Friday telegraph friday, june 24, 2016

CBN, bank treasurers meet over forex, liquidity crises

lFitch downgrades Nigeria to ‘B+’ lMobil sells $100m Ayodele Aminu

I

n a bid to review and fine-tune the newly introduced foreign

exchange policy, as well as discuss the current liquidity crisis that has astronomically raised interbank rates, lenders’ head

of treasury are meeting with the top officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Lagos on Sunday.

The planned consulta-

tion emerged hours after Fitch Ratings downgraded Nigeria's Long-term foreign currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'B+'

from 'BB-' and Long-term local currency IDR to 'BB-' from 'BB' with stable outlooks.

New Telegraph learnt that the meeting, which is at the instance of the trea-

surers, is basically to review the new forex policy that commenced last Monday and possibly fine-tune some of the grey areas.

The meeting, which is CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Sanctity Of Truth

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Police officers must declare assets –Acting IG }5

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Vol. 3 No. 856

Friday, June 24, 2016

Magu to associates: Stop extorting suspects in my name }6

N10bn loan: AMCON takes over Murray-Bruce’s assets }6

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com @newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

Shell facility attacked in Imo }4

N150

Army: No plans to overthrow Buhari Idris

Magu

Murray-Bruce

Okunbor

...investigates rumoured coup plot lSoldiers, police in shootout }2 FG arraigns AVM Ojuawo over alleged N69.2m bribe }6

A serving officer of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Rufus Ojuawo, during his arraignment for alleged fraud at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja …yesterday

Lagos shuts 101 hotels, churches, mosques, clubs }8

Some form of cancer could be contagious –Study }10

NEWS

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Friday, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Army: No plans to overthrow Buhari

Felix Nwaneri and Emmanuel Onani

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he Nigerian Army has faulted claims by the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF) that some of its officers sought the group's support to overthrow the government.

The Joint Revolutionary Congress (JRC), which is part of the larger JNDLF, had alleged of a sinister plot by some unnamed military officers to disrupt civil rule.

“We are constrained to let the cat out of the bag today that President Muhammadu Buhari should be wary about the security of this country as some military men are making moves to remove him from power by instigating civil unrest in the country.

“Some top military men, through their civil agents, approached us to cause and continue the vandalism of oil and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta to serve as an excuse to take over the government from democracy to military rule in the country,” the group had said in a statement.

But, the Nigerian Army, yesterday, distanced itself from the alleged plot, insisting that as beneficiaries of constitutional democracy, it could not contemplate staging a coup against the authority.

The Army, which made its position known in a statement by its spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, however, vowed to unmask those behind the "insinuations".

"The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to another campaign of calumny and distraction by faceless criminal gang of economic saboteurs that hide under the aegis of Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF) alleging that some officers of the Nigerian Army approached them for support to overthrow our duly elected present democratic government.

"This is baseless and most unfortunate allegation that existed in the warped minds of the originators of such weighty allegation. The Nigerian Army wish to state that this is not true and hereby distanced itself from this

3%

The percentage by which financial data and media firm Bloomberg LP’s estimated revenue rose in 2015.

Source: Forbes.com

88,083

The official capacity of Gelora bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Source: Businessinsider.in

weighty allegation.

"We also see this speculation as a dangerous distraction to our effort in fighting insurgency and other criminal elements in the country.

"The Nigerian Army would like to send a strong and an unequivocal warning to those speculating a coup by the Nigerian Army against the government to desist forthwith.

We would like to state in clear terms that we are a product of democracy and a focused professional institution and would have nothing to do with such abomination and heinous crime," the Army said.

According to the Army, the speculation amounted to a subtle declaration of war against those it called “unscrupulous elements”, with a view to destabilizing the government.

It said an investigation has since begun, to identify

and punish those behind the rumour. "'We wish to state further that the Nigerian Army is the greatest beneficiary of democracy and, therefore, cannot ever contemplate any antidemocratic misadventure, certainly not under the command of the present Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai.

"Rather, we see this type of dangerous speculation as a declaration of war to destabilise the present government by these unscrupulous elements.

"The Nigerian Army is investigating those behind the dangerous insinuation in order to unravel the real motive behind it.

"We would like to reiterate our unalloyed loyalty to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Ni-

geria and defence of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We would also like to reaffirm our unconditional support and obedience to civil authority."

Third Republic governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, who said that military coups are no more fashionable anywhere in the world, however, cautioned against roping the people of the South-South in a fathom coup in order to get back at them.

His words: “The atmosphere today in the world and also Nigeria is against coup making. But if anybody wants to make a coup, let him not blame the people of the Niger Delta for it because only God knows why they recently wiped out Igbos and Niger Delta people from the army.”

National Chairman of the United Progressives

Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, also said that military intervention in government is no longer acceptable. “I will say that the world has advanced so much that military intervention in government is no longer acceptable by the international community, even by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).

So, any such effort would make Nigeria to immediately become a pariah state and might even attract peace keepers to come and quell such intervention,” he said.

He, however, added that apart from military authorities dishing out orders on the rumour, there is the need for Buhari to initiate measure to douse tension in the country, which may been responsible for the coup’s claim.

He said: “There is no

doubt that Nigeria is restive at the moment and the nature of the restiveness can breed all manner of rumour. This rumour can be perceived as the true position of things. The military should look inwards, but above all, the Commanderin-Chief should take steps to douse the tension, so that the possibility of military intervention would be ruled out.

“You will discover that in the Nigerian and African situation, those who intervene from the military in most cases are not the senior generals, but the very young officers, who are prepared to take risk. So, they are not much different from the likes of the Avengers and that is why a proactive step by the Commander-in-Chief to douse tension is the first line of action, and not the military hierarchy dishing out orders.”

L-R: Representative of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Otunba Femi Pedro; Oba of Lagos, Alhaji Rilwan Akiolu; Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; chairman of the occasion, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; keynote speaker, Dr. Doyin Abiola; author, Cascade of Change/Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde and former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, during the public presentation of the book in Lagos…yesterday.

Soldiers, Police in shootout over food items lOne injured

Ahmed Miringa Maiduguri

A

police officer was yesterday shot in the foot by a soldier after a scuffle ensued over the distribution of food items for Ramadan by the Borno State Government.

New Telegraph gathered that trouble started soon after the state began the day four of the distribution exercise of food items such as rice, semovita etc. at the government house in Maiduguri.

It was learnt that the policeman was injured when a soldier shot him in anger for not allowing a truck being used by some soldiers to pass a barricade to the distribution centre.

It was also learnt that soon after, thousands of men, women, young and old had gathered and dis-

tribution started, the police had barred vehicles from accessing the venue, except those on special permission.

It was further gathered that soon after it started, soldiers in the truck appeared, insisting on driving into the place, where the items were being shared, but were resisted by the policemen, who insisted on the truck turning back.

That led to argument that caused the soldier to pull his gun and fire at the policeman, injuring him on the leg.

It was also learnt that following the act, policemen there also fired shots into the air, thereby scaring the people who had gathered around for the day’s sharing.

New Telegraph gathered that it was at the point where the argument was about turning into a fight that the Commander of the

Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Lucky Irabor, was invited by the Borno State Attorney General, Kaka Shehu Lawan.

Irabor was said to have arrived alongside the state police commissioner and the Director of Department State Services (DSS).

Irabor described the situation as “shameful and highly unbecoming of uniformed officers”.

“What is a bag of rice that will give you the cause to be angry? A bag of rice?

It is shameful. If the world hears that it is because of bag of rice that made police and soldiers to be fighting, is it not shameful? Let us not behave like children: all of us have children at home. Soldiers and policemen should be seen to be mature in their dispositions at all times.”

An eyewitness, who did not want his name in print, said the soldiers came and demanded to take some

rice, while the police guarding the distribution tried to stop them.

The army and the Police, in a joint statement, said that the incident was contained before it snowballed into something dangerous.

The statement said: “There was an unfortunate fracas between a soldier and a policeman around the office of the Deputy Governor over a disagreement which led to the unfortunate shooting of a policeman on his foot. The policeman is responding to treatment and has been visited by the theatre commander, operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Leo Irabor and the Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, Aminchi Baraya, both of whom went together to sympathize with the policeman.”

The statement was signed by Irabor and Baraya.

It also quoted the Permanent Secretary, Government House and Security, Mr. Ahmed Sanda, as saying that the state government had kicked off the distribution of the food items to internally displaced persons in the host communities of Maiduguri and Jere metropolis.

“The Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force in Maiduguri jointly condemn this unfortunate incident which was quickly brought under full control within minutes.

“The Army and the Police are jointly investigating the cause of the fracas with a view to ensuring that anyone found culpable amongst the security men are made to face disciplinary measures in line with laid down rules of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Findings and measures taken will be brought to public knowledge as soon as possible," the statement stated.

Friday, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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NEWS

Friday, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

CBN, bank treasurers meet over forex, liquidity crises CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

billed for the corporate head office of FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange (FMDQ) – in Victoria Island, Lagos, is the second of such consultations in the last three weeks (last one held on June 1) and treasurers who spoke with this newspaper are upbeat – especially with the Standard Foreign Exchange Forward Market slated to commence on Monday.

Meanwhile, Mobil Oil Producing Company was the toast of the FX market yesterday, as the oil firm sold about $100 million, a development that helped to instill more confidence in the market, even though treasurers insisted that liquidity still remained a challenge.

Also, for the fourth consecutive day since the trading on the new forex policy began, the apex bank yesterday sold dollars to ease shortages, further leading to the strengthening of the naira.

Data obtained from FMDQ website showed that the naira closed at N281.67 to the dollar yesterday as against N282.80 the previous day.

According to Reuters, the naira traded at N283 to the dollar at 1249 GMT, on volumes of $76.8 million, which traders attributed to the CBN’s intervention.

In a bid to prevent a liquidity crisis in the inter-

bank FX market, triggered by the naira debit on banks by the banking watchdog for over $4 billion backlog, the latter had, last Wednesday, opened a discount window for lenders to meet their short-term dollar demands.

This temporary liquidity brought down interbank rates and helped to stabilise activities in the interbank FX market.

Accordingly, overnight tenor of the Nigeria Interbank Offered Rate (NIBOR) fell from 68.50 percent last Wednesday to 25 percent yesterday. Also, the Open Buy Back (OBB) on which most of yesterday’s transactions were based fell from 63.33 per cent to 20 percent yesterday.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Fitch also said the issue ratings on Nigeria's senior unsecured foreign-currency bonds have also been downgraded to 'B+' from 'BB-'.

Besides, the rating agency said the Country Ceiling has been revised down to 'B+' from 'BB-' and the Short-Term ForeignCurrency IDR affirmed at 'B'.

Giving reasons for the downgrade, Fitch said: “Nigeria's fiscal and external vulnerability has worsened due to a sharp fall in oil revenue and fiscal and monetary adjustments that were slow to take shape and insufficient

to mitigate the impact of low global oil prices.

“Renewed insurgency in the Niger Delta in 1H16 has lowered oil production, magnifying pressures on export revenues and limiting the inflow of hard currency.”

It predicted that Nigeria's general government fiscal deficit will grow to 4.2 per cent in 2016, after averaging 1.5 per cent in 2011-15, before beginning to narrow in 2017.

According to the agency, despite expected increases in non-oil revenue, the overall general government revenue will drop to just 5.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), from an average of 12 per cent in 2011-15.

It further noted that although the Federal Government has cut fuel subsidies and adopted a number of public financial management reforms that have contained the growth of current expenditure, including the move to a Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the implementation of information systems that have reduced the number of ghost workers.

“Nigeria's low level of general government debt, forecast to be 14 per cent of GDP in 2016, is well below the 'B' median of 53 per cent and a rating strength,” the agency stated.

In addition, the ratings agency stated that the fall

in general government revenue represents a risk to the country's debt profile, estimating that general government debt/revenue will rise to 259 per cent in 2016 from 181 per cent in 2015, higher than the 223 per cent median for 'B' rated peers.

“At end-2015, only 19 per cent of central government debt was denominated in foreign currency.

Nevertheless, depreciation of the naira will increase the debt and debt service burden. A weak policy response to falling external revenues has led to an increase in external vulnerabilities, slower GDP growth and a widening of the current account deficit,” Fitch stated.

Commenting on the new flexible exchange rate policy, the agency insisted that: “The new regime will not be fully flexible, as it will still involve a parallel market as importers of 41 items are excluded from the inter-bank market, which will continue to hinder growth, capital inflows and investment, in Fitch's view. Furthermore, the delayed change in exchange rate policy casts some uncertainty over the authorities' commitment to a more flexible system.”

It pointed out that the CBN continued intervention in the FX market will reduce international reserves, which were below

$27 billion before the new market began trading compared with $34 billion at end-2014.

The rating agency also noted that although the FG’s move to liberalise fuel prices has allowed more supply to come to market, the move coupled with FX restrictions have led to a rise in inflation to 15.6 per cent in May. “Inflationary pressures from the depreciation of the naira will be partly balanced by improved foreign currency access, which should reduce supply constraints. Fitch forecasts

inflation to end the year at lower than 12 per cent,” it added.

Rating the country’s banks, the agency stated: “Our base case for Nigerian banks is that regulatory total capital ratios will not decline significantly due to the effective devaluation.

Any impact will be offset by still strong profitability and high levels of internal capital generation. The new FX regime crucially also provides access to US dollars for the banks to meet demand and their internal and external obligations.”

Police confirm attack on Shell facility in Imo

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he police have confirmed an attack on a facility belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) at Awarra, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo. DSP Andrew Enwerem, the Public Relations Officer of police in the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Owerri that the police received report of the attack in the early hours of Thursday.

Enwerem could not disclose the extent of damage done to the facility or the group that carried out the attack.

Mr. Precious Okolobo,

spokesman for SPDC said "the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), which runs through Awara, Imo State at the Assa-Rumuekpe line, has been shut for repairs since June 8, following a leak at Okolo launch, Bonny in Rivers State.

“We are investigating the reported incident at Awara,” he said.

A source in Awarra community told NAN that the incident occurred at about 5.30a.m.

It said the explosion created huge flame at the site and could not confirm if there was loss of life. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

NEWS

Friday, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Police officers must declare assets –Acting IG lShake up looms in Police as Idris receives briefs

Our Correspondent

A

ll officers from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) to InspectorGeneral of Police, will henceforth declare their assets, the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has declared.

Idris made the statement yesterday in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd).

He said that the directive was in line with Section 13 cap 15 Code of Conduct Act. “Every police officer from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police to Inspector-General who are commissioned officers must declare their assets,” Idris said.

He added that the directive would guide the conduct of police officers in carrying out their duties.

The police boss promised that under his administration, the integrity of the force would be further enhanced.

“I assure you sir, that we will raise the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force to be more accountable to the people,” he said.

49.66

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Austria in 2001.

Source: Itu.int

£702m

The total value of Tottenham Hotspurs in 2016.

Source: Goal.com

The acting IG added that under his command, the police would operate within the rule of law.

He said that the presence of police officers would be felt in all villages and streets across the country.

Responding, Dambazau urged the acting IG to focus on the three key issues of corruption, economy and security for the success of this administration.

“You have a lot of challenges as the chief law officer of the country,” he said.

The minister urged the new police boss to collaborate with other security agencies to address the issues of crimes and postconflict resolution in the North-East.

“The post conflict resolution in the North-East has to be comprehensive and holistic,” he said.

Dambazau advised his guest to carry everybody along and put the right persons in the positions of command commissioners and zonal commanders.

“No matter how smart you think you are, you cannot do it alone without the support of others,” he said, and advised Idris to make the welfare of his officers a priority.

He assured him of the support of the ministry to discharge his mandate.

In his inaugural speech, Idris said that the police under his administration would be guided by the international core values of policing.

Meanwhile, as Idris takes briefs from formations, departments and others, after assuming of-

Omisore to EFCC: I didn’t collect N1.3bn from ONSA

F

ormer governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State in the 2014 election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has denied that he got N1.3 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

He accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of devising various plots to nail him at all costs.

Omisore, in a statement yesterday, denied that he stashed N1.3 billion collected from ONSA in his bank account.

He described the allegation as sheer blackmail.

The former Osun State deputy governor observed that the anti-graft body had been using falsehood to harass him, stressing that this was evident in the way the

latter had said he, at one time, took N700 million and later changed the figure to N1.3 billion.

Omisore said the EFCC had been dodging court summons in the suit he filed against it.

According to him, “EFCC won’t stop at any height to blackmail opposition. Only yesterday morning, I accused EFCC of dodging court summons. I didn’t collect any money from ONSA. I have not had any dealings with the ONSA. Last time, it was N700 million, today, it’s N1.3 billion.

“Nigerians should be expecting higher multipliers in future. There is no such money in my account. Let the EFCC bring all findings to the court, instead of media hype.”

fice on Wednesday, there are strong indications that the redeployment and posting of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), and Command Commissioners of Police (CPs), will be his first major assignment.

A senior police source, who spoke with New Telegraph in confidence, said the IGP is determined to pursue vigorously, his “Principle of Democratic Policing”, in his quest to take the Force to the next level.

New Telegraph gathered that for the new Police Chief to successfully implement his policy direction, he will need to appoint a team that will facilitate his mission.

The source said Idris is a thorough-bred professional officer, who will not only sustain some landmark projects of his predecessor, Mr. Solomon Arase, but will do all within his power as IGP, to restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police.

“If you know the new IGP, you will understand how passionate he is about moving the Force to the next level.

“That is why one of his first major decisions, from what I know, is redeployment and new postings.

“Get it right; the new IGP has his dream of advancing the cause of the Force, and he will need to saddle those that can facilitate this action plan

with such enormous responsibilities.

“You know zonal and state commands, among others, are the vehicles to achieving his set objectives,” the source said.

In his inaugural speech on Wednesday, Idris had vowed to deal with cases of armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes in the country.

To this end, the Acting IGP said he would undertake restructuring and reorganisation of the Special Anti-Robbery Squads (SARS) in the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Apart from SARS, the new police chief also said Special Units of the Police, such as the Police Mobile Force (PMF), and

5

the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), will be reorganised.

He had said: “Violent criminality is gradually taking over our streets, neighbourhoods and communities. In order to address these ugly challenges, the Special AntiRobbery Squads in the State Commands will be restructured, reorganised and made more robust to reverse these ugly trends in our communities.

“The time has come for the Nigeria Police to play more active role in the unity and stability of this country. This can only be achieved through the reorganisation and restructuring of the Special Police Units of Mobile Force and Counter Terrorism Units,” Idris said.

Senate President Bukola Saraki (left) with the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Tunde Fowler, during the inauguration of the Senate Adhoc Committee on the 2013 NEITI Audit report in Abuja …yesterday.

My trial, an act of vendetta, says Dasuki lCourt fixes September 13 for ruling on secret trial

Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

A

former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) yesterday said that his trial was sheer vendetta over offences he might have committed while he was still a serving officer.

Dasuki is standing trial before three different courts over alleged diversion of $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms and illegal possession of firearms.

The three courts had, at different times, admitted him to bail, which were perfected, but was re-arrested in December and had since been in detention of the DSS. Meanwhile, one of the courts where Dasuki is standing trial, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, fixed September 13 for ruling in an application by the Federal Government seeking a secret trial of the defendant.

By secret trial, the prosecution wants all its

witnesses to stay behind the screen while giving testimonies and also use pseudo names.

At the resumed trial yesterday, Dasuki, through his counsel, J.B Daudu (SAN), before opposing the application by the Federal Government, said that his trial was just punishment by some top powers over a perceived offence he might have committed several years ago while being in the Army.

He, however, stated that he had handed over everything to God for His own impartial judgement.

According to Daudu, “It is crystal clear that the defendant (Dasuki) is being punished by the powers that be for the offences committed long before, we leave them to the Almighty God for his ultimate judgement.”

Arguing his motion, prosecution counsel, Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN) prayed the court to allow witnesses give evidence behind the screen to be provided by the court.

Okpeseyi premised his prayer on the fact that Da-

suki, as a formal military chief, has large loyalists across the country that may jeopardise the trial if done in the open.

He also argued that Dasuki has, in the recent past, held the highest security office in the country and has loyalists in the security circle whose loyalty has been transferred to personality and whose actions might be inimical to prosecution witnesses, some of whom are still in the service.

The government counsel informed the court that one of the prosecution witnesses was involved in a serious accident, resulting in multiple fractures and injuries, but, however, stated that in as much as he would not allude that Dasuki has a hand in the accident, it heightened the need to have the witnesses protected by the court.

Furthermore, he submitted that in the highest military office where Dasuki served last, loyalty was the first, second and the last rule and because of the peculiar nature of loyalty some persons have

for him within the military and beyond, those to give evidence in the trial were, at one time or the other, staff of the defendant.

Opposing the application, defence counsel, Daudu, submitted that it would breach the principle of fair trial if the application were granted.

He further submitted that contrary to the position of the government, Dasuki cannot be a threat to the witnesses as he has been in the custody of the Federal Government since December last year.

Daudu argued that open trial is the minimum requirement in a criminal trial and as such, any attempt to opt for a secret trial as in the instant case, which was not a capital offence, will run contrary to Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution on fail trial.

After listening to both parties, the judge, Justice Ademola adjourned ruling for September 13 after the court must have come back from its annual vacation.

He also fixed September 14 and 15 for continuation of trial.

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NEWS

Friday, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG arraigns AVM Ojuawo over alleged N69.2m bribe ...admitted to N10m bail

Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

T

he Federal Government yesterday arraigned a former Air Officer in charge of Tactical Air command, Makurdi, Air Vice Marshal Rufus Ojuawo before an Abuja High Court on a two-count charge of allegedly receiving a gift of N40 million and a car valued at N29.2 million from a contractor with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Mr. Hima Aboubakar of Societe D' Equipments Internationaux Nig Ltd. When the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

Prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, however, requested for an adjournment to enable him open his case. He also asked the court to remand the defendant in prison custody.

However, counsel to the

defendant, Mr. Robert Ajabo, in opposing the oral application, moved a motion for the release of his client on bail pending trial.

He argued that the alleged offence upon which the defendant was charged is bailable in nature.

He cited relevant case laws including Mamam v state (2012) A FWLR; Suleiman V C.O.P Plateau State and section 16 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, in persuading the court to admit his client to bail.

Ajabo further argued that relevant and sufficient materials have been placed before the court to enable it exercise its discretion in favour of the defendant and to grant him bail on liberal terms.

He added that as a serving General in the military, the defendant would not jump bail, but be available to face his trial.

Opposing the bail appli-

cation, prosecution counsel, Jirbo, urged the court to refuse the application and send the defendant to prison custody to serve as a deterrent to others.

He argued that in view of the gravity of the offence, which carries a jail term of five years upon conviction, the defendant would evade justice.

Jirbo further urged the court to hold that there were no sufficient materials placed before the court to enable it to admit the defendant to bail.

He cited the cases of Bamaiyi v the state (2001); Musa V C.O.P (2004) in urging the court to refuse the application.

In his ruling, Justice Mahawai Baba Idris, however, overruled the submissions of the prosecution counsel and admitted the defendant to bail on ground that the alleged offences brought against the applicant are such that bail cannot be denied him.

Besides, he held that by

the constitutional provisions of sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, the accused person is deemed innocent until it is proven otherwise.

Justice Idris said the provisions of section 158 of ACJA 2015 also empowers the court to grant bail to the applicant as the offence did not fall within the contemplation of section 162 of the Act. The court, however, granted him bail in the

Adeola Yusuf

T

he Nigeria Gas Association (NGA) yesterday disclosed plans to attract $55 billion worth of investment opportunities to Nigeria.

President of NGA, Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya, who revealed this during a press conference to herald the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the

T

group in Lagos, stated that the association was positive of growth in the economy and the potential for growth in key areas such as exploration and production, processing, supply, and distribution.

"Turning natural gas into a profit-making venture requires huge investments in infrastructure that address the five component areas of gas availability, gas affordability, deliverability, funding, legal and regulatory framework," Osunsanya.

The government and operators alike, he added, recognise that the first

step is to provide a legal and regulatory framework that will enable the removal of persistent obstacles.

"To this end, we have scheduled a follow-up roundtable with the National Assembly (Senate and House Committees on Gas) for later in the year.

"This roundtable will provide us with a platform to continue dialogue regarding the implementation of initiatives necessary to stimulate growth, stable revenue generation, and guarantee long term natural gas exploitation," he said.

Magu: Stop extorting suspects in my name Emmanuel Onani Abuja

T

AMCON takes over Murray-Bruce’s assets he Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has taken over Silverbird Productions Limited, Silverbird Showtime Limited and Silverbird Galleria Limited, the corporation announced yesterday.

In a statement, AMCON said the development followed last Friday’s judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, which granted an interim injunction against the companies and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Guy Murray-Bruce, Roy Murray-Bruce and Jonathan Murray-Bruce based on an application by the corporation.

According to the statement, “Justice C.M.A. Olatoregun, the presiding judge while granting the order on the application

ing the Tactical Air Command, Nigerian Air Force, Makurdi.

He was picked while on his way to Stuttgart, Germany, on national assignment as a member of the Armed Forces delegation to United State African Command (USAFRICOM), where he was scheduled to deliver a keynote address on issues bordering on the speedy conclusion of the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

NGA mulls $55bn gas investment in Nigeria

Premises of Silverbird Communications sealed by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in Lagos… yesterday.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Tony Chukwunyem

sum of N10 million and a surety in the like sum. The surety, according to the judge, must be a civil servant not below the rank of an Assistant Director.

The court later adjourned till September 15 for trial.

Until his arrest by the EFCC on February 7, 2016, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, AVM Ojuawo was carrying out his duties as the Air Officer Command-

of counsel to AMCON, restrained Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and other obligors that owe AMCON over N10billion from challenging, interfering with or otherwise obstructing or frustrating the Receiver (M.A Banire SAN) appointed by AMCON over the fixed and floating assets of the listed companies belonging to the Murray-Bruce family.

“The Senator, who would not repay the huge debt owed AMCON has been in protracted negotiations”.

The statement also stated that contrary to news making the rounds, it did not shut down the concerned companies, stressing that, “We appointed a Receiver that took over the companies in the early hours of Thursday June 23, 2016 as ordered by the Federal High Court and the Receiver would be responsi-

ble for the companies on behalf of AMCON going forward.”

It further stated that, “the court order affects the mortgaged asset located at Central Area, Cadastral Zone, AOO Plot No. 1161, Abuja, the mortgaged asset at Abonnema Wharf Road and Abali Park in Port Harcourt, Rivers State as well as the mortgaged asset at 133 Ahmadu Bello Way, Lagos where the Silverbird Galleria is located.”

In addition, AMCON said the court ordered the Inspector General of Police, Assistant Inspectors General of Police, and the Commissioner of Police in charge of Lagos State, its Deputy and all other Police Officers under them to assist M.A Banire, the Receiver and the bailiffs of the Federal High Court in the enforcement of its orders.”

Murray-Bruce, a serv-

ing Senator, is a director of several companies in Nigeria including Silverbird Television, Rhythm 93.7 FM radio station and Silverbird Galleria spread across Nigeria and Ghana.

According to AMCON, 400 of its obligors account for more than N4.5 trillion, which is approximately 80 per cent of the total outstanding loan balance of the corporation’s over 12, 000 accounts with obligors that have refused to meet their obligations to the asset management corporation.

AMCON recently increased the tempo of its recovery activities using firmer negotiation strategies as well as utilizing the special enforcement powers vested by the AMCON Act to compel some of its recalcitrant debtors, especially those that are politically exposed and business heavyweights to repay their debts.

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has warned "unscrupulous individuals" against dropping his name, purportedly to extort money from suspects undergoing trial.

A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said those involved in the act of dropping Magu's name, promised the suspects that their cases will be dropped.

"It has come to the attention of the EFCC that some unscrupulous individuals now parade the streets posing as representatives of the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, and extorting money from persons under investigation, promising them a soft-landing and, in some instances, giving them assurances that their cases would be closed.

"Intelligence available to the commission indicate that some of them, who are known to have relationships with the acting chairman, are exploiting this knowledge to position themselves as agents of the anti-graft czar, to extort desperate suspects under

investigation by the commission.

"In the recent past, the commission notified the public of the activities of some individuals who cloned the phone number of Magu, using same to illegally solicit funds.

"Some even opened fake facebook accounts in the name of the EFCC boss and proceeded to use same to con unsuspecting citizens. But despite the alarms, it would seem that criminal minds are not deterred as their number seemed to have swelled," the commission said.

It, however, warned the public against falling "for the wiles of fraudsters and scammers exploiting the good name of the acting EFCC Chairman to defraud desperate citizens", insisting that "Magu has not and will never mandate any individual to demand gratification from persons under investigation."

17.63%

The percentage by which the total number of NSE 30 Index of the NSE dropped from Jan. 2015 – Dec. 2015) Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

$125.16m The amount of the market Supranational Bonds of Nigeria as of December 31, 2015.

Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

Friday, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO Muritala Ayinla

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agos State government yesterday sealed about 101 hotels, clubs, churches, mosques and companies for constituting noise pollution and environmental nuisance.

Some of the affected facilities were either shut for disturbing their neighbours with ‘frustrating noise’ or constituting environmental pollution, an offence which attracts a fine of N100,000 or N2 million depending on the size of the facilities.

A bus belonging to an online marketing firm, WakaNow, was also impounded for flouting environmental laws and disturbing the peace of other residents.

The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Mr. Ademola Shabi, said the facilities were shut because they failed to comply with several warnings and directives.

He said: “We have shut over 70 churches and 20 mosques as well 11 club houses and hotels. Lagos State government is serious about this noise pollution and it is not going to allow people to disturb the peace of others with noise or other forms of pollution.

“When you are having your services, it is for your congregation and not for others who are not in mosque or church. Other people have the right to their religion and the right to remain quite in their houses or workplaces.”

Shabi disclosed that the agency recently organised a stakeholders’ forum comprising over 4,000 residents to further educate them on the dangers of noise pollution.

According to him, the shut premises refused to abide by the laws.

He said: “We have given them our directives and served them abatement notices, but the petitions kept coming back from the complainants.

And when these petitions kept coming back, there is need for us to act.

“The number of facilities shut today is much because on Monday, we shut about three churches in Ikorodu and a house without a toilet and which discharges its waste to the

ABIODUN BELLO

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

Noise pollution: 101 churches, mosques, hotels shut

Some of the shut churches

street through the drains.

“WakaNow, an online firm, had their vehicles impounded because they use it to disturb the peace of other residents. Enforcement is a continuous exercise it is not a one off thing.

It is just that the number of facilities shut this week is over 100.

“All the churches and mosques shut today must pay fine and that will be determined by how big the facility is.

They must comply with the law and sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the agency. The MoU is like a

commitment when you now violate it, then your facility will be shut for long.

“A club was shut on Monday; we just reopened it now. You know how much revenue the club would have lost? So they must comply.”

Shabi also disclosed that open and noise-making marketing would no longer be allowed in the state.

He said: “Those using young girls to dance on the street with noise blaring speakers would no longer be allowed.

It is against our laws. You can’t have

open crusade any more unless you have a permit from government and we will give you a time to do that. Open marketing will also requires permission. People have rights to have noiseless environment.”

Some of the affected facilities are Sporta Suites Bar, Magodo; Celestial Church of Christ, Alakuko; Solution Life Ministry, Ogba-Aguda; Zoe Ministries Worldwide and the Redeemed Christian Church of God both located in Ifako-Ijaiye.

City Briefs

Court frees man accused of killing dad Ramadan: Church donates foodstuffs to Muslims Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

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High Court sitting at Onueke in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State yesterday discharged and acquitted a 29-year-old man, Sunday Nworu, accused of killing his father in 2009.

Nworu was accused of killing his father with a hoe and was arrested in 2009, charged to court and remanded in Abakaliki Federal Prisons.

Delivering judgement on the matter yesterday, Justice Destina Oko said the prosecution counsel was unable to prove the case against the accused and discharged and acquitted him.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the judgement, counsel to the accused and a

member of the state Legal Aid Counsel, Mr. Nathaniel Nwokpoku, said Nworu was discharged and acquitted in the murder trial.

He said: “We came in because we discovered that he had no lawyer and took up the matter because ours is to represent indigent persons who have no lawyers.

Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

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vangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Gospel Church in Kaduna South Local Government of Kaduna State yesterday donated various foodstuffs to Muslims in Tudun Nupawa community.

The senior pastor of the church, Rev Yunusa Nmadu Jnr, said the annual event was to foster religious coexistence between Muslims and Christians in the community.

Nmadu added that it was a way of assisting the needy within the community in the spirit of the month of Ramadan.

Items donated to beneficiaries from the Panteka market union and the Tudun Nupawa community, where the church is located, included rice, beans, maize, noodles

and millet.

“The gesture by the church to provide food items to members of the host community during Ramadan is to demonstrate the Biblical injunction that we should love our neighbours as ourselves,” the pastor said.

Nmadu added that it was important for the church to positively impart the lives of the people of the community; otherwise the church had no business being there.

He said: “We know that there are people in the community that require help in this month of Ramadan, which is why we have brought out quite a number of them to be given the food items. Apart from that, we have also embarked on this to show the world that peace is possible and that we are all peace makers by demonstrating it in practical terms.”

METRO

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Again, three die, 14 injured in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway auto crash

Kunle Olayeni

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t least three people lost their lives yesterday while 14 others were seriously injured in an accident at the Lagos end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

This came a few hours after three people died while seven others were wounded at Kara market area of Ibafo on the expressway.

The accident, which occurred at Toll Gate/Con Oil Filling Station area of the expressway about 5:36a.m., involved an LT commercial bus with registration number KRD 326 XG and an articulated truck, without a registration number.

One of the emergency responders told our correspondent that his agency received an alert via the 767/112 emergency numbers of Lagos State Emergency Response Team (ERT).

This, according to him, prompted immediate activation of the ERT of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASEMBUS), Lagos State Fire Service, police, Lagos State Transport Management Authority

Protesting workers ground FUNAAB Abeokuta

Muritala Ayinla

The bus

(LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to the scene of the accident.

The LASEMA General Manager, Mr. Michael Akindele, said the preliminary investigation carried out by the ERT at the scene showed that the accident was caused by reckless driving on the part of the truck driver, which collided with the

LT bus.

He said: “Passengers sustained serious injuries, while five others sustained minor injuries and were immediately rushed to the Trauma Centre by FRSC and LASAMBUS. “Three passengers who were trapped also died and were extricated by the LASEMA ERT with the use of the light-duty equipment. The dead vic-

Alleged murder: Yewande’s trial halted ‘over missing documents’ Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

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urther hearing in the trial of Yewande Oyediran, a female lawyer accused of killing her husband, Lowo, was stalled yesterday.

The private prosecutor for the family of the deceased told the court of his intention to bring a fresh application to include a medical report on the deceased, said to be missing in the proof of evidence list.

Yewande, an employee of the Directorate of the Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Oyo State of Ministry of Justice, allegedly murdered her husband on February 2 by stabbing him with a knife in the neck.

Yewande and her late husband

The private prosecutor, Mr. Sanya Akinyele, told the court that the medical report conducted by medical personnel on the deceased

tims were two adult male and one adult female.

“A total number of 17 passengers were said to be aboard the LT bus, while the truck driver was also taken to the Trauma Centre as a result of shock.”

The GM, however, advised motorists to avoid reckless driving and also ensure driving within the appropriate speed limit to prevent accidents.

as well as the statement of the cotenant with the defendant were missing in the proof of evidence.

Akinyele said he just discovered that the documents were missing when going through the file.

According to him, the two documents were very important and will assist in prosecuting the case effectively.

Responding, the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Abioye Ashanike, informed the court that he was just served with the application and needed time to read through it and react.

He stressed that he could not just close his eyes to the application because the charge against his client was a capital offence.

Ashanike, therefore, sought an adjournment.

The trial judge, Justice Munta Abimbola, therefore, adjourned the case till June 27 for the hearing of the reply on the application by the defendant’s counsel.

ctivities at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in Ogun State have been paralysed following a series of protest by aggrieved workers’ unions in the institution.

The labour unions, which include the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), were protesting issues bordering on welfare, allowances and career advancement, among others.

Their industrial action, which was said to have begun on Tuesday, has forced the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole, to literally flee from the school.

Sources told our correspondent yesterday that the VC had not entered the institution since Tuesday when speculation became rife that aggrieved workers wanted to abduct him.

The fear of abduction, it was learnt, made Oyewole to postpone the 53rd inaugural lecture of the university scheduled for Wednesday indefinitely.

The unions also accused the VC of promoting discriminatory policies to the detriment of their members.

But Oyewole could not be reached on his mobile phone yesterday for his reaction.

When our correspondent visited the campus yesterday, a special congress of SSANU, NASU and NAAT members was being held near the Senate Building.

ASABA

A Kalu

yet-to-be-identified man yesterday killed a 21-year-old lady with a hammer inside a building material shop at Afiesere in Ndokwa East Local Government

Area of Delta State.

The lady, whose name could not be ascertained at press time, was killed after she was raped several times by her assailants.

The incident triggered panic across the community, forcing parents and guardians

to compel their school age girls to stay indoors.

It was learnt that her body was discovered by the owner of the store hours after the act was committed.

A member of the community, who narrated the incident in

The nearby office of the Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) was under lock and key as no official, including the head of DPR, Emi Alawode, was seen to comment on the labour unrest.

It was learnt that the workers cut power supply and water services to the institution, locked various offices and withdrew all essential services.

However, the branch Chairman of NASU, Comrade Ishaq Odunjo, and his SSANU counterpart, Comrade Rotimi Fasunwon, who addressed the workers, said they would continue to down tools until the management addressed their demands.

Odunjo disclosed that a meeting between the management and the leadership of the unions on the contentious issues on Wednesday failed to resolve the crisis.

The union leader bemoaned the failure of the management to effect the promotion of many of their members due for elevation.

He said: “A lot of our members are with additional qualifications, more than what they got employment with, yet people are being employed into the university without consideration for our members.”

Corroborating Odunjo’s view, Fasunwon ‎said the workers would continue to stay away from work until the resolution of the matter.

He said: “We have made a commitment to serve our members. We will not deceive you. If it will take us a week, a month, a year, the struggle will continue.”

After about three hours, the congress was adjourned to today at the same venue.

The protesting workers… yesterday

21-year-old lady raped, murdered Dominic Adewole

9

Asaba yesterday, said her assailant pretended as if he wanted to buy some building materials but jumped on her when she was reaching out for what he asked for.

He said: “But as soon as the girl turned back to give him what he wanted to buy, he seized

her and raped her to coma.”

Although the source could not explain why the attacker later killed the victim, he, however, suspected that the lady must have recognised the assailant.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Celestina Kalu, said police had not received information about the incident.

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NEWS | national

friday, june 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Makarfi invaded PDP secretariat with Fulani herdsmen –Sheriff Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

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mbattled former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has accused the chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, of invading the national secretariat with Fulani herdsmen.

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

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he Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, yesterday, defended the suit filed against the Senate President and three others over alleged forgery of House Rules.

The AGF, who was reacting to a statement credited to the Senate and signed by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Committee

Sheriff, who inaugurated his own committee for the conduct of Edo State governorship election yesterday, said the former National Secretary, Prof.

Wale Oladipo and National Auditor, Alhaji Adeyanju, narrowly escaped death from the hands of the alleged herdsmen.

Oladipo and Adeyanju, who were at the PDP national secretariat last week, were fretted to safety when supporters

loyal to Makarfi staged a protest against Sheriff's occupation of the party's headquarters.

"The National Secretary narrowly escaped being attacked by Fulani herdsmen. Makarfi sent Fulani herdsmen to the secretariat, but thank God, they (Oladipo and Adeyanju) narrowly escaped death," he said.

But, the caretaker committee chairman, Makarfi accused Sheriff of cre-

ating Boko Haram and, therefore, continuing in similar direction.

"I am never known to be associated with violence.

He made same malicious allegation before the former IG and Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), which was disregarded, as baseless. On the contrary, I was there and then given official additional security," he added.

Sheriff, who performed

AGF defends charge against Saraki, others on Media and Affairs, and dated June 19, 2016 titled, ‘Forgery Case, An Unconstitutional Violation of Principles of Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances’, said it was unfortunate for such statement to have emanated from such a source.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Salihu Othman Isah, the AGF said that the position of the Senate alleging that

the move to arraign the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa and Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Bernard Efeturi, before the court last Monday for forgery was a coup against the legislature with a view to causing a leadership change in the National Assembly was quite unfortunate.

It further noted that an instance where the Senate described the suit as wanton abuse of judicial processes and insinuating that the action of the Attorney General of the Federation who is the Chief Law Officer of the country was an interference on the legislature by the executive arm and therefore a violation of the principles of separation of powers as enshrined in the Constitution was also regrettable.

the inauguration in his residence at Maitama district of Abuja, however, said he would soon relocate to the party headquarters as soon as police complete investigation into the alleged attack.

According to him, "As soon as police conclude investigation, the secretariat shall be opened and I will operate from there. What we try to do is to always be on the side of the law, and today we are inaugurating our governorship primary for Edo State."

He also said he was waiting for Makarfi to send to him the list of four nominees for the peace meeting ordered by former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase.

The former IGP had invited the two claimants to the PDP chairmanship for a meeting where it was resolved that both groups should nominate four persons to form a committee for the amicable resolution

FG rules out N1.2bn allowance for Finance Ministry staff Abdulwahab Isa

L-R: Chief Wole Olanikpekun (SAN); former Abia State Governor/ Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) candidate in the March 5, 2016 rerun election in Abia North Senatorial district, Dr. Orji Kalu and Counsel to Mr. Mao Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the High Court premises in Umuahia (venue of the Abia North election petition tribunal) …on Wednesday.

of the crisis.

But, Sheriff said he told Makarfi to call him when he was ready with his own list, adding, "I am still the chairman. I am waiting for Makarfi to bring his own list."

He said the inauguration of the committees for the Edo election followed the guideline his faction obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday.

According to him, the guidelines gave political parties wishing to field candidates for Edo election up till July 10 to submit list of their candidates, and disclosed that three aspirants have so for bought nomination forms for the primary.

"N30 million has been paid to the party account.

Payment has been made by three people, probably before the end of the day, they will bring their teller and collect their forms," he stated.

Abuja

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ny hope that the Federal Government might bend backward and accommodate N1.2 billion special overtime allowance, the basis for protest by finance ministry staff has been dashed.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, at a meeting with aggrieved staff, explained that, "the N1.2 Billion Special Overtime (SOT) payment being demanded by workers, which had been discontinued since 2014, is neither in the 2016 Budget of the Federal Ministry of

Finance nor the Federal Inland Revenue Service( FIR5) from where the funds to cover the allowance had hitherto been sourced".

The minister, in a statement issued yesterday by her Media Aide, Festus Akanbi, said ," the payment of SOT was stopped by the previous administration on the grounds that it was not listed in any extant government Circular, Financial Regulations or the Public Service Rules".

However, she implored the workers to be patient and understand the current challenges facing the Nigerian economy.

Reps okay speed Some form of cancer could be contagious –Study Presidency intervenes as Edo jump from one species to Over 100 cancers affect Appolonia Adeyemi limit by FRSC another. humans.

APC crisis worsens Philip Nyam Abuja

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he House of Representatives yesterday approved the plan by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to enforce the installation of speed limiters in vehicles in the country.

The approval was given after the House considered the report and recommendations of its committee on FRSC, led by Hon. Abubakar Ahmed Yunusa, in the committee of the whole.

In considering the report, the House submitted that the Federal Road Safety Corps was acting within its purview as empowered by the FRSC Establishment Act (2007) to implement strategies to safe-guard lives and property of road users.

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gainst the background that cancers are classified as non-communicable diseases, there is evidence to show now that cancers can be spread from one animal to another.

This is the findings of the research published in the Nature journal, which was published on Thursday.

Scientists have found these contagious cancers in some sea animals such as Tasmanian devils and could spread from one animal to another through bites, as well as in dogs and soft shell clams.

According to a report on the mailonline, the latest study revealed that more species of shellfish were vulnerable to transmissible forms of cancer, and there was even evidence it could make the

The findings raise the possibility that contagious cancers might even be found in humans.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) kill 38 million people globally each year.

Almost three quarters of NCD deaths - 28 million - occur in low- and middleincome countries.

Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.5 million people annually, followed by cancers (8.2 million), respiratory diseases (four million), and diabetes (1.5 million).

Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Not all tumours are cancerous as benign tumours do not spread to other parts of the body.

An international team led by researchers at Columbia University in New York, found mussels and cockles collected in Spain and Canada had cancerous growths, called neoplasms, which can be passed from one animal to another through seawater.

Analysis showed that within each species, these cancers were started by cloned cancer cells which had a different DNA fingerprint to the host ¬– indicating the cells had come from another animal.

They also found evidence of these transmissible cancer cells in another species of mollusc, golden shell carpet clams, doubling the previously known number of affected species from three to six - with four molluscs and two mammals.

Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

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ndications emerged yesterday that the crisis on the outcome of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship primaries in Edo State has deepened as the Presidency has opted to intervene.

A source revealed to journalists that the Presidency has asked the Secretary of the Government of the Federation, SGF Engr. Babachir Lawal to meet with all the aspirants within 24 hours.

The Edo State APC governorship primaries that held on June 18 and won

by Mr. Godwin Obaseki is being challenged by two of the aspirants that participated in the primaries.

The aspirants, Chris-

topher Ogiemwonyi and Kenneth Imansuagbon, who scored 247 and 137 votes respectively, are challenging the result of the primaries.

While Ogiemwonyi alleged over-voting at the primaries, Imansuagbon alleges electronic rigging of the primaries before the Appeal Primaries Committee headed by Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele.

A source at the Appeal Primaries Committee revealed that the two aspirants alleging rigging of the primaries have incontrovertible evidence before the Committee.

According to the source, the Committee members are under pressure on what to recommend to the National Working Committee members.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Open Forum Falana: Immunity clause can’t shield Fayose

Politics

Edo Obaseki’s emergence and the power play

12 13

Niger: Disquiet over Aliyu’s probe The inability of the Niger State Governor, Sani Bello, to set up a commission of inquiry to probe alleged mismanagement of state funds by the immediate past administration of Dr. Babangida Aliyu, as directed by the state Assembly seems to have pitched the legislature against the executive.

Dan Atori reports

T

he planned probe of the immediate past administration of Dr. Babangida Aliyu in Niger State is ruffling political feathers as Governor Sani Bello and members of the state House of Assembly appears not to be on the same page on the process to be adopted.

The legislators, who are disturbed by the governor’s approach to the probe of his predecessor, have through their Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Marafa, vowed that they will institute a probe committee if the executive declines on the matter.

It would be recalled that less than three months after Governor Bello assumed office, the House of Assembly directed him to probe the past administration led by Dr. Aliyu. In pursuance of this cause, the Assembly invoked the relevant section of the constitution to direct the governor to set up a commission of inquiry in accordance with Section 2 of the Commission of Inquiry Law 1989 of Niger State, to initiate the probe.

Bello was instructed by the lawmakers to set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged fraudulent manner his predecessor conducted the activities of the state for the eight years he was in the saddle. According to Marafa, the last administration was reck-

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Bello

less and fraudulent in piloting the affairs of the state and that is why the present administration found it extremely difficult to cope with the present economic situation.

According to him, “for over six months, the legislators passed a unanimous resolution that the past government of former governor Babangida Aliyu should be probed for looting the state treasury and I wonder why the executive is delaying the process. The House will continue to request from the executive for the setting up of commission of inquiry and if at the end the legislature realised that executive is not coming forth with anything, then we will launch our own probe.”

In a swift reaction then, the spokesman of the former governor, Mr. Israel Ebije, said there is nothing to link Aliyu to any financial irregularity throughout his eight years in government, as he served Niger State meritoriously and that any attempt to probe him will turn out to be a witch-hunt.

Bello had two months after assumption of office received a report which shows that the state is heavily indebted to commercial banks amidst dwindling statutory allocations after deductions on loans taken by his predecessor.

Consequently, he said that one of the measures to be taken by his administration is to stop “ghost contracts,” stressing that contracts will henceforth be awarded based on competitive bidding that will give value for the scarce resource of the state.

In his first two weeks in office, Bello disclosed that N2.9 billion loan was allegedly taken and shared among government officials under Aliyu at the eve of the expiration of his tenure.

Aliyu

The issue at stake is that the resources of over four million people in Niger State have been pilfered...

They should refund it

Also, in March this year, hedismissed allegations that he is shielding Aliyu from probe.

According to him, “I cannot be investigating someone and shielding him from probe at the same time. This government is investigating various cases and making recoveries.”

On his part, Aliyu admonished members of the state House of Assembly to stop crying more than the bereaved. “If the governor has found it expedient to probe, it won’t be the Assembly that would direct him to inaugurate a panel.

I am not afraid of probe. The Assembly must not act in a way it will present itself as people in cahoots to witch-hunt anyone,” he said.

But the Speaker said it was not that the executive had relegated the house resolution to the background, stating that they have been engaging the executive over the matter, which had attracted a lot of public interest and will not be swept under the carpet.

He said: “When we met the governor over the matter, he appealed to us to exercise patience, as the two committees set up to review the financial and infrastructural activities of the past administration were yet to conclude its assignment. Now that they have finished their work and submitted reports, we are watching what next the executive will do.”

“The House has the power of arrest and will invoke such when the need arises, revealing that so far, he was aware some money have been recovered and will wait a little to see how situation unfolds itself and if nothing happened, the House will have no option than to probe.”

Bello had said in March that

“from my assessment, nobody can arrest, arraign or charge any person, unless you have had substantial evidence. Most times, people talk and when we request for hard evidence, they never come back.

We are being very careful in investigating most of the actions of the previous administration and we are making progress.”

When the motion was raised on the floor of the House for deliberation in August, 2015, the member representing Gbako Constituency, Hon. Abdullahi Mamagi, said the way and manner the present administration is handling the issue of investigating the former administration is not satisfactory to the people of the state.

He said: “This is a new administration and we do not want to have an old wine in a new bottle.

We have to shout out against the anomalies, which the previous administration took delight in doing.

Everyone found wanting should be investigated and charged to court. We are not trying to witchhunt anyone.

"The issue at stake is that the resources of over four million people in Niger State have been pilfered. The resources are not meant for them. They should refund it.”

The Clerk of the House, Mohammed Kagara, was also directed to gazette the resolution in accordance with the requirement of the law and to forward same to the governor for action.

Just recently, Governor Bello cried out that henceforth he will not be able to pay salaries to state workers, adding that with the state’s debt profile rising, it is likely that it will hit N10 billion if the trend is not reversed by December.

He spoke with journalists after he met with President Muhammadu Buhari the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said the state is so broke that it will be impossible to continue to pay salaries, adding the state was indebted to banks to the tune of N3 billion.

His words: “we have laid the cards on the table; we are not hiding anything. We are very transparent as much as we can but the truth of the matter is that I cannot give what we don’t have. I wish I had; personally if I had, I would have paid (salaries) from my pocket but I can’t.”

He revealed that his government had been borrowing from banks since January to add to the allocation from the Federal Government.

Against this backdrop, the questions many in the state are asking are: Why would a commission for inquiry not be set up so as to recoup the alleged stolen and mismanaged billions of naira from the immediate past administration, and who will ensure that former Governor Aliyu is probed?

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POLITICS

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

OPEN FORUM

...freezing of fayose's account

Falana: Immunity clause can’t shield Fayose

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Mr. Femi Falana is a rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)

ince there is no immunity for impunity as far as electoral malfeasance is concerned the investigation by the EFCC is in order. The senior lawyers who have questioned the freezing of Mr. Fayose's account on the ground that the EFCC did not obtain a court order have not read section 28 of the EFCC Act which provides that "where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court". The law permits the EFCC to freeze an account or attach a property of a criminal suspect and proceed thereafter to obtain an ex parte order from the appropriate court.

I am not unaware that by the strict interpretation of section 308 of the Constitution no court process can be issued or served on a governor. But because immunity cannot be pleaded or invoked to cover electoral fraud, elected governors are served with court processes and dragged to court to respond to allegations of electoral malpractice. However, in order to give effect and validity to the equality of the rights of all contestants in a presidential or governorship elections, it has been held by

The immunity of a governor is put in abeyance when the legitimacy of his election is in dispute the Supreme Court that immunity clause cannot be invoked in election petitions.

Otherwise, public officers covered by the immunity clause may take advantage of their positions to rig elections and thereby sabotage the democratic process.

With respect, to extend the immunity to cover the governors from being legally challenged when seeking a second term will spell injustice. I am conscious of the fact that in my interpretation of section 267 of the Constitution, I am giving that provision a narrow interpretation. This is deliberate for in my view, in the interpretation of the Constitution, care should be taken not to diminish from the justice of the matter, this is not a case of a judge engaging in legislative process.

In view of the fact that the effect of section 308 of the Constitution has been

watered down, Governor Fayose cannot invoke the immunity clause to shield himself from an investigation. Since the offences of fraud, treason and criminal diversion of public funds were allegedly committed in connection with the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti state, Mr. Fayose who was a candidate of the PDP at the material time is liable to be investigated. And if he is indicted Mr. Fayose ought to be prosecuted by the EFCC since the immunity of a governor is put in abeyance when the legitimacy of his election is in dispute.

Finally, in his desperate bid to divert public attention from the ongoing investigation of the criminal diversion of public funds Mr. Fayose has attempted to link me with his indictment by the Nigerian Army and the EFCC. Notwithstanding that the allegation is completely baseless I fully support the investigations. I do not need to instigate the anti-graft agencies to enquire into the activities of a serial treasury looter. Having admitted his involvement in the coup which occurred in Ekiti State, which culminated in his emergence as governor Mr. Fayose ought to be prosecuted for treason which arose from the electoral malfeasance.

Interview by WALE ELEGBEDE

Ozekhome: It's illegal, barbaric

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Chief Mike Ozekhome is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human rights activist

t is illegal and barbaric for the account of a sitting governor, who enjoys immunity under Section 308 of the constitution to be restricted, frozen or blocked.

The governor enjoys immunity in conjunction with the president, vice president and deputy governor. And Section 308 says you cannot initiate any criminal proceedings against them when they are still in office, until they leave office.

And if you are blocking an account of a sitting governor purportedly to investigate him, and investigation can only lead to prosecution and you cannot prosecute him. So, it throws us back to the Hobbesian state of nature when life was short, nasty and brutish. And it invokes sad memories of military dictatorship for the account of a sitting governor to be frozen and I think we should not go down low to that level.

It is a wrong decision by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They don’t have that power under Section 308 of the constitution. They cannot get any order against him; they cannot initiate any proceedings against him at all. That is what Section 308 says. And for you to freeze his

It invokes sad memories of military dictatorship account, you must get an order of court.

If you do not get an order of court, it is illegal and if you get an order of court, it is still illegal because Section 308 states that you cannot even initiate legal proceedings against him at all until he leave office. So, what the EFCC has done is wrong. It would be challenge in court; they will fail. EFCC may be justifying their action and I can’t stop them from saying what they are saying. But my view is that they are wrong.

Some people have described the circumstances surrounding the freezing of Governor Ayo Fayose’s account as witch-hunting and some have attributed political colouration to what is happening because of the governor’s opposition to government. I totally believe that because how many governors

have they frozen their accounts in Nigeria?

There are 36 governors in Nigeria, how come it is Fayose that is very critical of the government that they have frozen his account? If the witch cried last night and the child died this morning; we know who killed the child.

There are 36 governors in Nigeria, why are they not going against any other governor? Why only Fayose who have been very critical of the president and the government. With what is happening now, I pray Nigeria does not relapse into dictatorship. I am praying against dictatorship every day.

Nigerians have to work toward not having dictatorship because we voted for constitutional democracy and not dictatorship.

Once the rule of law is not being respected and fundamental rights are in recession and even freedom of speech is being restricted and people’s houses are being invaded by the EFCC and other security agencies even in their absence, it is not going to give the government good name at all. I think President Muhammadu Buhari should call this people to order.

Interview by Temitope Ogunbanke

Adegboruwa: EFCC must act according to law T

Ebun Adegboruwa is a lawyer and human rights activist

hose who froze Fayose’s account know very well that the governor is left without any remedy in law, as he cannot file any case or process in court, while he is still in office as governor of Ekiti State. Where does this lead us? Simple, EFCC cannot file any case in court that involves the person of Fayose and Fayose too cannot file any case in court. The EFCC should go back to the status quo and defreeze Fayose’s account and then pile up its evidence to await his tenure.

Anything short of that will amount to injustice and inequity. Or how else do we say that the law will permit EFCC to seize Fayose’s account and Fayose’s hands are tied from challenging the action of the EFCC? I have read all manner of legal arguments, said to have been canvassed for or against the action of the EFCC. First, we

No court process can be filed in any court in Nigeria by or against Fayose cannot develop legal principles around personalities, or pile up legal precedents because of our preference or dislike for the individual. You may not like Fayose today, but surely that cannot be a reason to advocate extreme and absolute legal points, as justification for the arbitrary seizure of a citizen’s property.

Also, we should construe and interprete laws in such a way that it will be to the

benefit of the rights of the citizen and not against them. I verily believe that most of the legal arguments canvassed in support of the action of the EFCC against Fayose are based purely on his personality and have no jurispudential basis in law.

The conclusion to be drawn from the supreme court decisions in Fawehinmi v IGP and Tinubu v IMB is that no court process can be filed in any court in Nigeria by or against Fayose as a sitting governor, whether ex-parte, on notice, whether criminal or civil.

No judge can sign any order or court process in any court in Nigeria that bears or relate to the personal name of Fayose, while he is still the governor of Ekiti State.

So, let the EFCC do the needful and defreeze Fayose’s account otherwise, Fayose will be perfectly entitled to resort to self help, which will not be to the benefit of society.

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

CAJETAN MMUTA reports on power play that saw the emergence of Mr. Godwin Obaseki as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State

POLITICS

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Edo: Obaseki’s emergence and the power play

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he emergence of Godwin Obaseki as the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State through what has been adjudged as a free, fair and credible primary election by 2, 583 accredited delegates is one that has brought joy to most members of the party in the state.

For the incumbent governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, in particular, the outcome of the contest brought a relief though it has also left sour taste in the mouth of some party chieftains, especially, those who for obvious reasons, worked assiduously to stop the governor and his anointed at all cost.

Anxiety had characterised the campaign ahead of the primaries that was contested by 12 aspirants and there was fear over the success of the exercise given signs of attempts to puncture the process as well as to disrupt the peace that has long prevailed in the state.

Indeed, the destiny of the state and its people came to question.

Security agencies were kept on their toes due to raging threats to lives, accusations, arm-twisting and riotous desperations from the camps of some of the aspirants, who rebuffed Oshiomhole’s perceived support for the chairman of the state Economic Team, Obaseki.

But the governor never pretended about his choice. He reasoned that Obaseki will continue to accord the desired respect and protection to the traditional institution and culture of the state, give due attention to infrastructural development of all sections of the state, guarantee security of lives and property as well as boost industrialization.

Obaseki’s incursion into the politics of the Heart Beat state and his choice as the best qualified candidate to step into Oshiomhole’s shoes, shook the foundation of the APC in the state as well as nearly shattered the relationship between the former labour leader turned politician and his long time political allies.

Added to these were accusations and counter-accusations of buying of voters cards from the governor's camp and that of the aggrieved aspirants and alleged frosty relationship between Oshiomhole and his Deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu over the latter’s resolve to challenge the powers of his boss’ choice at the expense of his own

Oshiomhole

ambition.

These and many more including an alleged plot moves by some members of the APC national leadership and forces loyal to them in Edo State to manipulate the party’s delegates’ list prompted the intervention of elders and leaders of the party at both the state and national levels, including APC governors, who waded in to calm frayed nerves.

But the seven man state primary Electoral Committee chaired by Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Aminu Masari, was not taken aback when it kept its promise to the anxious delegates and expectant residents of the Heart Beat state. The committee worked assiduously round the clock to ensure a successful primary election. The success of the exercise notwithstanding, the contest did not leave anyone in doubt the about the role of influence, mastery of the tactics strategies, money, reach and wits in the power game.

Interestingly, the security agencies rose to the occasion, which explained the peaceful process. As early as 5:30 am, last Saturday, heavily armed security operatives made up of anti-riot policemen deployed from Edo and other neighbouring states, Directorate of Security Service (DSS) and officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, took positions at strategic routes leading to the venue of the primary.

Roads leading to the stadium were cordoned off, an action which caused chaotic traffic gridlocks in the town. The delegates on long queues were accredited amidst tight security at three different locations according to the three senatorial districts in the state. Delegates from Edo Central

Obaseki

As a party, we must continue to work as a team to deliver victory at the September 10 governorship election

were accredited at the popular George Idah Primary School on Ihama, Government Reservation road (GRA); those from Edo North took their turn at Imaguero Secondary School on Sapele road, while the Edo South had theirs at Agbado Primary School along Akpakpva road.

Aside the tight security at the three centers, thousands of support groups loyal to all the governorship hopefuls were on ground with roof top chants of solidarity songs, while hoisting boldly, the campaign posters of their candidates. Although accreditation was delayed due to late arrival of officials and materials at the centres but was speedy and successful, while accredited delegates were conveyed in batches to the voting venue.

The Masari-led committee had adopted a staggered accreditation process to avert any chaotic situation and to save time. The aspirants were allowed to move round the camps of the delegates in what was seen as a last minute move to woo them for votes.

Governor Oshiomhole and his deputy, Odubu, set the ball rolling at about 5.55pm. The battle, no doubt, was between the governor’s choice (Obaseki), Odubu, Barr. Kenneth Imasuangbon and Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi.

But at the end of the marathon battle which lasted to the wee hours of Sunday morning, Obaseki, an investment banker emerged tops with 1, 618 votes to beat his closest rival, Odubu, who had 471 votes. Imasuangbon had 247 votes, Ogiemwonyi (137), Mr. Blessing Agbomere (five), Prof. Fredrick Amadasun (eight), Austin Emua (seven), General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) (11), Arigbe Osula (10), Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor (nine) and Mrs.

Justina Agbara (three). Fortyone votes were declared invalid.

Addressing the aspirants and others, Masari said: “We have come to the end of the process that was started yesterday (Saturday); that is conducting primaries to elect the candidate that will represent the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State. Like you are aware, 12 aspirants contested this election and like I said, they are to me and to our party all winners, but because the law has provided that one person will represent the party in the election, that is why this process of selecting the one that people said they know will win the election on behalf of the party.”

He urged the contestants to regard themselves as winners, not losers. “Those who are not opportune to be the flag bearer this time around should get ready to work for the life of the nation.

In politics, you have to learn to accept defeat and prepare for the next election,” he said, while appealing to the winner to be magnanimous in victory because the primary is the first leg of the election.

The outcome of the contest sparked off wild jubilations and ecstasy among members of the Obaseki Campaign Organization, cabinet members of Oshiomhole’s government, members of the national and state Assembly, support groups, friends, party delegates and residents.

Obaseki, in his acceptance speech, said: “Today is a great day for our democracy and for our party the All Progressives Congress. It is a great day for development in Edo State. Today, CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Oloopa Kpotum Idris, ya kpotuba!

Emissary EMEKA OBASI emobas2003@yahoo.com 0809-445-7557 (sms only)

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et the heavens fall, I am neither a Buhari fan nor fanatic. Some of Mr. President’s appointments give me cold and heartache. The elevation of Ibrahim Kpotum Idris to the lofty height of Inspector General of Police [IGP] should not raise any storm. President Muhammadu Buhari is in order, all objections are hereby overruled.

Those who want to cry are free to fill all the drums at Kam Salem House. Nothing spoil ,as we say in pidgin English. Whoever does not welcome the appointment of this cop from Niger state as the 19th IGP should go hug the transformer. The Igbo say, Ya kpotuba.

There is no big deal. That he was promoted from Assistant Inspector General [AIG] to IGP is our tradition. He is not the first to skip ranks and will not be the last. Hafiz Ringim did, Mohammed Abubakar did and so did Solomon Arase. Mike Okiro was never an AIG, he jumped from Police Commissioner [CP] to Deputy Inspector General [DIG].

Those who are crying for the DIGS who may have to go apparently do not live in this country. When Mohammed Dikko Abubakar became IGP in 2012, all the DIGS including the Second in Command [2-ic] under Ringim, Mrs Ivy Uche Okoronkwo and Azubuko Udah were compulsorily retired. The duo were actually senior to Ringim but agreed to serve under him.

General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi ,it was who initialed this double promotion tune . That was how Captain Murtala Mohammed became a Lt.Col in 1966. At the time the first Military ruler assumed office, young Murtala was wearing the rank of acting major. For the uninformed, General Olusegun Obasanjo joined the Army before the man he served as Chief of Staff,

Supreme Headquarters[1975-76].

Following Ironsi’s assassination in July 1966, the trend was magnified. Lt. Col . Yakubu Gowon dramatically emerged as Head of State ahead of his seniors like Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe, Commodore Edet Akinwale Wey, Col. Wellington Umoh Bassey, Col Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, Lt.Col. Hilary Mbilitem Njoku and Lt. Col. David Akpode Ejoor.

When Ojukwu raised this anomaly in Aburi, Ghana the world did not listen. It is on record that Gowon skipped ranks twice. He moved from Lt.Col. to Major General then to General. So if you go to his profile, there will never be anything like full Colonel , Brigadier or Lt. General Yakubu Gowon.

Infact, besides Ironsi, Buhari and Sani Abacha, all past military dictators were doublepromoted. Buhari never made it to the rank of a Four-Star general. Abacha remains the only Head of State who wore all the officer ranks from Second Lieutenant to General.

Murtala did not wear the ranks of Maj. General and Lt. General, Obasanjo was never a Two –Star general just like Ibrahim Babangida and Abdusalam Abubakar.It is our style, made in Nigeria.

There is no reason to complain. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonishakin, was promoted from Maj. General to General.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas, is a member of the Nigeria Defence Academy [NDA] Course 26 while the Army Chief, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai is three Courses his junior[NDA 29]. Militarily, the COAS stands before the CNS because the Army was born before the Navy.

Our politicians should not just pester the President with protests. If not for death, no Vice President would have been allowed to succeed a president. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was indeed lucky. It was easier for the devil to become a Pope than for Vice President Abubakar Atiku to step into Obasanjo’s bata. How many governors allowed their deputies to take over conveniently?

I do not want to hear this talk of Buhari appointing a Northerner as new IGP. If there

I do not want to hear this talk of Buhari appointing a Northerner as new IGP

was one man that made Mr. President look like a Nigerian, give it to my ‘in-law’ Solomon Ehigiator[Ehijator?] Arase. He was made IGP

by Jonathan who sacked a Northener, Suleiman Abba, just before Buhari was elected president in 2015 .

Buhari sacked all Jonathan’s Service Chiefs but spared the Edo man. Good enough, he allowed Arase to bow out happily, and on his 60th birthday. What a wonderful birthday gift.

Arase should be over the moon. He is also a great man. You cannot believe that he is the first IGP of Edo extraction. That state had produced more police commissioners than others when merit slapped mediocrity. Big names: Timothy Omo- Bare, Magnus Eweka [a Bini Royal], Joseph Ikhifa, Bisi Ugowe, Christopher Omeben, Parry Osayande and many more.

When Dr. Jonathan was President, what did he do? He sacked the First South- East IGP, Ogbonnaya Okechukwu Onovo who had only spent 14 months in office and brought in Hafiz Ringim from Kano who was then an AIG. All President Jonathan’s police Chiefs were from the North: Ringim, Abubakar, Abba until he hurriedly appointed Arase in the late night of his tenure.

Give it to President Umaru Musa Yaradua.

After overlooking Onovo for Okiro in 2007, he rewarded the Nkanu, Enugu man later.

When Sunday Ehindero left office, the next to him was DIG Onovo followed by DIG Okiro, although both enlisted in 1977. Onovo acted as IGP for about 24 hours before Okiro was announced.

As a true Nigerian and a man of honour, when Okiro left in 2009, Yaradua spurned pressure from the North and West to appoint Onovo. Many non Igbo schemed to have either DIG John Ahmadu or Udom Ekpe Udom as IGP. Powerful men from the Caliphate even tried to convince the president to pick Mohammed Dikko from Zamfara who was then an AIG. Yaradua failed them all. The two IGPS under him were Igbo.

IGP Ibrahim Kpotun Idris deserves this new job. Nothing like tribe or tongue. President Buhari should not lose sleep.

The courts and injustice to MKO Abiola (2) Afe Babalola CONTINUES FROM YESTERDAY

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mmediately the case came up at the Court of Appeal, Kaduna, the then President of the Court of Appeal, the incorruptible Hon. Justice Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi, because of the peculiar circumstances of the matter, did not want anyone to know who among the Justices of the Appellate Court would sit to hear the Appeal. And so, he empanelled 10 of his best Justices of the Court of Appeal and gave all of them the records, even when it was only five that would sit to hear the Appeal. He simply did not want anybody to interfere in the matter because of the importance and the sensitivity of the matter.

Justice Akanbi remains one of the most diligent men of integrity that have ever adorned the Bench in this country. No wonder, he was the first Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission

(ICPC).

On the day of the trial, Chief Williams was not in court and so, I led a team of 30 lawyers. To me, based on the law and on the facts of the matter, we believed we would win the case for Chief Moshood Abiola. We went to court with several relevant authorities (law books). But before the Judge sat, Chief Phillip Umeadi, SAN, representing the Federal Government, came in late. When he saw the formidable team of lawyers I brought to court as well as the volumes of authority that we brought, he asked rather derisively that: “Afe, what are you doing with all these lawyers and volumes of authorities”. I replied that: “But you know that hearing in this case has been fixed for today and we are here to do justice to the matter at hand”.

But he replied that the case could not go on as there was no lis before the court to which I answered, let us wait and see!

At the mention of the case, I announced my appearance for Abiola while Umeadi announced his appearance for the Federal Government and

told the court that he wanted to make a preliminary objection. The court allowed him and he said: “My Lord, there is no lis before this court because the election had been annulled”.

In my reply, I summited to the court that such a pronouncement cannot be through oral statement but that it should be through a Government Gazette. After all, all the Decrees by the Military Government were always gazetted.

At this point, Umeadi applied for a short adjournment. It is important to note that up to this point in time, there was no Gazette. The court granted his oral application for a short adjournment. When he came back few minutes later, he was armed with a Gazette and so he renewed his application which he supported with the Gazette which he was flashing with relish.

The court had no choice than to admit the gazette in evidence.

The court then asked for my opinion now that the Gazette had been tendered.

I instantly became disturbed when I saw the Gazette because I was alarmed that a Gazette could be procured in a

matter of minutes. I had no choice than to admit to the fact that there was no lis before the court. In my reply, with tears in my eyes, I said, rather courageously that “this is the saddest day for the judiciary in this country and the beginning of a journey the end of which no one knows”.

The over-crowded court dispersed in audible murmurings! What happened that day has continued to hunt us to this day. The court was denied the opportunity of hearing the case. Abiola, his lawyers and his teaming supporters became helpless before the court of law.

Twenty-three years after I made that statement, we are still on that journey.

Today, we have to contend with all manners of contentious issues like the problem of Boko Haram which has been getting worse with the incursion of herdsmen into the polity and the attendant blood bath they have consistently inflicted on the country.

Concluded •Babalola is the founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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PDP: The crisis within

ince losing in the last presidential election, the centre seemed to have caved in for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The issue of who leads at the national level has remained intractable for the erstwhile ruling party. Both Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi are in a tussle to control the soul of the tottering group once gleefully described by its faithful as the largest in Africa.

Sheriff who took over the chairmanship of the party from Uche Secondus was removed at the National Convention which took place in Port Harcourt on May 21 and a caretaker committee was constituted under the leadership of Makarfi. But Sheriff has continued to insist that he remains the authentic chairman of the party.

Following this insistence, he stormed the secretariat of the party recently to take over, basing his claim on the strength of a court order.

Sherff attempted to gain entrance into the premises but was stopped by men of the Nigeria Police. The former Governor of Borno State made two further attempts to gain access to the Wadata Plaza as well as the party’s office annex known as Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja without success. But he was successful

in his third attempt following a directive from the police authorities.

Sheriff ’s action is predicated on a court order which he insists validates his claim to the chairmanship of the party until 2018. But the act of taking over the party’s secretariat and even the court order are neither here nor there as they do not translate into a resolution of the leadership tussle.

With Sheriff insisting on being the authentic chairman and Makarfi sticking to his guns, the party is in a prostrate position. The upshot is that as the inter-

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a credible, virile opposition party is the reason the All Progressives Congress-led government of President Muhammadu Buhari has been able to get away, in recent time, with certain policies construed in some quarters as anti-people.

For instance if the PDP were alive to its responsibility and had mobilised the masses, the massive increase

PDP must put its house in order and this is not something that can wait

necine battle rages the PDP is incapable of focusing on the larger issues. It is completely turned inwards to its internal wrangling to the detriment of its larger responsibility of acting as a credible opposition party.

And this is where the danger lies. A party that is battling against implosion from within cannot be in a position to play its traditional role of putting the ruling party on its toes and ensuring it delivers on its campaign promises. It is also clear that this lack of

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of pump price of fuel from N86 to N145 would not have gone unchallenged. The attempt by other stakeholders to challenge the increase proved large-

ly ineffectual because there was no credible opposition to drive it.

To make matters worse, the leadership crisis at the national level is also now mirrored at the state chapters as they pledge allegiance to either of the two gladiators- Makarfi and Sheriff.

Just two examples will suffice. The PDP in Niger State PDP says it is wholeheartedly in support of the composition of the caretaker committee headed by the former Kaduna State Governor Senator Ma-

karfi while members of Yobe State chapter have thrown their weight behind the leadership of Senator Sheriff as the party’s national chairman.

We strongly assert that this situation is not only unhealthy for our fledgling democracy, it is capable of scuttling efforts aimed at building a strong, united nation.

It is our considered opinion that the PDP must put its house in order and this is not something that can wait. All the combatants must put the interest of the nation first and subsume their individual concerns and considerations under the collective interest.

It is only when this approach is adopted that the PDP can find its feet again and be able to provide the needed opposition to put the ruling party under close watch. It is this scrutiny that will ensure that the right policies, actions and decision are made for the betterment of the masses.

It is only after performing this all-important role that PDP would be in a position to achieve its goal of getting voters to vote it back into power in 2019. This will be one of the spin-offs of closing ranks. Also, both Sheriff and Makarfi will transform from being just politicians into statesmen.

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POLITICS

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Senate: Adeola's effective representation Kayode Odunaro

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hen he was popularly elected a senator in the 2015 National Assembly election, many who know Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola's antecedents as a legislator both at the Lagos State House of Assembly for two terms and a member of the House of Representative for a term, were sure that Lagos West senatorial district of 10 humongous local governments areas are in for a good run of effective representation. The doubts were however expressed that with a population of over 12 million representing over half of Lagos State mega city, a population that is twice bigger than that of most states of the federation that are run by powerful governors, Yayi as Adeola is popularly known may find it challenging effectively representing the district in the Red Chamber.

The doubts were further reinforced by the crisis that bedeviled the leadership election at the Senate which saw Senator Adeola rooting for the party's position with intrigues and fallouts that denied him his rightful position even in the traditional ranking of positions in the Senate. On the sideline was also the costly distraction of an election petition by the PDP and its candidate that went right up to the final appeal before his popular mandate was further judicially validated.

These countervailing circumstances notwithstanding, Senator Adeola soon proved himself a senator to be reckoned with in the 109-member Chamber with a publication rating him among the top 10 senators in terms of contribution at plenary in the first few months. One year on, it is certain that majority of the constituents and indeed other Nigerians can testify to the public service orientation of the one that is popular by his sobriquet Yayi, an abbreviation of a Yoruba name meaning “Distinguished Child.”

At the level of law making and in furtherance of his belief that we have enough laws that are not operational or needs to be amended to bring them up to date or correct anomalies in them, instead of making new laws, he has presented a bill “Federal Capital Ter-

Adeola

ritory Act Cap F6, LFN (Amendment) Bill, 2015” to correct the anomaly of double taxation affecting Nigerians in the Federal Capital Territory. The bill, which is among over 299 bills already presented to the 8th Senate has passed it first reading stage in plenary. He also co-sponsored the Bill Against Sexual Harassment of female students in Tertiary Institutions that has now passed second reading stage. He also has a motion awaiting listing and debate on the “Legality and Management of Public Funds to Promote the Export of Cassava from Nigeria.”

This motion seeks to address the illegal use of fund and the criminalization of the export of cassava in our law book. Yayi also co-sponsor of the Motion on the Fuel Tanker Accident at Alimosho in June, 2015.The senator opposed the now dead Social Media Bill that wanted to criminalize use of social media under the guise of curbing frivolous petitions. When attempts were made to amend the CCB and CCT Acts as well as Administration of Justice Act in a manner sugges-

In the area of infrastructure... he has complemented the efforts of Lagos State government

tive of selfishness, Senator Adeola was among its opponents that led to withdrawal of the proposed amendments.

Senator Adeola has successfully presented two petitions to the Senate. To the Glory of God, one of the petitions has been fully resolved in a case of injustice against one constituent Sgt. Amos Olaniyan. He was verbally suspended from the Nigerian Police Force 21 years ago for an offence that a Police Orderly Room trial has since exonerated him. The Senate has adopted the report of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Petition and its Resolution ordered the IGP to apologize, reinstate, promote and pay Sgt. Olaniyan all salaries and allowances due him. He has since been reinstated and is processing his papers for payment of salaries from 1994 to 2015. With the reinstatement, he was retired and is due to collect gratuities and pension.

At the general level of participation in debates, Senator Adeola contributed to the debate on the Legislative Agenda of the 8th Senate when the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Legislative Agenda of the 8th Senate was debated. In his contribution, he had raised the issues of effective operation of the National Assembly Budget and Research Office, NABRO, which will greatly assist in passage of Appropriation Act (Budgets) as well as assist in the oversight function of the legislature. His position is that the “power of the purse” of the legislature in relation to the Executive must be strengthened to promote good governance as the yearly Appropriation Act is the road map for good governance or mis-governance.

Furthermore, he contributed and fully represented Lagos West Senatorial District in the confirmation of ministers for the Federal Government, the chairman of FIRS, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, who is from Lagos, the heads of NCC, AMCON and in the deliberation to approve the 2016 Appropriation Bill tagged “Budget of Change.” He also contributed to the debate and was part of the Senate team that visited Lagos State in furtherance of approval of a Second Tranche of $200 million out of a $600 million World Bank loan for infrastructure development in Lagos State. The

Senate and the Federal Executive Council have since approved the loan for Lagos State government.

As it is his practice as a representatives’ over the years I have continued my goodwill gesture to reach out to our leaders and members as well as other critical stakeholders in the senatorial district during festive periods to the best of my ability and of the resources available to me. So far, I have felicitated with my constituents during “Itunu Awe” (Muslim Fasting), Ileya, and the Yuletide of Christmas and New Year.

However it is in the area of empowerment that Senator Adeola greatly excelled in the last one year. He mobilized and paid for the Joint Admission Matriculation Board, JAMB, examination for 500 indigent but brilliant students for this year university admission programme. The format adopted in terms of pre-qualification tests was to ensure that a high success rate is achieved in this educational empowerment for our constituent youths. He granted 56 tertiary institution scholarships of N50,000 at the rate of two in each of the 28 LCDAs of Lagos West. The scholarship is to run for four years. He also facilitated Entrepreneur Development Training Programme for 200 youths of Lagos West.

In the area of infrastructure development of his district, he has assisted and complemented the efforts of Lagos State and Federal Government.

Certainly these are all enviable achievements by a senator representing the largest senatorial district in Nigeria without any special privileges or allocations different from other senator with far less number of constituents.

The secret of this quantum of achievements in representation can only be accounted for by experience in legislative business, public service in giving generously and living true to the meaning of his sobriquet Yayi.

No wonder a popular magazine recently adjudged him as “Senator of the Year 2016.” As it is constituents and indeed other Nigerians expect more from one of the youngest senator who look good to go on to higher offices with his sterling people oriented performance.

•Odunaro is the media aide to Senator Solomon Adeola

Obaseki’s emergence and the power play C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

we have commenced another phase in our journey into our brighter future; a future which will define us as a modern and progressive state, where every citizen is empowered with opportunities to live life to its fullness.

“I am indeed humbled by this nomination and will like to state that this is our collective victory and thank you all. This is only the beginning. The challenge is for us to take the contest to the next level. As a party, we must continue to work as a team to deliver victory at the September 10 governorship election. And let me assure you that we will win.”

He recalled that the administration

of Governor Oshiomhole came on the heels of decades of mismanagement, unproductive and failed policies, but in the face of these challenges, the administration dared to envision an Edo State that will become a leading economic centre in Nigeria, where the people live in dignity, powered by a government that is responsive to their needs.

He added: “Today, we are proud that Edo stands out as a success story. We will build on that success and continue to live up to the metaphor of our state - The Heart Beat of Nigeria.”

Speaking at the end of the primary election, Governor Oshiomhole who was highly elated by the outcome said in an interview with newsmen that “we

had what qualifies to be the very best.

There is no question that the process has been very transparent, people have behaved very responsibly, no noise, no fighting, no shouting; nothing is better than that. I think today we have celebrated democracy.”

He refuted media reports about the misgivings over alleged sale of voters’ cards, saying that the delegates had their PVCs contrary to what people had widely speculated. “What we have done today is to select a candidate, we all now have to work together to sell the ticket and I think that will not be a problem because Edo people know they have a quality of service,” he said.

He added, “If you listen to the speech

of the candidate, he is sound, he is apt with the issues, he turns his fingers to governance. I have worked with him for the past seven and half years. Yes, he has been with the system, he has been in the brain box, so, there is no space for learning. The guy is ready to hit the ground running. So, I think it is beautiful, you know in Nigeria people are too much in a hurry to throw mud here and there.”

While some of the aspirants who lost out have expressed misgivings over the primaries, there is no doubt that the APC is faced with the arduous task of stopping the candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

17

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Arts

The Governor, riveting political drama series premieres

CULTURE

18

Art, politics of immortality

Re-reading Uche Okeke Agwu Enekwachi

I

n January 5, 2016, the art world lost an important Nigerian icon of the Arts to immortality. Uche Okeke (1933-2016) was born in Nimo, Anambra State.

He took to art early in life. Soon his brash and ambitious talent propelled him to the limelight of contemporary art evolution taking place in the decade before Nigerian independence and after. At each artistic milestone of that era, he made strident contributions towards postcolonial modernism especially in the cultural decolonisation of the nascent sovereignty of the new nation through his art. It is to underscore the importance of Professor Uche Okeke’s cerebral contributions to the development of art in Nigeria in general and the Nsukka art school in particular that the department of Fine and Applied arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is organising a one-day colloquium with the theme “Art and the Politics of Immortality: Re-reading Uche Okeke in the Post-Zarianist Zeitgeist”.

The event held yesterday at Niger Hall, CEC, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Nigerian artists of the independence era negotiated the matrix between Nigerian traditional arts and culture against the introduction of western art concepts on one hand, and the plurality of interests of major actors in the art scene on the other hand. Such interests as that of the acclaimed pioneer of modern art in Nigeria, Aina Onabolu-who worked in the academic style, the expatriate art teacher Kenneth C. Murray-who believed that artists should use the portrayal of their inherent cultural environment as their most potent currency and the interests of the established artists of the era repre-

TONY OKUYEME Arts Editor tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

sented by Ben Enwonwu – a former art adviser to the government institution, who wanted the status quo maintained. Uche Okeke, Demas Nwoko, Bruce Onobrakpeya and other Zarianist contemporaries proclaimed the movement- Natural Synthesiswhich sought to appropriate the best of the western techniques to enrich their culturally inspired artistic forms and contents. They believed that Nigerians (Africans) should be at the centre of telling their own stories. All other influences should be inciden-

The late Prof. Okeke

tal. The idea behind the Natural Synthesis soon took root when the graduates of the then Nigerian College of Arts, Sciences and Technology, now Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria moved to different parts of the country to take appointments as teachers in schools or to start their private studio practices.

Mbari Ibadan, a well-known initiative seen as an alternative platform (though informal) for artistic engagement in the early sixties also witnessed its decentralization to Mbari Oshogbo and Mbari Enugu.

With independence, the ascendancy of Lagos as the main art powerhouse of Nigeria became very clear. Art activities began to shift to the city. This was easy because of the available infrastructure and the elite presence offered by the important status of Lagos. It is noteworthy that in all these shifts and movements, Uche Okeke’s artistic currency remained constantly vis-

This colloquium may represent a challenge to scholars of Nigerian art

ible because of his power of vision.

From Kafanchan where he briefly ran his private studio after graduating from ABU, he moved to Enugu in 1963, the same year that Mbari Enugu was established. A year earlier, the Art department of the University of Nigeria was established. From this period through the war years, Uche Okeke worked hard on many projects including Igbo folklore and Uli. After the Nigerian civil war, and subsequent resumption of academic activities at the art department of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Uche Okeke was appointed the head of department.

It was while on that seat and searching for the right talents to help drive his vision that he recruited Obiora Udechukwu - a major propagator of Uli, and a young G h a n a i a n sculptor El Anatsui and others whose artistic impulses at the time met his creative vision. One of the greatest legacies of Uche Okeke remains his adoption of the body and wall art decoration practiced mainly by Igbo women to become a creative language. For decades, generations

of members of the Nsukka art school and others have worked with and expanded the Uli lyrical language and aesthetics to a level that it has assumed a movement thereby giving a resounding creative voice to the Nsukka School in the Nigerian Contemporary art sphere. The dialectics of Nigerian modernism cannot be complete without Okeke’s cerebral contributions.

While his work is well documented and remembered, the colloquium, according to the Head of Department of Fine and Applied Arts of the institution, focuses on the fact that “historians are yet to fully engage the post-Zarianist zeitgeist as a possible basis for appraising the development of Nigerian art in the new millennium.”

The discussions at the event revolved around how new thinking will bring new revelations about the fresh possibilities of Nigerian contemporary art and how, in the words of Ikwuemesi, “the death of Uche Okeke would provoke new thoughts in this direction, this colloquium may represent a challenge to scholars of Nigerian art to address the aftermath of Zarianism in contemporary Nigerian art”.

The one day event featured short talks and commentaries by Okeke’s contemporaries, colleagues, art historians and stakeholders of the arts. Some of proposed speakers at the event include: Emmanuel Okechukwu Odita, Emeritus Professor Ola Oloidi, Emeritus Professor El Anatsui, Professor Jerry Buhari, Professors Frank Ugiomoh and others.

Enekwachi Sculptor and Art Teacher, writes from Nsukka

Uche Okeke, Ana Mmuo(Land of the Dead), oil on board, 1961.

18

ART

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lagos_live festival kicks off

Onikeku on stage

Footprints of David in performance

Tony Okuyeme

F

our years after its debut, the international performance festival, Lagos_live returns, bigger and richer, with array of breathtaking performances showcasing contemporary theatre, dance and installation performances, as well as visual art exhibitions from Nigeria, Germany, Austria, the UK, US and other African countries.

The three-day festival Lagos_live which opens today at Freedom Park, Broad Street, and Goethe-Institut Nigeria (City

Hall), will run till this Sunday.

Organised by Goethe-Institut Nigeria, lagos_live is an international performance festival that took place for the first time in 2012.

“It returns this year with the aim to present contemporary performance projects from different genres: live-theater, installation, dance, music, visual art,” the Director of Goethe Institut, Lagos, Marc-Andre Schmachtel stated at a press conference on Wednesday announcing the event.

Goethe-Institut Nigeria, he said, has partnered with several

local and international artists and institutions to present new artistic creations.

According to him, “when the first lagos_live festival took place in December 2012, we didn’t know if it was going to be a success and how the audience would react.

But the first festival in Nigeria focusing exclusively on contemporary performance, theatre, installation, video art and music exceeded the expectations. Over a period of four days, the audience followe and came to Freedom Park, witnessing a large array of contemporary art performances,

The Governor, riveting political drama series, premieres Tony Okuyeme

T

he stage is set for the premiere of The Governor, a riveting tale of Angela Ochello, the Deputy Governor of Savannah State who with no governorship ambitions finds herself suddenly entangled in a web of political intrigue.

The series, another fascinating and inspiring drama from the stable of Ebonylife TV, will premiere in July.

It tells the story of how Angela Ochello (played by British-Nigerian actress Caroline Chikezie, whose credit include Aeon Flux, BBC’s Casualty, Channel 4’s As If) finds herself entangled in a web of political intrigue after the untimely death of the incumbent Governor. As audiences embark on this journey with Angela, “we see how with the help of her trusted Chief of Staff, she learns how to maneuver through the rough and shark-infested waters of politics whilst balancing the demands of her matrimonial home”.

The Governor is set in Savannah, a coastal state in Western Africa established in 1964 and extremely rich in iron ore. Known for its widely spaced grassland with temperate weather conditions and unique tourist attractions, Savannah has a population of 15 million people majority of who are fishermen and farmers. The rich cultural diversity and political awareness of the people makes it one of the most politically active states in the country.

Written by Yinka Ogun, Debo Oluwatuminu and Tunde Babalola and directed

by Ema Edosio, “The Governor will take constituents and citizens alike through the shadowy often gruesome corridors of power and promises to be packed with lots of intrigue, drama and sometimes humour. Can Angela standup to her rivals and assume her place as Governor? Will the fear of losing her husband cause her to forfeit this opportunity?”

Other cast members include Bimbo Manuel, Baaj

Cast of The Governor

Adebule, Kachi Nnochiri, and Simi Adejumo.

The 13-episode series will air Thursdays exclusively on EbonyLife TV (DSTV Channel 165).

“EbonyLife TV and EbonyLife Films are dedicated to telling the full range of African stories as they have never been told before. Strongly rooted in Africa but connecting to a global audience through a shared identity and common values. EbonyLife TV prides itself as Africa’s first Global Black Enter-

tainment and Lifestyle Network for premium homegrown entertainment content.

EbonyLife Films is poised to expand this vision by becoming one of Africa’s most influential story tellers.

“In the resurgence for telling the story of a new Africa, our first feature film, FIFTY, allowed us to create an honest insight of Africa in contrast to the stereotypical fatalistic stories filmmakers tend to tell of the continent.

with over 20 different international artists and art groups”.

Schmachtel also said: “This year again, Freedom Park is hosting us and we want to create the same atmosphere, we want you to feel the excitement watching contemporary performance theatre, listening to experimental sounds, experiencing innovative dance performances and discovering new artists.

“With the Federal government Press as additional location, as well as Brooke Street (in front of the Lagos mortuary), lagos_live comes back with new ideas, presenting known and unknown artists and offering unique experiences” Performances include the international co-production ‘We Almost Forgot’

by Nigerian dancer Qudus Onikeku, and ‘Sorry’ by Berlin-based theatre performance group Monster Truck; a collaboration with the Footprints of David (Lagos). Others include Austrian theatre company Theatre im Bahnhof; Crown Troupe of Nigeria. Nigerian dancers that will be performing include Sunday Israel Akpan, Busayo Olowu, Taiwo Ojudun and Joshua Alabi.

The visual arts will be represented by curator Alafuro Sikoki-Coleman, who is presenting five upcoming visual artists, photographers, designers, and performers, amongst whom are Odun Orimolade, Segun Adefila, Danielle Dean, Loza Maléombho, Adeju Thompson and Ikechukwu Onyewuenyi.

Also, German experimental sound artist Christina Kubisch will present for the first time in Africa her series “Electrical Walks”, where she captures electro-magnetic waves from the street and transforms them into sound lines, through specially adapted headphones.

Highlight of the festival also include the presence of the Pan-African Space Station at the festival, under the supervision of Ntone Edjabe from Chimurenga.

“Over a period of four days, this popup internet radio-station will transmit live from Freedom Park and host an eclectic mix of artist and music sessions.

“Festival venues are Freedom Park, Federal Government Press, the Colonial Secretariat and Goethe-Institut Nigeria.”

19

FRIday, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sex and Marriage Counselor Why don’t men menstruate?

Feminique

Diary of a dating mom How far can grief go?

20 20

Likke: I make movies that move people

Nnegest Likke is an ardent filmmaker with over a decade experience working as a professional writer, director and producer in Hollywood. 'With Movies that Move You' as her film career motto, she feels it is both a privilege and a responsibility to use her voice to make a positive difference in the world and in her community. EBERE AMEH writes

F

or Nnegest Likke, her start in the entertainment industry came after one of her screenplays gained the attention of a top Hollywood Producer who helped launch her career. Her first feature film, Phat Girlz was distributed theatrically by Fox Searchlight.

Through her Production Company, N'Vision Pictures, she has continued to create cutting edge content for film, television and digital platforms and looking back is what she is not contemplating.

“As one of the few African-American female filmmakers, I feel it a privilege and a responsibility to use my voice to make a positive difference in the world and in my community,” Nnegest noted.

“I love a good underdog story and my favourite characters tend to be those that are either "misunderstood" in their world or considered "ugly ducklings" by mainstream society and treated as outcasts because they don't fit a certain image or they walk to the beat of a different drum,” she said after the premier of her film, Everything but a Man. Her first movie, Phat Girlz, was about two big women, one a smart– mouthed girl, Jazmin who wants to be a fashion designer. Frustrated because of their plus-sized, they struggle to find love and acceptance in a culture where thin is in. Their lives take a dramatic turn when they meet the men who love them for their size, in ways that are completely unexpected.

Speaking about Phat Girlz, which she wrote and directed, Nnegest said that people react differently to self-

EBERE AMEH ebere.ameh@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

esteem issues, adding that she doesn't mean to promote being obese.

“Fattening rooms are insane, but I think they're as insane as trying to be a size 5 when your natural size is a size 14. I think they're equally extreme. So, the bottom line is, love yourself -- fat, skinny, short, tall, whatever. Love yourself," the award winning Director said.

Jazmin’s emotional journey has some similarities with that of Nnegest who was also plumpy while growing up in a society where plussize is despised.

Having been in Nigeria and Ethiopia several times to see relatives, Nnegest knows that Africans see a woman as beautiful when she has some flesh on. That led to her choice of Tunde, a Nigerian medical Doctor, acted by the handsome Jimmy JeanLouis, as the one who would help Jazmin discover herself and overcome her insecurities.

Ben and Ara is also another of her film that fetched her the Best Director category in the US International Hollywood Festival. It is a story of religious and cultural tensions that escalated when a woman from the Nation of Islam has an affair with an agnostic man. They discover that when two cultures come together, the consequences can be magical and tragic.

Her new film, Everything But A Man, starring Monica Calhoun (The Best Man franchise), Jimmy JeanLouis (Heroes, Joy), and Camille Winbush (The Bernie Mac Show) is a romantic dramedy that follows a self-made, African-American career woman who despite all her material success is a failure when it comes to men. But after a romantic encounter with a mysterious French-speaking black man from another country, his radical lifestyle differences shake up her world and challenge her perspective on love, relationships and what it means to be a 'strong' woman.

“The film equally deals with the poignant, timely and controversial subject matter, "the angry black woman" and the epidemic of single, successful black women who can’t find

Likke

Viewers enjoy it and are inspired and uplifted after watching

men. The “angry black woman” is a hot topic that has been the subject of various magazine articles, best-selling books, blogs, YouTube videos, national talk shows and news specials, and debated around the country in beauty salons, barber shops, Churches, and amongst friends. While I think there is some truth to the stereotype, I also think black women have been misunderstood and are in need of a great deal of compassion and healing. Growing up fatherless in a family run by strong, independent black women who had to be tough to survive, it’s a complex issue I understand all too well. I chose to tackle this topic in my next film not only for the commercial appeal I think it will have, but also because it's a very personal story to me. I hope viewers enjoy it and are inspired and uplifted after watching,” Nnegest noted.

Now with a passion for telling unique and uplifting stories that inspire humanity, Nnegest was a high school English and Drama teacher in Los Angeles for four years before becoming a professionally recognized writer, director and producer. It was while at Los Angeles that she discovered her calling for mentoring at-risk

youth.

Pursuing her passion for “talk” and advice-giving, she created, produced and co-hosted her own talk show called The Trace and Nnegest Show. The show aired in Los Angeles for three years before she opted for film.

Early in her career in filmmaking, she caught the attention of a top Hollywood film producer who optioned one of her screenplays after reading it. The film was never produced, but she took his interest in her script as a sign to keep writing.

Born in 1970, to an Ethiopian migrant in Oakland, United States, her father, famous Ethiopian Freedom Fighter, Dr. Senay Likké, earned his PhD. in math and chemical engineering, and later returned to his native Ethiopia to fight in the revolution where he was killed in 1977. Her mother Rosalind, who raised her was a globetrotter and gave her the rare chance to begin travelling the world at a young age.

Nnegest attended Skyline High School and later, Clark Atlanta University in Georgia. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and an avid traveller like her mother.

20 FEMINIQUE

T

his question came from a 14 year old girl who was menstruating for the first time. Her mother brought her to me for counselling, explanations and because, according to the mother, her questions were too much.

The girl was so confused, worried, scared and disturbed.

To worsen matters, an aunty had told her that was the price all women had to pay for the sins of Adam and Eve. Unfortunately, the parents had not prepared her for this.

Sex talk had always been taboo in the house. Even amongst the parents. So it was a rude shock. To worsen matters, the mother could not discuss the issue of menstruation intelligently with me her doctor.

So how could she discuss with her daughter?

And both parents are graduates. The mother went so far as to label menstruation ‘the woman’s curse’. Others call it ‘the woman’s cross.’

This article is an attempt to put the records straight. But before then.

An appeal to parents.

Please, do not be too shy

FRIday, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Why don’t men menstruate?

Sex and Marriage Counselor drtaiwofadeyi@gmail.com

08033148899

Dr. Taiwo Fadeyi or reserved to talk to your daughters and sons too about their bodies. Not only about menstruation, but also about pregnancy, abortion, sexual intercourse etc.

The more we can educate them, the less the incidences of promiscuity, sex due to peer pressure, unwanted pregnancy and its complications, abortion and death.

We must be willing to help them.

So what then is menstruation? In layman’s language, it is the number of days in a month that blood flows regularly from the vagina.

It is also known as nkanosu, in Yoruba. It usually occurs

just once in a month, except when the woman has a short menstrual cycle.

The number of days between two periods is known as a menstrual cycle. It is from the first day of the last bleeding to a day before the next one. Normal cycles are between 21-32 days. 21 days is a short cycle, whilst 32 days is a long one. Most women are between 24-28 days. The menstrual period itself lasts between 3-6 days but usually 5 days. Women start menstruating from the age of puberty and stop at menopause. When a regular pattern has been established, the woman is termed

All things considered, menstruation is actually a blessing in disguise

to have a regular menstrual cycle.

All things considered, menstruation is actually a blessing in disguise.

It is not a curse. Neither is it a cross nor payment for the sins of Adam and Eve. By the way, how are men paying for the sins?

After all both of them ate the Apple. Anyway, a woman who does not menstruate regularly, or does not menstruate at all during this (childbearing) period has a medical challenge and must see her doctor. The only time a woman is not expected to menstruate is during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Even at that, there are exceptions to the rule. I have seen women menstruate regularly during their first three months of pregnancy and nothing happened to the pregnancy. I have also seen women menstruate whilst breastfeeding without any problems.

Ego: Diary of a happening mom

Ebere Ameh

W

hen my mother - in - law broke down, weeping uncontrollably at the sight of her son, I knew that she had not truly overcome the grief of losing her better half.

"Daniel my son, I'm happy you are well," she said after an embrace that seems to have lasted for eternity. "I have seen my children and they are doing great too." she said. "It pains me that your father could not see them before he died. That was his wish but he died. He died Daniel without seeing your beautiful children. It will never be well with those wizards that took his life" she swore in between sobs.

Forgetting my altercation with her earlier, I joined Danny who was also getting emotional to console her. I thought she would push me away but she didn’t. We had a good time and had a great dinner with the children afterwards. All the while, I was ready for her but she seemed to have decided to forget.

Later at night, Danny who had been curious all along, wanted to know what was up when he came in from work.

Though I had expected that, I was at a loss whether to tell him the truth or like his mother, pretend that all was well. It was amazing how she moved from anger to emotional breakdown to outright happiness. If she was acting, she was very good at that. Or, could she be suddenly bipolar? I heard that that is how the condition presents.

"Oh, you mean when you came in today? We were talking about the driver, he kept her waiting at the airport," I said in an attempt at prevarication.

How far can grief go?

"What? You mean you didn’t go to the airport with him to pick my pick my mom from the airport. How could you be as callous as to send the driver alone?” he queried angrily. All my attempts to explain that I needed to stay back and ensure that lunch was ready before her arrival fell on deaf ears.

Could this be a case of misplaced aggression or a calculated attempt by him and his mother to provoke me to wrath?

I have heard and have also seen movies of wicked mothers-inlaw bewitching their children

to fight and drive away their wives. How am I sure that this woman, from Benin of all places, has not done anything to my loving Danny. In our three years together, he has never raised his voice at me except today. And why the long hug from his mother and her bipolar like behaviour this evening? “Tufiakwa! I refuse to be a victim,” I told myself as I made up my mind to prayerfully beg my husband the next day.

At our usual girls out on Thursday, I told them my experience over lunch. I needed to know if anyone had a better idea of what

I should do and got more than I bargained for – each person had a different idea on the cause and solution.

Of all the three, I saw reason with Funmi’s suggestion that we take her out for counselling and psychological help. I decided to call one of my doctor friends and ask about it.

“Bipolar disorder is a disorder that causes, causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs and lows. It was formerly called a maniac depression,” the doctor explained.

“The fact is that if you have bipolar disorder, you may also have another health condition that's diagnosed before or after your diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Such conditions need to be diagnosed and treated because they may worsen the existing bipolar disorder or make treatment more successful.

“It could be anxiety disorders like social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, or Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some people with PTSD, a trauma- and stressor-related disorder, also have bipolar disorder.

In her case, I am querying PTSD having lost a loved one a few weeks ago.

“All of these are facts but I don’t think they may be true in your mother-in-law’s case. She has just lost her husband and a level of grief is expected. If this is how she has chosen to channel that grief I suggest that you and your husband just love her and accommodate this till she becomes better.”

I thanked the doctor and cut the call thinking about how I’ll have to put up with her in the coming weeks.

21

friday, june 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FADAN gets new president, EXCO

Allegation

23

Michael Jackson’s Estate slams new child porn collection allegations

Entertainment Humble Smith

Davido Didn’t Pay Me to Feature in Osinachi

Rave of the moment, Humble Smith is obviously humbled by the love he’s getting from his fans on the success of his hit song, OSINACHI, which featured HKN front man, Davido. The fast rising Ebonyi State-born artiste, in this interview with ABIOLA ALABA PETERS, talks about his career, among other issues How has the year been for you?

Well, it’s been tough and awesome at the same time. It’s not been easy, but we’ve tried our best to come this far; it’s all by the grace of God. You are Humble Smith, how humble are you?

(Laughing) I’m 60 percent humble.

What year did you write OSINACHI, and who was the first person to listen to it?

I was actually the first person to listen to it. Basically, I wrote OSINACHI in the church in 2015. I actually went to church to pray, then, things were very hard for us. I already had a couple of singles out there, yet nothing was going well, so felt like I’m doing

LANRE ODUKOYA COORDINATOR

lanreodukoya@gmail.com

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the wrong thing. So I went to church to talk to God about my life and career, and right there in the church, something came to my mind, like, I’m not supposed to be complaining, I’m far and much better than lot of people out there and I can still use what I have to inspire people.

So, while I was still pondering about that, OSINACHI came up and that was how I came about OSINACHI. And again, my wonderful manager C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 2

Nick Young dumped Iggy Azalea for pregnant mother of his son

Onikeku’s We Almost Forgot

Premieres in Berlin, Lagos, Abuja

Can Kylie Jenner Just Walk Away From First True Love?

22

entertainment

friday, june 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Davido didn’t pay me’

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

Kelly was the second person to listen to it and after him was the Rev. Father that advised me, so since then, it’s been Hallelujah.

That’s to say you are a church boy?

Yes, I’ve been a church boy all my life. I used to serve mass; I was an altar boy back in Ebonyi state.

OSINACHI is indeed a huge success, how has it affected your life?

It has done much, believe me. Basically, the success has made me to believe so much in myself and what I’m doing, whatever it is that pushed me into doing music, there’s actually a reason for it, and today it has really paid off. It has also made my parents to believe more in me; they are proud of me. All those that have supported me in any little way are now proud of me. I am happy now, that I am being recognized. The respect I’ve being seeking for, I am getting it now. You know, to handle stardom is not easy, I’m now seeing the other side of life. You are facing stardom and at the same time facing the difficult part of it; people now talk about you every day, either good or bad. That make me feel good about myself, because it shows that I am relevant. That means people know me, some persons can even leave all they are doing to talk about you; so to me it’s a huge success and I am grateful to God. What was the reaction of your parents when you told them you were going into music?

Funny enough, they’ve known about my music thing for long, in fact, since I was a kid. It’s not as if they don’t like me to do music, but you know how parents can be: ‘oh I want you to be a lawyer; I want you to be a doctor and stuffs like that’. My mum actually wanted me to be a Priest and my Dad wanted me to be a footballer, but you know what, I actually did all of that

not just to please them, but because it is what I should and can do. I was even supposed to go to the seminary school, but it didn’t just work out. That alone showed that, okay, this is not your part. So I did a lot.

How do you handle your female fans?

You can’t stop anybody from admiring you. If you get admiration from your female fans, you are on the right track and as well doing well.

The female fans somehow are stronger than the male fans; they show you all the love, but you don’t need to be carried away by that. You need to know where you draw the line and all, respect them as much as you can, and believe me, they will never stop showing love.

At this point in your career, a lady walks up to you to say, Humble, I’m carrying your child knowing fully well you had something with her, what would you do?

Anyway, nobody is actually praying for it to happen in that manner, but then, nobody is above mistake. I am one person that is not afraid to make mistake because I learn from it, but if such a thing happens based on your question, it will be as the spirit leads. When we get to that bridge, we will surely cross it.

Have you had any harassment

from the Nigerian police?

See, you might feel people know you because you are popular, but believe me, not everybody does. There are some parts of the country where people don’t know you; believe it or not. And you just can’t beat or kill them for that; that’s why wherever you find yourself you just need to be as humble as you can.

Don’t be too proud to start announcing yourself, some persons are ready to bring your ego down at any slightest provocation or opportunity. Let your humility do the publicity for you. I remember some weeks ago, I was driving out in company of some people and the Police stopped the guy that was driving and asked all of us to come down. I came down quietly and they searched me, I had just my phone and my rosary with me; then they asked me to go inside. All of a sudden I heard people saying, ‘that is Humble Smith, and they started shouting my name Humble Smith, and one of them said to the police man, “Oga police, you no know that guy, na him sing OSINACHI”.

And the police man saw like, oh, I never knew, I’m very sorry, you should have told us; I’m one of your fans. I just laughed. It wasn’t really an embarrassment, the feeling was good anyway.

Take us to your background.

How was growing up for you?

Growing up was fun and

though for me, I won’t lie to you. It was rugged; it was challenging and entertaining.

I grew up in Ebony state; I grew up with my whole family - mum, dad and my siblings. Things weren’t easy for us at all, so we had to hustle; we had to go into the street to work. My brothers and I hawked in the street of Ebony. I hawked from Primary two till I finished my secondary school; we sold a whole lot of things, most especially Moi-Moi (beans cake). I was very popular when I was hawking then, as in, when I’m coming, people will be shouting “yeaaa nwa moimoi don come”. I wasn’t shy about it because I couldn’t steal. That was where our family income came from.

My mum used that to raise all of us, from primary to secondary and to the glory of God, my sister is a graduate; big thanks to my parents. At the time I was hawking, I was still doing my music thing, acting and dancing at the same time, I did a whole lot.

In secondary school, I was the drama director. I love theatre art; if I’d furthered my education, I would have gone for theater art. I had my own group then, I was teaching them acting. We presented our own drama then and it was fun; at a point, the school made my drama group the school’s drama group, and I became the school drama director. We go to schools to perform and I used go to the

principal to talk to him about the drama and all and the people pay to come and watch us. So I made small cash from it, aside the money I got from hawking, and that was in Ebonyi state. I wrote songs for people; teach people how to dance and all, so I did a whole lot of things.

You’ve done two songs basically in Igbo, why? Is it that you can’t sing in English?

I do afro-pop music. Like I told you once you understand what you are doing, understand what is good for you, then you are good to go.

I’ve come a very long way, I have been studying my music and I have been studying the angle where my music will go. I’m Igbo and I do high-life music, and high-life music is basically from the Igbo side, so you need to represent where you are from and be original; and thank God the music is judging itself, there’s pidgin, Igbo and English in it, so which ever you understand in the three, it’s cool.

My Igbo’s are not too hard for people to understand; it is something that people can easily understand.

There’s a claim that Davido paid to be featured in OSINACHI, how true is that?

Davido? No, that’s not true!

Davido never paid me a dime to be featured in my song OSINACHI. He did not pay me and I did not pay him, he did it out of love.

entertainment

friday, june 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FADAN gets new president, EXCO

I

t was an evening of celebration recently at Nike Art Gallery in Lekki, Lagos, as The Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN) sworn in its newly elected executive members into office. Due to her industrious role in moving the association forward, the past National President, Mrs. Funmi Ajila-Ladipo, was re-elected for a second tenure.

Together with the new members, she is expected to steer the affairs of FADAN for the next three years.

Speaking at the colourful ceremony, the President, Mrs. Ajila-Ladipo, said FADAN was set up to enable Nigeria take her position as a world class fashion destination. “We are ready to reposition the association to meet the demands of the new frontiers in the global garment production. FADAN is duly incorporated in 1989 by the then Federal Ministry of Trade and Corporate Affairs, and it has state chapters all over the country. We now operate from our current national headquarters at the National Theatre, Lagos,” she said.

The National Publicity Secretary of FADAN, Evelyn Okereke, insisted that the association has been getting more international and local attention in the past few years.

She said: “Before it was only the president that is promoting FADAN, but we are very happy that she now has more helping hands so as to bring FADAN to where it should be. To be a member, you must be a fashion designer, you must have your clothing label, you must be paying dues and you must be attending monthly meetings as well as other activities of the association.”

On why women dominate the fashion industry, she noted that “women were more colourful than men.

“I don’t think the association is dominated by women, but we make more clothes and wear more clothes.

We have large numbers of males in the profession too.” Okereke urged government to think of fashion as a viable means of empowerment and creating jobs.

“I am not satisfied with the growth of the Nigerian fashion industry, but it would be a different ball game with the inauguration of the new executives. We want to blow up like the entertainment or movie industry. We have to be in that same position because you cannot walk around naked.

These entertainers wear clothes to events and we have a lot of creative designers, up-and-coming and old,” she added.

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Onikeku’s We Almost Forgot premieres in Berlin, Lagos, Abuja

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fter a decade of a successful career in Paris, the world renowned Nigerian choreographer and dance export Qudus Onikeku, returns to Nigeria to present his latest contemporary dance production “We Almost Forgot”. The Berlin premiere was held on June 17, followed by a Lagos premiere which holds today, June 24, while the Abuja opening is scheduled to hold on Sunday June 26. “We Almost Forgot” will also premiere in Paris on November 3.

Born and raised in Lagos, Onikeku is the Artistic Director and founder of YK Projects Paris and the QDance Centre Lagos. He is a graduate of The National Higher School of Circus Arts, France. For close to two decades now, he has constantly pushed the limits of dance beyond the shores of Africa, he is part of the new generation of international creators, whose works are redefining and refining African cultures and philosophy.

He is known globally, for his solo works, writings and research projects. He was awarded “Dancer of the year” by the future awards in Nigeria in 2009, while in October 2010, his solo piece titled “My Exile is in my head” won “the best solo performance” during the Africawide dance encounters “Danse l’Afrique danse” in Bamako – Mali, and the 2012 “New choreographic talent” in France. A TED global fellow nominee and a visiting professor to the University of California, Davis Qudus is a fluid traveler who shares his time between borders, but presently involved in various artistic projects, teachings and collaborations in Lagos, through The QDanceCenter.

“We Almost Forgot”, Qudus’ latest creation, features on stage six dancers and one actress, all of varied backgrounds and identities (Nigeria, Gabon, Morocco, Algeria, Madagascar and France). Through the use of high energy movements, story-telling, singing and intricate

music, the performance aims at exploring memory and amnesia, what has the past got to offer the present beyond history? The idea is to make a fiction of witness accounts, of stories of individuals who have witnessed wars and crises, and to evoke the capacity of our bodies to also keep such memories of trauma.

The Lagos and Abuja premieres, made possible with the active support of Goethe Institut, Bank of Industry, The French Institut and the German Embassy, this is made possible, not just in Lagos but equally in Abuja, will hold at Freedom Park, as part of the Lagos Live Arts festival, while the Abuja performance will be hosted at the prestigious National Universities Commission, respectively.

“More than just viewing the performance, the audience will have the opportunity to interact with the artists and express their thoughts on contemporary dance and its progression in Nigeria and the world over,” the organisers stated.

OJB Jezreel for burial July 8 T

he family of late music producer and singer, Babatunde Okungbowa, a.k.a. OJB Jezreel, has released details of his funeral.

OJB Jezreel, who passed away on Tuesday, June 14, after a prolonged battle with a highly malignant kidney disease, will be buried at the Ikoyi cemetery in Lagos on Friday July 8.

A candle light procession is planned to hold on Monday, July 4 at 5pm.

The take-off point will be the late singer’s house in Surulere, Lagos.

A service of songs will take place on Thursday, July 7, at Ojez, National Stadium, Surulere, while his remains would be interred after a lying-in-state ceremony at his residence from 7am – 8am and immediately followed by a service of song at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Grace Chapel, Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos.

He is survived by an aged father, Chief Anthony Okungbowa (Arase of Agbor), siblings, Mrs. Theresa Ebunola Gamba (USA),

Mr. Cornelius Archibong (England), Mr. Albert Okungbowa (USA) and Mr. Anthony Okungbowa, Marvin Okungbowa, Bose Ajila Okungbowa, Joseph Okungbowa and wives, Mabel Babatunde Okungbowa, June Okungbowa, Korede Okungbowa and eight children.

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entertainment

friday, june 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Michael Jackson’s estate slams new child porn collection allegations ‘E

nough is enough!’

That’s what Michael Jackson’s estate said when denying recent allegations regarding a reported porn collection found on the star’s property in 2003. After the alleged police report was posted online, MJ’s estate released a statement.

Michael Jackson‘s estate claims a recent report, which seems to prove the singer had an extensive child porn collection inside his home, is nothing but “tabloid trash.” Even though the newly released police documents and a raid video claim Michael had a secret sex closet full of naked images of children and disturbing picture of animal cruelty, his estate said it’s just another sorry

attempt to “exploit” the singer days before the anniversary of his June 25, 2009 death.

After the report and video emerged, the estate of Michael Jackson released the following statement, according to Billboard: “Seven years ago this coming Saturday, the world lost an amazing artist and humanitarian devoted to helping children in need in all corners of the world. Michael Jackson’s fans, including the Executors of his estate, prefer to remember the wonderful gifts Michael left behind instead of having to once again see his good name dragged through the mud by tabloid trash.

“Everything in these reports, including what the County of Santa Barbara

calls ‘content that appears to be obtained off the Internet or through unknown sources’ is false, no doubt timed to the anniversary of Michael’s passing. Those who continue to shamelessly exploit Michael via sleazy internet ‘click bait’ ignore that he was acquitted by a jury in 2005 on every one of the 14 salacious charges brought against him in a failed witch hunt.

“Michael remains just as innocent of these smears in death as he was in life even though he isn’t here to defend himself. Enough is enough.”

As previously reported, charges of child molestation were brought against Michael in 2003, but he was ultimately acquitted in 2005 after a five-month trial.

Can Kylie Jenner just walk away from first true love?

E

ven though Kylie Jenner was spotted kissing rapper, PartyNextDoor, it seems she can’t get Tyga out of her mind! The ‘Stimulated’ rapper was her first love so she can’t just let it go entirely. So are they getting back together?

Kylie Jenner, 18, and rapper Tyga, 26, were recently spotted at North West‘s third birthday party, leaving us to wonder are they on-again or off-again? Despite canoodling

Nick Young dumped Iggy Azalea for pregnant mother of his son N

Young and Azalea

ick Young has dumped Iggy Azalea to reunite with his ‘baby mama’ who is pregnant with another child, according to a shocking new report. HollywoodLife.com gathered all the dramatic details.

Iggy Azalea, 26, made headlines when she officially severed ties with fiancé, Nick Young, 31, in a heartfelt Instagram message on June 19.

While it looked like

she was the one who ended things, a new report claims the NBA star dumped Iggy to get back together with the mother of his child, Keonna. Not only that, but the allegedly reunited pair may be expecting another bundle of joy together soon.

So it seems Nick was the one who pulled the plug on the “Fancy” songstress. Swaggy P is currently shacking up in Los Angeles with his baby mama and they’ve allegedly got another bun in the oven according to a June 21 report from MediaTakeOut.

with PartyNextDoor, 22 not too long ago, Kylie just can’t cut things off with her “first true love,” according to a new report. HollywoodLife.com has the scoop!

“They may be broken up but there is still so much love there,” a source tells People in their June 21 report. “He was her first true love and that is something that she just can’t walk away from entirely.” Their relationship has blossomed in front of our very eyes for over a year, so it does make sense that the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star is still battling with letting the rapper go entirely.

It also seems that Kylie’s friends were in agreement about her dysfunctional love affair. “They told her that

Jenner and Tyga

their relationship was way too unhealthy at the time and that played a key part in their decision to separate.”

“It was just bad timing and they were fighting all the time,” continues the source.

“Time apparently does heal most wounds, considering their hours spent apart have led things to “calm down a bit” and now Kyga can “start fresh,” but this time as friends.

Tyga and Kylie were allegedly both spotted at Kim Kardashian‘s house for her daughter and Penelope Disick‘s birthday party on June 19. And it wasn’t long before that, when Kylie jet-setted to Jamaica to meet up with the “Rack City” artist to show some support for his new music video.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Agric

Business What's news Value of Nigeria’s construction industry to rise by 9.5% –Report

Becoming a farmer

Environment Air pollution: Ogun communities groan

29 30

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE May 2016.................................15.6% April 2016.................................13.7% March 2016..............................13.2%

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

EXCHANGE RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(BDC as at June 17)

(Interbank as at June 17)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N350 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N490 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N400

l Foreign Reserves – $26.443bn as at 16/6/2016

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

Source: CBN

p.26

NCC: Nigeria’s telecoms attract $6bn investment in three years p.26

L-R: Trafific and Sales Manager, Ethiopian Airlines, Mrs Firiehiwot Mekonnen; Enugu State Commissioner for Commerce, Dr. Sam Ogbu and Ethiopian Airlines’ Manager for Enugu, Mr Biniam Addisu, during a news conference on the forthcoming Ethiopian Airlines’ 70th anniversary in Enugu .

Telecoms: NCC in fresh war against service interference The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

CAVEAT Individual desirous of using the GSM Booster could only do that in conjunction with licensed network operators

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Kunle Azeez

T

elecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has commenced fresh war against individuals contributing to the delivery of high quality of services by the licensed telecoms operators in the country, New Telegraph has learnt.

According to a document obtained from the NCC, the latest source of interference is the illegal use of GSM Boosters by some individuals and businesses in the country without authorisation from licensed operators or the regulator.

GSM Boosters are devices that transmit and receive telecommunications signals and can, therefore, interfere with other radio frequency equipment.

The document titled: ‘Illegal Usage of GSM Boosters’ and signed by the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said the regulator had been alerted on “the fact that GSM Boosters are illegally being used by individuals in Nigeria.”

He noted that willful interference with any wireless telegraphy is an offence under section 16 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 2004, adding, “The Commission will not condone any flagrant breach of this law.”

Dabatta explained that individual desirous of using the GSM Booster could only do that in conjunction with licensed network operators.

He, however, stated that the Commission has put appropriate measures in place to track down the illegal users of GSM boosters, capable of causing further interference on telecoms’ quality of service in the country.

“Accordingly, mechanisms have been put in place to monitor and anyone caught using the GSM booster without obtaining approval of a duly-licensed network operator will face arrest and prosecution,” he said, call-

N1.17 billion Being the fine paid in 2012 by all the four Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) operators for failing to meet up with the minimum standard of quality of service (QoS) in March and April

ing on the members of the public with useful information regarding the illegal use of GSM Boosters to collaboration with the NCC in nipping the antiindustry practice in the bud.

Over the years, telecoms regulator has been waging war against the poor quality of service in order to ensure improved quality of service delivery to the over 150 million telecoms subscribers among whom over 90 million also access data services in the country.

To tackle this challenge, the NCC had some four years ago, developed Quality of Service (QoS) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which sets some thresholds in service delivery for telecoms operators.

This newspaper gathered that following the coming into force of the KPIs, telecoms operators have had to be fined by the regulator on several occasions for their inability to meet the thresholds set for them on quality of service delivery.

In May 2012, NCC fined all the four Global System for Mobile CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

26

BUSINESS |news

NCC in fresh war against service interference CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

Communications (GSM) operators including MTN, Glo, Airtel and Etisalat nearly N1.17 billion for failing to meet up with the minimum standard of quality of service (QoS) for the months of March and April 2012.

In the fine, Airtel, MTN, Glo, and Etisalat incurred N270 million, N360 million, N180 million and N360 million respectively. The sanction, which shook the industry, was the highest fine in the history of Nigeria’s telecoms bordering on operators’ inability to meet the KPIs on quality of service.

However, cases of interference, arising from the illegal use of some equipment as well as illegal use of certain spectrum not legally licensed to some players in the industry have also added to the inability of the operators to achieve satisfactory level of service quality as dictated by the NCC. The Commission has constantly staged clampdown over illegal users of some frequency spectrum, whose usage does cause interference to the services being delivered by licensed operators.

Speaking in a telephone interview, President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, said the operators would also join the NCC in riding the industry of illegal users of GSM boosters that further dampen the quality of service in the industry.

Meanwhile, in addition to waging war against illegal users of GSM Boosters and other spectrum resources, causing interference to service delivery, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo has urged the NCC to help in addressing teething industry challenges impinging on quality of service in the country.

Adebayo, who commended the NCC on its decision to tackle illegal users of GSM Booster, however, said, “Cases of multiple taxation and frivolous levies on telecoms company, slow approvals for infrastructure rollout, issue of Right of Ways (RoW), vandalism and non-classification of telecoms infrastructure as critical national security and economic infrastructure are still many challenges that continue to affect the quality of service delivery.

“We, as operators, are ready to work with the NCC to assist us in all these aforementioned areas with a view to making our over $32 billion telecom sector even more attractive to investments. We need more investment to build more infrastructure such as base stations to be able to provide superior services to our growing subscribers.”

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Value of Nigeria’s construction industry to rise by 9.5% –Report INFRASTRUCTURE DEVT Government plans to establish superior infrastructure at equivalence with the global standards

Dayo Ayeyemi

D

espite the current economic downturn, construction industry in Nigeria is expected to expand from 2016 to 2020 with its output value increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.49 per cent, a report

by Trimetric has said.

According to the study, the

exponential growth in the construction industry in Nigeria is expected to be driven by the infrastructure development investments, housing projects, manufacturing plants, healthcare and education facilities.

The report stated that the Nigerian authorities have already signed an agreement with the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) to collaborate on rail rehabilitation project in the country. The CRCC has agreed to inject $13.1 billion to carter for Nigeria’s rail project.

According to the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) 2043, government plans to establish superior infrastructure in the country at equivalence with the global standards. The construction industry growth is predicted to boost Nigeria’s economic prosperity and sustainable development.

In 2014, the Nigerian economy was declared the largest on the continent. The feat stemmed from the country re-basing of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 1990 to 2010, which resulted to an increment of 89 per cent in the estimated size of the economy that surpassed that South Africa.

Nigeria budgeted N433.4 billion for Works, Power and Housing. N350 billion is billed to be released in the interim.

However, there was a glimmer of hope for contractors, as the Federal Government confirmed the release of N280 billion as part of N350 billion earmarked for the implementation of capital projects captured in the 2016 budget.

The N280 billion released, government said, was for execution of capital projects that had been scrutinised, as on-going.

Already, a few contractors have been gradually mobilising to sites to begin the construction of projects they had been abandoned.

Julius Berger and Reynolds Construction companies have returned to their sites on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, while few others have also gone back to sites, expecting government to fulfil its part of the bargain.

The N169 billion projects were awarded to Julius Berger and Reynolds Construction Company by the Nigeria former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, to repair Section 1 of the highway, which spans Lagos to Sagamu Interchange and Section II, which begins from Sagamu Interchange to Ibadan. The project was initially scheduled for completion within the period of 48 months

Chief Executive Officer, Red Star Plc, Sola Obabori (left) with former Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Reginald Ihejiahi, during the Deloitte C-Suite session in Lagos.

REFORMS NCC will continue to push for reforms and initiatives that would create and sustain the kind of atmosphere that encourages innovation in a liberalised market

Kunle Azeez

I

nflow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the Nigerian telecom sector has increased to $38 billion over the years and has continued to define the positive side of the nation’s economy.

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Prof.

Umar Danbatta, disclosed this during the Corporate Governance Forum hosted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Lagos.

Local and FDIs in the telecoms industry rose from $25 billion in 2010 to $32 billion in mid-2013. In the last three years, the industry had re-

NCC: Nigeria’s telecoms attract $6bn investment in three years corded additional $6 billion, raising the investment level to $38 billion.

At the forum, foremost expert in telecom law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, in his keynote, underscored the need for order and adherence to rules and principles that govern the sector.

He lauded the NCC for the initiative to make all stakeholders in the industry to abide by the rules and norms that govern the sector.

According to Danbatta, the commission will continue to push for reforms and initiatives that would create and sustain the kind of atmosphere that encourages innovation in a liberalised market.

He said: “The liberalisation of the telecoms industry opened investment opportunities for both lo-

cal and foreign companies, contributing significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). To illustrate, in contrast to the economy as a whole, which regressed to -0.36 per cent in the first quarter of 2016, the telecoms sector contributed, in progressive and real terms, about 8.83 per cent to the GDP in the same period.

This represents an increase of 0.5 per cent, relative to the growth in the last quarter of 2015.

“Similarly, apart from attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in excess of $38 billion and reflating the economy, the telecoms value chain (formal and informal) continues to create a significant number of job opportunities for our teaming youths. Other positive spin-offs include increasing local content and rising in-

come per capita/per head for employees in the sector.”

As the sector regulator, Danbatta rethorically asked ‘why are we not resting on our oars and basking in the glory of our widely-documented successes?’

“The answer is simple; we are committed to sustaining and building on the formidable structures established over the years for the industry to thrive and outlive us.

We desire an industry that will grow bigger, better and be more relevant to successive generations.

“This is the real essence of our meeting today; to share our thoughts and perspectives on how to meet our commitment to the principles of inter-generational equity in the sector; how we can leave a lasting legacy of a strong and virile industry, fit for bequest to successive generations”.

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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labour

SACK Some lenders recently laid off not less than 2,000 staff as a result of harsh economy

L-R: Research Coordinator for Energy & Climate Policy, Felix Mathes; Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Kyari Bukar and Director, Heinrich Boll Foundation Nigeria, Christine Kueviakoe, at the stakeholders’ roundtable on Nigeria’s energy mix strategy and the future of renewable energy organised by NESG and Heinrich Boll in Lagos.

PHOTO: QUADRI IKUDAISI

Sunday Ojeme

T

he National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has taken a swipe at the attitude of three frontline banks against their staff.

It warned that it would stop channeling its members’ salaries through them if they failed to put a stop to series of anti-workers activities.

In a letter to the banks, signed by the General Secretary, NUEE, Joseph Ajaero, the union complained of casualisation, not allowing the workers to belong to and participate in union activities and arbitrary disengagement of workers.

It stated that efforts by the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) to unionise the workers had failed.

Part of the letter read: “As a responsible and one of the leading industrial unions in the country, we cannot be passive as your bank, which houses our outstanding investment, turned deaf ears to the genuine concerns of NUBIFIE. “We will not hesitate to ask employers in our sector to stop further payment of staff salaries through your bank if this situation remains unabated.

It is, therefore, pertinent that

Labour tackles banks over workers’ welfare

•Employers warn against picketing your management put a stop to your anti-workers’ stance forthwith if you desire our continued business relationship with you.

“We hope you will give positive consideration to this not later than two weeks. An injury to one is an injury to all.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has cautioned against the planned picketing of selected banks by the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE).

The Director-General, NECA), Mr. Segun Oshinowo, said in a statement that NUBIFIE was being emboldened by the directive of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on the sacking in the banking sector.

Oshinowo pointed out that the labour law recognised the right of employers to determine their operational policies without approval from the ministry, while respecting the provision of Section 20 of the Labour Act, where and if a labour union existed in the

organisation.

He gave assurance that any employer carrying out retrenchment would meet with the appropriate body in the workplace, including the union where one existed, and would pay redundancy benefits to affected employees.

According to him, the right to strike or picket is not an opportunity for impunity and criminality.

“It is most unfortunate that the minister’s comment has been fuelling impunity and gross abuse of rules and prin-

Insurers assure workers of job security

F

ollowing the spate of sackings in private establishments as a result of downturn in the nation’s economy, the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has given assurance to workers in the insurance industry not to panic.

While giving the assurance in Lagos, the outgoing Chairman of the association, Godwin Wiggle, said that though doing business under the present situation was challenging, insurers would continue to think out of the box to remain afloat.

He urged the government to assist the industry by enforcing compulsory insurance laws, stressing that relegating insurance as presently being practiced is inimical to the development of the economy.

According to him, insurance plays an important role in the economy, as it helps to reduce economic waste.

On the outcry by shareholders over non-payment of dividends by some insurance firms, he said the operators are not happy that shareholders are not benefiting from their investments, adding that most insurers are unable to pay dividends due to stringent

rules and difficult environment they operate on.

He lamented over the menace of fake insurance, stating that those buying fake insurance are procuring waste papers, which are not tenable in times of mishaps.

Wiggle said the government is presently losing huge revenue to the menace of fake insurance, adding that counterfeiters, do not pay tax from the money made from their illicit

act.

The chairman whose tenure will end by Thursday, June 30, 2016, on his scorecard, said: “Looking back at the agenda we set for ourselves at the beginning of our tenure, we want to say that we have made some modest achievements during the period.

“On the relationship with NAICOM, we have continued to engage the Commission on issues that affect the business

of our members and this will continue as issues may arise.

“There is also an on-going initiative to improve market conduct and market discipline.

“On the relationship between the Association and other regulatory bodies, the Association has continued to engage other regulators such as SEC, FIRS, PENCOM and NSE on issues bothering on the effect of their oversight activitieson member companies.”

Widows, youths benefit from NAFOWA’s training

T

he Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA) has commenced the skills acquisition and vocational training for widows, indigent women and youths in Kaduna State.

Speaking at the Air Force base in Kaduna, President of the Association and wife of the Chief of Air Staff, Hafsat Abubakar, said the training programme was to complement Federal Government’s effort in tackling unemployment and poverty especially among women and youths in the country.

She explained that the pro-

gramme was geared towards building entrepreneurial skills among youths and women in the barracks, with a view to making them selfsufficient and useful to the society.

According to her, the current decline in the economy makes it necessary for women and youths not to rely solely on white collar jobs, but to look for alternative sources of engaging themselves meaningfully through capacity building and skill acquisition.

Most of the trainees were those whose husbands or parents died while fighting in the

north east.

Chairperson of NAFOWA, Airforce Training Command, Kaduna, Grace Balogun, commended NAFOWA president for initiating the programme.

Some of the beneficiaries said the training would empower them with the necessary skills in becoming self-reliant and to be able to support their families.

The training programme, which will last for a period of 10 weeks, is to increase their capacity building and making them become self-employed and reduce poverty and unemployment among them.

ciples of industrial relations in Nigeria. The law about dispute settlement is clear in Nigeria.

If the union has any issue with the action of the employer, its recourse should be the industrial court rather than take laws in its own hands.

“We expect the minister to caution the union and urge it to follow due process in seeking justice for its cause. In exercising its right to picket, the union should realise that such an action should not impinge on the right of the enterprise to conduct its business,” he said.

NECA seeks passage of competition law

T

he Director-General, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Segun Oshinowo, has called on lawmakers to give Nigeria a competition law before the end of this year.

Speaking at a ‘Walk for Competition Bill’ in Lagos, Oshinowo said there was nothing to cheer despite the bill passing second reading in the House of Representatives.

According to him, there is nothing to cheer, because previous attempts to pass the bill even passed this stage before they were abandoned.

“We, therefore, urge the lawmakers to match words with action and give Nigeria a competition law before the end of this year. We also call on the Federal Government to revisit the Draft Competition and Consumer Protection Policy Document and approve it as a matter of urgency.

“It is this policy that sets out the goal of promoting competition in the economy. We further call on the Federal Government to mainstream competition in broader areas of economic development such as trade and industrial policy, investment policy, privatisation and deregulation.”

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FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

agric

Taiwo Hassan

T

he Flour Millers Association of Nigeria (FMAN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN) in a major collaborative effort to boost wheat production in Nigeria.

The key intention of the MoU was commitments by both parties to further develop agriculture in the country through wheat production.

Speaking during the signing of the MoU in the Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Abuja, ViceChairman, FMAN, Lanre Jaiyeola, according to a statement said that FMAN has expressed its willingness to purchase all the wheat produced by WFAN at a guaranteed price of N140,000 per metric ton for the 2015/2016 farming season.

Jaiyeola, who is also the Managing Director of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, said the objective of the association was to make available wheat at affordable prices for Nigerians.

His words: “This event marks a milestone in the development and growth of the Nigerian wheat value chain and aligns with FMAN’s objectives to provide affordable and nutritious flour based foods to Nigerians in addition to developing the wheat value chain and contributing to the growth of agriculture in Nigeria. This initiative seeks to replicate the modest successes achieved in our intervention in the Cassava Value Chain where Nigeria is the number one producer of Cassava in the world.”

He commended the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh; the Ex-

L- R: ViceChairman, Board of Directors, C&I Leasing Plc, Emeka Ndu; Company Secretary, Mbanugo Udenze; Chairman, Chief Chukwuma Okolo and Managing Director, Andrew Otike-Odibi, during the company’s 25th Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

Flour millers, farmers sign production-boosting pact duction in Nigeria.

In his remarks, Executive Secretary, WFAN, Alhaji Farouk Mudi, assured Nigerians that with the support of FMAN and LCRI, the farmers were ready to mobilise and produce the required quantity of wheat to meet demand.

Mudi said that members of WFAN have expressed their desire to sell all of their wheat to FMAN at the agreed price.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, expressed delight that FMAN and WFAN agreed to collaborate, saying that increased production of wheat will lead to food security, job creation, savings on foreign exchange and growth of the Nigerian economy.

He urged other crop growers

ecutive Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and; the officials of the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) for their support in actualising the MoU treaty.

Jaiyeola also noted that FMAN has concluded plans to further show support to wheat cultivation in Nigeria through the donation of equipment, provision of water irrigation pumps, pilot (demonstration) farms, purchase of seeds towards the next planting season, sponsorship of technical support and research and development initiatives aimed towards improving yield.

He expressed belief that all stakeholders would work together to achieve increased level of wheat pro-

‘FG’s e-agric agenda key to economic growth’ Kunle Azeez

M

inister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, has said the need to strengthen collaboration aimed at promoting e-agriculture is central to overall economic development agenda of government.

Ogbe stated this during a recent visit of the management of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), together with the project consultant to his office in Abuja to demonstrate the working of the a National E-Agriculture Web Portal developed by the agency.

The National E-Agriculture Web Portal, aimed at showcasing the essential features and key aspects of the food and agriculture industry in Nigeria and making Nigeria attain self sufficiency in food production, was developed through joint collaboration of the agency and the ministry.

Speaking during the visit of the NITDA team, Ogbe said the initiative would accelerate the country’s agricultural transformation agenda (ATA).

He noted that the level of pa-

tronage of Nigerian agricultural produce would increase in foreign, stressing, “our produce will also enjoy quality control and provide necessary information to importers of our farm product.”

“We will collaborate with your Agency on this laudable initiative and we are starting right now by constituting a working team that will work further on the contents of the portal because it is very key for the effectiveness of the project,” he said.

Ogbe gave assurance that a team that will be put together to manage the portal would ensure elimination of inaccurate information and data on the portal, urging the team to make provision for source of agricultural finances in the portal to enable farmers know how to source for credit facilities for their business.

Speaking earlier, the NITDA Acting Director General, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, stated that the project became imperative in order to enable an Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-driven agricultural sector to enhance agricultural self-sufficiency and food security component of the change mantra.

and agro associations producing rice, maize, cassava and other crops to emulate what FMAN and WFAN have done.

On his part, the Executive Director, Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI): Dr. Oluwaseun Olabanji, who worked closely with both organisations to forge the partnership, said that the primary goal of the Institute is to support wheat growers and ensure that Nigeria achieves selfsufficiency in wheat production.

Present at the MoU signing are the Vice-Chairman, Lanre Jaiyeola and the Executive Secretary Alhaji Olalekan Saliu, both of FMAN. While the Executive Secretary, WFAN, Alhaji Farouk R. Mudi, and Mr. Batari M. Dauda, represented the Executive Chairman of WFAN, Malam Saleh Mohammed Salim.

Irish govt gives Enugu community palm oil mill, vocational equipment Kenneth Ofoma Enugu

T

he Embassy of the Republic of Ireland in Nigeria has inaugurated a vocational training centre and palm oil mill for the youths of Ugbaike community in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

While the oil mill was equipped with palm oil extracting machines, the vocational training centre was equipped with sewing machines and hair dressing machines worth millions of naira.

The projects were facilitated by the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) Africa and funded by the Irish Embassy in Nigeria.

Speaking while inaugurating the projects at the community, the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sean Hoy, stated that the embassy, which he said was established in Nigeria in 1960,

was delighted to support projects that adds value to the lives of people living in the communities in Nigeria.

The Irish Ambassador, who was represented by the Charge D’Affairs at the embassy, Mr. Eoghan McSwiney, stated that his country had embarked on similar projects in many states in Nigeria.

“We have been in Nigeria since 1960, the Embassy, and we have a long partnership and trust relationships with the country. We are also an agricultural country. So, when CBN Africa came with this project to help people to empower themselves in this community in the Northern part of Enugu state, in the agricultural field particularly in palm oil and also in sewing, we were very happy to be able to provide a small sum of money to support the project and to help this community to empower themselves.

“Also the women in the

community who will be learning to make garments and hairdressing, will also be in a position to provide livelihood for themselves and for their family. So, we thought it was a very worthwhile project and therefore useful partnership project we are doing with CBN Africa and also with the local community who have been very supportive of the initiative.

In a remark, the Regional Director, CBN Africa, Dr. Felix Oisamoje, stated that his organisation was motivated by the need to help people.

“We are a Christian organisation and while we believe in our Christian value and the things we want to do to point people to Christ, but we feel it is useless if people have needs and you do not meet the needs… And that’s why we approach embassies like the Irish Embassy for grant to enable us to do CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Eberekpe Ogho

F

or Dr. Uzor Orji Kalu, diversifying his large business empire and going into farming is a welcome business venture and worthy to be commended, especially now when there is hunger and lamentation everywhere around the country and continent.

Knowing who the business mogul is, it should be taken that farming with him was going to be done in the most mechanised way to profit everybody concerned, especially the last consumers. This will create unimaginable job opportunities across the value chain.

One would have wanted to ask the business mogul where he got the inspiration from to go into farming, if it could be from one of the prophesies of T. B Joshua that Nigerians should braze up for a severe hunger that would rock the country. Or could it be that the two time governor of Abia state has got his calculations right that the venture is just apt for the situation in the country to coincide with the many travels of the President to foreign countries to woo investors, notably in the areas of agriculture; all these notwithstanding, the man has decided to go into farming, and this is laudable and he should be commended.

The plan is nevertheless in the pipeline and Nigerians, especially, the Abians, the native place of Dr. Kalu should be rest assured that this is one plan that would definitely come into fruition and Abians stand a great deal to benefit.

According to revelation, the plan is to acquire twelve thousand hectares of farm land in Abia state. This is a venture that is valued at over four hundred million dollars and once this is done, then the real job commences.

This is not an investment initiative Kalu would be entering alone, his Chinese partners are happy to be part of the venture, as when he visited the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gu Xiaojie, he told Nigerians that as soon as the take off of the farm is ascertained, Nigerians should be assured of millions of jobs and boost in export in commercial quantity to every part of the world.

Kalu has said that as soon as the ongoing drafting of the project plan for the farm is ready, it would be unveiled to the public. In his words on his visit to the Ambassador, Xiaojie, Kalu said, “It was good having you here and we hope that other Chinese Ambassadors will work very hard like you. I also hope they will build on the relationship you have established with Nigerian government and the people. I believe the Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria have a lot to learn from each other.

“We believe the recent visit of President Buhari to China will usher in development in the agricultural, business and other sectors of the economy.

“As you are aware, our company has placed orders for ships worth over two hundred and fifty million dollars from China companies. We are in discussion with a Chinese company. We have twelve thousand hectares of land in Abia State. The drawings are in progress on how to have a modern farm that will have palm oil farm in five thousand hectares. We will plant maize in two thousand hectares and other vegetables in one thousand hectares.

“We are going to have a big poultry and field mills. We are in discussion.

Once we are done with the drawings, we will make an application to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Abia State government and the Chinese Nexim Bank.

We will also apply to Sign Ocean Company so that we can work together on

businesS \ agric

Becoming a farmer

Dr. Kalu

the equipment and support needed for the take off of the farm.

“We are hoping this cooperation will be of great importance to Nigeria and China. I do not know the exact net worth of the farm. They are still working on that. But, it should be in the neighborhood of four hundred million dollars. It is going to be a huge farm for exports.”

Apart from the Chinese government and its formidable ties with the Nigerian government, Dr. Kalu has added that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Chinese Nexim Bank, as well as Sign Ocean Company, located in the Southeast country, will be approached to provide financial support for the

takeoff of the multi-million project.

In his response, the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Xiaojie, said China and Nigeria have very close contacts and would continue to maintain them. He said efforts were already in place to commence the full implementation of the outcome of President Buhari’s visit to China in April.

He recalled how, during his tenure in Nigeria, the country witnessed a very smooth transition from one government to another.

He noted that the visit of President Buhari to China was a landmark achievement in the Nigeria-China diplomatic relationship. He said during his

29

tenure as head of the Chinese envoy to Nigeria, both countries witnessed the forty-fifth celebration of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

China, he added, would want to build on the existing ties between the two countries, saying that in his two-year stint in the country, he took out time to visit some states, even as he expressed regret that he could not visit all.

He expressed confidence in the future of Nigeria, a country he said, has great potentials.

“Nigeria and Chinese government officials are working closely to commence the implementation of the outcome of the state visit of President Buhari to China. These are in the areas of industry, commerce, agriculture, health and other sectors of the economy,” he revealed.

In-as-much-as it is laudable for Dr. Kalu to establish this kind of business, it must however, be noted that the motive behind it is not purely profit-driven but the underlying contemplation that large percentage of gainful employment opportunities it is going to bring to Nigerians judging from the huge investment that is going into it in terms of monetary value and human resources, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and his various partners should take into consideration, both the local and international labour laws that govern employment.

This has become relevant because many a times, it has been brought to the notice of government that some foreign investors and their local counterparts disregard most of the labour laws designed to protect workers’ interests while the workers are treated as slaves. This is when Nigerians and indeed all the critical stakeholders will be comprehensively integrated into the arrangement.

Local firm heads FG’s egg project Taiwo Hassan

I

n a bid to actualise its target in egg production, the Federal Government has appointed indigenous firm- Tuns Farms Nigeria, as lead consultant to the Aggressive National Egg Production Project (NEGPRO) initiative.

The project, NEGPRO, is a N25 billion programme under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s anchor borrowers scheme through the Bank of Industry (BOI).

Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Government and Tuns Farms in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said that his ministry appointed the indigenous firm based on merit.

Ogbeh according to a statement, explained that scheme became necessary owing to the fact that the government was looking forward to the actualisation date.

The minister noted that the programme is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which is aimed at increasing the output of egg production in the country to 50 million table eggs by 2018.

According to him, the company will recommend eligible entrepreneurs to access the N25 billion credit facility, as well as, endorse their loan requirements and application and monitor their activities within the scheme.

He gave assurance to Tuns Farm of the ministry’s support towards the success of the scheme.

Ogbe, however, called on BoI and other financial stakeholders to support the scheme and actualise the goal of the Federal Government’s school feeding programme, which is aimed at giving a child at least three eggs a week.

In his response, Chairman, Tuns Farm, Asiwaju Olatunde Badmus, said that NEGPRO will

promote job creation and provide 50 million eggs on a daily basis by the year 2018.

He explained that Tuns Farms was charged with the responsibility of developing and marketing customised and standard feed concentrate in collaboration with regulatory agencies.

Badmus added that his company will leverage on it’s over 30 years’ experience in farm feeds and poultry business.

In his words, the programme “will provide sufficient eggs for the school feeding programme for children across the country.”

He commended the Federal government for focusing on agriculture as a pivot for Nigeria’s food security and economic regrowth.

The company’s Chairman said that Tuns Farms is a leading food production company specialising in the production of world class safe and quality broiler meat and other poultry derivatives.

Enugu community palm oil mill gets vocational equipment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

that,” he said.

The traditional ruler of Ugbaike community, HRH Igwe Onoja Simon Uwakwe, and the Town Union President General, Chief Simom Ujah, expressed gratitude to the Irish Embassy and CBN, which is

also sponsored by the Irish government.

Igwe Uwakwe stated that the community by her geographical location at the extreme of both the local government area and the state lacks essential amenities such as portable drinking water,

electricity and roads.

“We cannot thank you enough for this your gesture, but like Oliver Twist, we shall continue to ask for more. We need the expansion of the project in view of the size of the community and our neighbouring communities,” he said.

30

Environment Watch

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Air pollution: Ogun communities groan Danger Residents want regulatory agencies to move in Stories: Dayo Ayeyemi

O

ver six communities in Ogijo, Shagamu Government Local Area of Ogun State, are suffering from air pollution from continuous gas emissions from steel manufacturing companies in their localities.

These gas emissions, they insisted, have made their communities a no-go area to new landlords and tenants.

Residents of these communities are calling on government and other environmental regulation agencies to come to their aid and stop these companies from releasing untreated water and poisonous gas into their environment.

Some of these companies, they said, included African Foundries Limited, Monarch Steel Company, Everest, Success, Real Steeco, Metal Africa and Phoenix Steel companies, among others.

These communities encompass Ogijo, Petoro, Ewu Oloye, Kamalo, Gbaga, Ruku and Itasani.

Briefing New Telegraph about their ordeals, Chairman, Ruku Community Development Association (CDA), one of the communities in the area, Elder John Adaramoye, said that incessant air pollution by steel companies has turned residents to endangered species.

According to him, many residents have recorded cases of severe cough and chest pain, which medical personnel have attributed to steel particles emanating from the companies.

Adaramoye stated that the CDAs had written several letters of complaints to Ogun State Ministry of Environment, Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

According to the community leader, NESREA officials visited the community and the companies, especially Monarch Steel Company and agreements were reached between residents and the company on the need to reduce air pollution in the area.

“I want to tell you that the companies have not carried out any of the agreement.

Even the Community Social Responsibility (CSR) they promised to build such as health centre and boreholes, they have not implemented them,” he said.

When contacted, one of the Consultants/ Community Relation Officer to all the steel

One of the steel companies in Ogijo, Ikorodu

companies, Mr.Kola Alade, said air pollution in Ogijo was not new.

He said that both federal and state governments have regulatory bodies overseeing emission level of companies, adding that if the emission falls within the permissible level, it is okay.

He mentioned that one of the companies has already installed two pollution abatement plants in order to capture air pollutants and segregate them from the steam going into the air.

He said: “Regulatory bodies have measures in place to regulate pollution. Monarch has installed pollution abatement plants to capture air pollutants and segregate from the steam going outside. Some of the companies have action plans approved by regulatory bodies and they would carry them out at the appropriate time as current economic downturn is biting hard.”

When contacted, Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Bolaji Oyeleye, said that his ministry has been doing everything possible to ensure that the steel companies comply with environmental standards of the state.

According to him, the state has been monitoring their activities to see that they do not operate contrary of the state environmental standards.

The commissioner said: “Most of the steel factories have water treatment plants.

We are engaging their management and we have raised a taskforce to mediate between the community and the companies.”

Another resident, Prophet Bolarinwa Onasanya, who owns a church known as “Fire Chapel” in the locality said his community has been under the siege of air pollution since Monarch moved into the area.

According to him, management of the company has failed to treat their waste water but would discharge it into the environment.

Besides, he alleged that fume from the company was responsible for a lot of diseases, most especially severe cough, which has compelled residents to undergo medical tests.

He said: “You can see the effect on top of my corrugate

iron roof here. The roof has been perforated and gotten rusted due to the effect of air pollution caused by the company.

Most of the time, especially in the afternoon, the company releases dangerous gas to the atmosphere and many of us would need to cover our noise or lock our doors and windows to avoid getting infected.

Onasanya said that when the community reported the

company to NESREA officials, the latter came to verify the claims and asked the company to shift its operation to late in the night.

“So the poisonous gas is now being released in the night. We did a lot of medical tests. Some medical personnel came here to run some tests on some of the residents. It was discovered that some of them have iron particles in their blood,” he stated.

Wastewater flooding: Communities seek Lagos, Ogun intervention

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esidents of Iludun, Alade, Orisunmibare, Marapa and Moboluwaduro, all in Oke-Aro area of Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, have appealed to the Lagos and Ogun state governments to come to their aid over incessant release of waste water from Adiyan Water Treatment plant to their environment.

The residents claimed that the released water has resulted into flooding, which have destroyed their properties and rendered many of them homeless.

Spokesperson for the communities, Evangelist Olade Odulana, stated that waste water from the plant is usually released from time to time, especially when it rains, so that people would think that it was as a result of rainfall.

At a protest rally staged at the Adiyan water works, Odulana said that residents have suffered too much from the perpetual release of waste water from the plant.

According to him, the communities had, on several occasions, written letters to the management of

the water works to inform them of the damage being done to their communities but that nothing has been done so far.

He said: “We are here to protest against the perpetual suffering Lagos Water Corporation is inflicting on us and destroying our properties. The suffering is too much, we want Ogun and Lagos state governments to come to our aid.”

A visit to the Iludun community revealed that many houses in the community have been flooded.

Meanwhile, efforts to speak with officials of Adiyan watWer treatment plant was rebuffed. The management said it could only speak with two representatives of the community.

A resident of Iludun community, Mr. Nafiu Tijani, claimed to have lost all his electronic gadgets to the flood. He said: “My entire compound is flooded, my radio and television have been damaged, I have replaced my fence on two occasions, there is water everywhere now.”

Tijani added that the problem started about

three years ago when the water corporation failed to channel its waste water, adding that most of the time, the corporation would hide under the pretense of rainfall to release the water that has caused some residents to relocate.

He said that residents were not protesting to fight government, but that they want management of the waterworks to do something about its waste water so that they could all live a peaceful life.

Another resident, Mrs. Victoria Ajayi, said: “Our houses have been destroyed, they are sinking, we can no longer sleep in our house, government should please help us.”

Corroborating her, Mr Tope Oladipupo said his house has collapsed and that his entire family now sleeps at his wife’s shop as a result of waste water discharges by management of the waterworks.

“We want government to dredge the canal so that water can flow. We are not here to fight them, but they should do something about the waste water so that we can live a peaceful live,” he added.

31

FRIDAY, June 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AutoBeat

Ford celebrates Father’s Day Paul Ogbuokiri

F

athers have a great responsibility to ensure they preserve the environment for their children. This Father’s Day Ford Motor Company, through its environmentally responsible and sustainable manufacturing, offered fathers in Nigeria some good tips. The company said the advice not only relates to sustaining the environment, but also offers dads the opportunity to travel around Nigeria in style, in vehicles such as the Ford Fusion, EcoSport, Fiesta and Escape.

The following technologies from Ford - as well as greener manufacturing processes that address energy and water usage, waste generation and emissions

- will make the world a healthier place for future generations: EcoBoost, Ford’s technologically advanced engine platform ensures lower CO2 emissions and better fuel consumption. It ultimately has a positive effect on the sustainability of the environment without any compromise on engine performance; The Active Grille Shutter system opens grille slats when extra engine cooling air is required, such as during low-speed stop-and-go driving. Conversely, when cruising on the highway at steady speeds, the grille slats automatically close to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency; EcoMode is a driver-friendly feature designed to analyse how a vehicle is being driven, and then gives the driver tips on

how to make each litre of fuel last longer. With the rise in fuel costs, EcoMode will assist drivers in becoming more aware of how their driving styles influence fuel use.

While Ford is doing its best to ensure a sustainable environment by placing greener cars on the road (and using greener manufacturing processes); sustaining the environment is everyone’s responsibility.

Here is how you can make a difference:

On the road

Try to keep the auto-stop function on your car active.

This function saves petrol and reduces CO2 emissions. Carbon emissions are grouped under “greenhouse gases” and are directly related to climate change

– specifically global warming.

Practice safe and courteous driving. The more aggressively you drive the more fuel you consume. Ford’s Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) is a comprehensive responsible driver training programme created by Ford to promote a safe and efficient driving culture among Nigerian drivers.

As fuel costs rise and concerns about the environment increase, DSFL teaches drivers how to drive efficiently in order to save fuel and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions therefore saving money and creating a safer environment.

Keep your litter inside the car and dispose of it responsibly when you get to your destination. Litter is not only unsightly but it can kill plants or stunt their growth, destroy natural

Ford Escape

FG assures on Auto policy

T

he Federal Government has assured stakeholders of the Nigerian Automobile and allied sectors that it had no intention of reversing or cancelling the nation’s automotive policy, started by the administration of former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, gave the assurance on Tuesday, when addressing participants at the Stakeholder’s Forum on the Nigerian Automotive Industry held in Lagos.

According to him, President Buhari’s regime is aware of the importance of consistency of policies and of the auto industry at diversifying the nation’s economy.

“So contrary to fears exer-

cised at certain quarters,” he explained, “ what the Federal Government is doing is to listen to the stakeholders and chart with them a common course towards making the policy work.

“We are not reversing the auto policy. That is why we have brought all stakeholders together towards identifying imperfections in the policy and agreeing on how to make it work for the benefit of our nation,” he said Enelemah said the government is interested in any sustainable policy that will create jobs for Nigerians, “that is why we are interested in local content development. And one of the keys this government will use is sustainable incentives to stakeholders, who are doing what is right,” he added.

The minister said, for the

policy to work, stakeholders will have to be part of its implementation.

He further said, “we will ensure effective engagement, monitoring and evaluation of the policy, carry stakeholders along and ensure those, who do what is right are rewarded and those who do otherwise sanctioned.”

Titled: “Setting an Implementation Agenda for the national Automotive Industry Development Plan (NIDP)”, the forum featured two panel discussion sessions with key stakeholders and had in attendance Engineer Aminu Jalal, Director General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, Mr. Ibrahim

Boyi, Managing Director, PAN Nigeria Limited and Mr. Thomas Pelletier, Managing Director, CFAO Automotive Equipment and Services Nigeria Limited.

Others include: Mr. Tokunbo Aromolaran, Managing Director, VON Automobile Nigeria Limited/Chairman Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), Mr. Jacky Hathiramani, Group Managing Director, Kia Motors Limited, Mr. Parvir Singh, Managing Director, Stallion Motors Limited and Dr. Cosmas Maduka, President, Coscharis Group.

The forum also attracted participants from allied sectors, including: Mr. Andrew Nevin, Chief Economist PwC Nigeria, Mr. Ascanio Russo, Managing Director, Grimaldi Agency Nigeria Limited, Mr. Michael Larbie, CEO & Regional Head West Africa, Rand Merchant Bank and Mr. Sunday Hart, Director of Operations and Logistics, Michelin Nigeria.

areas, and can cause harm to animals and birds.

Avoid throwing cigarette butts out the window, especially near grassy areas that can catch alight and result in fast spreading veld fires and the destruction of animals, trees and natural vegetation.

Off-road

Venturing off-road comes with huge responsibility. By heading off the beaten track you have the potential to damage the surrounding environment, including flora and fauna.

The rule for off-road driving is to tackle each surface as slowly as possible, and as fast as necessary. Driving over an obstacle slowly minimises the vehicle’s impact on the terrain, and ensures that there is a reduced risk of damage to the vehicle and occupants. Certain terrains, such as mud and soft sand, do require a bit of momentum and an extra dose of speed may be required in order to get through. Use only as much speed as is necessary however, and always be mindful of what is on the other side. Keep an eye out for nesting birds or animals in the grass. It is always advisable to check what is on the other side before venturing over a difficult patch.

In a 4x4 vehicle, such as a Ford Ranger, it is advisable to engage four-wheel drive high-range as soon as you leave the tarmac.

This ensures even power distribution between the front and rear wheels, improved grip on slippery surfaces, greater driving safety and reduced environmental impact as the wheels are not spinning freely and digging unnatural trenches into the soil.

These trenches add to corrosion and potential soil erosion when it rains. (Remember to disengage 4WD when returning to the road).

For rough off-road terrain, engage low-range 4x4 mode. This reduces the vehicle’s speed, allows more torque transfer to the drive wheels and gives greater control, reducing the risk of scraping away soil and stones on the route. Careful modulation of the accelerator will avoid excessive wheel spin and damage to the surface of the terrain.

Deflate tyres when on softer surfaces, such as loose sand. This will increase the contact area with the sand and assist with flotation, which means that the tyre will ride on top of the sand instead of digging down into it and possibly getting stuck. Deep tracks make soil erosion more likely when the area experiences heavy rains.

Always drive on established tracks. Never create new routes or tracks as this damages the sensitive ecology of the environment you are exploring.

32

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

EXHORTATION “Verily! We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Decree (Lailatul-Qadr). The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Jibreel [Gabriel]) by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees, Peace! until the appearance of dawn.” (Quran 97:1-5)

Islam

19 Ramadan, 1437

UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH Itikaf, Night of Qadar and last ten days of Ramadan QUESTION What is expected of a Muslim to do in the last ten days of Ramadan?

ANSWER

The month of Ramadan is distributed into three parts, ten days each. These tend days are called ‘Ashra’ thus, every Ramadan has three Ashras. The last ten days fall in the Last Ashra.

Besides the distribution into ten days, the AShra is also given some religious significance as well in Islam. For instance, the first Ashra is for seeking mercy from Allah the second Ashra is for seeking forgiveness, while the third Ashra is for seeking protection from the fire of Hell.

Thus, with the change in Ashra, a Muslim also change his or her intentions in supplication as well.

There are multiple reasons why the last ten days of Ramadan are given more importance than the rest of the two Ashras.

The primary reason why it is of importance and given extra reverence is the fact that these are the last ten days of Ramadan.

As soon as the end of Ramadan comes near, people start realizing that the blessing of Allah is ending and they don’t know whether they will live another year to see another Ramadan or not. Therefore, they start performing excessive prayers and try committing as much good deeds as possible to ensure greater reward. Hazrat Aisha (RA) narrated the routine of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in this regard in the following way: “During the last ten nights of Ramadan, the Prophet (PBUH) would tighten his waist belt and spend the night in worship. He would also wake up his family.”

(Bukhari) From the hadith it is clear that the last ten days of Ramadan were when the Prophet (PBUH) would tighten up His waist and indulge in prayer. Moreover, these prayers are not limited to individual prayer, rather Prophet (PBUH) would also awake his family members and also encourage them to indulge in prayers as well. Ergo, in the last ten days a Muslim must make sure that the nights are spent in prayers and the days are spent in undertaking deeds of kindness and charity.

Itikaf: Itikaf is a part of the last ten days of Ramadan. In the last ten days of Ramadan, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would go CONTINUE Next WEEK

L-R: shows a House of Representatives member, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, presenting a plaque to the SecretaryGeneral, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Kaduna, Sheik (Dr) Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, while the chairman, Correspondents Chapel of Ogun NUJ, Alhaji Kunle Olayeni, looks on.

JNI tasks Nigerians to shun tribal differences for development

...insists Muslims must be positive change agents

Kunle Olayeni and Yekeen Nurudeen

T

he Secretary-General, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, has appealed to Nigerians to shun tribal differences and rally round the present government in ridding the country of corrupt practices and social vices.

Aliyu also urged media professionals to support the anti-corruption campaign of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

The JNI scribe spoke as guest lecturer at the 5th Annual Ramadan Lecture of the Correspondents Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

The event had in attendance a former Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Adegbenga Kaka, a House of Representatives member, Hon.

Muritala Ayinla

T

he National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdulRahaman Ahmad has described the sex scandal allegation rocking the House Representatives as a reflection of moral decadence in the country, saying the nation must begin to work on the eroded moral values.

Speaking during a Ramadan lecture entitled: “Our Values, our homes, our future”, Ahmad said

Adekunle Akinlade, and the Commandant, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Brigadier-General Mohammed Danwalis, among other dignitaries.

Delivering his lecture entitled, “Islam and Human Security: Fundamental to Sustainable Development,” the JNI scribe described corruption as the bane of Nigeria’s development.

The Islamic cleric argued that it was the corruption involved in fighting insurgency that made the issue of Boko Haram to fester into a major security challenge of the country.

Aliyu enjoined Muslims and Christians to co-exist peacefully and work together in the onerous task of nationbuilding.

Meanwhile, Muslims in the country have been called upon to be positive change agents and good ambassadors of Islam on earth and participate actively and positively on issues affecting the society at

large.

This was the message of an Islamic cleric, Architect Abdallah Musa Abdul at the 10thAnnual Ramadan lecture/ Iftar of the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA) Abuja chapter which held at the Merit House Maitama.

Abdallah who gave a lecture titled, ‘Muslim Ummah As A Change Agent’ with the theme: ‘Rerouting To The Straight Path’ said a change agent should always speak against negativities and evil in the society, identify what the problems are and solve them.

According to him, sincerity of purpose, justice and straightforwardness are basic ingredients needed to promote an egalitarian society.

“For the Muslim Ummah to be agents of change that they ought to be, they should be the flagbearer for others to follow.

But unfortunately, we have drifted away from being positive change agents. What we

need is to reawaken what is naturally ours. It is our role to be positive change agents and remind the Muslim Ummah there is what we call total ethical reorientation and that is what we need going back to the basics.

You discover that these days you only see Muslims but you don’t see Islam. There is the need to make a reconnection between real teaching of Islam and what the Muslims are supposed to be so that they can be brought back to be positive change agents,” he said.

Chairman UNIFEMGA Abuja chapter, Alhaji Abdul Ghaniyy Oladokun, in his remarks said the association’s mission is to establish Islamic brotherhood through scholarship, dawah and empowerment “in our alma mater and beyond.”

He said, “Our core activities include offering scholarship to indigent and outstanding students of OAU, propagation of Islamic ideals through lectures and public awareness and promotion of brotherhood and economic empowerment of our members.”

The chairman of the occasion, Alhaji AbdulAkeem Ajijola in his admonition called on Muslims to be the leading light in the society.

Reps sex scandal, reflection of depleting moral values, says cleric the development at the House of Reps depicts the what Nigerian society has become, saying that if the allegation true, it is unfortunate that the nation’s law makers could not set good example for the younger ones.

He said:” Well, it is unfortunate and a reflection of what our society has become today. You can’t

hold so many people to any moral standard. The members of House of Representatives are members of the society come to think of it.

It is rather unfortunate, it is not acceptable, we expect that at that level of governance something better in terms of moral conduct should be expected. The misfortune about the whole thing is that

these are people that make laws for good governance ultimately do not have good moral standing.”

The National Missioner, traced moral decadence in the society to homes, saying most parent who should train the youngers are not equally well brought up, hence the result is moral degeneration and eroded core values.

33

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Dud

Crime Juliana Francis

L

ast week Friday, about 100 militants swooped on Imushin community in the Ogijo area of Ogun State, killing many residents and leaving others battling to stay alive in hospitals. At least, 15 people were said to have been killed, including a father and his 13-year-old daughter. The man was identified as Waheed Buhari and his daughter, Mariam.

There was wailing in the community as families counted their dead. The attack, however, left many of the residents baffled.

They couldn’t fathom the reason for the massacre.

Although the Lagos State Police Command and Ogun State Command have confirmed the incident, the two commands, however, feigned ignorance over the reason for the bloodbath.

A police source has, however, revealed to the New Telegraph, details of events that led to the attack on the communities.

The police source said: “It all started on Friday. But before that night, policemen attached to the Lagos State Police Command, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) had been tracking some kidnappers. These kidnappers abducted a man and demanded for N20 million ransom.

“The family pleaded with them and they reduced it to N5m and later N500,000. When the abductors realised the family still couldn’t afford the N500, 000, and the kidnappers further reduced the ransom to N300,000. The police told the family to play along with the kidnappers. The police packaged papers into a bag and went to the venue designated by the kidnappers for the money to be dropped.”

The kidnappers, who thought they were speaking with the victim’s family, ordered that the money should be brought to Isawu Road, Ikorodu. The operation was led by the Officer in Charge (OC) of FSARS, Mr. Adejobi.

A car, driven by a SARS detective made its way to Isawu Road on Friday. Other SARS men followed behind the car, giving it enough space.

JULIANA FRANCIS CRIME Editor

juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Lady arraigned over fake foreign banks’ cheques

34

Divorce I’ll give my husband unlimited sex, says 62-year-old wife

35

Why militants swooped on Ogun communities, killed many

One of the victims of the attack

The police source recounted: “The kidnappers that came to collect the ransom were two. They came on a motorbike. When they reached the car, they brought out a gun just as the SARS’s driver wound down the glass of the car.

They yelled, ‘where’s the money?’

The police driver showed them the bag. They collected it, mounted the motorbike and zoomed off. But rather than head straight, they reversed and took one-way. They didn’t know they were heading in the direction of other SARS men who were hiding.

“The SARS men came out of their hiding and blocked the roads. The policemen shouted at the two men to halt, but they refused. Rather, they reversed, attempting to head back to the direction they came from. The SARS’s driver, whom earlier handed them the ransom money, used the car to ram into their motorbike. One of them got seriously injured. The other took the SARS men to a Hotel in Ogijo area.”

When policemen went with the suspect to the hotel, they thought they would find the kidnapped victim there. The hotel, a two storey

The kidnappers didn’t know that the bag they came to collect didn’t contain money

building, was built inside a bush and had no signboard.

The suspect told the policemen that the hotel was run by a woman named Anike, but popularly called Mama T. It was further gathered that the hotel belonged to Anike’s late husband. After his death, Anike took over the hotel. She also started allegedly taking in unscrupulous lodgers.

The source continued: “The Policemen told Anike that they got information that robbers were lodging in the hotel and needed to carry out a search.

She said there were no robbers in her hotel. Police started searching all the rooms. One of the rooms was locked. Police demanded for the key of that particular room. Other policemen were ordered to surround the hotel. Immediately the door, people started scampering out from windows.”

In the confusion, someone opened fire. Nobody knew who first opened fire. But soon gunshots enveloped the area.

The source explained: “They were the first to open fire. Po-

lice only retaliated. One person was gunned down and another injured. The police arrested four people, including Anike, the hotelier. The suspect that was knocked down by the police car was taken to the hospital, but died on Saturday. Two AK 47 rifles and two English pistols were recovered from the hotel.

“When these suspects were arrested, Ijaw youths mobilised and went to the hotel. They destroyed the hotel and started killing people. They thought the hotelier gave police information about the nefarious activities going on in the hotel. The kidnapped victim had not been seen yet. The police are still searching for him.

The kidnappers didn’t know that the bag they came to collect didn’t contain money. It was a successful operation.”

Speaking on the incident, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said only three people were killed.

He added: “Around 11pm at Ereko Community, Ogijo, some hoodlums numbering about 100 invaded the community and started shooting sporadically.

Information from eyewitnesses showed that the hoodlums were militants and came from the riverine area. But we have not confirmed this, as investigations are ongoing. We are particularly interested to know why they came in such a large number.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmus, reacting to the incident, said police received information on June 17, 2016, that a gang of kidnappers had assembled at Elepete, a sprawling community near Ogijo with intent to kidnap. According to her, it was based on this information that operatives of FSARS swung into action.

Badmos further said: “At a point near the creek, one Victor Worimegbe was arrested. He led operatives to TOPKATT Hotel where others lodged. On getting there, the trio of Ekpokim, Abule and Ebimobese sighted policemen and attempted to escape by firing some shots. The operatives responded in the process. The duo of Ekpokim and Abule sustained gun injuries. They were rushed to the hospital. They were confirmed dead. Their corpses have been deposited at General Hospital.

Ebimobese is undergoing treatment due to injury sustained; meanwhile, he has made useful confessional statements.”

34

CRIME

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lady arraigned over fake foreign banks’ cheques Juliana Francis

F

avour Omeigba Bello must be asking herself right now, what the heck she was thinking, when she decided to travel out of Nigeria, ar med with counterfeit Traveler’s cheques of various foreign banks and passports that belonged to other people.

Bello was on June 20, 2016, arraigned before Justice Chuka Augustine Obiozor of the Federal High Court Lagos on a three-count charge bordering on attempt to export counterfeit, possession of counterfeit and forgery by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC). When the charges were read to the accused, she pleaded not guilty.

According to the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, Bello was arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) on January 16, 2016 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airline’s flight to Dubai and was later transferred to the EFCC for further investigation.

Bello

sion as at the time of arrest Two Hundred and Ninety Eight

Uwujaren said: “Favour was alleged to have in her posses-

pieces of counterfeit Traveler’s cheques of various foreign banks, a copy of a Nigerian passport number A06961064 belonging to Aluya Mary Jennifer, one Ghanaian passport number G0843377 belonging to Koffi Nicole, a Driver’s Licence bearing the name Okeke Charles, and one National Identity card bearing the name Aluya Mary Jennifer, all concealed in three hard cover children drawing/pictures book.”

In view of the plea of the accused, prosecution counsel, Attah Monday Ocholi applied for a trial date to enable the prosecution prove its case against the accused. He thereafter prayed the court to remand the accused in prison custody.

The defense counsel, Bolanle Kolawole informed the court of their bail application dated June 13, 2016 and prayed the court to grant their application.

After listening to both counsel, Justice Chuka granted the accused bail in the sum of N5m with one surety in like sum. The matter was adjourned till September 15, 2016, while the accused person is to be remanded in Kirikiri Prison pending the perfection of bail conditions.

Faith Ebute

T

hese are certainly not the best of times for Nigerians, especially in view of security challenges confronting the country.

In view of the brutal and bloody activities of Fulani herdsmen in different parts of the country, some landlord’s associations are beginning to be proactive.

Residents of Omole Phase II Estate of Ikeja, Lagos State, have gone further in being proactive by installing Close Circuit Television (CCTV) in their estate.

Although the estate has security guards manning it 24 hours, the residents still went ahead to install CCTV. The move was primary because they were worried over the manner northerners were coming into the estate to scavenge through trashcans.

The residents said they installed the CCTV in all corners of the estate in November 2015 after noticing suspicious movements by some scavengers.

The estate’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr. Abdul Fatai Olaniyi said: “The CCTV assists security guards. The security men cannot be everywhere in the estate at the same time. Our problem here is mostly scavengers. This is the reason they are not allowed into the estate, including those who usually come to pick iron and aluminium. We are alert. We watch to know if they are with guns, bomb and any sort of illegal things. They check trash cans, scattered the refuse without putting them back into the trash cans.”

Olaniyi said that some criminal elements, under that guise, would enter the estate to steal.

He said that the CCTV assists

The Estate

Why we installed CCTV in our estate –CSO security guards on monitoring such elements.

Olaniyi further said: “Before the action takes place, it would be seen in the CCTV. The crime can be prevented. This is the major reason for installing CCTV in the estate.”

Olaniyi urged residents of the estate to be security conscious, extra vigilant, and to take note of any unusual movement and noise in the neighbourhood.

A resident, Barrister Agbeyaife Tope Jacob said: “The scavengers are too many in the

Most of the scavengers are criminals

estate, especially in Ifeanyi Ubah Street. They need to be sent away to prevent stealing, unnecessary fight and harassment in the estate.”

One of the estate security guards, Mr. Uduka Wilson, said: “Most of the scavengers are criminals, including the ones that come into the estate to pick iron and aluminium, and to scavenge through waste bins. They can enter any compound once the gate is open to steal vehicles, generators, car battery and any other items

that are left outside. Most of them have been caught in an uncompleted building with stolen items.”

Wilson further said: “A few months ago, the vehicle that hit the electric pole and destroyed the light of the estate was identified through the CCTV. The CCTV has really assisted us in securing the estate better.

Through it, we have caught three scavengers loitering in the estate at night. They were taken to the police station. Majority of them usually end up in the prison.”

CRIME

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

35

I’ll give my husband unlimited Fake prophet forced me to marry her, says GO sex, says 62-year-old wife Dare Akinwoye

A

62-year-old housewife, Tawakalitu Ariori, has promised to give her husband, Mustafa, 64, unlimited sex.

Tawakalitu made the promise before a Lagos Island Customary Court, after Mustafa urged the court to dissolve their 32-year-old marriage over sex starvation.

Tawakalitu, mother of two, further promised that she would change for thebetter by cooking for her husband and satisfying him sexually.

She said: “I thought that since I have reached menopause, I cannot make love with my husband anymore, but now I

know better.”

Mustafa had on June 1, 2016, urged the court to dissolve his 32-year-old marriage to Tawakalitu over sex starvation.

He said the major cause of their marital problem was that his wife stopped cooking for him and also stopped sexually satisfying him.

He said: “My wife has promised to change and I have forgiven her.”

The President of the Court, Mr. Awos Awosola, urged the couple to go and put their home in order.

Awosola said: “If you take care of your wife and make her happy, she will also go to any length to please you.”

Husband: She can divorce me after refunding my N60, 000

M

r. Julius Akinyemi, has told an Ado-Ekiti Customary Court to go ahead and dissolve his 20-year-old marriage to his wife Comfort, but only after she has refunded the N60,000 loan he gave her.

Comfort, 52, said that their trouble started after their child died. Prior to the death of the child, she kept moving from one place to another, striving to find solution to his illness.

Comfort said: “The child couldn’t walk or talk and he refused to support me in taking care of him. It was his younger brother who sometimes assisted me.”

Comfort said that after the death of the child, she stopped relating with Julius, stressing that her husband had been disturbing her.

“Since then, he has been threatening my life, promising to fight me with everything he has,” she said.

Comfort prayed the court to dissolve the marriage since the child they had together was no more. Julius, 65, denied all the allegations.

He said he had never fought with his wife, let alone to threaten her life. He told the court that he tried his best in caring for their sick child.

Julius said that his wife introduced him to a three-monthly thrift schemes, but she never gave him the money due to him.

He said he once borrowed some money on interest from his friend to assist her business, but Comfort did not refund the money.

His words: “I pray the court to dissolve the marriage and to order her to return the N60, 000 which I borrowed on her behalf. I’m ready to let go of the other remaining money. ” The President of the court, Mrs Olayinka Akomolede, said the marriage had broken down irretrievably and consequently dissolved it.

Akomolede said that the petitioner should refund the N60, 000 loan obtained by the respondent for her business. She also ordered the respondent never to cross the path of the petitioner.

T

he General Overseer of a church located in Ifo Local Gover nment Area of Ogun State, has pleaded with an Agege Customary Court, to dissolve his marriage to his wife, Ilesanmi Comfort, because he doesn’t love her.

The cleric, Ilesanmi Samuel said he wouldn’t have married Comfort, if not that he was tricked by a fake prophet.

Samuel said: “I was forced to marry Comfort by a fake prophet at a church where I once served as an assistant pastor.

“Comfort and I met for just two weeks before our wedding. It was when we started living as husband and wife that Comfort showed her true colour.”

Samuel said that Comfort used to seize any opportunity to curse him and his ministry.

He said whenever he tried to tell her that her behaviour was wrong, she would grab his shirt and starts

shouting.

He said: “Before her sudden change and cruel attitude, I prayed and God revealed to me that Comfort wasn’t my wife. I chose wrongly. I can’t find peace in my house.

“I don’t love her anymore. I don’t want this to tarnish my ministry and my reputation as a pastor.

That’s why I decided to file for a divorce. I think the divorce would bring peace to my ministry.”

Comfort denied the allegation, stressing that the root of their marital problem was that Samuel wanted to use her to raise his children.

She said: “After Samuel lost his wife and married me, I started taking care of his children.

“Samuel and I didn’t have any for m of quarrel. I was shocked this morning when I saw divorce summon from Agege Customary Court.”

The President of the court, Mr. Williams Philips, adjour ned the case till June 30, 2016, for further hearing.

‘I can’t conceive for my husband’ Dare Akinwoye

M

rs. Shiwoku Olutayo, has urged an Agege Customary Court to dissolve her marriage to Shiwoku Babatunde over her inability to conceive for him.

Olutayo said she wanted the divorce because of pressure from both sides of the family.

Although the husband didn’t appear in court, he however sent messages through Olutayo to the court that he was in support of the divorce.

She said: “My husband and I had not been living as husband and wife now for three years. There’s no harmony between us.

The marriage didn’t produce any fruit of the womb and family mem-

bers are complaining. The lack of a child in our marriage has led to many difficulties in our lives.

“My husband also wants the dissolution of the marriage, but he said he couldn’t appear at the court. He said the court should continue with the dissolution of the marriage. I want him to know that I’m no longer his wife.”

The president of the court, Mr. Williams Philips, asked her, if the family of her husband knew of her intention to divorce Babatunde, and she replied: “His family doesn’t support the union anymore.”

Philips said that due to the continuous absence of the husband, the matter would be adjourned to July 21, 2016, for judgment.

36

FEATURES

Canceling the postUnified Tertiary Matriculation Examination may spell doom for the present and future of education in Nigeria, writes TUNDE OLOFINTILA

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Post-UTME: Extant or extinct?

T

he last may not have been heard on the current status of post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (post-UTME): whether it remains extant or extinct as the babel of words on the contentious, foggy and purported cancellation of that important part of the qualifying procedure for admission into Nigerian universities introduced in 2003 by the Committee of ProChancellors of Nigerian Universities under the Chairmanship of the frontline legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, continues unabated.

That this may remain the position, at least for some time to come, came to the fore again, when Babalola called on the Governing Councils, Pro-Chancellors and Senate of Nigerian universities to rise up in unison to challenge the much-touted cancellation of the post-UTME in the overall interest of quality of education in the country.

The setting was the 21st Convocation Lecture of the University of Ado-Ekiti (EKSU), where Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), who spoke on “University Administration: The Role of Stakeholders,” set the tone and agenda for the day by saying “the unconstitutional and illegal violation of university laws by successive governments, Federal and State, Ministers and Officers of Government makes it imperative that we should examine the role of stakeholders in university administration”.

With a reasonable dose of bile in his duct, Babalola, the Convocation Speaker at EKSU, played back to the combined Policy Meeting of Administrators of Higher Institutions in Nigeria in Abuja on June 2, 2016 on the alleged scrapping of the postUTME when the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, was alleged to have made the pronouncement as to the cancellation of the post-UTME. The minister was reported to have declared that the Federal Government and other stakeholders had absolute confidence in the examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and to that extent, that there was no need for other examinations to be conducted by universities after JAMB examination.

Adamu was quoted to have stated that: “As far as I am concerned, the nation has confidence in what JAMB is doing, the universities should not be holding another examination and if the universities have any complaint against JAMB; let them bring it and then we address it.”

But the inaudible ovation that greeted the minister’s

Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu

pronouncement had hardly settled down when the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, countered that post-UTME has not been scrapped and that the universities would still be free to “screen” prospective students.

Babalola endorsed Ojerinde’s stand on the issue when he said: “This, to me, is the rational thing to do as it is done in other climes.

Otherwise how will a university be able to screen a student who seeks admission without some form of testing? Is the said screening supposed to take the form of oral interviews alone?

“There is no doubt that the establishment of post-UTME examination has rendered the jumbo marks hitherto obtained by unscrupulous student from JAMB useless. I can predict with 100 per cent assurance that its revocation will pave way for the return of the abominable practice that damaged the image of JAMB.” According to the proponent and protagonist of quality and functional education, the postUTME screening exercise had afforded the universities in the country the opportunity of identifying students who have been rusticated from other universities, those who forged their JAMB results, those who have been involved in criminal activities such as cultism, rape, stealing, armed robbery, ritual killings, drug and alcohol addictions, kidnapping and other illegal activities and those who do not have the requisite competence to study the courses they applied for as well as those who are not interested in their courses but are pushed into such courses by their parents.

“Obviously the above are not matters which JAMB can identify,” he asserted.

Underscoring the place and import of the post- UTME, Babalola had at an earlier forum cited the case during the first post-UTME the University of Lagos conducted in 2003 where a student, with a very impressive JAMB result and had applied to study Law, was asked whether he knew the popular novel “Things Fall Apart” and he answered in the

JAMB Registrar, Dibu Ojerinde

affirmative. When he was asked if he knew the author, the hall was filled with conster nation when the young man named the late General Sanni Abacha as the author of Things Fall Apart!

There is no doubt that the establishment of post-UTME examination has rendered the jumbo marks hitherto obtained by some unscrupulous students from JAMB useless.

With the above carrots inherent in the post-UTME, Babalola wondered why anyone will be fanning the embers of the scrapping of the otherwise very useful tool in the hand of quality and functional education in the country.

Going into the statute books, Babalola pointed out that the combined effect of Section 5(1), (a) and 5 (1) (c) (ii) of the JAMB Act is that JAMB is statutorily empowered to set and conduct examinations, appoint examiners and other invigilators for the purpose of the examination set by the Board.

He added that it could also be gleaned from the JAMB Act that the guidelines approved by the proprietor of each university are essential factors in the placement of students.

Babalola then returned a verdict, to wit: “Clearly, the universities are not meant to be mere onlookers in the admission process.

“But the pertinent questions to ask are: Should there be a cancellation of post-UTME and does the pronouncement by the minister take away the right of individual universities to screen candidates for admission?

“The answers are simple and straight forward. There cannot be a cancellation of post-UTME because no one has asked for it.

Assuming, but not conceding, that the Hon. Minister can on his own propose the cancellation of post-UTME, the matter must be fully discussed by all the stakeholders including the founders of the universities, the Pro-Chancellors, the Council, the Vice-Chancellors, the Senate and others.

“Furthermore, their decision must be presented to the Federal

Executive Council for consideration as it was done in 2003 before the post-UTME was established. It is beyond the powers of a single individual, no matter how highly placed, to single-handedly set aside the post-UTME particularly in circumstances in which a chorus acclamation was procured.

“In my view, the June 2, 2016 pronouncement by the Minister of Education is at best his personal opinion and not that of the gover nment. A cancellation of the post-UTME will unfairly and illegally obliterate the statutory right of each university to screen the candidates it wants to admit and deal a fatal blow at the quality of education in this country.”

All over the world, every university has the right to screen the candidates it wants to admit.

It also has the right to embark on other exercises, whether written or unwritten, to make it and its products stand out. It is for this reason that any student applying to study Law in the University of Oxford is mandatorily required to take the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT), any student applying for Biomedical Sciences must take Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT), any student applying for Chemistry must take Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) while any one applying for Classics must take Classics Admission Test (CAT).

On the strength of the foregoing, he urged the Governing Councils, the Pro-Chancellors, the Vice Chancellors and the Senate of all universities in Nigeria to rise up to challenge the purported cancellation of post-UTME in the interest of quality education in Nigeria.

It is therefore as clear as sunrise that the last may not have been heard about the purported cancellation or otherwise of the post-UTME. And concerned stakeholders are waiting for the resolution of the otherwise interesting arguments and counter arguments.

• Olofintila, Head, Corporate Affairs, ABUAD, wrote from Ado-Ekiti

business \ money line

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

37

Analysts predict naira stability next week APPRECIATION IOCs to sell dollars by month end

Tony Chukwunyem

I

ncreased dollar liquidity from monthend dollar sales by International Oil Companies (IOC) could stabilise the naira next

week, financial analysts have predicted.

In a note obtained by New Telegraph, analysts at Citibank said, “As we approach month-end, we expect the multinational oil companies to begin their month-end dollar sales to generate some naira. This should provide supply of dollars to the market in the coming days.”

Firm receives $150m from German Devt Bank

K

fW, the German development bank, has granted a $150 million 15-year loan facility to the African Finance Corporation (AFC).

Andrew Alli, CEO of AFC, and Jan Martin Witte, Head of Division for Infrastructure, of KfW, signed the loan agreement last Wednesday in London, according to a statement.

The AFC said that the funds will be used to refinance projects across the corporation’s current and prospective member states in several of AFC’s priority investment sectors: power, telecommunications, transport and heavy industries.

Andrew Alli, President and Chief Executive Officer of AFC, said,

“Not only will this loan facility from KfW add valuable capital to our finance reserves but the 15-year tenor period is particularly suited to funding the long-term, large-scale infrastructure projects that are so needed across Africa.”

The AFC also said that the KfW conducted a positive due diligence exercise and credit appraisal prior to offering the loan facility to AFC. Jan Martin Witte, Head of Division for Infrastructure at KfW Development Bank, stated, “KfW is excited about Africa’s growth potential.

To enable that growth, and to build a sustainable future, countries on the continent will have to invest heavily in power, transport and other infrastructure sectors.

UBA unveils new PayAttitude tag

U

nited Bank of Africa has refreshed its PayAttitude tag design with the introduction of a new branded tag.

The new tag, which reflects the brand identity of UBA, according to a statement, replaces the former tags being issued.

PayAttitude is a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag, with an internal chip that works on NFC - enabled Point of Sales (PoS) terminals at designated partner locations across Nigeria.

The new payment solution makes it possible for a customer to make payments for goods and services with UBA PayAttitude tag attachable to any flat surface such as mobile phones, tablets and even wallets although it is highly recommended to attach to a phone as your phone is always with you.

UBA PayAttitude complements the contactless cards currently issued by the bank. Only recently, UBA according to the statement, pioneered

contactless cards in the country.

According to the lender, customers can continue to enjoy 100 per cent success on their PoS transactions with UBA PayAttitude, the effective contactless payment solution.

Contactless payment offers a “tap n go” option of paying, which customers find fast, highly convenient and secure.

“UBA branded PayAttitude tags can be obtained from UBA business offices. They come in two variants; the PayAttitude Debit and PayAttitude Prepaid tags, depending on a customer’s preference. This development again reinforces our commitment to the creation of innovative payment solutions” said Yinka Adedeji, Divisional Head, Digital Banking.

A major advantage of the UBA PayAttitude tag is the ability to work even when network connection is poor or does not exist. This means that you will always have successful transactions without fear of network on POS terminals.

The naira was quoted within the range of N281- N284 to the dollar at the interbank market yesterday, a range it has been trading at since the new forex policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) commenced last Monday.

Analysts attribute the local currency’s stability so far to dollar sales by the apex bank. Accord-

ing to Reuters, the naira traded at N283 to the dollar yesterday on volumes of $76.8 million.

It will be recalled that the foreign-exchange trading platform, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, said in a statement on its website that the regulator sold $532 million on the spot market and $3.49 billion on the forward market on

the first day of trading under the new system.

Similarly, last Tuesday, the banking watchdog was said to have sold a total of $31 million at between N282 and N285.

Expressing support for the new forex policy, Moody’s said that although the CBN, “is likely to continue to intervene,” the new system would “gradu-

ally eliminate any gap between unofficial exchange rates” and help boost the country’s income.

Significantly, the take off of the new forex policy has led to the naira appreciating on the parallel market. As at yesterday, the local currency strengthened to N335 to the dollar against 370 a dollar last week.

AfDB develops strategy for Africa’s agricultural transformation

T

he African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved an agricultural transformation strategy for a competitive and inclusive agribusiness sector that creates wealth, improves lives and secures the environment.

The strategy document entitled, “Feed Africa: Strategy for Agricultural Transformation in Africa, 2016-2025,” received unanimous endorsement by Executive Directors of the AfDB in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, last Wednesday, according to a statement by the Bank.

The document according to the statement, was widely reviewed by global stakeholders, peer institutions and partners as well as through regional consultations

held in Rabat, Kinshasa, Lusaka, Dar es Salaam and Accra.

Focusing on transformation, scaling up agriculture as a business through value addition, led by the private sector and enabled by the public sector, and using innovative financing mechanisms, the strategy aims to end hunger and rural poverty in Africa in the next decade.

It is the second of the Bank’s High 5 priorities – Light up and power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa – a blueprint for the implementation of its Ten Year Strategy 2013-2022.

Realizing the objectives of the strategy would involve increased

productivity; value addition; investment in infrastructure; creating an enabling agribusiness environment; catalysing capital flows; ensuring inclusivity, sustainability and effective nutrition; all in a coordinated manner.

The idea is to drive transformation through 15 priority commodity value chains in given agro-ecological zones specifically to achieve self-sufficiency in key commodities such as rice, wheat, fish, palm oil, horticulture, cassava; move up the value chain in key export-oriented commodities like cocoa, coffee, cotton, cashew; create a food-secure Sahel in sorghum, millet, livestock; and realize the potential of the Guinea savannah in

maize, soybean and livestock.

The Feed Africa Strategy makes a strong case for reversing the situation of a continent that spends US $35.4 billion on food imports annually despite being home to 65per cent of the world’s undeveloped arable land.

Some 70 per cent of Africa’s population and about 80per cent of the continent’s poor who live in rural areas depend on agriculture and nonfarm rural enterprises for their livelihoods.

This growing multitude is increasingly unable to meet its basic food needs as population pressures grow, land and water resources become scarce and degraded and agricultural productivity stagnates.

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

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 15.6 12 10.77 US$47.61 US$26,434,875,124

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 May, 2016 24/3/2016 Mar 2015 23/6/2016 22/6/2016

Source:CBN

Description 15.10 27-APR-2017 16.00 29-JUN-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 12.50 22-JAN-2026 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 Tenor (Days) O/N 1M 3M 6M

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 104.96 114.56 112.10 120.50 109.35 100.24 83.91 98.09

1.08 3.25 3.87 5.83 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.30

NIBOR

Rate (%) 15.0000 10.6864 12.4601 13.8466

Bid Yield 10.09 10.57 11.56 11.46 12.32 12.45 12.43 12.41

Change (%) 2.17 ▲ 0.20 ▲ 0.24 ▲ 0.22 ▲

Change (%) 0.04 ▲ 0.00 ↔ 0.25 ▲ -0.07 ▼ 0.08 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.04 ▲

Price 105.11 114.86 112.40 120.80 109.65 100.54 84.21 98.39

Tenor (Months)

Offer Yield 9.95 10.47 11.47 11.40 12.26 12.40 12.38 12.37

NITTY

1M 2M 3M 6M 9M 12 M

Treasury Bills

Rate (%) 5.4817 7.3699 7.8938 9.2453 9.3846 10.0913

Change (%) 0.04 ▲ 0.00 ↔ 0.25 ▲ -0.07 ▼ 0.08 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.04▲ 0.04 ▲ Change (%) -0.25 ▲ 0.06 ▲ 0.29 ▲ 0.60 ▲ 0.45 ▲ -0.44 ▼

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) Change (%) 7.90 8.06 0.26 ▲ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 12.67 0.00 ↔ 23-Jun-16 8.15 8.32 0.26 ▲ 22-Sep-16 8.71 8.46 8.82 0.46 ▲ Overnight (O/N) 13.75 0.42 ▲ 9.10 0.46 ▲ 16-Mar-17 9.31 9.06 9.92 0.00 ↔ 10.22 0.00 ↔

Spot($/N)

Bid 198.45

FX

Offer 198.55

Change (%) -0.14 ▼

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016 Spot($/N)

196.00

197.00

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

38

businesS \ Financial Market News

Asset Mgt: IOSCO states priorities on data gaps

T

he Board of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has issued a public statement outlining its priorities regarding data gaps in the asset management industry.

In a statement obtained from IOSCO website, the international regulator said that more needs to be done to enhance the data collected in the sector.

IOSCO noted that it was analysing what data needs should be prioritized adding that it has identified a series of recommendations that will constitute its roadmap in this area.

“A key priority is to encourage IOSCO members to collect data with a view to better identify systemic risk.

Concurrently, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) has published for public consultation proposed policy recommendations to address structural vulnerabilities from asset management activities asking IOSCO to take forward the international work arising from many of these recommendations,” the regulator noted.

IOSCO and the IFRS Foundation recently announced a statement of protocols that describes an ambitious programme of work to promote and facilitate transparency within capital markets through the development and consistent application of IFRS Standards.

According to IOSCO, the statement outlines objectives of the interactions between IOSCO and the IFRS Foundation which include discussion of broad financial reporting issues between the leadership of IOSCO and the IFRS Foundation; sharing of information and active contribution from IOSCO to the standard-setting process; and sharing information to support both parties in their work in the application of IFRS Standards on a globally consistent basis.

The international regulator noted that the statement was build upon existing protocol arrangements between IOSCO and the IFRS Foundation, issued in 2013.

Michel Prada, Chair of the IFRS Foundation Trustees, said: “IOSCO has long supported the work of the IFRS Foundation, and the input of IOSCO and its members has helped shape the development and implementation of IFRS Standards. This initiative will provide an important framework for future cooperation as we work toward the shared goal of high quality standards for the global capital markets.”

Ashley Alder, Chair of the IOSCO Board, said: “This new protocol between IOSCO and the IFRS Foundation will further enhance the way in which the two organisations work together to ensure that global capital markets are founded on sound and transparent financial disclosure. I very much look forward to working with the IFRS Foundation under these enhanced cooperative arrangements”.

PACT Capital market stakeholders plan Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) to allow for more consultation on transformation of the Exchange

Stories by Chris Ugwu

T

he council and members of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday at their 55th Annual General Meeting (AGM) agreed to put on hold vote on demutualisation to allow more consultation with various interests.

Part of the resolution expected at the AGM according to the annual report had been to pass as a special resolution to authorise the National Council and Management to commence the process leading up to the demutulisation of the Exchange.

However, the President of Council of the NSE, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede while addressing members suggested that the vote on the special business on demutualisation be suspended to allow for further consideration.

At the AGM, the members

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NSE suspends vote on demutualisation agreed to NSE Council’s proposal to have an EGM on the demutualisation to allow for more consultation.

Emeka Madubuike, President of Association of Stock broking Houses of Nigeria and Mike Itegboje supported the suggestion. The speakers also urged the Council and Management of NSE to fast-track the demutulaisation process and pick a date for the EGM. Madubuike said: “We want to put it in record that the project of demutualisation is very dear to us. An EGM should be organised to resolve the issue of demtualisation. The entire country is in support of demutualisation”.

Aig-Imoukhuede noted that the Exchange weathered the impact of capital flight shocks experienced globally through effective fiscal discipline and tight budgetary controls.

“Although 2015 was characterised by recessionary pressures including a slump in crude oil price, uncertainty in Nigerian economic policies and significant local currency exchange rate pressures, our

management and staff successfully delivered on a number of ambitious operational and strategic initiatives.

“We recorded an operating surplus of N1.86 billion as a result of management diligence in managing the budget as well as strategic prioritization and execution of key initiatives based on efficiency, scale and growth potential. Total assets of the NSE grew by over 10 per cent while net assets grew by 11 per cent, year-on-year. By the end of year, the Exchange’s asset base exceeded N22.78 billion, with N19.29 billion in accumulated funds, providing us adequate financial flexibility to support strategy execution in key business areas for the road ahead,” he added.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, the Exchange illustrated its resilience during the year amidst prolonged economic uncertainty, diminishing commodity prices and volatile securities markets.

“Despite declines in our core income streams, alternative sources of income continued to

play an important role in supporting the financial performance of our business. In 2015, revenue excluding transaction fees and listing income grew by 15 per cent contributing 40 per cent to total revenue. The greatest drivers of this growth were revenues from our proactive investment strategy and income generated from our market services business.

“Our balance sheet remains solid, with over N22.78 billion in assets, representing a 10 per cent growth rate in 2015. Our liquidity metrics remain strong as well, with a current ratio 3.79 and a total liabilities -to- total assets factor of 15% as of December 31, 2015”, Onyema said.

At the AGM, Members of the Exchange re-elected to the National Council Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede as the President; Engr. Muhammad Daggash; Mr. Oluwole Abegunde (Representing Meristem Securities Limited); Mr. Oladipo Aina (Representing Signet Investment & Securities Limited) as members of the National Council.

L-R: Ex-Officio, National Council, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chief Executive Officer, Oscar N. Onyema; President, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Secretary, Mojisola Adeola, at the 55th Annual General Meeting of NSE in Lagos… yesterday.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Stock market extends gain with N324bn

N

igerian stocks sustained its positive streak for third day, as the overall performance measures, NSE ASI and market capitalisation, rose by 3.13 per cent each.

Stocks, which nears 9-month high as banks, consumer stocks gain are up 5.2 per cent so far this year, wiping out earlier losses since the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) floated the naira this week and eased trading restrictions on the currency that caused foreign investors to flee.

The Federal Government’s new forex policy has continued

to ginger investors’ confidence in the equities market.

Specifically, the All-Share Index gained 943.43 basis points or 3.13 per cent to close at 31.071.25 index points as against 30,127.82 recorded the previous day, while the market capitalisation of equities appreciated by N324 billion or 3.13 per cent to close at N10.671 trillion from N10.347 trillion..

Meanwhile, a turnover of 450.5 million shares exchanged in 6,360 deals was recorded in the day’s trading.

Banking subsector of the financial services sector was

the most active during the day (measured by turnover volume); with 182.2 million shares exchanged by investors in 1,991 deals.

Volume in the subsector was largely driven by activities in the shares of Access Bank Plc and UBA Plc. Premium subsector boosted by activities in the shares of FBNH Plc and Zenith Bank Plc followed with a turnover of 128.1 million shares in 1.405 deals.

The number of gainers at the close of trading session was 37 while decliners closed at 12.

GSK Plc led the gainers’ table for the second consecutive day with a gain of 10.21 per cent to close at N20.07 per share, while Champion Breweries Plc followed with a gain of 10.14 per cent to close at N4.89 per share. Transcorp Plc added 9.60 per cent to close at N1.94 per share.

On the other hand, NPF MFB Plc led the price losers’ table, dropping 4.88 per cent to close at N1.17 per share. CAP Plc trailed with 3.99 per cent to close at N34.68 per share, while Deap Capital Plc straggled with 3.85 per cent to close at 50 kobo per share.

News|NATIONAL

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria has no business importing anything, says Oyedepo

Mojeed Alabi

T

he General Overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide and Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Dr. David Oyedepo, yesterday threw his weight behind the war against corruption in Nigeria, saying there was no basis for the country to be importing anything but for corruption and mismanagement of resources.

Oyedepo stated this yesterday during the inauguration of the university’s multi-million naira Cen-

tre for Research, Innovation and Discoveries. He said the centre was built to provide solutions to the nation’s challenges and Africa by extension.

He said no one would come from anywhere to solve Africa’s problems, but that solutions lie within the continents and that the needed resources were also in abundance.

Earlier, the Secretary General, Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), Prof. Micheal Faborode, described the

alleged sex scandal and forgery allegations rocking the National Assembly as a national disgrace.

Faborode spoke while delivering the university’s 11th convocation ceremony yesterday. He spoke on the topic tagged; “Benchmarking the Quality and Relevance of Higher Education for National Development.”

According to the don, the problem Nigeria is experiencing in the economy is as a result of what he described as selfaffliction by the political elites.

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

Ebidenwei

I formerly known as John Mojo now wish to be known and addressed as Ebidenwei Appah. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OKPO

I formerly known and addressed as Omonagia Thaddues Innocent, now wish to be known and addressed as Innocent Okpo Thaddues. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Ikechukwu

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eririogu Edna Amarachi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edna Amarachi Okwubuo Ikechukwu. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Asagba

I, formerly known and addressed as Ayeoritsenogun Igo now wish to be known and addressed as Aye Asagba. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Onwuazombe

I formerly known as Miss Okeke Ngozi Priscilla now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onwuazombe Ngozi Priscilla. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

Agobra

I, formerly known and addressed as Sunny Japhet now wish to be known and addressed as Smart Agobra All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

Umoru

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kabo Joy Lami now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Umoru Joy Lam. All former documents remain valid. ACCESS BANK, FCMB and general public take note.

Adeyemi

I, formerly known and addressed as Taiwo Adebanke Ilo now wish to be known and addressed as Taiwo Adebanke Adeyemi. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

UNITY LANDLORDS ASSOCIATION GBETU

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Degree No 1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Adejo John Sunday 2. Zibiri Fredrick Otsemheuno 3. Onwuchekwa Ejike Edmund 4. Enunwonye Uche Jude

- Chairman - Vice Chairman - Treasurer - Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To ensure cordial relationship between the members 2. To promote moral discipline among the members.

3. To promote unity and progress among member 4. To protect the interest of members 5. To help our people for the upliftment of their Association Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BARR. EDITH FAKUNMOJU

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE KEILAS INITIATIVE FOR MORAL TEACHING & EMPOWERMENT OF YOUNG GIRLS The general public is hereby informed that the above named Foundation has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part 'C' of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Degree No. 1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Mrs. Love Izu-Nnaka - Chairman 2. Mr. Andrew Nnaka - Member AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To monitor teen girls as to alleviate immorality in or society 2. For self employment, thereby making them productively efficient Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

ALHAJA

I formerly known as Ali Mariam now wish to be known and addressed as Alhaja Maryam Nabiri. All Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ADEBAYO

I formerly known and addressed as Ayo Yekinni K. Ige, now wish to be known and addressed as Adebayo Yekinni. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Ifeoluwa

This is to inform the general public that the bearer of the name Michael Awoso Adisa is also known as Michael Awoso Ifeoluwa. All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Oderinde

I, formerly known and addressed as Olamide Oluwadamilola Ogunkilede now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olamide Oluwadamilola Oderinde. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

EZEJI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Shelter Godwin Okoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Shelter Cyril Ezeji. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

Okiokpa

I formerly known as Miss Juliana Oghenekevwe Atanunu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Juliana Oghenekevwe Okiokpa. All former documents remain valid.

Delta State Polytechnic and the general public should take note.

Adimonyemma

I formerly known as Miss Onyema Concelia Nneoma now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adimonyemma Concelia Nneoma.

All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

Ajah

N1.04trn MTN fine: Senate summons AGF, CBN Gov, minister, others Chukwu David Abuja

A

ngered by the unilateral reduction of the fine imposed on MTN Nigeria Limited by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) from N1.04 trillion to N330 billion, the Senate yesterday, summoned the Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, to shed light on the matter.

Other stakeholders summoned by the Senate in respect of the issue are the Executive Vice-Chair-

Philip Nyam Abuja

T

he House of Representatives yesterday mandated its Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Aids, Loans and Debt Management and IDPs and North East Development to investigate the alleged diversion of donor funds meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the NorthEast.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion on matters of urgent public importance brought on the floor by

man, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbata, Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, CEO, MTN, Mr. Michael Ikpoki and all parties involved in the negotiations.

The Senate also urged the Federal Government to move the initial part payment of N50 billion

by MTN Nigeria from the CBN Recovery Account to the CBN/NCC Treasury Single Account.

The upper chamber passed these resolutions following a motion of urgent public importance brought by the Chair-

man, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Gilbert Nnaji (PDP, Enugu East).

The motion was entitled; “reduction of the fine imposed by the Nigerian Communications Commission on MTN Nigeria Limited from N1.04 trillion to N330 billion.”

Presenting the motion, Nnaji recalled that the NCC in 2015, in line with the Act establishing it, imposed a fine of N1.04 trillion for operational misconduct.

He noted that the sanction, which originally attracted N1.04 trillion was initially reduced to N780 billion and finally to N330 billion without recourse to due process.

North-East: Reps probe diversion of donor funds Hon. Ali Isa. In his lead debate, the lawmaker said a number of international communities and donor organisations had publicly declared monetary support for the rehabilitation of the IDPs in the North-East.

He, however, expressed worry that ‘despite all the donations, a large number of these IDPs are living in hunger, very deplorable and unhygienic conditions without any rehabilitation programme in sight.’

According to him, the Federal Government, local donor agencies as well as wealthy individuals have committed funds for the same purposes, there were series of allegations of diversion of the donated funds meant for the wellbeing and welfare of IDPs,” he said.

He also lamented that some civil society groups and non-governmental organisations, claiming to be working in the interest of the IDPs were actually doing the contrary.

Land swap deals: Reps ask EFCC, ICPC to probe ex-FCT Minister Philip Nyam Abuja

T

he House of Representatives yesterday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)

change OF NAME

Peremobowei

I formerly known as Nwanja Ezinne Cynthia now wish to be known and addressed as Ajah Ogochukwu Cynthia. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc, FCMB Plc and the general public should please take note.

I formerly known as Ugu Seiyefa now wish to be known and addressed as Berezi Peremobowei. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Aleke

Chika-Ngwu

This is to confirm that Aleke Josphine Nonyelum and Aleke Josphine refer to one and same person. Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as Aleke Josphine Nonyelum. All former documents remain valid. Union bank Plc, Zenith bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

39

I formerly known as Miss Ezugwu Eucharia now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chika-Ngwu Eucharia .C. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Plot of Land: This is to inform the general public that our squatters relocation plot No. CP30 with ref. No. 89856 for 10627.30sqm dated 5th June 2008 located at Gidan Mangoro Karshi FCT Abuja belonging to Marriott Industries Ltd was missing since 2008 and found with a vendor in November 2015 who was arrested by the police. While under investigation the Garki police station released the original documents to the suspect and transferred the case to court. Any person that transacts any business on the said landed property does so at his or her own risk. Management: Marriott Industries Ltd. Abuja.

to investigate the immediate past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, for alleged abuse of due process in the land swap scheme in the FCT. The advice was given after adopting the report of the Hon. Herman Hembeled Committee on Federal Capital Territory on the investigation of the aban-

doned capital projects and alleged malpractices associated with the land swap deals in the FCT. While giving a synopsis of the report, Hembe told the plenary that Mohammed committed series of infractions in the land swap programme and cannot be left free without investigation by security agencies.

Buhari to public officers: Earn your promotions Anule Emmanuel Abuja

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday charged public officers to work and justify their earnings and promotions.

The President said the ability of officers entrusted with certain responsibilities to live up to their duties and justify the confidence reposed in

them was the only way the country can get out of the current hardship facing the nation.

Buhari spoke yesterday while decorating two of the newly promoted officers of the Nigerian Police deployed to his office with their new ranks.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, said Buhari congratulated the officers.

40 News|south-WEST

Lagos Assembly urges clearing of drainages Wale Elegbede

T

he Lagos State House of Assembly has called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to direct the necessary ministries and agencies in the state to ensure that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in the state for the month of June was dedicated to clearing of drainages.

The resolution followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade and seconded

by Hon. Rotimi Olowo during plenary yesterday.

According to the mov-

ers of the motion, the frequency of flood in the state was being occasioned by constant blockage of drains by residents of the state through dirty habits.

Agunbiade stated that the state’s environmental law was against the blockage of drainages, but that many residents of the state had neglected this aspect of the law.

“We want to call on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to order the Commissioner for the Environment to direct the residents to clear their drainages during June, 2016 environmental sanitation exercise.”

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NANS blames workers’ non-payment on Fayose’s insincerity Sulaiman Salawudeen ADO-EKITI

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kiti State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) yesterday protested against the failure of the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, to pay five months arrears of salaries and allowances to workers and pensioners in the state on his (the governor’s) insincerity.

The protesters car-

ried placards describing the governor as not being sincere and concerned about the plight of the striking workers.

Some of the placards read: “He who works deserved to be paid”; “Workers are dying of hunger;” “NANS say no to taxation of school pupils in Ekiti”.

The students’ group chanted songs, urging Fayose to pay the workers. The noted that many of them were already going through untold hardship.

The protesters from different higher institutions across the state gathered at Fajuyi Roundabout, where they moved through the governor’s office along Okesa, taking over the major road, and causing slight traffic build-up.

Organised labour had nearly a month ago embarked on indefinite strike, insisting the owed arrears of salaries must be paid before the workers would resume work.

In a chat with newsmen, president of the

Ekiti arm of the body, Comrade Shina Awopeju, lamented that the strike has brought setback to the education sector in the state, adding that many school pupils have been staying at home for the past four weeks.

“If Mr. Governor refused to pay salaries, we won’t relent in our protest; the protest will continue till next week.

National Association of Students in Ekiti state is totally against taxation of students in Ekiti state,” Awopeju said.

Strike: NUT prays court to dismiss Ajimobi’s suit Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

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he legal between the Oyo State Government and the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), an arm of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension yesterday as the NUT opposed the withdrawal of the suit earlier filed against it by the government.

The state government had on the eve of the commencement of the ongoing strike on February 13, approached the National Industrial Court (NIC) to stop the workers from going on strike. The ex-parte application of injunction, however, failed as the strike had been called before the hearing of the matter. Counsel to the state government however moved to withdraw the suit and substitute it with another, but the NUT counsel opposed it, asking the court to dismiss the application.

The state was the Director of Civil Litigation, Oyo State Ministry of Justice and Advisory Services, Mr. S.O. Adeoye, while Mr. Waheed Olajide represented the NUT in the suit marked NIC/IB/62/2016.

Also joined in the suit as respondents, are the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State Chapter and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Oyo State Wing.

In his address, Adeoye said that the state government wished to join six respondents in the substituted suit while the counsel to the NLC and TUC did not oppose the application for withdrawal.

However, counsel to the NUT told the court that a matter already fixed for hearing could not be substituted based on Order 19 Rule 17 (1) of the National Industrial Court Rule, 2007, noting that the claimant could not have multiplicity of actions against the same person.

We under-celebrate our heroes – Mimiko Sulaiman Salawudeen ADO-EKITI

O

ndo state Governor Olusegun Mimiko has lamented the trend of downplaying the significance of the country’s genuine greats, a situation he described as “a culture of under-celebrating our heroes”.

Speaking at the unveiling and commissioning of M&C 106.5 FM Radio in Ondo State, owned by the popular juju music icon, King Sunny Ade (KSA), Governor Mimiko urged authorities to find a way of honouring genuine achievers in the country.

Assuring that Nigeria would remain one single entity despite forces cur-

rently threatening to sunder the union, the governor noted: “Yes, there are centrifugal forces assailing this nation; Nigeria will remain one to be the leader of nations.”

In attendance at the ceremony to honour KSA who himself was in attendance, were the station’s Board members including one time Nigeria’s envoy to the Philipines, Chief Yemi Farounbi, Engr. Dejo Olugbodi, Mr. Clement Ige and Mr. Donald Falayi who is also the station’s General Manager.

Also in attendance, include the Lisa (Prime Minister) of Ondo Kingdom, High Chief Simeon Olusola, Chief Lekan Alabi, and Chief (Mrs) Funmi Aragbaye (Gospel Musician).

Staff of Obafemi Awolowo University (Oau), ‘celebrating’ the exit of Prof. Bamitale Omole as ViceChancellor of the Institution, in Ile-Ife … yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

OAU workers condemn five-year tenure of outgone VC Adeolu Adeyemo

OSOGBO

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orkers of the Obafemi Awolowo University OAU, yesterday protested against the five-year single tenure of Professor Bamitale Omole, as Vice-Chancellor of the university.

The workers were protesting under the aegis of Non-Academic Staff Union and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, OAU, who they described as an insincere person.

The workers, who list-

ed some of the out-gone Vice-Chancellor’s offences as mismanagement and misappropriation of the institution’s fund, constructed a casket to signify bad omen of his tenure while in office.

Also, fried bean cakes were made and distributed among the institution’s workers in mockery of his exit from the university.

Also, the workers protested round the university campus with the casket, dressed in white attires. They explained that they put on the dress to show that they were not mourning but rejoic-

ing the exit of Omole.

Chairman of SSANUOAU, Comrade Ademola Oketunde, while commenting on the development, advised the Federal Government to right all wrongs in the university.

“We are full of joy that after being in bondage over the past five-year, Omole is going. We have to celebrate his exit and pray not to have a VC like him again,” Oketunde said.

“We have lost confidence in both the University management and even the Governing Council. We call on President Muhammed Buhari

to intervene by appointing an acting VC. “The FG should set up an investigative panel that is not biased and also extend the war against corruption to OAU,” he added.

Also, the Chairman of NASU, OAU chapter, Comrade Wole Odewunmi said: “The appointment of Salami is not accepted by my union. We want the university authority to follow due process and not bring in someone through the back doors.

The FG should come in right now and appoint an acting VC for OAU in other for peace to reign.”

Dearth of technocrats, bane of progress in Ekiti – Forum Sulaiman Salawudeen ADO-EKITI

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he South-West Professional Forum has said that the short supply of technocrats and experienced hands in the current administration in Ekiti was the cause of poverty which had overtaken the state.

The Forum insisted that the dearth of qualified professionals in key

sectors in governor Fayose’s administration was reason for government’s inability to meet its obligations especially in the area of payment of workers’ salaries.

The Forum urged the governor to invite redoubtable individuals as a major step to bring together values and credibility into governance.

President of the Forum, Chief Segun Ajibulu, said “there is no

reason the government should owe workers any salary in the state, especially the local government workers, who were being owed about six months’ salaries alongside other state workers.”

Ajibulu, who spoke in Ado Ekiti during a meeting with the Congress of Ekiti North Youth, said: “What the governor is facing now is nothing but resultant effect of not putting the right

people at the right places in his government.

“The development is compounded by the economic challenges facing the country following sharp drop in the price of oil at the international market.

“There is no doubt that the people of the State are being hit harder when compared to other states in the South Western part of the country.”

south-east | news

friday, june 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Bishop urges FG to jettison grazing bill Damian Duruiheoma NNEWI

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nglican Bishop of Anambra State, Rt. Rev. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo, has called on the Federal Government to spare no cost to alleviate the suffering of the people.

Nwokolo also charged the Federal government to check the excesses of the Fulani herdsmen, advising that the grazing bill be jettisoned without further delay.

Speaking at the first session of the 30th synod of the Church of Nigeria, Province of the Niger of the Diocese on the Niger held at St Andrew's Anglican Church, Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, the Bishop noted that it was unfortunate that Nigeria, as a producer of oil was still experienc high cost of fuel.

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nambra State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) yesterday issued a 2 week ultimatum threatening to embark on strike over the government's inability to grant financial autonomy to the third arm of government in the state.

The body is also seeking the payment of 2015 leave allowances to its members in the state.

Addressing Journalists in Awka, the state chairman of JUSUN , Mr.

Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

A

human rights group in Ebonyi State, Human Rights Crusaders yesterday alleged plot by the Police in the state to shield a child trafficker and three other indicted accomplices from prosecution. The group alleged the plot in Abakaliki, the state capital.

41

Anambra JUSUN gives 14 day ultimatum to begin strike Mark Ifezue said that the government should take the blame for the action, saying that the workers

24.88

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Bahrain in 2001.

Source: Itu.int

had ran out of patience.

He queried why the state government had reneged on the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with JUSUN on the issue of financial autonomy for the judiciary in the state some months back.

Ifezue also expressed

disgust over nonpayment of 2015 leave allowances to judiciary workers in the state while other workers were paid theirs since December last year.

However, in a letter written by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Solo Osita Chukuw-

Child trafficking: Group alleges plot to shield policemen from prosecution According to the Coordinator of the group, Idam Emma Prince, the group had already forwarded a petition to the Commissioner of Police in the state over the criminal involvement and complicity of three officers of the com-

mand on the saga.

He also alleged threats to his life by the Police officers and the alleged child traffickers.

The petition’s copy obtained by New Telegraph accused the three officers of collecting N500,000 bribe

from a notorious child trafficker in exchange for his freedom after he was arrested.

The petition gave the first names of the three officers as Ferdinand, Emeka and Kelvin.

According to the peti-

lobelu, to JUSUN dated 11th March, 2016, the government stated that the matter of budgetary allocation of funds to the judiciary was not a union issue, but a matter better handled by the governor and the Chief Judge who is the head of judiciary. tion, one Onyebuchi Ikpor Offeh reported to the human rights group about a group of people that had been coming to his mother’s shop located at Amasiri junction Afikpo to engage in child trafficking.

The petitioners said at this point they contacted a police officer near their office who directed them to officers of the Federal Investigation Bureau, Afikpo Annex.

Okoro lauds Umahi’s agric initiative A member of the Ebonyi State Advisory Committee on Local Government Projects Implementation and Monitoring, Hon. Stanley Okoro, has described the policies of the Governor David Umahi’s administration in Ebonyi State as people friendly, noting that the exemplary leadership qualities of the state helmsman were worthy of emulation.

According to Okoro, who was one-time Special Adviser on Youths to Abia State Government, the execution of pro-poor projects across the 13 local government areas in the state was a testimony to Umahi’s passion for the people, adding that the governor had not betrayed the trust of Ebonyi people.

He pointed out that

Umahi was on a rescue mission aimed at rebuilding the state and empowering the people.

Addressing a group of journalists at his country home in Ekoli-Edda, Okoro said, "it is glaring that the giant strides of Governor Umahi will earn him second term in office in 2019. The accomplishments of the state chief executive are evident in all sectors especially agriculture, infrastructure, education, civil service reforms, health and security.

“In order to ensure food sufficiency and guarantee commercial export of agricultural produce, the Umahi-led administration obtained N2 billion loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for disbursement to deserving farmers."

Ugwuanyi partners women group on war against sexual harassment Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

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overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has said that his administration would partner with the non-governmental organization-Women Arise for Change Initiative- to intensify campaign against various forms of genderbased violence, especially the incidents of sexual harassment against women and young girls.

Ugwuanyi spoke while receiving the management of the group led by Dr. Joe Okei- Odumakin which paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Enugu.

The team leader described the governor as

“a workaholic who stays awake while his peers are fast asleep”.

The governor noted that Enugu State had already taken positive initiatives by introducing a Child Rights Bill before the state Assembly. This bill, he said would soon be passed into law.

He observed that the state had in the same vein established a sexual Assault and Referral Center that offers assistance to victims of various sexual abuses particularly against women and young girls, assuring that he was willing to partner the group on any other efforts aimed at eradicating or substantially reducing the incidence of gender based violence.

L-R: Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. David Umahi; Director- General of China CAMC Engineering CO. Ltd, Yu Tao; Managing Director of UrbanTech, Mr. Kingsley Agha and UNIDO Country Representative, Dr. Chuma Ezedinma, during a courtesy call to the governor in Abakaliki

Ikpeazu flags off road rehabilitation Igbeaku Orji umuaha

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bia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has flagged off the reconstruction of the Faulks Road in Aba. The 4.6km road which begins from Brass Junction by Aba-Owerri Road through Ukwu-Mango to Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway would be reconstructed by Setraco Construction Limited.

Apart from the 4.6km Faulks Road, Setraco would also construct a 5.6km underground water channel that will collect water from Ifeobara basin near Ukwu-mango to Aba River (waterside).

The total cost of reconstructing Faulks Road which was a major link road to Ariaria International Market, and the underground water channel is being estimat-

ed at N6.8 billion.

Speaking at the flag off ceremony, Ikpeazu said: "I know that previous administrations in the state made several attempts to reconstruct this road, but they failed because proper attention was never paid to the Ifeobara basin. But this time, we have given the work to a competent company like Setraco and we know Setraco will do the job, and I will be coming personally every week to see what they're doing because this road is important to us.

"Faulks road is 4.6km and Setraco will also do another 5.6km underground water channel that will take the storm waters from Ifeobara basin to Aba River. This is a permanent solution to the problem of Ukwumango and the flood water along Faulks Road."

Lawyers warn against frivolous petitions against Chief Judge Kenneth Ofoma ENUHU

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cross-section of lawyers in Enugu State under the aegis of Concerned Enugu Lawyers’ Forum yesterday warned lawyers specialising in the state act of raising frivolous petitions against the state Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Innocent A. Umezulike to desist from doing so or face dire consequences.

The Lawyers’ Forum noted that it had followed with keen interest the various petitions against the Chief Judge since 2011, 2014, and 2016 emanating from the same quarters.

It stressed that those frivolous petitions which were variously dismissed by the National Judicial Council (NJC) but were each time re-packaged and sent afresh, were capable of distracting the Chief Judge from his onerous responsibilities.

It would be recalled that Mr. Peter Eze, an Enugu based legal practitioner, recently petitioned Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, alleging forgery and misconduct against the Enugu State Chief Judge prompting the reference of the petition to the NJC. The Lawyers’ Forum while reacting to the fresh petition to the office of Nigeria’s Attorney-General against Hon. Justice Umerulike, said the petition was a regurgitation of similar petitions against the CJ to the NJC in 2014, which was thrown away.

A statement signed by a Professor, Agu Gab Agu and Mr. J. C. Ene on behalf of the Concerned Enugu Lawyers’ Forum, which was made available to New Telegraph in Enugu, warned Mr. Peter Eze and others, to desist from writing frivolous petitions or be exposed alongside their sponsor.

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News|SOUTh-SOUTH

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Edo guber race: Okowa blasts Oshiomhole over poll Dominic Adewole ASABA

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elta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday berated his Edo State counterpart for his perceived attack on him over the state’s governorship election billed for September 10.

Already, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the elec-

tion, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Godwin Obaseki, have squared up for the race.

Governor Okowa in a signed statement routed via his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, in Asaba, told Oshiomole to stop making preposterous outbursts against him because of the forthcoming election.

100,986

The total number of subscribers of 21st Century Technologies (fixed/fixed wireless) as at September 2015.

Source: Ncc.gov.ng

He said whether Oshiomole likes it or not, he would provide adequate support for the PDP candidate, Ize-Iyamu to defeat the APC candidate, Godwin Obaseki.

Okowa was angry that Oshiomhole some weeks ago lambasted the South-South PDP Governors for pledging support for the PDP in Edo State and that Oshiomhole boasted that he could win election

N6,372.8trn The amount of the market capitalization of FGN bonds of Nigeria as of December 31, 2015.

Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

against him if he had contested in Delta State.

A few days ago also, Oshiomhole accused Okowa of currently recruiting thugs to undermine the forthcoming governorship election in his state.

Okowa, who described Oshiomhole’s allegation as “baseless and indicative of loss of confidence of the APC-led government,” wondered why Oshiomhole was jittery

86.43%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Andorra in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

Ijaw seek relocation of oil firms’ headquarters to N’Delta Ughelli

I

jaw nation yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to direct oil multinationals to immediately relocate their head offices to the Niger Delta region.

Ijaw through a group known as Ijaw Peoples’ Development Initiative (IPDI) in a communiqué issued in Warri, Delta State and signed by Austin Ozobo, national pres-

ident; Daniel Ezekiel, spokesperson, said that the continued militarisation of the Ijaw areas among innocent persons and communities in Niger Delta, had drastically drawn huge sympathy for Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

It said: “All over the world, multinational companies always site their offices close to their operational base. But in Nigeria, the case is a different ball game, with the

likes of Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil having their headquarters in Lagos, thereby depriving our youths employment opportunities that would have gone a long way in nipping in the bud of any form of restiveness.”

It also lamented the massive financial slash in interventionist agencies like the amnesty office to paltry N20 billion, NDDC N40billion and Niger Delta Ministry N51bilion, which is a

show of gross disregard for the development of the Niger Delta region.

The group condemned the disengagement of 500, 000 beneficiaries of the amnesty programme without empowerment, other cases such as failure to pay training allowances and tuition fees of beneficiaries of the programme and the gradual failure of the programme since the inception of this administration.

Labour lauds Oshiomhole over DSS tasks Nigerians on security N25, 000 minimum wage him a courtesy visit in his Tony Anichebe Uyo

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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he leadership of the organised labour in Edo State yesterday described Governor Adams Oshiomhole, as a pacesetter who should be emulated by other governors in the country on the welfare of workers.

A joint statement by the Chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Emmanuel Ademokun and Marshal

Ohue, respectively commended the governor for the increase in the minimun wage paid monthly to workers in the state.

They said: “On behalf of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, Edo State, we write to most respectfully express our appreciation to Governor Adams Oshiomohle, for the increase in the minimum wage of the Edo State civil servants from N18, 000 to N25, 000 effective from May 1, 2016.

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he Director, Department of State Services (DSS) in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Ayodele Adesina, yesterday called on Nigerians to make the issue of peace and security paramount in whatever they do.

He said that in any society where there was no peace and security, there would be no progress. The director spoke when members of the Independent Newspaper Publishers Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State, paid

office in Uyo. Adesina urged the publishers to shun sensationalism in news reporting as it carried destructive seed that would impede the development of any society.

The director said the media had a very important role to play in the society and that as those engaged in it must see themselves as either builders of society or destroyer of society.

He therefore urged his guests to be the carriers of the seed of progress through truthful information dissemination.

trations impossible.

The statement reads: “Governor Okowa is too refined to engage in such clandestine activities to the extent of decimating his own support base by encouraging his constituents to register in another state. What becomes the fate of Delta political stakeholders who would rely on the votes of those people in subsequent elections?”

Delta warns against gender violation Dominic Adewole ASABA

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Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Mr. Odesanya Mobolaji ( left), with the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, after the commissioner’s maiden news conference in Port Harcourt … yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Gabriel Efeduku

over a mere declaration of support for Ize-Iyamu.

While Okowa called on security agencies to intensify surveillance on all the electoral processes to ensure that “those crying wolves where there is none do not find a chink to rig the polls.” He lampooned Oshiomhole for being myopic about the workings of the Permanent Voter Card which makes multiple regis-

elta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday warned against any form of gender-based violence on children, women and the less-privileged in the state.

The governor, who vowed to deal with any violator, said parents who abandoned their responsibilities by failing to ensure proper upbringing for their children would receive their fair share of the punishment.

Speaking when he played host to the President of Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, in Asaba yesterday, the governor said the Child Rights Act that was domesticated in 1999 in the state would henceforth be diligently implemented.

Odumakin, who did a presentation on genderbased violence in the country, called on the Governor to establish centres to handle gen-

der-based violence was delighted when the governor vowed to take up such issue to safeguard the future of children.

According to the governor, any form of violence against children, women and the lessprivileged in the society, must stop.

He said: “If anybody is involved in the abuse of women and children, the person must stop, because, we will take such issue up and such people will be prosecuted; we must do what we can to safeguard the future of our children.

“It appears many families are forgetting their roles, right from the family level, it seems that values are lost; as we carry on with this advocacy, a lot need to be done for families to play their roles of bringing up well-trained children,” Governor Okowa said, bemoaning the situation where “children grow up without feeling pains or are afraid of inflicting pain on others.”

Court hears suit challenging Nigeria’s membership of OIC Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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he Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, has adjourned till September the suit challenging an attempt to co-opt Nigeria into the membership of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and other international Islamic bodies.

The suit also challenged the proposal by the Federal Government to obtain funds from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to finance the deficit in the 2016 budget.

Joined in the suit as second to fifth defendants are the Attorney-General of the Federation, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly.

The plaintiff, Dr. Nwankwo To n y Nwaezeigwe, who sued

the Federal Government on behalf of the Nigeria Civil War and Genocide Research Network in suit No. FHC/ASB/ CS/11/2016, urged the court to nullify Nigeria’s alleged membership of the OIC, Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Against Terrorism, Eight Developing Islamic Countries (D8) and Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

The plaintiff also prayed the court to compel the first defendant (FG) and the second defendant (AGF) to de-register Nigeria from such organisations.

The plaintiff further sought an order of injunction restraining the first and second defendants from entering into any agreement, treaty, character, in violation of the provision of Section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

News|NORTH

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kogi Assembly crisis: Respite as factional groups begin dialogue Zacchaeus Ozovehe Lokoja

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he leadership crisis rocking the Kogi State House of Assembly may soon come to an end as the factional groups in the Assembly have agreed to allow peace reign, following their coming together yesterday for talks.

The House of Assembly had been, in the last few months, engaged in protracted leadership crisis, leading to the inability of the House to carry out its duties as the warring factions were at each other’s jugular.

The Assembly was said to have been split into two factions with one known as G15 led by the embattled Speaker, Momoh Jimoh Lawal, while the other faction known as G5 is led by

Imam Umar.

When the imbroglio became so protracted, the National Assembly had to intervene as the House of Representatives in its resolution ordered the taking over of the legislative functions of the Kogi House of Assembly and sealed off the complex.

Worried by the development, an 11-member reconciliation committee, headed by one John Oladele Nihi, intervened by calling the warring factions into a round table where peace was brokered between the two groups.

Nihi, while speaking to journalists on the issue, said the crisis had degenerated to the level that the good image of the state has been battered, even as he added that since elders in the state did not deemed it fit to reconcile the war-

ring factions, the youths had to step in to do the reconciliation.

Speaking on the success of the reconciliation move, Hon. Kolawole Mathews, who spoke for the Group of 15 lawmakers said they had come together to find a lasting solution to the crisis.

“The governor has spoken to us and we the members of the House have agreed on certain templates and I am very sure by tomorrow we would have resolve our differences and the peace we all have been yearning for would return to the House,” he said.

The spokesperson for the G5 faction, Hon. Hassan Bewa, said that they had already been exchanging pleasantries as they had not been doing in the last five months, stressing that the House would be stronger than ever before.

Governor Yahaya Bello, who was also part of the reconciliation, said it had been a very wonderful deliberation.

“Like I said earlier, Kogi State has never been in crisis as in any home there is bound to be misunderstanding.

The House members have reached agreement to set aside their differences to continue the business of legislation,” the governor added.

Meanwhile, sources close to the reconciliation committee said both Jimoh and Imam might lose their positions as the factional Speakers and the other principal officers under the new arrangement as the governor is poised to have a one strong and united House.

The reconciliation meeting took place at the Government House, Lokoja, the state capital.

N

o fewer than 10,564 parents in Sokoto State have so far benefited from the N157.74 million released by the Sokoto StateUNICEF project towards enhancing girl-child enrolment and social inclusion programme in the state.

The gesture is part of the government’s efforts to assist and encourage parents to enroll their female children in primary

KANO

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he National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Related Matters (NAPTIP) has expressed dismay that 70 per cent of trafficked girls rescued by the agency were taken away with the active knowledge of their parents.

The Zonal Commandant of NAPTIP, Shehu Umar disclosed this while fla g ging of f a training prog rammes for the 30

selected victims of human trafficking in Kano.

Umar, who has five states under his command, said the unfortunate 70 per cent of the trafficked girls that were freed from forced labour were being trafficked with the connivance of their parents.

He said based on the agency’s findings there is the need to enlighten and educate parents on the dangers of what they are doing to their children and the harm that usually followed their actions.

Buhari’s wife donates food items to Kaduna citizens Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

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ife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Hajiya Aisha Buhari has donated two trailer-loads of food items to Kaduna State Government for distribution to the lessprivileged and needy in the state in the spirit of the Ramadan.

According to her, the gesture is part of her effort to touch the lives of the needy in the society,

MINNA

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9.61%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Albania in 2006.

Source: Itu.int

N24.95bn

The amount of the market Supranational Bonds of Nigeria as of December 31, 2015.

Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

Sokoto: Parents paid to enroll wards in schools Sokoto

Muhammad Kabir

Dan Atori

The pay of Eden Hazard of Chelsea in 2016.

Source: Goal.com

Umar Abdullahi

70% trafficked girls known to parents – NAPTIP

particularly at this period when the nation’s economy is at its lowest ebb.

The items she donated include cartons of macaroni, spaghetti, 5kg bags of semovita and wheat, among others.

Represented by the Coordinator of Buhari Support Group, Hajiya Binta Mua’azu, the wife of the president said that she could feel and share in the pains that Nigerians are currently passing through.

Niger to access N14.1bn FG support facility budget

Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, MajorGeneral Leo Irabor, addressing soldiers and policemen at the scene of the fracas outside the Government House, Maiduguri

$22m

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schools across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

The state government in collaboration with UNICEF initiated the programme to sustain and scale up plan to curtail the menace of gender disparity, especially at the primary and secondary school levels in the state.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Muhammad Jabbi Kilgori, who disclosed this during a press parley yesterday in Sokoto, the state capi-

tal, noted that under the cash transfer project, an additional N358.9 million is being expected for disbursements to 20,588 parents for the shortfall of undisbursed funds in the UNICEF/DFID intervention support.

He added that the girlchild enrolment would be achievable considering the political will and determination of the Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s administration, and in view of 27.85 per cent budgetary allocation to education, the highest so far by any state of the federa-

tion to the sector, which surpassed the UNESCO 26 per cent benchmark, as well as the state of emergency declared in education by the state.

The commissioner noted that the state government had effectively sustained the female teacher training scholarship from the UNICEF intervention with current sponsorship of 250 female teachers on training at the Shagari College of Education, who are to be deployed to their communities as role models.

he Niger State Government has spoken of plans to access N14.16 billion from the Federal Government’s N90 billion support facility budget.

The request to access the funds was contained in a letter by the government dated June 14, which was titled: Re: Offer to Participate in Budget Support Facility (N14.6billion): Request for House Resolution.

This followed the ap-

proval of the request to the House of Assembly by the Acting Governor of the state, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso.

In the letter to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Acting Governor said: “The administration was a recipient of an offer from the Federal Government for participation in its support facility to provide financial support to states to navigate the present economic challenges and meet their obligations to workers, pensioners and other stakeholders.

Lalong consults stakeholders on ranching Musa Pam Jos

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lateau State Governor, Simon Lalong yesterday began consultation with stakeholders and the people of the state on its Ranching policy.

This was as the youth groups in the state raised the alarm on their exclusion from the meetings.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government’s policy on modern livestock production towards improved agriculture sector in the

country received a boost in the state, following recommendations submitted by a 14-member committee set up by the state governor to study the policy.

At a joint consultative forum of Plateau State Peace Building Agency and Traditional Council of Chiefs at the new Government House in Little Rayfield yesterday, the stakeholders embraced the ranching policy, saying the controversy that greeted the policy was due largely to lack of proper awareness.

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WORLD \ NEWS

NEWS

Buhari: Why I didn’t fire Arase after Jonathan handed over lAs Osoba, Utomi, Abiola laud Ambode’s developmental strides Muritala Ayinla

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resident Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday explained why he refused to fire immediate past InspectorGeneral Office, Solomon Arase, who was appointed by his predecessor when he took over from President Goodluck Jonathan.

This was even as eminent Nigerians, such as former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; a public commentator, Professor Pat Utomi and former Managing Director of Concord Newspapers, Dr. Doyin Abiola, yesterday joined other eminent Nigerians to laud the giant strides of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for silently taking Lagos to the next level of development through pro-people projects across the state.

They spoke at a public presentation of a book entitled, “Cascade of Change...”, authored by

Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy.

Leading other distinguished Nigerians and top editors and Managing Directors in various media houses and Public Relations firms were the Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu and other crèmede-la crème of the nation’s media industry.

Speaking on why he retained the former IG, Buhari, who was represented by by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Arase was retained for intellect, saying that it was strange to Arase himself that he could be retained by President, who emerged from other political party.

According to Adesina, it was a surprise to Arase for Buhari to have invited him for a farewell dinner in his honour Buhari said he did so because of Arase’s intellect and capacity as an operation person.

He added that contrary to the recent practice, Arase was never sacked on the pages of Newspapers but given the opportunity to serve the nation until his retirement.

Adesina, who said the President appreciates sound mind and intellect, said that Arase had expressed fears that he expected that he would be sacked before the end of his tenure.

He said:”President Buhari said, he saw the quality of his mind and he saw the quality of things, he had written. You know Arase has many publications to his credit and he also saw his capacity as an operation person and he decided to keep him till his tenure expired”.

Adesina said: “While he ( Arase), was speaking at the dinner, he told the president that it was very strange for him to have been invited for a farewell dinner, because, what we know in Nigeria is that, you are sacked on pages of newspapers.

APC Senators back Buhari’s policies, actions Chukwu David Abuja

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enators of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday said that they had resolved to completely back President Muhammadu Buhari’s (PMB) policies and actions.

Senators of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had on Wednesday resolved that it had withdrawn its cooperation and support for the APCled Federal Government, due to what they con-

sidered the dictatorial tendencies of the party under President Buhari.

The only Senator from the Labour Party (LP), Senator Ovie OmoAgege, also joined the senators from the ruling party to pledge full support for the President.

In a press briefing by the joint caucus of the APC and the Labour Party at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, Senate Majority Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, who read the communiqué, said they

would continue to back all policies and actions of President Muhammadu Buhari, in order to help him achieve the promised change for the country.

The l aw m a ke r s claimed that they did not see the on-going anti-graft war of the Federal Government as partisan or selective, pointing out also that there was nothing dictatorial about the policies and actions of the Buhari-led administration.

NCC to Reps: Support $38bn telecoms for greater growth Kunle Azeez

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he Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has called for more cooperation and understanding of members of the House of Representatives, on regulatory functions of the commission, urging them to support further growth of $38 billion telecoms industry.

Danbatta made the call in a statement issued by the Special Adviser, Media, to the EVC of NCC, Mr. Yakubu Musa, during an oversight visit of the members of the House of Representatives’ Commit-

tee on Communications in Abuja.

Danbatta stressed the need for striking a balance in satisfying diverse stakeholders in the industry the Commission regulates.

According to him: “We will still use this opportunity to seek your cooperation and understanding of delicate balance existing between the functions of regulators, and its many publics and stakeholders, including the legislature.

“These stakeholders have diverse but very important interests, which the regulator must satisfy.

In the course of achieving an effective regulation

for the benefit of all and in creating an enabling environment for growth, issues and challenges are bound to arise.”

The NCC boss also told members of the Committee that the Commission had recently won a European Award for Best Practices, in addition to emerging African Regulator of the Year at regional level.

Responding, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Shaheed Fijabi, who said they were at the headquarters of the NCC to exercise their oversight duty, also commended the strides of Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in the country.

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Split US Supreme Court blocks Obama’s immigration plan

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he US Supreme Court yesterday dealt President Barack Obama a harsh defeat by blocking his plan to spare millions of illegal immigrants from deportation in a split 4-4 ruling he called frustrating to those aiming to fix America’s broken immigration system.

The ruling, coming seven months before Obama’s term in office ends, marked the latest success that his Republican adversaries have had in thwarting a major policy initiative of the Democratic president. It

also guarantees that immigration will remain a prominent part of the campaign ahead of the November 8 election in which voters will pick his successor. “For more than two decades now, our immigration system ... has been broken, and the fact that the Supreme Court was not able to issue a decision today doesn’t just set the system back even further, it takes us further from the country that we aspire to be,” Obama said at the White House.

The 4-4 decision left in place a 2015 lower-court ruling blocking his ex-

ecutive action on immigration, which was never implemented. Obama unveiled his plan in November 2014 and it was quickly challenged in court by Republican-governed Texas and 25 other states that argued that Obama exceeded his presidential powers by taking the executive action and bypassing Congress.

Obama called the ruling frustrating to those who want to “bring a rationality” to the immigration system and to allow the estimated 11 million immigrants in the country illegally to “come out of the shadows.”

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after casting her vote in Glasgow

EU referendum: UK goes to the polls

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oting is taking place in a historic referendum on whether the UK should remain a member of the European Union or leave.

A record 46,499,537 people are entitled to take part, according to provisional figures from the Electoral Commission. Polling stations will close at 22:00 BST with counting throughout the night. It is only the third nationwide referendum in UK history and comes after a four-month battle for votes between the Leave and Remain cam-

paigns. In common with other broadcasters, the BBC is limited in what it can report while polls are open but you can follow the results as they come in across the BBC after polls close yesterday evening.

The referendum ballot paper asks the following question: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”

Whichever side gets more than half of all votes cast is considered to have won. The weather forecast for polling day is

mixed. There have been thunderstorms in London and south-east England which caused flooding overnight. Kingston upon Thames Council in south west London has moved two polling stations after they were inundated with water. Sunshine and heavy showers are forecast for Northern Ireland and Scotland but it is set to be drier and brighter elsewhere. After the referendum polls close, sealed ballot boxes will be collected and transported to the count venue for each of the 382 local counting areas.

Death toll in South African protests rises to five

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he death toll from street violence in South Africa’s capital has risen to five, police said yesterday, after two more bodies were found following clashes triggered by the ruling party’s choice of a mayoral candidate for a local vote.

Police said they also arrested about 200 rioters who attacked foreign-own shops in Pretoria as public anger mounted over economic hardship in the build-up to an Aug. 3 election likely to become a referendum on President Jacob Zuma’s rule. Colo-

nel Noxolo Kweza, police spokeswoman for Gauteng Province, said those arrested would be charged with violence, possession of unlicensed firearms and damage to property.

Disturbances flared Monday night when residents of Pretoria’s impoverished townships began setting cars and buses alight after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) named a candidate in the Tshwane municipality where the capital city is located, disregarding the choice of regional branches.

The ANC leadership

named senior party member and former cabinet minister Thoko Didiza as its candidate for Tshwane, overriding regional branch members and refusing to back down as the violence mounted.

The protests morphed into looting of shops in the past three night and shells of burned-out cars still blocked some roads.

Two suspected looters were shot dead on Tuesday night after an ANC member was shot dead on Sunday as party factions met to decide on a candidate for mayor of Tshwane.

45

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport News

Sport World Cup Draw

Eagles know opponents today Nigeria in Pot 2 as FIFA retains original seeding

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igeria Super Eagles will know their 2018 FIFA World Cup opponents today as the draw ceremony for Africa’s final round of qualifiers for the competition holds at CAF Headquarters, 6th October City, Egypt by 4pm.

The Eagles retained their spot in Pot 2 despite protests from several associations which necessitated FIFA Emergency Bureau for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers to review the entire situation related to the seeding and the rankings announced by FIFA on June 7, 2016.

After Egypt protested its placement in Pot 2, Nigeria also fired a protest, stating categorically why she deserved to be in Pot 1 ahead of Egypt and Tunisia.

But FIFA in a letter dated June 22, signed by Deputy General Secretary Marco Villiger to the Football Associations, maintained that the June 7 seeding will be adhered to.

Iheanacho dumps U-23 Eagles for Manchester City

Charles Ogundiya Reporting live

International June 22-26

Chile face Argentina in Copa America rematch

Peters backs Salisu, Amunike for Eagles job

…warns NFF over foreign coach

This means that the pots remain: Pot 1: Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia Pot 2: Cape Verde Islands, Egypt, DR Congo, Nigeria, Mali Egypt’s Omar Gaber (R) controls the ball as Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo defends

Pot 3: Cameroon, Morocco, Guinea, South Africa, Guinea Pot 4: Uganda, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Gabon, Libya

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Adeolu Johnson

ABUJA

F

46

ormer Super Eagles Coach, James Peters, has thrown his weight behind the retention of caretaker coaches Salisu Yusuf and Emmanuel Amuneke for the Super Eagles warning that it might be disastrous if the Nigeria Football Federation goes ahead with plans to engage a foreign tactician.

Peters told our correspondent that time was no longer on the side of the NFF to engage a foreign coach for the team with the World Cup qualifiers so near.

“Salisu and Amunike can do the job. The World Cup qualifiers were around the corner and it may be too late for a foreign coach to be engaged for the qualifiers,” he said.

He said what Salisu and Amunike required to succeed are two or three experienced coaches that will form the back-

room staff who will offer technical and tactical advice.

Peters disclosed that the backroom staff should not necessarily be on the bench but be in the State Box from where they will have a good

view of the match unlike the coaches who could be on hot seat.

“The backroom staff can then offer advice during the half time in the dugout. They can also go on espionage mis-

47

Peters

Salisu

sion to observe their opponents and report back to the coaches,” he added.

He said Brazil in the past carried out such experiment with Alberto Ferreira and Didi in charge and it paid off adding that it may take a foreign coach a lot of time to settle down.

“Even if he is good, he will still have to learn the terrain from the indigenous coaches and that is even if they really want to assist because of the disparity in salaries,” he stated.

Peters said he had cried about the danger of hiring a foreign coach in the past but with his advice ignored by the football authority.

Salisu was in charge of the national team when Nigeria posted two victories against Mali and Luxembourg last month and thus improved the country’s rankings in the world.

The NFF has said it would name a coach by next week as the World Cup qualifiers draw near.

400m: Okon-George targets top two finish Charles Ogundiya DURBAN

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fter qualifying for the final of the woman’s 400m at the ongoing African Senior Athletics Championship, Patience Okon-George, has said her target is to see her alongside her compatriot, Regina George, winning gold and silver in the event.

The two athletes finished first and

second in their semifinal race on Thursday in 52.42secs and 52.89 respectively, and according to Okon-

Okon-George

George, they are not scared of anybody.

She however complained about the cold after they were left on the track for so long before their race due to medal presentation.

“I am very happy getting to the final, I have to work harder to be among the medalists,” she said.

“For me and Regina, we are just running our races and not bothered about anybody, I will love the final race to end

the same way as the semifinal with the two of us finishing ahead of others.

“The cold was too much for me after we were exposed for long, but I tried to make myself warm before the race.”

The other Nigerian in the semifinal, Yinka Ajayi, failed to qualify for the final after finishing sixth in 53.54secs, while in the men’s event, Chidi Okezie, also qualified for the final.

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SPORT NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Iheanacho dumps U-23 Eagles for Manchester City

Ajibade Olusesan

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oach Samson Siasia will have to continue with his Rio Olympics plans without one of Nigeria’s brightest talents Kelechi Iheanacho who has opted to stay back for his English Premier League side Manchester City pre-season.

There had been doubts about Iheanacho’s participation at the tournament but he has now opted to go with his club after he fully understood the need to show new manager Pep Guardiola

what he is capable of, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Guardiola starts at City on July 1 and he has made it clear every available player must be part of pre-season.

Reports suggested that Man City hierarchy spoke at length to Iheanacho before turning down Nigeria’s request for him to join the squad and, while sure to be disappointed, he has accepted their reasoning.

Last season was a breakthrough for the 19-year-old at City, he was a breath of fresh

air in a strike force limited by Sergio Aguero’s injury troubles and Wilfried Bony’s unsuitability.

Scoring 14 goals in a debut season in which he only made 11 starts is exceptional, but it was his eye for a pass to set up others which singled him out as a real talent.

Not only that the teenager has to adapt to the demands of a new manager and probably a new system but he faces stiffer competition as Guardiola plans to bring in Schalke winger Leroy Sane and Celta Vigo’s Nolito.

CBN Tennis Open:

Defending champion survives scare Ajibade Olusesan

manuel, cruised into last four with 6-3, 6-2 win over Sunday efending champion, Emmanuel and will face Otu Thomas Otu, survived in one of the semi-final clashes a major upset to book a semi-final ticket in the on-going Central Bank of Nigeria Tennis Championship after injury forced Joseph Imeh to retire in their last-eight clash on Thursday.

Number 10 seed, Imeh, had won the first set 7-5 and was close to claimming the second when he suffered an injury that had medics attend to him two times. The referee called off the match when it was obvious the player could no longer continue.

Otu Third seed, Sylvester Em-

D

DStv Basketball Final 8

Hoopers, Customs, Pillars, Falcons battle for title …as SuperSport broadcast matches

Olusegun Giwa

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he race for the DStv Premier Basketball League 2016 Final 8 crown hots up today with Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria Customs, Kano Pillars, Kwara Falcons jostling for a place in the final.

In the semifinal matches billed for the Indoor Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, Rivers Hoopers will battle Nigeria Customs while Kano Pillars confront Kwara Falcons.

In the classification matches played on Thursday, Niger Potters defeated Oluyole Warriors 69-66 while Gombe Bulls lost by 69-62 points to Plateau Peaks.

Meanwhile, SuperSport, will broadcast the classification

games and semifinals of the tournament.

The broadcast which started on Thursday June 23 will end with the final game on Saturday June 25.

In Friday’s broadcast, the semi-final matches resume at 2pm with Rivers Hoopers and Nigeria Customs battling for a place in the finals of the League while Kano Pillars will meet with Kwara Falcons.

The third place playoffs and the finals will take place on Saturday at 2pm and 6pm respectively and will be aired on SuperSport 5 HD (DStv channel 225); SuperSport Select (DStv channel 233) and SuperSport GO Select (GOtv channel 30).

today.

Fourth seed Abdulmumuni Babalola beat Nonso Madueke, 6-4, 6-2 to come face to face in the last four with tournament No 2, Michael Moses, who outclassed veteran, Shehu Lawal, 6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinal.

In the women’s singles, defending champion, Melissa Ifidzen, beats Patience Onebamhoin 6-0, 6-0 while top seed, Christy Agugbom Out- classed Ronke Akingbade 7-5, 6-3 to set up a semi-final clash against Ebere Fortune. The defending champion Melissa will be up against seed 5, Blessing Samuel.

Lagos SWAN petitions Dalung on botched U-17 b’ball, female boxers’ trips

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he Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, has called on the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, to institute investigations into the circumstances surrounding the non-issuance of visas to the national U-17 female basketball team to the FIBA U-17 Championships in Spain

Redeemed Church donates volleyball court to community Taiwo Jimoh

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he Redeemed Christian Church of God, Elim Sanctuary, Lagos Province 37 has donated volleyball court to the Omituntun Community at Akowonjo area of the state.

The donation was said to be part of the corporate social responsibility of the church to the host community.

Mrs Uzamat Akinbile Yusuf, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, who was represented by Mr Idowu Ademosu commisioned the facility recently.

According to Pastor Paul

Olukoga, the donation was not a mistake it was a principle from the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to impart the lives of the community spiritually and physically.

“Anytime we are going on evangelism, we always see some of the youths in the community playing football while some would be playing volleyball and basketball on the dilapidated court and we decided to reconstruct and renovate it for the benefit of the community,” he said.

“We want youths using the court to know God through sports because we will be visiting them to preach the word of God.”

The body is also demanding a probe into the disqualification of the national female boxing team to the Rio 2016 World Qualification Competition held in Kazakhstan.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation, the Spanish Consulate and NAPTIP have all denied responsibility for the failure of the trip with the NBBF explaining in a recent release that it duly informed and got responses from the Customs and Immigration authorities but NAPTIP failed to respond to it.

Lagos SWAN in a letter to the minister dated June 22 and signed by its chairman, Fred Edoreh and Secretary, Emma Njoku, pointed out that both incidents amounted to “denial and embarrassment to the country, waste of investment, time and efforts committed in preparing the athletes, infliction of emotional trauma and discouragement of the athletes.”

“As stakeholders in Nigerian sports, we view this development with deep concern as it retards the growth and progress of our sports, discourages potential sponsors and disaffects the athletes and members of the public,” Lagos SWAN said.

Sundowns ready to compound Enyimba’s woes – Mosimane Emmanuel Tobi

M Action between Customs and Plateau Peaks

Iheanacho (right)

amelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has said his team is ready to compound the woes of Nigeria champions, Enyimba Football Club of Aba, when both teams play next Wednesday in the CAF Champions League.

Enyimba lost 1-0 at home to Egyptian giants Zamalek while Memolodi Sundowns made a great start in the group stage

after beating Algerian side ES Setif 2-0 away last weekend with a depleted squad.

The former Bafana Bafana coach in an interview on Sundowns website said he was not losing sleep over Enyimba stating that: “We are not worried about them despite their 1-0 loss to Zamalek but we will give everything all the same.”

“You must remember that we only trained for two days effectively [before playing ES Setif], but credit to KB and

credit to the boys who showed that they are up to the task,” Mosimane added.

Mosimane

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Around the Stadia

INTERNATIONAL SPORT

47

Chile face Argentina in Copa America rematch C

hile beat Colombia 2-0 in the Cuadrado said after the final whistle.

Copa America semi-final early Former Chelsea midfielder CuadraThursday and will face Argen- do misdirected a header across his own tina in Sunday’s final after surviving goal straight to Charles Aranguiz and a tumultuous match in Chicago that the Leverkusen midfielder had the JOE BOOSTER joebooster391@yahoo.com 07039241156 (sms only) was stopped for more than two hours straightforward task of sidefooting due to a torrential rainstorm. past David Ospina.

Chile were already two goals up at Chile doubled their lead four minhalf time but the second half was de- utes later after an Alexis Sanchez shot layed as an electrical storm powered rebounded off the post into the path of towards Soldier Field and drenched Jose Pedro Fuenzalida. must state that I have nothing per- Sporting federations failed to participate the stadium with rain.

With Ospina beaten, the Universisonal against those at the helm of in the qualifying rounds of their compeThe teams came back to a water- dad Catolica full back scored one of the affairs in our sports, but fact is that titions for the Olympic Games tickets logged pitch and Colombia, who had easiest goals of his career by sidefootsince the inception of this administra- due to the usual refrain that there is no a man sent off early in the second pe- ing into the empty net. tion, the once lively Nigerian sports money to sponsor the athletes or camp riod, could not reduce the deficit.

Argentina beat the United States 4-0 has been in comatose. This may not be them in a befitting venue, yet we have so “We played well but Chile are a very on Tuesday night to reach their second unconnected with the body language much for estacodes, frivolous expenses strong side,” Colombian midfielder Juan consecutive Copa America final. of the people assigned to man the sec- and sitting allowances for committees tor. They either lack the needed capac- and panels. ity to manage the affairs of our sports It got to a ridiculous level that athletes or have complete apathy towards the preparing for the Olympics had to desert sector that ordinarily ought to help the their decrepit camps in droves due to administration to galvanize the youths their poor conditions. Unpaid officials of this great country towards exploit- and athletes had no choice but to resort ing their potential. to begging and borrowing to serve their The initial enthusiasm exhibited by father land. My fear then was that out of the minister Solomon Dalung shortly af- desperation, some of the athletes would ter his appointment, which pointed to so resort to employing some unorthodox much hope of great things to come sud- means by applying prohibited substancdenly vanished into thin air, leaving our es to enhance their performance, since expectations shattered. He became more their camping was not regulated. youthful in conduct and action than the It is therefore gratifying to note that youths he is meant to manage. All his at- our once lost Minister is back with a bang. tention which was supposed to be focused Hope it will not be a temporary thing? He on developing our sports and by extension was seen recently visiting athletes in balancing it with meeting the needs of the camps and attending to sporting events Alexis youths has suddenly plummeted. in Lagos and Kano, which is indicative Sanchez Apart from the sports departof the fact that he is now prepared (right) in sss ment losing out completely in to man his business. However, it action terms of disbursement of should go beyond ordinary vis- between funds in the ministry, greatits to camp sites and competition Colombia er attention was paid to venues, to beaming his search- vs Chile youth affairs to the detrilight on the level of preparedness ment of the former. It got of the various sporting federato a situation where funds tions. meant for sports federaI believe also that his attions was openly diverted tention should go beyond taly manager Antonio anxiety,” said Conte.

EURO 2016 R16 FIXTURES to the other needs of the minimplementing the Nigeria Conte said his team can “Now we have a match Saturday June 25 istry. Unfortunately, the House Project at the thrive as the underdogs against one of the favouproblem of sports Olympic Games when they face Spain in the rites but let’s not forget Switzerland vs Poland 2pm was anchored in Brazil, a first knockout round at where we started from. on the fact public rela- Euro 2016 on Monday.

“We mustn’t get above Wales vs N.Ireland 5pm that the sum tions stunt, Italy’s reward for fin- our station. A last-16 vs Portugal 8pm of 2.9billion d e s i g n e d ishing top of Group E is a match against Spain Croatia naira approved to package meeting with the reigning should excite us and we Sunday June 26 for the nation’s the high, champions in a repeat of need to play like we did vs Ireland 2pm participation in mighty and the Euro 2012 final, when against Belgium, against France the All African their politi- Spain outclassed the Ital- a side who are supposedly Germany vs Slovakia 5pm games, World Dalung cal acolytes ians 4-0 at Kiev. superior.” youths games which did not hold and to Rio on government ticket at the detriBut the manager said Hungary vs Belgium 8pm the Olympic qualification prior to the as- ment of the athletes. I know for certain- his players could take Monday June 27 sumption of duty by the Minister was not ty the number of dignitaries that have inspiration from their properly accounted for. already been shortlisted for this singu- performance in beating Italy vs Spain 5pm Instead of moving forward, the lar jamboree, whereas we lack funds to much-fancied Belgium England vs Iceland 8pm ministry appeared fixated for over one cater for the basic training needs of the 2-0 in their opening game year, groaning before the mountain in- nation’s athletes. at the tournament last COPA AMERICA FIXTURES stead of doing the right thing, by inIn addition, the Minister must go a week when they head to viting the proper anti-graft agency to step further to ensure that appropriate the Stade de France.

Third place (Sunday June 27) unravel every knotty issue surround- steps are taken by the medical team to “The players are doing ing the alleged expenditure, if there re-screen the athletes now that we have everything they have to.

USA vs Colombia 1am are proven doubts in the accounting slightly above a month to the games. They are working very hard FINAL (MONDAY JUNE 28) process employed by the officers. This This is to ensure that no drug cheats from and we have to keep graftConte would have been a better option in- this country makes it out there. Nigeria ing. We must not have any Argentina vs Chile 1am stead of trading blames on the pages cannot afford any type of ridicule similar of the newspapers and allowing our to the Russian Federation experience. We sports to lay prostrate. The recycling must be proactive by putting our house in of panels and committees to advise order right here before our sojourn to Rio. eicester City an- League triumph but it contract extension. him on the way forward is nothing but In addition, the package of incentives nounced on Thurs- seemed like he would be “Leicester City have reinventing the wheels. The Ministry for athletes who win gold medals and day that their star headed to the Emirates today (Thursday) agreed of Youths and Sports has mountain of others should be unfolded now to serve panel reports that would have served as a motivation for the sportsmen be- striker, Jamie Vardy, has to ply his trade with Ar- with the representatives signed a contract exten- senal. of Jamie Vardy to extend as guide. fore departure.

However, the Premier the England internationIt is unfortunate that the outcome of While we may not be expecting any sion with the club.

The English striker League Champions put al’s contract with the these exercises are seldom implemented major upset at the games due to our by our sports bigwigs thereby creating lackadaisical attitude to the prepara- became a superstar with an end to all the specu- Premier League chamthe impression that they have ulterior tions for the games, but the fact that our an astounding 24 goals lation and rumors sur- pions for a further four motives and don’t care about the prog- Minister is back to the saddle once more with six assists thereby rounding the 29-year-old, years,” read a statement ress of the sports they are supposed to is a pointer to the fact that greater things helping Leicester City by announcing that they on the club’s official webto an historic Premier have signed Vardy to a site. superintend over. It is ironic that most are on the way, hopefully!

Now that Dalung is back I

Italy ready to trouble Spain – Conte

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Vardy signs new contract with Leicester

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On Marble

Sanctity of Truth

“You can’t buy the love you want, you can’t sell your love. Love is given by those who deserve it.”

Emeka Obasi Oloopa Kpotum Idris, ya kpotuba!

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

— Jayson Engay

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

M

}14

N150

Lust is just lust

en are not really as bad as we think, sometimes. In fact, they can be quite kind and considerate. A few of them.

Unlike when they slump into slumber after making love, some of them occasionally wait around to assess any damage they might have caused. That does not mean women don’t want to break their heads when they break a heart. Unfortunately, for head breakers, heart breakers are smarter and fitter on their feet and almost always make good their escape after every havoc. Which is criminal.

Now, on checking many crime scenes over the years as a private relationship investigator, I have discovered that too many women let themselves be used and abused. Too many women fall in lust with their eyes wide open and accuse the men of not loving them back and breaking their hearts. Awful logic. When a man falls in lust he does not hide his raging desire. For a man, lust is lust. It is a woman who mistakes a man’s shaking legs when he sees her well-shaped breasts for love. Like I have written more than once, a man’s third led is stationed outside his body for a reason: so it can exercise its independence. That thing in between a man’s legs has a mind of its own and in case you haven’t noticed, it is on an island far from the heart. Measure the distance if you doubt my logic.

A man’s staff of office does its business independent of the heart most of the time. It is smarter than the heart and you hardly find it at a crime scene. Only the heart gets caught. Men know this fact of life, women don’t. Men exploit it and women suffer the consequences. Well, sometimes, the boot gets to be on the other foot when the tables are turned, which is not often enough if you ask me.

A kiss is a kiss and it is, in the minds of men, just that. Nothing to moan or groan over. Nothing to be fussy about.

Men know it, women don’t. So we have more women saying stuff like; He wasted five years of my life.

I am no believer in long courtship when marriage is the goal. Every smart girl should do the smart thing. Watch the guy closely. Check out his past and see if he gets his kick from breaking hearts.

If he does, don’t stick around him for a day longer than necessary. Why should you be another feather in his philandering cap? If he won’t shape in, he should ship out. Loitering around where you are not allowed to park is dangerous. Only you can waste five years of your life. No man can.

We dated for three years only for him to marry someone else Does anybody need three years, 36 whole months, to know when an affair is going nowhere fast? A woman’s instincts are God-given and I am of the opinion that a woman in denial is different from a woman who does not know, if you understand what I mean. Sometimes a woman knows that she is in a relationship that is not going anywhere permanent, just drifting but because she is in denial, she drifts along. Now, how is that the guy’s problem? If you are just one of his retinue of girlfriends, for goodness sake, don’t pretend to be his woman. You

Adam’s Apple

FUNKE EGBEMODE egbemode3@gmail.com 0805-506-9066 (sms only)

Babe, don’t start dreaming, he ‘ll kiss and go!

are one of many and he is under no obligation to choose you. He alone gets to choose who wears his ring.

I gave him everything; my heart,

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my body, my money and he married someone else.

What you gave you gave freely. Or did he force anything out of you? I bet he’s

a great kisser and a world-rate lover. He made your toes curl in bed, didn’t he?

That was why you kept going back for more. He loved your body, still does actually and your money was good as added advantage. Who no like better thing?

He was having fun and so were you.

Nothing more, nothing expected. You were the one who threw in your heart for added measure. He married someone else because you only had his body, his heart someone else held. Too bad, but it was nice doing business with you.

After all I did for him? I already introduced him to my mum, my uncles and he still left me?

What did you do for him and what did he ask you to do for him? What was he giving back each time you did something special for him? It is not his fault that you couldn’t read between the lines. As for your introducing him to your mother or whoever, that was absolutely your choice and when he didn’t reciprocate the gesture, you ought to have smelt a rat. A man who won’t introduce you to his family after one year of solid dating is just kissing you.

I am an advocate of a woman going into a relationship with her head screwed on tight and her eyes focussed on the ball. It’s sweet to feel all mushymushy. You are allowed to wear the rosetinted glasses even, but not for so long that you forget the true colours of love and life. You can believe his purple prose and revel in his charm. All’s fun in love but it is absolutely foolish to hang on to a ship that is adrift. It knoweth not where it goeth, so you can’t hang on to it. If a relationship is not heading for the altar and the altar is your goal, cut your losses and cut loose. If he’s in it for just the fun and sweet romance, you can’t force him to commit. Even if you get pregnant, you’ll only end up a miserable single mother. And he’d move on as a fresh single bachelor, ready to mingle again.

It may be tough right now but look at the big picture, look further down the road and consider what you’ve got to lose in a relationship that is just about the kiss. If he’s not in it for the long haul, mourn your loss and move on.

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