Monday, july 25, 2016 binder1

Dangote Refinery alters lending dynamics Ayodele Aminu and Adeola Yusuf

B

anks and other lenders have elevated their fears on bad loans

for downstream oil sector a step further, slamming an embargo on any form of lending to oil moguls or oil firms which use their tank

farms as collateral.

New Telegraph gathered that the lenders will also not venture into any investment for building,

maintenance or storage of imported refined petroleum products with repayment lifespan stretching beyond the first quarter

Lagos targets N1trn budget, N50bn monthly IGR }38

of 2019 when the Dangote’s $12 billion refinery is expected to come on stream.

A banking source told this newspaper that this caveat issued by the banks

Dangote

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Militants abduct RCCG pastor during workers' meeting }9

/newtelegraph /newtelegraph

Vol. 3 No. 887

Monday, July 25, 2016

Adeboye

Dogara, cabal injected N280bn projects in }3 budget – Jibrin

Dogara

Akarigbo, Oba Sonariwo, dies at 80 in London }8

Akarigbo

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

Pastor Taiwo

I chained my nine-year-old son because he’s possessed –Pastor }8

N150

Korede

Kerosene hits all-time high

…as 30m households lament

Nigerians turn to firewood, charcoal, sawdust Marketers halt product's importation }2

L-R: President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Prof. Segun Ajibola; outgoing Group Managing Director/ CEO, UBA Plc., Mr. Phillips Oduoza; his wife, Jumai; Founder, Diamond Bank Plc., Mr. Pascal Dozie and Group Managing Director Designate, UBA Plc., Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, at the 4th Valedictory Lecture in honour of Oduoza, organised

by CIBN in Lagos... on Friday

Bode George, Secondus, Dokpesi battle for PDP chair ...Adeniran, Daniel too lINEC declares Imo rerun inconclusive }3 & 40 Artificial sweeteners raise appetite by 30% }37

2

NEWS

MonDAY, July 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kerosene hits all-time high as Nigerians lament

Our correspondents

D

ual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), known as kerosene, hit an alltime high price of N600 per litre at the weekend, worsening the pains of over 30 million households who depend on the product for cooking.

In its place, millions of poor Nigerians who use it for their stoves, lanterns, and other purposes, are now seeking alternatives to the very important and most commonly used petroleum product.

They have now resorted to the use of charcoal, firewood and polythene bags to make fire to cook for their homes. More fortunate Nigerians use gas cookers,

even though the price of gas has also been on the rise.

The scarcity hit major cities across the country, with most retail outlets in Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Kano, Kaduna and Abia states going out of stock.

The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), known as cooking gas, also remained high at the weekend selling at N320 per kilogram.

A survey by the OTL, organisers of Nigeria's biggest downstream seminar and exhibition, showed that over 30 million Nigerian households use kerosene for cooking and for light as well as fuel for local lanterns.

The scarcity of the product, checks by New Telegraph revealed at the weekend, worsened with

the product selling between N200 and N600 per litre nationwide, depending on proximity of the area to Lagos, where the loading depots for the product are situated.

DPK has been deregulated and majority of marketers, who hitherto reduced importation of the product, this newspaper gathered, have now halted importation due to difficulty in accessing foreign exchange.

"The shutdown of refineries that produce DPK through which the market is augmented, is another major problem," a marketer told New Telegraph.

“The Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) is now the major importer of the product and except the majors, most of the independent marketers, if not

all, depend on loading from PPMC's depots. And this explains reasons for the scarcity," he added.

The price of cooking gas has also skyrocketed, making it unaffordable to some middle income earners, some of who have reverted to kerosene as a cheaper source of energy.

"This has also increased the pressure on kerosene and contributed to its scarcity, because it contributes to the high demand for the scarce product with limited supply," the marketer said.

New Telegraph’s findings showed that while filling stations are going out of kerosene, the smaller retailers who have the product in Lagos and Ogun sold it for as high as N450 and N600 per litre.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

L-R: First Lagos State Military Governor, BrigGen. Mobolaji Johnson (rtd); first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; his wife, Abimbola and former Lagos State military governor, Rear Admiral Ndubusi Kanu (rtd), at the 87th birthday of Jakande in Lagos... at the weekend.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

affects over 44 tank farms' owners in Nigeria.

The decision of banks to review their lending criteria, New Telegraph gathered, stemmed from the fact that tanks farms would no longer be an important factor in the scheme of the downstream segment when Dangote’s $12 billion refinery comes on stream in the first quarter of 2019.

"Dangote’s 650,000 barrels per day capacity refinery, which is being floated

by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is the reason for the new change of investment decision," said the Chief Executive Officer of a Tier 1 bank, who elected to shield his identity because of the sensitive nature of the issue.

He said that the Dangote Refinery is expected to "export refined products from Nigeria, aside from soaking the country with refined products."

“The banks are taking a second look at direct lending for products’ storage facilities or using that as collateral to access funding for other downstream projects,” he said.

Asked what was responsible for lenders to have developed cold feet on downstream investments, he

(NNPC) and its subsidiary, PPMC, were not available for comments.

NNPC spokesperson, Mallam Garbadeen Muhammed, neither picked calls on his cell phone nor responded to a text message seeking his reaction to the scarcity.

In Abuja, the product is mostly sold at the "black market" at a very exorbitant price. A litre of the product goes for as much as N270 to N300, depending on the area.

A factional secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigerian (IPMAN), Alhaji Danladi Pasali, said that the product is in high demand.

Pasali said that some industries use kerosene for one thing or the other in the process of manufacturing their products.

In Kano, residents have dumped the use of kerosene for charcoal and firewood following the rising cost. The product now sells at N1,200 a gallon from just N500.

Mrs. Kemi Oladifo, who is a resident of Tudunmurtala, a locality of Nassarawa Local Government in Kano, told our correspondent that she used to buy like two gallons and sell to neighbours, until the price rose to over N1000, forcing her out of business.

She said that most of those that used to purchase from her have now dumped kerosene for charcoal and firewood because they cannot afford N200 for a bottle.

Dangote Refinery alters lending dynamics said: “The level of works at the 650,000 barrels per day capacity refinery by Dangote is responsible.

Government is already quoting the first quarter of 2019, when the refinery is expected to begin production as the timeline when Nigeria will not only end importation of fuel, but also become a major exporter of the product to other countries.”

“It is a strict financial due diligence decision that embargoes are placed on lending for tank farms and other forms of fuel storage investments,” he added.

This, checks by this newspaper showed, is expected to crash importation of refined petroleum products and render the over 80 storage tank farms/facilities in Nigeria less useful and unattractive for further investments.

Dangote, who admitted that the recent devaluation of naira cost him N50 billion, told New Telegraph recently that the $12 billion refinery would have a capacity of 650,000 barrels a day, capable of cornering the market in Africa’s most populous country, where fuel shortages are a

perennial problem.

The sudden change in the lending dynamics has already set jitters down the spines of lenders with huge exposures to the downstream sector.

Until recently, Nigeria was Africa’s biggest crude oil producer, but it imports 80 per cent of its fuel because poor maintenance means its four refineries with 445,000 barrel a day cumulative capacity, never reach full output. Its current daily consumption is 260,000 barrels, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

A slump in commodity prices has hammered Nigeria’s economy – along with many others on the continent – and raised the cost of borrowing. But Dangote, whose business empire stretches from cement to flour and pasta, is pushing hard into oil and gas.

“It will be ready in the first quarter of 2019,” the billionaire founder of Dangote Cement said of the refinery. “Mechanical completion will be end of 2018, but we will start producing in 2019.”

Dangote said the plant, which will include a $2 billion fertilizer unit, was be-

ing funded through “loans, export credit agencies and our own equity.”

Some $3.25 billion had come from local and foreign banks, while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had also chipped in. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank, has lent $150 million.

Dangote also has plans for a gas pipeline through West Africa. Nigeria has the world’s ninth largest proven gas reserves, at 187 trillion cubic feet (tcf), but loses half of it to flaring and re-injection.

Meanwhile, some banking sector analysts have expressed concern over banks’ exposure to the upstream oil and gas sector.

It was gathered that of the top five banks’ $4,882 million exposure to the upstream oil and gas sector, at least 15 per cent is exposed to the Trans Forcados pipeline (TFP).

At that time, these loans were celebrated as a milestone for Nigeria’s financial sector and a boost to bank portfolios aimed at supporting greater domestic participation in the industry.

Now that the price of

Brent crude has fallen by nearly two-thirds to the mid-$40s, much of that lending has become a liability.

“The banks lent way too much,” said a foreign oil executive who observed the wave of acquisitions in 2012-2014.

“The assumptions made by the local oil companies were inaccurate. The value of the assets is basically zero with the low oil price,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The whole system is shaking.”

Five Nigerian banks – First Bank, which is Nigeria’s largest bank by assets, Diamond, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Ecobank Nigeria Plc. and Skye Bank Plc. – had issued profit warnings in the past months.

Most of the country’s 22 licensed commercial banks are exposed to the industry through large syndicated loans, many of which were not hedged, and some of which were poorly collateralised, according to analysts.

Upstream oil and gas and services make up an average of around 28 per cent of the banking sector’s loan books.

A beer bottle of kerosene now sells between N160 and N200 in Oyo State.

At some major stations, which dispense it, a litre is N220.

Mrs. Bukola Oyekola, a secondary school teacher in Ibadan, said: "Use of stove has now become a difficult thing as a beer bottle of kerosene now costs N180, unlike less than N100 we used to buy it before. The price of gas has also gone. Charcoal is now the alternative in many homes. With the current non-payment of salary in this state, I have been compelled to improvise a saw dust-powered stove as alternative to kerosene."

It is the same story in Plateau State as many houses have shifted from using kerosene to charcoal, gas and firewood. Kerosene now sells for N250 per litre in filling stations, while a gallon of four litres goes between N1,450 and N1,500 in a market.

A visit to the popular charcoal market in Jos, witnessed a lot of people patronising the market.

Mrs. Phoebe Dawal told New Telegraph, at the charcoal market in Jos, that: "We had to start buying charcoal because kerosene is costly now. We normally use kerosene throughout cooking at home. But now, we buy charcoal and even firewood to mix so that it would serve us at home.”

Investigation also revealed that it is hard for individuals to get the kerosene at the filling stations even at the cost of N250 because the filling station owners prefer dealing with middle marketers, who buy in large quantity and thereafter sell to individuals.

The people of Kaduna State are also groaning under the exorbitant cost of kerosene as the cooking fuel costs N1,100 per gallon, indicating a 600 per cent increase in price.

Speaking to our correspondent, Malama Hadiza Adam, said that housewives now use polythene bags and used pure water sachets as “fuel” for those that use firewood in cooking.

She said that the polythene bags and various plastic waste materials are used to start fire with firewood.

Another respondent CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

£8m

The amount of money spent

by Swansea City in the January 2016 transfer window.

Source: 101greatgoals.com

$1.2bn

The estimated amount of money the David Koch Charitable Foundation has made in contributions over his lifetime.

Source: Forbes.com

NEWS

MonDAY, July 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

3

Bode George, Secondus, Dokpesi battle for PDP chair Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

E

ven though the zoning committee set up by the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to submit its report, the race for the party's topmost position has begun.

The committee, which has Governors David Umahi (Ebonyi) and Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) as co-chairmen, was inaugurated last Friday and was given one week to complete its assignment.

Those jostling for the position are from SouthWest and South-South.

They include two former Deputy National Chairmen, Chief Bode George and Prince Uche Secondus; former Minister of Education, Professor Tunde Adeniran and Chairman Emeritus of Daar Communications Plc., Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

Former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has also shown interest in the PDP chairmanship.

Chairman of the caretaker committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, while inaugurating the committee, charged the members not to limit the search for the next national chairman of the PDP to one particular zone in the South to avoid the mistake made by the previous committee that led to the present leadership crisis in the party.

It will be recalled that the former zoning committee, headed by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, had zoned the chairmanship to the North-East, which led to the adoption of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff by people of the zone as sole chairmanship candidate.

PDP has fixed August 17 for the national convention, which is again scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Bode George confirmed his ambition to New Telegraph, if it is zoned to South-West.

The former Deputy National Chairman believes he has the experience given the past positions he held in PDP in the past.

"If it is given to SouthWest, I will give it a shot.

When you have a track record, the track record of service, the track record of loyalty, the track record of commitment, the track record of dedication, you can go and check it.

“I have been the National Vice Chairman

10.18m

The total population of Dominican Republic in 2012.

Source:Un.org

(South-West), Deputy National Chairman. I want to maintain party discipline," he said.

Secondus could not be reached, but a source said he is interested in PDP chairmanship if it is zoned to South-South.

"He wants to run and most of the governors are backing him, for institutional memory," he said.

Dokpesi could not be reached at press time, but his campaign organisation was quoted to have said the media owner will commence his campaign this week by first seeking "the blessing of his royal father, the Okumagbe of Weppa-Wanno Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, George Eghabor before embarking on the official tour.”

"It is in furtherance of my democratic ideals that returning power to the people must first begin with discussions with the people," his campaign group said.

Dokpesi will flag off his campaign in Benin City, Edo State.

According to the campaign organisation, the pur­pose of the tour is to personally meet with, listen to and address all the delegates of the party who will be voting at the National Convention slated for August 17 in Port Harcourt.

“High Chief Dokpesi, as a point of principle, believes that it is only through consultations with all stakeholders and delegates of the par­ty that a national leader who will understand and appreciate the pains and yearnings of

the party members across the nation can emerge,” If experience is anything to go by, the contest will be between George and Secondus who had held number two positions in the party leadership before.

But Adeniran and Dokpesi might spring surprises and upset the apple's cart.

Already, Dokpesi has stepped up his campaign and has deployed his media organisation for that purpose.

Dokpesi has been nursing the ambition since last year and has hosted series of meetings at his Kpadoma Hill Abuja resi-

dence. At a point, he was accused by the former National Working Committee (NWC) of running a parallel party administration.

Although he was arrested and detained last year by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly receiving N2.1 billion from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) from the controversial $2.1 billion arms deal, the media mogul said he is not deterred by this case, which is still pending in court.

Adeniran was appointed co-coordinator of Concerned PDP Stakeholders' Forum led by Professor

Jerry Gana. He was not known to be nursing chairmanship ambition before now.

The former Education Minister also served as deputy director general of the 2015 PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation.

Among those who have so far indicated interest for the party's number one job, Adeniran is the only one without blemish.

He is believed to be enjoying the support of former PDP Ministers' Forum and the Stakeholders' Forum.

Secondus is enjoying the support of some PDP stakeholders because of his experience in party

L-R: Kuwait Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Abdulaziz Ahmad Al-Sharrah (left) presenting a souvenir to Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, when the latter visited the envoy in Abuja... at the weekend.

administration.

He served as two-term PDP chairman in Rivers State. He was also National Organising Secretary (NOS) before his elevation in 2013 as deputy national chairman.

Secondus also has age on his side, which is the attraction of some PDP governors.

He was arrested early in the year by the EFCC in connection with some vehicles donated to the party by an oil magnet, Jide Omokare.

He has since obtained a N10 million judgement against the anti-corruption agency for illegal arrest and detention.

The fear, however, is that Secondus could easily be manipulated by the governors.

There have been calls for the party to be returned to the people, to prevent it from being hijacked by the governors.

George is one of the most loyal and dedicated members of the PDP. Despite his travails, he has remained committed to the ideals of the party.

A former PDP national officer told New Telegraph: "I am supporting Bode George as old party member. He is a former military man with a lot of contacts."

George is strong willed.

Those rooting for him believe he is needed in PDP this time, especially now that the party is no longer in government.

They believe that if George is at the helm of affairs in the party, the leadership crisis would have long been settled.

Dogara, cabal injected N280bn projects in budget – Jibrin Philip Nyam Abuja

T

he budget padding allegations are getting messier as the embattled former Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin,‎ has given a further insight into how Speaker Yakubu Dogara used 10 committee chairmen to insert 2,000 projects worth over N280 billion into the 2016 budget.

Jibrin, in a statement yesterday, clarified that his allegations are against Dogara and not the House.

According to him, "when the Appropriation Committee received all the budget reports from standing committees, an analysis was conducted. We discovered that about 10 only

5.08m

The total population of women of Dominican Republic in 2012.

Source: Un.org

out of the 96 Standing Committees of the House introduced about 2,000 projects without the knowledge of their committee members amounting to about N284 billion. I was alarmed.

"But I was cautious because at our pre-budget meeting with the committee chairmen, I was clearly warned not to touch their budgets. I reported the matter to the speaker. He did nothing about it, obviously because he was working behind the scene with the committee chairmen.

That was the beginning of the whole budget problem from the side of House and the whole exercise had to go through several versions before it was passed."

He asked: "So, is it Abdul that introduced 2,000 projects into budget worth N284 billion? But I quietly bore the pain and abuses from all over the country and continued to defend the committee inputs as a show of loyalty to the institution I represent which I so much love and still have

many great minds in there.

"Apart from Chairman Agriculture, Hon. Mongunu who owned up and explained his inputs at the only executive session I was allowed to attend, the other few chairmen who loaded the budget kept quiet and watched me bashed from every angle by angry Nigerians." ‎Continuing, Jibrin revealed that: "During the budget period, when they discovered that I was not the kind of a person they could use to perpetrate their illegality, Mr. Speaker and the three other principal officers took away the entire Appropriation Committee Secretariat to a secret location where all sort of insertions were made into the budget.

"The secretariat was taken away from me on Speaker Dogara's instruction for the second time to a location I don't know and all sort of insertions into the budgets were made and returned to me for signature. I said over my dead

body! It was a massive crisis behind the scene until the early morning of the Friday that Mr. President assented the budget.

"It was Senator Danjuma Goje that brokered a compromise that since the Deputy Speaker leads the harmonisation committee, he should also sign such that the harmonisation committee will share responsibility with us. Senator Goje pleaded with me so hard all night and later shouted heavily on me reminding me that he is not talking to me as a Senator but as a father. I cried heavily all night."

On the involvement of the deputy speaker, Jibrin disclosed that: "When the budget harmonisation committee, headed by Yusuf Lasun, gave out 80 per cent concession across board to the executive demands during the harmonisation negotiation, it was agreed that the remaining 20 per cent should go to the entire NASS. "The Deputy Speaker

excused himself that he wanted to go and consult with Mr. Speaker. He came back after few hours and, in an unprecedented display of greed, presented to me a hand written note distributing the remaining 20 per cent to only principal officers. Seventy per cent of the 20 per cent was reserved for Mr. Speaker and himself while the remaining 30 per cent of the 20 per cent goes to other principal officers. I am sure he will recognise the handwriting when he sees it. My colleagues didn't know all of these.

"Mr Speaker also directed me to create what I advised him will be a controversial line item under service wide vote to introduce about N20 billion project, using the name of NASS. He directed me to see a highly placed PDP politician which I did and collected the documents.

I advised him repeatedly against it, but he kept pressuring me until I bluntly told him I will not!”

4

MonDAY, July 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEWS

MonDAY, July 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kerosene: Filling stations go out of stock nationwide CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

said that saw dust and wood shavings are now used as sources of energy in order to aid combustion.

Similarly, some residents in Lagos have lamented over the hike in the price of kerosene, which now sells for as much as N220 and N240 in many outlets.

While many residents are gradually switching over to firewood to cook, others are adopting charcoal as those who are using LPG are lamenting the sudden hike in the price of gas.

Speaking with New Telegraph, a resident, Mrs. Sarah Awe, who lives in Surulere, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to do everything

possible to reduce the price of kerosene and gas for the sake of the masses.

According to her, "It is sad that we buy a bottle of kerosene, which is usually less than a litre for N250 at local outlets. By the time you go to the filling stations, thinking it would be lower, you will realise that a litre is sold for N240 or above.”

Kerosene costs between N200 and N220 per litre in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. Most families now combine the use of gas with kerosene stove and coal pots to save costs.

Some families have also resorted to using sawdust.

“I have seen some people at the saw mill gather-

ing sawdust. You know, we used sawdust in those days,” a housewife told our reporter.

Residents of Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital and environs, are lamenting over the cost. A litre of kerosene costs between N270 and N300 depending on the location or part of the metropolis.

A housewife, Mrs. Margaret Emmanuel, who resides in Tudun Abu, a suburb of Lafia, lamented high cost of kerosene, saying, “I no longer buy kerosene now because of the high cost. I use charcoal or firewood as alternative to kerosene.”

Before now, a litre of kerosene was sold between

N120 and N130 and N1,500 per 25 litre gallon and was available at filling stations in Ebonyi State.

The commodity is now sold between N240 and N260 per litre and N6,000 per 25 litre gallon.

It is a similar story in Yobe State as many have resorted to firewood.

In Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, for more than three months now, no filing station was seen selling kerosene. Rather, kerosene is sold by black marketers at exorbitant prices.

A gallon of kerosene in Potiskum, the commercial centre of the state, sells from N1,500 to N1,700. Most locals now use firewood, as well as coal, as sources of

IPMAN partners stakeholders to ease hardship

T

he Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) yesterday said it was partnering with some major stakeholders in the oil industry to import kerosene and diesel.

The National President of IPMAN, Mr. Chinedu Okoronkwo, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Okoronkwo spoke against the backdrop of the hike in the prices of the products that was causing hardship to

Nigerians.

He said the association had been given licence to import kerosene and diesel, adding that it had also concluded agreements with its foreign partners to finance the importation.

Okoronkwo said the association’s partners in Dubai had agreed to finance the importation urgently to ease the hardship, which Nigerians were passing through.

He added that kerosene, which was meant for the common people, had skyrocketed due to scarcity.

The IPMAN president said that having got the licence to import kerosene and diesel, it would strive to ease the suffering of Nigerians in a couple of weeks.

He said the products would be available at affordable prices, noting that the government and marketers should ensure the consumers benefitted.

According to him, this will go a long way to improve the nation’s economy and bring about development in the oil and gas sector.

“We, IPMAN, have entered into partnership with some multi-nationals to assist the Federal Government to make petroleum products available in the country.

“This, we hope will create value in the industry by ensuring that there is enough kerosene and diesel in all our members’ stations at affordable prices,” he said.

Okoronkwo said the essence of the importation of petroleum products was to boost the activities in the downstream sector.

their cooking energy.

In Jalingo, the product is sold by black marketers at exorbitant prices. A gallon of kerosene in Jalingo is sold between N1,300 and N1,500.

"We travel from here to Wukari or Takum to get kerosene, and we buy it from the major marketers at the rate of N240 per litre,” a roadside black marketer told our reporter.

The story is not different in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Our correspondent, who went round reports that it is only black marketers who sell the commodity at N1,400 per gallon. One kerosene seller, Ibrahim Abubakar, said there is no kerosene in filling stations in the state, even at the NNPC Mega station.

A Maiduguri resident, Mallam Modu Hassan, said they have resorted to the use of charcoal, because it is the cheapest means of cooking now.

In Enugu State, people who spoke to New Telegraph, expressed dismay over the situation, describing it as untold hardship and punishment to the people.

Mrs. Alice Ugwuanyi, a housewife in Enugu, stated that since the scarcity and high cost of kerosene, many have resorted to gas and firewood as alternative to kerosene.

At Conoil filling station

5

along Agbani Road, the kerosene product was sold at 200 per litre.

Last week, the product sold for N220 per litre in Abia State.

Mr. Emmanuel Kalu Onuka, who lives in Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area, said that since the astronomical rise of the price of kerosene, he has resorted to the use of firewood. He said he fetches firewood from his farm.

“As long as it remains like that, we will not use kerosene again,” Onuka told New Telegraph.

Mrs. Charity Okorie said she has reduced the quantity she normally buys for the family use.

In Osun State, no less than 70 per cent of the populace uses kerosene.

Since the price of a litre of kerosene has moved from N100 to N250, most people have resorted to the use of charcoal and firewood.

In Delta, a litre of kerosene goes for N220. This has forced residents to embrace the use of charcoal, sawdust and firewood.

Madam Gozie, a housewife in Okpanam town in Oshimili North council area of the state, said she has since resorted to the use of charcoal. "I have resigned to fate. I don't want to border myself with the problems of this country," she said.

6

MonDAY, July 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

7

MonDAY, July 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS DIRECTORATE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA

INVITATION FOR TENDER FOR THE PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY OF NYSC KIT ITEMS FOR 2016 BATCH ‘B’ CORPS MEMBERS 1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in pursuance of its statutory functions and in compliance with Due Process requirements hereby invites competent and reliable contractors to submit bids for the production and supply of kit items for the prospective 2016 Batch ‘B’ corps members who are expected to participate in the orientation course scheduled for November 2016.

2.0 SCOPE OF WORKS NORTH-CENTRAL Lot 1. Supply of NYSC Khaki Suits Lot 2. Supply of NYSC Jungle Boots Lot 3. Supply of NYSC White Canvas Lot 4. Supply of NYSC Crested Vest Lot 5. Supply of NYSC Caps Lot 6. Supply of NYSC Belts Lot 7. Supply of White Plain Vest Lot 8. Supply of White P.E. Shorts Lot 9. Supply of NYSC Stockings SOUTH WEST Lot 10. Supply of NYSC Khaki Suits Lot 11. Supply of NYSC Jungle Boots Lot 12. Supply of NYSC White Canvas Lot 13. Supply of NYSC Crested Vest Lot 14. Supply of NYSC Caps Lot 15. Supply of NYSC Belts Lot 16. Supply of White Plain Vest Lot 17. Supply of White P.E. Shorts Lot 18. Supply of NYSC Stockings NORTH-WEST Lot 19. Supply of NYSC Khaki Suits Lot 20. Supply of NYSC Jungle Boots Lot 21. Supply of NYSC White Canvas Lot 22. Supply of NYSC Crested Vest Lot 23. Supply of White Plain Vest Lot 24. Supply of White P.E. Shorts Lot 25. Supply of NYSC Stockings SOUTH-SOUTH Lot 26. Supply of NYSC Khaki Suits Lot 27. Supply of NYSC Jungle Boots Lot 28. Supply of NYSC White Canvas Lot 29. Supply of NYSC Crested Vest Lot 30. Supply of White Plain Vest Lot 31. Supply of White P.E. Shorts Lot 32. Supply of NYSC Stockings SOUTH-EAST Lot 33. Supply of NYSC Khaki Suits Lot 34. Supply of NYSC Jungle Boots Lot 35. Supply of NYSC White Canvas Lot 36. Supply of NYSC Crested Vest Lot 37. Supply of White Plain Vest Lot 38. Supply of White P.E. Shorts Lot 39. Supply of NYSC Stockings

NORTH EAST Lot 40. Supply of NYSC Khaki Suits Lot 41. Supply of NYSC Jungle Boots Lot 42. Supply of NYSC White Canvas Lot 43. Supply of NYSC Crested Vest Lot 44. Supply of White Plain Vest Lot 45. Supply of White P.E. Shorts Lot 46. Supply of NYSC Stockings

3.0 COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS

Interested companies can obtain the tender documents from the Tenders Board Secretariat, Procurement Department, 3rd Floor, Wing ‘B’ Room 317, NYSC Directorate Headquarters, Yakubu Gowon House, Maitama-Abuja between 11.00 am and 4.00 pm upon the presentation of evidence of payment of a nonrefundable fee of Ten Thousand Naira (N10,000.00) only for each lot at the cash office, 5th floor, NYSC DHQ, Maitama-Abuja.

4.0 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

i. Evidence of registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). ii. Company’s audited accounts for the last (3) consecutive years (2013, 2014 & 2015). iii. Evidence of Company’s current tax clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years (2013, 2014 and 2015) iv. Photocopy of VAT registration certificate and evidence of past remittances. v. Evidence of Compliance Certificate with the provision of Section 6(1)(3) of the amended Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Act No.19 of 2011. vi. Evidence of current Pension Certificate clearance from PENCOM vii. Evidence of financial capability from a reputable bank. viii. Verifiable evidence of similar jobs successfully executed or being executed in Nigeria over the last five years, similar to the bidders lot of choice with at least 15,000,000 value in a single contract per year for five (5) years. ix. Comprehensive Company Profile with convincing proof of competence or production capacity to undertake the jobs within the required time frame. x. Evidence of technical, operational and managerial staff with relevant work experience in regards to the scope of work. xi. Evidence of registration on the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) National Database of Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers in line with provisions of section 5(h) of the PPA, 2007. xii. The Sworn Affidavit disclosing as follows:• That all documents submitted are not only correct but genuine • That the Director(s) has/have never been convicted by any court of law.

• That the firm’s Director or company is not bankrupt • Whether or not any of the officers of NYSC or BPP is a former or present Director of the company.

5.0 SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Bid documents must be spirally bound and duly signed on each page, the technical documents must be arranged in the order indicated in 4.0 (i-xii) above, completed bid documents should be in two separately sealed envelopes labeled “Technical” and “Financial” (2 envelope system), both put in a bigger envelope clearly marked with the relevant Geo-political zone, Lot number and addressed to: The Director General, National Youth Service Corps, Yakubu Gowon House, 416 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama – Abuja.

Tender submission will close by 11.00 am on Monday, 5th September, 2016. Companies submitting tenders must sign the tender register at the reception desk before dropping the tender into the tender box at the Tenders Board Secretariat, Procurement Department, 3rd Floor, Wing ‘B’ Room 317, NYSC Directorate Headquarters, Yakubu Gowon House, Maitama-Abuja. Incorrectly labeled and late tenders will be rejected.

6.0 OPENING OF TENDERS Opening of the bid shall commence immediately following the submission deadline at 11.00 am on Monday, 5th September, 2016 at the Conference Hall, 6th Floor, NYSC NDHQ, Maitama, Abuja.

Representatives of bidding companies, members of the public and Civil Rights organisations are invited to witness the Bid opening exercise.

7.0 GENERAL INFORMATION i. Due to complexity of the job and timely delivery, no company shall apply for more than one (1) Lot. ii. Failure to fulfill any of the conditions in 4.0 (i-xii) above shall render an application invalid iii. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) shall verify the authenticity of evidence submitted by bidders with the relevant authorities. Any company found to have submitted forged documents will be prosecuted. iv. Nothing in this advert shall be construed to be a commitment by the National Youth Service Corps, nor shall it entitle responding contractors to seek any indemnity from the NYSC by virtue of such contractors having responded to this advertisement/invitation to tender.

Signed

Management 25th July, 2016.

8

monDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

I chained my nine-year-old son because he’s possessed –Pastor

Korede

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

P

astor Francis Taiwo of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) has told the police that he chained, tortured and starved his nineyear-old boy, Korede, for two

Taiwo

weeks because the boy was “possessed”.

Korede was rescued on Friday by officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and policemen attached to the Onipanu Division, Ota where he was reportedly chained in a room at the CCC, Key of Joy Parish, Ajibawo area,

Atan-Ota in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

After the rescue, the father, Taiwo, reportedly fled.

But the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement yesterday that Taiwo was apprehended following a manhunt launched

by the command.

The suspect, Adejobi said, was the pastor in charge of the church where he allegedly chained his son.

His cruel act was reportedly to punish Korede’s alleged stealing habit.

Korede’s stepmother, Mrs. Kehinde Taiwo, was arrested by the police.

But barely 48 hours after he escaped, Adejobi announced that Taiwo had been arrested.

Though the PPRO did not give details of the arrest, he said the police were assisted by members of the church, who were embarrassed by the action of the pastor.

He said the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Abdulmajid Ali, had ordered that the matter be transferred to the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the state command for proper investigation.

Adejobi noted that the 40-year-old suspect, who hails from Benin Republic, would be charged to court upon the completion of investigation.

He said: “Pastor Francis Taiwo, who hails from Benin Republic, but born in Ota, Ogun State into the same Celestial Church, was ordained as a pastor in the church in 2012. He was married to two wives before he got married to Kehinde Taiwo, the stepmother to Korede, who is a suspect in the ongoing case with the command.

“Francis, father of five, confirmed that Korede’s mother, Marine Taiwo, who hailed from Delta State, is late and that she had four children for him - two boys and two girls - before she divorced him in 2007, just after she delivered Korede.

“According to police investigation, none of Korede’s siblings stays with the pastor. And he confirmed that he chained Korede because he felt he is possessed and he is not comfortable with his stealing habit.”

City Briefs

Akarigbo, Oba Sonariwo, dies at 80 Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

A

karigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, has died at the age of 80.

It was learnt yesterday that the revered Yoruba monarch died on Saturday in the United Kingdom.

Sources said that Oba Sonariwo had travelled out of the country to the United Kingdom for medical check-up before he eventually died.

The Ogun State government, however, said it was awaiting the official confirmation of the death from the palace.

As information filtered in about the monarch’s demise, traditional chiefs were said to have locked the gate to the Akarigbo’s palace at Ofin Sagamu as resi-

dents continued to troop in to mourn him.

A prominent elder in Sagamu Local Government, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said only the kingmakers could break the news of the death of any Yoruba monarch.

But the President of Sagamu Youth Congress, Comrade Kayode Segun-Okeowo, confirmed the development.

He said: “Kabiyesi went on his usual annual leave, but stayed back than expected. The news of his death was a great shock to us all.”

When contacted on the phone, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dayo Adeneye, said government had not been notified officially.

He said: “We have not been notified by the palace. You know it is

the tradition that such incident is disclosed by the palace. So, we are waiting.’

New Telegraph learnt that Oba Sonariwo, the Erinjugbo II, passed on after spending 26 years on the throne of his forebears.

Oba Sonariwo

Hausa community, school refute attack report Mojeed Alabi

H

ausa community in Agege area of Lagos and the management of Lagooz Schools have refuted the claim by a national daily that more than 100 Hausa teenagers attacked the school and carted away about N1.5 million.

They described the report as a display of unprofessionalism and figment of the imagination of the reporter.

Addressing a joint briefing on Thursday evening, the proprietor of the school, Chief Yomi Otubela, described the report as malicious, outrageous and demeaning.

Otubela said apart from the fact that there was no attack on the school, no cash was stolen.

He said it was unfortunate

that reporters could result to cooking up stories for no just cause.

The proprietor added that the disagreement that occurred on Saturday, July 16, among friends of the students of the school who were taking part in the valedictory service, had taken place outside the school compound and that it was just a minor disagreement among some young boys and girls.

According to Otubela, it was impossible for about 100 teenagers as claimed in the report to have descended on a community without attracting people’s attention.

He said: “I am yet to figure out what this reporter or his sponsor is out to benefit from stoking fire of ethnic violence by conjuring up a report of what never happened.”

METRO

monDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Militants abduct RCCG pastor during workers’meeting

CP Lagos, Owoseni

Juliana Francis

A

rmed militants cum kidnappers yesterday abducted a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) at Isawo, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

According to witnesses, the gunmen came as worshippers and abducted the pastor right inside the church.

The pastor was said to have been abducted about 7a.m., yesterday at his church, which is located at Santos Bus Stop, Isawo.

The abduction of the pastor, whose name is yet not known, is coming on the heels of almost daily attacks, killings and ab-

ductions in the Ikorodu axis.

It was learnt that because of the RCCG workers’ meeting, which always takes place before the day’s service, the pastor had to be in church earlier.

The pastor was preparing to kick start the workers’ meeting when the gunmen walked into the church.

They were said to be gorgeously dressed and were mistaken to be those coming to worship with the church for the first time.

The belief was quickly eradicated when they pulled out guns and threatened to shoot anyone who moved. The pastor was whisked away.

A resident said: “We are using this opportunity to cry out to the Lagos State government and the police. This is now a daily occurrence at Isawo, Ikorodu. We are all at the mercy of God.” When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Dolapo Badmos, said she was not aware of the incident.

9

Robbers raid Ogun hotel, rape worker

The hotel

Camillus Nnaji

A

five-man robbery gang yesterday afternoon invaded Biggess Hotel located at Akute area of Ogun State.

They robbed the hotel, staff and lodgers of undisclosed sums of money, personal effects and other valuables.

The robbers arrived at the hotel about 1:30p.m. in a light brown Honda Accord car with registration

noumber KSF 707 BL. They had calmly entered the hotel as guests but made their way to the barman and lodgers.

They reportedly raped a worker (name withheld) in the hotel, while they carted away an undisclosed sum of money made from lodging and sales of drinks.

One of the victims, who pleaded anonymity, said he was robbed of his N85,000, which he just withdrew from a nearby bank and proceeded to the hotel to wait for his friends.

He said: “After I withdrew money from the bank nearby, I proceeded to the hotel to relax and wait for my friends. It was one of the robbers who opened the door for me.

Immediately I entered, another one gave me a heavy blow and asked for all I had. They took my wallet with the money and a Nokia phone. When they were leaving, they threw out my wallet and made away with the money and phone.”

The hotel manager was said to have gone to the Ajuwon Police Station to report the robbery when our correspondent visited

the hospitality facility, but a waitress identified as Blessing confirmed the raid.

She said: “All the money with the barman was stolen. They broke the freezer and destroyed all the drinks, stole lodgers’ laptops, I-pads and phones. A worker was raped during the attack.”

The robbers, however, met their waterloo while trying to escape.

They were apprehended at the failed portion of Denro-Isasi-Berger Road, while fleeing.

Commercial motorcyclists popularly called Okada riders were said to have reported the attack at Ojodu Abiodun Police Station.

Policemen and hundreds of motorcyclists pursued the robbers and got them at Berger area of Lagos.

The robbers, it was learnt, were taken to Ajuwon Police Station in whose jurisdiction the hotel is located.

At press time, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, was yet to reply to a text message sent to his mobile phone to confirm the incident.

Two men held for ‘defiling’ minors Kunle Olayeni and Gabriel Efeduku

T

wo men, Mr. Mayegun Alani (60) and Mr. John Onose (54), have been arrested for allegedly defiling minors in Ogun and Delta states.

Alani, according to Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, was apprehended by policemen attached to Ota Division for allegedly defiling a six-year-old girl.

The PPRO disclosed that the incident occurred last Thursday in Sango, AdoOdo/Ota Local Government Area.

According to him, the suspect is the landlord of the victim’s mother and has confessed that he had been having unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl for at least a month.

He said: “The police were informed by the mother of the victim who noticed that the girl felt pains when she was taking her bath with unusual signs. The mother asked the little baby some questions which gave a clue that the landlord was responsible for her defilement.

“The suspect was arrested by the police immediately. Initially, he denied the allegation but later confessed to the crime that he has been having unlawful carnal knowledge of the

girl for at least a month.

And medical report confirmed that the girl has been defiled.”

Meanwhile, Onose, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillor in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State allegedly defiled a seven-yearold girl (name withheld).

The suspect allegedly lured the girl to a bush near his house on Fovie Street, Sapele.

When contacted, the DPO, Police Division Headquarters, Sapele, CSP Badaru Musa, confirmed Onose’s arrest.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, didn’t attract the attention of the victim’s mother until the following day following the consistent complaint of the child that her “bombom” (buttocks) was paining her.

But when the girl’s mother, Mrs. Onome Ojakovo, confronted Onose, he allegedly threatened to deal with her should she drag his name in the mud.

The child, a KG2 pupil currently in critical condition at Central Hospital, Sapele, was said to be playing with two other children while her mother, a neighbour to the suspect, was washing clothes outside.

Ojakovo said when her child came out; she did not suspect anything, though the child told her that her

‘bombom’ was paining her.

She said: “When my daughter came out from the corner of Mr. Onose’s house, she complained of pains in her ‘bombom,’ but I didn’t pay serious attention to it, because I just thought she might hit her buttocks on the ground will playing, so I asked her to go and wash herself.

“But when she came back from school the next day and was still complaining of the pains, I decided to pull her pants, what I saw shocked me. My daughter was bleeding from her private part.

“In my shock I raised the alarm which attracted our neighbours, it was then it dawned on me that my child has been sexually violated. I started crying and I couldn’t imagine who could be this wicked

to have done this evil to my little child?

“I was then advised to put salt in hot water with disinfectant. While forcing my daughter outside to sit on the hot water, Mr. Onose came out of his compound and was walking to and fro.

And when my daughter saw him, she was shocked and pointed to him as the man that injured her.

“When I asked her how?

She told me that the man called her to the backyard close to the bush, held and covered her mouth, while he inserted his fingers into her private part; that the man only let her go when he heard me calling her, but threatened her not to tell anyone.”

When contacted, Musa said the police were still investigating the incident and were waiting for the

Alani

medical report on the medical examination conducted by the doctors at the Central Hospital before they could issue any official statement.

He said: “We are currently investigating the

Flood displaces over 200 in Plateau Musa Pam Jos

M

ore than 200 people were at the weekend displaced in Plateau State after hundreds of residential buildings were submerged in flood following a downpour.

The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Alhassan Barde, disclosed this while

receiving members of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Habiba Gazelle Foundation.

The NGO led by its team leader, Mrs. Habiba Dione, visited the state to provide relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge in the state.

Barde said the agency had carried out an on-thespot assessment of the situation and called on the spirited individuals to assist those affected.

He listed Rikkos and Gangere in Jos North Local Government Area of the state as worst hit by the flood.

The SEMA boss said government was on top of the situation as houses, vehicles and farmlands were submerged especially in Yingi area of Rayfield in Jos South Local Government Area.

He said: “A temporary camp has been established for displaced persons at

case, but until the medical report on the test conducted on the girl and the suspect we cannot make official statement. But because of the nature of the case, the suspect is currently in detention.”

Rikkos Community Primary and Secondary schools and government is gearing up efforts to provide relief materials to the displaced people.”

Barde, however, advised those residing in flood prone areas to vacate as quickly as possible.

The SEMA boss said flood was caused by human activities and negligence which, according to him, include lack of proper drainage, indiscriminate disposal of waste and building in flood prone areas.

10

MonDAY, July 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

11

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Edo guber I’ll pass evidence of Ize-Iyamu’s fraud to EFCC – Oshiomhole

Politics

Interview Political class’ve failed Nigerians – Kaka

12 14

Hope for unresolved murders TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE writes on President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to reopen investigations into the unresolved murder of two prominent politicians – Chief Bola Ige and Chief Aminosari Dikibo

T

he resolve of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to revisit the murder of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, and ex-Vice National Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Aminosari Dikibo, may have renewed the hope of families of both men getting justice years after they were assassinated.

President Buhari, while directing the Acting InspectorGeneral of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to reopen investigations into the two cases, charged the police to fish out those behind the heinous acts. The President’s order was based on the failure of the security agents to fish out those behind the killings of the two politicians.

It would be recalled that the gruesome murder of Ige and Dikibo, on December 23, 2001 and February 6, 2004 respectively, led to national outrage and Nigerians, especially political leaders at that period prevailed on the then President Olusegun Obasanjo to fish out their killers. But despite several promises made by the Presidency, the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies then to fish out the perpetrators, nothing positive came out it.

Even some of those arrested and detained by the security agents based on various allegations that linked them to Ige and Dikibo’s death were later released and walking freely on the street today.

Ige, the Deputy Leader of

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Idris

the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere and chieftain of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), who was then serving as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, under Obasanjo’s-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, was murdered in cold blood in his Solemilia Court at Bodija in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

He was reported to have been killed few minutes after he arrived Ibadan from Lagos in preparation for the Christmas celebration in his home town, Esa-Oke in Osun State, while the security personnel attached to him went out of his residence to eat.

When the news of his death was broken by his family, some people attributed many reasons for his killing, considering the fact that he was murdered few months to the commencement of electioneering activities for the 2003 general polls.

Those who reasoned along this line pointed to a mob fiasco, during which Ige was humiliated. His cap was removed by some persons while participating at a chieftaincy investiture of then First Lady, late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, at the Ooni of Ile-Ife’s Palace in Ife, Osun State.

Another political school opined that Ige’s death was politically motivated considering the report that he had prepared his resignation with a view to

Ige

It is a welcome development that the cases are being revisited

returning to his party (AD) few days before his gruesome murder.

Uncle Bola Ige, as the former old Oyo State Governor during the Second Republic was fondly called by many of his die-hard supporters in South-West during his lifetime and many of his political associates, especially those in the Afenifere, never relented in calling on ex-President Obasanjo and his predecessors; Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan to fish out his killers.

Dikibo, a strong PDP chieftain in the South-South zone was assassinated on February 6, 2004 while travelling from PortHarcourt, Rivers State to Asaba, Delta State for a political meeting.

He was waylaid and killed inside his car by suspected assassins along Ogwashi-Uku/Kwale road on his way for a zonal party meeting in Asaba, the capital of Delta State.

Like Ige, Dikibo’s assassination at the time was also believed to have been politically motivated, considering certain disagreements he had with some chieftains of his party.

Attesting to the fact that Dikibo’s death was politically motivated, the Leader of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Asari Dokubo, on June 12, 2008, told the Justice Kayode Eso-led Rivers State Truth

and Reconciliation Commission that the former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-South) was killed because of the crisis in Anambra State between Dr. Chris Ngige and Chief Chris Uba. The President’s order to Acting Inspector General of Police to reopen investigation into the murder of the two politicians has been commended by many Nigerians. However, some people are of the view that the police should do more by extending its scope beyond Ige and Dikibo’s killings. They urged the IGP to revisit others unresolved murder cases since the beginning of the present dispensation on May 29, 1999.

Apart from Ige and Dikibo, there are records of many unresolved murders in the country, especially between 1999 and 2007.

Among those whom Nigerians are still looking forward for the government through its relevant agencies to fish out their killers are; former PDP governorship candidate in Lagos State, Engr Funsho Williams, who was assassinated at his Ikoyi home at the wee hours of July 27, 2010; a consultant on social protection on HIV/AIDS to the World Bank and PDP governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodeji CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

12

POLITICS

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

I’ll pass evidence of Ize-Iyamu’s fraud to EFCC – Oshiomhole

G

overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that he will forward evidences of the fraud perpetrated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in which the party’s governorship candidate for the September 10 election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu served as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and prosecution.

Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Fugar at the weekend, Oshiomhole said: “when I’m going to Anegbette, I will go with the vouchers where the past PDP government with IzeIyamu as Secretary to Government allocated money which they said was for the construction of Anegbette Bridge. In their books, they claimed they have built a bridge to Anegbette but everything must go to Abuja.

“They collected the money in full and Anegbette got nothing, Even to Ayua, my mother’s village, an earth road, Ize-Iyamu as SSG, in their books, which I will circulate, claimed they did the road from Jattu to Ayua to Iyiukhu but they collected the money and pocketed it.

“That is why we have to warn him to stay off the rail tracks because the train is coming and if he’s not careful the train will crush him. He can’t afford a fight.”

The governor also took a swipe at the PDP for crticising the construction of a state university in Edo North,

saying they lacked foresight.

He said: “PDP thinks Edo North is not part of the state. Where Ogiadomhe is seated, Dan Orbih is seated; people are saying why should we build Edo University in Iyamho? So, I ask them, during PDP’s time, they built a university but they called it after somebody, should I build Oshiomhole University, Iyamho? No. I will rather build Edo University for the people of Edo, for the youth of Edo, for Edo people to own and Edo people own it.

“How can anyone, who understands the logics of development in a world that is knowledge-driven, a digital economy, question the wisdom of investing in education? If they cannot see tomorrow, I have seen next tomorrow, that is what leadership is all about.

“Are you aware that Ize Iyamu went to Port Harcourt, not to pay a courtesy call but to visit EFCC and he wrote in his handwriting that he Ize-Iyamu collected N700 million and another N500 million, he took this money and shared with his friends, including Dan Orbih. When Dan Orbih collected his share and came home, did he tell you that he had his share of the N700 million?

“My joy is that under President Muhammadu Buhari, what they thought couldn’t happen is happening now. They are now writing statements about how they took and shared money, they will continue to refund the money.

“So on September 10, your task is simple, vote

for us because of the jobs we have done and more we will do and I ask you to trust Godwin Obaseki,

he has always been in the engine room, even as they looted the treasury and Edo was broke when

Cajetan Mmuta Benin

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has vowed to probe the tenure of the incumbent governor, Adams Oshiomhole, if elected into office.

Ize-Iyamu, who insisted that every kobo that accrued to the state in the past eight years of Oshiomhole's government must be accounted for, challenged the governor to investigate the eight years he spent in office as Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State Government (SSG) between 1999 and 2007 now that he has power to do so.

they were arguing about salaries, I decided to increase it. I increased it because I am a worker.”

L-R: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; APC Gubernatorial candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki; and his running mate, Hon. Philip Shaibu, at a rally in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area…at the weekend.

PDP faction set to flag-off campaign Cajetan Mmuta Benin

T

he crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is far from being over as the faction led by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has set up a committee to organise the flagging off of the campaign of its governorship candidate, Mr. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen.

The event which is scheduled for next week will be held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, the state capital.

Addressing newsmen yesterday on behalf of Sheriff, the member representing Ikpoba Okhai/ Egor Federal constituency in the House of Representatives and chairman,

House Committee on US Congressional/Nigeria House of Representatives Parliamentary, Hon. Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, said the flag off will signal the end of the Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP in the state, which according to him, had been operating on illegality.

He said the committee which would be chaired

by Sheriff has the faction’s deputy national chairman, Dr. Cairo Ojougbou and other national leaders of the PDP. Responding to the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had accepted Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the candidate of the PDP, Agbonayinma said: “What INEC did was illegality because myself and Chief Benson Akingboye

Ize-Iyamu vows to probe Oshiomhole Speaking during his campaign tour to Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of the state, the PDP candidate said it was high time the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, started speaking for himself since he is the one contesting the election and not Oshiomhole.

He said: “The only person speaking in APC is Adams Oshiomhole. If the candidate he has brought is dumb, he should tell us, so that we can arrange a sign language interpreter for him. We can also pray for him, so that he will be able to speak.

“I call on Adams Oshiomhole to probe my time in government and look at everything that I did. Let him

we entered, your state Edo State is working, we are paying salaries as and when due, when

do it because by the grace of God, when I am governor, I will probe him.Every kobo that has come to Edo State must be accounted for. That is his fear; that is why he can no longer sleep" “Oshiomhole believes that the more he attacks, the more he can hide the truth. He should know that it is not by insulting Ize-Iyamu or Chief Tony Anenih. Only recently, at a Catholic Church, he met Chief Anenih and he apologized to him on the altar to forgive him.

Days after, he was abusing Chief Anenih.

“He says Pastor IzeIyamu is bad; Ize-Iyamu is useless. When he appointed Pastor Ize-Iyamu DG of his campaign, he didn't know that time. When he made him national vice

chairman of his party, he didn't know then. Now that Ize-Iyamu has left him, IzeIyamu is suddenly bad.”

He added that it was regrettable that Oshiomhole displayed hatred for the Esan nation and Uromi in particular, saying the governor refused to complete the Uromi Cassavita Factory, which he claimed reached 94 per cent completion as at the time Oshiomhole took over as governor in 2008.

Ize-Iyamu also claimed that the Oshiomhole administration is notorious for inflating contract sums, citing the example of projects at the newly established Edo University Iyamho and the Benin Airport road contract as examples of highly inflated projects in the state.

Edo DECIDES

went to court asking the commission not to accept Ize-Iyamu based on the court ruling that Sheriff is the authentic chairman.

“Justice O.E. Abang in his wisdom declared in our favour, saying on no account should INEC receive a candidate from Markafi faction of PDP. Only Modu Sheriff is the authentic chairman of the PDP. INEC must follow the rule law, what

INEC did was violation of the court judgment. Now what they went to Appeal Court to contest is the issue of the Port Harcourt convention and not the judgement, which declared that Iduoriyekemwen is the authentic candidate of the PDP. “They did not appeal that judegment, what they appealed was the convention. The judgment stands. The Judgment they got in Port Harcourt has to do with the convention in Port Harcourt, but we got judgement stopping INEC from accepting Ize-Iyamu’s name. So, on that basis, we are going ahead with our flagging off, Matthew remains the authentic candidate of PDP and that rally will be the mother of all rallies,” he said.

Obaseki lists priorities Cajetan Mmuta Benin

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that his priority areas if elected as governor will be to expand the economy, empower the youth and women for greater productivity and industrialisation of the state.

Obaseki, who stated this during his campaign tour to Fugar in Etsako Central council area of the state, noted that the present administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole has already laid the foundation on which he would build to expand the

economy of the state.

He revealed that some investors have already visited the state with a view to setting up largescale commercial farms for the people of Etsako Central. “Some investors have already come to check out the area in Ekperi,” he said.

He said women as good managers of money will have access to soft loans but told the women to shun the emergency loan the PDP is giving them, saying it is a ploy to hoodwink them.

According to him, a party which had no programme for women over the years cannot come on the eve of an election to deceive them with dubious loans.

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 1

Daramola, who was murdered in cold blood on August 14, 2006; the Deputy National Chairman of All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Harry Marshall, who was brutally murdered on May 5, 2003 in Abuja; a member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Odunayo Olagunju and his counterpart in Imo State, Hon. Tony Odimegwu, killed on December 21, 2001 and April 20, 2003 respectively; Chief Layi Balogun, who was killed on December 10, 2000 in Lagos.

Others are Kwara State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Pategi, murdered at Aiyetoro, in Kogi State on August 15, 2002; Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Barnabas Igwe and his wife, Abigail Igwe, murdered on September 1, 2002; ANPP senatorial candidate for Orlu senatorial zone, Chief Ogbonnaya Uche, killed at his Owerri, Imo State home on February 8, 2003; Ogun State PDP gubernatorial aspirant, Mr. Dele Arojo, killed in Lagos on November 25, 2002; Principal Secretary to the Governor of Imo State, Mr. Theodore Agwatu, killed in February 2003; former Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Otunba Dipo Dina, brutally murdered on Monday January 25, 2010; the ANPP governorship candidate in Borno State, Alhaji Fannami Gubio, who was killed alongside five others few weeks before the April 23, 2011 governorship election and Ajibola Olanipekun, who was shot in Ibadan on June 21, 2003.

Speaking exclusively to New Telegraph on the unresolved murder cases, Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; chieftain of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Ralph Obioha; former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, unanimously charged security agents to fish out the perpetrators.

Adebanjo said President Buhari should be commended for ordering the Acting Inspector of Police to revisit unresolved murder cases.

His words: “We welcome the directive and I only hope they will do it thoroughly as they intend to do because we know what became of many cases in the past. It is a welcome development that the cases are being revisited again. I hope the police will be able to do a good job this time around. Let us hope that they will do the job well this time around because it is a good move by the president.”

Corroborating Adebanjo’s view, Obioha said: “Every unsolved crime should be fully investigated and bring a closure to it. The idea that some high profile Nigerians would be slaughtered like goats and it is left unresolved doesn’t speak well of our police, investigative and security agencies.

“It is very good that President Buhari is revisiting some of these unresolved mysteries in our security and policing sector. I fully support the President in revisiting them because not to resolve such crimes put a very bad mark on our police and security system.”

Babatope, on his part said the President’s order is a good one, expressing hope that the security agents will do what is expected to bring the culprits to book. “It is a

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Ige, Dikibo: Hope for justice good thing. I hope they will be fair enough in doing that. It is a very good thing to do and I think Buhari should be commended for doing that and I do hope that the police will do a good job to fish out the killers,” he said.

Adams said revisiting the unresolved cases will allow justice to prevail. “I think it is a very good development on the basis of justice in our country. The image of this country will continue to be battered on the basis of justice if justice did not prevail on the death of Bola Ige, an Attorney-General of the Federation. It would be a good development if justice can prevail.

“I support Mr. President that the culprits must be fished out, so that anybody who has the opportunity to be in power or those who are not in power will make sure that they are careful because whatever they do, the law is waiting for them.

So, I support Mr. President on that basis,” the OPC coordinator stated.

Also commenting on the decision of government to revisit the murder case of his father, Ige’s son, Muyiwa, said he would be happy if the family could get justice.

“I knew right from the advent of the administration of President Buhari that the matter would be resurrected. The President is in the right direction. We are happy that all those who murdered our father, including the star witness, will be brought to justice. It’s good news,” he said.

Former Osun State deputy governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, also welcomed the decision.

Omisore in a statement by his media aide, Diran Odeyemi, however advised the government and the Acting Inspector General of Police to widen the scope of their investigation to all areas rather than limiting themselves to a particular area or section.

“I am particularly happy that fresh investigation will further exonerate me and others who were wrongfully framed up, suffered untold hardship before we were finally acquitted and discharged by the court. I pray that God will expose all the people and whoever is connected to all the killings under investigation while I wish the new IG the best of luck in the task,” he said.

Lagos State PDP deputy chairman, Chief Ola Apena, while speaking to journalists in Lagos also commended President Buhari for his resolve to do justice to the spate of political killings in the country.

“As the only formidable opposition party in Lagos State, we commend the effort of Mr. President for his desire to revisit the gruesome murder of Chief Bola Ige and do justice to the spate of political killings in the country.

But this will be credible enough if Mr. President can extend this magnanimous gesture to such political killings like those of Late Pa Alfred Rewani, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and more importantly, the gruesome murder of Engr. Funsho Williams, who was murdered in cold blood ten years ago,” he said.

However, extending the frontiers of the debate beyond Ige and Dikibo, the Network on Police

Buhari

We are happy that all those who murdered our father, including the star witness, will be brought to justice

Marshall

Reforms In Nigeria (NOPRIN), urged President Buhari to inaugurate a judicial commission of inquiry to unravel several other unresolved murders in the country.

Commending the President’s resolve to reopen the cases, the group’s national coordinator, Okechukwu Nwanguma, suggested that a judicial panel of inquiry be set up to “independently and exhaustively inquire into these killings and make appropriate recommendations that would ensure justice for the victims, the perpetrators and the society.”

“The intrigues that attended the investigation and prosecution of suspects in the Bola Ige case have exposed the police and the judiciary to unspeakable ridicule.

“The contradictions and obfuscation in the different reports by the police and DSS in the case of the killing of Olaitan Oyerinde, Private Secretary to Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole, also did so much to create confusion and hinder the effort at unravelling the actual perpetrators of that dastardly killing and ensuring that they are brought to account,” he said.

According to him, the image of the law enforcement agencies has been battered by their failure “to fulfill one of their fundamental obligations to effectively investigate cases of politicallymotivated and other controversial killings in the country with the view of bringing perpetrators to account and ensuring redress and justice for the victims.”

Seeking an inquiry into the killings of their father, the family of late Chief Marshall Harry, also wants the fresh probe extended to his death.

Making the appeal to the President in Port Harcourt, Mr. Sonny Marshall-Harry, the oldest son of the slain politician, expressed doubt that President Buhari had given order to probe the killing of Ige and Dikibo without including his late father.

“The Buhari we know will include our late father’s case if truly he was the one that gave that order. We say this because we have

everyday relationship, physical or through phone calls, with the President,’’ he said.

According to Marshall-Harry, his late father was one of the first few Nigerians to talk Buhari into his presidential race in 2003 and he worked tirelessly for him.

“He was eventually murdered in his bedroom while dreaming of Buhari presidency. In fact, when the assassins killed him, their last words were, “Buhari to be president na for mouth,” meaning that for Buhari to be president could only be said.

“Do not forget, the murder took place before one of my younger sisters, who narrated to us what happened in the room that night,” he said.

Despite the promise and enthusiasm shown by the government and the security agencies at the beginning of the trial of the killers of Ige and others, the only thing they could do was to parade some alleged culprits without any of them being convicted. Today, some of the suspects paraded by government then are walking the streets as free men.

The inability of the past federal and state governments in conjunction with the police to resolve many inexplicable murders in the country in the last 16 years has no doubt raised questions over the safety of lives and property in Nigeria. Many people are at a loss that despite huge amounts voted for security annually in the country’s budget, the security agencies have not been able to adequately protect Nigerians.

There is no doubt that the families of victims have lost hope in getting justice, considering how past governments and security agencies failed in their promise to bring the perpetrators to book but as the Acting Inspector General of Police reopens the Ige and Dikibo cases, Nigerians are watching with keen interest what will become of the new order. Will the culprits be brought to book? This is question begging for answer as security forces swing into action.

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POLITICS

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Political class’ve failed Senator Gbenga Kaka is a former deputy governor of Ogun State.

He represented Ogun East Senatorial District in the 7th Senate. In this interview with ADEWALE AJAYI, he speaks on the state of the nation, the Muhammadu Buhari administration and privatisation of government’s companies, among other issues In the 60s Nigeria practiced regional government and there was competition among the three regions but today, most states rely on the Federal Government for survival. Will you say the country is progressing or retrogressing?

When you talk about the 60s you are talking about the time when Obafemi Awolowo, Sarduana of Sokoto, Abubakar Balewa, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Michael Okpara were at the helms of affairs. It is because the current leaders are not doing well that we are forced to remember the past leaders, who were good leaders.

How I wish we can bring back the likes of Awolowo, Sardauna and Okpara. They were selfless leaders, who had a mission and their mission was very clear. They rendered selfless service and catered for the people.

They were not businessmen-politicians. They were politicians who were after the welfare of the people.

What do you mean by businessmenpoliticians?

Of course, we have businessmenpoliticians and they have their acolytes in the business world. Mention any sector, either banking or oil sector, what does it take for anybody to get a licence? What qualification do all these people, who have licenses for oil exploration, have? How I wish we can have back the leaders I mentioned earlier. Can we call on God to return Abraham Adesanya back into this country again? Or do we still have other Adesanyas who are being suppressed within our system, who are selfless and would do anything to prevent our legacies from being destroyed?

I can recollect that during General Sani Abacha’s regime, there was pressure on National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), when the economic interests of some businessmen were threatened in Lagos, Papa Adesanya did not bend backward. He neither took a dime from anybody nor did he look forward for any gratification to save those interests. I am a living witness and I challenge anybody who doubts me to come open.

Do we still have the likes of Abraham Adesanya in the North Eastern part of the country or the Niger Delta region? When our collective patrimony was being destroyed in the name of oil militancy and bunkering; the elders are looking elsewhere. Are they real elders?

In the North-East, the economy

was totally devastated and we have elders in that region. Now, some governors are asking the international community to come and give them grants and aides to rebuild the area.

What were they doing when the place was being destroyed? When the plan was being hatched, where were they?

They were the people who actually created the so called Boko Haram.

When Boko Haram was being created, where were the clerics? They started reading religious meaning into what was happening rather than diagnosing it properly. Where were the politicians, who are supposed to provide the basic necessities of life to those people, so that they won’t be idle hands in the devil’s workshop?

When we talk that we have all failed the nation, some people will want to exonerate themselves. I have said it; no responsible elder should attempt to exonerate himself because sometimes, silence means consent.

For consenting to such a thing, they are also culpable. The best way to change situation of things is by attitudinal change. We should learn from history; let us copy from diligent leaders and bring to the fore what should be. We all travel abroad and we see what happens in developed countries. What is our problem that whatever we have seen and learnt there, we can’t bring it back home for the comfort of our own people; for the progress of our nation and emancipation of the population?

President Muhammadu Buhari has blamed his inability to fulfill some of his campaign promises on the damage of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 16 years rule. Do you agree with him?

Unless we want to deceive ourselves, his excuse is germane. The rot did not just start 16 years ago, it started 30 years ago. The President also is culpable because he was part of the system, but he was right to have cried out to let Nigerians know the extent we have ruined the country. The question now is: How do we bring ourselves back? First, applying the brake is to reduce the downward stride and if we are able to stabilise, how do we now energise.

That is where the big question comes in. We have acknowledged without any doubt that Buhari will not dip his hand into the national treasury to steal our money. We have put our trust in him but the question or challenge is that he needs to cast his net wide, so that he will be able to get the best brains to assist him in accomplishing the task rather than being the only tree in the forest.

I am not condemning all those people who are working with him, but there are many, who are better than those working with him. They are still within the system but he is not looking towards them because he tends to believe in only those who appear to be close to him. In fact, he needs to go out and seek for everybody. When you talk of Awolowo, Azikiwe and Sarduana, they were able to take the intelligentsia, the technocrats and even traditional rulers that have something to add to the system. They tapped from them not necessarily by putting them in positions or enticing them with money but by using them. Buhari must cast the net wide and allow people to come with ideas that will promote the much needed unity in diversity;

Kaka

Unless we want to deceive ourselves... The rot did not just start 16 years ago, it started 30 years ago

not the one in one hand that will say federal character principle and in another hand it is only those on your right hand that should be seen and will be ruling.

In a way I don’t mind if you have the most competent people who will not slow us down. If they are all from Igbo land or Ibibio, so be it; if they are from Fufude or Kanuri so be it.

But don’t just say that because somebody is close to you, he is your cousin, your wife or brother; let us push him when you know that he cannot perform. This has been the clog in the wheel of our progress. When you are talking about attitudinal change, these are the areas we need to wake up. If somebody is doing it at the top and others are looking, why are you saying that others should comport themselves when you are doing the same thing?

Electricity was a bit stable when President Buhari was newly sworn in and many Nigerians believed that his coming was responsible for the stability, but the situation seem to be worse today...

I have said it before, there is nothing wrong with President Buhari; the problem is in us. When I say in us, there is no exception. Politicians, who got to office less than two years ago, want to smile to the bank without delivering on their mandate of providing electricity. Their concern is not to make electricity work but the profit they are going to make.

And that profit they want to make, none of them is ready to wait for the gestation period. They want immediate return. Nobody can go into electricity generation and expect returns from it in the first 10 years.

They should first of all accumulate the needed megawatts based on our

population growth and industrial needs, and invest heavily, hoping that on the long run, their return on investment will come. And when it starts coming, it will be in torrents.

But because they are pseudo investors, they don’t believe in all those long terms because they are used to commodity business, which is buying and selling.

We have colluded with the banks to cripple the real sector, which they have starved of funds, while the commodity business is striving.

Because the real sector has a long gestation period, none of them is ready to commit him or herself to a long term loan. Rather they are looking for grants from government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is foolishly granting them money for what they don’t have competence and technical knowhow for.

The only thing Buhari can do is to review that privatisation exercise and get competent people who have technical knowhow. If the president can’t get within Nigeria, he should go outside the country to get people who can deliver. Even if we agree that Nigeria is totally turned down completely; no light, no water, many things not working and we want to start from the scratch, it won’t take us more than three years to ensure that things are working.

President Buhari is willing to help us. We know the nation is too big and of course, some segments are not giving room for healthy competition; let us entrench the principle of true federalism so that independent states can develop at their own space and others who are lagging behind will look at them and see that they have to follow the footstep of those advancing or they

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigerians – Kaka will lag behind. A situation where we are still running unitary system of government is catastrophe.

When the Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration came up with the privatisation agenda, the essence was to sell government-owned companies to those who can better manage them, but eventually those who bought the companies did not run them well. Don’t you think the idea of privatisation has been defeated?

I am into insurance business and I understand what you are saying.

The premix of privatisation is the belief that, the affected establishments will be made better, more efficient, effective, profitable and will create more employment opportunities. All these could be achieved if only our leaders are selfless and there is no hidden agenda in whatever they are doing, but the answer is no. From the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) to the civil servants who are working therein to the political leaders, you cannot have privatisation without their own interest taken care of, either in terms of shareholding or in terms of kick-back or kick fronts.

They will get involved, most invariably, the technical knowhow, the financial standing of the so-called companies.

Sometimes, you will discover some companies were registered one or two years before and they are now being asked to come and take part in the privatization exercise without having any job experience that relate to that particular company. Some of them will claim that they will collect loan which ordinarily is meant for a long term investment and pay back within 10, 20 years. There is payback period for every investment, but what do we have, these people must make the payment within one year, because they were scared of the interest. They don’t have the technical knowhow to turn the companies around and the next thing they do is to go on asset stripping, to liquidate whatever they have invested or make emergency profit so that they can buy private jets, yachts to enjoy life.

Whoever is going into privatisation must focus on the success of that investment, but the contrary is the order of the day. You will see those so-called investors throwing parties either in Dubai, Panama or America at the expense of the masses. To worsen the situation, they bastardised the stock market that was sprawling. They pop up the shares, pumping some up from N9 to N300 per share and go back to the market to rip the commoners. They ignorantly gathered their little sum into the investment only for the company to collapse in six months; meanwhile the cabals are smiling to the bank on the blood of the common man, without any shame.

I don’t know why we should privatise when the structures and technical knowhow of the people are not there and when you are not ready to make the thing competitive, so that the best hands in the world can partake in the spirit of true economy that we are talking about. The alternative to it is for government to be responsible and take charge, otherwise if government is failing and feels that every aspect of our life should be deregulated, given to the dogs, then let us privatise governance as well. Let’s privatise it and

reason why it should be. If there is any excess revenue from crude oil, one expects that it should be left to accumulate for over 12 months and factored into next year’s budget. After they have prepared the budget, they look for transitory income that was not factored into the budget and squander it the way they like. That is inefficient planning and it doesn’t augur well.

assume that the public sector has failed, because there is a purpose for the public sector. It is supposed to be a catalyst but if it is not living up to that expectation, then let us privatise it.

We should apply for new colonial masters to come and teach us how to govern ourselves. Though it is sad and bad commentary, the reality that is pointing to us is that we have abdicated our responsibilities.

It will go from oil to electricity, to agriculture, health education, transportation and everything. If government wants to hands off, then why are we preparing budget? What is the budget meant for? They want to distribute responsibility and hold on to authority but any responsibility not backed by authority is a failure.

How do you feel that many states still owe backlog of salaries despite receiving bailout from the Federal Government?

Why is it difficult for states to look inward and boast their Internal General Revenue (IGR)? Should states continue to rely on Federal government all the time?

It is not a good way. It is a bad way or worst way to go on. We should stop the unitary system of governance.

If in your own state, your priority is to go on white elephant projects and the people of the state consented to it, good luck to you. If in another state, what they feel is to take care of the people in terms of education and feeding, let them go ahead. We should not have a centre controlled from a distance. The Exclusive Legislative List should be limited to few items, like the military, not even the police. The police should go as low to the community and local government level. When you talk of security, it is a local issue and no Inspector General of Police can tell me what is going on in my area, even the commissioner of police cannot. District Police Officers are not living up to expectation, if you have community policing, it will improve security. I have said it before; it is the Federal Government that is encouraging the state governors to become emperors in their respective states.

Emperors in what sense…

Emperors in the sense that they leave what is supposed to be done undone and keep on embarking on what they don’t have the capability to do. Because they rely on the bailout from the Federal Government, they know they can arm twist Mr. President. By the time they come together and gang up, they dictate who should be made ministers at the federal level and they keep behaving as dictators in their respective states and for whatever reason, they look like emperors. Tell me how a governor will leave his own state project according to the constitution and go ahead to embrace Federal Government projects like roads, hospitals and security agencies. They embrace them without permission from the Federal Government and they claim they are expending money without adequate verification by the Federal Government.

They will be asking for reimbursement and the Federal Government will reimburse them. When the money is coming, it will be extra budgetary allocation. Funds in the Excess Crude Account are distributed intermittently but I see no

Buhari must cast the net wide and allow people to come with ideas that will promote the much needed unity in diversity

Kaka

What is your take on rising attacks on farmers by Fulani herdsmen in different parts of Nigeria and the perception by some people that President Buhari is reluctant to address the issue because he is a Fulani man?

It is wrong for anybody to say because the President is a Fulani man; he will give tacit support to the attacks. He can’t have responsibility for the entire country and allow his own parents, not to talk of his kinsmen to undermine what he stands for. I disagree with the excuse given that the attackers are from neighbouring countries. We have the military, immigration, customs and police to address the issue. That was how Boko Haram started and some people mislead us that it was a religious war. What are those security apparatus doing when they are beating immigration rule? Even if we assume that they are foreigners, what are we doing to curb their activities after they entered our territory?

Why is it that some people are clamouring for creation of grazing reserves? That means the problem was not properly indentified. And once a problem is not properly identified, you can’t proffer a solution. In this case, I want to believe, whether they are legal or illegal immigrants we have accepted them to be part and parcel of us, either by omission or commission. They are into their own business of cattle rearing and sales. The farmers whose farms are ravaged by the cattle are also into business. So, we need to strengthen our laws for those rearing cattle. It is normal for them to ensure the feeding of the animals; that is to have a grazing land. It is essential because they are ruminants, those who are planting should be also protected.

So, everyone has his or her right but where the right of one ends, that of

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the other begins.

Recently, the 23rd anniversary of the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election was celebrated but for several years, some people have clamoured for the immortalisation of the acclaimed winner of that election, Chief MKO Abiola, but nothing is yet to be done. Is that not a disservice to his memory?

Nigerians appreciate those who fought for the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election and the country’s democracy. We appreciate their sacrifices but it is unfortunate that we have selective perception of issues and we keep allowing primordial sentiments to dictate what should be our steps. Honour is what we are talking about and by way of immortalisation but we have discovered that there is no standard of achievement that qualifies people for honour. That is why you will see streets naming, monuments naming and you wonder what is the quality and quantity of their contribution to the society to warrant such honour. Look at Fela Anikulapo Kuti of blessed memory, go back to all his albums, he foresaw the future of Nigeria, what have we done to immortalise him?

In America they idolise Fela but what have we done in Nigeria? Abiola had the option of allowing the impunity in the system to continue and allow us to remain in the dark ages, but he chose the path of honour and stood by the mandate freely given to him. Some people within our system are feeling bad and are still doing bad, and they are the people who are being honoured in the form of imortalisation you are talking about.

Their names adore virtually everywhere for the bad things they have done to this country, and yet a little token cannot be conceded to MKO Abiola. That is part of the paradox of our life, but human beings can only delay such honour because the truth is constant. A time will come when those oppose to it will either pass on or they will even become senile and we will have people of history, people of contemporary knowledge to go back to the archive and do what is needful to the memory of MKO Abiola and the time is not far away.

Going by the way MKO Abiola was treated; don’t you think this will discourage other Nigerians from laying down their lives for the country?

We do say that in those days out of annoyance that Nigeria does not worth dying for, but the truth is, when you worship your God, who gives you all your total being. You don’t have to bother about mortal gains, whatever they think of you, whether they honour you or they don’t honour you. Chief Obafemi Awolowo has gone for over 29 years and we are still lamenting. When he was alive, virtually everybody knew his worth. They did not allow him to rule us to change our lives but he continued believing the Almighty God. Years after he has gone, we are still remembering him. How many of his contemporaries, who were unjustly honoured can be compared to his memory? Even when his wife died last year, it shook the whole country. She was never a governor, senator or held any appointive position but her death shook the nation for her modest contribution to the nation. Forget about the elites, they don’t appreciate but the masses do appreciate. What have we done to the memories of Gani Fawehinmi and Bala Usman? We won’t forget them so easily; history will continue to remember them for good.

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MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Triangular assault on integrity Dominik Umosen

I

f prevailing absurdities and trending prejudices persist and run the full and natural courses of such travesties, the expected consequence is that the political temperature and even topography of not just Nigeria but the entire world, looks set to record a very high fever. With the failure of human intelligence already confirmed, the entire gamut of global political dynamics appears set to rock as the United States of America (USA), braces to surrender the cockpit of her leadership to grumpy plutocrat, Mr Donald Trump, whose wife has not only been caught in a web of plagiarism allegations but has severally admitted his readiness to review most international obligations upon which American leadership of the developed world is anchored.

In the first instance, the basic restlessness of China to upgrade her technological might is a strong factor that promises to accelerate the anticipated bumpy ride in global politics in the next couple of years. Already, this anticipated shifting dynamics might have been unleashed via the resolve by the monster Asian nation to defy the United Nations’ declaration condemning the former’s decision to upgrade her presence in the strategic and mineral-rich South China Sea; a claim which has already pitched China against Vietnman, Phillipines and Japan, among other countries in the sub-region.

Beijing has already raised the bar on tension through its decision to blockade the disputed waterway and commence military exercises. Another sure bet to further stoke the combustible mix, further aggravating fragile stability in the world, include the sensational fool-hardiness by some developing countries, including Nigeria, in imagining they could

arrest the momentum of history and change by respecting the wishes of their citizens who protest against institutionalized political injustice in their respective countries.

The resurgence of arbitrariness like deploying security agents to harass legislators alleged to be plotting to impeach a governor; transparent reluctance to curtail sensational atrocities by criminal Fulani herdsmen and seeming determination to reverse political gains achieved by previous administrations and stiff-necked resistance option to agitations to reform and weed out perceived injustice from the polity, ironically, have combined to escalate tension under the present administration. Many Nigerians continue to wonder why the administration prefers this option when many prominent members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo, rose to prominence on account of their support for the protracted struggle to re-structure the country.

As attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Lagos State, Prof Osinbajo was a collosus in the gritty battle to free Lagos from the clutches of a vicious federal government under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Apparently, it was convenient to insist on true and genuine federalism since his political patron and National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was locked in political war against Obasanjo who deployed the inherent mischief in this variant of federalism to deny Lagos of its allocations.

Ironically, Prof Osinbajo presides over an administration that kills citizens who protest against injustice and agitate for true federalism. Also, shocking is the silence of those who inspired and encouraged him, as attorney-general, to fight for true federalism, despite the fact that former vice-president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, among other prominent citizens, insist that this stiff-neck posture is escalating

Corruption transcends stealing public funds

tension in the polity.

Nigerians argue that this unreasonable intransigience has costly consequences, including sensational acts of serial political rascality like the row between Senators Dino Melaye (Kogi West) and Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central). These, they argue, are the natural consequences of the determination of some powerful politicians to have their way at all costs.

And while the administration shouts itsell almost shrill in avowals of determination to fight corruption, it fails to offer a coherent response to the allegation by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja that the fraud case against the Senate President and his deputy, Dr Bukola Saraki and Mr Ike Ekweremadu, respectively, constitute abuse and mockery of the court and judicial process. This paradox also dovetails into the legal confusion in Abia State which is borne of escalating political desperation which equally mocks the fight against corruption.

Corruption transcends stealing public funds. It encompasses harassing a state governor for not obtaining receipts, as opposed to not paying tax.

It includes feigning lack of capacity to halt atrocities by Fulani herdsmen but having sufficient manpower to harass legislators on suspicion of plotting to impeach a governor. The conflict of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Malami’s interest in the fraud charge against the Senate leadership and the allegation by Justice Kolawole are powerful reminders that the fight against corruption has been over-dramatized.

Afraid that they might become the next economic refugees, Nigerians say that as commendable as the anti-corruption war is, commensurate attention ought to be accorded the dysfunctional economy which makes it impossible for them to feed and define their future in the shifting political topography of the world.

•Umosen (dominik.umosen@gmail.com) wrote in from Lagos.

PDP and Buhari’s electoral crisis Dele Awogbeoba Background

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he Peoples Democratic Party as a party had been instrumental to the renaissance of the Nigerian economy over the last 17 years. Nigeria’s GDP grew from around 40 billion dollars in 1999 to a staggering 520 billion dollars by 2015. All Nigerian heads of state under the PDP grew the Nigerian economy by significant amounts. The Yar Adua government faced a far more threatening global economic downturn than the economy inherited by President Buhari.

President Yar Adua’s government however had a number of blessings. It inherited (1) low debt (2) low debt service obligations and (3) over 60 billion dollars from its predecessor which enabled it to stabilize the value of the Naira and allowed the Federal Government to continue to stimulate the Nigerian economy. It also inherited a fairly competent CBN governor from its predecessor and within a year appointed its very own very competent CBN governor to help with monetary policy and the stabilization of the banking sector. The mix of fiscal and monetary policies helped to sustain

the growth trajectory of the Nigerian economy. President Muhammadu Buhari by contrast inherited relatively sparse savings, huge debts, high debt service obligations, an incompetent CBN governor and an unrealistic and fanciful fiscal policy team. President Buhari did not help himself when he spent six months being a sole administrator and appointed ministers and basically gave them a budget already determined before his ministers were appointed.

Recently, it was reported that the CBN governor (when testifying to the senate) expressed surprise that the Nigerian economy is being afflicted with stagnation and hyper-inflation at the same time. As I had indicated many times in the past, inflation caused by a markedly declining value of the NAIRA (imported inflation) cannot be cured by restrictive and contractionary monetary policies (like very high interest rates and high cash reserves ratio) that kill domestic industries, discourage investments and borrowing by companies and customers alike. All he would get is very little domestic economic activity and still have hyper inflation.

The CBN governor has succeeded in employing a bad Foreign Exchange policy that all but chased away foreign investors and with them went huge

foreign currency inflows and has succeeded in thoroughly depressing the domestic economy. The fiscal policy response by the Buhari government was predicated on a government based stimulus package aimed at expanding the domestic economy.

The problem was that the policies of the CBN ensured that income from the ports, customs and FIRS (all of which account for 50 per cent of FG income) would be significantly reduced. The fall in oil price and the sabotage of the oil installations by the Niger Delta Avengers has ensured that oil derived FG revenue (which accounts for over 90 per cent of externally derived foreign exchange and 50 per cent of revenue) has also been significantly slashed. The projected borrowing envisaged by the Buhari government will not fly because no commercial lender or savvy investor will advance money to an entity that has very high debt service obligations and collapsing incomes flows. Points made by me in a number of articles published over the last year.

Critical Electoral Zones As indicated in previous articles, the critical parts of the Nigerian electorate are the North Central and the South West. They are what I will call the pragmatic zones and they will determine who governs the country in 2019. The

NW and NE and the SS and SE are the dogmatic zones. Their support or opposition are more emotional than reasonable. The NW and NE are pro APC and the SE and SS are anti APC and pro PDP. The NC and SW tend to move in similar directions politically based on policies of the government of the day.

The most recent NOI polls therefore should make alarming reading for the current APC government. The breakdown vis a vis geo-political zones shows that the total percentage of people that disapprove or strongly disapprove of the performance of President Buhari have reached: 63 per cent for the SE 58 per cent for NC 54 per cent for the SS 52 per cent for SW 22 per cent for the NE 15 per cent for the NW Buhari has effectively reduced his electoral map back to the map he had before his CPC merged with the ANPP and ACN. The question to be asked is whether these numbers will stay the same up and until 2019. I am of the view that the figures for the dogmatic zones will. The critical analysis is whether the figures for the pragmatic zones will stay the same.

• Awogbeoba sent in this piece via Dele.Awogbeoba@gmail.com

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Turkey: Lessons for Nigeria

he coup in Turkey may have come and gone but its effects continue to linger for the people of the European nation and the rest of the world. The attempt by some military officers to overthrow President Recep Erdogan on July 15, 2016 came as a huge shock to the entire world. Over the last decade, it has come to be generally agreed that coups d’etat are no longer acceptable. Democracy, in different firms, had become the acceptable form of government, as a genuine expression of the yearnings of the people of any given society.

Therefore, the coup in Turkey came as a huge surprise to the international community, given converted efforts at wiping away the last vestiges of undemocratic government in some parts of the world. For Nigerians, there are many lessons to be learnt from the coup and its aftermath. The violent attempted takeover was said to have been masterminded by a faction of military officers who moved to stop Erdogan from implementing a purge of the armed forces and the judiciary. Some reports said the coup was actually staged on Friday earlier than the planned date because it leaked to Erdogan.

However, the coup failed and Erdogan went ahead with the rumoured purge. The lesson to be learnt here is that while not all decisions of government may be popular or widely accepted, the will of the people who elected such leaders cannot be subverted through an undemocratic process.

That much was evident in the way the people trooped to the streets in defiance of the military, arresting mutinous soldiers. Even though Erdogan is believed to be diluting Turkey’s secular model, his gov-

ernment is said to have done well for the people. The people were willing to defend their mandate with their lives because they believed that democracy had come to stay in Turkey. The lesson for Nigerians is that leaders must strive for good living standards for the people so that in turn, Nigerians will be propelled to defend their hard-earned democracy.

A situation where Nigerian leaders take the people for granted and hypocritically preach values that they don’t believe in cannot guarantee absolute loyalty to their leaders. Another lesson for Nigeria stems from the fact that the military had failed to realise that the people had become fed up with its incursions into power. The failure of the coup is a strong lesson to the Nigerian armed forces that any

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duna State was quite galling. The example of Turkey should serve as a strong lesson to the Nigerian armed forces to be more cautious when engaging protesters. The killings of unarmed protesters in Zaria, Onitsha, Nkpor and Aba quite high-handed and avoidable.

The military High command must ensure that members of the armed forces observe rules of engagement in handling public protests.

In fact, President Muhammadu Buhari would do well to follow the example of his Turkish counterpart by strengthening the Nigeria Police Force. It is quite disheart-

Buhari would do well to follow the example of his Turkish counterpart by strengthening the Nigeria Police Force

attempt to seize power will ultimately fail. Coming a few weeks after rumours of a coup plot, the lesson from Turkey should not be lost on the armed forces that they must continue to subordinate themselves to civilian authority.

A third lesson is the fact that the mutineers did not open fire on civilians who rejected their putsch.

Last year’s massacre of over 1000 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria generally known as the Shiites by soldiers attached to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, is still fresh on the minds of Nigerians. That they were mowed down for obstructing Buratai’s convoy in Zaria, Ka-

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ening that the military has largely taken over internal security duties. The police and paramilitary agencies should be be given the necessary support and funding to enable them to discharge

their duties satisfactorily. The inclination to deploy the military in every trouble spot should be gradually discontinued.

While the coup is highly condemnable, there must be some words for Erdogan. His increasing authoritarian rule is unsettling the international community. His quick purge of the military and judiciary has spawned conspiracy theories that he staged the coup.

Some of his comments since the coup lend credence to this assertion.

There is also the idea that he is pursuing an agenda to Islamise Turkey. This is bound to deepen the schisms between the moder-

ates and fundamentalists. It is also unsettling to other European nations, and this Islamist agenda may impede its quest for EU membership. The lesson for Nigeria is that the principle of separation of powers must be religiously adhered to. Buhari and some members if his administration have made comments that suggested that they would not mind trampling on this revered principle.

The impunity that was the hallmark of past administrations should never again be contemplated. Erdogan has been accused of nepotism as evidenced in his filling key positions with relations and friends. There have been allegations against Buhari that he has favoured a section of the country in many if his sensitive appointments.

Such a notion must be discouraged by filling positions with the diversity of the nation in mind.

The principle of federal character must be respected insofar as it remains a constitutional provision. Even while Erdogan expects his compatriots to respect the rule of law, he must also shun the allure of totalitarianism. He needs to accommodate opposing views because diversity of thought helps democracy to grow.

An interesting issue about the coup was that Erdogan resorted to the social media he had heavily suppressed to rally the people against the mutineers. The lessons for Nigerian leaders is that they must never attempt to abridge the people’s right to free expression as enshrined in Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution. Finally, Erdogan must be willing to subject himself to election at the right time. He must avoid the temptation to usurp the will of the people and entrench himself in power for life.

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MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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monDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Interview

Law

Mahmoud: Why I want to lead the Bar

News Housemaid denies robbing mistress of valuables

20 23

Saraki, Badeh, Dasuki, Kanu, others in delayed justice

TUNDE OYESINA x-rays why justice is being delayed in some of the corruption cases before the court especially as hearing may not commence again until September even as some of the accused persons are cooling their heads in prisons

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lthough it is its tradition to proceed on annual vacation as constitutionally guaranteed in its calendar year, judiciary’s role to interpret laws and adjudicate on causes as the third arm of government remains unfettered.

Notwithstanding the plight of accused persons during this period, all pending cases must be adjourned and carried over to the next calendar year aptly referred to as the new Legal Year.

Is justice being delayed? No, say lawyers.

Early this year, there was hype about the trial of prominent Nigerians facing corruption cases in various courts following discovery of billions of Naira allegedly looted from state treasury.

Their arraignment and prosecution took a series of dimensions especially as Nigerians were eager to see their conviction or otherwise in no distant days.

But six months after, their trial had taken a snail speed from bail application to interlocutory applications.

All this snowballed into vacation month of the judiciary as the cases would not be heard until the new legal year.

The cases were active until the judiciary proceeded on its annual vacation early this month. It is a tradition in the judiciary to proceed on vacation once in a year, especially by July and return in September.

The cases will not only top the next judicial year, they will indeed shape

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Saraki

the nation’s jurisprudence when judgements are finally delivered before the end of the 2016/2017 Legal Year.

Some of the cases range from forgery, false assets declaration, treason to corruption.

Saraki The Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki is standing trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal over alleged anticipatory and false assets declaration while holding sway as the governor of Kwara state. The former governor had pleaded not guilty to the charge and trial had since commenced with the prosecution calling its first witness, Michael Wetkas.

The proceedings was at the crossexamination stage, when the defendant filed an application seeking to disqualify the chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar from further presiding over the matter on an alleged bias statement.

Danladi was quoted as saying “no matter the delay tactics employed by the defense lawyer, it will not reduce the consequence the defendant will get at the end of the trial.”

The court was yet to rule on the application before it went on break. It is however expected that when it comes back from vacation, it will rule on the application.

Forgery This is another case that has been pushed to the next legal year although the case was initiated towards the end of the last legal year. The case was initiated

Badeh

Amosu

by the Federal Government against Dr. Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa and the acting Clerk, Benedict Efeturi before an Abuja High Court.

The defendants were slammed with a two count charge bothering on conspiracy and forgery of the House Standing Rules. They all pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them and were consequently admitted to bail.

The trial could not start before the court went on vacation. The court has however adjourned the matter till the next legal year for continuation.

Nnamdi Kanu Kanu is a self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

He and two others are standing trial before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over an alleged plan to break Nigeria and form a Republic of Biafra.

The court had refused to grant Kanu bail and hence the defendant had moved to the Court of Appeal to challenge the ruling but was turned down by the appellate court.

Kanu had filed an application seeking to disqualify the trial judge, Justice James Tsoho from further sitting over his case. The case has been adjourned till next year for ruling.

Dasuki’s N47.1 arms scam Prominent among the ongoing corruption cases is the one involving a former National Security Adviser, Col.

Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

Dasuki is standing trial over an alleged possession of firearms and diversion of funds meant for the procurement of firearms before three different courts. The first charge was filed before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja where Dasuki was charged with diverting $2.1 billion.

Secondly, EFCC preferred another 19 count charge against Dasuki and four others before an Abuja High Court over an alleged diversion of N32bn meant for arms procurement.

His co-accused persons are a former Director of Finance and Administration in the office of NSA, Shuaibu Salisu and a former General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Aminu Baba-Kusa.

Two of Baba-Kusa’s companies – Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited – are also part of the defendants. The third charge was filed before another Abuja High Court, wherein the anti- graft agency slammed another 22 count charge bothering on alleged diversion of N13bn meant for arms procurement.

The former NSA had been in detention since arraigned before the three courts.

Although Dasuki had pleaded not guilty to all the charges, various courts had one time or the other admitted him to bail. Having perfected his bail, however, the Department of State Security re-arrested Dasuki and kept him its custody since December last year. Every effort to secure his release by his CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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monDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Mahmoud: Why I want to Abubakar Mahmoud, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria is a strong contender for the Presidency of the lawyers’ umbrella body, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). In this interview with FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE, Mahmoud speaks on his ambition, judiciary, corruption and sundry issues

You were in the race in 2004 and now again in 2016, why do you want to lead the Bar as its president?

Basically, there are three reasons: personally, I see this as a call to service and this is a responsibility we owe the Bar including the communities we find ourselves or belong to.

We have to make ourselves available when there is need to provide leadership and services. When we look at our younger members of the profession, we become more motivated by that, especially by things happening in the society, and feel the need to contribute. The legal profession is passing through difficult times; most people feel there is a crisis of confidence between the Nigerian people and the legal profession. This simply entails that we all must participate in the reform of the legal profession in order to rebuild the confidence between both aforementioned parties. Primarily, this is the strongest motivation.

Secondly, some of us perceive the legal profession as one of the building blocks for the Nigerian nation.

The country is passing through quite a challenging period and the legal profession has a major responsibility.

Hence, it’s a commitment to the profession and the country as a whole.

Remember, this is not a pay job; it’s a job which you do with honour and as a matter of commitment to service.

This is basically the reason and not about adding a feather to one’s cap or an ego disposition.

You are so confident that you have all it takes to lift the 116 year-old association, why do you think your colleagues will trust you with such leadership?

First, we worked so hard to develop our ideas, credible programmes and have communicated these programmes to our colleagues. These ideas and programmes seem to resonate properly with our colleagues.

Everywhere we went to, like we had meetings in Lagos and Onitsha, the crowd were always overwhelming but we still see a dissatisfaction with what is happening in the legal profession among both young and senior members of the Bar; people are really concerned.

However, they feel that the ideas we have introduced are ones that demands support in order to rescue the legal profession from the pattern which we have delved into over the

last couple of years.

This is not to deny that there haven’t been significant improvements in certain aspects of the profession. Without doubts, Austin Alegeh has done very well in several areas and has raised certain standards and reforms which we want to build and improve upon.

We are also overwhelmed in the way ideas resonate among our people and that gives us confidence that everybody is clamouring for improvement.

In all the places we went to, nobody criticised the ideas we came up with or accuse us for any selfish motives. They may have reservations on certain things but it’s not about our ideas, ambitions or commitments. Therefore, these give us confidence that we would win the election.

In addition, we have been across thirty states, though we could not take a tally of the branches we visited, we hopefully believe to cover the entire country in a couple of days.

More so, in as much as we have the confidence of winning the election, it’s not just about winning but what happens after we have won. We are taken this process really seriously because the sport and expectations are overwhelming; this is of utmost concern to us.

And how would you feel if you don’t?

I would be disappointed if we don’t win because of the strong commitment of our team members, especially on the day and Mahmoud night stressful journeys we undertake which is very risky without the aid of policemen. The fact remains; democracy does not always turn up the best outcomes but we have to live with it. Therefore, if the democratic opinion of a particular place does not favour us, provided it is fair, transparent and credible, then we will accept it, move on and support whoever the mantle rests upon. Not really because we agree with his ideas but because the people have spoken. We will, however, support the Bar. On the contrary, I strongly believe the outcome would favour us.

There’s a lawsuit against the election itself, albeit Mr Alegeh tried to address the issue on the note that he has not yet been served. If eventually he is served with the suit, do you expect that the elections would still be held?

We are aware that there is a lawsuit which came up last week Tuesday and would be up again today.

It’s a pity that the matter end up in litigation and we pray that reason in internal affairs would prevail. I believe that there is a tangible mechanism in resolving issues such as this, and that common sense would also prevail.

We are hopeful that the election would continue, since there are no further restrictions and that aggrieved members would use internal affairs mechanisms to resolve their problems. However, since the matter is in court, I would not comment more on it in order not to breach rules of matter in subjudice.

There are wrangling over adoption of candidate by the Arewa Forum, is there really an adoption?

We believe that all the contentions that the Arewa Forum had adopted Gadzama was deceitful and totally unnecessary

Unfortunately, there has been a lot of misinformation on this. It’s difficult to compress the explanation in a few words. But what I would say is that my opponent in this election, from the beginning, thought that he must work to obtain an adoption by the Arewa Forum. If this was being done in a transparent manner, I would have no problem with it.

Moreover, we have always promoted the ideas of consensus within the NBA system and also promoted tapping the quest for leadership. The NBA is a professional body and we don’t want a situation where the quest for the NBA leadership becomes so contentious and acrimonious.

We always try to provide a way in which ambition to lead the Bar is moderated and interest of the profession is placed above personal ambition.

In 2004, when I contested for this election, I came third after Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN and Mr J.B Daudu, SAN. While in 2010, it was time for the north to produce a candidate, I didn’t participate in the election, not because I didn’t want to lead the Bar but because Mr J.B Daudu, who scored above 20 votes higher than I did in 2004, had almost the same competence as I did to lead. So, when I told him to contest for the 2010 election, it reduced all the tempo of acrimony and unnecessary expenses.

Again, in 2016, it was the time for the north to produce a candidate; I went to the office of J.K Gazama, who contested previously in 2010 and also aspirant in the 2016 election, to declare my intentions of running for the election.

My aim of going to his office was

to discuss about the election and also to plead that we pursue the process in a very transparent way; placing the profession above our own personal interest and not raising the tempo too high to avoid acrimony. I thought he agreed with me but the campaigns have been hotter than it has ever been.

The talk about adoption by the Arewa Forum was really, in my view, a plot which started in Bauchi.

My opponent from the beginning, as it appears to me, was determined to manipulate the process and to secure an adoption which was really inappropriate. I have committed myself to a process by which a consensus should be reached. Thereby, reminding the meeting in Kaduna, the Arewa Forum, like any other, is not a constitutional organ of the NBA and doesn’t possess the right to prevent a candidate from going to an election.

The idea of having this forum was to consolidate the unity of the Bar and to support a consensus building process in order to avoid creating frictions or divisions. But unfortunately, some of our colleagues have turned it otherwise. Therefore, we believe that all these contentions that the Arewa Forum had adopted Gadzama, SAN was deceitful and totally unnecessary. Hence, we could have tried to develop a consensus but we didn’t.

Most importantly, most of the secretaries and the branch chairmen of the forum issued statements denying this adoption.

What are your plans to unite the fragmented Bar even if the lawsuits go either way?

Frankly, I don’t think there is fragmentation in the Bar. There are a few

monDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

lead the Bar people who are trying to lure the process to suit them; thereby creating an advantage for themselves. They think the leadership is an entitlement for them to possess thereby creating over ambitious reasons to covert such. For me, I believe there are no fragments or crisis in the system because once the process is over, we would all concentrate and face the challenges inherent in building a stronger legal profession.

Secondly, I don’t believe that lawyers are disunited. Although, there are some of us who would like the issues in the legal system to continue, but majority are determined to have a change for the better. It’s really on this majority that we are counting on to determine the outcome.

What confidence do you have in the evoting for the election since it’s been used for the first time?

Generally, we believe that technology can be deployed in a very constructive manner to democratise processes and create opportunities for mass participation.

The NBA, including the country as a whole, has to utilise these new opportunities. The way technology has influenced our lives, by democratizing institutions, process and providing for inclusiveness, including changing paradigms. I think it’s something we have to embrace and utilise it in an appropriate manner.

This does not ignore that fact that technology is not 100% safe. There are many issues and threat that could be generated. In terms of internal threats; we look at the type of infrastructure provided may not be robust enough to function accurately as designed. While external threat involves people who might want to undermine the process.

But we are confident that this is the way forward.

Our focus is bent on investing in building a robust infrastructure and operating it in a credible and transparent manner. We are risk cautious about it and we have been assured that the NBA has invested sufficiently to protect the integrity of the process. Further meetings, where we were asked to send technical representatives to help raise questions, would be held at the national

secretariat to discuss more on this issue, alongside the service providers and the technical people involved.

Honestly, we are confident, knowing it’s the first time on such a scale, but we have faith that the process would be carried out in a fair and transparent manner.

If lawyers cannot be trusted to do this, then we all, in general, are in big trouble.

We don’t have any doubts about the sincerity of the administration. Finally, there are twenty thousand lawyers who have been accredited and would be made potential vote’s. Therefore, it’s impossible to bring all these number into one hall for them to vote and inevitably, must resort to a form of technology to assist the process to be more democratic and enhance participation.

The other flip of it resides in active participation. Often times, people can register as potential voters but barely 30 to 40% come out to cast their votes.

This also makes the process ineffective and insufficient. But we would encourage lawyers to update their records and participate in the process. For the more they participate, the more credible the outcome would be though no one is relying on 100% participation.

Would you sustain the e-voting if you eventually become the NBA President?

Absolutely, we would continue the process since it’s an era of advancement. Even if matters or challenges arise thereafter, we cannot go backward; we would sort out means to provide solutions. We do hope that INEC would invest more in this type of support systems to deploy it more effectively.

What is your view on some candidates who are still dissatisfied with the adoption of the e-voting by insisting that voting be done at the branches level and not the universal

Law|Interview 21 suffrage?

There are two issues here: some say the voting should remain electronic and be conducted at the branches.

While others are advocating that we should go back to the delegates system.

In the first case, if you have followed the trend in NBA elections, one of the major issues is that people when they want to manipulate the process, they prefer to send delegates to a location in order to entice them to tag along. We don’t want to go back to that era where d e l e g ates a r e being cajoled a n d abused.

W e want every Mahmoud lawyer w h o wants and is eligible to participate to do so in simplest environment without any inducement. That is the objective.

Which aspect of the judiciary would you like to make a change if you eventually emerges as NBA president?

This is a very important topic because it’s one of the cardinal points of our campaign. We seek a judiciary that produces consistent and predictable outcomes. In other words, as soon as you know the facts, you know the law, then you almost can predict the outcome.

Unfortunately, this cannot be said to be the situation in Nigeria. Many a times the outcomes are hardly predictable. We want a judiciary that is clean, efficient and effective.

Although the problems are multifaceted, there is a problem of infrastructure, corruption and problem in terms of the way judicial appointments are made. Hence, all of these issues need to be addressed at the national and state levels.

Above that, we need to also look at the resources utilization. It’s one thing to provide the resources and another to make sure they are effectively utilized. We think there is a misapplication of its usage. The judi-

ciary needs to be accountable for the resources allocated to it, much that it needs to be financially dependent.

We want to see changes in the method of appointment of judicial officers, more open participation, more transparency, and also the active participation of the Bar in the High and appellate courts.

We also want to see improvements in the methods devoid of a calibrate affair- meaning you would queue up regardless of your capacity or competence.

We want to see the pool out of which judicial appointments are made especially at the appellate level, expanded. There are no reasons academics and competent lawyers cannot be appointed to appellate courts since it happens in other climes. We want a judiciary that is respected, whose integrity is unquestionable and can be compared to other judiciaries in the world. This is going to be a tough issue for us but it is worth dealing with.

There’s a publication about you being a candidate of the establishment; revealing that the present NBA President, the electoral chairman and some stakeholders are behind you. This makes some people craving for the need to rebel and go against it in order to do something different from the norm. How do you handle this presupposed notion in reference to your campaign strategies?

I am not aware that the present president has voiced his support for me, though he is entitled to his view.

But the important thing is, there is an electoral committee, processes and rules guiding the elections. I am confident that the people who have been assigned to conduct the elections are credible professionals with integrity.

So, I don’t see why someone would destroy his career just to manipulate the election in my favour. Also, I don’t want to win an election that is fraudulent or that the action is screwed to favour me, when it does not represent the wishes of the majority of members. What point is it to be president of the Bar based on fraudulent elections? What would I hope to achieve with it?

My prayer is that the election should be based on a transparent and credible process with no unfair advantage. My plea to colleagues is to go and cast their ballots in free conscience and I pray they would cast their votes for us not because of bias motives; free from contentions.

Firm sues Customs for N50m over‘unlawful’detention

Auta

Akeem Nafiu

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Shipping firm, Afriglobe Shipping Lines Ltd. has slammed a N50million suit on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The court being presided over by Justice Abdulazeez Anka, will entertain an alleged illegal detention of its Managing Director, Mr. Christian Ukata. According to court pa-

pers filed on behalf of the firm by Charles Ugwuanyi Chamber, Ukata was allegedly detained by NCS officials attached to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in November 2015 for being in possession of $42,200, already declared at the NCS desk.

The firm averred that in November 2015, it was contracted by Aerodocs Inc. USA to clear its cargo at Chad and deliver same to Millicom, Chad at an agreed cost of $46,731.The payment according to the firm was subsequently made through Access Bank Plc. After confirming the arrival of the cargo at Ndjamena Airport, the firm stated that it withdrew $42,200 from the amount paid into its Access Bank Plc account and detailed its Managing Director, Mr Christian Ukata, to travel to Ndjamena via Duala Airport for the purpose of clearing and delivery of the cargo.

Mr Ukata was said to have travelled on November 15, 2016 with the view of clearing the cargo the following day so as to avoid incurring demurrage.

On getting to the Lagos Airport, the firm said Mr Ukata went through all the depar-

ture formalities including declaring the $42,200 with him before two NCS officials, one, Mrs Oshilaja and Mr K.S Ugboaja.

The declared money, according to the firm, was accompanied with relevant waybills, invoice and inflow advise from Access Bank Plc to establish the legitimacy of the source and the use of the fund.

The firm stated that the matter however took another twist after Mr Ukata turned down an overture by the NCS officials for a tip before he could be allowed to board his flight. The two officials according to the firm’s court deposition threatened to detain Ukata if he did not settle them.

The firm further averred that the two officials allegedly threatened Mr Ukata that they had Presidential Directive to seize and confiscate any foreign currency brought before them whether voluntarily declared or not.

For failing to do their bidding, Ukata was subsequently prevented from travelling, detained at the NCS Airport cell, near Hajj Camp at about 5pm on November 15 until the next day when he was transferred to the Ikoyi office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

After five days of investigation, the EFCC cleared Mr Ukata from any money laundering allegation and handed back to him, the seized money and travel documents.

Mr Ukata and his firm however lost the clearing contract as Aerodoc had secured the services of another firm to avoid incurring demurrage on the cargo.

The firm is consequently seeking the sum of N50m damages against the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) for the illegal imprisonment and unlawful detention of Mr Ukata, loss of business, loss of goodwill, exposure to breach of contract and unutilized air ticket.

The firm is also seeking a declaration by the court that the purported presidential directive ordering seizure of foreign currency at the airport whether declared or not, is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.

However, in its statement of defence, NCS absolved itself of any wrong doing stating that its two officials who were on duty when the incident happened were members of a Presidential Committee on Trans-Border Cash Movement and were taking directives from the Presidency and

not the customs.

Further hearing of the suit has been adjourned till Sep.19.

22 Law

monDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

An overview of universal suffrage, e-voting in NBA elections Femi Adekunle

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igerian lawyers will this weekend head to the polls to elect national officers to run the affairs of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the next two years. The NBA is the largest professional association in Nigeria. It also has the largest number of lawyers on the African continent, making it the most influential professional association in Nigeria. This explains why NBA elections always attract national, even global, attention.

The mandate of the NBA is the professional development of its members and defence of the rule of law, its motto being “Promoting the rule of law.” Analysts are however divided on how well the NBA has delivered on its noble mandate when compared with similar professional associations in other countries. Although some believe that the NBA has come a long way from its humble beginnings, others are worried that the “Nigerian factor” may have permeated the fabric of the association, thereby weakening its ability to deliver its mandate to members and the society at large.

While the NBA strives to convince members that it is engaging in crucial reforms that will enable the association to reposition itself once again as a professional body that members can be proud of, many members seem increasingly disillusioned by their mandatory membership of the union, arguing that the association has either derailed from its mandate or that it has been hijacked by powerful forces who are more concerned with deploying the NBA machinery to feather their own nests than cater for the well-being of the greater majority of Nigerian lawyers.

It is noteworthy that prior to this year’s elections, the leadership of the NBA was elected through a delegates system whereby branches “elected” delegates to represent them at the Delegates Conference where national officers are elected.

However, this system quickly became a cesspool of corruption and perversion, having been hijacked by power brokers within the association to foist their acolytes on the association through a combination of money politics, subtle intimidation and outright manipulation.

Many lawyers were therefore heartened when the current leadership led by Mr. Augustine Alegeh, SAN galvanized Nigerian lawyers to ensure that the association’s constitution was amended to accommodate universal suffrage and electronic voting among other salient provisions.

These are seen as perhaps the greatest legacies the outgoing NBA President has bequeathed to the association in his short reign, though implementation of the provisions has so far not gone as expected. Alegeh’s zeal to combat quackery in the profession through the implementation of the Stamp Scheme has also met with limited success due to the hiccups bedeviling the project,

Agbakoba

not least its alleged monetization.

The twin provisions of universal suffrage and electronic voting as enshrined in the amended NBA 2015 Constitution will be tested this weekend at the NBA polls, even though a cloud of uncertainty still hovers over the elections in view of a lawsuit initiated by NBA’s former Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. John Unachukwu to stop the polls.

Unachukwu is urging an FCT High Court to halt the polls pending the determination of his suit.

In his 16-paragraph affidavit in support of the Originating Summons, the Lagos-based lawyer who was disqualified by the NBA Electoral Committee as the sole candidate for the post of National Publicity Secretary, claimed that his disqualification was a product of witch-hunt, adding that “I know as a fact that the NBA and its President are on my issue, applying double standard and desperately seeking ways to vent their anger and frustrate my desire to serve the NBA.” He is praying the court to declare that the system of voting over the Internet or Internet Voting (I-voting) proposed by the NBA is ultra vires its powers under the amended NBA Constitution 2015. The plaintiff also wants the court to make an “order of the court guaranteeing the meaningful exercise of universal suffrage by directing the ECNBA to issue guidelines stipulating that the e-voting for the 2016 NBA general elections be conducted in all branches of the NBA and that results be collated at branch level before transmitting same to the Secretariat.”

The defendants in the suit are the Registered Trustees of the NBA; NBA President, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, SAN; Chairman of the NBA Electoral Committee (ECNBA), Mr. Kenneth Mozia, SAN; Grace Infotech Limited, as well as the two presidential candidates, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN and Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN. Hearing has

Olanipekun

Lawyers are yearning for an NBA that can meaningfully impact their personal lives

been slated for the matter.

Aside from the lawsuit, the elections have experienced some hiccups, though Alegeh said these are teething problems that would be resolved prior to the opening of polls. For instance, some Bar Leaders among others have not been included in the voter’s register while some members have found their names on voter’s register different from their branches. Wrong email addresses were also sent to many eligible voters, while several others are yet to receive electronic confirmations that they have been accredited to vote. There is seemingly a high level of apathy among lawyers towards the elections, as most of the eligible voters are yet to update their details on the electronic platform dedicated for the elections.

The crises that have enveloped the elections snowballed when Gadzama’s campaign organisation wrote to the NBA President accusing him of partisanship.

This eventually led the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) to intervene in the matter, directing Alegeh to convene a meeting of past NBA Presidents to save the elections and the association from implosion. It is recalled that the association was in 1992 thrown into coma for years following an election debacle in Port-Harcourt. The NBA Annual General Conference is scheduled to hold next month in Port-Harcourt.

The race for the NBA presidency is a two-horse race between Gadzama and Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN. Other posts being contested for include First Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Welfare Secretary, and Legal Adviser.

The campaigns have been charged, especially for the post of NBA President. Both camps have deployed several tactics to outwit the opponent. In line with the ban on posters and campaign visits to NBA’s 107 branches which are viewed as prohibitive, candidates

and their supporters have deployed several online platforms including dedicated campaign websites, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram to gain an upper hand. The campaign has occasionally degenerated to brickbats.

While pro-Mahmoud campaigners have accused Gadzama of being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and “PDP lawyer,” it took the intervention of respected Prof.

Paul Idornigie, SAN to debunk this allegation by showing that Gadzama had long resigned his membership of the party.

It has also emerged that Mahmoud has actually handled briefs for PDP, thereby questioning the basis of the attacks on Gadzama who had been endorsed by the Arewa Lawyers Forum (ALF) as its sole candidate. The fear being peddled that Gadzama may be blackmailed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his role as Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) adviser was neutralized as it came to light that the matter had been fully investigated by EFCC and Gadzama given a clean bill of health. Gadzama is increasingly seen as waging a battle to dislodge the entrenched “cabal” holding the NBA leadership by the jugular.

On the other hand, Mahmoud has built his campaign on his self-acclaimed “integrity.” But critics allege that he is an “establishment candidate” who is being propped up by the alleged cabal to continue their milking of the NBA machinery, adding that he can only do the bidding of the god-fathers. They recall with nostalgia the vibrancy of the Alao Aka-Bashorun days and argue that only Gadzama can bring back those good old days.

But perhaps in a veiled defence of Mahmoud and the charge of partisanship hanging over his head, Alegeh has retorted that he has no preferred candidate for the elections, adding however that he “must have a right of preference.” He also said he has complied with the advice of past NBA Leaders “to be silent on my choices.” Respected former NBA President, Chief Wole Olanipekun, OFR, SAN had in a letter in response to the charge of partisanship, urged Alegeh to retrace his steps by ensuring that all candidates are afforded a level playing ground.

All said, what is obvious is that many Nigerian lawyers are yearning for an NBA that can meaningfully impact their personal lives by delivering programmes that add value to their professional lives while promoting the rule of law and fighting for the down-trodden masses.

They clamour for an NBA that is more of a giver than a taker. Only a focused administration that is not beholden to any self-serving clique and that is in touch with the masses of Nigerian lawyers can meet this long-standing quest; whether their aspirations will be met by the forthcoming elections, only time will tell.

Adekunle is a Kano based lawyer and public affairs analyst

Law|News 23

monDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NBA presidency: I have no anointed candidate, by Alegeh Foluso Ogunmodede

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head of the Saturday’s election of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), outgoing President of the association, Mr. Augustine Oyarekhua Alegeh has said he had no preferred candidate for the election.

Alegeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in an exclusive interview with New Telegraph, dismissed insinuations that he was rooting for a candidate to takeover from him come August.

Alegeh was elected NBA President on July 14, 2014 in Abuja where about 5,000 lawyers cast their votes in an election adjudged the freest in the association’s electoral history.

Alegeh, whose tenure terminates this month after two years of stewardship, won the election keenly contested alongside Mrs. Funke Adekoya, Deacon Dele Adesina, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria and Mr. Osas Erhabor with a simple majority of the votes cast.

Two years on, Alegeh determined to leave a better NBA, midwifed the adoption of the e-voting with a view to reducing attendant tensions being charaterised by NBA biennial elections in terms of logistic and other inconveniences.

However, he denied al-

legation that he was working behind to install a preferred candidate contrary to the rules guiding the association as contained in its bye-laws.

Alegeh said: “First, nobody would render services to an association or company and not be interested in what happens to it after he leaves office; it’s not possible. The only situation, in which one could do such, is if the person is not interested in the growth of that body.

“Aside this, you must have an interest and appreciate that we picked our democracy in Nigeria, while we trumpet American democracy. In Nigeria, we witness presidents, using presidential jets, while they are still in office, to campaign for their successors including governors as well. The reason this is possible, which is the fine point people miss out, the only one who is impartial; having no possession or inclination to vote for any candidate is the electoral committee, because they are the ones who organise elections. The questions I would ask are these: don’t I have the right to vote?

Am I not going to vote for somebody?

“So, you realise it’s an individual decision on the basis that every president has the right to vote. Hence, the sitting president would also vote between one of the candidates contesting for the office. However, he must have a preference

amongst the two or twenty candidates depending on the number.

“On the contrary, you do not organise an election and also choose a preference. Therefore, members of the electoral committee are not meant to vote because that would compromise the whole system. But members of the national executive would be allowed to vote.

Let’s address the conflicting issues truthfully, was there ever any past president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that never anointed a successor? I believe that the duty of the NBA president is to ensure a plain field, by putting in place an electoral committee that would ensure a level playing ground for participants.

“Beyond this, the president has the right to vote intertwined with the interest of the association at heart. Having in mind that, an association you have led for two years, whoever you are handing over to should also have the zeal to bring about advancement in the association and not in your personal interest.

“In the light of the present situation, one of the candidates scored 79% while the other who is my classmate scored 86%. So, it would be false for me to claim that I don’t have a preference but I have a right to vote. But my right to vote must be exercised properly and I must give

Lawyer petitions EFCC, seeks probe of clients’harassment Akeem Nafiu

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Lagos lawyer, Mr. Yemi Adeshina, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), asking its chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu to probe an alleged disregard to due process in the handling of his clients’ case by the commission.

In a letter dated July 19, the lawyer alleged that his clients, Monan Trading Company Ltd and its alter ego, Mrs. Moji Yakubu, were been harassed, maligned, persecuted and maliciously prosecuted by the commission for two years.

Adeshina disclosed that his client allegedly purchased and paid for ten hectares of land from members of the ‘Onibeju Royal Family ‘of Lagos State for N100million and both parties executed a deed of assignment in that regard.

He added that at the time of purchase, the

family head and principal members of the Onibeju Royal Family had revoked the Power of Attorney given to Miss Folashade Ogundare, who had allegedly acted for and on behalf of the family, owing to her alleged failure to refund the huge sum of money allegedly realized from the sale of the land.

However, a twist was said to have been introduced into the matter when the EFCC officials

Magu

investigating the case brought by the family against Miss Ogundare were either re-assigned or transferred to other jurisdictions outside Lagos where the case was being investigated.

Eventually, trumped up and bogus charges unknown to law were said to have been cooked up against the complainants by the EFCC officials who took over the handling of the matter.

a value judgement for the interest of the association.

More so, whoever tries to deny the existence of such rights is only misleading himself.

“I would reply by asking if there is any constitution that holds me bound from making any preference.

Firstly, I am not restricted by my constitution because I don’t conduct elections. Secondly, is it right for Obama to endorse Hillary Cliton nor Obasanjo to have endorsed the late president Yar’adua and campaigned alongside?

I have taken the advice of many of my seniors at the Bar that I should

not voice my support or preference for anyone. According to them, if you do have a preference, hiding it would be the best decision to take. On this note, I am never afraid to admit when I am wrong, so I have taken heed to their counsel.

“However, I found pains in some of the decisions I took especially when I came to NBA. We had zoning and everybody said it was bad and that it should not be in the constitution.

But I objected to this on the opinion that since it was already being practiced, then it must be in the constitution. Hence, those who agreed it was

Alegeh

bad are now enjoying the benefits of it being constitutionalized. For example; when the telephones were designed, they couldn’t get funding based on how can people be walking and talking at the same time.

Many good ideas are often times killed by stereotype.

When you drive a good idea underground, it becomes a bad one.

On the contrary, outside the wise advice, if I voice my preference, it simply shows the transparency of the system. It also incurs more pressure on the person, instilling the mindset that he would not use the position to favour anyone.

But I strongly believe that the position I am making would be appreciated someday.

There is a candidate, according to the reports from the electoral committee, who is hoping to see his allocation for disqualification in order to use it as an excuse.

“For example; on the day there were supposed to send out materials for the candidates, a candidate sent four pages while the other sent thirteen pages.

Meanwhile, the constitution declares four pages.

Then the electoral committee decided to bend backwards and refused to publish the materials of the candidate who submitted four pages. When I received the report, I drifted to the electoral committee since I had no power over them.

Housemaid denies robbing mistress of valuables John Chikezie

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20-year old housemaid, Mary Francis has told Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of an Ikeja High Court, Lagos that she knew nothing about an armed robbery incident which took place at her mistress house some 36 months ago.

Mary was arraigned by the police on a one-count charge of alleged conspiracy in the armed robbery attack on her boss, Mrs. A. James.

The accused while being led in evidence by her lawyer, Anthony Mba Eze, said she was thoroughly beaten and tied up by the robbers during the attack which took place on January 4, 2013 at Magodo G.R.A at about 7pm.

She said: “I was inside the kitchen, grinding beans when the gateman, Oga Anayo accompanied by two hefty men

accosted me, demanding to know the exact room and whereabouts of my Madam, Mrs A. James.

“The two men came into the kitchen where I was grinding beans, beat me up and forced me to show them my mistress room but instead, I took them to the sitting room where I was tied up while they instructed Oga Anayo to lead them in.

“When the robbers returned from Mrs James room, they demanded for her car keys and I denied having a prior knowledge of where she had kept it.

Thereafter, as a result of fear, Mrs James pointed to the keys on top of a table behind where I sat.

“After they had collected all the phones in the house, including one of my camera phones, they tied us both and ordered the gateman to open the gate as they

drove out.

“It was my other Nokia phone, which I hid behind the microwave, which my Madame collected from me in order to call the police.

“We were all taken to Magodo Police station, Phase 2, to tender our statements and asked to return after three days for further investigation, which we did and I was cleared by the police.

“The police later detained the gateman but granted him bail after Mrs James pleaded on his behalf and requested that the police should drop the case.”

The accused added that she was re-arrested by policemen from Panti Adekunle even as she said her house was later searched and nothing was found. The matter has been adjourned till the July 26.

24 Law|news

monDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Justice on‘leave’in Saraki, Ekweremadu, others’suits C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 9

counsel had proved abortive.

Dasuki had however approached the Court of Appeal to challenge his detention, but his application was turned down. He had however vowed to head for the Supreme Court.

Dasuki had also filed and argued an application at the ECOWAS court, challenging his detention by the Federal Government. The court had adjourned indefinitely for judgement.

At the Federal High Court, the federal government had at the last adjourned date argued on the need for secret trial, though Dasuki had opposed the application. The court is yet to deliver judgement in the matter.

At the Abuja High Courts, the judges had ordered the DSS to produce Dasuki for his counsel so as to prepare for his trial.

Dasuki had also filed a fresh suit before the Abuja High Court seeking his release from detention. All these suits had however been pushed into the new legal year.

Metuh Olisa Metuh is the former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party. He is standing trial over alleged receipt of N400 million from the office of the NSA. The trial had reached an advanced stage as the prosecution had called all its witnesses and the same with the defense.

At the last adjourned date, Metuh had told the court that talks were ongoing with the EFCC on how to return the alleged looted money. The court could not decide on that before the vacation commenced and hence shifted to the next legal year.

Badeh Air Vice Marshal Alex Badeh who was a former Chief of Defense Staff is standing trial on a 10 count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption to the tune of N3.97 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air Force before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Badeh pleaded not guilty to the charge and was consequently admitted to bail, first under stringent condition. The condition was later reviewed due to its inability to meet the bail conditions.

Trial had since started as the prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has called about four witnesses.

The witness had in turn explained to the trial judge, Justice Abang Okon how Badeh collected the said money and expended it on the purchase of property in highbrow area of Abuja.

Badeh had while being CDS allegedly among other things abused his office between January and December 2013. He was said to have used dollar equivalent of the sum of N1.4 billion from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to purchase a mansion situated at No. 6, Ogun River Street, Off Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja.

The offence is in contravention of Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act. At the last adjourned date, a prosecution witness had insisted that he was pressured by Badeh to claim the property allegedly acquired with the proceeds of crime.

The witness, Mustapha Yerima, who had earlier testified as PW4, further testified to the effect that, Air

Dasuki

Commodore Salisu Abdullahi Yushau (retd) had invited him over to the Defence House, after his (Yushau’s) retirement to coordinate the handover of documents and discuss progress of construction of the plaza, then ongoing.

According to him, “in my evidence-in-chief, I testified that PW1 (Yushau) called a meeting after he had retired from the Nigerian Air Force. The meeting held at the Defence House and we discussed progress of work in the plaza. Barrister Timothy Muje and Barrister Umar were in attendance. I had met Barrister Umar once or twice before that meeting but there isn’t much familiarity between us.

“It was after this that Barrister Muje called and asked that we both meet somewhere at Wuse II. This was the same day the EFCC invited me to their office. Barrister Muje handed some documents over to me but failed to give me (Ryte Builders) the power of attorney which I asked him for.”

Under cross-examination, Yerima insisted that he was instructed by Yushau to claim the said property, when operatives of the EFCC began to investigate the matter.

“The idea that was conveyed to me

by PW1 after their meeting was for me to go and claim the property as instructed.”

The trial will resume in the new legal year.

Diko He is a former Chief of Air Staff.

Air Marshal Mohammed Diko Umar was accused of diverting about N4.8 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to purchase property for himself.

Diko, who was arraigned before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, however pleaded not guilty when a seven-count charge bothering on diversion of funds slammed on him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was read to him. In the charge, Diko was alleged to have, while being the Chief of Air Staff between September 2010 and 2012 converted the United State dollar equivalent of the aggregate sum of N4, 864, 630,000 removed from the account of NAF. The offence was said to be contrary to Section 15(2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Act.

Ekweremadu

Fani-Kayode

Defence counsel, Hassan Liman (SAN), however, urged the court to admit Diko to bail on self recognisance.

However, prosecuting counsel, Sylvanu Tahir, prayed the court for a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending the commencement of his trial. Delivering ruling, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako admitted the defendant to bail on self-recognisance.

The court further ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport with the registry of the court. Justice Nyako later adjourned till June 7, 8 and 9.

At the last adjourned date, Umar had informed the court that he had started talking with the anti- corruption agency with an intention of returning the money.

The matter has also been shifted to the next legal year.

Six months after, their trial had taken a snail speed from bail application to interlocutory applications

Atawodi In the list of ongoing corruption cases is a former chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety (PICOMMS), Air Vice Marshal Saliu Atawodi (rtd).

Atawodi was arraigned by the EFCC on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him. The defendants allegedly defrauded the government to the tune of over N600 million through suspicious contracts to procure military boats.

The defendant prayed the court to admit him to bail. The court later remanded Atawodi in Kuje prison pending his bail application was heard and granted. The defendant had since perfected his bail and released. The trial is to resume in the new legal year.

Ojuawo Also facing corruption charge is a former Air Officer in charge of Tactical Air command, Makurdi Air Vice Marshal Rufus Ojuawo. Ojuawo was arraigned 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.

Upon the not guilty plea, 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 application, prosecution counsel, Jirbo, urged the court to refuse the application and send the defendant to prison custody to serve as a deterrent to others.

The court, however, granted him bail in the 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.

Amosu, Adigun and Gbadebo A former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu was also not left out from those top officers in the dock as he was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged fraud of N22.8billion.

Amosu was charged alongside two ex- top Air Force officers, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun, Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga and eight companies. The companies are Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil And Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon Health Care Ltd. The defendants were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 26-count charge before Justice Mohammed Idris.

MONDAY, jULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Infrastructure devt: FG may opt for insurers’ N80bn annuity fund

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Money Line

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Recession, rising inflation top agenda as MPC meets

Business What's new

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Interview ‘Effective facility mgt policy key to infrastructure devt’

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Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE May 2016...............................15.6% April 2016............................13.7% March 2016..............................12.8%

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

EXCHANGE RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parallel Market as at July 22)

(Interbank as at July 8)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N377 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N500 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N409

l Foreign Reserves – $26.347bn as at 21/7/2016

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N310 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N386 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N322

Source: CBN

p.26

L-R: Branch Manager, Oshogbo, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abiodun Jegede; Winner in the on-going Sterling Cash Reward Promo, Mr. Kabiru Lawal; Regional Business Executive Retail, South West, Sterling Bank Plc, Mrs. Temiwumi Tope-Banjoko and Retail Business Manager, Oshogbo, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Jimoh Najeem Adebare , at the presentation of the prize money to Lawal in Oshogbo

Beer brewers shift to cassava to cut costs in Nigeria, others p.26

Local oil investors’ woes worsen •FG’s N29bn mediation derisory for legacy projects LAUDABLE Government has released disbursement plan for the $100 million intervention fund Adeola Yusuf

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

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

T

he funding difficulty encountered by local oil and gas investors has deteriorated due to their inability to access funds from banks, which had since embarked on a lending freeze due to the devaluation of the naira, New Telegraph has learnt.

This newspaper also gathered that the intervention fund put in place by the Federal Government to boost the funding needs of the Nigerian oil and gas firms has also been hit by a shortfall of $500 million (N145 billion).

The indigenous firms, majorly oil servicing companies, investigations revealed, have being battling with bankruptcy occasioned by inability to henceforth secure loans and other financial facilities from banks for their investments.

All banks that are exposed to dollar denominated credits, especially to the oil firms have had to restructure their loan books and seek further capital (for lenders that are not tier 1) raising exercises, while the latter has to make provisions for an additional 40 per cent to make up for the naira

devaluation.

From an official exchange rate of N197 per dollar, following the drop in the price of oil at the international markets, from about $110 to less than $50 per barrel, the naira has been devalued to N300 per dollar, which as at last Friday, traded at the parallel market at N375.

Already, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has instructed four banks to classify their upstream loan to the energy company, Aiteo, the global financial services firm.

Using the current exchange rate, the Cost of Revenue (CoR) of these banks would rise by 40 bpts on average and by 60 bpts, using a NGN300/$ exchange rate.

Indigenous firms under the auspices of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), this newspaper understands, sought the intervention of the government during a visit to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), an agency of the Federal Government, which seeks to boost indigenous capacity.

Chairman of PETAN, Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, told our correspondent on the side-line of a forum in Lagos, that the $100 million fund, which government promised to release from the intervention fund was inadequate to fund legacy projects.

Okoroafor also challenged the local content Board to increase the size of the NCI Fund to $600 million so that

N145 billion Being the shortfall in the intervention fund put in place by the Federal Government to boost the funding needs of the Nigerian oil and gas firms

legacy projects such as a big shipping yard can be set up in the country.

The NCDF, the PETAN chairman argued, was deducted from contracts executed by service companies, “so the process for accessing the funds by contributory companies should be seamless and credit should be advanced to genuine companies,” he said.

He also canvassed that primary consideration be given to companies that had already created capacities and proven themselves.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) Mr. BankAnthony Okoroafor commended the Board for being responsive to the demands of the industry stakeholders who clamoured for a change in the operating model of the NCDF. He noted that many PETAN members were unable to access the fund under the old model because of the posture of banks to financing oil and gas projects as well as other cumbersome conditions. “Several companies had good ideas and projects but could not access the funds,” he said.

The Federal Government had, last Tuesday, launched the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund) with $100 million.

Two agencies of government, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Bank CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

26

NEWS

MONDAY, jULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Infrastructure devt: FG may opt for insurers’ N80bn annuity fund CAVEAT Such investment would be undertaken with a caveat that the fund would be refunded at the appropriate time by government or the development institution concerned Sunday Ojeme

F

ollowing the stringent conditions attached to accessing pension funds under the Pension Reform Act 2014 for infrastructure development; the Federal Government may take advantage of the opened flanks by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to access the annuity fund under the custody of insurance companies.

Indication to this effect emerged last week as the Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari, revealed that the annuity fund had risen to N80 billion.

He also indicated that the underwriting sector was willing to part with the fund if only the Federal Government would be willing to accept the offer and also prepared to redeem the debt at the appropriate time.

According to him, the annuity fund can be invested in infrastructural development and investment with assurance from government and development institutions that the industry will be able to recoup the funds invested.

Before now, some influential Nigerian fund managers had called on the Federal Govern-

ment to free the pension assets and use it to fund critical sectors instead of allowing it to remain idle.

As far back as 2011, the immediate past Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, had advocated that part of the pension fund, which was then about N3 trillion, be invested in the ailing electricity sector.

He noted that it was unprofitable for such a huge fund to lie idle when the country was going through accelerated infrastructure decay.

Only recently, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, also tinkered with the possibility of using part of the over N5 trillion fund to rehabilitate infrastructure.

Fashola said: “Across all of Africa, there is a visible infrastructure deficit. No country to country rail service across most parts, the highways that connect most of the countries such as in the ECOWAS region, are in very poor shape and these are roads that can easily be built and tolled to earn income to secure the return of pension funds invested in building them.”

He drew inference from the pattern of the South African pension fund, saying while that of Nigeria had been held down, that of South Africa had been spread into development of infrastructure.

He said: “But while these funds are not serving the real sector of roads, bridges, hospitals, rails, airports, fee paying

universities, there is a palpable visible poverty in most of these countries, some of who gathered to seek funding support in South Africa recently at the instance of the Chinese government who offered funding support (loans) of $60 billion for all of Africa, when 10 pension funds had $310 billion to invest.

While flying the kite, the commissioner for insurance, promised that despite the law restricting insurance companies from investing more than 25 per cent in non-insurance business, the commission could issue prudential guidelines to amend that part of the law.

He added that if the industry were willing to assist government with between N10 billion or N20 billion in a year, adding

that the Federal Government would do a lot more for the industry.

He said: “If we are willing to show the government that we can support them with N10 billion or N20 billion a year, imagine what they will do for the industry. We can even invest in the Bank of Industry and other developmental institution as long as such investments are guaranteed. We can invest some of our accumulated funds in such investment.

“The short term funds can also be invested since insurance law does not restrict any company on investment. The prudential guideline that is issued by NAICOM from time to time is what dictates where any company can put in its funds.”

L-R: Chief Enterprise Business Officer, MTN Nigeria, Linda SaintNwafor; MTN Nigeria Executive, Amina Oyagbola; Former Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson; Representative of the Vice President, Afolabi Imoukhuede and Managing Director, Connect Marketing Services, Tunji Adeyinka, at the opening ceremony of Tech+ in Lagos

Local oil Beer brewers shift to cassava to cut costs in Nigeria, others investors’ woes worsen •As Nigeria’s beer consumption hits N210bn yearly

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

of Industry (BOI), in an engagement for the fund, described this as a major step geared to address the paucity of funding and inability to access credit, which often beset manufacturers, service providers and other key players in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Meanwhile, CDMB has released a morality for the management and disbursement of the fund.

The pool of funds, the NCDMB said, would be managed by the BOI, which would lend directly to qualifying players in the oil and gas industry under competitive terms.

“This is a departure from the old model whereby the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) provided partial guarantees and 50 per cent interest rebate to service companies who obtained facilities from commercial banks for asset acquisition and projects execution.

“Under the old model, which became operational in 2012, three companies-Ladol, Starz and Vandrezzer consummated transactions,” the board said.

OPTION Low cost beers are gaining ground as cassava is being used as substitute Bayo Akomolafe

I

nternational beer brewers, Diageo and SABMiller, are turning to cassava maltose to replace costly barley in order to reduce costs in Nigeria.

Also, other brewers in Africa are expanding their production of beers, based on local cassava ingredients as lager consumers have increasingly moved to cheaper brands.

It was learnt that the traditional malts and barleys used for beer have become expensive to import – especially with the devaluation of the naira by over 40 per cent and the inclusion of barley in the list of items that cannot be imported with the official forex.

From an official exchange rate of N197 per dollar, following the drop in the price of oil

at the international markets, from about $110 to less than $50 per barrel, the naira has been devalued to N300 per dollar, which as at last Friday traded at the parallel market at N375.

Over 600 million bottles of beers valued at N210 billion are consumed in Nigeria yearly. The country is second to South Africa in beer consumption in African.

Already, low cost beers are gaining ground where cassava is being used as substitute.

According to a market research portal, Euromonitor, local sorghum had been a barley substitute for Nigerian Breweries, a unit of Heineken, since the 1980s, before the introduction of cassava beer.

Since last year, Nigerian Breweries has worked with a local firm, Psaltry International Company Limited and US-based non-profit organisation, International Fertilizer Development Centre, to improve cassava production in order to optimise cassava value chain in the country

as part of efforts to extract maltose syrup for brewing process.

Apart from Nigeria, it was learnt that cassava beer is gaining ground in Mozambique.

Already, SABMiller has invaded Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique with the cassava beer.

Since 2013, Diageo had spent more than £1 billion on capacity expansion and acquisitions.

The company launched Ruut Extra, a beer made of cassava in Ghana. It has also built a mobile distillery from shipping containers, which it planned to use in Angola and Mozambique to speed up expansion in difficult-to-reach markets.

Diageo acquired a South African rival specialising in local beer last year, while SABMiller is opening new production lines in markets such as Zimbabwe where cheap competitors and illicit brews often out-sell the globally recognised competitors.

At Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), Diageo has started production of beer this year with cassava, a tuber that is a staple food in the country.

It was revealed that the cassava beer, Ngule, had captured seven per cent of the formal beer market in just five months after launch as price per bottle sells for $0.65 per 500ml, less than half the price of Diageo’s renowned Guinness brand.

According to SABMIller Spokesman, George Hudson, traditional African beers had offered a significant opportunity within the markets.

He said: “To play seriously within the affordable segment in Africa, which is one of the largest in the world, it is important to produce beverages that are attuned to local tastes, at prices that are fair and reasonable.

“A substantial amount of alcohol consumed in most of these markets is informal and untaxed because mainstream alcohol is relatively unaffordable.”

BUSINESS | MONEYLINE

MONDAY, jULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Crucial Foreign investors expect rate hike Tony Chukwunyem

A

s the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) begins its twoday meeting in Abuja today, analysts expect the admission by the government that the economy is in recession, rising inflation as well as naira concerns to be the key issues that the committee would consider in announcing its decision tomorrow.

While some experts expect members of the committee to vote for a rate hike that will lure foreign investors to bring in much needed liquidity to the interbank currency market and curb galloping inflation, others predict that the recent admission by the government that the economy is in recession would prevent the CBN from increasing interest rates.

For instance, in a note obtained by New Telegraph, Chief Economist, Africa, at Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, said, “Although wider economic and banking-sector concerns are significant, Nigeria would need to tighten policy in order to attract offshore inflows, and to create domestic confidence in its currency. Tighter monetary policy would also be consistent with a liberalised FX regime.”

Besides, she said, “Nigeria’s decision to liberalise its FX regime, adopting a managed float on 20 June, has created much more interest in its monetary policy. In real terms, Nigeria’s

Recession, rising inflation top agenda as MPC meets policy rate is negative (the central bank rate is 12per cent; official CPI inflation accelerated to 15.6per cent y/y in May). Across its local currency yield curve, real yields are also negative (excluding short-lived spikes at primary auctions).

“However, the success of Nigeria’s currency liberalisation effort is likely to depend on its ability to attract greater foreign portfolio inflows. Further monetary policy tightening that restores positive real returns is necessary for Nigeria to attract more FX-sensitive,

T

he Executive Director, Finance & Strategy of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman has given assurance that the lender would consolidate on the positive ratings by the various international rating agencies by ensuring that it continues to deliver quality banking services to its customers and adhere strictly with best practice as applied to banking worldwide.

Mr. Suleiman, who attributed the ratings by Global Credit Rating (GCR), Moody’s and Lafferty Bank Quality Ratings (LBQR) to the bank’s strong performance and resilience amidst challenging operating conditions, in a statement, also noted that the ratings is a validation of the lender’s business models.

It would be recalled that GCR earlier in the month, affirmed Sterling Bank Plc’s national long term and short term ratings of BBB(NG) and A3(NG) respectively, with the outlook accorded as stable.

Similarly, Moody’s Investors Service had also assigned B2 Issuer rating to the bank.

This according to Moody’s, is a confirmation of the bank’s “solid assets quality metrics and provision coverage, improvements to the Bank’s Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and risk management processes as well as its high liquidity buffers and a solid deposit funding base”.

Assessing the Bank’s quality, the Lafferty Bank Quality Ratings (LBQR) also this year, reckoned Sterling Bank to be amongst the top 10 in the world, top three in Africa (after Capitec and Barclays Africa) and the top bank in Nigeria.

The Lafferty Group approach to bank ratings involves an evaluation of key quantitative and qualitative criteria such as strategy, culture, customer care, brand promise and financial performance.

Michael Lafferty, Chairman, Lafferty Group had state-

As at N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 15.6 12 10.77 US$45.77 US$26,347,107,917

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 May, 2016 23/03/2016 Mar 2015 22/7/2016 21/7/2016

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) Call 30 90 180

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 104.65 114.59 111.96 120.58 109.60 100.54 83.82 97.56

1.07 3.24 3.87 5.82 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.29

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.4583 9.1071 11.0102 12.3790

Bid Yield 10.38 10.55 11.60 11.44 12.27 12.40 12.44 12.49

Change (%) -2.50 ▼ -0.74 ▼ -0.65 ▼ -0.68 ▼

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

Price 104.80 114.89 112.26 120.88 109.90 100.84 84.12 97.86

Tenor (Months)

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

NITTY

Rate (%) 6.9949 7.2368 8.0819 9.2061 9.5872 10.5042

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 10.24 10.45 11.51 11.38 12.22 12.34 12.39 12.44

Change (%) 1.12 ▲ -0.27 ▼ -0.17 ▼ -0.11 ▼ 0.03 ▲ 0.42 ▲

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 7.67 7.82 -0.51 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 3.83 30-Jun-16 7.92 8.08 -0.51 ▼ 6-Oct-16 8.59 8.34 8.71 -0.31 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 4.33 8.99 -0.31 ▼ 16-Mar-17 9.36 10.28 -0.07 ▼ 9.11 9.98 -0.07 ▼

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.14

FX

Offer 199.24

Change (%) 0.57 ▲

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016 Spot($/N)

196.00

ence the authorities’ appetite for aggressive tightening nearterm.”

The StanChart Economist, contended, “Requirements for forex liberalisation may supersede banking sector and wider economic concerns.”

Suleiman: Sterling Bank’ll consolidate on positive ratings

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

yield-seeking flows.”

She, however, said, “Failure to tighten in a credible manner may erode faith in the currency”, pointing out, “a renewed spate of banking-sector worries, as well as widespread economic concerns, could influ-

27

197.00

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

ment, “banks that score well on Lafferty Bank Quality Ratings tend to trade at a premium price to their tangible book value”.

GCR in a report made available to newsmen by Sterling Bank in Lagos also attributed the bank’s rating to its strong performance and resilience amidst challenging operating conditions.

Part of the GCR Report reads: “Sterling’s total assets amounted to N796.4bn (rep-

resenting a market share of 2.8%) at FYE15. The bank’s capital base grew 12.2% in FYE15, solely through internal capital generation, with the risk weighted capital adequacy ratio (“RWCAR”) improving to 17.5% at FYE15 (FYE14: 14.0%). To further strengthen its capital base and support asset growth, the bank is in the process of raising up to N35 billion Tier II capital expected to be concluded in the third quarter of FYE 16.”

NDIC decries rise in non-performing insider loans Tony Chukwunyem

T

he Managing Director/ Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, has expressed concern over the significant increase in non-performing insider loans in various banks and its consequence on the stability of the banking system.

Alhaji Ibrahim expressed this concern while receiving the newly elected President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Professor Segun Ajibola and some of his executive members who paid a courtesy call on the NDIC Senior Management in Abuja.

In a statment, the NDIC boss noted that the development had

posed credibility questions, which were capable of eroding public confidence in the banking system. He called for strict compliance with the existing code of conduct and a review of the existing laws and regulations to provide stiffer penalties for Directors who take advantage of their positions and failed to pay back their Loans.

The NDIC CEO also commented on the rising number of casual staff in the banking industry, noting that such staff accounted for about 25per cent of bank employees in the country and that this has impacted the industry negatively. He also expressed concern over the practice of some banks to assign sensitive roles to casual staff, thereby exposing the banking industry to cases of fraud and forgeries.

UBA’s GMD seeks closer alliance among African central banks

O

utgoing Group Managing Director of pan-African banking group, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has called for increased collaboration among African central banks in order to drive intra-African trade on the continent.

He said this last Friday when he delivered the 4th Valedictory Lecture of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) on the topic “The Emergence of a Nigerian Pan-African Bank” to bankers and financial industry players.

Oduoza according to a statement, used the lecture to share his experience and challenges in helping build UBA Plc. According to the statement, he spoke extensively on UBA’s expansion into Africa, the rational for the expansion and the strategies adopted to derive maximum value and reduce the risks of UBA’s foray

into different African countries.

He also shared with the audience, the lessons learnt from the bank’s expansion into Africa.

Speaking specifically on the need to improve intra-Africa trade in order to drive the growth of PanAfrican banks like UBA, Oduoza decried the low levels of intra-African trade. “The volume of formal intraAfrican trade is relatively low and estimated between 10% and 12% of Africa’s total trade. Comparable figures are 40% in North America and about 60% in Western Europe” He listed lack of the required infrastructure and policies as the major challenges to intra-Africa trade while noting that the adoption of policies like tax holidays, waivers, and market interventions to promote investments in sectors outside commodities will help diversify African economies and drive intra-African trade.

28

MONDAY, jULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |Stock Watch

MONDAY, jULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

29

Unilever Nigeria: Drop in operating expenses buoys earnings Despite the difficult operating milieu, which has continued to inhibit the growth of manufacturers, Unilever Nigeria Plc is gradually returning to profitability following backward integration plans. Chris Ugwu writes

T

he cumulative effects of the scarcity of forex, falling oil prices, security challenges in Northern part of the country with the attendance consequences of loss of lives and properties, the resurgence of restiveness in the Niger Delta and the continued depletion of foreign reserves, have continued to pose serious threats to businesses and social activities in 2016.

Apart from rising cost of raw materials, driven by the challenging macro environment, coupled with fiscal and monetary headwinds, which have resulted in marked reduction in domestic output of some manufacturers, especially multinational consumer goods firms, which have taken up foreign currency liabilities, are also groaning under the pressure of the increased cost of the dollar.

Given headwinds such as weak demand on the back of a squeeze on household wallets, most consumer goods companies in Nigeria have continue to find it difficult to weather the storm.

One of the companies affected by the weak macro-economy was Unilever Nigeria Plc, which saw a decline in 2015 financial year.

However, it appeared the company is getting out of the woods with the trends of results recorded in first and second quarter of the current financial year 2016.

Despite that the company’s bottomline in full year 2015 was on the downswing, the company began the year in an impressive note, as the situation improved from drop in profit margin into a growth position, which market analysts majorly attributed to decline in operating expenses, net finance charges and growth in topline because of reduced competition.

Market sentiments for the shares of Unilever Nigeria, one of the Nigeria’s leading personal and household companies listed on the floor of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) has also dwindled relatively due to the challenging environment, just like other quoted firms in Nigeria facing depression in share prices.

The share price, which closed at N40.00 per share in August, 2015 has recorded a dip in growth. At the close of business last Friday, the company’s share price closed N33.00, depicting a decline of N7.00 or 17.50 per cent

year-to-date.

Financials Despite that the consumer goods firm recorded a strong y/y sales growth, Unilever Nigeria ended the full year 2015 with profit after tax dropping 51 per cent to N1.192 billion from N2.412 billion recorded a year earlier.

The company’s pre-tax profit also fell by 38.35 per cent from 2.873 billion during the previous year to N1.771 billion during the period under review.

However, the company’s revenue grew by 6.22 per cent from N55.754 billion in 2014 to N59.221 billion during the financial year 2015.

But what seems to be an opening at the end of a tunnel came the way of investors, as the first quarter 2016 profit after tax grew by 76.30 per cent to N1.041 billion from N590.448 million recorded a year earlier.

The company’s pre-tax profit also increased by 64.09 per cent, from N864.742 million during the previous year to N1.419 billion during the period under review.

Also, the company’s revenue grew by 12.55 per cent from N14.910 billion in 2015 to N16.782 billion during the first quarter of 2015.

Unilever Nigeria sustained the growth momentum with a record of 27.84 per cent growth in profit after tax for the half year ended June 30, 2016.

Its net earnings for the half year stood at N1.094 billion as against N85.573 million posted in 2015, representing an increase of 27.84 per cent.

Pre-tax profit also stood at N1.487 billion during the period under review, from N94.070 million posted a year earlier, accounting for 58.07 per cent.

The company’s revenue grew by 12.38 per cent from N28.721 billion in 2015 to N32.277 billion during the second quarter of 2016.

Analysts’ view According to analysts at FBN Quest, Unilever Nigeria’s Q2 2016 results indicated that sales of N16.8 billion were up 12 per cent y/y. PBT and PAT of N68 million and N52 million

FTN Cocoa Plc. 2015 August 30

N40.00

September 30

N45.13

October 31

N38.68

November 30

N38.06

December 31

N43.25

January 31

N35.24

February 29

N29.00

March 31

N29.00

April 30

N30.71

May 31

N32.01

June 30

N33.00

July 22

N33.00

Achebe

It is important for the company to continue to manage its cost base tightly to deliver moderate operating margins

compared with pre-tax and posttax losses of –N771 million and -N505 million respectively reported in Q2 2015.

The experts noted that although operating expenses and net finance charges declined -15 per cent y/y and -74 per cent y/y respectively during the quarter, which according to them, the positives were significantly offset by a -607bp y/y gross margin contraction to 27.9 per cent.

They noted:“On a sequential basis, sales were down -8 per cent q/q, while PBT and PAT were both down -95 per cent q/q. Operating expenses were flattish q/q and net finance charges were down -62 per cent q/q. Again, these positives were offset by a -806bp q/q gross margin contraction, leading to the PBT and PAT declines.

“We believe the company was able to grow its topline because of reduced competition (imported products). Importers of food and household products have found it challenging to source fx.

“Those able to source fx have struggled to increase prices due to the fragmented and lowswitching-cost nature of the industry. We believe the gross margin contraction was also due to fx challenges following the adoption of the CBN’s new flexible exchange rate regime and the naira’s downward move to c.N280 per US$ from around N199 previously.

“We believe the company imports about 15 per cent of its raw materials. Although the devaluation of the naira has eased supply of fx slightly, challenges still remain for both Unilever and competitors. As such, we expect fx issues to continue to weigh on the company, both in terms of reduced demand from consumers and margins,” they said.

Future outlook Unilever has said recently that it plans to further increase its investment in Nigeria and set up new plants within the country to further enhance local production.

President, Africa-Unilever, Mr. Bruno Witvoet during a courtesy visit of the Unilever management to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Minister for Trade and Investment, Prof. Okechukwu Enelamah, noted that the company is working on backward integration plans, driving towards 100 per cent local sourcing over time.

“We are pleased and very confident to state that we are a Nigerian company and we are here to stay. We have been in the country for 92 years and will be here for another 92 years and more. Our plans for increased investment will also bring about employment opportunities in the country, as workers will be recruited for the new production line, and in the farms for the production and sourcing of local raw materials.

Appreciating what he described as good initiative from Unilever, Saraki gave assurance that the present administration was serious about its policy on diversification of the economy, while the National Assembly was also reviewing some extant laws to make the country a business-friendly destination.

The local sourcing of the raw materials he stated, will help provide a ready market for some of the products produced by local farmers and thus provide them with the needed encouragement and empowerment.

Saraki noted that the National Assembly has resolved to give its support to ensure that policies are consistent and also to provide all the incentives that are required to ensure that business and investors are encouraged to make the kind of investments promised by Unilever.

Chairman of the company, His Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe said at the annual general meeting (AGM): “The tough business decision taken in 2014 have evolved a Unilever Nigeria Plc that is better placed to thrive within the ever increasing volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous operating business environment. We shall be more aggressive about driving down costs and actively finding savings throughout all facets of our value chain.

We are confident that we will be successful in more sustainable way, as we apply ourselves with energy and determination, to execute our strategy with rigour.”

Conclusion Though Unilever Nigeria is still struggling to get out of the woods, it is important for the company to continue to manage its cost base tightly to deliver moderate operating margins improvement for growth and profitability.

30

MONDAY, jULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Insurance

DEVASTATION Militants in the Niger Delta have destroyed several oil and gas facilities costing millions of dollars

Sunday Ojeme

W

ith eyes on the insurance market for expansion, owners of reinsurance firms are set to penetrate the African market by taking advantage of two antithetical factors, which are basically essential in growing their business.

While a country such as South Africa, for now, is basically attractive on the basis of a peaceful economic possibility, a few others such as Nigeria, Sudan, Libya are attractive based on a mixture of economic growth potential and volatility based on possible terrorism spread.

Although, these countries are currently having their fair share of instability, the likelihood of the rage spreading across to other parts of the continent is not impossible.

On the other hand, despite the apparent shrink in the economies of some, the unexploited potential, in terms of resources, has also become a source of attraction to investors, who would require solid insurance and reinsurance backing.

Risk factors from terrorism have in recent time eaten into the claims profile of Nigerian insurance sector as a result of unresolved insurgency attacks.

Rising claims In recent past, Nigerian underwriters have had to pay claims running close to a billion naira to the country’s armed forces as a result of the ongoing insurgency by Boko Haram sect.

Following the unprecedented attacks on members of the Armed Forces and military formations in 2011, the Nigerian Army emerged the highest beneficiaries in claims settlement under the Group Life.

It received over N300 million from the entire Group Life claims, which totaled N1.95 billion.

In 2011 alone, several military facilities in the North East were attacked by members of the Boko Haram insurgents leading to the death of some military personnel and members of their families.

Officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force were equally not left out in the

Kari

Healy

Terrorism, economic growth spur reinsurance need in Nigeria, others series of tragedies, a development, which compelled the insurer in charge of the Nigeria Police Group Life policy to speak up over the rising claims being paid to the families of policemen who die on active duty.

However, by 2012, the strategies put in place by the Nigerian Armed Forces to secure its personnel from attacks paid off, as the security agency recorded fewer deaths compared to 2011.

Investigation revealed that the insurance claims payment received by the Head of Service of the Federation on behalf of the armed forces declined by over 66 per cent from over N300 million to about N126 million.

Weak local reinsurers With threat of terrorist acts still hanging amid likely economic boost, experts believe that the continent requires solid reinsurance investment as the local reinsurers tend to be too weak in handling some of the potentially big ticket risks.

Prospects In the last few months, several oil and gas facilities, which cost runs into millions of dollars or more have been destroyed by raging militants in the Niger Delta.

Giving clarification in this regard, a global captive practitioner and Director of Consulting, Willis Towers Watson, Ciarán Healy, said there was significant demand for reinsurance in Africa.

Captive Insurance Times quoted him as saying the demand for rein-

surance was increasing because of the growing terrorism risks, investments in oil and gas and mega social infrastructure projects underway across many parts of the continent.

He said: “Local reinsurance markets cannot keep pace with the economic development across the continent, resulting in insufficient capacity for larger risks, which in turn retrocede the larger or more complex risks to the international markets.

“The South African market is able to retain higher levels of risks than the other African markets: today South Africa still represents about 90 per cent of the insurance premiums collected in Africa as a whole.”

“Political and terrorism risks in certain parts of Africa can also introduce a different risk profile for some organisations, which in some cases can be difficult to secure adequate or appropriate coverage for locally.

“However, notwithstanding this, the general risk profile across the continent is converging with more mature economies and the depth and quality of coverage available is ever improving.”

Healy observed that the current investment trends varied from one country to another based on their economic dynamics, adding that there had been significant reduction in foreign direct investments in regions reliant on commodities due to falling prices.

He said: “The collateral effects of this situation strongly impact secondary support services result-

Insurers and reinsurers in Nigeria and Africa should enhance their capacity to forestall a possible market takeover by foreigners

ing in reduced economic growth in certain African countries. By contrast, African countries whose national economies are more diversified and focused on sustainability continue to attract investment and have some of the highest forecast gross domestic product growth globally.

“In an era of depressed investment returns globally, there is renewed interest in parts of the continent as new and attractive investment opportunities emerge, for example, in areas of infrastructure including roads, seaports, railways, power generation and airports, where public-private partnerships are encouraged.

“In order to achieve increased yields, some of the larger global banks and insurers have begun exploring such investment options. There are also investment opportunities in the retail sector—manufacturing and distribution of consumer goods such as food, cars and pharmaceuticals—to supply the needs of the new rising African middle-class.

“These trends are resulting in a more buoyant investment landscape generally across certain parts of the continent.”

Defeats in Africa He declared succinctly that the majority of African businesses used local markets for their risk coverage, which in turn reinsure significant portions of the risk in the international markets, saying that this had traditionally been the approach for the vast majority of African businesses.

According to him, although there are a number

of African businesses with captives, the ratio of captives owned by African businesses is generally much lower than global averages. In many cases, the African businesses that do have captives also have material levels of risk outside the continent, which helps drive the captive agenda.

“There are a number of reasons for this. In some jurisdictions, local regulations that require risk to be placed and reinsured locally means that it can be difficult to export material levels of risk outside the country, and therefore diminishes the feasibility of captive strategies.

“In addition to this, there has historically been a perception that African risk management practices for not being as mature as their European and US counterparts, which did not lend themselves to more sophisticated strategies such as captive utilisation.

However, there are encouraging signs to suggest that captives will be much more common across the continent in the coming years, he added.

On the role of regulators, he said many African insurance regulators were now moving to adopt International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) guidelines, facilitating a more global approach to insurance markets.

He added that with a maturing approach to risk management prevalent across the continent, more and more focus was now being placed on alternative approaches such as captive insurance.

Healy also observed that there was also a growing appetite for African organisations to implement international best practices in risk management, including more sophisticated and evolved strategies, which captive utilisation is very much central to.

Specifically, he said Willis Towers Watson was already actively assisting a number of African businesses with captive investigations and development, stressing it was a trend that is expected to increase in the coming months and years.

Conclusion With more opportunities likely to spring up soon in the form of investments and growth in the insurance of oil and gas facilities being destroyed by militants cum terrorists, insurers and reinsurers in Nigeria and Africa should enhance their capacity to forestall a possible market takeover by foreigners.

MONDAY, jULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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BUSINESS | Financial Market News

MONDAY, jULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Financial Market News

MONDAY, jULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Equities market: Analysts see bleak H2 2016 Outlook Sentiments were mixed in the Nigerian equities market in the H1

Stories by Chris Ugwu

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inancial analysts have said that the positive market environment witnessed in the first half do not point to a more sustainable recovery for equities in the second half of the year.

Analysts at Cordros Research in a report tagged ‘Nigeria Half Year 2016 Outlook: Clear Picture; Dim Outlook’ noted that sentiments were mixed in the Nigerian equities market over H1, with the bulls dominating overall, and leading the benchmark index to a 3.34 per cent gain.

They explained that the rally on the domestic bourse was largely driven by the expectation and eventual announcement of the government economic policies and deci-

sions.

“Our view going into the second half is that the positive market environment witnessed in the first half do not point to a more sustainable recovery for equities,” they noted.

On fixed income securities, the experts noted that the rising inflation expectation and recent exchange rate pronouncements posit an increased likelihood for further yield expansion in H2’16.

“A threat to our forecast is the possibility for lower than expected bond supply to fill the hole from plummeting fiscal revenues,” they noted.

The analysts noted that Nigeria’s fiscal policy space over the first half of 2016 significantly fell short of expectations with the delayed signing of the 2016 budget into law, and the condition is being exacerbated by the ongoing sabotage of crude oil facilities resulting in a colossal oil revenue loss.

They projected a 300bps interest rate hike over the

second-half of the year from 12 per cent to 15 per cent, as inflationary pressures curtail the CBN’s expansionary ambitions.

“In as much as we expect a modest improvement in economic activity in H2’16 following the passage of the 2016 bud-

get and reduced structural bottlenecks like the petroleum scarcity, our inflation forecast remains high and depicts our expectation of further monetary policy tightening. It is important to mention that the CBN has struggled to ad-

Stocks market extend weekly losses by 3.9%

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ope for turnaround of the stock market dimmed last weekend, as the NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalisation depreciated by 3.98 per cent to close at 27,659.44 and N9.500 trillion respectively.

Similarly, all other indices finished lower during the week, with the exception of the NSE Consumer Goods Index that gained 0.89 per cent, while the NSE ASeM Index closed flat.

A turnover of 1.350 billion shares worth N9.287 billion in 18,679 deals were traded last week by investors on the floor of the Exchange in contrast to a

total of 1.149 billion shares valued at N13.616 billion that exchanged hands last week in 21,868 deals.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.148 billion shares valued at N4.861 billion traded in 11,668 deals; thus contributing 85.01 per cent and 52.34 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Conglomerates Industry followed with 73.190 million shares worth N238.895 million in 1,058 deals. The third place was occupied by the Consumer Goods Industry with a turnover of 60.336 million shares worth N2.409 billion

NIPOST lauds Red Star on regulatory compliance

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he Head of the Courier Regulatory Department (CRD) of NIPOST, Dr Simon Emeje has commended the management of Red Star Plc for its steadfastness in its compliance to all regulatory rules laid down by the department for the courier industry.

Emeje stated this when the Red Star management, led by the outgoing Group Managing Director, Mr Sule Bichi paid a courtesy visit to CRD.

Emeje, who noted that the company deserved commendation for its compliance to regulatory rules, noted that it was a reflection of the leadership style of the outgoing Group Managing Director.

Speaking earlier, Bichi disclosed that the organisation was undergoing changes in leadership and structure so as to restrategise for the future, hence the need to keep the regulatory author-

just to the new economic realities resulting from the collapse in crude oil prices. These struggles have been especially highlighted with regards to exchange rate strategy, which has been characterised by various policy somersaults,” they noted.

ity informed on developments and new innovations.

He noted that the company has expanded with different subsidiaries that have enormous growth potential, which was required to contribute positively to the industry.

Speaking at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in 2015, the Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Koguna had said that the operating

environment has been quite challenging not for Red Star Express Plc alone but for most companies operating in the country.

He noted that significant drop in government revenue and distortion in foreign exchange market led to the depreciation of the Naira in the period under review. This according to him resulted in higher cost for all the company’s international operations.

in 3,041 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely –Skye Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and FBN Holdings Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 573.927 million shares worth N1.250 billion in 3,745 deals, contributing 42.51 per cent and 13.46 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Fifteen equities appreciated in price last week, lower than 22 equities of the previous week. Forty– four equities depreciated in price, higher than 38 equities of the previous week, while one 121 equities remained unchanged higher than 120 equities recorded in the preceding week.

Also traded last week were a total of 11,420 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N136, 400.05 executed in 42 deals, compared with a total of 941 units valued at N2.646 million transacted the previous week in 22 deals.

A total of 13,550 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N14.061 million were traded in 6 deals compared to a total of 44,381 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N44.679 million transacted the previous week in 5 deals.

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BUSINESS | Interview

MONDAY, jULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Effective facility mgt policy Mr. Femi Akintunde is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Mead Facilities and Management Services Limited, a facilities management firm. In this interview with DAYO AYEYEMI, he speaks on the imperatives of passing the Facility Management (FM) Bill pending in the National Assembly into law, adoption of public private partnership in the sector and the need for a longterm strategic plan with a view to revamping the country’s decayed infrastructures There has been pressure on the National Assembly to expedite action on the FM Bill before it. How has this delay affected the operation of the sector?

When you talk of FM Bill, it is good to look at the bill, which entails laws that guide operations of activities in the sector. However, the truth of the matter is what we want the bill to control. Is it the delivery of services or conducts of professionals in the industry? We have enough laws in this country; we have building codes, standards and the rest that could guide facility management. Facility management is to provide and implement system and processes to be in line with those codes and standards. To my knowledge, I don’t think we need additional laws.

Are you saying that the on-going push for the bill is an effort in futility?

I think what we need is to put institutional frameworks in place to ensure compliance with the laws we have already. If we get the bill through and it becomes law, that is good, but I think where we should dissipate our energy now is how to ensure compliance with the existing codes and standards. This is my stand. I have not seen anywhere in the world where you are talking of regulating facility management practice. It is a multi-disciplinary field. Who are you regulating? There are components of engineering there; so, the Nigerian Society of Engineers should regulate how I maintain the structure of the building, how the air conditioners and the lifting systems are maintained. It is the code that defines these things and NSE controls in line with putting legal framework in place, service level agreement (SLA) and how the relationship between service providers and building owners is framed. When it comes to building development, the Nigerian Institute of Building is there. Also, when we talk about estate surveying and management process that guides the interrelationship between owner of the building and tenant as regard occupancy and utilisation, I think the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers is there already. So, what we are saying is that we have enough professional bodies guiding different professionals that have a role to play in this multi-disciplinary and integrated facilities management industry. Let each professional be guided by the code of conduct of its own profession. Through this, we can focus, as facilities management professionals, to see how we can integrate the code, standards and laws of each professional organisation to deliver the best goods for our consumers.

You urged the Federal Government to rethink its infrastructure strategy recently. Where do you think government is wrong?

Before now, we have also looked at infrastructure as a capital expenditure activity to building more bridges, roads, airports, seaports and power stations. I think beyond the building of it, we have to talk about the functionality, that is,

Akintunde

the life cycle of it. I think where government has not functioned adequately is by looking at the total life cycle impact of what we are building and what we are providing.

This is to ensure that our growth in terms of population and size is well integrated with the provision of those infrastructures.

Most of the infrastructures we have today are built in the 1950s. Those transmission lines for electricity that were built when the population was in the range of 30 to 40 million should not be the same thing now that we have 140 million people.

The question is whether we have upgraded these transmission lines as the population increases. What was the long-term asset management strategy in place to say this is where we are today and in the next 10 to 20 years, this will be the usage requirement?

How well is what we are doing today going to align with that? We just privatised the power sector now and everyone is talking about meeting the need of the past and the present; nobody is talking about meeting the need of 20 years’ time. Two years ago from this forum, we brought one of the best brains from the United Kingdom, the guy, who was the system engineer for London underground project. We brought him to Nigeria to come and speak to us about infrastructure and real estate management, regarding how it is being done in London.

He was here in Nigeria and talked to us on how they developed the next 50 years’ strategic plan for London underground. Fifty years! That is what policy makers over there are talking about. For now, they are already anticipating the rate at which the population will grow. What route will be opened?

How will it align with the need of the people at the right time? What type of technology and lifestyle will they be supporting with

Government has woken up suddenly to realise that it does not have enough resources to provide the right infrastructure and quality in the right size

the London underground, which is mass transportation? The one we are having today in Nigeria were built 200 years ago. This is one area that government needs to take a second look at. We need to have a strategic framework.

Also, in term of maintenance of the existing infrastructures built some years ago, what is the framework we have in place? I don’t want to wake up and see staff of Federal Road Maintenance Authority (FERMA) carrying brooms on the road. They are not even using the right tools and equipment to maintain these roads. So, the ones we have built, even though they are inadequate to meet today’s needs and you cannot be sure they are going to meet tomorrow’s need, how well are they being maintained? What is the framework in place? What is the strategy?

How well trained are the people who are managing our airports? Why our airports are in that untidy condition today? We spoke about our hospitals; there are many government teaching hospitals today that are not what they should be when compared with other parts of the world.

What about our schools? If you don’t have good schools, how can students learn creatively and be the best of what God created them to be in the future if you don’t have infrastructure for them? Look at the legal system, go to the court of law, go to our prison yards, what do you see there? So, we have issues to deal with in terms of maintenance of those infrastructures of real estate that have been in place. We need to maintain them. Maintaining is not only to make them serviceable and useable, but also to reduce the cost of replacing them when they are totally out of use. We don’t want them to be out of use. If you go to the UK, most of the buildings you see are buildings that have

BUSINESS | Interview

MONDAY, jULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

key to infrastructure devt’ they are by ensuring that they are meeting the need of their people.

This is the area, where I think that Nigeria’s government really needs to focus on by looking at building capacity for sustainable maintenance of infrastructure. If you spend N450 billion in the budget to build infrastructure, for instance and you don’t have sustainable maintenance strategy in place, it will not be there for you tomorrow.

CV Institutions: Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Institute of Personnel Management (IPM), Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), and International Facility Management Association (IFMA).

Founded: 2006 Career: Head, Corporate Technical Planning, Nestle Food Nigeria Plc -1991 -1993; Human Resources, Major Oil and Gas Projects, Engineering Services, Facilities and Assets Management, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC)-1994-2006; Deputy General Manager, Corporate Services, United Bank of Africa(UBA); Managing Director/CEO, Alpha Mead Facilities and Management Services Limited.

How do we educate government and Nigerians about dangers of this action?

Well, very instructive thing one expert we invited two years ago told us was how policy makers in the United Kingdom have been able to separate governance from politics. In Nigeria, politicians mix politics with governance.

What they do in other climes is this: They have a 60-year strategic plan; the number of kilometres of road you must construct during your time is already there, the number of traffic you must draw during your tenure is already there, where you should change the air conditioners, the conveyor belt, when you should build additional wing of the airport is already there, the number of hospitals you will build to cope with the population is already there.

Awards: Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Emerging Category) for West Africa.

Total Pay: Nill Education: B.Sc. Degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Ibadan and Master degree in Engineering Management (Petroleum Engineering Option) from University of Port Harcourt in 1999. spent 100 to 200 years, and they are still standing and they are in very good condition. In fact, the older the buildings are in such locations, the more expensive they become.

So, what is your advice to government?

What we are saying is about how our government is putting facility management into its policy and strategy to ensure that what they are investing in today can stand the test of time and serve people they are meant to serve. The other thing I see as an issue is that government has woken up suddenly to realise that it does not have enough resources to provide the right infrastructure and quality in the right size.

What is your suggestion on how to fund facility management of the nation’s infrastructure?

We are going to be embracing PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) model. The PPP structure that I have seen is working. We have tested it with the airport and Lekki-Epe toll road. However, let me ask you one question: Where is monitoring frameworks put in the agreement between concessionaire and government to check what we are doing and how well these facilities can be maintained to meet government’s objective? One thing I know is that these facilities must continue to meet the need of the people.

This should be the interest of government and not just the money it will make out of it.

When these agreements are being drafted, what a lot of people focus on is about the amount of money they are going to make. That is not what it should be!

The first step government has to take is to provide services and ensuring that they are sustainable. In order to do that, you must integrate facility management into infrastructure development and PPP agreements.

The next thing is about government’s dream to build capacity for Nigerians to be able to do that effectively and support government’s strategy and policy. How many facility management companies are actually building capacity?

In Alpha Mead, we spent so much money to build capacity, implement so many state-of-theart technology and system and we are talking BIFM today. I am not sure of how many FM companies understand the process of BIFM. We are talking of ISO 55000. We already have ISO9000. ISO 55000 is the asset management ISO certification, which is the global standard.

We’ve already started putting a framework in place and it is this kind of thing that you see in advanced countries that keep them where

In Nigeria, politicians mix politics with governance.

What they do in other climes: They have a 60-year strategic plan

Are you saying we don’t have a strategic plan on infrastructure development in place?

We are talking of long-term integrated infrastructure development plan. It is not what you are been told or what that politician told you that ‘I did this’. This is not the way they manage infrastructure in other places. In fact, you can go to jail if you don’t implement what they set for you. There is a scorecard to measure what you should do during your time. It is not your programme; it is a national programme that has been designed for you. You are not the one to set it because politician has a very short time of leaving office – four years, five years. You can only contribute to the development, to the long-term plan because everything you must do in every sector has been laid out. So, you will be measured by how well you have been able to implement what has been set out for you. Therefore, maintaining what you

Akintunde

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have already and the way it will be measured is not about money you spent on maintenance but the result of how many people the infrastructure or asset served during your term.

Where do you want Alpha Mead to be in next 20 years?

When we started 10 years ago, our ambition was to be in every major city across the continent of Africa. About two weeks ago, we said we would be 10 years in January. What is going to define our next 10 years? So we had a strategic workshop, where we invited two experts and about 20 top executives of our company. We locked ourselves up in one hotel for two days to envision the next 10 years of Alpha Mead Facilities. We asked ourselves some salient questions about where we are coming from, where we are now and where we are going?

If we look at what we have done in the last 10 years as a facility management company, we now have a real estate development company that is into housing. We are also involved in major renovation. We look at challenges of providing safe, conducive and secured environment for people. We set up a security arm and now, we are talking of healthcare management services arm. When you put all these things together, we are more than a facility management company.

So, what we said is that our vision by year 2020 is to become one of the top three total real estate solutions companies in Africa and in 2030, we aim to be in the top three in the world.

I think with the trajectories, our government seems to have maintained now, if Nigeria economy continues to grow with all the projections the current government is following, I don’t see any reason Nigeria cannot be placed on the world’s map in terms of high-quality infrastructure and real estate environment.

Our people will be more productive because they will enjoy quality living, quality working condition and can contribute more to the economy by having a better state of mind.

Today, we focus on estate but we are looking at total real estate solution, which will take real estate, infrastructure and city development from conceptualisation of the project.

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MONDAY, jULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at July 22, 2016

national | news

monday, july 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG yet to empower 11,768 ex-militants –Boroh Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

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pecial Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and the Chairman of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig.Gen Paul Boroh, yesterday disclosed that the Federal Government was yet to empower 11,768 ex-militants out of the 30,000 that were granted amnesty in 2009.

On the other hand, Boroh said the office had facilitated the employment of more than 13,348 ex-militants within and outside the country.

These revelations came just as he ruled out the possibility of the government admitting new persons into the Presidential Amnesty Programne.

According to Boroh, new persons cannot be accommodated into the programme because the

aim of the programme was to train and re-integrate ex-agitators, who submitted their arms within the window period set by the government when the programme was launched seven years ago.

Boroh said that so far, 2,849 ex-militants have been trained in various vocations of their choice and given starter packs for their businesses.

These ex-militants, he said, were trained in

vocational skills centres and educational institutions in Nigeria and overseas. A total of 279 ex-agitators graduated from the scheme from August 2015 to date.

“Today, we have close to 2,872 students in 127 universities, and 925 skills acquisition centres in over 26 countries.

They are also in six private universities and 19 training institutions in each state in Nigeria.

So far, the training pro-

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong (left) with the General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, during a visit to the governor in Jos … yesterday

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rtificial sweeteners, known to contain zero-calorie, have been found to stimulate appetite, leading to increased calorie consumption of up to 30 per cent, This is the findings of an Australian study published in the journal ‘Cell Metabolism’.

Artificial sweeteners are substitutes that are used in place of sweeteners with sugar (sucrose) or sugar alcohols. They may also be called sugar substitutes, non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS), and non-caloric sweeteners.

Some well-known sweeteners that are mostly used as food additives

he Ilaje National Development Initiative (INDI) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for selecting credible individuals into the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC).

A statement signed by the group's president, Engineer Thomas Mogbomerun, berated critics of the nominations as self serving opportunists, saying they speak for themselves and not the people of the oil producing states.

President Buhari had on Thursday, forwarded a 17-man list to the senate for confirmation as mem-

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Bhutan in 2000.

Source: Itu.int

Group wants Amnesty for Boko Haram Yekeen Nurudeen

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worldwide include sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, neotame, alitame, cyclamate and saccharine.

A team of researchers from the University of Sydney has studied the effects of artificial sweeteners on human and animal brains for the first time.

Although, these artificial sweeteners are often recommended to dieters looking to limit their sugar intake, the research shines a less favourable light on such products.

According to the study, the scientists exposed fruit flies to diets with high levels of artificial sweeteners for prolonged periods of time (more than five days).

They found that the

chronic consumption of artificial sweeteners promoted hyperactivity, insomnia, glucose intolerance, a more intense perception of sweetness, and an increase in appetite and in calories consumed.

Reacting, Lead researcher and Associate Professor, Greg Neely said, “We found that inside the brain's reward centres, sweet sensation is integrated with energy content.

“When sweetness versus energy is out of balance for a period of time, the brain recalibrates and increases total calories consumed.

“The sweeteners essentially cause the brain to send a message that not enough energy has been consumed, trigger-

ing a kind of starvation response that makes food taste even better.”

Furthermore, Neely noted that when "regular" sugar was eaten, dopamine was released in the brain and blood sugar levels rise, causing a secondary stimulation to produce dopamine.

However, he stated that when eating artificial sweeteners, dopamine produces the initial sensation of pleasure, but the second effect doesn't occur because sugar-free sweeteners have no impact on blood sugar levels. As a result, the body sends signals requesting more food to compensate.

The researchers had observed the same effect in mice.

INDI hails Buhari on NDDC Board Hassan-Kukah speaks on Oputa Panel

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0.4%

Abuja

Artificial sweeteners increase appetite by 30% Appolonia Adeyemi

gramme has been on course both locally and offshore,” he said.

bers of the interventionist agency's board.

The list included former Senate leader, Victor Ndoma Egba and Mr Isima Nkere as chairman and managing director designates respectively.

Nine other nominees are to represent the oil producing states but Nkere's nomination has come under criticism even as that the Ondo representative and son of first civilian governor, Tokunbo Ajasin has been rejected by a cross section of Ilaje youths and leaders on the ground that Ajasin was not from an oil producing area, being an Owo indigene.

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he Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese in Sokoto, writer, civil activist and commentator on national affairs, Bishop Mathew Hassan-Kukah would be in Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday.

Kukah will be the guest of the book readers’ club of the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP) on Awolowo Road in the capital city.

According to the school, the respected clergy and social commentator will be reading from his book Witness to Justice: An Insider’s Account of Nigeria’s Truth Commission (2011) a critical narrative of the Hu-

man Rights Violation Investigations Commission (otherwise known as the Oputa Panel) established by the Obasanjo administration to investigate the causes, nature and extent of human rights violations from 1966 to 1999.

The reading is the school’s second, having earlier hosted poet and gubernatorial candidate in Edo State, Odia Ofeimun, who read from his book, Taking Nigeria Seriously.

ISGPP said of Hassan-Kukah:“He is a fiery and indefatigable patriot whose love for Nigeria is not in doubt. And not surprisingly, he will be reading from his book.

ollowing renewed Boko Haram attacks in some parts of the North, a group, the Northern Interfaith and Religious organization for Peace has reiterated the call for an amnesty programme for repentant Boko Haram members.

The group also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the absorption of Civilian JTF youths into security agencies.

National Coordinator of the group, Bishop Musa Fomson, who spoke with newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja, said a total of 250 youths that were once part of the vigilante group fighting Boko Haram terrorists better known as Civilian-JTF have been trained and inducted into the Nigerian Army.

He added that 30 of these youths have also been absorbed into the Department of State Services (DSS).

"We at the Northern Inter Faith and Religious Organization for Peace wholeheartedly laud the Federal Government led

by President Muhammadu Buhari for this new development as part of efforts at mopping up the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.

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FCT Minister warns herdsmen on cattle Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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etermined to forestall a possible clash between residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and Fulani herdsman, whose cattle have taken over the nation's capital in recent time, the FCT administration is set to enforce the law that prohibits grazing of cattle in the city centre.

Public outcry has greeted the recent influx of cattle into the nation's seat of power in which almost all the districts including the Three Arms Zone where the three key organs of government are located and residential areas have become grazing zones for herdsmen without any restriction.

But the FCT administration under the Minister Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, said it has been inundated with complaints about the presence of herdsmen in Abuja and has commenced a sensitization campaign among the Fulani leaders in the city about the existing law banning grazing of cattle in the city.

New Telegraph gathered that a meeting was held last week by the management of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB ) with Ardos (Fulani elders )in the FCT to intimate them of the law prohibiting grazing of cattle in the city centre.

Confirming this to our Correspondent, Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Alhaji Abubakar Sani, said that the law which has been existence since 1987, has not really been enforced but would soon be put into full use as soon as the sensitization is concluded.

Publish Dasuki's bank statements, Fayose tells EFCC Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

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kiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose yesterday told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to publish the statement it claimed to have extracted from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, in its ongoing probe of the alleged diversion of money meant for the purchase of arms and the funding of the last general elections in the country.

Fayose equally asked the agency to publish details of transactions in his own (Fayose's) personal accounts with Zenith Bank Plc, it (the EFCC) froze for

the whole world to see.

The governor threw the challenge at the weekend while featuring on an interview programme on a radio station, Fresh FM. The governor opined that by publishing Dasuki's statement, it would at least show whether the ex-NSA gave money to former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro or anybody to give him (Fayose).

Said he:"What I am facing in Ekiti is a war of the elite and incidentally, it is the masses that vote people into office. We know some failed Ekiti politicians who now resume daily in EFCC office to concoct stories and give same to their commissioned newspapers to publish."

38

NEWS | national

Buhari: I was removed over corruption in 1985

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has revealed why he was overthrown by some of his colleagues in 1985. According to the president, he was removed from office because of his then impending plan to purge the military of corruption.

The president, who was ousted on August 27, 1985 by a group of soldiers led by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, said that he was removed when it was obvious that he was moving against some of the military top brass, who were allegedly involved in corruption activities.

In an exclusive interview published in the current edition of The Interview magazine, ac-

cording to Saharareporters, the president said he was removed from office 31 years ago because he was planning to purge the military hierarchy of corruption.

Buhari said that senior military leaders, led by a former military president, Babangida, and General Aliyu Gusau, removed him to save themselves from his wrath.

Buhari challenged Babangida and Gusau, to tell the truth on why they carried out the coup against him.

“I learnt,” he said, “that Aliyu Gusau, who was in charge of intelligence, took import licence from the Ministry of Commerce which was in charge of supplies and gave it to Alhaji Mai Deribe.

"It was worth N100,000, a lot of money at that time.

I confronted them and took the case to the Army Council in a memo...I wanted Gusau punished."

In a statement on www. theinterview.com.ng, the Managing Director/ Editor-in-chief of The Interview, Azu Ishiekwene, said, “This is one edition that won’t let sleeping dogs lie.”

Buhari challenged Babangida and Gusau to come clean on why they removed him, asking The Interview to choose whose story to believe.

€39.6m

The estimated transfer value of Sadio Mane of Southampton in 2016.

Source: 101greatgoals.com

monday, july 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Agric Minister, Ogbeh, sued over N25bn egg contract Amadi Nnamdi ABUJA

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inister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has been dragged to court over the award of a N25 billion contract for the production of eggs for the Federal Government's proposed school feeding programme.

A non-governmental organisation, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), instituted the legal action before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In the suit marked FCH/ABJ/CS/ 520 /2016, CSJ is seeking the leave of the court to apply for an order of mandamus compelling the minister to grant them access to the details of the N25 billion contract the minister signed with Tuns Farms Nigeria Limited to facilitate egg production in the country on the project called National Egg Production Scheme (NEGPRO).

CSJ is specifically requesting for a copy of the signed agreement, the contact address of the company, newspaper where the procurement contract was advertised and the criteria for selecting Tuns Farms for the project The CSJ's counsel, Kingsley Nnajiaka Esq., who brought the action pursuant to sections 1, 20 and 21 of the freedom of information act, 2011, sections 48(1), 51 of the fiscal responsibility act of 2007 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court, also prayed for other reliefs to wit:- declaration that denying the applicant access to the details and the copy of N25 billion contract the minister signed with Tuns Farms Nigeria Limited to

SERAP wants investigation into N40bn budget padding allegation Philip Nyam Abuja

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L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Lagos State, Mr. Fola Adeyemi; Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde and Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, during the closing of State Executive Council and Body of Permanent Secretaries Retreat, with the theme Reflect, Reappraise, Strategize…Raising the Bar of Governance, in Lagos …yesterday

Lagos budget to hit N1trn by 2018

Muritala Ayinla

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he Lagos State Government yesterday announced that by 2018, its yearly budget size will hit N1 trillion while it would increase its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to N30billion monthly in 2017 and N50 billion monthly in 2018.

The government, which described the plan as strategic target to massively reduce its dependence on federal allocation, said it has resolved to scale up and run efficient revenue collec-

change OF NAME

Tonprebofa

I fomerly known and addressed as Egbere Ebi now wish to be known and addressed as Febabor Tonprebofa. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

Yisau

I fomerly known and addressed as Miss Raheem Rukayat Abiola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Yisau Rukayat Abiola. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

tion machinery through the convergence of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs') operations and utilization of cutting edge technologies.

In a communiqué issued at the end of a four-day retreat for members of the State Executive Council, Body of Permanent Secretaries and heads of government agencies and parastatals in Badagry the government said it was poised to lifting the state to a new level.

New Telegraph gathered that retreat with the theme “Reflect, Reappraise, Restrategise: Raising the Bar of Governance", reviewed the policies of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration and its impact on the residents as well as emerging challenges in the state.

At the retreat, participants intensively deliberated on the six pillars of Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) which included infrastructural development, sustainable

environment, finance, economic development, social development and security and governance.

According to the communiqué, which was jointly read to journalists by the State's Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde; Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr

Akinyemi Ashade and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Mr. Fola Adeyemi, the government assured residents of more developmental strides.

Harping on the budget plan, Ashade said though the target was ambitious, but that appropriate measures were being adopted to achieve the plan.

Army Commander tasks Officers, talks tough Flora Onwudiwe

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he Commander, 13 Brigade of Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu, has tasked officers and men of the Brigade to display professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

The Commander was speaking in Calabar when he was addressing the officers and soldiers of the Brigade on his assumption of duty.

The General pointed

out that the current challenges facing the nation calls for proactive attitude to service as every soldier was a key stakeholder in addressing current security challenges.

The Commander warned that any soldier caught conniving with criminals in any way would be sanctioned accordingly.

He advised the soldiers to remain professional and operate within the prescribed rules of engagement.

facilitate egg production in the country on the project without explanation constitutes an infringement of the applicant’s right guaranteed and protected by section 1(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

They also prayed for an order compelling the respondent to pay to the applicant the sum of N500, 000 as damages for denying the applicant access to information.

It will be recalled that the minister recently informed the general public that the ministry has signed a contract of N25 billion with Tuns Farms Nigeria Limited to facilitate egg production in the country on the project called National Egg Production Scheme (NEGPRO).

ocio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, to order an investigation into the allegations of budget padding currently going on in the House.

The group asked him to “urgently refer to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for an effective and independent investigation, the allegations that the leadership of the House attempted to pad this year’s budget to the tune of N40 billion.

SERAP said in a statement yesterday that the investigation would also determine whether the immediate past chairman of

the House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, who made the allegations, was victimized for opposing immunity for principal officers.

SERAP’s call followed allegations by Jibrin, that Dogara and three other principal officers of the House victimized him for refusing to support immunity for presiding officers, as well as the approval of N40 billion for principal officers out of N100 billion approved for members of the House for constituency project.

In a statement issued yesterday by SERAP’s executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organization said that, “Given the seriousness and gravity of the allegations against the leadership of the House, any investigation by the House would not be enough, as this would not meet the threshold of an effective, transparent and independent investigation.

‘FG loses $39,370 to payment reversals in S'Africa’

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igeria’s Consul-General in South Africa, Ambassador Uche AjuluOkeke, said yesterday that the Federal Government lost $39,370 (about N10.9 million) to visa and passport fees at processing centres in that country.

Okeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg, South Africa, that the Online Integrated Solutions (OIS), a firm that processes passport and visa on behalf of the Nigeria Immigration Service abroad, reported the loss to the Consulate.

“Concrete evidence that we have got shows a recent compilation of 254 online payment fraudulent reversals of passport applications, which occurred be-

tween the months of April and June 2016.

“These acts were deliberately done by Nigerians to defraud their government,” she said.

Okeke said the acts were perpetrated through the banks.

She said the South African banking system allowed anyone with a credit card to reverse such payment if there was complain within 30 days.

“Unfortunately, some Nigerians in South Africa have perfected the act of defrauding the Federal Government by going to the banks to report loss or fraudulent use of such cards and the banks will reverse the payment,” she said.

News|south-west

monDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Olubadan tasks Nigerians in Diaspora on agric business Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

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he Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, has implored well-meaning Nigerians living overseas to invest in agriculture at home in order to alleviate poverty and reduce unemployment ravaging the country.

The monarch gave the plea at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace at the weekend while receiving members of the Yoruba Descendants Union (YDU) in the United States of

America, led by its President, Agba-Akin Bolu Omodele.

Olubadan was categorical that there was hunger in the land, stressing that “as every inch of our land in Yoruba land is cultivable, one area of investment that would interest Nigerians in the diaspora is agri-business, compared to other business ventures. The risk rate is lower.’

According to Olubadan, intending investors in agri-business should also take advantage of the overwhelming presence of virtually all the agricultural institutes in Ibadan, such as the International Institute of Tropical Ag-

riculture (IITA), Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, (IAR&T), Cocoa Research Institute (CRIN), Forestry Research Institute (FRIN), Nigeria Institute of Horticultural Research and Training, (NIHORT) among others.

To the monarch, the research institutes were in better position to consult and advise intending investors in agri-business in a way that would benefit both the institutes and the investors, regretting that many Nigerians still labour under the erroneous impression that agricultural business was better left in the hands of peasants.

Speaking earlier, the

group’s President, AgbaAkin Omodele, solicited the support and assistance of the Olubadan towards successful holding of Yoruba World Summit slated for Ibadan in October.

He stated that participants would be drawn from among young school leavers, traders and artisans in Yorubaland on what to do to become self-dependent, disclosing that his team would soon embark on a tour of Yorubaland with a view to knowing the strength and weaknesses of each location.

He therefore urged the Olubadan to help in contacting and sesitising traditional rulers in Yorubaland ahead of the summit.

L-R: National Chairman, National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr. Yunusa Tanko; former governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, at a press briefing after their tour of Ondo State, in Akure…at the weekend.

Why Fayose must pay workers’ salaries, by APC Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

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he All Progressives Congress (APC), Ekiti state chapter has insisted why Governor Ayodele Fayose must commit fresh monthly allocation to the state from the federal government on paying workers’ salaries and the entitlements of pensioners.

Publicity Secretary of the party in the state,

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arely three weeks after their arrival in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany for a three-month training on agriculture and food production technology, beneficiaries of the Osun state agricultural scheme, have expressed hopes that the nation’s diversification of the economy would receive a boost should the Federal government consider modern agriculture enterprises.

The beneficiaries, who shared their experiences with a German newspaper A-Z Online revealed how their three weeks al-

Taiwo Olatunbosun, said in a statement at the weekend that the latest receipt of N4.732billion to the state, excluding Local Government allocation, was enough to pay the workers and pensioners a minimum of four months arrears, the state’s wage bill being less than N2.6billion as often claimed by Fayose.

Olatubosun said: “Since he claims to be a friend of the masses, Fayose should be honest

with Ekiti people and with God now that he has been exposed by adding the N4.7 billion State allocation to the Local Government Allocation which is almost the same amount.

“It is gratifying that the Federal Government announced the July allocations to the 36 states, giving details of figures of receipts of each of the states.

“Governor Fayose is fond of distorting facts

about allocations to the state and on several occasions lying that the state receives barely N500m after deductions.

“Now that the Federal Government has announced that July allocation to Ekiti State is N4.732b after deductions and separate from the Local Government Allocation, Ekiti people can no longer be deceived that the state received peanut in July as an excuse for failure to pay salary.”

39 Lagos recruits 1,000 teachers as 168, 843 pupils write JSS exams Muritala Ayinla

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o fewer than168, 843 pupils in Lagos state took part in the 2016 Primary 6 Placement Test into Junior Secondary School 1, Executive Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Ganiyu Oluremi Sopeyin has said.

Besides, he said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the employment of an additional 1000 teachers for the state secondary schools.

Sopeyin, who monitored the exercise said that the number represented the total number of pupils from both the state owned public schools and their private counterpart that took part in the test.

He said that the test which took place in 255 designated centres across the state was adjudged to be one of the best ever recorded by the state as question papers and answer scripts known as the OMR sheets as well as officials got to their respective centres ahead of time.

This, according to him had given rise to an upsurge recorded followed a renewed confidence and improved standard of public education

OAU to resume August 1, Alumni body hails FG Mojeed Alabi

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ollowing the successful selection of an acting vice-chancellor for the hitherto troubled Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, New Telegraph has exclusively gathered that the 54-yearold ivory tower may on Monday, August 1, resume academic activities.

Investigations revealed that once the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education issues a letter of appointment to the newly Acting Vice-Chancellordesignate, Prof. Anthony Elujoba, he would quickly convene another emergency Senate meeting where the matter of resumption would be tabled.

Osun trainees back Aregbesola’s NIS nabs traffickers, rescues 131 children in Oyo the children, were victims policy on economy Sola Adeyemo of child trafficking by people ready spent in Germany had shown that Nigeria’s economy had refused to grow because of the country’s over-dependence on oil.

The ongoing training is in furtherance of the collaboration between the Osun state government and the state of SaxonyAnhalt Germany.

The training is in continuation of government’s drive to revolutionise agriculture in the state under the Osun

Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Programme (O’REAP) and boost food productions for local consumption as well as export.

Adesuyi Fasola Michael and Adebayo Waheed Adekunle, both trainees, were quoted by the German newspaper as expressing satisfaction with their trainees, vowing that Nigeria and Osun in particular would feel their impact when they return to Nigeria.

Ibadan

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he Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has rescued 131 children from traffickers, 56 children of whom had been re-united with their Nigerian parents, the Comptroller, Mrs. Victoria Isangedighi, disclosed in Ibadan on Friday.

According to the Comptroller while responding to questions from members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of Oyo NUJ who paid her a courtesy call in her office,

in the state especially in the last one year of the Ambodeled administration.

Shopeyin, however, noted that despite the state government earlier announcement of the time and date of the commencement of the exercise, some pupils came to the examination centres behind schedule while some pupils who were not registered for the exams also reported for it in some centres.

He said: “All these minor hitches were immediately addressed peacefully without harassment or molestation.”

He reiterated the government’s commitment to provide qualitative and quantitative education in conducive atmosphere in the state.

This, he said has led the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to approve the employment of an additional 1000 teachers for the state secondary schools.

He explained that the employment of additional 1,000 teachers into the state owned secondary schools would complement the existing workforce in the state owned secondary schools to take care of the upsurge recorded in placement test.

from within the country and foreigners alike, who were rescued through intelligence and surveillance during various operations at different locations within the state in the last four months.

Isangedighi explained that not less than 75 of the rescued children were minors who were suspected to have been lured from their parents by unsuspecting relatives for the purpose of using the children for child labour both within and outside the country.

According to a top member of the management at the university, who did not want to be quoted, once the letter of appointment is issued to the acting vice-chancellor, the university would be officially reopened for the continuation of the aborted harmattan semester for the 2015/2016 academic calendar year.

“We are only awaiting the letter to reopen the university for full academic activities. I can assure you that the atmosphere is now peaceful enough for our students to return.

And with the kind of the leadership qualities of the newly appointed acting vice-chancellor, we are sure that this peace will be lasting,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the university’s alumni association has commended the President Muhammadu-Buhari-led administration for its intervention in the leadership crisis that engulfed the university, and pledged its support to the acting vice-chancellor.

89

The sex ratio of women to 100 men of Greenland in 2011.

Source: Un.org

101

The sex ratio of men to 100 women in the 60 + age group of French Guiana in 2012.

Source: Un.org

40

News|SOUTH-EAST

Why I support Buhari, by Mbaka

Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

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iery Roman Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has disclosed that he had nothing to regret over his 2015 prophesy of change, where he had predicted that former President Goodluck Jonathan will be defeated in the presidential elections.

He equally dismissed as baseless, claims that he fell apart with Jonathan over the latter’s refusal of his request for oil well.

Mbaka, while speaking through his media aide, Barr. Maximus Ike Ugwuoke, on the sidelines of the activities ahead of his 21 years priestly ordination anniversary said he would not regret the 2015 change prophesy despite the current sufferings Nigerians were experiencing.

Instead, he recalled that he had also on several occasions released prophecies

on the current hard times bedeviling the nation.

The priest, however, maintained that the previous administration, which ran a wasteful government, should be held responsible for the present situation.

According to him, “when these prophesies come, it must not be what people think or want. People are entitled to their views, those reactions mean nothing. The important thing is that there is nothing he had prophesized which never came to pass, the ministry does not care how people

feel about his prophesies.

Some call him controversial priest, some call him fiery priest and all that, they are entitled to their opinion.

The fact remains that he is a true prophet “I will tell you something, it is not for us human to judge prophesies.

He was the only person who said Buhari would win. If it were in the olden days, all those so-called men of God who castigated him would have received the wrath of God immediately. All of them should be ashamed of themselves now.

“When you look at that prophesy on Jonathan, he gave it and it came to pass. Don’t forget that two months before that Prophesy, Jonathan’s wife came to the adoration ground.”

That is to tell you that the prophesy came from God. If after such visit, he had the courage to reveal such prophesy against them, that tells you that it is much more than what people think. Whether the prophesy is a good one or not, talking about the suffering, it has nothing to do with the prophesy.

-£0.4m

The net amount of money spent/ received by West Ham in the January 2016 transfer window.

Source: 101greatgoals.com

1,151m

The number of individuals using the internet worldwide in 2006.

Source: Itu.int

Ghost teacher to refund N1.4m, 23 others demoted for connivance Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

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primary school teacher in Izzi local government area of Ebonyi State, Mrs. Angela Nwofoke has been ordered to refund the sum of N1.4million which she allegedly collected through a proxy while staying away from duty for a period of five years.

In addition to the refund order, Nwofoke has been suspended indefinitely and would be prosecuted for the fraud.

Also, the School head,

Mr. Gregory Nwajiaku and about twenty other teachers have been demoted by one grade level and transferred out of the school for allegedly conniving with Nwofoke to defraud the government.

Nwofoke was said to have absconded from her duty post for five years replacing herself with one, Miss Theresa, whom she pays N8,000(eight thousand naira) monthly out of her salary to stand in for her.

The State Chairman of Universal Basic Education Board(UBEB), Chief Hya-

cinth Ikpor, said the board discovered Nwofoke’s trick during a personnel audit exercise. He said Nwofoke had abandoned her duty post since 2012 but resurfaced following the staff audit.

“We have checked the total amount of money paid to you in all these five years of your abscondment and it came to one million, one hundred and twenty six thousand, seventy four naira, twenty nine kobo.

This was your salary for the year 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

monDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Face your forgery case, APC tells Ekweremadu

Ezeagu House of Assembly constituency candidate in ENUGU the 2015 general elections, Hon Anayo Iyama; Chief he All Progressives Chibuike Obu and RobinCongress(APC) caucus son Anyanechi, made the in Ezeagu Local Govern- call in a statement issued ment Area of Enugu State yesterday. has called on the Deputy The call was sequel to a Senate President, Ike meeting of the traditional Ekweremadu, to desist from rulers in Ezeagu supposedly dragging royal fathers in the convened at the instance of area into his legal battle over Ekweremadu on Saturday alleged forgery of the Sen- where the royal fathers gave ate’s standing rules. him a ‘totem’, ‘Ofor’, which The caucus comprising means, ‘nothing would hapthe State Publicity Secre- pen to him’. tary and the party’s legal “We are telling the whole adviser in Enugu West Sena- world that nothing should torial Zone, Mrs. Kate Ofor; happen to Ekweremadu.

We have given him another Ofor Staff today. Ofor Staff L-R: Member, is a symbol of authority in representing Udi/ Igboland”, the royal fathers Ezeagu Federal said.

Constituency, Piqued by this developHon. Denis ment, the APC caucus acAmadi; member, cused Ekweremadu of takrepresenting ing undue advantage of the Aninri/Awgu/ traditional rulers and asked Oji-river, Hon. him to face his trial.

Toby Okechukwu; They said, “Our underChairman/founder, standing of the issue at Ikeoha Foundation, stake is that some Senators, Senator Ike labelled, ‘unity forum’, felt Ekweremadu; aggrieved after the June 9, Executive-Director, 2015 Senate leadership elecIkeoha Foundation, tion and thereafter alleged Mrs. Cindy Ezeugwu that the Senate Rules Book and Enugu State was doctored by Senator Governor, Ifeanyi Ekweremadu and his coUgwuanyi, at the horts. The unity forum reunveiling of the ported the matter to the Po2015/2016 Ikeoha lice. After investigation, the Scholarship and matter was filed to court by Bursary Award the Hon Attorney General at Ezeagu, Enugu of the Federation. To us, it is State…at the only the court which can reweekend solve the matter either way.”

Charles Onyekwere

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INEC declares Imo North Senatorial District election inconclusive

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the result of Imo North Senatorial District rerun election which was held on Saturday inconclusive.

Also declared inconclusive, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), were the results of Oru East and Isiala Mbano State Constituencies following reported cases of shoot-out which char-

acterised the exercise in some communities in the two affected areas.

The shootings were reported at Okata and Amiri in Oru East, while skirmishes and snatching of ballot boxes characterised the election in some communities in Isiala Mbano area.

Prof. Arinze Agbogu, the INEC Returning Officer for Imo North Senatorial District who announced the result on Sunday, however said that Mr Ben Uwaju-

mogu, APC’s senatorial candidate, polled 48,921.

Agbogu also announced that PDP’s Athan Achonu scored 40,142 votes to emerge second in the already declared result.

He explained that results of several polling units in Isiala Mbano area were characterised by irregularities leading to cancelation of the results.

Agbogu explained that the exercise was cancelled in 15 polling units with a total of 13,000 registered voters.

According to him, the difference between the candidate with the highest score and the second stood at 8,777 votes.

‘I98km ring roads receiving attention in Ebonyi’ Ugwuanyi is a God-fearing leader – Cleric Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

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cting Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, has disclosed that a total of 198km ring roads in Ebonyi state is currently receiving the attention of the government. He made this disclosure in Abakaliki when a delegation of African Development Bank Nigeria Field office paid him a courtesy call.

The Acting Governor noted that when completed, the roads which cut across seven local government areas will not only boost the state’s economy but also of great benefits to the people who are mainly farmers.

He explained that it was the state government’s resolve to alleviate the suffering of the people that propelled Governor Umahi, to seek interventions from African

Development Bank(ADB) through the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Igwe maintained that apart from seeking assistance from development partners, the state government had taken bold step to construct good number of roads covering over 200km in one year including building of overhead bridges which he said will go a long way in impacting positively on the lives of the people and reduce carnage on the roads.

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he Spiritual Director of Jesus Never Fails Prayer Ministry Worldwide, Evangelist Nkem Adu, has described Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State as a God fearing leader who has dedicated his service to the emancipation of the poor and underprivileged in the society.

Adu while speaking yesterday at a one-day crusade to mark her birthday, noted that her prophecy

prior to the election that Ugwuanyi will emerge as the governor of the state was fulfilled because of his closeness to God and sheer commitment to the wellbeing of the poor.

She said she was surprised that the governor could still make it to the event despite his tight schedule.

While appreciating Ugwuanyi for his gesture and devotion to things of God, Adu noted that the

governor had scarified a lot to be able to execute development projects that would impact positively on the lives of rural dwellers and pay workers’ salaries on or before 25th of every month.

The Evangelist praised God for fulfilling her prophecy on Ugwuanyi, whom she described as “the most accessible governor in the country” and urge him to remain steadfast and committed to God.

south-south | news

monday, july 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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NMA decries Hoodlums invade legislative Impeachment plot against non-pyment chamber in Delta, cart away mace Buhari suicidal –Rep of salaries Gabriel Efeduku Ughelli

Chris Ejim Yenagoa

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ayelsa State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) yesterday decried the non-payment of several months’ salaries in the state, saying that the continued delay in the payment of salaries and wages had adversely affected healthcare delivery, among others.

According to NMA, the non-payment of salaries in the state had, among other things, reduced hospital attendants as patents can no longer procure drugs, pay for tests or pay their bills on their discharge from hospitals.

The consequences they maintained were that Bayelsans had resorted to self-treatment, patronise quacks and in the worst case scenario, opted to die at home.

It further stated that the non-payment of salaries was a ready template for anti-social upheaval, psychiatric manifestation, especially depression/suicide, self-denial, self-pity, escalating vices such as theft and violence.

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oodlums numbering 200 at the weekend invaded the Ughelli South Local Government Area legislative chamber during one of its sessions, leaving nine people with varying degrees of injuries.

The hoodlums, believed to have invaded the council with guns, cutlasses, battle axes and other dangerous weapons, under the instruction of a top executive member of the council, freely used them on their

victims, including five councilors, three members of staff of the council and the Clerk of the House, who was stabbed on the head.

It took the timely intervention of a team of military personnel, who came to the rescue of the lawmakers, apprehended eight of the hoodlums before taking them to their barrack at Agbarha-Otor.

Ten members of the hoodlums were also apprehended at Edjekota by men of the State AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) and they have given useful information about the top executive officer of the council, who sent

them.

Giving details of the incident, Leader of the House, Hon. December Saromare, said the hoodlums also made away with the mace of the House after smashing and destroying windows, furniture and other items within the chambers.

Confirming the arrest of the hoodlums, a senior police officer, told New Telegraph that the suspects had confessed that a top political office holder in the Ughelli South executive and three lawmakers in the council as the brains behind their attack on the lawmakers.

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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he lawmaker representing Akoko Edo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Peter Akpatason, said yesterday that it will be suicidal for anybody to think at this precarious moment of the nation’s life of anything such as impeachment against President Muhammadu Buhari.

Akpatason said it would be the greatest mistake for anybody to contemplate impeachment against the President, because there are millions of Nigerians, including members of the L-R: President of Nigeria Union, South Africa, Mr Ikechukwu Anyene; Pastor of Christ Ambassadors Church, Idah Peterside and Coach, South African National Team, Mr Ephraims Mashaba, during a memorial service for former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, at Christ Ambassadors Church, Kempton Park, Johannesburg, South Africa … yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Bayelsa elders proffer solution to militancy in Niger Delta Chris Ejim Yenagoa

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lders and leaders of Bayelsa East senatorial district yesterday wrote a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, proffering a solution to the militancy in the Niger Delta region.

The elders and leaders also decry the rising incidence of sea piracy, oil and gas pipelines attacks and violent crimes by the new militants in the

Niger Delta region, saying the solution to such crimes was the takeoff of the Brass Liquefied Natural Gas Project (Brass LNG) in the region.

The elders from the two local government councils of Brass and Nembe, said though the local and state governments had done much in the area of providing employment, initiating security and peace along the waterways and creeks of the state and the region, the delay in the takeoff of the Brass LNG project had

APC chieftain commends Ayade over improved security Clement James Calabar

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chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, Mr. Goddie Akpama, has lauded the strategies adopted by the state government in checkmating crime in the last two weeks.

He said with the recent arrest of some suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, who have been terrorising residents of the state capital, Calabar, in the last two weeks; the state government has re-

kindled confidence in investors who might want to do business with the state.

Akpama, who until last year was the chairman of Congress of All Political Parties in the state, spoke at the weekend in Calabar while reviewing the security situation in the state.

He said the current measures adopted by the state government to deal with the situation, which he said was almost getting out of hand, had helped to maintain the status of the state as an investmentfriendly and the tourism destination of the country.

left many youths jobless, restive and involved in renewed violence in the region.

The concerned Bayelsa elders in a statement issued in Yenagoa and signed by Chief Newton Ayibatare, said though a position paper had been sent to the Chairman of the Brass Local Government, Hon. Bello Bina

and the state Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, the takeoff of the Brass LNG would employ over 16,000 restive youths and improve revenue to the local councils, state and Federal Governments.

According to the elders, "We have watched with keen interest the recent development in the oil and gas sector and the renewed

violence along the creeks, including militancy in the region. We condemn the series of attacks on pipelines and the people of the state by sea pirates, militants in Bayelsa State.

We commend the state and Federal Government for actions taken so far.

While we agree that there should be dialogue, the need to engage the youths with gainful employment is critical," they said.

National Assembly, who are ready to do anything legitimately possible to defend the exalted seat of the President.

It will be recalled that members of the National Assembly were, a fortnight ago, rumoured to have contemplated impeaching President Muhammadu Buhari for alleged trial of the senate leadership.

Speaking to newsmen in Benin, Edo State, Akpatason said: "Things are hard; it is not the making of the President. He might not have solution to the problems at this time, but if he was not there, the situation would have been worse. If not for President Buhari, things would have gone worse than we are seeing now.

“President Buhari is the only man who has the gut, no matter who is involved, to set up a panel to probe both the military and the civilians, no matter how highly placed.

"Look at military generals, the Nigerian Army could not confront Boko Haram, because people appropriated what belongs to the military to themselves and their families."

"Somebody who has the gut to say that the NSA should be tried and the same thing with civilians that were involved; I have heard some people say the government is only trying some people. Is he to go and try those who were not in government at the time or local government councils who were not involved?"

He continued; "When Governor Wike came on board, he set up a panel to probe Amaechi, was it the President that stopped Wike, at your own level, what did you do,” he queried.

$170m

The net worth of Julia Roberts in 2016.

Source: Fropky.com

Wike urges kinsmen in US, Canada Ijaw youths: Failed leadership responsible to invest in Rivers Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has urged Ikwerre professionals in the United States and Canada to always think of how to attract foreign direct investments to the state.

He said such move was in the state's best interest, because such investments would assist the state government to fast track development.

The governor, who made the plea in Port Harcourt during a dinner/ fundraising ceremony organised by Ogbakor Ikwerre USA and Canada, to mark the end of its In-

ternational Conference on Ikwerre, urged them to attract foreign direct investments in the agricultural sector.

The governor said: "The professionals in the Ogbakor Ikwerre USA and Canada have already done a lot for Ikwerre land. But I want to call on the group and her key members to attract foreign direct investments to Rivers State.

"We will easily partner with investors who are committed to investing in the area of agriculture.

Any such investor will be given access to land and the requisite certificate of occupancy. We believe that this will create jobs and expand our economy."

for resurgence of militancy Chris Ejim Yenagoa

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iger Delta youths have attributed the resurgence of militant activities in the Niger Delta to the failure of the Federal Government to implement some of the sustainable developmental agenda of the late President Umar Yar'Adua's administration in 2009.

The youths said the insecurity caused by the rapid militarisation of the area and the failure of apprehending and charging to court, herdsmen involved in the deliberate killings of indigenous landowners in

the southern part of Nigeria and elsewhere was not healthy for a country that claims to be practicing federalism.

In a statement issued by the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and the Niger Delta Peace Initiatives in collaboration with Niger Delta Youth Association at the end of their meeting in Kemp House, London, and made available to our correspondent in Yenagoa via e-mail, the youths also observed that the continuous existence of obnoxious laws that deprive people the right to their own property and livelihood is causing more division to the country.

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News|north

Four killed as boat capsizes in Taraba Sabiu Mustapha JALINGO

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t least four people were feared dead while five others were rescued at the weekend when a boat capsized in Mayo Ngear River in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Among those confirmed dead was an excouncilor at the local government council.

Confirming the incident to our reporter yesterday, the Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Tepsy, said efforts were ongoing to recover the bodies of the other four persons who are still missing.

According to him, “Seven people were on board the boat and two others were crossing in another boat when the incident occurred.

“We were able to res-

cue five of the nine persons alive, but the other four were feared dead since we’ve not been able to trace them. Our efforts now are geared towards recovering their bodies.”

Tepsy, who noted that this accident was one too many, said the council was already putting measures in place to ensure that such mishap was forestalled in the future.

“We cannot fold our arms and allow such mishap to continue happening. This is one too many and we are putting measures in place to ensure that we do not have such disaster, at least not at this magnitude.”

New Telegraph reports that efforts were ongoing at the time of this report, under the leadership of the council chairman, to recover the bodies of the remaining four persons so that they could be given a befitting burial.

Sokoto to benefit from Kuwait’s $1bn devt fund Umar Abdullahi Sokoto

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etermined to boost educational, cultural and business ties with the Government of Kuwait, the Sokoto State Government yesterday said it was making efforts to benefit from the Arab country’s $1billion development fund set aside for intervention in critical social sectors in subSahara Africa.

Making this known when he visited Kuwait Embassy in Abuja, Governor Aminu Tambuwal said since setting aside the fund in 2013 to be expended within a five year circle, significant number of projects had been executed by the Kuwait Government in Africa.

“We are making presentations to benefit from the fund and use the proceeds to intervene in sectors like health, education, wa-

Dan Atori MINNA

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s part of efforts to ameliorate the pains of host communities who have been suffering in silence, the Niger State Government has urged the National Assembly to consider and include host communities of the three hydroelectric dams in Niger State while considering the petroleum producing host communities bill.

In a statement yester-

ter supply and women development. We are mindful of the fact that a large chunk of it has been accessed by sister African countries, but we are determined to ensure our people are not left behind in this important intervention.

“In addition to this, we believe we can expand our areas for cooperation with the Kuwaitis and I’m here to invite them to explore areas of investment in Sokoto. We have competitive advantage in sectors like agriculture and mining, and I want our two states to benefit from what each other can offer,” Tambuwal said, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, in Sokoto yesterday.

The governor added that Kuwait and the Sokoto State Government are also collaborating in the area of management of Zakkat and endowment funds.

Benue tomato sellers protest government’s high taxation Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

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s the cost of food items continued to rise due to the economic down turn in the country, sellers of vegetables, particularly tomatoes, yesterday protested against the high tax charged by officials of the Benue State government, describing it as exorbitant.

New Telegraph gathered that officials of the state Board of Internal Revenue (BIRS) had stormed Tarhembe Market in Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area of the state, where

tomatoes were being produced on a large scale and alleged to have collected money, ranging from N200 to N500 per basket of tomatoes from local farmers, no matter how small the basket was in the name of taxes for the state government.

According to one of the BIRS officials, who spoke with New Telegraph, but preferred not to be named, the exercise was “a directive from above that must be carried out” as part of efforts by the present administration in the state to raise internally generated revenue and pay the backlog of salaries owed work-

ers.”

The state owed its workers in the local government more than six months, including primary school teachers, while those at the state level are being owed up to four months.

When New Telegraph stopped over at the market to observe the situation, tomato farmers, mostly women, were seen carrying tomato baskets on their heads and singing solidarity songs in protest against the government’s high tax regime.

As a result of the protest, traffic on the road leading to the market and that of the ever busy Gboko-Makurdi

monDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Road at Tarhembe settlement, was obstructed as hoodlums took advantage of the protest to block the road as they insisted that the BIRS officials must leave the market.

The road was, however, cleared, following the intervention of security men.

Some of the tomato sellers, who spoke with our correspondent, including Mrs. Rebecca Terfa and Peter Tyoapine, both civil servants, said as a result of this, buyers who normally bought the commodity in large quantities, also refused to buy as the BIRS officials were collecting huge amount of money from them as taxes.

“We are not happy with what the so-called government officials are doing here, they said.”

Some village women patronising a roadside drug/ medicine seller in one of the communites ravaged by Boko Haram in Adamawa … yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Nankpah Bwakan Bauchi

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auchi State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, yesterday denied sponsoring a pro-Buhari group, “Vanguard for Peace and Tranquility,” to stage a rally in Bauchi against the purported moves to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari.

The governor’s media aide, Alhaji Abubakar AlSadique, in a press statement said the attention of his boss was drawn to an allegation by a group known as “Youth Enlightenment Forum,” accusing him of

Bauchi gov denies sponsoring group against Buhari’s impeachment sponsoring the Pro-Buhari, anti-impeachment rally staged in the state by “Vanguard for Peace and Tranquility,” which called on the National Assembly to desist from the move.

The statement quoted the leader of Youth Enlightenment Forum, Hon. Bala Bogoro, as saying that the rally by his group was in support of the National Assembly members from the state against the earlier rally by the “Vanguard for Peace and Tranquility.”

According to the state-

ment, “These allegations are too shallow, because one wonders how Governor Abubakar, who secured the mandate of the people to superintend over the affairs of the state, could descend so low as to be sponsoring rallies against some members of the National Assembly from the same state he governs? It doesn’t add up.”

It added that Governor Abubakar was not informed when the said members of the National Assembly started nursing the idea of impeaching President Mu-

hammadu Buhari, stressing that; “Does the fact that the protesters under the aegis of “Vanguard for Peace and Tranquility” staged the solidarity rally in his state and asked the governor to forward a letter to the President the people massively elected on the same platform with him, and with whose goodwill many of such politicians rode to power, qualifies the governor to be an enemy of the National Assembly members as claimed by the “Youth Enlightenment Forum?”

Dams: N’Assembly must consider host Ex-Kano deputy gov, Abdullahi, dies at 69 communities –Niger govt correspondent that the for- elor of Science Degree Muhammad Kabir day by the Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, the state government called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, to look into the plight of the host communities of the three hydroelectric dams in the state.

He said: “Since there is a bill to cater for the petroleum producing host

communities, it is only fair that the opportunity is extended to electricity producing host communities that have been suffering in silence for years.”

Vatsa said there are host communities of the dams who up till date are not enjoying electricity produced from their communities, and that is having serious environmental impact on them.

Kano

F

ormer Kano State Deputy Governor, Magaji Abdullahi, is dead. He died in the early hours of yesterday after a brief illness, leaving behind his wife, children and grandchildren.

Breaking the news of his death yesterday, his former Press Secretary, Abdulkadir Ahmad, told our

mer deputy governor was born in 1947 and attended Dambatta Boarding Primary School and later Rumfa College, where he graduated in 1956.

He said Magaji Abdullahi worked briefly at the New Nigerian newspapers between 1970 and 1972, from where he proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University and graduated in 1972 with a Bach-

in Civil Engineering. He also worked at the Ministry of Works and Survey and later became the first indigenous Managing Director, Kano State Water Resources (WRECCA).

He was a permanent secretary and later a commissioner, who later earned a Master’s Degree in the United Kingdom and in the United States in 1987.

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MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport

Sport News

Did you know?

That at the tender age of just 14, Ronaldo was expelled from school following an incident where he threw a chair at his teacher

NFF jittery, trembles over poor run

Omeruo's Besiktas transfer in limbo

International Guardiola, Mourinho meet in China

44 45

Federation nervous after F’Eagles' ouster New Eagles' coach still causes ripples

Adekunle Salami

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he 4-3 shock defeat handed to the Flying Eagles by the Sudan’s U-20 national team has added to the Nigeria Football Federation, New Telegraph can reveal authoritatively.

It was unexpected as the Coach Emmanuel Amuneke boys lost at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos after winning the first leg 2-1 away in Sudan.

Super Eagles, the country’s senior national team, failed to qualify for the Nations Cup back-to-back (2015 and 2017) and Saturday’s ouster of the Flying Eagles from the FIFA U-20 World Cup and the Zambia 2017 Na-

tions Cup has added another bad chapter into dark book of the current NFF board.

It was learnt that the latest setback had thrown jitters into the ‘spines’ of the Amaju Pinnick-led board that is also battling with coaching problem at the level of the Super Eagles.

“Things are generally upside down. Nobody saw the defeat against Sudan coming. The President is jittery, the board members are also worried especially because the Eagles also failed backto-back.

“The situation is bad for marketing and government will also not take the federation seriously as the string of poor results are becoming too much,” our source said.

Though FIFA President,

Gianni Infatiano, is expected to be in Abuja on a visit, the NFF is also expected to hold emergency meeting in Abuja.

Some FA board members are also in the Federal Capital Territory for the FIFA visit but the poor run of national teams remains a big concern for them all.

Meanwhile, the sponsors of the Super Eagles would-be coach have insisted the federation must act fast on its decision to engage a quality foreign coach.

So far, the seven-day ultimatum given to the technical committee to get another foreign manager will elapse on Wednesday.

Former Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, resigned on February 25.

Eagles winger, Moses Simon

Technical Committee to recommend Amuneke’s sacking Ajibade Olusesan

F Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent Amuneke

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

lying Eagles coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, will be axed after his team failed to qualify for the CAF U-20 Nations Cup, New Telegraph has learnt.

Our correspondent who was at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos where the team crashed to a 4-3 loss in the hands of Sudan last Saturday reliably gathered that Amuneke was roundly blamed by the chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation for allegedly instigating his wards against ‘constituted au-

thorities’ ahead of the ill-fated match.

The players had threatened to boycott the game over unpaid bonuses and allowances and were placated when NFF vice-president, Seyi Akinwumni, gave them N5million.

A member of the NFF board told our correspondent that Amuneke has been blamed for not discouraging his players against holding the federation to ransom and played into their hands by leading the team to failure on Saturday.

“I can tell you that Amuneke is gone, he will

be sacked and might not get any appointment in the tenure of this board,” the chieftain said.

Akinwumi told our correspondent after the game that Nigerians should wait for the decision of the NFF Technical Committee on the performance of the team and the fate of the coach.

“We cannot say the coach that won the World Cup is suddenly a bad one because of one match. The technical committee will review the performance of the team and advise the board accordingly on what to do,” he said.

Ezeugo leads protest at Infantino’s arrival

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SPORT NEWS

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Omeruo's Besiktas transfer in limbo

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igeria and Chelsea defender, Kenneth Omeruo has yet to fly out to Turkey to discuss personal terms with champions Besiktas because both clubs are yet to agree on an outright sale of the player.

Omeruo was scheduled to be in Istanbul about two weeks ago, but he is still

sweating it out at the Chelsea Cobham training ground mostly with the reserves.

“Besiktas still want the player, but what is holding back the deal is that Chelsea want to ensure that after the season-long loan, the Turkish club will buy him on a permanent basis,” a top source informed AfricanFootball.

com.

“Several clubs including Celta Vigo in Spain and Kasimpasa, where Omeruo played last season, want him on loan, but Chelsea now want to recoup their investment on the player by selling him after another seasonlong loan spell.”

The Besiktas switch

has been complicated by the fact that they will run foul of the UEFA financial fair play rule should they buy Omeruo on a per manent deal this summer.

Omeruo featured for Kasimpasa last season on a loan deal with the Turkish club having the option to buy him after the loan, but they came back to

say they could afford the price Chelsea wanted for him.

The 22-year-old Nigeria central defender has not featured for the Blues since he was scouted at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia and instead has been shipped out to Dutch club ADO Den Haag, Middlesbrough and last season Kasimpasa.

HotSports Forum, Editors urge FG to restructure sports S

ports Editors of nationally circulating newspapers have urged the Federal Government to restructure Nigerian sports by reviving sports in schools in addition to appointing passionate and credible persons to run the nation’s sports federations.

They made this clarion call during the HotSports Editors Forum held at the HS Media Group’s complex in Oregun, Lagos on Friday after carefully and painstakingly dissecting the challenges facing Team Nigeria to every international

competition and identifying steps to improving performances.

In a communiqué released at the end of the gathering, the Forum noted an unprecedentedly high turnover of sports ministers in Nigeria and said that in itself was an indication of wrong people in charge of this very important area of country's national life.

They therefore urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to as a matter of national urgency ensure that only knowledgeable person is made to head the sports ministry.

The Forum also called for delib-

erate plans to incorporate funding from the private sector with attractive waivers so as to get corporate organisations more involved in sports, while the government ensures conducive environment through the provision and maintenance of facilities.

Present at the Forum were Enefiok Udo-Obong – Olympic gold medalist in 4 x 4 Men’s relay, Chief Falilat Ogunkoya – Olympic bronze medalist in 400m women and a representative of Nigeria Olympic Committee Secretary General, Tunde Poopola. Mr. Taye Ige – Chairman/CEO HS Media Group was the Chief Host.

Presidency:FIFA’svisittoBuhariwon’tchangeanything V Omeruo (right) of Den Haag and Ola John of Twente battle for the ball

Hadison retains Cargolux Squash tourney title

C

argolux-sponsored Country Clubs’ Squash competition rounded off last Saturday with the defending champion, Hanniel Hadison, retaining his title.

Hadison, who represents Lagos Country Club, had won the tournament six times in the past and on Saturday still brushed aside stiff opposition from Dele Obasuyi of Benin Club by 3 – 1 to cart home the prizes at stake.

“It is true that I have won it several times in the past,

but this year’s edition was different because several of the games entered into rubber before I was able to overcome Obasuyi,” he told HotSports.tv shortly after winning the tie.

In other games, Mike Nwabuzor of Ikoyi Club easily trounced Bosco Kuong of Lagos Public Service 3 – 0; while Gabriel Olufumilayo of Kwara Club, defeated Abe Shedrack of Ogun Club 3 – 2 to win the U-19 category. 15 clubs across the country participated.

isiting Federation of International Football Association President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Ms Samoura will be guests of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa at 2pm but source disclosed that the visit would not in any way alter Presidency stance on the lingering crisis in Nigerian Football.

Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa have been at dagger’s drawn over the soul of Nigerian football in the last two years after a High Court in Jos declared the Warri election that brought in Pinnick and his board null and void. The Court of Appeal even failed to rule on a stay of execution on the matter last Friday.

A source at the Presidency revealed that President Buhari as an apostle of rule of law, had told the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, to liaise with the Attorney General of the Federa-

NNPC Junior Tennis

Maxwell wins GMD inaugural award Ajibade Olusesan

T

imipre Maxwell from the Port Harcourt-based Kodian Tennis Foundation won the Girls U-14 event beating team mate Amieye Jim-Jaja 9-4 and expected the usual trophy and prizes.

However, the 13-year-old who progressed from Girls 10 through Girls 12 to Girls U-14 in three years - winning all categories - got a big surprise when the organisers declared her winner of the first NNPC Group Managing Director’s special award introduced this year to mark the 12th anniversary of the championship.

David Dawariye added to the trophy haul of the KTF by defeating Musa Yahaya from Kano in the Boys U-14 final.

The Boys U-12 title was won

by Daniel Adeleye of Ekiti who

beat Abdul Magaji from Kano 9-1 while the Boys U-18 trophy went to Mathew Abamu who also got the most outstanding player trophy for boys.

Abamu who is winning his first trophy on the ITA Junior Circuit beat, Emmanuel Jebutu, his team mate from the Mainland Tennis Club 9-6.

The Girls U-16 final between Angel Mcleod and Marylove Edwards final was living up to its billing as the star match when rain disrupted proceedings with Edwards leading 4-2. The event was declared a tie.

Mr Ohi Alegbe, the Group General Manager Corporate Social Responsibility, who was the Guest of Honour, said the NNPC was very impressed with the standard of the junior players and the organisation of the event.

tion to look into all the court cases against the Nigeria Football Federation.

“Every Nigerian knows the position of Mr President when it comes to the issue of rule of law,” our source said.

“The Presidency is not oblivious of the crisis in the NFF and we won’t interfere in any

way. The Presidency does not want to know which faction of the NFF is bringing FIFA President to Nigeria but as an international organisation, the President has to grant the team audience in that capacity, especially because Nigeria is a member of such organisation."

L-R: NFF's Secretary General, Salisu Mohammed; FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, and NFF President Amaju Pinnink

Garba warns impostors as Eaglets step up preparations Emmanuel Tobi

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olden Eaglets' Head Coach, Manu Garba, has for the umpteenth time warned impostors to steer clear of the Nigeria U-17 camp, even as he commended his wards for keeping their record intact after five trial matches.

The 2013 World Cup-winning coach said his magnanimity must not be misconstrued following spurious reports in the social media that he had extended invitations to some foreign-based Nigerian youngsters, including a certain goalkeeper

Garba

Edward Onaiwu allegedly attached to English club Charlton Athletic.

"I have not invited anybody from outside Nigeria for our screening and assessment," Garba told thenff.com. “Of course, I allowed some of the boys who came without invitation to train with us after repeated appeals by their parents and guardians about their desire to play for Nigeria. But none of them has the quality we are looking for and they are not in our plans and henceforth, we are not going to allow any uninvited player to train with us," he affirmed.

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets over the weekend played two friendly matches at the NFF\FIFA Goal Project pitch in Abuja as part of their preparations towards next month's CAF U-17 qualifying matches against Niger Republic.

On Friday, the Eaglets forced visiting Welcome Time Soccer Academy of Kano to a 1-1 draw when Usman Musa (Babalolo) came from the bench in the second half to cancel WTSA's Umar Yusif curtain raiser of the lively two-hour encounter.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

P

ep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho clash once again as Manchester City take on United in Beijing in a mouthwatering pre-season friendly.

The rivalry between the two men is well-known and is set to continue with the pair now in charge of the two Manchester clubs, and Monday’s

Guardiola, Mourinho meet in China meeting will see them go head-to-head once again.

The Red Devils were beaten 4-1 by

Borussia Dortmund last time out and Mourinho has already been riled by questions about Guardiola and the state

Ezeugo leads protest at Infantino’s arrival Charles Ogundiya

E

x-international, Emeka Ezeugo, on Sunday led a group of youths to protest against the rein of Amaju Pinnick-led Nigeria Football Federation board, as President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, and the Secretary General, Ms Fatma Samoura, arrived in Nigeria.

Ezeugo called on the President Muhammadu Buhari, to save the country’s football from corruption while also urged Infantino not to patronise illegality.

Some of the placards carried by the protesters read: "Infantino, Nigerian football is in shambles", “Amaju must go”, “FIFA’s World Cup money never accounted for”, “President Buhari save Nigerian football from corruption and corrupt officials”, among others.

Meanwhile, Infantino and the Secretary General, Samoura, accompanied by executive assistants Mattias Grafstrom and Veron Mosengo-Omba were received on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by NFF President Amaju Pinnick and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, vice presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, and other members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management.

Mourinho

Guardiola

Ronaldo deserves Ballon d'Or – Vazquez T

of the pitch ahead of the game.

Indeed the Portuguese has claimed his main priority is ensuring none of his players are injured against City while insisting he is not concerned by the result.

"We are unlucky because the pitch is very bad," he told reporters.

"The condition of my players is more important than the results in pre-season. It is not a problem for me to lose matches in pre-season. It's a problem for me if there are bad conditions for my players to train and bad conditions for my players to play.

"So if you ask me for my objective for tomorrow, I have only one - take the players home safe without any kind of injury."

“City against United for me is at Old Trafford or at the Etihad or even the cup final at Wembley. Not a friendly.”

here is no doubt Cristia- Vazquez. no Ronaldo deserves to "Playing alongside him win the Ballon d'Or ahead makes everything easier. of Lionel Messi and Co., according to Real Madrid teammate Lucas Vazquez.

Ronaldo is coming off a anchester City manager successful season for both Pep Guardiola wants to sign club and country, helping Borussia Dortmund striker PierreEuropean giants Madrid to Emerick Aubameyang and Everton Champions League glory defender John Stones this summer, and guiding Portugal to their according to the Daily Express. first major title at Euro 2016.

The Catalan is keen to finally And Vazquez is confident secure Stones after repeated links the 31-year-old will claim a with the defender, but Everton are fourth Ballon d'Or, having set to demand over £50 million for finished second to Barcelona the England international. rival Messi in 2015.

And City are also in advanced "Right now I don't think talks with Aubameyang ahead of a there's any doubt. Cris- potential deal, but will have to meet tiano Ronaldo deserves it Dortmund's £58m asking price if more than anyone else and I they are to secure his signature.

Aubameyang hope he wins it again," said

Man City eye Aubameyang, Stones swoop

M

Vazquez

NIGERIAN PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND-UP

Owerri fiasco: Attack on our team barbaric – Ubah

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Paul Ezeka, said their celebration after picking a well-deserved point was short lived when they were attacked by irate Heartland fans.

He said: “The incident happened as the buses were on their way out of the stadium. The fans of Heartland chased after us despite managing to leave the stadium unscathed.

“As they caught up with us where we were stuck in a heavy traffic, they started hauling stones of various sizes and other missiles at the buses and the players and other club officials who were in the vehicles had to alight and took to their heels on seeing the extent of the mayhem being unleashed on them.”

Meanwhile, the media officer of Heartland, Solomon Onu, said it was a big surprise for him seeing pictures on Sunday of the attack on IfeanyiUbah’s team as they all departed the stadium after the game without any incidence.

According to him, they left the visitors celebrating their goalless draw outside the stadium and were yet to be aware of what really went wrong.

Stories by Charles Ogundiya

NPFL RESULTS Plateau Utd 2-0 Enyimba Rangers

1-1 Lobi Stars

Heartland

0-0 IfeanyiUbah

Ikorodu Utd 2-2 Nasarawa Utd

Heartland not aware of incident

he Chairman of Nigeria Professional Football League side, IfeanyiUbah FC, Chuma Ubah, has described as barbaric the attack on his team in Owerri after their goalless draw with the home team Heartland in a Week 28 match played on Saturday.

There was a Save our Soul message posted on social media by the team, claiming they were attacked by the fans of the home team.

The chairman said they had to abandon the team bus and ran for their lives after the bus was pelted with missiles.

“Our bus was attacked by the angry fans with some of the players affected and a lot of supporters injured,” he said.

“I just hope the League Management Company will look into the situation and come up with a strong verdict.”

Trouble was said to had started when IfeanyiUbah players, coaching crew and fans were navigating their way out of the Dan Anyiam Stadium, as enraged Heartland FC fans barricaded the gates, hurling stones and other sharp objects at the visitors’ buses.

The media officer of IfeanyiUbah,

45

Shooting

3-1 Tornadoes

Sunshine

1-0 Rivers Utd

Kano Pil ars 1-0 MFM Wikki IfeanyiUbah Fan after the attack

2-0 Abia Warriors

Warri Wolves 3-1 Akwa Utd

Abdullahi dedicates Warri Wolves' victory to fans

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oach of Warri Wolves, Mansur Abdullahi, has dedicated their 3-1 victory against Akwa United on Sunday to the fans as he continues to revive the fortunes of the team and take them away from the relegation zone.

The former Plateau United assistant coach took over after the resignation of Ard Sluis, and secured his first victory as the head coach in the Matchday 28 game.

“I want to dedicate the victory to my fans,” he said. “The boys are trying to give their all because I made them to understand the situation we are in currently.

“They are already getting used to my playing pattern and the result is there for all to see. But we are not there yet as

we continue to battle until we are safe and probably move up the ladder.”

In some of the other matches played on Sunday, Plateau United defeated champions, Enyimba 2-0 in Jos while the game between relegation threatened Ikorodu United against Nasarawa United ended in 2-2 draw.

Earlier on Saturday, Wikki Tourists returned to the top of the table after defeating Abia Warriors 2-0 as Rangers failed to win their game against Lobi Stars in Enugu, with the match ending 1-1.

There was relief for Shooting Stars after defeating Niger Tornadoes 3-1 while it was a 1-0 home victory for Sunshine Stars against Rivers United.

46

SPORTS

Countdown

to

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Olympics

Days to Go

11

IOC clears Russia

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he International Olympic Committee has stopped short of banning the Russian team from competing under their national flag at Rio 2016, paving the way for the country's 387-strong team to compete in Brazil next month.

The shock decision - made after a meeting of the IOC's executive board on Sunday - comes despite Richard McLaren's sensational, damning report into their state-sponsored doping programme.

The IOC announced that Russian athletes will be able to take part in the Games should they fulfil a strict set of criteria, while no one who has been sanctioned for any doping offences in the past will be allowed to compete.

The outcome of the executive board's deliberations comes as a surprise following the results of McLaren's investigation, which painted a picture of widespread doping by Russians across a range of sports, including at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

IOC president Bach held a teleconference call shortly after the announcement and said the decision was in the individual interests of Russia's clean athletes.

'The IOC has had to take a very difficult decision with regards to the timing as the qualification procedure and the entry procedure for Rio is well under way,' Bach said.

'We had to draw the conclusions from the report from Professor McLaren. While this report was about the system he revealed in Russia and the Moscow laboratory, for the IOC the difficult part was to take decisions about individual athletes and how it affects each and every one of them.

'In this context we wanted to balance the collective responsibility as a context and the individual chances to which every human being and every athlete is entitled.

'As a result you can see in the decision we have worked on the presumption of innocence for the Russian athletes.'

Aminu to join U-23 Eagles in Brazil

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igeria Olympic team officials have informed AfricanFootball.com Turkey-based forward Umar Aminu will be the last player to join up with them for the Rio Olympics as he is now expected to fly directly to Brazil.

Aminu was originally expected to link up with the team at their Atlanta training base today, like the other players led by Chelsea star Mikel Obi, but he has been held back by club commitments and will now join the squad in Brazil.

“Aminu’s club are very much involved in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa League. He is a key member of the team and even scored a hat-trick for them last week in one of the qualifying matches,” an official told AfricanFootball.com “He will therefore join us in Brazil as a result of his club engagement.”

Aminu’s club Osmanlispor will welcome Nomme Kalju FC of Esto-

Aminu

nia in a third qualifying round of the Europa League on Thursday with the return leg a week later.

The Nigeria Olympic team are due to fly out of Miami, the United States of America, on Friday.

Mo Farah ready for Kenyan rivals G

Farah

reat Britain's Mo Farah is ready to repel an onslaught from an "army" of Kenyan rivals at the Rio Olympics.

The double Olympic champion over 5,000 and 10,000 metres headed to his altitude training base at Font Romeu in the French Pyrenees on Sunday, buoyed by an emphatic victory over the shorter distance at the London Anniversary Games.

Farah's competition at the Olympic Stadium was virtually non-existent, but his last lap of

56.95 seconds was evidence enough of his shape and he said he expects his rivals were watching closely.

"I'm trying something that's never been done before," said Farah, speaking after a morning run of 20 miles on the treadmill. "I get nervous talking about it - I get quite emotional.

"I've had a target on my back for four years. All eyes are on me, a lot of people will be looking at that result (on Saturday).

Pat Ekeji’s Corner patrick.ekeji@yahoo.com 08159364282 (sms only)

The next agenda beyond Rio

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he Presidential Sports Retreat in October 2012 came up with a number of recommendations on the management of sports for better results. By all standards, the moderator-consulting firm and producer of the report did a marvelous job. It recommended, inter alia, a High Performance (HP) model. The NSC was supposed to act upon its contents but it only attended to one aspect of HP but in a rather elementary manner. The outcome is, as is characteristic of our approach to issues of such developmental dimension, a mockery of what a HP program should be.

HP program involves an intricate, detailed construction process for training and schooling of highly talented young athletes, discovered from various national grassroots sports competitions across the country - from schools, clubs, intraState, inter- States or Zonal competitions. It takes planning, strategy, time, commitment and sustained focus. These can only be achieved on the condition that the right administrative structure, personnel, and funding are guaranteed.

Many countries, against which we shall continuously compete at international sports events have functional HP policy and programs. This implies that we cannot operate ours differently. There is no short cut to a world class result in sports even if drug-induced, ask the Russians and this can only be achieved if the correct skills, tactics and mental readiness have been internalized by the athlete and these can only be acquired through proper mentorship by qualified and experienced coaches. It is a long and painstaking process, dully funded. Sometime ago I read in the Dailies that Coach Seigha Porbeni (who was supposed to be one of the coaches engaged in the HP program at the University of Port-Harcourt, venue adopted by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and designated as High Performance Centre), has pulled out, siting a number of shortcomings in the conduct of the program. We are still a long way from running a HP program the way it should and this was why I had to include training tour as an important aspect of preparing TEAM NIGERIA for the big games, including the Paralympic Games.

This brings me to recall the comment made by the Honorable Minister (HM) of Youth and Sports on the 9pm network news sports belt, on Monday, July 18th. He said, amongst others, that he did not see the need for TEAM NIGERIA to embark on a training tour as she prepared for Rio. I understand the feeling of the HM and I do sympathize with him. I know how frustrating it can be when “your pocket is not as large as your heart” and

yet you are expected, as the country does, to perform some miracle and conquer the World – at the Olympics!

I share the HM’s nationalism and optimism as well as that of the athletes who, in spite of preparation challenges they have faced, are optimistic of a good outcome at the Games. Ride on HM, ride on TEAM NIGERIA and repeat the Atlanta ’96 miracle.

However, I consider it trite, given my experience in the sports sector generally and specifically, to share some knowledge on the subject of training tours. They are arranged essentially to compliment the local preparations and further and finally get athletes fully ready for the main event. The objectives for the tour are usually clearly defined and all the arrangements at the country-venues are put in place by an appointed technical person before the team arrives. These include training sites and personnel, practice games and sometimes real competitions especially for sports which still have portals available for qualification; others include movement and medical logistics, supervised feeding arrangements etc. I used the program as an opportunity for our local coaches to fill obvious technical knowledge gap in them. All involved were well briefed before departure.

Training tours are not peculiar to us and it did not begin recently.

In 1948, the first Nigeria National team, the “Red Devils” undertook a training tour of United Kingdom, there was a reason for that.

Some professional football Clubs in Europe embark on pre-season training tours. Santos Football Club of Brazil visited Nigeria on a playing tour in 1968. In the ‘70’s through 80’s, our progenitors in sports administration, Jerry Enyiazu and Isaac Akioye sent some of our talented athletes on training tour to the USA in the guise of athletic scholarships. This offered them opportunities to study as well as get the right exposure to first class training and competitions. The Mary Onyealis , Beatrice Utondus, Modupe Oshikoyas, Dele Udohs, Dr Bruce Ijirigos, Seigha Porbenis, Elias Usman Goras, and a host of others achieved for the country through this model of training tour. It needs be known too that pre-games competitions outside the country are training tours because they ultimately are preparatory exercises for the main event - World championship or the Olympic Games, the climax of sports competitions in the world.

Beyond Rio, I suggest that the Minister pursues enactment of policies that will enhance sports administration and robust funding mechanisms. This is achievable in the period of his headship of the sports sector.

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

WORLD \ NEWS

FEATUREs

47

Solar Impulse: Zero-fuel Electronic banking: Skye Bank explores new grounds plane begins final flight

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T

he mobility and sophistication of bank customers in this modern era have predisposed the evolution of alternative service channels to cater to their every time and everywhere banking needs. Today’s customers conduct their transactions from their homes, offices and even on the road courtesy of the new service channels which are not only efficient, but fast and secure. This is a radical departure from the old mortal and brick service environment which imposes great limitation on service scope and efficiency.

Nigerian banks have been in the forefront of the adoption of technology to enthrone efficiency, speed, convenience and security in banking. With top line investments in information communication technology, Nigerian banks are high flyers in innovative customer service channel delivery functions.

Leading Nigerian banks like First Bank of Nigeria Plc., United Bank for Africa Plc., Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Skye Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank have done very well in this regard, introducing new technology-based products and services to meet the changing needs of their customers.

These banks’ progress in internet banking, smart card banking and mobile banking has been revolutionary and breath-taking. Customers now perform basic banking transactions like account balance request, transfers and online payments from the comfort of their homes.

Skye Bank Plc., one of the leading banks in Nigeria which is also a pioneer in electronic banking, embraced technology in service delivery at inception and has consistently applied it to delight its customers. The bank provides convenient and innovative electronic banking products and services to drive customer satisfaction, business growth and seamless management of business processes.

It also ensures high level of security to ensure its customers are protected. The channels – ATM, PoS, web, mobile and internet banking – are efficient and top rate.

To ensure pleasant customer experience, for instance, the bank went into partnership with ChamsMobile and both launched Nigeria’s first Visa Virtual Card.

The Visa Virtual Card is an entirely digital payment card for online and mobile use, both locally and internationally. The card is unique in that cardholders get a full card image (the Virtual card) on their mobile device, PC, or tablet, with a plastic card offered as an option if customers prefer.

The new payment system was designed to expand financial inclusion to millions of Nigerians by offering a low cost banklike mobile solution, as the card is issued free, linked to a broad range of financial services, and also offers an online payment alternative for e-Commerce savvy individuals, small businesses and corporate companies, membership associations etc.

Kegow is the programme and card brand of ChamsMobile Ltd and the new Visa Virtual Card is available on www. kegow.com.

One of the partners, Deputy Managing Director ChamsMobile, Mr. Gavin Young, said that he was excited to partner with Skye Bank and Visa on the unique and ‘First in Nigeria’ Visa Virtual Card payment solution, which was developed with the company’s international joint venture partners Bancore AS (as the Mobile financial services processor) and Global Technology Partners (as the Visa prepaid card processor).

“It is unique in that customers actually see an image of their card on their mobile phones, tablets and pcs, whereby all the essential features of a physical card, are

Skye Bank’s GMD/CEO, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru

shown in its ‘Virtual form’; card number, expiry date and CVV number, for example.

This, for many customers, negates the need for a physical plastic card, although we offer plastic cards as an option for customers requiring such.

“E-commerce savvy users can shop securely online by loading funds from a bank account or any other financial card, and those without a formal banking relationship will suddenly have the means to make their money work for them and move towards financial inclusion,” he said.

Head, E-Channels, Skye Bank Plc., Mr Akinwale Ojo said: “The bank chose to work with ChamsMobile, and its card processing partner GTP, based on careful consideration of the benefits all parties could bring to the table and in consideration of how the bank could best serve the millions of Nigerians with this product, and particularly those who may be financially excluded, requiring a low cost yet fully inclusive financial services offering.”

Ade Ashay, Country Manager for Visa in West Africa stated: “Our strategy of bringing world class innovation to Africa continues to make shopping online and via traditional channels much more convenient. Visa’s Virtual Card will make a real change to the lives of Nigerians by helping them to safely access the digital economy and participate in ecommerce.”

The two companies followed up with the introduction of a Visa eGift payment card. The eGift card is an online VISA card, which ChamsMobile Kegow subscribers can send by mobile phone. The eGift card follows the successful introduction of Kegow’s virtual VISA card. The eGift card works exactly the same way, but is mainly for sending monetised gifts to family, friends, business associates etc., in order to eliminate the stress and worry of what to buy for them on special occasions. It is an entirely digital payment card for online and mobile use, locally and internationally and is unique in that recipients get a full picture of the Virtual eGift Card on their mobile screen, PC, or tablet.

The reward for these innovations have been swift: Skye Bank Plc. and ChamsMobile jointly won the ‘Best Mobile money/ Card combination in Nigeria’ award for their joint development and activation of the Kegow Visa virtual card. The award was presented to the winning organisations at the Kalahari Awards 2016 during the 6th Remittance and Mobile Money Conference, which took place in Lagos.

The organisers of the awards, Kalahari Awards, commended both ChamsMobile and Skye Bank for partnering to develop an innovative and revolutionary virtual card to ease payment for transactions as well as facilitate e-commerce. The Kalahari Awards which brought together mobile money operators and card services providers from across Africa seeks to appreciate and honour operators that have distinguished themselves in the industry for their game-changing innovations.

he zero-fuel airplane, Solar Impulse, has left the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on the last leg of its global tour. The aircraft should take about 48 hours to reach Abu Dhabi, UAE - the place it began the circumnavigation in March 2015. Pilot Bertrand Piccard is at the controls one final time.

His flight ought to be fairly straightforward, although his team has some concerns about how the heat in the Middle East may affect the plane. Mr. Piccard is likely to have to spend a lot of time at high altitude on oxygen to get

above the thermals and the turbulence they induce.

The warmer, thinner air above the Saudi desert also means Solar Impulse’s motors will have to work harder to propel the vehicle forward.

This will require careful management of the energy reserves in the plane’s lithium polymer batteries, to be sure they can sustain the aircraft through the night hours. “We thought it was going to be an easy flight because it’s always good weather between Egypt and Abu Dhabi across Saudi.

But actually, it’s extremely difficult to find a good strategy,” Mr. Piccard

told BBC News.

Solar Impulse has covered some 30,000km in its quest to become the first plane to circle the world using no fuel, just the energy from the Sun. The CairoAbu Dhabi flight marks the 17th and final segment in the journey, which has included crossings of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Mr. Piccard has alternated pilot duties with his friend and business partner Andre Borschberg. The pair had hoped to complete the challenge last year but progress was not quite swift enough to get the best of the weather in the Northern Hemisphere’s summer.

Andre Borschberg watches the take-off from the project’s mission control in Monaco

ASEAN deadlocked on South China Sea, Cambodia blocks statement

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outheast Asian nations failed to agree on maritime disputes in the South China Sea yesterday after Cambodia blocked any mention to an international court ruling against Beijing in their statement, diplomats said.

Foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met for the first time since the UN-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration handed an emphatic legal victory

to the Philippines in the dispute this month.

The ruling by the court in The Hague denied China’s sweeping claims in the strategic seaway, through which more than $5 trillion in global trade passes each year. China claims most of the sea, but ASEAN members the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei all have rival claims.

Beijing says the ruling has no bearing on its rights in the sea, and described the case as a farce.

The Philippines and Vietnam both wanted the communique issued by ASEAN foreign ministers after their meeting to refer to the ruling and the need to respect international law, ASEAN diplomats said.

Their foreign ministers both discussed the ruling with ASEAN counterparts in the Laotian capital. But before the meeting, China’s closest ASEAN ally Cambodia opposed the proposed wording, throwing the group into disarray.

Tigers maul two women at Beijing Wildlife Park

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igers at a wildlife park in Beijing have killed one woman and injured another after the pair left their vehicle, Chinese media have reported.

CCTV published footage of the incident showing one woman getting out and standing beside the car before quickly being attacked and dragged away. The second woman was killed when she jumped out to try to help

and was herself mauled by another tiger. Some reports said an argument had led to the first woman leaving the car. A man, who was in the car with the women and also attempted to help, was unhurt. Visitors to Beijing Badaling Wildlife World are allowed to drive their own vehicles around the park but are warned not to get out in areas open to wild animals.

Video of the incident

suggested park rangers in a vehicle were on the scene within seconds, but they were unable to save one of the women.

The Yanqing district government said the woman who survived was receiving medical treatment, without giving further details. Park officials have declined to comment, saying only that the facility is closed because of forecasts for heavy rain.

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Public arena T he column you write

Perspective for desirable civil service Tunji Olaopa

I

n an earlier article, I addressed the tenure policy controversy and why I think its current incidence foregrounds the deeper issue of taking the civil service in Nigeria to a point closer to the noble objective of becoming a world class institution. That objective expressed in the National Strategy for Public Service Reform (NSPSR), Nigeria’s defining reform document, is noble because it is only such a world class administrative institution that has the capability readiness to backstop Nigeria’s democracy for developmental purposes. And what makes a public service system world class is very simple but profound—it is founded on a change management dynamics grounded firmly on continuous learning (of what works and what does not work), getting it right and continuing to get it right without ceasing or incremental but sustained improvement, performance management principles, a culture of innovation that puts significant weight on meritocracy, entrepreneurship and professionalism, thus ensuring that the entire machinery of the civil service is primed for the democratic task of service delivery that works efficiently and effectively, and for the people.

What fuels my optimism is that for once in our national historical trajectory, we have another occasion where, even if at the level of discourse, there is a unique coincidence between the demands of administration and that of governance. When the Udoji Commission got its mandate to assess the capability readiness of the Nigerian civil service in 1974 at a time when the state occupied the commanding height of the economy, there was already a global imperative that dictates managerialism as the pathway to administrative excellence. The Udoji Report outlines a brilliant blueprint that would have enabled Nigeria to harness its then newly found petrodollar towards the transformation of its governmental responsibility. We unfortunately missed that moment; Udoji thereafter became synonymous with a large influx of money into the Nigerian economy rather than the diffusion of administrative managerialism that could have laid the foundation for the basic management infrastructure for connecting to the managerial culture in administration which, up unto now, we are still struggling to adopt. This is yet another moment when the Buhari change agenda coincides fortuitously with the imperative of change management that involves the capability readiness of the civil service system in Nigeria to confront local, national, regional and global challenges within the context of developmental democracy.

The issue at stake at the moment is the removal of the tenure policy that undergirds the career of the Nigerian public servant, pronounced unfortunately without a framework of the change or managerial shift intended making it more of a politically inspired policy

Chief Jerome Udoji

Mrs. Oyo-Ita, Head of Service

than anything else. Henry Ward Beecher, the US cleric, reminds us clearly: “Not that which men do worthily, but that which they do successfully, is what history makes haste to record.” The tenure policy issue presages a larger issue of performance management in the public service. Let me restate the point, that tenure policy has little meaning for the future of the civil service if its significance is consigned to the issue of career progression of officers who have always been Federal officers that it partially resolved in 2009 as distinct from transferees. So if we should be concerned about the future of the civil service, redeeming the tenure policy is too insignificant in the deep structural issues at the heart of the crisis of the moment.

Before attending to address the deep systemic issues, the first issue to confront is restoring the basics of the civil service which entails basic housekeeping. In this regard, my doctoral thesis is worth restating regarding a workforce composition wherein too many people do nothing, too many do too little and too few do too much. What does that suggest?

A few of the endless indicators will drive home the point: a situation where, due to budget shortfall, major activities of MDAs can’t be funded thus rendering bulk of sections and staff redundant, largely, all year round, capacity underutilisation; situation where due to short-

age of office accommodation, dozens of senior officers share office space and have to work out roaster of who come to work on what days with bosses looking elsewhere due to helplessness of the situation; situation where basic entitlements of staff and out-of-pocket expenses incurred on legitimate official assignments get unpaid for years; situation where overseas trips are enjoyed by those in good books of the Ogas and training budgets are spent under labour union-induced militancy for welfare; to name just a few; a reality symptomatic of a collapsed system waiting for restoration.

Situation where organisational structures are diagrams and schedules of duties are paper tigers rather than tools of day to day operations, situation calling for bail out from a political class who must at the nick of time get into the trench and confront the real issues at the heart of government historical non-performance, as the culture of speaking truth to power have long been replaced by a conspiracy of silence of officers already emasculated to live by existential logic and raison d’être.

And of course the Federal Service reality is good practice by any standard when compared with what operates in States, where MDAs operate by logic that respect no notion of what a management system or profession is in theory or in operation.

And it is these larger systemic issues as well as those of national productivity that require successful handling if posterity would be effusive in praising our diligence. But while performance management that tenure policy serves constitutes a global best practice within the managerial revolution, it requires context specificities within specific public service if we will take on dimensions of reform of a service that would be pillar of a developmental state. Thus, what does performance management translate to in the reflection on how to make the civil service system in Nigeria a world class institution? How does

Udoji thereafter became synonymous with a large influx of money into the Nigerian economy

performance management in the public service instigate national development in Nigeria?

The basic fact to engage about the civil service in Nigeria is its essentially bureaucratic nature which fosters a pathological administrative culture which fosters non-performance. In most cases, the public service, because of its huge operational necessities, usually collapse upon itself. In other words, the complexity of its coordination activities and the implementation of government policies translate into a framework which privileges an input-process business orientation which enfolds the public service within itself while rejecting change and innovation. In Nigeria, like everywhere else, this bureaucratic administrative dynamics cultivates a nepotistic system which combines with ethnic and religious sentiments to produce development-undermining stasis.

The credibility of the change agenda in Nigeria therefore depends on a paradigm shift to an entrepreneurial, output-outcome, technology-based, resultoriented system which demands from permanent secretaries, directors and CEOs strict attention to policy deliverables that make development meaningful. At the foundation of the performance management model is the concern about productivity and the citizens as customers with justified expectations about the performance of government. This model is preserved by eight values, namely: openness, confrontation, trust, authenticity, pro-activity, autonomy, collaboration, and experimentation. In my twenty seven years in the public service, what kept me going was the hope that this vision of a new public service would come to fruition.

•Dr. Olaopa (tolaopa2003@yahoo.com) is the Executive Vice Chairman, Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP), Ibadan.

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