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Friday, June 6, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 108

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

CBN to cut interest rate, stabilise naira

lDirects banks to halt deposit charges lNaira hits one-month low on Emefiele’s remarks Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

Godwin Emefiele Mr.yesterday unfolded his

agenda as the 11th Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with a promise to gradually cut interest rate, thus aban-

doning the two-year-old hawkish monetary policy that cut inflation to a single digits, while maintaining the stability of the naira.

Emefiele, who assumed duty on Tuesday, at his maiden press conference in Abuja, also announced a reversal of the payment

system, initiated by his predecessor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, by directing banks to stop immediately all charges

on deposits, adding that henceforth, unemployment rate will guide monetary policy decisions.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Two killed in blast at Gombe gov’s residence lUS, Britain offer Nigeria long-term assistance lBoko Haram kills 50 in Borno, Adamawa attacks lCatholic bishops plead for release of Chibok girls

Our Reporters

T

wo soldiers were feared dead yesterday when an armoured tank stationed at the personal residence of Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, exploded. Two others were seriously injured.

It was gathered that the explosion happened at about 6:20p.m. Soldiers and other security personnel immediately cordoned off the area.

It was learnt that Dankwambo lives in his personCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

2015: 500 politicians to watch L-R: Vice-President Namadi Sambo; National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and President Goodluck Jonathan during the party’s 65th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

Zamfara: Yarima, Abubakar, Gusau, Shinkafi, Yuguda in hot contest } 13-15 Lagos

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Defection: Jonathan, Nyako, Wamakko, Kwankwaso, Ahmed exchange brickbats Onyekachi Eze, Umar Danladi Ado, Ibrahim Abdul, Biodun Oyeleye and Muhammad Kabir

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan and former governors of the

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday traded barbs over the defection.

The president fired the first salvo at a meeting of the National Executive

Committee (NEC) of the PDP, where he said the party was not threatened by the defection as the governors could not win elections even in their wards.

In a quick riposte, four of the five governors who

defected from PDP, while responding to enquiries from New Telegraph, dismissed the president’s claim, which they said was borne out of the ruling party’s inability to get over the fact that they had

left for good.

Governors Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Sokoto) and Murtala Nyako (AdamaCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

FG jacks up 2014 crude contract awards to $52bn

}4

2 SPECIAL REPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Repositioning Ekiti public schools E

ducation and Human Capital Development are the first and most enduring attributes of Ekiti people. This is why the state has the privilege of being called “The Fountain of Knowledge” and “The Land of Honour.”

A lot of transformation has taken place in these sectors under the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi. Today, the administration has introduced compulsory free education at primary and secondary levels. Concerned about the import of information technology, the state government procured and distributed over 30,000 laptops to students and 18,000 laptops to teachers of public Senior Secondary Schools in the state, while the state paid the 2013 WAEC registration fees of 10,362 candidates in public Senior Secondary Schools.

The government has not defaulted in the regular payment of feeding and maintenance grants to the three Special Schools at Ikere, Ido and Ikoro Ekiti as well as payment of grants to the Technical Colleges. Also, there is payment of grants to public secondary schools across the state.

The government has stepped up award of scholarship to Law School and secondary school students in the state.

Before the advent of the present government, the morale of teachers was low. But the situation has now changed.

The government introduced e-education and e-learning. Besides purchasing 18,000 laptops for teachers, the government trained all of them to be able to use computer for e-learning. Training centres were opened to ensure that teachers are well-trained and, as at today, about 8, 000 teachers have been trained.

Also, the Fayemi-led administration approved the payment of car and housing loans to teachers to boost their morale. Regular payment of teachers’ salaries and allowances is also a priority to the government. To encourage teachers serving in the rural areas in Ekiti, the government distributed 400 motorcycles to teachers serving in rural areas.

To address shortage of workforce in the sector, the government has employed over 1,000 civil servants between October 16, 2010 and now.

The government has given a facelift to infrastructure in schools across the state and has procured 5,800 units of steel legged two-seater desks and benches.

The Fayemi administration has embarked on comprehensive renovation of all public schools in the state with 183 secondary schools across the 16 local government areas of the state renovated. The renovation was done under the Operation Renovate All Schools in Ekiti (ORASE) scheme.

Several construction works have been undertaken across the state, including: 11 blocks of two classrooms for Early Child Care Development Centres (ECCD); 77 blocks of 3, 4 and 6 classrooms including storey buildings; 19 units of 4 hole VIP toilets and 37 blocks of 122 classrooms, amongst others.

The administration has restored the teacher’s peculiarity allowance (16 per cent of basic salary) with recruitment of more than 1,000 teachers to fill the vacancies in some specified subject areas. Dictionaries numbering 56,296 were procured and distributed to JSS II, III and SSS III students in all public secondary schools.

It is not only in the primary and secondary education sectors that the government has intervened. There is intervention in the technical colleges too, which have been restructured to achieve quality technical manpower development. There is the Samsung Academy which is presently under con-

Governor Fayemi with some secondary school students during an ICT forum

Creche for civil servants

struction. There is also the Life Academy, which is being built where pupils will be able to have hands on technology and a lot of things which will assist in making them job creators when they leave.

The government is also intervening in schools for the physically-challenged and the less-privileged. It has built an entirely

new school for the deaf at Ikoro-Ekiti.

Since Dr. Fayemi mounted the saddle on October 16, 2010, award of scholarship to qualified students who are indigenes of Ekiti State in tertiary institutions, both home and abroad, has been put in place and consistent.

The administration awards bursary to

all Ekiti sons and daughters in all higher institutions; polytechnics, colleges of education and universities. It also awards scholarships to Ekiti students who return GPA of 4.0 and above.

It awards scholarships to Masters’ students and PhD students. It also awards scholarships to the physically-challenged.

Speaking on the impact of various interventions by the Fayemi administration, the state Commissioner of Education, Kehinde Ojo, said: “We want to say that there is a turnaround in the enrolment level. Before this government came, enrolments in public primary and secondary schools were low. But now that they have seen what is happening and they realise that there is quality teaching, that books are being supplied in core subjects, teachers are being trained, instructional materials are given out, infrastructure is in place, policy is upheld, they now realised that the performance of the public schools has gone high.”

Today, in Ekiti, the story of education has changed. There is new orientation; enrolment has significantly increased owing to the restoration of confidence in public schools.

Social security: Succour for Ekiti elders

O

n assumption of office on October 16, 2010, Governor Kayode Fayemi lamented that poverty visibly walked on the streets with impunity.

“Of the many identifiable strands of poverty that is confronting the developed world is the one associated with old age when one’s strength and vitality is lost and the bones are irredeemably weakened,” he said.

Touched by the fate of the aged in the society, the governor assured that “even, if it is impossible to re-enact in absolute terms, the old good days of fending for our elderly through our extended family system, it is the determination of this government to reduce old age poverty significantly.”

Hence, one of the courageous decisions taken by Fayemi was the social security for the elderly. The scheme, according to him, is to redress the situation where “people lived the latter part of their lives in abject poverty with attendant diseases, emotional breakdown and frustrating social disorders.”

The scheme, called “Owo Arugbo” or “Owo Fayemi” (old people’s money or Fayemi’s money), is the first of its kind

A social security beneficiary counting her N5,000 stipend at a pay point

in sub-Sahara Africa. It debuted on October 25, 2011 with 10,000 beneficiaries.

Through the social welfare security, beneficiaries who are elders in the state above 65 years

of age get N5,000 monthly stipend from the state government.

Over 20,000 are currently benefiting from the scheme.

SPECIAL REPORT 3

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

T

he slogan before the advent of the Kayode Fayemi-led administration was that “hospitals in the state are nothing but slaughter slabs.”

Piqued by the situation, the healthcare service delivery in Ekiti State has received the intervention of the governor. The Fayemi administration recognises the importance of a healthy population which he believes would have positive effects on the economy of the state, as only healthy individuals can contribute meaningfully to the local per capita income.

In the eight-point agenda of the administration, quality healthcare service delivery is the fifth pillar and is one of the important standpoints of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In Ekiti State, the health programme is all-inclusive. Under the administration’s blueprint, otherwise known as Roadmap to Development, there shall be “free medical services for children under five years, pregnant women, the physically-challenged and senior citizens of 65 years and above; establishment of health centres in all localities and increased immunisation coverage.”

The Fayemi administration has religiously carried these out.

For residents not in the above category, the administration has carefully designed sessions of periodic free health missions undertaken in the 16 council areas where patients benefit even from surgeries in terms of eye, ear, nose and throat and general treatment, as well as screening for diabetes and hypertension, among others.

The Fayemi administration has also committed enormous resources to intervention programmes for people who are not able to pay their medical bills in the hospitals, both locally and abroad.

Some of the major accomplishments of the administration include: Free dis-

Healing the healers’ homes

Funmi Olayinka Diagnostic and Wellness Centre

tribution of drugs and consumables; procurement and distribution of 34 laptops, 16 units of 10KVA Elepaq generators, 24 Haematocrit Centrifuges, 8 scanning machines, 34 modern delivery beds, 150 hospital beds, 10 units of Solar Freezers and 3 units of dental chairs. Free Health Mission that was launched which cut across the three Senatorial Districts of the state has more than 500,000 beneficiaries including medical assistance to the needy patients; distribution of 10,000 Mama Kits and consumables to pregnant women.

The administration has renovated 18 General Hospitals in the state and constructed three Mother and Child Hospitals while ambulances and medical equipment have been supplied to the hospitals and health centres across the state.

The Fayemi-led administration is implementing a new salary structure (CON-

MESS/CONHESS) for health workers while several doctors, nurses and other specialists have been employed.

According to the Health Commissioner, Prof. Olusola Fasubaa, the various programmes of the administration in the health sector were hinged on the governor’s conviction that a healthy society is synonymous with a wealthy society.

Fasubaa said no fewer than 30 per cent of the population of Ekiti State has benefited from the free health mission.

The week-long mass screenings for cancer, hypertension and diabetes in June 2013 shortly after the former deputy governor, the late Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka, died of breast cancer, was another plus for the government as it revealed a lot of people having cancer and other metabolic problems, thus saving their lives.

This intervention programme was followed by the establishment of Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka Diagnostic and Wellness Centre in EKSUTH to honour the memories of the late deputy governor and as well screen for cancers of the cervix and breast and to also follow up on men who may have the ailment.

The diagnostic centre, according to the commissioner, “is essentially designed to take care of chronic disorders like hypertension, diabetes and cancer. Our people can just walk in there anytime and either by referral or non-referral.”

The administration has also recorded landmark achievements in the secondary and primary healthcare delivery systems.

To ensure that Ekiti people now enjoy modern technology, the state government has promised to equip the hospitals after completion of the renovations and construction to ensure a break from the obsolete equipment at the medical facilities which were built and equipped in the 1960s.

Looking back, Fasubaa said: “By and large, we have improved access to all our people in terms of spread of all our hospitals and basic health centres. We have that wide coverage to ensure that our people have access to qualitative healthcare services. We are also ensuring that our women and children are taken care of by professionals who actually know what they are doing.”

Empowering the women W Extensive upgrading of the State Ambulance Services

Governor Fayemi said the essence of the package was to make life enjoyable to the aged who had “laboured to keep the society going when they had the strength. And now that the vigour is no longer there, it is incumbent on us all to show them our love and benevolence.”

The scheme has received accolades for the Fayemi administration from home and abroad.

Some states have understudied the programme and adopted it.

One unique thing about payment of the stipend to the senior citizens, which is devoid of political colouration, is its regularity: the beneficiaries get their pay on the 25th of every month in line with the governor’s directive.

To ensure the sustainability of the welfare programme for the aged by successive governments in the state, the state House of Assembly had passed the Social Welfare Law. The scheme has impacted thousands of lives across the state. This is visible as the beneficiaries gather every month at the designated pay centres across the 16 local government areas of the state for the payment. Those who could not be physically present due to old age or illness receive theirs at home.

The beneficiaries are full of praises and prayers for the governor. One of the recipients at Omuo Ekiti, Madam Fabian Akilo, a senior citizen who has challenges with mobility, said the good life that came with consistent receipt of the stipend is already impacting on her health positively.

Akilo, who praised the government for coming up with such a programme, described it as a major poverty alleviation initiative and a means to prolong the lives of the elderly in the state.

Mrs Beatrice Ogundipe of Ijero Ekiti, whose age was put at over 100 years, said Fayemi had rescued her from the neglect which she had suffered in the past.

She said: “My siblings neglected me in the past. But now, this monthly N5,000 serves as a relief because I now have something to fall back on.”

Pa James Adelabu, at Ijurin Ekiti, where he gets his monthly stipend, said that “this is indeed the first time in the history of Nigeria and it is commendable. Apart from the adequate feeding that the scheme has availed me, I can now wear better cloths unlike in the past.”

The same goes for 75-year-old Mrs Julianah Awelewa in Ilawe Ekiti, who used to be a cocoyam farmer before age robbed her of the strength, said: “Since the death of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, we never thought we could have a government that would cater for the poor, but Governor Fayemi is a God-sent leader to banish poverty and put smiles on the faces of the old people.”

In the last three years, the state government has been spending N100 million monthly, amounting to over N3 billion for payment of the stipends to give succour to the 20,000 elderly ones.

omen empowerment and youth de- was set up to assist indigent parents who velopment are fundamental thrusts give birth to multiple babies. Also, the of the Fayemi-led administration’s Food Bank Initiative, supported by the comprehensive development programme office of the Governor’s Wife, provides for Ekiti State. The administration has food for needy citizens. The administraaggressively embraced innovative ap- tion has empowered 2,250 women in five proaches towards promoting equality local government areas under the Ekiti and empowering women.

State/MDGs Women Empowerment ProThe Gender-Based Violence (Prohibi- gramme.

The Office of the Wife of the Govertion) Bill was signed into law on November 25, 2011, making Ekiti State the first in nor also initiated and carried out many the country to enact the law. The Family enlightenment programmes for the Court and Juvenile Correctional Home women, including political and voters’ were established. Grassroots women and awareness programmes, where women less privileged families were empowered. are encouraged to show more interest in The wife of the governor, Erelu Bisi politics and governance.

Fayemi, has financially and materially assisted several women and less-privileged persons through the Ekiti D e ve l o p m e n t Foundation and the Ministry of Women Affairs.

So far, over 400 less-privileged women across the 16 local government areas were trained in various skills and cash grants were provided at the end of the training to enable them to be self-reliant.

The Multiple Wife of the governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi with some of the empowered women Birth Trust Fund of Ekiti State

4

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

FG jacks up 2014 crude contract awards to $52bn lSinopec, Indian oil company, 28 Nigerian firms win bids to lift oil Adeola Yusuf

T

he Federal Government has raised the 2014 crude lifting contracts to $52 billion.

A document of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which detailed these new crude contracts’ awards, showed that the government added about $12 billion new contracts in two months.

The government had in April awarded initial contracts worth about $40 billion, but the new deal showed that about 482 million barrels of crude oil will be lifted by the winners of the new contracts for one year, starting from June.

Chinese and Indian state oil companies, as well as more local companies are, according to a report

by Reuters, beneficiaries of this expanded list of those awarded contracts to buy its crude, lift and re-issued.

The award, Reuters said quoting trade sources, came as a result of intense lobbying by disappointed buyers.

The bulk of these companies will receive about 30,000 barrels per day (bpd) during this period.

The list now comprises

43 companies, up from 28 on the initial April list, and closer to the 50 contracts given out the last time NNPC issued them in 2012.

In the new list, 28 winners are Nigerian firms, up from 21 in the last round and two new bilateral government deals with Chinese state refiner, Sinopec and India’s state-owned refiner, Indian Oil Corporation, were added.

It was not immediately clear why the list was revised or whether the new list, entitled “Recommended List of NNPC 2014-2015 Crude Oil Term Contracts”, was final.

Trade sources said the release of the initial list

was followed by lobbying after many habitual buyers were left off.

Several non-governmental organisations and even a 2012 study commissioned by the Federal Government have criticised the decision to hand a large portion of its oil exports to what the report called “briefcase traders”.

However, the list indicates that Nigeria will not increase the amount sold directly to refiners as most other Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members do.

The total contracted volume is expected to be around 1.32 million bpd, the expanded list showed,

or about 70 per cent of Nigeria’s total crude oil exports, which fluctuate between 1.8-1.9 million bpd.

As was the case with the first list and in a break with tradition, no contracts were issued directly to global traders Glencore, Vitol, Trafigura or Gunvor, with only Switzerland’s Mercuria awarded a deal.

Industry sources said these firms would likely still trade Nigerian oil, either through buying from Nigerian firms or through partnerships.

Delaney Petroleum Corp, a Dubai-based company, which Trafigura said it sometimes cooperates with, was added to the lat-

est list.

The total number of deals with foreign governments is just three, including Malawi, down from 10 last time.

Deals with neighbouring West African countries such as Senegal, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast were not renewed.

Of the eight newly-added Nigerian companies, only three were awarded contracts in the last round.

Subsidiaries of Emmanuel Ojei’s holdings company Nuel Okei, Emo Oil and Petrochemical Co and Team Trade Petroleum Development Co, were two of the new winners.

32o C 23oC Isolated Storms

PORT HARCOURT

30oC 22oC Storm

KANO

38oC 26oC Partially Cloudy

ENUGU

32o C 24oC Thunder Storms

IBADAN

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CALABAR

28oC 22oC Storm

MAIDUGURI

39o C 27oC Thunder Storms

ONITSHA

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FIRST NATION AIRWAYS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06.50; 09:30; 11:45; 16:00 (SAT) 06:50; 11:45 (SUN) 11:45; 16:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 11:30; 13:40;18:30 (SAT) 09:00; 13:40 (SUN) 13:40; 18:30 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 14:45 (SAT) 16:15 (SUN) 14:45 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:50 (SAT) 18:20 (SUN) 16:50 AEROCONTRACTORS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06:50; 13:30; 16:30; 19:45 (SAT/SUN) 12:30; 16:45 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 13:00; 19:00 (SAT) 12:30 (SUN) 15:30 MEDVIEW AIRLINES LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:50; 12:00; 15:30 (SAT) 10:00; 15:00 (SUN) 17:30; 18:30 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 14:00, 15:00; 18:30 OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00 IBADAN-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:00 IBADAN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:30 ILORIN –ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30 ILORIN –LAGOS (MON-FRI) 17:00 ABUJA-ASABA (MON-FRI) 10:00 ASABA-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 14:15 ASABA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 11:30 LAGOS-ASABA (MON-FRI) 13:00 ABUJA-ILORIN 16:00 ABUJA-IBADAN 15:00

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ABUJA

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

L-R: Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kashim Imam; former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff and APC’s Interim National Chairman, Bisi Akande during the inauguration of the party’s state chairmen in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Terrorism: US, Britain offer Nigeria long-term assistance CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

al residence, which is near the Government House.

However, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media, Mansur Lawan, in a text message attributed the explosion to an accidental discharge from the armoured tank.

As at press time, police, fire service and military officials were at the scene evacuating the victims.

The explosion in the state came on a day the United States and Britain offered Nigeria long-term assistance to enable it to combat the scourge of terrorism.

British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, expressed the readiness of the two countries to partner Nigeria in fighting terrorism on a long-term basis in his opening remarks at a joint press he held with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Brussels, Belgium.

Already, the two countries are among other nations that are assisting Nigeria in the search-andrescue operation to reunite over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram from Chibok, Borno States, more than 50 days ago with their families.

Notwithstanding the international rally to checkmate terrorism, the sect has continued its killing spree as its attack on yet another village in Borno State late Wednesday, claimed no fewer than 45 lives.

It also attacked a military base in Gubla area of Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa State, killing at least five persons.

However, the police recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against Boko Haram yesterday with the discovery of a bomb factory in Maidile, Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State

during which they recovered many Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Referring to the security situation in Nigeria in his opening remarks in Brussels, Cameron recalled the efforts his government in conjunction with other countries made in assisting Nigeria to search for the Chibok girls.

He added that Britain and US were willing to do more for Nigeria to defeat Boko Haram.

He said: “In Nigeria, we are both committed to supporting the Nigerian Government as they confront the scourge of Boko Haram. The kidnap of the Chibok girls was an act of pure evil and Britain and the United States have provided a major assistance in the search.

“In the longer term, we stand ready to provide more practical assistance to help the Nigerian Government and the region to help strengthen their de-

fence and security institutions and to develop the expertise needed to counter these barbaric extremists.”

As Cameron was again bringing the abduction of the Chibok girls to international attention, Catholic bishops in Nigeria also joined in making a plea to Boko Haram to release them from its captivity.

The #BringBackOurGirls group, led by a former Vice-President of the World Bank, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, also resumed its campaign for their release yesterday after a controversial ban announced by Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, but which was countermanded by the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, the next day.

The protesters returned to the Unity Fountain, Abuja where they have been holding their campaign to CONTINUED ON PAGE 50

ARIK AIR LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:00; 09:00; 11:00 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00; 20:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 09:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 (SAT) 07:00; 11:00; 15:00 (SUN) 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 09:00; 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 (SAT) 07:30; 11:30; 09:00; 13:00; 17:00 (SUN) 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 ABUJA-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30; 16:50 (SAT/SUN) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30 PORT-HARCOURT-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10; 18:30 (SAT/SUN) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

5

2015: Associates worried over Buhari’s health

Wale Elegbede

A

ssociates of former Head of State and one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, are worried about his health, New Telegraph has learnt.

The worry, it was gathered, was based on the fact that his frail health could incapacitate him from

playing active roles in the party ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

Buhari, leader of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), one of the parties that coalesced to form APC, is the leading presidential aspirant of the party and his state of health could affect his chances and possibly that of the party in the election.

The party, among oth-

ers, is banking on Buhari’s cult-like followership, especially in the North-West, which commands a huge voters’ population, to win the presidency in the next general election.

A source told New Telegraph yesterday that the issue of Buhari’s delicate health came to the fore last Monday at a meeting of his associates held at a private apartment in Maitama, Abuja.

At the meeting, a top APC member, who is also close to the party leader, called for prayers for improvement in Buhari’s health. He was quoted as telling the gathering that Buhari was battling an undisclosed ailment, which he said had necessitated the party leader’s frequent overseas trips.

The APC leader who will be 72 on December 17, was in Gombe on

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Caverton Group, Mr. Olabode Makanjuola; Group Chairman, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola and Company Secretary, Mrs. Modupe Omajafor during the 5th Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos…yesterday

Wednesday to condole with the state government on the death of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar.

He equally raised concerns about the political future of Buhari, given his state of health.

At the meeting, which also reviewed the crisis of confidence in the party as well as the general insecurity in the country, it was noted that the growing insurgency in the country could negatively affect the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of retaining the presidency in the next election.

It was learnt that the party chieftain also expressed concern about the crisis in the APC ahead of its national convention and warned that the party leaders should put aside their differences and resolve the dispute so that it would not affect the APC’s electoral chances in the next presidential election.

The source quoted the Buhari’s ally as expressing concern about the state of the nation and APC. He was also said to have announced his intention to run for a key position during the forthcoming national convention of

the APC. According to him, since the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC has approved that interested members of the interim executive committee (IEC) can contest for any preferred position during the national convention, he has decided to run for the post.

He stated that the issue of who became the substantive national chairman of the party had remained contentious and that party leaders had continued talks to avoid the mater plunging APC into a crisis.

He was also said to have faulted reports that APC governors had taken over the party structure as part of a plot to edge out former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu from the 2015 race.

He explained that the major reason for the current crisis in the party was disagreements arising from who will emerge as the party’s substantive national chairman.

The source quoted him as saying that he was optimistic that the APC would surmount its problems and come out stronger at the end of the day.

of huge unpaid loans threatening banking operations, he said the CBN would collaborate with banks to design an improved system to check activities of serial borrowers.

He listed steps to be taken by the apex bank to tackle the activities of fraudulent borrowers to include, enhancement of the operation of Credit Reference Bureaus and establishment of the Secured Transaction and National Collateral Registry.

Other sanctions being put in place by the CBN include, blacklisting of companies/individuals that have been found to be serial loan defaulters while their names are to be circulated in the banking system to guide banks in identifying bad borrowers and denying them access to credits in the banking system.

Under his watch, Emefiele said agriculture and SMES would be accorded their rightful place.

During his tenure, Sanusi often suggested he had to maintain high interest rates because of reckless government spending, especially during election cycles.

But Emefiele said for now, the CBN would “maintain a monetary policy

stance reflecting liquidity conditions...as well as the potential fiscal expansion in the run-up to the 2015... (presidential and parliamentary) elections.”

That suggests Emefiele will also have to take into account the level of government spending and revenue losses due to corruption before moving to lower rates, analysts have said.

Nigerian treasury bill yields fell 20 basis points across the board yesterday to an average of 11.3 per cent after Emefiele’s remarks, as buyers snapped up short-dated debt in anticipation of lower yields down the line.

Nigeria’s benchmark 10year bond yield was trading flat yesterday at 12.52 per cent, after initially falling seven basis points on the new CBN governor’s remarks on interest rates.

The three-year bond yield was down 16 basis points to 11.71 per cent.

The naira also hit a onemonth low on Emefiele’s remarks, easing 0.69 per cent to N163.85 to the dollar and remaining outside the bank’s preferred N150N160 band to $1 that it has spent billions of dollars on this year trying but failing to keep.

CBN to cut interest rate, stabilise naira CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

According to him, he will make it cheaper to borrow to invest but this would have to wait until conditions allow it. But he did not offer a specific timeframe to do so.

Interest rate has remained at 12 per cent since 2011, and liquidity tightening measures are credited with lowering inflation from 15 per cent in 2010 to 7.9 per cent currently.

On monetary policy, Emefiele said: “We shall pursue a gradual reduction in interest rates. A comparison of selected macroeconomic aggregates from some emerging markets and countries, including South Africa, Brazil, India, China, Turkey, Malaysia indicate that Nigeria has one of the highest treasury bill rates.

“As such, high rates create a pervasive environment for commercial banks to simply buy virtually risk-free government bonds rather than lend to the real sector.

“To enhance financial access and reduce borrowers cost for credit, we will pursue policies targeted at making Nigeria’s treasury bills rate more comparable with other emerging markets and by extension,

pursue a reduction in both deposit and lending rate.”

A reduction in the deposit rate will encourage investors’ attitude towards savings and a reduction in lending rates will make credit cheaper for potential investors.

According to Emefiele, CBN will also begin to include the unemployment rate as one of the key variables to be considered in taking monetary policy decisions.

In the interim, the CBN will continue to maintain a monetary policy stance reflecting the liquidity conditions in the economy as well as the potential fiscal expansion in the run-up to the 2015 general election.

Besides, Emefiele said the bank’s key goal under the exchange rate policy would be to maintain exchange rate stability in view of the high importdependent nature of the Nigerian economy, adding that significant exchange rate falls to a systematic depreciation of the naira will translate to considerable inflationary pressure with an effect on macroeconomic stability.

“Therefore, under my leadership, the bank will continue to focus on maintaining exchange rate

stability and preserve the value of the domestic currency.

“We will sustain the manage float regime in the management of the exchange rate as this will allow the bank to intervene when necessary on the exchange rate. To support this strategy, we will strive to build up and maintain a healthy reserve position and ensure excellent balance,” he said.

The governor said he knew that reducing interest rates and maintaining exchange rates were daunting goals and as such, the CBN would work with all stakeholders to devise measures to ensure the achievement of the objectives.

On the halt in deposit charges, the governor explained that it was a response to the barrage of complaints by Nigerians on implementation of cashless policy, which is expected to go national from July 1.

“Over the course of the pilot, we have become aware of complaints by customers, particularly regarding the charges being imposed for cash deposit.

This has resulted in customers devising various means to avoid the charges

through opening of multiplicity of accounts and other disingenuous behaviour, all aimed at undermining the objective of this policy.

Given these outcomes and to better reflect our goal of having more cash under our control, all charges on deposits are hereby stopped with immediate effect.

“Charges on withdrawals, in view of their eventual elimination, remain sustained at the current 3 per cent for individual transactions exceeding N500,000 and 5 per cent for corporate transactions exceeding N3 million. Currently, these fees go entirely to the commercial banks. However, going forward, the central bank shall determine what percentage of these fees on excess drawings that will be redeemed by the bank while the rest shall be remitted to the CBN,” he said.

In his address titled “Entrenching macroeconomic stability and engendering economic stability development in Nigeria” Emefiele pledged to remain within the realm of the vision of CBN as a “model central bank delivering price and financial stability and promoting sustainable economic development.”

To tackle the incidence

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APC, Nyako fault Clark on state of emergency Yekeen Nurudeen and Ibrahim Abdul

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted Chief Edwin Clark for goading President Goodluck Jonathan to remove the democratic structures in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, which are under a state of emergency over the activities of the terror group Boko Haram.

Also, Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State accused Clark of lacking focus in his comments over emergency rule in the North-East states.

APC said apart from pushing the President to commit an unconstitutional act, Clark is also working to help the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to devise an undemocratic way to win elections in 2015 by forcefully overthrowing elected officials in the state.

The party stated these in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

It said Clark’s criticism against the Attorney-General of the Federation for ‘’misadvising’’ President Jonathan on the declara-

tion of emergency in the three states is not aimed at clipping the wings of the insurgents but simply to give an unfair advantage to a party that has given the chief juicy patronage, so that his gravy train will not derail.

APC said contrary to insinuations by the Federal Government, the three state governments have given the troops deployed to their states unprecedented support both in cash and kind, without which the war on terror there may have been harder to fight.

The party therefore raises a number of questions: ‘’Will the removal of the elected officials in the three states improve security in the states and immediately end the insurgency? Will it make the army better equipped? Will it provide better intelligence? Will it scare Boko Haram away?

Will it increase the number of troops? Will it improve military logistics and planning? Will it inspire the people or build their confidence and sense of security? Will it translate to a better trained and nimble military force? ‘’Won’t the removal of the officials eliminate a critical logistic and co-

ordination of infrastructure? Won’t it eliminate the very support system the military has depended on in those states? Won’t it eliminate a major rallying point and support system for the victims and residents of these states? Won’t it eliminate a major interface that even the military itself uses to engage the people? Won’t it eliminate a critical component of coordination and intelligence gathering? Won’t it eliminate the most critical resource for succour, sup-

port and alleviation to the communities suffering under this terrorist siege?’’

The party said elder statesmen should endeavour to rise above the fray and put the national interest above sectional considerations in their efforts to help seek an end to the insurgency that has claimed over 12,000 innocent lives since 2009.

The party said it is the same mindset as Clark’s that has largely stifled the Jonathan administration’s efforts to decisively tackle

the Boko Haram insurgency.

Nyako in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mallam Ahmed Sajoh, said Clark’s letter only succeeded in portraying him as an ethnic jingoist whose quest to promote narrow political agenda was phenomenal.

He said: “It was glaring that Clark only seeks to promote a narrow political agenda anchored on politics of bitterness, hatred, ethnicity and religious

bigotry.

“It was unfortunate for a man driven by so much ego to the extent he feels he can dictate what the ministers should do or not do in a democratic dispensation.

“We find it highly disturbing that persons who have the President’s ear could so succinctly spell out the mandate of public office holders under this presidency. It goes further to confirm why we are overwhelmed by all governance issues, including security.”

L-R: Deputy Governor, Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Kingley Moghalu; Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Suleiman Barau and the Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, during a press conference in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Ahmed, Wamakko, Kwankwaso tackle Jonathan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

wa), had last year defected from the PDP to APC after a long-drawn battle with the leadership of the ruling party.

They have however rejected entreaties from the party, especially in the wake of the removal of the former PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who was accused of running the party like a personal fiefdom, to return.

Tukur’s successor, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, had made the return of the governors a priority of his administration.

Dismissing their defection, the president said PDP would not miss them, adding that some of the defected governors cannot even win their wards.

He also added that the party was not threatened by the antics of the opposition as it remains the dominant party in the country.

He also said he would soon give his stewardship in the last three years of his presidency.

Jonathan told NEC members that though some people had left the PDP the party did not notice their absence and commended Mu’azu for steer-

ing the ship of the party on the right course.

He said: “Party members should not be afraid.

When some governors moved and some National Assembly members moved, some people thought they would soon overrun the party. But when I looked across, from my privileged vantage position, I didn’t really see the threat.

“I told the national chairman to let us organise national unity rallies to demonstrate our strength so that people will know that one or two persons leaving is inconsequential.

I’m not even sure they can win their wards in an election now because some of those states are totally PDP states.

“And when they left, you think they would be leaving with the whole state; by the time you get there, you will discover that others stayed back and are continuing with the PDP. Some of the governors are even afraid to conduct local government elections.

“The trend of defecting has changed. At a time the whole thing was stalemated, but now more people are even coming to the PDP because if you really want

to play politics, the party to be in is PDP. “Our democratic credentials go unchallenged.

It is still the only party where you can become a candidate based on free and fair primaries. It is the party where we don’t impose candidates on constituencies. It the party whose candidates are accepted by the constituencies at various levels, including senatorial, state, House of Reprentatives or state assemblies. And I believe that with this position of the party, we will continue to dominate the political landscape of this country.”

The president, who admitted that this is not the best of time for the country, assured the party that steps were being taken to tackle the challenge.

According to him, the issues of “equipment and other things for the military” are being handled in fighting terror.

He added that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) had briefed the PDP Caucus and members of Board of Trustees (BoT) on the security situation in the country and expressed the hope that Nigeria would soon overcome the

challenges.

In his address, Mu’azu commended the president for his laudable achievements in electricity generation and distribution, road network and rule of law and urged him and PDP state governors to do more.

The party, in a communiqué after the meeting, announced the change of the name of its NEC, the party’s highest decision making organ, from national convention to national conference.

It said the decision to adopt a new name for the organ was arrived at in accordance with the provisions of the PDP constitution.

However, reacting to Jonathan’s remarks on their defection, the governors said what the president had said was far from the truth in their states.

Ahmed, in his reaction, said if at all the president made such a declaration he couldn’t have been referring to Kwara State since he knew the reality of politics on ground there.

The governor, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Oba AbdulWahab, said the only reason the presi-

dent could have made such a comment was if he was planning to rig the next elections as PDP could not win in Kwara in free and fair polls.

He said: “Kwara belongs to the APC because we have decided to stay with the people through the years and they have continually rewarded us by standing with us too. It is the people that determine elections and we have them with us.

We have done it before and we shall do it again.”

Nyako also replied the president, saying “People leave even their religions for another and PDP is not a religion, which means leaving it would not be regrettable.”

“It’s unfortunate and regrettable that the president can’t not understand the political lines in between; he cannot face the reality to know where the pendulum is swinging,” the governor’s spokesman, Mallam Ahmad Sajo, said.

In his reaction, Kwankwaso said the president’s comments had exposed his insensitivity as a leader as he had chosen to play politics at a time Nigerians were being killed by Boko Haram.

The state Commis-

sioner for State Affairs, Mr. Aminu Abdusalam Kwankwaso, who spoke on behalf of the governor, said: “The fact that Jonathan is more disturbed about us is enough to say that he is being economical with the truth over our political capability.”

According to him, Jonathan cannot withstand the political sagacity of the defected governors and as such he has become afraid of them,.

He explained that just recently, the APC under the leadership of Kwankwaso won all the 44 local government and their 444 wards in the elections conducted in the state.

“Doesn’t this clearly show that the statement of the president is contrary to the reality in the state? They should know that they cannot march Kwankwaso and other defected governors in their states,” he added.

Senior Special Assistant to the Sokoto State Governor on Media Affairs, Alhaji Sani Umar, however described the president’s comments as purely political.

“This is a non-issue and is purely a political matter,” he said.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

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Protests as Akande inaugurates APC state chairmen • Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra reject helmsmen CHALLENGE Trouble looms in APC following inaugugation after controversial state congresses Yekeen Nurudeen

Abuja

T

he Interim National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande has said that the party would investigate the processes that led to emergence of all state chairmen of the party.

Akande who inaugurat-

411m

ed the chairmen who were elected in the recently conducted states congresses of the party warned that the party would not hesitate to throw out any chairman found to have emerged fraudulently.

He stated this in Abuja yesterday at the National Secretariat of APC where the inauguration took place.

His words: " there are complaints and protests about how some of you emerged. We are not going to sweep these complaints under the carpet, we are going to continue investigations about how all of you emerged. And those of you who emerged not in accor-

The number of mobile-cellular subscriptions of CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) region in 2011.

Source: Itu.int

dance with guidelines of this party will be thrown out.

It has happened before in this country when governors were inaugurated and when the court discovered that they were not properly elected it throw them out.

So, don't think that your case shall not be investigated" Chief Akande's riot act followed a protest by delegates from Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi states who rejected the chairmen inaugurated for their states on the ground that congresses in those states were cancelled.

The protest which was championed by the party's Interim National Vice Chairman for South East,

$US319.4bn The nominal GDP of Venezuela (IMF) in 2009.

Source: Blatantworld.com

Dr. Anyim Nyerere almost distrupted the inauguration as Chief Akande who was calling the names of chairmen for inauguration was cut short in his speech by those shouting "No, No, No when the names of chairmen for the three states were called.

Chief Akande said democracy allows for dissents and protests saying "there is room for protests and disagreement and that is what we have. It is welcome."

While addressing journalists on what transpired in the affected states, Dr. Nyerere who argued that the leadership of the party was duly informed of the situation there said that

3,000GW

The amount of added power that could be generated from geothermal energy in the United States.

Source: Unesco.org

L-R: Representative of FIFA, Mr. Marotzke; Kano State Governor, Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso and others, during the presentation of gifts to deserving Kano State athletes at the Government House, Kano...yesterday

Confab recommends govt shutdown during appropriation bill impasse Onwuka Nzeshi

ABUJA

T

he National Conference yesterday resolved that henceforth, government will have to be shut down whenever the President or the National Assembly fails to meet the time lines set for the presentation and passage of the Appropriation Bill.

The C o n f e re n c e agreed that Section 82 of the 1999 Constitution which deals with authorization of expenditure in default of appropriation be amended to stop any expenditure by government in the event of a delay in the passage of the budget according to the agreed time lines.

The proposals came

as delegates adopted the resolutions on the Report of the Committee on Public Service.

The delegates had earlier agreed that Appropriation Bill for the coming year must be presented to the National Assembly on or before September 30 of every year while the process of passage by the National Assembly must be completed within two months for Presidential assent in December.

Three amendments were suggested to include that Section 59 (3) of the 1999 Constitution be amended to include that: where the National Assembly fails to consider and pass the Appropriation Bill within the stated time frame, the bill shall be sent to Mr President for his/her assent.

Amaechi's problem with Jonathan avoidable, says Princewill Joe Ezuma

Port Harcourt

Tonye Princewill, P2015rince one of the contenders of governorship seat in

Rivers, yesterday said that despite his present political affiliation, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governor Chibuike Amaechi, still remain his friends.

Princewill was Atiku's loyalist from PDP to AC in 2007 and back to PDP recently. He was equally governor Chibuike Amaechi's strong ally but the ever rocking political boat separated them much that Princewill has vowed to remain in PDP while Amaechi and Atiku pitched tent with the All Progressives Congress(APC).

Fielding questions from journalists in Port Har-

court, Princewill said Amaechi and Atiku still remain his political friends ''even though we are not talking.'' ''We stopped talking because they refused to take my advice. My loyalty is to the people. My loyalty is not to persons but to the people'', hesaid,pointingoutthatafter Jonathan won election, fightingoughttohavestoppedand people wait for another four years.

On Amaechi's face-off with president Goodluck Jonathan, Princewill said that the rift between them would have been avoided if not for the character differential elements.

He said that contrary to the belief of many, the Amaechi--Jonathan feud started even before 2011, but that it could have been avoided.

congresses in the states were cancelled.

"Our party, APC is a party that Nigerians are looking at for a credible change in this nation and we stand against anything that is short of that credible change.

In Abia and Ebonyi states, the South East region of this country, the congresses have been cancelled. There was no

reason whatsoever for anybody to come and announce that there were chairmen in those states that the congresses have been cancelled. That's why you saw almost everybody in the hall was shouting No, No, No,. There was no congress in Abia. It has to be re-done because we must get it right abinitio, otherwise we have to forget about that change" he said.

Aviation workers threaten to down tool over demands Wole Shadare

t seems not to be the best of times for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as workers of the agency yesterday defied the early morning rain to stage a protest, demanding the implementation of various approved agreements between them and the management.

The workers who were joined by the leadership of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) demanded for full implementation of the demands and threatened to down tools if their requests were not met

by June 30, 2014.

Some of the demands of the workers were immediate payment of pensions and gratuities to staff, payment of 27 per cent balance minimum wage, proper placement of all newly recruited staff in accordance with the civil service rules and scheme of service, 2013 and 2014 implementation of

I

promotion of staff and renewed condition of service for workers.

But the spokesman for the agency, Yakubu Dati assured that most of the demands of the workers would be met very soon.

The General-Secretary NUATE, Abdulkareem Motajo told reporters that the unions had severally held meetings with the management over the requests, but alleged that the management had been dilly-dallying on the implementation of the demands despite approval by it.

He said the unions decided to call the congress in order to get approval from the workers, saying that several unprofessional conducts had happened in the sector in the past years, which required urgent change.

Dati noted that the current Managing Director, FAAN, Saleh Dunoma was part and parcel of the unions and would do everything humanly possible to ensure that their welfare is taken care of.

APGA crisis: Umeh slams Okwu, Obidigbo Uwakwe Abugu

wkaNational chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh has declared that by the victory of Governor Willie Obiano at the Anambra Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday, all those who have been laying claim to the leadership of the party, including challenging the governor’s election at the tribunal are impostors after all.

Umeh who reacted to the verdict of the tribunal which dismissed the claim of Dr. Chike Obidigbo that he was the rightful candidate of APGA for the election and not Obiano since he (Obidigbo) was produced as candidate of the party by the Chief Maxi Okwu-led national executive of the party, stated that the pronouncement by the tribunal has shown that all who

A

have tried to claim chairmanship of the party and candidature for November governorship election have no case.

At the tribunal, Chief Maxi Okwu had shown clear support for Dr. Obidigbo as a product of his faction of the national executive of the party, especially as he recently obtained a court verdict ceding the position of national chairman of the party to him, a development that is being contested by Umeh legally.

Umeh who reacted to the judgments of the tribunal on all the four petitions brought against the governor said: “You can look at me, I am very happy because Chief Willie Obiano is a child of my leadership of APGA. And having won here, you know what it portends. For those who have lost, they should know that they are impostors. They are not leaders of APGA."

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Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

NNPC to reduce chemical effects on environment James Nwabueze ABUJA

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday said it has deployed strategies to ensure discontinuation of harmful and unsafe chemicals to the environment where its oil facilities are located.

This was contained in a statement made available to New Telegraph in Abuja by Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Ohi Alegbe.

According the NNPC spokesman, the corporation expressed its determination to initiate and sustain policies that are environment-friendly through the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies and upgrade of its production facilities.

The Group Managing Director of the corporation, Andrew Yakubu, was said to have disclosed the decision at an event organised by the Group Health Safety and Environment Department to commemorate the 2014 World Environment Day.

NASU stages peaceful protest in Ife L-R: Deputy Director, Nigerian Communications Commission, Bashir A. Idris; Chairman of the occasion/Head, Computer Science Department, UNILAG, Prof. Charles Uwadia; Executive Director, Operations, DigitalSENSE Africa Media, Mrs. Nkem Nweke; representative of the Minister of Communications Technology, Mr. Olufeko Olufemi, at Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum Series 2014 on Internet Governance, eBiz/Open Access in Nigeria and IPv6 and Broadband in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

Adeolu Adeyemo OSOGBO

Using courts to stop legislative M oversight wrong, says Tambuwal Philip Nyam ABUJA

T

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday said it was wrong for anyone to use the court to stop the legislature from performing its statutory functions.

The Speaker was apparently refering to the suit filed by the Minister of Petroleum, seeking to restrain the House from investigating allegations of N10 billion reckless spending against her.

Tambuwal, who stated this yesterday in his address to commemorate the end of the third session of the 7th Assembly, also declared that the state of the nation was disturbing.

In a speech titled; “Nigeria fierce urgency now,” Tambuwal said it was unusual for the courts to be used to stop the legislature

l 'State of the nation disturbing' from carrying out its functions, adding that it was also an encroachment on the powers of the legislature and a slap on the principle of separation of powers.

“During the session, we witnessed the dawn of a disturbing trend, whereby people now go to court to stop the National Assembly from exercising its constitutional mandate and conducting its internal operations.

“This is unheard of in jurisdictions where genuine democracy is practiced and venerated. The usual democratic practice is that the powers of the courts are activated to challenge laws enacted by the legislature.

“This is the proper manner in which the judiciary is enabled to perform its constitutional

PDP’s plan to recapture Oyo, a pipe dream – APC Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

he reported claim by forTAdebayo mer Oyo State governor, Alao-Akala; that

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would by 2015 recapture the government it lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2011, has been described as a day dream.

Alao-Akala had on Tuesday, during his 64th birthday anniversary, told journalists that PDP would in 2015, bounce back to power in Oyo, stressing that; “We want to capture power and we will capture it, because we have all it takes to do so.

It is just a matter of time, everybody will line

function as the interpreter of both the constitution and duly enacted laws.

“It is neither usual nor appropriate for the judiciary to be used preemptively to stop the legislature from acting in the first place. This is an encroachment on the powers of the legislature and a slap in the face of the principle of Separation of Powers.”

He decries the antics of the executive for refusing to be accountable, saying; “During the session under review, findings at oversight visits as well as complaints and petitions from members of the public consistently revealed the extent to which corruption has eaten into the fabric of the stewardship of public resources.”

Tambuwal expressed the commitment of the

House to expose corruption, “to beam needed light into the darker recesses of public resource management in Nigeria, and where routine investigation is inadequate, we empanelled special committees to carry out a more thorough inquiry.”

He further stated: “Strangely, the collective experience of our members in the course of their exercise of their oversight functions is that there is a growing culture of impunity on the part of public officers in Nigeria, which makes them inclined to resist the ethos of accountability.

“Some hesitate to honour their invitation to appear before the House, while others resort to litigation in an attempt to frustrate legislative oversight of their activities.”

Tax appeal tribunal dismisses JIB suit Musa Pam JOS

tion of unremitted tax and tax evasion.

But, the Plateau State government-owned brewery company said the tribunal lacks jurisdiction to try it over the matter. The company therefore asked the tribunal to set aside the judgement, delivered on 30th July, 2013 for being a nullity.

The company also asked the tribunal to disqualify itself from conducting further proceedings on all cases before it for want of jurisdiction.

up behind the person in front; that I can assure you.”

Speaking on behalf of the (APC), Oyo State chapter, the Publicity Secretary, Dauda Kolawole, in a release made available to New Telegraph in Ibadan, asked the former governor to wake up from his slumber as the PDP he claimed would bounce back to power was now an empty shell.

he North-Central Zone Tdismissed Tax Appeal Tribunal has a motion chal-

Sola Adeyemo,

Don’t scrap LGs, South-West NULGE tells confab

eaders of the Nigeria Lment Union of Local GovernEmployees (NULGE)

proposed.

Described as an elitist ploy to kill the third tier of government, South-West NULGE in Ibadan, led by the National Vice-President, Comrade Oludare

IBADAN

have warned national conference delegates in Abuja not to scrap the local government system as being

lenging the jurisdiction of the tax appeal tribunal.

Jos International Breweries Plc; had challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal for trying the company on allegations that borders on tax evasion.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has dragged the company before the appeal tribunal on allega-

Famoofo, said the composition of the committee, which deliberately excluded local government stakeholders was orchestrated to be at variance with the yearning of the people.

embers of the NonAcademic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, yesterday staged a peaceful protest to demand for their unpaid 45 months’ arrears and allowances from the management of the institution.

The workers, who barricaded some roads in the

campus, were armed with inscriptions like: “We are tired of the management’s lukewarm attitude towards the payment of our allowances;” “Give us our entitlement;” “Enough of Workers’ Maltreatment

by OAU Management;” “OAU NASU Says No To GIFMIS;” “OAU Management, Pay Our Earned Allowances With Immediate Effect;” “We Are Parents, Therefore We Demand For Reduction of the Increased OAU Students’ Fees,” among others.

Pension: Trial of six officials adjourned till September 24

T

he trial of six persons indicted in the police pension scam was yesterday adjourned to September 24.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and conspiracy against a suspended Permanent

Secretary, Atiku Kigo; Esai Dangabar, Ahmed Wada, Sani Zira, John Yusuf and Veronica Onyegbula.

The adjournment was due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf.

Baba-Yusuf, who was said to be indisposed, gave his consent for an adjournment.

INEC sets up advisory committee on voter education Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ogun State yesterday inaugurated an inter-Agency Advisory Committee on Voter Education and Publicity (NICVEP).

Inaugurating the committee, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Sam Olumekun, said

the body would assist INEC in promoting voter education and sound democratic practices as enshrined in section 2 and 153 of the Electoral Act (as amended).

Membership was drawn from eight agencies including INEC, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ogun State Ministry of Information and Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

National Conference proposes ‘equal opportunity commission' Louis Achi and Onwuka Nzeshi, ABUJA

he National Conference, Tcreation yesterday proposed the of a Federal Character and Equal Opportunity Commission.

The proposed Commission, according to its proponents, would drive government policies geared towards promoting equity and fairness in various spheres of life in the country.

Co-Chairman, Committee on Religion, Alhaji Nu-

rudeen Lemu who made the proposal said the new Commission should be merged with the existing Federal Character Commission (FCC) to accommodate the interests of persons with disability and minorities.

However, a former Minister of Health, Prof. Alphonsus Nwosu opposed the proposal on the premise that the Federal Character Commission had made enough provisions to accommodate the minorities.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

KNOCKS Rivers State directive to its judicial officers condemned by party Joe Ezuma

Port Harcourt

ivers State chapter of Ric Party the Peoples Democrat(PDP) yesterday reacted to the directive given by the state government to its judiciary staff not to have any-

NJC: PDP chides Rivers over directive to workers l Says it’s invitation to chaos thing to do with any judicial officer, whose authority emanated from the NJC describing it as invitation to anarchy.

The directive, signed by the Secretary to the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission, K. B. Gaage, reads thus: “I am directed by the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission

to notify you that in its meeting held on Monday, June 2, 2014, it was resolved as follows: “All none-judicial staff from the Judicial Service Commission Secretary, the Chief Registrar, Sectional Heads and all other category of staff in the Rivers State Judiciary in the eleven Judicial Divisions of

Benue uncovers 4,000 ghost pensioners Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

W

ith less than one year to the end of its tenure, the administration of Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, yesterday said no fewer than 4,000 ghost pensioners have been discovered on the payroll of government.

New Telegraph gathered that the ghost pensioners are responsible for some of the challenges the state government is having in paying its staff and pensioners, as well as primary school teachers, who have been on strike for the past seven months.

A top brass in the state pension board confided in our correspondent that as a result of the development, government is working out modalities to embark on what he called a total screening and verification exercise to ascertain the authentic number of legitimate pensioners both at the local government and

state government levels.

“As I speak with you, the state government is worried about what is happening as regards the issue of pensioners and I can tell you that there are plans in the pipeline to commence total screening and verification of pensioners to ascertain the exact figure of authentic pensioners,” the source hinted.

The source, who refused to comment on issues of hiding of files of deceased pensioners, said they have been strongly warned by their superiors not to divulge infor mation regarding pension matters unless they are permitted by the Head of Service, Mr. Terna Ahua.

“We have been warned not to release information to anybody, especially journalists, so I am putting my job on the line by speaking with you. I have to take permission before I will release any more information to you,” he said.

APC convention: Wamako urges sub-committees to work hard Yekeen Nurudeen

Abuja

ix days to the nationSProgressives al convention of All Congress

(APC), Chair man of the Convention Planning Committee, Governor Aliyu Wamako of Sokoto State, has charged members of the 12 sub-committees under him to be up and doing in order to organise a successful convention.

The APC national convention comes up in Abuja on June 12 and 13.

Governor Wamako, who inaugurated the sub-committees yesterday at the party’s National Secretariat, told the sub-committees that Nigerians are looking up to the APC to provide a transpar-

9

ent and people-oriented government.

He said: “You have to know that our detractors are working day and night, p l e a s e d o n ' t g ive them a chance, and you should know that Nigerians are looking up onto this party to provide a credible and transparent gover nment. We cannot afford to fail.”

The committees are Appeal committee, Screening committee, Election committee, Security committee, Transport committee and Accommodation committee.

Others are Accreditation committee, entertainment committee, Media Committee, Protocol committee and Constitution amendment committee.

86.9%

the High Court of Rivers State, should, on no account, take official directives or instructions pertaining to their official duties from any appointed administrative judge or any other person not constitutionally appointed by the Governor of Rivers State or the Rivers State Judicial Service Com-

The percentage of male internet users in Bahrain in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

mission.

“Any disobedience to this directive shall be viewed as official misconduct and shall be visited with stern disciplinary action, including dismissal. All staff should discountenance any correspondence from the National Judicial Council to this effect.”

195,626

The total number of refugees and people in refugee-like situation in Serbia at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

But reacting to the directive yesterday, the PDP said the directive was an invitation to chaos, adding that the governor must be stopped. The party condemned the directive, which was contained in a circular: JSC/DIR/ VOL.1/014/01, as being orchestrated by Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

75%

The estimated percentage of industrial water withdrawals used for energy production.

Source: Unwater.org

L-R: Corporate Affairs Manager, UAC, Mr. Mike Asuquo; Principal, Bishop Shanahan College, Orlu, Revd Father Justus Odurukwe; Catholic Bishop, Orlu Diocese, Imo State, Bishop T. A. Ukwuoma and UAC Representative, Mr. Solomon Aigbavboa, during the commissioning of the company’s Goodness League Initiative projects in Orlu, Imo State…yesterday

Enugu to spend N3bn on new secretariat’s ICT Uwakwe Abugu

Awka

E

nugu State governor, Sullivan Chime and the State Executive Council (SEC) have approved N3 billion for the provision of communication technology facilities at the new workers’ secretariat and the new Governor’s Office.

Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke, said this after a meeting of the council yesterday. He said the facilities in the new secretariat complex and the Governor’s Office will gulp N2.7 billion.

Ugwoke said the project, which would involve procurement and installation of sundry components, was aimed at providing more conducive working environment for enhanced efficiency and productivity of workers.

He further said that the council also approved the award of contracts for the supply and installation of audio-visual conferencing solution and integrated

electronic documentation management system for the executive council chamber of the new governor’s office.

He said the executive council also approved the supply and installation of furniture at the Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, as part of the on-going renovation of the facility.

He explained that the project, which would cover the governor’s wing, the deputy governor’s wing, main entrance lobby, as well as offices andquartersforothersupport staff, would cost the government N78.46 million.

In another development, the government said it was making moves to ensure improved teaching and learning of core science subjects in all the public secondary schools in the state, a reason the government has approved the award of contract for the supply of science equipment on the three main subjects of Biology,ChemistryandPhysics, to83of thesecondary schools in the state.

Ogun to recruit 5,000 environmental marshals, sweepers Kunle Olayeni

Abeokuta

gun State governor, Oterday Ibikunle Amosun, yessaid no fewer than

5,000 workers would be recruited by his administration to ensure a clean, safe, healthy and sustainable environment.

Amosun, who spoke at the 2014 World Environment Day held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, said the government has ordered the procurement of additional waste management equipment worth over N1billion.

The event, with the theme: “Raise your voice and not the sea level,” was organised by the Ministry of Environment in commemoration of the day set aside by the United Nations.

Delivering his keynote address, Governor Amosun expressed concern over climate change, which, according to him, had become a global issue manifesting in cloud

cover, precipitation, atmospheric temperature and pressure with attendant implications on sea level.

He said most adverse climatic and environmental problems that occur today are manifestations of man’s inadvertent and deliberate activities.

The governor added that his government would improve coverage of its street sweeping programme by engaging additional 2,000 street sweepers to complement the efforts of the 1,000 previously engaged for the exercise.

“Similarly, sanitation and environmental regulation enforcement are being boosted by the recruitment of another set of 3,000 youths as Environmental Marshals by the Ministries of Environment and Youth and Sports,” he added.

The governor warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the roads and drainages across the state.

10 News

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Biafra: Police foil secessionist broadcast in Enugu Leo Sobechi

M

embers of the Pro-Biafra group, Biafra Zionists Federation (BZF) yesterday made an attempt to launch attack on the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) to broadcast a declaration of the State of Biafra.

The group was led by one Mr. Benjamin Onwuka, a London-trained lawyer.

The incident which took place around 6a.m. followed the trend of a similar attack on the Gover nment House Enugu on March 8, 2014,

when the same group attacked the seat of government of Enugu State and disrupted the peace of the entire facility for close to four hours.

In the latest incident, the group which was led

by Onwuka was alleged to have killed a police sergeant, wounded a police Inspector, who were part of a four-man political patrol team that was invited to the radio station to thwart their attempt at forceful seizure of the broadcast studio.

A member of the 20man BZF was shot dead by the police during the

clash in an effort to ensure that they did not succeed in making the felonious announcement which could have caused panic in the state.

Eyewitnesses told journalists that shortly after the group left the tense environment in frustration, a reinforcement of wellarmed Police Mobile Force arrived, adding however that two members of the group were later arrested alongside some passers-by for questioning.

It was gathered that Onwuka’s mission was

to seize the state television house and make a live broadcast declaring himself leader of the new Biafran Republic as he did in 2013.

After the group claimed responsibility for the attack on Enugu Government House three months ago, five of their members were arrested, arraigned and remanded in Enugu prison while the leader, Onwuka, was declared wanted.

Police sources disclosed that the BZF leader and other 12 members of his group were arrested by a team

of security operatives who pursued them as they attempted an escape through the Independence Layout area of the state capital.

But when contacted, the Police public Relations officer (PPRO), Enugu Command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said he was still collating details promising to brief the press formally

Kwara govt, PDP fight over cost of hospitals Biodun Oyeleye

Ilorin

of the rehabilitaTtalshetionincost of five general hospiKwara State, which

L-R: Deputy Chairman, Poeple's Democratic Party, Abia State, Allen Nwachukwu; Hon. Eziuche Ubani and a chieftain of the PDP, Mrs. Olenwangwa

Attack: Borno donates N16.8m to slain policemen's families Ahmed Miringa

MAIDUGURI

B

orno State police command has disbursed N16.8 million to the families of slain and injured policemen, who were affected by Boko Haram attacks on Gamboru Ngala town in Borno State on May 5, 2014.

The gesture was to cushion the effect of the attacks and killings on the families of the officers.

While disbursing the cash to the relatives and victims, Borno State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Tanko Lawal, said sometimes back when Governor Kashim Shettima visited the area, he promised to assist the victims, hence the release of N16.8 million to assist the families of those killed and injured in the attacks.

He said the families of 16 slain policemen received N1 million each, while the four injured policemen went home with N200, 000 each to cushion

the effect on the suffering of the families.

He added that the gesture was in line with the welfare policy of the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar.

The commissioner said: “The IGP has directed the immediate processing and payment of benefits of all slain policemen, stressing that the force will continue to hold the families of the slain policemen dear to their hearts, assuring them that they would not be forgotten.

Alhaji Lawal commended the government and the IGP for coming to the aid of the families, assuring them also that the gesture would be extended to all those killed while discharging their duties.

Responding on behalf of the families, Abdullahi Dogara, thanked the police and the government for the gesture, saying that the gesture will help them in cushioning the effect of their hardship.

in due course.

On May 30 a similar group known as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu declared that the nation would witness another cycle of freedom fighting to create a State of Biafra, saying that Nigeria would cease to exist as an entity on September 30, 2015.

was a major part of activities organised to mark the third year anniversary of the government of Governor Abdufatah Ahmed, has become a matter of political war between the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While the state government insisted that it spent N3.7 billion on the hospitals located in Kaiama, Ilorin, Offa, Omu-Aran and Share, the PDP is alleging that the cost was inflated by as much as N2.7 billion.

The opposition party also vowed to drag the government before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if no credible answer is provided on the issue.

But Governor Ahmed has dismissed the claims, saying that any variation was appropriated in the 2013 and 2014 budgets.

The governor, in a statement by his senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, explained the initial figure of N1.3 billion, which the government announced, was for the rehabilitation of physical structure at the hospitals and did not include the state-of-the-art equipment, stressing that the PDP was being anti-development in its stance.

“The original estimate which the government announced was for rehabilitating the physical structures of the hospitals. Obviously, the cost of equipping the hospital was separate and must be added to the final cost of turning all five hospitals into ultramodern health institutions for the benefit of the people.

Opposition not behind LASU crisis, says CACOL Wale Elegbede

socio-political group, the Coalition Against Corruption Leaders (CACOL) has berated the Lagos State government over its claim that some enemies of the government fuelled the protests by the Lagos State University (LASU) students against the increment in the institution’s tuition fees.

LASU students had, on Tuesday, clashed with the police during a protest march to Oshodi Market to educate the traders on why the fees should be reduced.

But, the state government had claimed that the

A

problems in the university were being stimulated by people, who were bent on derailing the government’s plan to reposition the school.

Reacting on behalf of the group yesterday, its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, described the claim by the government as uncharitable.

Adeniran said: “It is shameless of the Lagos State government to have attributed the students’ outburst to some imaginary detractors. That is shirking their responsibilities as a government. How can the government blame anyone

for that?

“It is confirming the fact that Lagos government does not feel the pulse of its citizens. The government should expect masses’ anger when it enacts anti-poor policies; it should expect people’s anger when it commercialises every social service; it should expect the anger of the masses, when it takes education beyond the reach of the children of the poor civil servants in the state.”

Speaking further, the CACOL boss berated the government’s claims that the students’ bursary and

scholarship awards and research budget have been increased to cushion the effect of the exorbitant school fees.

“It is unthinkable that the Lagos State government could think that the students’ bursary and scholarship awards would cushion the effect of the hiked school fees.

“Is Lagos State government giving every student of LASU scholarship awards? Has the government forgotten that not all students in LASU are from Lagos, so not all would benefit from the bursary awards?”

Reps drill Law Reform Commission officials over N191million votes

l Submits kerosene subsidy report soon Philip Nyam

Abuja

he House of RepresenTPublic tatives Committee on Accounts chaired

by Hon. Solomon Adeola Olamilekan yesterday drilled officials of the Nigeria Law Reform Commission over the disbursement of the sum of

N191,376,170,06 release made to the Commission from the same Service Wide Vote between 2004 and 2012.

The Nigeria Law Reforms Commission led by the Secretary, Mrs. A F Ogunneye was afterwards giving a 72 hour ultimatum within which to reappear with all the relevant docu-

ments on the funds.

Meanwhile, chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Hon. Dakuku Peterside, yesterday stated that the report of the investigation into the expenditure and subsidy on kerosene (DPK) is ready.

Peterside gave the hint while giving update on the

outcome of the investigative public hearing conducted by the Committee.

He explained that the report would be laid before the House in the next two weeks.

On the findings of the Committee, Peterside enjoined Nigerians to wait until the report is laid at plenary.

News

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

11

Jonathan appoints Alkali political adviser Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Goodluck Pproved Jonathan has apthe appointment

of Prof. Rufa’i Alkali as his new Special Adviser on Political Affairs.

Alkali, a Political Scientist, once served as National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and was appointed ProChancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna last year. He hails from Gombe State.

President Jonathan had in April, sacked his political adviser, Ahmed Gulak. His replacement

by Alkali who hails from Gombe State may not be unconnected to building a viable election team ahead of 2015 elections.

A statement by the Special Adviser on M e d i a a n d P u bl i city, Dr. Reuben Abati, ye s t e rd ay s a i d t h e President had also appointed Hajia Baraka Sani as his Senior Special Assistant for Schools Ag riculture Programme.

Sani was until recently the Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture.

Abati said both appointments were with immediate effect.

Yakubu tasks youths on terrorism Musa Pam

Jos

lateau State CommisPopment, sioner of Youth DevelJames Yakubu, has urged Nigerian Youths to kick against terrorism.

Yakubu made the call yesterday during the Nigerian Youth Parliament Plateau State chapter congress held at Dadin Kowa Youth Centre, Jos The Commissioner charged the youth to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and work closely with government at all levels to defeat the terrorists.

He however assured youths in the state that

Governor Jonah Jang’s Administration had good plan for them.

According to him, the Ministry of Youth Development was created by Governor Jang purposely for the development of all the youth.

In a paper titled “Joining the Fight against global Terror” by the state coordinator of Millennium development Goals(MDGS) in the state, Peter Nyam Gai, he said the Nigerian government should initiate policies that would eliminate injustice, inequality, corruption, tribalism and religious bias and also enhance economic and social concerns as a way of tackling terrorism.

Voters' Card: Niger INEC inaugurates 11-man committee Dan Atori

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uduak Bassey Oton, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uduak Babatunde Raji. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

the Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on the distribution of permanent voters card and continuous voter registration in Niger State.

Inaugurating the committee at the INEC office in Minna, the Niger State resident electoral Commissioner, Dr Emmanuel Onucheyo, said that the committee had a mandate to draw a road map in order to have an effective Voter Education and Publicity Programme in the state devoid of hitches.

ADETOLA

change of name

MINNA

he Independent National T(INEC) Electoral Commission has inaugurated an 11-man committee for

change of name

RAJI

I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Sola Omolola Edunjobi, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Mojisola Omolola Adetola. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

OHUONU I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Caroline Chidinma Nnodim, now wish to be known and addressed as Caroline Chidinma Ohuonu. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ELVIS

I, formerly known and addressed as Iruoje Akhigbe Ruphy, now wish to be known and addressed as Iruoje Akhigbe Elvis. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

OBI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Jane Otoba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jane Otoba Obi. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

LASU Students on a protest to Alausa, ikeja, Lagos…yesterday

N1.4bn

The IGR realized from other revenue sources of Kano State in 2010.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

PHOTO:TONYEGUAYE

40%

The percentage contribution of food sector to the production of organic water pollutant in high income countries.

Source: Unesco.org

1.3m

The total number of internet users in Bosnia & Herzegovina in 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

PTDF seeks protection of students abroad SERVICE Oluleye, PTDF boss tasks Foreign Affairs Ministry on rights of Nigerians living abroad Ummal-fadal Babagirei

T

he Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has called on the Federal Government to protect its students studying abroad.

The Executive sec-

retary to the PTDF, Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, made this call when he visited the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, at the ministry yesterday.

"We have had bad experiences with immigration and that is why we have come. We want our embassies to be our first line of defence before it gets to us. That is why we seek your assistance to be the protection for our students abroad," Oluleye said.

He said often, when the students run into immigration problems,

the cases are unjustified.

"We have had some immigration problems with some of the countries, these are not problems emanating from PTDF because we give them all the basic requirements provided; but sometimes our students are being lumped with others and kept in detention for no just cause simply because they are Nigerians," he added.

He said PTDF sent, on the average, a total of 400 students abroad every year.

While responding,

Wali said it was the function of any embassy to protect its nationals and assured PTDF of its support to protect its students abroad.

A Lot of Nigerian students are currently studying abroad under the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) scholarship in various fields.

Some of these students have been facing different challenges ranging from renewal of their papers to other criminal activities which led to their detention.

Nigeria will never surrender territory to any country – Mark lBoundary conflict between Cameroun Cross River looms Chukwu David Abuja

T

he President of the Senate, David Mark, yesterday issued a stern warning to the neighbouring countries encroaching on Nigerian border lands, saying Nigeria would never lose any portion of her lands again to other countries.

Mark spoke at plenary while reacting to the alarm raised by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, that Nigeria might lose some communities in Danari, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State if the ongoing international boundary adjustment there was not promptly halted.

Ndoma-Egba, who brought the matter before

the Senate, under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules, explained that the exercise, which was going on in his constituency had already generated a lot of anxiety among his constituents.

He said: “They (constituents) fear that at the end of the exercise, we will be losing not just a community but a number of communities to the Camerouns.

“So, with your kind permission, I will like to bring a formal motion on this on our next legislative day (which is June 24).”

Reacting to the information given by the Leader, Mark said: “This country must never, never under any circumstance surrender one millimeter of our land to any country irrespective

of who is supervising it.

Whether it is the United Nations or African Union.

“It is a serious issue and the matter will be discussed in our next legislative day,” he said.

Giving further details on the issue, Ndoma-Egba explained that he decided to defer the matter to the next legislative day to enable him get details, noting that he would have taken the motion today due to its urgency.

He said: “I have information that right now, pursuant to the Green Tree Agreement, that resulted in the ceding of Bakassi to the Cameroun (in 2008), some boundary adjustment exercise is going on and they are right now in a place called Danari.

“Danari is in Boki Local Government of Cross River State and it is in my constituency. And there is a lot of anxiety among the people that the exercise will result in loss of territory to the Cameroun.”

He added that the GTA came in with consequent boundary adjustments right from Borno down to Cross River.

He also explained that the exercise going on in Danari was part of what was envisaged on the GTA. The President of the Senate immediately called for vote on the proposed motion and the senators approved that the motion be moved

by Ndoma-Egba on June 24, when the Senate would resume from its two-week recess.

12 NEW TELEGRAPH

Friday, Jun

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

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friday, june 6, 2014

0802 393 8212

Protest: LASU students take over Fashola’s office FEE HIKE Protesting students invade governor’s office, cook at the entrance gate Muritala Ayinla

E

nraged students of the Lagos State University (LASU) yesterday took their protest over astronomical hike in school fees to the doorsteps of Governor Babatunde Fashola.

The protesters, who shut the Governor’s Office, asked Fashola to make a cat- Students during the protest egorical statement on the new tuition fee.

The students, who changed their in luxury buses, dared security personnel protest tactics and strategies, practically attached to the Governor’s Office. They turned the Governor’s Office to a carnival cooked beans and barricaded the main ground as they cooked and danced to the gate of the office. Some Muslims among music supplied by DJs in their vehicles them observed their prayers on the road numbering about 13. while some female students were busy They said next Monday was too long cooking. for Fashola to make a categorical stateThey set up stones and firewood for ment on their demands, especially on cooking right in front of the main enreduction of the tuition fee which they trance of the office, while others played said was too high for many of them to pay. scrabbles on the road leading to the office.

The students argued that the scholarSpeaking with NT Metro, the Presiship promised by the government could dent of the Students Union, Nurudeen not go round.

Yusuf Temilola, who described the The protesters, who stormed the office ‘show’ as a peaceful demonstration, said

the protest was meant to call the state government to action.

Temilola said the students could no longer condone the procrastination on the reduction of the tuition fee.

He said: “The peaceful demonstration is aimed at telling the governor that we can no longer wait to hear a reduction in our school fees; we want him to make a pronouncement now. It should not take him 10 years to do so. ‘Soon,’ ‘very soon’ is an ambiguous language that we cannot take anymore.

“We will resume very soon. We want to know how much we will pay before our

resumption. That is what we are saying.

They promised us June 9; that is too long for us. Let them make a pronouncement on time.

“Why are they procrastinating? We want to know what we want to pay now.

We have met with the governor on several occasions. We have discussed with him.”

Temilola alleged that police fired life bullets at the protesting students at Oshodi on Tuesday.”

On his part, Speaker of the Students’ Union, Balogun Ahmed, said most parents could not afford the high fee.

He said: “It is pertinent to know that fee we pay is too high. So, we want to know from the governor now, the exact money we are to pay.

“Some of our colleagues have dropped from school because of the hike in fees.

Lagos pays N3,000 minimum wage and the government wants sons and daughters of these people who earn this money to enrol in LASU.” Ahmed said that parents who did not have the opportunity to steal public fund could not afford LASU fees.

He added: “Imagine parents who have two or more children in the school.

What will they do? Where will they get the money? Not every parent has access to public fund.”

Meanwhile, speaking earlier with our correspondent on the protests, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba, and his Transportation counterpart, Kayode Opeifa, said the pro-

Thugs sack tricycle park, kill father of three Taiwo Jimoh

T

here was a reign of terror at Boundary, Ajegunle in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State yesterday as thugs launched a vicious attack on a tricycle park.

The aim of the thugs, identified as ‘One Million Boys,’ was to supplant the chairman of the park.

During the attack, the thugs stabbed a 28-year-old father of three, identified as Yusuf Ademola, to death.

The incident happened in broad daylight when the thugs numbering about 20 walked into Nosamu Street Keke NAPEP Park to forcefully remove the chairman.

The thugs shot indiscriminately which forced the residents and passers-by to scamper to safety.

The ‘boys’ vandalised about 10 cars and destroyed properties worth millions of naira at the street.

The leaders of the thugs were identified as Kamoli alias Escort, Alfa Shuab aka the Godfather, Alala Semiu, Seun alias Omo Buba, Abeeb alias Abere, Sule alias Omojo Ibo, Fatai Ewe, Gafar Ewe and Kola alias Shoe.

The unit Chairman of Nosamu Park, Ashamu Fagbenro, told our correspondent that he and some of his members were at the park, picking passengers when they saw people started running suddenly.

He said: “I mobilised other men at the street to check what the problem was. To our surprise, we saw the ‘One Million Boys,’ wielding dangerous weapons like cutlasses, axes and guns.

“With that, we all ran out of the street and left our tricycles to take cover. When we returned, we discovered that Yusuf Ademola had been stabbed to death by the boys.”

Fagbenro added that it was not the first time the ‘One Million Boys’ had been terrorising the park.

He said: “The boys come from Alayabiagba, a community at Boundary, claiming that they want to control my unit at all costs.

“In as much as those boys still live in Ajegunle, we and our families are not safe. Whenever they are arrested, somebody would go and bail them out.”

Sakiru Ademola, the victim’s elder brother, also told our correspondent that he believed they targeted his brother.

He said: “Yusuf was a security guard at Boundary market and he knew them. They eliminated him to have access to the market and the community as a whole.

“I urged the Lagos State Government to provide us adequate security in Ajegunle because the ‘One Millions Boys’ were arrested and paraded by the Lagos State Police Command, yet we don’t know how they got back to the streets. Life does not worth anything in the hands of

tests were masterminded by society.

They argued that the s leaders were acting in their agreement in a seri held with the governmen They wondered why t on protests when effor taken to resolve the cris Eight students of the u on Wednesday charged b Magistrates’ Court after for an alleged violent pr day.

The arrested students we jacking a LAGBUS bus, P00 tion No. SMK 719 XK, prope State Government.

Driver s Babatope Okeowo

Akure

P

olice in Ondo State day paraded a 25-y driver, Mr Kehinde for attempting to sell the his employer.

Ajayi allegedly sto Honda Accord car with tration number MUS where it was parked in the state capital, and to Lagos where he intended it for N1 million.

He was arrested by a t detectives led by Micha eniyi who chased the s to Lagos upon a tip off o 2, 2014.

The state Police Pub lations Officer (PPRO) Ogodo, said the Divisio lice Officer of Okuta E directed the detectives Adeniyi of Okuta Eleri vision to trail Ajayi to L It was gathered that t

My husban The late Ademola

these boys.”

The widow, Mrs Kemi Ademola, said she was with her husband in their one room apartment, when he said he was going out to check what was happening.

She said: “I tried to stop him but he refused and went. Within two minutes, I saw my husband coming back, I rushed to meet him. To my surprise, blood was gushing out of his chest. I asked him what the matter was, but he collapsed on his elder brother’s wife who was with us.

Bisola Tiamiyu

A

housewife, Mrs Ramo ewale, yesterday ask Agege Customary C Lagos to dissolve her 10 old marriage on the gr that her husband was irr sible.

Ramota said her hus Mr Monsuru Adewale borrowed more than N3 from her which he had r to repay.

According to her, th is unable to repay his de

13

ABDULLAHI: ALMAKURA’S PERFORMANCE WILL EARN HIM RE-ELECTION / PAGE 17

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OGUNLADE: INCUMBENCY WON’T INFLUENCE EKITI POLL

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p-16

FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

2015: 500 POLITICIANS TO WATCH

Zamfara: APC seeks consolidation despite PDP’s quest Mohammed Nasir

A

head of the February 2015 elections, the battle in Zamfara State, especially that of the governorship, is gradually heating up the polity as politicians who think they have all it takes to be the number one citizen of the state are mopping up support from all parts of the state.

Zamfara is a state that has strong personalities that have the capacity to influence electoral contest. The state has two ministers in the present administration; Aliyu Gusau (Defence) and Bashir Yuguda (State for Works). The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, is also from the state.

In the opposition’s camp, the thinking is that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might use its federal might to manipulate the outcome of the 2015 elections in the state.

A study of previous elections in Zamfara State shows that the All Peoples Party (APP) which later became All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) and recently merged with other legacy parties to form All Progressives Congress (APC) has been the ruling party in the state, with the PDP having a stint at the governorship position when Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi defected to the PDP in 2008 after winning on the platform of the ANPP in 2007.

In 1999, the PDP governorship candidate, Ambassador M. Z. Anka lost to Ahmad Rufai Sani (Yariman Bakura), and in 2003, the PDP candidate, Colonel Bala Mande, a former military governor of Nasarawa State, again lost to same Ya r i m a .

In 2007, P D P ’ s candidate, Malam Yahaya AbdulKareem, a former governor of old Sokoto State from which Zamfara was carved out lost to ANPP’s Shinkafi and in 2011, with the PDP in power, Shinkafi could not secure his re-election as he lost to AbdulAziz Yari Abubakar of the ANPP. Of the three senatorial districts in the state, only Zamfara Central Senatorial District with four local government areas namely Gusau, Tsafe, Bungudu and Maru has not produced a governor, despite having the largest population.

Zamfara North Senatorial District also with four councils namely Kaura Namoda, Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi and Zurmi produced a governor who ruled between 2007 and 2011. Zamafara West Senatorial District which is made up of six local governments of Maradun, Bakura, Anka, Talata Mafara, Bukuyyum and Gummi in the last 15 years has produced two governors, namely, Yarima and the incumbent Yari.

The 2015 governorship election in Zamfara State will be a battle of wits between the APC, which has won all previous four elections in the state, and the PDP which is bent on taking power from the APC. The PDP will from all indications try to block all leakages which denied it from winning previous elections. Zamfara remains the only one in the North-West where it has never won the governorship seat.

The APC will be led to the battleground by Alhaji Lawali Yanga Kaura, the party’s state chairman who emerged during the recently concluded state congress. Kaura, who is former chairman of the ANPP before the merger, will capitalise on his experience. On the other hand, the PDP only has caretaker committee chairman, pending the constitution of state executives. Even without the constitution of the party’s state executive, the PDP has all it takes to wrest power from the APC.

The list of prominent politicians in the state comprise of not only contenders, but also kingmakers who will determine the fate of those contesting for various positions in 2015. These personalities wield significant influence in both the state and national political arena.

Ahmad Rufai Sani (Yariman Bakura) Arguably the most influential politician since 1999 in Zamfara is Yarima. He is a political colossus who holds the ace and determines who rules the state. The senator representing Zamfara West was elected CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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2015: 500 POLITICIANS TO WATCH CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

governor in 1999 on the platform of the APP and won his re-election in 2003. He installed his deputy, Shinkafi, as his successor; he was the only governor that ensured his deputy succeeded him in 2007. But when Shinkafi fell out with his former boss and defected to the PDP, Yarima backed his godson, Abubakar, for the 2011 governorship.

The name Yarima means different things to different people in Zamfara.

To many, he is the political leader and godfather of Zamfara politics, while to some, the former governor is a political opportunist who always pitches his tent with the winning team and thus enjoys underserved popularity and patronage. A number of people in the state feel Yarima is already at the peak of his political career and has already started declining.

But the senator still has an intimidating political structures across the state. Through his efforts, he has made several political figures in the state.

In spite of this, the former governor will be a major factor in 2015 elections in Zamfara. Those who are seeking for public office would have to count on him for support. On his own, he will be returning to the Senate for a third term.

AbdulAziz Yari Abubakar Abubakar, the incumbent governor will clearly emerge the consensus candidate of the APC in 2015 since no one has indicated interest to vie for the party’s ticket. He rose from being the ANPP’s state secretary to become party chairman and proceeded to become a member of the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011.

The governor is believed by many to be high headed and running the state as a personal estate. But some political observers say in the last three years, he has built a political strong base for himself which will constitute a great task for the opposition to uproot in 2015 considering his achievements in all sectors.

Though the governor is a political godson of Yarima, all his actions and policies since assumption of office in 2011 are at variance with that of the former governor. While Yarima operated a welfarist government, giving less attention to infrastructural development during his tenure, Abubakar is laying more emphasis on physical development which is currently resulting in total transformation of the state from a rural to a modern state.

Since assumption of office on May 29, 2011, he has shown that he is focused and determined to transform Zamfara. He has succeeded in implementing developmental projects which by all standards and definitions have superseded the achievements of his predecessors. His reelection bid is almost certain.

Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi For eight years, he was the deputy governor under Yarima and later became governor between 2007 and 2011, thus setting the record as the first deputy governor to serve two terms and also the first deputy governor to succeed his boss as governor.

No governor allowed his deputy to succeed him in 2007 except Yarima.

He started his political career as the Kano State coordinator of his elder brother’s Umaru Shinkafi Presidential Campaign in 1992. The former governor, who defected to the PDP from the ANPP in 2008 is a grassroots politician. His defection was based

Yarima, Abubakar, Gusau,

Yarima

Yari Abubakar

Shinkafi

Gusau

on the premise to break away from the domineering influence of Yarima as people hardly differentiated the fact that Yarima was no more governor of the state.

During his four-year tenure, Shinkafi, who was labelled a ‘go slow’ governor, initiated many developmental projects in the state, some were completed while others got to about 80 per cent completion stage.

Shinkafi is believed to still maintain his political base and seems likely one of the strongest contending PDP aspirants who can confront the ruling APC in the state. The maintenance of his political structure despite losing his election in 2011, may be an added advantage to his bid in 2015.

Shinkafi is likely to lead PDP’s battle against the ruling APC in Zamfara. He is a major force to reckon with in the 2015 permutations.

Aliyu Mohammed Gusau The Minister of Defence is believed to be one of the most influen-

tial personalities to have come out of Zamfara State considering his vast experience in the military and national politics.

General Gusau, a former PDP presidential aspirant and founding member of the party, was appointed National Security Adviser (NSA)

The 2015 governorship election in Zamfara State will be a battle of wits between the APC, which has won all previous four elections in the state, and the PDP which is bent on taking power from the APC

by President Goodluck Jonathan on March 8, 2010. He held the same position during Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

The former military intelligence officer and one-time Chief of Army Staff will play a major role in determining who emerges the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the 2015 elections. By virtue of his influence and position, he will work for the success of the PDP in 2015.

Umaru Shinkafi (Marafan Sokoto) A former presidential aspirant of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and a founding member of the APP, Shinkafi who is an elder brother of the former Zamfara State governor, Mahmuda, once served as the Director General, National Security Organisation (NSO).

The Mafaran Sokoto is also an inlaw to Governor Abubakar.

Though it seems the elder statesman is no more actively involved in partisan politics, but his wealth of ex-

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2015: 500 POLITICIANS TO WATCH

Shinkafi, Yuguda in hot contest

Shinkafi (Umaru)

Bello

Shehu

cal structure in the state capable of making him the PDP governorship candidate in 2015.

Sagir Mohammed Hamidu Hamidu, a PDP aspirant for the governorship seat, is a former director at the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA). He is also from Gusau. Though a thorough bred civil servant, he is a green horn in politics who enjoys the support of his people having used his position while in the federal civil service to get employment for several indigenes of the state.

Hamidu enjoys the support of PDP leaders at the national level.

Yuguda

perience will play a prominent role in the re-election bid of the incumbent.

He is sympathetic to the APC course.

Mohammed Bello Bello is a third term member of the House of Representatives, representing Bakura/Maradun on the PDP platform. The lawmaker, who is from Zamfara West Senatorial District, is Chairman, House Committee on Security and Intelligence.

The lawmaker is prominent in Zamfara politics. He started politicking with a contest for council chairmanship which he lost and was later appointed commissioner by Yarima.

He defected to the PDP in July 2010, when he discovered that the then governor would not nominate him as the ANPP’s governorship candidate for the 2011 elections.

Since his defection to the PDP, he has become a force to reckon with in the party.

He is also one of the PDP governorship aspirants who may give the

Shinkafi (Sani)

incumbent a serious challenge.

Ibrahim Shehu (Bakauye Gusau) Bakauye, now a PDP member, is a serving member of the House of Representatives representing Gusau/ Tsafe federal constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Shehu who recently defected to the PDP from the APC is from Gusau in the Zamfara Central Senatorial District.

He left the APC in protest against the domineering influence of Senator Yarima, and is currently in a legal battle with the former governor whom he accused of masterminding an attack on his property and life.

Although Shehu has a weak political base, the lawmaker, who served as a commissioner during Yarima’s era, is believed to be an advocate of both Islamic and western education development in Zamfara State. In the last few years, he has spent a lot on payment of school fees for indi-

gent students of his constituency in secondary and tertiary institutions across the country and overseas.

He recently established an aluminum company and an ICT centre in Gusau where over 2,000 youths are receiving training.

Bashir Yuguda Ambassador Yuguda, the Minister of State for Works, is a grassroots politician who even before his foray into partisan politics, had always been a champion of youth empowerment through provision of employment to numerous youths in the state.

The minister, who is from Gusau in the Zamfara Central Senatorial District, before now served as Nigeria’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He is believed to be one of the strongest and biggest financiers of the PDP in the state and also said to have his ambition rooted to his connection in the Presidency.

Yuguda, according to political analysts, does not have a strong politi-

Bashir Adamu Imad Adamu, a PDP aspirant for the governorship seat is the chairman of IMAD Group with interests in real estate, oil and gas, distribution, transportation and sales.

Imad’s philanthropic tendencies in recent times is seen by political observers as a clear pointer to his desire to venture into politics of Zamfara. He had in the last couple of years made it a duty to ensure that he uses his wealth to put smiles on the faces of the people of Zamfara State through various empowerment schemes.

Though a new entrant in the political arena, Bashir who is from Gusau, apart from capitalising on his wealth, is believed to be enjoying the backing of the Nigerian First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, for the governorship.

His critics say he is a political jobber who is in the race to gain popularity and not actually to become PDP gubernatorial candidate.

Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi Shinkafi is an astute politician who carved a niche for himself as the national secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Despite being APGA’s national secretary, Shinkafi is believed to be running a one-man show in the affairs of the party in the state where he operates as chairman, secretary and the mouth piece of the party all alone.

Shinkafi is the gubernatorial hopeful of APGA in the state.

16 POLITICS

Leading

Woman Alhaja Maryam Bimbola Ogunlade, an educationist and public administrator, is the running mate of the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State. In this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, the former Deputy Director, Local Government Service Commission, speaks on the chances of the LP gubernatorial candidate, Opeyemi Bamide, and why incumbency won’t affect the outcome of the election. Excerpts:

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Ogunlade: Incumbency won’t influence Ekiti poll

by Federal Government or that it has federal might, there is no problem about that. What I can tell you is that Ekiti people are determined; they want a change and Labour Party is their alternative.

You mean you don’t see incumbency as a threat to the victory of Labour Party in the governorship election?

If the incumbent governor is popular, then you can talk of being a threat to other parties, but he is no longer popular in the state.

Why do you say a sitting governor is no longer popular in the state?

He is no more popular because lots of students have been disappointed because he called the entire students in Ekiti State when he was inaugurated and told them that he would reduce their school fees from N80,000 to half but unfortunately he later increased the tuition fee to N150,000. And few weeks to election now, he said he want to reduce it. Even the teachers has been collecting 27.5 per cent increment in their wages and when he came in, he removed the package from their salaries and now he has returned it because of election. You can see all those things.

How do you feel about your nomination as the running mate to Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele in the June 21 Ekiti governorship election?

I thank the Almighty God for the opportunity to serve. In fact, I appreciate my nomination to represent the entire women in Ekiti State as the deputy gubernatorial candidate to Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele. I also appreciate the Labour Party (LP) for accepting my nomination.

The party set criteria in the choice of running mate: LP wanted a Muslim, a woman and a civil servant. So, I felt elated and happy when I was nominated.

Since your nomination, what have you been able to contribute to the growth of Labour Party in Ekiti State?

I have been able to galvanise support of the Muslim community, women and civil servants to the side of LP. You know the entire Muslim community in Ekiti recommended me. The civil servants are in my support and the women at large.

Women form the larger part of the electorate in Ekiti State, so everybody is just coming out to give support to Labour Party in the state. Ekiti people see hope in LP and its flag bearers. Hence, the people are ready to vote out the Kayode Fayemi-led government come June 21, 2014.

You said Ekiti people are ready to vote out the government in power. Why do you think so?

Because the programmes of Labour Party have been rolled out to them during the campaign rallies. LP programmes have human face and better than that of any party participating in the June 21 governorship election.

What are the specific programmes Labour Party wants to give to Ekiti people?

Labour Party has designed its manifesto. In terms of agriculture, we have a lot of packages for the farmers because we want to embark on modernised agriculture in the state. Our government is going to embark on aggressive empowerment for women and youths.

Today, like in the past, we have a lot of our youths roaming the streets, having nothing to do. The Labour Party government in Ekiti is ready to empower them through acquisition of skills and vocational training, setting them up in trade to economically position them. Also, we want to make education qualitative and affordable for everybody irrespective of class. What we have in the state is that the cost of education is on the high side.

Ogunlade

In the state university, EKSU, our students pay up to N150, 000 as tuition fee, whereas in Ondo State, which is a state governed by the LP, the students there pay N25, 000 as tuition fee. So, if Labour Party is elected on June 21, we will reduce tuition fee to N25, 000 in the state.

As regards the civil service, we have a lot of packages. The Labour government will embark on capacity building of the state workforce. There will be motivation of staff through prompt payment of salaries, allowances, training and retraining. We will ensure that pensioners are treated well. The era of having accumulated pension arrears will be gone.

There is no sense punishing people who have served the state meritoriously.

In all, we will reposition Ekiti through good governance.

But Governor Kayode Fayemi has done so much in payment of pension and social security...

We have lots of pension arrears and gratuities. We met pensioners about two weeks ago and these people presented their case and we looked into them and we are sure that this present government has a lot of outstanding to pay pensioners.

What do you think will make Labour Party to defeat the incumbent and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the June 21 election?

The flag bearer of Labour Party in Ekiti State for the gubernatorial election, Bamidele, is currently a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ekiti Central Constituency II. He has done a lot within the constituency. When we visited the constituency for our campaign, we were inaugurating

one project or the other and the people were happy. Even within the traditional rulers in Ekiti State, he has been doing wonderfully well because as we move from one town to the other for our campaign, the monarchs used to commend him for reaching out to them from time to time since he became a member of the House of Representatives. Everybody has benefitted from him; he has been assisting the youths and empowering them. Even the widows and the less privileged in our society in Ekiti State; all of them are just singing his praises everywhere. So, I am sure that he will win the election.

LP is relatively unknown in Ekiti; how do you plan to contend with an incumbent and the PDP with federal might?

You know in a place where the incumbent is popular, incumbency may be a factor. But what we have is a situation where the incumbent government is not popular with the people and that he has disappointed Ekiti State because it has not been able to meet their yearnings and aspirations. So, he is not popular with the people.

Talking about PDP being sponsored

Incumbency may be a factor... What I can tell you is that Ekiti people are determined; they want a change and Labour Party is their alternative

You talked about disappointment; in what areas has Governor Fayemi disappointed Ekiti electorate?

We have about four dams in Ekiti State and you cannot find any tap running in the state. It is a big disappointment. During our campaign, the traditional rulers and the people were all calling on Labour Party to give them water when we are in power. So, that formed the major request of people for the Labour Party.

For a sitting government; a government that is still in power and people said they are unable to produce this or that for them is a big disappointment.

But in the area of tourism, road construction, health, social security, Fayemi has been able to touch lives.

In terms of social security, a lot of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) are running social security in Ekiti State. I have a foundation, Yewande Ogunlade Foundation. I reach out to the less privileged, especially the widows and the aged within my environment.

I didn’t know that I will go into politics.

But this is the first time a sitting governor would be giving stipends as monthly allowance for the elderly.

Because he is aware that some NGOs are giving it out in the state; that is why he has come around to make it a policy.

What is your expectation on June 21?

What will happen on June 21 is that people would use their power; I mean their votes. They will speak with their votes and I am sure that they would vote Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele and myself as governor and deputy.

I can tell you that Labour Party would take over the governance in Ekiti State come June 21.

What is your message to Ekiti people as you approach the governorship election?

I want to enjoin the entire Ekiti people to vote massively for Labour Party on June 21 governorship election. I’m assuring them that the LP is the only party that would care for their welfare because we have a lot of packages for them, and I am sure that the change the people of Ekiti State have been looking up to would definitely come on June 21 through the enthronement of the Labour Party government.

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Abdullahi: Al-Makura’s performance will earn him re-election Governor Al-Makura has been on the saddle of leadership in Nasarawa and he came on the platform of change. Three years after, what would you say he has done to break away from the past?

Al-Makura took over the mantle of leadership under a very difficult situation. Nasarawa State was at the lowest ebb of political and structural existence.

First, he challenged an incumbent governor; he challenged very mighty forces, but by the grace of God he overcame them. It is no longer a secret in this country that once you belong to the ruling party, the army, the electoral body and every other aggregate composite that provide the platform for success is at your advantage.

And when you are contesting on the platform of the opposition, all the odds come against you, and you bear the burden of defeat. But the fact that he was able to triumph is a magnificent achievement.

He actually came on the platform of change; and the people really needed that change at the time. I will say that in the last three years, Governor Al-Makura has demonstrated that things could be done differently in Nasarawa to bring concrete and holistic development to the people. Since he assumed office three years ago, Al-Makura has succeeded in promoting best practices in governance; not only that, he has allowed a level playing ground for politicians to canvass for votes and win the approval of the electorate. The practice has been that when you are contesting on the platform of an opposition party, you need to arm yourself very well, and fight where necessary.

But God in His infinite mercy decided to use Al-Makura to change the system and promote best practices.

He has promoted service delivery, which made a difference within the three years. Within this period, we have seen physical transformation like never before. The state has been transformed into a modern state in terms of service delivery to people. Above all, he has created history and I think that Nasarawa State is now a modern state in terms of provision of service to the people.

What specific areas will you say he has addressed to touch the lives of the people?

Al-Makura has not only touched the lives of the people but has captured their imagination. Take an investigative trip to rural Nasarawa you will see. Places that were landlocked have been opened.

Some communities could not hitherto be reached easily, but now the people heave a sigh of relief because they can drive comfortably and link up to go to markets and so on. It is the same thing with Lafia, the state capital, which has been opened up by road networks, and it is now wearing the look of a modern state capital. He has provided social amenities to communities that have been deprived for long. Talk about rural electrification, communities that were in darkness have been provided light. Al-Makura has elevated Nasarawa State so much that the people have now seen light. It is just like the biblical ‘let there be light and then there was light’.

He has brought about physical development. In the area of education, there have been successful efforts to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. We have built structures and renovated existing ones to give our students a conducive teaching-learning environment. Many people who come around have said they have seen projects elsewhere, but that ours is spectacular in terms of quality.

How has the lingering crisis in Nasarawa state affected development?

The crisis has brought a lot of setback. The speed of development has been greatly slowed down. That is expected be-

Abdulkarim Mohammed Abdullahi, retired director of the Nigerian Television Authority, is the chairman of the Nasarawa State Primary Education Board. In this interview with SULEIMAN BISALLA and KENNETH TYOHEMBE, he speaks on political issues that are currently taking centre stage in the state, assuring that Governor Tanko Al-Makura’s performance will earn him second term in 2015.

Abdullahi

cause apart from diverting the attention of government from its focus, conflict of the kind that we have in Nasarawa State has the potential to prevent ongoing projects because those executing the projects fear for their lives. Therefore, some of the projects that would have been completed were slowed down.

It is unfortunate that the crisis is selfinflicted by power mongers who are interested in power for themselves, not for the interest of the people and society. What they aimed at was to divide his attention so that he will not focus on a stable path to provide good governance. That is what they have done, enemies of the people.

These politicians have been fuelling the crisis, but he has succeeded in bringing calm through various mechanisms adopted by government. It is also instructive to note that the peace-loving people of Nasarawa State have come to terms with the gimmicks of those troublemakers, and have decided to keep them where they belong.

Despite their machinations, however, Governor Al-Makura has accomplished a lot for the downtrodden. He has made them to know that it is possible to have good governance. As it is now, this government has done so much in just three years in terms of service provision and physical development, which no previous administration had done it.

How would you rate the administration in terms of getting to the root of the crisis and bringing the warring communities together?

I must say that Al-Makura is a peacemaker; he has taken time to examine the issues at stake. The crisis has been there before him; only that some of our historians as well as the media and analysts have not come to terms with the reality.

It is a manifestation of power struggle among the elite in our state, which started long ago. With this understanding, the

As it is now, this government has done so much in just three years in terms of service provision and physical development, which no previous administration had done governor has to be careful. He would not want to plunge the system into further crisis, or inflict punishment on innocent citizens. There are people who are trying to make generalised accusations to stigmatise the Egon people rather than the renegades that constituted themselves into the Ombatse. Yes Ombatse is Egon, but not all Egons are Ombatse. We are aware that people, both Muslims and Christians were forcefully inducted into the group. Many resisted and paid dearly with their lives.

So, the governor did not want to cast aspersion on a whole tribe as some people wanted to see; he tried to find out who the masterminds of the crisis are so that he would separate the wheat from the chaff.

That is why he set up the commission of inquiry. And I think the white paper has done a good work in identifying the masterminds of the crisis. But I think the federal authorities have been very ambivalent in trying to exert the weight of the law and bring the people behind this crisis to justice. Nevertheless, like I have said, the God of justice will apprehend them.

If Almakura had lived to the people’s expec-

tations, why is it that the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost many councils in the recent local government elections in the state?

This is the first time in the history of this country that a sitting governor has allowed democracy to prevail in his state. So, it is the story of a true democrat trying to promote democracy. That positive change we had is the driving force of Al-Makura, the unprecedented leader who offers unbiased leadership to all and sundry. It is unlike what the other parties do, using all the powers at their disposal to block opposition parties from victory.

Having said this, I want to say that there was another dimension to it. Some intruders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were also partially responsible. Some of us within the APC wanted to control the party because we understand our vision and mission better, but they ganged up against Al-Makura. You know there are some people who came into the party because of their selfish interest, and they want to achieve their ambition at all cost. But the masses have realised that and they have vowed never to join forces with them anymore.

You will notice that up till now, a place like Keffi has not been able to conduct its election because of a manipulating clique.

They were in PDP and now they are in APC, and they want to hijack the party.

Practically, there is a lot of things going on, where people contrive to be stumbling block to Al-Mmakura’s politics. Those defectors are the ones plotting against Al-Makura’s liberal disposition.

They arranged the electoral process to ensure that they produced candidates that would emerge as chairmen and councillors. It was a very mischievous plot. They wanted to strip Al-Makura naked. In fact, let me say that they wanted to stage a democratic coup against AlMakura, but some of us who were dealing with him alerted the governor that he needed to be cautious. We are aware of a meeting they held and planned that all their candidates should be made to win so that Al-Makura would not have anybody to back him.

What sort of change are we going to see because many people are of the opinion that with the local results Almakura may lose the 2015 governorship election?

Lose? Well, I think that the people making such statement are those who are worshipers at some shrines. They need to go and look at the new situation.

The only problem Al-Makura has is that he had vested interest in people who wanted to undermine him. Those who defected from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to the PDP were part of Al-Makura’s problem, so their defection is a blessing because they wanted to harm the system by pretending that they were with him. By the grace of God, Al-Makura is going to win the election.

Al-Makura has the best opportunity to be re-elected come 2015, more than any other person. He has done well. The only problem is that he allowed himself to be caged by people who did not mean well for him. But I believe that he would have learned from the local government election. He doesn’t need any soothsayer to tell him. He should know what happened and who did what. He needs to create contact with the rural areas, because they are the people who brought him to power.

From the research I conducted, 99 per cent of the people at the grassroots love Almakura, but he has to unlock himself from the gridlock of the political class who are mere power mongers. They have no control of the people but they are still surrounding him. In fact, they are the ones trying to hijack power to throw him out of office.

18 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

The Senate Committee on Finance investigating the alleged $49.b billion missing oil fund has presented its report amidst dissenting voices by members of the committee, reports CHUKWU DAVID

F

ormer Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had written President Goodluck Jonathan last year, alleging the non-remittance to the Federation Account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of $49.8billionn, representing 76 per cent of the value of crude oil lifting from January 2012 to July 2013, and other related matters.

Consequently, at the Senate sitting on December 11, 2013, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North), raised a motion on matter of urgent public importance, drawing the attention of the Upper Chamber to a publication in one of the national dailies of that day, entitled, “outrage trails US$49.8 billion unremitted oil revenue.” After considering the motion, the Senate resolved to investigate the allegation, thereby mandating its Committee on Finance to conduct the probe and report back to it.

After about six months of its commission for the investigation, the Committee of 11 members, which is headed

by Senator Ahmed Makarfi (KadunaPDP) submitted its report to the Senate on Wednesday May 28. The report in the first instance cleared the NNPC of being indebted to the nation to the tune of $49.8 billion. The committee also accused Sanusi of jumping into hasty conclusions and generating unnecessary false allegation against the oil corporation.

However, when Sanusi appeared before the Committee in December 2013, as a major witness in the matter, his sudden change of position shocked observers and most Nigerians as he started wobbling with the figures. He really contradicted his earlier claims. He told the panel that, instead of the initial $49.8 billion he earlier told Nigerians was missing, the NNPC only failed to remit $12 billion. As if that was not enough, he later on, reduced the figure to $10.8 billion and finally raised it again to $20 billion. By this inconsistency, many Nigerians began to wonder whether the former apex bank’s boss was joking with such a weighty and sensitive allegation.

According to the report, the committee in the course of its investigation, discovered that the CBN, NNPC, Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources had reconciled the sum of $47 billion, which it also noted had been remitted into the federation account. The committee said that it could not reconcile how the then CBN Governor arrived at the alleged missing $49.8 billion.

Part of the report reads: “The committee could not see how the figure of $49.8 billion was arrived at by the CBN Governor for instance. The CBN Governor at the first hearing had put forward the figure of US$12 billion as monies to be reconciled and changed his position to $20 billion at subsequent hearing. At the conclusion of his written submission, he posited that it could be $20 billion, $10.8 billion or anything in between.”

Explaining further on the alleged unremitted $20 billion, the report said it found that the sum of$218 million considered as federation account share of the third party financing was still in dispute. It also noted that another sum of $447.8 million which it described as the federation account share from the $6.815 billion listings by NNPC on behalf of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) remained in dispute.

Alison-Madueke

Saraki

$49.8bn ‘missing’ oil fund: Between panel’s verdict and dissenting voices The report further noted that the sum of $262 million, which the committee described as expenses incurred by the NNPC in respect of Holding Strategic Reserve pipeline maintenance and management cost/capital expenditure is also in dispute.

One major aspect of the report, which attracted the attention of many was contained on page 59 of the report. It states: “Senate is hereby invited to note that there was never any unremitted $49.8 billion; all the agencies, CBN, NNPC, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Petroleum Resources had agreed after reconciliation meeting that $47 billion out of $67 billion had been credited to the Federation Account; amount to be accounted for therefore was $20 billion.”

However, the committee asked the NNPC to refund the $262 million into the federation account, since in the opinion of the committee, the corporation could not satisfactorily defend it.

The report also said the total kerosene subsidy paid but not appropriated for by the National Assembly between 2012 and 2013 was $4.430 billion. The committee said that the amount might exceed this figure because certification

by Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) for the period was interim.

On the expenditure incurred by the Corporation on subsidy which was not captured by the Appropriation Act, the committee advised President Goodluck Jonathan to prepare and present to the National Assembly supplementary budget to cover the expenditure of the sum of N90.6 billion for PMS (premium motor spirit) subsidy 2012 and the sum of N685.910 billion for kerosene subsidy expended without appropriation by the National Assembly.

Some other observations made by the report on the remaining $20 billion yet to be reconciled are: “The amount deducted /withheld/ expended by NNPC on fuel subsidy between January 2012 and July 2013 was $5.254 billion (N823.802 billion). This was certified by PPPRA and the National Assembly has appropriated funds in 2012 and 2013 for fuel subsidy in the sums of N888.101 billion ($5.737billion) and $971.274 billion ($6.274billion respectively.

“The amount expended on subsidy on kerosene (DPK) between January to

July 2013 was $3.512billion (N543.890 billion). This was certified by PPPRA. This was not appropriated for by the National Assembly in both 2012 and 2013 Appropriation Acts.

“The subsidy deduction in the sum of N180 billion ($1.2billion) by NNPC in 2012 bug relating to fourth quarter 2011 was certified by PPPRA. The CBN position was that this deduction needed PPPRA certification.

“PPPRA verification alluded to on the NNPC subsidy claims are in practice book keeping verification rather than physical verification of products and claims.”

The Committee, further blamed the Ministry of Finance, CBN and the NNPC for what it described as lack of co-ordination in record keeping with regard to crude oil proceeds remittances.

Consequently, the Committee recommended that inter-agencies reconciliation meetings between sensitive economic institutions such as Ministry of Finance, NNPC, CBN and Federal Inland Revenue Service should be done on regular basis in order to forestall a repeat of the ugly scenario, and ensure that all revenues are properly and legally accounted for.

However, there were uneasiness in the camp of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) senators, who were lobbying to get the report thrown out when it was presented to Senate for debate. A member of the Committee and former Kwara State Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki (APC, Kwara State) raised serious objections to the report.

He denied reports that the Senate Committee on Finance, which he is a

One major aspect of the report, which attracted the attention of many was contained on page 59 of the report. It states: “Senate is hereby invited to note that there was never any unremitted $49.8 billion”

member, had cleared the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani AlisonMadueke or the NNPC of allegations relating to the $49.8 billion missing oil money. This was in spite of the fact that he signed the document and never write any minority report to express his opposition to the document that was laid before the Senate.

Saraki said: “Though I could not attend the last meeting of the committee, I have been very active in the investigation. Nothing significant has changed to suggest the clearance of anyone.

“The committee is yet to receive the report on the forensic audit and independent analysis on the subject clearly indicating we have a lot of grounds to cover in order to determine the level of culpability or otherwise of the agency on the alleged non-committal. So, to suggest any clearance for anybody at this stage is out of the question.”

He advised members of the media to wait for the Senate to release the details of the committee’s report to the public and avoid jumping into spurious conclusions.

Another member of the committee who chose to speak under unanimity until the report is debated, wondered why any member of the committee could publicly disown the report even after participating actively in all the processes leading to the production of the report and also in the signing of the document.

“My brother, the report is the outcome of serious legislative investigation. A lot of pains were taken not to politicise or personalise it. That is why you would have noticed that during the public hearings, all those who testified were invited not on personal basis but on the basis of their official position.

There was no effort from any quarter to influence or lobby anybody let alone writing a report to favour particular interest. I think whoever has any issue to raise should simply be patient until the report is made open for debate on the floor of the Senate,” he said.

Despite the seeming controversy trailing the report as a result of the emerging discordant voice from the APC camp, Nigerians are eagerly waiting to see how the Senate will treat the document when it is scheduled for consideration.

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19

EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Sanctity of Truth w w w.new telegraphonli ne.com

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

FRIday, JUNE 6, 2014

The LASU tuition fee imbroglio

ecturers at the Lagos State University (LASU) have embarked on another strike to press home their demand for a reduction in the institution’s tuition fee, which previously was N25,000 before it was raised to N348,750. The previous low fees had made Lagos State University an educational refuge for those from a poor background. A new fee regime should have been preceded by necessary provisions for conducive environment and ensure infrastructural development. The current infrastructure does not offer students value for the money they are now being asked to pay. It creates the impression of an elitist approach to the provision of tertiary education In 2005, the administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu suddenly increased the fees from N250 to N25,000, which was well over 100 percent. The current increase is over 725 per cent. Even then, there was no commensurate infrastructural development after the increase the tuition fees. The feeling is that the same thing is about to happen again, paying more and getting less value in terms of available services. This has led to various protests around Lagos with several stakeholders stepping into the vexed issue even as there seems to be no real solution in sight.

The reason given for the increase

is to raise money for the proper funding of the institution. However, it is very disturbing that a wealthy and progressive state like Lagos would suddenly jettison the progressive education policy, which has become synonymous with the western part of the country. It is very displeasing to note that the tuition fees of LASU are today higher than those of some private universities in the country.

Certainly parents and guardians that voted for the present government in Lagos never bargained for this very sad development.

The university took off on the premises of a former government college and nothing has changed much by way of the state government’s direct input except for the Faculty of Management Sciences, which was built in the 2000. Almost all the buildings were donated by corporate organizations and philanthropists including Julius Berger, the Okunuga family, S.L Edu and the new hall which was donated by Sobowale Thompson, while the Sports Complex was donated by Okoya Thomas. The Sandwich Building was built by the sandwich students.

A visitor to the institution will be welcomed by floodwater-filled potholes on the less than two kilometre road that runs through the heart of the citadel. It is the only major road on the main campus of the 30-yearold institution. The environment is everything but beautiful. Whenever

it rains, car parks and some faculties, including the Faculty of Education and the Postgraduate School, become water-logged. Some lecture rooms are dilapidated, while some laboratories, especially the one in the Botany and Fishery Department, are empty.

Only some slab-like tables, chalkboards and ceiling fans in the room give the impression of a laboratory.

Government said the new policy would not affect the returnees but this is nothing short of a divide and rule tactics. The funding of education was a matter of priority to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo because he identified it as an important agent of development. Education is not a privilege, it is a right and it is one of the MDG’s which the Lagos State misanthropic policies is working against. It must be said that governance must always have a human and humane face.

Lagos State is economically buoyant. It contributes well over 65 percent of VAT and other rates in Nigeria. It is generating above N60 billion every month, about N40 billion from internal regenerated revenue and about N20 billion from the state allocation. It has the capacity to adequately finance LASU if it so desires. Recently, the governor of the state donated a magnificent building to UNIBEN as an alumnus of the university, yet he has not deemed it fit and proper to donate any structure to his own state’s university.

Human Rights Activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) recently waded into the matter when he faulted the fee increment at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, describing it as “BokoHaram”. He added that it was an act of terrorism for a state government to increase fees beyond the reach of the children of the poor. According to him, such a policy may lead to stealing and corruption as he noted that unless civil servants steal, it will be impossible for their children to enroll in LASU. As an aside, he revealed that a Federal High Court had given a judgment ordering the Federal Government to establish Nigeria Education Bank for the children of the poor to access higher education in Nigeria.

Also, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, recently urged the Lagos State Government to review the high tuition fees being paid by students of Lagos State University (LASU). The Chairman of the association, Mr. Onyekachi Ubani said the government should empathize with the parents of the students considering the economic situation in the country.

It goes without saying that the Lagos State Government should swallow its pride and agree to the demands of ASUU and reduce the tuition fee in LASU to N50, 000 to enable serious academic work commence in earnest. This, in our view, is the proper and fitting thing to do.

GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief IKE ABONYI Deputy Managing Director/DEIC FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Managing Editor, South SULEIMAN BISALLA Managing Editor, North YEMI AJAYI Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board GEOFFREY EKENNA News Editor PADE OLAPOJU Production Editor TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

20

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

OPINION

Emma Nnama: Man mountain, maximal matador

F

ate could be so cruel you know. The giant dies at the hand of a pigmy, and an infamous scoundrel is crowned with laurels. It is most painful for someone that survived tank battles to be felled by the bullets ofsome disoriented fools.

Dr. Emma Nnama, communications engineer extraordinaire, pioneer Executive Vice Chairman Nigeria Communications Commission [NCC] and Owelle Nibo , was such a huge, nice man that it would have been so difficult to battle him to the ground in a fair contest.

This man who believed so much in his people and Fair Play, had been to his maternal home in Anambra state on a condolence visit. Unknown to us, death was lurking around the corner, in the form of armed robbers.

Confronted, Nnama did not understand why the criminals [ if he ever suspected they were out to destroy], wanted him to give them “the dollars”.

Apparently, acting on information, the crooks as-

W

ho will tell them the truth?

What they really need is Psychiatry –-- the study and treatment of mental illness, emotional disturbance and abnormal behaviour.

Whoever considers the slaughter of women and children an act of service to a loving God or to Allah or a passport to a blissful paradise (Aljanna) is not on this side of sanity.

Amnesty does not cure that.

It is quite different in the case of the Niger Delta. Militants of the region, despite occasional excesses, are not insane.

They are genuinely aggrieved. They have a genuine grouse against the Nigerian nation which eats their food then farts and deafecates on their plates. That’s what we do when we, in collaboration with foreigners, exploit the oil on their land, then leave their environment devastated. We are the ones who, as a nation, need to have our “heads” examined. The offer of amnesty to the Niger Delta militants was a face-saving move born of the realization that we have really, really wronged these people. It was a redemptive gesture as much for them as it was for Nigeria.

Boko Haram is different.

It is savagery. Raving insanity. And all those secretly associated with the menace are sick to hell.

Given the chance, Boko Haram will slaughter all Christians by reason only of their faith; and all Southerners by reason only of their tribe.

Nowhere in Islam nor in its founder is the slaughter of innocents condoned. But the psychopaths that people Boko Haram are not moved by the wails of babies nor

sumed someone close to the deceased had come in from the United States.

It was like a movie scene. The next thing, the gangsters threatened to shoot . “Why would you shoot an old man?” was Nnama’s response. And the trigger was pulled. The rest is now history.

Nnama is somebody I cannot forget in a hurry.

He was one of those that encouraged me to go into journalism. And when I succeded, the man gave me more than enough cash to throw a party.

I was a frequent caller at his Nigeria Ports Authority [NPA] office at the Lagos Marina, where he was in charge of communications. It was cheaper than going to his Point Road home in Apapa.

One thing that made me idolise him was that he was a brave man. Nnama was a young officer on the Biafran side during the Civil War, and unlike some others, the man did not hide his past.

On his yellow and green NPA call card, he did not fail to include his Biafran background. That made me so so proud of him. Even after NPA, the trend continued.

It pains me that this great man who fought and survived a war , could just die , because some young men decided to follow the red way without recourse to battle experience and traditional adoration.

Nnama was shot before his wife Mercy[nee Akwiwu] and sister-in-law, Lady Dora Emenike[Ada Oshimiri], my Godmother.That in itself is more painful.

These children of larceny make me go crazy.How could a man survive war only to be killed in peace time by toddlers who did not even go for weapons training?It is difficult to blame the economy right now, because nobody has the right to kill an innocent man.

Nnama is gone, never to be forgotten. On June 11, there will be a Night of Tributes at the Muson Centre, Lagos. Burial has been fixed for June 19, Nibo, Anambra state.

It is not the end. Dr. Emma Nnama was a great man. A twin , respected by those who came across him. He will be missed in Ogwuaga-Abba, for good reason. He was always there when it mattered most.

And his death reminds me of another clansman, Okey Ofoegbu, who was killed by robbers in January 2010. A fearless fighter in the Biafran army. I am sure those who shot him were unborn during his days in battle.

I wonder how these murders would feel when they discover that their victims were strongmen who saw real action in more dangerous situations and came out even stronger.

Amnesty for psychopaths?

Lighthouse

YEMI OGUNSOLA

yemiogunsola@gmail.com - 08069074718 (sms only)

the pleas of their mothers.

Amnesty, both in its spirit and its letter, is totally incompatible with such psychos.

It will in no way cure their blanket hatred of all Christians or southern Nigerians.

Nor will it cure their appetite for bloodshed. Forgiveness is not for unrepentants.

It is with disdain that the sect will regard any “forgiveness” from “unbelievers”.

Again, amnesty invariably involves granting some demands of the beneficiaries. In the Niger Delta, such demands included stopping environment degradation and then providing infrastructure. That’s sensible.

What are the demands of Boko Haram?

That everybody in Nigeria must wear turban or hijab --- including the CAN president, Oritsejafor and Pastor Enoch Adeboye. That’s insanity.

Hear Shekau again: “The Nigerian state and Christians are our enemies and we will be launching attacks on the Nigerian state and its security apparatus as well as churches until we achieve our goal of establishing an Islamic state in place of the secular state.”

Are those advocating amnesty for Boko Haram not aware of this?

Or are they speaking tongue-in-cheek?

Laughing at the rest of us when we turn our backs? There is indeed evidence that this is the case.

Hear the Emir of Anka in Zamfara State, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad, while expressing his doubts over the idea of amnesty: “Where were our leaders when the Boko Haram were going to receive training outside the country? Let us check (examine?) ourselves; if there must be justice, we must go back to the basics…

“As a traditional ruler who lives with the people, I have come to the conclusion that if the so-called common man is left alone, there is going to be peace in the land. But any place you find crisis, just look, around, you must find the involvement of these two classes--- the elite and the politicians.”

We all know these elite and politicians of the North. An armoury was discovered in the Gusau home of one them this Tuesday.

There is hardly any society totally free of pockets of insanity. But they are kept in check by sane social forces --- the law, opinion leaders, public attitude. etc.

The North has failed to do this. Rather, it has wittingly harboured and nurtured the madness that has blossomed into Boko Haram. It has made its region fertile ground for psychopaths and allied loonies.

Even as you read this, Fulani herdsmen, armed by the same northern elite, continue their genocidal raids in the Jos Plateau butchering women and children

in their sleep.

The North deserves no pity.

But let’s pity the North. That is, the teeming masses of the North who are victims of their own elite.

If at all Boko Haram has to do with poverty, as some claim, then northern youths should go after their elite and politicians --- those who have kept the masses of their own people impoverished despite years of “fower” and ill-gotten wealth.

Today, its pathetic to see our brothers from the North line streets all over Nigeria like human rags…

The solution? A revolution spearheaded by enlightened northern youths.

There should also be massive enlightenment campaign by both government and religious bodies against anti-social religiosity. They should be enlightened that the greatest act of God worship is care for man. They should know they are being used as cannon fodder by unscrupulous elites and politicians.

There should then follow free psychiatric treatment for many so-called northern leaders first…. then Boko Haram members who voluntarily submit themselves for such.

I would have suggested exorcism too.

But I won’t. I won’t because I suspect that that involves taking Christian names. For instance, Ciroma may become Christopher while Ibrahim becomes Abraham. Not bad really, if you ask me; but there should be no compulsion in religion. Let’s all just be the best we can under our different faiths --- good Muslims like Nuhu Ribadu, good Christians like Dora Akunyili and good traditionalists like Wole Soyinka…

Won’t that be marvelous?

ARTS FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

CULTURE

Some of the paintings on display

Tony Okuyeme

T

he ongoing exhibition of life paintings of Wole Soyinka at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, where students from various tertiary institutions gathered for training, will later in the month move to Osun State before moving to Lagos for a one-day showing.

Thereafter, it will move to Accra, Ghana.

The 80-day long exhibition which is organised by organised in conjunction with Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, was conceived as a countdown to WS80 – marking the 80th birthday of the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka. It is part of the 5th edition of the annual Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme.

Declaring the exhibition open, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun stressed the imperative of youth empowerment and mentoring to enhance nation-building as well as socio-economic development, adding that Nigerian youths deserved to be properly empowered and mentored. This, he said, would help secure the country’s future.

A visit to the venue of the exhibition shows that students are no doubt taking advantage of the platform provided by the exhibition to be trained on various areas of art and culture.

Curated by Olu Ajayi, the exhibition featuring works by notable artists such as Biodun Olaku, Sam Ovratai, among others, will run till July 12, 2014 – a day before Soyinka’s 80th birthday. The celebration will climax on July 13, with series of activities including several drama presentations, spoken word performances, lectures, and essay competitions, among others.

Disclosing this in an interview in Lagos, producer of W.S 80, the international cultural exchange programme, Lilian Amah Aluko said the project was designed by Zmirage Multimedia Company for the purpose of using the platforms of literature, arts and culture to affirm and uphold the dignity of man.

It settled on Soyinka – renowned playwright, poet and human rights activist – as a worthy role model and pivots for the ideals it seeks to propagate.

“As part of the exhibition, every Wednesday, we have art workshops for

21 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/arts

A NATION’S CULTURE RESIDES IN THE HEARTS AND IN THE SOUL OF ITS PEOPLE. " ― MAHATMA GANDHI

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

okuyemeogom@yahoo.com

Soyinka at 80: Exhibition of life paintings to tour Osun, Lagos, Ghana students drawn from schools in Ogun State mainly, who want to learn different things about arts and culture. We have arts teachers and culture enthusiasts who take the students through the various areas of the art. They are taught painting, framing of art works, drama, writing and so on, depending on the area of interest of the students,” Aluko said, adding that it has been beautiful.

“We have about 100 children every Wednesday. Our target is to have 1000 children. We’ve had 100 every Wednesday so far; 20 students from five different schools every Wednesday. So we’ve had about 400 students since it started. All the participating students are given a year membership to the Cultural garden. We’ve paid for that. It entitles them to go there; they can learn swimming and any other thing happening in the garden. It gives them free entrance for a year “The exhibition is going to travel; it would not be dormant in Ogun State.

It is going to move to Osun State from June 13 – 15. It is going to Ghana. On July 7, 2014, we are going to stage one of Prof. Soyinka’s plays, Child International which will be directed by Grace Adinkwu. The venue is Efua Sutherland Drama Studio, Accra, Ghana. And as a prelude to that, we will have the exhibition on that same day.”

Explaining further on the drama presentations segment, she said about 10 plays will be staged in the course of three days during the celebration. The already selected plays are: Dance of the Forest – directed by Tunde Awosanmi; Death & King’s Horseman – by Femi Osofisan, assisted by Bisi Adigun; Alapata

We have about 100 children every Wednesday. Our target is to have 1000 children. We’ve had 100 every Wednesday so far; 20 students from five different schools every Wednesday Apata – by Crown Troupe of Africa; Oba Koso – by the Duro Ladipo Company; Lanke Omu – by Tunde Kelani/Tunde Awosanmi; Childe International – By Grace Adinkwu; and Our Culture, Our Pride – Peter Badejo. While Dance of the Forest, Death & King’s Horseman, Oba Koso, and Our Culture, Our Pride will be staged at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Alapata Apata and Childe International will be staged at Freedom Park, Lagos and Efua Sutherland Drama Studio, Accra, Ghana, respectively.

“Also, the WS80 in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Golden Age Poet Circle will put together an event.

We are also hoping to have the works exhibited at that event.”

We will also have Poetry – spoken words - performances. We are going to have 80 spoken word artistes from different parts of the world. The performance will start in Lagos (University of Lagos, Akoka, and Freedom Park,

Broad Street, and Terra Kulture, Victoria Island), from July 10 – 12. The finale will be on July 13, at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, where the international artistes and the Nigerian artistes will perform.

On the essay competition, she informed that 80 children will participate.

“Right now, the judges are in the process of shortlisting from the entries received 80 children that will come for the finals.

They will write their essays, and on the morning of July 14, we will have the result announced. The children as usual will visit Prof. Soyinka on July 14; they will also pay a visit to the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

Everything will culminate in Abeokuta. We are going to have the 80 spoken word artistes, 80 students participating in the essay competition, the 25 professors that will be delivering lectures for the Soyinka International Conference in Lagos, and all the cast and crew in all the plays in Abeokuta. So it is going to be a whole big festive celebration. The finale, the closing ceremony will feature Dance of the Forest, directed by Dr. Tunde Awosomi.

Project WS (timed to coincide with the birthday of Prof. Soyinka annually) has been successfully executed in the past four years – WS76 in 2010, WS77 in 2011, WS 78 in 2012 and WS79 in 2013 – to mark his 76th, 77th, 78th, and 79th birthdays respectively.

The project has three main aspects: the essay competition which is open to Nigerian secondary school students anywhere in the world; stage plays featuring renowned Nigerian and international actors; and advocacy lectures.

22 ART

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Half Of A Yellow Sun distributor writes NFVCB Sony Neme

F

rustrated by the none response from the National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, and delay on the status of the their application, distributors of the much publicised film, Half of a Yellow Sun has sent a strongly-worded three-page letter to the board. It is titled ‘Re: request for formal feedback following classification screenings of the film Half of a Yellow Sun’ The letter dated May 19, 2014, and signed by Mr, Kene Mkparu, Managing Director, The Filmone Distribution Limited, and addressed to NFVCB DirectorGeneral, Ms Patricia Bala which was obtained by New Telegraph was received and signed by the board on May 22, 2014 by the office of the DG. It reads in part: “We write in respect of the above subject and further to our previous correspondence to the National Film and Video Censors Board (the “Board”), dated 30thof April 2014, on the same matter.

“Following our application to the Board for classification of the film “Half of a Yellow Sun” (“the Film”) made on the 10th of April 2014, the certification screening on 11th of April and the screening for State Security Service (SSS) on 1stof May 2014, we hereby write to express our dismay about the delay in receiving a formal response from the Board on the status of our application or determination of same.

Mr. Mkparu stated that, “We have carefully followed all necessary procedures and processes required for the classification of a film pursuant to the National Film and Video Censors Board Act (the “Act”). We have also endeavoured to accommodate the extra requirements which have been issued to us by the Board in our efforts to get the film classified, including arranging multiple classification screenings of the film at the request of the Board, and attending a stakeholders meeting.”

“Accordingly, we struggle to understand why after over five weeks since the first screening and almost three weeks since the second screening, we are yet to receive any formal response on the status

A scene in Half Of A Yellow Sun

of our application from the Board.”

He explained that, “As is the usual practice of the Board, we had expected to receive a rating for the Film within two days of the certification screening, which was two weeks before the planned Nigerian public release date of 25th of April. As you can imagine, substantial financials costs had been incurred to raise public awareness of the release of the Film in Nigeria, a campaign that we launched in line with the standard market practise extended to films which are only available for certification screening in Nigeria close to the release date.”

He further explained that, “As previously stated, as Distributors of the Film in Nigeria, FilmOne has a responsibility to the Producers of the Film to explain the reason for the delay and we have not been able to provide a cogent reason due to a lack of formal communication from the Board. In turn, the Producers of the Film have to answer to the investors and financiers of the Film and the delay in the public release in Nigeria, upon which investment repayments have been hinged, can still not be properly explained.”

He further stated that, “The contin-

ued unexplained delay in getting a formal response from the Board suggests that the Film has been banned even though there has been no formal communication to this effect.

“As you may be aware, this Film was largely financed by several Nigerian individual and institutional investors, including Bank of Industry (“BOI”), an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Cross River State Government.

As you are also aware, the Film is based on a globally celebrated book written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, an award winning Nigerian author, and has been widely available in Nigeria since it was published in 2006; the Film is pitched as a love story based on the relationships between the 4 principal characters against the backdrop of the Nigerian civil war.”

He also stated that they had hoped that the financing structure that was used for the Film will serve as a template for the future funding of bigger budget productions in Nigeria, and further improve the ability of Nigerian film makers to access the much needed investment required to improve production values.

His worries: “We believe that the grow-

ing international profile of the Film and the continued inability to show it in its home market will damage the reputation of the Nigerian film industry and make accessing future capital difficult. It also has a damaging effect on the financial prospects of the Film, and the credibility and reputation of the investors (including BOI), the Producers, and FilmOne as Distributor.

There are also substantial financing costs which continue to accrue on account of the delay in the release of the Film in Nigeria.”

The Film, he continued, is the biggest scale production to ever come of out Nigeria: “It is about a Nigerian subject, with Nigerian characters, based on a globally celebrated Nigerian book. It was directed by a Nigerian, was filmed in Nigeria and is largely funded by Nigerian investors. We believe the Film demonstrates what is possible in Nigeria’s film industry with appropriate funding and technical input.” he stressed further that since its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2013, the Film continues to be well received abroad.

“We understand from the Producers that the Board was invited to the Toronto Premiere and that the DG and the Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada witnessed the public reception and the standing ovation that the Film received there. We are particularly delighted with the Film’s performance abroad: the Film is still showing in Odeon cinemas in London five weeks after the UK release and has been well received since its US public release on 19 May. We are very anxious to give the Nigerian public an opportunity to watch the Film in the same form in which it is being enjoyed by audiences in other countries,” he opined.

Not losing hope of a leeway, Mkparu stated that, “The Producers have informed us that they are already exploring alternative measures towards the resolution of this quandary, as they believe the delayed classification of the Film is injurious to their investment in the short term and is damaging in the long term to investments in the Nigerian film industry.

“We hope to get a speedy response to this letter, to enable the public release of Half of a Yellow Sun in Nigeria. “

Motivational Awards for hard work, creativity debuts Moses Kadiri

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orking diligently pays. Sometimes, it comes with a prize to spur individuals to reach their zenith. This is the idea behind “Motivational Awards”, initiated to inspire Nigerians to achieve greatness.

Put together by a leading public relations and event consultant outfit, Meljestin Nigeria Limited, the maiden edition of the awards scheduled to hold on Sunday, August 10, 2014 at Golden Tulip Hotel, FESTAC Link, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, serves to acknowledge and pay tribute to individuals and business entities in the country that have achieved a great feat in such areas as acting, comedy, on-air personality, music, entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation, public service, sustainable community development, among others.

The ceremony will take the form of a gala night, with musical performances, comedy, with focus on capacity building, and to change the mindset of people who see themselves as deprived, to brave all odds to triumph over negative aspect of life to become successful either as individual or organization.

The organisers of the award are looking for people who have reasons to fall out, but instead of falling by the way side, they were focus and determined, so that when they share their experiences, people on the street will learn that if this

person can, they too can achieve what they want to achieve in life.

“Motivational Awards” is different from other awards; it is envisioned to be the leading inspiration of honour for achievement. It is the mission of Meljenstin Nigeria Limited, a tested and trusted Public Relations and Event consultants through this award programme to reward people and organisations that have been motivating role models in time past,” the CEO of Meljenstin Nigeria Limited and chairman of the award organising team Chibuzo Patrick said.

“We need to begin to maximize every opportunity to encourage and empower people with merit in this country. It is the belief of Meljestin Nigeria Limited that if we all unite and collectively fight the multi-dimensional phenomenon of poverty through the instrumentality of support and encouragement. Nigeria will be a better place to live and do business.”

Mrs. Patrick who recently bagged Youth Ambassador Award for her unending desire for grooming youths to be better citizens through her yearly essay competition, disclosed that if parents do the needful, corporate organisation do business responsibly, religious leaders practice what they preach, political leaders live by their policies then “we can be assured of a more secured future for this country.”

Nominations for the awards are currently on. Speaking on the authenticity

We need to begin to maximize every opportunity to encourage and empower people with merit in this country of the selection of individuals who will be honoured, Mrs. Patrick noted that the award selection is not in the hands of the organisers. “The website and the email were opened mainly for the awards. We have reputable judges, once an individual nominates a candidate; it goes directly to the email addresses of the judges.

“They are doing in-depth analysis of the award; it is not just about who you are, it is about what you have done; so many actors sold pure water on the street, others were bus conductor, many people are not aware of these, we are looking for evidence in what these Nigerians have done irrespective of the name, where they are; we want people to see on ground what they have done to inspire others”, she said.

Winners will emerge after a rigorous screening by a team of assessors.

Patrick

MEDIA 23

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

The Sisi-Oge beauty pageant has a new beauty queen. AGOZINO AGOZINO writes that she emerged after a keen contest.

Banjo emerges Miss Sisi-Oge 2014

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he audience waited with bated breath for the beauty queen to be announced. No one could predict who would emerge because each of the 15 contestants held her crown.

When “Similola Banjo , a 400 Level student of Industrial Relationship, Lagos State University, (LASU), was announced as the 2014 Miss Sisi-Oge,” it was greeted with spontaneous applause.

The event which took place penultimate Saturday May 30, 2014, at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, lasted throughout the night.

Aside the usual dressing and catwalk, the contestants were tested on their knowledge of current affairs and culture, especially as it affects dressing today. The panels of judges include eminent penalties in the fashion and culture industry.

Egbele, Ben, a popular Lagos based curator was the anchor. He thrilled the audience with jokes at regular interval.

The Sisi- Oge event, a classic, revealing professional input from the start to the finish on the part of the organisers, headed by Idris Aregbe and Prince Kehinde Bakare, started with the arrival of scores of several dignitaries.

Among the dignitaries, were the royal father of the day, His Royal Majesty, Oba Aderemi Adedapo, the Oludo of Ido Osunwho is currently the leader of sixteen traditional rulers at the on- going national conference, Senator Princess Florence Ita-Giwa, Michael Bonner- U.S. Consolate, Bene Uche- U.S. Consolate, Queen Anheva Anheva, a renowned fashion designer and art enthusiast, Mrs Yemisi Shyllon- wife of foremost art collector in Nigeria, Chief Nafiu Elegushi, Local Government Chairman of Lekki- Ikate Local Government Area, Mrs. Ceclon Solarin, Representatives of the Okun Clan of Ogidi- Ijumu in Kogi State, Peace and Edwin Quadt of Shell Nigeria Exploration and production, Mr and Mrs Macloed, Princess Toyin Kolade, Ms. Aina Davies, Kess Okundaye- C.E.O.- Event Centre, Mrs Seyi Awoyemi, Mary WalkerAmerican Club, Mrs. Sandra Obiago and others. This year’s Sisi- Oge Beauty Pageant is a special one unlike, the previous ones. It was staged in collaboration with the birth day celebrations of a famous art Icon Nike Okundaye, popularly called Nike Art. It was an event that is first of its kind as it seeks to recognise the presence of cultural enthusiasts and Creative ambassadors in Nigeria.

The show started as the master of Ceremony, Egbele Ben Johnson, called on Chief Reuben Okundaye a former acting Governor of Benue State and retired Commissioner of Police to say the opening prayer, after which it was properly unveiled by the master of ceremony. A couple of side attractions were introduced to align with the superb interior decorations of the hall, where the event was held. A three year old child led by his eight year old brother danced on stage to the delight of the spectators.

Among the artistes on stage were the sonorous singers Adunni Nefetiti, whose performances held the audience savouring the evening. After the presentation of the national anthem by the group, the chairperson, Senator Florence Itta Giwa, made an opening remark. Next to this, was the opening message from the Chief Host, Chief Nike Okundaye, famously known as ‘Nike’. The opening message of the chief host was rendered

by Queen Anhheva Anheva, a Lagosbased fashion designer. Queen Anheva, praised the organisers for packaging the yearly outing. She enjoined all present to take leave from the organisers.

There was comedic performance from Ajibade Oyemade of UNILAG FM radio, who also spiced up the event.

Ita-Giwa and Miss Sisi-Oge

Later, the master of ceremony ushered in the pageants for the first appearance.

It was an array of colours, pattern and culture with great style and ambience.

Another group of dancers came on stage to express their artistic prowess, as the pageants recede to back stage.The pageants came on stage for the second time and it was a choreographed dance performance by all the pageants. It was a galaxy of forms and aesthetics.

The names of the pageants who strolled on stage for this year’s SisiOge Beaoty pageant are: Simi Banjo, Abigail Udu, Ure Ndukwo, Oyindamola Ogunbekun, konyinsola Okafor, Hannah Ogundare, Sandra Williams, Abazie Rosemary, Jay Subair, Abiola Lasisi, Oladokun Eniola, Olalere Shade, Shadamola Damilola, Sophia Okarafor and Sandra Peters.

The selection process, leading to the queen of the prestigious Sisi- Oge contest is as rigorous as the initial screening of the pageants before the final presentation in public. Amidst all this, lie certain levels of emotional spontaneity and glorious balances. The fun fair and display that grace the event was memorable especially as voices of Adunni Nefertiti and the drum beats of Ayanbirin, the female drummer spiced the event. At the end of this musical extravaganza, the pageant, who were fifteen in number, where ushered in by the master of ceremony for the dinner gear appearance, popularly known as evening wear.

The pageants filed out daintily, with a glamorous spark that could send a man

Aside the usual dressing and catwalk, the contestants were tested on their knowledge of current affairs and culture, especially as it affects dressing today reeling beyond the mark. The pageant wore across their shoulders laterally, a customized Sisi- Oge banner showing their various numbers respectively. As the pageants gracefully shuffled their feet off the stage, a series of endless applause reeled the air intermittently. The event also gave rooms to the spectators to drift their minds through subtle critical sensing, to choose the Queen of the event.

As the pageant came on stage in their dinner outfit, each of them was given the chance to choose one question each from a series of questions as presented by the judges. The answers provided to the questions asked the pageants by the Judges, were encouraging, showing that the initial short listing was worthwhile.

The anchor later announced the result of the pruning down to five contestants done by the Judges, in- which Simi Banjo later emerged the winner.

The runners up include, Abigail Udu, Ure Ndukwo, Oyindamola Ogunbekun

and konyinsola Okafor were fortunate.

The new Miss Sisi-Oge, said she will use her office to promote less priviledged as well as campaign for child abuse. The first and second runners up went home with consolation prizes. Oba Adedapo , praized the organisers even as he gave an award offering to Queen Ahneva for her contributions to the fashion industry.

Others who got award include, Mr. Olajide Bright and Uche Ajaere, Managing Director Lordwin Gate property. The birthday celebrations of the Chief Host, Chief Oyenike Monica Okundaye, took the air shortly and added glamour of immense kind to the whole event.

After the birthday celebrations of the chief host, the contestants were made to file out respectively, to pick an applicable question of the choice. Amazingly, all the top five contestants performed beyond expectations. At this time the Spectators were in a wonder, not knowing who the prestigious crown of Sisi- Oge of Africa would rest on. Finally, the result came from the judges and Princess Toyin Kolade was called to unveil the result and as well crown the new Queen of the SisiOge of Africa 2014. The event apart from being a showcase of who- is- who in the Society also was an opportunity for everyone in attendance to show their creative sense of judgment and aesthetics.

There was a loud and joyous uproar as the New Queen was unveiled, crowned and crested with a Cultural Endorsement. Celebrations without boundaries, took the air as fire crackers also reeled through .It was a most memorable event.

MultiChoice Africa unites award winning artists in song

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ix African artists have collaborated on a song that is part of MultiChoice Africa’s upcoming campaign which is set to be unveiled at a colourful content extravaganza in Mauritius.

The six artists are Davido, a Nigerian, American recording artist, performer, and record producer; Diamond Platnumz (or simply Diamond), a Bongo Flava recording artist from Tanzania; Sarkodie (also referred to as Obidi Pon Bidi) a Ghanaian hip hop recording artist, entertainer, and brand ambassador; Tiwa Savage, Nigerian singer-songwriter, recording artist, performer and actress; Lola Rae, a British singer of Nigerian/Ghanaian descent who garnered recognition as a dancer in the street dance

group “Myztikal” and Mi Casa, a South African band consisting of three members, Dr. Duda (producer) and pianist, Jsomething (vocalist and guitarist), and Mo-T (trumpeter).

The song is a prelude to a themed campaign that will play a pivotal role in bringing about meaningful transformation to the benefit of all. The social and economic needs facing our continent are substantial and it is a moral duty for big business to make a difference by supporting projects that benefit our society by creating shared value.

“MultiChoice Africa has an important role to play in both the economic and social transformation of our continent and we believe that this campaign provides the ideal platform to showcase meaningful change amongst the

people of Africa,” says Nico Meyer, CEO MultiChoice Africa.

The artists hope to inspire and create a paradigm shift amongst Africans with their music as there is so much more to celebrate. The campaign promises to unearth what is right about Africa in our ongoing commitment to making a difference in the lives of all Africans. “We strongly believe that the quest for good corporate citizenship starts with an acceptance of responsibility, not only to our subscribers and stakeholders, but to the broader African community in which we operate and are certain that the collaboration with these award winning African artists will be the glue that binds communities together creating a catalyst for change,” concludes Nico.

24 TOURISM Andrew Iro Okungbowa

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n May last year, there was an unexpected rumble in the Nigeria tourism industry with the sudden removal of the former Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Segun Runsewe.

No one saw it coming; and when it came it caused quite a stir in the industry, especially given that the former DG was away in Dubai attending the Arabian Travel Market (ATM). As of the time of his unceremonious sack from office, he still had about eight months to complete his second tenure having done a first tenure of four years.

His replacement, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo was not a known name in the industry.

Thus no one was certain of her pedigree other than the fact that she is a trained lawyer and she had a stint as a banker. Unmasking her and trying to discern what she was bringing to the industry became a waiting game of some sort. Her staying away from public glare for almost four months heightened the pervading mood of uncertainty around her and her agenda.

But when in September she eventually held her first stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, it was an impressive event.

If anything, the meeting succeeded in dousing the doubt around her person and her agenda for the industry. In a very clear, detailed and unambiguous term, she outlined her policy direction and agenda for the industry.

The fact that she had the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke not only attending but playing a major role in the meeting was not only a refreshing one but a signal of the beginning of a new era in tourism.

Stretching that further, the presence of some heavy weights in the Nigeria economy, ranging from bankers, insurance, airlines, allied businesses to the art, fashion and entertainment community, was for many people a pointer to the fact the new DG appears to earn a commanding presence and respect among the major players in the economy and expectedly, her tenure and tourism would benefit from this, if the relation is well cultivated and explored.

Agenda In an unequivocal term she stated that: ‘‘we at the NTDC, as implementers of Nigeria’s tourism policy, have our marching orders. We have a charge to translate government policy into programmes and projects that better serve stakeholders in the tourism value chain, especially the Nigerian citizen.’’

With that background, she delved extensively into the programmes, projects and activities that her team after over 90 days of extensive consultations and brain storming sessions with different groups and sectors, have devised for the industry, including the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).

She outlined the issues and expectations of the various segments in the industry and further went ahead to paint a vivid picture of how she intends to undertake her mission in what she tagged strategic intent 1 – rebuilding the NTDC – initiatives, programmes and projects; strategic intent 11 – growing the tourism value chain for revenue and jobs: programmes and projects; and strategic intent 111 – reinventing Nigeria’s tourism industry – programmes and projects.

With the blueprint presented by her, she on that day earned not just applause but the respect of the stakeholders given the novelty, extensive and intellectual bent of her presentation. But not a few people and observers expressed doubt as to whether she has the capacities, abilities, manpower, materials, funds and support of the government to achieve the whole gamut of her presentation.

One year down the line, many of the stakeholders and observers who had earlier expressed fears as to whether

Sanctity of Truth

Not yet celebration time for Mbanefo’s NTDC

Friday, June 6, 2014

The expectation was that she would, in the days ahead, improve on the ‘good and bold’ performance put up at the WTM with the minister, Duke also on hand to add his touch to the event she can go far with actualising her agenda, opined that they were indeed right in their position as there is nothing on ground to point to any concrete achievement from the blueprint she presented to the public.

For many of the observers, the last one year has witness what they called a dissonance message of sort in that rather than promote and market tourism, she has done more of marketing herself as a model for the tourism industry with her self - styled fashionable outfit dwarfing whatever message she intended for the public.

Many of the stakeholders observed that there is a great disconnect between her and the real industry operators as she prefers to hobnob with faceless characters and operators in the industry while the key operators are left to their devices while the industry in the process suffers. She appears to be heavy on polemics while no real action is on the ground to back up her big talk across the spectrum.

A look at some of her activities over the last one year is perhaps a pointer to this assessment by the stakeholders and observers: Activities (International promotion and marketing) Her first major international engagement following her September presentation was the World Travel Market (WTM) held in November in London. For many of the people who attended the global travel trade exhibition, she was given a pass mark for what they described as a good start

Mbanefo

Olomu tourist complex, Abeokuta

for a first timer.

The expectation was that she would in the days ahead improve on the ‘good and bold’ performance put up at the WTM with the minister, Duke also on hand to add his touch to the event.

However, the reverse has been the case following the abysmal performance by NTDC at international foras since then.

The first was the absence of Nigeria at FITUR 2014, the first international travel expo of the year held in Madrid, Spain. The excuse for the absence of Nigeria from the Madrid event was as a result of lack of fund. Then came the ITB Berlin 2014 and given the poor handling of FITUR, stakeholders had thought that the DG must have mastered her curve and learnt her lesson.

But again, Nigeria failed to exhibit at the March event, cancelling on the day of the opening of the event but only for the DG with some members of her board and journalists to turn up at the event as observers a day after the opening and spent about two days having fun in the city of Berlin.

Again, lack of fund was blamed for this but many of the stakeholders found it difficult to understand why the DG would

cancel an event that the country has not failed to attend on a consistent level over the last 15 years for lack of fund but yet would travel with some other people for the same event as observers. There was also the Arabia Travel Market (ATM) held in May and Nigeria again was absent.

Apart from the debutant WTM Africa, which was held last month in Cape Town, South Africa where the NTDC DG showed up with some people, Nigeria effectively this year missed out on the three major world travel trade exhibitions. If this is anything to judge by, observers say this year’s World Travel Market (WTM) holding in November may as well suffer the same fate.

Domestic scene At the domestic level, Mbanefo’s NTDC, according to observes, also performed woefully as there is not one single tourism event that was spear headed or supported actively by the body rather what played out was more of the DG putting up appearances at some social or secondary events, which had no bearing on her office or the colourful presentation she made in September and having photo shoot for the media in promotion of what many have tagged as the ‘new face of tourism,’ her self – styled fashion statement.

In a related manner, the DG also pre-occupied herself with touring the country to meet with some state governors, traditional rulers and throwing her weight behind one or two cultural festivals. For many of the stakeholders, how those visits to governors and traditional rulers would impact on the prostrate state of the country’s domestic tourism is yet to be seen.

Endnote If the DG intends to write her name in gold, stakeholders say she needs to stop her strutting about the state government houses and palaces of traditional ruler as if she is a ‘roving tourism model or ambassador’ and face the hard task of developing, promoting and marketing Nigeria tourism.

They say she needs to revisit the blueprint she presented to the public in September and squarely follow through the action plans and programmes she outlined for the various stakeholders and sections, including NTDC. Enough of shadowing chasing and running after phantom enemies, courting relationships and friendship which would not add value to her work.

ENTERTAINMENT

NEW TELEGRAPH

25

www.newtelegraphonline.com/entertainment

SONY NEME ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

sony.neme@newtelegraphonline.com 0811 181 3096

FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

Eye-D, Evelle battle for Nigerian Idol's ultimate price …Universal Record to establish in Nigeria as organizers calls for Chibok girls’ release

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Evelle

ye-D and Evelle will tomorrow tear selves apart as they compete for the top prize in this year’s Nigerian Idol music talent hunt show.

Whoever pools the highest number of votes a u t o matically becomes t h e n e w Nig erian Idol a n d will walk away with a whopping N7.5million plus SUV and s e v e r a l other consolation prices. While viewers anxiously wait to see who emerges winner, the show will also feature performances from notable music stars including Tuface idibia and Dare Art Alade.

It is going to be a winwin situation because unlike the last edition, the runner up this year will also get a brand new car as consolation prize for making it to the finals.

This year’s edition also comes with a difference as both the organisers and contestants will

Mr. 2Kay and the Summer Girl

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ort Harcourt boy, Mr. 2Kay is back with another single titled Summer Girl (Samba).

Summer Girl is expected to be released officially in the UK on July 27. This is coming after the success of his last U.K single Bubugaga (Remix), which got a four-star rating from the Daily Mirror UK and a great review in Nigeria media.

The fast rising Grafton Records star’s new single is an electrifying sound fused with Afro-pop.

“This new song will definitely get you feeling like you are at the peak of summer which is not far away. The lyrical content of the track and the fusion of sounds make it a track to definitely make you anticipate the forthcoming summer,” a statement from his

STORIES BY SONY NEME

management reads.

Mr. 2Kay who was named by Nigerian Entertainment Today as one of the acts to look out for in 2014 hooked up again with British Afrobeat producer, Ozzie of Triple O Productions, for the second time to deliver Summer Girl.

The song has been enjoying massive downloads and rotations on many Nigerian radio stations.

It is also now receiving special play on BBC 1Xtra, Capital Xtra, Bang radio, Represent Radio and a few more stations in London.

Born Abiye David Jumbo, Mr. 2kay is not new to the UK Afro scene as his previous single got playlisted on Kiss FM, Capital Xtra and many more stations across the UK and made it to the Mr. 2Kay weekend anthem on BBC 1xtra.

Fortunately, both Eye-D and Evelle are Wild Card returnees use the occasion to call for the release of the abducted Chibok girls. Coincidentally both finalists are girls.

Fortunately, both Eye-D and Evelle are wild card returnees, which means after they were voted off in the Top 30 stage, the judges spotted something unique in them and decided to bring them back through the wild card.

The final performances for the top two billed for the Dream Studios, Ikeja, Lagos, today, will be based on songs from their birth years and also the judges’ picks. And the winner will have the fortune of working with world acclaimed record label, Universal Records, which is working on opening a world class recording studio in Nigeria.

Essentially, they will be performing for the final round of votes by singing songs the judges have selected for them and also songs that rocked their airwaves and topped charts and billboards the years they were born.

More than ever before, viewers’ votes are most important to them now as the result shows because after their performance is the Grand finale. These much were explained to entertainment journalists on Tuesday in Lagos by Rotimi Pedro, CEO, OPTIMA Media International who doubles as Executive Producer of the show.

Eye-D

Mr. Pedro noted that it has been an interesting journey, which went round five different cities in the country, scooping talents.

His words: “We actually went round the cities to select the contestants, who were later trimmed down to 30 and later 12 finalists. Now, the stage is set for the grand finale; at this stage, any of the two can win it.”

He said: “We are using the platform to campaign for the release of our girls who were abducted by the Boko Haram group. Fortunately, the two finalists are girls. Each year, we give the winner a task, so, this year, the winner will be joining the campaign and help put pressure for the release of our girls. However, the 12 finalists will also produce a song in that direction.”

He added: “The participation has grown over the year and we are trying to position it as a national contest. Also, the show is not locked up to any particular network, which makes it the most democratic show so far. Though it is sponsored

by Etisalat, people can vote from other network.”

He also informed that “Universal Records will be here for the grand finale and I can tell you that they are setting up in Nigeria. I commend our sponsors, especially Pepsi and Etisalat; they stood out in the effort to promote the growth and development of the Nigerian youth culture; it is about putting the country on the map.”

26 ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, June 6, 2014

Kcee, Tiwa, Olamide others at Star Music Trek spectacular finale

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t was grand finale with a difference as Star Lager on Saturday May 31 drew the curtains on its 10 week 10 cities pan-Nigeria music tour at Eagles Club, Surulere, Lagos.

The big budget event featured top Nigerian artistes including 2Face, Tiwa Savage, Phyno, Olamide, Kcee among many others thrilling thousands of fans at the packed o u t arena with quali t y live

performances, dance and comedy.

Star Music Trek 2014, which began on March 29 with a massive turnout at the local government stadium Nsukka, went through Makurdi, Uyo, Umuahia, Orlu, Ekwulobia, Onitsha, Benin, Ado Ekiti and then Lagos.

An elated Senior Marketing Manager Star, Goldberg and Export, Tokunbo Adodo while appraising the outcome said, Star Music Trek is a very important avenue through which STAR deepens the bond with her music loving consumers.

His words: “At STAR, we are always seeking ways to make our consumers happy and are excited about the response from Star Music Trek. With thousands of fans coming out to watch their favourite artistes perform live at every city

we visit, you can be sure that STAR will continue to support projects like this.”

Superstar DJs, Xclusive, Neptune and Switch took turns to thrill the fans with explosive party mixes for the over eighthour event.

Ace comedian Gbenga Adeyinka did not disappoint as he teamed up with Laff Up as hosts for the event, as they delivered an awesome night of non-stop entertainment, music and fun.

The innovative beer brand which has become synonymous with ground breaking events in the entertainment industry gave consumers the opportunity to cart away fantastic prizes at the Pre-Trek Gig raffle draws with various stars including 2Face, Naeto C and Mr. Raw making surprise appearances to present the gifts to their winners.

KC

Passionate fans at Star Music Trek, Lagos.

Tiwa, Wizkid rock Pepsi Samba Party with Keshi, Amokachi, Others goodwill messages from Nigerians for the team.

Other celebrities who

were at the Pepsi Samba party included Banky W, Daddy Showkey, Chidin-

ma, Eku Edewor who was co-host of the event, among others.

Nicole Scherzinger returns with Your Love

G Tiwa

Wizkid at the event

he Pepsi Samba Party in Lagos penultimate week provided a perfect setting for the duo of Stephen Keshi and Daniel Amokachi coaches of Nigeria’s national team as Pepsi Ambassadors Olamide and Tiwa Savage got them to forget about the World Cup worries as they shuffled, mingled and chatted with other guests.

A foretaste of the fun and excitement that awaited guests inside was evident at the entrance as guests were handed a facial mask by pretty Samba girls dressed in the Brazilian samba The late attire.

Amaka Igwe For effect, Pepsi brought all their music

ambassadors: Lynxxx, Tiwa Savage and Wizkid to thrill their guests. The party got underway with the very seductive and sensational performance by the scantily clad samba girls who gyrated and wiggled their waist to the delight of the guests especially the male.

Ladies man, Lynxxx came on and sustained the tempo with Fine Lady and other hit tunes in his repertoire. Delectable Tiwa Savage was next as she set the audience waltzing with Eminado. But it was Wizkid that finally found his Caro with his very good performance climaxing with “On top of your matter” his 2013

T

hit which set everybody dancing. It was a night of football, music and fun fare as the guests danced to early Friday morning.

Head of Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Norden Thurston said Pepsi has always been at the fore in engaging its consumers either in music or football noting that the Samba party is in tandem with Pepsi brand values of fun and excitement.

The event was packaged by Pepsi, the soft drink global brand to unveil Keshi, Amokachi and Elderson Echejile as Pepsi Football Ambassadors. It was also used to officially present the one million

lobal superstar, Nicole Scherzinge will on July 13 return with her new single, Your Love through RCA records. The single has since May 31 premiered on radio.

According to a mail from Sony Music Entertainment, Your Love is the first release since Nicole signed a worldwide deal with Sony Music at the start of the year.

The mail stated: “The single and the forthcoming album, scheduled for autumn release, are the results of a collaboration between Nicole and #1 songwriters/producers, The Dream and Tricky who have worked with artistes ranging from Beyonce, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Jay Z and Rihanna.”

Nicole reportedly explained that, “The Dream and Tricky know me inside out, they are like my family. I had to make this whole album with it just being the three of us. For the first time in my career, I feel like this album is me, it’s real. It’s

a very personal album for me. It is a reflection of the woman I am, the woman I am not and the woman I want to be.”

This new single will be the first release since Nicole left her two-season run as a winning judge on the UK X Factor. As well as becoming a winning judge Nicole became one of the most popular with viewers.

It is no news that Nicole is one of the finest singers of her generation, as she switches effortlessly between musical genres and cultures. Over the last few years this has seen Ni-

Nicole Scherzinger

cole sing and collaborate with artistes ranging from Andrew Lloyd Webber to Snoop Dogg and A.R Rahman to Steven Tyler.

Since Nicole debuted with PCD in 2005, she has sold over an incredible 30 million records and performed at arenas around the world. More of these are on www.nicolescherzingerofficial.com and at @nicolescherzy Sony Music officials described the music thus: “It doesn’t sound like any other hit songs, and it is a ridiculously elegant single: precision-tooled for pop supremacy but sparsely produced and as a result rather more stylish than the smack round the head with a sack of spanners that was ‘Poison’.

“It starts with some rave piano and some bursts of “yeah” and “WOO!” from Nicole, then slides into an understated first verse that takes the bold move of rhyming “enticin’” with “Michael Tyson”. Later, MC Hammer is referenced* and there are some synth trumpets.

ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, June 6, 2014

27

LYRICS for the week

L-R: Director, Training and Education, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Lagos State, Bishop James Adekoya; Visioner, Most Talented Gospel Artist of Nigeria (MTGAN), Pastor Bennie Ogbonna and Managing Partner, Jasek consulting Limited, Pastor Joseph Okonmah, during a press conference on the Most Talented Gospel Artist of Nigeria (MTGAN) held in Lagos.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

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new talent hunt competition primarily aimed at the discovery of talents in the gospel music section of the Nigerian music industry has made its debut.

The talent hunt programme, known as Most Talented Gospel Artiste in Nigeria Competition (MTGAN), will afford several young Nigerians the opportunity of realising their long-held dreams of singing for God and also making a career out of it.

At a media briefing, which held at Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday, June 3rd, organisers of the show avowed that the inspiration for the talent hunt was according to a divine direction hence the uniqueness of the scheme.

According to the visioner, Bennie Ogbomo, unlike most talent hunt shows and events Nigerians are familiar with, this is not so based on winning the prizes at stake but aimed at the total development of participants with the ultimate objective of giving glory to God through music.

“Gospel music has never been more popular than now,

Most Talented Gospel Artist in Nigeria beckons with its emotive power of winning hearts of the general public from all ages and backgrounds. Our initiative is to bring gospel (good news) artistes into the mainstream by bringing their music out of the churches and onto the world stage, laying a platform of empowerment, where anyone who truly desires, can compete into (achieving) relevance,” Ogbomo said.

Speaking further, she said: “The Most Talented Gospel Artistes in Nigeria (MTGAN), which has the endorsement of the Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation as well as the Federal Ministry of Youth and Development, is an empowerment platform to rescue the destinies of the children of God from the grip of Satan.”

Ogbomo added that participants are expected to register

Mr. Raw, De Dons thrill at Legend’s Dubai Promo draws in Enugu

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onsumers of Legend Extra Stout were on Democracy Day treated to an evening of fun, fanfare and excitement at the Bush House Arena located at Independence Layout, Enugu, Enugu State.

It was a night that Mr. Raw Nwanne and fast rising comedian and events compere, De Dons, thrilled consumers with top-class performances.

It was the second raffle draw of the on-going Dubai Shopping Promo powered by Legend Extra Stout from the stables of Nigerian Breweries Plc. According to the organisers, “it was held to select another set of 10 lucky consumers who will fly to Dubai, United Arab Emirates on all-expenses paid shopping trip.”

It began at 8pm when De Dons took the stage while en-

couraging guests to exchange their crown corks for raffle tickets for a chance of winning. He gave way to the Tipsy Carvano Band that treated the audience to a potpourri of melodious popular tunes.

There was no dull moment as the audience swayed to the different genre on display before De Dons returned to set the stage for the draws that were conducted manually and electronically at different stages.

The manual draw of phase one had nine lucky consumers winning fantastic prizes such as BlackBerry phones, Refrigerators and 32 inch LED TVs, while the second phase produced Anichukwu John, a driver with Mac Daniels Construction Company, Enugu and Anthony Okafor, a student of Federal Polytechnic, Okoh, as winners of the grand prize

for the competition with a token of N1,000 only and then forward details relating to payment, location and name to dedicated phone number given as: 09093662664. She said upon the receipt of such from an intending participant, identification numbers and other revelation pieces of information will be promptly sent to him or her.

While announcing the opening of registrations for the competition from June 3rd, she said people can register until July 31st when registrations are expected to close.

Furthermore, with auditions billed to take place in four major cities in Nigeria including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Benin to be covered, the final event is scheduled to come up on September 27 as details on www.mtgan.com reveal.

Orgaisers said the winner of the competition will walk from the crowd.

That set the stage for the next phase, which was the electronic draw that produced another set of nine lucky winners of the trip to Dubai from across Nigeria.

The first and second phases of the manual draws witnessed a lot of drama and theatrics as each winner was announced. Anichukwu was a special case as he had danced from his table all the way to the podium only to be told that he had different numbers from the ones that were announced.

As he walked back to his table fortune came his way as his ticket numbers were announced and he simply went wild with jubilation.

In the midst of that euphoria, Mr. Raw Nwanne mounted the stage and the arena virtually emptied itself on the stage forming a huge crowd around their super star who equally did not disappoint as he rendered his popular tunes.

away with a paid trip to Dubai, a brand new Kia car, N250,000 and a recording contract. He or she will also get to represent Nigeria at an international gospel music competition.

Prizes for the 1st runnerup will include a paid trip to Dubai, N150,000 and a recording contract just as the 2nd runner-up will go on a paid trip to Ghana, bag a 100,000 cash and a recording contract.

Eminent personalities and ministers of God involved in the show include Pastor Wole Oladiyun, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, Rev. Tope Ogunoike, Bishop James Adekoya, Mrs Pauline Nsa, Bishop Emilia Samuel, Rev. Bassey Ekpeyong, Wole Oni, Mr Isaac Uhunwmangho, Pastor Lanre Saba, Dr Samson Makinwa, Pastor Joseph Okonmah and others, some of whom spoke at the briefing.

Mr. Raw

Sonke sai thandi mali Sonke sai thandi mali Sonke sai thandi mali Sonke sai thandi mali Sonke sai thandi mali Sonke sai thandi mali Sonke sai thandi mali Sonke sai thandi mali Thandi mali, Thandi mali Thandi mali, Thandi mali Thandi mali, Thandi mali Thandi mali, Thandi mali Chorus – Davido All my le le le le le le le Let me see you wine up your waist If you want my money you must shake your body Baby girl you dey make me dey craze eh All my le le le le le le le Let me see you wine up your waist If you want my money you must shake your body Baby girl you dey make me dey craze eh Verse – Mafikizolo Oga tsenya tchelete tu nabone Tsenya tchelete tu nabone Oga tsenya tchelete tu nabone Tsenya tchelete tu nabone Oga tsenya tchelete tsenya tchelete tu nabone Oga tsenya tchelete tsenya tchelete tu nabone Verse – Davido Eko ni mo ti wa, to ba so pe o’le jo Okoto meji lo pade So de mo pe a’o jisoro Nina ahn, come chop money now Dance like a ballerina Come hey make i buy you visa owey Kinni omo oginni Oginni I go buy you lamborghini Come party Baby girl what you drinking Konko jabele kaluku lo mi she ti e….o.b.o Chorus – Davido All my le le le le le le le Let me see you wine up your waist If you want my money you must shake your body Baby girl you dey make me dey craze eh All my le le le le le le le Let me see you wine up your waist If you want my money you must shake your body Baby girl you dey make me dey craze eh Verse – Mafikizolo Oga tsenya tchelete tu nabone Tsenya tchelete tu nabone Oga tsenya tchelete tu nabone Tsenya tchelete tu nabone Oga tsenya tchelete tsenya tchelete tu nabone Oga tsenya tchelete tsenya tchelete tu nabone Bridge – Mafikizolo Sonke sai thandi mali Sonke sai thandi mali Sonke sai thandi mali Sonke sai thandi mali Sonke sai thandi mali Sonke sai thandi mali Sonke sai thandi mali Sonke sai thandi mali Thandi mali, Thandi mali Thandi mali, Thandi mali Thandi mali, Thandi mali Thandi mali, Thandi mali Things that the people do for money Things that the people do for money Inkomo mai chincha Kamane oshabe jam kabomrotho Mao ndoro ose shebe khule Agisabi mali ye hehe hehe You have to know how to treat a lady If you know how to treat a lady Ngisabi mali ye eh eh Ngisabi mali ye eh eh Chorus – Davido All my le le le le le le le Let me see you wine up your waist If you want my money you must shake your body Baby girl you dey make me dey craze eh All my le le le le le le le Let me see you wine up your waist If you want my money you must shake your body Baby girl you dey make me dey craze eh Verse – Mafikizolo Oga tsenya tchelete tu nabone Tsenya tchelete tu nabone Oga tsenya tchelete tu nabone Tsenya tchelete tu nabone Oga tsenya tchelete tsenya tchelete tu nabone Oga tsenya tchelete tsenya tchelete tu nabone Le le tsenya tchelete tu nabone Le le tsenya tchelete tu nabone

28 ENTERTAINMENT TELEMOVIES

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he first gain of the partnership between Gist and Nollywood Workshop took place recently at Freedom Park, Lagos with the theme, Entertainment, Creativity and Health.

The free information platform by Gist was launched to inform and educate filmmakers around the world about social, health and developmental issues.

The workshop, which was organized in conjunction with the Script writers’ Guild of Nigeria (SWGN) and attracted stakeholders from within and outside the movie industry could not have come at a better time as issues bothering on how best to move the movie industry forward were well dissected by resource persons.

In his lecture delivered extempore, filmmaker and co-director of the Nollywood Workshop, Bond Emeruo said that the workshop was organized to equip filmmakers, particularly scriptwriters on how to inspire or cause change to happen in society. Emeruo who presented Gist to the participants informed that the event would be held with other relevant stakeholders in the motion picture industry across the country.

He said: “Gist was GIST was launched as a global center for health and development in collaboration with Hollywood, Health & Society, Norman Lear Center of the University of Southern California, USA. It was established in March 2013, with the goal of inspiring and informing filmmakers around the world on important social, health and development issues. We also work in conjunction with Third Eye, a project of the Asian Center for Entertainment Education, Indai and led by Vinta Nanda.”

He further explained: “This workshop is coming at the most appropriate time. And because of the importance of scriptwriters in the industry; they have to be mindful of the accuracy of details and data when passing across issues bothering on health. A reason they are the main target for this May 2 workshop.”

Other resource person for the workshop were Dr. Bola Kusemiju, Deputy Director, Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative, NURHI, represented

by Mrs. Stella Akinto on the role of en-

Friday, June 6, 2014

All about the GIST/ SWGN workshop

Afolayan, Emeruwa and Arinze

tertainment in tackling family planning issues in Nigeria Dr. Kusemiju canvassed the need for filmmakers to make films that will educate their teeming audiences on the gains of family planning.

Director of International Film and Broadcast Academy, Victo Okhai spoke on the art of writing as a source of livelihood, while enumerating opportunities that abound for scriptwriters especially those who write for development. The event came to a climax with the launch of Gist/SWGN short script competition Acting President of SWGN, Yinka Ogun who mobilized members to attend described the event as very timely, noting that, “Scriptwriters in Nollywood have been at the receiving end of blames for the low quality of scripts that are produced in the industry.”

For him, “if the quality of scripts

have to be improved upon, then scriptwriter has to be trained and retrained on the art of scripting, either for commercial or developmental purposes. I am pleased that the workshop touches on health issues as as some practitioners in the industry have in recent time been faced with life threatening challenges.”

He gave the example of the President of SWGN, Chike Bryan who has been diagnosed of renal failure for over a year now and needs financial life line to sail through. He seized the forum to canvass for donors. That was answered last week as Bryan has got the needed N10 million made available by President Goodluck Jonathan through the efforts of the AGN President, Ms. Fiberesima.

“Beyond information on health issues like the one on family planning I find this workshop very important,

Amaka Igwe: N A week to go

Late Igwe

T

he late Nollywood icon and filmmaker Amaka Igwe, will be buried on Friday June 13 this year, at Ndiuche Arondizuogu in Imo State, her marital home.

Mrs. Igwe had passed on on Wednesday 28, April at 51, from complications from asthma.

There will be a series of events leading to the June 13 funeral, starting with a tribute evening and Lagos Service of Songs at Haven Gardens G.R.A Ikeja on June 9, 2014. There will be a second service of songs holding at Okpara Square, Enugu on June 12. Igwe is survived by her husband of 21 years Charles Igwe,

three children and an aged mother and siblings.

A visionary, she was the founder of BoBTV Film and Television Programmes Expo, founder and CEO of Top Radio 90.9FM, Amaka Igwe Studios, and the newly launched Q Entertainment Network....

Read More at thenet.ng/2014/05/amaka-igwe-to-be-buried-this-june-check-fulldetails-here/ Follow us: @theNETng on Twitter | theNETng on Facebook A tribute website – www.amakaigwe. ng has also been created for goodwill messages and pictures. The site will also contain tweets and Facebook messages celebrating Amaka Igwe.

Past pictures, videos and speeches of Amaka Igwe will also be uploaded onto the site continuously.

As preparations for the final burial rites of the iconic filmmaker commences, the Best of Nollywood respectfully invites the general public to a Night of Tributes for her this Sunday, June 8 at the Eagles Park Hotel, Obokun Close, opposite Airport Hotel, Ikeja. Time is 5pm.

“We shall see some of the works that earned her a prime position in the pantheon of filmmakers. We shall also share memories of her life that we hold dearly and how she impacted on our lives individually and as a people. Please, accept this as your invitation,” it further stated.

igerian-born founder/ CEO, PublicVine, Nam Mokwunye has on June 4, 2014 offered $60,000 prizes for top-performing video vendors and consumers. The United States of America based PublicVine is an online and mobile social video marketplace .

All vendors who hope to compete for a piece of the offer must register by July 18, and winners will be announced on September 1 and recognized in a crowning ceremony on September 5, 2014.

According to a mail made available to New Telegraph yesterday, the establishment stated that it is opening its virtual doors worldwide from June 6, 2014 to video vendors and consumers who want to connect, transact, get paid—and win—on a global scale.

Mokwunye stated that he was encouraged to establish the ‘video shopping mall in the cloud’ because, “Video vendors - creators and marketers of commercial music videos, documentaries and feature films among others - face the grim reality that over 97% of vendors receive less than

because as filmmaker, we must also be mindful of the accuracy of our information and data pertaining to health issues. So I am happy because with a platform like Gist we will have access to such information,” he intoned.

Ogun further stressed that “it was an impressive turn out of notable practitioners, unlike other Nollywood workshops that hardly record quality turnout. The event had the presence of key stakeholders and festival organisers such as one-time President of the Actor Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Fidelis Duker; foremost scriptwriter and producer, Paul Emema; popular Nollywood actor and producer, Emeka Ossai; prolific film producer, Chico Ejiro as well as popular Nollywood producer and actor, Sunny MCdon W. Actors’ Guild of Nigeria President, Ibinabor Fiberesima made her presence felt with a large entourage to grace the occasion.

PublicVine offers $60,000 to video vendors, consumers

Nam Mokwunye

three percent of available screen time and industry revenue” He said that is the reason, “PublicVine is positioning itself to address these distribution dilemmas by enabling video vendors to leverage their social networks to rent out and sell their video content to consumers worldwide.

He further stressed that, “We aim to do for video what Google did for search and Amazon did for retail—and level the economic playing field in the process. We have seen

the Nigerian film and music industries grow astronomically and observed the latent potential a global video push has for Nigeria’s economy.”

Mokwunye further explained that. “PublicVine is a video shopping mall that is more commercially scalable than Netflix.

We’re better designed and offer fairer vendor terms than YouTube. And, unlike iTunes, PublicVine makes it possible for both vendors and consumers to get paid. It’s ideal for Nollywood. PublicVine is transparent, fair, and safe.

ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, June 6, 2014

CINEMAWATCH (Radio/TV/Events Guide)

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29

MAY 6 – JUNE 12 HIGHLIGHTS

GOtv

or the best line-up of movies, documentaries, series, reality shows, kiddies entertainment, news and the best of local and international music for the whole family, tune into GOtv this week.

Here is what you can expect.

Lies That Bind (Season I) on AfricaMagic, Weekdays at 18:00 CAT For drama, intrigue, love and suspense watch Africa Magic’s new series Lies That Bind. Lies That Bind carries a conscious message that is relevant to Kenyan society today.

It also serves as a mirror of society and allows the viewers to reflect on the status quo. If you miss your weekly dose, don’t worry as you can catch the omnibus at 11:50 CAT every Saturday.

FOOTPRINTS (SEASON I) on AfricaMagic, Weekdays at 20:00 CAT Following the death of her husband, a young widow struggles to provide for her children. She also has to fight off greedy family members hiding under customs and tradition to perpetrate all kinds of evil. The first season of Footprints kicks off weekdays with weekend repeats at 08:00 CAT. Evil Manipulation (Part 1&2) Africa Magic Movies on 6 June at 23:00CAT Directed by Chudi Amobi, Evil Manipulation follows the story of two brothers, Prince Kenneth and Prince Emeka.

Kenneth is a successful businessman while Emeka is considered a failure. Although step-brothers, the two have a special bond which angers the Queen Mother Onyeonyinye, who then casts a spell to reverse Kenneth’s successes to favour her son.

Army Combatives Championship (Ep.5) on Blackbelt TV on 7 June at 20:00CAT

Someone's Watching

In this episode of Army Combatives, the best MMA fighters from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines leave it all in the ring to be named the toughest armed forces team.

2014 MTV Africa Music Awards on MTV Base on Saturday, 7 June at 21:00CAT Hosted by American comedian, Marlon Wayans, and featuring performances by Miguel, Tiwa Savage, French Montana, Mafikizolo and Trey Songz, the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards - which will be broadcast live - is going to be a night to remember.

MTV Essentials: Jay Z vs Kanye West vs Justin Timberlake on MTV Base on Sunday, 8 June at 17:00CAT Jay Z and Kanye West are friends. Jay Z and Justin Timberlake are friends. Justin Timberlake and Kanye West, however…not so much. Find out everything you need to know about these music stars.

Someone’s Watching on Telemundo from Monday, 9 June at 21.20CAT The new telenovela Someone's Watching kicks off with the return of Rodrigo Quintana, who left his friends following a murder and the hospitalisation of his ex- girlfriend Piedad Estévez. His return is concerning to Julian,

Piedad’s current boyfriend, as he fears that he will lose the woman he loves. Follow the romance, drama and suspense.

Gladiator Challenge: Casulatities Of War on Blackbelt TV on 12 June at 21:00CAT High octane cage fighting as up-and-coming MMA stars battle to become the next champion. Don’t miss the Gladiator Challenge.

DSTV

Oprah’s Next Chapter airs on TLC Entertainment on Thursday 05 June at 20:55 CAT Powerhouse Performances: Oprah talks to the actors behind some of the year's best performances including Idris Elba (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) and Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station).

Oprah delves talks candidly with the stars about their success and recognition within the film and television industry, what their recent roles mean and what impact they have had in their careers.

The Big Green airs on Disney Channel on Friday 6 June at 17:00 CAT The town's legendary athletic field, once the site of great sporting achievements, has gone to seed, and so has the standard of sport

Alpha Mom goes online

Judith Audu

A

lpha Mom' is a short film

by Akin' Harrison. It was written by Adelarin Harrison and directed by Akin' Harrison. And it starred celebrated thespians such as Judith Audu and Sunkanmi Awotedu among others.

Inspired by present day reality, Alpha Mom (Judith Audu) is the breadwinner of her home, but then resentful, frus-

trated, and an alcoholic with a hectic work schedule and a pre-teen thespian son, Soji (Sunkanmi Awotedu). With her marital status and her eyes on the next big thing at work, Soji mirrors her life imitating all her actions and gives a performance that reveals more about his Mom. According an insider, Judith, “The movie is available

online and trust me, you would love it. I had so much fun shooting with the child actor, Sunkanmi, he is a really good actor, he didn't have problems with his bulky lines or getting into character, just as the director, Akin' Harrison and producer Adelarin Awotedu made work fun with their style that translated to a very good final product of the project.”

Mallorn

in the town. But the arrival of a beautiful British school teacher breathes new life into the local team, and inspires them to new heights. Suddenly they are in with a chance of the State Championships, and win or lose they've learnt some valuable lessons about pride and the will to win.

MTV Africa Music Awards live on MTV and MTV Base on Saturday 7 June at 21:00 CAT Celebrating musicians and achievers who have made the most impact on African youth culture throughout the year.

MAMA 2014 will feature dazzling performances from African and international artists, including the awards’ signature collaborations between artists of different genres and cultures. Artists will be recognised in eighteen different award categories including Best Male, Best Female and Best New Act.. The awards will also be screened on MTV Base at the same time.

True Crime with Aphrodite Jones airs on Discovery ID from Monday

9 June at 19:00 CAT Crime reporter and bestselling author Aphrodite Jones investigates the truth behind the most notorious crimes in recent memory. In each episode, she uses her unique instincts to expose the facts about cases that true-crime fans may have been too quick to judge during the media firestorm. Featuring interviews with people connected to the crime – including, whenever possible, those convicted – Jones attempts to get inside the minds of the killers in an effort to understand what drove them to perform such despicable acts.

Someone’s Watching on Telemundo, premiere Monday 9 June at 19:40 CAT Someone’s Watching follows four medical student friends, planning to assist in this field after studying. The leader of the group, Rodrigo inspires the group with ideas and new projects. The Friendship is later tested when one get addicted to drugs and the other is involved in a tragic accident.

30 ENTERTAINMENT TELEMOVIES

Friday, June 6, 2014

COMING SOON TO THE CINEMAS Silverbird - Warri Movie Schedule: Friday 6 Thursday 12 June

Tokarev (Movie Of The Week) Rating: 18 Viewing Time - Friday 7:10PM Viewing Time - Saturday 7:10PM Viewing Time - Sunday 7:10PM Viewing Time - Monday 7:10PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 7:10PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 7:10PM Viewing Time - Thursday 7:10PM Featured Actors Nicolas Cage, Rachel Nichols, Peter Stormare Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 92min When the Russian mob kidnaps the daughter of a reformed criminal, he rounds up his old crew and seeks his own brand of justice.

turn (Rating: PG) Viewing Time -

Friday

11:15AM,3:05PM Viewing Time - Saturday 11:15AM,3:05PM Viewing Time - Sunday 11:15AM,3:05PM Viewing Time - Monday 11:15AM,3:05PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 11:15AM,3:05PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 11:15AM,3:05PM Viewing Time - Thursday 11:15AM,3:05PM Featured Actors Lea Michele, Kelsey Grammer, Dan Aykroyd Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 92min Dorothy wakes up in posttornado Kansas, only to be whisked back to Oz to try to save her old friends the Scarecrow, the Lion, the Tin Man and Glinda from a devious new villain, the Jester....

Reasonable Doubt (Movie Of The Week) Rating: R Viewing Time - Friday 3:15PM

Vampire Academy(Movie Of The Week) Rating: PG Viewing Time - Friday 1:20PM, 5:05PM, 9:10PM Viewing Time - Saturday 1:20PM, 5:05PM, 9:10PM Viewing Time - Sunday 1:20PM, 5:05PM, 9:10PM Viewing Time - Monday 1:20PM, 5:05PM, 9:10PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 1:20PM, 5:05PM, 9:10PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 1:20PM, 5:05PM, 9:10PM Viewing Time - Thursday 1:20PM, 5:05PM, 9:10PM Featured Actors Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry, Danila Kozlovsky, Gabriel Byrne Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 105 min Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, half human-half vampire, a guardian of the Moroi, peaceful, Please mortal vampires living disclick Like creetly within our world. Her to spread the the news calling is to protect Moroi from bloodthirsty, immortal Binta Goudiaby Vampires, the Strigoi.

Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Re-

Viewing Time - Saturday 3:15PM Viewing Time - Sunday 3:15PM Viewing Time - Monday 3:15PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 3:15PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 3:15PM Viewing Time - Thursday 3:15PM Featured Actors Dominic Cooper, Samuel L. Jackson, Gloria Reuben Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 91mins A District Attorney has his life turned upside down when he's involved in a hit and run and another man is arrested for his crime and charged with murder.

The Legend of Hercules (Rating: 18) Viewing Time - Friday 11:00AM, 7:05PM Viewing Time - Saturday 11:00AM, 7:05PM Viewing Time - Sunday

11:00AM, 7:05PM Viewing Time - Monday 11:00AM, 7:05PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 11:00AM, 7:05PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 11:00AM, 7:05PM Viewing Time - Thursday 11:00AM, 7:05PM Featured Actors Kellan Lutz, Gaia Weiss, Scott Adkins Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 95mins The origin story of the the mythical Greek hero. Betrayed by his stepfather, the King, and exiled and sold into slavery because of a forbidden love, Hercules must use his formidable powers to fight his way back to his rightful kingdom.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Rating :PG) Viewing Time - Friday 6:00PM, 8:45PM Viewing Time - Saturday 6:00PM, 8:45PM

Viewing Time - Sunday 3:10PM, 9:10PM Viewing Time - Monday 3:10PM, 9:10PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 3:10PM, 9:10PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 3:10PM, 9:10PM Viewing Time - Thursday 3:10PM, 9:10PM Featured Actors Zac Efron, Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Imogen Poots Genre Comedy Running Time 94min Three best friends find themselves where we've all been - at that confusing moment in every dating relationship when you have to decide "So...where is this going?

The Frozen Ground (Rating: R) The Frozen Ground (Rating: R) Viewing Time - Friday 1:05PM Viewing Time - Saturday 1:05PM Viewing Time - Sunday 1:05PM Viewing Time - Monday 1:05PM

4:55PM Featured Actors Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Scoot McNairy, Michelle Dockery Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 106min An air marshal springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages that put his fel-

low passengers at risk unless the airline transfers $150 million into an off-shore account.

The Nut Job (Rating : PG) Viewing Time - Friday 1:10PM Viewing Time - Saturday 1:10PM Viewing Time - Sunday 1:10PM Viewing Time - Monday 1:10PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 1:10PM

Viewing Time - Sunday 6:00PM, 8:45PM Viewing Time - Monday 6:00PM, 8:45PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 6:00PM, 8:45PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 6:00PM, 8:45PM Viewing Time - Thursday 6:00PM, 8:45PM Featured Actors Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 142 mins Peter Parker runs the gauntlet as the mysterious company Oscorp sends up a slew of supervillains against him, impacting on his life.

That Awkward Moment (Rating :R) Viewing Time - Friday 3:10PM, 9:10PM Viewing Time - Saturday 3:10PM, 9:10PM

Viewing Time - Tuesday 1:05PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 1:05PM Viewing Time - Thursday 1:05PM Featured Actors Nicolas Cage, Vanessa Hudgens, John Cusack, Dean Norris Genre Drama Running Time 105min An Alaska State Trooper partners with a young woman who escaped the clutches of serial killer Robert Hansen to bring the murderer to justice. Based on actual events.

Non-Stop (Rating: PG) Viewing Time - Friday 4:55PM Viewing Time - Saturday 4:55PM Viewing Time - Sunday 4:55PM Viewing Time - Monday 4:55PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 4:55PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 4:55PM Viewing Time - Thursday

Viewing Time - Wednesday 1:10PM Viewing Time - Thursday 1:10PM Featured Actors Will Arnett, Brendan Fraser, Liam Neeson, Katherine Heigl Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 90min An incorrigibly self-serving exiled squirrel finds himself helping his former park brethren raid a nut store to survive, that is also the front for a human gang's bank robbery.

BUSINESS FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

WHAT'S NEWS Recapitalisation: Mortgage bankers unware of CBN extension Financial operators under the aegis of Mortgage Banks Association of Nigeria (MBAN) have expressed surprised over the alleged extension of capitalisation deadline by six months by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

}p-32

New capital coming for freight forwarders Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) is to introduce a minimum capital base for freight forwarding companies operating in ports as part of efforts to ward off touts.

}p-32

Smallholder farmers and funding headache About 70 per cent of Nigeria’s estimated 150 million people, according to the World Bank, live on about US$1 (N150) per day. In other words, about 105 million Nigerians live below the poverty line, with 35 per cent of this number classified as living in absolute poverty.

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Helios invests $50m in ARM Helios Investment Partners has invested about $50 million (about N750 million) to take a minority stake in ARM Pension Managers (PFA) Limited.

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BUSINESS CREW AYODELE AMINU, Deputy Editor (Business) SIMEON OGOEGBULEM, Dep. Business Editor BAYO AKOMOLAFE, Asst. Editor (Maritime) SUNDAY OJEME, Asst. Editor (Insurance) SIAKA MOMOH, Asst. Editor (Industry/Agric) GODSON IKORO , Asst. Editor (Money Market) JONAH IBOMA, ICT Editor DAYO ADEYEMI, Property Editor ADEOLA YUSUF, Energy Editor

31 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

AKWA IBOM: CURBING SPURIOUS RETIREMENT BENEFIT }p-37

AYODELE AMINU, DEPUTY EDITOR, BUSINESS

ayodele.aminu@newtelegraphonline.com ayodeleaminu@yahoo.com

Consumers, dealers groan as vehicles’ prices rise by 50% DIVERSION Clearance of vehicles will shift to neighbouring countries and Nigeria would be the loser Siaka Momoh

to have commenced earlier in the year till July 1 following a protest.

With the new policy of 35 per cent duty and 35 per cent levy, a 2000 model Toyota Camry which was previously cleared with about N100,000 using 20 per cent duty, increased to N300,000 as import duty under the new

automotive policy of 70 per cent.

The clearing agents and motor dealers New Telegraph spoke to, said that 35 per cent duty is currently being charged

by Customs, lamenting its negative impact on their business and the entire value chain in the sub-sector.

A clearing agent, Jato Babatunde Ibrahim, said that the policy “will cause more hardship as it will create unemployment.” He blamed clearing agents’ national executives for “not doing enough,” describing them as “sellout.”

Another clearing agent, ChiCONTINUED ON PAGE 32

T

he new automotive policy introduced by the Federal Government is already impacting negatively on buyers of used vehicles and dealers as prices of all categories of vehicles have gone up by between 30 and 50 per cent, New Telegraph investigation has confirmed.

A 2005 model of Toyota Corolla that sold for N1.3 million before the introduction of the new tariff of 35 per cent now sells for N1.7 million, an increase of 30.7 per cent. The 1998/99 model, which sold forbN650,000 now goes for N850,000, an increase of 30.7 per cent too.

Some other range of cars selling for 800,000 before the new tariff now goes for N1.2 million, an increase of 50 per cent.

Under the new regime, vehicle importers who hitherto paid 20 per cent duty are now required to pay 70 per cent duty.

The tariff, which is an offshoot of the new automotive policy, clearly explains that fully built cars (ready to drive) now attracts a 35 per cent duty and another 35 per cent levy on the cost of the vehicle, bringing the total tariff to 70 per cent.

Currently, it is only the 35 per cent duty that is being charged while investigation has revealed that the 35 per cent levy would come into effect by July 1, 2014.

The new policy also puts the age ceiling for private vehicles at 10 years and commercial at 15.

Registered clearing agents suspended the implementation of the new tariff regime of 70 per cent, which was supposed

L-R: Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria(APCON) Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi; 1st Vice President, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, Mr. Rotimi Olaniyan; President, Mr. Ganiyu Koledoye and Chairman, Body of Fellow, Dr. Ify Uraih during the Institute’s international conference and unveiling of new logo in Lagos.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Group indicts SEC over surge in shareholders' association APATHY Investors worry over deminishing value of shareholders association Chris Ugwu

S

hareholders under the aegis of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) have blamed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the proliferation of shareholders group in the country.

The number of certified

shareholders association is currently estimated to be about 130, which market experts say is believed to be diminishing value voting during Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and extraordinary general meetings.

ISAN’s National Coordinator, Sir Sunny Nwosu, insisted that proliferation of shareholders association should be blamed on SEC. He said that the group is not against any other association growing as formidable group would engender good corporate governance in the system.

He noted, however, that on various occasions when ISAN had called on SEC to investigate

some of those associations he described as a "one-man-show" that has brought disrepute to the system to determine their ingenuity, SEC had refused to act.

Nwosu explained that the rules that any group who has up to 50 members should be allowed to register as shareholders association was approved during Al-Faki’s regime but, according to him, some of these groups currently don’t have up to five followership.

"These people don’t even know that registration won’t take them to AGM unless they CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor DELE ALAO, Brands/Marketing Editor CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor ABDULWAHAB ISA, Finance Editor CHUKS ONUANYIN, Energy NNAMDI AMADI, Reporter JOHNSON ADEBAYO, Asst. Production Editor

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE April 2014...............................7.9% March 2014............................7.8% Feburary 2014 ........................7.7%

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at May 30)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N167 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N284 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N232 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $37.147bn as at 27/5/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at May 30)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N260.72 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N212.01 Source: CBN

32

BUSINESS | NEWS

RUMOUR Information gap is breeding speculations among operators Dayo Ayeyemi

F

inancial operators under the aegis of Mortgage Banks Association of Nigeria (MBAN) have expressed surprised over the

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Recapitalisation: Mortgage banks unware of CBN extension alleged extension of capitalisation deadline by six months by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The association claimed to have only read the extension’s news in a national daily (not

New Telegraph) without prior notice to the association.

They are worried that six months after some of them had fulfilled all conditions for their recapitalisation, they are yet to know their fate as CBN has

L-R: Senior Vice President, Middle East, Africa, Russia and CIS (MEAR), Duncan Mitchell; Director, Marketing Commercial and Partner Organisation (MEAR), Emma Roffey; Chief Executive Officer, WECO Systems International Limited, Obinna Ekwonwa; Vice President, Africa, Cisco, David Meads, and Vice President, Cisco Services and Sales, Andy Macdonald, during WECO Systems overall best in Middle East, Europe, Africa and Russia (MEAR) winner/ Cisco partners award dinner in United State of America

Shippers’ Council to introduce new capital for freight forwarders HARD TIME Touts operating at the port may face hard time as government declared that it would no longer be business as usual Bayo Akomolafe

N

igerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) is to introduce a minimum capital base for freight forwarding companies operating in ports as part of efforts to ward off touts.

NSC’s Executive Secretary, Hassan Bello, disclosed this in Lagos.

Bello said that the council had observed lack of professionalism and absence of sanity in the freight forwarding industry, adding that effective cargo clearance at the port was being hampered by human elements that daily throng the ports.

He explained that the minimum capital base to be introduced by NSC would stimulate consolidation and weed out touts.

Bello declared: “There must be minimum standards. What we have at present is that someone will come to Lagos by night bus from Birnin Kebbi, arrive

the following morning and he becomes a freight forwarder.

This cannot be allowed to continue.

“It is only in Nigeria that you see the number of people you see in our ports. It is only in our ports that you see campaign posters of freight forwarders inside the yards. Our clearing system is near primitive hence the high cost of doing business at the port.

“We must sanitise the port.

Unfortunately we are coming in after the game has started. As commercial regulator, we are now the referee of the game and our aim is to sanitise the industry.

refused to announce names of those that crossed the hurdle and qualify to carry out mortgage business.

MBAN President, Mr Femi Johnson, told New Telegraph that he was not aware of any postponement or extension.

He said: “I just read it as you read it in the newspaper,” adding that CBN has not communicated the association.

By members’ calculations, he said, they expect the announcement of their names before the end of this month (June) as promised by CBN. Also, MBAN’s executive Secretary, Mr. Kayode Omotosho, said that the association has not been communicated.

He said: “I just read it from one of the print media, and I want to tell you it is not true.

The association has not been informed. CBN has told us to wait till the end of this month (June) for the announcement of PMBs that meet the capitalisation deadline and we are still waiting.”

A newspapers had reported last Monday that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had shifted by six months the deadline for the recapitalisation of Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) in the country.

The apex bank had initially granted the mortgage firms a 12-month deadline from November 1, 2011, which would have terminated by December 12, 2012, but extended it to 18 months to April 30, 2013.

Another circular was issued

Group indicts SEC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

are shareholders in the company, hence they keep on causing trouble at various AGMs. "SEC and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) should do what they are supposed to do as regulators.

Consumers, dealers groan as vehicles’ prices rise CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

ma Egwuabu, said: “The policy is introduced to reward some people. We came in with borrowed funds to develop the industry. We sourced funds at very high rates and this is happening to us now. We are creating jobs.

We have a robust value chain in this business – people who are involved in paper work, drivers, security personnel, food vendors, electronics vendors, among others, are all affected with the lull in business that we are currently experiencing.”

He added that “most Nigerians like us are in the informal economy, we are self-employed.

How many Nigerians are in formal employment? Just a few.

Clearing rates for some vehicles

have increased from N200,000 to N350,000. Volkswagen Vanagon (petrol engine) that previously sold for N750,000 now sells for over N1 million. The diesel model that was N500,000 now sells for N750,000.”

Another stakeholder, Garrard Jerry, said that there is nothing wrong with the policy but the timing is wrong. He said: “Where are the alternatives? PAN is not working. Government will end up creating unemployment. Sale of ‘tokunbo’ vehicles is keeping a lot of families going. The policy is just outrageous. Cars that were initially being cleared with N60,000 are now being cleared with N210,000; some have risen from N80,000 to N120,000.”

He, however, advice government to first put the necessary

infrastructure in place before implementing such a policy.

The Nigerian auto industry performed well with increasing local content up to 1985 but declined from 1986 upwards because of non-implementation of policy and policy inconsistency and lack of adequate engineering infrastructure, among other challenges.

Director-general, National Automotive Council, Aminu Jalal, said that these challenges and others are responsible for the parlous state of the Nigeria’s automotive industry.

Jalal, who spoke at the Second Annual Seminar for Trade and Investment Correspondents and Business Editors in Abuja, listed the other challenges to include very low tariffs on fully built units

in March 20, 2013 to extend the date to December 2013, which, according to CBN, will afford all affected PMBs sufficient time to exercise any of the options for capital raising, business combination and downscaling.

According to the newspaper report, however, CBN gave six months moratorium to some mortgage banks that have national spread, that already made payment of N2.5 billion for state license to close their branches or upgrade to N5 billion national license.

It said in the circular that the firms are expected to close their branches nationwide, if they could not comply with the new directive by the end of June.

The new extension will also enable CBN officials to verify PMBs submissions and allow sufficient time for capital verification and necessary regulatory approvals.

Sources disclosed that some of the affected mortgage banks, including a federal institution, are seeking further injection of funds to retain their national spread.

Under the fresh guidelines, mortgage firms have been categorised into national and state mortgage firms.

While the national PMIs are allowed to operate in any or all parts of the federation after the payment of a new N5 billion minimum paid up capital, the state PMIs are restricted to only one state at the payment of N2.5 billion.

(FBU) and tariff differential between Completely Knocked Down (CKD) and FBU (5-15 per cent); lack of patronage of local automotive products; uncontrolled importation of used vehicles; obsolete technology; difficult manufacturing environment exemplified by lack of power supply and other essential infrastructure; lack of access to long-term, low interest funds; inadequate trained manpower and difficulty in obtaining relevant power.

Despite these drawbacks, Nigeria has prospects that could make it a successful automobile manufacturer, Jalal said, arguing that Nigeria and Bangladesh are the only countries in the top 10 by population without an automotive industry.

They should go and inspect and monitor shareholders meetings to find out whether they adhere to the rules and regulation," Nwosu stressed.

In a bid to checkmate the “excesses” of these associations, SEC inaugurated a code of conduct for shareholders’ associations in the country.

The code of conduct, which was inaugurated in 2007, is aimed at guiding the operations of shareholders’ associations. The highlights of the code include establishment and membership of shareholders’ associations, attendance at annual or extraordinary general meetings, and membership of audit committees.

With regards to the establishment and membership of shareholders associations, the code says membership of a shareholders’ group must not be less than 50 shareholders of public companies, and must be duly registered with the CAC – an otherwise insufficient rule given the disperse nature of shareholding post during the banking consolidation of 2006, which raised the number of shareholder three to four times fold.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

A Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development potent money-spinning proposal to the National Council on Agriculture

Agric

BUSINESS 33

Of sheep, goats and Hard Facts need to grow them

Siaka Momoh

I

n this season of agriculture rethinking, this is one proposal we think should be given a serious attention. Why? Small ruminants, sheep and goats, are increasingly becoming a major source of animal protein in Nigeria, contributing over 30 per cent to total meat consumption in the country. Estimates from the Federal Livestock Department in 1983 showed that there are 11 million cattle, 22 million goats, 8 million sheep, 900,000 pigs, and 150 million poultry (both local and exotic) in the country. Livestock production represents approximately 10 per cent of agricultural activity and less than 5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product.

In Nigeria, sheep and goats play a significant socio-economic role in the life of the people: they are good meat during ceremonies and festivals, and serve as a source of ready cash to small farmers.

The economics of sheep and goat is well flagged by the skin of the Red Sokoto goat, which is renowned for its superior quality and the high premium it commands in the world market. This is just a tip of the iceberg. We will bring you more on this in the coming weeks.

Sheep and goats are very widely distributed in Nigeria and part of all known farming systems. The major production systems are extensive (pastoral), semi-intensive (crop/livestock system) and intensive (urban and peri-urban) systems.

The semi-intensive system is predominant constituting over 70 per cent followed by the extensive and intensive systems.

Sheep and goats have not been amenable to intensification due to the problem of diseases (especially Peste des Petit Ruminantes – PPR), dry season feeding, poor management and challenges of ecto and endoparasites. For this reason, majority of efforts at intensification are mainly confined to research farms and a few states demonstration farms.

The sub-sector is dominated by small scale peasant farmers who are mainly involved in crop production but keep livestock to supplement their incomes and/ or for security purposes during emergency cash needs. Majority of the farmers that rear sheep and goats are women living in the rural areas.

Sheep and goats contribute 32 per cent of the total meat output in Nigeria (440,109 metric tons in 2010). Genetic shortcom-

Sellers displaying their sheep and goats in a market place

ing notwithstanding, they play a key role in the supply of animal protein for human nutrition, provision of skins which earn foreign exchange and to a lesser extent contribute to the domestic milk production.

The rearing of sheep and goats provides source of livelihood and employment to over one million people (predominantly women). They are important socio-culturally and commonly used for religious sacrifices during Eid and Christmas or traditional activities such as weddings.

On the international scene, Nigeria is among the top 10 sheep and goat producers of the world and is ranked fifth in position (FAO 2008). Despite its comparative advantage in production, Nigeria does not export either live animals or meat due to OIE, Codex and WTO standards that require a disease-free flock for export.

The ATA therefore seeks to upgrade the genetic profile of sheep and goats for increased output in meat, milk and quality skins through open nucleus breeding system; increase the population of animals through improved vaccination against PPR (which is responsible for 20-30 per cent annual mortality in the national flock); increase productivity of sheep and goats through private and public sector collaboration in animal health care services and input delivery to rural-based farmers; strengthen the capacity of sheep and goat farmers/producers/processors through hand-on practical training on sound animal husbandry practices, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and good hygienic practices; organise and register

Majority of efforts at intensification are mainly confined to research farms and a few states demonstration farms sheep and goat breeders/fattening associations/cooperatives among producers and traders in the various marketing regions nationwide; link sheep and goat farmers’ cooperative associations with finance institutions to enhance their ability to obtain financing and expand business activities and also establish disease-free export processing zones and abattoirs by 2015.

Outcomes Upgraded genetic profile of the local sheep and goat breeds with increased productive capacity through open nucleus breeding techniques; Changed production paradigm from the traditional low input, low output subsistence system to profitable commercial intensive production by 2015; Increased sheep and goat meat output from the current 440,109 metric tons to 585,785 metric tons; Increased population of animals by 30 per cent from 92.043 million to 119.657 million through 70-80 per cent vaccination of the national flock against Peste des Petit Ruminantes (PPR) and improved nutrition by 2015;

20 per cent high quality additional skins supplied to the domestic leather industry for export; Over 450,000 new jobs generated in Nigeria by 2015; Empowered smallholder farmers, predominantly women, in the rural areas; Exported live animals (one million by 2014) and meat to prime markets from established disease free zones in Nigeria.

Implementation plan The implementation plan will involve all the 36 states and the FCT divided into three phases. Phase one in 2012 is focused on smallholder breeding and fattening schemes starting in 13 states (Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Borno, Adamawa, Benue, Enugu, Cross River, Kwara, Oyo and Ogun); Phase two will expand to 25 states in addition to the establishment of intensive small and medium scale sheep and goat farms (2013-2014) and phase three is on establishing large scale farms and disease-free zones, export abattoirs and improved local and international markets (2015) and final coverage of all the 36 states and FCT. The first phase (group one) of the implementation plan for 2012 will focus on 13 states selected across the six geopolitical zones with emphasis on smallholder farmers with emphasis on women cooperative groups. The selection is based on the respective comparative advantages of each state in terms of production, processing and primary secondary or tertiary markets.

Since one of the major goals CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

There are 5-6 million cocoa farmers worldwide. 40-50 million people depend upon cocoa for their livelihood.

About 90-95 per cent of all cocoa is produced by smallholder farmers. The typical size of a smallholder farm is about three hectares, with a very large proportion of the farms in the size group of two to five hectares.

As of the year 2009, the current global market value of the annual cocoa crop was $5.1 billion (US dollars). As of February 2010, the price of cocoa was $3,325.60 per ton (USD).

70 per cent of global cocoa production comes from West African countries (70.4 per cent in 2007).

Cocoa is the main ingredient used to make chocolate. To make 1 kg (2.2 pounds) of chocolate, about 300 to 600 cocoa beans are processed, depending on the desired cocoa content. Cocoa beans are also used to make soaps, and cosmetics.

Over 40 per cent of the world’s cocoa beans are consumed in Europe (42.7 per cent in 2007).

In the last few years, a dramatic switch in consumer preferences from chocolate with a low cocoa content to chocolate with a higher cocoa content resulted in considerably more consumption of dark chocolate.

As at October 2013, more than one million farmers had mobile phones-linked and over N3 million with farmer-ID-linked wallets.

Government did not meet its goal of distributing 10 million phones in advance of 2013 growing (farming) season.

Before 2012, only 11 per cent had access to subsidised fertiliser; this is expected to rise.

By 2011, livestock sub-sector accounted for 25 per cent of agriculture GDP and 5.83 per cent of total GDP of total GDP with poultry showing great potential.

Nigeria is No 1 egg producer and 4th broiler meat producer in Africa. But smuggled chicken remains a problem.

Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world with 40 million tons of cassava.

Nigeria plans to have all bread produced in the country made with 40 per cent cassava flour by 2015.

Reaching half of the goal would save the country N254 billion in import costs according to FMARD projections.

First cassava bread sold February 2012.

That year, commercial bakers announced 20 per cent version.

Government mandated 10 per cent cassava flour in bread by July 2013.

There are complaints from bakers that they cannot provide similar quality products with the new blend.

34

BUSINESS | AGRIC

Sanctity of Truth

‘Research results show Africa can eradicate Striga'

Striga-infested maize farm

Improved technologies being promoted by the Integrated Striga Management for Africa (ISMA) project have shown promise that Striga, a parasitic weed that destroys cereal and legume fields, can be eradicated from Africa.

Siaka Momoh

I

nfesting up to four million hectares of land under maize production in sub-Saharan Africa, Striga causes farmers yield losses of up to 80 per cent representing about US$1.2 billion, and affects approximately 100 million people in the continent.

In the last three years, the ISMA project has deployed an integrated approach for managing Striga while improving soil fertility and reducing the Striga seed bank for sustainable increases in crop yields in some selected communities in Nigeria and Kenya.

Specifically, these included cultural practices such as intercropping maize with legumes (soybean and groundnut); crop rotation of maize with soybean; a “push-pull” technology that involves intercropping cereals with Striga-suppressing Desmodium forage legume.

Others include using Strigaresistant maize and cowpea varieties; using maize varieties resistant to Imazapyr (IR)—a BASF herbicide (StrigAway) which is coated on the maize seeds and which kills the Striga; and adopting Striga bio-

control technologies which uses a Striga host-specific fungal pathogen.

IITA Director for Southern Africa, Dr David Chikoye, said that results from the project showed that the battle against Striga could be won. “We will eradicate Striga in Africa just as America did,” he said at the Annual Review and Planning Meeting of ISMA in Abuja held 21-23 May. IITA Deputy Director General for Research, Dr Ylva Hillbur, in her opening remarks, called for concerted efforts from partners to tackle the Striga challenge.

Over 70 stakeholders gathered in Abuja for the 3-day annual event which sought to evaluate the successes, challenges, and opportunities of the project, identify gaps, and plan how to implement the decisions to successfully scale out Striga management

technologies to rural farmers in the next coming year.

ISMA Project Manager, Dr Mel Olouch, said: “We have established partners and stakeholder capacity in Kenya and Nigeria and installed Striga seed processing facilities in Kenya; awareness is high. Already, registration of the herbicide has been achieved in both countries and we expect to release two IR maize varieties in Nigeria in 2014.’’

He said that some of the scaling up approaches that need to be adopted include the use of volunteer farmers to reduce costs and increase ownership, and use of complementary inputs and empowerment of stakeholders to give farmers the best technologies.

The Senior Programme Officer for Agriculture Development of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr Yilma Kebede, in his address, looked

at future plans for the project while expressing that the project is close to reaching farmers and addressing their concerns/problems due to Striga.

He emphasised that there needs to be concerted efforts to profile the farmers reached such that the take-home message will be sustainable for them in the long run. “Demonstrations need to be focused and there is greater need to engage a wide range of stakeholders in controlling Striga.

The various institutions involved should synergize to promote the project and scale out to farmers because no one partner will be responsible for the success of the technologies in the end,’’ he said.

Project partners include CIMMYT, AATF, icipe, Bayero University, KNARDA, BSADP, seed and chemical companies, extension workers, scientists and the private sector.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Smallholder farmers and funding headache

he price of cocoa has risTsouthwest en further in Ogun State, Nigeria, due to the

improved quality of the beans on sale, a cocoa association official and traders said last Friday according to Dow Jones.

Graded cocoa is trading at 450,000 naira ($2,739) a metric ton, up from N440,000 three weeks ago, said Najeem Olomide, secretary of Ogun State chapter of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria.

Good weather has seen prices rise from N400, 000 to N410, 000 at the beginning of April, according to Olomide.

A trader in Abeokuta, the state capital, said that although it is the rainy season, a large part of the South West, including Ogun State, is “enjoying weather favourable to cocoa development.”

There is a mixture of sunshine and showers, which is the best climate for good quality cocoa as is on the market now and that is causing the rise in the price of cocoa, he said.

Ogun State is one of the five key cocoa-producing states in southwest Nigeria, the region that accounts for 70 per cent of Nigeria’s annual cocoa production of 250,000 tons.

In Edo State, the weather is similar, but as heavier rains are expected, the association is arranging to distribute agro-chemicals to farmers so that they can begin spraying their farms, CAN official, Johnbull Ewerami, said.

The rainy season, which runs until October, started on May 1, but precipitation has been moderate so far, traders said. Heavy rain in June could reduce the present good quality of cocoa and result in diseases on cocoa farms hence the spraying.

Cocoa farmers in Osun State are already spraying their farms to combat an outbreak of black pod disease following incessant rainfall, said Bisi Omoyeni, a trader in Ile-Ife, a key cocoagrowing and marketing centre in the state.

Of sheep, goats and need to grow them C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

of the intervention is to upgrade the genetic capacity of the national flock, the breeding model will cover all the 774 local governments of Nigeria in order to capture all the genetic potentials, variations and positive traits of the local breeds which are well adapted to our ecological zones and environmental conditions. The first generation upgraded animals will provide seed flock for the small and medium scale intensive farms. On the other hand, the fattening model may be located in areas with better marketing facilities within a state or local government.

This intervention for 13 states will cover 313 local government

areas with creation 3,130 cooperative associations consisting of 31,300 farmers. This initiative is also expected to create 62,600 direct employments in 2012 and also trice indirect employments along the value chain including the leather industry where about 78,250 skins from fattened animals will be available for further processing and export. The startup activities in the remaining 24 states will be commencing in the second and third phase 2013-14).

The council is invited to note Implementation of the sheep and goat action plan will initially focus on 13 states in 2012 and later expand to cover all 36 states and FCT before the end of 2015 Annual vaccination of 20

per cent of the national flock against PPR starting from 2012 to achieve 70-80 per cent coverage by 2015 for effective flock immunity and ultimate eradication of the disease (Federal Government, states and local governments) Creation, registration and geo-referencing of breeding and fattening cooperative farmers groups linked to source of finance (BOA, commercial banks etc.) and marketing infrastructure Leasing of government breeding and multiplication centres to private entrepreneurs under PPP arrangement Establishment of export abattoirs and animal disease-free zones for export of live animals and meat to prime markets

Training-of-trainers and capacity building for 720 farmers, processors and marketers Empowerment of smallholder sheep and goat farmers especially women that rely on the animals as source of income and livelihood.

Prayers The council is urged to consider and adopt the sheep and goats commodity implementation plan as the driver for Nigeria’s Small Ruminants Transformation The council called upon to approve the start of implementation of the plan with effect from the first quarter 2012 Editor’s Note: This is a good one. Is something being done about it?

business

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

35

Smallholder farmers and funding headache The annual demand for agribusiness financing over the next 40 years is projected at $6.5 billion per annum, compared with the current annual fund supply of $1.5-$5 billion.

Okey Nwachukwu

A

bout 70 per cent of Nigeria’s estimated 150 million people, according to the World Bank, live on about US$1 (N150) per day.

In other words, about 105 million Nigerians live below the poverty line, with 35 per cent of this number classified as living in absolute poverty. The United Nations Human Poverty Index in 1999 scored Nigeria 41.6 per cent, effectively situating it amongst the 25 poorest nations in the world.

Poverty web The bulk of people trapped in the poverty web dwell in rural areas which holds about 80 per cent of the national population. Their primary occupation is agriculture. Nigeria earns over 80 per cent of her revenue from the petroleum industry, according to several reports, but the sector actually accounts for less than 14 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), whereas agriculture commands an impressive 41.8 per cent of GDP and generates two-thirds of employment nationwide.

Access to finance, inputs Here then is the paradox: About 90 per cent of Nigeria’s food requirement is produced by small-scale farmers who constitute the majority of the nation’s poor. A myriad of factors are blamed for this ungainly condition, both natural and man-made. Key is lack of access to finance and the resultant inability to invest in basic farming inputs such as seedlings, fertilizers, implements and irrigation. As a result, their yields have remained largely stagnant, leading to pervasive hunger and poverty. Similarly, little or no commercial financing is available to those aspiring to build businesses that could enhance food production and enable farmers to earn sustainable profit.

Former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Lamido Sanusi, speaking at the 4th African Rural and Agricultural Credit Association conference in Abuja, put the state of the farming sector in perspective.

He said: “Agriculture occupies a priority status in the national economy as the sector serves as the key driver of growth, wealth creation and poverty reduction. It is the leading economic activity in sub-Saharan Africa as it contributes 20 to 30 per cent of its GDP. “However, the future of agri-

culture in sub-Saharan Africa is clouded with several uncertainties that include increasing resource scarcity, heightened risks from climate change, higher energy prices, demand for bio-fuels and doubts about the speed of technical progress.

Sanusi further disclosed that “the annual demand for agribusiness financing over the next 40 years is projected at $6.5 billion per annum, compared to the current annual fund supply of $1.5-$5 billion. This presents a huge financing gap which a forum such as this should be able to critically examine and develop policies and implementation frameworks to minimise in the interest of agricultural development in the region.”

Continental level The situation is not different at the continental level. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) stated at the 16th session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD-16) in 2008, that about 216 million people, translating to one out of every seven persons in Africa, are classified as undernourished. This is the condition of people whose dietary energy consumption is continuously below a minimum requirement for maintaining a healthy life and carrying out light physical activity.

Fund allocation Juxtapose this situation with the billions of tax payers’ money allocated to agriculture every year and the fact that most Africans depend on agriculture for livelihood. Yet again you need to pause to ask just how much funding agriculture gets in Africa, whether it is from public allocations, Direct Foreign Investment (DFI), private investments or as assistance from multilateral organisations. The answer surprisingly is, too little.

Even though 75 per cent of Africa’s poor live in rural areas and are dependent on the agricultural sector, bilateral and multilateral aid to agriculture accounts for less than four per cent of total development assistance. This share declined from 5.2 per cent in 2000 to 3.4 per cent in 2006. The largest decrease has been in agricultural aid from bilateral donors, from 3.7 per cent of official development assistance (ODA) in 2000 to 2.5 per cent in 2006.

This situation has heightened the agitation for local financing initiatives. One local financing initiative likely to become a turning-point for the continent is the partnership between Africa’s biggest bank, Standard Bank Group and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), a dynamic partnership working across the African continent to help millions of small-scale farmers and their families lift themselves out of poverty and hunger. Standard Bank has teamed up with AGRA to create an innovative fund for Africa's smallholder farmers. The fund

operates in Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda, opening loan opportunities to smallholder farmers and smalland medium-sized agricultural businesses previously considered too risky for lending.

AGRA, Standard Bank Group/ Stanbic IBTC AGRA and other partners are providing a guarantee fund, and in turn, Standard Bank made $100 million available for lending over three years.

In Nigeria, a member of the Standard Bank Group, Stanbic IBTC, in acknowledging Nigeria’s huge agricultural resource base and the great potential it offers for growth of the economy, is increasingly priming itself to empower the Nigerian farmer.

The bank is also working with some government agencies and multilateral organisations to spearhead a true agricultural revolution in Nigeria, leveraging on the Standard Bank group experience and expertise in agricultural

financing. The Bank is also looking forward to participate in the CBN’s proposed NIRSAL program.

CBN/AGRA In addition, the CBN is working with AGRA and other key stakeholders in Nigeria to develop an innovative financing mechanism, tagged Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), which will provide farmers with affordable financial products, while reducing the risk of loans to farmers under other financing programme offered by the financial institutions. The initiative will build capacities of banks to expand lending to agriculture, deploy risk sharing instruments to lower risks of lending and develop a bank rating scheme to rate banks based on their lending to the agricultural sector.

This initiative will help unlock access to bank finance, critical for stimulating agric lending and increasing food and crop production in Nigeria.

Opportunities exist Standard Bank and Stanbic IBTC are driven by the conviction that opportunities exist to provide an end-to-end banking solution for agriculture in which the banks can leverage and cross-sell a full suite of products and services, from traditional commercial banking and lending products to crop and weather insurance products. In addition, Stanbic IBTC Bank is growing its branch network in order to bring this suite of products closer to Nigerians.

Many of the new branches are situated in agrarian communities, thereby bringing the bank closer to farmers, enabling easier access to finance and other banking services.

The challenge of financing small farmers, it is said, is more than just the provision of finance; it is also about providing a complete solution to small holder farmers to ensure long term sustainability, food security and higher standards of living.

Smallholder farmers sorting their tomatoes

COLEACP supports Nigerian fresh produce growers HORTICULTURE Boost for fresh produce growers as support comes in from sub-regional body.

N

igeria looks set to join the West African sub-region in fresh produce by setting new domestic and internationally acceptable export-standards, New Telegraph can confirm.

According to Akintunde Sawyerr, secretary of Agricultural Fresh Produce Growers and Exporters Association of Nigeria (AFGEAN), COLEACP in a recent press statement, Brusselsbased inter-professional network promoting horticultural trade between Europe and the member countries in the African, Caribbean and Pacific,

commenced work with the fresh producers in Nigeria about two years ago to support the work on horticultural production and trade under the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda.

According to the statement, Benedicte Werner, Country Manager for Nigeria at COLEACP, gave the indications in a recent disclosure. “We reiterate our willingness to do more in Nigeria with additional funding, based on the action plan we submitted” to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development in Nigeria, Werner revealed. COLEACP, an organisation that is making its presence increasingly felt in Nigeria, has established a number of strategic relationships towards preparing Nigerian horticultural investors for export trade.

According to Werner, “COLEACP-PIP currently manages 22 memoranda of agreement (MoA) for individual support projects in the horticultural industry. The beneficiaries are three farmer cooperatives, five export companies and 12 consultancy firms. Similarly, COLEACP is establishing a MoA with the Agricultural Fresh Produce Growers & Exporters Association of Nigeria (AFGEAN), as well as with the Department of Horticulture of the Federal University of Agriculture of Abeokuta.”

Two of AFGEAN leaders, Alhaji Tajuddeen Aminu Dantata (president) and Mr Akintunde Sawyerr (secretary), have indicated that AFGEAN will continue to support its members, who are predominantly small sale farmers in the sector.

36

BUSINESS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Investing in cocoa plantation EMPOWERMENT Cocoa farming, a business that empowers for life.

Olumakinde Oni

C

ocoa is one of the most exportable crops in Nigeria that can readily generate export earnings.

It is also an investment that will outlive the owners. The implication of this is that an investor in cocoa plantation will reap from the investment for the rest of his/her life.

The uses to which cocoa can be made are many. These include, among others, cocoa butter, cake and Liquor. Cocoa products are used for beverage production and also cosmetics.

Cocoa by-products can also be used as organic fertilizer and feed for ruminant animals.

So far, from cocoa pod, only the cocoa beans are economically used. The cocoa husk and the cocoa sweetens have been proved to be capable of a number of industrial processes such as the use of the husk in livestock feed and soap making, and that of sweeteners in manufacturing of jellies, jams, food ingredients, wines and sugary solution, among others.

Requirements • Large expanse of land where the soil is deep, fertile, well aerated and loamy in nature.

• Sources of seedlings procurement are also very important.

Alternatively, nursery may be prepared separately whenever the seed are pre-planted before transplanting them to the field. It can be grown either from seeds or vegetative breed-

A farmer havesting cocoa

ing commercial plantings are mainly grown from seeds.

•Other requirements are black polythene bags, farm implements, shading materials, wind breakers, abundant labour, chemicals (fungicide, Insecticides etc.), processing implements, qualified personnel, some growth hormones and drying facilities.

Market potentials The uses to which cocoa can be put to, notwithstanding that demand for cocoa is rising steadily and prices are good.

It is a good source of foreign exchange. For some time now, cocoa farmers in Nigeria have been smiling due to the

boost in non-oil export, which resulted from the abolition of cocoa board by the Federal Government. However, the demand for cocoa beans in the country both for export and domestic uses is in excess of the supply. Moreover, the ton of cocoa bean is now selling at 400 per cent of the price some years back.

The deregulation of the economy by government has made cocoa production in Nigeria to gain a very tremendous popularity. This is because of boost given to the non-oils exports.

A lot of abandoned cocoa plantations located parts of Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti states

Agricultural Commodity Prices - Grains Commodity CBOT Corn CBOT Wheat CBOT Oats CBOT Rough Rice CBOT Soybeans CBOT Soybean Meal CBOT Soybean Oil ICE Canola

Softs

Commodity ICE Cocoa ICE Coffee "C" ICE Sugar #11 ICE Orange Juice Conc ICE Cotton #2 SFE Greasy Wool CME Lumber TOCOM Rubber CME Ethanol

Units USd/bu.

USd/bu.

USd/bu.

USD/cwt USd/bu.

USD/st USd/lb.

CAD/mt

Price 466.75 637.25 340.50 15.01 1,497.00 497.20 40.06 461.00

Change -3.00 -3.75 +0.75 -0.08 +8.25 +3.00 +0.12 +1.60

% Change -0.64% -0.59% +0.22% -0.53% +0.55% +0.61% +0.30% +0.35%

Contract Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14

Units USD/mt USd/lb.

USd/lb.

USd/lb.

USd/lb. cents/kg USD/tbf JPY/kg USD/gal.

Price 3,033.00 177.90 17.08 158.05 85.70 316.70 203.60 2.23

Change +2.00 -1.45 +0.06 -0.35 +0.73 -0.20 -0.10 +0.01

% Change +0.07% -0.81% +0.35% -0.22% +0.86% -% -0.06% -0.05% +0.63%

Contract Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jun 14 Jul 14 Nov 14 Jul 14

Time(ET) 07:48:41 07:47:31 05:44:48 07:49:22 07:48:41 07:46:55 07:46:29 07:24:28 Time(ET) 07:46:04 07:46:55 07:48:42 14:00:00 07:49:00 06:58:26 05:59:55 07:43:14

Livestock Commodity Units Price Change % Change Contract Time(ET) CME Live Cattle USd/lb.

137.13 +0.38 +0.27% Aug 14 07:45:47 CME Feeder Cattle USd/lb.

193.80 +0.30 +0.16% Aug 14 07:46:08 CME Lean Hogs USd/lb.

122.83 -0.60 -0.49% Jul 14 07:49:17 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

have been re-activated by their owners. Suddenly cocoa production is being seen as one of the major sources of foreign exchange earnings.

The transformation agenda of the present government in Nigeria also has a lot of incentives for the establishment and re-generation of cocoa plantations in Nigeria. This is an opportunity for forward-looking investors to utilise. Establishment of cocoa plantation is a life investment in which the investor will continue to get the returns for life.

In view of the above, it has been identified that establishment of cocoa plantation is one of the investment opportunities for Nigerian investors, not only because of its foreign exchange potentials but also its life investment trait.

This project is strongly recommended for consideration by investors, investment houses and profit conscious companies including government to create jobs and income for the Nigerian youths.

Financial implication 10 hectare plantation has been chosen as a hypothetical plantation for the purposes of this analysis. This has been estimated to cost about N4.6 million broken down as follows:

1. Pre-investment N100,000 2. Land acquisition 10 ha @ N300,000/ha: N3,000,000 3. Land preparation 10 ha @ N100,000/ha: N1,000,000 4. Procurement of seedlings 50,000 @ N50: N2,500,000 5. Planting and other expenses @ N100,000/ha: N1,000,000 Total N4,600,000

========= Note: The scope can be higher or lower depending on the financial strength of the investor.

Projected revenue: A well maintained Cocoa Plantation will yield a minimum of 2 tonnes of dry seed per hectare per year starting from the fourth year. This translates to 20 tons for 10 hectares.

The current selling price of cocoa is N400, 000 (minimum per ton).

An annual income of N8 million can be generated from this project with operating expenses put at N2 million per annum. Investors will be making over N6 million on annual basis from the forth year for life. Serious minded investors can be assisted in the actualization of this project.

OLUMAKINDE ONI can be reached through olumakindeoni@yahoo.com.

Cocoa price up in Nigeria’s S'West Ogun State

T

he price of cocoa has risen further in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, due to the improved quality of the beans on sale, a cocoa association official and traders said last Friday according to Dow Jones.

Graded cocoa is trading at 450,000 naira ($2,739) a metric ton, up from N440,000 three weeks ago, said Najeem Olomide, secretary of Ogun State chapter of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria.

Good weather has seen pric-

es rise from N400, 000 to N410, 000 at the beginning of April, according to Olomide.

A trader in Abeokuta, the state capital, said that although it is the rainy season, a large part of the South West, including Ogun State, is “enjoying weather favourable to cocoa development.”

There is a mixture of sunshine and showers, which is the best climate for good quality cocoa as is on the market now and that is causing the rise in the price of cocoa, he said.

Pension

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

BENEFITS Poor implementation of extant pension laws denies Nigerian retirees the right to a good life

37

Akwa Ibom: Curbing spurious retirement benefit

Sunday Ojeme

I

n the last three weeks, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Godswill Akpabio, has been in the news over the new state pension law that appears to be an encapsulation of outrageous benefits for an outgoing chief executive of a state.

Although some former governors in other states, while leaving office, had also put in place similar mouth-watering severance and retirement packages for themselves and their deputies, that of Akpabio, surprisingly, appears like the joker in the pack considering the outcry that greeted it.

Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Sam Ikon, made a veiled reference to this while defending the passage of the bill into law.

Outrageous benefits According to him, while similar laws exist in various states of the federation, they have not attracted the unwholesome attention the Akwa Ibom version has been subjected to.

Details of the benefits, described as the biggest pension plans ever, provides for a former governor a sum not exceeding five million naira per month to employ domestic staff while the deputy gets N2.5 million for the same purpose.

He will also be entitled to free medical services for himself, his spouse at a sum not exceeding N100 million per annum and N50 million for a former deputy governor among other benefits including a befitting accommodation not below a five-bed room maisonette in either Abuja or Akwa Ibom and a yearly accommodation allowance of 300 per cent of annual basic salary for an ex-deputy governor.

Going by the figures listed in favour of the beneficiaries, members of the public have every reason to scream, especially considering the hardship the ordinary Nigerian goes through daily.

However, to a discerning observer and follower of the implementation of pension laws in the country, the government of Akwa Ibom State has only taken advantage of the poor implementation of the country’s extant pension law, which today has seen pensioners living a life of abject poverty, rejection and dejection to amend its own.

Chapter VI, Part II, Section 173 (3) of the 1999 Constitution stipulates that “pensions shall be reviewed every five years or together with any Federal Civil Service salary reviews, whichever is earlier.”

Poor implementation Ordinarily, according to the law, pension is not supposed to be static, but in a situation where it is so and the monetary value goes down, the pensioner automatically becomes the victim. The essence of the review is to enable pensioners live the same life as those currently in paid employment.

According to the General Secretary, Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NRC chapter), Alhaji Rauf Balogun, “if you look at Section 173 of the constitution, it says that pension should be increased every five years or when there is an increase in salaries of workers or both. If this is strictly adhered to, you will find

Elderly pensioners reviving their colleague who collapsed while awaiting verification

Akpabio

out that pension would not be static. If there is general increase in the salaries of workers there will be a corresponding increase in pension. To that extent, pension is not static. It continues to harmonise with salaries of workers. So you see that the value of the money continue to diminish because the law has not been properly implemented.

“The old scheme would have been better if it was fully funded and implemented to the letter by following the provisions of the law.”

Akwa Ibom's defence Since the law has not been properly implemented, it has created room for former governors to present spurious bills, especially on medicare, to serving governors. This automatically translates to an open-ended financial commitment to meeting such demands.

The speaker believes that the passage of the law was a patriotic duty exercised by the assembly to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, show respect for public trust and to protect public income.

According to him, former governors and deputy governors expended several hundreds of millions on medical bills without infringing the provisions of the old law and in view of this, the assembly placed an expenditure limit of N100 million for medical treatment for former governors and N50 million for former deputy governors.

According to him, “this money can

only be paid directly to health institutions involved in the medicare or respective persons and are not accessed by, or paid to former governors or former deputy governors directly. In fact, if a governor or deputy governor is not ill, this law cannot be activated and the money cannot be spent.

“The house acted in good faith and clear conscience to protect public income and curb wastages. The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly makes this clarification for the records and in absolute good faith, hoping its puts to rest the controversy surrounding this patriotic effort of the House in furtherance of public good.”

As a sequel to the Speaker’s defence, the governor, early in the week came out to reiterate that the law was not meant to be in his favour but that of the state and its citizens as it was designed to put a limit to spurious demands by former state chief executive on medical and sundry expenses.

Akpabio said that the provision was put in place to help check certain excesses in the system and reduce the cost of medical treatment for past and current governors.

It would be recalled that prior to when the new N100 million maximum cost of medical treatment was set, there was no limit to the amount that governors and their deputies collect.

The old law was open-ended and without provision for government to ask questions about the amount stipulated in medical bills when presented.

Akpabio explained that the law was not to his benefit but an amendment of an existing law and aimed at ensuring that cost of governance was reduced.

According to him, “the bill has been politicised and people have sponsored all sorts of write-ups in the internet. It

The law should be expanded to also benefit other government officials including civil servants

is a laughable situation that the Pension Law will generate such controversy. The law has been in existence in Akwa-Ibom State. All former governors and spouses enjoy the law. It was first passed in 2000 and amended in 2006. We have been implementing it and it is just like the pension of the state. Just like you pay a civil servant, you also pay a former governor, a former deputy,” he said.

The governor further explained that under the current law, which would take effect from June 1, whatever past leaders of the state, including former military administrators were collecting would cease to operate from May 31.

He said: “It is really not a retroactive law. It is an existing law that went through amendment. The law is not meant for Godswill Akpabio. It is meant for the people’s greatest good.

“In the operation of the old pension law, it is an open-ended thing that the medical bills of all past governors and deputy governors and their spouses will be paid for by the state, whatever the bill is. So, you have a situation whereby former deputies and their spouses will come with bills from abroad with huge amount of money running close to N200 million in a year. Most of the bills that I have seen in the past seven years are from foreign hospitals.

“I have had instances in one go that I have to pay as much as N41 million.

When bills are submitted, the law does not tell you to question these bills.”

According to him, there were chances of individuals hiding under the openended medical bill to go for monthly or quarterly holiday abroad.

As stipulated in the old law, the money is usually paid into the account of the beneficiary but the new law will ensure that the money is paid to the hospital.

The governor believes that the law will help ensure that the amount expended is controlled and not above N100 million.

Reacting to the development, a legal practitioner, Ntak Ekanem, said that as much as the amount involved appeared outrageous, putting ceiling on such commitments was also a welcome development.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

38

BUSINESS |PENSION

GROWTH The Nigerian pension industry under the Contributory Pension Scheme has continued to flourish Sunday Ojeme

H

elios Investment Partners has invested about $50 million (about N750 million) to take a minority

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Helios Investment invests $50m in ARM stake in ARM Pension Managers (PFA) Limited.

According to Investment and Pension Online, under the agreement, the Africa-focused $2 billion private equity firm will acquire a minority stake in ARM Pensions, a subsidiary of Asset & Resource Management Co. Lagos-based ARM Pensions is the country’s largest inde-

pendent pension fund manager, with $2.2 billion in assets under management.

According to a source familiar with the situation, Helios invested about $50 million.

The size of the stake was not disclosed.

Nigeria’s pension industry has grown by over 30 per cent per year since the introduction of pension re-

forms in 2006, according to a statement from Helios. It is expected to continue to grow, with less than 10 per cent of Nigeria’s 70 million workforce currently enrolled in the new mandatory contributory pension plan.

According to the Managing Partner of Helios Investment Partners, Tope Lawani, “ARM Pension is an attrac-

tive business with a best-inclass management team and an established track record within the Nigerian pension industry.

“Helios has a long-standing relationship with ARM, and we look forward to working with the management team to grow the business in what is a massively underpenetrated market.”

‘Pooled’ pension schemes announced

P

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Bravo Group, Greg Boulle; Managing Director, Mouka Limited, Peju Adebajo; Chairman, Adedotun Sulaiman, and Board Member, Hasib Moukarim, at the birth of Belimi Limited/ grand launch of Sealy Posturepedic mattress in Lagos.

Private sector contributes N2.7trn to CPS

C

ontributions from the private sector have continued to expand pension assets as over N2.70 trillion (63 per cent) has so far been remitted, leaving the public sector with N1.59 trillion (37 per cent).

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) said that pension contributions stand at N4.3 trillion as at the end of April.

Head, Research and Corporate Strategy Department PenCom, Dr Farouk Aminu, said that there were about 6.07 million Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders

registered in the industry with a monthly income flow of about N40 billion ($250 million).

Aminu pointed out that the average growth rate of the industry is about 25 per cent per annum for the last eight years and that about 63 per cent of the assets belong to the private sector. He added that though the public sector has more subscribers, the private sector has more funds due to salary disparities.

He said that the statistics available to the commission show that about 65 per cent

Japan pension fund may lift domestic stock allocation

J

apan’s public pension fund, the world’s biggest, could raise its investment in domestic stocks to 20 per cent of its portfolio from the current 12 per cent, a top official with the fund was quoted as saying.

Reuters quoted Yasuhiro Yonezawa, the recently-appointed head of the investment committee of the $1.26 trillion Government Pension Investment Fund, as saying, “Twenty per cent would not necessarily be too high a hurdle” for the GPIF’s weighting of Japanese stocks. Global financial mar-

kets are keenly watching the GPIF’s investment strategy as the fund, bigger than Mexico’s economy, is a huge investor and a bellwether for other Japanese institutional investors. aGovernment overhauled the GPIF’s structure in late April, appointing new committee members in a push towards Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s goal of a more aggressive investment strategy.

GPIF now targets 12 per cent of its investments in Japanese stocks, 60 per cent in domestic bonds, 11 per cent in foreign

of the registered RSAs are under 41 years, an indication that they will still be making contributions in the next 20 years. He added that this shows that there is great prospect for the industry.

Aminu noted that the industry has almost captured all Federal Government workers in the scheme, stressing that the focus now is on states and private sector.

He said that only seven states are fully contributing as at present, while 22 have passed their bills and one is yet to do anything. bonds, 12 per cent in foreign stocks and five per cent in shortterm assets.

GPIF could lower its weighting in Japanese government bonds and shift the proceeds into Japanese stocks, foreign bonds, US and emerging markets equities, the Nikkei quoted Yonezawa as saying.

The public fund could expand its assets from the current conventional asset classes and pour into alternative assets, he said.

“We would like to set up a new asset class category which would invest in non-conventional assets such as real estate investment trusts (REITs) and infrastructure. We would want to invest about one trillion yen ($9.79 billion) in the category,” Yonezawa was quoted as saying.

lans for giant “pooled” pension schemes with the potential to boost people’s chances of getting better retirement outcome have been unveiled.

Legislation unveiled in the Queen’s Speech will enable “collective schemes” that spread the risk between members and could offer them greater stability over the eventual size of the pension they will end up with, while limiting costs to employers because of their economies of scale.

Similar pooled schemes already exist in the Netherlands and a consultation into collective pensions had previously been launched by government.

The new type of pension would be a middle ground between the two types of scheme which currently exist - defined benefit (DB) schemes, which offer people a guaranteed level of income when they retire and defined contribution (DC) schemes, which put the burden of risk onto the employee in terms of the eventual size of their pension income.

DB schemes, such as final salary pensions, have been in decline in favour of DC schemes, as employers have found them expensive to run as people live for longer.

Government plans to define schemes in terms of the “pensions promise” they offer to people, to clearly spell out whether the pension they are paying into offers them a full, cast iron promise about their retirement income, a promise

on part of their pot or income or no promise at all about what they will end up with.

As announced in the budget, the Queen’s Speech also confirmed that people aged over 55 will be given new freedoms to cash in their pension as they see fit, subject to their marginal rate of income tax.

This will mean that from next April, people can use their pension pot like a cashpoint and they will not feel forced into using the money to buy a fixed retirement income called an annuity.

Over 300,000 people who retire every year with DC pension savings will get a much wider choice about how they access their pension savings as a result of the changes.

Everyone with a DC pension pot who is approaching retirement will be offered free and impartial help through a “guidance guarantee” as part of the new legislation.

Measures to boost savers that were previously announced in this year’s budget were also confirmed in the Queen’s speech.

New “super Isas” will come into place from July 1, when the limit increases to £15,000 and savers will be given the freedom to invest the full amount tax-free in cash or stocks and shares Isa, or any combination of the two.

Government will extend the list of qualifying investments for Isas to include peer-to-peer (P2P) loans.

Akwa Ibom: Curbing spurious retirement benefit C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 7

He said: “I have been following public reactions on the issue. Actually, to me, the money and benefits appear very huge.

But let us also look at it this way.

Is it not better for the money to be big and have a limit than for it to be open-ended?

“The truth is that he has limited himself and others after him to N100 million in the case of medicare. So if there is a health challenge that will exceed that amount then he has to make up for that on his own, and mind you there is also a clause that if he did not visit the hospital throughout the period of one year the money would be paid into the government coffers.

“However, one important thing that I have to say is that the law should be expanded to also benefit other government officials including civil servants.

“What you and I don’t even know is how much is spent in taking care of former governors in states where such expenses are open-ended. What we should be clamouring for at this time is transparency, which is lacking in government generally. The pension thing is the one you are aware of, but how are you sure there are no other hidden benefits that are yet to come to light?

“The bill has been signed into law, it is now left for the next administration to either review it or allow it to remain.”

CRIME

39

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

JULIANA FRANCIS juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

‘How Police dragged me to hell’

Edu John Charles and Jecinthian Borky Barky

F

or Mr. Suleiman Busari, a professional mechanic and commercial driver, his prison experience was a horrible one he would not forget in a hurry. He described the experience as hellish.

This reporter recently met him at the Abule-Egba area of Lagos State, where he has a mechanic workshop. He was a picture of anger as he recalled how he landed in prison and spent three weeks.

He said that he remembered feeling like a lamb in the midst of wolves in the prison.

“I saw myself as a lamb, while those hardened inmates were like wolves! I won’t forget how I was brutally beaten because I refused to carry human faeces, which filled a pit in the prison compound. I was beaten by other prisoners.

At a point, I thought I would die. The sleeping condition was terrible. In order to sleep, I folded my body to make myself as small as possible. There was not enough space for sleeping,” said Busari.

Busari’s three weeks sojourn in Kirikiri Prison started after his encounter with a team of policemen, attached to the Alagolo Police Station, Ipaja, Lagos State. The team was led by a woman police and before Busari could catch his breath from the shock of being arrested and charged to court, he was already in prison.

According to him, the incident happened in November, 2013, at the AbuleEgba area of the metropolis, but it was like it happened yesterday.

He explained that as a driver, he was going about his daily business, when, for reasons he could not fathom, the police, who were on patrol, flagged him down.

He recalled: “I was driving home on that fateful day at about 8pm, along Baruwa, at Abule-Egba, when the police patrol team stopped me. They asked me to park. I obeyed without hesitation. They now asked me to present my drivers’ license. They also asked to see my driving permit. I was shocked when they refused to allow me go after I had presented and gave them all the items they asked for. I became quite uneasy when they ordered me to follow and drive the bus to their station.”

Busari noted that a woman police, later identified as Mrs. Mary, was in charge of the team.

“On getting to their station, I was asked to submit my bus documents, key, drivers’ license as well as my drivers’ permit. They asked me to go home.

Manko

Busari

The following day, I came to the station to pick my documents, but I was told that the matter had been charged to court. My surprise was that up till then, they still refused to tell me my offence.”

On getting to the court at Abule-Egba, Busari said he met an unknown lawyer, whose name was not revealed to him.

The lawyer demanded N7, 500.00 from him, to represent and get him bailed.

Busari said he was not aware of his crime and the reason for being charged to court until he saw the charge sheet. He was found guilty and sentenced to prison for dangerous driving, driving without permit and a license.

“I thought it was a bad joke until I saw myself in Kirikiri Prison,” said Busari.

“I paid the N7, 500.00 to the lawyer, but

he disappeared. I didn’t even know him from Adam. He just came to me from nowhere. I didn’t even know how he knew I had a problem that required a lawyer.”

He said that he was taken to Kirikiri with his heart pounding in fear. He had heard so many terrible things about the place. He also knew he would be in the company of hardened criminals.

He said: “The first person I met in prison was a man who introduced himself as Alhaji. We greeted each other in the Islamic way. I felt welcomed and my fears lessened. I thought we were Muslim brothers, but he later changed right before my eyes. I later got to know that he was the marshal in the prison. Alhaji asked me what brought me to prison; I narrated my story to him. He promised

CRIME QUOTE “I am determined to protect our democracy, our national unity and our political stability, by waging a total war against terrorism. The unity and stability of our country and the protection of lives and property are non-negotiable. I have instructed our security forces to launch a fullscale operation to put an end to the impunity of terrorists on our soil. I have also authorised the security forces to use any means necessary under the law to ensure that this is done.’

President Goodluck Jonathan

to help me, so that other inmates would not harm or molest me. The assistance however came with a condition. He said I should promise to give him N7, 5000 recharged cards. I promised him.

“It was even the Alhaji that gave me phone to call my wife for the recharge cards. My wife said she wouldn’t be able to come up with such an amount of recharge cards. I begged and told her that even if it was two, she should send. Immediately I mentioned two recharge cards, someone gave me a hot slap at the back of my head. I saw stars! It was one of the inmates who stood with Alhaji. They were angry that I was asking for two recharge cards after they demanded for five.”

Busari’s wife later sent the two recharge cards and surprisingly, Alhaji accepted them. But he was apparently not happy. He decided to punish Busari as was the usual form of indoctrination in prison. He was ordered to carry human faeces, but he refused, leading to rounds of serious beatings.

If he thought his situation would get better, he was sadly mistaken. If anything, his situation worsens, with Alhaji and other inmates seizing his money and food.

“Whenever my wife brings food to the prison, they would take it. If my wife brings food with five pieces of meat, they would take four and give me one. If she brings three wraps of amala, they would take two and give me one. My wife would give me N1000; they would collect N800 and give me N200. They made me to sleep on bare ground. That was how I lived for two weeks.”

While he was in prison, Busari became a praying mantis, more on his knees than on his legs. He asked God to save and take him away from the prison CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

40 CRIME

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Victim demands compensation CONTINUED FROM PAG E 3 9

because he had committed no crime and did not deserve to be there.

Busari’s prayers were already being answered, but he did not know. His wife, friends and kinsmen were already running from pillar to post, raising money and searching for a lawyer to get him out of the ‘hell.’

When they finally got a lawyer, he began trying to trace Busari’s case file, but it appeared to have taken flight. The lawyer decided to go to the Alagolo Police Station, to see if he could trace the case file.

“My lawyer, Mr. Ajasa, later told me that he was shocked when he reached the station and the Divisional Police Officer(DPO), in charge of the station, told him that he was not aware of such a case, neither was he briefed.”

Mr. Ajasa went to the woman police, Mrs. Mary, who led the team that arrested Busari.

But rather than explain what happened to the case file, Mrs. Mary started pleading for clemency. “She said that we should forgive her, that what happened that day was a case of transferred aggression against me. She said that some other drivers got her angry.”

With the help of his lawyer, Busari was finally released from Kirikiri Prison. After prison, Busari went to Mrs. Mary in an attempt to get back his vehicle documents.

He said: “Mrs. Mary apologised profusely to me, but I was surprised when she said I should go to the police counter and give

Security tips against terrorism

I

N2000 to the policemen at the counter, so that they would give me my documents.

I told her I didn’t have a dime. She said I should try and give anything. I gave them N1000 and they gave me only my bus key and refused to hand over my documents.

I went to report to Mrs. Mary. They told me that they couldn’t find my documents anymore. I had to use N40,000 to and get a new plate number and documents for

my bus.”

Busari said he had been punished unduly for an offence he did not commit, adding: “All my vehicle documents were complete and up to date on that fateful day they arrested me. I feel that the Nigeria Police Force should compensate me for all the sufferings and torture I went through in the prison. They were the cause of all my troubles. They dragged me into hell!”

Online dating scams, extortion Juliana Francis with FBI report

I

t is now clear that a good number of Nigerians have not learnt anything from the gruesome murder of Cynthia Osokogu.

Osokogu was murdered by friends she met on Facebook. The experience should have been an eye opener for most people, especially ladies, but sadly, we hear 0f increasing cases of people being duped and ladies raped by people they met on social network sites.

Some people just don’t want to learn from the downfall of others.

Apparently worried by the growing trend of online dating scam, FBI has taken steps to enlighten people, highlighting factors to watch out for, in order to know a fraudster.

According to the FBI, millions of people visit online dating websites every year, hoping to find a companion or a soul mate.

“We want to warn you that criminals use these sites too, looking to turn the lonely and vulnerable into fast money through a variety of scams,” noted the FBI. “These criminals, who also troll social media sites and chat rooms in search of romantic victims—usually claim to be Americans traveling or working abroad. In reality, they often live overseas.

Their most common targets are women over 40, who are divorced, widowed, and/or disabled, but every age group and demographic is at risk!”

The warning continues: “Here’s how the scam usually works. You’re contacted online by someone who appears interested in you.

The 3rd Eye

online dating scam

He or she may have a profile you can read or a picture that is e-mailed to you. For weeks, even months, you may chat back and forth with one another, forming a connection. You may even be sent flowers or other gifts. But ultimately, it’s going to happen—your newfound “friend” is going to ask you for money.

“So you send money…but rest assured the requests won’t stop there. There will be more hardships that only you can help alleviate with your financial gifts. He may also send you checks to cash since he’s out of the country and can’t cash them himself, or he may ask you to forward him a package.

“So what really happened? You were targeted by criminals, probably based on personal information you uploaded on dating or social media sites. The pictures you were sent were most likely phony lifted from other websites. The profiles are fakes as well, carefully crafted to match your interests.

“In addition to losing your money to

someone who had no intention of ever visiting you, you may also have unknowingly taken part in a money laundering scheme by cashing phony checks and sending the money overseas and by shipping stolen merchandise (the forwarded package).

“While the FBI and other federal partners work some of these cases—in particular those with a large number of victims or large dollar losses and/or those involving organized criminal groups—many are investigated by local and state authorities. We strongly recommend, however, that if you think you’ve been victimized by a dating scam or any other online scam, file a complaint.”

Recognising a scam artist Your online “date” may only be interested in your money if he or she: - Presses you to leave the dating website you met through and to communicate using personal e-mail or instant messaging; - Professes instant feelings of love; - Sends you a photograph of himself or herself that looks like something from a glamour magazine; - Claims to be from the U.S. and is traveling or working overseas; - Makes plans to visit you, but is then unable to do so because of a tragic event; or - Asks for money for a variety of reasons (travel, medical emergencies, hotel bills, hospitals bills for child or other relative, visas or other official documents, losses from a financial setback or crime victimization).

“One way to steer clear of these criminals all together is to stick to online dating websites with nationally known reputations.”

n view of the current security and terrorist threats in some parts of our country, the Nigeria Police Force is calling on the citizens to stay vigilant and join hands with the security agencies in making Nigeria a safer place.

In line with the above, the Police High Command wishes to acquaint the general public with the following security tips which the Force believes will help in strengthening both personal and communal sense of safety.

• Know your neighbours: You must strive to know not only the person living in your house but in your surrounding environment.

Find out their means of livelihood as every strange face must be probed.

• Observe what your neighbour normally brings home at night or what he normally moves away in the early morning hours as this may be dangerous to the safety of all.

•Landlordsshouldconductbackground checks on all their prospective tenants. They should equally createavenuesformeetingwiththeir tenants from time to time.

• Community leaders working in conjunctionwiththelocalPolice,are encouraged to form neighbourhood associationsandperiodicallymeetto appraise security situation in their areas.

• Do not keep any object that will aid criminals to have easy access to your premises, e g. Ladder beside the wall.

• Owners of uncompleted buildings must clear them of undesirable persons or request the assistance of securityagenciestodosowherenecessary.

• Park owners, garage operators and operators of shopping malls must ensure that they thoroughly scan, search and take stock of all vehicles parked within and around the premises of such public places.

•HotelsandHospitalityindustries should always screen their guests and lodgers properly and ensure that they obtain accurate details of all guests.

• Corporate citizens, high-end commercial and residential establishments, institutions, mega churches/mosques and individuals with valuable assets, including hotel and park owners are encouraged to install Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV) and other surveillance systems strategically on their premises to help in monitoring and capturing criminal activities.

SMS: 08189679439

FAMILY AFFAIRS FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH

41

www.newtelegraphonline.com/familyaffairs

PRINCESS ODUNAYOMI OKE

WOMAN EDITOR

odunayomitide2010@gmail.com 08082592471 (sms only)

T

ruth is, to keep the flame of romance burning; you have to let the fire loose.

But it amazes me each time I hear a woman say ‘my husband is old fashioned, and does not care about anything special when it comes to the art of marriage.’ In short, a woman once told me her husband was a no-nonsense man, so they never had any great moment together. She said they have been so business-like about lovemaking; they never went beyond the conventional stuff.

To them, the art itself is a necessary evil designed just for procreation, and probably for a man not to fall into temptation outside marriage. But what a huge misconception! Little wonder some women keep booking appointments with different counsellors, just to get counsels on how to revitalize their union. And that is after they must have endured a cold, excessively dry, and very boring marital life for years; all in the name of policy, principle, belief, inhibitions, and what have you.

What some people fail to realise, is that no man is as holy as not to desire a warm romantic session with his wife once a while, at least if not always. I have once counselled with a woman who confided in me that though her husband was a good family man, but he scored zero in the area of romance. I disagreed with the statement, and asked her to challenge her husband to it. A month after that, she called to give me a mind-blowing gist. She said it was as if she got married to a new man, after about 11years of faking it together.

A pastor shared with us how his wife gave him a beautiful surprise. He said as the main person in charge of counselling Youths and Singles in courtship, in his Church, he went through untold tempting experiences; many of which he shared with his wife. But unknown to him, his wife was not too comfortable with all those.

One day while he was in the midst of counselling a lady, whose troublesome case he had discussed with his wife a day before, his wife sent him a message to rush home to attend to an emergency. As he pressed the door bell, his wife rushed to get it, and rushed back to the inner room. That got him more confused, and he rushed after her.

As he got to the half-opened bedroom door, he flung it open. But to his amazement, his wife lay there on the bed, backside up, scantily dressed, and pretending to be sleeping. He stood there, and wondered where, and what the emergency was.

While still starring at the figure on the bed, he remembered the other lady he left in his office, and the difficulty he was having concentrating while counselling her.

Then his wife let out a short mischievous laughter, and rolled on her back.

Before the husband could even let out a word, she moved towards him, took his jacket, and ran her hands all over him like a hungry lion. Well, maybe you know one man who would waste such opportunity, but Pastor said he did not, because blood had rushed into his adrenalin.

He said his wife later explained to him that she always felt uncomfortable any time the lady had an appointment with him for counselling. So, as she prayed and asked God for what to do that day, it was impressed upon her heart to invite her husband home that way; otherwise, the lady would have ended up getting him right there in his office. Well, he did not deny it was a good rescue for him, only that it amazed him that his ‘good girl type’ wife could start the ball rolling that way.

That was a very smart woman. But my worry is, why do women wait until they sense trouble, before they show some of those stuffs that the men would hardly ever resist? There are so many ways to enjoy bliss in your marriage, irrespective

Let the fire loose of how old your union is. When you rekindle the flame of love from time to time, the bond between you and your spouse becomes stronger.

TEN WAYS TO KEEP THE FIRE BURNING

lSHOWER TOGETHER AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY. Many couple don’t do this again, while some probably did it only the first few years of marriage. There is a kind of intimacy in this, and it makes a couple realise they still belong together despite their daily busy schedule. It could be on weekends, or last thing at nights, before retiring to bed. lFEED HIM, USING YOUR FINGERS. There is one good feeling one gets from eating with one’s finger, and when you put food in your spouse’s mouth with the fingers, it is kind of intimate, It can’t be explained, but a trial will give you the details. lASSIST HIM IN BARBING HIS HAIR. The scalp is a very sensitive part of us; that is why you see some people sleep off at the salon, the moment hand touches their head. The touch gets so soothing it travels the length of your body. So when you handle the barbing of your husband’s hair, you scratch his scalp intimately; in a way no barber could do. Barbing is not so hard to do, especially nowadays that men go on skin cut. Just let him sit in front of the mirror, and have fun doing it together. lSTAY WITH HIM WHILE HE DRESSES. It baffles me when I see some men badly dressed, with poor combination, and so on. It is not enough for a woman to pick the clothes her husband will wear, but it could be more romantic when you lie down, and watch him go into those brief, shirt and trouser, one by one.

This may not be something you do every

day, but there is always a day in a week when both of you are not rushing out of the house. lHELP TO CUT HIS NAILS. I always appreciate men with clean and well cut finger and toe nails. In short, a dirty nail is a put off. Some men spend a good part of their weekend going for what they call salon-touch manicure and pedicure. But as a woman who wants to keep enjoying uninterrupted marital bliss, you should not allow another woman clean out your husband’s nails. Settle down, and give him that. It is equally a good way to bond together. Particularly, when you clean the feet and tickle him. lSLEEP TOGETHER ON SAME BED. The luxury of having more than enough rooms in a home has really kept couples apart indirectly. I mean what is a woman doing sleeping in a different room under the same roof with her husband?

Sleeping together gives a kind of intimacy that can only be enjoyed by husband and wife. The two bodies touching each other give a sense of commitment. Roll on each other, and feel the presence of that other person beside you. Honestly, It’s a good one.

But my worry is, why do women wait until they sense trouble, before they show some of those stuffs that the men hardly would ever resist?

lWALK ABOUT IN YOUR ROOM NAKED. After all, what is there to hide again? Even the Word of God says the man and his wife will be together naked without shame. Women, in particular don’t like to do this, because they are not proud of their bodies when the ‘tyres’ have started showing everywhere, but you will be surprised it keeps your picture in your husband’s mind all-through the day. But caution should be exercised in this area, so the children don’t begin to see things that should be the exclusive preserve of the adult. So, ensure your bedroom door is well locked before you start this. lTALK TOGETHER WHILE IN BED. Against some people’s belief, bed time is not always sleeping time; especially for couples. It is a good time to have a heart- to-heart discussion. A woman in particular feels loved when she has a listening hear beside her at that time of the day. She sleeps feeling secured, and wakes up remembering the night before. lGIVE HIM A MASSAGE. Men often complain of stress-provoked pain in the waist, shoulders and back region. Don’t encourage your husband to always go to the gym for professional touch, instead, be the touch he needs to sooth his ache. Set a time aside once-a-while, and give him a good massage. If there is any special way the professionals do it, you could go learn it, and let his body be familiar with your touch. lGIVE HIM A PLEASANT SURPRISE. This is actually the spark you need to keep the flame alive. Plan your own technique, and pleasantly surprise him from time to time. Do it in a way he will not know what next to expect, but ensure will always have sweet memory of whatever it is.

42 FamilY AFFAIRS | woman to woman

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went to a woman’s shop one day, and we had a reason to get to her house. To enter the main flat, we had to go through the kitchen, so I had a good view of the place, and was like impressed; at least by the little I saw. But before leaving the house, I got the shock of my life. She told me we could be talking while she quickly cleaned her bathroom.

She poured liquid antiseptic on the floor, the toilet seat, the bathtub, and scrubbed everywhere thoroughly. But when she got to the hand basin, she stepped out of the room, and returned with a big, worn-out sponge.

That did not mean anything to me, as I was impressed by her good hygiene.

Then, we moved to the kitchen, where she dropped the same sponge on the sink tray. I was like, oh, she must have mistakenly done that. So I said “Yuk, you dropped the toilet sponge in the kitchen sink.’’ And to my surprise, she said, ‘It’s not the toilet sponge; I sometimes use it to wash the hand basin in the bathroom, since that is where we brush our teeth.’

There was nothing I said that convinced her, as she insisted her bathroom was as clean as her kitchen. It took a very long time before I recovered from that shocking revelation. I mean, how clean and well disinfected could a bathroom be; that one will be using the same sponge used in washing plates, to wash the hand basin? In that woman’s case, it was not about any financial constraint, but just that she did not see anything wrong in what she had done.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

The woman and her kitchen

Another time, I scolded someone for doing her oral hygiene in the kitchen sink, but she just laughed it off, and said ‘you people are funny, what about all those dirty fish, meat and plate we wash in the sink, are you saying they are better than my mouth?’

The height of this indiscipline is that of women who are in the habit of spitting in their kitchen sink. This is very irritating and un-hygienic; yet very common among women. Some say they do it unconsciously, while some insisted that though it is a common habit; there is nothing particularly bad about it. Hnnmm, just make sure the men don’t get to read this, or better still, that your hubby does not catch you in the act next time you are tempt-

ed to do that. But truth is, ‘It is not good does not have another name, but, it is not good.’

Loosening of hair while in the kitchen is another compromising habit. Yet, many women

Some say they do it unconsciously, while some insisted that though it is a common habit; there is nothing particularly bad about it

excuse it away as no big deal. A woman once argued that it is not every one’s hair that fly about, so she could do it, but only be careful not to comb out the hair.

At another time, I corrected a friend about it, but she jokingly said ‘all her children are grown, so if they see hair in their food, they should pick it out.’ Really, she knew it was wrong, but just like the other habits, she felt it did not really matter.

Well, to my mind, a woman’s kitchen is one part of the house to be very finicky about. A place every woman should be proud to show off; with sparkling clean shelves, floor, and every other thing well arranged. I often say it at every opportunity I have to talk to women about home-care, that the moment I enter anyone’s kitchen, I already have a good idea of what the other parts of the house is like.

There is no-how a woman would convince me she is neat and organised, but her kitchen is only dirty because she has children who mess it up from time to time. In the first place, the kitchen is not meant to be an extension of the children’s play room, and children should be taught to treat the kitchen as a very special place in the house.

Stacks of dirty dishes should not be left overnight in the sink for any reason; otherwise children will take that as normal, and indulge in it often. The big waste bin for the house must be kept in an open place in the compound, away from the kitchen,

while daily waste from the kitchen should be emptied there every night, or as the case may be.

USEFUL INFORMATION lEmpty the kitchen dust bin on a daily basis. This will help to keep away roaches and other pests. lKeep the children away from the kitchen, except when they have chores to do. And educate them on how to keep the place as clean as they met it. lDirty dishes should not be left in the sink. All used plates should be washed immediately after use. lThe plate rack should be kept dry and clean. lDon’t leave the blender, mixer or any other machine dirty for days, or until another use. lSpitting in the sink should be discouraged, it is very unhygienic. lThe kitchen sink should not be used for oral hygiene. lRotten food item should not be left in the refrigerator.

It gives the whole place a bad odour. lOther items should be properly arranged in kitchen cabinets or on shelves. l The cooker must be cleaned every night ready for the next day. lThe kitchen floor should be swept or mopped daily.

odunayomitide2010@gmail.com 08082592471 (sms only)

FamilY AFFAIRS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

with

COUNSELLING Q & A PRINCESS ODUNAYOMI OKE

Dear Counsellor, I came across NEW TELEGRAPH NEWSPAPERS for the first time, at my friend’s office. I didn’t really plan to read, but as I was flipping through, just to while away time, I stumbled on the FAMILY AFFAIRS page. I decided to scan through and see if I could get something useful; but I ended up digesting it all. I even took it home to my husband. Thanks for that write-up on Masturbation; it has really helped in sorting out one of the crucial issues we have been trying to sort out in our marriage. But I need your counsel on a more personal one. I’ve been dying to ask my husband for a lip-to-clit stimulation, but I don’t know how to put it to him.

Hnnnnmmm, this is a big one! But truth is, many women are bogged down with same question, but only few can voice it out. While some believe it is dirty, others see it as probably ungodly, and allow it to rot in them; rather than be seen as dirty.

I only hope your husband is not one, who sees oral sex (what you want from him), as a ‘lust of the flesh,’ which must be silenced, and not encouraged. If he is, then no amount of conviction would make him play ball; as it means the act is already condemned in his heart. For some see that type of oral- sex, as barbaric. Their argument is that only dogs do that, and that God designed the man and the woman’s genitals in a way one can complement the other. Meaning any other thing is an abuse of the original intent.

So the first question to ask is ‘What does the Word of God say about my desire?’ You can meditate on the whole of Romans 14 for deep persuasion.

Then, ‘what is my spouse’ opinion about it?’ ‘Am I appealing enough for him to throw caution off wind?’ ‘Has he ever asked me for such?’ But I think if he has never asked you for such, then he could be against oral-sex.

To give you more options, I went on-line to research; and came across a similar question. Hope the answer given will come handy for you. Below is the question: Question: “Is it cool to out rightly ask my man to go down on me?’’

Answer: “Yes, if he's slacking in that area, you can let him know what you want. If you don't feel comfortable simply blurting out the request, go down on him for a few minutes, then return to eye level before he goes over the edge. He'll likely return the favor. If not, move his hand between your legs, tilt your head back, and arch your spine to create a downward slope for him to descend. Still not working? ‘Put your tongue between my legs’ in a sexy tone, will let him know what you want.’’

Well, anyhow it goes; I wish you the best in your love life. But be encouraged that we can never have all we want in life, particularly those things that look like life itself to us.

I read your column on Friday, and I was highly impressed by the way you started, and ended the story. My four year old son is fond of using his hand to cover his ‘thing’ whenever i am getting him ready for school, and his two year old sister enters the room. I used to scold him about that, but now, I understand better. Thanks for that very helpful write-up.

Let’s give it to God! And thanks for staying with our titles. I like that boy; it shows that even at his age, he understands the meaning of privacy. He knows it is not right for his little sister to feed on his body, no matter the relationship. Such a boy will grow up to be disciplined in that area. I think what you should do now, is to train the girl to also know how to cover her body when any male (young or old) is around her.

But what is his ‘thing?’ If not that you said your son, I would not have known what part of the body you referred to. I often tell Parents never to be too holy to use the correct names, when referring to the private parts of the body. The male reproductive organ is called the penis, but in last week’s write-up, the boy referred to it as toros, and immediately, the little girl knew what he was referring to. This shows that those coined names have so stayed with the children, that majority of them don’t even know the real names for the different parts of their bodies.

Let your daughter know the pointed part of her breast, is called nipples, and not yan-yan. Show her where her vagina is located, so she does not grow up calling it wee-wee. Maybe it will amaze you to

odunayomitide2010@gmail.com 08082592471 (sms only)

43

9 things every naked man wants to hear

know some adult still think bum-bum is the correct name for the buttocks, while, some could not differentiate between the Vagina, and the urinary, until much later in life.

I read the story of the woman whose husband said he could not love again, after seeing her reclined hair, and I feel I should also ask for counsel. My sister in Dublin sent me a herbal drink two months ago which she said will help firm up my boobs without surgery. Though I have not started taking it, but I have been hiding it away from my husband. Should I tell him about it?

Women! May God deliver the daughters of Eve from firming up and toning up, all in the name of becoming more attractive to the men. Really, I am not against you doing any of those stuffs if you feel that will raise ‘your game’ with your spouse, but what I am against, is you planning to take such a step without informing him.

Yes, you have not started taking it, but you ordered for it, or better still, you made a complaint which made your sister send it. So sooner or later, you will begin to take it. What if it turns round that it is not suitable for your body? I mean, is your sister a herbal doctor?

Anyway, my own piece of counsel is, if it is actually your husband you want to firm up your boobs for; then let him be aware of your plans. Things like that work better when they are jointly agreed upon by spouses. For crying out loud woman, your husband may not be in support. Yes, that’s just the truth.

I mean, has he really complained about that part of your body, or you just feel he would be impressed if they are firmer? Please, look for a better way to surprise him, rather than one that may turn out awry.

If he is complaining you have lost some elasticity there, agree on the step to take together. Otherwise, if it turns out bad, you will only have yourself to blame. And trust men, it doesn’t take them time to move on.

All those babes you see outside with seemingly perfect boobs, are either carrying about silicon; though with the exception of those who packed well. So if your spouse really loves you, he will only encourage you to take the best decision in trying to stay in shape for him. To think of it, have you heard of men saying they want to firm up a part of their body just to be attractive to the women?

Well, maybe by going to the gym for muscle tone.

Anyway, a word they say is enough for the wise.

So be wise. Carry your husband along in any decision that involves your matrimony.

I have declined sex from my husband for over three months now. The real problem is my husband has refused to use condom, and he keeps infecting me with STI which has embarrassed me several times; with itching in public places. Now, he is making me uncomfortable in the house by telling the children lies about me.

One thing I don’t like is when Parents quarrel, and make it open to the children. What example are you giving them, and what picture are you painting to them about matrimony? This issue is particularly one that should be covered from the children. How will you begin to tell them what both of you are quarrelling about?

And if I may ask, what lies could he be telling the children about you? That you are the unfaithful party, or that you are denying him his conjugal right? You see what I mean? Children should not be involved in that at all. Even if the former is a lie, is the latter also a lie? Three months of a no-sex marital relationship under same roof, could mean nothing to a woman, but to the man; it is hell. I mean real hell.

So, try and talk as adults, and get the issue sorted out once and for all. Ask him what both of you can do to spice up your relationship, and be ready to show more love to ensure he stays faithful. You can also get your doctor to talk to him on the consequences of treating STI over and again, and also the safety of wearing a condom when one is not sure of being completely clean.

This last one may be hard to take, but you can also encourage him to always wear a sheath whenever he is on his outside adventure. At least, that will protect both of you from further embarrassing situation; as there will be no STI to spread so long he does not bring any home to you.

PHOTO:fotolia.com

F

irst things first, Men don't really need to hear anything, by the time we're naked; we're not really dwelling on the quality of the conversation. That said, there's no harm in making a full-frontal moment even more blissful by boosting your guy's confidence or revealing something sexy about yourself. Arousal is driven by the brain, after all.

So words that put us in a sexier frame of mind can lead to very pleasant results. The next time your man bares all, try one or all of these hot lines.

lI want you. We probably wouldn't be in this situation if we weren't already about to have sex, but it's nice to know that you're still interested now that you've seen our pale thighs and spotty chest hair. lYour chest/stomach/back is amazing. Hey, we're not working out for our health.

Well, actually we are working out for our health, but we're also working out because we want you to notice the little muscles sprouting up under our skin. lThere's no imperfection on your body. If you can't figure out exactly where to direct your compliment, this works. lTell me what you like. This tells us that you're willing to try new things, and that you want our sex life to be experimental. And trust me, if you try your guy's kinky suggestions, he'll try yours. lThat's one handsome penis. There's something about an absurd compliment that feels totally sincere, like there's no possible way you're just quoting something you heard in a romcom. So feel

free: We accept all forms of bizarre flattery relating to any part of our body or sexual performance. Plus you'll introduce a little humor, and that's never a bad thing. lYou can do whatever you want. A line like this is guaranteed to make a man's mind wander to some amazing places. Of course, only say it if you mean it, and totally trust this guy. lI have a condom. There's not a damn thing wrong with a woman who can take charge of her sexual health. It lets us know that when we sleep with you, we're not sleeping with all the other men you've slept with. lYou feel so good inside me.

The average guy knows he's working with average sized equipment. But he wants to believe that he's using that equipment in such an extraordinary way that you're never left wishing he had another inch or two to work with. So yeah, a little reassurance is nice. lOh oh oh! Because like I said, 90 percent of the time, we don't even really need lots of compliments. In those cases, an enthusiastic moan will do wonders.

Culled from: WOMAN’S HEALTH MAGAZINE

The next time your man bares all, try one or all of these hot lines

E X H O RT A T I O N

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NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/islam

adeolaomoyusuf@yahoo.com 0803 438 0340 FRIDAY JUNE 6, 2014 l Sha’ban 8, 1435

“O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know and honor each other (not that you should despise one another). Indeed the most honorable of you in the sight of God is the most righteous.”

Qur’an 49, Verse 13

21

UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

days to the commencement of Ramadan, 1435.

Source: mycountdown.com

Is marriage still valid after a long separation between a couple?

As-Salamu `alaykum. If a husband and wife fight each other and after that they do not talk for 3 to 4 years, does this render their nikah (marriage) null and void?

Answer

A response by Dr. Sano Koutoub Moustapha, professor of fiqh and its principles, International Islamic University, Malaysia.

W

a ‘alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear questioner, we’d like to say that we are impressed by your question, which emanates from a thoughtful heart. May Allah Almighty help us all adhere to the principles of this true religion, Islam, and enable us to be among the dwellers of Paradise in the Hereafter. Ameen.

First of all, you should know that marriage never ends automatically; rather there are ways of nullifying marriage: by the husband’s actual uttering of the words of divorce, by his divorcing a wife in absentia, by the wife resorting to a judge who can declare the marriage contract annulled or bykhul`.

Thus, in a husband’s absence, a wife is not allowed to marry another until she has resorted to a judge to take the due procedure either to notify him to come (if he is available) or to issue a judgment declaring him to be absent Islam calls upon husbands to keep in touch with their wives while they are away. In the event that you mentioned, his wife has a right to annul their marriage.

The period she can wait should not be more than one year according to most of the schools of thought. In other words, if a husband leaves a wife without communicating with her for more than one year, the judge should allow his wife to go for ‘iddah, which is a three-month period, and all her expenses should be taken from the husband’s wealth if he has any.

Consequently, she is allowed to get married with whomever she wishes. However, if at any time the first husband turns up, her second marriage cannot be annulled at all. In this regard, that lady should not be worried of doing anything wrong and her new marriage is legal and acceptable.

Yet, she should take care of their son and give him the necessary education he needs. This issue is known in Islamic law as the issue of al-mafqud or the issue of a missing person.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Court restrains cleric from presenting self as Imam to LG Fadilat Sheik Khaleefat Abubakari Sodiq Ajani Olorunseye (middle); Mukadam Abdul Rahaman Taiwo Adeyemi Olorunseye (left) and Sheik Soliudeen Hussain Al-adaby during the 20th remembrance of late Sheik Soliudeen Adio Olorunseye [Al-Arif samodany]/Moulud Nabiyy celebraion in Mowe, Ogun State recently.

Address Boko Haram as terrorist, not Islamic sect, OIC tasks media CONCERN The OIC has expressed concerns about the misuse of Islam morally and ethically Stories by Adeola Yusuf

T

he Organisation of Islamic Conference (IOC) has tasked the media in Nigeria and abroad to desist from addressing Boko Haram insurgents as Islamic sect.

The IOC, which rounded off the three-day visit to Nigeria, insisted that the members of the sect should rather be addressed as criminals because they “are anti-Islam.”

Secretary General of the group, Eyad Madani, who made this known yesterday said: “What they (Boko Ha-

ram) do is criminal act; it has absolutely nothing to do with Islam.”

The3 IOC scribe said: “The OIC has issued statements that … these people are outlaws.

“What they do is criminal act, it has absolutely nothing to do with Islam, Islamic teachings, the religion of Islam, the history, the culture, the civilization of Islam and we should identify them for what they are: as a terrorist group.”

Mr. Madani had earlier said in Abuja that the IOC is solidly behind Nigeria in its fight against insurgents.

“We are also here to express our solidarity with Nigeria in facing up to this terrorist organisation and to condemn all terrorist acts they have been committing, and to show our condolences to the Nigerian people, to the families of those who were affected,” he said.

Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after a meet-

ing with President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Madani said the OIC delegation discussed the visions and priorities of the with Mr. Jonathan.

The organization, Madani said, intimated the President on what the OIC could do in terms of expressing its support, and its willingness to be actively involved in the war against the terrorist group.

When asked what concrete support Nigeria should expect from OIC, the Secretary General said since the crisis is multi-dimensional, OIC could be involved in many ways.

He said one of the ways OIC could be involved, is to “first to declare its position morally, to declare its position from the religious point of view.”

He said the conference is not a religious organisation, but a political organisation that has 57 member states, and each state is represented in the conference as a government.

Umrah: Saudi begins visa issuance to Nigerians, others HEALTH KSA authorities have contracted 2,100 nurses for pilgrims to lesser Hajj during Ramadan uthorities of the Kingdom Abegan of Saudi Arabia (KSA) have issuance of entry Visa

into the kingdom for intending Muslims in Nigerians and other countries, who want to participate in the Umrah lesser Hajj during the month of Ramadan.

The KSA government, which made this hint in a Makkahbased newspaper, Makkah Daily, added that a total of 2,100 female nurses have been contracted to work in various government hospitals in the Kingdom, from India and the Philippines have been contracted to work in various government hospitals in the Kingdom, the

...as Ramadan countdown begins Health Ministry announced.

Director of the ministry of Health, nursing department, Ilham Sindi told Makkah daily that the new nurses would assume their duties within a month after completing their recruitment procedures. She said 1,800 nurses would be coming from India while 300 would come from the Philippines. Sindi said the recruited nurses are highly qualified and experienced.

“They are holders of bachelor’s and master’s degrees,” she added. She said the new nurses would be a real asset to the ministry’s medical cadres and will fill vacancies in a number of government hospitals. “There will be no shortage of nurses any more,” she added.

Sindi, a member of the selection committee that had just visited New Delhi and Manilla,

said more nurses from the two countries would be contracted if there is a need for them. She said the contract term is for one year and renewable.

Sindi noted that Saudi female nurses do not possess any of these nursing specializations.

“Whenever we do have a Saudi nurse with the required specialization, she will immediately replace the expatriate nurse,” she said.

According to 2009 data from the Ministry of Health, out of the 110,858 nurses across all healthcare sectors in the Kingdom, only 32.3 percent of them were Saudi.

But nursing as a profession is slowly being accepted by Saudis.

When Umm Al-Qura University first opened the nursing program, which is a five year program, only 20 students enrolled.

Supreme Court has Tliuhe restrained Alhaji SaIreyemi Sanni from

presenting himself as the Chief Imam of Isara, Ogun State, to Isara Local Council pending the determination of an appeal filed by Alhaji Tajudeen Hamzat.

The order was given by Justice Mahmud Mohammed following a Notice on Motion brought pursuant to order 8 rule 4 of the Supreme Court rules Cap C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Hamzat and Alhaji Surakatu Sodipo for themselves and on behalf of the Muslim Community of Isara-Remo, brought the suit before the court.

They also urged the court to accelerate the hearing of this appeal in the interest of peace, safety and tranquility of the Isara-Remo Muslim Community of Ogun State.

In an affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by a lawyer, Ologwu Moses, he recalled that on February 16, 2013, “a ceremony took place where Sanni was supposedly installed and crowned the grand Imam of IsaraRemo, Ogun State, despite the pendency of this present appeal before this honourable court.”

He added, “Prior to the supposed installation, Sanni had been warned to desist from committing acts likely to breach the peaceful co-existence of Isara Muslim Community but he refused and the refusal led to his suspension.”

He argued that unless Sanni was restrained, his action would jeopardise the hearing and determination of the appeal before the court and breach the peace in the community, warning that it could also lead to religious riot.

In his ruling, Justice Mohammed “restrained Sanni from presenting himself to Isara Local Council as the Chief Imam pending the determination of this appeal.” He subsequently fixed hearing for November 10, 2014.

ne 6, 2014

No ritual killings for monarch’s burial, say police Joe Ezuma

by some people in

students’ union contrast with ies of meetings nt. they embarked rts were being sis. university were before an Ikeja being arrested rotest on Tues-

Port Harcourt

P

olice in Rivers State Police have called on the people to discountenance rumours that human heads are needed for the on-going burial ceremony of King Frank Adele Eke, Eze Gbakagbaka of Woji Town.

The Assistant Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Grace Iringe-Koko, said in a statement that it had become necessary to ere accused of hi- respond to the rumours in view 04, with registra- of the concerns that the burial, erty of the Lagos which would end on Sunday, had caused in the state, especially in

Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

He said: “Unfortunately, this has erroneously caused apprehensions in the minds of people for fear of being murdered for the said burial. In this regard, the Rivers State Police Command hereby refutes the rumour as a figment of the imagination of those who have concocted such rumour.

“It is important to state that such barbaric practice cannot be imagined in the present civilised dispensation of human advancement.

“Consequently, the Rivers State Police Command encourages all law-abiding citizens of Rivers

steals employer’s car

yesteryear-old e Ajayi, e car of

ole the h regis328 BZ Akure, ook it to d to sell

team of ael Adsuspect on June

blic Re), Wole onal PoElerinla s led by inla DiLagos. the sus-

pect, who was employed as a driver by Dr and Mrs James Olaniyi Okunlola of the Department of Agriculture and Economics at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA).

Ogodo explained that the detectives apprehended Ajayi at Bode Thomas in Lagos where he intended to sell the car.

The PPRO said the suspect was brought back to Akure with the car and other valuables such as two different GSM phones, Dell laptop, MTN modem, which he had stolen, a knife and some personal documents belonging to his boss.

Ajayi, who spoke with journalists during the parade at the Divisional Police Station, Okuta Elerinla, confessed to the crime.

The suspect, who hails from Aisegba-Ekiti in Ekiti State, said his father lived in Ijare, Ifedore local Government Area

of Ondo State.

According to him, he did not have anyone in mind to sell the car to in Lagos but was sure he will get a buyer when he gets there.

He said: “I wanted to sell the car for N1 million but I do not have a buyer as it was first time I did that. Nobody lured me into it. I am only praying that God and my boss will forgive me.”

Meanwhile, Ogodo appealed to the people to be wary of who they employ as drivers or salespersons.

According to him, employers must ensure that whoever they want to employ is a person of an impeccable character and ensure that he or she has a reliable surety.

He also urged criminals to repent otherwise they would be dealt with when apprehended.

Ogodo said the suspect would soon be charged to court.

nd is irresponsible, wife tells court

ota Adked the Court, 0-yearrounds respon-

sband, e, had 300,000 refused

he man ebt be-

cause he is lazy.

“All he does is to sleep all the time. I pay my children’s school fees myself; he is just irresponsible,” she said.

Adewale, a tricycle rider, said he spent the money he borrowed from his wife to pay for the tricycle which was on hire purchase.

He promised to repay the debt as soon as possible.

The President of the court, Mr P. A. Williams, directed the couple to come with two of their relatives each at the next

adjourned date.

He then adjourned the case till June 26.

State to go about their lawful businesses. You are further enjoined to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the police.

This is arising from the need to be security conscious as some hoodlums might want to take advantage of the influx of persons from all walks of life that will be in attendance at the burial, to carry out unwholesome activities.

“The Rivers State Police Command is, nonetheless, alert to its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property of inhabitants of Rivers State and will respond swiftly to address any security challenge that might arise at any time.”

Commuters groan as rain paralyses business activities

Commuters queuing to board a BRT bus

Camillus Nnaji

C

ommuters had a hectic time getting to their places of work or business yesterday as flash flood following the early morning down pour created gridlock in parts of the Lagos metropolis.

The rain, which started about midnight on Wednesday, continued till about 11:30am yesterday.

Several commuters, many of who took shelter under umbrellas of different sizes and colours while others wore raincoats, were stranded at the bus stops and motor parks waiting for the available buses.

Commercial bus drivers cashed on the situation to hike transport fares.

A journey from Berger to Ketu which costs N100 on a normal day was hiked to N150, while a journey from Berger to Ojota through Abiola Gardens attracted N150 as against N70.

Besides the fares, there was a long queue of commuters at the BRT terminus at Berger which had only one bus going to Lagos Island.

A commuter, Mrs Cynthia Ohia, an accountant, who was going to Ojuelegba, said she had waited at the Berger bus park for more than two hours.

Another passenger heading to Lagos Island said he needed to be at the office before 8am, but it was not possible because of the early rain and non-availability of buses.

METRO

45

21

Foundation rewards partners Kayode Olanrewaju

A

Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Empowerment for the Less Privileged (ELP), will on Sunday present awards to some of its partners in giving hope to the lessprivileged across the country.

The event is billed for the Pearl Garden Chinese Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos.

ELP, formerly known as Mike Okonkwo Foundation was founded in 2000

by Dr. Mike Okonkwo, the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), to alleviate the plight of the underprivileged.

Its Executive Secretary, Mr Sina Matti, said ELP would bestow the awards on some eminent personalities and organisations for partnering with the organisation in the past 11years in actualising its vision.

With the mission to consistently empower people for self-sustenance and alleviate their pains, Matti noted that ELP has established vocational centres in Lagos State, devoted to training of the people in various self-help entrepreneurial skills such hair

dressing, barbing, soap making, catering, fashion designing, metal works, computer training, beads and hat making, among others.

According to Matti, over 3,551 trainees have benefited and graduated from the programme in the past 11 years.

Apart from the centres, the organisation, he added, also established preparatory classes preparing students adequately for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), as well as the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

According to him, more than 1,160 students have benefited in the free tutorial.

He said: “The centres have literacy classes that enable interested adults learn how to read and write.”

Matti added that ELP had awarded scholarships to financially challenged, but gifted children for various courses of study in Nigerian universities.

Bridge collapses, cuts off communities Dominic Adewole Asaba

T

he collapse of a bridge on Illah-Ebu Road in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State has grounded social and economic activities in the area.

Score of commuters travelling on the road were stranded yesterday.

The over 60-year-old bridge, which collapsed a few days earlier, links the oil rich state with the neighbouring Edo State through Ukala-Uromi.

It also served a link route to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

It was gathered that the bridge was last repaired 15 years ago by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

The collapse has paralysed social and business

activities in the axis. It has also stalled the on-going construction of Utor Bridge.

The Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area, Mr Innocent Esewezie, has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently repair on the bridge.

The chairman said the collapse of the bridge had disrupted human and vehicular movement from Illah to Ebu, Ukala and Uromi, in Edo State, as well as to Abuja.

He said: “For now, there is no other alternative road to link Illah to Ebu and other communities. This is really a cut-off. The collapse has prevented materials from being conveyed to Utor Bridge that is being constructed by the Federal Government to link Ebu to Uromi and further link the communities to Abuja.”

46 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

5-Jun-14

The FMDQ Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject to the FMDQ OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement.

Bonds

Price

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

NA

NA

Description 9.20 29-JUN-2014 9.25 28-SEP-2014 4.00 23-APR-2015 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 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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

9.20 9.25 4.00 13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00

45.00 100.00 535.00 470.27 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 110.00 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

Bid Price

Offer Price

0.07 0.32 0.88 2.20 2.89 3.14 3.24 3.98 5.07 5.38 7.65 9.77 14.48 14.96 15.46 16.13

10.29 10.50 11.18 11.50 11.59 11.57 11.59 11.71 11.97 11.96 12.42 12.53 12.81 12.85 12.88 12.99

8.09 10.01 10.55 11.42 11.53 11.45 11.47 11.62 11.90 11.87 12.36 12.48 12.77 12.80 12.82 12.93

99.90 99.57 94.11 102.90 108.40 95.55 94.07 96.84 114.95 80.72 119.20 109.20 114.22 97.63 70.90 80.00

100.05 99.72 94.61 103.05 108.55 95.85 94.37 97.14 115.25 81.02 119.50 109.50 114.52 97.93 71.20 80.30

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

29-Jun-14 28-Sep-14 23-Apr-15 16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30

4,334.84 Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

NA

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

***LCRM

Description

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

#

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00 0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.41 0.97 1.45 2.51 2.87 3.09

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

11.82 13.86 13.58 13.47 14.73 12.56

95.46 87.84 104.97 97.59 90.95 93.56

05-Aug-14 15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 30-Sep-20 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21

0.17 0.36 1.24 0.84 1.14 1.14 2.87 1.70 3.57 2.54 4.33 2.55 2.55 3.13 3.19 5.47 3.16 3.87 6.48 6.57 3.88 3.91

1.56 1.34 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00 1.00 1.94 2.74 2.74 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

11.99 12.09 15.72 14.39 15.73 14.75 17.11 12.35 13.43 13.27 12.77 12.47 12.68 12.57 12.58 13.91 14.31 14.43 13.15 14.11 13.13 13.65

100.24 100.58 96.44 99.42 98.24 101.08 84.33 102.37 101.54 101.69 103.94 104.45 117.58 104.82 107.50 102.19 101.08 100.90 101.48 103.70 114.36 114.01

07-Oct-14 18-Dec-14 31-Dec-14 17-Aug-15 09-Dec-15 06-Jan-16 29-Sep-16 25-Oct-16 30-Sep-17 30-Nov-17 09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18 09-Sep-18 22-Sep-18 18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19 01-Apr-19 14-Nov-20

0.34 0.54 0.57 0.72 0.80 0.88 2.32 2.39 3.32 2.14 2.09 2.26 2.26 4.30 2.37 2.45 3.57 6.44

1.00 5.21 8.71 4.88 1.00 2.63 1.00 1.34 4.52 1.88 3.48 5.20 5.06 1.00 2.29 6.11 2.16 2.76

11.71 16.20 19.72 15.97 12.14 13.81 12.44 12.79 16.12 13.29 14.89 16.63 16.49 12.77 13.74 17.57 13.80 14.91

99.86 98.65 98.55 96.03 99.92 100.48 101.05 102.89 92.16 109.16 102.20 102.83 101.97 103.93 104.11 99.20 106.03 101.37

11-Feb-18

3.69

1.00

12.66

92.89

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,304.32

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto A-/GCR

KWARA NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA

14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

05-Aug-09 15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 30-Sep-13 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14

14.00 14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00

17.00 6.00 8.50 16.50 13.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00 20.00 80.00 30.00 11.40 87.00 5.00 5.00 5.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

572.90

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; AA/GCR Aa/Agusto Nil Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto BB+/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto A/GCR BBB-/GCR BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR A/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR BBB/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

LAFARGE WAPCO GTB µ NGC *UPDC *FLOURMILLS *CHELLARAMS NAHCO FSDH UBA *C & I LEASING *DANA# *TOWER# *TOWER# UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS# *DANA NAHCO

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

07-Oct-11 18-Dec-09 01-Apr-10 17-Aug-10 09-Dec-10 06-Jan-11 29-Sep-11 25-Oct-13 30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 22-Sep-11 18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14 14-Nov-13

11.50 13.50 17.00 10.00 12.00 14.00 13.00 14.25 13.00 18.00 16.00 18.00 16.00 14.00 15.75 17.00 16.00 15.25

11.80 13.17 2.00 15.00 37.50 1.50 15.00 5.53 20.00 0.94 8.01 3.63 1.00 35.00 3.00 0.54 4.50 2.05

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

180.17

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

12.00 Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value ($'mm)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.89

4.73

110.43

111.35

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.25

4.05

103.24

104.03

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.34

5.23

107.38

108.22

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

Corporate Eurobonds AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

3.96

3.31

111.86

112.97

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.24

4.44

104.12

105.62

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.28

5.98

98.93

100.08

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.16

6.71

100.25

101.50

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.58

8.14

94.42

95.82

AFREN PLC

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

5.18

4.55

113.38

114.61

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.46

6.26

99.14

99.95

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.03

6.62

104.33

105.83

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.03

5.77

102.31

103.37

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

ACCESS BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,460.00

**Treasury Bills DTM 14 21 28 35 42 49 56

FIXINGS Maturity 19-Jun-14 26-Jun-14 3-Jul-14 10-Jul-14 17-Jul-14 24-Jul-14 31-Jul-14

Bid Discount (%) 9.90 9.90 10.00 8.00 9.85 9.90 9.90

Offer Discount (%) 9.65 9.65 9.75 7.75 9.60 9.65 9.65

Bid Yield (%) 9.94 9.96 10.08 8.06 9.96 10.03 10.05

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.6917 12.3719 13.3390 14.3127

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.25

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

O/N

10.50

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

163.70 162.72 162.98 163.56 164.73

163.80 163.00 163.36 164.28 166.07

Tenor Call

REPO

Rate (%) 10.25

8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030

20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10

8.50 10.00

200.00 591.57

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

NA

***LCRM

Friday, June 6, 2014

15.46 16.13

12.88 12.99

12.82 12.93

70.90 80.00

71.20 80.30

4,334.84 Description

Issuer

Sanctity of Truth

20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

#

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00 0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.41 0.97 1.45 2.51 2.87 3.09

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

11.82 13.86 13.58 13.47 14.73 12.56

95.46 87.84 104.97 97.59 90.95 93.56

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

47

1,304.32

SEC unveils sweeping NSE indices slump as proposals to improve markets investors take profits K Sub-National Bonds

A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto A-/GCR

ARBITRAGE

KWARA NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA

Exchange moves to stop high-speed traders from taking advantage of lesssavvy investors.

Stories by Chris Ugwu

T

heOUTSTANDING United States Securities TOTAL VALUE

and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman, Mary Jo A+/Agusto; AA/GCR LAFARGE WAPCO White, unveiledGTB a sweeping Aa/Agusto µ set to adNil of initiatives yesterday NGC Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC about dress mounting concerns A-/Agusto *FLOURMILLS the impact of computer-driven BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS trading on the stock market, A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO A-/Agusto including proposalsFSDH that would A/GCR UBAhigh-freextend oversight of BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING quency traders and dark pools.

BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *DANA# Ms. White said the agency A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR *TOWER# # would launch a new*TOWER committee AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR UBA toA/Agusto; weighA/GCR proposed SEC initiatives Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA and rule changes about how the BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS# stock market functions.

The SEC, BBB/GCR *DANA according to The Wall Street JoiA+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE unal, will also review key market regulations and exchange pracSupranational Bond tices such as the useIFC of complex AAA/S&P order types that can give certain TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE investors an advantage, she said.

The proposed measures will Rating/Agency Issuer help the market "operate openly, FGN Eurobonds fairly and efficiently to benefit investors and promote capital BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P formation," Ms. White said.

BB-/Fitch; FGN BB-/S&P The new rules, if approved BB-/Fitch; and implemented by the SEC, BB-/S&P could force significant changTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE es upon high-frequency tradCorporate Eurobonds ers, who now account for more B-/S&P;half B/Fitchof all stock-market AFREN PLC I than GTBANK PLC I volume, according to analysts.

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch PLC Among the mostGTBANK significant B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC proposals unveiled by Ms. B/S&P; B/Fitch FIDELITY BANK PLC White yesterday, is a rule that B/Fitch AFREN PLC would high-frequency B+/Fitch; require BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC Corporate Bonds

14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

traders to register with regulators as broker dealers, pulling them further under regulatory scrutiny. High-frequency traders have largely avoided direct oversight since they are typically private outfits that trade on behalf of their owners.

Ms. White also directed SEC staff to develop a new anti-disruptive trading rule to prevent rapid-fire traders from engaging in short-term strategies that can aggravate market volatility 11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 .

The proposals will be de13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 veloped by the SEC's staff in 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 the coming months and will 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 require a vote by the full com14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 mission, 13.00 NAHCOmeaning 29-SEP-2016 it could be 14.25 FSDH-if 25-OCT-2016 months not years- before 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 they're fully implemented.

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 Ms. White's speech is her most MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 direct response to rising concerns MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 9-SEP-2018 that the TOWER growth of high-speed 14.00 UBAand II 22-SEP-2018 trading expansion of trad15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 ing away from public exchanges MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

05-Aug-09 15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 30-Sep-13 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14

14.00 14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00

01-Apr-14 14-Nov-13

16.00 15.25

have substantially changed how the market functions. Critics say the firms at times have access to advantages that give them a leg up over other investors.

Many of the proposals are likely to trigger pushback from some high-speed firms and other market players. Defenders of high-speed trading say the firms help regular investors, since the traders stand ready to buy and sell under most07-Oct-11 market conditions.

11.50 The SEC will look13.50 into con18-Dec-09 17.00 cerns01-Apr-10 about the resiliency and 17-Aug-10 10.00 fairness of market data feeds, Ms. 09-Dec-10 White said. In August12.00 last year, a 06-Jan-11 14.00 public data feed for the 29-Sep-11 13.00Nasdaq 14.25 Stock25-Oct-13 Market failed, causing the 30-Sep-10 13.00trading exchange to shut down 30-Nov-12 18.00 in Nasdaq stocks for hours, rais09-Apr-11 16.00 ing questions about the 09-Sep-11 18.00 vulnerability of computer systems han09-Sep-11 16.00 14.00 data at dling22-Sep-11 masses of trading 18-Oct-13 15.75 lightning speeds.

17-Feb-12 17.00

17.00 6.00 8.50 16.50 13.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00 20.00 80.00 30.00 11.40 87.00 5.00 5.00 5.00

05-Aug-14 15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 30-Sep-20 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21

0.17 0.36 1.24 0.84 1.14 1.14 2.87 1.70 3.57 2.54 4.33 2.55 2.55 3.13 3.19 5.47 3.16 3.87 6.48 6.57 3.88 3.91

4.50 2.05

01-Apr-19 14-Nov-20

3.57 6.44

ey market parameters, the NSE All Share Index and market capitalisation, fell 0.13 per cent each as the bears held sway following profit taking by investors.

The downward trend was driven by the activities of oil companies, Forte Oil and Seplat.

At the close of business, the principal market indices, the NSE ASI and the market 572.90 capitalisation, lost 0.13 per cent each. 07-Oct-14 11.80 0.34 , the All-Share 13.17Consequently 18-Dec-14 0.54 2.00 0.57 Index shed 31-Dec-14 57.34 basis points 15.00 17-Aug-15 as against 0.72 to close at 41,570.09 37.50 09-Dec-15 0.80 41,627.43 recorded last Wednes1.50 06-Jan-16 0.88 day, while the market capitali15.00 29-Sep-16 2.32 5.53 25-Oct-16 appreciated 2.39 sation of equities 20.00 30-Sep-17

by N17 billion or 0.13 per 3.32 cent 0.94 30-Nov-17 2.14 as market sentiments turned 8.01 09-Apr-18 2.09 red.

3.63 09-Sep-18 2.26 a turnover 1.00Meanwhile, 09-Sep-18 2.26of 35.00 22-Sep-18 4.30 447.4 million shares worth 3.00 18-Oct-18 2.37 N6.3 billion in 5,943 deals was 0.54 17-Feb-19 2.45

Shareholders approve Caverton’s N418m dividend

S

hareholders of Caverton Offshore Support Group 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 Plc yesterday at their 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM) endorsed the company’s N418 Description million dividend.

This translated to N12.5 kobo 6.75 JANshare, 28, 2021 for the per every 50 kobo financial year ended December 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 31, 2013 even as the company as6.38 JUL 12, 2023 in profsured of steady growth itability and expansion.

Mr. Akinsoya Solomon, one of the shareholders, who comFEB 01, 2016for the mended the11.50 company 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 dividend payout, said the shareNOV 08, 2018 holders were6.00 appreciative of the 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 expansion efforts, which the 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 staff and management 10.25 APR 08, 2019 put in place to drive for 6.25the APR company 22, 2019

180.17

increased return on investment. AGM, Chairman of the of the In11-Feb-13 the same vein, Mr. Robert 12.00 company, Mr.11-Feb-18 Aderemi Makan10.20 3.69 Ibekwe, another shareholder, 12.00 juola, said 2013 was a year of also applauded the account consolidation for Caverton as it performance of the company , Value had($'mm) full operations the six Issue Date Coupon (%) Issue Maturity Dateof all Bid Yield (%) adding that the leadership of Shell's AW139 helicopters. has proved that its capable of “In Q3, we commenced operdriving the company ations of the28-Jan-21 DHC6-400 for Shell 07-Oct-11 6.75to great 500.00 4.89 height. and also started the TUPNI op18-Dec-09 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.25 Ibekwe, noted that it was a erations from Lagos, using the thing01-Apr-10 of joy as the 6.38 company 500.00 AW139. Our 12-Jul-23 aircraft availabil5.34 took a bold step to list on the 1,500.00 ity remains high at an average Nigerian Stock Exchange. of 95 per cent on all contracts,” “We are appreciative to the he said.

01-Feb-11for allowing 11.50 us to 450.00 01-Feb-16 company Makanjuola explained3.96 that 19-May-11 7.50by quot500.00 be part of ownership in Douala, 19-May-16 the company5.24re08-Nov-13 6.00 08-Nov-18 6.28 ing on the floor of the Nigeria 400.00 placed in April 2013, the leased 25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 7.16 Stock09-May-13 Exchange and6.88 paying us 300.00 aircraft with its twin otter 02-May-18 8.58 an impressive dividend. and stabilised the operations 08-Apr-12 10.25 300.00 08-Apr-19 5.18 Addressing shareholders at through a number of initia22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 22-Apr-19 6.46

1.56 1.34 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00 1.00 1.94 2.74 2.74 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

11.99 12.09 15.72 14.39 15.73 14.75 17.11 12.35 13.43 13.27 12.77 12.47 12.68 12.57 12.58 13.91 14.31 14.43 13.15 14.11 13.13 13.65

100.24 100.58 96.44 99.42 98.24 101.08 84.33 102.37 101.54 101.69 103.94 104.45 117.58 104.82 107.50 102.19 101.08 100.90 101.48 103.70 114.36 114.01

2.16

13.80

106.03

recorded in the day’s trading.

The banking sub-sector of the financial services sector was the most active during the day (measured by turnover volume); with 199.6 million shares worth N3.6 billion exchanged by investors in 1,617 deals.

Volume in the banking subsector was largely driven by activity in the shares of Zenith Bank Plc and Skye Bank Plc. Also, insurance subsector 1.00 11.71 99.86 of 5.21 the financial 16.20 services 98.65sec19.72activity98.55 tor,8.71boosted by in the 4.88 15.97 Capital96.03 shares of Unity Insur1.00 12.14 99.92 ance Plc, followed with100.48 a turn2.63 13.81 over of 133.9 million shares 1.00 12.44 101.05 1.34 12.79 billion102.89 valued at N70.1 in 235 4.52 16.12 92.16 deals.

1.88 13.29 109.16 The number of gainers at 3.48 14.89 102.20 the5.20close of 16.63 trading session 102.83 last was 31 while 5.06Monday 16.49 101.97 de1.00 12.77 cliners closed equally 103.93 higher 2.29 13.74 104.11 at 31.

6.11 17.57 99.20

tives. com2.76 He added 14.91 that the 101.37 pany also focused attention on quality and safety standards.

“Subsequent issuance of 1.00 12.66 92.89 an unrestricted AOC for Caverton's operations. Our plans in Yield 2014 Offer (%) include Bid Pricethe vigorous Offer Price promotion of our AIM 4 ZERO Prices & in Yields campaign all our operations.

“We also started in May 2014, 4.73 110.43 111.35 our corporate rebranding exer4.05 104.03 cise with the103.24 unification of all operating companies’ logos 107.38 5.23 108.22into a single logo that all companies under the Caverton brand are now using. The campaign will 3.31 paying111.86 112.97 to entail more attention 104.12 105.62 all4.44 our communication media 5.98 and effective 98.93 use of both100.08 online 6.71 100.25 101.50 and offline media for positive 8.14 94.42 95.82 reinforcement of our messag4.55 113.38 114.61 es,” he added.

6.26 99.14 99.95

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.03

6.62

104.33

105.83

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.03

5.77

102.31

103.37

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,460.00

5-Jun-14

The FMDQBills Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and **Treasury

model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products,FIXINGS fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market.

The use of this report is subject Money Market Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) to the FMDQ of Use and Disclaimer Statement.

DTM OTC PLC TermsMaturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) NIBOR

14 19-Jun-14 9.90 21 26-Jun-14 9.90 28 3-Jul-14 10.00 FGN Bonds35 10-Jul-14 8.00 42 17-Jul-14 9.85 49 24-Jul-14 9.90 Issuer Description Rating/Agency 56 31-Jul-14 9.90 63 7-Aug-14 9.90 9.20 29-JUN-2014 70 14-Aug-14 10.20 9.25 28-SEP-2014 77 21-Aug-14 10.05 4.00 23-APR-2015 84 28-Aug-14 10.20 13.05 16-AUG-2016 91 4-Sep-14 9.95 98 11-Sep-14 10.70 15.10 27-APR-2017 105 18-Sep-14 10.65 9.85 27-JUL-2017 112 25-Sep-14 10.70 9.35 31-AUG-2017 119 2-Oct-14 10.50 10.70 30-MAY-2018 126 9-Oct-14 10.50 NA NA 16.00 29-JUN-2019 168 20-Nov-14 10.40 7.00 23-OCT-2019 182 4-Dec-14 10.40 217 8-Jan-15 10.55 16.39 27-JAN-2022 231 22-Jan-15 10.50 14.20 14-MAR-2024 245 5-Feb-15 10.60 15.00 28-NOV-2028 259 19-Feb-15 10.50 12.49 22-MAY-2029 273 5-Mar-15 10.40 8.50 20-NOV-2029 308 9-Apr-15 10.40 10.00 23-JUL-2030 322 23-Apr-15 10.40 336 10.40 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 7-May-15 *from the Amortising # bonds, the average is Risk Premium is a life combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills Description

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

NA

***LCRM

Modified Duration Buckets

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto

9.65 9.65 9.75 7.75 9.60 9.65 Issue Date 9.65 9.65 29-Jun-07 9.95 28-Sep-07 9.80 23-Apr-10 9.95 16-Aug-13 9.70 10.45 27-Apr-12 10.40 27-Jul-07 10.45 31-Aug-07 10.25 30-May-08 10.25 29-Jun-12 10.15 23-Oct-09 10.15 10.30 27-Jan-12 10.25 14-Mar-14 10.35 28-Nov-08 10.25 22-May-09 10.15 20-Nov-09 10.15 23-Jul-10 10.15 10.15

<3 3<5 KWARA >5 NIGER Market KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER

974.74 1,119.02 14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 593.37 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 2,687.14 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

Bonds

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Outstanding 6M Value

Volume(Bn)

923.07 951.30 701.57 2,575.94

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 Weighting by 06-Jul-12

Rate (%) 10.6917 12.3719 13.3390 14.3127

Maturity Date

(N'bn)

45.00 NITTY 100.00 535.00 Tenor 470.27 1M 2M 452.80 3M 20.00 6M 100.00 9M 300.00 12M 351.30 233.90 600.00 NIFEX 110.00 Current75.00 Price ($/N) BID($/N) 150.00 OFFER ($/N) 200.00 591.57

29-Jun-14 28-Sep-14 23-Apr-15 Rate (%) 16-Aug-16 9.5015 10.0957 27-Apr-17 10.4669 27-Jul-17 11.0099 31-Aug-17 11.3001 30-May-18 11.7025 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 162.8075 22-May-29 162.9075 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30

OBB

10.25

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

O/N

10.50

Spot 7D 14D Offer1MYield 2M (%) 3M 8.09 6M 10.01 1Y

163.70 162.72 162.98 163.56 Bid Price 164.73 166.02 99.90 169.66 99.57 176.67

REPO Tenor Rate (%) TTM (Yrs) Bid Yield (%) Call 1M 0.07 3M 0.32 6M

10.25 12.17 10.29 13.00 10.50 13.76

0.88 11.18 10.55 2.20 11.50 11.42 2.89 11.59 11.53 :Benchmarks 3.14 11.57 11.45 * :Amortising Bond 3.24 11.59 11.47 µ :Convertible Bond 3.98 11.71 11.62 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 5.07 Government of 11.97 11.90 FGN: Federal Nigeria 5.38 Mortgage Bank 11.96 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 11.87 IFC: International Finance Corporation 7.65 12.42 12.36 LCRM: Local Management 9.77 Contractors Receivables 12.53 12.48 NAHCO:14.48 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 12.81 12.77 O/N: Overnight 14.96 12.85 12.80 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 15.46 Africa Portland 12.88 12.82 WAPCO:West Cement Company 16.13 12.99 12.93 NOTE:

Offer ($/N) 163.80

Price 163.00 163.36

164.28 Offer Price 166.07 168.01 100.05 173.88 99.72 186.78

94.11 94.61 102.90 103.05 108.40 108.55 NA :Not Applicable 95.55 95.85 # :Floating Rate Bond 94.07 94.37 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 96.84 97.14 114.95 †: Bond rating expired 115.25 80.72 81.02 119.20 119.50 109.20 109.50 NGC: 114.22 Nigeria-German Company 114.52 UBA: United Bank for Africa 97.63 97.93 70.90 71.20 80.00 80.30

4,334.84

Issue Date

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 Porfolio Market Total Outstanding 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 Value(Bn)

9.94 9.96 10.08 8.06 9.96 10.03 Coupon (%) 10.05 10.07 9.20 10.40 9.25 10.27 4.00 10.45 13.05 10.20 11.02 15.10 10.99 9.85 11.06 9.35 10.87 10.70 10.89 16.00 10.92 7.00 10.97 11.26 16.39 11.25 14.20 11.41 15.00 11.35 12.49 11.28 8.50 11.40 10.00 11.45 11.50

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

0.00

978.35

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 Weighting by Mkt 0.00/16.50

6.00 112.22 116.70 Bucket66.49 Weighting

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 % Exposure_ 06-Jul-17

0.41 0.97 1.45 2.51 2.87 3.09Yield Implied

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 Implied 1.00

11.82 13.86 13.58 13.47 14.73 12.56 INDEX

95.46 87.84 104.97 97.59 90.95 YTD Return 93.56

0.00 24.56 FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

Outstanding Vol

#

Coupon (%)

Value

1,304.32

Mod_Duration

35.83

36.27

0.36

18.60

11.55

36.93 05-Aug-09 27.24 15-Oct-09 100.00 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12

41.64 14.00 22.08 14.00 100.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50

0.37 17.00 0.27 6.00 1.00 8.50 16.50 13.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00

37.35 05-Aug-14 44.05 15-Oct-14 100.00 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19

12.28 0.17 12.91 0.36 12.42 1.24 0.84 1.14 1.14 2.87 1.70 3.57 2.54 4.33 2.55 2.55 3.13

Portfolio Price

115.5254 129.1943 1.56 92.5165 1.34 114.3068 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00

(%)

1,097.26

9.7256

1,093.97 11.99 1,079.28 12.09 1,085.79 15.72 14.39 15.73 14.75 17.11 12.35 13.43 13.27 12.77 12.47 12.68 12.57

9.3968 100.24 7.9280 100.58 8.5792 96.44 99.42 98.24 101.08 84.33 102.37 101.54 101.69 103.94 104.45 117.58 104.82

48 BUSINESS | MONEY LINE

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Nigeria needs $1.2bn to revamp Ajaokuta Steel project

DISSENTING VOICES Some delegates have kicked against the development of nuclear technology in Nigeria.

•How foreign powers sabotaged project

Louis Achi and Onwuka Nzeshi

the sum of $500 million needed to complete the steel plant and an additional $700 million for the infrastructure for the acquisition of skills in the fabrication and foundry industry.

A number of delegates who contributed to the discourse, said that the steel plant should be completed and set rolling as it remained the bedrock of industrialisation in the country.

Meanwhile, some delegates have given reasons for the abandonment of the Ajaokuta Steel Project. A former Minister of

ABUJA

N

igeria needs to invest at least $1.2 billion to revamp the abandoned Ajaokuta Steel project, it was learnt yesterday.

Chairman, National Conference Committee on Science and Technology, Dr. Daniel Maddo disclosed this during the debate on the report of the committee.

In a presentation to delegates at plenary, Maddo urged the Federal Government to provide

Power and Steel, Alhaji Bashir Dalhattu, said Nigeria made a grievous mistake by building the Ajaokuta steel project from top to bottom rather than bottom up.

Dalhattu, a delegate to the National Conference said the project failed because it was caught up in the cold war politics and international conspiracy. According to him, the involvement of Russia, Germany, United Kingdom, United States and France in Ajaokuta led to an unhealthy rivalry amongst these super powers, which im-

Cashless policy: CBN places banks on red alert Godson Ikoro

corporate bodies as well as the available e-payment options.

In line with the Bankers’ Committee decision and in continuation of the nationwide rollout policy of the programmes, the apex bank urged banks to ensure that their staff in the affected states provide answers to enquiries, give useful advice and handle issues of complaints on the policy.

Furthermore, it urged media communication by banks to complement the existing CBN and Bankers’ committee media and publicity campaigns.

A

head of the July 1, 2014 implementation of the third phase roll out of the cashless policy in 30 remaining states, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has placed the deposit money banks on red alert.

In a circular issued to all Deposit Money banks (DMBs) yesterday, the banking watchdog urged all lenders to enlighten their customers on the cashless policy, including the existing limits on cash withdrawals for individuals and

The circular, which was signed by the director of banking and payments system department, Mr. Dipo Fatogun, also urged banks to engage their key customers and other stakeholders in these states.

The banks, CBN said, are to ensure that their cashless teams in the states liaise properly with the shared office of CBN for necessary clarifications and further assistance.

It added that the apex bank would conduct spot checks on branches in the phase 111 locations, to ensure compliance and readiness.

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

N14,737,618.7m N16,509,472.5m 8 0.0000 12 10.899 7.96 17.01 US$109.9 US$42,604,781,796.6

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 2/5/2014 1/20/2014 11/6/2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 1/20/2014 2/5/2014 Source:CBN

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

FX

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

pacted negatively on the project.

Similarly, former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Prof.

Jubril Aminu, said that while Nigeria invited Russia to build the plant because of the role the country played during the Nigeria civil war, the Western bloc got angry and sent their “economic hit men” to sabotage the project.

In a related development, some delegates have kicked against the development of nuclear technology in Nigeria.

The report of the Committee on Science Technology and Development recommended that adequate funding should be provided by government for the development of nuclear technology.

The recommendation was based on the fact that Nigeria was a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and had projected to generate electricity using nuclear fuel. The report said Nigeria needed to pursue the development of nuclear technology for peaceful use.

Some delegates argued that funding of nuclear technology was capital intensive but imperative in the modern world.

It was also argued that the development and management of nuclear technology would be too complex for Nigeria.

A delegate on the platform of the Civil Society Organisations, Mr Nimmo Bassey said since Nigeria has not been able to manage its hydro-electricity technology, she should not venture into nuclear energy.

NDIC to pay insured deposit to creditors of liquidated MFBs Abdulwahab Isa ABUJA

epositors of 33 liquidated Dacross Microfinance Banks (MFBs) the country are to be

paid their insured deposit by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) after undergoing verification exercise.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently revoked operating licences of 83 MFBs for committing various infractions and breaches but the Corporation, in a statement issued yesterday said the verification and payment of insured deposit would be undertaken for 33 out of 83 closed (MFBs).

According to NDIC, the first phase of the deposit payout of the 33 closed MFBs would cover total deposit liabilities of N588, 685,792.25 and each depositor would receive a maximum of N200, 000.

The corporation, therefore

urged affected depositors to report to the last known addresses of their closed MFBs with evidence of account ownership including passbooks, cheque books and personal identification documents such as national identity cards, drivers licences and voters cards.

Depositors without valid identification documents are to obtain introduction letters with their photographs and the letter duly signed by traditional rulers of their localities or local government chairmen", it added.

The depositors are also requested to take along details of alternative bank accounts operated in any of the existing banks into which their insured claims could be paid while those without bank accounts have been asked to provide details of accounts of close relatives to which their payment could be made.

Nigeria’s foreign reserves fall to $37bn Godson Ikoro foreign reserves NMayigeria’s declined by $1.2 billion in to $37.0 billion, the lowest

level recorded since the marketfriendly announcement by JP Morgan in August 2012 that it was to include three FGN bonds in its emerging market indices.

Bi-weekly sales of foreign exchange in the retail Dutch auction system (RDAS) according to FBN Capital, were however, flat in May, explaining the decline in reserves as the result of a fall in foreign exchange inflows directly into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The official reserves include the balance on the excess crude account, for which the latest figure (from members’ personal statements after the last meeting of the MPC) is $4.1 billion as of 16 May.

It would that at the endDecember; 86 per cent of the reserves were available to the CBN to support the naira exchange rate. The balance consisted of the shares of the federation account and the FGN. However, by reserves as at mid-May provided nine months’ import cover according to the same personal statements. This would be a sufficient cushion, were it not for Nigeria’s hearty import appetite and limited productive base. It appears to exclude imports of services.

In these circumstances, FBN Capital said an easing of the overall monetary stance is highly unlikely, which is at variance with the new CBN governor’s stance yesterday, where he pledged to ease monetary stance and stabilise the naira.

Daily Summary as of 05/06/2014 Sanctity of Truth

Daily Summary as of 05/06/2014 Printed 05/06/2014 15:16:17.017

Friday, June 6, 2014 Printed 05/06/2014 15:16:17.017

BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET 49

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at June 5, 2014 Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Debt Trading Activity

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Equities)

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 1 56 35 92

Current Price 0.50 34.50 37.00

Quantity Traded 1,000 818,487 436,194 1,255,681

Value Traded 500.00 27,427,944.27 15,908,569.23 43,337,013.50

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 35 35

Current Price 3.05

Quantity Traded 1,629,261 1,629,261

Value Traded 4,941,627.42 4,941,627.42

2,884,942

48,278,640.92

Quantity Traded 16,000 34 26,934,877 314,847 27,265,758

Value Traded 22,540.00 37.40 112,171,857.19 18,372,469.60 130,566,904.19

27,265,758

130,566,904.19

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Daily Summary as of 05/06/2014 Diversified Industries Printed 05/06/2014 15:16:17.017 A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

127 Symbol AGLEVENT JOHNHOLT TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 2 1 424 69 Daily Summary (Equities) 496

CONGLOMERATES Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Building Structure/Completion/Other

Current Price 1.40 1.15 4.15 60.00

496

Page Quantity Traded 222,210 222,210

1

of 14 Value Traded 285,998.18 285,998.18

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 1.29

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 14 14

Current Price 67.50

Quantity Traded 110,845 110,845

Value Traded 7,476,833.79 7,476,833.79

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 17.86

Quantity Traded 73,814 73,814

Value Traded 1,298,763.65 1,298,763.65

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

Symbol UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 10.47

Quantity Traded 20,300 20,300

Value Traded 201,985.00 201,985.00

427,169

9,263,580.62

COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

Daily Summary as of 05/06/2014ESTATE Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL Printed 05/06/2014 15:16:17.017 CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Non-Alcoholic

Published by The Stock Exchange 7-UPNigerian BOTTLING COMP. PLC.©

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. UNION DICON SALT PLC. U Tas C of NIG. PLC. Daily Summary 05/06/2014 Food Products Totals Printed 05/06/2014 15:16:17.017 Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables Activity Summary on Board EQTY NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. VITAFOAM NIG PLC. CONSUMER GOODS VONO PRODUCTS Household Durables PLC.

Household Durables Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange Personal/Household Products ©

P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Daily Summary as of 05/06/2014Products Totals

49 Symbol GUINNESS

No. of Deals 63 36 2 92 2 195

Current Price 178.50 26.01 2.93 183.20 0.77

Quantity Traded 745,242 178,675 1,100 1,638,255 2,700 2,565,972

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 90.00

Quantity Traded Page 161,363

Value Traded 214,546,744.35 of 14

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR MULTITREX NASCON NNFM UNIONDICON UTC

No. of Deals 49 86 63 74 2 62 1 1 9 347

Current Price 8.10 9.40 77.56 3.99 0.50 12.72 22.01 14.11 0.53

Quantity Traded 278,447 1,752,019 400,050 3,167,956 61,195 751,793 200 9,334 316,311 6,737,305

Value Traded 2,247,419.33 16,592,936.74 31,097,862.08 12,658,005.91 30,617.50 9,678,221.59 4,182.00 125,168.94 167,667.93 72,602,082.02

No. of Deals 42 25 (Equities) 67

Current Price 77.00 1,083.00

Quantity Traded 112,855 5,944 118,799

Value Traded 8,634,809.78 6,365,696.07 15,000,505.85

Symbol ENAMELWA VITAFOAM VONO Symbol

No. of Deals 1 16 11 No. of Deals

Current Price 32.27 4.48 1.51 Current Price

Quantity Traded 100 257,301 Quantity245,644 Traded

Value Traded 3,066.00 1,117,659.02 370,922.44 Value Traded

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 39 54 93

Current Price 36.00 48.42

Page Quantity Traded 223,772 207,519 431,291

3Value Traded of 14

INTBREW Daily Summary (Equities) JOSBREW NB PREMBREW

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

Daily Summary

Printed 05/06/2014 15:16:17.017 CONSUMER GOODS Totals

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Activity Summary on Board EQTY FIDELITY BANK PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. Banking SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC.

UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

28

753

161,363

503,045

Value Traded 132,743,785.20 4,635,135.24 3,069.00 300,110,705.85 2,160.00 437,494,855.29

14,546,744.35

1,491,647.46

7,878,616.84 10,231,379.12 18,109,995.96

10,517,775

559,245,830.93

Quantity Traded 3,278,848 8,234,202 3,433,410 8,389,350 8,697,141 Quantity Traded 21,933,990

Value Traded 31,969,560.01 55,195,176.81 57,905,638.86 17,151,373.94 261,153,819.30 Value Traded 74,760,910.73

No. of Deals 156 97 71 106 321 No. of Deals 172 38

DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY Symbol SKYEBANK

STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

248 79 5 46 278 1,617

Current Price 9.75 6.70 16.85 2.00 30.06 Current Price 3.33 2.30

7.50 10.43 0.50 0.95 25.02

2,791,068 18,310,646 1,709,288 222,910 4,053,605 118,574,262 199,628,720

6,374,003.53 137,352,436.16 17,805,920.90 111,455.00 3,923,606.27 3,009,623,393.63 3,673,327,295.14

No. of Deals 32 8 7 1 1 12 1 4 21 (Equities) 29 1 22 7 13 No. of Deals 1 4 1 70 235

Current Price 0.82 1.08 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.44 0.50 0.83 0.50 0.54 0.51 0.50 Current Price 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.72

Quantity Traded Page 2,532,577 413,999 280,331 1,000 100 2,400 1,000 2,730 9,902,608 2,926,472 1,000 545,500 93,666 2,600 Quantity Traded 5,016 112,281,200 17,000 Page 4,926,965 133,936,164

Value Traded 4 2,064,998.76 of 14 446,368.92 140,260.80 500.00 50.00 1,200.00 500.00 6,601.60 4,951,304.00 2,401,875.06 500.00 293,272.00 48,186.66 1,300.00 Value2,508.00 Traded 56,140,600.00 8,500.00 5 of 14 3,607,553.71 70,116,079.51

Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 1.12

Quantity Traded 2,395 2,395

Value Traded 2,562.65 2,562.65

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol INFINITY

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.61

Quantity Traded 700 700

Value Traded 1,071.00 1,071.00

No. of Deals 60 38 427 81 7 33 (Equities) 83 729

Current Price 3.08 3.40 15.20 4.17 0.51 24.71 2.40

Quantity Traded 1,275,624 1,276,824 12,232,443 1,943,598 41,738 728,360 3,086,450 20,585,037

Value Traded 4,046,779.62 4,459,641.68 185,546,168.34 7,840,341.74 21,472.58 17,998,637.38 7,521,758.37 227,434,799.71

354,153,016

3,970,881,808.01

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC Daily Summary UBCAP

Activity Summary on Board FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals EQTY HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © EKOCORP PLC.

UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC

No. of Deals 3 96

HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC Computers and Peripherals Totals IT Services NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Daily Summary as of 05/06/2014 TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. Printed 05/06/2014 15:16:17.017 IT Services Totals Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals

ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. IPWA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC

CUTIX PLC. Daily Summary as of 05/06/2014 Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Printed 05/06/2014 15:16:17.017 Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

Mining Services MULTIVERSE PLC Mining Services Totals

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC Activity Summary ETERNA PLC.on Board EQTY FORTE OIL PLC. OIL AND GAS MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. Petroleum Petroleum MRS OIL and NIGERIA PLC. Products Distributors

TOTAL NIGERIA PLC.

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

2,585

Symbol EKOCORP UNIONDAC

No. of Deals 2 1 3

Current Price 3.72 0.50

Quantity Traded Page 500

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 12 26 27 8 20

Current Price 2.56 2.80 68.00 1.70 1.22

Quantity Traded 145,236 5,531,263 187,329 161,620 245,222

38,400 38,900

SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery Daily Summary as of 05/06/2014 RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Printed 05/06/2014 15:16:17.017 TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals Daily Summary as of 05/06/2014 Activity Summary on Board EQTY Printed 05/06/2014 15:16:17.017 Hospitality SERVICES TANTALIZERS PLC Hospitality Hospitality Totals

Value Traded 358,758.96 15,935,317.56 12,733,244.52 276,722.00 300,486.50

29,915,509.54

Quantity Traded 132,000 132,000

Value Traded 77,860.00 77,860.00

Symbol OMATEK

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 500.00 500.00

Symbol NCR TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 12 13 25

Current Price 15.99 1.97

Quantity Traded 120 76,500 76,620

Value Traded 1,824.00 143,820.00 145,644.00

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 20,628 20,628

Value Traded 10,314.00 10,314.00

230,248

234,318.00

Daily Summary (Equities)

32 Symbol AFRPAINTS ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER IPWA PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 1 426 23 38 109 33 5 4 3 5 169 816

Current Price 2.72 28.95 8.61 40.00 10.47 229.22 1.11 0.50 1.40 4.52 123.71

Quantity Traded Page 500

Symbol AUSTINLAZ CUTIX

No. of Deals 1 8 9

Current Price 2.00 2.00

Quantity Traded 500 390,300 390,800

Value Traded 1,050.00 763,850.00 764,900.00

No. of Deals 1 7 (Equities) 8

Current Price 1.69 16.22

Quantity Traded 50,687 76,115 126,802

Value Traded 85,661.03 1,213,689.65 1,299,350.68

25,996,514

1,137,580,448.53

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS Daily Summary

11,999,097 236,207 183,505 3,851,554 626,492 292,250 172,000 5,100 3,743,330 4,368,877 25,478,912

833

Value Traded 8 of 14 1,295.00 358,554,880.34 2,098,223.02 7,072,848.76 41,316,362.82 143,949,402.59 324,397.50 86,010.00 7,497.00 16,924,351.60 565,180,929.22 1,135,516,197.85

Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 6.37

Quantity Traded Page 2,000 2,000

9Value Traded of 14 12,120.00 12,120.00

Symbol MULTIVERSE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 500.00 500.00

3,000

12,620.00

2 Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 489,460 489,460

Value Traded 244,730.00 244,730.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 462 462

Current Price 19.00

Quantity Traded 11,111,638 11,111,638

Value Traded 219,565,507.28 219,565,507.28

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL Symbol MRS

No. of Deals 3 46 19 130 30 No. of Deals 15 26

Current Price 0.50 50.82 3.50 250.01 126.00 Current 46.35 Price

Quantity Traded 19,628 227,775 571,190 444,440 37,350 Quantity Traded 82,531 134,012

Value Traded 9,814.00 11,481,666.59 2,006,800.40 111,006,011.64 4,719,283.32 Value Traded 3,634,665.24

No. of Deals 19 19

Current Price 675.00

Quantity Traded 56,256 56,256

Value Traded 37,973,580.66 37,973,580.66

13,174,280

413,435,879.90

Daily Summary (Equities)

TOTAL

Symbol SEPLAT

170.00

269

1,516,926 Page

760

22,793,820.77 155,652,061.96 10 of 14

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 13 13

Current Price 1.08

Quantity Traded 531,733 531,733

Value Traded 557,692.20 557,692.20

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 7 2 9

Current Price 4.63 2.31

Quantity Traded 336,411 36,250 372,661

Value Traded 1,550,682.93 79,750.00 1,630,432.93

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Daily Summary (Equities) 3 3

0.50

Quantity Traded 60,000 60,000

Value Traded 30,000.00 30,000.00

No. of Deals 1 No. of Deals

Current Price 0.50 Current Price

Quantity Traded 19,628 Quantity Traded

Value Traded Value9,814.00 Traded

CILEASING

Symbol TANTALIZER Symbol

Daily Summary (Equities)

1

19,628

9,814.00

Symbol CAPHOTEL IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 1 12 13

Current Price 4.55 0.90

Page Quantity Traded 50 511,100 511,150

Symbol

No. of Deals

Current Price

Quantity Traded

Value Traded

Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 1 5 26 32

Current Price 1.71 1.76 4.28

Quantity Traded 38,800 81,214 269,030 389,044

Value Traded 66,348.00 142,325.52 1,142,124.80 1,350,798.32

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 30 30

Current Price 0.85

Quantity Traded 923,797 923,797

Value Traded 772,701.22 772,701.22

Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 22 45 67

Current Price 2.43 5.00

Quantity Traded 514,000 956,707 1,470,707

Value Traded 1,237,531.00 4,669,019.60 5,906,550.60

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 37 37

Current Price 4.64

Page Quantity Traded 2,120,730 2,120,730

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL PLC

Activity Summary Board EQTY IKEJA HOTEL on PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

SERVICES Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals

Daily Summary as of 05/06/2014 Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Support and Logistics Printed 05/06/2014 15:16:17.017

CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

SERVICES Totals

DAARCOMM

1 1

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary EQTY Board Totalson Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS

Published by The Products Nigerian Stock Exchange © Food MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals

Symbol MCNICHOLS

0.50

1,000 1,000

11 of 14 Value Traded 216.50 458,832.00 459,048.50

500.00 500.00

12 of 14 Value Traded

10,078,267.20 10,078,267.20

206

6,400,450

20,795,804.97

5,942

447,404,152

6,320,211,345.61

No. of Deals 1 1

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Current Price 1.34

Page

Quantity Traded 2,200 2,200

1

13

of

Value Traded 2,816.00 2,816.00

2,200

14

2,816.00

ASeM Board Totals

1

2,200

2,816.00

Equity Activity Totals

5,943

447,406,352

6,320,214,161.61

Value Traded 6 of 14 1,770.00 19,200.00 20,970.00

6,351,000 Current Price 0.59

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Daily Summary as of 05/06/2014 Integrated Oil and Gas Services Printed 05/06/2014 15:16:17.017 OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Value Traded 290,010.00 29,894,539.54

No. of Deals 4 4

Activity Summary onTotals Board EQTY INDUSTRIAL GOODS NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © B.O.C. GASES PLC. Chemicals Totals

Quantity Traded 41,430 6,312,100

Symbol COURTVILLE

ICT Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials Published by The Nigerian Stock (NIGERIA) Exchange ©PLC. AFRICAN PAINTS

Current Price 7.36

99

OIL AND GAS Totals

Symbol

Daily Summary (Equities) ACCESS

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CORNERST INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTENEGINS Daily Summary as of 05/06/2014 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LASACO Printed 05/06/2014 15:16:17.017 LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LAWUNION LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC LINKASSURE MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. MBENEFIT Daily Summary N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NEM NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NIGERINS OASIS INSURANCE PLC EQTY OASISINS Activity Summary on Board PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE FINANCIAL SERVICES STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STACO Insurance Carriers, Brokers Symbol UNIC INSURANCE PLC. and Services UNIC UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC UNITYKAP UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC UNIVINSURE Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © WAPIC INSURANCE PLC WAPIC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC Daily Summary as of 05/06/2014 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC Printed 05/06/2014 15:16:17.017 FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol NIG-GERMAN

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 1,966.00 19.18

Quantity Traded 50 2,010 2,060

Value Traded 98,300.00 38,551.80 136,851.80

ETF Board Totals

3

2,060

136,851.80

ETP Activity Totals

3

2,060

136,851.80

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

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50 NEWS

WORLD | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Terrorism: US, Britain offer G-7 kicks Ukraine Nigeria long-term assistance diplomacy into high gear CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

demand for the release of the abducted girls.

The group also stated that it had written to Abubakar to provide security for the protesters.

In a statement by its Information Officer, Mr. Rotimi Olawale, the group said it had decided to continue its daily sit-outs until the Chibok girls are freed.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has also joined in the campaign for the release of the schoolgirls.

CBCN President, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, at a conference in Abuja, urged the Federal Government to do all it could to ensure the release of the abducted girls.

He also called on Boko Haram to reconsider its position, philosophy and principles with a view to ending the ongoing carnage in the country.

He said if the sect members were Muslims as they claimed to be, “they should know that Islam wouldn’t support what they are doing.”

Irrespective of the global outrage over its activities, Boko Haram has continued with attacks, killing more people in Borno and Adamawa states.

The terrorist sect, in an attack on Bargari village in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, killed 45 people on Wednesday night.

Bargari is on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the state capital, and it is about 30 kilometres from Giwa Barracks which came under attack on March 14.

Many people were also displaced while the terrorists set ablaze houses, shops, vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles before carting away food items and livestock.

A resident of the village who escaped the attack, Mallam Abubakar Maiona, said: “I counted 45 dead bodies, including one of my neighbours as they littered the ground.

“The gunmen who came into the village at about 9p.m. on Wednesday gathered residents in one place convincing them that they came into Bargari to propagate the teaching of Islam and when almost all the residents were gathered, they opened fire on the congregation. We started running for our dear lives. I was able to escape without being shot. But the gunmen killed over 40, injured many before they started looting property

and setting houses ablaze; razing the whole village completely.”

Another resident of the area who did not want his name disclosed, said the gunmen, numbering over 20, came to the village in four Toyota Hilux vehicles and were armed with AK47 rifles, IEDs and petrol bombs.

He added that after the attack, they fled towards the Sambisa Forest.

Efforts to get to the Police Public Relations Officer, Gideon Jubrin, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), did not yield result, as his phone line was switched off at the time of filing in this report.

But a top police officer, who demanded anonymity confirmed the attack.

In another attack, Boko Haram assaulted a military base in Gubla area of Adamawa State, killing five persons, including a soldier. Many others were also injured.

The raid, eyewitnesses said, occurred at about 4a.m. and lasted for two hours.

It was learnt that Boko Haram attacked the soldiers’ post with several IEDs before raiding their mini armoury and driving away two patrol vans.

“It was in the wee hours of the day when the Boko Haram members struck; sacking the soldiers’ base and carting away two Toyota Hilux vans. I also saw dead bodies of a soldier and civilians killed by the insurgents,” Mr. Ularamu Joseph, a resident said.

Another resident who simply identified himself as Musa said the gunmen stormed the area and immediately proceeded to the military base where they killed a soldier and left with the two patrol vans.

“When we heard gunshots, we started running for our dear lives but the gunmen told us not to panic as they were not after us but after the soldiers at the checkpoint,” he said.

It was also learnt that fighter jets, apparently responding to distressed call, bombarded Madagali town, Adamawa State, leading to the death of a girl.

“Shortly after the insurgents left, a fighter jet deployed to repel them dropped three bombs on a building near a police post.

A girl identified as Laraba Michael was instantly killed while another dead body was discovered on the road and many sustained injuries,” a resident Mr.

John Bulus, said.

Bulus added that by the time the fighter jets arrived in the area, the militants had fled.

Chairman, Madagali Local Government Area, Mr. James Abawu Watharda, who yesterday confirmed the attack on the military base and the dropping of bombs on the town, said he could not ascertain the casualty figure.

The state police spokesman, Mr. Othman Abubakar, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), also confirmed the incident but said he was yet to get details of the incident as at press time.

Meanwhile, the police in Kano State have discovered a bomb factory in Maidile and recovered many locally-made bombs from there.

The police also said it had arrested the main suspects behind last year’s bombing of a luxurious bus garage in Sabon Gari area of the state.

Displaying some of the recovered IEDs, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderenle Shinaba, said the police acted on a tip-off and raided the building where the locally-made bombs were found.

Shinaba, who also announced the arrest of the masterminds of the luxurious bus garage bombing, however refused to give more details.

Also yesterday, the Federal Government reiterated its call for a media blackout on terrorists and terror attacks in furtherance of the counter-insurgency campaign against Boko Haram.

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), made the call in Abuja at the public presentation of a book titled “What they don’t teach you in broadcasting,” written by Mr. Orji Ogbonaya Orji, a veteran broadcaster.

Maku said terrorists had taken advantage of the existing free media space in the country to propagate their ideology, adding that media reports should seek to protect and unite citizens against the insurgents.

“I am not saying that you shouldn’t report when there are, say, terrorists’ attacks on innocent citizens but we must report from the point of view of arousing society to reject their message, to unite society against what they are doing,” he added.

D

iplomatic efforts to resolve the monthslong standoff between Ukraine and Russia might end up with a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s president-elect, France’s president said yesterday.

Francois Hollande, who will host D-Day commemorations in Normandy today, said Putin and Ukraine’s president-elect, Petro Poroshenko, will be in close proximity to one another. “Could President Putin meet with President Poroshenko? Yes,” Hollande said at the end of a Brussels summit of the Group of Seven major economies. ”President Putin has been told. And he is com-

ing, knowing he will be alongside, anyway not far from, the Ukraine president,” Hollande said hours before he hosts dueling dinners yesterday night, first with President Barack Obama, then with Putin.

Despite fundamental differences over the March annexation of Crimea and unrest in eastern Ukraine since, Russia has signaled its readiness for a direct dialogue with Poroshenko, a billionaire candy tycoon, who was elected May 25.

After the G-7 group kept the threat of further sanctions against Russia on the table, yesterday’s action was moving from Brussels to Paris where at least two tete-a-tete meetings were planned

between Putin and European leaders, including the dinner with Hollande. If President Barack Obama didn’t envisage such an encounter, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the eve of D-Day commemorations in Normandy.

“We are at a point where Mr. Putin has the chance to get back into a lane of international law,” Obama said. European leaders are hoping the famous beaches, which saw the turning point in World War II, may now serve as a diplomatic platform to end the Ukraine-Russia crisis.

“It is an exceptional international meeting that must serve the cause of peace,” Hollande said.

U.S. President Barack Obama, third left, walks with, from left to right, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Francois Hollande, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, after a G7 group photo in Brussels, Belgium, yesterday.

PHOTO:AP /Charles Dharapak

Brazil metro, trains on strike, one week before World Cup

T

he Brazilian city that will host the World Cup’s opening match in a week was thrown into transit chaos yesterday as subway and overland commuter train operators went on strike, putting at risk the only means that most soccer fans will have to reach the stadium.

The strike stranded many of the 3.5 million people who use Sao Paulo’s public transport systems on an average weekday. Enraged passengers kicked in large doors at some stations when they arrived to find them closed for their morning commute.

The station nearest the Itaquerao stadium that will host the Cup’s opening match on June 12 was damaged by irate commuters who kicked down the metal barriers at two entryways.

Angry passengers jumped onto the tracks to protest at some stations, though they

dispersed when police arrived. Others rushed to bus stops to squeeze into the packed vehicles and make their way to work.

“The strikes ... are getting on my nerves,” said Silvia Rodrigues da Silva, who manages a small coffee shop in central Sao Paulo. “The subway station nearest my house was closed ,so I had wait for more than an hour

to get into an overcrowded bus to come to work.”

Late Wednesday, a judge ordered the train operators to work at full capacity during rush hours, and at 70 percent capacity in off hours. Union members voted to go ahead with the strike anyway, despite the judge ordering that the union be fined $44,000 each day it ignores the ruling.

Red Cross suspends Libya operation after murder

T

he International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is suspending operations in Libya while it investigates the killing of a staff member there, a spokesman said yesterday.

Michael Greub, the Swiss head of a sub-delegation of the ICRC, was shot in the central coastal town of Sirte on Wednes-

day as he left a meeting with two colleagues in an unmarked car.

Anarchy is spreading in the North African oilproducing country where violence and political infighting have reigned since the 2011 uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi, and militias operate at will, beyond central government authority.

Echiejile, Musa in recovery race

l As Yobo, Onazi want concentration Ibrahim Gyaran, saying it was Emmanuel Tobi

I

njured Super Eagles duo of Ahmed Musa and Elderson Echejile train on their own on Thursday as they gradually recover from knocks they received in the friendly against Greece last Tuesday.

This is just as Eagles’ preparations continue for the World Cup, with a scheduled friendly against the United States on Saturday in Jacksonville.

Echejile was expected to undergo a scan on his thigh muscle late Thursday with team doctor,

SPORT Echiejile (left)

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

important to do the scan to know the injury level but he did not foresee a serious injury.

Team skipper, Joseph Yobo, said, “We have to give our all in the tourney because in future people will ask when you were playing what did you achieve. We

have won the Nations Cup, now is the time to aim for the big one.”

Onazi however added. “Yes, they say we have not been scoring many goals but these are preparatory games, when we come to the tournament proper they will see the real Nigerian national team.”

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

ADEKUNLE SALAMI, DepUTY Editor, SPORTS kunle.salami@newtelegraphonline.com adekunles@yahoo.com

FRIday, MAY 30, 2014

Brazil: Time F for Mikel, Moses to shine –Babangida

Argentina are ‘very strong’, insists Messi }p-53

Moses

Charles Ogundiya

Mikel

51

ormer Super Eagles winger, Tijani Babangida, has charged the Super Eagles players finding it difficult to command a regular starting shirts at their respective clubs last season to use the World Cup to shine like stars.

Top players like Mikel Obi of Chelsea and Victor Moses who was on loan to Liverpool last season did not enjoy enough playing time all through the season.

Speaking to New Telegraph in Ibadan, the former Ajax winger said despite not playing regularly for their clubs, the players would come good for the national team in Brazil as they would be challenged to show how good they are.

According to him, most of these players are playing for big clubs and the only thing they need to do is to show their managers that they are better than some of the players benching them by putting up a good show at the Mundial.

He said, “This is the best time for those players sitting on the bench for their various clubs to show the world that they are still very good.

If you are sitting on the bench for a big team, that doesn’t mean you are not good, but maybe the coach is having a stronger person in that position or probably he doesn’t want to change a winning team or he is adopting a particular tactics.

“Despite not playing regularly, do we have anyone better than Moses in

that position? No. if you invite anyone, Moses will likely beat the person hands down.

“World Cup is a place to exhibit and show talents. By having a good outing at the championship, definitely you will get offers from good clubs with better pay,” he said.

Citing example of some of the players, Babangida said; “Look at Mikel Obi, most times he is on the bench for Chelsea, but whenever Mourinho wanted to defend, he uses Mikel and he always delivers. Of course it is not good for players to sit on the bench always in Europe, they have to work hard to be able to leave the coaches with no choice than to use them in matches.”

Top seeds cruise on in Ekiti Tennis tourney

Ifeanyi Ibeh

T

here were no upsets as the main draws of the Ekiti Governor’s All Nigeria Tennis Championship, taking place at the Trade Fair Complex, AdoEkiti, got underway on Thursday with all the top seeds progress-

ing to the second round.

2013 CBN Open women’s champion, Ronke Akingbade, and Blessing Anuna, as well as Aanu Aiyegbusi, who caused the biggest upset at the last CBN Open when she defeated top seed Blessing Samuel in the first round, all zoomed into the next round.

In the men’s singles, Ikechukwu Ilokuta, Joseph Imeh, Balami Umaru and Michael Okechukwu all progressed to the second round of the tournament which will see the men’s and women’s singles champions going home with N100,000 and N75,000 respectively.

52

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Countdown to Fifa World Cup 6

African Brazil

The World Cup is just a week away and Africans will be watching on in the hope of finally seeing a team from the continent in the semi-finals.New Telegraph’s Ifeanyi Ibeh takes a look at some of the players who will likely make the dream of an African team in the World Cup’s last four finally come to pass.

Yaya Toure (Cote d’Ivoire) Strong in defence and in attack, and with a high work rate, Toure is one of the best midfielders in the world and undoubtedly the best African footballer at the moment.

Brazil 2014 will be his third World Cup appearance and, having won three successive African Footballer of the Year awards, will be looking to finally take the Elephants past the group stage for the first time having failed to do so at any of their previous World Cup appearances in Germany and South Africa.

Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria) Not only is Enyeama currently the best African goalkeeper, the Lille star is also one of the best goal tenders in the top five European leagues and, this season, was only minutes away from equalling Gaetan Huard’s 20-year Ligue 1 record of playing 1176 minutes without conceding a goal before an own goal from a teammate put paid to that aspiration.

Brazil 2014 will be the 31-year-old’s third World Cup appearance and he will be vital to the Nigerian team’s hopes of advancing beyond the tournament’s group stage for the first time since 1998.

And if he is able to rekindle the sort of form he put on display four years ago in South Africa, Nigerians can follow the Super Eagles’ run in Brazil confident that there will be a solid rock on ground to stop the opposition whenever their darling team’s shaky backline is breached in Brazil.

Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) Gyan was Ghana’s top performer four years ago in South Africa, scoring vital goals for the Black Stars as the former African champions joined the small group of African

Days To Go

Feghouli

Toure

sides to have made it to the World Cup’s last eight. The former Sunderland star however missed a crucial penalty in extra time against Uruguay that could have sent the West Africans into the semi-finals and things have never been the same between him and Ghanaian fans ever since.

And after missing from the spot at last year’s Nations Cup semi-final loss to Burkina Faso, the 28-year-old will be heading to Brazil with a mission to win back the hearts of Ghanaians by grabbing a couple of goals and, also winning over the neutrals with his likeable dance moves.

Wilfried Bony (Cote d’Ivoire) Didier Drogba may be the skipper of Cote d’Ivoire and the country’s all-time leading scorer but it is World Cup debutant, Bony, with his good aerial ability and powerful shot, that fans of Les Elephants will be banking on to get the goals that will finally take the Ivorians past the World Cup’s group stage for the first time.

Having impressed at Swansea this season, Bony is expected to replicate his club form in the orange shirt of his country and prove in Brazil, where the Ivorians will be up against Colombia, Greece and Japan, that he is capable of filling the void expected to be left by the aging Drogba, who will be appearing in his third and final World Cup. Emmanuel Emenike (Nigeria) Brazil 2014 will be Emenike’s debut World Cup appearance, but he will be car-

Enyeama

rying the burden of grabbing the much needed goals for the reigning African champions and, as such, will be one of the most closely watched players in the tournament.

At the last African Cup of Nations, Emenike finished as the tournament’s top scorer, but was sorely missed in the final as the Super Eagles struggled to a tense 1-0 win over Burkina Faso. And when injury also kept him out of the Super Eagles’ campaign at the FIFA Confederations Cup, his teammates struggled to find their killer instinct against Uruguay and Spain to lend further credence to the widely held belief amongst Nigerian fans that without Emenike, the Super Eagles tend to struggle.

Sofiane Feghouli (Algeria) Under former PSG coach, Vahid Halilhodzic, the Algerians have become more organised at the back and, going forward, score more goals with the main attacking threat coming from the team’s best player, Feghouli, who has proven himself in Spain over the past few seasons with some impressive performances at Valencia.

The 24-year-old Frenchborn winger, who played for France at youth level, will be appearing at his first World Cup three years after pledging his allegiance to Algeria.

And if he can consistently display the skill and eye for goal which has endeared him to fans of the 1990 African Nations Cup winners, he and his fellow Desert Foxes might just cause one or two upsets in the first round where they will be

Gyan

up against Belgium, South Korea and Russia.

Victor Moses (Nigeria) Moses may have struggled for game time at Liverpool this season, but he plays a valuable role for the Super Eagles and will be one of the first names in Stephen Keshi’s starting-XI when Nigeria get their World Cup campaign underway in Brazil with a game against Iran.

Skilful on the ball and with a knack for running at opposing defenders, Moses combined well with Emenike as the Super Eagles won the Cup of Nations in South Africa, and his partnership with the Fenerbahce forward will be vital to Nigeria’s chances of getting out of the World Cup’s group stage where the reigning African champions will also take on Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina.

Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) At 33, Eto’o, the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Nations Cup with 18 goals, is definitely at the twilight of his illustrious playing career but has this season, in the colours of Chelsea, shown that he is still capable of wrecking any backline.

With a keen eye for goal, the four-time African Footballer of the Year will be appearing at his fourth World Cup and will be hoping that he and his fellow Indomitable Lions can finally live up to their national team’s moniker and make it past the group stage from a group containing hosts Brazil, Croatia and Mexico.

John Obi Mikel (Nigeria) Mikel has been the lynchpin of the Nigerian team for close to a decade but will be making his debut World Cup appearance in Brazil after injury kept him out of the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Although not a proven goal scorer, the Chelsea player is one of the best when it comes to retaining possession of the ball, and his combination with Lazio’s Ogenyi Onazi was pivotal to the Super Eagles’ victory at last year’s Nations Cup. He may not have enjoyed the best of times this season at Chelsea but his ability to spot out his teammates in the Nigerian attack will be critical to Nigeria’s chances of getting out of a group stage containing Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina.

Michael Essien (Ghana) Without an injured Essien, Ghana came close to becoming the first African side to make it to the World Cup semi-finals at South Africa 2010. Four years after losing out to the Uruguayans in the quarterfinals, and a year after Essien decided to end his self-imposed exile from the national team, the Black Stars will be heading to Brazil in the hope of re-enacting their fine run and finally making it to the World Cup’s last-four.

But they will first need to get past a tough group containing Germany, Portugal and the United States, and Essien, with his all-action style from the middle of the field will be crucial to the Black Stars’ hopes of reaching the latter stages.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Transfer Updates

Roma seal Keita deal

R

oma have signed midfielder Seydou Keita on a free transfer, with the player penning a one-year deal at the Serie A club.

The 34-year-old was a free agent after his Valencia deal expired and Roma have won the race to capture his signature.

A Roma statement confirmed the signing and read: “AS Roma would like to announce that an agreement has been reached for the signing of Malian player Seydou Ahmed Keita. The contract has the duration of one year, expiring on June 30, 2015.”

Argentina are ‘very strong’, insists Messi A

rgentina star Lionel Messi has expressed optimism regarding his side’s chances of success at the FIFA World Cup after Rodrigo Palacio, Javier Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez scored in a 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday.

Only hosts Brazil are more favoured to win the World Cup and Messi feels his team’s serious approach to preWorld Cup friendlies can hold them in good stead.

“Yes, it is just a friendly and we are very close to our trip (to Brazil) but we are going to play with all we have,” Messi said. “No one wants any (injury to) occur, we are all being very careful of that but we still all want to win, do our best, play seriously and I believe

Senderos joins Aston Villa

S

witzerland defender Philippe Senderos has agreed to join Premier League club Aston Villa on a two-year deal.

Senderos said “there will be a lot of competition for places with Ron Vlaar, Ciaran Clark, Nathan Baker and Jores Okore also very capable Premier League defenders, so it will be up to me to fight for and to earn my place in the team.”

Liverpool agree £10m deal for Can

L

iverpool look poised to make their second signing of the off-season following news that they have agreed a fee for Bayer Leverkusen’s Emre Can, who started 32 matches for Leverkusen last season, scoring four goals and assisting four more.

Can, who the Reds will sign for £10million, can play as an attacking or defensive midfielder, as well as out on the wing and in defence.

Fit-again Beikzadeh makes final Iran squad

H

ashem Beikzadeh has overcome a troublesome calf problem to feature in Iran’s 23-man FIFA World Cup squad.

FIFA published the finalised squads for each nation on Thursday, ending any doubt over Beikzadeh’s involvement at the Brazil showpiece.

Iran had previously named a 24-man squad, with Mohammad

Reza Khanzadeh on stand-by for coach Carlos Queiroz.

Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Nigeria await Iran in Group F at the World Cup. Queiroz’s men face the African nation in their first match, to be played in Curitiba on June 16.

Before that, though, is a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago on June 8 in Sao Paulo.

B

arcelona are closing in on a move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus after admitting defeat in their pursuit of Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.

Barcelona see the 24-year-old as a cheaper and more versatile alternative to Aguero and are now closing in on a deal.

Valencia prepare £18m bid for Lukaku

V

alencia have said they are prepared to pay £18m for Chelsea’s sought-after forward Romelu Lukaku which could hinder Chelsea’s signing of Diego Costa. Atletico Madrid’s Costa is on the vergeofamovetotheStamfordBridgeclubinadealwhich could see Lukaku go the other way on loan, but Valencia’s offer may make José Mourinho think twice.

Lukaku has enjoyed successful loan spells at West Brom and Everton, the latter of which he scored 15 league goals for last season in the Premier League.

Gala president dismisses Balotelli link

G

M

aria Sharapova made it back into the French Open final for the third straight year, beating Eugenie Bouchard of Canada, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, Thursday.

The seventh-seeded Russian lost the first set for the third straight match, but again managed to turn things around.

Sharapova has now won 19 straight three-set matches on clay.

Sharapova completed a career Grand Slam by winning the title at Roland Garros in 2012, but lost to Serena Williams in last year’s final.

Bouchard, a 20-year-old Cana-

Murray backed to beat Nadal

A

ccording to Greg Rusedski, Andy Murray is better placed to win the French Open than he has ever been.

“Those two sets against [Gael] Monfils [in the quarter final] were as good as any I have ever seen from him on a clay court,” says the former British No

alatasaray president Unal Aysal has scotchedrumoursthathisclubaregoing to make a move for AC Milan star Mario Balotelli, who has been linked with a possible move to England and Turkey in recent weeks.

ButAysalhasmovedtoquashtheserumours,despiteadmitting hisadmirationforthecontroversialex-ManchesterCityman’squalities. He said: “We’re talking about a great player and personally I like him, but he is not one of our goals.”

Murray

we did that.

“I believe we have a very strong team, very unified and more than that we also have really great players.”

Mascherano echoed Messi’s thoughts and said that coach Alejandro Sabella had drummed into his squad the importance of gaining pretournament rhythm.

“Our minds are on the World Cup, but you have to keep playing,” he said. “The team has to function well together… if not we will play poorly in our first game. Historically any problems our team have usually surface in the first game and I don’t think this happened today. For me that was the most positive thing I took away from (Wednesday’s) game.”

Owen backs Argentina for glory

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ichael Owen is backing Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero to lead Argentina to glory at the World Cup. The former England international scored one of his most famous goals in the 1998 World Cup against the Albiceleste, but his solo run and finish could not stop the Three Lions exiting the roundof-16 clash on penalties.

Despite the competition being hosted in Brazil, Owen is backing the two-time winners to lift the trophy on their rivals’ home soil due to their “fantastic” supporters and star strikers.

“I believe Argentina are favourites. They have good players throughout the team, but Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi just tip it,” Owen told Sportlobster.com.

“It will be extremely difficult for teams to stop these two players Sharapova from scoring. Argentina are more dian seeded 18th at Roland Garor less in their own backyard and ros, was playing at the French they are used to the altitude and Open for the only second time. weather.

Last year, she lost to Sharapova in “They will also have fantastic the second round. support. However, it is the fact The final is Saturday. they have two of the finest players in the world, which just swings it for me. The team may have some defensive concerns, but Argentin2. “I’m seeing a lot of positives. Every- ians are typically streetwise. I honthing seems to be flowing from him. estly believe they have more qualThere is absolutely no reason why he ity than the other nations.” can’t win. And, even though it is against Rafa [Nadal], the really good thing is he International friendlies results can approach his semi-final knowing Uruguay 2 – 0 Slovenia he has absolutely nothing to lose.”

“Listen, facing Rafa [Nadal] in the Chile 2 – 0 Northern Ireland semi-final is as a big a challenge as Ivory Coast 2 - 1 Salvador you can get,” he says. “But I’ve been very impressed by Murray throughMexico 0 – 1 Bosnia out these championships. Having Algeria 2 – 1 Romania had back surgery it’s really difficult to Netherlands 2 – 0 Wales come back quickly. The match against [Philipp] Kohlschreiber was tough, 7-7 Italy 1 – 1 Luxembourg in the final set, returning the next day Ecuador 2 – 2 England then winning. Then he beat [Fernando] Verdasco the following day, psychologiArgentina 3 – 0 Trinidad & Tobago cally that was so important.

Sharapova in final for third straight year

Barca switch focus to Reus

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54 SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

DSTv Premier League: Hoopers, Potters battle for survival

Ifeanyi Ibeh

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oyal Hoopers of Port Harcourt will on Friday take on Kwara Falcons in their penultimate game of the Atlantic Conference regular season knowing that anything other than a win will see them suffering the ignominy of relegation from the DSTv Premier Basketball League.

At the beginning of the campaign, no one would have thought the former champions would be battling to remain in the DSTv Premier League, but owing to the team’s inability to raise the needed funds to remain competitive this season, a situation which led to so many of the team’s regulars from last season ditching the side for greener pastures, the Ogor Odaudu-tutored side now find themselves desperately in need of a win to remain in the Premier League.

Savannah Conference side, Niger Potters, also find themselves staring relegation to the second division in the face and know that a win over visiting Gombe Bulls will go a long way in keeping them in the Premier League.

The Bulls, who are enjoying a good run in only their maiden season in the Nigerian top flight, are already guaranteed of a spot in the playoffs, but will not lay low for the Bulls as they set their sights on

overtaking Mark Mentors, whose General Manager, Frank Jituboh, was recently appointed chairman of the FCT Basketball Association, on the Savannah Conference standings.

Eagles will get Brazilian fans support -Danagogo Jude Opara

they play at the World Cup. Sports Minister and Chairman of the National IFA world Cup host, Brazil, Sports Commission (NEC), have assured the Super Ea- Dr. Tamuno Danagogo gles that thy will not lack told journalists in Abuja support from the fans when yesterday shortly after a closed-door meeting with the ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, Amb. Andre Lima Pinto, that the two countries will work out the modalities that will enable more Nigerians secure travel documents to the South African nation.

“Our meeting primarily dwelt on the issuance of visa to Nigerians who wish to travel to Brazil to support the Super Eagles so I want to assure you that every legitimate Nigerian that has a role to play in Brazil will be given visa to travel. Also we talked about the need for the two countries to excel at the championship and he has assured that Brazilians will at least support Nigeria.”

Abuja

F

Oluyole Warriors’ Adebayo Adeniyi going for a dunk and getting a stiff restriction from Union Bank Solomon’s Ajegbeyi in during the 2014 Nigeria DStv Premier Basketball League held at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium, Surulere. Union Bank won by 75-64 points.

World Cup squad lists (Africa) Algeria 1. Cedric SI MOHAMMED (CS Constantine) 2. Madjid BOUGUERRA (SC Qatar) 3. Faouzi GHOULAM (Napoli) 4. Esseid BELKALEM (Watford) 5. Rafik HALLICHE (Academica Coimbra) 6. Djamel MESBAH (AS Livorno) 7. Hassan YEBDA (Udinese) 8. Medhi LACEN (Getafe) 9. Nabil GHILAS (FC Porto) 10. Sofiane FEGHOULI (Valencia) 11. Yacine BRAHIMI (Granada) 12. Carl MEDJANI (Valenciennes) 13. Islam SLIMANI (Sporting Lisbon) 14. Nabil BENTALEB (Tottenham) 15. El Arabi SOUDANI (Dinamo Zagreb) 16. Mohamed ZEMMAMOUCHE (USM Alger) 17. Liassine CADAMURO (RCD Mallorca) 18. Abdelmoumene DJABOU (Club Africain) 19. Saphir TAIDER (Inter Milan) 20. Aissa MANDID (Stade de Reims) 21. Riyad MAHREZ (Leicester City) 22. Mehdi MOSTEFA (AC Ajaccio) 23. Rais MBOLHI (CSKA Sofia)

Cameroon 1. Loic FEUDJOU (Coton Sport) 2. Benoit ASSOU EKOTTO (QPR) 3. Nicolas NKOULOU (Marseille) 4. Cedric DJEUGOUE (Coton Sport) 5. Dany NOUNKEU (Besiktas) 6. Alexandre SONG (Barcelona) 7. Landry NGUEMO (Bordeaux) 8. Benjamin MOUKANDJO (Nancy) 9. Samuel ETO’O (Chelsea) 10. Vincent ABOUBAKAR (FC Lorient) 11. Jean MAKOUN (Stade Rennais) 12. Henri BEDIMO (Lyonnais) 13. Eric CHOUPO MOTING (Mainz) 14. Aurelien CHEDJOU (Galatasaray) 15. Pierre WEBO (Fenerbahce)

16. Charles ITANDJE (Konyaspor)

17. Stephane MBIA (Sevilla) 18. Enoh EYONG (Antalyaspor) 19. Fabrice OLINGA (Zulte Waregem) 20. Edgar SALLI (RC Lens) 21. Joel MATIP (Schalke) 22. Allan NYOM (Granada) 23. Sammy NDJOCK (Fethiyespor)

Cote d’Ivoire 1. Boubacar BARRY (Lokeren) 2. Ousmane DIARRASSOUBA (Rizespor) 3. Arthur BOKA (VfB Stuttgart) 4. Kolo TOURE (Liverpool) 5. Didier ZOKORA (Trabzonspor) 6. Mathis BOLLY (Fortuna Duesseldorf) 7. Jean Daniel AKPA (Toulouse) 8. Salomon KALOU (Lille) 9. Ismael TIOTE (Newcastle) 10. GERVINHO (AS Roma) 11. Didier DROGBA (Galatasaray) 12. Wilfried BONY (Swansea) 13. Konan YA (Hannover) 14. Ismael DIOMANDE (Saint-Etienne) 15. Max GRADEL (Saint-Etienne) 16. Sylvain GBOHOUO (Sewe Sport) 17. Serge AURIER (Toulouse) 18. Constant DJAKPA (Eintracht Frankfurt) 19. Yaya TOURE (Manchester City) 20. Die SEREY (FC Basel) 21. Giovanni SIO (FC Basel) 22. Souleymane BAMBA (Trabzonspor) 23. Sayouba MANDE (Stabaek IF)

Ghana 1. Stephen ADAMS (Aduana Stars) 2. Samuel INKOOM (FC Platanias) 3. Asamoah GYAN (Al Ain FC) 4. Daniel OPARE (Standard Liege) 5. Michael ESSIEN (AC Milan) 6. Acquah AFRIYIE (Parma)

7. Christian ATSU (Vitesse) 8. Emmanuel AGYEMANG BADU (Udinese) 9. Kevin-Prince BOATENG (Schalke) 10. Andre AYEW (Marseille) 11. Sulley MUNTARI (AC Milan) 12. Adam KWARASEY (Stromsgodset) 13. Jordan AYEW (Sochaux) 14. Albert ADOMAH (Middlesbrough) 15. Rashid SUMAILA (Mamelodi Sundowns) 16. Fatawu DAUDA (Orlando Pirates) 17. Mohammed RABIU (Kuban Krasnodar) 18. Majeed WARIS (Valenciennes) 19. Jonathan MENSAH (Evian TG) 20. Kwadwo ASAMOAH (Juventus) 21. John BOYE (Stade Rennais) 22. Mubarak WAKASO (Rubin Kazan) 23. Harrison AFFUL (Esperance)

Nigeria 1. Vincent ENYEAMA (Lille) 2. Joseph YOBO (Norwich City) 3. Uwa ECHIEJILE (AS Monaco) 4. Ruben GABRIEL (Waasland-Beveren) 5. Efe AMBROSE (Celtic) 6. Azubuike EGWUEKWE (Warri Wolves) 7. Ahmed MUSA (CSKA Moscow) 8. Peter ODEMWINGIE (Stoke City) 9. Emmanuel EMENIKE (Fenerbahce) 10. John Obi MIKEL (Chelsea) 11. Victor MOSES (Liverpool) 12. Ebenezer ODUNLAMI (Sunshine Stars) 13. Juwon OSHANIWA (FC Ashdod) 14. Godfrey OBOABONA (Rizespor) 15. Ramon AZEEZ (Almeria) 16. Austine EJIDE (Hapoel Be’er Sheva) 17. Ogenyi ONAZI (SS Lazio) 18. Michael BABATUNDE (FC Volyn Lutsk) 19. Uche NWOFOR (Heerenveen) 20. Okechukwu UCHEBO (Cercle Brugge) 21. Chigozie AGBIM (Enugu Rangers) 22. Kenneth OMERUO (Middlesbrough) 23. Shola AMEOBI (Newcastle United)

NFF’s Sponsors to cancel contracts over infringed rights Emmanuel Tobi

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here are strong indications that major sponsors of Nigeria Football Federation might cancel their existing contracts with the football house following infringements into their exclusive marketing rights.

The sponsors are considering the move as a result of ambush marketing and the proliferation of companies who hitherto were never part of NFF’s sponsors using the Super Eagles and their coaches for brand endorsements and adverts, thereby not protecting their marketing rights.

New Telegraph gathered that the aggrieved sponsors who paid NFF several millions of naira are keeping tabs withthe reaction of the football body and are ready to act by taking a legal stand on their acquired rights and properties.

In view of these violations, the NFF during the week came out hard against brewing giant, Nigeria Breweries Plc, for its deliberate infringement on the guidelines for associating with the national team and becoming legitimate sponsors.

NFF’s concerns on the violations of its rights on the Super Eagles and by implications the rights of its official sponsors have once again called to question APCON’s regulatory standards.

Chapter Three (Special Provisions) in the APCON alcoholic beverages regulations, Article 32 (b), 33 (b), 34 (b) and 35 (b) clearly states that “children, sports men/women and pregnant women shall not be used as models” in advertising alcoholic beverages.

Analysts believe these sections have been subtly violated by popular lager brand, Star’s endorsement of ex-Super Eagles internationals as its sports brand ambassadors, showcasing advertising communications with these models.

news 55

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, June 6, 2014

Okorie, Fasehun laud Senate’s move against failed parties Wale Elegbede

he decision of the Senate to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister any political party that fails to win at least a seat in any State House of Assembly, has been commended by the duo of Chief Chekwas Okorie and Dr. Frederick Fasehun, Chairmen of the United Progressive Party (UPP) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) respectively.

The upper chamber on Wednesday voted in support of an amendment to the Electoral Act 2010 as contained in Section 68 of the Constitution

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which deals with INEC’s management of political parties and elections.

Speaking to New Telegraph, Okorie said the amendment was a welcome development, stressing that some political parties only existed to make press statements and collect funds from government and international agencies.

“Political parties are expected to fight for political powers; they are not NGO's. If a political party is not able to win at least a seat, such political party does not have any justification to be in the list of registered political parties.”

While dismissing insinuations that the amend-

ment might put smaller parties at the mercy of the established ones, Okorie said, “They won't be at the mercy of the bigger parties, but they only need to have a credible election in the choice of their candidates. It’s not a problem of big and small parties, but presenting a credible candidate like Labour Party did in Ondo State and Accord Party did in Oyo State.”

On his part, Fasehun described the decision of the Senate as timely and wake-up call to political parties, adding that the electoral body now has constitutional powers to sanitise the political parties without any fear of litigation.

Ekiti 2014

Ogundare, slain LP member, buried in Emure-Ekiti Stories by Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

A

supporter of Opeyemi Bamidele, the Labour Party's candidate in Ekiti State, Foluso Ogundare, who was shot dead on November 3, last year while attending a political meeting, was yesterday evening buried in his hometown, Emure-Ekiti.

Ogundare, 33, was attending a meeting of Bibiire Coalition, the political group of Bamidele, when

he was shot dead by persons suspected to be supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Members of LP, especially youths from different parts of the state, converged on the Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti where his remains had been kept since.

Bamidele, leading other LP elders, followed the hearse carrying the corpse to Emure. At the family house of the deceased, Bamidele and

other LP leaders who met Ogundare's wives and children, betrayed emotions and shed tears. They could not talk to the press.

The deceased was later interred after a private ceremony at his residence.

An APC member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Kehinde Boluwade and five others are currently standing trial for the murder of Ogundare.

Ogundare, in his lifetime, was a timber merchant.

DiscoveryAir woos passengers with fares, quality service

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he latest entrant into the airline sector, DiscoveryAir Limited, says it plans to improve passengers’ travel experience without compromising safety as it begins flight operations on Monday.

This came barely one week after the carrier was issued Air Operators Certificate by the aviation industry regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The statement by the airline quoted its Managing Director, Capt. Abdulsalami Mohammed, as observing that air travellers had not been

professionally handled in the past by some of the airlines, adding that with DiscoverAir’s entry into the market, passengers would get value for their money.

Mohammed noted that the airline had outlined plans to woo more passengers to its services with attractive and competitive airfares.

He noted that the airline had experienced personnel to make its vision a reality, especially regarding plans to raise the bar of air travel experience in the country.

The CEO also said that timely departure

of flights and quality onboard experience would be given priority, maintaining that its Boeing aircraft were stateof-the-art equipment, which would give the passengers the required comforts in the air.

Discovery presently has two Boeing 737-300 aircraft in its fleet with a plan to increase the fleet before the end of the third quarter of this year.

“We want to raise the bar in the industry and make our services competitive with what we have abroad. Without the passengers, there can never be the airlines.”

EFCC’s probe of Lagos speaker is persecution, Olanipekun tells court Joseph Onyekwere

he embattled speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, yesterday told a Federal High Court in Lagos, that investigations carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was mere witch-haunt.

Ikuforiji spoke through his counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN). Olanipekun made the submission at the resumed trial of Ikuforiji, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA), charged with moneylaundering.

The Speaker is standing trial together with his aide, Oyebode Atoyebi, on an amended 56-count charge bordering on the offence.

When the case was mentioned yesterday, Olanipekun commenced cross examination of first witness

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for the EFCC, Mr Adebayo Adeniyi.

Adeniyi, a Principal Detective Superintendent, began his evidence on November 21, 2013, and concluded same on March 18.

Under cross examination by defence counsel, the witness told the court that the schedule of his duty was only geared at investigating financial transactions of the Assembly, under the leadership of Ikuforiji.

Referring to the proof of evidence filed by the prosecution, Olanipekun queried the competence of the investigations by the witness and pointed out that on pages 223 of exhibit D5, there was a Memo to the Clerk of the house, indicating approval by the Governor of Lagos State for members of the Assembly to attend the Commonwealth Plenary Conference in Tanzania.

Olanipekun also pointed out from the exhibits that various approvals granted for members to attend conferences or trainings were based on requisitions. He then asked the witness if he was aware of the position.

The witness, in response, said that although he did not investigate whether approval was granted for members to attend any conference, he was nonetheless, aware that approvals were granted based on requisitions.

The witness added that his major assignment was to investigate the Speaker, based on a petition received from one Comrade Olaye Olotu.

Addressing the issue of petition raised by the witness, Olanipekun posed these questions, "Have you ever met this petitioner, and which Organisation does he represent? Is the EFCC set up to deal with anonymous petitions?”

L-R: Chairman, Governing Board, College of Health Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Monisola Oloro; Chief Medical Director, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Kolawole Ogundipe; wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; and EKSUTH’s Deputy Director, Nursing Services, Mrs. Oluwagbemi Oluwayemisi, during the inaugural EKSUTH Nurses' Week, in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday

Adeyeye: PDP's victory will be landslide inisterial nominee and M a former governorship aspirant in Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adedayo Adeyeye, has said the PDP will win the June 21 governorship election convincingly.

"The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will be so embarrassed that it won't be able to go to the tribunal," he added.

Adeyeye, who was nominated as minister

by President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday,

told PDP supporters during a meeting in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, that no effort must be spared to ensure a resounding victory for the party.

He charged leaders of his group, the Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM) to go to their respective wards and make sure the PDP wins.

He thanked President Jonathan for finding him worthy to serve in his cabinet. On Wednesday, after the announcement of Adeyeye's name at the

Senate plenary, his IseEkiti countryhome was thronged by thousands of PDP supporters, who came to congratulate him.

Also speaking, PDP's only member in the State House of Assembly, Dele Ajibola, said Adeyeye's appointment was a reward for his loyalty to the party, adding that, "With this appointment, those peddling unfounded rumour for their own selfish political gains have been silenced permanently.

Election vital to Ekiti's future says Fayemi's wife

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ife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has said the June 21 governorship election will determine the future of the state.

She said this during the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital’s inaugural Nurses’ Week held at the School of Nursing, Ado-Ekiti, yesterday.

The governor’s wife said the forthcoming election transcended the aspiration of the governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rule the state for a second term.

The electorate, she

said, owed posterity a sacred duty to scrutinize the antecedents of candidates jostling to govern the state from October before pitching their tent with any of them.

“This election is just not about Governor Kayode Fayemi or the APC. It is about the future of Ekiti and our children.

This election will determine what the state will look like in the next 15 years.

“What do we want Ekiti to be like in 10 to 15 years down the line? Do we want an Ekiti that will continue to be inheritor of chaos,

disunity, misgovernance, looting of state treasury or of a lack of future for our children?

“Will it be what it was in the recent past when people ask us how we came about having certain people as our leaders? Will it be like when Ekiti was treated like a pariah among the elite?

“We believe that this election will give us an opportunity to establish a foundation that will ensure that Ekiti becomes the state where other people will come and do business and be proud of. We cannot afford a reversal of our fortunes," she said.

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On Marble

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– Simone de Beauvoir

Sanctity of Truth

w w w. new tel eg rap ho nl i ne. co m

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha FRIday, JUNE 6, 2014

Christine Walton from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA has the longest fingernails (female) in the world today, measured 6.019 m (19 ft 1 in) in February 2011, 7.314 m (23 ft 11 in) in 2013.

N150

Averting another false dawn D Graffiti awn conveys positivity because it naturally marks the end of darkness and indicates that sunrise is at hand. Dawn inevitably is a representation of a new beginning, and of hope. But in circumstances when that hope does not materialise, it is akin to a false dawn.

After the European colonization of the African continent, the prospect of independence became an opportunity of selfgovernance. It was to be the dawn of being in control once again without the intrusion of the colonial masters although under new geographical and political configurations.

The ‘wind of change” blew across the continent, and one after the other, new national flags and anthems replaced those of the colonialists.

The accompanying euphoria did not last too long as one country after the other became embroiled in political conflicts. Thus within a short space of time, the instability grew to such a point that the fledgling states were undermined by the virus of military coups.

This false dawn also extended to Nigeria as within six years after independence the politicians that constituted the ruling class had to make way for the soldiers, and the fledgling democracy was snuffed out. As the years rolled by, military rule became the norm with all its anti-democratic tendencies taking root. Occasional attempts at civilian rule were more like brief flirtations with a false dawn. That looked to change in May 1999 as the military handed over to another civilian administration. It has been fifteen years of uninterrupted civilian rule but even this seeming stability is fraught with signs of a thriving false dawn as antidemocratic tendencies become increasingly manifest.

A democracy cannot grow properly if those things that constitute its essence keep being deliberately subverted in self-serving disguises. The essence of a democracy include respect for the rule of law, upholding human rights, a free and fair electoral process that enables the choices of the voters to be established, and eempower several institutions like the police and judiciary to function without interference by the leadership.

The role of the police in a democracy is critical because it ought to primarily serve the people in such a way that the institution is owned by the people. So far this has not been the case. Instead of having a thriving democratic policing, what subsists is entrenched partisan policing. A partisanship is deliberately in favour of the ruling class. It is a partisanship that continues to be a threat to democracy. Any police sys-

EMMAN USMAN SHEHU prohabe@hotmail.com - 08051614969 (sms only)

tem emerging from colonial and military backgrounds tends to have such tendency.

On June 2, 2014, the Federal Capital Territory’s Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, banned the daily sit-out protest in Abuja. For thirty-three days, the #BringBackOurGirls group had been campaigning about the abduction of the Chibok secondary school girls, and demanding for a more purposeful rescue operation by those with the constitutional responsibility of providing appropriate security for the citizenry.

Indeed it was the campaign that drew the attention of the international community to the abduction, against the background of the lackluster response by the government and the rambling and contradictory pronouncements by security and government officials, which indicated confusion and ineptness.

Mbu’s statement did not come as a surprise. It had become evident on May 22, the day the march to the Presidential Villa was frustrated by the authorities including Mbu who got his men to cordon off the route, that the administration was not comfortable with the protest and what it stood for.

A few days later a government sponsored group surfaced with a counter message and began a sustained harassment of the #BringBackOurGirls group at the Unity Park. The pestering reached a climax on May 28, when the #BringBackOurGirls group was attacked in the full glare of the policemen and soldiers who were ostensibly there to provide protection.

Sensing it was part of a pre-planned script, the #BringBackOurGirls group refused to be provoked and maintained the civility that has been at the heart of its campaign. It subsequently relocated to the Maitama Amusement Park. Since bringing the other group there would unmask the provocation ploy, the Federal Capital Territory administration pressurized those in charge of the park to get it locked. The group resorted to having its sit-out outside the park.

The Mbu pronouncement, which was a barefaced disrespect for the 1999 Constitution that guarantees citizens rights to peaceful assembly, served to confirm that it was a script being played out. As the group headed

to court the next day, the Inspector General of Police tactfully distanced the police from Mbu’s statement without any reprimand.

The badly managed damage control was tantamount to publicly fibbing. By then too the image of the administration had also taken another blow within and outside the country as condemnations swirled in abundance.

Within the past year, Mbu has successfully promoted himself into a symbol of all that is wrong with the country’s police. Always a willing tool in the hands of the powers that be, especially the current administration, Mbu’s rise to notoriety became public in early 2013 as the Commissioner of Police, Oyo Command. Allegedly acting on orders from above, he stormed the palace of the Olubadan with a team of policemen.

When the need arose to use the police against the Governor in Rivers State, Mbu was redeployed to Port Harcourt where the purpose of his mission soon manifested. Rather than being neutral in the state’s escalating crisis and working to allow peace prevail, Mbu avidly jumped into the fray. He unashamedly defied a court order by re-occupying the ObiAkpor Council, and was openly rude to the governor unceasingly. He even withdrew the security aides of the Speaker of the House of Assembly and the Chief of Staff to the governor. As calls for his redeployment grew, he characteristically wasted no time in putting together a group of women to protest against the clamour for his removal, with some youths even threatening to destroy oil installations if he was redeployed. Interestingly, since his redeployment to Abuja, political serenity has returned to Port Harcourt.

His recent behavior in Abuja is therefore true to type.

Consequently the attitude of the police continues to reflect the extent to which an administration is anti-democratic and antipeople. The more it has no respect for the rule of law, the more the police act accordingly. As is always the case when elections approach, the police become willing tools in subverting the electoral process to the advantage of the administration. Every major political crisis in the country, right from the sixties, has always involved the police in some way.

A critical ingredient of democratic polic-

ing is that the institution should be neutral and at the service of the people, rather than the powers that be. As long as the situation does not change, the police will continue to be a threat not only to the people, but to the country’s democracy.

As Jibrin Ibrahim has noted: “We all have an interest in deepening democracy and consolidating the Fourth Republic. Using the police correctly is a key element in this regard. The relationship between the police and the elected public officer must be clearly in conformity with the principles of rule of law. The loyalty of the police must be to the country, and not to the serving President. The President appoints the IGP, but the mode of appointment notwithstanding, it is imperative that the police should be loyal only to the Nigerian state and the people and not to the transient functionaries that appoint them.”

As long as police officers allow themselves to be used, as is the case with Mbu, as glorified thugs of the ruling class, the greater the possibility that we may experience another false dawn. To stop that from happening to the Fourth Republic as we approach the 2015 elections, we must work towards strengthening all the relevant democratic institutions, especially the police.

We must quickly get to that point when an Mbu becomes an example of what the Nigerian police should not be in a true democracy.

A police that will be a bulwark against the entrenchment of tyranny and impunity.A police focused on advancing the institutionalization of the constitution, and assisting society honour its social contract, because the quality of a democracy is inevitably dependent on the quality of its police.

OmoBaba

BOKO HARAM, A GLOBAL PROBLEM - Lai Mohammed

– Hmmn... Which way Nigeria?

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