New telegraph monday, may 2, 2016

Air Force refunds N19.44bn to Stabilisation Account

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

T

he Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has paid back N19.44 billion to the Stabilisa-

tion Account, the sum it borrowed to fund some of its key operations, New Telegraph has learnt.

The Air Force repaid both the principal amount and accruing interest in three instalments, a docu-

ment sighted yesterday by this newspaper revealed.

The document was, however, silent on purposes the funds were put to use and dates they were secured.

But a source familiar

with the Nigeria Air Force operations, said that the larger part of the funds might have been deployed to acquiring hardware to aid in dislodging insurgent activities in the NorthEast.

The repayments were in three tranches; N9.5 billion, N7.9 billion and N2.04 billion.

A serving Commissioner with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission

(RMAFC), who was privy to the repayments, had reportedly informed members of Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) at their last meeting in Abuja.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Monday, May 2, 2016

Aggrieved PDP members move to stop convention }4

/newtelegraph /newtelegraph

Vol. 3 No. 803

Sheriff

Assassination attempt: Deputy governor lied –Edo govt }40

Odubu

Cultists kill 19 in Rivers villages }9

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Wike

I’ve sold 4,256 stolen phones – NURTW chieftain }9

N150

Bamidele

May Day:

Workers lament poor welfare, unpaid salaries lDeputy gov booed in Benue lOndo civil servants boycott celebration lLabour leaders decry Buhari’s absence at rally lGovs shun rallies }2, 6, 7

Plateau State teachers displaying four fingers indicating nonpayment of four months salaries during the May Day rally in Jos…yesterday.

Sultan: Don't blame herdsmen for Agatu, Enugu killings lPro-Biafra group berates Northern governors

}3

Insufficient sleep damages the heart –Study }10

2

NEWS

MONday, May 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Workers lament poor welfare, unpaid salaries Ibraheem Musa, Cephas Iorhemen, Babatope Okeowo, Cajetan Mmuta and Ibrahim Abdul

T

housands of civil servants and local government workers in most states of the federation yesterday bemoaned their fate over unpaid salaries and poor welfare scheme.

In most of the states, the workers turned the May Day celebration into lamentations.

The International Workers' Day was borne out of the struggle for improved workers' rights and better working conditions.

But as at today, no fewer than 15 states owed their workers arrears of salaries despite over N600 billion-bailout fund made

available to the states by the Federal Government.

Apart from states such as Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Cross River, Gombe, Jigawa, Niger, Zamfara, Ogun, Kebbi, Rivers, Kano and Nasarawa, most other states of the federation are owing workers’ salaries between one and six months.

Even the oil-producing states of Ondo, Imo, Abia,

Bayelsa and Delta owe thousands of their workforce arrears of salaries.

Worst hit are civil servants in Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Plateau, Taraba and Benue.

Across the states, most governors shunned the May Day celebration.

Workers under the auspices of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Ondo State yes-

L-R: President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige and President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Boboi Kaigama, at the May Day rally in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: Elijah Olaluyi

terday cancelled the May Day celebration.

They blamed the development on the nonpayment of their salaries running into five months.

Civil servants in the state have not been paid since December 2015 while the employees at the local government and pensioners are being owed January, February, March and April.

The non-payment of salaries has made many workers to skip offices while teachers of both primary and secondary schools have become absentees.

The workers said they would opt for fasting and prayers instead of the usual fanfare that usually characterised such celebration. They, however, said the fasting is not new, as they could not afford to feed their families.

The state chairman of NLC, Bosede Daramola, who confirmed the boycott, said the harsh economic reality and the non-payment of salaries made them to cancel the usual celebration.

Labour leaders decry Buhari’s absence at rally Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

C

ontrary to the expectations of thousands of Nigerian workers who thronged the Eagle Square, Abuja to mark this year's May Day celebration, President Muhammadu, who was expected to grace the event as the Guest of Honour was conspicuously absent.

Some of the labour leaders who spoke with journalists on the sidelines of the occasion described the action of the president as disappointing.

Not even the presence of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, at the event could assuage the feelings of the workers over the president's absence.

Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Chairman 2016 May Day celebration, Peter Adeyemi, stated that it was disappointing for Buhari to scorn the opportunity to show gratitude to the Nigerian workers who formed the bulk of the people that voted for him.

He noted: "I am very disappointed about the absence of Mr. President at this occasion. I am extremely disappointed in the sense that the bulk of those who craved for change, the positive change that contributed towards his being voted into the office, are the Ni-

gerian workers.

"While he was still campaigning to be made the president of this country, he had the time to attend the delegates’ conference of the NLC. It is, therefore, worrisome that the first major Workers' Day after his election into office, he didn't have time to be physically present. It means he played politics with the Nigerian workers.

“Buhari sought our mandate because he needed it at that time, but after he had got, he didn't think that we are important. I am very disappointed."

Also, Deputy Secretary General, Medical and Health Workers’ Union, Baba Ayebola, said the action of Mr. President was a reflection of the behaviour of the ruling class.

"The action of Mr. President shows the true reflection of any section of the ruling class. When they need us, they will look for us. After that, they see us as mere cannon fodders that can be used for their programmes and policies."

In the same vein, the president, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ibrahim Khaleel, lamented that the president missed the opportunity to get standing ovation from the Nigerian workers by his absence.

Khaleel said: "I am terribly disappointed. When I woke this morning and started preparing for this May Day, I was so sure that

President Buhari would grace the occasion considering the huge support he got in the 2015 general elections.

"The hope of Nigerian workers was dashed by his failure to be at the event.”

Meanwhile, the absence of the president did not diminish the status of the occasion, as speakers after speakers who took to the podium commented on the economic policies of government, corruption and other pressing national issues.

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, in his speech, commended the present administration for its efforts in tackling the issues of corruption, insurgency, inadequate power, shortage of petroleum products and the dwindling fortunes of the nation's education sector.

Wabba warned that the war against insurgency could not be said to have been successfully fought without the rescue of over 200 abducted Chibok girls and the reintegration of the internally displaced persons.

In particular, Wabba urged the President to come up with a marshal plan for the reconstruction of the devastated infrastructure of the geo-political zone, which is the hot bed of the insurgents.

He also expressed the readiness of the congress to engage the Buhari administration on how it would deliver on its prom-

ise of creating three million jobs annually.

His words: "The ruling APC government, in its manifestos, promised to create three million jobs annually. We have waited one year for the government to bring out its blueprints on how it intends to go about achieving this.

“Congress will seek audience with Mr. President to get more information on this important matter.

On our part as workers, we will be prepared and willing to contribute to any effort to create a 'Job Creation Fund' nationally to tackle this problem."

He said congress is eagerly waiting for government to kick-start the negotiation process on the N56,000 proposal as new minimum wage.

According to him, the proposal is in line with the National Minimum Wage Act, which stipulates a five-year re-opener clause for a new negotiation.

In his address, the President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Bobboi Kaigama, lamented the long years of pillage of the nation's resources by a greedy few.

While commenting on the theme of this year’s May Day celebration, “The Working Class and the Quest for Socio-Economic Revival,” Kaigama called on workers to take the avenue of the day to reflect on how to bring an ailing nation to life.

He said: "Wherever I

am chanced to speak, I am quick to affirm that Nigeria is a great nation. The entire world acknowledges that fact. But many of our people have lost hope due to decades of rape of the national treasury by a privileged few.

"Yes we are a great nation, but greatness is never achieved on a platter of gold. It is earned and must be consciously sustained. As a nation, we are endowed with enormous natural resources; yet grope in the darkness of poverty and underdevelopment.

"We produce crude oil, but sleep at filling stations to buy the by-products therefrom. As we celebrate Workers’ Day 2016, we must all resolve to put our acts together if we must revive our ailing nation."

Addressing the workers, Ngige stressed the importance of the working class to the development of the nation.

“The downturn in the revenue profile of the government, growing unemployment, especially among the youths, closure of some industries due to unfavourable economic climate and incessant industrial actions in key sectors of our national economy, are some of the realities we must confront and overcome if this nation must be on its path to sustainable economic prosperity and growth," he said.

Her words: "Workers in the state have been directed to stay in their homes to observe the May Day with fasting and prayers for a turnaround in the nation's economy to enable state government pay salaries regularly and other obligations to the citizenry."

In Benue, workers booed the deputy governor, Engr. Benson Abounu, who is the acting governor, over what they described as inability of the state government to pay their salaries in arrears of three months.

Abounu was jeered at while addressing workers at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Square in Makurdi, the state capital.

The civil servants booed the deputy governor while making his speech.

Abounu’s statement that the state government was making frantic efforts to seek another financial grant from the Federal Government to pay workers did not assuage the workers.

The acting governor charged Benue workers to continue to exercise patience with government even in the face of unpaid salaries.

He explained that the situation was occasioned by the shortfall in the sources of revenue, assuring that the state government was going to clear all outstanding arrears as soon as the financial condition of the state improves.

In Kaduna, the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) criticised Governor Nasir el-Rufai for planning to retrench workers in all the 23 local governments instead of embarking on programmes that will generate employment.

Speaking at the rally in Kaduna Township Stadium yesterday, the state NLC chairman, Adamu Ango, said that May Day was supposed to be a day for workers to celebrate, but Kaduna workers were sad.

"Today, May Day is our day but we have absolutely no reason to be cheerful.

We must see this May Day as a call for reflections that must produce the kind of positive changes that we seek in our lives and in CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

21.39

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Argentina in 2000.

Source: Itu.int

42%

The percentage by which mobile phone operator America Movil dropped (in dollar terms) since 2015.

Source: Forbes.com

NEWS

MONday, May 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

3

Sultan: Don't blame herdsmen for Agatu, Enugu killings Onwuka Nzeshi and Charles Onyekwere

T

he Sultan of Sokoto and President General of Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, yesterday rose in defence of his kinsmen over widespread allegations that Fulani herdsmen have been responsible for the serial massacre of people in farming communities in different parts of the country.

In a statement issued on his behalf by the secretariat of JNI, the Sultan said it was "absurd" that some Nigerians were attributing the killings to Fulani herdsmen, thereby ascribing ethnic and religious connotations to what was purely a security problem.

The paramount ruler expressed shock and deep concern on the incessant killings and maiming of innocent lives and the destruction of public and private properties, but urged the relevant security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of these atrocities and punish them.

"It is indeed absurd and most unfortunate that certain groups or people ascribe the incidence on ethnic and/or religious premise and to whimsically apportion blame in order to batter the gradual restoration of peace and security in Nigeria.

We, therefore, call for a thorough investigation by

appropriate agencies in order to fish out the evil perpetrators, bring them to justice and forestall reoccurrence.

“The repeated heinous acts of attacks are crimes against the citizenry and the perpetrators are, therefore, criminals and must be treated so," he said.

He condemned the brutal murder of people in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State and the most recent massacre in Ukpabi Nimbo, Enugu State.

He urged relevance security agencies to brace up to the trends, in order to put a stop to this ugly tide of violence.

According to the Sultan, human lives are sacred and must be seen to be treated as such, adding that these repeated attacks were another trend of insecurity that portends grave danger to the nation.

"We must thus be cautious of packaging crimes on religious and ethnic garments. Crimes are abominable and whoever commits them is criminal. Security agencies should brace up in being proactive and utilise maximally intelligence reports in order to nip in the bud possible eruptions of security problems within and around communities.

"We must not forget so soon the adverse effect of the so-called Boko Haram group, that claimed many thousands innocent lives.

Hundreds have been abducted, the males forced

into insurgency and the females into slavery. Millions more are wallowing in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Nigeria and in Refugee Camps in neighbouring countries. Public and private properties worth trillions of naira have been destroyed," the Sultan said.

He condoled with the families of those who lost their lives and sympathized with all victims of the attacks while urging government to take proactive and effective measures in addressing this security challenge.

Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned the statements credited to 19 northern governors that the Fulani herdsmen were not behind the killings associated with them across various parts of the country.

The group spoke against the backdrop of the outcome of the meeting of the Northern Governors’ Forum held in Kaduna State last week.

IPOB, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, accused the northern governors of encouraging terrorism in the country because of the way they defended the herdsmen in their statement after the Kaduna meeting.

"The statements by the so-called governors, who were elected to protect the lives and property of the people, proves to the whole world that they are the sponsors of the new emerging terrorist group in disguise as Hausa-Fulani herdsmen and cattle herders.

"However, the massacre of our brothers and sisters

by Fulani terrorist group

N1,866.2bn The annual actual collection of taxes of Nigeria in 2006.

Source: Firs.gov.ng

1,177

The number of fatalities in terrorists’ violence involving terrorists in 1997.

Source: Satp.org

in Igbo land will not be in vain because God Almighty created us.

"The northern governors’ condemnation of the killing of our people in Agatu in Benue State, Uzo-Uwani Enugu State and Delta State after they had promoted those who committed the heinous crime is hypocritical because it doesn't reflect the true character of people who respect the rule of law," the statement said.

IPOB challenged the

South-East governors to emulate their Northern counterparts in supporting their own.

"We, IPOB worldwide, in a strong term call on the governors in Igbo land to read meaning into the statements made by their counterpart in the north.

"More so, IPOB worldwide calls on the South-East, South South governors, lawmakers, politicians, traditional rulers, and elder statesmen to sit up for what is coming, because the terrorist group have perfected plans to exterminate the people of Biafra through the Fulani cattle herders.

"We are disappointed that the Department of State Services (DSS), Police, Army and other security agents have not, by now, arrested anybody.

The DSS has not come up with a report on how the culprits will be arrested.”

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; his wife, Bolanle; wife of the former Governor of Cross River State, Mrs. Onari Duke and her husband, Donald Duke at "an Evening of Jazz with Governor Ambode" in Lagos...on Saturday.

PHOTO: NAN

FG condemns calls for Crisis looms as Bi-Courtney, FAAN clash over terminal herdsmen to leave S'East lArik’s N12.5bn debt for us, says firm

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he Federal Government has condemned calls by some individuals and groups in the South-East for herdsmen to leave the region.

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, made the condemnation yesterday at Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

He was addressing newsmen on the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) SouthEast stakeholders’ meeting.

According to him, the call is uncalled for, as President Muhammadu Buhari has directed relevant agencies to take appropriate actions in halting the killings by suspected herdsmen.

“This situation is not pleasing to anybody, but the Federal Government is desirous to achieve a peaceful, strong and united nation.

“The government appeals to south-easterners,

especially youths, not to take laws into their hands as a result of the development.

“The people should exercise patience, as the president has categorically condemned the herdsmen’s actions and directed that no effort should be spared in checking the situation.

“The Ibos are known globally to be peace loving and abhorers of violence, as I enjoin them to maintain such virtue,” he said.

The minister said that the meeting involved elected APC leaders, national leaders, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and other stakeholders from the zone.

“We discussed ways of consolidating on the party's achievements and making it stronger because we want to start winning elections in the zone.

“We also discussed the disputed issue of state chairmanship of the party, as it will be resolved very soon,” he said.

Wole Shadare

A

fresh crisis looms in the aviation industry over the true ownership of the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, otherwise known as General Aviation Terminal (GAT).

This is coming as BiCourtney Aviation Services Limited, operator of the ultra- modern Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), yesterday claimed that the N12.5 billion purportedly owed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) by Arik Air was for services it (Bi-Courtney) offered the airlines and not the other way round.

Bi-Courtney based its argument on the fact that GAT was ceded to it as part of an agreement to recoup its N35 billion airport terminal investments.

It alleged that the agreement was, however, violated by FAAN as it has been collecting revenue from the

terminal.

According to the Chief Operating Officer of BiCourtney, Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi, Arik Air’s alleged N12.5 billion indebtedness actually belongs to the terminal operator.

Arik was, penultimate week, shut down by aviation unions acting for the FAAN over the airline's indebtedness.

Spokesman for Arik, Banji Ola, said he would react to the allegations when he sees the statement from Bi-Courtney, adding that his airline does not operate from MMA2.

Awoniyi recalled that the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NAUTE), FAAN branch, had prevented Arik from carrying out its domestic operations at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, during the impasse.

She noted: "We want the public, particularly relevant stakeholders, to

note that the country’s law recognises Bi-Courtney as the genuine owner of GAT, thus, making FAAN’s continuous operations of the terminal illegal and a clear violation of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

She alleged that FAAN, however, continues to defy the laws of the land, adding that it had “openly and recklessly denied our company 60 per cent of its revenue by its continuous illegal operation of the GAT as a competing terminal to MMA2, even after an Arbitration Panel, a Court of Law and an Appeal Court had ruled in our favour."

She noted that consequently, all revenues, such as Passenger Processing Charge, space rental, fuel surcharge and others, which FAAN has been collecting and continues to collect from its unlawful operation of the GAT, including the N12.5 billion in contention between FAAN and Arik Air, belonged to Bi-Courtney.

According to her, the implication of this is that both FAAN and Arik Air are indeed fighting over monies that lawfully belong to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited.

Her words: "We also wish to categorically confirm that all the airlines operating at the GAT are actively involved in FAAN’s act of illegality, because they are all aware of the position of the law in respect of the ownership of the terminal."

Awoniyi stated that GAT was declared an integral part of the MMA2 concession by the decision of the Federal High Court in 2009.

Spokesman of FAAN, Yakubu Dati, had recently accused Bi-Courtney of a desperate bid to take over the terminal.

He said: “Does the Ministry of Aviation and FAAN have the authority to cede government property to a third party or concessionaire without the approval of the Federal Executive Council, which approved the initial concession in the first place?”

4

NEWS

MONday, May 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Aggrieved PDP members move to stop National Convention Onwuka Nzeshi

ABUJA

T

he National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scheduled to hold on May 21 in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, may be aborted as some chieftains of the party have approached a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order to halt the convention.

The aggrieved members also asked the court to declare the processes of

organising the convention as illegal, null and void.

They also want the National Working Committee (NWC) to step down immediately and allow the Board of Trustees (BOT) take charge of the party’s affairs.

In a suit No: FHC/ABJ/ CS/233/2016 filed by Dr. Ayodele Adebo for himself and on behalf of Concerned Members of the PDP, the plaintiffs claimed that the tenure of the NWC of the party elapsed on March 24, and therefore

members of that committee had no business being in office now and organising the May 21convention of the party.

Adebo, through his counsel, Essien Essien of Silva Opusunju and Associates, has asked the court to declare that the National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and all other members of the NWC have served their terms in office as specified by the constitution of the party, having occupied those offices since March

24, 2012.

The plaintiffs are also seeking a declaration of the court that the elongation of the tenure of members of the NWC through an internal memorandum addressed to the NWC was inaccurate and of no effect.

According to the court papers obtained by New Telegraph, the plaintiffs are seeking an order of injunction restraining members of the NWC from further parading themselves as national officers of the party.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Workers lament poor welfare, unpaid salaries CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

and the nation at large," he said.

Workers in Adamawa State yesterday told Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla that they are running out of patience over unpaid salaries and other entitlements.

The workers, led by the state chairman of NLC, Dauda Maina, said they are prepared for industrial action if the state government failed to address their welfare issues.

The NLC lamented that almost half of the Adamawa workforce are without salaries for the past four months.

Other problems affecting the workers, according to the NLC chairman, were non-payment of sala-

ries to over 900 junior staff employed by the health services management board since November 2014; nonpayment of salaries to medical and health workers in the past five months; and delay in the payment of salaries of primary school teachers for the past two years, among others.

The deputy governor of the state, Mr. Martins Babale, promised that government would look into the complaints of the workers with a view to addressing them soonest.

Babale, who represented Governor Jibrilla, lamented that the issue of unpaid salaries is not limited to Adamawa State alone.

For workers in Edo

Dogara hails workers for their sacrifice Philip Nyam Abuja

S

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has assured Nigerian workers of the commitment of the House to workers’ welfare.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr. Turaki Hassan, Dogara maintained that improvement in the condition of workers is critical to the change agenda of the present administration.

According to Dogara,

had been anxious to see them leave the stage.

Adebo told New Telegraph that part of his group’s grievances were the new zoning formula, which some regions have kicked against, and the subtle attempt by the members of the NWC to perpetuate themselves in office after their tenure had legally expired.

There are strong indications that the legal battle instituted by Adebo and a few other concerned members had the tacit support of some elders of the party, who have been looking for an opportunity to do away with Sheriff and his team.

New Telegraph gathered that the current wrangling within the party might result in another implosion, manifesting as another massive defection of aggrieved members of the party to form a new party.

Air Force refunds N19.44bn to Stabilisation Account

Members of Radio, Television, Theater and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) during the Workers Day celebration in Maiduguri… yesterday

the governance of our state. The problems Kaduna State workers are daily facing are enormous and they cut across the 23 local government areas.

"Rather than embarking on programmes of massive injection of funds into the public/private sectors to generate jobs and employment, the Kaduna State government is marching in a totally different direction.

Many local government council workers have been shortlisted for retrenchment due to flimsy excuses of irregular appointment from 2009 till date. This will affect about 7,000 workers and thousands of their dependents and will have a negative effect on the state

They also want the court to direct the national chairman of the party and all other members of the NWC to hand over the duties of their offices to the BOT of the party who would then constitute a National Caretaker Committee to run the dayto-day affairs of the party pending the conduct of a fresh national convention of the party.

In recent months, the PDP has been embroiled in a series of leadership tussles following the party's loss to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 presidential election.

At its last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, the party resolved to hold its national convention to elect a new set of leaders. However, this decision has not gone down with some members of the party who have issues with the current leadership and

"Workers are the lifeblood of every nation and a well-trained and motivated workforce is vital to our goal of a vibrant, strong, productive and efficient economy. A modern, knowledgeable and effective workforce is at the heart of the legislative agenda of the 8th House of Representatives.

"Today, we honour those silent heroes who brave tough conditions to deliver their best; from our teachers to our doctors to our civil servants, to our farmers, to our self-employed youths and women, who

eke out a living despite the harsh economic conditions of today. For their sake, we shall do all in our power and employ the necessary legislative tools to make a difference in their lives.”

The speaker lamented the unemployment situation in the country. "Unemployment remains one of greatest threats to both our security and progress. It is said that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. We hope that the 2016 Budget will be faithfully implemented to kick-start the process of national renewal.”

State, it was a cheery news at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, the state capital, as Governor Adams Oshiomhole announced the increment of the National Minimum Wage from N18,000 to N25, 000 with immediate effect, for employees in the State Public Service.

He also promised prompt payment of outstanding arrears of salary to the staff of local government councils in the state.

Oshiomhole said that plans had also been concluded to pay staffs of Egor Local Government Council who were being owed 13 months arrears of salary, within the next two weeks.

The governor said even if the price of oil goes to zero per cent, Edo workers would get their salary alerts before the end of every month.

He assured that he would not use his office to put hardship on any of his workers.

9,718

The total number of subscribers of VGC/MTN (fixed/fixed wireless) as at December 2014.

Source: Ncc.gov.ng

0.05%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Central African Republic in 2000.

Source: Itu.int

It was gathered that the account into which the repayments were made were not meant for sharing by the three tiers of government.

The account is one of several accounts under the control of FAAC. The revenue sharing laws provide that 0.5 per cent of funds accruing to the Federation Account should be remitted to the Stabilisation Account.

At the peak of crude oil harvest in 2010, the Stabilisation Account had balances of about N120 billion as of August 2010, but was depleted to N37 billion by October 14.

The funds, according to the document, were withdrawn for activities of the FAAC, the National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) and the Consolidated Revenue Fund Charges (CFR), consumer car finance scheme, police peace keeping mission in Haiti, and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), among others.

The immediate past Goodluck Jonathan administration made withdrawals in different instalments between September 2010 and May 2011 for various expenditures, including loans to the police and funding of committees.

Findings revealed that the Federal Government withdrew over N75 billion in September 2010 alone.

On September 1 and 15, the government withdrew N40.5 billion and N35.5 billion, which were purportedly “released to

CFR as loan to fund INEC for 2010 general elections.

Another N11.3 billion was withdrawn on October 13 and “released” to INEC as loan for the same election.

The stabilisation account rose to about N36 billion between January to May 2011, only to be depleted again to N11 billion. About N400 million was withdrawn as funding for the activities of FAAC and NACOFED between January and May 2011.

Also, N150 million was withdrawn through five memos on the same day.

Another withdrawal was made on January 26, 2011 of N255 million as “funding for NACOFED and FAAC Activities for 2011.”

Meanwhile, members of FAAC have expressed satisfaction with revenue performances of some revenue generating agencies on their 2015 operations.

The commendation came after the presentation of performance evaluation report on revenue generating agencies of government by FAAC special committee.

In 2015, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC’s) export and domestic oil gross sales stood at 91.25 per cent, its exports and domestic crude and gas gross sales stood at 45.34 per cent, Nigeria Customs 62.55 per cent, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was 89.81 per cent, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) 89.70 per cent, while the Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals Development was 81.47 per cent in 2015.

MONday, May 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

MAY DAY

Ambode calls for rededication to service Sunday Ojeme

T

he Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has called on workers to rededicate themselves to service in order to surmount the prevailing economic challenges in the country.

He gave the advice yesterday in Lagos during the annual rally to mark Workers' Day. The governor, who was represented at the fully packed event, by the state's Head of Sevice, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola, recalled his membership of the Committee of Workers as a civil servant, saying that society must

...as labour decries his absence at rally

appreciate its workers.

The venue of the celebration almost became unruly when the workers noticed the governor's failure to physically identify with them.

His representative, however, delivered his speech amid noise of rejection.

Ambode said: "This year's celebration is taking place at a challenging time to build a sustainable economy. Most of the challenges in the economy are man-made.

We must therefore rededicate ourselves.

"Our priority is to en-

sure workers are happy because the aim of employment is to create wealth and fufillment for workers.�

He identified with the entire workforce in Lagos, saying he shared with them the measure to sustain the commonwealth and to tell them that "Lagos is working."

Earlier in his address, the Lagos State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Akeem Kazeem, informed the governor that the success of his administration would be measured through his ability to sat-

isfy the yearnings of the masses that voted for him into power.

He commended the governor for paying salaries promptly and also keeping faith with employment of workers across board.

He said: "Since the commencement of this administration, primary school teachers have been employed in the school management board and the process is still on.

Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) is also employing through the Civil Service Commission, the Fire

Service under Special Duties also employed.

"We are aware of the release of N11 billion pension benefit by the current administration. It is a welcome development but we are yet to see the inauguration of the board

of Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC)."

On his part, the Lagos State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Idowu Adelakun, said Nigeria was currently at a crossroad as there had been leadership deficit and lack of people-centred development in the last 16 years.

Rivers: Workers eye improved wage Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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or workers in Rivers State, the main issue is beyond the payment of salaries, because it has been regular since the Nyesom Wike administration berthed in May, 2015. Although they are yet to receive April salary, they expect to get it in the first week of May. Recall that the current administration also cleared the arrears owed them by the past administration.

The main expectations of workers in the state is an improved minimum

wage in line with the recent demand by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). While Governor Nyesom Wike was against the reduction of minimum wage when some governors complained they can't meet up with payment, he might not support an improved salary.

In his May Day message to workers, he promised that "workers will continue to enjoy a key position in his administration" based on their contribution in building a new Rivers, an improved salary for workers will take place if it is a national decision.

Gloomy day in Oyo over five months salary arrears ment reached with workSola Adeyemo Ibadan

Workers at May Day rally, in Abuja... yesterday.

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PHOTO: Elijah Olaluyi

Amosun, workers disagree over N56,000 new minimum wage Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

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overnor Ibikunle Amosun and the organised labour in Ogun State, yesterday disagreed over the capacity of the state government to pay the proposed N56,000 minimum wage.

While Amosun declared that governors of the federation have now become "endangered species" due to the prevailing cash crunch in the country, the workers argued

that they were suffering and needed new financial raise.

They spoke at the May Day celebration held at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, where hundreds of workers and other groups also embarked on march pasts.

Amosun said at the event that despite the differences his administration had with labour unions, it had been able to pay monthly salary to workers consistently.

He added that he succeeded in paying one out

of the backlog of deductions in the month of April, saying the gesture underscored the government's commitment to workers' welfare.

The governor, who disclosed that the state currently owes N65billion in debt, said his government judiciously expended the bailout funds.

He, however, appealed to workers to show more understanding with his administration as a result of the worsening economic situation and dwindling monthly allocation.

"Governors are endangered species now. I don't know of any governor that will not want to pay workers salaries. But we are in Nigeria; we should not pretend not to know what is happening," he stated.

But earlier in his address, the state chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Olubunmi Fajobi, said the current economic hardship had made nonsense of the national minimum wage of N18,000 which has been operational for over five years.

Labour presents 20-point demand to Fayose Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

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he state chapters of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), at the 2016 Workers' Day celebration, yesterday, gave Governor Ayodele Fayose, marching orders on 20 requests.

They included immediate payment of all outstanding salaries and allowances.

Among the demands, 12 of which was from NLC while eight came from the TUC, labour urged Fayose to pay gross monthly salary rather than the net, release the report of April 2015 workers verification exercise, promotion of eligible officers, pay all outstanding leave bonuses and immediate constitution of state boards and commissions, among others.

At the event which was low keyed owing to

the death of six medical doctors and a driver, the workers offered prayers for Nigeria's economic revival.

In an address by the chairmen of NLC and TUC, Com. Ade Adesanmi and Com. Odunayo Adesoye, labour urged Fayose to audit the current wage bill of workers in the state, which it claimed stood at N2.6billion.

According to them, the recommendation

could not be escaped as the same figure was claimed by the administration of ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Adesanmi in his address, specifically urged the governor to pay the workers their gross salaries, rather than the net, noting that that was the best way to alleviate the plight of the workers who depended on cooperatives and bank loans to meet many routine demands.

n unprecedented gloomy May Day celebration awaits the workers of Oyo State with five months salaries being owed them by the state government.

Workers in the state received salary last in November last year. The development had necessitated a brief threat of strike early in the year as the Nigeria Labour Congress alleged that the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi had departed from the agree-

ers on mode of payment of their salaries.

The NLC, through its Chairman, Comrade Waheed Olojede, with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that the government must use 90 per cent of the monthly allocation to pay salary, which the government obliged till February this year when they threatened strike.

The monthly federal allocation had since the bailout funds regime dwindled from N5.6bn to N2.5bn.

Zamfara orders workers back to farm Idris Salisu Gusau

I

n an effort to improve food security and uplift the living standard of people in the state, Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara State has advised civil servants to embrace farming in this year’s wet season farming.

Speaking during the 2016 May day celebration in the state, Yari stated that his administration has concluded arrangements for the implementation of Zamfara State Comprehensive Agricultural Revolution Programme (ZACAREP) phase 2 in the state.

"As part of government drive to create employment opportunities, we have concluded arrangement to launch ZACAREP phase 2; the policy has been designed to improve the productive capacity of small and medium scale farmers, improving food security in the state."

According to the governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government(SSG), Professor Abdullahi Mohammed Shinkafi, disclosed that government will implement the minimum wage of N18,000 to local government staffs and primary school teachers when the economy improved.

Borno NLC holds first outdoor rally in five years Ahmed Miringa Maiduguri

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he Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has organized its first outdoor rally in Maiduguri since the Boko Haram insurgency started in 2009.

The NLC commended Governor Kashim Shettima for his prompt payment of workers’ salaries, despite the economic meltdown and insurgency

facing the state.

The State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Titus Abana, during the Workers Day rally at Ramat Square, Maiduguri, said “this year Workers Day is unique as this is the first time in the past five years the union is organizing outdoor rally due to the insurgency”.

He said this is not without challenges such as implementation of N18, 000 minimum wage to five local government areas of Biu, Askira/Uba, MMC,

Plateau, Kogi workers decry hardship, neglect Musa Pam and Muhammad Bashir Jos, Lokoja

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lateau State workers under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria have decried long years of hardship and neglect of workers by the state government.

The workers complained about the nonpayment of outstanding four months salaries owed them by the state government.

Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Plateau, Comrade Jibrin Banchir, while speaking on behalf of workers, during the low key celebration of workers in Jos, said the outstanding four months salary owed workers, especially local government and Primary school teachers, including five months salaries owed

tertiary institutions in the state over the "no work no pay entanglement".

"As we continue to engage government on the plight of our members, it is important to define the parameters of our pains which have persisted over the years. They include a non-implementation of N18,000 minimum wage to local government workers and primary school teachers as well as continued delayed in payment of salary of workers".

Banchir disclosed that the workers expectation were high, having kept faith over the years but unfortunately, they have been subjected to hardship and neglect.

He again mentioned the non-payment of gratuity and pension to both state and local government retirees, delay in completion of biometric exercise and payment of outstanding salary to cleared workers.

Ishaku receives ultimatum to settle deducted salaries Sabiu Mustapha JALINGO

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he Nigeria Labour Congress, Taraba State chapter, has given Governor Darius Ishaku, of the state the end of May to settle all the deductions in the workers' salaries.

The union wants the state government to settle all the underpaid and omitted civil servants ' right from October 2015' before the given period.

The state chairman of the NLC, Peter Gambo, gave the ultimatum yesterday during the May Day celebration in Jalingo, the state capital.

"The gover nment

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MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

should as a matter of urgency settle all deductions and omissions of salaries right from October 2015, and today before the end of May, 2016," The NLC chairman said. " We also encourage the government to close the gap in the payments of local government staff and primary school teachers salaries, " he added.

The union further demanded the immediate relocation of the consultant that is handling the workers' salaries payments in the state from Abuja to Jalingo.

"We cannot further tolerate our salaries being prepared outside Jalingo," Gambo vowed.

Hawul and Jere, stressing that there was also need for the implementation of N18,000 minimum wage to teachers working under local Education Authorities.

Abana said: “ We lost many of our workers to insurgency in the state.

We lost over 175 teachers in the state, 100 from health workers among other civil servants but now thank God peace is gradually returning to our dear state.”.

On the issue of the

on-going verification in the state civil service, he said the state government should carry out the exercise with caution to avoid what happened in Kano, where some legally employed civil servants were declared as ghost workers.

Responding, Shettima represented by his deputy, Alhaji Usman Mamman Durkwa, said government was working hard to see that all workers in the state enjoyed the N18,000 minimum wage.

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Jigawa not indebted to workers – Badaru

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ov. Muhammadu Badaru of Jigawa State said yesterday that the state government was not indebted to workers and it was paying them salary promptly.

Badaru said this at the May Day celebration in Dutse.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan, also said his government had been prudent in the management of the meagre allocation from the Federation Account and able to pay salaries and run the other affairs of government.

"Since we took over the

mantle of leadership in the state, our monthly allocation has been declining on monthly basis and last month is the least in the last 10 years.

"In spite this challenge of dwindling economy, this government has not taken any bailout from the Federal Government or commercial banks.

"I am sure this our challenge is temporary.

As you know, the test of governance is not when you have prosperity but when you have adversity and we shall overcome it”,he said.

The governor called for understanding of the

Enugu workers demand increase in arrears, pension Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

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orkers in Enugu State yesterday asked the state government to increase the arrears of pension and gratuity of civil servants and appealed for amicable ways of settling them.

The state Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi reassured the workers of his administration’s commit-

ment to continue to work in concert with the organized labour in the state to ensure the satisfactory resolution of all outstanding issues between government and workers.

Lamenting the increasing arrears and the need to settle all outstanding debt owed to retirees during the Workers’ Day celebration held at Okpara Square, Enugu, the workers noted that, “more Civil Servants, especially those employed between

1981 -1983 have started retiring en-mass from this year”, stressing that the development would increase the arrears of gratuity and pension.

“The last gratuity was paid at the local government in 2002. Your conscious efforts will save lives of these men and women who served the fatherland during their productive age.

The situation is even alarming in the following institutions like Enugu

State Water Corporation, Enugu State Broadcasting Service and Daily Star.

We call for your urgent intervention”, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Virginus Nwobodo said.

He urged the governor to approve the promotion of teachers for 2013, 2014 and 2015, stressing that while many of the beneficiaries have retired, others have died while awaiting the promotions.

L-R: Representative of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Kabiru Usman; Vice Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abubakar Malami and Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Alhaji Sani Yabo, at the 2016 May Day Celebration, in Sokoto… yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

3,050 houses for civil servants in Sokoto T he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Sokoto State, says it would build 3,050 housing units for civil servants in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state Chairman of the NLC, Mr Aminu Umar, disclosed this in Sokoto yesterday at the 2016 May Day Celebrations.

Umar, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Abubakar Malami, said that the houses will be built in partnership with some private estate developers.

“So far, about 100 hectares of land had been acquired by the company

on which the houses would be built including other facilities like clinic, mini market and schools, among others.

“Therefore, I will like to solicit for your continued cooperation in order to help us achieve the set goals of improving the welfare of workers," Umar urged.

He commended the state government for ensuring the regular payment of salary and the payment of arrears of gratuities to retired civil servants in the state.

The chairman extolled the existing cordial relationship between labour unions and the state government.

Umar further acknowledged the desire and commitment of the state government to improve the lot of the civil servants in the state.

However, he appealed to the state government to look into the plight of retired teachers and workers of local government councils, as well as salary disparity between secondary and primary school teachers.

Umar further urged the state government to implement consolidated salary for legislative staff, as well as introduce a special media salary scale, among other demands.

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba, said that no society can develop without a functional, robust, motivated and dedicated civil service.

Tambuwal also pledged to sustain the prompt payment of salary and pensions, as well as uplifting the general welfare of the citizenry.

The governor urged the civil servants to reciprocate the gestures of the state government by being disciplined, dedicated to their duties and more productive.

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MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO Taiwo Jimoh

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police corporal, identified as Taye, attached to Denton Police Division, has been accused of torturing a 19-year-old barber, Gafar Ayoola, to death at Oyingbo area of Lagos State.

Gafar’s father, Mr. Gboyega Ayoola, said his son was at Oyingbo bus stop about 8:30a.m. last Friday, waiting to board a bus to Badagry when Taye arrested him.

He said the corporal accused Gafar of abusing him three months ago and that he had been monitoring his movements in order to arrest him.

Ayoola said he was told that traders nearby begged the policeman not to arrest Gafar but Taye insisted on taking him to the station.

According to him, a few hours later, Gafar died while being tortured.

The news of Gafar’s death led to a protest in the area.

Ayoola said Gafar’s mother sent the deceased to Oyingbo before he met his death.

He said: “My family and I live at Okoafo, Badagry area, where the deceased had a shop. Before I left home for the Island on that fateful day, my wife told me she wanted to send Gafar to Oyingbo to give her elder sister money for a monthly contribution.

“I was still in the office about to close when I received a phone call from my first son, Shamsideen, that a policeman from Den-

ABIODUN BELLO

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Corporal tortured my son to death –Father

The late Gafar

ton Police Station had arrested his younger brother and tortured him to death. That was how I left

Ayoola

Ikoyi for the police station, only to get there and find a crowd at the entrance of the station, pro-

IG deploys choppers for Anisulowo’s rescue Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

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olice in Ogun State yesterday said they had deployed two helicopters in the search for the abducted former Minister of State for Education, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo.

Anisulowo, 65, was kidnapped last Wednesday while returning from her farm at Sawonjo in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state.

The victim’s Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with registration number LSD 115 AM has since been recovered by the police.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement that the helicopters arrived the state on Saturday.

Adejobi disclosed that the choppers were deployed by the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, to identify suspected kidnappers’ hideouts.

He added that search teams from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and the office of the IG, Force Headquar-

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

Police search team with one of the choppers

ters, Abuja had also joined the rescue operation.

The PPRO quoted the state Police Commissioner, Abdulmajid Ali, as saying that Anisulowo would soon be rescued unhurt.

He said: “The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, who spoke on behalf of the teams, has assured that the kidnapped former senator will be soon rescued unhurt and culprits apprehended as every officer of the command and members of the search teams have been having restless nights since the day of the incident.

“CP Abdulmajid Ali, therefore, appreciates the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, for his full support and concern towards the rescue of the victim; and also appreciates other security agencies, search teams and members of the public, particularly government of Ogun State, for their support so far.”

Adejobi assured the general public that every professional strategy would be harnessed in ensuring the senator was brought back home healthy and safe.

testing the death of my son.

“When I got to the station, I was told my son was tortured.

But the policeman was afraid when he noticed the manner my son was breathing; he hurriedly called the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) on the phone to brief him about the condition of the boy. But the DPO was said to have told him to continue with his torturing; that the suspect was only pretending.

“When the breathing was becoming unbearable, the corporal, I was told, called the DPO once again to inform him about the state of health of the suspect.

The DPO later ordered them to rush him to a private hospital where he was pronounced dead.”

Ayoola said he demanded to see the policeman who allegedly tortured his son to death.

He added: “When I demanded to see the policeman who killed my son, after seeing the crowd which followed me to the station, the policemen on duty hurriedly called the DPO who came and started begging me to take what happened to my son as an act of God. The DPO said they were actually after a notorious criminal called Dagba in the area and not my son.

“The DPO told me that my son died of cardiac arrest; because of the fear that gripped him when he was being tortured.

He said that someone could die owing to different circumstances and that it had been destined that my son would die in that manner.”

Gafar’s mother, Mrs. Lateefat Ayoola, who spoke with our correspondent on the phone, said her son must not die in vain.

She said: “I sent him to Oyingbo to give my elder sister money for our monthly contribution. If I had known my son would die that fateful day, I would have sent the money through bank. Where do I get a grown up boy like that at my age?”

Gafar’s body was said to have been deposited at the Lagos Mainland General Hospital mortuary.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed Gafar’s death.

She said: “The report we received was that barely some minutes after the deceased was arrested and brought to the station, he complained of feeling sick and he was rushed to the hospital.

“The suspect was receiving treatment when he passed on.

The leadership of the command is keen on entrenching respect for human rights. It also abhors any form of torture.”

Badmos also promised that the command would open investigation into the matter.

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How we procured gun to rob –Suspect Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

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26-year-old suspected armed robber, Teslim Mohammed, has told the police in Oyo State how he got a gun from a colleague, attempted to use it to rob but was arrested before carrying out the attack.

Mohammed, who hails from Kwara State, was paraded at the state Police Command Headquarters, Eleyele, on Friday along with Aliu Azeez (28), Olanrewaju Ajayi (23), Kehinde Abiodun (28), Adeleke Adeyemo (28), and Adamu Muhammed (23).

But the state Police Commissioner, Leye Oyebade, said the suspects, who had been terrorising residents of Oyo and Ogbomoso in Oyo State as well as Ilorin in Kwara State, were arrested in their hideout on April 26 by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad based on intelligence report.

Confessing to a series of robbery operations his gang had been engaged in, Mohammed said: “I am a native of Ilorin and I had been robbing in Ilorin before. But it was up to a year since I robbed last before one boy named Tunde brought a gun to me at Agbabiaka area of Ilorin.

Tunde asked me to sell the gun. I called another friend, AZ, and we attempted to use it to rob, but we were unable to operate that day.

“I later gave the gun to my colleagues who went with it. But later, I saw policemen who came to arrest me. AZ and Tosin are my friends and we were doing the robbery operations together before we were caught. I met AZ not quite long ago.

It was the arrest of the boy who brought the gun to me and his accomplices that led to my own arrest.”

Mohammed also explained how the gang came about arms and ammunition displayed before them.

He said: “All these arms recovered from us were just recently procured.

We have not used them.”

Mohammed said he embraced robbery because his mother died and his father was unable to take good care of him.

Meanwhile, the police commissioner, has cautioned residents against security laxity.

He said: “Even in our schools, we have made arrangement with the principals to upgrade security

City Briefs Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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unmen, suspected to be cult members, have killed 19 people at two villages in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The killings started around 1p.m. last Saturday when the gunmen first invaded Ula-Apata village and started shooting indiscriminately.

The gunmen, according to a witness, who escaped from one of the villages, had first attacked Ula-Upata and killed 12 persons, left and returned around 9p.m. and killed two more persons.

He said: “Yesterday (Sat-

around public and private schools.

We are partnering with school proprietors to ensure better security.

We have organised patrols around schools to nip in the bud incidents of invasion by hoodlums, as well as curtailing the recalcitrant attitude of some students.”

Oyebade also disclosed that many of the robbers being arrested were using Micra taxi cabs to operate where many passengers were falling victims of armed robbery, rape and kidnapping.

He said: “Our command has begun collection of database of Micra drivers to stem the wave of kidnapping, rape and robbery through these Micra operators.

“We have started doing the same for motorcycle operators. We have decided to give them jackets with inscriptions to identify them with their photographs. Anyone caught without registration in our database will be dealt with. All these we are doing to stem the ugly tide of criminal activities in the state.”

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The suspects and the weapons recovered from them

I’ve sold 4,256 stolen phones, says NURTW chieftain Muritala Ayinla

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42-year-old man, Kazeem Bamidele, has told police in Lagos that he had sold at least 4,256 stolen phones of different makes received from thieves and pickpockets.

Bamidele, arrested yesterday by officials of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), said he had over 52 ‘boys,’ who usually sell ‘clean’ stolen mobile phones to him on a regular basis.

The suspect, who is the second vice-chairman of the National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW), Ajegunle Unit, told the RRS Intelligence Team that he received at least 38 phones weekly from robbers, pickpockets and ‘one-chance’ thieves operating in the state.

Bamidele, who is popularly known as ‘Elewure,’ was arrested when the RRS Intelligence Team quizzed two stolen phone users in Kogi State in connection with abduction and robbery cases in Lagos State.

The RRS arrested Bamidele at his shop in Boundary Market, Ajegunle, after he was identified as the man who sold two Blackberry Z10 phones and a CAT phone collected from victims of robbery and abduction in the metropolis.

Bamidele said: “I have over 52 boys who sell clean stolen mobile phones to me. On the average, I receive 38 clean phones in a week. I have been in the business for more than two years.

“Boundary Market in Ajegunle, where I have office and shop, is where they sell the phones to me and that is where the buyers equally get them. I know they are stolen phones. Nearly every guy in Ajegunle is involved in this kind of ‘runs’. It is what they do to survive.

“I was pushed into the business by family pressure. I have two wives and seven children. I have so many dependants. What I pay as school fees alone is staggering.

“I had too many problems in life. My mother gave birth

to 13 children for my father.

Though both of them are no more, only three of us are left.

I am the breadwinner of the family.

“My first wife’s children are part of the predicament I have. Since I married the second wife, I have not known peace. Can you believe that since I was arrested, she has never called or visited me? I know this is a lesson for me in life. She has seven children for me and what I paid as school fees for her children is staggering.”

The suspect added that he started out by grinding ‘elubo’ (yam flour), pepper and maize before he started selling stolen phones.

According to the RRS, the suspect is now helping the police to pick up his ‘boys’ from their hideouts, bus stops and routes of operations.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Dolapo Badmos, said police were following up the suspect’s revelations and were making steady progress in their investigations.

Bamidele

Cultists kill 19 in Rivers communities College worker

Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike

urday) was a bloody day at Ula-Upata and Edoha communities. Gunmen went berserk and killed 19 people at Ula-Upata and Edoha com-

munities.

“As if they were not satisfied with their killing spree, they reappeared again about 9p.m. and killed two more people. They later moved to Edoha, a nearby village to Ula-Upata and beheaded five persons. The heads of the victims littered Edoha Road.”

When contacted, the state Assistant Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Koko, said the attacks were carried out by cult members fighting a war of supremacy.

She, however, said that only two persons were confirmed dead during the attacks.

The army spokesman, Captain Eli Lazarus, did not pick his call to comment on the incident.

Soldiers from 2 Brigade, Bori Camp, Rivers State, were drafted to some communities within the area where the killings took place to check the menace of cultists, before the recent rerun state and national assemblies’ election.

Apart from occasionally waging war against rival cult members, cultists in the senatorial district also carry out kidnappings for ransom, armed robberies and assassinations.

dies after sack

Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

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ne of the disengaged staff of Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, Onwe Samuel, has reportedly died of heart attack. Onwe was among 83 workers of the college who government alleged were recruited without due process and ordered their dismissal.

The man, who was working in the security department of the college, reportedly died on April 24 after he was given a disengagement letter by the Chief Security Officer of the college, Emeka Ogayi. Onwe was said to have taken ill but did not go to hospital because of lack of money.

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NEWS

Appolonia Adeyemi

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eople who get too little sleep are said to face the risk of raising their bad cholesterol, which may be detrimental to the state of their heart health.

According to a study published in the journal, Scientific Reports, just a week of inadequate sleep

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lack of adequate sleep damages heart –Study can damage the heart due to a rise in ‘bad’ cholesterol.

The researchers showed that people who spent too few hours in bed also had less ‘good’ cholesterol circulating in their blood, than those who slept sufficiently.

Obasanjo, IITA collaborate on zero hunger level in 2030

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n an effort to achieve the much- desired sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) that would put an end to hunger in Nigerian by 2030, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan have collaborated through an initiative termed ‘Zero Hunger’ project.

This was revealed at a multi-sectoral stakeholders meeting in Ibadan at the weekend where Obasanjo said the task of attaining the SDGs could not be left for either the government, the civil society or the private sector alone but was a collective task for all and sundry.

Leading a team of experts across the agriculture process chain and

relevant government ministries and agencies, Obasanjo who flagged off the project said that the task of providing food in sufficient quantity by 2030, “is going to take the collective effort of each and every citizen of this great nation and our partners. It will require our collective change of mindset to at first identify the opportunities that abound,” he said.

Speaking further on the Nigeria Zero Hunger Strategy initiative, which received support from the World Food Program, Obasanjo commended the efforts of the international community towards fighting hunger and poverty, citing efforts and gains made under the Millennium Development Goals.

NBS rates MMA Lagos busiest airport Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

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report on the nation’s aviation sector released yesterday by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has rated the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMA) Lagos as the busiest airport in the country The report, which covered the second half of 2014 and 2015 revealed that the airport was also ahead of others both in terms of the number of travellers and aircrafts.

It said the MMA accounted for 36.5 per cent of domestic passengers, 69.2 per cent of international passengers, 89.5 per cent of cargo movement and 44.9 per cent of

mail movement.

According to the report, in third quarter of 2015, the total number of passengers that traveled through Nigeria airports was 3,824,319, representing an increase of 299,533 (8.5 per cent) relative to the number in the second quarter.

The number, the report, added was still 2.8 per cent less than the third quarter of 2014 when the total number of passengers was 3,936,018.

It noted also that the fourth quarter saw both a quarterly and a year on year decline, of 0.4 per cent and 8.5 per cent respectively, with a total of 3,810,758 passengers, compared to 4,163,762 passengers in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Education levy: Catholic Church sues Ekiti Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

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he Catholic Diocese of Ekiti has sued the state government for imposing development levies on pupils and students of primary and secondary schools in the state.

In an originating summons in a suit filed against the Attorney General of the State as well as the Commissioner for Education at a High Court in

Ado-Ekiti, by the Incorporated Trustees of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, the church wanted the court to resolve three issues.

One was “whether every child of primary school and junior secondary school age in Ekiti State is not entitled to free and compulsory basic education under Section 2 of Compulsory Free Universal Education Act, 2004 and Section 19 of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board Law.”

Seven to eight hours of sleep for adults was recommended by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), the body dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy.

A PhD student in sleep research at the University of Helsinki, Vilma Aho, said based on the outcome of this study, people should be educated on the importance of getting the right amount of rest to prevent common diseases, as well as eating healthily and exercising.

Genes, which regulate the transport of choles-

terol around the body are less active in sleep deprived people than those getting a good night’s rest, the researchers found.

However, the findings could explain why those who get less than the recommended seven to eight hours sleep a night were at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

Cholesterol is a kind of fat made by the liver and found in the blood, which is essential to the body as cells and organs need it.

But there are two types; ‘good’ high-density lipopro-

teins or HDL, and ‘bad’ or low-density lipoproteins.

‘Bad cholesterol’ can damage the walls of the arteries, causing them to become hardened, scarred and plaques form.

These plaques can restrict blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack, or can break off and travel to the brain, causing a stroke.

Good cholesterol, on the other hand, acts as a magnet, hoovering up the bad cholesterol and moving it out of the arteries and into tissues such as the liver, or to make hormones.

The team, from the

University of Helsinki in Finland, wanted to find out why lack of sleep was linked with more heart problems and strokes.

According to report in the mailonline, the researchers analysed people sleeping in a laboratory, and looked at data on sleep levels and disease in members of the general population.

Similarly, they looked at the impact of sleep deprivation on how genes regulating the transport of cholesterol around the body - and on the actual levels of cholesterol in the blood.

L-R: General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho; overall winner, Damilola Ojuri; Managing Director, MultiChoice, John Ugbe and Country Manager, Viacom Nigeria, Ifeoma Williams, during the MultiChoice Staff edition of MtvBase Lip Sinc Battle Africa, in Lagos… at the weekend.

Troops kill 9 Boko Haram suspects, rescue 1,000 –Army Emmanuel Onani

T

he Nigerian Army said yesterday that troops of 3 Battalion (22 Brigade) killed nine suspected Boko Haram elements, during a preemptive strike against a planned attack.

A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, said the troops were able to repel the fighters owing to intelligence. ‘’Troops of 3 Battalion 22 Brigade, have today carried out a successful pre-emptive strike to foil a planned Boko Haram terrorists attack on the military and innocent civilians around Wunbi in Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.

The pre-emptive attack was carried out after

information was received about the devilish intention and location of the terrorists. While on a patrol to foil the attack troops encountered the terrorists at Tatakura village 20km South West of Wumbi. There was heavy exchange of fire at the end of which nine Boko Haram terrorists were killed.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army said yesterday that it has rescued about 1000 people held captives

by Boko Haram insurgents in the Sambisa forest.

That was as it announced that it had commenced large scale operations to smoke out Boko Haram terrorists from their Sambisa forest hideout in Borno.

Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole said this while

briefing newsmen in Maiduguri.

“I want to inform you that troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole are conducting operations in the heart of Sambisa as we speak.

“The troops are deep into the forest to smoke out Boko Haram terrorists,’’ Irabor said.

He said that the troops were led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu.

“In fact, the GOC 7 division is leading the operations,’’ Irabor said declining to give further details.

He said that the troops had also recorded tremendous successes against the terrorists in the last couple of days.

“Following a tip-off,

troops intercepted four female suicide bombers approaching from Sambisa in the general area of Jimini-Bolari village.

Two unexploded Improvised Explosive Devices on the suicide bombers were safely detonated by our own team.

“Also, a suspected terrorists training camp at Mudallah llage in Dikwa Local Government Area was raided by troops on April 16.

“Consequently, troops made contact and killed a suspected terrorists leader and six others while capturing five of them, during the raid, five vehicles and several terrorists flags were destroyed.’’

Irabor said that the troops also rescued over 1,000 civilians held captive by the terrorists.

PDP govs meet on Fulani herdsmen attack on Enugu community Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

G

overnors of SouthEast elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rose from a closed door meeting yesterday resolved to visit the Uk-

pabi Nimbo community where the Fulani herdsmen unleashed attack that left several people killed and others injured.

Also present at the meeting were the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi

and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

Addressing Journalists at the end of their meeting, held at the Government Hose Enugu, Ekweremadu said the governors would get their colleagues from Anambra State, Chief Willy Obiano and Rochas

Okorocha of Imo State to join them in the proposed visit to the affected community.

He said the visit was aimed at taking stock of the damage done to the area, with a view to taking a definite position as leaders of the South-East zone.

11

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Yuguda What next after PDP exit?

Politics

Interview Ortom: Critics should allow APC concentrate on governance

13 14

Zoning ruffles feathers ONYEKACHI EZE reports on the controversy over the ratification of the zoning of the national chairmanship position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the North-East by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC)

I

t is trying times for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) even though the party’s National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, insists that the decision to zone the national chairmanship position to the North-East was a unanimous decision by members of the party’s highest decisionmaking organ – National Executive Committee (NEC).

An indication that the decision will ruffle feathers in the party was the poor attendance during the party’s NEC meeting last Thursday. Some of the NEC members who attended the meeting were not comfortable with the recommendations of the Governor Emmanuel Udom-led committee on the zoning of national offices.

The NEC hall, which is usually filled to the brim during its meetings, was scanty, and from the speech of the Acting Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin, it was obvious that the zoning committee's report did not pass through the various organs of the party before the final debate by NEC. According to Senator Jibrin, "the exclusion of the BoT is not deliberate and I appeal to all members of the BoT that they should not take offence that there was no any meeting of the BoT. We will have another meeting after this (NEC) one.

"We are very aware of vari-

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Sheriff

ous meetings everywhere. I have decided that I will not attend any meeting apart from the properly organised meetings because we have to be very careful with the way we hold meetings these days."

Since the report of the committee leaked to the public, there have been meetings by aggrieved members of the party on the next step to take. Some party members even threatened to leave PDP in protest over the retention of the national chairmanship position in the North-East.

Among those who are likely to dump the former ruling party is Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Abudullahi Jalo. The party’s deputy spokesperson, who is from Gombe State in the NorthEast, said he would leave the party on moral ground.

According to him, "there was a unanimous decision to zone the chairmanship to the South-West due to the fact that the North has produced about nine PDP national chairmen from the time of Solomon Lar up to the period of Ali Modu Sheriff. The North is interested in the presidential ticket, not the national chairman."

Though Jalo’s position cannot be dismissed, some members of the party are of the view that he may be voicing his anger due to the fact that the zoning arrangement may disqualify his governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, from realising his presidential ambition.

According to the report adopted by the NEC, the national

Emmanuel

George

POSITION

ZONE

i

National Chairman

North-East

ii

Deputy National Chairman

South-South

iii

National Secretary

South-West

iv

Deputy National Secretary

North-Central

v

National Legal Adviser

North-West

vi

Deputy National Legal Adviser

South-South

vii

National Treasurer

South-South

viii

Deputy National Treasurer

North-West

ix

National Financial Secretary

North-Central

x

Deputy National Financial Sec.

South-East

xi

National Woman Leader

North-West

xii

Deputy National Woman Leader

South-South

xiii

National Auditor

South-West

xiv

Deputy National Auditor

North-East

xv

National Publicity Secretary

South-West

xvi

Deputy National Publicity Sec.

North-Central

xvii

National Organizing Secretary

South-East

xviii

Deputy National Organizing Sec.

North-Central

xix

National Youth Leader

South- East

xix

Deputy National Youth Leader

North-West

chairmanship position goes to North-East, the deputy to SouthSouth while the South-West still retains the position of the national secretary.

The position of deputy national secretary, which was in SouthEast, now goes to North Central, while the nation legal adviser has been zoned to the North-West.

The deputy national legal advise is now in the South-South.

The position of national treasurer was also zoned to the SouthSouth, while the deputy goes to North West. The office of national financial secretary is now in the North Central as against SouthWest, while the South East will produce the deputy.

The national woman leader will now come from North-West as against South-East, while the South-South will produce the deputy.

For the office of national auditor and deputy, the PDP NEC agreed that they should go to South-West and North-East, respectively.

The South-East will however produce the national organising secretary and national youth leader. The deputy national organising secretary and deputy youth leader will come from North Central and North-West, respectively.

The national publicity secretary will come from South-West, while the deputy will come from North Central.

While some analysts have described PDP’s distribution of its national offices as a fair deal, the grouse of most party stakeholders, especially those from the South-West, is the failure of the party to rotate the national chairmanship position of the party.

Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant, Public CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

12

POLITICS

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

Communications to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, noted that out of 11 PDP chairmen in 18 years, only the Yoruba race have not been able to produce one.

His words: "I want to state categorically here, without any fear of equivocation, that we, the Yoruba from the South-West, desire and demand the post of the national chairman at the next convention of the party.

"In the interest of fairness, equity and justice, it is most compelling that the Yorubas of the SouthWest zone must be allowed to contest for this post at the coming national convention. Any attempt to do anything to the contrary, no matter the reason advanced cannot be acceptable.

"Failure for a Yoruba man to emerge as the national chairman can only mean two things. That there is a pervasive and concealed hatred for the South-West in the PDP or that the PDP has very little or no regard for Yoruba interest as was evinced by the obvious cheating of the South-West from the position of the Speaker in 2011, which was never rectified nor compensated for the whole of four years.

"The sad implication of the above is that, regrettably, many of us from the South-West may have to reconsider our membership of this great party, which we have helped to nurture and supported through thick and thin; a party we have loved almost more than our very existence, and the party we have served with all our natural endowment, in victory and defeat. If there exist any conscience, anywhere in this party, let that conscience speak now and stop the new and alien conscienceless power currently holding sway within the party hierarchy."

Interestingly, it was a group from the South- West that first called for the retention of the national chairmanship position in the North. The group led by the senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, Senator Buruji Kashamu, while on courtesy visit to Sheriff on March 21, said the position of national chairman should not be zoned to the South.

The group was of the opinion that PDP will be branded a regional party if the chairmanship goes to the South. “Out of the five states in the South-East, the PDP has three governors; we have five governors out of the six states in the South- South; in the SouthWest, we have two governors. In the whole of the North, we have only two governors. We need to strengthen the North, if not, the PDP will be branded as a regional party if we go ahead to pick the national chairman from the South," the group argued.

But former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George, who faulted the position of the Buruji group, said the stand was disgraceful to the zone.

His words: “When I read about some of our people from the South-West, who went to see the national chairman and said they didn’t want the party’s chairmanship to come to the South-West, my initial reaction was of anger.

“When we started the journey to rebuild the PDP in the SouthWest, none of those people was a member. How can anybody in a

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP's zoning stirs controversy

Jalo

family go out and wash your dirty linen in the market? But I want to assure them that I have no lustre, it’s not a matter of life and death to come and serve. I was distressed with the news, it was a disgraceful position.

“A lot of my friends from the North called and said that we heard some of your people are saying no to the chairmanship, but they said that they have accepted that the presidential candidate would come from the North and that is what they stand on.”

Another chieftain of the PDP in the South-West and a member of the party’s BoT, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said: “We are preparing for the convention and we are also watching the antics of these elements, who are all out to distort the party, we can’t allow miscreants to run our party for us. The South-West will talk on our agenda at the convention.”

Despite the insistence of the George group that the South-West should produce the next national chairman of the PDP at the forthcoming convention, the Udom committee reasoned that the party needs to win back the confidence of the people of the North in view of the disenchantment in the region during the 2015 general elections.

The party had earlier adopted the report of Senator Ike Ekweremadu-led Post Election Review Committee, which zoned the presidential ticket in 2019 to the North. The implication of this is that both the presidency and national chairmanship position will remain in the region till 2020.

But Jalo, the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, said he was told by a member of the BoT that North-East will be allowed to produce the national chairman while the presidential ticket in 2019 will go to the North-West.

Already, former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido has declared his intention to seek the party’s presidential ticket. Jigawa is in the North-West.

But of all the zones in the North, PDP's best outing in 2015 general elections was in the North-East,

Jibrin

Leaders of the party... decided to ignore the zoning arrangement so that they could impose Sheriff on members

Okupe

where it won two states - Gombe and Taraba. Conversely, its worse outing was in North-West, where it was able to win only four House of Representatives and a state Assembly seats.

Jalo, who is obviously campaigning for Governor Dankwambo, who will be completing his second term in office in 2019, to pick the presidential ticket, said the decision to zone the presidency to North-West was an unwise one since President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is from the zone.

"There is a sitting APC president from the North-West; that is Muhammadu Buhari. In the whole of zone, we have only one member of House of Assembly from Kaduna South, and four members of House of Representatives. How do you think a presidential ticket there can produce the expected result with Buhari as a sitting president?

“That is my calculation, I may be wrong. But had it been that the presidential ticket is taken to the North-East, we have two state governors - Gombe and Taraba.

And other states (from the zone) that are not PDP might likely give PDP votes. Then, you now go and get the votes from the South West, South East and South-South, in 2019," he reasoned.

Despite the reasons by the Udom committee to justify why it opted for the North-East for the PDP’s national chairmanship position, the general belief is that Sheriff lobbied for the position to be zoned to North-East in order to extend his tenure.

There is also the belief that despite the calculation that the North-West will produce the party’s presidential candidate for the 2019 elections, Sheriff is equally interested in the presidency and he may likely resign as national chairman in 2018 to contest for it.

No doubt, Sheriff has the constitutional right to aspire for both the PDP national chairmanship and its presidential ticket, but George has a word of advice for him and the party’s leadership.

He said: “Our National Chair-

man, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has a very significant role to play in this crucial transitional process as we move towards our congresses and the national convention. His task is very daunting and challenging. I wish him God’s guidance as he manoeuvres carefully in re-establishing a solid foundation for our party. I implore him to be faithful to his words and his promise in the processes of giving our party a new, strong and firm foundation.

“I want to believe the chairman is an honourable man. He must honour his word to handover to an elected chairman at the national convention on May 21. This is the only way that he will be on the positive side of history.”

Okupe, who shares George’s view, in his reaction to the PDP’s NEC adoption of the Udom committee recommendations, said the party had “entered the road to perdition” with the decision.

His words: “The PDP has now entered the road to perdition with the appointment of someone who’s only known public image is that he’s a Boko Haram sponsor.

This is shameful, and I hope all Nigerians, especially loyal members of the party, reject this unfortunate development.”

He added that the decision of the PDP’s NEC, is another slippery slope that the party is unlikely to escape. “These leaders of the party in NEC decided to ignore the zoning arrangement of the party so that they could impose Sheriff on members; this is a very dangerous cliff that the PDP can never escape. It is over for the party.”

But Governor Dankwambo, who spoke on behalf of the PDP Governors' Forum after the NEC meeting pledged that the party will abide by the decision reached.

"As a party and democrats, we are bound to have disagreement and agreement on issues but once the party takes position, as party members and democrats, we are bound to follow the decision."

The assurance, notwithstanding, the question is: How many PDP members are going to abide by the NEC's decision?

POLITICS

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

13

Yuguda: What next after PDP exit?

In this report, Nankpah Bwakan, writes on the recent exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by former governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda. He also looks at the prospect of the former Minister of Aviation in his likely destinations

T

he recent dumping of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by former governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda, started like a rumour.

Even his former aides debunked the insinuation and assured party supporters that the former governor will remain in the party.

But, Yuguda took many of his supporters and opponents by surprise last weekend, when he announced his defection from PDP but he didn’t disclose which party he is likely to join. He made the disclosure via a telephone interview at a press conference organised by his former aides and supporters at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Centre in Bauchi.

Since Yuguda's defeat by Senator Ali Wakili and subsequent defeat of his preferred governorship candidate Hon. Auwal Jatau by the incumbent governor, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2015 election, it became obvious that Yuguda was going to dump the party.

On which party he is likely to join, Yuguda said after due consultations with his supporters, he will decide on which party they should move to but asked his supporters to decide for themselves whether to leave PDP or remain in the party.

According to him, "already I have told my supporters that I will not force them to leave PDP. Anybody who wants to remain in PDP is free to do so and whoever wants to move with me is welcome. I decided to leave PDP because the party can no longer bring development to Nigeria, it is unfortunate that the party has lost focus,” Prior to his defection, Yuguda's former Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Shehu Baru, while briefing newsmen on behalf of his colleagues, said the former governor is not planning to leave the PDP but will rather remain in the party to help correct the mess in the party.

He blamed the state of the party on former President Goodluck Jonathan for imposing himself as the party’s presidential candidate which led to the defeat of party.

He said: " We kicked against Jonathan's ambition and told him in clear terms that the party will not win but he insisted. This was part of the mess PDP made in addition to imposition of leaders and candidates on the people where people were not allowed to practice the real democracy. We

Yuguda

are going to fix the party to bring it back to life and allow it to flourish like any other political party in the country."

But during the last election, Bauchi State also witnessed imposition of a governorship candidate by Yuguda. Political analysts in the state attributed the defeat of PDP in the state to the selection of Jatau by Yuguda amongst other qualified, experienced and well connected aspirants.

The list of those who vied for the governorship of the state under the platform of PDP are; former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed fondly called “Kaura Bauchi”, State minister of Health Dr. Mohammed Ali Pate, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmood Yayale, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Senator Babayo Gamawa, immediate past Secretary to Bauchi State Government, Alhaji Aminu Hammyo and Senator Ibrahim Gumba.

For many, Yuguda’s settlement for Jatau, whose highest educational qualification was Diploma in Nursing Education, was for his own interest as against popular opinion of who should represent the party.

At a perceived arranged governorship primary election for all the aspirants, the governor’s anointed candidate emerged the winner after polling 368 votes to defeat his closest rivals who scored 116, 86, 20 and 3 votes.

Senator Gamawa and Pate staged a walked-out, protesting the outcome of the primary election and rejecting the result. They called for the total cancellation of the election as it did not reflect the true wishes of party members.

While events of 2015 is now history, reactions have continued to trail Yuguda's exit from the PDP.

His exit is a blessing to us in disguise because the persisting leadership crisis in the party will disappear

A former member, House of Representatives and chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon. Abdulrazaq Nuhu Zaki, said the exit of Yuguda from the party will not affect its fortunes in the state.

Zaki described Yuguda as a huge burden to the party and that his exit was a relieve to the party, saying that Yuguda dragged the party into crisis that tore it apart because of his desperation to control the party in the state.

He said: “With God on our side, the PDP will emerge victorious in the coming elections as we are working hard to reposition the party in the state. His exit is a blessing to us in disguise because the persisting leadership crisis in the party will disappear."

It was gathered that many of the 2015 governorship aspirants in the state still harbore hatred for Yuguda over what they perceived as betrayal on the part of the former governor.

Yuguda’s other perceived sin was betraying the people when he dumped the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and even betrayed President Muhammadu Buhari, who they have great respect for. Buhari has never lost Bauchi since he started contesting for presidential elections in 2003.

Yuguda himself was elected for the first time in 2007 because of Buhari’s goodwill in Bauchi State.

The people voted for him in protest against his predecessor, Adamu Mu’azu, simply because he imposed the then Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Nadada as PDP candidate and allocated the ticket of Bauchi South senatorial seat to himself. He and his political son were defeated by Yuguda and his then personal assistant, Senator Bala Mohammed.

Yuguda did not only betray Buhari but humiliated him when he visited the state for the wedding

between the son of former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar and Mu'azu's daughter. On arrival in Bauchi, Buhari was allegedly taken to one of the government lodges under the directive of Yuguda on the pretense that the wedding Fatiah has not commenced even when the couple had been joined together.

When Atiku did not see his guest after the wedding, he decided to put a call across to Buhari and it was alleged that Buhari told him where he was cooling off as he was told that the occasion was yet to commence.

Buhari left the state in shame and for Yuguda, he had pleased his then boss, Jonathan, and his expectation was that he would be compensated with the position of governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). But his hope was dashed when Jonathan picked the present governor - Godwin Emefiele.

While Yuguda's next political move is unclear for now, some of his supporters are sayin that he is likely to be appointed as CBN governor by President Buhari as he will soon defect to APC. Some of his close political associates are however of the view that Yuguda and other politicians will come up with a new party, Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) as he is nursing a presidential ambition.

Those who believe that Yuguda is likely to join APC, said he is known for jumping from one party to another as he first jumped from PDP to the defunct ANPP and then back to PDP. Either way, the decision would be difficult for Yuguda as President Buhari is believed to be the leader of APC and Atiku is perceived to be the founder of PDM, and as such, he might not be received in APC or even if received, he will not be given a prominent place in the party. If truly Atiku is the founder of PDM, Yuguda will suffer the same fate in the party.

However, the Bauchi State chapter of APC has said the party will receive Yuguda whenever he approaches it for membership registration but that he must accept to obey the party’s constitution in addition to other conditions that wiould be given to him.

The state Publicity Secretary of APC, Auwalu Aliyu Jallah in a telephone interview, said: "Of course, as a party we will give him conditions to follow before we can register him. He must be willing to abide by the constitution of the party.

"As a party, we have a constitution and if Yuguda or any other politician indicates interest in joining our party, we will give him/her our constitution to read and if they are okay with it, then he/she will write an undertaken to obey the constitution."

As it stands, Yuguda's opponents believe that nemesis is already catching up with the former governor even as they expressed the belief that no party will take him serious to even want to trust him with any responsibility.

They alleged that he destroyed theANPP in the state, dumped the party for PDP, which he also destroyed and has as well dumped.

14

POLITICS \ MONDAY INTERVIEW

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ortom

Ortom: Critics should allow APC concentrate on governance Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, was on President Muhammadu Buhari’s delegation during his recent state visit to China. He thereafter, anchored business and investment fora between Chinese businessmen and major stakeholders in the North Central States of Nigeria, as well as financial and investment institutions in both countries. He speaks on the gains of the trip and some issues of concern.

CEPHAS IORHEMEN reports What informed your visit to the assembly plant in Wuzheng, China in the course of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent visit to the country?

You can see that Benue State is the Food Basket of the nation, and that at a personal level I’m a farmer. The assembly plant is deeply into production of agricultural machinery in China and it is one of the best in the country. It also has some little presence in Benue State. I felt like going there to encourage them because they are already doing some trading in agricul-

tural machinery like tractors and other farm implements in our state. I discussed with the president and chairman of the group in order to ensure that we do not just go into trading of these machinery but to start an assembly plant in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

Apart from the benefits of having these equipment close to farmers in the Food Basket of the nation, the assembly plant will also generate jobs, create opportunities and create wealth because it will be a center to service neighbouring states, especially

We have three more years ahead of us, let us focus on governance

those in the North Central part of the country. I took advantage of Mr. President’s visit to China, which opened up many opportunities for Nigeria. I am happy that I was part of the delegation and I took maximum advantage of the visit in order to ensure that my state benefits from it.

That was why I visited the assembly plant and I am glad that an agreement has been signed.

The chairman of the plant has agreed to start an assembly plant in Makurdi and has directed his people to do a feasibility study on how this can be done. I think that within the shortest possible time the benefits would be there with their practical presence.

Can you further disclose other gains of your trip to China?

They are massive, even though we have not finished the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and agreements with different provinces that have indicated interest that they want to partner with Benue State.

But I can assure you that more opportunities have been opened up for the people of Benue State because I had the opportunity of showcasing our potentials as a

state in the areas of agriculture, solid minerals, as well as culture and tourism. The people were quite receptive to these and it is happening at a time Mr. President visited and signed several agreements of friendship and bilateral issues that affect the two countries. I have noticed that the average Chinese man and woman are quite receptive. I am happy about the visit, especially now that they have so much and are looking for opportunities to invest outside their country. I am discussing with quite a number of them and during the Trade Fair the chairman of Benue Chamber of Commerce was here with a delegation from the chamber and other government officials who accompanied me.

We have gone into discussions with several Chinese investors and businessmen with emphasis on establishing their plants and factories in Benue State, so that we can get maximum benefits out of these. We are not just looking at trading, but for members of the Chamber of Commerce in the state, who are willing, can start with trading because that will also be of benefit to our people.

We believe that this foundation

POLITICS \ MONDAY INTERVIEW

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

to produce high standard and quality products and I can attest to this. Gone are the days when people used to criticize China, they should come here and see.

I think that people who criticize me for looking towards China are completely ignorant about what is happening around the world. They should travel to America and go to the shops, 70 per cent of what you see on the shelf of an average shop in America is produced in China, the same thing in Europe, the same thing in other parts of the world. This is where it is happening and that is why they have made a lot of progress. For me, I want my state to develop, I want my state to progress, I want my administration to make an impact on our people and I have identified and seen that the way forward is China, that is where the whole world is going. We went to Canton Trade Fair, for instance, and the entire world was there, from America, Europe, India and other parts of Asia, they were all there.

These people have had a breakthrough and come to think of it, this revolution that we are seeing in China took place just about 30 years ago. It took place within 30 years. It is quite challenging for anyone who goes to China. If you are someone with a development heart, you will be challenged to replicate it back home and that is the challenge that I have. I am not just folding my hands, I have always told people that please identify something and do. Everything that concerns every human endeavour can be found in China and our people should take advantage and let us together develop Benue State and Nigeria.

Ortom

that we have laid with the President’s visit, the trade fair and the visits that we have paid to several provinces, will definitely generate positive results for our state.

For instance, we’re discussing with the government and people of Guangzhou about an agreement with them, so that Makurdi can become a sister city to Guangzhou. This will bring a lot of benefits. Before you know what is happening, someone who just heard our discussion went into discussion with his government in a different province and they decided that we should come and sign an agreement that they want to partner with us, an investor who is willing to come to Nigeria and Benue State in particular by May. He is willing to invest in agro processing and tourism. He is also willing to invest in solid minerals. We have gotten investors, who have indicated interest and I have given them invitation to visit the state.

The Nigerian Mission in China is really supportive of these initiatives arising from the fact that our business forum for two

days at the Hilton in Guangzhou was a great success. The Chinese investors and the people from the North Central States that came, displayed commitment and enthusiasm to ensure that we go into partnership. I believe that things will work out. The business forum was a very big success particularly for Benue State which anchored it. I can assure you that the benefits are already there.

What is the attraction in looking towards China rather than other parts of the world, especially Europe and America?

Our people say that ignorance is darker than night. When you are not fully informed and knowledgeable about certain things, you may be confused. Today in the whole world, if you go to other parts of the world, America, Europe, other parts of Asia, you will see the presence of China whether by way of the people or their products. Gone are the days when we experienced substandard products from China.

Today they have the capacity

I want my administration to make an impact on our people and I have identified and seen that the way forward is China

There were allegations that you siphoned over N34 million from government coffers to spend on the trip in the face of the excruciating economic crunch and non-payment of salaries of workers in the state.

How would you react to this?

For me, its money that makes a good soup; if I fold my arms and sit in one place while our industries are not working, technology has gone very far and we cannot identify this and bring to the state to effect development, then what are we doing? You must not eat your seed if you want development, if you want to prosper, if you want to make progress. You must learn how to use your seed wisely, so that in time of harvest, you can harvest more, that’s what I am doing.

In any case I did not take money outside my entitlements; the same applied to other members of the delegation. Is it the commissioner or the Director of Industries that you don’t want to attend the Trade Fair? Is it me that Mr. President invited because of the strategic role that Benue State has on the map of Nigeria, to accompany him to China that would have said no because we have no money? I want to appeal to those who seek to make political gain by criticizing this government to please reason because politicking is over. We have three more years ahead of us, let us focus on governance.

Let them bring ideas, let them go back and check what the other government was doing before we came in.

15

I have not been traveling, go and check the records. How many times have I travelled out of Nigeria since I became governor? I can assure you that for this purpose, the state stands to benefit far more than even myself and the people who travelled with me. I didn’t make the trip for personal reasons. I am not the type that travels for fun or for leisure. This is my first time of travelling to attend a trade fair outside the country since becoming governor. But this and the other trips have mostly been at the invitation of the President.

In any case, those criticizing should go and check whether I have done anything outside the rules or outside my entitlements.

Some people said you abandoned the trade fair in Makurdi to attend the one in China…

The Deputy Governor and I are on one ticket. If the Deputy Governor is present at any function; that is me. We are on one ticket, anywhere you see the Deputy Governor that is me.

Of course, I did organize that trade fair and I told them what I wanted and we have achieved results there too and so what is the essence of two us being there?

If I had not been to China, the achievements we have recorded wouldn’t have been there. I think they are just criticizing for political reasons, I don’t see how a reasonable person would compare Canton Trade Fair to the Makurdi Trade Fair. The Canton Trade is worldwide and the entire world was there. It is what we got from there that we can use to make the trade fair in Benue more vibrant next year in terms of empowering them through machinery and several other benefits.

Does your current investment drive have any link with your experience as a former minister in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment?

I started going to China during my days as Minister of State, Trade and Investment. I believe that now that there is a downturn in our economy, we must think out of the box and the way forward is about trade, industries and investment. We are doing trade in order to ensure that we balance whatever comes in and whatever goes out. We are going into industrialization, so that we can process our primary products. With that we shall be getting multiples of opportunities – creation of jobs, creation of wealth, and creation of opportunities within our state and country.

I believe that all these will support our micro, small and medium scale enterprises, and these will support investments to come into the state because standing on our own, we do not have enough to do the investments. That is why I laugh at those who say I shouldn’t have being on the trip. How will you get investors when you do not reach out to tell the potentials that you have? We have reached out and invited people to visit us and see things for themselves, and some have already made commitments. All these are things that I learnt at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and I am trying to replicate them in my state.

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MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Apparitions in Oyegun’s dreams Dominik Umosen

I

f you scoff at the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun’s allegation that evil forces and economic saboteurs are sabotaging efforts by Pres ident Muhammadu Buhari to move the nation forward, you underestimate the impact of these apparitions. The former Edo State governor identified Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, as contributory to his ordeal with his ‘high level insensitivity to issues affecting the country’.

We bet our last kobo that Fayose’s qualification for insensitivity is his rib-cracking visit to China on the eve of a similar visit by the president where Fayose robustly campaigned against the Six billion dollars loan which China promised the Federal Government. Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mr Femi Adesina inherited the ordeal of explaining that government did not obtain the widely-reported loan from China after all.

Bother not about details or malignancy of threat posed by enemies appearing as apparitions bent on sabotaging efforts to move the country forward. Such allegations are discomfiting and rattling to the party leadership, forcing the chairman to berate these evil apparitions which, he said, defy temperance by the resilience of patriotism. If the governor ratifies this unflattering profile, he has not indicated it.

Specifically, the governor rattled members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), who temporarily relocated to China as part of the entourage for the president’s weeklong visit.

Rubbishing the president’s good intentions stupefied his hosts and also deepened international dismay with this hilarious hard political tackle,

in addition to sparking fresh debate regarding the economic wisdom in consolidating the country’s debt profile which lingering trauma from the fuel crisis simply magnified.

The diplomatic muddle Nigeria found herself as a result is unprecedented and created shudders among the hosts and in the international community. Many folks still pinch to re-assure themselves that the loan, which constituted counterpart funding for some projects by the administration, actually went up in smoke.

Perhaps, the APC chairman is unaware that frustrating malignant apparitions is a service that is already volunteered. If the party is serious about ending these apparitions, the administration should investigate legitimate reservations of those who spat at the hypocritical presumption that the new political order is corruption-free, moral corruption inclusive.

For a confirmed political apparition to mock anti-corruption efforts as unreliable enough of trust with a loan China promised the country is reminder to politicians of the urgent challenge to detoxify trending politics. Before now, it was inconceivable that the murky twirl of venomous toxins ruling party politics could inspire ambush for the president.

The glitch in Beijing reminds you of Chief Dan Etete’s fable about a robust dance in the market square by recalcitrant elders who ignored the traditional restraint imposed by age. Beyond possible unpredictability, the ambush graphically illustrates the havoc uncomplimentary name-calling as patented by the ruling party can cause if deployed for political mischief.

The time for scapegoats will come after the party disproves consistent allegations that, for a ruling party, it is deficient in decisiveness. The glitch in China requires explanation, just like the economic wisdom in a bloated

No evil conspiracy against President Buhari can dilute his genuine intentions

retinue and its mockery of prudence. The capacity for evil in these apparitions should not be exaggerated because the consequences of tardy judgement are identifiable.

No evil conspiracy against President Buhari can dilute his genuine intentions which should compensate as desired impact in managing a complex entity. When that explanation eventually comes, those weary should be reassured with a rational explanation, instead of gruff ‘talk downs’ from The Presidency.

Further allegations of evil conspiracy and apparitions sound like after-thought given the party’s transparent lack of interest to challenge those claiming capacity to bind and scatter evil forces allegedly frustrating the administration. Tackling the past for every challenge is as heartbreaking as failing to sustain goodwill or the rib-cracker excuse that diversion of petroleum products to Cameroun and Chad is responsible for the lingering fuel crisis.

The signature failure to consolidate electoral victory with election of preferred candidates for leadership of the National Assembly defined a particular moment of inelegance for the ruling party. Thereafter, other embarrassing moments haunted the party till the chest-deflating excuse that the party is preoccupied with clearing the mess inherited from the PDP. It is accepted that the genocide is in Agatu traceable to herdsmen, not an evil conspiracy. But two feuding states controlled by the party signpost a divided house that is addicted to conspiracies by apparitions than prevent atrocities like the massacre of Nimbo farmers in Anambra by herdsmen that redefined failure of the administration to guarantee protection of law-abiding citizens from untouchable criminals whom the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Sulu Gambari describes as not Fulani but desperate criminals taking advantage of the country’s security situation.

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

Biafra: Enemies in our midst (5) Boniface Alanwoko CONTINUED FROM LAST MONDAY

T

hose who volunteered to carry the Cross have ended up carrying the spear. How can one explain the scandals and crises rocking MASSOB today? From MASSOB, we now have IPOB, and Biafra Independent Movement (BIM). Almost on daily bases, you get riled up on what you read on the pages of the newspapers, concerning MASSOB and BIM, as they have resorted to dragging themselves through the mire. Their unpardonable feuds and the scandals now being unearthed have more than anything else damaged the moral convictions most non Igbo have for the struggle.

In one instance, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, was accused by his colleagues of laying his fingers, severally, in the till of MASSOB and also derailing from the organization’s objectives. Consequently, a section of MASSOB’s leadership had asked him to account for his deeds. From newspapers’ account, rather than doing that, he labeled those calling him to render accounts, as nonentities whom he employed and brought up; acrimony ensued. He was expelled, and thereafter, he formed a new group called BIM. Meanwhile, he and the new leaders of MASSOB have to battering themselves on the pages of newspaper.

To me, this is the height of infamy by any person or those who volunteered to pursue a cause as sacred as the actualization of the

state of Biafra. It is an act of unpardonable betrayal not only to hundreds of innocent and patriotic Igbo boys who have died chanting ‘on Biafra we stand’ but also to thousands of gallant Biafra soldiers who died in the civil war, fighting for the same cause. There certainly would be repercussions for anyone or group found in this degeneracy.

Sometime ago, I became agitated when I found out that in the mist of agitation for the realization of Biafra Chief Uwazuruike , who said he had nothing again to do with Nigeria went behind to present Owelle Rochas Okorocha, to Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, to be made Imo State governor. When I confronted a MASSOB leader, he denied that such betrayal could ever take place within MASSOB. However, I was dumbfounded when Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, let the cat out of the bag, while trying to silence Governor Okorocha, who was equally denying the claim when the matter came up again, Mrs. Ojukwu categorically stated that she was with her husband, the day Chief Uwazuruike, brought Chief Okorocha for that purpose. She said after some discussions, Ojukwu, agreed and presented Okorocha to Imo State APGA. The rest is history, as they say.

In early 1969, when the war got fierce at Okpala Sector (war front) and I was assisting the sparsely clad and equipped but hardfighting members of the 52 Battalion, Biafra Army. A Biafrna soldier of Ogoni descent said to me: “Bon, remember this, not every Igbo are a Biafra and Biafra cannot accept every Igbo. There are non Igbo who are more Biafra than most Igbo. But the day Igbo in Biafra start to misbehave, Biafra will cease to exist in the hearts of many. ” He was commenting on the report of an incident, where

stragglers (renegade Biafra soldiers) stole a bicycle—the only means of survival—of a malnourished Igbo man, at a village, near the war front. Well, fellow compatriot, a word is enough for the wise. We must bear in mind that, he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

Let me declare here that only the Igbo are preventing Igbo from actualizing Biafra. In fact, it is Ndi Igbo that are jeopardizing this quest and not the President Muhammadu Buhari and his pretentious accomplices.

He cannot be a dogged defender of Fulani’ interest and insist the Igbo should not fight for their own rights and freedom. The highhandedness employed in dealing with the agitators and the continued incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu and co by Buhari is as a result of cues and support he is getting from some Igbo individuals, elite and groups.

Look at this, in all that has been happening recently, the preoccupation of Ohaneze, seems to be on how to garner more federal appointments for their members or rush down to Lagos to arbitrate in disputes between some overfed-so-called Igbo chiefs and ezes of Lagos State and elsewhere. Even the challenge Buhari threw to Ndi Igbo to substantiate their claims of injustice and discrimination has remained unchallenged.

Rather, what we hear or see are vacuous and misguided Igbo attacks on innocent Igbo youths who have taken it upon themselves to oppose a systematic degrading of the Igbo nation.

Perhaps, this turn of events in Igbo land today is not entirely unexpected. Every tribe must reap what they have sowed. The Igbo cannot sow cocoa yam and hope to reap yam.

At the end of the civil war, those who actually fought and gave their best to prosecute the war were so psychologically demoral-

ized and famished that it took them time to come to terms with what had happened.

Therefore, it was difficult for them to gather their thoughts and means together for any meaningful engagement, for a long time.

As a result, 60 per cent of those Igbo who jetted out and began to prosper, especially, outside Igbo land, were those who played ignoble roles in Biafra and were anxious to escape prosecution by their kinsmen.

Incidentally, they went all out to gain every advantage, irrespective of whether the Igbo general interest or welfare was sacrificed or not.

It is this group, besides themselves, who had succeeded in planting their relatives and cronies in all strategic positions reserved for Ndi Igbo, who are today standing in as Igbo leaders. To tighten their grip and monitor all that goes on in Igbo land; they become adept at deploying their ill-gotten wealth which enables them to be at the forefront of most Igbo affairs, from where they could regulate or frustrate any genuine efforts being made by patriotic Igbo that are not in their interest or that of their principals. For this reason, the centre can no longer hold in all Igbo affairs, as the Igbo ship has continued adrift without a genuine captain.

Perhaps, what exacerbated this malaise in Igbo midst was a well orchestrated scheme hatched to permanently keep the Igbo down immediately the war ended. From 1970, Nigerian power brokers were too eager to recruit Igbo turncoats, empower them and unleashed them as their stooges and attack dogs against their kith and kin. It was a deliberate plot to harness those unscrupulous Igbo and use them when the need arises to destabilize any good Igbo plan.

• Alanwoko, a journalist, writes from Lagos.

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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As we mourn Ekiti doctors

n other climes this calls for a national emergency as statistics show that more Nigerians are killed in road traffic accidents, most of them avoidable than through war or natural disaster.

Every new day brings with it sad news of crashes and blood spilled on our roads as much as cows are slaughtered in some major markets.

Ekiti state is still in mourning following the death of six of its medical doctors on the KadunaAbuja Highway. They were part of a busload of 12 travelling to Sokoto to attend a Nigeria Medical Association [NMA] meeting. Six of them were lucky to survive. The departed include Alex Akinyele of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti [FETHI], Ojo Taiwo of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, EKSUTH], Ado-Ekiti, Atolani Adeniyi, Tunde Aladesanmi, J.B. Ogunseye and O. Olajide . The driver of the mini bus, Ajibola ,also lost his life.

The survivors had disturbing stories to tell. Dr. Stephen Ayosanmi, forgot his pain as he bemoaned the state of Doka General Hospital, some 70 kilometers from the accident scene.

According to him, the casualty figure would have been less if the injured had received prompt medical attention. Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps [FRSC] seemed to have been more interested evacuating the dead than helping survivors.

If there was proper first aid

treatment, a few lives would have been saved immediately after the crash or even on the way to Doka. The hospital was just that in name as there was no medical doctor on duty. The nurses were not useful as they had more questions than answers. One can therefore feel the pains of the survivors especially those who were willing to help but were handicapped because there were no handy drugs and equipment.

Dr. Folu Ekundare did not spare the FRSC especially after the Sector Head of Operation , Deputy Corps Commander Salisu Galandanci blamed the driver for over speeding.

He said,” I was

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going through. It is significant that the doctors realized what compatriots get from their colleagues. In a General Hospital, there was no doctor on duty and there was an emergency situation. The nurses were no use in any way and that is what goes on in most public hospitals.

The survivors also realized that those who were actually supposed to be part of the rescue effort were also not of help.

The police patrol vehicles did not have enough fuel to evacuate

Road Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death in the country

in the same vehicle[and sat] in the row behind the driver and I checked the speedometer from time to time. The bus also makes a beeping sound once the speed exceeds 110 Kilometres per hour.

Let me state categorically that the bus driver was not speeding.

The FRSC are probably only trying to justify their intention to sell their speed limiting device to Nigerians hence associating every possible accident to excessive speeding. And it is sad that they would even attempt to use such a sad event to do such.”

The two accounts say so much about the rot this country is

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the dead and move the living to safety.

In their pains ,the doctors had to provide money to search for fuel.

This is our collective

shame, one of the leading oil producing nations in the world.

Many Nigerians die on the road daily, that is no news. The poor die, the rich also perish. However, it is only when tragedy affects the high that the nation quakes.

It was on the same Kaduna – Abuja road that a minister, James Ocholi, died with some members of his family in March. The FRSC blamed the driver.

We should also start telling those who should maintain our roads, hospitals and agencies the home truth. Money budgeted for maintenance of roads and hospitals is either not released early

enough or diverted to individual pockets. It is difficult to explain that the police and FRSC, vital government agencies cannot even help in an emergency.

Road Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death in the country. Statistics show that in 2012, there was an average of 11 deaths per day. That led the then minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu to declare that Nigeria recorded the second highest road traffic fatalities in the world. Globally, there are 1.3 million deaths annually, with 50 million injuries.

Between 2009 and 2013, 30,435 Nigerians died on the road. The figure rose to 49,867 from 2013 to 2015.

What a coincidence that the NMA once again lost members in a crash on their way to Sokoto. That was what happened on October 29,2006, ten years ago, when a Sokoto bound ADC flight crashed a few minutes after take-off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Some of the passengers were doctors on their way to the seat of the Caliphate. Among the dead was Dr. Nnennia Mgbor,the first female West African ENT surgeon and daughter of nationalist Mbonu Ojike.

While we mourn, government should look at the issues raised by this loss. Our hospitals are not working, the doctors may not always be there, FRSC without equipment means a lot and a handicapped police team is unacceptable.

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MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

19

monDAY, may 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Interview

Law

Quarkers: Gender equality bill unnecessary

News Anger as judge reverses judgement three months after

File: Suspects on parade

Stopping suspects’ parade

Does the parade of suspects by the police contravenes Sections 34, 36 of the Constitution and Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right (Ratification and Enforcement) Act? Lawyers say yes. TUNDE OYESINA writes

H

e lives in Sango, a border town between Ogun and Lagos state and works in a private firm on Victoria Island, Lagos. Shola Adeterewish, an engineer leaves home every day at 5am and returns at 10 pm on a normal day when Lagos traffic is light.

But the acute fuel scarcity which had hit the nation like a volcanic eruption since the beginning of this year had forced Adeterewish like other motorists to abandon his Toyota Camry at home for the public vehicle.

In one of his trips, Adetere wish

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was unfortunately, stranded, while waiting for a bus that would convey him to his next destination when the police swooped on him and others at a Bus stop where he was arrested.

Four days after, Adeterewish was paraded by the police as they were tagged armed robbers. It took days of legal fireworks before he could be cleared of the alleged robbery tag on him, no thanks to the country’s legal system.

Today, he had sued the police for defamation. Others in his shoe were not lucky.

A few years ago, a Federal High Court in Lagos had declared police parade of suspects illegal while awarding damages against the police, yet nothing has changed as suspects are being paraded openly by the day.

A forthnight ago, the Indigenous People of Biafra protested against the manner in which some of its members were arrested and paraded half-naked on the grounds of breaching the peace while agitating for the actualisation of a sovereign state of Biafra.

Scores of suspect who are today freed, discharged and acquitted by the court are living with the scar as they had no opportunity to tell the world that they were wrongly accused and paraded by the police.

A former Inspector-General of Police once counseled all police units across the federation to stop the practice of parading suspects while they were under investigation as required by the rule of law.

Yet, across the 36 states’ police commands and the FCT, suspects day in and day out, to the delight of the media are being paraded by the police, including the State Security Service (SSS) officials, when it is obvious that these suspects have not yet had their day in court and as such, cannot conceivably have been convicted by a court of law.

Although it is the norm by the police and other agents of the State to parade suspected criminals before their arraignment and commencement of trial contrary to the constitutional

20 23

provision of presumption of innocence, do such powers to parade suspects contravene the right to dignity of human person? If yes, why has that not been challenged in court?

Lawyers say yes. They said it is a clear departure of what the law provides.

The law, according to them allows identification parade to enable a victim or witness identify the actual person that committed a crime and not suspect’s parade.

Specifically, it is known as identification parade. In other words, it is to enable a victim to identify an offender by a victim or a witness.

This is known in the United Kingdom as Police Identity Parade. But it is far from identification parade in Nigeria as the police have made it to look as a ‘public display’ of criminals.

Lawyers who spoke to New Telegraph at the weekend accused the police of not only deliberately flouting the law but making the law stupid before Nigerians as the parade of suspects before conviction was nothing but a breach of suspects’ fundamental human rights especially when every accused person is presumed innocent until it is proven otherwise by a court of law.

Suspect’s parade is a method introduced by the United Kingdom Criminal System and it is called Police Identity Parade.

The parade is meant for the identification of an offender, which forms a key aspect of any criminal conviction. This identification may be done by the victim of the crime or a witness if there are any available witnesses and in most cases both.

Going by the practice, if an individual can be identified as the offender then this piece of evidence will be one of the first pieces used in a criminal trial with both the victim and any witnesses required to repeat the identification before the court.

The traditional method of identifying an offender was to use a police identity parade. During a police identity parade, a line of suspects will be required to line up with either the victim or a witness able to view the parade from behind a screen. Often the potential suspects will be required to repeat a sentence which the victim or the witness would have heard. This will enable the victim or the witness to identify the offender both by sight and voice.

During a police identity parade it will usually be the case that the police are aware of whom the suspect is due to their investigations and the identity parade will be used simply as confirmation that the suspect is in fact the offender.

If this is the case, other members of the identity parade may be police officers or simply people the police had picked off the street.

However, looking at the practice in Nigeria, one would hardly believe that the Nigeria Police has the same motive while parading suspects.

This is because of the way and manner it parades suspects of crimes.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

20 Law|Interview

monDAY, may 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Quarkers: Gender equality Ikoyi. The question is what is the salary of a level 17 civil servant? Is it such that can earn him a property in Ikoyi or Victoria Island? So, some of them on account of that, will stay away.

So, what then happens to the accused person? Is that bail fair?

Is it real in view of the contemporary Nigerian environment?

So, that in itself is a problem.

In other developed societies, bail is granted after the conclusion of investigation and you’re taken to court. In other words, the case is ripe for hearing.

When you appear in court you will be granted bail. It could be your house title document, the court may ask you to provide sureties or it could be on personal recognizance. It is because our criminal justice system is not as effective as it should be and the anti-graft bodies are not working the way they should.

The court must not appear to impose bail conditions that are unrealistic.

For instance, a man has been arraigned for stealing N500 million and you ask him to bring two sureties whose total assets will be N500 million. What you are simply saying is that the accused person stands guilty and it is for him to proof his innocence. That for me should be looked into.

Norrison Ibinabo Quakers, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in this interview with AKEEM NAFIU speaks on gender equality bill, stringent bail conditions plea bargain, ACJK 2015 and varied issues What is your view on the bill seeking equal marital rights for women?

For me, it is a law that is totally unnecessary in the face of the provisions of the Constitution. Section 1(1) of the Constitution says that the Constitution is supreme and has a bidding authority over all persons and authorities. Again, Sub-section 3 of that portion of the Constitution says that any law that is inconsistent with the provision of the Constitution and to the extent of that inconsistency is null and void. If I go by that, the Nigerian Constitution recognises equality of sexes.

Section 17(1)(a) of the Constitution under the social objective, talks about all being equal before the law. Even though we have maintained several times that the fundamental objective of the state is unenforceable.

Unenforceable in the sense that you cannot go to court to seek for redress for yourself, but you can go to court to compel government to enforce it.

The provisions of Section 42(1) that says no citizen of Nigeria shall be deprived of his benefit on account of his race, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion is still in operation. So, the law recognises equality. So, why would a group of people now approach the National Assembly when the law itself does not recognise inequality? The Constitution says all Nigerians are equal before it.

Now, any Nigerian woman who feels aggrieved where there are unfriendly policies can approach the court particularly as regards discrimination. Are you aware that there are other provisions in relation to violence under the Constitution? So, if a man or husband physically brutalizes his wife, it is actually a criminal offence. She has every right to take the matter to court by first reporting the issue to the nearest police station.

In other words, we have enough laws that can cover the field. So, for me it’s like an additional law.

Any Nigerian woman who desires to be anything in this country, the law recognises that right and there are no legal limitations to hinder such people.

Your religion cannot stop you; your cultural beliefs cannot stop you in the face of clear and un-

Quarkers

ambiguous provisions of the Constitution. So, my simple submission is that it is not necessary to pass the gender equality law when the Constitution itself which is the grundnorm and the supreme law of the land despite its imperfections recognises that all are equal before the law. We must not create a division where it is not necessary.

Many accused persons are always finding it difficult to perfect their bail following stringent conditions attached to their bail. Why is this so even when they are still presumed innocent?

The grant of bail is constitutional and there is a presumption of innocence on any accused person. When a court grants bail, it is part of the rights the Constitution proffered on the accused person.

What is the principle for granting bail? It is to ensure that an accused person is present in court for his trial. In the event that he absconded or he is not available for his trial the assets involved in the bail attached will be forfeited to the state.

That is the principle.

But some schools of thought are of the opinion that the condition attached to the grant of

Why would a group of people now approach the National Assembly when the law itself does not recognise inequality?

bail presupposes an accused person’s is adjudged guilty without a hearing because the bail conditions sometimes appear to suggest that a court has taken a position and that the accused person is guilty of the alleged offence and it is for him to establish his innocence.

There is however a provision that says that if an accused person feels that his bail conditions appear harsh, he could approach the court with cogent and verifiable reasons why such conditions should be varied.

Sometimes we compound very simple legal issues. So, if you feel that the condition is too harsh you can go back to the court. If the court that granted the bail refuses, you can go to the Court of Appeal and if the Court of Appeal refuses you can proceed to the Supreme Court.

We have what you can call hierarchical court structure to review condition of bail. However, some sureties shy away from identifying with accused persons. I give you an example; when you say an accused person should provide a civil servant of level 17 as surety and that the surety should come up with a property on Victoria Island or

Some Economic and Financial Crimes Commission cases died on arrival on the grounds of multiplicity of charges. How does this affect the agency’s modus operandi?

I won’t comment on the ongoing criminal cases. I am one of those who believe that some of the charges by EFCC offend the rules of drafting. The beauty of our legal system is that we have rules and regulations in terms of judicial process that we file and in terms of information in a charge. We must comply with those rules.

I find it shocking that we could have 50-count-charge, 150-countcharge, and 200-count-charge.

For me, it offends the rules of drafting. I think the time has come for prosecutorial agencies to get experts in legal drafting to micro-manage the case put forward to the court.

Most times, hours are wasted in reading out the counts and by the time they finished reading out the 120-counts charge to the accused persons, you have already spent hours. So, aside from conducting in-house training, our prosecutorial agencies must also be exposed to international best practice in criminal litigation. We cannot continue to do things the way we are doing it. I am one of those who believe that when a case is very clear, there is no point wasting precious judicial time, an accused person could enter into plea bargain.

But plea bargain is believed to be a pat-on-the-back, do you share the view?

monDAY, may 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

bill unnecessary

Law|Interview 21

It is because we have not done it well. You don’t strike a deal that will make people feel that the accused has kept his loot?

There is something called interim forfeiture of assets. So, what is expected of an anti-corruption agency is to investigate and discover the assets before the criminal case is instituted.

Without his knowledge, you approach the court by ex-parte and get a freezing order to stop the accused person from having access to those funds to fight back.

I like to commend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission because to that extent, they are working.

But sometimes these cases are lost because they are not properly handled. When you have discovered all these assets, you confront the accused person with facts. You take a holistic approach and not a piece-meal approach to criminal prosecution. If we begin to cripple politically exposed persons who have amassed so much wealth while in government, we would not have people seeking political office as a means to an end.

For me, plea bargain is not a pat-on-the-back because Nigeria is a country where we sometimes abuse certain privileges and take advantages of loopholes in our laws that is why some don’t believe in plea bargain. Why do you plea bargain?

It is because you want to avoid the rigours of trial. How many former governors have been convicted from 1999 till date? It’s only one, rather we have trials that have been lingering. Are we saying we don’t know what Quarkers to do?

What is your appraisal of the nation’s criminal justice system?

I won’t say yes or no because the most fundamental thing is that we have the laws that address practically every sector of our polity and existence as human beings. But the challenge we have in Nigeria is our attitude and disposition to the enforcement of these laws.

Until we deal with the issue of using political influences when breaches are committed, the efficacies and efficiencies of these laws will continue to erode us.

That is why you find a common man without means convicted for an offence while the man with means will at the end of the day walk away a free man and conviction is not secured.

How can the criminal justice system be strengthened?

Firstly, you can’t strengthen the criminal system without the reinforcement of the institutions. I like what President Obama rightly said that the challenge with Africa is that our institutions are not strong. It is like you have a situation where institutions are built around human beings. And when a particular head of such institution is no longer there, it will nose-dive.

A law can only be effective when we apply ourselves to it.

Our attitude towards the efficacy of law is what has rendered the law to appear ineffective and inefficient

he has to be in Abuja and I get to the court only to be told that the court is not sitting.

Again, if a charge is defective, why must I go through the whole gamut of trial? Those are the issues. We must not be seen to unnecessarily apportion blames. Criminal trial is a serious work. I remember one of our judges that said ‘it is better for ten people to walk away free than for an innocent man to be convicted. Justice expended speedily might lead to injustice.

So, we need an all stakeholders’ meeting. We must all believe in the Administration of Criminal Justice Law. If we are driven by the mind-set that foreigners must have trust in our justice system, we will work together. Take a look at the Civil Procedure Rules; the primary objective of the civil procedure rule is to ensure that things work smoothly. But, how many trial have we had or completed in record time? If we do it well, no trial should exceed one year.

Would you say dearth of judges is also a factor for snail-speed justice system?

I beg to disagree. Even if you appoint more judges, we will still have the problem because of our attitude. People will continue to take advantage of the loopholes. The only way out is for us to have a change of attitude.

EFCC under Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was quite effective. There was the awareness that he is the one running EFCC, it takes a man of conviction to run such institution. Even when some people accused him of selective prosecution, he was still very effective. But what now happened when he left? EFCC begin to nose-dive, the institution became another story entirely. It is like that with some other institutions. Look at NAFDAC under the late Prof. Dora Akunyili of blessed memory; after her we stopped hearing of crackdown on adulterated drugs and the likes.

So, until we take out the individual and reform the institutions and make them stronger, we will continue to have such development. When the institutions are reformed, the laws become effective. In America, it is not about the man heading the institution, people may not know you, but there is more emphasis on the institution itself.

What I am saying is that the laws are there, all we need is to strengthen the institutions.

What is your assessment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 one year after its existence?

Incidentally, I was in the committee that worked on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. It was passed into law to address challenges in criminal litigation. Have we fared well since the law was passed?

I won’t say no because we have tried to the best of our ability.

Our major challenge has always being our attitude, the law can only work when people have positive disposition towards it.

A law can only be effective when we believe in it. A law can only be effective when we apply ourselves to it. Our attitude towards the efficacy of law is what has rendered the law to appear ineffective and inefficient.

I give you an example. If the law says once a criminal trial commences, it must be heard day- to- day. As a defence counsel, I am enjoined to co-operate with the prosecution in ensuring that the matter is determined day- to- day. Assuming one day I leave for court and I am held up in traffic. I am unable to get to court for the matter to be heard and the matter is adjourned. Can you attribute that to a deliberate attempt to delay? Assuming the judge on the day fixed for hearing of the case suddenly gets a call that

Some have picked holes in ACJA on the grounds that court must not stay proceedings in criminal matter. Does that also affect jurisdictional issue if it is under contention?

The new law says the court will not stay proceedings.

There are settled principles of law in relation to jurisdiction of the court. It is trite that once an appeal has been entered, the lower court’s power to proceed is frozen. The reason for that is that the lower court is expected to defer to the higher court. So, if you stay proceedings, it is to await the outcome of the matter at the Court of Appeal. So, the trial court is expected to stop. So, you don’t go on appeal for the sake of stalling the trial at the lower court. Criminal trial enjoys speed even at the appeal level. So, a lawyer must show industry for the court to hear the matter once and for all. In a jurisdictional issue, the Supreme Court has said in plethora of cases that a man must not be subjected to the rigour of criminal trial when you don’t have jurisdiction to entertain the case because if at the end of the day it’s found that you did not have jurisdiction, you have wasted precious resources and time.

For instance, if a case of copyright is filed against a person at the state High Court and the defendant filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter. But, the court says no, under the Administration of Criminal justice law, the matter must be heard dayto-day. The accused person has the constitutional right to go on appeal over that decision. Once you get the nod of the court, you compile your records.

22 Law|File

monDAY, may 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

N50 stamp duty: The statutory rule of interpretation Emokiniovo Dave-Akpedeye and Joseph Onele

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hilst it is not in doubt that the Federal Government Financial Regulations 2009 (the Regulations) seek to regulate all government financial transactions, including the receipt, custody of and accounting for government revenue, the procurement, custody and utilization of government stores and assets, and the disbursement of funds from the major government funds, a cursory look at the preface to the Regulations will reveal that the Regulations are borne out of the concern of the government to ensure that requisite rules and regulations that would guarantee probity and transparency in the control and management of public funds and resources of government are put in place.

Further to the foregoing, it is quite instructive to note that Regulation 105 specifically provides that the financial regulations will apply to the Federal Public Service, which in the context of the Regulations means ministries, extra-ministerial offices and other arms of government. As earlier mentioned, the statutory rule of interpretation namely, expressio unius exclusio alterius applies under the Nigerian jurisprudence.

See Nawa v. Att., Gen. Cross Rivers State (2008) ALL FWLR (Pt. 401) 807 at 843, paras. F - H (CA).

Again, while it may appear quite elementary that the Regulations are a means by which the government’s finance and accounting procedures are regulated, with a view to promoting honesty and transparency, an anomaly exists as to the statute empowering the enactment of the Regulations, a subsidiary legislation. It is a settled principle of law that a subsidiary legislation must be made pursuant to an enabling primary legislation. On this score, it is quite instructive to note the decision of the Court of Appeal in Njoku & Ors. V. Iheanatu & Ors. (2008) LPELR-3871 (CA) where it espoused on what a subsidiary legislation is and held as follows: “A subsidiary legislation…is one that was subsequently made or enacted under and pursuant to the power conferred by the principal legislation…It derives its force and efficacy from the principal legislation to which it is therefore secondary and complimentary.”

In contrast, Regulation 105, which empowers the Minister of Finance to issue from time to time financial regulations merely states that this must be in accordance with existing laws and policies of government.

One would have expected that the power to make the Regulations would have been traceable to an

enabling Act and ultimately, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Of course, the authors are not unaware that the Minister of Finance can lay claim to Section 4(1) of the Finance (Control and Management) Act (the Finance Act) which mandates every person concerned in or responsible for the collection, receipt, custody, issue or payment of public moneys, stores, stamps, investments, securities, or negotiable instruments, whether the property of government or on deposit with or entrusted to government or any public officer in his official capacity either alone or jointly with any public officer or any other person, to obey all instructions that may, from time to time, be issued by the Minister or direction of the Minister in respect to the custody and Buhari handling of the same and accounting therefore.

It is equally noted that the Finance Act is an Act to provide for the control and management of the public finances of the Federation and for matters connected therewith. Further to the foregoing, one might thus argue that the Regulations were made pursuant to the powers vested in the Minister under the Finance Act. Based on the above and as will be shown shortly, it cannot be correct to argue that the CBN has the power to not only expand the provisions of the SDA but to also assert that the Regulations apply to all manners of persons, notwithstanding the nakedness of legal support in this regard. It goes without saying that a body, which is a creation of a statute, cannot do anything at all, unless authorised expressly or impliedly by the Statute or instrument defining its powers.

However, assuming arguendo that the Regulations indeed apply to all manner of persons and that the CBN can “expand” the provisions of the SDA without recourse to legislative intervention, it is respectfully submitted that the Regulations cannot by any stretch of imagination, provide legal comfort for the 2016 Circular. For instance, Regulation 620 provides inter alia that “Receipts given on payment vouchers are liable to Stamp Duty in accordance with the Stamp Duties Act.” In other words, the only person obligated to pay Stamp Duty in accordance with this provision is the issuer of a receipt given on payment vouchers as required under Section 89(2) of the SDA. Upon a careful read of the foregoing provision, it is unassailable that the liability to pay N50 stamp

Regulations in relation to amending the express provision of the SDA is unequivocally null and void

duty will only arise where a receipt is given for either payment for goods supplied or for services rendered is above N1,000. Driving the point home, where no receipt is given, taking for instance, an online transfer to another, it cannot be right to argue that such payment must attract the N50 stamp duty.

In addition, a situation, like the instant one, where banks and other financial institutions were instructed to charge N50 stamp duty for every deposit (save to one’s account) does not accord with the spirit and intendment of the Regulations as will be shown shortly.

Assuming without conceding that the applicability of the Regulations is not limited to only members of the Federal Public Service but to all persons, it is the writers’ position that mere deposit of money to someone else’s bank account(s), without more, does not trigger the obligation to pay N50 stamp duty. Rather, what triggers the obligation is the issuance of receipt, if any, by the bank for the banking service(s) rendered and receipts issued for payment of goods.

The above submission finds support in the ageless principle of law that where the language of a statute is clear and explicit, they ought to be given their plain and simple meaning as the said words speak for themselves, particularly as they clearly demonstrate the intention of the drafters.

Additionally, assuming arguendo that indeed the CBN Circular was made pursuant to the Regulations, one wonders why the CBN Circular has only two exceptions whereas the Regulations in Regulation 620(b) enumerates the situations when payment of stamp duties will be exempted and they include the following: payment of goods supplied

or services rendered if the amount is under N1,000; advances of salary; salaries, duty pay, seniority pay; duty tour, travelling and transport allowances; wages; refund of out-of-pocket expenses incurred and paid by officers in the course of their duties; pensions, gratuities, compassionate allowances; repayments of prisoners’ property and sums deposited in the Treasury under the provisions of the Mineral Act; refunds of overpayments to Government; customs drawbacks; custom duties refunded upon certificate of over-entry or upon reimportation certificates; receipts given by officers on behalf of Government in their official capacity; imprest; advances (other than advances of salary) where the officer receives no personal benefit therefrom; receipts given by accused person for money taken from him on arrest; and duplicate receipt required for payment of severa l amounts.

Curiously, one wonders why the CBN has chosen to mislead the entire populace into believing that one is liable to pay N50 stamp duty on deposits above N1000, as opposed to one being liable to pay N50 stamp duty for receipts issued for payment for banking service(s) rendered by the bank, where the value of the service(s) rendered is above N1,000. After all, it is well settled that if there is nothing to modify, alter or qualify the language of a statute, it must be construed in the ordinary and natural meaning of the words and sentences used; the object of all interpretation is to discover the intention of the lawmakers which is deducible from the language used.

In any case, the writers opine that the entire purport of the Regulations in relation to amending the express provision of the SDA is unequivocally null and void because as a subsidiary legislation, it is not made pursuant to the SDA, neither is it endowed with such powers by a primary legislation.

Revisiting the Federal High Court Decision and the scope of CBN Powers 1.

Having tested the 2016 Circular against the waters of the SDA and the Regulations and submitted that it could not be rightly argued that the CBN acted within the ambit of either statutory instrument, it become pertinent to consider the propriety of the decision of the Federal High Court (FHC), delivered on 17 April 2014 in Suit No FHC/L/CS/ 1710/2013 – Kasmal International Services Limited v Central Bank of Nigeria (Kasmal Case).

2.

In Kasmal Case, the gist of the case before FHC was whether the CBN was not duty bound to ensure that all financial institutions, under its regulation, comply with all provisions of the law including the provision of SDA, NIPOST and the Financial Regulations 2009 (Regulations).

Law|News 23

monDAY, may 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Anger as judge reverses judgement three months after Akeem Nafiu

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he court finds that by virtue of Order 30 Rule 4 (2) High Court Rules 2012, the court is authorised and empowered to set aside any judgment obtained where any party does not appear at the trial.”

With this, Justice Ibironke Harrisson of a Lagos High Court, Igbosere reversed herself three months after she delivered a judgement that parties in a suit should share their father’s property, Mr. Stephen Tella Ojebiyi, who died some years ago.

Justice Harrison had on February 16, 2015 ordered Ojebiyi’s children to share his scattered property in Lagos according to their respective mothers.

The property- 33 Sounde Street, Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos, 30 Ojowore Street, Mushin and 120 Railway Line, Mushin, Lagos (the subject matter of the suit) were ordered by the judge to be shared among the deceased’s children according to their respective mothers i.e per stripes.

Three months after, Justice Harrison made a detour as she reversed her judgement following a motion filed by a party in the matter.

The judge while reversing herself insisted that her action was in conformity with the provisions of Order 30

Atilade

Rule 4 (2) of High Court Rules 2012, which according to her empowers the court to set aside any judgment obtained where a party does not appear at trial upon terms as the court may deem fit.

Mr. Muyiwa Ojebiyi and Mrs. Adenike Ayebiwe, who are siblings had in October 2010 through their lawyer, Okokon Ita of Okokon Okon and Compa-

ny commenced the suit through a writ of summons, statement of claim, list of witnesses as well as list of documents.

However, throughout the pendency of the suit, the defendants including Mrs. Rebecca Ajiboje (for herself and on behalf of the children of Mrs. Funmilayo Ojebiyi), Mrs. Adekemi Alade (for herself and on behalf of the children

of late Mrs. Taiwo Ojebiyi), neither filed appearance nor any document indicating their opposition to the suit despite evidence of being personally served.

Meanwhile, having given evidence and adopted their written addresses, Justice Harrison on February 16, 2015 delivered judgment in the suit.

In the judgement, she ordered the property of the deceased, Ojebiyi situated at 33 Sounde Street, Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos; 30, Ojowore Street, Mushin, Lagos and 120, Railway Line, Mushin, Lagos (the subject matter of the suit) be shared among the children of the deceased according to their respective mothers i.e per stripes.

While noting that the said property cannot be shared by the court in the absence of valuation of the said property, the court further ordered that the defendants shall render account of all monies collected as rents from the property since the death of the deceased till date.

The court also ordered that the account shall be filed in court within 30 days of the date of judgment and that one-third share of all monies collected (excluding any legitimate deduction and outgoing) shall be paid over to the claimants by the defendants within 40 days from the date of judgment.

However, in a twist, the defendants on May 14, 2015, three months after the judgment was delivered, filed a motion on notice, asking the court for an extension of time within which to apply for an order setting aside the judgment in default of appearance and pleadings delivered by the court.

The defendants through their lawyer, Chief Aderemi Adesina, also asked the court for an order to stay execution of the said judgment as well as an order for extension of time within which they would file and serve their statement of defence out of time.

The defendants premised their application upon alleged failure by their lawyer, A. O. Adeoye, to represent their interest in the matter when they became aware of the pendency of the suit.

They contended that Adeoye allegedly deceived them when he told them that the case had been struck out for being defective when in fact he neither filed appearance nor defence in the said suit.

In acceding to the request of the defendants, Justice Harrison held that: “the court finds that by virtue of Order 30 Rule 4(2) High Court Rules 2012, the court is authorized and empowered to set aside any judgment obtained where any party does not appear at the trial.”

IPLAN, stakeholders canvass review of copyrights law Trespass: Appeal Court orders Foluso Ogunmodede

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he Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria (IPLAN) has tasked stakeholders in the industry on how to support an effort that would midwife a reform of the country’s intellectual property laws.

It said this at its preAGM Workshop held last week in Lagos to commemorate the annual World Book and Copyright Day on April 23.

Accordingly, IPLAN asked the National Assembly to put in place a mechanism that would fast track an urgent and drastic reform especially on the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, LFN 2004; Trademarks Act Cap. T13, LFN 2004 and Patents and Designs Act, Cap. P2, LFN 2004.

Pioneer chairman of the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), Professor Egerton Uvieghara while commending IPLAN for its advocacy work in the area of law reform, lamented huge revenue being lost in the country following its outdated intellectual property laws.

Uvieghara while blam-

ing the National Assembly, said it was time the Assemblymen woke up to their constitutional duty by ensuring that good laws were made for the good of the country.

He said: “We have been repeating ourselves over the years but nothing seems to have been done. The National Assembly members are over-pampered. Nigeria is losing a lot of money just because we have minions in the National Assembly. They are collecting more than they are giving us.”

Uvieghara who was chairman of the committee that drafted the Copyright Act also noted that the Copyright Act curbed the exploitation of artistes by recording companies, but warned that developments over the years had made a review of the scenerio matter a national emergency.

He was corroborated by the NCC’s DirectorGeneral, Mr. Afam Ezekude. Ezekude said the commission had made about 256 raids which had led to the removal of pirated materials worth over N8 billion.

Besides, he said the commission secured 54 criminal convictions including prison sentences to serve as a deterrent to others while 172 were facing trials at the Federal High Court.

However, Ezekude said that the NCC had launched a reform of the copyright system with a view to strengthening the bundle of rights available to copyright owners, adding that a draft Copyright Bill had been forwarded to Attorney-General’s office for review and presentation to the National Assembly.

IPLAN’s emeritus president, Prof. Bankole Sodipo observed that there were no pending intellectual property bills at the National Assembly but noted that there were ongoing efforts by the regulatory authorities to redress this.

He emphasized the need to “get all the stakeholders involved” in the reform process, warning that “at the rate we are going, laws may not be able to catch up with technological developments.”

He advised that IPLAN members “can do

a draft bill and present to members of the National Assembly,” adding that increased advocacy was required to jumpstart the industry.

Earlier, Mrs. Chinyere Okorocha, who represented the Registrar of Trademarks said unless all stakeholders formed a common front to drive law reform in the industry, it may remain a mirage. she said although the draft Industrial Property Bill contained new areas such as the registration of smell and sound marks as against the prevailing registration of only names, numbers, slogans and service marks, it remained to be seen whether the requisite infrastructure and personnel to enforce the impending regime would be available.

She noted that though the Trademarks Registry had made giant strides by transmuting from manual to electronic filing, some “basic” functionalities like electronic searches were still nonexistent, thereby posing huge question mark on the registry’s ability to take daunting roles as set out in the draft bill.

Deeper Life to pay CCC N5m Akeem Nafiu

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he Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, has upheld the judgement of Justice Samuel CandideJohnson of a Lagos High Court which ordered the Registered Trustees of Deeper Christian Life Ministry to pay N5 million as damages for trespassing on a parcel of land belonging to the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC).

CCC had through its representative, Joseph Ebhodaghe sued Deeper Life Church over a disputed land measuring approximately 1055.864 squares situated at Mulero area of Agege and registered as No- 75 volume 2004T at the Lagos State Land Registry, Ikeja.

The judge of the lower court had in his judgement delivered on January 17, 2014 declared the CCC as the rightful owner of the disputed land and awarded N5 million in damages against Deeper Life Church.

The court also granted a perpetual injunc-

tion restraining Deeper Life Church, its agents or servants from further trespass on the disputed land.

Dissatisfied, Deeper Life Church through its lawyer, Gabriel Akigbe filed a notice of appeal and urged the court to set the entire judgement aside on the grounds that the trial judge was perverse having regards to the documentary and oral evidence placed before the court.

However, in a unanimous decision, the appellate court comprising of Justice Chinwe Iyizoba (presiding), Justice Yargata Nimpar and Justice Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo held that Deeper Life Church’s appeal was unmeritous and dismissed same accordingly.

In her lead judgment, Justice Obaseki-Adejumo resolved all the six issues in contention in favour of the respondent.

Justice ObasekiAdejumo observed that both parties traced their titles ownership to the Olalabi-Sulu family.

24 Law|news

Ali, Kalu, others tackle police on suspects’ parade C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 9

The way Nigeria Police carries out its parade apparently sends a message that such suspect had been convicted already.

Following this, lawyers believe that to parade suspects by the police is against the principles of natural justice. The concept of natural justice has been convincingly argued to evolve from the Garden of Eden.

The Holy Bible in the book of Genesis 3:9-13; shows how God laid the celebrated precedent of natural justice by expressly demanding that Adam and Eve make their cases. After the murder of Abel, Cain was also given the opportunity to make his case in Genesis 4:9-10.

These principles of natural justice are two; audi alterem partem (hear both sides to a case) and nemo judex in causa sua (one cannot be a judge in his own case).

Section 34 of the Constitution provides that “Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly – (a) no person shall be subject to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment.”

Also, Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right (Ratification and Enforcement) Act complements Section 34 by frowning against parade of suspects by the police.

However, two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Malam Yusuf Ali and Chief Awa Kalu described it as a clear departure from the intention of the law.

They were echoed by Mr. David Ogundipe, who described such practice as absurd and illegal.

For instance, Ali said the police practice to parade suspects was not the intention of the law as the police had made it a ‘parade of convicts’.

He said: “But here, it has become a parade of the convicts. The way the police handle it these days is likened to hang-over of the military rule. It is part of it that also led to what we can describe as media trial. Somebody who has just been arrested is already condemned in the press. It is not good for the rule of law and development of democracy because when you have painted a man as the devil and eventually the court did not find him guilty of the offense which he had gotten maximum negative publicity in the press, nobody knows what happens thereafter. Media trial should be discouraged.”

Kalu simply described it as a ‘double edged sword’ that must be stopped.

He said: “So what that kind of parade does is to dissuade others who may be tempted to commit offenses when you know that if you area caught, you may be seen on television or the pages of the newspapers.

It is a double edged sword.”

Another lawyer, Ogundipe defined identification parade as a process whereby a number of persons are arranged by the police for the primary aim of identifying a suspect by a witness.

This, according to him was different from the police routine parade of suspects even as not all crimes deserve identification of suspects on parade.

Ali

Ogundipe said: “Common law, recognizes that an identification parade is the most reliable mechanism available for identifying a suspect. At this juncture, one must not be misguided into believing that every crime committed by a person calls for an identification parade to identify the suspect.

“There are many instances where the idea of identification parade will appear like searching for that which is not lost – such as when a suspect is arrested at the scene of the crime; when the suspect is well known to the witness and when the evidence adduced is sufficient to establish that the suspect is indeed the person that committed the crime.

“In the case of Sunday Ndidi vs. The State (2007) All FWLR (pt.

381) 1617, the court unequivocally stated that identification evidence is that which tends to show that the person charged is the same person seen at the locus criminis (scene of the crime). Identification parade is obviously not cosmetics that can be applied for the purpose of fashion or other reasons alien to the purpose of the law.

“The position that identification parade is not necessary in the instances mentioned has been given judicial baptism in a plethora of cases like Eyesi v. The State (2000) 15 NWLR (pt. 691), 555 at 557; Bassey Akpan Archibong v. The State (2006), All FWLR (pt. 323) 7417 at 176; Segun Balogun v. Attorney-General of Ogun State (2002) FWLR (pt.1000) 1287 at 1301; Moses Jua v. The State (2010) 4 NWLR (pt. 1184) 217 at 260 etc.

“Considering the advancement in combating crime, the nature of the society and the mode of apprehending suspects, it is of the essence to say that identification parade is “mostly” not required.

See Ani v. The State (2009) 6 M.J.S.C (pt 11) 1 at 8; Almu v. The State (2009) 4 M.J.S.C (pt.11) 147 at I63; Balogun v. Attorney-General, Ogun State (2002), 4 M.J.S.C. 45 at 58; Ukpabi v. The State (2004) 9 M.J.S.C 120.

See Archibong v. State (2006) All FWLR (pt. 323) 1747; Ogoala v. State (1991) 2 NWLR (pt. 175) 509 at 534;

Kalu

Otti v. State (1993) 4 NWLR (pt. 290) 675.

“An identification parade is not just an assemblage of men, women or both, it is an assemblage of persons of similar outlook and physical features with the suspect for identification in accordance with the provision of the applicable law.

“It is important to note that where a witness concedes that “he saw the back view of a man at the scene of the crime…,” a woman cannot be paraded along with men for identification or vice-versa. The practice in identification parade is to parade eight people of the same sex, similar height, body morphology or any other physical features.

It is common and as a matter of fact to parade eight people including the suspect, but there are cases where two suspects may be paraded at the same time.

When this happens, there must be an increase in the number of people to be paraded with the two suspects.

In the case of two suspects, twelve people must be paraded including the suspects. Anything below these respective numbers will make the identification parade null and void.

“In conducting an identification parade, there are rights which the actual suspect has and such rights must not only be protected but must be seen to be protected.

“For example, the suspect has the right to determine where he wants to stand among the other people to be paraded. In an instance where there is a distinctive feature possessed by the suspect, and such feature is not the basis of the ability of the witness to identify him, the suspect must be paraded with people of the same feature. If this is not possible, the feature must be concealed to guide against prejudiced attempt.

“Parading a man with dreadlocks with men on low cuts may prejudice the mind of a witness whose primary concern in the first place is that “someone has to be convicted”. The technicality of the nature of an average man has gone to a level where it is believed that features like intimidating stature, scars, red eyes, stained teeth re-

monDAY, may 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

sulting from smoking and grungy outlook are enough to qualify a person to be a potential suspect. This sentiment must be guided against during an identification parade.

“Also, a suspect must not be led to the parade directly from his detention cell in the presence of the witness, and he must not be in cuffs. He should be treated equally with the other people to be paraded; he also has the right to request the presence of his counsel or any other persons as long as they will not disrupt the process.

“Communications that tend to show that a person in the identification parade is under investigation or has been in custody for the offence in question should not be initiated by the police or any officer in charge. All these can prejudice the mind of the witness meant to identify the actual suspect.

“It has become so trite in law that “no man should be judged without being heard”. The noble nature of this principle has led to how people involved in the commission of crime are handled at every stage of the case. A suspect is not an accused; an accused is not a convict. A suspect is just an individual who is under suspicion for the commission of a crime, often formally announced as being under investigation by law enforcement officials. An accused is a person who has been formally charged for the commission of a crime, while a convict is a person who has been found guilty of a crime at the conclusion of a criminal case. The point where identification parade is to be conducted is at the Police Station. This means that the person in question is still a suspect who is entitled to rights. One of these rights is the right to fair hearing.

“The belief of most people on what amount to fair hearing is just about the suspect or accused telling his side of the story. This is true, but it is not conclusive. As a matter of fact, it is just one of the numerous rights that amount to fair hearing. A proper identification parade also amounts to granting the suspect a fair hearing.

“Identification parade, where necessary is to establish the identity of a suspect and to ascertain that the person identified is actually the person seen at the scene of the crime committing the offence.”

Then, any inconsistency, irregularity or violation of the rights a suspect is entitled to during an identification parade amounts to an effort to frustrate his right to fair hearing.

Where a suspect is roughly handled at the parade ground, given a mark, led from his cell or cuffed so as to logically prejudice the mind of the witness towards him in the identification, it makes a good argument to hold that the suspect has been presumed guilty and left to prove his innocence.

The provision of Section 36(5) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) 1999 (as amended in 2011) is that “every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved guilty”.

Even when a person is caught in the process of committing a crime, it is the duty of the prosecution to establish his case against him. So, there must be a level of doubt as to the guilt of the suspect or accused, whether at the police station, in the court of law or even the court of public opinion pending the determination of his case.

25

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Interview Buhari’s govt lacks economic policy –Mailafia

Business What's news Operators lose N78.3bn monthly to inactive lines

Money Line Forex dealers blame banks for naira volatility

34 36

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE March 2016...............................12.8% February 2016............................11.4% January 2016..............................9.6%

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

EXCHANGE RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(BDC as at April 22)

(Interbank as at April 22)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N321 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N458 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N360

l Foreign Reserves – $27.123bn as at 28/4/2016

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

Source: CBN

p.26 L-R: Group Head, Propositions and Products, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Adewale Akinrinde; Managing Director Perfume World Limited, Princess Stella Daminabo; Business Executive, South South and South East, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim and Lead Consultant, Mark George Consultant, Mr. Olugbolahan Mark George, at the MSME Academy in Port Harcourt.

Nigerian ports take delivery of N459bn sugar in five years p.26

PROBE Senator Shehu Sani has called for a probe of the N600 billion expended so far on the exploration 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 N600 billion oil search in the North is heading for the rocks, as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has deferred the promised announcement of major discovery on the Chad Basin.

The postponement, New Telegraph learnt, stemmed from fresh opposition from elites and social activists from the North, who now perceived the exploration as a charade and a cesspool for corruption.

An industry source told this newspaper that a school of thought led by Senator Shehu Sani is planning to meet President Muhammadu Buhari on its call for probe of the N600 billion ($3 billion) expended so far on the exploration.

He said: “The group believes strongly that the Chad Basin exploration was a fraud and it is enraged by the N600 billion expended so far on the oil search without results. If this call for probe scales through, it will be a big setback for the whole exercise.”

Kachikwu, who doubles as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had, last August, said that he would announce something major on the discovery on or before December 2015.

N600bn North’s oil search hits brick wall Kachikwu defers announcement as activists kick Announcing that oil was very close to being found in Lake Chad, which had gulped over $3 billion, after very many years of trials, the minister said that there were signs from the latest 3D seismic studies that indicated the potential discovery of hydrocarbon in commercial quantity in the North.

“It is key both for the geographical balancing of oil production and it is also very key for the purpose of refinery placement in the North in terms of access to crude. I am optimistic that by the end of the year, we should be able to announce something major on this, ’’ he had said.

Four months after the December date, the minister has deferred announcement of the discovery, fuelling insinuations that the exercise might have gone the way of the previous promises of discovery.

“Oil exploration in the north has been carried out back to days far beyond that of former President Goodluck Jonathan. I am calling on President Muhamadu Buhari to order a probe into this questionable search for oil. Past leaders have amassed wealth through this venture and I want the president to investigate this,” Sani had said.

“If we cannot find oil, we must get our money back because so far

N30 billion Being the amount that the Federal Government has pumped into feasibility studies of the oil potential at the Chad Basin in the last three years

over $3 billion US dollars had been wasted on oil exploration in the north, particularly in the Chad Basin and Benue trough. This oil exploration issue started from the late General Sani Abacha’s regime and many years after his death, no oil has been found in the region. I blame our northern leaders who in collaboration with their southern counterparts improvised the north through phony schemes like this,” he told students’ leaders from the North who were on a courtesy visit to him.

Preliminary surveys had, according to the NNPC, indicated that there is hydrocarbon deposit in an area covering 3,350 square metres in the Chad Basin, with the Federal Government pumping close to N30 billion in the last three years into feasibility studies of the oil potential there.

Countries such as Chad, Niger and Sudan with similar structural settings are already exploring or producing oil on their soil, leading to conclusions that it is a matter of time for Nigeria’s turn.

Discoveries made in neighbouring countries in basins with similar structural settings are Doba, Doseo and Bongor, all in Chad, CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

26

BUSINESS |news

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Operators lose N78.3bn monthly to inactive lines REDUNDANCY Of the 214.23 million connected phone lines currently on mobile networks, only 148.62 million are being used for services, making 65.6 million dormant Kunle Azeez

T

he estimated losses of mobile telephone services providers in Nigeria on account of the volume of inactive phone lines on their networks may have risen to N78.3 billion – the highest ever, New Telegraph has learnt.

This conservative valuation is determined by using the current industry Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of $6 or N1,194 multiplied by the current figure of inactive lines in the country.

ARPU is a financial performance benchmark in the tele-

coms industry that measures the average monthly revenue spent by each telecom consumer. It also corresponds to the amount generated by the operators.

According to the latest subscriber data published by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), there are currently 65.6 million inactive lines in the country.

The inactive lines consist of those on the networks of Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and fixed line networks in the nation’s bourgeoning telecoms industry.

Of the aggregate connected phone lines on GSM, CDMA and fixed wired/wireless networks currently standing at 214.23 million, only 148.62 million are being used by subscribers to access services, the regulator said in the latest report.

This newspaper’s analysis of the data further shows that the usage of these active lines, which represent 69.5 per cent of the total connected lines of 214.49, is estimated to be generating over N180 billion for the

telecoms networks monthly.

However, with a total of 65.6 million inactive lines on the telecoms networks and an ARPU of N1,194, mobile networks are found to be losing potential revenue conservatively valued at N78.3 billion monthly.

“Definitely, if a subscriber abandoned his or her registered line instead of using same to access mobile services, the affected operators are losing potential revenue and this, I believe, runs into billions of naira monthly,” said a telecoms industry analyst, Mr. Akin Akinbo.

Also, President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr Lanre Ajayi, told this newspaper by phone that “no operator wants to lose its subscriber to competitors.”

He said: “Competition in the telecoms sector is getting keener by the day and this makes subscribers have the tendency to abandon a line for another network, especially if they find a better tariff plan or more quality service on the ‘new’ network.”

Also reacting to the current

potential losses estimated to be the highest ever in the country so far, President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo, said: “If a telecoms operator sells a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) to a customer and gets him connected on its network, the intention is to start generating revenue from the subscriber anytime the subscriber loads its account with airtime to access services.”

Ogunbanjo, however, reckoned that in a situation where the subscriber, for one reason of the other, does not load the line for a long time, thereby rendering the telephone line redundant, “the network is definitely losing some potential revenues.”

Meanwhile, a telecoms subscriber, Mr. Jide Olajuwon, maintained that adoption of mobile number portability (MNP), where subscribers are able to switch from networks to another with a single line, may have increased the incidence of inactive lines.

He noted: “Before now, Nigeria has been known as a multi-

SIMing telecoms market, but with the introduction of an innovative service like MNP by the regulator in collaboration with the GSM operators, some subscribers have opted for porting, such that somebody hitherto using more than one line has limited his or her number to just one.

“This means that rather than porting their lines, a lot of subscribers still prefer to dump current line for a new line on another mobile network that offers them better propositions than their current networks.”

Meanwhile, Globacom and Airtel Nigeria have maintained growth momentum in subscriber base while MTN and Airtel networks’ recorded declines, according to the NCC data.

Indeed, the four GSM networks witnessed a fall from 149 million last January to 146.2 million in February.

Active subscription had, last November, reached its highest as mobile lines on all the GSM networks stood at 149.7 million, but declined to 148.6 million in December.

N600bn North’s oil search CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

amounts to over two billion barrels (Bbbls); Logone Birni in Southern Chad and Northern Cameroun, over 100 Bbbls and Termit-Agadem Basin in Niger totals over 1Bbbls.

The NNPC had said in a document obtained by this newspaper that against a commitment of $864 million for the first six years of deep water prospecting under a PSC (production sharing contract), the industry had invested approximately $1.3 billion up to the end of 1998.

From the very beginning of oil exploration in Nigeria in 1937 till early 1993, virtually all exploration and production activities were restricted to land and swamps. Where prospecting ventured offshore, it was in areas not greater than 200 million water depth.

The corporation noted: “But then in 1993, the Federal Government opened up a new frontier in oil and gas exploration, heralding the bright prospects of a promising future, by allocating some offshore blocks in water depths reaching 2500 metres. These deep water depth and plans for even greater depths than 2500 metres will undoubtedly impact positively the country’s production and reserve blueprint.

“Though these deep water operations are technically challenging and massively capital intensive, experience multinational companies have been awarded some deep offshore blocks and even ultra-deep concessions.

By the end of 1998, the deep water operators in Nigeria had achieved the following: Acquisition of 21,000 km 2D Seismic Lines; acquisition of 21,500 km 3D Seismic Lines and drilling of 33 exploration/appraisal wells in depths ranging from 300-1460m.”

L-R:Consultant to Bank of Industry, Adolphus Ojobo; Area Manager, Skye Bank Plc, Benin Area, Mrs Chinyere Imeribe; Managing Director, Omega Foods and Hospitality, Mr. Alex Otuya and Head, Small Business Group, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs Ayo Olojede, at the SME seminar organised

by Skye Bank in Benin.

Nigerian ports take delivery of N459bn sugar in five years CONTROL Federal Government slammed 80 per cent on sugar importation to curb importers and encourage local production Bayo Akomolafe

D

espite government’s restriction on importation of sugar, Nigerian seaports have taken delivery of 7,279,000 metric tons of sugar valued at N459 billion in the last five years, checks by New Telegraph have revealed.

Last week alone, three vessels berthed at the Lagos Port Complex with138,800 metric tons of the commodity at Greenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL), a subsidiary of Dangote Group.

The vessels include MV

Three ships arrive with 138,800 tons Sweet with 46,800 metric tons; JPO Dorado, 46,000 metric tons and Desert Calm, 46,000.

The consignment is valued at $33,659,000. The price of sugar at the global market per ton is $315.40.

A data from the United States Department of Trade (USDT) stated that Nigeria would take delivery of 1.47 million metric tons of sugar this year.

It also revealed that the importation of the commodity had been on the increase since 2013.

This year, 80 per cent levy was slammed on sugar importation.

The National Sugar Development Council, in its National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), had said that 10 per cent duty and 80 per cent levy would be placed on sugar between 2016 and 2018.

The levy was 70 per cent in 2015, while the duty remained at 10 per cent.

The USDT data revealed that in 2011, some 1,495,000 metric tons of the commodity were shipped to the country, 2012 - 1,399,000 metric tons; 2013 - 1,450,000 metric tons; 2014 - 1470, 000 metric tons and 2015 - 1, 465,000 metric tons.

It also revealed that the importation of the consignment dropped slightly by 5,000 metric tons in 2015.

Also, the Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) noted that sugarcane production in the country had reduced.

It said that in 2014, the country produced 75,000 metric tons, but the production went down to 70,000 metric tons in 2015. It stressed that local sugar demand was expected to grow from 1.3 to 1.7 million tons by 2017.

Similarly, Nigeria is expected to buy some 721,000 metric tons of wheat valued at N41.76 billion ($130, 500,000) this year

from Russia.

Nigeria needs over 4.1 million metric tons to meet its demand yearly as local production has plummeted from 100,000 metric tons in 2014 to 70,000 metric tons in 2015.

The country has also reduced wheat importation by 55 per cent from the United States due to high price of hard red winter.

But, last week, data obtained from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) showed that three vessels shipped 103,714.02 metric tons of wheat to Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL). The imports were valued at $25,513,858.02.

The commodity was ferried

by MV Sun Vil II with 31,315 metric tons, Desert Melody, 26, 399 metric tons and Atlantic, 46,000.

In 2013, Nigeria imported 1,450,000 metric tons, 2014, 1,470,000 metric tons and in 2015, 1,665,000 metric tons.

BUSINESS | Movers, Shakers and Appointments

MONDAY MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

UN appoints Nigerian for T South Sudan mission

27

Mortgage firm hires board’s chair, directors

U

nited Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, has announced the appointment of Abiodun Bashua, a Nigerian, to lead the special investigation into the attack against the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which is protecting civilians at Malakal.

The special investigation, according to a statement, would undertake detailed examination of the circumstances, which led to the incident on February 17 and 18, 2016 in which at least 25 civilians died and an additional 144 injured.

Bashua recently concluded his assignment as Deputy Joint Special Representative of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, during which he also served as acting Joint Special Representative in 2014 and 2015.

In addition, he served at senior levels in Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Sudan.

He had served as Secretary to the Conference of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Bashua

General Manager for NIPOST subsidiary

F

ollowing the retirement of Mallam Mundi Gani Mohammed from public service, Mallam Umar Kaboji Musa has been appointed as the General Manager of EMS Nigeria, the courier arm of the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST).

The new general manager, according to a statement, has a specialised training on EMS in Rotterdam, Holland and has served in the organisation between 1992 and 1993.

According to the company’s Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Hezekiah Umanah, the new general manager “has resumed and has hit the ground running

on his first day of resumption of duty.”

Also, he has visited other branches of the organisation.

Umanah said: “At the EMS offices in Ikeja, Lagos Island and Shomolu, he bemoaned the constraint of office space, poor power supply, which affects the electronic keying in of acceptance and delivery information and assured the staff that he would see what is possible within available resources. He also promised that he would not shirk his responsibility to drive staffers nationwide to put in their best and accept responsibility for their action or inaction.”

he Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) has appointed four independent directors to serve on its board in line with international best practices in corporate governance.

Those appointed, according to a statement, include Professor Charles Okeahalam, who will serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr Charles Adeyemi Candide-Johnson (SAN); Mrs Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman and Mrs Anino Emuwa.

Okeahalam holds a Doctor of Science degree in Financial Economics of the University Exeter (UK) and a PhD in Economics (Econometrics) of Queen Mary College, University of London.

According to the statement, he co-founded AGH Capital, an investment holding company with interest in private equity, mining, marine equipment, property and corporate finance in 2001 and has been the managing director of the firm since 2002.

“He has quality strategic and operational experience in banking, equity and bond markets, fund management and infrastructure finance.

He has served as an advisor to many central banks and government ministries in several sub-Sahara African countries,” the statement added.

Okeahalam has also advised the World Bank and the United Nations in different capacities.

He has been serving as a director and chairman of the Board Audit and Finance Committee of SEPLAT Petroleum Company.

Also, Mr. Charles Adeyemi Can-

dide-Johnson is a senior partner at Strachan Partners, a leading commercial law firm with offices in Lagos and Abuja.

According to the statement, he was called to the Nigerian Bar in July, 1984 and, in the same year, received his LLM Degree from the University of London. He was conferred with the rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2003.

He brings to NMRC significant experience in corporate governance practices.

Ms. Anino Emuwa, an international management consultant with expertise in small business finance and entrepreneurship has over 20 years’ experience in business consulting, commercial banking and research in Africa and Europe.

Emuwa, according to the statement, currently serves as a member of the Institute of Directors, United Kingdom and the Women Professional Network Group, France.

Also, Mrs. Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, is an architect with over 30 years’ post-qualification experience. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture & Urban Studies from the University of Minnesota, USA, in 1983.

Wali-Abdurrahman currently serves as the chief executive officer of Filmo Group of Companies, a position she has held since 1994.

Through its subsidiaries, the group has successfully designed and constructed residential houses, hotels and commercial buildings across Nigeria, and especially in Lagos and Abuja.

Wali-Abdurrahman

Okeahalam

Delta names executive assistant on marine devt

T

he ambassador to the United Nations on Millennium Development Goals, Oghenekaro Ekewenu, has been appointed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as Executive Assistant on Marine Development.

The appointment, according to a statement, takes immediate effect.

Ekewenu hails from Ugono-Orogun community in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta Central Senatorial District of the state.

He has remained the most functional and visible role model to the youth of Nigeria and his people in the Niger Delta, the statement added.

Speaking on the appointment, Chief Gabriel Ariomagwa, said that with the appointment, Governor Okowa had made another great choice.

NIMASA spokesperson makes top 100 PR experts’ list

D Ekewenu

eputy Director, Public Relations of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Hajia Lami Tumaka, has made the list of top 100 public relations experts globally in April, EvanCarmichael

New president for Ericsson in Nigeria, others

A

global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) company, Ericsson, has announced the appointment of Jean-Claude Geha as Head of the sub-Saharan Africa (SAA) region.

The appointment, according a statement, will be effective from July 1, 2016.

Jean-Claude, who replaces Fredrik Jejdling who would take up a new role in the new organisation, would oversee the company’s operations in Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Ghana, Benin, Angola, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia and South Africa, among others.

Jean-Claude has been active in the ICT space for over 25 years. Currently as Global head of Managed Services, he has been instrumental in extending Ericsson’s managed services leadership globally, including here in Africa, the statement added.

Prior to taking on the role as Head of Managed Services in September 2013, Jean-Claude held several key positions in Ericsson including Head of Operations in Region Western & Central Europe and Managing Director for Ericsson in Belgium and Luxemburg.

Tumaka

Public Relations has said.

Tumaka’s working career, which spanned over two decades, started at the Army Day Secondary School, Jaji, as a teacher, a statement from NIMASA said.

She was a News Editor, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Minna; Public Relations Manager, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) Ltd. Kaduna, before joining the then National Maritime Authority (NMA) as a Chief Research Officer in 1998.

Tumaka is a recipient of the Maritime Media Woman of the Year on several occasions, among several awards.

She had won a poll as the Best Maritime Industry Public Relations Officer.

Tumaka, according to the statement, is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR) and a member of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria.

28

BUSINESS |Stock Watch

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Berger Paints: Harsh milieu slices earnings Berger Paints Plc, which recorded stellar financial performance last year, has begun to show signs of decline.

CHRIS UGWU writes

U

ncertainty about the direction of the nation’s economy and fiscal policy, dwindling oil price, currency volatility and heightened insecurity, are some of the several factors that had shaped businesses in Nigeria in 2015.

These to a large extent, also portends serious challenges for the economy in current year 2016.

This is because marketing environment has continued to be more turbulent in Nigeria, especially the manufacturing sector due largely to the effects of international oil price fluctuations and yet to be resolved infrastructural challenges, multiple taxation and high cost of operation arising from adverse fiscal and monetary policies, inflation and high cost of funds.

Again, the security landscape remained a major concern particularly in the North Eastern part of the country, making free enterprise increasingly complicated in the affected states.

The cheaper price of imported goods is also blamed for the penchant of Nigerians to patronise imported goods to the detriment of locally produced goods. This is why many local industries, including paints manufacturers that could not stand the heat of the competition in the same market with imported goods, are fast disappearing from the industrial landscape.

Also, domestic constraints such as depletion of fiscal buffers, dwindling foreign reserves, among others, have remained hydra headed monster to the operating environment.

Given headwinds such as weak demand on the back of a squeeze on household wallets, most consumer goods companies in Nigerian have continue to find it difficult to weather the storm.

Market watchers also believe that for the paint industry to survive, more is needed to be done in order to totally curb the problem of counterfeiting. Individual companies must also be able to come up with technological innovations that will help counter the activities of counterfeiters.

However, in spite of the challenges, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc was one of the few companies in the industry that recorded stellar financial performance last year. But after facing many challenges in 2015, the company began the year on a disappointing note with the first quarter results dropping by 66 per cent.

The market sentiments for the shares of the company have also dropped, reflecting the general trend in value of shares quoted on the floor of the Nigerian Stock market. Due to volatility in the economy, investors had remained hopeful on the back of expectation that Berger Paints innovative distribution strategies would boost revenue for the company.

Stockbrokers attributed investors’ sustained confidence in the stock to continued sales, marketing and distribution efforts as well as its strong presence across Nigeria.

They also believe that the company’s recent initiative to embark on the outsourcing of all its depots and intention to appoint franchisees in various other locations of the country where the company does not have a presence will enhance its bottom-line.

The company’s share price, which closed at N10.00 per share at the close of business in May 2015, has declined in value, closing last Friday at N8.84. This represented a drop of N1.16 or 11.6 per cent year to date.

Financials Berger Paints ended the 2014 financial year with a 27.3 per cent decline in profit before tax. Similarly, pre-tax profit dropped from N342.7 million in 2013 as against N249.2 million during the period under review.

Profit after tax equally fell by 42.2 per cent to N148.8 million from N257.5 million a year earlier.

However, the paints company began the 2015 financial year on impressive note, reporting 87.45 per cent growth in net earnings for the 2015 first quarter ended March, 31, 2015.

According reports from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the company’s post-tax profit grew from N8.783 million in 2014, as against N70.025 million recorded during the period under review. This represented a growth of 87.45 per cent.

Its revenue equally increased to N705.930 million from N587.851 posted in 2014, accounting for 16.7 per cent growth.

Berger paints also came in with good numbers, as its half year revenue rose by 14.91 per cent y/y to N1.41 billion from N1.23 billion in 2014.

Operating profit also increased by 72.87 per cent y/y to N0.23 billion, which was as a result of decrease in cost of sales and an increase of 48.75 per cent y/y in other incomes.

Also, PBT and PAT both appreciated by 50.20 per cent y/y to N0.24 billion and N0.56 billion respectively not relenting in the tax surge of -50.20 per cent y/y to N0.08 billion from N0.03 billion in 2014.

For the quarter ending 30th September, 2015, revenue increased by 18 per cent to N2.2 billion from N1.8 billion in the prior period of 2014.

The financials showed that profit before tax grew 89 per cent to N303.4 million from N160.9 million, while profit after tax increased to N206.3 million from N109.4 million, as earnings per share also increased 87 per cent to 71 kobo from 38 kobo per share.

Total assets however, fell by 3.4 per cent to N3.8 billion from N3.6 billion in 2014, while total liabilities grew 11.5 per cent to N1.3 billion from N1.2 billion.

The company sustained the profit trend during the third quarter ended September 31, 2015.

The figures revealed stellar performance, as its top and bottom lines were northward. Revenue grew by 18.4 per cent from N1.82 billion in 2014 to N2.15 billion.

Profitability level for the pe-

view, accounting for an increase of 127 per cent.

The company’s revenue however dropped marginally by two per cent to N3.022 billion in the review period of 2015 from N3.082 billion in the corresponding period of 2014.

However, the positive trend was recently truncated, as the company began 2016 with 66 per cent drop in net earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016.

The firm posted a profit after tax of N23.805 million as against N70.025 million recorded during the comparable period of 2015, representing a drop of 66 per cent.

Similarly, profit before tax declined from N35.008 million posted the previous year to N102.978 million during the year under review, accounting also for a decrease of 66 per cent.

The company’s revenue however, firmed up by eight per cent to N760.068 million in the review period of 2016 from N705.930 million in the corresponding period of 2015.

Folikwe

Berger Paints Nigeria Plc. 2015

The business climate for Berger Paints, like other building material companies has remained challenging due to intense competition

May 31

N10.00

June 30

N11.24

July 31

N9.80

August 31

N8.34

September 30

N10.42

October 30

N9.77

November 31

N9.75

December 31

N10.00

January 29

N9.01

February 29

N9.30

March 24

N9.46

April 22

N8.84

riod was up significantly by 89 per cent to N206.30 million from N109.41 million in 2014.

The company’s cost of operation for the period hampered its profit, as reflected in the profit margin for the quarter despite the improvement in numbers against 2014, as all expenses were marginally up except for the tax provision, which was high with almost 50 per cent.

Net assets were up to N2.45 billion from N2.32 billion last year.

Its earnings per share for the period went up to 71 kobo from 38 kobo in 2014.

Berger Paints also ended 2015 year with a record of 122 per cent growth in net earnings for the financial year ended December 31, 2015.

The firm posted a profit after tax of N330.316 million as against N148.808 million recorded during the comparable period of 2014, representing a growth of 122 per cent.

Similarly, profit before tax grew from N249.258 million posted the previous year to N565.212 million during the year under re-

Why outsourcing of depots Berger Paints said that it embarked on the outsourcing of all its depots and intends to appoint franchisees in various other locations of the country where the company does not have a presence.

The company said in a notice to the Exchange that the initiative became necessary as part of its strategy to enhance accessibility and visibility of its products.

It said that the strategic move serves to enhance the efficiency of the company and improve its bottom line.

“In addition, it will enhance proximity of its products and help to ensure the availability of genuine Berger Paints products countrywide.

“On a related note, the company’s plans to build the first automated paint manufacturing plant in the Sub-Sahara Africa are ongoing and the plant has been scheduled for commissioning in 2016,” the management noted.

Looking ahead The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc, Peter Folikwe, said the company resolved to enhance shareholders’ value through commitment to the highest standard of corporate goals.

Folikwe explained that the firm’s turnaround efforts would aid the to re-positioning of the company in order to earn its place as one of the most profitable quoted companies on Exchange.

Speaking at the conferment of Fellowship award on him by the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) recently, Folikwe stated that within his short period of assuming his office at Berger Paints, the company’s earnings had grown by 50 per cent and 89 per cent respectively.

Conclusion The business climate for Berger Paints, like other building material companies, has remained challenging due to intense competition. It is, however, advisable that the company should continue to adapt business strategies to fit the dynamic operating environment.

MONDAY MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Capital Market

29

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at April 29, 2016 DAILY STOCK MARKET REPORT

30

Insurance

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

CAPACITY Local insurance companies do not have the capacity to retain most of the risk they write Sunday Ojeme

L

ow capitalisation, influx of foreign investors may largely affect African insurers’ hold on oil and gas premium in the nearest future.

This projection, which formed part of the inference arrived at during the West Africa Insurance Companies Association conference in Lagos, was highlighted

by Dr Abiba Zakariah of Ghana Reinsurance Company.

In his paper entitled, “Traditional Insurance versus the Need for Recalibration of Industry Practices in Dealing with Future Challenges for Insurers,” Zakariah also observed that as a result of low capital development, insurers were resorting to unhealthy underwriting practices, such as undercutting, to grow.

He stressed that such negative practises had led to large losses and slow growth.

Low capacity According to him, Africa’s low capitalisation in a rising continent means local insurance companies do not have the capacity to retain most of the risk they write and have to transfer most of their premiums outside.

“In Africa, this represents about 90 per cent of oil and gas insurance premium. Furthermore, some international investors, even where there is local capacity, would insist on insuring their risk out of Africa.

“Africa rising has meant that an increasing number of foreign insurance companies are entering Africa’s insurance markets offering very little capacity development, while local insurers do not have the financial capacity to compete with these international competitors,” he said.

Global ratings Today, the world’s insurance industry is dominated by wealthy developed countries, with premium income of $1.62 trillion. The Group of Seven (G7) alone accounts for almost 65 per cent of the world’s insurance premiums even though they cover just over 10 per cent of the world’s population.

The United States and Japan alone account for 40 per cent of world insurance, much higher than their seven per cent share of the global population during the same period.

According to Swiss Re, the total value of Africa’s insurance premiums was about $70 billion in 2013.

That is 1.5 per cent of the global market premium. Of this, South Africa accounted for nearly 74 per cent ($51.6 billion), with the other 53 countries contributing $18.3 billion, only 0.4 per cent of the global insurance market premium.

Whereas life insurance represents 55.3 per cent of the global insurance market premiums, it represents 29.5 per cent of South Saharan Africa (SSA) insurance premium, although it contributes

Oil rig

Oil and gas: Why Africa may lose 90% premium to foreigners

Commissioner for Insurance, Ghana, Lydia Bawa

88.6 per cent in South Africa.

SSA’s insurance penetration rate was 0.27 per cent, accounting for only 29.5 per cent of total African insurance premiums in 2013, with a density of $5 per person.

Non-life insurance had a penetration rate of 0.64 per cent, with SSA spending an average of $12.5 on non-life insurance products in 2013.

Apart from Nigeria, the contribution of other West African countries to Africa’s premium income is virtually negligible.

Reinsurance treaty Zakariah further noted that regulators in a number of African counties were insisting that insurance companies deal with reinsurance companies with certain rating, adding that such decision reflected the fact that although a good rating showed

Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari

Today, the world’s insurance industry is dominated by wealthy developed countries

the ability of a company to pay claims, it is not an indication of their wiliness to do so.

He also hinted that most African reinsurers were automatically pushed out of the competition because their ratings are linked to their countries’ sovereign rating, which are lower. He said that African companies were not gaining business from these foreign rated companies, and as a result do not add on to Africa’s growth.

“Insured are becoming more sophisticated, demanding more innovative products and better services,” he added.

Sino-Africa trade On the current business imbalance between China and Africa, Zakariah pointed out that although Africa would benefit from Chinese-built infrastructure in

the short term, it all amounts to currently mortgaging its future resources to do so as it may turn out to be a costly trade.

He said Sino-African trade was not accompanied by significant skills development, technology transfer or productivity improvements in Africa.

“China announced plans to remove tariffs on 97% of items from 30 least developed African countries, and pledged to train 30,000 workers, provide 18,000 scholarships, link African products to global supply chains, improve the variety of imports and the quality of exports but all these promises remain largely rhetorical.

“The importation of cheap Chinese products, such as electronics, clothes, and cars to Africa, is a key outlet for China’s low quality overproduced goods.

However China does not purchase manufactured products from Africa, while the cheap Chinese imports flood the local marketplace, making it difficult for local industries to compete.

“A noticeable case is the Chinese textile industry, which is crippling the African textile industry as well as raising opposition and concern over the loss of local jobs.

It has caused 80 per cent of Nigerian textile factories to shut down, resulting in loss for about 250,000 workers. Basic African factories cannot compete with the Chinese in terms of productivity or quality.

“African fishermen complain of Chinese industrialised fishing depleting fish stocks, and interfering with villagers’ fishing nets for whom fishing is the main income source. Competition from Chinese imports may have cost South Africa 78,000 industrial jobs between 2001 and 2010,” he said.

BUSINESS | Insurance

MONDAY MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

31

Adeosun: Insurance’s strategic tool for diversification CONTRIBUTION The industry currently makes an abysmally low contribution to the nation’s GDP Stories by Sunday Ojeme

A

s the Federal Government spreads its diversification message across all sectors of the economy, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has identified insurance as a strategic tool to be utilised in attaining the goal.

The minister, who disclosed this in Lagos, said that the Federal Government was taking steps to address the current poor performance of the industry in the country.

She said that in line with the move to diversify and develop the economy, government believed insurance was a strategic tool that should be effectively utilised towards the attainment of the goal.

Adeosun pointed out that there was a strong link between insurance market development and economic development, adding that the commonly used index of measuring the development of insurance in an economy is market penetration, which is the ratio of total insurance premiums to the Gross Domestic Product.

Lamenting the less than one per cent contribution the sector

to makes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), she said government was committed to identifying the challenges and taking steps to address the current poor performance in the country.

“It is on this premise that in February, earlier this year, I inaugurated the Consolidated Insurance Bill Review Committee in a move that seeks to make the bill conform to the ideals of contemporary insurance practice as well as facilitate public awareness and consumer protection.

“We are optimistic that the work on the bill and its eventual passage to law would positively change the face of insurance regulation and practice in our country, Nigeria,” she said.

Adeosun called on the Nigerian Insurance Industry to fully

cooperate with the committee setup to review the industry’s bill so as to come up with a draft that would be the impetus for rapid growth not only for their sector but the Nation and in particular all consumers of insurance services alike.

Also speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director, Custodian and Allied, Mr. Wole Oshin, observed that the prevailing global insecurity and oil slump had made embracing insurance vital for both businesses and life.

Oshin, who recalled that terrorism had attained an unprecedented height and appeared to defy solution, said terrorist had killed several hundreds of thousands of innocent citizens from across the globe.

T

A

nalysis by Quantitative Financial Analytics shows that Nigerian pension fund managers posted modest return of between 0.29 per cent and 2.95 per cent for RSA funds and between 1.58 per cent and 3.46 per cent for retiree funds.

According to the analysis, Pal Gratuity funds also recorded impressive but

According to him, quite frankly there was no immediate significant increase in oil prices in the immediate future.

The question then is, with a significant number of West African countries depending on oil for survival how then can governments and the organized private sector stabilize and restructure their economies to be less vulnerable to swings in the international markets?

He said: “One of the very potent tools used over the years by the more sophisticated and more developed economies has been the use of insurance.

They have successfully been able to arrest social imperfections and unrest through adequate pensions, life and health insurance for their citizens.”

L-R: Compliance Officer, Stanbic IBTC Pension, Mrs. Idu Okwuosa; Managing Director, Zenith Pension Fund Custodian (PFC), Mrs. Nkem Oni-Egbuna; Managing Director, AIICO Pension and Chairman, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp), Eguarekhide Longe; Executive Secretary, PenOp, Susan Oranye; Managing Director, AXA Mansard Pension, Dapo Akinsanya, and Managing Director, FUG Pension, Usman Suleiman, at a media retreat organised by PenOp in Lagos.

Pension fund assets hit N5.39trn, says PenCom otal pension fund assets have grown to N5.39 trillion as at March 2016, the Director-General National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs Chinelo AnohuAmazu, has said.

Anohu-Amazu, who was represented by PenCom’s Head, Research and Strategy Management, Dr. Farouk Umar, at an event organized by Daily Trust Newspaper in Abuja, said the initially licensed 26 PFAs, 7 CPFAs and 5 PFCs, had reduced to 21 PFAs, 7 CPFAs and 4 PFCs due to mergers and acquisitions.

She added that the number of registered contributors was now 7.01 million as at March, 2016.

“This represents about 7.45 per cent of total labour force in Nigeria and 3.95 per cent of total population. 26 States of

“Boko Haram has operated in the North East of Nigeria as well as Cameroun and Niger Republic over the last decade with devastating impact on the political, social, and economic landscape of the region. Similar wars were overcome in Liberia, Sierra Leone etc.

“The slump in oil prices has further affected the earnings power of nations in West Africa either directly or indirectly. This has led to a recession with inflation on the rise and purchasing power of the citizens eroding on a daily basis,” he added.

Africa may have fallen victim to the power play of the Western world especially the USA, Russia and power blocs in the Middle East – Saudi Arabia and Iran,” he added.

the Federation had adopted the scheme and are at different stages of implementation while the remaining 10 States are at bill stage.

“About 200,000 private sector employers of labour are implementing the CPS, over 162,343 had retired under the Scheme as at March 2016 and are currently receiving pensions as and when due. Total pension fund assets had grown to N5.39 trillion as at March, 2016, representing an average monthly contribution of about N25 billion.

“The assets were equivalent to about 7.72 per cent of the Nigerian rebased GDP, about 60 per cent of the total pension fund assets belong to the private sector,” she said.

On micro pension, she said the plan was introduced to extend coverage to persons work-

ing in the informal sector and the self-employed, stressing that the Micro Pension Department had been established to drive implementation of the plan.

She said multi-channel platform would be used in providing customer services to those who will be covered under the plan and that discussions were ongoing with relevant service providers and regulators to provide the required technology.

She noted that sensitisation was being undertaken through the print and the electronic media including the various social media platforms, adding that the commission had started discussions with the Central Bank of Nigeria and other relevant government agencies on extending coverage to the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).

NCRIB clarifies doubts on number of registered brokers

T

he Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) has said that the list of 300 Insurance Brokers published on the website of National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) recently was not sacrosanct against speculations in some quarters.

Recently, some daily newspapers and online news media had reported that only 300 Insurance Brokers had been licensed by NAICOM to operate in the market, a report the NCRIB said was misleading.

The Council said what NAICOM did was to present to the public names of Brokers that had satisfied the renewal requirements up to the date of the publication in line with the Commission’s practice.

The Council explained that

...Record modest gains in Q1 modest returns, as Pension Alliance Guinness Fund and Pension Alliance Emenite Gratuity Fund, posted 2.57 per cent and 2.5 per cent respectively.

The pension funds, which gained from falling yield and rising bond prices in the first quarter of the year, seem to

have benefited from the CBN’s decision to hold the interest rate close to 11 per cent for a greater part of the quarter.

All the pension funds largely outperformed the NSE Pension Index, which posted a negative 14.86 per cent in Q1.

It is still arguable, however, if the NSE Pension Index is a good benchmark for the pension funds, because, while the pension funds are largely invested in fixed income securities (Bond and Treasury Bills), the NSE Pension Index is predominantly an all equity based index.

not all Brokers have the same renewal dates and that explains the differentiation in the period of the approval of their licenses by the Commission.

“If anyone cares to check the website on a daily basis, it would be observed that the number of the Brokers on the list keep increasing as per approval of their licenses. For instant, shortly after the publication by some media organizations, the number increased to 301, and as at when going to the press, the number has increased to 314. I am sure, before the end of the month, the number would have increased again and this underscores the fact that the list is not sacrosanct”, NCRIB stated.

The statement further disclosed that NCRIB and NAICOM had continued to forge effective collaboration in the area of statutory registration with the Council by Brokers as a prerequisite to their licensing by the National Insurance Commission.

To facilitate this process, the Council has put in place a Help Desk where members were required to seek assistance with regards to complaint with NAICOM statutory regulation requirement.

32

BUSINESS | Financial Market News

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

28-Apr-16

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

NA

NA

Description 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 ^15.54 13-FEB-2020 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 ^12.50 22-JAN-2026 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 12.50 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493 12.4000

581.39 480.13 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 576.93 605.31 719.99 266.02 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 1075.92 80.00

16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 22-Jan-26 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34 18-Mar-36

0.30 1.00 1.24 1.34 2.09 3.17 3.49 3.79 5.75 7.88 9.74 12.58 13.06 13.56 14.23 18.22 19.89

8.54 11.32 11.43 11.47 11.77 12.21 12.47 12.71 12.56 12.86 13.01 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.12 13.22 13.32

8.05 11.16 11.29 11.34 11.69 12.10 12.35 12.62 12.49 12.80 12.95 13.03 13.04 13.04 13.06 13.17 13.28

101.26 103.48 98.18 97.41 98.04 109.66 84.91 108.25 115.29 106.47 97.21 111.69 96.28 71.15 80.09 92.66 93.57

101.41 103.63 98.33 97.56 98.19 109.96 85.21 108.55 115.59 106.77 97.51 111.99 96.58 71.45 80.39 92.96 93.87

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

6,407.46

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

6,361.14

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

6362.457269

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

03-Apr-12

17.25

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

1.20

03-Apr-17

0.51

2.94

12.38

102.33

30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21 09-Dec-21 16-Feb-22 27-Feb-22 30-Mar-22 31-Mar-22 27-May-22

0.17 0.17 0.98 0.70 1.67 1.49 1.50 1.47 1.47 1.66 2.08 3.57 2.04 4.58 4.67 2.71 2.74 3.97 3.52 3.55 4.03 6.46 3.64

4.46 3.48 1.00 5.71 2.39 1.00 1.00 3.82 3.56 3.82 2.02 2.01 1.00 1.30 3.76 2.53 1.00 1.52 4.01 1.00 2.52 1.79 3.04

11.17 10.19 12.23 15.87 13.99 12.53 12.53 15.34 15.08 15.41 13.79 14.52 12.75 13.95 16.40 14.56 13.04 13.87 16.50 13.50 15.07 14.38 15.58

100.39 100.82 98.00 98.62 99.96 101.88 101.90 98.92 98.62 100.05 102.89 99.92 103.42 98.48 95.47 99.83 104.17 103.97 99.93 107.83 106.32 110.16 103.59

29-Sep-16 25-Oct-16 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17 30-Sep-17 30-Nov-17 09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18 09-Sep-18 30-Sep-18 18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19 01-Apr-19 06-Nov-20 14-Nov-20 04-Dec-20 20-Nov-21 30-Dec-21 13-May-22 26-Oct-22 30-Sep-24 30-Sep-24 29-Jul-30

0.42 0.49 0.61 0.98 1.19 1.42 0.88 1.20 1.37 1.37 2.42 1.47 1.55 1.68 2.27 4.55 3.05 5.56 5.67 6.04 4.21 8.42 8.42 9.55

1.00 1.34 1.00 5.49 5.25 1.88 1.88 3.15 6.35 1.00 1.17 4.42 6.11 3.28 4.47 1.00 3.55 2.51 1.00 1.00 2.77 1.00 1.00 1.00

10.06 10.72 10.84 16.72 16.65 13.38 12.73 14.56 17.83 12.48 13.08 15.94 17.66 14.88 16.32 13.65 15.72 15.09 13.59 13.60 15.45 13.90 13.90 13.99

101.14 101.65 102.94 99.79 99.76 99.50 104.96 101.47 100.09 104.14 101.83 99.73 100.37 101.53 97.72 105.25 99.44 96.87 111.02 111.58 101.59 111.59 96.79 104.51

10-Oct-20

2.57

3.37

15.34

98.81

Agency Bonds Nil

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

FMBN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1.20

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1.23

Sub-National Bonds BBB+/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto‡ ; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A-/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR† Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto‡ A-/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto Bbb-/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto A-/GCR

*BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA *BAUCHI *OYO *BENUE *PLATEAU KOGI *CROSS RIVER

30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 31-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14 09-Dec-14 17-Feb-15 27-Feb-15 30-Mar-15 01-Apr-15 27-May-15

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 15.50 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 16.50 OYO 16-FEB-2022 16.50 BENUE 27-FEB-2022 17.50 PLATEAU 30-MAR-2022 17.00 KOGI II 31-MAR-2022 17.00 CROSS RIVER 27-MAY-2022

14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00 15.50 16.50 16.50 17.50 17.00 17.00

1.30 2.05 57.00 16.45 25.00 23.44 4.22 10.98 8.14 21.68 12.55 80.00 21.65 87.50 5.00 4.03 4.04 14.37 4.39 4.53 27.10 3.00 7.68

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

446.12 447.92

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto Nil Nil Nil A/GCR BBB-/GCR Nil A-/DataPro†; CCC/GCR AAA/DataPro†; B/GCR A+/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto†; BBB+/GCR† BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR Nil A-/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB/GCR A/GCR BBB/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR A/GCR A/GCR AAA/GCR

NAHCO FSDH ***LCRM UBA *C & I LEASING *DANA#{r} *TOWER# *TOWER# UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS# *DANA#{r} *FCMB NAHCO *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC *FCMB UBA FIDELITY *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC STANBIC IBTC STANBIC IBTC *NMRC

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.00 FCMB 6-NOV-2020 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 15.50 TRANSCORP 4-DEC-2020 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 16.48 FIDELITY 13-MAY-2022 16.00 TRANSCORP 26-OCT-2022 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 14.90 NMRC 29-JUL-2030

29-Sep-11 25-Oct-13 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12 30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 30-Sep-11 18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14 06-Nov-15 14-Nov-13 04-Dec-15 20-Nov-14 30-Dec-14 13-May-15 26-Oct-15 30-Sep-14 30-Sep-14 29-Jul-15

13.00 14.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50 13.00 18.00 16.00 18.00 16.00 14.00 15.75 18.00 16.00 15.00 15.25 15.50 14.25 16.45 16.48 16.00 16.29 13.25 14.90

15.00 5.53 112.22 116.70 66.49 20.00 0.46 3.60 1.82 0.50 35.00 1.50 0.27 4.50 23.19 2.05 9.76 26.00 30.50 30.00 10.00 0.10 15.44 7.90

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

538.53

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

547.97

Sukuk BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

10-Oct-13

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

14.75

9.40

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

9.40

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

9.29

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

1.79

1.00

10.93

98.80

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

*AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

3.01

1.00

11.67

98.96

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

24.95 24.67 Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($’mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

7.48

7.25

97.11

98.02

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

5.50

5.07

99.23

100.11

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

7.75

7.58

92.50

93.40

Issuer

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,444.22

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

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

373.41

19-May-16

19.63

-1.40

99.44

100.40

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

8.66

7.02

98.37

100.26

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

20.67

19.44

78.14

79.82

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

8.01

8.01

95.50

95.50

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

9.09

9.09

92.75

92.75

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

16.94

16.23

81.07

82.51

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

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

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

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

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

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

13.70 13.89 14.53

13.70 13.89 14.53

82.25 83.00 76.00

82.25 83.00 76.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

12.23

11.76

84.88

86.63

DTM

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Discount Rate (%)

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

3,523.41 3,090.86 Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Yield @ Issue (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Commercial Papers Nil

GUINNESS NIGERIA

GUINNESS CP II 4-MAY-16

04-Nov-15

13.25

7.23

04-May-16

6

6.03

9.45

9.44

Nil

GUINNESS NIGERIA

GUINNESS CP III 29-JUL-16

04-Nov-15

13.75

2.77

29-Jul-16

92

6.18

14.51

14.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

10.00

**TREASURY BILLS^ DTM 7 21 28 35 42 49 56 63 77

FIXINGS Maturity 5-May-16 19-May-16 26-May-16 2-Jun-16 9-Jun-16 16-Jun-16 23-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 14-Jul-16

Bid Discount (%) 3.79 3.96 4.65 5.59 6.68 6.64 6.11 6.50 6.56

Offer Discount (%) 3.54 3.71 4.40 5.34 6.43 6.39 5.86 6.25 6.31

Bid Yield (%) 3.79 3.97 4.66 5.62 6.73 6.70 6.16 6.57 6.65

Money Market Tenor

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 3.8333 8.0295 10.4097 11.8627

Rate (%)

OBB

3.25

O/N

3.83

Tenor Call 1M 3M

REPO

Rate (%) 3.67 5.00 6.00

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M 6M

197.33 199.13 199.32 199.90 200.88 202.43 207.10

197.43 199.65 199.85 200.44 201.47 203.68 209.09

or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information.

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

NA MONDAY MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Description 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 ^15.54 13-FEB-2020 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 ^12.50 22-JAN-2026 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036

NA

APATHY Poor financial results currently being released to the investment Agency Bonds community erodes TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION investors’ confidence TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Nil

FMBN

Sub-National Bonds

BBB+/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto‡ ; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A-/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR† Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto‡ A-/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto Bbb-/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto A-/GCR

*BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA *BAUCHI *OYO *BENUE *PLATEAU KOGI *CROSS RIVER

Stories by Chris Ugwu

T

ransactions on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) ended the month of April 2016 on an unfavourable note, as key measurement indicators ended with a loss of N83 billion.

Available statistics show that activities on the floor TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUEof the NSE TOTAL MARKETto CAPITALISATION continued skew downward, Corporate Bonds as the market, which opened A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO at N8.704 trillion in market A-/Agusto FSDH Nil capitalisation and 25,306.22 in ***LCRM Nil Nil index at the beginning of tradA/GCR UBA BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASINGat ing in April, closed weekend Nil *DANA A-/DataPro†; trillion CCC/GCR *TOWER N8.621 and 25,062.41 in#{r}

#

*TOWER#

AAA/DataPro†; B/GCR A+/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto†; BBB+/GCR† BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR Nil A-/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB/GCR A/GCR BBB/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR A/GCR A/GCR AAA/GCR

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 12.50 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493 12.4000

581.39 480.13 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 576.93 605.31 719.99 266.02 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 1075.92 80.00

16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 22-Jan-26 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34 18-Mar-36

0.30 1.00 1.24 1.34 2.09 3.17 3.49 3.79 5.75 7.88 9.74 12.58 13.06 13.56 14.23 18.22 19.89

8.54 11.32 11.43 11.47 11.77 12.21 12.47 12.71 12.56 12.86 13.01 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.12 13.22 13.32

8.05 11.16 11.29 11.34 11.69 12.10 12.35 12.62 12.49 12.80 12.95 13.03 13.04 13.04 13.06 13.17 13.28

101.26 103.48 98.18 97.41 98.04 109.66 84.91 108.25 115.29 106.47 97.21 111.69 96.28 71.15 80.09 92.66 93.57

101.41 103.63 98.33 97.56 98.19 109.96 85.21 108.55 115.59 106.77 97.51 111.99 96.58 71.45 80.39 92.96 93.87

33

Shareholders lost N83bn in April 6,407.46

6362.457269

6,361.14

Partnership Plc, IssueInvestment Date Coupon (%) Mr. Victor Ogiemwonyi while 17.25 explaining 03-Apr-12 why the activities in Nigerian capital market has been on downward swing for a considerable period of 14.00 time, 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 15.50 said the market lacks long-term 19-Apr-10 10.00 30-Jun-10 liquidity and this makes it13.75 hard 31-Dec-10 14.00 to attract investors who 14.00 don’t 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 14.00 see growth in the immediate.

09-Dec-11 14.50 14.00 He said: 12-Dec-13 “Those who have 14-Feb-12 15.50 02-Oct-12 15.50 traditionally22-Nov-12 provided liquidity 14.50 12-Dec-12 14.75 have gone away one by one.

The 27-Nov-13 13.50 retail investors were driven15.00 away 31-Dec-13

dex points, hence, has earned a Description loss of about N83 billion or 0.96 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 per cent year to date.

Despite the fact that the last two trading days of April witnessed bullish rally on the lo14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 cal bourse with a gain of N88 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA billion, low 30-JUN-2017 sentiment in the 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 market had30-SEP-2018 worsened following 14.00 DELTA 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 investment apathy, which had 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 made both foreign and local 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 on the sideinvestors remained 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 OSUN lines14.75 due to12-DEC-2019 upset in the financial 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 market arising from drop in oil 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 price, insecurities, poor FY 2015 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 15.50 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 financial results and currently 16.50 OYO 16-FEB-2022 16.50 BENUE 27-FEB-2022 the Q12016 results being released 17.50 PLATEAU 30-MAR-2022 17.00 KOGI II 31-MAR-2022 to the investment community.

17.00 CROSS RIVER 27-MAY-2022 Financial analysts believed some of these factors sent a shock wave to both local and 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 foreign and created un14.25 investors FSDH 25-OCT-2016 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 certainty the investment envi0.00/16.50in LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 ronment, which led to retreat on 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 the part of the bargain hunters.

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 The Chairman/CEO of

UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS# *DANA#{r}

*FCMB NAHCO

31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14 09-Dec-14 17-Feb-15 27-Feb-15 30-Mar-15 01-Apr-15 27-May-15

14.50 15.00 15.50 16.50 16.50 17.50 17.00 17.00

# Risk Premium (%)

Avg. Life/TTM in the crash ofMaturity 2008Date with the casi(Yrs) no banking crisis we saw and the 1.20 losses that 03-Apr-17 severe followed. 0.51 They 1.20 have not come back. The banks 1.23 that provided margin loans have also1.30permanently 30-Jun-16stayed away 0.17 2.05 30-Jun-16 0.17 and57.00 now foreign portfolio inves19-Apr-17 0.98 30-Jun-17 0.70 tors16.45 who want quick profits have 25.00 31-Dec-17 1.67 also23.44 left for good.

30-Sep-18 1.49 4.22 04-Oct-18 1.50 “We will have to seriously 10.98 09-Dec-18 1.47 8.14 12-Dec-18 1.47 find some way to make liquid21.68 14-Feb-19 1.66 12.55 02-Oct-19 2.08 ity 80.00 available 22-Nov-19 for the market.

3.57 21.65 who talk 12-Dec-19 2.04 Those of confidence 87.50 27-Nov-20 4.58 are5.00 right but31-Dec-20 that is not4.67the

Valuation Yield problem now.

The Modelled market has Price (%) gone through a lot of reforms 2.94 the regulation 12.38 102.33 and is much better now. Liquidity will correct the remaining issues. to the 4.46“Investors 11.17 will come 100.39 3.48 100.82 market if 10.19 they know they have 1.00 12.23 98.00 5.71 chance15.87 98.62. They the to make money 2.39 13.99 99.96 will they know101.88 that they 1.00 come if 12.53 1.00 12.53 101.90 can out when they 3.82 come 15.34 98.92 want 3.56 15.08 98.62 to.

They will come if they know 3.82 15.41 100.05 2.02 13.79 102.89 that the market is well regulat2.01 14.52 99.92 1.00 They will 12.75 103.42 if all ed. stay away 1.30 13.95 98.48 these are not 3.76 16.40 available.”

95.47

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

4.03 4.04 14.37 4.39 4.53 27.10 3.00 7.68

31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21 09-Dec-21 16-Feb-22 27-Feb-22 30-Mar-22 31-Mar-22 27-May-22

2.71 2.74 3.97 3.52 3.55 4.03 6.46 3.64

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

2.53 1.00 1.52 4.01 1.00 2.52 1.79 3.04

14.56 13.04 13.87 16.50 13.50 15.07 14.38 15.58

99.83 104.17 103.97 99.93 107.83 106.32 110.16 103.59

Bid Price

Offer Price

Shareholders approve FCMB’s N1.98bn dividend

S

hareholders of FCMB Group Plc have approved the payment of cash div29-Sep-11 13.00 idends25-Oct-13 of N1.98 billion, 14.25 trans09-Dec-11 0.00/16.00 lating to 10 kobo per ordinary 20-Apr-12 0.00/16.50 06-Jul-12 share, 30-Sep-10 for the year0.00/16.50 ended De13.00 30-Nov-12 18.00 cember 31, 2015.

09-Apr-11 16.00 18.00 at the The09-Sep-11 shareholders 09-Sep-11 16.00 3rd Annual Meeting 30-Sep-11 General 14.00 18-Oct-13 15.75 (AGM)17-Feb-12 held in Lagos, com18.00 01-Apr-14 mended the board of 16.00 Directors 06-Nov-15 15.00 for the14-Nov-13 dividend in spite 15.25 of eco04-Dec-15 nomic20-Nov-14 challenges of 15.50 2015.

14.25 30-Dec-14 16.45 Speaking at the meeting, 13-May-15 16.48 26-Oct-15 16.00 Coordinator, Independent 30-Sep-14 16.29 Shareholders Association 30-Sep-14 13.25 29-Jul-15 14.90 of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, commended FCMB for its resilience.

He noted that the14.75 fact that 10-Oct-13 the institution paid a dividend of 10 kobo shows that it had all it takes to overcome 11-Feb-13 10.20 the situation.

10-Jul-14 11.25 “Things may be tough now, but it will not last for-

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.00 FCMB 6-NOV-2020 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 15.50 TRANSCORP 4-DEC-2020 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 16.48 FIDELITY 13-MAY-2022 16.00 TRANSCORP 26-OCT-2022 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 14.90 NMRC 29-JUL-2030

Nestle Nigeria’s Q12016 PAT rise by 126%

N

BUSINESS | Financial Market News

HOTELS PLC estle Nigeria*TRANSCORP Plc has lion recorded in 2014. *FCMB posted a 126 UBA per cent Revenue equally grew by six FIDELITY *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC growth in profit after per cent to N151.271 billion durSTANBIC IBTC tax for the first quarter ended ing the year under review, from STANBIC IBTC *NMRC March 31, 2016.

N143.322 billion in 2014.

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE The company in a filing with Based on the financial perTOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION the Nigerian Stock Exchange formance, the board of direcSukuk (NSE) posted a profit after tax of tors 14.75 proposed final dividend of BBB-/Agusto *OSUN OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 TOTAL OUTSTANDING N6.681 billion forVALUE the first quar- N19.00 per share.

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION ter of the year compared with The company had begun the Supranational Bond a year earlier, inN2.954 billion year 2015 with bad numbers, 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC dicating a growth of 126 per cent. posting 50.6 per cent decrease 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P *AfDB TOTAL VALUE ItsOUTSTANDING profit before tax firmed in profit before tax for the first TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION up by 150 per cent, from N3.487 quarter ended March 31, 2015. billionRating/Agency in 2015 to N8.725 billion The company’s Description financial Issuer recorded in 2016. statement showed profit before FGN Eurobonds Revenue equally grew by 31 tax of N3.487 billion 6.75 compared JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P BB-/Fitch; per cent to N36.130 billion durwith N7.071 billion5.13aJUL year earFGN 12, 2018 BB-/S&P ing the period under review, lier, indicating a drop of 50.6 BB-/Fitch; 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 BB-/S&P from N27.556 billion in 2015. per cent.

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Revenue also fell to N27.556 Nestle Nigeria reported a 20 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION per centEurobonds growth in profit before billion, from N33.425 billion in Corporate 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I the same period last year, reptax for the financial year ended 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC December 31, 2015. resenting a decrease of 17.5 per 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLCtax It posted a profit before cent.

6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC of N29.322 billion for theBANK fullPLC The trends of unimpressive 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC year compared with N24.445 performance following harsh 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD billion a year earlier, indicat- operating milieu continued in 8.75 AUG 14, 2021 B-/S&P ECOBANK NIG. LTD ing a OUTSTANDING growth of VALUE 20 per cent. the half year, as Nestle Nigeria TOTAL TOTAL Its MARKET profit CAPITALISATION after tax firmed up Plc posted 23.86 per cent deby seven per cent, from N23.736 crease in profit before tax for the Description Rating/Agency Issuer billion in 2015 to N22.235 bil- first half ended June 30, 2015.

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

ever. Following our advice to the Board and Management, we are optimistic that FCMB 15.00 29-Sep-16 0.42 will perform better going 5.53 25-Oct-16 0.49 for112.22 08-Dec-16 0.61 ward” he added.

116.70 19-Apr-17 0.98 66.49 06-Jul-17 1.19 Another shareholder, Alha20.00 30-Sep-17 1.42 0.46 30-Nov-17 0.88 ji Kabiru Tambari, expressed 3.60 09-Apr-18 1.20 1.82 09-Sep-18 appreciation to FCMB1.37 for the 0.50 09-Sep-18 1.37 dividend payment and2.42other 35.00 30-Sep-18 1.50 18-Oct-18 1.47 strategies 17-Feb-19 put in place1.55 to en0.27 4.50 01-Apr-19 1.68 hance performance.

23.19 06-Nov-20 2.27 “We believe 2.05 He said: 14-Nov-20 4.55 that 9.76 04-Dec-20 3.05 the institution will continue 26.00 20-Nov-21 5.56 30.50 30-Dec-21 5.67 to improve and add more 30.00 13-May-22 6.04 10.00 26-Oct-22 4.21 value to shareholders”.

0.10 30-Sep-24 8.42 of 8.42 FCMB 15.44 The Chairman 30-Sep-24 7.90 29-Jul-30 9.55 Group, Dr. Jonathan Long, 538.53 said: “Although 2015 posed 547.97 many challenges for the Group, it was again possible 9.40 10-Oct-20 2.57 for us to continue the develop9.40 9.29 ment of our core banking franchise and to do so profitably.

12.00 11-Feb-18 1.79 “With the depth and3.01 range 12.95 01-Feb-21 of professional excellence 24.95 24.67 among our staff, and benefit-

ting from our strong Board and Committee structure, the Group will deal successfully 1.00 10.06 101.14 with the10.72 challenges101.65 of 2016 1.34 1.00 10.84 102.94 and continue to lay a path for 5.49 16.72 99.79 5.25 16.65 99.76 future growth and prosperity 1.88 13.38 99.50 1.88 12.73 104.96 in a sustainable manner’’.

3.15 14.56 101.47 6.35 The Managing 17.83 100.09 Director of 1.00 12.48 104.14 FCMB Group Plc, Mr. 1.17 13.08 101.83 Peter 4.42 15.94 99.73 Obaseki17.66 said: “As we seek to 6.11 100.37 3.28 14.88 businesses 101.53in the build more 4.47 16.32 97.72 retail space, we hope to fully 1.00 13.65 105.25 3.55 15.72 99.44 launch a micro-finance busi2.51 15.09 96.87 1.00 13.59 111.02 ness as a full subsidiary of the 1.00 13.60 111.58 2.77 15.45seek opportunities 101.59 Group and 1.00 13.90 111.59 to improve controlling par1.00 13.90 96.79 1.00 13.99 104.51 ticipation in the pension fund industry; we expect our nonpension asset management and private trusteeship busi3.37 15.34 98.81 ness to grow more steadily. A combination of these initiatives will reduce the pressure 1.00 10.93 98.80 on the bank’s balance sheet 1.00 11.67 98.96 and steer activities to less capital intensive businesses’’.

446.12 447.92

Outstanding Value ($’mm)

Offer Yield (%)

CIS elects Abe president

T

Prices & Yields

he Council of 6.75 the Char- 500.00 07-Oct-11 28-Jan-21 7.48 7.25 97.11 98.02 tered Institute of Stock- 500.00 12-Jul-13 5.13 12-Jul-18 5.50 5.07 99.23 100.11 brokers (CIS) has elected 500.00 tute’s Annual General7.75Meet- 7.58 kets, Pension Management 12-Jul-13 6.38 12-Jul-23 92.50 93.40 ing (AGM).

Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe as the Presi- 1,500.00 Treasury, Asset Management, dent and Chairman of the Gov- 1,444.22Prior to his election, Abe, Corporate Finance and Wealth erning Council of the Institute. a fellow of the CIS was the Creation among others.

19-May-11 19-May-16 99.44groomed 100.40 Also, the duo, Mr.7.50 Adedapo 373.41 Acting President and19.63 he had -1.40 He was as an in25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 8.66 7.02 98.37 100.26 Adekoje and Mr. Olatunde served in several capacities vestment banker in the then 09-May-13 6.88 300.00 02-May-18 20.67 19.44 78.14 79.82 08-Nov-13 6.00elected 400.00 08-Nov-18 8.01 8.01 95.50 95.50 Amolegbe have been at the Institute.

Oba Oladele Olashore-led 22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 22-Apr-19 9.09 9.09 92.75 92.75 finan- 16.23 as the First Vice President and 200.00 Abe, a distinguished Lead Bank.

Abe, the82.51 former 21-May-14 8.75 21-May-19 16.94 81.07 8.25 300.00 07-Aug-20 13.70 13.70 82.25 82.25 Second07-Aug-13 Vice President respeccial market operator according Chief Investment Officer of 24-Jun-14 9.25 400.00 24-Jun-21 13.89 13.89 83.00 83.00 23-Jul-14 8.00 450.00 23-Jul-21 14.53 76.00 76.00 tively, according to a statement. to the statement, brings into 14.53 AIICO Pensions Managers 14-Aug-14 8.75 250.00 14-Aug-21 12.23 11.76 84.88 86.63 The elections of the princi- 3,523.41 the saddle, a robust wealth of has recorded many milestones experience spanning over two in the Pension industry. He is pal officers were announced 3,090.86 during the Council’s meeting decades in Investment Bank- Risk a renowned consultant both Outstanding Value Valuation Yield DTM Issue Date Yield @ Issue (%) Maturity Date Discount Rate (%) Premium (%) immediately after the Insti- (₦’bn) ing, Money and Capital Mar- (%) locally and internationally. #

Commercial Papers Nil

GUINNESS NIGERIA

GUINNESS CP II 4-MAY-16

04-Nov-15

13.25

7.23

04-May-16

6

6.03

9.45

9.44

Nil

GUINNESS NIGERIA

GUINNESS CP III 29-JUL-16

04-Nov-15

13.75

2.77

29-Jul-16

92

6.18

14.51

14.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

28-Apr-16

10.00

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). not constitute professional, financial or **TREASURY BILLS^ FIXINGS Money MarketThe Information does Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) DTM We attempt to ensure the Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) investment advice.

Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” (%) and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date.

We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance NIBOR 7 5-May-16 3.79 3.54 3.79 OBB 3.25 Tenor Bid ($/N) Offer ($/N) or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information.

21 19-May-16 3.96 3.71 3.97 Tenor Rate (%) 28 26-May-16 4.65 35 2-Jun-16 5.59 42 9-Jun-16 6.68 49 16-Jun-16 6.64 56 23-Jun-16 6.11 63 30-Jun-16 6.50 77 14-Jul-16 6.56 Rating/Agency Issuer Description 84 21-Jul-16 7.68 91 28-Jul-16 8.07 98 4-Aug-16 13.05 16-AUG-2016 7.81 105 11-Aug-16 8.21 15.10 27-APR-2017 8.11 112 18-Aug-16 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.04 126 1-Sep-16 133 8-Sep-16 9.35 31-AUG-2017 8.86 147 22-Sep-16 9.02 10.70 30-MAY-2018 9.48 161 6-Oct-16 168 13-Oct-16 ^16.00 29-JUN-20199.13 175 20-Oct-16 8.63 7.00 23-OCT-2019 8.98 182 27-Oct-16 ^15.54 13-FEB-20209.38 189 3-Nov-16 203 17-Nov-16 NA NA ^16.39 27-JAN-20229.55 217 1-Dec-16 9.15 ^14.20 14-MAR-20249.41 224 8-Dec-16 231 15-Dec-16 ^12.50 22-JAN-20269.33 252 5-Jan-17 9.21 15.00 28-NOV-2028 9.78 266 19-Jan-17 12.49 22-MAY-2029 9.94 280 2-Feb-17 294 16-Feb-17 8.50 20-NOV-2029 9.94 308 2-Mar-17 ^10.00 23-JUL-203010.02 322 16-Mar-17 10.11 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 329 23-Mar-17 10.39 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036 343 6-Apr-17 10.40 357 20-Apr-17 10.39 *for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the TTM

4.40 5.34 6.43 6.39 5.86 6.25 6.31 Issue Date 7.43 7.82 7.56 16-Aug-13 7.96 27-Apr-12 7.86 27-Jul-07 8.79 8.61 31-Aug-07 8.77 30-May-08 9.23 8.88 29-Jun-12 8.38 23-Oct-09 8.73 13-Feb-15 9.13 9.30 27-Jan-12 8.90 14-Mar-14 9.16 9.08 22-Jan-16 8.96 28-Nov-08 9.53 22-May-09 9.69 9.69 20-Nov-09 9.77 23-Jul-10 9.86 18-Jul-14 10.14 18-Mar-16 10.15 10.14

FGN Bonds

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4.66

5.62 Bonds

6.73 6.70 6.16 6.57 6.65 Coupon (%) 7.82 8.24 7.97 13.05 8.41 15.10 8.32 9.85 9.33 9.16 9.35 9.36 10.70 9.89 9.53 16.00 9.00 7.00 9.40 15.54 9.86 10.09 16.39 9.68 14.20 9.99 9.92 12.50 9.83 15.00 10.53 12.49 10.76 10.81 8.50 10.95 10.00 11.09 12.1493 11.46 12.4000 11.53 11.57

Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Modified Duration Buckets

FMBN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds BBB+/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto‡ ; A-/GCR†

*BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA *NIGER *EKITI

O/N Tenor Call 1M 3M TTM (Yrs) 6M

Outstanding Value NITTY Maturity Date (₦’bn) Tenor 1M 581.39 2M 480.13 3M 20.00 6M 9M 100.00 12M

3.83

REPO

Rate (%) 4.8612 16-Aug-16 6.7373 27-Apr-17 8.1864 27-Jul-17 9.1414 10.4131 31-Aug-17 11.7788

300.00 30-May-18 351.30 29-Jun-19 NIFEX 233.90 23-Oct-19 576.93 13-Feb-20 Current Price ($/N) BID($/N) 605.31 199.0000 27-Jan-22 OFFER ($/N) 199.1000 719.99 14-Mar-24 266.02 22-Jan-26 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 1075.92 18-Jul-34 80.00 18-Mar-36

Rate (%) 3.67 5.00 6.00 Bid6.83 Yield

(%)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M Offer 6M Yield 1Y (%)

0.30 8.54 8.05 NOTE: 1.00 11.32 11.16 :Benchmarks 1.24Bond 11.43 11.29 * :Amortising µ :Convertible 1.34Bond 11.47 11.34 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 2.09Government of Nigeria 11.77 11.69 FGN: Federal FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 3.17 12.21 12.10 IFC: International Finance Corporation 3.49 12.47 12.35 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 3.79 Aviation Handling 12.71 Company 12.62 NAHCO: Nigerian O/N: Overnight 5.75 12.56 12.49 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 7.88Africa Portland Cement 12.86 Company12.80 WAPCO:West 9.74 13.01 12.95 12.58 13.08 13.03 13.06 13.09 13.04 13.56 13.10 13.04 14.23 13.12 13.06 18.22 13.22 13.17 19.89 13.32 13.28

6,407.46

197.33 199.13 199.32 199.90 200.88 202.43 207.10 Bid Price 215.68

197.43 199.65 199.85 Price 200.44 201.47 203.68 209.09 Offer Price 221.14

101.26 103.48

101.41 103.63

97.21 111.69 96.28 71.15 80.09 92.66 93.57

97.51 111.99 96.58 71.45 80.39 92.96 93.87

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

NA :Not Applicable 98.18 98.33 ^ : Market Prices # : Floating Rate Bond 97.41 97.56 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 98.04 98.19 DTM: Days-To-Maturity TTM: Term-To-Maturity 109.66 109.96 ‡ : Bond rating under review 84.91 85.21 †: Bond rating expired 108.55 N/A :Not108.25 Available {r} :Issuer in receivership 115.29 115.59 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 106.47 106.77 UBA: United Bank for Africa

6362.457269

Outstanding Value Issue Date Coupon (%) FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX (₦’bn)

Description

Issuer

Agency Bonds Nil

3.8333 8.0295 10.4097 11.8627

6,361.14

#

**Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Rating/Agency

O/N 1M 3M 6M

Porfolio Market Value (₦’bn)

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

<3 3<5 >5 Market

988.11 1,464.41 1,470.72 3,923.24

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

Total Outstanding Volume (₦’bn)

Weighting by Outstanding Volume

908.23 1,325.30 1,667.49 3,901.02

23.28 33.97 42.74 100.00

03-Apr-12

30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 31-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13

Weighting by Mkt Value

17.25

25.19 37.33 37.49 100.00

14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00

Bucket Weighting

1.20

1.20 1.23 1.30 2.05 57.00 16.45 25.00 23.44 4.22 10.98 8.14

0.23 0.34 0.43 1.00

Maturity Date % Exposure_ Mod_Duration

03-Apr-17

12.52 29.41 58.08 100.00

30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs) Implied Yield

0.51

12.54 12.74 13.19 12.97

0.17 0.17 0.98 0.70 1.67 1.49 1.50 1.47 1.47

# Risk Premium (%)

Implied Portfolio Price

2.94

135.9269 150.3549 113.4768 131.2323

4.46 3.48 1.00 5.71 2.39 1.00 1.00 3.82 3.56

INDEX

12.38

1,236.62 1,303.49 1,368.08 1,249.67

11.17 10.19 12.23 15.87 13.99 12.53 12.53 15.34 15.08

YTD Return (%)

102.33 11.6235 28.7303 35.8547 18.4319

100.39 100.82 98.00 98.62 99.96 101.88 101.90 98.92 98.62

34

BUSINESS | Interview

Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, an economist and administrator, is a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). In this interview with ABDULWAHAB ISA in Abuja, he noted that while a lot had been achieved in the area of curbing corruption and plugging of leaking treasury, Buhari’s administration is yet to get it right in terms of economic direction, after almost one year in office President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will be one year in matter of weeks. Do you think the administration has met the yearnings of Nigerians?

May be one year in office is not enough to make a definitive judgment. I’m afraid to say that they did not start on a strong footing and, part of the problem, I suspect, is that, in fact, they were taken completely unawares by their victory; I mean the victory of the APC. They were thinking the election could be rigged again and what they were hoping would be that there would be showdown somehow. That was what they prepared for. I don’t think they were prepared to govern. It took them by surprise and, of course, it was positive surprise. And what does that mean?

To be honest, they did not have a clear plan of governing the country; having a wish list for election campaign is not the same thing as having a master plan and economic blue print to govern a great country like Nigeria, so, that is part of the difficulty they have.

But, despite that, they have done some things well. For instance, Nigeria’s credibility has been restored within the comity of nations.

People no longer see Nigeria as basket case of corrupt and misrule country, rather they see Nigeria as a country positively disposed towards good governance, the rule of law and transparency. Secondly, the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is a good development. It may not completely plug the holes due to financial hemorrhage in the public sector, but it promises to limit them to manageable degree, so it’s a welcome development. The fight against corruption is a very good thing and we are getting some successes for that. So I will say kudos to the administration for its courage and perseverance. Where there have been difficulties, for example, it took a long time to constitute the cabinet. And I don’t think the time-wasted merits what we got. If they were going to come up with what we have now, why do they have to wait for so long? A lot of time was wasted and what turned out was totally business as usual. That wasting of time for no purpose and as we speak, the budget has yet to be passed and I don’t think that process has been managed very well. There was a time when the president of this country had to appeal to the Nigerian people to fight for their rights that had been jeopardised by the then National Assembly.

You said it appears that the APC-led government was not prepared for victory at the polls.

What then will you advice they should do to give Nigerians a positive change?

I’m still optimistic about this government.

Let us hope that in the second year we are going to see real action. It’s not too late, the implementation of the budget is a key factor and we are hopeful that our hope will not be misplaced. Secondly, we hear that they are setting out a mechanism - policy monitory and implementation. Let’s us hope the instrument, that vehicle will be enough because the best of intentions have never being good enough in the way Nigeria manages its economic policy. The issue has always been on the nitty-gritty of implementation. We hope they will come up with something more ro-

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari’s govt lacks

Mailafia

bust and something more interesting that will give Nigerians hope.

Let’s look at the attempt to diversify the economy. How do we move from lip service approach to economy’s diversification and begin to see it happen?

To be honest, there are no quick measures to set up factories and build industries, it takes time. It’s not something that can be done overnight, but we can begin to look at the way investors structured their investment portfolios so that we put more emphasis on diversifying the economic base. What worries me is that I hear most of the time government talking about diversification in relation to only two items. When they talk about diversification, they mention agriculture and solid minerals. To me, the missing pillar there is manufacturing. We need an economic team, an economic master plan and a blue print for this economy; we need a team of warhorses in the arena fighting for the survival of this country and fighting for our place under the sun in the highly competitive integrated global market. We are yet to see bold action in terms of diversification and that worries me very much.

The president has undertaken many foreign trips with each being greeted with varied reactions. Was the recent one to China, which has $6 billion worth of investments component for

The fight against corruption is a very good thing and we are getting some successes for that

Nigeria worth it?

I think it was a good trip; the figure of $6.5 billion has been bandied about as the worth of investments expected to flow into the Nigerian economy. I think it’s good. China is the second biggest trading partner to Nigeria.

The total volume of our trade with China currently stands at about over $14 billion.

The number one slot belongs to India, which is over $17 billion per annum and these are very huge amounts and, of course, it’s in our national interest to develop strong economic diplomacy with China as our trading partner.

I think the visit is a good one. I understand why some people worry that the frequency of travels are becoming too much and wondered whether there is any purpose to achieve from these trips. In those days, Nigeria was very isolated in the past and now I think if we are called to G-7, the G-12 and the rest of it, I think we should think twice before we say no to it.

I think the opportunity to visit China was a good thing and I hope there will be positive spine-offs from such visits.

There are concerns that with the local currency unofficially undervalued, Nigeria will be at the receiving end of the currency swap agreement signed with China. From an economist’s point of view, what does it entail?

I don’t share that view. It’s a win-win deal. Currency swaps are not new; in fact, China has had currency swaps with many

BUSINESS | Interview

MONDAY MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

35

economic policy –Mailafia CV Career:

Lecturer in Nigeria, Oxford and London, visiting professor/Doctoral supervisor at the faculty of Applied Economics of the Free University of Brussels, worked with Africa Development Bank (ABD) in Abidjan and later Tunis CBN Deputy Governor( Economic Policy) between 2005-2007

Total pay: NIL Education: BSc (Economics, politics and Sociology) 1978 from ABU M.phil in international Economics and public Administration at IIAP-Ecole National d’administration, Paris in 1986 PHD at University of Oxford in 1995.

countries. A few years ago, they did 100 billion pounds currency swap with the United Kingdom, they have done currency swap with the United Arab Emirate, Qatar, Denmark and many others, so it’s not a completely new thing. They have also done it with many emerging markets, so it’s not new. A time when the exchange rate, the naira, is under heavy pressure and dollars are becoming very scarce, the swap offers an opportunity for Nigeria business men to have access to Yuan to transact their business without having to go through the trouble of acquiring dollar that would impose higher transactional cost, put greater pressure on naira. Now that we have another currency, a piece of currency to do business, the Yuan will also be part of the basket of currencies in Nigeria foreign exchange market. That arrangement will reduce the pressure on naira.

The percentage of China’s products in Nigeria is quite high, but there is the belief that Chinese products sent to Nigeria market are inferior.

How can government protect the country from being a dumping ground for China’s inferior goods?

I agree with you and there is a legitimate ground to nurse such fear because there has been similar trend towards trade dumping from China and that is not good enough. It’s very bad for our industry, it short-changes us and it’s not in our interest. If I were the president, on that trip, I would have signed an executive agreement with China President, Xi Jinping and it would be a very simple executive treaty and it’s to this effect: That under no circumstance shall inferior goods from China be dumped in Nigeria market, because the Chinese have been complaining that, its’ not their fault, that the Nigeria business people come here and say ‘look, make it at a certain standard that we can afford it.’

If it’s too expensive back home, our people won’t be able to afford it. The Chinese will tell you that, even if you want $1 product, they will make it for you. You use such goods once or twice and it gets spoilt. Now, with that kind of executive agreement with our president, what that will mean is that both on Chinese and Nigeria traders, they are not to bring inferior goods to Nigeria. We can stop it by executive action and this is something that is needed to be done so that if anybody brings inferior goods to Nigeria, both the producer, the suppler and the traders should be punished. If we do that, they are going to stop importation of inferior goods, dumping of inferior and even sometimes dangerous products in Nigeria market. And we should encourage the Chinese to also come here and

Mailafia

invest in Nigeria. They should not just export their surplus labour, but engage Nigerians in some of the businesses they set up here.

So far, I don’t find Chinese have done very well, we still have a long way to go in building a fair and just business partnership with China.

We still have a long way to go in building a fair and just business partnership with China

The cost of borrowing in financial system is still very high; inflation is at 12.8% and the central bank has hinted of fresh hike in its lending rate.

What does a fresh MPR hike portend for an economy already facing recession?

I think they took that action in the light of rising inflation pressures. The prices of food stuffs have doubled. People are suffering and this is not really the time to raise the MPR because you might just tow yourself into recession. When you do that, the cost of borrowing becomes very high; it means that people can’t invest as a result of high cost of borrowing. You may end up creating a situation of problem reinforcing another and it can jolt the whole economy into the recession we want to avoid. We should find ways of boosting confidence; we should find ways of spending so as to get businesses back to work, to get Nigerians to work and to reduce pressures on prices. That is what is needed.

What will you advice government to do quickly in order to reduce the current economic pains?

On the oil situation, no quick solution, let’s be very honest and sincere with ourselves. I don’t know what to say because when you want to run a country like this, you must be very strategic. We need an economic blue print and to move out of an oil dependent economy, we need an interim measure, which is to build and deepen oil reserves. Do we have strategic oil reserves in Nigeria? No. Nobody has ever thought of that. Whether there is oil or not, there

must be reserves – a pile up of strategic oil reserves. That has not been done and we need more confidence in power. If given the opportunity, I will nationalise generator importation in the country. Nobody will sell generator and that will force the cartels those people trying to block the development of energy sector so that their own business can grow, we will cut them off. Only government can sell generators, you buy only from government. That way, whether government loses or does not lose, it’s not an issue because the interest is to get the power sector working. And that will undercut the profit behind generator import, those trying to destroy the power sector. We need drastic measures if we are to make progress. I think we need a robust economic team. I fear what we have now is a stop-gap measure, they are not comprehensive enough and they are not strategic enough. We need bold action. The corruption measure should go a few years back. We know all the people that have monies abroad. Nigeria has nearly $200 billion starched away abroad. Italy did something some years back, they declared amnesty for six months and government said ‘bring all these monies back no - question. We allow you to invest it in the economy, at least, to generate jobs. After the lapse of amnesty offer, we have the right to pursue you and to confiscate the money.’ Italy did that and billions went back to Italy and it really helped.

Right now, that money is not helping Nigerians. If we don’t take action, we may as well lose it forever, so, give these guys the option to bring back what they starched away to invest in the economy. No question, as long as you invest it in the country, otherwise we lose it forever. There are other things that can be done as quick solutions. There are problems that are structural and there are ones that are long term.

36

BUSINESS | MONEYLINE

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Forex dealers blame banks for naira volatility CULPABILITY Lenders sell forex to black market operators Stories by Tony Chukwunyem

F

oreign exchange dealers in the country have attributed the continued volatility of the naira on the parallel market to the activities of Deposit

Money Banks (DMBs).

Many of the dealers who spoke in separate interviews with New Telegraph accused the DMBs of actively patronising parallel market operators, a development they said, has resulted in the persistence of the wide gap between the parallel market and official exchange rates of the naira to the dollar.

Although the naira has consistently traded at about N199 to the dollar on the official interbank market since March 2015, it has continued to fluctuate

against the greenback on the parallel market where it currently exchanges at between N321 and N322 to the dollar.

According a Lagos based forex dealer, who did want his name in print, the banks have been taking advantage of the wide gap between the parallel market and official exchange rates of the naira to the dollar to rake in hundreds of millions of naira on a monthly basis.

He alleged that banks usually sold forex sourced from unofficial sources such as diaspora

Skye Bank tasks SMEs on financial discipline S kye Bank Plc has advised Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) operators in the country to put in place effective and strong internal control measures as a critical success factor.

Head, Small Business Group of the Bank, Mrs. Ayodele Olojede, gave the advice in Benin City at the weekend during the Bank’s on-going Pan-Nigeria SME seminar organised to help small business owners overcome the usual problems confronting them.

According to a statement from the lender, Olojede said through effective controls and financial discipline, SMEs have a good chance of growing and become major employers

of labour and the engine of growth and development.

She said Skye Bank took the initiative to educate and empower SME operators with knowledge and skills to ensure they run their businesses efficiently and effectively to guarantee business survival and continuity.

The special guest at the seminar, who is also the Managing Director of Omega Foods and Restaurant, Benin, Mr. Alex Otuya, stressed the importance of training, innovation, good record keeping as critical success factors for business.

Otuya said SME owners should personally supervise their businesses to promote a culture of excellence as well

as pay emphasis on quality of their products and services.

He advised the business owners to avoid ostentatious living through spending their early profits, saying early profit of the business should be reinvested into the business.

A Bank of Industry Consultant, Engr. Adolphus Ojobo, explained the basic steps the business owners should take to access funds from the Bank of Industry and other banks to grow their businesses.

According to him, record keeping, bankable projects and good leadership qualities are essential in business management, emphasising that doing otherwise is inimical to the growth of business.

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

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 12.8 12 10.77 US$44.77 US$27,123,309,570

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 Mar, 2016 23/03/2016 Mar 2015 29/4/2016 28/4/2016

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

197.00

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

remittances, and dollar earnings

by Nigerians at home to parallel market operators at rates of between N270 and N300 to the dollar.

He pointed out that with the CBN not requiring banks to account for the utilisation of forex purchased from unofficial sources, the lenders have in recent months increased their dealings with parallel market operators.

He said, “The banks currently buying forex from other sources at an amount that is much higher than the CBN’s official rate.

They then sell at their own rate, which is closer to the parallel market rate. If you ask them why they are doing this, they will tell you that the CBN does not have enough dollars to give to them so, they have to source for their forex themselves, which they will also have to sell at a rate that will enable them to make profit from the transaction.”

He predicted that efforts to narrow the gap between the official

and parallel market rates will not be successfully unless the CBN stops banks from selling forex to parallel market operators.

He noted that the bank fully seized this opportunity when the CBN stopped its weekly forex sales to Bureaux De Change (BDC) last January.

It will be recalled that the President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, had called on the CBN to make BDCs agents of payment that will be allowed to receive diaspora remittances funds. He contended this would help to reduce the demand for dollars in the system.

He said, “We have held meetings with the CBN and sent proposals to them on the matter. Licensed BDCs should be made agents of payment, and should be allowed to receive Diaspora remittances funds. That market still remains largely untapped.”

CEO commends lender’s rapid transfer product

T

he Chief Executive Officer, Pamodzi Sports Marketing and promoter of Okpekpe International Road Race, Mike Itemuagbor, has said the Ecobank Rapid Transfer product was most ideal and suited for the Okpekpe 10km Road Race scheduled for May 7th in Okpekpe town, in Edo State.

A statement from the lender said he observed that the product would adequately cater for over 3000 local and international professional athletes expected at the competition including sports enthusiasts and government officials across the continent.

Speaking on the partnership, Ecobank’s Managing Director, Charles Kie, said the Ecobank Rapid Transfer is best suited for the competition that has grown to have global recognition. This year’s partnership is the 3rd time in a row the bank is getting the official money transfer status of the renowned Okpekpe Road Race.

According to Mr. Kie, the Ecobank Rapid Transfer is an

innovative money transfer service available within Nigeria and countries in Africa where Ecobank is present.

“The service was conceived out of the need to provide quick, convenient, accessible, and reliable money transfer facility for our retail and wholesale customers and noncustomers of the bank”.

Kie is optimistic that the Ecobank Rapid Transfer will provide the much-needed ease of financial transactions during and after the competition, and urged all the participants to avail themselves of the opportunities provided by the bank.

In his words: “This is an Ecobank proprietary send and receive money transfer product available in all Ecobank branches in Nigeria. The product allows you to send and receive money across Nigeria and to also receive money from over 30 countries other Ecobank has its footprint. It is our way of supporting this international race to ease the burden of fund transfer.”

Firm to publish ranking of businesses in Nigeria

O

ne of the leading concierge and lifestyle management company, iConcierge, in association with Dragon Africa and Jobberman, is set to publish its first issue of ICONIC, which is a seminal list ranking of companies in Nigeria that have out-performed since inception through the last fiscal year, and those that show great future potential.

Published yearly as a coffee table book, ICONIC provides informative perspectives on the companies presented, together with commentary on currently trending economic topics and original articles on finance, industry, investing or marketing topics.

ICONIC, according to a

statement, also features an exclusive business directory of companies that have an active presence in Lagos State.

In a statement, the firm said, “As a reliable source of business information, the ultimate goal of ICONIC is to recognise the efforts and work of companies in Nigeria that have and still are significantly contributing to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as well as celebrate and encourage diversification and decentralisation in Nigeria’s economic structure.”

The statement said that ICONIC will be published and released at the start of every fiscal year, and will be distributed freely to business establishments and universities upon request.

Oba Erediauwa, one of Africa’s great monarchs –APC Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

T

he leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State yesterday described the late Oba of Benin, Omo n’ Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa as one of Africa’s great monarchs and administrator.

The Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Comrade Godwin Erahon, in a statement yesterday, noted that the late Oba Erediauwa while alive demonstrated enormous potentials in his status, learning and service to humanity.

Erhahon said: “Africa has lost a great monarch, great in status, learning and service to humanity.”

He also prayed God to grant the heir apparent, HRH Eheneden Erediauwa, the good health, wisdom and strength of character to improve on the performance of the departed Oba. “The heir apparent being an administrator and diplomat, we trust that he will lead Benin Kingdom to higher glory,” he said.

Also, the former governor of the state, Chief Lucky Igbinedion has condoled with the bereaved family, the Benin race and entire people of the state over the passage of the

monarch.

Chief Lucky Igbinedion in a condolence message yesterday recalled the wonderful support he enjoyed from the monarch during his tenure as the governor of Edo State, and noted in particular that the unprecedented peace, harmony, tranquility and development witnessed during his tenure as governor were made possible by the late Oba whose wisdom in handling thorny

340m

The number of fixed (wired)broadband subscriptions of developed countries in 2013.

Source: Itu.int

issues surpassed human understand.

He urged the family and people of the state to take solace in the fact that the virtues of the Oba in the building of bridges of unity and the taking of the rich Benin culture and heritage to greater heights have earned the Edo man global pride and honour.

The former governor stressed that whatever progress and development witnessed in the state would not have been possible without the royal and fatherly advice of the late Oba and prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.

Chief Igbinedion particularly extended his condolences to the Crown

Cross section of members of the Nigeria Labour Congress( NLC), at the 2016 May Day Celebration in Abuja yesterday

Prince, and pledges his total support and loyalty as he under goes the traditional rites to ascend the revered throne of the Oba of Benin.

Meanwhile, the state government yesterday called for understanding over the use of a word which many believe denotes a totally different meaning from the word that could have been used in a tribute of Chief Press Secretary Governor Adams Oshiomhole to the Oba of Benin.

The Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, said in a statement: “While we inadvertently used the word ‘iconoclastic’ instead of ‘iconic’, the outrage it has generated is totally misplaced, especially when the context of the usage: ‘Edo people will miss our iconoclastic royal father of the great Benin Kingdom. Nigerians and Nigeria will miss this great exemplar of a Royal Father, an Oba of distinction and integrity’ could not have been negative.”

According to him, “In the context above, ‘iconoclastic’ would mean ‘unusual’, ‘uncommon’ royal father who lived a life of distinction different from other royal fathers. For a condolence message that was laced with so many encomiums, ascribing negativity to it was not our intention or motive."

“Words generally in the English language convey different meanings; denotation and connotation; depending on the context of usage."

NASC crisis: Group wants EFCC, ICPC to investigate Fika

Chukwu David ABUJA

T

he lingering crisis in the National Assembly Service Commission following the appointment of SaniOmolori as Acting Clerk, against the wishes of commissioners, yesterday deteriorated, with a call on the Chairman of the Commission, Adamu Fika, to resign for his role in the crisis that enveloped the apex legis-

Obinna Odoh ABUJA

I

n a bid to have enough funds to run government, the Federal Government has reduced the frequency of meetings of part-time Chairmen and members Committees, Boards of Statutory Corporations and Government-owned companies from eight to four times annually, to save over N1billion per annum.

This was contained in a statement from the Efficiency Unit of the Federal

37 Former Nigeria's Ambassador to Russia, Ahmadu, dies at 92

national | news

monday, may 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

lative assembly.

The Association of Parliamentary Writers (APW), which made the call, also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Fika over what they described as administrative misconduct.

Fika had two weeks ago appointed Muhammed Sani-Omolori as Acting Clerk without the ap-

proval of commissioners serving on the NASC. The development, which attracted the attention of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, led to the rejection of Omolori's appointment on grounds that he was not suitable for the job.

Supporting the Senate President's position on the matter, seven commissioners out of 12 also last week rejected Sani-Omolori's appointment in a letter signed and addressed to the commission's Chair-

man.

Though five commissioners abstained from taking any sides on who should be appointed between Ben Efeturi and Omolori, only one commissioner endorsed Fika's appointment of the latter as Acting Clerk.

The commissioners stated in the letter that based on civil service rules Efeturi is a better candidate for appointment as Clerk of the National Assembly.

The Association of Par-

liamentary Writers, while reacting to the crisis rocking the NASC, said Fika's conduct in attempting to foist illegality in the bureaucracy of the National Assembly, had become an embarrassment to Nigerian Parliament and its bureaucracy.

The Association in a statement issued yesterday by its Director of Publicity, Edward Banigo, said the action of Fika could not be tolerated by patriotic Nigerians who deserved progress.

Ministry of Finance.

According to the statement, the reduction in the frequency of meetings by such bodies followed a review by the Unit and the discovery that the average annual expenditure on honorarium and sitting allowances between 2012 and 2014 was N12.8 billion.

The Unit found that by 2010 part-time Chairmen of government Committees and Boards were paid sitting allowances ranging from N40, 000 to N150,000

per sitting, while Members received payments ranging from N30, 000 to N120, 000 per sitting, and the number of sittings has been increased from four to eight per annum.

The Efficiency Unit noted in its recommendation to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. that: “While the new allowances per sitting of N40, 000 to N150, 000 and N30, 000 to N120, 000 for

Chairmen and Members respectively appear reasonable, the increase in number of meetings from four to eight was rather too high and doubled the cost of sitting allowances for the government.

“A maximum of four meetings was considered adequate for Boards, while other interactions can be conducted using Information Communication Technology (ICT), which is cheaper and already tested in Nigeria.”

Upon accepting the recommendation of the Efficiency Unit to reduce the frequency of meetings by committees and Boards of parastatals and agencies, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation recently issued a circular directing the implementation of the reduction of meetings to four per annum, thus bringing standard, transparency and cost cutting in the payment of sitting allowances.

FG reduces board meetings to save N1bn

S

easoned diplomat, Hamzat Ahmadu, the Walin Sokoto, has died at a private hospital in Lagos on Sunday, aged 92.

An accomplished diplomat and technocrat, the deceased served as Personal Secretary to two Nigerian military leaders: General Aguiyi Ironsi and General Yakubu Gowon.

He served as Nigeria's Ambassador to United States of America, Germany, France and the former Soviet Union (USSR).

Responding to the news of his death, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, described him as peace-loving and committed family man who gave invaluable contributions to the unity and development of Nigeria.

A statement issued from the Governor's office by Malam Imam Imam, quoted Tambuwal as saying: "Ahmadu was an accomplished diplomat who distinguished himself in his chosen specialties. As an elder statesman, his wise counsels served both the older and younger generation of leaders not only in Sokoto, but in Nigeria as a whole."

Group urges FG to discontinue Orosanye's trial

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he Federal Government has been advised to discontinue the ongoing trial of former Head of Service of the federation (HoS), Mr. Steve Oronsaye. The advice was given at the weekend by the Integrity Forum, a nongovernmental organisation.

The Forum, in a statement signed by its National coordinator, James Alo and secretary, Aliu Sanni, said the advice came as a result of its review of circumstances surrounding the entire case against Orosanye, which smacks of vendetta and a bid to punish Orosanye for no just cause.

The Group noted that rather than put Orosanye on trial, he should be commended for his service to the country. It added that all the key figures during the public hearing on corruption in the pension office exonerated him.

“The senate committee equally absolved him of any wrong doing,” it stated.

The Integrity Forum traced the genesis of Orosanye’s present travail to his time as HoS when he made effort to reform the pension scheme which was then rife with high level corruption and in the process stepped on powerful toes.

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NEWS | south-west

monday, may 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP to FG: Give Aregbesola another bailout, risk public revolt

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he Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday warned President Mohammadu Buhari against considering the request for a fresh bailout by the Osun State Government.

The party, while reacting to the statement issued by Mr. Kunle

Oyatomi, the director of publicity, research and strategy, for the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, where the ruling party said the initial bailout granted the state was insufficient, the PDP said huge public revolt will greet any favourable response to the request.

In a statement issued in Osogbo by the PDP direc-

tor of media and strategy, Prince Diran Odeyemi, the opposition party recalled that the first bailout of N35 billion the government got was not channeled to the use it was meant.

The statement reads in part: "In the first instance, the bailout was given to Aregbesola without a resolution of the State Execu-

tive Council since the governor has refused to form a cabinet 18 months after returning for another term."

"Also, the state House of Assembly never approved the bailout. Our sole administrator single handedly took the money and spent it anyhow. Has there been a probe of how the N35 billion bailout he received was spent, No"

Deji recants on demand for Ondo gov slot to Akure

Babatope Okeowo Akure

T

he Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, has backed out of the demand for an indigene

of the town to emerge as governor after the tenure of the incumbent, Gover nor Olusegun Mimiko.

The monarch who had been at the forefront of the agitation for Akure indigene to be the gover-

nor of the state said he was now throwning his weight behind any candidate from any zone that can continue what he described as the good works of the incumbent governor of the state.

The monarch spoke

at his palace while playing host to Chief Sola Ebiseni, the Commissioner for Environment and a leading contender for the governorship ticket on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP].

VC tasks varsities over revenue generation Sulaiman Salawudeen

E

kiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has said he would not need to apply propaganda to convince the people about his performance towards preparation for the 2018 governorship election in the state.

Fayose who maintained "My works will surely speak for me", added that "because of the

Haruna now wish to be known and addressed as Isaac Luka. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Jimoh

I, formally known as Babatunde Kayode David now wish to be known and addressed as Jimoh David Sunday. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, Eco Bank and general public take note

Eyinade

I formerly known and addressed as Oyedele Christiana now wish to be known and address as Eyinade Christiana Funmi.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Nwachukwu

This is to inform the general public that Ukachukwu Daniel Umunna is the same person as Nwachukwu Daniel Umunna.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Jinadu

I formerly known and addressed as Fabajo Oluwaseun Esther now wish to be known and addressed as Jinadu Zainab Oluwaseun. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for the registration of trustees under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Pastor John S. Daramola (Jp)- Senior Pastor 2. Mrs. Esther Toyin Daramola 3. Mr. Fredrick Ezeani 4. Miss Opeyemi Esther Daramola 5. Mrs. Stanley Ezeani.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ 2. To make disciples of the Redeemer 3. To foster unity within the Church universal.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, standing to take salute, during the 2016 May Day rally held by workers in Abeokuta…yesterday

Commissioners’defection is cancer healed –Ondo Babatope Okeowo Akure

O

ndo State Government yesterday described the defection of two commissioners in the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as cancer that have been removed from the party.

Two former Commissioners: Mr. Tayo Oluwatuyi and Mrs Kehinde Momoh had last week defected to the APC. But the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, described the defectors

as cancer that God had helped remove from the party.

Akinmade said the men had left the party before their official defection last week as they worked for the opposition during the last general elections Labelling them as men with insatiable appetite for power, Akinmade said they were mere fortune seekers in the PDP, who wanted the same reward as politicians of value.

Describing their exit as a divine healing, Akinmade, said the celebration that greeted their

exit from the party was testimony to the fact that they were destructive elements who have eventually found a home in a party where their likes thrive.

According to him, it is the prayer of the party that enemies masquerading as sincere members of the party leaves completely.

He said it was the new peace, unity and cohesion that exist in the party that made it record a hundred percent success in the last local government election which held in the state penultimate week and it was not ready to compromise it.

2018: My work will speak for me –Fayose Lagos flays proliferation of Ado-Ekiti

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME Isaac: I formally known as Godiya Yohanna Wuyas And Nasiru

TRIUMPHANT JESUS CHURCH

T

Sulaiman Salawudeen

N131 million deficit in the March allocation.

The party advised Governor Aregbesola to resign, if he was confused about how to manage affairs of the state, stressing that with the average of N2.4 billion monthly loan repayment, the state cannot afford more debt.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Ado-Ekiti

he Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof Kayode Soremekun, has urged his colleagues across the country to look inward on initiatives for revenue and employment generations to complement the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He spoke in Oye Ekiti at the weekend during the inauguration of a seven-man committee for the establishment of the Faculty of Pharmacy in the university.

Soremekun , who took over from Prof Isaac Asuzu a couple of months ago, said the university was putting machinery in motion for the establishment of mechanised farming to make the university a food basket and food security zone of the nation.

He described the edaphic and atmospheric conditions of the host town as a goldmine for the establishment of a farm in the university, adding that the current economic situation in the country called for all tertiary institutions to go into other business ventures.

Insisting that mass protest would greet any further move to sink the state into more indebtedness, the PDP noted that instead of heeding plea for more funds from the governor and his party, the Federal Government should urgently look into how Osun among the 36 states, got

political sophistication of Ekiti people, any elected public office holder not living up to the expectation were always rejected at the poll".

In a press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, the governor urged the opposition to go back in history of elections in the state to know that Ekiti people always rejected political pretenders once their antics had been discovered.

Illegal dumpsites Muritala Ayinla

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orried by the proliferation of dumpsites in the Badagry area of Lagos State, the state government at the weekend decried the conversion of virgin lands to refuse dumpsites, saying the habit was dangerous to the health of the residents.

Speaking with journalists during monthly

environmental sanitation, the state’s Commissioner for Environment Dr. Babatunde Adejare, said that the habit could cause epidemic outbreak in the state.

He warned that the state government had declared zero tolerance for all forms of environmental abusein the state and would prosecute anyone or corporate organization violating its laws.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: PASTOR JOHN S. DARAMOLA (JP)

PUBLIC NOTICE

OLUGBENGA PETERS PRAISE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY The General Public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for the registration of trustees under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Olugbenga Peters Babawale - President 2. Olubunmi Peters (Mrs) 3. Barrister Tunde Akande 4. Mr. Gbenga Degun - Secretary 5. Dolapo Babawale (Mrs).

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: FIRST BETHEL SOLICITORS, 27, ABEOKUTA ROAD, AGO TAYLOR, IBADAN

PUBLIC NOTICE

JAMHIYATU DEENU QOYYIMU ISLAMIC SOCIETY

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named SOCIETY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for the registration of trustees under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Alhaji Amusat Abdul Ganiyy - President 2. Mr. Ajibola Abiodun Yekeen - Treasurer 3. Mr. Raji Rasaq Olatunji - Secretary.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To develop an enlightened Muslim society nurtured by a true understanding of Islam for the spiritual upliftment and welfare of mankind 2. To preach and propagate Islam as a step towards achieving unity, peace and understanding amongst people and the world at large.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

monday, may 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

N

ational Assembly caucus from Enugu state, including three senators and seven House of Representatives members, yesterday visited Nimbo community in Enugu State where suspected Fulani herdsmen had massacred scores of residents last Monday.

The leader of the caucus and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, announced a donation of N2 million cash on behalf of the caucus and a personal donation of a transformer to help extend electricity around the community.

Ekweremadu, who described the damage done to the community as devastating, announced that

south-east | news

Senate to begin public hearing on herdsmen killings this week

the National Assembly would commence public hearing on the menace of Fulani herdsmen and incessant bloody clashes with communities across the country.

"This problem is all over the country; it’s not peculiar to our communities. We are having this challenge in other parts of the state and other parts of the country.

Therefore, Nigerians are also involved in finding the solution that we need.

By next week, we are going to have a public hearing at the senate where Nigerians, including your community will come and

tell their stories, so that the world will hear us out and we will be able to find a permanent solution to this," he said.

He assured them that this will bring an end to what herdsmen are doing in Nigeria.

“We shall do our best to ensure that it doesn't happen again, whether here or elsewhere,” he added.

The Deputy Senate President, who equally

5%

The percentage of the population of men above 60 years of Ethiopia in 2012.

Source: Un.org

visited the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, where some of the injured are receiving treatment, expressed shock over the number of deaths recorded during the attack.

"NEMA will also be here tomorrow with relief materials. In the meantime, the National Assembly caucus in our state is donating the sum of N2 million to you to help you start the rebuilding process.

"We are going to ensure that roads here are given clear attention; and after four years, the story of Uzo-Uwani will change.

L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abia State Chapter, Uchenna Obigwe; Head of Service, Abia state, Vivian Uma; Abia state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Chairman of the occasion, Nwaigwe Solomon Nwaigwe and Speaker, Abia state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Matins Azubuike, during the 2016 Worker's/May Day Celebration, in Umuahia…yesterday

PDP congress: Ebonyi records low turn-out

Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

T

here was low turnout of party faithful in last Saturday’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ward congresses across the 171 wards in Ebonyi State.

This is even as the officials’ lists for ward officers across the 171 wards were harmonised by the party in the state.

The harmonisation resulted in low turnout of the party faithful for voting for officers of their choices, a development that drew mixed reactions

from them.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly and Chairman of the party's Harmonisation, Reconciliation and Zoning (HRZ) Committee in the state, Rt. Hon Francis Nwifuru, noted that the measure was taken in order to douse the tension and pressure associated with such elections.

"The exercise captured the interest of stakeholders as we want to ensure that they were satisfied with the manner it is conducted,” he said.

Chairman of the PDP National Ward Congress Committee in Ebonyi

State, Mr. Emma Okah, expressed happiness over the conduct of the congress.

Okah, who is the River State's Commissioner for Information, said the conduct of the exercise in the state shows PDP's willingness to become stronger and poised to take over power at the national level in 2019.

On his part, PDP Acting Chairman in the state, Chief Joseph Onwe, said that the party would settle all contending issues like one strong, united family.

"Such contending issues are always seen in group-settings such as

Violence mars Imo PDP congress Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress to elect officers of the party at the ward level was yesterday marred by violence.

Trouble started at the material distribution centre at Immaculate Hotel along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, when stakeholders from Imo West could

not reach a consensus on the modality for the congress across the 12 council areas of the zone.

While Senator Hope Uzodinma, who arrived the distribution centre with scores of supporters, represented one political bloc in the state PDP, Chief Chuma Nnaji, the deputy governorship candidate of the party under Chief Emeka Ihedioha’s governorship ticket, stood

for another camp, both from Imo West.

Uzodinma, a serving senator and the highest political office holder in the party, had allegedly wanted to steer the process in a manner he deemed best for the party, but Nnaji and other stakeholders from Imo West had countered him insisting that his intentions would only serve his personal political interest.

ours but they would all be settled to ensure the party's progress,” he said.

The Vice-Chairman of the Harmonisation, Reconciliation and Zoning (HRZ) Committee, Hon Lazarus Ogbee, said he effectively delivered in his ward and ensured that stakeholders in his Ezza South Local Government Area were adequately represented.

A PDP stalwart in Ezza North Local Government Area, Mrs. Stella Ochi urged the party to address all grievances of party members over the congress.

Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

F

ollowing the recent invasion of Ukpabi Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, Pastor Dan Obinegbo has revealed that he foresaw the attacks in the South-East region of the country as a grand plan to proclaim Fulani jihad against the Igbo.

"I will also give you a transformer within the next three to four days," Ekweremadu promised.

Also, both Hon. Patrick Asadu and Hon. Dennis Agbo, representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South and Igbo-Eze North/Udenu federal constituencies, respectively, declared that "enough is enough". They added that the attack on

39

Nimbo would not be taken for granted.

"They have been doing this and going free but this attack on Nimbo will be the last. The people doing this are not just cattle rearers; they are terrorists, Boko Haram elements. We are not going to take it," Asadu declared.

Earlier, the Parish Priest of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Nimbo, Rev. Fr. Okeke Obetta, told the delegation how some of the herdsmen numbering over 50 descended on the church and vandalised it after several attempts to set it ablaze failed.

95% of industrial raw materials for production imported – RMRDC Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

O

ver 95 percent of industrial raw materials for production of fruit juices and allied products are imported into the country, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) said.

Director General of RMRDC, Dr. Hussaini Ibrahim, made the observation at the 2016 capacity building workshop for traders and farmers in Imo State with theme, “Production of Fruit Juice/Concentrate from Pineapple and Citrus Fruits”, held over the weekend at the Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo.

The DG, who was represented by Dr. Sam Ebiriekwe, Assistant Director in RMRDC, attributed the development to lack of improved varieties of fruits as well as inadequate and functional fruit concentrate plants in the country.

He said the effect was that Nigerian products have remained uncompetitive in the world market, coupled with poor capacity utilisation, outright closures and relocation of many industries to neighbouring countries with more favourable economic environment.

Other effects, he said, are loss of jobs and poverty with its attendant youth restiveness, conflicts and other social vices.

Ohaneze rejects grazing reserve bill, condemns Enugu killings Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

P

an-Igbo socio-cultural orgnisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, yesterday, rose from an emergency meeting in Enugu and opposed the grazing reserve bill currently before the National Assembly.

It also condemned the attack and killing of more than 30 persons at Ukpani Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, which was read

by Mr. Paul Modum, the

body called on the Enugu State government and the Federal Government to immediately investigate the cause of the heinous crime.

"We condemned the callous killing of people.

We at Imeobi also opposed the grazing reserve bill before the National Assembly. The Imeobi Ohanaeze revolved and condemned the attack on the people of Enugu State,” it stated.

Meanwhile, a planned rally by youth of the SouthEast zone would take place in Enugu on Tuesday over the killing and invasion of Ukpabi Nimbo community, Uzo-Uwani council of Enugu State.

Herdsmen attacks: Its grand plan to proclaim Jihad in South- East, says Cleric Obinegbo, who is the General Overseer of Christian Victory Prayer Ministry (CVPM), said the April 25 attack, which left scores dead, hundreds displaced and many battling for survival at different hospitals in the state, has remained point of national discourse.

Addressing journalists yesterday at the church's

headquarters in Enugu, the cleric warned that if the Federal Government fails to urgently halt the incessant attacks and barbaric act, it may spell doom for the entire nation.

He said: "The Federal Government must as a matter of urgency rise up to the occasion and address this issue before it tears the nation apart.

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NEWS | south-south

monday, may 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Assassination attempt: RResidents lament poor state of health centre Deputy gov lied – Edo govt Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

E

do State government yesterday described as false the assassination plot raised by the campaign organisation of Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Kassim Afegbua, in a statement made said while it condemned in very strong terms the ugly incident, the conclusion by the campaign organisation of the All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant was hasty.

Afegbua said “preliminary reports suggest that the fracas at Auchi was caused by thugs loyal to the Odubu campaign imported in two truck-loads to Auchi, who attacked other party loyalists not sold to the deputy governor’s aspiration.”

According to him, “Our attention has been drawn to newspaper reports and subsequent press statement by the Odubu Campaign Organisation on the alleged assassination attempt on Dr. Pius Odubu, the deputy governor of Edo State and a gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC.” “While we condemn in very strong terms the ugly incident at Auchi, we note, however, that the conclusion of the Odubu Campaign Organisation on alleged assassination attempt appears hasty as preliminary reports suggest that the fracas at Auchi was caused by thugs loyal to the Odubu campaign imported in two truck-loads to Auchi, who attacked other party loyalists not sold to the deputy governor’s aspiration.”

Meanwhile, Odubu has called on security agencies in the state to arrest and prosecute

those who attacked him and members of his campaign organisation on Saturday in Auchi, headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

Odubu, who spoke through his campaign organisatoin at a news conference in Benin, said they had identified ‘three principal suspects who masterminded the attack.’

He urged security agencies in the state to immediately identify them and their paymasters and prosecute them.

The former APC Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Mr. Samson Osagie, who spoke for the organisation, described the attack as ‘the height of naked display of cruelty, animosity, acrimony, intolerance, gross irresponsibility and man’s inhumanity to man.’

He said Odubu would not back down from pursuing his ambition as governor, adding that in democracy, it is only the people that have the right to choose their leaders.

“And for those who seek to spill blood on account of a mere party nomination exercise, the God of justice shall bring justice upon them.”

Osagie said eight people, including an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) and a Police Inspector in Odubu’s entourage, sustained injuries. ``As we speak, six of them are currently at the UBTH receiving treatment while the other two are still convalescing at a hospital in Auchi,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr. Godwin Erhahon, who was at the press briefing, described the attack as ‘madness.’

While condemning the attack on the campaign team, Erhahon said: “What happened yesterday in Auchi is absolute madness.

“I want to appeal to APC supporters to remain calm and be friendly ahead of the elections proper.”

Earlier, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, who visited Odubu’s campaign secretariat, said although the command was yet to make any arrest, it, however, said they had names of the suspects.

Ezike, who also condemned the attack, said all aspirants must be given a level playing field to campaign, noting that the command would not tolerate any act of violence from any quarters.

He said the command had in the last eight months commenced the mopping up of fire arms from those undesirable elements and would continue to do so ahead of the governorship election on Sept. 10.

esidents of Benin, the Edo State capital, including the staff of the Iwogban Primary Health Centre in the city, have decried the poor state of facilities in the health centre.

Some of the residents expressed their feelings in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday and called on the relevant authorities to rehabilitate the facility.

He described the late monarch as ‘the last of the titans.’

The governor observed that while Oba Erediauwa lived, he stood out as a bridge builder, whose influence spread across the country and beyond.

He said: “Oba Erediauwa was always fully aware of his great place in his-

come to our aid and put the health centre in good shape,” she said.

Another resident, Mr. Uyi Osasu, a teacher, said a primary health facility played a crucial role in the lives of the citizenry.

Osasu said government should provide functional health centres in every community as assurance for good health for the people, especially those at the grassroots.

Delta community to govt: Don't stoke embers of crisis Joe Obende Warri

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he people of Kokodiagbene community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State have admonished the government not to stoke the embers of ethnic crisis through the

2

The total number of set piece goals scored by Switzerland at Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Fifa.com

budget of the state’s interventionist agency, the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

The Ijaw enclave, which is host to two flow stations, namely Jones Creek and Otunana, with a production output of 265,000 barrels per day, warned that the ‘lopsided’ allocation of projects in the state, were capable of throwing the state into another ‘vicious circle of ethnic conflagration.’

Chairman of the community, Sheriff Mulade,

who spoke on the issue at the weekend, urged the state legislature to do the needful by ensuring that the provisions of the law of the commission on allocation of projects were followed to the letter for the sake of equity and fair play.

According to him, the Delta State 2016 budget had been skewed in favour of the Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic groups notwithstanding the fact that the commission ought to ‘follow its mandate of allocating projects based on production quantum.’

L-R: Secretary, National Union of Textile Garments & Tailoring Workers, Edo State Chapter, Comrade Bayo Oladipupo, Chairman, Comrade Isaiah Okungbowa and Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, at the 2016 May Day rally held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City… yesterday

Imposition allegations rock Delta PDP ward congresses Dominic Adewole ASABA

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llegations of imposition yesterday continued to trail the ward congresses of the Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a council

chairman narrowly escaped being lynched by some irate youths at the weekend.

The allegations led to the suspension of the exercise in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state until today.

Although, the state Chairman of the party,

Obiano condoles with Oshiomhole, Edo people over monarch’s demise nambra State Gover- said Oba Erediauwa’s tory and never failed to people of Edo to take A nor, Willie Obiano, has passage was a huge loss rise to the occasion. heart because the late Oba “He carried the weight led a meaningful life and condoled with Governor to Nigeria.

Adams Oshiomhole and the people of Edo State on the passage of the Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, who joined his ancestors recently.

In a statement signed yesterday in Awka by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media, Mr. James Eze, Obiano

A retired nurse, who resides in Iwogban area, Mrs. Tina Obehi, said the poor state of the centre had prevented residents from having access to treatment.

She said: “People here now prefer to go to other health centres for immunisation and child delivery because there is no electricity and water in the centre.

The building is dilapidated.

“We are appealing to the state government to

of his office well and lent depth to the much desecrated traditional institution.

“He was oracular in his ways and commanded respect from afar. Oba Erediauwa will be sorely missed for his urbanity, scholarship and cultural rootedness.”

Obiano enjoined the

left a huge legacy for the country.

“He left a trail of excellence that would inspire generations after him.

“My thoughts and the prayers of Ndi Anambra are with the late monarch’s family and the government and people of Edo State in this moment of grief.

Chief Edwin Uzor, yesterday said the conduct of the election in 270 wards across the three senatorial districts of the state was peaceful, youths from Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state, disagreed.

Over accusation of claims, the youths trailed the Chairman, Chief (Mrs.) Faith Majemite, to the state’s secretariat of the party in Asaba, booed her for attempting to impose some anointed candidates on the wards in the locality.

While they maintained that the era of imposition was gone and vowed to resist any attempt to accomplish such, youths from Sapale and their Chairman, Hon. Ejaife Odebala, besieged the secretariat complex in a desperate bid to uphold their votes.

Bayelsa sanitation boss lauds citizens’ efforts Pauline Onyibe Yeagoa

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he Chairman of Bayelsa State Environmental Sanitation Authority, Robert Enogha, has commended the people of the state for their high level of compliance in last Saturday’s sanitation exercise.

Speaking with journalists at the weekend, Enogha said Bayelsans are beginning to know the importance of keeping their environments clean.

The chairman, however, condemned the action of some youths at the oil mill area of the state capital, who ordered arrested offenders to come down from the vehicle conveying them.

The chairman also said some sanitation workers were attacked in a club, adding that the previous night; his directors were attacked at the same place.

north | news

monday, may 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Assembly crisis: Kogi sues AGF, National Assembly Tunde Oyesina Abuja

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ogi State Government has dragged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the National Assembly before the Supreme Court, seeking for an order to nullify the resolution by the House of Representatives to take over the legislative functions of the state House of Assembly.

The plaintiffs through its Attorney-General and the House of Assembly had brought the suit Order 3 Rule 5 of the Supreme Court.

The plaintiffs are further challenging the House of Representatives' resolution taking over the Assembly.

In the suit, marked SC 340/2016, the plaintiffs are praying the court to declare that the House of Representatives' resolution was passed in breach of Section 11 (4) of the constitution.

They also urged the apex court to nullify the resolution, while contending in their statement of claim that ‘the factional disagreement’ between members of House of Assembly was normal in a democracy.

The plaintiffs also submitted that the crisis started on February 16, 2016, following a disagreement

between two factions in the House of Assembly over the speakership position.

They claimed that following the disagreement, a faction of the members of the House of Assembly filed the suit, FHC/ LKJ/CS/16/16 Kogi State House of Assembly and three others v National Assembly and two others.

The plaintiffs, however, want the court to declare that the resolution of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 9, 2016, which purportedly took over the legislative functions of Kogi State House of Assembly, was passed in breach of section 11 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as

amended).

They want the court to make an order of perpetual injunction restraining the National Assembly from interfering with or take over the legislative functions of Kogi State House of Assembly based on the resolution of the House of Representatives passed on Wednesday, March 9, 2016.

The processes of the suit had been served on the defendants, however, the defendants are yet to respond to the suit and no date has been fixed for the hearing.

It will be recalled that the House of Representatives had on March 9, 2016 passed a resolution to take over the legislative functions of the Kogi State

House of Assembly.

The House passed the resolution following the crisis that broke out from the tussle for the speakership position between two factions of the state

assembly.

It also, in the said resolution, directed the Inspector-General of Police to seal up the House of Assembly until the crisis was resolved.

Group raises funds in Atlanta to rebuild Borno schools

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humanitarian group based in the United States, Empower54, at the weekend, held an annual charity auction in Atlanta, Georgia, which was dedicated to raising funds to help in rebuilding schools destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents in different parts of Borno State.

Legislators from the State of Georgia, officials from the International Relations Department of Georgia's Government, movie actors, Americans, African-Americans from different states in the United States, Governor Kashim Shettima, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, attended the event.

A statement e-mailed to journalists said dur-

ing the auction, dozens of high class paintings donated by different creative artists were put up for sale at different prices with opening bids as high as $13,000 for a 40 by 31 inch oil on canvas painting titled 'Rites of Fertility' donated by an artist, Leonard El-Dragg Okwoju.

Other paintings had different opening prices ranging from $11,000 to the lowest opening bid being $1,500. Invited guests made donations through auctions.

The Grand Patron of the Empower54, ArchBishop Desmond Tutu, through a video message, persuaded donors to support victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in whatever ways they could.

N326.2bn

The total value of crude oil and non-crude oil export to South Africa in 2014 fourth quarter.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), in a march past during the May Day celebration, in Dutse, Jigawa State…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

EFCC arrests Adamawa Chief of Staff

Ibrahim Abdul Yola

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peratives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the weekend stormed Yola, the state capital, arresting one of the aides of Governor Muhammadu Bindo Umaru Jibrilla, AbdurRahman Abba Jimeta.

Jimeta, chief of staff to Governor Bindo, who also served as chief of staff to former Governor Murtala Nyako, was arrested over his alleged

involvement in a N2.88 billion property scam.

Reports said the property along Karewa Road, opposite Bekaji Housing Estate, was sealed up by the EFCC over the controversial renovation of Yola International Hotel that was awarded since Murtala Nyako's regime.

According to our findings, contract for the project had been reviewed upward thrice and payments were categorised into nine installments, where the government had paid N2.664 billion, left with a balance of

N204 million.

"But when Governor Jibrilla came into office, the contract was again reviewed under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism," said a government source that doesn't want to be named.

Efforts to get EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, comment on the issue, proved abortive as his cell phones were switched off and the SMS message sent to him was not acknowledged, but an impeccable source in the anti-graft agency con-

firmed the arrest.

"Yes, he is being interrogated over some issues, but you know you can’t get details now as I am not authorised to talk to the media," said the source.

Also, a closed associate of the detained chief of staff, who did not want his name in print, confirmed that, “he was only invited over a plot of land that he bought from Jafaru Malik; they took him to Gombe State to show prove of ownership, I wonder how people peddle rumour," he said.

‘Northern govs didn’t defend herdsmen over killings’ Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

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enue State Acting Governor, Benson Abounu, yesterday described as misleading, inciting and uncalled-for, reports in some sections of the media, which said northern governors were defending Fulani herdsmen’s invasion of parts of the country in which farmers were killed in their communities.

Abounu, who stated this in an interview with journalists said, at no

Group wants former gov, others’ Kebbi communities kick against leasing land to Dangote Abubakar Abdul severance allowance paid Temitope Ogunbanke

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political group, the Taraba Peoples Assembly (TPA) has called on Governor Dairus Dickson Ishaku, to pay former Acting Governor Garba Umar and other political appointees their severance allowances and benefits.

The group in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Martins Andekin, described Governor

Ishaku’s refusal to recognise the two-year administration of Garba Umar in the state as a disservice to history and posterity.

It said if former Governor Danbaba Suntai and his Deputy, Sani Abubakar Danlandi, were paid their severance allowances, Governor Ishaku should shun political, religion and ethnic reasons and pay Umar and his political appointees their allowances and benefits.

Birnin Kebbi

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ollowing the approval made by the immediate past administration in Kebbi State, which leased a parcel of land to Dangote Group for its sugar factory, the affected communities in the state have kicked against such arrangement.

This was made known yesterday by some of the aggrieved leaders of

the communities during Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu’s fact-finding visit to some of the villages and towns affected by the lease.

Reports said the affected land was allocated to Chinese farmers and Dangote Group of Companies by past administrations in the state for rice and sugar cane production.

According to the spokesman of the communities, Musa Muhaamad, the community decided to

kick against the leasing of its land to Dangote Group and other corporate bodies for the purpose of building factories and other investments, adding that the people would preferred to cultivate the farms they inherited from their forefathers than to lease such out.

Speaking during a meeting with traditional rulers, district heads and sole administrators of the affected local government areas.

point did the governors defend the killings or the killers, adding that the forum had condemned in strong terms the actions of the terror groups operating as herdsmen.

"The northern governors unequivocally condemned the killings by the herdsmen. At no time did we defend the killings or the killers," he stated.

He said it was unfortunate that the statement by the chairman of the forum that wronged the activities of the terrorists is been wrongly misconstrued as defending the Fulani people.

"We never defended the Fulani or any group that involved itself in criminality," he said, adding that what the chairman said was that it is wrong to generalise criminality.

Abounu, who said northern governors were truly disturbed by the killings and have therefore resolved to visit Benue and Enugu states in sympathy with the people over the killings, called on Nigerians to strive to coexist peacefully with one another regardless of ethnic or religious differences.

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WORLD \ NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tear gas in Paris, Istanbul as tensions erupt on May Day

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rench and Turkish police fired tear gas at protesters as tensions erupted in both countries during May Day rallies yesterday, while thousands marched across the globe for the annual celebration of worker’s rights.

From Moscow to Madrid, workers chanted demands for higher wages, better conditions and more job security as many countries battle economic uncertainty and high unemployment.

In

Paris, hundreds of black-clad riot police struggled to keep control of tens of thousands of protesters, with tensions high as youths in balaclavas and ski masks lobbed projectiles and shouted: “Everyone hates the police.”

Police fired tear gas and sought to break up the group of troublemakers known as “casseurs” (breakers) who actively seek confrontation with security forces.

Security forces were on high alert across France for the protests which are riding a wave of anger

against planned labour reforms set to come before parliament on Tuesday.

While government hopes the reforms will reduce chronic unemployment of about 10 percent, critics believe they threaten hard-won workers’ rights by making it easier to lay off people in lean times. The government has already watered down the bill but this has failed to calm the anger among students and workers.

“Withdraw, withdraw the

labour law. Not amendable, not negotiable,” protesters chanted as they began marching from the Bastille square.

A protest against the reforms on Thursday led to scenes of chaos with protesters setting light to cars and throwing cobblestones that left dozens of police injured. “We will respond with the greatest of determination to these troublemakers... the attacks and violence against security forces are unacceptable,” said Prime Minister Manuel

Valls yesterday.

In Istanbul, police clamped down on unauthorised protests at a time of particular tension after a succession of deadly attacks this year in Turkey blamed on jihadists and Kurdish militants.

Around 25,000 police were on duty, cordoning off the central Taksim Square and releasing volleys of teargas and water cannon on those trying to make their way to the protest hotspot, an AFP photographer said.

Death toll rises to 20 in Kenyan building collapse

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enyan rescuers continued searching for survivors yesterday of a residential building in a low income area that collapsed Friday, as officials said the death toll has risen to 20 and 73 people remain missing.

Japheth Koome, the police chief for Nairobi, the capital, confirmed the death toll. Authorities had initially said the building had six stories but it emerged that the ground and first floor had sunk following heavy rains.

The building, next to a river, had been declared unfit for human habitation by Kenya’s National Construction Authority but was not torn down. Bribe-taking officers in the county government are responsible for allowing contractors bypass building codes, Nairobi governor Evan Kidero

said. He vowed to fire those responsible.

The building’s owner obeyed police orders and turned himself in for questioning, Koome, Nairobi’s police chief said. “People who’ve died in Huruma have died an unnecessary death.

That death is a product of corruption, someone is paid $10,000 or$20,000 to approve the building that cost the lives of Kenyans,” nominated legislator Johnson Sakaja said. Kenyan military personnel led the rescue operation using heavy machinery to remove concrete slabs. About 300 residents of two adjacent buildings, also built close the river, were evacuated.

Taking advantage of a high demand for housing in Nairobi, some property developers bypass building regulations to cut costs and maximize profits.

Iraq protests: Demonstrators leave Green Zone

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hia Muslim activists who occupied Iraq’s parliament Saturday have begun to leave Baghdad’s government district yesterday. Organisers used loudspeakers to call an end to the sit-in in the Green Zone.

Earlier, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered the arrest of those who had stormed parliament.

The demonstrators, mostly supporters of Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr, were angered by delays in approving a new cabinet. The protesters accuse the government of neglecting much-needed reforms, as it struggles with its campaign against the so-called Islamic State group and declining oil revenues.

IS, a Sunni Muslim group that con-

trols parts of western and northern Iraq, claimed a twin suicide bombing yesterday that killed at least 33 people and wounded more than 50 in the southern town of Samawa.

Many Iraqis believe the crisis has unveiled deep divisions between the Shia political parties that could lead to armed confrontation between some of the Shia brigades which were formed after the collapse of large units of the Iraqi army in the summer of 2014.

Leaders of these powerful Shia brigades have ordered reinforcements to Baghdad to help secure the capital, along with the Iraqi army and security forces. In parliament, some leading Shia parties have locked horns over their share in the new cabinet line-up.

Turkish anti-riot police detain a protester during clashes at a May Day rally in Bakirkoy, a district of Istanbul, yesterday.

Egypt police block workers’ assembly

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gyptian police prevented hundreds of workers from holding a meeting in Cairo to commemorate International Workers’ Day, an independent Egyptian trade union leader said.

Kamal Abbas, of the Center for Trade Unions and Workers’ Services, said some 650 workers from several provinces were in the city center seeking an alternate location to hold a news conference after police prevented them from entering the journalists’ syndicate building.

The area is currently under lockdown by dozens of uniformed and plainclothes security forces, some wearing facemasks and carrying automatic weapons.

The journalists’ syndicate has been a rallying point for demonstrations in the past, and was blocked in a similar

way ahead of planned antigovernment protests last Monday.

New York-based Human Rights Watch urged the government to legalize independent trade unions and end a decades-old system that enshrines a single official union.

“Egypt’s gover nment is ignoring the basic right of workers to organize independently,” said Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

“The government seems intent on stifling the freedom Egypt’s labor movement only gained after years of struggle that culminated in the 2011 uprising.” Worker movements were among the early supporters of the 2011 revolt that ousted longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

Under Mubarak, the syndicate building was one of the few places demonstrators could gather to voice grievances, as long as they stayed on the building steps or the area directly in front of it.

That has changed under President Abdel-Fattah elSissi, the general who ousted Mubarak’s divisive successor, the Islamist Mohammed Morsi, in 2013. Protests now are effectively banned and activists from a wide spectrum Islamists to secularists and liberals are labeled terrorists and enemies of the state.

The journalists’ syndicate building drew particular attention because it was from there that some 2,000 demonstrators gathered last month to protest el-Sissi’s decision to hand over two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia among other policies.

Brussels’ attacks: Airport departure hall partly Vietnamese protest against Taiwanese firm re-opened, 40 days after

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undreds of people gathered yesterday in the Vietnamese capital to protest against a Taiwanese company suspected of involvement in a toxic leak that has hit the fishing industry along the central coast.

Tonnes of dead clams were found last week in Ha Tinh province where fish began washing up on beaches earlier in April, sparking a public outcry. The area is home to a large steel mill run by a Taiwanese conglomerate, Formosa. Demonstrators who marched around Hoan Kiem lake in central Hanoi carried banners

reading “Formosa out of Vietnam”, “The sea dies, we die” and “Save our sea”. Reports on social media said hundreds of demonstrators also massed in Ho Chi Minh City in the south.

Although an official inquiry is continuing, state-run media has pointed the finger at a 1.5 kilometre (one mile) waste water pipeline from Formosa’s multi-billion dollar steel plant to the ocean.

The company has a long history of environmental scandals spanning the globe, although the probe has yet to directly link Formosa’s operations to the fish poisoning.

T

he departure hall at Brussels’ Zaventem airport partly re-opened yesterday, 40 days after suicide attacks claimed by the Islamic State group which killed 32 people, half of them at the air hub.

“We are back to the familiar scene of our passengers in the departure hall,” said Arnaud Feist, head of Brussels Airport, which operates Zaventem, at an opening ceremony.

Twin explosions killed 16 people there on March 22 and

devastated the departure hall, shattering the building’s glass facade, collapsing ceilings and destroying check-in desks. Yesterday, Belgian flags were displayed on each side of a stage put up for the ceremony, with the date of the attacks and written tributes to the victims.

The messages in several languages included “Love beats hate” and “Violence will never be the answer.” On the floor in front lay bouquets of flowers, candles, photos of the victims and messages addressed to them. Some 400 passengers for

only three flights were able to check in yesterday afternoon in the departure hall, still relatively quiet compared to its usual bustle before the attacks.

Symbolically the flights chosen were from Belgian carriers Brussels Airlines and Jetairfly TUI Airlines Belgium, to three sun-soaked destinations: Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Lisbon. “We are the first here, we didn’t know that would be the case, we heard it on the television this morning,” 61-year-old Belgian Jeanine Lauwen told AFP.

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MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Did you know?

Sport News Success dedicates Granada award to mum

Sport English pundits hail Iheanacho That Man City have conceded 38 goals in the English Premier League this season, no side in the Top Four has conceded more.

International Sport Ronaldo returns to training after injury

44 45

…despite City’s defeat at Southampton

Adekunle Salami

S

uper Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, was a delight to watch in the colours of Manchester City on Sunday despite the 4-2 heavy defeat suffered by the English Premier League giants against Southampton.

Man City needed a victory to boost their chances of making Top Four when the season ends in another two weeks.

However, Iheanacho who stole the show by scoring two goals for his team in an encounter that also saw Senegalese Sadio Mane winning the match ball after recording a hattrick.

At 2-0 down, the 18-year-old striker reduced the tally just before the end of the first half with a beautiful reaction header in the goal area.

When his team was 4-1 down, he again reduced the tally with a long drive to beat the Southampton keeper.

A BBC commentator, Simon Boendermaker, said: “Another brace for Iheanacho overshadowed by a dire City performance, you've

got to hope Pep Guadiola gives him games time next season.”

Another analyst, Clive Allen, Former Tottenham and England forward described the second goal of Iheanacho as the best of the six goals in the match “The best goal of the match so far. This teenager is blinking brilliant. Kelechi Iheanacho is fed the ball by substitute Jesus Navas.

From 20 yards, he takes one look at where he is going to place the ball and bends in a gorgeous effort.”

The City forward was not particular about his goals but rather he lamented the heavy defeat.

"Many things went wrong in our team. We didn’t defend well. I think we’re going to come stronger in the next game. But we will put it behind us and focus on the Real Madrid game," Iheanacho said.

Man City coach, Manuel Pellegrini, who reserved many of his regular players for the encounter because of the forthcoming UEFA Champions League semifinal match against Real Madrid, said the fixtures were too close for his team "I'm very frustrated because I didn’t expect that performance especially in defence. At least four of them [Sunday’s line-up] are not playing regularly.

"I think we could've played on Saturday and named a stronger team. But in this case we had to prioritise Wednesday's game [against Real Madrid],” he said.

Fury: Klitschko rematch 100 per cent my last fight

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

W

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

Fury (right)

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Iheanacho (left)

orld heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has insisted he will "retire 100 per cent" following his rematch with Wladimir Klitschko.

Fury stunned Klitschko in Dusseldorf last November, the Briton winning a unanimous points decision to claim the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight belts.

A rematch clause was duly activated by Klitschko and the duo are due to meet again in Manchester on July 9. Yet Fury is adamant the bout will be his last.

The controversial 27-year-old revealed his intention to retire via his official Twitter account on Sunday.

"I set off today for what

promises to be a very hard 8 weeks training camp, this will be my best fight, then I'll retire 100%," wrote Fury, who subsequently outlined a desire to spend more time with his family.

In an interview with iFL TV, he said: "I'm so sick of it [boxing]. I've got no motivation to carry on."

Giwa faces expulsion from NPFL

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SPORT NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Success dedicates Granada award to mum …as Etebo scores first goal in Portugal Emmanuel Tobi

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ormer junior international, Isaac Success, has dedicated his award as Granada Player of the Year to his mother.

"Thanks to all my teammates and fans for this Player of the Year award, This is for my mum for her love towards me,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

He has scored six La Liga

goals this season with speculations he could be headed to the English Premier League side Watford this summer.

Meanwhile, Oghenekaro Etebo scored his first goal for Portuguese club Feirense as they hammered Academico Viseu 5-0 away from home on Saturday.

The Nigeria international netted just before the half-time break to double Feirense's lead, after a Bura own goal in the 22nd minute had put them ahead.

It was Etebo's first goal since joining the team from Warri Wolves and the win now puts Feirense fourth on the Portuguese Segunda division and one step closer to gaining promotion to the Portuguese top-flight.

However, they are eight points behind leaders Porto B on the log.

He is one of the 26 players who have been invited for Nigeria's friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg in May and June.

Crystal Palace chase Adi Emmanuel Tobi

E Success (left)

Okpekpe organisers ready to host world class race

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rganisers of the Okpekpe international 10km road race have restated their readiness to organise a bigger and better event this Saturday in Okpekpe near Auchi in Edo State.

Race director Zakari Amodu says the first and only IAAF Bronze Label race in Nigeria will live up to its billing as one of the prestigious road races in the world.

'Everything is set for a good race,” Amodu said.

“The International Association of Athletics Federations have set requirements for us to follow as a bronze label event and I can tell you we have met all the requirements and have even moved several steps higher.

“What we are waiting for is just for the race day to be here so that we can put into practice all we have been doing in terms of keeping to the requirements.

“We have met the requirement concerning the number of elite athletes that must be present for a bronze label event. In fact we have met

the requirement for a gold label event which, considered alongside other requirements which we have also met will facilitate our upgrade into a silver label event, 'he further said and revealed they have met other conditions like insurance cover for the athletes, the equality of the prize money, doping controls and other requirements outlined by the IAAF."

nglish Premier League club Crystal Palace has indicated interest in signing Portland Timbers Nigerian forward Fanendo Adi. The 25-year-old joined Timbers from FC Copenhagen in the summer of 2014 on an initial loan deal which later became permanent and has since established himself as one of the most feared strikers in MLS, netting a club-record 31 goals in 65 regular season appearances.

The towering Nigerian’s impressive performances even earned him his first senior international call-up in March, and there are now suggestions that he could be set for a move to Europe as soon as this summer.

The likes of Celtic, Werder Bremen and Sporting Lisbon are all keeping close tabs on his progress, while Crystal Palace and St Etienne have joined the chase of the well-travelled striker’s signature after seeing

Safwat rules Tombim Abuja Open …as Dayak Championship serves off

E

gyptian Mohamed Safwat at the weekend emerged champion of the second leg of the Tombim Abuja Open with a 6-4, 4-2 (ret.) win over top seed, Aldin Setkic of Botsnia, as tennis fever spreads on with the start of the Dayak Tennis Championship.

The road to the final was rough and tough for the 26-year-old Safwat, who played three sets in all his four previous matches on his way to

the final the highlight of his tortuous road was the energy-sapping 2hrs 58mins win over American Nicolas Meister in the semifinal.

However, mother luck shone on the world no 272 thirdseeded Egyptian as he did not even need to stay on court for a third of that period before sealing the title he fell short of winning in the first leg losing to Dutchman Antal van Der Duim in the final.

him start the 2016 season with six goals in eight games.

The fact he has yet to earn his first cap for Nigeria means there may be some potential work permits problems should

Palace look to follow up their interest with a concrete bid this summer, but his performances in MLS over the last three seasons suggest he is still a target worth pursuing.

Adi (right)

Giwa faces expulsion from NPFL Charles Ogundiya

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iwa FC failed to turn up in Ilorin on Sunday for their Nigeria league match against Wikki Tourists and they are now be just a game away from being expelled from the league.

Wikki thus conducted a walkover Giwa when it was clear they will not honour the game and there was no representation from them as to why they stayed away.

Jos club Giwa have been banished to Ilorin after their home game against Enugu Rangers was abandoned due to crowd trouble.

According to the Framework and rules of the NPFL for the 2015/16 season, Article 13.27 clearly stipulated the conse-

quence of missing consecutive matches without acceptable reasons to the organisers.

It reads: “If a club fails to honour two consecutive matches without an acceptable reason to LMC such a club shall be expelled from the League and its matches played and unplayed match shall be cancelled.”

And this sanction would also apply should Giwa fail to honout three cumulative matches in the season.

Article 13.28 stated: “If a Club fails to honour three matches cumulatively within the League season without an acceptable reason to the LMC such a club shall be expelled from the League and its matches played and unplayed match shall be cancelled.”

‘Completed swimming pool, part of Buhari's one-year feat’

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inister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has said that the rehabilitated Olympic-size swimming pool at the National Stadium Lagos will be part of the achievements to mark President Muhammadu Buhari's one year in office.

Dalung stated this during a recent inspection visit of the facility which he ordered its rehabilitation immediately he assumed of office.

Satisfied with the progress of works he commended the contractor, Joseph Odubeatu, MD, Jonac Engineering Services, for his commitment and requested him to tidy up whatever is left

within two weeks so that a date could be fixed for the commissioning.

"I am indeed overwhelmed by the level of work. We can safely say the swimming pool has been completed.

The contractor has lived up to expectation and has defended his integrity.

He may not have made monetary profit but money cannot buy the name he has made here," Dalung enthused.

"In maximum two weeks, we should be through with the issue of the swimming pool so that it can be part of our celebration of one year in office."

Dalung was full of praises for the exemplary commitment of the contractor

towards the completion of the project revealing that he worked under difficult financial conditions.

"This has been a litmus test and the contractor has proved that the problem was not him. I was thinking he was just one of those typical Nigeria contractors but he has proved the contrary. His reasons for the delay in the job before I came in have been justified. There were no funds for him to make progress."

On the use and maintenance of the pool, Dalung indicated that it would not be business as usual while ordering that similar rehabilitation work should be extended to the children section of

the pool.

Dalung said: "This pool has been left unattended for the past 20 years.

We have not completed it for it to be returned speedily to status quo ante.

We must ensure that this facility is put to maximum use. It must be well managed, kept neat and maintained.

We will no longer accommodate a situation where government investment is toyed with."

"The children pool should also be completed for children to learn and train in swimming. We must not deny children the opportunity of expressing their talent."

INTERNATIONAL SPORT

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Man United delay Leicester's party

Ronaldo returns to training after injury

R

eal Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to training after recovering from a hamstring injury and could be fit to face Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.

Ronaldo has not featured since April 20, but could return for the second leg having missed last week's 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

The 31-year-old Portuguese trained with his team mates during the first half of Sunday's session before working out on the pitch alone, Real said on their website.

Striker Karim Benzema also continued his

recovery from a hamstring injury and Alvaro Arbeloa - who has not played since early April completed some running exercises.

Ronaldo leads the Champions League scoring charts with 16 goals this season, including a hat-trick in the quarterfinal second-leg victory over Wolfsburg.

A Ronaldo

Rosberg eases to Russian Grand Prix win

N

ico Rosberg extended his lead at the top of the world championship to 43 points thanks to a victory at Sunday's Russian Grand Prix.

The German began on pole position in Sochi and ended up leading the race from start to finish to maintain his 100% winning start in 2016.

Meanwhile, Rosberg's Mercedes teammate and defending champion Lewis Hamilton recovered from 10th on the grid to claim second spot.

Third went to Kimi Raikkonen, but there was not such positive news for Sebastian Vettel in the other Ferrari.

Juventus celebrate title in style

H

ernanes and Simone Zaza scored the goals as Juventus extended their club record for successive home clean sheets to 10.

They were crowned champions for the fifth season in a row on Monday

EPL TABLES Team

P

PTS

1 Leicester

36 77

2 Tottenham

35 69

3 Arsenal

36 67

4 Man City

36 64

5 Man United

35 60

6 West Ham

35 59

7 Southampton

36 57

8 Liverpool

35 55

9 Stoke City

36 48

10 Chelsea

34 47

11 Everton

35 44

12 Watford

35 44

13 Swansea

36 43

14 West Brom

36 41

15 Bournemouth

36 41

when Napoli, their closest challengers, lost to Roma.

And their players celebrated with fans after maintaining their stunning form.

Her nanes' first-half strike and Simone Zaza's late header helped Massimiliano Allegri's men brush aside relegation-threatened Carpi.

They can complete a double by beating AC Milan in the Italian cup final on 21 May. "I am happy with the win," Allegri said. "It was a good one to get because the crowd was smaller than usual, after the celebrations and such.

1-1 draw against Manchester United has denied Leicester City the chance of winning the Premier League title at Old Trafford.

The 10-man Foxes, aiming to become just the sixth side ever to lift the famous crown, levelled things up in the first half when Wes Morgan cancelled out Anthony Martial's opener.

What would arguably be the greatest achievement in sporting history will have to wait for at least another day, however, with Tottenham Hotspur now needing a win at Chelsea to keep the title race alive.

Chris Smalling came close to bagging a valuable goal for his side late on at the end of a Wayne Rooney cross, which he diverted inches wide of the target.

There was to be a twist with two minutes of normal time remaining when Drinkwater, already on a yellow, pulled back on substitute Memphis Depay on the edge of the box to be given his marching orders, although home supporters felt aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty.

A couple of Rooney attempts aside, there was to be no late drama at the theatre of Dreams in the closing stages, meaning that a Leicester side assembled for less than £30m are now another step closer to getting their hands on a first ever top-flight title.

36 33

18 Sunderland

35 32

19 Norwich City

35 31

20 Aston Villa

36 16

Riyad Mahrez being challenged

by Man United's Marcos Rojo... yesterday.

Giroud admits confidence issues

O

livier Giroud had admitted his confidence is low at the moment, but that he was pleased with his contribution to Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Norwich

on Saturday.

The French international is suffering his worst spell of form in his time at the club, and hasn’t scored in the Premier League since Janu-

16 Crystal Palace 36 39 17 Newcastle

45

Danny Welbeck's (2nd right) taking a shot at goal during Arsenal's 1-0 win against Norwich

ary. He looks like a broken man at times, and his overall performance against Norwich wasn’t great, but it was from his knock-down that Danny Welbeck broke the deadlock and got the winning goal.

Speaking to the official site, he said, “It is always nice for a striker to score or assist a team-mate. I’m pleased to be back, not on the scoresheet but on the assist sheet.

“I’m used to playing for my team-mates and I try to help them when I can. If I cannot finish the work, I try to play for them. This one reminded me of another goal, it was like Theo’s against Leicester.

“I try to play with my first instinct and be efficient, but even if I didn’t score I’m pleased with that assist and I will try to keep working.

“I will work hard to get the confidence back and the goals as well.”

EPL RESULTS Swansea

3-1

Liverpool

MancUnited

1-1

Leicester

S'hampton

4-2

ManCity

Everton

2-1

B'mouth

Newcastle

1-0

C'Palace

Stoke City

1-1

Sunderland

Watford

3-2

Aston Villa

West Brom

0-3

West Ham

Arsenal

1-0

Norwich City

LA-LIGA Athletic Bilbao

2-1

Celta Vigo Sevilla

Espanyol

1-0

Sporting Gijon

2-0

Eibar

Real Sociedad

0-1

R/Madrid

Atl. Madrid

1-0

Vallecano

Real Betis

0-2

Barcelona

Granada

3-2

Las Palmas

BUNDESLIGA B'Munich

1-1

Dortmund

5-1

M'gladbach Wolfsburg

Darmstadt

1-2

E. Frankfurt

Hannover

1-3

Schalke 04

Hoffenheim

2-1

Ingolstadt

Mainz

0-0

Hamburger

Leverkusen

2-1

H. Berlin

46

SPORTS

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Toriola, Oshonaike to inspire tennis youngsters

Yobo’s visit thrills Everton fans

F

ormer Super Eagles captian Joseph Yobo was a guest of honour as his former club Everton took on Bournemouth in a Barclays Premier League game on Saturday.

The former Nigeria captain was presented to the fans at half time and received a stadium wide ovation for few minutes of the encounter which Everton won 2-1.

"It was a humbling and emotional moment for me," said Yobo, who spent a decade at the Premier League club, which he joined from French side Olympic Marseille.

The former Eagles captain is also a former captain of Everton FC. Everton have endured a torrid season, with fans booing the team and calling for manager Roberto Martinez to be fired. But they still took a time out to give a former servant a welcome worth remem-

lNTTF lists players for U-16 Super League U-16 Super League have been unveiled by the federation.

Lagos’ Augustine Emmanuel and Kwara’s Sukurat Aiyelabegan are champions of the league

Emmanuel Tobi

P

resident of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Wahid Oshodi, has revealed that top tennis players Segun Toriola and Funke Oshonaike have been shortlisted to inspire youngsters at the forthcoming U-16 Super League.

Oshodi added that the Super League promises to be exciting as there was hope of unearthing new talents.

“We expect fireworks because these children are determined and so talented to showcase themselves.

Playing before the big crowd at the Teslim Balogun Stadium as a warm up to the ITTF Nigerian Open will surely bring out the best in them.

“They will also be introduced into the elite cadet training programme that will be conducted later in the year by the national team coaches and seasoned professionals like Segun Toriola and Funke Oshonaike,” Oshodi said.

Meanwhile, the 20 players that will compete at the colourful Nigeria Table Tennis Federation Oshonaike

and they are expected to be joined by 18 other players in the grand finale holding on May 14 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

bering.

The visit to Everton was part of Yobo's preparation for his testimonial game billed to take place in Port Harcourt on May 27.

School friendly for Yekini's 4th year anniversary Charles Ogundiya

T

he families of late football icon, Rashidi Yekini, have concluded plans to celebrate the 4th year memorial anniversary with a football match between Ibadan Grammar School and Methodist High School, Ibadan billed for May 4 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba.

According to the counsel to the late footballer, Jibril Mohamed, the Rashidi Yekini Foundation would be donating football kits and jerseys to the two participating schools.

“Yekini started as nobody and he rose to stardom by the help of God, he had no kit to play as a kid and that is

why we are using this year’s memorial anniversary to remember schools and support them,” Mohamed said.

“Ibadan Grammar school is a great institution as far as education is concerned and they have produced players like Taiwo Ogunjobi, Zion Ogunfeyimi, Bella Momoh to mention few during the Principals’ Cup while Methodist high school had produced the likes of Raymond King, Ojokojo etc.

“We need to rekindle the passion and Rashidi Yekini Foundation would be celebrating with these new talents in football may be through this simple effort, a new Yekini would be discovered.”

NIGERIAN PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND-UP

Lagos teams shine in Agege NPFL TABLES Team

P

PTS

1 Rangers

14

27

2 Kano Pillars

13

24

3 Abia Warrior

13

24

4 IfeanyiUbah

14

23

5 Lobi Star

14

22

6 Rivers Utd

14

22

7 MFM

14

22

8 Wikki

12

19

9 Warri Wolves

13

19

10 Akwa United

14

18

11 Heartland

14

18

12 Nasarawa Utd 14

18

13 Plateau Utd

14

18

14 Sunshine

14

17

15 Tornadoes

14

17

16 El-Kanemi

14

16

17 Shooting

14

16

18 Enyimba

10

14

19 Giwa

13

14

20 Ikorodu Utd

14

9

Yobo

...as fans want Ikorodu to change home base Rangers maintain top position despite loss

I

t was a glorious moment for the two Lagos-based clubs at the weekend at the Agege Township Stadium, as they recorded impressive results against Heartland and Akwa United.

Ikorodu United ended their 11 games without a win as they came from behind to beat Heartland 3-1 in the first game of the day while MFM defeated Akwa United 3-0.

Before the victory against Heartland, Ikorodu have

Heartland's Ifeanyin Onuigbo (left) vying for the ball with Shooting Stars' Izu Joseph

only won one game, and they were able to score three goals since their promotion to the top division.

Meanwhile, Lagos fans have called on the management of Ikorodu United to shift their home base to Agege stadium.

The Oga Boys have been struggling at their home ground, the Onikan Stadium, where they have been giving out points to visiting teams.

Some fans who spoke with

New Telegraph said the team should come and take advantage of the Agege fans and also to share from MFM’s anointing.

“This is their first game here and they won 3-1, why can’t they change from Onikan to this place especially because this pitch is on better standard than the other one,” Tunde Bashir, one of the fans said.

Similarly, Enugu Rangers, maintained their position at the top of the table despite losing 3-1 to Rivers United in Port Harcourt in one of the matches played on Sunday.

Kano Pillars recorded the only away win of the weekend as Adamu Mohammed 82nd minute goal was enough to give the former champions a 1-0 victory against Sunshine Stars in Akure.

Defending champions, Enyimba, recorded their second home draw after coming from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw against Lobi Stars while the game between Shooting Stars and Plateau United in Ibadan also ended 2-2.

Stories by Charles Ogundiya

We are not on half pay – Akwa United

P

layers and coach of Akwa United have debunked rumour that the team has been placed on half salary after their recent below par performance in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

The Technical Adviser of the team, Maurice Coreman, was asked to proceed on an indefinite leave while the head coach, Ere Dokubo, was given a mandate of three games, with rumours going round that the team was placed on half salary until things improve positively.

“That story is not true,” the coach said. “Nobody will be happy with the recent performance of the team, but we are not on half salary.”

Also, one of the players who crave anonymity said the management never mentioned anything about their NPFL RESULTS salary.

“We are Ikorodu Utd 3-1 Heartland going down MFM 3-0 Akwa Utd seriously and that is not a Sunshine 0-1 Kano Pillars good sign at Rivers Utd 3-1 Rangers all considering our start Nasarawa Utd 2-0 Wolves to the season.

Ifeanyiubah 0-0 Abia Warriors “We just need to start Enyimba 2-2 Lobi getting result Tornadoes 1-0 El-Kanemi and move up on the league Shooting 2-2 Plateau Utd table.”

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Pat Ekeji’s Corner patrick.ekeji@yahoo.com 08159364282 (sms only)

Reflections and the burden of experience

M

y dear Stakeholders, this is the sports from private sector which may third and last of my series on come about with appropriate policies the above subject matter. As with an NSC in place, would become I reflect on sports development and but just a dream; the career path for the journey so far, it will indeed be a our children who have embraced the surprise to you that I am asking the study of physical education in our uniquestion; how can sports development versities will be foreclosed; the encourin our dear country be rescued? After agement needed by persons who are all, I was until I bowed out three years investing in the effort to make sports ago, part of sports administration in an industry would dim; all the efforts the country. made so far to encourage the growth While surfing online news, far away of sports medicine and improvements at my location in Maryland USA, I in the fight against doping in sports stumbled on the comments of the in Nigeria will suffer huge set back; Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, the business of sports which also induring his interaction with the Press volves the media, marketing, sponsorin Lagos on Thursday, the 21st of April. ships and employments thereto will He told his audience that his request to disappear; the possibility of private Mr President for funds to prepare and sector involvement in the management participate at the Rio Olympics in July of our sports facilities which already would receive a favorable consider- suffer tremendous neglect because of ation soon, that the NSC was scrapped public service bottle neck will vanbecause it has no legal backing though ish entirely; the possibility of even athe blamed the immediate past DG ( tempting research into sports developAlhassan Yakmut) for inappropriate ment in Nigeria will no longer receive behavior on the matter. mention let alone funding; the future From the minister’s explanations, of elite athlete development program Yakmut may have erred in his apwhich has already been instituted, proach to the issue, none-theeven if it is at the back seat at the less, the bigger picture and moment, will go under beyond the benefits to the country revival. for the continued existence In all, how is the existence of of the NSC should be parathe NSC of direct consequence? mount and therefore the matThe answer is, they can best be ter needs to be revisited for the championed and addressed by following reasons; a functional NSC, either The difference beas a stand-alone or tween the recently part of a ministry. scrapped NSC and Dear stakeholdthose before, is that ers, re-establishing it was properly structhe NSC does not tured into five detranslate to addiDalung partments namely tional expenditure SPORTS FEDERAon sports by governTIONS & ELITE DEPARTMENT, ment. Rather, government can and GRASSROOTS SPORTS DEVELO- should encourage its performance by PLMENT DEPARTMENT, PLAN- championing the enactment of the NING & STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, NSC bill and ensuring that the entire SPORTS MEDICINE DEPARTMENT, spectrum of its administration and FACILTITES & STADIUM DEVEL- management is put in the hands of OPMENT DEPARTMENT, each with tested and reliable persons, and we clear departmental mandates in tan- have them! dem with the vision and mission stateScrapping the NSC is equivalent to ments of the NSC. These mandates taking the easiest way out of a problem were foreseen to impact on the future even if it does not guarantee success. curriculum of the study of Physical It is true, ‘’a straight line is the shortEducation at tertiary institutions and est distance between two points’’, but ultimately the specialization training that may not necessarily be the most for sports officers. This is the trend strategic route’’. And now to the sore world over. We cannot afford to do it issue of funding the logistics of the differently otherwise we will perpetu- Olympic Games coming up in Brazil ally be playing catch-up. Is that what Rio de Janairo, from Friday August 5 we want? to Sunday August 21; our cap-in-hand The future of sports for our Youths approach to such global events will was threatened because, take it or continue to yield heart-breaking releave it, the foundation for strengthen- sults. Believe me. ing and extension of sports to schools Our Committees of Sports in the haland grassroots is eroded by the pres- lowed Chambers of our National Assement policy. For instance the enhanced bly are KEY STAKEHOLDERS. They national Sports Festival and the Youth have a chance now to make a mark in the Championship which have been on history books of sports development in hold largely because of funds, may our country. Pass the NSC bill into Law. never hold again; the enhancement of That is a legacy for which you shall be sports development at the grassroots remembered by all of us whenever our would go under and perhaps forever; sports development history is recalled. the possibility of improved funding for That time will come!

SPORT

47

Iwobi breathes new life into the Gunners’ attack

A

lex Iwobi is the latest academy and temperament. Recently though, graduate from Arsenal’s Hale Wenger has played him in an attackEnd Academy and one the ing-midfield role instead of a forward Gunners will be looking to rely on in one, due to his ability to find pockets the coming seasons. TheHardTackle of space and this is where he has shone profiles the Nigerian teenager, whose the most. However, that is not to say unique style of play and intelligence the young forward cannot finish — the has seen him emerge as this season’s breakthrough teenager.

“He has all it takes,” former Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu stated in a recent interview with Arsenal Media. “He needs to keep pushing until he gets his chance. Football is all about chances and when you have the opportunity you have to grab it”. And how Iwobi has done that!

After impressing with the youth squad and making numerous appearances on the bench – including in last season’s match at Galatasaray in the Champions League –the Arsenal man first gave fans a glimpse of Iwobi (left) runs his undeniable talent with the ball in pre-season, when he was a surprise inclusion in the Arsenal squad that travelled to Singatop prospore. pect has In the an instincE m i r tive feel for ates Cup h e situations, netted a stunw h i c h n i n g goal and helped a f t e r continuhim rack ally mesmerising up 10 for the under-21 side, goals in particularly in a top j u s t 17 class per- formance against starts for the Dortmund in the UEFA Youth Cup youth set-up last which included a long-range goal, season.

Iwobi Iwobi finally made his full competiIwobi also sees tive debut in the League Cup against things before most, Sheffield Wednesday. Four days later, allowing him to travhe made his Premier League debut. el with the ball smoothThe promising Lagos-born attacker ly as well as link up displayed moments of brilliance in each with his teammates of his matches and it was clear to see in an almost seamwhy Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger less manner. He entrusted him with such responsibilis excellent ity, as he grew in confidence with every at receiving passing game under his belt. passes on the In January, Arsenal handed Iwobi a half-turn and new long-term contract, another demonlikes to be stration of their faith in the 19-year-old’s progrespotential. Two months later the starlet sive was named in the starting lineup ahead with of Theo Walcott in the do-or-die match his against Barcelona at the Nou Camp, diswhere he put in a solid and mature pertriformance, sending out a very clear mesb u sage to onlookers worldwide. tion.

This was followed by his first start On the international scene, Iwobi in the league against Everton at Goodi- made his senior debut for Nigeria on son Park, where he found himself on October 8, 2015 after representing Engthe scoresheet in his best match in the land at the U16, U17 and U21 level. He Arsenal shirt so far. After magnificent- made his competitive debut in a 1-1 draw ly controlling the ball in the air, Iwobi against Egypt on March 25 and played slotted it past the onrushing goalkeep- again in the reverse fixture four days er and into the empty net, helping him later. His encouraging performances claim the man-of-the-match award. have reinforced the view that Iwobi has a maturity that is beyond his years.

Iwobi’s uncle, the great Jay-Jay Okocha, took to Twitter to express his deThe Arsenal man is exceptionally light at his nephew’s progress, while versatile, having been used in virtu- Wenger heaped praise on the young ally every position on the pitch. The Nigerian, calling him ‘intelligent’ and club’s youth coaches have experiment- describing him as ‘quickly improving’. ed to find his most effective position to utilise his blistering pace, balance Sources: TheHardTackle

Versatility

On Marble

The person who allows his wrong act to be discussed at the village square cannot prevent the future from referencing him.

World Record

Sanctity of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

– Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

N150

Feodor Vassilyev, Russian (c. 1707-1782) was a peasant from Shuya. She gave birth to a total of 69 children; 16 pairs of twins, 7 sets of triplets and 4 sets of quadruplets between 1725 and 1765, in a total of 69 births. 67 of her children were reported to survive infancy.

Public arena T he column you write

Issues with the correct‘change’ Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama

T

he promise of a better future has never been lacking in the leadership of Nigeria. Just as every woman knows her breast is primarily for satisfying the suckling; promises have been Nigeria’s national endowment used by the political class to offer satisfaction.

Even the regimes widely considered as bad never for once lacked promises of a better future while the citizens waited patiently as hope frittered away.

Enjoining Nigerians to be patient should not always be the follow-up campaign after every presidential election is won. This time, people voted to see the promised ‘change’ manifest in their time; and not for coming generations. And whoever thinks Nigerians still needed to be schooled on patience is obviously missing out on the magnitude of calamities the people have endured in waiting.

But when would Nigeria cease to be an experimental ground for testing the effect of political promises and citizens’ patience? On a literal note, the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaigned about a new deal for Nigerians.

A deal so good that Nigerians would be offered some ‘change’ from all transactions when they invest their votes in the already-well-perfected APC package. In addition, the APC salesmen kept echoing the unprofitable transactions PDP had let Nigerians into at the national level while proposing the attractive alternatives as the new deal.

For Nigerians, disappointment is not a new phenomenon. What is a new phenomenon is that no individual in the political class cutting across tribal sentiments has been so trusted to have the strength of character needed to act boldly as President Muhammadu Buhari. But no sooner had the gains from the capacity to act boldly been expected than Nigerians are now being made to realize there is something else which comes before acting boldly. It is the capacity to think swiftly, rightly and broadly. And this is the new yardstick which Nigerians are using to assess not only the promised ‘change’ but also the correct ‘change’.

When the APC came out with its “Change” slogan, it was not different from so many well crafted campaign promises of other political platforms.

But the only difference in APC’s message was that it carried its own instrument of enforcing the promise. And Buhari was that instrument widely known and believed to be effective.

Situations have ways of rewarding persons of exceptionally proven qualities with heroism when their eyes are morally focused on the ball. Providence not minding Buhari’s age lag for physical activism has again brought him out for a contest which success could assuage the feelings of his fellow-country men and perhaps make him a fulfilled person after his famous ‘cry’ over the

John Oyegun, APC Chairman

Bola Tinubu, APC leader

comity of nations.

Good enough, Buhari is still demonstrating an unremitting appetite for acting boldly, which is most needed now. However, certain events like the bust and prosecution of high profile corrupt government officials can easily become a daily serial of an entertaining drama with an infectious downside of removing the mind from timeously attending to the other important subjects which get worsened by the seconds.

This much created the level of initial anxiety over who should make the ministerial list of President Buhari as he promised good harvest from using just a few workers. But in all, Nigerians are aware that fixing the problem is not just about attaining perfection in Abuja.

In a presidential system like ours, along the line of responsibility, President Buhari could be blamed for the continuing poverty of the hardworking village farmer in Edo State who lacks good roads or the appropriate government policies which would enable his farm produce safely and rewardingly get to the local and international market. Therefore, it is considered appropriate for the President to figure out how to have his presence broadly felt everywhere across Nigeria.

Importantly, there is the fear of what Nigeria can become should Buhari fail. For those who still believe in ‘project Nigeria’ this is the time to bring the necessary support on board. And essentially, those in the APC hierarchy must desist from any inclination of ‘this is our thing’.

Nigerians are still aware of the well articulated ethics of every proposed transaction, and therefore must be given the right ‘change’ from all transactions.

HIGH CHIEF

278 POLICEMEN KILLED IN TWO YEARS –IGP Lai Mohammed, Information Minister

Osita Izunaso, APC Chieftain

impudicity which kept denying him another presidential tenure.

Paradoxically, the first time Buhari had a shot at controlling Nigeria’s corporate destiny, things were never so challenging. He had the military weapon of fiat in his grip and there was still a reasonable foreboding about corruption. But now, the odds against Buhari have become stronger. Democracy forbids certain swift actions no matter how well intentioned and corruption has become more daring, crafty and shameless.

With the amount of Nigeria’s money stolen and moved abroad, and a dearth of infrastructural needs to propel the economy, the decision to first reel in international corporations and support

could be imperative, but no matter the profound mental activism Buhari is exhibiting in this regard, he must match it up with a greater amount of physical and mental activism at the home front where it matters more and the import of all his actions can be cohesively appreciated.

After all, the good thing about Nigeria is the ease of identifying where the problems lie. And another established fact is the consensus on the need of force in crushing the different problematic joints of our national life: The problems have become rusty with the silt of corruption and mismanagement - preventing Nigeria from functioning properly and assuming an enviable place in the

- Hope their families are taken care of?

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotlines: (Lagos 0902 928 1425), (Abuja 0805 5118488) Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: AYODELE OJO.