Thursday, september 29, 2016 binder1

FG spends N33bn on airports' runway resurfacing l11 others to gulp N22bn lMost runways expired 10 years ago

Wole Shadare

T

he Federal Government has spent over N33.09 billion

to resurface most of the country’s airport runways between 2004 and 2015, New

Telegraph has learnt.

Despite this colossal amount, the facilities are

still in terrible shape with most of them ridden with potholes, causing danger to

MTN denies illegal transfer of $14bn from Nigeria

}5

life and equipment.

A document made available to this newspaper shows that the resurfacing of the runways actually started in 2003.

The Murtala Muhammed

Airport Lagos runway resurfacing was done in 2004 at a cost of N3.4 billion; Murtala Muhammad domestic runway was resurfaced in 2007 at CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Budget padding: Reps suspend Jibrin for 180 days }5

/newtelegraph /newtelegraph

Vol. 3 No. 953

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Jibrin

Naira plunges to N465/$ on parallel market }37

Emefiele

Boko Haram victims exchange sex for food in IDP camp }44

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

Some IDPs

'Ghost' }9 kills man, prostitute in Abia brothel

N150

The brothel

Edo guber: Oyegun loses polling booth to PDP }2

lPolice escape with ballot materials lAPC accuses PDP of hacking card readers lThugs wound corps member lObaseki, Ize-Iyamu express optimism lPoll witnessed massive turnout lINEC official confirms ballot box snatching

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Godwin Obaseki, casting his vote at United Baptist Church, ward 4, unit 19 in Benin City, during the Edo State governorship election… yesterday.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, casting his vote… yesterday

Ondo: Atiku backs Tinubu, decries APC chair's role

…says party breaches own rule lOlumilua, Unongo speak on feud Honey and water could cure urine infections

}10

}5 & 40

2

NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Edo guber: Oyegun loses polling booth to PDP Tope Ogunbanke, Cajetan Mmuta and Adewale Ajayi

N

ational Chairman of the All Pro g ressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie- Oyegun, yesterday lost his polling unit in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the governorship election held across the 18 local government areas of the state.

The opposition PDP polled 78 votes against APC’s 69 to edge out the ruling party in the ward 2, unit one where Oyegun and members of his family cast their votes for the party’s candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

But Governor Adams Oshiomhole proved his relevance in his polling unit as he defeated the PDP with a margin of 750 votes.

According to the result from Oshiomhole's polling unit in Unit 1, Ward 10 in Etsako West Local Government Area, APC scored 752 votes while PDP got two votes.

APC deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Phillip Shaibu, also won in his polling unit at Unit 5, Ward 11 of Etsako West Local Government Area. APC had 367 votes while PDP scored 112 votes.

Yesterday’s election witnessed a large turnout of voters and the poll was peaceful in most part of the state visited.

The accreditation and voting started simultaneous in all the voting centres as early as 8a.m., while accreditation did not start in some areas until 9a.m. due to late arrival of voting materials and occasional malfunctioning of card reader machines.

Both Obaseki and IzeIyamu expressed optimism of winning the election.

Speaking after casting his vote at the United Baptist Church ward unit 19 in Benin City at 10:32a.m., the APC governorship candidate said it was glaring his party would win the election.

But the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Osaro Onaiwu, alleged that the PDP and APC induced voters with money, and that he had petitioned the security agencies to look into the matter.

Also, some police officers allegedly escaped with ballot boxes containing election materials in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

This was disclosed to journalists on election monitoring by an army officer, mounting a roadblock at Ivbioghe village in the local government.

"We were harsh to you (journalists) because some police officers just escaped with ballot boxes. We were alerted that some people hijacked ballot boxes somewhere and because of the information, we decided to check all vehicles.

"We saw a Hillux van with police coming and we tried to stop the van, but they drove away with speed. We saw some ballot boxes in the Hillux van, but we couldn't stop them because they sped past the road block," the army officer told journalists.

Mr. Lebari Nduh, INEC Electoral Officer in Esan West Local Government Area, confirmed that hoodlums had snatched a ballot box from Ward 7 unit 11, during the election.

Nduh, who spoke while addressing journalists at INEC office in Ekpoma, however, said that the election was peaceful at the various polling centres, “except in ward 7 unit 11, where hoodlums snatched a ballot box.”

“The hoodlums couldn’t lay their hands on the result sheets, which were saved by the presiding officer, but as I speak with you, there is no result from there,” he said.

The electoral officer said although INEC officials experienced some hitches with the card readers, “the faulty machines were immediately replaced with functional ones.”

The election was marred in some parts of Etsako East Local Government Area of the state by violence and attacks on officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In Unit 3, Ward 1 of Etsako East council, election was disrupted for some minutes by violence between members of the APC and PDP in their quest to deliver the polling unit for their respective party.

During the violence, a youth corps member, who was one of the INEC ad hoc staff, was wounded in the leg. The voting materials were also scattered by political thugs as voters scampered for safety.

The situation was put under control by security officials deployed to the polling unit.

But despite the presence of the security officials, the election ended amidst crises as both parties disagreed over the outcome of the exercise.

The election also witnessed accusations and counter-accusations from the two major parties.

The APC accused the PDP of plotting the failure of the card reads in Esan Central Senatorial District during the election.

The Deputy Director of Campaign Godwin Obaseki Campaign Organisation, Mr. John Osakue, who raised the alarm following series of complaints by voters in the area, said it was part of plot by the PDP to rig the election.

“The PDP are desperate, they have shown it to us and we know that card readers not working, especially in Edo Central, is their usual plot to rig the election.

“We are getting series of complaints that card readers are not working and yet some persons are voting. This is a plot to disenfranchise the supporters of the APC after substituting some names for their imported thugs. We have it on good record that they have perfected plans to rig the election in Esan South West as almost all card readers in the units are not working.”

On its part, the PDP accused Oshiomhole and INEC of plotting to manipulate the results of the

governorship election at the collation centres.

Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said in a statement yesterday night that the failure by INEC to commence the announcement of the results of the election from the ward level was a strong pointer to the rigging lot.

According to the PDP, "From results made available to us, we are in a very comfortable lead. We are, however, shocked that till now, no ward result has been declared.

"We are aware that APC and INEC plan to change the result at the collation centres and we wish to warn that any change to the result we are already aware of will be met with stiff resistance.

"INEC should tell Governor Oshiomhole that the changing and swapping of results at the collation centres is a no-no! Even worse is the attempt to prevent our agents into the collation centres."

Ize-Iyamu accused Governor Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos) and Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna) of invading Edo State to rig the gubernatorial election.

After casting his vote at Ward 5, Unit 26, Iguododo Primary School, Iguododo, Orhiomwon local government area, the PDP flag bearer called on INEC and security agents to ensure that the ruling party APC do not hijack the process.

"I want to cry it out loud to the whole world that I have been reliably informed that Governors Ambode and el-Rufai are in the state.

"If the Federal Government and INEC declared today a restricted day for movement, even to indigenes of the state, what are they doing here on our election day? They should be advised to go back to their states immediately, for their own interest.

"Only last night, APC chairman and another person were arrested by the Nigerian Army at Ag-

ricultural Development Programme (ADP) in Oko in Benin. 8000 Permanent Voters’ Cards and N15 million were recovered from them. We do not know whether they have been released," Ize-Iyamu said.

But Ambode, in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the governor was presently out of the country on an official appointment.

In the statement, Lagos government said that the governor had no business being in Edo on the day of election.

“That message has been passed and has been accepted by majority of Edo indigenes and, therefore, there would not be any need for the governor to return to Edo on election date.

“The general public and security operatives are hereby advised to ignore the desperate lies of Ize-Iyamu,” the statement said.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole casting his vote at Ward 10, Unit 1, Iyamho during the Edo governorship election… yesterday.

Six arrested for violating INEC denies allegation of movement restriction ballot box snatching, gunshots

A

combined security team set up to monitor the Edo governorship election has arrested six persons for disobeying the restriction of movement order.

Mr. Amadin Osayande, Edo Comptroller of Prisons and member of the team, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin that the suspects were arrested at Welfare junction, Upper Sakponba Road, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, yesterday.

Osayande said that four men and two women were arrested inside a commercial bus during the election.

He also said that the suspects said they were aware of the restriction of movement order, yet they went about their normal businesses.

Osayande added that there was restriction of movement and yet they were driving around the city.

“Actually, we all know that there is always restriction of movement during election, yet the suspects were parading the city.

“Apart from the restriction order, the suspects looked suspicious and needed to be investigated,” he said.

Other members of the combined security team are; the state’s Commissioner of Police, Commander, 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the state’s Comptroller of Prisons, representatives of the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied report of ballot box snatching and gunshots in some polling centres during the Edo governorship election yesterday.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole had earlier said he received a report that some thugs allegedly snatched ballot boxes at Opoji in Esan North-East Local Government Area during the election.

83

The sex ratio of men to 100 women in the 60+ age group of Ireland in 2012.

Source: Un.org

4%

The percentage of the population of women above 60 years of Kuwait in 2012.

Source: Un.org

Oshiomhole also alleged that the suspected snatchers shot sporadically before taking away the ballot boxes.

Mr. Nick Dazang, INEC Deputy Director of Voter Education and Publicity, made the denial.

“I just called Mr Solomon Soyebi, who is the National Commissioner supervising the election and has denied the allegation of gunshots and ballot box snatching at Opoji in Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state,” Dazang said.

On the reported accident involving a youth corps member serving with INEC, Dazang said he had not heard “any such sad news”, but promised to get back to our correspondent “if there is anything like that’’.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

3

4

NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AGF stalls Saraki, Ekweremadu’s forgery trial

lDefendants kick as court adjourns to October 7 Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

T

he Federal Government yesterday started on a shaky note the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two others over alleged forgery of House Rules, as prosecution counsel told the court that he was not ready to proceed with the trial.

The Federal Government had slammed a twocount charge against Saraki, Ekweremadu, a former

Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa and the acting Clerk, Benedict Efeturi, before an Abuja High Court bothering on conspiracy and forgery of the House Standing Rules.

The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charge at the last adjourned date and the court had consequently fixed yesterday for commencement of trial.

At the resumed trial yesterday, all the defendants were in court with their counsel and were ready to proceed with the trial.

When the matter was called, lead prosecution

counsel, Aliyu Umar (SAN) told Justice Yusuf Halilu that he was not ready to proceed with the trial because the motion filed asking the court not to entertain the case was served on him on Monday.

Umar also informed the court that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) is yet to hand over the case file to him.

He, therefore, applied for an adjournment to enable him put his house in order and to enable him to prepare his reaction to the motion filed by the fourth defendant.

In his reaction, counsel to Saraki, Paul Erokoro (SAN) objected to the request for adjournment on ground that the matter was slated for trial for more than two months ago.

Erokoro told Justice Halilu that if the AGF did not deem it fit to hand over the case file to the counsel, then the charge should be terminated.

Erokoro further informed the court that Saraki had filed a motion since June 22, before the court and served it on the AGF, questioning the propriety and legality of the charge on the ground that it con-

L-R: The Obalufe of Ife Land, Oba Idowu Adediwura; musician, Sunday Adeniyi (a.k.a.

King Sunny Ade); Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi II and Registrar, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mr. Dotun Awoyemi, at a public lecture organised to mark King Sunny Ade’s 70th birthday, in Ile-Ife…yesterday

stituted an abuse of court process because similar matter enforcing the AGF was pending before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

In the same vein, counsel to Ekweremadu, Joseph Daudu (SAN) also faulted the Federal Government’s request for adjournment, claiming that since June when the charge was filed and slated for hearing for today, the Federal Government ought to have done the needful so as not to scuttle the trial.

Daudu further told the court that Ekweremadu had also filed a motion questioning the filing of the charge by the AGF, adding that it was brought in bad fate and not competent because it constitutes a gross abuse of judicial process.

Counsel to Maikasuwa and Efeturi, Ikechukwu Ezechukwu (SAN) and Mahmud Magaji respectively raised objection against the decision of the court not to commence the trial.

The trial judge, Justice Halilu, however, expressed reservation on the request for adjournment and the inability of the AGF to respond to the motion filed over 90 days ago by three

€8m

The total money spent on players’ transfers by La liga clubs in 2016 summer.

Source: Goal.com

$10m

The capital importation of the IT Services sector of Nigeria in Q3 2013.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

of the four defendants.

"I don't allow parties to stall trial before me, but in the interest of justice and in the circumstances the prosecution has found himself, I oblige to adjourn this matter till October 7," he held.

The judge noted that the bail granted the defendants in June when they were brought for trial should continue.

The Federal Government had, in June this year, filed a two-count charge on criminal conspiracy and forgery of the Senate Standing Rules 2015 against Saraki, Ekweremadu, Maikasuwa and Efeturi, but they all pleaded not guilty to all the two-count charge.

Based on their plea, the court had admitted them to bail.

No decision on sale of FG spends N33bn on airports' runway resurfacing national assets yet – FG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

N3.3 billion; the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) runway was resurfaced in 2003 at N1.9 billion; Port Harcourt Airport runway was resurfaced in 2007 at N2.3 billion.

The Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar Airport runway was partially resurfaced in 2011 at N832 million; Maiduguri Airport runway was partially resurfaced in 2011 at the cost of N499 million; Kaduna Airport runway was partially resurfaced in 2010 at N816 million; Enugu Airport runway was extended and expanded with overlay in 2012 at N10 billion; Benin Airport runway was partially resurfaced in 2015 at N351 million. The Abuja Airport runway would soon be resurfaced at a cost of N1.5 billion.

A top official in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) who pleaded anonymity, said that at an average cost of about N2 billion for total resurfacing and structural repairs of base formation, the remaining 11 other runways will cost FAAN about N22 billion, which he said can be easily handled by FAAN, in planned sequential execution.

Alligator cracks and in-

tensive traffic density on the Abuja Airport runway has necessitated the need for a second one.

The Kaduna and Enugu airport runways are also said to be in deplorable state, less than four years after the Akanu Ibiam runway was resurfaced.

Passengers walk through pool of water on the apron to board airplanes whenever it rains heavily.

Piqued by the situation, operators and aircraft pilots have expressed concern over air safety occasioned by the deteriorating standards of most of the country’s airport runways, saying they pose danger to lives and equipment.

They urged the Federal Government to reconsider urgently the reconstruction of second runway for Abuja and quick resurfacing of the Lagos Airport, which is considered Nigeria’s busiest aerodrome.

To them, ‘the terrible condition’ of these facilities exposes the sector to a big danger.

They added that the patching of the potholed Abuja Airport runway is not the solution, stressing that a second runway was long overdue for the nation’s second busiest airport.

In the past three years,

there has been continuous work on the Abuja Airport runway, but like a weak, worn, old cloth, as you patch it with new material, it tears from another side.

The runway is old.

In fact, industry insiders said the runway had expired since over 10 years ago and that explained the concerted effort to build another runway in order to take time and comprehensively rehabilitate the existing one.

Just recently, air traffic controllers said that the Lagos central taxiway had been out of use for more than six years, due to the rejection of the reconstruction work on the taxiway.

Most of the runways are death traps. The Enugu Airport runway is undulating and badly constructed.

Ironically, expansion work was done at the runway about 2012, but from all indications, the job was badly done or concerned agencies did not pay attention to the facility.

Bad and obsolete runway can give rise to major accidents during landing or take off of a flight and with lack of airfield lighting at some of the airports, a tragic accident could occur; these are some of the deficiencies plaguing Nigerian airports.

Speaking in the same vein, a former Assistant Secretary-General of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Mohammed Tukur, said most of the runways have expired as they have outlived their lifespan.

His words: “There is no runway in Nigeria that is not up to 40 years. Ninetynine per cent of our runways have expired. The Abuja Airport runway is in terrible shape. All the runways need rehabilitation. The Abuja Airport runway is an accident waiting to happen. The runway is riddled with potholes from the threshold.”

Some of the operators, who spoke to New Telegraph under the condition of anonymity, said that virtually all facilities, especially that of Abuja airport, have ‘expired’.

The Federal Government has, however, given assurance that the lingering problem on undulating and collapsed runways at some airports in the country would be fixed.

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, spoke emphatically about the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and declared that it is a death trap and a tragic accident waiting to happen.

Anule Emmanuel Abuja

T

he Federal Government has said that it was yet to take a concrete decision on the sale of critical national assets to revive the economy.

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, had last week indicated that government was considering raising about $15 billion from the sale of some national assets to bail the economy out of recession.

Fielding questions from State House Correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the presidential villa, Abuja, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said it was wrong for anyone to conclude that the Federal Government had concluded plans to sell any assets.

Mohammed said government would come out, 'very very soon' with an elaborate plan to take the country out of recession.

He described as a mere speculation the claim that the Federal Government had decided to sell national assets to raise money.

"Government is still working on the most com-

prehensive manner to reflate the economy and the government will make its position known very soon.

"What the government will do is to reflate the economy, everything you have heard so far is just suggestion, until the government makes its position known, all these assets sale, assets leasing, whatever is being bandied about there, are nothing but speculations.

"The government is yet to come out with its position on how to bail out the economy and it will do that position," he said.

When told that the National Economic Council (NEC) had already accepted the recommendation of the President's Economic Management Team (EMT) to sell assets, the Information Minister said: "NEC will recommend, but it is the FEC that will decide and what we decide will be the position of government."

On the outcome of yesterday's FEC meeting, the Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, explained that his ministry presented three memos to council, including the National Water Policy, the National Irrigation Policy and a Draft National Water Resources Bill.

NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

5

Ondo: Atiku backs Tinubu, decries APC chair's role Onwuka Nzeshi and Cephas Iorhemen

F

ormer vice president and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, has tacitly thrown his weight behind a former Governor of Lagos State and national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on the clamour for the cancellation of the controversial governorship primary election in Ondo State.

Atiku, who decried the current position of the party's leadership on the said election, said the APC needed to promote the rule of law and due process in the conduct of its affairs in order to guarantee the

unity and stability of the party.

The counsel came against the backdrop of the festering crisis trailing the conduct of the APC gubernatorial primaries, which produced Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as governorship candidate.

Tinubu had, on Sunday, demanded Chief John Odigie-Oyegun's resignation as national chairman of the party following allegations that he overruled the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party on the recommendation of the appeal panel that the election be cancelled and a fresh one held to choose the party's candidate.

In a statement released from his media office yesterday, Atiku said that the

party was supposed to be an impartial entity in the arbitration of crisis amongst its members in any given election.

The Turaki Adamawa said it had become imperative for the national leadership of the party to live by the rules of internal democracy and respect for democratic consensus, warning that "you cannot break your own rules without creating problems."

He argued that since the APC found veritable reasons to review the outcome of the gubernatorial primary election it conducted in Ondo State and was able to establish valid grounds to cancel that election and hold a fresh one, the decision to deviate from its own resolution

was a negation of due process and an unfashionable hollow in democratic best practices.

"It was wrong for the APC to have set aside a resolution it had reached aimed at resolving the crisis in our party in Ondo State. It is a recipe for acrimony and division," the former vice president stated.

According to Atiku, the party leadership should always be guided by respect for the rules, fairness, equity, neutrality and respect for democratic consensus.

The former vice president also noted that pretending that a problem does not exist won't make that problem go away and therefore, advised the leadership of the party to do a L-R: Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita; Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Secretary to Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari; during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

soul searching and address why this problem arose and escalated.

He, however, urged aggrieved members of the APC in the Ondo election to exercise restraint in seeking redress to the crisis.

Atiku admonished the leadership of the party to retrace its steps and do the needful to restore confidence among the conflicting parties in the state for the overall benefit of the ruling party.

Meanwhile, a former Minister of Steel, Chief Paul Unongo has described the seeming political discord between Tinubu and Oyegun as a struggle to restore internal democracy in the party rather than an avenue to destabilise it.

Unongo, who made his feelings known while speaking on the occasion of his 81 birthday anniversary in his ancestral home in Jato Aka, Benue State, urged Nigerians to see the disagreement between the two party chieftains as a healthy conversation that will bring out the best in the party.

The former minister said as an old horse in the politics of this country, what is happening between the two politicians is good for the democratic process, stressing that Nigerians are usually scared that the crisis could destabilise the party.

"At 81 years of age, I am not a novice in Nigerian politics. I have spent over

six decades participating actively in politics. So, I know much about the trend of Nigerian politics.

We can look at what is happening in the APC in different ways. At my level, I believe it is good for democratic practice in Nigeria.

Whenever there is a controversy, Nigerians are scared, especially when the political party that is involved is the ruling party. People are scared that the crisis could destabilise the party.

Are we supposed to have a party of sycophants that does not get destabilised"?

"When two critical members of a political party in the persons of Tinubu and Odigie-Oyegun open up to the public, the assumption is that they must have discussed the issues at the highest level of the party over and over without reaching an agreement.

"The disagreement could be over the need to follow the party’s ideology.

Should the APC, the leftist party, suffer from the ills that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to have suffered from? Should the leader of the party who suffered a lot to build the party sit down and watch the party being destroyed?

I think Tinubu might have weighed the fact that he is a national leader of the party; he might have made failed attempts to resolve the issues internally before coming to the public," he said.

Kunle Azeez

Tuesday, agreed to investigate whether Africa's biggest telecoms company illegally transferred the money out of Nigeria between 2006 and 2016.

Senator Dino Melaye made the allegation in a motion in plenary.

The lawmaker accused Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered Bank, Citigroup, Diamond Bank, and Trade and Investment Minister, Okechukwu Enelamah of being involved in the alleged illegal transfers.

Experts say the probe was likely to raise tensions between Nigeria and MTN just three months after the Johannesburg-based firm agreed to pay a reduced fine of N330 billion to end a long-running dispute over unregistered SIM cards.

Budget padding: Reps suspend Jibrin for 180 days MTN denies illegal transfer lI won't apologise, says Jibrin of $14bn from Nigeria Philip Nyam Abuja

T

he House of Representatives yesterday suspended the former chairman of Appropriation Committee, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, for one year (180) legislative days for breach of members' privileges and misconduct.

The House also banned him from holding any position of responsibility for the remaining period of the 8th Assembly.

Jibrin is also expected to tender an apology to the House upon resumption from suspension.

The House sits for 181 days a year, meaning that he will be out of the chambers for a whole year.

Jibrin was found guilty of breach of the Practices, Precedents and Usages of the House of Representatives and Sundry Acts of Misconduct against the Members and Institution of the House and National Assembly; and Breach of the Provisions of the Legislatives Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, Cap.

L12, LFN; 2004.

Chairman, Ethics and Privileges Committee, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta), had presented report of the investigation at plenary and the recommendations were read and put to vote by the deputy speaker, Hon. Sulaimon Lasun.

Presenting the report, Ossai recalled that there was a motion raised under matters of urgent public importance by the chairman, Rules and Business, Hon. Emmanuel Orker Jev, (APC Benue).

He said the committee received the referral through the Clerk of the House and commenced its investigation, adding that the committee, in line with its terms of reference, invited Jev for his testimony based on issues raised against Jibrin in his motion.

He disclosed that the committee views Jibrin's statements as injurious, scandalous which sought to bring down the image of the House before the public.

"His action amount to an infraction of section 24

of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act," he said.

The motion to adopt the resolution was moved by House Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos) and was unanimously adopted by the House.

Reacting to his suspension, Jibrin said it was mere nonsense and vowed never to apologise. "It is all part of the allegations, I have said it, all is a bunch of nonsense and it will not stand," he said.

His words: "The most important thing is that Nigerians saw the entire process, how the motion was passed and what transpired at the level of the Ethics Committee and entirely the process was flawed and, for me, it's a non-issue and complete nonsense and it is not going to stand anywhere in the world.

"As you are aware, the matter is a subject of litigation. I have instructed my lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) to file charges of contempt against Speaker Yakubu Dogara and, of course, the House of Representatives and I'm sure the matter

will move over to the judiciary and decision will be taken. I'm pretty sure it will be in my favour.”

On apology, he declared: "I will never ever apologise to anybody in the House of Representatives; I did not commit any offence, I did not abuse my office. I have said it repeatedly that in the five years that I have served in the House, I have never corruptly enriched myself.

"But what is very important also is that now they have done their worst, they have suspended me, what has it changed? Has it changed the fact that the speaker conspired with other principal officers to divert N40 billion out of N100 billion meant for constituency projects?"

It will be recalled that on July 20, Jibrin was relieved of his position as chairman of Appropriation Committee. The following day, he levelled allegations of budget padding and corruption against Speaker Dogara, his deputy, Yusuff Lasun, Chief Whip, Alhasan Ado Doguwa and Minority Leader, Leo Ogor.

He also called for their immediate resignation to pave way for investigation.

N

igeria' largest telecoms firm, MTN, has denied allegation by a senator that it illegally repatriated $13.92 billion from Nigeria.

MTN described the allegation as "unfounded."

MTN Nigeria's Chief Executive, Mr. Ferdi Moolman, in a statement made available to New Telegraph yesterday, said there was no iota of truth in the allegations.

"MTN’s attention has been drawn to various media reports containing allegations of improper repatriation of money out of Nigeria by the company.

"The reports refer to allegations made on the floor of the Senate that MTN had illegally repatriated $13.92 billion out of Nigeria over a period of 10 years in collusion with a number of commercial banks.

"The allegations made against MTN are completely unfounded and without any merit," Moolman stated.

The Senate had, on

$425m

The net worth of Mel Gibson in 2016.

Source: Fropky.com

14

The life expectancy of women at age 60 years of Gambia in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

6

News|NATIONAL

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

I didn’t confirm Dudafa’s source of money –Witness Akeem Nafiu

A

bureau de change operator, Alhaji Murtala Bashiru Abubakar, has told Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos that he did not confirm the source of foreign currency that he changed for WaripamoOwei Dudafa, an aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Abubakar, who is a witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), made this disclosure while being cross-examined by Dudafa’s lawyer, Gboyega Oyewole, in the on-going trial of the expresident’s aide over alleged N5.1billion fraud.

He had earlier revealed how he changed millions of dollars to naira for the accused person, using some companies while being examined by the EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo.

However, in his response to a question by Dudafa’s lawyer, Abubakar disclosed that his bureau de change was licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as he always ensured

that his clients were not criminals.

“My transactions with Dudafa were not in contravention of any CBN rules. If we know the money is from a questionable source, we will reject it. I had no reason to question the source of currencies Dudafa gave to me. I know that he is a public servant and he was the one that invited me to the Presidential

Villa,” he said.

Abubakar added that Dudafa called him through three different mobile lines, namely; 08158430790, 08062999000 and 08189666600. However, his claim was faulted

by Dudafa’s lawyer on the premise that his client had only one line.

Justice Idris has adjourned further hearing in the matter to October 27.

Abubakar while being led in evidence by EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, had revealed that transactions between him and Dudafa were done through text messages, except on one occasion when he went to Aso Rock Villa to collect some naira which he changed into dollars and transferred such into the accounts of the companies.

Abuja

A

n Abuja High Court yesterday admitted in evidence, the statement made by former Head of Service of the Federation, Steve Oronsaye to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), during his interrogation in a petition on alleged financial crimes filed against him.

The court, however, held that caution would be applied in attaching probate value to the statement, having not been tendered by the appropriate person in the investigating team of the EFCC. The Federal Govern-

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

T

he Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, yesterday directed commissioners for finance and accountants-general in the 36 states of the federation to compute the balance sheets of their respective states.

Adeosun said that state governments must gather

L-R: Minster of Public Service, Uganda, Wilson Muruli Mukasa; Executive Director, Royal Africa Society, Richard Dowden; Chairman UBA Plc and Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony O. Elumelu; and former Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Sanusi Daggash, at the World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’ And Africa Pension Awards in Abuja…on Tuesday

Court admits Oronsaye’s statement in evidence Tunde Oyesina

FG tells states to compile contractors’ liabilities, others

ment is prosecuting Oronsanye and two others over alleged money laundering.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, the trial judge, Justice Olasunmbo Goodluck, admitted the statement in her ruling on the objection raised against tendering of the statement by the defence counsel, Dr. Abiodun Layonu (SAN).

Layonu had objected to tendering of the statement by the prosecution witness, Hamma-Adama Bello, an operative of EFCC on the ground that he was not the officer who applied cautionary word on statement.

Layonu had hinged his objection on ground that

the sixth prosecution witness -Bello did not counter-sign the statement and hence he cannot be cross-examined on the statement.

He argued that as such, he was not the appropriate person to tender the document in evidence before the court.

But the prosecution counsel, Offem Uket, who sought to tender the document through the witness urged Justice Goodluck to allow the witness to tender it on the ground he was a member of the team that investigated the petition and was present when the defendant made the statement.

He further informed the court that the standard practice was that

only one person administers cautionary word and counter-sign at a time.

He argued that even though the PW 6 was present at the time, the statement was made only one signature was necessary on the statement made by the defendant.

In a short ruling, Justice Goodluck agreed with the prosecution counsel that the witness can tender the document but she however noted that caution would be applied by the court in attaching probate value to the statement.

The court, therefore allowed the witness to tender the document in evidence.

The court later adjourns till today.

adequate data to enable them to properly plan and address some economic challenges arising from the current recession.

She said this during her closing remarks at the end of a two-day conference organised by the National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) with the theme: “Enhancing revenue generation and obtaining best value for money in expenditure.”

According to the minister, there is need for states to begin to take stock and urgently compute their own balance sheets in order to make better decisions.

Adeosun stated that such stock-taking would include contractor liabilities, pension liability and assets of each state.

She said: “We need to take stock. One of the most important things I want to encourage all to do is to compute your own balance sheet; what are your assets, what are your liabilities.

“Know your position; it might not be pleasant reading but you must know it.

What are those pension liability, contractors liabilities that are hidden, bring them out, compute them, know them.”

Tourism is Nigeria’s new oil –minister

D

espite the current economic recession, Nigeria’s future is bright, as the country diversifies its economy away from oil, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said in Lagos on Tuesday.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 2016 World Tourism Day in Eko Atlantic, the city that is being built on reclaimed land on the Bar Beach, the Minister said there was no better testimony to Nigeria’s bright economic future than the new city. ‘’It takes an investor to have a great confidence in any economy before putting hundreds of millions of dollars into a city like this.

Those who can see the bright stars in our hori-

zon, beyond this temporary cloud of difficulties, are investing in the country even as we speak,’’ he said.

Mohammed said that as the Federal Government works day and night to pull Nigeria out of recession and put the country’s economy on the path of sustainable growth “It is becoming increasingly clear, like President Muhammadu Buhari has admonished, that we must think out of the box. ‘’We must find other sustainable means of earning foreign exchange outside of oil, to grow our country’s GDP and create jobs for our people. Agriculture and mining are viable options, but tourism is the low hanging fruit in this regard, and we must not hesitate to pluck it.’’

Chibok girls, others: Army to launch ‘final’ rescue operation N29bn fraud: Absence of defendant stalls trial of Nyako, son, others Emmanuel Onani Abuja

T

he Nigerian Army has concluded plans to launch what will be known as “Operation Rescue Final”.

The objective of the proposed operation is to rescue all abducted persons, including the over 200 Chibok Schoolgirls.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.Gen. Tukur Bu-

ratai, made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja, when the House of Representatives’ Committee on Army undertook an oversight visit to the Army Headquarters (AHQ).

Though, Buratai did not mention the Chibok girls, it is on record that the abducted students of Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS), Chibok, Borno State, have remained in the captivity of Boko Haram, since April 14, 2014.

The COAS said: “Once we start (the said operation), we will not relent until everybody abducted is rescued.”

While speaking on the conduct of soldiers in operations and other interventions, the Army Chief pledged that respect for human rights, will be their watchword.

To buttress this fact, Buratai informed the House Committee members, that the Army recently launched its human rights policy.

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

T

he absence of one of the defendants yesterday stalled the re-arraignment of former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako and his son, Senator Abdul-Aziz, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had on August 7,

2015, arraigned Nyako along with his son, Abdul-Aziz, Zulkifikk Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, as well as five firms on a 37-count charge of money laundering, involving alleged diversion of over N29 billion belonging to the Adamawa State government.

The defendants were then arraigned before the late Justice Evoh Chukwu.

Following his demise in June 2016, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, then

re-assigned the case to Justice Okon Abang.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, when the defendants had taken their positions in the dock, it was discovered that the 5th defendant had no legal representation in court.

While Kanu Agabi, SAN, appeared for the former governor, his son, the 6th and 7th dfendants, O.A. Dada and E.A. Oyefeso announced appearances for the 3rd, 9th, 4th and 8th defendants.

national | news

thursday, september 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

7

Nigeria releases $300m airlines’ funds

Wole Shadare

F

oreign airlines operating into Nigeria can now heave a sigh of relief.

The value of ticket sales owed to them in Nigeria has been reduced by over 50 per cent since June, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said yesterday, adding it is making progress to recoup billions of dollars in revenues blocked by some countries.

The clearing house for global airlines in June this year put foreign airlines’ funds stranded in the Nigerian economy at N120 billion ($600 million).

The group had appealed to the Nigerian government and four others to respect international agreements obliging them to ensure airlines are able to repatriate their revenues.

The funds were proceeds from sale of tickets by the airlines in the last 12 months, which

could not be repatriated due to Federal Government’s policy on foreign exchange.

Penultimate week, the Central Bank of Egypt and Egypt’s Civil Aviation Authority released $240m airlines’ funds for repatriation. Talks continue to establish an achievable payment schedule to settle the remaining amount.

Venezuela owes foreign airlines operating into the country $3.780 billion, the highest of the blocked funds, followed

by Nigeria, put at $600 million, Sudan, $360 million, Egypt, $291 million and Angola, $237.

IATA, the trade association of the world's airlines, said it wants to develop a "common strategy" where carriers act in tandem to recuperate ticket sales revenue being withheld in Venezuela.

"Up to now, we haven't been able to have a unified approach without breaking anti-trust rules," IATA Chief Executive Alexandre de Juniac, told

reporters in Montreal, on the sidelines of United Nations-led climate talks for the aviation sector.

"The question is (whether you can have) a unified approach to say to the state: 'You are not fulfilling your basic obligations to pay us,'" he said.

IATA last week requested anti-trust immunity from the United States to allow the association to legally discuss routes to Venezuela, which is blocking $3.78 billion in ticket revenues from leaving the

855,270

L-R: Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dame Ipalibo Banigo; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, during the commissioning of the reconstructed Igwuruta-Chokocho Road …yesterday

The total number of interactions on Facebook of Cristiano Ronaldo in February 2016.

Source: Goal.com

Workers protest as AMCON closes Aero Contractors

H

undreds of employees of Aero Contractors Airline yesterday staged a peaceful protest over closure of the airline by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protest was organised by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).

The workers, who began the protest at about 8.45a.m, marched round the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, carrying various placards expressing their grievances.

The placards had inscriptions such as, “Don’t Allow Aero to Die“, “Save Aero from AMCON“ and “Aero must not go the way of Nigeria Airways“, among others.

Speaking on behalf

of the protesters, Mrs Frances Akinjole, the Secretary, ATSSSAN, condemned the “illegal closure’’ of Aero Contractors by AMCON, adding that they would resist the plan to liquidate the company.

Akinjole accused AMCON of running the airline aground after it took over majority shares in 2011 by approving bogus salaries and allowances for its representatives.

“Before AMCON took over, the airline had 11 operational aircraft. They claim to have injected N12 billion in the company, but today, the airline has only three aircraft.

“This is calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to please come to the aid of Aero at this crucial time in her life.

“Aero should not be allowed to die from the strangle of AMCON,’’ she said.

BoI, UNDP to fund $2m solar electrification project Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

T

he Bank of Industry (BoI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have concluded plans for the implementation of second phase of solar power electrification projects in select communities across the country.

Estimated to gulp $2 million, the solar power electrification project will cut across the six geo-political zones of the country where BOI has subsisting MSMEs projects.

The pilot project involved provision of longterm financing for the installation of micro-grid and stand-alone solar so-

lutions in the benefitting states.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja, BoI Acting Managing Director, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, said the Cost Sharing Agreement with the UN agency, would facilitate the replication and scaling up of the solar energy projects in more communities across the country.

"The blend of BoI’s contribution in the sum of US$1.4 million as debt financing for the projects, with UNDP’s grant contribution of US$600,000 will provide the much needed stimulus to scale up the projects in view of the attendant reduction in the cost of deployment and enhancement of its overall viability".

country.

Airlines are banned from coordinating routes and pricing with rivals under U.S. antitrust rules.

Several major carriers, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Lufthansa AG, have cut back on routes or stopped flying to Venezuela altogether.

In June, IATA said that airline revenues then worth $5 billion were being blocked by countries with tight currency exchange rate controls.

Customs wants duty on noodles, perfumes, soaps he ComptrollerGeneral of Nigeria Customs Service, Col Hameed Ali (rtd), yesterday called for the restoration of excise duties on some consumable products in the country, including noodles, perfumes and soaps.

Ali said as the nation grapples with the effects of economic recession, the Federal Government should review excise administration towards generating more revenue for the country.

He said this while presenting a paper at the National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) held in

Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The Customs boss said the 2009 fiscal policy, which de-excised some products and industries, had drastically affected the revenue from excise duties.

According to him, the policy then was aimed at stimulating the nation's economy against the backdrop of global economic meltdown.

He explained that excisable products, before 2009, included perfumes and other toilet waters; nonalcoholic beverages, fruit juice, soap and detergent, beer and stout, wines, spaghetti/noodles, spirits and other alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and tobacco, toilet papers and cleansing or facial tissues, among others.

The Comptroller-Gen-

Charles Onyekwere and Blessing Njoku

Industrial crisis looms in health sector –NARD

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

T

ENUGU

T

he National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD)has disclosed that any attempt to truncate full emoluments of its members would lead to immediate total breakdown of cordial industrial relations in teaching hospitals nationwide.

The warning was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the extraordinary National Executive Council(NEC) meeting of the associa-

tion at the National Trauma Centre, National Hospital Abuja, on September 25 and made available to newsmen in Enugu.

The communiqué was signed by the President, Dr. John Ugochukwu Onyebueze; Secretary General, Dr. Emmanuel Aneke and Public Relations Officer, Dr. Ugoeze Asinobi, respectively.

NARD equally rejected the implementation of the ‘no work, no pay’ policy in its entirety as their members were being punished for ineptitude of the

eral disclosed that the revenue generated between 2009 and 2016 put at N281.1billion were only from two approved excisable products of alcoholic beverages and tobacco/ cigarette.

He noted that the policy was better when it was introduced because of the price of oil which could reasonably sustain the economy.

Ali, however, advocated the withdrawal of tax holiday and other incentives which the Federal Government granted some local manufacturing companies in 2009, saying seven years was enough for industries to stabilise.

He argued that the government, in times of recession, must review all incentives and conces-

Chief Executives of their centres and some officials of Federal Ministry of Health.

It noted that the Federal Ministry of Health through the Head, Department of Health Services (DHS) has been visiting Federal Teaching Hospitals purportedly on account of verification of the stability of these institutions to finance personnel emoluments, but have been going beyond their terms of reference (TOR) by spreading false information, contrary to exist-

sions in order to generate enough funds to run its operation.

He said: "In the last seven years also, sectoral incentives were given to importing and investing companies that double as exporters. These companies were given the full benefits of Export Expansion Grant (EEG) as incentives.

"These benefits, however, resulted into abuse of forex utilisation, transfer pricing, under invoicing, non-repatriation of export proceeds and other export fraud to the detriment of the national economy.

"The companies enjoyed the incentives without paying excise duty.

These companies should be brought under excise duty payment."

ing circulars and Federal Government activities on proper placement of doctors and emoluments.

The association disclosed that the action of DHS has created tension, capable of degenerating into industrial disharmony in the health sector.

NARD stated that the attempt by DHS at stopping proper placement of doctors is intentional and geared towards personal gains from the industrial disharmony their actions are generating.

8

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Ex-militants avenge colleague’s killing, murder Imo official

One of the burnt vehicles

Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

O

fficials of Imo Security Network (ISN), a security outfit founded by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, yesterday shot dead a former militant.

The former militants from

One of the damaged buildings

Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area were going to Owerri, the state capital, to surrender their arms in continuation of the amnesty peace deal with the state government.

They were confronted at the Control Post area of the state by members of the ISN. The ensuing altercation led to the shooting of one of the former

militants.

The former militants later retaliated by killing an ISN official.

After the shooting, the ISN officials rushed the victim to the Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, where he was later pronounced dead after efforts to save his life failed.

When they got to Umugu-

City Briefs

Thomas dies at 65

C

ecil Thomas ‘Sonny’ has died at 65 years old. He is survived by children, grandson, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, cousins, uncles, aunts and friends.

According to a statement by Mr. Muyiwa Adetiba, interment takes place in Essex, England on September 30, simultaneously, a Requiem Mass will be held for him at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 1004 Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos, at 10a.m.

He said: “Sonny, as he was fondly called, was the eldest great grandchild of Candido Da Rocha of Kakawa Lagos and grandchild of Silverio Izidro Samuel of Broad Street, Lagos.

“He attended Holy Cross Primary School, Lagos and Loyola

ma to know the state of their wounded colleague, the former militants were informed of the death of their colleague. The atmosphere instantly became charged as temper rose.

They asked for the body of their kinsman the hospital refused because they were not the ones who took him there.

However, all hell broke loose

as the former militants went on the rampage. They vandalised some hospital facilities and burnt about six vehicles on the hospital premises.

Although many people fled the neighbourhood while some offices were momentarily shut down, the angry youth were not yet done.

They attacked the Imo Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) office which also houses the ISN. The angry former militants killed one ISN operative and critically injured another which caused a stampede. No fewer than four vehicles were also burnt at the ENTRACO office.

But for the timely intervention of the police, the angry youth would have attacked other government facilities.

The state Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, led the intervention to secure the Specialist Hospital, ENTRACO office and other government facilities.

The state Police Public Relations Office (PPRO), Andrew Enwerem, confirmed the incident.

He, however, said normalcy had returned to the area as security personnel had been deployed to protect lives and property.

Enwerem said investigations were ongoing and promised that the culprits would be brought to book.

Abductors demand N2.5m to free Catholic priest

College, Ibadan, before going to England for A Levels and college education. He worked as a Realtor in London and later established his own business.”

Thomas

K

idnappers of the Rector of the Father Tansi Major Seminary at Onitsha in Anambra, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Dim, have demanded N2.5 million ransom for his release.

The Director of Communications of the Nnewi Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Hygi Aghaulor, told journalists in Nnewi yesterday that Dim was kidnapped by suspected herdsmen on Monday.

He said the priest was kidnapped about 7p.m. on Nkpologwu-Nimbo Road in Enugu State.

Nimbo community in the Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State was the scene of a dastardly

attack by herdsmen that claimed scores of lives earlier this year.

Other bloody attacks by herdsmen have taken place in communities in Enugu State since the Nimbo attack.

Aghaulor, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that the Catholic Bishops Conference had directed that no ransom should be paid to the abductors for the release of the priest.

He appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to help free Dim. The spokesman said that two other priests, Rev. Jude Chukwuneke and Rev. Jude Ezeokana, who were in the same vehicle with Dim, man-

aged to escape with various degrees of gunshot wounds.

Aghaulor said that the three priests were returning from Nsukka to Onitsha and Nnewi after a condolence visit to Rev. Fr. Uchenna Ezeh of the Nsukka Diocese, who lost his mother recently.

He said Ezeokana, who is a lecturer in both Fr. Tansi Seminary and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, received treatment briefly at a hospital in Nsukka and was now managing his wounds at Awka.

According to him, Chukwuneke, the Chaplain of St. Camillus de Lellis Chaplaincy, College of Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, was shot in the head.

METRO

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Ghost’ kills man, prostitute in Abia brothel lSix others on danger list

Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

B

odies of two persons were yesterday retrieved from a popularly brothel called 50-50 Bar on 44 Uyo Street, Umuahia, Abia State.

One of the victims was a man while the other was a lady suspected to be a prostitute.

Police also rushed six other people, who were unconscious, to an undisclosed hospital.

The cause of the incident was not known at the time of filing the report but a witness, who is also a resident of the area, said panic-stricken prostitutes rushed out of the brothel about 8a.m. and were shouting ‘ghost, ghost, ghost!’.

This, according to the witness, drew the attention of passers-by and residents.

He said that from what the prostitutes were saying, the residents concluded that it was an attack by ghosts or spirits.

He, however, said nothing of that nature had ever occurred in the area.

The witness said the owner of the brothel, a lady, was living in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, before relocating to Umuahia for the business.

According to him, the woman bought and renovated the building for the business.

He said the manager was among the unconscious victims of the mysterious attack taken to the hospital. The brothel, a one-storey building, is a modern structure with a bar in the front directly from the street.

When our correspondent visited the place, the police, led by the Area Command-

Taiwo Jimoh

O

ne of the suspected gunmen who abducted four landlords at Oshorun Estate, Isheri, a border community between Lagos and Ogun states, has been arrested by the InspectorGeneral of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

The 38-year-old suspect, identified as James Kegbe alias JJ, an indigene of Arogbo in Ese Odo, was arrested by the operatives at Ore in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, where he went to spend his share of his ransom.

During interrogation, Kegbe confessed to have collected the N12 million ransom from the family members of the victims.

He also admitted he collected N1.2 million as his share of the ransom.

The suspect also mentioned the names of some of his gang members.

Divorce court

‘My wife attacks me with broken bottle’

A

The brothel

er, Central Police Station, Umuahia, Onyeke Udeviotu, had cordoned off the place as people gathered on Uzuakoli Road and Owerri Road end to watch.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nta Ogbonnaya Nta, confirmed the incident.

He said: “It is a pity what happened at 44, Uyo Street, 50-50 Bar. We recovered two bodies and six unconscious people from the building. We took them to the hospital. Only the doctor can confirm them dead or otherwise.”

Nta said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade, was at the scene in person after a concerned citizen raised the alarm and drew the attention of the

police.

The PPRO said that the two bodies were that of a young man and a lady while the six others were men.

He also explained that they were picked in separate rooms.

Nta said that about 200 other occupants of the brothel had deserted the place by the time the police arrived the scene.

The PPRO, however, promised that the police would go after the owner of the brothel.

Nta said that the Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) was investigating the matter.

Abducted landlords: Abuja market: School, Suspect arrested in Ondo prostitutes operate in shops

Kogbe

9

Kogbe said Trust, Julious, Victor, Prince, John and “one senior man” were involved in the operation.

The IG team said efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the gang now at large.

On Saturday September 17, gunmen invaded Isheri and abducted three landlords and their aerobics instructor.

The gunmen, who came in a boat through the creek, stormed Isheri and attempted to kidnap eight landlords and their instructor while they were jogging.

They came into the area, shooting. Many of the landlords scampered in different directions. In the evening, some of the landlords, who were fortunate to elude the kidnappers, started crawling out from their hideouts.

When head counts were taken the following morning, it was discovered that three landlords and their instructor were missing.

Those kidnapped were Dr. Bello Omololu, Mr. Esang, Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Ayo, the aerobics instructor.

A few days later, the kidnappers established contact with family members of the victims and demanded N300 million each, totalling N1.2 billion for their release.

At the weekend, the victims regained their freedom. Although the ransom paid was not disclosed at the time, Kogbe claimed during interrogation that the gang collected N12 million before freeing the victims.

O

fficials of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) yesterday discovered a ‘schools operating in a shop and another shop housing prostitutes while evacuating street traders at Nyanya market.

The officials met the school in session with about 80 pupils between two and seven years old, learning in a shop measuring 4 by 4 feet without ventilation.

The owner of the school christened Wisdom Nursery School, Mrs. Alice Hogan, told journalists it had been in operation for the past 10 years.

Hogan, who claimed to hold a National Certificate in Education, admitted that she had no licence to operate the school.

She said she was inspired to set up the school to meet the needs of traders who

FCT Minister, Bello

brought their children to the market.

Hogan, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), added that it was her own little way of contributing to the education of the children.

According to her, the high unemployment rate in the country frustrated her resolve to own a school.

She said: “I was looking for a place to start a school after I had looked for a paid job and could not get one.

I resolved to use this shop because it belongs to my husband and what we do is just to pay revenue to the government.

“When I started the school, I made a ‘batcher’ at the back of the shop and put the children inside for teaching.

“Though I have no licence to operate, I run the school so as to help the market people groom their children for primary school.”

The pupils are in a noisy environment not conducive for learning.

A teacher, who manages the school with Hogan, took to her heels on sighting security personnel.

While reacting to the development, a mother and civil servant, Mrs Henrietta Nwosu, appealed to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Education authorities to, as a matter of urgency, regulate and monitor schools in the territory.

refrigerator repairer, Emmanuel Fagbemi, yesterday told an Akure Customary Court that his wife, Mary, used to attack him with broken bottle and break doors whenever there was misunderstanding between them.

Fagbemi, who urged the court to dissolve his 19-year- old marriage, said Mary had torn many of his clothes and would provoke him by saying that he was not the bona fide father of their children.

He tendered some torn clothes, damaged door locks and a torn packet of condoms in court.

The petitioner, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said his wife was fond of destroying their home fittings with axe and was promiscuous.

Fagbemi recalled that family members, neighbours and their church members had intervened but the constant rift could not be curtailed.

This, he said, pointed to the fact that there was no more love between them.

Although Mary denied being promiscuous, she admitted talking rashly when angry.

She told the court that she had changed her character.

The respondent also said that Fagbemi should endeavour to appreciate her efforts toward the children’s education.

Mary, who was crying in court, said that she could not beat her husband as being alleged because of his fragile health.

President of the court, Mr. Ayodele Omotola, urged the respondent to stick to her husband despite his health predicament and stop destroying his property.

Omotola advised Mary to control her anger by staying away from her husband’s presence whenever she is angry to avoid violence and misbehaviour.

He, therefore, asked both parties to bring two of their relatives each to court on the next adjourned date.

‘My husband wants to use mehousewife, for rituals’ Mrs. Olayinka Adebayo, A yesterday told an Akure Customary Court that she deserted her matrimonial

home for three years to avoid being used for rituals by her husband, Adeniyi.

Olayinka, who made this known when she testified in a divorce petition filed by her husband, said Adeniyi had once asked her to lie on white apparel and be chanting incantation.

She recalled that she had to change her place of worship which was the Redeemed Christian Church of God to Cherubim and Seraphim, having realised that her life recorded no positive impacts.

The respondent, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that she also approached a herbalist in the course of overcoming her life challenges.

Adeniyi had asked the court to dissolve his 15-year-old marriage to Olayinka for alleged desertion for three years, night outings, promiscuity and talkative trait.

He said he would have forgiven if the respondent had listened and corrected her perceived waywardness.

In his judgement, President of the court, Mr. Ayodele Omotola, said that all efforts to resolve the lingering rifts failed and dissolved the marriage.

Omotola ordered that the petitioner should be paying N10,000 to the court registry every month for educational and feeding needs of the children.

He added that both parties should be responsible for medicals and other needs of the children.

10

NEWS | national

thursday, september 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

N600m fraud: Court remands ex-Naval Chief, Jubrin, others in Kuje Prisons

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

A

n Abuja High Court yesterday remanded a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman O. Jubrin and two others standing trial over alleged criminal conspiracy in Kuje Prison pending the fulfilment of their bail condition.

CONFIRMATION/ change OF NAME

Adekunle

I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Funmilola Showunmi now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Funmilola Adekunle. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

The court had earlier admitted the defendants to bail in the sum on N100 million.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC had on Tuesday arraigned the defendants over charges bothering on the embezzlement of N600million.

Others are Rear Admiral Bala Mshelia (rtd) and Rear Admiral Sheu Ahmadu ( rtd).

They were docked alongside Harbour Bay International Limited by the anti-graft agency.

The naval chiefs, whilst in office, allegedly bought a house worth N600million from the account of Naval Engineering Services without the said purchase contract being captured in the budget.

It was also alleged that, the documentation for transfer of ownership of the property was done such that a private company owned by the family of the first defendant (Vice Admiral Jubrin) became the buyer.

The offence is in contravention of Section 26 (1)

(b) and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Act 2000.

Moving the application at the resumed sitting yesterday, Jubrin’s counsel, Y. C. Maikyau, SAN, prayed the court to admit his client to bail pending trial.

Maikyau argued that, “the offence for which the 1st defendant is charged is bailable by virtue of Section 42 (1) and (2) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000.”

He further stated that the defendant is a retired

Rear Admiral of the Nigeria Navy and former Chief of Naval Staff who voluntarily honoured the invitation of the EFCC and remained cooperative throughout the investigation leading to his charge.

According to him, Jubrin complied with the conditions upon which he was granted bail by the EFCC and did not in any way interfere with the investigation.

On his part, Olatunji Salawu, who stood in for A. M. Kayode, representing Mshelia, urged the court to admit his client to bail

on “a very liberal term”.

He pleaded that, the accused person if granted bail, would be available to stand his trial.

Similarly, Ahmadu’s counsel, A. G. Duku, aligned himself with the arguments of the other two counsels to seek bail for his client, adding that “the second defendant will not be able to adequately prepare his defence while in custody as the circumstances surrounding his charge occurred in the course of his obeying instructions of his superior.”

Ugwuoke

I, formerly known and addressed as Ugwoke John Ojoboson now wish to be known and addressed as Ugwuoke Silas Ojobo. All former documents remain valid.

First bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Akpan

This is to confirm that the names Akpan Edem Effi and Akpan Edem Effiong refer to one and the same person.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Akpan Edem Effiong. All former documents remain valid. Access bank Plc and the general public note.

Ejeagwu

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ijeoma Ejeagwu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ijeoma Samuel Monday Johnson. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Fatogun

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss James Elizabeth Tega now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fatogun Elizabeth Tega.

All former documents remain valid.

FCMB Plc and the general public should please take note.

Amunume

I, Mrs. Amunume Fatimat formerly known and addressed as Miss Fatimat Odiwo, now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs. Fatimat Amunume. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Ajayi

I, formerly known and addressed as Emmanuel Olukayode Ajayi, now wish to be called and addressed as Emmanuel Kayode Ajayi. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Rabiu

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olaniyan Sekinat Adeola now wish to be called and addressed as Rabiu Sekinat Adeola. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Adejumo

I, formally known and addressed as Miss Uchenna Chinenye Erinne now wish to be known as Mrs. Uchenna Chinenye Erinne Adejumo. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and the general public please take note.

Udom

I, formerly known, called and addressed as Essien AbasiIkponke Frank now wish to be known, called and addressed as Essien Frank Udom. All documents bearing my former name remain valid.

Adekanmbi

I, Adekanmbi Oladotun Olatunde, affirm that I am one and same person known and addressed as Adekanmbi Dotun Olatunde and Adekanmbi Oladotun Tunde.

Public take note.

The Proprietress, Mrs. Salau (middle) cutting the cake with some of the graduating students.

Olaniyi

Proprietor attributes success to innovative teaching approach Mojeed Alabi

T

he Proprietor of Christfield Comprehensive College, Agege, Lagos, Hon. S. O. Olaniyi, yesterday attributed a series of successes recorded in the school to the adoption of innovative ideas in teaching and learning and above all, the inculcation of godliness in its pupils.

Speaking to New Telegraph, Agunbiade said exposing the pupils to practical experiences by taking them to work-

places to observe practical aspect of some topics taught in their subjects, had played significant roles in the pupils’ academic development.

He said: "Building the pupils morally and fortifying them in the way of Christ have been our hallmark here and by also adapting some of the new ideas introduced by the Federal Government such as ICT and Data Processing, which have helped to improve their computer skills."

He said the school has acquired some sets

of computers to help in this cause. “New innovations have been our key to success and of course have helped to build the pupils and improve them in their academic performances," he added.

The college's Principal, Mr. Oladipupo Alabi, on his part, urged the students to be focused after living the school, saying by remaining good ambassadors of the school and their various homes, their future was assured.

He further advised them that they would only remain on the right

path by associating themselves with good people and societies, warning them to be wary of bad companies should they get to higher institutions.

Alabi, who listed some of the school's achievements to include emerging the second best in the whole of Lagos State in a science competition, said "so far, our students' results in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASCE) have consistently been among the best in Agege Local Government Area here," he boasted.

Meanwhile, many of the students were rewarded for their performances in class while guests were treated to various presentations, including dancing competitions, poetry and drama presentation.

One of the highlights of the event was the rendition by Ezekiel Isreal and Iterogba Ifeoluwa, who dazzled many parents, guests and wellwishers with beautiful and inspirational words which were presented effortlessly in flowing language.

FBN Holdings commemorates Honey, water could cure urine infections Appolonia Adeyemi World Cerebral Palsy Day

F

BN Holdings Plc yesterday demonstrated its commitment to support people living with disabilities in its communities through the advocacy campaign for the World Cerebral Palsy Day. To commemorate the day, FBN Holdings is collaborating with Benola Cerebral Palsy Initiative to organise a charity walk and enlightenment campaign for Cerebral Palsy on October 1, 2016.

The walk will take off at the Airforce Primary School, Abudu Street, off Elsie Femi Pearse, Victoria Island, Lagos by 7am.

Cerebral Palsy is one of the groups of non-pro-

gressive, non-contagious limitations of movements that eventually lead to various types of physical disability in affected persons. Its impact can range from a weakness in one hand, to almost a complete lack of voluntary movement.

Some features of Cerebral Palsy include inability to talk or walk, intellectual disability and epilepsy. It is a lifelong ailment that has no known cure. Presently, over 17 million people live with the condition and 350 million people are affected by it worldwide. In Nigeria, an estimated 700,000 children live with Cerebral Palsy.

I

n order to tackle urine infection, scientists have announced that honey and water might be a useful weapon against the condition in hospital patients.

According to the study published in the ‘Journal of Clinical Pathology’, scientists at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom (UK) have shown in the laboratory that diluted honey stops some common bacteria from forming sticky, hard-toremove layers on surfaces such as plastic.

Urine infections are common infections that can affect the bladder, the kidneys and the tubes connected to them.

Patients often have a catheter fitted, either to drain urine stuck in the bladder or to monitor urine output.

But these flexible tubes can harbour nasty bugs and cause infection.

In theory, a honey solution might be useful for flushing urinary catheters to keep them clean while they remain in the bladder.

Many more trials would be needed to check it would be safe to use in humans, however.

Honey has been used for centuries as a natural antiseptic. People have used it to treat burns and wounds and many companies now sell a range of "medical grade" honey products that comply with regulatory standards.

To further demonstrate the impact of honey on bacteria, Professor Rose Cooper, from the Centre for Biomedical Sciences at Cardiff Metropolitan University, in a separate research used electron microscopy, and revealed that honey stoped bacteria including MRSA growing, meaning cells cannot divide and therefore are unable to form infections.

According to the study in the ‘Journal of Clinical Pathology’, the laboratory work looked at two common bacteria that can cause urine and bladder infections - E. coli and Proteus mirabilis.

Bacteria can form a biofilm that coats the surface of medical devices, such as catheters.

11

THURSDAY, September 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Apugo Buhari has done well on security

Politics

Eteng South-South has fared well under APC

13 14

Politicians destroyed traditional institutions after independence – Oba Dosunmu Oba Sanya Dosumu, the Olowu of Owu, Ogun State, believes that the relegation of traditional institution to the background by the political class has not augured well for the polity. He speaks with Flora Onwudiwe on some national issues. Excerpts: How would you assess the Muhammadu Buhari administration, more than one year in office?

Honestly, I think Buhari was a very successful military administrator of Nigeria. For now, I think the role that he is playing is the role of just let us keep the peace in another eight years, so that another person will come and do what they need. I think the Buhari that we knew as a military administrator was very dynamic and I think that he should not have sought to come back as a civilian leader because the style is very different.

His government under the military was so straight to the point that he got what needed to be done with ease. Is it the same Buhari as a civilian ruler of Nigeria? Possibly, he is being slowed down by the arrangement, the National Assembly, governors and other stakeholders in his party. Under this arrangement, he has no chance of succeeding as he did as a military ruler.

However, I am being told and I have no reason to object to it that he is just picking up or he is just reserving energy for the last quarter of the first term. I hope so because Buhari was very dear dynamic leader of this country at a time.

One of the problems the Buhari government is tackling is corruption, but some people say it selective. Do you share such sentiment?

Being selective is not a wrong idea though such allegation amuses me. If you are not selective, you might run into trouble waters, so I think being selective makes sense under the circumstances that we found ourselves.

What are those areas you think he should focus more on?

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@yahoo.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

One will say the economy because the economic situation of this country has gone wild. It is like it is worse than wild horses and if you expect Buhari to cope with it which he had done before when he had the weapon to cope with it, he doesn’t have the weapon today. I think he should tread carefully less he breaks his back like a trainer of a wild horse.

Nigeria is 56. Do you think there is anything worth celebrating the over five decades of independence?

Nigerians have learnt how to laugh as Fela said – ‘suffering and smiling.’ I see our situation as almost hopeless though I am a very optimistic person.

How would you assess the role of traditional rulers in the current political dispensation?

I will answer the question with what happened in Europe at a point in their history. You know that they used to have kings but they beheaded their kings when some of the countries got independence except in England where they didn’t behead their own king but he became a figure head. I think it is just human attitude to behave like that. They beheaded all their kings, destroying them completely. The same attitude happened here.

After Independence the obas, obis and emirs were not beheaded or driven away but those who took over power told them ‘this is where you belong, you better stay there , when we need any advice, we come to you as our fathers.’ They reduced the salaries of the obas. If an oba dared say something that is contrary to what the political leader is saying, they will reduced his salary to one kobo annually, it is as if they have committed capital offence. Gradually, the obas who were trying to hold on to their inherited powers were shown the way out.

Those who complied as obedient servants were favoured to some extent but when they finished using them, they dumped them. For me the picture is that of a man who suddenly find himself in power and is overwhelmed by the immense pleasure, immense wealth so the next thing to do is to pack the obas away

Dosunmu

to a corner and today it is even getting worse.

After Independence, the obas, obis and emirs were not beheaded... but those who took over power told them ‘this is where you belong’

Do you think the constitution should have reserved some roles for traditional rulers?

Nigeria has been moved towards the abyss and nobody has a clue as how to rescue the country and it is getting worse. If you are not saying yes sir to those in government, you are nothing. You can have ten thousand crowns but you are nothing to them. They will come to you at times for advice; if you say what pleases them and make them happy, you will get an accolade. If you criticize and tell them that they should not have done this or that, what you will hear is: ‘Who cares, what does he think he is, does he think we have no sense, does he know the problem we are facing’ and all that kind of retrogressive insulting responses.

You are not supposed to have your own mind any more but of course there are obas who can tell them what they feel and suffer the consequences. The situation we found ourselves has consequently made some obas to compromise. So, today you see some obas, who have joined the gang of rabble-rousers.

Some people are of the view that the traditional lost their respect because of involvement in politics. Should traditional rulers be partisans?

Honestly, I don’t see why they should not. If I am being ruled, I have the right to rule too. I’m ruling people, who I cannot help; when they need something I cannot provide it.

Is that what the position of the oba should be? People still believe that they can go to the house of the oba and get relief. Somehow, some of them succeed in getting relief but

most of them don’t. Unfortunately, the oba becomes unpopular because he cannot feed his people. This can make the people to rebel against him and the politicians will support them. So, if a traditional ruler wishes to contest for the Senate, let him contest though the question is: What does he want at the Senate?

You grew up as a childhood friend of former President Olusegun Obasanjo , who allegedly imposed you on the people of Owu when he was in power…

To start with, Obasanjo was not even there when I was selected as oba. Yes, we have been friends from childhood but he did not force me on anybody. My forefathers to the ninth generations were obas. I am not a stranger to the throne, my grandfather was the sixth Olowu in Abeokuta here, my father would have become the ninth Olowu but he refused because he said he was a Christian, yet for four years, he was acting for the Olowu. We do it in rotation among the six ruling houses. It just happened that it became the turn of our house when Obasanjo was president. Six of us came out contesting and it was democratically done.

Obasanjo didn’t come from Abuja to say this is the man, put him there.

He was not even there when the other seven people who are kingmakers did the selection. Obasanjo is a kingmaker but he was on tour then.

I have heard this terrible statement almost every time. If I was not the Olowu and somebody else is, people will still say that Obasanjo put him there. That is understandable; he was the head of this country at the time and putting people in positions.

If the position that I am holding is political, the claim would have been justified but it is traditional.

12

POLITICS

THURSDAY, September 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Peres: Tribute to a great son of Israel Femi Fani-Kayode

O

ne of the greatest souls that ever bestrode the earth, a champion and founding father of the Jewish State of Israel, a former freedom fighter, a former soldier, an internationally-acclaimed statesman, a Nobel Laureate, a former Minister, a former Member of the Israeli Parliament for 50 years, a three-time Prime Minister of Israel, a President of the Jewish state, a diplomat, a peacemaker, an institution in the politics of Israel and the Middle East and the most experienced leader and politician that the State of Israel was ever blessed with, President Shimon Peres, has passed on at the ripe old age of 93. How, indeed, are the mighty fallen!

I had the singular honor and distinct privilege of meeting Shimon Peres on at least two occasions. The first was when I was a student at Cambridge University in 1984, where he came to deliver a lecture on the State of Israel and the complicated politics of the Middle East.

After the lecture a few of us from the Friends of Israel Society of the University paid him a courtesy call at his hotel and when I told him that I was from Nigeria his eyes lit up and he wanted to know everything that was happening in my country.

He listened attentively and after I finished analysing the situation to him (we had experienced a coup d’etat which brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power one year before) he said two things to me which I shall never forget.

Firstly, that I must endeavour to return home after completing my studies in the United Kingdom to help to build my nation and move it forward because Nigeria had so much potential. Secondly, he said that he knew my father very well and that they had met on several occasions through the 1960’s and again in the 1970’s just after our civil war.

He told me that they had been good friends since that time though they had lost contact over the years. I was astounded because throughout our conversation he never gave me the slightest idea that he knew my father right up until the very end when we had finished and we were about to leave.

He told me to go back to Nigeria and to spend my life trying to “make a difference” in the affairs of my country and that I must always do all I can to stand for and fight for the State of Israel. I was touched and humbled and I never forgot those words or that counsel.

The next time I met him was 22 years later in 2006 at the United Nations Heads of Government meeting in New York. I was Minister of Culture and Tourism at the time and when I went to see him after the various meetings the first thing he asked me was how my father was.

When I told him that he had passed on 11 years earlier he was clearly saddened and visibly moved and he said: “You must do all you can to keep the flag flying and build on his great legacy.” I have never forgotten those words either.

Peres

He also told me that he was happy and proud of the fact that I had taken the advice that he gave me when I was a student at Cambridge in the 1980’s and that I was helping to move my nation forward by going into politics.

He reminded me that I must always remember that I have a friend in him and in the State of Israel. He touched my very soul with those encouraging words and with his obvious concern for my welfare and career.

The truth is that in all my years I have never met a powerful and influential public figure and an international statesman that was as kind, generous, compassionate, interesting, intelligent, widely-read, well-informed, humble and caring as President Shimon Peres.

Unlike most people that are on his very high level he was not selfabsorbed, he did not have an overbearing sense of self-importance, he did not hog the conversation and he did not spend 99 per cent of the time talking about himself or his country.

He asked questions about you and spoke about you, your country and your challenges as much as he did about his own. He was a father to all.

Most importantly he made you feel as if you were the king of the world and part and parcel of a much bigger and wider family and brotherhood of humanity.

In him I did not just see yet another great and powerful Israeli leader that was simply fighting for and speaking to protect and further the interests of his nation from an existential and very real threat.

Rather than that I saw and met a man that was brimming with compassion and a deep and honest desire to make the world a better and safer place for all of humanity.

His achievements in his over 70 years of public service for his nation are legion and too many to be mentioned here.

However, no tribute to him can be complete without at least a mention of the heroic role that

He was a true son of King David. He was Jehu, Daniel and Solomon all rolled into one. Like Julius Caesar, he was a colossus that bestrode the earth

he played, alongside his mentor the great President Ben Gurion, in the establishment and liberation of the State of Israel.

Again we cannot but mention the courageous role he played during all three wars that took place between the Arabs and Israel since the creation of the Jewish state in 1948.

Again we cannot but mention his noble efforts during the American President Jimmy Carter-sponsored Camp David negotiations in 1978 which resulted in the historic peace treaty that was signed between Egypt and Israel.

Again we cannot but mention his role in the famous “raid and rescue” operation in Entebbe, Uganda in 1976 when over 140 nationals of the Jewish state were taken hostage by Arab terrorists that had hijacked their passenger plane.

They were later rescued in a daring and audacious raid by Israeli commandos that flew in all the way from the Jewish state, killed all the terrorists, freed all the hostages and flew them all back home to Israel safely. Shimon Peres coordinated that whole operation.

Finally we cannot but mention his contribution to the signing of the American President Bill Clinton-sponsored Oslo Peace Accord in 1993.

There is no doubt in my mind that without Shimon Peres the Oslo Peace Accords would never have been signed and the relative peace that is being enjoyed today between Israel and her Arab neighbours would have eluded both sides for many more years.

It is a testimony to the fact that the signing of the Oslo Accords was such a huge breakthrough, success and triumph for the moderate forces on both sides of the divide in the Israeli/Arab conflict and that it was such a source of torment for the hardliners that Prime Minister Yizthak Rabin who had signed it and secured the peace was assassinated by a right-wing Jewish extremist sim-

ply for daring to build that bridge of peace.

Thankfully the extremists did not manage to asassinate Shimon Peres as well but this was not for want of trying.

I have little doubt that the world will miss this great and amiable gentleman who wanted nothing but peace. When it came to world politics and international affairs he was the classic and quintessential “primus inter pares” – the first amongst equals.

He was a true son of King David. He was Jehu, Daniel and Solomon all rolled into one. Like Julius Caesar, he was a colossus that bestrode the earth.

He was a Spartan. He was a Roman. He was a Mermidan. He was a great warrior: a Titan and an Immortal.

He was Hector, the Tamer of Horses and Achilles, the Slayer of Giants. He was Alexander the Great, the Conqueror of the Civilised World.

He was a man that dedicated and devoted his entire life and being to the service and defence of the Jewish state.

He was a powerful intellectual and a formidable adversary. He was a righteous and compelling man: a strong man that was not afraid of treading the path of peace.

If there had been more like him, the Middle East and indeed the entire world would have been a better and safer place today.

O Son of David, the world will not be the same without you. We celebrate your life and achievements as you transcend the stars and enter into eternity and the throne room of El Shaddai, the Living God. Your beloved Israel mourns you and so do all her true friends from all over the world.

May the Elohim and the Adonai, the King of Kings, the Lord of Hosts and the Ancient of Days forgive you for all your sins, may He have mercy on you, may He honor you with His glorious prescence, may you bow and dance before Him in the prescence of the 24 elders, the angels, the Archangels and the saints, may He cause you to drink deep from the still waters of Elysium, may He reward you with unspeakable blessings, may He fill you with joy in abundance and may your gallant and courageous soul rest in peace.

We, who are the friends and lovers of Israel, will never forget you even as we continue the fight on the earthly plain.

Permit me to end this tribute with the words of the Greek poet Simonides who lived from 556 BC till 468 BC. In his famous epitaph for the 300 Spartans who fell at the battle of Thermopylae he wrote: “Go tell the Spartans, passerby, that here, obedient to their laws, we lie.”

The 300 Spartans, under the command of their King Leonides at Thermopylae, were heroes.

They fought for their nation and their people to the last breath.

They fought to the last minute, to the last man and to the very end.

So did President Shimon Peres.

Shalom Al Israel.

•Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Aviation

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

THURSDAY, September 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Prince Benjamin Apugo is a member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with PHILIP NYAM, he bares his mind on the performance of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the economic recession and sundry national issues.

Excerpts:

Buhari has done well on security – Apugo

In specific terms, where can you say the government has done well?

The government has done well in the area of security and that was one of things Mr. President promised Nigerians. Secondly, he has done well in keeping the unity of the country because if not for President Buhari, with the issues we are having, Nigeria could have been worse for it.

President Buhari promised Nigerians security, buoyant economy and employment but you have only talked about his achievements in security.

What about the other sectors?

This is what I was saying, we

anti-corruption war is one-sided and not following due process…

So, if I am involved in corrupt practices, I should still be allowed to be going about with convoy?

Sometimes somebody steals N10 billion and the courts will grant him bail for N200 and the president will not complain. But I believe that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), being a highly respected lawyer should look critically into this. Anyone that is involved in money laundering should not be allowed to go with it. It should be recovered and returned to government coffers.

The problem of Chibok girls as well as herdsmen attacking farmers are still here with us and no solution seems to be in place. What’s your reaction?

Under Jonathan, the Bring Back our Girls (BBOG) was not strong but this time they are stronger than an army. And if somebody promised that he would rescue the girls, you keep disturbing rather than been patient with him. This problem was there when Jonathan was here. On the herdsmen, they have been with us for long and for me, I support they be given land for grazing. I don’t believe that the solution to herdsmen menace is to fight them. They should be given land. After all, everybody eats meat. So, if you have given them grazing land, let’s see if they will go and destroy farmlands again.

Since Buhari came into office, Nigeria has been moving from one problem to another. What is your assessment of the administration?

For me, the government has done very well, that is my assessment.

But some believe that President Buhari is the most divisive leader Nigeria had ever had. Those who hold this view accused him of not balancing his appointments in terms of religion and geo-political zones.

For what I know, if he hadn’t wanted the unity of this country, he would not go to fight to keep it one. Now talking about Avengers, if he were not interested in the unity of the nation, he will leave them to over run the country. But he fought Avengers and they are running now, and the same applies to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Though they are not armed but he tried to quell the disturbances. These people you are seeing have the real people behind them who are interested in dividing the nation. I say this because these people wouldn’t have money to buy arms and give up their lives if they are not paid.

If it was the last administration, the government would have surrendered because we have never seen a thing like this in recent times. Then you talked about the Christian-Muslim dichotomy, it is unfortunate that we always throw up this issue forgetting that we are all Nigerians. If a Christian is good in his or her field, nobody will object him or her from being appointed. If a Muslim being a Nigerian is appointed and he did not serve himself or corruptly enrich himself, nobody will complain.

And if you take a critical look at issue, you will agree with me that every state has a minister.

13

Apugo

don’t see things the way they are.

The economic recession was not caused by Mr. President or the APC government because it was there before we came in. All the stories they were telling Nigerians under the Jonathan administration about the economy were false.

If we had stayed with that government up till now, I don’t think anybody would be eating. But this man has come and brought out the exact picture for Nigerians to see.

This government has put to effective use the Treasury Single Attack (TSA) and some of the looters are returning the money they stole. And these looters are still there with 70 0r 80 percent of them still in the National Assembly. Now each state has a governor who collect monthly subvention including that of local governments yet they do nothing to improve the lot of the people. Must we depend on the Federal Government to deliver the economy? The economy was bad before this government came in and everything is being done to revive it.

The government is talking about diversification of the economy but people are complaining about its slow pace. For instance, the Manufacturers Association (MAN) disagreed with some government policies…

MAN is complaining because they don’t have enough dollars but our legal tender here is naira. If you are into manufacturing, you should be able to start with the level of allocation given to you in the foreign currency. The more you export, the more you regain the foreign currency and you reinvest it. But I think the government

is planning a package, which will show that the president is not a pushover or spent force.

The economic recession was not caused by Mr. President or the APC government because it was there before we came in

What about unemployment?

If the states and local governments are utilizing their funds, employment would be created from the local governments down to the states. It is not everybody that can be employed by the Federal Government. It is not everybody that would come and work in Abuja. If I have a job in Umuahia where I come from, won’t I work there? Our local governments are in the pockets of governors. It is happening in my state, Abia.

That is why people are calling for restructuring and a new revenue formula for more money to be given to states and local governments…

No matter the amount you give states, it is only governors who are prepared to work that will perform. Even if you give them the Central Bank, with the level of looting, nothing will improve.

Although some of the governors are good. For example, when late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was governor, I learnt he surrendered his security votes but which governor can do that today? In my state, the governor would rather multiply his security votes into three times.

So, talking about restructuring, are we going to restructure the human beings? It is better for the human beings to restructure themselves first. That is why I am not happy with the president allowing these looters to be going about freely without trying them and jailing them.

But there are complaints that the

Kidnapping is another security problem the country is struggling with…

I wouldn’t talk much on this but I think the police is trying in that aspect. But it has always been with us. But I believe that the government is doing something about it.

Former First lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan is currently fighting with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over monies discovered in some persons account. Do you think she should be prosecuted?

What the woman is doing is very laughable. If you commit a crime, it is better to apologise.

But when you start creating an impression that looting is a good thing, we have to speak against it.

I don’t think the Buhari administration will take it. Because, which work did she do to get that kind of money. But I can’t tell the security or anti-corruption agencies to do their job.

INEC under the present administration seems to be getting it wrong and the result is inconclusive elections.

What is your take on that?

INEC has to sit up and solve this problem of inconclusive elections.

They should also look at their personnel and remove the bad eggs from the system.

President Buhari is also accused of not carrying party members along.

As an insider, how would you react to this allegation?

For me, it may look different because I do not want anybody to carry me along. We are in the party to correct anything that went wrong in the polity, all things that are not good. You know APC is made up of people from different political parties. I came from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and as I always tell people, the PDP delivered the presidency to Buhari. Recall that Buhari had CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

14

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

THURSDAY, September 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

South-South has fared well under APC – Eteng

Barr. Utum Eteng is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State.

He speaks in this interview with Clement James on the APC’s led Federal Government and its disposition for the pople of the South-South geopolitical zone What do you make of the resurgence of militancy in Niger Delta and the alleged link of some leaders in the region to the Niger Delta Avengers?

I think it will be very unfortunate if the allegation is found to be true although the issue of Niger Delta Avengers is about pettiness because they are not speaking for the entire Niger Delta people. They are fighting for themselves and perhaps, their communities because for all I know, I have not given anybody the authority to represent me in the Avengers even as Niger Delta is not an exclusive preserve of the Ijaws.

It is a large geographical expression of several states and tribes.

So far, what is your assessment of the Muhammadu Buhari’s government anti-corruption war, which some say is been used to hound members of the opposition?

Sometimes in our clime, we give a dog a bad name just to hang it. But I must say that intelligent people know that you start from the known to the unknown in any battle. And if he is starting the war with members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who had been in power for 16 years, I do not see anything wrong with that. Don’t forget that in the last 16 years, the commonwealth of this country was exclusively in their hands and they disbursed it the way they wanted.

So, if you are to start asking people to account for it, you start from that angle. You see, to a large extent, I sympathize with both the APC and President Buhari because it seems that there appears not to be in place, an active propaganda machinery to debunk the propaganda the PDP has set out to mislead the public. I must tell you that there so is much money in private hands and those private hands are more of the PDP than any other party.

When he is done with the PDP, he will beam his searchlight on other parties, including APC members.

Let me tell you that you that some people stole this country dry. If you look at the amount of money individuals stole, you would want ask yourself what they are doing with such monies. So, let Buhari do the job Nigerians elected him to do by allowing those who are found to

have stolen the wealth of the people to face the law. Let’s also try and sympathize with Mr. President because with the level of theft in this country, if there was a way of applying the Jerry Rawlings approach, we would have shut our eyes and ask him to go ahead and these thieves would have been executed and their properties confiscated to teach others a lesson.

While the anti-graft is on, Nigerians expect the President to also pay attention to other areas of development but this seem not to be so.

Nigerians are impatient people and you would have noticed that the President has released N400 billion for capital projects across the country and that includes the Uyo-Calabar road and that of Ikom-Calabar and the issue is that because of the stern principles of the President, every job must be accounted for.

Don’t forget that these roads were said to have been awarded by the last federal regime but the money just disappeared.

You must not lose sight of the fact that the budget was approved not quite long ago and you are aware of the controversy that surrounded the budget. That is why corruption must be checked otherwise, people would just embezzle the money and go to bed. You can see religious, traditional as well as other opinion leaders lining up behind the president on his anti-corruption crusade because that is where the real issue lies. So, government is tackling other areas of development.

Would you say that the recent controversy in the House of Representatives over budget padding was in the larger interest of the public?

Let me say that the reality on ground is that the former House Committee chairman on Appropriation, Abdumumin Jibrin, only raised an alarm about the rot in the National Assembly and he mentioned those who were involved. And what we heard were counter-accusations, which portrays a thief calling another thief a name. So, now that the issue is in the public domain, it is left for the security agencies to carry out a detailed investigation and pursue the appropriate sanction.

I think National Assembly members behave as if there are no hard times in this country. So, now that these issues have been unearthed, a proper investigation should be carried out by law enforcement agencies. It is really unfortunate that in spite of the high poverty rate in the country, these National Assembly members are behaving as if there is so much money with exotic cars, more houses and other luxury lifestyle. They are still living that old life and that was why former President Olusegun Obansanjo called them thieves because he has an idea of who they are. And that is because they are very unsympathetic with the reality on ground.

Former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-

Eteng

Even during the era of Jonathan who comes from our zone, we never had it this good

Egba has been appointedto chair the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). What should the people of the region expect from him?

Before I say something about the expectation of the people from Ndoma-Egba’s appointment, let me call on all Cross Riverians to thank President Buhari, not only for appointing Ndoma-Egba, but also giving appointments to other indigenes of the state. In fact, Cross River has never had it so good. He appointed Obla Obla as non-executive member representing the South-South in the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC); he appointed Pastor Usani Uguru Usani as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs; he appointed the Chief Naval Staff, though not a political appointment as well as the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Oyo-Ita. So, for a state as small as Cross River, it has never been this good.

That is why I think the governor of the state, traditional rulers and other prominent indigenes of the state should pay a thank-you visit to the President for giving the state the opportunity to serve in various capacities. Even during the era of Jonathan who comes from our zone, we never had it this good. So, I think we should say good morning to the neighbour who has also wished us well. That also enforces the belief that the South-South, as minority, has always fared better under the leadership of a core northerner.

On the appointment of NdomaEgba, let me make this point very clear that the President has his ears to the ground and he knows when to put a square peg in a square hole.

So, Ndoma-Egba was chosen based on his antecedents and would still have been nominated even if he was not a member of APC because the President was set to go for people who will give him results. So, it is expected that the NDDC would be navigated away from the past and directed to achieve the purpose for which the commission was set up.

And I think coming to pair with Nsima Ekere, the commission will be reengineered, reenergized and reinvigorated.

There seems to be some bickering within the state chapter of the APC, what do think is responsible for that?

APC is really not a docile party in Cross River State. Instead the party is really coming up as a serious opposition party in the state, though it is the ruling party at the national level. There were too many initial problems in the party because there was some level of preconceived ideas which were planted in the minds of many members. But now, having been given priority attention in positions at the federal level, the party is gradually taking its position as a serious opposition party in the state. And let me tell you that the ‘who is who’ in the state are now in APC and this is a fact.

You will recall that Labour party was not known before 2014 until some prominent politicians moved into it and then it became the only contending party against the PDP in the state. So, that is what APC is gradually becoming. But let me also charge and challenge the national leadership of APC for not doing much to reposition the party in Cross River and indeed, in the entire South-South. The national leadership cannot claim ignorance of the division in the party in Cross River and until and unless they come forth and wield the big stick, and take certain decisions, it will still not be Uhuru for APC in Cross River State even if all the prominent people from the state are in the party.

There is still some element of very avoidable bad blood and naïve competitions but the national leadership has not played the role it is supposed to play to douse tension.

The national chairman is from the South-South and having Edo alone in the region is not enough.

So much should be done in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states to put the party in order and this should be a serious assignment. Bola Tinubu is prepared at any time to deliver the South West and President Buhari can deliver the north.

But is the national chairman prepared to deliver his region? How many states are APC states in the region? And what effort is he making to redeem this situation? So, the national chairman should come to the state and look at the problems of the party here and put things in order so that the party in the state can move forward.

POLITICS \ INTERVIEW

THURSDAY, September 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Yerima Shettima is the president of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF). He speaks in this interview on the economic recession in the country, the need for President Muhammadu Buhari to rejig his cabinet and calls for restructuring. WALE ELEGBEDE reports

Are you also worried about the state of the economy?

It’s sad that we are in such an economic state as a nation. The unity of the country has already been threatened over time and a lot of things have not been working. But as far as I am concerned, this recession is worse than Boko Haram because many Nigerians are dying in their homes of hunger of starvation. This is the worst and trying period ever in the history of this country. The whole thing is even getting more complicated with suspicions and fears that the unity of the country is being threatened and everybody wants to walk away. Even we in the North want to walk away because we feel marginalised.

Those who are saddled with the responsibility of governing us are even appearing more confused. I just hope this will not be the last moment we will have as a people under one country called Nigeria because the indices to failure are all over and they are indicating that if measures are not swiftly put in place, we are likely to lose completely the glory of unity put in place by our founding fathers. I am sure our founding fathers who sacrificed so much for this country are turning in their graves over the present state of things in this country.

By next week, our country will be 56 years and we are still a crawling nation. But I think if all of us can come together as a nation to begin to speak as one irrespective of our sentiments and we all decided to keep our hands on the deck, we will pull the nation out of its present state. However, the current government especially the president must be open to

15

It’s time to rejig the federal cabinet – Shettima sold. We may even likely not be able to sing the national anthem again because they have sold to it.

These assets are what declare our identity as a nation. We can’t sell our assets to eat, we can’t allow country to be run by capitalists who will sell our properties to themselves at peanut rate.

We have seen it before under former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration where our assets were sold to his cronies at ridiculous rates. Nobody should dare make effort to sell our assets because we will resist it.

We are ready to form an alliance with progressives over this. These assets are our national identities put together by our founding fathers and someone cannot just wake up one day and sell them.

Government will come and go.

Shettima

advices for people to come in and give support. The government must be seen to be all-inclusive for us to be able to work together.

We must all rise to save the country because without the country you cannot govern anybody. We may run into a state of anarchy if urgent measures are not taken because the hunger in the land is high and that is why you can see some people already saying the Buhari government should take us back to where they took over from in 2015.

What is your take on the proposed sale of some national assets…

Why would they sell our assets? How would you sell what is not your own? These are national assets; they don’t belong to any one single person or administration. Why would this administration sell assets that previous governments were able to put in place for the nation? If they are thinking of selling these things then we might wake up one day and see that our Coat of Arms and National Flag have been

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

contested for this position three times and could not win- but if Kano would deliver 1.9 million votes, Kastina brought 1.6 million, Sokoto brought similar votes, Jigawa the same thing; these were all PDP states.

Even in the South-East, where I come from, we voted for Buhari, if not for the Jonathan syndrome and PDP’s acrobatic posture to write fake results in Government Houses and because they were in power, and nobody could do anything. I only want him to carry the country along and do things that would make the people smile; things that would usher in the change that was promised. Remember the people were all

Some of these nonperforming, deadwoods in Buhari’s cabinet should be fired

But the argument has been that the government inherited an empty treasury?

Let us stop deceiving ourselves, the APC government has no plan for this country, they just stumbled on power because they never believed the previous government will hand over power to them. They have no plan, they are confused. We waited for six months to get ministers and look at the array of those they gave us as cabinet members. Some of them are behaving like clowns.

Look at the Minister of Youths and Sports, he is busy wearing berets around and running that ministry as if it is his personal properties. Look at the embarrassment our nation suffered at the just concluded Olympic game in Brazil.

Some of these non-performing, deadwoods in Buhari’s cabinet should be fired. Most of them have nothing to offer, they are confused and don’t have the capacity to handle a federal portfolio. Are we saying out of over 150 million people, these are the best we can see? The president should rejig his cabinet immediately because they have failed. If people want to start calling for the head of Jonathan alone, I think they are not being fair. We must backdate our criticism to 1999, when Obasanjo took over. Most of them should be questioned and jailed because over 100 million Nigerians are suffering from a crime

they know nothing about.

There are insinuations that a section in the North is opposed to restructuring…

No, there is no section of the country that is against restructuring. Those who appear opposed to it are those who are benefitting from the present system of government. These are the individuals who have cornered the resources of this nation and they know that when the country is restructured, they lose out.

They preferred the usual sharing of resources without bringing anything to the table. But we must have a restructured system where the central government is made to be less attractive, then people will go back to their various zones to begin to work, then you will now see who is lazy and who is not. These people know that immediately that there is restructuring they will be exposed, that is why they don’t want it.

If we run a community or state policing we will have less of these insecurity challenges. Look at the faces of those opposed to restructuring; they are direct beneficiaries in this present arrangement.

The Northern youths have come of age and nobody can speak for us because we know that the present system does not favor the generality of the people. So, whoever says he is against restructuring either in the North or South should come out and give us the reasons for it, they must stop hiding behind a finger.

Ekiti State government recently signed into law the anti-grazing bill.

What is your take on that?

What the Ekiti governor did is actually aimed at the path of a particular tribe and that is not too good. I think he should see himself as the governor of all people in his state and not a section of people. The fact of the matter is that criminals are everywhere not only in a section of a country. If we are passing a law it must be a law that addresses criminal issues not targeted at a section of the people. If we do that, we are not building a nation because we are spread across in different places as a people. We must be united irrespective of who we are or what we believe in.

Buhari has done well on security – Apugo crying until Jonathon left.

APC seems to be following the footsteps of PDP in not observing internal democracy given the outcome of the primaries in Ondo State.

For me, I don’t think anybody can convince me to change the truth. So, the issue of Ondo gubernatorial primaries is between the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the committee that he sent to conduct the election. And that committee was headed by the Jigawa state governor- a highly respected person. I know that he is a man of integrity and would not go

there and do things that are questionable. I didn’t go there and I am neither a member of the election committee or the appeal committee, so I cannot speak much on it. And I do not think that there is a national leader, who can change the truth.

But would you say there is internal democracy in your party?

There is no internal democracy is some states. Like in my state, Abia, I am calling on them to come and conduct congresses because the chairman there is from the same village with the governor. He cannot criticize him. Have

you ever heard the chairman said the governor has done anything wrong? If we are in opposition, we should make people feel our impact. The national leadership should listen to us because we are in a fix. If congresses are not held in Abia, how can APC win elections? If we get it right, we will win any election that is conducted in Abia. I made it clear to you that we in Abia voted for Buhari even though we are not looking for personal compensation or gains. But the side that voted for Buhari would want him to come and build infrastructure.

In Abia state there is no light, no roads, no markets.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

16

Opinion Controversial Gabonese presidential election Turning Point MIKE ARAYUWA WILKIE pmikky1950@yahoo.com 0802-3097-251 (sms only)

T

he Republic of Gabon was a colony of France. It attained independent status in 1960. In 1961, Leon Mba was elected as its first president. In 1964, there was a military coup against Mba which failed due to the intervention of the French military. In 1967, Leon Mba died as an incumbent president, while Albert Bernard Bongo succeeded him. In 1973, Albert Bongo converted to Islam and changed his name to Omar Bongo Ondimba. Consequently, the family of Bongo took-over the political leadership and governed Gabon for almost 51 years, dating back to 1967.

Omar Bongo Ondimba stayed in office for 42 years until his death on June 8, 2009 at the age of 73 years. He had a total number of 30 children from numerous women. When President Fidel Castro of Cuba stepped down on February 24, 2008; Omar Bongo Ondimba became the longest serving ruler in history.

The Gabonese were not comfortable with his rulership, on the ground that he only worked for himself and his family. For instance, Eva Joly, a politician and member of the “Fresh Green”, claimed that in spite of the oil-boom, and a sharp increase in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Omar Bongo only succeeded in constructing a five kilometer freeway, annually.

During his reign, Gabon also had one of the world’s highest infant mortality rates before death relieved him of his presidential position.

His death created a vacancy and room for the ascension of his son, Ali Bongo Ondimba, to the status of the president. He assumed office as president on October 16, 2009. He is also a Lawyer by profession.

During his father’s regime, he was minister of Foreign Affairs (1989-1991), he actually replaced Martin Bongo, his brother, who was a member of the National Assembly (1991-1999); Minister of Defence (1999-2009). From his brief curriculum vitae, there is no doubt that he had undergone enough political tutelage, preparatory to the office of president. In 2009, he won the presidential election with 42 per cent of the total votes cast.

The opposition rejected the official result and riots broke-out in Port-Gentil, Gabon’s second largest city. Omar Bongo Ondimba’s victory was further re-emphasized by the constitutional court, and he was sworn-in as president on October 16, 2009. In his inaugural speech, he expressed “commitment to justice and the fight against corruption”. Further, he re-echoed his father’s philosophy of “preserving stability through regional, tribal and political balance in the allocation of power”.

He also stressed that, “excellence, competence and work”, were even more important than “geographical and political considerations”.

In the recently conducted presidential election of August 27, 2016, a total of 627,805 or 59.46 per cent were registered as voters. 16, 420 were declared as invalid/blank votes, while 373, 310 were the total votes cast of this against Jean Ping’s 172, 128 (48.23 per cent) votes cast. Of this figure, Ali Bongo Ondimba was returned with 177,722 (48.80 per cent) votes as against Jean Ping’s 172,128 (48.23 per cent) votes. The total votes cast for the victorious president was a narrow-margin of 1.57 per cent to beat Jean Ping, the opposition presidential candidate of the Union of Forces of Change (UFC). There

Opposition candidate, Jean Ping, had declared that he won the presidential election

were other five presidential candidates and four Independents.

Announcement of the official result, in favour of the incumbent president, triggered-off massive protests in Libreville, the Capital City, and the Nation’s parliament was burnt down. The opposition candidate, Jean Ping, had declared that he won the presidential election, and accused the country’s leader of using fraud to cling to political power. He was of the view that president Ali Bongo Ondimba rigged the election. In response to the protests, Jean Ping said, “citizens had strongly demonstrated their legitimate anger”.

In corroborating the position of the opposition candidate, the United States Embassy in Libreville said, “the Gabon’s voters were not “well served by many systematic flaws and irregularities that we witnessed”, including “the late opening of polling stations and last minute changes of voting procedure”. The European Union (EU) observers also supported the view of the opposition. The EU observers said that there was “lack of transparency on the part of the institutions which organized the election. The Supreme Court of Gabon has, however, given judgment in favour of Ali Bongo.

In the light of this imbroglio, it was certain that there were gross irregularities and manipulations, in a desperate attempt to return Ali Bongo Ondimba to the presidential lodge. It is also true that the 1.57 per cent in favour of the president, was a narrow-margin, and too close for an outright victory. The result ought to have caused a re-run of the two leading candidates or for an electoral college to take place, depending on the Gabonese constitution. I am to add that Jean Ping, his rival, could have won the election also. I therefore suggest that the president should constitute a coalition or a Unity Government in the interest of the political stability of Gabon; after all, Gabon is not the business concern of the Bongo family.

To do otherwise, is to create the genesis of active civil disturbances in Gabon.

Africa and World Pension Summit Paddy Ezeala

T

he radical dualism – the acute paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty – that defines Africa finds ugly consequential expression in the most vulnerable members of society – women, children and the aged. The reasons why many African countries have become case studies in bad governance have been well-documented.

Not even the traditional extended family system, age-long interdependence and collectivism have been able in recent times to guarantee fall-back options for retirees and the aged in Africa. This is why it has become increasingly necessary to constantly evaluate the efforts made at providing social security and the necessary safety nets to cushion shock and other negative impacts of retirement. Ordinarily, retirement should be pleasurable when the right things are put in place.

The provision of Old Age Pension (OAP) has increasingly become a burden on governments in Africa and other parts of the world. The defined benefits scheme is no longer sustainable with increasing population and shrinking government revenues. In Nigeria, the answer to this has been the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

The scheme has steadily been gaining acceptance with total funds under management recently hitting N5.8 trillion.

This is even with the vast majority of Nigerian workers not enlisted in the scheme.

Pension distribution is still sparse and market penetration still below 10 percent. Some measure of coercion would be required for the scheme to maximize its potential in Nigeria. The economic down-turn should even necessitate more desperate and innovative measures. Some other countries in Africa like South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have good stories to share with regard to the growth of pension funds and their inherent potential to support development.

Of special interest is the World Pension Summit taking place in Nigeria on 27 and 28, September, 2016 at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. Of even greater interest is its special focus on Africa. This year’s edition of World Pension Summit: Africa Special being organized by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) in partnership with Pensions and Investments/World Pension Summit, Amsterdam has as its theme “Pension Innovations: The African Perspective.”

The summit is addressing the revolutionary strides in pensions by African countries, the outlook of African pension funds with regard to investment, emerging insurer role, the dynamics of pension investments, financial inclusion, the impact of technology in expanding the pension market and actuarial issues and their impact on pension benefits, policy and governance. It is bringing together pension experts and leaders in the subjects of investment, actuarial science, insurance, technology and other related areas from

various parts of the world.

“The World Pension Summit: Africa Special, is the platform to exchange knowhow, support professionals in social security and in all aspects of pensions to gain expertise. It is also about taking the pragmatic essential steps to professionalise pensions and make them ‘future proof,’” said the Director-General PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu while further expatiating on the content of the summit.

“This year’s summit will focus on key areas and experiences on relevant topics and developments such as pension innovations, the dynamics of pension investment (ALM, new asset classes, infrastructure investments); ESG for pension funds and impact investing, financial inclusion covering financial literacy, micro-pensions and social security.

“The second edition of the Africa Pension Awards would also be held during the summit. “The awards ceremony is an integral part of the summit. It is the ultimate reward for excellence and a huge stimulus to ensure that Africa’s pensions industry remains innovative,” she said.

This broad range of areas being covered by the summit is reflective of not only the rising profile of pension in global socioeconomic development, but also the interconnectivity promoted by the industry.

Also, the emphasis on innovation in the theme of the summit is not out of place considering the complexity and even peculiarity of the African situation.

For example, in Nigeria, while the Pension Reform Act was initially promulgated in 2004 and reviewed ten years later

in 2014, some state governments are still undecided as to whether to domesticate the scheme or not. In other words, many state governments have not keyed into the scheme ten years after its commencement.

How can consistent remittances be expected from state governments that have not even been able to pay its workers’ salaries?

State governments see pension contributions as additional financial burden while workers in the informal sector still find it difficult to believe that they would one day retire. These challenges and more, including the very high technological exigencies of the industry, underscore the imperative of innovation in getting the industry to achieve its full potential.

Innovation in the pension industry should not only be geared towards growing assets under management and getting as many workers as possible into the safety net it provides. Innovation should also be applied in the investment of pension funds by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) for growth and the use of the funds as regulated by (PenCom) to address infrastructural deficiencies in the country.

The high profile experts in social security and pension who are gathered in Abuja to cross-pollinate ideas on how to stimulate pension markets and innovation in Africa have a duty to come up with innovative approaches to safeguard Africa’s future through the rendition of pension in a way to drive development.

•Ezeala (paddyezeala@yahoo.co.uk) is the Head, Corporate Communications at Premium Pension Limited

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

17

EDITORIAL

Our VISION To build a newspaper organisation anchored on the sanctity of truth.

Sanctity of Truth

Our MISSION To publish a newspaper of superior value, upholding the fundamental ethics of journalism: balanced reporting, fairness, accuracy and objectivity.

T

Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

Change must start with government

he change mantra of the new order under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari sounded sweet until the people began to swallow the bitter pills accompanying the promised revolution. Nigerians are as confused as the whole world following the doom accruing from the dwindling resources available to the government.

However, in the midst of recession as often preached by those in power, governments at all levels in the country fritter away hard earned resources while they expect compatriots to tighten their belt. It indeed appears lame that while the people are forced to live with hardship induced by maladministration, our leaders are living big and doing virtually nothing to salvage the situation.

This idea of blaming the immediate past government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan cannot sell anymore. We believe that after spending over 14 months in power, the Buhari administration should provide solution, not excuses. And the road to get rid of the mess is still far away.

Nigeria may be copying the American democratic ideals but we are not and cannot claim to be the United States. In other words, the Federal Government cannot because President Barack Obama flies around the world on Air Force One, maintain a bogus Presidential Fleet of aircraft.

If what the country needs at this time is an austere system of governance, it should start from

the top. Government spends millions of scarce dollars and pounds to maintain the Presidential Fleet. In the years of petro dollar, it could. We cannot afford to continue to live like Kings when our economy has been pauperized.

Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Europe’s strongest economy can afford the luxury of a Presidential jet, she does not.

Neither Queen Elizabeth of England nor British Prime Minister Theresa May flies a Presidential jet. Both powerful leaders enjoy the comfort of the British Airways and may not even travel First Class.

Unfortunately, Nigeria has no national carrier.

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

Funke Egbemode

Managing Editor, Business & Strategy n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor, Publication & Operations n Emeka Obasi

Managing Editor, South n Emeka Madunagu Managing Editor, North & Abuja n Laurence Ani (Leave of Absence) Editor n Ayodele Ojo Editor, Sunday n Juliet Bumah Editor, Saturday n Waheed Bakare Deputy Editor, Group Head, Newsroom n Geoffrey Ekenna

Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed Sales/Circulation Manager n Oyebanji Abiodun Head, Arts & Creative n Ugochukwu Nnakwe Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

The biggest shame was recorded at the August 2016 Rio Olympics when the Nigerian contingent arrived in batches like orphans from one of Mother Theresa’s Orphanages. In what would go down in Olympic records as the Miracle of Brazil, the Nigerian male soccer team, stranded in Atlanta Georgia, managed to arrive their match venue just five hours to kick –off.

And they beat their opponents 5-4.

Many of our state governors are burning tax payers’ money hiring and flying jets. There is the case

Governors are burning tax payers’ money hiring and flying jets

Nigeria Airways, our pride in the First and Second Republics, died because some corrupt government officials decided to make money out of our commonwealth. While we are not convinced that the airline could hit the air in a matter of months, we also believe that if government so desires, it could be brought back to live.

It is a national shame that tiny countries like Rwanda and Cameroun have more presence in the air. It is also more than national disgrace that when Nigerians want to travel, they embark on permutations on how to fly Air Maroc, South Africa Airways, Ethiopian Airlines or Egypt Air.

DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha

of a particular governor who has a jet handy and spends quite some time in the air while workers in the state air their frustrations

frequently through work to rule.

These flights cost millions of naira.

It is no longer news that another governor is so carried away by this executive recklessness, that in one day ,while he chartered a jet to Abuja, his wife hired another one to Lagos.

On the road, the governors waste more money. A governor’s convoy could include as many as 25 vehicles. These automobiles and the legion that adorn the backyards of Government Houses are fuelled and serviced regularly even if they are not moving. All manner of officials occupy the vehicles.

A governor does not need more than seven vehicles on his convoy.

Government must do away with the lazy bunch who come in as Assistants and Advisers. A governor has a Commissioner for Health, Special Adviser, Health and Special Assistant on Health Matters. There is the Permanent Secretary, Chairman Health Management Board, Chairman State University Teaching Hospital Board and Chairman Task Force on Hospitals.

Some governors have Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Principal Secretary, Chief Of Protocol, Private Secretary and all kinds of personal staff. Most of the time some of these aides only look after the numerous Guest Houses allocated to the governors. It is unbelievable that some states keep as many as 15 Guest Houses for the governors’ use.

Things are not better in the legislature. From the office of the Senate President down to principal officers, so much money is spent on aides. Some of these so called aides may never be seen or known. And many of them may just be aides in name and on paper. They may not receive what the treasury releases.

Government must take a look inwards and begin the change from within. So much money is wasted by the same administration that wants Nigerians to accept the worst. Government is a continuum. If the previous government led us into recession, the new regime must lead us to Paradise as promised. No more excuses.

18

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

19

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SouthEastFocus South South Focus Saving them from plague of bad roads

21 News Finding their voices at newsstands

22 Nwali

Effium Community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State is sitting on a keg of gunpowder, following the killing of a 25-yearold man allegedly by a special committee set up by the local government to oversee security in the area. The death has created tension in the volatile community as Ezza youths have vowed to avenge the death of one of their own, Ndubuisi Nwali, if the perpetrators were not brought to book.

UCHENNA INYA, in Abakaliki, reports

E

ffium is one of the heterogeneous communities in Ebonyi State. It is a volatile area and any misunderstanding can spark off violence in the community. This is what happened last Friday when one Ndubuisi Nwali was shot dead.

He was shot in the chest at Ngamgbo-Ariom axis of the community by three armed men. There are two accounts of his killing. While one account has it that Nwali was killed by an arm of the special security

Nwali’s wife and her son

Sitting on a keg of gunpowder committee of the local government for trying to cut down economic tree in a forest located in the area, the other account said he was murdered on his way to a burial.

The second account maintained that Nwali of Ezza Nwekendiagu village in the area was shot by three men from Effium community.

When the news of the killing of Nwali was broken to the family, youths of the community almost lost their cool but for the intervention of some stakeholders from Ezza to calm the situation.

Already, people from Nwekendiagu Ezza have given the Chairman of the Local Government Area and Efium people 24 hours ultimatum to produce the suspects they identified and hand them over to the police.

That ultimatum has lead to tension as there is fear of reprisal attack by the Ezzas.

This is coming on the heels of two suspects from Effium arrested by police in connection with the killing of one Nwigwe Nwonu and his son and were released on alleged directive by some persons in authority.

The tension in the communi-

I am not happy the way he was murdered. Look at my age and a little boy I have and they killed my husband and made me a sudden widow

ty has forced many residents of Effium to flee from their homes for fear of possible reprisal attacks from the people of Ezza Nwekendiagu community.

Speaking to New Telegraph, Nwokwu Sunday, who was with the deceased, said they were going for a burial and they saw few boys he identified simply as Double, Friday and Kpokponki, who intercepted them and shot Nwali.

“We were intercepted by the boys and we tried to inquire why they blocked our way. One of them brought out a gun and shot Ndubuisi in the chest and while I raised the alarm, Kpokponki shot at the air which attracted people’s attention and when people started coming out, the three boys ran away”, he said.

He revealed that the suspects whom he identified as members of Forest Committee set up by the council chairman intercepted them and inquired why the deceased ever harvested trees at the forest, a situation which he said led to some argument that led to the death of the deceased.

“It was Double, who first said he identified Ndubuisi as one

GEOFFREY EKENNA coordinaTor

goeekenna@yahoo.co.uk 08068774740

of the Ezza people that used to come to the forest to cut down the trees and said he will deal with us and that was when one Friday shot Ndubuisi in the chest and fled when they saw that people have started coming out”.

Wife of the deceased, Adaeze Nwali, who cuddled her 2-yearold baby, said her husband left for a burial of a kinsman and was ambushed by the suspects at Ngamgbo-Ariom and killed.

She disclosed that her late husband was never at the Forest in Effium.

“My husband left for a burial. Before I could notice it, some persons came in and said he has been shot dead and I asked what transpired. I was told he cut down a tree in a forest in our area and my husband never cut any tree in the Effium forest.

“I am not happy the way he was murdered. Look at my age and a little boy I have and they killed my husband and made me sudden widow’’, she wept.

She said that her husband before he gave up the ghost, told her that he was shot at Ngamgbo-Ariom and called for proper investigation into her husband brutal murder by apprehending the suspects and ensuring justice.

Nwali’s killing came few weeks after policemen attached to the Effium Police Division led by the DPO arrested two suspects from Effium in connection with the murder of one 89–year-old Nwigwe Nwonu and his son and recovered fire arm.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ohaukwu Council Area, Clement Odah, said there was no crisis in the community and assured the people that the suspects will soon be arrested and handed over to the police.

Though the police authority through the Divisional Police Officer, Effium Police Division, DPO, Immam Mohammed, confirmed that one person was shot, he said nobody has been arrested in connection with the incident. He said efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects.

Ezza Effium settled in the Effium community for many decade.

The two communities have been living in peace and intermarrying but recent events in the area, including clashes have made them cats and dog with Ezzas regarded as people who do not tolerate any provocation.

This is evidenced in Ezillo/ Ezza-Ezillo, Ishielu Local Government Area of the state whereby an Ezza man was killed in 2008 and it sparked off serious crisis in the area where over 100 lives were lost with properties worth millions of naira destroyed when the crisis escalated in December 31, 2011.

20

News|south-east

Women are angry Okegwo Okechukwu Onitsha

N

ot so long ago, traders at the Coca Cola depot along the Onitsha Asaba Express way embarked on a one-week protest over an alleged relocation of the traders at the accident prone area by the Anambra State Government.

The traders, who usually blocked the Onitsha-Asaba expressway on daily basis in their thousands, complained of a number of issues, including lack of enough accommodation and shops in the new place among others as their reasons for the protest.

But little did most of the residents of Anambra State and visitors alike know that the protest was politically motivated by some desperate politicians, who want to portray the government of Governor Willie Obiano in bad light in order to give it a bad name.

Some of the politicians, New Telegraph gathered, doled out millions to sponsor the women for weeks to create impression that the government of Anambra State was insensitive to the plight of the women especially the widows who were positioned to take the front lead.

The relocation of the market, according to South East focus’ investigation, was sequel to several road accidents in the area, leading to loss of lives and perishable goods worth millions, wares of these women who usually display their goods along one lane of the expressway thereby causing ob-

The protesting women

struction to people and vehicular movement.

Following this, a former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, allocated a place near the Power Mike Stadium along Atani road and directed that the market be relocated to the area.

However, the relocation was somehow delayed when Obiano assumed office and decided to

construct some shops to accommodate the traders when they finally relocate to the market.

It was also gathered that the owners of the private market at the Coca Cola depot allegedly conspired with some politicians and cashed in on the government’s gesture to mobilize the women to protest against the state government.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Respite came to the state government when a faction the traders in the market discovered that money exchanged hands and they broke away and relocated to the market.

There was also conspiracy among different trade unions in the market that led to the fractionalization of the group. While those in the vegetable and fruits haulage union accused the state government of imposing multiple taxation, and exorbitant charges, the market union leaders, who were working for the owners of the private market along the disputed place accused their masters of winner takes all attitude.

Dependable source among the traders told South East Focus that it was these cracks in the running of the market between the owners and the leadership that gave rise to some suspicious movement and at the end breaking up of the shylocks jinx.

It was discovered that the owners of the market were using one of Obiano’s political opponents to destabilize the peace and government good gesture to relocate the traders to a safer place.

Today, the dust has settled and over 2,000 women and men in different trades have been given good accommodation and shops under the watch of the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce Hon Ngozi Udodi, who defied all odd during the protest to ensure that government policies and programmes are implemented to the later.

The state government has also in its magnanimity suspended all manner of taxes and levies, including payment of all forms of consolidated emblems, wheelbarrow and hawkers’ permits in Anambra State, hence it was all songs of praises to Obiano when this reporter visited the market recently.

Looking in women’s business direction They are in it for survival.

There is no shame in the race for survival for some young men, who have resorted to make up and beautifying women in Umuahia, as IGBEAKU ORJI reports.

T

he business of making women look beautiful has ever been lucrative. A woman will rather spend her earning on her looks and borrow to feed. This explains the boom that makers of beauty products enjoy all the year round.

Every woman wants to look beautiful or enhance her beauty. So, the demand has outweighed the service of the few hands that engaged in styling and beauty. And what used to be the exclusive preserve of the women folk has been taken over by men.

At Isi Gate Umuahia, women wait in turn to be attended to by young men, whose business is to help women look good. From manicure and pedicure, to fixing of nails and hair and eye lashes, the young men are making a liv-

ing when others have justified criminality with unemployment.

Some others have taken to touting, robbery and kidnapping in the guise of making ends meet and are completely unconcerned with the social acceptability of the dignity of labour.

But a group of young men have found fulfilment in providing a service hitherto thought demeaning and too low for a man at a time most would waste their youthful and productive energy in dangerous adventures. As a result, they no longer depend on anyone for their needs. Rather, they contribute to the upkeep of the family. The business has also provided a veritable platform for other endeavours they may want to undertake because from it, they can raise the required capital for other businesses.

The society is made better when young people are gainfully engaged, as it is said the idle hand is naturally the devil’s workshop.

Interestingly, the women that patronize them have no qualms with their being of the opposite sex. All they care is to have value for their money and they are hardly disappointed.

They make as much as N15,000 on a good day. Mr Nwachukwu Tochi is 19 years. He said he learnt

Some of them book in advance and call me on phone to confirm their time. In this place, I am known as P-Square.

the trade from his sister. “My sister introduced me to the job because I showed interest. The job is okay. We call it styling and it involves fixing of eye lashes (eye contact) fixing of hair and nail, manicure and pedicure. For hair fixing, we collect N5,000. For the eye, we collect N3,000 and for the lashes, we collect N1,000. We fix nails for the fingers N400 and feet N500.”

According to him, there are many patrons especially within the young and middle ages.

“Some of them book in advance and call me on phone to confirm their time. In this place, I am known as P-Square. When you ask of P-Square, they will direct you to me. During the peak period (season) like December, I make as much as N15,000 a day but at off peak period like now, rainy season, I make from N3,000 to N5,000 a day.”

He said he has trained some other young people, who have established their own styling business. Tochi said one can be trained after paying a token. The entire training kit, he said, will cost N20,000 while a part will cost N8,000.

Mr. Ifeanyi Kalu said he is happy with the business and has been doing it for three years now. He said that with N10,000,

one can acquire the tools for the business. “All you need is file, eye lashes, nails, nail polish, hardener, cortex and one or two plastic chairs.” He said that with N8,000 one can be trained for the vocation.

The place where they do the business is a beehive of activities. It is the busiest part of the town in front of the large building that used to house the commercial transporters before they were relocated to the New Park at Ohiya. While some of them use umbrella to shelter from the elements, others just do it in the open on the narrow strip that leads to the stairway of the building. They use two plastic chairs, one for them and the other for the client. There is also a short bench for those who are waiting to be attended to. At the end of the day, they are happy, smiling home with bulging pockets. Even some with regular employment do not earn as much as these young men make. The business is not affected by economic vagaries because women must look good nor is it done on credit.

Blaming government for unemployment will not solve the problem. There is always something to do, a need to supply, a service to provide which can change ones fortune when discovered.

21

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SouthSouthFocus

One of the roads under construction

Saving them from plague of bad roads In this report, TONY ANICHEBE, in Uyo, highlights the emergency road repairs the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is massively carrying out in Akwa Ibom State to ameliorate the suffering of the residents.

M

rs Ibim Seminitari, Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has few months to stay in office. This is because the board of the commission has been reconstituted.

But she will leave the commission fulfilled, having at least, awarded contracts for, and seeing to the execution, of emergency road recon-

structions and repair works all over the region.

In Akwa Ibom State, nine roads in very bad shapes are being repaired through the emergency repairs regime. The roads are school roads and environs, Ukana Offot street, Clement Isong road; Uko Eshiet road, Enen Ekpere road, Eket; Enwang Ibaka road, Mbo LGA; Ibiaku Ishiet- Adadia road, Uruan LGA; a portion of Calabar Itu road and Udoh street, Uyo. Some of the jobs have started in earnest while some are yet to get started because, according to informed sources, NDDC no longer mobilizes contractors.

“Contractors source money and do the job and get paid. This is good because the jobs will not be abandoned after collecting mobilization fees which was the practice before”.

In Uyo, the contractor handling Ukana Offot street, Clement Isong street, school road have mobilized to site. So also are the others handling portion of Calabar-Itu road and Ibiaku Ishiet- Adadia road in Uruan LGA.

Along Ukana Offot street, an important road in the Uyo metropolis linking two other very important and commercially viable roads, Abak road and Aka road, there is palpable excitement amongst residents.

Their reasons are not far fetched, the road has been in a very poor state in the last eight years.

The repair by NDDC has, therefore, afforded the residents of the area the opportunity to taste a bit of the dividends of democracy.

The contractor handling the project, God’s Own Projects Ltd, GOP, Ltd, has taken the job to the point of asphalting. According to its Managing Director, Mr Godwin Sunday Brownson, asphalts should be laid on the road next week.

For now, the company has done the drainages, shoulders, poured stone base and primed the road.

Portions of the Calabar-Itu road being worked on by the contractors, Base Engineering Ltd, include the Itu bridge head, where mobile policemen are stationed and close to Eminence Oil and Clerach Filing station have been recovered from a deadly

gully erosion.

Another terrible spot recovered was an accident prone ditch near the Itu Local Government Concil Headquarters at Mbak Itam, a road leading to Calabar in Cross River State.

Motorists plying the Calabar-Itu highway had passed through nightmares on the road, sometimes sleeping on it when the road gets blocked.

Heavy duty trucks, mostly ones carrying granites, limestone, chippings and stone base from quarries in Akamkpa LGA of Cross River State, accidentally fall on bad spots and equally block the road occasionally.

It is therefore a relief for them that the road has been worked on.

One driver who plies the road regularly, Emmanuel Aluchi, says “the NDDC has done very well. We are happy that at least, we can pass the road with little ease again. It was too bad. A lot of people used to sleep on this road. We thank God for using the NDDC to do this” Meanwhile, the NDDC says the emergency repair projects all over the region is in line with its mandate to conceive, plan and implement projects and programs for sustainable development of the region in the field of transportation including roads, jetties and waterways.

Special Assistant on Media to the Acting MD, Mr Bekee Anyalewedi, says Seminitari is conscious of the mandate and therefore, directed the emergency repair jobs to be done. He further said the acting MD is satisfied due to the feedback she is getting in the impact of the projects on the people of the region.

22

News|south-south

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Readers at the newsstand

Finding their voices at newsstands They are at every newsstand. You see them from morning to late afternoon when the vendor goes home. Some are jobless, while others are there to discuss issues of the day.

PAULINE ONYIBE, in Yenagoa, looks at free readers in Bayelsa State.

F

ree Readers Association is the name assigned to those who gather daily at newspaper stands in order to read newspapers without paying or by paying a token.

But in Bayelsa State, they don’t pay any token. These free readers discuss issues, ranging from sports, politics, sex to entertainment. In fact, anything that you can think of is a topic, with many of them turning the stories upside down to the amazement of others.

One of such places they hang out is the Ekeki newspaper stand.

They come in as early as papers start arriving until the wee hours when the vendor would want to go for the day.

They often go inside the Ekeki park, eat and come back to read and discuss issues from the papers. Some would hang on there while some would come and read and go.

There are different categories of free readers in Yenagoa. There are those that come to stay and those that come and go. Those that come and go are fewer than those that come and stay. These categories of free readers that stay behind do not have jobs. So, they come to the newsstand to while away time and pretend to be looking for vacancies in some of the papers.

The readers will continue to talk until the set they are discussing with would gradually fizzle out and they engage another set of people. The vendor here, Monday Alaka, is always angry with these set.

He sometimes tells them to leave but they are always ada-

mant and pretend not be angry with what he is telling them.

Sometimes hesnatches the papers from them and they wait for some time and take another one.

However, these free readers hold a place in the society. They cluster around the newsstands every morning, and many of them do it throughout the year.

They besiege the newsstands for various reasons. Some claim they are looking for vacancies in the papers while some come to research.

Others come to read the papers, so that they would be in the know of what is happening in the society. Some of them enlighten the public more than some journalists.

The relationship between newspaper vendors and those who besiege their newsstands every morning to get a glimpse of what the various national daily newspapers and periodic news and entertainment magazines have to offer, in terms of news, cartoons, and features, among others , has become so cordial that sometimes, when they are not around, Alaka feels their absence especially on Sundays.

From Hospital junction, to Mgbi round about, to Tombia junction, they are found every morning at the newsstands across the state. This informal association is not only found in Bayelsa State but also in most major cities across the country.

While some readers come every morning to discuss and chat on sports and their soccer idols, some others come on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Those in this latter group are mostly employment seekers who

This way, I sometimes read close to 50 stories from even outside the country and I get the main gist in little time

search through the papers for job opportunities.

Coincidentally while some vendors charge some job seekers small amount to flip through the papers for employment opportunities, in Bayelsa State, the vendors don’t charge them anything.

May be, they don’t know that they can make some money through that although Bayelsa youths will hesitate to pay. Each time New Telegraph visits the news stand, Alaka is always seen happy with the free readers. When New Telegraph asked why he doesn’tjoin in their discussions, he said he does not have time to discuss with that calibre of people when he is busy.

Asking him why he shouts at them sometimes, he said they only come there to talk without buying any paper. He said they block people that want to buy newspapers from having easy access to the papers.

The free readers in the state increased during the Bayelsa State governorship campaign and elections when the groups divided themselves into political groups for the PDP, APC PDM and other political parties.

They argued and campaigned for the candidates of their choice.

It went on like that for some time until the election came and became inconclusive. Then, the discussion shifted from political discussion to other matters.

A renowned politician in the state, an astute supporter of one the major contenders in the Bayelsa State election (name withheld) would always come around the newsstand and use the opportunity to campaign for his candidate. When New Telegraph tried to quiz him, he said that was the platform he uses to campaign for his candidate.

For sports lovers, most of whom prefer the European league, theirs is a different kettle of fish. Some of them scan the headlines from major sporting newspapers and begin an endless debate on topics so treated and the ones unconnected, even remotely, to them.

Fans of opposing teams, mostly Arsenal and Chelsea, see the newsstands as an extension of the ‘battlefield‘. Some of them go to the extent of exchanging altercations and fisticuffs, just to press home their arguments.

Mr. Odogwu Chijioke, a sports enthusiast, met at a newsstand at Ekeki recently is an electronic dealer. He said his day was not complete without visiting the newsstand every morning to discuss the European league. The staunch Arsenal supporter stated that he gets excited when he sees other fans of the team and they discuss their favourite stars.

At every point at the newsstand, it was discovered that there are morepeople who just stand in front of the vendors, scanning the headlines and not doing the actual purchasing of any of the newspapers and magazines.

Alaka, who was visibly angry with one of the free readers, said he hates it when they cluster around his stand every morning. ”I don‘t allow them to stay for too long in front of my table. I drive them. At times, I get angry and tell them off. They will not buy and they will be blocking those who want to buy.”

Our correspondent also observed that some people, who buy one newspaper,sometimes, get the opportunities to scan through other newspapers without actually buying those ones at the end of the day. ”It is quite hard seeing someone buying more than one or two newspapers these days, except those who buy for their offices,” a vendor at Mgbi road, Mr Okoroafor said. A peculiar characteristic of free readers is that they claim to have more knowledge and can do a better job than the country’s President, National team coach, state governor or the Vice Chancellor.

One of the free readers spotted at Tombia junction pointed out that free reading offers him the opportunity to get major stories early in the day and also saves his time. According to the man who gave his name as Tombra, “any day I buy newspapers, I end up taking them home and dumping them there without having time to glance through.

But since I started adapting to this method, I stand there, locate catchy headlines and at least, browse through the first few paragraphs.

“This way, I sometimes read close to 50 stories from even outside the country and I get the main gist in little time. I just stop

by Tombia junction in the morning, after signing in at my office, and get a rundown” he said.

This, he stated, equips him to be able to contribute in whatever is being discussed anywhere, anytime.

Another free reader, Mr. Prosper, insists that his reasons are mainly financial.

The trader, who sells in a shop not far from the Tombia junction, said that despite his hunger to know what is going on around, he cannot afford “spending N100 or N150 daily on a newspaper which is useless as soon as I have read all the contents.”

He also added that buying one paper is highly restrictive as no paper can have all the stories, or even tell one story from all possible angles.

23

THURSDAY, September 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Insight

Extracting palm wine from a fallen palm tree

Rows of palm trees

The nursery

Palm trees, the untapped goldmine

Palm trees are as old as time. They are historically known to be important to humans since existence.

OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI x-rays the usefulness and multiplicity of the tree

P

alm trees are sturdy plants.

Tall and huge in nature, it can grow in a variety of environments due to deforestation and unguarded cultivation.

They are evergreen and mostly botanically known as Arecaceae. The Arecaceae family of plants naturally and astonishingly includes diverse species found throughout the world, from desert to the rainforest. They grow in form of shrubs, trees or long, woody vines called lianas.

From history, there are more than 2500 species of palms. Most palms are tree-like, with single trunks and either fan shaped (palmate) or feather shaped (pinnate) compound leaves. According to Felix Ogar, a retired professor and an oil palm farmer of many decades in Cross River State, larger palm tree makes dramatic statements

especially in landscapes, while smaller palms are nurtured and grown in containers before transferring to the farm ground for proper growth. He said the tallest palm tree can grow up to 197 feet.

According to him, there is a coco de mer palm tree (but not common in Nigeria) which has the largest seeds of any plant on Earth. The seeds can be as large as 20 inches in diameter and as heavy as 66 pounds!

But the most common types in Nigerian oil palm trees plantation, Ogar explained to New Telegraph are Dura, Fesivera and Tenerra grouped into two categories, wild and Agricultural-all Malaysian breed. These entire Malaysian breed, he said takes two years to mature before it starts multi producing. Their life span, he said, is about 100 years. Dura is the most common type in Nigeria which usually comes in black before maturing. It produces palm kernel every 90 days. “It has more commercial value because of the quick fertility of this specie. It produces more than 20 bunches of palm kernel at a time,” he said.

The gestation period Ogar, the professor turned agro farmer, says that the first stage is called Mulching - this stage is the mixture of manure and a palm seed inside a small black poly-

Palm trees naturally have very long life span between one and 120 years... As they get older, they become uneconomical

thene bag. It is expected to germinate from two months to one year, after which the transplant is done proper. After the transplanting, he said maturity is then expected from two years depending on the specie. “It multi produces inside the polythene in a dark cool environment depending on the seed inside it. And due to the varieties and sharpness of fertility, it could produce more than 30 bunches of palm fruits on a palm tree,” he said.

Okochi Innocent, a retired principal and a farmer, also in Cross River State says the two categories of palm trees produces differently- that which produces palm kernel is quite different from palm wine but they are all same family. To differentiate the two, he explained that one has thorns while the other is smoother. According to him, palm trees naturally have very long life span between 1 and 120 years. “As it ages, you cut and replace. As they get older, they become uneconomical by decreasing in production,” he said. He asserted that a very good specie produces between three and four times within a year. He further explained that naturally and depending on the varieties of the species of palm trees, it takes 90 days to produce while others are just once a year but due to advancement of technology globally, the number of days of

maturity has been brought down.

Explaining part of the process of plantation, he says it starts growing at the nursery and when it matures, it gets transplanted into the farm. “At the planting stage, it is done by counting seven legs in between, “and from there, it sprouts into a big palm tree producing in multiple bunches,” he said.

Investment Both Ogar and Innocent explained that it was capital intensive to invest in palm tree plantation. First, they said it required getting a vast land to start, and then source for the fund to buy the seedlings, then the energy and aggression to nurse the seedlings.

“After getting the seedlings, there will be the need for a consistent Agric extension officer to guide on the planting of seedlings because there is a required standard specification to plant to for maximum production.

Challenge and maintenance Aside the fact that it is very capital intensive; getting the right type of fertiliser to aid the farming production is a great challenge with the abundance of fake fertiliser in the market, according to Ogar.

The most challenge of oil palm, Ogar stressed, was lack of governCONTINUED ON PAGE 24

24

INSIGHT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

ment support in terms of partnership, good roads, industrialisation of farm produce. It also includes electricity and storage facilities.

“So, what we operate mostly is farming the products and sell directly either to agencies or individuals or in some cases, government officials which even underestimate our strength and worth of production,” he said.

Ogar explained that the production of tomatoes paste which Nigeria imports started right from the farm and with government partnership which involves industrialisation. “Let me explain, because the advanced countries were able to develop their farm produce, they were able to import and we consume,” he said. But the challenge again is the danger in taking government assistance according to the farmers. “The problem is that once you get government’s assistance, you won’t be able to meet up with the repayment plans and once that difficulty is established, they come to take over the land and other property,” he said.

The second challenge is the methodical skill of keeping it clean.

Innocent explained further that using fire to keep a palm farm clean would have been the best but it is dangerous as fire retards the growth and production of palm trees. Therefore, he said they keep it clean by planting other products like multi-cropping inside the plantation to sustain fire tracing using calculations of 10-15 metres in between.

The use of herbicide, Ogar explained as a farm chemical insecticide used to kill the grasses. “We also spray the palm trees to kill insects that are likely to kill the palm tree through succulent part of the palm. We call it beetle,” he said.

Both farmers said paying workers for clearing the palm farm through manual labour was killing and energy sapping.

The maintenance, according to Ogar, includes trimming the branches every 90 days after production. “This process is called the pruning. As you prone, it reduces in production but produces more matured fruits,” he said. If well maintained, 72 bunches, for instance, give a tonne and the tonne in turn produces 10 large drums of palm oil.

Suggested way out Ogar suggested that if government could help with industrialisation and electricity especially, “then little will the problem be.

The issue that Nigeria should embrace Agriculture cannot be a reality without the government helping where necessary. They should first map out the challenges, build more of functional Agricultural institutions and even give out fellowship programmes or send students out of the country on exchange programmes on Agriculture, then we have begun the vision of embracing Agriculture as alternative to oil. That was how Malaysia started. They went for an exchange programme in African countries, learnt a lesson and went to their country to develop the lesson. Today, Malaysia accounts for 11 percent of the world’s oils & fats production and 27 percent of export trade of oils & fats,” he said.

Purposes Ogar, who has been in the busi-

THURSDAY, September 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

One tree, multiple purposes

purposes of it but in this part of the world, it is commonly used for convulsion and circumcision in both male and female,” she said.

Bunches of palm fruits on a palm tree

Oil palm shaft

Ogar explaining the mulching stage

The palm Kernel

ness of palm farming for more than three decades, said everything about palm tree was money.

He explained that many of the common products and foods are derived from palms, and are widely used in landscaping, making them one of the most economically important plants. One of the odd use of the ancient tree is demarcation signs. “Instead of modern fence that keep people off your house or property, palm trees do that, keeps you fresh and still give you economic value,” he said.

According to Ogar and Innocent, no part of a palm tree is useless; oil palm tree is our dollars in disguise.” The farmers explained that the kernel is more important than the oil itself. The kernel has multipurpose usage- bakery and factories purposes.

Not only that, the by-product of a palm tree is used for many other purposes including commercial, industrial and domestic purposes.

Others include the regular and common palm oil for consumption, drugs like Nivaquine-( this was confirmed by a company that exports the palm kernel to Germany). The palm branch is used for basket and broom. Here, Innocent explained that the leaves are removed from the cane, a broom comes forth. He said it is also used for local beds. The latest use of kernel shell is the mixture with cement-used for flooring or casting. A tipper load of it, Innocent

informed, costs between N15, 000 and N20, 000. Among many usages of palm tree, palm wine, a common alcoholic spirit is also a by-product.

No part of a palm tree is useless; it is dollars in disguise

Culture In some cultures in Nigeria, especially the Eastern part of the country, it is believed that to extract oil from the palm kernel, an old woman who has stopped seeing her menstruation and has stopped having sexual intercourse is most appropriate for that. Otherwise, the efficacy of the extraction will not be felt.

For Yoruba, it is used for a convulsion and for female circumcision. A ‘circumciser’ Jumoke Onikola as she is fondly called somewhere in Saki- Iseyin, a town in Oyo State told New Telegraph that the palm kernel extract was for calmness and soothing purposes. She said if a circumcision was given and the oil extract was not applied, then the purpose of the circumcision was defeated.

“The only permissible oil to be applied is the traditional palm kernel extract. The other traditional purposes include robbing it on a new born baby to get rid of future body odour. Interestingly, it includes washing the legs of a newly wedded bride. According to Jumoke ‘Onikola’, it signifies peace and fertility to the family she is wedding into.

“There are many traditional

Symbols In many historical cultures, palms were, he said, served as symbols for such ideas as victory, peace, religion and fertility. He made reference to the Bible where the people of Jerusalem greeted triumphant Jesus a week before his death and resurrection; a tradition tagged Palm Sunday before Easter. “Palms are mentioned several times in both the Bible and the Quran. Even in Judaism, palms represent peace and plenty,” Ogar said.

Palm trees, he further explained, have a history with humans as old as the first societies.

The Romans, for instance, gave palm branches as a symbol of triumph to the triumphant champions of games and wars.

However, the general impression was that oil palm kernel was extracted from Nigeria to Malaysia. And now, it turned out to be that Nigeria is rather importing both seedlings and finished products (palm oil) from Malaysia.

But the government debunked it through the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR). The Director of Production at the institute, Christy Okwuagwu, said that Malaysia was already advanced in palm oil production before the establishment of NIFOR. “People say that Malaysians came to Nigeria and got planting materials and now they have overtaken us but it’s not true,” she said.

Going by history, it started small, in fact, like a joke but with determination, focus and steady cultivation wrapped in faith and perhaps divine blessing, oil palm boomed in Malaysia.

Today, Malaysia accounts for 11 per cent of the world’s oils and fats production and 27 percent of export trade of oils and fats, making Malaysia one of the largest producers and exporters of palm oil in the world.

However, the oil palm tree originates from West Africa where it grows in the wild and later was developed into an agricultural crop.

It was introduced to Malaysia, then Malaya, by the British in early 1870’s as an ornamental plant. In 1917, the first commercial planting took place in Tennamaran Estate in Selangor, laying the foundations for the vast oil palm plantations and the palm oil industry in Malaysia.

The cultivation of oil palm increased at a fast pace in early 1960s under the government’s agricultural diversification programme, which was introduced to reduce the country’s economic dependence on rubber and tin.

Today, 4.49 million hectares of land in Malaysia was said to be under oil palm cultivation; producing 17.73 million tonnes of palm oil and 2.13 tonnes of palm kernel oil. The industry was also said to provide employment to more than half a million people and livelihood to an estimated one million people.

Indeed, palm trees are goldmine of sorts. The name palm tree may sound simple but it is actually complex and dynamic. And when it grows, it becomes multipurpose in usage.

25

THURSDAY, september 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Industry

Business

Recession: OPS unites against EPAs with EU

eWorld How to safeguard telecoms’ growth

27 29

What's new Bond yields to remain high in 2017 – Analysts

L-R: Director, Consumer Affairs Department, Nigerian Shippers Council, Ms. Azuka Ogo; Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello and President, West African Road Transport Union, Mr. Ogbogo Aloga, at the inauguration of the West African Road Transport Union (WARTU) Intern Committee members in Lagos

p.26

Nigeria’s Cocoa production slumps by N71.17bn

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE August 2016 ..........................17.61 % July 2016.................................17.1% June 2016 ..............................16.5%

p.26

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

EXCHANGE RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parallel Market as at September 23)

(Interbank as at September 23)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N442 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N560 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N475

l Foreign Reserves – $46.82bn as at 22/9/2016

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N305 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N395 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N341

Source: CBN

Visafone’s spectrum yet to be approved, says NCC DOMINANCE The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Regulator says delay in spectrum approval is to guard against emergence of monopoly and stronger dominance in the telecoms sector

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf

Kunle Azeez

Wole Shadare

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has not approved the use of Visafone spectrum to MTN Nigeria in order to check the latter’s tendency of becoming a more dominant operator in the nation’s telecoms industry, New Telegraph has learnt.

The development is coming even as MTN is planning to organise a soft launch of its 4G/LTE broadband services on the Visafone spectrum network in Abuja, next week, sources said.

While the NCC has approved the sale of Visafone to MTN, it was

Energy Editor

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

gathered that specific approval for the use of the spectrum in MTN possession as a result of the acquisition has not been granted.

“In a bid to promote investments, the Commission approved the acquisition of 100 per cent shareholding of Visafone Communications Limited in favour of MTN (Nigeria Communications Limited. The result is that consumers, who have lost services under Visafone are now regaining the services,” Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof.

Umar Dambatta disclosed during an interaction in Abuja.

Danbatta, however, maintained that “the spectrum has not been approved by the Commission for MTN, because, already, MTN is a dominant operator.

“Whereas, we are allowing MTN to have shareholding in Visafone, the spectrum has not been approved by the regulator to be used by MTN since we are still subjecting the use of the spectrum to public enquiry,” he said.

MTN is, by far, the largest telecoms company in Nigeria with around 60 million active subscribers.

60 million Being the number of active subscribers on the network of MTN the largest telecoms company in Nigeria

Globacom, which is the second largest player in terms subscriber base, has around 35 million, followed by Airtel with around 33 million and Etisalat, 24 million.

In April 2013, MTN was declared a dominant operator in the Nigerian telecoms market, following the outcome of a study carried out by KPMG and commissioned by the Commission.

Declaration of a telecoms company as dominant operator is a regulatory function expected to provide a level-playing field to all players in the industry so that the consumer can tap into the diversity of the market for the best bargain.

According to experts, such declaration also helps to prevent likely monopoly that might set in afterwards.

MTN recently paid N18.96 billion for the 2.6 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum licence it recently bid for and won.

It had earlier in 2015 paid N34 billion in an auction process to acquire a digital broadcasting spectrum from the National BroadcastCONTINUED ON PAGE 25

26

BUSINESS |news

FORECAST Apex Bank targets foreign investors

Tony Chukwunyem

T

he current high yield environment occasioned by the July increase in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) is likely to persist for the remaining part of this year and throughout 2017, analysts at Afrinvest have predicted.

The experts made this prediction in the firm’s 2016 Nigeria Banking report.

The analysts said: “Given the recent increase in MPR, the yield environment has

Visafone’s spectrum yet to be approved, says NCC

THURSDAY, september 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Bond yields to remain high in 2017 – Analysts become quite attractive. Increased deployment of funds to investment securities, which started since 2015, will likely continue in 2016/17 until the structural and macroeconomic concerns in the country are allayed. More so, upward review of MPR implies a higher rate on loans and improved yields on fixed income securities, which in turn will increase the overall rates on interest yielding assets.”

Following its liberalisation of the foreign exchange market on June 20, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) raised the MPR (the rate at which the regulator lends money to banks) at the end of the July meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

The move was aimed at luring back foreign investors who left the country, citing forex restrictions imposed by the apex bank under its now abandoned naira peg policy.

It will be recalled that experts at First Security Discount House (FSDH) Group had, last August, pointed out that yields on bonds and treasury bills increased significantly in July because of CBN’s desire to achieve positive real yields on fixed income securities in the market.

They said: “The fixed income market analysis for July 2016 shows a net inflow of about N134billion, compared with a net inflow of about N32billion in June 2016. The major outflows in July 2016

were the Open Market Operations (OMO) and Repurchase Bills (REPO) of N397 billion, Primary Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) of about N275 billion, and the bond auction of about N120 billion.

“At the NTBs auction, average yields increased significantly across the various tenors in July 2016, compared with June 2016. The average 91-day NTB yield stood at 12.45 per cent in July, up from 8.86 per cent in June.”

The average 182-day NTB yield closed at 14.91 per cent, up from 10.80 per cent in June.

The average 364-day NTB yield closed at 18.67 per cent, up from 14.58 per cent in June 2016.

Also, the average 30-day Nigeria Interbank Offered

rate (NIBOR) closed at 15.10 per cent in July 2016, up from 10.83 per cent in June 2016.

The average 90-day NIBOR increased to 16.54 per cent, from 13.24 per cent in the preceding month. The yields on the FGN Bonds monitored closed higher in July 2016, compared with June 2016.”

The analysts noted that the rising yields on fixed income securities could have a negative impact on the equity market, adding that long-term investors should take strategic position in stocks with strong fundamentals.

They said: “We recommend staggered investments between treasury bill and long dated FGN bonds in order to minimise the impact of reinvestment risk.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

ing Commission (NCC).

These are recently acquired spectrum bands by MTN in addition to its Digital Mobile Licence and many others in its kitty.

Meanwhile, NCC has restated commitment towards ensuring efficient allocation and usage of available frequency spectrum in the telecoms sector.

Danbatta said: “We have also opened the process for the allocation of frequencies in the 70/80 GHz band (E-Band) while approval has been given for the deployment of 4G Long Term Evolution Technology by NATCOM Development and Investment Limited, which has launched the first VoLTE call on February 25, this year.”

He also said that the need to optimise the benefits of spectrum has also been embarked upon to deepen broadband access.

“The Commission has encouraged the re-framing of various frequencies to improve their efficiency. Through this process, some service providers, who were hitherto providing services on the 1800 megahertz (MHz) spectrum band have been allowed to re-farm and deploy services on the 4G/ LTE band.

“Through this, the Commission has been able to revive some of the companies whose services have been hampered by the characteristics of the frequencies,” he said.

According to Danbatta, spectrum monitoring has been improved to ensure sanity in the industry, noting that “the NCC has recently deployed four spectrum analysers, leading to more efficiency in radio spectrum monitoring.”

He maintained that through efficient monitoring and valuedriven usage of spectrum for provision of different types of service, revenue generation for the Federal Government though frequency allocation and renewal fees have improved from the previous years.

L-R: First Deputy President, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Teju Somorin; President, Omede Idris and President/ Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Foluso Fasoto, during a meeting on the activities of APBN, in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Nigeria’s Cocoa production slumps by N71.17bn SHORTAGE Pests and lack of reliable data cause low production of cocoa

Bayo Akomolafe

C

ontrary to International Cocoa Organisation (ICO) projection, Nigeria’s cocoa production is to drop by 29.63 per cent or 80,000 metric ton before the end of 2016.

The short fall is valued at N71.17 billion ($231.84 million).

Cocoa production went down at a time the price of the commodity hit $2,898 per ton.

Having lost its former enviable position of being the largest producer of cocoa in the world to the fourth largest producer after Ivory Coast, Ghana and Indonesia, the ICCO has further degraded Nigeria to seventh position

after its projected output for the 2015-2016 season was lowered to 190,000 metric tons or N168.4 billion ($550.6 million).

Early this year, ICCO had projected that Nigeria would produce 270,000 metric tons of cocoa in the current season, but disease and pest have hampered the projection.

The country had projected in 2015 that it would realise N333billion ($1.18 billion) in 2016 from the commodity, when it produced 248,000 metric tons.

The organisation said that the world-wide cocoa production would hit 4.039 million tons ($11.7 billion) in the 20152016 production seasons.

ICCO data revealed that the countries in high demand for cocoa butter this year include; Germany, 464,280 metric tons; United States, 453,387 metric tons; Netherlands, 414,183 metric tons; Belgium, 363,818 metric tons; France, 276,581 metric tons; United Kingdom, 185,013 metric tons; Switzerland, 151,780 metric tons; Russia, 149,458 metric

tons; Poland, 135,290 metric tons and Canada, 119,536 metric tons.

Other countries demanding for cocoa cake are United States, 781,154 metric tons; Spain, 271,419 metric tons; France, 265,065 metric tons; Germany, 258,995 metric tons; Netherlands; 239,136 metric tons; Italy; 141,405 metric tons; Russia, 140,682 metric tons; Malaysia,136,801 metric tons; China, mainland, 121,255 metric tons and Australia, 118,866 metric tons.

Also, apart from Nigeria, two top cocoa producers, Ivory Coast and Ghana are to experience shortfall in production.

While Ivory Coast’s production is expected to drop from 1.69 million metric tons to 1.65 million tons of cocoa this year, ICCO estimated that Ghana’s production would drop from 840,000 metric tons to 800,000 metric tons.

Meanwhile, ICCO had said last June that Nigerian farmers had been experiencing poor harvest since the begin-

ning of 2016 due to dry weather, fungal diseases and aged cocoa trees.

It was also estimated that 40 per cent of the country’s trees were unproductive because they have passed their peak production age of 10 to 20 years.

The ICCO’s study explained short supply and high demand for chocolate candy had made the price of cocoa to rise since the first quarter of the year.

Globally, the retail market for chocolate candy is valued at an estimated $107 billion and is expected to grow to $143 billion by 2017.

According to ICCO, cocoa prices in the international market had risen but supply was a major challenge for producers to high demand.

In its latest quarterly report, the organisation explained that demand would outstrip supply in 2016, as global industry deficit forecast was estimated at 308,000 from its earlier forecast of 113,000 tons in its previous report last February.

INDUSTRY

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The continued refusal by the Federal Government to sign the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the European Union (EU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) continues to delay the take-off of EPA programme in West Africa. TAIWO HASSAN reports

T

he Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are schemes designed to create a free trade area (FTA) between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) for trade facilitation.

They are a response to continuing criticism that the nonreciprocal and discriminating trades agreements offered by the EU are incompatible with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.

The EPAs are a key element of the Cotonou agreement, the latest agreement in the history of ACP-EU Development Cooperation and were supposed to take effect as of 2008, but as of March 2012, the negotiations were yet to be completed.

Due to incompatibility of previous arrangements, EPAs’ key feature is their reciprocity and their non-discriminatory nature.

They involve the phased out removal of all trade preferences, which have been established between the EU and the ACP countries since 1975 as well as the progressive removal of trade barriers between the partners.

In order to fulfill the criterion of being a non-discriminatory agreement, the EPAs are open to all developing countries, thereby effectively terminating the ACP group as the main development partner of the EU. The establishment of a reciprocal trade agreement confronts the EU with the problem of how to reconcile the special status of the ACP group with the EU’s obligations to the WTO. The solution proposed for this dilemma is an agreement, which is only as reciprocal as necessary to fulfill WTO criteria.

MAN’s position Last week, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) raised the alarm that Nigeria was on the verge of losing $1.3 trillion investments in tariff, which could be detrimental to the country’s industrial sector development if the Federal Government signs the EPAs pact already on the table with the EU. The President, MAN, Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs, said the association’s position on the agreement remained the same as implementing the treaty would

Buhari

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah

27

Jacobs

Recession: OPS unites against EPAs with EU bring about neo-colonialism and also spell doom for industrialisation programme in the future.

Jacobs warned that if the government goes ahead to sign the pact against the position of the country’s Organised Private Sector (OPS), it would have a major negative effect on the informal sector and the Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that are currently sustaining a large percentage of the population and the economy.

According to him, EPA would stifle existing manufacturing industries, as they would be uncompetitive because cheaper finished products from European countries would flood Nigerian markets. He added that this would lead to deindustrialisation, which could have catastrophic implications on employment generation and poverty alleviation in the country.

His words: “MAN is strongly opposed to ECOWAS-EU EPA because of the implications that signing the agreement would have on the industrial development of Nigeria and consequent socio-economic crisis that may follow.

“His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, rightly pointed out in one of his comments that given due consideration to the mismatch of the two regions (EuropeECOWAS) in terms of technology and manufacturing experience, accepting EPAs in its present form would spell doom for Nigeria’s industrialisation programme.

“Besides, studies carried out on the effect of EPA on Nigeria revealed negative impact on the economy.

“It should be borne in mind that Nigeria is in recession and needs every effort to pull it out. Nigeria is mainly a commodity-goods producing country and would trade it in an EPA free trade arrangement.

“Nigeria has limited capability to produce and export industrial goods to Europe. However, Nigeria will incur significant revenue loss through removal of tariff estimated at about $1.3 trillion.”

The MAN president further stated that the recent policy of resourcebased industrialisation was adopted by the Federal Government aimed at utilising the country’s abundant natural resources to produce goods

Accepting EPAs in its present form would spell doom for Nigeria’s industrialisation programme

that the country needs.

In fact, he noted that companies, which have already started investing in production of raw-materials and intermediate products, would be forced to close down.

Consequently, Nigeria will perpetually continue to be exporters of unprocessed raw materials and importers of processed goods, thereby making Nigeria an extension of the EU market.

According to him, this will equally undermine the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) of the Federal Government that is targeted to make the country an industrialised nation.

He said the current efforts by Nigerian manufacturers to export non-oil manufactured products would be greatly hampered, warning that recent surge in the export of non-oil manufactured products, which has grown tremendously, would be drastically affected by the treaty.

Similarly, MAN president stressed that the agreement would have implications for Nigeria’s other trading partners such as the United States and China, especially in the context of most favoured nation.

His words: “The truth is, our economy is currently challenged.

The government appending its signature or domesticating EPA should not compound the situation. Rather, concerted efforts from all stakeholders should be garnered to overcome our current economic challenges.

“Government should continue to adopt home grown policies and strategies that have the capacity to offer required economic fillip and achieve desired results,” Jacobs added.

NACCIMA’s reaction For the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) to return Nigeria to a path of economic growth, the country needs to strengthen its infrastructure and stimulate aggregate demand for its output.

Its National President, Chief Bassey Edem, said since the ECOWAS Council of Ministers’ meeting in

2014, the economic situation in Nigeria had been grappling to remain steady, adding that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth had reduced steadily until the current position of recession, the inflation rate is 17.13 per cent, unemployment rate is 13.3 per cent, the naira has depreciated by almost 100 per cent from N209 - 1EUR in September 2014 to N402 -1EUR in September 2016.

Edem said the Economic Partnership Agreement offered a ready market for Nigerian products that will be the output of the diversification agenda.

His words: “However, despite the fact that the weakening of naira has made imports more expensive, poor infrastructure and high cost of production connotes that there will be few local alternatives that would qualify for exports to the EU (given the sanitary and phytosanitary standards of compliance required).

“There is further indication that there are even fewer commodities that can compete with foreign goods imported into the country even with the tariff restrictions.

“Tariff restrictions, even those as high as 35 per cent, do not guarantee the development of the local industry but will ensure that the imports are expensive where there are no alternatives, there will still be a steady stream of these imports and the local industry would not be able to compete.”

He, therefore, stated that the position of NACCIMA was that Nigeria should refrain from signing the West Africa-EU Economic Partnership Agreement until the country’s infrastructure and productive capacity has improved, such that exports would benefit from the agreement and output from the sensitive sectors would be able to compete with import from EU. Conclusion No doubt, Nigeria is one of the most important trade partners the EU is looking forward to in this EPA trade convention being the largest economy in the continent.

The Federal Government has been under intensive pressure from the OPS not to sign the EU trade pact because of its neocolonialist stance.

28

BUSINESS \ INDUSTRY

LENDING Private sector operators opposed retention of 14 per cent interest rate

Taiwo Hassan

T

he retention of 14 per cent interest rate by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may stall the country’s economic recovery process in the face of ongoing recession, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) has said.

Besides, the OPS said the divergent views between the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, on the rates portrayed the government’s insensitivity to the true state of the economy.

The private sector body said the controversy that surrounded the interest rate retention may mar government’s intention to get the economy out of recession in the fourth quarter.

Speaking with New Telegraph in Lagos, President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Tony Ejinkeonye, and the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium scale Enterprises (NASME), Eke Ubiji, said that the OPS was not satisfied with the CBN at the end of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting last week.

Ejinkeonye noted that the two key government officials’ positions on the interest rate was not good for Nigeria’s economic growth and development, adding that it portrayed there was a crack in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, especially around the Economic Team.

He explained that the decision by the CBN not to agree with the finance minister’s suggestion on the reduction of the interest rate indicated a bleak economic future for the country, saying that government’s push to get the country out of recession in fourth quarter was in

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Industrialists doubt plans for economic recovery in Q4

doubt.

“Our position on the controversy surrounding the interest rates retention is that it is disgraceful and uncalled for. How can two key players in the country’s economy, who are responsible for reshaping the country’s economy, be speaking with two different voices at this critical time?

“They are saying two different things on economic policy, especially on the state of the

country’s interest rate, which is critical. The finance minister does not agree with the position of the CBN and likewise the CBN too does not agree with the finance minister’s position.

“So, these two government officials are supposed to be united in their decisions especially what to do to get the country out of recession at this period.

You know CBN’s primary responsibility is regulating the country’s monetary policy that

will help our economy, while the Ministry of Finance is saddled with fiscal policy that regulates government spending.

“You need the CBN and the ministry working closely at this period to revive the economy, but if you are seeing two divergent opinions on economic matters it would definitely hurt the economy in the long run,” he added.

For Ubiji, retention of the rate will further make it dif-

L-R: Chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group – Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Okey Akpa; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor and Technical Controller, Plant Operations of the company, Yetunde Adigun, during the minister’s inspection of the plant in Otta, Ogun State.

Firm to boost expansion plan with over N8bn Taiwo Hassan

P

romasidor Nigeria Limited (PNL), makers of Cowbell, Onga, Toptea and Loya Milk, has concluded arrangements with International Fund Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, to inject a $25 million loan (over N8 billion) into its production with a view to increasing efficiency and to produce more products for the

benefit of Nigerians.

The company’s Managing Director, Olivier Thiry, disclosed this in a statement in Lagos. He said that the capital injection would be used to support purchases of new machinery that will enable PNL increase efficiency, expand production and develop new products, leading to greater availability of nutritious food products in Nigeria at competitive prices.

His words: “This is a very competitive market for food products. We expect that this investment will help us optimise production costs, enabling us to reach and nourish more consumers with our affordable range of quality products. We will also target our portfolio extension by gradual integration of more locally sourced raw materials from producers in Nigeria and widening our network of distributors.”

FG pushes for certified accreditation to boost MSME Abdulwahab Isa ABUJA

A

s a way of boosting the fortunes of over 37 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country, the Federal Government is soliciting the support of African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC ) to establish National Accreditation Body (NAB) in the country.

The body, when in place, could provide the needed infrastructure that will support the growth of over 37 million MSMEs, thus leading to enhanced productivity and efficient production processes.

Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, disclosed these in her opening remarks to the 7th African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) General Assem-

ficult for manufacturers to get loans from the banks.

He said that the OPS had been clamouring for reduction in interest rates because of its multiplier effects on the economy.

The NASME said the 14 per cent interest rates retention would further bring about job losses in the real sector of the economy. as companies would be stifled to access credit facilities from banks.

bly and Meetings recently held in Abuja.

She said: ‘’The benefits of the availability of the services to the MSMEs cannot be over stated since it would enhance the competitiveness of their products, thereby, availing them unfettered access to both domestic and international markets.”

The minister said that presently, Nigeria was at the verge of obtaining a robust National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), adding that it was being developed under the auspices of UNIDO with funding from the European Union. ‘’The Nigeria Accreditation National Service (NINAS), one of the major pillars of the NQI, is also being established with technical support from UNIDO,’’ she added.

The minister stated that NINAS had already been registered and already deploying the

structure in accordance with the West African accreditation system as agreed upon by members of ECOWAS in 2013.

She noted: ‘’There are over 10,000 laboratories though only slightly above 3,000 are registered. It is in the light of this that the country is soliciting the support of members of ADRAC to garner the necessary impetus for the institution of its NAB.’’ She said that in view of the importance of ADRAC in facilitating inter African trade and the overall economic development of African nations, it was the expectation of all that the members of the accreditation will work diligently to achieve the mandate for its establishment by NEPAD. Earlier in his opening address, a former Acting Director-General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Paul Angya, said that the Ni-

geria’s National Quality Policy (NNQP) was developed through an all-inclusive stakeholders committee with SON as the secretariat.

While developing the policy, the committee he maintained, would focus on the key objectives of improving quality, safety, integrity and marketability of Nigerian goods and services. ‘’The efforts and commitment of the committee resulted in the drafting of the NNQP within a year, the green document is now ready for assent by the Federal Executive Council towards deployment,’’ he said.

In his speech, Chairman, AFRAC, Mr. Ron Josias, said the establishment of a National Accreditation Body linked with regional and international accreditation bodies could help Nigeria demonstrate competence and confidence to end users of their products.

According to him, the investment became necessary in view of the numerous business opportunities in the Nigerian market.

In her remarks, the IFC Head of Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services for sub-Saharan Africa, Mary-Jean Moyo, said: “Agribusiness is Nigeria’s largest employer. Increasing investment in food processing companies like PNL will help diversify Nigeria’s economy and improve nutrition by expanding the supply of affordable food.”

She said the international bank invested in agribusiness to enhance productivity with the goals of greater food security, higher rural incomes, and improving environmental and social sustainability. Today, she added, the average African farm performs at just 40 per cent of potential.

IFC said by 2030, Africa’s agriculture and agribusiness market was expected to triple in value to reach $1 trillion.

Africa needs more than $10 billion in new investment annually to achieve this aspired expansion of output.

In the fiscal year ended in June 2016, IFC’s overall, longterm investments in sub-Saharan Africa totalled nearly $3.7 billion, including more than $1.8 billion mobilised from other investors.

IFC clients provided 240,000 jobs, supported nearly 1.2 million farmers, and treated nearly 960,000 patients.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

29

eWORLD

How to safeguard telecoms’ growth Telecoms stakeholders say to sustain telecoms industry growth, efforts must be made, through effective industry collaborations, to tackle cases of multiple regulations. KUNLE AZEEZ reports

T

he current growth momentum being witnessed in the nation’s $35 billion telecoms industry may be negatively affected if the on-going trend of multiple regulations in the industry is not collaboratively addressed.

From federal, state and local government levels, telecoms sector has become a cash-cow of sort, ready to be milked by the financially hungry states, whose drive for internally-generated revenue (IGR) has increasingly grown higher.

It is instructive that, apart from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), being the only overall national regulatory agency for telecoms sector, a number of agencies with different nomenclatures have been created by states to impose all sorts of levies on telecoms operators.

In most cases, frivolous charges and multiple taxes are imposed on the operators and where an operator exhibits restraint in making the payment, governments often resort to shutting down base stations, damning consequences of their actions on quality of service.

Despite a seeming convolution of activities, which affect the health of the industry, analysts say there is always a good story to tell about the sector.

Early this month, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that telecoms contributed N1.58 trillion to gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter. al GDP. “In addition, our monthly data collection shows that the industry remains quite strong and defiant in the face of very challenging times.

“For instance, while the connected lines stood at 226.426 million for the month of July, 2016, the active lines hovered on 150.262 million lines within the same period with 107.33.

“Internet subscriptions for the month of June 2016 stood at 92. 181 million down from 93.6 million recorded in the month of February, 2016,” the NBS report said.

Tackling the menace As such, a recent seminar for 2016 organised recently in Lagos was directed at addressing the issue of over-regulations on telecoms service delivery in Nigeria and ensuring that telecoms industry continues to be on growth path with outstanding investment inflow.

Speaking at the forum organised by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA), Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, lamented that, though NCC has been steadfast with its regulatory function, there still exist instances of multiple regulations.

He said: “We are serious with our job at the NCC. But we also know the reason for our existence; to create and nurture an industry that serves the needs of our people.

That thought is uppermost in our minds as we strive to create accessible and affordable telecommuni-

Telecom base station

cation services across the country.

“We, however, do also agree that some sister agencies tend to be overzealous in trying to help us do our job and in the process create unnecessary difficulties for our operators.

However, this is being addressed at the various levels of government and I can promise that the story will be much better very soon.”

Dangers According to industry experts, more telecommunications companies operating in Nigeria may be forced to close shops or relocate to neighbouring countries if the rising wave of over-regulation in the country is not checked.

The 1st Vice President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Anthony Nwosu, noted that the telecoms industry had witnessed proliferation of different agencies and bodies created by the local and state governments with the overt and covert objectives of regulating activities of telecoms companies operating in their domain.

Nwosu argued that the NCC is the sole national regulator of telecoms industry in such a matter as to engender growth, “although, the NCC is the statutory authority charged with the regulation of telecoms services in Nigeria, today, the telecoms sector has witnessed incursions into the regulatory space by other agencies including state and local governments.”

According to him, these agencies impose levies and fees on service providers for location towers, right of way and make other laws that govern infrastructure in their domains.

“The acts of these agencies have sometimes led to indiscriminate shut down of base stations and operator sites, leading to disruption of services.

“The issue of multiple taxation and concurrent regulation in the telecoms industry has been a source of concern to industry players and a major source of friction between service providers and the intervening agencies. In some cases, the matters have ended up in the law courts, and till date the issues

appear unresolved,” he said.

If over regulation of the industry is not checked, some of the service providers may be forced to close shop

Implications Nwosu said over-regulations and multiple regulations could lead to death or extinction of telecommunications companies.

“If over regulation of the industry is not checked, some of the service providers may be forced to close shop, and this would affect the sector’s contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Some telecoms service providers may be forced to relocate their services to neighbouring countries.

“It should also be noted that closure of companies or reduction in scope of activities may lead to job losses and worsen the unemployment situation in the country while we may also experience diversion of investment meant for telecoms industry to other sectors,” he said.

Loss of operators Already, about 57 per cent of licensed telecoms operators in Nigeria have closed operations in the last three years, according to the National Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators (ALTON).

Chairman of ALTON, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, said despite the growth already recorded in the industry, telecoms operators continued to face challenges emanating from the regulatory environment.

“When I became the Chairman of ALTON three years ago, there were 35 licensed telecoms companies comprising some small players, those in the fixed line,

code division multiple access (CDMA) and global system for mobile communications (GSM) players doing well, though not without challenges.

“However, today, that figure has come down drastically, as we now have just about 15 licensees still operating and this tells you that something is not going well,” he said.

He said that the loss of about 20 operators, representing about 57 per cent within a space of three years “has been traced partly to the problem of regulatory environment, where there are multiple regulations and impositions of all kinds of taxes on the operations from federal, states and state levels.”

He said: “The fact that, as operators, we are still confronted with cases of willful damage, rising insecurity in the past years, multiple taxation, multiple regulations, right of way (RoW) problem and indiscriminate shutdown of telecoms infrastructures, among others, suggests that regulations in the industry remain unfriendly.”

For instance, he said the RoW, in most states remains exorbitant, as government agencies, especially at state and local levels continue to perceive telecoms as ‘cash-cow’ to boost their revenue generation.

Adebayo insisted that, while the telecoms regulator has been consistent in engendering market-friendly policies, the state and local government’s policies and those by some other federal agencies have been counterproductive.

“The regulator can testify to the fact that most of our members have closed shops. It gave them licences and it knows how many of those operators licensed and still in operations today. While we are not blaming the collapse of those companies entirely on regulatory environment, there are other factors such as mismanagement, lack of foresight and proper planning on the part of some operating companies, which could have given rise to their woes.”

Conclusion Meanwhile, to overcome the endemic cases of over-regulation towards safeguarding the growth of the industry, industry stakeholders say there is the need for NCC to strengthen its relationships with each state of the federation and their relevant agencies to ensure a smooth operating environment for the delivery of telecoms services.

Nigeria urged to adopt IoT solutions

O

ne of Nigeria’s Information and Communications Technology solutions providers, Vodacom Business Nigeria, has urged players in the private and public sectors in the country to accelerate adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT).

The company said that embracing IoT has the potential to transform business operations and maximise efficiency across

all sectors.

This is as the industry continues to witness increased interest in adoption and growth in the number of connected “things” across Africa.

Speaking at the recentlyconcluded NigeriaCom ICT Leaders Forum, Vodacom’s Executive Head of IoT, Mr. Tony Smallwood, said: “IoT drives digital transformation, helping businesses to remain relevant

in today’s digital world. Overall, 63 per cent of adopters say they have seen “significant” return on investment (ROI) from adopting IoT.” By 2020, more than seven billion people and businesses, and over 30 billion devices, will be connected to the Internet. The question is no longer about the adoption of IoT but rather its application to drive business success.

30

BUSINESS \ eWORLD

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AWARENESS Stakeholders target increased awareness around cybercrimes with a view to curbing the trend

Stories: Kunle Azeez

M

oves to tackle rising wave of cybercrimes in the country has gained fresh impetus, as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have committed to work with the media stakeholders for the adoption of October as the annual celebration of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NASCAM).

The move is to create an annual awareness platform towards creating awareness that will reduce the annual N127 billion losses individuals and corporates lose to cybercriminal cases.

The two key agencies under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications also commended the media group working in concert with other stakeholders for the adoption of October as the Nigerian National Cyber-security Awareness month.

At separate meetings with officials of NCC and NITDA recently, the media group operating under the aegis of the Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD), a non-governmental organisa-

L-R: Portfolio Manager, Africa TMT, Mr. Adam Thompson; Managing Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Mr. Lanre Kolade and Executive Head of Department, Internet of Things (IoT), Vodacom Business Africa, Mr. Tony Smallwood, at the NigeriaCom ICT Leaders Forum held in Lagos.

Cybercrime: Moves to curb N127bn losses heighten tion (NGO), was given the nod to convene a stakeholder meeting in the last quarter of October.

“In order to underscore the importance of the advocacy campaign to Nigeria’s national interests and its assets, the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Muhammadu Buhari has been contacted on the initiative,” group’s Director of Communications of CECAD, Mr. Olubayo Abiodun, told New Telegraph in Lagos.

According to him, the involvement of the NSA was pivotal to the advocacy campaign because of the rising tides of cyber-se-

Visa to drive US business in Africa

G

lobal electronic payment solutions provider, Visa Inc, has been invited to join the United States President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PACDBIA).

President for Visa in subSaharan Africa, Mr. Andrew Torre, according to a statement, will take the seat on the council, which was established by President Obama in 2014.

PAC-DBIA seeks to strengthen commercial engagement between the United States and Africa, encouraging US companies to trade with and invest in Africa.

Group Executive for Visa Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA), Kamran Siddiqi, said: “Visa’s appointment to this prestigious council gives us the opportunity to represent our African clients and partners’ interests at the highest level of the US government, acting as an intermediary between the US and African business interests.”

According o Siddiqi, “Africa is incredibly important to us and we look forward to working with other members to support real and sustainable economic growth there.”

Visa has a long history in enabling and growing electronic commerce in Africa together with its government, merchant and financial institution partners.

curity challenges ravaging the entire socio-political, economic, military and technological ecosystem of the global community.

He said that the initiative is a Public Private Project (PPP) because all the government Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) as well as the private sector will be involved.

According to him, the real sector of the economy, where the private sector is playing active roles including the banking and finance, manufacturing, maritime, aviation, educational, transport, telecoms and ICTs, oil and gas, broadcasting and

stockbroking institutions, will be prominently engaged.

In the public sector, he said the military and para-military institutions and other security services, educational institutions, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), hospitals, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and other key government institutions susceptible to cyberattacks will be involved in raising the bar on the awareness campaign.

Abiodun said that the weeklong event would help raise the bar on the multi-stakeholders awareness across government, corporate institutions and private citizens through the principles of the (PPP).

Justifying the need for the advocacy programme, the group hinged its position on the increasing threats of cyber-attacks to national security, economic crimes, political instability and social insecurity as a result of the vulnerability of national, corporate and private databases via identity theft.

FG to showcase Remita at Gitex

T

he Federal Government has expressed its readiness to showcase Remita, the e-payment gateway for its much acclaimed Treasury Single Account (TSA) on the international scene.

Acting Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, made this commitment during a recent working visit to the headquarters of SystemSpecs, the developers of Remita.

According to him, government’s interest in the e-payment solution has a link with the successes attained by Remita in the implementation of TSA, which has helped government to save more than N3 trillion.

Remita would be among other indigenous technology solution that NITDA would showcase at GiTEX 2016, the annual

information technology exhibition coming up in Dubai from October 16 to 20, 2016. At the Nigerian Pavilion, Remita would feature prominently at the Africa Investment Forum, a side-line event of GiTEX. Recall that the success of the TSA, attained by Remita, came up for discussion at an interactive session organised by the Nigerian foreign mission with the Nigerian community in the UAE with Ambassador Babagana Wakil, acting Nigeria Consul Gen-

eral to the UAE in attendance.

“Participants had reinstated that they were considering implementing TSA in Dubai based on the Nigerian model.

They believe that if Remita could work in Nigeria, it would work anywhere else,” Olatunji recalled.

According to him, the yearning of the United Arab Emirates and responses of the participants were reasons an ICT information desk has been established at the Nigerian Consulate in Dubai for

foreigners with interest in developing ICT in Nigeria.

Managing Director of SystemSpecs, Mr. John Obaro, gave voice to the transformative potentials of technology, saying that ICT has the capacity to change Nigeria quietly and solving the nation’s challenges.

“For instance, if we get our ICT right, it would be more difficult for people to be corrupt, and where they are corrupt, it becomes a lot easier to track them down.”

Online firm promotes made-in-Nigeria goods

N

igeria’s premier online business-to-business (B2B) platform, an e-strategy and sales advisory company, Cokodeal.com, has introduced an online portal designed with sourcing and negotiation technology to help local manufactur-

ers and farmers access a growing network of suppliers and buyers.

The cokodeal.com product, which is already making inroad into the Nigerian market, is a facilitator and negotiator of tenders on a web-based platform.

Speaking at the company’s in-

Samsung shifts launch date for Galaxy Note 7

S

amsung Electronics West Africa Limited (SEWA) has announced the postponement of the launch of Samsung Galaxy Note7 in Nigeria.

This is sequel to the postponement of sales of the device globally due to isolated battery cell problems.

On September 2, 2016, Samsung had announced an official Galaxy Note7 replacement program due to a rare battery cell

manufacturing error which had led to a few reported incidents.

In a statement, the company stated that “since customers’ safety is top priority, all Galaxy Note7 purchased are eligible for replacement regardless of the original place of purchase.”

Although the Galaxy Note7 has not been released in Nigeria, the current Galaxy Note7 users are kindly advised to visit the nearest Samsung Authorized Service Centre for imme-

diate assistance about replacement programme.

“We acknowledge the inconvenience this may have caused in the market, but this is to ensure that Samsung continues to deliver the highest quality products to Samsung customers. Samsung is completely committed to fixing this problem and ensuring the highest level of safety and satisfaction for its customers,” Samsung said in the statement.

troduction recently, cokodeal.com Marketing Manager, Mr. Simeon Nofa, said: “Cokodeal.com has basic, premium and professional packages. These packages provide companies the opportunity to experience online sourcing and enjoy significant savings without substantial commitment of time and resources.”

According o him, “All packages are easy to use.

They require minimal training and offer quick return on investment.

We recommend packages based on the size of the company, annual sourcing costs and the number of procurement and associate professionals that will use the product.”

31

THURSday, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Interview Renner: Malnourished children become incapacitated adults

Health

Achieving restful sleep is an important ingredient for optimum heart health

The importance of the heart to life is well documented.

As important as this organ is to the human body - pumping blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system, providing the body with oxygen and nutrients, as well as assisting in the removal of metabolic wastes, several factors could increase its risk, reports APPOLONIA ADEYEMI

A

s the world community marks the 2016 World Heart Day, the World Heart Federation (WHF) has called on governments across the world and policymakers to implement reliable, simple and fit-for-purpose

Appolonia Adeyemi Health Editor

appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

News Benefits of apple cider vinegar

33 34

PHOTO:www.entwellbeing.com.au

Tackling threats of heart disease surveillance systems for monitoring the burden and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) which includes heart disease and stroke.

Also, the WHF is urging people to take a closer look at their heart health and consider changes they could make to power their lives more effectively.

The goal of the WHF is to achieve 25 per cent reduction in premature deaths from CVD by 2025. ‘Together, we aim to help people everywhere to live longer, better, heart-healthy lives,’ the organisation said in a statement.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) including heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death globally, claiming 17.5 million lives each year. However, at least 80 per cent of premature deaths from CVD could be avoided.

World Heart Day takes place on September 29 every year. The theme of this year is: ‘Power Your Life’ – we want everyone to understand what they can do to fuel their hearts and power their lives, the group stated.

Cardiovascular disease gen-

At least, 80 per cent of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease could be avoided

erally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke.

Other heart conditions, such as those that affect your heart’s muscle, valves or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease.

However, a healthy heart, is key to general health.

Chief Executive of the WHF said: “World Heart Day is all about encouraging people to take action – the power to have a healthy heart is in your hands. By making just a few simple daily changes, we can all improve our heart health and reduce the burden that CVD places across the globe”.

On his part, the Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation, Simon Gillespie said: “Knowing the risk factors that increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke is vital.

This knowledge empowers people to take action and make lifestyle changes to protect the health of their heart.”

Highlighting some of the threats of cardiovascular disease facing the populace, a Consultant Cardiologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Taiwo Lasisis said

more people are coming down with diabetes and hypertension is still very much with Nigerians.

Besides, many of these hypertension cases are not diagnosed on time.

Current data shows that about 28.9 per cent of Nigerians are hypertensive. Undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension is a risk factor for heart disease, said Lasisi.

Casmir Amadi who is a consultant cardiologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), said cardiovascular disease is a serious issue. “I work in LUTH, and you would hardly do a call in LUTH without taking in a stroke case or heart failure and the common high risk factor for stroke, heart failure, even kidney disease in our environment is hypertension.”

According to Lasisi, other risk factors of cardiovascular disease are obesity and high cholesterol.

To tackle the highlighted conditions with a view to address heart and other cardiovascular disease, the consultant cardiologist urged Nigerians to eat healthy diet, which involves the right amount of CONT INU E D ON PAGE 32

32

Health\News

THURSday, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Great sex linked to heart disease for older men but pleasurable for women Oluwatosin Omoniyi

A

Latest study said that having great sex often doubled older man’s risk of heart problems, while frequent, pleasurable sex for older women protected their hearts!

According to the study released this week in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior; older man in a relationship and having sex once a week or more may be twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event than a less sexually active man. “Older men who found sex with their partner extremely pleasurable, or satisfying, had higher risk of cardiovascular events than men who did not feel so,” said study author Hui Liu, associate professor of sociology at Michigan State University.

The study analysed survey data from 2,204 people enrolled in the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project in the United States (U.S). Men and women aged 57 to 85 in partnered relationships were asked about their sexual satisfaction, frequency and health status in 2005, then again five years later. Each person’s cardiovascular health was also recorded by measuring their blood pressure, heart rate, elevated C-reactive protein and history of heart attacks, heart failure and strokes.

While the analysis found great sex is risky for men in the survey, those who

had sex one to three times a month and rated it less pleasurable had no increased risk for heart concerns. For their female partners, however, results were different.

Women who said they had frequent, extremely satisfying sex had a lower risk of hypertension, a common precursor to heart disease.

“These findings challenge the widely held assumption that sex brings uniform health benefits to everyone,” Liu said. “I think it is important for older people to understand the potential risks and benefits of sex.”

“You have to interpret this data with grain of salt,” said Dr. Kevin Campbell, a cardiologist at the University of North Carolina who specialises in heart rhythm disorders. “It’s in direct contrast with the significant clinical data we have showing that as men age if they continue to be sexually active their risk of cardiovascular disease actually decreases. I tell my patients a month after they have a heart attack or open heart surgery if they can walk a flight of steps without getting chest pain or shortness of breath, then they are fine to resume sexual activity,” Campbell said.

“The results for men were surprising,” said Lui, agreeing they run counter to decades of research that shows a positive health effect from sexual behaviour for men, including better prostate health.

“It’s a survey, not a goldstandard, randomised,

The speed of human brain

I

f the human brain were a computer, it could perform 38 thousand-trillion operations per second. The world’s most powerful supercomputer, BlueGene, can manage only .002 per cent of that.

Elder couple having happy moment

clinically controlled trial,” countered Campbell, also highlighting that the study was conducted in 2005, with a follow-up in 2010. “Is it really relevant now that most everyone is on a statin and our treatment of cardiovascular disease has continued to improve?” he asked.

Another reason for her findings, Lui said, might lie in the use of erectile dysfunction supplements by many older men, or the level of stress created by the act of sex itself. “Older men may have more difficulties reaching an orgasm for medical or emotional reasons,” Lui said. “Therefore, they may exert themselves to a greater degree of exhaustion and create relatively more stress on their cardiovascular system in order to achieve a climax, which may hurt health.”

That could possibly be true, Campbell said, if the man is

suffering from an unknown cardiovascular blockage or if he is using certain medications for existing heart disease. “If they are taking any type of nitroglycerin, it can cause a dramatic drop in blood pressure with any of the erectile dysfunction drugs,” Campbell said.

“That needs to be monitored very carefully.”

Lui further said that having a high frequency of sex may indicate problems of “sexual addiction, sexual compulsivity or sexual impulsivity” for men, and could be related to psychological states such as anxiety or depression, which may lead to negative cardiovascular health. “To say that wanting frequent sex after a certain age may be bad for you is a problematic statement to make,” said certified sex educator Logan Levkoff. “Any time we make these sort of

grandiose statements of sex and sexuality it’s problematic. There is no one normal on how we experience intimacy.”

A win-win for women Women, however, have good news. “Good sexual quality may protect older women from cardiovascular risk in later life,” Lui said.

That makes sense, said Berman, because of the way that women view their sexual relationships. “It’s not so much the number of orgasms or how vigorous the sexual experience that predicts a woman’s sexual satisfaction,” Berman said.

“It’s how close she feels to the person she is having sex with, through kissing and cuddling as well as orgasms. That is the key to her emotional and physical well-being, which benefits her health and her heart, and everything else.”

Tackling threats of heart disease CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

food that is balanced and low in and saturated fat.

Avoid sugary drinks For people with high risk factors of heart disease, meaning people with high blood pressure, those living with diabetes, obese people and those with high cholesterol, avoiding sugary drinks will go a long way to help. “It is better to avoid both sugary drinks and other sugar-dense food,” he stressed.

According to a study published in the ‘Journal of the American Medical Association’ (JAMA) in April 2014, getting too much added sugar in your diet could significantly increase your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

According to the study, those who got 17 to 21 per cent of calories from added sugar had a 38 per cent higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those who consumed eight per cent of their calories from added sugar.

Examples of foods that may contain added sugars include: sugarsweetened beverages like regular soft drinks, sugars and candy, grainbased desserts such as cakes cookies, and pies, fruit drinks (fruitades and fruit punch), dairy desserts and milk products including ice cream, sweetened yogurt, and sweetened milk, other grain based foods such as cinnamon toast and honey-nut.

Engage in regular exercise Lasisi recommended regular exercise of about 160 minutes weekly, saying it will reduce risk of CVD generally. He added: “it will reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, among others. Individuals should create exercise programmes for themselves.”

According to medical experts, exercise is great for you. Being active will strengthen your heart, lower your blood pressure, help you reach and keep a healthy weight,

burn off stress, boost your mood and self-esteem as well as help you sleep better. However, Lasisi advised those who plan to key into the benefits of exercise to consult their doctors.

Do regular screening Similarly, the consultant cardiologist recommended regular health screening for people that are 40 years and above.

The screening include simple blood pressure check, blood sugar test, and body mass index (BMI) that checks one from being overweight.

According to him, someone who is not diabetic should screen for simple blood sugar test once a year.

Other screening that has become necessary to ensure good heart health are cholesterol test and echo cardiogram (ECG) which is for people with heart abnormality.

While lamenting that less than a quarter of Nigerians screen themselves to detect ailments, Lasisi said the attitude of Nigerians toward health screening is still

How human skin colour forms The colour of a humans skin is determined by the level of pigment melanin that the body produces. Those with small amounts of melanin have light skin while those with large amounts have dark skin.

Human sperm and its content A single human sperm contains the 37.5mb of male DNA required to create a human child. That means an average ejaculation sees the transfer of 1,500 terabytes of information.

Decomposition of human body Human decomposition begins around four minutes after death, a process known as ‘self-digestion’ where your enzymes and bacteria eat you away.

Cells that stay with you till death Cells in the inner lens of the eye, muscle cells of the heart, and the neurons of the cerebral cortex are the only cells that will be with you in your entire life.

Nerves help us recall images There are a trillion nerves powering your memory. Studies have shown that after viewing 2,500 images for only three seconds, participants could recall if they had seen the images with 92 per cent accuracy.

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole

Dr. Lasisi

poor.

On challenges of achieving heart health

by Nigerians, he lamented that some people have heart conditions but do not have the means to care for it in terms of funding the treatment and management of the condition.

Similarly, he lamented that some who have the means have heart condition that can be managed but are careless about it.

According to Lasisi, “On the long run, in terms of cost, burden to the individual, family

and society, it is better to prevent heart disease.

Nigerians should take it seriously.

“If you have a doctor (personal physicians), discuss the various targets that will help you achieve a healthy heart him.

“When it comes to your body mass index (BMI) discuss the target with your doctor and discuss how to achieve normal range. When it comes to blood sugar too, discuss the set target and design programmes that will enable you achieve the targets.”

We have 15 other senses Along with the five traditional senses of sound, sight, touch, smell and taste, humans have 15 “other senses.” These include balance, temperature, pain and time as well as internal senses for suffocation, thirst, and fullness.

Human skeleton gets renewed Your skeleton keeps renewing itself every ten years which means that every ten years you get a new skeleton.

DNA covers 10b miles If the entire DNA in your body were uncoiled, it would stretch out to about 10 billion miles, which is from Earth to Pluto and back.

THURSday, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Health\INTERVIEW

33

Renner: Malnourished children become incapacitated adults Professor James Kweku Renner is a Fellow of National Post Graduate College and currently at the Department of Pediatrics, Babcock University Teaching Hospital in Ogun State. In this interview with APPOLONIA ADEYEMI, Renner who is a clinical nutritionist discusses how appropriate nutrition could determine future health of individuals Sir what do you have to say about the implication of child nutrition imbalance for future health?

When we have a good start in attending to our children’s nutritional needs, then there is a cost benefit for the nation as you have noticed that the GDP (Gross Domestic Products) of the nation is directly related to the global intelligence quotient of the people.

The best time to give the children their food for maximum benefit for brain development is in the first two years of life.

At the age of two the brain capacity of development is about 80 to 90 per cent of what it’s supposed to be in adulthood and when we miss that period then we really are not having a cost effective development. If we do not provide the children with appropriate feeding then they can grow up to be adult who may have problems with what we call non-communicable diseases (NCDs); these are hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus and many others even including some cancers.

There is no benefit for a child to be brought into life and when he becomes an adult as a good reporter, doctor or engineer only to come down with any of those conditions that are highlighted. It is always best for you to be in good health and good health is the best thing for anybody in life, even if you don’t have money because if you have your health you have everything.

Eating much of wrong food could impact negatively on the health of children. Exactly what do you mean by wrong food?

Let me start with the newborn.

The baby is supposed to be fed exclusively on breast milk which is what the Lord has given them and it profits everything the baby requires including water. After six months the child is supposed to go on complementary feeding and complementary feed is just like the adult food. It is just that it is provided in such form that the child can eat it. You start with liquid form, semi strong and semi solid. That’s how it is supposed to be. So if a child takes all of those things including vegetables, fruits and minerals then the child will grow to be a very healthy adult.

That is what I mean by adequate and appropriate diet for the child.

Beyond that, even in the womb the mother must be properly fed and it’s not good for the mother to be have low nutritional status.

A mother whose body mass index (BMI) is less than 18 will have

challenges with her pregnancy and the baby she is carrying may also have problem. The baby may become pre-term, that is, born before time. That, of course is not good for the baby.

Now we see that a lot of parentsabandoning our own local food.

We are now giving babies junk food. That is where the bad food comes in. Junk food, all the various food we buy in fast food joints are not good for children. Maybe we need to re-orientate our parents.

They may want to help the children but they are not helping them by giving them that type of food.

When they become fat in the first two to three years they become fat adult and once your fat cells have been produced they cannot be destroyed because they are always there. They are just waiting for signal to blow up and once they blow up then the child will now be an adult have all the problems that we are trying to avoid. That is the reason why we should as much as possible let the children get the best food.

Sir what role will the government play in this aspect?

The Sustainable Development

We are now giving babies junk food

Goal (SDG) is telling us the things to do starting from the pregnant woman. Even before then the adolescent girl too should be well nurtured before conception sets in.

So legislation, laws for instance In the United States (US) and some other parts of the world, legislation protects the woman when she is pregnant and protects the baby in the first two years. Laws are made to take care of these.

For instance, the Nestlé Nutrition Institute Africa (NNIA) is partnering with the Madagascar Government. Madagascar people eat rice three times in a day and NNIA has worked with Madagascar Government to ensure that rice is harvested at least twice in a year.

Before now Madagascar harvested rice once in a year. If you have rice that is harvested twice in a year it means that you have what is called food security.

As it is today we know what tomatoes is in our country now. We have what we call quiller birds; they have come and they are eating some of our seeds and you know that when there is draught, there is a famine. There will be problem in the country but there should be strategic grain reserve. We should store seeds so that in the event of problem when we can go on for six months without any problem.

Silos should be available to store food. We should have distribution channels. It’s not that Nigeria does not have enough food; we have enough food but storage and distribution are the problem. So, this government can come in with experts to handle this area.

So the answer to your question

Renner

is that government can key into these areas. The people, civil society Organisations (CSOs) can come together and try to engineer and encourage government to do something in this regard because these are in the interest of our children. If we have children who are malnourished as children they become adult who do not have the capacity.

There is a study that has been done that shows that children who are malnourished are disenfranchised. They cannot complete in school; they cannot get employed and when they get employed they don’t have the same type of remuneration as those of theircollogues who were well nourished when they were much younger.

So, there are many benefits in being well nourished as a child. The cost effective benefits for the government and for the nation is that the IQ of such well-fed children is high and this has some bearings on the GDP. I don’t think anybody would want to run away from that information and that is a way we should go. We should help our children grow properly and help our nation develop.

Sir what would you describe as adequate nutrition for a child?

The adequate nutrition would be nutrition that is calorie-need.

Calorie means the amount of need that is required for energy for growth because this is not scientific but since we need it, a baby who is growing needs 20 per cent of energy for growth, 25 per cent of energy for activity and 50 per cent of energy to bread for energy for thermal condition for sweating and all of that stuff.

So, you can see the energy for activities is even much more than for growth. If don’t give the child enough food he will use all the energy for activities and there will be none for growth. That is when we have children who are stunted.

Stunted children are 42 per cent of our under-five population and that is the area the government is paying attention to but I don’t think we are doing enough, though.

I believe we have the capacity, but there is the need for commitment by government and civil organisations in the country. We can drive the government; the government has so many things to think about.

We may now want to direct the attention of government to those areas but let me also observe that the first lady Mrs Aisha Buhari is interested in this. She is trying to set up an organisation. I don’t know the details yet but I’m sure you as journalists can look into that information and try to see how you can come in and inform the public because knowledge is scanty. People don’t know the benefits of all these. It is not enough to eat but to eat right and you know a good start leads to a good ending and that’s how it’s supposed to be.

34

Health\News

Oluwatosin Omoniyi

F

or centuries, vinegar has been used for various household and baking and cooking purposes.

But not many especially in this part of the worldNigeria, know that it is also a remedy that ancient folk claimed to help with all health related problems.

The most popular vinegar in the natural health community is Apple Cider Vinegar, known as sour wine in the French word.

According to Kris Gunnars of Authority Nutrition, an international based nutritionist, it is claimed to lead to all sorts of benefits, some of which are supported by science.

This includes weight loss, lower blood sugar levels and improved symptoms of diabetes. Based on her findings from world scientists, she listed six health benefits of apple cider vinegar that are supported by scientific research.

High in acetic acid Vinegar is made in a two-step process, related to how alcohol is made. The first step exposes crushed apples (or apple cider) to yeast, which ferment the sugars and turn them into alcohol.

In the second step, bacteria are added to the alcohol solution, which further ferment the alcohol and turn it into acetic acid, the main active compound in vinegar.

Benefits of apple cider vinegar

lower blood sugar responses during meals. For these reasons, vinegar can be useful for people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or those who want to keep their blood sugar levels low to normal for other reasons.

“If you’re currently taking blood sugar lowering medications, then check with your doctor before increasing your intake of apple cider vinegar.” It has shown great promise in improving insulin sensitivity and helping to lower blood sugar responses after meals.

Apple cider vinegar only contains about three calories per tablespoon, which is very low. Research said that there are not many vitamins or minerals in it, but it does contain a tiny amount of potassium. Quality apple cider vinegar also contains some amino acids and antioxidants.

Can kill many bacteria Vinegar can help kill pathogens, including bacteria. It has traditionally been used for cleaning and disinfecting, treating nail fungus, lice, warts and ear infections. But many of these applications have not been currently confirmed by research.

According to research, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used vinegar for wound cleaning over two thousand years ago. Vinegar has been used as a food preservative, and studies show that it inhibits bacteria (like E. coli) from growing in food and spoiling it. In this case, if you’re looking for a natural way to preserve your food, then apple cider vinegar could be useful. The main substance in vinegar, acetic acid, can kill bacteria and or prevent them from multiplying and reaching harmful levels. It has a history of use as a disinfectant and natural preservative.

F

or centuries, bitter-leaf has been a source of health and vitality to our ancestors, and its medicinal values are well-documented. In our chemical and fertilizer age, it is indeed difficult to find fruits and herbs in their natural state as majority of them have been polluted with fertiliser chemicals.

In that case, the emphasis should be in the promotion of organic farming, and gardening, not on spurious rumours claims that bitter-leaf is unsafe.

The following are some of the many uses of bitter leaf.

Stomach-ache Chew the tender stem of the plant like a chewing stick and swallow the bitterness.

This is a well-known remedy for stomachaches. In some cases the ache stops within a few minutes.

An alternative is to pound the fresh leaves in a mortar and press out the juice. Add a pinch of salt to three tablespoons of the undiluted juice and drink. This brings immediate relief.

Skin infection For skin infections such as ring worm, itching, rashes and eczema, the pure, undiluted extract of bitter leaf is excellent. Simply apply it to the affected part daily.

Diabetes Diabetics should listen carefully to this good news. They do not need to despair or lose hope.

God has not abandoned them.

God has given them bitter leaf as a sign of God’s love and care. From

THURSday, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Apple cider vinegar

Lowers blood sugar By far the most successful application of vinegar to date is in patients with type 2 diabetes which is characterised by elevated blood sugars, either in the context of insulin resistance or an inability to produce insulin.

However, elevated blood sugar can also be a problem in people who don’t have diabetes; it is believed to be a major cause of ageing and various chronic diseases. So, to a large extent, everyone should benefit from keeping their blood sugar levels stable.

The most effective and healthiest way to do that is to avoid refined carbs and sugar, but apple cider vinegar may also have a

PHOTO: en.wikipedia.org

powerful effect. Vinegar has been shown to have numerous benefits for insulin function and blood sugar levels: It improves insulin sensitivity during a high-carb meal by 19 to 34 per cent and significantly lowers blood glucose and insulin responses.

Similarly, it reduces blood sugar by 34 per cent when eating 50 grams of white bread.

Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bedtime can reduce fasting blood sugars by four per cent.

Numerous other studies, in both rats and humans, show that vinegar can increase insulin sensitivity and significantly

Helps you lose weight Given that vinegar lowers blood sugar and insulin levels, it makes sense that it could help one lose weight.

Several human studies suggest that vinegar can increase satiety, help you eat fewer calories and even lead to actual pounds lost on the scale. Vinegar along with high-carb meals can increase feelings of fullness and make people eat 200 to 275 fewer calories for the rest of the day. By reducing calorie intake, this should translate to reduced weight over time.

A study in obese individuals showed that daily vinegar consumption led to reduced belly fat, waist circumference, lower blood triglycerides and weight loss: Keep in mind however that this study went on

for 12 weeks, so the true effects on body weight seem to be rather modest. That being said, just adding/subtracting single foods or ingredients rarely has a noticeable effect on weight. It’s the entire diet/ lifestyle that counts. You need to combine several effective methods to see results.

Overall, it seems like apple cider vinegar may be useful as a weight loss aid, mainly by promoting satiety and lowering glucose and insulin levels. But it won’t work any miracles on its own. Studies suggest that vinegar can increase feelings of fullness and help people eat fewer calories, which can lead to weight loss.

Lowers cholesterol Cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke) is currently the world’s biggest cause of death. It is known that several measurable biological factors are linked to either a decreased or increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Several of these “risk factors” have been shown to be improved by vinegar consumption, but all of the studies were done in rats.

These rat studies showed that apple cider vinegar can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Apple cider vinegar may also contain the antioxidant chlorogenic acid.

Why bitter leaf is good for you (2)

Nature

you take the bitter leaf extract. It’s part of the cleansing and healing process that your body needs.

Power

Anselm Adodo

naturepower@paxherbals.net twitter: @anselmadodo

time immemorial, herbalists have been using the bitter leaf plant for the treatment of diabetes. Bitter leaf not only reduces sugar-level drastically; it also helps to repair the pancreas. squeeze ten handfuls of the fresh leaves in ten liters of water and take two glasses thrice daily for one month, this amounts to six glasses daily.

Loss of memory Loss of memory can be a symptom of diabetes, or a sickness on its own. Whatever its nature may be, bitter leaf is good for this ailment.

Take one glass thrice daily for at least two months.

years old. Its symptom is difficult and painful urination, among others. Bitter leaf is very good for this ailment.

It increases the flow of urine and reduces the pain, as well as regulates the spread of the cell.

Simply squeeze the fresh leaves in water and take a glassful four times daily.

Don’t be surprised if you begin to urinate very frequently when

General Weakness Do you often feel weak and tired? Do you lack vitality and vigour? Then get up and take a walk into the bush. You don’t need to trek far before you find a bitter leaf plant.

Squeeze the leaves in water and take a glass thrice daily. Soon you will experience a new lease of energy.

Stroke Bitter leaf solution calms the nerves, strengthens the muscles and cleanses the system.

I have seen what marvels bitter leaf extract has done for many people and I testify that it is good.

Prostrate cancer Prostrate cancer is common among men who are over forty

Bitter leaf not only reduces sugar-level drastically; it also helps to repair the pancreas

Bitter leaf vegetables

PHOTO: www.orijoreporter.com

Pneumonia Squeeze the fresh leaves of the plant in water. Take a glass-full thrice daily.

Warm the solution on fire each time before drinking.

Remember, do not boil, just warm.

Continue the medication for a month. You do not need to squeeze the leaves each time you want to drink it. You can squeeze a large quantity at once and add some honey. This will help preserve the solution. However, note that if you store bitter leaf extract for twenty-four hours or more, the bitterness will disappear or diminish.

Insomnia Bitter leaf extract has done wonders for those suffering from sleeplessness.

Simply take two glasses of bitter leaf solution every night. You will experience great calm and well being.

You may add a little honey if you wish.

Arthritis Arthritis or rheumatism patients who have tried bitter-leaf solution as described above attest to its effectiveness. It soothes inflamed joints and eradicates stem pain.

35

THURSday, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

MOM’S ALERT

Mom&Parenting

Exorbitant school fees: Have parents had enough?

Parenting Recession: Rotary gives borehole to school, 1,000 bags to pupils

36 36

Flora Onwudiwe

F

rom time immemorial, women have always been seen but not heard. This belief is also supported by the holy books, some cultures even advocate it. There is a popular saying that when the value of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable.

Women are commonly seen and used as objects of rape, abuse and domestic violence, also used as political undertones. So far, they have been ignorant of their self worth and value until recently, when some women gathered under the umbrella of women NGOs to announce the realization of their self worth and readiness to be actively involved in politics in Nigeria.

A good number of women all over the world now understands the need for being heard and not just seen.

Women are now CEO’s of companies, leaders in their respective organisations. Some are even politicians, Hillary Clinton is a good example.

The United Nations also recognise the importance of women in the society, therefore, it came up with the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) with its goal number five aimed at achieving gender parity. A lot of achievements have been recorded as per the level of awareness concerning the value of women in society.

However, there are some societies where women are still struggling to be valued, especially in third world countries, Nigeria being one of them. Women in Nigeria, especially the uneducated ones in rural areas are those who politicians use for their political ambition.

Just recently, fourteen Nongovernmental Organisations (NGOs) converged at the Lagos UNIC office to celebrate the United Nations international day of democracy. During the event, women leaders of different Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) were

Mom&Parenting

Oluwatosin Omoniyi City Editor

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Democracy Day-Group with Panelists

Spreading political evangelism in rural areas urged to embark on political evangelism. That is, to educate women in the rural areas so that they would be able to decipher politicians that will rob them of their mandates.

Speaking at the event are: Ms. Yemisi Ransome Kuti of the Nigerian Network of NonGovernmental Organisation (NNNGO), Mrs. Ify Akerele, and Ms. Ugonna Ibe Ejiogu. The speakers generally addressed the importance of women participation in politics, though, they all have other things they spoke on.

Ms. Yemisi Ransome Kuti mentioned that the most powerful weapon that women should have is education. She, therefore urged the educated ones to partake in politics. In her words, “Women are the gate way to the world, the more women are empowered in the society the less corruption. The most powerful women today are women that are educated, we must increase the women numbers in political parties, and women should aspire to occupy space at the local level.”

Mrs. Ify Akerele also urged women to work together as a team in order to establish a fair quota for participation. She said, “once we agree as women,

Women are the gate way to the world, the more women are empowered in the society the less corruption

we need effective lobbying to establish the quota for women, when we achieve that, we don’t need the strongest man or the power that be in the community to endorse candidature in politics rather, it is the strongest man that will look for women, the women should come together as a team and move forward.”

She said, “I have passion for women in the rural areas, I felt the pain when politicians who are vying for offices gather them and give them money to achieve their mandates.”

She however urged women that they could contribute by deciding what they could do to make a difference in their society. Women should always seek for a strong person in the area you are coming from, it will help to cue woman or position the right direction, it is a system that I pray for to change in future.”

Recalling the area of her strength as a Community worker and how she represented Onitsha North and South in Anambra State in the Federal Constituency of the lower Legislative Chamber during the PDP era, Akerele explained the challenges she

encountered with the power that be who almost frustrated her but she stood firm even when they tried to offer her money just to make her quit. She, therefore, advised women to always be confident and prayerful, stating that it has paved way for her in her pursuit in politics.

Barr. Obiageli Obi of WINPOGOV complained of the low level of women participation in the current government. She said, “we are seeing less than ten percent of women , we are saying this cannot continue, we need to get more women to be actively involved in politics, we know that there is no democracy without women, women need democracy, democracy needs women. We are talking about SDGs- we need to focus the group of women who are going to take over, we need to raise a group of women who are committed and passionate, who can take decision in every spheres of society.”

The Coordinator of the All People Grand Alliance (APGA) Barr. Sylvester Ezeani said that women hate one another urging the enlightened women to do more of political evangelism in the rural areas. This, according to him, is to avoid women falling prey of deceptive politicians who would try to mortgage their conscience for material gains.

36 MOM&PARENTING

THURSday, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

i-Protect

Childhood Protection & preservation culture

with

Taiwo Akinlami principal@taiwoakinlami.com

The responsibility of parenting has been delegated to one of the parents, in most cases the woman

Single parenting: Another emerging definition

O

ne thousand and one things fight for my attention today and all seem to be critical, urgent and important. The temptation, I almost succumbed to was to call my dear and dutiful editor that I will not be able to meet up with the obligation of sending in my piece this week. Just as I was about to succumbed to the temptation, I remember the power of one voice.

It is my core ideology that one voice counts.

It may not always be convenient for that one voice to always speak; he/she must always rise above all obstacles and human foibles to make the voice heard. In some instances, this one voice may speak loud even when the body is caged and the mind persecuted. One voice counts because he/she produces many other voices, who drown all forms of injustices against our humanity. Someone needs to blow the whistle for action; hence against all daunting challenges, I shortened the space of my comfort zone and did this piece today. I hope it helps one way or the other to address the critical issue raised.

Have you noticed that the term, ‘single parenting’ has taken a new dimension in our country today? We have no thanks to give to the rat race in our country and lack of planning on the part of the most supposedly educated in our country. Many do not make plans before making children.one of my works, I submitted that one of the greatest tragedy that can befall our world is to bring to this world children without a concrete plan to meet their five (5) basic needs.

People complain that the state of the nation is the reason why parents abandon their children. I beg to disagree. The state of the nation has been with us now for more than three decades. Most of the parents of today were born into the state of the nation. We should have considered the state of the nation before inviting children to this world. It is not by force that we should bring them here. They are safer with God than being brought here to be miserable.

Today, the new definition of single parenting is that though a man and woman are still

married and living under same roof, the responsibility of parenting has been delegated to one of the parents, in most cases the woman. In some extreme cases, which are becoming very common these days, the single parent is the nanny, house helps or both.

These people have more influence on the children than the biological parents. I speak at Parents’ Fora of schools from time to time.

I have had the privilege of doing this in some of the leading schools in this country. If fifty parents are in attendance, at a Parents/Teachers Association meeting forty will be women and ten men. Out of the forty women at least ten will be house helps and nannies. As I said earlier the responsibility of parenting has been delegated by the father to the mother and from the mother to house help or nannies.

If I must take it further parenting has been further delegated to the schools. Fathers pride themselves in the fact that they pay school fees. They believe that once they pay school fees they have performed their responsibility. The question I ask is that does awarding a child a scholarship to go to school qualify the philanthropist to refer to himself/herself as the parents of the child? Therefore payment of school fees is not necessarily a parental role.

Payment of school fees must be done, without neglecting a higher responsibility of being available for our children. It is important to note that children are not designed to be brought up by single parents or brought up in institutional homes. Single parenting and institutional homes are makeshift arrangements to do the best for the child under a difficult circumstance.

It is pathetic when children, who are supposed to be living with both parents are raised by one party, who is often overwhelmed with the onerous responsibility. My charge today is that it is time for both parents to take responsibility for the destiny of their children. It is time for individual families to convoke as Sovereign Family Conference (SFC) with the main agenda of drawing up a credible parenting plan.

Recession: Rotary gives borehole to school, 1,000 bags to pupils

Muritala Ayinla

A

s part of the moves to mitigate the negative impact of economic recession on parents in discharging their responsibilities towards their children, Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, District 9110, Nigeria has donated no fewer than 1,000 school bags and a borehole to a primary school in Lagos.

New Telegraph learnt that the good gesture was to serve as palliative measures to the challenges confronting the residents as a result of the economic recession.

The humanitarian organisation which had earlier donated block of four classrooms, cleared a dump site, planted trees among others at one of the secondary schools in its district, Ajuwon High School, Ogun State, promised to carry out many social projects to aid teaching and learning

in the school. Speaking while presenting the school bags to the over 1,000 pupils to African Church Primary Schools, Ogba, the District Governor, Patrick Ikeluha said the construction of borehole will address the water need of the residents and members of the primary school community.

According to him, the provision of the over 1,000 bags would encourage the parent of the pupils especially at the time the economic recession was biting hard on many Nigerians. He described the gesture as part of efforts to give back to the society, saying the club has given out non-interest loan to artisans and other downtrodden in the society. “Main objective of Rotary is how we can give back to the society, especially the less privilege. Doing good is our moto is doing good is our watchwords.

We are not political or religious,” he said.

On her part, the Rotary Club Omole-Golden President, Titi Sunmonu, said the month of September in Rotary Calendar is meant to focus on education project. “The month of September in Rotary calendar focuses on education and literary. We have donated borehole water for the pupils and the people around the community. “We are doing this to serve humanity, touching lives, making some pupils enjoy what we didn’t enjoy while growing up. We have done breast cancer, cervical cancer screening early this year. We have done free eye screening. We have operated eye cataract patients and so many other people. “Very soon, we are going to donate incubators to Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, our adopted school. We are also going to donate dictionaries to our other school. We are touching months monthly,” she added.

MOM’S ALERT with

Grace Essen

grace.essen@gmail.com

Exorbitant school fees: Have parents had enough?

J

This economic recession is no lonust before schools resumption, I was at my child’s school to ger funny, see women pricing school buy books and while I waited fees “Aunty, how much if we remove to receive them, a new parent Geography and Physical Education, I want him to become a doctor not walked in to make enquiries. As if desiring other parents to hear, she a traveler. OK, what if he comes to started talking loudly about her ex- school only Monday, Wednesday and perience in her children’s former Friday will you reduce it?”

Starting a private school in Nigeschool and how her children were performing so poorly despite the ria became a very lucrative business huge amount she paid as school fees. for anyone who had an apartment Apparently frustrated, she said she to spare and some money to pay for was tired of the ‘eye service’ and was Government approval. In a country no longer interested in the nice envi- where there is lack of adequate inronment and so called foreign cur- vestment in education, dilapidated riculum, and having to pay through infrastructural facilities, poorly paid her nose for it all. teachers and generally low standards She isn’t alone. Over the years of education, Government owned parents have continued to endure schools have been reduced to nothexorbitant school fees all because ing, giving way to the rapid growth we want the best for our children, of private educational institutions. but not anymore as we live in desPrivate schools in Nigeria in perate times. Last week, Vanguard order to lure parents, especially Newspaper published a report titled those with deep pockets adopted Recession: Schools Give Discounts foreign school curriculum, majoron Fees and I was like, you’ve got to ity of them preferred hiring white be kidding me! expatriates as head or administraThe newspaper investigations tors of their schools, also internarevealed that parents were begin- tional trips were included as part ning to withdraw their children and of school activities to make parwards from private schools to public ents feel they are getting the same schools as some quality of education of them could available outside the no longer afford country. to pay the fees.

Sometime last year Owners of some I wrote an article I tiCan your private schools in tled, ‘Can Your Child’s the bid to check School Fees Buy a Plot child’s school the unfavourable of Land?’ Well, this extrend decided to cerpt taken from a refees buy a plot introduce attracport in the Vanguard of land? tive discounts to newspaper of Decemparents. ber 2015, titled ‘What One of such Nigerian Private offers was for Schools Cost Parents’ parents to pay one year school fees answers the question: in advance, and get 50 per cent disDowen College, Lekki, charges count the following year. Some other as much as N2,000,000 annually for a schools offered to reduce school fees boarding student and N1,250,000 for so as to appeal to the conscience of day students; Atlantic Hall charges parents who might be considering as much as N2,270,000 per student; moving to public schools. Some Greensprings Schools charge over parents chose to mount pressure N3 million for boarding and almost on school administrators asking for N2 million for day students; Lekki double promotion for their children British International School, Lekki to relieve them of the burden of pay- Phase 1, charges $19,500 (over N4m) ing school fees for one year with a + N200,000 development fee; while threat that if they don’t accept, they British International School, Victowould withdraw their wards to oth- ria Island, charge $26,750 + N200,000 er schools. I know a parent who has annually for a student.

We tend to place higher value on used this method to move two of her children from basic four (primary) expensive things here in Nigeria, to secondary school both schools be- and our children’s school isn’t any longing to the same proprietor. different. We look out for structures Private schools allow payments by and how nice the environments are installments for parents who can’t when making choices for schools. pay the lump sum at once, but this Private school proprietors are no year, it appears parents seeking to doubt taking advantage of this as pay in installments have increased well as the lapses in public schools due to the recession. According to and are making us pay dearly for it. the report some school proprietors The question is, are public schools said the number of pupils returning really a good option, with environto school is low as some have been ments untidy, collapsing buildings, taken to more affordable schools, lack of furniture, and unmotivated some public schools, others still at staff ? Many would say provided our home. But if private schools are of- children are well taken care of in fering discounts and a reduction in private schools and we can afford it, school fees could it be that the schools why not? But for the majority who fees were unreasonably high in the can’t afford it, home schooling may first place? be an option begging to be considHere’s a funny message making ered. Only time will tell.

What’s your thought? the rounds on social media on this:

thursDAY, september 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Money Line

37

Naira plunges to N465/$ on parallel market •Third OTC Futures contract matures

Free fall Travelex yet to begin dollar sales to BDCs

Meanwhile the naira closed at N312.99 to the dollar on the FMDQ/ OTC trading platform, which also showed that the 3rd OTC Futures Contract settled notionally at $180 million.

Forex dealers told New Telegraph that dollar scarcity in the system was getting worse, adding that the naira may slump to N500/$ by the weekend .

“Trading has continued to be thin on the

Stories Tony Chukwunyem

T

he naira continued its decline on the parallel market yesterday, exchanging between N460 and N490 to the dollar, down from N452 at the close of trading last Tuesday, as forex scarcity in the system bites harder.

interbank market, as the dollar shortage persists while demand for the dollar remains strong,” one dealer said.

This is even as Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators said they are still waiting to start buying dollars from global forex dealer, Travelex, adding that the commencement of this sale will ease greenback shortage.

A BDC operator, who did not want to be

named, said: “Travelex asked us to submit our forms today in preparation for the sale (yesterday) but it did not sell dollars to any BDC operator.”

President of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, had attributed the naira’s decline to the failure of commercial banks to comply with the CBN’s directive to sell dollars

‘999,000 farmers benefit from CBN’s agric fund’

A

total of 998,908 farmers benefitted from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) between 1978 and the end of December 2015, a senior lecturer, Banking and Finance Department, Covenant University, Dr Grace Evbuomwan, has said.

She disclosed this while speaking on the topic: “Financing agriculture for sustainable economic development” at the on-going CBN sponsored Seminar for finance Cor-

respondents and business editors yesterday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

However, Evbuomwan noted that the level of funding that the agricultural sector had received over the years has not been adequate.

She stated that the ACGSF had so far serviced the 998,908 beneficiaries with only the sum of N95,833,582.60, adding that 225,613 or 22.6 per cent of the number of the total beneficiaries of the scheme borrowed just N5, 000 and below.

She said that

for countries five per cent and 25 per cent respectively as budgetary allocations for agriculture, the Federal Government allocates less than five per cent.

She explained that high overhead costs and a paucity of loanable funds have prevented the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) from granting adequate loans to farmers.

Meanwhile, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has urged financial and business correspondents to endeavor to report the Nigerian economy in positive light.

212,665 farmers borrowed N100,000 and above, pointing out that this category of beneficiaries took up N68,515,959.30 or 71.5 per cent of the total amount.

The senior lecturer said: “Both government and financial institutions in the country have not given the agricultural sector adequate attention, despite the importance of the sector.”

According to her, while the African Union (AU) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) recommend

Economic Indicators As at M2* CPS* INF MPR 91-day NTB Bonny Light Ext Res**

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

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 17.1

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 July, 2016

14 10.77 US$47.68 US$24,615,588,158

26/07/2016 Mar 2015 28/9//2016 27/9/2016 Source:CBN

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 104.65 114.59 111.96 120.58 109.60 100.54 83.82 97.56

1.07 3.24 3.87 5.82 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.29

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.4583 9.1071 11.0102 12.3790

Bid Yield 10.38 10.55 11.60 11.44 12.27 12.40 12.44 12.49

Change (%) -2.50 ▼ -0.74 ▼ -0.65 ▼ -0.68 ▼

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

Price 104.80 114.89 112.26 120.88 109.90 100.84 84.12 97.86

Tenor (Months)

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

NITTY

Rate (%) 6.9949 7.2368 8.0819 9.2061 9.5872 10.5042

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 10.24 10.45 11.51 11.38 12.22 12.34 12.39 12.44

Change (%) 1.12 ▲ -0.27 ▼ -0.17 ▼ -0.11 ▼ 0.03 ▲ 0.42 ▲

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 7.67 7.82 -0.51 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 3.83 30-Jun-16 7.92 8.08 -0.51 ▼ 6-Oct-16 8.59 8.34 8.71 -0.31 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 4.33 8.99 -0.31 ▼ 16-Mar-17 9.36 10.28 -0.07 ▼ 9.11 9.98 -0.07 ▼

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.14

FX

Offer 199.24

Change (%) 0.57 ▲

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016 Spot($/N)

196.00

197.00

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

to BDCs. “The market is being driven by speculators who are taking advantage of the poor implementation of central bank policy requiring banks to sell dollars to bureau de change operators to ease pressure in the market,” Gwadabe said last Monday, adding that most commercial lenders are reluctant to comply with the directive.

The ABCON President said that the failure of banks to comply with the CBN’s directive had led BDCs to commence discussions with the CBN and global forex dealer, Travelex, on how the latter can

take over from the commercial banks as sole supplier of forex to BDCs. The regulator said that all international money transfer operators would be required to remit foreign currency to agent banks for disbursement in naira to beneficiaries.

However, following complaints by the BDCs that commercial banks were not selling dollars to them, the CBN, at the end of the last Bankers’ Committee meeting, approved an increase in the maximum amount that could be sold to the BDC operators from $30,000 to $50,000 per week.

Heritage rewards winners of ‘Lunch with Olisa’ show

A

s part of its strategic plan of identifying and supporting Micro, Small and Medium scale Enterprise (MSME) in the country, Heritage Bank Plc has rewarded winners of an online competition tagged: “Lunch with Olisa,” sponsored by the lender.

The competition, according to a statement from the bank, is the sixth edition of the season 2 on-going Lunch with Olisa.

A member of the bank’s Brand Management & Compliance Unit, Mrs. Ozena Utulu, said Heritage Bank was helping small businesses to grow by identifying and helping their owners to grow. She said the lender sponsored the project because “food is part of our heritage and we can use it among others to portray our heritage.”

One of the winners, Joy Obiesie said she really loved everything about the show,

adding that it made her to know about different places as well as several delicacies that she did not know before, while another winner, Maureen Ogochukwu commended the organisers of the show: Heritage Bank, Olisa Adibua and Biola Alabi Media.

Also speaking, Olisa Adibia, the host of the show said, “it is a pleasure for me to see the impact the show has made,” adding that it is not restricted to Lagos but efforts will be made extend it to other parts of the country.

He enjoined other corporate bodies to emulate the good gestures of those presently sponsoring the show even though not all brands could be allowed to sponsor it.

The Lunch with Olisa show is a new food-related show in which Olisa Adibua will travel the breadth of the continent in search of authentic African cuisines.

FBN Holdings celebrates World Cerebral Palsy Day

F

BN Holdings Plc is demonstrating its commitment to support people living with disabilities in its communities through the advocacy campaign for the World Cerebral Palsy Day. In a statement, the bank said that to commemorate the day, it is collaborating with the Benola Cerebral Palsy initiative to organise a charity walk and enlightenment campaign for Celebral Palsy on October 1, 2016. The walk will take off at the Airforce Primary School Abudu Street, off Elsie Femi Pearse, Victoria Island Lagos at 7.00am.

Cerebral Palsy is one of the groups of non-progressive, non-contagious limitations of movements that eventually lead to various

types of physical disability in affected persons. Its impact can range from a weakness in one hand, to almost a complete lack of voluntary movement..

According to the statement: “The Group’s support for the Cerebral Palsy walk is implemented on the platform of its “Hope Rising” initiatives aimed at providing health and welfare support for persons living with disabilities. Staff members would also participate at the event under the Employee Giving and Volunteering Platform, designed to encourage employees to individually and collectively contribute to social responsibility projects to further entrench social responsibility as a core component of its organisational culture.

38

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

thursDAY, september 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

thursDAY, september 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEGATIVE Equities drain on sustained sell pressure

Stories by Chris Ugwu

A

ctivities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday slipped further from bullish activities into the red zone, as shares of highly capitalised stocks closed on downswing over profit takings.

Overall market performance indicators, the NSE All Share Index and market

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

Stock market records marginal loss capitalisation each declined marginally by 0.04 per cent.

Consequently, the All-Share Index shed 12.63 basis points or 0.04 per cent to close at 28,236.23 per share as against 28,248.86 recorded the previous day, while, the market capitalisation of equities depreciated marginally by N4 billion or 0.04 per cent to close at N9.699 trillion from N9.703 trillion.

Meanwhile, a turnover of 159.04 million shares exchanged in 3,237 deals was recorded in the day’s trading.

Banking sub-sector of the financial services sector was

‘Innovative solutions required to bridge infrastructural gap’

I

nnovative solutions are required to address the country’s infrastructural deficits at a time when government’s revenues at all levels are dwindling, Investment One Financial Services Group Managing Director, Mr. Nicholas Nyamali, has said.

Nyamali, who commended the success story of the Kwara State Infrastructure Fund (IFK) launched on September 26, said that Nigeria’s annual infrastructure financing gap estimated at 70 billion dollars could only be addressed through innovative initiatives.

These were contained in a statement issued by the company in Lagos and made available to New Telegraph.

The statement stated that the project was a culmination of several years of hard work, creative thinking and resilience spearheaded through the Kwara State Public-Private Partnership Bureau (KP3).

“From economic infrastructures such as transportation, roads and power, to social infrastructures such as hospitals, water and schools,

39

there are severe shortages to be addressed by governments.

“All these requirements are in the midst of severe financial shortage. The challenge facing governments at all levels is how to finance these capital projects with dwindling revenues,” he said.

Nyamali described the infrastructure fund as a novel way to fund infrastructure development to give comfort to all relevant parties such as contractors, providers of capital and the people of Kwara State.

He said that the new infrastructure fund was a core element of the administration’s plan to get Kwara working optimally based on today’s economic realities.

“The IF-K creates a permanent solution to the issue of infrastructure funding, which is critical to all developmental plans of this Government.

“This infrastructure fund brings to an end the era where capital projects will be left uncompleted due to lack of funding, it will also attract external and Public Private Partnership funds,” Nyamali added.

the most active (measured by turnover volume) with 75.7 million shares exchanged by investors in 779 deals.

Volume in the sub-sector was largely driven by activities in the shares of Access Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc. Also, other financial institutions sub-sector, boosted by activities in the shares of FCMB Plc and United Capital

Plc followed with a turnover of 32.04 million shares in 353 deals.

The number of gainers at the close of trading session was 22, while decliners closed at 23.

Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc led the gainers’ table with a 9.85 per cent to close at 67 kobo per share, while Learn Africa Plc followed with a gain of 8.62 per cent to close at 63

kobo per share. Mobil Oil Plc added five per cent to close at N188.52 per share.

On the other hand, Oando Nigeria Plc led the price losers’ table, dropping 7.71 per cent to close at N4.91 per share.

Ashaka Cement Plc trailed with 4.99 per cent to close at N17.12 per share, while Beta Glass Plc straggled with a loss of 4.63 per cent to close at N30.03 per share.

Stocks decline as traders assess Yellen remarks

S

tocks fell as traders assessed remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen for clues on the path of interest rates in the world’s largest economy. Oil advanced.

The S&P 500 Index dropped after crude pared gains as OPEC ministers began a closed session in Algiers. While no formal decision is expected Wednesday, the Saudi Arabian and Iranian ministers signaled they want to lay the groundwork for an agreement at the group’s next meeting in Vienna.

Equities climbed in Europe as Deutsche Bank AG jumped after selling its UK unit and ruled out a capital increase. The dollar rebounded from a two-week low, while Treasuries were little changed.

According to Bloomberg News, traders took a more cautious stance, as they looked to comments from a raft of Fed officials on the path of interest rates. The current course of the economy calls for a gradual increase in borrowing costs, something that doesn’t have a fixed timetable, Yellen said yesterday, speaking before the House Financial Services Committee. Should the central bank allow the economy to overheat, rates could rise “more rapidly than we would want,” she said.

“The selling shows a renewed focus on the Fed,” said Kevin Caron, a Florham Park, New Jersey-based market strategist and portfolio manager

who helps oversee $180 billion at Stifel Nicolaus & Co. “The Fed, which took a pause at the beginning part of the year when data was getting sloppy, is acknowledging the fact that there’s been a mid-year pickup.

Those trends are key, because the Fed has used the labor slack issue in the past as a reason to stay accommodative.”

The probability that the Federal Open Market Committee will increase rates in December has dropped to about even, from 61 per cent a week ago, when Yellen said it made sense to put off a move for now to give the economy more room to grow.

Meanwhile, investors are looking for signs that the economy is strengthening and awaiting the next earnings season, which will kick off in about two weeks. A report yesterday showed orders for durable goods were little changed in August, while shipments of capital equipment declined for a fourth straight month, indicating lingering weakness in manufacturing. A revised reading on second-quarter growth, pending home sales as well as measures of personal income and spending are due later this week.

The S&P 500 fell 0.2 per cent to 2,156.19 in New York. The gauge has hovered between its average prices during the past 50 and 100 days for 12 of the past 13 sessions, the most since 1992, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbed 0.7 per cent as Deutsche Bank rebounded from a record low. Germany’s DAX Index and Italy’s FTSE MIB Index snapped a three-day losing streak, while automakers and banks boosted France’s CAC 40 Index.

Shares in emerging markets were little changed. SABMiller Plc helped lift South Africa’s benchmark after investors approved a takeover by AnheuserBusch InBev NV. Saudi Arabia stocks posted the steepest twoday slump since January amid concern austerity measures will curb growth, while people familiar with the matter said the kingdom’s first international bond may be delayed.

Crude resumed its rally in a very volatile session. Saudi Arabia signaled it may compromise with rival Iran on a supply agreement. That would end the produce-at-will strategy the Saudis instigated in 2014, upending the oil market and shaking investors, corporations and entire economies.

“The Saudis are trying to get a deal, which shows the financial strain they are under,” said Bill O’Grady, chief market strategist at Confluence Investment Management in St. Louis, which oversees $5.2 billion. “The Iranians have tough terms and the Saudis will probably compromise. This leaves open the possibility of an agreement when they meet in November.”

40

NEWS News|SOUTH-WEST

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

ASUU condemns attack on LAUTECH’s registrar, others …as Osun warns Oyo over planned takeover

Sola Adeyemo and Adeolu Adeyemo

T

he Ibadan chapter of the Academic Staf f Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday condemned an attack by some hoodlums on some staff of the Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso,

66.1m

including the Registrar.

Some hoodlums had invaded the institution on Tuesday afternoon, harassing staff of the Osun State origin, who they said should leave Oyo State and for their state of origin to give peace a chance.

While asking the police to ensure that the perpetrators were arrested

The estimated total population of Western Asia in 1960.

Source: Un.org

and brought to book, the ASUU led by the Zonal Coordinator, Dr Ade Adejumo, warned politicians against politicising the LAUTECH crisis and urged members to resist any attempt by politicians to play ethnic politics with the lives of people who were being denied their entitlements and rights.

Adejumo said: “We

187,155

The total number of active fixed wired/wireless lines of Nigeria in December 2015.

strongly appeal to our members to resist the temptations to be drawn into whatever political games that politicians are playing to deliberately distract us from the focus of the current struggle.

Let us remain calm and watchful even in the face of extreme provocation.

This is just a passing phase in the struggle and

0.54%

The capital importation percentage share of Trading of Nigeria in 2008.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

Ado-Ekiti

W

orried by a seeming feud between the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, a former governor of the old Ondo State and chieftain of the party, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, yesterday asked President Muhammed Buhari to step into the matter in the interest of party.

Besides, he is asking the party’s leadership to cancel the party’s September 3 governorship primary election in Ondo State to avert

Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

A

Ex-governor Olumilua seeks Buhari’s intervention in Tinubu, Oyegun’s feud failure in the November 26 governorship election, saying the party may suffer defeat should his wise counsel be ignored as nothing tangible would come out of the election should the APC go into the election as a divided house.

Olumilua who spoke with reporters in his Ikere Ekiti country home yesterday, insisted that the party would suffer defeat in the governorship election should it go ahead with the controversial result of the primary election without conducting

Ajimobi stops subvention to tertiary institutions Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

R

ather than ameliorating, the financial crisis being experienced by the tertiary institutions in Oyo State regarding payment of their salaries got worse yesterday as Governor Abiola Ajimobi has announced that the state would no longer fund any of the seven state owned institutions.

According to the State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Abimbola Adekanmbi, in a circular sent to the Vice Chancel-

governments of Oyo and Osun States.”

Meanwhile, the Osun State yesterday sent a warning signal to its Oyo State’s counterpart that it should stop deceiving itself on its plan to takeover the jointly owned institution.

The state’s chairman, committee on Education in the House of Assembly, Hon. Folorunso Bamisayemi described Oyo’s planned takeover of LAUTECH as not only laughable but bizarre as a verdict of the Supreme Court on the matter had long trashed out such venture.

The apex court had ruled that the institution should remain a joint property of Osun and Oyo states.

Mastermind of two missing Osun undergraduates remanded in prison

Lagos State Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (third left); the Chief Imam of Lagos, Alhaji Garba Ibrahim Akinola (middle) and others, during the 2016/2017 Legal Year Service at the Central Mosque, Marina, Lagos…on Monday

Sulaiman Salawudeen

we shall survive it.

“Our struggle therefore is targeted at nudging the states back to the fulfillment of their obligations to the university.

We hereby reiterate our position on the state of the crisis currently ravaging our dear institution, LAUTECH. The university is a public institution founded and financed with tax payers’ money. The university therefore belongs to the public, and it is held in trust by both governments of Oyo and Osun States. The university is a public institution founded and financed with tax payers’ money.

The university therefore belongs to the public and it is held in trust by both

lor of the Oyo/Osun States jointly-owned Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) as well as to the Rector and Provost of the institutions, a copy of which New Telegraph obtained in Ibadan yesterday, the schools that will no longer collect any subvention from the government included The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa and Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, College of Education, Lanlate and the Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora.

a fresh one as such decision would not only affect the party’s unity but the party’s failure at the poll.

He said: “The protest and the kind of information that we received after the primary is unpalatable and does not portray our party in good light.

What are we teaching then? What lesson or impression are we creating?

Definitely, it is a negative impression that sends bad signal about us and our party “We must urgently correct it now and re-conduct

a fresh primary for the governorship, otherwise our party may be heading for failure at the poll and it will not only stop at this, it will also affect our popularity and it will affect the unity of our members.”

On Tinubu and Oyegun’s feud, Olumilua said “when two elephants fight, the grass suffers, no doubt, this misunderstanding would further of damage our party as it would continue to polarise the party and cause early disintegration of the party if care is not taken.”

Police arraigns man for defrauding Afe Babalola of N2.5m Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

F

or allegedly swindling proprietor of Afe Babaloa University, Ado-Ekiti and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Afe Babalola of N2.5million, a 35 year-old man, Abdulrahman Muazu was yesterday arraigned at an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s Court.

Muazu, allegedly impersonated the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah to swindle Babalola of N2.5million.

He allegedly in a telephone conversation posed as Kukah while soliciting funds to support the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the northeast.

This, the police said propelled Babalola to make a donation of N2.5 million. Muazu was however charged alongside others still on the run on a twocount of felony and fraud.

Muazu was accused of obtaining money under false pretense with the plan to defraud and present himself as Kukah, a move which enabled him to obtain N2.5 million from Babalola.

n Osun State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo, yesterday remanded in Ilesha prison custody an accused person, Adedamola Olagoke, who was allegedly fingered in the missing of two students of the state University, Osogbo (UNIOSUN).

The missing students, Samuel Eke and Akinduro Robert whose whereabouts are still unknown allegedly had an altercation with the accused person before their sudden disappearance a couple of days ago.

Olagoke was arrested

on September 10, five days after the duo of Samuel and Robert went missing.

In a three count charge, Olagoke is facing an unlawful imprisonment and kidnapping.

He however pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The charge reads: “You Olagoke Adedamola ‘m’ and others now at large between same period and place at the aforementioned magisterial district did unlawfully kidnapp one Akinduro Robert and took him to unknown destination in such a manner as to prevent any person entitled to have access to him or discovering the place he is imprisoned.

Court hears EFCC, Adegboruwa’s suit November 17 Akeem Nafiu

F

urther hearing in the trial of a lawyer and rights activist, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa before Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of a Federal High Court in Lagos was stalled yesterday following the absence of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s lawyer, Mohammed Idris.

Adegboruwa is being prosecuted by the anti-graft

agency on a charge of leasing out a property that was said to be a subject of an interim order of forfeiture issued by Justice C.A Balogun of a Lagos High Court, on June 18, 2012.

At yesterday’s proceedings, the court was informed of a letter from Idris requesting for an adjournment because he was engaged elsewhere.

Justice Oguntoyibo thereafter adjourned the matter to November 17 and 18.

UI explains rejigging security on campus

T

he management of the University of Ibadan yesterday said it had no intention to make life unbearable for the university community through the recent screening exercise introduced at the institution’s gates.

Its Director of Communication, Mr Olatunji Oladejo said the measure was in response to threats by an unknown group to

launch bomb attacks on its campus. NAN reports that security personnel were stationed at the entrance of the university and were searching students and visitors entering the institution.

Oladejo, who said the university was not taking the threats for granted, added that this informed the security beef up in and around the university.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Okorocha launches initiative to boost rice production Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

G

over nor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has declared that any nation unable to feed its populace has become a failed state.

Okorocha, who doubles as the chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, said this yesterday in Owerri, the Imo state capital, while launching the Rice Anchors Borrowers Programme, an initiative, he said, was intended to make Imo state self-sufficient in rice production.

According him, even if Nigeria cannot immediately become a rice exporter, it should at least be able to feed itself, especially in this era of hunger.

“I foresaw this earlier in my administration and I raised the alarm.

I initiated the plant-apalm programme; I initiated the back to farm

programme; and most recently, I asked civil servants in the state to use two work days for agriculture and they refused.

“Today Kebbi state has accessed N20 billion for agriculture because their people keyed into agriculture but I have not accessed a kobo because Imo people have refused to key into our vision in agriculture. We have therefore approved N9 billion for rice production in Imo state and by February we should be harvesting the first Imo rice,” Okorocha said.

Speaking at the occasion, the Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagadu, who was partnering with the Imo State government on the rice project and bringing the technical expertise, said the first mark of honour for any man was his ability to feed himself.

He noted that a nation that cannot feed itself cannot effectively compete on the global stage.

News|south-EAST

41

Motorists cry out over state of Enugu-Onitsha Road M otorists and commuters plying the 105-kilometre Enugu-Onitsha highway have called for palliative measure on the road pending its reconstruction to reduce their sufferings.

The motorists made the call in Awka on yesterday in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

They said that it takes them between two hours and three hours to travel either way between Enugu and Onitsha.

One of them, Mr. David Okigbo, said the call has become urgent as the alternative route through the old road in

Oji River had become a death trap as heavy duty vehicles have made it impassable.

Okigbo said that the gridlock at the Ugwuoba axis of the old road was choking, while the road was almost caving in due to heavy traffic.

Also, a passenger, Mrs. Pamela Igwe, said that the road was impassable, especially with the heavy rains being experienced this year.

Igwe appealed to the governors of Anambra and Enugu states to urgently provide palliatives by rehabilitating the bad portions before the end of the rainy season.

“The two states of Enugu and Anambra should intervene in

rehabilitating failed portions of the road in Ugwuoba and Umunya without waiting for the Federal Government as it is their people that suffer the pain,” she said.

On his part, Mr. Uche Eke, a businessman, described the difficulties encountered while plying the route as ` ‘horrific and unspeakable’, as people wait for hours to pass through the less than five-kilometre failed portion to their destination.

Eke said that because of the development, intercity transport fares increased by almost 50 per cent while villagers who pretended to be working on the road made brisk businesses as they col-

lected fees from motorists whose vehicles were trapped.

NAN reports that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) penultimate week declared the Enugu-Onitsha highway closed and urged motorists to use alternative routes.

The expressway was built during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime as military head of state and was rehabilitated during late Gen. Sani Abacha’s regime with funds from the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).

The rehabilitation through the PTF was supervised by President Muhammadu Buhari, who was the chairman of the fund.

Imo’s accounts not frozen – Govt Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

I

mo State government has denied media report purporting that the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, had frozen its accounts.

Its Attorney General, Miletus Nlemedim, yesterday described the report as misleading and false, stating that the Appeal Court did not make any order whatsoever freezing the accounts of the state but in the main merely upheld the earlier ruling of the lower court.

He noted that in 2011, a company, E.F Network Nigeria Ltd and Mr. Gideon Egbuchulam dragged the state government to an Abuja High Court over non-payment of fee for contract entered into with the state government. The court gave judgment in favour of the applicants which the state government appealed.

However, the Court of Appeal, Owerri presided

over by Justice G. Mbaba on Monday upheld the judgment of the lower court. The litigants had approached the courts demanding the sum of N800 million contract sum and N200 million general and special damages which both the lower court and Court of Appeal upheld.

The state AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice also said that the state government had already filed a motion for a stay-of-execution with a notice of appeal but no date has been fixed for the motion.

General Overseer, Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Church, Pastor Lazarus Muoka (left), praying for Nigeria at a crusade held in Ichi, Anambra State…recently

Emefiele urges positive reportage of economic issues Igbo can’t he Governor of Correspondents and Busi- economy based on what (CACS). abandon Central Bank of He added that the interness Editors’ Seminar in they read and hear in the Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Abakiliki. The seminar media. ventions were not intended Biafra – Ikedife

T

Godwin Emefiele yesterday called for positive reportage of the Nigerian economy by journalists.

Emefiele made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 22nd Finance

was on the theme: “Financing Nigeria’s non-oil sector for sustainable economic development.”

He said that foreign investors formed their perception of the Nigerian

Recession: Anambra cushions effects on residents

A

nambra State government has said that it has provided special interventions to cushion the effects of current economic recession on the people.

Commissioner for Information, Communication and Strategy, Chief Tony Nnacheta, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Awka.

He said that the government had provided

N2.5 billion to small and medium entrepreneurs to boost their businesses as well as suspended some levies on petty traders with the aim of making life bearable for Ndi Anambra.

The commissioner also said that the suspended levies included collections from emblem on commercial vehicles, hawkers’ permit, levies on wheel barrows and levies on primary and post primary schools.

Nnacheta said that

three key sectors of industry, agriculture, manufacturing and trade represented 68 per cent of jobs in the state, adding that many households would be positively affected by this policy.

He added that the new measures would last for eight months, and assured that government would continue to show human face where it was required to make life bearable for the people of the state.

He said that the CBN had gone beyond monetary and price stability to developmental activities that would stimulate economic growth.

He said these developmental initiatives were necessary because Nigeria’s developing economy was inherent with developmental challenges.

Emefiele, who was represented by the Director for Monetary Policy Department, Mr. Moses Tule, noted that the apex bank had committed N220 billion into agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and infrastructure.

He said that some of the interventions were the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) and the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme

to crowd out financial institutions in credit delivery but to serve as incentives to propel lending at reasonable rates to the real sector.

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, while declaring the seminar open, promised Nigerians a bumper harvest of rice from the state.

Umahi said that the state was involved in various agricultural programmes to meet food sufficiency for its citizens.

He also said that the state government would collaborate with a private investor to resuscitate the state’s cement company – Niger Cement.

Umahi added that Niger Cement, when fully operational, would provide employment opportunities for its citizens and contribute to the economy of the state and the nation.

Pamela Eboh AWKA

A

former president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo and current deputy national leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Dr. Dozie Ikedife, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to forget the thought of wishing Biafra away, saying that Igbo people would never forget Biafra.

He made the call yesterday at Nnewi while addressing Journalists on the position of the Igbos on the polity.

Ikedife, who was a strong supporter of President Buhari during the electioneering campaigns, stressed that nothing would make Igbo to abandon the Biafra struggle.

42

News|SOUTH-SOUTH

Tony Anichebe Uyo

A

former Inspector-General of Police, Chief Etim Okon Inyang, died on Monday at the age of 85.

According to the information gathered from his son, Mr. Okpo Inyang yesterday, the retired police boss, who was born on December 25, 1931, joined his ancestors on September 26, 2016.

He was the sixth indigenous Inspector-General of Police after Louis Edet, 1964 to 1966; Kam Salem, 1966 to 1975 and Muhammadu Yusuf, 1975 to 1979.

Others before them were, Adams Suleiman, 1979 to 1981; Sunday Adewusi, 1981 to 1983.

Inyang was appointed Inspector-General in

Former Police IG, Inyang, dies at 85 lAmbode mourns January 1984, to succeed Sunday Adewusi and was succeeded by Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta in 1986.

He died in an undisclosed hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.

He hailed from Enwang in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and was a great son of the Oron nation, the third largest ethnic group in Akwa Ibom State.

Okpo Inyang described his father’s death as a monumental loss, not only to his family and the Enwang community, but to the entire Oron nation and Akwa Ibom State.

The late IG holds the Knight of John Wesley in the Methodist Church and a traditional title of Ikpoto

Oron in Akwa Ibom State.

He lived a life of contentment and engaged in unparalleled community service.

He was a Thisday Lifetime Achievement Award winner, an award conferred on him a few years ago after he had completely retired from active public life.

Inyang was unarguably one of Nigeria’s most successful Inspectors-General of Police. He was credited with having achieved improvement in the welfare of police officers and was instrumental to birth of a modern Nigeria Police, which he reorganised into zones and area commands. He

also rehabilitated and built more police barracks, re-branded the police and was the first to change the uniform of the police, among many other achievements.

He lived and died as one of those few Nigerians who served at the highest level of government without scandals.

He was until his death, the chairman, board of trustees of the 91-year-old Oron Union.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday expressed sadness over the death of the former Inspector-General of Police, Chief Etim Inyang.

The governor in a state-

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

ment signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, described the deceased as a gallant police chief, who led his men to wage war against the high wave of crime and criminality during his tenure.

“Sir Inyang, who rose from the rank of recruit to become the Inspector-General, was one of the best police chiefs this country has had over the years.

Despite the high wave of crime that characterised the period he was in the saddle, he was dogged and consistent in his quest to bring the activities of a notorious armed robbery gang led by Lawrence Anini and his cohorts to a halt.

“Though his stint as the Inspector-General of Police was short, he contributed his quota to the entrenchment of peace and security across the country. He succeeded in initiating the manhunt for Anini, which eventually paid off under his successor,” the governor said.

Ambode said the late Inyang would be greatly missed not just by his immediate family, but the country at large.

He also prayed that God would grant the soul of the departed peaceful repose and for the family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“On behalf of the good people of Lagos State, I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased,” Governor Ambode said.

Group to FG: Stop maligning ex-First Lady over $31.4m fraud Dominic Adewole ASABA

A

group, Forum of Registered Political Parties and Civil Rights Organisation, based in the South-South region of the country, has urged the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop vilifying the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, over an alleged

People waiting to cast their vote at Eredo, Ward 6, Unit 5 Edo State…yesterday

18

The life expectancy of men at age 60 years of Bosnia & Herzegovina in 2012.

Source: Un.org

46.19%

The capital importation percentage share of Banking of Nigeria in 2009.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

3

The total number of goals conceded by Russia at Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Fifa.com

Rector attributes economy hardship to poor quality entrepreneurs Chris ejim Yenagoa

T

he Rector of Bayelsa Institute of Entrepreneurship, Hon. Ayakeme Masa, yesterday said the only option that will help the country out of its current economic crisis, address unemployment and poverty was entrepreneurial-focused initiatives, adding that quality entrepreneurs would create jobs and improve economy.

He made this known while interacting with

newsmen on the state of the nation. He noted that there was also the need to drastically increase the capacity of entrepreneurs in order to positively effect change in the market.

Masa said the establishment of the institution will further enhance interaction between the business community and the local business participators and create better entrepreneurs and in return create small businesses and generate employment to boost the economy.

He said: “Most coun-

tries suffer economic challenges despite their numerous resources, because they don’t have quality entrepreneurs to move the market, adding that the only way small businesses could thrive, produce goods and services and also help to increase internally generated revenue is through good management by entrepreneurs.

“For instance Africa has a lot of resources, but you discover that the advanced countries are better off in terms of the economy because the

supply of entrepreneurs and their quality are different from others.

They manage and create resources that stabilise the economy to some extent while also addressing other pressing challenges.”

He emphasised that the school, established in May, 2015, was timely and will act as the engine room of the economy of Bayelsa State and not to award degrees, adding that the sustainability of the state in the four years depends on the product of the institute.

APC chieftain urges Sylva to accept defeat Chris Ejim Yenagoa

A

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the current Special Adviser to Governor Seriake Dickson on Inter-Party Relations, Hon. Ben Eyororokumoh, has appealed to

his boss and the candidate of his party in the justconcluded gubernatorial election to close ranks and work together with Governor Dickson in order to move the state forward.

Eyororokumoh, who made this call in an interview with newsmen in Yenagoa, asked Sylva to borrow a leave from

former President Goodluck Jonathan, who congratulated his successor after he lost the general elections to him, adding that instead of dragging the country backward through court cases, he yielded to defeat for the benefit of all.

He said a good politician must always accept

defeat when the odds are against him and allow the system move forward rather than cause unnecessary distraction and delay to the development of his people, adding that politics shouldn’t be seen as a game of desperation, but an opportunity to serve and develop the people.

$31.4 million fraud.

The group, which rose in her defence yesterday, maintained that her persecution was a ploy to bring the Jonathan family and his associates into disrepute.

The group kicked against what it called ethnic cleansing and the suppression of southerners, especially those who served under the former President and the deliberate attempt to ridicule them.

Rights activist calls for dialogue to resolve N’Delta crisis Pauline Onyibe Yenagoa

E

nvironmental rights activist, Moris Alagoa, yesterday called on the Federal Government to explore dialogue as a means of solving the crisis in the Niger Delta.

He said such opportunity to dialogue with the Niger Delta people will enable citizens of the region table their challenges and grievances before the Federal Government rather than the government telling the people what it wants.

He spoke yesterday after the aborted Niger Stakeholders’ Summit, where he was supposed to be a participant. He said the Nigerian people and the world should first be hearing from the people rather than through government agents who will not tell the truth concerning the plight of the people.

Speaking to New Telegraph yesterday in Yenagoa, the Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth Field Operation Officer saying a scenario was unfortunate.

Ibori’ll soon be back, Amori assures Delta citizens Ola James WARRI

F

ormer Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, who is currently serving a jail term in the United Kingdom for money laundering offences, will be released before the end of 2016, his closest associate and former Senior Political Adviser, Chief Ighoyota Amori, has revealed.

Amori, who spoke recently in Oghara, Delta State, at the 50th birthday anniversary of former Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Ben Ibakpa, however, doused the fear in some quarters about the wellbeing and delay in the release of the erstwhile governor of the state saying “Chief James Ibori will spend this 2016 Christmas with us here in Oghara, Delta State, Nigeria.”

News|NORTH

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Shettima: We’re determined to rebuild our communities Ahmed Miringa Maiduguri

B

orno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday visited Gwoza and Askira/ Uba Local Government Areas, where he promised that the ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation of destroyed residential houses and public structures by Boko Haram insurgents will be completed by December this year.

The governor spoke at the Palace of the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed Idrissa Timta and that of Uba, Alhaji Muhammadu Ismaila Mamaza, while address-

ing thousands of the people who have since returned home, including traditional rulers and religious leaders.

Gwoza is second to Bama Local Government Area that suffered the same fate of destruction before it was declared as Boko Haram caliphate in August, 2014.

Shettima, who had temporary relocated his office and spent one week in Bama to oversee/supervise the rebuilding works drove through Gwoza, where he urged the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Dr. Babagana Umara Zulum, to ensure that his ministry align with professional

engineers/builders from Gwoza to immediately put the liberated town in good shape for the comfort of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who most of them have started returning home.

He said: “I want to sympathise with you over the unfortunate calamity perpetrated

by Boko Haram in the recent past; we are here to tell you that as a government, we will do everything possible to rebuild all your destroyed houses brick by brick.

“We have also come with assorted food items, including 1,500 bags of 25kg rice, 1,500 bags of beans, 1,000 cartoons of spaghetti, sugar, salt, among other

Niger to partner Canadian, South African firms to generate 2,000 jobs Dan Atori MINNA

T

he Niger State Government has disclosed that it is working out a concessionary agreement with Tourism developers from Canada and South Africa in the development of Gurara Waterfalls with the potentials of creating over 2,000 jobs for the people.

Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Tsado Vatsa, yesterday, while speaking at an event marking this year’s edition of the World Tourism Day at the Gurara, stated that the firms had agreed to use local content and employ youths from the local communities around the sites.

According to him, “the Canada-based tourism developer and promoter,

Mohammed Sani Abu of the Festival of Africa and Caribbean Culture (FESTACC) had opened discussions with the state government with a view to developing tourism sites in the state including the Gurara Falls.”

Vatsa assured the foreign firms that the state government would give the necessary support to all genuine investors, who had planned to invest in

relief items, he added.”

“I urge some of the IDPs from Gwoza, who are still residing in resettlement camps in Maiduguri and other places to please come back and join you, because, there is no any good place than home,” Shettima stated.

70%

The approximate percentage of all available water is used for irrigation.

Source: Unesco.org

96.87

The mobile teledensity of Nigeria in October 2014.

Source: Ncc.gov.ng

the state, .

Speaking in an interview with newsmen, the Canada-based tourism promoter, Sani- Abu described Gurara Falls as a national asset that would generate more funds for the state if properly harnessed.

He said: “Our target is to create over 2,000 jobs for the local communities and the state when the site is fully developed, because there are job opportunities in 25 areas, including security, game reserves, agriculture, casinos, hotels and other hospitality areas.”

Elated Gwoza residents trooping out to welcome Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, during his tour of liberated communities in Gwoza LGA Secretariat … yesterday

UNDP, Gombe train youths to access entrepreneurial funds Willie Danjuma GOMBE

T

he United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in conjunction with the Gombe State Government has conducted a two-day training programme for youths in the state on how to access funds for entrepreneurship skills that will make them self-reliant.

The access to finance network meeting facilitated by beneficiaries of the 2014/2015 of youths acquisition and women empowerment, were trained and

Gusau

Z

amfara State Governor, Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar, yesterday said his administration between 2011 to date has constructed over 4,000 classrooms in addition to the existing ones across the state.

This was as the state government said it was a deliberate move aimed at decon-

gesting the classrooms and the schools.

The governor, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Abdullahi Muhammad Shinkafi, disclosed this when executive members of the state Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), led by its National Secretary, Dr. Sam Eke, paid him a courtesy visit at his residence at Gusau on Tuesday night ahead of the state Council

election, billed for yesterday.

Shinkafi said the government in line with its plans to give the state a face look in all sectors of the economy, had decided to construct additional classrooms in schools across the state with an aim to boost education as well as providing conducive environment for learning in the state.

While adding that the new classrooms were fully equipped with new tables

and chairs for the students and teachers, he said the state government, as part of its achievements under five years in office constructed about 295-kilometer standard roads in across the state in order to provide accessible roads in both rural and urban areas and also to boost socio-economic activities in the state.

However, Shikafi explained further that the construction of the roads

given settlement kits to start their businesses.

Mr. Joshua Micah of the Restcan Consults, who conducted the training, noted that the difficulty of beneficiaries of skills and economic empowerment programmes in accessing funds and knowledge in order to progress in their businesses immediately after their training would have been removed.

He said the meeting was also aimed at meeting the development of business proposals that could meet the funding requirements of micro-finance banks.

Sokoto employs 21 fresh doctors

S

okoto State government said it has employed 21 fresh doctors who graduated from the Usman Danfodio University and will be posted to primary healthcare centres across the state.

Similarly, the government said it is working to regularise professional qualifications of 309 nurses and midwives from the state in preparation for their eventual absorption into the state civil service.

The number includes 109 graduate nurses and 200 midwives trained by the Federal Government under the Midwives Service Scheme (MSS).

The state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Balarabe Shehu Kakale, stated this during a briefing on the activities of his ministry.

A statement issued by Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s spokesman, Malam

Imam Imam, said the decision to employ the new doctors will boost the manpower needed at the primary healthcare centres in parts of the state.

“As fresh graduates, they are expected to undergo housemanship, but in the meantime, they have received enough training to handle primary health challenges associated with the grass root level.

“We will support them to ensure they complete their further training,” the statement quoted the commissioner as saying.

Meanwhile, the government said it has assisted families to provide free clinical circumcision to 1,798 boys across the state.

The policy was introduced to encourage safe circumcision and reduce instances of fatality among boys due to widely used traditional practice.

Police arrest two ex-perm sec, six others over alleged Benue looting Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

T

wo retired Permanent Secretaries in Benue State, including an Accountant and Cashiers were yesterday arrested by security operatives for their alleged involvement in the looting of the state to the tune of N107 billion during the last administration in the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bashir

Zamfara boosts education with 4,000 classrooms Idris Salisu

43

is the part of the fulfillment of the governor’s campaign promises to the electorate, adding that each of the 11 out of the 14 Local Government Areas of the state had been provided with newly constructed 20 kilometers asphalted roads, while each of the remaining three Local Government Areas, comprising Gusau, the state capital; Kaura-Namoda and Gummi got 25-kilometer roads respectively.

Makama, who confirmed the arrest, said they were whisked to Abuja for questioning at the Force Headquarters, where they would be made to explain their roles in the alleged saga.

New Telegraph learnt that among those arrested were Mr. Andy Uwouku, a former Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant, and Mrs. Elizabeth Tyonongu, both retired Permanent Secretaries in the state Local Government Pensions Board.

Others were Ndera Moses, Adamgbe Mtangenyi, Namity Moses, Jacob Agera, Abur Nyikwagh and Shile Paul, who were accountants and cashiers in various parastatals.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Michael Gusa who also confirmed the arrests said, the culprits are to throw more lights on their involvement in the misapplication of the state funds in their respective offices.

44

WORLD \ NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

World leaders to attend Shimon Peres’ funeral

A

long list of world leaders will attend the funeral of former Israeli prime minister and president Shimon Peres, who died yesterday at 93. Some of the world’s most powerful figures will be at the service in Jerusalem on Friday, including US President Barack Obama.

Mr. Peres’s condition had

deteriorated after suffering a stroke two weeks ago. He was one of the last of a generation of Israeli politicians present at the nation’s birth in 1948.

Mr. Peres won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for his role negotiating the Oslo peace accords with the Palestinians a year earlier, a prize he shared with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin,

17 Somali soldiers killed in interregional fighting

A

t least 17 soldiers were killed in clashes overnight between forces from two semi-autonomous regions of northern Somalia, local officials said yesterday.

Soldiers in Puntland and Galmudug have clashed repeatedly over territory and political rivalries in recent years. As well as fighting in a civil war that began in 1991, national forces, loyal to the Western backed Mogadishu-based government, and regional militias are battling an Islamist insurgency. The militias sometimes also attack each other. Puntland said it had killed Islamist militants in an air raid but Galmudug said its

F

sults for my Latin community.

No more insults for the women.

I know very well Mr. Trump and I can see the same person that I met 20 years ago.”

At the presidential debate on Monday, Clinton referenced Machado to make a bigger point to Trump about his public treatment of women which has become a key campaign issue that hits on his vulnerabilities with both Hispanics and women.

“And one of the worst things he said was about a woman in a beauty contest he loves beauty contests, supporting them and hanging around them and he called this woman Miss Piggy, then he called her Miss Housekeeping because she was Latina,” Clinton had said.

‘Peru’s ex-spy boss burned bodies in oven’

A

court in Peru has sentenced the country’s former spy chief, Vladimiro Montesinos, to 22 years in jail for the forced disappearance of a professor and two students in 1993. They were killed in detention and their bodies burned in an oven in the basement of the intelligence agency.

Former army chief of staff Nicolas Hermoza Rios was also found guilty of the same crime. Montesinos, 71, is already serving a sentence for crimes against humanity.

He was widely regarded as the power behind the throne in President Alberto Fujimori’s government, which ruled Peru from 1990 to 2000.

The former president is also in jail over human rights abuses committed during his

las Sarkozy, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

Mr. Peres will receive a state burial at a ceremony on Friday at Mount Herzel Cemetery in Jerusalem. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas sent a letter of condolence to Mr Peres’ family “expressing his sorrow and sadness”.

“Peres was a partner in creating the peace of the brave with the late President Yasser Arafat and Prime Minister Rabin,

and has made intensive efforts to reach a long-lasting peace since the Oslo agreement and until the last breath,” he said in a statement.

It is not clear if Mr Abbas will attend the funeral.

However, some Palestinians and others across the Middle East were not mourning his passing. Abdul Rahman Daireyeh, a resident in Ramallah, told the BBC: “He [Peres] is a war criminal who has killed hundreds of Palestinians. He was never a man of peace.

soldiers were targeted. “This [story of] killing militants is propaganda. Seventeen of our soldiers were killed and two of our military vehicles were destroyed by the air strike,” Abdi Hussein, the deputy governor of Galkayo, the capital of the Galmudug region, told Reuters by phone.

Galkayo hospital confirmed it had received 17 dead and 15 wounded soldiers. A Puntland police colonel insisted the raid killed militants. “Puntland security forces launched a planned attack last night. We killed over a dozen militants and destroyed their vehicles,” Colonel Abdullahi Nur said.

Miss Universe hits back at Trump ormer Miss Universe Alicia Machado struck back two days ago against insults hurled at her by Donald Trump, saying that he was aggressive and really rude.

Machado, who represented Venezuela in Trump’s 1996 Miss Universe competition said that Trump called her Miss Housekeeping and Miss Piggy when she gained weight after winning the beauty pageant. “I know what I left with him and he knows, too. And he was really aggressive. He was really rude. He was a bad person with me,” she told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on “AC360.”

“That is the story that I need to share with my community.

We cannot accept no more in-

and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The agreement was witnessed by former US President Bill Clinton and signed at the White House. Yesterday Mr Clinton said on Twitter: “I will miss Shimon Peres, my brilliant and eloquent friend. His life was a blessing to all who strive for peace...”

Other world leaders set to attend the funeral on Friday include UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande, former French President Nico-

time in office, including authorising killings carried out by death squads. This latest trial of Montesinos has confirmed the existence of a secret detention centre at the army headquarters in the capital Lima, the prosecution said. Prosecutor Carlos Rivera said that “these crimes which occurred in the basement of the army intelligence service can’t but prove the existence of a systematic policy of violating people’s human rights”. “There was an oven there, to burn bodies, it’s horrible,” he added.

He said that he suspected the number of those disappeared in the basement may be much higher than the three people for whose forced disappearance Montesinos was sentenced.

“Nobody builds an oven to burn just three bodies,” he said.

All 298 people aboard Malaysian Airlines flight 17 were killed when the plane was brought down

MH17 missile came from Russia, says Dutch-led investigators

I

nternational prosecutors investigating the downing of flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014 say the Buk missile that hit the plane was from Russia.

They also narrowed down the area it was fired from to a field in territory controlled

by Russian backed rebels. All 298 people on board the Boeing 777 died when it broke apart in mid-air flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

Russia says it cannot accept the findings as the final truth, saying no Russian weapons were taken to Ukraine. “Based on the criminal investigation,

we have concluded that flight MH17 was downed by a Buk missile of the series 9M83 that came from the territory of the Russian Federation,” chief Dutch police investigator Wilbert Paulissen told a news conference today.

The missile had been taken from Russia to rebel-held Ukraine in the morning 17 of July, when the plane was shot down, and the launcher was taken back to Russia afterwards, he said.

In an interview with the BBC, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said there was “nothing to accept or deny”, as

he understood these were preliminary findings. “We cannot accept as final truth of what they say. I bet you haven’t seen any proof of what they say,” he told the Hardtalk programme, adding: “We know the devil is in the detail, and we are still missing lot of the detail.”

But he appeared to rule out that the missile came from Russia: “We’ve been ruling out the fact that any Russian weapons were shipped to Ukraine, any Russian army members, any Russian troops were inside Ukraine.

And we’re still ruling out that possibility.”

Tanzania fires officials over fake earthquake account

T

anzania’s president has sacked two senior officials for opening a fake account to siphon money from an earthquake fund, his office has said.

An accountant had been suspended for being part of the plan to take money collected for earthquake victims, John Magufuli’s office added in a statement. At least 16 people died and 200 were wounded in the 10 September earthquake in the northern Kagera region. Foreign governments have donated money to the earthquake fund.

Two days ago, India’s government donated 545m Tanzanian

shillings ($250,000; £190,000) towards the fund, Tanzania’s privately owned Citizen Newspaper reports. The two dismissed officials had opened a bank account which “bears the same name as the one opened by the government,” the statement said.

The two, along with the suspended official, intended to “use the account to collect money for their benefit while it was meant to help the victims” of the earthquake.

Amantius Msole, Kagera’s regional administrative secretary, and Steven Makonda, Bukoba city municipal council

director, were fired while accountant Simbaufoo Swai had been suspended, local media reports. The three have not yet commented on the allegations.

The magnitude 5.7 earthquake caused significant damage to buildings in Bukoba, a city of more than 70,000 people where most casualties were reported. Tremors were felt as far away as western Kenya. East Africa’s Great Rift Valley runs along a geological fault line but major earthquakes there are rare. A magnitude six quake struck the Tanzanian town of Arusha, east of Bukoba, in July 2007.

45

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport

Did you know?

That Saturday’s 3-0 massive win of Arsenal over Chelsea is the biggest win of the Gunners against the Blues in the new English Premier League era.

Sport News Rangers, Rivers battle for N40m Prize Money

International Sport Mourihno: Shaw, Mkhitaryan out, Rooney doubtful

46 47

Zambia vs Nigeria

Ikpeba: Battle of Ndola’ll be tough ‘Rohr has transformed Eagles’

Ifeanyi Anyaka and Ubong Emmanuel

E

x-international, Victor Ikpeba, has said that the Super Eagles game against the Chipolopolo of Zambia will be extremely tough for both sides.

The match slated for Ndola on October 9 is one of the group openers of the African qualifiers for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

Speaking with New Telegraph, the former Monaco of France player said that playing away from home was a very difficult one for the Super Eagles, adding that what the team needed now was the total support from all stakeholders in the country.

“The game against Zambia will be

an extremely difficult one because going away from home has never been easy for the Super Eagles.

“What the team needs now is the country’s support and they will be able to defeat their opponents.” the NFF technical committee member added.

Ikpeba also expressed confidence in the recent form of some of the players in their respective clubs abroad especially in the English Premier League.

“With the recent form I have seen with Kelechi Ihenacho, Alex Iwobi and even Victor Moses, we have the brilliant players and quality to perform well against the Zambian team.”

Meanwhile, a former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, is happy with the Eagles Manager Gernot Rohr, admitting that he has revamped the team within a short time.

“When I saw the list I was so happy, he has come in to change our team completely for good, you can see now that the team is full of very good young players and I am confident now that Nigeria will qualify for the World Cup.” Chukwu said.

Rohr

Super Eagles’ winger, Victor Moses

Ozil: Iwobi, combination of Okocha, Davids …as Eagles star’ explains Rio Olympics miss

The Sport Team

Emmanuel Tobi

Adekunle Salami

A

Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Iwobi

rsenal midfield maestro Mesut Ozil has described Super Eagles striker, Alex Iwobi, as the perfect blend of Jay-Jay Okocha and Edgar Davids.

Iwobi, 20, has been in great form in the opening weeks of the season with three assists so far this season.

‘Alex reminds me of a mixture of him (Okocha) and Edgar Davids,’ Ozil said in Arsenal’s matchday programme.

‘He’s really strong on the ball, also defensively, but he’s good in front of goal too.

‘He’s developing really well and if he continues the way he’s been playing for the whole season, he will en-

hance his game. The manager knows exactly how good he is and I wish him all the best,” he added.

Meanwhile, Alex Iwobi, says he has put behind his absence from the football event of the Rio Olympics describing it as a blessing in disguise.

“I would like to have played in the Olympics but doing that would have been a big setback for me,” Iwobi told theLondon Evening Standard.

“If I had gone, I would have missed a couple of Arsenal games at least and the boss [Arsene Wenger] didn’t want that. I wish I did go but at the end of the day I did what the boss wanted and I am happy to be where I am. If I had gone, I might not be where I am now.”

46

SPORT NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Togo set for FIBA Africa Rangers, Rivers battle Zone 3 Championship

Emmanuel Tobi

P

resident of the Togolese Basketball Federation, Andre Goungou, has expressed the country’s readiness to host this year’s FIBA Africa Zone 3 Club Championship which will also serve as elimination for the finals proper in Egypt and Mozambique for men and women respectively.

Goungou gave this assurance in Lome, Togo early in the week during a meeting with the FIBA Africa Zone 3 President, Col Sam Ahmedu and the administrative secretary, Joseph Apu during the Zone’s routine visit to the hosts to determine the country’s state of readiness for the championship taking place October 21 to 30, 2016.

“The zone is concerned about Togo’s preparations and this visit is to see things for ourselves your level of readiness,” Ahmedu said.

Which responding Goungou said: “The Togolese Basketball Federation is elated to have the Zone President, Col Ahmedu in our midst ahead of the championship that is less than three weeks away. We want to assure the zone that we’re ready to host and are putting all the necessary things in place. Be rest assured that our playing arena is going to wear a new look and other things needed for the championship as well.

Men and women teams from the eight countries comprising hosts Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Togo, Niger and Nigeria within the Zone. Kano Pillars and First Bank both of Nigeria are defending champions.

for N40m prize money Charles Ogundiya

R

Rangers’ Chinedu Udeagha (right)

angers International will hope to get the needed one point against El-Kanemi Warriors this weekend to win N40m from the Merit Award of the League Management Company.

Champions of the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League season stand to win N40m with Rangers and Rivers United of Port Harcourt the two clubs in contention for the big prize money from a total of N200m pool set aside by the LMC as reward for final position on the league table at the end of the season on Sunday.

Last season, the highest payout from the Merit Award which went to Enyimba International was N30m from a total pool of N150m and this year’s figure of N200m represents an increase of 25%. The Merit Award pool has been witnessing an annual progression from N50m in 2012/13 to N75m in 2013/14 season and now N200m. The top-

three clubs on the final table usually received the chunk of the Merit Award which supports the clubs financially in their preparation for the CAF club competitions the next season.

According to figures released by the LMC, the champions would have received a minimum of N90m in all direct payments for the 2016 season including the Basic Award which comprises of pool of funds shared equally amongst all the 20 participating clubs, the Merit Award paid to clubs based on their final position on the table, the football development and the bonus award which is paid to clubs based on performances including incentives for improving match attendance, away wins/draw, fielding players under the age of 18 and hosting live broadcast matches.

The lowest placed team in the NPFL this season would thus have received up to N55m in direct payments from the LMC from all payment centres.

DalungbacksArmy 39 countries for Lagos Governor’s Cup sportsfestival Ajibade Olusesan

M

inister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung has commended the Chief of Army Staff for his good leadership which has driven the Armed Forces to organize a sports festival.

Dalung made this declaration after receiving the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai at his office who came to officially inform him of the festival billed for October 10 to 15 in Abuja.

The Chief of Army Staff who was accompanied by members of the Central Organizing Committee for the festival thanked the minister for supporting the Nigerian Army in sports development.

“If you’re talking of athletes that have made Nigeria proud, their origin is from the Army, the

Police, Prisons and Civil Defense, therefore you are key partners and tall stakeholders in sports development we cannot neglect. Unfortunately, hard times will not permit us to give you the desired support in terms of financial assistance but we will roll out the facilities we have at our disposal to support the 16th Nigerian Army Sports Festival,” the Minister said.

P

layers from no fewer than 39 countries of the world including Nigeria will take part in the 16th edition of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship.

The players, who will be coming from all continents of the world, will converge on the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan to fight for $ 100,000 prize money and ATP points in a twolegged tournament from October 8 to 22.

According to the Interna-

E

nugu State Commissioner for Spor ts, Charles Ndukwe, has said there will be adequate security for everyone that will be coming to watch the final game of Rang ers Inter national against El-Kanemi Warriors

in Enugu on Sunday.

N d u k we i n fo r m e d N e w Tele graph that as the team is about making history by winning their first league title in 32 years, the gover nment of the state is not leaving anything to chance.

Rangers are on the verge of winning the Nigeria Profes-

Teams battle for Football Fives world tourney Ikenna Amadi

T

eams across the federation are set to battle for place as registration opens for third edition of the Nigeria qualifiers of the Football Fives World Championship.

The championship which is expected to run from November till December as winning teams from the six geopolitical zones

Nigerian player, Christian Paul with the ATP rank 1290 is listed in the Main Draws of the first leg of the tournament which serves off on Monday, October 10.

Other Nigerian players who will play, but will fight their ways to the Main Draws in the qualifying matches (except the wildcards from the ITF), include Slyvester Emmanuel, Moses Michael, Umar Balami, Albert Bisong, Joseph Imeh Ubon, Mohammed Mohammed, Edward Christopher Anefu, Adimabua Joseph Iyorovbe, Francis Aleji, Emmanuel Ikakah and Ilechukwu Iloputa.

NPFL: Enugu promises adequate security Charles Ogundiya

Dalung

tional Tennis Federation, a total number of 109 players will compete for honours in the singles and doubles events of both the men and women’s categories.

Interestingly, this year’s competition will see the return to the city of Lagos some former champions of the Governor’s Cup. Top on the list of these stars is Enrique Lopez-Perez, who won the two legs of the tournament in 2012. Ranked number 174 in the world, the Spanish star is the top seed in the Men’s Singles this year.

For the first time in the history of the Governor’s Cup, a

will play at the national finals.

According to the organisers, “32 teams would be placed in an eight group format (four teams in each group) with an overall winning team to represent Nigeria, thus joining other countries at the world championships in Beijing china in May 2017.”

He added that there are also plans to commence a national

five A-side league after a three day national finals billed for Lagos.

De Royals Football Club of Gbagada, emerged champions of the two previous editions and the team represented Nigeria at the World finals in Dubai, which also had countries like Singapore, France and hosts United Arab Emirates in their group.

Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

sional Football League title, which they won last in 1984.

“Cur rently we are strate gising on how we are going to secure the place by putting in the best for m of security,” he said. “ We a re e x p e c t i n g s o many people to come for the game and we don’t want to leave anything to chance, we want to keep everyone.

T h e F ly i n g A n t e l o p e s took a ste p closer to the title with a 2-1 away victory against Ikorodu United while their closest rival, Rivers United, failed to win their home g ame a g ainst Abia War riors.

A draw on Sunday will hand them the trophy not minding the result of the game between Rivers United and Akwa United in Uyo.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Europa: Shaw, Mkhitaryan out, Rooney doubtful

W

ayne Rooney may not start M a n ch e s t e r United’s Europa League match against Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk for his own protection as he is struggling with a back injury, manager Jose Mourinho said on Wednesday.

Mourinho dropped his captain to the bench for Saturday’s Premier League game against Leicester City following a series of lackluster performances and United beat the champions 4-1.

“He didn’t train yesterday, he did just a little bit of the session on Monday.

He had a back problem,” Mourinho told reporters.

“So I was completely convinced of playing him tomorrow from the beginning with this situation in the last couple of days, but I am not sure if I do that because of the situation you created with him,” he added.

“Because I am here to protect him and not to put him in difficult situations I have to analyze whether the best thing for him is to start the game if he is not totally ready for it.”

United suffered a surprising 1-0 loss to Dutch side Feyenoord in their opening group game, and Mourinho said victory on Wednesday was crucial if they are to progress to the latter stages of the competition.

Mkhitaryan (left)

urgen Klinsmann has distanced himself from the England job in the wake of Sam Allardyce’s departure.

Klinsmann was interested in the job this summer, according to Sky sources, before Allardyce was appointed as Roy Hodgson’s successor.

But this time around the United States boss has told his Twitter followers there is “no truth to the rumours regarding England”.

Gareth Southgate has been put in temporary charge for England’s next four games and is Sky Bet’s early favourite to land the job on a permanent basis ahead of Steve Bruce, Glenn Hod-

Klinsmann

Spalletti challenges players to ‘wake up’

R

oma boss Luciano Spalletti is demanding an end to the “games” at Roma following reports of in-fighting at the Stadio Olimpico.

A 3-1 defeat to Torino on Sunday was the latest setback to have hit the capital club in what has been a difficult start

to the season, with Spalletti reportedly telling his players to “tell me if I am the problem” in a heated post-match exchange.

Spalletti himself has now called for a renewed sense of unity within the club as they prepare for Thursday’s Europa

League clash with Astra Giurgiu.

“There was a banner that gave me a huge sense of pleasure,” he said. “It is a call for what the fans want: no more games or attention towards situations that don’t benefit Roma. They’re looking for unity and respect for Roma.

NBBF sets dates for championships T

he Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF has announced dates for its National Division 1 and 2 Championships which draws the curtain for its activities in 2016.

According to a statement released by the NBBF Secretary General, Mr. Patrick Okeke, the Division 2 Championship which comes first will hold from October 30 to November 6 at the Package B of the National Stadium in Abuja.

“Participating teams are expected to arrive on Sunday October 30, the technical meeting

holds on October 31, the same day the competition begins and runs through to November 5,” he stated, adding that November 6 is departure date.

Teams, the statement added, are expected to submit their entries to the NBBF secretariat on or before October 25 via email with the registration fee for the teams’ participation and players’ license.

“At the end of the end of the Championship, (two) qualified teams will be promoted to the National Men’s Division 1 Basketball League,” the statement read.

dle and Eddie Howe.

Southgate said earlier this month he felt too inexperienced to replace Hodgson in the wake of England’s disappointing Euro 2016.

“It wasn’t a route I felt I was ready to take,” he said.

“I’m pretty clear on what I’m comfortable with but also I know to take that role wasn’t something I think I’ve got the experience for.”

Allardyce paid price for lack of privacy – McClaren

S

teve McClaren feels Sam Allardyce has paid the price for a lack of privacy in sport following a damning newspaper report that led to the premature end of his tenure as England manager.

The 61-year-old left his post with the national team on Wednesday by mutual consent, after agreeing with the Football Association that comments he made to The Daily Telegraph were “unacceptable”.

McClaren, who managed England from August 2006 to November 2007, believes Allardyce fell victim to the sort of investigation that could catch out any number of his contemporaries.

“I think it’s been a hugely disappointing couple of days for English football, and very, very sad for what’s happened to Sam Allardyce,” McClaren said at the Soccerex convention in Manchester. “It could happen to any of us in high-profile sports positions and Sam, innocently, has paid the price.

McClaren

47

The Muyiwa Daniel Column md_muyiwa@yahoo.com 08023525087 (sms only)

Remi Tinubu and Dalung!

I

Klinsmann rules out England job J

INTERNATIONAL SPORT

t is refreshing that the aftermath of the paralympic Rio Olympic Games is hitting the headlines.

Surprised? Don’t be. I have enough coverage and post-reviews that Sports Minister- Solomon Dalung’s “good intentions” will not be accepted by the Parapympians. So simple. Those guys took all the damn sacrifices for the simple reason that the country is in recession-economically- and the thin line of survival is getting it right by training hard and be focuses without any stain of drugs for the games. And they did that. Now is reality check. They read, search and watch as 20 percent of Nigerians lay claim to 80 percent of its wealth. They are in the Federal and state levels. The Local government-close to the grassroots are like Lazarus and the rich man in the bible. Not even the crumbs fall at their feet. At the same time, they have to come to terms with the realities of the current situation which remains President Muhammadu Buhari’s biggest challenge after one year in office.

I had the premonition that the Paralypians will not demand for national honous-that gift for excellence-which-in my opinion has degenerated into chieftaincy titles- but cash to assuage the pressure from family and friends. That is the truism which Dalung may not include in his executive brief to PMB. We have passed through this road in 2002.

Example? I was at the domestic wing of the Lagos Murtala Mohammed Airport when a Paralympic Games gold medalist who was rewarded with the Order-of-the-Niger (OON) was ushered into the VIP section and after he had signed the register was given a bill for what he was “qualified for free-as an “Influential Nigerian”. The guy simply left and with my aid hobbled into the plane sitting at the economic class and we had a chat for forty-five minutes to Abuja.

He had played wheelchair tennis as sponsored for five years by Senator Oluremi Tinubu on the grounds of the National Stadium, in Lagos. He recalled that the Senator-at the beginning of the tournament was wife of Lagos State Governor-Bola Ahmed-and was accosted by challenged Nigerians at the “Stadium bus stop” where they had turned themselves into “toll collectors” from commercial vehicles” Remi Tinubu took the challenge and the tournament began and at the time the tournament “took a rest” those who had benefitted had become different people on the social stara.

I was at the stakeholders meeting-the 19th in series-by Remi in Lagos midweek and was in deep thought that those who listened to her 42-page speech were really listening. I observed that most of them were interested in the food, drinks and allowances that were to be delivered by their various political units. Remi came clear in thought and words that I remained grateful that women in Nigeria will soon take this nation to greater heights-traits I have discovered in my daughters.

While she read out the widows uplifting aids, children’s’ school programmes, artisans, tailors, tricycles, disabled and the blind, I was moved that if the 91 “fat cats” in our red-seat chamber at the3 National Assembly and their colleagues in the House of Representatives can achieve same, kidnapping, rape and graft will be reduced.

Tinubu gave Dalung a caveat. She listed sport as one of the five tenets to lift this country of the current situation which is a result of the sixteen years of rotten governance as revealed by the “out-of-this-worldrevelations”. If Dalung has his beret well placed, he has the chance of getting Tinubu to influence the Saebate Committee on sports to review the country’s legislation on that sector which globally has thrown boys and girls from the3 dung-hip to stardom. Athletes like Usain Bolt, Wayne Rooney, Serena Williams were given up for the slums but like Akeem Olajuwon at “dreaded” Shitta have become role models.

Dalung needs the Legislative arm of government –like Remi-to get his beret well focused to re-invest sports because those areas are in the CONSTITUTION. It is not a gender issue. This country has the sport sector to get a part of the economic recession programme. It is rich and fertile. The human and natural resources are in place. Dalung , please talk to Remi Tinubu.

This is no lip service!

On Marble

Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one.

Sanctity of Truth

Mike A. Wilkie Controversial Gabonese presidential election

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

– Benjamin Franklin

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

N150

}16

Restructuring:The key to national stability and well-being In less than 48 hours, this great and lavishly endowed nation would be 56 years old. Not a few are in agreement that the country is yet to hit its peak in a number of ways especially in her polity. One of the very few remaining nationalists, former Political Adviser to a President, former Minister of the federation and a critical player in most of the constitutional\Political conferences in the country, Prof A.B. C Nwosu takes the Political Musing stage today to look back at our journey and proffers the way forward for the country Happy Independence Anniversary Nigeria.

M

ore than fifty (50) years after the civil war (NigeriaBiafra war), Nigeria is not working as it ought to – politically, economically and socially. We have not yet evolved into a harmonious nation, and have not created a caring society with common goals and same destiny. In fact we are still struggling to define precisely, a Nigerian concept, identity and citizenship that is shared by all. I had a published interview in the Vanguard Newspaper of October 16, 2012 titled “Nigeria is a lie” where I stated that our name ‘Federal Republic of Nigeria’ is a lie because post-1966 Nigeria has not truly been a Federation, and that our Constitution which began with the phrase “We the people” was also a lie because it had deviated substantially from the 1960 Nigerian Constitution on which Nigeria obtained Independence and from the 1963 ‘Republic’ Constitution.

Two illustrations will suffice to make the point. First, Article 2, Chapter I of the 1963 Constitution states that: “Nigeria shall be a Federation comprising Regions and a Federal Territory, and shall be a Republic by the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. Second, Chapter IX of the same 1963 Constitution dealt extensively with ‘Public Funds’ of the Federation. Articles 140 – 145 of the 1963 Constitution were clear: Article 140(1) stated that “There shall be paid by the Federation to each Region a sum equal to fifty percent of – The proceeds of any royalty received by the Federation in respect of any minerals extracted in that Region” Please note that “Local” administrations of the Regions were not included in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as envisaged, negotiated, and voluntarily entered into by our founding fathers at Independence. This was because each of the Regions had its own “Regional Constitution”. And in order to give effect to its autonomy, each Region also had its “Licensed produce-buying agents”, “Regional Marketing Board”, and its “Agent General” in London to oversee its commercial and developmental interests. Indeed the importance and primacy of Regions was underscored when at Independence, the leader of the Northern Peoples Progress (NPC) chose to head the Northern Regional Government in Kaduna, whilst his deputy Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became Prime Minister and head of Federal Government in Lagos.

Political Musings IKE ABONYI igwebuike2001@yahoo.com 0802-402-4029 (sms only) I have written this rather lengthy preamble simply to show that the Federation upon which Nigeria was born and founded no longer exists. What now exists as the Nigerian Federation is an over-centralised, bloated and inefficient Federal Government coupled to thirty-six (36) effective States (that depend on the Centre for their existence), masquerading as Federating units. This structure is clearly defective, is not working and cannot endure because it will not bring about the much-desired national cohesion, development and prosperity. This warped and mutilated ‘Federal Structure’, which we now operate, must therefore be re-arranged. Nigerians need to admit frankly to themselves the fact that the status quo is untenable so as to enable them work collectively towards a new restructured Nigeria that gives every Nigerian a sense of belonging; a Nigeria that guarantees Citizenship rights and provides the template, and required stimulus for national economic resurgence, and reduction of mass poverty and increased employment.

The focus in restructuring of the polity shall be to achieve a major reduction in the powers, resources and funds currently domiciled in the Federal Government, in favour of the Federating Units. Put simply, there shall be a drastic devolution of power from the Centre to the Federating Units. A Federal Government of Nigeria that is distant from the grassroots and still maintains over four hundred parastatals; that shall spend in 2016, over four trillion Naira, part of which are borrowed funds in financing “Recurrent” budget; that has over eight thousand abandoned projects nationwide (late Gen. Mamman Kontagora Report 2012) has certainly derailed from the vision of the founding fathers of Nigeria. Such a Federal “Structure” cannot subsist; it cannot produce the desired results, and so it needs to be “changed” (to use the current language) There are many who argue that there is nothing wrong with our present Constitution; that the panacea is good governance. I beg to disagree.

They are wrong in my view because the governance mode is determined and circumscribed by the Constitution.

This is the reason why a constitution is the supreme law of any Country. I also recall the stiff resistance which President Olusegun Obasanjo encountered as he strove to “save for the rainy day”, including threats of and actual law suits on the matter. I therefore regard arguments on good governance versus restructuring of the polity as red herring.

As we strive to restructure Nigeria we shall constantly bear in mind that the principal cause of disequilibrium

Balewa

and discontent in our nation is the way the means to a good life are earned by citizens irrespective of their ethnicities, and whether citizens are adequately consulted especially in political deci-

sions that determine their destiny. In this regard there are several issues to be considered in designing a Federal Structure that would meet contemporary needs of Nigeria. Among these are the inviolability of Citizenship rights; a clear definition of Federating Units (States or Zones as Regions); Drastic devolution of power from the Federal (Central) authority to the Federating Units; Resource ownership; Derivation; Revenue Generation and Revenue Sharing. Various National Constitutional Conferences have discussed these and other recurring issues of our Federalism. Their reports are available.

My recommendation is that we should keep our eyes on the ball as we seek to eliminate the current divisive and paranoid mentality where citizens regard Nigeria as a “zero sum” affair where if the North is in power the North benefits, and the East and West lose out; and vice-versa. Consequently the heat generated by the various ethnic nationalities to control the almighty Federal Government always threatens to melt down the nation especially during General Elections. And after these elections, citizens realise that competence is important and that they should have elected those who have clear ideas on how to run a 21st century polity and economy.

As I conclude I wish to remind those still foot-dragging on this matter of restructuring of the 1963 speech by President John F. Kennedy where he stated that change is the law of life and those who look only to the past are certain to miss the future. It also reminds them of President Anwar Al-Sadat who asserted in his 1978 book “In Search of Identity” that there can be hope only for a society which acts as one big family and not as many separate ones. God bless the

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotlines: (Lagos 0902 928 1425), (Abuja 0805 5118488) Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: AYODELE OJO.