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Friday, May 30, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 101

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

NNPC not cleared over $49.8bn ‘missing’ fund, says Saraki Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

has dogged Controversy the purported clearance

of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by the Senate Committee on Finance over the alleged $49.8 billion unre-

mitted oil revenue to the federation account.

A member of the Senate Committee, Senator Bukola Saraki, yesterday

faulted reports that the committee has cleared the NNPC in the ongoing probe of the corporation over alleged unaccounted

revenue fraud.

Saraki, who is chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment

I’ll never reconcile with Amosun, says Osoba

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Terrorism: Jonathan orders full-scale war

lConfusion as minister declares amnesty offer for Boko Haram Anule Emmanuel Abuja

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L-R: Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Chairman, Stallion NMN Limited, Mr. Sunil Vaswani; President Goodluck Jonathan; his wife, Patience and Minister of Trade and Invest PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN. ment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, during the presentation of Made-in-Nigeria Nissan vehicle to the president in Abuja…yesterday.

Amaechi to Nigerians: Vote out PDP in 2015 Felix Nwaneri

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ivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, has called on Nigerians to vote out the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and President Good-

luck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections, saying it is the only way to solve the numerous problems facing the country.

Amaechi, who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt at the second International

Conference on Democracy and Good Governance with the theme: “Nigeria’s Democracy: Issues and Challenges,” described the Jonathan administration as a “civilian regime and not a democratic govern-

ment.”

He lambasted the PDPled Federal Government for embarking on early campaigns ahead of next year’s election, even when it had failed to meet the aspirations of Nigerians,

admonishing the people to prepare for the elections and ensure that their votes count.

He said: “What I enjoin all of you is to prepare for 2015. All of us must come CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

South-East manufacturers lament power outage, multiple taxation

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has declared total war against all forms of terrorism in the country, vowing to crush members of Boko Haram, who he branded as ‘thugs’.

But few hours after the declaration, Minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna, announced that the president had agreed a full amnesty programme for the insurgents.

Curiously, Haruna spoke at an event in which President Jonathan was in attendance.

However, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, told New Telegraph Jonathan’s pronouncement on the issue was final.

“You should ask the minister where he got his authorisation from.

If a president spoke on CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Excelling within the bounds of prudence: The Imo experience }50 LAGOS

Storms

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NNPC not cleared over $49.8bn ‘missing’ fund, says Saraki CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

and Ecology, in a statement in Ilorin, Kwara State, said that he was not aware of any decision as being speculated in a section of the media.

He 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 clearing anybody.

“I can say on behalf of the committee that these media reports bear no correlation to the content of the Senate Committee report and I would urge the public to disregard it in its entirety.

“The committee is yet to receive the report on the forensic audit and independent analysis on the subject, which clearly indicates 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.

“I will further advise that the media should wait for the Senate to release the details of the committee report to the public before they jump to … conclusions.”

In the report made

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ABUJA

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KANO

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MAIDUGURI

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23oC 12oC Sunny

available to journalists on Wednesday, the Senate Committee, which investigated the alleged $49.8 billion unremitted oil revenue, had cleared the oil giant of any wrong doing, though it directed the government agency to refund $262 million to the federation account.

The committee also accused the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, of jumping to hasty conclusions and generating false allegations against the nation’s

oil corporation.

Sanusi had in September 2013 alleged that the NNPC was indebted to the national treasury to the tune of $49.8 billion unremitted oil revenue from the various transactions it carried out from January 2012 to July 2013.

Following this weighty allegation, the Senate Committee on Finance, through the resolution of the Red Chamber at its plenary session in December 2013, went into investigation, to ascertain the authenticity or otherwise of Sanusi’s

claims.

In the report, the committee said that it discovered that the CBN, NNPC, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Petroleum Resources had reconciled $47 billion which it also noted had been remitted into the federation account.

The committee said that it could not reconcile how the suspended 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 $US $20 billion at subsequent hearing.

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 was also in dispute.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE 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

The rehabilitated and upgraded Yaya Abatan Road, Ifako Ijaye Local Government, Lagos State... yesterday. INSET: Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle) unveiling the plaque.

Amaechi to Nigerians: Vote out PDP in 2015 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

out en masse and vote out these gentlemen. We must vote them out. They know nothing other than how to steal our money. Those who left us to the other party left us because we refused to share money. If you allow them to take power, they will spend one year stealing money, so we must stop them.”

Insisting that something is wrong with the way the country is being governed, especially government’s inability to fight corruption, Amaechi further charged Nigerians to shun sentiments in electing the nation’s next crop of leaders in 2015.

His words: “Vote out those who have kept us inside this kind of situation, vote them out whether they are from Niger Delta or from Southern Delta or from whatever Delta. We need to vote them out now and change Nigeria.

“We need to change Nigeria now and that is what APC (All Progressives Congress) offers, and that is what I stand for. If you are not satisfied the

way Nigeria is being governed now, it means that they should not be given another chance. If you are not satisfied that there is corruption and corruption is called common stealing, if you are not satisfied with that, vote them out.

“It is not about salaries of National Assembly members or salaries of the executive. In a country where a minister would buy over 15, 20 cars and invite the President to come because he wants to give out the cars to his supporters and they sent a representative of the President to be there, how else are we supporting corruption? Why have we not asked the minister, where he got get the money to buy these cars and why was the minister not locked up and sacked from the cabinet?

“A country where ministers travel with chartered aircraft every weekend, nobody asks where they get the money. There is impunity on stealing, it is no longer corruption. I agree it is not corruption. We need to vote them out now, all of you are responsible

for what is happening to Nigeria and you are responsible because you voted them into power. You are responsible because you are condoning what is happening.

Nigerians must rise now.”

Amaechi also bemoaned the worsening security situation in the country, stressing that it is the duty of the government in power to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“The Federal Government has the responsibility to protect your life, to protect the lives of those girls that are in Sambisa Forest. If that fails then the government has failed.

“Democracy is the right to choose. You should be allowed to choose. They should not bring out the military or police to come and fight you and write results. They should allow the military and the police to stay in their barracks, let us go and vote, let us see who will be our leader. That is democracy; not one that you are compelled to vote or they vote on our behalf,” he said.

The Rivers State governor added that the APC

was averse to looting and corrupt practices, and would use public funds for the people’s benefit.

His words: “There are 16 APC governors and there are 18 PDP governors. In APC states like Lagos and Rivers, see what we have done. We are saying to them; “we don’t play to the gallery.’ The problem of Nigeria is beyond road construction. Most governors construct roads so that you will clap for them. We think that you need to address education if you must run away from poverty and that is why just as we are addressing education here, Lagos State is addressing education, even our neighbouring Imo State that does not have the kind of money we have.

“We also think that you need to address agriculture as a way to mitigate poverty. Let PDP come forward and say “we are doing the same”, let us see. We are open to a debate. So, what we are saying here is that the difference between PDP and APC is that we are progressives. A lot of you can CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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 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

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South-East manufacturers lament power outage, multiple taxation Uwakwe Abugu Awka

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embers of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Anambra, Enugu and

Ebonyi states yesterday expressed fear that many manufacturing outfits may go under due to epileptic power supply.

The businessmen who converged on Awka, the Anambra State capital,

during the 26th Annual General Meeting of MAN wondered why the Federal Government has failed to fix the power sector in the country despite its many promises.

They also decried mul-

tiple taxation and levies imposed on them by local, state and Federal Governments, saying these constraints impeded their progress nationwide.

Chairman of MAN in the three states, Chief Azu-

L-R: Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan; Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah and President, Customary Court of Appeal, Mrs. Stella Oghene, at the Inter-denominational Service marking the 2014 Democracy Day in Asaba…yesterday

buike Okafor, in an address, said the people of Nigeria were yet to see the promise by the Federal Government to end the power nightmare even with the takeover of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) by new companies from which government raked in $480 billion.

According to him, power cost accounts for 30 per cent of manufacturers’ total cost of production and urged the Federal Government to look at the power sector reform with a view to improving the situation.

MAN also urged government at all levels to actualise the earlier plan to ban tax contractors or consultants.

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, who was represented on the occasion by the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Commerce, Ifeatu Onejeme, told MAN that the state was reviewing all revenue bases and very soon they would be published with a view to

removing double taxation from the tax system of his state.

Obiano assured that trade and commerce would boom again in the state in view of the current war on terror by his administration.

The governor regretted that some manufacturers and businessmen left Anambra State in the wake of insecurity but gave assurance that with the ongoing war on all forms of criminality in the state, the environment would soon become very conducive to business.

“We have 10-year revolutionary plan in this state and we want significant impact from MAN. Multiple taxation is a headache for the government here and we are cracking it down,” the governor stated.

The National President of MAN, Dr. Kola Jamodu, represented by the National Vice-President, Dr. Frank Jacobs, said the zone had acquired a N100 million land for its secretariat.

However, he admitted that MAN had challenges but with the cooperation of the members and governments, they would overcome them.

Confusion as minister declares amnesty offer for Boko Haram CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

an issue and the minister spoke on the same issue, common sense demands that what the president said was the final. So, you should not ask me ‘whom do you believe?’ just ask the minister where he got the authorisation from on amnesty for Boko Haram,” Abati told New Telegraph.

The President in a nationwide broadcast yesterday to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration disclosed that he had instructed security forces to launch full-scale operation to put an end to the impunity of terrorists.

“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 full-scale 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. I assure you that Nigeria will be safe again, and that these thugs will be driven away – it will

not happen overnight, but we will spare no effort to achieve this goal,” Jonathan declared.

The president regretted the untold hardship the insurgency has brought on the country.

His words: “It is a sad fact that as I address you today, all the gains of the past 15 years of democratic governance in our country are threatened by the presence of international terrorism on our shores.

“Our dear country, Nigeria is facing a new challenge. A war has been unleashed on us. Extremist foreign elements, collaborating with some of our misguided citizens, are focused on an attempt to bring down our country and the democracy and freedom we cherish and celebrate today.

“The despicable abduction of schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State has brought to the awareness of the entire world, the heartless brutality of these terrorists who want to instigate a descent into anarchy and balkanize our nation.

“In recent years, terrorist attacks have claimed the lives of several of our compatriots, many have been injured or maimed, whole villages and com-

munities have been destroyed and the economy of some of our states is in jeopardy.”

Over 12,000 lives have been lost to the insurgency, particularly in the North East since the crisis broke out.

Jonathan, however, said government’s doors remained open to Nigerians who have joined forces with such terrorists to cause confusion in the country.

The President said his administration would only dialogue with terrorists if they are ready to renounce terrorism and embrace peace.

He explained that despite Federal Government’s positive disposition to reconciliation with any such terrorist group on the condition that they lay down arms, concrete measures were already being taken to curb the excesses of insurgents and restore peace in trouble areas.

According to him, in doing this, the military will explore all security measures under the law to ensure that peace returns to Nigeria particularly in the North East.

His words: “For our citizens who have joined hands with Al Qaeda and international terrorists in

the misguided belief that violence can possibly solve their problems, our doors remain open to them for dialogue and reconciliation, if they renounce terrorism and embrace peace.

“My government, while pursuing security measures, will explore all options, including readiness to accept unconditional renunciation of violence by insurgents, and to ensure their de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and re-integration into the broader society.

“We must remain united to win the war against terrorism. Christians, Moslems, farmers, fishermen, herdsmen, teachers, lawyers, clergy or clerics, the rich, the poor and Nigerians from all sections of the country must work together with our security agencies and armed forces to overcome the terrorists who now threaten all that we hold dear.”

The President assured that although the war against terror may be difficult, it will soon come to an end.

“We are a strong, resilient and courageous people. We will continue to partner with the civilised world, to confront international terrorism and every

other challenge that comes our way with patriotic zeal and determination,” he assured.

The President further stressed that he was committed and determined to protect Nigeria’s democracy as well as its unity.

Jonathan explained that the last 15 years of democracy has been fulfilling to the nation with aggregate improvements in the country despite the recent security challenges.

He said it was important for Nigerians to encourage the military who remain the last resort.

According to him, what Nigeria was presently witnessing is a manifestation of the same warped and ferocious worldview that brought down the Twin Towers in New York, killed innocent persons in Boston and led to the murder of defenceless people in the Southern Russian city of Volgograd.

“Despite the challenges we face, we must commend our security forces.

We must not forget their gallantry and successes in liberating nations and in peacekeeping, from Liberia to Sierra Leone, Congo, Sudan, Mali, Guinea-Bissau and many places in Africa and beyond. Our forces have paid the supreme

price in several places at several times,” he said.

On the abducted schoolgirls from Chibok, the President assured that everything possible was being done to ensure their rescue and safety.

The President also explained that he had given a directive for the Democracy Day to be marked on low key considering the mood of the nation; particularly because of the abduction of over 200 girls.

He said: “Although I have ordered a low-key commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day in deference to the current mood of the nation, there can be no doubt that the past 15 years, the longest period of sustained democratic governance in our country, have been a blessing to us, as a people.”

He urged Nigerians to pay tribute to all those who played a part in restoring the nation to the true path of democratic governance, built on the foundations of rule of law and freedom of expression.

The President noted further that Nigeria has come a long way and made notable progress since the first Democracy Day on May 29, 1999 when the military finally relinquished CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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Insurgency: Army moves to fish out saboteurs …denies report of apathy on recruitment Emmanuel Onani Abuja

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isturbed by the recurring ambush and killing of soldiers by Boko Haram fighters in the North East the Chief of Army Staff, LtGen. Kenneth Minimah, has vowed to put an end to the development.

New Telegraph authoritatively gathered that the Army high command, “suspects serious sabotage, and has mandated the panel of enquiry, earlier set up to probe the attempted mutiny by soldiers of Maimalari Cantonment, against former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Maiduguri, Maj. Gen Ahmadu Mohammed, to spread its dragnet to fish out internal saboteurs.”

The source contended that “the conspiracy theory of the army being ill-equipped, is not true”, submitting that “the killings by ambush of our men, will not be possible, except for sabotage.”

He maintained that the Nigerian Army has the capacity to contain the suspected insurgents, “and will surely bring them to their knees, sooner than later.”

On the attempted mutiny, he simply said, “my brother, there is more to what you are seeing; the army does not joke with the welfare of its officers and soldiers.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has denied reports that its ongoing recruitment exercise has suffered some setback, owing to the caveat that successful applicants will be deployed to Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, to reinforce the ongoing war against the Boko Haram insurgency.

There were reports that some able-bodied men, who were hitherto interested in the presidential directive for mass recruitment into the Army, developed cold feet, shortly after the force, through the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Olajide Laleye, disclosed that the recruitment exercise was for only those prepared to fight in the frontline of battle against the violent Islamist sect, Boko Haram.

However, Gen. Laleye, in a telephone conversation with New Telegraph yesterday, said the report of apathy, was far from the truth.

According to the Army spokesman, the response from youths has been overwhelming, even as he maintained that the Army was besieged daily by people, who bring their relatives, for the recruitment.

He, therefore, wished those withdrawing their interests well, saying the Army was not looking for “people”, but “soldiers”.

He said: “Contrary to the point you raised, the

Vote out PDP in 2015, Amaechi tells Nigerians CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

approach me, a lot of you see me drive myself on the street, a lot of you see me stop in restaurants and eat food, an emperor does not do that.

“PDP is an imperial party. Some of them don’t know what conservative ideas are. They don’t know what capital is. They don’t know that with capital, they can invest. They think that government can solve all problems.”

A former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi, and former member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye, who also spoke at the event, corroborated Amaechi on the performance of the present Federal Government.

While Utomi said legitimacy for the current PDPled Federal Government is waning over its poor performance and slow response to issues, Melaye

lampooned the PDP over what he described as “corruption culture” in the ruling party and said fervent electoral effort should be made to reverse the trend.

Melaye said: “While we believe that stealing and corruption is the same, PDP believes that there is a difference between stealing and corruption. They said the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is growing and Nigeria is the fastestgrowing economy, forget power-point expression by the Minister of Finance, we in APC believe that our GDP is this: When this government came in 2010, the price of a bag of rice was N8,000, today it is N12,500. Our GDP is that the dollar in 2010 when this government came into power was N140, today it is N165. These will make you realise that APC is completely different from the PDP.”

Nigerian Army has got overwhelming response, since we announced that there will be recruitment exercise of qualified ablebodied Nigerian men.

“In fact, we have almost surpassed our expectations since the process began, and so, if some youths are not ready to fight for their fatherland in the frontline of the war against terror, so be it.

“Everyday, people bring their relatives to beg to be recruited,” he stated.

A highly-placed source in the Army Headquarters, who pleaded anonymity, told New Telegraph that “under normal circumstances, the force was supposed to recruit between 4,000 and 5,000, since it is mass recruitment.”

Approximately, the senior officer said the

number of Short Service (Combatant) will be 200,000 while that of the Direct Short Service (DSS) category will could be same number.

The total number of the two categories, he explained, would be shared among the states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

If the analysis is anything to go by, he said, it means “some states will

take five, while others will take six, as the Army will never jettison merit or best practices, as benchmark for its activities, federal character notwithstanding.”

He further clarified that “the Short Service Combatants, are mainly for fighting, whereas the Direct Short Service (DSS), are mainly professionals, who will go to the battlefield as supporting arm.”

L-R: National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mua’zu; Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji; Minister of Labour, Chief Chukwuemeka Nwogu and Vice-President Namadi Sambo during the 2014 Democracy Day celebration in Abuja…yesterday

Terrorism: Jonathan orders full-scale war CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

power and handed over to a democratically-elected government.

The event, he said, marked the true beginning of a government of the people, by the people, for the people.

He explained that under his leadership, the country had witnessed high national economic growth rates, steady improvements and expansion of national infrastructure in various sectors.

He mentioned the reforms at the nation’s airports and roads, the restoration of rail transportation, the efficient implementation of a roadmap for improved power supply, a revolutionary approach to agricultural production, as well as advances in education, sports, youth development, healthcare delivery, housing, water supply and other social services as some of the achievements.

“In the oil and gas sector, our promotion of a sustainable local content policy, continues to guarantee equity and better opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs and skilled

personnel.”

President Jonathan added that there has also been significant increase in mobile telephone and national broadband penetration, making Information and Communications Technology (ICT) one of the fastest growing sectors of the Nigerian economy.

He said under this administration, the country had also made consistent progress in improving the standard of elections in the country to ensure that they are ever more credible and truly representative of the people’s free choice.

The Youth Development Mnister, Haruna announced the purported decision of the President while giving an overview of youth’s intervention programme embarked upon by the present administration under the transformation agenda at a special event tagged “A day with young leaders of Nigeria.”

The ceremony was held to mark Nigeria’s 15 years of uninterrupted democracy at the International Conference Centre, in Abuja.

The minister said series of integration programmes have been lined up for members of the sect who would surrender their arms and embrace peace.

He called on the sect and other similar terrorist groups in the country to embrace the government’s gesture.

“President Goodluck Jonathan has also declared amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect. Series of integration programmes have been lined up for the members of the sect who would surrender their arms and embrace peace.

“Let me use this opportunity on behalf of the Federal Government, to call on the members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace the government’s gesture and key to amnesty programme,” Haruna said.

According to him, government had, a few years ago, similarly given amnesty to Niger Delta militants to curb youth restiveness in the region.

He disclosed that 30,000 youths have benefitted from the programme

which has transformed most of the militants to wealth creators, employers of labour and skilled citizens.

President Jonathan at the event took questions from various youths on what the Federal Government was doing to improve the lives of citizens.

Among dignitaries at the ceremony were former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Vice-resident Alex Ekwueme; Vice President Namadi Sambo, and a former Chief of General Staff, Oladipo Diya.

Others are First Lady, Patience; and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Maryam Mukhtar as well as cabinet members.

The event featured the presentation of the third anniversary of the present administration’s transformation agenda in a book form by the President.

There was the presentation of a video documentary on the third anniversary of the transformation agenda and the launching of Youth Entrepreneurial Mentorship and Empowerment Scheme.

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Dan Atori MINNA

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orthern States Governors' Forum has called on the government and people of Nigeria to use the Democracy Day to reflect soberly on the past and forge a way forward for peace and development.

The chairman of the forum and Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, who spoke through his Chief

DEMOCRACY DAY CELEBRATION

Northern governors sue for peace Press Secretary, Israel Ebije, stated that Nigerians must imbibe true tenets of citizenship, which, he added, must be within the confines of good leadership.

He urged Nigerians to imbibe best global practice of ensuring that leadership recruitment system is strategically repositioned to

Ekweremadu advocates welfare package for the unemployed Chukwu David ABUJA

A

s Nigeria celebrates her 15 years of unbroken democracy, the Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Ike Ekweremadu, has advocated social welfare for unemployed Nigerians.

This was contained in his Democracy Day message to Nigerians circulated to journalists in Abuja yesterday.

“What governments around the world do is to inject money into social welfare, and we must also learn to create special funds and tax the employed to ensure that those who have no jobs are able to meet their basic needs at least; that way, both the employed and unemployed would have relative peace,” he said.

“This is not beyond us if every level of government

trims excesses, ensures prudence, and accountability”, stated.

Ekweremadu, also described Nigeria’s 15 years of democratic rule as “historic and unprecedented”, said the ongoing electoral reforms would soon be concluded to further consolidate the country’s democracy and prepare the nation adequately for the 2015 general election.

His words: “Fifteen years of unbroken democratic rule is something to be proud of, especially for a country with our kind of history. Only a few could have given Nigeria any such chance about two decades ago, but here we are waxing stronger as a democratic nation.

“We also have every reason to be proud of what we were able to achieve in the 2011general election, following the widely applauded electoral reforms.

Although we still have several electoral challenges.

Wamakko still hopeful

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overnor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has said he is optimistic that Nigeria will overcome its current challenges, especially security.

He said that the country would surmount current problems the same way it did with previous cases.

Wamakko spoke at a news conference yesterday in Sokoto in commemoration of the 2014 Democracy Day. “We were able to over-

HEADLONG

Delta governor wants leaders to unmask insurgency in the North-East instead of passing the buck

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elta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has cautioned leaders in the country to stop the “blame game” but take full responsibility and play active roles in the battle against terrorism.

Uduaghan spoke yesterday at the 2014 Democracy Day which was marked with solemn inter-denominational church service

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

come the painful and bloody civil war, the menace of Odua People’s Congress (OPC), militancy in the Niger Delta, kidnappings in the East and the uprising and killings in the Plateau, among others.

“Insha Allah, with fervent prayers by all Nigerians, Nigeria will overcome the insurgency in the North East.

“We will by the special grace of God, overcome all the challenges facing

produce leaders with sense of responsibility to achieve the collective aspirations of Nigerians.

He noted that absence of moral rectitude among leaders who are often full of selfish interests has left gaps between leaders and citizens which, he insisted, has caused the present

insecurity in parts of the country, especially the North.

“Nigeria is a great country with huge potential in natural and human resources to take the country to its place among well-to- do nations of the world.

We must, therefore, leverage on this year’s Democracy Day cel-

3.8%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Benin Republic in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

ebration to ensure that Nigerians are truly democratised not only by name, but by content of character.”

Aliyu called on compatriots to continue to believe in one Nigeria, adding, "Our present security challenge is a result.. of those who have missed out of politics or who cannot achieve

N4.5bn

The IGR realized from PAYE (taxes) of Enugu State in 2012.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

any meaningful political pursuit, hence they delve into violence to achieve self-seeking interests ….”

The Governors' Forum, therefore, called on all Nigerians to redirect their attention in tackling the anomalies in the system, adding that until Nigeria is truly democratic and its skewed federalism properly addressed, it would be difficult to save it from going over the precipice.

1.4m

The number of internally displaced persons in Somalia at the beginning of 2013.

Source: Unhcr.org.uk

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi (left), addressing participants at the 2nd International Conference on Democracy and Good Governance in Port Harcourt.

Nigeria,” he said.

The governor said that democracy had paid off in Nigeria in the past 15 years.

According to him, with democracy, Nigerians are now able to freely elect their leaders who speak and act on their behalf.

He stressed the need for a united, peaceful and harmonious country, irrespective of religious, political or ethnic differences, saying that Sokoto State had remained peaceful because all Nigerians in the state were regarded as one.

Democracy worthless amidst killings, says don

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human rights lawyer and university Don, Professor Tabiu Muhammad, has told President Goodluck Jonathan to skip talking to Nigerians in the name of Democracy Day until all the 270 abducted Chibok Girls are rescued.

This is even as a former director of the National Human Right Commission (NHRC), said, ‘ democracy is meaningless if Nigerians will continue to be killed without any serious ef-

forts to avert it, because everything about governing people is all about salvaging their dreaded way of living.”

Tabiu told a crowd of “Bring Back Our Girls” campaigners at Kano Race Course that, “ in the name of God, President Jonathan should rescue the Chibok Girls and use it as a gift to Nigerians then we will celebrate him, we will cherish him, and we will say to him ‘well-done’.”

Also speaking dur-

ing the protest, Reverend Andy Ubah, called on Nigerians to pray fervently because the abducted girls are neither northerners nor southerners but Nigerians in dire need.

Ubah said Security agencies should be commended for putting their lives on the line in fighting insurgency, adding, “Federal Government or the military might not have the powers to arrest the situation but certainly God has it all.”

Uduaghan: Boko Haram not faceless in Asaba, where prayers were offered for the peace, unity of the country--- and release of the abducted female students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

Uduaghan, who took a swipe at those who claimed that sponsors and members of the dreaded terrorists group, Boko Haram were faceless, said it was “impossible for someone not to know who knew someone who knew members of the Boko Haram sect.”

The governor, whose speech was laced with his personal efforts towards ensuring that aggrieved militants sheath their swords in Delta State, asserted, “We all have to be involved to solve the problem of Boko Haram, leaders have to take responsibility at the national and state levels rather than pass the buck.

“Leadership comes with responsibility, decision-making and engagement with the people.

There are leaders in those areas (northern part of Ni-

geria), yet, we hear people say, ‘we do not know them (Boko Haram) or we cannot engage them’.

“I want to appeal to every Nigerian, especially our brothers and sisters who are from the northern part of the country to take responsibility, we cannot say we don’t know somebody who knew somebody who knew them (members of Boko Haram), and these people are not faceless” the governor said.

He urged every leader in the country, especially those in the northern part

of the country, to be personally involved in seeking lasting solution to the Boko Haram menace, observing: “We cannot stay in the country and allow some people to overrun the country and we are aloof.”

While assuring that his administration will continue to be proactive towards ensuring the peace and security of the people, the Governor urged all political aspirants not to overheat the polity as they prepare for the 2015 general elections, stating that his administration was

determined to midwife a violence-free transition to another administration.

Delivering a sermon with the theme, “What the Lord started through you must be completed,” Revd. Fr. Mario Dibie said in life, one was confronted by eight oppositions, which included: spiritual, ancestral, marital, financial, social, psychological, academic and physical but all could be surmounted when one returned to God, exercised faith in him and allowed the Spirit of God to envelop him.

News

Democracy day celebration

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Friday, May 30, 2014

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Akpabio expresses optimism Ibom State GoverAhaskwa nor, Godswill Akpabio expressed optimism

that some challenges facing Nigeria's democracy would lead to the building and not the breaking point.

Akpabio, who stated this yesterday during 2014 Democracy Day celebration at Uyo Township Stadium, noted that: "I am aware that this saddening state of events has led to some people questioning whether the fundamentals of our nationhood are strong enough to keep us together as one nation 'bound in freedom, peace and unity.”

According to him, "We meet today at a critical time in our journey as a nation. The sounds of bombs, leaving in its wake mangled bodies,

have become a frequent occurrence in some parts of our country. Over 200 innocent girls languish in captivity, their only crime being that they love education and want to become successful in life. But in spite of these horrors, I wish to point you to the timeless advice in the Good Book that 'weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning'.

"Let these words spur us to celebrate this important milestone of our democracy knowing well that in the morning, it will be all right.

Let us commend President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who, in spite of all the odds, has kept faith with his oath of office in his determined fight to make this country a safe place and a home for all Nigerians. "

Afenifere: Nothing to cheer Muritala Ayinla

he Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) yesterday urged Nigerians not to expect the current democratic governance to produce the desired good governance, saying the only significance of May 29 in Nigeria’s history is that it represents the faulty foundations upon which the country’s democratic governance stands.

The group, in a statement released to the media yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Kunle Famoriyo, said nobody should expect the current democratic experiment to produce the desired good governance.

The statement said May 29 signifies two events in Nigeria’s history - the 1962 declaration of state of emergency in Western Nigeria and the commencement of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic in

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1999.

“These two events do not evoke prideful memories of Nigeria and for her citizens. The 1962 episode precipitated catastrophic chains of events that eventually ended the First Republic.

“Elected officials in 1999 did not see the constitution they swore to uphold until after their inaugurations, leading to the prevention of proper foundation for constitutional governance and which has resulted in the decay in governance and acute abuse of powers,” the statement said.

“As a nation, we must address our mind to the effects of these two illegalities, some of which are undemocratic dividends, weak institutions, rising unemployment and poverty, loss of political values and principle, deepening corruption, and a bleak future for the nation.

Bayelsa Speaker harps on values

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s Nigeria celebrates 15 years of democracy, the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson Friday, has called on stakeholders in the country, particularly the political class, civil society, the clergy and traditional rulers, to protect the constitutional values of democracy.

Friday, who reiterated the need for caution on the part of the political class in making unguided utterances on the current security situation in parts of the country, advised politicians to rather engage in activities that would uphold the rule of law and other democratic values.

He called on the opposition to strike a balance between conflicting val-

ues of national security and individual’s rights.

The speaker recalled that throughout history, democracies have flourished after been threatened or replaced by authoritarian rule, only to re-emerge stronger all over.

According to him, the ultimate goal of democracy was to preserve and promote the dignity and fundamental rights of the individual, with a view to fostering social justice, economic and social development.

The involvement of the people in public affairs, the Speaker pointed out, ensures basic freedom and equality in meeting the needs of the citizenry more than any other form of government.

Lagos PDP chieftains and members at a rally to mark the 2014 Democracy Day celebration at the Gani Faweihinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos…yesterday

70.2%

The percentage of male internet users in Croatia in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

40-50%

The percentage of women and girls in European countries that experienced sexual advances and/or harassment at work.

Source: Unwomen.org

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

63,803

The number of pending asylum seekers of United States at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

Nigeria will be great, says Obiano Uwakwe Abugu

nambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, yesterday called on Nigerians to have hope in the country as a nation with potential despite the present challenges.

Also in a statement to mark Democracy Day in the country, Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) berated the Federal Government over its insensitivity to the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) and College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) since

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lMASSOB knocks FG on ASUP strike September and December 2013 respectively.

MASSOB said celebrating democracy in the face of this sordid state of affairs in the education system is a negation of the principles of democracy.

Obiano in a speech to mark 15 years of uninterrupted democracy in the country expressed hope that peace would eventually come to the land despite the turbulent times of the moment.

In his Democracy Day Speech in Awka, the state capital, Obia-

No cause for celebration, say Borno residents Ahmed Miringa MAIDUGURI

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s Nigerians celebrates 15 years of democracy, people of Borno State have said that they have no cause to celebrate the day because of the worsening security challenges in the state.

When New Telegraph went round the Maiduguri metropolis, most residents were indoors, while major streets were deserted.

The Ramat Square, venue of past celebrations was also deserted, with only goats and few children playing football.

A presidential aspirant under the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Chairman of the deregistered National Democratic Lib-

erty Party (NDLP), Alhaji Muhammad Umaru Maizabura, said that the refusal of the Borno State Government to celebrating the day was welcome, as, according to him, what people of Borno State were after was restoration of peace.

He commended Governor Kashium Shettima for the action and called on people of the state to support the government in its efforts of restoring peace to the state through prayers as on God intervention will bring to an end the lingering crisis.

The immediate past, All Progressive Congress (APC) Publicity Secretary in the state, Alhaji Auwal Hamza, also said there was no cause for celebration.

no recalled that “when democracy took roots in the country 15 years ago, Nigeria was a wasteland of dead and dying dreams as we had wandered in the wilderness of dictatorship for many years with only occasional glimpses of democracy.

“Our youths fled Nigeria in droves to known and unknown places across the globe in pursuit of a better future and unemployment raged like a harmattan wind and all over the country, there was fear and uncertainty”, the governor stated.

He called on Nigerians “to raise our heads together as one beyond the present dark clouds that gather in the horizon of our collective freedom and affirm our faith in a united and free Nigeria.“ On its own part, MASSOB regretted that the closure of the polytechnics and colleges of education in the country has grossly affected the academic and moral growth of the affected students and “this is not healthy for the future of our children who are tomorrow’s leaders.”

Don’t give your votes to PDP again, Fashola tells Lagosians lCommissions N1.8bn road Muritala Ayinla

agos State Governor, BabatundeFashola,hascalledon residents of the state to shun thePeoplesDemocraticParty (PDP)insubsequentelections.

He said the ruling party could not point at any single achievement in the last 15 years it has been ruling the country.

Governor Fashola, who also carpeted his critics, who accused him of running an elitist government, said contrary to their claims, his administration had embarked on series of developmental projects across the state, adding that the projects cut across the highbrow areas of the state as well as the hinterlands.

He said both the rich and the poor were complaining under the PDP-led Federal

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Government, alleging that those at the helm of affairs at the federal level were just generating revenue for themselves and their relations.

The governor, who spoke in Lagos while commissioning the N1.8 billion Yaya Abatan Road in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, said it was unfortunate that the PDP could not fix the power problem despite the promises made by President Goodluck Jonathan before he was elected.

He said: “Our opponents criticised us that we are running an elitist government. They said we work for people living in Ikoyi and Lekki alone. Even if we are working for the elite alone, both the rich and poor are complaining and suffering under their government."

NEWS

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DEMOCRACY DAY CELEBRATION

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Friday, May 30, 2014

Don’t despair in spite of challenges, Mark urges Nigerians HOPE

Senate President sees light at the end of Boko Haram and other challenges Chukwu David ABUJA

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enate President, David Mark, has urged Nigerians not to despair in spite of the challenges bedevilling the nation, saying “democracy remains the best and acceptable form of government in the world.”

Mark made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja at a special Church service at St. Mulumba's Catholic

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Chaplaincy, Apo, Abuja, to mark this year's Democracy Day. He described democracy as participatory, adding that Nigeria remained the hope of Africa and as such, Nigerians should not despair.

"Nigeria is still the hope of Africa. We must not despair. We must remain resolute because there will be light at the end of the tunnel,"he stated.

The ex-soldier turned politician, however, bemoaned the security situation in the country and asked all citizens to cooperate with government and security operatives to fight terrorism and insurgency ravaging the land.

He prayed for the quick, safe and unconditional re-

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Ecuador in 2011.

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lease of over 200 girls abducted from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State by the Boko Haram insurgents over a month ago.

His words: "This is most embarrassing. How can they justify the abduction of these innocent girls whose only offence is that they chose to be educated to better their lots and ultimately contribute to the economic and sociopolitical development of their fatherland?

"We pray that God touches the heart of their abductors to free them, even as we do everything humanly possible to rescue our girls. However, swapping them for criminals is not an option."

Mark also spoke

2m

The number of teachers needed worldwide to achieve the 2015 MDG’s of universal primary education.

Source: Un.org

against the incessant industrial action, especially in the education sector, pointing out that a situation where over 50 per cent of the academic session is spent on strike is unhealthy for national development.

He, therefore, called on the Federal Government and the striking Polytechnics and Colleges of Education teachers to return to the negotiating table in order to resolve the imbroglio that has kept students at home for almost one year.

The Senate president assured that the National Assembly would continue to stand by the people, saying that legislation would always be guided by the wishes and aspirations

155,000

The total number of internet users of Congo Republic in 2008.

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of the citizenry.

"What makes for the good, welfare and security of our people will continue to be our watch word," he stated.

Earlier in his homily, Parish Priest Rev. Fr. In-

nocent Jooji implored Nigerians to preach and work for justice and peaceful coexistence, stressing that Nigeria could only survive in the atmosphere of economic and political stability.

Jang: Democracy is the best Musa Pam JOS

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overnor Jonah Jang of Plateau State and factional Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), has said that democratic rule has proved to be the best form of governance.

Jang stated this in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr James Mannok in the 2014 Democracy Day celebration message to all Nigerians.

According to the governor, in spite of the challenges posed by the process, the country has witnessed immense transformation in all

sectors in the 15 years of civilian rule.

Jang urged all Nigerians to be patient and not lose faith as democracy is waxing stronger.

While acknowledging that the nation is passing through a critical stage, he said Nigeria would emerge more solid.

The governor wished Nigerians happy celebration, peace and progress, and called on the citizens to continue to pray for the country’s leadership to tread the path of good governance.

He reiterated the resolve of his administration to pursue all its people- oriented programmes.

Low-key in Kogi Muhammad Bashir LOKOJA

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Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed (right), presenting QUICK WIN letters to some of the beneficiaries, during the Democracy Day celebration in Ilorin...yesterday

Babatope Okeowo AKURE

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he Social Democratic Party (SDP) yesterday tasked all the three tiers of governments in the country to evolve new strategies towards the provision of basic amenities for the people.

The party, which has as its National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, also commended participants at the ongoing National Conference in their efforts at evolving a new socio, economic and political agenda that could promote harmonious relationship among the various nationalities in the country. It however frowned at reports suggesting a tendency towards maintaining the status quo in almost all aspect of the country's polity.

Besides, the party

SDP sees nothing to celebrate frowned at the spate of violence rocking Ekiti and Osun states where governorship elections are billed to hold very soon.

A statement signed by the Chairman of the party in Ondo State, its secretary and director of administration, Chief Korede Duyile, Bayo Fajemilua and Mr. Remi Olayiwola respectively said there was nothing worth celebrating in the present democratic experience.

The party said there were enormous resources in the country that had remained untapped which could be beneficial to the electorate.

According to them, the oil resources being tapped are basically for the benefit of a few privileged elite.

The SDP wondered why a country that prides itself as practising democracy was still paying lip-service to provision of employment to the teeming youths, tackling insecurity and provision of basic amenities for the people.

The party said "although the government has fixed May 29 as Democracy Day, the truth is that there is nothing worth celebrating in a country that could not even provide security for its people and put smiles on their faces.

nlike its counterparts in other states of the federation, Kogi State governor, Idris Wada, has played down this year’s democracy day celebration, saying the government decided to have a low key celebration to bewail the continuous security challenges facing the nation.

The governor, who turned the day to a media chat with working journalists, said with the cloud of insecurity surrounding the nation, there was no reason to celebrate even though 15 years of uninterrupted democracy was worth

Nigeria will triumph, says Mimiko Babatope Okeowo AKURE

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overnor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has expressed hope about the future of the country as Nigeria marks another May 29.

In a statement in Akure yesterday, Mimiko said, "Nigeria, our coun-

Yobe demands release of Chibok girls Hassan Jirgi DAMATURU

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obe State has urged Nigerians, especially Yobe and Borno State indigenes, to continue to pray for the over 200 schoolgirls abducted by the Boko Haram sect last month even as it also demanded for the release

of the girls.

Borno State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Goni Fika, disclosed this in a press statement made available to newsmen in Damaturu, the state capital.

According to the statement; “We need to intensify our prayers for the release of the abducted

celebrating.

The governor said, however, that the unfortunate abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok calls for mourning and not celebration.

The governor, who also expressed confidence that the Federal Government, with the help of the international community, was on top of the situation, assured that the kidnapped girls would soon be rescued and reunited with their families.

While responding to questions from journalists, Wada said the recent ground-breaking ceremony of the N2.2 billion Kogi House in Abuja, was intended to boost the revenue base of the state.

girls, especially in view of the prevailing security situation in the country.”

He said the people of the state have continued to support Governor Ibrahim Gaidam’s administration, which he said was determined to develop the state inspite of the activities of the insurgents.

try will survive its present travails and triumph over its internal and external enemies."

The Governor said though the country appeared to be tilting towards the precipice, it was indeed at its turning point for good as all its challenges would soon become history.

"We are at that point where our greatest challenge is before us and the moment we surmount it, the only way we"ll move as a country will be forward," he declared.

Mimiko said the manifest destiny of Nigeria as a strong, prosperous and united nation will be fulfilled as soon as the scourge of insecurity and the predisposing conditions are addressed.

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Friday, May 30, 2014

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Balarabe: Jonathan was afraid of visiting Chibok Geoffrey Ekanna

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econd Republic Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, yesterday said that the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan, not to visit Chibok was due to fear.

The president was reported to be visiting the town, where Boko Haram insurgents kidnapped over 200 girls of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State, but later changed his mind, insisting that there was no plan to that effect.

But speaking in Dutse, Jigawa State, during the celebration of this year’s Democracy Day, Musa said

l Nigeria has made slow but steady progress, says Lamido that that the president did not go to Chibok because nobody was safe again in the country.

“Nobody is safe again in this country. The President did not go to Chibok, not because he was callous or careless but because he was afraid,” Musa submitted, while speaking as a Guest Speaker at a symposium titled “Youth and the quest for national unity in Nigeria: Issues, challenges and prospects.”

Musa, who argued that June 12, 1993, when the election won by the late Chief MKO Abiola was annulled by the military re-

Partisanship: TMG expels member SANCTION

Election monitors descend on one of their own for playing politics Chijioke Iremeka

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igeria’s foremost elections’ monitor, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has expelled a member of its coordinating committee, Ahmed Hashim, from its board over what it described as partisanship.

Also, delisted from the TMG coalition is Hashim’s organisation, the Millennium Development Centre.

In the expulsion letter signed by the TMG Chairman, Comrade Zikirullahi Ibrahim, the group said at it has to take action to protect the organisation’s nonpartisanship status.

The group recalled that it had earlier written the former committee member for clarifications on his alleged membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“That preliminary request was hinged on inundated reports and politically motivated posters received from

members of your zone to the effect that you are now a full-fledged, cardcarrying member of the opposition party.

“Further worried by the likely credibility crisis that may befall the group as a result, the TMG board is further compelled in dealing effectively with the issue to cite Article 10 (c) v of the TMG constitution, which stipulates that a member of the organisation may be suspended or expelled from the group…pursuant and/ or carrying out acts and activities incompatible with the aims and objectives of the group as determined by the CC,” the letter read in parts.

The Christian wakekeep was also held yesterday at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre in Ondo.

The burial service is scheduled for today at the Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, Anglican Communion, Oke Aluko, Ondo, with the reception billed to hold at Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre after the interment.

Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko had described her late mother as loving, caring and accommodating, whose demise would be felt by members of her immediate and extended families.

gime of former President Ibrahim Babangida or January 1, 1960, when the British Colonial Masters announced the independence of Nigeria, ought to have been Nigeria’s Democracy Day, also said that the welcoming treatment given to militants and insurgents by successive governments in the country was responsible for the festering of insurgence since the Maitatsine mayhem of 1980, which he said was the beginning of armed operations by renegades in the country.

“Those, who committed crime in the name of Islam were not jailed. They were even released and even given pocket money by the government. That was the beginning of armed struggle in the country,” he noted.

He said: “Nigeria is rich,

ABUJA

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coalition of civil society groups, under the aegis of Northern Alternative Forum (NAF) has traced the origin of the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram, to the failure of the governors and politicians in the region over the years.

Speaking at a press conference organized

by NAF in Abuja, the

chair man, Gidado Ibrahim, decried what he called campaign of blackmail and distraction against security operations in the North East by the Borno State Governor, Alh. Kashim Shettima.

“The governor, who has consistently made the ongoing military operations in the North East a subject of selfexoneration of responsibility in the crisis would like to blame

of Education, Prof Rukayat Rufai said it would take the North not less than 100 years to catch up with the south with the damage done by the insurgents.

Speaking earlier, the State Governor, Dr. Sule Lamido, had said that Nigeria was marching slowly but surely in building a country, after the long years of military rule ended in 1999. But he strongly argued that there was the need to focus on the grooming of the youth in the right direction to make the country stronger in future.

Lamido stated that when he assumed office in 2007, he met a state that was in disarray, with nothing on ground. But he said that tough as the challenges were then, he has been able to build up the state with the help of the people.

“When I assumed of-

L-R: Marketing Manager, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Ms. Olajumoke Okikiolu; Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim; Samsung Electronics Brand Ambassador, Ms. Kate Henshaw and Director, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas, during Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy 11 World Tour in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

APC condemns attack on ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ protesters Yekeen Nurudeen ABUJA

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday condemned the attack by those it described as sponsored thugs against the ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ protesters in Abuja, who it said had hitherto conducted

NAF blames politicians for insurgency James Nwabueze

make no mistake about it.

We have the facilities and the resources to tackle our internal problems.

Countries intervened on by these foreigners were left worse than they were met. We have a population of 170 million. In fact, if America intervened in our case beyond their limit, the problem of Nigeria can collapse America.”

Musa, however, warned that the North was on a mission of self-destruction by the activities of the militants and the failure of successive governments in states in the region to address the gap between the North and the South in education and development. By his estimation, it would take the North 40 years of continuous investment in education to catch up with the south.

But a former Minister

fice in 2007, I met a state that was divided. It was that bad that there was no Government House. It was miserable and bad. When I came, we were scoring 0.1 per cent in WAEC exams.

Our conditions, both physical and mental was bad.

The expectations were high but I was thinking, how do we meet the challenge?”

Also speaking, a lecturer in the Department of Jurisprudence of the University of Jos, Dr. Solomon Dalong, said that the youths of the country were manipulated into using both Christian and Islamic religions negatively for personal interests. He said the insurgency has placed Nigeria in a big dilemma, which he said was a function of leadership failure. He said there was also the need to define the real status of the youth in the country.

the rise and growth of Boko Haram on every other person except the governor and government of Borno State.

According to the group, Shettima's proclamation that 'illiteracy and poverty resulted in the emergence of Boko Haram’ is in itself a self-indictment and a reflection of the kind of leadership that he and others provided in the state over the period.”

themselves in a civil and peaceful manner.

The opposition party also described the attack as deplorable, noting that it was orchestrated to shift the focus from the ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ campaign to ‘Release Our Girls.’

APC in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the attack on the protesters in Abuja has confirmed its worst fears that the Federal Government was embarking on a campaign to shift the responsibility from the government to the abductors, in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s admonition to the protesters to direct their protests at the abductors rather than to his government.

It wondered why the government would be pushing its responsibil-

ity to ensure the welfare and security of Nigerians to a band of terrorists.

“When we said this Federal Government has abdicated its responsibility to Nigerians, the government’s apologists twisted that statement of fact to mean that we are insulting the President.

“Well, what does one make of a government that has now rented a crowd of delinquents to attack the ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ protesters and counter their message?

“Nigerians voted for Goodluck Jonathan as President and not for the terrorist called Abubakar Shekau. It is therefore right for them to demand action to return the girls safely from their President, rather than from the anarchist, Shekau,” it said.

APC said the fact that the ‘Release Our Girls Boko Haram’ hooligans

who invaded the Unity Fountain gathering of the ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ protesters came in SURE-P buses and were not restrained by the police, even when letters had been written to the security agency alerting it to such attack, has shown that they enjoy some protection from the authorities.

“It also means that they are being sponsored to harass the decent and focused protesters who have helped call global attention to the plight of the innocent girls.

“This obnoxious campaign to shift the responsibility for the safety and security of the girls from the government to the terrorists started with the sponsored protests to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja and has continued with the depressing attacks on a women-led group by a band of paid ruffians.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

Anambra needs 25 new magistrates’ courts – CJ Onah O. Onah ONITSHA

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he Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi, has said that the state needed at least 25 new magistrates’ courts in the state.

He said inadequate infrastructure was responsible for the low number of new magistrates appointed in the state.

Justice Umeadi, who made this known while commissioning a completed magistrates’ court in Eziowelle community, Idemili North Council area of the state, however, expressed the hope that the new administration under Chief Willie Obiano, is committed to changing the trend.

He said efforts of the state judiciary to promote the dispensation of justice include building more court halls across the state to bring justice closer to the people, pointing out that the era of people awaiting trail more than necessary would soon be a thing of the past.

IPMAN leadership tussle worsens Adeola Yusuf

T

he leadership crisis rocking the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) worsened yesterday as a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja gave orders restraining one of the factional presidents of the body, Chief Obasi Lawson, from activities of the association.

The Justice Valentine Ashi-led court, which also restrained Lawson from going near the national headquarters of the association, said the order stands, until the determination of another case pending before the Port Harcourt high court.

In a suit number: FCT/HC/CV/1479/2014, the court ordered that the defendant, “whether by himself, his servants or agents, by whatever name called and however described, is hereby restrained from further interfering with or doing anything directly or indirectly, which is capable of impeding the smooth administration, management and control of the affairs of the IPMAN nation-wide."

It continued: “Its national executive officers and the plaintiffs shall forthwith take possession of and have unimpeded access to the offices of the national secretariat of IPMAN, located at No 41, Eyadema Street, Asokoro, within the jurisdiction.”

I'll never reconcile with Amosun, says Osoba

l Ex-Ogun gov, Senators, Reps move to dump APC CRISIS

Thorny days ahead for the APC in Ogun as things fall apart between the governor and an ex-governor Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

T

he cracks within the Ogun State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) widened yesterday as a former governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, vowed not to reconcile with incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

Osoba spoke at an APC consultative meeting held within his Ibara GRA residence in Abeokuta, where he hinted about plan to dump the party alongside his loyalists, including Senators and House of Representatives members representing the state.

In attendance were Senators Adegbenga Kaka, Gbenga Obadara, Akin

Odunsi, Hon. Adekunle Adeyemi, Hon. Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo, Hon. Daisi Elemide, Hon. Funmilayo Anifowoshe and Chief Remi Bakare, among other chieftains.

The state APC had been factionalised along the camps of Amosun and Osoba, leading to the conduct of parallel congresses and emergence of two state executives.

Early this month, Osoba had broken his silence on the crisis rocking the party, saying there was a grand plot to destroy the APC ahead of the 2015 general elections.

But addressing thousands of party members yesterday, Osoba declared that there was no way he could work with those who breached the APC guidelines for the recent congresses.

He also rejected any move to harmonise party positions between his loyalists and those of Amosun.

$US166.9bn

The nominal GDP of Philippines (IMF) in 2009.

Source: Blatantworld.com

Waxing philosophical about the APC crisis, the former governor said he would lead his loyalists to the Promised Land, adding that they had already boarded the Noah's Ark. He urged his loyalists to shun entreaties from Amosun, saying: "They may call you to come and pick up jobs now, don't answer them. After three years in office and few months to election, they are deceiving you."

The event also assumed a dramatic dimension when Osoba pulled off his dress to reveal a T-shirt branded "Action Group" to the thunderous applause of party members.

But New Telegraph reliably gathered that the former governor and his loyalists have concluded plan to defect to the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) if the feud in the APC was not favourably resolved.

Osoba said: "Your executive members came to me and said they are afraid of

80%

The percentage of underdeveloped technical potential for hydropower in Australia/Oceania.

Source: Unesco.org

me; that when the chips are down, I might say I have forgiven and that everything has been settled. They said they were told that some Obas (traditional rulers) have appealed to me.

"I was shocked and asked them what led to this. They said they have concluded and their decisions are: first, that everyone should go his own way. Secondly, they said that they are not ready for any harmonisation, even if is 70-30; 80-20; 95-5. Where we are now, no room for harmonisation or reconciliation.

"I then told them that if it has got to that, it means we have drawn two parallel lines. I asked them again if they have fully concluded and went into an inner meeting. I vowed to them that I will not forgive or reconcile with anybody. As I stand before you, I swear before God and Jesus Christ my Lord, I promise you all that the issue of forgiveness is no more."

768m

The number of mobile-cellular subscriptions of Europe region in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

NEWS

11

Katsina govt spends N196m on pension Ahmed Mohammed Sani

T

he Katsina State government yesterday said it was spending N196 million monthly for the payment of pension to retired civil servants in the state.

State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, disclosed this in a chat with newsmen on Wednesday. He said about N800 million was spent on the settlement of arrears to pensioners.

“We are concerned with the welfare of our pensioners because of their contribution to nation building,” he said.

“We will continue to ensure that pensioners collect their pension before the end of every month,” he added.

He said civil servants in the state are receiving the highest salary scale in the country, following the implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.

“Katsina was among the first to start implementing the new Teachers Salary Structure (TTS) for both primary and secondary schools teachers,” Shema added.

On the achievements recorded by his administration in the last seven years, Shema said his administration has constructed 80 hospitals across the state, stressing; “We have constructed 361 healthcare centres/dispensaries and equipped them with facilities.”

Obanikoro urges military reforms Wale Elegbede

T L-R: Wife of the Senate President, Helen Onma Mark; Senator David Mark; Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam and his wife, Dooshima, at the commissioning of the gigantic Law Faculty edifice at the Benue State University, Makurdi… yesterday.

2015: Rivers PDP okays Wike for governorship race Joe Ezuma

PORTHARCOURT

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has certified the endorsement of the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, as its governorship candidate in the 2015 elections in the state.

The party has not shifted its position on the governorship ambition of Wike despite the political

flakes the party’s endorsement of the minister was drawing across the state.

The PDP yesterday repeated its earlier declaration that Wike was qualified to contest the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Though Wike, who is the financier of the PDP in the state, has not officially declared his interest, there were indications that he may be gunning for the post next year.

Some party chieftains, including state Chairman, Chief Felix Obuah, Chief Sergeant Awuse and others, had on April 19, during the celebration of the state executive’s one year in office, declared that Wike had made enormous financial and material contribution to the survival of the party that had been orphaned financially, having been turned into an opposition, therefore deserving to reap where he had sowed.

Obuah was on the block again yesterday in Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government area during the inauguration of PDP unit executive members, the unit executive of the Grassroots Development Initiative and the celebration of the party’s victory at the Appeal Court in Abuja, when he argued that the minister had done a lot as a leader and deserved the support of the people of the state.

he need for a national retreat to transform the Nigerian military and retool its capacity to deal with modern security challenges has been stressed by the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

The minister made the call while delivering the closing remarks at the 58th Nigerian Navy Week Conference with the theme: “Combating Crude Oil Theft in Nigeria’s Maritime Domain: An imperative for Improved National Earnings.”

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser (Media & Strategy) to the Minister, Mr. Ohimai Godwin Amaize, Obanikoro expressed determination to assist in initiating a process that will help develop strategies for alternative sources of funding for the military, especially the Nigerian Navy in its fight against crude oil theft in Nigeria.

12 NEW TELEGRAPH

Friday, Ma

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

Juliana Francis

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com otuntise@yahoo.co.uk

friday, may 30, 2014

CRUEL DEATH At least 14 people lose their lives in road crash while others are celebrating the country’s Democracy Day Cajetan Mmuta Benin

A

s the country marked the 15 anniversary of the transition to civilian rule yesterday, at least 14 people were feared dead in a motor accident on the BeninAuchi-Okene Road.

The accident occurred at a slope in Ewu town on the busy route in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

The accident involved a 15-seater Toyota Hiace bus belonging to the Edo City Transport Service (ECTS) and an articulated vehicle.

A witness said the truck, which had a malfunctioning brake, rammed into the passenger bus which also crashed into another truck.

According to him, the driver of the Toyota bus had over taken an articulated truck with the intention to be in-between two other trucks, but did not know that the driver of one of the trucks which he overtook had lost its brake.

He added that in the process, the truck behind rammed into

0802 393 8212

Democracy Day tragedy:

14 die in Benin Auchi-Okene road crash

the bus and pushed it against the truck in front.

The 14 passengers inside the commercial bus, including the driver, died in the accident.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) deposited the bodies at the morgue of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Irrua, in the state.

Those injured were also rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society in Edo Central, Mike Odiahi, who decried the frequent accidents at the spot, urged motorists to avoid careless over speeding and unnecessary overtaking on the route.

Alleged rape: DPO, vic

P

olice have concluded investigation into the alleged rape of a female detainee by former Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in charge of Onikan Police Station, Superintendent of Police Adekunle Awe. A police source said the report of the investigation had been submitted to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, while the case file had been handed over to the Directorate of Public Administration (DPP) for further action.

“It’s DPP that will advise whether there was enough evidence and merit to be charged to court for trial,” the source said.

A few weeks ago, the 31-year-old cook, Idowu Akinwunmi, had alleged that Awe raped her while she was in detention at the station.

The police had allegedly arrested her over “spurious” reasons on the orders of her boss.

Following the initial publication of the story, Awe was arrested while the Lagos State Police Command took over the investigation. The case was later transferred to Police Command, Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, under the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mamman Tsafe. This was followed by a lull in the investigation.

Children’s Da God-given ta

Osita Chidoka, FRSC Corps Marshal

FERCSARA: We lost N20m to fracas, says coordinator Taiwo Jimoh

C

The looted FERCSARA office

oordinator of the SURE-P and Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Task Force has described as barbaric the arrest of his members by men of the Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Special Offences Unit.

The state Coordinator, Alhaji Abdulrazak Rafiu, also said the agency lost over N20 million to the encounter between his men officials of the state task force.

According to him, the clash was fallout of the hostility of the officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to the introduction of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) and FERMA Task Force.

Rafiu also said the Federal Roads Committee on Surveillance and Action against Road Abuse (FERCSARA) was not the official name of the agency.

According to him, officials of the agency will drop FERCSARA after their training.

However, Rafiu, who spoke through the National Publicity Director of the agency, Mr Olawale Oyeboh, said LASTMA officials, aided by men of the state task force, invaded the office of the agency, stole money and destroyed property worth N20 million.

In a statement sent to our correspondent, the coordinator said that trouble started when someone believed to be an official of the state task force approached and slapped one of his men.

This, according to Rafiu,

attracted the attention other members of the agency who rushed to his defence.

He alleged that men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), LASTMA and the Lagos State Police Task Force attacked his men.

He said: “Unknown to us, the aggression was planned, they came fully prepared. Before we knew what was happening, policemen waiting outside started firing into the air, while some were firing tear-gas canisters into our premises, giving way for the thugs to loot our office.”

A senior official of the federal task force, who was arrested alongside others by the police, told our correspondent on phone that the cutlass and other dangerous weapons shown to journalists were all to discredit the agency.

Kids celebrating at the TBS.

Oluwatosin Omoniyi

T

his year’s Children’s Day has come and gone. Bu its memory still lingers in the minds of differen schoolboys and girls who converged on the Tafa Bale wa Square (TBS), Lagos, to savour the joy of the day.

It was indeed a freestyle competition at the TBS. The children displayed their God-given talents freely in different creative ways.

Some performed cultur al dance, excellent poem recitation, chorography Acapella, literal display of

BABATOPE: WE HAVE EVERY CAUSE TO CELEBRATE DEMOCRACY / PAGE 17 | OPADOKUN: THERE’S NO POLICY REDIRECTION / PAGE 17

POLITICS

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AYODELE OJO

13

OBIOHA: NIGERIANS NOT ENJOYING DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY

DEPUTY EDITOR, POLITICS

ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

ayodeleojo@yahoo.com

p-16

FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014

Suleiman Bisalla, Onwuka Nzeshi, Simeon Ogoegbulem, Abdulwahab Isa and Lateef Ibrahim Introduction istory is essentially about people, places and events. So, for every given period in the life of a nation, there are people whose actions or inactions dictate the pace of events that are eventually recorded as history.

A number of personalities were instrumental to whatever success or failure Nigeria has achieved in this past 15 years of unbroken democracy. These are men and women who took the hard decisions when the going was tough and dared to thread where others chose to avoid.

The roll call includes General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the then Head of State who shunned the lure of office and resisted the temptation by rolling out the convoluted transition programme to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the man who had the rare privilege of a second chance at the seat of power. The history of the era cannot be complete without a fair mention of another key actor and former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, who has become a recurring decimal in the presidential race since 2003.

History will also not forget in a hurry, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the anti-corruption czar who rode on the back of the once dreaded Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to hunt for eminent Nigerians who suffered from the worst form of kleptomania.

We cannot also fail to mention President Goodluck Jonathan, a man of providence and great fortune who was not only reluctant to ascend the throne, but has managed to remain on the saddle in spite of the stiff opposition mounted against him from the very first minute he stepped into office. In all, we serve you the profiles of some key actors who made the political drama of the last fifteen years worth the while.

H

Abdulsalami Abubakar: Transitional military ruler General Abubakar came to Nigeria’s political scene on June 8, 1998 following the sudden death of Nigeria’s former military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

Born on June 13, 1942 in Minna, Niger State, Abubakar had his earlier education at the Native Authority Primary School in Minna. Between 1957 and 1962.

He attended the Provincial Secondary School, Bida and later enrolled at the Technical Institute, Kaduna.

He enlisted first into the airforce but quickly switched to the army. Besides other local training, he was in the United States between 1975 and 1977 on a training course.

Abubakar was appointed commander of the 3rd Mechanised Brigade in Kano between 1969 and 1979. He also served as a Nigerian contingent to the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon between 1981 and 1982 after which he was promoted to the rank of colonel in August 1984. Later, he was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu and became a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC).

From Enugu, he was moved to Kadu-

Fourth Republic: Gladiators of Nigeria’s democracy

Abubakar

na, as GOC of the strategic One Mechanized Division. On November 17, 1993, he was appointed Chief of Defence Staff, the position he held until he became the Head of State.

The coming of Abubakar ushered in a new lease of hope for Nigeria. It also triggered a chain of events that restored political order across the country. He freed political prisoners including those who had been condemned to death and were just waiting for the hangman. It was this air of freedom that set the stage for a short political transition programme that produced President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Unlike his predecessors, Abubakar did not believe in prolonged military rule. He understood the exigencies of that era and the need for soldiers to return to the barracks. He gave Nigeria the 1999 Constitution upon which the current democracy is built. He did not only bequeath democracy, he retired to a private farm and restrained himself from the temptation of interfering in what his successors did or failed to do.

He is indeed a soldier, a gentleman and one of the pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.

Olusegun Obasanjo: Uncommon leader Chief Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo was born on March 5, 1937. Obasanjo is one man whom fate has chosen to play vital roles in the political history of Nigeria.

Obasanjo

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 He grew up in his native village of Owu in Abeokuta and had his early education at the Baptist Grammar School, Abeokuta. He joined the army at 21 and was further educated at the Royal School of Engineering, Royal Engineer’s Young Officers School, Defence Services Staff College, Indian Army School of Engineering and the Royal School of Military Survey.

He is a recipient of the highest National Honours, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) of Nigeria. He also holds the traditional title of Balogun of Owu. Leadership was thrust upon him on

February 13, 1976 when he narrowly escaped assassination in a military coup that claimed the life of the then Head of State, General Murtala Moammed. He stepped into the shoes of Mohammed and was Head of State till he handed over power to a democratically elected government in October 1979. Twenty years later, fate brought him back to the leadership of Nigeria as a civilian president. He served in that capacity for eight years during which he initiated a series of economic and political reforms.

Under his watch, Nigeria resolved her huge indebtedness to the London and Paris Clubs of creditors, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was set up to tackle the menace of corruption; National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was launched to deliver quality health care to the citizenry and the country witnessed the liberalisation of its telecommunication sector thus increasing access to modern information communication technology across Nigeria.

In the last 15 years, Obasanjo has remained a dominant figure on Nigeria’s political turf. It was his ascension to power on May 29, 1999 that laid to rest the ghost of June 12, 1993 and put an end to the loud agitation for the restoration of the popular mandate given to the late Chief MKO Abiola. He came to power CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14 POLITICS CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

at a time Nigeria was a pariah state in the international community on account of the atrocities of the military regimes that ruled the country between 1984 and 1998. But like a man who understood his role in history, he took it upon himself to reintroduce Nigeria to the world through his numerous diplomatic shuttles to major world capitals. This gave him the ample opportunity to market Nigeria to the leaders and people of many nations of the world.

He also played a major role in the creation of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), a formidable platform for African countries to interact with the rest of the world.

In the twilight of his eight year tenure as president, Obasanjo also played a major role in the choice of his successor in office and inadvertently set the stage for what has been happening in the Presidential Villa till today. Until he visited the late President Umar Yar Adua in hospital and revealed the true state of his health and its implication for the nation, no one was bold enough to broach the highly sensitive issue. Obasanjo did not only pull the strings for the installation of the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan after the death of Yar Adua, he made sure Jonathan contested and won the 2011 presidential election. However, Obasanjo’s decision to distance himself from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the present administration has become a major challenge to President Jonathan and accentuated the activities of those opposed to the regime.

Muhammadu Buhari: Will he ever be president?

Buhari has been a consistent presidential candidate since he first took a shot in 2003 on the platform of the then All Peoples Party (APP). Since then, the former military ruler made two other appearances in 2007 and 2011. He failed to win in the three times he contested, but with not less than 12 million votes in his kitty, no presidential aspirant takes him for a ride.

In 2003, when he made his debut on the political scene, he shook the PDP, waking President Obasanjo and the party from their slumber. Despite a massive campaign, however, the ‘Buhari hurricane’ swept across northern Nigeria, taking over Kano and Bauchi states from the PDP and increasing the strength of federal lawmakers for the APP. In 2007, the momentum had gathered for the APP, with about seven presidential aspirants including former Zamfara State Governor, Ahmed Sani Yerima, now senator; Governor Rachas Okorocha, among others. But they were all compelled at the Eagle Square to step down for Buhari. The fallout of that convention resulted in Buhari’s poorest presidential campaign so far. But he won his traditional 12 million votes.

Realising that he needs to stride out down south for additional votes to win the presidency, Buhari led his Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) into a series of negotiations with leaders of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) headed by former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu. First, they were to form a mega party; it didn’t work.

Then they entered into alliance talk. Till the eve of election, they could not agree.

Now he is back on the table with the South-West political heavyweights led

by Tinubu. They have scaled through the first huddle by going into a merger to form the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the presidential ticket is apparently zoned to the north. But with the presence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the state governors that defected to the party recently, including Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who is believed to be nursing a presidential ambition, it is not clear whether he will get the party’s ticket. Besides, if he does, the general election is a different game.

Umaru Musa Yar’adua: The burden of an

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

Obasanjo, Buhari, Jonathan,

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 ailing president Umaru Musa Yar’adua was governor of Katsina State from 1999 to 2007.

Just when he was preparing to leave the Katsina Government House for a quiet retirement, former President Olusegun Obasanjo propped up the ailing governor to be president. Widely seen as a principled leader, Yar’Adua became the first president to publicly declare his asset.

He was the architect of the amnesty programme that ended militancy in the oilrich Niger Delta, after a sustained military campaign. He also established the Ministry of the Niger Delta to enhance attention to the environmental degradation and other issues associated with oil mining in the oil producing areas. He also started the war against Boko Haram.

When his health deteriorated, a cabal in his cabinet seized the moment, thereby exposing the lacuna in the constitution regarding the period a president or governor is away from office, leaving issues of governance in limbo. The changes made thereafter were phenomenal.

The Senate first initiated the ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ to elevate then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to Acting President while his boss was being treated in a Saudi Arabian hospital. Thereafter, lawmakers effected a change to the relevant sections of the constitution, making it possible for the vice president or deputy governor to take over in acting capacity anytime the president or governor is away from office beyond 28 days.

With this legislation, a similar scenario was averted in Taraba State when Governor Danbaba Suntai crash-landed his aircraft in October 2012 and had to be in a German hospital for several months.

The Taraba State House of Assembly passed a resolution making the deputy governor, Garba Mohammed, to take over as acting governor.

Yar’adua died on May 8, 2010. But rather than end the problems created by his illness, his death opened a fresh political logjam in the ruling party, the PDP. A purported zoning arrangement the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders agreed upon in 2002, which provides for rotation of the presidency between the North and South for a period of eight years each, came under test as President Jonathan and his political allies failed to kowtow. And this is one problem still haunting the ruling parting.

Atiku Abubakar: A self-made political bulldog Many political analysts in Nigeria are of the view that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is one of the very few Nigerians that are psychologically prepared to be president. First, he is believed to have enough resources to prosecute a presidential campaign. Compared to his contemporaries, Atiku is known to have the widest network of political associates across the geo-political zones of the country. More importantly, the former vice president has reared his head above ethnic and religious cleavages, the twin evils besetting national integration.

Since 1999, Atiku has remained a fac-

Buhari

Yar’adua

Jonathan

Abubakar

tor in Nigerian politics. As vice president, he built a strong political structure between 1999 and 2003, with majority of PDP governors behind him, causing temporary upset to Obasanjo’s bid for a second term. But he paid the big prize, going through torturous years, and losing everything he laboured for in the PDP. He went through series of litigations orchestrated to bring him down to his knees, but he emerged a stronger politician even though he lost the chance to succeed his boss.

When he could not stand the heat in the Ahmadu Ali-led PDP, he took a shot at the Presidency from the defunct Action Congress, and abandoned the party shortly after the 2007 polls. Before 2011, he returned to the PDP and joined former President Ibrahim Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau, and former Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, in a struggle to produce a northern consensus candidate that will contest against President Jonathan who failed to heed a purported 2002 agreement in the PDP to have the north rule until 2015. He dwarfed the generals and emerged the consensus candidate, but the system in the PDP is built in such a way as to suffocate opponents within.

His ambition to be president has never been hidden. Therefore, no politician with similar aspiration takes Atiku for granted; what with the naive ones, who see him as a political bulldog. Recently, he quit the PDP for the second time when he discovered that he was skilfully sidelined. But he has moved to the APC, an opposition platform already occupied by

the likes of Bola Tinubu and the governor of his home state, Murtala Nyako, both of whom he had disagreed with vehemently as recent as yesterday.

The question is whether this selfmade presidential aspirant will pull his wits together and clear his way to Aso Rock. At 67, 2015 may be his last outing.

Goodluck Jonathan: The man with transformational agenda Following the death of President Yar’Adua on May 5, 2010, his deputy, the then Vice-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was sworn in as Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This followed the endorsement of the famous Doctrine of Necessity by the two chambers of the National Assembly.

No doubt, this 14th Head of State of Africa’s most populous country came to power in very unusual circumstances.

In his inaugural speech, Jonathan identified mass unemployment, corruption, the power sector and road infrastructure as key areas his administration would focus upon. He rolled out the road map for the power sector reform on August 2, 2010 with the primary goal of achieving stable electricity in Nigeria.

The reform led to the privatisation of the power sector and increased private sector funding in the industry. The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), which acted as a state monopoly for decades has now given way to 15 private firms handling power generation and distribution.

The government has also introduced

POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

15

Yar’Adua, Atiku shape Fourth Republic

Okonjo-Iweala

Okadigbo

the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN), a programme that seeks to empower young Nigerians who have innovative business plans.

The YOUWIN Initiative is expected to create thousands of sustainable jobs by the end of this year.

There is a massive effort geared towards improving the road and rail network across the country while the various airports have undergone an unprecedented expansion and rehabilitation that has made Nigeria an emerging business travel and leisure hub in Africa.

Of course these are all aspects of the Transformation Agenda of the Jonathan administration.

Currently, Jonathan is grappling with the insurgency and general insecurity in the North eastern flank of the country.

The Boko Haram, a terrorist organisation has so wrecked havoc on that part of Nigeria that the whole world has rallied behind Jonathan to salvage the situation.

Jonathan may not have had the sagacity of an Obasanjo but his good luck has helped him to keep Nigeria one and sustain its democracy in the last few years.

Chuba Okadigbo: Erudite scholar, politician The late Dr. Okadigbo was unarguably one of the greatest intellectuals to have presided over the National Assembly and walked through the corridors of power in Nigeria. He was born on December 17, 1941 and attended the Blankenburg College of Technology, Germany in 1963, Master der Philosophie, Karl Marx Uni-

Sanusi

Soludo

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 versitat Liepzig, Germany in 1967.

He obtained a Master of Arts in Philosophy at the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C. (U.S.A) 1972; a post-doctoral Fellow of Politics, the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C. (U.S.A), 1973-1975. He was a Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Nigeria (UNN) Nsukka, 1975-78 and Academic Visitor and Research Scholar (visiting professor), London School of Economics and Political Science (UK), 1984 – 1987.

He was elected member of the Constituent Assembly, 1977 – 1978; Deputy National Secretary, National Party of Nigeria (NPN), 1978- 1979, Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the President, 1979-1983.

Okadigbo’s most profound contribution to Nigeria’s democracy began when he was elected senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1992 and served as Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs until the sack of the parliament by the military junta in 1993.

On resumption of political activities in the country in 1999, Okadigbo was re-elected as a senator. He also became Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and later President of the Senate.

Okadigbo became Senate President after the exit of Senator Evans Enwerem.

He had an onerous task of redeeming the image of the parliament smeared by the crisis of identity created by his predecessor. He had both the intellectual capacity and charisma, flamboyance and power of oratory to match any force. His running battles with President Obasanjo was a race between a thorough bred democrat and man whose first nature was autocracy borne out of a military mentality hangover.

While Okadigbo fought hard to secure and maintain legislative independence, the Obasanjo foot soldiers in the parliament helped to undermine him by laying the proverbial banana peels on the aisles of the hallowed chamber.

It was one of these evil peels that metamorphosed into anticipatory budget approvals and pulled down Okadigbo from his high horse. Nevertheless, his exploits at the Senate helped in no small measure to putting this democratic dispensation on a strong footing.

Chukwuma Soludo: The consolidation man One of the technocrats brought in

by President Olusegun Obasanjo in his second term of office was Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo. He came in to the Obasanjo administration first as Chief Economic Adviser to the President, a post he combined with being the chief executive officer of the National Planning Commission (NPC). Until then, Soludo was the Director of the Enugubased African Institute of Applied Economics.

Soludo is credited to have contributed immensely to much of the economic success recorded by the Obasanjo administration. He is believed to have authored the now abandoned National Economic and Empowerment Development Strategy (NEEDS) document which sought to redraw the road map to Nigeria’s economic transformation.

Against all permutations, the AguataAnambra State born professor of economics was nominated by then President Obasanjo in 2003 to succeed Joseph Sanusi as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). His five-year tenure as the governor of Nigeria’s apex bank saw a lot of changes and innovations being introduced into the Nigerian banking industry.

Under Soludo’s watch, the CBN began the restructuring of the banking industry, a process that involved mergers and acquisitions of existing licensed banks operating in the country. At the end of the exercise, deposit money banks (DMBs) in the country crashed from 89 to 25.

The exercise, which economy analysts termed “consolidation”, mandated banks to raise their capital base to N25 billion or close shop. The policy directive drastically altered the ownership structure of Nigerian banks as banks that were previously part of family business were either forced to approach the capital market to raise funds to meet up with the new capital requirements or merge with other banks.

The restructuring of the banking industry under Soludo’s supervision turned Nigerian banks into attractive brides for funds from local and foreign investors. This development in turn increased banks’ ability to lend to custom-

ers. During his tenure as CBN governor, Soludo moved decisively to make Nigeria Africa’s financial hub.

Soludo is a core professional in the business of macroeconomics. He obtained his three degrees and then professorship at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State. He graduated with a First Class Honors degree in 1984, an M.Sc. Economics in 1987, and a Ph.D. in 1989, winning prizes for the best student at all three levels.

He has also worked as a consultant for a number of international organisations, including World Bank, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and United Nations Development Programme.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: Enforcing financial discipline Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala bust into the nation’s political consciousness in the early life of the Obasanjo administration when she came from the World Bank to help Nigeria set up the Debt Management Office (DMO). Until the coming of DMO, Nigeria’s external debts were managed by various governments’ agencies and departments without proper coordination.

The brilliant manner she handled the assignment endeared her to Obasanjo, who did not hesitate to bring her on board as finance minster in 2003. She discharged her duties creditably well even at the risk of being called names by government officials who no longer felt comfortable with the manner the Delta State-born economics egghead was fast plugging all loopholes in government finances.

In October 2005, she led the Nigerian team that struck a deal with the Paris Club, a group of bilateral creditors, to pay a portion of Nigeria’s external debt of $12 billion in return for an $18 billion debt write-off. Until the debt deal which took the financial world by storm, Nigeria spent roughly $1 billion every year on debt servicing, without making a dent in the principal owed.

It is to her credit that government began the publication of each state’s monthly financial allocation from the Federal Government in the media. This action went a long way in increasing transparency in governance. She was instrumental in helping Nigeria obtain its first ever sovereign credit rating (of BB minus) from Fitch and Standard & Poor’s.

Her tenure as finance minister under Obasanjo ended rather on a controversial note as she was deployed to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She later resigned her appointment after a few months. In October 2007, then World Bank President Robert Zoellick appointed her to the post of Managing Director of the Bank.

In 2011, Okonjo-Iweala staged a comeback with an expanded portfolio as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy (CME) by President Jonathan. As the CME she has extensive influence/exercise to shape the direction of the Jonathan economic team and the transformation agenda.

The new portfolio set tongues wagging as she has been described as Nigeria’s unofficial Prime Minister.

With the appointment, she has remained in the vanguard for economic reforms. Most of the reforms are leaving a rather bitter taste in the mouth of many government officials She took a lot of heat, more-so than any other government official for the unpopular fuel subsidy removal policy by the Nigerian government which led to Occupy Nigeria protests in January 2012.

Sanusi Lamido: Controversial CBN governor Fiery, daring and courageous, Sanusi CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

16 POLITICS

OPEN FORUM Chief Ralph Obioha is former member of the House of Representatives and a National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

...ON 15 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY DAY

Obioha: Nigerians not enjoying dividends of democracy

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igerians are not really enjoying the dividends of democracy in the country. Presently, the majority of Nigerians are not feeling any impact of the democracy, which is terrible. If not for the state government, one may not really feel the presence of government in the country. The federal and local governments have not shown any progress whatsoever. Some of the state governments using Enugu State governor as an example, has given a good account of themselves.

The Federal Government headed

by President Jonathan has not done a good job in terms of performance. The government has failed woefully on the issue of fighting corruption. They have also failed on the issue of security. These are the two major areas that they have failed.

I don’t actually believe in May 29 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day. I am of the view that the actual date for democracy as we have been saying for many years is June 12. It is June 12 because there was a

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 Obioha

huge sacrifice by somebody that actually heralded this democracy that we ought to be seeing as a form of government, that would give us a path way to having

a new advancement in Nigeria.

Irrespective of the present situation in Nigeria, democracy is still the best form of government. And anybody who

because of the disappointment in the country is contemplating and advocating that democracy is not the best is not wishing Nigeria well. We would still continue to be critical of the government, hoping that they would improve. And my message is that Nigerians should continue to have hope.

Oyegun: There is no outstanding success Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is a former governor of Edo State and an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain.

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e have made progress in a very few areas but the areas in which things have gone wrong are areas that are vital to the survival of this nation. There is high level of corruption in the country and in fact, government is promoting corruption because it is now nominating people, who are corrupt and have serious criminal charges against them for top positions. In a situation where government has not been able to discipline its own, then of course something is very wrong. Corruption of course is the root cause of virtually every problem we are facing in this country because the resources that are supposed to be used for creating happiness and hope for the people are diverted to private pockets. It puts the country in two ways; not only are we robbed of the resources which our

people need, at the same time we see the people who steal us and are still stealing us blind in conspicuous consumption such that they have become a major corrupting influence on the nation. And the youths of this nation see the display of wealth by our leaders which of course also lead to criminality, insurgency and the present problem we are having with Boko Haram. So, the harm that has been done to this country in this republic is unimaginable, and we urgently need a voice to lead us out.

I don’t even know anything that is outstanding success that one can point at as great achievement of the government in power in the last 15 years.

Honestly, I cannot see one outstanding success.

When I say outstanding success, I don’t mean just sitting down and administering the country. That is not an outstanding success. Outstanding success means something that is over and above the ordinary.

The only thing to celebrate is that we are still one. We are still one and we are still alive; so we should be thankful to God. We should go to church and thank God rather than celebrating as people and as a nation because we have not been able to

do anything of ourselves and our government have not been able to alleviate any of the problems that is facing the nation, not to talk of solving them.

Oyegun

Okei-Odumakin: Government has not met our aspirations Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin is the President of Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Women Arise for Change Initiative here has been no meaningful deTFourth velopment since the advent of the Republic. This situation is

quite unfortunate because it was never the bargain of those who fought for the return of democracy after the military interregnum, particularly those who paid the ultimate price of sacrificing their lives for democracy in Nigeria.

There has been no government in Nigeria since 1999 till date that has fully met the aspiration of Nigerians. This is not only limited to the Federal Government but also the states where governance has become so ridiculed and the welfare of the citizenry relegated to the

Okei-Odumakin

background. I will say in simple terms that neither President Goodluck Jonathan nor the previous administrations have really met the aspirations of the

Nigerian people.

It may be difficult to fully analyse the achievements of the current administration as may be espoused by those involved in the programmes of the government; nonetheless, I can say that there have been some gains in the area of rule of law and infrastructural development.

But unfortunately, as a class conscious person, the welfare of the people should be the best parameter to measure the achievement of any leadership. To me, it should be less about theories such as our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and other statistical analyses that cannot be practically reflected in the living standard of our people. That is why I say that governments at all levels have failed in meeting this basic need that guarantees the survival of the people. Year in and out, poverty has been on the increase coupled with a very high level of corruption.

The government seems to be helpless in tackling all these as at present.

The major challenge we have as a na-

tion is the problem of corruption which has hampered the progress of every sector of our national life. To get this tackled, the government must go beyond frivolities of setting up commissions and develop a strong political will to fight it. Anything short of this will make the situation remain the same.

As far as I am concerned, and those of us in the civil society, June 12 remains our recognised Democracy Day and it has remained so since 1999 and we have continued to commemorate that till date.

I do not believe in May 29 as the democracy day. June 12 remains our recognised Democracy Day but as the Nigerian government celebrates her own Democracy Day, my message is that the Federal Government should use the occasion to revert and recognise June 12 as the real Democracy Day and declare Chief MKO Abiola as the President of Nigeria posthumously. That will be the point where Nigerians may begin to have a feeling of a people oriented Democracy Day.

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

OPEN FORUM Chief Ebenezer Babatope is a former Minister for Transportation and member, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

...ON 15 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY DAY

Babatope: We have every cause to celebrate

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ven though there are rooms for improvement, we have not performed badly. If our democracy can last for 15 years without any interruption by the military, then we have every cause to celebrate. It is only those who are opposed to the PDP, particularly the All Progressives Congress (APC) that would say President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has not met the yearning and aspirations of Nigerians?

Jonathan’s government has been good and he has respected the views and opinion of people. He has ensured that he does not launch the country into totalitarian regime and that is what makes our democracy to be very good. If Jonathan had been a totalitarian man, democracy would have had no meaning at all. What is happening today makes us happy because we have a man in the person of Jonathan, who is not desirous of using power just for power sake and I think that is the beauty of democracy for Nigeria.

Despite the challenges facing the

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 country, we still have cause to celebrate our democracy. There is no country in the world that hasn’t got its own problem. That we have security problem does not mean that is the end of life for us. Many countries in the world, presently, are also having security challenges and their own problems.

So, Nigeria has done very well, we can do better and we must do better.

What we are witnessing presently

Babatope

is experimentation for the past 15 years and there is no basis to pray for truncation of our democracy. So, the federal, state and local governments

still have to improve and they are going to improve and Nigeria is going to be better for it. All that is important is that we must ensure that we give the people power to elect who should govern them. We should make election very peaceful and good for the people so that when they cast their votes, their votes would become meaningful in determining the person who should govern them. Anybody who wants to force himself on the people by trying to manipulate the electoral process does not want democracy to grow in Nigeria.

What is crucial to us is to ensure that the electoral system works in the country. Democracy hinges on the sustenance of the electoral system and we must ensure that we make that system very free, so that the system can guarantee the people a choice of electing who their leaders should be.

I wish Nigeria and Nigerians the best of luck as we mark another year of democracy. We should not lose hope; we should struggle on and we are going to surmount our difficulties. We are going to surmount Boko Haram and from Boko Haram, we shall move to a greater country.

Opadokun: There is no fundamental policy redirection Mr. Ayo Opadokun is Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and Convener, Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER)

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rom the onset, it was not totally bad but the good in it is limited. There had been no fundamental policy redirection from those who had administered Nigeria since the last 15 years. The political operators in this Fourth Republic significantly have not helped to popularise democracy nor democratic culture.

Significantly, they have been involved in orchestrating the military lifestyle of exploiting the weakest link in our chain of commands.

Democracy is about discussions, exchange of views and transparent government which the electorate can sustain if they perform very well and can remove if they have not performed. What we have witnessed in the last 15 years is much more to our disappointment that those who administered the country both at the central, the state and even at local government levels have not paid sufficient credence to why Nigerians should be willing to defend democracy whenever anti-democratic activities are noticed.

Between 1999, when the Fourth Republic started and now, Nigeria has been exporting crude oil at averagely two million barrels per day and selling them averagely at $100 per barrel. I talked about average because of the fact that there are times the export because of one reason or other or human negative traits can bring that two million to about 1.6 million or 1.8 million but there are times when what they exported is between 2.5 and 2.6million barrels. Ditto, there are times the money the crude sold at $80 per barrel and at times between $120 and $140 per barrel. Where is the evidence of that money on our people?

In Human Development Index, Nigeria is within the confines of the poorest countries in the world. In fact, having regards to this human index analysis, we are grouped along those areas of the world where their countries have been ravaged by war. What is the reason for that? Why is it that, the more money Nigeria earns from crude oil dollars, the worst the life style of people become?

Something must be wrong somewhere.

For people like us, we have devoted lots of our adult life towards finding out why are we like this? The most singular factor is the fact that we have a warped, lopsided skilled national structure. Whatever structure that you have that would make your country to utilise about 80 per cent of your total income to run your bureaucracy is a terrible misadventure.

Our people have been so ravaged by the long period of military dictatorship to

the extent that young people never experience true democracy. The military retains the most important powers in the level of governance, security and intelligence. They determine, who will be what, who cannot be what. So, I say this without any doubt in my mind and I know I am very serious about it.

The evil of military dictatorship on our country remains very pronounced and I will say significantly that more than 85 per cent of those who are in political offices today are either retired military officers or their fellow comrades, surrogates, confederates, loyalists and sympathizers. They were the same set of people who have gotten strikingly rich through military contracts and installation in one economic or political office, so they are the one who have the raw cash to run for the monetised political process, which Babangida established.

Opadokun

Yakasai: We should work hard to sustain our democracy Alhaji Tanko Yakassai is an elder statesman and Chairman, Northern Elders Council (NEC)

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e should be grateful to God for spearing our lives. Democracy is a great thing, although in the last two years, the country has experienced a surge in Boko Haram activities, but this is not a new thing, it has been like that for many years.

The biggest problem in this country is that people in government are not controlled by their party, whether it is the president, governor or local government chairman. In the first and second republics, political parties control their members and whether the members are Prime Minister, ministers or members of the Assembly, they are all under the control of the political party and strictly

Yakassai

follow the parties guidelines. This is not the case now and there is a big difference.

So, until we respect the superiority of the party and all the elected people respect the superiority of their party and their party’s programmes, we would continue to have this problem.

Looking critically at President Goodluck Jonathan-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, I believe there are areas where the president has suc-

ceeded and there are areas where he has not succeeded. There are many issues about Jonathan’s government. In the area of fighting corruption, the situation is not very good. In the area of restoring learning in governance, he is making effort, but what brought about problem in governance in Nigeria is lack of planning. Since the country diverted from planning, we have been running into problem and we are running the government on fire brigade basis. Planning will make a government to measure its successes and failures and when you don’t have a target, you cannot know whether you have succeeded or not.

As we celebrate the Democracy Day, my message to Nigerians is that we should work hard to sustain the democracy. The answers to all problems of under-development, crises and so on lie in deepening our democracy. I will also advise President Jonathan to continue to fight against corruption.

Interviews by TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

18 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

OPEN FORUM

...ON 15 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY DAY

Adeniran: Jonathan’s govt encourages corruption Comrade Debo Adeniran is a human rights activist and Executive Chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL)

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t the advent of our nascent democracy in 1999, many Nigerians celebrated that the power has now come into our hands to rule ourselves and harness our resources for our growth. It is however unfortunate that the coming of democracy has brought nothing good to us but untold hardship.

It is no longer news that our democratically elected leaders have stolen more of our common patrimony than the khakiboys did. It is a common fact today that Nigeria is still far from the land of our dreams. While many countries in Asia have moved from third to first world, a majority of Nigerians still toil on a daily basis to eke out a living because many of our leaders divert what should be used for the common good of the Nigerian populace into their private coffers.

Over the years, our leaders have acquired notoriety for flouting our laws with impunity. Regardless of the spurious claims by our leaders that they have been fighting corruption, which has been a clog in the wheel of progress of

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 Adeniran

our democracy, the evidence is there that corruption is still endemic in our country. Corruption has become the second nature of many of our leaders. Nigerian institutions become weaker while corrupt elements get stronger enjoying the inordinate loot while the government and its agencies watch with the aura of helplessness.

We should admit that corruption didn’t start with this regime; this regime is in itself a product of corrupt practices and there is corruption in every facet of our national life, however President

Goodluck Jonathan has done virtually nothing to curb the menace in his regime.

As a matter of fact, corruption has festered so much in this present administration than any other regime before it. Although President Jonathan would want the Nigerian people to believe that his government is working assiduously to combat corruption, it is clear that the government has penchant for condoning corruption without recourse to the feeling of an average Nigerian.

Jonathan’s cabinet is replete with many individuals that have been accused or indicted of corruption. The former Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah was indicted of corrupt practices and it took persistent public outcries and pres-

sures before the woman was relieved of her duty. The Petroleum Minister too, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been accused of wasting the nation’s resources under the guise of performing her official functions. So much noise had been made from various quarters and even an invitation from the hallowed chambers to the minister was not honoured. This confirmed the insinuation that there exists a clique of the “untouchables” in Jonathan’s government to which some of these people probably belong.

Basically, it looks more like corruption promotion is a major policy of this government. Jonathan-led government has encouraged more corrupt officials than any other government before it.

It is so unfortunate that we are still repeating the same old story after 15 years of practising democracy because of the inability of our so-called ‘democratic governments to deliver the dividends of democracy to the masses and rid the country of pervasive corruption. Basically, there is nothing to show for the 15 years of democratic rule and that is why we clamoured for the national conference that is currently in progress. So, I am optimistic that the conference may lead us to the right path. The present dispensation lacks the political will to right the wrong and that is why it could hardly achieve anything monumental. His political ambition is responsible for most of his irrational decisions to which the entire government often subscribe.

Ribadu: In forefront of anti-graft war CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 5

Lamido Sanusi, the suspended controversial CBN governor is a man whose sojourn at the helms of affairs at the apex bank shaped the banking sector and economy in general.

His ascendancy at the apex bank coincided with the period insider abuse by bank chief executive officers was at threshold of collapsing the sector. A quick audit check on financial status on all existing banks exposed banks liquidity position. The outcome of stress test conducted

by Sanusi, invariably set the stage for his unpopular but applauded needful action which loosened the grip of some top managing directors on their banks.

For nearly two years, he deployed tight monetary policy mechanism to check excess liquidity and defend the naira. He was able to hold down the inflation to a single digit from a hitherto double digit in the region of 13 per cent.

An apostle of cashless economy, the reforms he spearheaded in the banking sector and economy in general won him countless international and local awards.

However, Sanusi’s unrestrained talks and his naivety to decipher limitation of his briefs as CBN governor set him on collation course with powers that be.

His romance with opposition elements and his often provocative statements on matters of sensitive interest ruffled feathers of his employer, thus setting stage for a frosty relationship that ultimately consumed him.

But above all, Sanusi’s whistle-blowing which unearthed pervasive rot and corruption in the oil and gas sector on the famous $22 billion missing funds in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) marked him out as a contemporary Nigerian that has played a significant part in its economy.

Nuhu Ribadu: Anti-graft czar Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, a retired police officer, came into limelight when he

was appointed as the pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by former President Obasanjo. EFCC is the government commission tasked with countering corruption and fraud in the country.

Ribadu, a lawyer, was first appointed

by Obasanjo as the chairman of the EFCC in 2003 and re-appointed him in 2007. He was promoted to the position of Assistant Inspector General of Police on April 9, 2007, three weeks before newly elected President Umaru Yar’Adua was sworn-in.

Ribadu studied law at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna State between 1980 and 1983 after which he received a Bachelor of Law degree. Following a year at the Nigerian Law School, he was called to Bar in 1984. He also earned a Master of Law degree from the same university.

The various cases the EFCC handled under his chairmanship of the agency, no doubt, earned him a lot of popularity as well as enemies. The fear of Nuhu Ribadu then, became the beginning of wisdom.

For example, on October 20, 2006, he told the BBC that over 380 billion dollars had been stolen or wasted by Nigerian governments since independence.

Under Ribadu’s administration, the EFCC charged prominent bankers, former as well as serving state governors, ministers, Senate presidents, highranking political party members, commissioners of Police, and advance fee fraudsters. The EFCC issued thousands of indictments and achieved about 270 convictions.

One notable case was that of his boss, the then Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police Force, Mr Tafa Balogun, who was convicted, jailed and made to return £150 million under a plea bargain.

Ribadu’s achievements in the EFCC included; the de-listing of Nigeria from the FATF List of Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories, admission into

the prestigious Egmont Group and the withdrawal of the US Treasury FINCEN Advisory on Nigeria.

All these helped to make the EFCC the foremost anti-corruption enforcement agency on the continent, cementing Ribadu’s reputation as a respected anticorruption crusader.

Ribadu’s evidence helped prosecute foreign businesses who offered bribes while doing business in Nigeria.

The then EFCC Chairman was, in some cases, however accused of double standard and insincerity in his war against corruption. Many observed that Ribadu went after perceived enemies of his boss, Obasanjo, while shielding the friends of the former president.

He was similarly accused of corruption himself in that he failed to declare his assets for which he later underwent prosecution at the code of conduct tribunal.

During the course of his duty, Ribadu was offered bribes to pervert the course of justice. Amongst these was a state governor who offered him $15 million and a house abroad. In an interview from Washington D.C. on the BBC’s Hardtalk programme, Ribadu said that he took the money and used the bribe as evidence to prosecute the state governor.

This claim was however refuted by the ex-governor who noted that the fact that Ribadu put the money in the CBN was not a proof that he gave the money.

Ribadu escaped two assassination attempts in Nigeria before he left the country for the United Kingdom in early 2009.

In December 2007, Inspector-General of Police Mike Okiro ordered that Ribadu be temporarily removed from the position of EFCC chairman and ordered him to attend the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos, Plateau State for a mandatory one-year course.

The decision was criticized by, among others, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, House of Representatives members,

Ribadu

and the then All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) National Chairman, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke (now late) as politically motivated and/or likely to set back the fight against corruption.

On August 4, 2008, the Police Service Commission announced the demotion of Mr. Ribadu from Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police (AIG) to Deputy Commissioner of Police.

On November 22, 2008, his graduation from the NIPSS Kuru, Plateau State was aborted at the last minute. Ribadu, who was initially seated in the hall along with other graduands, was ordered out of the hall allegedly on orders from top administration officials.

On December 22, 2008, as widely predicted, he was dismissed from the Police Force by the Nigerian Police Service Commission (PSC).

He left Nigeria and in April assumed a fellowship at the Center for Global Development.

Ribadu lived in exile until 2010 when he returned to Nigeria and declared his intention to run for Presidency of Nigeria under the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). On Friday, January 14, 2011, he was adopted as the presidential candidate of the ACN.

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EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 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, MAY 30, 2014

Kano’s progressive Child Labour Law

t a time hope of adequate legal protection seemed dim for children in Kano State some of whom have continually been working on the street like their counterparts in other parts of the country to eke out a living for members of their families at the expense of their health and safety, latest news on the matter presents a refreshing cause for joy.

Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor of the state has signed into law the Kano Child Labour Prohibition Bill passed by the state House of Assembly.

Alhaji Kwankwaso warned perpetrators behind the violation of the fundamental rights of children in the state to steer clear from further exploitation and involvement of children in labour activities, saying any person found to be in the business of exploiting children in the state would be prosecuted, according to the existing law. The law, which is aimed to discourage child exploitation, stipulates two years in prison for offenders, a fine of N50, 000 or both.

In Nigeria, child labour, remains a major source of concern, in spite of existing legislative measures. The high level of diverse and tedious jobs that children execute in dangerous circumstances is particularly worrying. Defined as work that is mentally, physically, socially or

morally dangerous and harmful to children and that deprives them of opportunities for schooling and development, it includes being street vendors, beggars, car washers or watchers, shoe shiners, bus conductors, domestic servants and farm hands. Additionally, street children work as porters and scavengers, and a growing number of them engage in commercial sex activities. But this definition excludes all work by child artists and supervised training.

International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that about 25 per cent of Nigeria’s 80 million children under the age of 14 are now in the work force. This news, of course, is not cheery, and points to the fact that nothing tangible or serious has been done to tackle this problem. Equally worrisome is the realization that, this practice is still being tolerated all over the country more than a decade after Nigeria adopted international prohibitions on child labour law. In 2003, Nigeria passed a Child’s Rights Law that was designed to incorporate into its laws all the rights guaranteed in the United Nations’ (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child. The UN convention, adopted in 1959, states that: “The child shall be protected against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation…; shall not be admitted to employment before an appropriate minimum age; shall in

no case be caused or permitted to engage in any occupation or employment, which would prejudice his (her) health or education, or interfere with his physical, mental or moral development.”

Although the UN convention was signed by Nigeria as a nation and its provisions incorporated into federal law, it has not been domesticated by all 36 states. The implication arising from this ineptitude by the leadership of such states is that millions of children are still engaged in dangerous labour activities and are unnecessarily exposed to dangerous and unhealthy environments. Some of them have died in the process, while others have been indoctrinated into all manner of criminal activities in the country.

It is morally wrong to subject children to situations where they have to do odd jobs in exchange for money or food all in the name of fighting poverty. Instead of involving and aiding children in labour activities, efforts should be geared towards discouraging children from dropping out of school and engaging in risky ventures.

The first step towards addressing and checkmating this problem is good parenting. Parents must be sensitized on the dangers of hiring out their children to people who end up exploiting them, and those who are found wanting in this regard

should be prosecuted. It is the responsibility of parents to provide for the needs of their children until they reach maturity irrespective of their economic status. We urge the judiciary to show commitment to this cause through conscientious interpretation of the existing laws because child labour is a gross violation of the fundamental human rights of children.

We commend the Governor of Kano state and members of the House of Assembly for their yeoman’s job and remind them of the biggest challenge ahead, which is wholesale and total enforcement and implementation of the Labour Act. By so doing, the children in Kano would heave a sigh of relief as well as being saved from their tormentors. Also worthy of mention is the fact that the governor by this remarkable act has given effect to the resolution of the Africa Conference of Ministers of Labour in 2007, which urges countries to have a national action plan in order to eliminate the worst forms of child labour by 2015, in line with the road map adopted by the second global conference on child labour in Hague, in May 2010 and also in line with outcome of the third global conference in Brasilia in February 2014. To us, education plays a pivotal role in the development of the child. Without prejudice, it is incumbent on other governors to follow the progressive example from Kano for the sake of the Nigerian child.

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.

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Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

OPINION

Journeymen, Joneses jostle for Jonathan’s job

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r. Goodluck Jonathan will retire many politicians, mark my words. The bloodletting all over is like the final battle.

T he power struggle is heading towards a gruesome end.

Never in the history of this country has a leader being so ridiculed. There is no comparism whatsoever. Jonathan is treated like a toddler. Pilloried at home, embarassed abroad, and even abused in the open. Erstwhile enemies are united, strange bedfellows have become bedmates. There are inexplicable alliances.

You must understand their grouse. They are not just against Jonathan. Their grouse is power shift. Many of these ‘Kingmakers’ did not bargain for what they are seeing. In the first place, none of them imagined that this Izon man, who looked more like a Yes-man could be a thorn in their flesh. Goodluck sounded just like a name, not a force. One of those that could be easily manipulated.

Nigerians did not know Goodluck. He was just one anonymous deputy governor, with no knowledge of politics and power. With him, there was nothing to fear. But I knew Goodluck. I saw him just once, before he became President. Meeting him in 2000 did not mean much to me. Just a deputy governor who was in Sydney, Australia to collect estacode. Most of us who travelled for the Olympic Games looked the way of the big two, Governors James Ibori and Lucky Igbinedion. At the Sydney Stadium i doubt if i remembered the Bayelsa deputy

A

ny angel who descends low enough to consume amala and ewedu has no right under heaven to feel too high to fart --- or daefecate.

However, when such supposedly spiritual beings begin to share in our corporeal joys, we mortals have every right to re-scrutinise their credentials.

Who really are the “angels” of the Old Testament Bible who ate sumptuous meals and engaged in wrestling bouts with humans?

It’s worth noting here that the original Hebrew word, “mal’akiym” translated into English as “angel” simply means “messengers”--- with no spiritual connotation. The Greek for “messengers” is “angeloi”. And this is the word rendered into English as “angel” The three messengers (mal’akiym) who appeared to Patriach Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre were called “men”: “One day about noon, as Abraham was sitting by his tent, he suddenly noticed three men standing nearby.”

Evidently, Abraham knew they had not been flying but trekking and so their feet could do with some washing and they themselves could do with some rest: “My lord… stop here for a while. Rest in the shade of this tree while my servants get some water to wash your feet.”

The men not only yielded to the persuasion but they settled down to a sumptuous meal. The meal consisted, in the main, of bread, milk, cheese curds (wara in Yoruba) and roasted meat (suya in Hausa).

Okay, okay, they didn’t quite eat amala and ewedu, but the meal was as staple then for distinguished guests among the Iberiym

governor, the day Dream Team Two beat Australia 3-2.

Jonathan had been at a reception organised by the Nigerian community in New South Wales. It was at the St. Felix Parish House, Bankstown. He was the highest ranking government official. Even the Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, Dr. R.O. Sule was busy in Canberra.

One white lady stole the show. Dressed like a Nigerian, she prepared the meal and walked round to keep everyone smiling.

Mrs Lyn Ifedioranma, whose husband Dig, is younger brother to Larry Ifedioranma of the famous Funkees pop group of the early 1970s, and later Ofo ,the African band.

Lyn regaled all with stories of our own country, yes, her country Nigeria. She had actually met her hubby in London,1976. They both returned to Lagos where she spent over six years before moving down to Australia.

She was proud to say that all her children, bore Igbo names Kelechi, Tonna, Chima, she called them out. I am sure Jonathan noticed some of these.

Samuel Peter, was only attending his first Olympics and was prophetic. “God can use anybody to bless Nigeria, “he said. Sunday Bada, in his third Games, prayed for a medal.

I guess, that was the very first time Jonathan would meet such gathering of Nigerians in one place outside the country.

And that of course ,was the beginning of a new phase. I would not know if Senator James Manager, who was one of Ibori’s commissioners, envisioned that the Goodluck in Sydney was going to rule the country Nigeria in the next ten years.

Peter later became Africa’s first world heavy weight boxing champion. Bada got a silver, God answered his prayers.

And much later,the silver turned gold.And who was there as President to honour him? President Jonathan, albeit, post humously.

What tears my insides out is the manner of people who are bombing the President. I can understand Generals Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu too. The others have nothing to show for their noise.

Many of them are under-achievers whose best cannot be good enough for a viable local council.

Jonathan is being harrassed today because they see him as Igbo. Yes, the Igbo must not get a breather because they must continue to suffer for the Civil War. Were Jonathan Yoruba or Hausa, they would spare him.

Goodluck Ebelemi Jonathan may be anything you wish,this man will rule Nigeria till he is tired, constitutionally. Anyone who does not like it should go to bed.

And they want him out because he wants a second bridge across the Niger in Onitsha. They are fighting him because Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala is de facto Prime Minister. They want him out because his Madam has Umuahia blood in her veins.

Jonathan is not as clean as Jesus Christ.But i will give him my vote. Rivers state called all Igbo houses in Port Harcourt ‘Abandoned Property’, Ndigbo will not abandon him.

It is a family quarrel, we shall settle it. His kinsman, Boro fought against Biafra, we will get over that.

His wife does not speak the Queens lingo, no problem.

There is no such crime in the constitution. Afterall, one governor talked about Fanta and coke as mineral resources, and another called bridge ‘Gada.’

Those who vowed to make Nigeria ungovernable should continue. They are just a few aristocrats. What the masses want is simple. House, food, light and water. Once they get these, there will be security. And the new song will be BRING BACK OUR GOODLUCK!

Angels of flesh and blood…

Lighthouse

YEMI OGUNSOLA

yemiogunsola@gmail.com - 08069074718 (sms only)

(Hebrews) as amala and ewedu is in Yoruba land today.

Fortunately, the NEW LIVING TRANSLATION of the Holy Bible gives us, in its footnote, an idea of the amount of flour used to make the bread:18 litres. That is, roughly 6 litres per angel. I hope some blessed readers out there are thinking, like me, of the fivelitre kegs of petrol common nowadays! With that, we can estimate their stomach capacity and the sizes of these messengers.

These men must be distinguished in some particulars, otherwise, Abraham, a wealthy and powerful man in his own rights, wouldn’t have recognized and “run”, first to meet them and again “run” to give orders for their meal.

Within six hours of this encounter, two of the men were hosted to another sumptuous meal by Abraham’s nephew, Lot. The missing third was evidently the one identified as the LORD (Yahweh), who stopped to chat with Abraham and who betrayed his non-omniscience and non-omnipresence by admitting that he was on his way to confirm reports brought to him about the sins of Sodom: “I have heard that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are extremely evil, and that everything they do is wicked. I am

going down to see whether or not these reports are true. Then I will know.” (Gen:18:20) Anyway, we are told that Lot “set a great feast before them, complete with bread made without yeast.” (Gen19:3 ).Again, our “angels”, quite good-naturedly submitted to the lavish carnal hospitality.

Then came the depraved men of Sodom: “All the men of Sodom, young and old… surrounded the house. They shouted to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out so we can have sex with them.’”

Unimpressed by distinguished looks, the men of Sodom knew the “messengers” were flesh and blood enough to satisfy their depraved sexual desires. Lot himself knew the flesh/physical nature of his guests to know they would come to harm if the Sodomites were allowed to get at them. Thus, Lot made a most desperate proposal: to volunteer two of his virgin daughters in place of the angels --- knowing full well the girls would probably die in the ordeal. The messengers themselves were careful not to venture out; rather, they stayed behind the door and reached out to pull their host back in. Then they deployed superior technology (miracles in religious parlance) to mesmerise the Sodomites.

What if the Sodomites had cornered the “angels” in the city square where they had originally planned to spend the night? (Gen: 19:2).

That these men-angels did not have superhuman strength was evidenced by another very interesting episode. While Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, was returning from his self-exile, he was at a point left alone in his camp, having sent all his family across the Jabbok river: “…and a man came and wrestled with him until dawn. When the man saw that he couldn’t win the match, he struck Jacob’s hip and knocked it out of joint at the socket. Then the man said, ‘let me go for it is dawn.’”(Gen 32: 24-26) Though we are later told (indirectly) that the fellow was an angel and (directly) that he is “God”, it’s clear the “angel” was not physically stronger than Jacob. Even after he had “played foul” by wounding Jacob, he couldn’t extricate himself from Jacob’s physical grips. He couldn’t even “vanish” like a spiritual being would have been expected to do in such a desperate situation. He had to beg for his release. We wonder why he was so afraid of the dawn?

It should be noted too that the account consistently referred to the fellow as a man.

The point being made is not that there are no “messengers” of the spiritual kind; the point is that many of the “messengers” of Yahweh mentioned in the Old Testament were flesh and blood---and very human-like.

Who really were these distinguished men?

ARTS FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014

CULTURE

21 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/arts

CULTURE IS THE ARTS ELEVATED TO A SET OF BELIEFS." ― THOMAS WOLFE

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

okuyemeogom@yahoo.com

Many faces of Aso in Orimoloye’s art Tony Okuyeme

A

solo exhibition of recent works

by U.K-based Nigerian painter, sculptor and designer, Gbenga Orimoloye opened last Saturday at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos. Titled Aso, the exhibition no doubt brings to the fore the artist’s thematic preoccupation with Aso, a Yoruba word for cloth, using women as his inspiration.

Orimoloye “who sees himself as the colourist… believes that if we could be as fervent and enthusiastic in many other more important areas of our existence as we are with our dressing, our collective attitude will adorn us with majesty and excellence”.

As he puts it: “In this harvest of work which I have titled ‘Aso’, I look figuratively at our obsession with elaborate festive dressing. Aso is a Yoruba word for cloth. But it is also used colloquially as regards groups of people dressed in identical fabric and or colour, especially as seen at a typical Nigerian wedding. As an artist, I am fascinated with the dressing, colours, textures and styles present at many of these events.”

According to him, these days, he begins many of his works without a preliminary sketch. “This is deliberate.

I am keen to leave some things top time, chance and The Spirit that creates. As such many of my compositions, including and especially the ‘Aso’ series are the result of as much spontaneity as possible. Still, so far, many of my results inevitably bear my fingerprint.

Incidentally, I have attempted to fight this, perhaps due to much pondering over thoughts and ideas that are not my own. Thankfully, as soon as I disregard persuasions and disputing and simply let the spirit flow, I become the first fan of my own work. My artist’s instincts tell me this is where I need to be,” he said, adding that “a great deal goes into our dressing and into selecting our ‘Aso’”.

“I believe that if we could be as fervent and enthusiastic in many other more important areas of our existence as we are with our dressing, our collective attitude will adorn us with majesty and excellency; we will be arrayed with glory and splendor. These describe the spiritual clothes. In them we will surely stand out as one of the greatest nations on the earth, in all spheres of life.”

Recalling her encounter with the artist, the Hon Consul of Switzerland, Chief (Mrs.) Marlies Allan described Orimoloye as tenacious and audacious spirit whose commitment to his goal and dedication to his craft comes across when you encounter the quality of his works. “When I first came in contact with Gbenga Orimoloye over 30 years ago in Ikoyi, Lagos, neither of us knew she would one day be a great admirer of his talent and works.

“Gbenga Orimoloye needs no introduction in the Nigerian art scene, and his stature globally is growing fast. He had his first solo exhibition in Lagos in 1992 at the Russian Cultural Centre.

That show was an immediate sell out, with the majority of the works sold on the very first day. Since then he has had several successful solo and group exhibitions, including a recent solo at the Saffron Walden Gallery in the

Eleja (Fish Seller), oil on board

Orimoloye has a tenacious and audacious spirit.

That he has a mission is absolutely without question. His commitment to his goal and dedication to his craft comes across when you encounter the quality of his works

The family (1), oil on board

United Kingdom.

“Orimoloye has a tenacious and audacious spirit. That he has a mission is absolutely without question. His commitment to his goal and dedication to his craft comes across when you encounter the quality of his works. His masterpieces, exhibit his style, with vast amounts of paint, which he applies, almost wastefully at times, when you consider that often he begins a piece without even making a sketch, resulting in some works looking like others he has done before, especially in the themes which feature the elegantly dressed ladies in their gele and regal outfits. The topic and theme may be the same, but each work is an original.

This is however a very deliberate strategy. Something that cannot easily be put into words happens. It also essentially guarantees that even the artist

Orimoloye

himself cannot easily reproduce each work. His style is unique and consistent and clearly comes across when you encounter his works, many of which I think are absolutely amazing, superb.

At a time when it is becoming ‘fashionable’ to create ‘abstract’ work of questionable merit and quality, all in the name of being ‘current’, some artists remain true to their craft.

“Orimoloye is one of them. He has stubbornly held onto his personal artistic values, style, tradition and unique rendering, painting in thick oils. His work must look like an ‘Orimoloye’ and they do, in spite of his wide repertoire of subject matter. His works are instantly recognizable. Your DNA is your DNA and your fingerprint is your finger and should be yours alone.

An artist can be inspired, but identity is sacred and must be manifest. The

world deserves to see and celebrate the good in each individual as they really are… and not what others want or expect them to be. “ For an artist, Allan also posited, the creative journey must be one characterized by truth, sincerity and integrity. “It must be personal and genuine.

This journey should sing a clear distinct note, emitting melodies that are rather seen with the eyes, felt with the mind and understood with the heart.

Still, it may happen that not every person will appreciate or understand this journey, nor hear these melodies.

But for those who do, when they see art they actually hear it speak to them also. Gbenga Orimoloye has tremendous talent, which one can see, hear and feel. It is a privilege to be able to do all three, and I am delighted to have been asked to write this piece.”

22 ART Moses Kadiri

I

t was a colourful atmosphere as loud drumming and music rented the air. The event was the celebration of HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, mni, CFR, Obi of Onitsha (Agbogidi) 73rd birthday with the launch of two books titled: “His Majesty Nnamemeka Achebe: A Ten Year Milestone” and “Onitsha at the Millenium: Legacy, History and Transformation”, recently in Lagos.

The celebration attracted several dignitaries, well-wishers, friends and family members. Among them, the Oba of Lagos, RilwanAkiolu who was the Royal Father of the Day, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha; Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade; the Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III; Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State; Founder Diamond Bank Plc and Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Pascal Dozie; former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; and Erelu Abiola Dosunmu. Other dignitaries who graced the occasion include the GMD/CEO, UBA Group, Mr. Phillip Oduoza; MD/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo; founder, Pan Atlantic University, Professor Pat Utomi; former Head of Service of the Federation, Ms. Ama Pepple; and representatives from many Onitsha socio-cultural institutions.

The former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, , Chief Emeka Anyaoku who was the chairman of the event, said 14th of May has always marked memorable milestones for Igwe Achebe, noting that he was celebrating his 73rd birthday as well as the launch of two historic books.

He lauded the efforts of the editor on the brilliant prose and rich artistic illustrations of Onitsha throughout the work.

The reviewer, Professor S.J.S Cookey, Professor of History, Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port-Harcourt and Former ProChancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, praised the books as rich and well documented histories of the Igwe and the metamorphosis of Onitsha from a native town to a modern metropolis.

Prof. Cookey emphasized: “The volumes contain the intent, vision and mission of the Igwe Achebe and answers the question he asked himself when ascending the throne of his fathers, ‘Why do I aspire to lead my people?’ Igwe Achebe saw an opportunity to serve his people selflessly and give back to the community that has

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

Celebrating Igwe Achebe at 73 with His Majesty...

Igwe Achebe

given him roots. It exposes the workings and thinking of the ‘Ime Obi’ and answers those who question the relevance of traditional institutions.

“Of particular interest is how the Obi has resuscitated the yearly Ofala Festival during which he gives his yearly state address announcing the achievements of the past year, current challenges and future projections to keep the indigenes are abreast with the common vision.

Traditional rulers play a crucial role in espousing trust and respect for their people. They are a readily accessible face of government and the Igwe Achebe has travelled extensively, meeting and exchanging ideas with his people,” he added.

In his congratulatory message, Dr. Alex Otti, Group Managing Director and CEO, Diamond Bank PLC, said that, “The Obi is a quintessential leader who has contributed immensely to the growth of Diamond Bank. The entire Diamond Bank family wishes him more fruitful years

Traditional rulers play a crucial role in espousing trust and respect for their people. They are a readily accessible face of government and the Igwe Achebe has travelled extensively, meeting and exchanging ideas with his people ahead.”

Igwe Achebe could not hold back his excitement and the praises from his friends, who came to celebrate with him. He said he was overwhelmed by the huge turnout of friends and family that had come to celebrate with

him. He informed that May 14 is significant to him because asides being his birthday, he got admitted into both secondary school and the university on that date. He also ascended the throne on 14th May 2002.

“I have always preferred to spend my birthday in quiet introspection but last year I took ill on my way to London and God spared my life.

This is why I am celebrating this year, Igwe Achebe said,” adding “The books were bore out of a discussion with the editor, Prof. Nkiru Uwechia Nzegwu, on the role of women in the political discourse of Onitsha. She suggested a compilation of the notes she had taken and after close scrutiny I accepted.”

The celebrant thanked the author and her daughter, Azuka, who was the project manager. “Diamond Bank provided some funding for the project for which I would like to thank them.

I would also like to express appreciation for their contributions as corporate citizens in transforming Onitsha into a modern metropolis.”

Africa Movie Academy, Bayelsa State commend Glo’s support for arts

Tony Okuyeme

T

he Africa Movie Academy and Bayelsa State Government have commended Globacom for its robust support for African arts, especially

music and theatre practitioners.

The commendation of Globacom resonated throughout the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State last weekend.

From the Deputy Governor of Bayel-

Richard Mofe Damijo (2nd left), Desmond Eliot (2nd right) and others at AMAA 2014

sa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), who represented the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson to the AMAA Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Peace Anyim-Osigwe and the Director General of Bayelsa State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, the applause for Globacom, flowed in torrents.

The Deputy Governor stated in his special remarks at the AMAA, sponsored by Globacom and held at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, that corporate organisations on the African continent should emulate Globacom by investing and promoting key sectors of the economy in countries where they operate. He added that this was a needed impetus to grow the movie industry. The Deputy Governor particularly praised Globacom for engaging African actors and actresses as brand ambassadors.

Welcoming guests earlier, the CEO of AMAA, announced that she would be assuming the new role of Founder and Executive Chairman to enable her concentrate on creative endeavours.

She applauded Globacom and other sponsors for making the 10th edition of AMAA a glamorous event.

Veteran Nollywood actress, Clarion Chukwurah won the Best Actress Award in a leading role for her performance in Emem Isong’s ‘Apaye’ while Patience Ozokwor won the Best Actress Award for a supporting role in “After the Proposal” and Bob Manuel Ndokwu bagged the Life Achievement Award.

Other winners include “Dialemi” which won the best short film award, “B for Boy” which won the best film (African language) award and “Hamu Beya” and “Portraits of a Lone Farmer” which jointly won the best documentary award among others.

About four thousand celebrities attended the star studded event and they were thoroughly entertained by panoply of stand-up comedians and musicians. They include Glo ambassador cum ‘nabania’ crooner Flavour and velvety-voice King of Soul, Timi Dakolo who thrilled with his popular track “Great Nation”.

MEDIA 23

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

Having worked as a professional Creative Director in the UK, US and Nigeria for over 20 years, Ifeoma Fafunwa brought her experience to bear in the play Hear Word!, where she probes into the trials and vicissitudes of the Nigeria woman. Fafunwa, who is the director, producer and one of the writers of Hear Word!, talks on her encounter with the play, in this interview with EBERE AMEH. Excerpts: What informed the writing and production of the play Hear word?

I was born here in Lagos and later travelled abroad.

When I came back, I noticed that there was a kind of weight on the Nigerian women that men didn’t really have. They have to take care of so much more – dealing with in-laws, home work, tending the children, caring for the home and they are expected to balance everything. About that time, the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), together with Joke Silva were doing a show of the V monologue. So knowing that I was working in the Theatre Arts and Films in the US, they asked me to direct that show. In the course of directing that show, I started getting more and more involved in women issues, and realizing more and more how women face challenges and how they have to tolerate a lot in different parts of Nigeria.

Recently, I started thinking about the amount of energy and power that women can actually contribute to the Nigerian society if they were not busy worrying about small things that they shouldn’t worry about – is my husband going to take a second wife, have I gotten a male child and lots more. Their brains and their capacity is so much that I started thinking, why are they using it for the wrong thing?

I also realized that women themselves are their worst enemies. Because mothers-in-law think they must demean their daughters-in-law, sisters in law and others who should be mentors think they must deal with the younger woman. So I realized we are getting this whole thing wrong. What if we put our resources to empowering those women to nation building? Imagine what will happen in this country. A lot of things happen in this country that if women were on the table when the decisions were made, the outcome would be different. You wouldn’t make a decision to get thousands of youths to come and write a recruitment test in one location if a woman is on the decision making table.

Why the title Hear word?

I wanted Nigerians to listen to women. The full title is Hear word, Naija Woman Talk True. It is like urging the Nigerian women ‘You, speak up the truth’ and stop pretending that nothing is happening to you’.

This is because the woman is trained not to say anything - if you are raped, you don’t say anything, lest you lose your value. If you are battered you don’t say a word because there is nobody to really help you. So what we are saying is tell the truth about what is going on so you can move beyond it. We are also telling our country, lets tell the truth about where we are.

Tell us about your grand opening piece on remembering the Chibok girls We are performance artists not politicians, even though we have political issues to deal with. For both the audience and the performers, it is a very strong piece. The actresses cry at the back and the audience cry in front and they told me to remove it but it needs to be there.

People need to feel what the parents of these children are feeling and its really bigger than Chibok.

The truth of the matter is that Chibok is happening as a sign of our time. It is a sign of what is going on in the country Fafunwa

Hear Word: Nigerian men must also listen today. We cannot deny that things happen and we are not responsible for it. If you don’t follow it, it can lead up to other things, which then lead up to other things.

When we start tolerating one thing, it grows and now we are in a state where we have real growth, and we have to clean it up.

The person who took over 300 girls while they were sleeping in their bed at night is a person whose mother was raised into believing that he has the right to do so; just as the person who takes the money that is meant to build hospitals for thousands of people in this country feels that he has the right to do so. It is a mother that raised those people to believe t h e y have t h e

right.

It is either that or they are not okay in the head, its either of the two. We the people have been boxed to the side, we allow all these things without stopping them and the Chibok issue is a result of what we have created over the last forty years.

What was the experience like, working with such talented and accomplished artists that make up the cast?

It was great. I’ve worked for years with Joke Silva and some of the other actresses like Ireti Doyle. We’ve been on different projects over the past years. I know them very well as women who are strong and dedicated. I chose people who are dedicated to the art of theatre, dedicated to the art of performance and dedicated to empowering women. They are people who believe in the strength and the capacity of women of Nigeria.

What are your expectations from the audience?

Our expectation is that the audience hear the word and think about where in their lives they may be limited. How is it that you talk about another woman that you don’t even know? What is it that you tell your daughter that you shouldn’t tell her that is making her play small? What is it that you tell your son that doesn’t teach him how to treat his wife properly?

We did this show in the market because market women are the ones raising the next generation of Nigerians. We did in open air at Mushin market for free and at the National Theatre for 200. We wanted people who wouldn’t necessarily come to the Muson to at least watch it and we were a thousand people at the National Theatre.

So what we are saying is that women are the one raising the next generation of Nigerians. We are the mothers - we are raising the boys and we are raising the girls. Let us do it the right way. Lets encourage girls to participate fully. Let us sensitize the boys to understand that by supporting they women they don’t need to demean the woman to be on top.

You must be passionate about the Nigerian women to the extent that you have capacity building programmes for them. Can you tell us more about it?

Yes I am passionate about the Nigerian women. I organize a workshop for young performance artists. It is ongoing, it’s free and some of the ladies in this show tonight are from the workshop. At the end of the workshop, the best of the students get to come and be on our major stable and enjoy the benefit of working with veterans like Joke Silva who has worked for over 30 years.

It is a free class which we call iOpenEye. It is an organization that believe that we can enhance the career and the capacity of young women in theater and performance art. We have some singers and we have dancers.

We teach stage presence, performance art and professionalism.

How do you select the participants for the programme?

Now it is by referral. People refer to me and I have auditions once a year. When you come for the auditions you are not selected based on your ability, you are selected based on your passion for what you are doing, your discipline and your dedication to it. So some student come and they really do not know how to act at all, but if they really want it for their lives, they exhibit a high degree of seriousness and they are shortlisted. iOpenEye is a series of workshops that is not very time consuming and go on for one year. We take a whole day twice a month. So it’s about 20-24 classes a year and we are done.

24 TOURISM Andrew Iro Okungbowa

S

marting from the recently concluded tourism workshop held in Lagos, the tourism industry remains on song as another gathering is in the offing. This time, Abuja will be the next stop as the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) beams the searchlight on the industry again but with focus on attracting investment to the industry.

Tagged tourism investment workshop, FTAN, which is the umbrella body of all the travel and tourism trade associations in Nigeria and other stakeholders as well as operators is organising this two days workshop in conjunction with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). It is scheduled to hold at the Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers between June 10 and 11.

The workshop, which is in its second year, is according to the President of FTAN, Chief Tomi Akingbogun, aimed at enabling stakeholders in the industry to discuss and address some vital elements geared at the development and maintenance of tourism products and destinations that can induce creation of new tourism frontiers.

Other objectives of the gathering according to Akingbogun, include to create a forum to showcase the potential of the tourism industry to the economic development of Nigeria; to organize as well as to promote local tourism products and destinations to Nigerians before taking the same to the international market; and to strengthen relationship between the tourism investors and their services/product providers.

The two-day event, which would include seminar and exhibition, is expected to give a new direction to the tourism industry with participants expected from the federal agencies, states, airlines, hotels, travel agents, and tour operators among others.

Meanwhile, this year’s edition presentations will include; Developing Nigeria’s Travel and Tourism: The Kenyan Experience by the Managing Director of Kenyan Tourism Board, Travel and Tourism Contribution To Nigeria Gross Domestic

T

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

Federation of Tourism Associations to hold investment forum

Abuja Sheraton Hotel. Inset: Akingbogun

Products [GDP] by the Director General of Federal Office of Statistics [FOS], Identifying Nigeria’s Tourism Products by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation and Medical Tourism: Prospect in Ondo State.

Other papers to be presented are, Balancing Tourism Development and Revenue Generation by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Application of Legal Framework for Sustainable Travel and Tourism Development in Nigeria, FCT as an Emerging Conference Destination in

he National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has concluded plans to stage an international food fair at the Abuja International Conference between June 24 and 26. Titled ‘Nigerian food and cultural fair,’ the two days event, according to the management of the training institute, will attract operators, products and services providers, eateries, students and other stakeholders in the Nigerian food sector.

Speaking on the fair, which is expected to be an exposition of Nigeria food culture, the chairman of the institute’s board, Mr. Kanayo O. Kanayo, a popular Nollywood actor, said the event, which was designed as part of the centenary initiative of the school would among others bring to the fore the place of Nigerian food, adding that from his exposure to other continents of the world, Africa is blessed with enormous food species, but Nigeria is even more blessed with food varieties.

While promising that the vision of NIHOTOUR was to key into the transformation agenda, using the rich Nigerian food as launch pad, he promised that with other stakeholders, he would ensure that Nigerian food becomes a major plank of the nation’s transformation agenda and would be accorded global recognition.

He said with the diverse and rich food set of the country, what was required was a colourful and presentable packaging for the global community to recognise and appreciate.

Also shedding more light on the event, the Director General of the institute, Dr. Munzali Dantata, said in line with its core mandate, the school was organising the fair with the theme, “One Hundred Years of Food, Culture and Hospitality in Nigeria in commemoration of the Nigerian centenary.

According to Dantata, “as you are aware, hotels, restaurants, airlines and hospitality businesses serve food and beverages in the course of their normal business, which makes them an integral member of the food industry, at the end of the value chain.’’

The tourism investment’s forum will be used to urge the government to quickly address some difficulties operators are facing Africa by FCT Minister, Affordable Air Transport: Tool for Development of Tourism by Captain Boyo and Pro-

moting Domestic Tourism: Tool for National Economic Development by the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).

Chief Tomi noted that the tourism investment’s forum will be used to urge the government to quickly address some difficulties operators are facing, especially high interest rates, double taxation, and the need for reorientation of Nigerians to patronize local tourism products/destinations, that the current level of occupancy and low tourism activities in the country cannot support.

National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism stages food expo

Nigerian foods

He noted that the fair will provide a platform for different organisations in the food sector to promote their brands and that the occasion will equally bring together professionals and experts from across various sectors to deliver papers on topical issues of the food industry and hospitality industry.

“The food landscape has gone through dramatic transformation over the last one hundred years. The eating habits of Nigerians have changed. The fair supports the agricultural transformation agenda, and the transformation agenda as a whole, which was launched by the Federal Government in 2011 with the aim of transforming the Nigerian economy, to modernise it as well as meet the needs of the Nigerian people,” said Dantata.

He also noted that the planning and execution of the

event will focus on best international standards and practices, taking into consideration, cultural values, customs and traditions of Nigerians to ensure that the target audience and participants are satisfactorily informed, entertained and educated.

The President of Hotel Owners Forum, Abuja [HOFA], Engr. Onofiok Ekong whose members are to benefit tremendously for this event Dantata said the big beneficiaries of the food fair are caterers while applauding NIHOTOUR for its wisdom in involving the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria [FTAN] whose members will play a key role in the event.

Ekong said although NIHOTOUR was a public sector player, the private sector would be the driver of the fair and promised to mobilise HOFA members to participate in the fair.

Established in 1988 by a tripartite agreement between the Nigerian Government, the United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), NIHOTOUR has since its inception trained well over 5,000 skilled and craft trainees, servicing the various sectors of the travel and tourism industry.

ENTERTAINMENT

NEW TELEGRAPH

25

www.newtelegraphonline.com/entertainment

SONY NEME ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

sony.neme@newtelegraphonline.com 0811 181 3096

FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014

South Africa sweeps AMAA 2014, as thespians stood up for Chibok girls, Amaka Igwe STORIES BY SONY NEME

S

outh Africa and Mauritius on Saturday made a bold statement at the decade old Africa Movie Academy Awards held at in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

It was a day that world famous thespians, producers, script writers and cameramen and guests from forty-eight countries in attendance stoop up for the Chiboke Bring Back Our Girls mantra. A minute silence was also observed for late Mrs Amaka Igwe who would be buried later this month While Nigeria managed six of the twenty-six categories that includes the new Nelson Mandela Madiba Africa Vision Award and two other honorary awards up for grabs, South Africa made a near clean sweep of twelve, including the Best Film of the Year award; courtesy of Jamil X. T Quebeka's 'Of Good Report'. The film alone chalked up five of the awards.

A major aspect of the event was a near-tear-drop of Timi Dakoro’s performance of his classic, I Believe that received a standing ovation from an appreciative audience. A Ghanaian duo also came to the party with an undiluted azontodance steps before Flavour rounded off the night with a sassy display as he mimed to some of his hit songs.

In between the show that was

Nollywood Actress, Patience Ozorkwo and her son on stage after she won the awards of the Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 2014 Africa Movie Academy Awards.

South Africans celebrating the awards with the winner of the Best Actor in Leading Role at the 2014 Africa Movie Academy Awards.

well-anchored by Segun Arinze, Naa Ashorkor, Kolani Wanami and Nathahiel Anthony Lloyd, comedians like Funny Bone and Bayelsa born G-Bone kept the guests on the edge of their seats with their wise jokes.

Edge, another upcoming Bayelsan crooner had set the tune of the day with a quality delivery of his music before making way for Bayray McBwizu and … to present the first award, Efere

ideas, while celebrating excellence in filmmaking."

He further said, "AMAA serves as a springboard and veritable channel to showcase our rich cultural heritage as well as the promotion of tourism and investment opportunities in Bayelsa State. As a government, we are committed to a conscious reawakening of our cultural values to the international community with a view to holistically harnessing the budding indigenous talent inherent in our youths." the governor buttress his point, Dickson said, "The partnership forged between Bayelsa and AMAA over the last ten years yielding positively as the federal government has already entered into partnership with UNESCO for the provision of financial and technical support to the tourism industry and the establishment of Underwater Research and Imaging Center in Bayelsa State."

For Ms Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, CEO of AMAA, it is time to bow, and she made no pretence about it when she said, "After 10 years of bringing the AMAA vision to the global stage, I have decided to step aside as the CEO. I have done the show, now is time to do the business as efforts will now be channelled towards distribution and marketing of our

Clarion Chukwurah receiving her award from Rita Dominic

Winners at the AMAA 2014 Award: Best Nigerian Film Accident by Teco Benson Best Diaspora Feature Kingston Paradise Lebohang Ntsane Best Child Actor The Forgotten Kingdom Best Actress In Leading Role

Clarion Chukwura-Abiola Apaye Best Diaspora Documentary Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People Best Actor In Leading Role Mothusi Magano Of Good Report Best Achievement In Sound The Forgotten Kingdom Best Actor In Supporting

Role Thapelo Mofokeng Felix Best Actress In Supporting Role Patience Ozokwor After the Proposal Best Diaspora Short Film Passage Best Young Actor Petronella Tshuma Of Good Report

Now is time to work with Africans wherever they are, be they in America or Europe Ozakor best Short film won by a Gabonese film, Dalami. The award was received by Najinu Uchu Bobo, a first time visitor to Nigeria.

Other major highlight of the event was the reconciliatory hug between Actors’ Guild of Nigeria's President, Ms Ibinabo Fiberesima and Ms Clarion Chukwurah, who made Nigeria proud with an award as Best Actress in a Leading Role. Both celebrated movie personalities from the Niger Delta had been at each other throat until that memorable hug.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Bayelsa state governor, Rt Hon. Seriaka, represented by his deputy, Gboribiogha John Jonah, sad, "We are therefore, proud to be associated with this annual event mainly because of the benefits that are derivable from it. AMAA brings together movie practitioners and other stakeholders from across the globe to interface and share Best Documentary Portrait of a Lone Farmer Best Documentary Sand Fishers Best Editing Potomanto Best Costume Design It's Us Best Soundtrack The Messenger Best Film Of Good Report

Best Director Jahmil X.T. Qubeka Of Good Report Best Film In African Language B For Boy Best Animation Khumba Best Screenplay Of Good Report Best First Film by a Director Harrikrisna Anenden/ Shar-

van Anenden The Children of Troumaron Best Cinematography The Forgotten Kingdom Best Make Up Once Upon A Road Trip Best Production Design Northern Affair Best Visual Effects A Mile From Home Best Short Film New Horizons

films. Because it is not enough to make good films, but making money out of it."

She said, "Now is time to work with Africans where wherever they are, be they in America or Europe." To further appeal to Africa government to collapse the wall of boundaries and allow its citizens to travel within the continent without the stress of obtaining visas before travelling.

In her speech titled 'The long walk for African cinema: My Journey, she said, "History will show that African Cinema has survived thus far against all odds, considering a total lack of funding. In the earlier part of our history, Nollywood struggled to attract the interests of funders and we relied on angel investors and personal finance of a few people within the industry to sustain production...

"As I exit this stage in my life, my prayers and wishes are all geared towards the realization of an African Film Fund to ensure that we can continue to tell our stories."

Danny Glover, a veteran American actor who doubles as AMAA Ambassador expressed his believe in Nigeria, just as he called on Nigerians to help in nation building rather than harp on issues that keep the country apart.

Mr. Glover who presented the Best film of the Year to producers of, 'Of Good Report', while praising the huge stride on infrastructural development in Bayelsa, recalled that, "In 2005 most guests were lodged at Port Harcourt and the situation is different today. I believe in Nigeria.”

His words: Bayelsa is 18 years old and lots of infrastructures have sprung up. We the sisters and brothers who are in the diaspora C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 7

26 ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, May 30, 2014

Youngest Oldman set to open orphanage state governments cannot solely provide all the support needed to cater for these children living in different orphanage

W

ith a glaring increase in the rate of children taken in by orphanage homes in recent times, one would wonder why there is still not enough efforts to alleviate the challenges facing orphans.

Indeed the Federal and

homes, whose future is left in the hands of charitable organizations and well meaning individuals who care enough to show them love and concern.

One of such individuals derserving of compliments is Roland Igbadumhe, fondly called Youngest Old man. The

Shan George’s son makes wave with Raceline

J

agaceo Clyde Otsemobor popularly known as Mista Dry Ginis is on the upward swing. He is already creating a niche for himself with Raceline, his first single off his upcoming collabo album with Novo, tttled 'rebellion'.

The song is a mix of various styles of deliveries in Patua, Pidgin, Yoruba and pure English. The song leans towards the dancehall genre due to its moderate speed and the The latetempo Amaka Igwe overall Jamaican-ish vibe.

The 26 years old crooner who

is second son of Nollywood star actress, Shan George, is a London based Nigerian rapper/ producer/ sound engineer, He had started out at the age of 12. This carelessly lyrical artist has been producing and mixing music professionally since the age of 16 for the likes of Play Records’ Kanebi, Ghost of Show Dem Camp, eL Flaco & Novo to name a few Nigerians acts.

We reliably gathered that Dry Gin has also written for and collaborated with a wide and rather weird span of artists from around the globe; from Eastern Europe to Italy and Africa. This has resulted in the rather ecliptic buzz that has been steadily growing in the Docklands region of East London after a consistent triple threat grind, releasing five mix tapes in a little under years years after his debut mix tape Chameleon dropped in the summer of ’2009. Same can be found with the rest of his collection at nigeriansounds. com or datpiff.com. this has culminated in a steady stream of show stealing features on numerous mixtapes and viral videos.

comedian, who was recently appointed as the Senior Special Adviser ( SSA) to comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomole, the Executive Governor of Edo State, has being organising different entertainment programmes for orphaned children in the last decade.

Youngest Old Man who in recent years has been spending his birthdays with orphans, once again demonstrates his passion for the cause of orphaned children with the upcoming commisioning of an orphange home in his native Edo State.

Also, plans are in motion for a special show for orphans tagged “A Day With The Orphans,” as well as to give support to 30 widows and 30 youths, who have just finished various skill acquisition trainings in Edo state.

These events are slated to hold on 31st of May and 1st of June, 2014 respectively,in order to celebrate these special children and also to commission the orphanage called God’s Love Orphange Home, in Okpekpe in Etsako East Government Council of Edo State.

The event will climax with an entertainment show featuring the likes of Kcee, Harry

songs, I go dye, I Go Save, Desmond Elliot, Charles Awurum and a host of other Nollywood artistes. They will converge in Benin City and Okpekpe town to witness the commissioning of the newly built orphanage and also to show their support and love for the children.

Interestingly, this event will be hosted by the executive Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, who will welcome the Special Guest of Honour, the reputed father of all orphaned children, due to His philanthropy, the execute Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. The governor will be accompanied by the minority leader of the Imo State House of Assembly, Mr. Tony Muonago A.K.A Tony One week.

It is a special event that will also have in attendance several other government personalities, including the deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Doctor Pius Odubu, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Senator Domingo Obende, House of Representative members: Hon. Samson Osagie, Hon. Bello Rasak and Hon Abubakar Momoh. Also invited are the chairmen of all the local government councils in Edo Etate and traditional leaders.

Hopefully the event will provide an appropraite platform for some of the invited guests to express their philantrophic side.

Facelift for Ojez Entertainment center

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elebrity hangout, O’jez Entertainment Centre located at the National Stadium Complex, Surulere-Lagos, is currently undergoing a massive renovation in a view to serving its clientele better.

This was contained in a statement signed by the outfit’s media company. It reveals that the massive renovation which commenced since last month covers both the dancing restaurant, Chinese restaurant and the One on One walk by fast food. It is expected to be completed this month.

It stated quoted Chief Joseph Odobeatu, Chief Executive Officer, O’jez chains of celebrity restaurants that, “We do this (renovation) from time to time so as to give the entertainment center a new ambience that will make our customers feel at home here (O’jez)”.

A visit to O’jez witnessed workers busy moving furniture at the upstairs VIP section while some were putting finishing touches to the stage design where artistes perform every Friday and Saturday.

“We do renovation in such a way that it does not inconvenience our customers, which is why the bulk of the work is done at night when we are closed for business till about 10am before we start the day’s operation. We actually wanted to close down but we considered the inconvenience we would cause to a whole lot of people

because a lot of our customers stop by on their way from work to either relax after heavy traffic or wait out the traffic before they set out, as O’jez is their preferred place to unwind, Odebeatu further stated.

He said having considered all these and many more reasons especially the value added entertainment they give along the good food, “We decided to take the other option of carrying out a controlled renovation, which has been successful so far and everybody is happy. Business is going on as usual and our customers have commended us on the ongoing renovation that will end this month.”

It is interesting to note that apart from the usual Friday and Sunday night music and comedy sessions at O’jez.

There is also the monthly O’jez Entertainment Award given to deserving Nigerians in all fields of human endeavor.

There also five major shows for their customers in a year that includes the O’jez Valentine Party, O’jez Easter Fiesta, O’jez Democracy Jam which holds every Democracy Day (May 29), O’jez Independence Party and the O’jez Xmas Blast. “These are major shows people pay thousands of naira to go and watch elsewhere but at O’jez, it is complimentary to the rich Chinese, Nigerian and continental dishes plus exotic wines and drinks we serve our customers.”

LYRICS for the week

TOH-BAD I love you, You love me Oh baby I know it’s true But sometimes it’s crazy The kind of things that you do I’m tired of trying to be your number one I love you (I no go lie) I love you (I no go lie) I’m trying to use my head The more I try, the worse situation is getting I’m trying to say goodbye I feel the hurt inside I think you got me bad Baby I no go lie Ife yi ga o, Ife yi le o Ife to ma dun dun dun bi oyin Te legan ba soro Lojo ton ba koro Da won lohun pe adun lo n gbeyin ewuro Toh bad o (toh bad o) Toh bad o (toh bad o) Toh bad o (toh bad o) Na you get my heart Toh bad o (toh bad o) Toh bad o (toh bad o) Toh bad o (toh bad o) Them say Bobo you bad o Bobo you bad o But I love you Bobo you bad o you bad o Yeah yeah yeah Yeah yeah I love you Verse 2 I need you You need me Oh baby I know it’s true But sometimes it kills me The kind of things that you do But sometimes I’m trying to be your number one I love you (I no go lie) I love you (I no go lie) I’m lying in my bed Trying to forget memories but is taking over me I’m trying not to cry Tears are hard to find It’s had to let you go Baby I no go lie Chorus Ife yi ga o, Ife yi le o Ife to ma dun dun dun bi oyin Te legan ba soro Lojo ton ba koro Da won lohun pe adun lo n gbeyin ewuro Toh bad o (toh bad o) Toh bad o (toh bad o) Toh bad o (toh bad o) Na you get my heart Toh bad o (toh bad o) Toh bad o (toh bad o) Toh bad o (toh bad o) Them say Bobo you bad o Bobo you bad o But I love you Bobo you bad o you bad o Yeah yeah How many times Tell me how many times I’ve tried to run away from you baby How can I live without you (ha ya) How can I live without you (ha ya) How many times Tell me how many times I’ve tried to run away from you baby How can I live without you (ha ya) How can I live without you (ha ya) Ife yi ga o, Ife yi le o Ife to ma dun dun dun bi oyin Te legan ba soro Lojo ton ba koro Da won lohun pe adun lo n gbeyin ewuro Toh bad o (toh bad o) Toh bad o (toh bad o) Toh bad o (toh bad o) Say Toh bad o (toh bad o) Toh bad o (toh bad o) Toh bad o (toh bad o) Them say Bobo you bad o Bobo you bad o But I love you Bobo you bad o you bad o Yeah yeah

ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, May 30, 2014

Nadia Buari and I are still on, claims Jim Iyke

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wards winning Nigerian actor, Jim Iyke has described the break up news from his fiancé Nadia Buari as a wicked rumour. This is coming weeks after the two Africa’s celebrated actors and lovebirds separation went viral on social media, because of a certain lady and involvement of a blogger Emma Agu were put out for public viewing.

Jim made this clarification through his media manager, Mitch Ngaman, who said Iyke and Buari’s marriage plans are still intact. In debunking the sad news, Ngamam stated that it was a minor misunderstanding that was blown out of proportion, arguing that it is normal for lovers to have misunderstanding but nothing went out of hand in their case. He further urging fans to his words: “Please ignore m u s i c

act and blogger Emma Agu’s claim that the lovers have separated.

I can assure you that whatever you may have heard regarding the ‘misunderstanding’ between Jim and Nadia is pure speculation.

“Nonetheless, it is normal for lovers to disagree with each other occasionally or they wouldn’t be human beings. We are aware of the false rumor about Jim and Nadia’s breakup. We have decided to ignore it because it is unfounded. Jim and Nadia have not broken up, as claimed by Emma.

That guy is a…musician and blogger whose stock – in – trade is blackmail.

All he does is to meddle in other people’s business. And if he does not have his way, he goes into a tantrum and fabricates stories. We will act when we deem fit. He can keep on ranting for now’…

27

Uche Jombo rebrands, aims at Hollywood N

ollywood actress, Uche Jombo- Rodriguez has continues to raise the bar with very interesting presence in the industry as one of the most respected contemporary movie stars in Nigeria.

Information available reveals that after posting a successive A-list performances as a thespian she has decided to rebrand and push her brand beyond Africa as the sultry actress now aims to do top international jobs, especially at Hollywood.

Uche who broke into the industry as a scriptwriter is married to an America-based businessman husband, Kenney Rodriguez, and has grown to become a major force in Nigeria’s movie industry .as she is presently doing well as a film producer.

In May 2012, she took many by surprised when she secretly wedded. The wedlock recently marked its second years of a blissful union as her numerous fans swarm around t o celebrate with her.. on her plans of breaking into the American film, our source hinted that Uche is not taking the dream lightly as she is reportedly doing everything within her power to break boundaries and get needed attention into Hollywood.

Jim and Nadia

Yvonne Nelson replies critics on bleaching G

Yvonne

hanaian actress, model, film producer and entrepreneur, Miss Yvonne Nelson, is frustrated at the rumors that she is bleaching her skin< to douse the gist making the round, the beautiful actress has responded to set the records straight.

In her response Miss Nelson declared thus: “I don’t understand the whole bleaching thing; I am just tired of explaining. I haven’t bleached, I have a picture with my mum on Instagram and we are

the same colour, I am just tired of talking about it; people love to talk about me, I just don’t get it.” She further noted that “Ghanaians should know that on Instagram, there are filters and apps that make people look like a ‘white’ person”.

Nelson, who has over 500 thousand followers on twitter, instagram and facebook, said she has decided to block anyone who make negative comments about her on her page. “On twitter, if I see anything negative on my time-line, I will just block you; I wouldn’t even reply,’’ she said

Uche

South Africa sweeps AMAA 2014 CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

Glover

believe in this country (Nigeria) and in dis continent. We have so much work to do for Africa and I'm proud to be an Ambassador of AMAA and I'm ready to do whatever I can to support its continued growth. For me peace is not absence of justice, but presence of justice.”

On her part, the Director General, Bayelsa State Tourism Development Board, Mrs Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown went memory lane as she said: "AMAA has helped to attract investors to the state.

The resultant effect is that genuine investors have continued to stream into Bayelsa... And films are being shot regularly in the state. Apaye, one of the nominated films is nominated for this event that has become the most reliable and authentic platform in Africa."

The 10-man AMAA Jury (two of them

were unavoidably absent) were made up of two Nigerians, a Zimbabwean, German, Guyana, an American and a Burkinababe. They were ably represented by veteran movie journalist, Shaibu Hussain, who explained the modus of their operations.

This year’s awards feature a panel discussion on the motion picture industry in Africa and a social responsibility component with select primary and secondary school students in Yenagoa.

The Awards was rounded off with the Governor’s Ball. The 2014 Africa Movie Academy Awards and the pre-event green carpet wasbe transmitted live on AIT, Silverbird, TVC and HIP TV with delayed broadcast on Ebony Life TV, Soundcity and Africa Magic.

According to organisers, the highlights will also be aired on CNN, BCC,

Al Jazeera and Fox News.

The Africa Movie Academy Awards was set up to promote Africa film and cinema locally and internationally and also to explore film as a vehicle for African development. Africa's telecommunications firm and Nigeria's national telecommunications carrier, Globacom, known for its phenomenal support for the African movie industry, threw its weight behind the event as the exclusive telecoms partner and platinum sponsor.

Since its inception in 2005, AMAA has established itself as the most prestigious and glamorous awards celebrating filmmaking on the continent.

The gala event, which is televised live around the world, attracts Hollywood celebrities alongside their African counterparts, as well as African politicians and media.

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Friday, May 30, 2014

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Friday, May 30, 2014

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30 ENTERTAINMENT TELEMOVIES

Friday, May 30, 2014

CINEMAWATCH (Radio/TV/Events Guide)

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MAY 30 – JUNE 5 HIGHLIGHTS

GOtv

Two feuding families are being forced to an uneasy truce by the impending marriage of their children.

Till a mere five hours to the wedding, when the groom disappears. Cold feet – or is this something more sinister?

The explosive answer highlights questions no one even thought to ask, and reveals secrets buried so long that they have begun to bear fruit.

une in to GOtv this week for an adventure-packed line-up of movies, reality shows, kiddies entertainment, best of local and international music plus documentaries for the whole family. Here is some of what you can look forward to this week: M-Net MOVIES ZONE (Channel 2) GOtv PLUS ONLY • A FALL FROM GRACE A teenager can't remember anything about the night she killed her friend in a car accident. Her mind creates a physical manifestation of the dead friend, who forces her to confront what happened that night.

Saturday 31 May at 6:30pm.

SONY MAX (Channel 21) TATTOO NIGHTMARES (SEASON 2) People choose to get tattoos for various reasons – on impulse, as a romantic gesture, to make a statement or for the sheer thrill of living on the edge. But sometimes those tats can go horribly, horribly wrong. In this series, we meet a selection of unfortunate souls who have wound up on the wrong side of the tattoo gun – and have emerged with permanent markings ranging from the hilarious to the downright grotesque. But help is at hand in the form of three of the best cover-up artists in the business – Tommy Helm, Big Gus and Jasmine Rodriguez – who try to work miracles to turn victims’ inky disasters into masterpieces. It airs on Fridays at 8:00pm.

BET (Channel 22) • RUN’S HOUSE Who’s House?.....Run’s House!

Led by patriarch Rev Run, the Simmons family open their doors and their hearts to our cameras, proving that a family that prays together stays together. For six seasons, we follow the ups and downs of the Simmons family as Rev Run and his wife Justine parent in their own unique and effective way, navigating their family with grace and class in good times and bad.

Watch as The Rev strikes a balance between being a father, a reverend and an icon, all in his attempt to keep rap's royal family securely grounded while living a uniquely privileged lifestyle. How does he do it? With his one-of-a-kind preaching and teaching style. Tune in every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 10:00pm.

• E! ENTERTAINMENT (Channel 25) HELLO ROSS Apart from being a popular talk show host and best-selling author, ‘Chelsea Lately’ star Ross Mathews also prides himself on being the world’s biggest superfan! Join him this month as he brings his signature flair and unique viewpoint back to E! with a brand-new season. Ross shares his love for all things pop culture, continues to discuss the most buzzworthy topics in Tinseltown, and hosts a series of exclusive and exciting interviews with today’s hottest celebrities.

With a range of new segments and a swanky new set, this season is set to be even better than the first! Tune in on Saturdays

Tune in to Mr Young on DStv.

at 9:00pm.

DISNEY JUNIOR (Channel 60) GOtv Plus ONLY • MOUK AROUND THE WORLD Travel around the world with Mouk this month, an adorable, little bear whose adventures introduce his young viewers to the countries and cultures he encounters. Join Mouk and his friends Chavapa, Popo and Mita on their journey as they discover the joys of the world. Young viewers can become little explorers themselves with Mouk’s help, and learn about the world in which they live. Two episodes can be seen back to back every weekday at 9:25am.

DSTV

Intelligence airs on M-Net West on Friday 30 May 2014 at 22:00 CAT Josh Holloway is a high-tech intelligence operative who has a super-computer microchip in his brain. He's America's most

TATTOO NIGHTMARES (SEASON 2)

valuable secret weapon and must be protected at all costs.

But his minders quickly discover that it’s not the easiest job in the world.

Gabriel and Riley must rescue the kidnapped member of CyberCom who invented the chip implanted in Gabriel’s brain before the top-secret technology falls into the wrong hands. Meanwhile, Gabriel takes advantage of his chip to search for his wife who disappeared years ago.

Deadly Affairs airs on Discovery ID on Friday 30 May 2014 at 21:00 CAT Prepare for more true-life tales of love gone terribly wrong.

Each episode contains two stories, each interlaced with expert commentary from local authorities and true-crime experts, along with first-person accounts from victims' friends and families.

Cases covered include that of teacher Erin, who takes a bite of the forbidden apple when she starts an affair with a delinquent pupil.

Detention is the result, with the final punishment leaving someone dead. Racing enthusiasts Mark and Janet Howard are happily married.

But after two decades, a neglected Jan meets Derek Ofenham, a handsome hunk almost 30 years her junior.

Dowry airs on Ebony Life TV on Saturday 31 May 2014 at 22:30 CAT

Sword in the Stone airs on Disney Channel on Friday 30 May 2014 On Friday 30 May at 17:45 kids can dial into the Disney Channel to watch The Sword in the Stone. This classic film is set in the 6th century in England shortly after the death of the king Uther Pendragon.

Uther didn't leave an heir to his throne and without a king to take the throne it seems the land will be torn apart by war.

Out of nowhere a sword in the stone appears with an inscription proclaiming that whoever has the power to pull the sword from the stone is the rightful heir to the kingdom.

Adventure Time airs on Cartoon Network on Sunday 1 June at 15:45 CAT Tune in to Cartoon Network at 15:45 on Sunday 1 June to catch the Adventure Timeomnibus.

In the episode titled Too Young the Earl of Lemongrab takes over the Candy Kingdom due to Princess Bubblegum’s age regression, forcing her and Finn to try and get rid of him.

Subscribers to enjoy unfettered World Cup view

M

ultiChoice, Nigeria’s leading provider of premium pay-TV entertainment, has made good its promise to continue to dialogue with its customers in order to serve them better. The company hosted DStv subscribers residing in Ikorodu axis of Lagos State to a forum in Ikorodu on Saturday, May 18.

Hundreds of DStv subscribers who attended the forum lauded MultiChoice for the initiative; they also requested that such engagements be sustained.

Caroline Oghuma, Public Relations Manager, DStv, while welcoming customers to the forum, stated that the objective of the forum is to thank subscribers for their loyalty and listen to their suggestions, advice and complaints, which provide constructive feedback necessary for MultiChoice’s effective operation. She said MultiChoice is an innovation-driven organisation that continues to add value to its subscribers from time to time.

“This forum is coming close to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil , which starts on June 12. We want to use this opportunity to tell our subscribers that you will not miss any of the games, as all subscribers, from the DStv Access bouquet to Premium will have unrestrained access to all the World Cup matches live.

This is in addition to the other premium content that we offer on DStv,” she added.

Mr. Matthew Okoduwa, As-

sistant Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), commended MultiChoice for the customer forum initiative, describing it as an important mechanism in customer relations. He said it is the duty of NBC to regulate the broadcast industry in Nigeria and monitor all the channels on direct-to-home (DTH) and terrestrial televisions. He added that customers have the right to complain over what is served to them but also urged them to give credit where it is due. He further added that subscribers’ feedback help the regulator to effectively monitor the industry as well as enforce regulations.

MultiChoice executives at the forum, which include Mrs Chioma Afe, Marketing Manager, DStv; Lanre Oluwole, Operation Manager; Mr Faud Kadiku, Regional Operation Manager, as well as Mr Taiwo Oshikoya, MultiChoice Superdealer/CEO, Corsican Brothers, proffered answers to questions from subscribers. They also promised to give feedback from the forum to the Management of MultiChoice.

Highlights of the forum include a presentation on the new DStv Explora, showcasing its features and benefits including unlimited space for high definition recording of up to 220 hours, DStv Catch-Up, and Box Office offering, among others.

BUSINESS FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014

WHAT'S NEWS Group tackles NEITTI over N1.7bn fund

A civil society group, Civil Society Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has expressed worries over the continued funding of the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITTI) to the tune of N1.7 billion without corresponding remediation over the years.

}p-32

Estate surveyors to FG: Invest N4.13tn pension in housing For the umpteenth time, the Federal Government has been tasked to mandate the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to invest the N4.13trillion pension contributions it pooled, in the real estate sector.

}p-32

Planned N302bn transfer stirs more concern A few weeks after a group expressed fears over move by the National Pension Commission to transfer about N302 billion from the existing Pension Fund Administrators’ accounts into the newly created Nigeria Police Force PFA’s account, a public affairs analyst has also joined the fray, calling on the regulator to be more circumspect in order not to destroy what it had built over the years.

}p-37

PFA invests N2.64tn in FGN securities Ten years after creating the new Contributory Pension Scheme, the Pension Fund Administrators have so far invested about N2.64 trillion in Federal Government securities.

}p-38

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

FOOD SCARCITY LOOMS OVER HERDSMEN, FARMERS’ CLASHES }p-33

AYODELE AMINU, DEPUTY EDITOR, BUSINESS

ayodele.aminu@newtelegraphonline.com ayodeleaminu@yahoo.com

Nigeria is 7th in global mobile subscription table –Report TELECOM Consistent subscription growth puts country among world’s top ten

Connections to match world population by year-end mobile subscriber,” the GSMA said.

The report reads: “By yearend we expect global connections to match the 7.2 billion

global population total projected by the United Nations. The fact that there will soon be as many mobile connections as people on the planet is a huge

achievement for our industry.

“However, while this is a significant milestone, it would CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Jonah Iboma

N

igeria now has the world’s seventh highest number of mobile phone connections with 167,371,945, according to figures released national communications authorities and complied by the GSM Association.

The figures from the global trade body of mobile phone companiesº show that China is still the world’s leader in subscription figures with 1,227,360,000 as at December 2013.

It is followed by India with 904,510,000 as at the end of March 2014 and USA with 327,577,52 by the end of April.

Brazil, Russia and Indonesia occupy fourth, fifth and sixth positions accordingly. Aside Nigeria, only Egypt with a subscription figure of 92, 640,000 is in the world’s top 20.

Meanwhile, GSMA said that there will be as many mobile connections as people on the earth by the end of 2014.

GSMA Intelligence, the research arm of the trade body that focuses on global mobile connections, said that by the end of 2014, the world’s mobile networks will carry 7.2 billion connections – the same number as humans on the planet.

The GSMA Intelligence revealed that global mobile subscribers passed the 7 billion mark last month.

The association, however, warned that the development must not be taken to mean that everyone on earth is now connected to a mobile network, as multiple SIM card ownership by individuals abounds in several countries. “In fact, only around one in two people worldwide can be considered a

L-R: Group Managing Director, First Bank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Bisi Onasanya and Chairperson, International Commercial Bank, Ghana, Ms. Josephine Sivaretnam, at the signing of FirstBank’s acquisition of ICB Senegal.

Row over $1bn Chevron oil blocks' divestment worsens

Britannia-U joins NNPC, minister COMMITMENT Britannia-U has submitted its bankers' commitment on $765 mllion balance to Chevron Adeola Yusuf

T

he feud over $1 billion oil blocks sale by Chevron has continued to degenerate as a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, will today hear a motion seeking to join the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and

the Minister of Petroleum in the case.

Nigerian company, BrittaniaU Nigeria Limited, had instituted the case last December over the divestment of Chevron interest in Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 52, 53 and 55.

Justice Yunusa Mohammed fixed May 30, 2014, to hear the motion for joinder after ruling on which application to take first in order of priority.

Meanwhile, investigations showed that Britannia-U has submitted its bankers' commitment on $765 million balance to Chevron.

At a meeting, which was at the instance of the president

of the first defendant (Chevron Nigeria Limited), it requested Brittania-U to provide firm board commitment letter issued by the plaintiff ’s bankers for payment of the balance of $765 million, which was duly furnished by plaintiff's bankers directly to the second defendant (Chevron Corp) at their Houston office on November 15, 2013.

This means that the parties had entered into binding contract for the acquisition of the OMLs 52, 53 and 55 by the plaintiff from the first/second defendant for valuable consideration. Plaintiff ’s revised bid 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 23)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N167 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N284 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N231 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $37.369bn as at 22/5/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at May 23)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N262.26 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N212.27 Source: CBN

32

BUSINESS | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

Group tackles NEITTI over N1.7bn fund TRANSPARENCY Members of the public want to how much of NEITTI’s recommendations have been fully implemented Sunday Ojeme

A

civil society group, Civil Society Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has expressed worries over the continued funding of the Nigerian

Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITTI) to the tune of N1.7 billion without corresponding remediation over the years.

Making the declaration in Lagos, the Senior Programme Officer, CISLAC, Mr. Kolawole Banwo, said that the civil society group was concerned that the NEITI process had been reduced to churning out various forms of reports while remediation action, which entailed the implementation of recommendations from the reports to correct the deficiencies identified had remained elusive.

He noted that beyond the NE-

ITI audit reports, there had been several other reports, which have only served to confirm and reinforce the NEITI reports.

Kolawole said: “The Harts Groups was contracted for the 1999-2004 audits at the cost of $2.3 million (about N345 million at N150 to $1), the two audits for 2009-2011 cost about N364 million. By the end of the on-going 2012 audits, we would have expended well over the region of N1 billion on NEITI audits alone.

“This is without the costs of the KPMG report commissioned by the Ministry of Finance and the several presidential probe

panels and the National Assembly panels set up post-2012 fuel subsidy crisis,” Banwo said.

He recalled some major outcome of the NEITI reports, saying that apart from winning laurels, it also uncovered $9.7 billion loss to the nation out of which $2.4 billion had been recovered. Besides, it provided detailed report that gives Nigerians information on events in the oil and gas sector that was hitherto unknown and increased revenue to government since the commencement of the transparency body’s implementation.

Despite the feat, however, he said that the group was concerned that Nicholas Shaxson’s rhetorical enquiry about the NEITI reports being just glorious audits as far back as 2009, might be materialising five years after.

On the position of the group, he said that it was time to move beyond reports to remediation, stressing that in the group’s previous shadow reports of the

NEITI process, CISLAC had insisted that it was time to go beyond validation and move from audit to action.

He said: “Remediation is the missing gap in the implementation of NEITI in Nigeria and it is the ultimate goal. Of what use are reports if all they do is reveal scandalous losses and corruption of monumental proportion? How useful is it for Nigerians to know that over $7 million are unaccounted for?

That there are no metering facilities and we depend on buyers to determine how much resources are extracted from our shores?

“That the NNPC sells crude oil under terms set by her and using interest rates set by her as though it is above the law?

Banwo also blamed the awkward process on the docility of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team, saying that the body, which should have taken the responsibility to ensure things were properly done was docile due to lack of commitment.

Row over $1bn Chevron oil blocks' divestment worsens CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

The icon of the Nigerian banking sector, Olori Omo-Oba, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun (4th left), honoured at the 11th CVL Leader Without Title Sector Leadership Tribute Series held in Lagos . He is joined by Managing Director/CEO of Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti, (right) and Prof. Pat Utomi in company of his wife and Mr. Rewane Bismark as he cuts the event's cake.

Estate surveyors to FG: Invest N4.13tn pension fund in housing HOUSING DEFICIT FG urged to bridge housing deficit with pension contributions Dayo Ayeyemi

F

or the umpteenth time, the Federal Government has been tasked to mandate the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to invest the N4.13trillion pension contributions it pooled, in the real estate sector.

This, experts believe, will bridge the nation’s housing

deficit, provide jobs and grow the economy.

As at March 2014, the total contributions to the pension fund were N4.13 trillion, according to the Pension Commission.

Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Stephen Jagun, told the New Telegraph that investing the money in real estate would guarantee returns rather than diverting the fund.

Jagun advised the Federal Government to ensure that over 70 per cent of the fund is invested in real estate due to its long-term maturity nature, adding:“Government can tie the

money to real estate at one digit so that people will have access to it to build their own house.”

Apart from encouraging the housing sector, which is a major driver of the economy in countries such as the United State of America, England and South Africa, Jagun explained that investing the pension contributions in real estate would help to reduce corruption in the country, provide jobs for the unemployed and encourage economic development.

“It is also an avenue to drive the financial sector. Government should be interested in growing the housing sector,” he said.

‘Nigeria is 7th in global mobile subscription table' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

be wrong to assume that almost every single person on the planet is now connected to a mobile network. In reality, only around one in two people worldwide are actually subscribed to a mobile service to date.”

GSMA said this is aptly demonstrated by China, where a population of 1.39 billion accounted for 1.25 billion mobile connections in the

fourth quarter of 2013, but the average subscriber owned 1.79 SIM cards. This, according to it, means that less than half the population – around 630 million – was actually connected.

Furthermore, the GSMA pointed out that the number of SIM cards in use around the world is not the same as the number of mobile phones, as other device types such as dongles and tablets count towards the total. In

India, it found the average person owned 1.88 SIM cards but only 1.62 mobile phones.

It also said that access to mobile phones is usually larger than the number of connected lines. GSMA said a recent report by the World Bank also highlighted the difference between mobile users and subscribers, explaining: “If a mobile phone exists in a household, then all members could theoretically use it, thereby extending access.”

of one billion and fifteen million US dollars (US$1, 015, 000, 000.00), for acquisition of the 40 per cent participating interest of Chevron Nigeria Limited in Oil Mining Leases 52, 53 and 56, by the first defendant by its conducts, oral and written representations made thereafter on which the plaintiff relied and acted to its detriment.

At the resumed hearing of the matter, lawyers to the plaintiff, Rickey Tafa (SAN) and Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) had informed the court that the business of the day was for their pending application dated January 31, 2014, seeking to join NNPC and the Minister of Petroleum to be taken.

But lawyers representing the first defendant (Chevron Nigeria Limited) and the fourth defendant, (Mr. Hermant Patel), Uche Nwokedi (SAN) and A. Etunwewe, informed the court that they had appealed against the ruling of the court dismissing their objections to jurisdiction on May 13th, 2014. The duo said they had an application for stay of proceedings pending the appeal filed this morning.

Also, lawyer representing the second defendant (Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited), D. O. Dodo confirmed to the court that he received motions from the first and third defendants, noting that he had also appealed against the ruling of the court and also filed motion for stay of proceeding.

Dodo stated that the plaintiff ’s lawyers have reacted to his motion for stay and that the reply to their written address is absolutely necessary in order to avail this court the benefit of

full argument.

Apparently miffed by this development, lawyer to the plaintiff, Rickey Tafa acknowledged receipt of the fifth defendant application only on May 22, 2014 ( a day before the court proceeding), stressing that the application of plaintiff adjourned for the day had been pending since January 31st, 2014 and needs to be taken.

“My Lord, that application has not been taken because of the defendants lawyers request on the issue of jurisdiction and it was singled out at the last hearing on May 13, to be taken today in order of priority but most importantly is the issue of correcting the names of parties on record.”

Citing the case of Lagos State vs. Dosumu reported in 1989 Nigerian Weekly Law Report (NWLR), Part 111, page 614, the plaintiff ’s lawyer argued that the issue of parties enjoys priority over any other issues and unless proper parties are brought into the suit for the purpose of responding so as to move forward in the matter.

However, lawyer representing Chevron Nigeria Limited, Uche Nwokedi, noted that the matter before the court is rather a contentious one that requires his client take its time in making sure they are properly before the court.

To him, parties are bound to stay their action until the notice is heard. He urged the court to set down application for stay of proceeding for hearing before any other application.

Corroborating Nwokedi’s assertion is the lawyer to the second and fourth defendants, A. Etunwewe, who said the stay of proceeding takes priority over any other application whether filed at the time of Adam and Eve.

Agric

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

BUSINESS 33

Processing rubber derivatives for export Don Abraham

T

here are a lot of profitable opportunities for anyone that ventures into integrated agricultural development, processing and exporting.

One of such areas is the establishment of a rubber plantation.

From this, the mature trees will be tapped to obtain (TSR) grades TSR 10 and TSR 20. These grades command very high demand and prices among the tyre and other rubber-based products manufacturers in Nigeria as well as in the international market. In fact, the two rubber grades will most profitably be exported at this time to earn scarce foreign exchange.

Project location Findings reveal that the most conducive location is the zone covering Anambra, Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Lagos and Ogun.

Plantation development In the states mentioned above, not only is the general environment conducive but also there is ample land that can be acquired to establish plantations that will yield the raw materials that will sustain the factories for a long time.

The acquired land is developed into a plantation by buying, transplanting and planting the rubber cyclones. Over 3-7 years, these are nurtured to maturity depending on the breed of the cyclones.

Building The overall dimension of 120m X 30m will be sufficient to house the factory and the administrative blocks. The details of the construction types and materials - roofing, walls and floor will be contained in a comprehensive feasibility report which the promoter needs to establish and run the project successfully.

Plant, machinery and equipment components Briefly, the main plant and machinery and equipment are: slab cutter, pre-breaker, rotary cutter, creper, shredder, trolley dryer and automatic hydraulic press. Other ancillary equipment required are: bucket conveyor, vibrating dirt removal screen, different belt conveyors for shredder and slab cutter, blending pump, transfer pump, vibrating screen, electronic weighing scale, wash pump, packing system, electrical control switchboard, spare parts for one year and one lot of a modern rubber quality laboratory for testing TSR 10 and TSR 20.These will be imported in one lot.

Technical back-up The equipment suppliers are willing to technically assist any prospective promoters

Boots made of rubber

A woman tapping rubber for processing

Tyres made from rubber

to make the project a success by providing a full set of design drawings and supervision of installation, test-running, commissioning of the plant and the training of the promoter’s staff.

Total project cost The cost of establishing a plantation together with a plant to process the natural rubber cup lumps, slabs and scraps that will be obtained from the mature trees of the former and which will be processed into technically specialised rubber will be made of the following components: N’000 Land, land development and building 20,790 Machinery and equipment 10,750 Miscellaneous fixed assets 2,500 Utilities 3,750 Preliminary and pre-operating expenses 3,570 Working capital 4,780 Contingencies 4,700 Total 50,840 Funding pattern: This project can be financed as follows: N’000 Long term loan 30,540 Overdraft facility 5,000 Promoters’ equity 15,300 Total 50,840 The cost of developing the rubber plantation has not been included. The location of this, the support of the state govern-

ment where the project will be sited, the size of the plantation, the cost per hectare, among others, will determine the eventual cost of these. The sum-total of all these will be added to the above project cost when known.

Manufacturing processes These start with the receipt of the tapped rubber from the plantation. The dry rubber content is ascertained in order to determine its quality and prevent the tappers from adulterating it.

Thereafter, five distinctive other steps - washing/blending, shearing, drying, quality control, and packing are undertaken before the technically specialised rubber (TSR) of grades TSR 10 and TSR 20 are obtained ready for the market. The plant uses both coagulated rubber and latex (processed during the off-season period) and latex (processed during the production season). For want of space the details of each of the processes will not be described here but any interested investor should contact this writer.

Treatment of factory effluents In a crumb rubber factory, the volume of effluents generated is not much. Nevertheless, it is important that this be properly taken care of. A well proved and universally accepted method of treatment will be employed. WATER: In one year of 300 working days, the factory will need between 216,000 and 288,000 kiloli-

tres of water--a borehole of its own is needed by the factory.

Power Power supply to the plant should readily be provided from Power Holding Company Of Nigeria Ltd (PHCN) if the planned location is close to it. In addition, two electrical generating sets of appropriate capacity should be provided for obvious reasons.

Manpower requirements The factory when it commences commercial operation will be able to offer direct employment opportunities to not less than 60 persons and indirectly to thousands of people who will be involved in various aspects of the business.

Benefits and conclusion Establishing this project will lead to, among other advantages, the following: The addition of value to agricultural raw materials before exportation, The transfer and/or acquisition of the modern technology involved in rubber crumb processing, Improvement of the infrastructure in the location, Stemming the tide of ruralurban migration The industrialisation of the rural areas Development and improvement of agriculture generally Production of industrial raw material input Increase in the foreign exchange earnings etc With a steady supply of raw and packaging materials assured and in abundance, experienced and qualified personnel to man the relevant production processes and efficient use of the other factors of production the establishment of the above project will be a steady cash generator to the investor and should be explored especially when rubber trees live long and so will enable the investor have a steady long-run supply of raw material supply, recoup his investment over a short time and have yearly profit extravaganza.

DON ABRAHAM can be contacted at:talk2dco@yahoo.com

Hard Facts

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 phoneslinked 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.

And millers are struggling to cope with production processes.

There are long term plans which include establishing commodity boards to help set prices and promote crops and agribusiness clusters called Staple Crop processing Zones (SCPZs).

34

BUSINESS | AGRIC

Kenneth Tyohemba

T

here is no doubt that the present administration has scored good marks in the area of agriculture.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who superintends the sector at the national level, is driving the Federal Government’s transformation policy in the sector.

However, recent developments, especially the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the predominantly farming areas of the middlebelt region which has resulted in the destruction of lives and farmlands, have become a major threat to efforts to boost food production.

From Benue to Taraba, Nasarawa and Plateau in the North Central region and Zamfara State in the North West, clashes between famers and herdsmen have left in its trail heavy losses of lives and property. These losses of lives have adversely affected farming activities and other related businesses.

This has resulted in a drastic reduction in farm outputs, a development that has heightened the fear of hunger.

Already most farmers in the affected states have abandoned farms for fear of being attacked by the herdsmen.

For the predominantly farming communities of Benue and border communities of Nasarawa and Taraba states, farming is no longer business as usual. Several farmers have been displaced and dispossessed of their farms by armed men believed to be Fulani herdsmen.

Agricultural and development experts are unanimous in their predictions that the gains recorded in the agricultural sector of the economy, especially in the area of food production, may suffer a serious setback as a result of the negative effects of terrorist activities on farmers in Benue and neighbouring states.

Already, seven out of the 23 local governments in Benue State, namely Guma, Gwer-West, Agathu, Logo, Kwande and the northern part of Makurdi mostly affected by the rampaging herdsmen have tale of woes to tell.

The effects of the sustained Fulani war in the affected localities have led to farmers’ reluctance to go back to their farms even as the current farming season is far gone. In Benue State, for example, women from Guma and Gwer West local governments have stayed away from farms for fear of being killed or raped by the marauders.

At Ortese, a village in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State which is less than 10 minutes’ drive to Makurdi, resident farmers fled the area leaving their farms unharvested and uncultivated, thereby subjecting farms to unwarranted grazing by the Fulani cattlemen. The situation is the same in other border communities of Nasarawa and Taraba states.

Curiously, both groups are pointing accusing fingers, each blaming the other for the havoc being perpetrated in the farming communities. As the blame game continues, several reprisal attacks have continued to occur in the affected local governments. In all the attacks, heavy casualties in human lives and properties are recorded on both sides.

While the Tiv farmers count losses in terms of houses and farm produce, the Fulanis are counting theirs in terms of cattle. Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on media and publicity, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, is one of the victims of the incessant clashes.

Akwaya’s 30 hectare rice farm and 10 hectare yam farm located at Anter and

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

Food scarcity looms over herdsmen, farmers’ clashes

An armed herdsman with his cattle

President Goodluck Jonathan

Suswam

Yeriwata respectively could not be harvested because of the crisis.

Akwaya said that he had no option than to abandon the two commercial farms as no labourer was ready to go and risk his life on the farms in Guma during the harvesting period. According to Akwaya, he joined large-scale farming as a way of contributing his quota to the sustenance of Benue State status as the food basket of the nation.

He had expressed concerns over the effect the crisis will have on sustained food production as crops were not harvested and planting of new ones are yet to resume in the affected communities. He further noted that the Fulani herdsmen attacking the state are heavily armed with sophisticated weapons and are ready to open fire even without provocation.

According to him, “people have left their houses and farms for fear of attacks and are taking refuge in other places while their farming activities are put on hold. Farms in the affected areas have been overtaken with weeds

and those that were ready for harvest have been left unattended to.”

Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, in an interview with New Telegraph, expressed the fear that the crisis will certainly have negative effect on farming activities because virtually all the places that have been attacked by the terrorists are farming areas and the farmers have since deserted those areas even as the new planting season has commenced. According to him, “this is the time of planting, but the people are not doing that, so this is

Clashes between farmers and headmen, if not checked, could thwart government’s agriculture transformation agenda

going to have negative impact on the economy of Benue which is predominantly based on agriculture.

“This will also negatively affect food supply to all parts of the country, since most of the farmers have moved to safe places where they are not farming and are staying idle,” Suswam said, while soliciting the assistance of the Federal Government on the displaced persons.

Benue State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Donald Gbough, also expressed worry that the boom being witnessed in the agriculture sector might likely decline as a result of the incessant conflict between Fulani herdsmen and local farmers. Gbough stated this following the state government’s commitment to make yam a commodity for export.

Not only farm crops are threatened but also cattle, as the herdsmen also migrated out of the hinterland in Benue because of fear of reprisal attacks just as cattle have become target of hustlers. Haruna Garus Gololo, Secretary, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Benue State chapter, while commenting on the Fulani part of the loss, said that the Fulani had so far lost over 500 cows in the crisis.

“Our members have also fled states like Nasarawa, Taraba, Kwara and even Cameroun to pasture cattle,” he said. The effect of this crisis on the agriculture sector is enormous. Clashes between farmers and headmen, if not checked, could thwart government’s agriculture transformation agenda, aimed at cutting down Nigeria’s excess spending on importation of agricultural produce and encouraging local farm production.

The Benue farmers supply crop produce to virtually all regions of the country, which earns the state “Food Basket of The Nation,” so does Fulani who supplies cows to all regions in the country. The warring group - Fulani versus Tiv constitute the hub of Nigeria’s agriculture economy. And, with farmers and herdsmen locked in crises, experts are of the view that Nigeria may be far from the food sufficiency dream.

business

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

C O N T I N U E D F R O M Y E S T E R D AY

Banking sector

T

he Banking Sector recovered from the effects of global financial crisis in 2008, which led to the stress test jointly conducted by both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). The outcome of the probe led to the sack of five CEOs for lax corporate governance, weak liquidity and high profile ‘scandals.’

Given the transformational leadership of the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, discipline was restored to the sector.

Since then, the journey has been tortuous but making a positive trajectory.

Some operators, who spoke to New Telegraph, noted that discipline has been restored in the banking industry in the last three years.

Noting that banking is a private enterprise and the operators have discharged themselves creditably well in the last three years, President (MMAN), Mr. Wale Abe, said: “What the CBN did was to provide regulatory environment for private enterprises like banks to operate. As long as there is no interference or intervention, the banks have done well.

If you look at all the changes going on in the economy, it was the banking sector that is driving it”.

“The sector facilitated the power sector unbundling and the recent World Economic Forum held in Nigeria.”

He said that banks drove the changes happening in Nigerian economy in the last three years. On the monetary side, the CBN has been able to maintain relative stability. Despite the falling external reserve, analysts have given the CBN kudos. In spite of insecurity, the banking sector has done creditably well.

The Acting Governor Mrs. Sarah Alade creditably maintained monetary stability.

Also speaking, Mohammed Islam, Managing Director of Jaiz Bank, Abuja, said that during the last three years of good governance, practices initiated by the President of the country through nominating a dynamic personality and brilliant banker as the Governor of CBN, a great transformation has taken place in the Nigerian banking industry, which can be considered as the achievement of the president.

Without much ado, he said that the salient features of the transformation might be under the acquisition of bailed out banks and nationalisation of some of the bailed out banks thereby ensuring the confidence of public in the banking industry.

Also notable is licensing of the first non-interest bank in Nigeria within the ambit of Specialised Banking Act of Nigeria.

Others are the creation of Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) in 2012 to encourage banks in lending to agriculture at a subsidised rate of finance to the sector; enhanced regulation in enforcing of financial inclusion and creation of three tiered (KYC) Know Your Customers initiative and maintaining a stable monetary policy rate of 12 per cent, which has to a large extent resulted in stabilising the economy.

The sector has also witnessed the issuance of high profile bonds at international markets.

In the area of policy formulation, the banking sector has witnessed several transformational policies. The cashless policy of Lagos, which would soon become nationwide, the 10-digit number account number and the policy whereby CBN approves any appointment of assistant general managers in the bank were all positive developments of the sector.

35

Three years in the saddle: How has Jonathan fared?

Alade

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 Insurance

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ension in the last three years under President Goodluck Jonathan has fared better than it was in the past. Although, it is yet to be perfect, the current payment system has ushered in a lease of life into the retirees.

Specifically, the non-contributory scheme, which, hitherto, witnessed a number of casualties involving elderly pensioners, has improved in terms of regular payment devoid of the strenuous activities that characterised verification and payment in the past.

Prior to the current administration, railway pensioners, for instance, easily became the reference point as far as neglect, hardship and other forms of derogatory expressions were applied in describing the depth of their frustration.

However, recent determination by the current administration to revive the rail system is going along with the drive to improve the welfare of the workers and that of the retirees.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NRC chapter), Alhaji Rauf Balogun, gave a hint on this recently when he said that things had improved for the pensioners better than it was in the past.

Although there are pockets of protests by a few pensioners from the various sectors, there is, however, a consensus among them that Jonathan administration has displayed more willingness to salvage the situation more than previous administration.

Daniel

While former President Olusegun Obasanjo came up with the new Pension reform Act 2004 as a way to do away with the non-contributory scheme and the pensioners almost abandoned to their fate, the current administration has been able to address the matter to the extent of creating the Pension Transition Administration Department aimed at not only improving the welfare of the pensioners but also to take stock of their assets and liabilities. This is also in line with the setting up of the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company aimed at coordinating and managing the pension assets of the privatised Power Holding Company of Nigeria.

In the case of the contributory pension scheme, retirees under the scheme have also been faring very well as there has been no report of any retiree finding it difficult to access his pension.

Although, the process was a carry-over from past administration, various reforms introduced into it under the current administration have seen it waxing strong with the assets now put at N4.13 trillion as March 2014, while about N2.64 trillion have been invested in government securities.

Another major phenomenon to be witnessed in the scheme soon is the passage of the amended Act into law. The amendment, which has been passed by both houses of the National Assembly, is awaiting Presidential assent. The new law is expected to inject more life into the scheme to make it more encompassing and more benefitting to a larger class of Nigerian workers.

The insurance sector in the last three years of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has demonstrated more willingness to contribute adequately to the economy more than ever before. Although the reforms are yet to translate into exceptional Gross Premium Income written, indications are, however, high that in the nearest future the industry will experience a sudden turnaround.

Within the period under review, two of the major breakthroughs apart from improved regulation by the commission are the release of guidelines for the take-off of Takaful otherwise known as Islamic Insurance as well as Micro-insurance.

With the emergence of Takaful, it is clear that the industry under the current

administration has given opportunity to core Islamic practitioners to get involved in the model of insurance that suit their religion.

Other reforms witnessed in the industry so far include the introduction of Risk Based Supervision, migration to International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) from the Nigerian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (NGAAP); Market Conduct Reforms, Claims Settlement Reforms, Financial Inclusion, etc, all geared towards developing the industry and improving the general perception about insurance.

Within the period the Commission commenced the implementation of section 50 (1) of the Insurance Act 2003 on January 1st 2013 to put a stop to the vexed issue of delayed or non-payment of claims.

Also of note is the establishment of the Nigerian Insurers Association’ (NIA) Ombudsman arrangement headed by a reputable retired judge, which is a value addition in this direction.

To cap it all, the newly established College of Insurance is expected to fully take-off in June.

Aviation

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he aviation industry in the past three years is rated as average. And for a sector in search of rescue, the segment recorded relative success, which also shows that more work needs be done if the subdivision is to be taken seriously.

It is pertinent to note however, that despite the laudable measures to ensure Nigerian aviation airworthiness and airplane safety, it is sad to mention that the Nigerian government had noticed with grave concern an emerging trend where aircraft destined to developing countries, including Nigeria are deliberately registered in countries that have weak and ineffective safety oversight mechanisms resulting in situation where questionable aircraft safety certificates are issued without diligence.

Such Certificates include; Certificates of Airworthiness, Air Operators Certificates and Flight Crew Licences, amongst others. It is sad in the sense that it holistically undermines all efforts put in place

by Nigeria.

The period, between 2012 and this year, was however, dominated by the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) face-off between the Federal Government and the British Authorities, coupled with crisis between the government and the many concessionaires in the sector.

Nigeria is classified as an emerging market and is rapidly approaching middle-income status with its abundant supply of resources; well endowed communication, financial sector and stock exchange. Such a country and its economy need efficient air transportation.

Furthermore, the large size of the country coupled with geographically diverse regions, difficult terrain, water bodies etc, necessitates the use of efficient air transportation. Efficient air transportation is a means of transport that conveys people and goods from one place to another safely, on time without delay or flight cancellation or any other problem. It also contributes to economic growth and development. However in Nigeria, it suffers from poor reputation for operational efficiency and safety.

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 6

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BUSINESS

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 5

Nevertheless, there had been the rehabilitation and expansion of some airports in order to airlift.

Muslim Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj. These airports include Katsina Airport and Gombe Airport in 2008. In the year, 2011 the State Governors of Bauchi, Kebbi, Kwara and Niger carried out rehabilitation and upgrading of airports in their State capitals to attract investors. These airports are to create an efficient transportation network, which is indispensable for economic growth.

However, few planes fly in these airports as the overwhelming majority in these States can only afford road transport. In the years 2011 and 2012, there were new developments, which have improved and would further developed air transportation in Nigeria in the near future.

These include renovation and upgrading of facilities at in Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Jos. Examples of these include the construction of new terminal at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja and the construction of domestic wing of Mallam Aminu Kano Airport.

On December 12, 2011 Arik Air launched the Abuja-London flight while earlier in the year, a new airline 1st Nation Airlines started operations.

In Nigeria only top executive’s politicians businessmen and other persons travel by air. This is because air travel is the most costly means of transport in Nigeria. As at 2012, bus ride from Lagos to Abuja cost about N3, 500 but one would need some N25, 000 for the same journey by air. According to an expert, airfares vary from $120 - $140, but since the average household income is only $3000 per year, very few Nigerians can afford to fly.

The following factors have over the years militated against efficient air transportation. Absence of coherent air transport policy, decaying facilities and loose security.

Agriculture

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or the Jonathan administration, it is no longer business as usual in the agriculture sector. The Federal Government is now rethinking agriculture.

This why it has come up with the Agriculture Transformation Agenda (ATA) embarked upon with the objective of turning agriculture into a “moneymaking business and away from a development project.”

The goals of ATA are to stimulate 3.5 million jobs across the agricultural value chain and add 20 million metric tons of food to the domestic food supply by 2015.

In a determined drive to fight the persistent food insecurity problem in Nigeria, a problem that has put many countries across the globe on edge, Akinwumi Adesina, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, shortly after he assumed office in May 2011, reeled out his blueprint to make Nigeria a power house for food production.

What was the blueprint? Government, according to him, planned to bring into cultivation, an additional 650,000 hectares of rice, invest on improving quality of locally produced rice and improve competitiveness with imported rice. He said his ministry had launched a green revolution for cassava to raise incomes of farmers and had also launched a major effort on sorghum value chains with planned release of hybrid sorghum “which will allow us to produce an estimated 450,000 of sorghum by 2012 for use in the production of high industry energy foods and malting.”

How has it been since May 2011? How has Akinwunmi fared? One of the high points of the ATA is to achieve rice selfsufficiency by 2015. In 2012, Nigeria produced over 1 million metric tons of paddy rice, which is about one third of the ad-

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

How has Jonathan fared of Nigeria (CBN) commenced the recapitalisation of the Primary Mortgage Banks in the country to the tune of N5 billion.

Integrated Marketing

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Eyakenyi

ditional rice needed to meet the target for rice production. In two years, the private sector has established 14 large-scale integrated rice mills producing international quality long-grained parboiled rice. But regrettably, despite this robust drive to achieve rice self-sufficiency, smugglers are having a field day.

The cassava flour substitution policy is aimed at reducing import bill on wheat by replacing some of the wheat flour used in bread and confectionaries. Incorporation of 20 per cent high quality flour has been introduced to corporate and major bakers. This is commendable, but there is still a lot of room for improvement.

New tropical wheat varieties New tropical varieties are heat tolerant. Adesina said at the 19thNESG summit in Abuja that these were being released and when planted, would produce at least 2.5 million metric tons of wheat.

And only recently, the minister, speaking at the Wheat Farmer’s Field Day, which held at Kadawa, Kano, noted that young children have become hooked on pastas - all made from wheat; even the older generation who eat pounded foods, traditionally made from yams and cassava now eat pounded foods from wheat flour.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is currently sanitising its fishery sub-sector, which is bedeviled with corruption aided by some senior personnel of the fishery department.

Interests in agribusiness are growing by the day. The chief handler of the scheme means business.

Property

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takeholders are worried that the cheap and affordable houses promised by the current administration have not come to fruition. One issue very germane to the citizens is the efforts being made by government to solve the problems of homeownership.

Till date, it is difficult to obtain the number of houses constructed annually by both the state and the federal governments, whereas data about the average number of houses required in Nigeria annually range between 75,000 and 250,000 units.

A cursory look at the major achievements in the housing sector since President Goodluck Jonathan took office three years ago, indicates that there has not

Adesina

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 been any major feat except the review and the introduction of a new housing policy, which many Nigerians are still awaiting its implementation.

Also, efforts were made to revamp the mortgage sector in order to make affordable homes available to Nigerians.

Within the period under review, the housing sector has witnessed two housing ministers. A new Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, resumed office recently.

In the last three years, the Federal Government through the former Minister of Housing, Ms. Amal Pepple, embarked on the review of the housing policy, which gave room for the new National Housing Policy.

Government also launched the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) to reinvigorate the housing and construction sector. The company is also supported by the World Bank with the approval of $300 million (about N48 billion).

Introduction of NMRC is expected to help increase liquidity in the housing sector, provide secondary market for mortgages and thereby increasing the number of people able to purchase or build homes at an affordable price. Fourteen pilot states have been earmarked for the programme. The company is also expected to help create over 200,000 mortgages in the next five years at an affordable interest rate. Meanwhile, many Nigerians are still waiting for the takeoff the company, six months after.

Also, in order to promote the spread of mortgage firms across the six geopolitical zones to further embed the objective of financial inclusion, the Central Bank

ractitioners in the country’s Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) have expressed divergent views on how the sector has fared under the present dispensation.

Though, they agreed that the country has witnessed great improvement in the area of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), they however, noted that the positive impact of such level of FDI has not been felt.

“It is true that the volume of foreign direct investment into the country has considerably improved, but much of such improvement has not been felt in our sector,” an advertising practitioner who craved for anonymity said.

On his part, the president, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), Chido Nwakanma said: “You could say that public relations has fared well if you looked at politics. The President of NIPR Mr. Rotimi Oladele is a member of the on-going Confab, representing Public Relations as one of the professional bodies. In that respect, there is a political recognition of the professional standing of public relations by the Jonathan administration.

“But that is politics. Public relations is a business and this is the area where we have issues with all the governments including Jonathan’s. Government by failing to follow its own laws on certification and rules for practice in public relations helps to undermine the profession. All manner of persons, journalists, secretaries, jobbers, get briefs that should go to professional public relations counsel certified as members of NIPR and offering service as members of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria,” he added.

The consequence, according to the PRCAN president, has been the poor communication management and battered reputation of most of our governments, from federal through state to local government level.

The delay in the passage of this year budget for instance, some practitioners noted, contributed to the slow pace of the sector. Managing Director, Curve Communications, Deola Odunowo, said: “Considering the economy slowdown of the nation in terms of delay in the passage of budget, companies have been a little bit reluctant in terms of spending and planning.

On his part, the Director-General, Bureau of Strategic Communications, Ekiti State, Kayode Akinyemi, said advertising practitioners have benefited under the current democratic dispensation.

He said: “Advertising and its practitioners are benefiting from this democracy. More than before, politician at local, state and national levels have come to realise the power of advertising, hence political advertising has increased during this democracy. You will also notice that the presidency is using advertising messages to sell its programmes for acceptance of the populace. In this crisis period of Boko Haram and other related challenges, you will notice an advert on NTA network news saying that leadership comes with challenges and citing example of Obama, Mandela and others who once confronted challenges but eventually overcome because the people gave them chance to do so. In essence, the commercial is designed to convince Nigerian to give President Jonathan a chance even in the midst of the present challenges.”

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

ASSETS Fear over movement of funds from existing Pension Fund Administrators to the newly licensed Nigeria Police Pension heightens

Pension

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Planned N302bn transfer stirs more concern

Sunday Ojeme

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few weeks after a group expressed fears over move by the National Pension Commission to transfer about N302 billion from the existing Pension Fund Administrators’ accounts into the newly created Nigeria Police Force PFA’s account, a public affairs analyst has also joined the fray, calling on the regulator to be more circumspect in order not to destroy what it had built over the years.

Although the commission has assured that nothing unbecoming will happen to the well guided and lawfully invested funds, the PFAs are, however, not comfortable with the fact that such an amount of money would be moving out of their accounts so easily without considering the effects on their investment and business plan.

According to PenCom, the issue of threat to pension assets does not arise under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) because the management and custody of pension assets are respectively undertaken by separate licensed operators, namely the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs), under the strict supervision of the Commission.

The Head, Communications, PenCom, Mr. Emeka Onuora, said that the NPF Pensions Limited, which was recently granted an Approval-in-Principle, would operate like any other licensed PFA where the pension assets under its management will be held in custody by licensed PFCs under the supervision of the Commission.

He pointed out that the Federal Government had never granted any approval to the Nigeria Police to pull out from the Contributory Pension Scheme, stressing that the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force were still under the Contributory Pension Scheme by virtue of Section 1 of the Pension Reform Act 2004.

However, Mr. Ikeogu Oke, in a statement to New Telegraph, said that if the situation was not carefully handled, it could take the pension scheme to the status of those Federal Government projects that failed as a result of continued tinkering with guidelines and procedures.

While recalling the anguish that characterised the old non-contributory scheme, he observed that the new scheme created under the Pension Reform Act 2004 had not only straightened out the irregularities associated with the old scheme but has also ensured reliable access to pensioners’ entitlements under the scheme as well as created a new Nigerian pension industry – whose assets currently exceeded N4.2 trillion.

He, however, said that this burgeoning legacy of success and positive transformation seemed to have come under threat through the decision by PenCom to force a particular PFA on a certain class of contributors.

According to him, “To be specific, Pencom recently licenced a PFA called the NPF Pensions Limited (i.e. Nigerian Police Force Pensions Limited). Then, as if prompted by the word “force” in the name of the new PFA, it directed that contributions belonging to police

Police personnel.

Chinelo Anohu-Amazu

IGP Mohammed Abubakar

personnel totalling N302 billion be transferred from previously existing PFAs to the new PFA. This is tantamount to forcing all police personnel to subscribe to the services of the new PFA and also forcing the other PFAs to surrender the accounts voluntarily opened with them by police personnel to the new PFA. “Curiously, this is happening in an industry where the law insists on free choice in the opening of Retirement Savings Accounts and provides for holders of RSAs to switch their accounts between PFAs only with the opening of a transfer window. And the transfer window was not open when Pencom issued its said directive to the PFAs. “So much can be said about the impropriety of the directive by Pencom, on legal and moral grounds, besides its threat to the safety of the new pension scheme. As I have hinted at, the law is clear on free choice. And I don’t think that Pencom would like to be perceived as a regulator, otherwise a gatekeeper for the law, leading in or encouraging a breach of the law. In the least one would expect it to open the transfer window and let contributors or RSA holders (including police personnel) move freely.”

He also reminded the commission that the gains of the past ten years, since the introduction of the new pension scheme, would have been eroded if, following the precedent it is trying to set with the Nigerian Police Force, all government parastatals and agencies, and even private companies, proceeded

to set up PFAs. “Would Pencom be able to supervise the 1000 or so PFAs that would emerge as a result?” He queried.

Ikeogu also maintained that in addition to the above, third party management of RSAs guaranteed the independence of the scheme, adding that it was a sort of managerial inbreeding, likely to produce unhealthy “offspring” of blackmail and coercion, to have employers control the RSAs of their workers.

According to him, the situation that would emerge from the recent action by Pencom, should it stand, would put too much of the destiny of some workers – specifically police personnel – in the hands of their employer; that is, even after retirement. And to think they may not have a choice though the law insists they must!

He also advised that in an era of heightening insecurity, one would expect the police to concentrate on their

So much can be said about the impropriety of the directive by Pencom, on legal and moral grounds, besides its threat to the safety of the new pension scheme

primary function of maintaining law and other, stressing that the implied move towards a wholesale appropriation of their workers’ RSAs from other PFAs suggested a preference for perpetrating illegality and precipitating chaos.

In his words, “And even if they recruit professionals to run their PFA, will they find adequate time for the attendant oversight responsibilities while grappling with security and related issues? And we’re talking about billions of Naira whose availability could make the difference between the survival or otherwise of many people after retirement, and whose owners would surely want to avoid the anguish faced by retirees and pensioners under the old pension scheme, as my sister sketched in her Facebook post quoted above.

And there is the particularly immoral element of encouraging people to reap without planting, which is what Pencom would be doing by having the funds transferred to the new NPF Pensions Limited from investors, including foreigners, that set up PFAs and painstakingly sourced subscribers to their services from the teething stages of the industry. (Incidentally, one of the leading banks in the country recently set up a PFA. Will Pencom direct the transfer of the RSAs belonging to the bank’s staff to its new PFA? “And if the Nigerian Police Force were to float a bank, would the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), perhaps following Pencom’s example, be right to direct that all monies in other banks belonging to police personnel be transferred to the new bank? Also, an RSA is a private account. I still maintain one as a selfemployed pensioner.

“The depths of the irregularity of its being treated as if it were not a private account, as reflected in the said Pencom directive regarding the Nigerian Police Force PFA, can in fact be plumbed endlessly, like that of the arbitrary imposition on Nigerians of a change of their vehicle number plates by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), a move later stopped by a court as illegal. And one hopes Pencom would learn from the experience of the FRSC and reverse its controversial action in question or align it with the law.”

38

BUSINESS |PENSION

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

PFA invests N2.64tn in FGN securities GROWTH The assets of the Contributory Pension Scheme have continued to maintain a steady growth Sunday Ojeme

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en years after creating the new Contributory Pension Scheme, the Pension Fund Administrators have so far invested about N2.64 trillion in Federal Government securities.

The amount represents 63 per cent of the total N4.13 trillion as at the end of March 2014.

The Acting Director-General National Pension Commission (PenCom), Chinelo AnohuAmazu, disclosed this at the 8th Annual Business Law Conference in Lagos.

Anohu-Amazu, in her paper entitled, “The Contributory Pension Scheme as a Catalyst for Economic Development in Nigeria,” said the proportion of the pension assets to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had grown from 1.4 per cent in 2005 to 9.5 per cent in 2013, adding that the industry now had an average yearly growth of 30 per cent.

She was represented by the Commission’s Secretary/Legal Adviser, Muhammad Sanni Muhammad.

She recalled that prior to the Pension Reform Act 2004, the public sector operated Defined Benefit (DB) Scheme that was largely unfunded or underfunded, marred by weak, inefficient and less transparent administration, unsustainable due to accumulated pension debt, as well as a private sector arrangement that was characterised by low coverage and compliance, leaving most workers with no and/or inadequate retirement benefit arrangement.

She said the CPS was introduced to provide sustainable, predictable and adequate source of retirement benefits which ap-

ply to employees in the Public Service of the Federation, the Federal Capital Territory and Private Sector organisations with five or more employees, with the National Pension Commission (PenCom) as the sole regulator and supervisor of pension matters in Nigeria.

She listed the objectives of the reform to include ensuring that every worker receives his benefits as and when due, assisting them (workers) to save in or-

M

ing pensions as and when due under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) as at March 2014 and that Nigerian CPS had become a model for other African countries.

In his contribution, the Chairman Pension Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) and Managing Director Legacy Pension Managers Limited, Misbahu Yola, said the CPS had an in-built safety mechanism that ensures adequate protec-

tion of contributors' fund.

He noted that operators were properly regulated to ensure funds are invested in secured investment windows.

Also, the Managing Director of First Pension Custodian Limited, Kunle Jinadu, pointed out that funds deposited with the custodians were safe, adding that the priority was to ensure that contributors derive benefits accruable from the scheme at retirement.

800,000 Brits risk paying care bills in pension

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L-R: Secretary/Legal Adviser, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Muhammad Sanni Muhammad; Chairman, Pension Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) and Managing Director Legacy Pension Managers Limited, Misbahu Yola and Managing Director, First Pension Custodian Limited, Kunle Jinadu, at the 8th Annual Business Law Conference in Lagos.

PenCom to host world pension summit

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he National Pension Commission (PenCom) is set to host world pension summit billed for July 7 and 8 in Abuja.

The Abuja event will also mark the 10th anniversary of the enactment of the Pension Reform Act 2004, and the formation of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) as the Regulator for pension matters.

100,000 pensioners flood helpline for the lonely ORE than 100,0000 pensioners ­debilitated by loneliness have called Britain’s only dedicated helpline in the first six months it has been open.

The staggering volume of calls to 24-hour service The Silver Line reveals how a helpless army of the elderly has been suffering in silence.

Now celebrity campaigner Esther Rantzen is demanding the shocking statistics act as a “wake-up call”.

The veteran TV host, who set up the free and confidential line, has been stunned at the numbers phoning in, with roughly one pensioner every

der to cater for their livelihood during old age, stem the growth of outstanding pension liability, establish uniform rules, regulations and standards for administration of pension matters, as well as the need to establish strong regulatory and supervisory framework.

She pointed out that the number of registered contributors rose above 5,980,415 as at February 2014, stressing that there are 95,840 retirees currently receiv-

three minutes seeking someone to speak to.

Esther, 73, said: “This has to be a wake-up call because this is, and will continue to be, a huge ongoing issue.

"I have unearthed a huge problem. "It is very distressing but that is why e ­ veryone needs to act.”

She has spoken openly about her long struggle with solitude after the death of her documentary maker husband Desmond Wilcox in 2000.

Her helpline is the only around-the-clock phone service offering friendship, advice and information for older people.

Since its formation, PenCom has worked to create a more conducive regulatory framework for Nigeria's pension sector, which - with in excess of $23 billion dollars of pension funds under management - will play a key role in Nigeria's economic development.

The World Pension Summit 'Africa Special' will bring together leading players from Africa's pension industries, as well as key figures from across politics, business and finance to exchange expertise and increase international cooperation on the continent.

Commenting, the Acting Director-General PenCom, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, said, "We are delighted to bring the World Pension Summit to Africa. A number of African nations are experiencing strong economic growth supported by the rising investment in natural resources and robust private consumption. As a result, the role of the pensions industry in providing a stable consumer savings vehicle for Africa's growing middle classes, and the investment of capital from its pension funds, is of increasing significance.

"The Summit will be an opportunity for the continent's pension professionals to share blueprints and practices with

the aim of further developing Africa's pension market over the next decade."

Many of Africa's 55 countries will be represented at the Summit, including South Africa, Botswana, Ghana and Kenya. The Summit will focus on key lessons learned amongst African nations and will share global expertise on relevant topics and developments such as pensions administration and investment, risk management, regulatory essentials, technology, communication , and financial literacy.

Founder and Chairman of the World Pension Summit, Eric Eggink, said, "Africa's growth story, particularly Nigeria as its largest economy, has been well documented. But with such growth comes a responsibility, expectation and opportunity to leverage capital growth, using pension funds as an instrument for further economic and social development.

"The Summit represents a strong commitment to ensure sufficient pension provision across the continent, so that African workers reap the benefits of their countries' successes with a future that is safeguarded in retirement."

The World Pension Summit 'Africa Special' will be held annually on the continent.

orkers who take advantage of pension reforms to cash in their savings could leave themselves liable for care bills, said experts.

Almost 800,000 Britons coming up to retirement could find themselves above the meanstest threshold under new Budget rules coming into effect from next April.

At present non-homeowners are allowed to have up to £27,000 in assets before they are expected to pay towards care costs in old age.

For those who own a property the figure is £118,000. Experts say there has been no proper explanation from the Government of the implications to pensioners of cashing in their funds, which stand at a net average of £25,500.

But according to research by Prestige Nursing + Care, if the money is classed as a cash asset 783,739 of the 7.1 million Britons now aged 55-64 could face much larger liabilities.

Of 756,213 who do not own property, 398,857 could lose their exemption, as could 384,882 of 1.18 million homeowners. Pension expert Ros Altmann said: “There has been no proper explanation from the Government about this issue, yet it is desperately important that people get this decision right.

“There’s a temptation to rush to get money out of the pension fund and just park it in the bank. “But savers could find it subject to tax again or taken in care costs.”

Jonathan Bruce, managing director Prestige Nursing + Care, said, “With less than a year until the new pension rules kick in, people need clear guidance if they are to plan ahead and take advantage of the new freedoms without unwittingly exposing themselves to a greater liability for care costs.

“So far there has been a disappointing lack of clarity.”

A Treasury spokesman said, “It is not our intention that someone’s eligibility for social care support should be affected because they purchased alternative flexible pensions products to annuities.

“We will ensure the appropriate updates are in place by April 2015.”

CRIME

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JULIANA FRANCIS juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014

Last operation: How Lagos Police Command lost two officers

Juliana Francis

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olice duty schedules are certainly unpredictable. To be ordered, to get ready to travel as you walk into the office in the morning, was nothing new to any seasoned policeman.

Many of them had often been ordered to work round the clock or mount surveillances in bushes for days, in order to monitor and arrest a wanted suspect.

Such schedules were certainly nothing new to late sergeant Nuhu Aliyu, from Katsina State, who had worked with the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State Command, for long. Mrs. Nuhu, a woman who had been married to him, close to three years, had gotten used to the unpredictability that comes with her husband’s job.

When Nuhu got to office on May, 2, 2014, he had no idea he would be travelling to Kaduna State. But when he was ordered to get ready, that he would be travelling with members of team nine, to arrest some suspects that same day, he had followed order.

But friends and colleagues later confessed that Nuhu had been quite reluctant to embark on that fateful journey, which was very unusual and out of character with him. “It was almost like he knew something terrible would happen,” said a colleague.

According to his colleagues, he was always willing and ready for the most difficult task and journey.

He however knew that as a policeman, ‘Obey the last order,’ was the mantra.

Believing that the journey would be quickly over, he had parked his car at the command, rather than take it home. He had also alerted his wife, imploring her to take care of their one-year-old daughter.

The girl is their only child.

He did not know that would be last time he would see or speak with his wife. He died leaving behind his young wife and daughter.

Nuhu and another colleague, Inspector Evbouan Aigbokhai from Edo State, died in a freaky automobile accident, after being unable to be vanquished by armed robbers.

The accident occurred while they were returning from Kaduna, after arresting some suspects, in an ongoing investigation, involving Dangote Company. The company was the complainant and had attempted to make the journey less stressful for the policemen by providing vehicle.

Nuhu, receiving award for gallantry from Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola

Nuhu

The Lagos Police Command authority later announced: “On May, 5, 2014, at about 2:30pm, officers and men from SARS team nine, while returning from an investigation to Kaduna State, had accident at Onigare Village, along LagosIbadan Expressway.

“The front tyre of the vehicle burst, causing the car to somersault. As a re-

sult, Inspector Evbouan Aigbokhai and Sergeant Nuhu Aliyu, eventually died at UCH Ibadan. Their corpses were brought and kept at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Mortuary. Some of the suspects arrested and injured were also treatment.”

The death of the men plunged the command into a mournful mood, even

CRIME QUOTE “If we go with force, what will happen? they will kill them . So nobody should come and say the Nigerian military does not know what it is doing. We know what we are doing; we can’t go and kill our girls in the name of trying to get them back. So we are working.

“The good news for the girls is that we know where they are but we cannot tell you military secrets here. Just leave us alone; we are working and we will get the girls back.”

– Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh

as they prayed for other members of the team, who were rushed to General hospital, Ibadan to survive.

Also severely injured in the accident was an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr. Ugueze Cyprian. He was the officer who led the team to Kaduna. He is presently recuperating in the hospital.

It was also gathered that some injured policemen had been discharged from the hospital.

The following day, Nuhu was buried at Agege Cemetery, according to Muslim rites.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Prince Umar Manko and the Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge of Operations, Mr. Tunde Sobulo, flanked by other senior officers, were at the cemetery to pay their last respects to the gallant officer.

But Manko was noticeably grief-stricken.

A policeman said: “Yes, the commissioner of police was the worst hit by the death of the policemen, but especially by the death of Nuhu. Nuhu was like a son to him.”

A few days after the accident and burial, Manko fell ill. “He does not joke with his policemen,” revealed another policeman.

Many of the SARS operatives described the death of Nuhu and Aigbokhai as a big loss to, not just the command, but also to the Police Force.

Both men worked under Superintendent of Police, (SP), Mr. Abba Kyarri, in charge of SARS. CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

40 CRIME

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

How Lagos Police Command lost two officers The 3rd Eye BBM pranksters: The security implication (2)

I Manko CONTINUED FROM PAG E 3 9

Kyarri, who was quite reluctant to speak about the deceased men, described the duo as “gallant officers and warriors.”

The sad officer, choking on emotions, first described Nuhu as he knows him.

“Ever since Nuhu came to SARS, we’ve been working together as a team. He had been my orderly, working with me. He was a gallant officer. He had been involved in the arrest of several wanted criminals, especially armed robbers and kidnappers.”

Nuhu was part of the warriors that embarked on trailing of a gang of robbers, who besieged Lagos State, September, 9, 2012. People in the state later described that day as ‘Bloody Sunday.’ The robbers on that day had gone through different areas of the metropolis, robbing, shooting, maiming and killing.

Also arrested along with the gang of robbers, was another gang, which attacked First bank in Kwara State and burnt down a police station. The bank was said to have been attacked with dynamites and policemen killed and several people injured.

On the fateful day that the gang attacked the First Bank, they were about 17 robbers that stormed the bank. They allegedly made away with over N18million.

They were finally arrested.

Kyarri said: “Nuhu was also part of the team that recovered 12 AK47 rifles, and one GPMG. In fact, he was the one that arrested Arab, the leader of that gang. The arrest of Arab, took us to Ogun State, where we recovered the 12 rifles. He was also part of the team that arrested godogodo.”

The name godogodo, was the nickname given to Abiodun Ogunjobi, the South-West

Aigbokhai

robbery czar. He was part of the Black Sunday Robbery of September, 9, 2012. He later confessed that he had angrily killed a lot of policemen because of his members, slain by cops.

For being part of the brave hearted police team that nailed the dreaded robbers, Nuhu smiled home with awards for gallantry.

Aigbokhai was fondly known among his colleagues as, ‘Man of God.’ It was pretty difficult to find him with a sad expression.

No matter how bad the situation was, you would find, Aigbokhai, ‘blessing or praying’ for somebody. He was always jovial. His character earned him ‘man of God.’ People, who met him for the very first time, always asked after minutes in his presence, if he was a true pastor.

When it was time to speak about Aigbokhai, Kyarri, weighed down with sadness, smoother laughter, as he recalled, Aigbokhai.

He said: “He was not a real man of God. It was just a nickname. He had not been with us for long, but he was quite popular.

Their death was a shock to us.”

An Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr. Philip, in charge of team nine, spoke glowing of Aigbokhai.

He said: “Its clears that men who work here at SARS, work tirelessly and are gallant. We don’t accept lazy men in SARS. And these two men in particular were gallant officers. Aigbokhai worked directly with me in my team. Before he left for this journey, he had always worked without supervision.

“He was an inspector that could work and you wouldn’t have any complaint. But nobody can question death. His nickname ‘man of God’, was because he loved people and liked playing with them. Once he sees anyone, he would say, ‘you’re blessed.’

“Whether you’re a suspect or complainant, he didn’t mind. He would tell you, ‘you’re blessed.’ He disarmed people but he knew what he wanted and would play with you until he got it. He even used to pray with people, but his jocularity did not affect his work.

“As for Nuhu, he was not in my team, but anywhere you send him, he would go and always perfect his job, which was why when we had this job, we solicited for his assistance.

His death was a blow to us. The CP and DCP were at their burial; that shows the type of men they were. I know we would get over these blows, but it would take time.”

Aigbokhai, 45, was survived by his wife, Mrs. Evbouan Victoria and his five children.

STF provides 800 vans to support police

T

he Lagos State Government has disclosed that through its Security Trust Fund, over 800 vehicles were provided to Lagos State Police Command, to enhance effective and efficient service delivery in terms of crime fighting and prevention in the state.

Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on security matters, Major Alexander Babatunde Panox (RTD) disclosed this during a seminar tagged, ‘Awareness on Crime and Corruption Prevention,’ organised by Crime Network News, in conjunction with Lagos State Ministry of Educa-

dents, thus participants were taken from Iporin Estate Senior High School, Community Junior Grammar School, Itolo Girls Senior High School, Suru Lere Girls Senior Panox flanked by the organisers, participants and students High School, Gbaja tion and the First City Monument Bank. Boys Senior High School, Adebola Baptist The event was held at Government College Senior High School and Eric Moore Senior High School, all in Surulere area of the meSenior Secondary School, Surulere.

The program, targeted youths and stu- tropolis.

knew immediately it was a prank. For example; why would any killer in his right senses drop the corpse of his victim in broad daylight and then left the deceased’s school ID card at the scene? If it was true, why didn’t the person spreading the news, took snapshots of the alleged killers or even picture of their black jeep?

Two weeks ago, the pranksters targeted two schools, one in Mushin and the other, at Surulere. The story was that Boko Haram attacked one of the schools and kidnapped 10 pupils, while in the second school, Boko Haram ‘massacred’ 10 pupils.

The pranksters had parents from both schools, running crazy, just to be able to reach their kids and wards and confirm that their kids were not one of the ‘victims.’ Indeed, some parents left their places of works and trades to dash to these schools.

I spoke with a parent who said she heard it on the radio.

Can you just beat that? Any responsible journalist should verify such stories before rushing to disseminate same to members of the public. The rule in journalism is that you should ‘leave out,’ if you’re not sure of your facts.

While there’s little or nothing we can do on how people make use of their BBM, we can however help the situation by not broadcasting what we’re not sure of, whenever such broadcasts get to us.

I recently asked the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko what security measures could be taken against such pranksters and he gave me a very depressing answer.

He said: “We can’t do anything about social media network users. We can’t police it. What we can do however is to let members of the public know the truth, that such rumours are not true! We however urge people not to create panic. People should learn to provide relevant and accurate information.”

If the police can’t help in checking these pranksters, and in turn check eventual cardiac arrests induced by panic, we can help ourselves by being responsible users of BBM.

SMS: 08189679439

FAMILY AFFAIRS Page 41, FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014

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PRINCESS ODUNAYOMI OKE

WOMAN EDITOR

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!

The children are taking note “M

y mummy’s own is big like this.’’

And he demonstrated how big with his hands. ‘It’s a lie, my mummy’s own is bigger than your mummy’s own,’ it is big and fatty orobo (very fat) like this. She too tried to show how big, with both hands. Then the boy tugged at the girl’s dress, ‘let me see your own.’ The girl brushed his hand away, and said, ‘you too let me see your toros.’ As the boy made as if to unbutton his knickers, their class attendant shouted from the door way ‘Hey, who is there?’

The children were startled, and ran in opposite directions. The boy ran to the gents, and the girl to the ladies. The attendant, trying to pretend as if she left the scene immediately, said ‘be quick, and come back to class.’ But she stood at a corner by the wash hand basin. The boy came out first, and called out to the girl; ‘come and see my toros, it will soon be big like my uncle ’s own. The girl tiptoed to where the boy was, but as she made to peep into the boy’s opened knickers, the class attendant shouted at both of them.

The boy was just five year old, while the girl was four, going five; both nursery two pupils of a private nursery/primary school, in Lagos. They were taken straight to the head teacher’s office; because the lady said she could not just believe the drama that played before her. There, it was discovered that the boy had once been caught by a class teacher who reported the case to the same head teacher.

The story had it that the boy was caught pressing a girl to the ground, and was making funny sounds and laughing as if he was doing something interesting. When the teacher got to the scene, she noticed the girl was struggling to escape from him, but the boy trapped him down. The mother was summoned to the meeting of the Parents/Teachers executives, where the issue was discussed, and the mother counselled on how best to influence her son, as a single mother.

Well, the head teacher had to invite both the parents of the girl, and the boy’s mom.

But while the girl’s mother insisted she would deal with her daughter, in a way she would never forget, the boy’s mother only cried and cried. She said she could not continue to face the shame the boy had been bringing her, both at home, and from the school. At the end, the school pardoned her, and cancelled their plan to expel the boy from the school. Though, she was warned to be more discreet about her ‘love affairs,’ and the kind of movies they watch in the house.

Some years ago, i had a touching experience with a 15 year old boy I counselled with after a Talk Show session, at a Youth and Singles gathering. Despite that i left the auditorium exhausted, I mean after rounds of all manner of mind-boggling questions from participants, some still followed me for one-on-one counselling.

But, as I made to finally leave the venue, the host called me aside, and pleaded with

me to attend to a particular boy. The boy, Dammie, was ushered into the office as I was rounding off with a counselee, so I motioned to him to wait outside. I guessed, he took the wave of my hand to mean I could not wait to see any one again, so he broke down into tears. Oh, that really touched me! I mean what on earth could it be, that was that bad? So I had to explain to him that I only asked him to give me few seconds.

When he walked in few minutes later, I noticed his eyes were red, enough proof that he has actually had a good time crying. He knelt down, and begged me to take him to my house. He said he did not want to return to his parents’ house. I asked him why, and he made as if he wanted to start another rounds of crying, so I had to invite the host in, so as to get an idea of the boy’s ordeal. When he finally was ready to talk, he asked the host to excuse us; that he would prefer to talk to only me.

She greeted, but I guessed when she did not get any response, she concluded I must be asleep, so she told the boy to lower his voice

His story had it that his parents got separated years before then, while the mother went with her little sister, his father insisted he must be left with him. He was only eight years old, and a year after, his father brought home another woman. When the woman could not give his father a child, after two years of living together, he began to beat her up at almost every opportunity.

All of those times, they would still make love, and do some very rough things.

Along the line, his father lost his job, and the business he invested in, collapsed; so they moved to a room and parlour apartment. He was compelled to sleep in the bedroom with his father, and the woman, even at age 12. So most of the night, he stayed awake to watch the show between the two of them, while pretending to be asleep.

Before he knew what was happening, he would return from school, climb the bed, and started doing some of the things he had seen. He got so used to it that before age 13; he had graduated to doing real masturbation. He said the thing got so bad, that inbetween lessons in school, he would rush to the convenience to help himself discharge.

At 15, he had got so addicted to it that if he did not masturbate at least thrice a day, he would become moody, and sometimes aggressive. Dammie said the condition had embarrassed him severally in school, as girls run from him; saying he often wore a dangerous look.

CONTINUED on PAGE 43

42 FamilY AFFAIRS | woman to woman

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

What women should know about endometriosis

E

ndometriosis is a common health problem in women. It gets its name from the word, endometrium; the tissue that lines the uterus or womb. Endometriosis occurs when this tissue grows outside of the uterus on other organs or structures in the body.

Most often, endometriosis is found in the: •Ovaries •Fallopian tubes •Tissues that hold the uterus in place •Outer surface of the uterus •Lining of the pelvic cavity Other sites for growths can include the vagina, cervix, vulva, bowel, bladder, or rectum. In rare cases, endometriosis has been found in other parts of the body, such as the lungs, brain, and skin.

What are the symptoms of Endometriosis?

The most common symptom of endometriosis is pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis, or the lower back, mainly during menstrual periods. The amount of pain a woman feels does not depend on how much endometriosis she has. Some women have no pain, even though their disease affects large areas. Other women with endometriosis have severe pain even though they have only a few small growths.

Symptoms of endometriosis can include: •Very painful menstrual cramps; pain may get worse over time •Chronic pain in the lower back and pelvis •Pain during or after sex •Intestinal pain •Painful bowel movements or painful urination during menstrual periods •Spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods •Infertility or not being able to get pregnant •Fatigue •Diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.

Why does endometriosis cause pain and health problems?

Growths of endometriosis are benign (not cancerous). But they still can cause many problems.

To see why, it helps to understand a woman's menstrual cycle. Every month, hormones cause the lining of a woman's uterus to build up with tissue and blood vessels. If a woman does not get pregnant, the uterus sheds this tissue and blood. It comes out of the body through the vagina as her menstrual period.

Patches of endometriosis also respond to the hormones produced during the menstrual cycle. With the passage of time, the growths of endometriosis may expand by adding extra tissue and blood. The symptoms of endometriosis often get worse.

Tissue and blood that is shed into the body can cause inflammation, scar tissue, and pain. As endometrial tissue grows, it can cover or grow into the ovaries and block the fallopian tubes.

Trapped blood in the ovaries can form cysts, or closed sacs.

It also can cause inflammation and cause the body to form scar tissue and adhesions, tissue that

sometimes binds organs together. This scar tissue may cause pelvic pain and make it hard for women to get pregnant. The growths can also cause problems in the intestines and bladder.

Who gets endometriosis?

Since it is one of the most common health problems for women, it can occur in any teen or woman who has menstrual periods, but it is most common in women in their 30s and 40s.

The symptoms of endometriosis stop for a time during pregnancy. Symptoms also tend to decrease with menopause, when menstrual periods end for good. In some cases, women who take menopausal hormone therapy may still have symptoms of endometriosis.

What can raise my chances of getting endometriosis?

You might be more likely to get endometriosis if you have: •Never had children •Menstrual periods that last more than seven days •Short menstrual cycles (27 days or less) •A family member (mother, aunt, sister) with endometriosis •A health problem that prevents normal passage of menstrual blood flow •Damage to cells in the pelvis

from an infection How can I reduce my chances of getting Endometriosis?

There are no definite ways to lower your chances of getting endometriosis. Yet, since the hormone estrogen is involved in thickening the lining of the uterus during the menstrual cycle, you can try to lower levels of estrogen in your body.

To keep lower estrogen levels in your body, you can: •Exercise regularly •Keep a low amount of body fat •Avoid large amounts of alcohol and drinks with caffeine Why is it important to find out if I have Endometriosis?

The pain of Endometriosis can interfere with your life.

Studies show that women with endometriosis often skip school,

No one knows for sure what causes this disease, but experts have a number of theories

work, and social events. This health problem can also get in the way of relationships with your partner, friends, children, and co-workers. Plus, endometriosis can make it hard for you to get pregnant.

Finding out that you have endometriosis is the first step in taking back your life. Many treatments can control the symptoms.

Medicine can relieve your pain.

When endometriosis causes fertility problems, surgery can boost your chances of getting pregnant.

How do I know that I have endometriosis?

If you have symptoms of this disease, talk with your doctor or your obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN). An OB/GYN has special training to diagnose and treat this condition. Sometimes endometriosis is mistaken for other health problems that cause pelvic pain and the exact cause might be hard to pinpoint.

The doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and health history. The doctor may also do these tests to check for clues of endometriosis: lPelvic exam. Your doctor will perform a pelvic exam to feel for large cysts or scars behind your uterus. Smaller areas

of endometriosis are hard to feel. lUltrasound. Your doctor could perform an ultrasound, an imaging test to see if there are ovarian cysts from endometriosis. During a vaginal ultrasound, the doctor will insert a wand-shaped scanner into your vagina. During an ultrasound of your pelvis, a scanner is moved across your abdomen. Both tests use sound waves to make pictures of your reproductive organs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is another common imaging test that can produce a picture of the inside of your body. lLaparoscopy. The only way for your doctor to know for sure that you have endometriosis is to look inside your abdomen to see endometriosis tissue. He or she can do this through a minor surgery called laparoscopy. You will receive general anesthesia before the surgery. Then, your abdomen is expanded with a gas to make it easy to see your organs. A tiny cut is made in your abdomen and a thin tube with a light is placed inside to see growths from endometriosis.

Sometimes doctors can diagnose endometriosis just by seeing the growths. Other times, they need to take a small sample of tissue C O N T I N U E D on Pa g e 4 3

odunayomitide2010@gmail.com 08082592471 (sms only)

FamilY AFFAIRS

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Friday, May 30, 2014

with

COUNSELLING Q & A PRINCESS ODUNAYOMI OKE

Dear Counsellor, I got married to my husband eight years ago, and we have been living happily as husband and wife; until March this year when I noticed he started showing some funny signs. Again, he would come home and stay in the sitting room, watching T.V till he sleeps off, and I suddenly noticed he now snores heavily.

Though you were silent about the funny signs your husband suddenly began to show, but the other things you listed pointed to the fact that he needed you now, more than ever. One interesting thing about men is that they are poor managers of problem. They tend to crumble under the weight of any contrary situation, and at such times, the women’s strength must come to fore.

Obviously, your husband is battling with an emotional or career stress, which is eating deep into him. And the best medication for him now, is love. This is not a time to begin to judge his actions, or interprets them wrongly. He needs a friend to talk to; either to encourage or to scold him in love.

When a woman encounters any difficult situation during the course of a day, she gets home and pours it all out to the husband. But, men are not so wired. Majority of them will bear the situation all alone, until it degenerates. If a man is facing threat of a sack at work, or imminent business collapse, he would rather confide in a friend, than discuss it with his wife.

And by so doing, he feels he is protecting the woman from some news that may crush her. But men are wrong in that case, because a large number of women have in-built immunity for stressful situations.

I will advise you show more love to your husband, and surprise him by telling him you know he is troubled, and that you will be willing to stay by him all through; whatever the case. And if of a truth, you don’t like what your eight year of marital bliss has suddenly turned to, then make the move of love, and win your husband back. Maybe it will interest you to know his sudden snoring habit may not necessarily mean he has a health issue, but that he is worried; even in his sleep.

When next he returns from work and sleeps off in the living room, don’t just leave him there, but gently wake him up and lead him to the bedroom. By the time you repeat that twice or more, he will take the clue that you are willing to share his problem with him. If that did not work after several attempts, begin to initiate the things he would have been the one to initiate.

Talk to him about how grateful we should be to God, for keeping us alive, and in case it had to do with something he had done wrong, tell him you are ready to forgive him. Yes, it could get to that. So prepare yourself for whatever shock you might receive. I want to also encourage you to believe that the only time some-

odunayomitide2010@gmail.com 08082592471 (sms only)

thing is really lost, is when a life is lost.

So whatever it is, sort it out together (if that is really what you want) and life goes on. More so, there is nothing new under the sun.

My 19 year old daughter is extremely shy, and I am beginning to get worried that it might affect her chance of getting hooked in good time. I got married at 36, and did not have her until three years after marriage. I am sure you understand my worry.

No I don’t! So what could your worry be? You see, in life, there are some things we do not have any say about; like the parents who gave birth to us, our Nationality, and most importantly our destinies.

That you got married at 36years, and still waited for another three years before conception, does not mean your daughter will go through same experience. Being her mom, does not mean you have equal destiny. No! I mean, why worry if you can pray.

Worry changes nothing, but prayer changes all things. For all you care, that shy daughter of yours may have a cool guy who has been eyeing her for just that quality. By my calculation, you should be getting close to 60 now, and your worry could be that you want a grandchild before you hit 70years. That is also not beyond God. But you should not let that disturb you, rather put a desire in place, and continue to water it with prayers.

One interesting thing about this concern of yours is that even if she gives you a grandchild in your 60’s; with sound health and long life, you can still live to become a great grandmother before your 90’s. So if I were you, I would be more concerned about my length of days here on earth, than worrying about things only God can sort out.

I know a woman who gave birth to her two lovely children in her early 50’s, and has not stopped saying it to whoever cares to hear, that she will live long to see both of the them married. That is her desire, and she sings it as a song, every day. So what is your own? Note: YOU CAN HAVE WHATEVER YOU SAY, just as you can have whatever you worry about.

Talk to us What are you worried about? Your health, career, children, relationship with Spouse, Partner, or in-laws? Do you have a question you want to ask, but you are embarrassed about? Why must you remain worried, sad or depressed when you could talk to someone? Feel free to talk to the counsellor on this page. You will be glad you did!

NOTE:

We will not publish your name or contact, for any reason.

The children are taking note CONTINUED from Page 41

He cried to me, to help him desist from the act that had turned him to a recluse. He insisted that if he continued to stay with his father, he might one day destroy himself because of his many misconceptions about sex, women and relationships.

Again, i was resting in the guest room at a friend’s place one day, when a boy of about six years stepped out of the adjoining bathroom with his mom; who was my friend’s younger sister. She greeted, but I guessed when she did not get any response, she concluded I must be asleep, so she told the boy to lower his voice. As I lay there, still trying to relax my limbs, the discussion between the two of them got to me. ‘So mummy, what is this one?’ ‘This is called ‘Yan yan’ (the nipple). You sucked it when you were a baby.’ ‘Can I suck it now?’ Then

the mummy said, ‘Take, suck it, suck it.’

Though I was not comfortable with their silly discussion, but I remained quiet.

But the statement that followed got me so upset, that I shouted on both of them to leave the room, and allow me enjoy my nap. As I rolled over, the mom picked her wrapper from the bed and wrap it round her body; meaning she was in her birth suit, while the mischievous boy was busy picking on her body, asking foolish questions.

Truth is, some children’s misbehaviour in the area of sex, should be blamed on their parents. Hence, parents are encouraged to be more discreet about how they carry out the art of marriage. The children are indeed taking note, and not just that, but they are learning by doing.

43

What women should know about endometriosis CONTINUED from Page 42

and study it under a microscope.

If your doctor does not find signs of an ovarian cyst during an ultrasound, before doing a laparoscopy, your doctor may prescribe birth control pills to control your menstrual cycle. Sometimes this treatment helps lessen pelvic pain during your period. Some doctors may offer another treatment that blocks the menstrual cycle and lowers the amount of estrogen your body makes before doing a laparoscopy. This treatment is a medicine called a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist, which also may help pelvic pain.

If your pain improves on this medicine, the doctor will likely think that you have endometriosis.

Laparoscopy is often recommended for diagnosis and treatment if the pelvic pain persists, even after taking birth control pills and pain medicine.

What causes Endometriosis?

No one knows for sure what causes this disease, but experts have a number of theories: •Since endometriosis runs in families, it may be carried in the genes, or some families have traits that make them more likely to get it.

•Endometrial tissue may move from the uterus to other body parts through the blood system or lymph system.

•If a woman has a faulty immune system it will fail to find and destroy endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterus. Recent research shows that immune system disorders and certain cancers are more common in women with endometriosis.

•The hormone estrogen appears to promote the growth of endometriosis.

So, some research is looking at whether it is a disease of the endocrine system, the body’s system of glands, hormones, and other secretions.

•Endometrial tissue has been found in abdominal scars and might have been moved there by mistake during a surgery.

•Small amounts of tissue from when a woman was an embryo might later become endometriosis.

•New research shows a link between dioxin exposure and getting endometriosis. Dioxin is a toxic chemical from the making of pesticides and the burning of wastes. More research is needed to find out whether man-made chemicals cause endometriosis.

•Endometrial tissue may back up into the abdomen through the fallopian tubes during a woman's monthly period. This transplanted tissue could grow outside of the uterus. However, most experts agree that this theory does not entirely explain why endometriosis develops.

How is endometriosis treated?

There is no cure for endometriosis, but there are many treatments for the pain and infertility that it causes. Talk with your doctor about what option is best for you. The treatment you choose will depend on your symptoms, age, and plans for getting pregnant. lPain medication. For some women with mild symptoms, doctors may suggest taking over-the-counter medicines for pain. These include ibuprofen or naproxen. When these medicines don't help, doctors may prescribe stronger pain relievers. lHormone treatment. When pain medicine is not enough, doctors often recommend hormone medicines to treat endometriosis. Only women who do not wish to become pregnant can use these drugs. Hormone treatment is best for women with small growths who do not have bad pain. Hormones come in many forms including pills, shots, and nasal sprays. Common hormones used for en-

dometriosis include: -Birth control pills, to decrease the amount of menstrual flow and prevent overgrowth of tissue that lines the uterus. Most birth control pills contain two hormones, estrogen and progestin. Once a woman stops taking them, she can get pregnant again. Stopping these pills will cause the symptoms of endometriosis to return.

-GnRH agonists and antagonists greatly reduce the amount of estrogen in a woman's body, which stops the menstrual cycle. These drugs should not be used alone because they can cause side effects similar to those during menopause, such as hot flashes, bone loss, and vaginal dryness. Taking a low dose of progestin or estrogen along with these drugs can protect against these side effects. When a woman stops taking this medicine, monthly periods and the ability to get pregnant return.

She also might stay free of the problems of endometriosis for months or years afterward.

-Progestins. The hormone progestin can shrink spots of endometriosis by working against the effects of estrogen on the tissue. It will stop a woman’s menstrual periods, but can cause irregular vaginal bleeding. Depo-Provera is a common progestin taken as a shot. Side effects of progestin can include weight gain, depressed mood, and decreased bone growth.

-Danazol is a weak male hormone that lowers the levels of estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body. This stops a woman's period or makes it come less often. It is not often the first choice for treatment due to its side effects, such as oily skin, weight gain, tiredness, smaller breasts, and facial hair growth. It does not prevent pregnancy and can harm a baby growing in the uterus. It also cannot be used with other hormones, such as birth control pills. lSurgery. This is usually the best choice for women with severe endometriosis, many growths, a great deal of pain, or fertility problems. There are both minor and more complex surgeries that can help. Your doctor might suggest one of the following: •Laparoscopy can be used to diagnose and treat endometriosis. During this surgery, doctors remove growths and scar tissue or burn them away. The goal is to treat the endometriosis without harming the healthy tissue around it. Women recover from laparoscopy much faster than from major abdominal surgery.

•Laparotomy or major abdominal surgery that involves a much larger cut in the abdomen than with laparoscopy. This allows the doctor to reach and remove growths of endometriosis in the pelvis or abdomen.

•Hysterectomy is a surgery in which the doctor removes the uterus. Removing the ovaries as well can help ensure that endometriosis will not return. This is done when the endometriosis has severely damaged these organs. A woman cannot get pregnant after this surgery, so it should only be considered as a last resort.

How do I cope with a disease that has no cure?

You may feel many emotions; sadness, fright, anger, confusion, and loneliness. It is important to get support to cope with endometriosis. Consider joining a support group to talk with other women who have endometriosis. There are support groups on the Internet and in many communities.

It is also important to learn as much as you can about the disease. Talking with friends, family, and your doctor can help.

Source: Woman’s Health/Internet

E X HORT A TION

44

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/islam

adeolaomoyusuf@yahoo.com 0803 438 0340

“And do good to parents, kinfolk, orphans, AIMasakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger...” Qu’ran 4:36

FRIDAY MAY 30, 2014

Al-Mu’minaat Social Advocacy Project (SAP) Coordinator, Mrs Sherifah Yusuf-Ajibade (fourth right); Al-Mu’minaat Lagos State Amirah Mrs Aisha Elias (fourth left); School proprietors Mrs Monsurah Yunus (second right) and Hajia Zaynab AhmadTaiwo (third left) and others during protest on the abduction of Chibok Girls at the Lagos State Government House, Alausa….

Yesterday.

Probe attacks on church in Osun state, MURIC tasks NASS, IGP, DSS

lBemoans attempts to demonise Islam CONSPIRACY Muslim body pleads with the authorities to probe alleged plan by local government CAN President in Osun state to launch Boko Haram attack on his own church

M

uslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the National Assembly, the Inspector General of Police and Director of Department of State Security (DSS) to probe the attack on Baptist Church, Ikonifin Osun state allegedly

carried out by three members of the Church.

Director, MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola who said this in a statement maintained that nothing should be allowed to threaten the age-long peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in the South West region.

“A pastor of the Baptist Church, Ikonifin, Osun State, has attempted to launch false Boko Haram in the State. According to reports, Pastor Olatoke, who is also the CAN President of Ola Oluwa Local Government, conspired with three members of his church, Emmanuel Atanda, Peter Oyedepo and Ogunniyi Babatope to launch a false Boko Haram attack on his church

with the aim of blaming Muslims for the attack,” his statement read.

According to him, these suspects therefore “dressed like Muslims, wrapped their heads in turbans and covered their faces to avoid being recognized by members of the church.

“They stormed the church during the night vigil held on Sunday 18th May, 2014.”

Narrating the incidence, Professor Akintola maintained that these three men “threw banga which sounded like gunfire thus scaring all the worshippers who thought they were real Boko Haram insurgents. On seeing this, the worshippers took to their heels, running helter skelter to save

their lives. Many of them were injured. They then jumped on their getaway motorcycles and sped off into the dark night.

“Fortunately the ‘attackers’ were arrested by the youths of the community. The culprits later confessed that they were members of the same church which they came to ‘attack’. They also revealed that it was their pastor who planned the whole thing.

When confronted, the pastor said it was just ‘drama’.”

Stating that MURIC is aware that some powerful Christians are now trying to bury the case, the Director called all Muslims to remain calm and law-abiding.

“We urge you to intensify your prayers for peace to return to Nigeria. Pray that Allah should expose all those behind the Boko Haram saga in Northern Nigeria. We assure you that we will not allow anybody to sweep a conspiracy of this magnitude under the carpet. Neither will we sleep until the dramatis personae are brought to book.”

In the same vein, the Founder and National President of Jama’at Ta’awunil Muslimeen, Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan has called on the state government deal with the perpetrators of such malicious crime.

“We join this call but MURIC will go further. We must alert the Federal Government, the Senate, the House of Representatives, delegates in the ongoing National Conference, the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the State Security Services (SSS).

“They must know that this is exactly how some Christians have been roping Muslims unjustly and labeling us as terrorists. They may be making similar plans.”

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is already investigating the matter. MURIC has dispatched a fact-finding team to Osun State.

NASFAT advances search for new president, 23 other executives IN THE SADDLE The Shura committee has neared completion of selection process Adeola Yusuf he Nasrul-Lahi-Fatih SociTadvanced ety (NASFAT) has started the selection of a new President and 23 other executives, who will paddle the canoe of the organisation for the next two years.

A Shura process for the selection of the National Executive Council, which will presided over the global affairs of the association for the next two year is already nearing the completion of its job.

The society, which made this announcement on its website disclosed that the Shura, which

was inaugurated on Sunday March 9, 2014 at the Headquarters, Alausa, Lagos has been working for three months.

The new NEC will replace the outgoing 24-man executive led by Alhaji Sheriff Yussuf as President.

“The Shura Nomination Form is hereby presented for download below to nominate deserving members for any of the positions listed in the form.”

It would be recalled that the out-going NEC was inauguration on Sunday August 26, 2012 at the NASFAT International site, Mowe, Ogun State.

They are Alhaji Sheriff Yussuf, President; Engineer Muhammed Mijinyawa Abdullah, Vice President 1; Alhaji Abdulwasiu Bolaji, VP2; Barrister Luqman Folorunsho, General Secretary; Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade, Women Leader; Alhaji Mustapha Bello, Assistant General Secretary; Alhaji

Oduyoye Muftau Bola Gbenga, Finance Secretary; and Brother Lukman Adekunle Akande, Welfare Secretary.

Others are Alhaji AbdurRasheed Adebola Onanuga, Project Secretary; Brother Kamaldeen Bakare Akinjide, Legal Secretary; and Brother Ayodeji Abdulwaheed Abdulrauf, Business Secretary.

The list also include Alhaji Usman Monsurat I.F, Children Affairs Secretary; Alhaji Animashaun Muniru Adeniyi, Membership Secretary; Dr. Yusuf Ademola Amisu, Medical Secretary; Alhaji Adebiyi Basheer Bamgbose, Public Relations Secretary; Alhaja Suwebat Aduke Kupolati, Empowerment Secretary; Brother Amusa Abdullateef Olatunde, Treasurer; Alhaji Moroof Ajiroba Adedokun; Auditor, Capt.

Abdurrahman Adisa Alashe, Security secretary; Brother Tiamiyu Mutiu, Youth Sec-

retary Alhaji Rafeeat Ajoke Oginni, Education Secretary; Brother Daud Sunmonu, ExOfficio; Brother Kamaldeen Badmus, Ex-Officio and Alhaja Titi Bakare, Ex-Officio.

In the same vein, the General Manager of the newly constituted NASFAT Agency for Zakat and Sadaqat, Alhaji ABIBU AHMED, has assumed duty on Monday, 3rd March, 2014 at NASFAT WORLWIDE Secretariat.

“He takes charge of the Agency who takes over from the efforts of the Zakat Committee and has the following objectives: To provide credible platform for the collection, distribution, administration of Zakat and Sadaqat and to create awareness on Zakat and Sadaqat by organizing, sponsoring and promoting enlightenment, informative and sensitization programs on the virtues Sadaqat and calculation of Zakat.

UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH Ceaseless Reward Even After Death

...Can Good Deeds Be Continuously Rewarded?...

Abu Hurairah narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “When a man dies, his good deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and righteous offspring who will pray for him.” (Muslim) Commenting on this hadith, Imam An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “The scholars said, the meaning of this hadith is that the deeds of the deceased come to an end as soon as he or she dies, and the renewal of reward ceases for him or her, except in these three cases because he or she is the cause of them: } his or her offspring is counted among his or her earnings, } the knowledge that he or she leaves behind through teaching or writing, } ongoing charity, i.e., a waqf (Islamic endowment).”

The narration below adds further details: Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The good deeds that will reach a believer after his death are: knowledge which he learned and then spread; a righteous son whom he leaves behind; a copy of the Qur’an that he leaves as a legacy; a mosque that he built; a house that he built for wayfarers; a canal that he dug; or charity that he gave during his lifetime when he was in good health. These deeds will reach him after his death.” (Ibn Majah — authenticated by Al-Albani) As a matter of fact, anyone who has ever been on an out-of-town journey would testify to the pre-travel stress and jitters. One aspect of the preparations is to make sure that the packing is done properly and that the travel arrangements are adequately made.

Another aspect of planning a journey, however, is to ensure that everything the traveler leaves behind, from his or her belongings, to his or her family, to his or her house, is well-protected and cared for, until he or she returns.

This analogy can be appropriately applied to the life of believers. Not only do they prepare for their journeys to the hereafter, which begins with their deaths, but they also ensure that what they leave behind in the world is also beneficial for them after they has gone.

In the Qur’an Almighty Allah says, (What is with you passes away and what is with Allah is enduring.) (AnNahl 16: 96) It was narrated that a sheep was slaughtered at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and given in charity, except for its thigh.

METRO

ay 30, 2014

ctim await DPP’s advice

Two of vicious robbers who raped and killed a housewife are now in police custody Johnson Fagbamila

P But some civil rights organisations, with the Network on Police Reforms in Nigeria (NOPRIN Foundation) in the forefront, had continued.

The National Coordinator of NOPRIN, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the organisation found the sudden silence by the police over this case very worrisome and called on the IG to reassure Nigerians of his commitment to ensure that the case would not be swept under the carpet.

He said: “NOPRIN is calling on the police to publicly disclose the outcome or current status of investigation into this case and to make a categorical statement reassuring Nigerians that truth and justice would be upheld in this case. There is enough evidence to charge the DPO to court.”

ay: Celebrating alents

y ut s nt o eo

e e r n

rm y, f

Photo: Suleiman Husaini

different culture in dance drama, contemporary dance and general games.

It also included painting, drawing and collage, plus science and technology and musical instrument competitions.

It was really fun time for the children. They danced to music of their choices, though guided; they decided their winners in most of the activities.

The day’s programme tagged: “High Impact for Creative Kids,” was an initiative of Solution Media and Infotech Limited.

21

Two held for raping, killing housewife IN THE WEB

The victim

45

olice have arrested two of the suspected thieves who gang raped and killed a woman, Mrs Yinka Joshua, and stole a truck at Lucky Fibres, Ikorodu, last week.

The Divisional Police Officer, Ishagamu Road Police Division, Mr. Bernard Ediagbonya, Umar Manko, Lagos CP said the suspects were being detained at the State Criminal In- gang are said to be on the run. vestigation Department (SCID), According to investigation, Panti, Lagos, after preliminary the suspects allegedly raped investigation. the woman to death at a block Two other members of the industry at Ehin Ile, Lucky Fi-

bres, Ikorodu, where she was staying with her husband, Sunday Udoh. The suspects were said to be trying to steal the company’s truck.

The woman, who was home alone on the fateful day, might have recognised the thieves, thus, the raping and strangulation.

Luck, however, ran out on them when the owner of the block-making factory popularly called Baba Block who was away at Shagamu, Ogun State, for a family function, received the sad news that a murder had been committed at his company with his truck stolen.

He was said to have left the party in company with his family members en route Ikorodu and reportedly saw

Residents fight over location of filling station Taiwo Jimoh

T

he citing of a filling station has become a tug of war between the residents of Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

The controversy over the ongoing construction of the filling station on Admiralty Way has led to the institution of two court cases between those opposed to and those behind the location of the project.

The ultra-modern petrol filling station by an indigenous oil marketing firm, ASCON Oil, is located at Block 36, Plot 10, Admiralty Way, Lekki Peninsula, Lagos to serve the estate and adjourning communities.

But five residents of the estate, according to investigation, have instituted a case at a Lagos High Court presided by Justice Kazeem Alogba against the citing of the station in the area.

But other residents have also gone to court to stop the first group from frustrating the construction of the filling station.

The grouse of those opposing the location of the station is that it would cause endless traffic congestion in the area, especially during

fuel scarcity.

They also expressed fear that the filling station would expose the area to risks of fire outbreak.

According to them, the filling station will also make the area prone to armed robbery attacks, as men of the underworld may target the daily sales from the station and extend their raids to the residents.

However, other residents under the aegis of Concerned Residents of Lekki Phase 1 Estate said they were in support of any legitimate initiative which would bring about rapid development and urbanisation of the area which, according to them, the proposed filling station represents.

They insisted that they have interfaced with the promoters of the proposed filling station and that they were satisfied with the explanations that ASCON Oil put forward.

One of them, Biyi Olumegbon countered the allegation by the other group that the filling station would cause chaotic traffic situation in the area.

According to him, with the selling points being proposed by ASCON Oil, there is no way the

filling station will lead to traffic congestion in the area.

He said: “We reiterate that we are not interested in the company that owns or operates the said filling station. We honestly believe that taking into cognizance the increasing number of commercial outlets and activities operating and taking place in Lekki Phase 1, the establishment of a petrol station to cater for residents is a welcome development and long overdue.

“ASCON Oil service station told us and our independent investigation showed that there is going to be four double nozzle pumps capable of handling eight cars a time. It is also going to be built on 340 square metre piece of land.

“This model of filling station is usually reserved for high traffic stations built on highways like the Lekki Expressway. In addition, up to 50 cars can be in the station at any given time. With such operating space, it will be rare for traffic to spill over to the major road during normal operations, because they will be using a model that can handle smooth traffic flow for cars on highway.”

IG deploys 100 plain-clothes policemen in Ore, Lokoja Juliana Francis

A

bout 100 plain-clothes policemen have been drafted to Ore in Ondo State and Lokoja in Kogi State by the police hierarchy to forestall violent attacks on travellers.

A police source said the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr Mohammed Abubakar, ordered the Task Force on Terrorism and Heinous Crime to mount 24-hour surveillance in Ore and Lokoja, based on an intel-

IG, Abubakar

ligence report.

The source explained that the measure was to nip in the bud, attempts

by kidnappers to operate or terrorists to bomb passengers travelling to various parts of the country through the two states.

“You know Ore and Lokoja are towns and routes which passengers usually pass through on journeys to eastern parts of the country and Abuja. Everybody also knows that most travellers stop at Ore and Lokoja, to eat or rest. The IG does not want the insurgents or kidnappers to take passengers and security agents unawares,” the source said.

the said stolen truck going in the opposite direction towards Shagamu.

Baba Block promptly solicited the help of commercial motorcyclists to pursue it.

The driver of the stolen vehicle, who is identified as the principal suspect in the rape, murder and stealing case, one Ishola Abiodun, was apprehended by the motorcyclists.

The remaining three members of the gang ran into the bush but one of them who ventured to come out about 7pm landed in the hands of local security agents who were on the lookout for them.

The suspects confessed that they belonged to a group of hoodlums eking out a living as “Ajagungbale” (land grabbers).

BATN fire service assists accident victims

W

hat would have become a major disaster on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was averted by men of the fire department of the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN).

They assisted putting out fire which resulted from fuel gushing out from a petrol tanker which had an accident at the Ibadan end of the expressway.

The BATN Area Operations Director, Francisco Toso, said there was a major fire incident on expressway, in front of company’s factory about 7.30pm on the fateful day when a petrol tanker crashed.

He said: “Immediately after coming to a halt, the fuel being conveyed by the truck started gushing out, leading to a fire outbreak.

Three cars and a commercial bus were burnt along with the fuel tanker. No life was lost to the fire but a victim with some degree of burn was rescued and taken to the UCH for treatment.”

According to him, the BATN Fire Marshalls deployed the company’s fire engines to put out the fire before the arrival of the state fire brigade.

“Our Emergency Team (Security and Fire Marshall) assisted in rescuing the victims before the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and fire brigade arrived, while our medical personnel assisted in conveying injured persons to the hospital with the company’s ambulance,” Toso added.

Also, reacting to the incident, the Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Director, BATN, Mr Freddy Messanvi, commended the Fire Marshalls for their quick response to the distress.

He promised that BATN would always lend its assistance whenever such is required.

46 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

28-May-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)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

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

0.09 0.34 0.90 2.22 2.92 3.16 3.26 4.01 5.09 5.41 7.67 9.80 14.50 14.98 15.48 16.15

10.39 11.16 11.23 12.47 12.65 12.59 12.60 12.63 12.74 12.68 12.85 12.91 12.91 12.92 12.92 12.98

8.73 10.70 10.61 12.39 12.59 12.47 12.48 12.52 12.66 12.59 12.79 12.86 12.87 12.87 12.86 12.93

99.86 99.33 93.93 101.05 105.80 92.98 91.50 94.09 111.90 78.24 116.90 107.00 113.54 97.20 70.70 80.00

100.01 99.48 94.43 101.20 105.95 93.28 91.80 94.39 112.20 78.54 117.20 107.30 113.84 97.50 71.00 80.30

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

4,334.84 Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

NA

***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

0.43 0.99 1.47 2.53 2.90 3.11

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

12.04 13.88 13.96 14.40 15.75 13.59

95.15 87.57 104.49 95.37 88.39 90.72

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

0.19 0.38 1.26 0.86 1.16 1.17 2.89 1.72 3.59 2.57 4.35 2.57 2.57 3.15 3.22 5.49 3.18 3.89 6.50 6.59 3.90 3.94

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

12.13 12.29 15.93 14.46 15.86 14.88 18.13 12.92 14.40 14.21 13.64 13.41 13.62 13.59 13.60 14.62 15.34 15.36 13.73 14.68 14.06 14.57

100.25 100.55 96.17 99.31 98.13 100.98 82.25 101.48 98.87 99.74 101.11 102.40 114.79 102.27 104.86 99.53 98.61 98.32 99.01 101.29 111.06 110.74

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

0.36 0.56 0.59 0.74 0.82 0.90 2.34 2.41 3.34 1.96 2.12 2.28 2.28 4.32 2.39 2.47 3.59 6.47

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

11.91 16.40 19.90 16.09 12.22 13.86 13.32 13.69 17.12 14.02 15.71 17.50 17.36 13.64 14.63 18.48 14.77 15.49

99.79 98.48 98.39 95.89 99.91 100.49 99.33 101.09 89.78 107.81 100.75 101.24 101.97 101.10 102.33 97.49 103.36 99.01

11-Feb-18

3.71

1.00

13.61

90.27

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

4.95

4.79

110.07

111.03

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.20

3.97

103.45

104.33

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.35

5.22

107.33

108.26

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

3.95

3.41

112.03

112.96

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.27

4.62

104.11

105.35

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.39

6.13

98.53

99.52

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.09

6.65

100.44

101.66

ACCESS BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.51

8.08

94.61

96.00

AFREN PLC

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

5.16

4.48

113.53

114.84

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.40

6.20

99.39

100.19

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.10

6.69

104.07

105.59

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.12

5.88

101.96

102.94

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

FIDELITY BANK PLC

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,460.00

**Treasury Bills DTM 8 22 29 36 43 50 57

FIXINGS Maturity 5-Jun-14 19-Jun-14 26-Jun-14 3-Jul-14 10-Jul-14 17-Jul-14 24-Jul-14

Bid Discount (%) 9.60 10.00 10.05 10.05 8.60 9.90 10.10

Offer Discount (%) 9.35 9.75 9.80 9.80 8.35 9.65 9.85

Bid Yield (%) 9.62 10.06 10.13 10.15 8.69 10.04 10.26

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 11.3750 12.5896 13.6077 14.5600

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.92

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

O/N

11.17

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

162.71 162.62 162.86 163.50 164.56

162.81 162.87 163.20 164.15 165.89

Tenor Call

REPO

Rate (%) 11.50

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

NA

***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

0.43 0.99 1.47 2.53 2.90 3.11

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

12.04 13.88 13.96 14.40 15.75 13.59

95.15 87.57 104.49 95.37 88.39 90.72

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS 1,304.32

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014 Sub-National Bonds 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

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

0.19 0.38 1.26 0.86 1.16 1.17 2.89 1.72 3.59 2.57 4.35 2.57 2.57 3.15 3.22 5.49 3.18 3.89 6.50 6.59 3.90 3.94

47

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

12.13 12.29 15.93 14.46 15.86 14.88 18.13 12.92 14.40 14.21 13.64 13.41 13.62 13.59 13.60 14.62 15.34 15.36 13.73 14.68 14.06 14.57

100.25 100.55 96.17 99.31 98.13 100.98 82.25 101.48 98.87 99.74 101.11 102.40 114.79 102.27 104.86 99.53 98.61 98.32 99.01 101.29 111.06 110.74

Nascon records 24 per FBNH to roll-out cent drop in Q1 profit bancassurance products 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

OUTLOOK

KWARA NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA

Products roll-out to increase group’s overall share of the insurance marke.

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Stories by Chris Ugwu Corporate Bonds

F

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 irst Bank of Nigeria HoldGTB ings Plc (FBNH) has said µ NGC that efforts are ongoing *UPDC *FLOURMILLS to roll-out bancassurance *CHELLARAMS products to enhance its bankNAHCO ing portfolio.

FSDH The Group ChiefUBA Executive Officer, Mr. Bello Maccido who *C & I LEASING # made the disclosure*DANA recently at *TOWER# said the annual general meeting *TOWER# the initiative is to leverage over UBA 760 branches of the*LA bank, cash CASERA # centers and agencies across the *CHELLARAMS *DANA country.

NAHCO Maccido noted that the insurTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE ance industry continues to experience a positive Supranational Bond outlook, driven AAA/S&P by enhanced level ofIFCinsecurity in the country as well as the deTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE velopment of new Telco-based Rating/Agency Issuer products that are significantly impacting the penetration of FGN Eurobonds insurance in Nigeria.

BB-/Fitch; B+/S&Pthat the group has He noted enhanced its insurance portfolio BB-/Fitch; FGN BB-/S&P with the recently concluded acBB-/Fitch; quisition of Oasis Insurance Plc. BB-/S&P “This acquisition allows our TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE insurance flagship company, Corporate Eurobondsto play in the FBN Insurance B-/S&P; B/Fitch I general segment ofAFREN the PLC insurGTBANK PLC I ance market, B+/S&P; B+/Fitch which represents GTBANK PLC 85 per cent of the total insurance B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC market.

This development is exB/S&P; B/Fitch FIDELITY BANK PLC pected to significantly increase B/Fitch AFREN PLC our group’s overall share of the B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC

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

insurance market,” he said.

FBNH reported a 21 per cent decline in profit before tax (PBT) during its first quarter ended March 31, 2014.

The Q1 financial report submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange showed that the company’s profit before tax (PBT) fell to N24.779 billion from N31.409 billion in the same pe11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 riod 2013. TRUST 18-DEC-2014 13.50of GUARANTY Similarly , profit after tax 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 (PAT) declined 13 per cent to 12.00 FLOURMILLS N21.555 billion9-DEC-2015 in the Q1 of 2014 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 from N24.691 billion in the cor13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 responding period of 2013.

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 However, gross earnings in13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 creased slightly 6.4 percent to MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 N81.479 billion in the review MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 period of 2014 from N76.570 bilMPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 lion inUBA the Q1 of 2013.

14.00 II 22-SEP-2018 FBNH had18-OCT-2018 proposed a divi15.75 LA CASERA MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS dend pay-out ofII 17-FEB-2019 N1.10 per 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 share to its shareholders dur15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 ing the financial year ended December 31, 2013.

This was contained on the 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 bank’s audited financial results

for the year ended December 31, 2013 to the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday.

A cursory look through the numbers showed a 7 per cent growth in gross earnings year on year from N370.2 billion in 2012 to N395.9 billion in 2013 while net interest income stood at N230.1 billion, in 2013, up by 1.5 per cent year-on-year from 07-Oct-11 11.50 N226.6 billion recorded in 2012.

18-Dec-09 13.50 Non-interest income was 01-Apr-10 17.00 10.00 down17-Aug-10 by 9.3 per cent to N67.0 09-Dec-10 12.00 billion billion as against N73.9 06-Jan-11 posted in 2012 while14.00 operating 29-Sep-11 13.00 income was also declined by 1.7 25-Oct-13 14.25 per cent from N301.113.00 billion in 30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12 2012 to N296.1 billion18.00 in 2013.

09-Apr-11 16.00 Impairment charge for credit 09-Sep-11 18.00 losses of was N20.3 billion in 09-Sep-11 16.00 during the year under review as 22-Sep-11 14.00 against N12.5 billion15.75 recorded 18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 17.00 in 2012.

01-Apr-14 16.00PAT deThe bank’s PBT and 14-Nov-13 clined by 2.8 per cent15.25 and 8 per cent to N91.34billion from N93.9 billion and N70.63 billion from 10.20 .

N76.811-Feb-13 billion respectively

N

ational Salt Company of Nigeria (Nascon) Plc has recorded a 24 per cent decline in profit during the first quarter ended March 31, 2014.

The Q1 unaudited financial report submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange showed that the company’s profit after tax (PAT) fell to N553.3 million from N686.8 million in the same 572.90 period of 2013.

Similarly, the revenue de11.80 07-Oct-14 0.36 clined marginally by 3.20.56 per 13.17 18-Dec-14 cent billion in the 2.00 to N2.694 31-Dec-14 0.59Q1 15.00 17-Aug-15 billion in 0.74 of 2014 from N2.781 the 37.50 09-Dec-15 0.82 corresponding period of 2013.

1.50 06-Jan-16 0.90 The company had also posted 15.00 29-Sep-16 2.34 a5.5324 per cent drop in revenue 25-Oct-16 2.41 during the financial year ended 20.00 30-Sep-17 3.34 0.94 30-Nov-17 1.96 December 31, 2013.

8.01The audited 09-Apr-18 2.12 result showed 3.63 09-Sep-18 2.28 that the company recorded 1.00 09-Sep-18 2.28 N10.837 billion during the finan35.00 22-Sep-18 4.32 cial 2013 as against 3.00 year ended 18-Oct-18 2.39 0.54 17-Feb-19 2.47 N13.414 billion posted in 2012, 4.50 01-Apr-19 representing a drop of 243.59 per 2.05 14-Nov-20 cent while profit after tax6.47 also 180.17 declined marginally by 2.5 per cent from N2.766 billion in 2012 12.00 11-Feb-18 3.71 to N2.699 in 2013.

12.00

IOSCO, CPSS unveils first update on PFMIs Description

Issue Date

he International OrganisaTsions tion of Securities Commis(IOSCO) and Committee 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 5.13 JUL 12, 2018

on Payment and Settlement 6.38 JUL 12,announced 2023 Systems (CPSS) has it has published the first update to the level one assessments of implementation monitoring for 11.50 01, 2016 the Principles forFEB financial mar7.50 MAY 19, 2016 ket infrastructures(PFMIs).

6.00 NOV 08, 2018in 1983, IOSCO, established 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 is the acknowledged inter6.88 MAY 09, 2018 national body that brings to10.25 APR 08, 2019 gether the world's 6.25 APR 22,securities 2019

Coupon (%)

Issue Value ($'mm)

regulators and is recognized 07-Oct-11 6.75 setter as the global standard for the securities sector.

Nige18-Dec-09 5.13 ria’s Securities and Exchange 01-Apr-10 6.38 Commission is a member.

According to IOSCO and CPSS, the level 1 assessments are based on self-assessments 01-Feb-11 11.50 by individual jurisdictions on 7.50 the 24 how 19-May-11 they have adopted 08-Nov-13 for FMIs6.00 Principles and four 7.25 of the25-Jul-12 five Responsibilities for 09-May-13 6.88 authorities within the regula08-Apr-12 10.25 tory and oversight framework 22-Apr-14 6.25

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

that applies to FMIs. 28-Jan-21 IOSCO and CPSS said4.95the update report shows that4.20 sig500.00 12-Jul-18 nificant progress has been 500.00 5.35 made by the12-Jul-23 28 participating jurisdictions since the initial 1,500.00 Level 1 report in August 2013.

The two global regulatory 450.00 01-Feb-16 3.95 bodies affirmed that the report 500.00 5.27 in also reveals19-May-16 that progress 400.00 08-Nov-18 implementing the PFMIs6.39 con350.00 25-Jul-17 7.09 tinues to vary according to the 300.00 02-May-18 8.51 type of financial market infra300.00 08-Apr-19 5.16 structure (FMI).

500.00 22-Apr-19 6.40 500.00

The company had posted a turnover of N13.4bn for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The turnover, which stood at N10.3bn at the end of 2011 financial year, rose by N3.1bn or 30 per cent to close at N13.4bn in the year under consideration.

Its profit after tax also rose by N7bn or 33 per cent to close at N2.8bn, up from N2.1bn recorded in the similar period of 2011.

1.00 11.91 99.79 Addressing shareholders 5.21 16.40 98.48 at 8.71 the company’s Gen19.90 Annual 98.39 4.88Meeting, 16.09 95.89 eral the Chairman, 1.00 12.22 99.91 NASCON, Alhaji Aliko Dan2.63 100.49 gote had said13.86 that following the 1.00 13.32 99.33 performance, the company rec1.34 13.69 101.09 ommended a17.12 total dividend 4.52 89.78 of 1.88 14.02 107.81 N2.35bn, translating to 90 kobo 100.75 per3.48 share. 15.71 5.20 17.50 101.24 He also promised sharehold5.06 17.36 101.97 ers1.00 of improved activities in the 13.64 101.10 coming years,14.63 adding that the fu2.29 102.33 6.11of the company 18.48 97.49 ture remained 2.16 14.77 103.36 secured.

2.76 As part of15.49 its plans 99.01 for the coming years, he disclosed that the company would commence 13.61 90.27 the1.00 production of cube seasonings and tomato packaging, as well as vegetable oil refinery in Offer Yield to (%) consolidate Bid Price Price order onOffer the performance.

Prices & Yields He said, “We are committed 4.79 110.07 111.03 to improving our upward trend and we will ensure that your 3.97 103.45 104.33 company continues to grow and 107.33 5.22 108.26 remain competitive so as to deliver increasing dividend to all stakeholders.

“To this effect, the board is 3.41 112.96seaworking on 112.03 starting our 4.62 104.11 vegetable 105.35 oil soning business, 6.13 99.52 refinery and 98.53 tomato packaging 6.65 100.44 operations, in line with101.66 our vi8.08 94.61 96.00 sion of becoming a frontline 4.48 113.53 114.84 foods business in Nigeria.

6.20 99.39 100.19

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.10

6.69

104.07

105.59

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.12

5.88

101.96

102.94

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,460.00

28-May-14

The FMDQBills Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and 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 **Treasury Money Market Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) DTM OTC PLC TermsMaturity Bid Discount (%) to the FMDQ of Use and Disclaimer Statement.

8 5-Jun-14 9.60 22 19-Jun-14 10.00 29 26-Jun-14 10.05 FGN Bonds36 3-Jul-14 10.05 43 10-Jul-14 8.60 50 17-Jul-14 9.90 Issuer Description Rating/Agency 57 24-Jul-14 10.10 64 31-Jul-14 10.00 9.20 29-JUN-2014 71 7-Aug-14 10.05 9.25 28-SEP-2014 78 14-Aug-14 10.55 4.00 23-APR-2015 85 21-Aug-14 10.55 13.05 16-AUG-2016 92 28-Aug-14 10.70 15.10 27-APR-2017 99 4-Sep-14 10.35 9.85 27-JUL-2017 106 11-Sep-14 11.00 113 18-Sep-14 11.00 9.35 31-AUG-2017 134 9-Oct-14 10.70 10.70 30-MAY-2018 NA NA 176 20-Nov-14 10.60 16.00 29-JUN-2019 190 4-Dec-14 10.55 7.00 23-OCT-2019 225 8-Jan-15 10.70 16.39 27-JAN-2022 239 22-Jan-15 10.75 14.20 14-MAR-2024 253 5-Feb-15 10.80 15.00 28-NOV-2028 267 19-Feb-15 10.75 12.49 22-MAY-2029 281 5-Mar-15 10.70 8.50 20-NOV-2029 316 9-Apr-15 10.25 330 23-Apr-15 10.60 10.00 23-JUL-2030 344 7-May-15 10.35 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE *from the Amortising # bonds, the average life is Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON NA

FMBN ***LCRM Modified Duration

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Buckets 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

<3 KWARA 3<5 NIGER >5 KADUNA Market *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO

Offer Discount (%) 9.35 9.75 9.80 9.80 8.35 9.65 Issue Date 9.85 9.75 29-Jun-07 9.80 28-Sep-07 10.30 23-Apr-10 10.30 16-Aug-13 10.45 27-Apr-12 10.10 27-Jul-07 10.75 10.75 31-Aug-07 10.45 30-May-08 10.35 29-Jun-12 10.30 23-Oct-09 10.45 27-Jan-12 10.50 14-Mar-14 10.55 28-Nov-08 10.50 22-May-09 10.45 20-Nov-09 10.00 10.35 23-Jul-10 10.10

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 Porfolio Market Value(Bn)

954.27 14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 1,094.50 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 473.25 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 2,522.03 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

Total Outstanding Volume(Bn)

923.07 951.30 591.57 2,465.94

Bid Yield (%) 9.62 10.06 10.13 10.15 8.69 10.04 (%) Coupon 10.26 10.18 9.20 10.25 9.25 10.79 4.00 10.82 13.05 11.00 15.10 10.65 9.85 11.36 11.39 9.35 11.14 10.70 11.17 16.00 11.16 7.00 11.46 16.39 11.56 14.20 11.67 15.00 11.67 12.49 11.66 8.50 11.25 11.72 10.00 11.47

NIBOR

Bonds

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Outstanding 6M Value

Rate (%) 11.3750 12.5896 13.6077 14.5600 Maturity Date

(N'bn)

45.00 NITTY 100.00 535.00 Tenor 470.27 1M 452.80 2M 20.00 3M 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 200.00 ($/N) 591.57

Rate (%)

OBB

10.92

Tenor

O/N

11.17

Spot 7D 14D Offer1MYield (%) 2M 3M 8.73 6M 10.70 1Y

REPO Tenor Rate (%)(%) TTM (Yrs) Bid Yield

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

162.71 162.81 Price 162.87 162.62 162.86 163.20 163.50 164.15 Offer Price Bid Price 164.56 165.89 165.66 167.65 99.86 100.01 169.63 173.14 99.33 99.48 177.19 183.83

Call 1M 0.09 3M 0.34 6M

11.50 12.47 10.39 13.38 11.16 14.10

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.43 0.99 1.47 2.53 2.90 3.11

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

12.04 13.88 13.96 14.40 15.75 13.59

95.15 87.57 104.49 95.37 88.39 90.72

0.90 11.23 10.61 2.22 12.47 12.39 2.92 12.65 12.59 :Benchmarks 3.16 12.59 12.47 * :Amortising 3.26 Bond 12.60 12.48 µ :Convertible Bond 4.01 12.63 12.52 AMCON: 5.09 Asset Management12.74 Corporation of 12.66 Nigeria FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 5.41 12.68 12.59 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 7.67 12.85 12.79 IFC: International Finance Corporation 9.80 Contractors Receivables 12.91 12.86 LCRM: Local Management 14.50 12.91 12.87 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 14.98 12.92 12.87 O/N: Overnight 15.48Property Development 12.92 Company 12.86 UPDC: UAC WAPCO:West Cement Company 16.15 Africa Portland 12.98 12.93 NOTE:

93.93 94.43 101.05 101.20 105.80 105.95 92.98 93.28 NA :Not Applicable # :Floating 91.50 Rate Bond 91.80 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 94.09 94.39 111.90 112.20 †: Bond rating expired 78.24 78.54 116.90 117.20 107.00 107.30 113.84 NGC: 113.54 Nigeria-German Company 97.20 Bank for Africa 97.50 UBA: United 70.70 71.00 80.00 80.30

4,334.84

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00 0.00 17.25 BOND FMDQ FGN 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

Weighting by Outstanding Vol

29-Jun-14 28-Sep-14 23-Apr-15 Rate (%) 16-Aug-16 10.1362 27-Apr-17 10.2409 27-Jul-17 11.0054 11.3728 31-Aug-17 11.5427 30-May-18 11.5481 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 162.4825 20-Nov-29 162.5825 23-Jul-30

Tenor

37.43 05-Aug-09 38.58 15-Oct-09 23.99 31-Aug-10 100.00 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

Weighting by Mkt Value

37.84 14.00 43.40 14.00 18.76 12.50 100.00 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50

Issue Value (N'bn)

978.35 24.56 6.00 INDEX 112.22 116.70 66.49

Bucket Weighting 1,304.32

0.37 17.00 0.39 6.00 0.24 8.50 1.00 16.50 13.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00

% Exposure_ Mod_Duration

19.67 05-Aug-14 39.25 15-Oct-14 41.08 31-Aug-15 100.00 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

Implied Yield

12.57 0.19 12.82 0.38 12.98 1.26 12.84 0.86 1.16 1.17 2.89 1.72 3.59 2.57 4.35 2.57 2.57 3.15

#

Implied Portfolio Price

112.9879 1.56 126.2509 1.34 88.5899 4.44 112.2515 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00

INDEX

1,073.15 12.13 1,069.04 12.29 1,072.45 15.93 1,065.12 14.46 15.86 14.88 18.13 12.92 14.40 14.21 13.64 13.41 13.62 13.59

YTD Return (%)

7.3155 100.25 6.9045 100.55 7.2453 96.17 6.5121 99.31 98.13 100.98 82.25 101.48 98.87 99.74 101.11 102.40 114.79 102.27

48 BUSINESS | MONEY LINE

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

IKDC to re-engage 567 former staff POWER SUPPLY

distribution projects among others.

On the challenges facing the company, he told the committee members that IKDC has an installed capacity of 1684MW, but was only able to distribute 421MW to customers out of the maximum demand of 938MW due to shortage of supply from the Generation Companies, power theft and vandalisation of power installations.

In a statement, at the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), the Managing Director, Mr. Oladele Amuda told the committee members that the company was committed to uninterrupted and sustainable power supply to its customers.

Amuda said the company plans to invest N45 billion in the next five years while $150 million would be spent immediately on capital projects to meet customers’ needs, network rehabilitation and reinforcement.

He, however complained of poor power supply from the National Grid, power theft, illegal connections and vandalism of power installations as some of the challenges they were facing. The MD appealed to the Committee members to intervene so that the generation companies could supply adequate power to the distribution companies for adequate distribution of power to consumers and for increased financial returns.

IKDC moves to deliver seamless service.

M

anaging Director, of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKDC), Mr. Abiodun Aifwobaje would re-engage 567 former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to complement the 2,070 it inherited.

Aifwobaje disclosed this when he received members of the Senate Committee on Privatisation, led by its Chairman, Senator Olugbenga Obadara who visited the company last week in continuation of the lawmakers' oversight visit to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Successor Companies (SCs) in the Lagos and Ibadan zones of the country.

He restated the commitment of the company to become a leading utility business company in the country by providing safe, reliable and quality service to customers at fair and reasonable costs; and to achieve this, he said the new owners had taken some initiatives to reposition the company.

According to him, training and retraining of staff, repair or replacement of malfunctioning transformers and completion of abandoned

Also, at the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), the CEO, Atoy Leynes expressed the readiness of IBEDC to meet consumers’ needs as long as the generation companies can keep up with their demand.

He listed the challenges facing IBEDC as poor asset performance due to age, poor transmission infrastructure and the absence of land to put up its headquarters.

The MD requested that for the distribution companies to become financially viable to

N

igeria, the world’s fourthlargest cocoa grower, probably will produce less than originally expected this year as rainfall harms yields in the southeastern part of the country, the nation’s industry group said.

Production will increase by a “small” amount, and won’t match the 10 percent gain forecast in January, Lagos-based Robo Adhuze, a spokesman for the Cocoa Association of Nigeria, said by phone yesterday. Output was an estimated 250,000 metric tons last year, he said. Ivory Coast is the biggest grower, followed by Ghana and Indonesia, according to the London-based International Cocoa Organization.

The ICCO forecast a cocoa deficit of 115,000 tons in Feb-

As at 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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

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

ruary. Excessive rain is cutting crop prospects in Nigeria, Abang Neji, a farmer and association board member, said today in an interview from Ondo, in the western part of the country.

“The rains are becoming heavier in southeast, with the risk of spreading blackpod,” Neji said, referring to a fungus which thrives in wet, humid conditions and rots cocoa pods. Output for the current crop is expected to be lower than initially forecast, he said.

Cocoa for July delivery rose as much as 0.5 percent to 1,922 pounds ($3,214) on NYSE Liffe in London, the highest since September 2011. It’s advanced 11 percent this year.

The government plans to begin distribution of fungicides next week to help farmers deal with the blackpod threat, Neji said. Nigeria’s recent measures of distributing fertilizers and early-maturing, high-yielding, disease-resistant beans led the country’s cocoa association earlier this year to expect a bigger crop.

In the southwest Ondo state, which accounts for as much as 40 percent of Nigeria’s cocoa, “there are stable rains and sunshine,” and farmers are expected to harvest more than last year, Adhuze said.

“Output will be better this year than last in Ondo, but below the expectation for the whole country,” Adhuze said.

“Support from the government, good weather in the southwest and improved earnings by farmers are helping,” Adhuze said. The farm-gate prices for cocoa beans increased 12 percent to 470,000 naira ($2,892) per ton from N420,000 in January, which enables more farmers to buy agrochemicals to protect their crops, Adhuze said.

According to Bloomberg, Nigeria’s main crop begins in October and ends in January, while the smaller mid-crop season usually begins in March and ends in June. The start and end dates of the seasons may vary each year depending on the weather.

Africa needs $93bn yearly to meet infrastructural gap, says IMF

Treasury Bills Maturity Date 08-May-14 07-Aug-14 22-Jan-15

the National Grid.

On power theft and vandalism, Obadara advised the distribution companies to liaise with security agents to set up a Task Force to checkmate the criminal acts.

The committee members also visited Egbin Power Station where the Senate Committee Chairman, noted that everything concerning power supply starts from generation.

If generation is not adequate, he said, it directly affects distribution and the consumers on the whole.

Nigeria’s cocoa output may miss forecast target

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

undertake aggressive investments in the power industry there should be a tariff structure that is cost reflective and the review of asset classification (Core/Non Core) of DISCOs as some assets classified as non-core were essential to the distribution network.

In his remarks, the chairman of the committee, Senator Olugbenga Obadara assured the distribution companies that the committee would do everything within its powers to find a lasting solution to shortage of power supply from

Open-Buy-Back (OBB) Overnight (O/N)

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

he Managing Director, InT(IMF), ternational Monetary Fund Ms Christine Lagarde,

yesterday, stated that Africa's fast growing economies need to spend $93 billion a year to bring infrastructure up to speed.

"Only 16 per cent of all roads are paved, compared with 85 per cent in South Asia. These shortfalls represent huge costs to business and to people."

She noted that “high quality infrastructure can be a magnet for foreign investment." Lagarde, however, said addressing the various challenges affecting economic growth in Africa remained a priority to the Fund.

She made the remark at the opening of the Africa Rising Conference in Maputo, Mozambique.

The conference, organised by the Fund and the government of the Republic of Mozambique, has “Building to the Future” as its theme.

The IMF boss said: “We are addressing the core issues relevant to many countries' efforts

to achieve emerging market status.

“For some other countries, the task at hand is to consolidate the gains of unprecedented growth. And for some, there remains a great deal of work to strengthen the fragile foundation of stability and growth.

“Our intention is to address these challenges here in Maputo at the Africa Rising Conference.''

According to her, the most important issue in Africa is how to ensure growth that is inclusive, generate jobs and transform the economic landscape of the region.

She expressed the hope that with the gathering of various stakeholders, discussions would offer solution that could assist in determining the way forward.

“For the IMF, I have no doubt that this conference will offer us an opportunity to listen and to exchange views, and provide new insights that will help further strengthen our partnership with our African member countries.

Sanctity of Truth

Daily Summary as of 28/05/2014 Friday, May 30, 2014 Printed 28/05/2014 15:09:49.049

Daily Summary as of 28/05/2014 Printed 28/05/2014 15:09:49.049

BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET 49

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at May 28, 2014 Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Debt Trading Activity

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Equities)

ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 27 10 37

Current Price 32.30 36.00

Quantity Traded 101,490 36,020 137,510

Value Traded 3,371,661.06 1,321,098.40 4,692,759.46

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 26 26

Current Price 3.16

Quantity Traded 1,104,632 1,104,632

Value Traded 3,485,298.06 3,485,298.06

1,242,142

8,178,057.52

Quantity Traded 478,009 13,931,056 1,832,491 16,241,556

Value Traded 637,062.57 51,924,207.92 117,968,140.39 170,529,410.88

16,241,556

170,529,410.88

Daily Summary as of 28/05/2014 AGRICULTURE Totals Printed 28/05/2014 15:09:49.049

CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

63 Symbol AGLEVENT

No. of Deals 14 177 95 286

TRANSCORP Daily Summary (Equities) UACN

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONGLOMERATES Totals

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

Current Price 1.35 3.74 65.00

286

Symbol COSTAIN

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 1.23

No. of Deals 38 38

Current Price 75.49

Value Traded 171,743.10 171,743.10 1 of 12

Quantity Traded 100,830 100,830

Value Traded 7,577,938.45 7,577,938.45

Symbol JBERGER

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 28 28

Current Price 17.75

Quantity Traded 223,049 223,049

Value Traded 3,946,225.02 3,946,225.02

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

Symbol UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 10.47

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Value Traded 19,900.00 19,900.00

465,119

11,715,806.57

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

Daily Summary as ofGOODS 28/05/2014 CONSUMER Printed 28/05/2014 15:09:49.049 Automobiles/Auto Parts

DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTYPLC. INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSUMER GOODS

77 Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 30,000 30,000

Value Traded 15,000.00 15,000.00

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 0.68 179.00 25.61

Quantity Traded 200 137,468 604,341

Value Traded 142.00 24,570,449.94 15,641,304.62

No. of Deals 1 157 235

Current Price 3.08 174.00

Quantity Traded 5,797 12,660,712 13,408,518

Value Traded 16,985.21 2,197,162,378.88 2,237,391,260.65

GOLDBREW GUINNESS INTBREW

1 45 31

Page

2

of

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Symbol JOSBREW NB

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 20 20

Current Price 85.80

Quantity Traded 32,499 32,499

Value Traded 2,856,504.90 2,856,504.90

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON UTC

No. of Deals 60 67 60 46 68 8 309

Current Price 8.00 9.80 73.00 3.82 12.82 0.53

Quantity Traded 232,190 1,099,317 358,287 2,025,587 1,365,348 7,768 5,088,497

Value Traded 1,812,504.76 10,764,965.30 26,495,294.12 7,800,177.08 17,345,245.05 4,141.04 64,222,327.35

Food Products--Diversified

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 59 41 100

Current Price 75.31 1,070.00

Quantity Traded 274,785 57,087 331,872

Value Traded 21,090,756.58 60,308,198.35 81,398,954.93

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities) VITAFOAM 16 16

Current Price 4.01

Quantity Traded 124,043 124,043

Value Traded 505,996.90 505,996.90

CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as of 28/05/2014 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Printed 28/05/2014 15:09:49.049

Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSUMER GOODS Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 51 39 90

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC Daily Summary as of 28/05/2014 STERLING BANK PLC. Printed 28/05/2014 15:09:49.049 UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. OASIS INSURANCE PLC PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. WAPIC Daily Summary as ofINSURANCE 28/05/2014 PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Printed 28/05/2014 15:09:49.049

Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Current Price 34.83 48.19

771 Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK Daily Summary ZENITHBANK

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

HEALTHCARE Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

of

Value Traded 3,890,209.27 10,787,218.97 14,677,428.24

19,350,178

2,401,067,472.97

12

12

Quantity Traded

Value Traded

Quantity Traded 3,896,771 245,478 Page 57,000 200 30,000 15,524 219,100 14,698 1,089,984 100 31,800 1,000,011 51,665 750 12,400 500 17,400,837 24,066,818

Value Traded 3,288,130.18 4 255,377.12 of 12 28,500.00 100.00 15,000.00 7,762.00 525,654.00 7,349.00 890,285.72 50.00 16,772.00 530,019.83 25,832.50 375.00 6,200.00 250.00 13,879,105.35 19,476,762.70

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.12

Quantity Traded 50,000 50,000

Value Traded 53,500.00 53,500.00

Symbol ASOSAVINGS

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,500

Value Traded 1,250.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 1

Current Price

Quantity Traded 2,500

Value Traded 1,250.00

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 74 106 549 82 6 25 152 994

Current Price 3.35 3.20 14.50 4.18 0.53 22.80 2.44

Quantity Traded 1,991,405 24,728,714 102,294,769 4,108,946 269,000 168,687 19,125,844 152,687,365

Value Traded 6,583,617.38 79,227,626.85 1,482,432,717.98 16,720,738.13 142,570.00 3,855,473.58 47,732,405.71 1,636,695,149.63

513,038,305

9,197,923,263.55

Quantity Traded 38,813 2,834,355 431,600 127,250 1,692,050 3,150 5,127,218

Value Traded 95,166.85 7,863,158.52 29,346,894.29 225,056.90 1,722,631.00 4,755.00 39,257,662.56

5,127,218 Page

of

of

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 6,000 6,000

Value Traded 3,000.00 3,000.00

Telecommunications Services MASS TELECOMMUNICATION INNOVATIONS NIGERIA PLC Telecommunications Services Totals

Symbol MTI

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 200

Value Traded 100.00

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC

12

200

100.00

502,772

298,669.36

No. of Deals 94 26 23 36

Current Price 21.40 10.00 37.51 10.00

Quantity Traded 1,423,479 118,348 110,577 862,528

Value Traded 30,157,862.13 1,226,585.48 4,127,290.38 8,565,055.23

Symbol DANGCEM DNMEYER IPWA PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 18 4 2 1 1 35 240

Current Price 227.01 1.06 0.52 1.45 5.00 112.50

Page Quantity Traded 65,260 77,810 5,000 100 10,000 603,365 3,276,467

7Value Traded of 12

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 1.90

Quantity Traded 42,000 42,000

Value Traded 82,860.00 82,860.00

Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 16.22

Quantity Traded 46,000 46,000

Value Traded 736,010.00 736,010.00

3,364,467

127,617,324.77

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 500.00 500.00

1,000

500.00

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol ASHAKACEM

1 11

BERGER Daily Summary (Equities) CAP CCNN

NATURAL RESOURCES Mining Services MULTIVERSE PLC Mining Services Totals

246 Symbol MULTIVERSE

No. of Deals 1 1

Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 0.50

1

14,832,782.80 84,949.14 2,700.00 150.00 47,500.00 67,753,579.61 126,798,454.77

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded Page 803,573 803,573

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 374 374

Current Price 18.00

Quantity Traded 10,242,367 10,242,367

Value Traded 184,602,467.80 184,602,467.80

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 31 50 74 19 4 20 198

Current Price 46.74 3.35 194.00 127.90 51.49 162.00

Quantity Traded 110,520 957,339 147,304 26,325 715 24,112 1,266,315

Value Traded 5,329,692.14 3,237,662.69 28,261,680.55 3,370,741.00 34,977.80 3,893,323.24 44,128,077.42

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 635.00

Quantity Traded 107,435 107,435

Value Traded 68,175,302.00 68,175,302.00

12,419,690

297,307,633.72 Value Traded 218,804.00

SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC.

601

Daily Summary (Equities)

Value Traded 8 of 12 401,786.50 401,786.50

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 15

Current Price 1.04

Quantity Traded 210,100

Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

Symbol

No. of Deals 15

Current Price

Quantity Traded 210,100

Value Traded 218,804.00

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 7 2 9

Current Price 4.65 2.20

Quantity Traded 10,700 60,000 70,700

Value Traded 48,756.00 132,000.00 180,756.00

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 29,803 29,803

Value Traded 14,901.50 14,901.50

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL TOURIST

No. of Deals 18 1 19

Current Price 0.90 3.88

Quantity Traded 2,814,550 100 2,814,650

Value Traded 2,513,781.26 369.00 2,514,150.26

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 1 6 7 14

Current Price 1.71 1.75 4.04

Quantity Traded 1,000 149,813 56,336 207,149

Value Traded 1,630.00 256,726.34 235,890.56 494,246.90

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities) ABCTRANS 15 15

Current Price 0.81

Quantity Traded 530,994 530,994

Value Traded 434,437.19 434,437.19

Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC Daily Summary as of 28/05/2014 UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printed 28/05/2014 15:09:49.049 Printing/Publishing Totals Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Page

Page

9

10

of

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Specialty INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC Specialty Totals

Symbol INTERLINK

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 4.90

Quantity Traded 20 20

Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 16 41 57

Current Price 2.00 5.00

Quantity Traded 583,400 598,725 1,182,125

Value Traded 1,169,625.00 2,994,504.81 4,164,129.81

Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 29 29

Current Price 5.69

Quantity Traded 451,656 451,656

Value Traded 2,588,269.83 2,588,269.83

161

5,497,197

10,609,788.69

4,950

577,249,644

12,264,505,590.59

Quantity Traded 1,400 1,400

Value Traded 1,792.00 1,792.00

SERVICES Totals

EQTY Board Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

Value Traded 93.20 93.20

12

12

Daily Summary as of 28/05/2014 Activity Summary on Board ASeM Printed 28/05/2014 15:09:49.049 CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals

Symbol

No. of Deals 4 4

MCNICHOLS Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 1.34

Activity Summary on Board ASeM Page

Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSUMER GOODS CONSUMER GOODS Totals

4

11

1,400

of

12

1,792.00

ASeM Board Totals

4

1,400

1,792.00

Equity Activity Totals

4,954

577,251,044

12,264,507,382.59

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

39,257,662.56 6

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals

Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © SERVICES

Current Price 0.85 1.04 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.33 0.50 0.83 0.50 0.54 0.53 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.78

101

Value Traded 11,722.50 11,722.50

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Current Price

Current Price 2.57 2.90 68.15 1.72 1.02 1.57

Quantity Traded 2,250 2,250

OIL AND GAS Totals

No. of Deals 33 5 3 1 1 1 8 2 27 1 3 11 1 1 3 1 49 151

No. of Deals 9 44 15 13 18 2 101

Current Price 5.48

Exploration and Production SEPLAT Daily Summary as of PETROLEUM 28/05/2014 DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals Printed 28/05/2014 15:09:49.049

No. of Deals

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

No. of Deals 3 3

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE CORNERST HMARKINS INTENEGINS LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS OASISINS PRESTIGE REGALINS SOVRENINS STACO STDINSURE WAPIC

2,632

Symbol CWG

NATURAL RESOURCES TotalsEQTY Activity Summary on Board

Symbol

5

IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC IT Services Totals

Daily Summary as of 28/05/2014 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Printed 28/05/2014 15:09:49.049

Value Traded 70,197,554.81 11,698,442.92 154,741,883.80 3,597,110.56 1,074,414,982.23 15,228,368.60 7,904,095.13 91,732,832.43 5,357,171.35 115,335.00 557,199.97 6,106,151,624.42 7,541,696,601.22

Page

Value Traded 283,846.86 283,846.86

DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. IPWA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Totals

Quantity Traded 7,247,697 1,802,645 9,701,480 1,743,401 38,318,623 4,413,989 3,464,554 12,588,018 510,538 230,670 574,746 255,635,261 336,231,622

Daily Summary (Equities)

Quantity Traded 494,322 494,322

INDUSTRIAL GOODS

Current Price 9.70 6.50 16.00 2.06 28.49 3.54 2.30 7.35 10.60 0.50 0.97 24.03

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

3

Current Price 0.58

Building Materials Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

No. of Deals 158 51 178 59 326 131 44 186 44 7 13 (Equities) 287 1,484

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

FINANCIAL SERVICES Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Page

Quantity Traded 110,717 224,032 334,749

No. of Deals 5 5

Daily Summary as of 28/05/2014 ICT Totals Printed 28/05/2014 15:09:49.049

Quantity Traded 139,240 139,240 Page

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Symbol COURTVILLE

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 1,993.00 18.58

Quantity Traded 13 210 223

Value Traded 25,909.00 3,885.80 29,794.80

ETF Board Totals

3

223

29,794.80

ETP Activity Totals

3

223

29,794.80

12

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Page

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50 PERSPECTIVE

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

Excelling within the bounds of prudence; the Imo experience

financial position yet has not slowed down our resolve to Rescue the State in a hurry.

Deacon Chike Okafor

A

s we mark the 3rd Anniversary of our Rescue Mission Movement in Imo State, it is expected that we look over our shoulders to properly assess ourselves in line with our promise and mandate to utilize the resources at our disposal, exercising prudence and accountability in delivering the dividends of governance to the people of Imo State. We will also ask ourselves the pertinent question of whether we have made significant progress in our quest to Rescue our State from the doldrums and quagmire of poverty, insecurity, lack of focused leadership, corruption and years of misrule.

A lot of our critics and detractors have attempted to score this administration and sadly too, the press community has given themselves to disseminating the propaganda of a disgruntled few who have no knowledge of the empiricism required to properly give a clear account of our stewardship.These antics are aimed at pushing forward conjectures and hearsay rather than taking the professional path of painstakingly verifying the reality on ground first hand.They have benchmarked this government upon vague and non-scientific parameters that have offered no insights into what is expected of such assessments A sensitive discourse as this matter is should reveal hallmarks of authenticity, credibility, fairness and a true reflection of the tangible reality on ground, rather than using a blanket, haphazard and self-serving considerations that do not reflect the expectations from the people, the Governor’s achievements in the visible signs of development efforts against the resources at the disposal of the Government.

To this end we present to all Imolites, friends, all men of goodwill and lovers of the Rescue Mission Government, the International Community, our political opponents and all Nigerians the State of the Affairs of the Imo State Government for the last three years projecting empirical data hitherto overlooked by others.

Permit me at this juncture to do a quick recap of some of our landmark developmental achievements as this will enable us properly evaluate our performance in the face of all relevant parameters.

- This administration took a bold step at clearing a backlog of pension arrears owed to Imo pensioners over 12 years and has since then continued to pay these aged men and women in order to alleviate their pains. Hitherto, this had seemed impossible.

It is on record that Imo State was the first State to implement and continually pay to her workers the new minimum wage of N20,000.00 when other States of the Federation were grappling with the issue. } In just 3 years, the Imo State Government is completing the 305 schools, an average of 10 model schools in every Local Government Area at an average cost of ₦27.5million in her resolve to ensure the pride of place that education has been given in this administration is maintained. This is an investment of N8.388Billion ineducation infrastructure. } Mention must be made here of the Free Education policy of this admin-

} At the inception of this administration, we assumed responsibility of a huge debt burden to the tune of N6Billion obtained from UBA by the immediate past administration. This we have since cleared. } This administration also took over the responsibility of a N18.5Billion, 16.5% development bond by the previous administration accessed in 2009 and due 2016. We have been servicing this obligation with a monthly deduction of N358.43million from our Federal Allocation. To date we have paid a total of N19.903 Billion to the bondholders which is an enormous sum considering our paltry and meager resources. } As a fall out to failure by the State under the previous administration to meet with statutory obligations relating to the bond, this administration was slammed with hefty fines that this administration paid in order to redeem our image with the Regulatory authorities.

Okorocha

istration at all levels. This is about one of the most significant strides of this Rescue Mission crusade, which hitherto was considered impossible by past administrations. } In addition to the direct payment of school fees for Imo State indigenes in IMSU and other State owned tertiary institutions put at overN450 Million per session, the State makes a monthly subvention to the State tertiary institutions viz: l IMSU - N250Million monthly, N9Billion in 3 years l Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo– N25Million monthly, N900Million in 3 years l IMSUT–N155Million monthly, N5.580 Billion in 3 years l College of Technology, Amaigbo – N16Million monthly, N576Million in 3 years.

It is pertinent to note that as at May, 2011, IMSU was receiving a paltry N57.6m as monthly subvention until this administration, after a careful consideration, reviewed the subvention to N250 million monthly representing a combined investment of over N27.144 Billion in the education sector.

As a first generation alumnus of IMSU, I can authoritatively state that beside Governor Evan Enwerem who relocated the University from Okigwe to Owerri, no other government made any effort to improve on the infrastructure of IMSU until the Rochas Okorocha administration came on stream.

Presently there are three massive academic complexes initiated and completed by this administration in IMSU with several others in line. } As of today, this administration embarked upon the construction of 26 Modern Hospitals, 1 in each Local Government Area except Owerri municipal at an average cost of ₦110million a combined investment of N2.860Billion. } As part of the Rescue agenda, this

administration understands that good road networks facilitate rapid economic growth and development hence the massive road constructions taking place in every nook and cranny of the State – a 15 km stretch of asphalted roads with drainages at a cost of ₦60 Million/km each revealing an average investment of ₦1.285 Billion in infrastructural developmental in each LGAshowinga remarkable investment of N34.695 Billion. These we have replicated in all 27 LGAs of Imo Statethat has greatly enhanced movement of goods and persons, easing up traffic and is gradually changing the economic coloration of the State. } Other key infrastructural achievements are, construction of the Heroes Square, Renovation of the Imo Concorde Hotel, building the Twin house, accommodating the offices of the First lady and the Deputy Governor of Imo State, the new Sam Mbakwe Expanded Exco Chambers, the Freedom Square, the many developmental structures in Okigwe and Orlu zones that are transforming them into mega cities, the world class International Conference Center which was opened today to the public during the state of Imo address by his Excellency, amongst so many more projects sprawling the entire landscape of Imo. } It will blow the minds of everyone to know that the above projects were accomplished while the State has had to grapple with a huge recurrent expenditure of over N118.06 Billion over the period of three years since the inception of this administration which is capable of breaking the resolve of any government to continue with her mandate.

The above has been accomplished from a very tight budget in the face of dwindling allocations from the Federal Government. A couple of other important factors have impacted on our

} We met a balance of N12 billion outstanding from the bond money. In order to channel these funds to people oriented developmental projects, we applied to and obtained the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission. } In a clear show of determination to deliver, we are strong believers to the fact that radical transformation is possible with proper management and utilization of the meager limited resources as with the abundance of it hence we have strived to increase our Internally Generated Revenue in augmenting our Federal allocations and taken serious fiscal steps that plugged loopholes that hitherto were channels where our scarce resources were siphoned by corrupt public office holders.This saw this administration renegotiating some contracts awarded by the previous administration and saving up funds for the State in the process. } It is on record that our able Governor remains the only Governor in this dispensation and previous others to donate and sacrifice his security vote in order to service other areas of need. This is unparalleled and worthy of mention and emulation It is therefore evident from the above that not only has this administration exceeded expectations from within and outside the State, we have matched our accomplishments with the lean resources available to us which is a key performance parameter and indicator to brighter prospects ahead. This therefore calls to question the basis of comparison of those who seek to place Imo State on the same scale with other States such as AkwaIbom whose receipts from the Federal coffers significantly dwarfs that of Imo State and their allocations are in comparison more than that of all the States in the South Eastern Region combined.

TO BE CONTINUED

A

fter the Super Eagles played a pulsating 2-2 draw against the Tartan Army of Scotland on Wednesday at the Craven Cottage in London, players of the World Cup bound team have admitted that this is a difficult period.

Team Skipper, Joseph Yobo, said if he was the coach, he would find it difficult to drop any of the players currently in the 30-man squad.

“Nigeria is blessed with talents and that is why I think all the players here merit to be in Brazil, even when we

It’s tough to pick final 23 -Eagles have some other very good ones still hanging out. If you watch the game against Scotland, you will know that the ‘Big Boss’ needs to be pitied over the players to drop or pick in the final 23. It will be tough,” he said.

Stoke City’s Osaze Odemwingie, on his part said he was happy at the response of his teammates to his return

SPORT

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

FRIday, MAY 30, 2014

to the national side. “Everybody here is good but we should leave that to the coach but I know it would be a tough task,” he said.

England-based Shola Ameobi, declared that playing for the Nigerian side has made him a better team player because of the quality of players in camp and wished he had started

51

playing earlier for the team. “We are all good but we should just pray for the coach to ensure that he picks the best for the World Cup.” Towering defence ace, Azubuike Egwuekwe, put it more succinctly: “I know that its our coach who has a really difficult job of picking the 23 players for Brazil 2014 to do.”

NEW TELEGRAPH

Eto’o seeks Gunners switch

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

ADEKUNLE SALAMI, DepUTY Editor, SPORTS

}p-53

kunle.salami@newtelegraphonline.com adekunles@yahoo.com

Eagles – Ambrose

Charles Ogundiya

S

uper Eagles defender Efe Ambrose has said that the team is not scared of any striker they will be coming up against in Brazil, insisting that the Nigerian backline is solid enough and the players are ready for the challenges ahead.

Ambrose has been one of the key members of the Super Eagles defence line and will be looked up to in Brazil to handle some of the world’s top forwards such as the Argentine duo of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, as well as Bosnian superstar, Edin Dzeko.

But the Celtic of Scotland defender insists he and his teammates are not in awe of any of these players.

“We are not afraid of facing these players. Messi, Dzeko and Aguero are like other players.

None of them scares me or anyone in our team,” he stated.

“I have played against some of them in the past. I have played against Messi in the Champions League, likewise most of us in the defenceline. We have all played against world-class strikers.

“All what we are thinking about is facing their countries and not the individual stars in their team. We are united against any team and they should be more scared of our strikers,” he

said.

Speaking further, the former Kaduna United defender called on every Nigerian to rally round the team, believing that with prayers and absolute support from Nigerians, the Super Eagles will make the country proud.

He said; “This is our job; we are going to Brazil to bring honour to the country and make our people proud. All we need from them is prayers.”

Super Eagles will open their campaign in Brazil with a match against Iran on June 16, before taking on Bosnia five days later. The group stage will be completed with a match against Argentina on June 25.

Cycling coach laments dearth of competitions Ajibade Olusesan

T

op cycling coach, Lateef Oloko, has challenged the new board of the Nigeria Cycling Federation to organise more competitions for cyclists in the country.

The tactician told New Telegraph in an interview that dearth

of competitions has affected the growth of the sport in the country and challenged the board to find solutions to the problem.

“Cycling is suffering because there are no competitions; we have been saying we do not have equipment. Although we now have modern bicycles procured

by Lagos State Government, we still lack competitions. ``I appeal to the NCF to integrate more grassroots competitions into their programme to propel state associations to action,’’ Oloko said.

The coach also appealed to the NCF to woo corporate organisa-

tions which hitherto sponsored its competitions back to save the sport. ``We have many corporate organisations that sponsored competitions before but they have withdrawn, I think the NCF should try and woo them back,’’ he said.

52

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

Atlanta Dream Team celebrating

Eaglets celebrating

AdekunleSalami

A

chieving results in sports is not by accident. It is done through deliberate planning coupled with huge investment in relevant areas. For big events like the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup, preparation is not a matter of months but years. To achieve results, it is not less than two years or even more. It is about identifying the talents that can excel and then boost such athletes with various developmental programmes from schools, academies or regular exposure to international tournaments.

As Nigeria celebrates Democracy Day today , it is essential to look at the setbacks in sports and the way forward. Over the years, there has been no sports policy to guide administrators and followers of sports on how to move the country forward in various sports disciplines.

No doubt, Nigeria has achieved some successes in sports at the global stage, but the truth is that the country stumbled on most of these achievements. It is difficult, for example, to explain how the fortunes of the country declined drastically in the sprint events.

In the past, at least two Nigerians will be on the starting block of any final of the 100m or 200m event, while the 4x100m relay was a sure medal prospect in both male and female categories. The situation is no longer the same because the kind of development programmes athletes like the Ezinwa brothers, Davidson and Osmond, Olapade Adenekan, Chidi Imoh and Mary Onyali etc enjoyed in schools in the USA is no longer there. Nigeria’s current shining light in sprints, Blessing Okagbare, was in University of Texas, El-Paso.

She was there courtesy of Delta State and the input of Athletic Federation of Nigeria boss Chief Solomon Ogba, but that is what Nigeria is enjoying today. Nigeria did not develop Okagbare to the level she is today.

Another example is Chika Chukwumerije, the taekwondo athlete, won bronze at the Beijing Olympic Games. He achieved that feat because his father supported

Onyali

him with huge sponsorship to take part in various meets abroad.

The former Director General of the National Sports Commission, Dr Patrick Ekeji, said the genesis of Nigeria’s problem was her inability to fund sports properly.

Ekeji said; “What we budget and spend on sports cannot take us anywhere. We have capital and overhead funding in sports. What is appropriated for sports is not always released at once. Government releases money in bits and that makes planning difficult for various programmes.

“We have programmes for development and for the elites, but executing the plans is always difficult if not impossible. Some of the programmes take years to achieve but no funds to back them up.

“Other countries plan well ahead for the youths in developmental areas and the elites are also taken care of with the annual budget.”

On why sponsors are no longer doing enough to assist the government to boost sports in the country, Ekeji stressed that things have changed.

“The economic situation of the country is such that nobody wants to do anything for nothing.

When sponsors give money, they also want some things in return and some of those things are not achieved to encourage them. I recommended that sports loving companies contribute to elite programme but this was not endorsed by the National Assembly,” Ekeji noted.

A former Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, speaking to

Okagbare

Poor funding, instability, bane of sports DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 Other countries plan well ahead for the youths in developmental areas and the elites are also taken care of with the annual budget our correspondent said Nigeria should not be carried away by the achievements in the junior level in football because it does not translate to development.

Onigbinde said: “FIFA will not rate a country based on what happens at the junior levels but at the senior category. The junior one is just a guide for every country in planning and raising players to the senior cadre.

“Again, we are not working towards development but always invest heavily on participation in competitions. We want to be everywhere but the important issue is what we gain from spending the money. Sad enough, the situation has been the same over the years such that we are so used to the fire brigade approach which cannot help us in any way.

“There is a way we can nurture

athletes from a tender age to stardom but we always prefer shortcut to almost every situation by going for the ready-made stars instead of identifying them at an early age and helping them to grow so that they can serve the country for a longer time.”

After former tennis stars Nduka Odizor and Tony Mmoh played in the Grand Slam, no other Nigerian has been able to enter the main draw of the big events despite the huge talents in the country. Odizor made it to the round of 16 at Wimbledon in 1983. A tennis administrator and coach, Godwin Kienka, says there is hope of a re-enactment in future, but also added that Nigeria got it wrong over the years in tennis.

“Tennis has been one of the neglected sports for many years.

Those who are in the game are true lovers who believe in the sport. We raised many potential champions who could have been at the Grand Slams but they were allowed to rot away. We are hoping that some kids between ages eight and 12, who are showing promise now will get help either from government or sponsors,” Kienka said.

Dan Ngerem was a former President of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria. He argues that the government of Nigeria only pays lip service to sports development.

“There is no seriousness in our administration of sports.

The sponsors are running away from sports because they can no longer trust the sport federations.

The athletes need grants to excel on the international stage, but where will the help come from? The facilities we have are so poor such that athletes depend on private gymna-

Ajunwa

siums for workouts. It is a shame,” Ngerem noted.

Chioma Ajunwa won the Olympic gold medal in the long jump event of the Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games but 18 years after, no Nigerian has won an individual gold medal at the games. It remains the country’s only individual gold medal and this is not good enough for a sporting nation.

“Certainly, we are not doing well enough. With deliberate effort in some sports disciplines we could have won more gold medals.

Let me add that it is not easy and it is a project that could take three to five years,” Ngerem added.

The major bane of Nigerian sports is the instability at the top.

Sports ministers rarely spend two years in office. In most cases the ministers will assume office with little or no knowledge about sports but when he is getting used to the system he is sacked.

In Nigeria’s 54 years of independence, the current minister of Sports, Tamuno Danagogo, is the 34th. Continuity in sports administration is a big advantage and until the Nigerian Government understands this, the country might continue to march on the same spot for many years to come.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

Transfer Updates

Fabianski dumps Arsenal for Swansea

I

n his quest for first-team soccer, Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will finally move on from the Emirates.

The 29-year-old Polish international has been with the Gunners since 2007 but has made just 32 Premier League appearances in seven years and 78 in total. Out of contract at the end of June, Fabianski has signed for Swansea as a free agent on a four-year contract.

Di Maria fancies Ballon d’Or A

ngel di Maria believes he should be in contention for the next Ballon d’Or after enjoying his best season for Real Madrid, winning the Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League.

Real team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale tend to get the headlines, but 26-year-old Di Maria, who netted 11 goals in all competitions, believes he deserves more credit for the impact he has made.

“Sometimes I don’t understand why I’m

Real line up £60m bid for Aguero

R

eal Madrid have turned up their interest in Sergio Aguero after giving up on Luis Suarez. The Argentine is also believed to be interested in a move to the European champions, who are preparing a £60million bid, according to the Daily Star.

Aguero scored 28 goals last season and helped Manchester City win a Carling Cup and Premier League double. However, he has a close connection with Madrid after making his name at Real’s rivals Atletico before his £36million transfer to England.

Eto’o seeks Gunners switch

S

amuel Eto’o is allegedly targeting a transfer to FA Cup winners Arsenal this summer with the former Chelsea striker’s representatives moving to alert the Gunners of his willingness to sign for them ahead of the new season.

Eto’o, who is understood to have received lucrative offers from Major League Soccer and the Middle East, is available on a free transfer.

Yaya Toure refutes PSG link

Y

aya Toure has backtracked on comments he would welcome a move to Paris Saint-Germain, telling RFI: “There’s nothing planned.”

“I want to take advantage of this opportunity to put things into context. It’s very important. I simply said that it was nice to be a player who is quite coveted, and it was an honour to play for PSG,” he explained. “The media took what I said out of context. For the moment, there’s nothing planned.

Too many things have been said, that annoyed me.”

Liverpool launch £16m bid for Sevilla star

L

iverpool have made their move to try to secure the services of Alberto Moreno by tabling a £16million bid for the Sevilla left-back. The Reds are also prepared to offer Spanish youngster Suso as a makeweight in the deal.

Moreno enjoyed a fine season in La Liga – helping Sevilla to glory in the Europa League final and securing his place in Spain’s 30-man provisional World Cup squad.

Atletico star in £48m Old Trafford link

M

anchester United are reportedly preparing a £48m offer to bring Atletico Madrid lynchpin Koke to Old Trafford. According to Spanish newspaper, El Confidencial, United will meet the midfielder’s sizeable buy-out clause to prize him away from the Vicente Calderon.

Reports also claim that Louis Van Gaal is not deterred by the fee, and is happy to splurge a large portion of his £200m warchest on the Spanish international.

Di Maria(left)

Fabregas not afraid of Brazil

B

arcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas insists Spain are “not scared” of Brazil as they prepare to defend their FIFA World Cup crown, despite losing 3-0 to the South American nation in the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup 12 months ago.

“I believe (championship wins) are vital,” he said in a

promotional video for Puma. “In 2008, nobody believed in us and since then we’ve made a name for ourselves and we’ve become a competitive team that has won everything.

“We’re not scared of Brazil.

I think Brazil are a very strong team... and if we face them again it will be a completely new game.”

Neuer back in training

B

ayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has returned to training with the Germany squad after hurting his right shoulder in Bayern Munich’s 2-0 DFB Pokal final win over Borussia Dortmund on May 17.

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff said on Wednesday that Germany would be taking a cautious approach to his reintroduction, but it was confirmed by Bayern on Thursday that he had recommenced preparations for the FIFA World Cup finals.

The 28-year-old took part in a run-

ning session with his team-mates, but is not likely to be in contention for Sunday’s friendly against Cameroon.

E

not on the list when I’ve had a great season for a great club,” he said.

“Here are the players who won. I didn’t win and I wasn’t even among the nominees, the 10 or 50 best. But these things happen.

You have to keep working.

“You work to continue to grow and improve and be among the best.

There are many players who are doing well but I think I had a great season, my best at Real Madrid. We won the Champions League and I was the best player in the final. I also had a good year with the national team. I hope everything goes well now.”

Ramires: Brazil must improve from 2010

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helsea midfielder Ramires, who made his World Cup bow four years ago as Brazil were eliminated at the quarterfinal stage for the second successive tournament, believes the South American nation will need to be much improved from their 2010 FIFA World Cup performance to triumph on home soil.

“Last time it was my first World Cup experience,” he told the official Chelsea website. “When I saw my name on the list to go for the first time, I had all these emotions, I was anxious at the time, because it shows the importance of participating in a World Cup. “We tried to get the first game right, winning against North Korea and getting through the group before reaching the knockout stage, where if you lose you are out.

We made mistakes and conceded some goals to get knocked out, and we have to improve this time.”

Serena vows to work harder after shock exit

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he last time Serena Williams left the French Open after an early loss, in 2012, she went on to win the next two Grand Slam tournaments — and Neuer four of the next six. So what might the tennis world see from Williams now that she was beaten in the secRussia’s Teymuraz Gabashvili.

Fifth-seeded David Ferrer of Spain, ond round at Roland Garros?

“I’m going to go home and work last year’s runner-up to Nadal, also adfive times as hard,” she said, “to vanced to the third round by beating make sure I never lose again.”

Italy’s Simone Bolelli 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.

Well, that last part might be farfetched, but the point was pretty clear nonetheless: Watch out when play starts at Wimbledon next month.

Williams, seeded No. 1 in Paris and the defending champion, endured the most lopsided loss of her 288-match Grand Slam career, beaten 6-2, 6-2 by 35th-ranked Garbine Muguruza, a 20-year-old from Spain.

It’s only the third time the 32-year-old Williams has exited a major tournament before the third round.

Roland Garros: Nadal zooms into third round ight-time champion Rafael Nadal advanced to the third round of the French Open on Thursday with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win against Dominic Thiem of Austria. Although the top-seeded Spaniard broke Thiem’s serve seven times overall, the Austrian’s heavy groundstrokes also caused Nadal problems and he lost his own serve twice.

Nadal sealed the second set with a forehand winner down the line, but Thiem broke him again and then held for a 3-1 lead in the third. That prompted Nadal to step up a gear and he secured two consecutive breaks. He converted his second match point when Thiem’s forehand looped out, and next faces either Leonardo Mayer of Argentina or

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Friday, May 30, 2014

Semifinal target realistic for Eagles –Ameobi

Ifeanyi Ibeh

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igerian striker, Shola Ameobi, has come out to declare that he and his Super Eagles teammates share in the belief that they can make it to the semifinals in Brazil.

The Super Eagles have never gone past the last 16 at any of their four previous World Cup appearances, while no team from Africa has been able to progress beyond the quarterfinals.

Speaking on Thursday on a Brila FM radio programme monitored in Lagos, Ameobi, asked if the Super Eagles can get to the semifinals in Brazil, replied: “Every game we go into, we go into believing we can win

and I think that is the only way you should go.

“As a group, we are very confident of our abilities and it is important that we take that confidence onto the pitch. When you have a group of players like this it is important that we set high standards that we feel we can make, and it is important that we understand that we can go far in this tournament.”

The Super Eagles will first have to navigate their way past a first round group containing Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina, and the 31-year-old insists the Nigerian team will head into those games with a ‘positive mind-set’ starting with the games against the Iranians and Bosnians.

“Every team going to the World Cup has got a chance.

Everyone deserves their place, and it is important that we go there with a positive mind-set and with an attitude to see out the first two games that we feel we can hold down. Argentina will likely be different altogether but it is important that we set the pace straight from the game against Iran with a good win, and then take that into the next game against Bosnia,” he stressed.

“Tournament football is all about momentum, and it is important that we take the right momentum into this tournament and go forward,” added Ameobi, who featured in Nigeria’s 2-2 draw against Scotland on Wednesday.

Nwofor(left) battling for the ball with a Scottish player

Scotland coach stuns Keshi Slok to sponsor 2014 FAEA Charity Golf Tourney Dye Golf Course, in Ijamsville, in as a team of golfers from the Enugu Ifeanyi Ibeh with customised brandy the US state of Maryland, is in its Sports Club will be flying the coun-

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cotland Manager, Gordon Strachan, caused a stir in the Nigerian dressing room moments before the game against his side in an international friendly, when he presented his Nigerian counterpart, Stephen Keshi, with a branded brandy, with the name ‘Famous Keshi’.

When Keshi received the gift in the presence of Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi and Media Officer Ben Alaiya he was shocked to the

marrow and wished he could reciprocate it immediately. “This is true friendship in football and we all, especially Nigerians must start to imbibe this type of gesture” he declared.

He added that someday he would find an opportunity to reciprocate.

“Imagine a fellow coach branding my name in a drink. It has never happened in my entire life, please help me thank him” an emotional Keshi said in the Nigerian dressing room.

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lok Nigeria Limited has been named as title sponsors for this year’s edition of the annual Friendship Association Education Assistance Inc. (FAEA) Annual Charity Golf Outing.

The tournament, which comes up on Saturday, June 7, at the PB

9th year and will have in attendance close to a hundred golfers, mostly from the United States.

The PB Dye Golf Course was recently voted as one of the best golf courses in Maryland by top golf magazine, Golf Digest.

Nigeria will however not be left out

try’s flag at the event, and aiming to cart home one of the numerous trophies and prizes on offer at the tournament.

The FAEA is a non-profit organisation, founded in 1996 to further charitable and educational causes both in the United States and Africa.

Keshi clears Eagles of match-fixing Emmanuel Tobi

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uper Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has launched a furious defence of his players following Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Scotland in a match

...as Ejide’s controversial goal causes uproar whose build-up had been disrupted over a matchfixing investigation being launched.

The game was threatened after Britain’s serious crime squad the National Crime Agency were called to investigate a possible threat of match-fixing linked to illegal betting rings ahead of the game at Fulham’s ground in London.

“We did (talk about it) because it’s something ridiculous, something that we don’t know where it’s coming from. We’re not

gamblers, we are football players,” said Keshi.

“I don’t even know where that is coming from, we don’t know what happened, match fixing or no match fixing.

“This is the first time I’ve been a coach or been a player and the first time I’m hearing this, match-fixing. I don’t think it had anything to do with our build-up or the game.”

Meanwhile, the controversial own goal scored by Nigeria’s keeper, Austin Ejide, has caused a lot of up-

roar in the foreign media as replays showed the keeper appearing to throw the ball into the net, just 24 hours after match-fixing fears.

And after Charlie Mulgrew’s sensational opener, the Ejide came out to collect a cross and seemed able to grab the ball easily.

However after a collision with Grant Hanley, Ejide lost control and appeared to throw the ball into his net.

Fortunately referee Lee Probert bailed him out and awarded a free-kick to the Super Eagles who pulled back to 2-2 following a last minute leveller from substitute Uche Nwofor.

Lisbon Spectacle excites Heineken consumers

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he five lucky Nigerian consumers sponsored to the final match of the UEFA Champions League at the Stadium of Heineken Lucky Consumers in Lisbon Light in Lisbon, Portugal last Saturday have Heineken for the wonderful exOduamadi vows to make Keshi’s 23-man squad commended perience they had while in the Iberiannation. to play at the World Cup was close and The Consumers; Usurhyel Auta, SopuluChimaobi Uchendu vowed never to let it slip away from him. chukwu Benjamin Ezugorie, Jayne Uzegbu, uper Eagles midfielder, Nnamdi Odua“It’s been my dream since a kid to OlufunshoMichealAkintoyeandNonyeChrismadi, is confident of making Coach play at the World Cup finals, I have tie Chalokwu who were part of the thousands Stephen Keshi’s final list of players been to the Confederations Cup and so of fans at the Stadium of Light where Real Mathat would represent Nigeria at next I know that I need to work hard to be in drid secured the much awaited La Decima feat month’s World Cup in Brazil.

Brazil, and I’m ready to work hard to fulfill in a 4-1 win over city rivals, Atletico Madrid, The AC Milan player said his dream this dream.” saidthepremiumexperienceextendedtothem

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has opened their world to several possibilities.

Akintoye, who won via the SMS competition held in Lagos confessed that the ‘Lisbon Experience’ has opened his world to the reality of modern day networking with people.

“It was a wonderful experience to be part of that spectacle at the Stadium of Light but beyond football.”

Another winner Sopuluchukwu Ezugorie recalled the orderliness exhibited by the massive crowd within and outside the stadium all through the match-day saying, “It was awesome. I have never been part of such a huge and orderly crowd in my life.”

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Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 30, 2014

NOT GUILTY Edwin Momife gets justice in Abuja, free from EFCC harassment Tunde Oyesina

ABUJA

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he Court of Appeal, Abuja Division has discharged and acquitted a former Chief Executive Officer of M-Tel, Edwin Moore Momife who was charged along three others for allegedly receiving bribes from a multi-national German firm, Siemens Limited.

In a unanimous decision, the court, on Wednesday, held that Momife had

Siemens bribery scam: Appeal Court discharges former M-Tel CEO no case to answer and that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should not have put him on trial because no offence known to law was committed.

Justice Tinuade Akomolafe-Wilson, who read the court judgement, noted that the Siemens officials Momife was said to have conspired with were not charged and were also not at large.

In the circumstances, the court held that the accused person could not

have conspired with himself.

The court also held that even though the accused admitted receiving flight tickets from Siemens, there was no relationship, business otherwise between Siemens and the accused and therefore the offence of receiving bribe without value consideration was not sustainable.

Consequently, Momife was cleared of all wrong doings while the judgement of Danlami Senchi of an Abuja a High Court

which had earlier held that the accused had a case to answer was set aside.

Momife was charged with a former Director of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Maigada Shuaibu, an ex-General Manager of Finance in NITEL, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ossai and a former Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power and Steel, Mahmood Sadiq Mohammed before an Abuja High Court sitting at Wuse Zone 2, for allegedly receiv-

ing bribes from Siemens Limited.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail on self recognition by Justice Danlami Senchi.

In the 16-count amended charge filed against them by the EFCC, the four accused persons were alleged to have received for themselves and their family members, air tickets to attend FIFA World Cup in Germany, in addition to receiving frequent sponsored trips to Germany for medical check-ups.

They all denied committing any offence.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the company made an arrangement with a hospital at Stiftung Deutsche Klinik Fuer Diagnostik Gmbh, International Patientenservice, Aukammalle 33, 65191, Wiesbaden, Germany, where it said both the accused persons and their relations visited frequently between 2002 and 2006.

The offences they allegedly committed were said to have contravened section 96 of the Penal Code Cap 532 LFN (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under section 119 of the same Code.

FCT Police refute bomb blast rumour Emmanuel Onani

Abuja

he Federal Capital TerTCommand ritory (FCT) Police yesterday,

L-R: Executive Director, Caleb International Schools, Dr. Dolapo Ogunbamwo; Executive Director, Finance and Strategy, Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman; winner of "Start from ten" Sterling Bank Schools Mathematics Competition, Kemilade; her mother, Adebola and father, Wale Ogunsanwo, at the Award presentation for the best and winner of the "Start from ten" Sterling Bank Schools Mathematical Competition, in Lagos…yesterday

dismissed rumours of a bomb explosion in Kurudu, a satellite town in the capital city.

Kurudu is less than 40 minutes' drive from the scenes of the April 14 and May 1 bomb blasts, which claimed about 100 lives, and left scores injured.

In a telephone conversation with New Telegraph yesterday, FCT

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Altine Daniels, urged residents to remain calm while going about their legitimate businesses. She explained that what happened at Kurudu was just the routine blast of rocks by construction firms.

According to Daniel, "What happened at Kurudu area today (yesterday), was not a bomb explosion; it was a rock blasting exercise, by some construction companies."

There is an Army resettlement centre in Kurudu.

Ekiti 2014 APC petitions police over attack on members Stories by Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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kiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday petitioned police authorities over alleged incessant attacks on its members by supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) in the build up to the governorship election on June 21.

In the petition addressed to the Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 8, Lokoja, Kogi State, the party chronicled the series of attacks allegedly perpetrated against its members since the commencement of the electioneering campaign ahead of the election.

The petition dated May 27, 2014, was signed by the Interim State Chairman of the party, Chief Jide Awe, but released to journalists in Ado-Ekiti yesterday.

The petition reads in part:

“We write to intimate you about the political developments in Ekiti State. You will recall that Ekiti State under the watch of Governor Kayode Fayemi, has remained relatively peaceful in the last 42 months that he has been in the saddle.

“The peace of the state has, however, suffered a serious breach since the beginning of politicking from candidates and agents of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and that of the Labour Party, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele.

“We also wish to intimate you with the fact that the APC successfully concluded its campaign across the 131 towns in the state without recording any incident of violence.

“The governor as the chief security officer of the state, and as a lover of peace, is always preaching peace wherever he goes to campaign.

‘Why INEC excluded UPN from Ekiti governorship poll’ Wale Elegbede

he Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) yesterday said that the non-participation of the party in the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election was due to the ‘confined timing rules’ of the electoral body for newly registered parties.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the Chairman of the party, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, said

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the short time frame between when the party was registered and the date for the Ekiti election was responsible for the shutting out of the party from the governorship race.

He added that the exclusion has prevented the party from showcasing its four cardinal points’ programme to the Ekiti people.

“INEC rules and regulation shut us out due to the timing of our registration

and the date for the Ekiti election. The people of the state would be rubbed of the laudable four cardinal programmes that the UPN has to offer, but we will contest Osun governorship election scheduled for August.”

On the non-conduct of local government elections in Ekiti and some other states in the South-West, the UPN said the act was a ploy to rig the forthcoming governorship elections in

those states.

Fasehun noted that the regime of caretaker committees in the states has facilitated corruption at the local government level, adding that the system had also subsumed democracy at the grassroots level.

“The failure of the APC states to facilitate elections at the local government level is a ploy to rig the coming election in the states.

Bamidele calls for sober reflection State Labour Party E21kiti (LP) candidate in the June governorship election,

Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, yesterday called for sober reflection as Nigerians marked this year’s democracy day.

He said the current insecurity in the country,

especially last month’s abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, calls for sober reflection.

In a goodwill message released by his Media Assistant, Ahmed Salami, in Ado-Ekiti, Bamidele said; “Much as we continue to

remember our past heroes, especially those who laid down their lives to institutionalise democracy; I urge everyone to do this with sober reflection in view of the prevailing circumstances” in the country."

He added that; “This becomes more imperative as those Nigerian youths kidnapped last month in Chibok, Borno State, are yet to return home; into the waiting arms of their parents, and the loss of lives in the affected areas.

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Sanctity of Truth

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Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha FRIday, MAY 30, 2014

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The wrong shade of red C Graffiti olours and protests easily go hand in glove these days, as protesters have latched on the symbolism of colours to vividly define their cause. The communicative properties of colours have over time come to be associated with natural or psychological connotations. The protests in the Philippines were dubbed the “Yellow Revolution”, and that of Ukraine was the “Orange Revolution”. Thailand’s series of protests have witnessed a spectrum of colours representing a variety of positions.

There were Red shirts, Yellow shirts, Blue shirts, Pink shirts, Orange shirts, Purple shirts and Black shirts.

Most of these protests began as concerted citizen action by a few, through non-violence, to register the shortcomings of the government, and they snowballed as more people gave voice to the demands for better governance.

As the #BringBackOurGirls campaign went viral globally with its dominant red colour to symbolize the anguish of the victims, a group of women in Abuja who had in one way or the other given momentum to the cause, defied the heavy rainfall on April 30, and marched with other sympathizers to the National Assembly. They were protesting the almost non-action in rescuing the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, and the incoherence of information surrounding the unfolding saga. From then on the group decided to hold a daily non-violent sit-out at the Unity Fountain to press home the demand for the girls to be brought back safely as quickly as possible.

The group is also asking for the whole truth surrounding the deteriorating security condition in the country to be unraveled.

To further give verve to their cause, the group tried to meet with the President on May 22, but he dashed off to South Africa.

In sharp contrast, whereas the legislators allowed the protesters into the premises and addressed them amidst the heavy downpour, the march to the Presidential Villa showed the growing intolerant side of the administration and its disdain for the populace it is supposed to be serving. The route to the Villa was cordoned off, and a delegation led by the Secretary of the Government cheekily advised “that protests should be directed at the terrorists.” The classic twisted reasoning of the administration.

It is becoming more evident that the President and his advisers are deliberately choosing to ignore the significance of the protest.

The point being made through the protest is that elected leaders have the constitutional burden of providing security for every Nigerian, and where there are apparent failings the leadership must be held accountable by the citizens. The impression the President keeps giving in every crisis situation is that

EMMAN USMAN SHEHU prohabe@hotmail.com - 08051614969 (sms only)

his administration is not answerable to the constitution and can act as it deems fit. This is a recipe for chaos and it explains the country’s gradual slide to anarchy.

The administration sees every criticism as a threat and does not hesitate to unleash every mechanism including blackmail to fight back.

But each time it reacts in this way, it gives off unpleasant signals of desperation as it totters from one public relations disaster to the other. Consequently, its growing tyrannical tendencies are showing rather than masking its fundamental ineptness.

Typically, through its spokespersons and half-baked security analysts, it is trying to smear the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners as unpatriotic people being manipulated by the opposition. These analysts, in the deceitful manner that has become of a characteristic of the administration, claim that all Americans rallied around the Bush administration during the 9/11 attacks and did not hold the government responsible for any perceived inaction.

The facts speak differently. Even though Americans collectively decried the terrorist attacks against their country, it did not stop a lot of them from expressing their resentment at things they felt had gone wrong within the system and left them vulnerable. Recognising their constitutional right to criticize the government, they raised a variety of issues about organisational failures that could not be overlooked. Four family members of 9/11 victims known as the “Jersey Girls” put it succinctly when they appeared before the House Intelligence Committee to demand for an independent inquiry: “It’s about doing the right thing. It’s about the safety of the nation.”

On April 11, 2002, Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney weighed in with a demand for a thorough investigation. She was the first national-level politician to make such a demand, as she felt Bush had prior warning but failed to take appropriate action. She stated: “News reports from Der Spiegel to the London Observer, from the Los Angeles Times to MSNBC to CNN, indicate that many different warnings were received by the administration….I am not aware of any evidence showing that President Bush or members of his administration have personally profited from the attacks of 9/11….On the other hand,

Fastest 100m hurdles wearing swim fins (male) is 14.82 seconds and was acheived by Christopher Irmscher (Germany) on the set of Guinness World Records on 13 September 2008.

what is undeniable is that corporations close to the administration have increasingly benefitted from the aftermath of September 11.”

Not long after McKinney’s comments, more reports came to light vindicating her position that the administration had been warned five weeks before 9/11 about possible plane hijackings by al-Qaeda.

Former bush administration official, Morgan Reynolds expressed serious doubts about the official version of the attacks, pointing to the government’s collapse theory of the three buildings as highly vulnerable from an engineering angle. While Ellen Mariani sued the governmentforsupposedlyhavingforeknowledge of the attacks, former President Jimmy Carter accused Bush of exploiting the tragic incident for political gain.

These and other documented criticisms eventually forced the Bush administration, much against its wish, to allow an independent inquiry.Those who made criticisms were not labeled unpatriotic. They were not told to address their criticisms to al-Qaeda. Instead it was recognized that they were acting within their constitutional rights to hold the government accountable for all its actions.

The criticisms paid off as an Independent Commission of Inquiry was set-up, whose outcomes confirmed several issues raised by the critics including institutionalized incompetence and corruption, but also made recommendations that drastically changed the country’s security architecture, especially in the areas of gathering, sharing and taking action on intelligence.

The Nigerian leadership instead of addressing issues being raised by the #BringBackOurGirls movement, is busy with its usual diversionary tactics tinged with impunity and tyranny. In a throwback to the days of military rule, it has allegedly given out N150,000 million to fund counter-protests, even as the military and other security services are in dire need of funding. The administration’s #ReleaseOurGirlsBokoHaram campaign is designed to deflect attention from its failures especially in providing welfare and security.

The wrong shade of red it has chosen, deploying miscreants with several Sure-P buses at their disposal, became manifest especially in Abuja after the May 22 march to meet the President. From May 26, there were attempts

to disrupt the daily, non-violent sit-out at the Unity Fountain by the #BringBackOurGirls group. Sensing the increasing threat, the group made a written complaint on May 28 to the Inspector General of Police and the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police seeking for protection. By the evening of the same day the #ReleaseOurGirls group violently attacked the #BringBackOurGirls sit-out, snatching phones and handbags, breaking chairs and smashing the cameras of local and international reporters at the scene.

The police and soldiers watched unperturbed and some even encouraged the attackers to destroy the cameras to forestall documentary evidence. One of the security personnel defended their non-intervention by saying the aggressors were expressing their rights.

Unfortunately, given the global reach of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign and the daily international focus on Nigeria, this is another needless public relations disaster for the administration. It will further diminish the administration by raising issues about its democratic credentials and its respect for the rule of law. It may also nudge more Nigerians to a new level of civil consciousness. Certainly it will now be business unusual, as Nigerians resolve to hold the administration liable for its palpable failures. What it initially termed an innocuous incident in Chibok, is gradually becoming an albatross around its neck.

It is time for the whole truth about the insurgencyandthegeneralfailureof insecurity to be unraveled, even if this calls for an Independent Commission of Inquiry. To mimic that controversial pro-administration jingle, the Americans did it, we too should do it now without further hesitation.

OmoBaba

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