Bureaux de Change in Nigeria, Mr. Aminu Gwadabe, advised CBN to resolve issues concerning appointment of primary forex dealers, who he said were key players in the new regime.

WEDNESday, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sex scandal: Reps begin probe

Philip Nyam Abuja

t last, speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has directed the joint committee on ethics and privileges and foreign relations to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct in the United States against three members of

the House. The three members are Hon. Mohammed Garba Gololo representing Gamawa federal constituency of Bauchi State; Hon. Mark Terseer Gbillah representing Gwer West/Gwer East federal constituency of Benue State and Hon. Samuel Ikon representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubuim federal constituency of Akwa Ibom State. The speaker’s direc-

tive followed the adoption of the prayers of one of the accused, Gbillah, who raised the issue under matters of privilege at yesterday’s plenary. Citing order 6 (20) and (22) of the House Standing Orders, Gbillah urged the House to thoroughly investigate the allegations levelled against him, praying that it should be carried out publicly for Nigerians to witness.

Presenting the motion, the lawmaker declared that: "I want Nigerians to know that I love my wife, I have never cheated on her, I wish she is here to testify. I have eyes only for my wife. I have slept in hotels all over the world, and there has never been any scandal. I dare the US government and ambassador to prove this happened." Speaking further, Gbillah said: "I suggest that

Senate President Bukola Saraki (centre) after his trial on false declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja… yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Ikon: I never sought for prostitutes in US lRep replies US Ambassador

Philip Nyam Abuja

ne of the lawmakers mentioned in the allegations of sexual misconduct involving some members of the House of Representatives, Samuel Ikon, has formally written to the United States ambassador, Mr. James Entwistle, denying complicity in soliciting for prostitutes. Ikon, who represents Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Ubium Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom, is the chairman of House Committee on Inter Parliamentary Affairs. In the letter dated June 21 and made available to New Telegraph, Ikon described the allegations as "false and in bad taste". The letter reads in part: “It is with a deep sense of sadness and great hurt that I write to respond to a letter dated June 9, 2016 addressed to the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, copied to me and signed by you, alleging that I, Hon. Samuel Ikon with Hon. Mark Gbillah requested hotel parking attendants assist us solicit for prostitutes. "Let me state unequivocally sir, that this allegation is not just false, but in bad taste. I, Hon. Samuel Ikon, never on that trip, nor on any trip to the US

or anywhere in this world, ever sought to consort with prostitutes. This act would not only be inimical to my health, but totally unacceptable to my faith. "May I draw your attention, Mr. Ambassador, to the fact that I almost did not make that trip due to my state of health, a situation that was well known to your mission accompanying staff, Mrs. Victoria Ibi. Even at the airport before our departure, I still was not sure, but travelled due to the deep respect and appreciation I had at the time for the US government nominating me for the programme on one hand, and the fact that I carried necessary medication for the malaria and typhoid that I was diagnosed of. "Mr. Ambassador, I was miserable throughout our stay in Washington DC and only got a bit stable in Cleveland when the medication began to kick in. Secondly, I was at the same time on medication to reduce my DSA which tests in February this year had indicated a disturbing increase thus the issue of sex was totally ruled out for me in view of my health (laboratory results available if needed). I therefore find it funny and unacceptable to be so linked as in your letter.” The lawmaker insisted that "I have another proof of my innocence which will completely tear down

this false conclusion, but will leave it out for a later time should you fail to redeem my integrity and I am forced to take legal action." Addressing the allegations specifically, he stated that: "I wish to categorically state that at no time did I either alone, or in the company of Hon. Mark Gbillah, a gentlemen with impeccable moral standing, approach any parking lot staff or any hotel staff for that matter, to assist me solicit for prostitutes. It never happened nor was ever intended or thought of. "I am an elder in my Church since 2006 and clearly knows the tenets and doctrines of my faith, one of which abhors such desires for prostitutes as such very offensive to be so linked. "I therefore find this false allegation condemnable, repugnant and totally unacceptable to me.” Querying the mode of investigation, the lawmaker said: "Most distressing is the statement in your letter that your mission took pains to confirm this allegation and my identity. How can you confirm it to be my identity when I never had such an encounter with any hotel staff ? "Moreover, how did you come to such conclusion without any fair hearing as you never sought my own view or account? Not driving a car myself, what

would I be doing at the parking lot area, to then meet a staff there for such discussions? "I never sought anyone's help to get prostitutes, I never had need for prostitutes, my health situation especially at the time could not have allowed such desires. My faith abhors such desires; I have never desired a prostitute. "I wish to draw your attention to the fact that it was myself and Hon. Mark Gbillah that sought to travel with our wives, but your mission advised against it. Yet, my reason for wanting to travel with my wife was because of my health condition at the time of the trip. "Worthy to note is the fact that there was a basketball match that period and the hotel had a lot of guests. As such, this may be a case of mistaken identity. I couldn't even attend the game due to my state of health, as my body couldn't stand the chill weather for long. "I therefore urge that you review this case within seven days, taking a more detailed look at the evidences available for such, like video recordings, especially audio showing time and date of such discussions. So, you can realise that a mistake has been made here and my integrity restored, else I will be seeking legal redress in competent courts of law both in Nigeria and in the US."

a committee conduct the investigation in public so that the US ambassador who would soon be leaving should come and prove his allegations." He denied the allegations, insisting that "no such incident occurred." He cautioned the social media and took exception to a piece allegedly written by former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati, as well as an interview granted by a former Nigerian ambassador to Germany, whom he said has become “a judge, the jury and the executioners" in the matter. Gbillah said he and his colleagues and the entire House were in the eye of the storm, alleging that the whole saga was a calculated attempt to smear the image of the National Assembly. Contributing to the motion, chairman, House Committee on Foreign Relations, Hon. Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, urged the media to be circumspect in reporting the alleged incident since the House had intervened in the matter. She also emphasised on the need for a thorough investigation into the allegation which findings, she suggested must be made public. While ruling on the point of order, Speaker Dogara who presided over the session said it was a serious allegation and assured that the purported incident will be thoroughly investigated with a view to

NEWS

getting to the bottom of the matter. He lamented the negative impression held by foreigners about Nigerians, saying "if care is not taken, this is how Nigerians will be judged." "The standard in the US is that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the standard in the US is the same standard in Nigeria. So, no matter what we conjure about this matter, the people are not guilty. So, formally, the matter is referred to the committee on ethics and privileges and foreign relations Nigeria expects from America the standard investigation it is known for, and the adherence to the principle of fair hearing in which an accused is adjudged innocent until proven guilty. The issue was not debated even as the speaker acknowledged it "is a serious matter." "We are not debating it, it is a matter of privilege," he said. The three lawmakers were part of 10 representatives, who participated in a leadership programme, which took place in Cleveland, Ohio, between April 7 and 13 this year on the invitation of the US government. While Gololo was alleged to have grabbed a house keeper and solicited for sex, Gbillah and Ikon were alleged to have approached a car park attendant and sought his assistance to solicit for prostitutes. New Telegraph had last week Wednesday exclusively reported the scandal.

Nigeria's crude production hits 30-year low Adeola Yusuf

he Nigeria's crude production has fallen below 1.6 million barrels, an output last seen 30 year ago, buoyed by the latest attacks by militants on crude installations. Crude sales make up about 70 per cent of national income and the vast majority of that oil comes from the southern swampland. The latest attacks have pushed production to a 30year low. Reuters had, on May 9, reported that the country's production was falling towards 22-year low following a series of attacks on Nigeria's oil infrastructure. Shell workers at Bonga oilfield in the southern Niger Delta were evacuated following a militant threat, while attacks in May forced Chevron to shut its Okan offshore facility, taking out 35,000 barrels per day (bpd). While Shell said the

latest unrest had not yet impacted production, its Forcados field is still closed and under force majeure following a February subsea pipeline attack, taking out 250,000 bpd. A small reduction from any field would quickly send output to the next low, seen in August 1994, when it hit 1.46 million bpd, according to the IEA data. "It's really not a good situation," said Eugene Lindell, senior energy analyst with JBC Energy in Vienna, noting that the global excess of crude was keeping Brent prices from moving significantly higher on the back of the outages. "They have less production, and they're getting less bang for their buck."

N7.14trn The total bonds market capitalization of the Nigerian Stock Exchange as at Q4 2015. Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

News|NATIONAL

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Abia North rerun: Recount ballots, declare me winner –Kalu Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

ormer Governor of Abia State and the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) candidate in the March 5, 2016 Abia North senatorial rerun election, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday opened his testimony at the election petition tribunal sitting in Umuahia, declaring that he was the lawful winner of the election.

Kalu, could however, not conclude his testimony after mounting the witness box because the tribunal had agreed with counsels on the time to adjourn for the day, citing security issues as reason for the adjournment. Speaking to journalists at the end of the sitting, Kalu, popularly called OUK, said that he was at the tribunal for it to seek his declaration as the winner of the election having polled majority of lawful

votes cast. INEC had declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the rerun, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, winner of the rerun. Kalu said he had unwavering confidence in the judiciary to restore his mandate and would always toe the line of justice in seeking redress even if the verdict does not favour him at that any level. Earlier, the forensic ex-

pert, DSP Reginald Odunze, whose testimony was earlier objected to by the lead counsel to the respondent Wole Olanipekun, SAN, under cross examination by counsel to the petitioner, Kelvin Nwufo, SAN, urged the tribunal to discountenance the objection. He told the tribunal under cross examination that INEC did not provide him materials in respect of the election in Umuelem and Eziama Agbo.

According to him, that was the reason why the areas were not included in his report. He added that 11,464 ballot papers and 4,213 result sheets were examined. Also, the Returning Officer for the rerun election, Mr. Dr Nwankwo Ejike Bertrand Nduka, said that by INEC regulation for the election he had the power to declare an election inconclusive and order a supplementary election.

He said he declared the rerun inconclusive because the number of votes outstanding was more than the margin of win. Olanipekun, had opposed the testimony of the forensic expert on the ground that what he deposed to was an affidavit which was taken care of in the evidence Act, saying that “there is a world of difference in law and practice between affidavit and witness deposition.’’

Court grants Oronsaye permission for foreign medical treatment

T Former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman, with former Director of Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos… yesterday

Housing: Some states to get houses than others– Fashola Philip Nyam Abuja

inister of Works, Power and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola yesterday said that the Federal Housing Scheme for the provision of houses across the nation under his watch as minister, would see some states benefitting more than others.

Fashola disclosed this at an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Housing on how to implement the ministry’s 2016 budget. It will be recalled that lawmakers had agitated that the Housing scheme be spread across the federation. The agitation came in when the ministry had suggested that the scheme

Osinbajo: Present hardship making Nigerians act right Anule Emmanuel Abuja

ice-President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday said that the current economic downturn being faced by Nigeria should rather be seen as an opportunity to make the citizens act rightly. The Vice President stated this when he received the Australian Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary, African Branch, Mr. Mathew Neuhaus, who was accompanied by the country’s High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Paul Lehmann at the presidential villa, Abuja. The Vice President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande,

said that the President Mohammadu Buhari’s presidency would ensure that the Nigerian people benefit from the resources of the nation. “It is a difficult time but we think it is an excellent opportunity to do right by the people so that our people are able to get the benefit of the nation’s resources,” he said. He however noted that the presidency was making appreciable effects in the areas of security, governance, anti-corruption and the economy. According to him, there had been a liberalization of the oil and gas’ downstream sector and that the flexible foreign exchange policy recently put in place would encourage foreign investment.

be concentrated in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt among other notable cities in the country. Briefing the committee, the Minister said not all states were able to submit their housing scheme plan as requested by the federal government reason that some were not interested in the scheme. He explained that the budget set aside for housing for the year would not

solve the challenge of accommodation the country was faced with as various housing pattern will be required. He said that different housing pattern were still being proposed, stressing that when the ministry finalised on the required pattern, the private public partnership will be allowed to participate. Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Mustapha Dawaki (APC-Kano) had questioned the delay in providing the housing pattern by the ministry even after the budget was passed six months ago.

Edo guber race: PDP Govs’ Forum DG picks APGA form Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

irector General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Osaro Onaiwu has picked the nomination form of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for the Edo State governorship election. Onaiwu resigned his position in a letter he sent to the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko two days ago. He had earlier indicated his interest to run for the Edo governorship on the platform of PDP but

failed to obtain the party’s nomination form. He said he decided to go for the APGA nomination form because “APGA doesn’t have scandal, saying “PDP ruled Edo State between1999 to 2007; APC is the party in government and people of Edo are now saying ‘don’t take us back to Egypt.” He debunked the claim that APGA was an Igbo party, noting that the party won elections in Abuja, Bayelsa and Taraba States. He expressed confidence that he would win the governorship, stating that 40 per cent of voting population are Igbo people doing business in the state.

he Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday granted the ex-Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Stephen Oronsaye permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oronsaye is standing trial for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government, using his position as the then Chairman, Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force. At the resumed sitting for the trial yesterday, Justice Gabriel Kolawale, had ordered counsel to Oronsaye, Kola Okeaya-Inneh (SAN), to make the application. Okeaya-Inneh urged the court to release Oronsaye’s passport to enable him travel for a routine medical checkup as well as receive treatment for a specific ailment. Oronsaye had deposited only his passport with the court as part of his bail

$4.5bn

The amount by which Michael Bloomberg’s fortune rose in 2016. Source: Forbes.com

conditions. Okeaya-Inneh gave the court assurance that if the passport was released, counsel to the defendant would ensure that he returned after his treatment to continue with his trial. He also informed the court that the lead counsel to Oronsaye, Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN), had assured the court before bail was granted to him that he (Oronsaye) would always be available in court. The prosecuting counsel, Mr Oluwaleke Atolagbe, however, insisted that the defendant must deposit something else with the court to replace the passport. Atolagbe argued that the court accepted the assurances of the defence counsel because bail had not been granted but since bail had been granted, he would accept the application only if there was a guarantor. Kolawole adjourned continuation of the trial to June 28.

52.18

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

Kalu, Dickson extol Justice Tobi’s virtues Chris ejim

yenagoa

minent businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has described the late Justice Niki Tobi as an outstanding legal icon, who committed his career to the development of the Nigerian judicial system, adding that his demise was a painful loss not only to the judiciary but also to the nation. According to the former governor, the late jurist, who was one-time Dean of the Faculty of Law and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Services), University of Maiduguri, demonstrated professionalism, selflessness and forthrightness in his academic and legal en-

deavours. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu, said, “Nigeria has lost a great personality. Justice Niki Tobi was a shining light in the judiciary. Similarly, Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson yesterday paid glowing tributes to the late retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, describing his death as a personal loss to him, the government and people of the State as well as the entire Ijaw Nation. The governor in a condolence message to the family of the deceased, the government and people of Delta State, said Justice Niki Tobi was “a thoroughbred, highly principled, upright and intelligent personality.’’

news

wednesday, june 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Appolonia Adeyemi

he Federal Government yesterday ordered the sack of members of the National Association of Resident Doctors ( NARD) who have been on strike for nearly two weeks. Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole who gave the order, directed the chief medical directors and medical directors of federal tertiary hospitals to fill the vacancies created by the striking doctors for abandoning their duty posts. A circular signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Amina Shamaki, which was sent to medical directors of hospitals read thus: “It has come to the notice of the Management of the Ministry that some Resident Doctors in your establishment have voluntarily withdrawn from the Residency Training Program by refusing to report for training without authorization. Public Service Rule, PSR 030402 (e) is relevant. This is in spite of the ongoing negotiations on their demands put forward by the representatives of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) under the auspices of the Nigerian

FG orders sacking of striking doctors Medical Association. “In view of this development, you are hereby directed to replace all the doctors that have withdrawn their services, with others from the pool of applicants for the training programs in the various disciplines in order not to create ominous gap in training with attendant disruption of health care delivery in your facility. “Meanwhile, the ministry is working with the panel on the review of the Residency Training Program in Nigeria, led by Professor Wole Atoyebi, the Registrar of the National Postgraduate Medical College, to fasttrack the development of a comprehensive blueprint for postgraduate training of doctors in the country. Please, ensure immediate compliance,” the circular read. The NARD had last month embarked on a warning strike to alert the Federal Government on their grievances regarding their welfare and conditions of service. They later embarked an indefinite strike thereby

crippling services in some public hospitals. In Abuja, a number of general hospitals were adversely affected as patients already on admission were abandoned or forcefully discharged from the health facilities. In a bid to prevent the strike, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole had last month inaugurated a Ministerial Committee on the restructuring of the residency programme with a view to institutionalizing an effective and sustainable training for doctors in the Health Sector. The committee was empowered to examine the existing funding mechanism of residency training and role of relevant stakeholders vis-avis government, resident doctors and the teaching hospitals. It was also expected to make recommendations on a sustainable uniform residency training programme in terms of structure and training modules including a template for the appointment of resident doctors.

Alleged N2.6bn fraud: EFCC closes Akpobolokemi, others' case June 30 Akeem Nafiu

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will on June 30 call its last witness in the on-going trial of the immediate past Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi and six others over alleged theft of N2.6bn. Akpobolokemi is standing trial alongside the agency’s former executive director, Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, Ezekiel Agaba, his aides, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and AlKenzo Logistic Limited before Justice Ibrahim Buba

of the Federal High Court in Lagos. At yesterday's proceedings, the judge, in a ruling held that statements made by two of the accused persons, Agaba and Nwakuche were made voluntarily. The judge reached the decision in his ruling on a trial-within-trial conducted to ascertain the willingness of the statements made by the accused. Lawyers to Agaba and Nwakuche, Mr Edoka Onyeke and Mr Lanre Olayinka, had both raised objection to the trial of their clients on the grounds that their statements were not voluntarily made to the EFCC. It was their objections that compelled the judge to order a trial-within-trial, to unravel the veracity of

their claim. Nwakuche told the court that he was never allowed access to his lawyer while his statements were being obtained at the EFCC. He maintained that he repeatedly requested to see his lawyer, but his request was bluntly refused by officers at the commission who ordered him to write his statement. According to him, one, Orji Chukwuma, an investigating officer at the EFCC tutored him on how to go about his statement. On whether his statement was obtained in the presence of a lawyer, a member of the legal aid or a justice of the peace, Nwakuche maintained that none of them was present at the material time his statement was being obtained.

Why I’ll assume advisory role in govt, by IBB Dan Atori MINNA

ormer military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has vowed to continue to offer advice to both the Federal and the States governments with a view to assisting them to take decisions that would benefit the country as a whole. General Babangida

declared in Minna yesterday when he received the Chairman and members of the Niger state Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to IBB, "I am ready and willing to continuously offer beneficial advice to the federal and state governments," insisting that he would not shirk his responsibilities towards ensuring that the

nation remained united as “I have no other country that I can call my own.” Babangida who was hale and hearty said he was committed to the “Project Nigeria however solicited the cooperation and support of Nigerians to the governments at all levels saying that "without our support the governments cannot achieve their plans for the states and the nation."

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO Drivers block LagosBenin Expressway to protest robberies

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

undreds of motorists and commuters were stranded yesterday on the Lagos-Ore-Benin Expressway as drivers of luxury buses and heavy-duty trucks protested continued robbery attacks. This came as a victim of fire, Mrs. Margaret Edobor, lost her life yesterday at the accident and emergency ward of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin, Edo State. Edobor reportedly died as a result of the ongoing nationwide strike by resident doctors. It was learnt that the 65-year-old woman gave up the ghost about 2:30pm as a result of an infection from the burns. The protesting drivers blocked the expressway with their vehicles over what they described as lack of police presence and other security agencies to protect lives and property thereby making the route prone to constant attacks by bandits. They said the robbers usually launch attacks at different spots around Idere community in Ogun State without challenge. According to them, the robbers always dispossess the drivers and travellers of huge sums of money and other valuables. The robbers also snatch vehicles. The bandits also always capitalise on the bad portions of the road to unleash terror on travellers. It was learnt that the drivers took the decision to block the expressway to demonstrate their anger over the insensitivity of relevant agencies to protect travellers.

ABIODUN BELLO

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Boys posing as policeman’s sons rob officers’ mess

The officers’ mess

Taiwo Jimoh

n what looked like a scene from Hollywood movie, two young men on a motorcycle invaded the ‘Police Officers’ Mess,’ at the GRA, Ikeja, Lagos and robbed people of money, phones and other valuables. The news of the robbery shocked police hierarchy in the state. The two men were said to have been allowed into the Of-

ficers’ Mess after they told the police guards at the gate that they were children of a top police officer. They then robbed people found at the mess unchallenged and later escaped on their motorcycle. A source said: “The robbers, who pretended to be children of a senior police officer, came around 4pm on that fateful day and robbed the customers and the bar manager of their phones and money. The boys

City Briefs

Youths attack policemen, Disco staff Chris Ejim Yenagoa

ix personnel of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) and three policemen attached to the company have been attacked in different parts of Bayelsa State over attempts to recover debts. The Chief Operating Officer (COO), PHED, Mr. Kingsley Achife (an engineer), confirmed this yesterday in a statement issued by the Protocol Officer, Corporate Communication, Sophilia Obire. The Business Service Manager, Pere Alazigha, was attacked by machetes and left in a pool of

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

blood by the youth. One of the staff of PHED identified as Christian Umegbewe was pushed down from the ladder by the youth while trying to disconnect light. Achife said the security personnel attached to the company’s staff while on a disconnection exercise were attacked by some residents of Epie community. He said: “The attack, which was spearheaded by youths, resulted in injury to three policemen, the Business Service Manager, Pere Alazigha, a linesman, Christian Umegbewe and other staff members involved in the disconnection exercise. “While Alazigha was left with a machete cut on his body, Umegbewe was pushed down from the

ladder by the youth during the disconnection process. Both of them were immediately hospitalised.” Despite the attack, Achife said PHED would not relent in its commitment towards serving its customers. He added: “This we hope to achieve by ensuring that customers pay for energy consumed.” The COO appealed to the public to desist from attacking staff willing to render quality service to them. Also speaking on the development, the Head, Glory City Main Integrated Business Centre, Yenagoa, Mrs. Ngozi Manafa, said the Ford van conveying staff to the venue was also damaged, leaving its windscreen shattered.

were earlier prevented from entering the mess by policemen on guard, but they lied to them that they were children of a senior police officer before they were allowed in.” A police officer said he was shocked when he was briefed what happened. He said: “I was sleeping when people came into my room to inform me. Every Sunday, the door of the mess is always open for people to come in and enjoy themselves. But what happened to us came as a surprise to every one of us. The boys actually told the policemen on guard that they were children of a senior police officer. But they turned out to be armed robbers. They stole people’s phones, including that of the bar manager.” The officer added that after robbing the customers and the bar manager of their phones and money, some victims quickly raised the alarm. But the robbers disappeared before the arrival of the security guards at the door. “The way they disappeared was mysterious to everyone,” said the source. “We searched every part of the neighborhood and the compound of the mess, but they were nowhere to be found. The officer in-charge of the mess had ordered the detention of the policemen.”

But when contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Dolapo Badmos, denied knowledge of the robbery. She said: “There was nothing like that. No report of such robbery was brought to my notice.” But a security expert, Mr Folorunso Attah, said it was a strange occurrence. Attah, who said he covered crime for over 20 years, disclosed that robbers had never attacked the officers’ mess. He said: “I have never heard that armed robbers raided the officers’ mess. But a similar incident, which I covered, occurred at Okota Police Division where the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) organised a prayer in conjunction with some clerics to pray against stealing of seized vehicles on the police premises. “During the prayer that fateful day, suddenly robbers stormed the station and started shooting sporadically. The pastors and everybody at the station jumped through the window and ran away. “The robbers then said ‘do you think your prayer can change us?’ “The robbers then stole six vehicles after those praying had fled.”

Sand miners dissociate selves from anti-govt protest S

and Miners’ Association of Lagos State, Ibeju-Lekki chapter, has dissociated itself from the protest by Federal Cadastres Miners’ Association to register its grievances against the ‘stop work order’ by Lagos State government. The government had stopped mining activities in Ibeju-Lekki to check environmental degradation. The local chapter of the association said as a law-abiding group, it had stopped working in the area. It added in a statement by its Vice-Chairman, Ogunkelu Oluwadahunsi, that there was no basis for the protest.

The statement reads in part: “The constitution vests control of mining activities on the Federal Government but the state government also has every right to regulate the activities of miners in her state. There is no place in the world where state government does not have control over and regulate activities of any organisation in her domain. “In any case, the Federal Government is to collect royalty, while the state government has every right under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to regulate activities of any association or establishments in her domain.”

METRO

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has convicted Mr. Jalekun Yisau for conspiracy, misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N115 million. Also convicted are his companies - Afribiz Viables Ventures, Allied Aque-Forte Ventures, Manifield Mercies Ventures, Agbeloba Agrotech Ventures Ltd, Torosbury International Agency Ltd, Cradle Engineering Services Ltd,

Man jailed 117 years for N115m scam Momm Limited, Al-Tora Allied Business and Arieco Trading Ventures. The convicts were charged before Justice N. Ayo Emmanuel alongside a former Director of Institute of Agriculture, Research and Training (IART), Prof Benjamin Ogunbodede, Zaccheaus Tejumola and Adenose Clement. They were first ar-

raigned on October 30, 2014 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They all pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge bordering on misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N115 million proffered against them by the EFCC. But at the resumed hearing on June 17, the

Clement (left), Tejumola, Yisau and Ogunbodede during their arraignment.

prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court of the intention of the 4th defendant (Yisau) who is also the alter ego of the 5th to 13th defendants to change their plea from “not guilty” to “guilty”. Yisau’s counsel, Akin Ladipo, confirmed the information presented by the prosecution. Consequently, the charges that applied to the convicts were read to them and they pleaded “guilty”. In view of their plea, Oyedepo, according to Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, urged the court to convict them accordingly. But the trio of Tunde Olupona, I. A. Salawu and Mrs B. Y. Adegboyega counsel to Professor Ogunbodede, Tejumola and Clement respectively, opposed the plea bargain agreement, contending that the proceed-

ing before the court was a joint trial and that the plea bargain agreement would prejudice the other parties involved in this matter. Emmanuel overruled their objections, convicted and sentenced the 4th to 13th defendants to two and half years imprisonment each on counts 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 14 and 17. The sentence would take ef-

fect from October 30, 2014 when the defendants were first arraigned. They are also to sign a bond with the EFCC, seven days after their release, to be of good conduct and never get involved in financial crimes both within and outside Nigeria. The judge adjourned the matter till July 1 for the continuation of trial.

Gov. Ambode

We’ll unmask perpetrators of attacks –Ogun Rising sexual assault cases Kunle Olayeni worrisome –Lagos CJ Abeokuta

gun State government said yesterday it would soon unmask the suspected militants wreaking havoc on parts of the state and bring them to justice. This was against the backdrop of recent attacks on Ibafo, Arepo, Ebute Ibafo, Elepete and Kajola towns in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area where suspected militants and pipeline vandals have made life unbearable for residents. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa, made the promise in a statement. Adeoluwa said the inva-

sion was a direct attack on government and it would confront the emerging security challenge with every available force. He said: “Towards this end, we are already collaborating with security agencies to unravel the causes and bring those behind this mindless destruction of lives and property to justice.” Adeoluwa added that government was determined to apprehend the perpetrators and further forestall unwarranted attacks on the people. The SSG appealed to residents of the state, especially those in the affected communities, to remain calm “as government will leave no stone unturned to

end the onslaught which is a threat to the peace the state is noted for”. He added: “The good people of the state would recall that the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration on assumption of office gave priority and have continued to priori-

tise the issue of security with near zero crime rate across the state. “We further assure residents that we will not relent in our efforts and will not spare undesirable elements threatening the peace we have enjoyed over time.”

Elepete community

NDLEA seizes 903,624kg narcotics, arrests 8,778 Dare Akinwoye

ational Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday said it had arrested 8,778 suspected drug traffickers and seized over 903,624.56 kilograms of narcotics from sellers and dealers. The NDLEA Chairman, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (rtd), who made this disclosure at the NDLEA Ikoyi office, Lagos, said that 8,143 were males while the remaining 635 were females. Abdallah spoke at an event heralding the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which will start on Monday. He gave the break-

Abdallah

down of seized drugs as: cannabis (871,480.32kg), psychotropic substances (30,652.93kg), ephedrine (785.10kg), methamphetamine (410.82kg), cocaine (260.47kg), heroin (30.09kg) and amphetamine (4.83kg). The NDLEA boss, who said that the World Drug Day was for self-appraisal

on how the country had suppressed illicit production and trade in narcotic drugs, said the agency had also won 1,690 cases prosecuted in 2015. Abdallah said the theme of the 2016 campaign, ‘Listen First,’ focused on drug abuse prevention and placesd a responsibility on par-

ents, guardians, opinion leaders and stakeholders to listen to the views of persons with drug abuse problem with a view to helping them overcome drug use. He said: “Substance abuse is an equal opportunity ailment with medically certified preventive and treatment solutions. “This theme is a timely caution for persons who may be provoked by the involvement of their loved ones in drug abuse into treating them harshly and unconventionally. “Let’s listen to them and share in their pains as we take necessary steps in drug abuse counselling, treatment and rehabilitation.”

Muritala Ayinla

agos State Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Olufumilayo Atilade, has decried the increasing rate of sexual offences. She said the method and procedure for handling the prosecution of these offences must be critically appraised. The CJ reiterated that the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2011 (ACJL) was a revolutionary law enacted to enhance the Administration of Criminal Justice in the state. Speaking at a workshop organised by the state Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary in partnership with the Legal Defence Assistance Project (LEDAP), on effective implementation of the ACJL, Atilade said the scourge had become rampant in society. She also said that the purpose of the workshop was to ensure uniformity among magistrates in the implementation of the provisions of the ACJL. The CJ called for better synergy among stakeholders in the Justice Sector Agencies, while deliberating on issues bordering on the interpretation of the ACJL, with particular reference to sexual offence cases. She urged all participants to look critically at those sections of the law in order to ensure uniformity in its implementation. Also speaking, Attorney-

General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, in his remarks, said the training would provide the participants with ongoing discourse and serve as a forum for consensus among the magistrates on the relevant sections of the ACJL, 2011. He said: “The magistracy, being an integral part of our judicial system must assist in the pursuit of justice for victims of crimes, defendants and of course the larger society through the full implementation of the procedural law (ACJL).” Kazeem emphasised that with the continuous partnership with the judiciary and other relevant stakeholders, the delivery of justice in the state will be seen to have complied substantially with international best practices. The Lagos AG gave an assurance of continuous collaboration and support from this administration as emphasized by His Excellency, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to make Lagos a peaceful and secure place to live and do business, by having an effective Criminal Justice Administration. The Chief Judge and the Honourable Attorney General were represented at the occasion by Mr Emmanuel Ogundare, the Chief Registrar of the High Court, and Mrs Funlola Odunlami, the State’s Solicitor General, respectively.

NEWS | national

Judge arraigned over N58.5m fraud Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned an Area court judge in Adamawa State, Suleiman Elkana, chairman, Justice Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited, Adamawa State and Solomon Philip, the Cooperative’s Secretary, before a Federal High Court sitting Yola. The anti-graft agency arraigned the duo before Justice Balkisu Aliyu on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N58.5 million. When the charge was read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel, Isreal Akande, however, asked for a trial date. Defence counsel, Desmond Adebole, had moved the application for the bail of the accused persons.

Minister shuns office as workers continue siege

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

rotesting workers of the Federal Ministry of Finance continued their siege at Abuja headquarters of the Ministry yester-

Abuja

he House of Representatives passed for second reading a Bill for an Act to establish the presidential programme on rehabilitation and reintegration for the Implementation of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria. The bill was sponsored by Hon. Oluwole Oke, who said that there was no law in place governing the amnesty programme. While leading debate on the bill, he said that due to no law guiding the amnesty programme, the lawmakers often face

Appolonia Adeyemi and Oreoluwa Aboderin

obile phones used by hospital staff have been found to harbour viruses that cause stomach upsets and lung infections. This is the findings of a study published in the journal ‘Clinical Microbiology and Infection’. The discovery, made in France, raises concerns about hygiene in hospital wards housing vulnerable patients - especially children. The mailonline reported that scientists took swabs from mobile and

problem on oversight of those managing the amnesty programme. He also said that there was no proposed exit date for the amnesty programme which he said ought not to be. According to him: "As long as the amnesty programme received support, it succeeded. The Amnesty programme has not only succeeded in addressing the issue of militancy, violence, human resource development and stabilised crude oil and gas production but has also tackled the challenge of huge youth unemployment and restiveness which are precursors to violence and insecurity in the Niger Delta".

Arms deal: Nobody's fronting for Magu –EFCC Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday debunked the claim in a report by a national daily (not New Telegraph), that Air Commodore Umar Muhammed (rtd), who was said to have been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), was allegedly fronting for its Acting Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu. Muhammed is a mem-

day on the day two of their protest. Checks by our correspondent showed that, the target of protest, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, deliberately stayed away from office yesterday as angry workers sustained their protest that

began Monday morning . They resumed the protest yesterday morning but suspended it at about 4pm in the evening when the ministry's main gate was opened. A very reliable source in the ministry said the minister will resume work

Cell phones use could trigger stomach upset, lung infection

Amnesty bill passes second reading in House of Reps Philip Nyam

wednesday, june 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

ber of the 13- Presidential Committee on Arms Procurement, which has been probing arms purchase and contracts awarded in the military between 2007 and 2015. The Commission, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the report, which alleged that the retired Air Commodore was fronting for unnamed senior officials from the EFCC and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), was a classic case of 'corruption fighting back'.

cordless phones used daily by 114 doctors and nurses at Saint-Etienne University Hospital in Saint-Priesten-Jarez, France. Further genetic analysis revealed evidence of viruses on 38.5 per cent of the devices. The most widespread contamination was from rotavirus, discovered on 39 out of 109 phones, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Rotavirus is a contagious virus that could cause gastroenteritis (in-

flammation of the stomach and intestines). Symptoms include severe watery diarrhoea, often with vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. Infants and young children are most likely to get rotavirus disease. They can become severely dehydrated and need to be hospitalised and can even die. Similarly, the researchers found that respiratory syncytial virus genetic material was found on three phones, and evidence of metapneumovirus was on one.

ADEBISI- BALOGUN

MICHAEL

I, formerly known as Ifelayo Ufuoma Olufunmito Kafaru now wish to be known as Giovanni Ifelayo Adebisi- Balogun. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Fatoye

I, formerly known and addressed as Abimbola Emmanuel Olutosin now wish to be known and addressed as Fatoye Abimbola Emmanuel Temitope. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Njideka

I, formerly known as Orji Benedicta .N. now wish to be known and addressed as Orji Benedicta Njideka. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

Obasi

I, formerly known as Obasi Sochima now wish to be known and addressed as Obasi Patricia Sochima. All former documents remain valid. Zenith bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Gito

I, formerly known as Joewel Ayebatonye France now wish to be known and addressed as Gito Francis. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

I, formerly known Miss Igobasi Gladys Azibaneni now wish to be known as Mrs. Gladys Permanent Michael. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Edward

I, formerly known and addressed as Eze Chika Hope, now wish to be known and addressed as Edward Chika Hope. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public please take note.

Bamidele

I, formerly known and addressed as Omotayo Oluwakemi Ranti now wish to be known and addressed as Bamidele Oluwakemi Ranti. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Obinna

I, formerly known as Egwu Kenneth Otu now wish to be known and addressed as Egwu Kenneth Obinna. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Moses

I, formerly known as Frank Robert .M. now wish to be known and addressed as Frank Moses. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc and the general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ARROW OF GOD HEALING AND ANOINTING MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Degree No 1 of 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Fidelia Ifenyinwa Anene 3. Agatha Ugwuka

this morning ( Wednesday) and she will address the staff. Asked if the protest has not caused the seeming delay in conveying the monthly Federal Account Allocation Committee( FAAC) session where federation funds are approved for sharing between three tiers of government, the source, who craved for identity protection, denied the protest had any untoward impact on FAAC. The workers embarked on the protest to demand for payment of N1.2 billion allowance, over time allowance and restoration of over time allowance. Meanwhile, to demonstrate that, government finances were not shrouded in secrecy, the Federal Government has elected to publish in full , how the nation's public funds have been dispensed. Adeosun gave the commitment yesterday at a two-day workshop on International Public Sector Accounting System (IPSAS) in Abuja, adding

2. Christopher Emeka Anene

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote and enhance the spread of the gospel of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. 2. To bring people closer to God through praises and prayers to our maker. 3. To promote and foster peace, progress and welfare of members through the teaching of, and abiding in the tenets of the Holy Bible Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Onugha J.E Onugha Esq 080380866988

OLADUNJOYE

I, formerly known Mrs. Oladunjoye Olutayo Abegbe now wish to be known as Mrs. Oladunjoye Oluwatayo Mary All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Orelope

I, Waheed Fakunle Raufu is the same and one person as Fakunle Waheed Orelope. All former documents remain valid Sky Bank Plc and general public take note.

Jonathan

I, formerly known as Kemeware Musi now wish to be known and addressed as James Jonathan. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Blessing

I, formerly known as Enama Tare now wish to be known and addressed as Enama Joseph Blessing. All former documents remain valid. Union bank Plc, F.S.T.C, Tungbo and the general public should please take note.

Egwigwe

I, formerly known as Richard Praise Ajiri now wish to be known and addressed as Egwigwe Praise Ajiri. All former documents remain valid. Skye bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Odii

This is to notify that the names Odii Joshua and Odii Nweza, Joshua Chukwud refer to one and same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Odii Joshua. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc, UBA bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Jibunor

I, formerly known as Lilian Akomor, now wish to be known and addressed as Lilian Jibunor. All former documents remain valid. General public please note.

Udofia

I, formerly known and addressed as Blessing Enoh Ekpo now wish to be known and addressed as Blessing - Oxford Udeme Udofia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

that, government would put transparency into practice by publishing its finances. Adeosun was represented by Ministry's Director (Special Projects) in charge of the continuous audit exercise, Mr. Mohammed Dikwa. She said: "The financial statements of government will henceforth provide full information and absolute disclosure of material elements in public expenditure. The commencement of IPSAS Accrual Basis of Accounting will place Nigeria amongst the comity of nations that institutionalize transparency and accountability in finance". However, the minister lamented that "presently about 70 per cent of the monthly revenue inflow into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CFR) is being spent on recurrent expenditure", a development she noted will not free the much needed resources for improving the standard of living.

SIMEON-ATORI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Joy Ihuaku Ogoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Princess (Mrs) Joy Ihuaku Simeon-Atori. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Nwadinma

I, formerly known as Miss Vivian Nkechi Akobundu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Vivian Nkechi Nwadinma. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

Ndaman

I, formerly known as Miss Amina Mustapha Mamudu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amina Mustapha Mamudu Ndaman. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Otuu

I, formerly known as Miss Obiahu Confidence Udu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Otuu Confidence Udu. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, First bank Plc, Ebonyi State Local Government Service Commission and the general public should please take note.

Elijah

I, formerly known as Manna Virtue Elijah Etim now wish to be known and addressed as Manna Elijah. All former documents remain valid. Sterling bank Plc, Ecobank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Cecilia

I, formerly known as Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nnalue now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Cecilia Ifeyinwa Nnalue. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc, Stanbic IBTC and the general public should please take note.

Jagundina

I, formerly known as Akinwande Muritala Sadiat Temitope Adeola, now wish to be known and addressed as Jagundina Sadiat Temtope Adeola. All former documents remain valid. General public please note.

Ugwu-Amalu

I, formerly known and addressed as Ugwu Christiana Uzoamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Ugwu-Amalu Christiana Uzoamaka. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public please take note.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Constitution NASS on the march again

Politics PHILIP NYAM reports on reactions trailing the sex scandal rocking the House of Representatives and its implications on the lower legislative chamber

Interview I didn’t know N500m campaign money was slush fund – Okon

12 14

Troubling allegations in the House

arely a week after the House of Representatives rolled out drums to celebrate one year of successful legislating and oversight, an allegation of sexual misconduct against some members by the United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, seem to have momentarily eclipsed all the euphoria and accolades that heralded the achievements of the Yakubu Dogara-led House. The negative impact of the allegation, even though not yet proven, has put to question the integrity of the accused lawmakers; it has threatened the image of the House and the National Assembly as a whole; it is a national embarrassment and has also threatened further collaboration between the US and the Nigerian governments especially on parliamentary relations. Since its inauguration a year ago, the House has conducted its activities responsibly and has scored many first, especially in the area of legislation. However, the allegation has cast the House in bad light and how the Dogaraled leadership handles it will determine whether the 8th House will continue to enjoy the confidence of Nigerians. The questions being asked by analysts and observers over the issue are: Are the lawmakers guilty as alleged by the U.S.? Is it a setup, question of mistaken identity or a calculated attempt to rubbish the lawmakers and Nigerian parliament? Should Nigerians believe the lawmakers’ defence? Can the U.S. prove the allegation? Can the House investigate a complex issue like this? As it stands, the accused lawmakers are innocent until proven otherwise but the damning allegation has already done a lot of disservice to their names and credibility, and many are of the

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

Gololo

Gbillah

view that the only way the issue could be laid to rest is for the U.S. government to lay bare its facts and proof. The allegation New Telegraph had last Thursday exclusively reported that the U.S. ambassador, had petition Dogara, accusing some members of the lower chamber of improper conduct by allegedly grabbing a house keeper and soliciting for prostitutes while on an official trip to his country. The ambassador in a letter dated June 9, alleged that three members of the House namely: Hons. Mohammed GarbaGololo (APC, Bauchi), Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom) and Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue) had during a recent visit to the U.S. for the International Visitor Leadership Programme, brought disrepute to the parliament by engaging in soliciting for sex from prostitutes. Ten members of the House were invited by the U.S. government for the conference. They include: Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi (PDP-Nasarawa State), DanburamAbubakarNuhu (APCKano State), NkoleUkoNdukwe (PDP-Abia State), Rita Orji (PDPLagos State) and Ayo Omidiran (APC-Osun) Entwistle’s letter read: “It is with regret that I must bring to your attention the following situation. Ten members of the Nigerian National Assembly recently

Nobody has been convicted... it remains an allegation until investigations are over

Ikon

traveled to Cleveland, Ohio as participants in the International Visitor Leadership Program on good governance. We received troubling allegations regarding the behavior of three members of the delegation to this, the U.S. Government’s flagship professional exchange program. “The U.S. Department of State and the Cleveland Council on World Affairs received reports from employees of the Cleveland hotel where the representatives stayed, alleging the representatives engaged in the following behavior.” “Mohammed Garba Gololo allegedly grabbed a housekeeper in his hotel room and solicited her for sex. While the housekeeper reported this to her management, this incident could have involved local law enforcement and resulted in legal consequences for Representative Gololo. “Mark Terseer Gbillah and Samuel Ikon allegedly requested hotel parking attendants to assist them to solicit prostitutes. “The U.S. Mission took pains to confirm these allegations and the identities of the individuals with the employees of the hotel in Cleveland. The conduct described above left a very negative impression of Nigeria, casting a shadow on Nigeria’s National Assembly, the International Visitor Leadership Program, and to the American hosts’ impression of Nigeria

as a whole. “Such conduct could affect some participants’ ability to travel to the United States in the future. U.S. visa holders are expected to observe U.S. law while in the United States. If it is determined visitors have violated U.S. law, their visas can be revoked, even if their behavior did not result in arrests or convictions. “This meeting formed part of a broader effort bilateral effort to increase people-to-people exchanges between Nigerians and Americans, as requested by President Buhari when he visited with President Obama last summer in Washington, D.C. In order for us to continue such programs, which we firmly support, it is imperative our Nigerian counterparts conduct themselves in accordance with U.S. laws and social norms. “While the majority of Nigerian visitors to the United States do behave appropriately, even a few Nigerians demonstrating poor judgment leads to a poor impression of the Nigerian people generally, though it is far from accurate. Such incidents jeopardize the ability of future programming, and make host institutions and organisations less likely to welcome similar visits in the future. “In addition, most of the members of this group reacted very negatively to my deputy when she CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

POLITICS PLATFORM

Terrorists’ve infiltrated herdsmen – Abdulsalam Comrade Abubakar Abdulsalam, a human rights activist and president of Progressive Mind for Development Initiative (PMDI), in this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, speaks on clashes between herdsmen and farmers

What is your take on the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers in some parts of Nigeria? The attacks and killings of innocent citizens by suspected herdsmen in recent times are no doubt worrisome and the opinion of every Nigeria is that the attacks are being masterminded by Fulani herdsmen. A herdsman is a man whose job is to take care of his cattle. He has a lot of cattle to tend, how then does he mix killing of people with tending cattle? After killing people, does he escape with his cattle? For many years the herdsmen and farmers have lived peacefully but the problem of herdsmen attacking farmers became a Nigerian crisis after the decimation of Boko Haram. This shows that the Boko Haram terrorists group, which has been linked to ISIS, Taliban and al-Shabaab groups, has hijacked the business of herdsmen and we now have two types of herdsmen; the cattle herdsmen and the terrorist herdsmen, who are nomadic militants. I believe that members of the Boko Haram have degraded into mass killing of innocent community people. They now disguise as Fulani herdsmen to infiltrate other parts of the country. Our findings reveal that they buy cattle from genuine herdsmen and use the animals as veil to shield Abdulsalam their identities. How do you think the problem can be solved? I will urge the Federal Government to reinforce and make sure that our boarders are well secured. For many years now, our borders are opened and foreigners penetrate into the country and do whatever they like and leave. That is why the security personnel are finding it difficult to even know those who are perpetrating criminal acts in Nigeria. They don’t know the difference between Nigerians and foreigners because there are Hausas in Nigeria and other neighbouring countries. I will advise that Immigration officers at Nigerian border posts should comprise people who can speak languages of all the major tribes in Nigeria, so that anybody who attempts to come into Nigeria can easily be identified. For example, if a Hausa or Fulani man from Ghana or Cameroon comes

5 Questions

to Nigeria, he can easily be identified by an immigration officer, who can speak their languages very well. So, you believe that securing our borders will reduce crime in Nigeria... When Boko Haram was terrorising people; the military and other security agencies were in the areas but there was no improvement in their operation until when Civilian JTF came in. The Civilian JTF came in because about 90 per cent of the suspected Boko Haram members then were Kanuri from Borno and Yobe states. Though we later heard about people from other parts of the country and foreigners joining Boko Haram to attack innocent Nigerians, but with the assistance of Civilian JTF, government was able to conquer Boko Haram because majority of the Civilian JTF were Kanuri and anytime they see anybody they suspect to be a member of Boko Haram, they hand him over to the security agencies and that was how Nigeria overcome them. I will suggest the same method for our borders to be secured. If our borders are manned by people from different tribes, it will be easy for security agents to identify foreigners coming into the country. If our security agencies are able to take these measures, I think the high rate of criminal acts will reduce in Nigeria because our belief is that most of the people committing criminal acts in Nigeria are foreigners. We believe that some foreigners come to Nigeria to commit crimes and run back to their country. How do you think the Federal Government can solve the herdsmen and farmers incessant clashes? The issue of farmers and herdsmen attacks is a major concern and unless the Federal Gover nment provides a lasting solution to it, the problem will continue to persist. And the best solution is that the Federal Government should create grazing areas for herdsmen. Let the farmers know areas they cannot farm and let herdsmen know routes their cattle can pass and grazing areas they can feed their cattle without going to peoples farms. Apart from creating grazing areas, which some people are not comfortable with, what other measures do you think government can adopt? Dialogue is also another solution. Federal Government should invite the leaders of farmers, herdsmen to know their problems. Knowing their grievances will go a long way in resolving their disputes. There must be a thorough investigation to know the actual cause of the incessant attacks between the herdsmen and farmers.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Constitution: NASS The 8th session of the National Assembly has commenced another process to amend the 1999 Constitution, WALE ELEGBEDE reports

t is tempting to capture what happened last weekend at Eko Hotels, Lagos, as a circus show that may not produce anything substantial. The outcome of the last constitution amendment process, the 4th Alteration, clearly gives a sufficient ground to this line of reasoning. After touring the 360 federal constituencies across the country to conduct public hearings on the amendment of the constitution with about N4 billion expended in the process, the immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan refused to assent the document and the money plus efforts went down the drain. The 7th Assembly made a move to override the president’s veto but didn’t scale through with its plan as it was not able to mobilize the required majority. Interestingly, the current Senate President, Bukola Saraki; the then and now Senate Deputy President, Ike Ekweremadu and Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, were members of that session. Since the advent of the Fourth Republic, several inherent challenges facing the country’s constitutional and governance system have been intrinsically linked to the defective nature of the 1999 constitution. Hence, successive sessions of the National Assembly had taken it up themselves to tinker with the constitution in order for it to align with modern day democratic realities. Although many Nigerians agree that the 1999 constitution was a military creation, hence the need for its amendment, but they are however at crosspurposes on the process to adopt in altering the document. For some Nigerians, a piecemeal approach should be adopted; others believe the document should undergo a wholesale amendment. Another point of discussion on how to produce a widely accepted constitution hinges around whether the National Assembly, constitutional conference or referendum should be the adopted mode for the surgical operation on the document. Regardless of the division on how to put the document ‘right’, the constitution itself, in Section 9, sets out the way in which it can be amended. The process of constitutional amendment can only be initiated by the National Assembly. Constitutional amendment bill goes through two-fold procedure of proposal (by the National Assembly) and ratification (or approval by the State Houses of Assembly) to reflect

Saraki

the seriousness attached to the exercise in strengthening and deepening democracy However, as elected representatives of the people, the successive sessions of the National Assembly has taken it upon itself to consider and amend sections of the constitution in partnership with the 36 states House of Assembly in the country. For the Eighth Assembly under the leadership of Saraki, the tradition is not different. Gathering in Lagos to commence the process for another amendment, legislators, comprising lawmakers from both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as notable resource persons had a retreat tagged: ‘Towards Ensuring Governance, Accountability In Nigerian Federalism,’ which was organised by by the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Constitution Review for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution. Declaring the retreat open, the Senate President said amendment of constitution has always been a challenging task, adding that it was a road every country of the world, including the United States had passed through. He explained that the amendments being sought now were not aimed at denting the integrity of the 1999 Constitution, but rather targeted at strengthening it to serve the interest of Nigerians better. “As I had noted in my inaugural address, this Senate is seeking to further consolidate and entrench the essence of our constitution as the only basis for the exercise of all powers under a constitutional democracy forged under the rule of law. This review process must not in anyway dent the solemnity,

CROSSFIRE The President cannot claim to be an angel. The estate he built in Abuja is known to us. His wife was indicted over the Halliburton scandal -Ayodele Fayose

Fayose is a man childishly obsessed with the desire to grab the headlines and insulting people at will because of his incurably boorish instincts -Garba Shehu

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

on the march again

Ekweremadu

Lasun Yusuf, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives

integrity and infallibility that should be ascribed to the 1999 Constitution. Rather we are by this process celebrating and affirming the inviolability of our constitution and its integrity. It is in no way a ritual or a routine.” “It would be recalled that the 7th National Assembly had done a good job of obtaining national consensus on key challenges to the operation of the constitution and the utilisation of the constitution as the coherent framework for our development as a nation through its work on the 4th Alteration Bill. This is why I urge the committee to, in this first phase, to concentrate on the 4th Alteration Bill and conclusively address it before dealing with other proposals. “Yes, the issues of constitutional amendment as they affect the 1999 Constitution are enormous especially those affecting the smooth running and development of our federation, cannot be fully captured within the framework of the 4th alteration bill. I will however, urge you to pay attention specifically on the 4th alteration due to the immense work and national

Senate is seeking to further consolidate... our constitution as the only basis for the exercise of all powers

consensus already garnered in determining it. This will help us concentrate effort on clearing these already agreed areas and other few exceptional issues that are integral. This is the surest way of delivering to our people a more acceptable constitution before the commencement of the partisan political activities early next year. “I am also convinced that some of the hard national questions would remain contentious and unresolved beyond this exercise, but be sure of this, we have the necessary will, courage and wisdom to interrogate them all and find solutions to them. Meaning that we are ready to take another plunge at cementing the process and deepening our constitutional framework through a second phase of amendments. I will like you to kindly, for us and for all Nigerians, deliver a new constitution to this country by the time we open a chapter to the beginning of 2017. I think that if we so do, we will be leaving a legacy for ourselves” he said. In his opening address, Ekweremadu, who is also the committee’s chairman, said the 7th As-

POLITICS PLATFORM sembly embarked on another process of constitutional review because the Jonathan-led government bungled the exercise and rubbished efforts made by the Seventh National Assembly. He said, “although the National Assembly reliably gathered that former President Goodluck Jonathan assented to the Fourth Alteration Bill, we were surprised to get a letter from the former President before he left office stating clearly that he was returning the bill, but failing to attach the original bill being returned.” Charging his colleagues on the task ahead, he said, “No doubt, we represent different constituencies, but the challenges facing our people are virtually the same. Nigerians expect us to work to their advantage. Opposing ideas and divergent viewpoints are indeed inevitable, but they are essential and can enrich the quality of our debates and final recommendations if we approach the process with open minds, good faith and national interest as our lodestar.” Pledging the resolution of the lawmakers to transparent process, Ekweremadu said, “I want to reassure Nigerians that this exercise will be driven by the principles of inclusiveness, popular participation, and transparency; we owe no other allegiance or have any other agenda, except that which we owe to the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make our country work better for us and for posterity; and we welcome suggestions that will help move our country forward,” he stated. In his remarks, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kazeem Adeniji, urged members of the committee to ensure that the principles of transparency and accountability prevails in the discharge of their responsibilities, adding that the retreat would further enshrine the culture of transparency and accountability in realising “the true federalism of our dream.” “The Fourth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution by the 7th National Assembly is commendable and the effort to review it again shows that the legislature is living up to expectation,” he said. In his address, the Chairman Conference of Speakers of State CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

POLITRICKS

When silence is golden

here is no doubt that the ongoing war against corruption by the Muhammadu Buhari administration has succeeded in cowing most politicians, especially members of the opposition political parties. While some are currently held in detention for their respective roles in the immediate past administration, others have either escaped abroad or gone underground. But, to some who are yet to be quizzed, the best option is to shun politicking for now to avoid having the various

anti-graft agencies beam their searchlights on them. This has resulted to known vocal political leaders opting not to comment on national issues at least for now. Politricks encountered one of them recently, and when asked to comment on the state of the nation, he pleaded to be left alone to avoid attracting the attention of either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission or Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission.

Hard times hit ex-guber candidate

he current economic reality in the country seems a respecter of no person irrespective of status. The cash crunch has left many Nigerians living from hand to mouth, and has equally turned hitherto political heavy heights to political jobbers. A governorship candidate of the rulling All Progressives Congress (APC) in one of the South-East states in the 2015 elections, who used to live large a year ago, is almost a pauper at the moment.

The politician is practically taking refuge in the government house in a neighbouring state, where he is being taken care of by a fellow party man. A recent encounter with him reaveld that all is not well as he lamented althrough a conversation with Politricks. He even confessed of finding it difficult to fuel his vehicle given the recent hike in the price of fuel. Unfortunately, it is his party that approved the upward review. His lamentations, no doubt justifies the popular saying that rich also cry.

POLITICAL NOTES

When a cop hears voices O

vertime, the conduct of some security agents especially policemen has been a source of concern to many Nigerians. Perhaps, the most troubling of their conducts is the shooting spree which has assumed the nomenclature – accidental discharge. Speaking earlier in the year, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, said at Nigeria Police Force Health Policy Revalidation meeting that incidents of indiscriminate use of firearms by his men may warrant the Force to consider conducting psychiatric test on its recruits and serving officers. If there is anyone that will queue behind IG Arase on this test for his men, it would be the chairman of Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah. After being suspended for a period of three months as council boss by the state Assembly for alleged misconduct, her recall back to work two weeks ago was no less a cheering news that brought her to her knees to thank God. Not knowing that tragedy is lurking around, the council boss, who upon closing from a church thanksgiving service and was about entering her Sport Utility Vehicle, could not believe her eyes when one of her security aides sitting in front of her official car, opened fire on her at close range. Before the blink of an eye, the furious aide, identified as David, had already pumped 22 pellets into the stomach, hand and thighs of his supposed principal. But for the intervention of other aides, the council boss could have taken more bullets from the frustrated cop. According to the recuperating Chukwurah, her assailant claimed he heard strange voices, which urged him to shoot her. However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu, was reported to have said that it was an accidental discharge but the suspect has been arrested. Clearly, Mrs. Chukwurah’s ordeal has reignited the need to find a solution to the rampage of ‘trigger-happy’ cops. For the police authority to stop our policemen from ‘hearing voices to shoot’ armless civilians, there is need for regular emotional stability checks, re-building of professional value system and periodic psychiatric evaluation. Until these are adopted, the voices may continue to be audible in their ears.

WALE ELEGBEDE

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

I didn’t know N500m campaign money was slush fund – Okon Ntufam John Okon, was until recently the Cross River State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with CLEMENT JAMES, he speaks on his experience running affairs of the party in the state, his recent interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over campaign funds, among other issues. Excerpts: Many people had expected you to contest the chairmanship of the party for the second time. Why did you leave office without going for a second term? I did not contest because after serving for four years and watching the political situation, I felt the unity of the party was more important than my ambition. The party had challenges because of the past primaries and elections and I just felt the new governor, who is the leader of the party, should be given the liberty and freedom to see how the new leadership of the party will emerge. A lot of people felt that I should contest but I felt that for the unity and good of the party, I should just step aside. And I discussed this with the governor long before the last primaries, and being the leader of the party, he agreed with me. You know that if I were to contest, I would have been interested in a lot of things. Don’t forget that I served as the Clerk of the State House of Assembly for about nine years and I retired after 35 years in public service and so, I am not one young man who is looking for a job. I came with a reputation and by God’s grace; I sustained that reputation all through my public service and party chairmanship. Today, I am happy that we did our congresses and Cross River State was adjudged one of the most peaceful and there was no faction. That was because I decided that I had to make that sacrifice and move ahead. There were rumours that some things were not done properly during the party’s last primaries. What is your take on that? Naturally, there must be issues because a political party is a vehicle that drives towards power control. People will always want to control the machinery of the party because it is the platform for future elections. So, there were a lot of contending issues but I think the stand of the leader of the party, Governor Ben Ayade and that of stakeholders was that we should not have one person dominating the party. The decision was that stakeholders should have a say instead of one person bringing up people from the ward to the state level and

this did not go down well with some people. To be fair to Governor Ayade, he had almost two weeks of meetings with the various stakeholders before getting them to know the ground rules he wanted. He hammered on the fact that a system that would involve everybody should be evolve. Don’t forget that before now, other consensus building was determined by few leaders. But right now, young people who ordinarily would not have had the opportunity of having a say are involved. But this decision of the governor did not go down well with some leaders of the party. There is no doubt that you had a very successful tenure as chairman of the party in the state. But towards the tail end of your tenure, you didn’t seem to be happy. What went wrong? I think when a transition is coming and you are the person on seat, a lot of focus is on you and you face a lot of issues. This is natural in Nigerian politics especially when you make yourself a lame duck. And don’t forget that political jobbers also tell a lot of stories about you that maybe you are inclined to this or that person; you know, those kind of stories. So to me, I found it very discomforting because I brought honesty and integrity into the party. There was a time there was a lot of pressure on me and I could have sold out, but I stood by the leadership and ensured that we came out with the crop of leaders that we have now across the state. For instance, if anything had happened in November 2014, some of these people wouldn’t have been where they are today. But those things do occur in politics but I held on to myself and my God, and I was able to overcome all those insinuations because sometimes, people push you to fight. Some people will come and tell you all sort of stories deliberately so that you can go and fight. But I was able to overcome all that because I knew what God told me and I had served for four years and I did my best, leaving the rest to history. But in all of these, nothing can down play my role in the kind of government we are having,

Okon

including the legislature both at the state and national levels.

The money was meant for the presidential election and there was a guideline on how to use it

You have remained silent since the issue of your invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)over an alleged N500 million. What really happened? I have tried to avoid talking about this EFCC issue because it is a very complex matter. But the truth about it is that as the chairman of the party, there was a presidential body that conducted campaign and fundraising and my name and that of the coordinator was sent to the bank. And we were told that there is fund to mobilize for the 2015 elections. And you know that during elections, you do campaigns and you mobilize a lot of people for the purpose, including the agents. Now, as the chairman of the party in Cross River State, I knew the purpose of the money but I thought and believed that the money came from the fundraising committee. We picked the money and of course, the records are there that we gave the money to the various chapters. That was what happened and EFCC came and picked me during the recent local government congress. But thank God that day, because I have my structure, everything was put in place and my deputy stepped in and conducted the congress while I was taken to the office of the EFCC. I was interviewed, they were very nice to me and I was treated fairly well. I told them what I knew about the money, and the

investigation is still going on. I can assure anybody that believes in me that I did not get any share of the N500 million. It was just that the money was meant for the presidential election and there was a guideline on how to use it, which was sent up to the polling units and which we followed. Well, we have given our side of the story and EFCC is trying to verify it. So to me, it is one of those prices you pay for leadership. Maybe if I wasn’t the chairman of the party at the time, I wouldn’t have been involved. But the truth is that I did not know that it was a slush fund and I can say that not a kobo was given to me or my party, and I am talking about the State Working Committee. It was meant for the presidential election and the money was disbursed as such. Is it possible to have the beneficiaries return the money? I don’t want to go into that because it is a challenging situation when you are talking about refunding the money. Because how do you get the agents who collected some money perhaps for his feeding to refund it? There were others who were involved in the election, how do you get them? It is indeed a challenging situation but let’s see how God will do it. But let me make this clarification that I did not know that the money did not come from the right source and I never benefitted from it. So, it is unfortunate that it was tagged the way it was tagged but I think EFCC is verify-

POLITICS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Troubling allegations in the House C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 1

brought this matter to their attention, further calling into question their judgment and commitment to the goals of the International Visitor Leadership Program. This leads us to question whether to include National Assembly members for other similar programs in the future. “I request, in the strongest possible terms, you share this message with members of the National Assembly so they understand the seriousness of these issues, and the potential consequences of their actions, not only for themselves as individuals, but also for the future of such programs designed to benefit Nigeria.”

ing the fact of the matter. Looking back now after four years, what was your most challenging moment in office? The major challenge I had was the challenge within the party before the 2015 general elections. We outlined a process by which we were going to follow, but some of our leaders, either because they did not have confidence in us or whatever, stayed away. But as the process was going on, they wanted to come and hijack it halfway and that posed a lot of challenges. And the national body did not help matters because even members of the panel that came from the national office came here with fake delegate result sheets. Fortunately for us, we were able to keep photocopies of the ward delegate list that was compiled and we used that to confront them. What they did was to go and write on a piece of paper because they had no time left. Even when the matter went to the National Working Committee (NWC), they saw that we had the authentic results but to make for fairness, the NWC decided to cancel that congress. But by the time we went for another round of delegates’ congress, some of our leaders decided to test their popularity using other platforms. And this was very challenging because they had been part of the planning and they knew our strategies. So, we had to go back to the drawing board and re-strategize.

Gbillah’s defence Denying the allegations, Gbillah who allegedly requested hotel parking attendants assist him to solicit prostitute’s in his letter titled: “Allegations of impropriety against honourable members of the Nigerian House of Representatives by the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria and the U.S. State Department” copied to the Speaker, United States Secretary of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cleveland Council of World Affairs and the President and CEO of Marriott International, denied all the allegations. He wrote: “It has come to my attention that via correspondence from your good self to His Excellency Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (a copy of which I also received) in which you made very serious allegations against me and other members of the House of Representatives group that visited the United States in April 2016 as part of the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). “In your letter you claimed that I was identified as one of the members of the aforementioned group who asked for the assistance of a hotel parking attendant to solicit for prostitutes at the Residence Inn Downtown Cleveland Ohio. I am extremely shocked, upset, irked and embarrassed by your letter and want to categorically state that these allegations are completely false, unfounded, malicious and a calculated attempt to malign and cast aspersion on my reputation and character as a Nigerian citizen and honourable member of the House of Representatives and to bring disrepute to the hallowed institution of the National Assembly and the entire nation of Nigeria. “I have visited the U.S. and several countries in the world countless times over the last several years and have stayed at countless hotels all over the world and want to dare the U.S. government to find any instance where I have previously solicited for prostitutes from a hotel employee even when I was not a married man. “Although it is very easy to obtain the previous travel history and track record of accused members it is obvious the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy have presumed our

guilt without proper investigation because of the disdain and disrespect they have towards the average Nigerian citizen even when such citizens are members of the Nigerian House of Representatives, a treatment they will never mete out to an ordinary American citizen who is not even a member of the U.S. Congress.” He said in view of the damage done to him, he intends to “institute legal action in the U.S. against the Marriot Hotel Brand, the Cleveland Council of World Affairs and the U.S. State Department requesting for damages, comprehensive investigation of these allegations to exonerate myself and a formal globally publicised apology.” He also said that he will institute legal action in Nigeria against the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, also requesting for damages, comprehensive investigation of these allegations and a formal globally publicised apology; demand that the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. State Department (regardless of your revocation of my US visa) allow me to travel to Cleveland even at my own expense to confront my accuser and confirm my innocence and demand for the full video/CCTV footage covering the period of our entire stay at the hotel; this should clearly show the movements and activities of every member of the group throughout the hotel.” Gololo’s defence Also, in his letter to the Ambassador Entwistle, Gololo who was accused of grabbing a house keeper in a letter dated June, 13 and titled: “Re: Allegations over troubling behavior at Cleveland, Ohio,” which was copied the speaker said: “let me from the outset express my shock and dismay at the contents of the letter generally and particularly affects me. “These are totally false, unfounded and baseless allegations against me. I categorically deny any such incident happened, I never grabbed any house keeper nor did I solicit for sex. I also take this issue very seriously not only because I am an honourable member representing a hallowed institution but because of my integrity as a husband and father. How would my family and in-laws

Entwistle

The conduct... left a very negative impression of Nigeria, casting a shadow on Nigeria’s National Assembly

react to this wild and grave allegations? “I demand an apology and retraction of these allegations or I shall not hesitate to engage the services of lawyers and not only to clear my name but to seek redress for the damages done to my reputation. I insist that evidence of the allegations against me be produced.” Gololo noted that “I was in Paris, Barcelona, before that trip. And on that trip, I was in Washington D.C., then Cleveland and back to Washington .D.C. and New York. There was no allegation against me neither did I misbehave in any of these places, so why in Cleveland? I take serious exceptions as they impugned my integrity and reputation. “May I state that I have the highest respect for your country and indeed we look up to your country as a beacon of democracy which gives all individuals fair hearing. It is therefore in the interest of both countries to investigate this matter thoroughly to get to the root of it and I am ready to go back to Cleveland at my expense to establish my innocence without prejudice to my right, press charges against libelous allegations.” Ikon’s defence: In his own defence, Samuel Ikon, who was also accused of requesting car park attendants to solicit for prostitute for him noted that “my attention has been drawn to the publication alleging an act of impropriety against me by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria. I wish to state categorically that this is false and definitely not me. “This to me is a case of mistaken identity and I have already instituted measures both legally and diplomatically to clear my name and the institution I represent. I call for patience and God’s abiding wisdom at this time.” House reaction Reacting to the scandal, the leadership of the House through the chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Abdulrazaq Namdas, confirmed that the leadership of the House was investigating the allegation to determine its authenticity or otherwise. He said “As a responsible parliament, the leadership has received this letter and is doing its own investigation. When investigations are concluded, we will brief you further.” He insisted that “nobody has been convicted; none of them is before any court of law and once it’s an allegation, it remains an allegation until investigations are over.” Speaker Dogara gave the final word when he tweeted and cautioned people against passing judgement and wait for the outcome of the investigation by the House. According to him, “judgement can only be passed when an allegation is proven.” He explained that apart from the letter, no evidence had been forwarded to his office, and that “there can be no conviction without trial.”

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Leadership deficiency in depressed economy TREASURES BOLA BOLAWOLE turnpot@gmail.com 0807-552-5533 (sms only)

uman rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has described our senators as “insensitive, irrational, and immoral”. He is damn right! The senators are also selfish and self-serving. They are irresponsible, irresponsive, audacious, and pugnacious. Their impunity is firstclass. But it is not only the senators that are this reckless and vexatious; the “Honourables” in the House of Representatives are also bitten by the same bug of self-centredness. Senators and Honourables are beds of a feather. In this time of economic depression, all they care about is their own comfort and a life of obscenity. Senators have bought Jeeps for themselves; Honourables are insisting on Peugeot 508 or Jeep. These are people who already have fleets of cars; who take car loans they seldom pay back; and who, as their terms expire, auction cars bought with taxpayers money to themselves at give-away prices. In addition, they are muting the idea of giving themselves immunity. They want to be above the law. If they get away with it, they will be the first and only such law makers in the whole world. In addition, they want life pension. These are a class of people already enjoying salaries, perks, emoluments, and allowances that make them the highest paid legislators in the whole world. Yet, they are not satisfied. Many of these law makers had stolen their states and other government MDAs blind before they landed in the National Assembly. Many of them already

collect pension from other sources. The severance package of many of these people from their states and other previous places of work is enough to accord them the benefits of kings. Yet, they are insatiable. These characters are worse than Oliver Twist. While Oliver asked for more to satisfy his hunger, these ones grab more to ingratiate their unquenchable and insatiable wants and greed. Yet, the country is broke. There is no money to throw around as before. But they care less. They will not give a hoot because they say the Executive arm of government is no less gluttonous and rapacious. It is therefore a competition between these two arms of government to see who can grab the most from the public till. Truth be told, the Executive is not a better shade than the Legislature. Ministers go about in long convoys of cars. Despite that salaries cannot be paid in most of the states; many governors still maintain their opulent lifestyles as well as keep their retinue of hangers-on. The testimony of many is that their councillors and council chairman usually abandon their low-profile constituency to live in opulence in high-brow areas of town the moment they whack enough government fund. Corruption in the Executive branch of government has not abated; despite the CHANGE mantra that gallivants in broad daylight. The audacious padding of the 2016 Appropriation Bill otherwise called the budget is an eye-opener. A minister is said to have “loaned” over N13 million from parastsatals under his watch. Will such monies ever be paid back? The president himself has become “Ajala travel”; he is said by a state governor to spend at least US$1million on each of such trips and he has already made how many of them? We are talking of billions of naira here. A fortnight ago, the president again took off for Britain on

The president himself has become “Ajala travel”; he is said by a state governor to spend at least US$1million on each of such trips

what Presidential aides said was not a medical trip even though the president would see medical experts in London. There are three leaking holes that keep gulping much-needed foreign currency. One is education tourism, in which thousands of Nigerians seek quality education abroad. “Abroad” here has now come to include countries like Benin Republic, Togo, and Ghana. Billions of dollars are wasted on this every year; money that should have gone to improve facilities here. The second is holiday tourism, in which Nigerians in droves seek relaxation spots abroad, neglecting the fine spots that we have back at home. Here, again, billions of dollars are wasted yearly; whereas we have very excellent tourism\ relaxation spots at Yankari, Ikogosi, Obudu, to mention but a few. The third is medical tourism, which also gulps billions of dollars annually. Not only Britain, France, Germany, and the United States are the destination these days but India, the Middle East, and Israel now rank high on the radar, especially for the upper middle class who cannot afford Europe and America. Now, whichever of these that the president went for is still bad enough because it qualifies as a waste of tax-payers’ money at a time the same government is telling us there is no foreign exchange to pay for fuel and other imports. Have you seen a video trending, of a Nigerian lady, obviously, miffed by the way our leaders are so callous in their abandonment of Nigerians while taking great care to minister the very best treatment to themselves? The lady was so upset and enraged that she enjoined every Nigerian to say “Amen” to her prayer that whenever Nigerian leaders abandon our decrepit medical facilities at home and junket abroad with their family in search of the best medical facilities “they must die... I say they must die...Yes, they will die...Let them die!” She reminded everyone that human beings like our leaders, not spirits, made it happen abroad.

Gbonigi’s words of wisdom Dominik Umosen

he savage upper cut by the Chairman of the Yoruba Forum (YUF), Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi (rtd), accusing President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of favouring the Northern part of the country and marginalizing the South, might not be the only testimony against the so-called rowdy orchestra of change. A more damning indictment has already been packaged by the Ikot Isong Police Station in Etinan Police Division in AKWA Ibom State. A teenager who was on her way to choir practice was forcibly diverted by a commercial motorcyclist who then proceeded to rape her elaborately for hours in her choir uniform. At the Police station, where her relations went to report the incident, some policemen who must be either cultists or their sympathizers, assaulted change by demanding N10,000 bribe before the violated teenager could get justice. Tempers are high in the community over this brazen attempt by some policemen to deny justice to Miss Esther Eneiok. This assault on change reminds me of the uproar that greeted my decision to change my e-mail address wayochange@gmail.com. Like nonperforming electricity providers in the country, I remain convinced that one can not give what he does not have. But unlike myself, Gbonigi is not an un-

known quantity and so his concerns demand to be tested for validity. The retired but certaintnly not tired cleric and elder citizen is well-known in the trenches of activism. He was a central figure in the futile fight to revalidate the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election which continues to resonate in the renewed agitation to re-structure the country which the administration is hell-bent on frustrating. Speaking in Ibadan at a forum organized by the YUF, Gbonigi condemned the president’sfequent foreign travels; the modalities adopted in fixing the pump price of petrol at N145 per litre and transparent reluctance by the FG to reign in murderous Fulani herdsmen who have spread atrocities across the country while security agents look the other way. What baffles many is the fact that instead of encouraging herdsmen to upgrade their practice by organising livestock farming in ranches as is the case worldwide, someone with a wicked sense of humour is determined to impose grazing reserves even in areas where there is stiff resistance to the idea. And because of this indecent attempt to intimidate, herdsmen now imagine themselves untouchables, committing unspeakable atrocities across the country, including genocide and regicide without consequence; a fact which has prompted some states to threaten to act unilaterally to protect innocent citizens since the Federal Government feigns helplessness.

Gbonigi merely restated a legitimate concern that has been troubling many since the advent of the administration, including the curious assault on national cohesion and revisionism symbolized in the president’s declared lack of interest to implement the 2014 national conference report which Nigerians say is the tonic for national stability.If we love the country as much as we say we do, why reactivate the ancient reluctance to embrace suggestions that will eliminate spasmodic tensions that have prevented the country from attaining genuine greatness? According to the YUF chairman, ‘while the president has made significant progress towards routing the Boko Haram insurgents and restoring peace in the North-East, other insurgencies have sprouted in other parts of the country like the South-South and the South-East, not to mention the new terror posed by rampaging Fulani herdsmen ‘who have risen above the law, even as security agents continue to kill protesters exercising their legitimate constitutional right in the South-East. ‘This is why well-meaning, respectable Nigerians have agitated for a restructuring of the country in order to achieve true fiscal and political federalism, The president’s recent remark that he would consign the recommendations of the National Conference to the archives and the posture of his party against re-structuring show that they are out of step with progressive thinking in the country. Re-structuring

of the nation would eliminate most of our recurrent problems’, was how he captured the revisionist posture of government which mocks the wailing need for meaningful change. Besides the questionable credentials of many in the posture about change government’s transparent reluctance to deviate from the hypocrisy that has stunted the polity, undermines such claims. For example, we recall that as vicepresident on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar travelled abroad to treat ordinary malaria, exactly the same manner the president travelled abroad to have his eyes , nose and throat examined, further undermining claims of change. To test the validity of Gbonigi’s claims, we have waited in vain but no state government in the north has approved a building permit in the last couple of decades as alleged by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Rev Mathew Kukah. Instead, a carpenter who ate during Ramadan was assaulted by youths in Kaduna, as if every one must necessarily fast with moslems. Just as well, Kano State continues to destoy bottles of beer but finds nothing hypocritical in demanding a share in Value Added Tax (VAT) from alcohol and prostitution. These are some reasons why it is difficult to fault Gbonigi’s argument. •Umosen (dominik.umosen@gmail.com) wrote in from Lagos.

EDITORIAL

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Our VISION To build a newspaper organisation anchored on the sanctity of truth.

Sanctity of Truth

Our MISSION To publish a newspaper of superior value, upholding the fundamental ethics of journalism: balanced reporting, fairness, accuracy and objectivity.

Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

NFF crisis and World Cup ticket

he leadership crisis in Nigerian football started even before the Amaju Pinnickled board members were elected. The Aminu Maigari board had its share of the crisis and eventually staged the election in crisis. A club owner, Christopher Giwa, was part of the main characters in the Maigari regime crisis and now he is the leader of the factional group that believes the leadership of the Nigeria Football federation belongs to Giwa. The Giwa group has been in and out of courts since Pinnick assumed office. Interestingly, the same case was thrown out by the Court Of Arbitration for Sports in 2014 yet Giwa and his band ‘exhumed’ it at a Jos High Court three months ago. Ever since there has been one issue or the other between the NFF leadership many know under Pinnick and the factional group led by Giwa. Under Maigari, we recall that the crisis contributed to the ouster of Nigeria from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and under Pinnick, the board was also distracted as the country again lost the ticket to Gabon 2017 Africa Nations Cup, The back-to-back Nations Cup miss is a strange development in the country’s football history and regrettably the crisis persists. Pinnick seems to have been consumed in the crisis sure that giving direction to get results and doing the right thing for the development of

the game is tough for him and his board to handle, rather, the board is channelling its energy into fighting Giwa to retain its position. Twice last month the House of representatives committee on sports engaged the Giwa group and the Pinnick board in a dialogue. After the second meeting the committee urged both parties to embrace peace to enable Nigerians to get the best results possible in the round leather game. Ju s t 24 hours after the second meeting, Giwa

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

Funke Egbemode

Managing Editor, Business & Strategy n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor, Publication & Operations n Emeka Obasi

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

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

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

and the entire world. One way to solve the crisis is for Giwa to wait for the next elections and plan better to win. If he continues in his conduct, this could further reduce the chances of realising his ambition to head Nigerian football. The Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, we believe is in the best position to resolve

We believe the time is ripe to put a stop to this ‘madness’ in the country’s football

stormed the NFF office threatening to take over operations and physically fighting the staff members present over legitimacy of the federation. We condemn in totality all acts of violence especially from people who should know better, those who are supposed to administer the game. The youth who are the main actors in the game are actually watching and observing the unfortunate crisis we are witnessing today. We make bold to say the two parties should be ready to shift to allow peace reign and move football forward. Pinnick is the one recognised by the Federation of International Football, the Nigerian government, the players

DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED

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

the crisis by using all the g over nment machinery at his disposal to guar antee peace but funny enough the meeting he arranged between Giwa and Pinnick

was not only deadlocked, the two men almost exchanged blows even in the presence of the minister. The situation cast doubt on the neutrality of Dalung and since then he has been quiet while football is suffering the more. We believe the time is ripe to put a stop to this ‘madness’ in the country’s football before more damage is done. The Russia 2018 ticket is at stake because the qualifying draw will take place very soon. Nigeria’s position in FIFA ranking is so poor that the country was not seeded for the draw, The implication is that the Super Eagles will be drawn against one of the top five ranked countries on the continent.

To qualify ahead of seeded teams will not be easy. Sad enough we also note that since the resignation of former international, Sunday Oliseh, as the Super Eagles Head coach in February, the NFF is yet to name a substantive coach. There is need to take the qualifiers seriously. Pinnick should realise that his regime will be judged by the results posted and not many people will remember the crisis or whatever distraction the body is facing. We advise the federation to be well focused on getting Nigeria a ticket to Russia. This is the best way to compensate for the back-to-back Nations Cup no show which followers of football are yet to come to terms with. Logistics involving the Super eagles including payment of all outstanding bonuses and salaries of stand-in coaches should be handled urgently because it is important to play the qualifiers with a clear mind and 100 per cent motivation. We make bold to say Nigeria is blessed with huge talents in all parts of the world such that some of them are even in the colours of European teams at the ongoing European Nations Cup in France. The onus is on the federation however to put its acts together, get a credible coach to raise a solid team for Nigeria to regain its pride on the continental and global football stage. This is important especially because football brings positive image to the country.

POLITICS

Garba Shehu

he recent agreement between the federal and state governments to implement a Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP), marks a new level in President Muhammadu Buhari's ambitions to cure the government at federal and state levels of their corruption ills. Before now, observers had noted the existence of a gap between what the administration is doing at the center and the business-as-usual going on in the states, without regard to the political party in power. President Buhari campaigned on a platform of good governance and zero tolerance for corruption, promising to reign in the massive malfeasance in the the three tiers of the government in the country's ecosystem. His victory at the polls is largely owed to his anti-corruption stance. In twelve months of the new government, there is not a single whiff of corruption scandal from the administration. Which is unlike the past when the occurrence of fraud or scams was a weekly and sometimes a daily affair. While he has waged this war, the like of which had never been seen before against corruption at the center yielding enormous successes in this period, corruption allegations continue to dominate the headlines in many of the states. Now, it is clear, the government in Abuja is determined to redefine the relationship between the center and the states by bringing systemic reforms to curb corruption at all levels. This is something the President had foretold in his inaugural address when he stormed into power on May 29th,2015. Hear what he said: "Elsewhere relations between Abuja and the States have to be clarified if we are to serve the country better. Constitutionally there are limits to powers of each of the three tiers of government but that should not mean the Federal Government should fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments. Not least the operations of the Local Government Joint Account. While the Federal Government cannot interfere in the details of its operations it will ensure that the gross corruption at the local level is checked. As far as the constitution allows me I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch." While he got on with his own part, fighting corruption most vigorously than ever witnessed, he clearly wasn't content with his achievements for which he is getting richly-deserved accolades. While it appeared to the impatient critic that the President was in a fix as to what to do, it seems clear by now that he merely waited in the lurch for the notoriously corrupt state administrations. When he took office, he found out the two-thirds of the states,

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari's sugar-coated pill takes anti-graft war to states

Buhari

27 precisely were in salary arrears. The new president considered this a national emergency and he promptly released funds from the Central Bank to bail them out all. Some of the accounts that trailed the spending of the bailout funds are, to say the least, quite unsavory. President Buhari bided his time. Now that salary arrears have accumulated one more time and the states are back again asking for more money, he is saying to them that there is no more free ride for anyone. The Nigerian Governors' Forum, acting on a vision of their own or in somewhat anticipation of the President's mind set up a committee chaired by the extremely brilliant governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai which provided the framework for a new bailout scheme. Based on it, a grand plan was put together imposing new and stringent requirements for states accessing a N90 billion loans. So far, as disclosed at the end

Government is determined to redefine the relationship between the center and the states

of the last National Economic Council,NEC meeting by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State Udom Emmanuel, only five states have qualified to access the new facility. The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun who introduced the measures as part of a broader push for increased transparency and war against corruption was quoted extensively by The Nation as saying that "governors unanimously approved the plan; the commissioners (of finance) endorsed the plan; they know it is going to involve a lot of hard work in some cases." What are the states required to do to draw from the loan? Adeosun itemized some of the conditions: "they have to clean out their ghost workers, set up efficiency units, reduce their recurrent expenditure, publish their accounts and also publish their budgets." She went on to highlight five strategic objectives as the price governors and their states will have to pay if they want their states are to reduce corruption and be fiscally sustainable. These five objectives are the improvement of accountability and transparency; increasing public revenue; rationalizing public expenditure; improving public financial management and having a sustainable debt management profile. The specific conditions for accessing the new loans include: Publishing audited annual financial statements within nine months of financial year end; publishing state budget online annually; introduction and compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS); quarterly online publication of budget performance; setting up realistic and achievable targets to improve Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA). More of the set conditions include quarterly reconciliation meetings between the federal and state governments on Value-Added Tax (VAT), Pay-AsYou-Earn (PAYE) taxes and other accounts as well as the sharing of databases among them on companies in their domains; setting limits on personnel expenditure vis-a-vis capital spending; biometric capture of employees on payroll; introduction of continuous internal audit and, the hardest of all, the Federal

Government wants the states to strive to attain credit rating! This, without gain sayings, is a tall order but as it is everywhere, tackling corruption in Nigeria is a massively herculean task, but not one that is insurmountable. The generous dose of support for the policy options for decreasing the heist by the states is one such reason for optimism. By generally accepting to support the anti-corruption reforms enunciated by Abuja, states of the federation have sent a powerful message to the international community that corruption is equally a concern for them. Prospective investors have worried all the times they sought to get into the Nigerian markets that corruption played into their evaluation and assessment and it badly hurts. All must therefore be on the same page. Failure to tackle corruption, as the President has repeatedly warned, is having serious consequences for the nation's development and its existence as an entity. "We kill corruption or corruption kill us," says the President. And it is easy to see how this can happen: unfettered corruption can diminish the faith of ordinary citizens in the rule of law which leads to failure of democracy as a system of government, and in turn the failure of states. It is with a view to waging a very successful war that government is showing a willingness to work with all stakeholders; with all anti–corruption forces including civil society, political parties, states and local governments. This is the only way it can work. It may have taken some time for the federally financed anticorruption spotlight to shine on the states, given how terribly wrong things had been in the past but the real shame of it is in the fact that citizens aren't still demanding accountability in their states. Now that federal and state governments have unveiled a borrowing plan richly spiced and flavored with anti-corruption substance, it is hoped that the patently induced-hurdles will force reluctant states into line. The Ministry of Finance for their part should do all it can to ensure that the barriers to entry are not lowered for anyone, party member or not. •Shehu is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.

Constitution: NASS on the march again C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

Assemblies, Ismaila Kamba, said the legislators are committed to the process of producing a constitution that is widely accepted, workable, and protect the rights and interest of every Nigerian. Speaking on the sideline of the retreat, Senator repre-

senting Lagos East senatorial district, Gbenga Ashafa, said the various challenges in the country has necessitated the need for Senate to take up the task of amending the constitution. “At every point in time when we know that we are heading towards turbulent times, what we should look

back on is the constitution that is keeping that country alive. So, my own opinion is that it is always good to have a regular debate, particularly when a new government comes in. Have a rethink, look at your laws and see how you can assist that present government to perform more.” The retreat which had

erudite resource persons including Prof. Offornze Amucheazi, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Deacon Titus Soetan, among others presenting papers, was also used as a reassessment platform of the timeliness of some 4th alteration amendment.

WedNESday, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Life in the city Plant a tree, save the environment

The Mega City

Life in Mega City Awaiting more pedestrian bridges

...EXCLUSIVE LAGOS MAGAZINE

21 23

Aeriel view of the Isheri/Ogun river

What happened to Isheri-Ogun river? In what looks like a 21st century wonder, the people of Kara/Isheri community were stunned at what has happened to a large portion of their community river. Ifeoluwa Idowu reports

esidents by this area are chilled by the seeming drying up of the river, which serves as a channel to the Ogun river and as a source of livelihood, as a drainage, as route of transportation, as a source of water amongst

OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI CITY Editor

tosin.omoniyi@newtelegraphonline.com

many things. The river is quite deep and had to be crossed with a canoe. However, in this strange turn of events, a canoe is no longer needed as people can now walk across what used to be a river. Strangely, the river can be seen flowing freely on another side. The very large portion of the river is covered in grass and it has turned very solid that it can be walked upon. People were seen walking across, playing ball, riding bicycles among other activities on the river. One man even jumped from the top of the Kara Bridge down to the covered river. The deep flowing river that also served as drinking water for herd of cattle, a means of washing away the blood of the slaughtered cows; has ironically become solidly dried.

We really don’t know the cause and we don’t even know what will happen next

According to a resident of Isheri popularly called Iya Mulika, the strange event occurred last Friday noon. “It was a very strange occurrence. Friday afternoon, a canoe was transporting people across the river, all of a sudden, the sea weed which has always been in the river started to gather. It kept gathering till it became extremely thick. It went round the canoe and the people in it were stuck. Some of them were already screaming at the sudden strange development. People around gathered and started to think of how to rescue them. I must admit it was so eerie. I really can’t remember, but I think somebody tested the solidity of the green, and started walking across it slowly. That was what encouraged people on the canoe to come out. We really don’t know the cause and we don’t even know what will happen next,” she exclaimed. Sodiq Daisi, another Isheri resident told New Telegraph that contrary to what everyone believed, the river did not dry up.

It was only that sea weed covered it. According to him, the sudden coming together of the sea weed is what seems to be inexplicable. Laide Jaiyesimi also a resident of Isheri, said that it is true that the water dried up and that such occurrence has never occurred. “I have lived in Kara for a very long time, and such a thing has never happened. We do not know the exact cause but the community leaders are saying that a sacrifice that should have been done wasn’t carried out. We are now looking forward to what will be done next.” The traffic on the Kara bridge, Lagos-Ibadan express way has increased as people park their vehicles to view the sudden wonder. FRSC officials have been placed on ground to control the unending traffic. The site has even become a sort of attraction and generating reactions, surprise by many motorists and commuters as well as residents in the area. CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

20 LIFE/MEGA CITY

WEDNESday, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

While some attributed the sudden dryness of the river to miracle others blamed it on an anaconda that was reportedly killed in the river a day before the river dried up. Some section of the public said some foreign nationals were performing supernatural power around the area, reason for the river to dry up during rainy season. Edwin Ekong, who had come to see the dried up river spoke with New Telegraph. “I lived in the village for a long time. And during rainy season, fishermen cut off weed that grows on the river banks. I think what happened here is that the entire sea weed that was covered up came here to gather. As you can see, the green is about 3-4 feet thick. What I find mysterious is how it happened so suddenly. It never happened like this. As you can see it is about 3-4 feet thick and stretches very far. I believe there really is more to this." A chief in the community who asked to be anonymous told New Telegraph that the community had plans to pay some oblations to the river goddess know as 'Yemoja' even before this occurrence. And this happening coincides with the sacrifice that was to be made. Despite this, the community would still go ahead with its plans to perform the rituals. Meanwhile, the Lagos State government in a statement dispelled spiritual myth as the cause of the sudden appearance of plants which grew on a section of the river. The statement explained that the river was blocked by vegetation, saying that the river could open up at any time with dire consequences. Hence, the state government warned residents to keep off the river. In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Adebowale Akinsanya, an Engineer,

People walking on the dried river

Carrying out any activities on the blockage of this river is unsafe

The point of division under the bridge at Kara…yesterday

And the river dries

the government said it was dangerous for residents to besiege the dry area as the flow of the river was still active beneath. He said, “last weekend, the river was taken over by vegetation, caused by a heavy storm, which created a compacted layer over the river. The statement said:"It is important to notify the public that have been worried about the environmental consequence of a dried up river to note that the flow of the river is still active

beneath the vegetation and the situation is been evaluated. “However, because of the compacted nature of the vegetation residents and onlookers are of the erroneous belief that the river has suddenly dried up and can walk across the vegetation. “A lot of people that have turned the place to a tourist destination are unaware of the danger lying ahead. It's important for the public to be aware that the vegetation can give away at any time and can

lead to a potential disastrous situation.” He also advised residents to go about their lawful business and as well desist from the habit of parking on the bridge to take pictures, which according to him was causing serious traffic, hardship and loss of business time to other commuters on the road. “Carrying out any activities on the blockage of this river is unsafe, dangerous and disastrous.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

LIFE/IN THE CITY 21

WEDNESday, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Plant a tree, save the environment

Oluwatosin Adepoju

n average Lagosian would have thought that planting of trees and flowers across the state as a beautification project is the least of agenda that could be executed by a government administration, in the face of numerous demands and expectations from the citizens. The Babatunde Raji Fashola-led administration of Lagos State made it a core part of its agenda to improve the aesthetics values of the city's environment and make it greener. The beautification project, which started in 2008 under Fashola's administration improved the aesthetic conditions of the state's environment through the planting of trees and cultivation of flower gardens and parks across the city. In fact, it continued to be a major model of attraction to the people, both local and international. Some see it as a nonessential project while some consider it to be a commendable project with immense value to the environment. In the spirit of continuity, the current Governor of the state, Akinwumi Ambode, has also urged the people of the state to imbibe the tree planting culture to promote the beautification project and its quality benefits to the environment during the flagging off the tree planting day last year June. The governor disclosed that the importance of trees in sustaining human life through the purification of the air we breathe in cannot be overemphasized and the people must desist from indiscriminate felling of trees, and for every tree that must be removed, at least five must be planted. He also noted that over 96,000 jobs have been created for all categories of artisans and professionals since the commencement of the project. However, most of the trees and flowers across the state are now poor in growth while some are bent and dried due to poor watering, fertilizing and pruning as some of the trees have even become shades for roadside traders. In his own opinion as a Lagosian, Mr. Godswill Eleyi, who also planted flowers in his house, said that the project at its inception was really a commendable one which all Lagosians should be actively involved in the planting of trees and flowers to beautify the environment as he also did. However, he said that the culture seems to have been neglected by Lagosians as he has seen and made a clear comparison of the beautified environment since the project kick started and now that the culture seems declining gradually. He added that there was need for the people to join the government in sustaining the culture by pruning trees and

A green garden in Lagos

People must desist from indiscriminate felling of trees Lagos parks and gardens

Green home garden

planting more trees and flowers to beautify the environment. In the same vein, Sunday Idenyi, who has been trading for the past three years along the Abule-Egba road, also said that the trees planted along the road really made the environment beautiful as it helps to preserve fresh air. This,

photo: www. guardian.ng

according to him, was his experience since he has always stationed his truck near the tree. He said further that he has not been seeing anyone coming to wet or prune the flowers and it seems only those who have a sense of aesthetics would know the value of trees. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Government should also reinstate the relevant agen-

Ndubuisi Kanu Park

cies which will help preserve the trees and flower gardens,â&#x20AC;? he said. An horticulturist, Mr. Stanley Chukwu, who has been in the business of planting trees and flowers for 17 years, said that the project is a commendable project as emanated from the previous administration who encouraged Lagosians to imbibe the beautification culture. He, however, said that there was need for adequate and continuous pruning in order to give the bent trees a befitting shape for beautification, and fumigation which should be done to avoid pests destroying the trees and flowers. These are the necessary measures to be taken for the proper maintenance of the trees and flower gardens.

22 LIFE/MEGA CITY

WEDNESday, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

A scene at the Ile-Epo bus stop, Abule-Egba, Lagos

Ile-Epo's burden of flood

Emmanuel Uti

ow that the rain is becoming heavier, the situation of things has departed from how it used to be at the Ile-Epo area of Alimosho area, Lagos. The habitual flooding of the entire area keeps posing as a threat to all and sundry. For any little rain, the roads become flooded such that one would think that a river has over flown its banks. Seemingly, it makes moving by foot almost impossible around the area after a heavy downpour and it cautions careless drivers that take the Abeokuta expressway, thereby making them more careful. It also reduces commercial activities in the Ile-Epo market and makes it hard for transporters within the area to do their work conveniently. It was learnt that many traders and customers in the market lose some of their goods and valuables to the flood whenever it rains. After it rains, the water which is usually knee or thigh deep, has been said to have injured many because knowing the differences between the drainage and the road becomes difficult in the flood. Describing the level of the flood, Taiwo Alagbe, a lotto salesman in the area, said that the level of the flood is critical because it destroys a lot of goods and property whenever it rained heavily. He added that with the problems associated with the flood, it has become higher as it increases over the years. According to him, as a result of the flood, the engines of many vehicles go off after plying the road for few minutes, thereby damaging their vehicles. This, therefore, causes many vehicles to be parked by the roadside which causes terrible traffic jam after the flood goes down. Citing one of the examples the problem of incessant flooding has brought, he said that about a month ago, a motorcyclist and his pas-

senger fell into drainage as they could not identify the difference between the road and gutters due to the flood. He added that till this day, they have not been found. Furthermore, looking at the challenges marketers in the area face as a result of the flood, it is evident that the flood is hindering the effectiveness and progress of market activities. Alagbe also said that after the rainfall, it takes about five hours for the area to be manageable for people and vehicles to move. According to him, until the water is completely dried to level that people cannot pass the road, no one comes to play games. As a result, he goes home with little after a rainy day. One herb seller in the market, Abu Victor, said that he makes less gain because people barely come to him since the rain became critical. “I do not make much gain again due to this flood problem. Whenever it rains heavily and the flood follows, I get to see only few customers”, he added. Similarly, Mike Onuoha, a trader in the market said that whenever it rains and the waters get to the brim, the following event will disturb traders from coming to the market. He explained that no trader would want to get drowned and pay higher fare just to buy goods. Looking at the cause of the problem, New Telegraph observed that it is traceable to the fact that the Ile-Epo community area is sloppy and the drainage system is one sided and shallow. As it appears, the drainages from the expressway is down the Ile-Epo road down is about one feet and the one by the expressway is about five feet deep. Francis Paul, a commercial driver in the area had asserted that the reason behind the constant flood is that the gutters are not deep. He said that since the

The flood level is critical because it destroys goods and property

area is sloppy and whenever it rains, the road is always flooded, the gutters are supposed to be deep but are not. He further compared the shallow gutters with the deep and wide gutters at Pleasure bus stop. “If the gutters here in Ile-Epo can only be as deep and wide like that of Pleasure, the flood we experience here will be seen as rain alone”, he said. He concluded his statement by saying that the constant flood is a problem to his tricycle and his income. Also, Mike said that the main reason the flood is constant is because the drainage in the environment is either too small or stocked with debris. More so, he asserted that if the drainage can be reconstructed to be deeper like that of Pleasure bus stop, it would help in reducing the intensity of the flood. However, Alagbe along others identified the cause of the flood to be the excessive garbage thrown into the drainages by the people in the environment. He said some people have taken the roads and the drainages as dust bins. According to him, many people intentionally throw their thrash inside the gutters without considering the effect. He added that the Lagos Waste Management land close to the market is no longer maintained, so people come there to throw their debris abnormally such that when a strong wind blows, part of the garbage will be swept into the drainage. He therefore said that the state government should start maintaining the wasteland again, so as to prevent the total blockage of the drainages. New Telegraph gathered that the drainages were recently built following the reconstruction of the Ile-Epo to Super bus stop road. Nevertheless, in spite of the effort of the government to curtail the excesses of the flood through the newly built drainages, the flood has defied the situation. Perhaps, it was not properly done. But as bad as the case appears to be, it is only during the rainy season

that people around the area seem to experience difficulties because of the problems associated with the flooding. The area usually is neater and highly commercial during dry seasons. Meanwhile, about 75 per cent of the damage caused by the incessant flooding affects only one part of the area. That is, the part where the market is situated. Lawal, a newspaper vendor at the other side of the road, said that since the drainages have been built, she rarely sees the heaps of water unlike what she used to experience. However, the ministry of environment, according to a source who prefers anonymity because she is not the public affairs officer is having challenges while trying to curb the situation. She asserted that people stock heaps of garbage into the drainage and this will make the situation more complicated. On their part, she said that the ministry does pre-raining cleaning and during raining cleaning to make the area better. She further claimed that because there is no punishment to sanction those that block the gutters, the people in the area have become hell bent to laws safeguarding the environment. According to her, most times, while trying to keep the environment clean, people threaten to beat the workers and officials supervising. The challenge, she highlighted mostly is people's attitude to change and innovations. The source explained that the ministry tries its best by clearing canals to avoid flooding in every habitable environment. She however, said that when there is intensity of rain which stirs up a flash flood, the ministry cannot do anything because the flood will reduce by itself. With the present flood challenge virtually everyone is facing in the area, the people; therefore urge the government to re-visit them by changing their situation.

LIFE/IN THE CITY 23

WEDNESday, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lagos State government has become a state to beat in terms of provision of amenities and infrastructure. Other states in Nigeria have always used the state as a benchmark. VICTOR UDDOH writes

t is a state in Nigeria that has pedestrian bridges in almost all the local government areas. However, these bridges are obviously not sufficient to cater for the ever growing population. New Telegraph recently went round three Local Council Development Authority areas (LCDA), namely, Alimosho, Igando-Ikotun and Egbe-Idimu of the state and discovered that the state requires more pedestrian bridges above what is currently on the ground. During the tour, it was discovered that some construction works on the bridges along Abeokuta Expressway by IyanaIpaja bus stop, Iyana-Dopemu bus stop and Cement bus stop have been stopped and likely to have been abandoned for the reason not known to the public. According to residents within this area, these bridge constructions have been stopped for almost five years going. They spoke with lamentation and regret to New Telegraph. According to Tola Ogunlolu, an aluminium technician, “just two days ago, a hit and run driver in a car on top speed at about 12 noon, knocked down one of my colleagues as we were crossing the road to access the company where we buy our aluminum products. If the bridge had been completed, we would not have any reason to cross the expressway. I am therefore using your medium to appeal to the state government to please come and complete the project so as to save the lives of Lagosians.” Speaking with some street traders namely, Agnes Olusoji, Mike Uche, Umaru Alkali and Didi Agale at Iyana-Dopemu, New Telegraph gathered that many people are being killed or maimed every week as result of car, bus, and motorcycle accidents. According to Agale, the most outspoken, people are being knocked down daily because they are trying to cross from one side of the road to the other side and he appealed to the governor to do something about it. A commercial bus driver, who simply identified himself as Idris, and plies Oshodi-Sango route regularly, said, “Government don’t attend to such issues until a member of their family or government officials are involved before they can hurriedly complete the construction.” Another commercial bus driver, Asoro Egbe, who plies Idi-Oro to Abeokuta, who spoke with New Telegraph said, “This issue is giving us concern because anytime a vehicle knocks down any body crossing the expressway, the public usually transfers the anger on other vehicles passing bye and we are always at risk. So, I am appealing

Cement Bus Stop

Awaiting more pedestrian bridges to the state government to quickly do something about it”. At Iyana-Ipaja bus stop, New Telegraph spoke with an elderly woman of about 65 years and who was walking with the aid of a pair of clutches. She lamented and said, “this is a country where plans are not made for the elderly citizens and citizens with one form of disability or the other.” A commuter, who works in Ikeja computer village, who usually crosses the expressway when going and returning from work daily, told New Telegraph that “Some of us have been endangering our lives because we have no alternative means of crossing the expressway. We just have to be careful and continue using what we have for now and be praying to God to continue to protect us from careless drivers. May be, one day, the state government will hear our appeal and come to complete the bridges.” Aduragbemi, a car owner, who works with one of the banks in Akowonjo area, spoke with New Telegraph and said, “Sometime late last month, I knocked down a middle aged pregnant woman at Cement bus stop when she was crossing the expressway. God helped me to get out of that case; though she did not die but she lost the 7 months old baby in her womb as a result of the impact of the accident. According to Aduragbemi, no matter how careful you may drive, the other road user may not be as careful as you are.” When New Telegraph visited Alimosho Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) secretariat at Williams Street at Akowonjo to find out from the newly appointed Administrator of the LCDA what may have been responsible for the abandonment of the

Iyana-Dopemu Bus Stop

We have been endangering our lives without pedestrian bridge

Iyana Ipaja Bus Stop

three pedestrian bridges located in Alimosho area and how soon the projected would be revisited and completed, one of the staff who refused to be identified said, “You can see that we have not even known who is coming to take over the secretariat for now. So, you can’t see anybody as there is nobody competent to speak on the

matter for now.” An attempt by New Telegraph to reach the Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Thorpe to find out what his Ministry is doing about the abandoned pedestrian bridges proved abortive as he did not respond to the SMS sent to his GSM line.

24 LIFE/MEGA CITY

WEDNESday, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ago-Palace way

Relief on Ago-Palace way Marwa) rider expressed his appreciation to the governor for keeping to his word of completing the road construction as promised. According to him, “I’ll not be going to mechanic to spend money unnecessarily every now and then to repair my tricycle anymore.” Bennedict Samson, commuter who works in FESTAC in Amuwo-Odofin but resides in Ire-Akari estate, Isolo told New Telegraph that he was the happiest Lagosian because it means that he would now be able to face the fear of facing traffic and the accompanying stress in the traffic. “Another challenge the government should assist us to look into is the high cost of transportation which came as a result of the bad state of the roads but now that the road has been repaired, it should go back to normal. I use to spend between N700 and N900 daily to and from work and spend three hours on the average daily on the road. But now, I spend an average of 120 minutes with the same amount” However, some differ on the commissioning of the road. They believed it’s a project that was government’s responsibility and long overdue. Segun Adesan, a Chemical Engineer on visit to Lagos said, “I can’t understand the reason for the fan-fare. Just to commission a road? The state government would have spent so much amount of the citizen’s tax money to conduct the fanfare in the name of commissioning. I can assure you that this was an avenue to steal money

Newly commissioned Ago-Palace way

from government’s coffers.” He had expected the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo , who inaugurated the new road to know more than others. “He should not have allowed himself to be part of this colossal waste of government money in whatever guise. This kind of corrupt activity should not have emanated from a government that is championing the war against waste and corruption!” A lecturer with one of the Federal Polytechnics, who preferred to be addressed simply as Bisiriyu, said, “It is high time we stopped glorifying government officials for doing their work. Why should we roll out

drums to celebrate a road that took over 27 years to put in good shape. It is a shame to all right thinking Lagosians and even Nigerians to know that the President of the Federal Republic of this great country, Nigeria was actually billed to come to Lagos to commission the road. I feel very sad to note that we have not learned anything yet. This government is supposed to be a corrective regime. At least, for what we were told or made to believe, so why should we be celebrating the completion of a project that should naturally be done for the masses? I have no apology for my hard stance on this matter.”

QUOTE

OF THE WEEK

I urge you to remember our state and nation in prayers. Our nation is in a dire need of prayers at this challenging time. Let us also remember our political leaders in prayer as they strive to improve the economy of our dear country for the benefit of all”, Lagos State Governor, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the Ramadan Lecture of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS), Lagos Branch

IN NUMBERS

Job Creation: Nigeria National Assembly (NASS) backs Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to create job opportunities for 37, 000 students nationwide

JU NE

he people living near the AgoPalace way finally heaved a sigh of relief as the construction of the last part of the road was finally completed and inaugurated recently. Sometime ago, on January 20, precisely, New Telegraph reported a story titled “Lamentations on Ago-Palace Way” when the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode visited the construction site in the community and promised to ensure that construction work from Dr. Fredrick Fasheun Street junction to Amuwo-Odofin Bridge will be completed in record time. On a visit to the long stretch of the Ago-Palace way from Okota round about down to Amuwo-Odofin Bridge segment laid with inter-locking paving stones, New Telegraph spoke with some residents and motorists. Some expressed their appreciation and others stated otherwise. Yemisi Edugie, a teacher who plies the road regularly told New Telegraph that “it took the state government 27 years to complete the road construction. However, the government has tried.” Also speaking, Bunmi Idowu, a business woman, said that “even though the construction work was politicised and unduly delayed, I still commend the state government for the effort to complete the work. This has brought great relief to the people of this area.” Adamu Shehu, a water vendor, who sells water to the neighborhood around the last bus stop by Baba-Ewe, said he felt a great relief when the road was completed. “Before now, I use to massage my whole body after the day’s job of fetching over 100 jerry-cans of water for my clients with N50.00 and use pain reliever worth between N100 and N150 daily when the road was under construction. But now, all that is over. I can now save between N700 and N1000 after eating and paying Land owners, (Omo o’niles) levy. I thank the government for completing the road.” Igwe Uche, a building contractor, said, he was the most grateful to the state government’s sensitivity to their plight on that road. “I am very grateful to the state government, especially the governor, Akinwunmi Ambode for completing the road as promised. It shows he is responsive to the plight of the people. He came and saw and promised he was going to ensure it was completed within a scheduled time, which he kept to. This is a good omen for Lagosians because it appears from this that we have a listening governor. He should please keep it up.” Kehinde Saliu, a tricycle (Keke

WEDNESDAY, june 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FCT BUSINESS WATCH

Business What's new Delayed results: NSE fines ETI, 18 others N59m

Rescuing states from financial insolvency

Maritime Economic downturn propels low traffic at ports

27 31

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE May 2016.................................15.6% April 2016.................................13.7% March 2016..............................13.2%

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

EXCHANGE RATE

(BDC as at June 17)

(Interbank as at June 17)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N350 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N490 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N400

l Foreign Reserves – $26.443bn as at 16/6/2016

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N200 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N307 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N224

Source: CBN

p.26

Indian exporters lose N753 bn rice market in Nigeria p.26

L-R: Executive Director, Operations & Technology, Keystone Bank, Yvonne Isichei; Managing Director, Philip Ikeazor; Managing Director, Digital Jewel, Doyin Odunfa; Executive Director, Corporate Bank & Treasury, Keystone Bank, Hafiz Bakare and Executive Director, Lagos & West, Keystone Bank, Innocent Ike at a business dinner in Lagos.

NNPC shortchanging govt, FAAC alleges CONCERN

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

FAAC was worried that despite the drop in the federation crude oil volume, NPDC continued to lift considerable quantity of crude with little or no value to the federation account

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is shortchanging the government in real monetary value and quantity of crude oil lifted, the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has alleged. The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) lifts the crude on behalf of NNPC. New Telegraph exclusively learnt that the national oil firm lifted 6.396 million barrels of crude oil valued at N37.96 billion on be-

half of NPDC between January and February 2016. However, FAAC said it was worried that despite the drop in the federation crude oil volume, NPDC continued to lift considerable quantity of crude with little or no value to the federation account. FAAC’s observation of shortchange by NNPC aided by its subsidiary NPDC, was contained in the report submitted to FAAC by postmorten sub-committee, a copy of which was exclusively sighted by this newspaper The sub-committee, in its report observed that, for the months of January and February 2016, NNPC lifted 6.396 million bbls of crude oil valued at N39.96 billion on behalf of NPDC. “The sub- committee is worried that despite the drop in the federation crude oil volume, NPDC continued to lift considerable quantity of crude with little or no value to the federation account. “The sub- committee requested NNPC to provide details on the rationale behind NPDC arrangement / agreement and the benefits of federation account from the oil wells taken over by NPDC as a result of divestment.”

N37.9 billion Being the value of oil allegedly lifted by NNPC on behalf of NPDC between January and February 2016

However, NNPC representative responded saying, “He could not comment on the matter but promised to contact the relevant department of the corporation for clarification before next meeting.” NNPC and its subsidiaries have, at various times, been accused of not remitting accurate monies realised from crude sales into the coffers of the federation account. A recent audit report by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) revealed that NNPC and other oil and gas companies failed to remit $4.4 billion and N358.3 billion to the Federation Account in 2013. Meanwhile, stakeholders in oil and gas sector and civil society members had called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe NEITI audited reports to ensure these alleged non-remitted monies are not swept under the carpet. The 2013 reports had shown huge amount of unremitted money to the federation account. According to the stakeholders, who met in Abuja on Tuesday, the investigation was necessary to CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

WEDNESDAY, june 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |news

SANCTIONS Companies that are listed on the Exchange are required to adhere to high disclosure standards Chris Ugwu

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has fined 19 quoted companies N58.8 million for failure to file their audited financial statements after the regulatory due date, New Telegraph has learnt. Checks by this newspaper showed that some of the companies were sanctioned for their inability to meet the regulatory requirements ranging between full year ended December 31, 2014 and first quarter ended March 31, 2016. The companies include Great Nigeria Insurance Plc, Daar Communication Plc, DN Tyre & Rubber Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated Plc, Equity Assurance Plc, Flour Mills Plc, Tripple Gee Plc and African Alliance Insurance Plc. Others are DN Meyers Plc, Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Fortis Microfinance Bank Plc, Sovereign Trust Assurance Plc, among others. Further instigations showed that Great Nigeria Insurance Plc, Daar Communication Plc, DN Tyre & Rubber Plc and African Alliance Insurance Plc got about N51.1 million of the fines, which accounted for 87 per cent. The Exchange in its XCompliance report explained that initiative was designed to maintain market integrity and protect the investors by providing compliance-related information on all listed companies. The report thus stated, “Companies that are listed on the Exchange are required to adhere to high disclosure standards, which are prescribed in Appendix 111 of the Listing Rules. “Financial information, which is periodic disclosure and on-going material events disclosure should be released to The Exchange in a timely manner to enable it efficiently perform its function of maintaining an orderly market”.

NNPC shortchanging govt, FAAC alleges CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

force the various companies indicted by the reports to remit the same amount into the federation account, considering the economic state of the country. Nigeria, as a country, joined EITI in 2003 and the EITI framework requires companies to publicly declare the revenues paid to the government while the government publicly declares what it received from the companies.

Delayed results: NSE fines ETI, 18 others N59m The NSE in an effort to achieve a world class capital market has reiterated its commitment to maintain zero tolerance posture on dealing member firms and quoted companies on violations of rules and regulations. This on the back of the Exchange’s determination to shift gears to drive innovations centered on increasing global visibility for the Nigerian capital market in the current year. The Chief Executive Officer of the Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema said recently that the local bourse will sustain a zero-tolerance stance on dealing

member firms and listed companies violations to help boost the confidence in the market. Managing Director, Crane Securities, Mr. Mike Eze, reacting to the development, said the action of the NSE will boost investors’ confidence in the market because it is sending a signal that the NSE’s management understands the need for investors to get companies’ financial reports as at when due. Eze said sanctions of erring companies are ways, which the Exchange is using to tell the investing public that they really want to revive confidence in

the market. He added that investors need to take informed decisions before choosing, which stock to buy. And the quoted companies could only achieve this if there is adherence of good corporate governance. A founding member of Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association and one of the leading shareholders’ activists, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, said penalising erring companies is a signal that it is no longer business as usual. “The action is great and it shows that the NSE management is alive to its responsibili-

ties. Besides, it is a signal to the companies in particular and the capital market in general that it is no longer business as usual. We must always abide by the rules,” he said. He noted that the sanction would make other companies sit up and post their results as at when due thereby providing investors, analysts and stockbrokers the platform to predict the real value of the companies. Just last April, the Exchange had imposed N110million sanctions on 39 quoted companies for their failure to meet the extended deadline for the submission of their audited reports and accounts. The NSE had mandated all quoted companies to submit their audited reports and accounts for the past business year to the regulators and the investing public within March 31, 2016.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Mooiman; Publisher/CEO, BusinessDay Frank Aigbogun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelemah; Human Resources and Corporate Services Executive, MTN Nigeria, Amina Oyagbola and President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Olusola Teniola, at the 2016 BusinessDay Technology Conference in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI.

DISTRAUGHT Exporters of non-basmati rice are worried over the potential threat of permanently losing rice export destination.

Bayo Akomolafe

xporters of Indian non-basmati rice to Nigeria lost N752.2 billion ($2.15 billion) of trade in Nigeria in the last one year, New Telegraph has learnt. This followed the Federal Government’s stringent measures and economic downturn in in the country. It was learnt that export of the commodity fell by 85per cent between April 2015 and February 2016. Nigeria is a major export destination for Indian nonbasmati rice.

Indian exporters lose N753bn rice market in Nigeria It was gathered that some 3.11 million tons of non-basmati rice valued at $2.15 billion were routed through Cotonou Port within the period. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) imposed the ban of the commodity from land border. But the service reversed the ban in March 2016, due to heavy smuggling. Report by All India Rice Exporters Association (AREA), linked the declined to dearth of foreign exchange in informal forex markets, which had adversely impacted payments. It noted that importation of Indian non-basmati rice, which found their way to Nigeria through Benin, has gone done sharply. The report said: “Although it is a considerable reduction compared to a flat duty of 110 per cent that was imposed

earlier, the differential duty along with a ban on rice import through the land border has had an impact on Indian exports to the country. “The Indian government seems to have made no effort to sort out this issue, either at the international or bilateral level, despite the potential threat of permanently losing Nigeria as a rice export destination. This is despite the fact that Nigeria is one of the top five sources for the import of oil and gas products into India and that it has maintained this status during the April 2015 – February 2016 period.” Last year, the two most important importers- Bangladesh and Nigeria, imposed restrictions on India rice last year. While Bangladesh imposed an import duty of 20 per cent, Nigeria imposed to-

tal ban. Starting in May 2014, Nigeria introduced a rice import policy, with a differential tariff regime for merchandise importers in a bid to achieve selfsufficiency by the year 2017. Some importers were asked to pay higher duty of 70 per cent, while those with verifiable domestic investments in the local rice milling industry pay a lower duty at 30 per cent. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has been urged by the Chairman, Freight Forwarders Association Badagry (FFAB),, Alhaji Tajudeen Adetayo, to reverse the policy banning rice importation through the land border. He said that a committee should be inaugurated by the government to look into issue of rice importation in the country.

WEDNESDAY, june 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

fct business watch

Last week, the states went cap in hand, to solicit for yet another financial assistance from the federal government. Experts insist that this is one assistance too many. Abdulwahab Isa reports

arely 10 months after the Federal Government rescued states - 27 of them with a financial bailout in excess over N500 billion, the second tier of government has slipped back Buhari into financial coma. Symptoms of financially diseased states became glaring less than five months after what many described as mouth-watering package was dispensed on them. Salaries of states’ civil servants are piling up again; payment obligation to local contractors are not being met; debt service on loan facilities secured from commercial banks are at best, haphazardly met; capital projects across the captured in the Fiscal Sustainability states are zero. Trapped in another Plan document earlier presented to avoidable debt due to the reckless- the state governments, which they ness with which the first bail out had signed. Part of the conditions, according package was managed, last week, the states shamelessly went cap in hand, to the minister, is that states interto beg the Federal Government for ested in the loan will be placed on intervention. Piqued by this develop- restriction from borrowing in comment, analysts proffered their views mercial banks; all states must pubon how states could function well in lish their financial statements and an ideal federating unit structure . this include budgets and quarterly budget performance; that states’ fiN90bn stringent conditional loan nances will no longer be shrouded Apparently, the Minister of Fi- in secrecy; items like security vote, nance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, found feeding and travel allowances, among herself in a confused state last week others, will be made known. Others at a press briefing to announce the are, that the states will review obsosecond phase of rescue package for lete revenue laws and tariffs; redefinancially distress states . Adeosun fine Internally Generated Revenue cleverly avoided tagging the Federal to include non-tax revenue sources Government’s second phase inter- that will reflect local opportunities vention a bailout. While the first in- in each state, especially in solid mintervention was a bailout, the second erals. And follow up to these, states tranche, the minister pointed out, is are directed to set target limits for rea N90billion conditional loan by the current and capital expenditures; set private sector to state governments target for personnel costs as percentthrough issuance of bonds in the age of the total budget; clean up their bond market. payroll by eliminating ghost workAfter a closed door meeting with ers; as well as set up Efficiency Units states’ commissioners for finance, to reduce the cost of governance. Adeosun said, “This is a loan that the minister during her interactive session with the media, provided an we have secured from the private secinsight into the new package, which tor and it has conditions attached to she said was structured for one year. it. So, it’s actually a loan that is going Explaining that the money to be to be repaid. It’s not a bailout. When released to states was not a bailout you want to borrow money, the lendlike the one given last year, she said ers set the conditions and these conthe one being finalized would be a ditions are very stringent conditions; loan to be guaranteed by the Federal there are 22 of them and the states Government but sourced from pri- have signed up to them. The govvate sector through bond subscrip- ernors unanimously approved the tion. plan; the commissioners approved “Based on the agreement with the the plan and it’s going to involve a lot state governors and the commission- of work in some places. There are a ers for finance, N50billon would be lot of tough conditions. So, the goverreleased in the first three months, nors and commissioners recognised where each of the 36 states would get that these reforms are necessary if about N1.3billion. Thereafter, anoth- they want the states to be fiscally suser N40billion would be released over tainable. The amount of the loan is a nine-month period as the second N50bn for three months to be shared tranche through the bond market, among all the participating states, with each state expected to receive which are 36 so far; and then, N40bn the sum of N1.1billion,” she said. for nine months. The idea is to tie Adeosun pointed out that the re- the states for a year so that they can lease of the funds would be tied to balance their portfolio, which is an very stringent conditions that were average of about N1.3bn for the states requested by the private sector inves- for the first three months, and then, N1.1bn for the next nine months. It’s tors. Twenty-two of the conditions were a loan and it’s going to be fully re-

Adeosun

Rescuing states from financial insolvency

We understand some of them had arrangements with commercial banks to make automatic deductions for payments to contractors

paid because it’s been secured with future dividends, revenues and any amount that the Federal Government may owe the states.” Fiscal federalism: The ever dependence of states on the centre for financial bailout has thrown up the question of whether Nigeria is operating according to the dictates of a federating system, which confers a modicum of financial autonomy on each tier of government. Responding to a reporter’s question on whether the new era signals a true federalism, a dodgy Adosun said, “Every state must be viable. We cannot have a situation where states are so dependent on the Federation Account for their revenues and once the Federation Account is down, they cannot survive. We have to make sure that within each state, whatever local advantage they have is exploited. So, if there is no private sector to collect taxes from, maybe there are agricultural produce, which can be developed and the states can use that to generate revenue.”

Experts’ perspective

As expected, states are ready for the N90 billion bond loan. Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has confirmed that, five states had so far completed the process for obtaining the N90 billion budget support facility being provided by the Federal Government. However, the new loan will attract nine per cent interest rate. The view of experts expectedly, are varied but cogent. Economist and former Deputy Governor at Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, said though he supports the N90 billion in principle, the situation at state level is worrisome. “The situation with public finances of our states is increasingly worrisome. It’s been less than a year since the last bailout. From what we were made to understand, some of the states did not use the bailout funds for the initial purposes intended. They simply diverted them to paying up arrears to their

contractors. We understand some of them had arrangements with commercial banks to make automatic deductions for payments to contractors. Hence, we are literally back to square one. In principle, I support the current initiative of N90 billion as additional bailout. But I also welcome the stringent conditionalities that have been put on ground. We would hope that the FGN through CBN and the Debt Management Office (DMO) would ensure that beneficiaries do comply with the conditionalities. I also believe CBN should do much more than they are doing currently to ensure financial soundness of the States. After all, the CBN Act stipulates that one of the mandates of the apex bank is to be an adviser to the government. I would interpret this broadly to mean advice not only to FGN but also to the states. We would like to see comprehensive regular report on the economic and financial conditions of the states. Right now, there is no agency doing that. We have no regular analysis of the financial conditions of the states, so that at least, the occasional whistle could be blown when things are getting out of order. And by the way, things have gotten out of order with many of our state governments. If they were corporations, a good number would have been declared bankrupt long ago. On the best way out for states to be less dependent on the centre for monthly allocation, Obadiah said most states are yet to think outside the box. “First, the states need to explore alternative sources of revenue generation to optimise their IGR. States such as Lagos and Ogun have done rather well with regards to IGR. Obviously, people must be encouraged to pay up their taxes. Political theory has established the fact that taxation is actually good for democracy. When people pay taxes, they are in a better position to demand greater accountability on the part of their government. The latter, in turn, will feel more obliged to ensure good governance and effective utilisation of taxpayers’ money in the wider interest of the common good. It’s clear that the fall in oil price will mean much lower revenues accruing to states and local governments. It is a wake-up call for financial prudence. The states also need to institute good governance by cutting waste and by judicious use of public resources. Governors do not have to live like medieval Asiatic despots. The public must demand greater accountability from those governing them. I wish some of our state governors could pay visits to the State of Kerala in India, where, with limited resources, considerable progress has been made in reducing poverty, improving literacy and widening opportunities while advancing human development,” he said.

Conclusion

The earlier states imbibe innovative ideas by thinking outside the box to tap from abundant resources that each is richly endowed with by nature, the quicker they stand the chance of being rescued from the vicious circle of depending on the Federal Government. Let each state till the land and dig out hidden resources. Time is up to end feeding bottle federalism.

WEDNESDAY, june 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |MONEY

Forex reforms spark economic optimism

It may not avert the looming recession, but the new foreign exchange policy announced by the CBN seems to have resulted in an immediate lifting of the economic gloom hanging over the country. TONY CHUKWUNYEM reports

learly, bleak figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), a few days to the commencement of the May meeting of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Commit- Emefiele tee (MPC), were a major reason why the apex bank reversed its of some imported items in the stance on the naira. The NBS data showed that Ni- short-term, it will inspire configeria’s Gross Domestic Product dence in the Nigerian economy (GDP) contracted by 0.36 per cent and financial system. We expect in the first quarter of the year a sharp drop in the value of the compared with growth of 2.11 naira against the U.S dollar when per cent in the fourth quarter of the interbank market opens on 2015 and 3.96 per cent in the same Monday, June 20, 2016. period last year. “However, we believe as the Commenting on the figures, internal adjustments regarding Africa analyst at Capital Econom- consumption patterns and proics, John Ashbourne, said, “This ductions within the Nigerian is probably the economy’s worst economy continue, the exchange performance since the mid-1990s. rate should appreciate.” …The biggest falls in growth Similarly, in his reaction, came in the manufacturing sec- respected economist and Chief tor, which is being squeezed by Executive Officer, Financial a complex and inflexible FX sys- Derivatives Company (FDC) tem….It is now clear that these Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, policies have - as we’d long argued in a note entitled, “Unified ex- made a bad situation worse.” change rate at long last”, said, Indeed, CBN Governor, Mr. The Central Bank has released Godwin Emefiele, was quite its guidelines for implementing blunt at his news conference af- a flexible exchange rate. This has ter the MPC meeting on May 24, been long overdue, with the CBN telling journalists that the regu- finally coming to terms with the lator would introduce a flexible need for a currency adjustment. exchange rate regime as part of Contrary to analysts’ expectaefforts to boost the economy and tions of a dual exchange rate restave off an “imminent reces- gime, only one market would be at play with a unified exchange sion”. The CBN had previously re- rate. This is welcome news as the jected calls from both local and unification of rates effectively international analysts urging it addresses the uncertainty and to devalue the naira as a way of speculative factors that have checking the country’s slowing played significant roles in determining the parallel market preeconomy. While analysts welcomed the mium under the fixed exchange decision, it appears that details rate regime.” of the new foreign exchange polFurthermore, the Internaicy, which were finally unveiled tional Monetary Fund (IMF), by Emefiele, last Wednesday, which had long urged Nigerian surpassed industry watchers’ officials to allow the naira to fall expectations. Reason: since the to absorb some of the shocks to announcement of the new policy, the economy from a plunge in the banking watchdog has been oil prices and revenues, was also receiving commendations over it quick to react to the announcement of the new policy. from far and wide. The IMF’s spokesman, Mr. Praises galore Gerry Rice, said, “I think the As analysts at FBN Quest put announcement …to revise the it, “The CBN has exceeded our guidelines for the operation of own, and most expectations with the Nigerian interbank foreign the more flexible exchange-rate exchange market is an imporpolicy it promised in the com- tant and welcome step. It will muniqué after the meeting of provide greater flexibility in that the monetary policy committee market, the foreign exchange on 24 May.” market.” Also, analysts at FSDH said, Continuing, he said, “As we “We believe the foreign exchange have said before, a significant (FX) policy is a bold step to align macroeconomic adjustment the foreign exchange rate man- that Nigeria urgently needs to agement in Nigeria with the cur- eliminate existing imbalances rent economic realities. Although and support the competitiveness the policy may increase the prices of the economy is best achieved

Rewane

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun

through a credible package of policies involving fiscal discipline, monetary tightening, a flexible exchange rate regime and structural reform. Allowing the exchange rate to better reflect market forces is an integral part of that.”

We believe the foreign exchange (FX) policy is a bold step to align the foreign exchange rate management in Nigeria with the current economic realities

Stock market posts best global performance In fact, evidence of the positive impact of the policy on the economy was quickly noticed in the performance of the stock market, which had been recording massive losses in recent times. Within two trading days of the CBN releasing guidelines for the new forex policy, the stock market reacted positively with a gain of N500 billion or 5.38 per cent. According to Bloomberg News, stocks climbed 2.6 per cent last Thursday, the best performance worldwide, after jumping 3.2 per cent the previous day. The news agency further reported that Nigeria’s 2023 dollar bonds slipped, sending the yield up 15 basis points to 7.21 per cent, following the biggest gain since 2014 the previous day. Analysts said banks and consumer goods companies led the charge, driven by expectations that a more flexible foreign exchange policy will boost dollar supply and lure back foreign investors. Commenting on the development, Managing Director Crane Securities Limited, Mr. Mike Eze, said the libralisation of the exchange rate was expected to impact positively on the economy, adding that the policy will attract foreign direct investment into the country. “The libralisation is going to make the economy buoyant and since the capital market is the engine room of the economy, it will also help to revive the market as foreigners will like to mop- up stocks that have good fundamentals. “The introduction of a flexible interbank market from a de facto peg of around N197 would boost investors’ confidence and create more dollar liquidity,” he said. Also commenting on the issue,

an analyst at Rand Merchant Bank, Nema Ramkhelawan-Bhana, said, a free float of the naira was, “one option we didn’t see coming… It’s definitely a step in the right direction. It’s long overdue and it will go a long way toward an economic re-balancing. But it’s just the first step.” Positive impact on real economy Similar views were expressed by analysts at CardinalStone Research who said in a note obtained by New Telegraph, “With the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, we now expect many manufacturing companies to find it relatively easier to source dollars to import essential raw materials. For many manufacturing companies, the difficulty to open letters of credit significantly hampered production, leading to steady decline in manufacturing output over the last 3 to 4 quarters (with the exception of Q4’15).” In the same vein, in a note obtained by this newspaper in which they carried out a detailed analysis of the impact of the policy on the economy, analysts at FSDH stated that new features of the forex trading system would boost investor confidence in the Nigerian economy. According to them, “The introduction of the FX Futures market should reduce the frontloading of FX and consequently in the spot market. In addition, we believe the market structure that the CBN announced was well thought out and investors will have confidence in the system to manage their exchange rate risks. On the supply side, we note that it would increase the supply of FX from Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) and Foreign Direct Investors (FDIs). “We expect foreign capital to flow in. In addition, the policy will encourage the non-oil exporters to bring in their export proceeds. It should also encourage the development of the non-oil export sector in Nigeria in order to boost exports.” Significantly, the DirectorGeneral of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Muda Yusuf, also commended the policy, noting that CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

BUSINESS |MONEY

WEDNESDAY, june 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

DECLINE Capacity utilisation index dropped by 12.8 points Tony Chukwunyem

esults from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Business Expectations Survey (BES) for the second quarter of 2016, show a decline in expectations with businesses expressing pessimism about their performance during the period. In a statement, the CBN said that the Q2 2016 BES was carried out during the period May 1st to 13th, 2016 with a sample size of 1,950 business enterprises nationwide, adding that a response rate of 99.5 per cent was achieved during the reporting quarter. It covered the industry, construction, wholesale/retail trade and services sectors. According to the statement, “Respondent firms were pessimistic on the macro economy in Q2 2016. The pessimism was driven by the opinion of respondents from all the sectors: industrial, wholesale/ retail trade, construction and services.” The study stated that respondents’ pessimism in the volume of total order and their internal liquidity positions, dampened the volume of their business activities in the current quarter, noting that respondents’ pessimism on

Business sentiment fell in Q2, says CBN access to credit, further lessened their internal liquidity positions in the review quarter. The report further stated that respondent firms cited insufficient power supply as the major constraining factor to their business activities in during the quarter under review. According to them, other constraining factors include financial problems, unfavourable economic climate, high interest rate, competition, access to credit and unfavourable political climate and unclear economic laws.

it was a position that the organised private sector had advocated for in the past one year. In a statement made available to this newspaper, Yusuf explained that the new policy would benefit the economy, as it would improve liquidity in the forex market, thereby boosting investor confidence. He said, “There will be a significant improvement in the allocative efficiency of foreign exchange, supply of forex market will be enhanced as confidence improves, especially from capital importation, export proceeds and Diaspora remittances.” The LCCI D-G further stated that the new framework would ensure that “there will be a considerable moderation in exchange rate as supply of forex improves, the federation account will benefit from better revenue inflows from the CBN as sale of subsidised forex comes to an end, the policy is a major incentive to exporters as they will have unfettered access to their export proceeds”. Inflation concerns However, there are concerns

The study, however, stated that respondents indicated a positive outlook in the volume of business activities, as well as improved prospects for employment in the next quarter. It identified services as the sector with the highest prospects for employment, followed by wholesale/retail trade, industrial and construction sectors. Similarly, the report indicated that businesses are expecting the naira to further weaken in the current quarter but to strengthen in the next quarter. According to the

report, firms also expect inflation and borrowing rates to rise in the current quarter and fall in the next quarter. Specifically, the report stated, “The pessimistic outlook of respondents in the current quarter was driven by the opinion of respondents from industrial (-3.9 points), wholesale/retail trade (-3.2 points), construction (2.6points ) and services (-2.6 points) sectors. Conversely, the expected drivers for the optimism on the macro economy in the next quarter are services (17.1 points), wholesale/retail trade

(12.0 points), industrial (9.5 points) and construction (5.8 points) sectors.” In addition, the study indicated that the respondents’ confidence index on own operations was less optimistic across all sectors in the current quarter than it was in the corresponding quarter of 2015. “The confidence indices of services, construction, industrial and wholesale/retail trade sectors stood at 1.5, -9.0, -7.0 and –6.0 in Q2, 2016 as compared to their levels of 16.2, 2.3, 0.2and 9.2 in the corresponding quarter of 2015, respectively.

Group Managing Director, FBN Holdings Plc, UK Eke (left); with Chief Executive Officer, Africa, Ernst and Young, Ajen Sita Plc, during a courtesy visit to FBN Holdings Plc in Lagos.

Forex reforms spark economic optimism CONTINUED FROM PAG E 28

in some quarters that the new forex policy could impact the economy negatively given that it could worsen inflation. As Rand Merchant Bank’s Nema Ramkhelawan-Bhana, put it, “A free-floating and weaker naira won’t be just good news. It may also fuel inflation, already at a six-year high, and force the central bank to raise borrowing costs, hurting those who can least afford it: the poor.” A former President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr. Sam Nzekwe, who said that even though he backs the CBN’s decision to float the naira, the country should brace for more inflation, supported his views. He said, “The new policy is good because now we are going to have one exchange rate. But I foresee inflation hitting 20 per cent. This is the price we have to pay for being an import dependent nation.” Conclusion But perhaps it may be too early to speculate on the likely impact of the new forex policy on the economy because as a bank official explained, “Its only when full implementation of the new policy takes off that one will be able to observe its real impact on the economy.”

Ecobank Group cites NPLs for woeful financials

cobank Group Chairman, Emmanuel Ikazoboh, has lamented the Group’s “poor” 2015 financial results, attributing it to the high level of Non Performing Loans (NPLs). “ Addressing shareholders at the Group’s 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lome, last weekend, he was quoted as saying, “Our financial results for 2015 were poor and clearly not representative of the earnings potential of our diversified pan-African business model.” He pointed out that the macroeconomic environment affected the financial

results in various ways. According to him, “The major reason behind these less than satisfactory results was the high level of impairments on loans and financial assets made in 2015, totalling 532 million U.S. dollars almost double 2014’s level.” The group, he explained, generated reported diluted earnings per share of 0.28 U.S. dollars, a fall of 83 per cent compared with the 1.69 U.S. dollars reported in 2014. Meanwhile, profit attributable to shareholders amounted to 66 million U.S. dollars, compared to 338 million U.S. dollars in 2014.

He also said that the revenue generation capacity of the group was stifled by weak economic activity and the depreciation of Middle African currencies against U.S. dollar, which is the reporting currency of Ecobank. “The precipitous fall in crude oil prices, a slowing in China’s impressive economic growth and economic malaise in Europe combined to create a perfect storm that adversely impacted the economies of Middle Africa and, in turn, household and business incomes,” he further argued.

Brexit: Central banks, IMF sound the alarm

head of tomorrow’s European Union (EU) referendum in Britain, the Bank of England has warned that the event was potentially the “largest risk” for world markets. “The outcome of the referendum continues to be the largest immediate risk facing UK financial markets and possibly also global financial markets,” according to minutes from the bank’s June meeting. “Were the UK to vote to leave the EU, sterling’s exchange rate would fall further, perhaps sharply,” the minutes add. Earlier, global central banks sounded the alarm over the risks posed by Brexit as polls

continued to show that the outcome is too close to call. In a 15-hour relay of comments, the chiefs of the US Federal Reserve (Fed), the Bank of Japan, the Bank of Canada and the Swiss National Bank all cited the referendum on EU membership as being potentially disruptive to the global economy. The IMF weighed in, saying that a British vote to break with the EU could stifle economic growth and weaken the ties that bind the eurozone. In a new report, the IMF warned that the 19-nation single-currency bloc already faced rising doubts from within that could loosen its bonds, including from ten-

sions over the refugee crisis. It said a pro-Brexit vote could exacerbate that trend. Haruhiko Kuroda, governor of the Bank of Japan, said that central banks were in contact on Brexit, and that his institution could respond to any potential surge in dollar-funding costs. “The Bank of Japan is closely exchanging opinions with the Bank of England and other central banks,” he told reporters. “We want to co-ordinate closely with domestic and overseas authorities and carefully watch how the vote will affect the international financial market and the global economy, including Japan.”

WEDNESDAY, june 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Investor

The new forex policy will ginger investors’ confidence in the equities market, writes CHRIS UGWU

New forex policy as tincture to equities’ bear run

everal months back, the Nigerian stock market witnessed a scenario where virtually all investors, both foreign and local, sold or were rushing to sell all their stocks because they wanted to exit at all cost. The sole motivation for trading has been to get out of the market and seek shelter in investments such as bonds and real estate, to mention a few. There is no doubt, the selling frenzy is painful but it was relatively quick and still lingers. The increasing selling momentum makes it crystal clear that the bears have taken control. Worse still is the rush by foreign portfolio managers to exit the Nigerian equities market, as a buffer to augment their battered positions in the face of recessions in home markets. Market apathy has also heightened, as local investors have also stepped up sell off to transfer their funds from stocks to safer investments. Low sentiment in the market had worsened following investment apathy, which had made both foreign and local investors remain on the sidelines, owing to upset in the financial market. Available statistics had showed that since the inauguration of the current administration, transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) had continued to skew downward as the market, which opened the hand over year high at N11.658 trillion in market capitalisation and 34,310.37 in index at the beginning of trading on 1st June 2015, closed last Wednesday at N9.284 trillion and 27,034.05 index points, hence earned a loss of about N2.374 trillion or 21 per cent. Economic experts have constantly called for libralisation of exchange rate, which they believe is one of the major reasons why investors are shying away from making investment decision but would rather keep their financial resources at war chest to ride through such difficult environment. Why depletion in equities? According to market analysts, the factors, which impacted on the market were drop in the crude oil price, delay in passage of budget, lack of clear policy direction, depressed consumer purchasing power, expected weak corporate earnings, the flight to safety by foreign investors on account of the weak Naira and anticipated devaluation. Analysts at Meristem Securities Limited, a Lagos-based investment banking firm, had said that participation in the Nigerian equities market was likely to remain tempered in the short-term, given the impact of foreign investors and their wariness to participate given their perception that the naira is ‘unfairly’ valued. “This, we anticipate, will cause a drag to market returns, provided that the apex authority maintains its stoic stance regarding management of the forex market.”

NSE trading floor

The Managing Director, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, said: “We have seen a mixed command and control of economy as being juxtaposed with free market economy that has created some level of absence of clarity when it comes to policy environment. “The controls in terms of exchange rate have kept away foreign portfolio investors from the market. We need to reverse that policy on exchange rate. Government needs to libralise the exchange rate, we need to open the market for foreign investors, we need to address the issue of what policy orientation government wants to pursue, whether it is going to be a state economy or free market economy. We need to address that on the crude price.” CBN’s new forex policy The investment community however, got respite last week, as the Federal government finally succumbed to experts’ calls on the forex libralisation. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had last Wednesday unveiled the new guidelines for the Nigeria Interbank Foreign Exchange (NIFEX) Market, allowing the exchange rate of the naira to be determined by the market forces of demand and supply. The new guidelines, which came after weeks of expectations, according to analysts, would reduce pressure on the local currency and attract foreign investors. CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said the apex bank had resolved to henceforth deal with FX Primary Dealers (FXPDs) under the new arrangement. He noted, however, that the existing ban of 41 items from accessing forex from the official window would remain in place. He said part of the objectives of the new framework, which included among others, is the introduction of the naira-settled Overthe-Counter (OTC) FX Futures trading to discourage people from front-loading or hoarding forex

The regulators should also step up measures to attract more domestic flows into the market

due to uncertainty. Impact on the market The news of the release of the guidelines on the Forex Policy by the banking watchdog, which attracted commendations from market analysts impacted positively on the trading activities, confirming the fact that stock market is information driven. According to analysts, the share appreciation lifted the stock market to achieve the best performing stocks in the world with banks and consumer goods companies leading the charge, driven by expectations that a more flexible foreign exchange policy will boost dollar supply and lure back foreign investors. Since the announcement last Wednesday, the stock market recorded three-day gaining streak of N760.13 billion, pushing the market capitalisation to N10 trillion mark, which was last achieved in November, 2015. Operators’ expectations Reacting to this development, Managing Director, Crane Securities Limited, Mr. Mike Eze, said the liberalisation of the exchange rate is expected to impact positively on the economy, adding that the policy will attract foreign direct investment into the country. He said: “The liberalisation is going to make the economy buoyant and since the capital market is the engine room of the economy, it will also help to revive the market, as foreigners will like to mop-up stocks that have good fundamentals. “The cheering news is that the Central Bank has come to realise that we need a flexible exchange rate regime rather than the fixed regime. “The introduction of a flexible interbank market from a de facto peg of around N197 would boost investors’ confidence and create more dollar liquidity.” Also, analysts at Cowry Asset Management Limited, said that capital market activities were expected to witness gradual recovery, as foreign exchange risk diminishes

with the adoption of a more flexible exchange rate regime. The decision surpassed many analysts’ expectations of a managed float or two-tier foreign-exchange system, and may draw back foreign investors who sold Nigerian assets because of the concern that devaluation would erode their returns. A free float was “one option we didn’t see coming,” said Nema Ramkhelawan- Bhana, an analyst at Rand Merchant Bank in Johannesburg. “It’s definitely a step in the right direction. It’s long overdue and it will go a long way toward an economic re-balancing. But it’s just the first step,” he added. Responding to investors’ enquires, President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and Chairman of the Council, Mr Oluwaseyi Abe, explained that the coast was already clear for the investors to shore-up their holdings, as market has begun to rebound. Abe noted that there is nothing unusual about the current state of the market, as the market essentially mirrors the economy and it moves in phases. “It is only normal for the market to swing upward and downward because that is what makes it a market. It is absolutely normal. In any case, the direction of the market at any given time is the reflection of the economy and it’s been known that the economy has not been doing well lately. So, I feel it is even the best time to invest in the capital market because the economy is now on the steady path of rebound,” Abe said. Corroborating him, the Institute’s First Vice President, Mr. Dapo Adekoje, assured investors that uncertainty, which characterised the investment climate, would soon disappear completely. According to him, the Federal Government’s policy on the economic direction is becoming clearer and the international community has so much respect for President Muhammadu Buhari who has been waging war against corruption in Nigeria. Adekoje explained that the new policy of the CBN on the forex had been endorsed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and there are strong indications that the new development would enhance efficiency in the management of the exchange rate of the Naira with multiplier effect on the capital market. Also, Network Capital’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ropo Dada, noted that one of the main reasons why foreign investors were leaving was the controversial exchange rate of the Naira to convertible currencies, but with the new development, the market has become the toast of foreign investors. Conclusion In as much as the new policy is believed to help stem the tide of sustainable bear run in the market, it is also expedient that the regulators should also step up measures to attract more domestic flows into the market.

WEDNESDAY, june 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

A report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says imports to Nigeria have shrunk by 24.7 per cent and reduced container traffic to West African major ports. BAYO AKOMOLAFE reports

maritime

report by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has revealed that the number of ocean-going vessels that called at the ports have declined by 8.1 per cent. It also noted that a total of 5,090 vessels called at the ports in 2015, as against 5,541 recorded in 2014. Similarly, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) said that container traffic to Tema Port dropped significantly from almost one million in 2014 to about 800,000 Twenty Equivalent Units (TEUs) in 2015. The two countries linked the reason to the current global economic downturn and government policies. Global traffic According to a shipping industry data provider, Alphaliner, container traffic began to drop at its slowest rate in some ports since the beginning of 2016. The firm explained that global container traffic to various ports had declined 0.9 per cent due to weak demand. It noted that carriers were struggling to scout for importers to fill their ships. In 2015, ships with a combined capacity of 1.7 million Twenty Equivalent Units (TEUs) entered the global fleet to contest the lower ocean freight rates, resulting from excess capacity. The firm added that ship owners and operators were left with idle ships of more than 1.3 million TEU capacities due to lack of cargoes to ship to other ports. Also, a shipping consulting firm, Clarksons Research, explained that orders for new vessels had dropped 40 per cent in 2015 to $69 billion, while the demolition rate for unwanted vessels jumped 15 per cent. Already, China’s shipping company, Cosco Holding Company Limited, has reduced freight since February 2016 because of the unfavourable market condition. The Baltic Dry Index, which measures the cost of shipping, explained that Chinese import had fallen 76 per cent since August 2016 and was now at record low. Impact on Ghana The Director General of GPHA, Richard Anamoo, said that the situation had affected frozen imports, which witnessed a significant drop since last year. He noted that once the economy recovered from the challenges, the sector would bounce back. Anamoo lamented that GPHA had invested a total of $357 million into the Takoradi port expansion project before the down-

Containers stacked at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa

Economic downturn propels low traffic at ports turn. He emphasised that the port ought to be working towards maximising profits efficiently through increase in volume of cargo handling rather than mere hike in port tariff. “It is our ambition for the Ghana corridor to be a trade route for and within West Africa,” Anamoo said. Nigeria’s experience The situation is not too different from that of Nigeria, as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said that low container traffic had grossly affected revenue generation. It noted that the volume of import had fallen at seaports and borders since the beginning of the year. Its Comptroller-General, Col Hameed Ali (rtd), recently attributed the shortfall in Customs’ revenue to foreign exchange policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which barred importers of 41 selected items from accessing the official foreign exchange window. For instance, statistics released by the Apapa and Tin Can Island port commands attributed the implementation of the CBN policy on forex, ban on rice and auto policy to the drop in revenue in the first quarter. Implication The statistics revealed that Customs lost N13 billion from Lagos Port where it generates the largest revenue. Also, at Tin Can Island command, the service recorded a revenue shortfall of N2.7 billion in the first quarter of 2016.

The Tincan Island Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chris Osunkwo, said that the command generated N58.9billion in the first quarter of 2016, as against N61.6billion generated in the corresponding period of 2015.

The number of oceangoing vessels that brought goods into the port fell by 43.48 per cent from 92 ships

Job losses The low ship traffic has made terminal operators at Apapa and Tin Can Island to lay off thousands of workers in recent months. Miffed by this, the Chairman of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Val Usifoh, explained that the ports were feeling the pressure of low import. He said: “We are feeling the pressure now with our import volume down, but all aspects of the economy are interrelated and these heavy restrictions are causing more uncertainty.” The Managing Director of Okpoto Logistics Limited, Mr Samuel Elem, told New Telegraph that CBN’s policy and devaluation of the currency were having a serious negative effect on the shipping sector. He explained that only few agents were clearing cargoes, as importers were no longer ordering for goods. The managing director said that the country should be expecting lower container traffic now that the CBN policy of fixed exchange rate was in favour of open market trading. He stressed that the apex bank had no plan for importers of the 41 items prohibited by the

government. Elem, who is a customs agent, said that the new measure would further lead to a sharp fall in naira and make imports more expensive. Shipping traffic A recent shipping traffic report from NPA revealed that the number of oceangoing vessels bringing both containerised and break-bulk goods into the country’s seaports had dropped by 63 per cent in the last three months. It was revealed that the Lagos Port, which handles about 60 per cent of the nation’s total cargo throughput, started witnessing a decline in the volume of ship traffic since December 2014. Traffic data A breakdown indicated that 71 ships called at Lagos Port in December 2014 as against 130 ships recorded in December 2013, leading to about 45. 39 per cent decline. In January 2015, the number of oceangoing vessels that brought goods into the port fell by 43.48 per cent from 92 ships that berthed at the port in January 2014 to 52 ships. As at June 16, 2016, the number of ships calling at the port had shrunk to 29. This drop has also affected NPA’s revenue, as it generated N11.9billion in 2015, indicating a drop of 1.7 per cent from the N12.1 billion generated in 2014. Conclusion There is need to concentrate on export trade to boost revenues earnings from the ports.

business \ maritime

FORESIGHT Nigeria moves to implement maritime pollution convention at ports Bayo Akomolafe

frican Circle Pollution Management Limited has procured more specialised trucks and mini oil spill response stores to clear waste and oil pollution within the port and waterways. The move is part of efforts to implement the Marine Pollution (MARPOL) conventions stipulated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

WEDNESDAY, june 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Firm procures oil spill response stores for ports, waterways It was learnt that the mini oil spill response stores could be used on land and water by hooking it to a truck or flying boat and deployed to any scene of oil spill. Mercedes Benz for African Circle Pollution Management Limited specially built the six trucks as their type is not presently in the open market. The procurement of the specialised trucks and mini oil spill response stores are in addition to the ones it took delivery of in 2014 in the furtherance of its responsibilities as con-

tained in the agreement signed with the Federal Government through the management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Speaking at the formal unveiling of the trucks and mini oil spill response stores at Finger Jetty, Tin Can Island Port Complex (TCIP), Apapa, Lagos, the Executive Director, Marine and Operations in NPA, Engr. David Omonibeke, commended African Circle Pollution Management Limited for the Build, Own, Operate And Transfer (BOOT) agreement with the Federal

Government over a decade ago. Omonibeke, who was represented at the occasion by NPA General Manager, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Mr. Lawrence Alabi, said that the Federal Government was happy that the company had discharged its mandate as required. He said: “There is no doubt about it. You are doing well. In fact, you are one of our worthy partners in the task of fulfilling the provisions of MARPOL and we are very proud of the achievements you have made over the years.

L-R: The Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, receiving brochures from the Chief Executive Officer of Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre, Sir Charles Wami, during a paid a courtesy visit to the the agency in Lagos.

Budget: Senate to assist NPA on execution

he National Assembly committees on marine have promised to jointly assist the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) with the implementation of its 2016 budget. The committees advised the authority to manage its budget judiciously in view of the economic challenges in the country. A nine-man committee drawn from the Senate Committee on Marine Transport and House Committee on Port, Harbours and Waterways has been put in place by the lawmakers to handle the process. The Chair man, House Committee on Ports Harbour and Waterways, Mr Pat Asadu, according to a state-

ment, told NPA’s management that the committee would ensure its budget was implemented appropriately. He noted that members of the committee would also meet with the stakeholders in the maritime industry to seek their opinion on how to move the industry forward. Asadu added that the committee would find out the challenges militating against their operations. According to him, “The Nigerian economy is facing some challenges and we feel that all hands must be on deck to enable us realise more revenue for government”. Echoing him, the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine

Transport, Mr Samuel Anyanwu, said that the joint committee had been mandated to engage on oversight function in ensuring that the economy does not collapse. He explained that the committee was basically around to assist in solving issues that were beyond NPA’s control and smooth operations of both terminal operators. Anyanwu added that there was need to collaborate with the authority to enable Nigeria ports become more attractive and cost effective to attract more users. The Managing Director, NPA, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, said that the authority would support the two committees.

“This is one of the reasons why we are ready to showcase what you are doing within and outside the country. In a recent meeting at IMO Headquarters in the United Kingdom, we made it clear that we are not lagging behind in addressing the provisions of MARPOL and we are ready to showcase what we are doing to the world, anytime, any day.” The executive director urged the management of the firm not to rest on its oars but continue to deliver on the provisions of the agreement it signed with the Federal Government in the years ahead. Also, the Acting Coordinating Manager of the company, Mr. Ahmadu Fidi Ahmadu, explained that the procurement of the additional specialised trucks and mini oil spill response stores was in line with the company’s desire to discharge its functions effectively. According to him, with the procurement of more trucks and equipment, it would place the company in a vantage position to deliver its roles and responsibilities in the nation’s seaports. The Regional Manager, South West of the company, Mrs. Oyenike Shobowale, also disclosed that the firm would take delivery of more trucks and equipment soon.

She revealed that some of the trucks and equipment would be deployed to the ports situated in other pilotage districts such as Calabar and Port Harcourt. The Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Manager of the company, Pastor Kingsley Okojie, said that the trucks had the capacity to compress 20 cubic metres of recyclable and non-recyclable wastes. According to him, the mini oil spill response stores can be used on land and water by hooking it to a truck or flying boat and deployed to the scene of oil spill. With these mini oil spill response stores, the spread of oil spill can be curtailed to avert further damage to the environment. He said: “It is a proactive measure by this company because it would be a disaster if we fold our arms and wait till an oil spill occurs before we start looking for the equipment to curtail its spread. “African Circle Pollution Management Limited has a 25 years BOOT agreement to carry out the provisions of MARPOL as stipulated by IMO in Nigerian ports on behalf of NPA. In furtherance of this agreement, it acquired land in Snake Island, Lagos where it built a G-Force facility to tackle marine pollution, among other things.”

Commodities at Lagos Port this week Vessel

Commoditty Tonnage

Day

Hauscar

PMS

16,500

Monday

Champion

PMS

1,650 tons

Monday

Jadrana

Container

600 FCL

Monday

Richard Schulte

Container

650 FCL

Monday

Lycavitos

Sugar

29,700 tons Monday

MSK Cameroun

Container

700FCL

Tuesday

Garganey

Wheat

33,105 ton

Tuesday

Hanjin Santos

Sugar

280FCL

Wednesday

Cont Kota

Sugar

350FCL

Wednesday

Sierra Lara

Fish

4,100 tons

Thursday

Leto

Coal

4,8977 tons Friday

JPO Atair

Empty Cont.

850FCL

Virtuors Striker

Sugar

46,000 tons Saturday

Desert Glory

Wheat

47, 043tons Saturday

Friday

Desert Symphony Wheat

43,231tons

Saturday

Kota Singa

270FCL

Sugar

Container

business \ maritime

WEDNESDAY, june 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG targets N240bn from exports in 2016 SHIPMENT NPA to dedicate some terminals as export hubs for agriculture and solid minerals Bayo Akomolafe

he ministries of agriculture and solid minera ls and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is partnering with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to achieve a revenue target of N240 billion ($1.2billion) in 2016. As part of efforts to achieve the target, NPA in a statement, said it would dedicate some terminals as export hubs for agriculture and solid minerals. The authority added that it was working out other means of diversifying revenue sources for government, especially in growing export for the country. The Managing Director of the authority, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, said in Lagos that there were proposals for ports, which would be solely dedicated for export of agricultural produce, while Ilaje port in Ondo would be assigned for solid minerals export . He explained that NPA might surpass its revenue targets this year, if the

L-R: New Comptroller for Lagos Seaports and Marine Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs. Modupe Anyalechi, Deputy Comptroller, TinCan Island Ports Command, Amuda N.S, Special Duty Manager, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, Mr. Kola Saka and Chief Security Officer, Mr. Casmir Ihedioha, during the familiarisation visit of the comptroller to Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, operator of Terminal “C” of Tin-Can Island Ports, Lagos.

current economic indices improved. According to him, the authority is working out a strategy with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on how to achieve the milestone. The terminal operators were also being re-oriented to support the success of the programme, he said. Abdulahi noted that this would not only help in the diversification process of

the economy but would also compensate revenue loss at ports. He stressed the need to utilise some empty containers that were lying idle. He said: “The primary responsibility of NPA is to raise more revenue for government and work to assist in expanding the economy and ensure that the nation’s dependence on oil was reduced significantly.” Meanwhile, the Associa-

tion of Exports Commodity and Manufacturing Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AECMFFN) has cried out that 40 per cent of exporters using Lagos seaports had closed shops over the harsh operating environment. They noted that 30 per cent of the remaining 60 per cent were smuggling Nigerian commodities to other countries through Cotonou and Niger Republic.

The President of the association, Mr Olubunmi Olumekun, said that Nigerian cashew nuts were being smuggled through Cotonou, while sesame seeds were smuggled to other countries through Niger Republic because of the high cost of export in Nigerian. The president said that the 30 per cent incentive introduced by the Federal Government to encourage importers had not been implemented.

NIMASA promises sea time for cadets, partners institutions

Customs impound 23,340 pairs of shoes in Ogun

igerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has given assurance to the 100 cadets trained under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) that the agency would provide necessary sea time experience for them to enable them acquire Certificates of Competency. The cadets according to a statement from the agency, graduated with degrees in maritime transport, marine engineering and navigational technology respectively from the University of Perpetual Help, Philippines. The agency’s Deputy Director, Corporate Communication, Hajia Lami Tumaka, quoted the Director General of the agency, Dr Dakuku Peterside, as saying that modalities had been put in place to ensure that the cadets get the necessary sea time experience that would make them complete seafarers. He congratulated them for successfully concluding their studies and returning home without any case of misconduct. He noted: “I must commend you all for being good ambassadors of Nigeria by not involving yourselves in any untoward act while in the Philippines. As a responsible agency, we will complete what we started by making sure that you all get the required sea time that will make you professionals in your chosen career.” Peterside explained that the cadets were now part of a unique profession responsible for keeping the wheels of global

commerce rolling. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to grow human and infrastructural capacity for the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime industry. Meanwhile, the agency has resolved to partner with training institutions to provide internationally recognised training in basic and advanced maritime courses for the sustainable development of the maritime industry. Peterside said this while receiving the management of Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre in Lagos. He noted that the partnerships were aimed at bridging the capacity gap in the industry. Peterside commended the management of the training institution on the quality of their facilities, instructors and the international accreditation. The director general noted that the agency was open to partnerships that would advance the course of maritime sector in the country. He highlighted the importance of capacity building as being instrumental to the development of the maritime sector, noting that it was a prerequisite for the achievement of local content in shipping and logistics chain. “For us to grow the local content in the maritime sector that Nigeria deserves, we must be able to take very seriously the issue of training, which is why we in NIMASA will always partner training institutions to grow this capacity,” he added.

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted two trucks loaded with 23,340 pairs of shoes along SagamuIjebu-Ode Expressway, Ogun State. In a statement by the Customs’ Federal Operation Unit, Zone A, spokesman, Uche Ejesieme, said the contraband were concealed with 816 pairs of slippers in an Iveco truck with registration number SUC 527 XA. According to the leader of Customs’ Headquarters Compliance Team ‘C’, Ogun/ Oyo, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Abdulmaruf Shittu, a Mercedes Benz truck with registration number LSK 835 XP, carrying 305 pieces of used tyres, was intercepted and seized. He listed other items in the vehicle as including large quantities of soaps, used clothes, detergents, large quantities of blenders, 136 giant cartons of cosmetics and 145 cartons of pampers. Shittu said that the items were seized because they were all contraband. He said: “The Headquar-

ters Compliance Team C also intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number GUE 60 XA along the Ijebu-Ode expressway, laden with 30 bales of second hand clothes.” “We are not unmindful of their desperation to smuggle, in terms of going the extra miles, using any available strategy. But we are always several steps ahead of them. The task of policing the entire area under our coverage is a responsibility that we cannot afford to abdicate.” Shittu urged patriotic Nigerians to cooperate with NCS by offering useful information that could lead to the interception of smuggled goods into the country. He stated that the truck had been taken to Customs House, Ibadan where 100 per cent examination would be conducted in accordance with the laid down procedures. The assistant comptroller gave assurance that his team and other anti-smuggling units had the capacity and capability to humiliate smugglers.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Literature

Arts

Towards personal, national development

Two of works on display in the ongoing exhibition, Discerning Mind

In Lagos, Onuorah engages solo exhibition for ‘Discerning Minds’ Tony Okuyeme

“E

xplosion of creativity” comes easily into mind when you encounter the new body of work by ‘d’artist’ Chike Onuorah, on display at The Moore House, Ikoyi, Lagos ‘d’artist’, in his solo exhibition titled Discerning Minds. But beyond exploration of creativity, the exhibition, which opened last Saturday, as the title suggests, invites the viewer to engage the works in a conversation in search of meaning, understanding. Perception, he says, is what is coming to play here, noting that “It will make a lot more meaning to the discerning mind. We are talking creativity; you must give certain room for the viewer to engage the work. Creativity is an evolution of time. “Discerning Minds, the Power of Perception is very explanato-

TONY OKUYEME ARTS EDITOR

tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

ry; the mind that can see the true content of the pictures, that can grasp the real message that is being put across. It takes a discerning mind to be able to interpret some of the works. In some of them I try to pamper the viewers; in some of them I try to go a little bit deeper so that there will be an engagement between the viewer and the work; for the dialogue between the viewer and the work to be continuous.” In the exhibition featuring 37 works (painting on canvas and acrylic on canvas), Onuorah, as with many of his previous solo exhibitions, takes a philosophical look at contemporary life, while stressing the need to “appreciate nature and the spirituality of our existence”. He notes: “You see the title of the exhibition for you is very apt because your perception is very strong, the discerning mind, the power of perception. Perception is everything. Nature is a very great inspiration, and the ultimate creator is the greatest inspiration.” He also underscores the need for appreciation of “the child as a great heritage”. Beyond painting and his love for colours, he also shows his resourcefulness by providing ideas behind the works through series of poetic messages. For instance, in the works titled Greatest Heritage, he notes: “Gold and Silver one may have / Diamond and pearls is all the strife / The flash and splash and all worth not / Cannot compare to child in a

Onuorah

cot / A time will come for another page / When one will know who’s on the stage / Great wisdom of the diamond age / The child our greatest heritage.” Also, in the piece titled Bumper Harvest, d’artist, notes: “A bumper harvest / A basket full of toil and sweat / A gladness filled with no regret / A full reward for all the toil / A little seed will grow and grow / A wonder to behold and know.” Explaining further on some of the works, including ‘Our Heritage’ and ‘Time will Tell’, Onuorah states that the idea is to go beyond aesthetics, and invite the viewer to look at content. “We go beyond just what the eyes see for entertainment purpose; we go into content. The aesthetics

will attract you but the content will sustain you. It is the content that gives life to what we do. That content is the strength, the sense of purpose that we have in our existence. “Time is very powerful in life. For the benefit of time, in life, you have a lot of hindsight, and you graduate from the visible, to the things you see and to the things you hope for; things that will matter more. That is the graduation we are in, and you begin to appreciate the spirituality of our existence. “Time Will Tell is just a question of time before we can really say anything, because you can never really tell. There is something that runs the affairs of mankind that determines so many things, but you can only strive to make your situation a lot better than you find it.” The work titled “Calvary Cross”, he says, emphasises that “it the anchor to our faith; everything ends here. That is the beginning and end of everything for me as a human being.” And on Colour of My Soul, he enthuses that happiness runs the world. “Happiness is a choice; you must decide to lists everything with joy and happiness because it is only when the mind is calm, in appreciative mood that we can make progress a lot more. Even the calm and appreciative person will survive under crisis, a lot more than the one that is already worked up because that would be double jeopardy.” He also takes his love for the child further in “Double Blessing”, which he says, is “to show that when you have double blessing, that is having a set of twins, it is the appreciation of that is what really counts. It is not the number of kids you have but how you appreciate what you have. When they come double, it is a great deal of responsibility, because to bring up a child is not easy, than to bring up double. It is a lot more tasking, but there is great joy in that. And if you truly appreciate the value of one child then we realize that many who have up to five or six children are not even qualified to have more than one because it takes a lot. With this changing times that we are in right now, all the distractions everywhere, bringing up one child takes a lot of responsibility, and the people need is to concentrate; if people can truly love and bring up kids the way they should be brought up.” Among the works on display is “Beauty of Independence”. The bottom of “Beauty of Independence”, he explains, is “in the giving; the blessing all the people that you meet; of the life that you’ve been given; that will even gain a lot more. But many people don’t know it; that is why people keep amassing wealth. For me, the more the wealth people are amassing, the more it shows the emptiness of their souls that they are trying to fill up. You can only feel sorry for them.

ART

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEWS Mo Abudu listed among top 100 visionaries

S Magazine, The Business Insider has listed Mo Abudu, CEO and Chairwoman of EbonyLife TV amongst the top 100 business visionaries creating value for the world. The inaugural edition of Business Insider 100: The Creators celebrates many of the inspiring people and success stories around the globe. Mo Abudu is no. 56 according to the list which includes the CEOs of Alibaba, IKEA, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google and Starbucks with Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg topping the list. She is the only African and African woman who made the list. Mo’s position on the list is ahead of the CEO’s of global institutions such as Snapchat, Linkedin, Spotify, Zara and Uber, amongst many. Ms Abudu described the honour as “a big moment for the entire EbonyLife TV team. Our goal remains to tell African stories and we do that by annually producing over 1000 hours of premium, original and home grown entertainment programming content. From Talk, Entertainment, Reality, Comedy, Drama, Lifestyle and Factual the channel boasts exclusive ownership of 90% of the content...” The list was compiled by a team of analysts who assessed companies from around the world, both public and private, across many industries. Consideration was placed not only on what these leaders have created, but how. The panel consulted a variety of databases, including Glassdoor to gauge employee sentiment and Wealth-X to chart noteworthy philanthropic missions. “This honour comes as EbonyLife TV moves into its third year as the channel of choice in the entertainment category with the expansion of its operations to more Nigerian cities including Abuja, Lagos and Calabar. The channel now distributes to 49 African countries, including South Africa and Southern African countries.”

L-R: Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo and Anikwe

40th anniversary of Festac: Obasanjo seeks support for CBAAC Tony Okuyeme

ormer president, Olusegun Obasanjo has commended the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), describing its documentation of the 2nd World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC’77), which Nigeria hosted, as thoughtful. Obasanjo stated this when the Management of CBAAC, led by the Director – General, Dr. Ferdinand Anikwe paid him a courtesy visit at his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday. It will be recalled that the then Military Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of General Olusegun Obasanjo, hosted the 2nd World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC’77), 39 years ago in Lagos, Nigeria. The Festival which was a watershed in the history of Black

and African peoples, witnessed the gathering of 59 Black and African Countries and Communities in a rare show of cultural display. FESTAC’77 was an unqualified success story that brought together for the time the entire Black race and provided a platform for cultural exchanges and interaction. For once, the Black and African peoples took pride in their rich cultural heritage. While responding to the FESTAC 77 clip put together by the Management of CBAAC, Chief Obasanjo said: “I think it is very thoughtful and very kind of CBAAC to put this beautiful piece and I want to thank you for keeping the spirit of FESTAC a life”. He also said that after FESTAC 77, some of the participated countries left their arts for safe keeping so that the memory of FESTAC can be preserved. “That 39 years after Nigeria host-

ed FESTAC’77, no country has been able to organize such an event and, as Nigerians, we must be proud of this, because we have something to show to the world,” he said. The former President also stated that Africa is at the centre of the universe and should be proud of what she has given to the world. That globalization and migration started in Africa and spread to other continent. Chief Obasanjo who was elated by the visit of the CBAAC team, said that the 40th anniversary of FESTAC’77, will coincide with his 80th birthday celebration, and also promised to assist the Centre by drawing the attention of the president to the importance of the forthcoming event. Anikwe thanked Obasanjo for his magnanimity and the fatherly role his been playing for Nigeria.

Standing Out for feminism till August

Mo Abudu

tanding Out, an ongoing group exhibition of works by Nike DaviesOkundaye, TY Bello, Nnenna Okore, Wura Natasha Ogunji, Tyna Adebowale, Ranti Bamgbala, Carey Godwin, Taiye Idahor, Zemaye Okediji, Obiageli Okigbo and Karin Troy which is currently showing at Temple Muse, Victoria Island, Lagos, will run till August 15, 2016. Featuring painting, mixed media, photography, design, sculpture and performance art, the exhibition underscores the uniqueness of Nigerian female artists as regards visibility. Curated of the exhibition, Sandra Mbanefo Obiago said the show brings into focus the resilience of women artists

One of the works ondisplay at the exhibition

in the country compared to her depiction in other climes. “Female artists are strong in Nigeria compared to other places. In Nigeria, more women have art exhibitions. “What echoes through all

the works is energy, resilience, interconnections and overlapping memories and identities, with rich visual metaphors of breaking boundaries across psychological, physical and emo-

tional landscapes,” she said, noting that she has always believed that women across the globe stand out. “Women in Africa stand out even more in the midst of immense pressures,” Obiago said.

LITERATURE

Towards personal, national development

he Hope is a book that envisions better tomorrow for Nigeria and other African countries. Every change that comes to any nation comes with a price. Change is inevitable. The author tries to make Nigerians, Africans and, indeed, black in diaspora believe there is possibility in impossibility. The first place we can make that possible is in our thought patter n. Doubting mind is an enemy of progress. The author says: “Reasons why some people may think that the Nigerian dream is a daydream or impossibility is because of the previous challenges the country has encountered.” page 10. We have to chang e our attitude for the nation to move forward. Every nation needs a prog ressive vision. The leaders need the followers vice versa. A shared vision is a fulfilled mission. The country is waiting for the sun of hope. Michael urges the nation to fast not from food but from thinking wrong thoughts. The youths are parts of the transfor mational chang e the country waits. A reading nation is a pro g ressive nation. T he author puts across Chief Obafemi Awolowo assertion: “Any people that are starved of books, especially the right type of books, will suf fer intellectual malnutrition, stagnation and atrophy.” page 12. E d u c at i o n i s a n i n d i s pensable tool in bir thing the dream of a new Nigeria. Thinking is the business of life. The book has 20 chapters. Each chapter has food for thought quotes and reflections. The diction is lucid and specific. The cover design has pictures of our past and present presidents. The cover design has green background which shows the future of this country is green. Hope is everything. Dream is a product of one’s imagination. Michael urges Nigerians to hope for the best. He affir ms that it takes the mind of a man to achieve his dreams and ultimately live a pur poseful life. Knowledge from books helps a nation to progress. Government should allocate fund for education. The author cites Professor

Book title: The Hope Author: Uwana Michael Publisher: EndFront Express Ventures Year of Publication: 2011 Pages: 104 Reviewer: Oladipo Kehinde

Chibuzo Nwoke’s statement that, “If we know so much with all the conferences and workshops conducted, why Nigeria is still the

way she is?” page 25. This is a question we should ponder on. We have to think of the way forward. The author says: “People talk about how and what they know will move Nigeria forward, but they leave it at the discussion table only to go back to their nor mal lifestyle.” page 25. The author opines that organisations and religious groups should engage in youth empower ment projects. Gover nment should create employment opportunity, stable power supply and friendly policies to achieve this lofty vision. T he author also advises the youth thus: “I bet you, if there is no job in the country, you would still be you; as the case may be; but you would eventually create a job.” page 29. This is a motivational book on how to discover a new meaning to life; survive tough times, manage ones emotions, faith and spirituality, national and personal development and a special feature on Africa. This book is a must read for all Nigerians. The author is a freelance writer, singer, value-entrepreneur and a trained administrator. He’s the initiator of the Mission to Nigeria Project and a minister.

What we are reading

The Heretic is a British black comedy play by Richard Bean about climate change and its sceptics. In 2011 it premiered at the Royal Court Theatre receiving positive reviews directed by Jeremy Herrin starring Juliet Stevenson, James Fleet, Lydia Wilson and Johnny Flynn. The play was published in 2011, and was included in a collection of Bean’s plays published in 2013. It demonstrates how dramatists can engage the drab subject of climate change without compromising the basic principles of dramaturgy.

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

TONY OKUYEME ARTS EDITOR

tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

Greg Mbajiorgu

Fred Agbeyegbe

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Book stand

POETRIP WE FARM THE EARTH Oladipo Kehinde The world is growing The world is growing It leaves on the memory of time We farm the earth with words The world is growing We farm the earth with words When the eyes are tired of reading The books become a pillow The books become a pillow When the eyes are tired of reading Words jumped out of the pages of the books Logic reason with philosophy Ideology at logger head with psychology Idealism at it with mysticism Silently, silently the train of thought left the station These eyes have seen the edge of knowledge When the eyes are tired of reading The books become a pillow The books become a pillow When the eyes are tired of reading The eye is the mother of distance I have seen eyes marching to the drumbeats of words An eye for an eye When the taste of kolanut Become an after thought These eyes have seen bundle of ripe thoughts in the basket of the clouds These eyes have seen the past within me And gaze at the future These eyes are open in other countries I am from the extreme corner of the earth We are the eye of the earth I have seen eyes haggled over price in the marketplace This wind of change How long will it last? When you look at people’s face You will know things are not right We are the eyes of the earth making memories We are the children of the upland sun I have seen the future in the eye of the silver moon We are the eyes of the earth making memories Hope is being born this time tomorrow We are the eyes of the earth making memories making memories making memories

wedneSDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Money Line

Forex reforms: Experts predict 40% rise in FAAC POSITIVE FAAC will increase to N392bn

Tony Chukwunyem

otal funds disbursed by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) which have been on the decline in recent months will be boosted by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) new market driven forex exchange policy, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, has said. According to him, the policy would result in FAAC funds

rising by 40 per cent to N392 billion, In a note obtained by New Telegraph, the respected financial expert, who expressed complete support for the new policy, also said it would boost economic activities in the country. The CBN, had last Wednesday, issued revised guidelines for a single, “market-driven” inter-bank FX market, open to authorised dealers and other entities. The move was widely welcomed by financial advisory firms who had argued that the CBN’s previous policy of restricting access to the official FX market and supporting the naira, rather than risk the inflationary impact of devaluation, has been hurting economic growth. Rewane pointed out that

Data mgt: NIMC seeks stakeholders’ support Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) said it has embarked on rallying the support of key stakeholders in finance circle to develop a harmonsied data base capable of tracking transactions with the assistance of the Bank Verification Number( BVN). A senoir officer of NIMC, Mr Robert Attuh disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at a forum organised by Mercy Corps and MasterCard to make financial Inclusion a reality for Nigerian adolescent girls. Attuh said to achieve a harmonsied data base, a committee comprising of legal and technical experts had been set up, noting that work on the project had gotten to a considerable level . He identified absence of unique identity number for each individual as major obstacle stalling Nigeria’s mission of achieving complete financial inclusion . This comes, as renewed effort to deepen financial literacy level in the rank of adolescent and vulnerable girls, Mercy

Corps, is being spearhead by Mercy Corps, Non-Governmental Agency( NGO) partnering with MasterCards technology Limited and NIMC to enroll over 18,000 girls in to e-1D cards payment platform . The e-1D cards to be issued by NIMC is to be used both as a means of identification and payment transactions. No fewer than 18,000 vulnerable girls are currently undergoing various vocational skills , an initiative of Mercy Corp. The adolescent girls, selected from Kano, Kaduna, Lagos and Federal Capital Territory( FCT) have either, never been to school, or dropped out mid way due to circumstances but are engaged with various skills acquisition programmes of Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps, one of the leading global humanitarian agencies saving and improving lives in the world’s toughest places, has been implementing the accelerating savings and strengthening Entrepreneurship through Training and Skill (ASSETS) project, which seeks to improve the economic status of marginalized adolescent girls through enhanced skills, knowledge and access to financial services.

Business seminar highlights finance errors of salary earners

he second edition of the Warri Business Seminar took place last week with individuals from different institutions and backgrounds coming together to be taught by coaches who have distinguished themselves in their various fields with outstanding testimonies. The topic of this year’s seminar was: “The 3 big mistakes salary earners make tThat ruin their future and make them Constantly broke.” The three mistakes identified were: Weak self-management, bad money culture and poor investment knowledge. Therefore participants were taught the

following: Blueprint of Financial Intelligence, Fundamentals of Business Startup, Available Smart Investment Options, Ethics in Business, Time and SelfManagement as well as Customer Service Awareness. Warri business Seminar Limited (WBSL) was incorporated in 2015 to Impact on individuals and create an entrepreneurial mindset with the aim of alleviating poverty while also reducing pressure on government for support in terms of job provision. WBSL is powered by three bodies namely, Breakthrough Moment, Flobal Trust Limited and Klass and Korporate Consultants.

with the N280/$ exchange rate that the market closed at on the first day of trading under the new system on Monday, the average FAAC will increase by 40 per cent to N392billion. He further stated that with the new policy, the price of petrol could drop below the benchmark price of N145/litre, adding that there would also be increased forex rate clarity for manufacturers leading to lower inventories. It will be recalled that in

their reaction to the new forex policy, analysts at FSDH Group had stated, “We expect companies with U.S Dollar receivables to benefit from this development. Meanwhile, companies with naira receivables but with dollar denominated financial obligations without any hedging strategy in place will record exchange rate losses. Some of the companies operating in the power sector may fall into this category. “They may require addi-

tional bailout very soon if they have to improve power generation and distribution in the country. In addition, the impact of this may be transferred to the banking sector in the form of increase in the non-performing loans. The CBN had earlier warned Nigerian banks about Dollar – Naira mismatch. However, banks may require higher earnings retention to boost their Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR).”

First Bank gets MainOne’s backing on tech forum Kunle Azeez

irst Bank of Nigeria has enjoyed the support of one of the country’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firm, MainOne at the bank’s recently held Tech Startup Conference. MainOne was the exclusive interconnectivity provider of the conference hosted in Lagos with the theme: “Let’s Talk Tech.” In a partnership targeted at delivering value to the organisers and participants, MainOne designed, installed and managed advanced Wi-Fi and Distributed Antenna System networks at the event venue, providing 155Mbps free data capacity throughout the facility and for dedicated livestreaming of the event. Attendees at the event leveraged MainOne’s unlimited access to the Internet during the

event and took advantage of the opportunity to freely browse the Internet; conduct free downloads of documents and music, and conduct Skype calls via WiFi-enabled laptops. The organizers of the event also used the unlimited capacity to provide livestreaming to thousands of participants not physically present at the event. The major operating systems used were Windows 7, Windows Vista, Nokia/Symbian, Windows XP, Mac OS X and Android OS. Data was also downloaded from a multitude of devices including iPhones and iPads, Blackberry devices, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Android phones. Speaking during the event, MainOne’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Babatunde Dada, revealed that the company’s support for the tech start-up community was predicated on its belief that start-ups are

the engine of economic growth and the foundation for the industrialisation process of any nation desiring rapid development. Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited and subsidiaries, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, said, “As a nation builder, FirstBank is an enthusiastic follower and supporter of the new inventive energy spreading across Nigeria.” He said: “We strongly believe that in the near future, these companies will employ a significantly sizeable portion of the labour force while making a healthy contribution to the Nation’s GDP. We will continue our culture of collaborating and supporting this community with the ultimate objective of creating a system that will foster strategic collaboration within the ecosystem so as to push growth rates in this sector into hyper drive.”

Economic Indicators As at M2* CPS* INF MPR 91-day NTB Bonny Light Ext Res**

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 15.6 12 10.77 US$47.61 US$26,445,433,756

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 May, 2016 28/03/2016 Mar 2015 21/6/2016 17/6/2016

Source:CBN

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

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 104.96 114.56 112.10 120.50 109.35 100.24 83.91 98.09

1.08 3.25 3.87 5.83 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.30

NIBOR

Rate (%) 15.0000 10.6864 12.4601 13.8466

Bid Yield 10.09 10.57 11.56 11.46 12.32 12.45 12.43 12.41

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

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

Price 105.11 114.86 112.40 120.80 109.65 100.54 84.21 98.39

Tenor (Months)

NITTY

Rate (%) 5.4817 7.3699 7.8938 9.2453 9.3846 10.0913

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 9.95 10.47 11.47 11.40 12.26 12.40 12.38 12.37

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

Money Market

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

Spot($/N)

Bid 198.45

Offer 198.55

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

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

196.00

197.00

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

wedneSDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

wedneSDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Stock market advances on resumed bargain hunting CERTAINTY Investors gain N224bn

Stories by Chris Ugwu

rading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday returned to the green territory,

as local bourse recovered from the previous day’s loss following considerable demand by investors on blue chip companies. The NSE ASI and market capitalisation grew by 2.26 per cent, as shares of high capitalised stocks closed on the upward trends. Market watchers attributed the resurgence of bulls to investors’ renewed confidence that the new forex policy would be sustainable.

Nestlé’s stocks get ‘HOLD’ rating

ollowing the Q1 2016 financial results of Nestlé’ Nigeria Plc, analysts at the Financial Derivative Company Limited (FDC) have recommended a HOLD on the shares of the company. According to the analysts, Nestlé’s recent Q1 2016 result showed its resilience in a period of declining consumer demand and negative Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. It noted that its share price has spiked by approximately 26 per cent in the last eight weeks from N600 to N757.03, as investors are impressed by the improved results. In Q1’16, Nestlé’s sales, profit before tax and profit after tax increased year-on-year (YoY) by 31 per cent, 150 per cent and 126 per cent, respectively. According to FDC, the performance was driven by growth in unit sales volume and reduced reliance on imported raw materials. “The company also managed its cost effectively as cost of sales as a percentage of revenue declined from 55.8 per cent to 50.8 per cent while operating profit margin and net profit margin increased from 20.5 per cent to 25 per cent and 10.7 per cent to 18.5 per cent, respectively in Q1’16. This was a resurgent performance for a company that experienced sluggish sales and weak earnings for most of 2015.

“In view of Nestlé’s Q1’16 result and FY 2015 performance, we review our previous rating of the company’s stock price. However, there are still several factors that could limit Nestle’s future earnings and share price. “First is Nigeria’s enduring economic woes of increasing inflation, declining forex earnings, depleting external reserves and a weak currency, which have curtailed the purchasing power of the average Nigerian. Consumer resistance is increasing as pricey products are being replaced with cheaper alternatives,” the analysts noted. They said that disposable income in Nigeria is expected to decline in the short-run, thus impacting sales of FMCGs, adding that though Nestlé’s management has shown its capacity to steer the company in trying economic times, the uncertainty will pose a hindrance to the performance of the food giant. “Secondly, it’s Q1’16 revenue growth is being compared to a low base due to poor sales recorded in Q1’15, in which revenue declined by 17.6 per cent. “Thirdly, it is likely that the market has already factored its improving prospects into its current share price, thereby limiting the extent of its upside. Accordingly, we place a HOLD rating on Nestlé. This is an upgrade from our last SELL rating on the company’s stock,” they said.

They noted that operating dynamics of the new framework as stipulated by CBN is in accordance with the tenets of democratic capitalism of which the highlights are, market-driven systems and free participation within individual limitations. Consequently, the AllShare Index grew by 652.81 basis points or 2.26 per cent to close at 29,422.71 index points as against 28,769.90 recorded the previous day, while the market capitalisation of equities appreciated by N224 billion or 2.26 per cent. Meanwhile, a turnover

resco Plc, an integrated agro industrial establishment with oil palm plantations, has reported a 0.36 per cent growth in profit after tax for the first quarter ended March 2016. In a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Presco recorded a profit after tax of N1.399 billion at the first quarter of the year from N1.394 billion recorded in 2015, accounting for a marginal increase of 0.36 per cent. Revenue grew by 47.74 per cent from N2.153 billion in 2015 to N3.181 billion in 2016. Presco re por ted its Q4 2015 results, showing topline growth of 8.5 per cent Year-on-Year (Y/Y) to N2.4billion. The bottom line showed losses of N610 million and N1.1 billionn on both PBT and PAT respectively. The fall in profits was as a result of a gross margin contraction of -5,587bps y/y to 80.1 per cent and a -N1.2 billion loss on biological assets revaluation. Income tax expense grew significantly to N593 mil-

of 533.3 million shares in 5,736 deals was recorded in the day’s trading. The banking sub sector of the financial services sector was the most active during the day (measured by turnover volume); with 291.6 billion shares exchanged by investors in 1.951 deals. Volume in the sub-sector was largely driven by activities in the shares of GTB Plc and UBA Plc. Also, the premium sub sector, boosted by activities in the shares of Zenith Bank Plc and FBNH Plc followed with a turnover of 160.4 mil-

lion shares transacted in 1,332 deals. Shares of GSK Plc led the gainers with a gain of 10.20 per cent to close at N6.53 per share. Champion Breweries Plc rose by 9.19 per cent to close at N4.04 per share, while Access Bank Plc added 5.17 per cent to close at N6.10 per share. On the flip side, shares of Tranex Plc led the losers with a loss of 8.92 per cent to close at N1.43 per share. NEM Insurance Plc plunged 4.81 per cent to close at 99 kobo per share, while Unity Bank Plc dropped 4.27 per cent to close at N1.12 per share.

Presco records marginal profit lion from N27 million in the prior year, worsening the loss after tax. Sequentially, sales declined by -28.4 per cent q/q. Furthermore, sales of N10.4 billion grew by 14.3 per cent y/y while PBT and PAT declined by -46.7 per cent y/y and -55.0 per cent y/y to N4.2 billion and N2.3 billion respectively. According to reports, in FY 2015 results, the y/y fall in PBT was due to gross margin contraction of -148bps y/y to 63.5 per cent, an -81.6 per cent y/y decline in biological assets revaluation gains as well as a 95 per cent y/y rise in net interest expense. Analysts noted in the report, “Total loans amounting to N4.6 billion were sourced from a combination of local banks and the CBN, in order to fund its rubber expansion programme and other capex needs. A higher effective

tax rate of 44.9 per cent (vs 34.3% in 2014) culminated in a 55 per cent y/y decline in PAT to N2.3 billion. “Similarly, FY sales and underlying PBT were in line with our forecasts but underlying PAT missed by -10 per cent Presco’s FY sales were slightly behind consensus sales forecast of N10.5 billion. Its PBT and PAT were ahead of consensus by 26 per cent and 5 per cent respectively. Proposed dividend of N1.00 implies a yield of 2.8 per cent. “Palm oil prices gained 1.5 per cent in Q4 but declined by -22.1 per cent in 2015. We suspect that the decline in global prices as well as Presco’s aggressive planting supported topline growth during the year. The company’s total land area increased by 18 per cent to 16,650ha, while mature palm trees increased by 46 per cent to 15,356ha in 2015.”

NEWS | south-west

Ambode moves to transform Lagos into Smart City

Muritala Ayinla

agos State Government yesterday signed a multibillion deal that will see Lagos emerge as the first Smart City in Africa. New Telegraph learnt that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would make Lagos the home of the very first Smart City in the continent, while the deal will also attract multi-billion dollars investment. The historic deal was witnessed in Dubai by the Chairman of Dubai Holdings, Ahmad Bin Byat, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem and the Chief Executive Officer of Smart City Dubai LLC, Mr. Jabber Bin Hafez. Smart City is a growing concept that draws from the success of Dubai's innovative knowledge-based industry clusters to em-

power business growth for companies and knowledge workers all over the world. In a statement signed yesterday by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Governor Ambode said that the Smart City (Lagos) is expected to bring multibillion dollars investment to the state, create thousands of jobs and

wednesday, june 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

OAU VC's appointment: NASU threatens to resist resumption Adeolu Adeyemo OSOGBO

wo days to the resumption of Prof. Ayobami Salam as the new ViceChancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, protesting workers of the institution

former Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Olutoyin Ayinde, yesterday told Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of an Ikeja High Court that the collapsed building of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) had no valid permit. Ayinde made this disclosure while testifying at the on-going trial of the two Engineers indicted over the collapse of a sixstory building within the premises of the church. While being led in evidence by Mrs Idowu Alakija, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), the witness disclosed that after

the collapse of the guest house, he made enquiries to confirm if the Synagogue Church had any building approval in the system with the District Officer of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA). He said: “Therefore, ruling from the Ministry’s standard, the approval of the church had in its possession for the auditorium was no longer valid and the collapsed building has no application for approval legally registered. “Hence, the auditorium of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) which was affected does not possess a valid building permit. “However, the acclaimed document, a five–

Engineer arraigned for defilement

n oil company engineer, who allegedly defiled a 14-year-old girl, who is a niece of his tenant in the Ajah area of Lagos was arraigned yesterday at the Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere . The Engineer identified as James Ikenna Onuoha, 42, was arraigned on one count of defilement

necessary step to rubbish illegality in the institution and would not relent in their protest till July 6, 2016, when another court hearing would hold. Speaking on the development in the campus, the Chairman of NASU, Comrade Wole Odewunmi, frowned at the position of the University's

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right, at the back); Deputy Prime Minister, United Arab Emirate (UAE) & Chairman, Dubai Holdings, Mr. Ahmad Bin Byat (left, back); the Chief Executive Officer, Smart City Dubai LLC, Mr. Jabber Bin Hafez (left) and Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (right) during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) on Smart City Lagos between the City of Dubai and Lagos State Government, at the Emirate Towers, Dubai…on Monday.

Collapsed Synagogues' building had no valid permit, says witness John Chikezie

against his emergence yesterday threatened to lock him out of office on his first day. The protesting workers described the appointment of the new vicechancellor as kangaroo, and vowed to resist it at all cost. They maintained that they would take every

before Justice Adebayo Akintoye. The offence is contrary to section 137crimnal law of Lagos State, 2011. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. The defendant’s application for bail is due for consideration on June 27, 2016 before the same court.

storey building approval was meant to convey the entire church auditorium but at the time of the collapse, the church auditorium had gone from five floors to eight floors.” “The Electronic Document Management System was searched and the only building approval for the church did not cover the site of the collapsed building." When asked by the DPP on the action he took to sanction the church, Ayinde disclosed that the building control agency pasted its sticker on the church auditorium which had surpassed the approved five–story building, saying there was no need for sanctions on the other building since it had already collapsed.

Governing Council on the appointment, and warns against its involvement in more illegality that could cause chaos in the institution. Odewunmi said that on July 6, the next hearing day, "we would know if they actually received a court injunction or not. We will keep picketing the Senate building. "Immediately it is 10a.m, we will assemble at motion ground to continue picketing, that’s not more like a protest, it is picketing." On the strike action embarked upon by workers since June 6 to register their grievances against what they termed as imposition of Professor Salam on them after taking the university authorities to court, NASU said they would not resume work until wrongs on the matter are put right. Meanwhile, authorities of the institution via its Registrar, Dotun Awoyemi, threatened that the university would not pay the salaries of the protesting workers.

We've no money to pay one month salary –Mimiko Okeowo Babatope

AKURE

overnor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State yesterday said the total amount of money available in the coffers of the state cannot pay the salary of the workforce for a month. The governor, who met with civil servants from Grade Level 01 to 17 at the International Event Centre in Akure, the state capital, appealed to the striking workers to suspend the strike action in the interest of the people and government of the state. The workers insisted on collecting three months salary arrears before they could resume work. But the governor said the total amount of money in the coffer of the state government is N700million while the total amount

of money with 18 local governments is N2.7billion. Mimiko told the workers to fashion out a way through which the money could be shared among the civil servants so that the economy of the state could be revived. He explained that the state has N3.4billion in its coffers currently, out of which 2.7 billion was to pay one month salary of local governments’ workers and primary school teachers, while the remaining N700million was capable of paying the health workers in the state for one month. He said if the workers could call off the strike and come to the negotiating table with him, the matter would be resolved, stressing that the government has been spending all the monthly allocations on workers’ salaries and borrowing to carry out capital projects in the last one

year. His words: "We have lost over 40 percent of our monthly IGR to the strike. I feel the pain; our hospitals are shut and many accident victims would have died as a result of this strike. "I want to you to bear with me at this period; I can never take your welfare for granted. We are ready to have creative dialogue with you. I appeal to you to go back to work and let us have creative dialogue." The governor said many states in the country might not get out of the problem if nothing is done to the monthly allocation from the Federal Government. However, in spite of the pleading of the governor, the organised labour in the state said they would continue with the two weeks old strike.

Stop projects, pay workers, Ekiti elders tell Fayose Sulaiman Salawudeen ADO-EKITI

kiti Council of Elders has urged the state Governor, Ayodele Fayose, to halt capital projects and pay workers, saying that their not being paid for the past five months has seriously affected the economy of the state. The elders in a chat

with journalists yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, equally urged the governor to apply for the fresh bailout to be rolled out by the Federal Government solely to enable him pay workers and pensioners the arrears. Chairman of the council, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi, expressed sadness on the worsening

condition of government workers, noting that the situation is already getting out of hands. Oluwasanmi further called on political leaders in the state to cut down on their spending and make the excess available to augment available cash to pay the workers, adding that the workers are the engine room of the civil service.

"Anyone who really moves and lives with the people knows that our people are suffering; the market is at a standstill, no trade is going on, people are very hungry and a lot of antisocial activities have surfaced. "This lack of capacity to pay salaries is sad; and that we have reached this deplorable situation is also tragic."

News|SOUTH-EAST

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Imo deputy gov escapes attack at APC meeting Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

mo Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere narrowly escaped being mobbed at the weekend by members of a factional All Progressives Party (APC) as pandemonium broke out during a meeting of the party in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of the state. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Sir George Eche, had hosted members of the APC in Ngor Okpala with the deputy governor in attendance at the event organised to appreciate party chieftains for their support for his appointment. Trouble started when the deputy governor rose to address the gathering and recognized Chief Okey Azuonwu, a factional leader as party chairman, a development which attracted sharp objection from a section of

the meeting. His effort at advising the aggrieved audience against the polarisation of the party along factional line was rebuffed to the extent that his plea to the rowdy gathering to let the event proceed as planned discountenanced. He is address was disrupted as the meeting slided to fracas when one Callistus Akuta, who was said to be the Organizing Secretary of the party was said to have confronted the deputy governor and snatched the microphone from him, only to be prevented by the security details of the deputy governor. Capitalizing on the confussion, the rival factional members attacked Akuta for challenging the deputy governor and joined some security men to drag him out of the venue, beating him to stupor in the process. This led to the event being degenerated to a free-for-all.

Sickle cell patients accuse Anambra govt of neglect Pamela Eboh Awka

ickle cell patients in Anambra State numbering over 700, have accused the state government of neglecting them. Speaking to Journalists in Awka yesterday, the Coordinator of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder in the state, Aisha Edward said that the patients appeared to have been left to their fate as they were made to pay to obtain their routine drugs from hospitals and clinics, while those living with HIV/AIDS obtained theirs for free. She harped on the need for those living with sickle cell disease to have a heart to heart center where they would be counseled on their health condition, as

they deserved to get the same attention with those living with HIV/AIDS. Edward noted that the disease was yet to have a known vaccine at the moment, even with the popular bone marrow transplant that researchers adjuged to be a curative measure. According to her, bone marrow transplant was not entirely effective as those who went through the surgery did not survive after five years. While hailing an oil mogul and philanthropist, Authur Eze for donating a state of the art clinic for sickle cell patients in the state, the Coordinator also called on the state government, cooperate bodies and well-meaning individuals to come to their aid in order to help reduce their pain.

Ikpeazu directs appointment of physically-challenged as aides Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

bia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has directed chairmen of the 17 local government areas in the state to appoint at least two physically-challenged persons from each of the council areas as Special Assistants, as a way of reducing unemployment in the state. The directive was sequel to several of appeals to the governor by physi-

cally challenged people in the state to come to their aid through employment as most of them were qualified and could contribute to the development of the state. Speaking at the Abia State Polytechnic, venue of a town hall meeting for Abia South senatorial zone for the people of Obingwa, Aba South and Aba North Local Government Areas, the governor reassured that his administration would carry everyone along. He used the forum to

Ebonyi students abroad raise the alarm over expulsion Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

n estimated forty one students of Ebonyi State origin, studying abroad under the state government’s scholarship scheme yesterday raised the alarm over their imminent expulsion from their schools following the inability of the government to pay their tuition fees and other expenses.

They accused the government of abandoning them to their fate since last year. According to them, they were not only facing termination from their various schools but also deportation from their respective countries where they were based. In a statement issued on behalf of the students, Udochukwu Akuru, a third year Doctoral Student in Electrical Machines (Renewable Ener-

gy Option), Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, the students appealed to the government to come to their aid. According to the students, the deadline given to them to pay up or have their confirmation of admission (CAS) withdrawn elapsed last month, May 2016. The students said efforts to get the government to understand and

commit to paying the fees on installmental bases were equally rebuffed. When contacted, the state Commissioner of Education Prof John Ekeh confirmed the nonpayment of the students’ fees but blamed it on the dwindling revenue of the state government. He also revealed that the Federal Government had waded into the matter as students from other states were also facing similar challenges.

New militant group emerges, threatens shutdown of oil wells Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

little more than one week after Imo legislators condemned the exclusion of the state from the Federal Government proposed dialogue with Oil Producing states in the Niger Delta region, in

its bid to quell the armed hostilities in the region, a new militant group has emerged in the state. The new group, Niger Delta Red Squad, which had claimed responsibility for the blowing up of two pipelines belonging to Shell in the Asa/ Awarra axis of Ohaji Egbema Council Area, has

also threatened to attack major oil pipelines in Oguta Council Area and ultimately shutdown all oil wells in the state. The group, which was announced through a Facebook update, claimed it had what it takes to carry out the threat, warning that until the oil producing areas in the state were giv-

ing what rightfully belongs to them, the area would no longer be peaceful for oil companies to operate. An ex-militant from the area, who spoke to our correspondent, confirmed the existence of the group but quickly added that he was not involved in the renewed militancy.

L-R: Head of Media Relations and Strategy, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bisi Kazeem; Commandant, Frsc Academy, Kenneth Nwaegbe; Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi and Deputy Corps Marshal , Training, Ademola Lawal, during the Corps’ Capacity Development Programme for Intelligence Operatives in Enugu.

14.16%

The percentage by which the total equities market capitalization of the NSE dropped from Jan. 2015 – Dec. 2015) Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

disclose that about N4 billion had been set aside for the renovation of primary schools across the state, assuring that the fund would be judiciously used. Under the programme, according to him, 10 primary schools are to be rehabilitated in each of the 17 local government areas. The governor also disclosed that youths with skills were to be engaged in the exercise and encouraged them to acquire skills that would make them self-reliant from the skills acquisition centres established by his administration.

Community seeks FG’s intervention over oil spill Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

he oil rich community of Owaza in the Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State has raised the alarm over the effect of oil spill that had devastated their land, water and environment. The community therefore asked the Federal and the State Governments to intervene and save them from the impact of the spill, which they said had continued for years without the intervention of any government agency. Explaining the devastating effect of the spill

on his community to newsmen in his palace at Igiriukwu Owaza, the traditional Ruler of Igiriukwu autonomous community, his royal Majesty Eze, Dr. Jonathan Onwugbufor Ezere, said his people had suffered untold hardship following the activities of oil exploration by companies in Owaza. He said this had led to the pollution of their water, as well as degraded their environment and made the soil infertile for cultivation. Ezere said that if nothing was done urgently, the community would be in danger of food shortage as hunger

and disease loom in the area. He also lamented that aquatic, animal and human lives were endangered by the activities of the oil exploring companies. He said that the companies have continued their activities without regard to the effect on human life and even the environment and without paying any compensation to the community. The traditional ruler said that several letters had been written to Abia State Governor through the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) to prevail on the oil company but to no avail.

NEWS | south-south

Oshiomhole hosts Umahi, says politics not war Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

do State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday set politics aside to host his Ebonyi State counterpart and Chairman of the electoral committee for the governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Governor David Umahi. Oshiomhole said "what is at stake is not war, it is contestation, it is democracy.” Speaking when he played host to Umahi, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Benin City, shortly after conducting the primaries of the PDP, Oshiomhole said citizens of the country made a conscious choice when they opted for a multiparty democracy. He said: "I appreciate

you very much, party or no party. I always say that for people of our level and of our exposure, we should all recognise that there is only one supraparty to which we all belong; and that is Nigeria as a nation, and we are all committed to serving it and to contributing to its strength, unity, progress and prosperity. “I believe we made a conscious choice as a people to settle for a multiparty democracy. We could have opted for a unitary system, where everybody must belong to one party, but we opted for multiparty democracy. And it can only happen if people, very decent people, responsible people, people who mean well, find different political platforms to canvass for support, to bid for power and to use power creatively to impact on the lives of the people.”

wednesday, june 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Edo guber primaries: Appeal committee summons Masari, others

Johnchuks Onuanyim and Cajetan Mmuta

ollowing the allegation of irregularities in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Edo State, the party’s Governorship Appeal Committee yesterday invited the Governor of Katsina State and the Chairman of the governorship primaries, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, to appear before it. Masari’s invitation was confirmed by a source at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja yesterday. This was even as the All Progressives Congress in the state yesterday inaugurated a reconciliation committee to reach out to members who may feel aggrieved from the outcome

of the gubernatorial primaries held on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chairman of the party in the state, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, said the committee would be chaired by a Board of Trustees’ member of the party, Prince Malik Afegbua. Igbafe described the outcome of the governorship primaries as a sham and injustice meted out to other aspirants who contested alongside Mr. Godwin Obaseki. But the Chairman of the Appeal Committee at the party’s national secretariat, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, who spoke with journalists yesterday, con-

The total number of goals scored by Spain at Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Fifa.com

firmed that the committee had received some petitions from some aggrieved aspirants in the governorship primaries. Bamidele said the committee had met with the leadership of the party to sort out the modalities of how stakeholders would be invited to appear before the committee. Speaking with newsmen, Bamidele said the national leadership of the party has given his committee a free hand to handle the appeal, assuring party members that all the issues raised in the petitions will be addressed. "We will like to confirm as a committee that we have received two petitions and the national chairman of the party was also copied and the party has given us the go ahead and a free hand to conduct our sittings. "We are also in touch

NBA sues Buhari over appointment of NDDC MD

Tony Anichebe Uyo

resident Muhammadu Buhari was yesterday dragged before the Federal High Court, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for terminating the appointment of an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, Bassey Dan Abia, as the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The plaintiffs are the chairmen of the four branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in Akwa Ibom State, led by Uyobong Ubom.

Also joined in the suit are the Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives, Attorney General of the Federation and Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari. The Nigerian Bar Association demands the Federal High Court to determine whether President Buhari has the power to appoint someone who is not from Akwa Ibom State to occupy the slot of Akwa Ibom even in acting capacity in the Niger Delta Development Commission. A date is yet to be fixed for the hearing of the matter.

Delta gov backs Ize-Iyamu, mourns Tobi Nikki Dominic Adewole ASABA

elta State Government yesterday said it was backing Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who emerged as the flag-bearer of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 10, 2016 governorship election in the state. The state government also expressed shock over the death of the former Justice of the Supreme Court, Nikki Tobi, describing it as ‘painful.’ It said Justice Tobi’s pedigree, capacity and contributions to the development of the law profession in Nigeria was unparalleled. Besides, it said Ize-Iyamu, who

polled 584 votes to beat his closest rival, Hon. Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, who scored 91 votes and Dr. Solomon Edebiri, who got 38 votes would eventually beat his All Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki. The governor of the state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, said Justice Tobi excelled in two difficult worlds the academic world as a lecturer before he also emerged as a reference point in the legal world. The governor in separate statements through his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, in Asaba yesterday, said Ize-Iyamu’s victory was a well-deserved one; Tobi’s exit was a great loss to the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

with the two aspirants who sent in the petitions to explain the position and timing of our sitting and by the grace of God both of them would also be appearing before us today and definitely; all issues raised in their petitions would be addressed." Meanwhile, the APC leadership in the state yesterday listed other members of the Reconciliation Committee as Hon. Lucky Imasuen, Mr. Austin Omofuma, Hon. Charles Idahosa, Hon. Theophilus Okoh, Senator Damingo Obende and Hon. Lawrence Okah. Ojezua said: “I have this morning inaugurated a Reconciliation Committee headed by Prince Malik Afegbua (member, BOT), to reach out to all those who may have been affected one way or the other by processes leading to and including the primaries. Edo APC gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left), with Governor Adams Oshiomhole, during the inspection of the ongoing asphalting of the Uwelu Road, Benin City…yesterday.

Bayelsa launches website, gives Sheriff declares PDP Edo guber primary illegal details of N95bn from FAAC Onyekachi Eze Chris Ejim Yenagoa

ayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday gave an account of how the N95 billion that accrued to the state from the Federation Allocation Account Committee as published by the Federal Ministry of Finance in some national dailies in the last one year, was spent. Giving the breakdown during the launch of the Bayelsa Transparency website, known as “Bayelsa Watch” in Yenagoa, he said the deductions for bonds and excess crude overpayments made to previous administrations, amounted to N26.92 billion. Dickson said bond deductions at source came up to N14.89 billion, while refund on overpayment of the 13 per cent derivation made to previous govern-

ments was N12.3 billion. According to him, out of the N95 billion, the eight local government councils got N12 billion; N32.38 billion was spent on workers’ salaries, while capital projects gulped N20.9 billion. The governor said: “For those of you, who read that report, you will see that Bayelsa is not number one on that list of who got what. We produced the bulk of the resources, but when you look at the list, Bayelsa is probably number five or six. That issue has to do with addressing the lopsided federal structure of our country, which some of us have been talking about and will continue to talk about. “I commend the Federal Government for publishing what goes to the states. That is what we have been doing here by law for the past four years and still counting."

ABUJA

ormer National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has declared last Monday's governorship primary in Edo State illegal. Sheriff has also made good his threat to declare the seats of former National Working Committee (NWC) members supporting Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee vacant and has appointed former deputy national officers as acting NWC members. In a letter to the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) signed by him and former National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, the embattled former National Chairman urged INEC not to give legitimacy to the Edo primary. He said the party has scheduled congress in Edo

State, which will start from June 23 to 29th with the inauguration of Congress Committee. Last Monday's primary had produced Pastor IzeIyamu PDP candidate for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State. The primary was monitored by INEC. But Sheriff said the caretaker committee was illegal, and warned state party chairmen and officials to desist from dealing with the committee. The former National Chairman who gave former NWC members up till Tuesday last week to report to work or lose their seats, announced the appointment of some deputy national Officers as NWC members in acting capacity. He said that was based on the resignation of five former NWC members in accordance with the provisions of sections 39(2), 42 (2), 43 (2), 44 (2) and 47 (6) of the Constitution of the party 2012 as amended.

News|north

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Niger begins sale of N250m grains to citizens Dan Atori MINNA

s part of plans to ameliorate the economic hardship and sufferings of the people, the Niger State Government has begun the sales of 1,580 metric tons of assorted grains valued at over N250 million at subsidised prices to the people. This exercise usually takes place during every Ramadan period, and unlike before when the people got the products free from the past administrations. However, the governor, Abubakar Sani Bello-led administration is given a 50 per cent discount for the sales of the grains as a respite to the soaring prices of food in the market. The tons of grains, which costs about N250 million would be sold at half the market prices. While flagging off the sales of the assorted grains to the public yesterday, the governor said the government was embarking on the sales promotion.

Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

arely a week after gunmen suspected to be marauding Fulani herdsmen invaded communities in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State and killed hordes of people, no fewer than six Tiv farmers were yesterday feared killed when a similar group of people made incursion into six villages in the same area. The villages mostly affected by the attack include Anyiin, Uzer, Gov as well as Vaase, Gbeji and Jootar, which are the communities at the border between Benue and neighbouring Taraba States. Vaase, Gbeji and Jootar are the villages that came under attack during the military invasion of the state in 2001, when many Tiv people were murdered in cold blood by the invading army troops. New Telegraph gathered that the suspected herdsmen, who carry sophisticated weapons, stormed the affected

Why I never owed salaries despite insurgency, by Shettima

he Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, yesterday explained that despite Boko Haram insurgency in the state, and its financial implications on the state government, workers in state have never been owed their salaries in the last 60 months, covering a period between June 2011 and May, this year. Shettima, who spoke while receiving members of the Borno Elders’ Forum and the Business Community in the state for Ramadan Iftar at the Government House, Maiduguri, the state capital, on Monday night, however, noted that though it was sometimes difficult, he made it a point of duty to regularly provide N2.6

billion monthly to pay the workers’ salaries, while at the same time providing funds for the feeding of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), as well as embarking on infrastructural development of the state in the last five years. The governor stressed: “Ordinarily, I do not consider payment of salaries as achievement, because salaries are debts which workers should be paid. However, in today’s Nigeria, payment of salaries has become difficult and this makes it an achievement, especially for a state like Borno, which has been battling with security challenges in which billions of naira had been spent.”

£92.78m £154.2m

The total aggregate payments received by Liverpool for the English 2014/2015 season. Source: Goal.com

The amount of money spent by Man City in the summer 2015 transfer window. Source: 101greatgoals.com

Secretary to the Sokoto State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba (left), with the Assistant Managing Director, Overseas Business of Kunming Engineering Corporation, Qui Haisheng, after the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in Sokoto… yesterday.

Six killed as herdsmen invade Benue villages area between 9.30pm to 12 midnight and launched a coordinated attack on the people and killed six people while hundred others were rendered homeless. It was learnt that in Anyiin, headquarters of Logo Local Government Area, which is the homestead of a former governor of the state, Gabriel Suswam, the invaders struck when residents were asleep and shot sporadically around Tsukwa. An eyewitness said the combined efforts of the civilian Joint Task

Bauchi

auchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar has apologised to civil servants in the state over the poor conduct of the verification exercise, lamenting why the exercise failed to yield meaningful results. The governor tendered the government’s apologies during a meeting with leadership of the state’s

wing of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House, Bauchi, the state capital. However, the meeting later went into a closeddoor session, where sources revealed that the issues of the verification exercise and the inability of the government to pay some sections of the workers for some months now were discussed. The governor described

Force, JTF, who responded swiftly to overpower the attackers, did not yield positive results, following the darkness and heavy rainfall that accompanied the attack. A victim of the attack and former Senior Special Adviser of ex-Governor Gabriel Suswam on Media and Publicity, Chief Joseph Anawa, who confirmed the attacks, said two corpses were recovered after the attack in Anyiin while several others who received varying degree of machete cuts

and gunshot wounds were being treated at NKST hospital in Anyiin. According to Anawa, the herdsmen came from Awe in neighbouring Nassarawa State and crossed through River Benue into the named villages, adding that one corpse each was recovered at Uzer, Tombo ward and Gov settlements, several casualties were recorded at Gbeji and Vaase attacks, with many others, including women and children missing. Anawa said further

that three days ago, the marauding herdsmen shot and killed one Samuel Ormbagwen, in his farm at Anawa settlement area near Anyiin, adding that his corpse was discovered in the early hours of the next day with his farm tools beside him. He appealed to the state and Federal Governments to save the lives of the people by deploying armed troops to the area to help maintain peace and enable farmers go back to their farms.

Sokoto to generate 100mw of power from solar Umar Abdullahi Sokoto

okoto State Government has expressed determination to multiply its energy sources in order to improve power supply and in turn boost small and medium scale industries in the state. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Bashir Garba disclosed this during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese firm, Kunming Engineering Corporation, for the establishment of

Bauchi apologises to workers over verification exercise Nankpah Bwakan

the verification exercise as “rancorous” and regretted that the entire exercise was hijacked by politicians in the state. Abubakar said: “The verification exercise of workers has become essential in order to engender credibility in the state payroll. We have gone through a rancorous verification process, but to be honest with you, those people who are retrenched in the system were fighting the system all the way.”

100mw solar-powered electricity plant in the state. “In Sokoto, we have abundant sunlight and hence it is only logical we tap from the natural resource for the benefit of the populace,” he said. The SSG added that after talks with various companies that indicated interest in providing solar power to Sokoto, the government decided to choose Kunming because of the viability of its proposal and its future impact. In the project, which he said would be private-sector driven, the state govern-

ment had agreed to provide the land and other incentives, while the Chinese company would regularise approval permit from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The SSG added: “When completed, this project will complement the State Independent Power Project currently in place. We are confident that the two projects will ensure tremendous improvement in power supply in Sokoto. So, I urge you to work on the terms of the agreement.” In his remarks, the As-

sistant Managing Director for Overseas Business of the company, Qui Haisheng, said Kunming Corporation has vast experience in electricity generation, spanning areas such as solar, wind and hydro, even as he added that the company has the requisite capability to deliver quality job on schedule. In another development, the state government said it was vigorously pursuing the digitisation of its state-owned media outfits to meet the present challenges in the global media industry.

Court remands 14 suspects over Ortom’s aide’s murder Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

he Magistrate Court 2, sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, yesterday remanded 14 suspects over the killing of the Senior Special Assistant on Special Security to Governor Samuel Ortom, Mr. Denen Igbana. The suspects were charged for criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and illegal possession of

fire arms punishable under Section 97, 222 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State and Section 3 (1) of Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap.R.11 Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. According to the prosecuting police officer, Daniel Swende, on 20th May, 2016 one Ephraim Tyover reported to the Police Station “D” Division Makurdi that Igbana was trailed to his house by unknown gunmen,

who opened fire on him and killed him. According to police First Information Report, the accused persons include Ephraim Ianna, Dooshima Mtsor, Paul Ogbu, John Avine, Aondo Iortim, Washima Hyacinth, Terzungwe Shianondo, Aondofa Henen, Iortswam Aondover, Terna Asema, Ngutswen Igyungu, Anule Desmond, Tersoo Kase and Terdoo Torbee were apprehended in the course of investigation.

WORLD \ NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

ICC sentences Congolese ex-Vice President to 18 years in prison

ongolese ex-rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba has been jailed for 18 years following a landmark conviction at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and sexual violence. Bemba, a former vice-president of DR Congo, was convicted in March of crimes committed in the neighbouring Central African Republic (CAR) in 20022003. He was accused of failing to stop his rebels from killing and raping people. Bemba’s law-

yers have already said they will appeal against his conviction. Judges announced sentences of between 16 and 18 years for five counts of rape, murder and pillaging, with the jail terms running concurrently. The eight years Bemba has already spent in custody will be deducted from his term. His conviction was the first time the ICC had focused on rape as a weapon of war, and the first time a suspect had been convicted for crimes com-

mitted by others under his command. Passing sentence at the ICC in The Hague, Judge Sylvia Steiner said Bemba had failed to exercise control over his private militia sent into CAR, where they carried out “sadistic” rapes, murders and pillaging of “particular cruelty”. The BBC’s Anna Holligan, who is in The Hague, says two key issues remain - where Bemba will serve his sentence and the amount of compensation to be awarded to his victims.

Bemba was “extremely disappointed” with the sentence, his lawyer, Kate Gibson, told AFP news agency. “Today’s sentence is by no means the end of the road for Mr Bemba, it merely signals that we are now moving to the next phase of the process which is the appeal,” she said. In 2002 Bemba had sent more than 1,000 fighters to the CAR to help then president Ange Felix Patasse put down an attempted coup. The court heard that his troops

committed acts of extreme violence against civilians - crimes which the judge said Bemba was made aware of but did nothing to stop. He had led the MLC (Movement for the Liberation of Congo) rebel group during DR Congo’s brutal civil war and after a 2003 peace deal he laid down his arms and joined an interim government. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the sentence offered “a measure of justice” for the victims.

Protest over revocation of Bahrain cleric’s citizenship

The wreckage of a burnt truck at the scene.

Violence spreads into South African capital

rotesters burnt buses and set tires on fire to barricade roads in South Africa’s capital yesterday after the ANC named a mayoral candidate not nominated by the ruling party’s regional branches. The violence spread overnight from the townships and started after a member of the ANC was shot dead on Sunday as factions clashed at a meeting in Pretoria to decide on the candidates for mayor of Tshwane municipality where Pretoria is located. The ANC then named se-

nior party member and former cabinet minister, Thoko Didiza, as its candidate for Tshwane, saying that it made the decision after wrangling between members at the party’s headquarters over who should lead the municipality. Residents want the incumbent mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, to be allowed to run on the ANC ticket, TV station eNCA reported, but in an interview with the 24-hour news channel, Ramokgopa backed Didiza’s selection and called for calm. The ANC said its members were not to blame for

the violence. “This is not a result of the nomination of the mayor in Tshwane, it’s thuggery,” ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe told eNCA. Local elections in August pose a major test for the ANC as it gears up for a 2019 presidential vote in the face of a slowing economy and a strong challenge from the opposition. Any defeats could hurt the party which has been in power since the end of white-minority rule in 1994 but is seen as losing its touch in areas including Pretoria - where it was once unassailable.

Jo Cox killed because of political views – Widower

o Cox was killed because of her strong political views, her widower Brendan has told the BBC. The late Labour MP would want people to stand up for her beliefs “in death as much as she did in life”, he told political editor Laura Kuenssberg. He said his late wife, who would have been 42 tomorrow, was concerned about “coarsening” of the referendum debate. He also spoke about the need to support their children to “make sure something good comes out of this”. The MP for Batley and Spen died after she was shot and stabbed in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on Thursday. A fund set up in her memory has raised £1m in donations while a series of events will be held around the country on Wednesday to mark what would have been her 42nd

birthday. Mr. Cox said that his late wife - who was a passionate campaigner for human rights, international development and the plight of refugees during her parliamentary career and in her previous role working for Oxfam - “died for her views”. “She was a politician and she had very strong political views and I believe was she killed because of those views,” he said. “I think she died because of them and she would want to stand up for those in death as much as she did in life. “I don’t want people ascribing views to her that she didn’t have but I certainly want to continue to fight for the legacy and for the politics and the views she espoused. “Because they were what she was, she died for them and we definitely want to make sure that we continue to fight for

them.” The Labour MP, who was a Remain supporter, was concerned about the conduct of the referendum on EU membership and the direction of political debate in general, he said. “She completely respected that people could disagree for very good reason. But more about the tone of whipping up fears and whipping up hatred potentially. “I think the EU referendum has created a more heightened environment for it but actually it also pre-existed that. It’s something that’s happened over the last few years I think and again not just in the UK but globally.” He also spoke about the grief of their two children, who were present in the Commons when MPs paid tribute to their mother on two days ago, and how important public support had been.

ozens of supporters of Ayatollah Isa Qassim, spiritual leader of Bahrain’s Shi’ite Muslim majority, gathered at his home yesterday to protest the revocation of his citizenship, with some men wearing white shrouds signaling their readiness to die. Protesters have been at the house since dawn and more are expected to join after breaking the Ramadan fast at sunset at around 6.30 pm (11:30 EDT). Protests and political gatherings are forbidden in the Western-allied Sunni monarchy. The move against Qassim strikes at the heart of Bahrain’s Shi’ite opposition and is part of an escalating crackdown following a court decision last week to

shut down the main Shi’ite political group al Wefaq. Bahrain’s Shi’ites complain of discrimination by the government, which in 2011 put down a pro-reform uprising. Since then protesters have clashed almost daily with security forces, who have been targeted by several bomb attacks. Bahrain has accused the opposition of undermining security and blamed the bombings on Iran and the armed Shi’ite group Hezbollah in Lebanon, both of which have strongly condemned the moves against Ayatollah Qassim. Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards yesterday warned of an “Islamic revolution” in Bahrain in response to its stripping Qassim of his citizenship.

Brits don’t quit, Cameron declares

l EU referendum is close to call

ritish Prime Minister David Cameron made a dramatic last-minute appeal to voters yesterday to back staying in the European Union two days before a referendum that will shape the future of the West, as polls indicated the outcome was too close to call. Britons vote on Thursday on whether to quit the 28-nation bloc amid warnings from world leaders, investors and companies that a decision to leave would diminish the former imperial power’s influence, unleash turmoil on markets and send shock waves around the

Western world. In a rare televised address outside his Downing Street office, Cameron repeated his message that leaving the EU would jeopardize Britain’s economy and its national security, with fewer jobs, fewer allies and higher prices. “Brits don’t quit,” he said, using the official backdrop to make a direct pitch to older voters considered more euroskeptic and more likely to vote. “It will just be you in that polling booth. Just you, taking a decision that will affect your future, your children’s future, your grandchildren’s future.”

Petition to oust Venezuelan president reaches 37%

he process of validating signatures on a petition calling for a referendum to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from office is proceeding apace, an opposition leader says. Henrique Capriles said 37 percent of the 195,000 signatures needed to trigger the next phase of the recall referendum were collected on the first day. Those who endorsed the petition have until Friday to have their identity checked. Mr. Maduro’s term runs until 2019. But the opposition wants to oust President Maduro, whom they blame for Venezuela’s economic problems, before the end of his term. Venezuela is in the midst

of an economic crisis which has brought the South American country to the brink of collapse. It has the world’s highest inflation rate and chronic shortages of basic food and medicine. Mr. Capriles said the massive presence of voters on the first day of the validation process was a clear sign that Venezuelans wanted a change of government. “What we saw today were queues across the country,” said Mr. Capriles on Monday night. “That’s a warning for Maduro.” Those who endorsed the petition will have until Friday to have their identity cards and fingerprints checked at centres set up by the National Electoral Council (CNE).

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport

Onigbinde

Adeolu Johnson ABUJA

former Super Eagles Coach, Adegboyega Onigbinde, has frowned at moves by the Nigeria Football Federation to engage a foreign coach for the senior national team. The tactician who guided the team to the final African Nations Cup in Cote d’ Ivoire in 1984 said the local coaches could perform better if empowered technically. He said he felt bad that Nigerian coaches were not respected by the sports authorities. Onigbinde said in 1983 when all Salisu the national

Sport News U-23 Eagles battle Mexico July 2

Charles Ogundiya

International

Reporting live

Ibrahimovic quits Sweden after Euro 2016

June 22-26

Onigbinde attacks NFF over foreign coach move

team players walked away and the Nigeria Football Association was looking for a way out, it was him they ran to, but unfortunately after leading the team to the final o f the Nations Cup a year later, there was no even handshake from the government. “I feel insulted that after recording this feat, they did

not deem it fit to honour me,” he explained. He condemned the process through which the NFF shortlisted the incoming coach saying it was fraught with lies. “Has the NFF done the normal thing by advertising the position? Who are the coaches shortlisted for the job? Have they conducted interviews before telling Nigerians that a coach will be named soon? These are the processes they must go through if they want to pick a foreign handler,” he explained. Chief Onigbinde said the process the NFF had emadopted was a case of “a man whose eyes is close and

asked to pick from a basket full of rotten oranges, how does he knows that all the oranges are bad?.” The CAF and FIFA instructor asked that if the indigenous coaches were not good enough what has the NFF done to enhance and empowere them technically? The ex-3SC of Ibadan gaffer said it was unfortunate that the NFF did not have a system through which it assess the performance of local players and coaches from time to time. He stated that none of the indigenous coaches had the right to tell the football authority that he deserves the job until the due process is observed.

26 athletes arrive in Durban for African Championship The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

wenty-Six track and field athletes will represent Nigeria when the 20th Africa Senior Athletics Championships get off the blocks today in Durban South Africa. That last batch left the country Monday night while 15 came in from the USA and three from England. Athletes were selected based on their performances in the Golden League and recent times posted. The Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung had assured the Athletic Federation of Nigeria that he would do all within his ambit to ensure that the athletes attend the African Championships despite paucity of funds. The AFN is hoping to use the African championship to get more qualifiers for the Olympic Games and to assess the strength of the team. Nigeria will be taking part in the sprints, relays, quarter mile, discus, shot put, triple and long jumps. The Championship runs from June 22 to 26, 2016.

Nigeria athlet Divine Oduduru

46 47

FIBA U-17: Spanish Embassy denies Nigerian team visa Championship dunks off today

he 2016 FIBA U-17 World Championship will dunk of f today in Spain without Nigeria’s team following the refusal of the Spanish embassy in Lagos to give the team travelling visas. Shockingly too, the Embassy of ficials of fered no explanation for their action. The Nigeria Basketball Federation, had presented every document ranging from travelling insurance, birth certificates, sworn affidavits by the players parents which the Foreign Affairs Ministry endorsed since they were minors as demanded by the embassy but yet the Spaniards denied them visas. Surprisingly the NBBF all through was working with the sport’s world body FIBA and the Local Organising Committee on ground in Spain but in spite of all these, the Spanish Embassy which had promised to issue the visa, started shifting g rounds from Thursday to Friday last week before they finally retur ned the players passports to the Protocol Officer of the Youth and Sports ministry without visas on them. Meanwhile, the players and their coaches who were aware of the whole rigmarole by the Spanish Embassy were addressed by the NBBF president, Tijjani Umar yesterday evening and would be released to retur n to their various homes today. “We are however, going to invite most of them for the Africa U-18 Championship taking place later this year,” Umar, assured. T h e U - 1 7 g i rl s t u t o re d by c o a ch A d e k a D a u d u q u a l i f i e d f ro m the African Championship held in Mada g ascar last year and were drawn in Group A with Canada, Latvia and J a p a n f o r t h e Wo rl d Championship.

SPORT NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

U-23 Eagles battle Mexico July 2 Emmanuel Tobi

he Nigeria Football Federation has confir med that the U-23 Eagles will play against their Mexican counterparts in a friendly match billed for July 2 in Mexico. According to the NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon,

the tie will take place at the Aguascalientes Stadium, home ground of the newly promoted top tier club, Necaxa FC. The match is scheduled to start at 8.30pm Mexican time. The NFF announced that after the friendly, the Nigeria U-23 squad would continue its training camp in the United States of America and

will play Charleston Battery FC in Atlanta on Saturday, July 16. A game against the Honduras U-23 team is also being consummated for July 27. Nigeria will play Sweden, Colombia and Japan in the group stage of the men’s football tournament of this year’s Olympic Games in Brazil.

Eagles know World Cup foes Friday

he draw for the qualifying tournament for the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be staged on Friday by 4pm Nigerian time at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. Twenty teams will be drawn into five groups of four teams each to play on home and away basis from October 2016 to November 2017 with

the overall winners advancing to the World Cup. The qualifiers include Algeria,Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, South Africa, Mali, Guinea, Cape Verde and Cameroon. Nigeria has qualified for five World Cups previously – 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2014.

Ogunjimi: D’Tigress need more games Olusegun Giwa

Helen Ogunjimi

aptain of Nigeria women basketball team, Helen Ogunjimi, has stated that with more games together, the D’Tigress will become stronger and team to beat in the future. Speaking during a live television show monitored in Lagos on Tuesday, Ogunjimi, expressed disappointment over the team’s early exit at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in France thereby failing to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“It was bittersweet in France. We got together to know each other after few days together as a family. We grew but unfortunately we didn’t get to do what we wanted to do. We would have done better if we had stayed together for a longer period,” said Ogunjimi who led the Nigerian side to a third place finish at AfroBasket Women Championship in 2015. Nigeria last competed in the Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament at Athens 2004, where they beat Korea 68-64 to finish 11th in the 12team event.

CBN Tennis Open

Rain forces changes as Moses, Madueke progress Ajibade Olusesan

rganisers of the Central Bank of Nigeria Seniour

Open Championship have announced slight adjustments to the rules at the tournament due to rain that has distrupted

Moses

U-23 Eagles midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo (right)

the tournament. Tournament referee, Musa Bala, said it was necessary to revise the scoring method for the championship due to the downpour but that would affect only doubles event for now. “As a result of rainy weather condition, the best of two tie break short sets with no advantage scoring and a 10-point match tie break format will be used for the doubles event at the on-going championship,” he said. He added that if there was no improvement in the weather condition as play progresses, a revised scoring method will be implemented for the singles format. Meanwhile, second seed, Michael Moses, defeated Isaac Attah 6-3, 3-0 while Nonso Madueke out-stroked Tochukwu Ezeh 6-1, 6-1 to move into the second round. Olanrewaju Alayaki also beat Rilwan Marakinyo 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Amoo counsels Nigerian athletes on doping Sekinat Olaiya

he chairman of the Nigeria Olympic Committee Medical Commission, Dr. Akin Amoo, has again warned athletes against doping as the country prepares for the Rio 2016 Olympics. The former Medical Director at the defunct National Sports Commission stated this at the Ladies in Sports 2016 Conference which took place in Lagos recently that doping

Jones

was cheating and capable of ruining an athlete’s career. He said some big sports stars including disgraced American sprinter, Marion Jones, Kelly White ended their careers on ignoble notes because they enhanced their performances with banned substances. “Many of these athletes wanted to win at all cost, they had this negative determination to achieve success which pushes them into doping and interestingly, the better performance you have, the more you dope” he said. “Many of them also came under pressure from coaches and managers to dope, which is why athletes should be able to ask when given a drug to use by their coaches what the medications are for and can also consult a doctor.” Also speaking at the conference, Adaeze Nwachukwu, a physiotherapist, said that the major challenges female athletes faced was gender verification because some female ones appear to be male whereas they are ladies.

Bulus, Holmes win MP Tiger Tennis Ajibade Olusesan

he 2nd MP Tiger Tennis Tournament was rounded off over the weekend at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja with Christopher Bulus and Toyin Asogba clinching the U-16 boys and girl titles. Bulus, the winner of the inaugural edition of the invitational tournament defeated Ezekiel Ekong 4-2, 4-1 while Asogba outplayed Peace Udoh 4-2, 4-1.

Abdullahi Ajanaku edged Gabriel Richard 4-2, 1-4, 10-4 for the boy’s U-12, and Emmanuel Jebutu bagged the boy’s under 14 title with a 4-2, 1-4, 10-4 triumph. Reya Holmes avoided the pain of another final of the tournament supported by Milo by beating Serena Teluwo 4-2, 4-1 to cart home the top prize in the girl’s under 12. “I’m very happy to win because Serena is a tough player. She has always been beating me” she said.

Olympic educational programme shifted Ajibade Olusesan

he Children Educational Programme of the 2016 Olympic Day celebration which was earlier fixed for Thursday and Friday has been shifted by one week. According to the organisers of the event, the programme would now hold on June 30 and July 1, at the National Institute for Sports, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Explaining the deci-

sion to move the event by one week, Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Tunde Popoola, said the shift in date was due to logistics difficulties which were beyond the body’s control even as he regretted any inconvenience the change in date might have caused. With the Schools Educational Programme serving as a prelude to the Saturday July 2, 2016 Olympic Day Celebration proper across the country, Popoola

re-affirmed the commitment of the NOC and Sports for All Nigerians Commission to ensure that this year’s programme is bigger and better than previous editions.

Popoola

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ibrahimovic quits Sweden after Euro 2016 S weden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic will retire from international football after Euro 2016. Sweden’s next game in the tournament is against Belgium on Wednesday night. And that could be Ibrahimovic’s last game for his country if they fail to win it. Sweden drew 1-1 with the Republic of Ireland in their first game and lost 1-0 to Italy in their second

match. Ibrahimovic, who is expected to join Manchester United this summer, said: “The last game (at Euro 2016) will be my last for Sweden, so I hope it will not be tomorrow. “I am very proud of what I have achieved and will always bring the Swedish flag with me.” Ibrahimovic has had a disappointing tournament personally so far, failing to score.

uventus sporting director Beppe Marotta has insisted that the club have not received any offers for Paul Pogba EURO RESULTS this summer. The 23-year-old is under0-1 Germany N.Ireland stood to be in high demand 0-1 Poland Ukraine amongst Europe’s biggest S clubs, with Real Madrid reTODAY’S FIXTURE portedly leading the race for Ireland 5pm vs Italy his signature. Belgium 5pm Speculation on Monday vs Sweden suggested that Juventus were Portugal 8pm vs Hungary resigned to losing the France Austria 8pm international, but Marotta revs Iceland iterated his importance to the team and hinted that he would stay. “As for Pogba, we haven’t received any offer, and he is a fundamental player for the present and the future of Juventus,” he is quoted as saying by Sport Mediaset. Pogba has made 178 appearances for Juve since joining on a free transfer from Manchester United in 2012.

Chelsea to beat Man Utd to Bonucci’s signing

uventus centre back Leonardo Bonucci has agreed personal terms with Chelsea but an offer is yet to be tabled. The defender has accepted a deal of £130,000 per week to join Antonio Conte, the current Italian coach, at Stamford Bridge. Jose Mourinho is desperate to shore up the Manchester United defences but is set to miss out on Bonucci.

Having coached Bonucci at club level, during his time as Juventus coach, and as Italy coach, Antonio Conte is fully acquainted with the skills and attributes that he has. Looking to add the Juve defender to the partnership of Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill, this triumvirate would give Conte the defensive stability that Italian style football is built upon.

Ibrahimovic

ormer Derby County boss Paul Clement has been appointed as Bayern Munich assistant manager. Clement Clement links up again with Carlo Ancelotti, who has succeeded Pep Guardiola as boss of the Bundesliga champions. The pair have previously worked together at Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain. Clement was sacked by Championship side Derby in February following an eight-month spell in charge. Bayer n have also retained long-serving assistant coach Hermann Gerland, who worked under the reigns of Louis van Gaal, Jupp Heynckes and Guardiola.

Djokovic, Serena prepare for Wimbledon

D Bayern appoint Clement assistant manager

No offers for Paul Pogba –Juventus

INTERNATIONAL

efending champions Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams were out on the practice courts at SW19 as the grass court season enters full swing ahead of the fortnight-long tournament. Richard Gasquet and Stan Wawrinka were also out and about on the outside courts, while Eugenie Bouchard trained ahead of her third round clash with Agnieszka Radwanska. Djokovic enjoyed a ride on the tube on Monday as the world No 1 showed off his London travel plans on Twitter. ‘I’m officially a Londoner. Best way to avoid the traffic,’ remarked the tennis superstar,

who is no doubt accustomed to more luxurious forms of travel. The Serb has been a dominant force in the men’s game over the past 12 months and is looking to claim a historic fifth consecutive Grand Slam, and his third Wimbledon title in a row, over the coming weeks. He became the first man in nearly a half-century to win four consecutive major championships when he won the French Open earlier this month. Proceedings will be getting more serious for the reigning champion as he prepares for the tournament at the All England Club which begins on Monday June 27.

Djokovic

Bale: ‘Winning group gives Wales advantage’

Bale

ales’s winger, Gareth Bale has insisted that winning Group B gives his side a better chance of progressing far at Euro 2016. Bale was among the scorers as Wales thrashed Russia 3-0 in Toulouse on Monday night, which combined with England’s 0-0 draw against Slovakia ensured that Chris Coleman’s side qualified for the last 16 as group winners. Wales will now face a third-placed team in the

first knockout round, and Bale is confident that they can take advantage of topping the standings. Asked whether finishing in first place gives them an advantage, Bale told reporters: “It definitely does, there are no easy games but this might give us a slightly easier game. Finishing top is better than second or third. It is good for us and we want to concentrate on ourselves and getting it right for the next game.

Watford reject Leicester’s £25m offer for Deeney

Bonucci

atford remain determined to keep Troy Deeney from joining Leicester and have reiterated the striker is not for sale. The Hornets have rejected two bids for their captain from the Foxes after turning down Leicester’s latest offer of £25million offer at the weekend, Press Association Sport understands. The Premier League

champions are yet to return with an improved offer but Watford have no desire to allow Deeney to leave Vicarage Road, especially given they would owe Walsall 25 per cent of any profit over the £500,000 they bought the forward for in 2010. Deeney scored 15 goals last season as the Hornets comfortably survived in the Premier League following promotion from the Sky Bet

Championship in 2015. Leicester have held a long-time interest in Deeney, who turns 28 next week, and he is not a replacement for Jamie Vardy should the England striker join Arsenal.

Deeney

NEWS 48On Marble

If there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers.

– Charles Dickens

Sanctity of Truth

Leadership deficiency in depressed economy

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

Bola Bolawole }16

N150

Electoral impunity and representation

am sure that patriotic individuals, groups, organisations and indeed the Nigerian people heaved a sigh of relief when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that it will conduct and conclude all National Assembly elections that have remained inconclusive as a result of disruptions arising from violence and other activities on or before July 31, 2016. However the Commission gave conditions for the conclusion of such elections in places like Rivers, Imo, Kogi and Kano States. In a statement issued by the Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, he stated that the conditions include assessment of the current security situation, possible legal impediments and general preparedness for the elections, meeting with all political parties in Abuja, obtaining undertaking from parties, candidates and their supporters for peaceful elections and meeting of the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security and Resident Electoral Commissioners final report on security readiness for the election. He warned that the Commission will not hesitate to further postpone or discontinue the suspended elections in any area where there was imminent threat to lives or to peace or security, especially where such threats were likely to lead to breakdown of law and order. I think that the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission is clear and its intendment and logic can hardly be faulted. The core role and function of the Commission is to organize, undertake and supervise elections. The Commission is not vested with the power to maintain law and order. The Police Force has been primarily set up for the “prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged.” This means that the security agencies must secure the environment that will enable the Commission to deploy personnel and materials and conduct credible elections. Unfortunately, we have arrived at a situation where individuals, groups, parties and organisations hold the electoral process to ransom. Some of the political forces determine when elections will hold and under what conditions elections will hold. They kidnap electoral personnel at will and nothing happens. They deploy their skull crackers to the streets to patrol and prevent elections and nothing happens. This bizarre process of electoral impunity has lingered for long because “nothing happens”. Because people are not held to account, they have taken it as a normal democratic process that elections can be disrupted at will. At the Summit on Electoral Reforms organized by the Senate Committee on INEC on the 6th day of June, 2016, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission Professor Mahmood Yakubu pointed out that “the most intractable challenge in the administration and management of elections in Nigeria can be summarized in the phrase

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

Yakubu-INEC boss

–“do-or-die” – by some (not all) of our political actors. Often this is expressed in open violence or the threat of violence leading to the subversion of the popular will of the people. Our responsibility as the electoral umpire is to ensure that votes truly count, but this cannot be achieved where election has become akin to war. While INEC has been strenuously applying our Guidelines as well as provisions of the Electoral Act, those determined to ignore the law and the Guidelines appear undeterred. Our staffs have been harassed, intimidated, compromised or even killed. Consistent with our Guidelines and the Electoral Act, INEC has declared some elections inconclusive and conducted supplementary elections. In some other cases, elections were cancelled in entire constituencies or in specific polling units based on the powers of the Commission under Sections 26 and 53 of the Electoral Act, in order to ensure that votes truly count and the people ultimately decide who their leaders are. Where suspects were apprehended, we have worked jointly with the police to prosecute them under

One of the most neglected aspects of the work of members of the National and State Assemblies is that of representation

Section 150(2) of the Electoral Act. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) believes that the time has come to revisit the issue of Electoral Offences Tribunal to deal with violators of the Electoral Act, whoever they are – political actors, INEC staff – whoever. We are submitting a proposal to that effect for appropriate legislation by the National Assembly”. Those who hold the electoral process to ransom not only enthrone the culture of violence in the electoral process but deny the people of quality representation. Representation I dare say is at the heart of the democratic process and the Parliament serves as the tribune of the people. Unfortunately, one of the most neglected aspects of the work of members of the National and State Assemblies is that of representation. The National Assembly in a representative democracy aggregates the voice of the people and serves as a conveyor belt for their issues and concerns. But in a democracy anchored on “stomach infrastructure” buying of motorbikes for constituents, digging of boreholes, construction of culverts, buying of bags of rice and constituency projects or empowerment are more expressed and more appreciated than the real work of Parliament. Ordinarily, some of the people that understand and know about the workings of the National Assembly as derived from the Constitution and the Law refer to the law making functions of the members of the National and State Assemblies as their main fort and that is as it should be but that is not the only thing they do. Yes members of the National and State Assemblies are constitutionally obligated to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the States and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They are also empowered by the constitution to carry out oversight functions. By section 88 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(as amended) each House of the National Assembly shall have power to direct or cause to be directed an investigation into any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to makes laws; and the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly and disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly. The Constitution also confers exclusive powers on the Senate to scrutinize and confirm major appointments of the executive including those of Ministers, Special Advisers, Ambassadors, top Judicial Officers heading specified levels of courts, the Auditor-General of the Fed-

eration, and the Chairmen and Members of vital National Commissions. However, for some people, the function of representation and serving as the tribune of the people is a more fundamental function that domiciles the National Assembly with the people. That is why the Constitution divides each State into three Senatorial Zones and makes provision for the division of the country into three hundred and sixty Federal Constituencies. It is therefore disingenuous for some forces to deny their people representation on the basis of selfish political interests and consideration. It is akin to rendering a Senatorial District or Federal or State Constituency electoral orphan. It was Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN), renowned constitutional lawyer who noted that “the legislature is the distinctive mark of country’s sovereignty, the index of its status as a state and the source of much of the power exercised by the executive in the administration of government. The sovereign power of the state is therefore identified in the organ that has power to make laws by legislation, and to issue command in the form of legislation binding the community.” John Stuart Mill also posited that in a representative democracy, the legislature acts as the eyes, ears and voice of the people. According to him, “the proper office of a representative assembly is to watch and control the government; to throw the light of publicity on its acts, to compel a full exposition and justification of all of them which any one considers questionable, to censure them if found condemnable. In addition to this, the parliament has an office…… to be at once the nation’s committee of grievances and its Congress of Opinions.” It is therefore important for the security agencies to secure and guarantee a good electoral environment that will enable the Independent National Electoral Commission to organize the remaining elections and ensure that every Senatorial District and Federal and State Constituency has representation.

HIGH CHIEF

I AM FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO RUN GOVT IN BENUE –Ortom

- Running a govt is not Ortomatic!

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