Tiuesday, october 18, 2016 binder1

Recession: Unemployed Nigerians take to betting, online pyramid Abiodun Bello

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housands of jobless youths, unemployed and semi-employed adults have hinged their hope of surviving the

pangs of hunger induced by the economic recession in the country on sport betting and online pyramid scheme.

There is a common

slang among those who have embraced betting for survival. They often ask: “Who can pay?” The usual response is: “It is betting company that can pay.”

This, according to one of them, who gave his name as Demola, is because most of the unemployed people draw their monthly ‘salaries’ from betting.

He said: “Some of us have searched for jobs for several years without success. It has even reached a point some of us have become frustrated. But now,

Nigeria's economic challenges suRmountable –Emefiele

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we can smile.

“For me, football is a passion. Initially, I was not interested in betting. I was just interested in my favourite team in the English Premier League (EPL).

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Sanctity Of Truth

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Tiuesday, October 18, 2016

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Recession: Abuja couples sell wedding rings to feed Late Izu

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Inside A buja

Kuje is home to the Medium Security Prison facility that has hosted several impo personaliti rtant es. from those Apart circumsta forced by nces to prison, be in there are others who live around the priso for vario n us OBInna reasons.

ODOh, who visited the settle ment around the priso n tells the story

17 Reces

sion Abuja couple s sell weddin g rings to feed

19

Living 20 could baround Kuje e scary P – Residrison ents When mad

man killed

News

wife, daught er

K

uje is an nity in agrarian comm the Kuje ucil of Area Counthe Federa Territ The Abuja ory (FCT) l Capita the Kuje master plan , Abuja l of its vastarea as a food earmarked.

It boasts arable lands hub becaus e ducing of a numbe and rich soil. r of farms foodstu city of Abuja. ff for residents proof the The of thosetown is consid govern satellite towns ered as one ment stitutions presence deprived of and if public not dium Securi for the inty Prison popular MeDespit the hike e the curren located there. t services, in the price recession and where Kuje is still of goods and cost of living seen as a place Many is Nigeri Kuje Prison ans whorelatively low. city of to Kuje Abuja have beenwork in the curity relocating lation and that has of explos area as lives and proper ion in led to a popuresultant the area one canno hour each peak periodchaotic gridlo with its t stay ty in the day up armed ck during . militar without seeing to one area. y vehicle heavy Bomb blast paradi by govern ng the Mr. On Octobe that he ment, he sternly living James, a young r 2, 2015, explos with mainta ion there arewill not accept the prison his paren graduate in not incident took place a dual bomb that benefits area. in Kuje. a pleasa ence thus: yard, shared ts close to they enjoybecause which The how painfu nt experi "I have his in the Accord claimed around ence. You injure been here experiing to man eye l tear gas d 20 others 13 rity of lives and fourKuje Prison could be know planne lives andJames, there and betwee I mean aroun and people was d the area to huis secuproper around years. In fact d seekin n three were runnin presum by Boko Haram allegedly ties aroun were g experi in the sense ably to heavily here is scarin everything g being detain ence or d wash warned not for solutions that free theirinsurgents proper hear of they don't and their faces to apply now andarmed securi g, looking at ty The blast ed at the Kuje members a aggrav robber or life as resultany loss of becaus water or rience then is not a ty men every ate the Prison which to the y e that and it pain," . of armed Kuje marke occurr alence attack, stealin usuall pleasant signal he explai could tion has . g or its t and ed close anythi to the brain, y sends a expeToo close ned. equiv"We attribu scious awakened the Police stafor anticip wrong ng can ness of rity te this Anoth comfort securi ating happen. here It has also the people "Now peace and ty conthat that poseser issue that agents to the presen signifi secuwell-ar and then you is unplea guardi cantly in the area. med military serious challe see are also ng Kuje ce of security sant improv During intervals coming aircraft ed senge is aroun soldiers three times pening beneficiaries Prison. So we that come the ises and to check outsid d in close jailbr aroun of a what prison eak or a day around around d the prison to God's e the premis hapIt is enoug yards and to fly aroun the ery now similar premises preme glory becaus h scarin neighbourho d the cholog and then.sound of siren power e God issue g to people od. y. when "We had that watch is the suev"Every inmates that will 's psyes over to court a specia are being morning case that bring Jailbrea all. l experi convey ks the sirensthat is when an uproa the prisonscared me most ence or ed In fact r, we riot that or distur but it's not you will hear and time. I there is afraid a seriou was are alway bing us took placeit was we every room and entert s issue ence, sufferitold about know any you may last s to be ain we are what it standlonger hence ng and the sad experi throug afraid hours be coming fear because getting pain h for and out of the use gas and as a result of people went- lenges," he now thing outsid night to in the early Onwu said. to all of the chalcheck lasted the sound of smoke of tear ka nzesh Narrating e the house pected somefor a very ABUJA gunshots ly his experi in the area, I ing to BUREA long around meet securi and unexthat nzeshi@ U CHIEF a ence James mence the newtele ty protes report, the time. Accord said that further ment graphon ting "Most premises of personnel line.com were on against theinmates were- serious fear of air check the comyour house. jailbre times especi © Daily attract ak because didn't Telegrap ous riot a routine and warders who ed a will bring or a simila ally during know initial h Publishi and comm that led what and also ly an uproar r issue to seri"They afraid otion.

Limited ng Company that the it was meantthey that and , we the sound to bring used tear gas noise comin for But whenunder seriou are always of the shakin because the rioters and gunshots s tensio helico g from to anothe asked if g under n." pter was he will houses the ground r area into a it was alread contro relocat and aroun if given seriou l indeed cause the d very s comm y escalating all around the optione the low close helicopter seriously beand childrehere both otion. In fact used the they put to the groun to fly very tear gas. n experiencedaged, young priate up a complaint d but when about it When I came the pain of author and I discov back ities correcat the appromade and ered thatI heard life becam tions it was e sweet were again.

EFCC quizzes two judges CONTIN

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...'detains' Fani-Kayode's wife, baby in Ekiti bank

Justices Ademola, Dimgba dare DSS, resume sitting }2 & 10 FG fighting to recover N2trn from treasury looters –Presidential c'ttee

L-R: Executive Director, Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Engr. Rotimi Fasakin; Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief, New Telegraph newspapers, Mrs. Funke Egbemode; Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and Head, Corporate Communications, Hajia Lami Tumaka, during the newspaper's management's visit to NIMASA in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI.

Niger Delta: FG shuns Soyinka’s dialogue group

lWe’re still committed to peace – Avengers

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Heavy cannabis use increases bone disease risk

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NEWS

Emmanuel Onani and Tunde Oyesina Abuja

I

n continuation of its investigation of eight serving judges and two registrars, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday quizzed Justices Mohammed Nasir Yunusa and Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

New Telegraph gathered from highly placed sources that the interrogation of the two judicial officers, who arrived the Lagos' zonal office of the EFCC at 10:05a.m., started shortly after their arrival.

Yunusa and Nganjiwa

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

EFCC quizzes two judges are being investigated over allegations that they were offered bribes

by Mr. Rickey Tarfa, and Dr. Joseph Nwobike, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).

While Tarfa was arraigned on a 27-count charge bordering on alleged transfer of N1.5 million to Justice Nganjiwa, Nwobike is facing a 5-count charge before Justice Raliat Adebiyi of the Lagos High Court.

One of the sources at the Commission, who spoke in confidence withNew Telegraph, said investigations revealed that "the two judges allegedly

received sums of money from the two senior lawyers severally."

According to the source, "Two Federal High Court judges – Mohammed Nasir Yunusa and Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa – today (yesterday) reported to the EFCC. "The judges arrived at the Commission's Lagos Office at 10:05a.m. on Monday following an invitation letter the EFCC extended to them.

"Their invitation is sequel to the bribery and money laundering allegations the commission discovered during inves-

tigations in an ongoing case in which two senior lawyers have already been arraigned in court."

It will be recalled that the EFCC had on March 9, 2016 arraigned Tarfa and Nwobike before Justice A. A. Akintoye of a Lagos High on a 27-count charge, and Justice Raliat Adebiyi, respectively.

Both men are standing separate trials on allegations of bribery and offering gratifications to public officials, ostensibly to pervert the cause of justice.

The EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS) are undertaking

L-R: President, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mr. Peter Maurer; President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole, during Maurer's visit to Buhari in Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: Timothy Ikuomenisan

FG fighting to recover N2trn from treasury looters –Presidential c’ttee lCorruption in judiciary, crime against humanity –Sagay Emmanuel Onani Abuja

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he Federal Government is intensifying efforts at recovering over $2 trillion allegedly looted from the public till.

The recovery drive is being pursued through litigation processes.

This was disclosed yesterday in Abuja by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption (PACAC).

This was as the Chairman of PACAC, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), argued that a corrupt judge is guilty of crime against humanity.

The Presidential Advisory Committee was established by President Muhammadu Buhari in August last year to, among others, advise the administration “in the prosecution of the war against corruption.”

Presenting its report yesterday, the Committee’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye,

said high profile cases hitherto abandoned, will be revisited.

Owasanoye said PACAC has advised the Federal Government on the urgent need to revisit the Halliburton and Malabu oil cases, among others, to further demonstrate the seriousness on the on-going anti-corruption war.

He further noted that the committee had developed strategic documents on asset recovery framework, corruption information intelligence sharing protocol and sentencing guidelines for high profile cases.

As a result, a Presidential Committee on Asset Recovery has been established.

On the recent arrest of judges by the Department of State Services (DSS), over alleged financial crimes, Owasanoye said the National Judicial Council (NJC) ought to have suspended the judges forthwith, to enable an unhindered trial process to commence.

He reasoned that those

discharged and acquitted at the end could return to their respective positions.

“The proper thing to do is for the judges to be suspended. The honourable thing is for the NJC to give the judges the opportunity to defend themselves,” he said.

On the strategies so far developed, PACAC noted: “The Corruption Case Management Manual has been developed for the use of investigators and prosecutors dealing with high profile corruption cases.”

On the importance of plea-bargain in criminal trial, he said: “Although not every criminal case should be prosecuted to finality through full trial, it can be resolved by alternative means.”

The committee also spoke on assistance it has received so far. According to Owasanoye, “Three international development partners, namely the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation and Open Society Foundation, established an Anti-Corruption and

Criminal Justice Reform Fund, to support the work of PACAC. “The $5 million fund is to assist in the implementation of key components of the anti-corruption agenda. The fund is managed by Trust Africa.”

Meanwhile, Sagay has said that a judge commits crime against humanity, when he engages in corrupt practice.

Sagay also claimed that there would have been no Nigeria if Buhari had not emerged president.

The chairman of PACAC further alleged that some governors were not supposed to retain their positions.

“We know some governors who are not supposed to be there, but found themselves on the bloody seats with the help of some judges.

“If Buhari had not come, I don’t think there would have been a country; Zimbabwe would have been better.”

He insisted that the moral authority in the judiciary has collapsed.

separate probe of some judicial officers.

About 10 days ago, the secret service arrested seven judges, in what it termed "sting operations".

The judges whose homes were raided include Dimgba and Ademola, both of the Federal High Court Abuja; Justices John Okoro and Sylvester Nguta of the Supreme Court; Muazu Pindiga of Gombe; Kabiru Auta of Kano High Court; Innocent Okoro, outgoing Enugu State Chief Judge, as well as Mohammed Tsamiya, an Appeal Court judge in Illorin.

The arrested judges were later released on bail.

Meanwhile, the two judges of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Justice Ademola Adeniyi and Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, who were part of the seven judges the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested in connection with alleged corruption, yesterday resumed sitting in their respective court rooms.

The DSS did not arrest Justice Dimgba because he was not at home when the secret service visited his house.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) had however said that the secret service failed to prove the case of corruption against the two judges.

When New Telegraph visited the courtrooms of both judges yesterday, they were seen presiding over cases earlier adjourned till yesterday.

Justice Ademola who resumed sittings at 9a.m. presided over all the cases that were slated for hearing before him, while Justice Dimgba sat for a while before he adjourned.

Justice Ademola had, at the weekend, alleged that the search conducted at his residence and his subsequent arrest were meant to punish him for rulings he had given in favour of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOP), Nnamdi Kanu, against the wishes of the

$5.95m

The capital importation of the Electrical sector of Nigeria in Q1 2014.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

8.23%

The percentage by which the small capital (<$150m) of the NSE rose for Jan – Dec 2014.

Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The judge, also in a letter written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, recalled that he had an old score yet to be settled with Malami and noted that it was part of the reason for his arrest.

Both Justices Ademola and Dimgba had separately requested for permission from the CJN to sue the DSS. The CJN had, however, not responded to their requests.

In another development, the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday fixed December 6 to commence hearing in the N50 billion suit filed by a Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, against President Muhammadu Buhari, the DSS and its Director-General, Lawal Daura.

The plaintiff had alleged that the defendants violated the rights of judges whose houses were raided by operatives of the DSS between October 8 and 9.

Hearing in the matter assigned to Justice John Tsoho was billed to commence yesterday, but the absence of the judge stalled the hearing and a new date was fixed.

Others joined as defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/809/16, are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN); the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris and the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Ogungbeje alleged in the suit that the arrest of the judges without recourse to the NJC was unlawful and amounted to humiliating them.

He also submitted that the operatives of the DSS violated the rights of the arrested judges under Sections 33, 34, 35, 36 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

The plaintiff, among other prayers, asks the court for an order awarding N50 billion against the defendants as “general and exemplary damages” and to award N2 million as the cost of the suit.

The plaintiff also wants an order of the court, compelling the DSS to return to the judges, money reportedly recovered from them as well as a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from arresting, inviting, intimidating or harassing the judges with respect to the case.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Niger Delta: FG shuns Soyinka’s dialogue group

Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

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here are strong indications that the Federal Government may have shunned the overtures extended to it by Nobel Laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka, and other prominent Nigerians seeking dialogue as the pathway to sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta.

President Muhamma-

du Buhari has reportedly invited the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PNDF), established by some Niger Delta leaders, to a meeting, this week, in Abuja, for talks before commencing an acceptable dialogue with the stakeholders and representatives of militant groups.

Soyinka and six others were nominated as negotiators by the Supreme Consultative Council (SCC) of the Eastern and Central Divisions of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA),

one of the numerous militant groups operating in the oil-rich region.

Other eminent persons on the dialogue team included a former Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Prof. Steve Odi-Owei; former Minister of Finance, Dr. Anthony Ani; a don, Mr. Nalaguo Chris Alagoa as well as Mrs. Alice Mobolaji Osomo.

The team, which was assembled in August this year, was meant to

dialogue with the Federal Government on behalf of the militant group on the restoration of peace to the Niger Delta. However, nearly two months down the line, the Federal Government has not contacted the team even after the Soyinka group was unveiled publicly.

Spokesman for the group, Mr. Ballantyne Agiri, told New Telegraph that whereas the dialogue team had held preliminary talks on how to pursue the peace pro-

L-R: Director, Spectrum Administration, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Austin Nwaulune; Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo and Director, Licencing & Authorisation, Ms. Funlola Akiyode, at the stakeholders’ post-mortem forum on the licensing of the 2.6GHz frequency in Lagos…yesterday.

cess in the Niger Delta, it has been waiting for the Federal Government to make the necessary moves for the dialogue to commence.

He said that due to the long wait, some of the militant groups, which had earlier signed on to peace were becoming agitated and threatening to resume hostilities.

“On the 31st of September, when we were all gathered in Lagos, an information came to us. These boys called and threatened that they were going to destroy one oil installation in Bayelsa State. Precisely, it was the Texaco Platform, a massive installation of over two kilometres long. It is just like an island. It took us about three hours – I and other members of our group – to convince them to drop the idea of attacking the platform,” he said.

Agiri disclosed that given the array of personalities on the panel, it was decided that they need not force themselves on the Federal Government as that could be misinterpreted as an act of desperation for some selfish gains.

Recession: Unemployed Nigerians take to betting, online pyramid CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

I also enjoy good football matches across different leagues.

“But I saw some youths staking and winning money almost on a daily basis, so I decided to try my luck.

I must confess, I have no regret doing that. Now, if a job comes my way I will take it, but I no longer fret over my inability to secure a paid job.”

Demola, a graduate from one of the nation’s institutions of higher learning, told New Telegraph he was even making a weekly contribution from his winnings.

Another man, who gave his name as Oluwatoyin and lives at Oke-Aro, a border community on the fringe of Ogun State, said he loved sport betting.

Oluwatoyin, who said he lost his job about two and a half years ago, described sport betting as a reward for passion.

He said: “Getting passionate about your favourite sport, especially football, is good. So, getting reward in form of winnings from betting is also good. I bet regularly and I also win on a regular basis.

“Betting is a big business globally. So winning in betting is like a reward for someone’s passion.”

According to him, betting is not only for football, it cuts across different sports.

“Every sport tourney, be it football, swimming, track and field, car racing such as Formula 1, hockey, volleyball, basketball, etc, are veritable avenues for betting.

“Winning depends on luck, most of the times.

Because when you stake based on prediction of may be about five football matches, once one of them fails, you win nothing.”

According to him, predicting the outcome of more matches correctly increases the money to be won.

But a businessman, Mr. Ola Akintade, said he had always enjoyed watching football matches. But betting, according to him, was not the reason he watches football.

He said: “I am a football lover. I eat, sleep and live football. But I do not bet because I do not believe it is good for a Christian. I do not think it is biblical but I have nothing against those who do. I have a lot of those who bet as friends.”

Also, another football fan, Mr. Chikezie Henry, said he could not be addicted to betting.

“I play the game when I want to, I just see it as fun that goes along with football and as I catch my fun I also win some money sometimes,” he told New Telegraph.

Some lovers of sport and betting are, however,

worried about the issue of one wrong prediction ruining other correct predictions.

A man who gave his name as Olawale noted that wrong prediction was a major drawback to betting.

“It is true that we make our winnings but it is not as always as we want. The fact that one wrong prediction makes you lose other ones you have predicted correctly in a particular ticket is annoying. I don’t like it,” Olawale stated.

But on his part, an agent of a sports betting company, Mr. Femi Adeleye, said losing out when one prediction fails is the fun in the game.

“This is what makes the game more interesting. If you are made to win all the correct predictions you made in a game, say 20 games, and the wrong predictions you made are forfeited, it is no longer a game.

“In this game, when all your predictions are correct, you have won all and when one of your predictions is wrong, you have lost all,” Adeleye explained.

Also, many Nigerians now depend on online pyramid scheme where they pay money in form of help into the account of those seeking help.

The most popular of the pyramid schemes is MMM. MMM, according to in-

formation obtained on its website, is a community where people help each other.

“MMM gives you a technical platform, which helps millions of participants worldwide to connect those who need help to those who are ready to provide help, for free,” it adds.

According to Akintade, who is a registered member of MMM, the person offering help is called PH, while the receiver is GH. The guider, he added, is the person under who others registered.

Akintade disclosed that MMM is a multi-layer pyramid.

He said: “When you register, you have to offer to provide help of equivalent of $10 in naira, which is the minimum. Once there is anyone in need of help, MMM will send the name and account number of that person to the PH. The account must be credited within 24 to 48 hours.

“Thereafter, another person would also pay money into the account of the GH, which will come with about 30 per cent interest.”

Although the scheme is reported to have sailed into turbulent water in some African countries, particularly in Zimbabwe, Nigerians contributing to MMM have remained resolute in their support for the pyramid.

One of the contributors to the scheme, who gave his name as Kayode, said the pyramid would never run into problem in Nigeria.

“There is nothing anyone can say about it that will change my mind about the scheme. I have joined in the last couple of months and I have been enjoying the contributions. It is what some of us depend on to survive the economic recession,” he added.

Another of the online pyramid scheme is CrowdRising, whose contribution is denominated in naira.

For this scheme, the minimum contribution is N7,400. It has four grades.

For Grade 1, when a contributor pays N7,400, five others will pay N7,400 each into his account, totalling N37,000. Subsequently, if he pays N14,800, he receives contributions of 25 others amounting to N370,000.

The amount somebody pays increases by N7,400 at every level.

But this, according to Akintade, may soon run into a serious problem.

He said: “For instance, someone on Grade 3 who pays N22,200 will receive N2,775,000. What stops him from taking the N2.7 million and stop further contribution? And for the last level, he rakes in N23,125,000 from a paltry contribution of N37,000. It is incredulous.”

“We don’t have any special interest in this thing.

Our sole interest is to prevent further damage to oil and gas installations because if it continues, it will affect everybody. So, we came on the premise to ensure there is peace, sanity and clean environment. But when the Federal Government does not recognise you, you keep off. The Federal Government has the yam and the knife and they are at liberty to decide what to do,” he said.

According to Agiri, Soyinka had even gone out to contact some members of the House of Commons in London, a former President of Ghana, John Kuffor, as well as some American lawmakers to enrich the dialogue and bring lasting peace to the volatile region.

He said: “We also contacted other key stakeholders across every ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta. We were looking forward to a stakeholders’ conference where we can collate all the diverse views and submit the demands of the people to government.

The idea was that after this comprehensive dialogue and negotiations, there will be no more hostility and destruction of oil pipelines across the region.”

On the latest information that the Federal Government had opted to dialogue with another group led by a prominent Ijaw leader and former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, the spokesman of the Soyinka team said it was all well and good provided the effort will restore lasting peace to the Niger Delta.

“The Federal Government has not approached us and they have not told us anything. But if the Federal Government says it is talking with the EK Clark and his group and that negotiation will bring peace to the whole region, it is all well and good because we don’t want to force ourselves on the Federal Government. If the dialogue with the EK Clark group will take into cognizance the demands of everybody in the region, there is nothing wrong,” he said.

N1.19trn

The total amount of small capital (<$150m) of the Nigeria Stock Exchange for 2014 Q4.

Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

27.02

The average age of football players in England in the 2012-2013 season.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

5

How Nigeria can attain ship-building status, by NIMASA DG Bayo Akomolafe

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he Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said that it will be difficult to build shipyard in the country except existing steel and aluminium com-

panies start functioning.

Peterside disclosed this yesterday when the management of New Telegraph, led by its Managing Director, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, visited the agency.

The director general noted that one shipyard in the country could affect the country’s economy positively.

He noted that it would be difficult for the country’s shipyard to compete favourably with other countries if the Ajaokuta Steel Company and Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria were not functioning.

The director general told the management team that the agency was in the process of reform, restruc-

turing and repositioning for a better and efficient service delivery, stressing that the media was a strategic partner in the agency’s activities.

On cabotage regime, Peterside said that the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act 2003 established four key priorities in its enforcement.

FAAC demands refund of N14.37bn from FG Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

T

he Federal Government is yet to offset the sum of N14.37 billion it reportedly borrowed from stabilisation fund account for security purposes, New Telegraph has learnt.

There are other debts standing against the Federal Government from the same account with their details undisclosed.

To this end, the custodian of stabilisation account – the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) – has expressed displeasure over Federal Government’s refusal to repay the loan.

FAAC is said to have taken this position after it was briefed by a sub-committee at its last meeting in Abuja.

“Following default by the central government to keep with loan repayment agreement, it was resolved that the Federal Government should repay the loan and other outstanding loans/releases from the 0.5 per cent stabilisation fund and 1.68 per cent Development of Natural Resourc-

es Fund Accounts and to henceforth follow the due process in accessing the account.

“Irrespective of the fact that the fund was taken for security purpose, there was the need to follow the due process in accessing the 0.5 per cent stabilisation fund account as stipulated in the allocation of revenue Act,” FAAC declared.

A source privy to FAAC’s deliberation informed New Telegraph that Federal Government’s representative at the meeting explained to FAAC that the fund in question was a loan taken for an immediate security intervention and gave assurance that government was making frantic efforts to repay it.

The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) had, in the past, borrowed from similar stabilisation account to fund some of its key operations, which it repaid with interest.

New Telegraph exclusively reported in March, this year, that NAF had paid back N19.44 billion to the stabilisation account.

Air Force repaid both

the principal amount and accruing interest in three instalments.

A source familiar with the NAF operations said that the larger part of the funds might have been deployed to acquiring hardware to aid in dislodging insurgents in the North-East.

The repayments, made in three tranches, included N9.5 billion, N7.9 billion and N2.04 billion.

Stabilisation account

Abuja

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has commended the role played by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the release of the 21 abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

The president, who stated this yesterday while receiving the President of ICRC, Mr. Peter Mauter, at the presidential villa, Abuja, urged the organisation to sustain humanitarian interest in Nigeria.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, Buhari said his administration was prepared to continue talks with the Boko Haram insurgents, “as long as they agree to involve international agencies like ICRC. “We’ve seen the result of recent talks, 21 of the Chibok girls are back,” the president said, referring to the role played by ICRC

in providing immediate humanitarian assistance to the girls, who had spent over 900 days in the hands of their abductors.

Buhari said Nigeria’s biggest problem was perhaps the issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“There were over two million of them, made up of over 60 per cent women and children. About 60 per cent of the children don’t know their parents, or where they come from. It is weighing heavily on government,” he said.

On rebuilding of destroyed infrastructure, the president said it was a priority of government, noting that the G7 had equally indicated support, which Nigeria heartily welcomed.

“We appreciate all your efforts. I am pleased you recognised that our military is cooperating with civil authorities and respecting humanitarian issues. It is a difficult time for Nigeria. About 27 of our 36 states couldn’t pay salaries when we came last year and we are still struggling with

countries were on the increase, while imports to Nigerian seaports had dropped drastically due to current foreign exchange regime.

While congratulating him on his appointment as the agency’s director general, Egbemode said that the management of the newspaper was in his office to introduce the paper to him.

She said: “We are into total media. We are less than three years in the industry and we have made a difference.”

The managing director noted that since the establishment of the paper, no staff had been owed salaries, adding that the company had been paying taxes to government and contributory pensions due to staff.

She assured the director general that the company would support the agency to achieve its objectives.

L-R: Academy Director, Omar Manager Programme (OPM), Lagos Business School (LBS), Dr. Henrietta Onwuegbuzie; United States of America (USA) visiting Professor to LBS, Prof. Lilac Nachum; Deputy Director, Projects, Dangote Group, Jeyaraj Chelliah; President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, during LBS visit to Dangote Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lekki, Lagos …yesterday.

Chibok girls: Buhari lauds Red Cross’ role Anule Emmanuel

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

At the peak of crude oil harvest in 2010, the stabilisation account had balances of about N120 billion as of August 2010, but was depleted to N37 billion by October of same year.

The priorities are that ship must be built, owned by a shipping company registered in Nigeria, manned

by Nigerians and owned by Nigeria.

He declared that since the inception of his management team, the agency had recorded over 60 per cent on seafarers manning on board ship from nine per cent.

He also said that the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund was in place to support indigenous capacity.

Speaking on security on Nigerian waters, he explained that there was nothing wrong with the contract awarded to Global West Vessel Specialist Limited (GWVSL) on Public Private Partnership arrangement with the agency to provide platforms for navy and the agency staff, except the abuse in terms of enforcement.

Peterside also said that Nigerian exports to other

that. But we will get out of it,” the president said.

Maurer, the ICRC President, said their operation in the Lake Chad region is the second largest in the world, after Syria, adding that there are nutritional, health, water and sanitation issues in the NorthEast, in addition to rebuilding of infrastructure.

The ICRC president also commended Nigeria for granting increased access to detainees and exchanges with the Armed Forces.

He added: “Detention facilities have improved, there are fewer deaths and things are better, healthwise.”

183,270

The total number of active mobile lines Fixed Wired/Wireless of Nigeria in February 2015.

Source: Nc.gov.ng

N121.00

The average price of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) of Borno State in March 2015.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

FIRS shuts Lafarge, others over N1.9bn debt Sunday Ojeme

T

he tax drive by Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) across the country has caught up with cement manufacturing giant, Lafarge, and other firms for their failure to pay over N1.9 billion in tax.

A statement made available to New Telegraph yesterday said the crackdown led to the closure of the affected firms in Lagos, Ibadan and Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the enforcement team in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, led by Mrs. Ruth Madeun, shut down two companies with a combined tax liability of N1.077 billion dating back four years.

The companies are Lafarge Cement Limited and IGPES. While Lafarge owes N10 million, IGPES owes N1.3 billion in Education Tax, Withholding Tax, Com-

pany Income Tax, Value Added Tax (VAT) and late return penalty.

Mandeun explained that while IGPES stopped tax remittance between 2011 and 2015, Lafarge stopped in 2012.

She warned that the FIRS would prosecute anybody who unseals the company premises if the tax liabilities were not settled.

“Breaking of our seals is a criminal offence and anybody involved in such an act will be prosecuted,” she warned.

In Lagos, the enforcement team led by Mr. Chinazor Edeh shut down the premises of Dori Construction and Engineering Nigeria Limited at 901, Balarabe Musa Crescent, Victoria Island, over tax liabilities of N253 million.

Two company officials said they were not aware that the company had such a huge tax debt.

Earlier, the team had sealed off the office of Global Energy Nigeria

Limited, located at 182b, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island.

The company has tax liabilities totalling N13 million, accumulated between 2010 and 2013. The company’s managing director blamed the firm’s failure to pay on the current inclement economic conditions.

But Edeh reminded him that the company had provided a payment plan, agreed to by the FIRS, which it failed to implement.

The team also moved to Bono Energy at 19, Amodu Tijani Close, Victoria Island, where a male official pleaded for time to pay a tax debt of N13 million. But the plea was rejected.

The FIRS team in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also shut down the premises of Lebaneseowned Karmadex Nigeria Limited, a livestock company, over N12.3 million liability.

6

News|NATIONAL

Dangote forecloses banking investments, mulls power sale by 2019 Adeola Yusuf

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resident, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, yesterday foreclosed a return of investments to the Nigeria’s banking sector just as he declared plans to sell power to Nigeria through excess generation of 2, 000 Mega Watt (MW) by 2019.

The Africa’s richest man quit banking sector in year 2,000 through sale of two banks. His company is currently selling excess power it generated in Senegal.

The business mogul, who declared this at the site of his 6, 500 barrels per day capacity refinery in a lecture delivered to the MBA Management students of the Lagos Business School (LBS), maintained that gross power shortage in Nigeria remained the major reason for bankruptcy and collapse of businesses in the country.

“Two things make investments difficult in Nigeria from our findings; number one, the power epilepsy and number two, policy inconsistencies,” he said, adding that “from 1960 till date, nobody has left government and established a successful business in Nigeria.”

One major secret of the success of Dangote Group in the country, he said, was the self-reliance through consumption of 900MW

power generated daily by companies in the group.

Stating that Nigeria needs $100 million annual investments in power, the business mogul declared that he would raise his investments in sector over the next three years.

“We have invested over $5 billion in power and others across Africa,” he said, adding “We are very wary about going into banking; we left banking in the year 2000 and we do not want to go back there.”

He continued:”At the moment, we produce 900 MW, which is self con-

sumed for production.

Except in Senegal, where we produce excess and sell to the country, we are consuming all power that we generate in Nigeria at the moment.

“In the next three years, we should generate 2, 000MW. This will be more than half of what the country is producing at the moment, which is about 3, 000 MW to 3, 500 MW and by then we can sell the excess.”

On the banking sector, he declared that he would has quit investments in banking sector for good.

“We left in 2000 through

sale of our bank; two banks, and we do not have any plan to go back there,” he said.

“It is not always good to play in banking sector when you have a viable company. Bankers move around taking risks and because they know that if any risk they take goes wrong, your company will conveniently carry the burden,” he stated, tasking the management students to be wary “of investing in business that they do not have a thorough knowledge and understanding of.”

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Telcos seek 30% slash in spectrum cost Kunle Azeez

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elecoms service providers in Nigeria have demanded a reduction of between 20-30 per cent in the cost of selling frequency spectrum to them by the Nigerian government.

The operators disclosed this in exclusive chats with New Telegraph shortly after a stakeholder forum organised by the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, in Lagos yesterday.

The forum with the them: ‘2.6 Ghz Spectrum Auction Forum: A post mortem’ was organised to find out from telecoms companies why they exhibited gross apathy during the

L-R: Member/ Executive Secretary, Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC), Prof.

Bolaji Owasanoye; Chairman, Prof.

Ites Sagay and member, Prof.

Femi Odekunle, during the committee’s report on corruption in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Heavy cannabis use increases bone disease risk Appolonia Adeyemi

S

cientists have raised the alarm over the danger inherent in smoking large amounts of cannabis over a long period of time, saying it could lead to reduced bone density.

Findings of the new United Kingdom, UK, study published in the ‘American Journal of Medicine’, show that the bone density of heavy cannabis users was about five per cent lower than cigarette smokers who did not use cannabis, which the researchers said could put heavy users at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis later in life.

Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a preparation of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or medicine.

Cannabis is often used for its mental and physical effects, such as a “high” or “stoned” feeling, a general change

in perception, euphoria (heightened mood), and an increase in appetite.

Short term side effects may include a decrease in short-term memory, dry mouth, impaired motor skills, red eyes, and feelings of paranoia or anxiety.

Long term side effects may include addiction, decreased mental ability in those who started as teenagers, and behavioural problems in children whose mothers used cannabis during pregnancy.

NewsmaxHealth reported that the researchers also found that when compared to non-users, heavy users also experienced more fractures, however no difference was found between moderate users

410,000

The estimated number of pregnant women living with HIV who need antiretroviral medicine for preventing mother-to-child transmission in Western and central Africa in 2010.

Source: Who.int

and non-users.

The research carried out by the University of Edinburgh, UK, is the first to look at bone health amongst cannabis users.

For their research, the team recruited 170 people, who smoked cannabis regularly for recreational purposes and 114 who didn’t use the drug at all.

The researchers defined heavy users as those who reported smoking cannabis on 5,000 or more occasions in their lifetime, although in the study, the average heavy cannabis user had taken the drug more than 47,000 times.

Those who had taken the drug about 1,000 times were described as moderate users.

Whether heavy, moderate or non-users, all participants had their bone density measured using a specialised x-ray technique called a DEXA scan.

Perhaps surprisingly, as cannabis is known to increase appetite, the study also found that the heavy users had a lower body weight and a reduced body mass index (BMI), with the researchers suggesting that large amounts of the drug over a long period of time may actually reduce and not increase the appetite.

That finding is also bad news for bone health, and could be one of the contributing factors to the lower bone density seen in this group of users.

Reacting, lead researcher, Professor Stuart Ralston, said, “We have known for a while that the components of cannabis can affect bone cell function but we had no idea up until now of what this might mean to people who use cannabis on a regular basis.”

However, the team did add that further research is needed to better understand the link between cannabis use and its negative effect on bone density.

auction which took place in June this year.

Only MTN, apparently with deep pocket, bid for six slots of the available 14 lots on the spectrum band and emerged as sole approved bidder and subsequent paid N18.96 billion for the spectrum licence.

A spectrum auction is a process whereby a government uses an auction system to sell the rights (licences) to transmit signals over specific bands of the electromagnetic spectrum and to assign scarce spectrum resources.

Speaking at the forum, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said that the Commission, in consonance with its practice of collaborative regulation, sought to use the forum to get useful industry feedback on the auction with the aim of ensuring the effective and efficient usage of available spectrum bands for the delivery of broadband internet access to Nigerians.

According to one of the operators’ representatives, who spoke with our correspondent on the sideline of the forum, a downward review of the spectrum cost should be considered by the regulator in Nigeria.

Buhari hails Mabogunje at 85 Anule Emmanuel Abuja

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Professor Akin Mabogunje, who as he turns 85 years old today.

The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, described Mabogunje as an erudite scholar and quintessential public servant.

Buhari joined family members, friends, professional colleagues and students of the octogenarian in celebrating the life of the National Merit Award recipient, whom he said has consistently served humanity through extensive research, teaching and consulting across many national and global institutions.

“As he turns 85, the President believes the intellectual and moral strength of the renowned scholar prepared him at an early stage for the numerous leadership roles before him; paving the way for a successful academic career.”

Court remands accountant for N4.8m fraud John Chikezie

F

or allegedly swindling a Lagos firm, Tanifeeds Nigeria Limited of N4.8million, an accountant and graduate of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Mr Gbenga Oladeji, was yes-

terday, remanded in prison custody by an Ikeja High Court.

Oladeji was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye.

Justice Ipaye, who presided over the court heard

how Oladeji allegedly defrauded Tanifeeds and converted N4.8million belonging to the firm to personal use.

Oladeji, however, pleaded not guilty to a one count charge of stealing initiated against him by the EFCC. After his plea, the EFCC

lawyer, M.S Usman, urged the court to remand him in prison custody pending conclusion of investigation before trial.

Oladeji allegedly committed the offence between April 22 and June 15, 2013 in Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division.

national | news

monday, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG seeks $15 bn in oil, gas from India Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

T

he Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, has taken Nigeria's investment drive to India with the sealing of negotiations on a $15 billion investment in the oil and gas sector.

Under the terms of agreement, the Indian Government would make an upfront payment for Crude purchase from Nigeria, to be repaid on the basis of firm Term

Crude Contracts over some years. There will be consideration for Indian public sector companies collaborating in the refining sector as well as exploration and production activities on a Government-to-Government basis.

The deal also made provisions for long term contracts for supply of crude to Indian PSU companies from Nigeria and also possibilities of executing CGD and LPG infrastructure projects by Indian PSU companies in Nigeria.

The Minister, who is

572,001

The total volume of payment channels made by Internet (WEB) of Nigeria in April 2015.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

currently on a three-day visit to India, according to the statement from the Director of Press, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Idang Alibi, concluded talks on the investments in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas sector in a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart in charge of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.

Alibi stated that both Ministers noted the existing and significant engagement between the two countries in the hydrocarbon sector, while acknowledging that Nigeria was one of the largest trading partners of India in Africa, which is dominated by import of crude

oil and gas from Nigeria.

According to statistics, in 2015-16, India imported nearly 23.7 MMT of crude (nearly 12% of India overall imports) and over 2 MMTPA of LNG from Nigeria.

Following the negotiation, the two countries have agreed to work on a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate investments by India in the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector and specifically in areas such as Term Contract, participation of Indian companies in the refining sector, oil and gas marketing, upstream ventures, the development of gas infrastructure and in the training of oil and gas personnel in Nigeria.

Ex-Vanguard Editor launches news website

E

x-Vanguard editor, Mideno Bayagbon, has launched a premium online news website, thenewsguru.com, now the fastest news portal in Nigeria.

Bayagbon, whose resignation from Vanguard newspaper took effect last Tuesday, was editor of Vanguard for eight years, a period which saw momentous growth of Vanguard newspapers both in the hard copy and online.

His resignation, which caused a huge stir in the industry last week, he said, was to pursue his dream of owning an online news website which he described as the latest frontier in journalism.

Mideno Bayagbon’s

Abuja

T

he Federal Government yesterday re- arraigned a former governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako, (Rtd), his son, Abdullazeez and seven others before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over alleged N40 billion scam.

Others arraigned alongside Nyako and his sonare Zulkifikk Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms and Extension Limited, Pagoda Ventures Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited.

The anti-graft agency had slammed a 37- count charge on them.

The defendants were earlier arraigned before Justice Evoh Chukwu last year.

But the judge died while still hearing the matter. This had prompted the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the matter to Justice Okon Abang.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

Following their plea, the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, ordered that the defendants should continue to enjoy the conditions of the earlier bail granted by late Justice Chukwu.

He said, that the request of the prosecutor that the defendant's sureties should file a fresh affidavit cannot be granted because the prosecutor has failed to oppose the oral application made by the defendants.

Beside, Justice Abang ruled that the court cannot vary the condition of the bail earlier granted to the defendants.

N400m fraud: Surety seeks withdrawal from Metuh’s case Tunde Oyesina Abuja

T

rouble seems not be over for a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metuh, as one of his sureties, Dr. Olugbumi Usim-Wilson, yesterday asked the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to discharge him from standing in for the defendant.

Metuh is standing trial over alleged receipt of N400 million being part of the funds meant for the purchase of arms.

Usim-Wilson, in a motion filed and dated October 4, 2016, before Justice Okon Abang, prayed the

court to remove her name from the lists of people that stood as sureties for Metuh.

The applicant did not give reasons for her withdrawal.

Metuh on his part, also filed a motion dated October 14, praying the court to allow him replace Usim-Wilson, with the deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu.

However, when the matter came up for hearing yesterday, counsel to Usim-Wilson, Clement Chinaka, prayed the court to first of all take the application for withdrawal before taking that of replacement since it was filed before that of replacement.

emergence in the online news business gives fillip to the call by Aremo Segun Osoba, ex governor of Ogun State, during the launch of Nigeria Guild of Editors House in Lagos, that professional journalists urgently need to go into online news publishing as a way of arresting the seeming lack of professionalism among some practitioners in the social media space.

TheNewsGuru, which came on stream in the first week of September, 2016, has witnessed phenomenal growth since its quiet entry. It is today adjudged, by all the rating agencies, as the fastest rising news portal ever in Nigeria.

GLO CAMPUS STORM: Few of the student contestants at the University of Port Harcourt edition of “Glo Campus Data Dude” with rap artiste, Mr. Incredible, MI (third right), during Globacom’s music concert, Campus Storm, at the university …at the weekend.

N40bn scam: FG re-arraigns Nyako, others Tunde Oyesina

7

N4.7bn arms deal: EFCC grills Obanikoro Juliana Francis

O

peratives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, grilled former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, over his alleged involvement in $2.1 billion arms deal scandal.

Obanikoro was said to have been whisked off by operatives of the EFCC moments after he got to the Commission’s office at about 9am.

As at 8pm, he was still being questioned. There

are speculations however that Obaniko might be detained.

Although sources said that operatives didn’t start grilling Obanikoro until 3pm, but his media assistant, Mr. Jonathan Eze, stated otherwise.

Eze said that Obaniko was only answering questions. Eze, who spoke with New Telegraph at about 8pm, said Obanikoro was still with operatives.

His words: “We can’t call what is going on detention. He’s still answering questions. He got there between 9am and 10am, and

he’s still with them.”

Obanikoro headed to EFCC’s Abuja office barely hours after he landed in Nigeria from the United States yesterday. It was alleged that he flew into the country purposely to honour the EFCC's invitation.

Obanikoro arrived Nigeria from the United States, enroute London Heathrow. He was escorted to the EFCC’s office by his associates, friends and counsels, Lawal Pedro SAN and James Onoja SAN. The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, con-

firmed that Obanikoro was with them.

The former minister was invited by the EFCC in relation to N4.75bn arms funds which were alleged linked to him.

The Commission is also investigating a firm, Sylvan McNamara, which allegedly belonged to two of Obanikoro’s sons, Babajide Obanikoro and Gbolahan Obanikoro, for receiving N4.75bn arms funds from the office of the former National Security Adviser between April 4, 2014, and December 15, 2014.

BBOG dissociates self from Chibok Buhari declares N’Assembly anti-corruption seminar open today girls endowment project Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

F

ollowing a purported inauguration and Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Chibok Girls Endowment Project” in Abuja yesterday organised by Peace Corps of Nigeria” and “Africa Support and Empowerment Initiative”, with Hadiza Buhari-Bello, the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) has distanced

from the Memorandum of Understanding signed at the event.

This is coming less than a week that 21 of the abducted Chibok Secondary School girls were released by the terrorists group.

The BBOG movement, in a statement issued by Aisha Yesufu and Oby Ezekwesili, said it was shocked, perplexed and completely dumbfounded to see the bold inscription of its hard-earned name, #BringBackOurGirls, on the event’s backdrop.

Chukwu David Abuja

I

n line with the anticorruption stance of his administration, President Muhammadu Buhari, will today, declare open a two-day seminar aimed at formulating a legislative framework for the anti-corruption fight in the country.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday on the purpose of the seminar, the Chairman, Senate Committee

on Anti-Corruption, Senator Chukwuma Utazi, said, "the Seminar is to give legal strength to the anti-corruption fight of the present administration and to create legislative synergy for the anti-corruption fight".

According to him, the seminar, which is being organised by the Senate and House of Representatives committees on Anticorruption, has the theme: "the role of the legislature in the fight against corruption in Nigeria".

8

tuesday, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Cultists kill tailor, dance round his body

Ministry empowers 2,000 vulnerable women Flora Onwudiwe

Taiwo Jimoh

L

S

uspected cult members have shot dead a tailor and a vulcanizer at Ikorodu area of Lagos.

First, the cult members killed a father of two, Mr. Segun Showemimo, in his shop at Ikorodu.

It was learnt that the incident occurred about noon on Saturday at Itunla, Lemo Compound.

The suspected cult members numbering about four, all dressed in black clothes and blue berets, stormed the area on two motorcycles and started shooting into the air to register their presence in the community.

The cult members, according a witness, had earlier killed a vulcanizer.

When our correspondent visited Itunla yesterday, residents said policemen from Igbogbo Division evacuated Showemimo’s body.

A witness, Mrs. Dupe Alabi, described the tailor’s killing as very unfortunate.

She said: “We were all together in his shop before I went inside my room. I was about to sleep when I heard gunshot sounds, I rushed out to pick my grandson who was crawling. It was after the dust had settled that we knew that it was the tailor they came for.

“I learnt that the cult group also threatened to kill the woman they met in the shop. We learnt that immediately the woman saw them, she tried to escape but they warned her not to move or they would kill her and her baby.”

Alabi urged policemen to patrol the area regularly. According to her, the cult members entered the compound in broad daylight and killed a man without being challenged.

The late Showemimo’s shop

Showemimo’s brother, Morufu, told our correspondent after killing the victim, the cult members stoned the body.

He said: “My room window is close to my late brother’s shop. What surprised me most was that after they shot him on the chest and in the head, on their way out of his shop, they brought out stones from the polythene bags they were carrying and started stoning his remains. They also danced round the body before they left.

“We were helpless. Nobody could confront them because we were not armed, but they

were fully armed with locallymade pistols. What led to his killing is what I don’t understand because he was an easy going person.”

The woman, who the suspected cult members met in Showemimo’s shop, said when they entered she thought they were customers.

She said: “After settling down, they told the tailor to say his last prayers, because they were going to kill him. When they noticed I was about to go out of the shop, one of them ordered me to sit down or they would shoot me and my baby.

“Before I knew what was happening, they all brought out their pistols from the polythene bags they were carrying and started shooting him in my presence. While this was going on, I was not myself but I had no option but to comply with what they told me.”

The woman said the cult members had shot a vulcanizer on Allinson Street in the morning of that fateful day before going to Itunla.

She said: “The vulcanizer was tricked to inflate the tyre of their motorcycle before they shot him dead.”

agos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) has empowered over 2,000 vulnerable women and young people in all the 57 local government areas and local council development areas with enablement materials to help them become self-employed, self-reliant and employers of labour.

The empowerment was held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Lola Akande, said that the ministry had continued to train thousands of women and young people on different skill acquisitions.

She said: “The enabling materials such as grinding machines are for the aged and widows who do not have any means of livelihood, while the sewing/whipping and hairdressing machines will be given to widows with skills on sewing and hairdressing.

“The empowerment programme for the vulnerable and young people is in line with the state government’s total commitment in eradicating poverty as well as raising the standard of its citizenry.”

The ministry also distributed food items to meet one of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), zero hunger, so as to cushion the economic effect being experienced by vulnerable women.

City Briefs Fake Customs comptroller, police inspector arrested Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

A

fake Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Wasiu Ariyo, has been arrested by the police in Ogun State for allegedly extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public.

Similarly, a fake female po-

Ariyo and David

lice inspector identified as Victoria David, has been nabbed at Mowe area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Abeokuta.

Oyeyemi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said the two suspects would be charged on completion of investigation.

According to him, Ariyo had been a Customs officer before he was dismissed from the service in 2010.

The PPRO explained that the

suspect wrote to Nestle Nigeria Plc, Agbara via Customs letter head, requesting for 100 empty plastic or steel drums.

He said: “The company management after approving his request became suspicious in the way the suspect collected the drums and subsequently alerted the police.”

Oyeyemi disclosed that the fake police inspector was apprehended with the uniform and identity card she allegedly purchased in Port Harcourt.

He said: “The suspect, Victoria David, was arrested when she approached the DPO Mowe and introduced herself as a serving Police Inspector attached to a Division in Rivers State.”

Shoga dies at 98

The late Shoga

A

former Permanent Secretary in the old Western Region, Pa Fabian Arthur Oyepitan Shoga, aged 98 years, is dead.

The deceased was the first Baba Ijo of St. Francis Catholic Church, Odo-Arawa, Odolewu-Itamapako via Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

Christian wake-keep will hold at 5pm on Thursday on the premises of St. Rita’s Catholic Church, Arometa, Eleyele Road, Ibadan, Oyo State and simultaneously at his residence Odo-Arawa, Odolewu-Itamapako via IjebuOde. Funeral mass will hold at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, Ibadan at 9am on Friday, while his remains will thereafter be moved in a motorcade to Odo-Arawa, via IjebuOde for interment.

Entertainment of guests commences thereafter at his residence.

Shoga is survived by children, Mrs. Oyeyemi Ayodele Ososami and Mrs. Oyefolake Lambert-Gorwyn, nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

METRO

tuesday, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Burnt complex: Lagos traders count losses

Ese

Ese should be in school, parents lament

Camillus Nnaji

T

raders whose shops were burnt at City Way Shopping Complex, Yaba, area of Lagos were angry yesterday as they counted their losses.

Over 90 shops at the complex were razed in the early hours of Sunday.

But yesterday, traders and victims gathered in groups in front of the complex while the market union ordered that no one be allowed into the complex.

Some of the victims regretted ever coming to Lagos to do business, while bemoaning their fate.

While some traders accepted their fate and left everything in the hands of God, others blamed the inferno, which consumed shoes and textile materials said to worth several millions of naira, on sabotage.

A trader, who craved anonymity, told our correspondent that the power surge which was blamed for the fire was a hoax. He said the complex was deliberately set on fire by those who believed that when the mall was burnt, they would rebuild the shops and stalls then would impose new rent and levies.

He said: “I want to believe it is the work of those who want to benefit by reconstruc-

Chris Ejim Yenagoa

P

The burnt complex

tion and imposition of rents and levies. Why should they do that by sending many families back to square one? Even those who hawk on the streets, they pack their wares in the stores here. They depend on this business to feed families, send children to school, pay house rents and other demands. How then are we going to cope?”

Another victim, who identified himself simply as Mr. Emeka, said the fire consumed his sports wears valued at N10 million.

He said: “Everybody is stranded, you can see people anger, during this recession period, such thing is happening. I lost my sports wears worth N10 million. A trader called Eddie lost all his goods in six shops valued at N150 million. Another dealer in shoes had left for China to bring in goods only to be called on the phone by his boys that their two shops had been burnt.”

Emeka said a particular woman went naked on the street on Sunday and fainted after

seeing all the goods she had obtained bank loan to store gone up in flames.

“She had borrowed about N3 million from a bank and stock her shops on Thursday, on Sunday, fire razed down everything,” he added.

But a security guard at a nearby IWS Day Nursery School, Mr. Kingsley Elom, attributed the fire to carelessness on the part of some traders who had left their air conditioners and refrigerators on and left for home.

He said: “I think the losses would not have been to this extent if the traders themselves had switched off some of their appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners. I smelt smoke about 12:40a.m. on Sunday, within a few seconds I heard a large explosion, it was the transformer, fire erupted from the wire and burnt the shops on the first floor.

“Because it was weekend, rescue was very slow. Before fire fighters came, many shops had been burnt.”

Pastor arraigned for N58m fraud Akeem Nafiu

G

Scene of the accident

One dies as fuel tanker falls on car Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

A

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) tanker carrying 40,000 litres of petrol, which fell on a Mercedes Benz car, killed the car driver instantly.

But the quick intervention of the Commandant of the Nigeria Navy School of Finance and Logistics, Owerrinta, Abia State, Captain Abdulahi Aminu, averted what could have resulted in the loss of many lives at the naval base.

The tanker with registration number XKN 222 SA with NNPC emblem was said to be heading to Owerri in Imo State from Aba when it lost control and upturned in front of the naval base. It crushed the car with the driver inside.

A witness said passers-by watched helpless as they were unable to save the life of the man trapped under the tanker.

According to him, everybody was trying frantically to prevent the truck from

9

catching fire and causing more havoc.

It took the intervention of Aminu, who mobilised his men to ensure that the tanker did not burst into flames.

Aminu told journalists that immediately he got information about the accident, he ensured the evacuation of people in the area.

He said: “Immediately I heard of the incident, I told my people to do everything possible to ensure the safety of lives and property of the people in the area including our base.

“I came down personally and was directing the affairs until the towing truck we engaged came to move the fallen truck out of the highway, as the entire road was completely blocked.

“The man whose car the truck fell on was trapped and we were busy trying to save him, but unfortunately by the time the truck was lifted off the car the man was found dead.”

Aminu said the car had been removed from the highway while the body of the driver had been deposited in a mortuary.

eneral Overseer of Christ Glory International Gospel Centre, Pastor Chris Anyalebechi, was yesterday arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos for an alleged N58 million fraud.

He was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence.

The accused had earlier been arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewumi of the same court on September 5, over the same offence during vacation.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the twocount charge upon his re-arraignment.

Upon his not guilty plea, defence lawyer, George Ibekwe, informed the court that he had filed a formal bail application for the accused.

He also disclosed that the affidavit in support of the bail application was deposed to by the accused person’s wife, Mrs. Ada Anyalebechi. The counsel urged the court to grant the bail application.

In the absence of any opposition from the prosecution, Justice Idris granted bail to the accused in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in the like sum.

He then adjourned the matter till November 28 for commencement of trial.

The accused a in charge marked FHC/L/367C/2016, was alleged to have sometimes between April 2014 and March 2015, conspired with some other persons, now at large, to obtain the said sum from Nestor Nwankwo of Zicozeen Nigeria Limited, under false pretence of buying used ship and selling same in parts or scraps on behalf of the company.

The offences are contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(1)(a)(3) of the same Act.

arents of Ese Oruru, who was reportedly abducted in Bayelsa in August 2015 and taken to Kano and forced into a marriage, are not happy over her continued stay in police protective custody.

The Federal High Court, Yenagoa, yesterday adjourned Ese’s abduction case to December 8.

But her parents said it was an irony of sort that while Yunusa Dahiru aka Yellow, who is standing trial for Ese’s alleged abduction, was enjoying freedom on bail, the victim was being denied freedom under the guise of protection.

They insisted that the conditions under which Ese and her baby were kept were not conducive for the welfare of the mother and her baby.

Ese gave birth to a baby girl on May 25 while in police care at the Police Officers Mess in Yenagoa. She and the baby have remained there since.

Dahiru was arraigned on March 8 before the Federal High Court, Yenagoa on charges of criminal abduction, illicit sex, sexual exploitation and unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor.

Ese’s father, Mr. Charles Oruru, expressed sadness over his daughter’s stay in the Police Officers Mess with her baby.

According to him, Ese is supposed to be in school.

He said: “My daughter has been yearning and even crying to go back to school as her classmates are now ahead of her. She has lost a whole year to this saga and she is still in police protective custody while the accused is enjoying freedom on bail.

“I am begging the Delta State government, Nigeria and the world at large to come to our aid. Nowadays, without education, one is going to nowhere. She is not doing anything in their custody. The accused moves freely while she is suffering there.”

Ese’s mother, Mrs. Rose Oruru, said her daughter was not being properly taken care of as one nursing a baby with regards to nutrition and psychological care in a homely environment.

She said: “People from Bayelsa State have been assisting us and even the police officers.

But we want to leave there for our house because the place (Police Officers Mess) is not a good place to stay and bring up a new born baby.”

10

NEWS | national

Sulaiman Salawudeen Ado-Ekiti

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday detained the wife of former Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Precious FaniKayode in a bank in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

Precious, who was in the state on a visit to Governor Ayodele Fayose, had gone to a branch of Access Bank in the town around 3 p.m for trans-

tuesday, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

EFCC ‘detains’ Fani-Kayode's wife, eight-month baby

actions when, unknown to her, she was detained by officials of the bank, alongside her 8-monthold baby.

Noticing the transaction was taking more than the normal time, Precious made to find out what the problem was, whereupon she was informed she was already being detained by the EFCC. Precious was prevented from leaving the banking hall thereafter and

would have been helpless, save for the intervention of Fayose, who arrived the bank alongside a horde of supporters around 7pm.

Speaking with reporters after the incident, Mrs. Fani-Kayode lamented over what she described as sordid and undeserved treatment by EFCC officials while her baby was also denied food.

Her words: "I'm not a politician and that account had been dormant

CBN: Nigeria’s economic challenges, surmountable

T

he Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, yesterday said the current economic challenges facing the country could be easily overcome.

Emefiele said this in Abuja when members of the Senate Committee on Banking and other institutions paid an oversight visit to the apex bank.

One of the economic challenges the CBN boss was referring to is the inflation rate which went from an average of 9.2 per cent in 2015 to 17.85 in September 2016.

It is the highest inflation rate since October 2005,

boosted by cost of food, housing and utilities.

Also the country is in recession, having witnessed negative growth for two consecutive quarters.

There is also the issue of volatile exchange rate and huge margin between the inter-bank rate and parallel market in spite of the introduction of a new foreign exchange policy.

The governor said that with the bank’s targeted interventions, the challenges facing the country would soon be over.

“We seek your support for the success of the activities of the CBN, especially

at this difficult time in our country.

“I would like to place on record, the support that the CBN has received from the entire Senate in the course of carrying out our activities as regulators of the banking sector.

“I must confess that yes, it is difficult, but I must say that the challenges are easily surmountable.

“We will, however, continue to crave the support of the Senate and the banking committee so that we can work together to achieve the common objective of making Nigeria habitable for Nigerians.’’

for about five years. I only activated it last month in Port Harcourt. I decided to go to Access Bank to make some withdrawals when I was detained on the instruction of the EFCC. "They told me the account had been frozen and they were asked by the EFCC to arrest me on the spot. I have been operating the account since 2005 when I was a student in the university. They had earlier frozen my two bank accounts which they have not opened till today and I have been waiting for them to invite me up till today they have not.

"The balance in the account is just N200,000. So, I don't know what their interest is. I'm a private person. I have not received any political fund.

So, why are they trying to starve my family? That account has nothing to do with politics. This is dehumanising. I had to call the governor to inform him of the development."

Fayose condemed the EFCC and the officials of the bank, warning the anti-graft agency against lawlessness and reckless

How committees were used to launder NIMASA's money, by witness

Akeem Nafiu

F

urther hearing in the trial of the immediate past DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, over alleged N3.4 billion fraud continued yesterday before Justice Saliu Saidu, of a Federal High Court in Lagos, with a prosecution witness, Kanu Idagu, narrating how some committees were used to launder billions of naira belong-

ing to the agency.

Akpobolokemi is standing trial alongside nine others on a 40-count charge bordering on the offence.

Others charged with the offence are Captain Bala Agaba; Ekene Nwakuche; Felix Bob-Nabena; Captain Warredi Enisouh; Governor Juan; Ugo Frederick and Timi Alari.

Also charged are two companies; Al-Kenzo Limited and Penniel Engineering Services Limited.

While being led in evidence by the EFCC law-

yer, Festus Keyamo, the witness, who is the head of the anti-graft agency's special task force, told the court that he coordinates investigations, searches and arrests.

He further revealed

that the force, acting on a petition received in the last quarter of 2015 about some financial malpractices in NIMASA during the period when Akpobolokemi was the DG, carried out an investigation.

Wale Elegbede

F

ormer President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has urged the National Assembly to take upon itself the process of strengthening national institutions that support democracy.

Agbakoba in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said recent happenings in the country make it imperative for the legislative arm of government to strengthen institutions like the National Judicial Council, Attorney General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Human Rights Commission, among oth-

Reuben

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General public take note.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

EAGLE’S HEAD UNITED BROTHERS CLUB OF EBONYI

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part 'C' of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2004.

The Trustees are: 1. Nwoba Amaechi Augustine 2. Nwite Solomon Ifeanyi 3. Onwe Joseph Emmanuel AIM AND OBJECTIVE ARE: 1. To foster unity and common understanding among members.

2. To render financial assistance to members with a view of paying back when needed.

3. To champion human developments oriented programmes for the benefits of members and society at large.

4. To help the less privileged in the society.

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

SIGNED: U.C. Igba Esq.

rians.

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Save Nigeria’s democracy, Agbakoba tells National Assembly

ers.

“Nigeria’s democracy is fragile. Recent happenings in the country make it imperative for the National Assembly to strengthen national institutions that support democracy. Specifically, institutions like the INEC, Police, ICPC, Accountant General, National Judicial Council, Attorney General, CBN, National Human Rights Commission, the Judicature, EFCC, Public Defender, Code of Conduct Bureau etc.

“Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution establishes some of these institutions but they are only executive agencies. They have no practical constitutional guarantees for independence and effective functioning."

behaviour against Nige-

Ajewole

This is to confirm that the names Ajewole Amos as used in my Fidelity and FCMB bank accounts is the same person as Ajewole Kayode Ayodele in my First bank account. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Ajewole Amos Kayode.

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11

TUESDAY, octoBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Governance Making Lagos work through town hall meetings

Politics

Insecurity Benue's amnesty yielding results

13 16

Reps' recipe to curb kidnapping The House of Representatives has passed a resolution calling for the declaration of emergency on kidnapping in the country.

PHILIP NYAM takes a look at how this decision was arrived at by the lower legislative chamber

T

hat kidnappers have instilled fear into many Nigerians today is an understatement. Today, most Nigerians seem to be more scared of kidnappers than armed robbers because robbers either rob and sometimes kill and go away. But kidnappers, who also rob and kill in addition, subject their victims, their families and indeed the society at large to psychological trauma and undue pains demanding for unrealistic amounts of money.

The kidnappers cause undue pressure and tension in the society.

Unfortunately, this crime has taken the centre stage in criminality in Nigeria in recent times. It was against this backdrop that the House of Representatives was compelled to call on the Federal Government to convoke a security summit involving all relevant stakeholders so that they can brainstorm on how this menace could be nipped in the bud.

Available records indicate that while high profile cases of kidnapping in the country attract widespread publicity from the media, uncountable cases involving the lower wrung of the society are either under reported or not even reported at all. In some cases, families of the victims prefer to have it under wraps so that they could settle the ransom quietly and have their relations freed without security of government attention.

Some families even shy away from media attention not to annoy the kidnappers to resort to killing their victims. Kidnapping has be-

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives

come so common that in some cases, it is said the ransom is as low as a call cards.

In fact, a report by the United States Department of State’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013 indicated that Nigeria recorded one of the highest rates of kidnapping in the world in 2013. This is even as The Economist magazine claimed that kidnapping in Nigeria is under-reported. Similarly, the NYA International, a crisis management and response consultancy that specialises in abduction and kidnapping cases, ranked Nigeria as the number one country for “kidnap for ransom” incidents, based on open source news reports from the first half of 2014.

Presently, Nigeria is among the top 10 countries in the world with over 1,000 cases said to be reported annually going by the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) records. In fact, Nigeria was listed as the 6th worst country in terms of kidnapping, coming behind Philippines, Venezuela, Columbia, Brazil and Mexico which tops the list.

It was against this backdrop that the House of Representatives last Wednesday urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on kidnapping. The lower legislative chamber consequently asked the executive arm to urgently convene a security summit over the increasing cases of kidnapping across Nigeria. The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Babatunde Kolawole (APC, Ondo) under matters of urgent public importance.

Adopting the motion, the House said the security summit should

Idris Ibrahim, IGP of Police

Nigeria is now ranked kidnap capital of the world having risen from 475 reported cases in 2011... to presently over 1,500 cases annually

include stakeholders such as all security agencies in the country, telecommunication service providers, the House committees on national intelligence, army, air force, navy, police and communication, with a view to fashioning out an effective response against kidnapping. It further directed that adequate budgetary provisions be made in the 2017 budget being expected, for the procurement of high tech equipment that can facilitate the tracking of kidnappers.

The House also mandated its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure that the resolutions are complied with, while a periodical update report is expected from the committee on the level of compliance.

While leading debate on the motion, Kolawole lamented that a London-based intelligence gathering firm, NYA International, had in the past ranked Nigeria as the country with the highest kidnapping attempts in the world, accounting for 26 per cent of all recorded incidents, followed by Mexico with 10 per cent.

The lawmaker who went down memory lane to list out some high profile kidnap cases in the country, to the latest involving students and teachers of a Lagos school said: "Nigeria is now ranked kidnap capital of the world having risen from 475 reported cases in 2011, 500 in 2012 to presently over 1,500 cases annually," The lawmaker also expressed worry that the records have affected tourism and investment potentials in Nigeria, as some countries issue constant travel warnings to their citizens, adding that it is more disturbing "about the alleged connivance of

some criminal elements in our security agencies with the kidnappers..."

Supporting the motion, Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa (APC, Kano), lamented that kidnapping and hostage taking is gradually becoming the order of the day, and that it is no longer an issue against the rich and highly placed people, as 26 local farmers were recently abducted in his constituency with the Kano State police command securing the release of only 11 so far.

Also contributing, Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Buba Jibril (APC, Kogi), and Chairman of the Rules and Business Committee, Hon. Emmanuel Orker-Jev (APC, Benue), said an urgent intervention is required as the menace of kidnapping is no longer unique to any region of the country, but a national challenge.

Orker-Jev specifically blamed its spread on the inability of security agents to nip the crime, which he said some people have seen as "the fasted way of making money."

But with kidnapping ravaging the nation like a plague, the questions most analysts have asked are: Does the country have to wait until a summit is put together by the executive?

Can’t the legislature start looking for lasting solutions and not wait on the executive to initiate a talk workshop?

The view in most quarters is that it is time for the National Assembly to take a cue from some states in the South-East and SouthSouth that have enacted stiffer laws to discourage perpetrators of this heinous crime. It is also reasoned that it will not be out of place for the National Assembly to strengthen the anti-kidnapping laws in such a way that those found guilty of the crime would not be handled with kid gloves.

Some other analysts opined that though capital punishment is gradually being phased out in some parts of the globe, proposing life imprisonment for those involved in kidnapping would not be too much; or at least, 25 years in imprisonment upon conviction. They also called for such matters to be given expedited hearing.

According to those who hold this view, criminals would know that government is serious about the menace even as called for the neighbourhood watch in Lagos, a form of community policing to be replicated in other parts of the country. They added that a well-equipped and properly trained police force especially in intelligence gathering would be an asset in detecting and fighting crimes such as kidnapping.

These, they maintained, are issues the National Assembly could handle without necessarily waiting for the executive to call for a security summit as several security summits have been held in the past without any positive report.

12

POLITICS

TUESDAY, octoBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AD not alternative to APC – Abraham Stories by Babatope Okeowo Akure

T

he first runner up in the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Dr. Segun Abraham, has told his supporters not to consider the Alliance for Democracy (AD) as alternative to the APC in the November 26 election in the state.

Abraham who visited the four local governments in Akoko area of

the state for the first time after the governorship primary that produced Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as the candidate of the APC said the AD’s candidate, Chief Olusola Oke was one of those who thwarted the aspiration of Akoko people to produce the next governor of the state.

Abraham said his visit was necessary and timely as it was aimed at appreciating the selfless and unflinching support of his kinsmen, and to also reassure them about reclaiming the "stolen" mandate

of the people with every means possible.

His words: "I appreciate your unflinching support so far, you are just the best. I appreciate our elders, mothers, the youth, the children and every indigene of Akoko, who have stood firm for justice. I assure you that your faith in me, the faith you have reposed in getting your rightful mandate, will not fail.

"It is unfortunate that some people within the APC, the people we all now

know, employed fraudulent means to rob us of our right by colluding with elements outside our state.

But, I assure you that by the grace of God, we will get back our mandate.

"Don't listen to the naysayers and liars, I am not leaving this party, our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is not leaving the party. We are already in court to seek redress, and more so, we are still in talks within the party ranks to get back our stolen mandate.

"Fact and figures don't lie, a fraud was committed, some people connived to pad our delegates’ lists, disenfranchise close to 200 delegates and substituted them with fake ones, that is a fact that was established by the Electoral Appeal committee but wrongfully vetoed by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. But be rest assured my dear people, victory is coming and our mandate will be reclaimed."

Abraham also told them to debunk and distance

themselves from any rumour that associates him with the AD, saying he would not form any alliance with people who were instrumental in thwarting the clear chance of Akoko to produce the next governor of the state.

He added that such people, who were even new in the APC at the time, could not be trusted to represent the interest of the people as it was clear they are only interested in lying their way to fulfill their own political ambitions.

Akoko youths hail choice of Dauda as Oke's deputy Temitope Ogunbanke

A

political movement in Ondo State, Akoko Youths Alliance (AYA), has commended the choice of former member of House of Representatives, Hon. Gani Dauda, as running mate to Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke. The group in a press statement signed by its publicity secretary, Ayokunle Oloye, said Oke and Dauda’s combination is a perfect match to win election in the state because the combination balances ethnic and religion equation in the state.

The youths stressed that Dauda will make a good deputy governor based on his political antecedents, adding that his experience as a former House of Representatives member placed

him at advantage in delivering people oriented policies.

"Dauda has always enjoyed a good followership cutting across Akoko land. His achievements as a lawmaker also distinguish him as a credible leader who cares on delivering dividends of democracy to his people.

“Dauda, born in Irun Akoko is a Muslim and he represented Akoko North East and Akoko North West Federal Constituency between 2011 and 2015. He is also a notable leader of thought in Akoko land who had build bridges across all groups of Akoko people,” the group stated.

The group assured that it will continue to mobilize both partisan and non partisan young people in the northern senatorial district for AD and its candidates at the poll.

Akeredolu pledges revival of agric sector T he gover norship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, yesterday promised to create jobs for youths in the state through agriculture, entrepreneurship and technology, if elected governor in the November 26, governorship election.

The former president of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said this while addressing members of Sunshine Coalition of Millennium Farmers in his office along Oyemekun Road in Akure, the state capital.

His words: "We shall create prosperity through agriculture.

The farmers should be ready for a new thinking in agriculture. We have no business importing

rice in this country. Our government will support agriculture massively.

"It is a shame that some people are busy distributing rice and beans to our people in this state. Rather than empower the farmers to grow rice, some are importing rice, therefore denying our people of employment opportunities. Already, many states in Nigeria are doing well in rice production, but the reverse is the case in Ondo State. This will soon come to end."

In his response, chairman of the association, Michael Agbomoniyi, thanked the APC candidate for giving hope to the farmers in the state.

He pledged his association's support for to his ambition.

L-R: Ondo State Commissioner for Finance, Chief Yele Ogundipe; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) and President of Nigeria British Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Prince Dapo Adelegan, at the fund-raising to support the ambition of Jegede in Lagos, on Sunday.

Jegede promises to address grouse of lesser monarchs

T

he governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, yesterday promised to look into the agitations of some traditional rulers in the state regarding poor grading and marginalisation by their senior colleagues.

This development came as a coalition of youths in Akure, the state capital, approved his candidacy for the November 26 election.

Responding to calls by some Grade 'D' royal fathers (olus and baales) for a review of their status the inauguration of a borehole at Igunsin, a community in Akure

ONDo DECIDES

North Local Government area of the state, Jegede gave the assurance that the issue would be addressed and justice meted out over the discontent.

He urged the traditional rulers to sensitize their people on the need to vote for continuity, come November 26.

Jegede, who was in company of a group of

PDP leaders, led by Hon. Adedayo Omolafe to the inauguration, told the people of Igunsin not to have any doubt concerning the construction of roads leading to the town and adjourning communities.

The Olu of Igunsin, Oba William Adeoye Akinyemi, had promised Jegede the support of his people. He also assured him that other olus are in support of his ambition.

Oba Akinyemi revealed that Igunsin and other neighbouring towns were not ready to entertain any other political party except the PDP. His words: “In Igunsin town, we are fully ready to cast our votes for the governorship candidate of

the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) and we are not in support of any other political party in the state.”

Meanwhile, youths in Oshinle area of Akure, the state capital, have endorsed Jegede as the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP for the forthcoming election.

The youths described Jegede as a man of the people and a popular choice.

Comrade Arifalo said Jegede is loved for his kindness, humility and his blue-print which he mentioned, has a lot on offer for the Youth and "especially as it relates to making us become employers of labour."

APC crisis: Party leaders to meet Tinubu Temitope Ogunbanke

B

arring any last minute change of mind, the executive members of the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will meet with the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinibu, this week to seek his support for the APC governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The proposed meeting, according to a reli-

able source, is part of last minute efforts by the APC leadership in the state to ensure that they get Tinubu’s support for Akeredolu in the November 26 governorship poll.

The source who is a former executive member of the party said Ondo APC is worried about the division in the party after the crisis that trailed the party’s governorship primaries.

“Ondo APC needs the support of Tinubu to win

the governorship election and that is why some executive members of the party are planning to meet him this week. The motive of the meeting is to pacify him to support the party in the governorship election. The executive members will visit Tinubu this week to beg him. But the challenge is that he may not listen to them because Ondo leaders are not being carried along in the plan.

“It will be better for

them to carry some Ondo leaders, especially those Tinubu have respect for so that they can persuade him to support APC in the governorship election.

No matter how rigid Tinubu may be, he still has respect for some people and I believe that if those people talk to him, he will listen and have a rethink about his opposition to Akeredolu’s emergence as APC candidate in Ondo State.” The source told New Telegraph.

POLITICS

TUESDAY, octoBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State rendered account of his stewardship to the residents of Lagos last week with a promise to focus more on security, empowerment and infrastructural development. Muritala Ayinla reports

13

Making Lagos work through town hall meetings

I

t was a day many residents had been waiting for to get abreast of the developments in the state and make suggestion on what other areas they want government to focus on.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, having demonstrated his commitment to run a participatory and all-inclusive government through quarterly town hall meetings, residents of different senatorial districts have had the opportunity to hear and make request on their needs.

So it was last Tuesday, October 11 which was the third town hall meeting in 2016 and fifth in the series of the programme.

The first meeting was held at the Mini-Sport Stadium, Abesan for Lagos West; second took place at Ikorodu Town Hall for Lagos East; the third took place at Lagos City Hall for Lagos Central; the fourth at Muslim Praying Ground, Badagry for Lagos West and the fifth in Surulere for Lagos Central.

As early as 7.am, the tempo of activities at the popular stadium was high as hundreds of residents started converging on the Sir Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, venue of the town hall meeting. There were heavy security personnel who ensured orderliness and forestalled breach of security.

By 9.am, the hall was already filled to the brim, while some dignitaries and residents who could not secure a place inside the hall sat outside under the canopy made available within the premises with large screen to follow the event and monitor the happenings in the hall.

To the participants comprising, residents, traders, community leaders, religious leaders, traditional leaders, artisans, politicians, party stalwarts, physically challenged, young and old, the town hall meeting was indeed highly participatory such that all manners of comments were welcomed by Governor Ambode, who insisted that everyone has the right to make input in the affairs governing the state.

Hence, requests and suggestions, which will benefit individuals and the general public, were made while the governor responded to all with a pledge to make the state better through the continued support and suggestion of everyone.

For instance, one of the participants at the meeting who re-

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, Governor Ambode and Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Dr. Benson Akintola, during the Town Hall meeting.

quested for coaching job with the Sports Ministry got an instant approval for her request, while the governor ordered some officials to go and inspect areas where issues were raised by the people, with a view to intervene as quickly as possible.

Dignitaries at the town hall meeting include: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule; members of the State Executive Council; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; senator representing Lagos Central, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; former senator representing Lagos West, Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon; former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Abiodun Ogunleye; Elegushi of Ikate Land, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi; All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Oniru of Iru Land, Oba Abiodun Oniru and former Secretary to the State Government, Princess Adenrele Ogunsanya.

Others include member of the House of Representatives from Lagos, Hon. Jide Jimoh; member of Lagos State House of Assembly from Surulere, Hon. Desmond Elliot; renowned economist, Prof.

Pat Utomi; Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe and heads of security agencies in the state, among others.

Rendering account of his stewardship, Governor Ambode summarised his administration's giant strides in the last 16 months virtually in all the sectors, adding that plans are afoot to enhance rapid development in the state.

To boost security in the state through increase surveillance, especially at the grassroots, Ambode disclosed plans to recruit at

We have commenced a multi-faceted development that will change the face of Lagos Island

least 5,000 neighbourhood watchers with new recruits expected to earn at least N25, 000 monthly with other allowances.

He described the Neighbourhood Safety Agency Bill which he signed into law on August 15 as part of efforts to institutionalise and deepen community policing in the state.

His word: “There is a law that has just been passed which is the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law, 2016 and in line with the resolution taken by the House of Assembly, we would go all out to make sure that this agency is activated and all our neighbourhoods would be covered, and then centralize with the state government with all the necessary equipment and resources to ensure that we establish what we call community policing and that is the way to go.

“We will rebrand Neighbourhood Watchers and re-equip them to the level that each Neighbourhood Watchers in all the local governments will have their vehicles and necessary equipment to complement security. We are also working on employing additional 5,000 neighbourhood watchers in all our local governments and they will be paid by us, while the basic salary for the entrance level will be N25, 000 per month."

Ambode also used the opportunity to announce that funding for the N500 million Lagos State Persons Living with Disability Fund has been provided and beneficiaries will start getting support from this quarter. He added that his administration will roll out empowerment programmes immediately to assist the youth, artisans and the needy.

Assuring that steps would be taken to ensure that residents won't feel the negative impact of economic recession, the Lagos governor said that in this quarter, his

administration will concentrate more resources on capital projects and put money in the hands of local contractors to stimulate and reflate the economy through them.

“Immediate payments would be made to contractors handling health sector and education sector projects within the next two weeks,” he added.

Harping on the budget performance of the 2016 budget, Ambode disclosed that the state’s budget performance for January to September stood at at 69 per cent as against 65 per cent for the same period in 2015.

According to him, a total of N166.8 billion has been spent on capital projects this year, a figure, he said, was more than double the N53.6 billion spent for the same period last year.

Governor Ambode said the state generated total revenue of N97.3 billion in the last quarter with an expenditure of N110.2 billion, noting that the cash reserve of the state has remained positive. He also disclosed that a total sum of N55 billion was expended on capital expenditure in the last quarter.

The governor said that the last quarter witnessed a lot of activities from the delivery of massive road infrastructure across the local governments as well as the promulgation of the Anti-Land Grabbing Law, aimed at making life easier for property owners.

On some projects outlined for the next quarter, the governor said that plans have been concluded to transform the Yaba Bus Park with the provision of modern bus shelters replica of the ones erected at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos Island.

He also assured that the road rehabilitation projects ongoing at Adetola Street and Brown Road in Aguda, Surulere as well as Olaju-

14

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Is Nigeria lost?

My Word CLEM AGUIYI totalpolitics@ymail.com 0803-474-7898 (sms only)

I

f Nigeria eventually crashes as is bound to happen except it restructures, the majority of the blame will go to that decision of our ‘wise’ majority to cause wrong substitutions in the political field in 2015 simply on the account of some self-righteous anger that was not backed by proper planning and organization.

Prior to the 2015 wrongful substitution, I had admonished some editors that were blinded by their anti -PDP sentiments that the worse victims of what will come will be the media. I told them that the media will be used to gain power, they will be used to crush the opposition, subvert the constitution, and destroy the institutions of democracy after which the media will pay the price of blind trust by believing that a leopard will ever shade its spots.

In a previous article titled ‘the Price of peace and freedom’, I had warned that useful idiots will always be available to justify the excesses of dictators but that those who have chosen to stand for freedom and peace must be willing to pay the price. Lovers of truth, democracy and freedom must remain vigilant because more troubled day days are ahead. I can see the jackal baying blood because Nigeria is lost.

I seize this moment to thank all my fans, friends and family who called to commiserate with me on the destruction of African Town Garden and Resort, Wuse, Zone 3 by agents of the federal government. African Town was a vision built over the years by dint of hard work. It was an exotic family friendly garden that provided employment to over 50 persons most of whom are young graduates. It was sad for me to see the entire business ruined.

Since after the demolition and predictably too, FCDA Demolition Control Department has gone on air to give various contradictory reasons

for the unwarranted destruction. In the past two weeks they had continued to misinform and disinform the public. What they wrote in the newspapers were not the same thing they told the radio and television stations. I wish they stop talking and stick to one verifiable point so we the people will understand why our government is hostile to home grown businesses, especially in this period of recession.

The fact of the matter is that we have a valid lease on the property, but on the 20th of September at about 2.30 pm, a group of FCDA officials led by one Hajia Safia issued us with a quit notice for the specific removal of the marquis which she claimed was used for Church activities. This allegation was strange because we had never hosted a single Christian event at African Town. However, by 7am on Friday 22nd of September FCDA bulldozers brought down the entire edifice. Before my eyes, my investment worth over N100m was destroyed.

Despite not given us sufficient care and notice to evacuate, we were not allowed to salvage our properties. The whole conduct reeks of malice, vendetta and vindictiveness. Only the devil can do this. But it’s well! I know there is life now and there will be life after this regime for evil never lasts forever.

A lot of people have suggested politics in the destruction of African Town. Some have suggested that I stop writing or go into exile. While I am not given to speculation on matters like this, I will advise this regime to strive hard to wean itself of the dubious reputation that those who are opposed to its polices will suffer negative consequences either by being put out of circulation , physically eliminated , destruction of their business or some bad things happening to them. It is not good for the voice of dissents to be silenced neither is it good for those who believe or trust in the government to do so out of fear.

We must build our system on some fundamental values that cannot be sacrificed on the altar of exigencies. Citizens’ rights to hold divergent political opinions must be held as sacred, likewise free speech.

Make no mistake, I do not underestimate the impact of corruption on our development and will not argue against the government taking tough measures on corruption. I believe corrupt individuals should be treated harshly as we would do

Before my eyes, my investment worth over N100m was destroyed

armed robbers and kidnappers but it must be without prejudice and exception.

It is becoming more than a coincidence that petitions or allegations against friends of the government are never attended to whereas mere faceless insinuations against political opponents’ get dramatic attentions. The government has been combing the sources of PDP campaign funds.

What it hasn’t done was to arrest voters who received N500 for voting PDP but APC campaign funds and the source of the $1OM paid to Alex Axelrod as consultancy fee are not for probe .

All you need to become a saint is to do a Joshua Dariye to APC and you are clean.

Even the current crack down on judges is not without its own share of controversy. Why the drama of breaking into the homes of judges by midnight only to grant them bail on self-recognition by early morning the day after?sx Why is it that the affected judges were those with the courage to rule against the tyranny of government?

Justice Liman gave judgment against Modu Sheriff. Sheriff is the father in-law to President Buhari’s daughter. Sheriff seems to be on a paid mission to bury what is left of PDP, and that hurts the APC. Justice Liman also restrained INEC from announcing any results or figures howsoever generated or compiled purporting to be result of the re-run election for any or all of Khana, Bonny, Gokana, Andoni, Eleme and Tai Local Government Areas of Rivers State or any part of the re-run election scheduled for March 19, 2016 which election was subsequently suspended or postponed.

Justice Liman narrowly missed being dehumanized by the DSS who though claimed to have had him under surveillance for the past 3 months yet went to the wrong address.

Justice Pindiga insisted on due process in the Rivers State Governorship election tribunal sittings. He was removed midway during the sitting of the tribunal when APC saw that PDP was having the upper hand. The rest is history.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola, a brilliant judge, eldest grandson of a great former CJN of Nigeria, Adetokunbo Ademola was a judge who knew his onions. He came from a tradition. He could not be pushed around by powers that be. He ordered thrice that Dasuki be released.

The jobs we are creating for Wike Odimegwu Onwumere

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hen citizens leave their respective homes in search of jobs that they could be gainfully employed, their hope and aspiration often hit the brickswall, given that many of the jobs governments across the country advertise that they have created are nowhere to be found.

This brings a statement made by Steve Jobs into focus, which is: Details matter, it's worth waiting to get it right. Without mincing a word, the residents of Rivers State are waiting to see the 10, 000 jobs promised by the Rivers State Governor, Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, which he said are especially for the youths.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Chukwuemeka Woke, while marking the coronation and prayer in admiration of Chief Mike Elechi as Obua Weze in Elele, Ikwerre local government area, Wike said that the 10,000 jobs would be created with the expansion of Resonpalm Oil Plantation in Ubima.

Wike detailed that the jobs would be through agriculture. In the voice of Wike through a statement by Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media: “Aside the development of infrastructure across the state, we are working with private investors to create 10,000 jobs through key agriculture projects”.

We believe that this is not a time for rhetoric. The 10,000 jobs if truly given to the people would help alleviate the vast dearth of job opportunities in the state. This is said because the Supreme Court had said that Wike was the better leader chosen by the electorates in the state, so he should not disappoint.

While we are waiting for the 10,000 jobs, the state needs more than that.

However, it will be essential that Wike established those jobs on ground rather than making them media establishments. Nigerians know that minimum wage of workers in the country is always zero. And so, while creating jobs is good, it will be better if the take home of workers in Rivers State is enhanced.

We were fed up with the successive

governments in the state who made the people to see them as money driven and the common man in the street was not identified in truth and honest.

Many people are looking up to Wike as a peacemaker and to be one who unites, not divides. Many families in Rivers State are today losing their families to poverty and we want a governor who will not only bail out companies and parastatals but also these families and individuals whose only future is founded on hope which is elusive.

Making a good governor or leader is up to self. In an article of Friday, 16 Oct 2015, John W. Schoen, CNBC.com Economics Reporter, diagnosed the different campaigns rhetoric by the Democrats and Republicans in the USA. In that verdict, Schoen said, "The Republicans believe that if you lower taxes — especially on business — they'll create more jobs and by creating more jobs they'll create more income," said private economist Joel Naroff, president of Naroff Advisors. "The Democrats think the problem isn't necessarily jobs — and the only way you get wages to rise is by forcing wages up, through support of union actions or minimum

wages."

We found out from Schoen that the politicians do not live to their promises once they are elected with checks revealing that in the last 40 years, some 350 governors who have served in the 50 statehouses in the USA., Republican governors, as a group, engendered higher wages while Democrats have bred more jobs.

In spite of that, we have had some leaders in Rivers State who funded schools but allowed education and reading to totter. Wike should know that his integrity is standing on a test-tube of time being valued by the words he says and by the confidence he reposes on the people in truth and in spirit.

We know that Wike is a very intelligent person. We want him to make democracy to reign over the incessant ‘war’ that the opposition All Progressives (APC) in the state wants from him.

We believe that Wike, having passed through stages of life that were not rosy and cozy, he will not allow the residents of Rivers State to grumble.

• Onwumere (odimegwu@journalist.com) wrote in from Port Harcourt.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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institution by Oyo State Governback to their state.

Osun State Government has ment, the Adebayo Alao-Akala kicked against this fresh attempt administration, in furtherance of to “steal” LAUTECH from it. these stealth efforts, built a mediOn its part, Oyo State governcal school in Ogbomoso.

Thence came a campaign to ment, through its legislature, run out all Osun State indigenes, has tasked the Commissioner for especially those holding manageEducation, Science and Technolrial positions in the university, as ogy, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela and the Alao-Akala administration his Ministry of Justice counterunilaterally took over LAUTECH. part, Mr. Oluwaseun Abimbola, to The Oyinlola administration submit a report on how to resolve put up a spirited battle to resist the crises crippling the instituthis illegality, which violated the tion; including how to, on the long law setting up the institution. The run, make Oyo the sole owner of LAUTECH. two states fought Therefore, a bitter media the only way war that aggraout of this vated the tension One way of doing recurring ownbetween them. ership crisis The Osun State this is through is for the two government, after negotiations states to part many failed efways. forts at ensuring This, however, is a long-term a peaceful resolution of the crisis, solution that would not be easy headed to the court. Finally, the to arrive at without the cooperaSupreme Court, in its March 26, 2012 judgement, which was based tion of Osun State Government. on the terms of out-of-court settleUnfortunately, by resorting to underhand strategy in its bids to ment, upheld the joint ownership convert LAUTECH to sole ownerof the university. It also declared as illegal the attempts by Oyo State ship, Oyo State government has not government to lay sole claim to the demonstrated good faith that could ownership of LAUTECH. have secured the cooperation of its Since then, the institution had Osun State counterpart. managed to run with little ownerIt would have been expected that since the law setting up the ship crisis, despite the challenges of poor funding caused by the two- university contains the process for disengagement of either of the owner states, until recently when the Ogbomoso community resorted joint owner-states, Oyo State govto brigandage in a bid to take posernment, which is so desirous of session of the university. Members the divorce, would have activated of the community invaded the uni- the procedure.

However, there is no doubt that versity and began driving out Osun Oyo State government is afraid of State indigenes, asking them to go

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

Sad tales from Ogbomoso

nce again, Osun and Oyo states are locked in a bitter feud over the continued ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), a joint legacy asset from the defunct Oyo State.

Upon the excision of Osun State from the old Oyo State in 1991, the two states had three options on what to do with the university, established a year earlier by the military administration of Colonel Adetunji Olurin. These included joint ownership or asking the then Federal Military Government to take over the institution. But they preferred the joint ownership to retain the historical ties between the two states.

With the main campus in Ogbomoso and its College of Medicine in Osogbo, the two states had managed to jointly run the institution without much rancour until about 10 years ago when a crisis of confidence between the two states turned the tide.

The establishment of the Osun State University, a multi-campus institution founded by the administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in 2006, but on a private university model; sped up the worsening crisis of confidence that arose from efforts by the Oyo State government to set up LAUTECH College of Medicine within its jurisdiction.

However, unlike its predecessor, which made feeble attempts to set up a medical school in Ibadan for LAUTECH, as a first step to the planned total takeover of the

15

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doing so for fear of losing about 75 per cent of the assets of the university to Osun State as prescribed by the law. According to the law, in addition to sharing the assets of the university on equal basis, the party that desires a separation will forfeit half of its shares; representing 25 per cent of the total assets of the institution.

Given the dire financial situation of the two states, neither of them can afford this.

On the other hand, Osun State, which already has its own university, cannot continue to shoulder the burden of funding two universities from its lean purse.

Although the Osun State University, which arguably is the most expensive state university in the country, in terms of its fee regime, largely runs on internally generated revenue, it could still do with subvention from its owner to meet its founding philosophy.

Given the foregoing, the two owner-states have to eventually find a permanent solution to this intractable crisis to save the future of the institution, its workers and particularly the students whose academic pursuits are being unduly interrupted by the multifaceted crises bedeviling the institution.

One way of doing this is through negotiations, which will form the basis for the legislatures of the two states to amend the law setting up LAUTECH that will eventually ease the disengagement.

16

POLITICS

Cephas Iorhemen reports on the gains of the amnesty programme aimed at curbing violent crimes in Benue State

TUESDAY, octoBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Insecurity: Benue's amnesty yielding results

A

ll over the world, leaders are judged by the results of their efforts in the midst of challenges, crises in particular which present a test. Leaders are judged not only by their responses to difficult situations but also by the effectiveness of the solutions they proffer to problems.

When Governor Samuel Ortom came on board as the fifth elected governor of Benue State, the state had assumed the status of “home of crime” as most parts of the state could unarguably be described as theatres of violence, armed robbery, kidnapping, political killings and cultism. Thuggery was highly celebrated in the state.

But Governor Ortom in his inaugural address on May 29, 2015, took the bull by the horn when he proclaimed that “we will move decisively against our youths and their patrons who have chosen a living out of unbridled acts of terror and thuggery. Government will no longer be a shield for these youths and those who patronise them. Whoever they may be, and no matter how powerful they are, they will be brought to account.

We call on all unlawfully armed persons who have been terrorising innocent citizens to immediately surrender their arms, be free, get integrated into our reform programme, or we shall pursue them to their holes.”

There was silence at the IBB Square Makurdi over these reassuring words. The three-month amnesty programme that followed was a huge success. Most striking was the appearance, a day before the expiration of the amnesty programme of a notorious gang leader, Terwase Akwaza, who was said to have terrorised parts of Taraba and Benue states for many years.

Akwaza made a passionate appeal

Ortom

that the programme be extended to enable him reach out to members of his group and was given a month of grace with many more youths truly surrendering their weapons.

Governor Ortom was categorical in his conditions for the amnesty. He said he would adopt the "carrot and stick approach" in prosecuting the war against insecurity in the state. And with the official closure of the amnesty window, the state government in collaboration with the various security agencies in the state began the mapping out of strategies to wield the big stick.

At some point, some gun men made mockery of the programme with pockets of killings in the state, including the gruesome

We will move decisively against our youths and their patrons who have chosen a living out of unbridled acts of terror

murder of the Governor's Senior Special Assistant on Special Security, Denen Igbana. But not willing to surrender the state to gunmen, the Joint Security Task Force has since then embarked on a clamp down mission on the criminals with an impressive result.

Just recently, Gbishe, the home town and hideout of the gangster (Akwaza) was invaded by security operatives, where dangerous weapons, substances and monies recovered and some arrests made.

The Benue State government has equally pronounced a N5 million prize for anyone with useful information that can lead to Akwaza's arrest while over 60 persons have so far been arrested for various degrees of crime.

Only recently, the state com-

mand of the Nigeria Police Force paraded four members of the kidnap gang believed to be behind the murder of the Vicar General of Otukpo Catholic Diocese, Rev. Father John Adeyi.

With the support of the governor, the police intensified their search which led to the arrest of the four suspects; Suileman Ginka, Saidu Abdullahi, Haruna Idi and Aliyu Garba in different locations in states of Bauchi, Enugu and Benue, a clear sign that crime has no hidding place in the state in particular and Nigeria at large.

The four suspects have confessed to the crime and have also led the police to a hideout in Orokam village of Benue State where they buried the weapons they used in the operation.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bashir Makama, who briefed the media on the matter, said the State Joint Security Task Force shot dead two suspected criminals believed to be accomplices of the wanted Akwaza.

The Police commissioner stated that Atondu Ibya and David Nyior were shot dead in a gun duel with the security operatives, while John Tsehe and his two brothers, Aondoaseer Swende and Sonter were arrested in the process.

With the above successes recorded so far through the stick approach of the Benue amnesty programme, analysts are of the view that it is expedient for all citizens of the state to cooperate with the government by exposing criminal elements in their neighbourhood.

It is also worthy of note that the stick aspect of the amnesty programme is already rebuilding the faith of intending investors who are now willing to key into the Ortom industrial revolution initiative. The crisis before the state requires all hands to be on deck.

The people should be willing to assist Governor Ortom to make the needed security difference as no meaningful development can take place under a state of insecurity.

Making Lagos work through town hall meetings C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

won and Biney streets in Yaba would be completed before the end of the present quarter.

He said with the completion and delivery of the first phase of the 114 local government roads last month, the process of bid for the construction of additional 114 roads across the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas would commence within the next three weeks.

“We have commenced a multi-faceted development that will change the face of Lagos Island. We have installed new bus shelters at Tafawa Balewa Square and before the end of December, various projects would be commenced within the National Museum axis, Onikan to Tafawa Balewa Square, and from Lagos House Marina and Freedom Park. By the time we complete these projects, Lagos will become a major tourist destination in West Africa,” the governor said.

Speaking during the interactive ses-

sion, one of the residents, Chief Mrs. Bewaji Kuku, raised the issue of flooding in Dolphin Estate, saying that it has been a major concern for residents anytime it rained.

Kuku, who live in Dolphin Estate near Obalende, also raised the issue of contracts for indigenous contractors, saying that local people should be encouraged to grow the economy, especially through the construction industry.

The Association of Professional Women in APC, on their part, commended Governor Ambode for the good job he has been doing in the state, but asked for the consideration of their members for employment opportunities.

Governor Ambode, who took time to respond to all the issues raised, assured that the concerns of the people would be addressed. He explained that the state government has expended a lot of resources in combating flooding in the state, adding that the flooding on Dolphin Estate is most times flash flood which disappears few hours after the

rain.

He also assured the residents of the estate of the commitment of his administration to continually improve on the issues of flooding, ditto for other parts of the state.

Oba Akiolu, who also spoke, said with the monumental achievements recorded in the last 16 months, the eight years tenure of the governor is certain.

The highly revered monarch, however, lamented the suspension of a bill seeking special status for Lagos by the Senate though he expressed optimism that the bill would still become law in the nearest future. He urged the promoters of the bill to go back to drawing board and do their home work well before representing it for consideration and passage.

He said: "The suspension of the bill sponsored by our amiable daughter and wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu is unfortunate but it is better and advisable to let these people know that this is not a matter of quarrel but a question of time.

It will definitely happen."

Corroborating Akiolu on the special status bill, an APC leader in the state, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, urged promoters of the bill to be circumspect when representing the bill for consideration.

He said it must be made clear that the National Assembly should not attempt to legislate for Lagos as a result of the request for one percent empowerment for the state which the bill seeks to achieve.

While responding on the issue, Governor Ambode commended Senator Tinubu for her courage to push for the bill, while also lauding the Senate president, Bukola Saraki for his magnanimity in allowing the bill to be presented on the floor of the Senate.

With the participation of people and and people-oriented policy framework of the Ambode administration, many political observers are of the view that the current administration in the state will go far in meeting the needs of the electorate which is the hallmark of a democratic governance.

17

TUESDAY, octoBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Recession Abuja couples sell wedding rings to feed

Inside Abuja Kuje is home to the Medium Security Prison facility that has hosted several important personalities. Apart from those forced by circumstances to be in prison, there are others who live around the prison for various reasons.

OBINNA ODOH, who visited the settlement around the prison tells the story

News When mad man killed wife, daughter

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Living around Kuje Prison could be scary â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Residents

K

uje is an agrarian community in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The Abuja master plan earmarked the Kuje area as a food hub because of its vast arable lands and rich soil.

It boasts of a number of farms producing foodstuff for residents of the city of Abuja.

The town is considered as one of those satellite towns deprived of government presence and public institutions if not for the popular Medium Security Prison located there.

Despite the current recession and the hike in the price of goods and services, Kuje is still seen as a place where cost of living is relatively low.

Many Nigerians who work in the city of Abuja have been relocating to Kuje and that has led to a population explosion in the area with its resultant chaotic gridlock during peak period.

Bomb blast On October 2, 2015, a dual bomb explosion took place in Kuje. The incident which claimed 13 lives and injured 20 others was allegedly planned by Boko Haram insurgents presumably to free their members being detained at the Kuje Prison.

The blast which occurred close to the Kuje market and Police station has awakened the security consciousness of the people in the area.

It has also significantly improved se-

Onwuka NzeshI

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF nzeshi@newtelegraphonline.com

Š Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Kuje Prison

curity of lives and property in the area as one cannot stay up to one hour each day without seeing heavy armed military vehicle parading the area.

Mr. James, a young graduate living with his parents close to the prison yard, shared his experience thus: "I have been here I mean around Kuje Prison between three and four years. In fact everything around here is scaring, looking at a heavily armed security men every now and then is not a pleasant experience and it usually sends a wrong signal to the brain, anticipating that anything can happen.

"Now and then you see soldiers well-armed coming around in close intervals to check outside the premises and around the neighbourhood.

It is enough scaring to people's psychology.

Jailbreaks In fact there is every room to be afraid and entertain fear because you may be coming out in the early hours of the night to check something outside the house and unexpectedly meet security personnel around the premises of your house.

"Most times especially during jailbreak or a similar issue that will bring an uproar, we are always afraid and under serious tension."

But when asked if he will relocate to another area if given the option

During jailbreak or a similar issue that will bring an uproar, we are always afraid

by government, he sternly maintain that he will not accept that because there are benefits they enjoy in the area.

According to James, there is security of lives and properties around the area in the sense that they don't experience or hear of any loss of property or life as result of armed robbery attack, stealing or its equivalence.

"We attribute this peace and security here to the presence of security agents guarding Kuje Prison. So we are also beneficiaries of what is happening around the prison premises to God's glory because God is the supreme power that watches over all.

"We had a special experience or case that scared me most and it was the prison riot that took place last time. I was told about the sad experience, suffering and pain people went through as a result of smoke of tear gas and the sound of gunshots that lasted for a very long time. According to a report, the inmates were protesting against the warders who were on a routine and that led to serious riot and commotion.

"They used tear gas and gunshots to bring the rioters under control because it was already escalating into a serious commotion. In fact all around here both the aged, young and children experienced the pain of tear gas. When I came back I heard about it and I discovered that it was

not a pleasant experience. You know how painful tear gas could be to human eye and people were running around seeking for solutions and were warned not to apply water or wash their faces because that could aggravate the pain," he explained.

Too close for comfort Another issue that is unpleasant that poses serious challenge is the military aircraft that come around three times a day to fly around the prison yards and sound of siren every now and then. "Every morning when inmates are being conveyed to court that is when you will hear the sirens but it's not a serious issue or disturbing us any longer hence we know what it stand for and now we are getting use to all of the challenges," he said.

Narrating his experience further in the area, James said that the commencement of air check attracted a serious fear because initially they didn't know what it was meant for and also that the noise coming from the sound of the helicopter was shaking the ground and indeed the houses around very seriously because the helicopter used to fly very low close to the ground but when they put up a complaint at the appropriate authorities corrections were made and life became sweet again.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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Inside ABUJA | SLUMS

TUESDAY, octoBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

N

igerians are very famous for their innate capacity to absorb shocks of any kind, including those emanating from irrational and insensitive political leadership.

However, this rare quality of "suffering and smiling" seems to be waning due to the economic crisis in the country.

Nigerians appear to have started revealing the 'lion nature that is residual in the lamb' going by recent emotional outburst demonstrated in different forms, on different occasions and at different locations within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It has become very glaring that some people are already losing their patience while their latitude for tolerance is also beginning to get shorter. .

In recent days, the evergreen ambience of Abuja has severally been disturbed by people who appear hungry and angry. They believe that ventilating their anger may be risky, but remaining silent in their predicament holds more danger. Their decision to step out of their timid cocoon and hold accountable those at the corridors of power resulted into a harvest of protests in the city.

Some of the protesters looked like horrible pretenders, procured by some covert government agents to come and sing the praises of their paymasters. This category of protesters only come out to shout to the admiration of their 'contractors', collect their miserable handouts and disperse to their various homes to face the same injustice they came to march against.

There were also other groups who appeared rather genuine and on a mission to right a wrong. They consisted largely of civil servants who damned the consequences of their action and decided to show their displeasure over the non-challant attitude of their ministries and agencies' management over their welfare in the midst of economic downturn that has unleashed so much pain and anguish on the masses.

In essence, the protests were demonstrations of loss of confidence on the leadership of the various institutions and an apparent disapproval of certain policies and programmes of the present administration.

Staff protest The staff of the Ministry of Works, Power and Housing recently carried out a peaceful demonstration meant to draw the attention of the public to the bleak future that awaits them and their offsprings following the alleged insensitivity of their employers to their welfare.

During the protest, activities at the Mabushi headquarters of the ministry were grounded. All the major roads leading to the place were barricaded by the angry workers who believed that the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola had not shown enough commitment to their welfare since he became the helmsman of the "super" ministry.

The protesters were seen carrying various placards which had inscriptions such as, “We are not slaves in this ministry;” “Fashola, treat workers with respect;” “No training, no welfare, no salary.”

One of the protesters, who de-

Protesters blocking part of the road in Area 11 Abuja

Another set of protesters

Season of protests in Abuja In recent weeks, different groups have taken to the streets of Abuja in protest for one issue or the other. CALEB ONWE, who has been following the trend, reports clined to mention his name, accused the minister of destroying the structure of the ministry, and installing his own structure which he brought from Lagos.

The union leaders, Mr. Aliu Abdulazeez, Chairman and Mr. Sam Ape, Secretary of National Civil Service Union, FMPWH, respectively were reported to have been arrested and detained over the protest.

However, Inside Abuja could not get the comments of the minister or his aides on the grievances of the workers.

Legislative aides protest The National Assembly also had its fair share of the anger-letting protests. Recently, legislative aides to both the Senators and members of the House of Representatives discarded the decorum which the NASS environment is known for and carried out a peaceful protest to demand for the arrears of the salaries and allowances.

The legislative aides, who gathered as early as 8a.m., chanted solidarity songs as they demanded for the payment of the monies they are being owed which runs to over N1.5 billion.

Inside Abuja reliably gathered that the protesters had planned to disrupt the day's plenary at both the Red and Green Chambers, but for the quick intervention of some emissary sent to pacify them. The protest, however delayed the plenary, since the federal lawmakers appeared to be conscious of their security than the message of the protesting aides.

Some of the protesting aides explained to newsmen that they resorted to the protest after the management of the National Assembly failed to fulfil its promises to pay up owed salaries and entitlements.

They, however, warned that their next protest would be targeted at the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, should the management refuse to honour its promises of settling the salary arrears.

One of the protesters, who simply identified himself as Kingsley, told newsmen that many of their colleagues had endured different forms of hardship due to non- payment of their entitlements.

However, President of the

National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum (NASSLAF), Comrade Samuel Melaye, has claimed ignorance of the protest, saying he only heard about it after it had been held.

Melaye confirmed that some of his members were still being owed salaries and allowances but explained that there were assurances from the National Assembly management that funds will soon be made available to cover all monies owed legislative aides.

The National Assembly also had its fair share of the anger-letting protests

Public Complaints Commission The protest from the staff of the acclaimed Ombudsman and the mouthpiece of the masses in the event of administrative injustice was the one that created more confusion in the mind of the people.

The PCC staff protest is hard revelation that shows how the Nigeria society is gradually sliding into the abyss of helplessness.

Inside Abuja learnt that there has been an internal squabble between the staff and management over welfare and conditions of service. However, these grievances have always been suppressed by some internal mechanism that seems to shield any act of injustice that concerns the commission from the public. The protesting staff allegedly defied the management's pleas to suspend any action capable of making the public lose confidence in the commissions mandate.

The protesters, who sealed the organisation’s headquarters in the Maitama District of Abuja, lamented that since January 2016, their salaries have been paid on percentages. Some of them carried placards with inscriptions saying, “Take us back to presidency”; “We protest patent of half salary.”

A press release jointly signed by the Chairman of the Joint Union of Civil Servants in the commission, Ogunyando Joshua and his deputy, Dorcas John, noted that “the grim situation began with the payment of workers’ salaries on percentages.

“When the management of the commission was confronted to explain the unsolicited fragmented salaries, it was made known that the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, the Ministry of Finance and the National Assembly against every known rationale and logic insensitively handed the

Commission N2 billion only as its 2016 budgetary allocation, signifying a far-reaching departure from the N4 billion approved for the Commission in the 2015 fiscal year.”

The protesters complained that they have been subjected to living from hand to mouth, because of a 50 per cent slash in their salaries. They threatened that unless the situation was reversed, they would not return to work.

It is worrisome that whereas PCC has the mandate to investigate all manner of injustices against individual citizens, employees of the agency, have become victims of purported injustice, a situation that leaves the public with no place to seek redress for any act of injustice done to them.

Counter-protests A little twist was introduced into the atmosphere of protests as a mammoth crowd of protesters poured out into the streets in support of some government officials and denounced their critics. The demonstrators sang the praises of President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Goodwin Emefiele, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the entire economic team of the present administration.

The groups’ view was that all the protests that have been going on in the country to condemn the policies of the government that have purportedly thrown the people into untold hardship were misinformed and misdirected.

Leader of the groups, Mr. Etuk Bassey Williams, who addressed the press, stated that the economic recession being experienced in Nigeria was not peculiar to the country, as many nations of the world were also having their fair share of the global economic meltdown.

The protesters brandished placards with inscriptions, such as: “We stand with Buhari and Emefiele” Emeifele and PMB, the peoples’ choice”, “ Recession will soon end” and “Naira will soon bounce back”.

Williams noted that the CBN Governor cannot be held responsible for the continued plummeting of the value of naira, he argued that the present prevailing negative tendencies on the economy was as a result of lack of prudence and proper planning by successive leaders.

TUESDAY, octoBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The economic recession is biting harder by the day and it's affecting symbols of many unions.

DEBORAH OCHENI recently ran into a section of the popular Wuse Market where couples trade their highly priced bridal wears for cash

Inside ABUJA

Recession: Abuja couples sell wedding rings to feed

because the price will drop as soon as dollar drops," Isah said.

Inside Abuja's meeting with Mr. Uzo, an Abuja-based business man in the company of his wife at Wuse gold market confirmed that both couple agreed to sell their band in order to make profit. “My wife and I are here to sell our gold wedding ring so that we can add the money to our business. It is just like selling your car when you are in need of money moreover the price has really appreciated.

So, we are not loosing anything.

We will get another one when the price drops until then, we will get GL ring which is also durable," he told our correspondent.

A

t first it looked like fable from one of the Nollywood series until the reporter’s interaction with some of them revealed the unimaginable true story.

But the truth is that the level of hardship in the country has reached an alarming rate. Who will ever think of a couple who are barely six months old in marriage letting go of their precious symbol and reminder of their marital vow just to meet up with their needs?

While some are in this act because it is the only available means left for them to survive, others are selling it because of increase in value of the dollar (foreign exchange) which invariably boosts the price of foreign made wears.

Wedding rings Wedding rings are a symbol of faithfulness and everlasting love between a husband and his wife. It is meant to be a lasting reminder of your special wedding day but the reverse seems to be the case now as couples desirous of surviving the recession now take to selling these otherwise life time souvenirs.

A woman in her early 40s who simply identified herself as Gloria said she is not happy selling her wedding band but after discussing and analysing the situation with her husband, they have to sell it in order to pay the children’s school fees and attend to other needs.

“You and I know that it is strange for a woman to sell her wedding ring no matter what but that is the only thing I can count on for now and after discussing with my husband, he understood the situation and gave me his consent. My marriage is just 11 years old but I have to take this ugly decision to save my children (tears rolling her cheeks) from the unbearable ugly situation facing us. My husband was sacked from a construction company last year and we have been managing to survive since then, I have sold many of my valuables to cater for our feeding and I have to sell my wedding ring,” she told Inside Abuja.

When Inside Abuja inquired to know how much she will make from it, Gloria said: “It weighed 3.6 carat at 14000 per carat so everything is N64,400. I only need N40,000 to balance up my children’s school fees even my friend that promised to borrow me the money changed her mind for the fear that I will not be able to repay.”

Wedding band Similar to Gloria’s condition is that of Mrs. Ene Ocheme, a business woman from Benue State.

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Buyer’s reaction As weird as selling of wedding band sounds, the buyers are happily and readily available to buy them. Another fascinating thing about this business is the fact that buyers have cash readily available to give to seller in exchange for their wedding band.

“They should even thank God that they have something to exchange for money, that is the essence of buying gold, it is always useful and the owner will readily get buyers whenever he or she want to sell them,” was the response of Alhaji Mohammed Usman, gold merchandiser.

When Inside Abuja asked Usman of what he will do with used accessories he buys, he said: “Now that dollar is high, those who are selling their used gold accessories are gaining very well because of high foreign exchange rate, we are buying them at a very high rate now, we will either take them to Dubai where they will melt them and do another thing with it or clean them and resell."

A group waiting to sell off their wedding bands

Wedding Rings on Display

Ocheme took to selling her wedding band just five months after her wedding. Her words: "My mission in Abuja is to sell my golden wedding band to start up a business. My husband lost his job and life has not been easy ever since he lost his job. We have been praying and believing God that he secure another job. I am a graduate too, but I have no job. So, I decided to drop my ego and start up a business no matter how little because it is really embarrassing when I see my husband asking people to borrow him money and they disappoint him at the end of the day.

The one that even made me to take this ugly decision is that he was invited for a job interview but he didn’t go for the interview because we couldn’t source for transportation fare from Makurdi to Lagos.”

Ocheme added that her husband is not aware of her decision to sell her wedding band. She, however, assures that the husband will not be too angry with her if he eventually find out because she intends to do something big and better with the money realised from the sale.

“When I told my husband that

My wife and I are here to sell our gold wedding ring so that we can add the money to our business

we should sell our wedding band he said no because the marriage is too young for that but I will be able to calm him with the outcome of my business. I will also make him understand that the ring has to go for our marriage to stand because my parents were sceptical of his ability to take care of me. So, I feel it’s too early for me to start complaining to my parents. I believe everything is going to be fine and I will get a better wedding band and take it to the priest for blessing.”

Pure business While Gloria and Ocheme sold their wedding band to meet up with critical urgent needs, Halima Isah, a beautiful young woman from Minna, Niger State said she is selling her wedding band now that FOREX is high so that she can make profit from it. “What is the big deal in selling wedding band? Even if I don’t sell I will still change it for another one so I don’t think it makes any difference.

I wedded in 2009 and then one gram of gold was sold for N7,500 and now a gram is N14,000. It will be stupid of me to keep the band and allow exchange rate to drop

Clergy’s position Rev. Fr. Jeremiah Omonu, parish priest, Holy Spirit Imane, condemned the act, saying that the ring is meant to be the symbol of their faithfulness and love. “Their reasons for indulging in such act varies and I am not even sure if it is the blessed wedding ring but in situation that it is their original blessed wedding ring then it is not the best because it was blessed for them to use as the symbol of their faithfulness and love and not to be sold out.

“It is not the best and it will go a long way to show that they lack trust in God because if they have trust in God, God can provide their need without them necessarily selling off their wedding ring. They should have gone to the extent of selling their blessed wedding ring because it is for a purpose that it was blessed for them.”

He however said if the couple buy another ring and present it for blessing it will still serve as a symbol of their faithfulness and love since it carries the same blessing as the one sold. “if they bring another one for blessing the blessing will be same but physically it is not the same, marritally, it shows lack of trust in God because it is an intentional act.”

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INSIDE ABUJA

TUESDAY, octoBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

When mad man killed wife, daughter Johnchuks Onuanyim ABUJA

P

enultimate week, precisely on October 8, residents of Ajegunle in Mpape, a suburb in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were thrown into bewilderment as an alleged mad man, Dominic Ogah, killed his wife and daughter at the wee hours of that day.

Ogah, an indigene of Ogoja, Cross River State, who lived in a self-contain apartment with his family, was said to have killed the family (wife and daughter) and dragged them out of the room and laid them closed to an abandoned school building and left for his farm in the morning.

The room the alleged murderer lived with his family was said to have been given to them by his in-law, Dominic Onwusoaka. Onwusoaka is married to the younger sister of Ogah.

The body of the deceased were discovered in the morning at the corner which they were deposited by the culprit with women and children wailing, while the men

went for the police.

When the men from the Mpape Divisional Police Headquarters arrived at the scene and confirmed the reports of the residents, they were said to have called the FCT Police Command, which later sent men from the Homicide Department. It was at the arrival of the homicide men that a hunt for arrest was launched against Ogah. He was searched everywhere with no result.

However, an eyewitness report stated that in the evening, Ogah came back to the house on his own and saw people gathered in front of his house and he asked for his wife and daughter with the complain that he was hungry. Ogah's action was a confirmation of his alleged state of health.

Ogah, whose occupation is farming, is said to have lived in Mpape for over eight years, before moving into his in-law's house, where he committed the heinous act few days back.

The middle-aged man, who is the only son of his parents, is said to have been moved to the Homicide Unit of the FCT Police Command.

Sources revealed that Ogah's sister was instru-

mental to him having a wife on the reason that the family's name should not go into extinction.

Given the fact that he is a mad man, she was able to procure for him a half imbecile woman as a wife.

Unfortunately, the aim of Mrs. Onwusoaka, whose husband is from Imo State has not been accomplished as her brother, Ogah has terminated the life that came from him and is behind bars.

Onwusoaka, in his narrative on how they lived before the fateful day, also confirmed that Ogah's

late wife was not of sound health. According to him, the late Blessing speeches were incoherent, as she also had walking defect.

According to him, she was given to sweeping and keeping the compound clean and this was what aroused his curiosity the morning he did not see her doing her chores.

He explained that his family took care of their needs as the husband was only an insane farmer and hardly brought much from his farming.

"He always come back home to complain that

people went to his farm to destroy his crops," said Onwusoaka Also, Onwusoaka stated that Robert Ogah did menial jobs like ironing his clothes and polishing his shoes. According to him, he maintained a solitary living.

"He has mental problem, but it does not disturb him as he can farm very well. Even that day he committed these murders, he ironed my clothes and polished my shoes. He can do anything as a human being just that his senses are not okay.

Mr. Dominic Ogah and his murdered wife.

"He does not fight people. It is only his farm he would complain about.

He would come back and complain that people went into his farm. Any time he goes to the farm and discovered that people went there and destroy anything, he would come back to complain and make trouble with himself. He never liked anybody to touch his things and I and my family and including the wife we don't touch his things. I have been responsible in taking care of the wife and the child."

On Ogah's wife, he said: "She didn't have any problem, just that she had speech defect and she had challenges with her legs.

You could describe her as a half imbecile."

Also speaking on the incident, some residents within Ajegunle area alleged that it would not be the first time that Ogah would be killing somebody.

According to one of them, Ogah had killed while he was in Ogoja and when he had freedom he relocated to Abuja.

Ogah is undergoing interrogation at the Homicide Unit of the FCT Command as the Police Public Relations Officer confirmed his arrest.

Living around Kuje Prison could be scary – Residents C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

He, however, affirmed that positive benefits accruing from staying around Kuje Prison far outweigh the negative experiences.

According to him, anybody staying around the prison won't experience any kind of intimidation from armed robbers and other security threats because of the security men stationed there.

Another resident of the area, Mrs. Josephine Michael, who is the Director of JeoToms Schools, said she has spent almost five year around Kuje prison.

"I feel good and happy staying around here because I have both positive and negative evidences of my experience here for the past five years I have been here with my family.

"I am heading a school here and I am enjoying patronage from the barracks. Yes, children living in the barracks are patronising us because of the closeness of the school to Prison barracks.

The parents of most of the pupils in our school are prison staff and can easily pick their children at the close of school or work as the case me be. They patronise us and that makes us enjoy high population of students. At least we have good population in our school.

"The negative part is we are always scared of the unknown just like the internal riot experienced in the prison last time which caused pandemonium in all the

surroundings of Kuje Prison.

"The experience was an unpleasant one. We were hearing the sound of gunshots and even the smoke from the tear gas caused a serious pain for us, adults and even children. I was in my house that day because I live around here too and from there feeling it and I was deeply scared with my family. In fact, the incidence happened at midday and thank God the school was on vacation.

"All along I have been living here I have not experienced such fear. Although before that incident, I used to have fear and anxiety as to what if something happens like attack from the evil people? Or what if something more dangerous than that should happen what are we going to do? In fact, that was one of the negative experiences we have had staying around the prison yards," she explained.

Sense of security On military helicopter hovering around the area every now and then, she said that that does not bother her because she know it is for security reasons.

She further said that her major concern as a school proprietor is the noise that often accompanies the movement of siren blaring vehicles conveying prisoners to and from the courts to the prison.

The school, she said, is a place of learning and requires maximum quietness. She however said she had adjusted to the situation since she cannot change the situation.

"We are already used to the noise. As I said earlier, we are already used to them but the recent riot was something we cannot easily forget. One of the benefits I am getting from heading the school here is that during our last career day we were assisted by soldiers from the prison. In fact, they were willing to assist us and the second time I approached them they did not hesitate but responded.

"The second benefits is when we had our first inter house sports during our second term session between January and February 2016, the prison staff assisted us in training our pupils on march past. After the march past one of the prison staff met me and said anytime we have something like that that I should approach them so that they will give us somebody who will train the children on the march past. At least with these you can see that we are gaining a lot staying around the prison,” Michael said.

When asked if pupils in her school don't feel hurt or scared of the happenings around Kuje prisons, she said: "Not at all, they don't feel scared or threatened by anything because most of them are coming from the barracks.

Even the ones that come from outside because they constantly pass and see soldiers now and then that sight doesn't threatens them again. In fact, it has become part of their lives."

ernment has not done enough towards the development of Kuje considering the fact that it has a big institution such as Medium Security Prison in Kuje.

According to her, people ordinarily expected that those living close to such a big government institution should enjoy some benefits like steady power supply and good roads, but the reverse has been the case.

"In fact power supply here is very bad and such an institution need power supply to lightens the surroundings for security purposes but that is not visible. We are pleading with authorities to come to our aid because living around a notorious place as this we need constant power supply to be able to see things around us and chase away fear of the unknown.

"The road leading to Kuje Prison is a death trap and somebody coming from outside could easily believe that road should have been better but come and see what we are suffering especially now that we are in rainy season,” she said.

On whether she was scared about a possible reprisal from Boko Haram terrorists or IPOB members because of the detention of their leaders in Kuje Prison, Michael answered in the negative. According to her, if there was any threat to the prison, the security operatives were equal to the task.

Poor social infrastructure She, however, alleged that gov-

Security breach A prison staff who refused to

disclose his identify highlighted some of the things that can lead to jailbreak and escape of prison inmates. They include a compromised security; congestion which exposes the inmates to hardship and pains; lack of attention to the conditions and complaints; unholy relationship between the prisoners and staff; trafficking – when prisoners are allowed to have access to knives, blades, axe, weapons, and other useful information that can aid them to escape from custody; handing over cell keys to prisoners; porous gate lodge as a result of inexperience officers at the gate lodge; allowing inmates to have money in their possession; drunkenness or sleeping on duty by the staff; irregular night inspection by inspecting officers; irregular searching of cell, burglary proof, windows and doors; and leaving dangerous objects used in the kitchen carelessly.

He revealed that the recent riot that led to commotion in Kuje Prison was because work rules and regulations were compromised by the past leadership of the prison.

"They compromised the rule of engagement and when the new leadership who are willing to work came and changed those rules then the inmates saw it as trampling upon their right and went on with the riot inside the prison yards and was brought back to order by force," the official said.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Features

Poilceman dragging a man along the road

Poilcemen beating another man PHOTOS: ONLINE

Checking extra-judicial killings, torture

“R

opes were tied round my two hands. My two legs were tied, then both legs and hands bended and tied together with a rod passing through in between them and then elevated to a perimeter wall. In fact, if you have watched a goat being prepared for suya, then you are close to getting the picture.”

These were the poignant words of Mr. Justin Nwankwo, a former PhD student/researcher at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He was the manager of Upper Class Hotel in Anambra State.

When his boss, Chief Bonaventure Mokwe was arrested on August 1, 2013, over allega-

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Many innocent Nigerians have confessed to crimes they knew nothing about while several others have been either maimed or killed during torture by law enforcement agents, reports JULIANA FRANCIS tions of being a ritual killer and murderer, Nwankwo and other members of the staff were arrested. Although the court later acquitted Mokwe, his workers, especially Nwanko went through hell in the hands of policemen attached to the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), Awkuzu, Anambra State.

“At the turn of each question and noncompliance, a bag of sand was added at my back, to add extra pain. I cried until I passed out. A cold bucket of water brought me to reality. From minutes to hours, the torture lasted but never stopped until finally one started confessing lies! You can even confess that you killed General Ibrahim Babangida so that you could be brought down from where you had been tied. From hanging on the beam, they took me down and tied a rope in a strangulation mode around my neck, inserting pin and rope inside my penis,” Nwankwo added.

It was because of such increasing cases of torture of suspects, either guilty or innocent, by law enforcement officers that Amnesty International Nigeria, organised a roundtable workshop

He died in the hospital, cursing the naval officer

on the ‘Nigeria Anti-torture Bill and the way forward.’

The essence of the whole discussion was to push government into criminalising torture. It is believed that if torture is criminalised, it will check incidents of people being maimed or extrajudicially killed.

Amnesty International’s research as well as researches done by several Nigerian human rights’ organisations indicate that police and military personnel routinely use torture and other ill treatments to extract information and “confessions” and to punish detainees.

In contravention of national and international laws, information extracted by torture and illtreatment is routinely accepted as evidence in court. The Nigerian authorities display an apparent lack of political will to adhere to their international human rights’ obligations.

Nigeria as a State is party to several Regional and International human rights mechanisms that prohibit the use of torture and other ill-treatments.

These include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention

Against Torture (CAT) and its Optional Protocol (OPCAT), the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The Nigerian constitution also prohibits torture and other inhuman or degrading treatments. However, Nigeria’s criminal and penal codes fail to explicitly prohibit the use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment to extract information. As such, everyday practice is inconsistent with the constitutional provision prohibiting torture.

In a bid to address this problem, a bill to criminalise torture was introduced in Nigeria in 2012 and was passed in June 2015, as part of the 45 bills passed on a single day by the Senate. It was, however, not signed by the President but rather returned to the Senate for amendments.

In response to the increased use of torture by the police and other law enforcement agencies as preferred means of investigation and the nonpassage of the Anti-Torture Bill by the National Assembly, Amnesty International Nigeria, in collaboration with it partners held the two-day workshop CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

22

FEATURES

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

with the purpose of strengthening its advocacy about torture in Nigeria as well as pushing for the passage of anti- torture bill in Nigeria.

The Amnesty International Nigeria researcher, who put the programme together, Mr. Damian Ugwu, said: “The workshop aims to bring together stakeholders with experience in documentation, advocacy and litigation across Nigeria to identify systemic challenges and best practices and to chart a way forward on the Anti-Torture Bill.

“It will provide an opportunity to exchange information and experiences in advocating legal and institutional reforms on torture. The meeting will form part of a series of national events Amnesty International is organising that seek to strengthen the collaboration of practitioners to more effectively campaign against the use of torture.

“The contributions made before and during the meetings will be reflected in Amnesty International periodic reports on the law and practice relating to the prohibition of torture in Nigeria. The aim is to also develop an advocacy strategy targeting the National Assembly.

“The meeting will include panel discussions covering a range of issues relating to the prohibition of torture and its practical application in the country, such as prevention of torture and related ill-treatment, accountability and reparation process as well as the identification and analysis of recurrent problems and best practices. We hope to have an outcome document agreed by the participants of the meeting which will serve as its communiqué and can be used in public advocacy and awareness raising activities across the country.”

The event witnessed a large turnout of participants, including Nwankwo. There were also members of the civil society organisations, journalists and lawyers.

During the discussion, it was discovered that members of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are also habitually being harassed and threatened by law enforcement agents.

A lawyer, Mr. Nathaniel Ngwu, said Nigeria had nothing that criminalised torture.

He said: “Whatever we can do to criminalise torture, will help to make a strong statement. The Anti-Torture Bill is not popular. So many people, including police and politicians would prefer armed robbers to be killed. No policeman had ever been jailed for torture. If you have ever seen, let me know. Policemen have been jailed for killing, but not torture. When Amnesty International was given access to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) cells, we saw people with gunshot wounds. Some of them summoned courage to tell us they were tortured and injured in SARS detention.”

A human rights activist, Mr. Justine Ijeoma, working in Rivers State, recounted an incident where a naval officer tortured a father of two to death because the deceased, a phone repairer, could not fix his girlfriend’s phone on time.

“After the torture, he could not walk. He was carried by his father in-law to the hospital. He died in the hospital, cursing the naval officer,” Ijeoma said.

It was agreed that criminalising torture will make law enforcement agents to begin to face the conse-

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Obtaining confession under duress

Participants at the workshop

Ibrahim Idris

quences of their actions.

“These law enforcement agents often get transferred after killing people through torture. They most times, get promoted, rather than being disciplined for their crimes against suspects,” Ijeoma added.

It was also argued that torture continues because whenever such incidents are reported, the police hierarchy would just sweep the matter under the carpet, while telling the complainant, “We shall look into the matter.”

Ijeoma said that while atrocities of SARS in Rivers State appeared to be declining, those of Anti-Cultism and Anti-Kidnapping Squads are snowballing.

According to him, extra-judicial

killings are on the increase in Rivers State.

The activist also said that there was a burial site for people killed extra-judicially in a military barracks. According to him, military personnel now carry out raids.

“We are in the era of fear. We need to rise up in this dispensation.

We are becoming too silent. We need to demand that the United Nations (UN) Special Repertoire on Torture visit Nigeria. If we continue to keep quiet, we shall be consumed,” Ijeoma said.

Another human rights activist, Justus Uche, working in Anambra State, said torture was an everyday occurrence in Nigeria.

“The headquarters of torture is SARS in Anambra State. Suspects are often leg-chained, hand-chained and hung suspended in mid-air.

Anytime a family member is being tortured, it means you are being tortured. If any Nigerian is violated, it means we have all been violated.

Torture is not a crime itself that is why we need the Anti-Torture Bill,” Uche said.

Another participant, Mr. Malachy Ugwumadu, spoke of another form of torture. He recounted the story of a lady, who enjoined the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) and was raped by her instructor who was HIV positive. She reported the matter to NAF hierarchy, but nothing was done about it. Rather, she was victimised until she resigned.

He said: “She pushed for justice, but was detained and chained.”

Ugwumadu argued that Nigeria would be a better nation, if some laws are looked into.

One of the recommendations the gathering came up with to ensure torture is criminalise is that a coalition should be formed to drive the process of ensuring the passage of Anti-Torture Bill.

It was agreed that Amnesty International should be the temporal secretariat of the coalition.

The secretariat, it was also decided, should obtain a copy of the Anti-Torture Bill currently with the Law Reform Commission and harmonise it with all the existing anti-torture bills already submitted to the Senate and House of Representatives.

Other recommendations are that the coalition should adopt the hash tag #SupportAnti-tortureBill for its twitter account.

Social media platforms should be created for advocacy and campaigns. Media tools, electronic, print, blogs etc., should be deployed for advocacy and campaigns.

Giving his concluding remark, Ugwu said: “The Anti-Torture Bill is a very important bill that is expected to reduce the occurrence of torture in Nigeria as well as hold perpetrators accountable. The large turnout of stakeholders as well as the enthusiasm from participants showed how committed participants were to the need to address the problem of torture in Nigeria.”

TUESDAY, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

23 Energy OPEC: Nigeria comes out empty handed

Business

Aviation Airlines in pain as regulation takes flight

25 29

What's news Why airlines fail,

by NCAA DG

p.24

Hilton, Nigerian firm to construct new hotels

L-R: Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, Mr. Bayo Ojulari; Shell’s Government Integration Manager, Mr. Abubakar Ahmed; and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, at the just concluded 22nd edition of the Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE Sept 2016 ..............................17.9% August 2016 ...........................17.6% July 2016...............................17.1%

p.24

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

EXCHANGE RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parallel Market as at October 14)

(Interbank as at October 14)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N460 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N550 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N495

l Foreign Reserves – $24.187bn as at 13/10/2016

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N305 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N371 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N335

Source: CBN

Recession threatens N6trn gas project’s delivery deadline LAUDABLE The project is expected to transport 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Warri to Europe

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Adeola Yusuf

T

he economic recession currently rocking Nigeria has put the N6 trillion Trans Sahara gas pipeline project’s delivery deadline in jeopardy, New Telegraph has learnt.

Aside from the international oil companies (IOCs) who are not allowed to invest in the pipeline project “if things go right,” the Federal Government’s pledge of $700 million is now hanging in the balance.

The length of the pipeline, according to checks by this newspaper, would be 4,128 kilometres (2,565 mi): 1,037 kilometres (644 mi) in Nigeria, 841 kilometres (523 mi) in Niger, and 2,310 kilometres (1,440 mi) in Algeria.

Government had earlier announced through former President Goodluck Jonathan that it would mobilise $700 million for the project.

This newspaper, however, gathered that the torrent of financial issues

facing the present government is already affecting the proposal.

This is not the first time the project has faced challenges. The 2015 date set for the delivery was last year shifted to 2018.

Royal Dutch Shell, France’s Total S.A., Italy’s Eni SpA and Indian company, GAIL, had expressed interest in participating in the project, a promoter of the project told this newspaper, maintaining that Russian gas company, Gazprom, which also expressed interest, has negotiated with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) about its possible participation in the project.

The pipeline was earlier expected to be operational by 2015 while the investment for the project was also pegged at around $10 billion and $3 billion for gas gathering centers.

“The recession facing the country is affecting the project. As we speak, the government is saddled with provision of gas for local power market and the proposal of $700 million by the former government is having little or no follow-up.

“Now, the estimated capital expenditure for the whole project is $20 billion while the date of commissioning has been moved to 2018,” the source said.

He added: “The Algerian energy minister, Youcef Yousfi, has confirmed that only partners that can bring something to the project, not

$7 billion Being the new capital expenditure for Trans Sahara gas pipeline project

just money, should be there.”

Energy ministers of Algeria and Nigeria have, according to him, said: “If things go well, there will be no need to bring international oil companies into the project” and “if the need for partnership in the project arises, not every partner will be welcome on board on the project.”

The pipeline is to be built and operated through partnership between the NNPC and Sonatrach.

The company also include the Republic of Niger. Initially, NNPC and Sonatrach would hold a total 90 per cent of shares, while Niger would hold 10 per cent.

The gas pipeline (also known as NIGAL pipeline and Trans-African gas pipeline) is a planned natural gas pipeline from Nigeria to Algeria. It is seen as an opportunity to diversify the European Union’s gas supplies.

The Federal Government has completed the concept design for the $20 billion trans- Sahara gas pipeline project, findings by this newspaper had earlier revealed. The project, when completed, will transport about 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Warri through Niger Republic to Algeria and to Spain and Europe.

The NNPC, which is the executor of the project, had earlier announced completion of the concept design for CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

24

TUESDAY, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |news

WEAKNESS Most of the airlines lack corporate governance

Wole Shadare

M

ajority of airlines in Nigeria fail because they lack good corporate governance and are ‘one man business venture’.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Muhtar Usman, disclosed this when the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation visited the agency.

Muhtar, however, stated that the situation was changing, as Nigeria is not experiencing frequency of airline collapse compared to the past, adding that the aviation regulatory body would stop any carrier that does not have the financial strength to operate safely.

His words, “It is true that we have had many airlines that have failed. Most of them lack corporate governance because individuals own them.

We do not have many airlines

Why airlines fail, by NCAA DG Airline mortality rate high in Nigeria, Africa disappearing like before. If we notice that they do not demonstrate to us that they have the financial muscle to operate, we will not allow them.”

The NCAA had formulated and implemented sufficient policies aimed at improving safety and efficiency of airlines but this can only be achieved if there is good corporate governance on the part of the airline operators.

In a related development, The President of Sabre Network West Africa and current President of Aviation Round Table (ART), a think-tank body in the industry, Gbenga Olowo, said the fortunes of air transport sector was declining with reduction in fleet and poor service of some domestic routes.

Olowo attributed Nigerian airlines’ problem to govern-

ment’s lack of policy focus and hostile operating environment, which include high charges indiscriminately leveled on the airlines.

He noted: “Airline user charges, for example, are as high as 15 per cent. User charges are revenue collected for other organisations factored into the fare (without commission), whereas airlines are not revenue collectors. Hence, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) described airlines as cash cows.

“High cost of fuel, high cost of funds, exorbitant airport rent, airspace movement charges require government’s attention. On the other hand, poor management decisions and corporate governance by the airlines owners have resulted into high mortality rate

in the industry.”

He recalled that in 2010, Nigerian airlines had 60 commercial operating aircraft, but by 2016, the fleet had reduced to 39, noting that with the declining fleet size, route expansion would be limited and robust schedule very difficult and down time for maintenance would impact negatively on schedule.

However, Olowo observed that airline mortality rate in Africa especially Nigeria was relatively high usually 1015 years but often less for so many reasons and attributed it to very difficult operating environment from government policy inconsistency and lack of direction or focus to absolute lack of support “from what the Bible describe as dull hearing.”

Recession threatens N6trn gas project’s delivery deadline

L-R: Marketing Director, Gionee Nigeria, Somoye Habeeb; Gionee face, Damilola Bolarinde and Group Chief Executive Officer, Chen Lee, during the launch of Gionee S6 with Selfie Flash in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

the pipeline and handed it over to the president through the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisionMadueke.

“Do not forget that the president is closely monitoring the project because he has led Nigeria to mobilise $700 million to support the completion of the pipeline project,” the source said, describing the concept design as an important milestone for the project.

“The gas pipeline when completed will be operated by the NNPC and Sonatrach of Algeria, both of which will hold 90 per cent shares of the equities of the project, while the National Oil Company of Niger Republic, SONIDEP, will hold 10 per cent equity,” the source added.

Meanwhile, the trio of NNPC, SONATRACH and SONIDEP has engaged a reputable consultant to carry out the revalidation of the 2006 feasibility study of the project.

This, the source said, was necessitated by recent developments in the environment and the study would be concluded by March.

“This study is part of our collective determination to ensure that robust gas supply sources and gas marked windows still exist for the project. Preliminary results indicate some uncertainty around the market opportunities in Europe and this is due mainly to possible intraEuropean gas pipeline projects from Russia that may compete with supplies from Africa,” the source said.

Besides, he noted: “The airlines are faced with so many operational issues without government attention. That is not all. There is no corporate governance in most of the airlines. One-man owner calls all the shots and takes a lot of unwholesome decisions. The airlines are relatively small, weak and vulnerable to competition.”

The ART President said Nigerian airlines could not cope with the charges, the harsh operational environment and still thrive unless the government takes actions to reposition the domestic carriers, which are critical to the economic development of the country.

This unfavourable situation, he noted, had put airlines in huge debts and they have become insolvent.

Hilton, Nigerian firm to construct new hotels INVESTORS’ HAVEN Transcorp Hilton Abuja wins award About 61 hotels are to be built in Nigeria in 2016 with a total number of 10,222 rooms

Dayo Ayeyemi

D

espite the ongoing economic recession and poor infrastructure, Nigeria has remained resilient, as Hilton Worldwide and Quality Inspection and Testing Services Limited (QUITS) have sealed a new deal to construct hotel, in the country.

Hilton Worldwide, according to a statement, announced the signing of a management agreement with the Nigerian firm, QUITS to open a 350-guestroom and suite hotel in Lagos, the nation’s commercial capital.

The pact, which was signed at the African Hotel Investment Forum in Rwanda, is set to open in 2023 and joins Hilton’s growing African portfolio of more than 80

properties in the development pipeline.

According to a statement, the new development will see Hilton doubling its presence across Africa in the next three to five years.

The new initiative is in line with a new report by W Hospitality Group, Hotel Chain Development Pipeline Survey, which has shown that new hotels in the development pipeline in Nigeria are up 20 per cent from last year’s figure. According to the report, about 61 hotels are to be built in Nigeria in 2016 with a total number of 10,222 rooms.

Other countries in Africa among the top 10 based on hotel rooms are Egypt (6,660), Morocco (5,681), Algeria (3,263), Tunisia (2,976), Kenya (2,956), Ethiopia (2,460), South Africa (2,058), and Senegal (1,943).

Justifying expansion into Nigerian economy, Senior Vice-President, Development, EMEA, Hilton Worldwide, Patrick Fitzgibbon, said that strong growth had been forecast

for both domestic and international travellers using Murtala Muhammed International Airport, boasting that the new hotel would be well placed to meet traveller’s needs, offering an unparalleled level of design, comfort and service.

He added: “With a population of more than 16 million, Lagos is the seventh-fastest growing city in the world and the second largest in Africa, with much of the nation’s wealth and economic activities concentrated here.

“The hotel in Nigerian capital Lagos, will be situated within close proximity to Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State, as well as the passenger terminals at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, which services travellers flying to hundreds of destinations around the world.

Chairman and CEO of QUITS, Mr. Sam Iwuajoku, stated that the signing of the agreement to open Hilton Lagos Airport was testament to a period of exciting growth and development for Lagos.

He said: “Our plans to build an

exceptional hotel at the international airport will revolutionise the traveller experience and also offer a state-of-the-art choice for conferences, meetings and events.

“We look forward to a very successful collaboration with Hilton Worldwide on this outstanding development.

“Hilton Lagos Airport will comprise 350 guestrooms, of which 72 are suites, an executive floor and multiple food and beverage outlets, including a restaurant serving international cuisine; a specialty restaurant; a fashionable rooftop cocktail bar; and a hip night club.”

Meanwhile, Transcorp Hilton Abuja has received the Signum Virtutis (Seal of Excellence) in the Hotels and Resorts Category of the 2016 Seven Stars Global Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards.

The Award Gala ceremony, according to a statement, took place at the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel in Marbella, Spain last Saturday.

TUESDAY, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Energy

25

OPEC headquarters.

Inset: Buhari

OPEC: Nigeria comes out empty handed Despite its exemption in the crude production freeze by Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Nigeria still misses opportunity for its economic recovery.

ADEOLA YUSUF reports

A

glimmer of hope for economic recovery rose for Nigeria immediately the news fluttered through the air that the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) had exempted Nigeria from production freeze it imposed on its members. Nigeria, Africa’s biggest exporter of crude, had, prior to this announcement, been struggling with economic recession, which tightened the noose on successful implementation of 2016 budget.

Immediately after announcement of OPEC’s production freeze, oil prices rebounded with Brent hitting four-month highs on a rally inspired by OPEC plans to also tighten output.

Senior proprietary trader at Danske Commodities in Aarhus, Denmark, Stig Rasmussen, was one of analysts that expressed belief that the production freeze meant better economy for OPEC member-nations, most of who have been battling with recession. “The OPEC deal looks more and more like hot air but oil’s still very technically driven.”

“For Brent, the next target is 52.86 dollars. I imagine at that point, shale oil companies will be hedging bigger volumes for 1-2 years ahead.”he said.

Unexpectedly, what Nigeria got from OPEC through exemption from oil quota freeze, it however, lost through its inability to meet 2.2 million barrels daily budgetary target.

Oil price surge Prices of crude, Nigeria’s biggest revenues earner, hit $53.55 per bar-

rel penultimate Monday, the highest price it traded in the last one year, raising recovery hope not only for the 2016 budget but also for acute dollars shortage rocking Nigeria.

Nigeria earns dollars mainlly through crude proceeds and foreign exchange from international oil companies (IOCs) who convert dollar to naira for their day-to-day operations in Nigeria.

Little or no benefit The price surge, buoyed by Russian’s decision to join the OPEC in implementing an output freeze, however, has minimal benefit on Nigeria’s economy due to about 500, 000 barrels per day shortfall in its production.

The country officially announced that it was in recession, blaming it partially on crude price rout that partly tightened free flow of accruable dollar revenues.

Oil production and exports from Nigeria, however, surged in September, pushing the cumulative output of the OPEC in the month to a record high with prices of the commodity also hitting a four-month high last Tuesday.

Nigeria and Libya added a combined 190,000 barrels a day to increase OPEC output by 170,000 barrels a day from the previous month to 33.75 million barrels a day.

This came as oil prices rebound late last Tuesday, after a drop at early trading with Brent hitting four-month highs on a rally inspired by OPEC plans to tighten output.

OPEC crude production rose to a record in September, according to a Bloomberg survey, driven by returning output from Libya and Nigeria, members who will likely be exempt from last week’s deal to cut supply.

“Overall production from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries increased by 170,000 barrels a day from the previous month to 33.75 million barrels a day, the survey of analysts, oil companies and ship-tracking data showed. Nigeria and Libya

Production from Nigeria and Libya is returning after internal unrest crippled the countries’ oil infrastructure

added a combined 190,000 barrels a day, which compensated for a drop in output from Saudi Arabia and Angola,” the news agency reported.

Production from Nigeria and Libya is returning after internal unrest crippled the countries’ oil infrastructure.

Together with Iran, they will likely be exempted from a preliminary deal agreed by OPEC in Algiers September 28 to cut production for the first time in eight years in an effort to revive prices. West Texas Intermediate crude capped the biggest monthly gain since April following the news.

Libya will reach 600,000 barrels a day by the end of this month, according to Ibrahim Al-Awami, head of Libya’s National Oil Corporation’s oil measurement department. The country with Africa’s largest crude reserves produced an average of 340,000 barrels a day in September, up from 260,000 in August.

OPEC’s verdict OPEC Secretary-General, Sanusi Barkindo, a former Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), spoke on the sidelines of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings in Washington earlier, noting that he was optimistic that the prices would go up after the congress in Istanbul.

Brent Crude, the international benchmark for oil, was trading at $53.55 in London on that day, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was going for $51.45 per barrel.

OPEC concluded at its 170th ordinary meeting in Algiers, that the oil cartel was going to peg output between 32.50 million barrels per day (bpd) to 33.0 million bpd.

The deal will see OPEC drop 600,000 barrels of its current market share of 33.6 million bpd.

The Russian angle Speaking at the World Energy Congress in Istanbul, Russian, President Vladimir Putin, signaled that his country, which is one of the top three producers of oil, may even agree to a produc-

tion cut to drive market stability.

“Russia is ready to join the joint measures to cap production and is calling for other oil exporters to join. We support the recent initiative of OPEC to fix oil production limits,” Putin said.

“We hope that at the OPEC meeting in November, the idea will be embodied in an official agreement, giving a positive signal to the markets and investors.

“The demand for traditional energy supported not only the motorisation and electrification of such huge countries and economies as China and India, but also by the continuing participation of oil and gas products in the most diverse areas of human life, in industrial processes,”he added.

Empty handed A shortage of foreign currency would have been unlikely in Africa’s biggest economy just a few years ago, when the oil price was high and annual economic growth was above 6 per cent.

But as the price of oil has dropped, so, too, have the fortunes of the continent’s largest producer of crude.

Economists are warning of a slowdown in economic growth.

The central bank has prevented the currency from devaluing, but only by spending precious reserves to prop up the naira’s worth, while ending their weekly sales of dollars to Mahmud’s traders.

Unanswered Niger Delta question While the country’s expectation of recovery is high, its unanswered Niger Delta question continues to haunt its expectation.

Niger Delta, the country’s oil rich region, has, over the years, been enveloped by militancy that often dips the country’s production and puts much pressure on its economy.

The last form of militancy championed by Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) crashed the country’s oil production to as low as 1.5 million barrels per day, over 700, 000 loss CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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TUESDAY, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Energy

Foundation to FG: Shift focus from oil to SMEs REMEDY FATE Foundation deploys 16 years experience to tackling recession in Nigeria

Adeola Yusuf

F

ATE Foundation has tasked the Federal Government to increase focus on Small and Medium Scale (SME) development in its efforts at taking Nigeria out of recession and cleaning up the oil mess.

The foundation, which said this at a press briefing to herald its Alumni Conference in Lagos, maintained that even though the oil and gas sector important, other sectors too could contribute faster and significantly to help take Nigeria out of recession.

Chairman, FATE Foundation Annual Alumni Conference, Ibrahim Salau, who addressed the press in company of Executive Director of the foundation, Adenike

Adeyemi, and two other alumni, Mrs. Roseline Onalaja and Mr. Segun McMedal, stated that the SME could be the foundation on which economic recovery for Nigeria can be placed.

“Oil and gas is important but the SME funding and development are keys to taking the country out of the recession we are in presently. In fact, all other countries that have, at one time or the other faced recession, have used focus on SME as catalyst not only to get

imperative for the government to focus funding and investments in the sector,” Adeyemi said.

“Given the challenges we face in the country at the moment,” she said, “there is no better time to have this conference themed: ‘The road to sustainable,’ where over 200 alumi and stakeholders will be engaged to channel the way forward for the nation.”

Topic for discussion, Salau said, includes “Harnessing Viable Opportunities within the Nigerian

and International Export Market; and Digital strategy: Effective Digital strategies to grow your market and improve your revenue base.”

He noted that with high population of able-bodied youths, vast natural resources, the foundation believes in its mission to foster wealth creation by promoting business and entrepreneurial development among Nigerians.

“We are the catalyst for entrepreneurship. We provide entrepreneurship education, enter-

prise and business support and research and policy advocacy.

“Our role is working directly with entrepreneurs and enablers (financial institutions) and over 5, 000 people graduated from our programme and at least 65 per cent of them are actively running and are waxing stronger in the area of business development,” he said, adding that the foundation “has trained over 28, 000 and interacted with over 60, 000 youths.”

Oil rig

OPEC: Nigeria comes out empty handed from 2.2 million barrels per day production benchmark in the 2016 budget.

Although officials of the Federal Government led by Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, have said that the government was in talk with the militants to end the crisis, the government has also launched a military operation code named: “Crocodile Smile” in the region.

In all these, the unanswered Niger Delta question continues to deny the country what it got on a platter of gold from OPEC. Expectedly, the NNPC has increased its engagement with stakeholders on pipeline security for the country to fully reap the fruit of OPEC’ s largesse.

The last time, the corporation applauded the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) for its strategic role in providing adequate security for over 8,000 kilometer pipelines and other assets in the oil and gas exploration region.

Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, gave this

out of recession but also for their economic recovery and development,” he said.

His view was corroborated by Executive Director of the foundation, Adenike Adeyemi, who stated that SME landscape shows that it contributes 48.7 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), far above the contribution of oil and gas sector.

“We also have a large market for SMEs in Nigeria based on our population and all these made it

commendation when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Air Vice Marshall Mohammed Sani Usman, in his office in Abuja.

The GMD promised the NNPC under his watch would remain committed to collaborating with security agencies to put in place lasting solutions to oil and gas assets infractions and to eliminate the revenue loss, production deferment and energy security threats to the country. These are his responsibilities.

In his response, Usman, gave assurance to the GMD of the agency’s support and urged the NNPC and the international oil companies (IOCs) to give the agency the list of some of the critical assets that require strategic surveillance for effectiveness.

Conclusion The gover nment should double efforts at ensuring lasting peace in the Niger Delta to fully reap the fruits of surging crude prices at the international market and the largesse of production stability given on a platter of gold to Nigeria by OPEC.

‘How kidnapped Romanian oil worker regained freedom’ Adeola Yusuf

T

he Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the Romanian engineer abducted in Nigeria’s oil producing Niger Delta region has been released.

Following the incident, representatives of the Romanian diplomatic mission were in close contact with the Nigerian federal au-

A

maya Capital, African-focused p r i n c i p a l investment fir m, has announced over $300million of equity commitments in Azura Power, its power generation platform.

The new investment, according to a statement, follows the acquisition by growth markets investor Actis of American Capital Energy & Infrastructure’s stake in Azura Power Holdings Limited (“Azura”). This transaction, and the consequent expansion of Azura’s capital base, now allows the business to scale up its pan-African power generation capac-

thorities, the employer and the family of the Romanian citizen.

The engineer, according to a statement, worked for Dextron Nigeria Ltd, an engineering, procurement, construction and management company, which works in the oil and gas sector.

In a warning to its citizens, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged its people in conflict/high risk se-

curity areas to contact the nearest Romanian diplomatic mission to register their presence in the region, so they can benefit from more efficient consular assistance and protection.

“Thanks…to the institutions participating in the MFA Crisis Unit and Nigerian authorities for their involvement and support in this case,” said a Romanian ministry representative in a statement

sent to Rigzone.

There have been a number of attacks on oil and gas facilities in Nigeria this year, with militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, blowing up two Chevron wells in June.

These attacks on Nigeria’s energy infrastructure sent shockwaves throughout the country as the disruption in supply posed a significant threat to the economy.

Azura power gets $300m investment ity to a target of over 3,000MW. The World Bank estimates that as many as 600 million of Africa’s one billion people lack access to electricity. The Azura platfor m seeks to ameliorate this acute shortage of power on the African continent with a primary focus on gas-to-power assets in addition to the development of renewable projects within Nigeria.

The Azura platform is anchored on the Azura-Edo IPP, a 1,500MW power station complex located in Edo

State, Nigeria, which is being developed in three phases with the first (459MW) phase currently under construction. Azura’s Nigerian investments also include a controlling stake in the 125MWp, gridscale, “Nova Solar” project which is currently under development in Katsina State.

Outside of Nigeria, the entry of Actis into the Azura platform has triggered significant deal flow in other sub-Saharan countries and the business expects to grow its portfolio rapidly over the coming twelve months.

The two partners

in the newly expanded Azura platform, according to a statement, have a wealth of complementary experience. Amaya is a tightly focused principal investment firm that has focused on the West African gas to power market.

It invests in a proactive manner using the capital, capabilities, and resources of its founders and associates. Actis, with $6 billion of assets under management, has also been active in the African market since the early 2000s but with a more geographically diverse footprint.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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27

HOMES&PROPERTY

plethora of informal settings crowded with people, absence of adequately planned settlements, unserviceable houses and lack of public utility facilities have been adduced among reasons most Nigerians are rated low in livability index.

These were the summary of conclusions made by settlement experts in Lagos during the celebration of this year’s World Habitat Day. Besides, they called on the governments to provide quality and affordable housing for the populace.

Global Livability Index According to the 2016 ranking by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Lagos has maintained its position at the lowest rungs of the Global Liveability index, ranking third worst city to live in the world.

Lagos placed 138th out of the 140 cities ranked in the latest survey, just above war-ravaged Tripoli and Damascus.

Three other African cities joined Lagos at the bottom rung of the liveable cities, with Douala, Cameroun; Harare, Zimbabwe and Algiers, Algeria, ranking 132nd, 133rd, and 134th respectively.

World Habitat Day is marked every first Monday of October.

Its purpose is to replicate on the state of towns and cities on the basic rights of all for adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world of the power and responsibility to shape the fortune of towns and cities.

The theme, “Housing At The Center,” was chosen to create awareness and highlight the importance of decent housing to individuals and society at large.

Experts’ views Speaking at an event organised by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the UN-Habitat Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Kabir Yari, pointed out that quantity of houses surrounding an environment would determine how attractive and liveable a city is.

He noted that in Nigeria, about half of the total population lived in urban centers of which 60 million people live in informal settlement often not adequately planned and with a deficient public utility facilities and services.

“These are the settlements, which manifest diabetes of slums as defined by the UN Habitat,” he said.

He defined a slum household as “a group of individuals living under the same roof in an urban area and lacking a durable housing of a parameter and protection against strict climate condition, sufficient living space, which means not more than three people sharing the same roof, easy access to safe water and sufficient amount and affordable price.”

All these parameters, he said, explained why most Nigerians are rated low in the liveability

Chief Anthony Enahoro Housing Estate, Ogba,Lagos

Why Nigerians are rated low in liveability index Stakeholders have taken stock of various challenges confronting affordable housing provision in the country with a general call on governments to up their games.

DAYO AYEYEMI reports index, giving the prevailing conditions in the informal settlements that abound in the nation’s urban centers.

Yari said that United Nations had recognised adequate housing as part of rights to an adequate standard of living in the international instrument including the 1948 Universal Declaration Human Rights and 1996 International Conference on Economic and Social Rights.

“It is essentially because housing is more than a roof over ones head but at the same time compulsory for social and economic status, human dignity and means of investment for an individual,” he said.

According to him, housing is only being adequate when it guarantees security of tenants, saddled with adequate public utilities and services affordable, habitable, accessible, carefully adequate and satisfying.

On adequate housing, Yari said that a research commissioned by UN Habitat in 2016 found out that with the exemption of informal housing for low and high incomes cities, all other housing types in the market were unaffordable.

“This is why international community took a major policy shift of reorganising formal charter profession as investment by the low income earners and as solution to their own problems and this is why the Millennium Development Goal is setting target,” he said.

In line with the mandate

Housing is only being adequate when it guarantees security of tenants

for promoting socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities and adequate housing for all, Yari disclosed that UN Habitats had been working with the government to establish guidelines tools and instruments, policies, and monitoring activities on the area of housing slum upgrading prevention.

He said: “This indeed will not only ensure a roof over our head as residence but to ensure settlements are more liveable, economically prosperous safe and habitable.”

A former Rector, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Waheed Kadiri, who was a guest lecturer, stated that bringing housing to the centre would entail improving housing finance arrangement and access especially to low-income earners.

Recommendations Besides, Kadiri said there was need for the government to encourage public private partnership initiative in housing, adding that more emphasis should be on rental sector by introducing rent to own option, improve administrative procedure surrounding land registration and titling, while reviewing Land Use Act. Besides, he called for access to loans for housing improvement, noting that the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria had started the option “but there is need to popularise it.”

Kadiri canvassed for

infrastructure provision to enhance housing production, adding that housing solution should be led by the need.

On social housing, he urged the government to improve the living standards of workers while unlocking benefits to economy in wealth creation and employment.

Prominent human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, urged the Lagos State Government to conduct a census in order to determine the actual number of people living in the state.

On security of city and citizens, Falana tasked the government through its state Ministry of Justice to work with experienced lawyers to perfect modalities for the takeoff of state police service in Lagos.

He also noted that right to life and security was guaranteed under the constitution, saying that security is a fundamental human right.

In order to reduce homelessness among Lagosians and threat by land grabbers, the lawyer urged the government to put in place apparatus to enforce both tenancy and anti-land grabbing laws in the state.

According to him, the problem should be tackled from when owners of such structure commence development.

Conclusion The government and urban managers must take cognisance of the urban poor and provide through deliberate policy, cheap and quality housing with all the necessary services.

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BUSINESS | HOMES & PROPERTY

UPGRADING Developer floats new technical structure for best standards

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Firm rolls out cheap mortgage for home seekers

Stories: Dayo Ayeyemi

I

n order to promote affordable housing and enhance homeownership among Nigerians, Lekki Gardens Estate Limited, developer of Lekki Gardens, has introduced mortgage of 9.9 per cent interest with a five-year tenor to prospective home seekers.

Besides, the company has unveiled a new technical structure to strengthen its operation in order to ensure timely delivery of quality and affordable housing to its customers.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos about the structure and newly introduced affordable mortgage in partnership with with Trustbond Mortgage Bank, the company’s Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Richard Nyong, disclosed that 17 people had already secured the facility to access their homes in one of company’s estates where 350 housing units had been completed, with plans to increase the units to 1,000 in six months.

While work has commenced in some of the sites, he stated that more construction activities would fully begin across all the project sites by the end of this month.

In its rebuilding process, Nyong revealed that the company had engaged top-

L-R: Chief Technical Officer, Lekki Gardens Estate Limited, Mr. Andrew Jibunoh; Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Richard Nyong; Chairman, Mr. Arobo Kalango; and Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Christy Amida at a media parley in Lagos.

notch consultants and contractors in different aspect of construction value chain as work recommences in all its project sites after carrying out due system and process overhauling.

Apart from this, he said that the company had embarked on a strategic overhauling of its businesses, processes and people to enable it deliver a better housing experience to its clients.

He said: “In the last six

months, we have taken time to review and strengthen our technical structure.

“Today, Lekki Gardens now boasts of a solid technical team with qualified and experienced professionals to deliver a world-class housing experience to our clients.”

According to Nyong, despite the temporary setback, the company has remained economically viable and liquid without any form of indebtedness to any bank.

He said that its account had been audited and certified satisfactory by Ernst and Young, a global auditing firm.

He seized the opportunity to introduce Mr Andrew Jibunoh as the Chief Technical Officer for the company among other appointments.

Also speaking, Jibunor said the company had put in place some policies including quality management, planning and coordination as well

as health, environment and safety, all in pursuant of global best practice.

In ensuring a technically sound building and construction, he said his team had carried out a condition survey for sites, building and structures to ensure the quality of work in terms of existing design information appraisal, visual appraisals and inspections as well as other appraisals like soil tests, pile loads and perimeter survey among others.

Developers strategise for efficient tax regime

R

eal Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) has called on members to brace for the current recession by preparing their records for effective tax purpose.

REDAN’s Vice President, South West zone, Mr. Taiwo Ogunbodede, made this call at a seminar organised by the body in Lagos.

The developers‘ instinct to rethink their tactics to remain in business is not unconnected with the lean resources at government’s disposal and its drive to shore up Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) through taxation.

Ogunbodede noted that current economic reality in the country called for serious re-think among developers to know the direction of their business.

He noted at the event themed, “Out-Selling in a Recessed Economy and Effective Tax Management in the Real Estate Industry,” at a time like this, is a sure area of focus of the government to shore up its IGR, which would be properly taxed.

He noted that developers’ companies would be

overwhelmed with all types of property taxes that were not in place before now.

To prepare developers for the challenge, he said that his members’ business management and accounting needs must be given some flares in their thought processes.

“Thus, we need to be grounded on how to prepare our records, not to evade tax but to reflect the current business and economic realities for an effective

tax purpose that is in sync with the prevailing operational dynamics of individual businesses,” he said.

According to him, this will ensure that members understand their businesses in a more realistic manner and also widen their knowledge base and capacity.

He enjoined the government to appreciate various contributions of REDAN to national

economy in the area of contribution to IGR of states, employment generation and affordable housing production.

According to him, REDAN is poised to collaborate with the g ove r n m e n t more than before to promote affordable housing.

He called on the government for timely processing of permits and approvals to enable his members build more

affordable houses for citizens.

“We also appeal to government to partner with us by making lands available to our members, aside giving concessions on land and home transfer transactions,” he said.

He disclosed that REDAN had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Shelter Afrique to avail members with construction finance to develop projects.

ATOPCON to govt: Embrace physical planning

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he Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON) has called on the governments at all levels to fully embrace town, urban and regional planning for orderly physical development of their communities, towns and cities.

ATOPCON President, Mr. Olaide Afolabi, made the call at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association in Lagos.

He stated that adoption of town, urban and regional planning remained a panacea to sustainable physical, socio-economic, healthy and functional growth of the living environment.

Afolabi noted that there had been an improved recognition of his group in some states, going by their activities.

High point of the occasion was the induction of 10 new town planning consulting firms into the fold of the association.

With the new inductees, the number of town planning consulting firms in the country grew from 120 to 135 in one year.

As one of his achievements in office, Afolabi stated that the association had ratified the commencement of the Community Livability Award Project as a joint programme between his group

and state governments in order to promote development of an enabling environment.

“I am happy to inform you that the maiden edition of community ranking project was held in Lagos two days ago during this year’s World Habitat Day,” he said.

He disclosed that inauguration of Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Osun, Cross River and Enugu branches of the association was in the pipeline.

Present at the occasion were past presidents of the association, past president of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Town Planning Registration Council of Nigeria and fellows of the profession.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AVIATION

29

Airlines in pain as regulation takes flight Virtually all Nigerian airlines are in bad financial state. A weak airline that owes workers, engineers and pilots is preparing the ground for disaster.

WOLE SHADARE reports

Unstable business espite the increasing number of Nigerians who used to take to air travel for business and pleasure, the airline industry in Nigeria has historically been and remains one of the most financially unstable businesses.

Although air carriers in Nigeria are owned by private entities, the economic success of the airline industry has always been of significant interest to the government.

The Federal Government has always deemed certain sectors so fundamental to the existence of a sound national economy that the government once intervened to keep the carriers afloat and save them from extinction.

D

Airlines owe workers The economic recession the nation is passing through has compounded the fortune of airlines. Virtually all of them are financially constrained with their inability to pay their workers regularly.

Some of them owe workers upward of five months salaries and allowances with the regulatory body, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), looking the other way.

The slow reaction of the NCAA to economic regulation is an invitation to disaster.

The former Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren’s a d m i n i s t r at i o n l a r g e ly succeeded with strict regulation of airlines because he had with him like-minded stakeholders he surrounded himself with. He galvanised the industry, using professionals and technical competences drawn from within and largely from outside NCAA to ‘sanction’’ erring airlines. But that seems to have taken flight.

Even before recession, the industry was facing bad times, with few airlines anticipating profitable performances. Some have argued that recession has contributed to the industry’s problems, and problems for passengers.

Before deregulation of the airline industry began in the 1980s, the Civil Aeronautics Board controlled both the routes airlines flew and the ticket prices they charged, with the goal of serving public interest.

With deregulation, any domestically owned airline

Aero Contractors workers protesting the shut down of Aero Contractors airlines

that was deemed “fit, willing, and able” by the Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA) could fly on any domestic route. The primary regulatory role of the agency changed from approving whether an airline was operating in the public interest to deciding whether an airline was operating in accordance with safety standards and other operating procedures.

While route schedules and pricing for the airline industry have been largely deregulated for over 20 years, many other aspects of the industry are still highly regulated.

Extinction Over the last 20 years, many of the nation’s airlines have shut down. The list includes Air Nigeria, Bellview, Sosoliso, Oriental, Savannah, ADC, Triax, Nicon, Chanchangi, Discovery, IRS and Aero.

Others are EAS, Okada, Capital Airline, Harka, Harco, Slok, Dasab, Space World, Fresh Air, Air Mid-West among others.

Because of the huge amount of exit, some observers argue that the airline industry is inherently unstable and requires governments intervention. It is true that profits in the airline industry can fluctuate wildly, precipitating exit. Most Nigerian carriers do not report profit or losses. They do not open their books to scrutiny because of the structures they have put in place that do not engender transparency.

The reason for these fluctuations is that an airline’s costs are largely driven by labour and fuel, which are fixed in the short run. Hence, moderate fluctuations in demand, such as those caused by the events in recession that can hugely affect profits. The robust earnings of most airlines in the 1990s and

2000s can be traced both to the booming economy that spurred demand, particularly for highfare business travellers, and low fuel prices.

The airlines are in serious dilemma, prompting many to plead with the government to rescue them with another bail out

Marginal profit While profits are volatile, many industries with volatile profits— ranging from oil exploration to computer software—operate without substantial government regulation. Moreover, free markets generally work well for industries with large fluctuations, because the fluctuations provide incentives for firms to innovate in response to changes in demand and costs.

In spite of the recent downturn in demand for airlines, many airlines are yet to eliminate their routes. While it remains an open question as to why Nigerian airlines are not successful, free markets provide incentives for innovations to spread, thereby increasing efficiency.

The airlines are in serious dilemma, prompting many to plead with the government to rescue them with another bail out that has been grossly rejected by experts.

The carriers, which were said to have got over N200billion in 2008, disclosed that the money did not go to them but to banks to service their debts.

Airlines plead for help Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Capt. Nogie Meggison, recently said the industry had sunk into its worst form of financial woes and that only the government could rally round the rest of the stakeholders in the aviation sector to provide the life-line to keep the airline industry alive.

“We therefore call on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, come up with a strategy to bring all parties to the negotiating table to seek, for the first time,

direct intervention funding for airlines in the interest of saving the aviation system from collapse, considering that without airlines, there is no aviation,” said Meggison.

“It must also be put on record that Nigerian airlines create about 90 per cent of the full time employment in our aviation sector today, both locally and internationally, and we remain a pivot to the Nigerian economy and one of the main catalysts to economic recovery and national progress through the critical services we provide daily,” the AON boss added.

Meggison said in the last 30 years the domestic airline industry had never received any form of financial assistance from the Federal Government, pointing out that contrary to widely held opinion, no airline benefited from the Aviation Intervention Fund of 2011.

“I have to state unequivocaly that domestic airlines in the country did not and have not received any form of funding from the Federal Government in the past 30 years since the deregulation in 1983, contrary to widely held beliefs, opinions and publications in recent past that they were given an intervention fund by the Federal Government,” said Meggison.

Conclusion The airline industry today operates in an environment of uncertainty where recession and lack of good management planning have done incalculable damage to the operators.

Passenger traffic has drastically reduced, government’s perceived hostile attitude coupled with the regulatory body’s alleged inefficiency have exposed the underbelly of a sector in turmoil.

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BUSINESS | AVIATION

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

NAMA saves N1.5bn on radar maintenance

SELF SERVICE Well-equipped facilities will further reduce workload on controllers

Wole Shadare

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or deciding to service its multi-billion naira Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) equipment by its indigenous engineers, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) said it had saved over N1.5billion.

This is coming as the agency advocated funds for the upgrade of its radar facilities to meet the global standard.

Acting Managing Director of NAMA, Engr Emmanuel Anasi, disclosed these while briefing members of the House Committee on Aviation led by Hon Nkeiruka Onyejiocha.

NAMA was said to have been paying N1.7billion for the maintenance of the facility by its manufacturers, Thales of France, whose services have been discontinued after the expiry of its contract.

Anasi said the installers of the facility left two year ago having trained their Nigerian counterparts on radar maintenance.

He applauded the engineers but disclosed that the agency needed more funds to enable it upgrade the TRACON system to meet the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and systems migrate to new technology aimed at harmonising its activities.

According to Anasi, nothing was wrong with the TRACON but some

Air traffic control tower

of the systems were not included when the radar was installed because of the technology available at the time of conceptualisation and installation.

He said: “We are doing well, I am not saying that we have gotten there but we keep on improving.

Radar is working, the contract for its maintenance by its manufacturers expired two years ago but our engineers have kept it working but we need assistance because some of the systems need upgrade.

“We say upgrade and not an extension of the maintenance contract. Upgrade because we have to deploy International Civil

Bi-Courtney rewards honest cleaner

T

he management of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), has honoured an honest cleaner with Spakleen Professional, the concessionaire in charge of MMA2 upkeep.

The gesture, according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BASL, Captain Jari Olubunmi Williams, was designed to promote the culture of truthfulness and uprightness in the work place.

The cleaner, Mr. Oluwole Abayomi, while at his duty post on Saturday, July 30, this year, saw a passenger’s bag containing cash, two cheque books, one international passport, two iPhone 5 handsets, and a Toyota car particulars, among other items, and handed the bag over to security officials at the terminal. The items were later transferred to the owner, who was full of praises for Oluwole’s honest conduct.

While eulogising Oluwole, the CEO said:

“What the young man has done, without being prompted, is a reflection of what Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) instills in its staff and service providers that honesty, service delivery and good customers relation pay off.”

He noted that the vision of the terminal operator was to keep to best practices, doing things the right way, and provide top notch services from time to time to satisfy passengers’ needs and expectations. He advised Oluwole to continue the good work, noting that honesty with hard work has a reward.

The Head, HR of BASL, Mrs. Ike Oluwapo, said that the gesture was to promote the values that Oluwole’s action symbolised and to encourage others to emulate him.

While Oluwole was also promoted to the position of supervisor by his organisation, the management of BASL presented to him a Certificate of Commendation, a table fridge and cash token.

Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard technology so our system will be compatible with other systems.

“As the radar stands it cannot work with the AIS, we need to upgrade the radar to work with the AIS and other third-party technology, it needs to meet the current technology.”

He noted that well equipped facilities would further reduce workload on Air Traffic Controllers.

The NAMA boss said the country’s airspace remained very safe and the agency was working towards improving the system.

He announced that a team of NAMA engineers was presently

in Maiduguri working on the voice communication to enhance communication between the pilot and controllers.

House Committee on Aviation Chairman, while responding to NAMA’s needs asked the acting managing director why they were advocating for the said funds if they have been saving money from their appropriation and said they should have used the funds to start their upgrade.

However, Anasi explained to her that the funds were not in the agencies purse, as they would still need the Federal Government to approve for them.

Air Europa, Turkish Airlines sign codeshare pact

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ir Europa and Turkish Airlines have jointly announced the start of a code-sharing partnership effective October 1, 2016.

It enables both carriers to tap into new markets and offer their passengers more travel options.

At the initial stage of their cooperation, Air Europa will place its marketing code on Istanbul-Madrid v.v. route operated by Turkish Airlines while Turkish Airlines will place its marketing code on Madrid – Las Palmas/Ibiza/ Palma de Mallorca v.v. and Madrid – Havana/Santo Domingo/Lima v.v. flights operated by Air Europa.

According to a statement made available to New Telegraph, such an expansion of the codeshare agreement will allow passengers to benefit from better connectivity and increased travel flexibility between Spain and Turkey and beyond the carriers’ respective networks.

Air Europa´s CEO, Maria José Hidalgo, praised the agreement reached as “it allows both companies to continue its growth and expansion and gives

us the opportunity to offer our passengers a wide and varied range of connections with all the advantages and comfort of a codeshare agreement.”

“We are extremely pleased to sign this codeshare agreement with Air Europa providing access to six offline destinations in our network flights and aim to improve our partnership in line with our growth plans in Latin America as Turkish Airlines.

“Moreover, we believe that this partnership with Air Europa will not only maximise the travel opportunities offered to our passengers through the networks of both airlines but also bring enor mous benefit from a commercial perspective.” said Dr. Temel Kotil, Deputy Chairman and CEO of Turkish Airlines.

Turkish Airlines connects 242 international destinations and Istanbul, as the only city in the world having settled on two continents, serves as the main hub of the global carrier.

It offers transcontinental advantages of its location in Eurasia and makes connecting flights to destinations all around the globe easier than

31

TUESDAY, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

WAEC,NECO fees Anguish, as govt stops WAEC, NECO registration fees

Education

Food security Minister on role of science in achieving food security

33 35

NYSC MOBILISATION There is disquiet among stakeholders following alleged plan by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to slash by 67 per cent eligible graduates to be mobilised for the 2016 Batch B orientation programme

Mojeed Alabi

T

he National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is in a critical challenging time, if its new proposed policy on the mobilisation of graduates for the scheme is anything to go by.

When the scheme was introduced in 1973, it was in a bid to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the Nigerian Civil war.

And to achieve the target, the Federal Government promulgated the NYSC Decree No.24 of May 22, 1973, which had since been repealed and replaced by Decree 51 of June 16, 1993, “with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the Nigerian youths and the promotion of national unity.”

According to the government, the need to look beyond the immediate present and to think of the future leadership of the country had also necessitated the mobilisation of certain categories of youths, especially graduates of higher institutions, for reorientation and sound grooming in preparing them to take up leadership positions in future.

However, the purpose of the scheme, which is also primarily to inculcate in Nigerian youths the spirit of selfless service to the community, and to emphasize the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of all Nigerians, irrespective of cultural or social background, appeared to have been confined into history going by the new development.

Under the new policy, NYSC is planning to reduce the number of graduates to be mobilized for the 2016 Batch ‘B’ orientation course by 67 per cent, leaving only 33 per cent to participate.

But, following the rumoured re-

kayode olanrewaju Editor, education

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Cross section of Batch ‘A’ NYSC corps members during the passing out parade in Lagos.

Fury over NYSC quota reduction •It is 100% mobilisation or nothing –NANS •NYSC: No pronouncement yet •National Assembly intervenes

port, thousands of students, who are likely to be affected by the decision, and other stakeholders including the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and management of various institutions, have continued to stage a massive campaign against it.

This is even as the House of Representatives has ordered its Committee on Youth Development to investigate the matter and report back to the House within one week.

News had filtered in, penultimate week, that in preparation for the Batch B orientation programme, which is supposed to begin on November 24, the National Youth Service Corps had reportedly told individual higher institutions about the decision to reduce, by 67 per cent, the total number of graduates expected to be mobilised for the programme.

The NYSC, therefore, allegedly advised the various institutions to fashion out the best methods for selection of their products for the scheme that will ensure equity and justice.

For instance, NYSC’s alleged memo to the Registrar of the Bowen University, Iwo in Osun State, K. A. Ogunleye, says: “The institution is requested to mobil-

We were shocked by the news and it is unfortunate

ise only three hundred and sixtyseven (367) graduates out of the nine hundred and fifty six (956) graduates eligible for the exercise in 2016.”

According to Ogunleye, the remaining graduates will be given priority in the next mobilisation exercise scheduled for early 2017, while also requesting parents and guardians, as well as graduates to note that management would consider appropriate criteria to be used for the mobilisation of the allocated number of graduates.

In a similar development, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, which is entitled to a slot of about 4,000 graduates, has been reportedly requested by NYSC to submit the list of only 1,400 candidates.

Meanwhile, there are indications that institutions are currently troubled on which method to adopt in the selection of the candidates that will ensure fairness, equity and justice as advised by the Corps.

At the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Anambra State, sources disclosed that heads of departments were summoned to participate in a ballot on behalf of prospective corps members as the quota of the university has

been reduced from 2,314 to 894.

Impeccable sources told New Telegraph that the reason advanced by the NYSC for the new decision was paucity of funds, which is allegedly occasioned by the slashing of its 2016 budget by the National Assembly.

The National Assembly’s action was said to be in response to the biting economic recession currently facing the country.

But, in its reaction to the development, the House of Representatives has questioned the rationale behind the NYSC’s decision, and has, therefore, directed its appropriate committee to investigate the matter and report back to the House.

The resolution had followed a motion under Matters of Urgent Public Importance moved by Hon. Raphael Igbokwe and Babatunde Kolawole, which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.

Moving the motion, Igbokwe expressed concern that NYSC had released circular compelling tertiary institutions to reduce their quota by almost 70 per cent.

He noted that the 2016 budget made provision for call-up of corps members with a shortfall of more than 50,000 students.

“The NYSC had introduced three batches of NYSC to reduce the backlog of students due for the National Youth Service scheme,” he said, adding that the NYSC further reduced the number of batches to two.

Igbokwe added that the reduction in the quota would cause untold hardship on graduates, if no action was taken by concerned authorities.

Similarly, the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports Development has also reportedly intervened in the matter, while series of meetings had been held in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

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education

TUESDAY, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Minister advocates for technology at UNN’s Founders’ Day Kayode Olanrewaju

W

hen the foundation stone of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the nation’s first indigenous university, was laid by Princess Alexandra of Kent, United Kingdom on October 7, 1960, little did he realize they were laying the foundation for academic and research excellence.

To mark this year’s 56th Founder’s Day of the university, the management, staff, alumni and students, as well as other well-wishers rolled out the drums to celebrate the towering achievements of the institution.

The gathering, according to the university, provided the platform not only to celebrate, but to pontificate and reminisce on the vision and aspirations of the founding fathers of the institution, led by the former President, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Beyond reliving the old memories of the formative years of the university, this year’s anniversary offered an avenue for principal officers of the university to acquaint the alumni with the developmental stride and challenges of their alma mater.

This year’s Founders’ Day had a touch of innovation in terms of the various events lined up to celebrate the week-long activities.

Part of events commemorat-

ing the anniversary include the Foundation Lecture delivered by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, whose treatise was on: “Science, Technology and Innovation: The Way Forward.”

As part of the activities, the Alumni Day and Dignity of Man Lecture, was delivered by the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi.

The minister, who in his lecture lamented that the neglect of science, technology and innovation by the Federal Government since independence, had inflicted unprecedented harm on the national development and left the country trailing behind the less endowed sub-Saharan countries especially in the area of innovation.

Onu, however, expressed the determination of the Federal Government to build a knowledge-based economy that would absorb the impact of economic recession in the country.

This was as the minister assured Nigerians that the hardship inflicted on them by the current economic recession would soon become a thing of the past.

In his lecture, he traced the current hardship to an economy based on export of unprocessed commodities with little input from science and technology.

The minister, who bemoaned the neglect of science, technology and innovation and the unprecedented pains on the coun-

try’s development, noted that some countries that exported majorly unprocessed commodities such as Nigeria had since redirected their economies from resource-based to knowledgebased economies controlled by research and innovation.

Citing the 2016 Global Innovation index, the minister noted that the neglect of science and technology had pushed Nigeria behind other less endowed sub-Saharan countries such as Mauritius, South-Africa, Malawi, Kenya, Rwanda, Botswana, and Namibia in the area of innovation.

“It is important that we appreciate that we risk being left farther behind. This is sad, if the trend should continue without being reversed,” Onu said.

The minister, however, said that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was determined to reverse the trend by breaking the mono-product base of the nation’s economy by exploring the potentials of other sectors with bias to science and technology.

Part of the efforts of the government, according to him,

include increasing funding for research and innovation; encouragement of commercialisation of research findings by interfacing linkages between research institutes and public sectors; protection of intellectual property; establishment of science and technology parks across the country and protection of local industries.

“We have, for the sake of the development of the country begun to consume and patronize locally produced goods. The taste for foreign goods that we developed over the years, could no longer be sustained,” the minister added said.

Onu said his ministry was determined to use science and technology to support the nation’s quest for food security through the production of high yielding and disease resistant seedlings with improve preservation and processing technique.

He said: “We must use science and technology to create wealth for the people, reduce poverty and work towards eliminating abject poverty confronting the people, as well as build an inclusive, competitive and sustainable

Dr. Onu (left), receiving a gift from Prof.

Ozumba after the lecture, held at Princess Alexandra Auditorium of the institution.

CABS seeks accreditation of academic programme Hassan Jirgi DAMATURU

A

call has gone to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to accredit four academic programmes or courses at the College of Administrative and Business Studies (CABS) in Potiskum, Yobe State.

The call by the Rector of the college, Mallam Musa Auta, was coming on the heels of several attacks on the institution by the Boko Haram insurgents.

The tertiary institution was said to have been attacked four times by the Boko Haram insurgents during which one of the students was allegedly killed of gunshot wounds while several others sustained various degrees of injury in the last attack.

The Rector, who disclosed this when he received a team from the NBTE that visited the college, appealed to the team to look at the status of the college as one of the oldest institutions in the northern region and the dire need for the accreditation of its programmes.

The Rector listed the courses in which the college is seeking accreditation to include National Diploma (ND) Banking and Finance; Higher National Diploma (HND) Office Technology; ND Library and Information Science and HND Social Development respectively.

“Currently, the college has over 182 lecturers with requisite

academic manpower to handle the courses,” Auta said, adding that the college was established in 1956 as one of the staff training schools for the production of typists and clerical assistants for the public service of the then Northern part of the country.

However, within four years of its establishment, the school’s name was changed to Clerical Training Centre, and in 1970 it was changed and known as STC, with the introduction of additional courses for the senior personnel level.

The Rector appealed to the state government to complete the Lecture Theatre, which was said to have been abandoned some years ago, as well as provision of more classrooms and hostel accommodation for the students.

According to him, the contract for the expansion of the college library has been awarded as construction work had already begun.

The Rector further acknowledged the contribution of Yobe State Government in the transformation of the college despite the economic recession facing the country and the state in particular.

While responding, the NBTE Accreditation Team Leader, Malam Aliyu Lemu, expressed satisfaction with the state of facilities at the college and pledged to discharge their duties without fear or favour towards accreditation of the college’s programmes.

diversified economy.”

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, thanked the Minister for the stimulating lecture, describing as timely and apt as it climaxed the activities lined up for the celebration, which kicked off with exhibition by faculties, departments, centres and the alumni association.

Ozumba lauded the vision of the founding fathers of the university, led by the late Dr. Azikiwe, saying that UNN under his watch would continue to keep faith with the dream and aspirations of its founders through the promotion of academics excellence, as well as sustainable administrative and infrastructure development.

Ozumba, specifically outlined some of his administration’s achievements in the past two years to include improved global ranking of the university

by Webometrics World Ranking of Universities, which placed the UNN as the first university in the country; facilitating strategic collaborations to expose staff and students to international best practices.

UK College readjusts payment plan for Nigerian students

Borland

Mojeed Alabi

F

ollowing the dwindling economic fortunes in the country and towards making life easier for Nigerian students in its school, the DLD College, London, United Kingdom, has introduced flexible fees payment plan for the students and other prospective students.

The school, which is a member of the Abbey DLD Group of Colleges with branches in Birmingham, Cambridge, London and Manchester City, according to its Principal, Mrs. Rachel Borland, has greater percentage of Nigerian students and associates, and as a result decided to encourage the students’

crave for quality education.

Borland, who was a former Principal of Lekki British School, Lagos, and the Capital Science Academy, Kuje in Abuja, explained that her experience while in the country had endeared her to Nigerian students due to similarities in the school curriculum and the culture of UK and Nigeria.

She said: “I think I have done full circle managing schools in Nigeria before returning to the United Kingdom. And, I still believe I will return to this country soon. This has enabled me to share affinity with Nigerian kids in our schools and we feel at this time of economic downturn there is need to review our payment plan to ease the financial pressure on parents.

“Unlike before, when you could only pay just about twice, we have granted parents the opportunity to make monthly payments after the initial registration fees and first installment.

This will enable parents to meet up with the challenge of funding and also give respite to the children so that they can face their studies.”

The Principal, who advised parents not to be discouraged by the current state of the economy,

said the best way out of the recession is massive investment in education.

She added that in view of the development, many parents are afraid of sending their children abroad, particularly due to the proliferation of substandard schools.

Borland, therefore, enjoined them to seek proper guidance before enrolling their students abroad, saying: “No matter what, education remains the best solution to this economic crisis and we must prioritise very well as parents, government and corporate organisations must realise that massive investment in education is the way out.”

“But at the same time, there are schools and there are schools abroad, parents must be adequately guided to identify good schools such as the DLD College,” she added.

She said due to the importance of Nigeria’s students to the school, the management has encouraged exchange programmes between teachers in the country and those in the UK schools with exchange of skills in the areas of curriculum development and teaching methodology, among others.

education

TUESDAY, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Anguish as govt stops WAEC, NECO registration fees •Parents: Govt’s action irrational •Govt: Funds to be used to develop facilities

ANGER

Parents and students are not happy with Niger State government over its decision to stop the payment of registration fees for students’ WAEC and NECO Senior School Certificate Examination, following a debt of N800 million owe the examination bodies.

Dan Atori Minna

T

hese are not the best of times for parents of students in public secondary schools in Niger State, as they have to pay more for the education of their children.

No thanks to the decision of the state government, led

by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to withdraw its assistance and cancelled the N800 million it paid yearly for the registration fees of candidates for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO).

Following the dwindling financial resources of the state and its inability to meet such obligation to the students, the Niger State Government had last week declared that the government could no longer continue with the payment of about N800 million as examination fees every year for the students.

It said the money would rather be channeled to rehabilitate decayed infrastructure and address the acute shortage of facilities of schools across the state.

But, the development did not go down with other key stakeholders in the state’s education sector, especially the students and their parents, who have continued to criticize and condemn the decision of the government on the matter.

Meanwhile, when the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) released the May/June and June/July 2016 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results respectively, the results of candidates in the state public schools were withheld due to the failure of the state government to pay the candidates’ registration fees for the examinations.

Students in one of the state’s schools

The seizure of the candidates’ results following the state government’s inability to pay the fees and the denial of the candidates access to their results generated hues across the state as parents and students decried what they described as nonchalant attitude of government towards education.

The governor had in the 2016 Appropriation Bill explained that education was top most priority of his administration, and in view of this the sector received the lion’s share of the 2016 budget with N20.652 billion out of the over N30 billion capital allocation to other social sectors.

This position was again reiterated few months ago, when the governor, while flagging off a programme, tagged: “Transforming of Education Sector in Niger State (TENS)” that education sector is key to the socio-economic development of the state and by extension its people.

In view of this, Bello hinted that his administration would not waver in its determination to continue to harness all the resources at its disposal to fast track the processes that will guarantee improved and quality education, as well as enhance the life of the people.

But, going by the government’s new posture, the question is whether the state would be able to meet the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisational (UNESCO) benchmark for funding of the education system.

“How will the government explain the fact that stoppage of the payment of WAEC and NECO registration fees would not hinder the restructuring of the education sector,” some parents queried.

However, parents in the past months have continued to appeal to the state government to act swiftly in the payment of the examination fees so that their children’s results, which

Bello

were seized by the examination bodies, would be released.

This year’s May/June SSCE was released by WAEC two months ago, while that of NECO was released last month.

The candidates’ predicament came to the fore, when students, who had been trying to access their results online, could not access their portal, while their counterparts from other states have been having no problems accessing their results through the same means.

The students’ agony stemmed from the fact that the deadline set by the various institutions to upload their results for admission process into tertiary institutions in the country, but which because of government’s failure to pay the examination bodies, they have to forfeit their admission as admission process for fresh intakes had ended.

The candidates, who stormed cyber cafes, complained bitterly of their inability to access their results, which according to them, has denied them admission this year.

As a matter of concern, the examination bodies have insisted that they would not release the results until all the payments are made by the government.

It was reliably gathered that the state government owes

WAEC about N438 million for the May/June 2016 and NECO N238 million, with the understanding that the balance would be paid in instalment spread over the next three months.

In a swift reaction, however, parents and critics in the state have appealed to the governor to reverse his decision not to pay for Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination registration fees for final year students, saying that it would affect the education standard and future of their wards.

The governor queried the essence of investing such huge amount of resources on students, who advertently would perform below average and thereby placing the state on 27th position out of the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory in the ranking of states’ performance in such examinations.

Bello said: “We must review the issue of the payment of NECO and WAEC fees because at the moment, the state is owing NECO and WAEC about N800 million. It is appalling that the government is spending that huge amount of money on students who could not obtain credit in four subjects in the examinations, as only about five per cent of students obtained credit in four subjects and above.

“Basically, it is like we are throwing away money. We will rather stop and invest the money on the facilities so that with time we will get good results.”

Given the prevailing socioeconomic status of many parents and coupled with the present economic recession, parents are now confused about how to remedy the situation as to ensure the timely release of the SSCE results of their wards and children so as to process their admission into higher institutions.

In fact, the governor while inspecting the on-going renovation project at the Justice Idris Legbo Government Science Secondary School, Kutigi, however, assured the people that the state government was making frantic efforts to pay part of the debt for the results to be released as soon as possible.

According to him, the Commissioner for Finance had met with NECO and WAEC officials and that there is an understanding that the debt issue would be addressed soon.

“But the payment of examination fees would henceforth be based on criteria where only outstanding and best performing students would be selected as beneficiaries,” the governor noted.

Miffed by the development, one of the candidates, who identified herself simply as Mariam Allawa, lamented: “I could still not access my results and each time I used the scratch card it usually says ‘results not found’. As I speak to you now, I had good score in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) but the way things are going with the non-release of our results, I cannot like many others secure admission until we could get our results and that may be next academic session as many higher institutions had already closed their admission portal.”

Also expressing his anxiety, Umar Iliya told New Telegraph “the government is not helping us, as we are being denied access to higher institutions as the government and NECO have denied me the opportunity to be admitted into higher institution this year.”

Investigations by New Telegraph have indicated that with the decision of the state government to halt further payment of NECO and WAEC registration fees, many parents CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

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education | public discourse

TUESDAY, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

senate’s three years validity for UTME results

Uwasomba: Decision is ridiculous Dr. Chijioke Uwasomba is the former Welfare Officer of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, OAU chapter

Uwasomba

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he new decision of the National Assembly suggesting the extension of the validity period of the candidates’ results in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination is one of those ridiculous decisions by the parliamentarians.

It is ridiculous because it solves no problem. It will only further complicate the admission crisis we already face in the system.

In an ideal system, the responsibility of the individual universities is to screen and admit its candidates based on their goals and objectives, but as it is, that role is being usurped by JAMB. And that is why some of us believe that there are other roles JAMB plays beyond the academic. UTME is quite different from SSCE results and should not be compared. One is for the purpose of admission and the other can be used to secure job opportunity. So, the one for admission can only be an annual thing.

What JAMB is expected to do is simply

to serve as regulator in the admission of candidates by the institutions, but rather than doing that what we have seen is the scrapping of post-UTME being conducted by the institutions. That can only worsen the situation.

What the government ought to have done is to have regulated the fees being charged by the higher institutions for the conduct of the post-UTME and stop them from turning the process to a moneymaking venture. But, by deferring to the use of the SSCE results for admission purpose, then the system will be further complicated.

Nasir: It’s a mixed bag Dr. ‘Sola Nasir is the Convener for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)

T

here is no problem with the decision of the Senate on this matter. In fact, some of us believe the validity period could be elongated beyond the three years suggested by the Senate. The advantage is that candidates with good results who failed to secure admission in the year may not worry about payment for another examination next year and that is a relief for both the candidates and the parents. You can use the period to learn one skill or the other, while you con-

tinue to pursue your admission.

We must understand the fact that the challenge of raising fees for the examination at times could be frustrating and apart from that, many candidates are usually depressed whenever they have good results but could not secure admission.

However, in this case, it means rather than go into another examination with a depressed state of mind, which could worsen your performance; you could simply wait for another

Nasir

year to present your result for admission again.

Thus, the negative side of the development is the few available spaces on our campuses for admission and by piling up candidates’ results, you limit the chance of other candidates, who will be sitting for the examination afresh.

Sodunke: Decision unwise Oludotun Sodunke is the National President of the Association of Tutorial School Operators

I

t is unfortunate that those who represent us in government know little or nothing about our problems and they are too full of ego that they cannot seek experts’ advice on very important issues.

Have they forgotten that the future of this country lies in the education of the people?

How could you just wake up overnight and say the extension of the validity period of the UTME result will curb admission challenge in the country. It can never and that is the simple truth.

We must let them know that the cancella-

tion of the post-UTME is already creating problems in the society and you can watch out what will happen during the next May/June SSCE. Candidates with good results, who could not meet up with admission this year have decided to enroll as external students for another SSCE in remote places.

They will become very desperate and will be ready to violently attack any invigilator who may decide to be strict and bar them from compromising the system.

Don’t be surprised that some candidates may go to examination centres with acid because

Sodunke

everyone would want to make ‘As.’ The question we should ask our Senators is that what happen to the fresh students each year when the admission spaces could even be filled by the spill-overs? It is an unwise decision that must be rescinded. The solution to our problem is not the validity of the results but the available spaces in the institutions.

interviews conducted by mojeed alabi

Some school pupils

Govt’s action irrational

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

would not be able to pay their children registration fees, while such children may be stopped from participating in the SSCE examinations due to their parents’ abject poverty.

Reacting to the development, a social critic, Comrade Suleiman Dangana, said there was no wisdom in government’s decision to stop the payment of SSCE fees in the state.

“It is a sad development because the programme is targeted at poor children and their parents, who cannot afford to pay the examination fees of their children and since they cannot afford it their wards would have to be withdrawn from school and this will send a wrong signal to the state,” he regretted.

According to Dangana, the government’s decision to stop the payment of these fees has strangled the efforts of the children to acquire higher education and thereby increased the number of out-ofschool children in the state.

In the meantime, a teacher in one of the public schools, who pleaded anonymity, said: “With the government’s action, the parents who could not be able to pay examination fees of the children will be worrisome. The past administration did well in paying the fees and that increased the number of SSCE candidates tremendously in the state.

“This is one of the benefits parents and students could enjoy and benefit from the government. Something must be done to help parents, especially in this economic recession confronting the country.”

Another parent, Mohammed Paiko, who bemoaned the development, however, appealed to the state government to consider critically the economic background of the students and reverse the decision so that they will be able to compete with their counterparts in other states.

Paiko said: “If the state government goes ahead to implement this retrogressive policy, it will be a very sad and unfortunate development. Apart from increasing the enrolment of children in school, it will result to high rate of drop-out children, while the future of our children will be jeopardise.”

A social analyst, Mohammed Alfa, who spoke with New Telegraph, said: “Honestly, this is an unfortunate situation for the state government. It is sad that even the monies paid by these parents for one of the examinations was not remitted by the state government to the relevant examination bodies.

“We do not know what is really going on, but we will surely get to the root of the matter soon. The arrangement is that, of the two SSCE examinations; parents are to choose and pay their children’s registration fee for either NECO or WAEC, while the state government

will pay for the other.

“Based on this, parents were made to pay to a central account, where the government is to make the bulk payment to both WAEC and NECO, but as it is now, the government did not pay or remit any money to the examination bodies, who have now seized the children’s results.

But, the question is how could the state government meet up the UNESCO and global standard?”

When contacted, the state Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fatima Madugu, confirmed that the state government had some issues to resolve with NECO, which invariably might have prompted the withholding of the last examination results.

The commissioner, who however, argued that the current financial challenges which might have prompted the state government to withhold the funds meant for the payment of the children’s registration fees from them write the last WASSCE and NECOSSCE is not peculiar to the state alone, but assured that the state will pay the debts owed the two examination bodies after the next FAAC meeting.

According to her, “about 5,000 candidates wrote the examinations and we are indebted to NECO in hundreds of million and hope that by next week after the FAAC meeting we will meet NECO management on how the state government can resolve the issues.”

Thus, the Public Relations Officer for NECO, Sani Azeez, said although no parent or candidate has presented such a case to the Council, stressing that the Ministry of Education is in a better position to clarify the issue.

However, a source in NECO, who pleaded anonymity, confided in New Telegraph that the state government is indebted to the examination body on yearly basis, but that in the previous administration such payments were made before the results were released and for this reason, sometimes the results were released on trust.

He added that “since the emergence of this administration, the debt issue has not been addressed and if we do not withhold the results, the government will not pay. Do we need to withhold candidates’ results before payment is made? We had a gentleman agreement with the state government under which NECO has fulfilled its part, but the state government deliberately does not want to pay. Until they pay the debts in full, the results will not be released, we are not talking about installment payment, but that the total amount owed the body should be paid.”

However, the WAEC officials at the Niger State Zonal Office declined to speak on the issue, saying such matter could only be addressed and thrashed at the headquarters of the examination body in Lagos.

TUESDAY, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

education

campus

Minister on role of science in achieving food security Oladele Oge UNN

T

he Senior Special Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture on Food Security and Nutrition, Mrs. Adeyinka Onabolu, has said that Crop Science Society of Nigeria (ESSN) has a critical role to play in achieving food security for the country.

Onabolu disclosed this at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) during the ESSN third national conference.

The theme of the conference is “Diversification of Nigeria Economy Through Organised and Sustainable Crop Production.”

According to her, she said in the lecture that the society was in a best position to advise the country on quality crop seedlings that would enhance agriculture productivity.

She said: “The society has a great pool of talents with professional expertise on crop science. With quality crop seeds, the government’s quest in achieving food security and diversification of economy through agriculture will be achievable. It is undisputable that CSSN will play vital role to move the agriculture sector

to the next level with improve crop seedlings.”

Onabolu described the theme of the conference as apt, especially now that the country is in dire need to diversify the economy through agriculture as result the fall in the prices of oil, the main-stay of the nation’s economy, in international market.

She traced the current economic recession to fall of oil price in international market, as well as the country’s neglect of the agricultural sector by the government in the past decades.

Her words: “To make diversification of the economy possible, there must be improved crop seedlings that will enhance productivity and provide available markets for farmers to sell their harvested agricultural products.

“Every area in this country must identify crops where it has comparative advantage so that buyers and industries that want such products will know the locations to get them. I wish the conference a fruitful deliberation and I urge participants to come up with blueprints on how famers in the country will improve their productivity.”

In his remarks, the ViceChancellor of the university,

Prof. Benjamin Ozumba said the country had no option than to return to agriculture now that the price of oil, the nation’s major foreign exchange earner, had crashed in international market resulting in the economic recession.

“Through honest and consistent implementation of policies with direct bearing on crop production and processing, the Nigeria economy can be rejuvenated,” the vice-chancellor explained, saying: “The government’s intention for Nigerians to go back to agriculture in order to create more employments, generate money and revamp the ailing agro-based industries in the country is a welcome development.”

He expressed optimism that the conference would provide the direction and intellectual solutions to some of the problems confronting farmers especially during this economic recession.

Earlier in his speech, the National President of the Society, Prof. Michael Oguru said the society through its activities would be filling critical gap now that the country had decided to return to agriculture, its original heritage.

“Crop agriculture is one of the most promising sectors that

UNIBEN graduates pledge to rebrand medical education Eddy Uwoghiren UNIBEN

N Audu Ogbeh, Minister

could be harnessed for quick restoration of the economy.

The activities of professional in this society could be harnessed to solve food insecurity and malnutrition arising from the negative impact of climate change and environmental degradation,” he said.

Uguru, however, appealed to the vice-chancellor to provide a temporary office accommodation for the society pending when it would build its national secretariat at the university since the CSSN has chosen the university as its national headquarters.

“American Society of Crop Science has its national secretariat at the University of Connell; the African Society of Crop Science is domiciled at the Makarere University, Uganda, these universities have gained international prominence because of the presence of crop science society, as it will continue to contribute to the diversification of the economy through agriculture.

The University of Ibadan (UI) VC, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka (5th left), with the 2016 lecturer of University Lecture, Prof. Ayoade Ogunkunle of the Department of Agricultural Economy, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry (5th right) and other principal officers of the institution

o fewer than 85 newly graduated medical doctors and eight Dental Surgeons of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have pledged their commitment to contribute meaningfully towards transforming the health sector.

This was as the fresh medical graduates promised to also put the welfare of their patients as a top priority in the discharge of their duties.

They expressed the commitment during the induction ceremony, organized in their honour at the Indoor Sports Hall of the university as part of activities to formally induct and admit them into medical profession and practice.

The New graduating medical doctors tagged: “Avanti Guaritori - Next Healers,” were commended for successfully scaling through the hurdles of medical school among the lots that were admitted into the programme six years ago.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Farady Orumwense, UNIBEN has successfully discharged its duties by training and equipping the students to the present level and it is up to them to join the league of the university alumni spearheading change in the health sector.

While lauding the lecturers and members of staff of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for their sacrifice and commitment over the past six years to train the students, he also thanked the parents of the newly inducted doctors for their encouragement and prayers that saw the students through medical school.

Also speaking, the Dean of Medicine Prof. Moses Momoh charged them to always make their parents proud, and that they should shun sharp practices as patients were becoming more aware of their rights and the law is no respecter of anybody.

AAUA lecturers suspend strike LASUMSA hosts certificate course in global health Ayeleso Olorunyomi AAUA

U

niversity lecturers, under their umbrella union, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Adekunle Ajasin University AkungbaAkoko (AAUA) chapter have suspended their over three-month-old strike.

The lecturers had embarked upon the strike since July 4, this year, over the inability of the Ondo State Government to pay their outstanding salaries.

In a statement by the ASUU Chairperson, Dr. Sola Fayose, the decision

by the union to suspend the Bode Ekerin and strike was reached at the emergency congress of the Eddy Uwoghiren union following the payment and subsequent signing of a edical students, under the aegis Memorandum of Underof the Lagos standing (MOU) by the govState University Mediernment and the union.

He said the union is optimistic that the management and the Governing Council, led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Otunba Solomon Oladunni would abide by the provisions in the MoU to avoid resumption of the Some of the participants at the event suspended action.

M

35

cal Students Association (LASUMSA) last week lowered the curtains on a one-week certificate course in Global Health, organized by the association to equip them with relevant skills in the field.

The week-long programme, which took place at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, was organised in collaboration with AB Global Health Initiative and Global Health Focus.

While welcoming participants to the programme, the Provost of the college, Prof. Babatunde Solagberu, enjoined the medical students to seize the opportunity to acquire requisite knowledge required in Global Health.

He expressed delight at the course, which was the first of its kind in West Af-

rica sub-region, even as the provost commended the association for organizing the programme, which he described as timely and called on participants to find ways of bring about change in the health sector.

Meanwhile, an Associate Professor of Global Health at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno said the course was aimed at introducing participants to the theories and concepts in the current trends, issues, challenges and debate in global health.

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education

Criticisms trail planned reduction in NYSC quota C ON T I N U E D F RO M PA G E 3 1

last few weeks with the Brigadier General Sule Kazaure-led NYSC with the sole aim of addressing the challenges.

Meanwhile, in its response to the development, the President of NANS, Aruna Kadir, recalled that the union has held series of meetings with the management of NYSC, and has presented its position on the matter, that it is either all qualified graduates are mobilised or no one is mobilised at all.

In an exclusive interview with New Telegraph, Kadir, a Masters student at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), said the case of 50,000 students’ shortfall in the budget has been addressed by the Presidency, and that there was no basis for the latest action.

“We have met more than twice, and last Wednesday, NYSC agreed with us that every student will be mobilised.

We are banking on that assurance because we are aware of the Federal Government’s intervention,” Kadiri said.

Similarly, the South West Zone of the association, led

by Okikiola Ogunsola, said the zone had submitted a letter of protest to the NYSC Headquarters in Abuja, and that failure to mobilise every

qualified candidate will lead to chaos.

Okiki said: “We were shocked by the news and it is unfortunate. The labour market is already saturated, but with your degree and NYSC certificates, you can be sure to have done your parts.

But how do you explain that three years after graduation, you are yet to be mobilised?

It means everything will be static in the life of the students who inadvertently have become victims of circumstance. We will not condone it and NYSC should be prepared for mass action by Nigerian students.”

Other concerned students have already taken to the social media including twitter to stage their protest, using the hashtag “#EitherAllOrNothing.”

And, in what seemed to be a confirmation of the NANS position, the Public Relations Officer of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, has revealed that the NYSC has asked them to disregard the earlier information and mobilise all the candidates that are qualified for the scheme.

Olanrewaju said: I received the call about four days ago and the university is working towards full compliance.

We were actually given a quota of 1,400 students out of about 4,000 students, but I think NYSC has rescinded its decision.”

At the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, the management could not confirm the development, saying it was waiting for the final decision.

But in an exclusive interview with New Telegraph, the Public Relations Officer of NYSC, Mrs. Abosede Aderibigbe, refuted the claim that the NYSC had concluded plans on the matter, saying the information flying around on the social media is not the position of the scheme.

Aderibigbe, who spoke in a telephone interview with our Correspondent, insisted that no pronouncement has yet been made on the matter, adding that stakeholders were still appraising the situation and that when conclusions are reached, official pronouncement on the matter would be made.

She noted: “There is no pronouncement on this matter yet because stakeholders including members of the National Assembly are still reviewing the situation. Once we are through, the DirectorGeneral will address the media on the correct position.”

L-R: Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye; the Founder, Bayo and Bunmi Babalola Foundation, Sunday Babalola, his wife, Bunmi and the President, Omu-Aran Development Association, Chief Peter Oyinloye during Babalola’s presentation of scholarships to 250 pupils/students from Irepodun Local Government Area, Kwara State.

Scholarship boosts 250 students’education in Kwara Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

S

ome 250 students, who are indigenes of Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State in various secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the country, last week, became recipients of a scholarship scheme instituted by an oil magnate and philanthropist, Sunday Babalola, an engineer.

The event, which entered its second edition this year, has been commended by the beneficiaries and other stakeholders, who called on other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture of Babalola in assisting the needy in the society.

While presenting the schol-

arships at the ceremony, Babalola lamented what he described as frequent changes and policy summersault in the education sector, saying it is injurious to the system.

He, however, pointed out that this would not in any way help the growth of education in the country, calling on the federal and state governments to assist local government councils by paying the salary of teachers and other workers at primary and junior secondary school levels in order to reduce the burden of high salary on the already famished councils.

He also canvassed the use and teaching of indigenous languages in schools across the country to ensure the preservation of the languages and people’s culture and value system.

The philanthropist, who

noted that the current economic challenges facing the country is no excuse for students to fail, therefore, called on the state government to be alive to its responsibilities by upgrading the facilities in schools and ensuring adequate remuneration of teachers and other education workers.

He said: “It is my candid and considered advice that inconsistencies and frequent policy summersault are injurious to the nation’s educational growth. While it is necessary to fine-tune policies, given contemporary developments and demands, frequent changes in government policies, merely because a new administration is on board and may want to seek public recognition cannot be said to be the best for our country.”

TUESDAY, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

EDUPEACE

with Mahfouz A. Adedimeji (08066372516, sms only)  Dr Adedimeji is a Senior Lecturer and Director, Centre

for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin

World peace from within

A

weeklong workshop on “Teaching Peace in the 21st Century” for peace educators and educator interested in peace studies across the world was organised by the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA, in conjunction with the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) last week.

At the beginning of that “Summer Institute for Faculty,” as it was branded, last Monday (June 13, 2016), the lead facilitator and Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, George A. Lopez, gave all participants a seemingly simple question.

Everyone was given a piece of paper to write a few points on how to achieve world peace.

I took my pen and quickly wrote that we could achieve world peace by: a) entrenching social justice b) ending the occupation of other lands c) respecting diversity d) resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict e) promoting unity, not uniformity f) creating employment opportunities and g) stopping the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. That was where I got when the next stage of the task was to commence.

The next stage was that everyone was to form a team of four or five members across countries and discuss the various solutions individually proffered so that each group would be able to synthesise the points. I found it intriguing that members of my group had divergent approaches to achieving world peace, from the purely theoretical to the plainly otiose. I had a feeling that some people are so blessed that they had not experienced what would make them understand the enormity of the suffering that defines the human condition in many parts of the world.

Though we eventually agreed on four, I felt those who did not experience the privation of war and the pains of conflict would not a have deeper knowledge of the issue at stake. It was akin to to having a bachelor pontificate on marriage. Knowledge would actually derive more from experience in such a case. It was interesting that at least a group could not even agree on what peace is, so members argued front and back until they ended up submitting nothing.

It showed that some people are so much used to ease and peace that they don’t even know what peace is.

At the end of the discussions that day, I reached two conclusions. One, achieving

...Those that should work for world peace profit immensely from war world peace in the strict sense of is will remain a tall dream for a long time to come because the world leaders are chichidodo. In his critically-acclaimed novel, “The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born” (1968), Ayi Kwei Armah tells us what chicidodo is: “Ah, you know, the chichidodo is a bird. The chichidodo hates excrement with all its soul. But the chichidodo only feeds on maggots, and you know the maggots grow best inside the lavatory. This is the chichidodo,” Armah wrote.

In other words, those that should work for world peace profit immensely from war.

Gone were the days that weapons were produced to fight wars. Wars are produced in our world in order to sell weapons.

The same thing applies to how diseases are manufactured to sell drugs.

Two, one can create a peaceful world within oneself if one is committed to it. In other words, world peace would be localised within oneself or internalised if one tries to be maintain the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would like them do to you. This further means that one will experience peace within one’s world if one undertakes always the Four-Way-Test developed by Herbert Taylor, which has been adopted by the Rotary Club and the Ghanaian judicial system.

This Four-Way-Test, consisting of 24 words, is that every action that would take should be taken after satisfactorily answering the questions: “1.

Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

Ultimately, as Mahatma Ghandi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Even if the world is riddled with violence, you own world can be of abundant peace if you manifest and exude the beauty, the compassion, the character and honesty that elude the world around you.

You thereby make peace with the world and make smiles and omelet from the lime and eggs respectively thrown at you.

BUSINESS |Money Line

TUESDAY, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

37

parallel market:Naira strengthens to N454 against dollar APPRECIATION Forex sales to Bureaux De Change (BDC) boosts local currency

Tony Chukwunyem

T

he naira continued its recovery on the parallel market yesterday, ap-

preciating to N454 to the dollar from N460 to the greenback last Friday.

Also, boosted by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) dollar sales, the naira ended at N305.50 per dollar on the interbank market, a range it has closed at for nearly two months, traders said.

Traders attribute the recent strengthening of the naira on the parallel market to the commencement of dollar sales to BDC operators by global forex

dealer, Travelex, which according to them, has resulted in an increase in the level of liquidity in the unofficial market.

Although speculation had been rife since early last month that Travelex had received the CBN’s permission to start selling dollars to BDCs, the process did not begin until October 7 when the global forex dealer sold the sum of $15,000 to each of the 3,000 licensed BDC operators in the country.

Senate praises NDIC for prompt CRF remittance

T

he Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions has commended the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) for the prompt and regular remittance of its operating surplus into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in line with the provision of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), 2007.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, gave the commendation during the Committee’s oversight visit to the Head Office of the Corporation in Abuja.

Responding to the Corporation’s presentation entitled: “Budget Implementation for the Third Quarter which Ended 30th September, 2016”, Senator Ibrahim according to a statement, expressed satisfaction over the NDIC’s consistent and timely remittance of 80 per cent of its operating surplus to the CRF at the end of each fiscal year.

“We have to commend the NDIC on the surplus you transfer to the Consolidated Revenue Fund. It is very excel-

T

he General Manager, Corporate Banking, Sterling Bank, Mrs. Mojisola Bakare-Asieru, has been chosen as the Chairman of the Dinner Committee of the Association of Professional Women Bankers’ (APWB) Corporate Forum and Annual Dinner taking place on Thursday.

APWB Chairman, Mrs Toyin Ojo, who disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos last Friday, said that the association chose Mrs Bakare-Asieru because she was eminently qualified and had the experience to ensure that the event is an outstanding success.

She said that the theme of the event: “Repositioning Businesses For Continuity in a challenging environment”, was a fall out of the current economic situation in the country, adding that competent speakers who are experts in economic analyses and business growth would effectively tackle topical is-

lent. I will commend you on behalf of the Nigerian people”, the Senate Committee Chairman said.

Senator Ibrahim explained that the Committee embarked on the oversight visit to NDIC to assess the level of implementation of the Corporation’s 2016 Budget with a view to identifying areas of challenges that required the Committee’s support.

The NDIC’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, said that the Corporation had recorded remarkable achievements due to its implementation of a Performance Based Budget System (PBBS) on its 2016 budget despite the economic challenges in the country.

He informed the committee of the commencement of the three major capital projects under the Corporation’s budget namely the 9-storey Head Office Annex building, Abuja, the 17-storey Lagos Office, Ikoyi and the 9-storey Lagos Training Academy Lekki, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

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

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 Sept, 2016

14 10.77 US$50.84 US$24,160,273,862

26/07/2016 Mar 2015 17/10/2016 14/10/2016 Source:CBN

FGN Bonds

TTM

1.07 3.24 3.87 5.82 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.29

Price 104.65 114.59 111.96 120.58 109.60 100.54 83.82 97.56

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.4583 9.1071 11.0102 12.3790

Treasury Bills

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 ▼

I 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) 1 2 3 6 9 12

sues at the event.

In her remarks, Mrs. Bakare-Asieru, said that although the economy was in recession, Nigerians should not panic but see the current difficulties as an opportunity to “retune” themselves and the country.

She said: “As a responsible public entity, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and by extension, the APWB, decided to look inwards into one of the many ways out of this recession.”

She stated that knowledge was key to repositioning business, adding that without knowledge, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) would not be able to take advantage of loans even when they had access to such funds.

She pointed that it was as a result of the importance that APWB attaches to knowledge that it had invited knowledgeable Nigerians such as the National President, As-

sociation of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, Dr. Olufemi Egbesola, and the Director General of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) Mr. Jaiyeola Olaoye, to be among the main speakers at the event.

Sterling Bank Plc, “the one-customer bank”, is a full-service national commercial bank with an asset base above N800 billion with over 187 business offices and more than 800 ATMs nationwide. In over 55 years of service, Sterling Bank (formerly NAL Bank) has evolved from the nation’s pre-eminent investment banking institution to a fully-fledged commercial bank. Furthermore, with a strong national presence, Sterling Bank is one of the top 30 most capitalised institutions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The bank is also one of Nigeria’s fastest growing banks and is recognised as a dynamic financial services organization.

Fidelity Bank, Gazelle train 500 jobless Kebbi youths

As at N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 17.9

between the official and parallel markets’ rates.

However, if liquidity is improving on the parallel market, the story is different for the interbank market, as lack of liquidity has left the CBN as the sole supplier of dollars to that market. Traders said the apex bank sold around $1.5 million towards the close of yesterday trade after the market was open for nearly four hours with no deals.

Sterling Bank supports Association of Professional Women Bankers

Economic Indicators M2* CPS* INF

In a statement, in which he commended the CBN for giving approval to Travelex to commence the sale of forex to BDCs, the President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Aminu Gwadabe, said that with each of the 3,000 BDC operators getting $15,000 each, $45million will flow into the system thereby helping to ease the acute scarcity of forex that had led to a widening of the gap

Offer Yield 10.24 10.45 11.51 11.38 12.22 12.34 12.39 12.44

NITTY

Rate (%) 6.9949 7.2368 8.0819 9.2061 9.5872 10.5042

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲ 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 ▼

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

n furtherance of its quest to improve the wellbeing of communities where it does business, Fidelity Bank Plc, in partnership with Gazelle Academy and Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, has empowered 500 Nigerian with entrepreneurial skills.

The programme, which is part of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, according to a statement, is strategically aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with skills and capabilities needed to take advantage of available opportunities to drive socio-economic development.

Speaking at the launch of the 5-day youth empowerment programme held in Kebbi State, Nnamdi Okonkwo, the Bank’s Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, pointed out that the programme seeks to empower the Polytechnic community by creating a new generation of business owners amongst students.

Okonkwo who was represented by Abdulrahman Ibrahim, Branch Leader, Sokoto Strategic Business Unit (SBU), Fidelity Bank, said that the programme was strategically designed to promote Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) growth by encouraging students from tertiary institution to become selfreliant in different aspects of entrepreneurship.

Ibrahim further explained that students will receive requisite training in various stages by the consultants throughout the duration of the exercise. He said that the students would be trained on fish farming, tailoring, stoning, makeup and bread making, adding that the exercise provided students with knowledge and first-hand experience on the above-mentioned vocational skills. According to him, the skills acquisition programme was the first of its kind to be organised by the financial institution in the Northern part of the country.

38

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

TUESDAY, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

TUESDAY, october 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Stock market opens bearish BLEAK OUTLOOK

The local bourse was down by N77 billion, as bargain hunters remained on the sideline Stories Chris Ugwu

T

rading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) market yesterday opened the

week on the negative territory, as the overall performance measures, NSE ASI and market capitalisation, both fell by 0.81 per cent.

The downswing according to market watchers was due to sell off that had pervaded the local bourse lately.

Consequently, the All-Share Index dropped by 226.04 basis points or 0.81 per cent from 27,861.03 index points last Friday to close at 27.634.99, while

European stocks resume declines

E

uropean stocks fell for the fourth time in five days, as rising bond yields amid comments by the Federal Reserve and inflation data quelled demand for equities.

According Bloomberg News, all industry groups in the Stoxx Europe 600 Index slid, pushing the benchmark gauge down 0.7 per cent. Bonds in Europe fell earlier, with the yield on 10-year German bunds reaching its highest since June, after data showed a pickup in euro-area inflation, while Fed Chair Janet Yellen signaled last Friday that running the economy hot could help growth. The equity gauge’s earnings yield is now back to June levels relative to rates offered by the region’s government debt, after the premium hit a two-year high in August.

“We’ve got f latlining growth, commodity prices probably at their peaks for this year, and rising inflation expectations as a result of the Federal Reserve stepping back from its easy monetary policy,” said Michael Hewson, an analyst at CMC Markets in London. “Ultimately, one of the key drivers of equity markets has been that it’s the only game in town with respect to yields. The fact that bond yields have started to rise suggests that inflation

is making a comeback, and that’s potentially weighing on equity markets.”

Concern about whether the global recovery can withstand tightening in monetary policies has dragged the Stoxx 600 down 3.8 per cent from its September high. The measure has lost 1.6 per cent in October, heading for its first back-to-back monthly declines since the beginning of the year.

Since European Central Bank President Mario Draghi downplayed the need for additional stimulus last month, bond proxies such as real estate, telecommunication and utility shares have posted some of the biggest slides among Stoxx 600 industry groups. The ECB will give a policy update on Thursday, and most economists surveyed by Bloomberg see it extending its bond-buying program beyond March 2017.

The earnings yield, an expression of per-share profit as a proportion of stock price, slipped to 3.7 per cent for Stoxx 600 members, from as much as 4 per cent in July.

That compares with an average rate of 0.34 per cent for the region’s debt, which reached a low of 0.19 per cent in August, according to the Bloomberg Eurozone Sovereign Bond Index.

the market capitalisation of equities depreciated by N77 billion or 0.81 per cent to close at N9.492 trillion from N9.569 trillion.

Seven stocks appreciation while 24 others depreciated in value.

Further analysis of the day’s trading showed that Wema Bank Plc topped the day’s gainers’ table with 6.45 per cent to close at 66 kobo per share, while Wapic Plc followed with 4.00 per cent to close at 52 kobo per

share. FCMB Plc added 2.70 per cent to close at N1.14 per share.

On the flip side, Nacho Plc led the losers’ chart with a drop of 7.58 per cent to close at N3.05 per share.

Forte Oil Plc shed five per cent to close at N137.87 per share. Cadbury Nigeria Plc followed with 4.98 per cent to close at N14.89 per share.

On the activity chart, Insurance sub-sector of the financial services sector dominated in

V

etiva Fund Managers Limited (Vetiva) has announced the proposed listing of the Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund (VS&P ETF) on the 24th of October 2016 on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The ETF, upon listing, would be the first Bond ETF to be listed on the NSE, giving investors access to Nigerian Federal Government Bonds in retail lots; thus providing an opportunity for every Nigerian to invest in Federal Government Bonds. At current pricing, investors will be able to purchase a unit for as low as N150 and

39

volume terms with 105.2 million shares exchanged in 400 deals.

The sub-sector was enhanced by the activities in the shares of Law Union and Rock Plc and Nem Insurance Plc. Banking sub-sector boosted by the activities on the shares of UBA Plc and Skye Bank Plc followed with 28.6 million units traded in 696 deals.

In all, investors exchanged a total of 255.8 million shares in 2,588 deals.

Vetiva lists first bond ETF on NSE have access to attractive bond yields.

Speaking on the product, the Managing Director of Vetiva Fund Managers Limited, Mr. Damilola Ajayi said: “The listing of the Vetiva S&P Exchange Traded Fund is in line with the Federal Government’s plan to enhance financial inclusion. For the first time in Nigeria, investors now have access to Federal Government Bonds through a product that will be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange”.

The ETF, when listed, will trade like any other

stock, and the Fund plans to effect distributions to its unit holders twice a year. Subsequent to listing, investors will be able to trade the Fund on the NSE through any stockbroker.

Vetiva listed the first equity Exchange Traded Fund (The Vetiva Griffin 30 ETF, which tracks the performance of the NSE 30 Index) in March 2014.

Vetiva also listed the first set of Sectoral Exchange Traded Funds (the Vetiva Banking ETF, Vetiva Consumer Goods ETF and Vetiva Industrial Goods ETF) in October 2015.

Access Bank Ghana to raise $26.2m

A

ccess Bank Ghana launched an initial public share offer yesterday, aimed at raising at least 104 million cedis ($26 million) for the lender, which is a subsidiary of Access Bank of Nigeria Plc. According to Reuters News, the offer follows approval from Ghana’s Security and Exchange Commission and the Ghana Stock Exchange. The offer open from Wednesday until November 11, the bank said in a statement.

“We are seeking to expand

our operations by making new investments in branch expansion, robust technology and other infrastructure,” said Access Bank Ghana Managing Director Dolapo Ogundimu.

The launch reflects a drive by subsidiaries of Nigerian banks to seek fresh sources of funding given the weakness of its own economy due to low oil prices.

Access Bank had raised US$300 million via an Eurobond maturing in October 2021, at a yield of 10.75 per cent.

This news follows an October 3rd announcement by the bank stating plans to refinance its US$350 million Eurobond, which is maturing in July 2017 as part of a US$1 billion global medium term note programme.

According to a report obtained from Cordros Capital, the bank also announced that exchange instructions in respect of US$113 million in aggregate principal amount of the existing Notes have been received by the Exchange Agent at or prior to the Exchange Deadline.

40

News|south-west

Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

T

he Ooni of Ife, Oba adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi at the weekend performed his first Olojo festival since he ascended the stool last November.

Amid jubilations, Oba Ogunwusi who wore white robes and shoes moved out of the palace to oke Emese where he blessed his people and performed some rites before wearing Are crown.

Are crown is a special crown made of 151 items which the monarch uses once a year during the festival.

Before Oba Ogunwusi began his trip to oke Moo-

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ogunwusi performs first Olojo festival gun, his messengers, wielding canes performed the symbolic spririt three times to herald his coming.

The monarch who had been in solitary confinement at Ile-Oodua for five days with the deities of the land before the commencement of the festival moved to his palace and later to Oke Mogun shrine, to mark this year’s Olojo Festival.

He later moved to Oke Emese, around 4:30 pm where final rites were made to appease the gods before he wore the mystic

crown to bless his people and the entire Yoruba race.

While at the shrine and Idi-aje, two major places where rituals and prayers must be offered at Olojo festival, Ooni with a white dove prayed for the peace of Nigeria.

Oba Ogunwusi who wore the crown at exactly 5.00 p.m, was in white apparel with his traditional chiefs who joined him in the traditional rites.

Also in his company were the Ife chiefs, priests, the Isoros and members of Oodua Peoples Congress

(OPC).

Meanwhile, Yoruba indigenes in America and Ghana had described the race culture and tradition as unique, classical and second to none among other existing cultures in the universe.

Representative of Africans in the United States, Senator Kevin Parker who made the assertion while paying homage to Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi just as the Olojo festival ended yesterday, maintained that the Yoruba culture was one of the leading ones in Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), ACP Olatunji Disu (middle), flanked by Officers of Nigeria Police Pilot (Air wing), during a special training section on drone surveillance at the RRS Headquarter in Alausa Ikeja Lagos … yesterday

Lagos okays N380m bursary for students Muritala Ayinla

L

agos Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday approved N380million as bursary and schorlaship for indigenes in tertiary institutions with a view to lifting parents out of the effect of the nation’s economic meltdown.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, who disclosed this, said the bursary would be for fresh beneficiaries and others receiving subsequent payment.

The beneficiaries of the scholarship, according to the Special Adviser include 2015/2016 set and other sets receiving second and third payments for the years 2013/2014 and 2014/2015.

He however reiterated

government’s commitment to sustain the scholarship and bursary scheme in spite of the economic situation of the country, insisting that the governor was committed to ensuring that Lagosians were empowered through education in order to contribute productively to both the local and the global economies.

He said: “The timely release of the awards demonstrates the priority the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode accords to educating its citizens.”

Giving a breakdown of the payment, the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Scholarship Board, Mr. Steven Oshinowo, explained that the state government would disburse N250, 523, 287.99 to 6,368 beneficiaries as Bursary

Award.

He also disclosed that N130, 166, 386. 56 in Local Scholarships will be disbursed to 573 successful candidates who took part in the 2015/2016 Local Scholarship Computer Based Screening test.

These sums, according to him, would accommodate the backlog of outstanding bursary and scholarship payments as well as current awards for fresh and subsequent beneficiaries.

The Executive Secretary urged the beneficiaries to exercise patience as disbursement of the funds would commence in three weeks, at which time beneficiaries would be invited to present relevant documentation to receive their bursary or scholarship awards.

Union Governing Council at the Federal University of Technology Akure.

According to Ajanaku, ‘there are over eight thousand of both federal and state roads scattered across Lagos, with most of the road networks linking the rural areas with the urban areas in deplorable conditions, fixing these roads is a major part of the people’s demand from the governor during the electioneering campaign.

Against the backdrop, Governor Ambode’s response had been immediate and impressive as he em-

barked on the construction of two roads each in the local government areas and the local council development areas, which had led to the completion of about one hundred and fourteen roads. This has contributed in no small measure to the socio-economic development of the state.’

He also said that ‘the decision of the government to embark on the demolition of shanties and criminal hideouts in recent times was in line with the vision of the government to developing Lagos to a mega city status.

Ambode: Our achievements stand us out A lthough the administration of Governor Ambode is barely a year and half in office with tremendous progress, the administration has just started unravelling what it has in stock for Lagosians.

This was stated by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Strategy to Lagos State governor Mr. Idowu Ajanaku when he received a delegation of young professionals across the state in his office at Alausa.

The delegates were led

by Mr. Wale Adelakun, an ex-president of the Student

terms of respect, morality and good behaviour.

Parker said: “Olojo festival is particularly spectacular. The people I came across coming to see the King since my arrival in Ile-Ife are wonderful people.

The Olojo festival has been

highly magnificent. I am highly impressed to see people showering encomium.

“There is nothing like this at home in the United States of America. My visit has broadened my knowledge of history about my origins.”

UNILAG to publish details of 125 expelled students Mojeed Alabi

A

uthorities of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, have concluded plans to publish on the pages of newspapers and notice boards around the campus the details of the 125 students expelled and 188 others suspended for various offences, including examination malpractices, social vices, among others.

The university, had on Friday, October 14, posted on its website the list of the affected students, accusing them of being involved in examination malpractices during the 2014/2015 academic session, while others were said to have been caught smoking hemp in their hostels, among other offences.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Deputy Registrar

(Information), Mr. Oluwatoyin Adebule, explained that the action was in line with the university’s zero tolerance on malpractices and other vices in campus.

He said: “We have published some names on our website and these students have been punished in various degrees, depending on the severity. Last session, a number of students were caught in various forms of malpractices during their examinations.

“Some were found cheating during the examination with ‘micro sheets’ while others were hired as surrogates to write papers for others. Others were caught smoking weeds (Marijuana) right in their halls of residence by their colleagues and reported to the university authorities.

Ogun workers begin strike over unpaid salary deductions Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

T

he Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC) in Ogun State yesterday ordered workers in the state to commence an indefinite strike from Thursday.

The state JNC Chairman, Comrade Abiodun Olakan-

0.92%

The percentage contribution of NITDEF to total collection for 2015 Q2.

Source: Firs.gov.ng

3.32m

The total population of men of Kazakhstan in 2012.

Source: Un.org

mi, declared the strike at a joint press conference held in Abeokuta with his counterpart from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Olakanmi said both civil and public servants in the state would embark on total strike by Thursday if the Governor Ibikunle Amosunled administration failed to remit their 12 months salary deductions.

According to him, the 21-day ultimatum earlier issued to the state government to offset its indebtedness to workers or risk industrial action which would expire on Wednesday as the industrial action was necessary to draw attention of the public to the deteriorating living condition of the state’s workers.

Olakanmi stated that government owed workers 12 months unions’ check off dues, 72 months contributory pension deductions and gratuities of retirees.

Also, he said the Amosun administration also owed 12 months of global deductions, including bank loans’ repayment, cooperative savings, Ileya/festival savings.

He said: “As a result of this ugly trend which had prompted our suspended strike in March this year with the interventions from the Paramount Obas and other well-meaning citizens of the state including the Ogun State House of Assembly, we viewed the inaction of the state government as being deliberate, calculative and designed to make the civil servants poorer.”

We’ll rid Osun of poverty, says Aregbesola

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he Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola yesterday restated that his administration will not renege on its promise of banishing hunger and making life meaningful for the people of the state.

The governor at a programme to commemorate the 2016 International Day of Poverty Eradication in Osogbo, stated that his government remains resolute to do everything humanly possible to champion the cause of creating wealth by eradicating poverty.

Aregbesola in a speech en-

titled “Poverty has no place with us,” said all his policies and programmes have been with the intention to eradicate poverty, make lives more abundant and as well create wealth for the citizenry.

He said his government’s six-point integral action plan of ‘banishing poverty, banishing hunger, banishing unemployment, restoring healthy living, promoting functional education and enhancing communal peace and progress’ were designed to lift the condition of the people from being poverty stricken to being

wealthy.

Aregbesola said: “We gave the first batch safe landing with jobs in teaching, various agriculture schemes and ICT. For this, Osun now has one of the least unemployment figures in Nigeria while the state is also among those with the lowest crimes rate.

“The N200 million monthly allowance, paid to the cadets reflated the economy of Osun and shot it up to the seventh largest GDP in Nigeria, according to the Federal Bureau of Statistics.”

News|SOUTH-EAST

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Obiozor: Leadership is bane of Ndigbo Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

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ormer Nigerian Ambassador to Israel and the United States of America (USA), Prof. George Obiozor has said that the problem of Ndigbo was leadership and advised Nigerian leaders to stop preaching and talking about peace but justice and a referendum which the country needed to move forward as a united country.

The former Ambassador who spoke weekend, during the unveiling of the 2016 World Igbo Summit scheduled for later this month, held at Gregory University, at Uturu, Abia State, said the Summit would provide solution to most of Igbo problems.

According to him, injustice is the bane of Nigeria, and should be adequately addressed for the country to make the desired progress as a united entity.

Igbos, he lamented, had been victim of injustice even

when they had contributed immensely to the development of every part of the country.

Obiozor, who was the Director-General of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), noted that the problem with Nigeria was the struggle for power and dominance, and challenged Ndigbo to be ready to struggle for power and get it, saying that they had the strength of character and will to achieve it.

He also urged Ndigbo to stop lamenting, even as he

Ekwueme advocates Igbo unity as panacea for progress Pamela Eboh Awka

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ormer Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme has called on people of Igbo extraction to imbibe the culture of unity and trust for each other as was the practice in the past, saying that this will enable the area move forward in the Nigeria project.

He made the statement at a traders’ summit and award ceremony put together by Anambra Consensus Project (ACP) held at Amaokpala in Orumba North local government area of the state, to honour outstanding traders in all the 57 major markets in Anambra State.

He recalled that Igbo were strongly united before and immediately after Nigerian Independence, and wondered what went wrong over

the years, considering what was currently happening in the Igbo–speaking states of the country.

“When I returned to Nigeria after my studies abroad, I worked for the then ESSO West Africa Limited and the job took me to many cities in the Northern part of the country. I found out that there was no place you would go and won’t find an Igbo man and they all cooperated well.

“If you wanted to buy APC medicine in any city in the North, whether it was Kano, Maiduguri, Kaduna, Bauchi, Bida, Minna, anywhere, it was an Igbo person that would sell it to you. Igbo people were so industrious that Northerners were saying that after the white man, the next most important person created by God was Igbo.

“When Igbo was Igbo, there was so much unity, such that once Igbo leaders met and took a decision, ev-

ery Igbo person would abide by it. The trust among Igbo was responsible for the reason apprenticeship became popular with the result that parents would allow their children to stay with an established Igbo man to learn a trade for periods ranging from five to 10 years after which the apprentice would then be settled to start his own business,” Ekwueme stated.

The former Vice President noted that after the settlement, the newly settled young trader would be getting goods on credit from his former master and subsequently returned the money after selling the goods because of the trust that existed then.

He stressed that loss of trust has diminished that age long cooperation between the master and his former apprentice, which is very worrisome.

blamed their problem on lack of leadership, and urged them to “put up their thinking cap”, saying that the proposed summit would provide the desired Igbo leadership.

“The problem of Igbos is leadership, we need new idea. A new idea to save Igbo land has come and it must succeed.

“The problem with Nigeria is struggle for power and dominance. To get power, you must create credible threat.

“Igbos have always succeeded when they are challenged; Nothing is strange to us; we only have to put our thinking cap and also think home.

“Igbos have been victim of injustice, even when they have contributed to the development of every part of the nation. Nigeria should stop talking about peace and talk about justice, that is what I believe.

“Nigeria’s next option is referendum; it is the option to save Nigeria. We as Igbos should return to base, think home like the Jews did. Time for Igbos to stop lamenting has come, time to stop to beg to be Nigeria has come; we are already Nigerian but we must come home to invest in Igbo land,” Obiozor said.

Noting that unity does not mean slave and master relationship, but that of mutual respect and trust, Obiozor said: “We must choose our enemies wisely and our friends carefully.”

Umahi accuses school officials of extortion, sexual harassment Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

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overnor of Ebonyi State, Chief Dave Umahi yesterday accused zonal and area school Inspectors and Education Secretaries of extortion and sexual harassments in the state school system.

He warned that if the alleged acts remain unabated, he will not hesitate to sack anyone caught.

He announced that the government was investigating the Secretary of Ezza North Local Government Education Authority for undisclosed act which must not be swept under the carpet.

Addressing stakeholders in the state education sector at Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre, Abakaliki, a visibly angry Umahi said he had received disturbing text messages from concerned members

Victor Mba

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Steve Uzoechi and Uchenna Inya

F

ormer Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and his handlers to set their sight on the real problems of Nigeria instead of tackling the symptoms.

Ohakim, who delivered a keynote address at the 2016 Diocesan Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Angli-

can Communion) Ikeduru Diocese, Imo State, said that Biafra freedom fighters like IPOB, MASSOB, Niger Delta Avengers and ‘even Boko Haram were not the problem – they are only signals, noting that “if we interpret the signals right, we will see the real problems.”

He said: “I would like to advise our present political leaders to avoid the mistake the British made in Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland, the British made

an avoidable mistake. They fell into the trap of believing that because they had weapons, soldiers and experience that dwarfed those of the insurgents, it did not matter what the people thought of them. History tells us that Britain couldn’t defeat the Northern Ireland insurgents for more than 20 years.

Peaceful negotiation did the magic.”

Citing Attila the Hua, Ohakim said, “it is never wise to gain by battle what

may be gained through bloodless negotiation.

“Whether we like it or not, our present political structure is not working. It is not going to deliver the much needed change. The urgency of our situation demands a new, clear and different structure through which our people will be organised to face the changing world.

The earlier we stop ducking and diving with a political structure that has failed us for 56 years, the better.”

Ibeka said it is disheartening to see that his party that would have given the ruling parting a fight has gone to sleep and even snoring.

Also the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the zone has not started preparation. At the party headquarters along Aba/ Owerri road the office was under lock and key.

A member, Chibuka Ikoli expressed sadness that his party ruling at the centre will be so complacent and watch such an important election that determines which political party to control the grass root slip off their hands.

3.14m

The total population of women of Kazakhstan in 2012.

Source: Un.org

$2.57m

The capital importation of the IT Services sector of Nigeria in Q2 2014.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

Ugwuanyi to youths: Imbibe virtues that’ll enthrone peace

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IPOB, MASSOB, others not Nigeria’s problem – Ohakim

of the public over the illicit acts of education inspectors and secretaries, describing it as unacceptable.

“The Education Secretaries ask for money or sex from our students, and supervisors also do the same thing; serious amount of money exchanging hands.

Teachers are not coming to schools, they are now merchandize. Our educational system has collapsed and that is what is causing all these cultism in our schools.

“If these acts of collecting money from our students and demanding for sex continue in our schools, that person will not only be dismissed but will be sent to prison,” he said.

He lamented that education system in the state had collapsed, adding that teachers were now merchandize, having abandoned their duties for money.

PDP flexes muscle over Abia LG poll

he December 17 local government election in Abia State seems to be a one party affairs as only posters of contestants from the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) adorn strategic positions in Aba. Despite the fact that the Abia State independent electoral commission (ABSIEC) has said the December 17th date is a reality, other parties are yet to start mobilisation and sensitisation of their members.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Aba Zone had already started sensitisation and mobilisation of their members for the polls. The presence Bishop of the Catholic of other parties were yet Diocese of Nnewi, Most to be felt. A member of the Rev. Dr, Hillary Okeke All Progressive Grand Alreceiving the 2016 liance (APGA), the major Kwame Nkrumah award opposition party in the for leadership as Most state, Chief Okechukwu Outstanding Bishop on Ibeka said from all indicaHumanitarian Service tion his party was yet to per Excellence, in call a single meeting as reNnewi, Anambra State garded the election at the …yesterday. local government level.

PHOTO: NAN

41

he Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has advised youth in the state to imbibe the virtues of peace, tolerance and reconciliation to curb ethnic, religious and social strife.

Ugwuanyi made the comment when he received the executive members of the Student Christian Movement of Nigeria (SCM) who were on a courtesy call at the Government House Lodge, Enugu on Friday.

The governor noted that the many significant milestones the body had recorded in its 75 years of existence in the country stemed from their dogged

commitment to the founders’ noble goals.

He also commended the body’s decision to hold its 25th anniversary in Enugu, describing the gesture as a great honour and prayed for God to grant them success throughout the event as well as in all their endeavours.

“As a government, we will continue to demonstrate our commitment towards building a new foundation for our children through expansive youth development, policies and enactment of quality legislation such as the Enugu State Child Rights Act,” he said.

42 News|south-South Wanted militant gives FG condition before surrendering arms Clement James Calabar

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he self-acclaimed leader of Bakassi Strike Force (BSF) in Cross River State, Simply Benjamin, popularly known as G1, yesterday said he will continue to fight the cause of the Bakassi people unless the Green Tree Agreement is observed by all the parties and the military withdraws from Bakassi Local Government Area.

Benjamin, who is wanted by the army in connection with alleged criminal activities in the state, especially within the Calabar-Bakassi axis, including the killing of a soldier early September, made his position known in a signed statement circulated yesterday.

This was the first time the controversial militant will react to reports about his activities, which security operatives consider

illegal.

The BSF leader, who claimed to be a freedom fighter and not a terrorist said: “Again, I want to unequivocally state that I am not a terrorist as people outside are made to believe; but I will not sit down and allow my people suffer from intimidation, neglect and oppression. I only request that Bakassi people should not be treated like second class citizens in their country.

“We demand that the modalities stipulated in the Green Tree Agreement be followed to the latter and logical conclusion. We again demand the withdrawal of the military from Bakassi because we are civilized people who know our rights.”

According to him, Bakassi was ceded to Cameroun without recourse to human rights provision, stipulating the involvement of the people in decisions concerning them.

Nigeria may face revolution soon – Cleric Clement James Calabar

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igeria may face a bloody uprising akin to the French revolution should the current unemployment rate in the country is not tackled with the seriousness it deserves, the Anglican Bishop of Calabar, Rt. Rev. Tunde Adeleye, has warned.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Adeleye said the recent spate of kidnappings and the activities of cultists were all products of idleness and the situation could lead to a serious revolution if not tackled.

“Nigeria may face a revolution similar to that

of the French revolution if the current unemployment situation is not tackled headlong. If this happens, those in power and the ordinary man on the street will pay heavily for it. We cannot afford to send our children to school both within and outside the country, only for them to come back and be idle,” Adeleye warned.

The cleric, who cautioned the Federal Government against using force to quell agitation in the Niger Delta, appealed to the government to explore ways of generating employment opportunities in the country in order for youths to be absorbed, saying unemployment was at the root of the high rate of crime being witnessed in recent time.

Navy warns militants, gives free medical treatment to communities Chris Ejim Yenagoa

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he Nigeria Navy has again reiterated its desire to rid the Niger Delta of illegalities, warning those who were behind weekend bombing of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline that their day of reckoning was near.

The warning was coming on the heels of another destruction of NNPC pipeline by an unrepentant group of militants named Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM).

The group had on Friday claimed responsibility for blowing up NNPC oil pipeline a few days ago in Warri, Delta State.

Commander of the Ni-

geria Naval Ship (NNS) Soroh, Commodore Habib Usman, who spoke when he led a team of medical personnel to offer free medical treatments to resident of Akenpai community, Yenagoa, said the military was ready to deal with the miscreants.

He said the recent bombing incident in the region was meant to bring disaffection between the various communities in the Niger Delta and the government, adding that the military was ready more than ever to deal with all forms of illegalities.

He said: “Well, the recent bombing we are experiencing now is part of the miscreants’ efforts to bring disaffection among the various communities and the government.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP, APC trade blame over shift in Rivers’ rerun poll Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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ivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have disagreed over the claims that one of them was plotting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the rescheduled National Assembly elections in the state.

After two inconclusive elections, INEC held a stakeholders’ meeting attended by the leadership of the PDP and the APC and later fixed the National Assembly election for October.

But the PDP Chairman

in the state, Felix Obuah, in a statement, said the leadership of the APC was working with some top officials of INEC to prevent the election from taking place this month, because they know his party is on ground in the state.

The APC Chairman, Davies Ikanya, fired back, accusing the PDP under the leadership of Governor Nyesom Wike of using violence as a political tool, rather than allowing voters to decide the party to vote

$2.50m

The capital importation of the IT Services sector of Nigeria in Q1 2014.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

for.

Obuah alleged that the APC and INEC planned to cite insecurity and logistic problems on the side of the commission as reasons for the postponement, noting that APC does not want election to take place because it knows it would lose.

He said: “Right from the onset, the APC has never shown any readiness to genuinely participate in a free, fair and non-violently conducted elections in the state, obviously for fear of

N91.33

The average price of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) of Delta State in March 2015.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

losing.”

Obuah said despite the efforts of the Wike administration to check insecurity, armed robbery, kidnapping, cult-related clashes, the APC was unjustifiably citing them as reasons why the election should not take place at the end of the month.

He lamented the continued absence of lawmakers from the state at the National Assembly and wondered why the leaders of the APC were unperturbed by the situation.

Obuah said the APC candidate for Rivers SouthEast senatorial district, Mr. Magnus Abe and other APC chieftains were allegedly spotted at INEC offices in Abuja and Port Harcourt.

L-R: Wife of Rivers Head of Service, Mrs Matylda Godwins; Representative of the wife of Rivers’ governor, Mrs Onimim Jack and wife of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mrs Emeka Woke, during the International Food Festival in Port Harcourt …at the weekend

Okowa to demolish 8,000 houses Dominic Adewole o fewer than 20,000 residents of Ogbeowele New Layout in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, will soon be rendered homeless.

No fewer than 8,000 of their houses have been marked by the demolition committee of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, headed by Chief Frank

Ombre, for demolition within two days.

The governor, who announced amnesty to the landlord, however, asked those affected, now code named Core Area II, to pay N1.5 million, N2 million and N3 million respectively to retain their lands.

Prior to this, over 3,000 houses in the controversial area, adjacent the budding Asaba International Airport, were marked for demolition,

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Youths to Obaseki: Fulfil your campaign promises

ASABA

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group, Edo Odion Youth Movement, has urged the governor-elect, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to make sure his electioneering campaign promises are fulfilled when he assumes office.

This was contained in a congratulatory message sent by the President of the group, Wellington Osadolor, where he congratulated the governorelect and his running mate, Hon. Philip Shaibu, having won the September 28 gubernatorial poll by a landslide.

The youth group advised Obaseki to first tack-

le the issue of unemployment which he said was dear to his heart if elected as governor.

“We pray for you to succeed. We want you not to renege on your promises to deliver, especially on youth employment, empowerment, infrastructure and social welfare to the 18 local government areas in Edo State.”

Osadolor also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its steadfastness to conduct a free, fair, credible and con-

even as the landlords were served quit notice.

But Omare, who took a verification tour of the affected area on Sunday, October 16, in Asaba ordered the immediate stoppage of all construction work by landlords on their land.

While he maintained that the controversial land belongs to the state government, the original owners in Okpanam - the Okonkwo Ezechie family - faulted the claim,

insisting that “the state government never at any time acquired the land.”

Omare threatened that by Wednesday, October 19, fences of affected landlords would be pulled down as a warning signal, “if the land owners fail to take advantage of the 30 per cent discount offered by Governor Okowa.

Meanwhile, the landlords have been traumatised, wondering why a governor, who promised them prosperity, was moving to render them homeless.

clusive election.

The group said it was becoming frustrating that elections conducted in recent times in Nigeria were either not concluded or marred by irregularities, “but here, we are in Edo State, despite the apprehension across the three senatorial districts before the election neither a life was lost nor injury sustained. We commend INEC, security agents and other critical stakeholders for their excellent jobs.

“The wise counsel you gave to the outgoing Gov-

ernor, Adams Oshiomhole, which led to the remodeling of the state through infrastructural development such as roads, red roof schools, markets and other public utilities should be replicated when you take the mantle of leadership in the state.”

Also, the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, yesterday congratulated the Obaseki, while praying for God’s enabling favour upon him to take the state to greater heights.

News|north

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ortom denies running fraudulent govt

Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

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gainst the backdrop of allegation of fraudulent practices leveled against his administration, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has said that he was not running a government shrouded in fraudulent activities.

This even as he noted that there had been no proof of any fraud against his administration since he assumed office barely 17 months ago.

The governor, who spoke in Makurdi, the capital, said

allegations of corruption being leveled against his administration were coming from those, who he said looted the state’s treasury in the previous administration and bent on painting his administration bad as if it were like theirs.

Meanwhile, a former governor, Gabriel Suswam had accused his successor, Ortom of running a government anchored on deceit, alleging that cronies of the governor were massively “stealing money, thinking we do not know, but at the right time, we will expose them.”

But while Ortom has insisted that there was abun-

dant documentary evidence against the state looters, they were unable to prove any fraud against him throughout his public and private service career because he never got involved in fraudulent practices.

According to the governor, he engaged due process such as a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to establish cases of graft against his immediate predecessor and 51 others in his government, while the rule of law was being followed in the investigations, arrests and prosecution.

Ortom, who noted that he had every cause to thank God, who has made him to succeed in all areas including

family, business and politics, said he was convinced that the same God would help him to excel as governor.

The governor said the current economic recession was a wake-up call for Nigerians to diversify the economy, adding that everyone should evolve creative ideas for wealth creation and window of opportunities.

In a related development, Ortom yesterday took a painful decision not to be identified as a political stooge to an erstwhile governor of the state and former Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, saying he was no longer his political godfather.

L-R: Chairman of the occasion and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III; President, International Interfaith Corps (IIPC), Sheikh Imam Magid and Deputy Country Director of UNDP, Mandisa Mashologu, during the conference of traditional and religious leaders on countering and preventing extremism in Africa, in Abuja … yesterday.

Sokoto to immunise 1.8m children against polio Umar Abdullahi Sokoto

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okoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu has said that more than 1.8 million children between zero and five years are being targeted in the ongoing four-day polio immunisation exercise across the 23 local government areas of the state.

The deputy governor, who doubled as the Chairman of the State Task Force on Polio Immunization, however, disclosed this yesterday at Sokoto, the state capital, saying the exercise that commenced on Saturday and billed to

end today (Tuesday) was to assure the people that efforts were on to ensure over 100 per cent coverage of the targeted children across the state.

He further said that the state government had distributed about 1.83 million doses of Oral Polio Vaccines (OPV) across the state, adding that no fewer than 2,515 teams, comprising 9,429 health personnel were conducting the exercise across the state.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Alhaji Almustapha Othman said measures had already been put in place to ensure full acceptance of the exercise

by the people.

He expressed delight that parents in the state are now accepting the exercise, even as Othman explained that social mobilisation of all the residents in the state have been intensified.

Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday said traditional rulers in the north were working hard to ensure total eradication of polio in the state.

The Sultan spoke through the state Chairman of Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC) on Polio and Routine Immunizations, Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru, who is the Galadiman Garin in Sokoto.

The Sultan, while reacting to the ongoing four-day Polio Immunisation exercise, noted that similar efforts were also being intensified by the monarchs to bolster demand for healthcare delivery services.

10.88%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Argentina in 2002.

Source: Itu.int

35m

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Arab States in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

Ganduje distributes N1bn medical equipment Muhammad Kabir KANO

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ano State Government has purchased and distributed hospital equipment and medical consumables valued at about N1 billion to health facilities across the state, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said.

He disclosed this during flagging-off of the distribution of the equipment and medical consumables worth over N300 million to

no fewer than 131 health facilities in some part of the state.

The items distributed include baby incubators, laboratory equipment and assorted surgical instruments.

The governor further revealed that the state had received 12 containers load of similar hospital equipment, donated to the state

by PATHS 2/Maternal Newborn and Child Health Programme (MNCH2), a DFID funded project, as a fallout of his administration’s commitment to transform-

ing the health sector.

Ganduje, who noted that his administration was determined to increase access to health facilities for the high population of Kano metropolis, stressed the need to enhance the quality of life of all citizenry.

“As a responsible government, we value all our citizens and will help them to meet their basic needs in the health and other sectors, so that they can live with dignity, engage actively and contribute to national development,” he said.

He, therefore, urged the state’s health workers to justify the investment by properly handling the equipment, even as the governor advised the patients to access health facilities to benefit from the equipment put in place.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kabiru Getso, who spoke on government’s efforts towards improved healthcare delivery system, announced that currently 120 health centres and hospitals in the state were being renovated and upgraded.

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UNILORIN to commission N1.5bn projects Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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t least 19 projects worth about N1.5 billion would be commissioned this week at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) as part of activities marking the 32nd convocation ceremony of the institution.

Addressing newsmen yesterday at a pre-convocation press briefing, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali listed the projects to include the first phase of a 6.5 kilometre road linking the university to its teaching hospital at a cost of N230 million; a new Senate Chamber built for N190 million, and two Lecture Theatres of 500-capacity built at a cost of N500 million.

Other projects include N60 million Animal House for the Central Research Laboratories; a N240 million Veterinary Teaching Hospital Complex;

six set of parking space built for N52.7 million and two students Sit-Out in the Faculties of Arts and Education built for N18 million.

Meanwhile, Ambali also defended the record of his administration in terms of staff welfare, saying he has been able to measure up to expectations within available resources.

But, a faction of the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), led by Dr. Kayode Afolayan had last week issued a report lamenting alleged unpaid Hazard Allowances and non-implementation of their annual leave as scheduled.

The group alleged that their colleagues at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) had been paid about N300,000 each before the last Sallah break, even as the union expressed concern that the UNILORIN staff members are going to be paid for 20-year of unbroken academic calendar.

BoT chair expresses confidence in PDP reconciliation committee Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

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he Acting Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Walid Jibrin has expressed confident in a 28-man reconciliation committee set up by the party to reconcile the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Makarfi factions.

He stated this on Sunday while answering questions from newsmen shortly after an expanded meeting of the party’s Elders’ Forum, Nasarawa State chapter, which took place in Lafia, the state capital.

The BoT chair disclosed the 28-man committee drawn from both Senator Sheriff and Senator Makarfi has the capacity to reconcile the two factions that would now collapse into one formidable force.

Jibrin expressed the hope that the party would come back very strong to form

a formidable opposition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

He debunked insinuations making the round in some quarters that the party was planning to merge or change its name, describing the rumour as baseless and unfounded.

Jibrin said: “We have to put our house in order and that is why we put in place a reconciliation committee of 28 members of 14 members each from Sheriff and Makarfi factions to set in motion a reconciliatory process and I am very hopeful that the issues would be amicably resolved.”

Once we are settled, we are going to be united and form a formidable opposition. We are not changing the name of the party and anyone that wants to join PDP let him come. We are not merging with any party.

Those talking about merger of the part are talking nonsense.”

Tambuwal approves recruitment of 96 science teachers

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okoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has approved recruitment of 96 science and technology teachers, as well as 20 lawyers to serve as counsel in the Ministries of Science and Technology and Justice respectively.

A statement issued in Sokoto yesterday by the Media Aide to Governor, Mallam Imam Imam, said the new recruits would improve the manpower needs of the two ministries and enhance productivity in the state civil service.

The statement reads “Those to be employed as teachers will have the requisite qualifications

for teaching and will be deployed to secondary schools under the Ministry of Science and Technology. As for the lawyers, they will complement the existing 56 lawyers in the Ministry of Justice and they will serve as replacement for state counsel, who retired or died while on duty as well as those who joined the federal judiciary.”

A few days ago, the state government had announced the recruitment of 21 medical doctors for the state ministry of health, while last year some 500 teachers were recruited to teach in various secondary schools across the state.

44

WORLD \ NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Air strike on Aleppo kills 14 members of one family– Rescue team

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mergency service workers in Eastern Aleppo yesterday said that 14 members of one family were killed in an air strike.

The incident happened as Syrian government intensified its drive to capture opposition-held areas of the city.

The list of people killed in the city, as reported by

Civil Defence rescue service, included several infants, among them two six-week old babies and six other children aged eight and below.

Civil Defence rescue service operating in rebel-held areas of Syria, whose workers are known as “White Helmets”, identified the jets as Russian that attacked Aleppo’s al-Marjeh area.

Separate air strikes on

York Minister's bell-ringers sacked 'on safeguarding grounds'

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he Archbishop of York has defended the decision to sack all 30 of York Minister's bell-ringers and said they showed "repeated disregard" for its safeguarding policies. Dr John Sentamu said he had to take action regarding a bell-ringer "on safeguarding grounds" in the summer.

He said advice was taken to "minimise risk to children, young people and vulnerable adults". The bells fell silent last Tuesday in order for a new team to be recruited.

Speaking at a news conference, Dr Sentamu backed the decision made by the Minster's governing body, the Chapter of York, in order to make the church "a safe place for everyone". He said: "Earlier this

summer, it was necessary for the Chapter to take action regarding a member of the bell-ringing community on safeguarding grounds.

"This came after complex multi-agency activity involving City of York Council, York Diocese Safeguarding Adviser and the Church of England's National Safeguarding Officer.

"The decision was taken in line with advice from safeguarding professionals, and with regard to national policies and guidance, including the Church of England's on minimising risk to children, young people and vulnerable adults."

Dr. Sentamu said some bellringers had "consistently challenged the Chapter's authority on this and other important matters".

China launches space station mission

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hina has launched two men into orbit in a project designed to develop its ability to explore space.

The astronauts took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northern China.

They will dock with the experimental Tiangong 2 space lab and spend 30 days there, the longest stay in space by Chinese astronauts. This and previous launches are seen as pointers to possible crewed missions to the Moon or Mars.

An earlier Tiangong - or Heavenly Palace - space station was decommissioned earlier this year after dock-

ing with three rockets. The astronauts on this latest mission were Jing Haipeng, 49, who has already been to space twice, and 37-year-old Chen Dong.

From a remote launching station in Inner Mongolia, I watched the rocket tear through the sky. It will take the astronauts about two days to reach the orbiting laboratory where they will live for a month.

They will spend this time analysing plant growth in space and giving themselves ultrasounds to scan their bodies' performance.

25 prisoners die in Brazil jail riots

A

t least 25 inmates have died in clashes between two rival factions in a prison in far northern Brazil, according to local news media citing police.

Seven of the dead were beheaded and six burned to death during the violence in a prison in Boa Vista, the capital of Roraima state, the news site G1 reported, citing local police.

The bloodshed began when inmates of one wing of the Agricola de Monte Cristo prison broke into another wing. Inmates were armed with knives and wooden clubs, an inmate's wife who was in the prison when the riot broke out told G1. Uziel Castro,

Roraima's secretary of justice, said that the fight erupted during visiting hours, and some 100 relatives of inmates were briefly held hostage.

The rioters demanded that a judge come to hear their demands. Instead, Special Operations Police stormed the prison, released the hostages and regained control of the site by sundown.

"All the hostages were released," Castro said, adding that most of them were women.

The prison, about 3,400km northwest of Rio de Janeiro, is in a state that borders Venezuela. Fights and riots are common throughout Brazil's overcrowded prison system.

the village of Awaijel west of Aleppo killed at least 23 people and the toll is expected to increase, Syrian Human Rights monitoring group, has reported.

The Syrian government’s Moscow-backed campaign had led to the death of several hundreds of people since it started last month after the collapse of a truce brokered by Russia and the United States.

The report said it had documented the deaths of 448 people in air strikes in

eastern Aleppo since then, including 82 children.

The Syrian and Russian armed forces say they only target militants.

Since the campaign was announced on Sept. 22, the Syrian government had captured territory from rebels to the north of Aleppo and reported advances in the city itself.

However the rebels say they had repelled the advances into the city.

A Syrian military source said the army targeted ter-

rorists in three areas of Aleppo, killing seven of them.

The government refers to all rebel fighters as terrorists.

The report said additional 17 people were killed in attacks by Russian jets on Sunday night in the al-Qarterji district of rebel-held Aleppo which included five children.

The monitoring group said it recorded the deaths of 82 people including 17 children in government-held areas of western Aleppo from shelling by rebels.

Russia has announced a humanitarian pause in its bombing of the Syrian city of Aleppo.

Last king of Rwanda, KigeliV Ndahindurwa, dies

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he last king of Rwanda has died in the US aged 80 years old. Born JeanBaptiste Ndahindurwa, King Kigeli V came to power in 1959 but was only king of Rwanda until 1961, when the monarchy was abolished and he was forced into exile.

He eventually settled in the US where he set up a charity helping Rwandan refugees and orphans. A 2013 profile in Washingtonian magazine found him living off food stamps in subsidised housing.

King Kigeli was the last in a line of monarchs from the minority Tutsi ethnic group, which had dominated Rwandan

for many years, but the Belgian former colonial power favoured the majority Hutus and backed a coup. Rwanda was proclaimed a republic in 1961, and a Hutu, Dominique Mbonyumutwa, was made president.

Tens of thousands of Tutsis were forced into exile including King Kigeli, who lived the rest of his life outside Rwanda.

For three decades the country endured ethnic violence, culminating in the 1994 mass slaughter, in which some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed

by Hutu extremists. King Kigeli held onto the hope that he could return to the throne in Rwanda.

A small opposition party ar-

gued that the king might be a force of unity in a country still torn by the legacy of the genocide. As recently as May, the Democratic Green Party had requested the government to allow him to return with the benefits of a head of state, reports AFP news agency.

But without every returning to Rwanda, King Kigeli died on Sunday morning his website announced.

"He was a devout and dedicated believer and the last anointed African Roman Catholic king to reign over a full country," it said.

It added that "the heir to the Royal throne of Rwanda" will be "announced in good order".

EU prepares sanctions against Congo over vote delay

T

he European Union will prepare economic sanctions on the Democratic Republic of Congo unless it holds its delayed presidential and parliamentary elections next year, foreign ministers agreed yesterday.

President Joseph Kabila was due to leave office at the end of his mandate in December but authorities have postponed the votes until April 2018, citing logistical problems.

The delay sparked two days of protests in the capital Kinshasa last month that killed dozens of people. "There is a delay to elections that is not acceptable and I hope elections can take place in 2017," Belgium's Foreign Minister Didier Reynders told reporters.

"We need an inclusive dialogue and not to resort to violence," said Reynders, whose country is Congo's former colonial power.

EU foreign ministers said in a statement: "The EU will use all the means at its disposal, including individual restrictive measures" - diplomatic language for travel bans and asset freezes.

Any sanctions would target "those responsible for serious human rights violations, those who promote violence and those who would try to obstruct a consensual and peaceful solution to the crisis".

Foreign ministers tasked EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who coordinates the bloc's diplomacy, to draw up sanctions. Diplomats said these could target senior police and other members of the security forces, and potentially government officials at a later stage.

The EU, a major donor of foreign aid as well as a big foreign investor and trade partner, is seeking an independent inquiry into the violence last

month and wants talks on a new timetable for presidential and parliamentary elections.

EU governments will also reduce the duration of diplomatic visas issued to officials, after Belgium cut its visas to six months.

"Member states are already in agreement on the need to coordinate their approaches to the issuance of visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports," the statement said.

Kabila, who came to power in 2001 when his father was assassinated, says he will respect the country's constitution but has yet to rule out attempting to change laws to enable him to run for a fresh term.

Opponents fear he will follow the example of the presidents of neighboring Rwanda and Congo Republic, who changed their constitutions last year to allow themselves to stand for a third term.

45

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Did you know?

Sport

That the 6-1 win of Bournemouth against Hull City at the weekend was their biggest win so far in the English Premier League

Sport News Giwa vs LMC: Dikko not wanted, says FCT Police

International Zidane: Real Madrid, Legia Warsaw game open

46 47

Murray eyes No. 1 after Shanghai win …as Djokovic retains top spot

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ndy Murray’s season is turning out even better than he expected. He’s won a second Wimbledon title and a second Olympic gold medal, and reached the finals at the Australian Open and French Open.

And on Sunday, he clinched his sixth title of the year with a 7-6 (7-1), 6-1 victory over Roberto Bautista Agut at the Shanghai Masters, matching his season-high total from 2009.

Now the Scot has his eyes set on yet

another prize: the No. 1 ranking. It may be difficult to catch Novak Djokovic this year, but Murray is closing in on his rival.

“I will try to finish this year as strong as I can. And next year if the opportunity is there to reach No. 1, then I want to try and take it,” Murray said. “It’s going to be a tough thing to achieve that.

I’m aware of that.”

“But I believe I can get there ... These last few months have proved that to me.”

Meanwhile, Serbian tennis player

Novak Djokovic retained the top spot with 12.900 points in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings released on Monday.

The current ATP rankings and point scores are as follows: 1. Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 12.900 points 2. Andy Murray (Scotland) 10.485 3. Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) 5.820 4. Milos Raonic (Canada) 4.690 5. Kei Nishikori (Japan) 4.650 6. Rafael Nadal (Spain) 4.380 7. Gael Monfils (France) 3.815 8. Roger Federer (Switzerland) 3.720 9. Tomas Berdych (Czech) 3.300 10. Dominic Thiem (Austria) 3.250.

Murray

Outrage as gunmen kill 3SC player Joseph Izu shot in a jetty

No deployment of troops to Okaki - JTF

Charles Ogundiya

I

Late Joseph Izu

t was a dark Monday for the Nigeria Professional Football League family as Shooting Stars of Ibadan defender, Joseph Izu, was allegedly killed by gunmen suspected to be Joint Task Force operatives in his hometown Okaki in Rivers State.

The incident occurred about 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 16, with report claiming that the player went out to swim at the Okaki Jetty when JTF invaded the area in search of some militants.

When our correspondent called his father, Rueben Izu, the 60-yearold demanded for justice as he claimed that the task force had killed the dream of the family.

“They have killed my son,” he said in tears.

“They didn’t give him a second chance, the community people saw them manhandling him and despite their pleas and that of my son that he was a player, they still went ahead to kill him, shooting him twice.

“I was expecting my son back in Port Harcourt today (Monday) but what I got was the news of his death. They (JTF) even barred people from helping him and decided to throw him into the river when people started shouting that ‘you have killed our footballer’ ‘you have killed our footballer’ before they left.”

He revealed further that if they had allowed people to take him to the hospital immediately, maybe he would have survived as he died on the way to another hospital in Bayelsa.

The senior Izu added that his son’s mobile phone and wallet were taken away by the men of the task force.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Coordinator, joint media campaign centre of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, Lt. Commandant Thomas Osuji, has said there was no deployment of troops to the zone where the player was killed.

While speaking exclusively to New Telegraph on the telephone, Osuji said it came as a surprise to him when he saw the online report of the killing of the player allegdly by the JTF.

Osuji said: “I was very surprised because our troop was not deployed to that axis, I am also wondering about what happened.

“I already called the section commandant and the unit commandant, and they were not also aware of the incident.

“Normally on Monday we usually have long meeting where the activities of the previous week are normally discussed but nothing that has to do with the incident was raised.

“Sometimes there is joint task force within states and sometimes when they deployed troops you will be wondering if they are Operation Delta Safe which covers the whole of Niger-Delta states including part of Ondo, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, if the deployment was from ODS, the force would have issued a statement.”

Osuji said investigation into the killing had commenced since the force was alleged to have killed the footballer.

“We are investigating on our own and very soon we will surely get information across,” he added.

NFF, Shooting Stars:Izu’s death,shocking,painful The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

N

igeria Football Federation has commiserated with the family of slain Shooting Stars player, Joseph Izu. The defender (24) was allegedly killed by a member of the Joint Task Force on Sunday in Bayelsa.

The NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, expressed his sadness especially after learning the tragic circumstances in which the young Joseph was killed from the father.

Pinnick said: “I am sorely distraught with what has happened. It is a most unfortunate incident that has brought sorrow to the Nigerian football family, barely a week after we were celebrating victory in a World Cup qualifying match.

“What has happened is most painful.

I want to appeal to our football players to always be mindful of the company they keep and the places they go at all times, because they are special assets.

At the end of the day, each and every one of us will die, but we don’t want to be losing football players in the manner in which Izu died.”

Similarily, Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan yesterday received the news of death of one of their players, Izu, with shock, describing it as painful.

The statement read, “The management of 3SC commiserates with the family of one of our players, Joseph Izu, in Bayelsa on Sunday. He joined 3SC in 2013/2014 season and was on the bench in the club’s last match of the season against Abia Warriors in Umuahia.

“He was a dedicated and team player who gave his best for the good of the club. We are going to miss him greatly.

We pray to God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss”.

Arowolo added that the club had since opened a condolence register at the team’s club house in Ibadan.

Shooting Stars GM, Rasheed Balogun

46

SPORT NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Giwa vs LMC: Dikko not wanted,says FCT Police Emmanuel Tobi

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matter, pending receipt of legal advice from his unit as the matter evidently arose from a civil suit emanating from the expulsion of Giwa FC from the Nigeria Professional Football League.

The CP said that his men had been unable to trace those who presented the said committal order since the event as they apparently supplied misleading information to the Police.

Dikko also at the meeting, clarified, with documentary evidence, that the LMC had filed an appeal against all the three orders made by the Jos High Court in the suit challenging the expulsion of Giwa FC from the league for multiple infractions.

Giwa was expelled for re-

he Chairman of the League Management Company, Shehu Dikko, on Sunday met with the Police Commissioner of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Mustapha, over repeated harassment and attempted abduction by some officers of the force claiming to be executing an arrest warrant.

At the meeting, CP Mustapha of the FCT clarified that he had not at any time ordered or directed the arrest of Dikko and the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar.

The CP recalled that on the day of the incident, “some persons had approached my office late in the night with a photocopy of an alleged order of the Jos High Court which is outside my jurisdiction, purportedly for the committal to prison of Dikko and Abubakar for contempt of court order in Jos.” However, since it had been alleged that the order was against the Chairman and a director of the LMC, who are well known public figures, he merely directed two of his men to take steps FCT Police Commissioner, Mohammed to invite them to allow him Mustapha (left) with LMC Chairman, hear the other side of the Shehu Dikko in Abuja... Sunday

fusing to play three commulative scheduled matches within the season.

The LMC boss submitted that in accordance with legal procedures, all parties to the suit are, consequently, now before the Court of Appeal, Jos Division and duly filed their papers for and against the appeal.

The league boss described the Jos High Court order against his person and Abubakar as oppressive and unjustifiable.

“For instance, an individual with the flimsiest of reason could have obtained a court order to stop Rangers International FC from playing and winning the league title and prevented the government and people of Enugu State from celebrating the victory of their team after 32 long years of toiling to lift the trophy. This would be the biggest tragedy in football development for which all stakeholders should stand up to defend the integrity of the game.”

Dikko urged the CP to impress on his men the need to allow the process of the law in the Court of Appeal to proceed unhindered in this matter, so as not to inhibit the jurisdiction of the court pending the making final orders or judgment in the case, which is totally civil in nature.

Musa (right)

MusarulesoutCSKAreturn Emmanuel Tobi

S

uper Eagles assistant captain, Ahmed Musa, has ruled out a return to his former club CSKA Moscow after failing to earn a breakthrough into Leicester City main starting team.

The 24-year-old who has played nine matches in total for Leicester City in all competitions, accumulating 359 minutes of game time in the process, expressed displeasure

U-20: Dedevbo invites Ajibade, Catherine

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Lagos Gov’s Cup Tennis 2nd Leg: Ajibola,Fogli shineatTotal Enosoregbe upsets No. 7 seed ildcard entrant, Nigerian 4-6,6-3 game. Thomas Otu beat comCharitytourney

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wenty-two handicapper, Yemi Ajibola, emerged the overall winner of the 2016 Total Charity Golf Tournament concluded over the weekend in Lagos.

Ajibola who recorded a total of 42 stableford points at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Club beat Omo Izedonmwen with 38 points to the second place while Uwem Udoh was beaten on countback to the third place at the one day event.

“I am delighted here and I think it all worked out well because of the great course condition and my present form. It is a great privilege to win this Charity event sponsored by Total.” Ajibola said.

Managing Director, Chief Executive of Total E&P Nigeria, Nicolas Terraz said, “Thanks to so many of you who have identified with this cause through your various donations today. Two charity homes, which provide care for the abandoned, motherless and vulnerable children in the society will benefit from the special funds. They are Olive Blooms and Friends of Jesus Orphanage Homes near Ajah and Badore respectively in Eti-Osa Local Government of Lagos.”

In the ladies category, Nicole Fogli returned 42 stabeford point beating Yvette Pape by three points to the runner-up position and Idowu Babalakin with 36 points placed third.

Also, Paul Brisbe with 40 stableford points picked the best Total staff prize at the event ahead of Obinna Okoli who returned same score but was edged out on countback ruling.

W

Clifford Enosoregbe, showed his intention of making a great impact in the second leg (Futures 6) of the ongoing Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship as he upsets number 7 seed, Benin Republic’s Alexis Klegou.

Enosoregbe beat Klegou in straight set of 6-4,6-3 in the first round match decided on Monday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Some other Nigerians also made their way to the second round. Joseph Imeh Ubon beat Christopher Andrew Ito in another straight set of 6-4, 6-4. Mohammed Mohammed defeated Ghanaian Tsatsu Segbedzie in 7-6, 6-4 match. Sylvester Emmanuel also got the best out of Ugandan Duncan Mugabe in 7-5,

on his purported return move.

“I have not read this, but I’ve heard. Return?

It is not true, they write crazy things about me,” Musa told Russian newspaper Sport Express.

He added that he was working hard to break into the first team considering the array of stars at the English team.

“I do not get angry at the journalists, but sometimes they invent news.

Now I’m totally focused on the job,” he said.

patriot Albert Bisong Bikom 6-1,6-4.

However, Moses Michael was not so lucky, though he fought a good fight, he lost to Maciej Smola of Poland in 7-5, 4-6,6-3 game.

Christopher Bulus also lost to Sasi Kumar Mukund of India 6-0, 6-2.

Ikechukwu Iloputa was defeated

by Moez Echargui of Tunisia 6-2, 6-2, all in the Men’s Singles.

In the women’s singles, top seed Valetini Grammatikopoulou from Greece beat Swede Brenda Njuki 6-4, 7-6, Harmony Tan of France defeated Ange Oby Kajuru from Japan 6-1,6-1. Bulgarian Julia Terziyska beat French Estelle Casino 6-2, 7-5. Valeriya Strakhova of Ukraine beat Nigerian Angel MaCleod 6-0, 6-0.

uper Falconets coach, Peter Dedevbo, has handed Flamingoes’ duo, Rasheedat Ajibade and Catherine Kenneth, invitations to the side ahead of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea.

The duo participated in the Flamingoes futile campaign at the on-going FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan.

Ajibade who made her second appearances at the world cadet championship plays for FC Robo while Kenneth, a central defender with Rivers Angels has already joined the rest of other invited Falconets players at their Abuja camp.

“I watched Rasheedat and Catherine during the tournament and I liked the way they played.

“I think they did very

well despite the Flamingoes’ early exit at the World Cup. I intend to take a closer look at them during training sessions because I believe that they can fit into my plans for the World Cup,” said Dedevbo to thenff.com.

Ajibade

SuperSoccerFederationorganisescoachesseminar Emmanuel Tobi

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Chairman, OTrafford Squash Club, Larry Ephraim Ettah (2nd Right) presenting the winner’s prize to ‘Biyi Mabadeje of OTrafford when the Club hosted Lagos Country Club to a One-day Rumble in honour of the Chairman/CEO, HS Media Group, Taye Ige (2nd Left) who turned 53 recently. With them is Hakkem Oyeneyin, co-sponsor of the Tournament… on Sunday

hieftains of the Super Soccer Federation of Nigeria on Friday at the Nigeria Institute for Sports, organised seminar for coaches in Lagos to keep them abreast of the rules guiding the sport.

The seminar, which was anchored by the initiator and President of Federation of International Super Soccer, Eric Asomugha, took the coaches through the drills and rules of the game.

Asomugha said Super Soccer was an independent body and had been in existence in countries like Egypt long before now.

The former CAF official said Su-

per Soccer is an alternative to the traditional soccer and he strongly believed that the game would become great and acceptable very soon.

“One of my main objectives is for Super Soccer to have a big presence in the United States and Africa,” Asomugha said.

Some of the coaches are expected to go for further training in Egypt and the United States later.

Unlike the traditional football that features 11 players, Super Soccer features nine players and a goalkeeper, with four referees.

Super Soccer was first test-run in Lagos last month at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Zidane: Real Madrid, Legia Warsaw game open Z inedine Zidane has claimed Real Madrid’s game with Champions League minnows Legia Warsaw is “50-50.”

The Frenchman, who won European football’s biggest prize last season less than six months after taking charge at the Bernabeu , will be able to call on hundreds of millions of euros worth of talent when his side play in the behind-closeddoors game at the Polish Army Stadium on Tuesday.

UCL FIXTURES Leverkusen v Tottenham CSKA Moscow v Monaco Real Madrid v Legia Warsaw Sporting Lisbon v Dortmund Club Brugge v FC Porto Leicester City v Koebenhavn Dinamo Zagreb v Sevil a Lyon v Juventus

7.45pm 7.45pm 7.45pm 7.45pm 7.45pm 7.45pm 7.45pm 7.45pm

Legia, on the other hand, are 80th in the European Clubs Association’s club rankings and were bought for less than £1million around a decade ago.

But Zidane was still, somewhat in vain, trying to make out that it is too close to call between his side and the Polish champions - who lost 6-0 at home to Borussia Dortmund recently.

“We play in the same competition so that means we are at the same level,” he said.

Real Madrid’s striker, Christiano Ronaldo (Left)

Ranieri: Copenhagen to decide our fate

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Ranieri

laudio Ranieri expects his Leicester City players to produce their best performances for the two crucial Champions League clashes against Copenhagen.

The Premier League champions host Copenhagen on Tuesday, before travelling to Denmark for the return game on November 2.

Ranieri is aware those matches will be crucial in deciding

Leicester’s chances of progression in the competition and wants his team fully focused.

“The next two matches [in the Champions League] are very important and will tell us what we can do,” manager Ranieri said at his pre-match media conference.

“We must do the best performance of the season. It’s very

Man United named world’s most popular club

M

anchester United have regained their title as the world’s most popular club after selling more replica football shirts than any other club, according to new data.

The Reds sold an average of 1.75 million shirts a year in the five-season period between 2011 and 2016, estimates industry insider Dr Peter Rohlmann and his team at PR Marketing.

Real Madrid came in at second place, having sold 100,000 fewer shirts than United, while Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Chelsea make up the rest of the top five according to the data. Liverpool are sixth.

Rivals Liverpool finished in sixth

place with an average of 852,000 shirt sales while Manchester City sat in 13th place with 342,000 replica shirt sales over the five-season period, the new study claims Dr Rohlmann, a veteran analyst who has authored a number of indepth studies into kit supply deals and sales by Europe’s elite clubs, has not been surprised by the staggering figures.

“Generally, the sales of replica shirts have increased at a constant growth rate,” he said.

“Football jerseys are more popular than ever and their attractive designs increasingly mean fans want to wear them away from match days.”

Ex-Falcons star Mmadu gives back to Nigeria Dapo Sotuminu

F

ormer Super Falcons player, Maureen Mmadu, has decided to give back to the Nigerian society which gave her the opportunity of becoming an international soccer star and also a coach of a European women’s football team, Avaldsnes FC of Norway.

The former Princess Jegede Babes FC of Lagos

star who won four African Women’s Championship titles for Nigeria, is using a Norway-based sports drink, Watty Energy drink, which she is a brand ambassador to reach back to the society.

The drink with low calorie has stormed the Nigerian market.

The former Falcons star noted that, the Watty Energy was the official drink of the Nigerian second tier

football league, the Nigerian Nation-Wide League.

The additional sponsorship package is the Most Valuable Player’s Awards for players in the league instituted by Mmadu, where a cash award of N50,000 was presented to winners after matches during the NNL league season in various designated venues across the country.

47

Pat Ekeji’s Corner patrick.ekeji@yahoo.com 08159364282 (sms only)

Here we go again

I

t appears the talk on the flagship finishers. I recall that those trophies sports program of the FMY&S were named after three Nigerians has once again been reduced to considered by the NSC to have made the uncertainty of hosting or not remarkable contributions to sports hosting of the National Sports Fes- development in the country, namely; tival. To bring my readers in tune His Excellency, Dr. Yakubu Gowon with this conversation, it needs be under whose watch as Head of State, brought to the fore that the National the National Sports Festival was inSports Festival was reviewed after troduced; Sir Jerry Enyiazu MBE, Lagos State hosted it in 2012 and the Director of Sports who concepits place, two flagship programs tualized the festival, and Nojim Maiwere introduced namely; National yegun, the first Nigerian to win an Open Sports Championship, and Olympic medal. the National Youth Championship.

Due to other innovations inWhereas the first and second edi- troduced into the organisation of tions of the National Youth Cham- the Festival, it quickly acquired pionship have been held, in Abuja the status of a marketable brand and Ilorin respectively, no edition which consolidation only required of the National Open Sports Cham- organisational and management pionship has taken place. The rea- consistency to become a full blown sons for this range from a weak corporate-friendly sports prodcommitment and follow-up on the uct owned by the NSC. That is a prospective host State, unreasonprogram that would have had a able turn-over in political guaranteed six to ten years headship in the sports secThere is real back-to-back guaranteed tor, and of course, funding. hosting. It is now on the existential verge of extinction. As it is Really, what brings gravest distortion to the sports today, all the work put into threat to sector, irretrievably too, rebranding it has become Sports are the consequences of wasted efforts and are gone frequent changes of the poDevelopment with the winds. litical headship in the sports There is real existential sector. One direct backlash in the country threat to Sports Developis policy summersault. Exment in the country given given the amples; the Open Champithe current and precarious current and position of the national onship was conceptualized to be the most important precarious economy. As it is today, national sports event in the I can say for sure that no position of Sport Federation receives calendar of sports programs of the National Sports Comthe national any form of financial supmission (now sub-summed). port from the Ministry to economy It is at this championship conduct regular and importhat possible talents would tant programs because the be selected for further grooming. Ministry itself is not nearly half The bi- annual timing for it was fore- as funded from the money basket seen to be in tune with the global of the federal government. It does cycle in sports planning, with the not also appear there is hope for or key world competitions as the ul- moves to assure improved and sustimate end-games. In other words, tained funding of the sector. That many serious-minded countries use now brings me to recall, with sadthe Olympic cycle as a time frame ness, the now moribund joint capacin sports planning, consequently ity building Undertaking, reached they key-in their local programs as between the NSC, the Witts Busifeeders for them. ness School of Johannesburg and, It is on the basis of this that prep- the University of Nigeria Nsukka. aration programs are built around This was conceptualized as a platOlympic Cycles. An Olympic cycle form for the continuous profesis four years. It is of course the duty sional development of our Sports of various sports administrations Officers. The required effort for in different countries to plan their the continuation of this program Programs with the Cycles as time was as simple as the NSC providframes. ing passage for qualified Sports OfLast week, it was reported that ficers to continuously benefit from the National Open Championship that program. I will not claim that (I will stick to this because that is my taking a bow out of the NSC may what it should be) which hosting have affected its continuity however was awarded to Cross River State it came to an end as soon as I exited. in 2012, has been taken away from Like in every other area of enher and would now be held in Abuja. gagement, the professional compeIf this is true, then it is yet another tency or otherwise of our Sports low point for sports development Officers in contemporary and comin our country. There were good petitive field of sports, is bound to reasons for the NSC to introduce tell on the service delivery of our bidding to host, one of which is to sons and daughters in the sector of fast-track provision of sports facili- sports administration if deliberate ties and associated capital projects effort is not made to make them in the host State and by extension, ready to compete globally at differnation-wide. Other Innovations ent forums at which Nigeria must included introduction of trophies be part of if we still desire to be backed by monetary awards by the counted in that number “when the Federal Government to the top three saints go marching by.”

On Marble Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being.

–Kevin Kruse

Sanctity of Truth

Is Nigeria lost?

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016

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N150

Gratuitous insult on the Nigerian judiciary "First they came for the Socialists and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me" –Martin Niemoller (1892-1984).

Crossfire FEMI FANI-KAYODE ffk2011@aol.com

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f there were ever a time that Niemoller's words were appropiate in the Nigerian context, this is it.

The cold claws of persecution, victimisation, terror and marginalisation have certainly taken grip in our nation.

Yesterday it was the politicians, members of the opposition, presiding officers and key members of the National Assembly, dissenters, government critics, bloggers, journalists, Shia Muslims, Christians and carefully selected serving and former military and security personnel.

Today it is the judges.

Their homes were raided by hundreds of fully armed DSS commandos between 1.00 and 2.00 a.m.

Their streets were surrounded and sealed up. Their gates and front doors were smashed open and they were forcefully and violently arrested and detained.

Their families and loved ones were traumatised and terrorised.

Their staff and members of their household were held captive, threatened and sent scampering for cover under their beds.

Yet those that suffered these gross violations of their fundamental human rights, civil liberties and indignities were not wily and desperate politicians or hardened miltary men that were fighting and conspiring against the government or plotting a military coup d'etat.

They were not dangerous dissidents or Boko Haram terrorists.

They were not battle-hardened Niger Deltan Avengers or seasoned OPC and IPOB fighters.

They were not angry students or trade unionists that were planning to block the streets, to stop all movement and activity, to bring the country to a standstill or to burn the nation down.

They were none of these things and included none of these groups or people.

Instead they were all senior and respected members of the Nigerian judiciary.

They included two Supreme Court judges, three Federal High Court judges and a number of others.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state was almost shot dead when he attempted to protect the home of one of the judges in Port Harcourt and stop them from arresting him.

The truth is that we are in trouble in this country. The motherland and all that we hold dear is under attack from a ravenous and dictatorial President and government.

When those that are constitutionally charged and empowered to protect us from tyranny and the abuse of power by a vicious, violent, murderous and lawless government and its murderous security agencies are themselves under siege, all hope is lost.

If the judges cannot protect us and if

Buhari

they themselves have become victims of barbarous tyranny then it is time for the people to rise up, take to the streets, resist the evil and fight against our oppressors.

Sons and daughters of Nigeria, we must not give in to fear and we must not be silenced.

We must defend the rights of our people and fight for our homeland.

Now is the time to protest in any way that we possibly can and to take our country back. Now is the time to say "enough is enough!"

If we do not do so we shall be slaves forever. It is our God-given right and sacred duty to resist tyranny in every shape and form.

If nothing else history, scripture and all the Holy Books of the three great faiths of Christianity, Islam and Judaism teach us that.

Now is the time to shed our fears and to stand up like the true patriots and free men and women that we were born to be and do so.

Now is the time to say "thus far and no further" and to say "no more" and be our brother's keeper.

Now is the time to stop sitting on the fence and acting as if all is well.

If anyone doubts I urge them to kindly consider the following words, titled "A Brief Score Card On "Corrupt" Judges", which were sent to me by a friend. He wrote, "Justice Liman gave judgment against Modu Sheriff and that hurt the APC. Justice Liman also restrained INEC from announcing any results or figures howsoever generated or compiled purporting to be result of the re-run election for any or all of Khana, Bonny, Gokana, Andoni, Eleme and Tai Local Government Areas of Rivers State or any part of

the re-run election scheduled for March 19, 2016 which election was subsequently suspended or postponed. Justice Liman narrowly missed been "stinged" by the DSS. Justice Pindiga insisted on due process in the Rivers State Governorship election tribunal sittings. He was removed midway during the sitting of the tribunal when APC saw that PDP was having the upper hand. The rest is history. Justice Pindiga has just been "stinged"

by DSS. Justice Adeniyi Ademola, a brilliant judge, eldest grandson of a great former CJN of Nigeria, Adetokunbo Ademola was a judge who knew his onions. He came from a tradition.

He could not be pushed around by powers that be. He ordered thrice that Sambo Dasuki be released. This did not go down well with President Muhammadu Buhari and his government. They disobeyed his orders and concocted a new offence to rearrest Dasuki.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court in Abuja also on May 26, 2016 dismissed Buhari's preliminary objection in a suit filed by an Abuja-based legal practitioner Mr. Nnamdi Nwokocha-Ahaiwe concerning the president's certificate (WAEC). Justice Ademola has just been "stinged" by DSS. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, a brilliant judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja was the judge who warned DSS to stop disobeying orders of court and told them not to come to his court again if they would not obey court orders. DSS was angry with this.

They wanted to "sting" him but got a wrong name. However, they succeeded in breaking into his house and beating up his brother only for them to look into the paper they had on them to discover that it was not his name that was on the paper. That sure hurt them.

JSCs Ngwuta and Okoro sat on appeals that gave decisions against APC interest. They have just been "stinged"

by DSS. Nigeria, I hail thee".

The author is absolutely right and whichever way the government and its numerous friends seek to spin it there is cause for concern.

Yet, sadly it gets worse. The Greek tragic dramatis and philosopher Aeschylus (525 BC - 456 BC) said "in war, truth is the first casualty".

It is in this context that one has to view the absurd claims by the DSS that massive sums of cash ranging from twomillion USD to hundreds of thousands of euros and pounds sterling were found in the homes of all the judges that were arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The DSS has to say these outrageous things and tell these shameful lies in order to attempt to justify their illegal actions before the world.

That is what intelligence and securiry agencies all over the world are paid to do. They destroy their victims before the world with lies and baseless allegations knowing that most Nigerians will believe anything and everything that the government says.

It is sickening and pathetic. In any case nothing can possibly justify the gestapo tactics that the state has employed in this matter.

The storming of peoples homes in the middle of the night and the brutalisation and traumatisation of their families, loved ones and households is archaic and barbaric. And let us be clear: none of the judges were sent letters if invitation before incident.

Worse still the security agencies refused to go through the lawful, acceptable and time-tested route of calling serving members of the judiciary to order which is the issuing of a query to the National Judicial Council before whom they are supposed to present any credible evidence of wrongdoing before criminal proceedings are initiated.

The DSS, and by extension our government, not only ignored due process in this matter but they have also treated the Chief Justice of the Federation and the National Judicial Council with utter disdain and contempt.

Clearly Nigeria is saddled with authorities that are a cross between Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, King Leopold 11 of Belgium, Josef Stalin, Pol Pot, Papa Doc Duvalier, Augusto Pinochet, Jean-Bedel Bokassa, Mobutu Sese Seko, Genghis Khan, Atilla the Hun, Count Vlad Dracula and Idi Amin all rolled into one. May the Lord help us.

May the Living God fill us with His Spirit and grant us courage. May He strengthen and embolden us.

May He guide, lead, protect and deliver us as we move forward to confront the evil that plagues our land and as we speak truth to power.

May He, at the very end, bless our land and grant us victory.

Solution to B. Teaser 8

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