Thursday, july 14, 2016 binder1

Court declares 45% electricity tariff hike illegal, reckless lNLC hails ruling, asks DISCOS to revert to old rates Akeem Nafiu and Yekeen Nurudeen

J

ustice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High

Court in Lagos yesterday declared illegal and ‘procedurally ultra vires, irrational, irregular’ the hike in electricity tariff

announced in July 2015 by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Besides, the court said

the hike in the electricity tariff was not only procedurally defective and a breach of EPSRA 2005, but “clearly hasty, reckless and

irresponsible."

The Muhammadu Buhari administration had, last year, increased the electricity tariff in the country by 45 per cent.

Minister of Power,

Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and the regulatory agency, NERC, had insisted that there was no going back on the tariff hike.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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Thursday, July 14, 2016

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FG hires 18 firms for forensic audit of MDAs }4

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I’ve powers to prosecute Saraki, Ekweremadu –AGF Egbemode

Dogara

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SGF, Senators clash over constituency projects Plot to impeach Buhari, a huge joke –APC }5 & 6 Police release seven-year-old boy from detention after two months }8

Chibuike

EFCC seals off estate firm over $200bn scam }2

FG under pressure to probe Buratai Agency closes in on ex-governor

L-R: Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai; President Muhammadu Buhari and aide de camp (ADC) to the president, Lt. Col. Lawal Abubakar, during the 2016 Nigerian Army Day celebration in Dansadau, Zamfara State …yesterday

Cigarette butts, threat to environment –Study }7

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THURSDAY, July 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

EFCC seals off estate firm over $200bn scam Emmanuel Onani Abuja

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peratives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, sealed off The First Group Company, a real estate firm in Abuja.

A highly placed source at the anti-graft agency, who spoke in confidence with New Telegraph, said the estate firm, which is located on the 7th Floor of the Bank of Industry (BoI) building in the Central Business District of Abuja, was sealed off for allegedly duping the public of $200 billion.

New Telegraph further gathered that operatives of the commission had, sometime in May, raided the office in continuation of investigations into the alleged fraud.

The source, who spoke in confidence with New Telegraph, said the operatives had, sometime in May, raided the office, noting that several implicating documents, which revealed names of high profile patrons, were recovered.

According to the source, who spoke in confidence, the company, which was originally known as TGF Real Estate Limited, operates in the country in the guise of The First Group company, a Dubai-based real estate firm, which the commission said was not registered in Nigeria.

The source said: "The EFCC on July 13 sealed off the office of The First Group company, a real estate firm, located on the seventh-floor at the Bank of Industry building in the Central Business District, Abuja.

"The company is implicated in a phony real estate scam in which innocent Nigerians were duped to the tune of $200 billion.

Operatives of the EFCC had, in May 2016, raided the office as part of investigations into the alleged property fraud. Several implicating documents were discovered, including a list of high profile patrons.

"Investigations into the scam revealed that the company, originally known as TFG Real Estate Limited, operates in Nigeria in the guise of being The First Group Company,

What Kalu told Ikpeazu

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hen a former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK) on July 9, 2016 published an article with the title “Abia imbroglio: Blame T. A. Orji” on his Saturday Sun column, he did not use Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State as the hypothesis for the article, as against some views that have ensued in some quarters after the article.

OUK was bent on saying that Abia State was one of the finest states from creation but whatever that was happening in the state now should be neck-laced round Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji’s neck.

He never pointed any accusing fingers at Governor Ikpeazu. Kalu was only saying that the embarrassing situation that erupted between Dr. Sampson Ogah and Ikpeazu after a court ruling ought not to have erupted in the first place, even though that it was not the purpose of the article he wrote to send any verdict on the matter.

Kalu was rather bent on the fact that Chief T.A Orji laid the foundation for all the mess. Kalu even said that with the few months of Ikpeazu as governor, people have said that he might perform laudably.

Hear Kalu: “I have nothing against Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who

emerged governor after the 2015 governorship election. Since he came on board he has tried the much he could to make significant contributions to the development of the state.”

So, where did Kalu castigate the governor as some yesmen in the Abia government wanted people to believe?

A Tomichan Matheikal was quoted to have said that history is replete with blunders written by sycophants. Now, no matter how pettiness they attempt in making sure that Kalu and Ikpeazu locked their horns in the opposite direction, they will never succeed.

Yes, the world is populated with people who create troubles in order to reap; Kalu is known for his good deeds, not like those known for their greed. Kalu is one man who will do everything positive in making sure that Abia State is lifted to the next level.

Nigerians know him as a man who does not shy away from giving credit to whom it is due for. He is not a betrayer, charlatan, cheat, crafty, hypocrite, plagiarist, quack. He is a true-mentor, true-motivational-speaker, truthful, indomitable writer, and does not have insult running in his blood.

Rubby Obinna (Mrs), Orji Uzor Kalu Media Centre, Abuja.

a Dubai-based real estate firm, which is not registered in Nigeria.

"The modus operandi of the company is to lure innocent Nigerians interested in owning properties in Dubai, into parting with their hard-earned money.

They are mandated to make the payments in installments; however, the payment is deliberately structured in such a way that the debt is difficult to offset, and as soon as one defaults, the money will be “seized” by the company."

The company operates in some of the nation’s airports and big shopping malls.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government is under pressure to clear the air on the discovery of two properties in Dubai, owned by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

New Telegraph gathered that the pressure was coming from groups and individuals, who have continued to express worry that since reports of the Dubai property surfaced, neither the Presidency nor the EFCC, has made any official comment on the matter.

This is as New Telegraph learnt that the EFCC was closing-in on a former Southern governor, who has been under investigation for sundry corruption allegations, including the alleged ownership of houses in Dubai.

It will be recalled that an online newspaper had reported some weeks ago, that the COAS and his wives own a property in Dubai, which it alleged, was paid for in a single transaction.

It was further alleged in the said report that Buratai carried out the transaction at a time he was the Director of Procurement at the Army Headquarters (AHQ), Abuja.

While admitting ownership of two properties in Dubai, the Nigerian Army had, however, clarified that the houses were bought through personal savings in 2013.

The Army had also denied that Buratai was Director of Procurement, even as it noted that he had

declared his assets twice; as Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), and as the current COAS. “The allegations contained in the write up are baseless and not correct.

It is a fact that the Buratai family has two properties in Dubai that were paid for instalmentally through personal savings three years ago.

“This, along with other personal assets, have consistently been declared

by General Buratai in his Assets Declaration Form as Commander Multinational Joint Task Force Commander and as Chief of Army Staff..."

While this lasted, an online portal that disseminates information on security matters, had reported that an investigative team had cleared the COAS of any wrongdoing.

However, a highly placed source told New Telegraph, that the Federal Government was under pressure to clear the air on

2.44

106.27

The average stay of football players of Italy in 2013-2014.

Source: Football-observatory.com

The mobile teledensity of Nigeria in June 2015.

Source: Ncc.gov.ng

the issue.

"I think the government is under immense pressure to speak officially on this matter, considering the transparent and upright nature of President Muhammadu Buhari.

"It is likely that it will clear the air soon on the development. It will not hesitate to tell Nigerians if Buratai has been cleared, or if investigations are ongoing," the source said.

Also, New Telegraph has learnt that the EFCC was closing-in on a former governor in one of the Southern states, who is alleged, to own over some houses in Dubai.

A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “EFCC is seriously investigating my boss, and I can say that confidently.

"They have even extended their probe to some close allies, including my humble self. In fact, my bank account officer called to inform me that operatives were subjecting my account to scrutiny."

It was learnt that the anti-graft agency has been scrutinising accounts of the wife of the former governor, his aides and business associates.

L-R: Managing Director, Stanbic IBTC, Mrs. Sola David Borha; wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo; wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari; Executive Director, International Trade Centre (ITC), Ms. Arancha Gonzalez; Founder, The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Chairman, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Stella Okoli and CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, during the launch of SheTrades in Abuja...yesterday

Reps demand halt to hike in electricity tariff Philip Nyam Abuja

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he House of Representatives yesterday urged the Federal Government to stop the plan to increase electricity tariff by whatever percentage by distribution companies (DISCOs).

The House said the increment is not in the public interest, adding that if the proposed hike is not halted, its multiplying effect on the economy and social well being of Nigerians cannot be quantified.

The decision was taken following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance titled “Illegal 100% Tariff Hike by Electricity Firms in Nigeria” and

sponsored by Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki (APC, Kano).

While presenting the motion, Madaki noted the importance of electricity supply in economic growth and development, but berated the epileptic and erratic power supply by the respective distribution companies in Nigeria as well as their inability to proffer permanent solution to the problem bedevilling the power sector.

He acknowledged that the DISCOs had written to the regulatory authority, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), requesting for hike in electricity tariff from N24 to N50 per kilowatt for residential.

“I recall that in February 2016, NERC increased elec-

tricity tariff by 45 per cent with no corresponding impact on supply; rather, electricity supply has dropped, affecting both households and commercial activities.

“The planned 100 per cent increase in electricity tariff by NERC on the request of distribution companies is illegal and an abuse of court process.

“If the proposed hike in electricity tariff is not put on halt, its multiplier effect on the economy and the social well-being of Nigerians cannot be quantified,” Madaki said.

Supporting the motion, Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, stated that the proposed plan is a scam and called for a review of the sale of assets to DISCOs to private individuals

as they lack the capacity to run the sector.

“The increase is nothing, but a scam. People are paying huge money and DISCOs are smiling to the banks without commensurate services. I believe that the sale of assets of DISCOs to private individuals should be reviewed. They lack capacity and financial capacity to deliver quality services to Nigerians,” he said.

In his ruling, Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, referred the matter to an ad hoc committee to investigate the sale of power assets.

The committee was also mandated to investigate the rationale behind the last increase in electricity tariff by the DISCOs.

THURSDAY, July 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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THURSDAY, July 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG hires 18 firms for forensic audit of MDAs

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

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he Federal Government has hired 18 professional audit companies to carry out a forensic audit of its agencies to access true state of their revenue generation.

Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Ahmed Idris, said the audit process would cover the period of 2010 to 2015, and would be completed in 18 months.

Idris said that the audit would also cover capital, personnel and overhead expenditure across all Federal Government's Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Addressing the consultants selected to handle the task at an interactive session yesterday in Abuja, the AGF, represented by the Director of Funds, Alhaji Salau Zubairu, said the audit would aid the Federal Government in arriving at better decisions, in view of the dwindling inflow of government revenue.

He said the first phase of the assignment was divided into two categories and will involve 33 agencies.

Category A comprises eight agencies with a turnover of above N100 billion

and category B involves 25 agencies with a turnover of below N100 billion.

The AGF said some of the terms of reference given to the consultants was to review the sources of revenues accruing to the organisations and the effectiveness of revenue generation and accounting.

Some of the terms of reference given the consultants for the audit process include, to: Undertake a critical review of the financial statements of the organisations over the last five years, confirm the sources and quantum of funding received from government, whether loans, subventions or grants and reconcile with treasury records; study in detail the enabling laws establishing the organisations with a view to identifying possible constraints and areas of improvement; and determine the amount of remittances made to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) over the last five years in the form of operating surplus and revenue dividends.

Also, the consultants are to determine the extent of compliance with extant regulations regarding the adequacy and regularity of remittances to the CRF;

and identify all income and interest thereon and make adequate recommendations on the future management of the organisations.

Ahmed said the con-

sultants were to establish the cost of operations and make appropriate recommendations to understand real personnel cost and cost associated with rev-

enue collection or revenue sharing arrangement.

He assured the consultants of the support and assistance of the OAGF in discharging their duties.

He said however, that their activities would be closely monitored by experienced staff of the OAGF to ensure that ''government gets value for money''.

Court declares 45% electricity tariff hike illegal, reckless CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Justice Idris, while delivering judgement in a suit filed by a human rights lawyer, Mr. Toluwani Yemi Adebiyi, challenging the increment, described NERC's action as completely a violation of an Act, which set up the agency.

Accordingly, the judge said NERC’s decision to increase the tariff was a flagrant violation of Sections 31, 32 and 76 of the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005 as it was not within the confine of its powers under the Act. He said: "NERC acted outside the powers conferred on it by the Act and failed to follow the prescribed procedure. Tariff adjustment is a matter of law as enshrined in the EPSRA and it must follow the prescription as was set out in Section 76 of the EPSRA. "NERC has not shown that it acted in due obe-

dience to the prescribed procedures and that there is no evidence that NERC complied with Section 76(6)(7) and (9) of the EPSRA Act. "Of all the legal requirements, it appeared the only one complied with

by NERC was that it announced the new tariff in the newspapers. There is no evidence that notice of new tariff was given in the Gazette as prescribed by EPSRA. It follows, therefore, that the recent increase in electricity tariff is procedural ultra vires, irrational, irregular and illegal.

"It is clear from the affidavit evidence that the increase in tariff was done

by NERC in defiance of the order of this court made on May 28, 2015 which directed parties in the case to maintain the status quo.

"NERC, being aware of this order, turned a blind eye to it and proceeded to increase electricity tariff, as if the order never ex-

isted. There is no doubt that there was an appeal against this order, but it has not been set aside and so it remains binding on the parties.

"The law is that every person upon whom an order is made by a court of competent jurisdiction must obey it, unless and until the order is discharged and set aside at the Court of Appeal.

"The tariff increase from July 1, 2015 was done in breach of the 'status quo' order. NERC's action, was therefore, clearly hasty, reckless and irresponsible.

"This country is in a democracy where the rule of law shall prevail over impunity or whimsical desires. Anything to the contrary will be an invitation to anarchy. It is the law that what is done officially must be done in accordance to the law. “Investors are free to do business in Nigeria, but they shall abide by the law of this country. Nigeria is not a

kangaroo state. Nigeria is not a Banana Republic. It is intolerance and extremely dangerous for any branch of the executive to create a posture it may not obey certain orders of the court.

That is tantamount to executive recklessness which will lead to lawlessness.”

However, the court, while invoking its disciplinary jurisdiction, made the following orders: "The increment in electricity tariff which took effect after the institution of this action and while a restraining order is subsisting, is hereby declared illegal and same is hereby set aside.

"NERC is hereby directed to reverse to the status quo and the commission is hereby restrained from further increasing electricity tariff, except it complies strictly with the relevant provisions of the EPSRA.” The sum of N50, 000 was awarded in favour of the plaintiff.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Spirituality, our key to success, says Babcock school principal Mojeed Alabi and Joy Okorie

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he Principal of the Babcock University Secondary School, Ogba, Lagos, Elder Olabode Fasanu, has ascribed the middle school’s rising success profile to its belief in the power of prayer and spirituality.

He stated that within three years of its existence, the school has recorded many feats.

This is as Fasanu advised parents and guardians to complement the efforts of the Adventists faith-based school in exposing their wards to sound moral and spiritual practices that will guarantee them brighter future.

Speaking ahead of today’s first edition of the school’s graduation and prize award ceremony, Fasanu explained that the school, which kicked off during the 2013/2014 academic session with only 39 students, has today grown with the population of 317 staff and students.

He said the graduating class, with the nickname, Alpha Class, has done the school proud with many of the students already offered admission by various universities, including the Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, in Ogun State.

He said: “To the glory of

Graduating nursery/pupils of Babcock University Schools and some of their teachers at the third Graduation Prize Giving Ceremony of the school in Ogba, Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Graduating Junior Secondary School students of Babcock University Schools

Graduating Senior Secondary School students of the school

God, within three years of our existence, our junior and senior secondary have been recognised and registered by the Lagos State Ministry of Education.

“In conformity with the philosophy of the SeventhDay Adventist Education, we integrate faith in teaching and learning in all our subjects. And to the glory of

God, this Alpha graduating class has made us proud as one of them scored 301 in the last UTME conducted

by JAMB and another scored 271. Eleven of them already have admission letters in their hands.”

He listed as part of the achievements of the school within its short time to include well-equipped labo-

ratories for all subjects; acquisition of a standard sickbay, 100 and 60KVA generators, air-conditioned buses, among others.

He thanked the management of the school, including the Seventh Day Church’s President of the Western Nigerian Union Conference, Dr. Oyeleke Owolabi; the Board Chair-

man, Prof. Luke Onuoha and the PTA Chairman, Mr. Mykell Jegede, among others, for the support and encouragement.

In a similar development, it was a moment of reward for hard work for the pupils of the nursery and primary section of the school with parents and guardians commending the

school’s management and staff for impacting their wards positively.

The school’s Head Teacher, Mrs. Victoria Fasanu, thanked the Proprietor and Proprietress of the school, Mr. Taiwo Soyebo, an engineer and his wife, Mrs. Caroline Soyebo, for their investment and support.

NEWS

THURSDAY, July 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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AGF to Senate: I’ve powers to prosecute Saraki, Ekweremadu Chukwu David Abuja

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he Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), yesterday told the Senate that he has the constitutional powers to investigate any case and prosecute anybody, accused of breaching the law of the land.

While appearing before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Malami asserted that as the nation's number one law enforcement officer, the criminal proceeding he instituted against the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, was in public interest.

He further told the committee that the suit was based on already investigated case, which was carried out by the Police before his appointment as the AGF.

His words: "The initiation behind the forgery case was taken in the interest of the public and in the interest of democracy. I want to state clearly that my decision was based on public interest and the aim to prevent abuse of public offices.

"The National Assembly has the powers to regulate its own procedure. But the basis for filing my case was that the position taken was not that of the Senate. The Senate Standing Rules, allegedly amended in 2015, did not follow the traditional way of amendment.

It can, therefore, not be the position of the Senate. That is where my quarrel comes in.

"If there are certain persons that did not allow the process of amending the Senate Standing Rules go through the constitutional process, we have a responsibility to act by way of initiating a criminal proceeding against those involved. The public interest and the need

to ensure that no abuse is allowed, I have to take the step to prevent that."

The Senate had, three weeks ago, passed a resolution, summoning Malami to appear before its committee, to give reasons for the forgery case filed against its two presiding officers, Saraki and Ekweremadu.

The AGF appeared before the committee barely 24 hours after Saraki threatened to invoke sections 88 and 89 of the constitution to compel him to appear.

Responding to questions from the senators, Malami said that since the matter was already pending in court, it would amount to sub judice for anybody from any arm of government to make comments on it, stating that he would not go further to speak on the matter.

The AGF also told the lawmakers that by the provisions of Section 60 of the constitution, the bureaucracy of the National As-

sembly has nothing to do with the regulation of the Senate procedure as senators claimed that the allegedly forged Senate Standing Rule 2015 was produced by the bureaucracy.

Members of the committee had queried the AGF on why the forgery case was instituted against Saraki and Ekweremadu since the legislature is an independent arm of government, arguing that the action was taken in error.

In his response, the AGF, who was kept waiting for over an hour by the committee members, said he has a clear obligation to do whatever should be done within the context of the constitution in order to sustain the democratic process.

Malami noted: "I am in receipt of a letter dated 21st of June, 2016, addressed to the office of the AGF. I was invited to appear before the committee based on that letter which reads 'im-

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Senators, SGF clash over constituency projects Abuja

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embers of the Senate joint Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Finance and Appropriations, yesterday clashed with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal, over offensive statement credited to him.

While appearing before the joint committee, chaired by Senator Sam Anyanwu, the SGF first accused the lawmakers of sending him invitation in bad faith by giving him less than 24 hours to appear, and also warning him not to give excuses for not appearing.

"I saw the invitation letter officially this morning. I was in this Senate yesterday (Tuesday) till late in the evening, only for me to see your letter this morning. And in the conclusion of your letter, you said, "please honour

is a civil case instituted by some senators. The other is a criminal case instituted by the office of the AGF. These two matters are sub judice. When a matter is before a court of law, nobody is entitled to look into it.

"I am guided by the Senate Standing Rules 53. One of the cases was instituted by the office of the AGF. It will be wrong to make any comments on a case still in court. The two matters are pending. Based on that, I will not say more.

"To my mind, the issue had been overtaken by events. I have a tradition of honouring social invitations, much less of an institution like the Senate.

I know what they stand for.

My inability to come was not out of arrogance or anything. I was out of the country when the invitations were sent.”

The committee is expected to report back to the Senate today for further deliberation and resolution on the matter.

Tax evasion: FIRS seals oil services companies

L-R: Director of Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Tony Ojobo; Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta and Chief of Staff to the EVC, Mr. Usman Malah, during a visit to the governor in Kano … yesterday.

Chukwu David

minent threat to Nigeria democracy'. I have a clear obligation to do whatever should be done within the context of the constitution to sustain the democratic process.

"The issue that constitutes the basis of this invitation is a criminal case instituted against certain members of the Senate. It is an act that predates my appointment. There are series of suits. The date of interest is 23rd of July 2015.

"I was appointed on the 12th of November, 2015.

That is four months after the investigation was concluded by the Nigeria Police Force. I have an obligation in the sustenance of democracy to institute a legal action from an investigation that has been concluded. It was based on this that I took the action.

"The action was not taken to truncate any democratic process, but was taken to protect the democracy. There are now two pending cases in court. One

this invitation and avoid giving excuses. This tone of this letter shows that it was not in good faith."

But, a member of the Committee and Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator John Enoh, reacted swiftly, telling the SGF that the committee took exception to his comment.

He said: "We take exception to your statement that our invitation to you was made in bad faith. If we invited you based on bad faith, it also shows that you appeared in bad faith, and this has a lot to say on what the outcome of this meeting will be."

Other senators also condemned the comment and quickly whispered to the chairman to ask him to withdraw the statement, which he (Chairman) immediately executed.

The SGF, in withdrawing the statement, accused the senators of coercing him to do so, arguing that the lawmakers ought to have also apologised to him for inviting him at a very

short notice.

He said: "Senators are democrats operating in a democratic environment and freedom of expression is a right of the individual. However, while I sympathise with your position, I was expecting that you would have also appreciated that you gave me invitation to appear in less than 12 hours.

"For you to say that I withdraw my statement, it means you are coercing me. If you coerce me into withdrawing it which I will, but I will like to put it on record that you coerced me into doing it. In that sense I withdraw the statement.”

The SGF, in clarifying his alleged statement, told the senators that the Federal Government might not be able to fully implement the 2016 capital budget due to dwindling revenue profile.

He explained that the progressive decline in the nation's revenue profile, occasioned by the global decline in the price of crude

oil, had clearly indicated that the country wouldn’t be able to meet its projected revenue for the fiscal year.

Lawal said that currently, the country was only able to realise 60 per cent of its projected revenue, meaning that the economy was running at 40 per cent revenue loss.

He said that it was based on this financial reality on ground that he made the statement in the said interview; stating that he did not, as a matter of policy, say that constituency projects would not be implemented.

He said: “It is important for politicians and government to prepare the minds of the people that there are challenges in implementing the budget as to what MDAs might do or not do in terms of their mandate.

"Our revenue profile so far, according to the Minister of Budget, is basically 50 per cent to 60 per cent of our projected earnings, meaning there might be 40 per cent loss in the budget.”

he Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) yesterday stepped up its tax enforcement efforts, sealing off two oil services companies in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The affected companies, Cetco Oilfield Services Company, located in the Trans-Amadi area of the city, and Aquashield Oil and Marine Services Limited have tax liabilities of N9.7 million and N49 million respectively.

At Cetco Olifield, the procurement manager, Edotimi Ebikefe, begged for more time to enable the company pay up, explaining that it has already commenced the payment of its tax debt.

“We are not saying that we won’t pay. But the way things are right now, we find it difficult. Let them give us some time. If we don’t work, we cannot pay what we are owing," he pleaded.

Leader of the FIRS team, Umar Bukar Gana, said the enforcement drive was necessary because of the indifference of some of the companies to tax payment. Gana explained that this has persisted despite many attempts to ensure compliance.

"Before this enforcement exercise, government had made a lot of entreaties to them, but they have repeatedly defaulted and we have no option but to do what we have just done," he said.

NLC asks DISCOS to revert to old rates CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Adebiyi, in the substantive suit, sought an order restraining NERC from implementing any upward review of electricity tariff without a meaningful and significant improvement in power supply at least for 18 hours in a day in most communities in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has described the court’s ruling as a landmark judgement.

NLC, in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said the verdict was a courageous and judicial judgement deserving of commendation.

Ayuba also said the judgement was a victory for the ordinary Nigerian

who has been crushed by exploitative bills.

NLC, however, urged NERC and distribution companies (DISCOs) to obey the judgement and revert to the old rates without further delay.

"We demand that the NERC and DISCOs observe all the conditions precedent as contained in the sales agreement before any increase be made.

“We recall that the joint stakeholders on increment on electricity tariff led by the NLC, in their communiqué issued in Lagos and dated January 29, 2016, had declared that the increase is illegal, unfair, unjustifiable and a further exploitation of the already exploited Nigerians," it said

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News|NATIONAL

Reps move to criminalise non-payment of salaries Philip Nyam Abuja

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orried by the prevalent issues of employers owing workers for many months across the country, the House of Representatives has initiated a bill to prescribe punishment for non-payment and late payment of salaries, wages and pensions.

Sponsor of the bill and House leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, was, however, asked by the House to make amendments to the piece of legislation and re-present it for consideration.

The bill is titled “a bill for an act to prohibit late payment, non-payment and under payment of workers’ wages, pension and other related emolument in Nigeria and prescribes penalties for violations and for other matters connected thereto.”

When the bill was presented for second reading at yesterday’s plenary, the House resolved that since there was an existing minimum wage act, the sponsor should con-

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The number of fatalities in terrorists’ violence involving civilians in 2011.

Source: Satp.org

vert it to an amendment to the minimum wage act instead of coming as a fresh law.

While leading debate on the bill, Gbajabiamila submitted that its intendment is for “every employer of labour in Nigeria, whether private or public; and whether it is employing any worker on permanent or contract basis, must ensure that all payment of wages, salaries, pension and all benefits to workers are paid promptly without any delay weekly, fortnightly, monthly quarterly as may be agreed by parties in the contract of employment of the individual employee.”

He argued that the non-payment or delay in the payment of workers’ salaries and emoluments was an infringement on their rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

Gbajabiamila lamented that evidence of workers being owed salaries by different organisations abound in the country, explaining that “if we must fight corruption, workers’ salaries must be paid promptly because a worker deserves his wages.”

£1,332

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Plot to impeach Buhari, a huge joke –APC

lLagos senators condemn attack on Tinubu's wife Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

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he All Progressives Congress ( APC) yesterday, described the threat by some legislators in the upper chamber of the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari as a huge joke, taken too far. The party advised the parliamentarians to concentrate on their primary constitutional responsibilities of lawmaking and representation of their constituencies instead of indulging in an action that could trigger more crisis in the polity.

National Secretary of the APC, Mai Mala Buni, who responded to the threat on behalf of the ruling party yesterday, urged the legislators behind the purported plot not to allow parochial considerations overshadow the overall national interest of the country.

In a terse statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, the party's scribe absolved Buhari and the party from all blames on the forgery case instituted against the presiding officers of the Senate, insisting that those on trial should

allow the judicial processes run its normal and legitimate course.

The statement read as follows: "The attention of the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to media reports of a laughable impeachment plot by some Senators on President Muhammadu Buhari during Tuesday’s July 12, 2016 closed session of the Senate. This is a huge joke taken too far.

"The party advises the Senators in question to stop this huge joke and concentrate on their primary constitutional responsibilities of lawmaking and discharging of their legislative mandates to their constituents at the National Assembly.

The Party reiterates that the Senators in question do not to allow political shenanigans becloud overall national interest.

"The Party will not to join issues on the Senate forgery suit and other court cases concerning some members of the 8th Senate because it will be sub judice. We advice the Senators in question to tow the same line and allow judicial processes run it normal and legitimate course.”

However, two senators

representing Lagos State in the upper chamber of the parliament have condemned the alleged attack on their colleague, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, by the leader of the Like Minded Senators, Dino Melaye during Tuesday's executive session where the impeachment plot was hatched.

In a statement signed

by Senator Bareehu Olugbenga Ashafa (APC- Lagos East) and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, FCA (APC- Lagos West), the parliamentarians condemned in very strong terms the use of abusive and unparliamentary language by any senator against another senator, especially the female folk. They argued that as distinguished members of the red chamber, there was need to resolve any conflict that may have arisen in the course of their duties through dialogue and not through threats and intimidation.

"We dissociate ourselves from the comments and behavior of Senator Dino Melaye (APC – Kogi West) at the Executive Session of 12th July 2016 as we represent people known for finer character and noble culture of social interaction. We

The daily salary of Cuauhtemoc Blanco of Lobos BUAP in 2014/2015.

Source: Paywizard.co.uk

L-R: Director, Civil Litigation, Dayo Apata; Taiwo Abidogun; AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and Director, Public Prosecution, Mohammed Diri, at an interactive meeting with the Senate Committee on Judiciary over the alleged forgery of 2015 Senate rules at the National Assembly.. yesterday.

FG, PENGASSAN reach truce, union suspends strike Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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fter two days of marathon meetings between representatives of Federal Government led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige and leaders of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the oil and gas union yesterday in Abuja suspended its one-week strike.

PENGASSAN had embarked on an indefinite strike on July 7 over a number of issues affecting its members which were not addressed by the Federal Government.

But President of the Union, Comrade Johnson Olabode, who announced the suspension at the end of its National Executive Council meeting yesterday morning, said the Federal Government has accepted to show understanding after extensive deliberations on all the issues.

Some of the burning issues discussed at the two-day meeting were state of the nation’s refineries, non-passage of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), non – Implementation of Collective Agreement for NNRA, PTI, PPPRA, DPR and NCDMB 2015 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS), Joint Venture Funding / Cash Call Arrears and State of the Nation as well as Restructuring and Resourcing in Government Agencies under Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

His words: "NEC met to appraise the industrial action after an extensive debate with the representatives of the Federal Government the following provisions were reached.

NEC in session in conciliation of the issues during the meeting with the Federal Government has accepted to show understanding."

equally state that we will be part of efforts to instill and enshrine decorum and gentlemanly conduct associated with the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto) has dismissed speculations that those plotting to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari have been holding clandestine meetings in his house.

A statement released by Wamakko's Media Aide, Malam Abubakar Dangusau, yesterday described the rumour as a dastard and fallacious allegation which existed only in the imagination of those who conceived it.

Apparently reacting to a report published by an online news platform, Wamakko said it was impossible for him to allow such meetings to be conducted in his house, even if such an imaginary plan was being hatched.

"There was never a time that such a fictitious meeting was held to discuss such a weighty issue of the alleged plans to initiate impeachment processes of our dear President at the Senate."

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

NGE: Kalu lauds Egbemode’s emergence as acting president

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ormer Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has applauded the appointment of Mrs. Funke Egbemode as acting President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

Egbemode is the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of New Telegraph newspapers.

According to Kalu, Egbemode has the capacity to steer the affairs of the Guild having contributed immensely to the media

industry.

He added that Egbemode would bring to bear her vast experience and network of contacts on the Guild.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “I received with joy the news of the emergence of one of my colleagues, Mrs. Funke Egbemode as acting President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

“Her emergence is not a surprise to many Nige-

rians who are conversant with her media endeavours.

“Having served in various capacities and positions in the world of journalism, there is no doubt in her capability to sustain the good name of the professional body.

“Mrs. Egbemode has, over the years, created a niche for herself in the media industry and, as such, her new role as acting President of NGE is in the interest of the profes-

sional body.”

The former governor, while advising media professionals to exhibit a high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties, added that the strategic importance of the media cannot be undermined in the society, noting that the media is the voice of the voiceless.

Kalu equally used the opportunity to commend the Guild for being gendersensitive in its appointments.

national | news

thursday, july 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Edo: We’ve not heard from INEC , says Sheriff Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

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ormer National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has described as mere rumour, the adoption of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party's candidate for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State.

But despite the resolution of major court decisions in the leadership

crisis in its favour, Chairman of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, believes the path to peace and reconciliation still remained the best option to the resolution of the crisis.

Sheriff and Makarfi spoke on Wednesday when they played host to different political and professional groups on solidarity visit.

The former National Chairman, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, when Young Professionals from South-South visited him, described the adoption of

Ize-Iyamu as PDP candidate as rumour.

"We hear a rumour making rounds that INEC has accepted another person as candidate of PDP for Edo State governorship election "I hereby dispel the rumour and categorically state that INEC has not yet communicated to us," he said.

Ojougboh stated that INEC was still considering all judgements and orders of the court on the PDP leadership crisis, adding that the orders of Federal High Court Abuja specifically asked INEC to

recognise only candidates presented by Ali Modu Sheriff as national chairman of the party.

"The court in Port Harcourt is not superior to the court in Abuja, and as such, cannot reverse the specific orders of the Abuja court ruling that INEC can only accept PDP candidates from Sheriff leadership for purposes of Edo and Ondo governorship elections," Ojougboh stated.

He appealed to members of the party, especially in Edo State, to remain calm as the matter was being sorted out, and advised

Cigarette butts, threat to environment –Study Appolonia Adeyemi

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ittered cigarette butts may be an important source of metal contaminants leaching into the marine environment and potentially entering the food chain.

This is the finding of a research published online in the journal, ‘Tobacco Control’.

An estimated five trillion or so cigarette butts are discarded outdoors around the globe every year, making cigarette butts the most common form of litter found in the marine environment.

"Considering the estimated amount of cigarette butts littered annually, the release of metals from littered cigarette butts in the marine environment may increase the potential for acute harm to local species and may

enter the food chain," the researchers suggested.

A cigarette butt is a small part of a cigarette that is left after smoking.

Discarded cigarette butts (mainly the filter) are a form of non-biodegradable litter.

Carried as runoff from streets to drains, to rivers, and ultimately to the ocean and its beaches, cigarette filters are the single most collected item each year in international beach cleanups. They are an environmental blight on streets, sidewalks, and other open areas.

To gain an understanding of the potential implications, levels of metals in cigarette butts were monitored at nine different locations along the north part of the Persian Gulf, in the Bushehr seaport coastal areas during the summer of 2015.

A report online in PHYS-ORG stated, “The metals assessed included cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), arsenic (As) nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) from discarded cigarette butts in the top 10 cm of sediment and deposited at the tidal mark on the beaches.”

“The metal content was measured twice, with a period of 10 days in between, to gauge the potential impact of marine currents on levels.

The researchers said metal content is likely to vary according to the cultivation and growth of the tobacco leaf and the application of pesticides and weed killers. Additional metals may be added during cigarette manufacture and/or during the application of brightening agents on the wrapping paper.

“Cigarette filters,

Buhari: Days of free money in Nigeria over Anule Emmanuel Abuja

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resident Muahmmadu Buhari, yesterday said that the days of free and easy money in the country were over.

The President said that the era was gone for good.

President Buhari, who made the declaration, while inaugurating the 75-kilometre Wanke- Danjigba-KucheriKigama-Bilbis road with seven bridges, plus payment of compensation, costing the state government about N 8 billion, also vowed that his administration would enthrone good governance through a vigorous prosecution of the ongoing war against corruption in the country.

The President had earlier commissioned the 20 kilometre township road and 40 kilometre drainages in Tsafe Local

Government amounting to N 2.1 billion.

Host governor, Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, had disclosed that the construction of the roads was part of the state government's efforts to open up the rural areas, especially being an African state to enable farmers transport their farm produce to the urban centres and also to create gainful employments to the teeming youths of the state.

The president also vowed to continue the ongoing war against corruption, noting that corruption had retarded the growth of the country.

According to him, the present administration has no intention of humiliating or disgracing anybody but would not be stopped from recovering all looted funds to be put to public use.

President Buhari recalled that change agenda was at the core of his electioneering campaign

in 2015, and called on the people of the state and Nigerians in general to join his administration in ensuring that the change desired was well delivered.

"As the people of the state are aware, the change agenda was central issue of our 2015 electioneering campaign.

You have all agreed to join me and work as agents of change. The challenge before all of us therefore is translating the change into reality.”

The President noted that the security situation in the country was improving, not only in the north east, but all over the country, saying he was confident that the macro-economic policies as well as the monetary policies being implemented by the CBN would lead to the revitalization of the industries and steady growth in significant sectors of the economy.

which are made of cellulose acetate, may act like other plastics in providing a conduit to transport metals in marine environments,” they suggested.

The response of animal and plant life to metal content is highly variable, they pointed out. "Whereas elevated concentration of heavy and trace metals in water and soils can adversely affect some species, contamination may increase the metal tolerance of other organisms," they stated.

Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, who emerged candidate of Sheriff faction, to continue with his campaign.

But Makarfi, who spoke when he played host to PDP North West zone, said his committee has not yet foreclosed window of peace with Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction.

According to him, though all legal interven-

tions have been determined in favour of the decisions of the Port Harcourt national convention, the job has not yet finished.

"In the past, I have said severally that the path of peace and reconciliation is the best path," he said, adding that even if litigation can resolve issues on legal grounds, it cannot bring peace between brothers and sisters.

Troops repel Boko Haram attack, kill many –Army Emmanuel Onani Abuja

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he Nigerian Army has said that troops of 119 Task Force Battalion in Kangarwa, Borno State on Tuesday, killed many Boko Haram suspects, after repelling an attack by the suspect.

A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, said two soldiers died during the fierce encounter, while seven others were wounded.

"Troops of 119 Task Force Battalion stationed in Kangarwa, Northern Borno State, have success-

fully repelled an attack by Boko Haram terrorists Tuesday evening.

"The attack which started at about 6.30pm, was successfully repelled after about 3 hours of exchange of heavy gunfire that inflicted tremendous casualty on the terrorists. Unfortunately, 2 of our gallant soldiers paid the supreme price, while 7 were wounded in action.

"Due to poor visibility, the number of terrorists killed could not be ascertained for now.

"The bodies of the gallant soldiers and those wounded in action are being evacuated while the unit is carrying out mop up operation."

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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

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n irate mob yesterday blocked the KadunaAbuja Expressway after officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) accidentally killed a traveller at Jere town, about 100 kilometres to Kaduna.

A witness told our correspondent that the stray bullet killed a woman inside a Kaduna-bound commercial vehicle which she boarded in Abuja with her five children.

According to him, the incident occurred about 2:15p.m., when the DSS operatives mistakenly opened fire on the vehicle as they attempted to shoot at another one.

It was not clear what offence the erring driver committed and from where the DSS operatives started pursuing the vehicle.

“We only saw the DSS operatives, about six of them, arrive in two Hilux vans. Immediately they saw a vehicle coming, they tried to stop the driver but he refused to stop so they shot at him,” a witness said.

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

DSS kills mother-of-five on Kaduna-Abuja Expressway He added: “But unfortunately they missed their target and hit the commercial vehicle conveying the victim and her five children. She died on the spot. This angered motorists who witnessed the incident and they blocked the road.”

It was learnt that it took the intervention of the state Police Commissioner, Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim, who appealed to the motorists before they removed the blockage.

Ibrahim confirmed the incident to journalists.

He said the police had arrested the DSS officials who shot the woman.

The commissioner also called for calm. He disclosed that investigation was ongoing to ascertain what really happened.

DSS Operatives

Three die as two-storey building collapses Pamela Eboh Awka

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t least three people lost their lives yesterday at Ndiagu Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State when a two-storey building under construction collapsed.

The landlord of the building and two others were said to have escaped death by a whisker as they were on top of the building when it caved in yesterday morning.

They, however, sustained various degrees of injury.

A witness said first callers at the scene were the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma, Ogidi Divisional Police

Officer (DPO), Mr. Hassan Musa and the President General of Ogidi Town Union, Chief Chuka Onubogu.

Speaking at the site of the collapsed building, Karma sympathised with the families of the victims and urged them to take heart. The commissioner also prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead.

On his part, Onubogu attributed the

City Briefs Police release seven-year-old boy from detention Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

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fter a long-drawn battle from a civil right organisation and pressure from the media, police in Enugu State Police yesterday released seven-year-old Chibuike Oramalu accused of accidentally killing somebody with a gun.

Chibuike spent nearly two months in detention, in what the state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, described as “protective custody”.

The primary 2 pupil of Carmelite Nursery and Primary School, Nike Avenue, GRA, Enugu, who was put in police custody since May 30, was released to his mother, Mrs. Nwakaego Oramalu, late afternoon yesterday.

But the boy had already missed his third term examination and was terribly sick, although he was reportedly given treatment at the police hospital while in detention.

Ojukwu confirmed that Chibuike was accused of accidentally killing somebody (a neighbour’s child) with a gun, and his mother, Mrs. Nwakaego Oramalu, a single mother of five children were taken into “protective custody” by the police, although the mother was released after some days while Chibuike remained in custody.

He said that the boy and his mother were being sheltered by a prominent man, but the boy was cleaning the man’s house when he saw the gun and started playing with it.

According to him, and the gun went off, killing another

boy in the next compound, prompting neighbours to threaten to kill the boy and burn the house, hence police had to intervene.

Chibuike

cause of the collapse to fake building materials.

He added that contractors and those involved in building construction should ensure that genuine materials were used.

The town union president regretted that the incident caused the untimely death of youths and urged the bereaved families to take heart.

The remains of the deceased were later taken to Iyi-Enu Hospital morgue with the help of the DPO and his men in collaboration with the community.

Suspected kidnapper killed in shootout Dominic Adewole ASABA

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ne of the suspected kidnappers, who unleashed terror on residents of Ogini Road, Oghzra in Delta State yesterday before abducting the wife of Mr. Joseph Otemewohis (an engineer), has been killed.

The suspect died during a shootout between his gang members and the police.

The four-man gang, it was learnt, invaded the area in a Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with registration number GRA 911 KH, shooting sporadically into the air to scare away residents.

The police with the assistance of local vigilantes immediately went on their trail as the abductors called for ransom.

The state Public Relations Of-

ficer (PPRO), SP Celestina Kalu, confirmed the story.

He said: “But in the process of exchange of fire between the hoodlums and policemen, Godstime (surname unknown) was short and arrested in their hideout at Ologbo bush while two others escaped.”

Kalu said the victim was later rescued unhurt but the suspect died on the way to the hospital.

She listed the items recovered from the hoodlums to include one locally made pistol with one cartridge and a handset stolen from the victim.

The PPRO said investigations had been intensified to track down the fleeing members of the gang.

She also said that the suspects “have driven the stolen vehicle toward Benin in Edo State.”

METRO

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Divorce court

My wife disgraces me in public –Pastor Tobi Ayinde

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pastor with the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Mr. Segun Adeyinka, has prayed an Alimosho Customary Court, Lagos, to dissolve his 22-year-old marriage to his wife, Mrs. Folake Adeyinka, because she was fond of disgracing him in front of his church members.

Adeyinka told the court that Folake, who has four children for him, always embarrasses him in public over money.

According to him, Folake doesn’t believe him whenever he tells her that he doesn’t have money.

He said he wished the marriage to be dissolved because he no longer loved his wife.

He added: “My wife usually disgraces me in public and in my church. She has made many church members to leave the church.

She doesn’t want to see people around me.

She is making people to run away from me.

If my church members give me something, she believes she must have a share of it. We always fight. My wife also doesn’t want to hear that I don’t have money. Anytime I tell her that I don’t have money, she would start fighting me. I don’t earn salary. It is what my church members give to me that we share at home. Still, she is not satisfied.”

Adeyinka urged the court to give him custody of their four children.

Responding, Folake said she still loved her husband and did not want the marriage to be dissolved. According to her, she doesn’t have another husband, except Adeyinka.

She added: “I’ll not disgrace him anymore in the public or in church. My husband and I have separated for two years now. He moved his things gradually out of our home until nothing remains."

‘My hubby doesn’t pay rent, beats me always’ Tobi Ayinde

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rs. Modupe Sarumi, a school teacher, has urged the Alimosho Customary Court, Lagos, to dissolve her marriage to her husband, Mr. Lukman Sarumi, over incessant beating and refusal to pay house rent.

Modupe told the court that she came into the marriage, with a child, whom Lukman promised to love and cherish. But Lukman refused to fulfill his promises. He suddenly changed and took to beating her after she left Osun State and joined him in Lagos. Lukman also stopped caring for them.

She added: “I have come to the conclusion that it was better for me to get out of the marriage.

“Lukman said he would marry me with my child. I was happy that I found someone who could love me with my child. When I got to Lagos, he started to maltreat me. He stopped caring for me. He stopped giving me money to feed my child and myself. I wanted to work, but he insisted I shouldn’t. He beats me for no reason.”

Modupe said that one day Lukman packed his belonging and disappeared, abandoning her and her kid. He also refused to pay house rent, forcing the landlord to send her and her child packing.

According to Modupe, she ran to different family members of Lukman to narrate her ordeal, but they couldn’t proffer any solution.

She said: “I then decided to set myself free from beatings and punishment. If I’m healthy, I‘ll be able to work and make provisions for my child and I.”

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Immigration officer abducted twice in one week Taiwo Jimoh

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our days after he was freed by his captors, suspected kidnappers again abducted an Immigration Officer, Peter Ofulue.

Ofulue was freed last Wednesday but he was abducted again on Sunday.

Ironically, the victim was said to be preparing to attend a church service where family members and relatives were already waiting for a thanksgiving to celebrate his release from the kidnappers’ den.

However, it was not clear whether Ofulue was abducted by the same set of kidnappers or another gang.

But the abductors are demanding N2 million ransom to regain his freedom, according to a family source.

Ofulue, attached to the Ikoyi Passport Office, Lagos, was kidnapped in front of his house at Ishawo area of Ikorodu while he was cleaning his car.

The source, who did not want his name mentioned, in order not to endanger the victim's life, said the family paid N300,000 before he was free by the first set of kidnappers last week.

He was among the three residents of Ishawo, Ikorodu who were kidnapped on Sunday. As at 2.30p.m. yesterday, residents of Ishawo were said to be fleeing the community.

The Ofulue family source alleged that

those behind his previous abduction kept him in captivity for two days before he was eventually released after money had exchanged hands.

“We have finally established contact with the kidnappers, they are demanding N2 million. Our joy is that they have called us. Thank God. “When he was released, we were very happy. We were in the village in Delta State doing thanksgiving service; suddenly we received another phone call that our brother has been abducted again for the second time.

“He was cleaning his car for church service to also celebrate his release when four gunmen stormed his house and forcibly took him away,” the source said.

The family appealed to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, to do something urgently to rescue Ofulue.

“He is the breadwinner of the family,” another member of the family said.

A police officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the police received reports that three persons were kidnapped during the weekend.

He said: “That of Immigration Officer, I think the family should look inward, as there may be insider’s connection. How come he was abducted last week, released and he is now abducted again and in his house. If it is not insider’s connection, it is either the hoodlums are living in the same area. Well, he should be able to know whether he offended anyone or not.”

Gunmen

I charge N15,000 to release seized buses –Fake lieutenant Taiwo Jimoh

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olice have arrested a suspect, who used to pose as Second Lieutenant of the Nigerian Army in order to walk into any police station and assist in getting seized vehicles released.

The suspect, Mr. Oluwayelu Adewole, said whenever he assisted any commercial bus driver in getting his impounded bus released from the Lagos State Task Force, he would charge N15,000 for services rendered.

Police described him as habitual impersonator, who had earlier pretended to be the son of an Army General when

he was trying to get enlisted into the Nigerian Army.

He claimed he was among those shortlisted for the new recruitment into the Nigerian Police Force.

Adewole was arrested after he tried to play the game once again on some policemen attached to the Task Force Office.

Suspecting he was fake, the policemen asked him several questions, which he failed.

Head, Public Affairs Unit, Lagos State Task Force, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, said: “The suspect was rusticated from the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro in 2014 for same impersonation offence. He said that he had on many occasions deceived

Demolishing my home, death sentence, blind man tells Okorocha

Osuji

Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

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n 82-year-old man with visual impairment, Dr. Chuks Osuji, has appealed to Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, to spare his house located on 54 Mbaise Road by Amaram Street, Owerri, marked for demolition by the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA).

Osuji, a national award recipient of Order of Niger (OON) and a public relations consultant, said in statement issued in Owerri yesterday that officials of OCDA on Friday marked his building for demolition with the usual red mark

‘Remove’.

The statement reads in part: “I built the house 22 years ago when I had my sight and was active. The building met all the requirements set by OCDA and it has no fencing. No other house on the same side of the road with my own was marked to be pulled down. I am now a very senior citizen with full vision impairment and a national award recipient. If this my little house is pulled down, where else do I go than to die? And it will be a thing of shame and scorn.

“As a very senior citizen in my early 80s, now frail and weak, pulling down my house will be tantamount to sentencing me to death and my choice will be to allow the building to collapse on me if that is what the authorities want.”

The author, therefore, appealed to Okorocha to spare his building for the sake of humanity and compassion.

He added: “I appeal to people of good conscience to help me to appeal to the governor. I came back home 36 years ago to help develop my society and I have paid my dues. I do not deserve this raw deal.”

Osuji, a former MAMSER director of old Anambra State regretted that he was being exposed to ridicule by a country he served and cherished so much.

Osuji wrote 11 books after he became blind.

different security formations across the country.

“Further investigations equally revealed that Adewole was a habitual impersonator, who had once also claimed to be a son of a General in the Nigerian Army during an interview when he wanted to secure admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). The suspect confessed to have impersonated the Nigerian Army, Navy and Police, in order to secure the release of anyone arrested at different police stations across Lagos.”

Investigations also showed that Adewole would sometimes call police officers, introduce himself a senior army officer.

He would demand that a seized bus be released to him. The bus would be released to him in the spirit of esprit de corps. Once the bus had been released, the bus driver would pay him N15,000.

Adewole said: “I was on my way to Ogba in Ikeja to collect my 2010 West African Examination School Certificate results with examination No 20108040DC, when I saw Task Force Officials, impounding someone’s vehicle for traffic obstructions.

As usual, I quickly intervened.”

The intervention was his undoing. The impounded vehicle belonged to Mr. Muritala Ayowunmi.

The suspect said that he followed the owner of the impounded commercial vehicle to the Lagos State Task Force Headquarters, Ikeja, where he was interrogated by the Task Force Chairman, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi. Adewole was later arrested with his fake documents.

Adewole

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thursday, july 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

IPMAN petitions EFCC, ICPC, others over N10.9bn oil theft

EFCC fined N50, 000 for delaying 10 accused persons’trial

Abuja

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Johnchuks Onuanyim

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he Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security agencies of an alleged embezzlement of its N10.9 billion oil subsidy.

Also, President, Chinedu Okoronkwo-led faction of the association which petitioned the agencies, dissolved IPMAN Board of Trustees and amended its constitution.

The factional president, who spoke at the association’s Extra-Ordinary Gen-

eral Meeting in Abuja, said the decision to call on the Federal Government was to unveil the masterminds of the alleged fraud of the N10.9 billion subsidy payment, while individuals found culpable should be brought to book and made to answer for the wrongs.

Okoronkwo, who spoke with the media, stated that the decision to suspend one of its past presidents, Mr. Aminu Abdulkadir, and the dissolution of its Board of Trustees was due to the alleged sharp practices perpetrated by past chairman of the IPMAN BoT and some members of the Board.

He, however, called for the constitution of a new board of 21 members rep-

PUBLIC NOTICE

NIGERIAN ACADEMY OF EDUCATION CAC/IT/7949

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR CHANGE OF THE REGISTERED TRUSTEES AND AMENDMENT OF ITS CONSTITUTION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO.1 OF 1990.

The Old Trustees are: 1. Prof. C. O. Taiwo - 2. Prof. A. B. Fafunwa - 3. Prof. B. O. Ukeje -

Removed Removed Removed

The New Trustees are: 1. Prof. Emeritus Obioha Nwana 2. Prof. Emeritus Nicholas A. Nwagwu 3. Prof. Emeritus A. Yoloye 4. Prof. Emeritus Otonti Nduka 5. Prof. Peter Lassa 6. Prof. Joseph Aghanta 7. Prof. U. M. O. Ivowi (President)

– Newly Appointed – Newly Appointed.

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Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PROF. KATE NWUFO, mni

PUBLIC NOTICE

EXAMINE YOURSELF FOR ETERNITY MINISTRY

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Dr. Emamere Micaiah - G. O 2. Mrs Susan Emamere - Secretary 3. Dr. Emamere Obokparo Daniel AIM AND OBJECTIVE To persuade men to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and hence prepare them for the kingdom of God Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

PUBLIC NOTICE

EZINWANNE SISTERS FORUM The General Public is hereby notified that the above named has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Mrs. Onyehara Rose Osochi -Chairman 2. Mrs. Azonobi Ego Felicia - Secretary 3. Mrs. Egbochue . O. Emalia Johnson 4. Mrs. Obigwe Nkiru 5. Mrs. Onlioha Stella .N. 6. Chief (Mrs.) Ugboaja Ifeyinwa Chinyere AIM AND OBJECTIVE 1. To protect the interest of members in the society Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

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resenting the 21 depots across the country.

According to him, the new board would be saddled with the responsibilities of advising IPMAN executive on its business processes to ensure that marketers enjoy adequate supply of products and also guarantee unhindered supply of the commodity across the country.

The association in a communiqué issued after its meeting in Abuja, mandated the National Executive Committee (NEC) to evolve measures that would further aid the association to strengthen its stake in the downstream sector and diversify its investment, while a vote of confidence was passed on the Chinedu Okoronkwo’s NEC. The communique reads: “That the 2009 amended con-

stitution be and is hereby amended to reflect changes in the composition of the Board of Trustees Automatic Succession Clause for the office of the National Vice President as enshrined in Articles 20 and 22 of the 2009 of amended constitution in accordance with current realities.

“That considering the association’s current drive to widen its scope obliterate obnoxious provisions in the constitution and diversify, the association’s Board of Trustees be and hereby dissolved and a New Board was reconstituted while the members were mandated to elect their chairman which position shall rotate between north and south, five members from each zone and the national President and Secretary as members.

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME Jenyo: I, formerly known and addressed as Bola Stephen Ikujenyo now wish to be known and addressed as Bolarinwabass Stephen Jenyo. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Ismaila

I, formerly known and addressed as Tadese Aliu Oyewumi now wish to be known and addressed as Ismaila Aliru Oyewumi. All former documents remain valid. GTBank and general public should please take note.

Jinadu

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bakare Olatunbosun Mutiat now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Jinadu Olatunbosun Mutiat. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Oluwakemi

I, formerly known and addressed as Keyede Aishat Ajoke now wish to be known and addressed as Keyede Aishat Oluwakemi.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Amakiri

I, formerly known and addressed as Ferikuma Amakiri now wish to be known and addressed as Amakiri Amakiri. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Sese

I, formerly known and addressed as Success Ebitimi Sese and Patience Daniel Sese now wish to be known and addressed as Sese, Patience Ebitimi. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Agu

Iloh: I, formerly known as Miss Iloh Pamela Ifenyinwa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Agu Pamela Ifenyinwa. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Douye

I, formerly known as Dobilo Mathew now wish to be known and addressed as Douye Mathew. All former documents remain valid.

UBA bank Plc, Stanbic bank and the general public should please take note.

Effiong

This is to confirm that the names Mbang James Etim and Rose Eyoyo Effiong refer to one and same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Rose Eyoyo Effiong. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc, GTB and the general public take note.

Olanrewaju

I, formerly known and addressed as Idowu Babatunde now wish to be known and addressed as Idowu Babatunde Olanrewaju. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

Bello

I, formerly known and addressed as Adediran Aolat Titilope now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bello Aolat Titilope. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

UZOCHUKWU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Jacinta Anurika Nwokedi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jacinta Anurika Uzochukwu. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public should please take note.

Ogoniba

I, formerly known and addressed as Ogoriba Ebinyo now wish to be known and addressed as Ogoniba Ebinyo.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Sule

I, formerly known as Adamu Suleman Haruna now wish to be known and addressed as Sule Adamu Haruna. All former documents remain valid.General public, please take note.

Ogbaji

I, formerly known as Blessed Amarachi Emmanuel now wish to be known and addressed as Kelechi Ogbaji. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Godson

I, formerly known as Miss Ogeh Chidiebere now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Godson Chidiebere. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc, other banks and the general public should please take note.

Warimboye

I, formerly known and addressed as Ala Freedom now wish to be known and addressed as Michael Warimboye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Akeem Nafiu

ustice Mojisola Olatoregun-Isola of a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to pay N50, 000 for an undue delay in the prosecution of ten accused persons, three companies and a vessel who were dragged before the court over alleged unlawful and illegal dealing in petroleum products.

The ten suspects are; Abu Ali Jibia, Akume Surprise, Boglo Babatunde, Umar Mohammed, Nafiu Hussaini, Ibrahim Yakubu, Calvin Ajike, Alhassan Oseni, Kenneth Osei, and Korlee Uebari.

However, the vessel and the three companies involved are MT Swordfish, Habour point Nigeria Limited, Chidodo Acess Oil & Gas Limited and Millennium Jetty and Marine Services Limited.

The accused are facing trial on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy,

unlawful dealing in Automated Gas Oil, (AGO), popularly called Diesel, unlawful distribution of adulterated petroleum products and dealing in petroleum product that was below expected quality.

The anti-graft agency in a charge marked, FHC/ L/216C/2013, alleged that the accused had on or about May 22, 2013, at Liberty Jetty, Marina, Lagos, without lawful appropriate license, stored and distributed two barges and two petrol tanker trucks of adulterated Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

The accused persons were also alleged to have at the same place, time and date, dealt in Automated Gas Oil (AGO), which was of less quality expected of the product.

The offences were said to have been contrary to and punishable under Sections 516, 41(17)(b), 1(18)(a) (I), of the Criminal Code Act Cap 17 and the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap. M 17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Oil block dispute: FG's counsel’s absence stalls proceedings at ECOWAS Court Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

A

bsence of counsel to the federal government in a case between leaders of the Niger Delta region and the government over right to allocate oil block to individuals in the country without the consent of the indigenous owners has been stalled at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice sitting in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

The matter was however adjourned to October 12 for continuation of hearing.

The plaintiffs in the Suit No: ECW/CCJ/ APP/20/15, are Mr. Nosa Ehanire-Osaghae, Jonah Gbemre, Aiko Obobaifo & Daniel Ikponmwosa suing on behalf of themselves and the people of Niger Delta, asking the ECOWAS Court to stop the fedral government from the allocation of oil block to individual Nigerians.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Sophia Okoedion had urged the panel of three Justices led by Justice Nwoke to strike out the plaintiffs’ motion for default judgment that was earlier filed against the defendant.

NASFAT, Lai Mohammed, others eulogise Buki Ajayi Mojeed Alabi

T

he Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has described the late octogenarian thespian, Buki Ajayi, as a symbol of moral revival and integrity personified, saying her contributions to the media and art industry will remain indelible forever.

Mohammed, who was among many dignitaries and theatre practitioners that graced the special prayer session organised in honour of the late artist yesterday in Lagos by

the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fathi (NASFAT) Society, said Ajayi would be missed by the country particularly at a time when government was making efforts to rebuild the culture of dignity and integrity in the people.

He said: “I have said it before that late Alhaja Buki Ajayi was an iconic thespian. Despite the fact that she made her fame from a make-belief world, she did not lose her soul as she remained steadfast on the path of Islam and taught moral values through her lifestyle and practices.

11

THURSDAY, JUly 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Interview Restructuring’ll strengthen Nigeria’s democracy – Adebayo

Politics Chief Ken Okolugbo was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council in the 2011 elections. He speaks with Geoffrey Ekenna and Tosin Omoniyi on the crisis rocking the party and the way out of it Your party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears irredeemable. What is the state of things presently?

I won’t blame you if you say the party appears irredeemable. It is sad but that is exactly the picture.

When Ali Modu Sheriff came in February 2016, most of us kicked against it because we felt the governors brought him without first and foremost taking the PDP’s track into consideration and the Board of Trustees (BoT), which is supposed to be the conscience of the party. But Sheriff came and we said that we are going to accept him and we are going to go into congresses. One of the ways that Sheriff was going to write his name in gold was to ensure that these congresses were done with all mindset of allowing executives from the ward to the local government and state levels, elected or where there is no election, be seen to have emanated with a lot of practice of internal democracy.

But Sheriff decided to give the governors a 100 per cent without thinking that there are other people in the party who had vested interest in the wellbeing of the PDP. This is exactly where we have found ourselves because Sheriff now realised also that he was being used by the governors but by the time he beat a retreat it was too late. Those of us who decided to go to Abuja because we did not want to be part of the impunity going on in Port Harcourt were seen then as rebels but I think people know better now. Without a viable opposition you cannot move forward.

What is this impunity that you are talking of?

Impunity is when you impose candidates, who are not popular

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@yahoo.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Fasehun NJC should investigate rulings on Abia crisis

13 14

Jonathan should intervene in PDP crisis – Okolugbo

Okolugbo

as candidates. Impunity is when you decide to make your houseboy a ward chairman; your girlfriend the woman leader because they are loyal to you. Impunity is when you decide to make people you perceive to be your slaves’ executives of a party instead of you going back to the party. The name of our party is very clear, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it is a party of the people, going back to the people is what the party is supposed to connote.

We are supposed to be taking this party to the grassroots where we will allow leaders emerge based on elections.

If I may say, Donald Trump was not the presumptive candidate of the Republican Party at a time but primaries still went on; yes or no vote. Even when there is a singular person vying for the office of let’s say chairman of a ward, we must still have a yes or no vote. But in PDP, they just wrote names especially in many of the states and that is what we are kicking against. For how long can we continue with this? We have lost an election and we haven’t learned our lessons. When are we going to learn our lessons? Is it when we

have become extinguished or irredeemable?

Silence cannot be golden at this time for Jonathan

Was the choice of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan as PDP’s presidential candidate in the last general election part of the impunity you are talking about?

Well, I might agree with you and I might also disagree. I was a member of the Presidential Campaign Council and interestingly I was the youngest member of that council. I remember one of the meetings we went for, Jonathan clearly said that he wanted to take things a step at a time; that was after Yar’adua died and he was running for the 2011 elections.

Jonathan should never have contested that election in 2015 because he knew what it took us to fight zoning.

We were the apostles of those who said zoning promotes mediocrity all because we wanted our son from the Niger Delta to have a shot at the presidency. Destiny had entrusted him with emerging as the president once Umaru Yar’adua died and we felt that it will be unfair if we didn’t give him a shot because it was like they are going to say this thing has been zoned

to the North. As an inner person, I had a lot of information at my disposal. By the time he had to put himself up again for election, I can tell you that Jonathan surrounded himself with sycophants and that is why you find out that today almost all those funds that are traced to the arms scandal is associated with the campaign.

If you look at our campaigns in 2011, nobody has been scandalized. Or is it that crime has its time-bound? Of course not! If funds were embezzled in 2011, it would have been exposed by now.

So, it shows you that it was those who have a mindset of perpetuating themselves in power to steal, were the ones around Jonathan.

Even though I will still it is an allegation, but it’s a shame when people are saying that they want to return money. If people are already returning money and people are offering to return money, can we still say it is an allegation?

I don’t think I can call it allegation again. Sometimes when I am fighting for this party and I come back, my wife will tell me that you are still killing yourself for this party that everybody is associating to be a party of rogues, but I will tell her that we are fighting for the emancipation of this party because we want to have a viable opposition. But the truth about it is that Jonathan had no business running in 2015. Although he was qualified to run but within the circumstances that threw him up, the North felt shortchanged that their son, Yar’adua, had done less than two years before he died.

So, in 2015, they felt it was their turn after Jonathan had finished Yar’dua’s tenure and used another full term of four years.

Are you saying that Jonathan’s insistence to run was what caused the PDP the election?

Yes, 100 per cent. You can quote me on that But, was he betrayed by the North?

Yes, he was. The North knew that they were not in support of his candidature; they knew they were not going to vote for him.

But come to think of it, there is no northerner alive today that can pull the crowd that Buhari pulls.

In 2003 he defeated Olusegun Obasanjo in the North; In 2007, he defeated Yara’dua in the North, In 2011, he defeated Jonathan overwhelmingly in the North. So, if you have fielded a man who has won the northern votes from 2003 to 2011, even the sitting governors CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

12

POLITICS

Pastor Bassey James is a criminologist and security consultant.

In this interview with TONY ANICHEBE, he speaks on the resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta and how government can use youth empowerment to resolve the crisis

What do you make of the resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta and what is the way out of the crisis?

To address the crisis plaguing the Niger Delta, everybody must be a peace ambassador, ever willing to chart the course of peace and non violent approach to the resolution of the raging issues. You cannot compromise peace and its absence means anarchy, confusion and destruction. Peace means development equity, fair play and justice.

Peace is the language the world is discussing presently even at the point of the United Nations. The resources being wasted presently in Nigeria are so much and if they are well harnessed and utilized, everybody on this part of the world would be very rich and comfortable and that is why our generation must never fail Nigeria.

If our generation takes up arms against each other, then we are finished. We must now sit at the roundtable and iron out our differences and promote unity, oneness and progress of our nation. Nigeria is so blessed; there are abundant resources in every part of the country.

I learnt that even Lagos has discovered crude oil; here in Akwa Ibom it flows freely. A state like Akwa Ibom doesn’t even need fertilizer to grow food. So, I urge the militants to embrace dialogue because peace is the only panacea for the development of Niger Delta region.

Youth unemployment seems a major contributing factor to the crisis. How do you think government can tackle the problem?

Government should deliberately formulate policies and programmes that will help create employment for the youth. The Bank of Industry can serve as a pivot, to help empower creative youths. It

THURSDAY, JUly 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari keen on sustaining Nigeria’s unity – James

James

will be terrible to ignore the alarming youth unemployment rate in Nigeria. Look at the tragedy we witnessed during last immigration recruitment exercise. Our problem here is that we politicize everything. The President can use a physical approach like putting N100 billion in 10 banks, while a proper screening will be done and funds released to beneficiaries for various businesses but that the money must be recovered too.

It will not be anybody’s share of the national cake. If you have a good proposal to set up a farm as a youth, you access the loan after you are certified by the relevant authorities. They can spread the funds to cover those in agriculture, ICT, commerce and small scale industries across the six geo-political zones. If you go to some big markets in Lagos today for instance, most of the success-

Buhari... has shown sincere courage to stop anything that will divide the country

ful traders there don’t have up to N1 million at the inception of their businesses and some of them have never received anything from the government. There is every need now to have deliberate policies to curb unemployment. Top Nigerian businessmen like Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu should be encouraged by the government to mentor the youth through seminars and workshops to reveal some secrets of their successes. That will work on the psyche of the young Nigerians and you can imagine the multiplier effect of such gesture. I know that Dr. Kalu never worked in government until he became Abia State governor in 1999 but before then he was already a successful entrepreneur.

He had the Slok Group.

Dangote is Africa’s richest man and he never worked in government. Such men can turn around

the lives of many Nigerians though just seminars. In Korea and China, every home is a factory. India is doing well in ICT, while here, it is all politics. These men I mentioned have content, there is no time I come across Dr. Kalu that I don’t feel fulfilled because of what I will learn even if we spend just three minutes together. I am not looking at the material gift but the content of his wealth of knowledge and experience. Our leaders are not building leaders put political structures, politics is supposed to be seasonal.

Whatever we must do to keep the youth busy must be done now.

How do you see the approach so far adopted by the Federal Government to resolve the Niger Delta crisis?

I think President Muhammadu Buhari is so desirous of keeping Nigeria as one and has shown sincere courage to stop anything that will divide the country. I think he needs prayers and encouragement to handle the issues at stake.

I recommended recently that there should be a National Youth Conference involving youths from the six geo-political zones of the country.

The conference must be devoid of any political inclinations. The conference must not discuss political or religious matters but strictly empowerment, strategy, development and welfare of the youth. The said conference involving credible youth leaders could hold in the six zones with some elders involved to chat a way forward. As a nation desirous of a better future, the youths are the future and ignoring them will spell doom for Nigeria.

I hope the President will see need for the youth conference, which outcome will further cement the bond of unity and cohesion. We should not allow trivial things to divide us. A country that exacts much of her energy on politics than governance will not go far. In the western world, once a government is formed, everybody falls in line and thoughts will centre on development and progress of the country no matter the political party one belongs to but unfortunately in our country, when a party takes over power all thoughts and discussion centre on party affiliations even in sharing of sensitive offices. Nigerian leaders should to put square pegs on square holes, emphasize competency against party affiliations in order to develop the country. We are all one irrespective of political inclinations and we must ignore anything that will bring division among us.

‘PDP yet to learn lessons from 2015 defeat’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 1

in the PDP from the North can’t do anything in the presidential election.

Let me tell you a story, during the 2011 election, we realised that by the time we got to Sokoto, people were rather talking about Aliyu Wammako, who was then in PDP and Wammako wasn’t even campaigning for Jonathan because in the interior, you dare not talk about Jonathan, it was the Congress for Progressive Change CPC all the way. If Jonathan had people like us who were in his campaign in 2011, we would have told him that he cannot run because we can see the disaster coming. But the impunity of those other people who wanted to continue in this same line that they are trying to

push us into now is what has brought us to where we are.

Why do you think they gave him the ticket when they knew he won’t get the support?

You see, it is all these mind-blogging revelations that they are scared of from coming out and that was why they wanted to continue with Jonathan. I am an apostle of Jonathan, I worked in his campaign council but I must tell you in this interview that I am very disappointed in Jonathan. I saw Jonathan as an institution but he abdicated his responsibilities. It is obvious that one of the worst wastages of public funds was under his watch, but it is even a shame that he wasn’t even aware. How

can you sit as a president of this country and under your watch this kind of corruption took place? That means you are not worthy of being the commander in chief.

The buck stops at your table. Look at what is happening in PDP now and Jonathan is keeping quiet. In a party you were the deputy governor, became governor, vice president and president. There is no one alive or dead in Nigeria that has benefitted from the PDP like Jonathan and the party is in this irredeemable state and he is keeping quiet. Silence cannot be golden at this time for Jonathan. In a party that you are supposed to be a leader or was a leader about 15 months ago and it is almost hitting the rocks and

you are keeping quiet, that cannot be acceptable.

What is the way out of the PDP crisis?

The solution is that we must dialogue and the governors must subject themselves to the supremacy of the party.

The fact that you are a governor does not make you the leader of the party. You must subject yourself to the leadership of the party. Look at the All Progressives Congress (APC), we must give them credit for that. The governors are not leaders of the party in their states, look at how Adams Oshiomole worked hard to get his candidate elected; it is an example for our governors to learn. If the governors will subject themselves to the supremacy of the party, we can have peace.

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

THURSDAY, JUly 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Chief Cornelius Adebayo, a former Governor of Kwara State and onetime Minister of Communications is of the view that restructuring of Nigeria is not only imperative, but should be a major priority of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

He also allays the fear of selectiveness of the anti-coruption war, as well as speaks on the achievements of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

Biodun Oyeleye reports

What is your view on the rate of unemployment in the country as well as the rising cost of living?

Unemployment is not a new development in the country. It has been with us for years. The world’s situation has worsened and deepened our own recession.

I believe we have a ‘new’ government which is daily trying to tackle these issues. They are not things you can handle overnight.

There are salary arrears across the nation and people in the labour movement are still talking of pay increase. They are not issues to tackle in the short term. I think our concern should be that those who are in power at the moment are doing the right thing to ensure that we eventually get over the serious hurdles before us The recession we are talking about cannot leave out employment; purchase of essential materials including what we eat and wear. That is the situation that the government claims to be addressing. We may have our views as to how we are tackling it but there is no question at all about their being conscious of it and they are going about it the way they understand. Fortunately, ours remains a democracy, people can say anything they like and the media will report it. People who have ideas are flying them. They are suggesting to government and institutions and we do believe that ultimately this will lead to improvement in our circumstances; in our economy; in wage and other areas in this country.

What would you suggest to the government as the way out?

A serious confrontation of the problem; that is the way out and there is no one way. We must learn from countries that had gone through it. It is interesting that in recent years, one of the countries that is best known for democracy is Greece. We all know the situation Greece got into and the solution was beyond them. Thank God that the European Union (EU) came to her aid. Even a country like Spain has its problems.

13

Restructuring’ll strengthen Nigeria’s democracy – Adebayo

rush things when it comes to determine involvement in crime and the level and depth of involvement. This government is going about it the way it knows best. If people have ideas of faster it could be, they must be free to offer them.

But talking in theoretical terms that they are too slow is not fair.

Government should continue to go after treasury looters.

Adebayo

The problem we have is not peculiar to us in general terms, but what is probably heavier is that we know that things wouldn’t be bad as this if people had been more careful with the national resources. So, the management of our national resources both those that were denied us and we can recover and those we still have would be the only area that we would say that greater attention is required. And I am persuaded daily that things are being tackled.

There is an argument that the anticorruption war of the government is selective. What is your take on that?

It is inevitably selective. You tackle what you can see. You can’t fight what you cannot see. Sometimes you can’t see mosquito but before you go to bed at night you fumigate your room. There are preventive measures and there are investigative devices, which can help to ascertain those who were affected and those who were involved in leading us to where we are and I believe that they are tackling it. To now talk of being selective, people have to show evidence that whereas they have named X,

There must be devolution... so that the oppression of the minority within a unit can be stemmed

Y and Z, who are also involved and they are not being looked at.

What people are saying which makes me laugh is that there is a concentration on a particular group. The truth is Yoruba say when two trees fall on each other; we begin the cut down from the top. Government of today cannot start tackling corruption from 1960. What is immediately visible is what has been stolen but not yet spent and they have been trying to recover that as much as possible. It will be of interest to us with what they do with what they recover.

How do you rate the performance of the Muhammadu Buhari government?

The government has certainly performed. It is a matter of personal assessment as to percentage in terms of expectations. The great huge word is ‘change.’ People say there has been no change. I assert that there has been change; whether it has been fast as everyone expects is a different matter.

Don’t forget that there is one thing that we have is the justice system that assumes a person is innocent until he is proven guilty. You can’t

There is a renewed clamour for restructuring of Nigeria, where do you stand on the issue?

My position remains what you would expect it to be. With all modesty, I was one of the leaders of the Middle Belt Forum and I remain one of the leaders of the forum.

I was a onetime chairman of the political committee of Afenifere. I remain a very firm believer in Afenifere and the course of Yoruba nation. I believe Kwara wants and desires the best share of what this country has to offer. Calls for restructuring have always been part of Nigeria’s history. There was a rush let-us-get-independence first and we have never sorted out restructuring of Nigeria to the full up till today.

So, there must be restructuring. All nations are teaching us everyday. The United Kingdom is not a federation. They have restructured to the level that Welsh, Irish and Scottish have self-determination. They are not dominated by the English. It came to a point that the Scots had to decide to whether to walk out or not. It is a matter of choice for each people where they belong and what role they play in government and who rules them. So, restructuring is crucial. It is part of what we fought for. I was the secretary of the movement national reformation and the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) was about the struggle for the restructuring of Nigeria.

Until Nigeria is restructured we won’t have democracy as it should be. So, that must be taken into consideration and addressed.

That is why I have not been very happy with what the President said about the last National Conference. The issue involved more than anything else is this issue of restructuring and a balanced federation. A federation in which every unit is satisfied that it is having what is best possible for it.

There are nations and I am talking in the conventional sense of the word, who want to be together. My people in Kwara State want to be part of a Yoruba nation within a federation. So long there are such desires, they must be addressed and if it is not addressed, the people will not be happy. I believe in the Canadian federation which recognises sovereignty for each of each of the country’s provinces. Power in the hands of the Federal Government of Nigeria is too heavy. There must be devolution but before that there must be restructuring so that the oppression of the minority within a unit can be stemmed. I want the restructuring of the Nigerian federation to be a priority of the current administration.

14

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

Dr. Frederick Fasehun is the National Chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and Coordinator of the Coalition of Ethnic Nationalities of Nigeria (CENN). He speaks on the political crisis in Abia State, anti-corruption war and the judiciary.

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE reports

What is your take on the political impase in Abia State over claims

by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and Dr. Uche Ogah to the state’s governorship seat?

The last one year has seen some strange occurrences bursting loose on the political landscape of Nigeria. These occurrences look like landmines that can endanger our democracy and cause an explosion or an implosion capable of undermining our beloved country. And we cannot continue to be silent because we need to raise the alarm to wake those in the driving seat of this nation and help them avoid these landmines. The latest of what many well-meaning Nigerians like me see as a landmine is the confusion in Abia State.

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja recently ruled in favour of a petition brought by Dr. Uche Ogah, and ordered that the Independent National electoral Commission (INEC) to issue the litigant a Certificate of Return and that he should be sworn in immediately in place of the sitting governor. Such an order is not only provocative but also injudicious, strange and very insensitive. It shows inordinate and suspicious haste on the part of the honourable justice. It flies in the face of the law and against common sense. The judiciary in other places always strives to dispense justice and fairness to both the litigant and the respondent as well as allow everyone to exercise his right to fair hearing to the maximum, through appeals made to higher courts; in this case, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

What if the case had been one of homicide and the death penalty passed. Would the honourable judge order that the prisoner be executed immediately, depriving the accused his chance to appeal?

Justice Abang was playing God, arrogating to himself power that he did not have. The National Judicial Council (NJC) must investigate and take a stand against the honourable judge’s haste and abuse of court process.

Where did you think the judge erred?

The Judge should have borrowed good precedents from the recent governorship cases that went not just to the Court of Appeal, but all the way to the Supreme Court. They include those of the sitting governors

THURSDAY, JUly 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NJC should investigate rulings on Abia crisis – Fasehun of Rivers, Ekiti, Nasarawa and Sokoto states. No Judge of the lower court should pretend he is the Alpha and Omega over the fate of anyone in the country.

Such a stance is injurious to societal sanity. INEC also allowed itself to be stampeded into issuing a Certificate of Return. The INEC Commissioner unilaterally issued a certificate to Dr. Uche Ogah without first withdrawing the one earlier issued to Governor Ikpeazu.

Under the Electoral Act, INEC has the latitude of one full week to issue a Certificate of Return to a winner. In addition, the Electoral Act provides that a person whose election gets nullified has 21 days; that is 504 hours, to file an appeal, and he will stay in office for as long as it takes to determine his appeal.

So, why had there been such an inordinate rush to do so within 24 hours, especially when Governor Ikpeazu had already filed an appeal as well as a motion for stay of execution and INEC was duly served. Now, Abia has this strange situation where one state has two governors-designate.

That was madness of the highest order.

Do you think the allegation of forgery raised against Governor Ikpeazu is justifiable?

The facts of the case actually make you know that both the case and the judgement accruing are s t r a n g e.

As I am made to understand, before resigning to contest the gover norship polls, Gover nor Ikpeazu had been in the state civil service for the last 25 years, meaning that, technically and administratively speaking, his tax is deducted

Fasehun

Those serving in the Temple of Justice must serve with dignity, fairness and impartiality

from source. Such a person pays tax automatically. His employer, the government, deducts the tax even before the man sees his pay slip, and the pay slip informs him of the tax deducted and actual take-home.

That is routine. And then the Abia State Internal Revenue Service body has confirmed the authenticity of the clearance certificate issued. So, where did the judge get the notion that the tax certificate issued was fake?

Fundamentally, however, tax payment and the presentation of tax clearance certificates are not a prerequisite for contesting an election. Neither the Nigerian Constitution nor the Electoral Act makes tax payment a demand. Therefore, the case, solely based on this peg of nonpayment of tax, should have been dead on arrival.

What is your advice to people of Abia State?

People are insinuating, rightly or wrongly, that some Igbo politicians close to the national seat of power, are desperate to cause a change in Abia because Ogah would cross to All Progressives Congress (APC) after being sworn in, thus giving the party at the centre at least a foothold in the SouthEast, while as well giving Igbo people better voice in the Federal Government. Whether this is true or not, I do not know. But what is clear is that Abia people deserve peace.

We sue for peace in Abia State.

We urge all men and women of goodwill in the state to hold their peace and let justice run its course.

No one must allow the inordinate am-

bition of any politician to cause disrupting of peace in the state.

Now that there are pending cases on the Abia governorship tussle, what do you think should be the way out?

Democratic activists like me fought for the entrenchment of this seeming democracy that the country is enjoying today and we will not watch some people put up actions and conducts that will turn back the hands of the clock. Therefore, I seize this opportunity to call on civil society groups, workers unions and prodemocracy activists to return and play their watchdog role.

We fought and sacrificed for this democracy. We should not turn away and let some fly-by-night politicians and carpetbaggers come and ruin it for us and our children. Eternal vigilance is the price of democracy, and in this responsibility, we cannot afford to fail.

How would you access the judiciary in the ongoing anti-corruption war?

Understandably, the judiciary has been put under much pressure, since the resurgence of democracy in 1999; but this is not time for it to break down. A lot of rubbish is happening in the other two arms of government; the executive and the legislature.

But the judiciary needs to live up to its billing as the last hope of the common man. This means that those serving in the Temple of Justice must serve with dignity, fairness and impartiality.

However, the trend at the lower courts nowadays is that judges display blundering laziness and judicial rascality. The judiciary nowadays has taken to taking sides with the prosecution and the government whenever a corruption or money-laundering case comes up. The huge bail bonds being posted on accused persons appear rather judgmental. It shows that the judge has conclusively taken a position that an accused has mismanaged whatever huge amount of money he is being accused of, and therefore bail should be posted for him with an equally huge sum. This is wrong.

How can someone be liable to bail with N100 million, N500 million, N1 billion and so on.

Isn’t the court showing a prejudicial and prejudiced agreement with the prosecution that such a person is guilty as charged?

This is against the maxim that anyone is innocent until proved guilty. It ultimately violates the person’s right to fair hearing, displaces judicial independence and impartiality, and it most importantly, contradicts Section 36(5) of the Constitution, which stipulates that: “Every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved guilty.”

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

THURSDAY, JUly 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Umahi’s prudence responsible for giant strides in Ebonyi – Nweze

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Ebonyi State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr. Fidelis Nweze, believes that prudent management of resources by Governor Dave Umahi is responsible for the feat so far achieved by his administration. He also speaks in this interview with UCHENNA INYA, on measures by the government to decongest the state capital The Dave Umahi administration is constructing three overhead bridges in the capital city, the first of its kind in the state. What made the government to embark on these projects?

The state governor during the campaigns promised to redefine Abakaliki and make it one of the cleanest and attractive cities in Nigeria and on assumption of office, Governor Dave Umahi started constructing overhead bridges in three different locations in the capital city.

It is the first of its kind in the state.

The essence of these overhead bridges is to ease traffic congestion in the capital city and stop frequent road crashes that are always associated within the area. A lot of people have lost their lives within the three locations. Work on the overhead bridges started seven months ago. The one at Akanu Ibiam junction is 75 per cent completion. Our intention is to put these overhead bridges to use by the end of November, so that Ebonyians outside the state will be happy when they come for Christmas.

Some properties very close to the overhead bridge at Akanu Ibiam junction have been removed or demolished, was compensation paid to the owners?

We discovered that there are lots of properties that need to give way for bypasses for the overhead bridges and these properties are owned by human beings and because this is a government that has human face and it is a government that loves peace and built on divine mandate, we decided that before we touch any property, we will evaluate it. So, we paid compensation to all the property owners.

Some of the properties are shopping malls, filling stations and undeveloped plots. We compensated them in line with the evaluation carried out by the Ministry of Works and Transport. We also paid the Power Holding Company and telecom operators to relocate their facilities. This is a government of the people and one that wants to help the people, that is why we have to compensate them and happily all of them are relocating their properties for the overhead bridges and we are happy about that.

Is this compensation part of the contract sum or would there be a variation to bring it in?

No! We asked the Ministry of Land to evaluate the properties for

the people to be compensated. We made case for them and sent memo for funds to be approved, it was approved and we paid them. So, the compensation money is not part of the contract sum. The cost for the construction of the three overhead bridges is a little above N900 million, which is the lowest of its kind in Nigeria. There is nowhere in Nigeria that you will have a quality of seven span bridge constructed with less than N1 billion. It is not done anywhere but because of the prudence of the governor, who is equally a fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, we are able to construct these overhead bridges at the lowest cost.

Did the property owners complain or refused to relocate their properties?

We actually called them for a meeting with my ministry and we discussed with them. Happily, they agreed to relocate their properties without putting any pressure on them. They quietly collected their money and relocated their properties. They asked us for extra one week to relocate and we gave them the one week. The compensation was based on the value of each of the property affected. Generally it was about N75 million.

What has the Umahi administration been able to achieve in the area of infrastructure in the last one year?

When the governor came in on May 29, 2015, he saw the deplorable state of infrastructure in the state. He said it is unacceptable and immediately swung into action to tackle the infrastructural decay as all the roads within the capital city were in terrible state. We started moving from street to street to construct, reconstruct and rebuild the infrastructure and as you can see, the capital city has automatically changed. The governor has transformed the capital city and made it very attractive for the people, visitors, investors and travelers.

If you go to Ogoja road in the city, you will see that the road that used to be a death trap and was converted to a dump site has been constructed and wearing a good look. That 7.5 kilometre road was constructed by the governor within six months of assumption of office. We also reconstructed Afikpo road, we also constructed the Gunning road that has the Meat market and today that road is a beauty to behold. We saw that

Nweze

We use whatever we have to better the lives of the people

the infrastructure within that area was so terrible and it is where we have the abattoir where all of us get meat. We suspected that cholera and other diseases may emanate from that area and that is what moved His Excellency to construct the road.

Also the New Market road that was abandoned for over 16 years has been constructed. Before now, no government has attempted to construct Hosanna street, Hosanna park and other adjoining streets and roads within that area and also the Ogbe Hausa and Momoh street.

Within three months in office, His Excellency constructed all of them and the people are happy. When His Excellency went for an Interdenominational Church Service at St. John Catholic Church Okpaugwu, the Reverend a Father incharge of the parish made passionate appeal for Udemezue road that connects the church be constructed and it is 2.5 kilomtre. Within 10 day, work commenced on the road and within two months it was completed.

Other roads constructed in the metropolis by the Governor include; Nwodo/Uga/Ejiofor streets, Nkaliki road, EBBC street, Old Enugu road, Udensi road among others. Within three months in office, His Excellency completed over 50 kilometres of roads within the capital city and has commenced another set of roads within the capital city and today that road is 75 per cent completed. If you go round the city, you will see many roads under construction and you also see many culverts and bridges constructed and the on-going ones.

Everywhere in the capital city is wearing a new look. There is a pedestal bridge at the front of permanent site of Ebonyi State University.

The governor was returning from an event and witnessed a fatal accident in the area and immediately gave directive that it should be constructed. Within three months, that pedestal crossing was constructed.

His Excellency is also constructing roads, culverts and bridges in all the 13 local government areas of the states. Some of these roads are federal roads.

What is the secret behind the feat the

government has recorded, especially at a time when many states are unable to pay workers salaries?

People have been asking about the secret behind all these achievements within a short time; the secret is God. God promised that the state will be great under Umahi and He is actually fulfilling that promise.

At times, people ask where money for these projects comes from; they are surprised how the government is doing all these projects in the face of economic challenges facing the nation. God is the secret and we normally use any money that come into this state with prudence and honesty. We use whatever we have to better the lives of the people and we don’t owe any contractor as of today.

Certificates are generated and paid within one week, all our contractors are happy with us and God is really helping us.

We have reduced the cost of contracts to what they used to be now.

We visit construction sites regularly to ensure quality job delivery and we have competent engineers supervising the contractors on daily basis. If you go round the state, you will see quality of jobs done by the ministry and these contractors. His Excellency has done marvelously well in terms of roads construction, bridge construction and other sectors of the economy like agric and power.

Your ministry is making use of cement in construction of roads, what informed the decision?

Actually, some of the roads constructed by this ministry are on 200mm rigid pavement like Hiltop/ Nwofe/Agbaja road which is 25.7 kilometre. The essence is to ensure that the roads last for over 50 years and it is a new technology that we want other states to copy. The cost is actually the same with every other method of road construction but it is strong and more durable than the other methods.

How would you describe the governor?

I will describe him as a God-fearing governor, a workaholic governor and a man sent by God to wipe the tears of the people and right the wrongs in the state.

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Opinion What manner of court orders?

Turning Point MIKE ARAYUWA WILKIE pmikky1950@yahoo.com 0802-3097-251 (sms only)

C

ourt orders are writs issued by courts of competent jurisdictions requiring a person to do something or to refrain from doing sometime. The orders are decisions made in court about what must happen in a particular situation. These Orders do not affect a person(s) alone but are also applicable to governmental and none governmental institutions, properties, wills and so forth.

In the present dispensation of our democratic practice, and especially during this government, pronouncements of Court Orders by judicial officers or Judges have become contradictory and misleading. To this extent, Nigerians are definitely confused as to what is happening to the Judiciary and its operative legal officers. For instance, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) had its National leadership disorganized through serial valid Court Orders which emanated from different Courts.

The National Leadership of the PDP got fractured and factionalized due to multiple Court Orders which are not in agreement or in harmony with one another. A Judge of a Federal High Court in Lagos, pronounced an Order in favour of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to continue in office as the National Chairman of the PDP. So far, he still maintains that he remains the National Chairman of the Party inspite of three other Court Orders, rulings and judgments which upheld his removal from office with regard to the party’s National con-

vention held on May 21, 2016, in Port-Harcourt.

Infact, two Federal High Courts in Lagos and PortHarcourt had different Court Orders in an attempt to confirm the validity of the PortHarcourt PDP’s National Convention, which threwup the Senator Ahmed Makarfi led National Caretaker Committee. According to Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, at a press conference held on Thursday, July 7, 2016, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi factions have started to discuss peace in the interest of their political party.

Again, there is another political imbroglio and debacle being played out over who should be the legitimate Governor of Abia State. In the first instance, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of the PDP had gone through the election Tribunal of his Governorship election, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. The litigant was a member of a different political party who also contested the governorship position with him. On the whole, Okezie Ikpeazu won convincingly, virtually in all the Courts.

At the time, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu thought that his governorship seat was already solidified and well positioned, Dr. Uche Ogah, a member of the PDP also, took the Governor to Court on the ground that he submitted a forged Tax certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It was on this basis that a Federal High Court Judge, in Abuja, sacked Ikpeazu from the office of the Governor of Abia State. The Judge also ruled that the INEC, should issue a certificate of return to Ogah, and therefore was expected to be sworn-in as Governor of the State.

Ikpeazu, who did not regard the episode, as a funny game, quickly filed his papers with another Federal High Court, in Owerri, to secure a Court Order which forbade the Chief Judge or the President of the Customary Court or

Nigerians are definitely confused as to what is happening to the Judiciary

any other competent Judge from swearing-in Uche Ogah as the substantive Governor of Abia State. Almost immediately, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), faulted the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which ordered that Dr. Uche Ogah should be sworn-in as the State Governor.

APGA demanded that the Appeal Court, while upholding Ikpeazu’s guilty verdict, should also declare Alex Oti as the authentic Governor of Abia. Although, evidence has shown that the candidate and his political party are yet to approach any court for, perhaps, an additional Court Order. It is certain that, another Court Order, if granted for the APGA and its candidate will further complicate the legal fireworks of the Abia State Governorship tussle. Meanwhile, the presiding Judge of the Abuja Federal High Court insists that his sack of Okezie Ikpeazu, as Governor, of Abia State remains. Again another Federal High Court Judge in Owerri, has equally declared Ikpeazu as the legitimate Governor of the State.

From the contradictory Orders of the Courts by some Judges in Nigeria, it is only an indication that the Judges involved, probably, did not study law within the same context.

It also appears that some of them studied law to the best of their knowledge, but whose legal views may not be able to stand the test of time.

I conclude that some Judges of the Nigerian Judiciary are therefore in a state of deep unconsciousness, which if not properly checked, shall not be competent enough to respond appropriately to judicial stimuli. These Orders of Courts with different legal interpretations are totally disharmonious. The National Judicial Council (NJC) should endeavour to checkmate these ugly trends in order to ensure that Nigeria is on the same judicial page with members of the Comity of Nations.

And the next Ondo State governor is...

TREASURES BOLA BOLAWOLE turnpot@gmail.com 0807-552-5533 (sms only)

W

hereas the governorship election in Ondo state is five months away, the struggle for the coveted seat has already engulfed the state.

The war of nerves, and of wits, has already begun. Aspirants have been springing up by the day but as is always the case in such matters, some will be short-distance runners who will fade away as quickly as they have shown face.

Others will be long-distance runners who will be slow starters but will gather steam and moss as the race progresses. Some will die on the road like a smoke and as the Apostle Paul postulated, many run in a race but only one takes the prize.

It is too early to say who that lucky man or woman will be. Sometimes, a dark horse emerges; sometimes it is a compromise candidate; sometimes, too, the frontrunners burn each other out, leaving an unlikely candidate to coast home to victory, as was the case in Lagos state during the ill-fated Third Republic when Dapo Sarumi

and Femi Agbalajobi burned each other out and ended up gifting an outsider, Sir Michael Otedola, the laurel.

On current ratings, however, it would appear as if the battle line is drawn between the two most viable political parties in the state, namely; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, is PDP while the APC controls the all-powerful Central government. Barring an upset, the type that Mimiko himself pulled when he quit PDP to join relatively unknown Labour Party, which he then turned into a volcano that swept away incumbency factor and Federal might, it is reasonable to expect either of PDP and APC to produce the next governor of Ondo state.

Who that will be is still in the making. In the past few months I have received solicitation from friends and admirers inviting me to take more than cursory interest in the politics of my home state. I have in recent times also been apprised with my own “people’s” campaign to produce the next governor of the state. I am from Owo in the Ondo North senatorial district and there is a group of professionals, politicians, and other interest groups insisting that it is the turn of the Ondo North senatorial district to produce the next governor.

Mimiko, the current governor, is from Ondo town in Ondo Central senatorial

district while the governors before him, Olusegun Agagu (2003-2009) and Adebayo Adefarati (1999-2003), were from Ondo South senatorial district and Ondo North senatorial district respectively.

The Number One post having thus rotated between the three senatorial districts, it is the argument of those in favour of rotation, which they quoted sections of the Constitution to back up – and which I support in the interest of justice, equity, and fairness – that the post must now start another round of rotation beginning with Ondo North.

The case for Ondo North is made stronger by the fact that whereas Ondo North during its turn enjoyed only four years, Ondo South and Ondo Central had six and eight years respectively. If the rotationists win the argument; that is not where it will end since, within Ondo North itself, the Akoko section has monopolised all important appointments to the chagrin of the Owo\Ose axis. The statistics since 1999 up till this moment speak for themselves. Akoko has been governor, deputy governor, speaker of the House of Assembly, deputy speaker, chief of staff to the president, ambassador, Inspector-General of Police, CBN governor, Minister of the Federal Republic, Director-General of the National Sports Commission, and some of these posts they have held many times over to the chagrin of Owo\Ose.

So the “Owo for Governor” movement wants the next Ondo state governor to come from the Owo\Ose axis of Ondo North. Rationalising that the next governor can only come from either of the two big parties (PDP and APC), they are demanding that the two parties buy into the argument of the rotationists and concede that their governorship candidates come from Ondo North.

If the parties concede, and I think they should, it still will not end there. Owo\ Ose axis of Ondo North, in view of the statistics of the Akoko axis’s monopolistic tendencies, will insist that Akoko concede the governorship to Owo\Ose. Fair is fair, is what they seem to be saying here.

And I think they are right. I am sure you know it will still not end there: Within Owo\Ose, I expect another tug of war between the two brothers but should they succeed to narrow the battle down to within the fold, I should expect them to be able to manage to amicably iron things out within the family.

LAST WORD: Someone sent a “campaign” material to my Whats’App as I was going to bed with this. He named one Eyitayo Jegede who, from the narration, could be from the same Ondo Central as the incumbent and also the anointed of Gov. Mimiko. I sent him a stinker but that is a story for another day.

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Fighting corruption headlong

resident Muhammadu Buhari left no one in doubt on his will to combat corruption head-on as soon as he was sworn in on May 29, 2015. The monumental graft of the immediate past administration was unearthed few months into the lifespan of his administration. He promised that no stone would be left unturned in returning stolen Nigerian Commonwealth back to the till.

First to be arrested was the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki for diversion of $2.1 billion and N45 billions arms deal money. Several military officers were later arraigned for sleaze totaling N94.7 billion! Even the former customs boss – Inde Dikko is being probed over N40bn fund unaccounted for.

Politicians, especially of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) stock were also rounded up by the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Prominent among those arrested were the party’s former publicity secretary, Olisah Metuh, former Aviation minister and the Director of Media and Publicity of PDP’s presidential campaign, Femi Fani-Kayode as well as former finance minister, Esther Nenadi Usman. The two former ministers were docked over an alleged N4.6 billion fraud.

The money was part of the campaign funds for their party’s presidential election last year.

Former governors were not left out in the astonishing corruption perpetuated by the immediate past administration. A serving governor was also fingered in the slush fund. He, with former Defence Minister, Musiliu Obanikoro, were alleged to be involved in the sharing of N4.7 billion released by the Jonathan’s adminis-

tration for the 2014 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

A governorship aspirant in the Osun election is also telling the EFCC what he knows about the money.

The list is endless. But the opposition PDP has come out to accuse the Buhari administration of fighting a selective anti-graft war, alleging that all of them (APC and PDP politicians) have sinned, but Buhari is just fighting a selective battle. They claimed that many of his ministers and party leaders are also corrupt.

Governor Ayo Fayose even claimed that the president is one a revenge mission against perceived opponents.

But the Speaker of the House of Representatives who is an

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an online medium broke the news that the Chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai owns some choice properties worth $1.5m in Dubai which were alleged to have been acquired illegally.

While responding to the allegations, Lt. Gen. Buratai said that those behind the write up were defeated insurgents and terrorists who have migrated to the cyber space.

The army was quick to come to Buratai’s defence. In a statement, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman,

Nobody with any sense of decency or justice can leave Buratai in service

All Progressives Congress’ chieftain, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, was quick to defend those arrested so far. He said the roll call tilted towards the PDP chiefs because they had been in power for 16 years before their party was defeated last year.

The APC politicians, he said were in opposition all the years the PDP ruled and were not exposed to slush money. “If we are talking about corruption, naturally it will relate to those that had opportunity to serve in government… if you were to weigh members of opposition that are in government now and had the opportunity to serve, those that would have tendencies to engage in pilfering of resources, majority will come from PDP”, Dogara had said.

Amidst this ding-dong was when

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while not denying that the COAS owns the properties, said that they “were paid for in instalments through personal savings”. $1.5 million paid for in personal savings.

This has got Nigerians reacting, wondering how an Army General could manage to save $1.5 million. Lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) while commending Buratai’s feat of leading the Nigerian Army to defeat Boko Haram in the North East called on the COAS to resign honourably or be kicked out by President Buhari, adding that the war on corruption is a must-win for the administration.

Second republic House of Representatives member, Dr. Junaid Mohammed lamented that it defied logic that Buratai had not been asked to give account of his stewardship while his predecessors from other parts of the country were currently facing trial over their roles in embezzling funds meant for arms procurement. “Nobody with any sense

of decency or justice can leave Buratai in service,” the medical practitioner concluded.

Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba cultural association, Yinka Odumakin argued that the posture of the Buhari administration, which has cleared Buratai, cast a serious doubt on the genuineness of the anti-corruption war of the administration. “It is preposterous to ask the Federal Government that cleared him to now fire him… but he is obviously a blight on the anti-corruption war.

Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John cardinal Onaiyekan also echoed this view. “Proven allegation of corruption against the Army Chief would seriously pollute the anti-graft war of the present administration if not addressed.

The Federal Government should have advised Buratai to defend himself before the EFCC and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to show transparency instead of stoutly rising to his defence.

The allegations are weighty.

One wonders how a serving officer would be able to save millions of dollars to invest in choice offshore properties and other businesses.

The Chief of Army Staff needs to clear the nagging questions urgently with the relevant agencies. Federal Government, in this case should remain neutral as this matter casts a large shadow on this administration’s anti-corruption stand.

The goodwill that the Buhari administration has enjoyed will be eroded and its credibility will suffer a big blow if this issue is swept under the carper.

President Buhari sincerely must subject Buratai and other perceived corrupt aides to corruption probe if this war is to be taken seriously.

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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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GEOFFREY EKENNA coordinaTor

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21 News Go ye and sin no more!

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Nimbo widows at the burial event

A week of mourning in Nimbo, Nkpor Although the April 25th and May 29th massacre on the people of Ukpabi Nimbo and youths of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB and Movement for the Actulisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), respectively, have come and gone, but the memories left would ever remain in the minds of the people. CHARLES ONYEKWERE, in Enugu and PAMELA EBOH, in Awka write on the recent demonstration memorials held for the two groups in Enugu and Nkpor respectively.

Lamentations over Nimbo

O

ver 100,000 Catholic church faithful in the entire Enugu State last week,took to the streets on a of peaceful protest against the repeated attacks on the people by Fulani herdsmen in the state.

The protest, which was held simultaneously at three locations of Nsukka, Awgu and Enugu, began as early as 6:30am across the state.

The protesters barricaded some roads of the state capital, causing gridlock and carried placards with inscriptions like “Grazing bill will destroy our country;”keep away cattle from our state;”Fulani herdsmen, a security threat to our state.”

In a joint statement by the Catho-

lic Bishops of Enugu, Nsukka and Awgu, Most Rev.Dr. Callistus Onaga, Most Rev. Dr.Godfrey Onah and Most Rev. Dr. John Okoye respectively, which was delivered at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, by Onaga, they demanded more proactive steps from various levels of government to stem the tide of the killings.

This, they said, was to avoid a situation where the dangerous trend degenerates into an open clash of ethic nationalities all over the country.

“The government should not be seen as turning a blind eye to life-threatening problems of any section of the citizenry, especially when such an attitude is at the same time perceived as unduly favouring

It is a day that will ever remain dark, sad and solemn in the memory of the people of Enugu State and indeed Nigerians at large

another section.

“In the light of this, therefore, we call on the Federal Government to drop, without further delay, the so called ‘Grazing bill’ which is quite capable of tearing apart the fragile unity of our country, “they said.

The church warned the government not to abdicate its responsibility in the provision of security for the people, which it said, would amount to insensitivity, noting that it would be wrong for government to think the patience of the people is unlimited.

The Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, applauded the Catholics for the rallies at Enugu, Awgu and Nsukka, to register their anger and apprehension over the presumed unwholesome activities

of herdsmen in the state and its opposition to the proposed Grazing Bill among other issues.

Ugwuanyi commended the Church for the leading role it has continued to play in the struggle against social injustice, human rights violations and other crimes against humanity in every part of the country.

“I am particularly grateful to the church for the assistance it offered to us during the burial of our brothers and sisters who were murdered in cold blood in the infamous attack of 25th April, at Nimbo community, Uzo-Uwani Local Governnment Area of Enugu State.

“It is a day that will ever remain dark, sad and solemn in the memory of the people of Enugu State and indeed Nigerians at large. We are, however, consoled that the whole world had stood by us and offered us sympathy and solidarity, ever since the incident occurred,” “You will recall that in my speech during the burial of the victims, I did assure our people that never will such incident happen again in Enugu State.”

“We are deeply appreciative of the support and cooperation that the Federal Government has been lending us towards this end and it is worthy of note that five of the suspected attackers are already in police custody. We also recall that shortly after the incident, we received sympathy and solidarity visits from Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, PDP Governors, Catholic Bishops, South-East TraCO NTINUED O N PAGE20

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A week of mourning in Nimbo, Nkpor

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 9

ditional Rulers and so many other groups across the country.”

“On the issues you have raised in this rally, I wish to state that I address you today not only as a Catholics but as your Governor and the Chief Security Officer of Enugu State. While taking my oath of office, I swore to do everything within my powers to preserve the security of lives and property of the people of Enugu State.

“You can therefore be assured that I will not fail in this responsibility and assured that whatever message you convey through me to the appropriate authorities at Abuja will be promptly delivered.”

In Nsukka, the home town of Ugwuanyi, Catholics also held prayer procession to protest against the menace of Fulani herdsmen in Nsukka district in particular and Enugu State in general in recent time.

The prayer processions which started from St. Theresa’s Cathedral Church Nsukka and terminated at Nsukka LGA secretariat was lead

by Prof. Godfrey Onah, the bishop of Nsukka Catholic diocese and Dr. Francis Okobo, the bishop emeritus of the diocese.

Responding while receiving the press statement from the bishop on behalf of Enugu State Government, the caretaker chairperson of Nsukka Local Government, Prof. Rose Onah, assured the Catholic community that government of Enugu State and other stakeholders are working tirelessly to ensure that the grazing bill does not see the light of the day.

On the ongoing commission of inquiry set up by Enugu State government, a traditional ruler of Anuka Autonomous community, Nsukka Local Government Area of the State, Chief Michael Utazi, on the sitting, suggested that the cutting of grasses was the only way to discourage grazing in the affected areas where the Fulanis based as their homes.

The traditional ruler stated this while testifying before the panel of commission inquiry into the killing of people and destruction of property in Nimbo community by suspected herdsmen.

Utazi stated that the measure had become necessary following the inability of government to adequately contain the activities of the cattle breeders.

According to the monarch, such measure would put to an end the incidences of clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the rural communities.

Another witness, Mr.Francis Nnamani, from Ohuani Amagunze in Nk-

Caskets of Nimbo victims

Mourners at the Nkpor burial

anu East Local Government Area of the state, said that cattle freely graze on their farms.

Nnamani, who is the President General of Ohuani Amagunze Town Union, said that the herdsmen were in groups and had a way of covering their tracks when they destroy crops.

He recounted how one Mrs Theresa Mbah was raped and Mr.Ndubuisi Nworie beaten right in at his farm by suspected herdsmen in the community, adding that the incidences were reported to the Amagunze police station.

He said that the community was demanding for a compensation of N3 billion from the herdsmen that reside in their community.

According to him, over 70 per cent of their people who are predominantly farmers no longer farm as their crops were not safe.

Nnamani said that their farm fields were devastated due to the settlement of the herdsmen at Ogbuhu community.

Similarly, the burial of the victims evoked memories of the gory incident that claimed the lives of over 30 persons and tears flowed freely among men, women, and children in the community.

The wailing that followed the last burial rites was inconsolable with men, women and children of various ages among the dead.

In his address at the graveside, Ugwuanyi reassured the community and promised to secure justice for the deceased.

He said: “We make bold to declare that their deaths can never be in vain

Our community demands a compensation of N17 billion for human losses, unlawful destruction of properties...

and we pledge to do all that is within our legitimate means, to give them justice. Though our emotions cannot restore them to life, we find solace in the fact that the whole world had stood by us and offered us sympathy and solidarity, ever since the incident that took their lives, occurred.”

Continuing Ugwuanyi said, “Having done all that was needful including attending to the injured and the displaced, we have assembled here, in tears and in grief, to bury the dead and bid their innocent souls a final farewell.”

As proof that their death will not be in vain, Ugwuanyi noted that even as government awaits the outcome of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident, that five persons suspected to have participated in the attack, have been arrested by the police and paraded before the whole world.

Testifying at the ongoing of commission panel of inquiry into the incident, the traditional ruler of the community, Chief John Akor, said that the sum of N17billion being demanded by the community would be a recompense for the ills suffered by members of the community and rebuilding the of the area caused by the invaders.

“Our community demands a compensation of N17 billion for human losses, unlawful destruction of properties and criminal deprivation of use of our farms for over two decades,” he said.

Tears flow for Biafra Day victims The victims of the May 30 deadly attack at Nkpor in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State were last week given a formal burial to help keep their souls from wondering and to find rest.

The organizers of the event, who came under the aegis of “Ogbako Umuada Igbo Nile” led by its leader, Chief Mrs. Chika Ibeneme, a one-time Commissioner of Works in Anambra State during the Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju administration, gathered at the Eke Nkpor Market circle to drive home their anger and regret over the manner innocent blood of young Igbo men were wasted without anybody questioning killers.

It would be recalled that scores of IPOB members, who arrived Nkpor from the various Igbo –speaking states of Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo states for the 49th ceremony anniversary of Biafra lost their lives

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

before the annual event could even take place, thereby culminating in a mayhem that led to the suspension of commercial activities in the area for two days as well as movement of people.

Ibeneme, along with other women, gathered at the Eke Nkpor arena, held a brief funeral service in honour of the alleged 178 people that died before loading the coffins up in Mitsubishi van driven by a woman and decorated with black ribbons in a procession to St. Edmund Catholic Church, Nkpor where the IPOB members first settled on arrival to Nkpor before moving to the burial ground located within Nkpor for interment.

The women, who were all clad in black mourning dresses, also took charge of every process, which included firing of 21 gun salute by Mrs. Onyinyechukwu Okafor from Adazi in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. The caskets were ferried to the final resting place in a Mitsubushi minivan by Mrs. Felicia Aniagbaoso, who is driver by profession.

Though a public address system was used to urge market women to attend the ceremony in solidarity with the departed, most of them stayed away, apparently because of fear of being attacked again by the security operatives. Many of them, however cheered the event from a close distance and also joined in the prayers from there.

Women from Ebonyi, Abia and Anambra states participated in the event which drew a large crowd of onlookers.

Addressing the all women gathering, Ibeneme said that the aim of the event was to honour those who lost their lives while peacefully celebrating the 49th anniversary of Biafra, saying that the land has been desecrated and needed cleansing which can only be done through prayers.

In her words: “One hundred and seventy eight Igbo sons and daughters were rudely murdered on May 30, 2016 by agents of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Enough is enough, we can’t take this anymore. These are human beings that were murdered, people’s children, not chicken.

“They were doing a peaceful procession without possessing any kind of arms, yet they were shot. The land has been badly desecrated and their blood is crying out. So, we, as mothers of Igbo land have come out to pray and give them a formal burial to put their souls to rest.

“As mothers who carry babies in our womb, when any innocent person is murdered, our hearts also bleed. We are not happy with the way and manner innocent bloods are shed in our nation. That is why we have come today to cry out to God to cleanse our land and grant the souls of the innocent rest”.

The leader of the group further prayed God to intervene on the atrocities being caused in Nigeria especially in Igbo land, adding that the Igbo extraction should be allowed to go peacefully if they are no longer wanted as part of Nigeria entity instead of the brutality against them.

She noted that the reason for making the event an all women affair was to avoid a repeat of what happened at Nkpor as according to her, the presence of men may send another wrong signal to security operatives.

On her part, the Secretary of the group, Pastor Precious Madu, said that the event has given their hearts as mothers peace, adding that it was their prayer that such ugly incident never resurfaced again.

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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SouthSouthFocus Pauline Onyibe Yenagoa

E

kepetiama Kingdom is in Yenagao Local Government of Bayelsa State. It comprises seven towns situated along the banks of River Nun and boundaries with Kolokuma Opokuma Local Government Area towards the Atlantic Ocean and Gbarantoru town just on the same side of bank, followed by Agudama and other towns.

River Nun has historically served as a major water way for assessing the upstream communities of River Niger from Onitsha up to the source around the Futa Jalon rocks in far away Guinea.

It serves as a trade route for the Eketiama people as far back as the trans- Atlantic slave trade and the palm oil trade that followed after the abolition of slave trade business in 1907.

However, the Agada stool and traditional governance historically started before the coming of the white man.

His Royal Majesty King Ezekiel P.Okoya Agada II as Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiam kingdom was elected in 1956 and his reign ended in2011.

That gave way to the election of His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo, who ascended the throne of the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom as Agada IV on June 25 2016 in a colourful coronation ceremony. The coronation ceremony took place at the Gbarantoru town hall and drew many people from far and near.

At the coronation ground, different attires with different traditional rulers from all parts of Bayelsa State came to show their solidarity with a representative of the state government, who issued the new King the staff of office.

All manners of traditional dancers graced the occasion with those black attires in masquerade form who added colour to the occasion.

Dakolo is a young and dynamic King, no dull moment with the intelligent king, a man that his people choose.

Born in the early 60s to the family of Chief and Mrs Nathaniel Dede, the King, Dakolo of Gbarantoru in Ekpetiama Kingdom commenced his formal education at Gbarantoru at St Johns Primary School and proceeded to Ibuluya Ama State School, Okrika, for his first School leaving certificate in 1976.

He attended Government Secondary School, Ogbia in 1976 and ended at Saint Aquinas Secondary School, Elele, Rivers State, where he made the best WAEC in 1982.

The King proceeded to University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, College of Medicine, University of Port Harcourt and to Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. He also has Diploma in Chemical Engineering, PGD in

Dakolo on his installation

A new monarch in town

Education, Masters in Terrorism, International Crime and global security from the Coventry University in the United States of America. These are among other academic qualifications.

He worked as a military regular combatant trainee officer in 1986 at the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna. He also taught at the University of Port Harcourt Demonstration Secondary School, Port Harcourt.

He was appointed as Special Adviser to the late Oronto Douglas, served as a director in due process and E- governance bureau in 2007 among other places.

In community activism and service, His Royal Majesty, in addition to giving some of his intellectual boost to the Ijaw struggle for the resource control, formed a community based organization called Nun River Keepers, whose objective has been to protect the Nun River and its environment.

King Dakolo also formed the companies and contractors monitoring committee for Ayainbiri people which brought prosperity to the entire kingdom.

He served as chairman, Ekpetimama oil and gas committee, which gave rise to numerous projects in all the seven communities.

Happily married with two children, some of these projects include electrification and connection of all towns to the national grid, access road, internal roads , Ekpetiama youth hall at Akaibiri, renovation of community auditorium and others.

The new king told New Tele-

graph that the lighting up of his community and other achievements of his made his people to go for him among two other candidates that took part in the election.

He said in a year the light can go off for only 24 hours, adding that the light came directly from Shell SPDC oil company which they are host. He said that it was not an easy adventure, recounting that in 2002, because he was asking that his community be lighted up by SPDC, the oil company instigated the youths to vandalize his car, adding that he didn’t relent in asking.

The argument, according to him, was that if the company didn’t give them light because of the abundant gas, the youths will definitely come and disturb them some day.

He said that he suggested to them to do an all-encompassing deal where you win, we win.

“Up to 2006, there was no light in this part of the world while our oil was used to give light to the other parts of the country” he said, adding that he was the brain behind that because the Ekpetiama kingdom has gas in abundance. The king maintained that it was not difficult for the oil company to oblige to his request of lighting up the place which he said for long now, the community has been enjoying uninterrupted power supply.

The man of the people has been agitating for the betterment of the Ekpetiama people, which has even eventually yielded fruits giving employment to the youths.

The women were not left out on what made the majesty to have upper hand over other candidates. He also said that he has paid school fees for a number of youths in the kingdom, giving a kind of creative guidance to the young men.

King Dakolo, who said he is packed full with ideas, said “you cannot be close to me without going away with some ideas to live life with.”

He said he almost ran into problem with the youths that wanted to sell the job opportunities he struggled to get for the area.

He also said that he dug a bore hole for the community when he has not even become a King long time ago, maintaining that he was able to convincingly talk to Shell to light up his community.

Shell, he said, had argued that that part of the social responsibility of the state and Federal Government is to light up communities and not the responsiblity of Shell. As a result of Shell’s position, he had to lobby seriously for them to light up Gbararntoru community before Shell agreed to work with the Federal Government to connect other six communities to the national grid. The king said if there is another chance for the Ekpetiama youths, no single chance would be sold out.

He advised the youths to learn skills and trade, so that they can make a living for themselves, adding that in his kingdom they have everything.

CONTINUED ON PAGE22

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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Go ye and sin no more!

Dominic Adewole ASABA

F

or Joseph Okonkwo, Henry Chukwuma, Lucky Omoroje and Sunday Ossai,, a new lease of life has come.

Goodness and mercy located them at the Agbor prison yard in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State.

It was during the birthday of Dame Edith, the wife of the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

These are prisoners that have lost hope about existence.

They have lived in despair for years in their prison homes.

Father and mother, brothers and sisters have deserted them.

They have become friendless and forlorn in their advanced ages in the prison yard before luck smiled at them and the root of bitterness in their lives was taken away.

They were sentenced to imprisonment with options of fines by competent courts of jurisdiction in the state for separate criminal charges but were kept behind bars because of their inability to pay the option of fines as stipulated by law.

But lo and behold, another birthday of the First Lady of the state came. The uniqueness C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

He said if anybody sells out chance, what it implies is that he wants to remain poor forever. “ It is extremely retrogressive” he said, adding, “we should look at the world with extremism. In the kingdom, we are enlightening the youths that there is no easy cut to progress.”

On the effect of gas flaring,

in her birthday is that each year, she added to her age, she visits the prisons to celebrate with inmates and use the opportunity to set free some of them who are on option of fines.

This time, she was there to commission a borehole project she financed, not as the wife of a Council chairman, a Commissioner, a Secretary to State Government (SSG), a Senator, which her husband has been, but as a wife of the Governor of the state.

Many of her supporters had thought she won’t perform the ‘miracle’ owing the millions of naira she has spent on the project but to the bewilderment of the vision Coordinator - Daughters of Zion, Agbor, Mrs. Ngozi Bama, who followed her to give the exaltation on the occasion; the Comptroller of Prisons, Mr. Anthony Ojih, represented by his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Obi, and her 05 Initiative Team on sickle Cell, she did it again.

The First Lady offset the options of fines of the aforementioned inmates.

In her ‘life is greater than logic’ philosophy, she lamented how bad it has become for options of fine to keep some inmates, who she said, would have become useful to the so-

Okowa (middle) with the freed inmates

There was a time in my life when I was down but God lifted me up and showed me mercy

ciety, to spent their lifetime in prison.

It did not end at that. She offered cash donations to the freed inmates to transport themselves to their various home. They also got an automatic enlistment into Governor Okowa’s skill acquisition empowerment programme to enable them live a healthy life again and become resourceful to mankind.

On the same day, the lucky inmates were also used as a point of contact to other inmates in the prison yard as they were sequentially fed with spiritual food, their physical hunger and thirst were quenched with palatable meals, and gift items of different shapes were thereafter splashed on them.

As if that was not enough, Mrs Okowa took a clue from the warning of Jesus Christ to the woman that was caught in the very act of adultery in the Scriptures by warning them fervently not to go back to their old ways of life but be of good conduct “Lest something worse happens to you.”

Having highlighted the purpose of God for their existence, she said, “Be of good behaviour as you leave here and live a life with eternity in view. Get close to God and be prisoners of Jesus Christ.”

A new monarch in town

he said that he has been talking to the oil companies about it, adding that he was sure the will do something about it.

King Dakolo lamented that the oil companies, apart from flaring the gas are also polluting the environment and the waters and “as a result, you can’t find fishes as they used to get”, advising that the next

thing is to diversify to agriculture.

He said that all his emphasis is to encourage the youths that they can make a living from farming, giving instances with some plantains that he just planted that will bear fruits in four months’ time.

With improved varieties of crops, the king said one can

make a living out of farming.

The king, who said his reign is going to be a long one, said that portion of the Ekpetiama constitution that dwells on the formation of committee shall come handy in formulating strategies for prospering in these hard times.

The plans, he said, would cover ICT, agriculture and

While she described the birthday bash as an avenue to thank God for His immense blessing and favour, she recalled how the act of giving, feeding the poor and setting prisoners free, has propelled her to love and brought her to share with the broke hearted in a ‘High School of Transformation’ where she said “Jesus Christ is the Headteacher, comforter, counsellor and helper.”

“There was a time in my life when I was down but God lifted me up and showed me mercy.

God showed me mercies when I was weak, He showed me mercies when I was in distress, why would I not reciprocate this lovely gesture of God in my neighbour?, she asked in rhetoric.

The deputy Comptroller lauded the Governor’s wife for her compassionate her for the downtrodden and free healthcare Services in the area of drugs donation to the less privilege, especially to inmates and Sickle-Cell patients.

She commended the magnanimity of the First Lady in paying off the option of fines of inmates each time she is marking her birthday.

The highpoint of the visitation was the cutting of birthday cake by the freed inmates with the Governor’s wife. entrepreneur ship and talent hunting.

He said that the kingdom would encourage themselves to rebuild broken walls of all the communities and restore the invaluable tranquillity that allows for the rapid and sustenance of a happy and prosperous society.

A youth in the kingdom who simply identified himself as Pere had described the king as the man of the people.

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THURSDAY, JUly 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Insight Many professionals believe they are not fulfilled except their wards take after them. This is always the case among members of the wig and gown profession as FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE x-rays some lawyers whose children have taken after them

P

ractising law can be very exciting and challenging. As Akinjide wrote in “Advocacy, Ethics and the Bar,’’ it is totally a misconception for newly qualified person from the Law School to think that he holds a passport to immediate earnings and selfsupport in private practice. All he holds at this stage is a certificate to learn how to practice law. That certificate is not yet a meal ticket.

“Practically in all jurisdictions, the legal profession is like a pyramid. Nigeria is no exception. The base is very crowded; but there is plenty of room at the top. The top is refreshing and succulent. You have to work hard to get there; and you need to work harder to remain there.”

This aptly captures not only a series of successes recorded in law practice by law giants like Frederick Alade Rotimi Williams, SAN, Kehinde Sofola, Godwin Ajayi, Richard Akinjide, SAN, and a few others but also produced generations of lawyers. They created dynasties of lawyers.

Notwithstanding, dynasty is well pronounced in the legal profession for ages especially since Nigeria produced its first lawyer, Chief Christopher Sapara Williams, in 1879. It also exists in the family of the doyen of Nigeria’s prominent accountant, Pa Akintola Williams.

Sapara Williams was born on July 14, 1855. He was called to the English Bar on November 17, 1879. He was only 24.

Years after, prominent lawyers in the country began to toe the path of Sapara Williams as many have produced dynasties of lawyers in the last 60 years.

Although Williams dabbled into politics where he created political dynasty, scores of families of lawyers have produced generations of lawyers about 101 years

Dynasties of lawyers

Alade Williams

Sofola

Ajayi

Akinjide

after his death.

Some of these famous families whose products still embrace the practice of law include the family of the doyen of the Bar, the first Nigerian Senior Advocate, the late Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams (FRA). FRA Williams was during his life most outstanding, renowned and sought after in the practice of law. He was born five years after the first lawyer Sapara Williams died.

FRA Williams, the second of four generations of a dynasty of lawyers, was the first black Attorney-General in Africa. He was also the first African to be awarded the rank of Queen’s Counsel (QC).

He, alongside a former Justice Minister and Attorney-General, Dr. Nebo Graham Douglas, became the first lawyers to make the list of Senior Advocates of Nigeria. Following his knowl-

It is something I was persuaded to do and I saw the advantage in it

edge of the law, FRA Williams was nicknamed ‘Timi the Law’ shortly after he was called to the Bar in 1944. Three of FRA Williams’ scions of law dynasty are lawyers. They are Ladi, Folarin and Tokunbo. They are also Senior Advocates of Nigeria. Also, some of his grandchildren are lawyers.

Others are former Justice Ministers and Attorneys-General of the Federation and Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Chiefs Kehinde Sofola and Richard Akinjide, the late Chief G. O. K. Ajayi, SAN, Harry Lardner, SAN, T. A. Bankole-Oki, SAN, also of blessed memory, Prof. Alfred Bandele Kasunmu, SAN, Chief Theodore Ezeobi, SAN, Chief George Uwechue, SAN and Sir Louis Mbanefo. All belonged to the first generation of Nigerian lawyers.

For instance, Sofola family of Ikenne, Ogun State, has

produced three generations of lawyers. The late former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kehinde Sofola, SAN and former Justice Minister and AttorneyGeneral, now deceased, was the family’s patriarch. His contemporaries were FRA Williams, G. O. K. Ajayi, Lardner, BankoleOki, Akinjide and Kasunmu, among others.

Notwithstanding his death, his younger brother, Chief Idowu Sofola, SAN, assumed a fatherly role in ensuring that successive Sofola generations embrace the legal profession.

Today, the late Kehinde Sofola’s son, Kunle, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria while Olusina, Chief Idowu Sofola’s son has also been admitted into the Inner Bar. The family has equally produced a number of lawyers.

Another prominent law dynasty is the family of the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN. Akinjide is a member of the Nigerian Bar and the English Bar and the Gambian Bar. His family has produced no fewer than 10 lawyers. Prominent among them are the immediate past minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, a Harvardtrained lawyer and her brother, Abayomi, a Cambridge-trained lawyer and an investment expert, who is a senior partner of Akinjide & Co in the City of London. Another one is the Scotland-trained Omonike.

Also, Ezeobi law dynasty has produced no fewer than five children as lawyers.

Chief George Uwechue (SAN) has seven members of his family donning the wig and gown profession.

Uwechue youngest sister, Mrs. Monica Mbanefo, his late wife, Mrs. Tina Uwechue, niece, Mrs. Chinye Uwechue-Akpati, youngest brother, Paul Uwechue and three of his children, Mrs. Sally Uweuche-Mbanefo, Mrs. Ifeoma Uweuche-Wachuku and George Uwechue Jr. are all members of the legal profession.

Another famous law dynasty is the Mbanefo family. Mbanefo is renowned to have produced the first Igbo lawyer, the late Sir Louis Mbanefo. The deceased later became the Chief Justice of Eastern Nigeria and former Justice of the Supreme Court.

His son, Louis Nnamdi Mbanefo, SAN, is one of the leading maritime lawyers in Nigeria.

Famous Benson family of Ikorodu in Lagos is also in the league of Nigerian dynasties of lawyers as it had produced no fewer than 17 lawyers. Its patriarch was the late First Republic CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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INSIGHT

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politician, Otunba T. O. S. Benson, SAN, who was called to the English Bar in 1947.

The late Benson’s eldest daughter, Titilola Ibironke (now late) was also a lawyer married to Mr, Babatunde Ibironke, exDirector, Nigerian Law School.

There is Ademola family which has as its arrowhead the late Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, who was the first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

His son, the late Justice Adenekan Ademola was a lawyer and later a judge, who retired as a Justice of the Court of Appeal.

The family also produced Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court.

The Idigbe family of Delta State has also produced several lawyers. Beginning from the late Justice Chukwuweike Idigbe, his son, Anthony, and some of his siblings, the family is still producing lawyers.

The Onagoruwa family of Odogbolu, Ogun State is known to have produced the likes of Gilbert Onagoruwa, the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Dr. Olu Onagoruwa and Tokunbo Onagoruwa and some of their children, among others, as lawyers.

Others are the Mustapha Akanbi, Belgores, Gani Fawehinmi, Olisa Agbakoba, Wole Olanipekun, Adeniyi Akintola and a few others too numerous to mention are lawyers who have produced generations of lawyers.

Akanbi, a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal and pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has produced two generations of lawyers. Four of his children - Mohammed, Asmau, Kabir and a Professor of law, Muhammed, are lawyers just as a few of his grandchildren have equally donned the wig and gown.

Family of a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, is also renowned to have produced a number of lawyers. Olisa is the son of a former High Court judge in the East renowned to have produced a number of lawyers.

Other families that have produced dynasty of lawyers include the Belgore family of Ilorin, Kwara State.

The family has produced the late former Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Justice Babatunde Belgore, his cousin and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice S. M. A. Belgore and Mr. Dele Belgore, SAN. Theodore Ezeobi’s immediate family of Awgbu, Anambra State, has five children who are lawyers and the Onyeabo Obi family and Alhaji Olufemi Okunnu family.

The late Gani Fawehinmi family is also in the league. The family’s law dynasty has the likes of Justice Rasheed Fawehinmi, the late Gani Fawehinmi and a number of their children who have joined the legal profession.

Theirs are indeed law dynasties. Although some occurred by happenstance, lawyers are interested in their children’s career especially to take over from them at old age.

THURSDAY, JUly 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Generations of lawyers

Fawehinmi

Akintola

Agbakoba

Idigbe

Douglas

Ladi Williams

Speaking on the issue of family of lawyers, Mohammed Fawehinmi, the son of the late legal icon, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, said he was persuaded to be a lawyer.

He said: “It is something I was persuaded to do and I saw the advantage in it. Initially, I did not like it because of the distance away from my dad but when I now saw the benefits in it, I had to go into it. You know the kind of Gani Fawehinmi practice was hard-core litigation. I also saw that there are milder ones which one could do with pleasure. So, that was how I decided to go and read law.”

This was the view expressed by an Ibadan-born Chief Adeniyi Akintola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Akintola graduated from the University of Ibadan (UI) in 1985 with a Bachelor of Law degree and was called to the Bar in 1986.

He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2001.

Akintola’s family is a dynasty of lawyers as his marriage to a lawyer, Moyede, who is currently a judge in the Oyo State High Court, has produced two lawyerchildren: a male and a female.

But according to Akintola, there are seven members of his extended family including nephews and nieces who are also in the course of graduating as lawyers. Two of them are graduating this year.

To Akintola, his marriage to a lawyer was a matter of happenstance.

“It was not designed. I also

What you see your parents do on a daily basis will have a place in forming and influencing your choice of career

started as a Political Science student before veering to Law. I met my wife in the library where she was a student in the University of Lagos (UNILAG). I was an ‘Efiko’ (a student who loves to read) then. I would get to the library first and leave last. I was even the chairman of Library for my faculty, and the same at the Law School. That was how I met my wife,” he said.

Akintola’s two lawyer-children are Oluwaseun Oluremilekun (25) and Oluwarotimi Olumide. The former is a lady who graduated from the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom in 2006 and was called to the Bar in 2009.

Oluwarotimi (21) graduated from the University of London in 2012. He did his Masters in Law from the University of Warwick while currently pursuing his PhD in the University of London.

Akintola’s wife, Justice Moyede Akintola, graduated from UNILAG in 1986 and was called to the Bar in 1987. Before being called to the Bench in 2005, Moyede, who had got the desire to become a judge, started as a counsel in the Ministry of Justice. She later became a magistrate and later a senior magistrate before being promoted as chief magistrate.

Akintola said: “I have trained three of my cousins as lawyers.

My niece is graduating from the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD). Seven of my nieces and nephews are in different universities. One of them

is graduating this year.

“The immediate senior brother to my wife, Bankole Falade, is a lawyer based in Jos. He qualified as a lawyer in 1979. There are four of my cousins from the extended family side that are lawyers. I have not even stopped training lawyers.”

In his comment on the issue, a lawyer and the President of the Campaign for the Defence of Human rights (CDHR), Mr. Malachi Ugwumadu, said there was no hard and fast rule about having a family of lawyers.

He said: “If you grow up in a village and your father is a native doctor, you are likely going to tow the same line. If he was a farmer and all you knew from your childhood to adolescent was the business of farming, even if you go to school afterwards, I imagine that what you see your parents do on a daily basis will have a place in forming and influencing your choice of career. Nevertheless, I also know that as you grow up under such influences, you begin to feel that there are some traits of capacity that is known to you as a child of such parents.

“Besides, some other parents take deliberate steps at influencing their children to go into legal profession because a lot is invested in setting up a chamber and as such there is a need to have an offspring who will take over from where they stopped.

But, I don’t think there is any big deal about the issue because it is not in all the cases that it happens that way.”

25

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Industry

Business WHAT'S NEW OPS to FG: Economic crunch poses threat to debt servicing

Brexit: Evaluating effects on Nigeria’s trade

eWorld Leveraging IT to boost IGR

27 29

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

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

EXCHANGE RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(BDC as at July 8)

(Interbank as at July 8)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N352 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N470 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N386

l Foreign Reserves – $26.398bn as at 8/7/2016

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N282 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N366 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N312

Source: CBN

p.26

MTN, Glo, others hit 522,386 ported lines p.26

President, African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar Onyema (left), with President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, after the signing of MoU between AfDB and ASEA in Abidjan.

BOOST The investment will boost digital services to more television homes in the country

Kunle Azeez

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

A

n estimated $600 million (N169 billion) investment has been dedicated to building satellite infrastructure to boost increased access to digital services in Nigeria, New Telegraph has gathered.

The investment represents 28.4 per cent of the total satellite infrastructure investment of $2.1 billion (about N592.2 billion) made by SES, a world’s leading satellite operator, in building seven new satellite to deepen broadcasting coverage in the West African region.

This was contained in a report, Satellite Monitor, released by SES on the Nigerian market, which provides insight on the important role SES plays in the growth of the satellite television reach in the country.

Speaking with New Telegraph at a function in Lagos, General Manager of North, West and Central Africa at SES, Eric Lecocq, said that approximately $250,000 is invested in carrying out the study.

“Additionally, to date, we have seven satellites that offer coverage over West Africa, with two specifically designed to provide extensive coverage over Nigeria. Each of these satellites costs around $300 million,

Nigeria gets N169bn satellite investment which means hundreds of millions in the sky (satellites), while we have also invested on ground infrastructure for technical operations,” Lecocq said.

The indicates that SES directed a N169 billion investment in two satellites to service Nigeria’s market while the remaining five satellites serve other West African countries even as the study highlights that SES reaches 2.81 million TV homes across the country.

According to the report, of the 2.81 million TV homes in Nigeria being served by SES, 1.69 million are reached directly by SES satellites, while 1.12 million cable TV homes are fed indirectly by the SES fleet.

In total, there are 33.9 million TV homes in Nigeria, with 8.98 million of them being served by satellites directly and the rest by terrestrial and cable networks.

According to Lecocq, SES has increased their technical reach in subSaharan Africa from one million TV households in 2013 to eight million TV households by the end of 2015. Also, the technical reach of 1.69 million TV households in Nigeria contributes to this increase.

The Satellite Monitor study is an annual market research study commissioned by SES and carried out by various independent institutes.

The study has been conducted for over 20 years in Europe and has now been successfully replicated in

N92.2 billion Being total satellite infrastructure investment made by SES in building seven new satellites to deepen broadcasting coverage in West Africa

Nigeria.

Over 12,000 face-to-face interviews were conducted for this first of its kind study to be carried out by a satellite operator, in this case in a market where digitalisation is a key focus and a national priority.

“SES is committed to helping economic and sustainable growth in Nigeria and accelerating the digital switchover process in the region. We aim to connect the entire Nigerian population with our satellites, by developing the broadcasting landscape in partnership with our local partners and in close coordination with broadcasters. We conducted the study because we saw a gap and need for such information to be available and easily accessible in the country,” he said.

The findings provide credible industry statistics on the market that can be used by other industry players to further understand the broadcasting industry landscape and the role of satellite infrastructure.

“Nigeria is currently in the process of migrating from analogue to digital and, through the study, SES has established a market benchmark for the Nigerian TV viewing choices that will directly support the digital switchover and independently track the progress of the project. Going forCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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BUSINESS |NEWS

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

OPS to FG: Economic crunch poses threat to debt servicing CAVEAT The government has to provide basic infrastructure and conducive atmosphere for business to thrive

Taiwo Hassan

T

he Organised Private Sector (OPS) has expressed worries over the continued clampdown on private companies operating in the country by government agencies.

In the last few weeks, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) had sealed some business establishments over default in tax remittance and failure on the part of the owners to service their debts running into billions of naira.

According to the private sector body, the clampdown on these companies is an indication that all is not well with the real sector.

The OPS is of the view that more companies are expected to evade tax in the long run due to government’s failure to arrest the looming economic woes.

The Chairman, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Small and Medium scale Enterprises Group (SMEG), Jon Kachikwu, in a chat with New Telegraph, blamed the issues of tax evasion and default in debt servicing on dwindling economy.

He observed that government policies and other macro economic challenges were responsible for tax and debt servicing default.

Kachikwu noted that the nation’s economy had been challenging for many private sector operators, manufacturers and SMEs, adding that government needed to roll out policies that will stimulate growth and development.

Specifically, the LCCI chieftain said that the clampdown on private companies was sending unfavourable economic signal to foreign investors about the state of Nigeria’s tax compliance and business

ward, this annual research will also enable us to start monitoring trends in the market,” Lecocq said.

Asked on the likely trends to emerge in the next cycle of the Satellite Monitor in Nigeria, Lecocq said: “Obviously, we don’t take guesses. We let the data do the talking. However, we should begin to see the formal implementation of the digitisation process bear fruits and see regional increases in digital terrestrial television (DTT) and satellite.”

He also explained that SES expected more flat screens in the Nigerian market, although the Tube TVs will continue to be the dominant type of TV in the market.

Meanwhile, Lecocq has provided clarifications on a multi-year agreement contract between SES and Channels Television Nigeria Limited entered into to support broadcasting sector in Nigeria.

He said: “Recently, we signed a multi-year contract with CCNL to provide a strategic, reliable

Things are not easy for many of us operating in Nigeria presently and it has to do with the harsh economic situation we are facing in our economy.

“However, you can’t blame these companies to some extent since they have been responsible for everything in their production lines. It is regrettable that government has failed in its responsibility to provide basic infrastructural facility and conducive business clime for us to operate within in Nigeria.

“We pay huge bills for electricity that we did not consume. We buy fuel and diesel to power our generating sets.

We also buy gas at an exorbitant price to complement our spending on fuel. We pay a lot of multiple taxes in this country just because we are in business.

“So, when you do all these things which make cost of doing business go on the high side, how won’t you default in tax payments and debt servicing.”

While corroborating Kachikwu, the Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Muda Yusuf, said that companies needed to be tax compliance and regularly servicing their debts.

Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade (left), with the Country Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa Plc., Mr. Michel Purchecos, during a courtesy call on the governor in Calabar.

Nigeria gets N169bn satellite investment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

environment.

He explained that many of the companies in the country were responsible for the provision of infrastructure for their businesses since government has failed in its responsibility to provide basic social amenities.

He said: “Truly, it is worrisome to see that many companies are involved in tax evasion and debt servicing issues nowadays resulting to the closure of their companies by FIRS and AMCON. “But you cannot put all the blame on them because Nigeria’s business environment is too harsh to operate in now.

and stable video platform, via SES’s prime orbital position 28.2 degrees East, for the provision of DTT and Direct to Home (DTH) broadcast platforms in Nigeria.

SES will utilise teleport services provided by its local partner, Computer Warehouse Group Plc (CWG).

“CCNL, a company licensed by the Nigeria National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), is the certified content aggregator and platform owner for the freeto-air DTT and DTH platforms in Nigeria, and is playing a key role in the Nigeria Digital Switchover (DSO) process by getting channels onto the land-based DTT network and onto satellite as DTH, both offered under the brand FreeTV. However, speaking on what should be the hopes of content producers, advertisers, brand owners and managers with a study such as Satellite Monitor, Lecocq said: “The study will provide a currency for the broadcasters with which they can command better advertising revenue, with advertisers now having an idea of the reach of their channels in Nigeria.”

MTN, Glo, others hit 522,386 ported lines TRACTION Porting service is gaining steady growth as subscribers see needs to flexibly switch networks

Kunle Azeez

N

o fewer than 522, 386 telephone lines have been ported by subscribers on their various network since the launch of mobile number portability (MNP) service in 2013, latest data obtained from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed.

The latest data provides information on the status of porting activities on the networks of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) companies including MTN, Airtel, Globacom and Etisalat, also showed that as at end of May, this year.

According to the data obtained by New Telegraph, between January and May,

92,555 outgoing porting were recorded by the telcos, as monthly outgoing porting hit 20,000.

Meanwhile, porting activities witnessed a fluctuating trend since the beginning of this year as details of the data showed that in January, February and March, outgoing ported lines stood at 14,867; 16,845 ; 21,261; 18,616 and 20,966 respectively.

Meanwhile, the introduction of MNP in 2013 has widened telecoms consumers’ choices, as subscribers are able to migrate from one network to another without changing their lines.

Since 2013, the monthly porting on mobile networks, mainly the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks of MTN, Glo, Airtel and Etisalat, has been gaining traction.

According to the NCC latest MNP report, the introduction of the service has created wider service choices for telecoms subscribers, as no fewer than 446, 010 has leveraged the porting service by changing operators.

Currently, there are over

148 million active telephone lines on the four GSM networks with opportunity to migrate from their existing network to other network as they deem fit, having dropped from active 152 million mobile lines since October last year.

Following the launch of the service in 2013, telecoms networks in June, July, August, September, recorded 5,802; 6,753, 12,039 and 13,072 ported lines respectively.

In October, November and December 2013, the monthly figure also increased to 14,296; 7,830 and 5,850 in that order.

The number of subscribers porting their telephone lines also continued in the upward swing in 2014.

As at January last year, the number of ported lines were 6,880; 7,080 in February; 13,383 in March; 14,183 in April; 9,365 in May; 10,325 in June and July, 2014, the figure stood at 11,110.

By the end of August 2014, the total number of monthly ported telephone lines was 13,878; 18,980 in September; 16,697 in October; 13,578 in November; and 10,539 in December.

InDUSTRY

THURSDAY, JUly 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

27

Following recent United Kingdom (UK)’s pullout of the European Union (EU), there has been growing concern about the stability of global trade with its partners, including Nigeria. TAIWO HASSAN reports

T

he recent exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union has many immediate and remote implications for the Nigerian economy because of the role UK plays in the Nigeria’s economy.

To a large extent, the outcome of the referendum has triggered some measure of uncertainty and anxiety in the global economy.

The British economy, which is believed to be worth $3 trillion, is the fifth largest economy in the world and the second largest within the EU. It is, therefore, a major component of both the global economy and that of the EU. Naturally, therefore, shocks to the British economy will have some transmission effects on the global economy.

This perhaps informed the immediate responses of global and domestic financial markets in the wake of the Brexit where major shares in the world markets recorded bearish trading.

This impact is unlikely to endure due to responses driven by expectations and uncertainties.

It is based on this uncertainty that Nigeria’s Organised Private Sector (OPS) expressed the need to evaluate the direction the economy will take under Brexit as regards the volume of trade between the two countries.

LCCI on Brexit Reacting to the drama, the nation’s revered chamber- the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), allayed the fears that the exit of UK from the EU would have severe consequences on the two countries’ six billion pounds worth of bilateral trade.

According to the LCCI, the United Kingdom’s decision to exit the EU is already causing volatility in markets all over the globe including in Africa.

A press statement signed by its Director-General, Muda Yusuf , said the impact of Brexit on Nigerian economy was unlikely to be profound.

Yusuf explained that total exit would still take the next two years, adding that most of the current responses were driven by uncertainties and expectations that will fizzle out in the not too distant future.

He said that the two countries’ bilateral trade would remain cordial aftermath of the exist, adding that Britain accounted for only 4.4 per cent of Nigerian

Containers at the ports

Brexit: Evaluating effects on Nigeria’s trade global trade while the EU accounted for 38.8 per cent.

“There is a trade effect. Britain accounts for only 4.4 per cent of Nigerian global trade and the EU accounts for 38.8 per cent. It is therefore unlikely that Brexit will have a material impact on our balance of trade situation.

“If anything, the trade between Nigeria and United Kingdom could be further improved on account of the likely depreciation of the British pounds and the affinity with Britain within the context of the Commonwealth,” Yusuf disclosed.

The LCCI DG noted the fact that Nigeria was yet to sign the European Partnership Agreement (EPA), which also reduces Nigeria’s exposure to the shocks of the EU economy, especially from trade perspective.

Reacting to the position on Diaspora remittances, the LCCI chieftain stressed that the current sentiments in the United Kingdom were to adopt tougher stance on immigration issues, adding that “we have over one million Nigerians in the United Kingdom; Nigeria is also a major recipient of Diaspora remittances in Africa.

“Therefore, the unfolding scenario may have some adverse implications for remittances to Nigerians from the UK. This will happen from the perspectives of tougher immigration regulations and enforcement as well as the likely slowdown of the British economy.”

Abuja Chamber’s view In its own submission, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ABCCI) disclosed that UK’s decision to leave the EU would have negative consequences on Nigeria’s economy in the short terms.

In a statement by its President, Tony Ejikeoyen, the chamber stated that the historic referen-

Nigeria and UK’s volume of trade to hit 20b pounds by 2020

dum by Britain to leave the EU would have a multiplier effect on Nigeria’s naira and Britain pounds sterling.

Ejikeoyen said: “Now that the referendum has taken place, the first practical impact of Brexit is that the pounds and euro is already falling against the dollar on the foreign exchange market, which is encouraging for the naira.

“The markets anticipate that Brexit maybe bad for the economy and so investors are likely to move their money out of the UK.” The ABCCI president stressed that Brexit would no doubt create anxiety for Nigeria’s policy makers due to slide in global markets at this time that Nigeria is trying to revive the economy, which is at the edge of a recession.

According to him, the bilateral trade between Nigeria and the UK, currently valued at six billion pounds and projected to reach about 20 billion pounds by 2020, will be affected.

He added that this might also disrupt trade agreements contracted under the umbrella of the EU, stating that the trade agreements would have to be renegotiated.

“Besides, data from the National Bureau of Statistics show that the UK was Nigeria’s largest source of foreign investment in 2015.

“Thus, a decelerating British economy could impact a drop in investment, trade, and also remittances from the Nigerian Diaspora who sent home over $20 billion in 2015.

“In addition, reduced trade and investment from Britain may not necessarily be taken up by the rest of the EU,” Ejikeoyen added.

He said that a shrinking UK economy would definitely have a significant impact on aid pro-

grammes to Nigeria, especially DFID programmes, which has been a burning political issue in the UK. Renaissance Capital Renowned global accounting firm, Renaissance Capital, said that capital inflows into frontier markets, including Nigeria, may slow as investor confidence has been severely undermined by the uncertainty created by Britain’s vote to leave the European Union.

An Economist with Renaissance Capital, Yvonne Mhango, stated this in an emailed note on the potential effect of Brexit on the region.

She said that the region tends to be affected by global events via the financial and trade channels.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBNh) had recently liberalised the foreign exchange market, with many analysts saying the move would help in luring back investors who were spooked by monetary controls introduced initially by the bank.

The controls included a 16-month currency peg of N197N199 to the dollar.

But the Brexit vote may have dampened the appetite of investors looking to bring back capital into Nigeria.

“In brief, of the bigger SSA economies, Kenya is one of the countries most exposed to a Brexit (relatively), via the tourism, trade and financial channels.

“We think Nigeria will be most affected via the financial channel,” Mhango said.

Conclusion As the exit gathers momentum in the global economy, including the Nigerian market, one critical question in the lips of many private sector operators in Nigeria will be the status of foreign direct investment into the country at this critical period of a looming recession.

28

business \ industry

THURSDAY, JUly 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AfDB boss warns on Africa’s rising debt

Taiwo Hassan

T

he President of eAfrican Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has issued a warning about the mounting debt levels across Africa.

Adesina said that the indebtedness of African countries was worrisome, adding that the issue was hindering growth and development in the continent.

He disclosed this during the bank’s opening plenary in Lusaka, Zambia, recently, saying that “indebted Africa cannot be a rising Africa.”

According to him, during the heady days of the commodities supercycle, many African sovereigns tapped international debt markets for the first time issuing some $26 billion in eurobonds.

However, today rising interest rates and increasing fiscal pressures mean debt servicing – especially when dollar denominated – is becoming increasingly burdensome.

“African economies are not unravelling, they remain resilient,” Adesina asserts.

However, he war ned that they “must not get into a debt crisis, having rushed to global debt markets to issue bonds.”

Global headwinds are a factor, including the commodity price slump, China’s slowdown and climate shocks.

The AfDB boss recommends that countries look more seriously at leveraging domestic resources including remittances, sovereign wealth funds, and domestic tax revenues to help avoid the debt trap.

He also called for leveraging finance from private equity funds and ending illicit financial flows out of the region.

The meeting’s host, Zambia, has been hard hit by low copper prices and the El Nino drought conditions that have put the food security of millions at risk.

Electricity shortages and high government expenditure on subsidies have not helped matters.

Beginning in 2010, Zambia borrowed some $3 billion on international markets, much of it going to finance the budget deficit, which grew to eight per cent of GDP in 2015.

The currency, the kwacha, has lost nearly half its value since mid-2014, while yields rose over 12 per cent in the year to May. This precarious fiscal situation has pushed the government into negotiations with the IMF for a loan programme, following similar initiatives by Ghana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Rising debt loads in Af-

rica bears uncomfortable echoes to the era before debt forgiveness programmes were initiated in the early 2000s.

Then, many African countries found themselves facing insurmountable piles of debt while cut off from international creditors.

Debt forgiveness, high commodity prices and Chi-

na’s demand for raw materials all came together to create what Oxford academic, Paul Collier, calls “the benevolent decade” in Africa.

That era now seems to be over, and the return of the IMF to the region is a sign of the increasingly precarious fiscal situations facing many African countries.

“We are not at the levels that we experienced in the late twentieth century at all, it is not crisis time yet. But it is the right time to look forward and say how do we make sure we avoid getting back to that,” says Henri-Bernard Solignac-Lecomte, head of EMEA at the OECD Development Centre.

“This is where, unfortunately, better management of the windfall revenues in the good years would have paid off,” he adds.

The UN Economic Commission for Africa estimates some $50 billion per year flows out of Africa through illicit channels, shrinking tax revenues and dwarfing aid.

L-R: Principal, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Wiebe Boer; Managing Director/ Chairman, BCG, Lagos, Luis Gravito; founder, Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), Pat Utomi; President/ Chief Executive Officer, BCG, Richard Lesser, and Speaker, Efosa Ojomo, at the 2016 BusinessDay CEO Forum Nigeria, entitled: “Leading in a Changing World” in Lagos.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

EXPANSION Dangote cement recorded 44m tonnes per annum of capacity operation at the end of 2015

A

s part of the initiative to widen access and improve on the availability of cement in all parts of the country, Dangote Cement Ghana has procured 1,000 brand-new-trucks to facilitate distribution of the product into all parts of Ghana.

With these, the Company has commenced the process of recruitment of drivers, truck driver assistants and loaders.

These trucks, which came in three different vessels, arrived at the shores of Tema Port between July 4 and 8, 2016, according to the Company’s Media Relations Manager, Etornam Komla.

“We’ve started the recruitment exercise and by the end of July, all of the drivers will be on board,” Komla said.

The recruitment exercise, according to Komla, is part of the company’s objective of contributing to Ghana’s economic growth through job creation and honouring tax obligations, adding: “These are components of the Company’s mission in Ghana which is to stimulate its economy.”

He said the company has also invested over $100 million in the construction of a new plant in Takoradi in the Western Region.

The plant, which will be a state of the art modern Cement Grinding Plant, will have the

Dangote Cement Ghana to recruit 5,000 workers capacity to produce about 1.5 million tonnes of cement per annum.

Komla said: “This project when completed will further cement the presence of Dangote Cement business in Ghana and is a further proof of our commitment to the Infrastructural development of the country and will also enable us to meet the growing demands a ross other countries in West Africa.”

Though, Cement manufacturing has taken the centre stage of the businesses of Aliko Dangote, the owner of the Dangote Cement Ghana, has recently made a foray into oila and gas, investing in key industries such as Petrochemical, Refinery and Fertilizer within Nigeria.

The Petro Chemical complex where these plants are being built occupies a land complex in excess of 2,100 hectares.

These projects will cost in excess of $12 billion.

The Oil Refinery has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day and over 3,000,000 Ammonia and Urea plants.

Dangote told Reuters that these businesses will be ready between 2018 and 2019.

In addition, there is a plan to build a 550KM Gas Pipeline across Nigeria and into West Africa.

Dangote Cement is Africa’s leading cement producer with 44 million tonnes

per annum of capacity operational at the end of 2015 in Nigeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.

Headquartered in Lagos, the Group is managed by an executive team led by the Group Chief Executive Officer, who reports to the Chairman and the Board of Directors.

Dangote Cement has three regions: Nigeria, West and Central Africa and South and East Africa, each with its own CEO and CFO reporting to the Group CEO and Group CFO respectively.

The Company that became Dangote Cement was founded at a time when Nigeria was almost entirely dependent on imports.

Indeed, importation of cement was the company’s main business for many years until the Federal Government launched its industrial policy of Backward Integration in 2002.

This bold initiative was designed to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports by encouraging the industry to build enough capacity to serve Nigeria’s needs, not just in that decade but long into the future.

Probably Africa’s most attractive market for cement, Nigeria has substantial limestone and energy resources, a large and increasingly prosperous population, strong

GDP growth and a pressing need to improve infrastructure and housing on a massive scale.

The company invested billions of dollars building new capacity that has singlehandedly helped Nigeria to become self-sufficient in cement.

In the process it has created thousands of jobs across the country in factories, logistics, sales and support.

At 13.25Mta, its Obajana Cement Plant in Kogi State, Nigeria is the largest in Africa and one of the largest and most profitable cement factories in the world.

Employing thousands of people directly and indirectly, it was opened in 2008 as a 5Mta plant and has twice been extended in size.

Although Obajana is primarily gas-fuelled, the company recently commissioned coal facilities to fuel its kilns as well, being significantly cheaper as a back-up fuel than the low-pour fuel oil it had originally used.

Its Ibese Cement Plant in Ogun State has four gas-fired cement lines with a combined capacity of 12Mta. Its first two lines were inaugurated in February 2012 and the second pair of lines came onstream in late 2014.

Like Obajana, Ibese is abandoning the use of LPFO in favour of coal.

The Gboko Cement Plant in Benue State has 4Mta of capacity.

eWORLD

THURSDAY, JUly 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

29

Leveraging IT to boost IGR Players in the electronic payments industry are warming up for an e-government summit aimed at exploring ways to leverage smart IT solutions to grow internally-generated revenues (IGR) for states and the Federal government. KUNLE AZEEZ reports

W

ith reports indicating that 15 states in the federation are going bankrupt due to declining IGR, coupled with the apparent lack of transparency and accountability in the traditional way of revenue collection, experts say there is a need to direct attention towards leveraging information and communication technology (ICT) and other smarter solutions and tools to boost states’ IGR. Already, 15 states in Nigeria have gone bankrupt, as over 90 per cent of their revenues come solely from the Federation Account Allocations (FAA).

The states’ IGR in 2015 were far below 10 per cent of their FAA in one year from June 2015 to May 2016, covering the oneyear of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

According experts, the precarious situation is making the financially sick states gasping for survival under the country’s current economic situation.

The development has also continued to have serious negative effects on individuals, as many of the states have arrears of unpaid workers’ salaries while some of them have resorted to loans from banks to meet their financial obligations.

Onajite

Olatunji

ment of information and comIronically, all the states have boards of internal revenue munications technology (ICT) agencies. The states that may tools and solutions could help the not survive without the Federastates increase their IGR. tion Account due to poor inter“Technology has, indeed, benal revenues, according to the come an enabler of economic dereport, include Yobe, Zamfara, velopment and, leveraging ICT to Ekiti, Borno, Kebbi, Imo, Taraboost states’ revenue in our curba and Nassarawa. Others are rent economic situation is key.

Adamawa, Gombe, Jigawa, BauThis has become essential, for it chi, Katsina, Niger and Sokoto. will help block all the leakages in 15 states in However, five states look good revenue generation,” said Presito be on top of the current ecodent, Association of Telecoms Nigeria have nomic challenges. They are: Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), gone bankEnugu, Oyo, Anambra, Akwa Mr. Olusola Teniola.

Ibom and Kano with N18.08 bilActing Director General of rupt as over lion, N15.66 billion, N14.793 bilthe National Information Tech90 per cent lion, N14.791 billion and N13.611 nology Development Agency of their rev(NITDA), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, billion respectively in IGR. The latest report on IGR, howalso maintained that effective use enues come ever, reveals that only Lagos of IT solutions would help boost solely from the government revenue, block linkState generated more revenue than its allocation from the FedFederation Ac- ages and instill better accounteration Account by 150 per cent ability in revenue collection. count Allocaand no other state has up to 100 “In this country, there are tions (FAA) per cent of IGR to the federal many locally developed smart IT largesse. solutions that can help MDAs and Lagos State retains its numstate governments to boost revber one position in IGR with enue generation with less depena total revenue generation of dency on government,” he said.

N268.22 billion in the 12 months.

E-govt summit to rescue Lagos is trailed by Rivers with One of the forthcoming initiaN82.10 billion; Delta with N40.80 Rich and poor states tives targeted at addressing the billion; Ogun State with N34.59 A report by the Economic billion and Edo generating dwindling Internally-generated Confidential, an economic in- N19.11 billion. revenue (IGR), especially by telligence magazine, indicates state governments in the counthat the IGR of Lagos State of Clarion call for IT leverage try is the forthcoming E-GovernN268 billion is higher than that New Telegraph, however, ment Summit, being organised of 32 states combined, excluding gathered that effective deployby the Electronic Payment ProRivers, Delta and Ogun, whose IGRs are very impressive.

According to the study, the 32 other states merely generated a graph, Uwaje said that the governance. total of N257 billion in 2015. The Kunle Azeez hub, accredited through peer “Our mission is to develop IGR of the 36 states of the federation totalled N682.67 billion he Director-General review, as the first Knowl- the Innovation Hub as a worldof DS Innovation Hub edge-Innovation and Science class knowledge factory. Applyin 2015, compared to N707.85 bil(IHub), Dr. Chris Uwaje, & Technology Park in Delta ing a Public-Private-Partnerlion in 2014, representing a drop of N25.18 billion or a minus 3.56 has said the primary objective State, South-South of Nigeria, ship (PPP) development model of the technology centre is to aims to positively disrupt the we aim to strategically harper cent. ness all knowledge attributes, The report provides shocking be a smarter platform, interna- existing status quo.

He said that the innova- potentials and ICT processes discovery that indicates that 15 tional destination and national states may go bankrupt and may centre of information and com- tion hub is classified as the in and beyond the Delta State not stay afloat outside the FAA, munication technology (ICT) metropolis of smarter ideas, Region as the core accelerator a development linked to “lack of innovation and knowledge cre- creativity and a distinct cata- for leadership, public policy, lyst for new thinking, values, inclusive governance, state foresight in revenue generation ation in Nigeria.

According to a document renewable entrepreneurial security and economic emodrive, coupled with arm-chair made available to New Tele- leadership and constructive powerment,” he said. governance.”

DS IHub’ll spur ICT innovation, says DG

T

viders Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN).

The annual summit holding in Abuja from September 27 to 28, 2016, with the theme: “Attaining increased IGR: Efficiency and accountability in government through smart Innovation,” guarantees active participation for stakeholders from both public and private sectors in the country.

The summit is being orgainsed in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and put together by a Local Organising Committee made up of representatives from CBN, Galaxy Backbone, NITDA, National Pension Commission (PENCOM), FSS 2020 and E-PPAN. The conference draws home the current issue facing state governments and the vast opportunity in leveraging epayment and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as an alternative measure in generating and increasing IGR in an accountable and efficient manner.

Commenting on the forthcoming forum, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, E-PPAN, Mrs Regha Onajite, said the summit gives all stakeholders the opportunity to showcase an array of smart/IT solutions to boost IGR in the state government, “instead of solely depending on the Federal Gover nment for statutory allocation, which has been greatly affected by the dwindling oil revenue.”

The summit is an initiative borne out of the desire to enhance government frameworks on techno-interactive fora, which support e -government strategy, strengthen institutions and build capacities of public servants.

“To extensively address the theme of the summit, the two-day intensive discourse will be centered on providing real-time solutions that will catalyse a paradigm shift from the norm in revenue generation, data management and opportunities for shared infrastructure in government to reduce cost and overhead, among others, to delivering developmental impacts in addressing the multi-faceted and complex challenges we face in Nigeria,” she said.

Conclusion Meanwhile, stakeholders in the industry say the summit such as the one being organised by e-payment stakeholders under the auspices of E-PPAN, will provide a veritable melting pot of sharing ideas, best practices and how amass knowledge, expertise, and innovative technological solutions that will keep them afloat in the face of impending bankruptcy.

30

business \ eWORLD

SECURITY Stakeholders to showcase tech solutions that could assist in addressing security challenges in the country

THURSDAY, JUly 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NCS confab targets IT innovation L-R : Product Manager, Cloud Services, Adewale Adeyemi; Chief Information Security Officer of MainOne, Chidinma Iwe and Human Resource Director, Microsoft Nigeria, Deji Ajibola, pose with the Country Manager’s Partner of the Year Award, won by MainOne, at the recently held Microsoft Partner Network Awards.

Kunle Azeez

I

nformation technology (IT) innovation will take centre stage at the 26th National Conference of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) holing in Abuja next week, New Telegraph has learnt.

The Nigeria’s largest annual IT conference holding from July 19 to 21, 2016, at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja, under the theme, “Information technology for national safety and security” will combine several innovation statements throughout the event.

“First and foremost as the theme implies is the emphasis on innovation in national safety and security. The theme aligns with the security priority of the Federal Government.

NCS salutes the successes recorded by the defence authorities of Nigeria,” said Chairman, Conferences Committee of NCS, Mr. Jide Awe. He, however, noted that, through the conference, NCS is calling for the application of innovative IT tools and strategies for improved effectiveness and performance in all aspects of national security bordering on security, military, cyber security, policing and so on.

Providing other details of

the event, Awe said, “Furthermore, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), under the leadership of the Acting Director General, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has announced that it will host a plenary session during the 2016 NCS conference.

“The agency responsible for fostering the development and growth of IT in Nigeria will use the session during this high profile event to focus on “The Role of ICT Innovation in Diversifying the Nigerian Economy.”

With emphasis on promoting IT innovation and creativity, Awe said NITDA would use the session to highlight issues, challenges and experiences during the innovation process.

Geared towards the advancement of NITDA‘s mandate, Awe explained that the conference would additionally be informed about measures, interventions and strategies NITDA has put in place to enable job creation and wealth creation through IT. In a strategic collaboration with NCS, NITDA is hosting the plenary session during the NCS annual conference to create awareness about innovation development opportunities and to enrich and expand the innovation ecosystem.

According to Awe, the Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Platform (YIEP) has also been introduced in line with the spirit of innovation.

“NCS will use this platform

Firms partner on IT solutions

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ewlett-Packard Company and Accenture have entered into an alliance to provide Information Technology (IT) outsourcing services to enterprises in Nigeria.

The two firms will focus on migrating legacy mainframe applications to next generation architectures and platforms as well as supporting “backwards” in-

tegration with legacy applications.

The new services will give enterprises a faster and simpler way to harness IT assets while minimising costs and risk, the companies said in statement.

The alliance formalises a three-year collaboration developed to support the full lifecycle of complex Enterprise Resource

Planning (ERP) solutions, among the most difficult to implement and scale globally.

The two companies have already collaborated on 15 engagements and developed repeatable best practice methodologies for ERP outsourcing.

The announcement also builds on this heritage to provide customers with a

App developers get growth platform

K

irusa, a global leader in providing telecom and social media solutions, has developed an omnibus app platform to help locallydeveloped software developers to monitise their solution in Nigeria.

With the platform tagged: myGenie, a revolutionary free airtime app for prepaid Android users in Nigeria, Chief Executive Officer of Kirusa, Mr. Inderpal Mumick, said the company’s plans to was “to grow the mobile ecosystem in Nigeria to fuel entrepreneurship in Nigeria, by creating a platform for indigenous app developers to reach out to their customers in a seamless manner, by assisting them in their app promotion offers.”

Beyond supporting local app developers, Mumick said the myGenie apps lets Android users explore and download new and popular Android apps, as myGenie users are rewarded with free airtime credits for downloading, installing and using these Android apps.

“Users can use the free credits to recharge their mobile numbers, or give the airtime credits to their friends and family. What is more, myGenie also provides free airtime credits when a user invites their friends to the app, and when their friends start downloading apps via myGenie,” he said.

According to him, the apps that can be downloaded through myGenie range from

games to dating to local utility apps. “Some of the apps available on myGenie at the time of launch include InstaVoice, 474Recharge, Zamba Caller, APUS Launcher, Supper B Clearer, BBM, UC Browser and more,” he added.

Speaking on at the launch of myGenie, Head, Financial Inclusion of African Development Bank, Mr. Robert Masumbuko, said, “We are excited about myGenie App being launched in Nigeria. Africa mobile app developers will now have the opportunity to reach out to a wider audience and get assured usage of their apps. It will also influence app usage market, thereby opening doors for fresh investments in this sector.”

to actively promote Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship in IT as an important and most promising component of National Security,” he said.

Awe maintained that the Youth Innovation Platform aims to enable and foster youth innovation and entrepreneurship in Information Technology (IT) for Sustainable Development.

NCS President, Prof. Sola Aderounmu, at a press conference in Lagos, said that YIEP inclusion at the conference was indicative of NCS’s commitment to the future of the tech industry and the growth of an inclusive digital Nigeria and a commitment to the youth and future of Nigeria.

“YIEP will feature informa-

single point of contact and accountability for program management.

Speaking about the partnership, the Managing Director, Technology, Accenture, Mr. Niyi Tayo, said, there are new technologies and solutions, more data than ever before, legacy and new systems coming together and an upsurge in collaboration inside and outside the enterprise driving businesses.

Accenture HPE solutions include private cloud for the Hybrid Cloud, Automated and highly scalable private cloud that minimises upfront investment, improves scalability, rapidly deploys secure application environments and simplifies management.

The solution also has the data-driven digital analytics, customisable and scalable architectures that improve analytics, performance and digital capabilities with seamless integration, reduced total cost of ownership (TCO), enhanced innovation and performance, through an automated SAP environment that speeds business outcomes.

tion and experience sharing, mentoring and guidance amongst others. Already, InterYIT, the international association for Young IT Professionals has endorsed YIEP,” he said.

Syinix TV competes for Nigeria market share

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apan-originated electronics brand, Syinix has officially introduced its TV sets into Nigeria to compete for substantial market share from LG, Samsung, among others.

The company is catching in on the grand final of the European Cup to provide epic viewing experiences for the Nigerian football fans as it offers high-resolution Syinix TV designed with new features.

As an electronics brand, Syinix in a statement, said it was committed to becoming a practical family choice for warm and cozy lives.

“Its brand essence of comfort and economy is embedded in the theme color of green symbolizing nature and health, simple yet elegant finish design, easy and optimized user experiences, among others,” said Marketing and Brand Management xecutive, Syinix, Mr. Isaac Osagie.

Osagie said the Syinix TV have three size options of 40, 32, and 22 inches, stressing that all TV sets are super slim with high-resolution screens, equipped with convenient multiple terminals (AV in x2, HDMI x2).

“It boasts of superb pictures and voices thanks to functions like colour fidelity, sharp contrast, and supports local language menu display and USB play as well. There is also considerate configuration like energy saving, stabilizer free etc. in light of the local electric situation in Nigeria.”

31

THURSday, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Interview Depression, major cause of suicide, says Peter

Health

News Family planning cuts maternal mortality

Severely malnourished children

33 34

A child being fed with ready-to-use-therapeutic Food (RUTF)

Saving them from malnutrition

With an estimate half of children under-five years in the country stunted, medical experts are recommending multinutrition interventions to save the lives of affected children and mother. APPOLONIA ADEYEMI reports

E

very single day, Nigeria loses about 2,300 under five-year olds children and 145 women of childbearing age. These make the country the second largest contributor to the under-five and maternal mortality rate in the world.

The Head of Nutrition at the

Appolonia Adeyemi Health Editor

appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Dr. Chris. Osa Isokpunwu who disclosed this, said this pathological condition was brought about by the inadequacy of one or more of the nutrients that are essential for survival, growth, development, reproduction and capacity to learn and function in the society.

At a recent presentation at a Media Workshop which held in Kano, Isokpunwu, quoting data from the 2013 National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS), said that children under-fives from some Sahelian states in northern Nigeria suffer severe malnutrition. Giving the details of the survey, he said while 61 per cent of the children in Kebbi were stunted, 18 per cent of the kids there were wasted.

Similarly, in Sokoto, 52 per cent are stunted, 19 per cent wasted; Katsina, 59 per cent stunted, 24 per cent wasted; Zamfara, 56 per cent stunted, 16 per cent wasted; and in Jigawa while 59 per cent are stunted 17 per cent are wasted.

Furthermore, 48 per cent of the children in Kano are stunted, 40 per cent wasted while 57 per cent of the children in Kaduna are stunted and 42 per cent were wasted. These lead to the question: what exactly is meant by children being stunted and wasted?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), stunting, or short height for age, and wasting, or low weight for length/height are important public health indi-

Among interventions highlighted by Isokpunwu are micronutrient and de-worming initiatives, complementary and therapeutic feeding interventions

Mothers and children at the waiting room of the Shereda Out-Therapeutic Patient (OTP) centre in Kano

cators to measure the development of children. A third indicator, underweight, or low weight for age, combines information about linear growth retardation and weight for length/height.

The 2015 National Nutritional Indices shows that a huge 31.5 per cent of Nigerian children are stunted; 7.2 per cent wasted, while 18.6 per cent are underweight.

While presenting a paper titled ‘Nutrition Situation in Northern Nigeria with Emphasis on Kaduna State’ at a one day interactive meeting with Media Chief Executives, Dr. Florence Oni said, UNICEF’s Nutrition Specialist, said the north-western Nigeria has 53 per cent malnutrition prevalence according to 2014 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). ‎ She further revealed that millions of children from that region die from preventable causes and that every minute eight children

under five years die and two out of the eight are newborn.

She explained that malnutrition leads to stunting in a child’s growth and that a stunted child has stunted mental capacity. What this means is that such a child will operate at suboptimal level; that child will demonstrate less Intelligent Quotient (IQ).

Corroborating this, Prof. Tola Atinmo, President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) and President, African Nutrition Society (ANS), said going by the 2013 NDHS, almost half of children under-five years in the country were stunted, meaning that their height is far below what it should be for their age.

“When one is stunted at that age, the person is not likely to be smart in life.”

He added: “The brain of that person is not going to develop very well. So, in effect, we are breeding a nation of morons right now.”

CONT INU E D ON PAGE 32

32

Health\News

THURSday, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

WHO advocates universal health coverage for emergencies Appolonia Adeyemi

R

egional Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti has initiated discussions with the Federal Government on how the country would achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as a strategy to tackle health emergencies.

This is contained in a statement from the Director, Media and Public Relations Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Boade Akinola.

Dr. Moeti made this known on Monday 11th July, 2016 while meeting with management of the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja.

UHC is about people having access to the health care they need without suffering financial hardship.

Presently, the delay in expanding the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the country to include the informal sector, has limited those accessing care through the NHIS, an initiative which removes out-of-pocket payment for care services.

During her courtesy call on the Minister of Health,

Prof. Isaac Adewole, Moeti also pledged to support programmes on primary healthcare (PHC) in the country, resource mobilisation, capacity building, maternal and child health and immunisation to prevent child killer diseases.

She said that the essence of her visit was to meet with national authorities in Nigeria to strategise on ways of sustaining the landmark achievements so far in the health sector.

She said “Nigeria is biggest country in Africa in terms of population so it is very important to work with Nigerian Government to improve the healthcare system of the country if Nigerians are healthy it means African people are healthy.”

Speaking on PHC, the WHO Regional Director for Africa said that PHC and UHC is number one priority in WHO Agenda, Nigeria and WHO would share experience, ideas on PHC System with a view to achieving the UHC in the country.

“I want to assure you of our firm commitment and support to make sure that Nigeria realise and achieve the laudable Health Agenda,” she said.

Laughter is healthy aughing lowers levels L of stress hormones and strengthens the immune L-R: Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole (l) and the the Regional Director of WHO for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti during Moeti's visit to the minister in Abuja, recently

Impaired mobility raises health risk

N

early one-third to one-half of adults ages 65 and older experience impaired mobility. A new study has however shown that not improving on impaired mobility can make the health of the affected person to spiral downward.

A report published in Healthbeat, an online website of the Harvard Medical School, called for intervention to either prevent future mobility impairments or reduce existing ones.

The ability to move

purposefully around your environment — is vitally important to health and well-being.

Many people with impaired mobility learn to just move a little more slowly and a little more deliberately. Some people work around the problem by relying on a cane or walker.

“As you move less, pounds may start to creep on. You might withdraw from social relationships and activities that challenge you mentally.

“Exercise may be-

come difficult, and lack of activity can worsen many health problems.

This cycle of physical, emotional, and mental decline further restricts mobility.

“For most people, the ability to rely on their own bodies, skills, and mental agility is a crucial part of living a satisfying life. Having full mobility helps you fully engage with the world and fosters a sense of self-sufficiency that can help you live independently well into your later years.”

Sustaining nutrition interventions CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

Nigerian children will not compete favourably with their counterparts from advanced nations, Atinmo lamented.

Oni said, “A severely wasted child is ten times more likely to die than a well-nourished child.

Severe malnourishment requires a drastic intervention and contributes to high mortality rate.”

According to her, a child from the poorest economic quintile is four times more likely to be malnourished compared to the children of the richest households. So, there is need for multi-sectoral approach to address malnutrition with equity.

Although, data from the NDHS shows that barely 10 to 20 per cent of women in the country practice exclusive breastfeeding, Atinmo described this as a terrible thing, adding that exclusive breastfeeding is one thing that could be used to reduce the level of child malnutrition in Nigeria today.”

On the solution for these problems, the head of Nutrition at the FMOH referred to findings in the ‘The Lancet’ January 2008 edition, one of the world’s most highly respected medical journals which demonstrated the availability of 13 proven nutrition interventions

Isokpunwu

Yakassai

Atinmo

that could address the problems of malnutrition and save millions of lives.

The set of interventions focused on the “window of opportunity” from minus nine to 24 months (i.e. from pregnancy to two years old) during which children are given focused, high impact nutrition to reduce death and disease and avoid irreversible harm.

Among interventions highlighted by Isokpunwu are micronutrient and de-worming initiatives, complementary and therapeutic feeding interventions as well as behaviour change interventions, all of which could aid healing for malnourished kids and sustain their development.

He called for the institution of appropriate policies and guidelines

for infant and young child feeding, micronutrient deficiency control and community management of acute malnutrition.

These recommendations are already being implemented in various primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across various states of the federation, as well as in secondary and tertiary facilities. However, majority of the nutrition education/awareness campaigns are passed on to the populace through lectures, handouts, counseling during ante-natal and post natal clinic sessions, among other clinic outings.

Similarly, as part of community management of acute malnutrition, Kano State has established 30 centres across 16 local government areas where severely malnourished

children were provided with focused nourishment to boost their immunity and nutritional status.

During a recent visit to one of the centres, the Shereda Out-Therapeutic Patient (OTP) centre in Kano State recently, the Kano State Nutrition Officer, Halima Musa Yakassai told the New Telegraph HEALTH, that the centres which began operation since 2010 in 16 centres, will be expanding to 22 local government areas to meet the need of people in the state.

Among those getting treatment are severely under-five malnourished children, pregnant and nursing mothers majority of whom are also malnourished.

Yakassai said over 10 million 468 children have received treatment in cen-

tres in Kano where they are fed with ‘Ready to use therapeutic Food (RUTF)’ which UNICEF is providing free to facilitate healing for affected kids as a strategy to save their lives.

RUTF are high-energy, lipid-based spreads used for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM).

They are designed to be used for the rehabilitation of severely malnourished populations.

Speaking on the category of children that get these interventions, the Kano State Nutrition Officer categorised them as severely malnourished children. “Even if you are a layman, if you see a child that is severely malnourished, physically you can see all the body and it will be apparent that it is a case of stunting. Putting children of five years together and you can see the ones whose sizes are very little when compared to others in the same age bracket. Definitely, it will be clear that some are malnourished.

“Apart from that, check the hands, arms and legs and you can, through observation, determine a malnourished child/ woman. Physically looking at their eyes will reveal their status as the under-nourished will be looking feverish,” Yakassai added.

system. Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day. Adults only laugh 15 to 100 times a day.

Hard-working heart The heart is the hardest working muscle in the body.

Every day, it creates enough energy to drive a semi-truck over 18 miles (30 kilometers). Over a lifetime, that is equivalent to driving to the moon and back.

Sex, a pain reliever: Even though the “headache” excuse is often used to avoid sex, the truth is that intercourse can provide pain relief. Sex can also help you reduce stress.

Amazing brain The brain is 60 per cent fat, but it still works hard. At any given time, your brain can generate up to 25 watts of power – that is enough to power a light bulb.

Womb with a view Babies in the womb grow 8,000 new brain cells every second. Newborn babies can recognise their mother’s face after just a few hours.

Incredible sense Scientists have discovered that the visual cortex of blind people can rewire itself to respond to stimuli received through touch and hearing, helping them to "see" by touch and sound.

Unfeeling brain The brain itself doesn’t have any pain receptors, so it doesn't feel anything.

That is why surgeons can perform open brain procedures on patients while they are awake.

Long arteries If your arteries, veins and capillaries were laid out end to end, they would measure 62,137 miles (100,000 kilometers).

That’s nearly enough to stretch two and a half times around the planet!

Circle of growing hair Your hair grows nearly one-quarter of an inch (six millimeters) every four weeks and keeps on growing for up to six years. The hair then falls out, and another grows in its place.

Ageing brain The human brain is the most sophisticated thing in the known universe.

Humans have more brain cells at the age of two than at any other point in their lives, but it takes nearly 20 years for the brain to mature.

THURSday, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Dr. Ogunnubi Peter is a consultant psychiatrist and Chief Executive Officer of Grace Cottage Clinic in Lagos. In this interview with APPOLONIA ADEYEMI, he discusses reasons for the high rate of suicides in the country and strategies to check them Nigeria seems to have a high rate of suicides and what is driving this?

The truth is that suicide rate in Nigeria is as high as it is in any other part of the world. I wouldn’t say there is increased rate of suicide here, but more people are reporting the cases now.

Don’t forget that suicide in the past used to be taken as stigmatising situation. That is if I have a member of my family who committed suicide, it’s a disgrace to that family and I wouldn’t want anything about it to leak. Things have however, changed. More people report suicide cases now.

In addition, the level of enlightenment about suicide in the country is high. Hence, they are now reporting the cases; stigma is also reducing and people are coming to say yes their relatives committed suicide. There is increased reporting of suicide because when you look at the psychosocial and economic situation in the country, you realise that many people are jobless; there are many cases of mental illness and these situations are closely linked to suicide.

A recent World Health Organisation (WHO) report predicted that by 2030 depression will be the second common cause of diseases. What is your take on this?

The WHO has said that by 2030 depression will be the second common cause of diseases.

Depression and suicide are like husband and wife; that means we will continue to have increased cases of suicide.

If you look at the Nigerian economy, many people cannot afford three square meal daily; many youth are unemployed and so, many things are happening in the country now that increase the risk of depression in many people. If these can be happening, it means that the effects in high suicide rates are what we are having.

What can be done to reduce suicides?

In Nigeria we don’t have a suicide prevention strategy. All over the world, many advanced nations have what we call suicide prevention strategy. For example, in Australia there is a free toll line that somebody can just call. If you dial the line, they can call you back and you talk about your problems. You have just been beaten by your husband; you have seven children that you are taking care of; your husband is a drunk; you don’t have money and you are even thinking of committing suicide.

Health\INTERVIEW

Depression, major cause of suicide, says Peter On dialing the toll-free line, in your response, you can say everything in your mind and from there; they send social workers immediately to come around.

They will help you; they will rehabilitate you; and they could even take up the payment of school fees for the seven children. There and then they will remove all these stress that made the person wish to kill himself/ herself.

Why don’t we have suicide prevention strategy in this county?

There are many things we don’t have. You can’t even be talking of suicide prevention strategy when a nation as big as we are does not even have a Mental Health Act (MHA).

Under the MHA, that is where we begin to have all these services, but as I speak to you the Bill since the 80’s has been lying monumental in the National Assembly.

Every successive session has dropped that Bill which most National Assembly members call orphan Bill. That is a Bill that has no sponsor; a bill that has no ‘Ghana must go’ (lobby finances) to back it up. It is quite unfortunate that during every session, senators and members of the House of Representatives come in and go without passing that Bill.

So, we are hoping that in this new session, they will be able to pass that Bill because with that Bill we will be able to have suicide prevention strategy which is enumerated there on how federal government can really have these things. It is going to be like normal emergency telephone number like 911 and this can be domesticated by various states and local governments.

In Nigeria we don’t have a suicide prevention strategy

that once suicide has occurred it cannot be reversed. You can still take care of cancer; you can still take care of tuberculosis (TB); you can still take care of HIV but once suicide occurs it cannot be reversed. So, government needs to pay serious attention to it and the best way is first of all let there be economic stability; let the common man be able to feed, let there be good social welfare packages; let there be good social services; let institutions run; and let people be comfortable.

Similarly, people should cut their cloth according to their clothes and no longer according to their size. People should not copy others; that a neighbour is sending his children to so and so school does not mean that I will also do that. A neighbour is using a jeep does not mean that I must also use a jeep.

If you cannot afford to buy a

33

jeep, you go and look for a less fuel-consuming car. People should learn to live in moderation so that they will not get frustrated.

They should not set too much goals for themselves. Besides, people should seek help. There is no need to be going to spiritual healers or herbalists when you are having an emotional problem. If you are thinking of death all the time or you are feeling so sad for no reason, come to the psychiatrists.

Psychologists are not medical doctors they are people we refer to so that they can just help to modify behaviour but the psychiatrist is a medical doctor that is granted to give you medication.

If you realise that you are having ailment or you have depression, the psychiatrist will prescribe medication for you. So, people must seek help when need be.

Also, the society should identify what we call red flag.

Although, it is criminal to commit suicide but for those that did not succeed, we hardly hear of them being charged to court. Why is this so?

Yes our legal officers should be able to answer that question but I have not also heard of charges brought against them either because people hide it.

Usually for example, normally the right thing would have been if patients come to my clinic and the relative say this guy was trying to kill himself, he took overdose of Paracitamol or other things.

Some have to take care of him and after that you hand him over to the police for prosecution but you know because it is a case of relatives that are involved; they try to cover the case up. However, whosever try to take his life is actually liable How can we curb suicide activities in the country considering that it is not the best way to go?

The truth is that suicide is the worst kind of illness; it is worse than cancer. The truth is

Peter

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Health\News

THURSday, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Eight-month-old kid needs N8.5m for heart surgery

Family planning cuts maternal mortality

Akeem Nafiu

I

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four-month old baby girl, Azeezat Motunrayo Raji, is presently lying critically ill at the 3rd Floor, Ward B, Cot 1, of Pediatric Ward of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital [LASUTH], Ikeja, Lagos.

To this end, the parents of Azeezat Motunrayo Raji are now appealing to religious and corporate bodies, good-spirited Nigerians and philanthropists to donate N8.5 million which she needs for heart surgery to live. It is evidently clear that they cannot on their own raise the required substantial amount for the little girl's surgery.

Upon examination, doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has referred little Azeezat to an Indian hospital for unavoidable surgery if she is to stay alive.

The cost of the surgery and other logistics is estimated to be over N8.5 million.

Speaking on the girl's ailment, her parents, Mr. Aderemi Raji and Mrs. Funmilola Raji confirmed that Azeezat, who is the second born of her moth-

Mrs. Raji carrying Azeezat

er was born on October 29, 2015, hale, hearty and full of life until late January this year when they noticed that her breathing was irregular.

Azeezat’s parent added that she now looks emaciated owing to her inability to eat.

The baby's mother, Mrs. Raji, who resides at 2, Alaulateef Agbede Transformer along Ita Oluwo Road, Ikoro-

du, Lagos said she could no longer depend on local medicine and this was what prompted her to take her baby to Agbede Transformer Primary Health Care Center, Ikorodu where she was referred to Ikorodu General Hospital, Ikorodu, Lagos.

•Nigerians willing to assist Azeezat should contact the Daily Editor of New Telegraph

Deborah Ocheni Abuja

sectors are comparable to that of the developed world. How they do it is that, their leaders are visionary and health work force was committed.

“We need to make sure that we have a functional health care system and all hands must be on deck to achieve this”.

Speaking on the challenges of funding the health sector, Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice, Barr. Eze Onyekpere recommended that funding from the government and that from donor agencies be brought to the table.

“Government will bud-

n a bid to reduce maternal mortality in Nigeria, the President/ Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Reproductive and Family Health, Prof. Oladapo Ladipo said child spacing which is achieved through family planning could reduce maternal mortality.

According to Ladipo who is also the Chairman, National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Technical Working Group, “at least, 80 per cent of pregnant mothers must have access to skilled birth attendants, to achieve rapid reduction in maternal mortality.

He spoke at the Media Roundtable on 2015 Health Budget Scorecard and Analysis of 2016 MNH Allocation, organised by MamaYe(Evidence for Action).

In his presentation, Ladipo said birth-spacing and family planning can help save lives and urged women to accept and adopt the measures.”

Ladipo said, “there are smaller countries in the world that have smaller Modern contraceptive pills are effective for family planning budget and their health photo: www.medicalnewstoday.com

Sweet potato: The super food (2) I

like to describe sweet potatoes as the underrated super food in Nigeria and Africa. I spend a lot of my time giving dietary instructions and recommendations to sick people.

The prevalence of cancer in our society is especially alarming and sad. Even more unfortunate is the uncaring attitude of our government to this menace of cancer. As I keep telling all those who care to listen, each of us need to take charge of our health care and look after our health.

Sweet potato is packed with many essential vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), and thiamine (vitamin B-1), niacin, and riboflavin. These vitamins are essential in the sense that the human body requires them from external sources to replenish it. These vitamins function as co-factors for various enzymes during metabolism. Sweet potato also provides good amount of vital minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and potassium that are very essential for enzyme, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism.

Sweet potatoes help ward off cancer and protect against the effects of ageing. Their rich orange colour indicates that they are high in carotenoids like beta carotene and other carotenoids, which is the precursor to vitamin A in your body. Carotenoids help strengthen our eyesight and boost our immu-

Nature Power

Anselm Adodo

naturepower@paxherbals.net twitter: @anselmadodo

nity to disease; they are powerful antioxidants that help ward off cancer and protect against the effects of ageing. Studies at Harvard University of more than 124,000 people showed a 32 per cent reduction in risk of lung cancer in people who consumed a variety of carotenoidrich foods as part of their regular diet.

Another study of women who had completed treatment for early stage breast cancer conducted by researchers at Women’s Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) found that women with the highest blood concentrations of carotenoids had the least likelihood of cancer recurrence.

Some nutritional benefits from sweet potatoes simply may be easier to achieve if you use steaming or boiling as your cooking method. Recent studies show excellent preservation of

It is better to boil your sweet potato than to fry it

sweet potato anthocyanins with steaming, and several studies comparing boiling to roasting have shown better blood sugar effects with boiling. In other words, it is better to boil your sweet potato than to fry it.

One part of the sweet potato plat that is often overlooked is

Sweet potato

get for something and donors will pay for the services and because donor money is not available, people steal the money and you don’t get value for it.

“So, it is important that all the money meant for health sector be bought to the table so that everybody will see both the one for appropriation and the one from the donor community.”

Onyekpere said Nigerians should insist on more openness and credibility on the implementation of health budget to enable citizens get value for money.

the leaves. In fact, the leaves of Sweet potato top greens are more nutritious than the tuber itself. 100 g of fresh leaves of sweet potato carry more iron, vitamin C, folates, vitamin K, and potassium than its tuber.

For those who are anaemic, I advise that they blend two handfuls of fresh leaves of sweet potato in one litre of water and drink two glasses daily for five days.

You can also dry the leaves and grind into powder. Add one teaspoon of the powdered leaves in a teacup of hot water and allow to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes, then drink. Avoid adding sugar or sweeteners.

Stimulation fights glaucoma

E

lectrical pulses to the brain may help restore vision in some partially blind patients.

This study findings were published in the June edition of the journal PLOS One. According to the German researchers behind the study, glaucoma and other types of damage to the eye's optic nerve typically cause permanent damage. But, the new technique appears to kick-start the brain's visual control centers, the researchers explained.

A report in the newsmaxhealth, the researchers said a 10-day treatment regimen -- entailing upwards of nearly an hour a day of electrical pulses aimed directly into the eye -- improved vision among patients who were losing their sight.

"By giving currents through the eye, we force retinal cells connected to the brain to fire intensely," explained study author Dr. Bernhard Sabel, a member of the medical faculty at the Otto-vonGuericke University of Magdeburg. "This activates the brain's [vision] cells to function better again. And, 'what fires together, wires together.'"

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THURSday, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Parenting

Mom&Parenting

Ambode tasks widows on empowerment

Mom's Alert Children’s holiday: activity vs connection

34 34

Distribution of books during the party

Empowering children of urban slums Flora Onwudiwe

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he Centre for Children Health Education Orientation and Protection (CEEHOPE) has partnered with Realyz Naija to empower children living in urban slums called Monkey Village in Ikeja, Lagos.

With the partnership in which beneficiary children received sharpeners, story books, note books, pencils, among other educational materials, teenage girls who had dropped out of school without hope of completing their education could now go back to school or learn vocational skills of their

Mom&Parenting

Oluwatosin Omoniyi City Editor

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

choice.

The Programme Coordinator of Realyz Green Network Nigeria, Mr. Ireti Adeshida said that, “it is a project that would develop Nigerians so that they can be socially responsible. We are partnering with CEE HOPE because we have a passionate project, ‘Kit a Child’, which we are working on.”

He added that, “Kit-aChild has to do with how we can empower kids especially indigenous kids from rural and disadvantaged communities.

Needy children from urban would also benefit from the programme. According to Adeshida, the project in Monkey Village was a pilot community development project that they were working on for a period of time for people to identify with. “Then, gradually if we are going to achieve with the monkey village, we can move to another community. However, we have to start with one. It is better that we establish a structure that will develop the kids and they will know that we have done a good job.”

On why the ‘Kit-a-Child’ project is strictly for females, he explained that the project was about the Nigerian child and African child. Nigerian children, he said, are very

important to the nation, they are the bedrock and key to national development.

“We are looking at the literary skills, we have worked with spelling competitions and we gave them bags, we are looking at their creativity, we got to know some of them are very good artists who can draw. These are great artists that we can celebrate globally, we need them in this country, let them use their skills for national development. We have to identify those kids and see how we can empower them and make it in the right place.”

On the school materials that were shared amongst

the children, he said, “We gave them exercise books because a lot of them don’t have exercise books, we gave them pencils, sharpeners, we gave them story books and CEE- HOPE will give them more story books, getting them clothes, foods, tooth brush, we discovered that hygiene is very important, we took them on hygiene talk to know how to use tooth brush.”

The Executive director of CEE-HOPE, Betty Abah said that, “We are interested mostly at children in slums and rural areas that are often neglected by the authorities, stakeholders. We believe that

engaging and nurturing their talents providing them the basic needs of life, especially education and mentorship will go a long way to shape our society for good especially people from excluded communities like slums.

If they are not well managed they become problem to the society but they are well managed they become asset so we try to get them. Many of the girls are victims of rape, victims of early marriage of teenage pregnancy, so we try to catch as many as young for others that are already pregnant; we try to give them a second chance of life.”

Group photo of volunteers from CEE-HOPE and Realyze Naija at the Monkey Village children event

36 MOM&PARENTING

THURSday, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

i-Protect

Childhood Protection & preservation culture

with

Taiwo Akinlami principal@taiwoakinlami.com

Elie Wiesel served as a ray of light and an example of humanity that believes in the goodness of man

Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel: Made by the family… man of the family…lessons thereof (1)

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liezer "Elie" Wiesel, imprisoned as a child (15) and orphaned (and lost his younger sister) during the Holocaust died on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at 87 and was buried on Sunday, July 3, 2016.

Leading world political and humanitarian leaders have continued to pay tribute to this Great Soul and his legacy, with President Obama referring to him as ‘the conscience of the world.’ Israeli president Reuven Rivlin, said, ‘tonight we bid farewell to a hero of the Jewish People, and a giant of all humanity.’

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said, ‘Elie Wiesel served as a ray of light and an example of humanity that believes in the goodness of man.’ According to Melinda Gates, ‘deeply saddened by the passing of Elie Wiesel, who remained optimistic in the darkest days and pushed us to see beauty in humanity.’ George Clooney, commented on the Wiesel’s death, “we had a champion who carried our pain, our guilt and our responsibility on his shoulders for generations. Now he’s gone. It’s hard to fathom. So I guess it's up to us now,” Though Wiesel was a global citizen, he was Romanian-born American Jewish. He was a man of so many parts. He was a prolific writer, who authored 57 books, a professor, political activist, Holocaust survivor, and Nobel Laureate. He won countless and meaningful awards and global recognitions for his immeasurable and selfless contributions to the defence of human rights.

Of great interest to me today is his effective activism and the prodigious legacy

thereof. Of greatest interest to me is the role of Wiesel's upbringing and family value system, in who he later became in life.

With his bestselling book, Night, based on his experiences as a prisoner in the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps, he broke the silence about the Holocaust. He made an unashamed attempt to bring the lessons of the Holocaust to the fore, hoping that the lessons will propel our world to prevent a reoccurrence of a pogrom of such magnitude, lesser or greater.

Thus he campaigned for victims of oppression in South Africa and Nicaragua. He publicly condemned genocide in Sudan and the Armenian genocide of a century ago.

While being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, the Norwegian Nobel Committee aptly referred to him a 'messenger to mankind,' who by his 'practical work in the cause of peace', borne out of humiliating holocaust experience delivered a message 'of PEACE, ATONEMENT and HUMAN DIGNITY’ to all of humanity. He is 'one of the most important spiritual leaders and guides in an age when violence, repression and racism continue to characterize the world,' said the Nobel Committee. The Los Angeles Times once described him as 'the most important Jew in America.'

Wiesel in his response summed up his philosophy thus 'I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.

Ambode tasks widows on empowerment Oreoluwa Aboderi

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c o n o m i c empowerment in form of skill acquisition has been described as an alternative way of earning a regular income especially in the current tight economic situation of the country. In this light, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode urged widows in the state to embrace skill acquisition as strategy to survival.

“Your skill keeps you busy and helps you to think less about the unfortunate situation on hand (death of their spouse); above all, it helps you to meet your basic financial needs”.

Mrs. Ambode who was represented by Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Arts & Culture, spoke at the maiden celebration of International Widows Day (IWD) organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) in Ikeja, Lagos recently. WAPA had marked the 2016 International Widows Day (IWD) with the provision of skill acquisition training programme to widows in Lagos State.

She said the condition of

a widow is a tough challenge especially in this part of the world, where there were so many hostile acts against women, resulting from wicked cultural practices. This situation is made tougher for the widow, who has many children to cater for.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty, Hon. Lola Akande disclosed that International Widows Day (IWD) was first marked on June, 2011 following the United Nations Assembly Declaration as a day dedicated to the of millions of women and their children across the world who suffer exploitation, deprivation persecution and exclusion as a result of the demise of their husbands.

Speaking further, she stated that widows were mostly faced with stigmatisation, with relatives blaming them for their husband’s death. The incidence of widowhood is often the catalyst to poverty, which is why the State Government under the administration of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode arranged the four – week Skill Acquisition Training programme for the widow to empower them and make them self-reliant.

The four -week training commenced at the Women

Development Centre Agege from Monday, June 27, 2016.

Participating widows were being trained in skills ranging from Basic Sewing, Bead Making and Stinging, Tying of Head Gear, Make up application, Insecticide Soap/ Pomade Production, among others.

Hon. Akande reaffirmed that the International Widows Day Celebration is a global day of focus for effective actions to raise awareness on the plight of widows and their children as well as shed light on the epidemic of widowhood, a prevalent humanitarian crisis that has gone unnoticed for too long. One of the discussant of the symposium organised to mark the celebration, Mrs. Yemi Osoba said the Lagos State Government was the only state that has domesticated the end of violence against women Law. Another speaker, Tinu Odegbemi said widowhood is not the end of life but the beginning of a new phase in life. She advised the widows to embrace the Skill Acquisition Programme of the State Government in order to free themselves from the shackles of poverty, noting that poverty comes in different forms; it could be physical, spiritual or mental poverty.

MOM’S ALERT with

Grace Essen

grace.essen@gmail.com

Children’s holiday: Activity vs connection

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bout a month ago, I age the home, that is a talk for went to pick my daugh- another day. That got my attenter from school, she tion, though I have no help in my had just concluded her home; my kids do house chores BECE and she had to go home and as far as I’m concerned same day because she had taken there is no task fit for boy or girl. ill towards the end of the exams. But the new development in my I had looked forward to her daughter needed to be corrected.

I was a bit under the weather coming home and like most parents today, I had lined up ac- about two weeks ago and I had tivities to keep her ‘busy’. I just gone to the bedroom to get some couldn’t imagine her spending rest. I can’t quite tell how long I the long holiday doling ‘noth- must have slept when I felt a gening’. As we drove home she told tle tap; it was my daughter askme about her exams, and how ing if she could bring my food to she was confident of her perfor- the bedroom. I sat up surprised mance despite her ill health. I and asked, “What did you cook?” congratulated her and told her I I couldn’t remember leaving any was proud. instructions. She smiled and I told her about a beads-making walked away and soon appeared class which would start in two with my meal on a tray. That weeks and I wanted her to join. was the best gift anyone could She needed her to recover quickly. have given me that day. I was so I went on and on grateful. I hadn’t noticed how much about how she my daughter had would learn this grown. She had and that, and do practically taken this and that…

Holidays afford us suddenly I realover the running of time to connect the home. ized I was just talking to myThis couldn’t have and bond with self, my daughcome at a better time our children and ter most likely than now when I’m busy with my upoverwhelmed at notice what needs the thought of coming workshop for attention, so as to it all had dozed moms Super Mom Makeover. Beyond off. I didn’t even take action before cooking she also take into acit’s too late count that she helps me plan meals, was ill and very make shopping lists, tired. pick her younger one Soon after she recovered, I kept from school, clean the house, do reminding her about the beads- the laundry, run errands ….what making class, but any time I men- more can I possibly ask for? But tioned it she just didn’t show any beyond learning all this, which ulinterest until the deadline for reg- timately is for her good, the bond istration passed. The next on my between us has grown stronger, agenda was shoe-making class. I she has become much more open had made arrangement subject to and she looks healthy, relaxed and confirmation of a convenient start happy. That makes me glad.

The long holiday has given me date. She had in the past made sandals out of materials she found at the opportunity to not just teach home and I thought she would natu- her in the usual hurried ‘can’t-yourally jump at the idea, but I didn’t just-get-it’ attitude, but to show her see the enthusiasm. I got frustrated. the way things are done by demonIn as much as I wanted her to strating and giving her the chance get ‘busy’, I also didn’t want peo- to watch, practice, make mistakes ple asking what she was doing and improve – because we both while on holiday and I would say have the time. The other day, she nothing. The next was to take les- cooked and served spaghetti and sons in science subjects in prep- asked that I tasted it and told her aration for her next class. But what I thought. I was busy so I while the arrangement was un- did in a hurry and told her it was derway, my attention was drawn delicious, but it wasn’t so. When I actually got to eat, it tasted much to something entirely different.

After she had gone to boarding better than mine! I finished it and school, I noticed she didn’t quite asked for a second helping! like coming to the kitchen when she We often fill our children’s was home on break. Normal holi- lives with activities more for our days were usually short and she own sakes than theirs, also make always had so much assignments up for our absence. We just want and projects to do so I let her face them to be somewhere so we can work and more money, have fun, school work, but I was concerned.

I saw a post on social media or just have some ‘peace’. But sometime ago on how men now if we looked at it differently we prefer househelps to our daugh- would see how holidays afford us ters for marriage because we the time to connect and bond with train the househelps while our our children, and notice what daughters grow up not knowing needs attention and take action how to do house chores and man- before it’s too late.

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | MONEY LINE

Low inflation’ll boost naira, analysts say

FORECAST NBS data to ease pressure on MPC

in the rate of inflation will be exchange rate neutral… analysts will derive some comfort from a lower inflation rate because the Purchasing Power Parity value of the naira will actually appreciate.”

The MPC is scheduled to meet on the 25th - 26th of July. They will be closely monitoring the inflation data.

The analysts further stated that as the naira, “is still trying to find its true value in the transition from an imperfect towards a more efficient forex market” in the wake of the implementation of the flexible exchange rate policy, members of the CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will be closely monitoring the inflation data, as they prepare to meet on the 25th - 26th of July.

According to the analysts, “A lower inflation number will ease the pressure on the policy makers. However, a precipitated move such as lowering rates is an unlikely outcome at this meeting.”

FDC had in an earlier note forecast that inflation in June would drop to 15.5 per cent from 15.6 per cent recorded in May.

Tony Chukwunyem

A

mid widespread expectations that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) will announce a marginal decline in the inflation rate for June when it releases its latest numbers in the next few days, analysts at Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, have predicted that a lower inflation rate could lead to an appreciation in the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) value of the naira.

The “Economics online” defines the purchasing power of a currency as the quantity of that currency needed to purchase a given unit of a good, or common basket of goods and services.

The publication further explains that the PPP is determined by the relative cost of living and inflation rates in different countries.

In a note obtained

by New Telegraph, the FDC analysts stated that although, “a 0.4 per cent g of a decline

As the firm put it, “After an almost unstoppable rise in headline inflation to a record high, the economy may be entering an era of disinflation or declining rates of inflation. We are projecting inflation in June to drop from 15.6 per cent to 15.5 per cent. If this estimate turns out to be accurate, it will raise some fundamental questions as to the direction of inflation and possible level of interest rates in the money markets.”

Similarly, in a note issued last week, analysts at FSDH projected that June 2016 inflation rate (year-on-year) will drop marginally to 15.39 per cent from 15.58 per cent recorded in the month of May 2016, adding that the marginal drop will come from the decrease in the prices of tomatoes, beans and rice.

Significantly, the analysts also stated, “Our analysis indicates that the value of the naira depreciated at the in-

T

he Lagos State Gover nment has expressed its confidence on the Board and management and leadership of Skye Bank, noting that the bank is safe and in good financial health.

In a circular released last Tuesday by the states Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance/Accountant General A. S Umar (Mrs), and circulated to the states MDA and Local Governments, she noted that the Government of Lagos State is a major stake-

holder in Skye Bank.

Consequently, she advised public servants to desist from panic withdrawals as negative rumours making the rounds against the bank were unfounded.

Lagos State economy with a population nearing 21 million and four million in the middle class has been described by the local and international agencies as Africa’s fifth largest economy in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is estimated at about $131billion.

As at N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 15.6 12 10.77 US$45.51 US$26,374,159,579

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 May, 2016 23/03/2016 Mar 2015 13/7/2016 12/7/2016

Source:CBN

Description 15.10 27-APR-2017 16.00 29-JUN-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 12.50 22-JAN-2026 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 Tenor (Days) Call 30 90 180

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 104.65 114.59 111.96 120.58 109.60 100.54 83.82 97.56

1.07 3.24 3.87 5.82 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.29

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.4583 9.1071 11.0102 12.3790

Bid Yield 10.38 10.55 11.60 11.44 12.27 12.40 12.44 12.49

Change (%) -2.50 ▼ -0.74 ▼ -0.65 ▼ -0.68 ▼

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

Price 104.80 114.89 112.26 120.88 109.90 100.84 84.12 97.86

Tenor (Months)

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

NITTY

Rate (%) 6.9949 7.2368 8.0819 9.2061 9.5872 10.5042

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 10.24 10.45 11.51 11.38 12.22 12.34 12.39 12.44

Change (%) 1.12 ▲ -0.27 ▼ -0.17 ▼ -0.11 ▼ 0.03 ▲ 0.42 ▲

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 30-Jun-16 7.92 7.67 7.82 -0.51 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 3.83 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

ter-bank market and the parallel market by 29.6 per cent and 0.28 per cent. The naira lost N83.87 at the interbank market to close at US$/N282.97 from US$/N199.10 at the end of June. The implementation of the flexible foreign exchange policy was responsible for the huge loss in the value of the naira at the inter-bank market.

“We believe the depreciation in the interbank foreign exchange rate did not translate to an increase in domes-

tic prices because most transactions were earlier carried out at parallel market exchange rate,” the analysts added.

It will be recalled that Chief Economist, Africa, at Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, had in a note issued last Tuesday, argued that for the new forex policy to attract targeted foreign portfolio inflows, there has to be further monetary tightening as well as an increase in domestic confidence in the naira.

Lagos partners Skye Bank on Business Devt

Economic Indicators M2* CPS* INF MPR 91-day NTB Bonny Light Ext Res**

37

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

The new business partnership between Skye Bank and the State is therefore expected to further boost

the lender’s capacity as one of Nigeria’s leading retail and commercial bank according to analysts.

GTBank wins double accolade at Euromoney Awards

G

uaranty Trust Bank Plc has been recognition as the “Best Bank in Nigeria & Best Digital Bank in Africa” during the 2016 Euromoney Awards, which held in London recently.

Now in its 25th year, the Euromoney Awards for Excellence, according to a statement from the bank, covers more than 20 global product categories, best-inclass awards and the best Banks in over 100 countries around the world by recognising institutions that have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and momentum in the markets they operate.

According to Euromoney Magazine’s Editor, Mr. Clive Horwood, “Competition for the awards this year was tough, arguably the toughest it has been since the start of the global financial crisis.

“In winning these awards, GTBank stands out not only because of its stellar performance but by its ability to define what its core strengths are, abide by these strengths and build its business around them.”

He noted that banking in the future will be about what you do, as well as what you don’t do.

Horwood said: “GTBank stands out as Euromoneys’ best bank in Nigeria & Africa’s Best Digital Bank for its ability to adapt to

local situations while maintaining international standards of best practice.”

Receiving the award on behalf of the Bank, Managing Director/ CEO of GTBank, Segun Agbaje,according to the statement, said, “We are humbled and proud to emerge double award winners for Best Bank in Nigeria & Best Digital Bank in Africa. Winning these awards is an acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of our staff, management and Board. It also represents our commitment to serving our customers and making banking simpler and more accessible for them.”

He further stated that, winning the “Best Bank in Nigeria” award a record nine times was a reflection of the loyalty of its stakeholders, which enables the lender to consistently deliver superior performance.

“GTBank has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s banking industry. The GTBank brand is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality and innovation,” the statement said.

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BUSINESS |FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SLOW DOWN Sell pressure dominated market activities, as bargain hunters retreat

Stories: Chris Ugwu

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday saw resumed profit taking after it halted 5-day losing streak the previous day.

The overall performance measures, NSE ASI and market capitalisation, fell by 0.44 per cent.

This was due to profit tak-

Stock market falls by N44bn on profit taking ing by bargain hunters in the wake of cautious optimism that had pervaded the market following upset in the financial sector.

Consequently, the AllShare Index shed 126.92 basis points or 0.44 per cent to close at 28,730.42 index points as against 28,857.34 recorded the previous day, while market capitalisation of equities depreciated by N44 billion or 0.44 per cent to close lower.

Meanwhile, a turnover of 190.3 million shares in 4,578 deals was recorded in the day’s trading.

The banking sub sector of

Nigerian Breweries reports 24% drop in H1 PAT

N

igerian Breweries Plc has posted a 24.29 per cent decline in profit after tax for the half year ended June 30, 2016.

According to a notice from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the statement of financial position as at the period under review showed profit after tax down to N8.612 billion in 2016 as against N11.375 billion recorded a year earlier. This indicated a drop of 24.29 per cent.

The group’s profit before tax equally was down by 36.31 per cent from N16.551 billion in 2015 to N10.541 billion in 2015.

Revenue declined marginally by 2.36 per cent from N81.751 billion in 2015 to N79.818 billion in 2016.

The brewer recorded a 10.3 per cent increase in revenue from N266 billion recorded in 2014 to N293 billion in the 2015 financial year.

Further look at the audited results showed that results from operating activities declined by 6.9 per cent to close at N62 billion in 2015 from N66 billion achieved in 2014.

Profit before Tax dropped by 11.3 per cent from N61 bil-

lion at the end of the 2014 financial year to N54 billion in the same period in 2015, while Profit after tax dipped by 10.5 per cent to N38 billion in 2015 from the N42 billion posted in 2014. The results were impacted by reduced consumer purchasing power and increased cost of doing business mainly due to inflation and devaluation, according to the company.

The company said recently that its current strategic expansion will deliver sustainable value to its shareholders and increase return on investment to all stakeholders.

Managing Director of the company, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde while addressing journalists at the 2016 PreAGM media briefing, noted that the company would continue to sustain its culture of ensuring shareholders’ value.

He ascribed the performance of the company to major factors, ranging from strong brand equity to leader and pacesetter advantage.

Vervelde said that efforts are in top gear to re-engineer the company’s systems to produce maximum results for the benefits of its shareholders.

the financial services sector was the most active (measured by turnover volume) with 83.9 million shares exchanged by investors in 1,695 deals.

Volume in the sub-sector was largely driven by activities in the shares of Access Bank Plc and GTB Plc. Also, premium sub-sector, boosted by the activities in the shares of Zenith Bank and FBNH Plc followed with

a turnover of 42.2 million shares in 720 deals.

The number of gainers at the close of trading session was 16, while decliners closed at 25.

Further analysis of the day’s trading showed that Transcorp Plc topped the gainers’ table with 9.52 per cent to close at N1.61 per share, while Honeywell Flour Plc trailed with 8.89 per cent to close at

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N1.47 per share. Mansard Insurance Plc chalked up 4.37 per cent to close at N2.15 per share.

On the flip side, Skye Bank Plc led the losers’ chart with a drop of 8.22 per cent to close at 67 kobo per share. Forte Oil Plc followed with a loss of 4.63 per cent to close at N155.75 per share, while GSK Plc dropped by 4.10 per cent to close at N18.00 per share.

Tranex posts marginal drop in H12016 earnings

T

rans-Nationwide Express Plc (Tranex) Q1 2016 profit after tax declined marginally by 1.95 per cent to N29.040 million from N28.484 million recorded a year earlier.

In a filing from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the company’s pre-tax profit also dropped by 1.86 per cent from N37.984 million during the previous year to N38.690 million during the period under review.

However, the company’s revenue grew by 9.97 per cent from N383.636 million in 2015 to N7421.899 million during the half financial year 2016.

Tranex full year 2015 profit after tax had fell 24 per cent to N50.972 million from

N66.771 million recorded a year earlier.

However, the company’s pre-tax profit grew by 53 per cent from N49.476 million during the previous year to N75.678 million during the period under review.

The company’s revenue also inched up by 11 per cent from N718.016 million in 2014 to N798.557 million during the financial year 2015.

The directors of the company proposed a dividend of 10 kobo per share to its shareholders, which amounts to N19,882,000.

Tranex full year 2014 net earnings fell 14 per cent to N66.771 million from N77.432 million recorded the previous year.

The company’s pre-tax profit also dropped by 32 per cent from N72.665 million during the previous year to N49.476 million during the period under review.

The firm’s revenue declined by 0.15 per cent from N716.915 million in 2013 to N718.016 million during the full year 2014.

Key challenges that have eaten deep into the fabric of the courier sector was the emergence of social networks and e-commerce, which have made postages a hard nut to crack, as most people prefer use of facebook, twiters, yahoomails among others, than using currier services companies including Nipost

Emerging market stocks extend recovery from Brexit selloff

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merging markets rose as commodity producers led stocks to the highest level in eight months amid prospects for stimulus in major economies.

According to Bloomberg News, Chinese shares traded in Hong Kong advanced for a third day on speculation the nation’s leaders are taking steps to support investor sentiment. Malaysian equities gained with bonds after the central bank unexpectedly cut interest rates, while Vietnamese stocks rallied the most in the world to the highest level since 2008.

A decline in the price of Brent crude after US fuel inventories unexpectedly grew dragged the Russian ruble down. A measure of currencies halted its advance after reaching a two-month high.

Emerging markets have recovered losses spurred by Britain’s vote to leave the European Union amid speculation the fallout from the decision will be contained. The Bank of England is seen easing policy this week, while Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered his economy minister to compile stimulus measures this month and

futures traders see only a 34 per cent chance the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates by year-end.

“It’s an ongoing rally, driven by dovish central banks,” said Daniel Salter, the head of equity strategy at Renaissance Capital in London.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index rose 0.3 per cent to 856.41 in New York. The gauge has advanced 7.8 per cent this year and trades at 12.2 times its 12-month projected earnings. The MSCI World Index of developed markets has increased 1.9 per cent and is valued at a multiple of 16.2 times.

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News|SOUtH-WEST

FG’s $11bn on rice, wheat, sugar importation wasteful – Lagos

Muritala Ayinla

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agos State Government yesterday said that Nigeria spends $11 billion (N3.1 trillion) annually to import wheat, rice, sugar and fish, saying that high importation of foods items would impede agricultural growth and the nation's economic stability.

Speaking at a workshop held for Heads of Agriculture Departments in the state’s 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Olayiwola Onansanya, who disclosed this, said that the nation's food imports were growing at an unsustainable rate of 11per cent per annum.

Onasanya, who said that over reliance on food

importation fueled domestic inflation, stressed that the rising importation rate would continue to put pressure on the naira and hurt the economy.

He said: "Nigeria is importing what it can produce in abundance, import dependency is hurting Nigerian farmers, displacing local production and creating rising unemployment. Import dependency is neither acceptable nor sustainable fiscally, economically or politically.

Quoting from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN), report, the Permanent Secretary said that over $11 billion was spent to import four consumable commodities-rice, wheat, fish and sugar annually, lamenting that the nation’s food import rate would destroy Nigeria's economy if no step was taken to stem the trend.

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Three injured as PDP factions clash in Lagos P Wale Elegbede

andemonium broke out yesterday at the state secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, when two factions of the party engaged themselves in a free-for-all, leaving no fewer than three injured.

According to an eyewitness account, the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the party in the state, led by Mr Segun Adewale, summoned its Central Working Committee meeting for 8am at the party secretariat, while the Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s faction, under the leadership of Hon. Moshood Salvador,

called its own meeting at the same secretariat for 9am.

“Both factions called their meetings on the same day at the same secretariat. They both attacked each other and no fewer than three members of the party are currently in the hospital. This is not helping our party at all. We are one and peace must be restored.”

It was learnt that the first attempt of crisis started in the morning while the second came, shortly after the Salvador faction had concluded its meeting around 4pm.

Denying his involvement in the fracas, Adewale, who was a sena-

torial candidate of the party at the last election, explained that, “We had a meeting at the party secretariat. Our meeting started from 8 am. In the course of our meeting, the Bode George faction did not allow us to have our meeting peacefully. So they started shooting sporadically and even matcheted some of our people. They are presently lying at the Holy Trinity Hospital. As a result of that, I had to call off the meeting. That was what happened.”

When asked on the veracity of the information that he led suspected thugs to the party secretariat, Adewale said “so my people were the ones who shot

€41m

Lagos journalist’s 800 housing units, take off Appolonia Adeyemi and Taiwo Jimoh

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n its efforts to assisting the Nigerian journalist acquire affordable homes; the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) yesterday launched the construction of 800 housing units for its members in Lagos and other parts of the federation.

According to the Chairman of the NUJ in Lagos State, Comrade Deji Elumoye, the housing project, called ‘Pen Jewel City’ consisting of 800 three-bedroom bungalow, all en-suit, is a project of the Lagos State Council of the NUJ and the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ in Lagos State.

The project, sited at Abaren, near Mowe in Ogun State, will be executed by Primewaterview Holdings, which is expected to complete the construction of the 800 houses in 36 months.

The estimated transfer value of Oliver Giroud of Arsenal in 2016.

Source: 101greatgoals.com

Rep donates glass hall to NTA Ibadan

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (fourth right); his deputy, Dr. Oluranti Adebule (fouth left) and other female members of the State Executive Council, shortly after the EXCO meeting at the Conference Hall, V.I.P Chalet, Badagry, Lagos … yesterday.

Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

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South-West PDP accuses FG of plans to clamp-down on members Babatope Okeowo Akure

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he People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West geopolitical zone has alleged a surreptitious plan by the Federal Government to clampdown on members of the party in the zone on

trumped-up charges.

The Zonal chairman and Secretary of the party, Chief Eddy Olafeso and Rev Bunmi Jenyo, in a communiqué read after the end of the zonal meeting held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, berated the Federal Government for using the

Economic, Financial and Crimes Commission (EFCC) to violate members’ human rights in the course of fighting corruption.

The communiqué signed by all the zonal officers of the party and made available to reporters yesterday alleged that

Buhari’s wife involved in Halliburton scandal, Fayose insists Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

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overnor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State yesterday insisted that the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha, was indeed mentioned in the Halliburton scandal.

Fayose’s position was contained in a letter written by his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and addressed to counsel to Mrs. Buhari, Mary Ekpere and Co.

sporadically into the air?

Were they the ones that matcheted themselves?

Is it possible for unleash mayhem on our people?

They are presently at the hospital. I have pictures and pictorial evidence to back up my claim. I am a peace loving person. The police and the DSS were there too, if you want anything, go and meet them for confirmation.”

However, Salvador, denied that his supporters were the ones that unleashed mayhem on the Adewale’s faction, stating that his faction were law abiding. He feigned ignorance of the number of casualties that arose from the fracas.

Aisha had earlier through her counsel, Mary Ekpere & Co, written a letter dated June 22, to Fayose, demanding a retraction of his statement that the president’s wife was involved in the Halliburton scandal, threatening legal action if the retraction was not made within five days.

However, responding, Fayose through his counsel in a letter dated July 8, affirmed that the statement made regarding the involvement of Mrs. Buhari in the Halliburton

scandal was correct and justified in law, having regards to a court judgement convicting one Mr. William Jefferson for bribery in the Halliburton case.

Ozekhome added that Fayose’s statement was correct and justified, having been factually premised on an existing court judgement.

According to the letter, “Our client has referred to us your letter dated 22nd June, 2016, on alleged defamation of the character of your client, Her Excellency, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the wife

of Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, with firm instructions to reply to and reject same in its entirety."

“Our client states and reaffirms categorically that the statement he made as regards the involvement of Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the wife of President Buhari, in the Halliburton scandal, is correct and justified in law; having regards to a court judgement convicting one Mr. William Jefferson for bribery in the Halliburton case.”

the All Progressives Congress (APC) was trying to foist one party state and dictatorship on the country by using security agencies on members of the opposition.

It said: “The South West PDP reviews with alarm the repressive policy of the President Muhammadu Buhariled APC administration manifest in the deliberate clampdown on notable leaders of the opposition in the South West part of the country, in most cases, without due process and therefore advise the President Buhari administration on the need for observance of the rule of law in the country.

“The zonal chapter of PDP reiterates the call for the restructuring of the country without further delay as a panacea for the continued peace, stability and progress of the country."

lawmaker representing Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, Hon Temitope Olatoye, yesterday stressed the need for private individuals in the country to assist government media organisations to achieve the highest standards of media reporting as government’s contribution alone may not achieve desired results.

The lawmaker made the call in Ibadan during the foundation-laying ceremony of an ultramodern one storey-building multipurpose glass hall he planned to build for the NTA Ibadan station to enhance staff ’s productivity and standard reporting status in line with global practices.

According to the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, NTA Ibadan being the first television station in the country, needed the attention of all Nigerians to keep the expected highest standards of media reporting, ethics, as well as having an edge in the modern day broadcasting.

“The need for a modern multi-purpose glass hall for NTA Ibadan cannot be over emphasized."

News|south-EAST

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

3, 916 ghost workers discovered in Enugu councils

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n audit panel set up

by Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to carry out a biometric data capturing exercise of its staff in the 17 local government councils of the state has discovered a total of 3,916 ghost workers in the system.

Presenting the report to the governor yesterday, Chairman of the panel and Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, also

said with the exercise, the panel has been able to save N161, 494, 570 being the difference in the wage bill after the exercise.

Giving a breakdown of the figures, Ubosi said: “From the above, N64, 882, 033 and N96, 612, 337.20 from local government staff gross salaries and teacher salaries respectively, should be regarded as monthly savings for the government.”

Forum restates support for Ikpeazu as governor Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

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socio-political group, Ibeku Consultative Forum, in Ibeku autonomous community, Umuahia North council area of Abia State, yesterday restated its support for the government of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu in the state.

The group also distanced itself from the position of Chief Uche Akwukwegbu, the traditional Prime Minister of Ibeku, who led a group of Abia leaders to call for the immediate inauguration of

Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah, as the governor of the state.

Akwukwegbu was last week reported to have led a group of titled chiefs, village heads and community leaders, which he described as the authentic Abia elders and leaders, to call for the immediate swearing in of Ogah as a way to resolve the present political imbroglio over the governorship of the state.

But in its reaction yesterday, the forum of which Akwukwegbu is a member, said he is on his own and does not have the mandate of the forum, which had earlier reiterated its support for Ikpeazu.

Keyamo: Ikpeazu’s continued stay in office, illegal Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

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Lagos lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, yesterday said that the continued stay of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in office as Abia State governor is illegal.

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, had on June 27, nullified the nomination of Ikpeazu as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 gubernatorial election

22%

of Abia State and also his subsequent election as governor of the state.

The court then ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to Dr. Sampson Uchechukwu Ogah, who scored the second highest number of votes in the primaries that produced Ikpeazu.

Keyamo in a statement issued yesterday, however, noted that a thorough scrutiny of the judgement of the court will reveal that contrary to widespread opinion

The percentage of the population under 15 years of Guadeloupe in 2011.

Source: Un.org

that Dr. Sampson Uchechukwu Ogah’s case was that Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu presented forged tax papers to INEC, his case was simply that Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, apparently rushed to pay all his backlog of taxes just before the elections, yet he swore to a false affidavit and supplied a false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission that he paid his taxes as at when due.

He noted that it was based on this false information that the court nullified his candidature.

£21.3m

The amount of money spent by Stoke City in the summer 2015 transfer window.

Source: 101greatgoals.com

mo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, has applauded those behind the creation of a TV reality competition called Gospel Music Africa, led

by Mr. Matthew Obono, describing as a veritable platform through which talents will be discovered and harnessed for youth empowerment.

Madumere made the remark during the official unveiling ceremony of Gospel Music Africa, a TV reality show that is about to take Nigerian screens and

Africa at large by storm at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, last weekend.

The Imo State deputy governor eulogised the Project Director, Mr. Matthew Obono, of the Gospel Music talent hunting show for his effort, describing the programme as a well-thought out piece of creative work.

He said the programme will serve as a vehicle through which messages of hope, unity and good morals would be communicated to the people.

Ebonyi APC raises the alarm over FG’s N-power job scam Uchenna

ABAKALIKI

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State yesterday raised the alarm over sale of fake forms by some faceless individuals on the Federal Government social investment programme (N-Power) across the state.

In a release signed by the state Chairman of the party, Hon. Ben Nwaobasi, the party said the fake forms being sold between N800 and N1, 000 by the unscrupulous elements were not only fake, but also the

handiwork of conmen who were in a hurry to rip off the teeming unemployed youths of the state.

It reads: “What is beyond doubt is that the APC-led Federal Government indeed has a programme meant to empower young people with skills and increase the capacity of our youths.

“But the fact remains that nobody associated with APC or the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, would descend so low to defraud already traumatised unemployed young people in the name of selling forms to them.

On the certificate of return issued to Ogah, Keyamo said: “I have carefully listened to various arguments regarding the immediate issuance of a Certificate of Return to Dr. Sampson Uchechukwu Ogah by INEC in strict compliance with the judgment of the court.

“Contrary to opinions expressed in certain quarters, there is no judicial decision or statutory provision preventing INEC from complying immediately with the orders of the Federal High Court.”

60%

The estimated percentage of the antiretroviral therapy coverage (range) of Latin America and the Caribbean Africa in December 2009.

Source: Who.int

L-R: Assistant Corps Commander, Frsc, Bosah Justin Unit, Commander Nteje; Sector Commander in Anambra, Mr. Sunday Ajayi and State Director of the National Orientation Agency in Anambra, George Njoku, at the inauguration of a sensitisation workshop for rural dwellers in Awka … yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Imo deputy governor, others applaud birth of GMA

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Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

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he Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday berated the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Oye, over his comment that the agitation for Biafra was borne out of frustration.

IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, in a statement made available to newsmen, said Oye was out of touch with reality, because what they were angling for was selfautonomy, not settlement in Nigeria.

IPOB berates APGA boss over comment on Biafra agitation The statement made it clear that building bridges, airports, roads were not their pre-occupation but self-rule, pointing out that those behind Biafra agitation were not frustrated people, but professionals committed to actualising a cause.

Powerful said: “We are not interested in road construction again and we cannot go back to this contraption called Nigeria.

“The statement cred-

ited to APGA Chairman, Chief Victor Oye, shows how the party and Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, collaborated with the Federal Government to kill unarmed civilians during our peaceful remembrance day event in the state because he feel’s they are frustrated people.

“The supreme leader of the party, late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, formed the party for the welfare of his

people, not to kill them in the name of protecting political ambition. Since he died all those busy bodies in the party are making every effort to ensure that they kill the party and now it is dead.

“The man Oye, who did not come out openly to condemn the killing of unarmed civilians during the peaceful remembrance events of May 30, 2016, now came out to condemn the organisation that is bigger than him.”

Ebonyi orders school principals to refund illegal fees Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

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bonyi State government yesterday gave all school principals in the state a seven-day ultimatum to refund all illegal fees allegedly collected from their stu-

dents for the unified examinations introduced by the state government.

Consequently, the government has suspended the unified examination following the illegal fees collected from students by schools heads.

Briefing reporters in Abakaliki, the Commis-

sioner for Education, Prof. John Eke, said any school principal who fails to refund the illegal fees after the seven days will be sanctioned.

According to him, government introduced the concept of the unified examinations in all public and private schools in the

state to tackle the problem of poor performance of students in WAEC and NECO examinations and that the illegal fees imposed on the students by principals for the unified exam was threatening the concept and tarnishing the image of government.

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NEWS News|SOUTH-SOUTH

Women protest arrests in Gbaramatu Joe Obende WARRI

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omen from Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri SouthWest Local Government Area of Delta State took to the streets of Warri yesterday in protest, calling for the release of their children who they alleged were arrested by the military from their homes for no offence

committed.

They carried various banners and placards as they marched peacefully through major streets of the oil rich city during the protest. Inscriptions on some of the banners and placards read: ‘Enough is enough’, ‘Free our sons now’ and ‘Our sons are not members of Niger Delta Avengers’.

The military, they alleged have for some time now been invading their homes in search of alleged

52,600

The total population of women of Grenada in 2011.

Source: Un.org

pipeline vandals.

In the process, they said their sons were indiscriminately picked up and have not been seen or heard from since then.

According to them, most of the youths arrested are those engaged in pipeline surveillance on community duty and not vandals.

Some of their underage sons, they alleged, were picked up too in the indiscriminate invasion of their homelands in the creeks.

Aside this, they accused

807m

The number of individuals using the internet in developing countries in 2008.

Source: Itu.int

the security agencies of not allowing free passage of their children and wards on the waterways to and from school even to write external examinations at designated centres. They also accused the security agencies of laying siege on their community and not allowing free movement to their points of business and livelihood.

Some of their women, they alleged, were also violated by the security agencies on daily basis.

£18m

The total amount received by Stoke City in the whole 2015-16 season.

Source: 101greatgoals.com

L-R: Regional Manager, Enterprise Sales, South-South/South-East, Etis Nigeria, Nneka Owolabi; General Manager, Enterprise Development Centre, Wale Anifowose; President, Port Harcourt Chambers of Commerce, Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji and Head, Enterprise Marketing, Etis Nigeria, Chinelo Mbanefo, at the Port Harcourt Market Access Forum organised by the Enterprise Development Centre, Pan Atlantic University Sponsored in Port Harcourt…yesterday

Gabriel Efeduku UGHELLI

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esidents of Omoku community in Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, Egbu in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State and Upper Agbarho in Ughelli, Ughelli-North Local Government Areas of Delta State, have flee their communities for fear of incessant cult killings in their areas.

According to a source who spoke to New Telegraph (name withheld) from his hideout in Warri, Delta State; “We are living

Gabriel Efeduku UGHELLI

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he Federal Government has been called upon to intensively follow the path of dialogue in order to avert the prevailing crisis in the Niger Delta region, which is capable of throwing the country into serious crisis.

Paramount Ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom, HRM Pere (Dr) Charles AyemiBotu (JP), who made the

Residents flee communities in Delta, Rivers, Imo for fear of cultists’ killings in fear and apprehension because of the incessant attacks and killings of residents of Omoku. We have fled the community for security reason. The cult killings that engulfed the country in recent time are threefold.

“One is the struggle for jobs, employment, contracts, among others. Second is the one in which people are forced to join cult groups in perpetual succession of their father’s membership, or face the music. The cult members are known for

killing, raping and hacking of their victims. The third is the battle for supremacy among the different groups.”

According to him; “The one that happened in Omoku, Rivers State, is the battle for jobs, employment and contracts in the various oil companies operating in the area. Two weeks ago, violence erupted among cult groups in ONELGA and Ahoada council area, leaving at least 15 people dead. Prior to the incident, 15 people were

Niger Delta crisis: Monarch urges

FG to embrace dialogue call yesterday, said that a looming disaster of catastrophic dimension in the Niger Delta is imminent, if the crisis is not nipped in the bud now.

He advocated that both the Federal Government and the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups should as a matter of extreme urgency em-

brace peace without further delay and resort to dialogue in order to save Nigeria and Nigerians from unnecessary embarrassment and avoidable crisis that could portray Nigerians as objects of ridicule to the international community and creating an avenue for them to market their weapons of mass destruction.

also murdered in Omoku on account of contract struggle by cult members.

“Chairman of the local government area, Chief Christopher Adube and four children were killed alongside 20 youths, they were beheaded.”

It was also gathered in Upper Agbarho in Ughelli-North Local Government Area of Delta State; no fewer than five persons were killed by cult members because a family member refused to become a cult member.

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Crisis rocks payment of workers’ salaries in Delta Dominic Adewole ASABA

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orkers on Grade Levels 01 to 12 besieged the office of the Accountant-General of Delta State yesterday, demanding the payment of their salaries.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who commenced his annual leave last week, in a circular to the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), allegedly directed the AccountantGeneral to pay workers on the aforementioned grade levels and leave those on Grade Levels 13 to 16 until the state is buoyant to pay.

The governor explained that only N3 billion accrued to the state from the Federation Account to pay June salaries of over 69,000 workers, which according to him, stood at over N7 billion.

Trouble, however, erupted in Asaba yesterday after some workers under the approved Grade Level 01 to 12 awaited alert from their banks since Monday this week without success.

While union leaders have abandoned their office for fear of possible attack by members, senior civil servants were angry over their plights.

One of the aggrieved

staff of Urban Water Board (names withheld), who expressed disappointment over the disparity in the payment at the Accountant-General office, wondered why some of the junior staff of the board got their salaries since Monday and others did not.

“Yes, we are in this office to lodge complaints on this uneven distribution of salaries by the state. We have suffered for two weeks into another month before we heard that only junior workers would be paid. But till now, some of us have not been paid.

Another worker, who simply identified herself as Becky, lambasted the governor for being dishonest about the finances accruing to the state in the past one year.

According to her, the governor has failed to deny the N144.7 billion allocation to the state in one year, which she analysed to be N12 billion monthly.

“The governor should respond to what was published in the national dailies about the financial status of the state in the last one year and declare how much he has received as IGR before telling us he cannot pay salaries of workers.

NURTW boss faults members’ endorsement of Ize-Iyamu Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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he Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Edo State, Comrade Odion Olaye, yesterday described as misleading, reports in the media that members of the union have endorsed the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osagie Ize-Iyamu, for the September 10 election in the state.

Olaye said that the union is solidly behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for the governorship election.

He, however, appealed to the state commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, to arrest one Mr. Warriman Erhengbo, whom he described

as an impersonator.

“I was sworn in last month as chairman of NURTW in the state, and I have my certificate right here in my office. I know Erhengbo as a security man at Egor. I was sworn in by the National President, Alhaji Najin Usman Yasin, with the General Secretary, Comrade Clement Wesco.

“After my swearing in, we all went to pay a courtesy visit to Governor Adams Oshiomhole. So I am shocked when we read about somebody saying NURTW is supporting Ize-Iyamu. If that impostor wants to play politics he should play it somewhere else. We have said it before now that we are backing the APC led government in the state because they have impacted positively on the lives of our people.

A’Ibom Assembly probes pension arrears Tony Anichebe UYO

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kwa Ibom State House of Assembly has set up a seven-member ad-hoc committee headed by the House Leader, Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan, to interface with stakeholders to unravel the true situation surrounding pension matters in the state.

The information is contained in a statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Kufre Okon, in Uyo. Okon stated that the House waded into the issue following a matter of urgent public importance brought before it by the member representing Itu Constituency, Idongesit Ituen.

He noted that Ituen informed the House about a

recent protest by some individuals in the state, who said the state government owe them some months of pensions.

“Ituen said that the state government, at the inception of the current administration, cleared a backlog of pensions and salaries and that the current protest could put the image of the state in disrepute if not looked into.

News|NORTH

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Benue seeks deployment of soldiers to end herdsmen’s carnage Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

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enue State Government yesterday made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to fully deploy soldiers to the state to end the recalcitrant attack on innocent civilians by insurgents suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

The Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, made the appeal in an interview with journalists shortly after an emergency state executive council meeting at the Government House, Makurdi.

The appeal is coming on the heels of fresh

pockets of hostilities against peasant farmers in densely populated communities of Logo Local Government Area, where marauding Fulani herdsmen laid ambush in a church premises, killing a school supervisor, Mr. Sam Wayo and his brother, Mr. Sesugh Lim, on Tuesday.

Abounu, who said citizens of the state were currently living in fear because of the attacks, said with the magnitude of the attacks, ‘hell may soon be let loose.’

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to evolve what he termed definitive steps to end the carnage.

“The people of Benue State are now living in

fear and if care is not taken, hell may be let loose and that is what the state government is guiding against. We are saying it again that the Federal Government must take definitive steps, otherwise the whole thing may go out of control, you cannot continue to be killing people anyhow like this,” he said.

The deputy governor expressed confidence in the ability of the Federal Government to contain the situation, but regretted the inability of security operatives to arrest perpetrators of the dastardly act since the outbreak of the crisis.

Abounu said: “If the police are not able to arrest just one person, then

it shows that this thing is beyond them and I think for the security of this state and that of the nation, it is important that soldiers are deployed fully so that these senseless killings will stop.”

New Telegraph gathered that the herders on Tuesday laid ambush on NKST Church, Tyogbishi at Tiza in Logo Local Government Area after a night operation at Akombo village near Anyiin and killed two people while many others were wounded.

It was gathered that the late Sam Wayo is due to retire from active service at the end of the month before his life was caught short by the assailants.

Former VicePresident/ chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar (left), with the candidate of the APC in Mahya Local Government Council chairmanship election in Adamawa State, Hon. Idi Amin, during Atiku’s arrival from a foreign trip at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja…on Tuesday

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Dan Atori MINNA

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he management of North South Power (NSP) Company Limited, managers of the Shiroro Hydro Power Station (SHPS), said it has spent N2.4 billion for the repairs of its four turbine generators to bring the plant to full capacity of 600 megawatts.

Executive Vice-Chairman, Dr. Olubunmi Peters, disclosed this yesterday to newsmen in

Shiroro, Niger State. He said the completion of the repairs of the intake gate of unit four of the plant would sustain the installed capacity of the station to generate 600 megawatts of power.

According to him, “the station, which is situated on Kaduna River in the Niger State with four turbine generator units as Unit 1, 2, 3 and 4, each has a capacity of 150 megawatts, giving the station an installed capacity of 600 megawatts.

Ahmed canvasses restructuring of local govt system Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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wara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, yesterday canvassed a restructuring of the local government system in the country, describing it as the only solution to the problems bedeviling the third tier of government in Nigeria.

The governor spoke while playing host to a group, Church Leaders and Ministers Fellowship of Nigeria. He said:

S

£12.42m

The amount of money received by Everton as merit payment for the 2015/2016 season.

Source: Goal.com

$52.9m

The total pay (including salary/winnings & endorsements) of Phil Mickelson (Golf) for 2016.

Source: Forbes.com

We’ll engage stakeholders for Kogi rerun polls – INEC n view of the forthcoming rerun elections in Kogi East senatorial district, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it will engage stakeholders, including traditional rulers and community leaders in the area, to preach the message of peace to their subjects.

Disclosing this yesterday at the NUJ Press

Shiroro set to generate 600mw to national grid

“The present third tier of government is created and structured along political exigencies rather than being self-sustaining.

“Only a restructured, self-accounting and viable local government system remains the most enduring panacea for the challenges in the local government system, especially the payment of salaries of local government workers, primary and junior secondary teachers.”

Sokoto names polytechnic after Shinkafi

The sex ratio of women to 100 men of Ghana in 2012.

Source: Un.org

Zacchaeus Ozovehe and Muhammad Bashir

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Centre, Lokoja, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Samuel Madaki, who said the role of traditional rulers and the media in voters’ education and sensitisation can never be overemphasizsed, stressed that he will appeal to His Royal Majesty, Attah of Igala, to mediate between contenders and their supporters so as to achieve a hitch-free poll.

“We intend to pay a courtesy call on His Royal Majesty, Attah of Igala, to solicit his

fatherly support and speak with his subjects and if possible appeal to the contestants to comport themselves in order to conclude the election peacefully,” he said.

On the rightful candidate for Kogi East senatorial district on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Madaki said INEC will rely on the last court judgement, which recognised AVM Isaac Alfa, unless otherwise instructed by another court of com-

petent jurisdiction.

According to him, there had been various cases in which INEC had to substitute candidates of some parties on the order of the court even when elections were very close.

“INEC is guided by the latest court judgement. The person the court directed us to recognise on the platform of the PDP is AVM Isaac Alfa. He is the candidate for the PDP unless otherwise stated,” he stressed.

okoto State Government yesterday named the state polytechnic after Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, the former Director General of the National Security Organisation (NSO), who died on Wednesday, July 6, in a London hospital.

The school, hitherto named The Polytechnic of Sokoto State, will now be called Umaru Aliyu Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto.

The decision was taken at a special session of the state Executive Council Meeting presided over

by Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Commissioner for Information, Jeli Abdulkadir Abubakar, said the decision was taken in order to honour the deceased.

“We all appreciate Umaru Shinkafi’s contributions to the socio-economic development of our region, our state and our country. If you recall, he was the pioneer proChancellor of the State University, the position he held till his death.

Plateau condoles with NUJ over journalist’s death Musa Pam Jos

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lateau State Ministry of Information and Communication yesterday condoled with the Plateau State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the demise of Verbatim correspondent, Mr. Enenche Adikwu.

Adikwu died in Jos, the Plateau state capital, after a brief illness at the age of 49.

In a condolence letter addressed to the NUJ

Chairman, Mr. Yakubu Taddy, signed by Harris Dawurang, on behalf of the Commissioner, Hon. Nazifi Mohammed, recalled how the deceased covered the activities of the ministry with dedication and diligence.

According to the letter, the deceased displayed a high sense of responsibility in the discharged of his reportorial duties, stressing that all these contributed in no small measure to the peace and development of the state.

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NEWS

WORLD \ NEWS

Caverton Helicopters, unions reach truce, suspend strike Wole Shadare

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fter one day of shutting down operations of Caverton Helicopters over labour related issues, the airline and the National Associate of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) have reached a truce and have agreed to suspend the strike action.

At the end of a meeting to end the stand-off, both parties agreed that all outstanding June 2016 salaries would be paid within 10 working days from yesterday July 13, 2016 and that July 2016 and subsequent salaries will be paid on the 26th

of every month, “according to our contact terms of employment and the Condition of Services signed by the company.

“It was also agreed that a meeting should be convened urgently between the unions and the full management to discuss several other issues including pensions, PAYE, taxes, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) exchange rates and outstanding condition of service for non-crew among others.”

They also agreed that there would be no victimisation of any employee as a result of this incidence.

The communiqué was jointly signed by NAAPE

National President, Balami Isaac, Director, Strategy and Planning Caverton , Kingsley Uwagbale; Head, Resource Management, Caverton; Mojisola Omotunde; Financial Controller, Caverton; Francis Aremu; General Secretary NAAPE, Ocheme Aba and Acting General Secretary, NUATE. Olayinka Olu Abioye.

NAAPE had yesterday shut down the operations of Caverton Helicopters as part of the one-day warning strike to protest against the disparity in the payment of salaries between expatriate and Nigerian pilots and engineers.

Kalu calls for harmony between executive, legislators

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minent businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has called on members of the National Assembly to support the President Muhammadu Buhariled administration, noting that a harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government was in the interest of Nigerians.

According to the former governor, members of the red chambers should reconcile their internal differences amicably in order to focus on their legislative duties , adding that name- calling

among themselves was dangerous for Nigeria’s democracy.

Kalu, who is on a business trip to Belgium, made these remarks Wednesday while addressing some members of the BelgianNigeria Business Association (BNBA) led by Morris Leon on the state of the Nigerian nation at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Brussels.

He said: “Nigeria is gradually regaining the confidence of the international community as President Buhari’s efforts in fighting corruption and terrorism are yielding positive results.

Within a year in office, Mr.

President has through the armed forces curbed the activities of Boko-Haram sect and normalcy has now returned to the North East and other parts of the Northern Nigeria. President Buhari has also visited many developed countries to facilitate and strengthen business relationships with Nigeria.

“The investment destination in Africa is Nigeria. The country is blessed with untapped resources including a vast market owing to population of approximately 200 million people. I make bold to say that any investor that has not invested in Nigeria will regret in the nearest future.

CAN demands justice for murdered preacher Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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he Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter has said that those arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of Mrs. Eunice Olawale on Saturday in Kubwa area of Abuja should be brought to justice if they were found guilty.

Chairman of FCT

CAN, Revd. Israel Akanji, who addressed a press conference on the murder of the woman pastor in Abuja, yesterday, said that those who were said to have been arrested as suspects must be convicted if found guilty.

He said that government must act convincingly about the incident to show that it was strongly unacceptable, noting that the acts of brutality like the killing of Mrs. Olawale, if

not immediately firmly checked, could escalate in frequency, intensity and sophistication.

Akanji, who reiterated that those who wickedly take the lives of others should always be made to face the full force of the law, noted that the CAN’s speech was not just to cover what has happened but that government must put all things in place to ensure that there was no such reoccurrence.

Ogun sacks commissioner for misconduct Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

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he Ogun State government, yesterday, terminated the appointment of the Commissioner IV in the state Civil Service Commission, Mr Ebenezer Oluwole Olubena.

This was contained in a terse statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa.

Though the reasons for Olubena’s sacking were sketchy at press time, the government stated that his removal was for alleged misconduct.

Adeoluwa added that the sacking was in accordance with the extant laws.

He, therefore, urged the former appointee to hand over all government property in his possession to the Permanent Secretary at the Civil Service Com-

mission.

“Consequent upon this, Mr Olubena is hereby directed to hand over all government property and documents in his possession to the Permanent Secretary at the commission immediately,” the SSG said.

New Telegraph learnt that Olubena had been unavailable at his duty post “for a long time” before he was eventually booted out yesterday.

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

May becomes British PM, promising bold new role outside EU

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heresa May became Britain’s new prime minister yesterday, promising to carve out a bold new future in the world as she embarks on the monumental task of leading the country out of the European Union.

May, 59 assumed office after an audience with Queen Elizabeth and drove straight to her new home of 10 Downing Street, vacated hours earlier by David Cameron.”We will rise to the challenge. As we leave the European Union we will forge a bold new positive role for ourselves in the world, and we will make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few, but for every one of us,” she said.

Cameron stepped down after Britons rejected his entreaties and voted to

leave the EU in a referendum last month, severely undermining European efforts to forge greater unity and creating economic uncertainty across the 28-nation bloc. May must try to limit the damage to British trade and investment as she renegotiates the country’s ties with its 27 EU partners.

She will also attempt to unite a divided ruling Conservative party and a fractured nation in which many, on the evidence of the vote, feel angry with the political elite and left behind by the forces of globalization.

Acknowledging the struggles faced by many Britons, May declared: “The government I lead will be driven not be the interests of the privileged few, but by yours. We will do everything we can to give you more control over

your lives. “When we take the big calls we’ll think not of the powerful but you, when we pass new laws we’ll listen not to the mighty but to you, when it comes to taxes we’ll prioritize not the wealthy but you.” The United States congratulated May and said it was confident in her ability to steer Britain through the Brexit negotiations. “Based on the public comments we’ve seen from the incoming prime minister, she intends to pursue a course that’s consistent with the prescription that President Obama has offered,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

An official photograph showed May curtseying to a smiling Queen Elizabeth, for whom she is the 13th prime minister in a line that started with Winston Churchill.

Theresa May and her husband Philip May waving to media and supporters

Malian protesters call for government’s resignation after shootings

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rotesters in Mali’s northern city of Gao yesterday called for the resignation of the region’s governor and the national security minister a day after three people were killed when security forces opened fire on a demonstration there.

The government has promised to open an inquiry into the incident, which saw at least 31 others injured and exposed

the fragility of efforts to implement a year-old peace deal and stabilize the West African nation’s troubled north.

The protesters, some of whom burned tyres and threw stones at police, were angered by the introduction of a new interim authorities who are due to take charge of the region on Friday in line with the terms of the peace agreement.

After initially at-

tempting to disperse the crowd with teargas, security forces shot at the protesters, witnesses said.

“We’re calling for the immediate departure of the governor of Gao, the security minister and the heads of the police, the gendarmes and the army in Gao,” said Amadou Sarr, a leader of a local vigilante group who helped organize the demonstration.

Japanese Emperor, Akihito, wishes to abdicate

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apan’s Emperor Akihito has expressed his desire to abdicate in the next few years, public broadcaster NHK reports. The 82-year-old, who has had health problems in recent years, reportedly does not wish to remain emperor if he has to reduce his official duties.

But a palace spokesman denied that there is any official plan for the monarch to abdicate in what would be an unprecedented move in modern

Japan. Crown Prince Naruhito, 56, is next in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

An unnamed government source told Japan’s Kyodo news agency that the emperor, who plays a largely ceremonial role but is respected deeply by many Japanese, has been contemplating the move for about a year. His family had accepted his decision, an unnamed palace source told NHK. However, both palace and government sources

say the Imperial Household Law would have to revised to allow for the abdication to take place.

A change to the Imperial Household Law, which stipulates the rules of succession, would require approval

by Japan’s parliament.

Despite a categorical denial of the reports by imperial palace spokesman Shinichiro Yamamoto, the emperor’s reported wishes are being given prominent attention in the Japanese media.

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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Did you know?

Sport

Sport News Kante’s deal threatens Mikel’s stay at Chelsea

That Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal is now tied with Michel Platini of France for the most goals (9) in Euro Championship history.

International Sport Arsenal Bid £50.2m for Draxler

46 47

Igali: FG can’t put pressure on my wrestlers Nigeria wrestler, Odunayo Adekuoroye (right) in action

Adekunle Salami

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resident of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, has warned that the Federal Government or anyone for that matter cannot put the country’s wrestlers preparing for the forthcoming Olympic Games under pressure.

Igali was speaking against a backdrop of the pronouncement by the Sports Minister Solomon Dalung that Team Nigeria would clinch at least five medals at the

games scheduled to take place between August 5 and 21 in Rio, Brazil.

Dalung, while presenting the athletes to the Nigeria Olympic Committee on Tuesday in Abuja, said” “Our target is to win 10 to 15 medals but we are sure to come back with a minimum of five from the games.”

The minister’s pledge came as a shock to many especially because the general preparation of the country’s athletes for the games has been poor.

In a swift reaction, Igali who

led some wrestlers to the Spanish Grand Prix, said he would not allow the government or anybody to put pressure on athletes who are expected to be better prepared for the games.

He said: “I cannot join issues with the minister because he might have information we do not have. For us in the wrestling federation, we are not tasking the athletes because the targets given to the government for our training were not met.

“The plan is to go to Rio and do

our best possible but we did not prepare as well much as we ought to if not, I can equally tell anybody about the number of medals to be expected from wrestling. “ Igali stressed that the country was blessed with abundant talents in the sport but poor funding has been a major problem hindering the body from getting the best from the wrestlers.

Nigeria won one silver and two bronze medals at the Spanish Grand Prix.

League losing millions to illegal transfers –Dikko Emmanuel Tobi

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

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hairman of the League Management Company, Shehu Dikko, has described the incessant illegal transfer of players as one of the major problems bedeviling the Nigeria Professional Premier League.

The Nigeria Football Federation last week became the first African federation to adopt the FIFA TMS Domestic Transfer Matching System, a move Dikko said would help curtail transfer anomalies.

“Running the league is a big business and we must do the right thing if we want to maximize good profits. The league is losing millions of naira to illegal players’ transfers and that is why we decided to adopt the FIFA TMS Domestic Transfer Matching System policy.

“We have been making discussions since last year on this issue where everything about transfers will be computerized to enhance transparency,” he said.

He added that the mechanism will help to generate

more incomes for the clubs.

Dikko said: “The Nigeria Football Federation and the Nigeria Professional Premier League decided to go with professional way of handling transfers maters.

“Once a player entered into a contract with a team, ge gets a number and that number goes with him till he finishes his football career. His transfers would be transacted with that number with all his records. The clubs, players and their representatives are well catered for in this new system.”

Dikko

Rio: Reps order release of funds for Team Nigeria

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SPORT NEWS

THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Rio: Reps order release of funds for Team Nigeria

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West Ham United’s Emmanuel Emenike competing for the ball with Chelsea’s John Mikel Obi during an EPL game last season

Kante’s deal threatens Mikel’s stay at Chelsea Emmanuel Tobi

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he proposed move by Leicester City midfielder N’Golo Kante to Chelsea may cost Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi his place in the current squad as the West London club is reportedly willing to complete a £30million move deal for the

Frenchman.

The English Premier League champions have offered the France international midfielder a new contract believed to be over £100,000-aweek to remain at Leicester but the midfielder is thought to be willing to team up with join Antonio Conte at London club Chelsea.

Omeruo set for Besiktas medical Emmanuel Tobi

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uper Eagles and Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo is set to undergo a medical with the Turkish Super Lig champions Besiktas.

According to Turkish-Football.com, Omeruo is expected to undergo a medical with Besiktas this week and that the transfer is very close to being finalised.

Chelsea recently rejected an offer from Celta Vigo for the defender as the La Liga outfit made a last ditch move for the Nigerian international but that the Blues turned down the deal due to having already reached an agreement to loan the defender out to Besiktas.

Omeruo has already settled into life in Istanbul having enjoyed a season at Kasimpasa.

The 22-year-old will only have

to move a short distance up the Sea of Marmara to the Bosphorus from the Istanbul minnows to Besiktas.

The 25-year-old is keen on remaining in the EPL and reportedly has a 5-year deal on the table at Stamford Bridge.

Feelers from Chelsea’s camp revealed that Kante deal might affect Mikel and Brazilian Oscar’s places in the squad. With the duo already getting limited playing time without Kante at Chelsea, their chances is only going to reduce further if the Blues manage to sign Kante.

Saintfiet waits on Nigeria for Bangladesh job

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Omeruo

he House of Representatives on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to immediately release funds to the Ministry of Sports to facilitate the country’s preparations at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

The resolution followed a unanimous adoption of a motion under Matters-ofUrgent Public Importance raised by Rep. Danburam Nuhu of Kano.

Presenting the motion, Nuhu decried the non-provision of funds to Team Nigeria to begin preparations ahead of the games scheduled to kick-off in August 5.

“The fund required to participate in the Olympics was captured in the 2016 Appropriation Bill, which was passed by the House in March and signed into law since May 2016, yet not released to the Ministry of Sports.

“This kind of preparation and the 11th hour release of funds will mar the performance of Team Nigeria,’’ he said.

After adopting the motion, the house urged the Ministry of Sports, the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Budget Office to ensure the immediate release of funds.

It also mandated its Committee on Sports to invite the Minister of Sports and the President, Nigeria Olympics

angladesh are close to appointing the Belgian Tom Saintfiet, who is one of three coaches shortlisted by Nigeria to take over the Super Eagles.

43-year-old Belgian, has been invited by the Bangladeshi Football Federation for talks about taking over their national team.

“Yes, I am in Bangladesh and I have an offer from them and they are waiting for me to sign but I will wait for a decision by the Nigeria Football Federation,” he told AfricanFootball.com Saintfiet was shortlisted last week by the NFF as Sun-

day Oliseh’s possible replacement, along with Salisu Yusuf and Paul Le Guen.

Meanwhile, if Saintfiet goes on to accept the Bangladesh job, he will be replacing former Heartland of Owerri coach, Lodewijk de Kruif.

Saintfiet

LMC to list clubs on Stock Exchange As NPFL signs MoU with NASD OTC

Charles Ogundiya

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he League Management Company on Wednesday in Lagos signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NASD OTC Securities Exchange to place the elite clubs on the stock exchange market.

The chairman of the LMC, Shehu Dikko, said the occasion was a historic one in

the realisation of the vision nursed by the league custodian.

“We are taking steps to standardise the NPFL Club Ownership structure in line with what obtains in some more prosperous leagues abroad, “Dikko said.

“The LMC visited the Nigeria Stock Exchange all in our bid to bring about this change to a more enduring club own-

ership structure. We are again glad that NASD has embraced this vision and has offered to work with us towards actualisation.”

T he Chief Executive Of ficer of NASD, Bola Ajomale, said the outfit was excited to be part of the partnership.

Ajomale said: “We are not expecting all the clubs in the NPFL to immediately qualify

to approach the NASD or attract public funding. All the clubs will be required to meet our stringent corporate governance and financial reporting standards before they can even apply.

“But as they say, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step in the right direction, and I believe the LMC are already taking the step.”

Committee to ascertain the level of preparations.

The committee was given one week to report back.

House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara

NFF gives Supersport final warning

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i g e r i a Fo o t b a l l Fe d e r at i o n h a s g ive n a f i n a l war ning to Supersport to desist from denigrating Nigeria’s law and stop interfering in the country’s football after the South Africa satellite television outfit had told the Arbitration looking into its contract’s disagreement with the Total Promotion Limited that the President of the NFF, Chris Giwa, has been banned from football matters by the Confederation of African Football.

In a terse protest letter to the Chief Executive officer of SuperSport, Branmdson Foot, dated July 12, 2016, the NFF said that it would not hesitate to drag SuperSport to the Nigerian court for meddling in inter nal matters in the country.

“We note from our records that your organisation (SuperSport) also have meddlesome penchant in the internal football matters in ways which are detrimental to the core objectives of the Nigeria Football Federation. A worrying example is your witness statement made by you before the arbitration in London wherein you made very disparaging comments about Nigeria, a country from which your organisation enjoys substantial commercial success,” the letter stated. “Because of the weight of this your witness statement, we need to quote the lines containing your most n e g at ive, d i s re s p e c t ing witness statement: “knowing Nigeria can be a tough and litigious jurisdiction to do business in...”

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The Muyiwa Daniel Column md_muyiwa@yahoo.com 08023525087 (sms only)

Okagbare, Serena and Akraka!

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he truth was laid bare at the weekend in Asaba while the Athletic Federation of Nigeria brought the cream of the country’s athletes to the Olympic Games qualifiers to compete as top sprinter-Blessing Okagbare- put it succinctly that officials of the National Sports Commission and those in charge of administration of sports at federation levels be held responsible for the dwindling performance of the country’s athletes-naysports persons.

Okagbare placed it on record that unlike other climes Nigeria does not invest in the training programmes of its athletes for competition and effective participation in domestic, regional, continental and international events like the World Championships and the Olympic games.

In the same vein, the officials turn around to practically “blackmail” the sports persons for not striving enough to put their blood or heads on the chopping blocks just to hoist the country’s flag and sing the national anthem on the podium.

In the days of Isaac Akioye as Director, NSC, the athletes and sports people had well-laid out plans for education and sports development as the likes of Dele Udoh, Moses Ugbusien, Yusuf Ali, Henry Amike, Brown Ebele and their set were given the best of education and athletics exce3llence in the United States.

This was to follow a programme that was to sustain the 1960 Tokyo Olympics where the likes of Abdulkarim (A.K.) Amu, Smart Akraka, Victor Odofin-Bello were the athletes that gave Nigeria the platform that was to sustain sports. Akioye did not stop with athletics as the National Institute for Sports (NIS) instituted with the support and participation of the then West German government that–as equated with five-star Hotels-was the hostel of the athletes, boxers, table tennis players and soccer team from the junior to the Eagles levels.

Akioye ensured that the scholarships were monitored at the secondary schools especially Saint Gregorys, Igbobi, St Finbarr’s, Kings, Ansar-Ud-Deen Colleges and Baptist Academy. He ensured that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) examinations were prepared for the athletes at least for the required minimum qualifications for the US Colleges and universities.

This was the prototype Akioye brought from his sojourn as director of sports at the prestigious University of Ife. What Akioye did was to build on the platform offered by the Germans and Hungarians that produced Nojim Maiyegun, Isaac Ikhuorea, Mensah and where soccer striker “bulldozer” Amusa Shittu were trained.

It was that background too that gave leverage to Nigeria’s performance at the 1973 All Africa Games in Lagos at that prestigious National Stadium that has now degenerated from “Stardom-to-Slum”. A legacy that has turned to a haven of all kinds of events other than sports. What a pity.

These and more of the rot were things Okagbare was complaining about at the trials while the world switched to the Prestigious All-England Club to witness history as Serena Williams turned back the hand of the Australian Open disappointment by equaling Steffi Graf’s record of winning 22 Grand Slam titles and is just two more short of Margaret Court’s which she can eclipse if passion and determination can hand her the US Open and that of Melbourne later this spring and early next January.

Serena and sister-Venus-who got to the semifinal at age 36 and promised to return to the grass court next summer-have proven a duo that wants to give a meaning to an American nation currently bemoaned by the shootings and killings of blacks while the reprisal on the downing of five Policemen in Dallas has brought to the fore the reality that racism is still on high and Democrat-Hilary Clinton-if she survives the Republicans and Donald Trump.

Instructively, Paris which witnessed the ISIS terrorist massacre in a newspaper building also provided Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal the shock win at the EURO over hosts-France whose coach-Didier Dechamps-lifted the world cup as captain in 1998 over Brazil as Ronaldo took over the “dugout” from the bench in ensuring the victory.

Lessons from Okagbare will further be revealed by the presence of the NSC at Akraka’s funeral rites in the Ijegun area of Lagos at SS Joachim and Anne Catholic Church- if not for anything but for the fact that he was an Olympian, former boss of the AFN, who should be celebrated. Lessons learnt?

sss

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Sissoko of France is fouled by Julian Draxler of Germany during the UEFA EURO semi final match between Germany and France

Arsenal bid £50.2m

for Draxler

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rsenal are interested in Wolfsburg playmaker Julian Draxler, but will have to pay a club-record £60m (£50.2m) to sign him this summer, according to re-

ports from Bild.

The Germany international has recently returned from EURO 2016 duty with the reigning world champions and his future has been the

Federation Cup: Warri Wolves, Rivers United through to q’ final Charles Ogundiya

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arri Wolves and Rivers United on Wednesday overcame Prime FC of Osogbo and Shooting Stars of Ibadan respectively via penalty shootouts to progress to the quarterfinal stage of this year’s Federation Cup. The game between Warri Wolves and Nigeria National league side, Prime, ended 1-1 in regulation time with Wolves advancing 6-5 after marathon spot kicks. For Rivers United, the game against another Nigeria Professional Football League side, Shooting Stars, ended goalless but goalkeeper Sunday Rotimi’s heroic saved the day as they moved to the quarterfinal 3-2 on penalties.

Nasarawa United defeated Dynamites Force 1-0 while Wikki Tourists won their game against Plateau United 1-0.

The game between IfeanyiUbah and Katsina United was ended abruptly in the 90th minute after some fans invaded the pitch to attack the centre referee. IfeanyiUbah was leading 2-0 with goals from Suleiman Mohammed and Okereke Maduabuchi before the of disruption.

In a rescheduled round of 32 match played also on Wednesday, Enyimba defeated El-Kanemi Warriors 3-1 on penalties after the regulation time ended 1-1 to book a date with J. Atete FC in a round of 16 game.

In the women’s category, the defending champions, Sunshine Queens lost to Rivers Angels in a repeat of last year’s final match.

subject of much debate in recent days.

Indeed, speculation (originating from a picture of a live ESPN broadcast) suggested that Arsenal were

willing to pay big for Draxler, while respected Bundesliga pundit, Jan Aage Fjortoft, has claimed that the midfielder is available to them for “£60m”.

England Euro 2016 ‘hooligans’ identified

E

ngland fans believed to have been involved in violence during Euro 2016 have been identified following an appeal.

The appeal by UK’s Football Policing Unit was set up after serious violence on June 11 in Marseille when England played Russia in their opening match.

People were asked to identify a number of suspected hooligans who could be seen in footage throwing bottles and chairs.

The names of 56 fans have now arisen from this.

Two England fans were left

in a coma after being attacked during the trouble. They have since flown home and are being treated in hospital.

The UK Football Policing Unit investigation team gathered lots of moving and still images from the disorder in France.

This evidence was collected

by English and French police football spotters in Marseille and showed large-scale clashes between the two sets of supporters.

Five fans have already been to court and received banning orders.

Man City to complete Stones’ deal

M

anchester City will reportedly complete a worldrecord deal to sign John Stones from Everton in the coming days.

New City boss Pep Guardiola is in the market for a new centre-back due to concerns over the fitness of Vincent Kompany, and recently failed with a big-money bid for Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci.

Recent speculation has suggested that the Spaniard has now turned his attention to Stones, who has reportedly told Everton that he wants to leave Goodison Park this summer in order to join up with Guardiola.

Stone (right)

On Marble

We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success.

Sanctity of Truth

Mike A. Wilkie What manner of court orders?

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

– Henry David Thoreau

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016

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Ndigbo, let not your heart be troubled (2) This week we conclude the incisive and thought provoking discourse started last week by no less a person than Professor Alphonsus Bosah Chukwurah (ABC) Nwosu a former Political Adviser and Minister of Health in the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2003. Before then he was the Chairman, Organizing Committee of MKPOKO IGBO of 1994 and the Head of the Igbo Secretariat at the 1995 Constitutional Conference.

Political Musings IKE ABONYI igwebuike2001@yahoo.com 0802-402-4029 (sms only)

A.B.C. Nwosu

T

he truth is that in the current President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC Federal Government, no Igbo person has been found good enough or can be trusted enough to be brought into the inner circle of decision-making in Nigeria.

This is a bad development and a bad augury for national cohesion. The truth also is that it hurts Ndigbo very badly to see themselves and the entire SouthEast geopolitical zone being completely excluded from important decision-making organs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a Federal Government which their grandfathers and fathers played a significant role in bringing and nurturing into being.

I shall now conclude on what I consider to be the major concern of Ndigbo in Nigeria – the issues of good governance, sustained nation-building and national development, and the creation of a just, fair and caring society under a democratic and truly “Federal” Government that cares for ALL and not just for SOME citizens of Nigeria.

The “Igbo DNA” equipped Ndigbo to embrace the entire Nigeria before and after independence as a welcome outlet for their enterprise, and not to treat others as they will not like to be treated.

Consequently, Ndigbo regarded every part of Nigeria as “home”, establishing shops, hospitals, schools, hotels and various businesses outside Igboland and contributing in no small measure to the development and internal revenues (IGRS) of non-Igbo States. Numerous times Ndigbo have paid a heavy price with Igbo-blood for their peripatetic nature and enterprising spirit. The most serious challenge which they now face in this APC-led Federal Government is that of establishing their full citizenship under a Buhari Presidency. They are very determined that their marginalization (which is very acute in this administration) should stop because Ndigbo cannot and will not be second class citizens in their own country.

It is to address this challenge that Ndigbo have been unrelenting in their insistence for restoring Nigeria to TRUE FEDERALISM which was the form of Government negotiated by the founding fathers of Nigeria at independence in 1960. Departure from TRUE FEDERALISM (including FISCAL FEDERALISM), caused by the Nigeria – Biafra war and prolonged military rule has stymied the growth and development of Nigeria and produced SUBORDINATE beggar-Federating Units which constantly seek for BAIL-OUT FUNDS; instead of economi-

Igbo Hero: Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

cally buoyant States running competitive COORDINATE governments as the Federating Units. Ndigbo are therefore in full support of extensive devolution of powers, responsibilities and resources (funds) from the centre to the Federating Units. (Whether these Federating Units are States as presently configured or as Regions as per the geopolitical zones does not matter!). For Nigeria to resume rapid and sustained national development and nation-building, TRUE FEDERALISM must be restored in order to check delinquent States from forgetting their roles as Federating Units and running to the centre for bail-out funds!

Many prominent Nigerians including Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Alhaji Balarabe Musa have expressed support for restructuring. Recently, the traditional rulers at their national meeting in Abuja have given support to the 2014 National Conference. Yet some have turned deaf ears to the widespread desire and agitations for restructuring Nigeria and restoring it to TRUE FEDERALISM. These very well-placed Nigerians regard calls for “restructuring” and TRUE FEDERALISM as a distraction, and the 2014 National Conference as a non-event.

They say that the real problem is good governance and development. They are mistaken. Take the Minister of Solid Minerals who has invited States to participate in the exploitation of solid minerals in their States. I wonder how this can be done without changing item no 39 in the Exclusive Legislative List of the Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which lists: “Mines and Minerals, including oil fields, oil mining, geological surveys and natural gas”. States’ participation in mining is therefore a hollow promise in the face of this item in our Federal Constitution. The committee on Devolution of Powers of the

Obasanjo

2014 NATIONAL Conference adjourned five times on this thorny and vexed issue.

I was a member of that Committee and know that devolving or even modifying item No. 39 is not an easy matter. We wait to see how this Government shall divorce solid minerals from petroleum and gas from item 39.

Many have expressed fears as to whether Nigeria can survive without restructuring and extensive devolution of powers, responsibilities and funds to the Federating Units from the Centre. (The bail-out funds to States is a ridiculous concept in a Federal State). Many have also expressed

fears as to what might happen should Nigeria fail to restructure and should President Buhari’s well-intentioned efforts fail to yield the desired results. I recall that similar fears were expressed during the President Obasanjo and President Jonathan era resulting ultimately in the 2014 National Conference. Yet Nigeria stutters on; alive yes, but unable to realize its potential. This is because Nigeria is bigger than any single person – President or no President. However, it is now time to stop the drift and take the bull by the horns to restore Nigeria to TRUE FEDERALISM. The story has been told of a young lady seated calmly in the business class of an aeroplane, reading her book unperturbed in the middle of a really strong turbulence whilst all around her there was panic.

When she was asked why she was unperturbed, she responded that her father was the pilot. I see present day Nigeria as that plane in turbulence where Ndigbo are fully aware that their father is not the pilot, but still are calm because they know that the pilot cannot save his precious daughter alone.

It is either everyone in the plane survives or everyone perishes. So I say to Ndigbo “Let not your hearts be troubled”. Ndigbo are an important component of not only Nigeria, but of the world. We are a people who should have disappeared from the face of the earth especially when decades ago we were massacred, bombed, blockaded and starved in a manner unprecedented in modern times, in order “to keep Nigeria One”, But we survived. Because survival skills are encoded in the “Igbo DNA”.

Trusting in our God and ourselves we should therefore continue as nationbuilders which the same “Igbo DNA” has condemned us to being. The Almighty God who created Ndigbo as a distinct human race and bequeathed this “Igbo DNA” to them aint finished with us yet.

The bones shall rise.

•Prof. Nwosu was former political Adviser to President Obasanjo

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