March 30, 2015

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•Tension in Ondo over alleged plan to forge results •Nigerians’ will must prevail, says U.S. ambassador •APC demands polls’ cancellation in Akwa Ibom, Rivers •Villa Chaplain to Jonathan: election isn’t ‘do or die’

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VOL. 10, NO. 3169 MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

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•INSIDE: HOODLUMS BURN INEC OFFICE IN SUSWAM’S LOCAL GOVT P4 ECOWAS SATISFIED P4

Buhari ahead in Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, 5 others RESULTS SO FAR FROM LOCAL GOVTS

•FOR FREE, F AIR POLLS: All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State Dr. Dakuku Peterside (second FAIR right), his running mate, Honourable Asita (third right), Director-General of the Greater Tomorrow Camapaign Organisation, Chief Victor Giadom (right) and other APC supporters sitting in front of INEC’s gate in Port Harcourt during a protest...yesterday.

STATE No. LGS •Kano 44 •Kogi 21 •Ekiti 16 •Oyo 33 •Osun 30 •Ondo 18 •Benue 23 •Ogun 20 •Sokoto 23 •Abuja 6 •Nasarawa 13 •Borno 28 •Enugu 17

APC 20 6 19 28 8 13 3 3 3 15 -

Jonathan leads in Ekiti, Enugu, Nasarawa, Benue UN lauds elections

A

LL Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari took an early lead yesterday as results of Saturday’s poll trickled in.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officers

By our reporters

announced results in some states.

The APC candidate is ahead in Lagos, Kano, Ogun, Osun, Kogi, Oyo, Borno, Ondo and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Gen. Buhari is ahead in the

Jega: INEC not under pressure From Yusuf Alli and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

T

HE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday said the agency was not under pressure to declare the results of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections inconclusive.

He also said the collation WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS and release of the results of KIDNAPPED ON the elections will begin toAPRIL 15, LAST day.

YEAR EVER

?

RETURN?

four local government areas declared out of the 20 in Lagos State early this morning.

In Ibeju Lekki, the APC scored 12,016 while the PDP scored 10,812 The APC candidate polled 49,901 to PDP’s 29,604 in Ikorodu.

In Epe, the result is: APC

19,179 and PDP 16,400.

Gen Buhari also won in Lagos Mainland scoring, APC 33.800. PDO had PDP 23,853.

Results in 23 local government areas of Kano State’s 44 were declared last night. All were won by the APC candidate.

President Goodluck

Jonathan, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is ahead in Nasarawa State. He won in the six of the nine local government areas where results were declared. The APC won in Wamba, Keffi and Awe. PDP won in Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon, Obi, Keana, Kokona and

PDP 3 16 4 2 6 5 7 1 6 1 3 SEE ALSO PAGE 6

Doma.

Dr. Jonathan won only in Marte, one of the 16 local government areas where results were declared in Borno State.

Jonathan also won with wide margins in Enugu State where results in three Continued on page 4 •All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (third right), Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (third left), Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu (left), Asiwaju’s wife, Senator Oluremi (second left), Amosun’s wife Olufunso and Senator Gbenga Ashafa during Tinubu’s 63rd birthday celebration at his Ikoyi, Lagos home ...yesterday.

Continued on page 4

•POLITICS P17 •SPORTS P23 •MONEY LINK P31•JOBS P35 •MOTORING P39•FOREIGN P56

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

2

NEWS THE VERDICT

Anxiety as Nigerians await presidential,

• A team of INEC monitors...at the weekend.

INEC officials and party agents at a Collation Centre in Ijero Ekiti...yesterday.

N

• A voter casting his vote at Ikeja, Lagos...at the weekend.

•Mrs. Adeyemi Odegbami casting her vote at Ward EC-30b, Sunday Adigun Street, Ikeja, Lagos...at the weekend.

IGERIANS were yesterday eagerly awaiting the results of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

The elections went into second day yesterday after technical glitches occasioned by the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) deployed in the polling units by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Few of the machines introduced to do biometric verification of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to guide against multiple voting failed to read the cards, a situation that forced a slight adjustment in the voting period.

These technical problems and the delayed arrival of election materials and officials forced INEC to extend voting till yesterday.

The extension was only in the units where the devices malfunctioned and in areas where polling materials arrived late.

Returning Officers and party agents were busy last night collating the results for the presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives elections.

Below are the results of the elections as announced by INEC officials yesterday.

PRESIDENTIAL OGUN APC- 308,290 PDP- 207,950 LAGOS House of Representatives •Lagos Island Federal Constituency I Enitan Badru (APC), 15,389 Lukman Oladipo (PDP), 5, 732 •Lagos Island Constituency II Yakubu Balogun (APC), 16, 437 Rahman Salawe (PDP), 7, 305

EKITI •Ekiti North Senatorial District Duro Faseyi (PDP), 50, 023 Olubunmi Adetunmbi (APC), 35, 376 •Ekiti Central Senatorial District Mrs. Fatimat Raji-Rasaki (PDP), 54,459 Gbenga Olofin (APC), 41, 607 •Ekiti South Senatorial District Mrs. Biodun Olujimi (PDP), 62, 344 Anthony Adeniyi (APC), 37,932

Rivers election didn’t

The results of the presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives elections are expected today. While election observers are still collating their findings, IBRAHIM ZIKRULLAH of the Transitional Monitoring Group (TMG) gave DW an insight into his impression of how the elections went.

W •Voters at Ikeja, Lagos.

HAT are your preliminary findings about the elections so far?

Ibrahim Zikrullah: I think the election was generally fair. Of course we have Rivers State, where the election did not meet minimal standards of any recognised election. The state security took over

the role of INEC. They were beating up people, smashing ballots and falsifying results. The problem with the card readers did not help matters because in some places they couldn’t verify the Permanent Voter Cards (PVC). And in our view the manual verification compromised the purpose of the card reader.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

3

THE VERDICT

l, National Assembly polls’ results

PHOTO: SEUN AKIOYE

Voters waiting to cast their ballot at a polling unit in Lagos...at the weekend.

House of Representatives •Ikole/Oye Federal Constituency Kehinde Agboola (PDP), 24, 129 Abimbola Daramola (APC), 17, 768 •Ido-Osi, Moba/Ilejemeje Federal Constituency Aina Thadeus (PDP), 23, 585 Robinson Ajiboye (APC), 15, 834 •Ado-Ekiti/Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal Constituency Ayodele Oladimeji (PDP), 35, 494 Eniola Ajayi (APC), 19, 412 •Ijero/Ekiti West/Efon Federal Constituency Oni Olamide (PDP), 27, 658 Ojo Oladimeji (APC), 20, 083 •Emure/Gbonyin/Ekiti East Federal Constituency Awodumila Julius (PDP), 25, 648 Faparusi Oyedele (APC), 17,473 •Ekiti Southwest/Ikere/Ise-Orun Federal Constituency Segun Adekola (PDP), 33,288.

•Dr Ife Arowosoge (APC), 19, 432 Niger State Niger East Senatorial District David Umaru (APC), 149,443 Governor Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu (PDP), 46,459 Kwara State House of Representatives •Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency Funke Adedoyin (APC), 26,758 Richard Babatunde (PDP), 23,123

•Baruten/Kaima Federal Constituency Zakari Mohammed (APC), 32,502 Edo State •Edo Central Senatorial District Francis Inegbeneki (APC), 46,820 Clifford Ordia (PDP), 84,782 House of Representatives •Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency Peter Akpatason (APC), 18,887 Balogun Bankole, (PDP), 16,348 •Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency Paul Ohonbamu (APC), 38,815 Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonnayima (PDP), 38,883 •Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency Irabor Onikolase (APC), 14,348 Sergius Ogun (PDP), 33,891 Ondo State Senator Ajayi Boroffice (APC), 102,843 Dr. Bode Olajumoke (PDP), 76751 Akwa Ibom Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District Governor Godswill Akpabio (PDP), 422,009 Chief Inibehe Okorie (APC), 15, 152.

Osun State Senatorial Districts •Osun East Prof. Sola Adeyeye (APC), 137,379 Mr. Oludaisi Aina (PDP), 82,529.

House of Representatives •Oriade/Obokun federal constituency Oluwole Oke (PDP), 22, 102 Nathaniel Agunbiade (APC), 20,059 •Ilesa East/West/Atakumosa East/West Federal Constituency Ajibola Famurewa (APC), 38,133 Ayo Olowoofeyeku (PDP), 21,463.

•Ife Federal Constituency Albert Abiodun Adeogun (PDP), 51,341 Makinde Rotimi (APC), 41, 062 •Osogbo/Olorunda/Orolu/IrepodunFederal Constituency Lasun Yusuf (APC), 73,678 Bashiru Arogundade (PDP), 33,783.

Abia State Abia Central Senatorial District Governor Theodore Orji (PDP), 65,653 Ahamdi Nweke (APGA), 47,070 Enugu State Enugu West Senatorial District Senator Ike Ekweremadu (PDP), 120,074 OGUN STATE •Ogun Central Senatorial District Prince Lanre Tejuosho (APC) Mrs. Bisola Sodipo-Clark (PDP) • Ogun East Senatorial District Kashamu Buruji (PDP), 99,540 Dapo Abiodun (APC), 84,001 •Ogun West Gbolahan Dada (APC) Waliu Taiwo (PDP)

t meet minimal standard, says observer So, you’re saying that claims from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), that there were irregularities in Rivers State are founded.

Yes. As I speak to you, there are huge protests at the INEC headquarters in Rivers State. In most of the polling units, result sheets were not delivered and those were the sheets that were falsified.

Were there irregularities in other states?

In Akwa Ibom observers were chased away. Two of our observers were arrested. They were released late at night. Even when they could not find anything criminal about them and they were identified by INEC, the police insisted that they should pay bribes. We started spreading the news through social media and people started

commenting on it until they released the two observers. And people were chased away. Party agents were chased fom the polling units and at the end of the day, results were declared in some polling units.

We also had a case in Gombe, in the polling unit where the governor cast his ballot. The results were moving in favor of the opposition and some people accompanied by police came and snatched the ballot box away. So we have pockets of those scenes.

Do you think these irregularities will affect the outcome of the polls?

I don’t think so, because we have 36 states plus Abuja, so 37 in all, and 774 local governments. I think that if we have irregularities in four to five percent , they can’t be used to judge the election as not valid.

However in those areas where there were irregularities, the results could be cancelled and fresh elections organized.

Your organisation is also doing its own tallying of results. Can you describe how that works?

We have 4,000 observers who go to the field and confirm their data through coded text messages. The system analyses the data that comes in and we are able to understand the trends of the election in real time.

For example, yesterday, we reported about the arrival of the election officials at 7:30 a.m. At 11:30 a.m. we were able to report about the setting up of polling units that had opened for accreditation. We reported on all the processes up to the voting.

What we don’t immediately

reveal, is the results. We collect results from the polling units where they are still very pure. The experience has shown that when the results are being moved from one polling unit to the next, we begin to see additions and subtractions. And we have a margin of error. So if the results that are declared by INEC fall within the margin of error, we can confirm that the result is justified.

The moment they begin to diverge from this, we can expose the fraud.

So on a scale of one to ten, how would you rate the polls on credibility?

I think I can give it an eight.

Ibrahim Zikrullah is chariman of the Transitional Monitoring Group (TMG), a Nigerian independent election monitoring group.

•INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega

4

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

NEWS Nigerians’ will must prevail, says U.S.

U

NITED States Ambassador to Nigeria James Eintwistle yesterday said the expectation of America in the presidential election is for the will of Nigerians to prevail.

He praised the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) for adopting Card Readers to protect the integrity of the ballot.

He said the U.S. might also learn from Nigeria by using Card Readers in its future poll.

Eintwistle, who spoke with reporters at the National Collation Centre in Abuja, said he was impressed by the turnout for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

He said: “I was extremely impressed. Yesterday, I went

•All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom, Umana Okon Umana, displaying one of the alleged fake result sheets used by INEC at a news conference...yesterday. With him are some of the chieftains of APC. PHOTO: KAZEEM IBRAHYM

Buhari ahead in Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, 5 others Continued from page 1

local government areas were released.

In Ekiti State, the PDP candidate won in all the 16 local government areas.

In Ogun State, the APC candidate won in 13 of the 20 local government areas.

A breakdown of the figures showed that in Remo North, APC polled 6,164. PDP got 9,278. In Ewekoro, APC had 9,626 and PDP polled 3,227. For Obafemi Owode, APC got 15,207 and PDP secured 5,786.

At Imeko Afon, APC polled 7,657 with PDP scoring 12,153.

At Ijebu Ode local government, APC polled 14,043 while PDP got 8,962.

For Sagamu, APC got 15,761 and PDP had 17,263. In Odeda Local Government, APC had 11,102 while PDP had 4,456. In Odogbolu, APC had 11,623 and PDP (11,405).

In Ijebu North East, APC won 7,638 and PDP got 6,163.

But, despite the challenge faced by 125,483 registered voters in Abeokuta North in collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), APC dusted PDP with 21,213 votes to 5,742

SOME SENATORS-ELECT •Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West) •Theodore Orji (Abia Central) •Sola Adeyeye (Osun East) •Gilbert Nnaji (Enugu East) •Ajayi Borroffice (Ondo North) •David Umaru (Niger East) •Francis Inegbeneki (Edo Central) •Godswill Akpabio (A/Ibom N/West) •Duro Faseyi (Ekiti North) •Mrs. Abiodun Olujimi (Ekiti East) •Mrs. Fatima Rasaki (Ekiti Central) in an election cast by 29,107 valid voters.

In Ogun Waterside, APC won 7,076 votes and PDP got 8,063. In Ado-Odo Ota, APC (37,385), PDP (15,252); Abeokuta South APC (35,878), PDP (10,062); Ijebu East APC (9,109) PDP (10,045) Also, in Egbado South, APC: 14,169 and PDP: 10,491; Ijebu North, APC: 14,410 and PDP: 20,500; Ifo, APC: 27,353 and PDP: 8, 645; Egbado North, APC: 16,459 and PDP: 13,408;

PDP PDP PDP PDP APC APC APC PDP PDP PDP PDP

Ikenne: APC: 8,443 and PDP: 11,503; Ipokia APC:17,974 and PDP: 15,546.

Director - General of Amosun C a m p a i g n Organisation(AMCO), Chief Bode Mustapha, hailed the performance of the state chapter of the APC in the concluded presidential and National Assembly polls.

Mustapha, who is also the APC returning Officer in the state, said the party's performance was quite impressive

and served as pointer to what lies ahead in the forthcoming April governorship election.

He ascribed the performance to the performance of the governor in the last 44 months coupled with his robust and energetic campaign around the wards and 20 local governments in the state.

The APC candidate is also leading in Oyo State, with results from 23 out of the 33 local government areas declared.

The APC won in 19. Jonathan won in four – Oriire, Ogo Oluwa, Surulere and Itesiwaju.

In Ona-Ara, the local government where PDP governorship candidate Senator Teslim Folarin and Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Jumoke Akinjide hail from, the APC won by over 5,000 votes.

The local governments won by the APC are Atisbo, Saki East, Iwajowa, Oyo West, Ibarapa East, Atiba, Iddo, Oluyole and Kajola.

Others are Afijio, Oorelope, Irepo and Iseyin.

In Ondo State, Gen. Buhari won in eight of the 14 local govContinued on page 59

From Yusuf Alli and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

around to a number of places in the FCT. Every place I went, I was impressed by the patience and dedication of the Nigerian voters.

“The fact that they were willing to stand in line for hours and hours, in the heat and in the sun so that they can exercise their democratic rights to vote, personally, I found that inspirational.

“My congratulations to the Nigerian voters. They have reminded us all about what a beautiful thing democracy is.”

The Ambassador added: “The expectation of my government is that the Nigerian peoples will win. And by that, I mean they will get what they want, which is a Continued on page 59

ECOWAS: elections free, fair

T

HE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Observer Mission (EOM), has declared that Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections met the acceptable criteria of being free and transparent.

The declaration was made by the mission’s head and former President of Ghana, John Kuffour, in Abuja yesterday.

Mr. Kuffour expressed satisfaction with the commitment made by the Indepen-

dent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies and various entities on the electoral process.

He observed that the turnout of voters was generally high with a laudable participation of women and young people who displayed commendable level of patience and discipline.

“Security agents were present at most of the polling stations and on patrols in and Continued on page 59

Hoodlums burn INEC office in Suswam’s local govt

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UN-TOTTING thugs last night, believed to be supporters of one of the candidates yesterday set the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ugba town, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State on fire.

Ugba is the headquarters of Logo Council, hometown of Governor Gabriel Suswam, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial candidate.

His opponent is Senator Barnabas Gemade of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The place has supporters of both parties.

Eyewitnesses said Ugba town became rowdy as people were scampering for safety, with sporadic gunshots which resulted to injury of several persons.

It was learnt that the armed men who unleashed the terror were dressed in military uniform.

Police Spokesman Ezeani Ameachi confirmed the incident and said policemen had been deployed to the affected area to maintain peace.

INEC not under pressure to declare poll inconclusive, says Jega Continued from page 1

Results from two states, Jega said, were received last night, although reports indicated that the collation had reached 80 per cent and 90 per cent in some states.

He, however, dismissed claims by the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council that the party was leading in 23 states. He said it was a baseless partisan information.

Jega, at a briefing in Abuja on the elections, said contrary to insinuations, the Card Readers worked in most of the 150,000 polling units.

He said the failure of Card Readers was recorded in 374 of the 150,000 in the country.

Jega said: “We are not under any pressure to declare elections inconclusive. I wonder who will be interested in declaring inconclusive election. I want to believe that candidates would have wanted to be declared winners and not to have an election being declared inconclusive. Really, there is no truth whatsoever to that. “ The INEC chairman said the

collation and release of results would begin today(Monday).

He said only results of two states were ready.

But he warned against announcement of results by unauthorised persons or group or the media, especially online websites.

Jega added: “ I have said that in 2011, INEC was able to declare the presidential election results within 48 hours and we have been working assiduously to be able to beat that record and so our hope and what we have been working for is to be able to declare the results within 48hours and, hopefully, in a much less time as we did in. 2011.

“So, the 48 hours commenced after the elections had ended yesterday (Saturday) when substantial majority of the polling units have concluded elections.

“According to reports from our state offices, the collation of results has commenced and is going on well.

“The first collated results for the presidential election are expected at the National Collation Centre here in Abuja by

this evening(Sunday’s).

“Meanwhile, the commission warns strongly against premature publication and announcement of results by unauthorized persons and media channels particularly online sites.

“Only INEC is empowered by law to announce results and it is an offence for anyone to preempt the commission in this regard.”

Jega dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s reported lead in the presidential race in 23 states.

He described the source of such results posted by the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Femi FaniKayode, as baseless.

Jega said: “These are speculations. As I speak with you, very, very few states have collated presidential results.

“I don’t know the sources of his information. And you should be careful about the results being put out there by people who are partisan.

“It is only INEC that is supposed to put the figures together and release them.”

He said INEC was investigating the failure of Card Readers in 374 Polling Units out if 150,000.

He said: “Obviously, we received reports from the field that the Card Readers were not reading and the numbers reported were alarming.

“From the statistics, however, 0.25 per cent of the total number of Card Readers were reported to have failed. We had deployed over 150,000 .

“The percentage is statistically insignificant. Maybe only 374 Card Readers (less than 500) did not work. It was a tremendous achievement. We believe the use of Card Readers was the right decision under the circumstance.

“It is also gratifying to note that the Card Readers worked well in the majority of Polling Units, even though there were areas where difficulties experienced necessitated additional guidelines by the commission to allow for manual accreditation of voters, as announced yesterday.

“So far, Osun, Kebbi, Ekiti, Adamawa, Borno, Jigawa, Anambra, Akwa Ibom and

Ebonyi states have reported reverting to manual-only accreditation of voters in some polling units.

“Investigations into what accounted for the difficulties encountered with the Card Readers are ongoing.”

Regarding poll crisis in Rivers State, especially the abuse of the process, Jega promised that INEC will probe the alleged irregularities.

He said: “This morning, I received a letter. from the APC political party calling for cancellation and postponing of the Rivers state elections.

“When we received this kind of letter of complaint, we do our best to thoroughly investigate them and we have commenced our investigations. “ The commission has not yet taken a decision, but we will take the decision and we will communicate our decision directly to the political party but that will have to be after our investigation.

“However, we are concerned about what seems to be happening in Rivers State. There are many alleged cases of malContinued on page 59

•Prof. Jega

APC wins Ikorodu Reps seat All Progressives Congress ( APC) candidate Babajimi Benson was yesterday declared winner of the House of Representative elections for Ikorodu Federal Constituency.

Mr Falobi Oluwole Victor, the Returning Officer said at the INEC office in Ikorodu that tha APC candidate won 48,789 votes to defeat the PDP candidate who scored 28,691.

ADVERT HOTLINES 08023006969, 08052592524

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

5

NEWS THE VERDICT

•The protesting APC members...yesterday

APC seeks polls’ cancellation in Akwa Ibom, Rivers

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel Saturday’s polls.

APC supporters in Rivers yesterday protested what they described as electoral fraud.

The protest, which started from the Government House, Port Harcourt to the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) caused a major traffic jam at the popular Aba road express way.

The protest was led by party bigwigs, including its governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside, his running mate Honourable Asita and Senator Magnus Abe. They said they decided to lead the protest to tell the world that APC in Rivers State did not participate in Saturday’s elections.

They alleged that result sheets were not distributed in all the units in Rivers State, adding that Police and INEC officials collaborated in distributing fake result sheets in all the polling units.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local government, Hon. Mina Tende who led his supporters to the INEC office said result sheets were missing.

He said as the local government chairman, he went to INEC office by 2pm on Saturday to complain about the situation but nobody listened to him.

Tende alleged that when agents of PDP realised that the people were demanding for the result sheets, they started distributing fake copies.

“We are here to tell the world that there was no election in Rivers State, our people boycotted the election and such election cannot be called election.

“There were two observers at the INEC office in Ogu/Bolo and I told them I have never seen it this way.

“I also told the resident electoral commissioner that I expected her to go round and see things for herself. In other way, there was a connivance to do what they did, and it has been confirmed that INEC was paid N15 million in each LGA for buying the result sheets.”

Another APC chieftain, Hon Welendu Amadi, a former local government chairman in Ikwerre said: “We are saying that the election did not hold. Everybody in Rivers State knows that by numerical strength, we have more population than PDP. We pulled out because we don’t know where the result will be written from.”

APC leaders and members moved round Port Harcourt and later got to the headquarters of the INEC on Aba

From From Bisi Olaniyi, Rosemary Nwisi, Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt, and Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

Road and called for fresh elections and transfer of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dame Gesila Khan, for taking sides with the leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Khan was also accused of releasing the original result sheets to the Rivers governorship candidate of the PDP, Chief Nyesom Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, and other leaders of the party, with colour photocopies given to the Electoral Officers across the 23 LGAs of the state, which they used to write fake results, while Wike later submitted to INEC for collation, the “manufactured” results on original result sheets.

Khan, however, said: “It is a lie and cheap blackmail. It is not possible to hand over original result sheets to politicians, especially with the security numbers on them. They should concentrate on campaigning and allow me to do my job.”

The protesters ignored the heavy security on Aba Road, especially between Waterlines Bus Stop and GRA Junction, thereby moving to the gate of the INEC headquarters, near the corporate headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The protesters, who were armed with placards with various inscriptions, were chanting: “We no go gree.”

Some of the placards read: “Change Rivers REC of INEC now, Prof. Jega”, “Electoral officers in Rivers State compromising with PDP”, “INEC in Rivers State is an arm of PDP”, “PDP members accredited as INEC ad hoc staff” and “Rivers INEC, where are our votes?”

Peterside and some leaders of the APC, who insisted on entering the INEC headquarters to meet with the REC and register their protest, were barred by fully-armed riot policemen.

The protesters then decided to sit at INEC’s gate on the ever-busy Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu Expressway for about two hours.

The Rivers APC’s governorship candidate said: “What you are seeing here (at INEC headquarters in Port Harcourt ) are registered voters, who are supporters of the APC. They are here to protect the fact that yesterday (on Saturday), they were not allowed to exercise their franchise. They got to their various polling units, only to discover that there were no result sheets and without the result sheets, the election cannot be conducted in compliance with the Electoral Law. “In substance, there were no elec-

•Fake result sheet as alleged by APC ...yesterday

tions anywhere in Rivers State, at least in 20 local government areas. Apart from the fact that there were no result sheets, the few places where accreditation was done, results were not announced at the polling booths, in accordance with the law. Results were not collated at the various LGAs. We later heard that results are being collated at various homes around the city of Port Harcourt and the suburbs.

“So, we are here to register our protest. There were no elections in Rivers State and violence was visited on our people. Over ten persons died in various locations in Rivers State. Over 55 of our members were arrested by the police and the military. We are calling for elections and not cancellation, because there was no election. All we asking for is that please, can we vote?

There are two different things; we are saying there were no elections at all and not that elections were not held.

“We have been here for two hours and they said the REC is not available. Somebody who identified himself as the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Rivers State received our petition, but we are insisting that we must see the REC, because she played a key role in subverting the will of Rivers people.”

Abe, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), who is seeking re-election to represent Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, also stated that he was manhandled in his Bera-Ogoni hometown in Gokana Local Government Area during Saturday’s election and did not vote, insisting that nobody voted in his senatorial district.

A member of the House of Representatives, who represents AkukuToru/Asari-Toru constituency of Rivers State, Dr. Dawari George, who is seeking re-election to return to the House, lamented that electoral materials for Saturday’s elections were hijacked by PDP’s thugs, in collaboration with INEC officials.

The APC in Akwa Ibom State called for the cancellation of the presidential and National Assembly elections held throughout the state on Saturday.

The party while calling for a fresh elections to be conducted in the state, also called for the redeployment of

•The original result sheet with bar code on the left according to Umana...yesterday

the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Austin Okojie, from the state.

APC’s State Chairman, Dr. Amadu Attai, said after a review of the field reports on the elections across the state, the elections should be cancelled because they were not conducted in line with the guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of elections.

Attai spoke with reporters at the party’s office in Uyo, the state capital.

Apart from the irregularities recorded in the elections, the party also claimed that six of its members were killed by suspected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs through the assistance of the security agencies.

The chairman explained that APC agents who have been to the collation centres cannot find any INEC officials or trace their locations.

According to APC, thumb printing of ballot papers and collation of results were ongoing in the houses of the following government officials, Aniekan Umana, commissioner for information, in Abak; Governor Akpabio’s country home in Ukana; Don Etim, Commissioner for Works in Ikot Ekpene; Emmanuel Enoidom, commissioner for special duties in Etim Ekpo; Enobong Uwah, commissioner for environment in Uyo; Senator Effiong Bob in Nsit Ubium, and Eno Akpan, Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning in Ukanafun.

According to the party, virtually in every polling unit in Uyo Senatorial District (USD), result sheets were not available.

The result sheet, according to Attai, was one of the sensitive materials that must be used for the conduct of elections.

He said: “Some of the polling units in Uyo Senatorial District (USD) which insisted that there would be no voting without result sheets were later supplied with fake result sheets, which obviously lacked the barcode that the original result sheet has.”

The experience in Uyo Senatorial District, according to Attai, was replicated in most polling units in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and Eket Senatorial District.

Attai said: “Most of the polling units did not have result sheets. In the few

units where result sheets were provided they were found to be fake. Also, the results were not announced and pasted in the various units as required by the electoral law.

“We recall that on the eve of the elections, we issued a press statement alerting the world to the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had colluded with INEC officials to procure original result sheets which were already being filled up with fake results in the house of the state commissioner for special duty, Mr. Emmanuel Enoidem, 24 hours before voting began nationwide.

“The elections were marred by other forms of irregularities. In Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, the Commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs in the administration of Godswill Akpabio, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk, went around with policemen and thugs beating up and maiming people while carting away voting materials at almost every polling unit in the area.

“Uwem Ita Etuk’s conduct during the elections is consistent with his threat of violence during in the leadup to the elections. There were also widespread violence and other irregularities in polling units in Ukanafun, Ibiono Ibom, Nsit Atai, Uyo, Etinan, Obot Akara, Oruk Anam, Itu and other Local Government Areas across the state.

“In most parts of Ukanafun, INEC staff took sides and refused to be an umpire in the elections. In Unit 2 of Ward 10 in Ukanafun, INEC officials refused to record votes for the presidential candidate of the APC. “Throughout Saturday night and up to 1 pm today (Sunday 29 March,1 pm), thumb printing of ballot papers and collation of results are ongoing in the houses of the following government officials: Aniekan Umana, commissioner for information, in Abak; Governor Akpabio’s country home in Ukana; Don Etim, Commissioner for Works in Ikot Ekpene; Emmanuel Enoidom, commissioner for special duties in Etim Ekpo; Enobong Uwah, commissioner for environment in Uyo; Senator Effiong Bob in Nsit Ubium, and Eno Akpan, Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning in Ukanafun, just to mention a few.”

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

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NEWS THE VERDICT

Troops battle Boko Haram in Bauchi

Aso Rock Chaplain to Jonathan: elections should not be ‘do or die’

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•President worships at Villa on Palm Sunday

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan returned yesterday to Aso Villa, 24 hours after voting in the general elections at his Otuoke, Bayelsa State hometown.

He attended a church service to mark the Palm Sunday. Guest minister and Founding General Overseer of the All Christians Fellowship Mission, Abuja, Rev. William Okoye, cautioned politicians that results of the general election should be accepted, adding that “It should not be a do-or-die “ matter.

Rev. Okoye was a one-time Aso Villa Chaplain.

Before this time, the Chapel was always filled beyond capacity anytime President Jonathan was worshiping there.

But those in attendance yesterday besides the choir, did not exceed the first three rows on both sides. Workers and few security aides and reporters occupied the last seats.

Rev. Okoye maintained that those alleging that President Jonathan did not perform in his four years were either being mischievous or economical with the truth.

According to him, Jonathan’s achievements are glaring for all to see.

He was confident that the outcome of the election will be in Jonathan’s favour.

Rev. Okoye, who was the Chaplain of the Chapel between 1999 and

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

2007, insisted that there was nothing the Jonathan administration has not done to develop the nation.

Towards lifting up the spirit of the worshippers following the early result of the presidential elections which is going the way of the opposition, Rev. Okoye said, God puts people in authority.

He also noted that people in their usual sycophantic nature will go to various places, claiming they prayed and will want to take the glory as facilitators of victory when the result goes the way of the principle.

He urged President Jonathan not to make that mistake but attribute the victory (if he eventually wins) to God and not to man.

Rev. OKoye said: “That is where we sin against God. It is God that puts people in authority and we have done all we have to do, we have to look to him (God) and I believe we are going to sing a new things”.

Even though Jonathan has performed, he said that he made mistakes in certain areas which he should correct if God gives him the opportunity to return.

“If God gives us another opportunity there are three things we must do: One, we must acknowledge God as our source of victory and helper.

Two, review all you have done in the past, learn from past mistakes

because you have done well but you must admit you have made mistakes.

Thirdly, repackage the mistakes you have made so that you can launch out in full force. Every leader in public office is in a position of trust, we must account for the position we have been given and do things right” Rev. Okoye said he was happy that the President at a recent event said he was ready to serve but was not desperate.

“Thank God we have a President who wants to serve and not engage in do or die politics. Some of us were here during the third term agenda and I kicked against it from this altar.”

“As a villa chaplain under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the third term agenda was not originally his idea, hence he rejected it when it was suggested. But those behind it went and repackaged and presented it to him and he bought it. When he told me I kicked against it but before you knew it he was sidelining me and so I was forced to use the pulpit to tell him God was not with him on this matter because the idea was not God’s and that was why the idea failed.”

“Thank God we have a president that says I want to serve but I’m not desperate. So it is not a question of do or die thing.” ”This election is not a do or die. If

•Dr Jonathan

we lose we will go and use the experience to serve humanity. So, there is nothing to worry about. I know with what this government has done if given another opportunity. Nigeria will be better. That is why we are not to be proud because God resist the proud”.

The Aso Villa Chaplain, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba said that he was happy that the elections held despite wicked insinuations that the president didn’t want it to hold because he wanted to stay longer in power.

He said: “It was said the President will not allow elections to hold because he wanted to hold unto power but it held. A friend of mine sent me a text messages that God has chosen who will govern before the foundation of the world and we just voted to authenticate that person.”

APC accuses Yuguda of plotting crisis

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HE All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has accused Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State of plotting to cause the cancellation of Saturday’s election in the state with a view to provoking a state of emergency.

Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign Organisation, Mallam Garba Shehu said in a statement in made available to newsmen in Daura that it has intelligence reports that the Bauchi governor was planning to cause crisis across the state.

He said that the crises is meant to give the impression that elections across the state which put the APC in clear lead in all layers of election was inconclusive and therefore call for an outright cancellation of all the elections held on Saturday in Bauchi State.

The statement said: “We have it on good authority that Governor Yuguda is planning to engineer violence across Bauchi State in order for him to provoke a state of emergency so that elections across the state which put the APC in strong lead in the state would be seen to have been marred by violence.

“We make bold to state that this plot by the Bauchi State governor to write off the electoral wishes of the people is anti-democratic, pernicious, subversive and absolutely unacceptable.

“In the light of this development we call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to be railroaded by the Governor Yuguda and all other anti-democratic forces into taken actions that may jeopardise the tranquillity we have so far enjoyed in the course of this election.

“We, however, call on the teeming supporters of the APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari in Bauchi State and across the country to be abreast of this development and never fall for the demonic plot to write off their franchise as clearly expressed in the Saturday, March 28 Presidential and National Assembly Election. We urge them to be resolute, vigilant, peaceful and law abiding”.

IGERIAN troops battled scores of Boko Haram fighters outside the northeastern city of Bauchi yesterday, residents and a military source told AFP. Soldiers supported by two fighter jets intercepted the militants who were in 20 pick-up trucks at Dungulbe village, seven kilometres (four miles) from the city, and engaged them in fierce fighting.

“The fighter jets are pounding the enemy position while ground troops are engaging them,” said a military officer in the city, who asked not to be identified, in an account supported by residents.

“The operation is still ongoing but the terrorists have suffered serious losses and are in disarray,” the officer added.

The fighting was taking place as Nigeria was holding a second day of voting in its general election after technology failures hampered polling on Saturday.

The Islamists arrived in the village around 10:00 am (0900 GMT) and set up camp in preparation for an invasion of the city, said Dungulbe resident Mudassir Hambali, who fled to Bauchi.

“They came in 20 vehicles carrying heavy weapons. As soon as I realised what was happening I fled through the bus with my family.

“I saw a large convoy of soldiers heading towards the village while I and my family were trekking to Bauchi.”

Anas Uballe, from Inkil village, two kilometres from Dungulbe, said: “I saw two military jets dropping bombs and the huge explosions terrified our village which forced us to move into the city.”

The militants were believed to have come through the town of Alkaleri, 60 kilometres away, where there was a dawn raid on Saturday, according to the military source and residents who fled.

Gunmen in several vehicles attacked public buildings and security checkpoints.

A police station, the office of the paramilitary Nigeria Security and Civil Defence force and the local electoral commission premises were all burned to the ground.

Katsina Police Commissioner dies

T •Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi casting his vote at Unit 20, Ward 11, in Oluyole Estate, Ibadan South West Local Government... at the weekend. With him is his wife, Florence.

Imoke alleges blackmail

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ROSS River State Governor Liyel Imoke has alleged a grand plot by the opposition to embark on a smear campaign against his person in a bid to discredit the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Imoke, Mr Christian Ita, in a statement in Calabar, said allegations of manipulation of the elections against Imoke are ludicrous.

“This is just one in a litany of lies against the governor by a desperate opposition. It has now become the pastime of the opposition to tar the governor, all in a bid to score cheap political points.”

He said Cross River is a completely PDP state and as such, neither the governor nor the PDP has any need to manipulate elections in the state?.

According to the statement, “the latest allegations are the antics of a drowning opposition desperate to stay afloat by hanging on straws. This

is falsehood taken to the level of absurdity.”

He said the outcome of the elections in the state reflects the wishes of the electorate and therefore, advised the opposition to either accept the result or go to court.

“It has become imperative at this point to advise the misguided opposition that rather than impugn the integrity of innocent people, it should

exercise its rights? by going to the Election Petitions Tribunal if they think they have a case.

“They should also stop fanning the embers of violence through false claims and hate campaigns. Election is about the people and it is won on the ground and not on facebook or bulk sms,” the statement further stated.

HE Police announced yesterday the death of Alhaji Muhammad Hurdi, the Katsina State commissioner of police.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Aminu Sadiq announced the demise of Hurdi in a statement to reporters yesterday in Katsina.

Sadiq said that Hurdi died on March 27, after a protracted illness.

He said that the late commissioner joined the service in 1988 as ASP cadet officer and rose through the ranks to the rank of a commissioner.

The PPRO said that Hurdi would be remembered as a patriotic and dedicated officer who gave his best in the service of his fatherland.

The Deputy Commissioner of police, Mr Bala Zama Senche, in the statement, prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest and gave the family fortitude to bear the lost.

Ki-Moon congratulates Nigerians on peaceful elections

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NITED Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has congratulated Nigeria on “the largely peaceful and orderly conduct of presidential and parliamentary elections.”

Ki-Moon, in a statement on Saturday night in New York, encouraged all Nigerians to continue to maintain the peace and to exercise patience throughout the ongoing voting process and the announcement of the final results.

He condemned the attacks reportedly carried out

by Boko Haram in some parts of the country and attempts by hoodlums to disrupt polling in some ar-

eas.

The UN Chief said that he was encouraged by the determination and resilience shown by Nigerians in pressing forward and exercising their civic duties.

The Secretary-General called on all actors to channel any complaints that might arise from the elections through the established dispute resolution mechanisms.

The Secretary-General said he believed that the successful conclusion of the electoral process would mark an important step forward in further consolidating democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

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NEWS THE VERDICT

APC alerts to PDP’s plot to ‘manipulate’ elections’ result HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has alerted Nigerians and the international community to ongoing plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government to tamper with the results of Saturday’s elections and circumvent the people’s will. ‘’The information that we have received since we issued our last statement is to the effect that the administration is holding clandestine meetings with security chiefs and others with the sole aim of altering or scuttling the results, which they consider to be highly embarrassing and unpalatable, using malleable RECs,’’ the party said in a statement in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

It warned that nothing but the authentic results held by the party agents and all other stakeholders will be acceptable to the party, and that whoever is planning to do otherwise should weigh its implication on the survival of the nation’s democracy.

APC said the moves to manipulate the results are also being replicated in some of the states, including Bauchi where everything is being done to reverse the outcome, and Imo, where many aides of the Governor are being brutalized and arrested in hordes. ‘’We know they are stunned dizzy by the crushing defeat which has been inflicted on them across the nation, going by the results in the hands of our agents. We know they

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have activated their paid media channels to seek to confuse Nigerians by making outlandish claims that their presidential candidate is leading in the elections. We know they are counting on malleable RECs to thwart the will of the people, and we know they have no qualms about plunging the nation into crisis just because of narrow interests. ‘’This is why we are putting on red alert all the good people of Nigeria who trooped out in large numbers, defying the sun and the rain and against all odds, to vote for change. We are also by this statement calling on the international community to urgently prevail on the Federal Government not to tamper with the results of the elections as expressed by Nigerians. ‘’We have always said we will accept the result of any free, fair and transparent elections. We stand by that avowal. However, what we will not accept - and which we are sure Nigerians themselves will reject -is any move to rewrite the results and thwart the will of the people under any guise. We will not accept that. ‘’We have heard of the desperate moves to cancel the results in areas where the APC has beaten the PDP embarrassingly. Nigerians will definitely not accept that,’’ APC said.

The party said it is aware of the ongoing efforts to force Electoral Officers and Presiding Officers in Imo State, some of whom are being picked up by the military as

we write, to rewrite the results of the elections in the state. ‘’We have the results from every polling unit in Imo State and we know that we have won in over 80 per cent in the presidential election.

So there must be no shenanigans,’’ it warned.

APC also said the same attempts are being made in Sokoto, Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos and other states, wondering why anyone will be seeking to reverse the results that are already settled. ‘’In the Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu, INEC officials, instead of collating results, handed over the exercise to PDP Nsukka zone to write. They holed up inside ADADA HOUSE (a Local Government guest house) to write results and change figures, and were provided with security by the police. APC candidates and agents were chased away. In collaboration with INEC, they refused to let the card readers function and no result sheets came to most polling booths. ‘’In Lagos, they have yet to announce the result of the Apapa Local Government which has been ready since yesterday, apparently in a move to manipulate the outcome. Those who voted will not agree with any attempt to steal their votes,’’ the party warned. ‘’As we have said many times, we will accept the outcome of the elections if they are free and fair. What we will not accept is the manipulated outcome of the polls,’’ the party said.

•Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); his wife Bolanle and Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji at the seventh annual Bola Tinubu colloquium in Lagos

•Bishop Peter Ogunmuyiwa of the African Church Saviour’s Cathedral, Agege, Lagos (left) Little Adeolu Adebowale (on the camel) and others during the procession depicting the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem to mark the Palm Sunday...yesterday PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

Tension in Ondo over alleged plan to tamper with results

HERE is anxiety in Ondo State over the delay of the final results of Saturday’s elections by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Segun Agbaje.

Some Returning Officers had announced the results in some senatorial districts, that of Ondo Central where Governor Olusegun Mimiko hails from had not been announced or brought to the collation centre as of last night.

Reporters, who had besieged the collation centre at St Peter’s College, Akure since 8am, left as no action was going on at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office, Alagbaka.

Sources said the results in the district were allegedly being doctored in Akure. The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Isaac Kekemeke, has warned against any “doctoring” of the results.

The party accused the electoral commission of being compromised by the governor.

It also accused the security agencies of giving Mimiko unhindered access to Idanre, Ifedore, Ondo West, Okitipupa, Irele and Ilaje-local governments secretariats.

The party is scared that the governor may tamper with the

From Damisi Ojo and Leke Akeredolu, Akure

figures.

Some results for the presidential and National Assembly elections across the 18 local government areas have been trickling in.

The results released so far show that the APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, is leading.

The Returning Officer in the Ondo North Senatorial District, Prof. Sylvester Oluwadare, announced Senator Ajayi Boroffice as the winner.

Borofice polled 102,843 votes to defeat Dr. Bode Olajumoke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 76,751 votes.

In Akoko Northeast/Northwest, Babatunde Kolawole of the APC won.

Friday Olemija of the APC was declared winner for Akoko Southeast/Southwest Federal Constituency.

Also, the APC candidate for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, Bode Ayorinde, who is the pro-chancellor of Achievers University, Owo, was declared as the winner.

In the result announced by the Returning Officer, Dr. Johnson Fasinminrin, Ayorinde won with 36,204 votes. PDP candidate Mrs. Folasade Tinubu polled 28,074.

Gen.Buhari got a landslide victory in Odigbo Local Government with 18,655 votes.

President Goodluck Jonathan got 9,315.

Accord senatorial candidate Morayo Lebi scored 18,561; PDP’s Yele Omogunwa polled 19,796 votes.

In Ifedore Local Government where the PDP Chairman, Clement Faboyede, hails from, Gen. Buhari scored 13,459 votes. Jonathan got 8031.

In Irele Local Government where the PDP and APC senatorial candidates hail from, APC scored 8,654 votes and PDP 13,079. In the same council, Buhari got 9,969 votes and Jonathan 11,639.

In Idanre Local Government, Buhari polled 12,654 to Jonathan’s 12,290 for the senate result, APC pulled 10,102, while PDP got 14,374.

In Ifedore/Idanre Federal Constituency, the APC candidate won with 21,404 votes, while PDP candidate Osakuade got 20,754 votes.

In Ondo South Senatorial District, collation was still going on. But information had it that some party supporters hijacked some ballot boxes and escaped through the waterways in Igbokoda, headquarters of ilaje Local Government.

Other party agents maintained that they would not endorse the result sheet.

•Associate Priest of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gwagwalada, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Abanobi (right) blessing palms during Palm Sunday celebration at the church in Gwagwalada, Abuja…yesterday

•Senator Ganiyu Solomon (second left) presenting the keys to an ambulance to Chairman, Governing Board, Mushin General Hospital Dr. Ade Omosule and Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Catherine Adelaja at the hospital. With them is Special Adviser to Senator Solomon Alhaji Yinka Kazeem.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

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NEWS THE VERDICT Collation officer arrested From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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HE Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Segun Agbaje, said yesterday that a Collation officer was arrested by the police, following the crisis that erupted in Idanre, Idanre Local Government.

It was alleged that the Coalition officer was trying to tamper with the result sheet.

Addressing reporters in his office in Akure, the state capital, Agbaje said the man was taken to the police headquarters for interrogation.

He regretted the delay, assuring the people that the results would soon be announced.

Security agents fight over result sheet

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HERE was confusion yesterday at Ijero-Ekiti in Ekiti State, as security agents fought at the Ijero Local Government Collation Centre.

It was learnt that shortly after the result was declared, security operatives demanded Form EC8C, which contained the result of the presidential poll in the council.

Security operatives drawn from the Police, Department

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service and others were involved in the scuffle.

As the brawl degenerated, DSS officers took away the Electoral Officer, simply identified as Mrs. Ogundipe, to an unknown destination.

The Collation Officer, Francis Adebayo, later ran

to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, without the collation sheet.

Adebayo, who said he escaped being shot, said the original result was in Mrs. Ogundipe’s possession.

But the Collation officer’s claim was refuted by the Returning Officer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who gave his as Gen.

Ayeni (rtd) and his counterpart in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ojo Atibioke.

They said there was no commotion in Ijero, adding that the argument was between security agencies and election officials.

Parties, however, accepted the duplicate copy brought by Adebayo, which reflected the results as endorsed by their agents.

Release Al Jazeera journalists

By Adebisi Onanuga

AGOS lawyer Femi Falana has urged the military to release two foreign journalists, a reporter, Ahmed Idris and photographer, Ali Mustapha (cameraman) of the Al Jazeera News Agency.

Falana said the journalists, who were in Borno State to cover the Army’s recapture of the many towns illegally occupied by Boko Haram, were arrested on March 24 and have since been detained incommunicado in a hotel room in Maiduguri.

According to a statement credited to the Army, the lawyer said: “Both journalists are being restrained in a hotel room in Maiduguri after they were found ‘loitering’ around operational areas in the Northeast.

“While commending the members of the multinational force led by the Army for the success recorded so far in the war against terror, the military should desist from infringing on the fundamental rights of the civilian population.

“Since the offence of loitering or wandering was abolished in Nigeria in 1986 the arrest of the journalists has no basis in law.

“Furthermore, under the Armed Forces Act the Army lacks the power to arrest and detain civilians for any reason whatsoever. Therefore, the journalists should be released unconditionally without any further delay.”

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12 arrested in Osun From Sina Fadare and Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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WELVE people have been arrested by the police in Osun State, following the violence that rocked Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

Speaking with reporters in Osogbo, the state capital, yesterday, the Commissioner of Police in charge of elections, Sam Ukaula, said three of the 12 suspects were arrested for the killing of Yomi Ademola in Ikirun.

He confirmed that one person was killed on Saturday in Ikirun, the headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government and the other in the middle of the elections in Ifetedo in Ife South Local Government Area.

He alleged that the victims were involved in electoral fraud that resulted in a clash between two parties, which eventually led to their death.

The police boss disclosed that investigation was ongoing to ascertain the true cause of the clash, assuring that anyone found culpable will be made arrested.

Ondo APC thanks voters From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has praised voters for turning out for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

A statement by the Chairman and Secretary of APC Media Committee, Tunde Imolehin and Charles Titiloye, praised the voters for defying all threats and intimidation.

It said the massive turn out of voters for the APC showed that the state could never be for sale.

“Our people are conscious of the need for change and better government in Nigeria.

“Most Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) office holders lost in their polling units.

“As the nation awaits the final result of the Presidential and National Assembly result, the party urges its supporters not to relent but continue to mobilise towards the April 11 elections.”

‘Be vigilant’

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• The senator representing Lagos East, Gbenga Ashafa, voting at Ward F, Bogije, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area

Charge deputy governor with violence, says Ekiti APC

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to charge the Deputy Governor, Kolapo Olusola, with election violence.

Olusola allegedly directed his security aide to shoot an APC member, Jide Owolabi, in Ikere-Ekiti, during Saturday’s elections.

The APC also asked INEC to cancel the result in Ire-Ekiti for violence and ballot box snatching.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, said in a statement that the two incidents were strategies by

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to influence the election.

He alleged that the deputy governor’s action in IkereEkiti was a reckless display of lawlessness and flagrant abuse of power to intimidate the opposition.

Olatubosun said: “What happened in Ikere-Ekiti was a premeditated incident to cow the opposition to submission. We earlier raised the alerted to the plan by top officials of the Ayodele Fayose administration to employ violence and intimidation to cow our members to enable

them manipulate the electoral process.

“We wrote the security agencies, including local and international human rights’ groups, about PDP’s plan.

Saturday’s incident was a manifestation of such fears.

“The deputy governor cannot claim ignorance of the provisions of the Electoral Act prohibiting movement of government officials from one unit to the other on election day.

“He can’t claim ignorance of the law that disallows government officials’ security men to carry weapons during elections. It is clear that the deputy governor was not

Adeleke thanks electorate

APC gets two Senate seats in Ogun

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ANRE Tejuosho (Ogun Central) and Gbolahan Dada (Ogun West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been elected to represent their districts in the Senate.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Buruji Kashamu won in Ogun East.

At the time of this report, the APC was leading the House of Representatives’ votes in seven constituencies.

The PDP secured two in Ogun North East.

The APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, was was winning in 14 local government areas and PDP ‘s President Goodluck Jonathan was leading in six.

But in 10 councils announced at the State Independent National Electoral Commission’s headquarters, Buhari got seven and Jonathan

From Bola Olajuwon and Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

three.

A breakdown of the figures showed that in Remo North (APC 6,164 and PDP 9,278); Ewekoro (APC 9,626 and PDP 3,227); Obafemi Owode (APC 15,207 and PDP 5,786).

At Imeko Afon (APC 7,657, PDP 12,153); Ijebu Ode (APC 14,043 and PDP 8,962); Sagamu (APC 15,761 and PDP 17,263); Odeda Local Government (APC 11,102 and PDP 4,456); Odogbolu (APC 11,623 and PDP 11,405); Ijebu North East (APC 7,638 and PDP 6,163).

In Abeokuta North, with 125,483 registered voters, APC beat PDP with 21,213 votes to 5,742, in an election where 29,107 voters participated.

accredited to carry out any election duty, including providing or restoring order where there is violence.

“But he deliberately exercised a reckless abuse of power by leaving his unit with his armed security who he ordered to shoot our member for complaining that his interference in other polling units outside his unit is a breach of the law.”

The APC spokesman said the INEC and security agencies should not allow this attempted murder to go uninvestigated and charge the deputy governor with electoral violence.

• Adeleke

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IRST civilian Governor of Osun State Isiaka Adeleke, who won the Osun West Senatorial District seat, has called on politicians to serve the electorate with sincerity and dedication.

In a statement yesterday, Adeleke thanked the electorate for electing him, saying he would not disappoint them.

The lawmaker said he would render selfless service to the people of Osun West.

Adeleke said his focus would be on the welfare of the voiceless, helpless and downtrodden, who, despite all hurdles placed on their way, turned out in their thousands to vote for him.

“I enjoin members of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to turn out massively on April 11 and give their votes to those contesting for seats in the House of Assembly.

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has called on voters to be vigilant and protect their votes.

A statement by the Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, thanked residents for coming out to vote, despite the challenges.

It reads: “Lagos APC is equally happy with our supporters for voting to retain the covenant and social contract they have with APC and the promise is that our party will continue to make the welfare of Lagosians our top priority.

“We are very proud of Lagosians that despite the attempt to woo them, our people showed love, commitment and dedication to our great party.

“We urge our great supporters to vote APC all the way. We are convinced that Nigerians have voted for change and that change is irreversible now.

We are also delighted that the Card Readers did the magic of stopping riggers, who bought millions of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), thinking that they will manipulate the process. The rest is now history.’’

APC wins Lagos Island 1 and 2 From Precious Igbonwelundu

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared Lagos Island Constituency 1 & 2. At Constituency 2, the Returning Officer, Rotimi Adel, announced APC’s Yakubu Balogun as winner with 16,437; the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate, Raman Salawe, got 7,305.

At Constituency 1, Returning Officer Dr. Martha Amadi declared APC’s Dolapo Badru as winner with 15,389. PDP’s Lukman Davies had 5,732 votes.

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CITYBEATS Three remanded for hotel manager’s death

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HREE men Agbomeji Seun 25, Rasaq Babatunde 30 and Anthony Gbagolo 19 have been remanded in prison custody for allegedly killing an hotel manager, Olalekan Oduwobi, 40.

The defendants allegedly stabbed Oduwobi to

By Ruqayat Jimoh

death with a dagger.

It was learnt that the defendants were seen jumping into the hotel while returning from an operation.

The witness person told the hotel manager, who approached the defendants

and they allegedly stabbed him dead.

The incident occurred on February 25 about 10:45pm at Twelve Thirty Hotel in Imokun, Noforija, Epe, Lagos.

The defendants were said to have unlawfully possessed one pistol.

They were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, murder and unlawful possession of fire arms.

They pleaded not guilty.

Prosecuting police Inspector Victor Eruada applied that the defendants be remanded in prison custo-

dy pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Magistrate M.O Tanimola ordered that they be remanded in prison custody pending legal advice from the DPP’s office. The case was adjourned till April 27.

prised because the doctors just discovered it. Now that I know, I will take care of myself. And I know that it is the same thing for a lot of people here who never knew what hidden medical problems they had.

“So I really commend APC for bringing this health screening exercise to Epe. It is highly welcomed. This ex-

ercise is being enjoyed by members of the community who cut across all political parties,” he said.

Director of the Buhari/ Osinbajo Campaign Office (Lagos Directorate), Mr Gboyega Soyannwo, said the screening shows APC is not only interested in canvassing votes, but cares for the people.

APC holds free free medical screening

H

UNDREDS of men and women, old and

young, have received free medical screening at Epe in Lagos.

The programme, organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC), had several residents and villagers trooping to the Epe Recreation Centre, where the exercise was held.

A team of doctors conducted tests for various medical problems, and prescribed free drugs.

APC chieftain Dami Jaiyebo said the free medical checks was a foretaste of what the party would bring at both national and state levels if successful at the polls.

“We are trying to do for the people what the government has failed to do for them, providing them with medical checks and drugs for minor medical needs,” he said.

According to him, the people’s reaction and appreciation of the gesture showed how much they had lacked affordable healthcare and medical insurance.

The programme’s medical coordinator, Dr Wale

•Medical personnel attending to the beneficiaries

By Joseph Jibueze

Oyebanji, said the team was made up of volunteer doctors and pharmacists.

“These are the things we are doing at regular intervals and it would be more regular when the APC government comes into office,” he said.

A member of the team Dr Efosa Elliots-Aigbedo said

health screening is a necessity that should not be denied anybody, which he said had been neglected by the Federal Government.

A former supervisory councillor for health in Epe, Akin Oladipo, who benefited from the screening, praised the group for the exercise.

“I did not know that I have sugar in my system. I am sur-

Man remanded in prison for peeping

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36-year-old man, Oludare Adewale, has been remanded for allegedly peeping at one Victoria Emmanuel while taking her bathing.

It was learnt that the

By Basirat Braimah

defendant also hit Victoria with a bucket, an offence punishable under Section 60A (1) of the criminal laws of Lagos

The incident occurred on March 22 about 8:13am at 23, Arowojobe Street in Oshodi, Lagos.

He was arraigned on a twocount charge of misconduct and breach of peace.

All Progressives Congress (APC) Independent Campaign Group (ICG), Amuwo Odofin Branch, on a House-to-House campaign to the workshops of members of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) Amuwo Odofin Chapter, during sensitisation campaign.

Adewale pleaded not guilty.

Prosecuting police Inspector Kehinde Olatunde applied that the defendants be remanded in prison custody pending legal advice from the office of the Director of

Public Prosecution (DPP).

Magistrate A.A Fashola granted him N50, 000 bail with one surety in the like sum. The case was adjourned till April 21

My wife is adulterous, says man

By Basirat Braimah

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51- year-old civil servant, Marcel Oreweme has accused his wife, Faith, of infidelity and urged an Iyana-Ipaja Customary Court in Lagos, to dissolve their marriage.

The petitioner said his marriage troubles started in 2011 when he suspected his wife of having extra marital affair with their landlord.

“I had no evidence she was seeing the landlord; I just noticed her ways weren’t pure.

Also, there was a day my wife left the house around 5.30am on the pretext of getting to work early. I was so curious that I trailed her,” he said.

Oreweme said he sneaked inside the bus his wife boarded with another man but they never noticed.

“My wife sat in the front while the man drove and I wondered what their plan was.

When they got to their destination, I came down from the bus and sadly I received the shocker of my life.

“My wife and her lover went into a restaurant and immediately I entered, I heard her introduce herself to his friends as his wife. I was dumbfounded. I kept wondering where, when and how we got divorced. I don’t know if she doesn’t want me anymore,” he said.

The father of three told the court that his wife was fond of returning home late without a feeling for their children.

“I cook for our children before she returns from work. She is never available to cater for us.

Even when she is eventually around, there is always disagreement. I can’t ever forget how she hit my head with a rod during our last argument,’ he added.

Mrs Oreweme denied the allegations, saying: “During our last argument, my husband beat me mercilessly till I became unconscious. It was his friends that rushed me to the hospital.”

She also said her husband abandoned her in the hospital until her uncle defrayed her medical bills and took her home.

“I never used a rod on him he was the one who did. What I meant by introducing myself as the man’s wife was because he is from the same hometown as my husband,” she said.

The court’s President, Mrs Salewa Banjoko, advised the parties to maintain peace and adjourned the case till April 22.

Executive Secretary, Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Princess Adunni Oyefusi, (fifth right) with some council officials and winners of Spelling Bee Competition at the council.

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NEWS

Anxiety, as security men lay Fashola lashes Jonathan siege to collation centre as he opens Glover Road H EAVILY armed policemen last night manned a collation centre in Ikeja, Lagos over an alleged plan by a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate Kunle Okunola to discrupt announcement of results.

Okunola contested Saturday’s poll with Mr James Faleke, All Progressives Congress (APC), who is seeking re-election.

There was anxiety as collation of results began at school behind a Church on Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

GRA. The Nation overheard one of the senior officers dishing out instructions to the officers to screen visitors.

He directed some officers manning the gate to ensure nobody who has no business in the centre come in.

Inside the centre, a large number of policemen stationed at different places, ensured orderliness.

There were some party chieftains around.

It was calm inside the

school premises. Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were seen collating the result sheets.

A member of House of Representatives, Hon James Faleke who is seeking return to the lower chamber at the Ikeja Federal Constituency alleged that Okunola came in earlier on, claiming that “we were rigging elections here despite the fact that all his agents were here since last night (Saturday night). We actually met his agents last night.”

According to him, he was shouting and using uncouth languages at the centre.

Faleke said: “We had to keep our peace and decided not to engage him since the security men are around and that he was going to be curtailed. Later on, he said he called Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Joseph Mbu who deployed some policemen here. Of course, we were happy about that. When the officers got here, they discovered that there was actually nothing of such going on and that he was the one raising his voices and making false alarms

•Faleke...yesterday

and they couldn’t do anything left. They just asked everybody to move out and identify ourselves before returning into the centre.

“When he saw that, he left and told all his agents to leave the collation centre. Already, the result sheets have been signed by our agents and his agents before he came in. They have their own copy, we had our own copy. We are just waiting for the final collation and announcement. But because it’s obvious that he had lost; his presence here would have

been more of humiliation than a victory. He was not being democratic enough to accept defeat. He spoke in anger having realised that he had lost the elections.”

He decried the slow pace at which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were handling the collation.

Efforts to get the command’s spokesperson, Ken Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), speak on it proved abortive as he didn’t pick calls to his line.

INEC ad hoc staff immature, says candidate AGOS STATE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship running mate Dr Idiat Adebule has described as immature the ad hoc staff engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for last Saturday’s elections.

Speaking with reporters at Ward 029 in Iba, Lagos, after casting her vote, Mrs Adebule said more must be done to get the best out of them.

“Where I did my own voting, I must tell you that those guys (Ad hoc staff) there were not committed.

Their disposition to people and level of tolerance is equally not encouraging.

At every opportunity, they got annoyed, the level of knowledge of some of them cannot comprehend the responsibilities they are being given. At every step, we have to be guiding them.

“I think generally, the Youth Corps members still need to be trained. We can’t continue to use ad-hoc; I’m looking at a process where we will improve more than what we have now. I cannot say precisely as I’m

L

•Dr Adebule

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

speaking with you which direction the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should take, but I know this process must be reviewed; we must re-evaluate the process we are using now. We must improve on it; we must get it to a standard that is acceptable worldwide,” she said.

Dr Adebule expressed confidence in INEC to ensure free, fair and credible elections, urging the people to support the commission.

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NEWS

Hoodlums attack commissioner’s home

•Another car vandalised...yesterday

•The bulletriddled windows... yesterday

•One of the cars destroyed by the hoodlums...yesterday

•Arrowed: bullet pierced wind screen...yesterday

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USPECTED hoodlums, on Saturday, stormed the home of Lagos State Commissioner for Transport Kayode Opeifa in Agege, Lagos.

They were said to have attacked the residence about 1am following a failed attempt to kidnap his brother, Mr Adeyinka Akeem, Executive Secretary of Orile-Agege Local Government Area of Lagos.

They shot at the massive gate, the building and the two vehicles parked in front of the house.

It was learnt that the team was led by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate for Agege Federal Constituency, Niyi Raheem.

By Basirat Braimah

Opeifa’s aide, who pleaded not to be named, said they had just returned from preparing for the day’s election when the incident occurred.

“We were relaxing at the front of the house when we sighted some youths who identified themselves as Awawa boys. When they tried to create a nuisance in the neighbourhood, we dismissed them. Few minutes after, we saw a colleague running as if he was chased. Suddenly, we saw some men clad in black attires wih bullet proofs. As they shot sporadically, we ran into the building. They tried to enter the premises but they couldn’t. We were all at home with the com-

missioner. It was after the police officer attached to him shot into the air that they stopped and left. My vehicle was damaged,” he said.

Speaking with The Nation, the council’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr Oluremi Abosede, said: “I was at my duty post eating when a man entered the office and raised a machete on me. He shook his head and left. As I locked the door, I heard release. They shot once but damaged parked vehicles. They managed to enter the premises thinking Oga was within the premises. Even when people hid inside the council’s canteen, they shot at them.

“There was no casualty.

The man who was injured is now hale and hearty.”

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NEWS THE VERDICT Onu: elections should be held same day

Thugs snatch ballot boxes in Ebonyi

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SUSPECTED thugs invaded many polling booths in Ebonyi State, carting away ballot boxes and other electoral materials.

At Onuwakpu Market Square in Ikwo Local Government Area, hoodlums wielding AK-47 rifles shot into the air to scare voters and officials away before snatching the materials.

No police patrol or military vans were seen in the area at the time of the incident.

The patrol vans suddenly disappeared from the roads as voting began paving the way for the hoodlums to have a field day.

Similar incidents were witnessed at Nsokara in Ezza South Local Government Area and in other parts of the state.

The member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Constituency, Tob Okwuru, said the attacks were perpetrated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Late arrival of materials, inadequate materials, mixup of materials were some of the noticeable errors as the elections kicked off in Ebonyi State.

These led to late accreditation in many polling centres.

Labour Party(LP) governorship candidate, Edward Nkwegu, said: “The most disturbing part is that only five incident forms were provided while about 200 persons failed the accreditation by the card readers.

“How are the rest of the people going to fill the forms?

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should go ahead with the card readers but to work assiduously to ensure that the challenges are solved and that all eligible voters take part in the electoral process.”

CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has advocated for the conduct of all elections same day.

He spoke in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Abia State after casting his votes. ‘’We should be able to hold all the elections on the same day because there are so many advantages. It will make more persons to participate. ‘’You can see that only 82 per cent of the voters collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) even with the six weeks extension and I am not sure that all those who collected voted. ‘’We want more Nigerians to participate in choosing their leaders.

“The cost of elections will be drastically reduced, if the elections are held same day. ‘’The will of the people will be supreme because the band wagon effect that you see when you hold elections on many days will not be there.”

Onu condemned the twostep system of the electoral process, saying ‘’we should be able to do accreditation and vote immediately because for you to do accreditation and then go and come back later to vote, many people may not be willing to come back ’’.

Buhari winning in Oyo From Bisi Oladele, Tayo Johnson and Sikiru Akinola, Ibadan

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HE presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, is coasting to clear victory in Oyo State.

He beat his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Goodluck Jonathan, in the results of 14 of the 15 local governments so far announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Buhari defeated Jonathan in Ona-Ara, the local government of the PDP’s governorship candidate, Teslim Folarin and Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Jumoke Akinjide by over 5,000 votes.

The councils are Atisbo, Saki East, Iwajowa, Oyo West, Ibarapa East, Atiba, Iddo, Oluyole and Kajola.

Others are Afijio, Oorelope , Irepo and Iseyin.

But Jonathan won by 400 votes in Itesiwaju Local Government, where the senator representing Oyo North, Hosea Agboola, hails from.

Results of the National Assembly elections are yet to be announced.

•Kogi State Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi casting his vote at Mopa...at the weekend.

APC warns against fake election results

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned against any attempt to tamper with the results of Saturday’s elections.

It said Nigerians have voted peacefully and massively and they know who they have voted for.

In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it has the authentic results from every polling unit where voting took place on Saturday, and will not accept anything contrary to those signed results.

It decried the dangerous kite being flown by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through some of its paid media channels, seeking to appropriate unearned victories across the nation. ‘’We have always said we will accept the result of any free, fair and transparent elections.

“We stand by that avowal. However, what we will not accept - and which we are sure Nigerians themselves will reject - is any move to rewrite the results and thwart the will of the

Don’t post fake results, says PDP From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Nigerians to disregard “misleading figures” being circulated on social media.

A statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the figures were “fake” and do not represented the true results which are currently being collated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), “the only body authorised to release and announce results”.

The statement said: “ The All Progressives Congress (APC) in its desperation for power has resorted to posting fake results on social media in a bid to ambush the electoral commission, mislead the public to believe it is winning, all in furtherance of its grand plot to cause confusion when the authentic results are finally released.

“We therefore alert Nigerians to be on their guard and close ranks in resisting the APC’s plot to plunge the nation into chaos and anarchy. Our democracy has come to stay and the will of the people must prevail.

“Finally, we strongly caution the APC against its acts of desperation and use of dishonest methods, including physical attacks against our members and supporters, as these pose great threat to our democracy, the unity and stability of our dear nation.” people under any guise. We will not accept that. ‘’We have heard of the desperate moves to cancel the results in areas where the APC has beaten the PDP embarrassingly. Nigerians will definitely not accept that,’’ APC said.

The party said it is aware of the ongoing efforts to

force Electoral Officers and Presiding Officers in Imo State, some of whom are being picked up by the military as we write, to rewrite the results of the elections in the state. ‘’We have the results from every polling unit in Imo State and we know that we have won in over 80 per

cent in the presidential election. So there must be no shenanigans,’’ it warned.

APC also said the same attempts are being made in Sokoto, Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos and other states, wondering why anyone will be seeking to reverse the results that are settled. ‘’In Nsukka Local Government Area, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, instead of collating results, handed over the exercise to PDP Nsukka zone to write.

“They holed up inside ADADA HOUSE (a local government guest house) to write results and change figures, and were provided with security by the police.

APC candidates and agents were chased away.

“In collaboration with INEC, they refused to let the Card Readers function and no result sheets came to most polling booths.

“In Lagos, they have yet to announce the result of Apapa Local Government, which has been ready since Saturday, apparently in a move to manipulate the outcome.

Those who voted will not agree with any attempt to steal their votes,’’ the party warned.

PDP wins nine National Assembly seats in Ekiti

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) grabbed all the National Assembly seats in Ekiti State from the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The PDP won all the three senatorial districts and five of the six federal constituencies declared yesterday in the official result released by the electoral umpire in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

The implication of the result is that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not have any representative in the National Assembly in the next legislative dispensation expected to run from June 2015 to June 2019.

Two serving senators- Olubunmi Adetunmbi and Anthony Adeniyi- who are APC candidates for Ekiti North and Ekiti South - lost their reelection bid.

PDP senatorial candidate

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

for Ekiti North and former House of Representatives member Duro Faseyi polled 50, 023 votes to beat Adetunmbi, who garnered 35, 376 votes.

Former Deputy Governor Mrs. Abiodun Olujimi clinched the Ekiti South senatorial seat by defeating Adeniyi. She scored 62, 344 votes while Adeniyi could only muster 37, 932 votes.

Another former House of Representatives member and PDP candidate in Ekiti Central Mrs. Fatimat Rasaki polled 54, 459 votes to beat APC candidate, Gbenga Olofin, who obtained 41, 607 votes.

In the House of Representatives poll, five APC candidates lost their bid to return to their seats in the Green Chamber.

Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Oye-

tunde Ojo, lost to PDP ‘s Olumide Oni in Ijero/Ekiti West/ Efon Federal Constituency.

Oni scored 27, 658 votes to win the seat leaving APC candidate, Ojo with 20, 083.

House Committee ViceChairman on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Bimbo Daramola’s 17, 768 votes was not enough to win him a re-election as he lost to PDP’s Kehinde Agboola, who scored 24, 129 in Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency.

Another serving federal lawmaker, who lost his seat at the poll, was the member representing Ido-Osi/Moba/ Ilejemeje Federal Constituency, who flew the APC flag at the poll, Robinson Ajiboye, who lost to PDP’s Thaddeus Aina.

Aina, former Ido-Osi council chairman, polled 23, 585 votes to beat Ajiboye who scored 15, 834.

PDP candidate, Akin Awodumila, beat the lawmaker representing Emure/Gbonyin/Ekiti East Federal Constituency and APC’s, Bamidele Faparusi, by polling 25, 648 votes while Faparusi obtained 17, 437 votes.

Incumbent House member representing Ekiti Southwest/Ikere/Ise-Orun Federal Constituency and APC candidate Dr. Ife Arowosoge lost to Segun Adekola of the PDP at Saturday’s election.

Adekola won the seat by polling 33,288 votes leaving Arowosoge with 19, 432 votes.

The last House of Reps seat in contention was that of Ado/ Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal Constituency where PDP candidate, Ayotunde Oladimeji, defeated APC candidate and former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Eniola Ajayi.

Oladimeji polled 35,494 votes to beat Dr. Ajayi who received 17, 768 at the polls.

PDP wins Oriade/Obokun constituency From Sina Fadare and Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the House of Representatives election in Oriade/ Obokun Federal Constituency of Osun State, Oluwole Oke, has emerged winner of the election.

Declaring the result at the Federal Constituency Collating Centre, Ijebu-jesa Grammar School, Ijebujesa, Osun State, INEC’s Federal Constituency Collation Officer, Dr Afolabi Olugbemiga, announced that Oke polled 22,102 votes to beat his closest challenger and incumbent lawmaker, Nathaniel Agunbiade of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 20,059 votes.

Reacting to his victory at the polls, Oke thanked and appreciated efforts of leaders and supporters of the PDP in Obokun and Oriade local governments

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MONDAY MARCH 30, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

There are some mistakes the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made at the presidential and National Assembly elections, which must not be repeated at the governorship and House of Assembly polls on April 11. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the pitfalls and implications for the electoral process.

Praises, knocks for INEC over polls M

IXED feelings have continued to trail the conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections. There was a huge turnout across the six geopolitical zones. In Lagos, many prospective voters defiled the heavy downpour to perform their civic responsibility. There was no violence in almost all the 36 states. But, many Nigerians have blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for negligence, dereliction of duty and lack of foresight.

The elections were inconclusive in many states. In Lagos State, elections could not be concluded in 90 polling units. The affected areas were Etiosa, Kosofe and Alimoso. Yesterday people were still voting in 37 units in Yobe, eight in Borno, 37 in Jigawa, 13 in Kano and 116 in Taraba.

In many polling booths, card readers, which were introduced for the first time, failed. Even, President Goodluck Jonathan had to wait for some time before his Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) could be authenticated. After casting his vote in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, the President, who was seeking re-election in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), advised voters to exercise patience, saying that the use of card readers is a novelty. In Daura, the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard bearer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, applauded the electoral agency in Katsina State. He said: “I like the integrity of the system. If people are allowed to vote, there will be no rigging.”

Many voters had to wash their times many times before the card reader could ascertain their eligibility. In many polling units, the process could not kick off on time. Polling officials were late. In some, they did not turn up at all. In Rivers State, there was confusion. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters said that they were ready to vote. But, All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters objected to the process. The governor, Rotimi Amaechi, protested the lack of result sheets. Despite this anomaly, the exercise went on till midnight.

In Lagos, the turnout was impressive. But, voting was extended till yesterday. There was a floodgate of complaints about the conduct of the election. Many Lagosians berated the commission for laxity, adding that the mistakes of the past were repeated. “The process was messed up here. INEC failed,” said a voter in Apapa/Iganmu area of Lagos, who added: “We have been here, but the process started late.” Another voter said:”All efforts to ensure the success of the process were resisted by the coordinator called Alhaja. It is surprising.”

In Isheri/Omole/Magodo area, accreditation was still on at 7.30 pm.

At Ikotun, Lagos West, a voter criticised INEC for recruiting officials who have given them a bad name.

“So far, so good, the only thing s that INEC officials came late,” said a voter. Irked by the shoddy preparation, a voter at Omole Estate, Phase 11, Ojodu, Dr Jide Oluwajuyitan, said that the commission has failed the test of integrity. Around 5.30 pm, he complained that voting was yet to commence in the area. He also complained that car readers failed.

•Voters on the queue at the Ward 22, Obadore, Alimoso Local Government Area of Lagos State...yesterday.

•Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson casting his vote during the elections at Ward 2, Unit 5, Oru-erewari, Toru-Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area.

‘

It was like a Boko Haram attack. It was very heavy. My house was attacked by PDP sponsored assailants with guns and machetes. The thugs were about 12. Several gun shots were fired for about 10 minutes. Later, they attacked the Agege Local Government Secretariat. One person lost his life

’

But, after the manual accreditation, the polling officials disappeared. For hours, the officials, led by a lady, refused to show up with ballot papers and other materials. However, voters did not return home.

At Ijora-Oloye, also in Apapa/ Iganmu Council, voters complained about the late resumption of officials for duty. Accreditation had not started around 11 am. Bayo Adesanya, a former Supervisory Councillor, said: “INEC officials came late. Instead of resuming by

8.am, they came around 9.30 am.

House of Assembly member, Ladi Balogun, said the situation was not critical, adding that, despite the hiccups, the process can still be salvaged. On Lagos Island, another lawmaker, Gbolahan Yishawu, appealed to the people to bear with the commission and come out for the election, which could not be concluded on Saturday.

Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje, who voted at Apapa, said

there was room for improvement.

“My polling booth has been good. The election has been peaceful. The card reader is working well. But, this is not the kind of report we are getting from other places,” he said.

But, on the eve of the poll, there were isolated cases of violence perpetrated by suspected PDP thugs.

Transport Commissioner Comrade Kayode Opeifa alleged that his residence was attacked by thugs who also attacked the local government secretariat. “It was like a Boko Haram attack. It was very heavy. My house was attacked by PDP sponsored assailants with guns and machetes. The thugs were about 12. Several gun shots were fired for about 10 minutes.

Later, they attacked the Agege Local Government Secretariat. One person lost his life,” he said.

In Ekiti, voters were orderly in many local governments. But, Ikere, the home town of the deputy gover-

nor, Dr. Olusola Eleka, was an exception. A person was shot by the police. Senator Tony Adeniyi, who was seeking re-election, blamed the deputy governor, who he accused of roving round the town, contrary to electoral rules. “The deputy governor decided on his own to be moving round, despite the ban on movement, with military men, authentic and fake. They impeded him and asked him to turn back to his polling unit at Iro. One of my boys, Jide, was shot,” said Adeniyi, a lawyer.

In Imo State, voting was also inconclusive, although results were also being collated in may collation centres. The exercise was generally peaceful. But, Governor Rochas Okorocha, complained about the indiscriminate arrest of prospective voters by the police. He said the arrest of many students who travelled from home to vote where they had registered was in bad faith. He said the students were APC supporters.

“I don’t know the kind of system we are operating”, he fumed.

But, the greatest hiccups occurred in Rivers. People stormed the INEC office to protest what they described as injustice. Many people have boycotted the exercise, saying that polling officers could not produce result sheets. “If we can’t see the result sheets and we vote, they will not record the actual figures,” said a protester. “There is a grand plan to rig the election in Rivers’, he added.

Reviewing the exercise in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega expressed satisfaction with the polls.

He said they were peaceful, transparent and credible. He acknowledged the complaints against the failure of card readers in many units.

But, he clarified that the card readers were also effective in many units.

The INEC boss also said that late arrival of officials and materials could be due to some factors beyond the agency’s control . “Many people who have been trained may not turn up for duty, either due to illness, new engagements or fear,” he added.

Jega urged Nigerians to be weary of the announcement of unauthenticated results, saying that it could be misleading and confusing. “I advise that we should wait for the announcement of results by the INEC’s Returning officers”, he said.

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THE NATION MONDAY MARCH 30, 2015

Why dubious information? Why fake text messages?

‘They are trying to discredit the process and suppress the votes of Lagos State. It is not going to work ’

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu spoke with reporters in Lagos, shortly after casting his vote at Ikeja, the state capital. EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

‘They want to suppress Lagos vote’

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HAT is your assessment of the exercise so far?

The process has started.

The new system of accreditation is being tested; it is being tried. It is like a forensic exercise. I was accredited through the process by the machine.

It is a new threshold and it requires a level of tolerance. People may have to endure more. But, as we go ahead, and we move forward into the future, it is the only way to go.

Can you say the exercise is credible?

How can I say that from one booth?

How can I? Until we get the facility checks and reports from various points, we can’t say. But, if the card readers work well, it will result in credible elections.

There is an allegation that you have been telling people to vote for a particular PDP candidate in this election. What is your reaction?

This is my phone number. I can still make it public; 08062240104. I didn’t send any text message. That is part of the gimmick and the desperation of the ruling party; when they pack some fraudulent people in office, trying to subvert the right of the people to freely exercise their civic duty.

Again, that is fraudulent. I didn’t authorise any network to do anything. That one we will discuss when we go to court. I cannot campaign today. But, I know what I have told my supporters and the supporters of our party. You all know the party I belong to and you know the candidate of that party. The only text message I can send is that people should believe in me, our party and the presidential candidate, senatorial candidate, House of Representatives candidates. You know the party I am.

Don’t believe in any text message coming from me to do otherwise. I stay firm, I stay credible, I stay resolved. I am determined and committed. I am a leader of the party. If anybody sends you a fraudulent message, you should know they are cowards. They know they are going to be defeated. That is why they are resorting to fraud. That is why they should not even be in government. That is the more reason they should be out.

That is the truth. I have received text messages and several calls from people to verify the so-called text messages. But, I have consistently denied that. It is disturbing. It is annoying. It is terrible that people will resort to

fraud. What kind of leadership, what kind of legacy, what kind of ethics are we teaching our people. How can I compromise the platform that I lead; helped to build and, by the grace of God, the best platform that is available? So, it is a lie. I will go to any extent to investigate this, to know whether my phone is cloned or how they sent fraudulent messages on my behalf. The investigation has started.

It is a fact. I work tirelessly for our platform. No change. Why should I change yesterday (last Friday). If you were in my house yesterday, who would have seen the crowd in their thousands. We instructed them to wash their hands; comply with INEC regulations, keep peace and not to be violent. They were the ones shooting all night to scare voters from coming out to vote. It is democracy, not war.

Their leader said he won’t step on anybody’s blood. But, if agents are killing and scaring people on your behalf, you must be held responsible.

That is the truth. I have made so much sacrifice for this platform.

In some units, the card readers are not working...

You keep on trying. I am not a technician. The process of validity, integrity of the system is through the card reader. It has been used successfully in other countries. I observed it in Kenya. I observed it in Ghana. No technical item developed by human beings will not have its hitches. We have to endure it. I hope it is not a deliberate attempt to frustrate and depopulate the public to choose. I hope not. I hope INEC will work hard to protect its reputation and save Nigeria.

If Gen. Obasanjo and others are saying there must be peace, there must be honesty; if Abubakar Abdulsalami is saying the same thing; if it takes President Obama of United States to appeal to our sense of value to our commitment to our nation, then, we should not preach violence. We should not react violently. We should tell our people to vote. When you are confident of winning, you don’t have to do fraud, dabaru and provoke violence. If you are confident, you don’t want to disrupt the votes.

What is your advice to voters now?

Nigerians should just endure. You are blessed. You should persevere.

Exercise your right. This is the only time you can apply commonsense revolution; to begin to hold leaders

•Asiwaju Tinubu casting his vote at Alausa, Ikeja.

This is the only time you can apply commonsense revolution; to begin to hold leaders accountable. If leaders are not performing and they know you can vote them out every four years, they will sit up accountable. If leaders are not performing and they know you can vote them out every four years, they will sit up. If leaders are dishonest, they can only fool you for four years. After four years, you change them. This is your turn to choose who you want to rule you in this circumstance. I believe that, looking at your faces, many of you have families who are suffering. The economy is down. The newsprint you use is imported. The exchange rate is high. Industrialisation of the country is a must. That is why we must behave true to our education. It is disgraceful that we are not living up to it; despite the fact that we are educated and sophisticated and we have the capacity to compete.

Knowledge is money; commitment is virtue. Ethnic difference is not what will put bread on the table of the people. Poverty has no trade mark. Let’s work our way out. Hard work will take us out of this mess.

What is your reaction to the com-

plain that many Lagosians have not voted, hours after the commencement of the exercise?

There are many areas that are affected. There are various problems.

We should be patient. What I will call for is that INEC should take a decision to extend. Equally, they should take responsibility for issuing agents cards after the submission of their names. Not all agents were given these cards. We have cause to suspect what is going on. But, we will be patient. They have various delay problems in Alimoso, Ikeja, Mile 12, Magodo, Ogba, Maryland, Omole Phase II. We should believe in the institution that was set up with public fund to serve the public. INEC’s integrity depends on all of these. They can no longer give excuses. It is better for them to extend the voting time here in Lagos and ensure that they send various supervisors to the affected local governments. Rapid response is what is required. You don’t

say a work in progress will be perfect in a day. But, majority of the people in the affected areas may be disenfranchised. That is my worry. If they are ready to vote and you call them to come and vote, you should not frustrate them. You call them out.

They should exercise their civic rights. It will be a shame, if quick and remedial action is not taken to ameliorate the suffering of the people.

People are calling me from all areas. They started with the fraud that I sent text messages that people should vote for Jonathan. I didn’t. I have a record on my phone. I did not send any text message. I have made my number public so that people can even call and verify. They are doing this to convert or confuse people.

What kind of leadership is this? What kind of character. A nation must be ruled by the people of great character, vision and responsibility.

We heard that INEC’s website is not functioning...

Americans, Germans, Europeans are the experts. They protect their websites effectively. Why all these dubious things in Nigeria? Are you proud? Why dubious information?

Why fake text messages? They are trying to discredit the process and suppress the votes of Lagos State. It is not going to work.

INEC extends voting in Yobe, Borno

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•Former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi being accredited at Isan-Ekiti

OTING has been extended in both Yobe and Borno states by the Independent National Electoral Commission due to logistic, technical and security reasons.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Borno, Samuel Madaki, disclosed that voting will affect nine polling units in three local government areas - Maiduguri metropolitan Council (MMC), Jere, and Hawul Local government councils.

Madaki attributed the extension to logistic problems the late arrival of election materials and some technical issues with the card reader in those affected areas.

From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

In Yobe State, voting is to continue in four local governments areas of Fika, Yunusari, Geidam; Postiskum, The REC, Habu Zarma, said four security concerns, late arrival of materials and technical problems were responsible.

The extension will affect 18 polling units; 10 in Fika, each in Potiskum and Yunusari.

He said that voting has commenced in Fika, Potiskum and Yunusari but the fate of Geidam is still hanging as security issues in the area are yet to be addressed.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Reduction of fuel import •This may be the beginning of what to expect after the elections ITH the report that the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has reduced fuel import by about 50 percent, Nigerians who have been wondering what could have caused the recent fuel scarcity in the country now have a clue.

This is even as the Federal Government has offered no explanation for that policy decision. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had claimed the scarcity was the handiwork of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) that has prevailed on the marketers to stop selling fuel to the public. It is disgusting that the PDP is politicising such an issue that has caused untold hardship to millions of Nigerians.

According to reports, the PPPRA has cut import allocation permits to 1.5 million metric tonnes, in the second quarter, from the previous three million metric tonnes for the first quarter. One of the reasons for the drastic reduction of import quotas is because marketers are demanding that the Federal Government should pay their outstanding subsidy claims. The disagreement arising from the outstanding claims was also responsible for the last round of fuel scarcity in the country, a few weeks back. Then, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, claimed to have solved the problem with the issuance of N100 billion sovereign debt note, out of the N185 billion owed the petroleum marketers.

The current scarcity traced to the same issue of outstanding debt, confirms that the minister has not solved the problem.

As the report indicated, many of the mar-

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keters are worried that they may not get their money after the elections, and their fears may be well founded. After all, Nigerians are aware that the subsidy regime is steeped in massive corruption, and any sincere audit of the process will reveal the gregarious corruption going on in the name of fuel subsidy. So, the importers should be afraid, considering the underhand deals pervading that sector.

As we have severally canvassed on the subsidy scam, corruption in the petroleum products marketing sector is one of the major legacies of President Goodluck Jonathan. It is also a great pity that most of the promises of the government on resolving petroleum products crises in the country have not been addressed. The Federal Government had promised three ‘greenfield refineries’ to replace the aging ones in the country. That promise remains a mirage. Also, the promise to rein in the fraud in the industry has been more of talk, and less action.

For us, it is a national tragedy that our country is a major importer of finished petroleum products, despite being a top producer of crude oil. The shame of running down our refineries is another major legacy of the PDP. Yet, every year the party has in the past 16 years engaged in one dubious Turn Around Maintenance after another, at humongous costs to the tax payers. Unfortunately, instead of the refineries getting better, their production capacity has continued to plummet, and today our country imports nearly all her finished petroleum products.

It is almost certain that the little concern

the government is showing to Nigerians on the fuel supply situation is because we are in election season. Once the polls are over, the government is likely to come up with measures that will make Nigerians pay more for fuel, claiming that there is no money to sustain the subsidy regime.

This is why we again urge Nigerians to reject this irrespective of whatever excuse the government might want to use to effect the policy. Nigeria should have no business importing fuel; we have said that time and again. Any deregulation policy which is anchored on fuel importation should not be paid for

by Nigerians. Reduction of fuel import

by PPPRA is only the beginning of the bitter pills that Nigerians may soon have to swallow.

‘It is almost certain that the little concern the government is showing to Nigerians on the fuel supply situation is because we are in election season. Once the polls are over, the government is likely to come up with measures that will make Nigerians pay more for fuel, claiming that there is no money to sustain the subsidy regime’

APC’s campaign fund victory Triumph of the rule of law

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CTION Congress of Nigera’s (APC) court victory over the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in a suit the party filed against the commission challenging the latter’s banning of its campaign fundraising platform is a triumph of the rule of law and integrity of the new media. The APC had in late January sued the commission, asking for N25billion as damages, for ordering Etisalat, MTN Nigeria Ltd, Globacom Ltd, Airtel Nigeria Ltd and Visafone Communications Ltd. to discontinue its sms platform created to enable the party get donations from willing members of the public for its presidential campaign.

The idea was to make Nigerians who are sympathetic to the party’s cause donate N100 each to its presidential campaign fund whenever they sent ‘APC’ as sms to 35350. But, the commission, in a letter dated January 19, 2015, ordered the other respondents to shut down the platform, with a warning that they should

‘The APC deserves praise for taking the matter to court. Many such illegalities had occurred and indeed keep occurring in the country daily because those concerned do not challenge them in the court of law. By its decision to sue the commission, the party has helped to deepen our democratic culture.

At least the commission now knows its limits under the law as far as such matters are concerned’

“avoid running political advertisement/ promotions that will portray them as being partisan.” For effect and maximum compliance, the commission was said to have threatened to sanction any of the telecommunications service providers which failed to comply with the order.

But Justice Ibrahim Buba who delivered judgment in the matter awarded the APC N500million as damages, to be paid jointly and severally by the respondents.

He said the APC had a right under the constitution to press for the enforcement of its fundamental human right if violated, dismissed the NCC’s counter-affidavit and held that the action of the respondents was illegal and unconstitutional.

The APC deserves praise for taking the matter to court. Many such illegalities had occurred and indeed keep occurring in the country daily because those concerned do not challenge them in the court of law. By its decision to sue the commission, the party has helped to deepen our democratic culture. At least the commission now knows its limits under the law as far as such matters are concerned; that is assuming it took its action out of ignorance in the first place. Even if it did with the intention of pleasing its masters, the outcome is enough to make it realise the folly of such decision.

Campaign contribution is a symbol of freedom of expression and political choice. We therefore wonder how such right can be abridged by a government agency that is supposed to have a responsibility to all Nigerians, irrespective of religious or political affiliation. Moreover, this is a partnership that the NCC itself should profit from because the platform

was basically business and not political per se.

It is disturbing that for a country where moneybags have hijacked the political process the NCC would discourage a venture that has the potential of reducing the influence of such moneybags in the polity and thus give the party some form of economic independence. This was the way political parties were funded in the country many years ago, and it somewhat ensured a sense of collective ownership because no single individual could lay claim to ownership of the party so funded.

It is disheartening that many government agencies see themselves as appendages of the government instead of the public institutions that they should be. It is better for us all if they can be made to realise that they belong to all Nigerians and not to the government of the day. In the specific instance, the NCC even forgot that it allowed a similar platform for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which set up the short codes designated: 6661, 662, 6663 and 6664 managed by one Wagitel Communications Limited to raise funds for the campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan and the vice president, Namadi Sambo, in 2010. Our public institutions should do with less of such discrimination in their own interest and that of the country at large.

We commend the court for disposing of the matter expeditiously. We can only hope many of our courts would emulate the record time within which the matter was decided.

Still on the Presidential race

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IR: Not even a foreigner can disregard the seismic wave of electioneering that is sweeping through the country. The heated debates and the endless chants of ‘Change’ and ‘Transformation’ by fervid stalwarts of political parties herald a great event for the country. And the political banners and posters? They seem really ubiquitous.

The 2015 presidential election, which took place on Saturday, should be a keenly contested election in the nation’s annals of democratic birth. The past few weeks have, no doubt, witnessed a resurgence of electioneering by the main political parties—with renewed gusto this time. This contrasts sharply with the lull that enveloped the political scene, following the initial postponement of the polls on grounds of insecurity in the northeastern region of the country.

However, quite lamentably, the presidential campaigns did not go without mudslinging and muckraking between the ruling party and the opposition party. The jangled nerves and the wagging tongues, therefore, are evident of the politically charged atmosphere of the gladiatorial contest. Every passing day in this geo-political terrain propels us deeper into the fog of uncertainty about the election and its aftermath.

It is discernible that a new wave of political consciousness is coursing swiftly through the minds of the populace, one replete with resentment and bile towards members of the ruling political party. A close examination of the incumbent president reveals that he is not the much-sough-after messiah for the nation. He has proven to be bereft of necessary political acumen to govern this empire successfully. A litany of his shortcomings will not be attempted in this article, for it runs interminably. It must be stated that a vote for the bowler-hatted man is an endorsement for the continuation of maladministration, and a vote for the gap-toothed retired general is an approval for a change. The agents of transformation must be living in fool’s paradise if they believe they have hoodwinked the Nigerian citizenry with their political chicanery about their standard-bearer.

Nevertheless, the results of the election can bring forth two things: Firstly, it may likely pave way for the much-trumpeted socio-economic revamp and national development if well handled. Secondly, it may propel the geo-political landscape into a political maelstrom, resulting in possibly, its disintegration, as predicted by the American soothsayers. However, the latter appears to be the more likely. Thus, it is axiomatic that our fate as a country hinges on the results of last weekend’s election.

It is hoped that the result will reflect a situation whereby the masses elect a captain who will manage the affairs of the nation’s ship excellently. It is our constitutional right. So, to successfully navigate through this Scylla and Charybdis will be to heed the suggestions of Nicollo Machiavelli, in his classic ‘The Prince’, meaning that the masses would choose a lesser evil when plagued by two evils. From the foregoing, this is a formidable decision.

The global community is not oblivious of the political upheavals lurking in the dark suffice the efforts at enabling the two contestants reach a peace accord.

Even President Obama has deemed it expedient to address Nigerians and admonished them against violence, especially when some muddle-headed elements have threatened to turn the nation into a theatre of war if their tribesman does not emerge victorious at the polls. Professor Jega and his team of experts must be commended for their innovations.

•Kingsley Charles, korodu, Lagos.

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: This weekend, Nigeria will be going to the polls to either in the slogan of the All Progressive Congress (APC) effect change or in the parlance of the self styled largest political party in Africa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) retain President Goodluck Jonathan under the umbrella of forward together.

However, no matter the outcome of the elections, things can never be the same again in Nigeria, not anymore. Since 1999, when the country returned from the last cycle of brutal military governance and the PDP won successive elections, never has the party struggled like a man who is drowning yet desperately holding to anything in sight just to stay afloat.

But the question that lots of analysts have asked is for how long? It appears the party is in the thrones of death/electoral defeat. A party that has led the country for the past 16years with a dossier never mindful of a sense of national history but all out to protect itself, members and friends even when such is against the national interest. A party never inclined to regulate political behaviour and practice with any form of decency. Once it is in the interest of the family then it is good.

The recent confirmation of Musiliu Obanikoro has once again, confirmed that with the party, mo-

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2015: Nigeria decides!

rality is never a factor in its dealings. Here is a man that was allegedly implicated in the electoral rigging in Ekiti, not subjected to any form of inquest to ascertain or disprove his culpability but is rather and quickly confirmed as a Minister of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria-leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

Many of the infamous acts of the PDP are well known but it becomes mind-boggling when the current administration is hailing itself as transformational in spirit and indeed.

Like a tribe bonded by blood, it is now clear that the party is committed to rolling back civil liberties as some of their officials have vowed to resist any outcome that is not favourable to their party.

Clearly, democracy is hanging precariously along a dangerous curve and all that is not worrisome to them. We face a critical choice and anything short of allowing the

peoples will to create an opportunity for a flourishing of a new political order will be a grave mistake.

The risk of the people of Nigeria not holding the government of the PDP to account is rather too high even in the face of campaigns of hate, harassment, intimidation and comedy which officials of the Party have subjected, WE, the Nigerian people to. The challenges of governance is however not new but has been accentuated by the “I don’t give a damn attitude of the President” and the reported incidences of massive corruption under his watch.

This government has the dubious title of treating corruption with levity and ridiculing the people with tepid excuses like no other in our tortuous history.

President Goodluck Jonathan rode to power in an unprecedented manner with the promise to initiate transformation. Alas, what is

Still on Agric production and cooperatives IR: The agricultural sector is one of the most important components of the economy.

Its importance cannot be over-emphasised as productive agriculture offers many benefits: food for domestic consumption; raw materials for agro - allied industries; employment that generates income, which in turn encourages other industrial,

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commercial and service activities and export markets for foreign exchange earning.

Indeed, agriculture has made significant impacts on Gross Domestic output until the oil boom era of the 1970s and early 1980s, when there was change in emphasis away from agriculture.

The production of agricultural

crops and livestock has not kept pace with population growth and rising demand. Thus, there is the need to prioritise rapid agricultural production to achieve national food security, especially as the country is endowed with immense human, natural and agricultural resources.

• Abolarin Tayo Kwara state university

transformational about the way and manner things have been done under his watch? Corruption is pervasive and appears festering like never before. For the sincere people who trooped around the country calling for Jonathan to be elevated to the presidency during the time of ailing president Yar’Adua and affirming his right to run for the presidency in 2011 and even now in 2015, it is gross disappointment.

When questions are asked about his performance in office, megawatts of lies are advanced to mislead and in some instances outright insults are passed to bury the curiosity of the people. Agreed, President Jonathan has recorded glaring achievements in some areas like the recent military onslaught against the terrorist in the north-east.

If the road to the 2015 polls had been paved with much hatred, rancour, indecency, incitements to violence and attempts to discredit the outcome by staining the head of INEC and other inchoate actions of highly placed persons in the society such as the first lady, Madam Patience Jonathan openly calling for people who chant change to be stoned then things might never be the same again, post 2015 polls.

It is a chilling reality, which no amount of threat, intimidation, harassment and malfeasance will deter. The people are poised to seek redress with their vote. The chant in the air is CHANGE, not so much because of the alluring prospect of any miracle but knowing that things cannot endure for long under this atmosphere that is anything but a breath of fresh air.

It is time for change. A time to ask sincere questions and to end the rein of regional mafia gangs with pockets of supporters from other parts of the country. A time of so much caution, yet a time to reserve for the renewal of our country.

• Rotimi Opeyeoluwa is legislative aide to Senator Babafemi Ojudu

Who set INEC’s office on fire?

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IR: There is certainly more than meets the eye about the fire outbreak at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. It is either somebody deliberately set the office on fire or there was negligence on the part of INEC and its staff. This fire is certainly connected with the forthcoming elections.

I imagine agents of destabilization are working

towards forcing another postponement or tampering with electoral materials. But I am glad they failed.

INEC and Nigerians are ready to go to the polls come March 28 and April 11. Nigerians should be patient and pray to Almighty Allah to give us good leaders. I pray that we have peaceful, free, fair and credible elections this year.

• Comrade Abdulbaqia Aliyu Jari, Abuja.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

21

COMMENTS

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WAS quite appalled to recently read in the media the astonishing news that President Goodluck Jonathan, in his desperate bid for re-election in the last Saturday’s presidential election, recruited eleven teams of traditional rulers to woo the support of their colleagues across the country for his re-election campaign. Neither the presidency nor those traditional rulers mentioned has denied the report.

Yet, the traditional rulers utilised for this purpose are communal leaders of no mean stature. Many of them are men of long standing good reputation that are unfortunately risking their hard earned reputations on a risky venture that may ultimately prove worthless.

Some of those allegedly spearheading the president’s cause in this regard include His Royal Majesty, Major General Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), Orodje of Okpe; Oba S.O. Oyediran, Onipetu of Ijeru; HRM Kevin Aliyu Danesi, Aidonogie of South Ibie, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Olu of Ilaro; His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi, Obong of Calabar, King Alfred Diete- Spiff; King Dr, Edmund M. Daukaru, Mingi XII of Nimbe; Emmanuel E. Sideso, Ovie of Uvwie; Eze C.I. Ilomuanya, Obi of Obinugwu; King Dandeson Douglas JajaJeki, Amanyanabo of Opobo; Alhaji A.S. Momoh, Olukare of Ikare; Barrister Malla Sasime, Ebenibe Igwe and Oba Ayodele Adetunji Ajayi, Arinjale of Ise. Most of these names are unquestionably illustrious and accomplished Nigerians who had made their marks in diverse spheres of life before electing to preside over the traditional heritage and affairs of their people.

This is, of course, only a partial list of the prominent traditional rulers reportedly engaged to carry the transformation gospel across the country to their various royal colleagues. Of course, traditional rulers are human beings even if they have blue blood running through their veins. They will, therefore, naturally have their political preferences.

However, wisdom dictates that such preferences be kept subtle and private. This is because the traditional ruler is expected to be father of all. He represents an institution that transcends partisan, religious and other sectional divisions.

The greater the distance between the traditional ruler and the partisan political fray, the muddy terrain of politics, the greater will be the confidence and support enjoyed by the traditional ruler among a broad cross-section of his people or subjects if you like.

Should traditional rulers agree to be the points- men of any politician? This writer does not think so. Such a role can only diminish the traditional ruler and erode the royal mystique that is the unique hallmark of the traditional institution.

However, we can only assume that traditional rulers who agree to lobby their colleagues to support President Jonathan’s re-election are already committed to the president’s cause. They are, therefore, presumably acting out of conviction and not for any selfish motives. But that is exactly where the problem lies. The media has been replete with stories of the Jonathan presidential campaign doling out astounding sums of money in dollars to various indiWO days after the country’s presidential poll, the immortal lines from Shakespeare’s Macbeth are relevant : “When the hurlyburly’s done – When the battle’s lost and won.” Against the background of the continuing anti-terror battle, the hurly-burly is certainly not done.

News of the latest garland for Boko Haram, the Islamist guerilla force that has terrorised the country since 2009, deserves attention. The group’s insurgency was the fourth deadliest conflict in the world in 2014 and was responsible for 11, 529 deaths, according to a release by an international think tank, the Project for the Study of the 21st Century. It is noteworthy that the think tank said the figure of fatalities could be underestimated.

However, the estimation of the human suffering resulting from the destructive imagination and vision of the insurgents is more accurate. “We are seeing tremendous suffering,” UN Assistant Secretary General Robert Piper was quoted as saying. He continued: “We estimate that only about 20 percent of agricultural land in Borno State (the hardest-hit area) was harvested last season.” Piper, the coordinator of the UN’s humanitarian work in Africa’s Sahel region, pointed out that the situation “leaves a massive deficit.”

Also, Piper noted that there were “dramatic rates of acute malnutrition” among the displaced children in Nigeria. In statistical terms, he highlighted a recent survey of displaced children around Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, which showed that over 35 percent of them were malnourished.

“That is very, very high,” he was quoted as saying.

This picture of disturbing death and dying demonstrates that the hurly-burly is not done and the battle has not been lost and won. Shockingly, what many internally displaced persons have gone through, especially those uprooted by Boko Haram, came to light via a statement by the Director of Information, The Catholic Church Diocese of Maiduguri, Rev. Fr. Gideon Obasogie. He said: “A good number of those trapped around the Cameroonian borders are gradually finding their way into Maiduguri. Counting their ordeals, some will tell you how they fed on grass and insects. A group

Traditional rulers as Jonathan’s salesmen

By Olumide Dahunsi viduals and groups particularly during the period in which the elections were, ab initio, shifted forward by six weeks at the instance of the country’s security chiefs. Jonathan’s campaign team has not emphatically and credibly denied these reports. This raises serious questions as regards the moral integrity of the affected traditional rulers. Indeed, as a result of the widespread reports of ‘dollar rain’ on traditional rulers and other influential individuals and groups by the Jonathan campaign team, anybody, including traditional rulers, who seek to advocate support for his re-election risks being seen as only working to justify the largesse he or she has collected.

The problem then is that the traditional rulers currently engaged to sell Jonathan’s candidacy to their colleagues nationwide may have serious difficulty convincing sceptical Nigerians that they are doing this only as an honest patriotic gesture. Their credibility and integrity are, therefore, at stake even if they are performing their role gratis. It is my view that the President has enough men and women in his party from across the country that can be his sales persons.

They are in a better position to sell the merits of his candidacy beyond narrow circles of traditional rulers or religious clerics to the general populace that will constitute the bulk of the voting electorate. These aides of the President include his array of Ministers, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants in government and the countless others who are not formally in government but have benefitted from patronage, which they should now be willing to invest in the reelection of their benefactor.

This writer agrees completely with the assertion by the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, that while traditional rulers can give any aspiring politician who visits them royal blessings, it is improper for them to campaign for the election of any candidate. Indeed, the Awujale ranks among the class of honourable, courageous and credible traditional rulers who have never hesitated to stand for the good and best interest of their people against all odds. We will recall that even under military dictatorship, the Awujale refused to hobnob with the military dictators of the day.

It is difficult to decipher the merit of the Jonathan administration trying to reach the people through the medium of traditional rulers. There is hardly any traditional ruler that can convince his people to vote for an administration that has had little or no impact on the daily condition of their lives. This is particularly so in the Southwest where the Yoruba have cultivated a high degree of political consciousness, sophistication and discernment. The task of the traditional rulers spearheading Jonathan’s cause is made more onerous by the perception, rightly or wrongly, that the

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‘It is not surprising that the magical and illogical six-week time frame set for the conquest of insurgents who have carried out terroristic activities since 2009 has passed with Boko Haram still threatening and frightening. Optimism won’t win the terror war, no matter how well-dressed’

Problem beyond the polls from Pulka community alone buried over 80 children, who took ill in the bush and died.” Over 90, 000 Catholics have been uprooted by the developing tragedy, Obasogie noted, adding that the church has spent over N3 million on internal refugees at different locations in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Relevant to this appalling picture is the information by the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Sani Sidi, at last year’s opening of its annual consultative meeting with the heads of States Emergency Management Agencies. Sidi said about 734,062 persons were internally displaced by conflicts and disasters in various parts of the country; 676, 975 of them were displaced by conflicts and 66,087 by natural disasters. It is significant that he pointed out: “Disaster occurrences and the number of affected people have risen significantly in recent years.”

It is not clear how NEMA arrived at these figures, and it is worth mentioning that they are a far cry from the statistics publicised by the 2014 Report of the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre and the Norwegian Refugee Council, which indicate that out of 33 million internal refugees across the world, about 3.3 million Nigerians are internally displaced because of the Boko Haram insurgency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. The yawning gap between the positions of the two bodies concerning the number of dislodged victims of the six-year-old violent campaign by Islamist terrorists in the affected areas is a cause for concern because it suggests that the scale of the problem may not have been captured and is likely to be beyond the range of the available figures.

How devastating and disruptive Boko Haram has become is clear from its influence on the controversial rescheduling of the general elections. To properly grasp the group’s role,

Jonathan campaign has been spending money as if the commodity is going out of fashion.

These traditional rulers will have to convince their people that the Jonathan administration has performed and that the lot of their people is better today than it was before the advent of the Jonathan presidency. Any traditional ruler who canvasses this view is obviously out of touch with the existential living realities of his people. It is a gross error of judgment on the part of the Jonathan administration to believe that catering for traditional rulers, who will then convince their people to vote for his re-election, can substitute for pursuing the welfare of the people in fulfilment of its electoral social contract with the people. In this day and age no traditional ruler, not even in the most illiterate society, can simply order his people to vote for a party or candidate and expect them to comply unthinkingly.

This writer urges all traditional rulers to leave politics to the politicians. They should bless all those who come to seek their royal blessings but leave the politicians to go and woo the electorate directly by showcasing their performance in office. A traditional ruler who openly canvasses support for a politician who eventually loses the election would have lost a substantial degree of prestige, respect and public confidence among his people. The moral authority that is the bedrock of the traditional institution would have been badly eroded. The traditional rulers should remain as fathers to all irrespective of the political camps they belong to. As for the Jonathan presidency, it should have sufficient substantial achievements to show for its four years in power. This is what it should be show casing to win electoral support rather than drawing clerics and traditional rulers into the murky terrain of politics. It is unfortunate that the Jonathan administration is likely to go down in history as one that has done the greatest damage to the integrity and efficacy of formal and informal institutions just because of its desperation to remain in power at all costs.

• Olumide Dahunsi is a Lagos based public affairs analyst

‘This is what it should be show casing to win electoral support rather than drawing clerics and traditional rulers into the murky terrain of politics. It is unfortunate that the Jonathan administration is likely to go down in history as one that has done the greatest damage to the integrity and efficacy of formal and informal institutions just because of its desperation to remain in power at all costs’ it is useful to quote the February 7 statement by the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, on why the elections were postponed a week to the first vote. According to Jega, “Last Wednesday, which was a day before the Council of State meeting, the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) wrote a letter to the Commission, drawing attention to recent developments in four Northeast states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe currently experiencing the challenge of insurgency. The letter stated that security could not be guaranteed during the proposed period in February for the general elections.”

Jega continued: “This advisory was reinforced at the Council of State meeting on Thursday where the NSA and all the Armed Services and Intelligence Chiefs unanimously reiterated that the safety and security of our operations cannot be guaranteed, and that the Security Services needed at least six weeks within which to conclude a major military operation against the insurgency in the Northeast; and that during this operation, the military will be concentrating its attention in the theatre of operations such that they may not be able to provide the traditional support they render to the Police and other agencies during elections.”

It is not surprising that the magical and illogical six-week time frame set for the conquest of insurgents who have carried out terroristic activities since 2009 has passed with Boko Haram still threatening and frightening. Optimism won’t win the terror war, no matter how well-dressed. The naked pessimism of the people is unmistakable.

The reports of recaptured territories by the country’s troops in a regional collaboration with four neighbouring nations, Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, have been captivating largely because the people never knew exactly what had been captured. Reports said the contributions to the multi-national force total 8, 700 individuals and its objective is to “foster a safe and secure environment in the impacted regions.”

With the eventual adoption of a frontal attack, it is comical that National Security Adviser Col Sambo Dasuki (retd) last year introduced a simplistic angle to the anti-terror campaign.

Dasuki’s amazing “Roll out of Nigeria’s Soft Approach to Counter Terrorism”, whatever its theoretical merits, represented an ill-defined all-inclusive method. According to him, “The soft approach provides us with a frame-work that identifies the roles and responsibilities of every segment of our society: the governors, local council chairmen, national and state assembly members, political parties, trade unions, the private sector, traditional institutions, ministers and other government officials, academics, in fact, a ‘whole-of-society’ approach that involves everyone vertically and horizontally to confront violent extremism.” It was a mystifying approach and an exaggerated perspective that glossed over the fundamental point, which is, confronting and crushing terrorism with the logic of superior sovereignty.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

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COMMENTS

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Y the time this article is published, the presidential and national assembly elections would have been over.

Possibly also, the results may have become a matter of public knowledge. Successful candidates would be jubilating while there will be gnashing of teeth by losers. That is the typical payoff in a zero sum game. This scenario is more likely to be noticed at the presidential level given the high stakes and bitter acrimony that attended the campaigns for that elated office.

Possibly too, all the predictions of cataclysm of unmitigated dimension that have seen people fleeing back in droves to their ancestral homes may have come to naught or isolated violence leading to loss of lives and destruction of property may be playing out. These are the possibilities that we may have to contend with after the elections. But the last eventuality is the one most dreaded by all given the danger it portends for lives and property and our corporate survival as a nation.

That is why on two occasions, both President Goodluck Jonathan and his rival Gen. Muhammadu Buhari have signed an accord to maintain the peace both before and after the elections irrespective of their outcome. It was very heart refreshing watching the two rivals embrace themselves after the accord to the admiration of people.

That is the way it should be. It is not a do-ordie affair since the reasons ostensibly adduced for aspiring to that high office revolves around the promotion of the general good of the people. An election that results in grave harm on the citizens’ detracts

‘We say change because from the way things are, it is obvious that things are not going to be the same again.

The consciousness of the ordinary people has been drawn to the inevitability of change in the way things are run in this country. They have been sold to the desirability of change in the conduct of statecraft’

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Emeka OMEIHE 08112662675 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Beyond the elections substantially from the essence of representative democracy. It gives the sad impression that what counts most is the overall interest of the contenders rather than the electorate who remain the ultimate sovereign. That is the contradiction that comes with violence leading to loss of lives and property.

If commitment to peace during and after elections by the two major contenders from the PDP and the APC are any thing to repose hope on, the election may come out successful.

We hope this will be so. It is also hoped that politicians would go beyond the signing of peace accords and restrain their supporters from acts that may lead to break down of law and order. But if the ruinous attitude of our politicians and refusal to concede defeat are still much with us, there is every thing to expect that the outcome of the elections may not be completely acceptable to all.

If this scenario leads to violence, the accord would have come as an exercise in futility.

Then, our security agencies will have to contend with restoring law and order in the areas stricken by post election violence. And when this is juxtaposed with the challenge of insurgency in some parts of the country, the energies of the security agencies will be greatly stretched. But where nothing of such happens, Nigerians would have been on the threshold of history. It would portray the country as one that has started learning the ropes in democratic conduct. It will be an unmistakable signal that our people are gradually internalizing the culture of democracy. Then, those who initiated the peace accord would have reason to beat their

E was a farmer’s boy. The first 10 years of his life was spent on a cocoa plantation. He had several encounters with tigers and escaped narrowly. He was given a chase by angry and fast moving snakes during some of his hunting expeditions but survived. His childhood days had death strewn all over his paths, but some great benevolence, God’s grace and destiny, ensured that he survived.

The bare floor of the farmhouse made of mud was his bed and banana leaves were his duvets. While on the farm, he neither wore clothes nor shoes. To him, “Life on the farm was the best”, more because there was plenty of food to eat.

Young Afe was enjoying his life on the farm but his father, Babalola, had other plans. Even though he was his only son at the time and needed his support on the farm, he decided to send him to school. He never liked it at first. He ran away from school several times because of corporal punishments but his father would insist that he must go back. While in the Primary school, Afe was a very serious student having imbibed the culture of hard work on the farm where he would never sacrifice his farm work for any pastime.

Afe was not flippant with his studies. Little wonder that he was one of the best in his graduating class in 1945 when he completed his primary school education in Emmanuel school, Ado Ekiti. He came second in the final examination.

That was the end of his classroom education. Despite gaining admission to Christ School, Ado Ekiti, his father could not afford to pay his tuition fees. He sat at home and studied for School certificate examination. Something that was rare at the time, He passed his GCE ordinary level examination of University of London in 1952 and GCE advanced level in 1954, each at one seating. Babalola worked hard to break the yoke of poverty. He was a chip off the old bloc. His father worked from morning till evening for seven days a week.

His father taught him that his palms were his best friends because they would never desert him.

That was the very humble beginning of the “farmer’s boy”, Aare Afe Babalola who by dint of hard work and God’s favour has become the first African to be awarded the LLD honours of the University of London in the University’s 179-year history. The award has put the legal virtuoso in the league of former South African President, Nelson Mandela who received the honorary doctorate degree in Economics from the University in 1996 and Archbishop Desmond Tutu who was honoured seven years ago with the honorary doctorate degree in Divinity.

The University of London honorary degrees is usually conferred on people of conspicuous merit, who are outstanding in their field, who command international recognition, and have given exceptional service to the community among others. Afe is no doubt a legal icon. After bagging the University of London degree in Economics through private studies in 1959, Afe enrolled as an external student of London

chests celebrating the success of their efforts.

That would be a thing to cherish.

But that will not be the end to it. Soon, Nigerians will begin to contend with the reality of the new dawn. They will have to face the reality of what prospects the future holds for the nation irrespective of who among the contenders won the presidential race. They will begin to look up for the new things to come in the way this country is run. They will begin to look out for fundamental changes in the structure and organization of the country such that can galvanize the creative energies of the constituents to fasten the pace of development.

Promises have been made; hope has been raised to an all time high. And coming at a time the price of oil in the international market has declined considerably with attendant devaluation of the naira, Nigerians will be full of expectations on the change to come either from the PDP or the APC. We say change because from the way things are, it is obvious that things are not going to be the same again. The consciousness of the ordinary people has been drawn to the inevitability of change in the way things are run in this country.

They have been sold to the desirability of change in the conduct of statecraft. Their eyes have been exposed to the fact that every society is in a state of flux and nothing is as constant as change. Change will definitely come given the alternative paradigms that have been offered by the existence of a credible opposition.

If the opposition comes to power, it will likely initiate policies to make the difference and justify its mantra. If the ruling party succeeds, it cannot proceed with business as usual and still hope to be in reckoning. So, something positive will definitely come our way. It is the similitude of dialectics in action; a clash between thesis and anti-thesis that will ultimately give rise to some form of synthesis. That is what one foresees from the chain of events that have been unleashed as the political parties sought to take control of the minds of the electorate. People have been awakened to the reality that our leaders both past and present have not taken the necessary measures to quicken the pace of development without the distractions that emanate from a convoluted federal structure. There is the consciousness that Nigeria in its present form, cannot progress without some tinkering in its structure.

Issues of true federalism: devolution of power, resource control, revenue sharing, state and local government creation and autonomy are recurring decimals that must as a matter of necessity be re-jigged. It is obvious that these are some of the deficits standing against the progress and development of this country. They also relate very positively to the acrimony and bad blood that go with competition for the highest political office in the country. The point has been made before now that we need to whittle down the overwhelming powers of the central authority for us to move fast on the ladder of development.

Despite the allure of this, some vested interests have for very selfish reasons, stood against its realization. They still root for centralization to enable them control the huge funds at the federal till. Yet, they want corruption to be reduced to its barest minimum. This is a remote possibility given the composition of the country and the thinking that political ascendancy is largely for prebendal predilections. These are the issues that face whichever party wins the election. We must therefore proceed beyond the euphoria of electoral victory to confront extant systemic dysfunctions that have overtime, stood against the peace and development of this country. Their handling will make the difference between erecting this unity in diversity on a firm foundation and on sand.

Reflection on Afe Babalola’s attainments

By Adeolu Durotoye University in 1960 for his law program where he was acclaimed as “the wonder man who specialises in private study” by the Secretary to the Senate of the University upon his arrival. He graduated in 1963, and has been in the legal profession ever since.

In his over 50 years in the legal profession, Aare Afe Babalola was known as brilliant and very hardworking; a lover of legal analysis who usually saw through fine points which others did not see. Even though he started his private practice from a windowless garage, his desire to succeed was his driving force. He was a criminal law specialist who hardly lost any of the criminal cases he handled. He handled over 200 criminal cases and about 150 divorce cases. He also handled many celebrated cases like the missing $2.8million NNPC money in 1982; the Alaafin vs. Ooni superiority battles in the 80s and 90s; the Ashipa vs. Alaafin case over M.K.O. Abiola’s Aare Ona Kakanfo chieftaincy title; Falae vs.

Obasanjo and Buhari vs Obasanjo’s election petitions, among many others.

Former president Obasanjo reposed so much confidence in his legal sagaciousness that he once said “I know when a person gives you (Afe Babalola) a case (to handle), he need not worry. I know you would handle it well”. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he is the only lawyer in Nigeria, dead or alive, who has produced over 15 senior advocates, the highest recognition that can be accorded a Nigerian lawyer. On four occasions, he was offered the position of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, but he turned down all the offers because according to him, “I cannot cope with the slow pace of work in the civil service”.

His contributions to the legal profession went beyond litigations. He has distinguished himself as a teacher and author. He taught law at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Centre for African Law Research and Development, Lagos as well as the Postgraduate School of the Faculty of Law at the University of Ibadan. He was also a newspaper columnist on legal issues. His column in the Nigerian tribune titled “You and the Law” is a must read for law practitioners and a reference material for law students in Nigeria and beyond. He has also authored many books including Injunctions and Enforcement of Orders, Law and Practice of Evidence in Nigeria, Electoral Law and Practice (Vols. 1 & 2), University Administration in Nigeria and over 500 lec-

tures.

The legal genius has exerted his astuteness in the educational sector as well. Having worked tirelessly to build a polytechnic for his community in Ado-Ekiti in 1982, he served as the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Lagos between 2000 and 2007. At the University of Lagos where he worked pro bono, he was transparency personified. He was named the Pro-Chancellor-of-theyear on two occasions by the National Universities Commission and the university became the “University of First Choice” for many Nigerian students.

He founded Afe Babalola University six years ago and the University is now reputed as the fastest growing University in Africa and “a miracle model reference point and benchmark for other Universities” according to the National Universities Commission. A family man to the core, his children went to the best schools in the world and all of them hold at least a second degree. Just like him, three of his children studied law at the University of London. It would not be a waste to say a well-deserved kudos to this legal icon on his well-deserved LLD degree from the University of London. This is indeed another “impossibility made possible.” Like the biblical Caleb, Aare Afe Babalola is still conquering mountains at 85.

•Adeolu Durotoye PhD, FCIPM is a veteran journalist and political scientist. Email: adeolud@yahoo.com

‘A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he is the only lawyer in Nigeria, dead or alive, who has produced over 15 senior advocates, the highest recognition that can be accorded a Nigerian lawyer. On four occasions, he was offered the position of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, but he turned down all the offers because according to him, “I cannot cope with the slow pace of work in the civil service”’

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

JOBS

ISSUES

Uproar over airlines’ recapitalisation, merger - P. 29

Catering and smiling to the bank - P. 35 News Brief

‘Gas prices’ll be market determined’

Banks stake $10b in oil assets’ acquisition BANKS have invested about $10 billion in acquisition of oil and gas assets by local players in the industry, it was learnt.

–Page 26

By Akinola Ajibade

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‘Why Rebranding Nigeria project failed’ PIONEER secretary and former Chief Executive Officer, Rebranding Nigeria, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, has identified paucity of funds as the major reason for the failure of the project.

–Page 27

BVN cards are free, says NIBSS CUSTOMERS will not pay for the Bank Verification Number (BVN) cards to be issued to them after the ongoing registration, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), Mr. Ade Shonubi, has said.

–Page 31

Why Nigerian ad agencies are not listed in capital market UNLIKE one of the world biggest advertising conglomerate, WPP which started its operation as Wire and Plastic Product with $21 billion market capital, the President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Aigboje AigImoukhuede has identified scarcity of capital, strange business structure as some of the challenges militating against listing of Nigerian advertising business concerns on the floor of the capital market.

–Page 38

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil Cocoa

$54/barrel $2,686.35/metric ton

Coffee

¢132.70/pound

Cotton

¢95.17pound

Gold

$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

$163/lb RATES

Inflation

8.4%

Treasury Bills 10.58%(91d) Maximum lending 30% Prime lending

15.87%

Savings rate

3%

91-day NTB

15%

Time Deposit

5.49%

MPR

13%

Foreign Reserve

$34.5b

• From left: Senior Lecturer, Lagos Business School, Dr. Doyin Salami; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; Managing Director, Standard Chartered Bank, Mrs. Bola Adesola and Group Managing Director, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun, at the Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria (HBSAN) and Federal Ministry of Agriculture Forum on Agribusiness Opportunities in Nigeria in Lagos.

Unilever moves to acquire more shares in subsidiary

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NILEVER Overseas Holdings, the United Kingdom-based foreign core investor in Unilever Nigeria Plc, has launched a bid to acquire additional equity stake in the Nigerian subsidiary in a transaction valued at about N43 billion or £144.5 million.

Unilever Overseas Holdings has already approached the board of directors of Unilever Nigeria Plc about its intention to make an offer to increase its equity stake in the Nigerian company from 50.04 per cent up to a maximum of 75 per cent.

The foreign core investor promises to maintain Unilever Nigeria’s listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Unilever Overseas Holdings has appointed Citigroup Global Markets Limited and Chapel Hill Advisory Partners Limited as its financial advisers on the proposed transaction.

A regulatory filing obtained yesterday by The Nation indicated that Unilever Overseas

By Taofik Salako

Holdings proposes to acquire about 944.47 million ordinary shares in Unilever Nigeria at an intended offer price of N45.50 per share in cash. Unilever Nigeria opens today at the NSE at N34 per share.

The proposed offer price represents a premium of 33.8 per cent on the company’s opening price today and a premium of 33.2 per cent on the three-month volume weighted average share price. It is intended that the proposal would be effected by way of a tender offer, by giving any shareholder who elects to sell some or all of their shares in Unilever Nigeria the opportunity to do so.

The proposed acquisition is however still subject to the prior approval of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

While noting that it has not reached any definitive agreement to proceed with the proposal, Unilever Nigeria has indicated that the formal offer

documentation will be posted to shareholders as soon as the approvals of all the regulators are obtained.

Unilever Overseas reserves the right not to proceed with the proposal or to vary the terms of the proposal in any way and no binding offer will be made in respect of any securities until Unilever Nigeria has announced its final results for the year ended December 31, 2014 to the general public.

Unilever Nigeria distributed N5.30 billion as cash dividends in 2014, the same amount it paid in the previous year. Shareholders received a dividend per share of N2.65. Unilever Nigeria has been struggling with depressed bottom-line.

Audited report and accounts of Unilever Nigeria for the year ended December 31, 2013 showed that sales rose by 8.0 per cent from N55.55 billion in 2012 to N60.0 billion in 2013. Profit before tax however declined by 16 per cent from N8.19 billion in 2012 to N6.91 billion in 2013.

Profit after tax also dropped by

14 per cent from N5.60 billion to N4.81 billion. Earnings per share thus dropped from N1.48 to N1.27.

The company has however stated that it has been strategic investments and changes that would enhance its long-term competitiveness and profitability, although the immediate impact of these initiatives might constrain returns in the meantime.

At its last annual general meeting, it unveiled a growth plan to shareholders. While noting the depressed bottom-line in recent years, the conglomerate outlined strategic growth initiatives aimed at strengthening its consumer-centric advantage and ensured it is better placed to provide competitive products through efficient and wide channels at the right prices, irrespective of the changes in the operating environment.

It noted that shareholders might have to sacrifice shortterm gains for long-term returns as the conglomerate seeks to strengthen its fundamentals.

Ship owners seek removal of waivers, others

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HE Federal Govern ment has been urged to cut interest rates to enable ship owners upgrade their facilities and compete with foreigners.

Stakeholders urged the government to build a vibrant investment climate for the maritime sector.

The Chairman, Logistic Chains, Bola Adebajo said there should be policies to create synergies between the industry and other sectors, such as banking and manufacturing.

He said 60 per cent of the inward and outward bound goods in the West and Central Africa sub-region pass through the nation’s waterways, calling on the

By Oluwakemi Dauda

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar to assist in developing the industry.

He said the country needs to expand its merchant fleet based on the high volume of bulk liquid, gas and dry cargoes that pass through its waterways.

He suggested measures, such as dedicated institutional financing mechanism for the shipping and maritime sector, a comprehensive maritime regulatory policy, to delineate the role and responsibilities of the government and private sector in the development of the maritime sector and building.

Another stakeholder, and the President, Folas Motors, Mr Folagade Adeyemi, said the purchase of modern vessels, Adeyemi said, would also provide jobs for millions of Nigerians and the restive youths across the country.

He said there was need for a sustained partnership between the private and public sectors for effective funding.

The country, he said, had not enjoyed the commercial benefits of transporting large quantities of cargoes because the local ship owners lack the necessary capital.

Adeyemi suggested that the Federal Government should integrate education into the uni-

versity system so that Nigerians, who are interested in seafaring can get the necessary training needed to promote the sector.

Adeyemi also urged the Federal Government to remove the waiver clause from the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act (Cabotage Act of 2013).

He said over 50 per cent of firms have been shut due to the poor implementation of the Cabotage Law. “The removal will help to address the plight of indigenous ship owners whose businesses have been damaged,’’ Adeyemi, said, adding that it was sad that indigenous ship owners were not doing well despite that they started business in Nigeria.

AS prices will be de termined by market forces very soon, going by the decision of the government to implement the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code (NGTNC), the Deputy Director, Gas Monitoring and Evaluation, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Antigha Ekaluo, has said.

Speaking against the backdrop of the upward review of the prices of gas to the power generation firms, fertiliser, methanol and other petrochemical industries, Ekakuo said the forces of demand and supply are going to determine the prices of natural gas to the users soon.

He said: “When the implementation of the code, which is expected to ensure transparency in the gas industry and further ensure fair and non- discriminatory access to the gas industry comes into effect, there would be a paradigm shift from a government regulated gas industry to a market regulated one. At a point, it will no longer be a case of for instance, a power firm must buy 1,000 cubit of gas at the recently fixed price of 2.50 dollar. The market would be predicated on the functionality of the supply and demand.

“If for instance, Company A is selling gas at three or four dollars per 1000 cubit feet, Company B, which incidentally is a power firm, has no choice than to buy it at that, unless it gets other sellers that are willing to offer gas at a lower prices.”

Ekakuo said what is going to happen in the industry is that only willing parties would co-habit and play very well.

“There is going to be a willing buyer and a willing seller mechanism or process in the sector soon. When this happens, government regulated price will disappear,” he said.

He said globally, market forces are governing the operation of a power sector and others that are being managed by private operators, arguing that Nigeria is joining countries that have chosen that part in the next few years.

He said if power firms are not getting the gas at lower prices, incidentally, they would come and buy the product at a price that is profitable to them in relation to the prevailing market fundamentals.

According to him, government is proffering solutions to the problems in the oil and gas industry to enable it function well and operate in line with the globally acceptable standards.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

26

BUSINESS NEWS Phase3 expands aerial fibre to Niger Republic

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HASE3 Telecom has com menced the deployment of aerial fibre optic infrastructure from Kano to Gazaoua in Niger Republic. The network, which will run from Kano State through Katsina State before arriving at Gazaoua. It will be 228kilometre (km) long and is expected to be completed in the coming months.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stanley Jegede, said the opportunities that internet delivers are critical to the acceleration of sustainable socio-economic inclusion and growth for Niger Republic.

He said this will open new opportunities for residents to enjoy the benefits of the internet such as being able to work from the comforts of their homes or study online. Businesses will also be better positioned to use the internet to boost productivity, offer better service, connect with customers faster and work anywhere at reduced costs, he said, adding that. today, easier and reliable access to information from anywhere drives development.

He said: “This deployment is part of our wider West Africa roll out plan to deliver regional connectivity through a single network across the region. It is a confirmation of our commitment to ensure that the digital divide diminishes, delivering connectivity to new urban and rural areas.

“I believe that this milestone is a positive step towards sustainable economic development in West Africa. With the support we have received thus far from both the governments of Niger Republic and Nigeria, we are confident that this will mark the first phase in a long term partnership and we look forward to the dividends in the subregion as a whole and in particular

By Lucas Ajanaku

Niger Republic will benefit from the integration of this telecommunication infrastructure.”

Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. (Mrs) Omobola Johnson said the project will help unlock the potential of the sub-region.

She said: “Africa’s true economic potential will be harnessed by increasing the level of internet connectivity we currently have. This is one of the many ways to tap into the economic and social benefits Africa has the potential to deliver.

“The Ministry of Communication Technology and the Federal Government have worked very hard and closely with Niger Republic on integrating both countries under a single telecoms infrastructure and projects such as this will deliver the infrastructure to connect us to our neighbors and the rest of the world is the first step in the realisation of that vision.

“Establishing strong and sustainable partnerships across the sub-region will deliver benefits for us all.

I am delighted that Phase3 Telecom has the capacity and is delivering a homegrown solution that will deliver significant long term value.”

The project is being facilitated by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) through the extension of the Backbone Transmission Infrastructure Programme (BTRAIN) programme to Niger.

This will also increase the existing power sharing infrastructure that is already in place between both countries. Phase3 telecom’s, aerial fibre is more reliable than its terrestrial equivalent, and with over 7000km of existing fiber infrastructure in Nigeria alone, Phase3 is ideally positioned to deliver a wider regional solution.

Banks stake $10b in oil assets’ acquisition

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ANKS have invested about $10 billion in acquisition of oil and gas assets by local players in the industry, it was learnt.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi-Bero stated this on the sideline of the Nigeria Oil and Gas conference held in Abuja. He was corroborating the assertion that Nigerian banks are well capitalised to finance oil and gas projects across downstream, midstream and upstream. He said that local banks have invested about $10 billion to help Nigerian oil firms to acquire these assets in the last 10 years.

He also called the attention of the government to the importance of putting in place policy or to directly intervene in production of gas to power as well as the need to develop capacity.

The Executive Director, Corporate & Investment Banking, Access Bank Plc Mr. Elias Igbinakenzua also told The Nation that the progress made by indigenous upstream companies was made pos-

• Local firms hold 20% of reserves

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

sible by some factors but noted that the independent companies have done well in the last few years.

Igbinakenzua said: “The independents have done well. Some things have made that possible. Let me start by thanking the government for creating the enabling environment for that to happen. I also must thank the IOCs who didn’t insist on holding on to the assets but let go to maximise our resources. I must also thank the lawmakers for the passage of the Nigerian Content Act. Today we can say clearly say that we have some number of Nigerian vessels out there in the waters because of the Cabotage law, which has made marine business booming.

“The Local Content Act has given the local production and contribution in the oil and gas sector a great deal. Today 20 percent or more of the oil reserves is held by the independents, which is between 9 and 10 billion barrels. That is a lot. It is

a huge success story to tell. There is no success journey that is so easy.

It takes some roughness to get there.

“That has happened because the local banks have also come of age.

Today you can find a Nigerian bank that can comfortably put half a billion dollars in a project. The banks have gotten well capitalised to support the oil and gas sector and that support has been immensely behind the local players. The issue of maximum lending to the sector came up but after the CBN saw the need to lend to the sector, it put the directive behind for now.

“As of today what we have as the operating law for the banks to lend to the oil and gas sector is not just 20 per cent. It is actually more than that. In fact, the old policy said we can do 20 per cent downstream, 20 per cent midstream, and 20 per cent upstream, which is a huge number.

But you must not forget the rules in lending. If you allow that huge amount to go into a sector without the risk being well managed, then you risk the financial sector and that has its impact on the entire economy.

Underfunding threatens agric sector’s growth

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NDERFUNDING is threaten ing attempts to revo lutionise agriculture and reach small producers, the Chief Executive, Centre for Cocoa Initiative, Robo Adhuze, has said.

The consequences, according to him, is that farmers have so far struggled to increase productivity, attributing this to underfunding and poor access to finances.

In order to survive as well as be productive under the trying economic conditions, he said farmers are currently experimenting with various possible options which are mostly self-effort and not yielding maximum results.

He said reducing assistance to farmers at any level, could affect food production.

Other challenges being faced by farmers, according to him, included labour shortage, pilferage of products, inadequate irrigation support, poor pricing, transport problems and

By Daniel Essiet

climate change.

He called on governments at various levels to train and empower local small farmers so that in the years to come they can produce enough to supply the domestic market.

While commending the government, which through the agricultural transformation agenda is providing a strategic leadership needed to create a better agric sector by leveraging the opportunities in the changing environment, Adhuze observed that rural road problems are another hurdle to the development of agriculture.

According to him, farmers need more and better roads to improve their lives, adding that this will help to give a much-needed boost to the country’s farming industry.

He explained that when roads are fixed, living conditions and opportunities will be bolstered in the rural areas, where most of the nation’s agricultural production is concentrated.

IOSCO’s code of conduct for credit rating agencies out

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HE International Organisa tion of Securities Commis sions (IOSCO) has issued the final report on Code of Conduct Fundamentals for Credit Rating Agencies, which includes significant revisions and updates to the current IOSCO Code of Conduct for Credit Rating Agencies (IOSCO CRA Code).

Nigeria is a member of IOSCO. Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and currently holds the chairmanship of Africa Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC) of the global body.

IOSCO is the leading international policy forum for securities regulators and is recognised as the global

By Muyiwa Lucas

standard setter for securities regulation. The organization’s membership regulates more than 95 per cent of the world’s securities markets in more than 115 jurisdictions. Nigeria is a member of IOSCO Board, the governing and standard-setting organ of the global body.

According to the report, the revisions to the IOSCO CRA Code are designed to strengthen the IOSCO CRA Code by enhancing provisions regarding protecting the integrity of the credit rating process, managing conflicts of interest, providing transparency, and safeguarding non-public information.

• From left: Deputy President, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Prince Dapo Adelegan; past president, Chief Michael Olawale-Cole; President, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, and past president, Mrs. M. R. Adetutu Adeleke, during the NBCC’s extra-ordinary general meeting in Lagos.

‘High interest rate, others killing ground-handling business’

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HE Managing Director Nige rian Aviation Handling Com pany Limited (NAHCO Aviance) Plc Mr Norbert Bielderman has blamed the slow growth of ground-handling firms on high cost of operations, interest rate, devaluation of the naira, ground rents and taxes.

He said it might be difficult for operators to grow until the myriad of challenges facing the sector were addressed.

He said the increase in exchange rate in the last six months has impacted negatively on the operations of cargo business.

He said: “Naira depreciation, high exchange rate, unreasonable domestic air tickets, static aviation fuel price, high airport taxes and charges, ground rent and concession fees.

“There have been travel bans from many European countries and this has negatively impacted the aviation sector. Nigeria’s foreign reserve is significantly depleted and our national account is in deficit.

“The crash in oil price and consequent impact on the nation’s revenue earnings, exchange rate moved from N155/$ to N205/$ within a six-month period at the interbank and Central Bank of Nigeria’s final closure of the RDAS is a testament to the fact that all is not

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

well with our economy.

“Implicitly, the naira has been devalued to between 30 and 40 per cent and this will necessary cause inflation if government does not put in place deliberate measures to mitigate against an upsurge in price across industry.

“We expect inflation to rise up to 10 per cent or more soon. Furthermore, the cost of fund has also significantly risen with bank interest rates now up to about 26 per cent.”

Also, the travel warnings and/ or ban from EU countries for their citizens coming into Nigeria has shown that many flights from Europe to Nigeria have been either flying half empty to near empty.

This is also a negative consequence of the present political economy.

“NAHCO expects Air Cargo to be relatively stable and may only take a slight hit if Nigerians choose to patronise indigenous products because of the high cost of imports and government also intervenes through policies that reduce or limit dollar outflows.”

Meanwhile, NAHCO has invested over N700 million to purchase new ground support equipment.

He said: “We have taken delivery of about 30 per cent of these

orders and distributed to our various locations according to our needs. These equipment include tractors, dollies, fork lift, high loaders, transporters, security vehicles.”

He said there was need to overhaul the domestic airline sector to sustain the business through effective regulation, adding that failure to do this would lead to massive job losses He said: “This will be massive job losses within the private sector and for them to survive this trying time.

In aviation, the domestic airlines would be worst hit because of current ticket prices are not in sync or responsive to current realities.

“This is due to unhealthy price wars and pursuit of market dominance at the domestic side of airline business. Domestic air tickets are still significantly low despite increase in airport charges, taxes and others.

“These domestic carriers still maintain their aircraft in foreign currency and aviation fuel has not significantly been reduced if at all.

“In our opinion, we suggest that these domestic airlines come together and agree a base rate for air tickets in order not to compromise safety and the regulator would do well to step in and analyse their current book positions and act accordingly.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

27

BUSINESS NEWS

Unilever chief urges 70% increase in food production

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HE Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh, has stressed the need to boost food production by at least 70 per cent to assure food security in the country.

He warned that there was growing threat of ecosystem collapse because of the emergence of global instability associated with the struggle for global resources which

By Chikodi Okereocha

are being consumed at a quicker rate than they can be replenished.

Speaking at an event in Lagos, Nsarkoh said with world’s population projected to increase by two billion by 2050, there was urgent need to increase food production by 70 per cent by 2050 to meet expected demand.

The Unilever chief said the financial crisis arising from the crash in oil prices and the devaluation of the local currency is causing stagnation, depression and poverty.

“Today, over a billion people go to bed hungry every night. Over 2.5 billion lack access to basic sanitation or to water,” he said.

Nsarkoh pointed out that the world is cracking from the pangs

Skye Bank plans N50b new equity issue

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KYE Bank could raise as much as N50 billion in a supplemen tary equity issue scheduled for the market within the next six months. This will further enhance the funding diversity of the bank’s balance sheet after it successfully launched a N100 billion commercial paper issuance programme last week.

Skye Bank plans to undertake the supplementary new equity issue between the second and third quarter, though it has not decided on the key details of the offer including the actual size and the offering public.

Its Group Managing Director, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, who confirmed the plan to raise additional equity funds, said the bank is still studying proposals on the new issue submitted by various issuing houses.

According to him, the bank is certainly going to raise additional equity fund and the actual amount

could be within a maximum of N50 billion.

He said clearer picture of the new equity issue would come after the bank’s annual general meeting noting that the bank will make the announcement for the new issue at the appropriate time.

The lender at the weekend closed the book building process for its bid to raise some N20 billion in the first tranche of its N100 billion, about $500 million, domestic commercial paper issuance programme.

Under the terms of the issuance, the commercial papers carry a tenor of 90 days with an indicative yield of between 75 to 100 basis points above the 91-day Nigerian Treasury Bill (NTB). The commercial papers will be quoted on the FMDQ OTC Plc, the over-the-counter market for money market instruments. Minimum subscription is N5 million with subsequent addition in multiples of N1, 000.

Oguntayo, said with the launch of the first series, the bank plans to raise the N100 billion within a period of 12 months, although its funding need will determine whether it will raise the entire or part of the full amount under the programme.

He noted that while the bank’s liquidity position is well ahead of regulatory requirement, the bank is issuing the commercial papers to support its liquidity as it continues to expand its transactions and opportunities to customers.

He added that the bank also opted for the commercial papers as part of its trail-blazing efforts to deepen innovation and products in the Nigerian financial markets, noting that the bank was also the first to float and list a real estate investment trust (Reit) on the Nigerian stock market. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and FMDQ recently introduced commercial paper issuance progamme. It is the first bank to issue under the dispensation.

of poverty and inequality, with the top 85 richest people in the world today having the same wealth as the bottom three and half billion.

“A billion people go to bed hungry, while the rest waste 30 to 40 per cent of their food,” he lamented.

He said this, perhaps, explained why capitalism is being questioned. “Capitalism may have generated a lot of wealth and delivered many benefits, but there is an increasing sense that too many people are being left behind. This situation is bad for the individual, bad for society, and bad for business,” he noted.

Nsarkoh pointed out that businesses could only thrive in societies and economies-in the long runwhere there is absence of poverty and crisis.

He said: “How we choose to act

or react today in response to the broken system is the most critical question the world has ever faced.”

Nsarkoh, however, said since business has a role to play in the response to the broken system, business needs to step up especially in an environment such as Nigeria’s.

“Business should be more than a mere bystander in the very system that gives it life. Businesses are affected, directly or indirectly by the well-being of society,” he said.

Noting, for instance, that climate change impacts on food supply, drives poverty, and creates political instability, he said Nigeria is key to the African continent on the rise.

He, however, said Nigeria’s super star status within the African context brings along with it responsibilities.

Dangote Cement $300m Senegal plant targets 70% export

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ANGOTE Cement Indus tries has commenced pro duction in its $300 million integrated plant in Senegal, located 65 kilometres outside the capital, Dakar.

The Country Head of the company, Luk Haelterman said though the company came into a saturated market with the lowest price in the continent of about N1,100, its marketing edge has been its superior quality.

He said while the two initial manufacturers are producing 32.5 which is a lower quality, the company introduced a higher quality that allows for quicker drying for construction professionals and greater income for the same price.

He said the modern factory affords huge employment opportunities for the 14 million population with emphasis on sustainability.

Chief Operating Officer, Athanasios Bampos, said the company has a 4,000-Metric tonnes daily and two million production capacity yearly, including and online stack monitoring with limestone deposit that can last for 150 years.

He further said they also have captive electricity that produces 30mega watts of electricity through the exploitation of coal, the first in the country.

He said: “Our edge is the technology we have brought to bear in cement production and the wealth we

From Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie in Senegal

are crest across the board for the people and government.”

Sales and Marketing Director, Mr Serigne Dieng, said the firm is already exporting 70 per cent of the product to neigbouring countries of Mali, Gambia, Mauritania, Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau. According to him there is no significant competition as they have the captive market.

Director Mines and Geology, Mr. Ousmane Cisse while commending Dangote Cement Industry said the $300million factory remains the biggest investment in his country in the last 15 years.

He said it had changed the economy of his country especially with the quality and content of the economy. According to him the issue if environmental sustainability, good business practice and compliance with regulatory issues is key and he announced that the company had meet all requirements. He added that his government had responded by offering tax holiday and other incentives to the company.

Nigerian Ambassador to Senegal, Mrs Katyen Jackden, commended the management of Dangote Cement Industry for its pan Africanism and the host government for their support to the firm.

NBCC grows income by 54.99% • From left: Managing Director/CEO Wema Bank Plc, Segun Oloketuyi presenting a commemorative plaque to Principal, Government (Junior) Secondary School, Moraba, Ilorin, Kwara State, Alhaji Muhideen Duro during the Child and Youth Financial Literacy Day celebrations. With them is the bank’s Divisional Head, Brand & Service Quality Management, Akinlolu Ayileka.

‘Why Rebranding Nigeria project failed’

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IONEER secretary and former Chief Executive Officer, Rebranding Nigeria, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, has identified paucity of funds as the major reason for the failure of the project.

The project was anchored on attitudinal change, re-orientation, revival of our beautiful old cultural values and instilling a renewed spirit of patriotism and hope in all Nigerians against negative perception.

As the secretary of the committee, he said the government was in a better position to account for the failure of the project.

“Even though my letter of appointment was silent on tenure, I think the government is in a better position to answer the question. I was the Secretary of the Ad hoc committee and was later appointed the CEO. Finance was a key issue,”

Adedeji Ademigbuji

he said.

On the relevance of the project, Akinwunmi said most Nigerians misunderstood the concept of the rebranding effort, interpreting it to mean advertisement because of its rebranding nomenclature just as some of those past interventions which include Ethical Revolution, Green Revolution, War Against Indiscipline (WAI), and most recently, Heart of Africa.

“Unfortunately, many Nigerians believed it was all about advertisement because of the ‘Rebranding’ nomenclature; they simply imagined it was the same as the previous similar projects. But ours was different; it was more of a social mobilisation programme.

“We found out from the ad hoc level that if we did not put in place

a programme that would change the way Nigerians think, then all the money spent on advertising locally and abroad would amount to a waste. We agreed on a social mobilisation programme that would even affect and influence teachings from our primary schools etc. It was a great programme. And it was structured to run over a long span, not some six months campaign. Is it still relevant? Of course, it will always be, for as long as we need to go through a social reengineering programme,” he noted.

The former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, traced the failure of efforts at rebranding Nigeria to value deficit and the inability of successive administrations to articulate a strategic national vision and calibrate institutional realities to match the vision.

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IGERIAN-BRITISH Cham ber of Commerce (NBCC) has released its annual report and financial account for the year 2013, with 54.99 per cent income increase over the previous year.

The financial position of the Chamber witnessed positive revenue growth from N15 million In 2012 to N24.5million In 2013. Expenditures also increased from N15.3million to N26million within the two accounting years with the deficit balance of N1.5million which was attributed to developmental project embarked on by the Chamber.

Speaking at an extra-ordinary general meeting of the Chamber in Lagos, its President, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, said the improvement in 2013 account statement over the previous year was an indication that the Chamber was on the right path of serving as the true voice of business for Nigeria and Britain.

NBCC Treasurer, Mr. Uwamai Igein, while analysing the report said self-financing progremmes formed major activities of the Chamber, witnessing 270 per cent income generation in 2013. He advised the Training and Programmes Committee and the Fi-

nance and General Purpose Committee to evaluate the profitability of all self-financing programmes before implementation.

Adefulu also presented before the council an amended constitution of the Chamber which he said became necessary with new development in both domestic and international corporate governance practices and processes.

He said: “Your Chamber has become involved with the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) and its global network and initiatives. We are currently preparing for accreditation with the BCC which is a certification programme which will attest and verify the NBCC as offering membership and other services and standards comparable to similar chambers in other parts of the world. This is what has made it mandatory for the Constitution of the NBCC, embodied in its Memorandum and Articles of Association to be duly amended in order to comply with global practices.”

Its past president, Chief Michael Olawale-Cole, expressed satisfaction with the steady growth of the chamber from one administration to the other which he described as very impressive.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

28

BUSINESS NEWS Lagos distributes 20,000 gas stoves to residents

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• From left: Deputy Dean, Student Affairs, University of Lagos, Anthony Kayode Adebayo; President/Chairman, Coscharis Group, Cosmas Maduka and Relationship Manager, Sterling Bank Plc, Bridget Udemeh at the press conference of Members of the Society of Landscape Architecture Students of Nigeria supported by the bank in Lagos.

Foreign investment outflows rise, says NSE

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HE flow of foreign divestments com pared against investments has increased in recent period as edgy foreign investors appeared to ignore the significant undervaluation of Nigerian equities and the new earnings season to sustain negative foreign portfolio investment trend.

The latest Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) report of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) indicated that there was “significant increase in foreign portfolio investment outflow”. The report showed that nearly three-quarters of the transactions on the Nigerian stock market were done by foreign investors during the period, highlighting the dominant negative trend orchestrated by the foreign divestments.

The report, obtained at the weekend, showed that foreign portfolio investment outlook has so far this year been negative, with year-todate deficit of more than N32 billion. The latest available data were transactions in February 2015.

According to the NSE, foreign outflows totalled N81.60 billion last month as against inflow of N52.35 bil-

By Taofik Salako

lion, indicating a significant increase on the downtrend that started the year when foreign portfolio outflow was N51.08 billion against inflow of N48.03 billion.

Year-to-date, total foreign inflow stood at N100.38 billion compared with outflow of N132.68 billion, representing net deficit of N32.3 billion. The report underlined concerns that foreign investors were downsizing their portfolios. Nigeria recorded negative net foreign portfolio position of N154.14 billion in 2014 as against a positive net position of a modest N20.48 billion in 2013.

The latest report also showed continued dominance of the foreign investors in the Nigerian market with foreign transactions accounting for 72.61 per cent of total transactions in February compared with 27.39 per cent contributed by domestic investors. Foreign investors had contributed 52.24 per cent while Nigerian investors accounted for 47.76 per cent in January.

Altogether the proportion of foreign transactions to domestic transactions so far

this year stood at 62.28 per cent and 37.72 per cent respectively.

The NSE report is generally regarded as a credible gauge of foreign portfolio investments in Nigeria as it coordinates data from nearly all active investment bankers and stockbrokers. Nigeria presently operates a mono stock exchange, which makes the NSE the sole gateway to the nation’s stock market and the NSE’s benchmark indices, the country indices for Nigeria.

The NSE report used two key indicators-inflow and outflow, to gauge foreign investors’ mood and participation in the stock market as a barometer for the economy. Foreign portfolio investment outflow includes sales transactions or liquidation of equity portfolio investments through the stock market while inflow includes purchase transactions on the NSE. Amid concerns that increased foreign divestments and resultant pressure on the national currency, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently reassured that it would not impose any restriction on the current finan-

cial market’s regime of “free entry, free exit”.

But the CBN said in spite of the pressure, the apex bank would not resort to imposition of capital control, which last vestiges were removed in 2009.

Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said capital control is not an option in the bank’s fiscal and monetary management.

According to him, Nigeria wants to maintain its current status of a “free entry, free exit” market, where foreign investors will not be impeded in their legitimate decisions to invest their funds in the country and also to take profits, repatriate their dividends and capital gains or outright divestment.

The 12-month foreign portfolio investment report for 2014 had shown that foreign portfolio outflow was N846.53 billion as against inflow of N692.39 billion in 2014, representing a net deficit of N154.14 billion. In 2013, total foreign inflow stood at N531.26 trillion compared with outflow of N510.78 trillion, leaving a positive balance of N20.48 billion.

Southeast urges Jonathan to okay Enugu FTZ

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ROFESSIONAL and po litical leaders of the Southeast zone have appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to approve the implementation of the first free trade zone (FTZ) in the Southeast to industrialisation of the area.

Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime, President of the Southeast and Southsouth Professionals, Mr. Emeka Ugwuoji, and business partners promoting the facility called for the final approval of the free zone.

Governor Chime decried the delay in approval of the free zone, saying it is long over-due given the fact that other geopolitical zones in the country already have such facilities. He stated that Southeast is the only zone in the country without such facility noting that out of the 35 free trade zones in the country, none was cited in the Southeast, which is not fair.

The governor, who was

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Jude Akubuilo at the 26th Enugu International Trade Fair, said Jonathan had approved in principle, the establishment of the facility for the people in the zone, and urged him to give effect to the oral approval.

He said the state government was waiting for the Federal Government to officially communicate it on the approval of the facility meant to be located at an area between Enugu and Anambra states.

“We want to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for this wonderful infrastructure and for his kind approval for the take-off of the Enugu Free Trade Zone. We plead that, as a matter of urgency, his formal approval be communicated to us so that the Southeast will have the first of such facility,” he said.

Ugwuoji also called on the President to formally approve the facility to leverage investments that have been mobilised for the Eastern region of the country. He stated that the Enugu Free Trade Zone was critical to a 30 year development plan drawn by the group for the Southeast and Southsouth areas of the country, adding that the delay in establishment of the facility was hindering investments in the area.

According to him, the Enugu Power and Energy Free Trade Zone (ENPOWER FTZ) has passed all establishment approval criteria set by the Federal Government and should be approved without further delay. Ugwuoji estimated that the industries and business establishments to be hosted in the free trade zone would provide enormous employment opportunities for the region’s large pool of skills.

Hamex Engineering of In-

dia and Enpower Energy, operators of the Enugu FTZ, it was learnt, have signed an investment cooperation agreement that would see establishment of plants in the facility.

The Chairman, Hamex Engineering, Mr. Saxena Nagendra, noted that industrial activities in the ENPOWER FTZ would boost the fortune of the country’s power sector, ensuring steady and stable power supply in the near future.

President, Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazuruike, said that Jonathan’s promise was sincere and in the best interest of the people.

He called on the Minister of Trade and Investments, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, to expedite action on establishing the tax haven, which according to him, aligns with the Transformation Agenda of the government in creating wealth across all spectrum of the society.

HE Lagos State Gov ernment has distrib uted over 20,000 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders to residents across the 57 local governments and local council development authorities (LGs/LCDAs) in the state1 to promote the use of cooking gas and reduce hazards associated with the use of firewood and kerosene.

The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Taofeek Tijani spoke at the free distribution and sensitisation/public awareness programme in Agidingbi, Lagos.

He said the event would enable the majority of the residents of the local government areas come to terms with the immense benefits in the use of gas thereby preventing hazards faced by residents while using firewood, charcoal and kerosene.

Tijani noted that the distribution of free 3kg gas cylinders to residents of the State was a poverty alleviating scheme as about 20,000 gas cylinders has so far been distributed to residents without being partial to political party affiliations.

He said that the initiative of Lagos State Government has gone beyond just distributing LPG cylinders freely but also the celebration of healthy, cleaner environment and wealth creation as well as mitigating against the effect of climate change in the State.

He noted that so many countries in Africa such as Ghana, Togo, among others, have embraced the use of cooking gas hence Nigeria with the largest reserve of the product in the sub-region should not be left behind.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mrs. Regina

Iyabo Obasa, also said that the state government is determined to ensure that Lagos homes imbibe the use of LPG because of its advantages.

She said that the state government introduced Eko Gas Scheme as a domestic fuel of choice for Lagosians in order to reduce carbon emissions from the use of firewood and kerosene and because of its inherent advantages, such as being cleaner, healthier, safe, more efficient and convenient to use for cooking.

She said: “Certain health problems like conjunctivitis, bronchitis and even heart diseases are on the increase and it is being suspected that the use of kerosene, fire wood and charcoal are likely causes of some of these diseases because of the fumes inhaled when used for cooking. It is In the light of these that the state government as part of its public education programme started sensitising and distributing free Eko Gas stove cylinders to Lagosians.”

In her goodwill message, the wife of the Governor and Special Guest of Honour at the event, Mrs. Emmanuella Fashola lauded the Eko Gas initiative because of its numerous advantages and enjoined lagosians to imbibe the use of gas in homes for cleaner and healthier environment.

She thanked the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) LPG Group for partnering the state government.

The representative of the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Nike Akande, enjoined Lagosians to embrace the use of a cleaner fuel for cooking.

She said that LPG is the cleanest and most efficient fuel.

World Bank launches initiative to promote solar power

T

HE Word Bank Group has launched the ‘Scal ing Solar’ initiative to help create a viable market for solar power projects in Africa and increase supply of energy for millions across the continent.

In a statement by Ejura Audu, Africa Communications, International Finance Corporation (IFC) Nigeria, an arm of the World Bank, said the World Bank Group, announced the launch of Scaling Solar at the Powering Africa Summit in Washington DC, a gathering of African ministries, utility companies and the international power community to discuss progress and initiatives to increase access to energy across Africa.

Scaling Solar aims to create a viable market for private solar power projects in Africa that will help governments increase the supply of energy for millions of residential and commercial consumers across the continent.

Scaling Solar reduces the development time and uncertainty for bidders and investors, while lowering tariffs for utilities, which ultimately benefits consumers.

“The World Bank Group is committed to promoting sustainable universal access to modern energy in Africa,

and Scaling Solar is a key step towards attaining this goal,” said Jean Philippe Prosper, IFC Vice President for Global Client Services.

“By quickly delivering affordable electricity to previously unreached populations, significant progress can be made on other development goals,” he added.

Africa has some of the world’s most abundant solar resources, yet more than a third of the population lives without electricity. Investors developing private solar projects in Africa are often deterred by a variety of obstacles, including the unique features and structures of the different markets, high transaction costs, heavily negotiated agreements, and high perceived risk and cost of capital. As a result, the region continues to struggle with slow, relatively expensive and ineffective solar development, which impedes access to electricity, the World Bank Group said.

The World Bank said that large-scale photovoltaic solar power can be quickly and economically developed to increase the supply of electricity to national grids and improve the reliability of power services for households and businesses.

29

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

ISSUES A proposal to raise the minimum capital base for domestic airlines to N5 billion is generating discontent in the aviation industry. Stakeholders claim that the proposed recapitalisation may be a ploy by the government to force some domestic carriers to merge. They see it as a veiled attempt by the government to ‘interfere’ in the sector. Aviation Correspondent KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR writes.

•The Nigeria Stock Exchange trading floor.

Uproar over airlines’ recapitalisation, merger

S

PECULATIONS of a possible merger of some domestic carriers have refused to abate. Rather, they are gaining momentum in the aviation sector.

There is discontent among domestic airline operators, Aviation ministry officials and industry experts over the propriety or otherwise of the move.

Some experts and operators describe the proposed merger as perhaps the best thing to happen to the sector where the attrition rate of airlines is high; others are suspicious that the plan may have been subtly packaged under the guise of domestic carriers' recapitalisation. In other words, the recapitalisation plan is seen as a ploy to force domestic carriers to merge.

Such suspicion, The Nation learnt, started last month when a committee set up by Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka, recom-

mended a N5 billion capital base for domestic carriers. Earlier in April 2007, after the spate of air crashes in 2005/2006, the Federal Government raised the capital base for airlines on domestic routes to N500 million, while regional operators were required to recapitalise to N1 billion.

Those on international routes were required

to recapitalise with N2 billion. But, the committee headed by Mr. Ahonsi Uniugbe, said the N2 billion initially set as capital base for domestic carriers is insufficient, given the high cost of running airline.

The Unuigbe-led committee, therefore, recommended that domestic airlines should recapitalise, noting that the current minimum

‘

Nigerian carriers have experienced dismal performance due to gaps in the system, which have hampered growth.

These gaps include: underfinanced domestic airlines, underutilised BASA (bilateral Air Service Agreements), poor incentives for private sector participation and weak corporate governance in the industry.

’

capital base for airlines, which is pegged at between N500 million and N2 billion is insufficient to maintain a single aircraft. "The minimum capitalisation requirement for domestic airlines is only N500 million, which at today's exchange rate, barely covers the cost of effectively operating and maintaining one aircraft and, therefore, does not ensure a fleet size that allows for economies of scale," the Committee said.

But some experts and operators would have none of that. They are kicking that the recapitalisation proposal is a ploy to force airlines to merge. Their suspicion may have been based on recent call by the Secretary General of African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Dr Elijah Chingosho, for the coming together of African carriers.

• Continued on page 30

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

30

ISSUES •Continued from page 29

He said in Lagos that attempts by airlines to do it all alone, is not feasible. He said there have too many failed airlines, urging the government to put in place an appropriate policy instrument to encourage airlines' merger and consolidation.

The AFRAA scribe pointed out that consolidation is critical to the airline sub-sector, warning that doing otherwise means the airlines would continue to close shop in droves. He observed that indigenous carriers failed in the past due to lack of consolidation, stressing that the era of small airlines operating in the continent was over.

The planned merger appears to enjoy the support of the Managing Director of Medview Airlines, Alhaji Muneer Bankole. He said the merging of domestic airlines or going into interline agreement was good for the industry.

According to him, cooperation among carriers is the only way to make air transport seamless and cost effective. He said if airlines cooperate, it would make air travel less cumbersome, adding it was time carriers embraced global practices.

The Medview boss said the rationale for interline pact might not be unconnected with lack of cooperation and other operational factors that led to the collapse of over 10 airlines in the country.

The implementation of the agreement, he said, would give airlines the leverage to tap from the benefits of economies of scale, which in turn would reduce cost for the operators.

He cited a situation where Medview Airlines had some operational challenges with one of its aircraft, and had to transfer its passengers to another airline under an arrangement between the two carriers.

"If the cooperation and understanding does not exist between Medview Airlines and Aero, how possible would it be to help fly passengers who could not be air lifted due to operational challenges," he asked, noting that Medview Airlines' counsel is that more airlines should come together and forge cooperation, adding that this is good for the survival of the business.

President, Sabre Travel Network, Mr. Gbenga Olowo, agrees. He warned that Nigerian and African airlines might face serious trouble if they do not embrace merger and consolidation soon. Noting that efforts to ensure merger and consolidation among the continent's carriers failed in the past, he, however, emphasised that merger or consolidation could not be achieved by government coercion.

Olowo lamented the precarious situation of indigenous airlines, saying that there were less than 70 aircraft in the fleet of the carriers in the country, whereas an airline like South African Airways has over 67 aircraft in its fleet.

He said: "Nigerian airlines are at the bottom level of success. The airlines that we have in operation are in the lowest rung of the ladder in terms of revenue, service delivery and good business model."

Managing Director, Overland Company, Capt. Edward Boyo, said indigenous airlines would remain behind in global aviation industry unless they cooperate. He observed that in the past 10 years, no fewer than 10 Nigerian airlines have closed shop, leaving only seven.

Boyo said: "Mergers enable growth, increase the market shares, increase values of customers, increase credit worthiness for the airline and enhances market perception of the airlines. However, merger cannot be done by government coercion. It has to be marriage of willing parties and there should be trust."

He observed that one of the problems of mergers in the sector is lack of trust among the players. "Merger is a voluntary amalgamation of two firms on a roughly equal term into one new legal entity. On the local scene, mergers, consolidation, cooperation and synergies are yet to be realised," he explained, adding that the question remains how these conditions can be met within the local and regional operating environment.

Aviation finance expert, Mr Nick Fadugba, supports merging of airlines because of its benefits to them. He said: "I would like to see airlines in Nigeria enter into mutually beneficial partnerships and joint ventures with each other which would enable them to become more efficient and profitable. In fact, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) should be championing this cause. All the airlines in Nigeria are owned by shrewd business people who, in addition to wishing to provide safe and efficient air services, also wish to make a decent return on their significant investment.

The aviation expert said combining forces could help achieve these two objectives.

•Chidoka

•Maggison

•Onyema

Uproar over airlines’ recapitalisation, merger "I would like the airline owners, at least, those that are willing, to sit in a room, lock the door, and ask themselves: 'How can we work together?’ " he said, adding that if two or more Nigerian airlines joined forces, they would have a larger fleet size and other resources.

Fadugba also said though Nigeria’s airline industry can be bouyant, many of the players are too small, weak and undercapitalised to take advantage of the market opportunities. "I believe our airlines need to achieve a critical mass to benefit from economies of scale. I believe Nigerian airlines should come together and work together for the common good, no matter how difficult this may seem in the early stages," he said.

He noted, however, that indigenous airlines’ owners said it would be difficult for them to work together, in view of their ownership and philosophies, adding that they are competitors. He said several airlines operate the same aircraft and engines, meaning that by forming aircraft spare parts and engine pools, they could achieve significant savings as well as greater operational efficiency.

Fadugba said the same approach could be applied to in-flight catering to reduce costs through joint purchasing. He, however, said each airline would have to ensure that it met its payment obligations promptly, otherwise such schemes would fail. Through such cost-saving arrangements, he believes that the airlines could maintain their individual identities in a partnership.

The airlines, Fadugba said, could also work together when it comes to negotiating with aircraft and engine leasing companies as airlines planning to acquire similar equipment could work together to obtain better pricing. With two or three airlines negotiating together for a larger pool of aircraft they are likely to obtain a better lease rate than one airline negotiating on its own for one or two aircraft.

Despite the obvious benefits of the proposed merger, not many players are impresed. They argue that they are mere subterfuge to force airlines to recapitalise.

The Executive Chairman, AON, Captain Nogie Meggison, said the government should rather raise the bar through regulatory policy instrument instead of forcing carriers to merge. He said recapitalisation would not succeed in aviation as it did in banking because they are different industries.

Meggison argued: "From my own point of view, aviation is not banking. Most of those who label themselves aviation experts at times have very myopic views about aviation. Since they are not inside, they don't really have a clear view. It is like telling me to go and umpire a rugby match when I don't really know the regulations. So, when you look at it; you do so from a finance point of view or from the

‘

point of view of a concerned interest in aviation.

"Merger is a different issue. They are all private companies most of the time it is not public companies using public funds, so you can't tell Mr A selling Roast Plantain, that if he wants to sell he must join Mr. B. My feasibility study is different from the other person's feasibility study."

Captain Meggison said the best thing to do is to raise the standard. For, he said, "You can't tell two people who are taking funds from two different sources and have two different projects to join their businesses. There are tricks. Some people come in with different policies and different agenda. Some came in as low cost; some came in as classic, some as charterers, while some as cargo. So, you can't just place a blanket on all of them and ask them to merge. It doesn't work and you will just end up with zero."

Chairman, Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema, also thinks that the proposal is an inappropriate measure in addressing the challenges of airlines. He said recapitalisation by airlines is not sufficient evidence that the carriers are in sound financial health.

According to him, pegging a fixed amount for any airline is insufficient evidence that the carrier has the technical wherewithal to operate safe flights.

His words: "I am in support of any policy by the government that would make the aviation sector stable. I have not heard anybody in the government talking about recapitalisation of airlines. But we are hearing rumours that they are proposing about N5 billion recapitalisation for domestic airlines. It is strange to me that figures are being thrown about. The airline sector is not like the banking sector. It is strange to hear this in Nigeria; it is unusual in other parts of the world to propose this."

He emphasised that airlines are not banks that had to recapitalise because they need to give out loans daily. He noted that banks need more money as back-ups to give out, adding that the same model cannot be applied to airlines. "Banks need solid financial base because they daily have to give money to people to trade with. Airlines do not trade with money, so the whole idea of requesting them to have a N5billion recapitalisation base is not ideal," Onyema argued.

The Air Peace Chairman said that when the government is proposing recapitalisation in aviation, the model for the banking sector could not be applied to aviation. "What I think the government should do is to put in place policies that would assist airlines to source cheaper access to funds, ease the problem of aviation fuel by reducing the taxes. The new airlines should be given four years tax holiday," he suggested, adding that

Mergers enable growth, increase the market shares, increase values of customers, increase credit worthiness for the airline and enhances market perception of the airlines. However, merger cannot be done by government coercion. It has to be marriage of willing parties and there should be trust

’

there are no mega profits in airline business.

Onyema said what should be paramount is to ensure that airlines are categorised to operate according to the number of aircraft they have. For instance, airlines, he said, should be restricted to operate limited routes according to the number of aircraft in their fleet. "To me, this is the best form of recapitalisation. Airlines' operations should be restricted to the number of aircrafts they have, not to set N5billion by the side," he said.

He warned that if the government's plan is to forge mergers in the industry, the proposal will not materialise, as mergers are not forced. He called for the creation of a conducive environment that would encourage collaboration among the carriers. He said the partnership among airlines is the way to go, as against the proposed recapitalisation.

Onyema also said that Air Peace is not favourably disposed to merging with other operators, but could enter into operational agreement for use of aircraft under a code share arrangement.

"I do not think I am interested in merging with another airline. But I will be happy to work with airlines that have same business model like AZMAN Air to consolidate our northern operations. Airlines should be free to partner one another if the business understanding is there," he said.

Similarly, Director, Zenith Travels, Olumide Ohunayo, argued that the planned recapitalisation is not a solution to the challenges facing local operators. He said instead of embarking on another round of recapitalisation, the Federal Government through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) should strengthen its regulatory functions on the issuance of Air Operator's Certificates (AOCs) to local carriers.

Executive Director, Centre for Aviation Research and Safety, Sheri Kyari, condemned the proposed recapitalisation. He said it would lead to the death of some of the airlines that are struggling to survive due to several challenges confronting them.

According to Aircraft Engineer, this is not the time to recapitalise. To him, the recapitalisation may be a ploy by the authorities to force domestic airlines to merge.

But what is the government's position on the issue? According to Chidoka, the government is worried over the high failure rate of domestic carriers. He noted that efforts were underway to design stimulus package and incentives that would get the troubled carriers out of the woods. Nigerian carriers, the Minister said, are grappling with a litany of woes.

Hear him: "Nigerian carriers have experienced dismal performance due to gaps in the system, which have hampered growth. These gaps include: underfinanced domestic airlines, underutilised BASA (bilateral Air Service Agreements), poor incentives for private sector participation and weak corporate governance in the industry." He said government is worried hence the need to reverse the trend.

Chidoka said the government has designed a stimulus plan to assist domestic airlines, as other countries have done. He said the plan "would involve a package of financial incentives that will provide support across the aviation value chain." What this means is that the government has not thrown its weight behind the proposed merger. It has not ruled out the option either.

So far, the Ministry has yet to make any pronouncement on recapitalisation. But when it does, it would be opposed by operators.

31

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

MONEYLINK

C

USTOMERS will not pay for the Bank Verification Number (BVN) cards to be issued to them after the ongoing registration, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), Mr. Ade Shonubi, has said.

He said the BVN initiative is aimed at protecting bank customers and strengthening banking. It is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers’ Committee to save customers’ funds, avoid losses

BVN cards are free, says NIBSS Stories by Collins Nweze

through compromise of personal identification numbers and other criminalities in the industry, he added.

The NIBSS boss, who is in charge of the implementation of the BVN, said: “We are giving the BVN cards out for free. The cost is borne by the Bankers’ Committee, which considers the whole biometric project very important.

Shonubi also assured that banks would soon commence the distribution of the BVN cards, adding that the cards were ready and awaiting collection by customers.

“I have got my BVN card.

I would encourage banks’ customers to talk to their banks as well. They have been printing them and sending them to the banks to distribute to the branches where you have enrolled, you would be

They have been bearing the cost; the cost of the cards, cost of almost everything else that has to do with the BVN.” Shonubi also stated that the number of bank customers that have so far obtained their BVN had been quite encouraging. He, therefore, expressed optimism that going by the current high rate of customers’ compliance, banks will achieve their target of customer registration.

sent an SMS. For those that have given email address, it would be sent to their emails,” he explained.

To encourage enrolment on the BVN, the CBN directed banks to honour transactions over N100 million from customers with BVN from March 2015. Such transactions, according to the apex bank, include but not limited to, money transfers, loans, and contingencies, among others.

Oguntayo backs entrepreneurship development

G

ROUP Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, has restated the lender’s commitment to building a virile and mutually beneficial partnership with its customers.

This, he said, would be sustained despite the industry’s challenging operating envi-

ronment.

Oguntayo made this known at the weekend in Lagos, at the lender’s business roundtable which focused on distributive trade that brought together leading players in that sector.

He said the forum was organised as a platform – to enable the bank know and understand the aspirations of

the businessmen and receive feedback from them, said the meeting would also help the bank fashion solutions to the challenges faced by the businessmen.

He told the businessmen and enterprise owners that the bank would remain committed to its core values of service excellence, integrity, continuous learning, partnership and trust,

noting that the bank remained committed to its vision of being a leading and first class commercial bank in the country.

The Skye Bank chief listed some of the initiatives implemented by the bank in recent times to serve customers better which included the launch of a customer service charter; its information technology

transformation upgrade and the recent acquisition of Mainstreet Bank Limited, among others.

Director- General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Muda Lawal, lauded the bank for developing and improving the capacity of its customers through seminars and workshops, and urged it to continue to do more.

FirstBank is ‘Best retail bank’

F

IRST Bank of Nigeria Limited has been named The Best Retail Bank in Nigeria for the fourth consecutive time.

It received the award at the just concluded Asian Banker International Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards in Singapore.

Organised yearly by the Asian Banker magazine, the award is renowned for its rigorous and transparent pro-

cess in selecting outstanding financial institutions in retail banking.

According to the Asian Banker, FirstBank has continued to dominate the retail space with over 40 per cent of the market share in retail customer deposits.

With increased customer and deposit base last year, FirstBank remains the largest retail lender in the country with more than 20 per cent market share in gross

loans. The bank also saw a 17 per cent cost-to-income ratio, earning a profit of $752,770 in 2014 with total assets amounting to $7.8 billion.

FirstBank’s spokesperson and Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Mrs. Folake AniMumuney, said the award was an indication of the effectiveness of the bank’s various transformation programmes which are aimed at raising the bar in

developing and delivering unique retail financial products to all levels of customers.

She said the lender has a robust retail banking strategy that enables it to review its retail products and processes to ensure that the needs and lifestyles of customers are met.

“We are delighted that this award and indeed our recent ranking as the Most Valuable Bank Brand in Nigeria is an indication of the recognition of our modest achievements in recent time”, she said.

•FirstBank CEO, Bisi Onasanya

Elumelu Foundation picks 1,000 entrepreneurs

T

HE Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has announced the selection of the first 1,000 African entrepreneurs for the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP).

The winners will benefit from the TEEP’s $100 million initiative.

The fund is meant to discover and support 10,000 African entrepreneurs over the next decade, with a target of creating one million new jobs and $10 billion in additional revenues.

TEEP Founder, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, said: “The selection of these 1, 000 entrepreneurs brings us closer to our ultimate goal - to drive Africa’s economic and social transformation from within and to radically intensify job creation in Africa.

“Though I have never met or spoken to any of the winners, I am confident that due to the rigorous criteria and selection process, these entrepreneurs are Africa’s hope for the future. I will continue to invest my experience, time, influence, and resources to see them succeed. I am embarking on this journey with these entrepreneurs hopeful and inspired.”

The winners represent 52 African countries and territories, as well as a multitude of value adding sectors ranging from agriculture to education to fashion and ICT.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

128.26 36.584.31 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,771.89 1,123.04 114.80 121.16 1. 2015 1. 3212 0.7336 1.1380

127.80 36.584.31 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,771.89 1,122.25 114.19 120.30 1.1950 1.3212 0.7123 1.1380

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

TOTAL

144.00

158.74

-10.24

CHAMPION

5.80

6.39

-10.17

ETERNA

2.59

2.84

-9.65

FIDSON

3.01

224.89

-9.30

211.00

24.36

-6.58

23.20

5.04

-5.00

GUARANTY NAHCO

4.80

39.35

-5.00

UNILEVER

37.48

33.91

-4.99

CONOIL

32.30

10.16

-4.98

LOSERS AS AT 25-03-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

UAC-PROP

9.63

9.17

-4.78

AIICO

0.90

0.87

-3.33

UBCAP

1.33

1.29

-3.01

FIDELITYBK UACN

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) February 23, 2015

Inflation: December

8%

Monetary Policy Rate

1.54

1.50

-2.60

32.60

32.05

-1.61

Interbank ($/N)

199.00

$1

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

$1

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$33.2b

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR) Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$60.91

Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 25-03-15

FO

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

Tenor 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

19 Feb

20 Feb

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

Nigerian Stock Market Indices NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

12-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 13-02-15

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

1M

15.033

15.977

3M

15.809

17.177

6M

16.493

17.908

Transaction Dates 03/02/2015 3/12/2014 1/12/2014

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 400m 350m

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m 399.97m 349.96m

Statistics All Share Index Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) Deals Volume (mn) Value (NGN’mn)

19 Feb 29,282.04 9,770.36 3,385 564,28 6,087.80

20 Feb 29,383.93 9,804.36 3,714 377,75 6,568.66

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

T-bills - 364

13.92

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

32

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 27-03-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 27-03-15

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

33

EQUITIES

Analysts laud UBA as earnings rise to N290b

U

NITED Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc outperformed analysts’ expectations as it released its audited report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2014, showing increase in gross earnings to N290.02 billion.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of UBA for the year ended December 31, 2014 showed that gross earnings rose from N264.69 billion in 2013 to N290.02 billion in 2014. Interest income had grown from N185.7 billion to N196.68 billion while net interest income increased from N103.23 billion to N106.13 billion.

Exotix Partners LLP, a global finance and investment firm with offices in major global financial centres and significant imprints in Africa, said UBA’s performance showed “positive underlying trends” and the “earnings better than expected”.

Exotix coordinates its global operations through five major offices in London, New York, Lagos, Dubai

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

and Nairobi. The Exotix report was signed off by Kato Mukuru and Ronak Ghadia, chartered financial analysts.

The audited report showed that the banking group substantially consolidated its African operations and enhanced productivity across the group, which helped to cushion impacts of industry-wide regulatory headwinds.

The bank’s total assets rose to N2.76 trillion in 2014 as against N2.64 trillion in 2013 while shareholders’ funds increased from N235.04 billion to N265.41 billion.

The bottom-line performance was however muted by midline costs.

Profit before tax stood at N56.2 billion in 2014 as against N56.06 billion in 2013. Profit after tax improved from N46.60 billion in 2013 to N47.91 billion. With this, earnings per share improved slightly from N1.52 in 2013 to N1.56 in 2014.

Customer deposits remained stable

at N2.17 trillion in 2014. Buoyed by this stability, UBA expanded its support for businesses on the continent by increasing its loan book by 14 per cent to N1.072 trillion in 2014.

Group Managing Director, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Mr. Phillips Oduoza said the bank remained focus on its assets quality and efficiency citing its low classified assets.

“We expanded our loan book without compromising our focus on asset quality. Notably, our non-performing loan ratio remains one of the best-in-class at 1.6 per cent, as we responsibly grew risk assets in line with our defined risk appetite and target markets,” Oduoza said.

According to him, the bank was also able to grow shareholders’ fund significantly by 13 per cent to N265 billion in 2014 from N235 billion in 2013, with a capital adequacy ratio above regulatory requirement.

He said the bank would leverage on its adequate capitalisation and li-

quidity to grow market share across target business lines.

He noted that the proposed cash dividend of 10 kobo per share reflects the balance between giving short term return to investors and the commitment to create sustainable long term value to all shareholders.

“In arriving at the proposed dividend, the board considered a number of factors including shareholders dividend expectation, capital requirements for growth opportunities, and increasing regulatory capital requirements under Basel II. The board decided in favor of relatively higher earnings retention to strengthen the capital base, in line with the strategic goal of increasing our share of the market across all our business segments. We remain committed to creating sustainable long term value to all shareholders,” Oduoza said.

Group chief financial officer, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Ugo Nwaghodoh expressed opti-

mism that the bank will continue to record a steady and sustained increase in its profitability by leveraging on low cost stable funds as well as rising opportunities in the bank’s target markets in Nigeria and across Africa.

“The performance of our African business was boosted by increased cross selling of our products and a number of other strategic initiatives. As we gain critical mass in the African market, we look forward to increased earnings in line with the diversification of our business across Africa,” Nwaghodoh said.

Analysts at Exotix noted that UBA’s strong volume growth innon oil sectors pointing out that while net loans grew by 14.3 per cent to N1.05 trillion in 2014, UBA’s growth was driven mainly by the manufacturing and non-oil sectors, as against noted trend among other Nigerian banks.

Analysts also cited strong net interest income growth as a positive factor in the report.

Shareholders praise Zenith Bank’s performance

S

• From left: Managing Director Unilever Nigeria Plc, Yaw Nsarkor, receiving an award from Chairman, Great Place Work Mr Ghandi Olaoye during the Great Place To Work Awards in Lagos.

Sterling Bank eyes $200m, grosses N104b in 2014

S

TERLING Bank Plc sustained its resilient performance last year as top-line and bottom-line earnings showed considerable growths with gross earnings rising by some 13 per cent to N103.7 billion.

In the same breadth, profit before tax rose by 15.4 per cent to N10.7 billion.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of the Bank for the year ended December 31, 2014 released yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed appreciable growths in all key performance indices, sustaining the strong performance outlook of the lender in spite of industry-wide headwinds.

Major highlights showed that net interest income leapt by 20.1 per cent to N43.0 billion in 2014 as against N35.8 billion recorded in 2013. This was driven mainly by 11.4 per cent growth in interest income to N77.9 billion, which far outweighed the 2.2 per cent increase in funding costs to N34.9 billion. This underlined the increasing cost efficiency of the lender as cost of funds had dropped from 6.1 per cent in 2013 to 5.3 percent in 2014.

Similarly, non-interest income grew by 18.3 per cent from N21.8 billion in 2013 to N25.7 billion in 2014. This was boosted by 82.2 per cent growth in net trading income to N6.8 billion.

The bank continued to strengthen its mid and bottom-line performances as its increasing focus on cost reduction, credit risks management and operating efficiency cushioned macro headwinds and retained values for shareholders. Net operating

income rode on the back of growth in net interest income and a 10.5 per cent reduction in impairment charges to N61.4 billion in 2014, an increase of 24.4 per cent on N49.3 billion recorded in 2013.

Meanwhile, operating expenses increased by 26.5 per cent to N50.6 billion in 2014 as against N40 billion in 2013. This was due mainly to on-going investments in branch refits and expansion and rollout of alternative channels as well as regulation-induced cost.

Consequently, profit before tax inched up by 15.4 per cent to N10.7 billion while profit after tax increased by 8.8 per cent to N9 billion. The net profit was impacted by 68.4 per cent increase in income tax expense.

The bank’s balance sheet also emerged stronger. Net loans and advances increased by 15.4 per cent to N371.2 billion in 2014 compared with N321.7 billion in 2013. Customer deposits rose by 15 per cent to N655.9 billion as against N570.5 billion while shareholders’ funds increased by 33.5 per cent from N63.5 billion to N84.7 billion. Total assets closed 2014 at N824.5 billion, representing an increase of 16.5 per cent on N707.8 billion recorded in 2013.

Managing Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Yemi Adeola, said the bank’s performance shows the strengths of its resilient growth model and its ability to continue to deliver value for all stakeholders.

According to him, last year was a difficult year in many respects for the

Nigerian banking industry as the multiple challenges arising from a weaker macroeconomic environment and the various regulatory responses to them put significant pressure on the margins of banks.

“Despite these pressures, we achieved double-digit earnings growth in line with our mediumterm strategic objectives. This performance underscores the commitment of the entire team to our corporate goals and the resilience of our business model,” Adeola said.

He noted that during the year, the Bank initiated the upgrade of its technology infrastructure and the re-engineering, centralisation and automation of processes to improve the customer experience while in recognition of the critical role that human capital plays in successfully driving strategy and its execution, it also continued to invest substantially in employee training, talent retention, and the creation of an environment that fosters continuous learning and development.

He assured that going forward, the bank would continue to deliver better values to all stakeholders given the steadiness of its strategic growth plan and its current strong balance sheet position.

Besides, the Sterling Bank boss said the lender would further strengthen its capital base by raising new funds to support its business expansion and enhance its ability to undertake largeticket transactions.

HAREHOLDERS of Zenith Bank have commended the board and management of the bank for the impressive performance of the bank and good dividend payment to shareholders.

Shareholders, who spoke at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, said the bank has sustained its growth in spite of tough operating environment.

Audited report and accounts of the bank for the year ended December 31, 2014 showed gross earnings of N403.34 billion in 2014, 14.8 per cent above N351.47 billion. Profit before tax rose by 8.3 per cent from N110.6 billion in 2013 to N119.8 billion in 2014. After taxes, net profit rose by 4.3 per cent to N99.46 billion in 2014 compared with N95.32 billion in 2013. Earnings per share thus stood at N3.16 in 2014 as against N3.01 in 2013.

Zenith Bank continued to show impressive credit risk management and loan efficiency as the proportion of non-performing loans to gross loans and advances dropped from 3.0 per cent in 2013 to 1.8 per cent in 2104.

Shareholders’ funds also increased by 8.5 per cent from N509.25 billion in 2013 to N552.64 billion in 2014.

Shareholders approved the gross dividend of N54.94 billion recommended by the board of directors, implying that shareholders would receive a dividend per share of N1.75.

President, Nigerian Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA), Chief Timothy Adesiyan lauded the management of the bank for the impressive performance and efficient running of the company in spite of the

harsh economic environment.

He noted that the bank put its cost and administrative expenses under control during the year under review while it has continued to operate in a transparent manner.

“All indices kept growing; we appreciate their strategy, especially in the areas of training and developing the workforce. We appreciate the performance indicators and overall result of the bank,” Adesiyan said.

National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, commended the bank’s management for abiding by strict corporate governance principles and sustaining its profitability.

He pointed out that with the 11 per cent growth in customer deposit to N2.54 trillion and reduction in the non performing loan of the bank; the future of the bank is secured.

He however advised the bank to look into its fines and penalties from the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

“Shareholders money will not be used to pay fines and penalties; they should hold the board and directors responsible. Let them pay the money or the stock would be suspended from trading on the Exchange and the board will be careful in running the affairs of the bank,” Nwosu said.

Meanwhile, analysts at Exotix have placed Zenith Bank on their buy recommendation, noting that the bank’s share price could rise to N29.

According to analysts, impressive performance of the bank in 2014 has led to strong increase in their forecasts for the current financial year.

PZ Cussons to combine two subsidiaries

P

Z Cussons Nigeria Plc is undertaking a major corporate restructuring aimed at streamlining its operations and curtailing costs.

Regulatory filing showed that the Board of Directors has resolved to embark on a corporate restructuring with a view to simplifying the company’s structure and operations.

The restructuring involves business combination of two of PZ Cussons Nigeria’s subsidiaries PZ Power and PZ Tower with the parent company. The business combination would be effected through a scheme of arrangement.

According to the conglomerate, the restructuring would lead to reduction in administrative costs while simultaneously improving operational efficiency.

However, the proposed merger will be subject to the receipt of

the appropriate approvals from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal High Court.

PZ Cussons Nigeria recently recommended distribution of N794.1 million to shareholders as interim dividends for the current year ending May 31, 2015. The dividend recommendation was part of the third quarter interim report and accounts of the conglomerate released yesterday.

According to the report, shareholders on the register of the company as at the close of business on March 31, 2015 will receive a dividend per share of 20 kobo, which will become payable on April 7, 2015.

Key extracts of the nine-month accounts for the period ended February 28, 2015 showed marginal growth in sales amidst notable decline in the bottom-line. While sales rose by 0.56 per cent, pre and post tax profits dropped by 22.85 per cent and 27.91 per cent.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

34

Taxation E-tax payment… Promoting transparency in Tax Payment System

E

LECTRONIC-TAXPAY is an online self-service tax payment system which

• A pop-up will appear with the TIN details.

If ok, then go to the next stage;

gives taxpayers the opportunity to pay

• Select the tax type (e.g. Company Income

their taxes through their banks’ online payment

Tax, Pre-Operation Levy, Value Added Tax,

portals. It is an initiative of FIRS in collabora-

etc.);

tion with Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS). It is meant to facilitate payments of taxes from the comfort of taxpayers’ offices or homes. Taxpayers can pay using the electronic channels provided by their banks such as the banks’ internet banking platform, branches and mobile banking platforms.

Conditions to be met by taxpayer before using e-Taxpay platform • Register and obtain your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

• Enter the amount to be debited (tax sum being paid); • Accept service charge for the bank (if applicable); • Confirm that all the information provided are correct and valid; • Submit the request.

After a successful transaction, the system will generate an ‘e-acknowledgement’ which can be printed online, or sent to a specified e-mail address. The ‘e-acknowledgement’ is a confirma-

• Have an account with any bank of your

tion of the transaction of payment of tax to FIRS

choice and subscribe to the internet banking

which would be presented to FIRS field office

function of your bank.

for the issuance of statutory FIRS receipt to the

• Have ufficient funds in the account to cover the tax liability/transaction.

taxpayer. A TAXPAYER SHOULD PLEASE ENSURE THE ‘e-acknowledgement’ IS SUBMITTED TO THE TAX OFFICE OF DOMI-

Steps to take to make payment through eTaxpay platform

• Acting Executive Chairman, FIRS, Samuel Ogungbesan

Documentation required when the taxpayer wants to pay tax:

CILE TO GET A GOVERNMENT TAX RECEIPT FOR THE PAYMENT MADE.

• Compute tax payable • Fill the relevant self-assessment forms

Having registered and received a TIN, an ac-

Real time notifications: The platform also no-

tive internet banking account and sufficient

tifies the taxpayer and FIRS through SMS alert

• Prepare the relevant schedules

funds, then;

and real time email. FIRS can view payment

• Make the payment (CIT/PAYE/WHT/

• Decide the channel to use;

transactions and reports online, in real time.

VAT).

• If you decide on internet banking channel, log on to your bank’s internet banking platform e.g.GTBank Online Banking, FirstOnline, etc;

Tax types that can be paid using the eTaxpay channel:

• Then select “NIBSS E-Bills payments” under the “Payment” option;

• Promotes transparency in tax payment system;

• In the case of GTBank Online Banking, select the “Payment” option in the menu;

Benefits of using e-Taxpay

e-Taxpay can be used to pay all tax types and levies collected by FIRS. They include: • Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT)

• Select the account to debit from, to continue;

• Education Tax (ET)

• Once inside the NIBSS E-Bills payments, se-

• Companies Income Tax (CIT)

• Boosts taxpayer confidence and trust in the tax system; • Promotes voluntary compliance by taxpayers; • Convenience, time and cost saving for the

lect “New Request” to start a new payment.

• Value Added Tax (VAT)

taxpayers as they can do it themselves within

This will take you to the NIBSS platform;

• Personal Income Tax (PAYE for residents of

the confine of their offices without going to the

• Then select “FIRS e-Taxpay” from the displayed list services that the NIBSS platform provides, in order to start the tax payment in particular; • You then enter your TIN (FIRS/JTB-TIN) or the TIN of the taxpayer you want to pay for; • Click “verify” to validate that the TIN belongs to the taxpayer making the payment;

FCT and non-Residents) • Withholding Tax (WHT). This requires a

banking hall.

• The platform is safe and secure.

schedule to be uploaded on the platform; • National Information Technology Development Fund Levy (NITDEF)

Security of the e-Taxpay Platform The e-Taxpay service is safe and secure. The

• Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

e-Taxpay platform leverages on the security

• Pre-Operation Levy (POL)

measures provided by the service channels of

• Stamp Duties (SD) and late filing penalty

the banks in addition to that of NIBSS and FIRS.

35

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS JOBS

• Pupils taking their meal.

For many families, it is no longer fashionable to hire househelps all because of the present economic reality. Families that can afford it now use private caterers whose stock is rising as they also tend to corporate organisations’ needs, writes OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE.

Catering and smiling to the bank Q

UARTERLY, the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) releases what many perceive as frightening unemployment figures. The figure keeps rising instead of going down. Those who have jobs are pressured, especially the women, who find it difficult to handle home chores along with their jobs.

For their cooking, they rely on private caterers who are instructed on what to do.

Many of these caterers do not operate

eateries or inns where they cook for the public who can afford it. They often operate from their homes or residences and it is only an insignificant number that have outlets where people eat.

It is not only private homes that patronise these caterers. Most private schools contract out this job to them, especially to supply lunch to pupils and students everyday to fill the responsibility of working mothers by feeding their children with balanced meal instead of junk food. Most of the mid-

dle class families are ready to pay for this service to keep their homes running and their children well fed. Besides, these caterers also supply offices lunch daily on private arrangement with the workers or the firm.

Also, some state governments are great patrons of these caterers for their school feeding programmes. Though some of these cooks specialise in cooking different dishes, both local and continental, others stick to the local brands. Usually, people start by

cooking for their families and friends at events and, subsequently, branch out.

Qualification This is one profession that the greatest qualification is innate ability and flair for cooking.But having a professional qualification or some kind of training may be an added advantage. Having a degree, or professional certificate, some •Continued on page 36

36

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

JOBS

Catering and smiling to the bank •Continued from page 35

operators say, helps in developing a range of transferable skills that one can bring to the job, which includes analytical ability, communication and presentation skills, goal-setting, leadership skills and time management which are all needed for success in the venture.

The Managing Director, Tasty Foods and Cakes, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Obineche, said she started out with cooking at her elder sister’s wedding to save costs for the family and soon discovered that people started asking for the caterer who cooked for the wedding. She said not too long after that, she started getting contracts to cook at birthdays, wedding ceremonies and others.

She said: “After doing about five jobs and with a staff of about 12, I decided to register a company. Now we don’t only cook local foods, we also cater for high profile schools by supplying the pupils lunch every day. We also take care of some offices too.

We supply them lunch, according to request. After about four years, we branched out into baking cakes, doughnuts and pastries. Today, the staff strength is over 40 while more than 15 serve as ad hoc staff when there is a big job to handle.”

According to her, she didn’t have a startup capital because people usually pay a higher percentage of the fee charged before the contract is executed.She said there is need for one to have good education to stay in the business.She noted that if one wants to play in the big league, good education and training are important.

She said some people have dieting challenges, which forbids them from eating certain kinds of food. Some do react to certain types of food, especially sea food because of health challenges. She noted that with proper training, a cook can advise clients on what to eat or how to mix or combine

• Bola Ayeni of Tantalizers PLC

• Charis Onabowale of Mama Cass

food for best result and also learn how to create tasty, varied and healthy diets.

She said, above all, a caterer needs to be neat, courteous and able to meet targets.

According to her, some clients can just call you in the morning and ask you to prepare meal for 20 people or cook a particular type of soup for them and store in their freezers.

If you fail to meet the target, you can as well be sure that you have lost that account and since this business is built on referrals,

if you disappoint one person, it can be very costly to the business.

On why people need to get professionals to manage their food and eating patterns, she said: “The more junk food you eat, the more likely you are to feel uncomfortable, nauseous, or drained of energy. Every change you make help to improve your diet matters. You don’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to completely eliminate foods you enjoy to have a healthy diet. The

‘The way to stay in the business is not to cut corners. You must ensure that your food is served fresh and well prepared. Take care to de-stone your rice and beans, making sure that your service hands are neat, well mannered and can be trusted. You cannot handle a party and people lose their valuables to your service hands and expect to be invited again’

long term goal is to feel good, have more energy, and reduce the risk of cancer and disease. Don’t let your missteps derail you – every healthy food choice you make counts.”

The Managing Director, Mama K Catering Services, Mrs. Kemi Sosimi, said she caters for birthday parties, meetings and conferences but strictly cooks local foods.

She said though her mother ran a big food canteen in Ibadan, she never thought she would venture into food business. She was, however, pushed into it after spending over five years in the labour market. She said she had not regretted going into the venture as she has made fortune from it far and above what her mother did because of her level of education.

Sosimi said she started with her savings of about N20,000 and with initial jobs from friends and family members, she built the business to what it is today. According to her, the business is about networking as people hardly run into you but rather get introduced to you if you meet their demands.

The way to stay in the business is not to cut corners. You must ensure that your food is served fresh and well prepared. Take care to de-stone your rice and beans, making sure that your service hands are neat, well mannered and can be trusted. You cannot handle a party and people lose their valuables to your service hands and expect to be invited again, she added.

She said they get patronage because over the years, they maintained integrity with client’s accounts having been on retainership with some of them for years.

On her staff strength, she said she has about 15 full time workers but hire casuals whenever the need arose. She said her casuals receive N800 daily while those who cook receive N1,200 daily. For family service, she said doesn’t need more than two or three workers to cook and deliver.

According to her, as one grows in the business there will be a need to buy deep freezers, fridges, generators, plates and cutleries. She believes she has contributed to creating employment bearing in mind the number of people in her employ.

On what it takes to succeed in the business, she said commitment, training and retraining of hands. According to her, some of the executive clients just want certain kind of soup or stew weekly. “They like trying out dishes from other places and you can’t say that you can only cook a particular soup. “The pay is good, so we go out of our way to learn how to make soups and special delicacies from different linguistic groups in the country,” she said.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

Fishing out your dream job: You need a game plan (III)

C

OLD-CALLING, the art of uninvited job-hunting involving calling/calling on employers directly, is possibly the most powerful, yet difficult strategy to get your foot in the career door of your choice. A lot of people consider it demeaning. It should not be so.

“Cold-calling” is often a very difficult task for most people unless you’re born with a sales talent and a “thick skin”. Cold calling means making contact with people whom you have not had any previous contact and selling yourself in such a way that you set up an interview for yourself or convince them to keep you at the top of their minds should a position come up in future. Some people say it’s like a radio ad: Concise, to the point, focused at meeting the employer’s needs, charismatic and informative about yourself. The key to cold calling is to be prepared for anything.

At any point in the process, you could find yourself dealing directly with the person who is responsible for hiring. You must always be ready to sell yourself and your skills.

So how so I jump – start this?

There are several parts of the coldcalling process, each part has some

By Olu Oyeniran

similarities to what professional telemarketer do when preparing to market their product:

Make a list of potential employers The first step in this process is compiling at list of all companies that you would be interested to work with. The more, the merrier; the longer the list, the better your odds at success. You can source for this list via your personal network, the yellow pages, corporate websites, newspaper adverts business listings from industry publications and even your local Chamber of Commerce directory. You could create this list of companies by focusing on a specific geographic area, a particular industry, corporate rankings, or the like. Do some research into the career opportunities in your field of profession with each company as far as possible before progressing further.

Get your pitch down pat Your pitch is your personal introduction. To ensure you’re not tongue-tied at the crucial point of a telephone conversation, prepare a short script to guide you on your self-introduction to the prospective

employer. A simple outline includes an introduction, an explanation of your purpose, summarizing three top skills you possess pertinent to the type of job you are inquiring about, finding about immediate or potential vacancies, asking if you might send them a copy of your Resume or arrange an interview date. A pitch allows you to relax and focus on what you need to say and how to say it prior to calling an employer. Be sure to relate your previous professional experience with what this flew company needs.

Practice makes perfect Telephone etiquette is extremely important in cold calling as this is your first point of contact with the prospective employer. So don’t get sloppy! Here are some tips to help you get it right: • Practice your script either with a friend or another job seeker • Tape/record yourself to ensure you come off as calm, deal and confident; identify yourself. If you were referred by someone else, mention their name; • Talk to the right person (the hiring authority) at the right time. Be aware that businesses have busy or inconvenient times when they

would not appreciate a phone call: for example, 12:00 noon just before lunch or at the end of the mouth for accounting firms; • Keep control of the conversation, • if the person you want is not in, never leave a number and passively wait for your call to be returned, inquire about another time to call and promise to call again later; • Put on your good phone voice.

Don’t mumble or shout. Talk at a moderate pace. Be friendly and precise • Take control of your anxiety to be heard, don’t forget to listen - it’s a two-way thing. Remember, you need to motivate your listener to pave the way for you, so listen when they are speaking.

• Ask for a meeting (interview) at a definite time, yet do it as ‘lightly’ as possible. Give them alternative options, for example: “Would Wednesday morning or Thursday afternoon be more suitable for you, Mr. ________?‘ if the employer informs you that there are no positions available, ask for an informational meeting to find out more about the company. That will help you get to know more

people within the company and make connections for future use.

• Get it down on paper. Write brief notes while on the phone to record what was discussed and agreed upon between you and the contact and when it took place.

Memory is a fleeting thing. Don’t rely solely on your memory. Transfer this to your job cracking sheet so that you are always on the right page should a contact call back.

Prepare your cold call toolkit Before you picks up the telephone, make sure you have the following in hand; your pitch, company research notes, a copy of your relevant Resume, a calendar, pen and paper, your “contact tracking sheet formatted for notes on the date, time, person, company, address, telephone, reason in calling, follow-up date, interview date/time, and comments.

•Oyeniran is Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates.

He can be reached on Jobsearchhow.com.ng Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

37

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL EU signals further divergence from global banking rules

T

HE European Union (EU) will continue to diverge from global banking regulations where necessary to avoid overburdening smaller lenders, the bloc’s financial services chief said last week.

Its commissioner, Jonathan Hill, said he would extend his predecessor’s policy of tailoring global banking rules where justified.

The EU was singled out last De-

cember by global banking regulators for departing from some elements of the internationally agreed Basel III capital rules designed to make the financial system safer. The rules also aim to aid comparison of banks from across the world, but discrepancies make this harder Hill said he would “differentiate” from other Basel rules, too, in an effort to ensure that EU legislation is proportionate and takes into account different business models at banks

across the 28-country bloc.

“I don’t want to burden smaller, lower-risk institutions with the same requirements we need for bigger, riskier ones,” Hill told a financial conference in Brussels. “Looking ahead, I am keen to build on this policy of differentiation.”

Two key decisions on banking rules loom.

Hill has to decide by the end of next year whether all EU banks should be set binding leverage ra-

tios, a broad measure of capital to assets that are not risk-weighted.

Basel, which calls for a binding ratio, is deliberating over what level it should be set at. The global body also wants to set a net stable funding ratio, requiring banks to hold a buffer of long-dated bonds to cover potential liquidity crunches.

“In both of those areas, differentiation would be crucial,” Hill said.

Global regulators are finalising a separate rule to force the world’s top

30 banks, including Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE), Societe Generale (SOGN.PA) and HSBC (HSBA.L), to issue bonds that can be written down if the lender gets into trouble.

Hill said he will first check whether the final detail of the global plans are “coherent” with a similar requirement the EU has already passed into law. Brussels has argued that it needs to tailor Basel rules because they are being applied to several thousand lenders in Europe while other parts of the world, such as the United States, apply them only to their biggest banks.

IMF backs Irish budget flexibility request from EU

T

HE IMF has backed Ireland’s calls for the European Commission to grant it some budget flexibility, saying the current fiscal rules do not reflect an Irish economic recovery “starting to fire on all cylinders”.

After years of painful budget cuts to get its public finances under control, Ireland demanded more leeway this month for its budget spending next year, having seen the Commission show similar leniency to France and Italy.

Ireland has slashed its budget deficit from 12.6 percent of gross domestic product in 2011 to an expected 2.7 percent this year. Now it wants to be allowed to increase spending in line with its GDP growth rate next year rather than a lower, calculated average.

“In Ireland’s case, the current EU methodology understates cyclical swings in unemployment, with implications for estimates of output gaps and potential growth,” the International Monetary Fund said in a report on the Irish economy.

“Staff, therefore, welcomes ongoing work by the Irish authorities to refine some aspects of the EC methodology.”

Under the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact, euro zone countries must consolidate public finances un-

til they reach balance or surplus.

The rules say that a government whose budget deficit is smaller than 3 per cent of GDP, but not yet in balance, as Ireland’s is likely to be this year, cannot increase spending more than its medium-term potential GDP growth. This is meant to ensure a gradual strengthening of the underlying budget balance.

However, the Commission calculates this using a 10-year average, which after the deep recession that preceded Ireland’s international bailout puts the reference growth rate for the period 2014-16 at 0.7 per cent, the IMF said.

That compares to growth of 4.8 per cent last year – the fastest expansion in the European Union – and IMF estimates of 3.5 per cent growth this year and a further 3 per cent in 2016.

“Refinements of the current EU methodology for estimating potential GDP for Ireland should therefore, be developed and assessed to enable the fiscal rules to better serve their purpose,” the IMF said.

Ireland was able to cut income tax rates and increase spending for the first time in seven years this year and has pledged to do so again in October’s budget for 2016 ahead of parliamentary elections early next year.

Arik, CFM to develop indigenous skills

A

AIRCRAFT engine manufacturer, CFM International and Nigeria's biggest carrier, Arik Air have begun discussion to train Nigerians on aircraft engine maintenance and repairs.

This is an invaluable contribution of Arik Air to government's local content development policy and as discussion progresses, it is expected that the airline would select intelligent, bright and young Nigerians who would be trained by CFM, manufacturers of Arik Air Boeing 737 New Generation (NG) engines.

The discussion took firm ground last week when CFM President, JeanPaul Ebanga visited Arik headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos to affirm the importance of the airline to the company and also show commitment to the planned partnership.

Ebanga, who toured Arik Air's facilities at its headquarters said he was impressed by the progress the airline has recorded in just eight years of its commercial operations, adding that Arik would soon be one of the leading airlines in Africa.

"What the Chairman of Arik Air, Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide is doing is to work, not to talk. He is bringing the needed change in air transport in Nigeria. In three to four years from now Africa will be the most populated continent with growing middle class. We have CFM engines in many aircraft operating in Africa. So, we grow with Africa's economy as the middle class becomes empowered by the on-going economic growth. I think the population of CFM engines in Africa is the biggest one. I think

we have about 900 engines flying all over Africa and the engines are behaving very well," Ebanga said.

He observed that for African airlines to be competitive they have to operate new and modern equipment as Arik Air has done, engaging the services of skilled manpower and operate modern system that would dovetail with operators in other parts of the world.

"I think one of the challenges of Africa is that Africa is now part of the global economy and African airlines are competing with all the other airlines in the world. I think African airlines will have to keep up with the skills, organisational efficiency to be able to compare with the best airlines in the world.

•From left: Sales Manager, Central & East Africa, Charles Igboa, Sales Director, Distribution, Middle East & Africa, Mohammed Owais and Channel Marketing Manager, Middle East & Africa, Can Akbulut all of Western Digital (WD) during this year’s Securex West Africa at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos..

France cuts 2015 deficit target, eyes economic past largely contributed to France RANCE cut its budget deficit recovery missing fiscal targets, their deficit target for this year on Thurs-

F

day and said economic growth could beat the government’s 1 percent forecast, after reporting a smallerthan-expected fiscal gap for 2014.

Finance Minister Michel Sapin said France, which has repeatedly missed its fiscal targets, is confident it will finally bring the deficit below an EU cap of 3 percent of GDP on schedule in 2017.

The budget gap dropped to 4.0 percent of economic output in 2014 from 4.1 percent in 2013, statistics office INSEE said. The government’s latest forecast had been for an increase to 4.4 percent.

The data “paves the way for a revision of the 2015 public deficit to about 3.8 percent of GDP,” Sapin said in a statement, revising the target down from a previous 4.1 percent.

The euro zone’s second-largest economy grew by 0.4 percent in 2014, data confirmed on Thursday, the same pace as in 2013.

“A lower-than-expected deficit brings confidence,” Sapin told iTELE television. “We will do better than 1 percent (economic) growth in 2015.”

The lower-than-expected deficit last year was partly thanks to local authorities. While they had in the

Project Smile campaign kicks off

S

EASON three of Smile makeover initiative, Project Smile has kicked off its cam-

paign.

A statement by the organisers explained that it is tagged Project Smile 3.0 with Smile for life as its thematic campaign, adding that it was flagged off at the Westown Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos.

Its initiator, Dr. Amy TraoreShumbusho said in her keynote address that Project Smile 3.0 is revised in scope and content with adequate plans being put in place to accommodate more winners, make greater impact in the society, and

By Ochu Ohunene Latifah

create opportunity for wider participation from other concerns in the oral health care industry and individuals through the newly introduced ‘Adopt-a-Smile’ initiative.

“The WOHD is a parallel platform, hence it serves as our launching pad for the Project Smile initiative as it is a day set aside by the World Dental Federation to give attention to oral healthcare and dental matters and issues on a global scale. Last year, on this platform, we said that we would celebrate healthy smiles as a demonstration of the theme last year. We

Operators brainstorm on sub-Saharan upstream

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ITH more than 4,200 oil and gas blocks identified, Africa is the last true oil and gas frontier. About half of these blocks are open, subject to force majeure. More than 80 per cent of the 1,300 blocks in North Africa are licensed, while in subSaharan Africa, it is estimated that only about 30 per cent of 2,900 blocks are licensed. In the sub-Saharan regions, it is evident that many new opportunities still exist, especially for the exploration and production (E&P) companies that are willing to take risks.

In realisation of these inherent opportunities in the sub-region, the maiden edition of the sub-Sahara Africa Upstream Oil & Gas Summit & Exhibition has been scheduled to hold in Accra, Ghana from April 1st - 3rd with theme: "Unlocking Potentials in sub-Sahara Africa Upstream Oil & Gas."

eased last year, as did the social security deficit. The central government’s deficit increased by less than forecast.

President Francois Hollande, during his 2012 election campaign, had pledged to bring the deficit down to the EU limit by end-2013 but his government has since pushed the target back several times.

European Union finance ministers this month gave France two more years to cut the deficit to the 3 percent limit, extending the deadline for the third time since 2009 but asking it to beef up its reform efforts and savings.

The summit is organised by Zenith Professional Training (ZPT), a firm with several years' of building oil and gas capacity through industry specialised training.

The summit and exhibition, which are in their maiden editions, are aimed at bringing to the fore the intricacies of the oil and gas sector, the potentials of the industry and the sizable share of global reserves and resources deposited in Nigeria, Ghana and other oil-producing countries in the sub-Saharan Africa.

Issues to be discussed range from cross-border matters, particularly for stakeholder licenses, financial instruments for marginal fields, local content drive, security and safety in extractive industries and sustainable management of resources. The event will afford participants the opportunity to showcase their organisation's

brand and products, launch company's new products and services, increase product awareness across the Sub-Saharan African region, face to face contact with potential clients and clients' customers as well as networking with key decision makers.

It is expected that the summit and exhibition will attract many key industry players from across Africa and beyond. The exhibition will provide a veritable opportunity for established exploration & production companies, marginal field companies, state governments, government agencies, legal & financial services providers, exploration, production & processing technology manufacturers, exploration, production & processing service companies, services providers, equipment manufacturers and new entries to interact and showcase their potentials.

have done that by transforming the lives of nine young men and women who never thought they could have a confident smile. On May 24 last year when three nominees out of 15 nominees emerged winners and additional six nominees were sponsored by individuals on sympathetic grounds, we delivered on our promise to celebrate healthy smiles. Today, on this same platform, we are seeking to impact the lives of persons who suffer from social stigma due to deformed or flawed dentition such as overcrowded, protruding and discolored teeth and far more complex cases,” she explained.

Dr, Shumbusho added that Project Smile 3.0 scheme seeks to award such deserving individuals a chance in a life time to correct this and have the perfect teeth emphasizing that the project is only open to persons from age eighteen and above.

Elaborating on the concept of ‘Adopt-a-Smile’ initiative, Dr. Shumbusho said that the initiative was designed to take sponsorship of Project Smile to a new dimension from the traditional approach of engaging only corporate sponsorship to engaging individuals to sponsor the smile makeover treatment of the other nominees who couldn’t make it to winning the contest.

Dr. Shumbusho announced that a call-to-entry campaign has automatically begun with the press bring. “As we launch Project Smile 3.0, I am excited to announce to the public that an 8-week call-for-entry/ call-to-entry begins today.

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BUSINESS AFRICA

Why Nigeria ad agencies are not listed in capital market

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NLIKE one of the world biggest advertising conglomerate, WPP which started its operation as Wire and Plastic Product with $21 billion market capital, the President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Aigboje AigImoukhuede has identified scarcity of capital, strange business structure as some of the challenges militating against listing of Nigerian advertising business concerns on the floor of the capital market.

Aig-Imoukhuede, who spoke as a special guest at a dinner in honour of new chairman of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Mr. Uffot Udeme organised by E-Motion Advertising, said part of the reason for non-listing proposal is as a result of scarcity of capital.

“Scarcity of capital prevent agency from deploying powerful tool to change. The constraint is not lack of ability and ideas, but capital. That can change by coming to the capital market. I only know the industry some few years ago as a convivial group of people of like minds. It was later I discovered that APCON is an important organ of the government.

As you do know our economy is facing challenges and it is tough for

By Adedeji Ademigbuji

business. The principal source of our problem is a very strange structural relevance and foreign exchange.

People will talk about import substitution and diversification as the solution to some of our economy challenges, but I think the strongest source of diversification is profession, Nigerian Professional, be it law or advertising.

“Why do we find it difficult to monetise our profession? You will tell me you need an advert. I know what advert has done to Access Bank and some of our business concern but how come you don’t find advertising agency listed on the NSE?,” he querried.”

He said one of the world biggest advertising conglomerate such as WPP started as a business before diversifying into advertising. He said while it will be strange to most people to know that WPP was formally known as Wire and Plastic Product company, it has grown to become one of world biggest agency with $21 billion market capital.

“The question for me is I see talent and ideas in Nigeria agency. I saw the impact of Udeme’s SO&U agency played in GTB with ‘Shouldn’t You Bank with U” advert and Access Bank Bullet Train advert.

But I now understand why his agency and Udeme are not receiving Sorrel salary and earning or listed on NSE. There is scarcity of capital. Why do agency shoot advert in South Africa using Nigerian characters, storyline? It is because SA agencies have access to capital to build structure,” he said.

He advised practitioners to use the stock exchange to build their business and expand to compete with global agencies. He said NSE is means of mobilising capital to build their business. “Your industry should use the capital market to develop the industry, build structure, so that no Nigerian advert agency will shoot an advert in South Africa.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of E-Motion Advertising, Mr. Paul Onyia, urged the new council under Udeme to address issues of lingering debts and regulation of political advertising. “I do believe that among other very important issues lingering debt issues in the industry which, in all sincerity, is getting worse by the day. Two is the issues of regulation of political advertising campaigns,” he said. He urged APCON to address some of these issues raised for the industry to develop.

SON destroys substandard goods

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TANDARDS Organisation of Nigeria (SON),last week, destroyed imported fake products worth over N500 million.

The substandard products which is 80 per cent electricity cables in nine trucks were collected from various points at the ports and border stations.

Speaking at the destruction exercise in Sagamu dumpsite in Ogun state, Head of Inspectorate / Compliance, Mr. Bede Obayi described the destruction of substandard products as economic loss to the country.

“We have carried out our tests on the products and failed. We need to evacuate and destroy them completely as they pose dangers to life and ruin the nation’s economy.”

He explained that the products were burnt in accordance with SON’s procedure which started with market survey, surveillance, inventory, seizure, sampling, laboratory tests and analyses to ascertain conformity to specifications and requirements of Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS).

He said: “It is disheartening that despite all efforts carried out by the agency to sensitive the citizenry on the negative effects of fake and substandard goods, the merchants continue to engage in the illicit trade.

By Toba Agboola

Obayi pointed out that the Son is committed to zero tolerance against substandard products, saying that this destruction is to serve notice to unscrupulous importers that SON are not relenting in wiping off substandard products in the country.

“We are going to intensify our efforts to ensure that these kinds of products do not circulate in the Nigerian markets and importers should desist from the acts because this is not a game they will, “ he said.

He noted that with the implementation of National Quality Policy (NQP) by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) would accelerate the global competitiveness and high rate of acceptability of locally produced goods because they will be certified of meeting the quality and standard requirements in Nigeria.

He pointed out that the agency would continue to make stringent efforts to showcase Nigerian products at the global arena, saying “we cannot allow fake and substandard goods, mainly imported from overseas to kill the nation’s economic re-vitalisation dream.

“In 2015, we will surpass our target of reducing the penetration of the substandard products into our country.”

Africa’s spectrum challenges for Nairobi confab INFORMATION communication technology (ICT) stakeholders across Africa and experts around the globe are to converge in Nairobi, Kenya to dialogue and proffer solutions to spectrum challenges in enhancing broadband connectivity in Africa.

The 10th edition of the annual Spectrum Africa Workshop will take place at Hilton Nairobi from 3-5 June this year. The workshop is organised by Kemilinks International, hosted and co-sponsored by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).

The workshop will be held in collaboration with key political and ICT regional institutions in Africa, including the African Union NEPAD Agency, the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), the Communications Regulatory Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), the East African Communications Organisation (EACO), and the West African Telecommunications Regulatory Assembly (WATRA).

In discussing new developments in the management of spectrum in Africa, the workshop, which will be conducted in both English and French will focus on many areas such as Spectrum Planning and Strategies for enhancing broadband connectivity in Africa; Spectrum planning for the next generation of mobile networks: towards 5G, Cognitive Radios, the Internet of Things (IoT) and beyond.

CIBN appoints new registrar/CEO •From left: Senior Manager, Data & Portals, David Umoh, Newa and Vice President, Data Products & Services, Nitin Anand, at the Airtel Smart Network media launch in Lagos at the weekend.

Airtel deepens data market competition with new propositions

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IRTEL Nigeria at the weekend in Lagos deepened competition in the data segment of the telecoms industry as it rolled-out a number of mouthwatering offers it said would redefine data services in the country.

Tagged Join the Smartphone Network, the carrier said it seeks to reward customers for their patronage, and also drive internet usage and penetration in the country.

The telco explained that as part of the benefits, customers receive instant data bonuses on activation of smart devices with100 per cent bonus on data recharge and 25 per cent discount on Microsoft Lumia 535 smartphone purchased at any of its sores across Nigeria.

Customers who buy any smart device and activate it with an Airtel SIM will get up to 2GB data bundle instantly and thereafter enjoy 100 percent data bonus on activation of data bundles from 200MB to 1GB, for 12 months. The carrier’s Chief Commercial Officer, Maurice Newa,, told reporters that the distinctive value proposition further affirmed the telco’s vision to be the most loved brand in the daily lives of Nigerians.

He said: “We want to connect with them in more smarter and rewarding ways, to fulfill their communication needs in a manner that makes it almost effortless and affordable.

Indeed, we are giving our customers more reasons to stay on our network.”

The offer is also applicable to customers who purchase Dongles and Mifi from Airtel or partner stores.On activation, they will get a bonus of 2GB and 4GB data plans respectively, while the purchase of Routers attracts an instant data bonus of 8GB data plan.

THE Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has appointed Mr. Oluseye David Awojobi, as the substantive Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the institute. The appointment is part of the strategic efforts to sustain the transformation initiatives of the Institute.

Mr. Awojobi whose appointment was confirmed by the Governing Council of the Institute at its meeting in Lagos has been on Acting capacity since June 2014.

With the appointment he replaces Dr. 'Uju M. Ogubunka, FCIB, who retired as the Registrar/Chief Executive of the Institute in September 2014.

Prior to his new appointment, Mr. Awojobi has occupied other key strategic positions in the Institute such as Deputy Director/Group Head, Ethics and Professionalism, 2014; Assistant Director/Group Head, Ethics and Professionalism, 2012 to 2014; Principal Manager/Head, Directorate of Education, 2009 to 2012 among other roles.

Awojobi, a seasoned professional banker and an astute scholar holds a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) and B.Sc in Banking and Finance (2nd Class Upper) from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State.

Bi-Courtney donates patrol vehicle, office equipment to police

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I-COURTNEY Aviation Services Limited, operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), has donated operational equipment to the police as further demonstration of its unwavering commitment to its corporate social responsibility.

The equipment, including a fullyequipped patrol car, two sets of computer with printers, two refrigerators and two flat-screen television sets, were handed over to the Commissioner of Police, Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, Mrs. Dorothy Gimba, during a familiarisation visit she made to MMA2, on Wednesday, March 25.

While making the presentation, the Chief Executive Officer of BASL, Mr. Christophe Penninck, who was

assisted by some executive management staff, including the Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi and the Group Head of Audit, Ms. Yosola Popoola, expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the command in securing the entire airport environment and ensuring there are no security issues.

Penninck noted: "Our experience and interaction with the police have been excellent. We appreciate the good work you are doing. The fact that we don't have any security issue and incident at the airport shows that things work. It is only where and when things don't work that we have issues.

"We have nothing negative to say about the police at the airport. We also understand the importance of

intelligence and have always availed your people of any information we consider necessary for them to perform effectively. We are committed to making the police efficient at the airport."

In her response, Gimba described BASL as a "critical stakeholder in the Nigerian Aviation industry", whose support is key to ensuring optimum performance by police.

She said the command considered it important to open a direct channel of communication with the management of BASL to enhance the level of cooperation between the police and the company.

She stated: "We believe it is appropriate to know all the stakeholders in the aviation industry, especially a critical stakeholder like Bi-

Courtney. It is important for us to understand your challenges and expectations. When you know the people and are able to put a face to them and open a channel of communication, half of the problem is already solved."

Gimba added: "We are prepared to oblige you in any way we can better secure the airport environment. That is my primary mandate and I am willing to discharge it effectively. I am assuring you I will give it my best shot."

Gimba was accompanied on the visit by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in the command, Mr. Chuks Enwowu, Divisional Police Officer in-charge of MMA2, SP Gloria Sanni, the command's Public Relations Officer, ASP Dennis Ifijen, among others.

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

BUSINESS

MOTORING

• Acura TLX

The Acura TLX is lighter than the TL, which it replaces and one can feel the weight difference when driving. There is an enjoyable combination of everyday comfort and sporty back-roads prowess that meets desires for a luxury sport sedan.

The steering does not have a lot of feel, but the TLX still goes around turns with an unexpected level of nimbleness.

TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO writes with agency addition

I

Unveiling new Acura TLX

F the TLX name sounds vaguely familiar, that’s because it is.

Acura has removed the compact TSX and the mid-size TL sedans from its lineup and combined them into an all-new vehicle, the 2015 Acura TLX. Size-wise, the TLX is longer than the TSX, but shorter than the TL and, as such, is better suited to appeal to entry-level luxury sedan shoppers.

Thankfully, the TLX has inherited many of the attributes from its forebears. Acura gives a choice of two updated engines — either the TSX’s four-cylinder or the TL’s V6 — and both offer enhanced fuel economy, thanks in part to new eight- and nine-speed automatic transmissions.

As was the case with the TL, allwheel drive is available with the V6 and it again utilised to provide both enhanced traction in inclement weather and sportier handling.

The TLX also gives you a nice mix of luxury and sport. The roomy and impressively quiet cabin is a comfortable place to spend your commuting hours, and it comes with plenty of high-tech equipment as standard. Away from the highway, the TLX is enjoyable to drive. It feels nimble around turns, and all TLXs come with shift paddles to give you direct control of those new transmissions.

Of course, combine two cars and there is bound to be a little collateral damage. The four-cylinder engine, while certainly capable enough, can’t match the stronger punch provided by turbo-charged four-cylinders found in many competing models. The TL also features Acura’s latest dual-screen electronics interface, but we’ve found its functionality leaves a little to be desired. And while the TLX is impressively well rounded, it can come

off as a little bland compared to the more lavish or customisable design of some rivals.

This might be the case should one check out the all-stars of the segment, the 2015 BMW 3 Series and 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The 3 Series continues to offer an excellent mix of sporting performance and luxury, while the redesigned CClass sets new levels for interior opulence. Other great picks to think about include the 2015 Audi A4, 2015 Lexus IS and 2015 Volvo S60. Yet, if you do some research you’ll no doubt discover that these cars often end up costing thousands more when comparably equipped to the TLX. So, if one factor in that value along with its sporty driving demeanour and everyday comfort, the 2015 Acura TLX is definitely an entry-level luxury sedan to check out.

Body Styles The TLX is a midsize luxury sedan offered in three main trim levels: base, Technology and Advance.

Technology and Advance are essentially options packages that are available on both front- and allwheel-drive TLX models.

For standard equipment, the base TLX gets 17-inch alloy wheels, allwheel steering, LED headlights and brake lights, a sunroof, heated side mirrors, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, vinyl (leatherette) upholstery, heated front seats, an eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar), a four-way power front passenger seat (eight-way on V6), 60/ 40-split-folding rear seatbacks, a tiltand-telescoping steering wheel and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Also standard are Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a rear-view camera, Siri Eyes Free functionality,

two display screens (an upper 8inch display and a lower 7-inch touchscreen) and a seven-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, smartphone app integration (Aha and Pandora), an auxiliary audio input jack and an iPod/ USB audio interface.

Upgrade to the Technology package and you get leather upholstery, driver memory settings, lane departure warning, a blind-spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, voice commands, a navigation system and an Acura/ELS 10-speaker sound system. Available only with the V6 engine, the Advance package adds 18-inch wheels, front and rear parking sensors, remote ignition, LED foglights, auto-dimming side mirrors, ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and automatic braking for forward collision mitigation.

Powertrains The 2015 Acura TLX gives you a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6. The 2.4-liter engine generates 206 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque.

It’s offered only with front-wheel drive and is paired with a specialized eight-speed automated manual transmission. (It’s an automated dual-clutch manual, much like’s VW’s DSG or Porsche’s PDK, but Acura has also fitted a conventional automatic’s torque converter to it for claimed smoother operation at slow speeds.)

During Edmunds testing, a TLX 2.4 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, which is on the slow side for this segment. EPA estimated fuel economy with the 2.4-liter engine is 28 mpg combined (24 city/35 highway), which is very good for

• Interior of the car.

this class of car.

As for the 3.5-liter V6, it’s rated at 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The V6 is offered with either frontwheel or all-wheel drive.

Safety Standard safety features on the TLX include antilock disc brakes, stability control and traction control, a rear-view camera, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag and active front head restraints.

During testing of both a TLX 2.4 and TLX 3.5, we recorded identical stopping distances from 60 mph of 129 feet, which is about 7 feet longer than average for this segment.

Optional safety equipment includes front and rear parking sensors, a blind-spot warning system, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning and automatic braking for frontal collision mitigation.

Interior Design and Special Features The TLX’s interior is a step up

compared to the TSX and TL. The front seats in the TLX have thick yet soft padding and decent lateral support to provide high levels of comfort. The rear seat is quite plush, too, with a comfortable seatback angle.

Rear-seat headroom will be a bit tight for tall adults, though legroom is generous for this segment. Acura says it employed extensive noisecancelling measures in the TLX. The latter seem to have worked, as very little wind and road noise makes its way into the cabin, which makes for easy conversation.

The interior’s overall look is clean and similar to Acura’s flagship RLX sedan and MDX crossover. The gauges are easy to read and the stacked display screen combo is used to show and control most of the car’s functions. The learning curve for this interface is pretty painless but some of the touch screen controls are tedious to use and the overall graphic resolution is underwhelming. And while overall interior quality is certainly nice, a few of the trim pieces aren’t quite as rich-looking or -feeling as what one finds in an A4 or C-Class, for instance.

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MOTORING

Mercedes to launch first pickup by 2020

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AIMLER’s Mercedes-Benz unit has planned to launch its first pickup truck by 2020, targeting sales in the European, Latin American, Australian and South African markets.

However, no decision has been made whether it will be launched in the United States (US), a Daimler spokeswoman said.

The pickup will have about one metric ton of payload capacity and will be built by Mercedes’ commercial-van division “The Mercedes-Benz pickup will contribute nicely to our global growth targets,” Daimler Chief Executive Officer, Dieter Zetsche said in a statement last week.

“We will enter this segment with our distinctive brand identity and all of the vehicle attributes that are typical of the brand with regard to safety, comfort, powertrains, and value,” he said.

Mercedes said more and more pickups are being used for private purposes. It also said commercial and private users are increasingly asking for vehicles that have carlike specifications.

“A similar example was the successful introduction of the M class around 20 years ago. As the first sport utility vehicle (SUV) from a premium manufacturer, the M class

• Mercedes prototype Pick Up Stories by Tajudeen Adebanjo

completely redefined the segment,” Zetsche said.

The automaker’s plan to enter the pickup segment underscores a push by German premium automakers that have built their reputations on refined sedans to

enter segments traditionally dominated by mass-market competitors as they compete for volume.

After SUVs became popular, the addition of a pickup would open a new front in the battle among Germany’s premium brands for the number one spot in luxury car

sales.

Mercedes, the world’s third-largest premium automaker, plans to overtake Audi and market leader BMW, in sales by the end of the decade. The race for the lead has prompted Audi to roll out the A1 sub-compact hatchback and BMW

Hyundai receives innovation award for Intrado

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YUNDAI Motor has received the Jury Prize at

the JEC Innovation Awards 2015 for its innovative carbonfibre frame design showcased on the Intrado concept car. The prize was presented during the JEC Europe 2015 conference in Paris this month.

The JEC Innovation Awards recognise technical excellence, market potential and originality, rewarding the most innovative composite solutions worldwide. The organisation selected the lightweight and futuristic

frame of Intrado, which complements the concept’s advanced fuel-cell powertrain and design, representing the progressive spirit of Hyundai Motor.

At the core of Intrado’s pioneering frame are carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) sections, which are based on carbon-fibre tubes. This approach allows for more effective and flexible use of the carbon material, avoiding off cuts and long energy-consuming preparation processes. The unique process is a major forward step when compared to conventional steel

BMW recalls nearly 49, 000 motorcycles

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MW is recalling nearly 49,000 motorcycles in the United States (US) and Canada because flanges that hold the rear wheel can crack if bolts are too tight.

The recall covers multiple models including the 2005 to 2010 R1200 GS and R1200 RT, and the 2006 to 2010 R1200 GS Adventure.

BMW says if bolts that hold the rear wheels to a flange are overtightened, the flange can crack. If that happens, the bolts can loosen and the wheel may not stay secured to the bike.

The problem was discovered after a 2004 motorcycle crashed in Spain last August. BMW says the

•Continued from last week

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HAT the Federal Government and the National Council on Transport should design a policy, which will empower members of the public to take road accident victims to hospitals for treatment without being rejected by the public and private hospitals; 10. That the Government should formulate policies or enact a law though the National Assembly compelling all Government and Private hospitals to immediately commence the treatment of road accident Victims whether or

rider and passenger were bruised and scraped.

The recall is expected to begin on April 21. Dealers will replace the aluminium flange with a steel one at no cost to owners.

and other CFRP chassis architectures.

The minimalistic, self-supporting skeleton-like frame structure is highly stable and extremely light weight, saving 70 per cent weight compared to a conventional chassis and around 30 per cent on the overall vehicle weight, without compromising safety attributes.

One essential element of the frame’s overall rigidity is the floating centre console beam.

This beam provides Intrado with its unique strength as well as connecting the seating and

S

ECTOR Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mrs Susan Ajenge has said over 10,000 Drivers’ Licences are ready for collection.

Ajenge said this at an interview

China Automotive Systems profit increases

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HINA Automotive Systems’ net sales for last year were high by 56.47 per cent to 11.82m US dollar compared with 7.56m in 2013.

The company’s operating income for the period was up 21.01 per cent to 44.43m US dollar from 36.72m. The

income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies last year increased 20.50 per cent to 46.08m US dollar from $38.24m in 2013.

Its net income for the period rose from 19.75 per cent to 39.59m from 33.07m.

powertrain to the carbon frame.

It serves as a mounting point for essential controls and adds to the vehicle’s protective structure. Additionally, it supports the frame’s integration with the fuel cell powertrain components.

The Intrado frame is a result of global collaboration and knowledge-exchange not only within Hyundai Motor but also with two of the world’s pre-eminent carbon fibre producers - Lotte Chemical and Hyosung Corporation. The frame was manufactured by Axon Automotive.

to add the 2-series Active Tourer and 2-series Gran Tourer compact minivans.

Volkswagen launched a similar pickup strategy to Daimler’s several years ago with the Amarok.

Its commercial van business developed and built the midsize pickup in Argentina for Latin America and Europe, while avoiding the U.S. market and its punitive “chicken tax.” The tax imposes a 25 per cent duty on goods such as light trucks imported into the U.S. in retaliation for tariffs on U.S. chickens once imposed by several European nations.

Pickup trucks have gained popularity in recent months as gasoline prices eased, with sales of such models accounting for 90 per cent of global pretax margins at General Motors and Ford, according to analysts.

Last year, three of the four topselling cars in the U S were full-sized pickup trucks, the Ford F-150, the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500.

The segment has been moving upmarket with Ford’s F-150 model fetching prices of up to $50,000.

Over 10,000 Drivers’ Licences ready for collection with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to her, some new applicants are reluctant to pick their licences because the temporary ones remain valid until the permanent licences are produced.

Mrs Ajenge said: “A good number of applicants are usually interested in processing their driver’s licence up to the point of collection of the Temporary Driver’s Licence, but are reluctant to come and pick up the permanent ones.

“Our officers make phone calls

to people to come and pick their licences while we also tell them to come back if they don’t get our call in three months after data capturing.

“More than 10,000 licences are now waiting for collection in FCT between FRSC headquarters in Zone 7 and VIO headquarters, Mabushi.”

NAN reports that FRSC and VIO designated offices in all states issue permanent licences to applicants after collecting the temporary ones.

Horror and lessons on Oyo–Ogbomoso road not money is deposited. Government should bank roll the bill of the innocent road accident victims of passenger vehicles, peradventure, this will encourage Federal, State and Local Governments to become more committed to the reduction of road accidents through the construction of good roads, timely maintenance of bad roads, installation of appropriate traffic signs, compulsion of public and private sector Organisations to regularly retrain their Drivers in the Driving Schools(theory and practical training), discouragement of the

prevailing sharp practices in the processing and obtention of Driver Licence, compelling all Basic Learners to undergo intensive theory and practical training in training schools no matter who they are, Institutionalisation of well- structured Theory and Practical Tests for Learners before being given Driver Licence as it obtains in several Countries and the promotion of unbiased enforcement of traffic rules and regulation with uncompromised reasonable penalties; 11. Governments and their Construction Companies must

reduce the numbers and degree of sharp bends on every road constructed and that: 12. Governments and their Construction Companies must avoid deep valleys on roads. Piling system or pillars can be used instead. The accidents on OyoOgbomoso, Oka-Okene, OwoIkare, Abuja- Jos and AbujaMakurdi roads are just few examples to buttress the abovementioned points.

Human lives are precious and irreparable and their safety must be given topmost priority by the Government and everyone.

Jide Owatunmise Registrar / Chief Executive, Professional Driving and Safety Academy

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NEWS

Communities get 51 transformers

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HE Lagos State Government has handed over 51 transformers to rural, riverine and semi-urban communities across the state to boost electricity generation and distribution.

Handing over the transformers at the Elsewedy Electric Nig. Ltd premises in Badagry, Lagos, Commissioner for Rural Development Cornelius Ojelabi hailed members of the House of Assembly for getting Governor Babatunde Fashola to accede to the communities request.

He said the government came to their aid because the Eko Distribution Company (EKDC) and Ikeja Distribution Company (IKDC) could not meet their needs.

The state, he said, has been providing transformers for the electrification of rural communities, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure over the years, despite that being the Federal Government’s responsibility.

Ojelabi said: “When the Federal Government privatised power generation and distribution over three years ago, the state government felt it cannot be providing infrastructure for private company’s business. More so, when the over N10 billion used

Adeyinka Aderibigbe

•Ojelabi (third right) handing over the transformers to traditional and community leaders.

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

in providing infrastructure over the years to aid power generation and distribution was not refunded by the Federal Government after the privatisation of the power sector.

“When the private com-

panies cannot solve the problem as expected, the governor being a responsible and responsive governor cannot but yield to the yearnings of the people in the procurement and installation of the transformers.”

He urged the chiefs,

leaders of Community Development Associations (CDAs) and youths to take charge of the transformers when installed.

“Government will continue to cater for your needs till the last day of this administration as promised by the State Gov-

ernor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola,” he said, adding that government had carried out several developmental projects in Badagry.

Ojelabi said: “A government that is promoting a safe community and providing an enabling and conducive environment

for business to thrive is worth supporting.”

Chairman, House Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources Lanre Ogunyemi thanked the state for supporting private electricity power generation and distribution firms.

Jega has improved electoral process, says expert

A

FORMER Commissioner of Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Alhaji Musibau Oyefeso, has hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the novel ideas it introduced in this year’s election.

Speaking with reporters after voting at his polling unit in Idimu, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Oyefeso said from his observation so far, INEC deserved praises for coming up with measures to curb rigging and bring about credible election.

Oyefeso, who was LASIEC’s Head of Operations and Logistics Committee, said not minding the teething problems recorded, INEC nonetheless performed well, considering the comprehensive view of the

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

process.

He said: “To me, I want to believe that INEC has tried because they have introduced so many new things into the electoral system.

The issue of the Card reader and Permanent Voters Card (PVC) are lofty ideas. They are novel practices and so you are bound to have teething problems.

“I believe if INEC is to do this election in 2019, they would have perfected the system. So, for now, I want to award INEC pass mark even as much as 65 percent.”

On logistics problems, Oyefeso admitted that more need to be done to perfect electoral process, especially in the areas of conveying electoral materials from one point to another and the issue of ad-hoc staff, who he said are not permanent but

temporary staff.

He lauded the decision of INEC to extend the accreditation and voting exercise, but urged the political parties to monitor the process strictly to guide against rigging and electoral fraud.

“I believe INEC has started with the electronic process. They have started with the electronic compilation of the voters register.

They have complemented it now with the PVC, which is also an electronic instrument.

“In the next election, I think we should be able to do electronic voting which will be the final stage and after electronic voting, there will be electronic compilation. So, I believe with everything now going through the electronic system, it will be better,” he said.

•Mosan-Okunola Executive Secretary, Princess Opeyemi Akindele (middle) addressing some aggrieved electorate at Gowon Estate, Alimosho, Lagos.

•All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos Governorship running mate, Dr Idiat Adebule and her husband, Alhaji Saheed Adebule displayed their voters’ cards after accredited for voting at Iba, Lagos...

•Former Chairman of Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Abiodun Mafe, casting his votes at polling unit 036 Ward H in Mosan, Lagos. With him is INEC official.

48 CHANGE OF NAME ONDOMA

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME EGBUJUA

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AYINLA

EZEGWU

OSIA

OLAKOTAN

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SOLOMON

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OKORO

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AMOO

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UGWU

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

49

SHOWBIZ

Rotimi Makinde edgy over election result

Nikki Laoye remembers Zara Gretti

By Joe Agbro Jr.

O

N

OLLYWOOD actor turned politician, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, seems to be edgy at the moment, following recontesting his position as lawmaker representing Ife, in the Federal House of Representatives in Saturday’s general elections. The reason - he believes he might lose the election.

Taking to his Facebook account, Makinde who is contesting the election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said his perceived, but yet to be confirmed loss might be as a result of activities of elements he called “enemies of progress.”

“I have many reasons to admit that majority of the people in Ife love me but, alas, I contested against the same clever enemies of progress who prefer backwardness to steady progress, they are the same set of people who lived by the unjust war, worked against Rauf’s victory in 2007, 2014 and see me as someone who must be checkmated before 2018, being the face of the radical changers and for being born because of Ife and not living on Ife,” he said.

He further alleged that while people in Ife North and Ife South voted for him, votes from Ife East could be against him.

“Ife North voted for me tremendously and so also the good people of Ife South, but as I can see and I can guess that the votes to be chunked out from the core Ife East may not represent the general wishes of the people.” The thespian added that, “This is my immediate reaction as I await the final result...love you all.”

•Rotimi Makinde

A.Y Live gets Maltina’s support for Easter show

T

HIS year’s edition of popular comedy show series, A.Y Live, has again retained the support of Maltina, a brand of the Nigerian Breweries Plc. The show, tagged: Complete Happiness, will take place on April 5, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Comedians who have made the show’s list this year include, I Go Dye, Seyi Law, Ushbebe, Princess, Helen Paul and musicians such as King Sunny Ade (KSA), Onyeka Onwenu, Wizkid, Timaya, Yemi Alade and Korede Bello among others.

The partnership began last year, when the brand declared its support for A.Y Live and another comedy

By Joe Agbro Jr.

show, Laffmatazz, by Gbenga Adeyinka, as part the beverage’s Laugh out Loud activation. The shows held in Lagos and Ibadan respectively. It is however not clear if Laffmatazz is able to also retain this support.

It will be recalled that at the start of the partnership last year, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kufre Ekanem, said that support for these two shows was derived from its new agenda that borders on ‘Sharing the Happiness’.

This time round, Maltina’s Senior Brand Manager, Adewole Adedeji, noted that the brand’s decision to continue its partnership with A.Y

Live is because of its interest in being a part of consumers’ happy moments.

“Maltina as a brand that constantly preaches happiness is keen on promoting activities that stir up the happy self of every individual. We believe the secret to living a long healthy life is to stay happy and AY Live delivers that exact recipe. Last year was amazing, the feedback from our consumers was mindblowing, so there was certainly no questioning our partnership this year because we hold the happiness of our consumers dear to heart,” he said.

The series is expected to continue in Port Harcourt and Abuja, later in the year.

NE year after the death of Nigerian-American artiste, Margaret-Mary Joseph, better known as Zara Gretti, her colleague in the industry, Nikki Laoye has remembered her.

“It’s one year already... Wow. Rest on, Zara @zaragretti .. You are in a better place, dear one. Miss you, Love you always,” Laoye posted on her Instagram page.

Zara died on Friday, March 28 last year after battling multiple sclerosis, an auto-immune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.

Zara is a Nigerian-American artiste who was born Margaret-Mary Joseph in the mid 80’s. She was exposed to different religions and cultures as she was raised by Catholic and Muslim families from various ethnic groups in Nigeria.

As a young lady, Zara was a part of her church and school choirs. In the summer of 1999, Zara moved to the Philadelphia area in the United States where she eventually graduated as one of the top 10 students in her High School graduating class.

She first came into music in the summer of 2006.

In December 2009, Zara Gretti relocated to Nigeria to further her music career as she was then signed to Alapomeji, a record label

By Ovwe Medeme

owned by 9ice. This contract was however terminated on mutual grounds before the term was completed. She was also previously managed by Toni Payne Concepts.

The singer is known for the singles, The Flyest and Aboko Ku. In her life time, she has worked with producers such as ID Cabasa, Spankie Doodle, Kid Konnect, Dognomite, Teffler, TFlava, Sazzy (RIP) and many more. She has also worked with Eldee The Don, 2 Shotz, Freestyle, Jahbourne and DBlack from Ghana amongst others.

Prior to her demise, Zara, also an on-air personality on Rhythm 93.7fm, Lagos, tweeted; “I love and hate my life.”

• Zara Gretti

Julius Agwu worried over Rivers State

T

Tonto Dikeh prays for Nigeria

A

S the nation was preparing for last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly polls, Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, took time out to offer a prayer for Nigeria.

The controversial actress, hours before the elections commenced, committed the country and its election process into God’s hands, by posting words of prayer on social media.

She said: “O God I commit my country, Nigeria, into your hands, may you take control of the Presidential elections tomorrow. Oh Lord, you said in your word that Jesus has shed his blood for all of us, may you take away bloodshed

By Ovwe Medeme

tomorrow IJN. May the best candidate win.”

In her characteristic manner, the actress also released new pictures in solidarity with the general elections, one of which had her flaunting her tattooed torso, and merely spotting a bra.

• Tonto Dikeh

HESE are not the best of times in Rivers State, following the Presidential and House of Assembly elections which held yesterday, and comedian Julius Agwu seems to be particularly worried over developments in the state.

Dropping a poignant one-liner on his Twitter page, the diminutive entertainer who was eyeing a career in politics wrote: “I weep for my state #RiversState.”

However, despite the replies, Agwu remained mum as to the direct reason for sending his tweet. But there are indication he was referring to the confusion in Rivers State, following Saturday’s election.

In the aftermath of the elections, violence had erupted in some parts of the State. It was reported that four persons died while some houses were burnt in different places across the state.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi had called for the election results to be cancelled, saying there was no election. “I realised that in all polling units in my ward, all the result sheets had been hijacked and I sought to know why (and) the presiding officers reported that the EOs, that is the Electoral Officers had taken all the result sheets from them,” Amaechi said in an interview.

“Then I began to receive calls from all over the state that they took all the result sheets.”

Sequel to this perceived anomaly, supporters of the APC in the state took a protest to the INEC office, demanding that

By Joe Agbro Jr.

elections be rescheduled in the state.

Agwu, a successful Nigerian entertainer, who founded a genre of music called musicomedy, was widely reported last year as being interested in contesting the governorship position of Rivers State.

• Julius Agwu

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

53

NEWS

Oshiomhole petitions Army •Protests illegal deployment of soldiers

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has petitioned the Commander of the 4 Brigade in Benin City, Brig. Gen. Olajide Laleye.

The governor was protesting the illegal deployment of soldiers in Owan and other parts of Edo North by a Lt. Colonel Abiodun Uwadia (rtd), the special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, for the election.

He threatened to sue the

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

Nigerian Army at the International Criminal Court (ICC), following the terror unleashed on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and journalists covering the elections.

He said: “Reports reaching me showed that Lt Col. Uwadia (rtd) illegally and unconstitutionally deployed not less than three

trucks of soldiers to Owan to harass APC members.

“As I write, the retired Lt colonel was also issuing threats and directing the soldiers to shoot at sight, any APC member that resists his directives.

“Evidently, the conduct of the political office holder is not only illegal and unconstitutional, but a flagrant abuse of the military. It is not only reprehensible, it is unacceptable to abuse and misuse of

the Army for partisan purposes.

“I wish to request you to use your good offices to call Uwadia to order and stop this unconstitutional deployment of soldiers for partisan objectives during elections.

“Failure to stem this patently illegal action can result in consequences that are likely to go beyond the shores of Nigeria. The world is watching”.

•Emerhor being accredited to vote.

APC Youth leader clubbed to death

A

YOUTH leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, Igie Osayande, was, on Saturday, clubbed to death, and his body burnt by thugs suspected to be loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Osayande died when thugs invaded Ward 9, units nine, 10 and 11 in Obagienevbosa.

According to an APC agent, Mr Sunny Osagiede, trouble started when a non-indigene demanded to be accredited, after accreditation and voting had commenced.

Osagiede said: “His attempt to get accredited was rebuffed by the Presiding officer, who told him that voting had commenced. The policeman on duty then told him to leave.”

“He returned to the ward with his boys, scattered the ballot boxes and tore the ballot papers into shreds.

“In an attempt to resist them, Osayande was clubbed to death and his body set ablaze. ‘’My Mercedes Benz 190 was damaged and Osagiede’s Mercedes Benz ML 350 4Matic was also burnt.”

He said the body of the deceased had been deposited at a morgue.

Controversy trails polls in Cross River

C

ONTROVERSY has continued to trail the conduct of the Saturday’s election in Cross Rivers State, following speculations that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intends to tamper with the results.

The Labour Party (LP) seems to be winning in the senatorial and House of Representatives elections in some areas.

Results for the presidential elections were mostly in favour of the PPD. But in other polling units, results had not been not announced as at yesterday evening.

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

Results for Abi/Yakurr were not announced, as voters said security agents took the Returning officer away.

There were speculations that Governor Liyel Imoke, who hails from Abi, hijacked the results.

Reacting, the governor’s media aide, Christian Ita, said the governor did not hijack any result. He said: “The governor is in his house at Itigidi. How can a governor do such a thing?

Hoodlums blocked the highway so the police stepped in to maintain law

and order.

“If elections had been won and lost, people should learn to accept defeat. The collation in the north and central districts were done there. Nothing was brought to Calabar.”

Reacting to the development, Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council, Mr Goddie Akpama, said the election was inconclusive, as no results were announced.

His words: “Elections in Abi/Yakurr were inconclusive. It took the security agents to save the crisis. The Returning officer, who compromised, has absconded without anyone knowing his whereabouts.

“The CRS REC cannot reach him. We are calling on the Returning officer to come out and do the needful. Elections were inconclusive and IPAC has condemned the attitude and style of the don.

Let him return to the federal constituency headquarters in Ugep, Yakurr, as prescribed by law to announce the results.”

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Sylvester Ezeani, said the Returning officer absconded and the police are looking for him.

As at press time yesterday INEC had not announced any result.

PDP kicks as INEC suspends poll in Edo community

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State yesterday kicked, following the suspension of election at Orhionmwon Local Government in Edo State.

It said elections were being conducted in seven wards when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) bowed to pressure from the All

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Progressives Congress (APC) to stop the election.

Orhiomwon is the home of Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and former Minister of State for Works, Chris Ogiemwonyi.

Resident Electoral Commissioner Mike Igini suspended thePresidential/National

Assemblies election in Orhionmwon for non-distribution and mix-up of result sheets.

Igini said stakeholders would be informed on further decisions regarding the election, adding that there would be no return of results from affected polling units.

But the PDP displayed results of the seven wards it alleged elections were being conducted and

results collated before the cancellation.

Chairman of PDP in Orhionmwon Mr. Nosakhare Okunbor said the party was not consulted or informed about the suspension.

Okunbor accused the deputy governor of masterminding the suspension and attempting to hijack electoral materials.

Ogboru slams INEC’s performance From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

T

HE governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Delta State, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, has condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of Saturday’s elections.

Ogboru said INEC failed in its responsibility to give Nigerians credible elections.

Ogboru, while addressing reporters yesterday, said he would resist any attempt to rig the governorship election.

The LP candidate for Delta Central senatorial election, Ovie Omo-Agege, also complained about INEC’s shortcomings, adding that what the commission displayed on Saturday was an indication that it was not ready for the elections.

APC candidate, member arrested in Bayelsa From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

C

ANDIDATE of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the April 11 House of Assembly elections in Bayelsa State Mr. Tare Ekati was yesterday beaten up and arrested by the police.

Ekati, who is contesting the Kolokuma-Opokuma Constituency 1 seat, was reportedly arrested with one of his supporters; Odiowei Imomoemi.

They were said to have been apprehended after kicking against alleged malpractices by supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the wards in Isampou during the Saturday’s election.

They were reportedly taken to the Area A Command, where they are being detained.

Some policemen, who spoke in confidence, said they did not understand why the party members were being detained.

“They just brought them and dumped them in our station. We don’t understand their offences,” one of them said.

A chieftain of APC, Mr. Christopher Abarowei, said the arrest of the party members was the handiwork of the PDP. He said: “Our members were arrested because they opposed multiple thumb printing. The candidate of the PDP ordered their arrest.

“They were beaten up and taken to the Area A Command in Yenagoa. We visited them there and the policeman we met said they did not know their offence,” he said.

Police spokesman Buswatt Asinim promised to find out the circumstances behind the arrest.

But a police officer said the detention of the party members in Yenagoa was wrong and illegal.

“It is wrong to arrest people in Isampou in KolokumaOpokuma and bring them to Yenagoa Local Government Area for detention. They should have been taken to Kaiama, the division in their area of arrest”, he said.

Police in Delta assault reporters From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

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EPORTERS covering the elections in Delta State were assaulted yesterday by the police.

Those beaten up on Saturday were Shola O’Neil

(regional editor of The Nation); Bolaji Ogundele (The Nation); Sylvester Idowu (Daily Newswatch); Dele Fasan (South-South Bureau Chief of Galaxy TV) ; Daniel(Cameraman, Galaxy TV), by suspected thugs loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Warri.

Yesterday, the Ughelli correspondent of the Vanguard, Perez Brisibe and the publisher of Advocate, a local tabloid in Warri, Shedrack Onitsha, were also beaten up.

It was gathered that Brisibe arrived the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) Collation Centre in Ughelli to monitor the collation process, but was attacked by the policemen on guard.

According to him, a policeman queried his early arrival He identified himself and explained his mission.

The policeman sent him out and while Brisibe tried to justify his stay, other officers beat him up.

“In obeying their order, I was walking out and trying to inform my colleagues of what transpired when two of them pounced on me again, saying: you are making calls, abi? In short, we are locking you up.

“At this point, they dragged me across the main road as a criminal to the police station, dumped me in a teargassed passage way leading to the cell and forced me to sit on the ground, after confiscating my phone and tearing my shirt to shreds.

“While on the ground, I noticed a senior police officer at the counter and raised alarm that I am a reporter, having shown him my INEC accreditation tag, and that his men assaulted me for no reason. He then ordered my release,” Brisibe lamented.

Also assaulted is the publisher of the Advocate, Shadrack Onitsha. He said he heard of Brisibe’s plight and went to the Ughelli Police Division to bail out a colleague, but was rather received with hostility as the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Hassan Galadima, ordered that he be thrown out.

According to Onitsha, after identifying himself, he told the officer at the counter that his colleague was detained and the officer said: “Do you want to join him behind the counter or what?”

“It was at this point that an officer at the counter I later identified as the DPO barked at me saying, who is this mad man? My friend, bundle him out of this place,” he said.

54

THE NATION MONDAY MARCH 30, 2015

NEWS THE VERDICT Orji nearly disenfranchised

Don’t declare any PDP candidate winner in Anambra, says Uba

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PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Anambra State, Chief Chris Uba, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to declare any PDP National Assembly candidate winner in the state.

He said this is because cases are pending at the Supreme and the Federal High Court.

Uba said INEC would err if any of the PDP candidates was declared winner.

Briefing reporters yester-

•’Case still in court’ From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

day in Awka, Uba said no PDP candidate could claim victory until the court rules.

Uba and other PDP candidates went to court praying for an order to restrain INEC from issuing any certificate of return to any of the party’s National Assembly candidates, pending the determination of the June 9 suit.

“An order of this court directing the second respondent to stay actions concerning and relating to the return of any candidate as the duly elected candidate of the first respondent for the 2015 National Assembly election in Anambra State, pending the determination of the appellants/applicants’ appeal before this court.”

Uba said the removal of the names of the PDP candidates

A

on the ballot paper by INEC was illegal, adding that nobody should be issued a certificate of return in Anambra PDP. He said they all came back to the state to vote PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan.

Uba, who is also a Board of Trustees (BOT) member, said he was happy with the election, but regretted the failure of the card readers.

“For now, PDP has no candidate in the election. People voted for the party, not the candidates.”

•Enugu State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, voting last Saturday at his Amube Ohum ward 1 and 2 polling centre in Orba Udenu Local Government.

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke

oped problems.

He urged INEC officials to accredit voters manually.

His words: “There are no result sheets in the 12 wards and 124 polling units I have gone to in the local government. I complained to INEC officials, they said the sheets would arrive before the start of voting.”

The Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government, Jasper Uche, hailed INEC for its preparation.

At Onuaku Ward, Uturu, a former governorship candidate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Uche Ogah, complained that the Card Readers did not work, delaying voting. He praised INEC officials for accrediting eligible voters manually.

In Isuikwuato, Dr. Ejike Orji, who is contesting the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency seat on APGA’s platform, said there were no result sheets in five polling units.

He warned against rigging, saying the people were mobilised to vote the candidates of their choice.

At Alayi in Bende Local Government, the PDP member representing Bende, Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, said Card Readers worked well.

Kwankwaso, others in early lead From Kolade Adeyemi and Onyedi Ojiabor, Kano

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Shooting in Anambra council •Ihiala results suspended •APC urges cancellation of Ogbaru results

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HERE was shooting yesterday at Ihiala Local Government headquarters in Anambra State, following a scufle between Chief Ifeanyi Ubah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chief Ernest Obiejesi (Obijackson) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Results of elections in the council were yesterday cancelled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In the ensuing fracas, APGA and PDP supporters, mostly youths, burnt tyres on the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

People scampered for safety. Security operatives later dispersed the youths.

The spokesman for the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Frank Egbo, told The Nation yesterday that he was not aware of the cancellation of the results.

The state All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the cancellation of the results in Ogbaru.

In a statement yesterday in Awka, the party’s spokesman, Okelo Madukaife, said they were

disappointed that there were no result sheets.

He said: “We warn that Anambra State cannot continue to be a laboratory for election perversion.

“We advise INEC to cancel the elections in the areas where card readers did not work.

“We also urge an independent investigation into the failures in the use of the Card Readers, even in Igbo Ukwu Ward 1, where, being the pilot ward for testrunning the Card Readers in Anambra State, on March 7, the gadgets succeeded above 80 per cent.

“Our conclusive position

on the Card Readers and elections in Anambra State will be the subject of further consultations and subsequent statements.

“Regarding areas or constituencies where result sheets were not supplied, APC calls for the cancellation of the elections, as they are void by the Electoral Act. This affected Ogidi Ward, Oba Ward 1, parts of Dunukofia, Ogbaru, among others.

“We enjoin INEC to cancel the elections in Ogbaru Local Government, which is a federal constituency and hold proper elections.”

Wada hails Fed Govt, INEC

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BIA State Governor Theodore Orji was nearly disenfranchised, as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials did not send election materials on time to Ugba Polling Unit in Umuahia North Local Government.

Orji, who arrived at the polling booth at 11:19 am for accreditation and noticed that there were no ballot boxes, went to the INEC office in Umuahia to complain.

The Nation learnt that after the arrival of the ballot boxes, it took the governor two hours to vote, when he returned about 1pm. He voted about 4 pm.

Orji complained about the poor working of the Card Reader, saying he thumbprinted twice before he was accredited. His wife, he said, did hers four times.

In Umuahia, many Card Readers did not work. At Umuobasi Ward, Community Primary School Umuwaya Ward and others, the Card Readers developed problems.

At Umunneochi, the lawmaker representing the area at the House of Assembly and now an All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Prince Ikedi Ezekwesili, said the Card Readers devel-

OGI State Governor Idris Wada has said the introduction of the Smart Card Reader (SCR) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restored a level of confidence in the electoral system.

Wada, who spoke at Odu in Dekina Local Government, while being accredited for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, said President Goodluck Jonathan kept his promise of one man one vote.

His words: “From the reports I have received, the elec-

From James Azania, Lokoja

tions are going on smoothly, with minor hitches, because of the enthusiasm of the people to elect their leaders.

“The turnout was impressive, as people turned out en masse for the polls. The Federal Government should be praised for the exercise.”

Wada said the work done

by INEC over the years manifested in the conduct of the elections, which he noted gave credibility and transparency to the system.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress

(APC), Senator Alex Kadiri, hoped that with the Card Reader, his party would emerge victorious.

He said: “Although votes will determine the winner,

I’m confident and pray that APC will win the elections.

“Card Readers were used in Kenya and Ghana. It worked well and sanitised the system.”

HE three senatorial candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State appear to be cruising to victory.

The candidates, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso vied for the Kano Central seat; Alhaji Barau Jubrin, an ex-House of Representatives’ member (Kano North ) and Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya (Kano South).

Our correspondents learnt that the three APC standardbearers are likely to beat their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opponents; former Commissioner for Local Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Rogo (Kano South); Senator Bashir Lado, Kano Central and Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo (Kano North).

Also favoured to win are the APC candidates vying for the House of Representatives.

The elections were peaceful, with impressive turnout of voters, especially women in purdah.

Shortly after Governor Kwankwaso voted at Kwankwaso Malamai Special Primary in his home town, he hailed the electorate for their impressive turnout and peaceful conduct.

He said the situation showed the true reflection of what Kano, a stronghold of the APC, was known for.

The governor said: “We support the Card Reader because it will make the election more credible.”

He enjoined the people to be patient over accreditation.

On the APC presidential candidate, he said: “As you can see, we are working with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and we are expecting APC to garner 80 per cent of the votes cast in the state.”

Official results of the elections were being awaited.

Voting extended in Borno councils

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OTING has been extended in three local governments in Borno State, following logistics and technical problems.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Samuel Madaki, said the exercise would be affected in nine polling units in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Jere and Hawul local governments.

He listed the problems as

Funeral for Adeosun

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HE death has occurred of Mrs. Phebean Olabowale Adeosun, on March 14.

A service of songs will be held for her by the United Methodist Church (UAMC), EbuteMeta, Lagos, in her home, 511 Road, B Close, House 4, Festac Town, Lagos, tomorrow. Christian wake and lying-in-state follow on Wednesday at the same venue.

Funeral service holds on Saturday at the UAMC, 17, Jebba Street, near Apapa Road, Ebute-Meta

(West), Lagos. Interment follows at 48, Kumoye Street, Lesley, Ilaro, Ogun State.

There will be an outing service at the UAMC, Ebute-Meta, Lagos, on Sunday.

Reception follows at the Union Bank Sports Ground, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos.

The deceased is survived by children, grand children and great grandchildren.

From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

late arrival of election materials and technical issues with the Card Reader.

At press time, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was leading, based on the results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in eight local governments.

The councils are: Marte, Kala Balge, Askira Uba, Ngala, Kukawa, Mobbar, Abadam and Nganzai. APC won in the local governments with wide margins.

Maiduguri has come alive, as business activities have resumed.

Our correspondent, who went to the post office and other parts of the town, noticed that shops on major streets were opened.

The town also appeared peaceful.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

55

NEWS THE VERDICT

Yuguda accused of plotting crisis in Bauchi

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HE All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has accused Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda of plotting to cause the cancellation of Saturday’s election, to provoke a state of emergency.

The campaign organisation’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said in a statement made

From Tony Akowe, Daura

available to reporters in Daura that it had intelligence reports that Yuguda was planning to cause crisis in the state.

He said the crisis was meant to give the impression that elections in the state, which put the APC in a lead, were inconclusive and therefore called for a cancellation.

The statement said: “We have it on good authority that Gov-

ernor Yuguda is planning to engineer violence across Bauchi State to provoke a state of emergency so that elections across the state, which put the APC in a strong lead, will be seen to have been marred by violence.

“We make bold to say that this plot by the Bauchi governor to write off the electoral wishes of the people is antidemocratic, pernicious, sub-

versive and absolutely unacceptable.

“In the light of this development, we call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to be railroaded by Governor Yuguda and other anti-democratic forces into taking actions that may jeopardise the tranquility we have so far enjoyed in the course of this election.

“We urge the teeming sup-

porters of the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in Bauchi State and across the country to be abreast of this development and never fall for the demonic plot to write off their franchise as clearly expressed in last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections. We enjoin them to be resolute, vigilant, peaceful and law-abiding.”

APC urges fresh polls in Anambra

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday alleged that voting was ongoing in Anambra State, with new result sheets in all the centres.

The party urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the Presidential and Legislative elections and fix a date for fresh elections.

The party, which spoke in Awka through the lawmaker representing Anambra Central, Senator Chris Ngige, described the elections as peaceful in other states, adding that “we want the ones in Anambra to be like that.”

Ngige alleged that the police and other security operatives were used to arrest APC members in Oduma, Elekwasumpu, Awka North, Nnewi South, Agulu and other areas.

APC demanded the release of a professor, who refused to collect money, two other colla-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

tion officers, who were arrested by security operatives and those who were held hostage in Nnewi South.

The party alleged that security officers were accompanied to areas to sign blank sheets by stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ngige said he was addressing reporters to alert the world to what happened in the state.

APC alleged that over 200 policemen cordoned off Nnewi South Local Government secretariat where ward collation agents were accommodated and held them hostage, pressurising them to sign fresh result sheets.

It alleged that before the elections, INEC withdrew the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) not collected by their owners, not knowing that they would be given to the PDP to commit fraudulent acts.

•Senate Minority Leader loses brother after voting

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From Dele Anofi and Emmanuel Ujah, Makurdi

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

cal Government and elder brother of Senator Akume, Chief Gabriel Idyer Akume, is dead.

He died shortly after accompanying the lawmaker to vote at the Wanunue township polling unit about 2:30pm. He also voted.

The deceased died shortly after he returned home. He was said to have slumped and was rushed to hospital before he died.

•Borno First Lady, Hajia Nana Shettima, battling with the card reader in Maiduguri...yesterday.

Kwara PDP women leader declares for APC

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Women Leader in Kwara State, Hajia Nimota Suleiman, yesterday declared for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mrs. Suleiman, a close associate of Senator Gbemisola Saraki, dumped the PDP in a resignation letter to the Chairman, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo.

Senator Saraki, on the eve of the Presidential and Parlia-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

mentary elections, urged her supporters to vote for APC. She said: “I thank you all for always being there for me.

All of you know that tomorrow, March 28, is the last Saturday of the month and also the day for the Presidential Election. I urge you to sweep your environment very well with your brooms.”

The Women Leader said: “I

hereby announce my resignation as the Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State.

“This resignation is sequel to the defection of my leader, Senator Gbemisola Rukayah Saraki, from the PDP in Kwara State to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Since Senator Saraki instructed her supporters to vote massively for the APC in the state, I have come to the real-

isation that my membership of the PDP has become untenable.

“Therefore, in fidelity to her ideology and in solidarity with her political leadership, I Hon. Nimota Suleiman, this day, cease to be the state Women Leader and member of the PDP in Kwara State.

“I have taken this decision to register my displeasure over the unprecedented neglect women have suffered

Buhari, Jonathan share four wards in Makurdi

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, defeated President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in two wards of the four wards, whose results for the presidential election have been released.

Makurdi has 11 wards.

The result, obtained from one of the party agents, which was confirmed by an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official showed that in Bar

From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended voting in Yobe and Borno states, following logistic, technical and security reasons.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Borno State, Mr. Samuel Madaki, said the voting would affect nine polling units in three local governments, which included Maiduguri Metropolitan Council(MMC), Jere and Hawul local governments.

He attributed the extension to logistic problems, such as late arrival of election materials and technical issues with the card reader.

In Yobe State, voting is to continue in four local governments- Fika, Yunusari, Geidam and Postiskum.

The REC, Habu Zarma, said voting would be extended in some local governments because of security concerns, late arrival of materials and technical problems, which could not be rectified yesterday.

The extension will affect 18 polling units, with 10 in Fika, four each in Potiskum and Yunusari.

Jonathan defeats Buhari in Ogbadibo, Agatu councils

Akume, Mark, Buhari in early lead THE results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections held last Saturday in Benue State show that Senate President David Mark and Senate Minority Leader George Akume are coasting to victory.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, also won in Benue Northeast and Northwest senatorial districts.

The monarch of Tarka Lo-

INEC extends voting in Yobe, Borno

From Dele Anofi, Makurdi

Ward in the Presidential Election, APC polled 2,857 and PDP got 2857.

For Senate, APC polled 2,847, while PDP got 1,391.

APC polled 2,735 in the House of Representatives election to defeat PDP, which got 1,354.

At the Clerk/Narket Ward, APC polled 2,093 votes to defeat PDP, which got 629 votes in the Presidential Election.

For Senate, APC had 2,933 and PDP, 727.

PDP won Presidential Election in Agan Ward with 3,577 votes, APC got 848.

For Senate, PDP polled 3,904, while APC got 578. In the House of Representatives, PDP got 3,725 votes and APC polled 673.

At Mbalagn Ward in the Presidential Election, PDP polled 1,633 votes and APC had 941 votes. For Senate, PDP polled 2,136 and APC got 220 votes.

For House of Representatives, PDP got 2,035 and APC polled 512 votes.

under the PDP in the state. I believe that there is no justification that of about 40 candidates of the party across the state, not one is a woman, despite the participation of women in the electoral process.

“As a representative of women in the state executive council (SEC) of the party, I hereby, this day declare my immediate resignation from the PDP in the state.”

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) slightly defeated the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Presidential Poll in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

PDP polled 6,937 to APC’s 6257.

According to the result certified by the Collation Officer, Prof. Haward Mafuyai, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, of the registered 53,253 voters, accredited voters were put at 15,530, with valid votes, 13,595.

Seven hundred votes were rejected from the total votes cast, put at 14,295.

In Agatu Local Government, which has 10 wards, PDP polled 9,555 votes to defeat APC, which got 3,627.

The collation officer gave the breakdown as registered voters, 47,895; accredited voters, 15,284; total valid votes, 13,294; rejected votes, 658; and total votes cast, 13,952.

Belgore, others lose to APC in Kwara From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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•Buhari

HE governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kwara State in the 2011 general elections and the state coordinator of the President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Mohammed Dele Belgore, lost Saturday’s poll in Ode-Magaji polling unit.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 201 and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got 88 votes.

Other PDP leaders in the state lost in their polling units to the APC candidates.

According to a compilation from polling units’ agents, ward agents and local government agents, APC was leading by about 70 per cent.

Some of the PDP stalwarts, who lost in their polling units included the National Planning Minister, Dr. Suleiman Abubakar, Abuja- based businesswoman, Hajia Muinat Bola Sagaya, her son, Sheriff and the PDP candidate for Kwara Central Senatorial District, Alhaji Abdulrasak AbdulRahaman.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

56

FOREIGN NEWS Yemen crisis: Houthi rebels are Iran stooges, says Hadi

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Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Kuwait Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and Sudanese President Omar al Bashir (middle-C) (AFP Photo/Mohamed Samaaha)

Putin letter to Arab summit triggers strong Saudi responses

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AUDI Arabia accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of hypocrisy yesterday, telling an Arab summit that he should not express support for the Middle East while fuelling instability by supporting Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

In a rare move, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced that a letter from Putin would be read out to the gathering in Egypt, where Arab leaders discussed an array of regional crises, including con-

G

flicts in Syria, Yemen and Libya.

“We support the Arabs’ aspirations for a prosperous future and for the resolution of all the problems the Arab world faces through peaceful means, without any external interference,” Putin said in the letter.

His comments triggered a sharp attack from Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud alFaisal.

“He speaks about the problems in the Middle East as though Russia is not influenc-

needs to fight its own people,” Prince Saud said.

“I hope that the Russian president corrects this so that the Arab world’s relations with Russia can be at their best level.”

The Saudi rebuke may have been awkward for summit host Egypt, which depends heavily on billions of dollars in support from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab allies, but has also improved ties with Moscow.

Guinea declares Ebola ‘health emergency’ in five regions

UINEAN President Alpha Conde has declared a 45-day “health emergency” in five regions in the west and southwest of the country over Ebola.

The restrictions include the quarantining of hospitals and clinics where new cases are detected, new rules on burials and possible lockdowns.

The Ebola outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013.

In January, the World Health Organization reported a steady drop in cases in the three epicentre countries.

But renewed concern has

been triggered by fresh setbacks in these countries Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Mr Conde said he was declaring “a reinforced health emergency for a period of 45 days in the prefectures of Forecariah, Coyah, Dubreka, Boffa and Kindia” in a statement published in national media.

The focus of the virus “has shifted to our country’s coastal areas,” he said.

He added: “Wherever the need may be, throughout this period, measures of restriction

Singaporean enigmatic nation founder finally laid to rest

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ing these problems,” he told the summit right after the letter was read out.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia have been cool over Moscow’s support for Assad, whom Riyadh opposes.

The civil war between Assad’s forces and rebels has cost more than 200,000 lives in four years.

“They speak about tragedies in Syria while they are an essential part of the tragedies befalling the Syrian people, by arming the Syrian regime above and beyond what it

INGAPOREAN Lee Kuan Yew was not your ordinary leader. Yesterday coincidentally, when he was finally laid to rest was not an ordinary day as we all marked Palm Sunday when our Lord Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem. Some leaders are natural born leaders. Others acquire leadership instinctive disposition but in generality they inspire and advance the course of their nationhood for good or for ill depending on their time in history and how they choose to respond to their perspicacity.

Befitting a colossal who ruled his country for more than three decades up until 1990, his casket was beautifully bedecked in the nations colours of white and red within the spectacular University Campus viewable to scores of world leaders.

According to his bio, Lee was born in Singapore on September 16, 1923. He became the longest-serving prime minister in world history. Lee rose through the ranks of his country’s political system before becoming the first prime minister of Singapore on June 5, 1959. In 1962, Lee led Singapore into a merger with

Malaysia, but three years later, Singapore left the union for good. Lee resigned as prime minister in 1990, and his son became prime minister in 2004. Lee died on March 23, 2015.

American former President Bill Clinton, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abott and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen were all hand among other foreign dignitaries to honour the late statesman yesterday even on a rainy day.

Being a son of a wealthy Chinese descent in Singapore probably stood him in good stead to accomplish so much as to catapult his nation into a stand out of progressivism economically and otherwise into what we now characterise as the monumental development of the Asian Tiger, may be it his his humble background or a combination of both. Hey, he was celebrated as a world accomplished leader in the realm of the Mandelas, the Martin Luther Kings Jr not to talk of Mahatma Ghandi, people who sacrificed so much of their personal lives to better their fellow humanity. We have read and heard about the

and confinement will be taken.”

It is a first for the country since the outbreak began, Reuters reported.

On Friday, Sierra Leone began a three-day nationwide lockdown sparked by fears the virus was making a comeback in some parts of the country.

A lockdown has been imposed in Sierra Leone until Sunday leaving many usually busy streets deserted The southwest region of Guinea borders northern districts of Sierra Leone that are focus areas for the lockdown there.

On Friday evening Guinea deployed security forces to its south-west in response to reports Sierra Leoneans were crossing the border to flee the operation, an official told Associated Press.

Sierra Leone government spokesman Theo Nicol said the two countries had agreed to police the border so people with Ebola symptoms did not cross.

Since the Ebola outbreak began more than 24,000 people in nine countries have been infected with the virus, and over 10,000 of them have died.

EMEN President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi has accused Iran of destabilising the country, calling Houthi rebels the “stooges of Iran”.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia says military intervention in Yemen will continue until the country is “stable and safe”.

A fourth night of airstrikes by a Saudi-led coalition has hit cities across the country.

The conflict has been described by correspondents as a proxy war between Sunni Arab nations and Shia Iran.

President Hadi was speaking at an Arab League summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, days after having to flee Yemen as rebels advanced on his stronghold of Aden.

He plans to stay abroad until the situation settles, Yemeni Foreign Minister Riad Yassin said.

The Saudi-led Operation Decisive Storm has the support of several Arab League members. It was sparked by Wednesday’s rebel advance towards Aden.

On Saturday, news agency Agence France-Presse reported supporters of President Hadi had recaptured the airport in Aden from the Shia rebel militia.

Reuters reported Saudi Arabia’s navy evacuated 86 foreign diplomats and Saudi nationals from Aden on Saturday and the United Nations pulled out most of its 100 international workers from the capital Sanaa.

Analysis: BBC’s Orla Guerin in Sharm el-Sheikh Iran is the spectre hanging over this gathering of Arab leaders. When a coalition of Sunni-led states began bombing Houthi rebels in Yemen three days ago, this was a shot across the bow for Shia Iran.

The intervention is an attempt to curb Iran’s growing influence in the Arab world, as well as to save the presidency of Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. Both will be difficult tasks.

While other leaders at the summit made veiled references to Tehran, President Hadi - who just days ago was in hiding - was blunt. He described the Shia Houthi rebels who are trying to topple him as “Iranian stooges”.

Yemen is now the backdrop for a larger conflict which already looks like a proxy war between Sunni states - especially regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia - and Iran. What’s unclear is how far Arab leaders are prepared to take this conflict, or how much it may escalate.

While leaders spoke at the summit, explosions rocked an arms depot in Aden after it was looted by residents. At least 15 people were killed and dozens wounded the director general of Yemen’s health ministry, al-Khadher Laswar said.

Saudi air strikes have also destroyed ballistic missiles captured by the Houthis close to the Saudi border, Gulf officials said.

More than 68 people have been killed and 452 wounded in Aden since Wednesday, Yemen’s health ministry said.

The fighting risks “disastrous consequences” for the Yemeni people, the UN warned - it is already the poorest country in the Middle East, with over 60% of the population requiring aid.

With no sign of an end to the current military campaign, the Yemeni president said that military intervention must continue until the Houthi rebels surrendered.

Author: White House reveals ‘ hatred’ for Israel

Global Focus

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DAYO FAKUADE, Foreign Editor sms 08134230367

daborgu@gmail.com

•Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Austrailian PM Tony Abott and former U.S President Bill Clinton at the state funeral for former PM Yew...yesterday. PHOTO: EPA

•Crowds lined the entire funeral route through the city despite pouring rain- yesterday. PHOTO: EPA

political jobbers and some halleluyah boys comparing their principal in Aso Rock to these

great men. I think all people of goodwill will shake their head as to this inane and insane dis-

proportional aggregation in the land of the living circa 2015.

May God forgive them.

HITE House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough recently publicly demanded an Israeli “occupation that has lasted for almost 50 years must end,” pushing relations between the U.S. and its chief Middle East ally for decades to the breaking point.

McDonough’s comments, made to the left-wing activist group J Street, are proof of the Obama administration’s “hatred” for Israel, according to bestselling author Joel Richardson.

Richardson, who recently released “When a Jew Rules the World: What Every Christian Must Know about Israel in God’s Prophetic Plans,” contends the United States is now openly siding against Israel and the Jewish people.

“The Obama administration has finally fully come out of the closet and removed all pretense as to their hatred of Israel,” he said. “In demanding that Israel withdraw from its own lands and end the ‘occupation’ (Israel is not presently occupying anything) the United States has joined its voice to those who are openly calling for the genocide of the Jewish people.”

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

57

LENT

FOREIGN NEWS

Singapore bids Yew farewell

S

INGAPORE is bidding farewell to its founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who died on Monday aged 91.

Despite torrential rain, tens of thousands lined the streets to view the funeral procession carrying Mr Lee’s coffin through the city-state.

A state funeral then took place attended by world leaders, ahead of a private family cremation ceremony.

About 1.5m people paid tribute to Mr Lee at sites around the country this week the government said.

In his eulogy, Mr Lee’s son, the current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said his father had “lived and breathed Singapore all his life”.

“The light that has guided us all these years has been extinguished,” he said.

Media caption Lee Hsien Loong: “The heavens opened and cried for him” Crowds lined the entire funeral route through the city despite pouring rain The funeral procession began on Sunday at 12:30 (04:30 GMT) as Mr Lee’s body was taken from Parliament House on a gun carriage.

A 21-gun salute sounded, echoing across the city, as the procession moved on into the business district and Tanjong Pagar, the docklands constituency Mr Lee represented for his whole political life.

Military jets flew overhead

while two Singaporean navy vessels conducted a sail-past of the Marina Bay barrage - the massive water conservation project spearheaded by Mr Lee. The guns for the salute were barely visible through the rain There were both tears and cheering as the procession came in to view It was a scene unlike any other in practical-minded Singapore: a mass demonstration of pure emotion.

As the funeral procession rolled into view at the Padang outside parliament, the chants and cheers grew louder from the thousands clad in black waiting in the downpour. Some wept, and people began shouting, “Thank you Mr Lee”, “Goodbye”, “Take care”, and a refrain from Mr Lee’s speech at the same spot 50 years ago declaring Singapore’s independence: “Merdeka”, meaning “free” in Malay.

At the Tanjong Pagar Community Club, hundreds more gathered to watch a screening of the funeral service. Many had come from elsewhere as they knew it was Mr Lee’s constituency. “He was a great man. Nobody can replace him,” one 60year-old man told me.

Singapore has seen increasing political and social divisions in recent years as it grapples with inequality and demands for political pluralism. Even Mr Lee’s death spurred debate online with critics fearing that idolatry would sweep his controversial human rights record under the carpet.

But on Sunday, the country came together briefly for a rare show of grief.

Foreign leaders in attendance included former US President Bill Clinton, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and UK House of Commons leader William Hague.

Indian PM Narendra Modi, Cambodian PM Hun Sen, Australian PM Tony Abbott and former US President Bill Clinton were among those attending the state funeral In his emotional eulogy, Prime Minister Lee said that although his father had not lived to see Singapore’s 50th anniversary celebrations later this year, the country could be proud he had “lived to see his life’s work come to fruition”.

He cited the famous epitaph for Sir Christopher Wren, architect of London’s St Paul’s cathedral: if you seek his monument, look around you.

“To those who seek Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s monument, Singaporeans can reply proudly: ‘look around you’,” he said.

After eulogies from nine other leading figure, sirens sounded across the city to mark the beginning and end of a minute’s silence. Singaporeans were asked to recite the national pledge of allegiance and join in singing the national anthem.

The coffin is now being carried north to the Mandai crema-

torium.

Lee Kuan Yew mourning in numbers: • 31 - number of years Mr Lee was prime minister of Singapore.

He stepped down in 1990 • 454,687 people filed past the coffin as it lay in state in parliament, averaging 6,500 every hour according to government •10 hours - length of queue at some points on Friday • 1.1 million people paid tribute at 18 community sites around the country - a fifth of the population • 170 foreign dignitaries attending the state funeral • 15.4km (9.5 miles) - length of funeral procession route • 249,844 likes on the official Remember Lee Kuan Yew Facebook page • Two navy ships staging a sail-past off Marina Bay • One minute silence being observed across entire country Even after he stepped down in 1990, Mr Lee remained hugely influential in political life and was held in deep affection by Singaporeans.

He oversaw Singapore’s independence from Britain and separation from Malaysia. He was widely respected as the architect of Singapore’s prosperity - the city-state’s GNP per capita increased 15-fold between 1960 and 1980.

However, he also introduced tight controls, restricting freedom of speech and of the press. Political opponents were targeted by the courts.

Israel premier expresses ‘deep concern’ SRAELI Prime Minister on pending Iran deal Benjamin Netanyahu said

I

Sunday that he has “deep concern” over a pending nuclear deal the West appears close to signing with Israel’s arch-enemy Iran.# Netanyahu said that he conveyed those fears to visiting American lawmakers, warning that the looming deal appears to “corroborate all our concerns and then some.”Netanyahu has been a fierce critic of American-led efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran and publicly has clashed with the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama over the issue.Negotiators in the Swiss town of Lausanne are working

on an initial agreement just three days before their self-imposed deadline.”

The Iran-Lausanne-Yemen axis is very dangerous for humanity and must be stopped,” the Israeli premier said, referring to Iran’s backing of Shiite rebels who have conquered most of Yemen.The West fears Iran’s nuclear program will allow it to build an atomic bomb. Iran says its nuclear research is for peaceful purposes.

Netanyahu depicted Israel and Middle Eastern countries as unified in their view of Iran’s involvement in the Yemen unrest as “a strategic

move to dominate the region.”

He criticized continued negotiations with Iran at a time when “Iran is rampaging through Yemen,” saying that “talks continue as usual and go on, on a deal that from everything that we hear paves Iran’s way to the bomb.”Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said Iran was responsible for the fall of the pro-Western government in Yemen, and “instead of punishing it for that, Iran is getting a prize” with the negotiations.”

The West is allowing Iran through the front door of the family of nations,” Yaalon said.Senate majority leader

•Netanyahu

Mitch McConnell, heading a delegation of U.S. senators visiting Israel, said the delegation supported legislation to require Congress to approve any agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, or to increase sanctions on Iran if no agreement is reached.

Germanwings crash: 78 DNA strands isolated

F

IVE days after Germanwings flight 4U 9525 crashed in the French Alps killing all 150 on board, investigators say they have isolated 78 DNA strands.

However, they denied German media reports body parts of co-pilot Andreas Lubitz had been identified.

The cockpit voice recorder suggested he crashed the plane deliberately.

A transcript leaked to German media revealed the frenzied final minutes, with the pilot, locked out of the cockpit, shouting “open the damn door!”

Recovery teams have so far only reached the mountainside on foot or by helicopter to continue the search for human remains as well as parts of the aircraft, including the flight data recorder which is still missing.

Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin said an access road was being built to the remote site.

Mr Robin said work on the road, which would give all-ter-

rain vehicles access to the area, could be completed by Monday evening.

Access to the crash site is very difficult for the recovery teams They can only get to the crash site on foot or with the help of helicopters The German newspaper Bild published a transcript of the final minutes of the flight as caught on the cockpit voice recorder. It has not been independently verified.

It shows the captain, who has been named in media as Patrick Sondenheimer, telling Lubitz he was not able to go to the toilet before take off, to which the co-pilot replies he can go at any time.

The captain says “you can take over”.

Lubitz, 27, then appears to refuse to let the captain back into the cockpit.

The captain can be heard banging on the door and screaming: “For God’s sake, open the door!”

The captain tries to break the door down with an axe.

Passengers are then heard screaming as the captain begs again to be let in.

Investigators think there is the sound of the plane’s wing hitting a mountaintop before final screams.

Meanwhile, there have been calls for a full investigation to be completed before any further conclusions are revealed.

The German Airline Pilots Association pointed out that the flight data recorder was still missing and that the reasons that led to the crash could only be determined once all data had been examined.

The European Cockpit Association said the release of voice recorder data was a “serious breach” of globally accepted rules. It said many questions remained unanswered.

Andreas Lubitz was a keen runner who kept himself very fit Investigator searched the house of Mr Lubitz’s parents as well as his flat in Duesseldorf The suggestion that the co-

pilot’s action was deliberate led to speculation about his mental health, especially when investigators found anti-depressants at his house along with evidence of treatment by various doctors, including a tornup sick note for the day he flew the plane.

Reports about problems with his eyesight - possibly a detached retina - first raised in the New York Times, were also reflected in the German papers.

But no full picture has emerged of what initially caused Mr Lubitz to seek medical help and whether reports that he was stressed are linked to a prospect of impaired vision and its potential impact on his ambition of becoming a longhaul pilot for Germany’s main carrier Lufthansa.

Lufthansa, which fully owns Germanwings, says his training was once interrupted but only resumed after his suitability was fully re-established.

Family members continue to travel to the site of the crash.

Theme: The thrills, chills and frills of Gethsemane Text: And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: .......And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping... (Mark 14:32,37)

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HEN things are good, prosperous and promising, friends abound but when things get unfavourable, either through false accusations, paucity of funds, reducing influences, lose in an electioneering process or when political calculations fail, friends either stand aloof or turn their backs. Human beings enjoy the sweet taste of hands soiled with palm oil soup but detest the sight of a blood-stained hand, goes a common saying to affirm that human beings are not absolutely dependable and reliable - it is ‘Hosanna’ today and ‘crucify’ Him tomorrow.

When Jesus Christ knew that His time was at hand, He decided to pray alongside His trusted allies called the Boarneges, that is the sons of thunder (Mark 3:16). He took them to Gethsemane to intercede for Him. Unfortunately, while He was busy praying and sweat was oozing from His body, His trusted ‘friends’ were sleeping. All His entreaties to them to lift Him up in prayers failed. That experience marked the beginning of the mother of all betrayals from His closest allies in the ministry starting from Judas Iscariot who gave Him up for few pieces of silver (Luke 22:47), to His most trusted ally, Simon Peter, who had vowed to die with Him if the need arose but denied very bluntly on three occasions that he ever knew Him (Matthew 26:59-75).

The only companionship that Jesus Christ had for strength in His moment of agony and pain on that mountain was not any of the Boarneges, His most dependable allies, but the angel of God who appeared to Him “.......from heaven, strengthening him” (Luke 22:43).

Mount Gethsemane, besides being a real place in His time, is with us today a metaphor. The mountain represents the limitedness of humans beings and the disappointments that always follow whenever things get awry. It also represents God’s unfailing support and closeness to His children, even when all have forsaken and abandoned.

God is the only one that has promised never to, and will never, abandon or forsake His children, no matter what they are passing through (Isaiah 49:15-16).

Mount Gethsemane is a place where close friends deny ever knowing one; it is a place where a person you have assisted in times past turns his back on you. It is a mountain where people that spoke nicely about you yesterday, have unprintable words for you today.

Mount Gethsemane is a place of betrayal of trust, evil gang-ups and falsehood. It is a place where vociferous and easily believable sons of Belial are employed to bear false witness against the innocent (Matthew 26:60; 1 Kings 2:10 cf 1 Kings 21:8-13).

On the other flip of the coin, Mount Gethsemane is the lowest point one can get to as a believer before a rise up. It is baseline for a lift up. Jesus Christ has assured that “... Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” ( John 12:24). David confirmed it that “ When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will pick me up” (Psalm 27:10). Mount Gethsemane is the death point that leads to resurrection; it is that disappointment that leads to His appointment. It is the breaking pointing that heralds a divine rising. It is the seemingly ugly bridge that connects a person on a lower spot to destiny.

Mount Gethsemane is a mountain that great men of faith had to ascend for divine lift up and place their feet on towards the realisation of their lives purposes. Abram encountered his Mount Gethsemane with Lot (Genesis 14), Daniel faced his with the other Presidents of Babylon (Daniel 6), Shadrack and his friends were conspired against by rulers of the provinces in Babylon (Daniel 3), Joseph was betrayed and sold by his own brothers because of his ‘coat of many colours’ (Genesis 37) and Mordecai had issues predicated on envy with Haman (Esther 3:6; 5:9-14) among many others. The good news however is that for each of these people, their Gethsemane was the inevitable ingress that took them to the top. As the Lord lives, instead of going down, God will use your Mount Gethsemane to move you to the next level in the name of Jesus.

For Jesus Christ, Mount Gethsemane was the needed step to the right hand of God and a name with eternal supremacy over whatever is in heaven, on earth and below the earth (Philippians 2:8-11).

After His betrayal and death on Good Friday, which was a time of Suffering of the Son was Easter Sunday which marked the supernatural intervention of the Father (Matthew 2:6; 1 Corinthians 15:4).

When He arose, He was given the keys of hell and of death ( Revelations 1:18).

Are you facing hard times at home, work or church? Are people ganging up against you to discredit you in your family, among your friends, at work or in your commission? Are trusted and very close friends turning their back at you at your moment of needs? Are false witnesses rising up against you among the committee of your best friends? Are you being maligned unnecessarily? Is it that people you are to lean on have laced their palms with thorns? Is it that close friends that are supposed to assist blow off specks from your eye have pepper in their mouths to inflict more damaging harm? Brethren, don’t lose hope. You are already on Mount Gethsemane. I congratulate you because weeping may endure for a night but your joy is coming ( Psalm 30:5). As He lives, you shall never be put to shame.

God shall terminate the challenges of this present night time and lead you to everlasting daytime of joy, peace, health and prosperity, in the name of Jesus.

Are you yet to get to Mount Gethsemane, please be ready because it is a mountain you must necessarily get to before you can get to where God has destined for you. And when it comes, don’t feel bad but rejoice in all because “better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof” (Ecclesiastes 7:8). Solomon in Ecclesiastes 11:8 spoke further about the certainty of Mount Gethsemane that “... if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity”.

As we commence the Passion week today and we are on the verge of ending this year’s Lenten season, please be assured that no matter what you may be passing through now, every problem has an expiry date. After the suffering of Good Friday is the supernatural intervention of the Father on Easter Sunday. What you need to do is to put your trust in God, He would intervene in your circumstances, and give you reasons to celebrate and be celebrated in Jesus’ name.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for this Lenten season, give me grace to remain in you forever and always stand by me in my moments on Mount Gethsemane, in Jesus’ name,

58

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

NEWS

APC seeks redeployment of Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom RECs T HE South-South Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Hilliard Eta, has called for the redeployment of the RECs of Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers States.

According to Eta, the RECs in these states did not handle the elections well in their states, which even led to loss lives.

He said: “A lot of people have lost their lives in Rivers State and we cannot allow this kind of thing to continue. We have a situation where the REC is openly working with the Federal Government and PDP in Rivers State. The PDP had prepared a murder gang and the governor had shouted long before that time that even his own life was at threat and nobody paid heed to it. They thought it was just politics.

And it happened that yesterday a lot of our members lost their lives in Rivers State. It is not business as usual. Even the loss of one life should repulse the nation in an electoral process. It ought to make us feel diminished as a people, not to talk about those many lives because the president must have millions of vote from Rivers State.

“And in Akwa Ibom State, the governor had corrupted the REC and made sure that 90 per cent of the result sheets

Ewang: APC won’t accept dubious results

T

HE Akwa Ibom State chairman of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Group Captain Samuel Ewang (rtd), yesterday said the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not accept any falsified election results.

The APC yesterday displayed copies of what it said were fake results sheets distributed in Akwa Ibom on Saturday.

Ewang alleged that some INEC officials had been bribed by Governor Godswill Akpabio to falsify the results of the elections.

He spoke with reporters yesterday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

The former MILAD said INEC officials were in the Government House, writing different figures that they would present for announcement as authentic results.

He stated that with the cooperation of the people, the APC swept the polls in over 90 per cent of the units, which for the first time, signified a free and fair election.

His words: “I want to use this opportunity to thank the good people of Akwa Ibom State

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

in Akwa Ibom were in the government house. Umana Umana shouted and nobody is paying heed. Even when they are calls for the election to be redone in other places, Akwa Ibom, Rivers State were not even mentioned. To INEC it was a free, fair and credible election that went on well and I must say that is wrong. What is it that hap-

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo for their understanding and faith in the change Akwa Ibom and indeed Nigeria needs.

“With the cooperation of the people of Akwa Ibom State the All Progressives Congress swept the polls in over 90 per cent of the units - that for the first time signified a free and fair election held throughout yesterday.

“Unfortunately, like we have been receiving intelligence information, reports reaching me confirm that the Akpabio administration, Akpabio himself and his evil teams are presently writing falsified results in collaboration with some INEC officials, whom they have bribed with over N2.5bn, after which they will release the falsified results instead of the actual results.

“We had followed the activities of PDP in Akwa Ibom since the elections preparation started. We realised among other things that

pened in Jigawa, Nasarawa and Niger that did not happen in Akwa Ibom and Rivers? Why is it that INEC is having a rerun in those jurisdictions and not in Akwa Ibom and Rivers, where even the governor was not shown the result sheet in his polling unit? If the CSO of a state could not be shown the result sheet of his polling unit, how about lesser mortals?

“In Cross River State, the REC refused to give result sheets in Cross River. I shouted before now that this REC sent to Cross River was a card-carrying member of the PDP and people shouted me down. Today it has come to fruition that he was sent here to do a hatchet job.

“Let me say that elections have never held in southsouth and south-east. We

don’t know how to go out and vote and the votes are counted and the result would be the preference of the people. It has never happened and we were thinking that this time it would be different but it is not.

“I don’t know how Nigeria would be marching forward and leaving southsouth and south-east behind.

Nigerians are not paying attention. Prof Jega is not bothered about what has happened in Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. It is unacceptable to us. When the people react, they would say APC is aggressive and call us all manner of names. So please our demand is that in the areas where elections where not done, it should be canceled. Elections are only done when results of the people are announced to the people. Sheets of the results are given to agents and pasted on the polling units.

That is where you say that the process had been concluded. So where those processes were not concluded I beg that the elections should be re-conducted in those places.

“The RECs of Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states be redeployed or they would cause more loss of lives in the south-south. They should allow us to participate in the electoral process.”

Osun APC blames candidate for violence

T

HE Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) has blamed a senatorial candidate for the violence in Ife Central.

In a statement by the Media Assistant in the party’s Election Situation Room, Mr. Kunle Owolabi, it stated that an electoral officer made away with the results of the area.

According to the APC Election Situation Room, at the office reappeared few hours after claiming that some gun men attacked him on his way to the Collation Centre and took away the result sheet from him and destroyed it.

The Situation Room said: “This has held up the announcement of the result for the district but we know their plan. It is all to falsify the result in order to give victory to the PDP candidate who has been roundly defeated by our candidate, the incumbent Senator Jide Omoworare.

“The development has created tension in the state, especially in the senatorial district as supporters of the APC candidate, Mr. Jide Omoworare who is the incumbent senator, are poised for war if the matter is not resolved immediately by the Independent National Electoral Commission.”

Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime casting his vote during the Presidential and National Assembly elections at Udi/Agbudu ward in Udi l.G.A, Enugu State...at the weekend.

Defeat shocks APC leaders in Edo South From Osagie Otabor, Benin

F

OR the first time since 2007, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had a resounding victory in Edo South senatorial district.

It was perhaps a shocking defeat for leaders of All Progressive Congress in the district as results from polling units showed a clear victory for the PDP. The PDP shellacked the APC in the district by allegedly inducing voters with cash.

Voters were said to have been given as much as N10,000 to vote for the PDP. Former Edo State Governor Lucky Igbinedion, was present at the Idah Primary School in Ward two.

Official results released so far showed that the PDP won two out of the three House of Representative seats.

Speaker of Edo Assembly, Uyi Igbe, failed to win the Oredo Federal seat. He lost in 11 of 12 wards to Omoregie OgbeideIhama.

In Edo Central, the PDP candidate, Clifford Ordia won the senatorial seat and the two House of Representative seats were won by Sergius Ogun and Joe Edionwele both of the PDP. The APC, however, won in Edo North were Governor Adams Oshiomhole hails from despite heavy security lockdown and harassment by the military.

Hon Philip Shaibu won the Estako Federal Constituency Peter Akpatason won the Akoko-Edo federal constituency seat.

Results collated so far showed that APC candidate for the Edo North Senatorial seat, Francis Alimekhena, is in a clear lead.

Hon Pally Iraise also won in 18 wards out of 22 wards in Owan Federal constituency.

No queues as ‘voting’ enters day two in Otuoke

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LECTORAL officers yesterday claimed that results in President Goodluck Jonathan’s unit were not announced on Saturday because voting was not concluded.

They claimed that voting would continue yesterday, but no queues were seen when our correspondent visited the Dame Patience Jonathan Square, which had three polling units (17, 18 and 40).

Unit 39, Ward 13, where the President and his wife Patience voted, was deserted yesterday. No result from the unit was pasted there.

Electoral officers who manned the president’s unit had changed location and

From Joseph Jibueze, Yenagoa

were seen at the Square yesterday.

On Saturday, voting continued till about 8pm at the President’s unit, but no result was announced.

When the last person on the queue voted, the electoral officer announced that counting would begin, but a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent, who gave her name as S. Otazi, complained that several people were yet to vote.

The electoral officer then stopped the counting and returned the ballot papers to the boxes.

At about 8.30pm, the electoral officer said the unit, in

front of President Jonathan’s country home, was becoming unsafe and that they were relocating to a “safer place”.

She and other polling officials packed the voting materials and were driven away.

When our correspondent contacted Mrs Otazi on phone by 10: 59pm on Saturday, she confirmed that results had not been announced.

She said: “You’re calling this night, you haven’t slept?” When asked if the result had been announced, she said: “It has not been announced”.

Asked if it could still be announced before midnight on Saturday, she said: “I

don’t know. Thank you.”

An ad-hoc official, when asked on phone at 11.49pm if the results had been announced, said: “I heard that there has been an announcement that voting continues tomorrow (yesterday).

“I understand they extended the voting because some people were ‘unable’ to vote. We’ll go back to the polling unit in the morning, we’ll be there.”

Yesterday, no electoral officer was at the unit where the President voted. Other units nearby were empty in the morning when our correspondent checked them.

However, the electoral officers, made up mainly of National Youth Service Corps

(NYSC) members, later gathered at the Dame Patience Square.

Our correspondent spent about 30 minutes at the square but saw no one come to vote, although ballot boxes were on display. There were no electoral observers present.

Two of the electoral officers approached our correspondent and sought to know who he was and what he was doing.

When told he was a journalist, the officer said: “You can’t be here. You’re only supposed to be here if you wish to vote. The result may not be announced here.

Your presence here is making them uncomfortable.”

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

59

NEWS INEC not under pressure to declare poll inconclusive, says Jega Continued from page 4

practice and we certainly are paying a lot of attention to investigate this and if any of our staff is found to be involved, obviously we will apply the maximum sanction and take appropriate decision as provided by the legal framework.”

Replying to a question, Jega warned Resident Electoral Commissioners( RECs) against honoring summons from governors.

The INEC chairman said: “I have not received any report of summoning of RECs by governors. I will be surprised if they are succumbing to pressure from state governors because INEC is independent.

“If people have information about those who were summoned, they should let us know. But being summoned is one thing, complying is another thing.”

Jega, who also confirmed that elections were held yesterday only in 350 polling units where there were challenges, said the conduct of the polls was remarkably successful.

He added: “As a result of the operational challenges experienced, elections could not be concluded yesterday in a few polling units and, therefore, these will be concluded today.

“According to the reports so far received, elections are being concluded today as follows: Lagos (90 PUs); Kebbi (16 PUs); Adamawa (25 PUs); Niger (6 PUs); Yobe(38PUs); Borno (8 PUs); Jigawa (37 PUs); Kano(13 PUs); Taraba(116 PUs); and FCT (2PUs).

On security challenges in some states, Jega said two ad hoc staff were killed in Gombe

•INEC officials on their way to a polling booth

State by Boko Haram insurgents.

He said: “We received the report which was sent in by our Resident Electoral Commissioner from Gombe, that persons suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents attacked some areas and in the process, two adhoc staff of INEC lost their lives and also a few vehicles belonging to Road Workers Transport Union were hijacked. “ This is very very unfortunate, and we have sent condolences to the family of the bereaved. Any loss of live is regrettable and unfortunate. We condemn it in all certain terms, and we are doing all things possible to express our condolences to the families of the bereaved.”

Jega praised the resilience of Nigerians for coming out to vote en masse.

He said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission wishes to commend Nigerians for their large turn out and peaceful conduct during the National Elections held on Saturday, March 28, 2015.

“The commission commends Nigerians for the resilience and remarkable understanding they exhibited in the face of these difficulties. We hope that good conduct will continue throughout the post-election period as well.

“We are pleased that the elections went on smoothly in a substantial number of polling units across the country, including the North-East where the commission was also able to conduct voting for Internally Displaced Persons( IDPs) in the three states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno.”

Nigerians’ will must prevail, says U.S. Continued from page 4

•Oshodi-Apapa road...at the weekend.

ECOWAS: Nigeria’s presidential elections free, fair Continued from page 4

around the cities as peaceful atmosphere prevailed in most parts of the country,’’ he said.

The mission also noted that INEC officials demonstrated good knowledge and compliance with voting procedures.

He also noted that agents of the major political parties, including All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP) and the People Dem-

ocratic Party (PDP), were in attendance in most polling units.

His words: “The process of counting at the polling stations and the subsequent collations at designated centres were successful and in accordance with the Electoral Act. “Some of the challenges the mission observed during the exercise included the late arrival of INEC officials in many polling stations and malfunctioning of Card Readers across the country.’’

Mr. Kuffour further said the elections were still ongoing in some affected polling units were elections had been extended by one day.

He said the mission also observed that there was insufficient and/or non-availability of electoral materials in some polling units which led to delay in accreditation and voting processes.

Kuffour said: “Cases of attempt to snatch ballot papers were reported in some polling stations leading to in-

stances of uproar, shootings and sporadic violence in the affected polling stations.

“Despite efforts by the relevant agencies to secure the electoral exercise, explosions were also recorded in some parts of the country.’’

The EOM is part of the ECOWAS sustained efforts to support the consolidation of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.

The mission is also in line with ECOWAS guidelines on election-monitoring.

Buhari ahead in Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, 5 others Continued from page 4

ernment areas where results were declared.

He won in Akoko North West, Ifedore Local Government, Akure North, Owo, Akoko Southeast, Idanre, Akoko South and Akure South.

Jonathan won in Odigbo, Ese Odo, Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo, Ondo West, Ireleand Ose. In Benue State, Jonathan ahead in Ogbadibo, Agatu, Ado, Okpokwu, Ohimiri local government areas.

The PDP candidate is slightly ahead in the results of four local government areas of Benue State Zone C declared yesterday. In Ogbadibo, the PDP polled 6937 to APC’s 6257.

In Agatu, PDP got 9,555 votes to APC ‘s 3,627. In Ado Councils the PDP scored 7, 382 to APC’s 2, 328.

It Okpokwu Local Government, PDP got 12,103 as

against APC’s 4,757.

PDP also won in Ohimini Local Government, scoring 5909 to APC ‘s 4,734 votes.

All the local governments are in Benue State, where the APC is believed to be weak, its strongholds being Benue North and Central.

The results from other parts of the state had not been released last night.

In Osun State, with 30 local government areas declared, Gen. Buhari won in 28. PDP won in Ife East and Ife Central local government areas.

In Kogi State, the APC candidate won in six of the nine local government areas so far declared. There are 21 local government areas in the state.

The councils won by the APC are Dekina - where Governor Idris Wada hails from – Ogorimagongo, Adavi, Okehi, Idah, and Mopamoro. The

PDP won in YagbaWest, Igalamela/Odolu and Mopa Bassa.

In Sokoto State, the APC candidate swept the polls in the three local government areas announced last night. These are Kware (APC 25,286, PDP 6,918); Dange/Shuni (APC 31,036, PDP 5,339) and Goronyo (APC 28,950, PDP 7664).

Results from five local government areas in Kaduna State were released yesterday. The APC candidate won in two Soba and Sabon Garin, while the PDP won in Kaura, Jaba and Sanga. The votes as announced by Returning Officer Prof. Ja'afaru Kaura are Soba APC 61656, PDP 1998, Kaura APC 7101, PDP 27502, Sabon Garin APC 71022, PDP 10845.

Jaba APC 5342, PDP 18314 and Sanga APC 12817, PDP 22858.

In the FCT, the results from four of the six Area Councils

were declared yesterday. The APC candidate won in Abaji, Gwagwalada and Kwali. President Jonathan won in Kuje.

transparent, credible and non-violent election. And we look forward to working with whatever government emerges from this election.”

On issues raised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the conduct of the polls, he said:”The APC can speak for itself. I have no comment on any political statement so far.”

Eintwistle, however, praised the deployment of Card Readers.

He said: “ I was very impressed about the decision by INEC to use technology in this election . I will tell you something, the PVCs are very hi-tech. They are more hi-tech than my voter card from the State of Virginia in the U.S. “My voter card does not have my biometric, it does not have my fingerprint. So, I was very impressed by the

decision to go hi-tech because hi-tech, I think, gives the process more integrity.”

On the failure of Card Readers in some states, Eintwistle said INEC should look at what went wrong and correct the lapses.

He said: “Yesterday, all of you were around and you saw that in some places, the card readers did not work.

But the decision to use the card readers, in my view, was absolutely correct. Fortunes favour the bold and you need to try in this world. Deciding to go hi-tech was a good thing. I am sure INEC would sit down, look at what happened to the card readers, solve those problems and move forward. But I congratulate INEC for taking the path of hi-tech in this election. I am very impressed. I think we need to come and study it and use it in our country.”

ONDO STATE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS SO FAR •AKOKO N/WEST •AKURE NORTH •ODIGBO APC - 13, 092 APC - 17, 997 APC - 18, 655 PDP - 7, 817 PPD - 12, 048 PDP - 19, 315 •OWO •OSE LG APC - 27, 290 APC - 11, 300 •ILE OLUJI/OKE IGBO PDP - 13, 757 PDP - 13, 466 APC - 12, 338 •AKOKO S/EAST •IFEDORE LG PDP - 13, 652 APC - 7, 245 APC - 13, 459 PDP - 6, 769 PDP - 8, 031 •ESE ODO •IDANRE •IRELE LG APC - 4, 002 APC - 12, 654 APC - 9, 969 PDP - 24, 943 PDP - 12, 290 PDP - 11, 639 •AKOKO SOUTH •ONDO WEST •AKURE SOUTH APC - 25, 336 APC - 18, 923 APC-50411 PDP - 15, 490 PDP - 20, 243 PDP-18,125

60

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

BUSINESS EXTRA President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed a tax czar, Samuel Ogungbesan, with a mandate to explore avenues of boosting revenue from the non-oil sector. Assistant Editor, NDUKA CHIEJINA, examines the hurdles before Ogungbesan in realising the presidential order.

Can Ogungbesan solve the non- oil challenge?

F

OLLOWING the unprec edented crash in the prices of crude oil in the international market over the last six months, government’s attention has shifted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as an institution that could explore alternative revenue source to oil.

As a first step, the FIRS was mandated to increase its revenue projection by N75 billion over and above the target of last year. While giving the directive, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said a major component of that strategy is to diversify the nation’s revenue sources was to renew focus on increasing tax revenues to mitigate the impact of the fall in oil prices.

To this end, government has set a revenue target for the next three years at an ambitious $3billion (over N500 billion using current CBN interbank rate). The FIRS working with Mckinsey and Company has already made progress in reaching the target of N75 billion over and above the regular collection target set for last year.

As a result of this performanc, and the now visibly larger economic base, Okonjo-Iweala has directed that FIRS should do more, and consequently, the FIRS this year’s budget threshold has been increased to N168 billion over the 2014 target.

President Goodluck Jonathan recently approved the appointment of Mr. Ogungbesan as Acting Executive Chairman of the FIRS to lead the team of tax administrators that will realize this target.

Ogungbesan and his team obviously have their work cut out for them. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said: “Now that we have our economy rebased to the tune of $510 billion, there is something else about it that people do not talk about-the rebasing shows that Nigeria has a much more diversified economy than we thought. People like to describe it as an oil economy; we are not out of the woods yet, because 75 per cent of revenue still comes from oil. However, the underlying strength of the economy is not so much in oil as in other areas.”

She said it is important that we go beyond just the number of the gross domestic product (GDP) to the structure of the economy because it matters for tax purposes.

The current structure, she explained shows that we have the potential to really tax a diversified base and to increase non-oil taxes component of GDP. Nigeria, she said, need’s to diversify the sources of her revenue as the rebased GDP also showed that tax and revenue to GDP ratio has fallen. “It was 20 per cent to 12 per cent out of which non-oil tax accounts for only four per cent. This is very low compared to where we should be,” she said.

A run through the indices of other countries shows that South Africa’s tax to GDP ratio is 27 per cent, Kenya is 20 per cent, and Ghana is 15 per cent. So at 12 per cent, she warned, Nigeria needs to step up her efforts otherwise “there is an indication that we will be lagging behind for a long time.”

Before the rebasing exercise started, the Federal Government had started looking at the experi-

ences of other countries by talking to other tax administrations that have done better. Nigeria talked to South Africa and Angola. “They told us how they went out for help, both international and domestic and mentioned to us the organisations they employed that helped them. South Africa was able to increase its tax revenue by $3 billion equivalent after it got this help and Angola by half a billion. So, we decided to also ask for help on how we can improve efforts.”

The outside help Nigeria sought was with McKinsey and Company which was invited to conduct the diagnosis of the tax system. One of McKinsey’s findings was that 65 per cent of the registered tax payers had not filed their returns for the past two years, 75 per cent of registered small and medium size business were currently not captured in the tax net, and 30 per cent of the companies operating under the pioneer status incentive abused their tax exempt status, “they find ways and means of continuing that tax exemption by doing all sorts of things moving from one company to another within the system and avoiding paying tax for a long time.”

Since the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) exited from its tax holiday, it has made a very big payment of almost up to N200 billion which the Federal Government factored into the revenue stream the following month.

As Ogungbesan takes over the helm of affairs at the FIRS, he will talk to, negotiate with, try and find a payment regime that will be supportive of businesses and individuals that pay tax. But he has government’s backing as Mrs. OkonjoIweala has warned that “if in the end businesses and individuals still refuse to pay and support this economy, then we will have to look at other ways of dealing with the situation. We can’t have a situation where small people pay and big people refuse to pay tax.”

There is also the challenge of trust.

Some have refused to pay their taxes because others are not paying. To this end, government says it has had to step up to the plate in using tax money efficiently and transparently, by applying the monies “to provide roads, airports, power and all the services that make the citizens feel they can survive in their country.”

Ogungbesan has been told that the issue of corruption and transparency in the use of tax resources would have to be addressed “because as long as citizens feel that their money is being spirited away, they are not going to pay. So government should step up in by trying to be more accountable to the citizens in the way the money is being used.”

Participants at the Capacity Enhancement Programme (CEP) of the FIRS demanded of government that “citizens want to see what government is doing and government wants to make sure that citizens pay their taxes.” The immediate

•Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

•Ogungbesan

•Mashi

past acting chairman of the FIRS Ahaji Kabir Mashi talked of specific initiatives that are underway under CEP. Some of the interventions he said are technical, some to improve audit processes, speed up audit, collection of tax arrears and debt enforcement.

Nigeria, he said “has to do what is needed to diversify away from oil. We have to look for an objective, like Mexico, which set to diversify and make only about one third of their revenue to be from oil. Why don’t we say that 60 percent of our revenue will be gotten from non-oil and 40 percent from oil? Is that too ambitious? The answer is no! We are currently at a 70 per cent-30 per cent ratio but we are pushing towards a 60 per cent40 per cent ratio.

It was generally agreed that Nigeria can control its own destiny better by relying on her own resources. According to the minister, “after we have dealt with this initial effort to strengthen our tax administration and improve our tax collection, we will step back and look at our tax policies because the other thing we all talk about is kind of charges, levies, and taxes that exist and this makes compliance difficult for businesses and individuals. This challenge is replicated at the local, state and federal levels, it makes life difficult and that is why we have the Joint Tax Board currently making efforts to harmonise all our taxes.”

the taxpayer can click the FIRS link to pay his taxes and or submit necessary documents, the same way he may choose to pay other bills.

Mashi said: “It is that simple. It is that convenient. It is that accessible and it is very secure. Taxpayers do not have to go to any tax office before taxes are paid. Tax payment is just a click away.”

The introduction of the e-taxpay system by the FIRS was in response to the government’s directive that tax payment should be easy and stress-free to encourage more tax payers into the tax net. “It is this quest for simplification of tax payment process and ease of access to tax services that led FIRS to recently roll out the electronic filing service under the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS). It serves as a means of reducing time and cost of compliance for the taxpayers and reducing interface between the taxpayers and tax authorities. It provides added convenience for taxpayers who will now sit at the comfort of their homes and offices and upload their tax returns on the e-Tax Pay Solution platform,” Mashi explained.

Mashi urged tax payers to cultivate the use of the e-Tax Pay Solution or e-filing platforms as these were created for their convenience and ultimately engender a transparent and efficient tax system that optimizes tax revenue collection and voluntary compliance.

Mashi took over from the former Executive Chairman, Ifueko Omoigui Okauru in April 2012.

Under him, FIRS recorded a total of N14.529 trillion collection for the Federation Account.

FIRS recorded N5.07 trillion as its annual collection in 2012, N4.805 trillion in 2013 and N4.714 trillion last year. The same year, the Service launched the e-filing programme under the Integrated Tax Administration System ITAS as well as other automation projects: e-tax pay and VAT auto collect.

FIRS was also certified by the International Organisation for Standardisation, amongst others.

FIRS said it has taken steps towards growing the non-oil tax component of the nation’s revenue with the take off of CEP aimed at delivering an additional $500 million non-oil taxes in 2014 fiscal year.The new proactive approach taken by the agency to grow nonoil tax which Ogungbesan may

have to build upon include the take off of the CEP which targets delivering of additional non-oil revenue of about $500 million over a period of three years.

Government is targeting N1.789 trillion from Petroleum Profit Tax(PPT), N1.030 trillion from Companies Income Tax(CIT), N96 billion from CIT on gas, N861 billion from VAT and N10.21 billion from Capital Gain Tax while N8.46 billion is expected from stamp duties, and Education tax, personal income tax, technology levy are expected to contribute N156 billion, N59 billion, N10.6 billion respectively to make up total government target of N4.21 trillion.

The N4.21 trillion revenue target underscores a huge task that needs to be done by FIRS. “From all intents and purposes, there is work to be done. And we have commenced the year (2015) with a lot of positives, we have ongoing nationwide VAT and Withholding Tax verification exercise and depending on the gains from the exercise, we may extend this later in the year,” said Mashi.

Ogungbesan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIT) and also an Associate member of Nigerian Institute of Management, he joined the FIRS as an Inspector of Taxes II and has risen to his present level, having handled what the president’s spokesman, Reuben Abati described as “challenging responsibilities and assignments in various departments within the Service.”

Ogungbesan pioneered the administration of Large Taxpayers Unit in Lagos. He has represented the Federal Inland Revenue Service in many tax conferences and seminars, both in Nigeria and overseas. He paddled the administration of Tax Policy Department of the Service for many years and was pioneer Director, Planning Reporting and Statistics Department.

He was a major player during the review of the Nigerian Tax Laws in 2005. He was appointed Coordinating Director Tax Operations Group by the Board on 5th February, 2010. Until his appointment, Ogungbesan, the new Ag. Executive Chairman, of FIRS was Coordinating Director, Standards and Compliance Group. The group delineates and articulates servicewide operational standards for tax practice in the FIRS. Ogungbesan is considered a strong advocate of change, focusing on improvement in the tax administration system.

How he performs when compared to his two immediate predecessors whose giant shoes he has stepped into depends on how proactive and forward looking he chooses to be.

Online tax payment begins

Ogungbesan inherited a situation where tax payers can now pay their taxes online by logging onto the internet, banking platform of any commercial bank by simply choosing the FIRS link and following the prompting.

This is one of the last initiatives of the Mashi administration before he was removed. The electronic tax payment solution is considered to ease tax payment to the FIRS. It is done in collaboration with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and Systemspecs Limited.

Mashi explained during the launch of the solution in Lagos that it is a self-service FIRS channel available on all commercial banks’ Internet banking platforms. He said once a tax payer logs into any bank’s internet banking platform,

‘If in the end, businesses and individuals still refuse to pay and support this economy, then we will have to look at other ways of dealing with the situation. We can’t have a situation where small people pay and big people refuse to pay tax’

61

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

SPORT EXTRA Basketball Clinic:

S/AFRICA FRIENDLY:

NBBF partners Oguche in developing stars From Segun Ogunjini,Abuja

T

HE Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF has concluded plans to partner Samuel Oguche in organizing this year’s edition of the basketball summer camp billed to take place in Abuja in May. The NBBF grass root development manager, Skambo Morrison who disclosed this in Abuja, also said that the programme will be used as part of their initiative to reach the grassroots Nationwide.

He noted that NBBF will be giving technical support to the forthcoming annual youth Basketball Camp which is billed for Abuja.

The famed summer basketball camp for youths which has been held in many cities across the world since 2007, is scheduled to commence on May 18th to 22nd in the city of Abuja.

For his part, the, ex-basketball

international Samuel Oguche, Founder and organiser of the yearly event hinted that all arrangements have been made by the foundation to ensure a hitchfree camp.

“This year’s camp will feature exposure to the rudiments of basketball and basketball drilling to be handled by experienced and national team coaches with world class training facilities; motivational speeches by successful individuals and sports icons as well as career talk and mentoring on having successful sporting and non-sporting careers,” Oguche disclosed.

He noted that Greg Brown a resource person from America (USA) and Lanre Awolabi a respected administrator from London (UK) will grace the occasion.

He said top local coaches like Adeka Daudu and others will also be available to guide the participating youth.

Oguche has hailed the part played by the media as regards supporting his foundation’s lofty ambition of making positive impact in the lives of the Nigerian youths.

The Annual Samuel Oguche Basketball Camp is one of the foundation’s initiatives used in empowering and helping the youths create a brighter future. It instills habit of hard work and also stimulates youths’ interest in actively taking up sports, particularly basketball for recreation and as a profession instead of taking to crime.

Okon urges Falcons to improve

S

UPER Falcons head coach, Edwin Okon, is delighted with the qualifiers, Olympic Games Qualifiers and World Cup assignment in March.

The coach has been working with a team dominated by a pool of Nigeria Women Premier League stars ahead of the tasks that lies ahead.

Falcons are yet to play any Grade A international friendly match, a situation that has called for concern from women soccer pundits, as the team have a tough World Cup Group that comprises of USA, Sweden and Australia.

Last Saturday, Falcons were forced to a 1-1 draw by their Malian counterparts in a first leg AAGQ in Bamako - and have been on break as a result of the election. ''I'm delighted with the progress of my team since we resumed for the assignments

•Okon • Eguavoen

ahead of us. The Malians gave us a good fight, but we can't complain. I believe we would complete the job here in Nigeria,'' Okon told SL10.

Okon said Grade A friendly matches will offer his wards a tough challenge as the side intensify preparations for the World Cup. “The Federation have been trying their best, but like Oliver Twist we are asking for more.

We need games to sharpen our skills.

Okon charged the players to work harder when camp resumes on Tuesday, insisting that the Malians will not easy to crack. ''I've spoken to the players on the need to step up their games and prove themselves worthy ambassadors. ''Mali will be a tough challenge for us but we would put them where they belong,'' the coach added.

Siasia thumbs up Akpeyi F

ORMER Super Eagles manager, Samson Siasia has rated very high, the side's goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi against Bafana Bafana of South Africa in yesterday’s friendly tie at the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit.

Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw with the side’s captain, Ahmed Musa scoring the opener in the 85th minute while a defensive blunder allowed South Africa a stoppage time equaliser from forward, Bongani Zungu.

The Warri Wolves, shot stopper had earlier masterfully stopped a penalty that would have given the South Africans the lead in a largely lackluster encounter.

Siasia said Akpeyi stood out for him in the encounter and would have ended the clash as winners if not the momentary loss of concentration from the back men.

“The goalkeeper was the best player on match day against South Africa but his defence let him down at the crucial moment.

“Akpeyi deserved a victory in the clash to compensate his fivestar performance in the game.

“It’s unfortunate they allowed what would’ve been a deserved victory to slip off their hands at the most inauspicious time.

“I congratulate the captain on match day, Ahmed Musa, for the wonderful opening goal against South Africa.

“Musa at times plays as if he wasn’t there, a bit listless and anonymous but he remains a good player.

“His solo goal effort was wonderful on his special day as the captain of the side,” said Siasia to supersport.com.

•Siasia

European clubs scout for Flying Eagles’ players

M

EMBERS of Nigeria’s U20 team that played at the recent African Youth Championship have been caught in a transfer web as some elite European clubs have made targets of a swoop for their services, according to report compiled by SL10.

Taiwo Awoniyi, Idowu Akinjide, Bernard Bulbwa, Abdulganiyu Saheed, Zaharadeen Bello, Musa Muahmmed, Mustapha

Abdullahi, Obinna Nwobodo, Christian Pyagbara and Ifeanyi Matthew who flew high the Green White Green flag at the just-ended AYC in Senegal, Muhammed, who won the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer, has seen his stock rise over the past few days and top clubs in Spain and France are eyeing his services.

According to inside sources, talks have commenced for the possible transfer of the defender after the World Youth Champi-

onship in New Zealand.

Awoniyi, the player with immense power in the penalty box, has since attracted interest from some top clubs like Manchester United, Anderlecht, Bordeaux, Porto, Everton and Red Bull Salzburg.

Saheed has attracted the attention of two clubs who have grown fond of his defensive duties despite playing one game at the tournament, with Zaharadeen on the radar of Marseille.

Amokachi hails Musa over Bafana tie

N

IGERIA interim coach Daniel Amokachi says Ahmed Musa's strike against Bafana Bafana reminded him of the goal the CSKA Moscow winger scored against Argentina at the 2014 World Cup. Nigeria drew 1-1 with Bafana in Nelspruit on Sunday, with Musa doing well to cut in from the flank before unleashing a curling effort beyond goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune with five minutes left on the clock.

The 22-year-old scored a similar goal against Argentina in a World Cup Group F tie, where he cut in from the left and got the beating of Sergio Romero with a right-footed curler. "[Musa] is a good player, we all know what an experienced player he is and what a world class player he is, and you could see the difference [he made] in the goal he scored," says Amokachi.

"It's also reminiscent of the goal he scored against Argentina at the World Cup. "He's brilliant at getting the ball and turning at the edge of the 18-yard area, and swinging it into the corner."

Nigeria fielded a largely inexperienced team during the stalemate, and Amokachi says the test was to see whether they could perform to an expected level.

"We had about 90 percent of

our players who are collecting their first, second or third cap," says the former Nigeria assistant coach.

"The most important thing was for us to see whether they were built well enough, and experienced enough to take our football to the next level."

Quizzed on whether he was happy with their showing, the former Everton striker says there were both positives and negatives.

"There are a lot of loopholes in football, definitely you will see a lot of good stuff and bad stuff," he says.

"There were some injuries

that crept in and that forced to make all six substitutions when we otherwise wouldn't have to.

"When you do that in such an intense game, that's what causes the loopholes, and it affected us defensively, I think we went to sleep when we shouldn't have."

•Amokachi

62

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

Tevez: Argentina start was amazing

C

ARLOS Tevez rejoiced at starting his first Argentina match in almost four years as they defeated El Salvador 2-0 on Saturday.

The Juventus forward was left in international wilderness

by Alejandro Sabella but Gerardo Martino, who took over as head coach after last summer's World Cup, has

shown a desire to get him back involved for Argentina.

Having not featured for his country since Copa America 2011, Martino gave Tevez his comeback in November last year and this weekend he made his long-awaited return to the starting line-up.

"I was overjoyed, playing from the start is totally different to be-

ing brought off the bench," he told reporters after being selected alongside Gonzalo Higuain. “It definitely gives you more confidence. This game can be good for the team because plenty of our potential Copa America 2015 opponents play in such a closed-up manner. It requires patience to break the deadlock and we are on the right track.

"We must continue to grow, but this is just the beginning and it was important for me personally to get more game-time for my country."

Neston Renderos' own goal put Argentina ahead midway through their friendly at a neutral venue in USA before debutant Federico Mancuello put El Salvador to the sword late in the game.

Argentina were without Lionel Messi, whom Martino claims was not fit to feature after reports in midweek that he is still carrying a knock from last weekend's Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

•Tevez

62

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

Tevez: Argentina start was amazing

C

ARLOS Tevez rejoiced at starting his first Argentina match in almost four years as they defeated El Salvador 2-0 on Saturday.

The Juventus forward was left in international wilderness

by Alejandro Sabella but Gerardo Martino, who took over as head coach after last summer's World Cup, has

shown a desire to get him back involved for Argentina.

Having not featured for his country since Copa America 2011, Martino gave Tevez his comeback in November last year and this weekend he made his long-awaited return to the starting line-up.

"I was overjoyed, playing from the start is totally different to be-

ing brought off the bench," he told reporters after being selected alongside Gonzalo Higuain. “It definitely gives you more confidence. This game can be good for the team because plenty of our potential Copa America 2015 opponents play in such a closed-up manner. It requires patience to break the deadlock and we are on the right track.

"We must continue to grow, but this is just the beginning and it was important for me personally to get more game-time for my country."

Neston Renderos' own goal put Argentina ahead midway through their friendly at a neutral venue in USA before debutant Federico Mancuello put El Salvador to the sword late in the game.

Argentina were without Lionel Messi, whom Martino claims was not fit to feature after reports in midweek that he is still carrying a knock from last weekend's Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

•Tevez

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL 10 NO 3169

‘We say change because from the way things are, it is obvious that things are not going to be the same again.

The consciousness of the ordinary people has been drawn to the inevitability of change in the way things are run in this country....’

EMEKA OMEIHE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

W

E all looked forward to it. To some it came with trepidation, and to others with joy. To most, however, March 28 was the date of curiosity.

The thrill of the voter, as I witnessed, was in being part of a common sense.

Commonsense does not always factor in the common sense, but that is the beauty of democracy. The people have the right to be right or wrong, and that right to err and fall into folly is as sovereign as their country’s right of being.

That was what I witnessed on March 28 as I cast my vote. It was a day to hope again that, unlike in 2011, I would not have to see another mandate of mistake.

I did lament that Jonathan won the election in 2011, but I congratulated him all the same. In the piece, I prophesied that Nigeria had made a big mistake and his would be a regime of loose wallets, impunity and division along ethnic and religious lines.

When I voted, I thought not about myself.

I looked at the nation and its wreck in the past four years, and how the Nigerian people had a great capacity for endurance. But March 28, they had the opportunity to decide again if they loved the path they had taken, or if they desired an undiscovered country, full of possibilities.

By the time of writing, I had information about trends in the polling, and I looked at the swing region: the southwest.

Whatever anyone thought about the polls and who they favoured, the people already know something. Knowledge is a good thing and a dangerous thing. Once the people know something, how do you tell them something else? That is the meaning of accountability. One of the greatest assets of democracy in this age is the Internet, and the fact that messages travel at breakneck speed from one place to another. As the Bible says in the book of Daniels, “people shall go to and fro and knowledge shall increase.”

This election season is the time people know a lot. It is the time they do not want to be cheated out of their patrimony. For instance, how does a person vote, in say, Mushin, and he and others in that district know who won, and in the final analysis, they hear that something else happened?

Would they be dreaming their way out of the truth, or would they ask questions? Some philosophers have said the story of the Garden of Eden is about the inviolability of knowledge. What you know, you know.

Even if you lie to yourself, you also know.

True, Nigeria has had the capacity to lie to itself and live in false bliss. That is the reason we are not like Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore, whose country leapt at about the

RIPPLES AMAECHI DECEIVED ME INTO JOINING APC–Deputy Governor

He DECEIVED you for 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 YEARS? ...and you are an ADULT?

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchnation@gmail.com 08054501081(sms only) Twitter: @samomatseye

•Winner, Informed Commentary (DAME)

What the people know

•President Goodluck Jonathan

•General Muhammadu Buhari

time we gained independence from Third World to First World. His country had no resources except a natural harbour, and we had all the resources. But the difference between Nigeria and Lee’s Singapore is that we lived a lie.

We stole our resources. We lied against each other on ethnic grounds and said one man’s God should punish the other man’s.

While we were busy lying, Singapore fattened on the five Cs of capitalism: cash, cars, credit cards, condos and country clubs.

Granted they did not have a flourishing democracy, but they were monolithic in thought at that time until they zipped into the free air of pluralism after Lee’s era.

So we are still grappling with first principles. We still lie about all. We said we wanted PVC, and some said no. They were

not only Luddites, but antediluvian. They lost that debate. Then they said we should not come near the card reader. They feared the machine, and did everything within their powers to unseat automaton. They failed again. The election took place, and in spite of hitches here and there, who would say it did not work? Where I voted, the machine read my identity like clockwork. Technology wants patience, and no technology ever devised ever worked with perfection. It is a human invention, and it can bear some of our imperfections. But its results best any human efforts. Hence they wanted it against the vultures of electoral fraud.

Now, man would always invent things to subvert the process. ‘God made man upright,” says the good book, “but he has

HARDBALL

H

ARDBALL is no sorcerer; neither does he have a crystal ball. Indeed, much of what he has is intellectual rascality and what he likes to call ‘embedment’ – the art of sneaking into the ‘minds’ of issues, events and people. Now, articulating this piece before the Saturday, March 28 presidential polls, Hardball seeks to embed (or fast-forward) into Monday, March 30, 2015. Here we go: It’s morning of Monday morning, say about 7am to 8am; the news is abroad. The big news which was speculative yesterday Sunday is now definitive and bold. You know the news of course: it is proclaimed loud and bold. The newspaper headlines are particularly creative in a crazy way; each paper seeking to outdo the other in its projection of the BIG NEWS! Yesterday as the last of the numbers trickled in, the picture was being formed.

Results from city centres had been in almost immediately showing pointers to winners and losers. But the far north, the riverine areas and the uplands are still being collated. But on Monday, the result must be called! If the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC)

The Monday after would not do so, the media would broach it and that is what the headlines have done.

What would the headlines look like?

Who can hazard a guess? Well Hardball cannot because that would be preemptive; it would flout the electoral laws and principles of good faith. But you would sure see something like: “Lagbaja floors Tamedun!” “It’s a sham!”, says XYZ party. Would there be skirmishes and scuffles from some parts of the country?

Surely, but what part would depend on which party wins.

We do not expect any upheavals even to the magnitude we had in 2011 post-election because we expect to have learnt from that episode. Secondly, the whole world is not only watching the process minuteby-minute through all sorts of online streaming devices, the critical world au-

sought out many inventions.” We are seeing it now in the Rivers State deadlock. The APC says they could not vote without results sheets. What happened to those sheets?

Those are the questions that we must answer. It is said that the way out of the genius of the card reader is to buy the result sheets from INEC officials, get high-tech people to compute the numbers so that the allotment of votes to the parties does not exceed the registered voter count, and thus ensure landslide victory for their party.

That is man’s circuitous victory over technology. That brings me back to the people and what they know. If they know that they voted differently, no tech whiz kid can con the people into lying to themselves. It is particularly so in the southwest. Jefferson said his objection to democracy is election, and the only day it works is when the people go to the polls. After that, they are impotent until the next vote.

If the people know they voted for a person and some political desperadoes change it, they will face the people.

That was the story of June 12. German philosopher Nietzsche wrote about the notion of eternal return. He said some things keep recurring in history and they haunt civilization forever. We can avoid such returns when we take precautions. When the people know something and they do something about it, no one can stop them. It prompted Shakespeare to say, “we know what we know, but know not what we may be.” What the people may be is a consequence of being denied what they know. It is high time we stopped lying to ourselves. That way, the people will own their country.

Vigilance is the key word, and as Wendell Philips noted, it is the price of liberty. But we cannot be free unless we are meticulous.

The best example is from Delta State, where the women of Madangho town acted as the heroines of democracy. After they had cast their votes last Saturday, some soldiers drove into town and wanted whisk the ballot papers to a neighboring village called Ajudaiboh for collation. A PDP chieftain was waiting there. The women resisted. When the soldiers insisted, the women stripped naked and harassed the armed men out of town. They were vigilant, and they knew what they knew. The soldiers made them what they became: warriors of democracy.

The women may not have heard of Maxim Gorky, Russian writer and revolutionary.

They were kindred spirits. The Russian bard wrote, the only people who deserve freedom are those who are ready to fight for it everyday.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above dience have their observers on ground taking notes and filing reports. There are also the diplomatic corps doing their own monitoring of the polls and post-poll manifestations in all its ramifications.

Most remarkably, we have also learnt that the US and some of her allies have kept some rapid response forces all around us to intervene at a snap of the finger if need be. There is therefore, enough checks and deterrence for trouble makers and people who want to win by wading through the blood on innocent citizens if that is required.

INEC must be allowed to do its work to a logical conclusion and whoever is aggrieved must resort to the courts and not the streets. This election may well present to Nigeria’s democratic process, its next big leap in which case, we all would be winners. How do I mean: if perchance, the party in power (for 16 years) loses, that would be the first time in the electoral history of Nigeria. That would open an entirely new democratic vista for us all.

And the loser may well turn out the victorious if he manages it well.

How is it for you today, dear reader?

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