Binder1 friday 13, 2016

Budget: FG releases N350bn for capital projects

lLagos-Ibadan Exp., Calabar-Lagos rail line get N100bn Anule Emmanuel Abuja

T

he Federal Government will, today, be-

gin full disbursement of N350 billion funds for the execution of capital projects captured under the 2016 budget.

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, disclosed this yesterday at the presidential villa while

giving a breakdown of the budget.

Udoma said “by tomorrow (today) some releases CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Lagos-Kano rail line = N60bn Kano-Maiduguri road = N13bn Abuja (Idu)- Kaduna rail = N18.3bn Zungeru power project (700MW) = N1.1bn Strategic grazing reserves = N940m

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Protests in Abuja, Ondo, Anambra over fuel hike lNationwide strike looms as NLC, TUC hold emergency meeting }2, 6 & 10 lQueues persist as hawkers flood streets lTinubu, Kalu back policy 1

1. Members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) protesting in Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN.

2

3

2. Stranded commuters at Lugbe bus stop in Abuja… yesterday.

3. Hawkers of fuel in the Central Business Area of Abuja … yesterday.

PDP founding fathers, Jonathan's ministers sack NWC ...set up steering committee lSheriff: They’ll face EFCC for their misdeeds }3 WHO recommends rapid treatment for resistant tuberculosis }44

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Protests in Abuja, Ondo, Anambra over fuel hike Wale Elegbede, Babatope Okeowo, Yekeen Nurudeen and Okegwo Kenechukwu

T

he stage is set for another round of protests over the hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol from N86 to N145 per litre.

Already, there were pockets of protests in Abuja, Anambra and Ondo states yesterday.

But the police deployed its officers to the popular Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota to forestall breakdown of law and order in Lagos.

Thousands of protesters shut down business activities in Onitsha and Nnewi, Anambra State, while protesting against the Wednesday’s increase in the price of petrol by the Federal Government.

The protest, which was organised by tricycle riders (Keke NAPEP) and commercial motorcycle riders, grounded economic and social activities in many parts of the two cities.

The protesters, who were over 1,000 in number, matched through the Bridge head-Uga Junction, Upper Iweka to Owerri road and Nnewi.

The protesters, who sang the old national anthem, Nigeria We Hail Thee, carried posters with various inscriptions like ‘Nigeria at crossroads’, ‘Nigeria is dying of hunger, starvation’, ‘Buhari not a democrat, but a dictatorship,’ ‘Buhari, let my people go’, ‘United Nations, help! Nigerians are dying’.

Addressing newsmen at Uga junction, the leader of the group, Mr. Innocent Amukwu, said the removal of the subsidy by the government was to increase the economic hardship being suffered by Nigerians.

Another speaker at the protest rally, Lady Queen Asidu, lamented that over 85 per cent of Nigerians are living below poverty line.

She appealed to leaders of thought, the traditional institutions and other stakeholders in the country to call President Muhammadu Buhari to order before the situation gets out of hand.

“We are dying, our children are roaming about the bush and yet there is

1,611.9m The estimated total population of Eastern Asia in 2012.

Source: Un.org

2.39

The average stay of football players of Italy in 2012-2013.

Source: Football-observatory.com

no one to help, let every Nigerian now speak.

“The price of fuel will increase cost of food, transport, and the poor masses will not be able to meet up with the present socioeconomic realities in the country,” she said.

In Abuja, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) said the over 40 million Nigerian students would re-enact the Occupy Nigeria protest against the removal of subsidy from petroleum product next week.

National President of NANs, Comrade Tijani Shehu, stated this in Abuja, at a protest rally where the association called for the removal of the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu.

He said NANS is already mobilising Nigerian students to resist the new N145 per litre pump price of petrol.

“A directive has been issued to all tertiary institutions to shut down all campuses on Tuesday and Wednesday, next week.

After that, they will all converge on Abuja for a mass protest.

“On behalf of NANS and the whole 40.1 million Nigeria students, we condemn the new fuel price and by Tuesday or Wednesday, the whole Nigerian students would occupy Nigeria. So, the Federal Government should look into this before NANS mobilises the entire Nigeria students to occupy Nigeria,” Shehu said.

The students, who came in their hundreds, arrived at the headquarters of the Ministry of Education, blocked the ministry’s entrance and carried different placards asking the Minister of Education, to either resign or President Muhammadu Buhari should remove him.

Also, there was early morning protest in Akure, the Ondo State capital, over the increase in pump price of petrol.

The protest was led by the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) who dropped all the passengers in their vehicles, forcing many commuters to trek to their various destinations.

The commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada, also took to the streets to register their protest over the sudden price increase.

However, the men of the State Police Command prevented the breakdown of law and order and directed the protesters to leave the major streets in order to allow free flow of traffic.

The NURTW members responded by increasing their transport fares from

N50 to N100 per drop.

In an apparent move to forestall breakdown of law and order in Lagos, especially at Ojota area after Wednesday’s increase in the price of fuel, the Lagos State Police Command deployed some of its officers to the popular Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota.

The park, which is also known as Freedom Park, was the point of convergence for activists and Nigerians during the January 2012 protests against the increase in pump price of petrol by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

A detachment of policemen from Mobile 22 were

seen around Ojota area of the state in what could be said to be a desperate bid to forestall protests in the area. However, the area remains calm as residents were seen going about their businesses peacefully.

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has demanded the immediate resignation of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, over the fuel hike.

The TMG, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, said the “imposition portrays the government as insensitive, and out of touch with the daily unbearable plight of the ordinary Ni-

gerian.”

“The Nigerian people feel particularly let down by the unending flip-flopping of Kachikwu. His chameleonic pronouncements on the fuel situation over the past months have left many Nigerians befuddled. One minute, he is declaring that refineries have started production, the next minute, he is telling the nation all manner of cock and bull stories about strategic reserves, and the effect of the activities of economic saboteurs.

TMG said it would join forces with Labour and other activists to resist this hike. “With the many economic woes afflicting the

country, including job losses, massive unemployment and galloping-inflation, the least we expected the government to do was to give Nigerians a breather, and allow some form of recovery to take place through a stimulus package injected into the economy to rev it back to life before placing any further burdens,” it said.

Kachikwu said the fuel price would likely go down in the next six month.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily programme, the minister said “you will be amazed at what will happen to your N145 price because it will go downwards.”

L-R: Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani; Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde; President Muhammadu Buhari and the United States Secretary of States, John Kerry, at a breakfast meeting in London… yesterday

Strike looms as NLC, TUC hold emergency meeting Sunday Ojeme and Yekeen Nurudeen

I

ndications have emerged that larger industrial strike across public and private sectors in the country is imminent over the new pump price announced on Wednesday by the Federal Government.

Already, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called for their emergency National Executive Council (NEC) today in Abuja to take a stand against the government's action.

Feelers from the Labour house yesterday indicated that leaders of the Congress and its allies in the civil societies are already warming up for a total showdown with the government over what they described as anti-masses policy.

Sources close to the leadership of the congress told New Telegraph that the only way that the government could avert the looming industrial showdown is an immediate reversal of pump price.

Sources within the Congress revealed that the only two options members want to table before government

are an immediate reversal of the price or a complete shutdown of the Nigerian system through strike.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu had, on Wednesday, said that representatives of Labour were part of the consultative meeting that produced the new price.

But NLC and TUC said government lied about their involvement in the decision.

Meanwhile, TUC has expressed disappointment over Federal Government’s deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector.

TUC, in a statement made available to New Telegraph, specifically voiced concern over the technique with which the Federal Government arrived at the new price and the decision to allow market forces alone determine the cost of the product.

The statement, signed by the President of the congress, Bobboi Bala Kaigama and the Acting Secretary General, Simeso Amachree, stated that although the meeting had the leadership of labour in attendance, they never made any input because of the shock at the premeditated ambush by the government According to the state-

ment, “when they stated their plan to introduce the new prices, our response was to ask for time to consult with our respective executive organs and subsequently revert appropriately. The government’s representatives agreed.

And so we left.

“We were, therefore, totally confounded and shocked when we got to know that they later went on air announcing new prices for petrol. But our focus and hope remain strong. We know what to do. Thus the TUC has scheduled an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) for Friday May 13, to x-ray the government’s pronouncement and take a stand on the matter in the best interest of Nigerian workers and the masses of our people.

“To say Nigerians are disappointed and dismayed at the fuel price hike would be a colossal understatement, especially as the present All Progressives Congress (APC) government repeatedly insisted during their pre2015 election campaigns that there was already nothing like subsidy during the immediate past administration. Alas, what a great volte-face! What betrayal in high places!”

Meanwhile, the Nigeri-

an Labour Congress (NLC) has said that the Federal Government was out to cause a serious damage to the nation's economy with the withdrawal of fuel subsidy announced on Wednesday by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachickwu.

General Secretary of the NLC, Dr. Peter OsoEzon, while reacting to the government's action said that the freedom given to oil marketers to import the products by sourcing for forex at the black market is an attempt to devaluate the nation's weakened currency, thereby causing serious damage to the economy.

The NLC General Secretary added that the Congress has rejected the government's action and has summoned an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to hold today to decide the next line of action.

On how the new fuel price will affect the Nigerian workers, he said labour has already started receiving reports of difficulties the workers have started experiencing to get to their respective places of work.

He noted that the fuel increase has also jeopardised the recently proposed N56,000 minimum wage for workers.

NEWS

FRIday, May 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

3

PDP founding fathers, Jonathan's ministers sack NWC Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

W

hat is feared for is about happening in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with some founding fathers, former ministers in the Goodluck Jonathan administration and stakeholders of the party announcing the sacking of the National Working Committee (NWC).

They also set up a 21-member steering committee to manage the affairs of the party until a lawfully organised national convention.

The stakeholders, who met under the aegis of Concerned PDP Stakeholders' Summit in Abuja yesterday, also described as a nullity and of no effect, "all actions purportedly taken by the said National Execu-

tive Committee (NEC) and the NWC, including the ward, local government, state congresses and the planned National Convention of the party slated for May 21st in Port Harcourt, Rivers State."

The group also described as unacceptable and against the established principles and practice of PDP, the zoning arrangement announced by the Akwa Ibom State governor, Emmanuel Udom, who headed the zoning committee.

But the PDP National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, said the group wants to divert attention from their misdeeds that led to the party losing the 2015 presidential election.

Sheriff, who spoke through his Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Alhaji Inua Bwala, threatened to drag some of them

before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to explain how they mismanaged the party's resources.

The Concerned PDP group, led by former Minister of Information and Orientation, Prof. Jerry Gana, however could not name members of the steering committee.

The NWC, who sees to the day-to-day activities of the party, consists of 24 members.

The group added that the steering committee members would work intimately with members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) until new leadership of the party is elected in accordance with the provision of the PDP constitution.

"We enjoin all our party faithful nationwide not to despair. The new steering committee will soon embark on a nationwide tour,

to address and resolve all issues and areas of conflict in every state of the federation.

"The steering committee will immediately put in place a National Reconciliation Committee to reconcile all previously aggrieved party members," the group said in a communiqué jointly signed by former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran and Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

It condemned the attempt to amend the PDP constitution by "illegal NWC" in order to muzzle and control the BoT, and called for the strengthening of the board to function effectively as true conscience of the party.

Concerned PDP Leaders present at the summit were Gana, Oyediran, Mantu;

L-R: Ministers: Udoma Udo Udoma (Budget and National Planning), Kemi Adeosun (Finance), Usani Usani Uguru (Niger Delta), Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment) and Kayode Fayemi (Solid Minerals), during the budget breakdown in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

1,808

The number of fatalities in terrorists’ violence involving terrorists in 2000.

Source: Satp.org

$107bn The total revenue of Amazon in 2015.

Source: Forbes.com

Dubem Onyia, Dokpesi, ABC Nwosu, Okwesilieze Nwodo, Auwal Tukur, Doyin Okupe, Chief Ojo Madueke, Chief Olabode George, Hajiya Inna Ciroma, Shehu Gabam, Mrs, Remi Adiukwu, Dr. Shettima Mustapha, Ambassador Wilberforce Juta, and Haliru Ndabawa.

Others include Senator Aniete Okon, Suliaman Abubakar, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Bala Mohammed, Senator Grace Bent, Esther Audu, Senator Ibok Essien, Alhaji Ibrahim Bunu, and Adamu Maina Waziri.

The group also include former Taraba State governor, Alhaji Umar Garba; Senator Abdul Ningi; former PDP national chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor; Tanimu Turaki; ex-Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Josephine Anenih; Stella Omu; Senator Tunde Ogbeha and former Minister of Transportation, Ebenezer Babatope.

Sheriff specifically threatened to drag Gana before the EFCC in connection with the sum of N500 million he allegedly collected from the Syke Bank.

"These were the same

characters that deceived President Goodluck Jonathan into failure. Unfortunately, most of them still go round to ask the chairman for one favour or the other and when the chairman declines they take offence against him.

"I know as a fact that Gana has written to the national chairman to allow him nominate some people into certain committees or allow them perform certain functions for the party.

"This is the same man who recognised the national chairman, writing to him on the need to submit the report of the finance committee which he headed. The chairman has been running away from receiving that report because it is on record that the same Jerry Gana, on behalf of the party without using the machinery of the party, collected the sum of N500 million from Skye Bank on behalf of the PDP for which the party has been dragged to court and is being compelled to pay back.

"As it is, the chairman may be left with no option than to drag Gana before the EFCC to explain his role in obtaining N500 million facility on behalf of the party and let him also explain what he has done with the money," Sheriff’s aide stated.

He said the national chairman will not step down and he is going ahead with conduct of the convention, adding "those making noise have lost out in the scheme of things.”

Budget: FG releases N350bn for capital projects CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

would be made. We are ready to start releases as far as the budget is concerned."

The minister said the Ministry of Budget and National Planning would work closely with the Federal Ministry of Finance in ensuring effective cash backing for all capital projects.

He explained that the 2016 budget would run concurrently until May next year.

Government, according to him, intends to return to the January to December financial year.

A breakdown of the 2016 budget projections shows that the fiscal document envisages a net distributable revenue of N5.72 trillion, comprising of main federation account revenue of N4.303 trillion and N1.416 trillion from the value added tax pool account.

Out of the distributable revenue, net oil receipts amount to N1.48 trillion or 25 per cent, while net non-oil revenue accounts

for the balance of N4.22 trillion or 75 per cent.

The 36 states of the federation and 774 local governments share of the distributable pool amount to N3.24 trillion, while the Federal Government will receive N2.48 trillion.

The budget breakdown also shows that Federal Government’s budgeted revenue, projected at N3.855 trillion, is largely contributed by the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N1.51 trillion, which is 35 per cent increase over the N2.855 trillion for the 2015 budget.

Growth in the Federal Government’s revenue is mainly to be derived from the growth in non-oil resources from Corporate Tax, VAT and dividends from government corporations and independent revenue.

A projection of N1.88 trillion was made on corporate taxes in the 2016 budget as against N1.42 trillion in 2015 and VAT collection of N1.48 trillion in 2016 from N1.28 trillion last year.

Provisions for expenditure of the N6.06 trillion 2016 budget shows a 35 per cent increase over the 2015 budget of N5.067 trillion.

Statutory transfer (inclusive of N157 billion capital component) is put at N352.37 billion, debt servicing including sinking fund of N1.48 trillion, recurrent (non-debt) expenditure is put at N2.65 trillion.

Capital expenditure (excluding share of capital in statutory transfers) is put at N1.59 trillion, while the capital expenditure (including share of capital expenditure in statutory transfer) is put at N1.7trillion.

Some other key allocations in the 2016 budget include provision for the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, N456.93 billion; Transport, N202.34 billion; Defence, N443.07 billion; Interior, N513.65 billion; Education, N403.16 billion; Health, N250.06 billion; Agriculture and Rural Development, N75.80 billion; Solid Minerals, N16.73 billion; Youth and

Sports Development, N75.79 billion; Water Resources, N53.30 billion and Special Intervention Programmes of N500 billion.

The budget is predicated on an oil production benchmark of 2.2 million barrels per day at $38 per barrel and an exchange rate of N197 naira to a dollar.

The breakdown shows that other priority projects listed for implementation by government are the dualisation of the KanoMaiduguri road (sections I-V) for N13 billion; LagosIbadan Expressway (section1) for N40 billion; N1.1 billion for the generation of 700MW from Zungeru Hydro Power Project; N18.3 billion for the completion of Abuja (Idu)Kaduna 186.5KM single track rail line; N60 billion counterpart funding for Lagos-Kano Standard Guage rail line; N60 billion counterpart funding for Calabar-Lagos Standard Guage rail line.

One of the capital projects captured in the budget is the development of

strategic grazing reserves estimated to cost government a total of N940 million under the Ministry of Agriculture.

"We intend to take the budget to where it ought to be, the January to December financial year, which is much better for implementation.

"So, for the next year’s budget, we intend to get it to the National Assembly so that it is passed by the year end,” he said.

The budget includes six strategic areas cutting across economic diversification, critical infrastructure and reforms in the oil and gas sector.

Other areas are ease of doing business, policy environment, national security, governance and social investment.

“The Strategic Implementation Plan forms the basis for the preparation and implementation of the 2016 Budget, as it documents the key short-term priorities of the incumbent administration to place the economy on this upward trajectory as it is

repositioned for change, inclusive growth and sustainable development,” Udoma said.

Udoma said government would distribute the capacity through privatisation and concessioning under its priority strategies in power, rail and roads sectors.

“It will ensure that tariff includes all costs of transmission, generation and gas at new price and that DISCO cost required operating, maintaining and upgrading distribution network.

“It will ensure delivery of 2,193 kilometres of federal roads across 31 projects scheduled for 2016 (through public works and other interventions) and explore Private Public Partnership options for completing other projects.

“The government will undertake the construction of 3,552 Mixed Housing Units as pilot scheme in the 36 states and FCT under the National Housing Programme in a secured and planned environment.”

4

NEWS

FRIday, May 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

World leaders move stop investment of looted funds abroad Anule Emmanuel Abuja

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to join Nigeria with other members of the international community in a fresh strategy by world leaders to stop the investment of looted funds by corrupt officials abroad.

Speaking yesterday at the opening of the AntiCorruptionSummithosted

by Prime Minister David Cameronof BritaininLondon, the president said that Nigeria, with the renewed commitment to tackling corruption, would soon begin the full implementation of the principles of the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS).

The OCDS enables disclosure of data and documents at all stages of the contracting process by defining a common data model.

Sixcountries,including Britain,Kenya,France,the Netherlands and Nigeria agreed to publish registers of who really owns companies in their respective countries, a so-called registerof beneficialownership

76

The life expectancy of women at birth of Egypt in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

under the new arrangement.

According to Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President,Buharisaidthat the Federal Government would apply the OCDS to major projects in the oil, transportation, power, health,educationandother sectors.

The publication of OCDSdataensuresgreater transparencyinpubliccontracting and can support accessible and in-depth analysis of the efficiency, effectiveness,fairness,and integrity of public contracting systems.

Eleven other countries, including Cayman Island, Jersey, Bermuda, the Isle and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are to join the now 29 strong group where listsof beneficialownersof companies are drawn up and shared between governments.

Buhari said that his administration was also taking steps to ensure greater transparency of the ownership and control of all companies involved in property purchase and public contracting.

He said: "Nigeria is already collating this informationthroughtheExtractiveIndustryTransparency Initiative (EITI) process and will extend it to other sectors.

"Nigeria will establish

a transparent central registerof foreigncompanies’ biddingonpubliccontracts and buying property," the president noted.

Buhari specifically welcomedaproposaltorestrict theabilityof thoseinvolved in corruption to travel, invest and do business overseas.

His words: "We commit tojoiningthepilotinitiative for automatic exchange of beneficialinformation.Nigeriacommitstodeploying public-privateinformation sharing partnerships to bring together governments, law enforcement, regulatorsandthefinancial sectortodetect,preventand

disrupt money laundering linked to corruption.

"We commit to work togethertoenhancecompany disclosureonthepayments to governments for the sale of oil, gas and minerals, complementing ongoing work within the EITI." Meanwhile, the president has also said that Nigeria will work with others countries, civil society, and international organisations to support accelerated implementation of the voluntaryprovisionsof the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) for the implementation of the outstandingobligationsunder the UNCAC.

Buhari said that new measures against corruption that will be adopted by the summit should also include mechanisms that will assist countries like Nigeria to combat illegal activities such as crude oil theft to which, he said, Nigeria loses about $7 billion annually.

"When it comes to tackling corruption, the international community has unfortunatelylookedaway for too long. We need to step up and tackle this evil together. That is why we have gathered here today.

"I wish to reiterate our demand that the global community must come up

with mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for stolen funds and facilitate the return of stolen assets to their countries of origin," Buhari said.

In his opening remarks atthesummit,Cameronapplauded Buhari's vigorous efforts to curb corruption in Nigeria.

At the event, the British Prime minister warned foreign companies that ownaround100,000properties in England and Wales that they will be required todisclosetheirownership as one of the measures to clean up London as an international centre for money laundering.

FIRS shuts NICON Hotel, Insurance over N6.2bn tax evasion Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

I

n continuation of its clampdown on businesses and firms heavily indebted to it, the tax enforcement team of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) yesterday shut down Abuja head office of Nicon Insurance Plc. and other business owned by Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim over tax liability in excess of N6.2 billion.

Checks by New Telegraph revealed that the team arrived both Nicon Insurance Plaza and Nicon Luxury at about noon

yesterday.

The two businesses, owned by Ibrahim, were alleged to have defaulted in payment of Company Income Tax (CIT) and Value Added Tax (VAT).

At Nicon Insurance, the personnel of the underwriting firm were ordered out of the premises by the enforcement team while the main entrance to the plaza was shut.

The team, however, created alternative entrance for tenants of the plaza.

At Nicon Luxury, a crucial meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders’ meeting was said to be in progress

when the team swooped on the hotel.

The incursion of the enforcement team caused partial disruption to the meeting as the gathering was given up to 3p.m.to round up.

A source, who confirmed both developments to New Telegraph, said workers were directed by the management of the insurance firm to close and go home before 5p.m.

"My brother, we are suffering here. No salary has been paid since the beginning of this year and the management is carrying on as if nothing is amiss.

The FIRS guys showed up

this afternoon and, after a brief meeting with management, we were asked to go home before the closing time," he said.

When contacted, FIRS spokesperson, Wahab Gbadamosi, said the shutdown of the firms was part of a nationwide enforcement by FIRS for tax compliance.

On his part, Nicon Insurance Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Kunle Adewale, said he was about boarding a flight as at the time our reporter got to him. He promised to call on arrival at his destination, but never did.

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FRIday, May 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

RETURNS ON UTILIZATION OF FUNDS PURCHASED FROM THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA ON WEDNESDAY, 11th MAY 2016.

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SB/ILC160377C SB/ILC160380C SB/ILC160378C SB/ILC160375C N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

ITEM OF IMPORT SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES MASS TRANSIT BUSES MASS TRANSIT BUSES UNLEADED GASOLINE UNLEADED GASOLINE UNLEADED GASOLINE UNLEADED GASOLINE UNLEADED GASOLINE UNLEADED GASOLINE UNLEADED GASOLINE BASEOIL UNLEADED GASOLINE UNLEADED GASOLINE UNLEADED GASOLINE VARIOUS HOMOPASTE AND PIGMENT MACHINERY FOR STORAGE AND RE-PRODUCTION OF ELECTRIC CURRENT (STATIC CONVERTER) POLYESTER FILM INDUSTRIAL MOULDS FOR USE IN PLASTIC MFG IND. POLYMERIC POLYOL PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA PTA

DATE OF FUND PURCHASE EXCHANGE RATE AMOUNT 11-May-16 197.50 4,998.51 11-May-16 197.50 9,443.97 11-May-16 197.50 6,000.00 11-May-16 197.50 264,570.92 11-May-16 197.50 100,000.00 11-May-16 197.50 600,000.00 11-May-16 197.50 200,000.00 11-May-16 197.50 200,648.78 11-May-16 197.50 200,000.00 11-May-16 197.50 200,000.00 11-May-16 197.50 245,000.00 11-May-16 197.50 200,000.00 11-May-16 197.50 300,000.00 11-May-16 197.50 200,000.00 11-May-16 197.50 200,000.00 11-May-16 197.50 200,000.00 11-May-16 197.50 84,736.00

11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16 11-May-16

197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50 197.50

202,000.00 132,480.00 89,021.00 266,568.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 3,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 500.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 3,000.00 2,000.00 3,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 3,000.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00

6

News|NATIONAL

Queues disappear in Kwara Biodun Oyeleye

T

he queues thinned out in most part of Ilorin, Kwara State, yesterday following the announcement of a new price regime for petrol. Most filling stations owned by independent marketers, which had been closed, opened with many of them claiming that the new price justified their earlier argument that the government was not taking the right

course before now.

All the stations were selling at the new price of N145 per litre. Earlier in the day, there were queues in some stations operated by the major marketers with many motorists claiming they needed to get some stock of the product because of fears that the organised labour might call a strike that would paralyse the distribution system from next week.

Kogi: A litre goes for N250 Muhammad Bashir Lokoja

T

he new petroleum pump price per litre, as announced by the Federal Government, have generated mixed feelings among consumers in Kogi State. But many see the development as untimely.

The development has already generated a lot of positive and negative reactions in Lokoja, the Kogi State

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Fuel Price increase

Lagos: Lamentations all over Muritala Ayinla

L

agosians yesterday expressed disgust and anger over total subsidy removal which led to the hike of petroleum products in the country as the product now sells for N145 per litre.

They described the development as insensitive and callous, saying that it was unfortunate that subsidy removal was coming at time the Federal Government just increased

electricity tariff in spite of incessant power outage.

Some of the residents, who spoke with New Telegraph across the state, expressed shock that the development would worsen the already fallen standard of living, adding that this ‘was not the change’ promised by the All Progressive Congress.

Reacting to the development, Nelson Ekujimi, a Public Affairs Analyst, wondered what would happen to the local refinery by the Nigeria Na-

tional Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, since fuel now sold at N145 per litre, saying that “we are going to study it and make our position known.”

Also speaking, James Kolawole, commercial bus driver, wondered why the nation kept increasing pump price with consideration of the masses.

He added that if the official price was N145, there was likelihood that most filling stations would sell a litre for N200 and above.

“Why is it that our leaders don’t have a feeling for us at all? What have done for them? How come they make life unbearable to us with their policy? Honestly, this is not the change they promise us.

On his part, Comrade Biodun Aremu of the Joint Action Front, JAF, said “we reject the increase and deregulation; we will fight it, we are asking Nigerians to fight it. We reject the policy of deregulation, we shall fight it.”

capital.

Residence, particularly motorists, have lamented the new price regime, while other applauded it, as the price was not different with how much they were buying the product.

Musa Danladi, a commercial motorist, told New Telegraph that before this new regime, he just have to buy the product at the cost of N180 to N200 per litre.

Rivers: At N150, motorists abandon vehicles Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

S

ome motorists, who woke up yesterday to the reality of the hike in fuel parked their vehicles at home, ensuring free flow of traffic along most major roads in Port Harcourt.

There were also few passengers on the road, as operators of commercial transport opera-

tors, reflected the hike in their fare. Most routes where commuters had been forced to pay extra N50 since the fuel crisis started added extra N50 yesterday.

On Wednesday evening, shortly before the Federal Government increased fuel to N145, it sold for between N125 to N135 at most filling stations, but now sells for N150 at the filling stations that opened for business.

Panic buying in Aba Victor Mba Aba

T

he decision of the Federal Government to remove subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol has triggered off panic buying of the product at the commercial city of Aba. There were long queues at fuel stations, especially those along Enugu/Port Harcourt express road.

Motorists were afraid that the price of the product

may Skyrocket with the subsidy removal. A commercial driver who spoke to New Telegraph said that his decision to fill his tank was to avoid not being able to afford the pump price in future.

According to another commercial driver, when the price was N87 and there was scarcity, the product sold between N 250 and N270 per litre.

Now, he said that the new price of N145 would only compound their problems.

Stranded commuters at the Tafawa Balewa Square due to increment inº fuel price…yesterday

Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

F

ew hours after the Federal Government has increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol from N86.50 to N145 per litre, operators of filling stations in Osun adjusted to the new price and made the essential commodity available for motorists in the state.

In fact, owners of these filling stations are now selling their products between N150 to N160 in the state.

New Telegraph investi-

JALINGO

t was complains galore in Asaba, the Delta State capital and its environs yesterday as motorists, commuters, market women and artisans groaned over the N145 petrol price by the Federal Government.

At the Ogbeogonogo Market, along the popu-

I

n Taraba State, all filing stations dispensing fuel yesterday adjusted their pump price to N145 per litre.

Our reporter, who went round Jalingo metropolis, observed that the about six stations, including the

gations at many filling stations in the state revealed that, some private car owners and commercial vehicle operators drive into these filling stations to buy fuel without hindrance.

Due to this development, the transportation fare has been jerked up with 100 per cent while many residents resulted to trek countless miles due to non-availability of fund in their pockets.

For instance, transportation fare from Igbonna to power-line, areas in Osogbo, Osun State capital, which used to be N50 in the past is now N100 while transportation fare from Ife to Osogbo which used

to cost N300 is now N600.

Also, skyrocketing in the prices of food items, which were noticed in the markets while many buyers went back to their different homes dejectedly due to inability to purchase the items with little money they were having in their pockets.

Many filling stations were also deserted by vehicle owners as majority of them abandoned their vehicles at homes and boarded commercial buses to their various offices and places of work.

Survey in the state revealed that, these unbearable costs in both food items and transportation

fares are now causing confusion in virtually all the nook and cranny of the state as people of the state protested to register their displeasure to the fuel increment.

The chairman of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), Osun State Chapter, Barrister Adegoke Alfred said: “This latest increase again shows the inhuman and insensitive character of Buhari government.

In Osun State, the government of Rauf Aregbesola has been paying half salaries for the past one year, which led to most workers living from hand to mouth and unable to foot the bills of their families.”

Delta: Commuters, market women groan Imo: More hardship hits Owerri

Taraba: Fuel available at N145

NNPC mega station with the product available sold it at the new price rate.

However, the new fuel price increase trailed mix reactions among the Jalingo residents.

As some described the ‘ indiscriminate’ increase as untimely, others opined that if the fuel would be adequately made available.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Osun: Fuel sells between N150 and N160

Dominic Adewole

Sabiu Mustapha

Asaba

I

lar Nnebisi Road in Asaba, market women were seen lamenting the untold and sudden increase in transportation of goods and services from the point of production to the retailing and consuming end.

Mrs. Anges Okolobi, who said market prices of goods have geometrically changed, wondered why the Federal Government was insensitive to the plight of its citizens.

Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

R

esidents of Owerri, the Imo State capital, took quite a jolt yesterday as they awoke to a new price regime of N145 per litre of fuel.

Filling stations that sold N120 and N130 maximum the previous night speedily adjusted their meters to read and dispense fuel at N145 per litre.

Prices of goods and ser-

vices, particularly cost of transportation also took a leap in tune to the new pump price.

From Orji to Okigwe road was previously N50 but by 11 am yesterday, it was costing between N100 and N150.

Previously, one could pay N30 or N40 for some particularly short distances but as at yesterday, no matter how short or near the destination wa, the least transport fare was N50.

FRIday, May 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

7

8

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Three die in Lagos, Ondo crashes

Babatope Okeowo, Camillus Nnaji and Muritala Ayinla

T

hree persons died yesterday in Lagos and Ondo when containers fell on shanties and a fuel tanker crashed.

In Lagos, one person was feared dead while six others were injured when three containers fell on a building at Ijora. A lady, believed to be a prostitute identified simply identified as Ezinne was killed when the containers at Sifax Container Terminal Limited fell on residential shanties.

Over 50 other women of easy virtue narrowly escaped death when containers during the rain accompanied by a windstorm.

Ezinne, in her late 30s, died on the spot, while those injured were taken to a nearby hospital.

The windstorm was said to have blown off the three 40 feet containers arranged in the terminal located at 210/212 Moshood Abiola Way, Ijora.

The empty containers staked about 50 metres high in the compound fell across the terminal walls unto about six shanties where prostitutes live.

The affected structures are out of over 50 illegally erected shanties along the railway line referred to as ‘sharp corner’ by Ijora residents.

When our correspondent visited the area, one of the prostitutes was thanking God that she did not sleep in her shanty, while others were

The scene of the incident

smoking cigarette and looking at each new face in the area as potential customer.

Some others were picking remains of their belongings such as stoves, mattresses, clothes, shoes and packs of condom.

The Sifax dock manager could not be reached because he was said to have gone to the police station to report the matter.

A source in the company said many times the prostitutes had been evacuated from the shanties by the police, but they kept coming back.

The state Police Public Rela-

tions Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, did not pick her calls for confirmation at press time.

For several hours, officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and others emergency agencies such as the Lagos State Fire Services, Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Rapid Response Squad (RRS), police officers from Nigeria Railways and Ijora Station and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had hectic trying to rescue the trapped victims.

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

In the Ondo State incident, the tanker driver and his assistant otherwise called ‘motor boy’ were burnt to death when the vehicle crashed at the Ofusu axis of the Benin-Ore Road in Odigbo Local Government Area.

However, one of the occupants of the vehicle escaped with injuries.

The accident led to a gridlock on the popular Benin-Ore Expressway.

Sources in the commercial town of Ore said the tanker carrying Automated Gas Oil otherwise called diesel exploded about 3pm.

The accident occurred about 28 kilometres away from the town.

A witness said the driver lost control of the vehicle which tumbled and caught fire immediately.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, said the tanker was coming from Ore, heading towards Benin when the accident occurred around Levante company.

He explained that the accident happened after the fuel tanker ran into a ditch and spilled its content before bursting into flames.

Joseph said police officers battled several hours to put the situation under control.

He added that the third occupant of the tanker who was rescued was responding to treatment.

The PPRO appealed to motorists to drive in line with traffic rules.

He said: “The truck was coming from Ore on its way to Benin. When it got to an area called Levante, the driver of the truck lost control of the vehicle.”

City Briefs

Six homosexuals arrested in Edo, says AIG LCDA: Community leaders

P

olice in Benin, Edo State, have arrested six suspected homosexuals - Festus Osagiede (24), Hyacinth Omahanrebho (20), Itama Omon (25), Onwuka Prince (48), Monye Chukwu (23) and Osadebe Kelvin (26).

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5 Headquarters, AIG Musa Daura, disclosed this yesterday.

Daura said the arrest was carried out by policemen attached to the Zonal Anti-Vice Section while acting on a tip-off.

The AIG said five of the suspects were apprehended at their hideout on No. 12, Ikpoba (pandemonium) Slope while Kelvin was arrested somewhere behind Benson Idahosa University about 6pm on Wednesday while trying to flee Benin.

According to him, the suspects have confessed to be homosexuals and have carnal knowledge of one other on several occasions in their hideout.

Daura said preliminary investigation conducted into the matter showed that the suspects

IG, Arase

had been committing the offence since 2006.

He added: “The leader of the gang and principal suspect, Festus Osagiede, first committed the crime with the third suspect, Itama Omon in 2006 when both attended a night club in Benin City.

“After the third suspect (Itama) got drunk, Osagiede took him to his house and forcibly had carnal knowledge of him.

Since then, they have been committing the crime with each other until May 9, 2016 when luck ran out on them. They were arrested by the zonal detectives.”

The AIG reiterated that homosexuality was an offence against humanity and nature, and abominable act that should be condemned by all.

praise Amosun

C

ommunity leaders and residents Sango in Ogun State have commended Governor Ibikunle Amosun for creating Sango/Ijoko Local Council Development Area (LCDA) out of present 20 local governments.

Speaking on behalf of the leaders and residents, Alhaja Ganiyat Shaffy said the governor had been able to fulfil his electioneering campaign promises not only to Sango residents but to the people of the state in general.

Shaffy described Amosun as a governor to have taken the state to enviable position since the state was cre-

ated 40 years ago.

She said the creation of LCDA would bring rapid development to the people at the grassroots.

According to her, the community will be out of perpetual bondage by a group of people, who believed that the state will not witness any meaningful development.

The women’s leader also said it would be a landmark for the residents for making Sango the headquarters of the LCDA. She added: “We will ever remain loyal to the governor.”

METRO

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

We kidnapped our mum for her sake –Daughters Charles Onyekwere and Kenneth Ofoma

Ado-Ekiti

A

The suspects

Mr. Eric Achime, based in Lagos.

“Ransom of N2.5 million was demanded, while N500,000 was agreed to be paid.”

Onyinyechi and Akunna told journalists, that the two ladies claimed to have executed the crime as a last measure towards raising money for their mother’s medical treatment.

One of the suspects, a graduate of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, who was to go for the National Youths

Service Corps (NYSC) this month, said they had been begging their brother to bring money for their mother’s eye treatment but he refused.

She said: “The eye problem became so much and we had no option; we decided to do that in order to raise money. We took her to a hotel at the Camp and paid for a room there.

“I brought my friend and he helped us in arranging the kidnap. He was the one calling our brother, but he refused to bring money;

he said the kidnappers can eat her if they liked. We did not hurt her at all; it was all for our mum’s good, though we did not tell her.

“She got to know later, and she has been begging the police to drop the case.

As we speak, her medical condition is even getting worse.”

The police also paraded those arrested in connection with the recent killings at Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Ese’s evidence will be taken in secret –Court Pauline Onyibe Yenagoa

J

ustice Aliya Nganjiwa of a Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday granted the request of the prosecution to take the evidence of Miss Ese Oruru in secret at the resumed pre-trial hearing.

The case involves Yunusa Dahiru aka Yellow, the alleged abductor of the 14-year-old Oruru.

Dahiru is standing trial on a five-count charge of criminal abduction, illicit sex, sexual exploitation and having unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor.

Man kills friend while hunting, another shoots couple Sulaiman Salawudeen

T

wo sisters, Onyinyechi Achime and Akunna Achime, yesterday told police in Enugu State while they stage-managed the abduction of their mother.

The sisters, who carried out the abduction with the help of their male friend, Monday Egbe, demanded N2.5 million ransom from their Lagos-based brother.

The ladies and their alleged accomplice were part of several suspected criminals paraded at the state Police Command Headquarters, Enugu, by the state Police Commissioner, Emmanuel Ojukwu.

Ojukwu said the suspects were arrested in connection with the kidnapping of Mrs. Hannah Achime.

He said: “Monday Egbe, aged 30 years, was arrested and he confessed how two of the victim’s daughters, Onyinyechi Achime and Akunna Achime, invited him to the business to enable them to collect money from their elder brother,

Dahiru

Dahiru was granted bail but he is yet to meet the bail conditions.

The accused was granted bail in the sum of N3 million and two sureties one of who must be a title

holder and the other a level 12 officer.

However, yesterday, Nganjiwa, who premised the ruling of the court on the provisions of Section 36 subsections 4 (a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, said: “The evidence of Miss Ese Oruru would be taken by the court in private and in chambers excluding all other persons other than the prosecution, the defendant’s counsel, court clerks and prison officials and any other person, if the accused person does not object.

“The defence counsel

failed to show what injury or harm the accused person would suffer on account of private hearing for the victim, Miss Ese Oruru.”

The judge added that it was only the evidence of Miss Oruru that would be taken in secret as other trial would be done in open court.

Nganjiwa, who adjourned the matter till June 2, for hearing on the substantive suit, said: “Let me correct the impression that private hearing would jeopardise the hearing of the substantive suit as other trial would be conducted in public.”

Bodies of policemen killed by vandals found Juliana Francis

B

odies of a police sergeant and a corporal killed and taken away by suspected oil vandals at Ikorodu area of Lagos State, have been found floating on the river.

The policemen, Corporal Wale Oduade and Sergeant Akin, attached to Owutu Police Station, were killed on May 2, while their bodies were discovered floating on the water three days later. The bodies were, however, said to have become bloated.

Their colleagues were able to identify them and alerted their Divisional Police Officer (DPO).

According to a police source, the two men were on duty, when they got information that suspected pipeline vandals had loaded trucks of fuel and were about to leave the site.

The source said: “Wale has been

Lagos CP, Owoseni

serving in that station for years.

The sergeant was just new there. It was Wale who led the way to Ishawo Road. It was on Ishawo Road they met and flagged down the truck driver. They were still negotiating with the driver, when a Sienna car drove close to the truck and opened

fire on the policemen.

“The policemen went with only one rifle. The vandals went away with their bodies and the rifle.

Their bodies were found floating on the canal three days later.”

The late policemen were said to have embarked on the illegal operation around 12am on that fateful day.

According to another source, the incident occurred about 30 minutes after some soldiers patrolled the area and left.

The source said the gunshot from the vandals woke residents.

“It happened around 12am. The vandals killed the two policemen and took their bodies away. Policemen later came and they saw blood on the ground,” the source added.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, had earlier said that she was not aware of such incident.

9

Magistrates’ Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has remanded in prison custody a 38-year-old hunter, Emmanuel Lamidi, for allegedly shooting his friend dead during a hunting expedition.

The court also remanded a 62-year-old man, James Sunday, for allegedly shooting a couple in front of their house.

The police prosecutor, Sergeant Monica Ikebuilo, told the court on Tuesday that Lamidi committed the offence about 23 hours on May 8 at Awelewa farm, Ilawe-Ekiti.

She alleged that the accused, on the said day, time and place, unlawfully killed his friend, Benjamin Patrick, by shooting him with a Dane gun in the chest when they went hunting together in the forest.

Ikebuilo explained the offence contravened Section 325 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

The prosecutor added that she had forwarded the case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

Lamidi’s plea was not taken but he said he actually shot at an animal not knowing it would turn out to be his friend.

His counsel, Mr. Chris Omokhafe, prayed the court for a short date of adjournment while awaiting the legal advice from the DPP. The magistrate, Doyin Akosile, adjourned the case till June 16 for further hearing.

The magistrate ordered the accused be remanded in prison custody pending the advice from DPP. Also on Wednesday, Ikebuilo told the court that Sunday shot Unwankwo Emmanuel and Chiwodu Emmanuel on May 6 at Ago Aduloju area of Ado-Ekiti.

She said the accused actually intended to kill the couple by shooting them with a gun right in front of their house.

According to her, the offence contravened Section 320 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

According to her, the case file had been duplicated and forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice.

Sunday’s plea was not taken while his counsel, Mr. Chris Omokhafe, urged the court for short adjournment date.

Akosile adjourned the case till June 16 for further hearing.

The magistrate ordered the accused be remanded in prison pending the legal advice from DPP.

IG takes over Anisulowo’s abduction case –CP Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

I

nspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has taken over the investigation of the recent abduction of former Minister of State for Education, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo.

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, who disclosed this to journalists in Abeokuta, also revealed how suspected fraudsters attempted to swindle him and security agents during the abduction saga.

Ali spoke shortly after a meeting of the state Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) to herald the 2016 PCRC Week in Abeokuta.

The commissioner said that seven suspects were

Anisulowo

already in police custody, including the kingpin and two major suspects transferred to Abuja.

He said: “They (suspects) have been transferred to Abuja and the IG crack team (members) are working on them and I want to tell you that they are cracking the case itself.

“We have seven suspects altogether; we have four here and three in Abuja.

While Abuja is working on the other ones, we are working on the ones picked here in the state. So, we are making headway too.”

The commissioner, however, said an unidentified man, who posed as one of Anisulowo’s abductors, phoned him during negotiations for ransom and demanded urgent payment of N800,000 out of the N10 million offered.

He explained that unknown to the police the caller was a member of a suspected scam group bent on defrauding the law enforcement agents.

Ali, however, said the police succeeded in busting the fraud before Anisulowo was rescued on Tuesday, last week.

10 News|NATIONAL

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Reps urge FG to review minimum wage Philip Nyam Abuja

T

he House of Representatives has advised the Federal Government to review the minimum wage of workers to cushion the effects of deregulation of the petroleum sector, which has jerked the pump price of fuel from N86.50 to N145.

Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos-APC) made the position of the lower chamber known in Abuja in a chat with newsmen.

Gbajabiamila said the position of the House became necessary in view

of the need to meet the rising cost of living in the country.

“There has to be a serious review of the minimum wage if you are going to increase the pump price of petrol because we all know everything rests on that.

“Prices are going to skyrocket, from school fees to food to transportation to school uniforms and to books.

“Everything is going to go up because of mono economy.

“If we are going to do that it is incumbent upon the government, it is to take seriously the demands of labour.”

Niger: NLC, PDP workers blast FG Dan Atori

MINNA

T

he increment of fuel price to N145 and the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government has been condemned as Nigerlites blasted the actions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

In Minna, and environs, only Bovas, Oando stations are selling at the new N145 price while other marketers are selling at N155 and N180 with few vehicles patronising the stations.

The NNPC mega filling at the Western bypass

had a very long queue but waiting for directives before it could dispense to buyers.

The station manager, Mallam Salla said “We have fuel, but since the increment was announced, we are still waiting for directive from above to start selling at the new N145 per litre”.

In a parley with Journalists at his Office in Minna, the newly elected Chairman of the State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barrister Tanko Beji, said with the way things were going, the situation in the country might get worse if drastic measures were not taken.

Mixed reactions in Benue Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

T

he new pump price of petrol pronounced by the Federal Government yesterday continued to attract mixed reactions from the streets of Benue State.

Those who spoke to New Telegraph on the new price of N145 per litre described it as outrageous while others viewed the decision as unilaterally taken as no prior notice was given to members of the public.

When New Telegraph visited the NNPC mega sta-

tion located along MakurdiOtukpo road, long queues were seen with vehicle owners struggling to buy the commodity at the new price.

In a reaction, a motorist, Mr. Nicholas Itodo, said it was ‘inhuman’ for the Federal Government to increase the price of petrol especially now that citizens were passing through excruciating economic times, adding that the removal of subsidy by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration showed that he did not have the citizens of this country at heart.

JAF, ERC reject increase Mojeed Alabi and Igbeaku Orji

T

he Joint Action Front, a coalition of workers’ unions and pressure groups, and the Education Rights Concern (ERC), a non-governmental organisation focused on education issues, have kicked against the hike in fuel price, insisting they would mobilise Nigerians to ensure its reversal.

Speaking exclusively with New Telegraph yesterday, JAF Secretary,

Comrade Abiodun Aremu, said the position of the organisation against deregulation of the oil industry has not in any way changed and that members were ready and prepared to force the government to reverse the decision.

“We are meeting today to take an official stance on the development but I can assure you that we are opposed to it and we will fight it until it is reversed.

Once we are through with our meeting we shall communicate the position to the public,” Aremu said.

2.83

The average stay of football players of England in 2012-2013.

Source: Football-observatory.com

2,835

The total number of incidence of terrorist violence in 2000.

Source: Satp.org

$22.7m

The total pay (including salary/ winnings & endorsements) of Mark Texixera (Baseball) for 2014.

Source: Forbes.com

Tinubu: Subsidy created economic predators, overnight billionaires Wale Elegbede

F

ormer Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, has backed the decision of the Federal Government to remove subsidy from fuel product, stating that though the decision was difficult, it was necessary for the country’s economy and political system.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Tinubu Media Office, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressed that President Muhammadu Buhari has made a courageous and prudent decision by ending the subsidy regime.

According to Tinubu, the subsidy regime, which was supposed to be a basic

part of social contract, has over the years transformed into an opaque haven of intrigue and malfeasance, adding that past governments lost the true meaning and objective of the subsidy policy.

The statement reads: “The president’s decision to reallocate funds once earmarked for the fuel subsidy and commits those funds to other more socially productive services and undertakings was a difficult decision. It was also a necessary one.

“For some time, I have been a proponent of this action. I believed ending of subsidy was the only sure way to put to sleep the myriad demons that had invaded the subsidy process, sucking the blood of Nigeria, swallowing much

of our needed money.

“Politically, it would have been easy for the President to sit back and let the subsidy remain in place. Yet, in the art of governance, the easiest policy is rarely the best one.

“President Buhari has with this decision put an abrupt and just end to this assault against our economy and political system. He has made a courageous and prudent decision. It is time to end the fuel subsidy and to begin to subsidize the true needs of the people.

“To Mr. President, I say congratulations for having the courage to remove the subsidy. The President has taken this tough decision in the interest of the present and future generations of Nigerians.”

While noting that the op-

eration of the subsidy measure was distorted to where it no longer functioned for the benefit of the masses, he stated that it would be unfair to continue with the regime that made innocent people to face erratic supply and groan in the misery of long fuel queues, the high costs and loss of time attendant to this situation.

“Over the years, the operation of the measure was distorted to where it no longer functioned for the benefit of the masses but for the undue enrichment of a small club of businessmen, some legitimate in their work, some not.

“Instead of remaining a positive aspect of the social contract, the subsidy was transformed into an opaque haven of intrigue and malfeasance.”

L-R: Former Information Minister, Prof.

Jerry Gana; former Transport Minister, Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe; CoChairman, Senator Ibrahim Mantu; Co-Chairman, Prof.

Tunde Adeniran and former Minister for Police Affairs, Mallam Adams Maina-Waziri during the meeting of the Concerned PDP Stakeholders’ Summit in Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

Kalu backs Buhari on subsidy removal

F

ormer Governor of Abia State and astute entrepreneur, Dr. Orji Kalu, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for removing the subsidy on fuel. He declared that the subsidy was beneficial to a cabal in the oil sector and greatly disadvantageous to the majority of Nigerians.

“Recall that, in my congratulatory message to President Buhari when he was being sworn in, I pleaded with him to jump-start the economy by removing the subsidy on fuel, as it had been abused over the years by oil barons who cap-

italized on it to massively enrich themselves to the detriment of the larger society.

“It is gratifying to note that President Buhari has taken the bold step of blocking this outlet that pauperises most Nigerians while making a few others richer and richer and leaving the country’s economy in comatose. This is the best thing to happen to the petroleum industry since the advent of this administration,” he said.

In a statement issued by his media advisor, Mr. Ebere Wabara, Dr. Kalu affirmed that he was sure most Nige-

rians comprehend the philosophy behind the subsidy removal, as they had been living with it unof ficially over time. He stated that the time had come for the country to be realistic on what it wants without pandering to the whims and caprices of a few oil magnets milking the nation dry because of their selfishness.

“I plead with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other stakeholders to understand the essence of the subsidy removal and support it in the interest of the masses. Even be-

fore the removal of the subsidy, a litre of the premium motor spirit (PMS) sold far above the official price and Nigerians had no choice than to buy. In fact, in most locations nationwide, cur rently it has become so critical that the issue is no longer appropriate pricing, but availability. In other words, the latest action of gover nment is essentially the standardisation of what had become an infor mal price regime that gave rise to pump price disparities across the geopolitical zones,” Dr. Kalu said.

11

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Okorie No need for pretense, Nigeria is corrupt

Politics British Prime Minister, David Cameron, may have shunned the art of diplomacy, which entails doing and saying the nastiest thing in the nicest way, when he described Nigeria and Afghanistan as “fantastically corrupt” countries. FELIX NWANERI reports

NGF Once a power bloc

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

16

Cameron’s truthful gaffe

T

he recent description of Nigeria and Afghanistan as “fantastically corrupt” by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, is no doubt, one of the most undiplomatic things a country’s leader could say about another nation, but it is incontestable that his position is not far from the truth.

Cameron was caught on camera making the comment in a conversation with the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth 11, about hosting world and business leaders at the anti-corruption summit in London, at an event to mark the Queen's 90th birthday.

"We've got some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain... Nigeria and Afghanistan, possibly the two most corrupt countries in the world," he was overheard saying.

While it is a fact that not one single country, anywhere in the world is corruption-free, Nigeria and Afghanistan rank high on lists of the world's most corrupt nations. According to a 2015 report by global anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency International (TI), Afghanistan was ranked at 167, while Nigeria was at 136 out of 168 counties examined.

The report revealed that millions of dollars that should have gone on reconstruction of Afghanistan were reportedly wasted or stolen, thereby undermining efforts to sustain peace in the war torn country, while Africa’s powerhouse, Nigeria, showed no improvement from her corruption problem within the period under review.

13

Cameron (right) caught on camera boasting to the Queen about ‘fantastically corrupt’ countries.

With a score of 26 per cent, Nigeria dropped by one point on the TI index, which rated countries on a scale of zero (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 100 (perceived to be least corrupt). In 2014, the nation was also ranked 136th among 176 countries, but scored 27 per cent.

The group has published the ‘Corruption Perceptions Index’ since 1995, and defines corruption as “the misuse of public power for private benefits.”

No African country was in the first 10 in 2015. Ghana was Africa’s best ranked nation at 56th position with a score of 47 per cent, marginally down from a score of 48 per cent in 2014. The rankings of other African countries showed Guinea, Kenya and Uganda in the 139th position with 25 per cent; Congo Republic was 146th with 23 per cent and Chad in 147th, scoring 22 per cent. North Korea and Somalia remained at the bottom with unchanged scores of eight per cent.

Expectedly, Cameron’s corruption tag on Nigerian and Afghanistan elicited spontaneous reactions from both countries. While the Nigerian government said it was “shocked and embarrassed” by the comment, a senior Afghan official said the characterisation was “unfair.”

Though the British Prime Minister later agreed in the course of the conversation that President Buhari is not corrupt and is trying very hard to tackle the problem, the Nigerian government suggested that Cameron must be referring to Nigeria's past notoriety for corruption before the present administration.

The Presidency on Tuesday said the statement credited to the British Prime Minister that Nigeria is a “fantastically corrupt” country is not reflective of the anticorruption posture of the Buhari

I think he’s being honest about it…I don’t think you can fault him

Inset: Buhari

administration.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said: “It (Cameron’s statement) is certainly not reflective of the good work that the President is doing. The eyes of the world are on what is happening here.

“The Prime Minister must be looking at an old snapshot of Nigeria. Things are changing with corruption and everything else.

That, we believe is the reason they chose him as a keynote speaker at the pre-summit conference.”

The Afghan embassy in London, on its part, said tackling corruption was one of President Ashraf Ghani’s top priorities and “bold” action had been taken.

“We have made important progress in fighting systematic capture in major national procurement contracts and are making progress on addressing institutional issues as well as issues related to impunity... therefore calling Afghanistan in that way is unfair,” the embassy said.

Despite decrying the comment, President Buhari declined appeals by some Nigerians to demand an apology from the British government for Cameron’s comment.

Though he admitted to Sky News that Nigeria is corrupt, he insisted that all he is interested on is the return of Nigeria’s stolen funds in the custody of Britain.

In his keynote address at an event organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat on Wednesday, Buhari, said: “I am not going to demand any apology from anybody. What I am demanding is the return of assets.

What would I do with an apology? I need something tangible.”

Buhari described corruption as a “hydra-headed monster” which threatens the security of coun-

tries and “does not differentiate between developed and developing countries,” assuring of his government’s commitment to its anti-graft war.

The President reiterated his position on Cameron comment when he spoke to CNN yesterday. “I think he’s being honest about it…I don’t think you can fault him,” he said. He had earlier told the BBC that what his government found when it came to power in May last year proved that Cameron was right. “He was telling the truth. He was talking about what he knew,” Buhari said.

Despite the President’s admittance of the British Prime Minister’s view, some groups and individuals have come out in defence of Nigeria. Transparency International said though both countries referred to by Cameron have very high levels of corruption, their leaders have sent strong signals that they wanted things to change.

“There is no doubt that historically, Nigeria and Afghanistan have had very high levels of corruption, and that continues to this day. The London Anti-Corruption Summit creates an opportunity for all the countries present to sign up to a new era.

“This affects the UK as much as other countries: we should not forget that by providing a safe haven for corrupt assets, the UK and its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies are a big part of the world’s corruption problem,” TI’s Managing Director, Cobus de Swardt said.

It was also reported by the British media that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, intervened shortly after Cameron's comment, saying: “But this particular president (Buhari) is not corrupt... he's trying very hard.”

The defence, perhaps, made Cameron to make a detour on Wednesday, when he told members of the British Parliament that Nigeria and Afghanistan have taken “remarkable steps forward” on corruption. He added that the countries’ leaders were “battling hard” to tackle the problem.

Cameron, who was asked about his comment during Prime Minister's Questions, referred to his “tips on diplomacy” and said he had made “many unforced errors” in the past 24 hours. On why UK aid was being given to countries he sees as corrupt, Cameron praised the action taken by Afghanistan and Nigeria and warned that cutting off aid could “come back to haunt us here.”

While the British Prime Minister’s detour may not have much impact as his earlier position, some stakeholders however believe that the corruption tag on Africa’s most populous nation should serve as a wake-up call to its leaders to amend their ways and look better before the world.

12

News|nATIONAL

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

EFCC arraigns Bureau de Change operator over N24m fraud Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday arraigned a Bureau De Change operator, Nura Amadi on charges bordering on misappropriation of funds and issuance of dud cheques.

Amadi who worked with Balis Bureau de Change Limited, Abuja sometime in 2014 was entrusted by his company with money to the tune of N24.4million including $20,000USD for the purpose of trading for the company, but dishonestly converted same to his personal use.

In a bid to refund the money, he twice issued cheques that were returned unpaid when presented at the bank due to insufficient funds in his account.

Efforts by the company to recover the money were futile.

When the charge was

read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.

In view of his plea, EFCC’s lawyer, Raymond Ezekiel urged the court to fix a date for trial.

But Amadi’s lawyer, E. U. Anaele prayed the court to admit the accused to bail pending trial as the accused person had been on administrative bail granted him by the EFCC which had not been breached.

The trial judge, Justice Olasumbo Goodluck admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N5million and two sureties in the sum of N2.5million each.

He added that the sureties must not be less than grade level 12 in either the state of federal civil service.

Both sureties, the judge added must be residents in Abuja and that the defendant must deposit his passport with the court registrar until the final determination of the case.

Further hearing has been fixed for July 13 and 14.

US Deputy Secretary of State to attend Abuja security summit Ebere Ameh

T

he United States Deputy Secretary of State, Antony Blinken is expected to be in Nigeria for the second Regional Security Summit billed for May 12 and 14 in Abuja.

The Deputy Secretary, who is to lead the U.S. delegation, would be joined in Abuja by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda ThomasGreenfield and the Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Justin Siberell for the summit and bilateral meetings.

In a statement from the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, Blinken would deliver the U.S. national statement at the summit and meet with senior leaders to discuss efforts to support Nigeria and the other Lake Chad Ba-

sin countries in the fight against Boko Haram.

He would also review with Nigerian leaders, progress on commitment made during the March 30 Binational Commission meeting in Washington.

The Summit is expected to have heads of state from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, and France, among other stakeholders and dignitaries.

The Deputy Secretary will however meet with innovators and entrepreneurs to discuss how transformations in science and technology in West Africa can shape and promote the advancement of economic opportunity through innovation, and with civil society leaders to discuss the on-going fight against corruption.

L-R: Chief Operating Officer, Royal FrieslandCampina, The Netherlands, Mr. Gregory Sklikas; Chairman, Board of Directors, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Mr. Moyo Ajekigbe; Managing Director, Mr. Rahul Colaco and Director, Mrs. Oyinkan Ade-Ajayi, at the 43rd Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos…yesterday

Badeh: FG probes military payroll Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

F

inance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has directed that an investigation be conducted into the payroll of the Air Force, the Navy and the Army by Continuous Audit Team of the Federal Government following revelations on an alleged diversion of N558.2 million in the ongoing trial of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh.

The Continuous Audit team is saddled with the responsibility of scrutinizing the payroll of the three services which were

yet to be included on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) so as to ensure that leakages and loopholes were blocked.

The exercise would be conducted pending the biometric capturing and migration of the forces’ payroll to the IPPIS in line with the policy of the Federal Government to clean up the payroll of all public sector employees.

The development was confirmed in a statement by the Director of Press in the Finance Ministry, Salisu Na’Inna Dambatta.

Adeosun said the measure became necessary as part of the change mantra of the administration of President Muhammadu

Buhari, which was meant to restore the culture of transparency, accountability and control in the management of public funds.

The Continuous Audit Process was one of the initiatives of the Minister approved by President Muhammadu Buhari as part of the ongoing reforms in the public finance management system as emphasised in the President’s speech on the 2016 Budget.

Adeosun said the Director of Special Projects in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mohammed Kyari Dikwa, according to the minister, will head the Continuous Audit Team and report their findings

for appropriate action.

Similarly, the Federal Government has said it would ensure that the tax system reflects the commercial activity levels in Nigeria.

To this end, it reiterated her resolve to mobilise revenue from the non-oil sector to finance critical sectors.

Stating government’s position yesterday in a keynote address delivered at the opening ceremony of the18th Annual Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) in Abuja, Adeosun, who represented President Buhari, stressed the need for a robust tax system.

NASS gets acting clerk as Maikasuwa proceeds on leave Chukwu David Abuja

T

he Clerk of the National Assembly, Dr. Salisu Maikasuwa, yesterday bowed out of office ahead of his terminal leave preparatory to his final retirement from service.

In a circular signed by Maikasuwa and obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, dated May 12, Maikasuwa indicated that he would proceed on his ter-

minal leave from tomorrow.

The circular also indicated that Mohammed Sani-Omolori would step into the office as Acting Clerk to the National Assembly.

This decision to deliver the mantle of leadership of the National Assembly bureaucracy to Sani-Omolori, is however contrary to the wishes of the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, who is also the Chairman of

the National Assembly.

Saraki had wanted the incumbent Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly (DCNA), Mr. Benedict Efeturi to take over from Maikasuwa but the Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission, Dr. Adamu Fika decided otherwise.

This had generated controversy between Saraki and Fika as reflected in a pending resolution.

According to the circular, Sani-Omolori will

be the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly from May 14 until a substantive Clerk was appointed.

Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission had in a letter dated April 20 appointed Mr. Sani-Omolori as the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly.

Sani-Omolori’s appointment was however greeted with various reactions one of which was Saraki’s official letter to reject the appointment.

DICON DG harps on engineering as panacea for dwindling economy D

irector-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Maj- Gen Bamidele Ogunkale has said that he would continue to lay more emphasis on reverse engineering in view of daunting challenges facing the nation as a result of drop in oil price at the international

market.

He said this during a courtesy visit to the Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abdullahi Muhammadu in Abuja.

According to him, DICON had been noted for excellent performance in reverse engineering, but there would always be

room for geometric improvement in this area, stressing that the Corporation would redouble its effort to perform better.

The DG who said he was poised to take DICON to greater heights in the area of production of modern military products, noted that the excess capacity in the factories would always

be channeled towards production of civilian products as it was currently being embarked upon.

He said: “The wood factory was built primarily to take care of the wooden parts of some rifles as well as ammunition boxes; it is the excess capacity in this particular factory that is channeled toward

building furniture, which is classified under civilian products.

“The corporation is currently building some classroom chairs for some Local Governments in Kaduna state and in terms of quality, DICON has no rival within the state because we have machines that give special treat-

ment to the wood before being used.

“We also train Armourers not only for the Armed Forces but also other security agencies.

Presently we have some Personnel from Customs and Federal Road Safety undergoing Armourers course in DICON Training School.”

POLITICS

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

OPEN FORUM

13

...david cameron's view about nigeria

Okorie: No need for pretense, Nigeria is corrupt

M

Chief Chekwas Okorie is the National Chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP)

y first reaction to comment credited to the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron that Nigeria is fantastically corrupt, was to feel insulted as a Nigerian, but the truth is that we exposed ourselves to such type of comment. The revelations of things that happened under the watch of former President Goodluck Jonathan are so mindboggling to make every Nigerian to bow his head in shame, and these things are in the international media.

And President Muhammadu Buhari, having inherited a corrupt system, had used British platforms to expose most of what he found out when he took over government, so you cannot blame Cameron for telling us they we are. The only way that we can react to that is to take up the challenge and amend our ways and look better before the world.

On the admittance by President Buhari that Nigeria is corrupt; I am of the view that there is no need for pretense because corruption in Nigeria is mindboggling and so glaring. However, the challenge for the President is to make sure that the picture would be different by this time next year. One thing I know about the President and which I admire him for is that he doesn’t pretend about situations.

I don’t think that it is part of diplomacy to tell

The revelations of things that happened under the watch of former President Goodluck Jonathan are so mindboggling to make every Nigerian to bow his head in shame ourselves lies, we can’t deceive ourselves, the country and its leaders are corrupt and something has to be done about it.

We must admit that the damage has been done but it is not irreparable. If President Buhari says ‘yes we are corrupt’ and stops at that, he hasn’t played sufficient diplomacy. But if he says ‘yes we are corrupt’ but that is in regards to what he inherited and he is doing everything humanly possible to change the situation, citing instance of what he has done with the war against corruption, that would be a better way of being diplomatic.

Anyone who wants to deal with Nigeria now knows that he is dealing with a

Nigeria that has new leadership, which is determined to bring change of attitude. I wouldn’t support trying to paint the picture that the situation is okay. I also don’t think we should demand for an apology from the British government over Cameron’s comment because you don’t seek for an apology when you are told the truth.

That is why it is said that truth is bitter. But bitter as it is, the truth remains the truth.

So, if you ask me, I will say that since the revelations of what transpired under Jonathan’s government; the bribing of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the states of Nigeria in hundreds of millions of naira amounting to about N23 billion to influence the outcome of the 2015 elections, anywhere I see a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I see him as corruption personified.

I don’t know how somebody will be in office for five to six years and believe that he has done what he feels is a great job but rather than submit himself to a popularity contest, which is what democracy is all about, will use our common patrimony to bribe civil servants, who he is supposed to show leadership to. No wonder the former president said that stealing is not corruption.

Interview by FeLIX NWANERI

Adeniran: Cameron honest with his comment

I

Comrade Debo Adeniran is the Executive Chairman of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL)

view the comment not as an attack on Nigeria or the President, but as an honest comment on the corrupt system that have subsisted and characterised even several regimes before the present administration in Nigeria.

The fact is that the UK has even been more helpful than harmful in the fight against corruption in the country. For instance, it took the UK to be able to make James Ibori to answer for some of his very outrageous corruption crimes after ezcaping about 171 charges of corruption in Nigeria by maneuvering through the judicial system.

The immediate past Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Allison Madueke is currently facing corruption charges in the UK. An individual who was on the run from justice in Britain, late Diepreye Alamesiagha, was granted state pardon in Nigeria and another fugitive from justice in the same Britain is spending his third term in the Senate and we think Mr. Cameron is insulting us.

I see Cameron’s assessment as being informed by what had happened in Nigeria in the past; events in the past such as the

I see Cameron’s assessment as being informed by what had happened in Nigeria in the past Halliburton and Siemens scandals, the Police Pension scam, the power project scam, the Security and Exchange Commission scam and others.

I therefore call on the UK as host of the international anti-corruption conference and other world leaders at the summit to extract a commitment from President Muhammadu Buhari to re-open and resume action on the Halliburton and Siemens bribery scandals that indicted several former heads of Nigerian government, their spouses and other prominent leaders with a view of bringing the culpable among them to book.

The UK and other participating countries at the conference should also as a matter of urgency, play similar roles that Germany and others countries linked with international scams that have helped expose those involved and even applied punitive against their nationals that were collaborators in the scams.

The re-opening and resumption of activities on the Halliburton and Siemens bribery scandals with the aim of bringing those culpable in the bribery and money laundering scandals to book is very imperative to proving the anti-corruption war being led by President Buhari to be profound enough.

I also call on world leaders at the conference, particularly countries, where loots stolen from Nigeria are being stashed to help facilitate the repatriation of the loots.

We urge other countries to be proactive by emulating the UK in helping Nigeria to fight corruption as demonstrated in the manner the Dipreye, Ibori, Diezani and others’ cases were handled and are being handled.

Interview by Temitope Ogunbanke

Fayose: Presidency should redeem Nigeria's image W

Ayodele Fayose is the Governor of Ekiti State

hat do you expect from the international community when the president of a nation keeps going abroad to say that his people are corrupt?

When a president mounts the podium in foreign lands and gleefully says that his own people are criminals, that they are corrupt and that those abroad should be sent back home, why won’t presidents of other countries brand all citizens of such a country as fantastically corrupt?

Rather than this grandstanding from the Presidency, conceited efforts should be made to redeem the image of Nigeria that the president has destroyed.

I must also say that it is worrisome that some court magistrates, especially in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have turned themselves into allies of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its persecution of Nigerians

Conceited efforts should be made to redeem the image of Nigeria that the president has destroyed who are opposed to President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-people policies.

It now appears that these magistrates are operating as if they are superior to the FCT Chief Judge. It is obvious that the EFCC is either corrupting the magistrates to obtain the remand orders or they are being blackmailed and coerced by the anticorruption agency.

In saner climes, anti-corruption agencies don’t go about arresting suspects, detaining them arbitrarily and coercing them to make statements implicating themselves. Rather, anti-corruption agencies must have gotten all they needed to prosecute a suspect before arresting him.

It is even more questionable that the court order secured by the EFCC to detain a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode indefinitely was gotten barely 24 hours after the former minister was granted administrative bail by the same EFCC. How can someone be granted administrative bail and while he was trying to meet the bail conditions, the EFCC clandestinely rushed to a magistrate court to secure an order to detain him indefinitely? Isn’t that a clear show of executive rascality?

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FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion North, South Korea croon in Owerri Emissary EMEKA OBASI emobas2003@yahoo.com 0809-445-7557 (sms only)

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omething is playing out in Owerri, the Imo state capital and it should interest world leaders. The two Koreas may find unity elusive following the Second World War which ended in 1945 forcing the Japanese colonists to withdraw but created another war that lasted from 1950 to 1953.

Just take a trip to New Owerri, you will see North and South Koreans engulfed in construction of new structures. Governor Rochas Okorocha has gainfully employed their expertise in his dream of making the state greater. And there are no threats from Kim Jong Un to test his arsenal of nukes on anyone. Lady Park Geun-hye, President of South Korea, might as well look the way of Imo if she intends to go ahead with more parties to deliberate on the Big Boy of the North.

The Imo governor is really hyperactive with construction, you cannot take that away from him. If Okorocha is not building roads , he is erecting hospitals, breaking houses and turning them around. The man has an office outside Douglas House where others before sat most of the time. And that office is most informal. It could be the driver’s seat of a Toyota Coaster bus or one construction sight around Nworieubi.

Without taking away anything from the Ogboko man, I think his opponents find it awkward that he is busy starting projects which are never completed .They would want him

to concentrate on just one activity. They have accused him of pocketing the finances of the people while workers are owed salaries and pensioners die in penury.

I am not going to defend the Owelle, he has a media team. However, you must give it to him.

This is one governor who has the guts to show you what he is doing and for real. There are so many things going on under his nose that even the blind may be forced to see. Seeing is believing, this story cannot be told in a day. A tour of Imo says it all.

There are 27 General Hospitals in the 27 Local Government Areas of the state. They are there for the eyes to see, with state of the art facilities and in the next couple of months will become functional. According to the governor, health is so dear to his heart. Soon many compatriots who rush to India for medical solutions will not have need to leave our country.

The Ochiedike Renal and Diagnostics Centre in the state capital is manned by experts from all over the globe and they are also doing as much as in facilities outside our shores. The governor went emotional while explaining the reason behind the establishment.

“This is what killed my father, Kidney failure.” He does not want more people to go the way of his dad and thinks more about bringing to their doorsteps what they go to India and other parts of the globe in search of cure.

Many travel out but never make it back alive.

So much is lost by the country in foreign exchange and tourism.

Beyond hospitals , there are roads everywhere. Owerri is indeed wearing a new look that one whose last visit to the town was four years ago may be lost. Ever heard of Inland Roads? They are legion. Anyone moving to Aba from the New Concorde Hotel has no business with Control Post and Ama JK. There is a link road through Emmanuel College to beat traffic and ease congestion. Driving from the

I am not going to defend the Owelle, he has a media team

Capital to Orlu which was a tortuous journey is now completely hitch free.

Development is not just in Owerri. Orlu and Okigwe have joined the fray. There are two stadia under construction in the twin cities with massive gates and Round about all over. Five Star Hotels, Prince and Princess, are also under advanced construction in the bid to offer jobs and boost tourism.

Education is the key and that is an awesome development. New schools have been built.

When he handed over Owerri Girls Secondary School to the Roman Catholic Mission, the governor founded the Owerri City Girls College, a replica . There are structures dotting the land, Imo State University enjoys more subvention, primary schools last rehabilitated in the First Republic have been modernized.

On a personal note, I attended Government College Owerri. A visit to my alma mata gave me a pleasant surprise. Apparently, Okorocha did not know that as he drove in his bus with the convoy in tow, two members of his cabinet, Rodney Ajaelu, Commissioner for Public Safety and Utilities, Nnamdi Obiaraeri, Political Adviser , and my humble self, all Ogssian, could not believe our eyes. Everything had changed for the better. This is no story , the truth and nothing but the truth.

The story of the Imo European University cannot be told here . We reserve it for another day just as we keep an eye on the Owelle. You know, it is difficult to see the truth and shy away from it. This governor has his unconventional way of going about things. Even some of his commissioners do not understand his pace.

He is accused of looting Imo treasury. Let God judge him because with what is happening all over Imo, even if he pocketed all the money accruing to the state and there are projects for the eyes to see then those who think he has grabbed our commonwealth may indeed be the ones who do not like the common good.

Deconstructing Umahi’s position on Fulani herdsmen Emma Anya

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ay 3, 2016, I got an early morning WhatsApp message from a friend and professional colleague based in Chicago, United States. The message from Ben read, “Emma is the story crediting your boss as having said that Fulani herdsmen would not leave your state true? If he did, tell him it is not in the best interest of the Igbo.”

Immediately, I went online to read the reports before responding.

“Ben, I think you didn’t take your time to read through the report. I believe you were carried away by the headlines.”

Ben was not the only one that fell for the headlines crafted by my colleagues in the newsrooms, some readers did and were riled by my oga’s reported position on herdsmen.

One of such headlines that drew the most caustic reaction from some readers read: “We don’t want Fulani herdsmen to leave our land-Umahi.

Going by the tension over the massacre of over 40 people by cattle rustlers in Ukpabi-Nimbo, Enugu State penultimate week, one could not

but align with the angst expressed by such readers via social media platforms.

But the question really is “Did Governor David Umahi say “We don’t want Fulani herdsmen to leave our land ?” The answer is No. Like a statesman imbued with a lot of wisdom that he is, Gov. David Nweze Umahi informed members of the Hausa and Fulani communities in the state during a meeting at the ICC, Abakaliki, that grazing routes would be created for their cattle .

Read him verbatim:”We shall come up with community-based committee on how to handle herdsmen in the state. Where such committee cannot handle the matter or even if they have handled the matter, they will report it to the LG chairman, then the LG chairman will report to the state committee and then state committee will report to the CP and the CP will report to the governor and the State Security Council.

“We believe that with this level of interaction, chains of command and responsibilities, that tension will not arise and we will live in peace with one another.

“We hear that some herdsmen move into states with arms and we have directed that all herdsmen entering our state must be disarmed.

Those who are not armed can pass through the grazing routes that we will create to their destinations. “ I also want people to realise that we have Hausa and Fulani people that have lived for over 20 to 50 years in our state rearing cattle and living in peace with our people. We will not chase such law-abiding people away from our land.”

In talking about grazing routes, he was aware that Ebonyi, like many other states in Southern Nigeria , was also witnessing the influx of new Fulani pastoralists who are looking for alternative areas of tending to their cattle owing to the challenges in Nigeria’s Savannah Belt.

Such pastoralists, he believes must be carefully monitored because majority of them, as they move from state to state, wreak havoc on farmlands and rape innocent girls and women.. For these reasons, Gov Umahi directed security agencies to ensure that on the spot checks were conducted on herdsmen passing through our state.

There is also a caveat to the passage: While the armed amongst the herdsmen must be pushed back, those found not a threat must ensure that their cows do not destroy farmlands while passing through.

His Excellency also believes that

the onus is on the state to protect the herdsmen while transiting through Ebonyi. He therefore warned traditional rulers that they would be held liable if any cow belonging to herdsman was killed or injured in their domain.

Those who went gaga on social media, especially Facebook, to ignorantly attack a very proactive governor like Engr. Umahi,did not know that at the end of the meeting, the Fulani leaders in the state, Ardo Ibrahim and Ardo Bello, described him as a wise father.

Ebonyi State, being highly accommodating, has had a relationship dating back to decades with the Hausa/ Fulani.

Many Hausa/Fulani have lived in the state doing many businesses, including cattle rearing, without rancour with their host communities. Such “clean Hausa/ Fulani,” have every right to continue to co-habit with Ebonyians. They therefore cannot be asked to exit the state.

Nigerians should learn to sift the chaff from wheat. We must not always allow anger to overwhelm our thinking faculty especially at a time of crisis like the one created by the Nimbo killings.

•Anya is Chief Press Secretary to Ebonyi State

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What this means, is that the Even when they underage-old process of generational transmission of this stand and speak the other vital aspect of culture is belanguages perfectly, they still depend on interpreters. ing truncated.

This engenders negotiation So you find a situation from a position of strength, where a Bini man for ina sense of history and a stance is married to a Bini refusal to denigrate that woman and they both live history. in Benin City and yet their In no way was this most children cannot speak their strongly underscored as language. Can there be a during the cold war years worse form of alienation?

All this in when leaders an effort to and diplobelong to the mats from Joneses and the United My son will learn be seen to be States and more English the defunct English in school than Queen Soviet Union as I did Elizabeth. But would exthe irony is that those Nigerians who speak English pure as glass are also the ones who speak their native languages in their most pristine form, unfortunately, this is lost on these wannabes.

They gleefully tell friends and relatives not to speak native languages to their children as that would impede their ability to pick up English early or learn it proficiently. If this strange reasoning were correct, what explains the phenomenon of polyglot?

Language is the pride of any people. That’s why in international diplomacy, leaders refuse to speak any other language other than their

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Keeping indigenous languages alive

enturies of slavery when they were constantly made to feel less than human, left Africans with a monumental crisis of identity and selfworth. Colonialism which followed the scramble for and partitioning of the continent only further exacerbated this confusion.

Very many positive aspects of our culture have been repudiated by natives because they have been schooled to believe that those things are backward and barbaric.

While admitting that there were facets of the cultures that needed to be consigned to the dustbin of history, there are many other positives that have been equally rejected because of this serious lack of a sense of selfworth.

Of everything in a people’s culture that can be lost or thrown away due to ignorance, language is the most significant.

A people who undermine their language will soon enough lose all sense of identity. Gradually but inexorably, Nigerians are losing their received language because many people erroneously believe that the only way their children can speak English very well, is if such kids are stopped from learning their native languages.

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pressionlessly wait for the interpreters to do their job before responding in their native languages.

The late Ghanaian poet Kofi Awoonor when asked why he always spoke to his son in his native language responded in a way that many Nigerian parents would do well to emulate: “My son will learn English in school as I did. My parents were illiterate and couldn’t have spoken to me in English, but here I am… your language is your security.”

It bears recalling that indigenous languages were introduced into school curricular some time ago by government as a way of arresting the slide in their use. The success of

this effort or better still lack of it, is something that should be a cause of concern to all. It also underlines the fact that such government ‘decrees’ are rarely the solution to such problems.

We insist therefore that the bulk of the work rests squarely with parents at home. They are the first socializers children are exposed to and should not abdicate their responsibility.

It was in an attempt to stem the battering indigenous languages were receiving that famous Kenyan writer, Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, once advocated that Africans should write in their own languages. He took his own advice and began writing in his mother tongue.

Another equally great African writer, Ayi Kwei Armah, however shot the idea down, describing it as akin to a man wanting to move forward yet have his eyes permanently fixed on the rear view mirror and the gear in reverse.

These divergent views will always exist, but they are neither here nor there.

The point that needs to be stressed is that efforts be must be made at all levels - from the family to the gover nment- to reverse this dangerous trend of under mining the indigenous languages.

16

POLITICS

Yari

Formally a vibrant organisation that promotes a healthy competition among state governors in their developmental drive, the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF) has now become a body that depends on handout from the Federal Government to survive, ONYEKACHI EZE reports

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or those who are familiar with the activities of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) since its formation in 1999, the forum is now a shadow of its former self.

Nearly a year since the Zamfara State governor, Abdul'aziz Yari, was appointed the chairman of the NGF; the forum has become an apron spring of the Federal Government.

Even though NGF has a secretariat in Abuja, most of its meetings are held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, and they have one purpose; to demand for funds from the Federal Government to bail the governors out of their financial predicaments.

Governor Yari's emergence broke all known NGF rules. First, he was appointed not elected. Secondly, he is to serve for only one year as against two years as stipulated in the NGF constitution. And Up till now the Zamfara State governor has no recognised deputy.

According to the NGF constitution, while the ruling party produces the chairman, the deputy comes from the opposition party.

The NGF was formed as a platform for exchange of ideas and peer-review among Nigeria's elected 36 state governors. It is a non-partisan political association aimed at uplifting leadership at the state levels.

Before Yari, the NGF has had

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Amaechi

Adamu

NGF: Once a power bloc five chairmen. They are Abdullahi Adamu (1999-2014), Obong Victor Attah (2004-2006), Lucky Igbenedion (2006-2007), Bukola Saraki (2007-2011) and Rotimi Amaechi (2011-2015).

Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau State now a serving senator, led a faction of NGF following a split in the forum in 2013.

The two factions later united in 2015 after Yari's emergence.

Though a nonpartisan group, the NGF became a monster of some sort in 2009, when it became more of an opposition group to the Federal Government rather than a platform for exchange of ideas by the governors.

The incapacitation of the former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, which paved the way for a cabal in government then to hijack administration of the country, afforded the governors under the aegis of NGF to dictate the direction of government then.

It is on record that the NGF was at the forefront in the campaign that ensured that the then Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan became the Acting President through the “Doctrine of Necessity” invoked by the National Assembly.

After that, the forum continued to exert overbearing influence on the polity to the chagrin of most stakeholders. This came to ahead when former Rivers State governor, Amaechi, assumed the leadership of the forum in 2011.

Between 2011 and 2013, the NGF became an unofficial opposition to the Federal Government. It opposed virtually every policy of the government notwithstanding that majority of the governors, including the chairman, were elected on the same platform – Poeples Democratic Party (PDP) with the then president.

So worrisome was the activities of the forum that some prominent Nigerians called for it to be disbanded. Former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), for instance observed that the “governors today

NGF is now an apron string of the Federal Government

are the most powerful group of people in the political system. Until we face up that fact and find solutions to it, we are all in trouble.”

But with the way things are, the calls are no longer necessary as the NGF is now an apron string of the Federal Government. Most of the governors can no longer pay even the salaries of workers under their employ and as result most of the forum’s meetings are to solicit for funds from the Federal Government so that the governors can meet their financial obligations.

The question some analysts have asked is: How did the situation of things in the states degenerated to the level that the NGF lost its bite? The governors have tried to proffer answers to this question by saying that the dwindling oil revenue, which subsequently led to shortfall in revenue accruable to states from the federation account, has put most states in serious financial strait.

They also said that some former governors went on borrowing spree, with high interest rates, mostly from banks and signed standing Irrevocable Payment Orders (IPOs) to liquidate the loans through direct deductions from whatever accrues to the states from the federation account.

According to them, this has left most states with little or nothing to run their affairs at the end of every month.

But Kwara State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who explained the bailout demanded by the governors, said: “The issue of bailout that has been so much talked about, people were expecting that monies were going to be sent to states to pay salaries and other financial commitments, that is not how bailout is going to work.”

He added: “What we mean by bailout and what the Federal Government truly means by bailout is the restructure of existing loans that states owe banks and other financial institutions in such a way and manner that the pres-

sure on the monthly repayment is lessened. In other words, this much-talked about bailout is just being worked out; it has not gotten to any state yet because we are just submitting the level of debt that all states have incurred.”

The first financial assistance given to the governors by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration include $2.1 billion from Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), N250 billion and N300 billion from the special intervention fund from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The Debt Management Office (DMO) has also designed a debt relief programme to help the states restructure their loan commitments. Despite these interventions, most state governors are still unable to pay salaries of their workers. The governors have since then made further request to the Federal Government for funds to pay salaries.

At a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month, President Buhari said about 27 state governors are finding it difficult to pay the salaries of their workers. Even oil producing states like Delta, Bayelsa, and Imo are among the states that are unable to pay the salaries of their workers.

The situation was further worsened by the failure of the governors to improve their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Except Lagos, other states depend on the Federal Government for their financial needs.

The governors are toying with the idea of downsizing their workforce in order to reduce cost.

But labour insists that the governors should rather cut the number of the aides and stop wasteful spending, which it believes would reduce cost of governance.

While the financial crisis that has cut the NGF to size is not likely to ease soon, it would be seen whether the forum will bounce back by the time the situation improves.

17

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Arts

CULTURE

Ota Benga: Echoes of inhumanity on shadows of colonialism

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Mrs. Okundaye

65 garlands for batik, textile designer, Okundaye ‘I started my sojourn in arts at six’

Tony Okuyeme

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lobally renowned Nigerian batik, textile designer and culture promoter, Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye, will turns 65 on Saturday, May 21.

To mark the day, her gallery and those who have benefited directly or indirectly from her mentorship have concluded plans to celebrate her milestone in arts and culture.

Activities put together for the celebration, according to the programme of the event from the gallery, include a mini-festival to be hosted in her Lekkibased gallery.

TONY OKUYEME Arts Editor tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Kick-starting the event, the gallery will on Sunday May 15 host some art writers. This will be followed by opening of a one week art exhibition, a get-together for traditional rulers and members of the diplomatic corps, among other activities slated to take place.

Programmes for the celebration of her birthday also include an evening of cultural performances and gathering of creative minds, and goodwill messages among others.

The event is expected to be an avenue for art collectors and captains in the corporate sector as well as other friends of the celebrant rob minds on raising the profile of the art and artists.

She recalls, with nostalgia how it all started and the role she has played in the field of art: “I thank God for my life. Though, the challenge is there, which we face every day, but an opportunity like this affords one to look back and thank God for what He has done for me. That is why this kind of event is dear to my heart. Apart from that, I am using it to appreciate my Maker for His mercies and kindness. I also want to use it to host my colleagues in the arts.”

The Ogidi Ijumu, Kogi State born artist, is also seizing the opportunity to thank everyone especially the artists who have

I also want to advise our younger artists that things may not look good today, but they should continue.

contributed immensely to making her life successful.

“I am an ardent believer that the height that we reach in this world is not as a result of our making alone but God who helps us to achieve such thing in life. Now, at 65, I will tell you that God has been good to me.

Whatever one finds in life is for a moment, no condition is permanent. Therefore, it is always good to cherish those who have been with you. We know that our destiny is not in our hands. This gives me a lot of strength to go on everyday despite challenges.

I did not have much to say but I want to use this event thank God and celebrate with the art community. What I have achieved is also because I stayed focused to this goal and my love for the arts.

“I also want to advise our younger artists that things may not look good today, but they should continue. Challenges are things that drive us to our ultimate destiny.

“What I am doing with this year’s birthday is not just celebration but to appreciate God for my life. As a matter of fact, I started my sojourn into arts when I was just six. Having lost my mother in life early in life that challenge did not stop me and that is why

I will always celebrate what God has done for me.”

Born on May 23, 1951, Mrs. Okundaye, who is respected as one of the most internationally known female artists from Nigeria, has made astounding strides in textile, visual arts and mixed media painting. She is the chief executive of Nike Centre for Art and Culture, Osogbo, were she offers training free of charge to Nigerians in various s forms of arts.

She is also the founder of the Nike Art Galleries in Lagos, Abuja.

In 1996, as a way of empowering Ogidi women, she established a textile (asooke) weaving centre in her home town. More than 200 women have so far benefitted from that initiative. She yearly brings important foreign dignitaries to her hometown in Ogidi to savour the beauty of the town.

She holds the traditional titles of Yeye Oba of Ogidi, YeyeTayese of Osogbo and YeyeGbasaga of Ijumu, a member of the Society of Nigerian Artists, (SNA) Society of Nigerian Women Artists, Osun Support Groove and has won one of the highest Italian national awards which she was given in appreciation of her efforts in using arts to address and solve the problems of Nigerian commercial sex workers in Italy.

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ART

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ota Benga: Echoes of inhumanity on shadows of colonialism Film title: Ota Benga Director: Niyi Coker Year of production: 2015.

Language: English Duration: 60mins Reviewer: Tunde Onikoyi

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ocumentary film played an important role in recording some of the most atrocious incidents, deeds of white or western inhumanity to black, and more specifically to the people of the African world.

This particular documentary captures the incidents leading to the invasion of an African hamlet or village in Congo. It particularly reels the dehumanising acts meted on an innocent but; unlucky young pygmy and African man leading to his capture, and sojourn to St, Louis for exhibition at the World’s Fair as evidence of an inferior species. The film also enacts in dramatic terms, the dehumanisation which he experiences and his eventual death.

Inhumanity Made by an active Nigerian scholar of African American studies, Prof. Niyi Coker of the University of MissouriSt-Luis, Ota Benga shows the various indecencies of a clergyman Rev. Viener who is instructed to explore Africa by his own employers. Camouflaging under the pretext of Christianity Viener abducts Ota Benga with brute force, and takes him to the white man’s land. On getting there, and unknown to Ota Benga, he is to be used as a specimen to be observed as to whether he will exhibit some sort of reaction, when he is put in a museum, and among the remains of dinosaurs and various animals. Ota Benga experiences great shock and immense psychological humiliation. He becomes an object of amusement before several white audience

Ota Benga, a Pygmy from the Congo, holds a chimpanzee at the New York Zoological Park.

who encounter him for the first time in their lives, and taken aback by the fact that a strange creature (supposedly referred to) like Ota Benga actually existed, and in faraway Africa.

Ota Benga became a tool for the exhibitionist who put him for auction. The psychological implication led to an escape attempt but, unfortunately, he is recaptured and taken back. An aspect which followed swiftly after he was incarcerated the second time in a cage like one would compare with a lion, perhaps as some sort of punishment for daring act, Ota Benga was once more maltreated, as people came to see the creature, who tries to escape without fear. The members of the community, both men and women, who came to see him, made fun of him, teased

him, spat at him and hurled all sorts of object at him like an animal. This unsavoury treatment was met with a lot of protest by black clergy men in America, and the process of his release became urgent.

By the time Ota Benga was released, he felt he had been stripped off of his right to live and the purpose for which he thought he existed as a man.

Out of frustration and loss of humanity, Ota Benga commits suicide, was buried without any form of honourable ceremony given to him. His name changed to Ota Bingo as inscribed on the tomb.

The documentary has its strengths in that the content mixes exactly with the form, structure and techniques.

Coker adopts a multimedia approach, and goes the extra mile by using facts curled from

newspapers and magazines which recoded the sad ordeal of the subject. Original letters of, and from Rev. Viener to his employers about his sojourn to Africa and vice versa, montage reels of 17th century America and African primitive world, the cultural landscape of African civilization, cartoon illustrations of African rituals, festivals, and the various levels of invasion of Africa by white men holding guns across their shoulders, pictures of the Ota Benga himself as a happy young man, and among his tribesmen. Coker also draws on real time interviews with historians, political scientists, journalists, social historians, and more interestingly a few relatives of Rev. Veiner, who Coker confessed, were at first reluctant and embarrassed to speak about the malodorous behaviours of Veiner.

These interviews actually helped in gathering facts about the ridicule Ota Benga experienced. There were other dramatic strategies to the documentary as Coker employed the services of actors who could intone the accent of various characters that contributed to the miserable life of Ota Benga before his untimely death. These voices were so real and had life that could almost put one in a position as to be part of the entire occurrences and happenings within the period in question.

This is what Brian Larkin refers to as the “Aesthetic of Outrage”, a situation which compels audience to be directly involved in the story as it occurred in real time. In this kind of story there is a tragic side and because of this it will be cathartic.

This documentary has won various awards such as, the Joel Grassman Award, and that Best Scientific and Educational Documentary, and also best Short Documentary at the London

Coker

International Film Festival in 2016. The point Coker, with this revealing and disturbing documentary, further addresses is not so much as to draw our attention the assujetissement (that is Ota Benga) of the documentary. Rather, the director illustrates a situation of the past to compel us to think about our own situation in the modern world, and how the African person is treated. The story of Ota Benga becomes a trope, a signifying trope of a century or two before now, which also sustains its potentials to remind us semiotically of our very existence whether in our postcolonial societies, or in our accented-transnational lives. In some parts of the world the relationship that exists between black and white folks is still stiff, and such cold feelings towards one another only cause chaos. From the moment of the colonial scramble for Africa, the issues of the conquests, and that of servitude by the Africans have always been built upon the backdrop of contractual and business exegesis. Colonisation, imperialism, dictatorship, hegemony, cultural imperialism, apartheid and even the eventual postcolonial independence of African societies have always involved the evil of business.

And in business, someone has to experience loss and another, gain. The black from the outset experience the loss, while the whites gains.

Hear Word ends tour, premieres in Abuja Tony Okuyeme

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heatre enthusiasts in and around the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, were treated to an evening of entertaining and thought-provoking stage performances by the crew and cast of Hear Word!, the internationally acclaimed episodic stage play that interrogates issues holding Nigerian women back from reaching their full potentials.

The performance in Abuja was the climax of a thrilling threecontinent tour which kicked off in April at the renowned Harvard University in Cambridge Massachusetts and made a stop at Torp Theater - Central Connecticut State University, New Britain Connecticut, both in the USA before moving to the Frascati Theatre in Amsterdam.

Hear Word!, which was premiering in the nation’s political capital, attracted dignitaries from various circles including politics, govern-

ment, banking, entertainment woman from reaching her full poamong others, led by the wife of tentials and becoming a meaningful the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo contributor to the development of Osibanjo, to the 1000 capacity Conthe society. gress Hall of the prestigious TransIt is an advocacy piece of percorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. formance that uses artistry, social Produced and directed by Ifcommentary and humour to tell eoma Fafunwa, Hear Word! is real life stories of issues affecting an exhilarating piece of perforthe lives of women across Nigeria mance art that combines artistry, social commentary and true-life stories of inequality and transformation, delivered by some of Nigeria’s most talented actresses Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Joke Silva, Kate Henshaw, Bimbo Akintola, Omonor, Elvina Ibru, Ufuoma McDermott, Zara Udofia, Lala Akindoju, Rita Edward, Debbie Ohiri and Odenike.

The Etisalat-sponsored stage drama featured a collection of 10 stories of real life accounts of inequality, discrimination, abuse and violence, and other social, cultural, traditional, economic and political manifestations and practices of the Cast of HearWord: Elvina Ibru, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Bimbo Akintola society which limit the Nigerian and Joke Silva

and also examines factors that limit their potential for independence, leadership and meaningful contribution.

Speaking in Abuja, Etisalat Nigeria’s Director, Brands and Experience, Elvis Ogiemwanye, said Hear Word! Captures, in part, the company’s vision of creating and supporting platforms that empower people to discover themselves and reach their full potentials.

“We are an innovative and expressive company and are delighted to have pulled this through with the Hear Word! team. We share in the everyday experiences of our customers, and also seek for appropriate channels to create desirable experiences for them. We believe in providing people the opportunities to express themselves, be it in innovation, music, sports, literature, photography, theatre arts, education, entrepreneurship and any other way we can contribute to the development of the society,” he said.

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FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sex and Marriage Counselor

Feminique

Want to marry into a big family?

Things to consider

Diary of a dating mom I’m beginning to miss my father-in-law

Ogbonna: We need to advocate for equal rights for IDPs Amarachi Ogbonna has spent the past few years of her career working with Northern Nigerian girls and young women.

She told Feminique that indigenous NGOs should rise up to their responsibility in the North-East. EBERE AMEH writes

D

istinguished and accomplished, Angela Ajala Though a graduate of Economics, Amarachi Ogbonna has since followed her passion to help in the rehabilitation of women and girls caught in the web of crisis rocking the north eastern part of Nigeria. Braving the odds, she works with international partners to help the people pick the pieces of their lives together, and wonders where the many indigenous NGOs are.

“I have been working with the International NGOs and so, I can say that they are doing quite a lot to ameliorate the plight of the displaced persons in the north east.

However, I want to cease this opportunity to say that the indigenous NGOs should begin to rise up to their responsibility because the truth is that the foreign players will not be there forever. At some point they would phase off and when they do, what is our sustainability plan?

We are blessed with resources but we are not rising up to the challenge,” Amarachi intoned.

Talking about what inspired her to go into charity after studying Economics, the young lady said she has passion to see the girl child do well.

“I’m an Economist and you know, economics is cross cutting. I have a passion for Development Economics. I have a passion to see the young Nigerian girl do well despite the reality of her situation now. I

EBERE AMEH ebere.ameh@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

want them to be very confident and know that they have equal access and rights as other girls from rich homes. They should forget about what the culture says about women being second graded citizens. God said he made them all male and female and because he made them all, girls also have a right. We have a right to live, we have a right to do good things, and we have a right to be whom we are called to be. So that is something that drives my passion. I just want to see a better world where women are given their space.”

Reaczting to the Gender and Equal Opportunities (GEO) Bill that suffered a setback at the Senate recently, Amarachi said it shows where we are as a nation and the fact that a lot of work still needs to be done.

“The men need to be more enlightened and they need to understand that so much lies in their hands to give women and young girls the access that the need to thrive. Really we are not asking to overthrow the men, we just want a voice we want to be heard. And I think it’s something that as women, we all need to go back and advocate.

We need to let our voices be heard, we need to let them know that that bill has to be revisited. It’s not a match, we are not trying to struggle with the men but we just want a space where we can function and be who we are created to be.”

Working with the mercy corps on the ENGINE Project, Amarachi explains that the essence of the project is to give a voice to women and girls.

“ENGINE is Educating Nigerian Girls In New Enterprise and the focus was on making young women, especially in Northern Nigeria, self-sufficient by educating both in-school and out-of-school girls generally and in crafts and introducing them to value-chain opportunities. In the past couple of years, I have worked on empowering Nigerian girls and women in the new enterprise. Gone were the days when women were subjected to just staying at home, when they were kept at the back seat. The time has come when women need to be given a voice, when we need to be able to find a space to express ourselves. That’s why I’m passionate about women, I’m passionate about young girls who would become women tomorrow.”

On the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), especially the women and children, Amarachi explained that they give them Psychological support to help them lead normal lives because they have gone through a lot.

“Imagine being a victim of rob-

We have a right to live, we have a right to do good things, and we have a right to be whom we are called to be

Ogbonna

bery, it puts fear inside of you. These women have had to go through killings of their loved ones. They witnessed all that. Now mentally that has a way of weighing you down and giving you a distorted opinion.

I remember in the camps when we started working with the kids, when you ask them to close their eyes and paint pictures you see them drawing guns and knives because that’s all they can imagine. That’s where they found themselves now. But when we start to give psychosocial support, what we do is to create child friendly spaces, trying to make them aware of their environment. We try to put systems in place, so child friendly spaces make them come together to interact. We try to talk them out of the state that they have been in and make them see the future. That really is what psychosocial support is about - being able to help someone from a state of trauma and see the person recover an recuperate,” she explained.

Amarachi praised the government whom she said is doing their best, but called on the citizens to

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support the government to help the IDPs. “The government is doing their best but as I earlier said we cannot leave it to the government. It’s a collective responsibility, we all need to do it. The citizens need to begin to drive for education. When you invest in the next generation, they triple investment, the harvest is huge. We need to begin to advocate equal rights to education, right to life and others, for the IDPs because they deserve a right to live. We need to ensure that laws are passed to protect the rights of the IDPs.” Amarachi advocates a tracking system to monitor the progress of the IDPs as they relocate them back to their homes.

“One of the things that the government needs to do is to try to put in place mechanisms to follow the IDPs to the host communities, to wherever they are being relocated to. We need to have a tracking system, we need to invest in a tracking system. There are a lot of separated children and unaccompanied children in the camp. So we need to have a mechanism in place to make sure that as we relocate them we track them. It’s very important that government make that investment. Outside the IDP camps we have children in the host communities. There’s a lot that can be done to help them.

We need to advocate for policies and programs that promote the right of a child.”

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FEMINIQUE

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Want to marry into a big family? Things to consider

G

enerally in Africa, and especially in Nigeria, the extended family system still operates.

We all have more less large families. Only some are larger than others. Some families for example are predominantly polygamous. Whereby polygamy is being practiced by over 80% of the family members. Also, some families are largely concentrate in one place. Which they call their hometown. If you marry a Kwara state indigene, or a Lagosian, who was born, bred and buttered in Ilorin or Lagos for example, you can’t escape the large family syndrome.

Of course, if you are from a large family yourself, then some of the things I’m going to write about below might not be news to you. You will be used to them.

• Christmas and new year become more expensive for you. Imagine all the people you have to buy something for. Not just his nuclear family.

But the whole extended family. Everybody is an important in-law. Even the baby born after your marriage. And not just anything. You will need

Sex and Marriage Counselor drtaiwofadeyi@gmail.com

08033148899

Dr. Taiwo Fadeyi more than the wisdom of king Solomon for your gifts not to cause bad belle amongst family members. If it does, you are on your way out. On the other hand, you also must have a special room to keep all the gifts you will receive during festival periods. To be quite candid, you will receive much more than you give. Especially on your birthdays and wedding anniversaries.

• It is natural to like some members of the family more than others. I mean, even in your own family it happens.

But it is definitely not okay for you to play favouritism in a large family. You will offend too many people. You must learn to be neutral with everybody.

Even with your direct in laws.

Your true feelings must be kept as close to your heart as pos-

sible. By the way, you must not be a hypocrite by smiling at everyone. It won’t last and will get you into trouble sooner than later.

• You must learn to eat fast.

In a large family, food is very sacred. All the young ones would most likely eat from a common bowl. The rule of thumb usually is that, the faster you are, the more food goes into your belly. Definitely as adults, you no longer eat from a common bowl. But don’t be surprised if you are a slow eater, to find out that someone will always share your food with you. After finishing his or hers in record time. It is not bad manners in a large family. Food must not be wasted.

• You will have a huge love base. If you play your cards right, you will have a very huge

All things being equal.

So just go ahead, be yourself and enjoy your marriage

base of supporters. You have so many aunties and uncles who will make sure your partner does not go astray. But that is if you play your cards right and they love you. Remember that this is a double edged sword. If you misbehave, you can have hundreds of cousins who will descend on you same day and put you in your place.

•Opportunities to cheat are less. Why? Almost at every nook and corner, you are bound to run into a member of his family. Most of them you wouldn’t even know until they introduce themselves. Especially at parties.

•Tracking. Be prepared to have a spy ring around you.

Especially on facebook and other social media. Most will introduce themselves and chat openly. Others will do so anonymously.

• Last line is this. The advantages are more. All things being equal. So just go ahead, be yourself and enjoy your marriage.

Stop press. Last week I gave out the wrong link. Here is the right one. www.shrink your fibroids naturally.com/book free report.

Cheers.

Ego: Diary of a happening mom

I’m beginning to miss my father-in-law Ebere Ameh

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anny’s father was already dead when uncle Oziegbe asked him that his father was very sick and wanted to see him. We only got to know when we arrived Abuja and found he was already deposited in the morgue.

Though he was quite close to his father, he bore his sudden demise like a man that he is and I became the inconsolable one.

Was I crying because I had a hand in his death? I’m convinced that he could not truly recover from the trauma of his kidnap on my wedding day; or because it was so sudden? I remember I spoke with him a day before his demise and he was hale and hearty. I couldn’t say exactly why the uncontrollable outburst of emotion, a display that will be fresh in their memory for a while.

‘Well, that’s how we mourn in my place,’ I told myself. ‘We don’t mourn like the oyibos who wear dark glasses to conceal their dry eyes.’

Danny though bore it well, broke down early hours of Tuesday, and cried his eyes out.

I only held him tight to assure him I was there for him and allowed him to express himself, after all, it was his dad he lost, not one distant relative.

Despite the government’s effort to curb kidnapping, they have continued the godforsaken business, leaving misery and death in its wake. Yes, because the ones that come out of their

den alive, end up so traumatised and eventually die. I miss that happy man. I miss my father-inlaw.

We moved to the village and spent two days with his mom before returning to Lagos to prepare for father’s burial next month.

It’s now I see the sense in the Catholic Church’s insistence that burials be done within two weeks of a person’s demise. I think the law is meant to guard against unnecessary spending and enable the bereaved have a closure and move on. They are Anglicans.

Back to Lagos on Wednesday, we had series of guests coming to condole us on our loss. While

we were busy trying to put on a grieving face, many that came, especially the women, were after the nature of asoebi that I would come up with. In short, someone like Funmi came along with an asoebi catalogue while others referred me to Bella Naija for the reigning ones.

As if that was not enough, my mom also showed that she has become a real Lagosian. She lent her voice to that of the others, advising that I went to the market with a couple of friends to get a suitable one.

How would I discuss asoebi with my grieving Danny who just managed to start work? There was absolutely no need. So, I went to the popular Balogun Market on Friday with Funmi and Prisca but it wasn’t as easy as it sounds. While I thought

we would just agree on a fine Ankara, Funmi and Prisca had different agendas entirely.

“You know papa’s burial is celebration of life, we have to buy a good lace material that would show the Edo people that this is not just an ordinary man that died,” Funmi said.

“I agree with her,” Prisca said.

“Just that instead of lace, we’d have to look for a good material for wrapper, not Iro and Buba. It’s not a Yoruba burial,” she added, unknown to her that she has ignited Funmi’s wrath.

“What do you mean, what do you know? See, the whole concept of asoebi was the brainchild of the Yoruba and till tomorrow, we shine wherever we go,” Funmi retorted.

The best of friends started a war of words that even I may not have been able to resolve if I hadn’t acted fast. I had to broker a truce by insisting on Ankara, which was a no no for both of them. So we postponed the shopping to the next week. ‘Before then, we would have resolved our differences,’ I thought.

Danny could not hide his indignation at their pettiness and my decision to shop without discussing with him. It’s like his colleagues at work have been inundating him with party ideas too and he disclosed his intention to contract everything out – the asoebi and party planning inclusive.

“My able Accountant, I wouldn’t want you to bother your pretty head with anything,” he told me when I complained about the huge amount it would cost him. “That’s why party planners are out there, and they have to remain in business, won’t they?” he asked rhetorically, drawing me closer to himself.

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friday, may 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Dating

Chris Evans dating Jenny Slate after her 3-year marriage ends

24

How Chris Brown is helping Bieber Deal with Gomez/Orlando’s Romance

Entertainment Nicki Minaj Slams Ex, Safaree Samuels, over litigation

No Romance Between Chidinma and I – Flavour

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he battle is back on between Nicki Minaj and Safaree Samuels. The rapper went on a massive Twitter rant on May 11, slamming her ‘son of a b****’ for filing a lawsuit against her and going after her money. She had a lot of fighting words for Safaree, and the tweets had

I MARY URANTHA

Nothing scares me more than failing –Adesua Etomi

LANRE ODUKOYA COORDINATOR

lanreodukoya@gmail.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

I WON’T PUT LOVE BEFORE MY CAREER Vivacious actress, Mary Urantha, remains a stunner on screen and behind it. The seamlessly beautiful entertainer speaks about her career, family and marriage in this interview with LANRE ODUKOYA You’ve had a stint in pageantry and you were a runner-up at Miss Niger Delta. How was the experience and what lessons did you learn from it?

As far as pageantry is concerned, I was The Finest Girl on campus. I picked the form for Miss Nigeria, which I later did not go for because I fell

ill. And one of the things that actually discouraged me was when I saw the politics in the contest; I just felt I should just stop here. I know that I don’t just have passion for pageantry, I have passion for anything entertainment. I can sing, I can dance and I can act.

You have a production company, 50th Film Academy. What motivated its establishment and does the name symbolise anything?

50th Film Academy is my own way of giving back to the society. The truth about it is that we have big plans for 50th Film, which hasn’t really taken off yet. It is a platform for training aspiring actors. 50th Film is a production company. We’ve done our first and second production.

So, it’s a growing production company. By the time we do up to five productions, people will get to know about us and

ndications are rife that highlife and R&B singer, Flavour, has put paid to the rumour of a romantic relationship with Chidinma.

Their romantic postures seem difficult for people to interpret as a mere work of showbiz and their frequently being together remind people of that brazen kiss in the music video entitled ‘Ololufe’.

then they can start coming in for training and production.

The motive for setting up 50th Film is to see how I can help my people because the industry is a clique thing, it is a family thing. I thought I could set up the academy to help talents from my state, Rivers State to afford them the opportunity to come into the industry. Already, they have started coming. But for now, we are yet to start training. We are concentrating on production in order to gain that ground, but we will eventually delve fully into training.

What were the initial challenges you faced as a fresher in Nollywood and how did you overcome them?

Challenges are part of life.

Every industry comes with it is own challenge; it is not just C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 3

Fathia Balogun is one of my screen wives –Femi Branch

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entertainment

N

ollywood actor cum producer, Femi Branch has disclosed that Fathia Balogun is one of his favourite screen wives.

The 45-year-old actor, who has taken to Instagram to reflect on some of the memorable moments in his 25-years acting career,

Faithia Balogun is one of my screen wives–Femi Branch declared that Faithia is an actress he’s always looking forward to working with all the time.

Here is his post on Fathia Balogun…

“LET ME TALK ABOUT” (FAITHIA BALOGUN) – Faithia, or ‘Igwa’ as she is also called, was the first actress to play my wife in a Yoruba movie. That was in the movie entitled Elebute by Oga Bello. We connected instantly on the Ikorodu set and I believe I got her into trouble with her former husband Saidi then when I said I wanted to try the famous Ikorodu barbecued fish and she, Funso Adeolu and the late Dialogue Director, Alhaji Lateef, I think, offered to take me to one of the popular fish spots in town. I think Saidi somehow found out she had left set with some men and came after her. It was not funny, I swear.

friday, may 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

But we became friends since then.

Despite the obvious distraction from her domestic life then, she displayed such professionalism that I found myself wondering how she pulled that off (she had enough practice I guess) We have done countless jobs since then and been married on more occasions that I can recall. I dare say @ faithiawilliamsbalogun is one of my favorite screen wives and no doubt someone I look forward to working with all the time. All hail Igwaa!!! #FemiBranch25YearsActing.

No romance between Chidinma and I – Flavour

I

ndications are rife that highlife and R&B singer, Flavour, has put paid to the rumour of a romantic relationship with Chidinma.

Their romantic postures seem difficult for people to interpret as a mere work of showbiz and their frequently being together remind people of that brazen kiss in the music video entitled ‘Ololufe’.

Flavour insists this affair is platonic. His words read in part, “Chidinma is just my friend. Our strong vibe comes from how deep we feel about music,” he explained to Soundcity in a new interview.

Flavour further maintained the kiss he shared with Chidinma was strictly professional, saying they only sought to show the real meaning of love in the song.

“Most times, you do a video and you want it to look real. We are not the first people. Over there, you see lap dances and others. Are you feeling it? It’s not about the kissing. People felt the song, they felt togetherness, they were swept away by our delivery, by our actions, by how we expressed and delivered the song. It was so original, that’s why people were thinking there was something going on. For real, there’s nothing between us.

We are just good friends and I respect her for that. We are cool like that and she’s a nice person to work with.”

Nothing scares me more than failing –Adesua Etomi N

Nollywood actress, Adesua Etomi, didn’t start acting on a platter of gold, there were demons she had to conquer in her life before becoming an award-winning actress. She revealed that her greatest battle was the battle of her mind.

She said “The battle to convince myself that what I had spent five years studying, I should go after because once I finished from school, I was too scared to go into the real world and perform. I think it was the fear of failure. Nothing scares me more than failing, but there’s nothing worse than not trying. For me, it took me almost two years to pluck up the courage to do this.”

Even when she went for the awards event, she didn’t have a lot of things to worry about, but to have fun. “I just thought to myself… Whatever is going to happen is going to happen, so, just have a good time.” And so, I went there very bubbly and I was fine up until it got to just before my category, then I started shaking like a leaf. Then they called my name and I froze. Everybody was like “Adesua get up.”

And I was like “Oh yeah!”

friday, may 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

peculiar to Nollywood. There is no sector that you find yourself that you won’t face challenges. So, for me, every challenge I faced at the early stage was part of the training.

Do you still find the industry competitive? And how do you handle the competition and stay successful in the industry?

I am not in competition with anyone. I do the best that I can and leave the rest to God. I don’t think getting into competition will make me bigger than I am today. By the grace of God, it’s been a gradual thing for me and I love it that way. That’s what defines me.

I am not in competition with anyone.

entertainment

‘I won’t date anyman against my career’ of career because first of all, I cannot date a man who doesn’t support my career. A man who loves me will love my passion, my career, everything around me. When you find a man who doesn’t love or support you, it is very simple, it just shows that the man is not for you. My first priority for a man is you must love my

family. Career is even secondary. A man that loves you will love everything about you.

What beauty tips or routine do you indulge in to stay beautiful?

I don’t have any beauty routine. Let me shock you, I hardly go to the spa for facials. I have never done facials before in my entire life. It is funny,

but it is the truth. I don’t even use a lightening cream, I do moisturizers. If you have seen my family, you will notice that I am the darkest. My siblings are white, that’s the truth.

What movie roles are you most comfortable with and which ones would you not dare play?

I’m comfortable with any

How would you describe your personality? What don’t people know about you?

I’m a very calm person by nature. I don’t like to be in the eye of the public all the time. I hardly go out. That is something I would say people know about me. Anybody that knows me knows I am a very private person.

How fulfilling is it being in the spotlight always? Do you sometimes wish things were different or that you had another job?

I am happy being an actress. I couldn’t have wished for any other job, that is the truth. I love where I am. I love entertainment.

Is Mary Uranta in a relationship?

What are your views about love and marriage?

Is Mary in a relationship?

That is personal. Love and marriage is a good thing.

Everybody wishes for love.

Every woman wishes for marriage, but it is not something you die for. When it comes, it comes. I can’t force myself into anything. When you force yourself into marriage, you find yourself coming out.

Love cannot stand in my way

If you don’t respect women, your mum didn’t train you well, Maheeda fumes P

orn star, Maheeda is angry with an undisclosed person and her rant is the only evidence you need to be sure. The lady, who courts controversy and feeds on it, once revealed how she was abandoned at the age of 10. This may explain why you hardly ever see her with her lovely daughter who she strongly protects from cyber bullying.

After her face-off with the person on Mothers’ Day, she went on her Instagram page to say, “Any type of woman, holy woman, virgin woman, mad woman, porn woman, prostitute etc … gets respect from a man well-trained by a woman. If you have no respect for women, your mum didn’t do her homework well enough.”

And in response to those who called her a bad mother, she retorted, “It’s funny how you think I’m a bad mother, but you can’t find my child online insulting anybody for any reason. You don’t have to agree with me. But I have spoken.”

But not all her fans allowed her escape with the missile she’d dropped. A fan hurled slurs back at her, “End time preacher. My dear you don yarn your own. Even prostitutes get respect huh? Wonders shall never end, you mean prostitute. As for freeborn, I get respect for every woman except baby mamas, bitches and porn women bitch like you because una don sell una self-esteem. So this one follow dey do Mother’s Day as if her mother is proud of her?

Hmmm.”

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role, that’s what makes me an actress. The only thing I can’t do is going nude. Some will say they can act with pant and bra, but for me, that’s nudity.

I can’t do that. I can never do that because this is Africa.

This is not Hollywood. Maybe that is why I am not as famous as others.

Could you please shed light on your background and formative years?

I am from Queens’ Town in Opobo, Rivers State. I’m from a family of nine. Growing up for me was fun. We didn’t have issues at all. I don’t like to go deep into my growing up because I don’t know how to say that we were so rich, suddenly my father woke up one morning and said he had a covenant with God to serve Him. And he abandoned everything else and dedicated his life to serving God. We are grateful daily that my father yielded to that call because he has taught us what life is all about and loving God. I think that is the best thing any father can give to any child and not riches. He taught us the right way and till tomorrow, he is still my mentor.

He actually went to school and studied and had lots of degrees that would make him feed to the end of his life. And with all the positions he held before he resigned, I am proud of him. My father resigned at Michelin as the first African Michelin Manager in Rivers state. He woke up one morning and said, “God said I should resign and go and serve him and leave everything”. And that’s how he left.

Shell was one company everybody was fighting to be part of. Shell came to the village to look for my father.

They came down to ask for Albert Uranta and that was how he was employed. My father has a doctorate degree.

He is a civil engineer and an architect. He was so brilliant. He was the best student in his class. That was why Shell had to come looking for him in the village. I don’t like disclosing this part of my life because I don’t know how to say I was born with a sliver spoon. We were so rich and all of a sudden we lost that silver spoon. But that was how it happened. Life wasn’t difficult if you ask me, because we all looked up to our father. You see a man who has been having the best things of life, and all of a sudden you see him putting his mat in the house of God. We had the basic things of life. I don’t think I will have asked for anything more than that. If I have my way, I will even want to be a child again because my parents are very lovely people.

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entertainment

friday, may 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nicki Minaj slams ex, Safaree Samuels for suing her

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he battle is back on between Nicki Minaj and Safaree Samuels. The rapper went on a massive Twitter rant on May 11, slamming her ‘son of a b****’ for filing a lawsuit against her and going after her money. She had a lot of fighting words for Safaree, and the tweets had gone viral.

Nicki Minaj, 33, is putting her ex, Safaree Samuels, 34, on blast via Twitter. She revealed on social media that he has sued her for physical and emotional abuse, and made it clear that she’s not about having these lies spread. To fire back, the rapper shared several of her shocking claims about Safaree and this feud is definitely on.

“Two years later this poor excuse of a man is suing me and claiming to have been physically and emotionally abused. Lol. He’s so miserable,” she wrote. “You can’t even celebrate your happiness anymore with you being victimized. Miserable people refuse to move on with their lives.”

The rapper explained that she and her

boyfriend, Meek Mill, 29, were still on a high after celebrating his birthday when she was slapped with the lawsuit. “Like I cannot even celebrate my birthday without this miserable son of a b**** trying to extort me,” she ranted.

“Caught him stealing money and never prosecuted him! Now I’m DOING IT. ENOUGH!” And, of course, Nicki denied Safaree’s claims that she was abusive towards him in any way. “You were abused my n****?” she continued. “Look @ what you’ve become.

God’s wrath is no joke. You will regret every lie you said about me.”

The rant went on for many tweets, with the 33-year-old slamming Safaree for telling lies just to get money out of her. She’s clearly a believer in Karma, though, as she concluded, “Whatever isn’t rightfully yours will become a curse once you have it. The money you win in lawsuits will never bless you. It will curse you.”

Nicki and Safaree dated for 12 years before breaking up in August 2014, and she began dating Meek in early 2015.

Chris Evans dating Jenny Slate after her 3-year marriage ends

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How Chris Brown is helping bieber deal with Gomez/Orlando’s romance

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ustin Bieber’s super jealous after seeing sexy pictures of Selena Gomez and Orlando Bloom together, but not for long.

HollywoodLife.com has EXCLUSIVELY learned that Chris Brown is helping JB cope with this shocking news.

Justin Bieber, 22, is livid after seeing racy pics of Selena Gomez, 23, packing on the PDA with Orlando Bloom, 39. But help for the Biebs in on the way. His buddy Chris Brown, 27, hit him up and told him just how to handle this scandalous situation, HollywoodLife.com has EXCLUSIVELY reported.

If there’s anyone who

knows how to keep a woman coming back, it’s Breezy!

The “Grass Ain’t Greener” rapper dropped knowledge on Justin and told him how to address this Selando scandal. “Basically, Chris told JB not to trip on Selena and Orlando. He explained to Biebs that Selena’s only trying to make him jealous because she’s truly in love with him and wants his attention 24-7,” a source close to Chris told HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY. “He told Justin not to say anything about the pics on social media and under no circumstances is he to call Selena. The first one who calls loses. Justin was really upset about the pics

and jealous, but Breezy got him together quickly and told him not to show his cards and to take his advice and ignore the situation.”

As HollywoodLife.com previously reported, the internet went ablaze when a set of hot and steamy photographs surfaced of Selando. The two looked like they were having a blast.

The images, which were obtained by TMZ, show the two in FORMATION as they were all over one another, hugging and perhaps even kissing. Just take a look at the pics for yourself, HollywoodLifers. They’re pretty explosive and it appears the two are very much into one another.

ew couple alert!

Chris Evans is reportedly dating his friend and co-star, Jenny Slate, and the relationship has begun just after she split from her husband of three years, Dean FleischerCamp.

Chris Evans, 34, finally has himself a lady friend, according to a new report. The actor’s new relationship with Jenny Slate, 34, started out as a friendship, but blossomed into something more now that she’s separated from her husband.

These two stars in the upcoming movie stayed together, and went on a double date with Chris’ brother back in March, according to Us Weekly. It was just earlier this month that news broke that Jenny had split from her husband, Dean Fleischer-Camp, after three years of marriage.

Could her feelings for Chris have had something to do with that decision!?

Chris and Jenny are good pals, and did a joint interview on Anna Faris’ Unqualified podcast just

last month. During the session, they both admitted to having a connection with one another, and there was no denying their cute flirtation.

“The first night we hung out I was like, ‘Wow, I could hang out with Chris for like 90 hours,’” the Married star explained, with Chris adding, “Oddly enough, I’ve only known Jenny for a few months, which is insane to say because we’re like the same animal.”

The actor was most recently linked to his on-off love, Minka Kelly, after they were spotted hanging out together once again in Sept.

2015. He’s also been rumored to have dated his Captain America co-star Elizabeth Olsen, although the pair jokingly denied the reports during a recent interview with Ellen DeGeneres.

They say the best relationships start out as friendships, and it’s pretty obvious that Chris and Jenny have awesome chemistry. We’re crossing our fingers that this works out for them!

25

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Labour

Business What's news Climate change: ‘Adaptation cost could hit $500bn by 2050’

ILO: Nigeria’s jobless rate higher than global average

Environment Fossil fuels: Nigerians activists seek global attention

27 30

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE March 2016..............................12.8% February 2016...........................11.4% January 2016............................9.6%

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

EXCHANGE RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(BDC as at April 26)

(Interbank as at April 26)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N321 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N464 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N394

l Foreign Reserves – $26.801bn as at 11/5/2016

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

Source: CBN

p.28

Ghana begins gasoline export to Nigeria

p.28

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde; NonExecutive Director, Mr. Roland Pirmez and Chairman, Chief Kola Jamodu, at the company’s Annual General Meeting, in Lagos.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Forex challenge forces 44 private firms to exit Nigeria, others SURGE The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Last two years have seen an increase in private firms exiting African markets

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Taiwo Hassan

E

conomic meltdown, coupled with forex scarcity, have resulted in about 44 private equity companies exiting their investments in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt markets last year, New Telegraph has learnt.

Ernst & Young (EY) and the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA) disclosed this in their latest reports on African investments.

The report, which was monitored on Ernst & Young’s website, said that many private equity companies cashed out their investments in Africa last year than any other time as currencies across the continent fell against a globally stronger dollar.

The report, titled: “How private

equity investors create value” on the stable of Ernst & Young (EY) and the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA), showed that investors exited 44 companies in 2015, more than the 39 exits recorded in the previous two years, which was a nine-year high.

According to the report, South Africa accounted for 39 per cent of the exits, 11 per cent from Egypt, while Nigeria and Kenya accounted for 10 per cent each.

Other African nations accounted for the remaining 30 per cent.

“The last two years have seen an increase in the number of private equity firms making exits in the African markets,” Graham Stokoe, Africa Private Equity Leader at Ernst & Young, said in a statement.

“The biggest current challenges noted by private equity firms included an increasingly tough macro-economic environment, particularly currency fluctuations, valuations trending upwards and an intermediary landscape that is underdeveloped in a number of countries,” Ernst & Young said in the statement.

Most African currencies tumbled

$2 billion Being the expected value of private equity fundraising in Africa this year

last year as commodities price rout on the international markets hurt their exports and the US Federal Reserve Bank hiked interest rates for the first time in nine-years.

Economists warned that emerging and frontier regions like Africa would face huge capital outflows as money that had left the United States during the financial crisis reversed the flow.

Private Equity firms shrug financial turmoil in many African countries in 2015 to raise a record $4.3 billion from the $2.6 billion accumulated in 2014.

Among those to close in 2015 was the Abraaj Group’s North Africa Fund II, which raised $375 million

by August, $125 million above its target – its Africa Fund III had previously reached a final close at $990 million in March, having targeted $800 million.

These were both topped by Helios Investors III, which reached a hard-cap of $1.1 billion, having targeted $900 million.

According to AVCA’s recent study, about 249 private equity exits took place in Africa between 2007 CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

26

BUSINESS |news

FINANCE GAP Previous estimates put finance gap at between $70 billion to $100 billion annually Dayo Ayeyemi

T

he cost of adapting to climate change in developing countries could rise to between $280 and $500 billion per year by 2050, new report from United Nations Environment (UNEP) has said.

According to the UNEP report, as nations signed the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change, the figure was four to five times greater than previous estimates, signaling that failure to cut emissions would drastically increase the annual costs of adaptation.

The study assesses the difference between the financial costs of adapting to climate change in developing countries and the amount of money actually available to meet these costs – a difference known as the “adaptation finance gap”.

The report, the second in UNEP’s series of Adaptation Gap reports, finds that total bilateral and multilateral funding for climate change adaptation in developing countries has risen substantially in the five years leading up to 2014, reaching $22.5 billion.

But the study warns that, despite this increase, there will be a significant funding gap by 2050 unless new and additional finance for adaptation is made available.

Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme , Ibrahim Thiaw, said: “It is vital that governments understand the costs involved in adapting to climate change,” adding that the report has served as a powerful reminder that climate change would continue to have serious economic costs.

“The adaptation finance gap is large, and likely to grow substantially over the coming

44 private firms to exit Nigeria, others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

and 2014.

While 2016 is not expected to be better than last year, five Africa-focused private equity funds have already closed this year, raising a total of $575 million, including the $295 million Investec Asset Management Africa Frontier Private Equity Fund 2, according to Preqin Ltd. According to a Bloomberg report, private equity fundraising in Africa is expected to drop to about $2 billion this year because of economic headwinds, the potential downgrade of South African debt in June, and because some of the largest firms closed their funds last year.

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Climate change: ‘Adaptation cost could hit $500bn by 2050’ decades, unless significant progress is made to secure new, additional and innovative financing for adaptation,” he said.

Previous estimates place the cost of adapting to climate change at between $70 to $100 billion annually for the period 2010-2050, a figure based on a World Bank study from 2010.

The Adaptation Finance Gap Report, which is written by authors from 15 institutions and reviewed by 31 experts, builds upon these earlier estimates by reviewing national and sector studies.

As a result, the report finds that the World Bank’s earlier figures are likely to be a sig-

nificant underestimate. “The true cost of adapting to climate change in developing countries could range between $140 and $300 billion per year in 2030, and between $280 and $500 billion per year in 2050,” it says.

The study warned that adaptation costs are likely to increase sharply over time even if the world succeeds in limiting a global rise in temperatures to below two degrees Celsius by 2100.

For higher scenarios of global warming, estimates of the adaptation costs in developing countries are higher even in early years, the report states.

The United Nations Frame-

work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has called on developed countries to provide $100 billion annually by 2020 to help developing countries mitigate climate change, and adapt to its impacts, such as drought, rising sea levels and floods.

However, the UNEP report notes: “There is no agreement as to the type of funding that shall be mobilised to meet this goal. This hampers efforts to monitor progress toward meeting the goal.”

The study further highlights the need for the proper measurement, tracking, and reporting system of adaptation investments, to help ensure

that finance is used efficiently and targeted where it is most needed.

The report states, while dedicated climate funds are breaking down the barriers to investing in adaptation projects in developing countries, contributions to these funds are low when compared to the contributions made to funds that mitigate climate change.

The Green Climate Fund, which was set up by the UNFCCC, with its stated goal of splitting funding equally between mitigation and adaptation efforts, is expected to play a significant role in efforts to fund adaptation, the report states.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Capital, Igor Vayn; Chief Executive Officer (Nigeria), Temitope Popoola; Global Head of Investment Banking, James Friel and Global Chief Economist of the outfit, Charles Robertson, at the 7th annual PanAfrica 1:1 investor conference in Lagos.

Ghana begins gasoline export to Nigeria MARTYR In October 2015, the staff of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) had agreed to forgo their November salaries to help revamp the fortunes of the company Sunday Ojeme

I

n what can easily be described as a twist of fate and an irony, Nigeria has started importation of petroleum product from Ghana; a country that discovered its crude oil long after the former had done it and built its now ailing refineries.

According to a report by Ghanaian online news site, the coming alive of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has made the new feat possible for the Gold Coast country.

The report said Ghana had started exporting gasoline to Nigeria following an increased production capacity from 45,000 metric tons to 60,000 tons.

The report described the development as one of the many strategies management of the company was putting in place to turn its fortunes around.

“It comes on the back of some challenges the refinery has faced in the recent past years, some of which include the shutting down of its Residual Fuel Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) unit for repairs.

Under a new management, the refinery seems to be making some impressive improvements including a successful processing of two million barrels of crude oil within three months with a corresponding financial balance of $2 million.

“This means the refinery has bagged over two million dollars out of two million barrels of crude oil, they secured and refined within a period of three months,” the report stated.

According to the Managing Director of the refinery, Kingsley Kwame Awuah Darko, the revamped refinery is on its way to becoming the most valuable national asset, as operations have not been halted since last January.

In October 2015, Awuah-

Darko revealed that the staff of the company had agreed to forgo their November salaries to help revamp the fortunes of the company.

The measure saved the company about GHC3.8 million and contributed to the revamping of processes. He said they were working around the clock to ensure that TOR resumed its full production of petroleum products by June 2016.

The Federal Government of Nigeria had threatened to cut gas supply to Ghana’s power plants last year over indebtedness.

According to a former Chief Executive Officer of the Volta River Authority Dr. Charles Wireku-Brobbey, Nigeria’s decision to cut gas supply to Ghana’s Aboadze thermal plant was occasioned by the failure of the government to settle its indebtedness to the Nigerian gas authorities.

At the peak of the crisis, Ghana was receiving in excess of 140 million standard cubic feet per day of gas from Nigeria. The supply, although not enough, had greatly enhanced power supply in the country.

Ghana had in November 2014, accused Nigeria of breaching the agreement to supply gas to it, a situation that worsened the country’s power supply.

Mr. Edward Bawa, Communications Consultant at Ghana’s Energy Ministry had said that since the inception of the West African Gas Pipeline Project, Nigeria, which is responsible for supplying Ghana, Togo and Benin with natural gas, had proven to be unreliable.

“Since gas started flowing through the West African Gas Pipeline, Nigeria has demonstrated that they cannot be relied upon to give us gas,” he maintained.

According to him, Nigeria was supposed to send 123 million cubic feet of gas to Ghana but was only able to supply around 49 cubic feet. He said the quantity is “woefully inadequate to enable us to power our generating plants.”

Bawa called for an increase in the sanctions to be meted out to Nigeria for breaching the contractual agreement, noting that only this will serve to deter Nigeria from continually breaching the terms of the contract.

FRIDAY, may 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

INTERVENTION The Central Bank of Nigeria has reiterated plans to invest in job creation through intervention

27

labour

ILO: Nigeria’s jobless rate higher than global average

Sunday Ojeme

F

ollowing an accelerated unemployment rate in the last few years, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has identified Nigeria’s 10.4 per cent rate as significantly higher than the global average.

The tag is part of a recent ILO forecast of a global unemployment rate of 5.9 per cent for both 2016 and 2017.

Prior to this, the unemployment/underemployment watch from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had revealed that the labour force (population of working age between the ages of 15 and 64) increased to 76.9 million in the last quarter of 2015 from 75.9 million recorded in the third quarter.

At the same time, the unemployment rate accelerated to 10.4 per cent from 9.9 per cent recorded in the previous quarter.

Within the labour force, 22.5 million people were either unemployed or underemployed, compared with 20.7 million in Q3 2015.

As observed in previous

Minister of labour, Ngige

quarters, unemployment and underemployment were highest for those Nigerians between the ages of 1534, accounting for 84.8 per cent of the total.

Given that rural jobs are

NDE advises youths on post-training commitment

A

cting Director-General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mr. Kunle Obayan, has advised youths across the country to move out of joblessness by taking advantage of trainings garnered from the directorate or any other agency.

Obayan stated this while empowering 430 people who received training in various skills from the directorate in Minna.

The beneficiaries were given equipment for welding, electrical engineering, bead making, shoe making and fridge repair works, among others.

The director-general, who assured that the directorate would not relent in its efforts in assisting young Nigerians access decent

jobs, said that the empowerment was in line with the plan to create mass employment opportunities for unskilled and unemployed Nigerians by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

He said the desire of the NDE had been to empower all beneficiaries of its skills training programmes, but lamented that that had been limited by the funds available to the directorate each year.

On his part, the Director General, New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD), Engineer Abdullahi Abubakar, said the empowerment of over 400 people across the nation by the NDE was a step towards addressing the developmental challenge the nation was facing.

RIMSON inducts fellows, associates

T

he Risk Managers Society of Nigeria (RIMSON) has inducted 14 fellows and 54 associate members.

The induction according to a statement, was part of the ongoing 2016 Risk Management Conference and Awards Ceremony holding in Lagos.

Some of the fellows are Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammmed Kari; Managing Director, Fbninsurance Plc, Val Ojumah; Group Managing Director, AIICO Insurance Plc,

Edwin Igbiti; former president of RIMSON, Mrs Efiom-Ekaha and President of RIMSON, Jacob Adeosun.

In his remarks, Adeosun said the membership drive embarked upon by the society would enhance professionalism in risk management, as well broaden the scope of practice in the country.

He noted that the society was committed to encouraging the society and research into risk management in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

NLC President, Wabba

predominantly in agriculture, and are often seasonal, attention tends to focus on unemployment in urban areas, particularly white-collar positions in the formal economy.

Based on data from the NBS,

education emerged as the leading source of new formalsector jobs in the first three quarters of 2015, accounting for no less than 45 per cent of the total each time.

There have been demands

from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to review the national minimum wage upwards to N56, 000 per month from N18, 000 approved in 2011. Given the current squeeze on purchasing power, this is understandable.

The CBN has reiterated its plans to invest in job creation across the country through intervention designed for local production of essential goods and through the economic diversification drive.

Additionally, in March, the CBN launched the Youth Innovative Entrepreneurship Development programme. Its pilot phase will target 10,000 youths within the next four years and make a credit line of N3 million available to successful applicants.

One of the expected outcomes of the Federal Government’s growth strategy is job generation. The 2016 budget is geared towards job and wealth creation with series of targeted projects planned for implementation.

In this regard, agriculture, infrastructure and solid minerals are the focus sectors.

Labour tackles minister over workers’ salaries

M

inister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has attracted the ire of labour following her remarks that the Federal Government could no longer sustain the N165 billion monthly wage bill for federal civil servants.

Reacting to the minister’s position, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria said it was bewildered at the numerous ludicrous excuses coming from virtually all segments of the three tiers of government and even some private individuals seeking to justify the failure of some state governments to pay the wage bill of workers and execute certain needful projects.

President of the congress, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, said the latest revelation came from Adeosun days after a former Special Assistant to former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe, asked governors to downsize because government was spending so much on salaries.

He said: “The minister’s position is that the N165 billion monthly salaries to federal civil servants was over-bloated and could no longer be sustained.

“We recall that it was widely reported that the

immediate past administration discovered hundreds of thousands of ghost workers within the civil service. The present administration has also told us that they have discovered some and adopted series of measures to curb such cases.

“We are upset that the available information technology platforms and the Biometrics Verification Number (BVN) recently introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would have helped to iron out these things.”

He, however, commended the minister for faulting the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS) introduced by the last administration, saying that the system was sabotaged by elements benefitting from salary fraud.

He noted: “We also welcome her claim that she has created a unit assigned with the sole responsibility of checking the salaries and catching those behind the over-bloated salary. Our question now is, is the new unit a set of new employees or were they drawn from the same system?

“Are we faced with a situation where a witch cried yesterday and a child died today? If so, do we need any soothsayer to inform us that

it was the witch that killed the child? For us there is no difference between the unit set up by the minister and the elements she alleged to be benefitting from the salary fraud.

“We might not know the exact amount the country gets from the sale of crude and the internally generated revenue, but we know it is in trillions of naira.

We wish to reiterate that the cost of running government in the country is too expensive.

“It is mindboggling that a senator who barely initiates a bill throughout a four-year tenure earns more than the United State President in a country that is yet to find its feet. It beats our imagination how a government contemplates and suggests sacking a worker that earns N18, 000 national minimum wage while leaving politicians whose salaries and allowances are in millions. This does not make economic sense.”

He insisted that the congress would fight to finish any attempt to sack Nigerians for errors that are not theirs, stressing that it was leak of injustice to sack a worker who earned a stipend just to be able to sustain payment of millions of naira to politicians.

28 SECURITISATION Agro commodities exchange market will develop Nigeria Taiwo Hassan

N

igeria needs to robustly develop her agricultural commodities trading in order to enhance the country’s global competitiveness especially in agricultural products, financial and agric stakeholders have said.

They spoke at an agrocommodities exchange market seminar in Lagos.

The stakeholders said that as the Federal Government concluded plans to diversify the country’s economy due to the slump in the crude oil prices at the international market, there was need for government to ensure that the concept of commodities exchange in the country is properly developed.

Senior Vice-President in charge of business relations for INTL FCStone Limited, Stuart Ponder, said that with oil trading at a record low and Nigeria looking to diversify her economy at the same period, it would be better for organisations trading in commodities, especially in agro products, to enjoy the goodwill of government.

He said the international partnership between his company- INTL FCStone Limited and AFEX Nigeria Limited, was meant to enhance the prospects for agriculture from a properly run agro-commodities exchange in the country.

Ponder said that his firm is a major player in the international commodities trad-

FRIDAY, may 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

agric

‘Nigeria must develop agric commodities trading’ L-R: Cote D’ Ivoire’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Toure Kone Mamman; National President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Chief Bassey Edem and Second Deputy National President, NACCIMA, Hajia Saratu Aliyu, during the courtesy visit of the Ambassador and some trade delegation to NACCIMA Head Office in Lagos.

ing business and has spotted the prospects of the Nigerian commodities market, which it a viable business decision to move-in and nurture its emergence.

The INTLFCStone boss alluded to the importance of this partnership, saying that one of the factors that could derail their efforts in Nigeria is not finding the right partnerships.

He said: “We need the locals to guide us to success…We have seen the focus attached to developing structured markets in Nigeria in recent times and we want this process to be successful because it will open opportunities for us”.

In his remarks, Country Manager, AFEX Limited, Ayo-

deji Balogun, said that AFEX is creating a market place where products can be “securitised through proper storage and grain management.”

He said that his company turned out to be INTL FCStone’s choice, adding that presently, AFEX Nigeria Limited is powering the commodities market in Nigeria and ensuring that the concept of commodities exchange in the country does not die a natural death.

Balogun said: “This is in keeping with international best practices where a buyer does not necessarily need to see the produce before he bids for and makes a purchase.

He said that AFEX has, by so doing, “brought a lot of

transparency into the process.”

The Deputy Director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Shehu Bello, said that the infrastructure being used by AFEX for solving commodity producer’s warehousing needs were provided in partnership with the FMARD. Industry watchers agreed that in view of Nigeria’s current economic climate, agricultural commodities trading is the way to go. Some have even posited that farmland is better than gold.

The primary reason for this assertion is that no matter how difficult things get people will always eat.

Therefore, there can be no

surer investment than one in a sector, which supports this basic needs.

The Nigerian Commodities Exchange formerly known as the Abuja Securities and Commodities Exchange was set up to mitigate the heavy postharvest losses associated with poor warehousing and the absence of a ready market for the disposal of farm produce at realistic prices.

The Exchange was also supposed to provide a centralised marketplace where farmers can sell their products to a ready market.

However, these goals have largely gone unmet, substantially on account of the lack of structural and institutional infrastructure.

for training on how to provide food for the country.

The provost said patronising Nigeria’s agriculture institutes would go a long way in conserving foreign exchange and exposing the people to training that is relevant to the nation’s ecology.

Already, Odedina said, FECA had trained about 7,500 youths, women and retirees on profitable agriculture business in the past eight years, adding that those trained can compete globally.

However, he said, the exclusion of Colleges of Agriculture offering National Diploma and Higher National Diploma from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has made learning agriculture difficult as students learn under poor conditions.

Also, he said, the exclusion from the TETFUND colleges of agriculture has led to exodus of lecturers and non-attractiveness of agriculture as vocation.

Odedina, however, commended the Harvestplus for

the initiative with a promise that the institution would always be ready to patent with the organisation.

Speaking on the introduction of the bio-fortified Vitamin A Maize and Cassava, the Country Manager of Havestplus, Paul Ilona, said that the aim of the organization was to ensure that these two agricultural products are fortified with essential nutrients.

Stopped According to him, the blood requires some necessary nutrients like zinc, iron and vitamin A in the body for a healthy living.

He said Nigerians have access to nutritious foods through bio fortification, saying “many people have gone blind as a result of lack of essential nutrients in the food which is needed for the body.”

He explained that the essence of the fortifying the two agricultural products was to improve the nutritional value of maize and cassava especially for children under the age of five.

His words: “Over 2,200 children under the age of five die every day in Nigeria due to lack of these nutrients, to curtail this we must improve our nutrition. We intend to make eating of staple crops become the channel of good nutrients for the body; we have vitamin A varieties released in Nigeria, very soon we will produce vitamin A plantain and banana.”

He disclosed that researchers have endorsed the two fortified agricultural products through a research carried out in Kenya where it was discovered that the yellow cassava improves growth velocity while there was fewer episode of illness in the children Ilona said that the organisation had established a collaboration with the Federal College of Education, Akure, in order to put in place the value change, to train the students of the institution on Vitamin A varieties production and also to produce future managers of agriculture for the country.

He assured that other colleges of agriculture will soon be included in the programme, while disclosing that over one million farmers across the country have embrace the new vitamin A cassava and maize saying over 300 million tonnns have been harvested.

“We are doing all these so that Nigerians will eat what will add value to their lives and not eating to fill up their stomach but with food of quality nutrients,” he said.

Speaking at the inauguration of the fortified maize and cassava, the State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, said his administration has prioritised agriculture in the state by encouraging youths and young graduates to embrace agriculture.

Mimiko who was represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Pastor Segun Ayetin said the state government had trained many youths to be self employed and employer of labour through its agri–prenuer programme.

Provost to FG: Patronise agric institutes Babatope Okeowo Akure

P

rovost of Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), Dr. Adeola Odedina has called on the Federal Government to patronise various agriculture institutes in the country.

The patronage of these institutes, he said, would address the problem of food shortage in the country and reduce the nation’s dependency on oil as foreign exchange earner.

Odedina spoke in Akure, Ondo State, at the flag-off of the newly introduced biofortified vitamin A Maize and Cassava presented to the institution by an international agricultural Organisation, HarvestPlus, in Akure, Ondo state He said the various Colleges of Agriculture in the country are comparable if not better than similar institutions in Europe, Asia, America and other parts of the world where governments send farmers to

businesS \ agric

FRIDAY, may 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

29

UNIUYO begins almond plantation revolution CULTIVATION Plant to improve Nigeria’s economic value and foreign exchange drive

Taiwo Hassan

T

he University of Uyo (UNIUYO) is nursing a revolution with the planting of Prunus dulcis, commonly known as almond, for its numerous health, pharmaceutical and economic values in Nigeria.

The crop, which is native of the Middle East and South Asia, is produced in commercial quantity in Australia, Spain, Morocco and Iran, with the United States as the largest producer.

However, here in Nigeria, few undergraduates have started a revolution designed to place the country among the first three Almond producing countries in the world.

The project is advocated by a group of students in the Faculty of Agriculture, who are determined to bring about almond revolution in Nigeria.

“In the next few years, every household in Nigeria will appreciate almond for its economic value and consume the seed for its numerous benefits while the country will be exporting the crop for foreign exchange,” the leader of the group, Mitchel Njoku, said.

Speaking further, Mitchel revealed that the passion for the breeding, propagation and production of almond is rooted in the awareness of the economic paybacks of the tree crop as well as the huge gap between the demand for the crop in the international market and production/supply of same from a few countries around the globe.

His words: “The various culinary uses of almond, which can be eaten raw or toasted, and the diverse industrial usage once processed into almond syrup, juice, milk, powder and oil, simply emphasise the aspiration. Almond is high in saturated fat, dietary fibre, protein, potassium and has zero cholesterol content.”

Dr L. I. Akpheokhai, a Mycologist and a specialist in crop science in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, commended the initiative.

“China came into Nigeria with a lot of products from agricultural trees and food crops. If we in Nigeria can work hard to develop our indigenous tree crops for food and medicine, we too can do a lot of things like the Chinese. Almond has remedial capabilities for health challenges like cancer. Instead of importing every cancer drug, why not develop what we have into supplements to solve our problems? This is what India and China are doing today,” Akpheokhai observed.

The crop science expert decried the absence of an Almond Research Institute in

Nigeria, adding, “there is no research institute in Nigeria whose mandate is on almond development. This is a huge challenge. Consequently, we need scientists, agronomist, geneticist and breeders to work on this project, to develop improved varieties of almond that will produce fruits in half the period used by wild almonds, double the yield, of average height, less fibrous roots, thick foliage,

and more fruits with bigger seeds. This, definitely, is not a one year project and university undergraduates cannot sponsor it. We need support from both the government and the private sector,” he added.

Work has already begun in the collation of various species samples of almond for characterisation, selection and breeding in a quest to replicate the success story

of TREVOR in Nigeria and Akpheokhai implored the government to take a cue from DuPont International, a research based organisation that works with universities in the development of improved hybrids.

In the interim, while the process for the development of improved almond species is ongoing, the undergraduates are on afforestation campaign discouraging the

destruction of almond trees found everywhere in the wild within the country.

They are also collating almond fruits in their natural ecology for experimental production.

A prototype of the machine for Almond juice extraction and seed de- shelling is currently being fabricated for the group by National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM), Niger State.

Why we’re supporting diversification -Tola President and founder of Women in Agricultural Advancement and Sustainability Africa (WAASA), Ms. Chi Tola, speaks with STANLEY IHEDIGBO on the association’s initiative and related developments Excerpt.

What is Women in Agricultural Advancement and Sustainability Africa (WAASA) all about?

Women in Agricultural Advancement and Sustainability Africa (WAASA) is an initiative dedicated to the empowerment of women and bridging economic gap by promoting women participation in agriculture and agro-business.

Over the years, women have established more defined roles in agriculture. In Nigeria, women are involved in agricultural production, processing and utilisation. A woman’s role in the agricultural sector is significantly affected by socio-economic factors such as income, education and access to infrastructure.

In order for agriculture to advance in Nigeria, gender specific policies and services tailored to women in the value chains should be developed.

And WAASA strives to increase women’s access to and application of key agricultural knowledge and skills, thereby improving overall crop production, with the intention that this, in turn, will lead to greater income or food supply.

What has the reception been like since its formation?

I will say quite encouraging and acceptable. I got a couple of emails lauding the initiative and asking me when it would kick-off. I also got a call from a woman farmer in Akwa Ibom recently, who was eager to meet me.

She said the women farmers in her community would like me and the team to visit

them and tell them more about mechanised farming and how they can hook on.

She also wanted to know if there is a way we can get some seeds and seedlings for them. That amongst others, so I will say, this is probably a platform the women are looking for.

How do you hope to go about getting a ready market for the farm produce?

Direct contacting and negotiation with manufacturers and buyers are among our activities. And we are already talking with some manufacturing companies on how they can buy from us. As much as we need them to buy, we must also ensure there is enough harvest to sustain whatever arrangement we make.

Agriculture is seen as a male dominated profession, what are the obstacles faced so far and how have you been able to find a way round it?

WAASA is a new initiative; we will grow in it and develop suitable solutions.

There are obstacles and there are challenges, these are part of us as humans.

But where we are faced with one or two of them, we will consult and proffer remedies within our means.

Storage and transportation are two major challenges faced by most farmers, what modalities are you putting in place to find solutions to these problems?

WAASA intends to partner. We will do more partnerships both with government and the private sector on this aspect of the business. That will be the only way to sail the storm. I can’t tell you that we have warehouses across the country.

No! I wish we do really, but it’s a gradual process and we will get there, but until then, we must use what we have available to achieve the best.

Nigerian farmers face difficulties exporting their products due to stringent exporting rules, what do you hope to do about this?

I believe these rules are to the best interest of the nation. Since we are blowing a campaign of grow and use made-in- Nigeria, shouldn’t we serve us first? We are not

Tola

self-sufficient yet. WAASA will focus on growing what we need and consume locally.

Let’s get enough at home before we can share.

What other activities will this initiative be doing?

We will also provide small short term loans, trainings and technical support to women farmers. As time goes on, possibly by the end of this year, we would have finished setting up our online portal where you can actually make your farm fresh requests for buyers. We will also let visitors to the site know where they can get what and which region produces a particular crop, products, etc.

What are you doing now?

We are currently organising a women in agricultural advancement conference in Abuja next month. It is the inaugural event and we will have the official launching of WAASA Foundation. The

theme is: “Producing more, Conserving more, Improving lives.”

The conference is open to all women who are passionate about agriculture and would want to venture into it directly or indirectly. There should be a free access to education and training predominantly some training modules for women in packaging, grading and value addition activities. There is need to change the cultural taboos which discriminate women.

If education and infrastructure facilities are improved in their area, then, it means more women will work in the industry and ultimately economic independence could be achieved. We require agro products and services companies, banks, organisations to support this initiative and in fact, add a bit if not much of agro support to their CSR’s. We cannot live without food, let’s support agriculture.

30

Environment Watch

FRIDAY, may 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

LOOPHOLE Groups say Paris pact did not spell appropriate steps to cut greenhouse emissions Dayo Ayeyemi

N

igeria climate change activists have joined thousands others around the world to embark on series of coordinated actions targeted at calling global attention to the need to wean the world from its dependence on fossil fuels.

The campaign had commenced since May 4 and would last till Sunday, May 15, 2016.

The Break Free from Fossil Fuels campaign kicked off in Nigeria last Tuesday at Oloibiri, the site of the country’s first oil well.

The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Social Action and Ogoni Solidarity Forum are spearheading the crusade in Nigeria.

In December 2015, an unprecedented number of world leaders had converged on Paris in what could be the last opportunity to craft an earth-wide response to the dilemma of climate change.

There, key world leaders duly affirmed that the only way to save our globe from an obvious incineration would be to drastically cut the level of greenhouse emissions – from the current path of four degrees Celsius to a more manageable two degrees Celsius and below.

But, according to some civil society groups, they failed to make any strong commitments in relation to the specifics of what needs to be done to achieve the target.

Indeed, activists said that the deal, which was sealed in Paris, was merely recognised problems associated with greenhouse emissions and all that needed to be done, but it failed to spell the appropriate steps to be taken in order to address them.

One of the scenes of oil spill in the Niger-Delta.

Photo: Olisa.

Fossil fuels: Nigerians activists seek global attention They attributed this development to the fact that the big national and multinational companies who control the global fossil fuel industry also have strong stakes and influence in global politics.

“Reducing greenhouse emissions means drastically reducing the level of extraction, which results in reduced revenues”, the groups stressed.

In a statement issued by Break Free from Fossil Fuel Movement, they said: “So weak and fearful of corporate power was the entire Paris climate deal that it only spoke about the need to reduce greenhouse emissions in abstract, without mentioning the need to cut the extraction of fossils, which is what eventually leads to emissions.”

Elaborating further on this reality, National Coordinator of Climate Change Network Nigeria and member of the Climate Action

‘Birds can protect Nigeria from health, economic problems’ Dayo Ayeyemi

N

igerian Conservation Foundation (NFC) has called on citizens in the country to make efforts to protect birds because of the vital roles they play in the ecosystem Director General of NCF, Mr Adeniyi Karunwi, made this call in Lagos, during the event marking this year’s World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD).

He said birds forestalled exposure to anthrax, rabies, tuberculosis and other deadly diseases in the society and also render free sanitation services valued at several millions of naira.

He said: “Birds such as vultures, which may be considered non-useful to many, should also be accorded such protection as they are “natural environmental sanitation officers.”

Karunwi noted that a single vulture provides a scavenging benefit valued at around N2,308,200 ($11,600) over its lifetime, but sadly, birds are sometimes illegally hunted, targeted for sport shooting and trapped in their numbers for pets and meat, leading to a marked decline in all species of migratory birds.

He lamented the fact that the skies “are almost silent in Nigeria because of the over 90 per cent decline in our vulture population.”

Network International, Surveyor Efik, said: “The global commitment to drastically reduce emissions and attaining the sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, may be a wild goose chase if the world does not protect the climate through 100 per cent clean energy provision and completely break free from dangerous fossil fuel-driven energy dependence.”

He urged the Nigerian government not to just sign an agreement to combat climate change but also take

decisive action to break free from activities of greenhouse emissions that destroy the climate, planet earth and humanity.

He said: “It is this spirit of the need to stop the extraction of fossil fuel that informs the Break Free from Fossil Fuels movement.

Key organiser of the Break Free movement and Director of HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, stated that time had come to make fossil fuels history and give the nation’s environment and people a chance to

recover from decades of unrelenting oil pollution.

He said: “By our actions we are standing in solidarity with communities in the oilfields of the Niger Delta, and other impacted communities around the world, demanding that our appetite for dirty energy must not be allowed to destroy the planet and future generations.

Bassey said that constant flaring of gas and regular oil spills in the Niger Delta have rendered the region an ecological disaster zone.

Shell oil spill: ERA/FoEN backs FG’s action Dayo Ayeyemi

E

nvironmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/ FoEN) has lauded the Federal Government for sueing Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, claiming N1.3 trillion against the oil firm for the December 20, 2011, Bonga oil spill.

In a statement in Lagos, ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Godwin Ojo, was quoted as saying: “This is cheery news no doubt. The days of impunity by Shell in Nigeria is nearing its end. The Nigerian government has by this decision taken a giant leap in siding with the people against a corporate bully. It is commendable.”

Ojo explained that it was however, sad that the road to justice for the impacted communities is only coming now, more than five years after their lives and livelihoods were rudely obfuscated, even as he noted that justice cannot be denied ultimately.

“The Buhari administration has shown the way. If British Petroleum (BP) was

made to pay for the Gulf of Mexico spill, why Should Shell not pay double for its shameful impunity all these years? Nigeria’s sovereignty over oil companies cannot be compromised. Corporate capture of the state and resources has led to untold hardships for the local fishermen who were stopped from fishing while the spill wreaked havoc on marine life and fishing in the Nigeria’s coastal communities,” he stressed.

He stated that ERA/FoEN had pledged to support the case and provide technical support that would ensure that justice is done.

Ojo said: “We want to add that however, while environmental remediation is important, compensation for the impoverished fisher men and women was not mentioned in the suit and this should immediately be a part of the suit. The time of Shell’s impunity is over.”

It would be recalled that the spill, which caused massive pollution in coastal communities in Delta and Bayelsa states, occurred in Shell’s Bonga Field located about 120 kilometres off the Nigerian

coastline.

The project itself was allegedly linked to a scam involving Vetco International Limited whose officials were said to have paid $2.1 million bribe to Nigerian officials to undercut customs regulations, following which a US court fined Vetco International $26 million fine for violating the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The bribes were paid between September 2002 and April 2005 when Vetco International was providing engineering and procurement services and subsea construction equipment for the Bonga project.

The suit is protecting the interest of fishermen and persons, numbering about 285,000 from 350 communities and satellite villages, affected by the crude oil spillage. The government is demanding N884 billion as compensation for the impacted communities and another N495 billion as restitution and restoration of the devastation of the economic zone of the Nigeria’s territorial waters. It is also asking for N50 million as cost of the legal action.

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FRIDAY, May 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AutoBeat

Hyundai picks Diamond Bank Paul Ogbuokiri

H

yundai Motors Nigeria Limited (HMNL) in collaboration with Diamond Bank Plc has launched an imaginative vehicle finance scheme to inspire perceptive customers and fleet buyers to buy made-in-Nigeria Hyundai vehicles.

The scheme which is ongoing is designed to encourage local patrons to own and drive Hyundai vehicles, using convenient bank credit with low interest rates from 14 per cent without commitment and management fees.

Announcing the scheme in Lagos, the duo of Hyundai Motors Nigeria, manufacturers and distributors of Hyundai vehicles and Diamond Bank Plc explained that the scheme has convenient monthly repayment tenor of 12 months to 36 months months, depending on the customer’s payment option.

While also adding that a comprehensive insurance of 3.5 per cent of the vehicle cost will be borne by the customer, the facilitators of the scheme said customers would in addition be offered free registration, free service for six months or 10,000kms and five years or 100,000kms (whichever is first).

Both establishments brokered this agreement in Lagos at the launch of the scheme aimed at easing challenges associated with accessing low interest bank credit to procure choice cars.

“The credit initiative is a seamless plan for desiring patrons and fleet managers to access low interest bank credit for the procurement of discounted Hyundai vehicles without necessarily paying commitment and management fees,” the duo explained.

Meanwhile, the Hyundai Motors head of sales and marketing Jatin Nadkarni has said: “The joint credit initiative is in line with Hyundai’s strategy and direction of making vehicle acquisition a seamless experience and essentially assists prospective cus-

tomers to buy new Hyundai vehicles and experience Hyundai inspiring technology.”

The offer which can accessed in all Hyundai Nigeria Limited accredited dealers nationwide includes select Hyundai models like Hyundai Accent 1.4/1.6litre, Grand Xcent & i10 1.2litre sedans, Azera 2.4litre, Creta 1.6litre and Santa

Fe 2.4litre & 3.3litre variants.

HMNL head of sales and marketing said the offer was intended to ease vehicle acquisition and assist customers including those without functional account with Diamond Bank to access the facility.

“What we are simply doing

is to help prospective buyers starve-off the burden of sourcing funds in one fell-swoop to buy a new car. You can now walk into any Diamond Bank branch to apply for credit to buy your choice car and thereafter, pay at your convenience,” Mr. Nadkarni affirmed.

2016 Hyundai Tucson SUV SE

Stallion Motors still winning lAshok-Leyland Award

T

he Commercial Vehicle Division of Stallion Motors Nigeria has received the Overall Business Performance Award – West Africa Region for 2015 at the just concluded Ashok Leyland conference held in Hy-

derabad, India from 18 – 20 April 2016.

Stallion Commercial Vehicle Division has consequently enlisted Nigeria among Ashok Leyland prominent markets and fledging commercial ve-

L-R: Business Head (Africa Region), Ashok Leyland, A.D.Chhowdhury; Managing Director, Vinod Dasari; Head, Commercial Vehicle Division, Stallion Motors Nigeria, Anurag Algh and Country Manager (Africa Region), Ashok Leyland, Riyaz Nujum, at the just-concluded Ashok Leyland conference held in Hyderabad, India

hicle manufacturing concerns worldwide.

The award also standardizes uniform experience for customers and alleviates dealership apprehensions while enhancing the identical feel of every dealer outlet and processes across all touch points, Ashok Leyland remarked.

A promising manufacturing concern, Stallion Motors Commercial Vehicle Division is reputable for quality commercial vehicles such as transport solutions, haulage trucks, garbage compactors and military hardware.

Stallion Motors has lately focused on strategically positioning Ashok Leyland models on the front burner with the introduction of multiple units of Ashok Leyland Falcon commuter buses in the Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Abuja Municipal Transport and a host of other independent waste disposal companies and construction firms nationwide.

Stallion Motors Head of Commercial Vehicle Division

Anurag Alagh who received the award on behalf of the company said: “Our way forward is total transport solution to customer and end-to-end support to improve the operating economics of Ashok Leyland vehicles during its life cycle.”

According to him, modern technological advancement in vehicles including new engine and fuel systems’ design have raised the consciousness of customers and demand for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) service with effective aftermarket support.

Alagh summed that “our workshops are now stocked with sufficient spare parts and special tools to ensure best service delivery to customers with comfortable customers’ lounges to align with standard practices across dealerships worldwide and we will continue to provide intensive customerprogramme-based ‘train the trainer programmes and fleet management training for increased operational efficiency and fleet uptime.”

32

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

EXHORTATION And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment."

(Quran 17: 23 )

Islam UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH RELATIONSHIP WITH NON-MUSLIM PARENTS QUESTION How can a muslim relate with his or her non-muslim mother?

ANSWER Muslims are under obligation to show kindness and respect for their parents no matter the difference they may have in faith.

When the Parents are Non-Muslims Even if the parents are non-Muslims, they are to be treated well and all courtesy be shown to them. But obedience in matters of religion should be refused and they are not to be followed if they ask you to commit a sin or an act of associating somebody with The Almighty. It is stated in the Holy Qur'an: "We have enjoined on man kindness to parents: but if they (either of them) strive (to force) thee to join with Me (in worship) anything of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not, ye have (all) to return to Me, and I will tell you (the truth) of all that ye did." (Qur'an 29:8) Generally, parents are to be treated well at all times, and The Almighty's blessings in having enabled you to do this virtuous act, be considered as a great asset in this world as well as in the Hereafter. The respect we ought to pay our parents has been time and again emphasized in the Holy Qur'an.

In one of the verses it is stated: "Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and ye be kind to your parents." (Qur'an 17:23) Showing Gratitude towards Parents Be grateful to your parents. It is one of the cardinal principles of good manners and the acknowledgement of debt. One should be grateful to the parents for all the kindness, extraordinary love, and unparalleled sacrifices hey undergo in bringing us up. The Almighty has decreed that when we render thanks to Him, we should express gratitude to our parents as well.

"And we have enjoined on man (To be good) to his parents: In travail upon travail did his mother bear him. And in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), 'Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal.'" (Qur'an 31:14) On the authority of Hazrat Abu Ayub Khalid Ibun Zaid Al-Ansari(R.A.), who said: A man requested; "Prophet (S.A.W)! Tell me the action which will get me admitted to Paradise and keep me away from the Hell." He answered: "Worship Almighty and do not associate anybody with Him: establish Prayer; pay Zakat and join the ties of kinship." -(Bukhari and Muslim) On the authority of Abu Sufian Sakhr Harb (R.A.), who said: During his meeting with Hercules, the Roman Ruler, the latter asked him; 'What does your Prophet (S.A.W.) ask you to do?'

I said: 'He asked us to worship only CONTINUE Next WEEK

1 Jumada Al-Akhir, 1437 aH

Terrorism: Ex-minister, Babalola, Al-Ilory admonish Muslim youths Stories: Taiwo Jimoh

A

former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafa Ishola, the president of the Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria, Alhaji Sakarriyah Babalola and the Mudir of Markaz Arabic and Islamic Training Centre, Lagos, Sheik Habeebullai Al-Ilory, have warned graduates of the centre not to join terrorist groups to avert self destruction.

The trio spoke at the centre during the graduation ceremony of over 200 students some of whom bagged ordinary and higher diplomas last weekend.

Ishola who said: “All terrorists are Muslims but not all Muslims are terrorists”,

adding that Islam abhors terrorism and there was no justification for killing of innocent souls.”

He urged the graduates to be good ambassadors of Islam and good ambassadors of Markaz.

On his part, Babalola, who commended the sterling leadership qualities of Al-Ilory, urged the graduates emulate the founder of the centre, late Sheik Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory, who gave priority to knowledge.

Babalola, who is also the deputy president-general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said: “Inheritance is one thing, to keep inheritance is another thing. I must commend Sheik Habeebullahi for holding the banner of Markaz high and for

building on the legacy of the late founder.

“Let me also congratulate the parents and the graduates for successfully completing their studies. You are Markaz ambassadors and I urge you to emulate the founder who was not money conscious but gave priority to knowledge.

“The late Sheik built a name that was synonymous with knowledge and uprightness. Remember your school, things you were taught and what the founder stood for.

Don’t join bad gangs. Continue to seek for knowledge because knowledge is endless. I assure you that you won’t regret it if you follow the footstep of the prophet.”

Sheik Habeebullahi said it was a misconception to think that Sheik Adam was a rich

man. Rather, he said the late cleric was only contended with the little he had, adding that any cleric that bragged about wealth ‘is a nonentity.”

He said: “We don’t teach fetish practices in Markaz. Don’t assume that it is only when you are rich that you have blessing.

Money consciousness breeds extremism and terrorism.

Avoid those who will entice you with money and lure you into terrorism.

“Suicide bombing is terrorism. And suicide bombers won’t make it to heaven because you have to account for the souls you killed. We did not teach you terrorism when you were here. Don’t let anybody deceives you that there are some virgins waiting for you in heaven if you die as a suicide bomber.”

L-R: Provost (Diploma Section), Markaz Islamic and Arabic Training Centre, Lagos, Dr. Abdulmumeen Omolaja, President, Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria, Alhaji Sakarriyah Babalola, Mudir, Markaz, Sheik Habeebullahi Al-Ilory and Sheik Yakub Al-Ilory during the centre's graduation ceremony in Lagos on recently.

Foundation to feed 100, 000 Muslims during Ramadan

A

group, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF), has said plans are in the pipeline to feed at least 100, 000 Muslims during Ramadan, which will start next month.

The new Executive Director of ZSF, Alhaji Sulayman Olagunju, said this during interaction with journalist in Lagos yesterday.

He said to ensure that the

feeding meet the expected targets, at least 100 coordinators would monitor the exercise in different parts of the country.

“The peak of our business is Ramadan even though we go beyond the period. We have no fewer than 100 coordinators who would see to the distribution of foodstuffs during Ramadan,” he said.

Olagunju, who later fielded questions from journalists,

said N10 million had been earmarked for business plan competition where successful candidates would be empowered to carry out their business plans after they had been interviewed by a panel of experts.

He said: “We have set aside N10 million for the competition but the money could be raised. We will give grant to the winners and not loan. We

will also monitor beneficiaries to ensure that there is no diversification of funds. People have been submitting their applications online.”

Olagunju, who took over from Imam Abdullahi Shuaib, said there would be scholarships for indigent students while widows would get stipends and those who could still work among them would be empowered.

33

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Police raid

Crime

Sergeant blows out brains of Indian hemp dealer

34

Cultists Female cultists, others hack 20-year-old to death

Divorce Wife: I saw my bra inside his briefcase

35 36

‘My friend raped my pregnant wife’ Camillus Nnaji

M

r. Nnamdi (second name withheld said he was shocked to his bone marrows when he walked into his apartment on April 20, 2016 and saw his friend, Ihuoma, who is also a neighbour, raping his seven-month-pregnant wife.

A visibly bewildered Nnamdi said that he was short of words and thought of doing something felonious when he walked into his apartment and saw his pregnant wife and Ihuoma naked.

Although Nnamdi confessed to have found his wife and Ihuoma naked on their matrimonial bed, he however insisted that his wife was raped.

He said that before he could recover from his shock, Ihuoma, 40, gathered his trouser and dashed out the door.

Nnamdi, who works with interstate buses, said: “Ihuoma lives on our street. We used to greet each other. I never knew he was planning this sort of thing for me. On that fateful day in April, I left to hire a bus for a church member that wanted to embark on a journey. I returned home earlier than expected. I entered my compound and immediately realised that something was not right. It was unusually quiet. I dropped my shirt at the back yard and entered my house.

“What I saw was shocking! My pregnant wife was totally naked.

When they sighted me, Ihuoma quickly put on his trouser and ran out. I could have committed either murder or suicide that day, but for the grace of God.” When Nnamdi got over his shock, he threatened his wife and demanded for the truth. The woman, Precious, said that Ihuoma forced himself on her. Nnamdi reported the matter at the Ikotun Police Station. Ihuoma was arrested and detained.

According to Nnamdi, Ihuoma had been sending threat messages to him, ever since he caught him pants down, his wife.

JULIANA FRANCIS CRIME Editor

juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

File: A pregnant woman

Ihuoma was arrested and charged to court. He was granted bail but remanded in prison custody when he couldn’t meet his bail conditions.

Ihuoma, a father of four, allegedly raped Precious on April 20, 2016 in her husband’s house, at 16, Mutairu Ali Street, Ijegun Road, Ikotun, Lagos.

Kenny Classic is a friend to both Nnamdi and Ihuoma. He’s also a neighbour in the street He told our correspondent that the relationship between the woman and Ihuoma started last year.

Classic alleged that Precious and Ihuoma had been meeting at different hotels.

According to Classic, the relationship between Precious and Ihuoma had been going on for long,

What I saw was shocking!

My pregnant wife was totally naked

to the extent that everyone knew about it, including Nnamdi.

Classic explained that Nnamdi and Precious had gone to their village in Imo State, to seek ways to stop the continual affair of Precious with Ihuoma.

Classic said: “They stayed three months and returned to Lagos. This time, Ihuoma and Precious graduated from going to hotels, to using Nnamdi’s home for lovemaking.

This was a real threat to the threeyear-old marriage.”

To proof an existing affair, a text message, sent by Ihuoma to Precious, was presented by Classic.

The message reads: “Baby, that thing is ‘hungering’ me again oh.

Please come and meet me at Ikotun.”

It was gathered that police demanded for medical report to

proof that there was penile penetration of the pregnant woman.

A medical examination was conducted at Igando General Hospital, which allegedly showed that there was actual penile penetration. The husband denied being responsible for the penile penetration.

The matter was charged to an Ikeja Magistrates Court, where Ihuoma was arraigned on three count charges of assault, unlawful sexual intercourse and unlawful sexual harassment. He pleaded not guilty to all.

Part of the charge reads: “that you Uzoma Ihuoma on April, 20, 2016 at Ikotun, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District did unlawfully had sexual intercourse with one Mrs. Precious Nnamdi without her consent and thereby committed an offence under Section 258(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.”

The Prosecutor, Inspector Peter Nwagu, told the court that the issue of raping a pregnant woman was a heinous case which would be referred to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.

Defense counsel, Mr. Osita Egeonu, prayed the court to grant the defendant bail on ‘most liberal of terms.’

Magistrates, Y.O Aje-Afunwa, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties, each in like sum, with tax verification.

She adjourned the case till June 6, 2016 for proof of evidence.

34

CRIME

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sergeant blows out brains of Indian hemp dealer l Team members detained Juliana Francis

A

police sergeant, attached to the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, had gone into hiding, after blowing out the brains of a suspected Indian hemp dealer.

Corporal Benjamin Oble, was said to have escaped after he shot three bullets into the head of the fleeing suspect at the Ikorodu area of Lagos.

The suspect died immediately at the spot. When Oble realised that he had killed, he dropped his rifle at the scene and disappeared.

The raiding of the Indian hemp joint was led by one Inspector Samuel. The raid was carried out on Saturday. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, ordered that the four men, including the inspector should be detained for allowing Oble to escape.

Juliana Francis

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ustafa Adebayo Balogun became the Inspector-General of Police in March 2002.

He was responsible for police security during the April 2003 national elections, which were marred by reports of police abuses.

In 2004, allegations of corruptions were leveled against Balogun. Part of the allegation claimed that Balogun pocketed public money and took bribes from politicians, criminals and policemen.

These led to his forced retirement in January 2005.

On 4 April 2005, Balogun was arraigned on charges involving about N13 billion obtained through money laundering, theft and other sources.

The EFCC, under the leadership of Nuhu Ribadu, brought 70 charges against Balogun. He later made a plea bargain with the court in exchange for returning most of the property and money. He was sentenced to six months in jail. He was released on 9 February 2006.

Since the incident, Balogun became a hermit. While other exIGPs were always seen at public functions, Balogun shunned such functions.

Whenever he was bold enough to show his face at any occasion, usually, a police event, policemen present would carry him shoulder high, chanting that he was the best Inspector-General of Police.

Many of them claimed that during Balogun’s tenure, he promoted a lot of senior police officers and rank and files.

Now, the wife of a former Inspector-General of Police, Hajia Amne Kam-Salem, has joined hundreds of policemen, pleading that a presidential pardon be given to Balogun.

Kam-Salem’s husband, Mohammed Kam-Salam, was the longest

A police source said: “The police went to raid criminal hideout Indian hemp joint in Ikorodu. Immediately the Indian hemp dealers sighted the policemen, everyone in the joint scampered. The policemen pursued them. Corporal Oble pursued one of the fleeing suspects. He repeatedly ordered the suspect to halt, but the man refused and kept running. The suspect flagged and mounted a motorbike and the motorbike rider zoomed off. Oble continue to pursue them.

“Worried that Oble was almost catching up with them due to the bad road, the suspect jumped off the motorbike and started running. Oble ordered him to stop once again, but he didn’t. Oble opened fire. The three bullets got the suspects in the head. When Oble realised that the suspect was dead, he dropped his rifle and fled.”

CP Lagos, Fatai Owoseni

Since the incident, nobody had seen Oble. His colleague carried the dead to the station.

When the joint was searched, bags of Indian hemp, machetes

and axes were recovered.

Inspector Samuel and three of his men are still being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba.

Tafa Balogun deserves presidential pardon –Policemen

Balogun

serving IGP whose administration spanned 1966 to 1975.

According to Kam-Salem, a presidential pardon to Balogun, whom she referred to as her son, would ensure he began to contribute to various reforms in the police and security sector.

Describing Balogun as a sea-

soned policeman, Kam-Salam, said that many families and policemen would remain grateful to Balogun for his generosity and promotions.

She said: “We left office in 1975.

Balogun came in as IGP 27 years later. There were other IGPs before him, but they didn’t remember me and my children. But Balogun re-

membered. The police authority owned me several million of naira from contract of food stuff supply to Police College. It was when I cried to Balogun that he ordered that I should be paid. This notwithstanding, Balogun, even as a Yoruba man, is a former IGP that impressed with his brilliancy. This man has a lot to contribute to reforming the Nigeria Police. The president should forgive him.”

A serving police officer, Mr. Illya Isoho Adamu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said he was one of the beneficiaries of Balogun’s promotions through merit and performance.

Adamu said that Balogun’s problem with Obasanjo administration started after he was alleged to be tilting towards a prominent politician in the country.

Adamu said: “I call on Buhari to take a second look at the event that led to the conviction of Balogun, who moved the force from a moribund level to a functional one.”

Adamu said that a presidential pardon would enable Balogun to begin to share experiences acquired through his years as a policeman.

These experiences, might help in checking various violent crimes in Nigeria, said Adamu.

“Balogun can help in giving advice on ways to curtail security challenges confronting the country,” said Adamu.

Adamu said that Balogun’s exploits as the number one policeman during his tenure, were remarkable.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

crime

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

35

Female cultists, others hack 20-year-old to death Taiwo Jimoh

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20-year-old member of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), has been hacked to death by suspected female Eiye Confraternity members and others at the Mowe area of Ogun State.

The deceased, Kamoru Jimoh, was hacked to death by some cult members. Among the cultists were three girls. Jimoh went to a birthday party, which his girlfriend, Kafayat invited him, when he was murdered.

Jimoh was killed on May 8, 2016, around 11pm and his corpse dragged into a nearby bush and abandoned.

The deceased’s bloated body was discovered two days later by a passerby, who immediately raised the alarm.

Kafayat was said to have invited Jimoh and his two other friends, Kareem Oguntade 18 and Tunde Adewole 20 to the birthday party. When the three got to the party on the fateful day, Kafayat was nowhere to be found.

Recounting the story of how Jimoh was killed, his friend, Ogunatade said: “On that fateful day, I was just leaving the OPC local government meeting in Mowe, when Jimoh called me on phone.

He said I should accompany him to a birthday party at Ibafo. I went to Jimoh’s house to meet him. We all went to the hotel in Ibafo where the party was held.

When we got to the hotel, Jimoh called his girlfriend’s phone, but it was switched off. This made Jimoh uncomfortable.”

Ogunatade said that he told Jimoh that they should leave the hotel since it was getting late.

“But Jimoh said that I should be patient. He said that he wanted to ask some of Kafayat’s friends her whereabouts.”

Ogunatade said that they were in the process of searching for Kafayat’s friends when they ran into some cult members, who apparently had been waiting for them.

Ogunatade said: “Before we knew what was happening, they surrounded us. I was begging them to spare our lives, when they suddenly brought out machetes and attacked. I was able to escape and hid in a bush. When I later came out from my hideout, I saw that they had hacked Jimoh to death.

The cult members had been on Jimoh trail for long. Three girls were among the cult members that murdered him.”

Oguntade continued: “Since the death of my friend, I have not been able to sleep. I want the police to fish out the killers of my friend.”

Comrade Bamidele Adeyemi, the OPC Coordinator in Mowe, said that the death of the boy came as a shock to him.

Adeyemi said: “I saw the deceased and his friends on Sunday after our general meeting. I was

Adewole

Oguntade

sleeping on Tuesday when someone called me that one of my boys had been killed and his remains left on the ground somewhere in Ibafo. Immediately, I mobilized some of our mem-

When I saw the remains of Jimoh, I was shocked.

The cult members mutilated his body

bers and went to Ibafo Police Division to report the matter.

We later evacuated the corpse.”

A visibly disturbed Adeyemi said: “When I saw the remains of Jimoh, I was shocked. The cult members mutilated his body. We took his corpse to his father’s house and buried him that same day. We’re appealing to the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdulmajid Ali to fish out the killers of Jimoh. As OPC members, we are not troublesome. We know what to do,

Policemen plead for ex-IGP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34

Jimoh

but we don’t want to take laws into our hands. This is why we are appealing to the police to arrest his killers.”

Miss Rukayat Jimoh, the deceased’s aunt, said: “We waited for Jimoh to come home on Sunday night, all to no avail. When we didn’t see him, we sent people out to search for him. On Tuesday, we received a phone call from his colleagues that he was dead. His old mother is asking for justice. Police should clear Mowe of cult groups!”

He added: “Criminals such as Ahadi Tijani, a trans-border armed robber and his Nigerian colleague, Mr. Shina Rambo, who terrorised Lagos and Ogun states were stopped by Balogun methodology in checking crimes and criminalities. What of the famous Otokoto Hotel? In that hotel, human parts were served as meat. He busted the hotel. We were witnesses to the destruction of Okija Shrine during the days of Balogun. He is a consummate police officer who emerged as the best graduating student from the prestigious war college.”

Adamu argued that Balogun is an asset to the force and the entire

Nigeria as a whole. He said that Buhari should ensure that the police and other security stakeholders tap from Balogun’s wealth of experiences.

A police inspector, Mr. ThankGod Ewurum, urged Buhari to grant Balogun pardon because of the love police officers, especially the rank and files, have for him.

According to Ewurum, anywhere Balogun goes, policemen and women would carry his shoulder high, praising him as their best IGP. Ewurum said: “He remains one of the most intelligent IGP’s in Nigeria. He took care of our welfare.

That is why we want him to bounce back. A presidential pardon will achieve this bounce back to public service and public eyes.”

Divorce Court

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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r. Dare Falana, has asked an Igando Customary Court to dissolve his 15-year-old marriage to Ganiyat Falana, after he found her and her lover eating takeaway food in their bedroom.

Dare, 40, a businessman, told the court that he was sick and tired of his wife’s infidelity.

He said: “I came back home to pick something in the morning and I met my wife with her lover inside our room eating food bought from an eatery. My wife is always threatening my life with dangerous weapons. She used to chased me with knife in our street to stab me.”

According to him, aside from being adulterous, Ganiyat’s hobby was fighting. He said that he had on different occasions, bailed her from police station.

He said: “She fights with friends, neighbours, even in the church and I had to leave that church because of this shameful act.”

Reacting to her husband’s allegations, Ganiyat said Dare was fetish and killed the foetus in her womb.

She said: “He gave me Suya to eat when I was eight months pregnant and the baby in my womb started to breathe faster. I rushed to the hospital but delivered a still birth.”

Ganiyat, a mother of three, who did not object to the dissolution, added: “I saw my bra inside my husband’s brief case. I queried him, but he said he wanted to take it to his church for prayers. He also brought a handkerchief home and gave it to me to clean my private part and return to him but I refused. He has been bringing home different types of soup and other liquid for me to drink which I also refused because I do not trust him. Apart from being fetish, he

Wife: I saw my bra inside his briefcase has also turned me into a punching bag.’’

She added that her husband always blamed her for his predicaments The President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, said he was

‘My wife always insults me, fights neigbours’ Dare Akinwoye

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r. Ibrahim Iyanusi has appealed to an Agege Customary Court, to dissolve his three-year-old marriage to his wife, Rashidat Iyanusi over her incessant insults.

Ibrahim told the court that Rashidat was fond of insulting him because he had other two wives before her.

He further alleged that Rashidat also used to fight their neighbours. He said he was no longer in love with her.

According to Ibrahim, Rashidat also used to threaten his life. He said that whenever she starts making trouble, she would destroy his property. He said he was no longer interested in the marriage.

Ibrahim added: “I warned Rashidat that I don’t want her to mingle or associate with the neighbors, but she refused. There was a day Rashidat fought with one of our neighbours.

This brought up controversies in our mosque. I warned and told her that if such happened again, I would divorce her.

“Our quarrels are always because of her association with neighbours.

There was another day she fought one of our neighbour’s wife; this lead to

the husband of the woman beating her. I settled the matter with the neighbour. I told my wife her time was up in my house. My wife started insulting me. I was forced to slap her to keep her shut.

This triggered her anger. She threw an iron at me and rushed to where I parked my car and started hitting it with firewood. She also used to rain curses at me because I married two women before her arrival. She insults me, but I used to conceal my pains and anger.”

Responding to her husband’s allegation, Rashidat admitted to the allegations, adding that she the court should plead with her husband to forgive her. She said she didn’t want the three-year-old marriage, which was blessed with one child to be dissolved.

Rashidat said: “I was surprise when a court summon was brought to me; that my husband wanted to divorce me. My husband and I had a little quarrel, I don’t know if that’s why he wants to divorce me.”

The president of the court said: “We do offend God and he forgives us. We want Ibrahim to forgive his wife and give a second thought to divorcing her.

The case was adjourned to May 17, 2016.

convinced that the couple could no longer live together. Dare insisted on divorce after several interventions.

Omilola said: “The court has no choice than to dissolve the union; in

spite of the fact that the wife still claims she loves her husband. The court pronounced the marriage between Dare Falana and Ganiyat Falana dissolved today. Both parties henceforth; cease to be husband and wife.”

‘She infects me with gonorrhea’

M

r. Yinka Ogundare, 50, has urged a Customary Court at Igando, to terminate his 13-year-old marriage because his wife, Lovelyn, was always infecting him with gonorrhea.

Ogundare accused his wife, Lovelyn, with whom he had three kids, of having extra-marital affairs and always infecting him. She also used to sex starved him.

His words: “My wife is adulterous. She has numerous male friends and she succeeded in infecting me with gonorrhea from her promiscuous act. She is also dating her boss and both of them go to club.

“I once read a message a lady sent to her phone, calling her a prostitute that she should desist from dating her husband.

Lovelyn called me when I travelled for a course that she was three months pregnant and I told her I was not responsible because I left the house four months ago”.

“But to my surprise, when I came back, she told me she had a miscarriage. She had a fight with our neighbour, who called her a prostitute.

“The neighbour said that she was the one that took Lovelyn to the hospital for abortion because I denied the pregnancy she wanted to impose on me.”

Ogundare, a teacher, said he was tired of the relationship.

He said: “Whenever I want to

make love to her, she would refuse and tell me to go and make love to my mother.”

Lovelyn, 39, denied infecting Ogundare with gonorrhea, stressing that she was also not engaging in extra-marital affairs.

She said: “How will my husband accuse me of infecting him with STD when he had numerous girl friends? I’m not the only one he is sleeping with.

He is also sleeping with Iya Idris, his colleague and Bisi our neighbour.’’

She said she used to deny Ogundare sex because he was not caring for her and her children and also wanted to turn her to a sex slave.

She added: “He does not feed the family. Anytime he receives his salary, he would take it to his mother. That was why I told him to go and sleep with his mother.

She is the person he used to give his salary.

Lovelyn said scars on her body were proof of Ogundare’s frequent beating. She said that he was used to calling her all sorts of derogatory names.

She pleaded with court to grant Ogundare’s wish. According to her, she was also tired of the marriage.

The President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, after listening to the estranged couple, adjourned the case till June 2, 2016.

FRIDAY, may 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

VOLATILITY Petrol importers likely to increase demand for dollars Tony Chukwunyem

T

wenty fours after the Federal Government increased the price of petrol to N145 per litre and announced that fuel importers were now allowed to buy dollars from non-bank sources, the naira fell by 1.25 per cent to 324 to the dollar on the parallel market.

Forex dealers attributed the local currency’s weakening to a shortage in dollar supply occasioned by speculation of a likely increase in demand for the green back by fuel importers.

Reuters quoted the President, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Aminu Gwadebe,

business \ money line

Fuel hike triggers naira decline on parallel market as saying, “We are already seeing demand in excess of $200 million and above coming to the market, from less than $300,000 prior, but there is no supply to meet up with the increase.”

The news agency also quoted another trader as saying, “There is dollar scarcity right now; even at N324 you can’t find dollar to buy.”

According to Reuters, Gwadebe’s explanation for the development is that, “People are holding on to their dollars in anticipation of an increase in demand for dollars by oil importers.”

Similarly, in a chat with New Telegraph, a Lagos-based forex dealer, Mr. Joe Aka, said, “It is

FG to mobilise revenue from non-oil sector

T

he Federal Government yesterday indicated its resolve to ensure the nation’s tax system reflects the commercial activity levels in Nigeria.

In order to achieve this, the Federal Government is committed to the process of mobilising revenue from the non-oil sector.

In a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 18th annual tax conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) in Abuja, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, stressed the need for a robust tax system, which he described as a pre-requisite for any economy that is serious in its commitment to growth and development.

The Minister said, “I carefully read the communiqué arising from the tax conference held last year

and I acknowledge the remarkable insight of the diagnosis that ‘Nigeria is experiencing growth without development. I think that the CITN set out clearly the fiscal priorities needed to underpin our economic agenda in a concise manner. Tax collection must grow in line with growth in the economy but this has not been the recent case in Nigeria and that is our challenge.”

Stressing the resolve of the current administration to mobilise revenue from the non-oil sector, Mrs. Adeosun stated the prevailing tax system must reflect the nature of the nation’s commercial activity levels.

She noted that oil is just 13 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but it represents a disproportionate share of our tax revenue, promising that the Government will develop a framework that will mobilise revenue from the non-oil sector.

CSR: UBA brings FIPAC to Lagos

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s part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, the United Bank for Africa Plc is bringing over 30 major FCT-Abuja and Lagos primary and secondary schools to compete in a dance, music, theater and drama performances on May 18th and May 26 th in Lagos and Abuja respectively.

The annual FCT Interschool Performing Arts Competition (FIPAC) according to a statement, is holding in Lagos for the first time and is aimed at promoting performing arts

and extracurricular activities in Nigerian schools by bringing together both primary and secondary, public and private schools to showcase their talents.

Judges from renowned cultural organisations will select 12 winning schools in both cities. Renowned actor and theatrical star, Gideon Okeke is a guest judge.

Winners will get up to N2, 000,000 in cash prizes, trophies and much more.

The FIPAC 2016 event is set to be an unforgettable experience for the participating children.

quite possible that the announcement that fuel importers can now source dollars from the parallel market was responsible for the naira’s fall against the dollar yesterday. However, it is also true that the local forex market is not deep enough to supply the huge amounts of forex that fuel importers

usually need.”

Last January, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stopped its weekly dollar sales to retail bureaux de change and reduced supply at its official interbank forex market in an effort to conserve reserves, now at their lowest level.

Data obtained from the apex bank’s website shows

that Nigeria’s forex reserves fell 2.68 per cent in one month to $27.83 billion as of May 10.

Significantly, with most analysts predicting that the fuel hike will lead to an increase in inflation, analysts at Renaissance Capital, in a recent note, had noted that the recent rise in the rate of inflation

37

could lead to a further depreciation of the naira.

The experts said, “In Nigeria, we see inflation continuing to accelerate owing to fuel and FX shortages (we forecast inflation of 16.7per cent at YE16), and we project a further 4-ppt interest rate hike this year (to 16per cent by YE16).

ATM cards: CBN cautions customers against fraudulent SMS •Begins public sensitisation in Taraba Tony Chukwunyem and Sabiu Mustapha

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday cautioned bank customers against falling prey to the activities of unscrupulous individuals who it said demand for the details of the customers’ debit Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards as well as their Personal Identification Numbers (PIN), under the pretext of being Customer Care representatives of the apex bank.

In a statement signed by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, the banking watchdog said the messages and calls,

“Are intended to lure bank account holders to reveal their personal details, which the fraudsters could use to defraud them.”

Consequently, the apex bank said: “The public is therefore warned, yet again, that neither the Central Bank of Nigeria and deposit money banks nor their employees or agents would ever call bank customers or send e-mail/text messages requesting for passwords, card details or personal identification numbers (PIN).

“Bank customers are therefore advised to personally visit their banks for any issue requiring disclosure of personal

bank details.”

Meanwhile, the banking watchdog yesterday commenced a three-day sensitisation programme in Jalingo, the Taraba State Capital.

The sensitisation, tagged, “CBN Fair” is aimed at enlightening low-income earners especially women, youths, farmers, entreprenuers and financial providers about initiatives of the apex bank.

The Taraba CBN Fair sensitisation, themed: Promoting Financial Stability and Economic Development, which was held at the Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo, drew stakeholders from across the 16 local government

areas of the state as participants..

In an opening remark at the three day event, the team leader of the progamme and an assistant director at the CBN, Aliyu Katuka, said that the main objective of the sensitisation was to create awareness about the CBN activities as, “ it concerns economic development initiatives of the bank.”

He said various initiatives anchored on monetary policy, modernization of the payment system, development financing programmes and financial literacy are designed to revamp , reposition and re-engineer vital sector of the economy.

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

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 12.8 12 10.77 US$44.17 US$26,801,402,556

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 Mar, 2016 24/3/2016 Mar 2015 12/5/2016 10/5/2016

Source:CBN

Description 15.10 27-APR-2017 16.00 29-JUN-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 12.50 22-JAN-2026 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 Tenor (Days) O/N 1M 3M 6M

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 104.96 114.56 112.10 120.50 109.35 100.24 83.91 98.09

1.08 3.25 3.87 5.83 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.30

NIBOR

Rate (%) 15.0000 10.6864 12.4601 13.8466

Bid Yield 10.09 10.57 11.56 11.46 12.32 12.45 12.43 12.41

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

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

Price 105.11 114.86 112.40 120.80 109.65 100.54 84.21 98.39

Tenor (Months)

Offer Yield 9.95 10.47 11.47 11.40 12.26 12.40 12.38 12.37

NITTY

1M 2M 3M 6M 9M 12 M

Treasury Bills

Rate (%) 5.4817 7.3699 7.8938 9.2453 9.3846 10.0913

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

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) Change (%) 7.90 8.06 0.26 ▲ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 12.67 0.00 ↔ 23-Jun-16 8.15 8.32 0.26 ▲ 22-Sep-16 8.71 8.46 8.82 0.46 ▲ Overnight (O/N) 13.75 0.42 ▲ 9.10 0.46 ▲ 16-Mar-17 9.31 9.06 9.92 0.00 ↔ 10.22 0.00 ↔

Spot($/N)

Bid 198.45

FX

Offer 198.55

Change (%) -0.14 ▼

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

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

196.00

197.00

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

38

businesS \ Financial Market News

FRIDAY, may 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

businesS \ Financial Market News

FRIDAY, may 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

39

Stock market gains N81bn on subsidy removal BRAWNY Equities return to winning ways, as key market indicators rise by 0.91% Stories by Chris Ugwu

M

ajor oil companies yesterday on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) reacted positively to the Federal Government’s removal of subsidy and increase in petroleum price from N86.50 to N145 per litre.

Price appreciation posted by the oil companies yesterday

lifted the market indices by 0.91 per cent after dropping for two consecutive days.

Mr Ambrose Omordion, the Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Ltd., attributed the growth to positive sentiments posted by oil and gas sector stocks due to hike in petrol price.

Omordion explained that many of the companies in that sector were into distribution and marketing of petroleum products with investors’ expectations that they would make higher margin.

He said: ``It’s a positive news for both oil and banking sectors because fuel importers will be

able to cover more margins and repay their outstanding debt to banks.’’

Trading on the floor of the Exchange returned on the upbeat after two days of downswing, as equities got a fillip from resumed bargain hunting activities across the board due to removal of subsidy on petroleum and increased the pump price from N86.50 to N145 per litre by the Federal Government.

According to analysts, the price appreciation posted by the oil companies lifted the market indices by 0.91 per cent, halting the two-day losing streak.

More than three stocks

Friesland Campina’s profit rises by13% to N18.60bn Taiwo Hassan

F

riesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, manufacturers of premium dairy products has posted a turnover of N120.72 billion for the financial account and statement for 2015.

Chairman, Board of Directors, Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Mr. Jacob Moyo Ajekigbe, disclosed this

at the company’s 43rd Annual General Meeting held in Lagos yesterday.

He said the company’s turnover fell by 4.5 per cent from N126.44 billion in 2014 to N120.72 billion in the year under review.

Profit Before Tax (PBT) however increased by 13.3 per cent from N16.50 billion to N18.60 billion, as a result of the significant reduction in the cost

of sale despite increased operating and finance costs.

He said that the Board of Directors has proposed a total dividend payout of N13.73 per N0.50 share, which had already been approved by the company’s shareholders.

In addition, an interim dividend of N3.96 per N0.50 share was paid in November 2015 and shareholders also approved a final dividend of N9.77 per N0.50.

Nigerian Breweries’ N38bn dividend approved

S

hareholders of Nigerian Breweries Plc at the 70th Annual General Meeting (AGM) endorsed the company’s total dividend of N38.059 billion, translating into N4.80 per unit of the company’s ordinary share of fifty kobo each for the 2015 financial year.

This is the highest dividend ever paid by the company in its 70-year history.

Addressing the Shareholders, Chief Kola Jamodu, Chairman, Board of Directors, noted that the board had in last Octo-

ber paid an interim dividend of N9.5 billion, representing N1.20 per ordinary share of fifty kobo each.

He stated that the policy of dividend pay-out is in the strategic interest of the shareholders.

According to him, the proposed final dividend will be subject to deduction of withholding tax at the appropriate rate and will be payable on the 12th of May, 2016, to all shareholders whose names appear on the company’s register of members

at the close of business on the 2nd of March, 2016.

“We remain committed to winning with Nigeria. Thus, we will sustain the investment in our operations, systems, brands and of course people.

Cost leadership and market leadership supported by innovations remain our key strategic pillars,” Jamodu said.

The company paid out a total dividend of N37 billion (N4.75 kobo per ordinary share of 50 kobo each) for the financial year ended December 31, 2014.

gained for every one that lost with most blue chip stocks closing upbeat, as investor confidence returned.

Consequently, the All-Share Index gained 234.44 basis points or 0.91 per cent to close at 25,865.06 basis points as against 25,630.62 recorded the previous day, while the market capitalisation of equities appreciated

by N81 billion or 0.91 per cent to close at N8.900 trillion from N8.819 trillion.

Meanwhile, a turnover of 261.9 million shares exchanged in 3,457 deals was recorded in the day’s trading.

Banking subsector of the financial services sector was the most active (measured by turnover volume) with 100.7 million

shares exchanged by investors in 929 deals.

Volume in the subsector was largely driven by activities in the shares of Fidelity Bank Plc and UBA Plc. Premium subsector boosted by activities in the shares of FBNH Plc and Zenith Bank Plc followed with a turnover of 43.3 million shares in 531 deals.

The number of gainers at the close of trading session was 37, while decliners closed at 11.

Tiger Branded Goods Plc led the gainers’ table with 10.10 per cent to close at N5.56 per share, while Livestock Feeds Plc followed with a gain of 9.52 per cent to close at 92 kobo per share. Diamond Bank Plc added 8.88 per cent to close at N1.84 per share.

Unity Bank FY2015 PAT drops 56%

U

nity Bank Plc has posted 56.14 per cent drop in profit after tax for the financial year ended December 31, 2015.

The bank in a filing with Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) said its net earnings declined to N4.689 billion from N10.692 billion in the same period last year. This indicates a decrease of 56.14 per cent.

The lender’s profit before tax dropped to N2.342 billion from N13.639 billion a year earlier, accounting for a decrease of 83.83 per cent.

The bank’s net interest income equally dropped by 5.18 per cent to N43.092 billion as against N45.450 billion recorded in the same period last year.

Unity Bank posted 15.77 per cent drop in profit after tax for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, while net earnings fell to N9.313 billion from N11.057 billion the same period last year, depicting a decrease of 15.77 per cent.

Profit before tax dropped to N10.347 billion from N12.018 billion a year earlier, accounting for a decrease of 13.90 per cent.

However, the bank’s gross income rose to N49.200 billion as against N48.140 billion recorded in the same period last year, translating to a growth of 2.20 per cent.

Unity Bank had posted 11 per cent increase in profit after tax for the half year ended June 30, 2015.

Its net earnings rose to N7.897 billion from N7.108 billion the same period last year, indicating an increase of 11 per cent.

The lender’s profit before tax rose to N8.774 billion from N8.898 billion a year earlier, accounting for an increase of 11 per cent.

The bank’s revenue also rose to N33.562 billion as against N30.851 billion recorded same period last year, indicating a growth of 8.78 per cent.

40

News|south-west

Lagos plans mobile cancer centre Muritala Ayinla

L

agos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday, accepted the offer to raise funds toward the establishment of Mobile Cancer Centre for treatment of people who require such treatment, just as he expressed absolute commitment to providing efficient health care service delivery to all residents of the State.

The governor, who said the major driving philosophy of his administration was to selflessly serve humanity especially by lifting people from their challenges, expressed the optimism that the establishment of the Cancer Centre in Lagos would be to the greater benefit of the people.

He spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja when he played host to the Board of Committee Encour-

aging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) led by its Convener and first female Chief Executive Officer of a publicly quoted company in Nigeria, Mrs. Adetutu Adeleke.

While lauding the initiative, Ambode said his personal philosophy and personality was all about making life meaningful to the people and make positive impact in the society.

The CECP is co-promoted by the core bodies of the

Organized Private Sector (OPS) and its main aim is to compliment the development effort of government by promoting the practice of collective philanthropy.

It has also been in the vanguard of galvanizing individuals and corporate organizations toward donating for the building of Mobile Cancer Centres across the country.

Ambode, who described the initiative of the group as very laudable and self-

L-R: Member of Council, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP), Mrs. Kemi Nelson; Secretary, CECP, Nigeria, Dr. Abia Nzelu; member of Council, CECP and Publisher of The Guardian, Lady Maiden AlexIbru and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, during a courtesy visit to the governor… yesterday.

Omisore, Adesiyan, others boycott Osun PDP congress Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

L

oyalists believed to be in the political camp of former Osun State Deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore yesterday boycotted the congress which witnessed the emergence of the former member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adesoji Adagunodo as the new secretary of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Some of the loyalists who were conspicuously absent from the event were the immediate past Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, the outgoing Osun Central PDP Senatorial Leader, former acting chairman of the party in the state, Mr. Ojo Williams, chairmanship candidate of the group, Dr. Bayo Faforiji among others.

Also elected officers at the congress were Prince Bola Ajao as Secretary, Chief Sunday Atidade as Deputy Chairman and Mr. Sunday Bisi as Publicity Secretary.

Fulani herdsmen attacks, threat to nation’s unity –YCE Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

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he Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), yesterday described the incessant armed Fulani herdsmen attacks on farmers across the country as a threat to the corporate existence of the country.

Rising from a meeting, the elders in a communiqué made available to New Telegraph said the action constitute a major threat

to the peaceful co-existence between the North and South divide of the country.

According to its President General and Secretary, Major Gen.Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd) and Chief Idowu Sofola respectively, the YCE called for the scrapping of the proposed grazing arrangement in the 21st century, describing it as obsolete.

The group expressed the view that states where cattle rearing

were prevalent must be compelled to establish grazing resorts and ranches for the cattle rearers, stressing that inter-state grazing must be criminalised.

It called on security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities by promptly arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators of the Agatu and Enugu atrocities. It said: ‘’All those violating Firearms Act must also be prosecuted.’’

Seriki leader: I’ll sue Ajimobi over installation of Olubadan Sola Adeyemo

Ibadan

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he head of the Seriki Linage of the Olubadan Chieftaincy, Chief Adebayo Oyediji, yesterday flayed the Oyo State Government and Governor Abiola Ajimobi for approving the installation of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji against the pendency of a suit he filed before an Oyo State High Court.

Oyediji who spoke with journalists in Ibadan in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of his installation as the Ekefa

Seriki on May 10, 1976 by the Sole Administrator of the Badan City Council, J.A. Akinbami, alleged gang-up by some Ibadan people to deny him the Olubadan chieftaincy title, noting that he remains the most senior Chief in Ibadanland.

The Seriki leader, according to an appointment entitled: “Chieftaincy Appointment: Chiefs Law Cap 19 from the then Olubadan Oba Giada most Akanbi Adebimpe 1, letter dated 20th May, 1976, was promoted from “Mogaji Ile Eshubiyi to Ekefa Seriki with effect

from 10th May, 1976”.

Oyedeji, whose case was still pending in court against the February 12 installation of the current Olubadan, alleged that Governor Ajimobi and the state government committed contempt of court by installing Oba Adetunji.

“The governor acted against pending injunctions; he acted in contempt of court order when judgment had not been delivered on the case I filed before Justice Muktar Abimbola of the High Court 1, Ring Road, Ibadan.”

less considering the focus on the health sector, assured of his readiness and commitment to support the course which the CECP had decided to take on, especially in raising funds towards the building of a Mobile Cancer Centre in Lagos.

Earlier, Adeleke

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

thanked Governor Ambode for his good works in the State, and urged him to support the group in its drive to either totally eradicate or reduce cancer to a barest minimum.

She specifically invited the governor to be the first in Nigeria to be inaugurated as the Patron of the CECP and use his birthday on June 14, 2016 to raise funds for the Mobile Cancer Unit, a request which was granted by the Governor.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THRONE OF GRACE GOSPEL MISSION

This is to inform the General Public that the above named body has applied for registration under Companies and Allied Matters Decree 1990 part c.

The Trustees are: 1. Pastor Hephzibah Modoyin Adegboyega 2. Sister Bisola Yetunde Adegboyega 3. Pastor Samuel Sunday Familusi 4. Bro. Rufus Omosulewa 5. Pastor Kunle Matthew Ogunremi

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Any objection to this registration should be forwarded within 28 days of this publication to The Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 470, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

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P.o. Box 4172, Oshodi, Lagos State.

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME This is to confirm that Collins Ifiok Linus and Ifiok Linus Idiong refers to one and the same person. That henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as Ifiok Linus Idiong. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Ayoola

I, formerly known and addressed as Animashaun Omotola Kehinde, now wish to be known and addressed as Ayoola Abimbola Kehinde. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Abdulkadir

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bilikis Mohammed R.,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bilikis Mohammed Abdulkadir.

All former documents remain valid.

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON),Rufus Giwa Polytechnic and general public should please take note.

Luka I formerly known and addressed as Simon Augustine , now wish to be known and addressed as Luka Genesis Simon , all former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

Nwosa

I formerly known as Wosa Ezekiel Igwe now wish to be known and addressed as Nwosa Ezekiel. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

This is to confirm that the names Alice James Udo and Margaret James Udo refer to one and the same person. That henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as Margaret James Udo. All former documents remain valid. Zenith bank Plc, Ecobank Plc, First bank Plc and the general public please take note.

Azubuike I, formerly known and addressed as Chioma Obi, now wish to be known and addressed as Azubuike Eunice.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Sampson I formerly known and addressed as Patience Paul Linus now wish to be known and addressed as Patience Edet Sampson. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

Duru I, formerly known as Chinyere Gift John, now wish to be known and addressed as Chinyere Gift Duru. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank and the public should please take note.

Chibuzor

I formerly known as Ejima Eze Francis now wish to be known and addressed as Eze Francis Chibuzor. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and the general public should please take note.

Uka

Okolo

I formerly known as Miss Margret Solomon Ifere Nwankwo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Agwu Margret Uka. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known as Kienworio Collins now wish to be known and addressed as Kienworio Samuel Okolo. All former documents remain valid. Access bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Ombeh

I formerly known as Fekumo Perekeme now wish to be known and addressed as Ombeh Mathias.

All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc, Diamond bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

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I formerly known as Nojeem Adeola Rukayat now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rukayat Adeola Sulaimon. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

News|SOUTH-EAST

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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he leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari is influencing the court to convict him for treasonable felony.

Kanu made this allegation through his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ejiofor said the president’s “pronouncement” on issues regarding Biafra was prejudicial, and that they were capable of forcing the hands of the court to convict his client.

Buhari influencing court to convict me, says Kanu He cited the president’s statements in Katsina, where he said that nobody could divide the country, and in his December presidential media chat, where he said that the IPOB leader should not be granted bail because he was a flight risk.

The lawyer noted that Buhari was inadvertently compelling the court to

do his bidding.

“Nnamdi Kanu is a political prisoner, and this was confirmed in the presidential media chat.

“The pronouncements of the president are affecting the decision of the court. We consider the pronouncements prejudicial. The president should not be making pronouncements that are indirectly influenc-

ing the decision of the judges,” he said.

Ejiofor added that he had filed a fundamental rights suit against the Federal Government at the ECOWAS Court on the imprisonment of Kanu.

“We went to ECOWAS Court because we believe we will be given justice.

Only ECOWAS Court can give us justice,” he said.

Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu (left) and other officers, displaying arms and amunition recovered from suspected armed robbers in Enugu … yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Enugu CAN rejects Grazing Reserves Bill Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

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he Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State chapter, has rejected the proposed bill for grazing reserve in the country, describing it as a “private business” that should not be allowed to see the light of the day.

The Association made its stance known at the Government House, Enugu, during a peaceful protest to condemn and register their grievances over the unfortunate inci-

dent of killing, maiming, raping and destruction of property of innocent people of the state by suspected Fulani Herdsmen, especially the recent attack on Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area.

The state Chairman of CAN, Rt. Rev. Christian Obiefuna, who was accompanied by other notable clergymen including the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Enugu (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, the Archbishop of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Fr.

148.78m

The total number of active lines of Nigeria in June 2015.

Source: Ncc.gov.ng

Christopher Ede, among others, urged the Federal Government not to allow the passage of the alleged bill because of the public outcry and its threat to the peace and unity of the country.

The association also commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, who received them, for his stewardship, path to peace and recourse to God through prayers, especially during the period of the Nimbo crisis, and that the governor “did not abandon his people”.

It condemned the incessant invasion of the herds-

$22.5m

The total amount of salary/winnings of Mark Teixeira (Baseball) for 2014.Source: Forbes.com

men against the people of Enugu State and the South East at large, and called on the federal government to compensate those who were affected by the various attacks in the South-East.

They also called on security agencies to ensure that those behind the killings and destruction of property are brought to book for such an impunity to stop in the country.

“We want to thank the good people of Enugu State for their continuous prayers, solidarity and brotherhood in this trying period.”

1.32m

The total surface area (in sq. km) of Southern Europe in 2012.

Source: Un.org

Fulani herdsmen sack Abia secondary school Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

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traditional ruler in Umuopara community in Umuahia South Council Area of Abia State, Eze Godwin Ibeakamma has revealed how some Fulani herdsmen took over a secondary school in his community and warned staff and students to steer clear

of the school.

Ibeakamma said that Umuopara Secondary School had closed for the term with staff and students vacating the school premises. Within the period of the vacation, some Fulani cattle rearers occupied the school premises and classrooms.

Some locals had hinted that they had seen the herdsmen practising with

their firearms and other weapons at the back of the school behind the classroom blocks but nobody took them serious until about two weeks ago when the school reopened for a new term.

Besides having littered the entire school premises with cattle dung, the herdsmen warned staff and students of the secondary school to stay away from the school premises or face

their wrath.

After every entreaty to get the herdsmen to vacate the school premises failed, the monarch contacted the Commander of the 14th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia.

It took the intervention of a detachment of soldiers from the Brigade to dislodge the evidently belligerent herdsmen from the Umuopara Secondary School.

41

Ebonyi uncovers 838 ghost cemetery attendants Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

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bonyi State Government yesterday uncovered a job scam in the local government system, involving 838 cemetery keepers who are receiving salary under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Samuel Okoronkwo stated this while briefing reporters in Abakaliki, the state capital.

He also debunked rumurs making the rounds that the state government wants to sack medical workers in the local government council.

Okoronkwo noted that what the state government is doing is to find out the workers who are not health workers, but who are earning salary under

the Consolidated Health salary Structure (CONHESS).

According to him, investigation so far revealed that previous administrations in the state fraudulently employed about 838 workers as cemetery keepers, even when there was no cemetery in the 13 local government areas managed by the state government.

“The only cemetery in the state is at Abakaliki and it is being managed by the Catholic Church.”

So what are the cemetery keepers doing? Why are they earning CONHESS? “So this people have no work schedule, they don’t go to work but take very high salary at the end of the month, more than those who are actually working. That is fraudulent and this government will not allow it to continue,” he said.

Community blames FG for herdsmen’s menace Eche Nwaobasi NNEWI

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community leader in New Heaven Estate, Nkwelle Ezunaka, Oyi LGA, Anambra State and a member of Orlu leaders of thought in Imo State, Sir. Silas Ikeh has blamed the Federal Government on the current menace of Fulani herdsmen.

Ikeh, who spoke to newsmen on the heels of the recent violent attacks of Nibo Village in Enugu State, Agatu Village in Benue State and others parts of the country by Fulani herdsmen, at his office at Building Materials Dealers Union Market, Ogbunike yesterday, said that in view of this menace he is urging the government of the five south east states to immediately as a matter of urgency come together and set up a joint vigilante outfit to checkmate the activities of the

herdsmen in the area.

“How can a responsible government allow herdsmen to move about with dangerous weapons in the name of protecting their cattle without taking concrete action to stop them?

“The nation’s security agencies should be blamed for not being proactive in investigating the herdsmen to find out how they acquire these weapons and who are behind them.”

To me, I am suspecting that these herdsmen are being sponsored, the federal Government should not leave it like that; they should rise to the occasion and find out who these sponsors are.

“I suggest that all big vehicles like Lorries, Trailers, plying our various roads both in the day and night should be subjected to regular search by security agencies” Ikeh said.

Bishop lauds Obiano’s development strides Eche Nwaobasi NNEWI

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nglican Bishop of Awka, Right reverend Alexander Ibezim has commended Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for massive physical development and transformation of Awka, the capital of the State, and for setting up of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA).

He urged him to immediately conduct local government election to put in place elected executive to administer local governments in the state, instead of the appointment of

caretaker executives, noting that this will accelerate rapid developments in rural areas.

Bishop Ibezim stated this in his address delivered at the third session of the 10th Synod of Anglican Diocese of Awka, yesterday. He added that as a manifestation of Gov Obiano resolve to transform Awka, the capital of the state, he has awarded three flyover along the Enugu-Onitsha expressway in the town, and has partly commissioned two of them, namely, Aroma, Amawbia bypass and pedestrian interchange, to ensure free flow of traffic during the last Christmas celebrations.

42

News|SOUTH-SOUTH

Imasuen: I’ve no hands in sharing of N700m campaign funds in Edo l Ize-Iyamu explains role

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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mbattled former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, yesterday said he has no hand in the sharing of the N700 million campaign fund rooted through Fidelity Bank Plc, to prosecute the presidential campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan, last year.

Imasuen and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the state, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, are being interrogated for their alleged involvement in the

disbursement of the N700 million to members of the party in the state.

Already, some aggrieved members of the party are threatening war as preparations continued ahead of the party primaries in the state. They also threatened to punish the gubernatorial aspirant over such large sums of money, which they claimed did not get to them.

Both masuen and the Campaign Director of President Jonathan in the state, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, were detained on Tuesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Port Harcourt, over their roles in the sharing of the cam-

£80.57m

The total aggregate payments received

by Everton for the English 2014/2015 season.

Source: Goal.com

paign fund.

Ize-Iyamu in a press conference yesterday, narrated his role in sharing the controversial fund and what he told the EFCC in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

He said besides the invitation extended to him by the anti-graft body, he had been buffeted with several telephone calls for being in EFCC’s net over allegation N700 presidential campaign funds.

He said: “As you can see, I am in Benin and in my house. It is true that I was invited by EFCC through a letter. The invitation was not only to me as others were invited across the country.”

2

The number of fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of developing countries in 2006.

Source: Itu.int

According to him, “I am sure many of you are aware that I was state Coordinator for Jonathan in Edo. EFCC invited me to throw light on the funds that came. I went to PortHarcourt. I met Imasuen there. They mentioned Chief Tony Aziegbemi and another man who could help them.”

The PDP governorship hopeful stated that; “the bottom line is that they wanted to know what happened to the N700 million sent to Edo through Fidelity Bank. They said their records showed three of us signed for the money and wanted to know what we did with the money.”

17

The number of Premier League clubs of the 20 clubs that recorded profits in 2014-15.

Source: Soccernet.com

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Niger Delta Avengers threaten more showdowns Gabriel Efeduku Ughelli

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militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, which claimed responsibility for vandalising oil and gas facilities in Warri, Delta State, last week, yesterday threatened more showdowns in the region.

It said it will not only spill blood, but also attack the headquarters of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) in Lekki, Lagos State and also its tank farm.

The group, in an online statement entitled; “Don’t dare the Avengers,” by its spokesperson, Mudoch Agbinibo, said it warned CNL not carry out repairs on the Valve Platform bombed by the group on May 5, adding that if government and the company stubbornly disobey the warning, the consequences would be dire.

It stated: “From our investigation, Chevron Plc is about to carry out repair works at the valve platform that was blown by us (Niger Delta Avengers).

“We made it clear that no repair works should be done until our demands are fully met.

“Chevron has been operating in the Niger Delta

for 40 years and no day has their terminals gone without electricity.

“While the host communities and villages lack basic amenities - potable water, schools, hospitals, roads, electricity, among others.

They have a pact with the Federal Government to undermine the people of the region. “When we blew the Chevron Valve Platform, it resulted into total blackout in the Escravos Tank farm for more than three hours.”

If we, Niger Delta Avengers, can do it, just know that we are capable of bringing down your tank farm if you continue with repair works on the blown valve platform,” Agbinibo asserted.

He added; “Chevron and the Nigerian Government are pushing us to do this against our belief. Despite making it clear that we are not after innocent human lives, but as it is going, we might cause human casualties if they do not listen to us.”

The group further warned; “Be informed that if we decide to strike, it is going to be bloody.

And the contracting firm to do the repairs, we want you to know that your facilities and staff will be our first casualties,” the group said.

Killing of soldiers: Perpetrators not from Foropa community – LG boss L-R: Senator Osita Izunaso, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Governor Adams Oshiomhole, during a visit to the governor of the fact-finding and reconciliation mission to Edo State... yesterday

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Bayelsa guber poll: APC Abe, Obuah disagree accuses tribunal of bias over insecurity in Rivers

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he Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday accused the Justice Kazeem Alogba led state election petitions tribunal sitting in Abuja, of bias and perversion of justice.

The party alleged that incidences at the proceedings of the tribunal ‘are clear cases of injustice,’ an exofficio member of the party, Akpoebi Benson, said in a statement issued in Abuja.

The party was reacting to the decision of the tribunal rejecting the public demonstration of electronicallygenerated evidence at the hearing of the tribunal after same had been admitted. The evidence was to show whether or not the Southern Ijaw

Local Government election was cancelled or postponed as announced by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Alogba had on Tuesday, while admitting the evidence, a DVD, through a private television station, Channels TV, stopped it from being played. This happened during the process of demonstrating the recorded video clip of the cancellation that was announced by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Baritor Kpaghi.

In the statement issued on behalf of the party after the tribunal’s decision, the APC contended that keeping the evidence without demonstrating it, was meant to cover some tracks.

Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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hairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Obuah and Senator Magnus Abe, who is contesting in Rivers East senatorial district rerun poll, yesterday disagreed over the state’s security challenges.

Obuah, who also condemned the call made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, should be removed from office for the security challenges in the state, said such call was unpatriotic, questionable and

should be investigated.

He also accused the leadership of the APC of inciting the people and blackmailing Governor Nyeson Wike, the police and military authorities, for selfish and ill-conceived political reasons.

He particularly condemned the call by Abe to his supporters to defend themselves against ‘perceived enemies,’ saying that the APC had not left anyone in doubt that all it wanted by all means was to blackmail Wike.

But reacting yesterday, Abe warned against the politicisation of crime in the state by the Wike the administration, which he accused of paying lip service to the security challenges in the state.

he Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Council, Mr. Joshua Macaiver and chiefs of the area, condemned the killing of three security personnel of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Foropa community.

He, however, absolved the community in the incident, saying the perpetrators were not from Foropa.

Speaking with journalists in Government House shortly after the meeting convened by Governor Seriake Dickson, Macaiver

described the incident as unfortunate, but assured the people that they would collaborate with the government and security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

While commiserating with the Federal Government and families of the three soldiers over the incident, Macaiver said the attack occurred at a time when the council was working hard to ensure that Southern Ijaw becomes one of the most peaceful areas in the state.

Edo Central insists on producing Oshiomhole’s successor Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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lders, leaders and chiefs from Esan nation, made up of five local government areas of Edo Central senatorial district, yesterday rose with one voice, saying that the district must produce the next governor in the state.

They said no one should again take the district for granted and that the Esan nation should not be marginalised in

the scheme of things, including who presides over the affairs of the state.

The people also insisted that for peaceful coexistence and even development of the various sections of the state, just like the other two senatorial districts of the South and North, there was the urgent need to allow the area and one of their own to have a shot at the Dennis Osadebay Avenue Government House in Benin, the state capital, on September 10 this year.

News|NORTH 43

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Suicide bomber kills self, two policemen in Borno Emmanuel Onani Abuja

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he Nigerian Army yesterday said policemen on duty at the entrance of the Borno State Secretariat, Maiduguri, foiled a suicide bomb attempt on the facility.

It said a policemen died on the spot as he tried to stop the male suicide bomber, who blew himself up with the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) he was carrying, while the other policeman died later

from injuries he sustained.

Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, disclosed this yesterday in a statement.

He said: “This afternoon (yesterday), the combined team of policemen on security duties at the entrance of Borno State Government Secretariat, known as Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri, the state capital, based on suspicion, intercepted and prevented a male suicide bomber from entering into the secretariat to attack the

workers.

“Unfortunately, in the process of stopping him, he detonated the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on his body, killing himself instantly, a policeman and critically injured another policeman that stopped him from gaining access into the Secretariat Complex. Sadly, the injured policeman later died.”

The Army further disclosed that 18 people were wounded from the failed attack, even as it said the workers were evacuated to safety by troops, who have

since reinforced security immediately after the area was cordoned-off.

This was as it added that Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) and K9 teams have been mobilised to the secretariat for screening until it is declared safe.

“This unfortunate incident has reinforced the need for more security consciousness and awareness on the part of all of us as the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists and their sympathizers still mingle with the society,” the statement added.

Kwara PDP splits as new exco emerges Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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new state executive council, backed by some key leaders of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, yesterday dissociated itself from an earlier congress, where the executive council, led by the state Chairman of the party, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, was allegedly returned unopposed.

The new Chairman of the group, Prince Sunday Fagbemi condemned the Tuesday congress held at Stella Obasanjo MultiPurpose Centre, Ilorin, the

Prioritise girl-child education to close gender barrier – Group Idris Salisu Gusau

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call has gone to the federal, state and the local governments in the country to accord priority to girl-child education in order to close the gender barrier gap, particularly in the area of health related studies so as to have more nurses and doctors, among others.

The state Coordinator of a Non-Governmental Organisation, Save the Children, Hajiya Husaina Abdulsalam, made the call yesterday at a one-day key

Staff of Jos University Teaching Hospital (Juth), protesting against the management of the hospital in Jos…yesterday

state capital, alleging that the entire delegates from Kwara Central were not accredited, and that hoodlums were brought into the venue, while those who had indicated interest for elections were allegedly not allowed to enter the venue let alone to vote or be voted for.

No fewer than nine people, who were arrested over alleged public disturbance during the congress, were charged before a Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday by the state police command. Fagbemi alleged that the culprits were nabbed inside a vehicle belonging to an official of the party.

stakeholders’ roundtable meeting organised to generate ideas on effective Maternal and Newborn Child Health Continuum of Care in Zamfara State by the organisation in Gusau, the state capital.

She noted that, there is the need for local, state and federal governments to intervene actively towards ensuring provision of adequate healthcare facilities in all the hospitals such as general hospitals, primary health care centres and clinics across the state in order to address maternal and newborn children mortality rates.

Niger: PDP slams governor Sokoto to purchase N1.7bn fertilizers, announces subsidy over budget delay Umar Abdullahi Sokoto

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okoto State government yesterday said it has concluded plans to purchase 9,000 metric tonnes of fertilizers and 16,000 water pumps worth about N 1.7 billion.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Umaru Nagwari, disclosed this in Sokoto, the state capital,

while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state executive council meeting.

According to Nagwari, the fertilizers and water pumps will be distributed to the dry and rainy season farmers across the 23 local government areas of the state.

The commissioner noted further that the fertilizers, which comprised of Urea and NPK brands, will be bought at about N8,000 per bag and would be sold to the

farmers at 75 per cent subsidised rates.

“The state government will also subsidize the water pumps so as to enable the farmers produce more food for the state and the country in general,” he added, insisting that the council has approved the purchase of Faro rice seeds worth about N392 million for distribution free to the farmers.

Nagwari further said that

the state government had since conducted a comprehensive census of all genuine farmers across the state.

“This gesture is part of the measures put in place by the state government to ensure that only genuine farmers would benefit from the commodities. This is in a bid to make a difference from the previous system, where there were complaints of biases in the distribution of the commodities.

Onjeh vs Mark: Pre-trial APC Kogi crises: Governor faces fixed for June 8 party leadership

Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

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he Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, yesterday fixed June 8 for pre-trial hearing in the election petition filed by Daniel Onjeh (APC) against the election of Senator David Mark of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

The pre-trial, which came up yesterday could not continue because Onjeh is still within time specified to reply to the is-

sue of jurisdiction raised

by Senator Mark, PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who are first, second and third respondents respectively.

Chairman of the Tribunal, Honourable Justice Abdullahi Sanya, said all motions on jurisdiction shall be consolidated and taken together to which the parties conceded.

A team of lawyers, Kenneth Ikonne, Chris Alechenu and Johnson Usman, who are counsels to the first, second, third respondents respectively.

Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

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he embattled Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, yesterday faced the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a meeting chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuiabu.

Bello, whose government has been enmeshed in crisis, came to the APC national secretariat in Abuja in a modest form.

After the closed-door meeting, which lasted for some

hours, with the national leadership of the party, including the National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, the governor refused to speak to journalists on the meeting, but said: “No press, no press.”

Since the governor was sworn in early this year, it has been one crisis or the other with the state party leaders and members of the State House of Assembly.

The crisis of the Kogi State House of Assembly, as result of the planned impeachment of the speaker is before the National Assembly.

Dan Atori MINNA

C

hairman of the Niger State chapter of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Tanko Beji, has lambasted the state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, for the delay in signing the 2016 Appropriation Bill despite its passage by the House of Assembly.

Beji, who emerged the chairman of the party despite the irregularities that marred the congress, queried how the governor had been spending the resources of the state.

The chairman, who spoke to journalists after he was declared the state’s chairman of the party, said in a situation where most state governors are eager for the passage of their budget, Niger State is indifferent because weeks after the budget had been passed, the governor is yet to assent to the appropriation bill.

He said that the people of the state are yet to experience the presence of government in the state, stressing that the government needs to put in place infrastructure that will impact meaningfully on the development of the people.

Religious leaders seek ban of sale, consumption of alcohol Musa Pam Jos

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eligious and community leaders in Plateau State have unfolded plans to sponsor a bill in the state House of Assembly to ban production, sales and consumption of alcohol and other illicit drinks in the state.

According to the reli-

gious leaders, the menace of illicit drinks in the state has done more harm than good, hence the need to ban their sales and consumption.

They disclosed this yesterday during a roundtable meeting, which took place at the Centre for Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace (DREP), Kwang, Jos South Local Government Area of the state.

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NEWS

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

WORLD \ NEWS

WHO recommends rapid treatment Brazil: Rousseff describes for resistant tuberculosis impeachment move as ‘coup’ Appolonia Adeyemi

I

n order to fast track the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended the adoption of a shorter and more rapid treatment approach.

According to the WHO, which called for the new treatment yesterday, the method will be a speedier, cheaper treatment plan for patients with superbug forms of tuberculosis - a change that should help cure thousands of the killer disease.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria that are spread through the air from person to person.

If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. People infected with TB bacteria, who are not sick, may still need treatment to prevent TB disease from developing in the future.

Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), also known as Vank’s disease, is defined as a form of TB infection caused by bacteria that are resistant to treatment with at least two of the most powerful first-line anti-TB drugs, isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RMP).

Nigeria is still among the highest TB endemic countries.

In what the WHO’s leading TB expert said was a critical step forward in tackling the ‘public health crisis’ of multi drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB), the WHO said the new treatment plan could now be completed in nine to 12 months rather than the two years previously recommended.

The shorter treatment regimen also costs significantly less - at just under $1,000 per patient in developing countries, said Mario Raviglione, director

of the WHO’s global TB programme.

TB is one of the world’s biggest infectious disease killers and claimed 1.5 million lives in 2014 - more than HIV/AIDS and almost three times as many as malaria. Some 95 per cent of TB deaths are in poorer countries.

Superbug, or drugresistant, forms of the disease have spread worldwide, fueled by patients getting inadequate treatment. Like regular TB, superbug strains can spread from person to person through the air.

“The new WHO recommendations offer hope to hundreds of thousands of MDR-TB patients, who can now benefit from a test that quickly identifies eligibility for the shorter regimen, and then complete treatment in half the time and at nearly half the cost,” he said in a statement.

B

razil’s President Dilma Rousseff has condemned the move to impeach her as a “coup” and a “farce”, denying she has committed any crimes.

She was addressing the nation on TV for the first time since senators voted overnight to suspend her for budgetary violations and put her on trial.

Ms. Rousseff vowed to fight the “injustice” by all legal means. Vice-President Michel Temer has now officially taken over as interim leader and has appointed a team. He will serve while Ms Rousseff ’s trial takes place. It may last up to 180 days, which would mean Ms Rousseff would be suspended during the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, which

start August 5. Senators had voted to suspend her by 55 votes to 22 after an all-night session that lasted more than 20 hours.

Ms Rousseff is accused of illegally manipulating finances to hide a growing public deficit ahead of her re-election in 2014.

In her TV speech, flanked by ministers at the presidential palace, Mr Rousseff said that she may have made mistakes but had committed no crimes, adding: “I did not violate budgetary laws.” She said: “What is at stake is respect for the ballot box, the sovereign will of the Brazilian people and the constitution.”

Senators had voted to suspend her by 55 votes to 22 after an all-night session that lasted more

than 20 hours. Ms Rousseff is accused of illegally manipulating finances to hide a growing public deficit ahead of her reelection in 2014. In her TV speech, flanked by ministers at the presidential palace, Mr Rousseff said that she may have made mistakes but had committed no crimes, adding: “I did not violate budgetary laws.”

She said: “What is at stake is respect for the ballot box, the sovereign will of the Brazilian people and the constitution.”

Branding the process “fraudulent” and saying her government was “undergoing sabotage”, she vowed to fight the charges against her and said she was confident she would be found innocent.

Again EFCC invades Fani-Kayode’s home

T

he Economic and Financila Crimes Commission, EFCC , yesterday again invaded the residence of a former Spokesman of the Jonathan Campaign,Chief Femi Fani-Kayode. The invasion was despite the fact that Fani-Kayode was in the custody of the anticorruption agency.

A statement by Jude Ndukwu, his media assistant said in part: “ What miffed us most was their mode of operation which

was forceful, provocative and dangerous as they wielded their guns with needless threats. The worst is that the invasion was without a warrant as they forced their way in, and after terrifying all the staff at home, including the infant, they whisked the laundry man away even though he was later released.

This is the fourth time the EFCC operatives would be invading Chief Fani-Kayode’s residence

in just under a week. We condemn this act of executive lawlessness, harassment and intimidation.

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has served this country even at the highest levels and he deserves some courtesy.

We call on the EFCC to endeavour to carry out their functions within the ambit of our laws and stop brazenly betraying the fact that Chief FaniKayode is under persecution.”

INEC releases Edo, Ondo guber timetable Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released timetable for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

The two elections will hold on September 10 and November 26 respectively.

INEC bulletin issued

yesterday fixed party primaries for the nomination of candidates by political parties wishing to field candidates for the Edo State election between July 2 and 4 while Ondo State will have their turn between September 18 and 19.

According to the commission, publications of official voter registers and

submission of names of party agents are fixed for August 11 and October 27 respectively.

“Thursday, September 8 is the last day for campaigns for the Edo governorship election.

“The last day for campaigns for the Ondo governorship election is Thursday, November 24,” the statement added.

Court okays suit seeking to unseat Kebbi gov Tunde Oyesina Abuja

T

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday assumed jurisdiction in a suit seeking to unseat Governor Abubakar Bagudu, of Kebbi State, on the ground that he is not qualified to contest the April 11, 2015 governorship election.

The plaintiffs, MajorGeneral Bello SarkinYaki and two others

- Anthony Itanyi and Sahabi Sami - had through their counsel, Tochukwu Maduka, approached the court asking it to declare Bagudu incompetent to contest the governorship poll.

The plaintiffs asked the court to disqualify Bagudu as a candidate in the election and remove him from office on the ground that the governor gave false information in the Affidavit of Personal Particulars otherwise called Form CF.001 submitted by

him to INEC. Bagudu, his party, APC and INEC had filed separate notices of preliminary objection against the suit, challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

Ruling on the matter, the trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, held that the court had jurisdiction to entertain some of the plaintiffs’ prayers, which he said qualified as preelection matters that fell within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

Arab-Israeli protesters hold Palestinian flags as they march for the right of return for Palestinian refugees, near the southern Israeli Bedouin of Rahat yesterday.

Thousands of Arabs march for Palestinian return in Israel

T

housands of Arab Israeli protesters marched in favour of a right of return of millions of Palestinians yesterday, the same day Israel celebrated its independence.

The Israelis of Palestinian origin were seen carrying Palestinian flags and others holding up signs demanding the right to return for refugees at the rally in the

Negev desert. Organisers said it was the first time such a demonstration has been held in the Negev.

Israeli Jews, in contrast, celebrated in public parties in two very different sets of reactions to the 68th anniversary of Israel’s founding. Israelis hail Independence Day as what they call the reformation of the Jewish state.

For Palestinians, how-

ever, the events of 1948 are seen as a “nakba” catastrophe in Arabic as more than 760,000 Palestinians, estimated today to number about 5.5 million with their descendants, fled or were driven from their homes.

The Nakba will be formerly marked May 15.

Marchers carried the slogan “On the anniversary of your independence, remember our nakba.”

Uganda’s president sworn in for 5th term

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ganda’s long-time president was sworn in yesterday for a fifth term taking him into his fourth decade in power, amid arrests of opposition politicians and a shutdown of social media. President Yoweri Museveni, 71, was inaugurated in the capital, Kampala, in a ceremony attended by dignitaries from across Africa, including Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, South African President Jacob Zuma

and President Omar alBashir of Sudan. Tribal dancers entertained the crowd and Ugandan military aircraft, including Russian-made fighter jets, performed an air show over the venue.

Human Rights Watch urged Ugandan authorities to arrest Bashir, saying Museveni will “tarnish his inauguration further by welcoming” Sudan’s leader, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged atroci-

ties committed in Darfur. But in a speech after taking office, Museveni defended Bashir’s presence in Uganda, calling the Hague-based international court “a bunch of useless people” he no longer supports.

Ahead of Museveni’s inauguration, security forces detained some opposition figures and the government blocked social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, drawing criticism from rights activists.

45

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport

Sport News

Did you know?

46

Arsenal drop Ighalo interest

That Sunderland have managed to beat the EPL drop in the past five seasons including the 2015/2016 seasion.

International Hazard replaces Kompany as Belgium captain

47

Mikel, Musa opt for Yobo Testimonial Eagles captain to miss Eagles’ friendlies Salisu invites Babatunde as replacement

Emmanuel Tobi

S

uper Eagles’ captain John Mikel Obi and his assistant, Ahmed Musa, have opted to play for former captain Joseph Yobo during his Testimonial Game planned for the Akwa Ibom State capital, Uyo on F r i d a y, 27th May thereby being ruled out of Nigeria friendly matches against Mali and

Yobo

Musa

Luxembourg.

Nigeria will play Mali in Rouen on 27th May and then take on Luxembourg in Luxembourg on June 1.

New Telegraph scooped that several Super Eagles players were favourably disposed to play for Yobo who led the team to winning the 2013 AFCON in South Africa and 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Yobo earned 100 caps.

But the Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed the decision of the duo in a press statement on Thursday stating that, “The NFF leadership has decided that Mikel (Obi) and (Ahmed) Musa should be excused Mikel

from the two friendly matches in Europe so that they can honour Joseph Yobo, who is having his testimonial game on the same Friday, 27th May that we are playing Mali in Rouen, France.”

“The two players have been communicated accordingly,”Sanusi added.

Meanwhile, Eagles Coach Salisu Yusuf has extended an invitation to Morocco–based midfielder Babatunde Michael, who played for Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, to join the squad for the two friendly matches against Mali and Luxembourg.

A lot of criticisms have trailed the Luxembourg game with former striker Emmanuel Emenike faulting the clash of dates of both matches stating that Yobo deserved to be honoured by Nigerian players. Continue on Page 47

NFF bombs Giwa!

Effiong, others get five-year ban

Emmanuel Tobi

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

T

he Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday banned the proprietor of Giwa FC, Chris Giwa, and four others for five years for dragging the football body to the court, a move against FIFA ethics.

Giwa who has been having a running battle with the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF board, made an unannounced visit to the NFF’s Secretariat located at Wuse Zone 7, Abuja by 4pm last Friday but was subsequently arrested by

the Police.

Giwa is laying claim to the NFF presidency having secured a court ruling declaring the 2015 Warri Congress that produced the Pinnick-led NFF board illegal.

Part of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee reads: “That Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong are found guilty of breaching Art. 69(1) of the NFF Statutes by taking football matters to the ordinary court and failing to submit to the jurisdiction of FIFA and the NFF.

T he statement added, “That Christopher Giwa is guilty of breach of the general rules of conduct as contained in Art. 13 of the FIFA Code of Ethics when he invaded the premises of the Nigeria Football Federation and falsely presented himself as President of the NFF on 6th May, 2016.”

The committee said, “Based on the findings above and in line with the provision of Art. 65 (3) of the NFF Statutes 2010, the NFF Disciplinary Committee hereby pronounces the following sss sanc-

tions on the following persons: Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong are hereby banned from taking part in any football related activity for a period of Five (5) years each.”

Meanwhile, the Disciplinary Committee has awarded Wikki Tourists of Bauchi three points and three goals while sanctioning Giwa FC to pay the sum of N250,000 as fine for failing to show up for the match against the Bauchi team in Ilorin on Wednesday.

Dalung shuns Senate’s summon

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SPORT NEWS

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Dalung shuns Senate’s summon From Chukwu David ABUJA

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he Senate yesterday summoned the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Solomon Dalung, to appear before it by 2pm, to brief it on the preparedness of the ministry towards the 2016 Olympic Games.

The summon was issued by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Development, Senator Obinna Ogba.

Ogba who was angered by the failure of the Minister to honour invitations of the Committee two consecutive times, threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on him if he failed to appear next week Thursday.

Ighalo (right)

Speaking at the venue of the meeting, Ogba who was visibly angry with the attitude of the Minister, said the committee would give the Dalung another chance to appear before applying its constitutional powers.

He said “the Sports Minister has not been respecting the Senate.

Again, my personal assessment of the him is that based on the myriad of challenges facing Mr Dalung one of which is the Rio Olympics. What has the Minister been able to do about Nigeria’s preparation for Rio?” He regretted that there was no substantive coach for the Super Eagles and wondered how a team in such state would be able to live up to expectation.

The Senator further lamented that the President of Nigeria Football Federation would make a statement and the Minister would make contrary statement to that of the NFF boss, thereby creating crisis in the sector.

Ogba said, “I think there is need for us to call a spade, a spade because we can’t continue this way. We are giving the Minister a new date of Thursday next week for him to brief the

Arsenal drop Ighalo interest …as West Brom join race

A

rsenal’s reported interest in Odion Ighalo has gone cold after he struggled in the second half of the season, but the Nigerian striker will still not be short of suitors in the summer as West Bromwich Albion have joined the race for his signature.

Arsenal were interested in him during the last window, but Ighalo has failed to replicate his electric form from the first half of the sea-

son and so the Gunners’ interest has now cooled, according to Express and Star News.

This comes when West Brom have joined the race to sign the Nigeria international in the summer.

‘The Baggies’ want to add at least two new striker to their squad for next season and are mulling a move for the Nigerian who’s expected to cost less than £15 million.

Zenith B’Ball: First Bank beat Dolphin to regain trophy Ajibade Olusesan

F

irst Bank Basketball Club on Thursday reclaimed their Zenith Bank sponsored Women Basketball title at the National Stadium in Lagos.

First Bank were too much for the defending Champions and the Elephant girls won the final match 75-60 against Dolphin to confirm supremacy.

The outcome was not a surprise to many followers of the game as it was clear that the experience of First Bank and the huge investment of the management were massive advantage for the team.

Chairman of Dolphin, Wale Aboderin, told our correspondent that it was a match the First Bank team deserved to win.

“They did very well from the start of the competition to the end. They spent money on the team and they have great coaches.

We also did well but we stood no chance this time.

“I am so proud of my team because to be in the final backto-back is not easy. We are going to prepare better and work to-

wards doing exactly what First Bank did to us today (Thursday).”

West Brom want to buy new forwards in the window to replace Saido Berahino, who will probably be sold, and former Nigeria star Victor Anichebe, whose contract will not be renewed.

The 26-year-old Ighalo has scored 17 goals in all competitions in his first top-flight season, netting his 15th EPL goal in a 4-2 loss at Norwich City Wednesday night.

Watford have reportedly received a £10m bid from an unnamed Qatari club, but Ighalo is keen to remain in the EPL. He turned down a £300,000-aweek deal in China last summer in order to stay in England, and instead signed a five-year deal at Watford.

Ighalo’s current £30,000-aweek deal at Watford is within Albion’s wage budget.

Flying Eagles defeat U-23 Eagles

N

igeria’s U-23 team, the Flying Eagles boys on Thursday defeated the country’s Olympic team, the U-23 Eagles 2-1 in a friendly match played in Abuja.

The heart-lifting result has come less than a week to the U-20 boys’ departure to Burundi for a 2017 CAF U-20 Cup of Nations

Osimhmen

qualifying match.

Daniel Etor scored for the Olympics –bound Dream Team in the 22nd minute off a powerfully –struck free –kick, but Funsho Bamgboye, who scored the last goal of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile equalized for the Flying Eagles 10 minutes later.

Victor Osimhen scored the winner for the U-20 side in the 66th minute.

Wolfsburg of Germany striker Osimhen just cannot stop scoring.

The 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Shoe winner also struck the winner for the Flying Eagles in their 1-0 defeat Nigeria National League campaigners Kaduna United in a test game on Wednesday. The Kaduna boys were using the match to test their readiness for the start of the new football season.

Senate on the level of preparation for the Olympics”.

“The Minister lacks the political will to resolve NFF crisis.

Dalung is a Minister and he is not to run the affairs of the NFF.” For instance, when the NFF President said he wanted to employ foreign coach and the Minister would come and say it has not been given approval, it is not the duty of the Minister to give approval or not.”

Champions League/ Confederation Cup:

CAF proposes 16-club group stage format

T

he CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup will see major new reforms with effect from 2017, the News Agency of Nigeria learnt on Wednesday.

A report on the 38th Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football, held in Mexico City, Mexico, indicated that CAF was ready to make the changes.

According to the report on the CAF website, 16 clubs divided into four groups of four will participate at the group stages instead of the current eight at the pool stage.

The new format was one of the key highlights of the speech by CAF President Issa Hayatou, in his address at the General Assembly on Wednesday.

The Assembly was attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was at the supreme and legislative meeting of CAF for the first time since assuming the leadership of FIFA. He was accompanied by Samuel Eto’o, Luis Figo and Zvonimir Boban, who are part of the football legends invited by FIFA for a gala match at the Azteca Stadium.

Hayatou also unveiled the CAF’s progression in the wake of the new reforms introduced by FIFA, now at its implementation phase.

Amokachi relishes first victory with Finnish club

N

igerian coach Daniel Amokachi has led his Finnish second division club JS Hercules to their first win of the season as they beat AK Kajaani 3-2 in their first home game.

An elated Amokachi told AfricanFootball.com God crowned his team’s

efforts.

“We won the game 3-2, it was God who crowned our efforts,” Amokachi said to AfricanFootball. com Nigerians Junior Obagbemiro and Nathan Ibeh played for JS Hercules, who lost their opening league game.

Amokachi

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Mexico’s congregation of fading despots

A

s you read this piece, FIFA officials are in Mexico to review the statutes that had shielded its executive members at the global level on one hand; and its affiliate member federations.

It is an established fact that the worst set of the twenty-first century despots the world has ever known are members of the world football governing body, FIFA. Though they look simple outwardly, they are nevertheless mean by every of their character and conduct.

Right from the reign of Jaoa Havalange, who clocked a century recently, to Sepp Blatter, it had been a tale of absolute powers and impunity. It has been classic cases of kings that could not be questioned, just as their words were laws that caused men and nations to tremble.

As the nations of the world converge on the city of Mexico, being the first of its kind since the election of Gianni Infantino as FIFA President, it could be rightly said that the gradual process of eroding autocratic dispensations that resulted arbitrariness is already in motion. Convincing member federations to embrace this latest development will have to be a herculean task, considering the fact that they had enjoyed the special status of living like undemocratic kings under the protection of FIFA. It was such impunity that was exhibited recently in Anambra State in the unfortunate selections rather than elections into the football association executive committee. Elections were conducted in secrecy; all designed to scheme out those considered to be undesirable elements.

Like in FIFA, the democratic space was shut against perceived enemies in a bizarre manner. This has been so since they know that Africans could hardly afford the high cost of justice in the FIFA legal system, which promotes the entrenchment of their hegemony. No wonder people prefer the civil courts for justice rather than the Court Arbitration in Sports, which is outrageously expensive.

The organisation had assumed a larger than life status that promotes sleaze and corruption at monumental proportions; but for the intervention of the United States of America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). They publicly unveiled the organization through meticulous investigation, and exposed them for what they really were.

The swoop by the FBI last year climaxed with the revelation of the sordid details of the cabal that fleeced the world for decades; while being highhanded with dissenting members just to compel absolute loyalty. The terror they exhibited resulted in most members nations abdicating their sovereignty and ability to question the arbitrary conduct of their Federations, while they got away with pure murder for daring to question their conducts.

Despite the reforms being introduced by the new FIFA Exco, which are designed to regain the confidence of the

world, Nigeria appears to be living in a different world entirely. What played out recently in Anambra State in the name of elections into the state football association openly defied common law and justice, to the embarrassment of all and sundry. It shows the federation officials have learnt little or nothing.

The entire process lacked the application of democratic tenets, reminiscent of the old order. The NFF, apart from showing outright bias in the conduct of the election out of desperation to foist Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah at all cost on the people, breached all known rules, by following the same dubious process (still being contested) that threw them up as a board. The petition of one of the contestants, Odi Ikpeazu, a club proprietor from a well-established football family speaks volume. The election which had suffered series of postponements due to petitions and protests by contending parties, paints a picture of open deception and outright forgery.

For the federation to have set up a Normalization Committee, turned round and usurped their function by tele-guiding the chairman is an aberration. They were alleged to have rolled out election timetable that was countered by the secretary through a text message that promised to inform members in due course of the date and time, only for them to turn round and re-converged and held the election 24 hours earlier than the projected time in the night at a hotel without informing other contestants.

This singular action which is a rape of the process has further factionalized the state football association.

While Chris Giwa’s case may be a child’s play, the impending court action to be instituted by Ikpeazu may be the mother of them all, since the election contravenes the statutes of the NFF. The question is what could have motivated the federation to rig the process in favour of their choice candidate?

Could it be the continuation of the old order which had profited the federation nothing other than chaos? While I am not quarrelling with the emergence of Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, a well-known football proprietor who suffered a humiliating sanction from League Management Committee, LMC, for some unsportsmanlike conduct during a home league match recently, the process that produced him is what I am totally against, because it is completely flawed.

The desperation by the NFF bigwigs who are after what they could grab from him by assisting him with the appointment, to improve his curricular vitae preparatory to the launching of his political ambition is unacceptable.

This position is without prejudice to Ubah’s well-advertised philanthropic gestures. But of a truth is that the state deserves something better.

Let us learn to do things the right way as the Anambra election cannot stand the test of time. Nigeria must dismantle this despotic conducts now.

47

Hazard replaces Kompany as Belgium captain E

den Hazard will have the honour of captaining Belgium at Euro 2016 in regular skipper Vincent Kompany‘s absence.

The Chelsea winger might be coming off one of his most disappointing seasons, but he’s still expected to be a big player for his country in France this summer.

Hazard barely kicked a ball for the English

champions over the first three quarters of the season, waiting until the end of last month to score his first Premier League goal.

He does seem to have turned a corner in recent weeks though, scoring a great goal in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham before hitting the net against Liverpool Wednesday night.

Kompany won’t play

any part at the European Championships after suffering another injury setback early on in Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid last week.

This is just the latest in a string of thigh and groin injuries the Belgian has suffered this season.

Hazard has been a dependable player throughout his time with the Belgian national squad.

Hazard (right)

Real Madrid remain world’s richest club

R

eal Madrid have are officially the most valuable football team in the world, in terms of financial standing, for the fourth consecutive year.

According to US business magazine Forbes, Real Madrid’s value stands at 3.645bn US dol-

lars (£2.52bn) and their annual revenue is $694m (£480million), which is just marginally ahead of their La Liga rivals Barcelona in both categories.

Real Madrid ranked as the world’s second richest sports team, behind only the Dallas Cowboys American football team

Frank de Boer to replace Martinez at Everton

F

rank de Boer is the early frontrunner to replace sacked Everton manager Roberto Martinez, according reports.

Spaniard Martinez was given his marching orders by the Toffees board early Thursday after seeing his side completely outplayed in the 3-0 defeat to then-relegation threatened Sunderland.

The Black Cats loss was the latest in a run of dismal displays but things could be on the up with four-time Eredivisie winner De Boer odds-on to take over.

De Boer recently ended his six-year managerial stay with Ajax and his newfound availability has seen him chalked up at 4/11 to replace Martinez.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes is next in the betting but at 5/1 seems way behind the Dutchman in the pecking order, while Manuel Pellegrini is also at the sharp end of the betting at 7/1.

Frank de Boer

which it valued at four billion dollars (£2.77bn).

Six Premier League teams feature in the top 10, with United joined

by Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham.

Forbes’ top 10 world’s most valuable football teams: 1 Real Madrid – US$3.645 bn (£2.52billion), 2 Barcelona – $3.549bn (£2.46bn), 3 Manchester United – $3.317bn (£2.3bn), 4 Bayern Munich – $2.678bn (£1.85bn), 5 Arsenal – $2.017bn (£1.4bn), 6 Manchester City – $1.921bn (£1.33bn), 7 Chelsea – $1.661bn (£1.15bn), 8 Liverpool – $1.548bn (£1.07bn), 9 Juventus – $1.299bn (£900million), 10 Tottenham – $1.017bn (£704m)

Mikel, Musa opt for Yobo Continue from Page 45

“It’s so sad that Samuel Eto’o, Wayne Rooney and other top stars are coming to Nigeria to celebrate our former captain and we will not be there to support him,” one of the senior players invited for the friendlies told New Telegraph.

According to an ex-international who pleaded anonymity said, “I will love to see the Eagles play the friendly against Mali on May 27 and fly back to Nigeria the next

day and rest well for the Yobo Testimonal on June 1st. A win over lowly-rated Luxembourg will not improve our FIFA rankings.”

Yobo represented Nigeria at both U-20 and senior levels, captaining the Super Eagles at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups and featuring in six Africa Cup of Nations finals. He won a century of caps for the senior team, with his last match being the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 defeat by France in Brasilia in 2014.

On Marble

“Love is an untamed force. When we try to control it, it destroys us. When we try to imprison it, it enslaves us.

When we try to understand it, it leaves us feeling lost and confused.”

Sanctity of Truth

Emeka Obasi North, South Korea croon in Owerri

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—Paulo Coelho

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}14

Who is the thief?

Babafemi Ojudu

I

t’s on days like this that I miss the magnetic personality of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. I can see him now, pounding the piano with tunes that will colour the “unforced error” dribbling out of the mouth of the British Prime Minister, David Cameron. I can hear the music tumbling out of the stereo and filling the breezy evening air.

“Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense”.

It’s on weeks like this that makes me long for the days of my youth in the blissful countryside of Ado Ekiti. We didn’t have much but we had hope. My father preached hard work. He taught me that my future lies in my hands and sweat. I believe the Holy books even backed that up.

It says, reap where you sow.

I wonder if Cameron sometimes takes the time to read that Holy book since it’s written in his own language. If he does, I wonder what he thinks about the banks under his sphere of control who reap the bloodied loots ferried into their vaults from impoverished nations that are “fantastically corrupt”.

It’s seasons like this that fills me with the bile that threatened to drown us in my days as an active journalist. We would pound the streets trying to expose the rot in the country. As young me, our one dream was to make our country better. It was a frustrating endeavour because the closer your nose gets to the stench, the wider your eyes open and you realize that the thieves of Nigeria have a safe harbour in Britain and other developed nations. You can write all you care and expose the high and mighty. The British High Commission is busy stamping their passports with visas so they can go spend the looted funds in London.

And, you wonder – who is the thief?

Any day Cameron takes a stroll from his hallowed 10 Downing street residence, down the pricey streets of London, he knows most of those mansions are owned by men and women who have bled their country dry. Some of them are Nigerians. Anyone who cares knows their names. Some of them are even in the Panama Papers that Cameron is very familiar with.

You wonder what Cameron does about the thieves strolling his streets? Does he care about the impoverished people in the lands where the funds were stolen or does he care about the property tax flowing into British coffers? Why hasn’t Britain joined other European Union states in imposing sanctions against British overseas territories and crown dependencies that continue to act as tax havens for the wealthy.

Buhari at the anticorruption conference in London

“authority steal pass armed robbery”.

Go to the museums in London and you’ll see artifacts stolen from Nigerian cities. The museums make millions of pounds annually from tourists eager to see these amazing works of our forefathers. What does Nigeria get from these exhibits? Nothing. Would Britain do the honourable thing and return the artifacts to where they rightly belong?

Or, would it be business as usual with uppity rhetoric tumbling down from the bloodstained mountains?

Is Nigeria corrupt as a nation?

Yes. Are we as a nation trying to correct the ills of our recent past?

Even a man lost in the space knows the answer is a resounding yes.

We have a president in President Muhammadu Buhari who has had opportunities to be one of the

world’s silent billionaires but resisted the temptation. We have a leader who wakes up every morning thinking of how to get the looted funds overseas back into Nigeria so we can develop our country. We have a man who goes to bed at night wondering if any child went to bed hungry because of the mismanagement of past leaders. We have a patriot traversing the globe in search of a way to move his country into the league of advanced nations.

Now you know what they mean when they say talk is cheap. It’s cheaper when you hold a glass of wine in one hand and force errors out of your ministerial mouth, all to impress her majesty.

I serve at the pleasure of a president who is not afraid to ruffle feathers.

But, I was exceptionally proud of his stance on Cameron’s error. “I am not

going to demand an apology from anyone, what I will demand is the return of our assets,” the president said.

The ball is firmly in the court of Saint Cameron? What does the Prime Minister do? Does he take up President Buhari’s challenge and help return the stolen wealth back to Nigeria where they belong?

And, that makes me wonder – who really is the thief ? Is it the man or woman who steals from his country and flees overseas with his loot? Or, is it the country who stashes that money in the bank, shelters the looter and provides him safe haven?

Now, if you can answer that, you would have stumbled on something truly fantastic.

• Ojudu is the Special Assistant (Political) to the President

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