Binder1 kinjohnson friday, july 31, 2015 by Newtelegraphonline

US agency gives Dangote Oil Refinery $997m grant Entertainment

Shell to sack 6,500 staff, cut investments to $30bn

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Nigeria loses N585bn to import waivers in four years }3

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Oba of Benin

Ooni's deputy, Obalufe, ill

lRuling houses reach out to kingmakers lWhy Osikola, Ogoru families may not be in the race lAregbesola in closed-door meeting with royal council Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

he Obalufe of Ife, Chief Samuel Omisakin, the traditional prime minister of Ile-Ife and second in command to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, is ill, New Telegraph gathered yesterday. Sources in Ile Ife said the 83-year-old foremost chief who ascended to his position on June 1, 1988, had been ill for about two weeks and was on admission at an undisclosed hospital in Ife. His ill-health, it was gathered, was causing anxiety in traditional circle in the ancient town following Tuesday's transition of the monarch in London. By tradition, Omisakin, as the most senior chief in Ife, is to oversee the affairs of the kingdom pending the enthronement of a new king. However, the Ife Royal CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Ag. Executve Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Sunday Ogungbesan (left) and Managing Director, New Telegraph newspapers, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, presenting a copy of the paper to Mr. Ogungbesan during a visit to the FIRS headquaters in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Nigeria, Cameroon team up to fight B'Haram

News

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Obalufe, Ooni Sijuwade's deputy, ill CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Traditional Council still stuck to its position yesterday that Oba Sijuwade was "hale and hearty." Members of the council, comprising all traditional title holders from Ile Ife, met in Osogbo with Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, over the controversy surrounding the "rumoured" death of Oba Sijuwade. The meeting, held behind closed doors at the Government House, was also attended by notable Ife indigenes. None of the participants at the meeting was willing to discuss what they deliberated on. But one of the chiefs confided in New Telegraph that they came to brief the governor on the situation in Ife and to inform him that since the council had not been formally briefed, the death of Oba Sijuwade remained a rumour. However, earlier before the meeting there was a mild protest from Lowa of Ife, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, who said it was saddening that the Ooni was "often a target of negative publicity with the press declaring him dead several times in the past." "We were all shocked when we heard the rumour. If at all such an incident had occurred, the traditional council would be the first to know and equally break the news to the entire public. "Sixteen of us are his chiefs and when he was travelling out, he didn't look like he was going to die and should that have happened to him, we would have been informed even before anyone would hear about it. We pray that Ooni Sijuwade will live long in good health," he told reporters. He stated they met with the governor "to update him about happenings around Oba Sijuwade." Ijaodola reiterated his earlier stand that the Ooni is hale and hearty. He urged the public to disregard the news of the Ooni's death, which he described as a rumour. He said Aregbesola gave kudos to the chiefs for holding forth while the monarch was away and prayed for sound health and long life for Oba Sijuwade. However, despite the denial of the monarch's death, ruling houses likely to produce his successor have begun to reach out to the kingmakers. New Telegraph investigations revealed that there are four ruling houses in the town, out of which candidates from two of

the ruling houses would be considered. Sources listed the four ruling houses as Osikola, Ogoru, Giesi and Lafogido. It was learnt that the next Ooni would likely come from either Giesi or Lafogido ruling house. One of the sources said the two ruling houses would be favoured because neither of them had not produced an Ooni for about a century as Oba Sijuwade's predecessor, the late Oba Adesoji Aderemi, came from the Osikola Ruling House while the

Ogboru Ruling House produced the late monarch. It was gathered members of the ruling houses whose candidates would be considered for the throne had started in house screening of aspirants in readiness for when the race would formally begin. It was learnt that one of the qualities being considered was that the next successor must be able to match the "intimidating credentials" of Oba Sijuwade. The sources said whosoever that would be the next

king must be educated, outspoken, exposed and be an outstanding personality that would command respect of all and sundry. He must also be able to use his influence to attract more development to the town. Besides, it was gathered that the scheduled traditional marriage between Oba Sijuwade's son, Adegbite and Oludolapo Afolasade, daughter of a former Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Remi Olowu, would

go ahead as planned on Sunday. Sources said preparations were still in top gear for the ceremony which will precede the formal wedding in London on September 5. Investigations at the palace also revealed that, all trees in the palace and that of market places that are supposed to be cut down whenever a monarch is pronounced dead are yet to be cut as royal chiefs in the palace insisted that the monarch is still alive. Besides the trees at the

palace, all trees in markets would also be cut to signify the passage of the monarch. However, normal activities were ongoing yesterday in Ife. Palace workers were sighted at their duty posts. One of the elderly person who spoke with our reporter in Ile-Ife pointed out that, "whenever the trees are cut, it means, the king has joined his ancestor, but now that the trees are yet to be cut, it means that the king is still hale and hearty."

L-R: President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Group Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Anthony Chiejina and Deputy Director, United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), Ms. Enoh T. Ebong, at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the conglomerate and the agency at the Dangote Oil Refinery, in Lagos...yesterday.

Nigeria, Cameroon team up to fight Boko Haram Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari's avowed determination to rout out Boko Haram has got a boost from Cameroon, which is now ready to partner Nigeria in fighting the terror group that has made some parts of the country its enclave. Cameroon's President Paul Biya, who hosted Buhari in Yaoundé for two days, said at a state dinner for his guest that "we cannot allow this cancer to spread." The two leaders discussed how to best intensify the exchange of military information and strengthen border security between their two countries as a step towards ending Boko Haram's nine-year insurgency that has led to the death of over 14,000 people and displacement of about 1.5 million people

from their homes. Besides, Nigeria yesterday named Major General Iliya Abbah, to head a fivenation Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). The African Unionmandated MNJTF, comprising 8,700 troops from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin, will be based in Chad's capital, N'Djamena. Buhari, at the state dinner, urged African leaders, especially those sharing borders with Nigeria, to support the fight to defeat Boko Haram in the subregion. He said countries in the sub-region could not afford to falter in their resolve to get rid of terrorists. “We recognise that none of us can succeed alone. In order to win this war, we need the collective efforts of each one of us, standing together as a formidable force for good, to defeat and end these acts of terror against our people,” he

stated. The president told guests at the dinner that the security situation in the region presented an opportunity for Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin to work together for their common security, peace and socio-economic development. “Let me assure all of my relentless pursuit of all possible means to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity, protect the lives and property of our citizens, as well as my commitment to continue to collaborate with Cameroon and our neighbours, within the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission. “The Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to respecting international norms to resolve this matter and to restore normalcy to all the affected areas as soon as possible,” he said. The president, who had earlier on his arrival on

Wednesday, held a closeddoor session with his host, thanked Biya for providing refuge to Nigerians who had fled their homes because of the insurgents. He also commended Cameroon for its support to Nigerian military and security personnel in the fight against terrorism and offered his condolences to the families of the victims of terror in both countries. Buhari also announced Nigeria's willingness to expand economic partnerships with Cameroon, through increased joint ventures in infrastructure development, transport and commerce, among others. He welcomed the achievements of the Nigeria-Cameroon Joint Commission and all the landmark agreements signed between both countries. The president, who described the relations between both countries as excellent, recognised the

roles played by past and present leaders and Nigerian citizens in sustaining friendly relations with Cameroon. Biya, while congratulating Buhari for a successful inauguration, said his victory provided an opportunity for him to preside over the “destiny of Nigeria.” “Mr. President, a dark cloud is looming over our countries even as we welcome you; we are facing the same threat, which may rock the foundation of our two nations. “This danger bears the name of Boko Haram, its atrocities and crimes are jeopardising peace around Lake Chad and especially in our two countries. “The number of dead and victims are rising, economic activities have been crippled in affected areas, and the number of refugees and displaced persons are ever increasing. “We cannot allow this CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

News

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015

Nigeria loses N585bn to import waivers in four years Chukwu David Abuja

he Senate yesterday lamented the country's loss of N585 billion to import waivers on rice and other agricultural produce within the last four years (2011-2015). Consequently, the Senate implored President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and block this revenue leakage by stopping all forms of waivers on agricultural produce and equipment being imported into the country. The Upper Chamber passed these resolutions, sequel to the submission of Senator Ibrahim Gubir, who observed that the huge amount the Federal Government spent on waivers within the four-year period was enough to establish five quality local industries in each of the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Gubir made the revelation while contributing to the motion entitled, "indiscriminate use and abuse of waivers for real importation." He said: "The sum of N585 billion was given out as waivers between 2011 and 2015. If you share this amount amongst the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), each

would have received the sum of N15 billion. When you take it further down to the 109 senatorial districts, each would have received the sum of N5 billion. This amount is more than enough to establish five industries in each state." Following the motion, which was sponsored by Senator Adebayo Ibrahim, the Senate urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately end all waivers on the rice importation and other agricultural produce. The Senate also urged the Federal Government to mandate the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, to ensure that all duty due to government was fully recovered. Furthermore, the Senate resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to look at all waivers, concessions and grants, and carry out a holistic review to determine the full recovery of all government revenue that were related to the policy. Ibrahim, who noted that the Federal Government had a policy to encourage agriculture as a deliberate policy to diversify the economy, acknowledged the huge amount of money lost by the Federal Government on duty waivers to importers of rice, palm oil,

energy equipment, steel and vegetable oil. He, however, observed that the tax incentives that were offered to encourage Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country, were doing more harm than good to the country's ailing economy. "This policy, especially relating to agriculture, has become significantly eroded and gradually made nonsense of the initial objectives by the indiscriminate abusive grant of waivers, concessions and grants, especially on rice importation. The flagrant abuse of the waivers scheme has severely eroded the Federal Government's Rice Production Policy by importing huge quantities of the commodity in excess of their approved quota. "During the past recess and during an interactive session with the CBN, the CBN had revealed to the Senate how these importers have overshot their quota and now owe the Federal Government duties running into billions of naira. These importers ordinarily should be paying, in addition to the duty on the commodity, a fine of 70 per cent of duties and levies to the Federal Government. The government has failed to implement this directive and denied our people legitimate revenue into the Federal

Government coffers. "Some of the defaulting companies had, notwithstanding their default, been awarded fresh waivers to import more. The Customs Service, which ought to be enforcing compliance to duty and other revenue at the boarders, has failed to carry out its mandate and enforce compliance from these defaulters. "The Federal Government loses N71 billion an-

nually on duty waivers, especially to importers of rice, palm oil, energy equipment, steel and vegetable oil. In 2011, government gave import duty waivers to 10 rice and palm oil importing companies alone, which amounted to N150 billion. "To lose this vast amount of revenue at a time when Nigeria's main source of revenue â&#x20AC;&#x201C; oil, has plunged to record low impacting on the fiscal

stability of the country, is reckless and does not show that we are serious about driving our economic revival. These tax incentives offered to encourage FDIs into the country is now doing more harm than good to the economy, as monies, which could have been invested in public schools, hospitals, roads and other social infrastructure are lost mindlessly without consequences," Ibrahim said.

EFCC grills Chime's ex-chief of staff Emmanuel Onani Abuja

here are strong indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will soon invite former Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime, to answer questions on allegations of corruption and embezzlement of public funds during his eight years stint as governor. New Telegraph learnt that there are many petitions before the EFCC against Chime, to necessitate his invitation. As a precursor to Chime's possible invitation, a crack team of detectives yesterday grilled Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, erstwhile Chief of Staff

(CoS) to Chime. New Telegraph gathered from a highly placed source at the Commission's Headquarters in Abuja that Nwobodo was being quizzed over allegations bordering on conspiracy, money laundering, misappropriation of public funds, as well as abuse of office. Nwobodo, who was said to have arrived the commission's headquarters at about 9:30a.m. yesterday, was still being interrogated as at the time of filing this report. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "Let me confide in you that a former Chief of Staff to Sullivan Chime, former governor of Enugu State, Chief (Mrs) Ifeoma Nwobodo is currently be-

ing quizzed by operatives of the EFCC. "The former Chief of Staff, who arrived the Wuse, Abuja headquarters of the anti-graft agency at about 9:30a.m. July 30, was immediately ushered into the interrogation room, where a team of crack detectives commenced intensive interrogation on sundry allegations bordering largely on conspiracy, money laundering, misappropriation of public funds and abuse of office. "Her invitation is believed to be a precursor to the interrogation of her former principal, as the agency is said to be flooded with petitions indicting Chime of humongous graft during his eight-year rule of Enugu State as governor from 2007 to 2015."

News

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Reps crisis: No more faction in the House, says Dogara Philip Nyam Abuja

ollowing the peaceful resolution of the House of Representatives crisis, Speaker Yakubu Dogara yesterday declared that there were no faction in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. He said the Eighth House is now set to work for Nigerians after the 49day crisis that rocked the House from inception. Dogara, who made the declaration at the end of the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting, which ended at about 12:15a.m. yesterday said: "There are no more factions in the House. What we have today is a group of lawmakers loyal to the House leadership and our great party. "It is only in unity that we can positively contribute to the change we all worked for and move Nigeria forward towards our desired dream of a greater nation." On the issue of why the South-East was not represented in the new leadership configuration, Dogara said: "We are already working on that to see how the zone will be

adequately compensated." The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos) stated that the lawmakers are now united as one entity. He said: "There are no longer factions in the House. Whatever happened earlier is now behind us and we are ready to serve Nigerians to the best of our ability." On the marginalisation of the South-East in the new leadership structure, Gbajabiamila said: "It is not right to play the ethnicity or regional card for now but they will be adequately compensated." Also contributing, Hon. Abiodun Faleke (APC, Lagos), who was Gbaja-

biamila’s campaign manager for speakership, said: "We are no longer fighting as you can see, we are now ready to work with other legislators and move our dear country forward." Spokesman of the Consolidation Group, Hon. Abdulmunin Jibrin (APC, Kano) simply said: "This meeting has healed all wounds; there is nobody here that is nursing any anger or ill-feelings any longer." Meanwhile, a member of the APC from Imo State, Hon. Chikere Okafor has decried the exclusion of the South-East in the recent leadership appointments in the House. He called on the party to

go beyond lip service and rhetoric and embrace every section of the country in the spirit of the change espoused by its leaders. Okafor, representing Ehime Mbano, Ihitte Uboma, Onowo Federal constituency yesterday wondered why the SouthEast geo-political zone is always made to suffer and left out when political considerations are made in the country. Addressing a press conference at the National Assembly yesterday, the lawmaker pointed out that the APC in the South-East exhibited the highest level of courage and loyalty to the party, and members risked their lives but

wondered why the party would sideline them during appointments into leadership positions in the parliament. He decried the erroneous impression that the APC did not have a good outing in the South-East, saying that the members of the party in the zone fought against odds to ensure that the PDP does not re-enact the 2011 feat in the area. The lawmaker urged the national leadership of the party to refrain from the continued placement of the South-East on the fringes in the scheme of things, adding "as far as the Nigerian project is concerned, every region

must count if we must get it right." He also pleaded with the leadership of the APC to review its definition of inclusiveness and rethink its perception and treatment of the South-East zone. It will be recalled that the South-East APC had nominated Okafor for the post of deputy chief whip, a nomination that was duly endorsed by Dogara. But after the meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, where reconciliation between the two major factions was brokered, he was dropped and the position given to Hon. Pally Iriase from SouthSouth.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

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20 C 17 C Rain Showers

L-R: Deputy Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola; Publisher, Media View, Mr. Lanre Idowu; former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka; Chief Phillips Asiodu and Prince Tony Momoh, during a book presentation in commemoration of Amuka’s 80th birthday in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI.

Boko Haram: Reps seek relocation of IDPs from schools lAsk FG to revisit high profile murders Philip Nyam

KANO

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Abuja 31o C 22oC Thunder Storms

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orried by the long closure of schools in the North-East, the House of Representatives yesterday called for the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from schools to enable normal education activities resume in the region ravaged by Boko Haram. It also tasked the Federal Government to construct temporary schools in the camps being used by the IDPs. This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Asabe Bashir (APC, Borno) entitled "Urgent need for the government to relocate Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from schools in Borno State to enable schools reopen."

While presenting the motion, Bashir noted that the Boko Haram insurgency which has been ongoing since 2009 had, at its peak, led to the overrunning of 20 out of the 27 local governments in Borno State, killing thousands and displacing many. She said: "The government of Borno State had to resettle the IDPs in schools, Hajj and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps; an action that led to the closure of schools for over one year now, leaving the students to be idling away and exposed to social vices." The lawmaker explained that there is the need for the Federal Government to assist the government of Borno State in rebuilding and rehabilitating the schools that were destroyed to enable them reopen.

While commending the efforts of the Borno State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Red Cross, individuals and charitable organisations, the lawmaker further urged NEMA and other relevant agencies to provide well-equipped mobile clinics that would give prompt medical attention to victims of bomb blasts and insurgents. The motion was unanimously adopted by the House. The House adopted a prayer which sought for the creation of an agency akin to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by the Federal Government to help in rebuilding communities devastated by activities of the insurgents. Also yesterday, the House called for the re-

opening of investigation into some past unresolved high profile murders, and cases of extrajudicial killings in the country. It urged the Nigerian police to be more alive to its responsibilities, especially on crime prevention and investigation. The House consequently mandated its committees on Police Affairs, and Public Safety and National Security (when constituted), to monitor the investigations of the cases, and present an interim report to the House within four weeks. This was the outcome of the adoption of a motion brought by Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers). He said: "Efforts by successive administrations in tackling the problem of extrajudicial and other high profile killings have largely been ineffectual

and short of people's expectations, as some have continued unabated as a result of which, many people now live in fear and despair." Specifically, Chinda recalled some of the cases to include; the killing of some traders at Apo, popularly known as the 'Apo Six'; the invasion and killings by mobile policemen and soldiers in Ogoni land; the invasion of Odi community in Bayelsa State; the killing in Obiaruku in Delta State, Zaki Biam in Benue State, and the cold blood murder of Dele Giwa. Others, he said, were that of Pa Alfred Rewane, Chief Bola Ige, Engr. Funso Williams, Dr. Ayo Daramola, Chukwuma Ogbueli, Chief Harry Marshal, Chief A. K. Dikibo and Hon. Monday Ndor, amongst others.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015

Why military failed to defeat B'Haram, by Badeh Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd), has declared that deliberate attempts by past regimes in the country to ensure protection and survival, were largely responsible for the visible neglect and illequipment of the military. According to Badeh, "The lessons of the civil war and the ongoing war against terror where certain countries frustrated our attempts to procure much needed weapons are very instructive." He regretted that he was appointed CDS at a time the Nigerian military "lacked the relevant equipment and motiva-

tion" to fight Boko Haram. The former CDS spoke yesterday at the Pulling Out Parade (POP), which held at the Mugadishu Cantonment, Abuja. The 18th CDS further warned against total dependence on foreign sources of arms' procurements, saying such trend will inhibit exercise of freedom of action by Nigeria. "Therefore, I appeal to the relevant agencies of government to mobilise the huge human and material resources we have in this country towards the development of a vibrant Defence Industrial Complex that would contribute to meeting our critical arms and equipment needs. This is crucial if we must reduce our total dependence on foreign sources of sup-

ply for critically needed arms," he stated. According to the retired four-star General, he took up the challenge of re-appraising the management procedures of the Armed Forces. On the counter-insurgency fight, Badeh noted, with regret, how activities of "fifth columnists in the military and other security agencies, who leaked operational plans and other sensitive military information to the terrorists," frustrated the efforts of the military to defeat Boko Haram. It was his contention that "the activities of these unpatriotic members of the military not only blunted the effectiveness of the fight, but also led to the needless deaths of numerous officers and men, who unwittingly fell

into ambushes prepared by terrorists who had advance warnings of the approach of such troops." He also identified the refusal of Western nations to sell arms to Nigeria, as another challenge militating against timely defeat of Boko Haram. His words: "There is no gain saying the fact that no nation can exercise freedom of action in meeting its security aspirations while totally dependent on foreign sources of supply for its arms and equipment. Therefore, we looked inwards to harness available human capital towards kick-starting our march to self-reliance. "Notwithstanding the modest successes we recorded in the fight against terror, I must say that the task of co-ordi-

L-R: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Lasun Yusuf; Chief Whip, Hon. Ado Dogowa; Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, addressing journalists after the meeting of the APC House caucus in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI.

Shell targets $50bn from more assets sales in Nigeria, others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

"Challenging times for the industry, we are responding with urgency and determination and with a great sense of excitement for the future,” the company tweeted. New Telegraph gathered that the company's subsidiaries in Nigeria, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Shell Nigeria Petroleum Company (SNEPCo), have already begun to compile names of those to be sacked. "Nigeria will, no doubt, share in this tough time and efforts to remedy it. The non-technical members of staff are majorly going to be affected by this gale of sack blowing everywhere here. They are compiling names and truth is that everyone is jittery," a management staff of the

company, who craved not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said. Shell also yesterday announced in London the sale of a 33 per cent stake in the Showa Shell refinery in Japan to Idemitsu, for about $1.4 billion. The Anglo-Dutch company said it was planning more asset disposals, bringing total asset sales between 2014 and 2018 to $50 billion. “We have to be resilient in a world where oil prices remain low for some time, whilst keeping an eye on recovery,” Chief Executive Officer, Ben van Beurden, said. The company will also reduce 2015 capital investment for the second time this year to $30 billion by 20 per cent from a year ago.

Big oil companies have cut 2015 spending by 10 to 15 per cent from 2014, to cope with a halving of oil prices over the past year to below $55 a barrel LCOc1. Lower oil prices have contributed to a 37 per cent drop in the oil and gas group’s second-quarter profits. Rivals BP (BP.L) and Total announced further cuts this week. Shell said its operating costs were expected to fall by $4 billion, or around 10 per cent, in 2015 as part of a broad efficiency drive to boost its balance sheet. It also expects $30 billion of asset sales between 2016 and 2018, on top of a total of $20 billion in disposals for 2014 and 2015 combined. Shell, however, has planned to return to the line of profit by pushing

ahead with its proposed $70 billion acquisition of BG Group (BG.L). Shell hopes to complete its BG deal by 2016 and is still awaiting key regulatory approvals from the European Union, China and Australia. But Brazil, the United States and South Korea have formally cleared it. The deal is expected to generate pre-tax benefits of around $2.5 billion per year, starting 2018. The tie-up will turn Shell into the world’s leading liquefied natural gas company and one of the largest deep-water oil producers, with a focus on Brazil. Shell maintained its quarterly dividend at 47 cents per share and is committed to rewarding shareholders with at least the same pay-out in 2016.

nating the military and other security agencies in the fight against the insurgents is, perhaps, the most complex and challenging assignment I have had in my over 38 years in service. "For the first time, I was head of a military that lacked the relevant equipment and motivation to fight an enemy that was invisible and embedded with the local

populace. "Added to this, was the exploitation of a serious national security issue by a section of the press and the political class to gain political mileage..." In attendance at the solemn event that lasted between 9:20a.m. and 10:25a.m., were senior military chiefs, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), as well as top politicians.

Nigeria, Cameroon team up to fight Boko Haram CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

cancer to spread, we must pool our resources and forces and share our experiences,” he said. Biya, who reaffirmed Cameroon’s commitment in the fight against terror, welcomed the “fresh push” on economic ties between both countries through easing of trade. “I strongly believe in your readiness to work towards that goal and your visit to Cameroon as well as the discussions we have had have strengthened my conviction,” he said. Abbah, who previously headed military operations in the Niger Delta, takes over from Major General Tukur Buratai who has been appointed Chief of Army Staff. A statement by the outgoing Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said Abbah was until his new appointment the military secretary in the army. In a communiqué issued at the end of the visit, Buhari and Biya have agreed to work towards the completion of the demarcation of the land border between the two countries before the end of the year. In the communiqué issued yesterday, both leaders welcomed the progress made so far in the exercise which is being undertaken under the auspices of the United Nations. “The two heads of state took note of the satisfaction expressed by the United Nations SecretaryGeneral in his most recent report on the work of the United Nations Office for West Africa from January to June 2015, regarding progress in the demarcation of the land boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria. “They agreed to endorse the recommendation of the United Nations Secretary-General on the completion before the end of 2015, of the land border demarcation work, in order to concentrate on enhancing cross-border cooperation,” the commu-

niqué read. According to the communiqué, Buhari and his host also endorsed the commitments made at the Extraordinary Summit of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic held on June 11, 2015 in Abuja. Buhari and Biya agreed to strengthen security collaboration along their common border under the auspices of the NigeriaCameroon Trans-Border Security Committee and within the framework of the implementation of the concept of strategic operations approved at the Abuja Summit. They reaffirmed their determination to strengthen cooperation with other neighbouring countries for the rapid elimination of terrorism and other security threats. The two presidents thanked the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, the Economic Community of Central African States and other bilateral and multilateral partners for their active solidarity in the war against Boko Haram. They also reaffirmed their support for the implementation of the Lake Chad Basin Commission’s Five-Year Investment Programme (2013-2017), which seeks to save Lake Chad, restore its ecosystem and promote the socio-economic development of the people living within the basin. The duo welcomed the first meeting yesterday in Yaoundé of governors of contiguous states and regions on the Nigeria-Cameroon borders and called for regular meetings of the governors to strengthen collaboration between the two countries. The communiqué was read by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Aliyu Ismaila and the Cameroonian Minister of External Relations, Pierre Mbonjo, in the presence of the two presidents. Buhari has since returned to Abuja.

News

NATIONAL

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

US agency gives Dangote oil refinery $997m grant

he United States Trade and Development Agency(USTDA) yesterday in Lagos announced a grant of $997.4 million (about N251.3 billion) as training support for a proposed refinery by the Dangote Group. The grant was announced at the signing of a Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) between Dangote Group and the USTDA. NAN reports that Dangote Group had in May de-

clared that the proposed refinery would begin operation in the first quarter of 2018 with an investment of about $9billion. Ms Enoh Ebong, USTDA’s Deputy Director, said the agency was pleased to support the Dangote Oil Refining Company’s efforts to increase Nigeria’s oil refining capacity. She said it was a “sign of deepening the United States’ long history of support for vital infrastructure in Nigeria.’’

“Since 1981, the USTDA has been operating in Nigeria with primary concerns in the area of oil and energy, and we are glad to continue in that line with what we are doing today,” she said. Mr Aliko Dangote, the Chairman, Dangote Group, lauded USTDA for its assistance toward the take-off of the refinery. He said the aspect of training and capacity development was vital to the success of the project. “For such a high-tech

project investment, getting the right quality of human capital to run the plant is considered to be possibly the most critical success factor. “We are, therefore, most grateful for the generous grant from the USTDA to support the training of some of the operators needed to successfully operate the Greenfield 650,000 bpd capacity refinery,” Dangote said. Ms Dehab Ghebreab, the Acting Consul Gen-

eral, US Consulate, in her remarks, said the success of the refinery could make Nigeria a haven of ‘miraculous’ economic growth within the next five years. She urged the Nigerian government to keep partnering with the private sector for better economic growth. NAN reports that the grant is expected to fund the training of more than 100 staff on the use of UOP technology licensing and engineering services.

L-R: Speaker, Akwa Ibom State, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kola Oluwawole and Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, at the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria in Abuja…yesterday

APC: Daura not our card-carrying member Johnchuks Onuanyim, Onyekachi Eze Abuja

he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday denied the allegation by Peoples Democratic Party that the DirectorGeneral of the Department of State Services, Mr. Lawal Daura, is a card-carrying member of the party (APC). According to APC, the accusation is absurd and frivolous. PDP, had on Wednesday at a press briefing alleged that the DSS boss is a card carrying member and chaired the party’s intelligence committee. But APC, in a statement issued in Lagos by APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, challenged the PDP to publish any evidence it may have to confirm the allegation, adding: ‘’After all, it is trite that he who alleges

must prove.’’ ‘’In the absence of that, the PDP must call another press conference to publicly apologize to all Nigerians for engaging in barefaced lies,’’ it said. APC expressed shock that the PDP has started exhibiting all the symptoms of hallucination, so soon after its gravy train derailed, saying it’s obvious that the party has now started hearing voices. ‘’We know that the psyche of the PDP has been badly affected by its loss of power at the centre. Even the party itself has admitted that much. That situation has now been compounded by the fact that the party is broke. It is therefore not a surprise that it is no longer able to think straight. The reality of its new situation is just beginning to dawn on it. ‘’But we warned the PDP early on that being in

opposition is not a walk in the park. We warned that while the party was used to eating its bread with butter on both sides, it will now be lucky to even have bread to eat,’’ the party said. But yesterday, the PDP warned Buhari to exercise caution on persons he appoints into sensitive positions. The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Olisa Metuh told newsmen on Thursday that the party has a valid evidence to prove that Lawal Daura worked for APC in the presidential election. Metuh said: “We have our record, it is on record that he worked for APC although he is related to the President personally. He was the head of the Intelligence and a member of the APC. That is not in contention. What is worrisome from the statements is the angle that we are broke.”

Ortom returns from Cameroon, says trip successful Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

enue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday returned from the Republic of Cameroun where he accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari on a two day visit. The governor described the visit as successful. He told reporters that apart from the closed door meetings between President Buhari and his Camerounian counterpart, President Paul Biya, governors from both countries discussed bilateral issues of mutual interests. Top on the list, he said were trans border joint security, trade and commercial activities and provision of infrastructure. According to Ortom, it was agreed that officials of local governments that share borders from both countries be encouraged to interact among themselves with the objective of tackling common challenges. He said he particularly discussed the road linking the state with Cameroun and trans-border post and other related facilities. A statement by his Adviser on Media and ICT, Mr. Tahav Agerzua and released to New Telegraph, quoted the governor as saying the visit afforded them the opportunity to meet with a delegation of the Nigerian community selected from across Cameroun.

ACF: Confab didn’t propose new constitution Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

he Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF) has said that the National Conference of 2014 was not a platform for constitution making and therefore it did not recommend a new constitution for Nigeria. The pan-northern forum, which was reacting to Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s

recent interview with a national daily yesterday, noted that the delegates of the confab were selected or nominated by either the government or interest groups, so they did not qualify for constitution making. According to ACF: ‘’The delegates therefore did not have the legitimate mandate of the people to draft or recommend a new constitution for Nigeria and did not

even do so.’’ The forum reminded that representatives of ACF had participated in the confab, adding that the conference ‘’made about 600 far reaching recommendations on policy issues, legal and constitutional amendments to the 1999 Constitution as amended and submitted the report to former President Goodluck Jonathan on 21st August 2014 and not a new Constitution.’’

Adamawa tribunal orders INEC to produce card readers TUNDE OYESINA ABUJA

he Adamawa National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, yesterday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to produce the card readers used in the

House of Representatives elections in Madagali/ Michika Federal Constituency. The panel led by Justice Anthony Onovo made the order while ruling on a petition filed by the All Progressives Congress challenging the election of Hon. Adamu Kamale of the PDP-Madagali-

Michika. The tribunal had on July 23 made a similar order but the materials were brought, the card readers were not included. INEC then in obeying the order produced ballot boxes and ballot papers used in the election but left out the card readers.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY,JULY 31, 2015

News

NATIONAL

DPR goes after depot owners, marketers Adeola Yusuf

he Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) yesterday indicted some depot owners and vowed to go after them for being responsible for the nationwide scarcity and hike in prices of Premium motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol . The DPR particularly decried the activities of the depot owners over flagrant disregard to the government’s directive on N77.66 per litre exdepot price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The agency, which said in a statement that it also summoned members of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN); Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and Independent petroleum marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to a meeting, declared that the ongoing fuel scarcity and price hike were partly caused by activities of some the erring depot owners. “Preliminary investigations revealed that the prevailing hike in retail prices of PMS and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) across the country is as a result of the unscrupulous activities of some depot owners and major marketers who are engaged in selling PMS & DPK to various retailers at prices higher than the official ex-depot price of N77.66k and N34.51K respectively,” Deputy Manager, Communications, DPR, George EneIta said. According to him, resulting from a meeting held on Wednesday 29th July, 2015 in Lagos between the Department of Petroleum Resources and all stakeholders in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry including; PPMC, PPPRA, MOMAN, DAPPMAN & IPMAN which was summoned to convey Government’s displeasure at the illegal sale of petrol above the

Chukwu David Abuja

orthern Senators from the All Progressives Congress, APC, who were among the 81 members of the Red Chamber, who sponsored the vote of confidence passed on the Senator Bukola Saraki-led Senate leadership, yesterday, denied working against the interest of President Muhammadu Buhari.

stipulated pump price and the ever lengthening of vehicular queues at the filling stations, the DPR hereby issues the directives for immediate suspension of direct sales of PMS and DPK from the affected Depot Owners and Major Marketers. The Deputy Manager, Communications said in a statement: “In order to check the unprincipled activities of these Depot Owners and Major Marketers in this regard and

to prevent the further imposition of hardship on the general public, the DPR is resolved to take immediate steps to directly supervise the sale of PMS & DPK from these affected depots in order to ensure that appropriate pricing is strictly adhered to. “This process will involve; the immediate suspension of direct sales of PMS and DPK from the affected Depot Owners and Major Marketers. “The immediate set-

ting up of a special DPR task force on supervision and monitoring of product sales from the affected depots with powers to undertake the sale of products from these depots (the task force shall liaise with the PPMC, PPPRA and the Law enforcement agencies) “The DPR special task force shall issue directives and guidelines to the general public on the procedure for the enforcement of the supervised sales through-

out the period of this exercise until normalcy returns to the sector. “We hereby reiterate our directive to all Depots, Marketers and Operators in the sector to abide by the official pricing regime to avoid DPR sanctions which may include the activation of all conditions that may lead to the denial of any marketer from further participation in the PSF scheme and the withdrawal of licenses of a facility.”

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu; Chief Executive Officer, Forte Oil, Femi Otedola; Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza; American billionaire/ founder, America Online, Steve Case and Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu at a gathering of Nigerian business leaders hosted by Mr. Elumelu to discuss entrepreneurship and investment opportunities in Nigeria with Steve Case, in Lagos …on Tuesday

NERC, manufacturers to develop framework for supply Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has agreed with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on the need for a framework for the creation of micro grid for industrial clusters across the country. According to a statement from the Head of Public Affairs of NERC, Dr. Usman Abba Arab in Abuja, both organisations have set up a committee that would address the “challenges posed to industrial productivity and the country’s broader economic goals and how to dedicate small grids connected to large distribution grid to industrial clusters.” He quoted the Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, as saying that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo, SAN had been briefed on the objective of the meeting which is to make power available to industrial clusters in a reliable and quickest possible approach. Options being considered entail an arrangement to upgrade licences of captive electricity generators with excess capacities to supply firms within their vicinity through commercial arrangements that would be jointly beneficial to the electricity distribution companies and the industries.

Microsoft

N3bn debt: NCAA threatens to ground debtor airlines Nigeria

Wole Shadare

he Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) yesterday threatened to ground airlines that fail to remit the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSA) and Cargo Sales Charge (CSC) to the authority. The agency, in a final notice to all airline operators and made available to New Telegraph, has issued a 30day ultimatum to erring airlines. It said failure to comply with the directive of remittance of the outstanding payments; the authority shall enforce the provisions

of section 27(3) of the Civil Aviation Act. The notice stated that the aviation agency would therefore take all measures contained therein to enforce the collection of the debts. In addition, the names of the debtor airlines and amount owed shall be published in at least five national dailies. The names of the promoters of these airlines, directors and other related parties will be included in the publication upon the expiration of this ultimatum. The debt put at over N3 billion was accumulated from the failure of the air-

lines to remit five per cent of their ticket sales and cargo charges to the regulatory authority as required by law. The NCAA is piqued that the carriers collect the TSC and CSC on behalf of the NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria without remitting them to the NCAA which shares among the agencies based on the percentage agreed by government. Spokesman for the agency, Fan Ndubuoke,

in a statement said these measures will be taken in furtherance of the Federal Government’s directives on recovery of public debt. Ndubuoke added that the offending airlines have failed to offset the accumulated debts despite several appeals, reconciliation meetings, visits and reminders. His words: “The NCAA wishes to reiterate to the airlines that section 12(1) of the Civil Aviation Act 2006 provides that ‘there shall continue to be a five per cent air ticket contract, charter and cargo sales charge to be collected by the airlines and paid over to the authority.”

Pro-Saraki senators deny working against Buhari The affected Senators made the denial while addressing a news conference by the Chairman, Senate ad-hoc committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Dino Melaye, in reaction to a newspaper publication, which accused them of working against the interest of the President. They described the pub-

lication in a national daily (not New Telegraph) which alleged that 22 Northern Senators who signed the vote of confidence motion on Saraki, were working against Buhari in the senate as being masterminded by those who were the true enemies of the President. Melaye said that the report which tagged the

affected senators as antiBuhari, was wicked, satanic and unacceptable, pointing out that all the APC Senators worked for Buhari’s victory at the poll and were determined to ensure the success of his administration. He also said that the sponsors of the publication were the real enemies

of the president because their action was capable of causing disunity between the South and the North. Melaye regretted that the publication was a great disservice to the country, while however, assuring that the members and leadership of the 8th Senate were committed to moving the nation forward.

downsizes Segun Edwards

ollowing the massive layoff of staff sweeping through its global offices in the aftermath of poor sales of its phone division, the world foremost ICT company, Microsoft, has fired 34 out of its 40 staff in the Nigerian office, representing a record 85 per cent. Though staff of the Nigerian office kept sealed lips over the matter, a source who confirmed the development said that the down-sizing was part of the global decision of Microsoft, to streamline its phone division, following a memo from the company’s CEO, Satya Nadella, late June that the company needed to make some “tough choices” in areas that aren’t working. It announced that 7,800 jobs will be cut from the mobile division working on Windows Phone hardware.

FRIDAY,JULY 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro CON ARTIST

A suspected criminal in police net vehemently denied allegation that he was a herbalist. He says his area of specialisation was to defraud fortune seekers

I’m a professional fraudster, says suspect

Babatope Okeowo Akure

suspect in the custody of the police in Ondo State yesterday said he was not a herbalist but a professional fraudster. The man, Lanre Ologunagba, who was paraded in Akure yesterday, had allegedly defrauded different fortune seekers in different parts of the state to the tune of several thousands of naira. Ologunagba, who confessed to the crime, however, said he was not a herbalist but “a guy man” who used different methods to swindle people, especially women. He added that he had no other job apart from being a fraudster. Disclosing the method he used in defrauding people, Ologunagba said he had a fake shrine where people used to come for consultation. He said he would pretend to be consulting a spirit while one of his gang members would be elsewhere speaking like a ghost. The suspect added that he had a fake treasure pot for those seeking quick fortune. According to him, once a client sees the pot, it will be easy to trap him as several amount of money will be taken from him under the pretence of trying to make the person rich. On how he was arrested, Ologunagba said a woman came to him and wanted to make quick fortune in her shop where she sells food

Ologunagba

items. Since he did not know anything about it, he collected about N600,000 from her. He said: “I am a ‘guy man,’

Ibadan

T FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

her and promised to deliver. I did not know any herb, I only used trick on her. I am a complete fraudster. It was when I could not deliver that I was

FRSC arrested, fined 414 trucks –Oyeyemi Sola Adeyemo

ABIODUN BELLO

I am not a herbalist. A woman came to me and complained that her business was collapsing. She wanted me to boost her sales. I took money from

arrested by the police.” Aside Ologunagba, the police also arrested Wasiu Saka, who specialised in stealing his masters’ cars and selling them at giveaway prices. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Isaac Eke, said the suspect applied as a driver in a company in Lagos in June. A senior driver was assigned to test him with a Toyota bus with registration number JJJ94 XD. He said in the process, he stole the vehicle and took it to Oka-Akoko where he was arrested. Eke said this month, the suspect relocated to Ile-Ife in Osun State where he again applied as a driver to Mrs Rosemary Omotoso. The day after his appointment, he drove the woman to the church and disappeared with her Toyota Avalon car with registration number LSR 68 DH. Pretending to be a policeman, Saka called the woman and informed her that her car had been recovered. He also demanded N35,000 before he could disclose where the car was parked. The commissioner added that Saka collected N10,500 recharge card and relocated to Akungba-Akoko where he was arrested at a drinking joint. But the suspect said the woman owed her two months’ salary and it was in the ploy to collect his salary that he drove the car to his hometown. He added that a policeman took N60,000 from him to release him from police cell.

he Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said it had arrested and fined about 414 articulated vehicles in Ibadan, Ogere, Sagamu and Lagos Expressway for different traffic offences. The FRSC Corps Marshall, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, disclosed this yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Oyeyemi spoke with journalists during his inspection visit to the Oyo State Sector Command to assess the level of compliance

in the week-long exercise codenamed: “Operation Scorpion.” He said: “So far, since this exercise started on Monday to date, we have arrested 414 trucks and trailers. ‘Operation Scorpion’ was focused on trailers and truck drivers so as to ensure they obey all the driving rules and regulations with the ultimate aim of forestalling avoidable accidents on the highway. “The main focus of the programme is on the trailers and tankers to ensure full enforcement in compliance with appropriate national road traffic regulations.

“This is also to ensure that the containers or loads they carry, bad tyres and head lamps, among others, are in conformity with the appropriate way it should be done.” Commenting on the attitude of the trailer drivers, which he said could not but be tied to their age, Oyeyemi said the commission was also enforcing age limit not to be less than 26 years, according to the traffic regulatory body. He nevertheless stressed that the arrest of violators and punishments meted out on them were not merely to serve as fines but corrective measures. Oyeyemi

Metro

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY,JULY 31, 2015

Fire destroys N50m goods in Anambra Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

oods estimated to worth over N50 million were destroyed yesterday while about 150 people were rendered homeless when fire razed 10 shops and 10 residential apartments at Afor Nkpor Market in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The worst hit was the largest electrical shop in the area in which goods worth millions of naira were destroyed. According to a witness, the The scene of the fire outbreak fire started about 3am and was accompanied by explosions and ferno to a surge in power supply. flames from various shops lined The lawyer added that the on old Nkpor-Awka Abagana Enugu Electricity Distribution Road near Ifenu General Hos- Company (EEDC), at the time, supplied very high voltage curpital, Ogidi. A legal practitioner and a rent which caused a spark in resident of the area, Pat Agbata, one of the shops and ignited attributed the cause of the in- fire.

The fire, the witness added, later spread to other shops. Wailing uncontrollable while narrating her ordeal to journalists, a widow and landlady of some of the shops, Mrs Odebeaku, said “people were shouting that smoke was rising

from the shops when she woke up only to meet her entire shops already in flames. “On seeing that the entire shops and some residential apartments have been engulfed by fire, I collapsed because I have no other means of livelihood. “I am a widow and one of the victims who sells electrical wares and an old tenant, has lost all he has on earth. The inferno has done another blow to me since the death of my husband. Please tell the state government and other good spirited individuals to come to our rescue.” Another victim, Mr Ifeanyi Ezejiofor, also bemoaned his loss. He said: “I have been here for about 35 years and I started this electrical business with eight naira before it grew to a level that I started counting millions of naira. I have lost more than N5 million to this fire.”

Encomiums as Ilemobade is buried home, Ondo, in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State. The funeral service,

Babatope Okeowo Akure

which was held at the All Saints Anglican Church, Ogbonkowo, Ondo, had in attendance dignitaries

ormer Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Of Technology Akure (FUTA), Prof Albert Ilemobade, was yesterday buried amidst encomiums from former colleagues, students and associates. The former VC was killed by his domestic staff while his body was dumped in an abandoned store in his garage. The two domestic staff, Daniel Ita and Yemi Bamitale, have since been remanded in prison custody awaiting trial for the death of the septuagenarian academic. However, the late professor was laid to rest amidst encomiums in his country

The late Ilemobade

Two die, another becomes dumb after eating fish Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

wo persons yesterday reportedly lost their lives at Ezillo community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State after eating fresh fish. Another person was unable to talk after eating the fish. The victims were said to be labourers hired by one Mr. Alieze for his construction work. A resident of the community, who gave his name as Odoh Onyinyechi, told our correspondent that the victims were working and decided to take a rest when they went to the near-by stream where they caught the fish regarded as poisonous by

the community. He said: “A man from our community went to the town and brought people to work for him. The people later went to the stream to fetch water. They came back with fish. “We told them that the fish is forbidden in our area because we don’t consume it and if you must eat it, you must remove the scale. But, I don’t think they listened to our advice. “Before we knew it, two of the labourers had died while one of them could not speak anymore. We don’t eat this particular fish species for any reason and we always tell anyone found with it to prepare it properly if they must eat it.”

Another resident, who preferred anonymity, said he saw the victims catch the fish in the stream and warned them not to eat it. He said: “Those people were busy catching fish in our stream. I went closer to them and saw the fish. I told them not to eat one of the species which was among the ones caught. I told them to ensure they remove the scale before preparing it because the scale is very dangerous.” When contacted on the phone, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Chris Anyanwu, said he was on official assignment outside the state. Anyanwu said he was yet to authenticate the story.

from all walks of life, including the state Governor, Olusegun Mimiko. In his sermon, the Bishop of Ondo Diocese of Ecclesiastical, Rev Latunji Lasebikan, said death is inevitable and urged the congregation to always serve God diligently considering the circumstance that surrounded Ilemobade’s death. Lasebikan said death can only kill the body but not the soul when one is in Christ and called on the people to work upright before God to inherit eternity. Speaking after the service, Mimiko eulogised Ilemobade. The governor described the deceased as a rear gem who rendered selfless service to humanity and mankind.

Brave residents arrest armed robbers Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

ome brave residents yesterday apprehended two suspected armed robbers who had robbed a household of vehicle and N500,000 in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. The incident occurred at Iluteju community behind Muslims Cemetery, off New Yidi Road, Ilorin. The suspects, it was gathered, went to the community around 7am about two hours after the vigilantes employed by the community had gone home. They invaded a home with guns and cutlasses and stole N500,000 and a vehicle. However, some residents came out, chased and overpowered the robbers. When journalists visited the area, the residents gathered round the suspected armed robbers who were tied with rope. Others were searching an uncompleted building nearby in search of the guns used by the suspects.

City Briefs Glo hosts Night with Soyinka, young literary stars

lobacom has announced plans to celebrate Africa’s biggest literary icon and Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka. In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday, Globacom said an event tagged: “A Night with Wole Soyinka and Nigeria’s Young Literary Stars,” would be held in August to honour Soyinka and some of Nigeria’s young but inspirational literary writers. The company said the event was being organised to pay tribute to the literary stars for their immense contributions to the study of literature and for putting Nigeria on the world literary map. It noted that Soyinka had brought honour and glory to Nigeria and the whole of Africa. In addition to celebrating the wordsmith, the event is expected to also provide a platform for lovers of literature, the media and the guests to interact with Soyinka and the young award winning writers. During the event, Globacom said it would also launch a special prize in literature for undergraduate students across the country tagged: “The Glo Literature Prize for Undergraduate Students.” The telecoms network added that arrangements were being concluded to ensure an evening of intellectual stimulation, glitz, glamour and sublime entertainment for guests. The evening, it added, would also showcase a documentary on the life and times of the Nobel Laureate as well as a reading of his works by the three young literary Nigerian writers. The writers will in addition share their personal perspective on African literature and the contributions of Soyinka in an interactive exchange. The young writers being honoured on the night are Sefi Atta, Tope Folarin and E. C. Osondu.

Man hangs self in Ondo community Babatope Okeowo Akure

man identified as Damilola Ibitokun has reportedly committed suicide at Ero in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State. The dangling body of Ibitokun was discovered yesterday inside a bush in the community. Ibitokun did not leave any note to suggest what made him to take his life. The family and the entire people of the town still saw the incident as a mystery because no one could explain what prompted the man to take his life. His wife, Mrs Muibat Ibitokun, told journalists that it was only God that understands the mystery behind her husband’s action. The widow described her husband as a gentle and loving person. She said: “For quite some time now, he and I have been sleeping in the church but on Tuesday night he told me that he wanted to sleep at home. So I left for the church. But about 1am, he came back to the church. When I asked him why he came he said he wanted to ask me whether I quarreled with somebody and I replied that there was nothing like that.”

10 News Emmanuel Onani

he Nigerian Army has announced the killing of many Boko Haram fighters, and rescue of 59 civilians by soldiers. A statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, reads: “As part of efforts to rid Nigeria of Boko Haram terrorists, troops of 21 Brigade and elements

national

friday, july 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Soldiers kill many Boko Haram fighters, rescue 59 civilians — Army of Nigerian Army Engineers yesterday cleared a notorious terrorists camp at Chuogori and Shantumari, Borno State. “During the offensive operations, the fleeing ter-

rorists left underground grains silos. In addition, troops of 151 Task Force Battalion conducted operations on Kashingeri, Wale and Kushingari Boko Haram terrorists

camps today. “During the raids, quite a number of the terrorists were killed; a Landrover vehicle and a Tipper were recovered. The troops also rescued 59

civilians that were held captive by the terrorists and cleared the camps.” Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, has ordered police per-

EU grants 80m to four Niger Delta states

EFCC arrests former NIMASA boss

Amadi Nnamdi Abuja

he European Union yesterday announced an additional offer of 80 million Euros grant to the four Niger Delta states participating in the State Employment and Expenditure for Results, SEEFOR, Project. Speaking in Abuja at the National Stakeholders’ Validation Workshop on the Informal Sector Study on the four SEEFOR states, the Programme Manager, Economic Governance and Trade Cooperation Section of the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Omotunde Oni, said the amount has been approved under the 10th European Development Fund for the implementation of SEEFOR project in Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta States. It would be recalled that at the inception of SEEFOR in 2013, the European Union provided a grant of $100million to be implemented over a five year period of 2013-2017. Oni called for concerted engagement and integration of the informal sector into the mainstream Nigeria’s economy, adding that informal sector contributes 51 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP). Given the contributions of the informal sector to the economy, he lamented that the sector has not been documented and well-utilised in the country.

L-R: Assistant Corps Marshal, Command Administration and Strategy, FRSC, Mr. Augustine Aipoh; Corps Marshal/Chief Executive, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi and Head, Media Relations and Strategy, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, during a special operation ‘Scorpion’ patrol targeted at trailers and tankers in Lagos... yesterday.

Akeem Nafiu

ustice I ya b o Akinkugbe of an Ikeja High Court has ordered the police to produce a 20-year-old man, Ebi Tosan, arrested by the force in connection with the March 12 robbery incident at the Lekki branch of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB). Tosan is an alleged member of a gang of armed robbers who killed about five persons, including three policemen and a fish hawker, before carting away about N15m belonging to the bank four months ago. Following their arrest on April 5, Tosan and three of his gang members were paraded by the police. Also paraded alongside Tosan were Duke Odogbo, 38, Lawrence Kingsley, 31 and Ekelemo Kuete, 30. However, displeased about his arrest, Tosan

Court orders police to produce Lekki robbery suspect headed for the court seeking a declaration that his arrest, torture and continued detention by the State Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja without admitting him to bail was a violation of his human rights, preserved by Sections 34(1)(a), 35(1)(4) and Section 41 of the 1999 constitution. Apart from urging the court to order his immediate release, Tosan is also claiming N100m in damages against the police for what he referred to as unlawful detention and torture. Tosan's lawyer, Chief S.W. Baidi, argued that the continued detention of his client without bail was an "infringement and curtailment of the applicant's constitutional

NLC takes over LP, regains certificate of registration Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has regained possession of documents and certificate of registration of the Labour Party. Immediate former National Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, handed the docu-

sonnel to clamp-down on unregistered taxis plying Abuja routes. He has, therefore, given taxi drivers, who have not duly registered their vehicles to do so within the next two weeks. Arase handed down the warning yesterday in Abuja, when he met with the leadership of the National Union of Roads Transport Workers (NURTW). According to the IGP, “There are a lot of ‘kabukabu’ in Abuja, and you will agree with me that at this period of insurgency, it is very dangerous”, especially with those cabs that are not registered.

ments over to the President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba in Abuja yesterday. But assets belonging to the party are still in the possession of its erstwhile national secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Salam. Nwanyanwu had remained the party's National Chairman since its registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in the

year 2002. It would be recalled that the party was originally formed as a party for social democracy by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress(TUC) producing only the incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko before his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) ahead of the last general elections.

right to personal liberty, freedom of movement and presumption of innocence." At the resumed hearing of Tosan's fundamental rights enforcement action yesterday, Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe reaffirmed an earlier order made by Justice Lateefa Okunnu on July 9, directing the police to produce the suspect in court. The judge also granted an application by the suspect seeking urgent hearing of the case during the court’s long vacation. The matter has been adjourned till August 10, for the police to bring the suspect to court. Joined as the respondents in the suit are; the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Of-

ficer-in-Charge of SARS, Ikeja, Abba Kyari, and the Attorney General of Lagos State. In a 26-paragraph affidavit filed in support of the originating summon, deposed to by one, Tamuno Amos, who addressed himself as the suspect's uncle, it was argued that his continued detention by the police was a deliberate act by the police to “extract a confessional statement from him on the alleged offence.” Amos, who said he had not been allowed to see his nephew since his arrest, claimed that “the applicant is suffering on daily basis without access to food, bath and other conveniences and he may die in custody unless granted bail.

here were indications yesterday that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested the immediate past Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi. He was sacked two weeks ago by President Mohammadu Buhari. According to online newspaper, PREMIUM TIMES, Akpobolokemi was arrested in Lagos yesterday morning and was detained at the Lagos office of the EFCC in the Ikoyi area of the city. “He was taken in this morning around 10 a.m.,” the NIMASA insider said. “Some of our other officials have also been summoned while EFCC operatives have been conducting discreet investigation here. There is tension everywhere. “One of our people just returned from EFCC and he told me the former DG is still there, sweating profusely as he was being questioned by investigators.” The paper reported that while at NIMASA headquarters, EFCC operatives asked questions about some curious multibillion naira transactions approved by Mr. Akpobolokemi, especially during the dying days of the last administration.

Four refineries to produce 19m litres of PMS —NNPC Segun Edwards

s Nigerians groan over the non-availability of petroleum products, hope of a permanent solution to the perennial problem may not be in the offing soon even as all the four refineries resume production in July. While the Nigerian National Petro-

leum Corporation said through its spokesman Mr. Ohi Alegbe, that the two refineries in Port Harcourt would begin operations after turnaround maintenance, followed by those in Warri and Kaduna it has, however, alerted Nigerians that all the four refineries even at full capacity, cannot meet up the nation’s

demand on daily basis. Alegbe said that the four refineries can only produce around only 19 million litres of refined petroleum products per day, stating that this will still leave the country with a shortfall of 21 million litres that makes up the 40 million litres daily consumption requirement of the country.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUly 31, 2015

Abia

Unpaid salaries

Ikpeazu: A man on a mission

Fury of Imo workers

Politics

House leadership: How the battle was fought, lost The crisis that engulfed the House of Representatives since inauguration on June 9 was resolved on Tuesday following the peaceful appointment of principal officers by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara. PHILIP NYAM traced the genesis of the impasse, maneuvers, intrigues and how the battle was won and lost

or 49 days, the House of Representatives, which was inaugurated on June 9, was embroiled in a protracted crisis that culminated in one of the most embarrassing fight on the floor of the lower chamber on June 25. The House could only manage to sit for seven days and was forced to spend the rest of the days on recess drawing the ire of most Nigerians. The kernel of the misunderstanding was the emergence of Hon. Yakubu Dogara as speaker against the directive of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and his subsequent refusal to accede to the further request of the party hierarchy to name his main challenger, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and some of his loyalists as prin-

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Dogara

cipal officers. The peace that eluded the House for about two months was resolved on Tuesday when after resumption from recess, Dogara retraced his earlier stance and accommodated the party’s anointed lawmakers though with minor amendments. This development brought temporary relief to a legislative House that had attained fame for rancour and violence in less than two months of its inauguration. How peace returned At the resumed plenary of the House on Tuesday, the gallery of the chambers was filled to capacity with Nigerians from different walks of life trooping into the lower House to witness yet another fight among the lawmakers. Both the visitors and journalists covering the House waited with bated breath as the speaker proceeded with the business of the day. Initially there was palpable fear as the man of the moment, Gbajabiamila was not on the floor. He came after business had commenced. Even the House leader-

guessing. He did not make the announcement until the last moment before the adjournment of the House. While he was presiding, most of his loyalists had at different times gone to confer with him. Towards the end of the plenary, the speaker handed over to his deputy, Hon, Yusuf Lasun and left the chambers but returned some minutes later to announce the principal officers. Even at that, Gbajabiamila’s name was the last to be announced. His appointment was greeted with a hilarious ovation on the floor. The speaker also appointed Doguwa (North-West) as Chief Whip, Hon. Buba Jibril (NorthCentral) as Deputy Leader and Hon. Pally Iriase (South-South) as Deputy Whip. Also, announced was the Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor (South-South), Minority Whip, Hon. Umar Yakubu Barde (North-West), Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Chukwuka Onyeama (South-East) and Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. Binta Bello (North-East). Shortly after the announcement, the House adjourned plenary.

Gbajabiamila

The appointment of Gbajabiamila and his loyalists as principal officers has brought to an end a protracted crisis

ship had expected that there was a looming trouble because on the eve of resumption, both the Ethics and Privileges, and Media and Public Affairs committees of the House issued statements warning lawmakers opposed to the speaker against violence and unruly behaviour. But when he sauntered into the chambers, his unexpected less aggressive contributions signalled that the lawmakers who met with President Muhammadu Buhari the previous night had resolved their differences. Worthy of note was the withdrawal of his earlier opposition to a motion seeking to compel Buhari to gazette former President Goodluck Jonathan’s hand over notes. The exchange of banters amongst members was also instructive. Before then, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, who was a key member of the APC Loyalists Group led by Gbajabiamila had apologised to Dogara over their unruly behaviour on June 25 and appealed to the speaker to extend the apology to Nigerians too. But Dogara kept everyone

Victors and casualties With the appointment, Dogara has been able to accommodate three lawmakers from the Gbajabiamila-led APC Loyalists Group. Only Buba Jibril belongs to the Consolidation Group led by the speaker. The appointment of Gbajabiamila and his loyalists as principal officers has brought to an end a protracted crisis that has forestalled sittings of the House for over a month. Although, the House has been able to put behind it the crisis, there are victors and losers in the new arrangement. Dogara had chosen his principal officers based on federal character and rejected the anointed candidates of APC. The speaker had proposed, Ado Doguwa (North-West) as leader, Pally Iriase (South-South) as chief whip, Buba Jibril (NorthCentral) as Deputy Leader while Chike Okafor (South-East) was to be Deputy Chief Whip. But the party insisted that Gbajabiamila must be Leader Doguwa as Deputy Leader Mohammed Monguno CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Politics

FRIDAY, JUly 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ikpeazu: A man on a mission The performance of Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu since he assumed office has practically endeared him to Abians home and abroad, thereby redefining the focus of governance in the God’s Own State. WALE ELEGBEDE writes

he trail blazing performance of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State two months after taking over the reins of power in the God’s Own State couldn’t have come as a surprise to those who know him. With about 14 years’ experience in public service, Governor Ikpeazu is a direct analogy of a round peg in a round hole. With a grounded knowledge of prudency that aptly fits the bill of governance in Abia, Ikpeazu’s first move to cut his salary by half, elicited much delight among citizens of the state that it would not be business as usual for public office holders in the state. It is pertinent to know that the governor was fully aware of the wastages associated with official trips, hence, in the few compulsory trips Ikpeazu has made, he has exhibited a great deal of caution and discipline by travelling with not more than three aides, thereby ensuring that the state save a significant amount from the cost of foreign trips by government officials, including himself. Aside his commitment to ensure prompt payment of salaries on the 24th of every month, Ikpeazu’s directive to effect the commencement of staff audit in the state civil service to enable government determine its actual staff strength as well as weed out the ghost percentage through an Integrated Payroll Verification System, has been collectively hailed by all and sundry as one of the best things to happen to the state civil service. In an apparent acknowledgement of Aba as the economic hub of the state and the need to provide an enabling environment for the thriving market, the governor ordered an immediate clean-up of the silted Aba drainage. With this bold step from the governor to revamp Aba and give the city a better facelift, many stakeholders within the city have independently embarked on crusades to solicit support and cooperation of their fellow citizens to ensure that the administration’s quest to fix the commercial capital is not frustrated in any way. This mood in the state is being backed by the belief that once government is able to fix Aba, then Abia will be fine. Another major effort of the governor that has received applause is his decision not to be

Ikpeazu

in the league of those who go cap in hand to Abuja every day for funds; hence, his commitment to devise measures to raise the internally generated revenue of the state from an average of N350 million to N1.5 billion within his first year in office. As an advocate of fairness, the governor has called for a synergy within revenue collection agencies to avoid double taxation or irregularities in any form. Thus, he has instructed that the relevant tax collection agencies stop the collection of taxes and levies so that the system can be automated and harmonised by the newly formed Economic Advancement Team. To bring his projection to fruition, the governor immediately after assuming office instituted an Abia State Economic Advancement Team, which is directly under him as the chairman, to drive the state’s economic growth as well as the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Determined to ensure that the commercial nerve centre is not neglected and made conducive for both traders and buyers, the governor decided to create an agency that will directly manage issues relating to the conduciveness of the city, hence, the establishment of the Office of Aba Urban Renewal. The idea behind the office is to develop the entire state by making Aba the launch pad, and his vision is to ensure that Aba becomes the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Capital of Nigeria. In addition to that, Ikpeazu has also started awarding the construction of seven roads in Aba and as a strong adherent of quality as against quantity, the governor has assured that the roads

Clearly, the actions and body language of the new administration has shown that Ikpeazu is not concerned about playing to the gallery

would come with the full compliments of standard roads across the world. Setting a feasible target for itself, the administration plans to commission them within its first 100 days in office. The roads have streetlights and are already in the works. No doubt, Ikpeazu’s vision and drive to transform Abia into a centre of commerce, where business is conducted seamlessly, and in a secure and clean environment, has commenced, and in no time, Abia is billed to be one of the cleanest states in Nigeria, and with the composition of the EAT under the leadership of the governor, the state is set to be among the biggest contributors to the nation’s treasury with the expected increase in its monthly IGR. For the Ikpeazu administration, governance is not about talks but feasible actions aimed at realising its objectives. For the new administration, one of the fertile grounds that will ensure that it meets new IGR benchmark of N1.5 billion is the new Umuahia City, which is designed to include modern malls, recreational parks, housing estates, and an International Conference Centre. This project has the potential of boosting the states revenue through tourism. The project has a capacity of about 9,000 persons that includes a main hall, four conference halls and a banquet hall, the centre is complete with a VIP lounge, gallery, offices and a huge parking lot. When completed, the building will soon be a Mecca for tourists and it is expected to generate huge revenue for the state. Prior to this centre in Umuahia, there were no good places to hold conferences of world class

standard in the entire South-East region. The ICC, when fully functional will therefore fill the gap and be what the Calabar International Convention Centre is to Cross River. Clearly, there are yet to be tapped IGR from Aba and the Ikpeazu administration is daily digging them up for service, but as the commercial and industrial nerve centre of the state, Aba, with its plethora of small and medium scale industries, is about the only city in Nigeria with the largest concentration of cottage industries, an area he plans to explore. Interestingly, several local and International financial organisations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have attested to this and with the various measures being floated by Governor Ikpeazu, it will be apt to call him a governor born for a time like this. Recently, the African Development Bank (AfDB) granted approval of a $200 million facility for the state to be used in tackling the challenges of water, sanitation and road construction. With this fund, which Ikpeazu has assured the people would be applied on the Port Harcourt road, Aba, and other roads, the challenges of refuse dumps and deplorable roads within the city are being tackled head-on. The Office of Aba Urban Renewal has earnestly commenced work on the drainage system in Aba. While it is no longer news that the high commercial terrain of Abia perhaps made it susceptible to security challenges, Ikpeazu has, however, decided not to take the issue of security lightly at all as he has vowed to protect every law abiding resident of the state. Apparently putting his searchlight on some grey areas where criminals might be hiding, the government has immediately taken over the security of Enyimba Hotel. The hotel was reportedly bought some 20 years ago by the Aba Chambers of Commerce but later became the hiding place for criminals in the state. For genuine investors, opportunities abound in the God’s Own State especially with the lauding investment incentives from Ikpeazu. The governor means business and he is already walking his talk, it is only within a matter of time that the good stories will start coming and the people of the state becoming the primary beneficiaries. Clearly, the actions and body language of the new administration has shown that Ikpeazu is not concerned about playing to the gallery or trivialising issues of governance. Within limited days in office, the governor has enthused hope and restored confidence of the people of the state in his administration’s desire to deliver on its campaign promises. Indeed, the governor is a man on a mission and Abians rightly made a good choice in queuing behind the candidacy of Ikpeazu on April 11.

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUly 31, 2015

STEVE UZOECHI reports on the ‘breach’ of agreement between the Imo State Government and organised labour resulting in industrial action which has grounded the state

Fury of Imo workers

n Monday, the organised labour in Imo State put every government establishments under lock and key, grounding activities in the state in a bid to press home their grievances over poor working conditions in the state. From the state secretariat to the State High Court; from primary schools to secondary schools and of course from all the general hospitals to the 27 council areas in the state, work was suspended. Not even the Imo State House of Assembly was left untouched, as activities in the state legislature was also grounded by the industrial action. The signal was loud and clear that the workers have come to the end of their tethers and would not be restrained any further from expressing their disaffection with the prevailing situation in the Imo work environment. And according to the union leaders, it was just a one-week warning strike to put government on notice that workers would not hesitate to embark on an indefinite strike action if government fails to redress the issues raised by labour. The centre of the industrial action was the non-payment of salaries and arrears as and when due. Also there are issues surrounding the purported slashing of workers’ salaries and the non-payment of Imo pensioners. Across the ministries and parastatals, government indebted to Imo workers are staggered between two to five months of unpaid salaries; a situation the labour union maintains is no longer acceptable. The warning strike involves all the affiliate bodies of Labour in the state namely Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), National Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Joint Health Sector Workers Union (JOHUSU), Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSUC), and National Association of General Medicine and Dental Practitioner (NAGGMDP), with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), joining on sympathy. The organised Labour had raised the alarm that the government had violated agreement they reached on July 6. The workers which made their grievances public in a letter addressed to Governor Rochas Okorocha had listed the alleged violations one of which includes non-compliance with the paragraph (2) of the agreement which provided for the full payment of arrears of workers’ salaries. Similarly, it described as unacceptable and against extant laws and circulars government’s unilateral reduction of salary and allow-

Okorocha

ances of some workers in the state when such could only be effected through negotiation and laws that emanate from the Salaries and Wages Commission. It cited example with the circular N0 GH/PS/S?420/1/410 dated July 3, 2015 from the office of the Principal Secretary to the Governor directing the SolicitorGeneral, Ministry of Justice and the Accountant-General of the state to adopt Enugu State salary structure for the payment of legal officers of the Ministry of Justice. Union maintains that reducing salary of any worker in the state is contrary to the agreement reached and should be reversed. Organised labour also frowned at the removal of CONHESS and CONMESS in the payment schedule of the health workers in the state contrary to the agreement of July 6 just as it urged government to immediately begin implementation of paragraph (4) of the Communiqué which provided for the payment to pensioners of the state to help reduce the rate at which they were dying. On its part, the National Union of Pensioners (NUP) which has also given government a seven-day ultimatum to settle their arrears of pension, indicate that their grievances include non-payment of 18 months arrears owed retired primary school teachers; six months arrears owed local government pensioners; five months arrears owed civil pensioners; arrears of gratuity from 2000 to date; payment of arrears of Abdulsalami Abubakar 180 per cent award of 1999; Olusegun Obasanjo 142 per cent award of 2000; the union observed that Governor Okorocha had not shown any sign of responsive governance towards resolving these grievances. Okorocha was apparently riled by the action of the workers which

I am convinced their action is politically motivated and if they do not go back to work, we will handle it politically

he said was without justification and was in total violation of the terms of the agreement government reached with organised labour on July 6. The governor, who viewed the industrial action as being politically motivated, warned that government may be forced to handle the strike action politically if the workers fail to return to work. He regretted that after his trip to the United States with President Muhammadu Buhari, it was disheartening to welcome him back to the state with an industrial action which lacked any form of validation. He said: “I still cannot fathom any reason for the strike. We reached an agreement and even before the month ended, workers reneged on the agreement. We have kept faith with our workers; for the last four years, we did not owe anybody until the economic situation in the country took a downturn. It is worrisome that they could not show understanding for just one or two months’ indebtedness. “More than 90 per cent of the subvention that come to the state which is over N2 billion go to workers who are less than 50,000 in strength. Only Imo pays 100 per cent CONMESS and CONHESS and our agreement was that the arrears would be defrayed based on the availability of the bailout fund. They defaulted and violated the terms of the agreement and I am convinced their action is politically motivated and if they do not go back to work, we will handle it politically.” The governor averred that the main grouse of the workers is government proposed plan to embark on the biometric verification of workers in the state with the view of plugging leaks and drainpipes. The governor, however, conceded that government parastat-

als in the state were being owed upwards of five months arrears but explained that his concept of parastatals was such that parastatals should be self-sustaining. “I can’t continue giving them subvention. ADP in the state collects close to N20 million every month producing nothing; the Imo State Water Board gets more than N7 million every month, yet there is no pipe-borne water anywhere in Imo State. We cannot be wasting public resources on people who are not productive,” Okorocha explained. One of the major arguments raised by government in condemnation of the strike action is the paragraph two of the communiqué issued jointly by government and labour after the meeting of July 6 which reads: “Government and Labour also resolved that in respect of the present economic situation and the incoming bailout to states, for outstanding salaries, that government will pay outstanding workers’ salaries for civil servants, teachers, local government workers and health workers up to the month of June 2015. Both parties also agreed that this payment is subject to available bailout fund. Where the fund is not sufficient, labour and government will meet to take decision on the next step.” A union member who craved anonymity stated that by the tone of the communiqué, workers were convinced that Okorocha had no plans of paying salaries and had deliberately not made any effort to meet the conditions for the bailout. “Why is he bringing in bailout into this agreement since he claims he owed workers only ‘one month’ salaries which of course is a lie. He received allocation for the months of May and June and still could not defray the ‘one month’ he claims to be owing workers. What did he do with the two months’ allocations and the LNG payout that was shared to governors? With all these, he paid only one month out of the three to six months he owes ministries and parastatals. This is why congress rejected the communiqué as unworkable,” the source said. When contacted on why labour embarked on strike after endorsing a communique which stated that defrayal of arrears of salaries would be subject to availability of bailout fund, the state Chairman of NLC, Comrade Austine Chilakpu explained that government was confusing a communique with an agreement. “What was endorsed by the union was a communiqué and not an agreement. We did not get into any agreement with the government which of course had repeatedly defaulted on previous agreements.” Chilakpu, however, noted that contrary to the claims of the governor, that there was no political motivation to the strike action, which he said was just a sincere expression of the fundamental human rights to life of Imo workers. He added that the strike action is not indefinite but a warning strike which the union hopes that government would heed and do the needful.

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Nnewi woman worries Rawlings Emissary EMEKA OBASI

emobas2003@yahoo.com 08094457557 (sms only)

unny how some women who enjoy more than a fair share of control in their matrimonial homes think the outside world is also carved to be at at their beck and call. Ex- Ghanaian First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings still does not want to grow up and behave like a grannie. She was barely two years into matrimony when hubby, Jerry John Rawlings became military ruler in 1979 at 32. JJ confessed that during their years of courtship, he had to regularly wash her mother’s car in the name of love. The young man abandoned his Roman Catholic church for Nana’s Protestantism. Nana today is protesting the choice of Charlotte Ama Osei[neeKesson Smith] as new boss of her country’s Electoral Commission[EC], following the exit of Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan who occupied the position for about two decades. Mrs Rawlings’ grouse is that the first woman to head EC is partly Nigerian. Charlotte, was born in Nnewi, Anambra state during the Civil War, on February 1, 1969. Nnewi is the hometown of Biafran leader, Dim Emeka OdumegwuOjukwu. We all remember the peace moves at Aburi, Ghana brokered by Gen. Roy Ankrah, which failed to end hostilities. The woman attended college and university in Ghana, her home country and qualified as a lawyer in 1992. She also obtained higher degrees in South Africa and Canada respectively. The annoying part of Mrs Rawlings’ stand is that her own husband, is of Scottish descent and married an Ewe lady from Dzelukope, in that country’s Volta Region. Ghana’s constitution which does not favour dual nationality, however allows the Kevin and Jerome

Boatengs to play for the Black Stars even with their German background. It is sad that Mrs Rawlings, who has benefitted so much from Nigeria suddenly discovered that someone who was born here should be ostracized from high office in Ghana. She is a frequent visitor to our shores with her husband, picking honours and gracing A-list occasssions. There is also talk in Ghana that she owned the grandiose La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in the Labadi area of Accra. You need to go there to see how part of our oil money was spent. I have been there thrice and I asked questions. A top Ghanaian whispered to me that it was part of Abuja largesse to the Rawlings for supporting maximum dictatorship. Just before her husband completed his presidency in 2001, La Palm Royal Beach was sold. I believe my source, who added,’do not say I told you.’ I was in Accra as part of delegations led by Adm. Augustus Aikhomu and Gen. Osaigbovo Ogbemudia respectively. Ogbemudia’s Teshie course mate Gen. Kutu Acheampong had been executed by the Rawlings regime in 1979. Mrs Rawlings, with her education does not deserve our respect and she apparently is ignorant of the power of Nigerian legal luminaries all over the continent. Justice Egbert Udo Udoma was not only Chief Justice of Uganda in 1963, he became that nations acting Governor- General. Emmanuel Ayoola was Chief Justice of the Gambia, from 1983-1992 and four more compatriots including James Omo- Agege, Emmanuel Akomaye Agim and Esther Awoh Ota have also held the same position. Justice Ota is more remembered as the judge who handed an eight year sentence to President Yaya Jammeh’s friend, Moussa Sosso, a Member of Parliament, for dealing in hard drugs. Nana’s manners are nauseating. Once, her comments made youths of Berekum in Brong Ahafo region their plead with her husband to divorce her. She has been unable to handle, four children like a great mother. First child,Ezenator, a doctor, was in the news for having children from different men. Another daugh-

ter, Yaa Asentewaa was smacked by hip pop star Wanluv da Kubolor during their college days at the North Ridge Lyceum Accra in their years at Osu Castle. Only son,Kimathi, was frolicking with the daughter of an opposition leader in the heat of the election of John Atta- Mills. Ezenator is warming up for parliamentary primaries and is eyeing seats in both Greater Accra and Volta regions. That is the legacy they got from their mother who once ordered her body guards to shave her daughter’s boyfriend and clamp him in detention. Next time Nana Rawlings comes here, we could take her to Nnewi for proper panel beating. Re: Brandishing Biafra’s baffling balafon Mazi Obasi, many thanks for your piece. Am proud of people like you and I know that every true Igbo should be proud of you. I am the founder of Owuwa Anyanwu Peoples Initiative[OPI] which is to be launched soon. But let no Igbo be deceived, because never again will we accept any gang up against Igbo from either Hausa or Yoruba. They either have Nigeria or we have Biafra. I salute your courage! Ya gazie. – Joe Marshal Ifediorah Good write up and you particularly struck the chord. Welcome to Anambra state where schools seized by by Nigeria at the end of hostilities in 1970 still remain seized by fellow Ndigbo. Mission schools have long been released to the churches but ex-gov Peter Obi refused to do same for schools owned by individuals. Discrimination by Igbo against Igbo. Kindly investigate. – Onwuzu Frank Dear Emeka, I was alarmed when I read your column because I didn’t see the picture you painted. Please enjoy your Weekeend! – Gbemiga Ogunleye Very good piece – Chuck.

Aduro: Core catholic, charismatic to the marrow Oji Onoko

he voice was low, unusually low. But there was no way I could miss the words which still linger as I write this- two weeks after. “Your friend is gone,” her daughter, Agatha, a medical doctor, had said, trailing off. The tears just came. It did not matter that I was in the office. Who says men don’t cry? “Gone?” I pondered. About a month ago when we spoke, he did not sound so bad even though he said he had to be rushed to the hospital because of the excruciating pain he was feeling in his stomach. How was I to know it was the last time I would be talking to my friend of 33 years! But Peter Aduro was not just a friend. He was a brother, a counselor, a confidant, a mentor. We met at the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Benin in the early 80s. I was in my second year while he was a freshman. But he was a mature student, already armed with a professional certificate in Nursing with a wife in tow. I never asked why he chose Theatre instead of a Degree in Nursing. We hit it off immediately. In Lagos, his career took a different trajectory-Courier. While many of us gravitated towards the National Theatre (Remember the famous Abe-Igi) intent on practicing Theatre which at the end never paid off financially as we drifted into different professions later, he established himself early enough in a job that paid

his bills. Unlike many of us who had no responsibilities as it were, he had a wife and children to take care of from the out –set. He learnt quickly and worked in a few small- time courier companies before his break came with the job at DHL. He stamped his authority and got promoted rapidly. The pinnacle for him was when he became Duty Manager, a position that made him oversee various aspects of the operations of the company. The job did not last for too long but it grounded him in the nitty-gritty of Courier business. He had other jobs in quick succession in smaller Courier companies. Then DHL came for him again as they needed a trustworthy staff to man their Minna office on an Agency basis. It was a job he gave his all and managed till the very end even with the challenge of light courier traffic… It was also in Lagos that our friendship blossomed prompted ironically by a health scare I had. It was perhaps his background in Nursing that made my wife to literally drag me to his modest apartment in IreAkari Estate. He listened attentively as I explained what happened expressing my fears and foreboding. His soothing word was balm to my sore soul and for the first time my wife was calm. He then directed us to a Matron I suppose he worked with in the past but at the time at Lagos General Hospital, CMS. Through her I was taken to a Consultant whose care and attention stabilized me till date. Without letting him know, I always felt I owed him my life. He would have been scandalized if I

told him this, because for Peter Aduro, a devout Catholic of the purest hue and a fervent Charismatic, God is the only one worthy of such adulation no matter his role in what happened. His usual line is “Thank God.” Religion means so much to him especially his beloved Catholic Church. He would not for any reason miss the morning Mass or any programme of the Catholic Charismatic Movement. This was taken a notch higher when he moved to Minna, Niger State where he became not just a local leader of the Charismatic movement but a state and national leader. He was a Catholic to the core and Charismatic to the marrow. Still, he gave a very unserious Christian like me my space. It was therefore easy for me to visit his home and stay for some weekends especially after I relocated to Abuja. Looking back now I wonder how he felt when I complained openly at such visits that their family prayer done before everyone goes to bed that I am obliged to partake in is too long! Liberal as he was wont to be, he never chastised me. Instead, I am asked to pray sometimes. To compensate though, I would always attend the Sunday Mass with him but not the Charismatic programme which I find too loud and long. Serious as he seemed from the exterior, Peter Aduro had his light side. He loved action films and would switch to Mnet Action once he is done with his evening meals. This was the only point of disagreement between him and his amiable wife

-Marie, an avid fan of African Magic! And he had a soft spot for his wife. This was amply demonstrated when she turned 50 as he pulled off a surprise colorful birthday party for her. When she stepped into the hall filled with close family friends including my humble self, she burst into tears of joy. It was a romantic Peter Aduro that went to kiss off the tears to the applause of all present. His talent for fiction came to the fore when his entry was selected and published in the collection by defunct Liberty Merchant Bank Short Story Series. Peter Aduro was a rare breed who crossed the line between religion and spirituality, an uncommon trait these days where religion is a mere fad for millions. His zeal for the Church is only marched by his unbounded generosity. How can I forget those bags of rice he usually sent periodically without being prodded and the crisp Naira notes tucked inside DHL branded envelopes? How can I forget his raucous laughter and banter? What of his gospel songs that he usually breaks into before any of his prayer sessions? What of the prayer itself in which he remembers every other person before his family and self, a sure sign of selfless service? Departing now my friend is not fair. You should have forewarned me. Indeed, you should have let me know it is time…But what else can I say? So long Peter Aduro… • Onoko, an Assistant Director (PR) with the National Gallery of Art, wrote from ojionoko2007@yahoo.com

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015

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Oliseh: No excuse for failure

he recent employment of Super Eagles Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been received with mixed reactions by followers of football in the country. Oliseh, a former skipper of the Eagles was part of the golden generation (1994) of players that won the Nations Cup in Tunisia, qualified for Nigeria’s first World Cup and also went ahead to win the Olympic gold (1996) in Atlanta. His major qualification for the job is the UEFA pro licence, which is regarded as the highest coaching badge in the world. Amaju Pinnick and the chieftains in the NFF were apparently pleased with the deal such that during the presentation, Pinnick tagged Oliseh the ‘Pep Guardiola of Africa.’ Guardiola without experience took over Barcelona and won 14 trophies with the Spanish football giants. He is now the coach of Bayern Munich of Germany. The way the NFF swiftly engaged Oliseh less than a week after the sacking of former coach, Stephen Keshi, gave indication that the football house was not ready to work with the “Big Boss” any longer.The initial tenure of Keshi expired after the World Cup in Brazil and it took so much politicking after nine months before Keshi was reluctantly asked to continue. He was said to have enjoyed the support of former

President Goodluck Jonathan but after the exit of Jonathan, the NFF did not waste time in ‘flushing out’ the former Mali and Togo national team coach. Back to Oliseh, we believe like many other Nigerians, that the NFF should have prepared him better before giving him this big task. For example, Samson Siasia was a former U-20, U-23 and Super Eagles coach. He currently handles the U-23 team and his experience is not in doubt after leading Nigeria to clinch silver at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, only second to Argentina. The NFF did not look in that direction and rather went for Oliseh whose best coaching experience was his stint with a Belgian division three B outfit, RSC Vervietois, for eight months between 2008 and 2009. It is however difficult to blame those who feel the NFF should not have given Oliseh the nod with such little or no experience. Keshi was a former assistant Eagles’ coach and a national

Back to Oliseh, we believe like many other Nigerians, that the NFF should have prepared him better before giving him this big task

coach of Togo and Mali before getting the Eagles’ job. It came to us as a surprise that the NFF/ Oliseh romance clicked within two days after negotiations in London. The NFF announced at the unveiling that three-month salary of Oliseh was paid upfront by a federation that is persistently crying for money to execute its programmes. Again, the contract papers are kept as secret documents by both parties and we hope neither party would cry foul over a breach of contractual agreement. We believe the timing of this change by the NFF is poor and one can only make such a change with an assurance of not rocking the boat and to of course deliver instant results. Oliseh has a foreign Technical Assistant in Belgian, Jean Francois Losciuto , and together they are expected to hit the ground running. The reason is simple; Nigeria failed to make it to the 2015 Africa Nations Cup and no one expects a repeat of such football calamity. Currently, the Super Eagles are not as united as expected. This is the first major test of the new coach and we expect him to face this issue urgently. The various crises that ensued after the Nigeria/Chad 2017 Nations Cup qualifier are yet to be extinguished. The Oliseh we know has egoistic tendencies, same attitude which the current NFF President, Pinnick, is also guilty of. The relationship between the two strong personalities in the

next three years is important to enable the Super Eagles to post the expected results. Oliseh is expected to work with the Shaibu Amodu-led technical committee and we believe this is another potential crisis area. The new coach has ego and will always want to take his decisions at every point in time. The situation in the domestic league is getting better and we make bold to say Oliseh can get some quality players if he stays around to monitor the players in the Nigeria Premier League. Whether the coach is ready for such an endevour is another issue entirely. The qualifying series of the 2017 Nations Cup started on June 13 when the Eagles defeated Chad 2-0 in Kaduna and with Egypt in the same group with Nigeria, the Eagles will have to double efforts to grab the only automatic ticket at stake in the group. They are billed to play Tanzania away in the next qualifying fixture and nothing short of victory is expected from Oliseh. As it is, the NFF and Oliseh will have no excuse for failure as both parties have been speaking well on the country’s chances. Oliseh is yet to meet the players but he must devise both short and medium term plans to produce results for the team. Nigerians love football and they are yearning for impressive results from the Super Eagles.

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Politics

FRIDAY, JUly 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

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

as Deputy Chief Whip and Iriase as Chief Whip. The winners: The South-West geo-political zone is the biggest winner in the resolution of the House crisis. Although, the zone could not produce the speaker as arranged by the party hierarchy, it has been able to garner one presiding and principal position each. No other zone is enjoying such a privilege. The deputy speaker, Lasun, and majority leader, Gbajabiamila are from the zone. Lasun is also a winner in the outcome of this crisis because, the pressure mounted on him to vacate the seat for Gbajabiamila was unsuccessful. Gbajabiamila: V ictory at last The man at the centre of the crisis, Gbajabiamila, has come out stronger. He aspired to be speaker and was endorsed by the party. Dogara, who was the underdog beat him at the poll but Gbajabiamila’s appointment as leader is a major victory. As House leader, he is in a vantage position to dictate events in the House and is a strategic player that cannot be ignored by the speaker. In fact, as House leader, Gbajabiamila will wield more influence than the deputy speaker. He is the face of the governing party and will be the speaker’s right hand man. Doguwa: The Whip Doguwa was a key stakeholder in the Gbajabiamila campaign team. He was the initial anointed House leader of the group and had fought alongside with the group until a week ago when he decided to make a detour and accept the position from Dogara at the expense of Gbajabiamila. Doguwa was very philosophical in welcoming the “Dogara formula”. He had said “If Gbajabiamila accepts us as a group, he should now believe in me as a member of that group. If for instance you want to take something by your right hand side and the person giving it to you does so through your left hand side, you take it”. He is also a winner in the new arrangement because as chief whip, the Kano lawmaker is the number four man in the House leadership perking order. Iriase Pally Iriase also came out victorious in the leadership tussle. He initially threw himself in the ring to contest for speaker and was actually touted to be Dogara’s choice for deputy speaker. But the arrangement could not fly and was compelled by the speaker to step down and dissolve into the Gbajabiamila project. He is however the luckiest amongst them because, he was in the good books of both warring factions. While the Dogara group had nominated him as chief whip, the party initially penciled him down for deputy whip but the magnanimity of Hon. Mohammed Monguno to swap position with him again raised him to the position of Chief Whip in the Gbajabiamila camp. There are only three APC members from the South-South and the Edo lawmaker is lucky to have been appointed as deputy chief whip. The position could have been given to Hon. Peter Akpatason, who is also a ranking

Monguno

Iriase

Doguwa

House leadership: The winners, the losers position. There are only two APC members from the South-East in the House and both are from Imo State. He will however be given a good committee to head as compensation.

member from the zone as well. Jibril: Jibril representing Lokoja federal constituency of Kogi state is the lucky member from the Consolidation camp. He is the only principal officer outside the deputy speaker that came from the speaker’s camp. He is the Deputy Leader and has been chairman of Capital Market, Information and Orientation Committees in the 6th and 7th House respectively. He was not visible during the fight but was a strategic partner in shoring up support for Dogara. The losers: Mohammed Monguno Monguno came into the race on a very high pedestal. He was endorsed by majority of the lawmakers from the North-East ahead of Dogara in the run for the position of speaker. He, however, bowed to the party’s directive and withdrew to contest as deputy speaker on the same ticket with Gbajabiamila. When Gbajabiamila lost, he was nominated as chief whip and later deputy chief whip but was consumed by the reconciliation and realignment of forces. Monguno had teamed up with Doguwa and Iriase to accept the Dogara formula, only to withdraw his endorsement 24 hours later; though by proxy. He did not lose completely since Dogara has already made him chairman of the ad hoc Committee on Law Reform. Chike Okafor The new lawmaker from Imo State failed to make history as the first first-timer to be appointed into principal position in the House since 2003. Beside 1999, when all the members were new, the House rule prohibits fresh lawmakers from assuming principal positions. He was nominated as deputy chief whip by Dogara but could not make it as the ranking rule and poor showing of APC in the South-East cost him the

When Gbajabiamila lost, he was nominated as chief whip and later deputy chief whip but was consumed by the reconciliation

The June 25 crisis Although, the remote cause of the House crisis was the election of Dogara as speaker, the immediate cause was the refusal of the speaker to recognise the list of principal officers picked for the House by the APC. Dogara’s refusal to read APC national chairman’s letter sparked off the fight on the floor on June 25. After the House had adjourned till July 21, some members loyal to the party went to court seeking a declaration compelling the speaker to recognise Gbajabiamila and others as principal officers in line with the directive of the APC. Similarly, some lawmakers from the North-Central also filed a case at an Abuja Federal High Court kicking against the party’s list alleging marginalisation. There was also a protest by the two-member APC caucus of the House in the South-East, which also complained of being marginalised. What, however, broke the camel’s back was Dogara’s letter to the APC chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on appointment of principal officers. Dogara had argued that the party’s choices was a violation of the principle of Federal Character as enshrined in the constitution. Dogara’s letter was faced with stiff opposition from the Loyalists Group, who fired back by writing the party and insisting that “the choice of Gbajabiamila as leader of the House non-negotiable.” The Tambuwal committee Efforts by the APC to resolve the lingering leadership crisis initially hit the rocks when the meeting between the Sokoto state governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal-

led reconciliation committee and members of the two opposing groups failed to reach an accord. The Tambuwal-led committee met separately with the Consolidation Group and the APC Loyalists Group. Due to the lack of consensus between the two groups, they both opted for an election to be conducted amongst all APC members to choose majority principal officers. While the Dogara group for the umpteenth time rejected the list of principal officers from the party preferring that the federal character principle be adhered to in the sharing of the offices, it however agreed to cede the position of Majority Leader to the Gbajabiamila camp but to another zone other than the SouthWest where the former Minority Leader hails from. While the Loyalists Group insisted that Speaker Dogara should recognise the nominations from the headquarters of the APC, the Consolidation Group was of the view that the principle of federal character must be applied in appointment of the four principal officers. The Dogara group believed that appointing Gbajabiamila (from South-West) as House leader with Lasun (also from South-West) as deputy speaker would be tantamount to denying other zones from having a share in the leadership of the House, the Gbajabiamila group saw nothing wrong with the arrangement because in the 7th Assembly not every zone produced a principal officer yet some zones had more than one. Spokespersons for both groups copiously enunciated this in their positions after the fruitless meetings. With the composition of principal officers, attention will now shift to how Dogara will accommodate various interests in the composition of committee chairmen. This is yet another hurdle for the speaker and his leadership.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, july 31, 2015

17 MUSIC

Olamide challenges me everyday — Adekunle Gold

Entertainment Beautiful Nubia: I knew I would play music at age 9 When it comes to consistency in music, Segun Akinlolu aka Beautiful Nubia is one name that comes to mind. Last Sunday, he held a concert that attracted the likes of Pa Chris Ajilo, Benson Idonije, Blackman Akeeb Kareem, Sam Amuka-Pemu (publisher, Vanguard Newspaper), Tony Benson (Bobby Benson’s son) and Ade Bantu. OLUSHOLA RICKETTS spoke with Beautiful Nubia after the gig: How do you sustain or fund your concerts? Our concerts are self-sponsored. We are always reaching out to external sponsors, but nothing concrete has come out of those efforts. The main objective is to be able to perform whenever we want and give our audience an opportunity to encounter and enjoy the music more frequently than before. We also provide opportunities to emerging and upcoming artistes to showcase their talents. The kind of music I play is very difficult. I think I am lucky that I am a good manager of money and I learnt early in life how to live

sony neme

Editor, entertainment sony.neme@newtelegraphonline.com

within my means. I don’t live big and I am always very careful with money. When we make good money from a show, I reinvest the money in the business. I don’t have any house anywhere in this country; I don’t have any property so to say and I don’t drive expensive vehicle. Did today’s gig (Sunday) meet your expectation? I think the concert achieved its aim. We wanted to bring out music fans to enjoy another great evening of relaxation and celebrate the revival of C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 8

Have Salawa and Kollington rekindled old love?

Demi Lovato mourns dead dog on Twitter

Kylie Jenner confounds all with diamond wedding ring

Entertainment

Stories By Lanre Odukoya

he love and career tales of renowned musicians, Queen Salawa Abeni and General Kollington Ayinla reek of hope for the younger ‘Fujicians’ who’re yet to sheathe swords after years of celebrated acrimony. If you’ve been around long enough in the 1980s, you’d certainly recall the influence the cat and mouse affair between these ace singers had on the then society. In the recent history of Yoruba music, theirs stand as the most hilarious love and hate story ever told. They had waxed albums in each other’s praises just as the number of times they verbally assaulted each other in their songs. But after many years of estrangement, the former lovers and bitter music antagonists are back in each other’s arms, even if only for the moment. We learnt that the former lovers reunited at the eighth day Fidau and burial ceremony of the late mother of Queen Salawa Abeni in Epe, Lagos State last Sunday. You’d also recall that the Waka queen had issues for the Fuji Maestro, so, he was essentially attending the burial of his children’s grandmother. With open arms and courtesy, Queen Salawa Abeni welcomed Kollington to the event, attended

FRIDAY, JUly 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Have Salawa and Kollington rekindled old love? also by other Fuji and Apala artistes including Adewale Ayuba, Shefiu Alao, Atawewe and others. Kollington was said to have sat very close to Salawa and their body language all through the day suggested nothing other than affection and intimacy as they talked, smiled and held hands. This very much confirmed earlier claim by Kollington in an interview that they are still husband and wife. “We are husband and wife. She does not have a child for anybody else other than myself. I’m her bona fide owner and we are together till death do us part.” But we won’t also forget Salawa’s lamentation that Kollington had left the kids (all of whom are now grown-

ups) for her to singlehandedly fend for- a matter over which she once expressed deep grief before their meeting on Sunday.

Kollington

Salawa

I knew I would play music at age 9 much persuading - I think he’s at a place where he’s curious to see how much his music still means to people after more than three decades of absence. As you saw today, his music still matters. The atmosphere was exciting but it can get bigger. How do you intend to draw more audience to your concerts? Anything can be bigger, faster, higher and so on. But contentment and pacing are important. We are not in a hurry to achieve this or that. Everything that you desire will come in due course if you stay focused and keep doing the necessary and right things. It is not easy to get people to come out and pay for concerts, so we are always glad for the kind of large turnout we have at our shows - high quality people of taste who pay to enjoy rich music. You were once a vet doctor and weren’t doing badly. Was there no doubt when you wanted to leave your profession? There was no doubt at all. My first album was released in 1997 and I was still working as a vet. I left paid employment in 2000; it wasn’t a difficult decision at all because it was something I always knew I wanted to do. At the age of 9, I knew I wanted to play music; it was just a question of when I would take the move. By the time I was 19 years old, I had written 500 songs.

Nubia

the career of one of Nigeria’s great folk singers, Blackman Akeeb Kareem. The joy on people’s faces at the end is enough evidence that it was a success. We started planning for this from the moment I met Blackman and we somehow got on to the topic of his long overdue comeback. He had been away for several years now, but it was worth the wait. How were you able to convince Blackman to perform in Nigeria after 33 years? I sensed his desire for a comeback and knew that I was well placed to make it happen. He didn’t need

You supported the production of Pa Ajilo’s last album. Why the gesture? My label, EniObanke, produced Baba’s first album in more than 50 years and we have done our best to give his career a second coming. It was something that had to be done and I figured I was in a good position to do it. What should we expect from this year’s EMUfest? We started the annual EniObanke Music Festival (EMUfest) to provide a platform for showcasing authentic traditional and contemporary folk and roots music from Nigeria and Africa, and also to provide an avenue for discovering and launching new and emerging talents. Now, in its sixth year, the festival has grown to become a yearly ritual for many fans. We hope to have a big, diverse and rich festival in

November. All hands are on deck for that. Do you plan to release an album soon? We try to release an album every year or once every two years. Our latest, “Soundbender”, came out in February, but we are already rehearsing towards a new one to be released sometime in 2016. How would you react to the perception that your music is too traditional or mythical? Everyone has a right to view my music from any angle and perceive it as they wish. I am the musician, my job is to create and play the music for your enrichment. However you choose to perceive it is your prerogative. Do you believe in God? Whatever anyone believes or doesn’t believe is their personal business. As a society, we need to start placing religious beliefs in their proper place so that we don’t keep destroying opportunities for our growth and unity. I always tell people that I don’t discriminate based on religion, gender, face, colour, language, sexual orientation, social class or any other thing. Everyone is welcome to Beautiful Nubia’s world. It seems you don’t really play at social events… That is not it; I do play a lot. I am not always in Nigeria, but whenever I am in Nigeria, we are always very busy. People invite us for birthdays, burials, etc and I tour universities a lot. People also invite us for corporate events; it is just that we don’t make noise about it. What was your growing up like? I was born and bred in Ibadan, Oyo State. In fact, I spent the first 22 years of my life in Ibadan. Though I spent some years with my grandmother, I grew up mainly with my parents. My father, who is late, had twelve children with four women. My mother had four children for my father. How about your wife? She is fine. I am married and I have two children, but I believe every child is mine.

Entertainment 19

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, july 31, 2015

Oluhsola Ricketts

ike his showbiz moniker implies, Adekunle Gold struck gold some months ago with his single, “Shade.” It was the song Olamide aka Badoo heard and quickly moved to lure him into joining his record label, YBLN Nation. The singer has released another song, “Orente,” as a follow up and it is not doing badly too. Speaking with Saturday Telegraph, Kosoko Adekunle confesses that “Shade” song was his true life story. According to him, he was deeply in love with a girl who didn’t reciprocate. He says: “It happened to me three years ago. I was after a girl called Shade and she kept saying no. So, when I wanted to write a song, I felt I should tell my story to the world. I was really into the girl then. We are friends now. I didn’t expect the song to be this big; I just had faith that something good would come out of the song and people will hear my story and fall in love w i t h it.”

Olamide challenges me everyday — Adekunle Gold The graduate of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) tags his music as urban highlife, maintaining that it is a genre of music he makes for himself. He also adds that the style is a mixture of pop and highlife. “It has in it international vibe and local content. I have mastered this kind of music I do and I have no intention to change it. One thing I assure people is that whatever I put out cannot be below the standard I had set for myself.” Asides music, he is also a brand developer. Though music happens to be his first love, he says that he studied art in school and his major was graphic designs. Before he joined the YBLN’s team, he reveals that he was already doing graphic designs for Olamide. “I have been a friend to Olamide for a while and I do designs for him. When

Help! Nollywood sage, Bruno Iwuoha is going blind Stories By Lanre Odukoya

ce Nollywood actor, Bruno Iwuoha, says he can no longer read scripts very well because of poor eyesight, which will cost about N3.5million to cure. For this singular reason, the actor has started losing roles in the movie industry where he once held sway. According to him, no help has come from the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) since the inception of the illness. Bruno was a guest on the Brekete Family, a radio and TV live programme, which is hosted by Ordinary Ahmad Isah and aired on the local radio 104.5FM in Abuja. The grey-haired actor, who explained his predicament, gives a strong cause for concern. His words read in part; “Ordinary President…a couple of years back, I had this problem with diabetes. The thing [diabetes] has been there. Honestly, I never knew, until armed robbers attacked me on my way from Abuja to Lagos, beat me up. I was taken to the hospital. During one of the processes of test, the test showed that I had diabetes. Then the treatment started. You know our country. You buy a lot of things, thinking you’re buying the right drug. At times, you end up buying poison instead of something that will heal you. That has been the case. I’ve gone to so many places within the country, outside the country for treatment, until finally…finally, the thing [diabetes] claimed one of my eyes. As I look at you now, I’m using only one eye. They call it glaucoma. And gradually, it’s affecting the other one. The people who call on me at times, both the little cash they can give me is used for drugs and all that. But I discovered that this thing [the illness] is a lifetime something. And it has robbed me of the job [acting]. And now, if I get a script, it will be hard for me to read it very well. And if I read it, if I strain my eyes for so long, it would look as if someone would lead me around the house or anywhere I want to go because it will affect the only one [eye]. So that’s my problem.”

The actor further explained that he had been referred to a hospital in the U.S., but has about N200,000 which is a far cry from about N3.5 million which he needs to fund the medical expenses. He mentioned that information got to him that the immediate past Nigerian president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, had made money available in the AGN purse for the elderly and sick actors, but the then AGN president, Ibinabo Fiberesima never assisted him with any money. The host of the show, Ahmad then gave the AGN factional president, Emeka Ike a call on the Brekete hotline. Mr. Ike responded by lamenting that he met an empty treasury on resumption of office and urged every well-meaning Nigerian to give the veteran actor financial assistance until the guild could raise money for his treatment.

I dropped the song “Shade,” he really liked it and the other team members too liked it. They called me up and indicated interest to having me on the label and I was excited about it. I was not under YBLN when I released “Shade” in November. I joined the team between January and February, but I released the video under the label. “With a label you don’t need to get worried of anything; all you only need to do is to make good music and the label will push it for you. I used to do everything myself, from singing and promotions. The label takes care of me and my music; this is all I have always wanted,” he says. He further describes Olamide as a passionate and hardworking artiste, adding, “He challenges me to be a better singer everyday.” This may sound as a shocking tale, but Adekunle Gold says he started music 15 years ago without any breakthrough until lately. Last year, he broke away from the band of two (The Bridge) he built with a friend for six years. “We both felt the band thing wasn’t really working for us. Though we did songs together, in 2014, I decided to stand alone. The step happens to be one of the best decisions I have made in life, but my good friend still produces songs for me.” His new song, “Orente”, he

Gold

says is gaining more ground as each day passes. “Just last week at Osun State, some children saw me and they were singing “Orente.” The same applies to the grownups too. I am getting a lot of comments on social media and it getting rotations on radio stations and in clubs too.”

KSA to float radio station in hometown A

cclaimed King of World Beats, King Sunny Ade is employing all his arsenals to float a radio station in his native land, Ondo in Ondo State. Named M&C (Music & Culture) FM, the veteran Juju musician has assured fans he will bring his local and global influence to play in making the station one of the best in the country. The musician is said to have deliberately taken his time to perfect the technical process related to running a standard radio station and has assembled a management team, including financial directors, one of Nigeria’s foremost journalists as the media manager and a top broadcast engineer with himself as chairman. Speaking on why it took almost a decade to get the regulatory approval, KSA said: ‘Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well. The NBC has its operational standard, so do I. I deliberately took time off to carefully select a team of loyal partners who share (the) same vision on what a music station should be. Don’t forget also that this will be the first radio station in Nigeria that will be solely devoted to promoting our culture and our music,’ he added. KSA reportedly applied for the license in 2006 under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration and, according to him, the station will begin transmission before the end of this year.

Entertainment

FRIDAY, JUly 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kylie Jenner confounds all with diamond wedding ring I Stories By Lanre Odukoya

f you knew this girl, you’d be tempted to ask, where’d you get that bling, Kylie Jenner? The reality star sparked new speculation that she’s married to Tyga by flaunting a diamond band on her left ring finger. Could she really have tied the knot at just 17 years old? Kylie Jenner is sporting a new diamond ring, but here’s the kicker — she’s wearing it on her left ring finger. The 17-year-old shared a glamorous

o Demi Lovato, there’s no such significant difference between a human and a dog company. She took to Twitter on Tuesday night to share some very sad news; her dog, Buddy, has passed away. Her emotive lines partly read; “We are absolutely heartbroken to be writing this, but Wilmer and I are devastated to inform you that we lost our little angel, Buddy last Sunday,” Lovato wrote via Twitter. “He was taken from us way too soon in a tragic accident and though I will never know why this had to happen, I do know that God only puts us through situations that we can handle so with that, together we our staying strong.” Lovato has shared numerous photos of Buddy on social media, including one of her, the canine and boyfriend, Valderrama, in December, labeling the group her “little family.” The dog, who had his own Instagram account, was given to Demi as a Christmas present last year. “We have incredible people around us and so much love and support which is holding us up in this time of need,” Lovato added. “Buddy was loved by so many people and as small as he was, he made a huge

Lovato with her dead Dog

Instagram shot on July 27, in which the focus appears to be on the jewelry on her left hand, adding fuel to the rumours that she’s married to her 25-year-old boyfriend, King Cairo. In the gorgeous photo, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star cuts off part of her face and body, but makes sure to carefully place her left hand on her shoulder, clearly front and center in the frame. Among other rings, she’s noticeably wearing two bands on her ring finger, one which she started wearing in May and originally sparked engagement rumors, and another brand new one with diamonds. Interestingly, she also captioned the pic, “King Kylie,” which is the same name she uses on Instagram, and also could be a reference to Tyga’s son, King

Cairo. Later, the reality star shared another, similar snap, this one from much farther away, showing off her entire face and upper body. But she’s still making sure to flaunt that left hand! This new development comes just one day after Kylie teased her dad, Caitlyn Jenner, 65, that she would be married at 17 in the season premiere of ‘I Am Cait’ on July 26. In one scene, the former Olympian reveals that her mom, Esther, was just 17 when she tied the knot, to which Kylie replied, “Kind of like me!” Afterward, the 17-year-old flashed a huge smile and Caitlyn retorted, “I better not hear that from you!” Even if Cairo and Kylie haven’t made it official yet, there’s been much speculation that they’ll do so after she turns 18 in August. The big day is coming up on August 10, so soon!

Demi Lovato mourns dead dog on Twitter

impact in our lives. He truly was human in a way and we were so blessed to have him in our lives. “We ask you that you please respect our privacy while we take this time to grieve and remember the magical moments we spent with our little angel.” “We will never forget our baby boy, Buddy and his gentle loving spirit will live on in our hearts forever. RIP my tiniest little nightingale, Buddy.” Lovato’s sadness echoes that of Miley Cyrus, whose best friend, Floyd, was killed by a coyote in early 2014 and who spent many weeks mourning the puppy.

ven though Kris Jenner fully supports her ex’s transition into a woman, the reality star has no plans to appear on Caitlyn Jenner’s new show, ‘I Am Cait’. The momager has no desire to ‘play second fiddle’ to the father of her children, HollywoodLife.com has exclusively learned. Don’t expect to see Kris Jenner, 59, making any appearances on the new season of I Am Cait. In fact, if her introduction to Caityln Jenner, 65, is televised, it will be on her own show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, an insider tells Hollywoodlife.com. “Kris has absolutely no desire to make an appearance on I Am Cait. First off, she doesn’t want to play second fiddle to her ex. Second, if she does appear with Caitlyn on TV, it will be on her show — it will be on Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” an insider revealed exclusively. As previously reported, Kris can’t

Kylie

Why Kris Jenner didn’t appear in ‘I Am Cait’ bear to meet Caitlyn, at least not just yet! “Kris isn’t at a place yet where she wants her first meeting with Caitlyn to be televised. The whole thing is still so out of her comfort level. This is the person Kris was married to and had children with. Interacting with Caitlyn is not something she’s come to terms with,” it was revealed. In fact, Kris’ main priority right now, other than her kids, is her new love Corey Gamble! “Corey has become her new focus. I think Kris still feels like the world is judging her for how she treated Bruce in the marriage, and asking questions like ‘How could you have not

known?’ Her ego is still bruised in a major way. She’d just rather move on and focus on her new relationship. She’d rather people focus on her and Corey and just be left out of the whole Caitlyn thing,” the source explained.

Jenner

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015

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Tourism

Culture CEOs meet ahead of NAFEST 2015

Arts

Continent Building begins campaign with Destination Grand Bassam

CULTURE

Taboos as key to peace, unity in Benin kingdom Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

ike the inseparable Ten Commandments, precepts, conventions and standards of order, the adherence to which are non-negotiable and responsibility of every Christian believer or faithful, the taboos also remain the strongest binding forces amongst the traditional people in Nigeria and Africa. It is said that the culture and tradition of people have ways of affecting their lives either positively or negatively too. The myth and potency of any taboo depends on the extent to which the people are closer to the traditional institution or ruler who is expected to wield or exert his influence, authority and control towards the unity, peace and progress of the subjects at all levels. Sadly, with coming of European missionaries, the influence of Christianity, slave trade and western education appear to have lowered the power most taboos have towards controlling the way people live their life styles these days. For example, the potency of most cultures among the people of different areas and classes seem to have been altered adversely. The present computer age and telecommunication, no doubt, are testimonials of what type of life and living standards the people adopt. Although, within the hinterlands, there are still exerting power of mysterious forces of gods that control the fate of residents of those areas. Mostly, this is embedded in the people’s faith and beliefs in the myths and it has more often than not worked for them. Among the people of the ancient Benin kingdom, no one ever lives his or her life to the fullest Oba of Benin

TONY OKUYEME Arts Editor tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

without reference to the power of the rich culture and tradition of the kingdom. No wonder the ancient kingdom is referred to as the cradle of modern civilisation, a feat that helped to make the area attractive for European missionaries because of its rich history and powerful kings popularly known as the Oba. The Oba is a supreme deity whose powers cannot be questioned by any subject. The kingdom is made up of

about 30 communities overseen by the Oba with many titled chiefs, who are his ears and eyes in their various domains. The activities of the people are further guided and galvanised by strict observance of the rich traditions and cultures of the land. It is worthy of note therefore that taboos in the kingdom prohibit against an item, person, or type of behaviors. Norm, on the other hand are informal guidelines about what

is, or is not, considered normal social behavior as opposed to rules and laws, which are formal guidelines. Such shared values and expectations may be measured by statistical sampling and vary from one society to another and from one situation to another. Norms range from crucial taboos, such as those against incest or cannibalism, to trivial customs and traditions, such as the correct way to hold a fork. Norms play a key part in social control and social order. In the Benin society, religious taboos, the forbidden item is believed to be unclean or sacred, and the taboo is imposed for protection against the item’s power. Thus among the Benins, the prohibition against incest and marriage within families and other certain groups are examples of behavioral taboos that are strictly adhered to. Violations normally attract a fine of a goat. The erring parties are made to eat the ears of the goat as punishment. Speaking on the effects of taboos and how they have helped to shape the kingdom, Prince Patrick Oronsaye said, “Some taboos are not wholly a matter of religion, but are rather more concerned with social relationships; an example is the observance of caste.” Marriage, he explained, is part of a society’s kinship system, which defines the bonds and linkages between people. “The kinship system also dictates who may or may not marry depending on those bonds. Among the Benins for example, people may only marry partners who are not members of the same extended family even up to the seventh generation.” One rule shared by virtually all societies is the taboo against incest—sexual relations between two closely related individuals. Oronsaye explained that, “Among the Benins such relationships are close enough to trigger a spiritual catastrophe. In most cases the prohibition applies to relationships within the biological nuclear family: mother and son, father and daughter, or brother and sister. In Benin as in many other cultures, the taboo applies to relationships created by divorce and remarriage even step relationships as well as to those based on biology.” He explained further that, “in all Benin communities, as in other CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Art

Moses Kadiri

hey came for a night of bliss and did not go away disappointed. It was the 80th birthday of theatre icon Fred Agbeyegbe. The event featured the premiere of his play My Grandfather’s Ghost at the Cinema Hall 1, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, penultimate Wednesday. The day was significant, a two-part event which is part of a week-long celebration of the life of the “theatre changer”, Fred Agbeyegbe. Earlier, that morning a colloquium was held in his honour which was followed by a live presentation of the play My Grandfather’s Ghost which he wrote 19 years ago. The ceremony witnessed the convergence of eminent playwright and scholar, Professor Femi Osofisan, who chaired the conference, renowned theatre director, Uncle Bayo Oduneye; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), University of Lagos, Prof. Duro Oni and Professor Akin Oyebode were guests of honour. Others are former Secretary General of the Nigerian Bar Association and Ex-Chair, Body of Benchers, Mrs Hairat Balogun, Retired Admiral Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu and Chief Ayo Opadokun. Professor Godini Darah of the Delta State University, Abraka, presented the keynote address. Dramatist and culture communicator, Ben Tomoloju moderated the session which closed with the production of Agbeyegbe’s play, Budiso by students from University of Lagos (UNILAG). Directed by Muyiwa Osinaike, My Grandfather’s Ghost tells a story of faith determinism as far as the terrestrial and the physical world is concern. The play raises several questions on one’s faith, who determines it? Is it possible to manipulate that predestination of man? Though the play was written 19 years ago, but it remains relevant to the present day happening in the country. From the play it is evident that everyone’s fate has been ordained before a person is born; but because of different belief man decided to change the rules. The play is a question of the unstoppable going after the immovable. The transition on stage is worth commending; ditto for the make-up. Agbeyegbe commended guests who came to felicitate with him on his 80th birthday. “l didn’t feel any different from the way l felt yesterday,” he said. “The only different between yesterday and today is that God has kept me till l am 80 years. l could have died yesterday and l would not have made it... The only one way l want to do better than my father is to live longer than him. He lived 99 years, l want to do better by been 100 years just one year to show that l have done better than my father. l think even my father in his grave will be very happy.” He however encouraged youngsters not to be dismayed by the Nigerian society, say-

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Theatre stage resonates for Agbeyegbe at 80

A scene in My Grandfather’s Ghost

ing, “Either illogical people who cannot appreciate what arts is all about particularly theatre arts. Keep it going because it is an industry that is worldwide, if Nigeria cannot understand you surely people out there would and if you have it in your blood keep doing it,” he pointed out. He said that since he came back 45 years ago from England things have not change. “l have been back from England for 45 years l still don’t feel right here because there is no sense of appreciation, no sense of understanding, there is only one ambition in everybody’s head and mind to get rich as quickly as possible. It does not matter what you do to become rich that is why we have chiefs, people with titles even National honours whose characters are questionable”. Renowned thespian, Larry Williams said Agbeyegbe has done well to promote theatre

in the country. “He is my senior colleague. l want to tell him thank you for his contribution in the arts scene. Like the Americans would say keep on keeping on. l always enjoy his works l congratulate him on his 80th birthday.” Prof. G.G Darah said that Agbeyegbe has been in the vanguard of theatre engagement for over 50 years, him as “an accomplished poet, playwright, and sculptor. “He is an inventor and engineer of theatre and stage craft with about 20 plays and numerous theatrical productions; he is one of Africa’s most gifted and multi-talented intellectuals,” “He uses his drama to unravel complex and perplexing myths, ideologies, and doctrines with which human beings enslave and entangle themselves. As a legal luminary and human rights crusader he is intransigently

opposed to all thoughts, institutions and practices that debase humanity. He demystifies doctrine and obsolete beliefs and symbols that do not add to the quality of human life,” he said. “From his rich background as a vanguard in the struggles against racism and military despotism, Agbeyegbe unequivocally abjures system of exploitation and aristocratic oligarchies.” President of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Mr. Babatunde Obalana, described Agbeyegbe as the innovator who brought so much sparks to rekindle the then dying theatre. “Your creativity continues to humble us. Your passion is so infectious. Your rugged determination fills all of us with so much zeal and zest.” He said the celebrant place in history is guaranteed. “Uncle Fred, whether, then, now

INSET: AGBEYEGBE

or tomorrow, please be rest assured that your place in the industry is guaranteed and you are well positioned. Thank you sir for sharing your life with us in this generation. If we are blessed again in the coming world, we can only pray that the good Lord should bring us in contact with you again, and again to make our paths cross.” Though a lawyer by training and practice, Agbeyegbe made history in 1986 by initiating and funding the first ever and longest running private theatre festival in the country, Ajo Fest 86, at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. This was sequel to the Ajo Production series plays of 1983. He is the author of plays such as ‘The King Must Dance Naked’, ‘The Last Omen’, ‘Woe unto Death, Reincarnating Lovers, Conflict Resolution, Stop The Bullet, My Pen Committed Suicide, Michael Meet Randy Your Sister among others.

A peep into Achebe’s autobiographical essays

ith the arrival of a reprint of his autobiographical essays - ‘The Education of a BritishProtected Child’ in the country, Nigerian readers and institutions now have opportunity to get a new feel of the prowess of the late Chinua Achebe literary icon. Chief executive officer, Tessy-Biz Ventures, Nigeria’s distributor for ‘The Education of a BritishProtected Child’, Mr. Cliff Onwudinjo, said the arrival of the autobiographical essays is timely as the collection provides an illuminating path for self-discovery for the new Nigeria and invaluable guide for individuals, including parents. Onwundinjo said the book has already been dis-

tributed widely to major bookstores, shopping malls and superstores urging institutions to take advantage of the bulk-purchase discounts to order for the book and stock their libraries. In ‘The Education of a British-Protected Child’, Achebe reflects on a wideranging lifetime issues including personal and collective identity, home and family, literature, parenthood, language and politics. The book provides a valuable historic sense that could shape the new Nigerian identity. As noted by Amazon, Achebe painted a vivid, ironic and delicately nuanced portrait of growing up in colonial Nigeria and inhabiting its ‘middle ground’, interrogating both his happy mem-

ories of reading English adventure stories in secondary school and also the harsher truths of colonial rule. In ‘My Daughters’, one of the essays, Achebe masterly underlined the nuances that colour socialization and drew attention of parents to inadvertent actions that could have pronounced negative impact on the psychology of their children. “Many parents like me, who never read children’s books in their own childhood, saw a chance to give to their children the blessings of modern civilization which they never had and grabbed it. But what I saw in many of the books was not civilization but condescension and even offensiveness,” Achebe said

about some children books. In an illustrative example, Achebe recalled one of the stories in the a children book: a white boy is playing with his kite in a beautiful open space on a clear summer’s day. In the background are lovely houses and gardens and tree-lined avenues. The wind is good and the little boy’s kite rises higher and higher and higher. It flies so high in the end that it gets caught under the tail of an airplane that just happens to be passing overhead at that very moment. Trailing the kite, the airplane flies on past cities and oceans and deserts. Finally it is flying over forests and jungles. We see wild animals in the forests and we see little round huts in the clearing. An African village.

Media

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015

Culture CEOs meet ahead of NAFEST 2015 Ebere Ameh

he 42nd meeting of the Chief Executives of Culture of the Federation took place in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, yesterday, the 28th of July 2015 with the Chief Executives of Culture from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT in attendance. The meeting, which was declared open by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Tourism and National Orientation, Mrs Nkechi Ejele also had Director Generals and high ranking stakeholders of all national Art, Culture and Tourism agencies and parastatals in attendance. Addressing the august gathering, Ejele said that at this time when the nation is experiencing socioeconomic challenges, the primary concern of the sector should be on “how to use our culture for the promotion of peace and national unity, while tapping into the economic potentials of our rich cultural heritage.” Talking about the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), the Permanent Secretary said it is one of the national events that if well harnessed, has the potential to contribute towards the realization of the dreams of the Culture and Tourism sector in Nigeria. “We are determined to

ensure that NAFEST receives the desired attention from government by creating the enabling environment for its sustainability,” Ejele said. Earlier in her welcome address, the Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Mrs Dayo Keshi while commending the executives for the successes recorded in the journey so far, especially the UNDP/INEC/NCAC partnership on National Voter Enlightenment, used the opportunity to brief them on the agenda for the meeting. “Top on the agenda for discussion are: the proposed National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) 2015, a special edition of the African Arts and Crafts (AFAC) Expo 2015, the NCAC at 40th Anniversary Celebrations and the review of UNDP/ INEC/NCAC partnership on National Voters Enlightenment. Others are reports and memos from the Federal Cultural Parastatals and reports and memos from the 36 states and FCT,” Keshi enumerated. On NCAC’s 40th anniversary celebration, the DG among other things, invited all to participate in the Special Edition of the Arts and Crafts Expo scheduled for the 27th of August to the 15th of September 2015. “The celebration of the

CBAAC DG, Sir, Ferdinand Anikwe (left), Excecutive Secretary, NICO, Dr Barclays Ayakoroma (fourth left) and other Chief Executives of Culture at the meeting

40th anniversary of NCAC provides a befitting platform for the Council to showcase the economic values of Nigeria’s cultural industries as well as redirect the attention of both public and private investors to the numerous economic opportunities that abound therein,” Keshi said. Expatiating on the activities pencilled down towards

actualizing the theme for NAFEST 2015, which is My Art, My Culture, My Wealth, Keshi said they include indigenous poetry performance, drama, traditional furnished apartment (waste to wealth), children essay writing, traditional wrestling and traditional cuisine. The event, which had interludes of cultural per-

formance by the NCAC Performing Arts Department, had dignitaries like the Excecutive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr Barclays Ayakoroma, Director General Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Sir Ferdinand Anikwe, among other dignitaries in attendance.

Great mysteries of peace, unity between the gods and ancient Benin Kingdom CONTINUED FROM PAG E 21

parts of West Africa, there were strong spiritual associations with different environments: sharp distinctions were made between villages – places where people lived that were spiritually marked by the planting of an ikhimwin (Newbouldia laevis) foundation tree (inyator) and the bush (oha) or forest (egbo) outside villages. The uprooting or cutting down of this tree is considered a great sacrilege. The punishment is often very severe. The erring individual or group is ostracized and in most cases they are brought before the Oba for trial.” It is still a very strong taboo in all Edoland for a couple to have sex in the bush, which would pollute the land. The punishment is often very severe. The couple is ostracized and may be redeemed by a fine. More intriguing and one considered as very abominable is challenging the authority of the Oba was and is still considered a great sacrilege. The punishment is often very severe. All such cases are brought before the Oba in the capital for trial. According to Oronsaye, “A hundred and fifteen years ago if you challenge the author-

Oba of Benin

ity of the Oba you will lose your head, your son, your great grandson even up to the fifth generation. Challenging the authority of the Oba, you don’t even have the access to the Oba in the first place but maybe the Oba sends an emissary and the emissary is embarrassed that is a challenge

to the Oba or somebody comes and say this is the Oba’s farm and you now go there carry whatever, that is a challenge to the Oba. The Oba himself is not a human, he a living deity but those people who are representing his interests are those that have access to that if you challenge them you are

challenging the Oba. Another taboo which the Benins abhor seriously is the roasting of yam in the urban centers as is the case with cocoyam which is common. Oronsaye said, “The yam is the king of all farm produce. Unlike the Igbos we don’t have a central new yam thing. At this particular period we don’t have new yam, it is gradually coming in but when we start harvesting then we all start eating the new yam when the head of the family has taken. Even if the head of the family (Odiegwa of the Benin Royal family), he cannot eat it until the Oba eats because once he eats the new yam he cannot enter the palace. The smell of the new yam will be emanating from him. Down the line we roast yam in the farm not in the City. There is a saying it is hard time that bring problem that made us to see the Enogie of Ugo with a piece of roasted yam because he had a wife at home he would be eating pounded yam not eat a piece of roasted yam. It is sign of hunger but beyond that one, burnt roast corn, burnt roast yam are all used to propitiate the deity, Ogun. If you now roast yam improperly it will attract the wrath of Ogun then

accidents will start happening. That is why it was banned within the city.” Speaking further on how the strict observance of the taboos and the norms have helped the peaceful coexistence and progress of the kingdom and its people, he added that “observation of norms and avoidance of breaking taboos is the key point that shaped Benin kingdom for a thousand years.” The Prince pointed out that “the last time we fought inside Benin City was 500 years ago (1515, Benin-Idah war). The last major battle was not even fought in 1897 because the City ws abandoned. What I am trying to explain is that propitiation and observation have kept war far from Benin. Even during the civil war of 1957, the war got to Ikpoba Hill, it never got to Benin. The cost of making propitiations, rituals and making sacrifices run into hundreds of thousands of naira every day that the palace has used in keeping crises at bay. Observation of the rituals and performance of rites have kept Benin alive for the last one thousand years and that is one continuous culture that carries this tradition undiminished from one generation to another.”

Tourism

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Continent Building begins campaign with Destination Grand Bassam Andrew Iro-Okungbona

ontinent Building (CB) is set to take its dream of developing Africa and making it the next best destination to a new dimension as it commences the launch of Destination Grand Bassam in Cote D’Ivoire, the first in the series of exposing Africa destination to the world. CB is a Non Governmental Organisation made up of Africans in the continent and in the Diaspora who are committed to the development of Africa. Founded by the President of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Dr. Wanle Akinboboye, the continental body is aimed taking advantage of the vast and diverse culture, art, cuisine, and spread them within Africa and exports them to the world. With focus on using hospitality, tourism and entertainment in developing the continent of Africa, the body has therefore devised Destination Grand Bassam, an even targeted at taking business out of the corporate environment to an eco-tourism enclave to share in the best of Africa arts, culinary, leisure and entertainment in a colourful and electrifying environment. Billed for August 22 in Grand Bassam, it is a one-day show piece of Africa music, cultural dances, Kamp Africa, teaching kids African culture, YATE (Youth African Tourism Expedition) tours for young adults and CAER (Corporate African Eco Retreat), comedy, fashion and city tour. Star performances by international

stars and local artistes from Nigeria and Ivory Coast will feature alongside comedians and an exclusive world-class DJ. Heads of blue chip companies, government officials, religious leaders, traditional rulers, political office holders, young executives, business owners, operators of travels and various stakeholders in the industry and people of all ages and races are expected to be part of this celebrative event. Guests are expected to arrive on August 21 to a rousing welcome party where they would be received by guests’ relations officer and ushers, accompanied by a group of security personnel and driven to their respective hotels in either limousine or an SUV. Three distinct packages have been put in place for the benefit of the people and these Grand Bassam, George and Ivory packages, inconclusive of hotel, three meals, airport pick up, entertainment and leisure packages of various kinds and exploration of the city among others. The morning of August 22 will witness the arrival of guests at the event centre, where the formal opening ceremony would commence with the Ivorian Ambassador of Tourism slated to address the gathering and this will be followed by different performances, ranging from musical, fashion show to comedy and drama presentation. As a tourism expedition, the event would also afford investors and different businesses the opportunity to showcase their products to Africa as a continent and the world at large while for Afri-

Anu, D Lady Ekwe, on stage with her artistes, is one of the musical acts billed to perform at the event

cans in Diaspora, it would be a good welcome to discovering their root and opening of Africa to the world. Firework display would herald the evening session, which would among others witness a rich and enchanting display of African authentic culture in what has been term the first ever African-themed musical jamboree. The objectives of Grand Bassam include: To unite Africa; To promote African culture and tourism; To enhance connectivity; To improve the economy; and To harmonize varieties of tribes, culture and beliefs within the West African sub-region. The next destination for the Continent Building event is Accra, which

Anambra partners NTDC on Green City

L-R: Anambra State Commissioner for Information Tourism and Culture, Dr. (Mrs.) Uju Nwogu with Governor Wille Obiano and NTDC DG, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo during the workshop in Awka

he quest by the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) to generate employment for the teeming unemployed population through tourism has earned a partner with the Anambra State government committing to support the Green City project with the first of the project to be sited in Awka the state capital. Speaking on the project, the DG of NTDC, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, said the Green City Project is all about conversion of waste to wealth for

revenue generation and job creation. She made this disclosure during a recent a one-day sensitisation workshop for tour ism stakeholders in Awka. According to Mbanefo, the project when fully developed would create 20,000 jobs in two years and boost Nigeria as a preferred destination for the growing ecotourism market. She also said that the Green City Project is designed to deliver the green city initiative as a differentiating platform for Nigeria’s eco-

tourism credentials with bio-fuel refinery for conversion of waste to wealth with other attractions like demonstration farms; botanical gardens; hotels; housing estates; sport facilities; industrial parks; solar farms; water parks, health malls, display of tourism artifacts that portray our cultural heritage. “The Corporation has already found an international investor to sponsor the project for garbage to be converted into bio-fuels and bio-diesel that will be in stations manned by the youth and women in every state that can boast of huge garbage content. Dense population is a key success factor, Abuja, Onitsha, Ibadan, Kano and Lagos are excellent project models”, she said. In his remark, the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano while lauding the foresight of the NTDC boss, Mbanefo, said his government is ready to give the project the needed push to ensure its success in the state. Governor Obiano declared that the development and promotion of tourism is of priority to his government, describing the Green City project as a viable catalyst to creating employment in the state and the country as well as ensuring a clean environment, “which my administration has been committed to since its inception.”

is billed for August 29. The Grand Bassam, which is historically the first capital of Côte d’Ivoire, is an example of a late 19thand early 20th-century colonial town planned with quarters specialising in commerce, administration, housing for Europeans and for Africans. The site includes the N’zima African fishing village alongside colonial architecture marked by functional houses with galleries, verandas and gardens. Grand Bassam was the most important port, economic and judicial centre of Côte d’Ivoire. It bears witness to the complex social relations between Europeans and Africans, and to the subsequent independence movement.

Sheraton launches new brand identity

heraton Hotels and Resorts, which is part of the Starwood Hotels and Resort, has revealed a new brand identity, which is geared at shoring its competitive edge in the market place as it has revealed a first look at the brand’s all new visual identity with the relaunch of Sheraton.com. The first phase of a larger brand repositioning, the revamped website features an enhanced user journey, high-end design, artful photography, and a modern colour palette. The redesign is the latest of many initiatives underway for Sheraton 2020, a bold 10-point plan to position Sheraton as the premier global hotel brand of choice, everywhere. “More than ever, a compelling and enriched digital presence is necessary to win the hearts and minds of consumers around the world,” said Starwood Chief Executive Office (CEO) Adam Aron, adding that “with millions

of visitors annually, we naturally turned to Sheraton.com to first showcase the new visual identity for Sheraton as we continue to put the spotlight back on Starwood’s largest and most global brand.” Sheraton.com features a refined brand logo, as well as crisp fonts and bold backgrounds with a rich color palette that underscore the luxury and heritage of Sheraton. Throughout the site, vivid hotel and destination imagery depict aspirational trips for both business and leisure. These rich still-life shots evoke a sense of place and bring to life the types of experiences Sheraton guests can expect when visiting the brand’s best-in-class properties worldwide. “Sheraton offers guests a high-end, contemporary experience at our hotels around the world, and it is important that our brand aesthetic have the same modern, sophisticated look and feel,” said Dave Marr.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015

Labour

Counterfeiting: ICC report indicts Nigeria

Agric Entrepreneurs to govt: Divest from farm storage facilities

Business What's news

Hong Kong firm eyes Nigeria for next phase of investment A Hong Kong venture capital firm, Nest, has listed Nigeria as its next port of call as it launches investment start up in Africa.

p.26

Nigerians to pay more as housing cost soars by 40% Nigerians may pay more for accommodation as cost of housing construction has increased by 42 per cent, New Telegraph has learnt.

L-R: Chairman, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr. Nurudeen Imam; Vice Chairman, Mr. Heinz Stockhausen; board member, Igwe Peter Anugwu and Mr. Wolfgang Goetsch, during the 45th Annual General Meeting of the company in Abuja.

$150bn stolen funds: Experts advocate e-govt adoption arely two weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari disclosed that an estimated $150 billion had been stolen from Nigeria by former government officials and stashed abroad in the last 10 years, experts have called for a holistic adoption of e-government strategies at all levels of government to minimise the trend. This, they said, will help

in curbing cases of financial frauds in government circles. The experts made the calls in their various submissions at a two-day e-government summit 2015 held in Abuja during the week. The conference, which ended on Wednesday, brought together experts from different sectors of the economy, cutting across financial services, Information and Communication Technology and agriculture, among others. The confab was organised by the E-Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN), in collaboration with the Financial Services Strategy (FSS) 2020 and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Amabra State Governor, Dr. Willie Obiano, while speaking as special guest at the event,

INFLATION RATE May 2015.................................9% April 2015................................8.7% March 2015.............................8.5%

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

EFFICIENCY

p.26

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

Introduction of electronic transaction policies would curb financial corruption Kunle Azeez

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

maintained that the adoption of e-government in Anambra, especially in the area of tax collection, has raised the state’s Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR). From less than N1 billion, he said that the state’s IGR had risen to N1.1 billion monthly, adding that the ultimate objective is to increase the IGR target to N3 billion monthly. He said: “In Anambra, our aggressive pursuit of a vision and mission strategies through an efficient use of ICT has attracted an inflow of invest-

N3 billion Total monthly Internally

Generated Revenue (IGR) targeted by Anambra State

ment to the tune of N2.4 billion to Anambra State in the past one year. “The whole idea is to use government machinery to channel private sector interest to the advantages of the citizens by making the environment conductive through efficient use of ICT to achieve this.” Speaking at the forum, Deputy Governor, Operations at CBN, Alhaji Suleiman Barau, said that CBN’s introduction of electronic transaction policies was meant to ensure efficiency in financial transactions and curb corruption in the system. He said that while the Federal Government and its paratstatals have also embraced some ICT-related initiatives CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Rates Dashboard EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at July 24)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N242 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N365 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N262

l Foreign Reserves – $30.773bn as at 23/07/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at July 24)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N199.00 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N307.65 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N223.50

Business | News

SWELLING

Trade between Nigeria and Hong Kong peaked at N5.43 billion two years ago Sunday Ojeme

Hong Kong venture capital firm, Nest, has listed Nigeria as its next port of call as it launches investment start up in Africa. The management revealed two weeks ago an interest for investment opportunities in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. IDG News Service reports that the company had supported 48 companies in Asia so far and is looking to inject between $50,000 and $200,000 in African startups.

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Hong Kong firm eyes Nigeria for next phase of investment The Managing Partner, Nest Nairobi office, Aaron Fu, said that a lot of the technology being developed in Africa could be relevant for the Asian market. He, however, added that in the past there wasn’t the support system or network in place to help these companies scale across the two markets. Fu said: “What makes Africa really exciting is the opportunity to enable startups here with all the tools and support that we have seen work for us in Asia. Nest will help the startups it invests in to

scale in Asia, and more so globally. “In a market that is seemingly bubbling with ideas for solving problems facing the continent, the investor is looking for startups that are ripe for development and can scale. “At Nest, we support entrepreneurs that solve pertinent problems with disruptive solutions. “We look for those who have a personal connection to the problem that they are trying to solve, or are invested in their startup on a deeply personal level as we believe those are the people who

will make a business work, no matter what.” He pointed out that Nest typically invests technology companies in the health tech, fintech and smart cities/Internet. New Telegraph recalls that the value of trade between Nigeria and Hong Kong peaked at N5.43 bilion as at two years ago. Assistant Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Mr. Raymond Yip, said then that Hong Kong wanted to improve and reestablish a relationship with Nigeria as a big market.

He said that both countries had enjoyed cordial trade relationships, adding that Hong Kong was intensifying efforts to improve on its partnership and to invest in the country. He explained that his country buys leather skins, fish and some electronic like telecommunications equipment from Nigeria, while Nigeria imports wristwatches, machinery, foods from Hong Kong. Yip said: “At the moment, the western markets have been saturated and we want to explore the emerging markets and

opportunities. And we are inspired by Nigeria as the second biggest in Africa and going to be the largest economy in 2023.” He added that Hong Kong had various incentives for investors in his home country, which include free ports duty and business-friendly environment. He added that Hong Kong is an international market, adding: “Our business is not indigenous. People over the world are involved. We have the Chinese, Pakistanis, Americans, Japanese and Indians.

Experts advocate e-govt adoption CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

in recent past in their services, with resultant cost-saving and ability to plug the leakages in its financial dealings, “there is an urgent need to popularise wider and holistic embrace of e-government in its totality.” He noted that with the passage of three major bills relating to electronic transactions in Nigeria by the sixth National Assembly, the road is now clear for e-payment landscape in the country to exhibit increased sanity. Head, Programme Office, FSS2020, Mr. Oluwatoyin Joko, explained that the collaboration with E-PPAN was considered critical as it allows FSS2020 Office to see how it can better re-organise the major markets of financial market, insurance, pension, mortgage, agriculture and the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) using e-government as strategy. He said: “Beyond restructuring all these sectors, we also know that cases of financial corruptions, as we have been told, to have witnessed in the last 10 years by Mr President where about $150 billion was said to have been stolen and taken outside the country, would be minimised”. Also, E-PPAN President, Mr. Macaulay Atase, said that the forum was organised to facilitate dialogues that result in the evaluation of how infusion of ICT into service delivery by government at all levels can result in increased transparency, efficiency and accountability, especially in the area of financial management.

L-R: Executive Chairman, Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue/Guest Speaker, Dr. Babatunde Fowler; Ist Vice-President, Institute of Directors, Nigeria (IOD), Alhaji Rufai Mohammmed; President/Chairman of Council, IOD, Mr. Yemi Akeju and Group Managing Director, Mutual Benefits Insurance Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi, during the Institute’s New Members Evening and Induction in Lagos. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

CUTTING EDGE Modern building technology to the rescue Dayo Ayeyemi

igerians may pay more for accommodation as cost of housing construction has increased by 42 per cent, New Telegraph has learnt. The sudden rise in construction cost, it was gathered, was due to the devaluation of naira and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) policy ban of 40 items from foreign exchange market. Already, real estate developers have begun to adjust the cost of projects to reflect the current realities in the building materials market. The devaluation of naira twice due to the slump in the prices of oil (Nigeria’s major cash cow) at the international market and the recent ban of some imported items valid for the foreign exchange market,

Nigerians to pay more as housing cost soars by 40% have led to an increase in the cost of housing production by 42 per cent. General manager, Real Estate, Lekki Pearl Estate, Mr. Damola Akindolure, said that he was considering modern technology for mass production of houses in order to reduce cost. He explained that when the apex bank devalued the naira, the cost of building materials increased by 22 per cent due to high exchange rates. This, he said, only affected cost of building by 20 per cent. Akindolure added that the cost of housing production was further raised by the ban of some items, which included building materials, from the Forex market by the CBN. Currently, he said that the cost of building has soared by 40 per cent.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently excluded some imported goods and services from the list of items valid for forex in the Nigerian foreign exchange market. The implication of this is that those who import these items can no longer buy foreign currency from the official window to pay their overseas suppliers. Instead, they have to source forex from the parallel market or Bureau De Change (BDC) to pay for their imports. Some of the building materials on the list include cement, cold rolled steel sheets, galvanised steel sheets, roofing sheets, wheelbarrows, head pans, steel pipes, wire rods, iron rods and reinforcing bar and wire mesh. Others are steel nails, wood particle boards and panels, wood fibre boards and panels, plywood

boards and panels, wooden doors, glass and glassware, tiles-vitrified and ceramic. CEO of www.SapientVendors.com.ng, a growing construction company, Walter Emiedafe, stated that with increased cost of doing business, there is bound to be major price fluctuations with construction projects, which would negatively affect previous budgets. He said: “The naira devaluation will affect the prices of previously estimated budgets for ongoing construction projects. If this is not properly managed by the contractor, the resultant effect is an abandoned project.” Besides, he said that with the devaluation of naira, the quantity of available jobs within the Nigerian construction space would reduce.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015

Labour Counterfeiting: ICC report indicts Nigeria LEGISLATION Weak law enforcement mechanism blamed for proliferation of piracy Stories by Sunday Ojeme

report released by the International Chamber of Commerce’s Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (ICC BASCAP) has reaffirmed Nigeria’s status as a target and destination for counterfeit and pirated products. Results of the report reveal that Nigeria has increasingly become vulnerable to the ills as a result of corruption, outdated legislation and weak enforcement mechanisms, including a lack of national policy on combating counterfeiting and piracy. In addition, the report stresses the importance of intellectual property enforcement and docu-

ments as some of the challenges that Nigeria faces in relation to intellectual property rights (IPR). It also acknowledged that economic growth needs a strong legal framework that protects IPR and encourages innovation, research and development of indigenous products. The ICC Nigeria Vice Chairman, Mr. Raymond Ihyembe, said on behalf of BASCAP that the investment, trade and economic growth were being penalised by the negative effects. He added that the illegal practices also affecting consumers’ health due to counterfeit practices in sensible industries like pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. He said that the purpose of the BASCAP report was to put forward a set of policy and legislative recommendations that stakeholders in Nigeria could use for reducing counterfeiting and protecting economic growth with a strong IPR system. “In the case of Nigeria, it is important to have national policies that create awareness

of the importance of IP. These recommendations are in line with BASCAP’s commitment to make the fight against counterfeiting and piracy a public policy priority and in collaboration with ICC Nigeria. The aim is to help government achieve these important goals,” he added. The Secretary-General, ICC Nigeria, Mrs. Olubunmi Osuntuyi, who was part of the report presentation to practitioners, policy makers and brand protection executives in the intellectual property (IP) field, expressed optimism that the partnership with BASCAP would enhance

the needed impact in ICC’s advocacy efforts on IP. “Beyond the conference, ICC Nigeria plans to work with BASCAP to sustain this laudable drive by having more workshops and seminars to bring to fore the importance of the subject matter amongst stakeholders,” she added. The report received valuable input, support and endorsement from ICC Nigeria, including key local partners like the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAF-

DAC), the African Intellectual Property Group (AIPG) and the Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria (IPLAN). International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the largest, most representative business organisation in the world. Its global network comprises over six million companies, chambers of commerce and business associations in more than 130 countries. More than 2,000 experts drawn from ICC’s member companies feed their knowledge and experience into crafting the ICC stance on specific business issues.

ABC elects Angbazo as president

azarus Angbazo, the President and CEO of GE Nigeria, has been elected President of the American Business Council (ABC) in Nigeria. He takes over from Dick Kramer who has led the Council since its inception in 2007. Angbazo, who described his election as an honour to serve, was born in Nigeria. He graduated with a First Class Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the

Ahmadu Bello University. He then earned a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering & Operations Research from the University of Iowa, as well as a Ph.D. in Corporate Finance from New York University. ABC was set up with the core objective of promoting the development of commerce and investments between the United States and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Group to empower 1,000 Nigerian youths

network of young business leaders, the Young Business Leaders of Nigeria (YBLN), has mapped out plans to empower some Nigerian youths with entrepreneurial skills by the year 2017. According to the Founder, Temitayo Etomi in a statement, the aspiring entrepreneur programme will also provide a platform for 20 young business minded adults to start their businesses or expand existing ones. She said at the inauguration that the marginal men and women often called ‘agbero,’ lived off the income of honest Nigerians due to lack of skills and employment opportunities, adding that the budding entrepreneurs would be trained in business management, academic, as well as per-

sonal development for eight weeks. She said: “At the end of the programme, we will provide seed funds for them, they will go back to their towns and grow their businesses with the hope that by this time next year when we will be holding the second edition of the programme, they will have at least two young people and they will begin the process of empowering them. Our aspiration is that before the end of 2017, we would have empowered 1,000 entrepreneurs.” According to her, young people, who are not entrepreneurially inclined, will be trained with workrelated skills while provisions will also be made for them on internship and volunteer job opportunities to enable them gain adequate experience.

L – R: Chief Executive Officer, Smile Communications, Michiel Buitelaar; Enterprise Director, Airtel Nigeria, David Venn, Chief Executive Officer, Spectranet Limited, Tawa Bolarin; Chief Executive Officer, MainOne, Funke Opeke and Vice-President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat, Ibrahim Dikko, at the MainOne –BusinessDay Broadband Summit held in Lagos.

TUC hails Oteh’s World Bank appointment

he Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has congratulated the erstwhile Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh, on her appointment as World Bank’s Vice President and Treasurer. A statement jointly signed by its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Secretary General, Comrade Musa Lawal, said that the congress was not surprised by the appointment, affirming that her landmark achievement at the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria was a watershed. The statement said: “The capital market industry in Nigeria that had at a point lost investors’ confidence suddenly became the darling destination of foreign and local investments, thanks to her acumen, midas touch, doggedness and forthrightness.” Though the new assignment poses fresh challenges, the labour chiefs said that they were confident and would not lose sleep as she has what it takes to succeed.

lCongratulates new NUJ president According to the labour leaders, “her responsibilities, we learnt, will include managing over $150 billion in assets, maintain the World Bank’s global reputation as a prudent and innovative borrower, investor and risk manager, among others. “The task is going to be an onerous one, but we trust God to protect and guide her. As she prepares to resume on September 28, 2015, the congress assures her of its support always. The labour centre also seized the opportunity to urge everyone in authority to borrow a leaf from Oteh in the discharge of their duties. Her excellence at the Securities and Exchange Commission has not only created room for her to serve the world, but also brought recognition to the whole country.” Also, the congress congratulated the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over its election that produced Abdulwahhed Odusile as national president in Abuja. A statement from the Con-

gress said that an overview of the election manifesto confirmed the ability of the journalists to take the practice of journalism to greater levels in Nigeria. The unionists said: “We trust that you would ensure the entrenchment of professionalism and high ethical standards in the practice of journalism in the country, bearing in mind the fact that mismanagement of information does no society any good. “We implore you to work assiduously to improve the welfare of your members. Taking into cognisance the risks involved in the job, a good insurance programme that guarantees the future of journalists would be a welcome initiative. “We also urge you to make the issue of training and retraining of journalists a priority during your tenure, to ensure that journalists in the country stand tall among their counterparts in other parts of the world and sustain the respect the profession commands globally.”

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Agric Entrepreneurs to govt: Divest from farm storage facilities

TRANSPARENT The process for divesting must be fast and transparent Deborah Olayode

ome agriculture entrepreneurs have urged the Federal Government to immediately divest its 1.6 million tons of farm storage facilities to enhance participation of private sector in agricultural businesses. They said that divesting the facilities would promote agricultural marketing. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Sonny Echono, had on July 14, disclosed that government had contemplated the transfer of those facilities for effective management. Also, Ahamba ChristopherUmana, a businessman, stated that agricultural marketing covers the services involved in moving an agricultural product from the farm to consumers. He noted that numerous interconnected activities must be addressed to manage such facilities effectively, adding that “these processes are better handled by the private sector.’’

Proprietor of Omenje Farms, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Mr. Akira Omenje, said that it was high time the Federal Government empowered private farms in an attempt to reduce wastage in the food value chain. He said: “The country requires trillion tons of such storage facilities to be built by government and transferred to interested individuals through outright sales or leases. Good number of private farms had sprung up and we have new ones springing up daily because of it’s profitability. But we could be used to solve the wastage in the sector. “The process of divesting the facilities must be made faster and transparent.” On his part, Musa Zambi, a farmer explained that farmers in the country had remained poor because of absence of storage facilities in rural areas. Zambi said: “Beyond transferring the existing ones, new ones must be dotted in rural communities. Rural farmers must be encouraged to form

Agricultural Commodity Prices – Grains Commodity Wheat Corn Soybeans Soybean Meal Soybean Oil Oats Rough Rice Hard Red Wheat Spring Wheat

Price 528-2 407-4 1027-4 363.9 32.11 242-4 11.120 524-2 559-0

Change -2-2 -2-2 +3-0 +3.7 -0.62 unch +0.095 +0-4 -2-0

Contract Sep 15 Sep 15 Aug 15 Aug 15 Aug 15 Sep 15 Sep 15 Sep 15 Sep 15

Time(ET) 11:20 11:20 11:20 11:20 11:20 11:00 11:07 11:20 11:18

Commodity Cotton #2 Orange Juice Coffee Sugar #11 Cocoa Sugar #16 CME Coffee CME Sugar #11 CME Cocoa CME Cotton #2

Price 64.77 124.80 128.00 11.55 3352 24.76 1.2760 0.1140 3312.00 0.6540

Change +0.39 +3.60 +0.55 +0.01 -61 -0.19 +0.0085 -0.0002 -51.00 -0.0045

Contract Dec 15 Sep 15 Sep 15 Oct 15 Sep 15 Sep 15 Sep 15 Oct 15 Sep 15 Oct 15

Time(ET) 11:20 11:19 11:20 11:20 11:20 11:13 09:17 10:45 08:44 07/21/15

Lumber

271.70

+1.10

Sep 15

11:20

Price 146.275 214.900 78.775

Change +0.100 +0.275 +2.425

Time(ET) 11:20 11:20 11:20

16.52

+0.17

Contract Aug 15 Aug 15 Aug 15 Aug 15

Softs

Meats Commodity Live Cattle Feeder Cattle Lean Hogs Class III Milk

11:20

Commodities trade on different exchanges with different trading sessions. Change always shows from the previous close price. Quotes delayed, except where indicated otherwise. All prices in local currency. Time is ET. Source: Bloomberg

cooperative societies to take ownership.’’ Shelly Tagom, a warehouse manager, said that he would take advantage of the storage facilities if it is profitable.

He added that the sector must be repositioned to encourage wider participation because the agricultural sector remains the mainstay of the families in the country. He

noted that the development would assist efforts to increase outputs from various farms across the country as well as encourage more people to return to farming.

Silos

China to partner Yobe on agriculture Deborah Olayode

he Chinese Government is to partner Yobe State Government in agriculture and infrastructure development, the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gu Xian Jie, has said. He stated this during a courtesy visit to Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, at the Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja. The ambassador commended the efforts of the state government in improving the living conditions of the people of the state, especially in the areas of road construction and

education despite prevailing security challenges and the threats of Boko Haram. Jie stressed: “The Chinese Government is interested in partnering with you to develop infrastructure and agriculture and to work with you to develop education. These are key areas of sustainable economic development.” He urged Gaidam not to relent in providing security to Chinese companies working in the state even as he pledged to make the Chinese firms to be conscious of their corporate social responsibility. On his part, the governor,

who thanked the ambassador for his government’s support to Yobe, said that the state would continue to work with the security agencies in the state to ensure that the environment is safe for the Chinese and other nationals. “The military authorities are committed to bringing the insurgency to an end. The new army chief is currently in the North East. He is very serious at finding a solution to our security challenges. I assure you that things will continue to improve as far as the security situation is concerned,” Gaidam said.

FG urged to raise agric spend to 20% Stanley Ihedigbo

he Federal Government has been advised to increase spending on agriculture in the nation’s budget to about 20 per cent in view of the urgent need to tap into the potentials of agricultural sector to diversify the Nigerian economy. An entrepreneurial financial expert, Bolade Agbola, in a book titled: “Agricultural Finance: A practical guide for lenders and entrepreneurs”

said that the primary aim of all nations is to be self-sufficient in food production to feed its population. According to him, a lot of government funding is required to create enabling environment for the private sector to continue to play leading role in the five segments of agribusiness value chain of input supply, farm production, storage processing and distribution. He noted that Nigeria currently spends less than three per cent of its national bud-

get on agriculture, compared to a nation like Malaysia that spends over 25 per cent of its budget on agriculture for close to 30 years. Agbola noted that farmers must be supported to access inputs, credit and insurance, especially when rare low frequency and high severity disasters such as the bird flu occur. He said: “Government taxes and tariff as we adjust to current realities must promote and not discourage agricultural production.”

Business | Agric

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015

Agric institute seeks banks’ support FINANCIAL LITERACY BOA director calls for financial literacy in rural areas Stanley Ihedigbo

irector of Studies, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Dr. Olufemi Oladunni, has urged banks to create more capital for the country’s agriculture sector. He said that agriculture sector needs more support from banks to promote sustainable farming, which would increase productivity and ensure food security. Oladunni said that government should encourage the banks to support farmers and

traders. He urged government to provide more stability to farmers by setting up governmentsubsidised financing programmes, adding that such should serve as assistance to farmers. He said that banks would shy away if there was no assurance that the funds would be recouped and noted that banks were still not responding to calls to support farmers, citing difficulties to recoup their investment. President, Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), Dr. Femi Egbesola, said that government has a huge responsibility to support agriculture Egbesola urged government to empower Bank of Agriculture (BoA) and other financial institutions to support agricultural industries and stimulate

bank lending. He urged government to implement a loan discounting mechanism that would encourage banks to provide short-term, self-liquidating, secured loans to finance agricultural commodities. The ASBON boss said that there was a need to create financial literacy in rural areas, adding that banks were making efforts in that direction. Meanwhile, the Managing Director, BoA, Prof. Danbala Danju, has called for the repositioning and funding of agriculture sector to boost food production. He urged the Federal Government to inject more funds into BoA for farmers to access. “We hope that President Muhammadu Buhari will support the agriculture sector by injecting more funds into the Bank of Agriculture,’’ he added.

Banned chemicals on sale nationwide – NESREA

he National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has carried out surveillance in different states of the federation and discovered that banned chemicals and pesticides are still being sold to farmers. According to investigation carried out by the agency and made available to newsmen, the surveillance was carried out in Lagos, Enugu, Osun, Benue and Katsina states. It noted that it was discovered that the banned pesticides were available in most of the markets visited while traders who didn’t display them on the shelves were ready to provide them on demand. Among the banned pesticides found in the markets were Chlodimeform, Butachor and Orizo Plus.

These have been proven to be harmful to humans and the environment. Owing to their hazardous nature, they are placed under the category of banned and restricted agro chemicals under the Stockholm and Rotterdam conventions. In humans, these banned pesticides cause discomforts such as abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting as well as skin and eye problems. In the long run, they could lead to cancer, neurological problems, dementia and reproductive problems such as miscarriages, birth defects and premature births. Repeated application of the banned agro chemicals lead to loss of biodiversity and many of them are not easily degradable. They persist in the soil, leach the ground water and surface water, thereby contaminating the environment.

WACOT to partner Jigawa on sesame Stanley Ihedigbo

L-R: Convener, Role of Women in Emerging African Democracies (ROWEAD), Mrs. Adaobi Alex-Oni; Iyalode of Egbaland, Mrs. Alaba Lawson; Experience Centre Manager, Heritage Bank, Toyin Street, Ikeja, Mrs. Nkiru Chigbo and guest speaker, Margaret Nkem Onyema Orakwusi, during the ROWEAD 2015, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Loan: Rivers farmers urged to register with co-ops

armers in Rivers State have been urged to register with farmers cooperatives to enable them benefit from credit facility and the attendant incentives. President, Etche Cooperatives Union (ECU), Mr. Godwin Akandu, who spoke to our correspondent on Monday in Port Harcourt explained that it made for easier management and running of farmers’ affairs at any time. He noted that when loans and credit facilities were made available to farmers, it becomes easy to recover if one party defaults or dies. “It is easier to recover loans when a member of a cooperative cannot meet up his or her obligation to the lending institution,” he said. Akandu explained that if people come together as a

group and government gives them loan, it becomes less burdensome to manage such funds and make proper repayments, even if one person dies. He noted that individuals found it difficult to access credit facilities from banks and other financial institutions as “banks find it more comfortable dealing with groups rather than individuals during the process of obtaining loans.” The ECU president explained that forming a cooperative was not difficult since the number of persons needed ranges from 10 to 1000 per cooperative. He enumerated the benefits of belonging to cooperatives to include the operation of division of labour in the production process. “Some people can now produce, some will process while

others will sell the finished products,” he said. Akandu said that this made the process work efficiently and effectively with each member putting in their best for the overall benefit of all members. He said that there was a process put in place whereby farmers were made to take members of the cooperatives on a factfinding mission of their farms. He noted that this was necessary because some people claim to own a farm, but on closer investigation, it turns out to be false. On measures needed to check the so-called portfolio (political) farmers, Akandu opined that government should appoint qualified agriculturists to man such positions as commissioners and ministers of agriculture respectively.

est African Cotton Company Limited (WACOT) has announced its arrangement to partner Jigawa State government to promote the production of sesame as a non-oil generating crop for the state. Speaking during the official flag-off ceremony of the 2015 commercial sesame farming in the state held at Gumel Local Government Area, General Manager, WACOT, Mr. Pankaj Chawla, said that economic statistics have shown that Nigeria has non-oil revenue of $320 million from export of sesame, representing 10 per cent of the total sum of $3.2 billion global trade of the cash crop, adding that about 180,000 metric tonnes of sesame was produced annually in Nigeria. Chawla added that Jigawa State is the highest producer of sesame and that the state stands in particular and the nation in general to benefit from sesame farming owing to the fact

that Chinese farmers have begun to abandon the crop while India’s production is hampered by erratic weather conditions. He stressed that sesame farmers in Nigeria have an advantage due to demand and supply mismatch, coupled with good pricing. Flagging-off the project, the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani, called on sesame farmers to distance themselves from sesame grain adulteration, adding that the act is seen and regarded as economic sabotage, which would not be condoned. “Sesame farming has become synonymous with Jigawa people; it is also not pleasant to hear that some unpatriotic people have been engaged in adulteration of the grains by adding fine sands to the grains to make it heavier. This is quite unfortunate, this is purely economic sabotage and we will not allow that. “I urge all Jigawa sesame farmers to maintain their distance with such unpatriotic act,” said Gumel.

Cameroon to export fruit juice by 2025

ll things being equal, the Republic of Cameroon will start exporting fruit juice by 2025. The country’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Essimi Menye, announced this recently. He said that the over 300 million dollar project (about FCFA 178.5 billion), is set to improve fruit production and intends to train producers in processing techniques and support the planting of fruit tree farms that will serve as experimental plots for trainers. The target is youths, common initiative groups and

agricultural cooperatives. The project zones are Vina and Mayo Danay divisions in the Adamawa Region, Lekie and Mbam and Inoubou divisions in the Centre Region, Benue and Mayo Louti Divisions in the North and the Diamaré division of the Far North Region. The sector’s strategy for fruits has as technical support, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). It seeks to revitalise the industry through value chain approach, targeting farmers, private sector enterprises, processors, buyers and policy makers.

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Auto Beat

Peugeot floods market with 301 P Paul Ogbuokiri

eugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited has affirmed that it is consolidating its leadership in Nigeria’s car manufacturing sector with the launching of the Peugeot 301 in commercial quantity in the country, an official of the company has said. According the Public Relations Manager of PAN Nigeria Limited, Mr. Bashir Umar, the carmaker has also wrapped up plans to kick off the Complete Knocked Down, CKD production of Peugeot 301 in the country. According to him, this milestone was attained recently when the Managing Director of the company, Ibrahim Boyi and the PSA Group Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Jean-

Christophe Quemard, signed a technical agreement to allow PAN Nigeria to migrate from SKD (Semi-Knocked down) to CKD production. Boyi was quoted as saying shortly after the signing of the agreement, expressing his delight with the new development, noting that the signed pact was a confirmation of confidence PSA Group has in the company. According to him, the mutual relationship between both parties has become more robust and stronger than ever before. Boyi added that the early transition to CKD operation is in line with the objectives of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), which encourages local production of vehicles and components in the country.

L-R: Showroom Manager, Auto Nation Mr. Mishra Naverdu; Group Executive Chairman, Mr. Ayo Ogunsan; Executive Director, Finance, PAN, Mr. Alli Junad; Managing Director, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria, Mr. Boyi Ibrahim and the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, during a visit by the Peugeot team to the Government House Alusa, Ikeja, Lagos...recently.

Coscharis celebrates Sixt ‘Car Rent’ 2nd Anniversary

s part of activities to mark its second anniversary, Coscharis Mobility Ltd – Sixt Nigeria, recently commissioned a building re-roofed by the company for the Compassionate Orphanage, in Lagos, western Nigeria. GM/CEO Coscharis Mobility Ltd – Sixt Nigeria, Mr. Christian Chigbundu accompanied by the Head, Training & Development of Franchise Countries, Sixt, Mr. Karsten Jaensch and Mr. Sebastian Szautner, International Junior Franchise Manager, Sixt, commended the orphanage while promising to help convey its message to the company in Germany. Also on hand to add colour to the event was the President and Executive officer of Coscharis Group, Dr Cosmas Maduka. He said Sixt ‘rent a car’s second coming has shown that Nigeria is endowed with lots of business opportunities. Maduka also said that Nigeria has once again showed to the world that it is the ideal destination and hub for foreign investors. He said, “as our testimonies speak for us, we are known for excellence in any service we venture into and this will not be an exception as we have all what it takes to make traveling within Nigeria pleasurable and fun. We are now a one-stop shop for all your mobility solutions. “Our standard cars are for you; our premium cars are ready for people of your class. No other company offers premium cars

L-R: Mr. Sebastian Szautner, International Junior Franchise Manager, Sixt; Mr. Karsten Jaensch, Head, Training & Development of Franchise Countries, Sixt; Mr. Okey Nwuke, Deputy Group Managing Director, Coscharis Group and Mr. Christian Chigbundu, GM/CEO Coscharis Mobility Ltd - Sixt Nigeria, during an event to mark the 2nd anniversary of Sixt Nigeria, recently.

for rent. If you can’t buy that Range Rover! That Jaguar! That BMW, you can now rent it, enjoy and have fun,” he said. Maduka also said the company’s branch network would be key into the delivery of optimum services being craved for in the sector, since Coscharis is located in all zones of the country. “Our company is always ready to promote the image of the country by providing outstanding services that meet international standard. On the Sixt’s charitable initiative, GM/CEO Coscharis Mobility Ltd – Sixt Nigeria, Christian Chigbundu, said, “Sixt is leading in the drive to support charitable causes in the country as it continues to show firm commitment by investing

in worthy causes that touch the lives of both the young and aged in the society”. Sixt ‘rent a car’ was founded in Munich, Germany about 100 years ago. “The company is the oldest and most prestigious car rental company in the entire Europe and the world with about 225,000 fleets at its disposal. May I say that there are other companies trying to or that have been providing this service; the question then is, why Coscharis mobility and Sixt ‘rent a car’ company?” Maduka said. Representative of Sixt ‘rent a car,’ Karsten Jaensch said the company is a renowned international company that renders good quality auto services for customers at low rental rates.

Volkswagen overtakes Toyota as world’s biggest carmaker

olkswagen overtook Toyota as the world’s largest carmaker by sales in the first half of 2015, achieving its long-held ambition three years ahead of target. This development is coming barely one month after Volkswagen restarted production at the Nigerian plant to increase global market and sales potential. “We are certain that further growth is possible, which is why Volkswagen is constantly searching for new opportunities to increase global market and sales potential and we appreciate the fact that we are able to strengthen our business relationship with our professional partner Stallion,” Volkswagen Africa Sales and Marketing helmsman Wolfgang Ratz told the media at the inauguration of the Volkswagen plant in Lagos. VW has been pushing for greater scale under Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn’s eightyear reign, propelled by adding brands and factories and above all, enhancing sales in China. The German group had on July 17 reported 5.04 million deliveries in the first half year, outmaneuvering Toyota’s 5.02 million cars between January and June of the corresponding period. Toyota, due to announce firsthalf earnings next Tuesday but admitted sales were dragged down by a slowdown in emerging markets and increased taxes on mini vehicles in Japan. VW’s rapid expansion has masked underperformance in the United States and Brazil, where it has been slow to

upgrade models and adjust its offerings to market trends, analysts say. Although boosting market share and brand awareness, VW’s race for volume has triggered a costly proliferation of models and equipment, especially in its core passenger-car brand where profit margins have languished amid growing inefficiencies. With over 310 models and nearly 120 factories worldwide, VW’s size may be turning into a disadvantage, forming the backdrop to a leadership crisis in April when ex-chairman Ferdinand Piech was ousted after publicly criticizing CEO Winterkorn. VW’s top management has since been trying to regain the initiative, though other top players, notably its unions and stakeholder Lower Saxony, are seeking to influence the course of its move to a leaner structure as VW is pushing 5 billion euros of cost savings in its core division. Wolfsburg-based VW last year started shifting its focus to boosting earnings quality to help fund growing technology needs and plant upgrades. VW has a goal of “moderately” raising deliveries from last year’s record 10.14 million cars. The group will publish first-half results on Wednesday. But staying on top will be a challenge for the German maker of the Golf and Polo, as deliveries are falling in China, destination of a third of its global sales, making it overly reliant on relatively stagnant western European demand.

Photo | News

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (right), with the President Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Augustine Alegesa, during a courtesy visit to Osinbajo in Abuja.

L-R: Deputy Director, Safeguards, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Prof. Olukayode Taiwo; State Team Leader, State Accountability and Voice Initiative, Mr. Felix Obanubi; Executive Secretary, Disability Policy and Advocacy Initiative, Mrs. Adeola Olanrewaju and Chairman, Mr. Barth Uche Ekugum, during the one-day workshop on implementation of the Lagos State special law, at Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

L-R: Assistant Senior Secretary, National Nigerian Union of Journalist, Mr. Gbenga Bamidele; New National President NUJ, Mr. Abdulheed Odusile; out going President NUJ, Mallam Muhammed Garuba and National Secretary, Shuábu Lema, during the handing over note to the new President, in Abuja.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (fourth right); his deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga (fourth left); Speaker, Ogun State House of Assrmbly, Rt. Hon. Suraj Ishola Adekunbi (third right); Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Ogun State Chapter, Alhaji Roqueeb Adeniji (third left) and newly sworn-in Chairmen of the 20 Local Government Transition Committees, during their inauguration in Abeokuta.

A cross-section of the pupils of SOFUNIX International Schools casting news at the 2015 graduation ceremony held in Iroko Town, Ota, Ogun State.

L-R: National President, Mbaise People’s Congress, Chief Ano Anyanwu; former National President, University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA),Sir Nze Ananyi; Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Nwanne Chioke and Author, Chief Emeka Nwanevu, at the public presentation of a book entitled: The writer in whose company the prison walls fell down in Lagos. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Across-section of the students of the Apostolic Faith Secondary School (AFSS), about to board their flight to the United Kingdom for the Universities for Educational tour, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

L-R: Unit Commander, Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Epe, Mr. James Oluwole; President, Allied Trucks Transporters’ Association of Nigeria (ATTAN), Mr. Joseph Arotiba; Unit Commander, FRSC, Lagos Island, Mr. Sodeeq Abdulrahman; Zonal Chairman, Eti-Osa/Ibeju, ATTAN, Alhaji Saka Yusuf Titilofe and Unit Commander, FRSC, Lekki, Mr. Istifanus Ibrahim, during a Stakeholders’ meeting between FRSC and ATTAN in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

FRIDAY,JULY 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Islam UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

How Is Reward Gained For Fasting in Shawwal? QUESTION

Please I want to know how is reward gained for fasting in Shawwal CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

ANSWER

However, it doesn’t stop here since if we follow the Prophet’s way by fasting Mondays and/or Thursdays; also fasting the middle three days of each lunar month, the 13th, 14th and 15th. In addition to fasting on special days during the year such as the day of Arafah for non-pilgrims and two days in Ashura, etc… These will add up to even more than one year’s worth of fasting. Now concerning women who missed days of fast due to menstruation, they are advised to fast at least six days in Shawwal and make up the rest of the days any other time during the year before the next Ramadan. Some scholars are of the opinion that they can do double intention for replacing their missed days and the six days of Shawwal, and get the reward of fasting the whole year as explained above. That means they get the reward of the whole year even if they are six days short. However, if they wish to be accurate then they may fast additional days here and there during the year as shown by the tradition of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him). If you miss the six days of Shawwal for some reason or another then don’t be distressed, you may still fast supererogatory fasts and complete the year’s worth of fast or more. The encouragement of fasting in Shawwal is to gain that reward early on. So it is best to fast the six days of Shawwal as soon as the days of Eid are over. These don’t have to be fasted in a row, any six days during Shawwal will have the same reward; the matter is flexible. I hope this helps answer your question. Salam and please keep in touch.

Allah Almighty knows best

E X HO R T A T I O N

15 Shawal, 1436 AH

“And thus have We sent the Qur’an down as verses of clear evidence and because Allah guides whom He intends.” (Quran 22:5)

2015 Hajj: Saudi denies 15, 200 Nigerian pilgrims visa, entry

lRiyadh slashes Nigeria’s quota by 20 per cent KICK-START Pilgrims’ airlifting begins August 18 Adeola Yusuf

he Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has denied over 15, 200 Nigerian pilgrims visas for 2015 Hajj operations. This came as the kingdom slashed the quota giving to Nigeria by 20 per cent. A source at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) who disclosed this to New

Telegraph added that the airlifting of prospective pilgrims would begin by August 18, 2015. “With 76, 000 Nigerian participated in the 2014 edition, about 15, 200 pilgrims are denied opportunities to participate in this year’s pilgrimage to the holy land,” he said. Chairman, Ogun state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Dr Ishaq Yusuf confirmed the cut in quota, stating that the move has reduced the number of pilgrims from Ogun state to 1,195. He added that Nigeria was not the only country affected by the new quota. The number of pilgrims, he

said, had been reduced by 20 percent in each country by the Saudi authorities. This he said was “due to the ongoing construction and extension works in some holy sites of the annual pilgrimage.” A report by National Hajj committee headed by Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akinolu revealed that twenty-five Nigerian pilgrims died while performing the 2014 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia due to ill-health, anxiety and stress, the Hajj report has revealed. The committee report, which was submitted to former President Goodluck Jonathan, how-

A cross-section of the members of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Mushin Branch, during a lecture on Islamic mode of dressing in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEI-

ever stated that measures must be put in place to end the number of casualties during the subsequent operations. Saying that the operations in which over 76, 000 Nigerian participated, was successive, the report called on the federal government to end the sponsorship of pilgrims to holy land. According to the report, Lagos and Sokoto recorded three death cases each due to cancer, heart problems, leukaemia and diabetes, with about 64 per cent of the deceased being above 50 years of age. Head, Medical Team for the 2014 Hajj, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, also said that the stress and anxiety also made seven others to be hospitalised out of the 76,000 pilgrims that performed the Hajj rites while some psychiatric cases were also recorded. “We recorded 25 deaths and seven others hospitalised. Also, we recorded some psychiatric cases which are largely due to anxiety, excitement and stress that come with Hajj which we have been able to manage and the psychiatric cases are normal now. “6,000 Nigerian pilgrims have visited the six clinics being operated by the medical mission in Jeddah, Medina and Mecca, as a result of cold and hypertension,” Kana said. Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Muhammed Abubakar III, who handed over the report to President Jonathan, has asked the federal government to begin the process of handing off any form of funding for pilgrims to the annual Hajj rituals in Saudi Arabia.

MURIC gets new executives as NACOMYO tasks, congratulates Odusile Kunle Olayeni

he Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has elected new officers, where it returned Professor Ishaq Akintola as it national director. The group, which said this in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Shefiu Ayorinde, maintained that a Shurah Committee put in place at the last general meeting announced names of the new team to steer the ship of MURIC from the Hijrah year 1436. “The following are members of the new Executive to Prof. Ishaq Akintola as Director; Brother Yakeen Williams, General Secretary; Brother Muftau-

deen Oyeyemi as Asst. General Secretary and Sister Qareebat Raji-Abati as the Treasurer. Others are Brother Abdul Razaq Uthman as Finance Secretary; Brother Shefiu Ayorinde as Public Relations Officer (PRO); Brother Lateef Kosoko as investigations Officer, Brother Musbaudeen Wahabas Chief Whip; and Alhaji Musa Ishola (Filani) as Liaison Officer. This came as the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) tasked the new National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Waheed Odusile, to work towards reorientation of

members in order to take the Nigerian press to the next level. NACOMYO said this in a congratulatory message signed by its National President, Alhaji Kamal’ddin Akintunde. Akintunde congratulated NUJ members for organising a credible and successful election, noting that the enviable feat could be said to be a consolidation of Nigeria’s recent world acclaimed general elections. He urged the new president to reposition the nation’s press against being partisan and take it to the next level comparable to an internationally acceptable professional practice of journalism. The NACOMYO president

noted that an indepth investigative and developmental journalism aided by unhindered freedom of information will fast track good governance and development. He advocated a “paradigm shift from sensational and breath-breaking stories to issuebased journalism that will engender an all round development of human race and realisation of good governance and adherence to internationally acceptable best government practices.” The apex Muslim youth group also emphasized objectivity and constructive features, editorial and balanced views by newspaper columnists as ‘sine qua non’ to ensuring stability in the polity.

Feminique NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015

Ume-Ezeoke:

Women, my Real Estate Chukwunonso Ume-Ezeoke is the Chief Executive Officer of Assist-2-Sell Properties Ltd. Formerly a bank manager, her eyes were opened to the real estate business after she was suddenly disengaged from her job and was left with little or nothing and hundreds of thousands of naira worth of bills to pay. Now a top-notch realtor, she is the resource at the ongoing empowerment of women in Real Estate Business, initiated by the United States Consulate, Lagos and spoke with EBERE AMEH on the need for women to invest in real estate, among other issues

he is beautiful and accomplished yet candid, with no airs. Starting with a startling story of her life during the Women Financial Empowerment programme at the US Consulate, Lagos recently, Chukwunonso Ume-Ezeoke made even the most indolent and unenterprising woman wake up to the need to become financially empowered and the opportunities that abound in the real estate sector. Popularly called Nonso by her friends, she was a banker, a branch manager with an official car attached to her office and numerous perks to enjoy. As with bankers, she did not lack designer shoes, bags and clothes. But she got disengaged from work and had a N550,000 rent to pay and lots of bill to settle, but had only N17,000 in her savings. “As bankers, our wardrobes are filled with fantastic designer shoes and bags but even before the salary comes, we would have written so many post-dated cheques,” Nonso teased. “I had to give back the company official car and so, suddenly, from being a chauffeur driven manager, I was back at the bus stop waiting for taxi. It was that bad,” she narrated to the enrapt audience. “You think it’s just a story but

EBERE AMEH ebere.ameh@newtelegraphonline.com

it happened and it still happens in people’s lives. Women need to take charge of their financial future to avoid falling victim like me,” she added. Though she fell victim of the economic downturn and uncertainties of life, she didn’t remain fallen. She picked herself up, dusted herself and moved on. Poised and determined, she painstakingly and determinedly climbed the ladder of hard work and success and now, the sky is only but her stepping stone. “First I went back to law practice. I got a job in a law firm and from the meagre amount I was paid, I started investing in real estate. I opened my own Law Firm later,” One conquest led to the other and today, Nonso who has a palpable passion for women empowerment is now a world-class realtor with interests in real estates both within and outside Nigeria.” Delivering a speech titled Smart Women Invest in Real Estate, she insists that women ought to be empowered to be able to actualize their own potentials and assist their husbands. For her, real estate is the best form of investment because it affords women the opportunity to own a home. “From birth to age eighteen, a girl needs good parents. From eighteen to thirty-five, she needs good looks. From thirty-five to fifty-five, she needs a good personality. From fifty-five on, she needs good cash,” Nonso’s voice echoed as she quoted Sophie Tucker, one of the most popular entertainers in America during the first half of the 20th century, widely known by her nickname ‘The Last of the Red

Ume-Ezeoke

I had to give back the company official car and so, suddenly, from being a chauffeur driven manager, I was back at the bus stop waiting for taxi. It was that bad

Hot Mamas.’ Expatiating, she said that “at 55, a woman is approaching retirement, has probably hit the big ‘M’ (menopause) and her best buy days almost used up. What does she fall back on to care for the aching knees & back? Her Pensions, her Savings, her Husband, her Children or her Investments? Most of these may fail her, and that is why a wise woman invests heavily in real estate and makes hay while the sun shines,” she intoned. Though there are various classes of investments, which include Real Estate; Money Market (T-Bills, Bonds, CDs, BAs); Capital Market (Stocks); Mutual Funds; Precious Stones & Metals, among others, Nonso insists that the best class of investments remains the Real Estate As interesting as that may sound, many women are actually aware of the benefits of real estate investment but are held back by so many factors, which she identified as including: limited mindset with many under the illusion that they earn little and so can’t afford it, and others believing that it is a man’s job; not creating a financial goal; not knowing their net-worth and ignorance of the workings of the Real Estate sector and how to play in it. Others are perceived weak earnings; setting artificial boundaries and cultural and traditional barriers. No wonder In 2012, The World Bank stated that, ‘Women perform 66 per cent of the world’s work, produce 50 per cent of the food, but

earn 10 per cent of the income and own 1 per cent of the property.’ How come women who are traditionally known as homemakers don’t own homes of their own? One may wont to ask. Nonso insists that gender inequality and patriarchal societies are the culprits. “In many countries, men are still considered the sole breadwinners and are therefore commonly given preferential treatment by varied governmental institutions and private companies,” she explained. Quoting the Virtuous Woman of Proverbs chapter 31:16, ‘She considers a field (Real Estate) and buys it,’ the real estate guru gives Biblical backing to the reasons every woman should own a piece of property. According to Powers, Magnoni of Goldman Sachs, to secure credit, borrowers often need to put down collateral. Much evidence suggests that gender differences in ownership of Real Estate, is one of the most influential factors affecting women’s ability to access credit and one of the main reasons for rejection of loans. “Culturally too, our mothers and grandmothers, here in Africa at least, farmed a land, or nursed a garden, or potted a flowerbed. In terms of security, everyone needs a roof over one’s head or an additional source of income in rentals. Property ownership is a thing of pride, a sign of accomplishment and dividend of hard work. It provides a hedge against inflation, provides stability in that no matter the economic outlook, property yields appreciable returns consistently, over long periods of time,” she enumerated. Talking on the best approach to Real Estate investment for women, Nonso noted seven things, which are: outlining the area, determining your comfort zone, noting the key regulators and learning the area. Others are to become an insider, to document ones data and deeds, to recognize opportunities, to inspect properties and to learn to do due diligence. She identified determination, seeking the correct counsel and professional advice, positive attitude, strong financial goal orientation, self-confidence, discipline and Real Estate industry knowledge as seven elements that will help women to become successful Real Estate investors. Nonso, was nominated by Access Bank to be one of the pioneer mentees of the Cherie Blair Foundation which commenced in the last quarter of 2014. A graduate of Law from the University of Nigeria, she is currently running an executive graduate programme at the Pan African University.

Feminique

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Oh Daddy! Sexual abuse of kids I am starting this week’s column with some sad and pathetic, but true stories on sexual abuse of children. Both cases were brought to me by their parents for medical assessment. Case A. Two very young kids were involved. Their ages were three and five. Both were girls. The mother had been noticing the following on and off with the elder kid for about six months. Her vagina would be painful, swollen and reddish in colour. During this period, she would also be sensitive and cry often over little things. She attributed her findings to the so called toilet infection. And because like over 99 per cent of Nigerians, she was a fully certified home doctor or doctor in the house, she treated the child at home each time for “toilet disease.” There was no point in seeing medical doctors who will only chop her money. As she wrongly thought she had succeeded each time, she became bolder with her treatment. Forcing the poor girl and her younger sister to drink all sorts of antibiotics. The good, the bad and the ugly. The fakes, toxic, substandard and expired ones. Each time, she administered drugs, the pain, swelling, and redness would temporarily disappear. Only to surface

a few days or weeks later. The girl’s younger sister also went through the same treatment protocol each time. For prevention. Fine doctor in the house. She even confessed that the poor girls also got beatings from her. For being so dirty and giving her extra work to do. Then the younger one caught the infection. She was mad with annoyance. She went to their school to give the proprietress a piece of her mind. And threatened to withdraw her daughters from the school at the end of term. Fortunately, for the kids another incident happened whilst the mother in law came visiting. This time it was the younger one. The woman examined her thoroughly and gently asked the child some probing questions. Which the parents never did. She was convinced this was not just “toilet infection or disease.” She insisted they should come to the hospital. And followed them. In fact they only reluctantly agreed to come to the hospital because they “didn’t want her trouble and tongue lashing”. I then proceeded to examine them both. Both had evidence that their hymen had been torn by use of a blunt object or instrument. Most likely a finger. Fingering as they say for sexual pleasure. And they were not self in-

flicted. That of the younger girl was more recent. Both girls were then questioned separately in the presence of their grandmother, but not the parents. The older one refused to answer the various formats of the questions; who did it and where? Why did she not, you may ask? It was apparent that she was afraid of talking. Definitely, the perpetrator(s), usually scare the victims with hell fire and all sorts of calamities that will befall them if they talk. They even go so far as to threaten other members of their families. By the way, that is the major reason most victims keep quiet. Luckily for us, the younger one had not fully understood the meaning of fear. Her vocabulary, knowledge and experience,was still very small. So she talked. Then the story got more interesting. She fingered (forgive the pun) the father as the culprit. Each time we asked her, she always said ‘daddy’. Although her vocabulary was limited, she was already in nursery one. When the parents came in and we asked her to point, she pointed at the daddy. Now I want us to try and play detective. How do we find out who really did it? Is it really the daddy? Or somebody old enough to be the daddy? Join us next week as we

Fadeyi

try to unravel the truth and also bring out the second case which involves a five year old boy. Meanwhile, keep a closer check on your children. Not just the teenagers or young adults as we have seen. Dr T. A. Fadeyi. MB. BCH. Sexologist, Sex and Marriage Counselor. drtaiwofadeyi@gmail.com 08033148899 (sms only)

Ego: Diary of a happening mom

Ebere Ameh

ur journey to the Maldives was smooth but for a little girl that got air sick and stormy weather which buffeted our aircraft from all sides just before landing. She was with her father on the seats to our left and I noticed how she held her tummy intermittently. As a mother, I knew she was feeling sick and may throw up any moment and wondered how her young Asian father would handle it. If only I had a clove of ginger, it would have settled it, I thought. But how would I have offered ginger root to people I’m meeting for the first time in an airplane? Just while I was about to forget it, sensing that he would be able to handle it, the child started again, grip-

Beautiful Maldives! ping her tummy and crouching over her knees and all the man could do was shove her violently, an indication that the girl was making some sobbing sounds was disturbing the peace of the people. Almost involuntarily I stood up, but just then I saw an Air Hostess whom I motioned to and intimated about the child and the possibility of her throwing up any moment. Danny who was fast asleep woke up, wondering what the problem was. “But she has her father with her nah, why are you so concerned?” Danny grumbled when I told her about the child. If only he knew that the parent was either too engrossed with his own wahala or

too inexperienced to know that their child was air sick, he would have appreciated my intervention. The Air hostess was right on time with the sickbag to catch the vomit and the girl vomited twice again before we landed. The father who noticed my concern and intervention waved in gratitude. Not long afterwards, the weather got stormy and rocked our plane on all sides. It was about an hour before landing and the experienced pilot skilfully navigated the high winds till we got to the airport. Though still wobbly close to the runway, she was able to bring the wheels down and managed to land smoothly on the tarmac at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. We woke up late after a little delay on arrival at the Reveries Diving Village where we lodged. The staff needed to get our apartment ready and so tired and eager to get some shut eye were we that we missed their nightly local musical display and dinner. Located on Gan Island, Reveries is about 35 minutes drive from the Male International Airport. It is indeed superb for a relaxing getaway with an indoor pool, a gym and a restaurant; and untouched coral reefs and white sandy beaches outside. Waking up in the morning, I could see how very beautiful and comfortable our apartment is that I was already imagining how wonderful our stay would be. With our apartment overlooking the sea, I could see tourists surfing effortlessly and others preparing for snorkelling that my aquaphobia disappeared momentarily – I longed to join them. “Hope your night was good?” Hussein, our tour guide greeted. A young stout looking man with a

little baldness, he depicted a happy go lucky fellow ready to take us on the adventure of a lifetime. “We shall start our outing today with a historical place,” Hussein said in his tick Indian accent. “We shall go to Utheemu Ganduvaru, the historical residence where Sultan Mohamed Thankurufaan, one of the heroes of Maldives lived. The place is located in Utheemu, an Island in the north of Maldives. We would then go to the National Museum, Chaandhanee Magu, located in the Sultan Park before we go to Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque, Kaafu Atoll. There are lots of places in different islands to visit before we move to lodge in Dharavandhoo …,” he wanted to continue before Danny interrupted him. “You talk too much Hussein, that is supposed to be a surprise,” Danny cautioned jokingly, winking at me. Get us the catalogue of tourist destinations and we shall make our choice in no time. Utheemu sounds an interesting place to start with but we need to see it so my darling could make her choices. Her wish is my command here,” he added grinning, kissing my right hand and genuflecting with his right knee. “Hope you won’t kill me with all these your surprises? I’m so enchanted by the beauty of this place that I wish to stay back and surf,” I said, pulling him up and dragging him to the balcony to see tourists having a boisterous time on the sea. “You! Surf ? What happens to the imaginary aquaphobia you inundated me with?” he teased, running, knowing full well that I will pursue to hit him for the sarcasm.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015

Crime

Return of bank robbers

Some suspected armed robbers

Juliana Francis

hen Mr. Solomon Arase was appointed and confirmed as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), every security stakeholder and analyst knew it was only a matter of time before he rejigs the policemen for better performance of his administration. All former IGs prefer officers they could count on to be placed at key positions. Like in a war front, the General usally puts his best soldiers’ at the most sensitive spots. When Arase started transferring

JULIANA FRANCIS CRIME Editor

juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

policemen, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, the former Lagos State Commissioner of Police was affected. The number one policeman at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos Command, Mr. Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police (SP), was also moved to Abuja. A new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni had immediately taken over from Aderanti. Lagos has always been a haven for crimes and criminals because it’s a commercial nerve centre. These crimes and criminals are what Owoseni should be getting ready to tackle. There are speculations that many robbers, who had hitherto remained hidden and operated outside Lagos State, may soon start crawling out from their holes to begin creating mayhem in the state after Kyari’s transfer to Abuja. According to a police detective, some of the emerging crimes in Lagos include: return of ‘One-Chancearmed robbers’, return of bank robbers, ATM armed robbers, cultism and increasing cases of housemaids and sales girls disappearing with master’s valuables and conniving with robbers to attack their bosses’

homes. Police sources further revealed that Owoseni is already marshaling out his strategy in fighting crime in the state. One of the sources added: “The new Commissioner of Police said that he believes very much in being proactive. Thus, he and his team will try to prevent crimes before they happen, rather than wait for it to happen before reacting.” Being proactive is naturally what most Nigerians; especially residents in Lagos yearn for. Everybody wants crime to be checked and criminals arrested before they strike. A laudable idea, but very tremulous in the Nigerian society. The country is still young and wobbling on its attempts at embracing 21st centry policing. The Nigeria Police Force lacks the equipment to become effectively proactive. Thus, no matter how proactive the police in Lagos may become, they should gear up for fighting crime when it happens. Speaking on the benefits of intelligence gathering and the police being proactive, a SARS operative said: “Yes, there are times we get information from paid informants. Most of

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

these informants are former armed robbers. They give us information about a robbery operation that was going to take place and we swing into action to stop it. But such chances, opportunities are few and far in between. We used these informants big time during the era of Kyari. Kyari pays them big money for information. He rented houses for most of them and pays their annual rents. When you see them, you wouldn’t believe they are former robbers.” Sometimes, SARS men go undercover in order to get information that could help in nipping a robbery in the bud. They join robbery gangs. This is why most of them have now embraced wearing of earrings, braiding and perming of hair. They do all these, in order to blend with the robbers. These men are ready to lay down their lives to ensure they get information that their bosses later brag about as being, ‘receiving intelligence report and being proactive.’ These undercover cops are often shot point blank by robbers if their covers are blown. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 6

Crime

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tackling robberies: A challenge for new CP C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 5

A few years ago; one of such SARS men who went undercover, escaped from the gang with bullets lodged in one of his legs. He spent months in the hospital and had a limp to show for his effort. Till he was transferred out of Lagos SARS, he never was able to take active part in crime busting anymore. He was seen as being physically challenged. But since Owoseni wants to deploy ‘proactive strategy’ in policing Lagos, he still has to confront the ghosts that troubled his successors and gave them sleepless nights. One of the ghosts presently facing Lagos today is the return of bank robbers. It was due to bank robberies that the police, together with the Lagos State Government clamped down on commercial motorbikes. But today, bank robbers are back. They are now better armed with more sophisticated weapons, including explosives and machine guns. These weapons make mockery of the police AK47 rifles. Bank robbers repeatedly struck during the era of Aderanti. A few of them were caught, but those caught were discovered to be mere hirelings. The big ‘fishes’, said to be from Warri, Delta State, have long since sailed back home. They sailed to Warri, to celebrate their success and spend their loots. It’s however only a matter of time before they run out of money and decide to strike again. These men, with one of them called, ‘general,’ are believed to be part of the Niger Delta militants. These are the big time robbers that Owoseni should be getting ready to tackle. He should be ready to arm his men with better guns, if he wants them to confront these bandits. Sending policemen touting AK 47 rifles to challenge robbers armed with machine guns and explosives, is akin to sending them on a suicide mission. Speaking on ways to secure banks from robbers, a policeman said: “Banking sector should put more efforts into security. They should ensure that close to four policemen are deployed around a single bank. But what we’ve discovered is that most of them would rather employ private security firms’ guards and detail only one or two policemen to the bank. They keep saying they don’t have money. Plain cloth policemen should also be stationed at banks. In Oba Akran, Ikeja, for instance, there are close to 20 banks there. These banks should come together and ensure that four Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) are positioned at strategic points in that axis. The banks should care for the policemen that will be in those APC. They should at least give them breakfast and lunch.” According to him, for any bank robbery to be successful, there must be an insider. Thus, banks should begin to scrutinise security details attached to their banks. They should also carry out scrutiny of contract staff. He however noted that bank managers should be one of the most investigated before and after employment, “because they stand to

Some vehicles bought with proceeds of robbery

Oweseni and Aderanti

benefit after any robbery. The robbers may cart away N100million, but the manager will jack up the amount, diverting the rest money to his pocket.” A SARS detective also explained: “In the western world, an alarm is rigged to a police station. Once there’s a robbery and the alarm activated, it sounds in the police station and the policemen will swing into action. But in Nigeria, the banks are fond of installing fake alarms! Once a rat passes by it, it starts ringing. Policemen will rush to the bank, only to be told that it was a rat. It’s unreliable and stressful for policemen who run there every time. Another way to check bank robbery should be the Close Circuit TV. Most banks mount the CCTV to show only inside the banking halls and premises. There should be cameras focused on the roads too. It will pick anything happening in the streets before it gets to the bank.” Within the few days that Owoseni took over the mantle of leadership of the Lagos Police Command, he had received applauds from some of his men. He was said to have created a team known as, ‘SARS Ikorodu,’ because of the raids on banks in that axis. “Yes! Due to the Ikorodu bank robberies, half of the personnel of Ikeja SARS had been moved. Over 185 personnel had been moved to Ikorodu. They are part of SARS Ikorodu. But sadly, they have no place to sleep. Many of them sleep and squat in police stations,” said a police source. “I don’t understand why the local government chairman in that area

can’t help them with a place to sleep. This is why many policemen have refused to play heroes and die. If you die, you die for nothing! Even the banks don’t care for a policeman shot and killed guarding their banks. In the Lekki bank robbery, three policemen were killed. I can tell you authoritatively that one of them was given only N20, 000 by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). They were all buried by their families. Policemen shot and wounded in bank raids pay their hospital bills themselves! Banks don’t assist, yet the banks expect policemen to lay down their lives to protect the banks.” Another persistent, but troubling issue in Lagos right now is cultism. There’s no amount of policing and intelligence gathering deployed that can check and detect when cult members may strike. They have been known to quarrel and embark on a fight over insignificant issue like girl-friend snatching. Residents and passersby caught in the shootout between warring factions have often been left maimed and others dead. As the years pass, the clash got bloodier and members became more blood thirsty. Before they used to shoot at their opponents, but these days, they have taken to beheading. Areas prevalent for cultism are Bariga, Shomolu, Mushin, Fadeyin, Oworoshoki and Lagos Island. Owoseni and his some of his men should zero in on these aforementioned areas. A policeman said that cult

wars persist because the actors, who shoot and kill, are still being treated with kid gloves. His words: “Security agencies should start treating cultism as robbery. It persists because people see it as a bail able offence. If it carries death penalty, parents and the cult members would have sit up! These boys carry guns, kill and rob. Why shouldn’t they be treated as armed robbers? Most importantly, they are sponsored by the rich, powerful and politicians. Once they are arrested, you wouldn’t believe the caliber of people that used to call for their bail. If cult wars must stop, the law must be allowed to take its course. Parents, chiefs and local government officials should help in speaking to these youths.” According to SARS men, they are beginning to record increase in ‘One-chance-armed robbery’ and ‘ATM robbers.’ The policemen said that investigation revealed that some armed robbers used to lurk around ATM galleries, waiting for customers. Once a customer collects money from the ATM, they trail and rob the person of the money. This is an area Owoseni should get his think tanks working on a right way. A policeman who had just finished a case on ATM robbery, said: “They come in different guises these days. Some wear policemen uniforms. But they are actually fake policemen. They’ll be inside their vehicle, watching anyone going to the ATM to collect money. The so called policemen will step out from their vehicles; accost the person who had just collected money. They would introduce themselves as policemen, insisting the person should follow them to their station. Once the person enters the vehicle, they would bring out gun and collect the money. They would check the victim’s phone for the bank alert; take him to another ATM gallery to clear his or her account. Others use cabs to pick passengers, show them guns, collect their ATM cards and Personal Identity Number (PIN) and empty their accounts. People should stop carrying their ATM cards around.” In order to check robbers who prowl around ATM gallery, waiting to trail customers, Owoseni and the bankers should come together and seek ways to deploy policemen to guard ATM gallery 24 hours.

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015

IMMINENT Naira trades at N199/$ and N242/$ on interbank and parallel markets respectively

Tony Chukwunyem

he divergence in the exchange rates of the naira to the dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange Market (IFEM), the parallel market and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) adjusted peg is an indication that a devaluation of the naira may not be too far off, Citibank Nigeria’s Head of Strategy, Mr. Sharaf Muhammed, has said. According to him, divergence of rates is an indication that devaluation is looming. However, when exchange rates merge, it is easier for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to manage the naira. While the apex bank’s forex peg currently fixes naira’s exchange rate to the dollar

Exchange rates divergence signals impending devaluation –Expert at N197/$, the local currency exchanges at about N199 and N242 to the greenback at the interbank and parallel markets respectively. Muhammed spoke while presenting a paper on the implications of the closure of the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) and Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) segments of the foreign exchange market in Nigeria. He represented the Managing Director, Citibank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Akinsowon Dawodu, at the ongoing CBN’s 20th Seminar for Finance Correspondents and Business Editors in Calabar. The Citibank top official stated that at the moment, the country was practising an intermediate exchange rate regime which is characterised by inconsistency issues and exchange rate volatility.

‘Naira stability to persist next week’

he naira will remain unchanged on both the interbank and parallel markets next week due to growing forex reserves and a decision by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to devalue the currency, according to a forecast by Reuters’ analysts. The naira was trading at 241 to the dollar in the parallel market, unchanged from last week, and 198.50 to the dollar on the interbank market from 197 a week ago. The apex bank introduced tight controls on foreign exchange trade in February The CBN on Friday said the naira, which has lost around 15 per cent against the dollar over the last year, was “appropriately priced” at 197 per dollar. The CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) had kept its benchmark interest rate on hold at 13 per cent on Friday and also kept the Cash Reserve

Requirement (CRR) on public and private sector deposits unchanged at 31 per cent at its meeting on July 24. CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said the naira, which has lost around 15 per cent against the dollar over the last year, with an official devaluation in November and a de facto one in February, was “appropriately priced” at its current level of 197. The bank has curbed interbank access to hard currency over the last few months in a bid to keep the naira on an even keel, although the restrictions have angered investors and frustrated companies that need dollars for imports. Emefiele rejected the idea of loosening the FX curbs, saying the central bank could not adopt an “indeterminate policy” of currency depreciation.

AfDB seeks Japanese investment in Africa

utgoing President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Donald Kaberuka, has urged Japanese businesses to take advantage of the comparative cost of labour to invest in mutually beneficial production in Africa. Speaking at the end of a twoday farewell visit to Tokyo, Kaberuka said both sides would benefit if Japanese authorities could assist their firms to set up businesses in Africa while urging African governments to enable such companies establish viable businesses especially in the energy sector. He commended the decision to organise the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Africa in 2016, and underscored the need for the conference to build on the momentum and outcomes of TICAD V held in Yokohama in 2013, by scaling up the conversation

between the governments and businesses on both sides. During the visit, the AfDB President met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the minister of finance and deputy prime minister, Taro Aso; the President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Akihito Tanaka, and Central Bank Governor, Haruhiko Kuroda, among other top government officials and business leaders. He also gave a talk on how to further consolidate relations between African and Japan at a luncheon attended by the African Diplomatic Corps in Japan. Japan joined the African Development Fund (ADF) in June 1973 and the African Development Bank (AfDB) in December 1982. Japan is the second largest contributor to ADF in cumulative terms after the United States and the third largest shareholder in the AfDB after the United States and Nigeria.

He pointed out that the CBN took the right decision in closing the RDAS and the WDAS windows, adding that the move would help to stabilise the naira. He said, “The closure of RDAS and WDAS will unify the market. And when it is unified, the naira will be at good price. So the closure is a good step in the right direction. What we need to do now is to gradually move towards the free float

system. It is better if the market takes over and determines the price of the currency, and the CBN comes in once in a while to intervene. And when our fiscal policy is in harmony with our monetary policy, the economic transformation has been completed and then the Forex margin can be completely liberalised.” He pointed outthat before Nigeria can practice the free float exchange rate system it

must imbibe sound fiscal discipline as well as achieve economic transformation, adding that the progress being recorded in areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas was a positive development. He further suggested that while the CBN could intervene in the forex market, such interventions should, however, not be frequent otherwise they would not have the desired impact.

Access Bank appoints Belo-Olusoga board chair Chris Ugwu

ccess Bank Plc yesterday announced the retirement of Mr. Gbenga Oyebode as a director and Chairman of the bank. It also announced the appointment of Mrs. Mosun Belo-Olusoga as his successor with effect from July 30, 2015. According to a statement from the bank, the retirement of Oyebode follows his successful completion of the maximum term limit as prescribed by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Code of Corporate Governance for Banks and Discount Houses in Nigeria. The appointment of BeloOlusoga also follows a thorough selection process by the

Governance and Nomination Committee of the Board led by Mr. Emmanuel Chiejina, a non-Executive Director. Belo-Olusoga joined the Board of the Bank in November 2007 as a non-Executive Director. Until her recent appointment, she was the Chairperson of the Credit and Finance Committee and member of the Board Committees on Audit, Governance and Nomination, Risk Management and Remuneration. She was formerly an Executive Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and was at various times responsible for Risk Management, Corporate and Commercial Banking and Transaction Services and Settlements. She is a graduate of Econom-

ics from University of Ibadan and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigerian and Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. Commenting on the development, Oyebode said: “I am glad that Belo-Olusoga will be succeeding me as Chairperson. Her significant board experience; knowledge of our dynamic industry and personal qualities will be highly beneficial to Access Bank.” Belo-Olusoga said: ‘‘I consider it a great privilege to chair Access Bank, an outstanding financial institution at a time like this. I look forward to working with its great team in transforming it into the world’s most respected African bank.’’

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

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 9 13 10.77 US$56.51 US$30,697,280,995

As at Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 May, 2015 4/6/2015 Mar 2015 23/7/2015 22/7/2015

Source:CBN

Description 13.05 16-AUG-2016 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 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 98.19 100.42 103.59 103.41 106.74 97.56 68.00 86.04

1.05 1.74 3.92 4.54 6.50 8.62 14.98 18.97

NIBOR

Tenor (Days) Call 30 90 180

Rate (%) 5.9583 13.1711 15.9565 16.6520

Bid Yield 14.95 14.77 14.75 14.48 14.74 14.70 15.57 14.30

Change (%) -2.21 ▼ -0.77 ▼ -0.13 ▼ -0.67 ▼

Change (%) -0.17 ▼ -0.07 ▼ -0.11 ▼ -0.30 ▼ -0.07 ▼ -0.11 ▼ 0.00 ↔ -0.23 ▼

Price 98.34 100.57 103.89 103.71 107.04 97.86 68.30 86.34

Tenor (Months)

Offer Yield 14.79 14.67 14.65 14.39 14.67 14.64 15.50 14.25

Change (%) -0.17 ▼ -0.07 ▼ -0.10 ▼ -0.30 ▼ -0.07 ▼ -0.11 ▼ 0.00 ↔ -0.23 ▼

NITTY

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Rate (%) 9.6739 12.3204 13.6142 14.2359 14.3389 14.9706

Change (%) -1.29 ▼ -0.51 ▼ 0.46 ▲ 0.35 ▲ -0.18 ▼ 0.27 ▲

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 13.10 13.54 0.01 ▲ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 4.58 29-Oct-15 13.35 13.81 0.01 ▲ 28-Jan-16 13.63 13.38 14.34 -0.10 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 5.25 14.62 -0.10 ▼ 02-Jun-16 12.91 12.66 14.17 -0.01 ▼ 14.49 -0.01 ▼

Spot ($/N)

Bid 197.29

Offer 197.39

Change (%) -0.79 ▼

NIFEX

Bid Spot ($/N) 199.0000

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -2.08 ▼ -1.92 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

CBN Clearing Rates of June 11, 2015 Spot ($/N)

196.00

197.00

0.00 ↔ Source: FMDQ

Business | Aviation

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

30-Jul-15

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

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

581.39 480.13 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 261.73 605.31 599.99 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 340.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,890.82

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,486.77

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

1.05 1.74 1.99 2.09 2.83 3.92 4.23 4.54 6.50 8.62 13.33 13.81 14.31 14.98 18.97

14.95 14.77 14.77 14.77 14.76 14.75 14.57 14.48 14.74 14.70 16.25 16.46 16.70 15.57 14.30

14.79 14.67 14.67 14.67 14.69 14.65 14.45 14.39 14.67 14.64 16.19 16.39 16.61 15.50 14.25

98.19 100.42 91.77 90.54 90.83 103.59 76.67 103.41 106.74 97.56 93.20 78.53 55.82 68.00 86.04

98.34 100.57 91.92 90.69 90.98 103.89 76.97 103.71 107.04 97.86 93.50 78.83 56.12 68.30 86.34

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

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

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

2.10 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.93 1.36 1.72 1.94

2.94 1.00 2.66 3.13

17.69 15.82 17.47 17.91

99.62 100.15 103.12 98.82

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

297.52

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

300.53

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.09

4.44

13.02

99.90

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.17

3.23

14.65

99.66

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

2.60

30-Jun-16

0.67

4.46

19.13

96.90

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

3.96

30-Jun-16

0.68

3.48

18.15

98.34

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.72

1.00

15.81

91.48

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

21.24

30-Jun-17

1.21

1.00

15.80

97.82

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.42

1.79

16.55

95.04

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

1.80

1.00

15.80

97.31

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.82

1.00

15.80

97.28

14.50

12.40

09-Dec-18

2.00

1.00

15.77

97.91 91.43

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

Bb-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

9.21

12-Dec-18

2.00

4.78

19.55

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

1.99

1.00

15.77

99.55

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

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

15.09 80.00 24.74

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

2.42 4.32 2.49

2.02 1.00 1.00

16.78 15.52 15.76

97.55 96.81 98.02

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

10.46

10-Oct-20

3.02

1.82

16.58

95.92

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.33

1.00

15.55

92.70

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.42

1.00

15.57

97.94

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.30

31-Dec-20

3.27

1.00

15.75

97.00

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.31

06-Jan-21

3.29

1.00

15.75

98.17

100.06

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

440.27 420.77

Corporate Bonds BBB+/Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.05

1.00

8.48

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

9.38

09-Dec-15

0.36

1.00

15.31

98.84

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.22

06-Jan-16

0.44

2.63

17.11

98.65

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.17

1.00

15.79

97.07

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.24

1.34

16.15

97.88

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.17

1.00

15.77

95.02

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.56

30-Nov-17

1.40

1.88

16.71

102.23

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

5.40

09-Apr-18

1.44

1.00

15.84

100.15

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.54

09-Sep-18

1.61

1.00

15.83

102.81

1.61

1.00

15.83

100.18

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.70

09-Sep-18

A+/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

30-Sep-18

3.17

3.00

17.75

91.12

BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.10

18-Oct-18

1.72

2.29

17.10

98.04

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

17-Feb-19

1.80

6.11

20.91

96.09

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.42

2.16

16.92

98.19

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.29

2.76

17.30

93.00

BBB/GCR

FCMB

14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021

20-Nov-14

14.25

26.00

20-Nov-21

6.31

1.00

15.75

94.08

A/GCR

UBA

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

30-Dec-14

16.45

30.50

30-Dec-21

6.42

1.58

16.35

100.34

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

16.29

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.17

1.00

15.85

102.01

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.17

1.00

15.85

87.58

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

177.87

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

169.56

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.54

1.00

13.98

92.16

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

3.76

1.00

15.72

87.88

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 22.44

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

6.46

6.23

101.31

102.38

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

5.37

5.05

99.34

100.21

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.73

6.56

97.82

98.86

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,492.36

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

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.72

102.13

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

8.37

98.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

11.85

11.06

88.53

90.23

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

7.94

7.39

94.50

96.02

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

7.82

95.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

10.91

10.23

93.40

95.42

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

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

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

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

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

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

9.73 10.89 10.12

9.73 10.55 10.12

93.70 93.24 90.00

93.70 94.61 90.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

11.15

10.48

89.00

91.75

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,650.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,440.54

**Treasury Bills^ DTM 7 14 28 35 42 56 63

FIXINGS Maturity 6-Aug-15 13-Aug-15 27-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 10-Sep-15 24-Sep-15 1-Oct-15

Bid Discount (%) 5.51 6.94 8.11 11.42 12.15 12.17 12.90

Offer Discount (%) 5.26 6.69 7.86 11.17 11.90 11.92 12.65

Bid Yield (%) 5.51 6.96 8.16 11.55 12.32 12.40 13.19

Money Market Tenor

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 5.9583 13.1711 15.9565 16.6520

Rate (%)

OBB

4.58

O/N

5.25

Tenor Call

REPO

Rate (%) 5.00

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

197.29 199.31 199.66 200.58 202.48

197.39 199.85 200.24 201.16 203.24