Tuesday, july 19, 2016 binder1

Aviation fuel scarcity bites harder, airlines reschedule flights Wole Shadare

A

viation fuel scarcity that almost crippled the industry continued yesterday, as Arik Air, Dana Airline

and Medview said they are grappling with flight schedule disruptions due to the severe scarcity of Jet A1 across the country.

Since the beginning of this year, Nigeria has been grappling with inadequate supply of aviation fuel, leading in most cases

to severe shortage of the product and consequently, the disruption of flight operations.

The aviation fuel scar-

city got worse at the weekend leading to many flight delays and cancellations.

Dana Airline said the situation had affected its

IGR: Kogi re-appoints Skye Bank as lead collecting lender }37

operations.

Spokesman for Dana, Kingsley Ezeanyanwu, said the airline had not cancelled any of its 19 flights it does every day, CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS /newtelegraph /newtelegraph

Vol. 3 No. 881

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

NFF confirms New Telegraph's exclusive, picks Le Guen as Eagles' coach }45

Man impregnates, procures abortion for daughter }9

Ex-Oyo NURTW boss, 'Auxiliary', four others bag 6 years jail }40

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

MEND to Buhari: Release Okah, drop charges }6 against Tompolo

N150

Cash crisis hits FG Le Guen

Owoseni

Auxiliary

Tompolo

No funds for capital projects Inflation rises to 16.5% Presidency trims foreign mission staff }2

Tinubu’s wife seeks police protection from Melaye

‘

Learning with tears

}6

In view of Melaye's antecedent, particularly in the House, where a brawl led by him had led to the untimely death of a member, I have decided not to ignore his threat to my life

‘

Melaye

Tinubu

Students of Garba Noma Junior Secondary School, Bauchi, sitting on the floor in their classroom to receive lecture ... yesterday

PHOTO: nan

Read my handover notes, Arase tells IG

'Missing vehicles' with Abuja automobile firm

}3

Too much watching of TV can affect children’s bones

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NEWS

2

TuesDAY, July 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Cash crunch grounds government's business Onwuka Nzeshi, Isa Abdulwahab and Caleb Onwe ABUJA

T

he cash crunch that gripped the Nigerian economy appears to be worsening by the day as the Federal Ministry of Finance has failed to release the second tranche of the N350 billion projected to be part of its expansive fiscal spending to reflate the economy.

Two months after the first tranche of N280 billion was released to the Minis-

tries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to fund ongoing capital projects, there has been no further injection of funds into the system.

New Telegraph investigations showed that the initial plan of the government was to release the sum of N350 billion every quarter to ensure that there were sufficient funds to keep the capital projects running, but this plan has been thwarted due to dwindling revenue.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, last week declared that

Nigeria's inflation hits 16.5% in June Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

A

nnual inflation in Nigeria rose to 16.5 percent in June, which is the highest in almost a decade and the fifth monthly increase in a row, stirring fresh apprehension on state of the country’s economy heading towards recession.

The rise, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), reflected higher prices for electricity, transport and food, a separate index for which rose to 15.3 per cent from 14.9 per cent in May. "In June, the consumer price index, which measures inflation continued to record relatively strong increases for the fifth consecutive month.

“Year on year, energy prices, imported items and related products continue to be persistent drivers of the Core sub-index. The Core index increased by 16.2 per cent in June, up by approximately 1.2 per cent points from rates recorded in May (15.1%).

“During the month, the highest increases were seen in the electricity, liquid fuel (kerosene), furniture and furnishings, passenger transport by road, and fuels and lubricants for personal transport equipment,” the statistics office said.

While imported foods continue to increase at a faster pace, the food sub index on the aggregate increased, albeit at a slower pace in June, relative to

729.1m

The estimated total population of Europe in 2000.

Source: Un.org

7%

The crude death rate of Oceania in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

May. “The index increased by 15.3 per cent (year on year) in June up by 0.4 per cent points from rates recorded in May. The index was weighted upon by a slower increase in the vegetables and sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery groups,” noted NBS. Nigeria has seen revenues plunge with oil prices, with pressure on the naira currency helping to fuel inflation.

The naira hit N295.25 in thin trade, a month after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) caved into months of pressure to remove its currency peg and effectively devalue the unit in response to falling prices for oil.

Investors have welcomed the currency float, but many are still steering clear until Nigeria shows signs of recovering from damage inflicted by the 16-month exchange rate peg.

The nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) shrunk by 0.4 per cent in the three months through March, the first contraction in more than a decade, as oil output and prices slumped and the approval of spending plans for 2016 was delayed.

A currency peg and foreign-exchange trading restrictions, which were removed last month after more than a year, led to shortages of goods from fuel to milk and contributed to the contraction in the first quarter.

Experts had forecast that Nigeria’s monthly inflation could rise to 20 per cent before end of 2016 in the face of economic hardship confronting Nigerians.

The CBN Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting will hold this month to consider, if need be, some additional measures to take in the face of rising inflation in the country.

the Federal Government would not be able to fully implement the N6.06 trillion 2016 budget because the revenues of the government had dropped by over 50 per cent contrary to projections.

Apart from the global crash in the price of crude oil, Nigeria's main foreign exchange earner, the economic situation has become further worsened by the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups who have sustained a campaign of vandalism on strategic oil installations, thereby impeding oil exploration and production in the region.

New Telegraph reliably gathered that the non-release of funds was having a devastating impact on the MDAs, as they are barely

able to pay salaries while every other obligation, particularly execution of capital projects, has been put on hold.

The implication is that in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, capital projects worth N422.96 billion have been stalled due to lack of funds.

This stagnation has affected over 40 projects for the construction of roads and bridges valued at N132.4 billion, N9.2 billion worth of power projects and N35.6 billion worth of projects meant for the construction of 1,973 blocks of 7,068 housing units in the six geo-political zones and the Federal Capital Territory.

In the Ministry of Transportation, five railway projects valued at

N150 billion has also been stalled while capital projects valued at N5.42 billion have been brought to a halt in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Similarly, capital projects valued at N13.9 billion and N3.2 billion have been stalled in the Ministries of Health and Education respectively.

New Telegraph learnt from reliable sources that the MDAs are currently frustrated and are even scared of advertising for jobs because they know there are no funds to execute them.

"The reality is that this government may find it difficult to initiate the process of executing any project this year. Even the earlier pledge that they want to

focus on ongoing projects they inherited might still not be feasible because there is no work going on now. Apart from the poor revenue accruing to government, another problem is that the release of funds is also regimented. The Ministry of Finance cannot even release quarterly allocation to MDAs as it used to do in the years past because it is President Muhammadu Buhari who decides what is to be released, to which sector and at what point," a source said.

New Telegraph also learnt that the transfer of the Budget Office from the Ministry of Finance to the National Planning Commission is also taking its toll on budget implementation.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Immediate past Senate President, David Mark (left) and Senate President Bukola Saraki, at the NILS/UNIBEN Matriculation and Fellowship Investiture in Abuja… yesterday.

Presidency trims foreign mission staff Johnchuks Onuanyim and Ebere Ameh Abuja

T

he Federal Government may have concluded plans to prune down the number of staff posted to serve in its various foreign missions across the world.

New Telegraph learnt that the proposed restructuring will see each mission having a maximum of three personnel instead of the current situation where there are as many as eight diplomats in each mission.

A source at the Presidency who disclosed this to New Telegraph, said the policy was meant to cut cost and ensure that Nigeria retained only the few hands that could man the vital areas of the diplomatic service.

The Presidency, our source said, has already sent memos to the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in preparation to the takeoff of the policy.

However, New Telegraph gathered that the

decision to cut down on the mission staff has been of concern to the affected MDAs. The source revealed that the present composition of the mission staff included positions such as Defence Attaché, Immigration Officer, Political Attaché, Economic Attaché, Foreign Affairs Officer and NIA Officer, among others.

It was learnt that due to the economic downturn in the country, the Presidency was looking at the MDAs whose activities were more relevant to the operations of the foreign missions.

According to our source, some of the MDAs have already started lobbying the Presidency through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to have their staff retained at the Foreign Missions.

"This restructuring is going to affect the Foreign Missions. The Presidency has sent memos to the affected MDAs on the need to reduce the number of staff attached to the Missions.

"The Missions have up to eight attaché staff,

but the Presidency has concluded plans to cut it down to three, a situation that has been a concern to the affected MDAs. "If the said plan should work, what it means is that there might be one person to serve as Economic and Political Attaché; one person to serve as Defence, Immigration and NIA Officer and one other person, may be from the Foreign Affairs Ministry. This might affect the productivity of the Foreign Missions since it would not be possible for them to employ staff from the host countries," our source said.

It would be recalled that the present administration, under the change mantra, had earlier pledged to restructure the system and cut down the cost of governance by reducing expenditure on salaries and allowances of its employees.

However, Director of Communication, Office of the SGF, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, said that he was not aware of any such move and advised that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs might be in a better

position to respond to the issue. “At the moment, I don't know about any such thing. I don't think there is anything like that in my office now, " Adebiyi told New Telegraph.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Clement Adukwu, said he had heard of a plan by the Federal Government to prune down the staff strength of the ministry, but has not received any official circular to that effect.

"I need to confirm from the permanent secretary's office because we understand that the government is trimming down staff strength, but the ratio was not made known to anybody yet, and we have not gotten any circular from the Presidency to that effect yet.

“I'm in the office and I'm not aware of that. A committee was to look into that matter, but I don't know whether they have released their report. But it is good you are telling me, I'm just hearing it from you. I will cross check and get back to you," Adukwu said.

NEWS

TuesDAY, July 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

3

Read my handover notes, Arase tells IG

Juliana Francis

I

mmediate past Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Solomon Arase, has asked his successor, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to avail himself with

the handover notes he left before making spurious allegations about missing vehicles.

Arase stated that the handover notes contain information on vehicles bought by the police.

This is as some of the 24

vehicles, which Idris said his predecessor took away while leaving office, have been located at an auto repair shop in Abuja.

The acting IG had, on Sunday, alleged that Arase went away with 24 cars, while his manage-

ment team also left with cars that were supposed to have been left behind.

He said: “A letter to that effect has been sent to Arase, who left with 24 cars. The Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) also left with cars

L-R: Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed; President Muhammadu Buhari and Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, at a workshop in Abuja…. yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

they weren't supposed to go with. A week before I was announced, you could see so many cars once you look out of my window. But the cars have all disappeared. What I did was to direct the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) to investigate all vehicles purchased and donated to the police in the last three years as well as their locations.

“When I took over, there were no vehicles. I discovered that the last IG went away with 24 vehicles, including two BMWs. As for the DIGs, some took seven, others eight. And they left me with an old vehicle.”

But Arase, in a statement issued from London yesterday, where he went for his son's graduation, denied receiving any letter from Idris.

According to him, all vehicles bought by the police under him were

Judiciary delaying anti-corruption war –Buhari

lCJN: We’re not the only arm to fight graft Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said that the judiciary is yet to meet the public expectations in its fight against corruption.

This was just as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, stated that the fight against corruption is not the duty of the judiciary alone.

The duo spoke separately yesterday at the opening ceremony of the international workshop to examine the role of the judiciary in the fight against corruption.

The workshop was organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute, UN Office on Drugs and Crimes and Commonwealth Secretariat.

However, they both agreed that corruption is a cankerworm, not only in Nigeria, but also in other developed countries.

Speaking further, the president noted that the corruption cases filed by his administration are not progressing due to delay tactics employed by lawyers.

Buhari appealed to the judiciary to support his administration’s fight against corruption, adding that a well-functioning criminal justice system seeks to move the country towards greater growth and development.

“I am worried that the expectation of the public is yet to be met by the judiciary with regard to the removal of delay and the toleration of delay tactics by lawyers,” he said.

“When cases are not concluded, the negative impression is given that crime pays. So far, the corruption cases filed by government are not progressing as speedily as they should in spite of the administration of criminal justice act of 2015 essentially because the courts allow some lawyers to frustrate the reforms introduced by law.

“This certainly needs to change if we have to make success of our collective effort in the fight against corruption. As we are all aware, I have made the fight against corruption one of the top priorities of this administration in the hope of restoring the economy and building a new Nigeria.

“In the face of dwindling revenues and in a bid at repositioning Nigeria’s economy, it became obligatory to swiftly tackle two ills: waste and corruption.

The eradication of corruption is a joint task involving not only judges and members of the legal profession, but all stakeholders, including all branches of government, the media, the civil society and the general citizenry.

“The challenge is to come up with an integrated approach that balances process and substance, promote clarity so as to ensure a coherent and realistic formulation of ob-

jectives. To this end, the judiciary is duty bound to keep its house in order and to ensure that the public, which it serves, sees this.

Thus, we cannot expect to make any gains in the war against corruption in our society when the judiciary is seen as being distant from the struggle. This will not augur well and its negative effect will impact all sectors of society.

“The judiciary must fight delay of cases in court, as well as it fights corruption within its own ranks perceived or otherwise. We expect to see less tolerance to delay tactics used by defence lawyers or even the prosecution in taking cases to their conclusion," the president said.

In his own address, the CJN noted that the fight against corruption is only a part of the process of building good governance, adding that everyone must be accountable, transparent and adhere to the proverbial rules of the game.

"Despite the role of the third arm of state, I must reiterate that the responsibility of fighting corruption in our country lies with every one of us, institutionally and individually.

"We cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different results. Let us, therefore, ensure that all hands are on deck working towards a corrupt-free Nigeria," the CJN added.

He further stated that the issue of undue delay by technicality, which hitherto plagued the

criminal justice system, has also been addressed by the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

"The Act has barred the entertainment of interlocutory applications by any court, limited the number of adjournments that a court may grant, provides for a day-to-day trial until conclusion of the case and permits trial in absentia, among initiatives too numerous to mention in this address," he added.

The CJN stressed that corruption in Nigeria, as in other climes, is a complex and many-sided problem that cannot be solved in isolation.

"The reality of its corrosive effect is found in the socio-economic threat that it poses to the development and harmony of Nigeria.

As we have witnessed, corruption suppresses economic growth and undermines the sustainable management of our commonwealth.

"It also results in flagrant breaches of the fundamental human rights of citizens, undermines our collective security; aggravates poverty, while threatening the legitimacy of constitutional governance and democracy. Perhaps above these, corruption blunts the sword of justice and engenders contempt for the rule of law, a fundamental principle of any civilized society.

"It is, therefore, important for us to be holistic in our submissions and pragmatic in our solutions.

"I daresay that corruption cannot be easily tack-

led without transparent, efficient and speedy delivery of justice. Indeed, this is fundamental to our economic growth, development and national well-being. Hence, the growth of our democracy is underpinned by the satisfactory resolution of our individual and collective differences through a proficient and virile justice system."

At the event, the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said it received 8,000 criminal case files from the police since the enactment of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

Malami said that the Act, which prohibits policemen who were nonlawyers from prosecuting criminal cases, had placed the responsibilities on the Department of Public Prosecution in his ministry.

He noted that the ministry deployed additional counsel to the prosecution department and developed their professional capacity to handle the cases in a timely and efficient manner.

He added that the ACJA had been rightly acknowledged as a revolutionary legislation that would facilitate the achievement of a humane and functional criminal justice system founded on social justice and rule of law.

He further stressed the need for the total understanding of its provisions by all relevant sectors, particularly the security agencies, investigative and prosecutorial authorities, the legal profession and the judiciary.

distributed to the state commands and other appropriate units of the Nigeria Police Force.

His words: “I suspect there must be a disconnection somewhere because information needed by my successor is provided in my hand-over notes. I am also not aware that any letter was written to me.

“If there was any letter dropped at my house, someone would have alerted me. It is unfortunate that this matter is being made a media issue because my successor has my telephone number and could have called me for any clarification or even sent me a text, rather than addressing the media on an issue well documented in my hand-over notes.”

New Telegraph learnt that the cars were allegedly sent to an auto repair shop located at Jabi District, Abuja. It was also alleged that one of the cars, a BMW, has been completed and repainted.

A source said: “The spare staff car had been having engine problem in the last five years before the last administration sent it for repairs.”

A source at the auto shop alleged that the car was delivered to the police headquarters at the weekend, after completion of repairs. He added that officials of the company would soon visit Idris to demand payment for the work.

According to the auto shop source, another official car; armoured plated staff car, would take time in fixing because of its high technology. He said that some parts needed to be imported.

“Nobody approached our company to ask about the whereabouts of the cars. It was the police that brought them,” said the source.

It was alleged that Works Department and Transport Department of the police, which could have provided answers to the alleged ‘missing vehicles’, were not contacted.

Instead, the present IG’s secretariat, filled with newly posted officers, wrote Arase, demanding the whereabouts of the cars. It was also said that all the vehicles have records and their locations known.

$39.6bn

The net worth of David Koch in 2016.

Source: Forbes.com

21

The life expectancy of men at age 60 years of El Salvador in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

4

NEWS

TuesDAY, July 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP crisis: Why Makarfi must resign, by Sheriff lParty’s survival paramount, says Buruji

Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

F

actional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff said he has continued to lay claim to the party's leadership because conditions he gave PDP leaders at a reconciliation meeting in Taraba State were not met.

Sheriff spoke yesterday when he hosted a delegation from Abia State who paid him a visit in Abuja.

But Senator Kashamu

Buruji who was the main backbone of Sheriff, however, advised him to toe the path of peace for the interest of the party.

He also explained why he left the faction and attended last Thursday's expanded national caucus meeting presided over by Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

Sheriff told the Abia delegation that part of his conditions to end the crisis was that the National Caretaker Committee, headed by Makarfi, should resign because there is no provision for caretaker committee in the PDP

Cash crisis hits FG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Under the civil service procedures, our source said, the management of the budget remained a function of the Ministry of Finance, but this government took it away and subsumed it in another entity.

According to our source, the only thing left with the Minister of Finance is the authority to issue warrants for the release of funds to MDAs and the funds are not flowing anymore.

A survey conducted

by New Telegraph across the MDAs showed a general lull in activities and a mixed bag of frustration, uncertainty and cautious hope.

A senior accountant working with one of the Federal Medical Centres in North Central said no single dime had been released to his agency in the name of executing capital projects.

"As I speak to you now, no cash backing for capital projects yet. Even the recurrent side, it's only salary that we are paying on monthly basis. The other aspect, which is overhead cost like training, is zero," he said.

At Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), a senior officer, who sought for anonymity, said his agency had pushed out tenders inviting prospective suppliers to submit tenders for supplies.

"As recent as last Friday, we still advertised for supplies. If there was no hope for fund, I doubt if the management could ask that tenders for supplies be put out there," he said.

Effort to get update from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning met brick walls.

However, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, disclosed that sequel to the initial release of funds by

the Federal Government to finance on-going capital projects across the country, contractors on Federal Highways have gone back to construction site.

Fashola made this known while delivering a keynote address on the Expected Role of Insurance in Infrastructural Development in Nigeria; organised by the Insurance Industry Consultative Council, to mark the 2016 annual National Insurance Conference in Abuja.

New Telegraph sighted a letter dated July 8, and addressed to the Director, Federal Highways (SouthWest), Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Mabushi, Abuja, which was in respect of the rehabilitation of the Lagos/ Ibadan Dual Carriage Way II (Sagamu-Ibadan).

The letter, signed by one Engr. O.N Olubakinde stated that the level of completion of the project stood at 27.6 per cent while the percentage time lapse was 75 per cent as at June 2016.

As part of efforts by the government to explore new means of boosting revenue for funding 2016 budget, the Federal Ministry of Finance, last week, organised a national retreat on revenue generation.

The two-day retreat, which held in Kano, saw the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, interacting with experts on revenue generation and administration in a bid to chart the way forward for Nigeria.

Chief Executives of various government revenue-generating agencies, Directors of Accounts and Audit, as well as revenue officers in MDAs participated at the retreat where they shared their experiences and articulated new strategies on boosting revenue generation and prudent application of such resources to finance the implementation of various development projects.

constitution.

He, however, contradicted himself when he said that it was agreed that the two factions should nominate 10 members each to form a national convention committee that will conduct a fresh national convention, which should hold in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

"If the leaders of our party felt that we can find a solution without exhausting the court, then I am open to it, we can find a political solution.

"Yes, we have met and issues were discussed, but all the issues I put forward for them was for the Makarfi caretaker committee to resign.

"Nothing like that has been reported. If you do not stand on the truth till the end, the result will be a serious distraction," he said.

Sheriff added that he offered to give up his tenure if the caretaker committee is disbanded.

"It is an aberration as far as our party constitution is concerned. I told them that I am not ready to be a permanent chairman, but I want the party to be placed in proper stead.

"If he (Makarfi) resigns tomorrow, I will ask members of my NWC whose tenure still lasts till 2018, including myself, to prepare for a convention committee in Abuja and put respected members as members of the committee.

"In that convention, I will give away my mandate that does not expire until 2018.

"I have given the people opportunity to see that Sheriff is not the problem. The problem is that some people want to make the party their personal property. And that will not happen under Sheriff," he emphasized.

At the meeting with him were Senator Hope Uzodimma, former governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh and a new entrant into the group, Barr.

Jimoh Ibrahim.

Buruji, in a statement, noted that though he might feel hurt, the survival of PDP should be paramount to him.

According to him, the Taraba meeting, which was held at Taraba Government House, were attended by Deputy Presi-

3

The total number of matches played

by Russia at Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Fifa.com

8.6m

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Argentina in 2003.

Source: Itu.int

dent of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, Governors Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) and Nyesom Wike (Rivers), among others, agreed to convene an expanded national caucus meeting while a national convention committee (NCC) should be set up within a week.

The NCC, he added, would run the affairs of the party till the national convention is held.

He disclosed that both Makarfi and Sheriff expressed their unwillingness to contest the national chairmanship of the party.

"They both agreed that a date should be fixed for the National Convention within a month. They both agreed that the two of them would address the nation and members of

the party at the National Convention. In effect, the two great leaders showed that they have the interest of the party at heart," he added.

Buruji explained that the only point of divergence during the meeting was who should preside over the expanded national caucus meeting and constitute the National Convention Committee.

"It was then proposed that they should co-chair the expanded national caucus meeting and jointly constitute the National Convention Committee," he added.

He said that it was on the basis of the agreement that he decided to attend the expanded national caucus meeting.

"As a true party man, I could not but support the reconciliation process in order to move the party forward.

"Since he and Senator Makarfi have said they are not interested in contesting for the office of National Chairman of the party at the National Convention, he should encourage all his people to participate in the process leading to the rescheduled National Convention," he pleaded.

L-R: United States Deputy Chief of Mission, Maria E. Brewer; Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director, Michael Harvey, at USAID in Abuja.

Niger Delta: Buhari should adopt Yar’Adua’s template –UNDEDSS Wale Elegbede

T

he coalition of ethnic nationalities and civil society under the auspices of the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS) has implored President Muhammadu Buhari to revive the 2009 Amnesty the late President Umaru Yar’Adua deployed to stem the armed agitation in the oil-rich region.

In a statement signed yesterday by UNDEDSS Secretary General, Mr. Tony Uranta, the group urged Buhari to adopt the former president’s template by re-establishing

the Niger Delta Committee/Council that operated five sub-committees to holistically address the challenges identified in the region.

According to Uranta, "UNDEDSS and other leading stakeholders in the region have tirelessly interfaced with very senior members of this administration and given them a detailed template the president should deploy now to resolve this growing insecurity in the region, which is negatively impacting all of Nigeria.

"In the light of the conflicting statements being made by too many putative representatives of both the region and the Federal

Government, it is necessary, however, to state that the Niger Delta is not going to know sustainable peace via the coterie of so-called Contact Groups or Committees and that there cannot be any reliable dialogue, between the Federal Government and the region, without a commitment to justice and equity by President Buhari himself."

While reiterating that all the government needs to do is to adopt what the 2008 Niger Delta Technical Committee's Report recommended, UNDEDSS listed immediate actions the government can commence towards reassuring the Niger Delta of its

sincere commitment to justice and equity.

"These include the release of 10 secondary schoolchildren and others detained as prisonersof-war for many weeks since the military invasion of Gbaramatu Kingdom; the return of symbols of Gbaramatu traditional worship; and, most importantly, President Buhari addressing the nation to announce that he would personally lead the revival of the 2009 template premised on a Niger Delta Development Committee under his direct supervision, plus grant free passage to all stakeholders he is ready to directly dialogue with," Uranta said.

5

TuesDAY, July 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

United States floats $2m agribusiness partnership in Nigeria

Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

T

he United States Government yesterday launched two new partner-

ships with local agribusinesses, Babban Gona and Hello Tractor, to promote the development of the agriculture sector in Nigeria.

The two-year partnership, which would gulp $2

million, is expected to enhance access to smart tractors, improved seeds, and profitable markets for over 45,000 smallholder farmers across seven states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The programme came

as part of the Feed the Future initiative of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through which it seeks to partner with the private sector to support smallholder farm-

Reps to pass own version of PIB – Dogara

Philip Nyam Abuja

S

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has said the legislature cannot no longer wait for the executive version of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) but go ahead and pass the private member bill submitted by lawmakers.

He also lamented that the nation's oil industry was designed to favour the elites at the expense of the less privileged Nigerians.

Dogara, who disclosed this yesterday in his address at the National Stakeholders’ Summit on Petroleum Industry Reforms organised by the House Committees on Petroleum

in Abuja, said the legislature is determined to draft a law for the industry that will be in the best interest of Nigerians.

He assured that the National Assembly would engage with stakeholders on contentious issues as it begins work on the PIB. He said: "The need to make consensus and lend a voice to long suppressed agitations in the drafting and consideration of petroleum industry bill informed our decision to organise this stakeholders’ summit. We are optimistic that this approach will provide the crucial platform to enable us cross pollinate ideas and ventilate our positions on certain contentious issues, regardless how vexed they may be.

You can rest assured that

our work at the National Assembly is to do your good intention.

"We are not unaware of the several failed attempts at redeeming the petroleum industry by our predecessors. The PIB has been down a long, tortuous, and chequered road.

Most of us have been cotravellers on the journey to pass the bill into law, and have the requisite experience to avoid any pitfalls ahead, hence this resolve to seek proper consultations with you and build confidence amongst us."

Lamenting that the poor management of the petroleum industry has left much to be desired with only a few elite Nigerians benefiting from it, Dogara assured that all these issues will be ad-

Aviation fuel scarcity bites harder, airlines reschedule flights CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

but that there had been flight rescheduling by the carrier, leading to delays.

He said: “We rescheduled flights because of scarcity of aviation fuel, which is biting harder, but despite that, our airline was yet to cancel any of their flights.”

A source in Medview also told New Telegraph that the airline was also affected by the situation, hoping that the scarcity would ease off before the end of the week.

For Arik, it is the same story.

Arik operates an average of 120 daily flights, requiring about 500,000 litres of fuel daily.

Spokesman for Arik, Banji Ola, said due to the large number of domestic and international flights, it is the most impacted by the inability of oil marketers to meet its daily fuel requirements on a timely and consistent basis.

This, he said, has forced the airline to postpone flights while waiting for the fuel marketers to source and deliver the product.

On many occasions, despite all efforts in engaging the marketers, if fuel could not be sourced, the flights may eventually be cancelled, causing not only revenue loss for the airline, but also inconveniencing or leaving the passengers stranded.

He said Arik Air has identified supply and infrastructural challenges of the marketers as some of

the key factors responsible for the epileptic supply of aviation fuel.

"At the root of the fuel supply crisis is low stock due to the inability of marketers to source for the foreign exchange to import more Jet A1 fuel into the country. There is also a distribution challenge as the discharging of vessels bringing Jet A1 and other petroleum products are done in the same jetty and loading various trucks for distribution to cities like Kano or Abuja takes considerable effort and time," he said.

Ola explained that the situation in the north was even more difficult since the product takes longer to be delivered due to the trucking distance.

Oil marketers have also resorted to trucking of aviation fuel to the airports because hydrants are not consistently available at the airports.

Arik Air has also stated that it was working on a longer term plan which will be finalised in the coming months to mitigate this situation and to be in a better position to address such supply shortages and delays.

"While the Federal Government and oil marketers are working hard to address the supply and distribution challenges, we appeal to our guests to bear with us as they may experience flight delays and cancellations because of the prevailing scarcity of aviation fuel across the

country," Arik stated.

Marketers have assured that the situation would improve this week as they are expecting delivery of additional stock.

Air Peace has appealed to the Federal Government and aviation authorities to urgently intervene in the lingering scarcity of JETA1 fuel, saying the development has disrupted the operations of airlines in the country.

Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide, regretted that despite the airline's efforts to source aviation fuel for its operations, some of its flight schedules were affected by the scarcity.

She urged the Federal Government to address the situation to save the operations of airlines from grinding to a halt.

"For quite some time now, there has been a general scarcity of JET-A1 fuel in the country. Since the development, we have resorted to different alternative sources to secure the product to ensure that flight delays did not disrupt the programmes of our numerous loyal customers.

"Although this has proved very costly for us to manage, we have spared nothing in our bid to source aviation fuel for our operations. We, however, regret that despite our huge efforts, we have not been able to secure enough fuel to run our operations without some hitches," Olajide said.

dressed during the summit.

The speaker noted: "Nigeria is one of the richest petroleum regions of the world. Paradoxically, it has never been able to maximise effectively its immense oil and gas potential and the revenue accruing from it. The downstream operates in a state of almost continuous malfunction, and for years has been characterised by comatose refineries and an inefficient downstream. It operates under an inadequate legal framework, with an inefficient and poorly maintained pipeline network and depot system.

"The result is that Nigeria is both one of the world’s largest producers of crude oil, and one of the world’s leading importers of petroleum products, a dependency that has enriched the elite at the expense of the increasingly impoverished masses."

ers in Nigeria.

Through these partnerships, USAID addresses development and business challenges by increasing access to improved agricultural inputs and mechanisation, better quality technical advisory services, and expanding market opportunities for smallholder farmers.

Deputy Chief of Mission, United States Embassy, Mrs. Maria Brewer, who unveiled the programme in the presence of Nigeria's Minister for Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, described the partnership as a co-investment in public goods, stressing that innovation and entrepreneurship held the key to unlocking Nigeria’s agriculture potential.

Brewer assured that the US Government will continue to provide support to Nigeria to exploit the untapped potential of youth in agriculture, build the capacity of young entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, create secure jobs and boost economic growth in Nigeria.

The envoy described Nigeria as one of the most innovative, dynamic, and entrepreneurial countries in the world, adding that the US Government would continue partnering with the private sector for the

good of the agriculture sector in Nigeria.

The Babban Gona aspect of the programme addresses economy of scale problems for smallholder farmers by forming cooperatives called “trust groups.” These trust groups help maize, rice, and soybean farmers attain larger economies of scale. Over the next two years, Babban Gona will help more than 20,000 smallholder farmers in five states increase yields and potentially increase their income up to 30 per cent.

On the other hand, Hello Tractor will build a network of tractor owners who can be summoned to assist farmers on a “justin-time” basis. As a result, smallholders will have access to affordable farm machine services to increase productivity.

148.43m The total number of GSM subscribers of Nigeria as at September 2015.

Source: Ncc.gov.ng

£258,485 The weekly salary of Yaya Gnegneri Toure of Manchester City in 2014/2015.

Source: Paywizard.co.uk

6

NEWS | national

tuesday, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tinubu's wife seeks police protection from Melaye Wale Elegbede and Chukwu David

S

enator Oluremi Tinubu, representing the Lagos Central Senatorial District, has written to the acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, requesting for police protection following the altercation between her and Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West.

During a closed-door session of the Senate on Tuesday, July, 12, Tinubu and Melaye had some bitter exchange of words.

In the request letter personally signed by Tinubu, dated July 18, 2016,

with reference number SOT/VOL2/135, the lawmaker said Melaye threatened her life without any provocation whatsoever.

The letter reads: "During the proceedings of the Senate on Tuesday, July 14, 2016, I had cause to contribute to a matter of national importance. Apparently dissatisfied with my contributions, Senator Dino Melaye threw caution to the winds, resorted to vulgar abuse of my person and wanted to assault me.

"It was the timely intervention of a number of colleagues which prevented Senator Melaye from unleashing physical

attack on me. However, as the leadership of the Senate did not call him to order in the circumstance, he proceeded to threaten my life without any provocation whatsover."

Tinubu added that: "In view of Senator Melaye's antecedent, particularly in the House of Representatives, where a brawl led by him had led to the untimely death of a member, I have decided not to ignore his threat to my life. Therefore, I am com-

$3.3bn

The amount by which David Koch’s fortune dropped in 2016.

Source: Forbes.com

pelled to urge you to use your good offices to provide me with adequate security," she said.

Meanwhile, a civil rights movement, Committee for the Defence of Women's Rights (CDWR) yesterday, alleged that Remi, wife of a national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had concluded plans to sponsor protest against Melaye.

The organisation, in a statement in Abuja, through its National President, Prof. Taibat Majekodunmi, alleged that, Mrs Tinubu, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs,

L-R: National Chairman, PPA, Chief Peter Ameh; National Chairman Independent Democrats (ID), Hon. Edozie Madu and Sen. Ben Obi, during the dedication and thanksgiving service of Miss Olivia Sinachi Madu, at Diocese of Abuja Anglican Communion, St. Matthews Church, Maitama, Abuja … yesterday.

M

ilitants in the Niger Delta at the weekend continued their onslaught on crude oil installations in the region as they attacked an oil pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which supplies product to the first Nigerian government wholly owned refinery in Warri, Delta State.

The pipeline operated by a subsidiary of NNPC, the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), which is located on the outskirts of Warri, a city in the Niger Delta, is

Militants attack NNPC pipeline, disrupt supply to Warri Refinery used to transport the crude to the 125,000 barrels per day Warri refinery.

Aside from being wholly-owned by the NNPC, the refinery also pays NNPC Corporate Headquarters overhead charges.

The NNPC's Group General Manager, Group Public affairs, Mallam Garba Deen Muhammed, could not be reached for comment but a community leader, Chief Ogugu Dickson, yesterday confirmed

Ban Ki-Moon, others honour Mandela’s rules of prisons Flora Onwudiwe

T

he United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon and others yesterday, honoured Nelson Mandela’s rules for the treatment of prisoners.

At a one-day training organized by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in collaboration with the South African Consulate General, United Nations of Nigeria and the Nigerian Prisons Service, which was held at the Nigerian Prisons

Services, Lagos State Command Alagbon Ikoyi, Lagos, the virtues of Mandela were highlighted.

The United Nations envoy in Nigeria, Mr. Ronald Kayanja, said that Nelson Mandela rules for the treatment of prisoners have been in existence since 1955 .

Kayanja said that,“the rules were made in 2015.

The rules are a tool of minimum standards that countries around the world should have for the confinement of the prisoners."

that the pipeline has been attacked.

Two blasts were heard on the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) line late on Sunday night, Ogugu Dickson who is the Chairman of Batan community said.

A security source also, according to Reuters, said there had been blasts.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Warri Refinery,

the first Nigerian government wholly owned refinery was commissioned in 1978. It was built to process 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day but was later de-bottlenecked to process 125,000 barrels per day in 1987.

The affected refinery, Warri Refinery, was essentially built to add value to some of the refinery byproducts such as propylene rich stock and decant oil.

inister of Transportation Chuibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has said that the Federal Government was repositioning the Nigeria Maritime and Security Agency (NIMASA) so as to bring about effective performance in the agency.

Amaechi disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, when he received the Ministerial Committee on NIMASA for Restructuring and Effective Performance led by its Director General, Dr Dakuku Peterside.

Amaechi also explained that when repositioned,

NIMASA would generate more income for government and improve on quality service delivery.

“Let me thank the Committee. It’s almost two months since you were inaugurated. Let me also thank those of you in the private sector.

For those of you who took your time, your energy, I must thank you in the manner that would show the appreciation of the Federal Government and the Ministry of Transportation for accepting to serve.

Funlola. The money is to organise a protest in Abuja on Wednesday against the chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dino Melaye, with 1,000 protesters from Lagos.

"The protesters have booked for 300 rooms in some hotels in Abuja.

Why did she not organise a protest against the hardship of Nigerian women and widows. As we speak, Alade market in Lagos has been destroyed and all the women rendered shopless. Oluremi Tinubu did not organise protest about that.”

MEND to Buhari: Release Okah, drop charges against Tompolo

A

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Adeola Yusuf

had already released N75 million to Lagos State APC Woman Leader, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, for the exercise billed for tomorrow (Wednesday), in Abuja.

Majekodunmi said part of the money, which she noted, came to Nelson, through one of her sisters simply identified as Funlola, had been used in booking 300 hotel rooms, ahead of the event tomorrow.

She said: "We have it on good authority that N75 million has been released by Senator Okuremi Tinubu to Mrs. Kemi Nelson through Mrs. Tinubu's sister called

passionate appeal has gone to President Muhammadu Buhari to effect the release of Henry Okah and his brother, Charles Okah, presently in jail in South Africa and Nigeria to enhance the much needed peace in the Niger Delta region.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, in a release, also urged President Buhari to suspend all the charges against ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, alias Tompolo, to facilitate the ceasefire effort being made by the exmilitant leader in order to usher in a permanent peace in the area.

MEND also yesterday came up with a group to finalize the peace process headed by Mr. Odien Ajumogobia (SAN) and HRH King Alfred Diette Spiff, a foremost traditional ruler in the South-South as his deputy as well as representatives in the

geo-political zone to open dialogue for peaceful negotiation.

Described as Aaron Team 2, the group urged Mr. President to commence the peace process by contacting the leaders.

Spokesperson of the group, Jomo Gbomo said, “MEND hereby submits the final list of members of the Aaron Team 2 dialogue peace and development initiative inaugurated by MEND on June 12, 2016 to find lasting solution to the Niger Delta crisis.

The group asserted that “Consequently, the Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group (NDDCG), as the name connotes, shall serve as the contact and clearing house for all mushroom and internetbased militant groups in the region; all aggrieved oil bearing and coastal communities affected by the menace of oil spillage and related environmental challenges”

Buhari insists on transparent budget Anule Emmanuel Abuja

Amaechi: We are overhauling NIMASA P M

resident Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that all budgetary process under his administration will remain transparent and participatory.

The President also yesterday assured Nigerians that the Federal Government will comply with all aspects and the provisions of the 2016 budget.

He said he came to power on the plank of anti-corruption and good governance.

In a statement by his media office, the President said that government would fully comply with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and other extant laws as

they relate to the submission of budget proposals of Federal Government agencies and corporations to the National Assembly.

The statement said: "The President has lived up to this commitment of accountability and transparency with the recent submission of the proposed budgets of CBN, NNPC, Nigerian Ports Authority and others.

"The transmission of budgets for the MDAs to the National Assembly, particularly those regarding the Central Bank and the NNPC behemoth is clearly unprecedented.

"The President is determined to make the budgeting process more transparent and participatory," Buhari said.

national | news

tuesday, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

APC cautions Atiku on utterances, 2019 ambition Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

T

here are strong indications that f o r m e r- Vi c e President, Atiku Abubakar had been cautioned by his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) over his recent utterances on the restructuring of the country and his vaunting 2019 presidential ambition.

Atiku had yesterday met with the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

The meeting, which was closed door, held at the National Headquarters of the party in Abuja.

The former vice president was accompanied to the meeting by the Governor of Adamawa State, Senator Muhammad Umar Jubrila and his personal staff.

Although the former Vice President and NWC members of the APC declined to speak on the

meeting that lasted for over 20 minutes, an insider stated that it had to do with 2019 presidential election and Atiku's comment on restructuring of Nigeria.

The source, who spoke on anonymity, stated that

the party expressed concern over the story attributed to him on restructuring of Nigeria.

According to the source, the leadership of the party told him that they and the presidency were not happy

with his position on restructuring. He was also told that such issue was what he would have suggested to the party or the presidency as an advice and not to speak it out in the public.

Chief and Lady Solo Akuma (SAN), at their daughter’s graduation from Cherryfield College, Abuja …at the weekend

K

ids who watch a lot of television may build less bone during critical years, and be more vulnerable to osteoporosis and bone breaks later in life.

This is the finding of a study published in the ‘Journal of Bone and Mineral Research’.

Osteoporosis is a condition of fragile bone with an increased susceptibility to fracture. Osteoporosis weakens bone and increases risk of bones breakage. Bone mass (bone density) decreases after 35 years of age, and bone loss occurs more rapidly in women after menopause.

According to an online report in reuters.com, the researchers followed children and teens until age 20 - when bone mass is peaking - had lower bone mass at that age, the more hours they had spent watching TV in childhood.

Reacting to the development, Natalie Pearson of the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom (UK), said, “What we need to make clear is that it is not necessarily the act of watching TV that is driving the link between TV and health outcomes, but the act of sitting for long periods.

“The first set of data collected on TV viewing in the current study was collected 15 years ago,”

powerful relative to the federating units. That situation needs to change and calling for that change is patriotic.”

“We must refrain from assuming that anyone calling for restructuring of our federation is working for the breakup of our country. Absolutely not.

And I reject that notion.”

“An excessively powerful centre does not equate to national unity. Absolutely not. If anything, it has made our unity more fragile, our government more unstable and our country more unsafe. We must renegotiate our union in order to make it strong.”

But contacted yesterday, the Atiku Office confirmed the meeting. An official in the Media office however said that he did not know the reason for the meeting at the APC secretariat.

38.44%

The percentage of expatriates’ football players of Spain in 2012-2013 season.

Source: Football-observatory.com

Children who watch TV often risk fragile bones Appolonia Adeyemi

Also, the party was said to have told him that as a presidential hopeful, anything he said would be taken seriously by Nigerians and opposition political parties.

Further, the source explained that the party expressed worries that since the former Vice President canvassed for the restructuring of Nigeria, many prominent Nigerians have cued into that and the presidency was not happy with this.

Atiku had while speaking at a book launch in Abuja few weeks back, said “Nigeria is not working as well as it should. And part of the reason is the poor way we have structured our economy and governance especially since 1960.”

“The Federal Government is too big and too

7

and since then, more and more young people have started watching TV on demand, using iPads, smart phones and apps, she added.

For the study, led by Joanne A. McVeigh at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, the parents of more than 1,000 Australian kids reported how much TV each child watched per week at ages five, eight, 10, 14, 17 and 20 years - though at older ages the kids started to self-report their own TV watching habits.

Researchers sorted the kids into three groups based on their TV watching patterns over time: about 20 per cent watched less than 14 hours of TV per week as children and teens and were considered consistent low-level watchers, more than 40 per cent watched 14 or more hours per week as children and teens and were consistent high-level watchers, and 35 per cent increased from low to high levels of TV watching per week over the years.

At age 20, the participants had X-ray scans to assess bone mineral content.

The researchers accounted for height, body mass, physical activity, calcium intake, vitamin D levels, alcohol, and smoking at age 20, and still found that kids who were consistently high-level TV watchers at younger ages had lower bone mineral content than others as

adults.

Speaking in similar vein, Dr. Sebastien Chastin of Glasgow Caledonian University in the U.K., said immobilisation for prolonged period of time was detrimental to bone health.

According to Chastin, sitting and watching television take away from being active. He therefore, reasoned that the body does not get the benefit of physical activity and secondly, it immobilises us for prolonged period of time which we know from bed rest studies triggers physiological response that change the balance in our body chemistry that keeps our bone strong.

“Several studies have shown over the years that there is a relationship between the time we spend sitting and bone health,” he added.

"Poor bone health ultimately can lead to osteoporosis (brittle bone disease) which affects over 200 million women worldwide," he said.

“You can imagine that a fall on a brittle hip is more likely to result in fracture.

"Our bodies reach peak bone density around age 22, after which time bone density decreases over time, though we can slow the decrease by maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle," Chastin said.

NILS honours Mark, Bankole, Tambuwal, three others Chukwu David Abuja

T

he National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) yesterday honoured six former presiding officers of the National Assembly with the award of fellowship of the institute.

Those honoured with the fellowship were former Senate President, David Mark, former Speakers of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole and Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who is now Sokoto State Governor.

Equally honoured were

Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu; former Deputy Speaker, Senator Usman Bayero Nfada and former Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha.

The President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, in his speech at the occasion, said that the investiture would afford NILS the opportunity to acknowledge persons of eminence and distinction, who have provided the Institute with the inspiration and the necessary guidance to be what it is.

The institute also matriculated 99 students for Higher Diploma and Postgraduate studies in legislative studies.

Court grants Ohakim’s request to travel abroad Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

T

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday granted a former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, leave to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Ohakim, through his counsel, Goddy Uche (SAN), had approached the court seeking permission to go for medical treatment abroad.

Ohakim in the application asked the court to release his passport to allow him travel abroad for routine medical check-up.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Festus Ukpe, did not oppose the application.

The trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, however, granted the application.

The court further ordered Ohakim to return his passport to the regis-

trar of the court not later than 48 hours upon his return in August.

The Federal Government is prosecuting Ohakim on a three-count charge of alleged corruption and money laundering.

Ohakim had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was consequently admitted to bail.

He had also brought a no case submission, saying that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had not established a prima facie case against him.

The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, had dismissed the no case submission and ordered Ohakim to defend himself.

The substantive case against Ohakim is before Justice Adeniyi Ademola, but he approached Justice Dimgba’s court because of the court’s vacation.

Buhari orders OAU to reopen varsity, recommend VC

Mojeed Alabi

T

here are strong indications that both administrative and academic activities may resume at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, this week, as President Mohammadu Buhari has instructed the university’s Registrar, Mr. David Awoyemi, to announce the reopening of the institution as soon as possible.

That was even as the President has asked the

university’s members of the Senate to recommend one of them, who is capable of running the institution as a vice-chancellor in acting capacity, for Federal Government’s approval.

In a letter addressed to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie, through the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, the President directed the Senate not to consider any of the candidates who earlier contested for the position.

8

tuesday, JULY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Welder kills farmer, offers head for sale

Ag IG, Ibrahim Idris

Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

A

middle-aged welder, Segun Bamidele, is now in police custody for allegedly beheading a farmer, Sunday Owolabi, at Rore, a rural settlement in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Bamidele was said to have told his interrogators that he committed the crime under the influence of alcohol.

He was said to have claimed that

Owolabi refused to return his greetings when the two met in the farm.

It was learnt that Bamidele attempted to sell the severed head of his victim after committing the crime.

Although details of the incident remained scanty as community members were reluctant to speak on the issue, a resident said members of Owolabi’s family had become worried on Saturday after he did not return from the farm.

“This development got his relatives worried. A search party discovered the headless body the next day in the farm. The suspect tried to sell the severed head to a man called Aliyu, who turned him down.

“Aliyu thereafter reported the case to a community leader who in turn informed the village head.

Upon interrogation by the community, Bamidele confessed to have acted under influence of alcohol.”

The case was later reported at Omu-Aran Police Division which led to the arrest of the suspect.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident to journalists.

He said the suspect was undergoing interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

The collapsed building

Controversy over building collapse at Oko Poly Pamela Eboh Awka

T

here was confusion yesterday over the collapse of a two-storey building under construction at the extension site of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Anambra State.

Students said the public administration building, which is presently at the roofing stage, collapsed in the early hours of yesterday but the management of the institution claimed that part of the building was deliberately pulled down for fortification following the discovery of structural defects.

When our correspondent visited the institution, the road leading to the permanent site was barricaded with wooden chairs and a white pick-up van parked across the road to prevent entry into the area. Also,

City Briefs Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

G

overnor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State yesterday alleged that police officers who collaborated with kidnappers and cultists to terrorize the state had been reposted to the state because of the coming National Assembly rerun election.

Wike regretted that their return would reverse some of the gains the state had made in security.

The governor added that their return was influenced by politicians who wanted to win the rerun by all means.

stitution, Mr. Obini Onuchukwu, told journalists part of the building was deliberately pulled down when some structural defects were noticed.

He said: “Following the recent collapse of five buildings at Nwagu, Amaokpla and Ekwulobia, all around Oko town in recent times, the management of Oko Polytechnic decided to engage the services of building materials testing consultants to test all completed and ongoing buildings in the institution, especially as the area was associated with weak soil that made Oko and other neighbouring communities prone to gully erosion.

“In the course of the exercise, our engineer discovered that part of the public administration building had defects and the management decided to pull down the affected part for correction and fortification.

Three hoodlums held in Bauchi

Policemen aiding kidnappers back in Rivers –Wike

He accused some politicians of plotting to politicise the security of lives and property owing to their selfish interest, but warned that the people would rise against the move like what happened in Turkey, where the people rose to defend democracy.

Wike, who spoke while addressing medical practitioners at the Government House, Port Harcourt, threatened to make public the names of the police officers and their deeds if the Acting Inspector-General, Ibrahim Idris, decided not to act.

The governor said he had officially informed Idris of the several postings of of-

stern-looking security operatives were manning the post to ensure that nobody entered the permanent site.

Students, whose departments were located in the area, were asked to stay away but they were milling around the road leading to the area.

Efforts by journalists to have a first-hand view of the affected building were rebuffed by the security outfit of the polytechnic led by the chief security officer, who insisted that he was under instruction not to allow anybody to enter the extension site.

However, the Rector, Prof Godwin Onu, was not available to react. But the Deputy Rector in charge of administration, Mr. Ejike Nwabuona, insisted that there was no building collapse in the polytechnic.

Nwabuona, who was with the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the in-

Nankpah Bwakan Bauchi

P Wike

ficers used by politicians to compromise security.

Wike alleged that a senior police officer indicted for aiding kidnappers and cultists in the state had returned.

He said: “They are posting back security agents who have access to kidnappers. They are sending back security agents who will compromise the security of Rivers State.”

olice in Bauchi State said yesterday that they had dispersed about 30 armed miscreants who wanted to disrupt public peace and arrested three.

The miscreants, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed, said in a statement that the suspects were armed with machetes and knives.

Mohammed added that police patrol team, which saw them head towards Ahmadu Bello Way, Government Reserves Area (GRA), immediately incepted the hoodlums.

He said: “On Sunday about 10p.m., miscreants suspected to be Sara Suka (thugs), numbering about 30 armed with machetes and knives were seen heading towards Ahmadu

Bello Way, GRA, Bauchi with intent to cause disturbance of public peace.

“Police patrol teams attached to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) who responded swiftly, intercepted the hoodlums, dispersed them and arrested three suspects.”

Mohammed said gave the names of the suspects as Ibrahim Garba (22) of Unguwan Durumi, Nazif Abubakar (20) of Kofar Dumi and Adamu Garba (22) of Nasarawa Jahun Bauchi.

The PPRO also said police recovered three machetes, one knife and two motorcycles from the suspects He said the case was under investigation and efforts were being intensified to apprehend other fleeing suspects.

Mohammed assured the public of the command’s readiness to protect law-abiding citizens in the state.

METRO

tuesday, JULY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Man impregnates teenage daughter, violates 18-month-old baby Camillus Nnaji

D

etectives in Lagos have arrested a 36-year-old man, Mr. Kennedy Michael, for allegedly impregnating his 16-year-old daughter and procuring abortion for her.

Michael was also accused of once poking his finger into the private part of his neighbour’s 18-month-old baby girl.

The suspect was arrested after a neighbour, identified as Uche, whose child was violated, reported the matter, on discovering that Ijeoma Ndukwe, Michael’s lover, assisted in procuring abortion for his teenage daughter, Maria.

A police source said: “Ijeoma is the man’s girlfriend, not wife. When she discovered something was wrong with the girl, she told Michael. He suggested Ijeoma should take her to hospital. When they got to the hospital, it was discovered that the girl was pregnant. Ijeoma interviewed the girl and learnt it was her father who impregnated her. Ijeoma went home and confronted Michael. He confessed to her. They both agreed to abort the pregnancy. One of their neighbours

The house where the man lives

learnt about the abortion and alerted the appropriate authority. Ijeoma and Michael were arrested.”

It was also learnt that Michael was arrested last Tuesday after the intervention of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Agency from Alausa.

Michael, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, residing at No. 5 Kode Street, Mende, Maryland, Lagos State, was alleged to have started sexually violating his daughter since 2014, when she was about 14 years old.

Michael and Maria’s mum separated long ago. After the separation, Maria’s father brought her to Lagos, to live with him. Residents alleged that Michael was fond of molesting children.

One of the neighbours said that trouble started after Michael moved into the compound in 2003.

The neighbour alleged: “Michael ‘fingered’ (molested) a neighbour’s 18-month-

old baby.”

The child’s father, Uche said: “My wife wanted to bathe our child and discovered she had a tear inside her private part. Before then, it was only Michael that was with the baby inside his room.

“Upon confirmation from Mende Health Centre that our daughter had been violated, I contacted my lawyer.

I also informed the police, so that he could be prosecuted.

But the police swept the matter under the carpet. They said there was no tangible evidence.”

According to Uche, when he heard from Maria’s friends that her father impregnated her and procured abortion for her, with the help of his lover, he knew he wouldn’t allow Michael to escape once again.

He said: “When I moved into this compound, people told me to be wary of Michael because of his odd behaviour. It was after he

Monarch’s kidnap: Police have failed Lagos residents –Obasa Mojeed Alabi and Wale Elegbede

S

peaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, yesterday came hard on the police over the spate of kidnappings, killings, armed robberies and other forms of crime in the state.

Obasa, who spoke on the heels of the abduction of the 73-year-old Oniba of Ibaland, Oba Yishau Oseni, said it showed that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s huge investment on the police was a waste.

This came as Ambode yesterday assured residents of the state that his administration was working hard in conjunction with security agencies to address the recent cases of kidnapping and armed robberies in parts of the state.

The assurance is contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, on the heels of the abduction of Oseni.

Commenting on the kidnap of Oba Oseni in his palace on Saturday after the matter was raised by Hon. Victor Akande from Ojo Constituency 1 yesterday, the state lawmakers said that the abduction was shameful.

Akande, who raised the issue under Matter of Urgent Public Importance,

Oba Oseni

urged Ambode to sign the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Bill passed by the House into law, mobilise the police to man all the strategic joints in the state and ensure the effective use of the current dedicated lines for better security.

In his contribution, the Speaker, Obasa, said the efforts of government on security should be recognised, but that it was surprising that the security of the people could not be guaranteed despite this.

He said: “The state government spent a lot of money to provide equipment for the state police command yet all these (crimes) are happening. It means what

violated my baby that I understood what they meant.

His daughter told some of her friends that he impregnated her and aborted it. She said that her father threatened to deal with her if she tells anybody.

“My lawyer brought some people from human rights agency. They interviewed Maria separately.

She said it happened. The girl also confessed that her father had sex with her last on July 8.”

Another resident, who identified himself as caretaker of the compound, but refused to give his name, described Michael as a serial child molester.

He said that one of Michael’s brothers had also confirmed that he had such issue in the village before he moved to Lagos.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, did not respond to a text message on the issue at press time.

we have done is futile.

“It is shameful and disgraceful if a monarch could be kidnapped in his palace. It is so sad that we lose people to kidnapping and killings every day.

People now take to self-help on security in the state.”

Another lawmaker, Hon. David Setonji, described the incident as unfortunate.

Meanwhile, Bello said government was alive to its core responsibilities of protecting the citizens as the administration of Ambode would not shirk in its function of protecting the lives and property of its citizens in every part of the state.

He said: “We would like to inform Lagosians that we are saddened by the recent cases of kidnappings that appear not to be unrelenting. But we wish to assure that the government will not fold its arms and allow a few evil doers to prosper at the expense of innocent citizens.

“We are working together with both Federal Government and Ogun State Government in particular in the volatile areas that have been identified. We will spare no effort in bringing every criminal gang to book.”

Also, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has condemned he kidnap of the Oba Oseni.

In a statement issued yesterday by the association and signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abdussobur Salaam, SSANU decried what it described as the degenerating security situation in the country.

9

Divorce court

Renew your love, court counsels couple

A

n Igando Customary Court in Lagos yesterday saved a 10-year-old marriage between Mrs. Shakirat Akanji and her husband, Tajudeen Akanji, over infidelity.

President of the court, Mr. Adegboyega Omilola, successfully resolved the differences between the couple after several adjournments and intervention.

While striking out the case, Omilola, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), admonished the couple to maintain peace and to continue to live in love, peace and harmony.

He said: “Since the court was able to reconcile the couple through thorough counselling, I urged both of you to go home and live in peace and love.’’

Before the reconciliation, Shakirat Akanji, 35, a fashion designer, had filed a suit to end her 10-year-old marriage over her husband’s alleged infidelity.

Shakirat alleged that Tajudeen was adulterous.

She said: “My husband is a flirt, he impregnated our teenage neighbour. His first wife left him because of his infidelity.’’

The mother of three also said Tajudeen was an irresponsible husband and father.

She added: “My husband is irresponsible, it was my mother who established me and she has been the one feeding and paying our children’s school fees since they were born.”

Shakirat said that her husband was fond of raining curses and abuses on her.

The petitioner said that her husband refused to pay her bride price, but was only interested in the children.

She begged the court to terminate the union that she was no longer in love with him.

However, Tajudeen, 39, who is a tanker driver, said that his wife was a spoilt child.

He said: “Anytime I cautioned her for her misdeeds, she would pack her belongings and move to her mother’s house.”

Tajudeen said his wife would not come back home until he went to her mother’s house to beg her.

‘My husband doesn’t care for me, children’

A

46-year old wife, Mrs. Ejiro Oshomogbe, has filed for divorce at an Igando Customary Court in Lagos over alleged husband’s lack of care.

Ejiro, in her application for divorce, told the court that her husband, Ikechukwu Oshomogbe, whom she had been married to for 19 years, loved his own family more than her.

She said: “He is so attached to his family and is only concerned about their happiness while ignoring me and my children. He constantly puts their needs, wants, feelings before ours.

“He is financially supporting his mother and six brothers and is not willing to spend anything toward our upkeep. The bottom line is that he can’t say no to his family.

“My husband runs to his family at every spare minute he gets, but does not spend time with me and our children.’’

The mother of two, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), also called her husband a drunk.

She added: “If we discuss anything, my husband will first consult his family, and whatever they say will be my husband’s final decision.

“I am just like a maid, my decision is always rejected. In fact, I don’t have a say in my matrimonial home.”

Ejiro told the court that her husband, after he would have been drunk, would urinate and mess up everywhere in their flat.

“Most times, he beats me without reason,” she added.

10

News|NATIONAL

ASUU kicks against scrapping of post -UTME

Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

A

nother industrial crisis is looming in the nation’s university system as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday, kicked against the scrapping of the post -Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post –UTME) by the Federal Government.

The academic union noted that the policy undermines the autonomy and powers of the University Senate as the highest policy making body on academic matters, particularly admission of students and award of university degrees.

President of the Union, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi who stated the Union’s

...says FG’s policy erodes varsity autonomy

position at a press conference held in Abuja said that ASUU considered it appalling that no consultation with stakeholders especially with the Union and Vice Chancellors was held before such a far reaching policy like the scrapping of Post -UTME test was pronounced.

“The cancellation of post -UTME, to us, portends serious danger for the quality of education in this country.

The argument of federal government on the policy is unacceptable and potentially harmful to the future of Nigerian’s education system. We call on government to rescind its decision and convene a genuine stakeholders ‘ meeting on the

issue before making any policy statement “, he said While reacting to the statement by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu that the federal government hadthe confidence in what Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) was doing, Ogunyemi said such statement was an error noting that JAMB should not be saddled with the responsibility of solely conducting entrance examinations into the nation’s tertiary institutions.

He said: “We call the attention of the Honourable Minister of Education to the fact that post-UTME is a child of necessity and rationality and a decision that Nigerian Universities had

to take when the credibility and integrity of JAMB examinations and results became questionable.

“When universities were admitting solely on the basis of JAMB scores, there were unimaginable discrepancies observed in the JAMB scores of candidates and their performance in the first year in the university.

“Consider a candidate who got a JAMB score of 290 out of a maximum of 400 yet had to withdraw from the University at the end of the first year on account of very poor performance. It is important to note that this happened not in isolated cases. Virtually all universities reported such cases.

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Army frees 249 Boko Haram suspects in Maiduguri Emmanuel Onani Abuja

T

he Nigerian Army has announced the release of 249 suspected Boko Haram insurgents and accomplices, after a Joint Interrogation team had cleared them of membership of the sect.

A statement yesterday by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, said the freed persons were handed over to the Borno State Government by the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division in Maiduguri, Brig.Gen. Victor Ezugwu.

The freed persons include 169 males, 46 women, and 34 children.

It reads: “Today (Mon-

day) a total of 249 cleared suspected Boko Haram terrorists and accomplices were released by the Joint Interrogation as approved by the Chief of Army Staff in Maiduguri.

“Those cleared and released include 169 males, 46 women and 34 children.

“Further breakdown shows that 203 of them were from 18 Local Government Areas of Borno State, while 44 were from other States as follows: Adamawa 2, Jigawa 2, Lagos 1, Oyo 1 and Yobe 38. However, 2 of them were from the Republic of Cameroon.

“The released persons were handed over to Borno State Government through the Commissioner for Local Government, who advised them to be of good conduct.”

FG to revive 110 PHC, takeover 200,000 malnourished cases Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (left), receiving the report of the Ministerial Committee on National Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) from the Committee Chairman, Dakuku Peterside, at the presentation of the report in Abuja.. yesterday

NPA MD declares zero tolerance for corruption BAyo Akomolafe

T

he new Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has declared a zero tolerance for corruption, saying her tenure would key into the Federal Government’s anti-corruption drive.

Usman, who took over from Habib Abdullahi, yesterday noted that her management team would strive to enhance efficiency to facilitate improved revenue generation and inflows into national treasury.

According to her, NPA would prioritise invest-

77

The life expectancy of men at birth of Faroe Islands in 2008.

Source: Un.org

75

The age (in years) David Koch in 2016.

Source: Forbes.com

ment in primary equipment, infrastructure and services as contained in the concession agreements, stressing that everyone had a role to play

by promoting best practice with integrity.

She added that the country’s ports represent a critical artery of the economy, saying that

her management would listen to customers, importers, exporters and other agencies working at the ports to deliver world-class services.

Dogara decries fuel scarcity Philip Nyam Abuja

S

peaker Yakubu Dogara has expressed worry on the incessant scarcity of petroleum product in the country describing it as unacceptable.

Dogara made this known at a technical round table on perennial petroleum products scarcity in Nigeria, yesterday in Abuja.

Apparently miffed, Dogara said that the incessant scarcity of petroleum products had become worrisome, attributing the challenge to corruption, adding that infrastructure deficit, managerial incompetence and lack of proper regulations as banes of the oil and gas sector.

He said: “However, with

the increment of the fuel pump price, the products scarcity and long queues of fuel have subsided but at higher cost which may not be affordable by the common man.

“As a parliament, we are humble enough to admit that we do not have all the answers.

“We are confident that this kind of platform will assist experts and stakeholders to come up with solutions to the problems that can be used for legislation.”

The bombing of oil installations by militants in the Niger Delta and current efforts at boosting refinery capacity by both public and private investors may force the country to become a net importer of crude oil in the nearest future, an

oil and gas expert has warned.

In his welcome remarks, Hon. Peter Akpatason, Chairman, House Committee on Civil Society Organisations and Development Partners, said all hands must be on deck to find lasting solutions to the perennial fuel scarcity problems.

Akpatason said: “Apart from the fact that all Nigerians have a role to play and are consumers of the product, the search for sustainable solutions to development challenges have to be an all-inclusive affair.

“It is the responsibility of the committee to create linkage including development partners to address the development from time to time.

Obinna Odoh Abuja

T

he Federal Government has announced its readiness to treat over 200,000 severely acutely malnourished children in Borno State, just as it said it would revitalise 110 Primary Health Centres nationwide.

This, it said was part of its plan to respond to people’s health needs with a view to delivering on the mandate of promoting health with focus on ‘access, affordability and demand.’

Health Minister, Prof.

Isaac Adewole who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja during the launch

of the Rapid Results Initiative(RRI), said that the initiatives were predicated on President Muhammadu Buri-led administration’s avowed vision to produce quick and visible impacts that would affect the lives of every Nigerian especially the most ‘vulnerable and the poor in our society.’

Although the minister confirmed that the programmes were ambitious goals, he assured that the programmes would be implemented within the next 100 days, insisting that Better Health 4 All (BH4A) programme was the nation’s RRI and a concept jointly designed and promoted with the Rapid Results Institute in the United States of America.

Adebanjo, Obioha, others laud Buhari for revisiting Ige, Dokubo’s cases Temitope Ogunbanke

E

minent Nigerians have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for directing the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to reopen investigation into the unresolved murder of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, and ex-Deputy National Chairman, (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Aminosari Dokubo.

Speaking exclusively to New Telegraph yesterday, Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a chieftain of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Ralph Obioha; a former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and the National Coordina-

tor of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, charged security agents to fish out the perpetrators.

Adebanjo said President Buhari should be commended for revisiting unresolved murder cases.

“It is a welcome development that the cases are being revisited again.

I hope the police will be able to do a thorough job this time around. It was a good move by the president and hope they will do it thoroughly knowing what became of many cases in the past, particularly the many of the unresolved killings during former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration,” he said.

Obioha said that every unsolved crime should be fully investigated and bring a closure to it.

11

TUESDAY, JUly 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Edo Anenih, Oshiomhole renew battle

Politics

Leadership crisis Lagos PDP on the edge

12 13

SEGF: A falling power bloc CHARLES ONYEKWERE writes on the lull in the South-East Governors’ Forum and its negative effects on the zone

S

ince the former governor of Abia State and now senator representing Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Chief Theodore Orji, left office on May 29, 2015 and vacated the seat as the chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum (SEGF), the centre has refused to hold for the group.

The working relationship that existed between the then five South-East governors was cordial, but after the elections, which saw the emergence of new governors, the SEGF not been able to forge a common front on issues affecting the zone.

New Telegraph investigation revealed that the animosity between some of the governors has made it impossible for them to sit together to deliberate on issues concerning the well-being of the zone.

It was also gathered that before Orji assumed the seat, Peter Obi (a former governor of Anambra State) was able to lead the forum for about six years owing to the insistence of the then governors that he retained the seat. The constitution of the forum allows a rotation of the chairmanship seat between the governors of the five states of the zone – Imo, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi and Anambra.

During Obi and Orji’s tenures, Enugu, the political capital of the South-East, hosted the forum’s meetings at least once in three months during which knotty issues affecting the zone were discussed.

It was during this period that leaders of the zone secured the release of the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra(MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike after a meetibg with then President

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Okorocha

Obiano

Ugwuanyi

Umahi

Olusegn Obasanjo.

Similarly, during the time of President Umaru Yar'Adua, he threatened to close down the Onitsha Head Bridge Drug Market over allegations of fake drugs, but Obi summoned governors of the zone then including Orji and Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State and went for talks with Yar'Adua. At the end, he ordered a clean-up of the market instead of a closure.

This unanimity has not been the case since the new governors took over in their respective states only been able to meet twice this year.

Their first meeting was after the attack by Fulani herdsmen Ukpabi Nimbo community of

The forum is dead... because of perceived suspicion

Enugu State. The meeting, which was held behind closed door, had Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) in attendance. Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Willie Obiano (Anambra) were absent.

Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, held at Government House, Enugu, Ekweremadu said the governors would get Okorocha and Obiano to join them in a proposed visit to the troubled community. According to him, all the five governors would have been part of the meeting but its impromptu nature made it impossible for them to reach out to

the governors of Anambra and Imo states.

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

The governors condemned in strong terms the massacre of innocent, hapless and defenseless people of Ukpabi Nimbo community and demanded that efforts should be made to arrest the security problem before it spiraled out of hand.

During their second meeting, the governors reviewed the various agitations in the South-East and called on MASSOB and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to continue to toe the line of peace as the only way to ensure economic development of the zone and Nigeria at large.

The South-East Governors’ Forum resolved to consult widely with apex Igbo body, Ohanaeze; traditional rulers; development unions; the clergy and other stakeholders on how to ensure lasting peace in the zone.

In furtherance to this, the governors scheduled an emergency meeting of stakeholders in Enugu to discuss issues affecting the zone. Those invited were ministers, National Assembly members from the zone and other relevant stakeholders from the zone.

In a five-paragraph communiqué read by Okorocha, the forum resolved to broker peace between the Federal Government and proBiafra groups but was silent on the continued detention of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The governors also resolved to set up committees to engage and negotiate with the Federal Government over what they described as “poor state of infrastructure in the South-East and marginalisation in federal appointments and other socio-economic deficits that have negatively impacted the economy of the region.”

They also agreed to appoint a high level Economic Advisory Committee to harness the economic potential of the people of the South- East, while lamenting the poor state of federal roads in the zone, among which are, Enugu-Onitsha road, Aba-Ikot Ekpene road, Owerri-Port Harcourt road and Enugu-Port Harcourt road.

One committee was set up to mediate between the Federal government and the pro-Biafra groups while another committee was also set up to dialogue and mediate for the factionalized Ohanaeze Ndigbo group.

According to Okorocha, a strong delegation of South-East CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

12

POLITICS

TUESDAY, JUly 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Guber poll: Anenih, Oshiomhole renew battle Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

Edo DECIDES

E

do State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and former chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih may have returned back to the trenches as both accuse each other of marginalizing the Esan people in the Central senatorial district of the state.

Both political actors had few months back declared before the public that they have reconciled their differences over long standing frosty relationship following bitter utterances and activities from the political camps of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition, PDP in the state.

But Anenih at weekend rallied the people of Edo Central Senatorial district (Esan nation) to put an end to an attempt

by Governor Oshiomhole, to allegedly obliterate the area by voting for PDP governorship candidate in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The former PDP BoT chairman declared that the Esan people would resist the continued domination by Oshiomhole in the September 10 Edo State governorship election.

Anenih, who spoke at the Edo Central zonal flag off of the party's gubernatorial campaign held at Okpujie Primary School, Uromi in Esan North East Local Government Area, recalled how Governor Oshiomhole at the start of his administration over seven years ago, al-

legedly refused to pay the counterpart funding of N300 million needed to complete the Ugbalo Waterworks after he had made the Federal Government to commit the sum of N1.2 billion to the project.

He said: “Oshiomhole, up till today has refused to provide the money.

That is why the water scheme has not been completed. He does not want us (Esans) to have water.

Esan race is being extinguished by Oshiomhole but we will not allow it; we will resist it.”

Anenih said his presence at the PDP zonal flagoff was an indication of the path Esan people were prepared to follow in the September 10 election.

“I have been in politics for some years and I can tell you the rudiments of politics,” adding that Governor Oshiomhole laboured in vain to allegedly prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Pastor Ize-Iyamu.

He pointed out further that in Ize-Iyamu, the PDP has a candidate capable of defeating the APC and therefore appealed to Esan people to vote massively for IzeIyamu, as "it will be my pride, my joy, that I attend his swearing-in ceremony as governor.”

But the Special Adviser to Governor Adams

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

leaders was mandated to meet and negotiate with the Federal Government over all the issues raised at the summit particularly as it affects the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.

The meeting was attended by Governors Ugwuanyi, Okorocha and Ikpeazu, while the deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, represented his principal.

While some commended the decisions reached by the governors’ at their last meeting, MASSOB leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, said it is unfortunate that some of the governors and other elected National Assembly members are stooges in the hands of oppressors of the zone, while others have become unavailable and inactive on critical issues that bothers on the interest of Ndigbo.

Madu further said that the governors and National Assembly members were not prepared for the various offices they occupy as they were imposed on the people by godfathers, who feel they own the land but MASSOB will no longer allow

Oshiomhole on Political Matters, Chief Charles Idahosa, yesterday described the allegation

by Chief Anenih, that Governor Oshiomhole’s administration marginalised Esan people as a misrepresentation of facts.

He said rather it was Anenih who marginalised his own people from benefitting from his several years in ac-

Oshiomhole

tive politics and from the scheme of things.

His words: “It was very interesting seeing Chief Anenih speaking at the rally in Uromi, I was very impressed because I got worried because he did not speak when they flagged off at the state level but I thank God for his good health. But it is sad that Anenih will come out now as a local government leader of the PDP, to

attack APC and Governor Oshiomhole of marginalising Esan people.

“Looking at the facts on ground, it was Anenih who marginalized his own people because when he was the Alpha and Omega, and the Mr Fix It of Nigerian politics, he refused to make an Esan man governor.

Because he wanted to be a lone star, he did not want any competitor so that

Anenih

people will worship him.

“When a graceful inlaw of the Esan people, in the person of President Obasanjo wanted to compensate his people, he gave the governorship to Prof.Osariemen Osunbor, Anenih refused because he wanted Ugbesia. Immediately the Appeal Court sacked Osunbor who is Esna man, Anenih went into partnership with Oshiomhole and gave him four Commissioners after celebrating Osunbor’s sack with Champaign.

“Esan people cannot be fooled now by Anenih’s antics because Oshiomhole has done more for them than Anenih or PDP. All the Anenih did was to empowered his Uromi people and not Esan people and because of that Esan people started voting against PDP and that is what they are going to do again on September 10 because Oshiomhole brought water, roads and electricity to Esan land and that was what Anenih failed to do for them under his PDP” he declared.

Ize-Iyamu’s endorsement tears traditional rulers apart Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

T

he governorship ambitions of the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his counterpart in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu have torn traditional rulers in Edo Central Senatorial District.

This followed the alleged endorsement of the PDP governorship candidate by 28 traditional rulers from the senatorial zone which is com-

prised of mainly Esan nation.

The 28 monarchs from the Central senatorial district (Esan) had at weekend in Uromi, adopted the governorship candidate, IzeIyamu, and directed their subjects to vote for him in the forthcoming election.

The monarchs who gathered to receive the PDP governorship candidate at the palace of the Ojuromi of Uromi, HRM Anslem Eidenojie, lamented the sustained marginalisation of Esanland and her people in a state they said belonged to them all.

Three traditional rulers, namely HRM Ojuromi of

Uromi, HRM Ehidiamen of Opoji and HRM Izuware of Ujiogba, lamented what they described as continued subjugation of Esanland and appealed to the PDP candidate to correct the imbalance once he gets to office.

But the Onojie of Opoji and Vice Chairman, Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, HRH Ehidiamen Aidonojie 1, yesterday described as untrue, reports in the media that traditional rulers in Edo Central had endorsed the PDP governorship candidate.

The monarch said “We were invited to come and lis-

ten to what the PDP said they have for us and not endorsement. Besides, I stated in that occasion that Esan people are like the jews surrounded by Arabs. I told the PDP people that it is action that speaks, that how are we sure that what they are preaching now is better is better than what APC has done for us.”

He added: “The problem Esan people are having today was caused by Tony Anenih because he never empowered Esan people. And it is not true that PDP empowered Esan people, it is only Uromi.

So, there was nothing like any endorsement."

A falling power bloc such personal political manipulations.

His words: “Many of them are bench warmers in Abuja. MASSOB is not happy with the South-East governors on their inability to meet in their forum for a greater understanding and tackling of Igbo major political, economic and social problems.

“Since T. Orji of Abia State left, the forum is dead under the leadership of Rochas Okorocha because of perceived suspicions of hijacking the forum for APC interest. MASSOB advices Igbo governors to start meeting as usual, their meeting is of Igbo interest not party.

"Ndigbo are disappointed that their governors and other Igbo political leaders have abandoned our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Benjamin Onwuka and others in prison; they can't confront the Muhammadu Buhari administrative policies against Ndigbo because of fear. How can a fearful man claim to be a political leader?

“MASSOB warns Igbo elected leaders to sit up now and face the real challenges of Igbo nation, they should prove their worth now or we remove them as elected leaders.”

Reacting to an alleged rift among the governors, which is blamed for the inactivity in the SEGF, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okorocha, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said the purported division exists only in the imagination of some people.

He said: “There is no law that dictates that all the governors must attend every meeting when they are called. How you will know the true position of things is when there is an issue; their reactions often show they are on the same page.”

Spokesman to Enugu State governor, Mr. Uwakwe Abugu,on his part, said he was not in the position to speak for his principal on the issue.

While opinions are divided on the forum, the fact remains that there is need for the governors to close rank and work

Ikpeazu

for Igbo renaissance in a Nigerian nation, where the various ethnic nationalities are devising strategies to harness their respective potential.

TUESDAY, JUly 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

The cloud over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State continues to get darker as two factions laying claim to the leadership of the party in the state engaged each other in a free-for-all last week. WALE ELEGBEDE reports

POLITICS

Lagos PDP on the edge

R

ecent happenings within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have shown that the party has similar colour of crises in both the national and state level. Interestingly, the interests of the gladiators at the national level dovetailed to the state chapters where crisis persists.

Having taken strides towards breaking the governorship election jinx in Lagos State at the 2015 general elections but lost out, the PDP is back to the trenches and if the intensity of the rancour is anything to go by, the party may be heading to its breaking point in the state.

Although the party put up its best performances in the state since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999 by winning a laudable five Federal House of Representatives seats and eight State Assembly’s seats, the feat, notwithstanding couldn’t revoke the infighting, which has been the bane of the party before and after successive election years.

Regarded as the spine of the party in the state, the former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, has had it sweet and bitter in the running of the affairs of the party in state over the years. Over time, the crisis in the state has always been pitching him (George) against other factions in the state chapter.

At a time, his running battle with a former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe turned the party upside down before the duo reconciled. Also, the former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, had differences with George that set the party and its members apart.

After the 2015 elections and in anticipation of the new leadership at the party’s congress, the ugly crisis plaguing the party in the state, expectedly, aligned with the leadership tussle at the national level. While a faction queued behind former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, the other, led by George, were in the camp of former Kaduna State governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

With Obanikoro already out of the picture in the state, it was gathered that the senator representing Ogun East, Senator Buruji Kashamu, who is an ally of Sheriff, had settled for the Lagos West senatorial candidate of the PDP in the last election, Mr. Segun Adewale (Aeroland) as the next chairman of party and the choice was aimed at dwindling the influence of George in the state.

On the other hand, the George’s camp, positioned a former House

13

Salvador

of Representatives member, Hon. Moshood Salvador, to become the party’s chairman.

With allegations and counterallegations flying between both factions prior to the May 13 state congress, several nocturnal meetings were held to reach a consensus on the power sharing formular, but at the end of the day, the moves failed.

A source within the party told New Telegraph that “Shekarau was sent to Lagos to mediate between the Bode George and Kola Balogun groups, and they were directed to nominate four representatives each as members of the committee. A 60 to 40 per cent sharing formula was made but at the end of the day, the arrangement broke down because the group that wanted to take 60 percent also wants to produce the chairman.”

However, the party organised a state congress and a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Moshood Salvador, was elected as chairman.

Salvador, alongside other aspirants for various offices were unanimously elected at the state congress of the party held in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

Those elected alongside Salvador at the congress include Prince Muiz Shodipe (Secretary), Chief Ola Apena (Deputy chairman), Mr Taofik Gani (publicity secretary), Taiwo Kuye (Organising secretary), and Princess Olateru Olagbebi (Woman leader).

Not long after, the Adewale faction addressed a press conference in his office in the company of his publicity secretary, Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse; vice chairman, Kamal Olorunoje and Secretary, Hon. Babajide Ladeinde, stating that he is the authentic chairman of the party and declaring that the Salvador-led exco, which currently occupies the PDP Secretariat, was "a fictitious creation of Chief Olabode George and it has no recognition from any organ of the National PDP." Adewale, who insisted that the party’s congress held at Gbagada area of the state, returned him as chairman, adding: “I would like to seize this opportunity to appeal to the media to avoid granting in-

Adewale

A 60 to 40 per cent sharing formula was made, but at the end of the day, the arrangement broke down

terviews to Mr. Moshood Salvador, Mr. Gani Taofik, or any member of their illegal Exco.”

"By posing as officers of the party, these people are creating confusion among PDP members, causing disaffection for PDP in the community, and undermining our efforts to perform our role as a credible opposition party," the factional chairman said.

Speaking further, Adewale, who buttressed his claim to the leadership of the party with a letter written by former chairman of PDP, Sheriff, assured that the party under him was poised to rig itself of those he described as "old PDP cabal who led the party astray for 16years."

However, in a swift response to Adewale’s claim, Salvador, said those who were not part of the state congress that produced his leadership at the PDP secretariat could not lay claim to leadership at all.

While recalling that the congress that was held at the party secretariat last May, produced the executive he is leading, was attended by PDP delegates from across the state, Salvador described the group headed by Adewale as a ploy by former Governor Sheriff to stay in power as PDP national chairman.

"I am not here to join issues with anybody. My own is that this is the secretariat of the PDP and that is where you come to meet me and tells you what you need to see and to know. The State congress of PDP was held here at this secretariat.”

The graveyard peace in the party was however punctured last week Wednesday when the two factions went for each other’s jugular in a physical encounter at the party’s secretariat.

It was gathered that both the Adewale and Salvador factions picked the same date and almost the same time for their general assembly meetings. While both camps supporters converged on the secretariat, all hell was let loose and dangerous freely used after a disagreement on who is the rightful owner of the secretariat.

According to an eyewitness, “Both factions called their meetings on the same day at the same

secretariat. They both attacked each other and no fewer than three members of the party are currently in the hospital. This is not helping our party at all, we are one and peace must be restored.”

At the end of the melee which lasted for over two hours, security agents were drafted in and the party secretariat was sealed.

Addressing newsmen on the issue, Adewale exonerated his faction from the fracas, stating that the general assembly called by him was hijacked by the loyalists of George.

“Our members who met the gates of the state secretariat locked had to insist that it should be opened. The Civil Defence Corps officers succumbed to the pressure from the already angered members but unknowingly to them, other members of the party had positioned themselves with guns and dangerous weapons within the premises of the secretariat to assault the unsuspecting and unarmed members.

“The attack left several of our leaders and members of the party seriously injured and most still receiving treatments. Realising the imminent danger, the meeting was called off immediately and all member were asked to immediately leave the party secretariat.”

However, Salvador, denied that his faction was the one that unleashed mayhem on the Adewale’s faction, stating that his faction is law abiding. He feigned ignorance of the number of casualties that arose from the fracas.

Also speaking from the George’s camp, the state vice chairman of the party, Chief Ola Apena, stated that Adewale’s claim to chairmanship has no basis, adding that PDP is one family in the state. He noted further that, “I did not witness the scuffle, but I was told. We were to have a general assembly, it was a successful one. I was even standing in for the state chairman of the party.

“We have only one party recognised by law and that party is under the leadership of Senator Ahmed Makarfi as the caretaker chairman. As a founding member of this party, I belong to the establishment of my party lineage. I think we should ask Segun Adewale, which of the PDP he belongs to because the only authentic PDP is under my party. There is a court pronouncement that confirms it, I don’t know which party he is.”

As the division within the party persists, the pertinent questions to ask are: When will the gladiators within the party come together and form a formidable opposition in the state? Or is there an external hand manipulating the course of event in the party? What is the position of the elected representatives of the party? Which of the factions do they belong or are they sitting on the fence? Is there a reconciliation move in the pipeline?

With the anticipated reconciliation at the national level of the party expected to trickle down to the state chapters, including Lagos, it is expected to see what the peace deal and harmonization would look like in the days to come. Until then, the vertical split within the party still persist.

14

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Obiano: Obi’s crumbling legacy My Word CLEM AGUIYI totalpolitics@ymail.com 0803-474-7898 (sms only)

A

lexander the Great is one of history’s great. He reigned for a period of 12 years and eight months during which time he won empires covering more than one and a half a million square miles . He mapped unknown territory, built cities and opened new trade routes.

But this man whose power touched even Jerusalem died without a worthy successor of stature to replace him, hence his empire crumbled. It was part of this void that terrible Antiochus 1V Epiphanies was to fill, a name that would bring agony to the Jews.

Antiochus wrecked Alexander’s huge empire causing disorder. He exploited the people, over taxing them and embezzling funds to satisfy his lavish living and paying his legion of misadvisers who did nothing but praise sing and hero worship him.

Fast forward to Anambra the beautiful as built and left by Peter Obi. It seems Alexander has gone and in his place is Antiochus. Not so fast yet.

I freely endorsed Obi’s successor because I felt the Rock had made the right choice in choosing a leader of stature to succeed him.

But today, once you have an opinion on the state of affairs, the disorder and squandering of our common patrimony you are taken to the cleaners and labeled a political hireling by people who were not there in the front when Willie Obiano was called from the swimming pool to become governor. Not even former governor Peter Obi who staked his credibility and angered many to give Chief Obiano the honour of a life time or Senator Mrs. Uche Ekwunife who discontinued her court process so as to allow Chief Obiano a peaceful start is spared from state sponsored attack . I recall that when Ekwunife approached the court to upturn the election of Chief Obiano as governor on account of his alleged double registration, three people stood prominently against her and prevailed on her to terminate the case : Mr. Peter Obi, Chief Larry Ekwunife (the husband) and my humble self as her consultant.

Rightly or wrongly I perceived Ekwunife’s move as dangerous and ugly to the future of APGA and capable of derailing the focus of the new governor thereby destroying Obi’s legacies that we all cherish.

I did what I did believing Obiano needed a peaceful start and that rather than precipitating a crisis we the Igbo need to strengthen APGA as viable political platform for our people. Unfortunately, afterwards and given the nature of our politics, Obiano allowed himself to become imprisoned by advisers whose interests are more for personal purposes than for public good.

If I’m fortunate to have had a rich father who left me a fortune N75Bn in cash or near cash , except I am the equivalent of the biblical prodigal son , I’ll grow the riches and build an empire more prosperous than my father's. If I’m fortunate to still have my father around , I will frequently consult him to drink from his knowledge and will honour him to no end.

I believe this was what Senator Ben Murray Bruce meant when he charged Nigeria to go to Anambra State and find out what they are doing right.

According to Bruce “Let us take the case of Anambra state and make it a test state for how we could possibly get out from the oil boom and bust cycle. Anambra is not an oil producing state in that it does not have oil in commercial quantities yet it does not take loans or owe salaries.

According to the UN, Anambra has one of the lowest poverty rates in Nigeria at 11.2 per cent which places her ahead of 33 states. Twenty years ago Anambra and other SE states lagged in education and had poor boy child school enrollment, but today Anambra leads the nation in WASSCE results.

For the past three years Anambra has had over 60 per cent pass rates in the WASSCE. They have made the best improvements in education in the whole nation and the state government even supports private schools financially. But look at those states that thrive by depending solely on federal allocation.

They are broke, cannot pay salaries and are so debt ridden, banks will not lend to them anymore.

Worst of all is that these states are performing woefully in education. There is something to be learned from Anambra. Is it their policy? Is it their budgeting practice? Is it their sense of community? Whatever it is, it is working! .

The FG and other states should study what the state has been doing right and replicate it nationally. Anambra proves that Nigeria needs

I freely endorsed Obi’s successor because I felt the Rock had made the right choice

education, and not oil, to thrive. What is under the ground of this nation is chicken change compared to what is between the ears of our people.”

Bruce's testimony was of Anambra under the visionary leadership of Peter Obi the Rock.

Three years down the road we are in near state of war and enmity. We have become debt ridden because our new leaders are behaving like the son of a stingy billionaire father who was left with so much inheritance that what he does is cavort and make merriments. Otherwise how do we explain the vanishing of over N37bn cash in various local banks that were inherited when we cannot point to a freshly completed 10 kilometers of road.

What is it between our ears that the administration finds it convenient to overburden itself with needless political aides with 80 per cent of the aides coming from a section of the country. What is between our ears that we have impoverished local government administration through the usurpation of their allocation and none conduct of per cent local government elections. Imagine N1.5m per month to Local Governments for their operation.

Imagine spending billions to procure horses for the police. For what except like he said for merriment. I want him to know that Innoson Motors is our pride as a people and we frown at using our scarce resources to procuring American and Japanese cars for state functionaries. I do not begrudge the governor willingly winning awards even though I understand that the best award is that given by the people after office.

I campaigned and voted for continuity because during Obi’s tenure, my small Enugwu Agidi community without lobby felt good governance because Obi built three major tarred roads crisscrossing my hometown ; the Amawbia- NTA­Enugwu-Agidi Road, The Abagana- Enugwu Agidi Road and the Enugwu Agidi -Nawgu Road.

He built three bridges; the Obunagu Etiti Bridge, the NTA Obibia Bridge and the Enugwu AgidiNawgu Bridge. We also had two buses donated to our two Secondary Schools, one pick-up truck given to our Vigilante Group for security monitoring and modern classroom blocks built for each of our primary schools. The Enugwu Agidi Health Centre was upgraded to a Community Clinic with two additional health centers established.

We had the benefit of five bore holes and many more things. But three years after Willie is working we have nothing to show for voting continuity.

The Enugwu Agidi–Achala Isu–Aniocha Road is abandoned. The governor has not visited my community which is just 10 minutes drive away.

Arabs and the Western world Odimegwu Onwumere

C

oping with religious pluralism and human diversity is the bane of the new world order.

In Tunisia, something unanticipated happened. Just like that, Tunisians woke up from sleep in February 2013 to witness the assassination of a wellknown political opposition leader, Chokri Belaid, outside his home.

His death among other issues raised a red flag and flashed light onto the post-revolution Arab world affecting all aspects of the Arab modernism.

Belaid’s death was also fingered not to be unconnected to the role he played in making sure that the undemocratic regime of Zine Abidine Ben Ali went down in January 2011.

Some observers said that it was for Belaid’s contrary belief-system with reformists’ that led to his surprising

murder.

Ali had ruled Tunisia for nearly a quarter century. While that regime lasted, some of the religious leaders wanted a Tunisia where moderate Islam and religious pluralism would be practiced. This thinking to be inclusive, however, was to the chagrin of many.

There was a Tunisia where some Islamic groups used intimidation and violence to go after their Islamic aims and objectives. Others did not adopt aggression as a way to address their interests in the same Muslim country.

The worlds do certainly understand that some Islamic fundamentalists adopt a very narrow thinking dynamics in the context of Islamic cultural diversity. Arab societies clash within themselves in carving out decisions and roles women can play in politics and society.

Be it in educational policy or else,

the status of non-Muslims and their roles is considerably appraised differently. There has always been turmoil in the Arab world when it comes to Islam’s place in politics, as indeed, the principles of Islamic religious faith always play a compelling role among the Arabs.

For example, Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood has been always accused by other Muslims as being too far in committing to the ancient sharia-law. The National Interest of February 20 2013 in an article captioned "Tunisia and the Clash within Civilizations", by Rajan Menon opined Thus: "The killing of an opposition leader highlights thunderous struggles within the Arab world. Thus the struggle over religion’s place in politics has divided, rather than united, Muslims in North Africa and the Middle East.”

Menon argues that the division tends to be portrayed as a quarrel be-

tween “secularists” and “Islamists.”

Menon further adds that “This is a mistake, for the former camp includes observant Muslims who, nonetheless, want to keep their faith and politics apart”.

In like manner, Christians and Islamic sects, such as the Sufis, take their religion seriously but do not want it to define their political life, or for it to be defined by zealots claiming to be “true” Muslims.

What that meant was that power and interest continue to play an innermost function in the affairs of mankind, no matter the society involved. Empires, monarchical governments and peoples identifying themselves with nationalism and fascism were seen as fad in the 18th and 19 centuries in Europe and America respectively.

•Onwumere (apoet_25@yahoo.com) wrote in from Port- Harcourt

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Waiting for Eagles' Manager

World Cup qualifiers, Captain Christian Chukwu was recalled from retirement . The American duo of Thompson Usiyen and Andrew Atuegbu was also invited alongside Christian Nwokocha and Tunji Banjo from Europe.

Algeria had no respect for big names as Lakhdar Beloumi and Rabah Madjer ran rings around the defence of the hosts.

The second leg at away was Curiously, the Eagles are like even more dramatic. Parasheep without shepherd as the NFF psychologist Gabriel Okonzua keeps everyone confused about the urged the technical crew to man that will manage the team. hand over the On a good day, these fellow captain's band African teams do not come easy to overlapping and have each given Nigerians defender Okey fans more heartbreak than they could handle. At the moment the Isima. It did not happen. Skipper Eagles are not a team to admire Segun Odegbami having failed to qualify for the lost leadership Africa Nations Cup for the second time consecutively. It therein the air to Shooting Stars team fore becomes worrisome that mate Muda Lawal. Leyton Orient these perennial foes are coming star John Chiedozie and Aloysius once again.

Atuegbu regained their positions There is every reason to fear and Okey Isima scored a goal. That the Algerians who are ranked was not enough. Algeria won 2-1 to as Africa's best today. The North advance 4-1 aggregate.

Africans have rediscovered their That scar has not left Nigerians form and are climbing higher and their national team even after and faster. Memories of 1981 are the Eagles gave the Desert Warstill with the Eagles and their riors a 4-1 drubbing at away in supporters. On the way to the a 2006 World Cup qualifier. It is Espana World Cup, the Desert still not as painful as an All Africa Warriors humiliated Nigeria Games grande finale loss in 1978 home and away. The first leg in and a Nations Cup pounding in Lagos ended 2-0. Nigeria had 1990. beaten the same team 3-0 in Cameroun is one nightmare of a Lagos to win the Nations Cup a name. The Indomitable Lions were year earlier. preys in the 1970s. Nigeria began To guarantee victory in the playing in the World World Cup

qualifiers before the Central Africans. The Eagles debuted on the way to Chile '62. When the Camerounians joined en route Mexico '70, they were trounced 3-2 in Yaounde by Nigeria after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.And that was the last time Cameroun was stopped from making further moves in the World Cup by the Eagles.

The next confrontation was painful. Dutchman Clemens Westerhof had taken over from Wonderboy Paul Hamilton and barely knew his players. He dropped Peter Rufai at the airport and overlooked Sunday Eboig-

On a good day, these fellow African teams do not come easy

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ough times await the Super Eagles in the bid to qualify for their sixth World Cup. The road to the 2018 Mundial in Russia became even rougher following the draw recently which put them in the same group as the Desert Warriors of Algeria, Indomitable Lions of Cameroun and Chipolopolo of Zambia respectively.

15

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be. David Ngodigha took Rufai's place in goal. During the game, he was injured. Reserve goalie Aloysius Agu was not prepared for a debut. He borrowed kits from Tajudeen Oyekanmi. The Eagles lost at away to François Oman Biyik's header and missed Italia'90.

And that was the next match after Sam Okwaraji died at the National Stadium, Surulere-Lagos playing against Angola. His team mates had promised to beat Cameroun to relieve compatriots the sorrow that followed that unfortunate incident.

However, the worst news about the Indomitable Lions is that they are Eagles' Nations Cup Waterloo.

Three times in the grand finale, three losses. In the sub--region, in the North and at home. Nigeria lost to Cameroun at the Cote D'Ivoire '84 Nations Cup, at Maroc '88 and again at Nigeria/ Ghana 2000.

Zambia forced General Yakubu Gowon to disband the Eagles in 1973. This was a team that had won the All Africa Games soccer gold earlier in the year.

The Chipolopolo (then known as KK Eleven) thrashed Nigeria 5-1 in Lusaka with Joe Eric in goal on the way to Egypt for the Nations Cup in 1974.

History should embolden the Super Eagles who have now been put in a tough World Cup qualifying group. The tough must get going so the national team just must be tough to grab the sole ticket. In the recent past, they could not perform against minnows. In the midst of African football giants, let them fight like elephants. If the grass must suffer that must be the lot of Algeria, Cameroun and Zambia.

The NFF must wake up from deep sleep. Playing these big names demands maximum concentration. The team must not be distanced by those who should be administering the game. Nigerians are tired of crises and excuses. If the government fails to act decisively by causing the NFF to appoint a coach in the next couple of days then the Sports minister should tender his letter of resignation should the Eagles fail to fly.

16

POLITICS

TUESDAY, JUly 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kalu: Celebrating our leaders (1) R Frank Osita-Chuks

ecently in an online forum of Igbo intelligentsia, a renowned medical practitioner and consultant to the United Nations (UN), Dr. Chibuzo Oguama, dropped a comment which caught my attention and sent me on a memory lane on how we Nigerians do tend to forget out past so easily.

His comments reminded me of how much we concentrate on criticizing our leaders, past and present, rather than celebrating to encouraging them. This phenomenon seems to be prevalent within the South- East region (all due apologies). We are always quick to send our leaders to the gallows and their achievements to the bottomless abyss. We neither appreciate nor celebrate them but when they die, we roll out drums and close markets to give them post humus recognition, medicine after death.

Why should we wait till their demise before we accord them their well earned reputation and honour? Just looking back to such leaders like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Michael Okpara and Chief Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu to mention but few, the story seems to be the same.

In his post, Dr. Oguama expressed surprise to discover through a research, that during the administration of Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, the Abia state government subsidised the fees of each student in Abia State University, irrespective of state of origin by N93,000 leaving the students to pay only a paltry sum of N7,000, which though was no small amount then.

According to Dr. Oguama, he was also surprised to discover that the same administration ran a complete Free Education programme in both the primary and secondary schools throughout the eight years of the administration.

This was the only administration in the entire South-East that could sustain such policy until the recent policy of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State (I stand to be corrected) It took Dr. Oguama from Enugu State to appreciate and remind me of what Dr. Orji Kalu did for my people. I could remember then how most parents from neighbouring communities brought their wards to live and school in my local government area, Umunneochi, which is the only local government that is bounded by the rest four States of the South East – Enugu (Agwu), Ebonyi (Ivo and Ishiagu ), Anambra (Owereizikala and Umuchukwu) and Imo (Ihube /Okigwe). Parents from these communities had friends in Umunneochi with whom their wards lived with so they can access Kalu’s Free Education programme.

In Abia State University, the school was always under pressure from parents mostly from other states, who wanted their wards admitted. In most of the cases, the school’s administration ended up admitting beyond the approved quota by University Commission, especially in Law, Social Sciences, Optometry and Medicine. In the social sciences, where there was no strict quota system, the crowd

Kalu

was so much that the school auditorium was permanently converted to a lecture hall.

Today, the Abia State University environment looks very scanty with few students. The Kalu subsidy is gone and the school fees sky-rocketed far above the reach of most parents. Those who could manage to pay do so by installments each semester. The Free primary and secondary educations have also become history. The surprise is that the Kalu administration was able to perform these feats with very lean monthly resources.

If I am correct, it was towards the end of the second tenure of the administration, precisely at the middle of the 8th year that the state received her first N1 billion allocation from the federal purse.

It comes quickly to my mind how it was celebrated then as Abia joined the billionaires club. That the administration was able to sustain such costly policies without short changing other areas is still a feat that is worth researching and emulation by present day administrations.

While not holding brief for that administration, it is still a surprise that beats my imagination how Abians seem to have forgotten this laudable policies. Chief Obafemi Awolowo remains in the heart of every Yoruba man for the singular act of offering educational opportunity to his people, yet in the case of Kalu, Abians and in fact Ndigbo, see no value in this performance or they seem to have forgotten.

How do we progress as a people if we lack the attitude of gratitude? Even God himself abhors ingratitude. How can we develop the land when we all seem to be suffering from Amnesia (temporary loss of memory)? Why do we engage so much energy and “wisdom” in destroying those who work hard for our interest and serve us charitably? Why so much hatred and lets-pull-him-down attitude for our leaders, past and present?

Kalu realised that education is the most powerful weapon through which the world can be changed

We seek to destroy our leaders rather than appreciate what they have done for us. In the eyes of an ordinary Igbo man, all the leaders are thieves, rogues, robbers, corrupt, greedy and poor before they became leaders. Nothing good is attributed to any leader once he is out of office; while in power we sing their praises and sycophantly raise them to the sky.

I once read a laughable comment on facebook by a young man who was still in secondary school and enjoyed the free education and of cause the subsidised WEAC examination in Abia State in 2001, saying that former Governor Kalu was bankrupt before he became governor and that he has become a billionaire after his tenure. Of corse, he must have heard it from somewhere, some of those blind critics of the former governor, but his Amnesia syndrome could not allow him realise that he was a beneficiary of this man`s policies, something that was not available to his mates in other neighbouring states then.

His Amnesia sickness could not allow him to understand that he was among a privileged few and that his present day brothers and sisters are not enjoying what he got on a platter of gold.

Of course, how could he have appreciated something that was give to him free? Education is his right yes, but did his mates in the other states get it free? No! At an award ceremony in Lagos in 2015, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, stated that he was encouraged to become a governor by what Kalu did in Abia State, and immediately he became governor, his first project was to introduce the free education for his people up to secondary school and full payment of WAEC fees for all students. This model was copied from Abia State of Kalu. He took the policy, refined it and adopted it to his people, and today one hardly sees an Akwa Ibom citizen as a domestic servant.

We cannot go far with this mentality of not celebrating our leaders while they are still alive.

What sense does it make that we close our shops and declare public holidays to celebrate a dead leader whom we could have shown gratitude for his sacrifices while alive.

There might be shortcomings no doubt, but we should not crucify them for their little mistakes, after all they are humans prone to mistakes; but let’s look more at how much good they did for us.

Looking back at what the Kalu administration achieved, I realised that the administration was the first in the country that started the monthly publishing of state accounts in newspapers, which was highly commended by then President Olsegun Obasanjo, who went further to direct his Minister of Finance Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to ask the other states to follow suit. So, the whole money that came into the state was in public domain and how it was spent was also made public.

That is accountability.

I remember the first time I saw the publication and somebody commenting, said the administration would not sustain the publica-

tion by the time they start stealing money. But the monthly publication of the accounts of Abia State was sustained till the month of May 2007 when the administration winded up.

Dr. Oguama by his recent posting actually opened my eyes and cured my Amnesia syndrome making me able to think back.

My thoughts rushed down to the then administration and some of the other policies that are worth remembering. Had such policies been sustained by subsequent administrations, the state, I strongly believe, would have gone far in development and would have been copied by other states and by now the South-East would have gone beyond what we see presently.

Let me quickly take you through memory lane to briefly enumerate some of the policies and achievements of that administration sector by sector as I could remember now that my amnesia is gone. Though I was not a part of the administration but as a citizen of Abia State, I saw first-hand those policies and projects being implemented. My training as a policy advisor and social activist also equip me enough to analytically decipher the positive impact of these policies on our people.

Education Kalu realised that education is the most powerful weapon through which the world can be changed.

He knew it is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom if his people must excel I life. He understood education is the greatest empowerment he can give to Abians, so he made it one of the major policy mission of his administration.

There was free education in both the primary and secondary schools. During this period, people from neighbouring Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and other states brought their wards without discrimination to study in Abia.

Student enrollment in Abia kept going up each year throughout the administration.

Free writing materials were always distributed in the primary schools. This brought about the eradication of “wooden slate boards” in primary schools as pupils started writing on exercise and work books provided by the administration through the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB). There was subsidised payment of both junior and senior West African Examination Certificate fees by the government. Most parents never knew how expensive those examinations were until the exit of the administration.

The state’s prompt payment of her matching fund to the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme brought about many new school buildings in communities that were almost forgotten in the state. In fact, it was during the administration that school buildings started wearing aluminum roofing. Teachers’ salaries were promptly paid on or before the 25th of every month, which motivated them to give their best.

To be continued •Dr. Osita-Chuks is a Public Policy Advisor

17

TUESDAY, JUly 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Power One electrocution, too many casualties

Inside Abuja

The Colony of Beggars in Lugbe

News Ebola Quarantine Centre turns into paediatrics ward

19 21

The Colony of Beggars in Lugbe

Lugbe beggars' colony

Crack on the wall of glamour The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) claims to have outlawed begging on the streets of Abuja.

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) is charged with the responsibility of clearing the streets of beggars but CALEB ONWE reports that the beggars have carved a colony for themselves right in the city

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ugbe, a sprawling satellite town and strategically located along the popular Musa Yar'Adua Express way that leads to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, is a choice abode for both the well to do and the average income earners in the city. It has also become a colony for even the destitute and other vulnerable members of the

Onwuka NzeshI

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF nzeshi@newtelegraphonline.com

Š Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

society, who may have been tossed to pitch their tents there either by design or sheer circumstances.

Lugbe as a heterogeneous society, is obviously not immune to societal class segregation that tends to put people where they belong, and in some cases build a strong wall that is intended to keep the poor at bay always. The class segregation is often seen in the residential arrangement, where traditionally a particular area is usually carved out and christened Government Reserved Area (GRA) meant for only those who can afford the luxury of the modern social amenities available there.

Nonetheless, sometimes it is absolutely difficult to maintain this wall of separation between the rich and the poor. No thanks to the age long philosophy that the rich needs the poor to survive and vice versa.

Lugbe like most settlements have this class segregation, it is geographically divided into two parts and along socio-economic lines. While one part is known and called Lugbe village, due to sparse amenities and rusty infrastructure and dominated by the poorest of the poor, and the average income earners; it is also widely believed that the place is a temporal settlement that can be removed any time the authority deems fit and might be done without adequate consideration of people's right.

The second part is called Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Estate, a well organised human habitat with an aesthetic environment, though lacking in some area when put on the scale of urban settlement standards in other parts of the world. The estate was designed to structured with luxuries intended to appeal to the taste of the rich. Getting an apartment in FHA is an exclusive reserve for only those who can afford it.

The wall of glamour provided at this elite quarters was apparently aimed at protecting the lifestyle of the rich members of the society who the authorities had in mind while designing the place. However, it has been cracked by the intrusion and poaching of the uninvited citizens who are always desperately devising means of courting sympathy, and to state the obvious, grab some crumbs from the table of the rich.

The colony is unofficially located at the ever busy entrance gate of the Federal Housing Authority Estate

The beggars' colony With the intuition for business, and profiteering created and implanted by God in every human being, these seemingly vulnerable members of the society at least for once demonstrated intelligence by identifying where their trade will be more lucrative.

Their decision to migrate from the wilderness of poverty to the shores of the ocean of wealth, where at least the raging wave of the ocean will touch them, is a clear indication that the human intuition is capable of being developed into a veritable instrument of economic empowerment.

The colony is unofficially located at the ever busy entrance gate of the Federal Housing Authority Estate, and it is strategically located at a sharp bend , infested with pot holes, where every motorist plying that road must be forced to slow down and give due attention to the beggars.

Hypocrisy, the rule of the game This beggars' colony presented a scenario that Inside Abuja’s correspondent could not resist the alluring temptation to stop and ask questions. Seeing a group of both strong and weak, old and semi-old men clustered around a tree with inadequate shadow to shelter them away from the unsolicited gestures of the nature, either in form of rain

or harsh sunshine, definitely creates curiosity in the mind of a journalist.

About 10 metres away from the men's squad is another pathetic sight of both valid and invalid women as well as children who at first value may appear to be internally displaced persons, who may have fled from conflict zones.

The first time Inside Abuja's roving reporter ran into this squad of needy members of the society, was during the fasting period, when Moslem brothers and sisters performed their religious rites of consecration. That initial encounter was not taking too seriously based on the knowledge that during the holy month of Ramadan, the less privileged members of the society, especially in the North usually increase their propensity for begging, knowing that those who desire to make paradise will give more arms.

After the Ramadan period, Inside Abuja correspondent decided to pay another visit to the area, to confirm the migration or otherwise of these men, women and children who allegedly travelled far from various states of the North to Abuja in search of both food and security.

Any discerning mind that visits this colony will see palpable hypocrisy manifested, in fact hypocrisy is the rule of the game there; it was gathered that the men squad who separates themselves from their women squad and positioned at different positions to ply their trade are actually spouses who cohabit in the night.

They allegedly cohabit in the night to fulfill their conjugal obligations, but in the day, are separated to avoid breaching their religious codes. It is also meant to attract the favour of those that CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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Inside ABUJA | SLUMS

TUESDAY, JUly 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nyanya: The hub of tokunbo wears The business of fairly used items is nothing new in Nigeria, but the sight of Nyanya Wednesday market is an enthralling thing to behold.

DEBORAH OCHENI, who visited the market, recounts her findings which exposed the health implications of wearing used underwears

Why people buy used clothes “I bought the look alike of this blouse (showing a rumpled fairly used blue chiffon top) from boutique last week at the rate of N7,000 and I got this one at the rate of N300, all I need to do is to wash and iron it properly. There is no point wasting money on new foreign clothes when I can get the same thing at a very cheap rate, I have decided I will never buy anything from boutique again except things I can’t get from Okrika; more so that we are in the era of ‘change’ one ought to be careful about how you spend money."

These were the words of 32-year-old Amarachi Chima, an Abuja-based civil servant whom Inside Abuja met at Nyanya Wednesday market.

The market is located at Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. It shares boundary with the FCT and Nasarawa State. It is the hub of used items such as clothes, bags, foot wears and underwear that is pant, brassiere, men’s brief to mention but a few.

The fascinating thing about this market is the way people buy used underwear regardless of the fact that they had been used by people whose identity is not known to them. While some people buy them because they are affordable, others buy them because they are durable and better in quality.

Grace Abiodun, a beautiful tall fair lady in her mid20s, said she preferred wearing used bra because it packs her breast well without inconveniencing her as new ones would not. “I buy used bra because the cups give me maximum comfort and packs my breast well whenever I wear them.

I am well-endowed, so it is always difficult for me to get my perfect size in new ones. This is better for me,” she said.

Health implications of used clothes When Inside Abuja asked if Abiodun was aware of the health implication of wearing used bra, she said: “There is nothing as negative health implications; I have been wearing them right from when I was 18, my mum introduced me to used bra and pants and I like them. I have never been ill as a result of wearing them.

Inside Abuja learnt from Dr. Jacob Abdullahi, MD/CEO, Winners

Medical Diagnostic & Research Institute that wearing used clothes especially underwears without disinfecting them with antiseptic can lead to blood infection which is dangerous to human health.

“Wearing used under wears is not good except if they are well sterilised, it is just like the case of hotels where they keep recycling towel, if they are hygienically prepared through the use of disinfectant, washing and drying them in washing machine then one can say they are safe for use," he said.

He advised that buyers of used clothes especially underwears should disinfect them through the use of Dettol, Septol or any trusted antiseptic. “If somebody is buying used clothes from the market especially underwears, the person should threat them with disinfectant whether it is Dettol, Septol or any trusted antiseptic before wearing them.

"It is not advisable to wear them without properly treating them because they are likely to contract fungi infection which can lead to skin infection. Those infections on the skin can have access to the blood to cause blood infection which is dangerous to human

Second hand clothes on display

Customers at Wednesday Market, Nyanya

I have decided I will never buy anything from boutique again except things I can’t get from Okrika

health," he added.

Dr Amana Ahiaba, a medical doctor, said: “The bad thing about used clothes is that the clothing may be harbouring some germs therefore; it is advisable to put some germicide and wash them thoroughly before one can use them. Wearing them without ensuring the germs are killed can lead to dangerous infection that can claim lives."

Washing method In spite of the danger associated with used clothes, many users are ignorant of the need to disinfect them before using as Inside Abuja’s chat with a few of the endusers reveals.

Nnena Ezironye, a HND 2 student of Nasarawa State Polytechnic, asks: “Is there any special way of washing clothes? What I do after buying them is to wash them with soap and water, depending on the fabrics. I iron some at times and I wear the ones that don’t need ironing straight off.”

Ezironye is not the only one in the game of washing used clothes without the use of antiseptic or germicide as suggested by medical doctors. John Chucks, a business-

man in his late 40s, said he has been wearing used clothes for over 20 years now and all he does is merely washing them with soap and water.

“I like okrika because they are unique, hardly will you see anybody wearing the same thing with you unlike the Chinese mass production. I have been wearing them for more than 20 years, I wash them with soap and water; they are easy to wash at times you don’t even need to wash them because some are very clean," he said.

The case of Halima Musa, a young banker however, seems different as she says she is aware of the health implications.

“In as much as I like used clothes, I am also aware of the dangers in it. What I do is, soaking them in warm water with detergent and disinfectant after which I iron them. I mix them up with new ones because; the nature of my job is such that I need to look good daily and hardly will people know that I wear used clothes. I have a particular customer that calls me whenever he wants to open new bail, if I rush there early enough about 6:30a.m. I will get clothes that are really nice.”

Sources of used clothes and the lucrative business Used clothes are gotten from different countries according to sellers, they are imported majorly from Korea and London but retailers buy them from Kaduna and Lagos.

Christian Osuji is a dealer of used pant and bra. According to him, he has been in the business for the past four years now and it is a very lucrative business for him as he gets his capital after selling just 40 pieces of bra out of 400 pieces.

"I buy them from Kaduna but some people do buy theirs from Lagos. Kaduna indigenes do go to Dubai to bring them in. I prefer buying the ones from Korea because Chinese have small breasts and they sell faster than the ones from London. The ones from London come in big sizes. Before now, we buy the bail between N80,000 and N90,000 but now it is N100,000 to N120,000 it varies anyway. If you buy the one of N120,000 there is no way you will not recover your money because there is no way you won’t find 40 pieces of first grade and by the time you sell 40 pieces, you will get your capital and the rest is your gain.

Another seller of used clothes who did not give her name, said she gets her goods from Lagos, adding that the present state of the nation’s economy is negatively affecting the business.

"I have been in this business for years now, it is the proceeds from this business that I used in sending my children to school. One of my children is a graduate and two are in the university but it is no longer business as usual. Before now I buy goods worth N30,000 and I will sell them for close to N50,000 but today I bought goods of just N10,000 and I have sold only one piece. The economy is hard; people are not buying them as much as they used to. We need the government to do something about this," she said.

Inside ABUJA

TUESDAY, JUly 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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One electrocution, too many casualties Residents of Tudun-Wada, a suburb of Lugbe in Abuja are currently battling the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) after the explosion of a power transformer left many people dead and others wounded, JOHNCHUKS ONUANYIM reports

A

t the commencement of the privatisation of the power sector few years ago, one common hope Nigerians had was that at last electricity consumers will now have the opportunity to be served better.

Nigerians were also expecting that the new owners of the electricity distribution companies were going to invest in basic equipment that would enhance electricity supply and guarantee safety of lives and property.

Unfortunately, the prevalent situations in the sector has shown no significant improvement in the electricity supply. The only thing that Nigerians would probably say that they have enjoyed from the privatisation is high electricity tariff, poor services, equipment failure resulting in explosion of electricity transformers and loss of lives.

Virtually every month, the residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are confronted with one news of death or the other that occurred as a result of bad electricity facilities. The recent one, which occurred at Tudun-Wada, a suburb of the Lugbe Federal Housing Estate could be said to be one, too many.

The incident which occurred on July 10, about 9p.m. left many of the residents of Tudun-Wada dead and others severely injured and hospitalised.

However, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has been at loggerheads with the community on the appropriate records of what caused the incident as well as the number of those who died or were wounded .

When the management of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) visited the area, it was the words of the AEDC against the residents of Tudin-Wada. While AEDC officials stated that they had catalogued three deaths and five injured, the residents were putting the deaths that had occurred from the incident above seven and many more injured persons.

Residents also complained that those who escaped death but were highly injured during the incident had not received proper treatments from appropriate hospitals. It took the intervention the NERC management led by the Acting Chairman, Dr. Anthony Akah for AEDC to agree to give the injured people the required treatment.

In an apparent bid to avoid taking responsibility for the disaster,

AEDC officials inspecting the exploded transformer

the AEDC officials told the industry regulators that many of the residents of Tudun-Wada were not their customers because they allegedly connected their homes to the electricity distribution network illegally and do not pay electricity bill.

But the electricity distribution company was immediately proved wrong as many of the residents provided their previous bills as evidence. The customers rather accused AEDC of unfair treatment, stating that they were been over billed since they were on the estimated billing system.

One of the residents actually explained that because of the overbilling, some residents have resorted to connecting their homes to a common electricity point and later share the huge bill. The aggrieved electricity consumers stated that AEDC has been billing them as much as N10,000 for a one-room apartment and the same N10,000 for a three-bedroom apartment.

However, findings on the casualties indicated that one of the victims, a pregnant woman, whose name could not be immediately ascertained, was trying to switch off her fan when she was electrocuted.

Also, Joseph Terva was electrocuted as explained by his friend, Geoffrey Atoh.

Atoh explained: "We were outside when the transformer exploded loudly and started burning for about 10 minutes. Everyone was afraid and we started running helter-skelter. It was later that I heard that my friend, Joseph, was electrocuted. So, we rushed down to his house and found that he had died."

Also, Donald Dooga, who lost his brother, Joseph Moses, 22, explained that his sibling died before they could rush him to the hospital. According to Dooga, his brother died as he was about changing the fuse when he saw the blaze from the transformer.

"When Joseph saw the explosion and the huge fire from the transformer, he rushed to the switchboard to change the fuse, but he was electrocuted by the board; somebody told me that my brother had been electrocuted, so

One of the victims

We have informed our parents in Benue and we would be taking him there for burial soon

we rushed him to the hospital, but he died on the way," he narrated.

In tears, he explained that his brother had just completed his secondary school education and was working as a barber to raise money to further his education. "We have informed our parents in Benue and we would be taking him there for burial soon," he said.

The father of a little boy (Destiny) within the ages of 7-9, who was injured by the explosion explained that he had spent over N11,000 on medical bills to save his son.

Destiny's mother who is heavy with pregnancy, narrated her ordeal saying that she was on the veranda of their house when she noticed some sorts of vibration on the floor. "We attempted to run from the house, but the electric current injured Destiny in the face and behind the ear; another person, Edwin Joseph was also injured in the waist," she said.

Another survivor, Donald Terlumun said he was dozing in his room when he heard people screaming outside and he woke up, adding that his room was vibrating and he made to leave the house, but was jolted by electric current.

He said: "As I made to step out, the door shocked me and threw me against the wall, I shouted and made for the door again and the next thing, I was flung outside

where I hit my face on the ground.

I later opened my eyes to find myself in the hospital."

Terlumun who had a swollen face and some cuts, stated that he had spent N20,800 on hospital bills.

His neighbour, Nataniel Nyinjo, blamed the Abuja DISCO for the incident, saying they had visited the community and promised to compensate the injured.

He said: "The AEDC has already admitted guilt and they have promised to visit us during the Sallah holidays, but if they failed to compensate the injured and the families of the deceased, they should forget about restoring the power around here and we would take them to court directly."

Another survivor, Pius Moses, who was injured in both feet, said he had spent N14,500 to treat his injuries.

Tundu-Wada is not the first time in recent time that FCT residents would die as a result of negligence or faulty equipment of the electricity provider. In February this year, the AEDC paid N18 million compensation to the family of late Faith Yakubu for the death of their daughter as a result of electrocution. Faith was electrocuted in Gwagwalada Area Council, while her son, Bamaiyi Yakubu survived.

According to the NERC chairman, the AEDC had paid compensation three times this year for similar incidents in other locations in the territory.

Speaking after inspecting the exploded transformer and visiting the victims, the NERC boss mandated the AEDC management to move the victims immediately to hospitals that have facilities to run checks on them and give them the deserved treatments.

Also, he explained that the commission would carry out proper investigation of the causes of the explosion and met out sanctions where necessary.

"We will apply the necessary sanctions where necessary," he said.

Akah, who was displeased with the erecting of structures under the high tensions, advised the AEDC on the danger of energising such structures.

Also, on the need to avoid deaths from poor electricity facilities, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola recently charged the distribution companies to upgrade their systems.

The minister gave the charge at the recent sector meeting held at Shiroro Hydroelectric Plant, in Niger State.

According to Mr. Timothy Oyedeji, Director of Press of the Ministry, the minister’s concern was the spate of cases of electrocution as recently reported on locations in Eko and Abuja DISCOs. However, a human rights activist, Musa Bello has stated that the NERC should be alive to its responsibilities by sanctioning DISCOs for violations of regulation and creating situations which has led to fatal incidents.

According to him, compensation would not necessarily be a solution for negligence but proper sanction to avert poor services and avoid the death of electricity consumers.

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INSIDE ABUJA \ NEWS

Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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aring any unforeseen circumstances, about 140 hotels and more than 30 restaurants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja would be cut off from enjoying further waste management services for defaulting in the payment of their waste bills which run into billions of naira.

Top on the list of the defaulting hotels are Sheraton Hotels and Towers owing N46 million, Bolingo Hotel owing N10.3 million ,Valencia Hotel N16 million.

Others are Chelsea Hotel with N4.1 million debt, Grand Ibro Hotel owing N9.4 million and Arewa Suites which owes N5,364,000 among other defaulters.

Some of the restaurants owing environmental bills include Mr. Biggs, Mama Cass, Biobak kitchens and Kitchen Plus Restaurants among others.

Chairman of the FCT Ministerial Task Team on the recovery of N9 billion owed the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Baba Shehu Lawan told Inside Abuja that the FCT administration would be left with no option than to stop servicing all the public and private institutions in the nation's capital until they have paid their debts.

He however revealed that the Head of Service of the Federation, Ms. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, had on June 30, written to all government institutions indebted to the Board to pay their debts or risk having a chunk of their overhead expenditure deducted from the first line charge.

According to him, the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) after the letter by the Head of Service of the Federation are already negotiating with the Board on how to offset their bills, noting that the Board expects to rake in about N2 billion for the administration.

His words : "We are making arrangements to discontinue ser-

FCTA moves to stop services to hotels, restaurants vice to them. They cannot hold the administration to ransom. They are stakeholders in the city and should help the administration in its revenue drive.

"The MDAs are already negotiating with us and that's as a result of a letter written by the Head of Service of the Federation on June 30. There's a strong commitment from her as she has written all the MDAs to defray their debts. " On why the hotels have accumulated such huge debts, Lawan revealed that many of them have not paid their waste bills since 2009 despite an agreement entered into with the Board by the hotels owners to pay their debts between June 2015 and June 2016.

"When there's an increase in tariff, the Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA ) went to court to challenge the introduction of the tariff. They challenged that the gazette which the honourable minister then issued is contrary, they actually challenged the authority of the minister on new tariff and somehow the court agreed with them, due to low patronage and the authority of the minister to introduce the tariff. The court said it should be stepped down.

"We reverted to the old tariff and wrote a memo to the minister and he agreed that they should continue to pay the old rate. We entered into an agreement that they should pay between June 2015 and June 2016.

Some are owing as far back as 2009.

Less than 10 per cent has paid. We have appealed the case.

"The only tool that we have to make them pay is to discontinue waste management service to them," he explained.

Inside Abuja also reports that activities at the National Hospital,

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

have regards for religious prescription.

The tendency to infer that these beggars cohabit cannot be faulted by any standard, because the evidence is seen in the little, innocent children the women carry and expose to environmental hazards .

Inside Abuja made effort to ascertain whether these people can be categorised as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) resulting from the perennial battle against insurgency in the North-East part of the country. Our findings revealed that their sojourn predates the emergency created by the Boko Haram insurgency.

In fact some of the residents of Federal Housing Authority, Lugbe who spoke

Beggars' colony camp

TUESDAY, JUly 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sheraton Hotel

Debtor hotels Sheraton N46m Bolingo N10.3m Valencia N16m Chelsea N4.1m Grand Ibro N9.4m Arewa Suites N5.3

Abuja were paralysed early hours of Tuesday following the sealing off of the hospital complex by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (EAPB) over unpaid waste management bill totalling N7,776800.

The sealing off of the hospital followed a court's order by the FCT Chief Magistrate which had issued three different court summons to the management of the hospital which were not honoured.

The court gave the seal off order after lawyers representing the hospital failed to appear before the court.

The Chairman of the Task Force Team said that the court had earlier issued three different summons to the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital to appear before it, which he failed

to honour.

According to him, the Chief Magistrate Court II presided over

by Mrs. Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu on June 22, ordered the sealing of the National Hospital and subsequently adjourned the case to July 13 for hearing.

He however disclosed that the hospital management has since paid the entire debt following which the main entrance was unsealed.

His words : "The hospital management failed to appear before the court after three court summons. So the court gave the seal off order. The issue is waste management debt which is N7,776,800.

"But they have paid the debt 100 percent and we have opened the hospital."

Lugbe beggars' colony

with our correspondent accused the government of complicity in the whole saga. A man who identified himself as Jones and manager of one of the hotels in the street where these beggars colony is located said that the officials of Abuja Environmental Protection Board(AEPB) are aware of these people who according to him constitute an eyesore to the area.

Jones also said that the landlords' association of the FHA have complained several times to the relevant authority for the beggars to be evacuated, but nobody has acted accordingly.

When we called the attention of Public Relations Officer of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Mr. Sam Musa, to the return of beggars to Abuja streets in defiance of extant laws, he said: "We have arrested over 130 beggars and have handed them over to the Social Development Secretariat. We picked them up from the streets and handed them over, we also picked up some mad men and minors and handed them over to the Social Development Secretariat."

And when we confronted him with the issue of the beggars colony that is conspicuously and unofficially located at an open place, along the major entrance to the estate where they pass through almost on a daily basis looking for offenders of the AEPB Act, the spokesperson said: "If they are on the street we will arrest them and hand them over to the Social Development Secretariat. We don't allow begging. Begging is not allowed on the streets of Abuja, because it is contrary to Section 35(b) of the AEPB Act." It is a known fact that cities across the world are confronted with diverse and complex problems that give rise to a large scale of socio-economic and physical implications for the city dwellers, of which Lugbe and the entire Abuja by extension are no exception.

The problem of begging is a social

menace which has negative implication not only for economies of the cities, sociophysical environment, but also for the beggars themselves.

The ever increasing population of beggars in the Federal Capital Territory is not only an eyesore, but an environmental nuisance that could also jeopardise the health of citizenry, particularly as some of these beggars are carrying about infectious and contagious diseases that can only be contained in a quarantine.

Sciologist perspective A sociologist, Mr. Akpanke Thaddeus, confirmed to our correspondent the fear of many people about the increasing number of beggars on Abuja streets is a dangerous one, considering the fact that these beggars who despite their current economic incapacity are still giving birth to children they have no means to cater for.

According to Akpanke, these beggars who are mostly products of disorganised family and distorted behaviour that erodes family values are not to be encouraged by any segments of the society. Though, he did not condemn giving of arms to the less privileged, but he cautioned against neglecting the root cause of the problem to concentrate more on the symptoms.

INSIDE ABUJA

TUESDAY, JUly 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Obinna Odoh Abuja

T

he Ebola Quarrantine Centre located in the premises of Kuje General Hospital in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been converted into a paediatric ward for the use of the hospital.

The centre which was vehemently resisted by the people of Kuje when Federal Government created it during the outbreak of the Ebola Virus in 2014 has been lying fallow since Nigeria was declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In the protest led by the then Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon. Shaban Tete, residents of Kuje expressed fear that the centre could become a source of transmission of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) which claimed several lives in the West African sub- region.

Inside Abuja checks reveals that the people of Kuje have gradually overcome their fears as the

Ebola Quarantine Centre turns into paediatrics ward centre has now turned out to be of immense benefit to the people of the area as many sick children are receiving treatment and enjoying the facilities installed at the centre.

When our reporter visited the hospital, the

•Decry absence of proper bus terminals Abuja

C

hair man of the Green Mini Bus Driver’s Association Abuja, Mr. Samuel Olanrewaju, has appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to come to the aid of the association by revisiting the ban on the operation of some categories of commuter buses in the city.

Olanrewaju, who expressed appreciation to the previous administration for starting a transportation scheme that gave opportunity to drivers to own vehicles based on the operate and own loan scheme, urged the present administration of Mohammad Bello to continue to partner with the el-Rufai green minibus association to ease the transportation of commuters to the city.

According to Olanrewaju, it was not too long after these vehicles were given to members of his association, that a new transport policy came up which grouped them as ‘Araba Buses,’ the long Mazda Buses that were banned from operating in Abuja.

"The green mini-bus is an asset to FCT gov-

was one of the hospital buildings that was converted into the centre to host victims of the virus.

He further explained that what informed the choice of Kuje as Quarantine Centre for Ebola Virus Disease is the proximity of the health facili-

ty to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

"Now that there is no Ebola shall we abandon it for rats to occupy the place? As you can observe, we are using it for children's ward (paediatrics ward).

"It is the current Min-

Ebola Quarantine Centre now Pediatric Ward, Kuje

Operators seek reversal of ban on commuter buses Caleb Onwe

Medical Director, Kuje General Hospital, Mr. Tarbunde Egbi, disclosed that contrary to the public perception, the last administration did not construct a new structure for the hosting of the Quarantine Centre.

According to him, it

ernment as the project was initiated by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Minister of FCT. But the buses did not come until the tenure of Umar Modibo who built on the project and encouraged it.

"However, as a transporter who has no other business, we continue to look forward to how we could ease the movement of commuters from the rural areas of FCT like Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji to Garki, which makes us to continue undauntedly with the trade. To ease these commuters’ movement in FCT, there is the need for synergy between the drivers and government," Olanrewaju said.

He said that the lack of continuation of policies from past governments by the present ones has nearly crippled the laudable venture.

Going down memory lane, Olanrewaju said: “The current problem began with the coming of Bala Mohammed, the immediate past Minister of FCT who decided to jettison the programme, not minding whether there was gain or losses and how much was invested by his predecessors to aid the success of the project.”

21

ister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole, that said we should go ahead and use for other things.

They have released it back to Kuje General Hospital. That is why we have taken over the place.

It is now the property of the hospital.

"They are building another one that will serve the same purpose elsewhere in case of an outbreak of any deadly disease or problem. I assure you they are doing something seriously and something better in another place," explained Egbi.

However, a staff of the hospital who refused to disclose his identity revealed that at first when the minister of health released the quarantine centre back to Kuje General Hospital, it was initially converted into a male ward but none of the patients accepted to enter the place for treatment for fear of Ebola.

According to him, "On a second thought the hospital management changed it to paediatrics ward and people could no longer object to the change.”

Aisha Buhari pledges to protect women’s rights

H

ajia Aisha Buhari, wife of the President, has pledged to support Nigerian women by providing the necessary advice on all government programmes relating to gender.

Buhari spoke on Friday in Abuja during the national convention and award ceremony of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS).

She promised to fight for the protection of the fundamental rights of women and urged members of the NCWS to lead

by example.

According to Buhari, over 80.2million women still lack education and basic health care, while violence against women is on the increase worldwide.

She stressed that if more was invested in women and girls, it would promote sustainable growth and development in the nation.

On women representation, she said women constituted more than fifty per cent of Nigerian population and had the capacity to lead as president of the nation.

"Nigerian women are

the major voters and constitute more than fifty per cent of the population and are usually used in times of election after which we are pushed aside "This is the time for us, they are either giving us the 35 per cent we deserve or we should get a woman to lead us.

"This is time for us to mount pressure on the political parties to give us a percentage, we should put it in writing and sign and we should operate based on what we have signed.’’

Buhari commended the women on the role

they played in the society saying, "women are catalyst and change agents and they are versatile in their roles as wives, mothers and home makers.’’

Mrs Aisha Alhassan, the Minister , Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, who spoke, commended the women on their achievements so far.

Alhassan expressed optimism that the convention would provide useful outcomes that would strengthen women groups and ensure greater women participation in government.

Dolman Estate residents petition minister over bad road Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

R

esidents of Dolman Estate, Gudu District, Abuja, have petitioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, over the deplorable condition of the Abdulsalam Abubakar Way, appealing that the road be reconstructed before those living there were cut off from the rest of the city.

The road which is not far from the National Assembly Quarters, Apo, is a three-kilometre dual carriage way starting from the Gudu Market and linking Gaduwa, Apo and Lokogoma areas of Abuja.

Its construction began several years ago but was abandoned by previous

administrations.

In a letter dated July 8 and addressed to the minister, the Dolman Estate Association lamented that the road has become impassable since the rainy season began and appealed to the FCT Administration to intervene to alleviate the suffering of motorists and residents of the area.

Chairman of the Dolman Estate Association, Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo, who signed the letter alongside Obadiah Tohomdet, secretary of the association, said the road needed urgent attention not only because of its strategic location but also for its social and economic benefits to the city.

The road, Onucheyo said, could be best described as muddy and

bumpy in the wet season and extremely dusty and bumpy in the dry season.

The letter a copy of which was obtained by Inside Abuja read in parts: "The road is no doubt a death trap in the day, a security risk at night, a health hazard and a source of embarrassment to the people who live there. This has generated negative public perception to the government. This description is not good for the image of the city which is expected to be seen as a showpiece for Africa and the international community.

"This road is the shortest route to Lokogoma and connects so many other estates in the area. The construction of this road will no doubt open up Lokogona, Gaduwa and the whole Gudu district. Own-

ers of plots in these areas will also be motivated to start constructions in the area thus easing traffic flow and decongesting the central district of the Federal Capital Territory.

"We have watched with keen interest, your commitment towards the equitable development of the city and therefore hopefully look forward to your intervention. We believe that with your focus and commitment to the change mantra of the administration, there will be a new lease of life for residents through the construction of the road."

Inside Abuja had earlier in March published a comprehensive report on the neglect of this road and other major arterial ways linking some parts of Abuja.

22

INSIDE ABUJA

Temitope Ogunbanke

I

t has been said over and over again that the key to meaningful economic growth and development in Nigeria is intensive private sector participation. Even so, there is a consensus of opinion in several quarters that developing countries such as Nigeria must take deliberate steps to attract foreign investment to their countries as a necessary condition for launching themselves into sustainable economic development.

In the case of Nigeria in particular, this idea is not new and there have been, over the years, efforts by successive regimes to woo foreign investors to the country. The efforts might not have yielded the expected results but the need for more pro-active steps in that direction is growing by the day.

Against the backdrop of the rapidly dwindling internal resources, experts point out that Nigeria can pay lip service to this matter only at its own peril. Fortunately, however, and in spite of the inclement economic weather and near lack of incentives, there exist quite a good number of private sector operators in the country who have remained resilient both in investing their own domestic funds in the national economy as well as reaching to their foreign counterparts to look towards Nigeria.

Apart from individual-to-individual contacts and business relationships, such efforts have come in form of trade co-operations between the locals and their foreign counterparts. A few years ago, a Nigerian private sector operator, Kleef & VTS Oil Limited, led a few others to form the Nigeria-Netherlands Economic Forum, with the key objective of galvanizing their counterparts in the Dutch nation towards developing more interest in their native economy. Such platforms for trade and economic co-operation are not new in Nigeria but the Nigeria-Netherlands Economic Forum chief facilitator, Dr. Cliff Ogbede, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kleef & VTS Oil Limited, says the forum is poised to introduce a fresh vista in bi-lateral economic relations between Nigeria and others. Ogbede says the forum will employ more creative ideas in channeling information about Nigeria’s business environment to potential investors in the Netherlands.

To this end, he says, the forum will partner with the relevant government agencies in Nigeria to ensure that not only are more information about her disseminated in the Netherlands but also that such information put Nigeria more on the positive side than the current trend wherein Nigerians, themselves, both inadvertently and deliberately, de-market their country abroad. “Investors abroad want more positive information and engagements from us,” he says, adding that the immediate challenge facing the forum is to encourage more private sector participation in trade missions and talk shops between the two countries.

Ogbede disclosed that the first edition of the forum held in 2014 saw more Dutch businessmen than their Nigerian counterparts but that there was an improvement in the second edition which held between June 1st and 3rd, 2016 at the World Forum Marriott Hotel, at

TUESDAY, JUly 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

New window at NigeriaNetherlands Economic Forum

L-R: Chairman Nigeria-Netherlands Economic Forum, Dr. Cliff Ogbede; Director at the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mr. Kayode Obasa and principal officer at Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Dr. Isaac Nwodo at the just-concluded forum in the Hague, Netherlands.

The Hague. While welcoming the participants, the Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Nigeria in the Netherland, Mr. Obinna Onowu, harped on the need for more Nigerian business men and women to participate in the forum, adding that the Netherlands, being a strategic and important country in the European Union, offers a lot of potential in Nigeria’s quest to attract the attention of European private investors.

This year’s forum had more than 40 Nigerian participants, 22 of which were government/public sector agencies. They include the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health, Budget and Planning, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). Others are the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) as well as the governments of Anambra and Cross Rivers states. Of the remaining private sector participants, only about five were Nigerian companies led

by Fidelity Bank Plc. The rest were mostly Dutch companies based in the Netherlands and two others based in the United Kingdom and Germany.

The participating foreign companies are involved in businesses ranging from manufacturing, agricultural and agro-industrial, waste recycling, food packaging, health care, medical equipment, engineering infrastructure, transport and logistics, oil and gas, housing development, power generation and transmission etc. Interestingly, among the key foreign participating companies was Ajere Foods Limited, based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and which specialises in the dehydration of fish and the fish products. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Engr.

Steve Ajere, who made an incisive presentation on Nigeria-Netherlands trade relations, sought for Nigerian government’s support to enable it realise its dream of establishing a factory in Nigeria.

He got assurances from the representatives from both the SON and

They are ready and willing to show-case their potential will benefit from the expansion plans of Europebased private companies

NAFDAC who advised him to take advantage of the current Nigerian government economic diversification agenda.

Another Nigerian participant who runs a Netherland-based company that specialises in importing Nigerian foods into the Netherlands, Musty Ahmed, shared his experience in importing food items from Nigeria to the Dutch country.

Ahmed, who is the CEO of Aisha Investment Limited, told the forum that there are big prospects for Nigerian products in the Netherlands but enjoined the regulatory authorities to enforce standards on the country’s exports as required by the European Union. Similarly, Dr. Adisa Lasisi, managing director of Givadaun Food Company also based in the Netherlands, in his presentation disclosed that he is willing to share knowledge and expertise with interested Nigerian young entrepreneurs.

Leading the pack of Nigerian public sector participants was Hon. Obinna Chidoka, chairman, committee on environment in the House of Representatives. Chidoka, while delivering a goodwill message from the Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, assured Dutch investors of maximum support from the Nigerian government while charging them to key into the new economic blue print of the Muhammadu Buhari administration which is anchored on zero tolerance for corruption.

Also in that category was the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning, Mrs. Nana Fatima Mede, who represented her ministry.

In her presentation, Mede reminded participants of the importance of the forum and enjoined the Dutch to endeavour to take full advantage of the administration’s economic diversification programme.

There was also Dr. Samson Adigun who represented the SON, Abubakar Jimo and Mrs. Doris Akalusi both representing NAFDAC. There were also Tony Ojobo, who led the Nigerian Communications Commission delegates and the duo of Dr. Patrick Ogiji and Dr. E.C Ezema

representing the CBN. The two, who are both directors at the apex bank, assured the Dutch investors of full repatriation of proceeds from their investments while debunking fears that funds are trapped in Nigeria due to stringent foreign exchange control measures.

Others were Mr. Kayode Obasa and Mr. Isaac Nwodo, both of who represented the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

In the same vein, the representative of Fidelity Bank Plc., Mr. Ken Opara, spoke on the bank’s preparedness to provide solutions to the challenges faced by small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria through various products.

Overall, the 2016 Nigeria-Netherlands forum was adjudged highly successful. Though it attracted less Dutch private sector participants than the maiden edition, the 2016 forum was more incisive and covered a broader segment of issues affecting Nigeria-Dutch trade and economic relations.

The forum identified the following key take-aways and the need for regular update of the mutual multilateral and bi-lateral trade agreements; information sharing on trade statistics and price data-base; the need to respect agreements on intellectual property rights; quality control and trade mark protection, convention and international trade on endangered species and the need for capacity building through expertise training and enforcement.

Others were the need to extend programmes and knowledge transfer as well as collaboration between the Customs administrations of the two countries. Ogbede, the initiator and coordinator of the forum and who has been partnering with major overseas organisations in marketing Nigeria’s investment potential for over a decade, is of the firm belief that the forum holds a lot of promise. He draws attention on the fact that many investors in Europe are desirous of moving into emerging markets in Africa but cautions that only countries “that are ready and willing to show-case their potential will benefit from the expansion plans of Europe-based private companies.”

Ogbede, therefore, advised the Nigerian government to encourage more workshops and seminars outside the country to enable Nigerians interface with the global investment community on a sustainable basis.

At the closing ceremony, the Charge d’Affairs of the Nigerian Embassy in the Netherlands, Mrs. Grace Shia Sani expressed satisfaction on the success of the forum and commended the organisers for the patriotic commitment in finding solutions to the economic challenges facing Nigeria.

According to Shia, the process of nation building requires everyone’s collective efforts, noting that the advanced countries we see today were able to develop through the determination and patriotic will of their citizens. She urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of patriotism which is a catalyst for industrial and economic development of any nation.

23

TUESDAY, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Energy Power tariff cool battle and NERC’s volte-face

Business What's news Nigeria’s alcoholic drink market hits N1.85trn

p.24

Retail rents remain unchanged Despite economic downturn –Report p.24

Homes & Property Infrastructure: Call for facility mgt gathers steam

25 27

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

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

EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at July 15)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N365 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N471 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N398

l Foreign Reserves – $45.62 as at 14/7/2016

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at July 15)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N290 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N380 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N317

Source: CBN

L-R: SecretaryGeneral, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, (UNCTAD), Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi; Cabinet Secretary, Foreign Affairs of Kenya, Mrs Amina Mohammed and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Segun Awolowo, at the opening ceremony of UNCTAD in Nairobi, Kenya.

Bulk Electricity Company hit by $800m capital gap

The Business Desk

FG’s power purchase pact threatened Report faults structuring of N309bn power liquidity bond

Ayodele Aminu

GUARANTEED

Bayo Akomolafe

World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) create credit enhancement/ payment to protect investors in greenfield IPPs

Deputy Editor (Business) 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 Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET), a Federal Government firm, has been hit by a capitalisation gap of about $800 million, which is already threatening the Power Purchase Agreements’ obligations of government.

A document of the Ministry of Power seen by New Telegraph at the weekend, which revealed this, also noted that this was responsible for

the liquidity issues bedevilling the power sector.

NBET was created in 2011 to act as a credible and credit worthy offtaker of power and seller of power to DISCOs. The company is one of the many interim measures put in place to address market weaknesses during the transition period and has a life span of 10 years.

Five years after the establishment of NBET Plc, the company has been largely unable to fully discharge its responsibility. This situation has created a big gap in the liquidity for bulk electricity trading in Nigeria.

“NBET has a capitalisation of about $800 million dollars to meet its obligations under the PPAs,” the report read.

Notwithstanding this, NBET, the report stated, plans “a N309 billion liquidity bond to address some of the liquidity issues in the sector, which has been halted by the House of Representative in April, 2016.”

The study noted: “While this is a step in the right direction, we

N400 billion Being the revenue shortfall in the power sector as at December 31, 2015

are nevertheless uncomfortable with the pronouncements from the House of Representatives stopping further work on the NBET Bond.”

The House had called on the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) to immediately halt the move to raise the bond after a motion by Edward Pwajok, a lawmaker from Plateau, which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.

Moving the motion, Pwajok expressed concern that the planned massive borrowing was despite intervention by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in March 25, 2015, through the grant of a bailout.

He noted that the bailout was about N213 billion through the Nigerian Electricity Sector Intervention (NESI) facility.

“Despite that intervention, the shortfall, instead of being wiped CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

24

TUESDAY, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |news

Bulk Electricity Company hit by $800m capital gap CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

out, has continued to escalate at the rate of about N15 billion per month (equivalent to N500 million daily).

“It rose to a total-market shortfall of N400 billion as at December 31, 2015. A continuing incidence of market shortfall is a distinctive action for new investors to venture into the Nigerian electricity market,” he said.

While the study acknowledged anomaly in the structuring of the proposed NBET bond, it, however, expressed displeasure with the pronouncements from the House of Representatives stopping further work on the NBET Bond.

“We are also not very comfortable with the structuring of the proposed NBET bond.

First, the planned sizing/bond amount of N309 billion is clearly insufficient to address revenue shortfalls and provide market confidence on NBET’s ability to stabilise the power sector. In our considered view, NBET should be looking at a N2 trillion bond issuance programme to shore up its capitalisation over the next five years in order to address present and future revenue shortfalls.

“Such a large bond programme size will also provide confidence and firm guarantees of payments to investors in GENCOs (particularly for new capacities) as well as proposed investors in TCN, without exposing these investors to DISCO payment risks,” the document stated.

It continued: “Secondly, the proposed NBET bond is rather short term and seems to only be focused at sorting out present liquidity issues with respect to DISCOs paying their full energy payments to NBET for less than a year. It doesn’t seem to take into cognisance the fact that aggregate losses, as well as revenue under recovery, by DISCOs would take close to two or three years to address (assuming a sincerity of purpose by DISCOs).

“In this period, there has to be some form of market intervention.

In anticipation of and to address revenue shortfalls and short-term illiquidity that is characteristic of a transitional market, NBET was created to act as a credible and credit worthy off-taker of power and seller of power to DISCOs. “NBET’s key role is to generate market confidence through well negotiated and well aligned contracts with fair risk allocation that protects market participants from credit risks and systemic risks.”

Five years after the establishment of NBET, the document noted: “What is evident to both international and local investors in the power sector is that NBET is deficient in the required capitalisation to meet its obligations. It also lacks the ability to provide adequate and sustainable payment securities backed by the Federal Government under PPAs.”

STAKE Wine constitutes about 15 per cent of the market for alcoholic beverages in Nigeria Bayo Akomolafe

N

igeria has become a large market for alcoholic beverages valued at over N1.85 trillion ($ 6.5 billion) from South Africa, Scotland, Spain, France, Califonia and China.

The country is Among the seven big beverage markets for wine and alcoholic drinks.

Other emerging markets are Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Turkey and Vietnam.

The report by just drink, online-only an provider of analysis, commentary and market intelligence to the global drinks industry, said que

Nigeria’s alcoholic drink market hits N1.85trn These seven countries Were offering a tempting and lucrative prospect to manufacturers and marketers of spirits, wine, beer and soft drinks, BOTH in 2016 and decades to come.

It was learned while que spirits constitutes about 30 per cent of the market for alcoholic beverages in Nigeria, beer still leads with 55 per cent with wine, making up the remaining 15 per cent.

An evaluation of the report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Their Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) Also Explained que Local spirits constitutes 75 per cent of the spirits consumed.

The study Noted que 75 per cent of the spirits consumed in Nigeria Were locally made, while imported spirits accounted for $ 500 million of the total value of spirits consumed.

According to the report, the leading companies in the market include: Diageo, with 25 per cent of the rum segment, Pernod Ricard with 26 per cent and 41 per cent of the Vodka and Brandy markets respectivamente. Also, Davide CampariMilano SPA has 10-15 per cent of the liqueurs category; LVMH leads in the super-premium category (Especially Cognac) by average 27 per cent.

The report Explained que the European Union (EU) and

South Africa Were the leading suppliers to the Nigerian market, However, other countries such as Russia, Mexico, United States, Brazil and Canada, Among others, Also supply to Nigeria and other emerging markets .

Also, it was learned que Californian wine exporters have penetrated the Nigerian market with wine valued at $ 29 million in 2015.

Last year, a report by the London-based market research firm, Euromonitor International , disclosed que the importation of quality spirits had put pressure on the local distillers in the country Despite the place being cheaper brands.

L-R: Founder of Beibei Haven Foundation and Convener of Fertility Walk, Mrs. Omotade Alade; Director, Unity Bank Plc, Dr. Oluwafunso Obasanjo; Branch Manager, Justina Uzo-Hez and Branch Manager, Adetokunbo Ademola branch, Vera Nyire Odu, at the Fertility Walk of the Foundation cosponsored by Unity Bank plc.

COSTLY The Palms, Lekki, has the most expensive space at $900 per square meter (PSQM) Dayo Ayeyemi

D

espite the rapidly deteriorating operating environment due to tight foreign exchange conditions, unstable supply power and restrictive import regulations, retail rents in some of the malls have Remained unchanged, New Telegraph has learned.

According to a report from Cluttons Nigeria, on “Lagos Spring 2016 Commercial Market Outlook,” retail rents in the Palm Lekki, Ikeja City Mall and a few others, have Remained unaffected in the last 12 months.

The study Also Noted que owners of some shopping malls are even offering existing tenants rent Reductions, As They struggle to cope with the tough trading conditions.

According to the report, rent Have Been stable with

Retail rents remain unchanged despite economic downturn -Report the Palms in Lekki, Which is leading to the most expensive space at $ 900 per sqm, adding que anticipated additions to Lagos’ retail offerings include Oasis center and Maryland Mall, BOTH in Ikeja.

“Ikeja City Mall is the second most expensive retail mall in Lagos, commanding average lease rates of $ 795 per sqm, Followed by Maryland Mall at $ 780 per sqm. At less than half the price of These malls are the most affordable retail locations in Lagos; Adeniran Ogunsanya Mall and Mall Apapa, where rents stand at round $ 360 psm, “the report said.

However, it stated que demand for warehouse space, BOTH for storage and manufacturing activities, has dropped sharply as a result of harsh business environment.

The study Noted que real retail estate has Remained attractive to foreign investors in the last 12 months, adding que the growing popularity of retail mall class in Lagos was

reflective of the supply-demand underlying imbalance and investors’ longer term view on the market, Despite the current challenges to growth.

“In fact, developers are already rushing new schemes to the market, Particularly at the smaller end of the scale, with Lagos seeing an Increased development pipeline of smaller centers of under 5,000 square meter (sqm), with Admiralty Way, Lekki and its immediate environment having Among the largest number of These new developments Within the wider area, “the report said.

According to the study, the smaller malls are being quickly occupied by strong indigenous brands the annual rents are perceived to be more affordable and hover in the $ 250 per sqm to $ 376 per sqm bracket.

It Noted: “Retail rents are expected to remain stable in the short term, Particularly the tenants sign leases Often with built-in-escalation clauses.

“However, we anticipate a

reduction in rents in the long run if the wider business operating environment does not Improve, the retailers are expected to demand rent Deductions shouldnt profits come under further pressure.”

The report described the industrial real estate market of the ‘most Significantly impacted by economic conditions,’ noting que manufacturers have struggled to remain operational.

According to the study, demand for warehouse space, BOTH for storage and manufacturing activities, has dropped sharply as a result of economic downturn, but added que drop in requirements has not yet forced down rents.

The report stated que Apapa remains the most expensive sub-market at $ 7.5 per square foot (psf), Followed closely by the Ilupeju sub-market at $ 7psf and Ikeja at $ 05.06 psf. The most affordable submarket is abolishes-Egba at $ 05.03 psf. “

TUESDAY, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Energy

25

Power tariff legal battle and NERC’s volte-face The on-going legal battle over the 45 per cent hike in electricity tariff is not only a big burden on the success of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005, it has also revealed the short coming at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). ADEOLA YUSUF reports

T

he drama that played out at the NERC last weekend showed that all was not well, at that moment, with information management and policy alignment at the power sector regulator. The commission, which had earlier declared its readiness to reverse the 45 per cent hike in electricity tariff in respect for the ruling of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, directed its lawyers, within less than 24 hours, to file an appeal against the court ruling.

This clearly shows the repeated inconsistency within NERC. This is not the way to regulate a critical sector like this.

Journey to tariff increase In apparent agreement with the reality in the market on the need for a cost reflective tariff, the NERC last December announced a new set of tariffs for consumers of electricity, to take effect from February 1 2016. Unfortunately, this failed to account for the shortfall of January 2016.

The sharing formula, according to a NERC document sighted

by New Telegraph, showed that 57 per cent of the tariff paid by customers goes to power generation companies (GENCOs), 11 per cent to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), four per cent to both NERC and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) respectively, while distribution companies retain only 24 per cent.

The Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) 2015 Distribution Tariffs (2015-2024), which contains the new tariff structure gave the exact electricity bills to be paid by consumer under different DISCOs. Anatomy of hike Disco by Disco Under the new tariff, R2 customers covered by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), who currently pay N14.70 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) this year, had an increase of N9.60. This means that they had been paying N24.30 per kilowatt-hour beginning from February 1, 2016.

By NERC’s classification, R2 consumers are residential customers with single or three phase meters. They are further classified as residential apartments.

We want the sector to attain

Fashola

Power substation. Inset Fashola

credible cost reflective tariffs by unfreezing R2 tariffs and recognising revenue shortfall that resulted from the freeze in the DISCOs tariffs going forward from year 2016; reviewed ATC&C (less Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDA) debts recognised in Discos’ tariff and relevant shortfalls accounted for in the tariff from 2016 onwards.

Consumers covered by the Ikeja electricity distribution areas, which before now were paying N13.21 kWh. They pay different rates from February 1. Those with single-phase meter will pay N21.30kwh, just as customers using triple phase meter pay N21.80.

Ikeja DISCO covers Abule Egba, Akowonjo, Ikeja, Ikorodu. Oshodi and Shomolu.

Consumers covered by the Eko Disco, who were paying N15.63kwh, paid different rates according to the new tariff regulation. While single-phase customers are expected to pay N24.00 kwh, those using three phases coughed out N25.79 kwh.

Eko Electricity Distribution Company covers Lagos Islands, Ajah, Ibeju Lekki, Ikoyi, Mushin, Ebute – Meta, Ijora, Badagry, Festac, Apapa and Surulere.

Single-phase meter electricity consumers in Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara covered

by Kaduna DISCO, were paying N17.00kwh but have since been paying N26.37kwh, while those with three phase meters paid N28.05 kwh.

Single-phase meter consumers under the Benin DISCO pay N24.08 kwh, while those with three phase paid N24.45kwh. The two classes of consumers previously paid N14.82 kwh. Benin DISCO covers the states of Edo, Delta, Ondo and part of Ekiti.

The same R2 consumers under the Yola DISCO territory, who have been paying N15.00 now pay N23.25kwh (for single-phase meter users) and N24.75 for three-phase meter users. Yola DISCO covers Adamawa, Borno, Taraba and Yobe States.

These developments would delay and retard the slow but steady progress Nigeria has made in the power sector

For the Port Harcourt DISCO, all R2 customers in Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states have since been paying a flat rate of N24.91kwh, instead of N15.09 kwh they were paying.

Under the Kano DISCO, consumers in Jigawa, Kano and Katsina states with single- phase meters have since been paying N20.26kwh, an increase of over N3. They were paying N16.01 before the increase in tariff. Those with three phase meters who were paying N16.01 kwh, had since been paying N26.41 kwh.

For Plateau, Gombe, Bauchi and Benue covered by the Jos DISCO, customers are paying N26.93kwh under the new tariff regime.

It increased from the current N16.75kwh.

Electricity consumers under Enugu DISCO, which covers Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo State, those in R2 class pay a flat rate of N27.13 regardless of whether they are on the single phase or three-phase meter type. They were paying 16.44kwh going by NERC’s calculations.

Electricity consumers under Ibadan DISCO R2 covering Kwara, Ogun, Osun, Oyo and parts of Niger State have since been paying N24.97kwh, an increase from N16.11kwh under the previous schedule.

Commercial consumers across the country also had different levels of increase. While some had increase of N12.08, others’ tariff increased by N13.35.

For instance C2 consumers under the Enugu DISCO coverage have since been paying N42.40kwh.

They were paying N29.05 before the tariff increase.

C3 consumers paid N42.97kwh, an increase from the previous N29.05. C2 and C3 consumers are described as consumers, who use their premises for any other purpose other than exclusively as a residence or as a factory for manufacturing of goods.

R1 class of residential consumers didn’t witness any change in

their tariff structure. They would continue to pay N4kwh till the year 2024. R1 consumers are considered the lowest income class, who live in residences with electricity lifeline of 50kwh. Their monthly consumption is considered to be below 50 kilowatts.

The protest Starting with the labour unions and later artisans, Nigerians have not hidden their dissatisfaction over the tariff hike. On February 7, for instance, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other affiliate unions embarked on a nationwide protest against the increase in electricity tariffs.

Protesters carried placards with inscriptions “We won’t pay more for darkness,” expressing their grievances on the tariff increase.

The increment in tariffs also caused the labour unions to then shut down distribution companies across Nigeria.

The unions were not alone in this, the Senate also on February 16 asked the Ministry of Works, Power and Housing, the NERC, and electricity distribution companies to immediately suspend the new electricity tariffs following a motion sponsored by Suleiman Nafiz (APC-Bauchi North).

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the proceeding, described the tariff raise as “ultra-wicked and unconscionable.”

But the Minister for Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the measure was a “bitter pill” Nigerians must swallow to enjoy optimal service delivery in the power sector.

Discos’ plight While the protests raged on, the DISCOs also lamented being on the wrong side of the equation. They have proven to be the weakest link in the entire value chain and the underlying cause of the crisis.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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TUESDAY, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Energy

NNPC’s cash call debt to Seplat hits $504m UNREMITTED Company retains $150 million “Cash Call” from NPDC through gas revenue agreement

a third of the money, amounting to $150 million.

Receipts from NPDC, at the end of the first quarter 2016, have reduced the net balance from a peak of $504million in the beginning of the second half of 2015, “to a current level of around $350MM,” the company said in a recent report.

Seplat’s ability to reduce receivable from the government

owned company by 33 per cent in such a short time frame is an industry record.

NPDC is a subsidiary of NNPC, the Nigerian state hydrocarbon firm known to be chronically out of date with payment to its partners.

Seplat said it was able to claw back its money after signing agreement in mid-2015 to start offsetting NPDC’s share

of gas revenues against the outstanding balance.

“At end 2015, the net NPDC receivables balance stood at $435 million,” down from $504MM as of June 31, 2015, the company stated. In the first months of 2016, Seplat received $85 million more.

“In January 2016, Seplat successfully refinanced its existing debt facilities with a new

$700million seven year secured term facility and $300million three year secured revolving credit facility.

“The seven year facility also includes an option to upsize the facility by up to an additional $700million for qualifying acquisition opportunities.

2016 capital investments are expected to be around $130 million,” the document stated.

Adeola Yusuf

T

he debts profile of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the cash call remittance to a Joint Venture with Seplat hit $504 million in nine month before reversed to $350 million.

The NNPC runs the JV through its subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

A Seplat document sighted by this newspaper showed that the agreement signed by the company in mid-2015 to start offsetting NPDC’s share of gas revenues against the outstanding balance helped in debts retreating process.

In the space of nine months, the company reduced the debt to $350 million after it received CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

The privatisation of DISCOs in 2013 has not achieved the intended objectives so far. The much-needed improvements and investments haven’t happened because the Federal Government then reneged in their promise to introduce a cost reflective tariff which led to a massive shortfall of over N300 Billion to date.

The DISCOs were sold to core investors based on their proposal to reduce aggregate technical, commercial and collection (ATC&C) losses. Four years after, ATC&C losses seem to be increasing, rather than reducing. This is because of nonpayment of electricity bills by consumers. Energy theft is also on the increase.

Prior to the tariff hike, the remittances by these Discos to NBET for energy consumed fell from an average of 65 per cent in February 2015 to less than 36 per cent last February. Aside from the Eko DISCO with an average monthly energy payment performance of 80 per cent, most DISCOs actually remitted less than 40 per cent of their energy invoices to the market. One DISCO remitted 10 per cent of its energy invoice last February. The CBN had to inject N213 billion loan in a bit-by-bit model into the power sector to address the market debt between 2013 and 2014.

The legal fireworks A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos had last Wednesday reversed the 45 per cent electricity tariff increase by the NERC and the Federal Government Before this, two Federal High Courts recently granted separate restraining orders against

L-R; Chairman, Technical Information/ Technical Standing Committee, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigeria Council, Mr. Debo Fagbami; Secretary, SPE Nigeria Council/Nigerian Annual International Conference and Exhibitions 2016 (NAICE 2016) Secretariat Sub-Committee Chairman, Mr. Ignatus Anyanwu; Chairman, SPE Nigeria Council, Mr. George Kalu; and Vice Chairman, SPE Nigeria Council, Dr. Saka Metemilola, at the media briefing on SPE/ NAICE 2016 in Lagos.

Power tariff legal battle and NERC’s volte-face the NERC and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) at the instance of some DISCOs, which took both NERC and NBET to court.

The DISCOs had prayed the courts to compel NERC and NBET from enforcing the commercial terms of the various industry contracts they entered into at the conclusion of the privatisation of successor PHCN companies in 2013.

According to the DISCOs, the electricity market had been badly managed by NERC, such that they are not able to meet their obligations under the various industry contracts entered into with various counterparties to facilitate their activities in the power sector.

These court cases and the injunctions expose the soft and vulnerable underbelly of the entire power sector. By going to court to seek protection from meeting their contractual obligations, the DISCOs have demonstrated that all was not well with the power sector.

Since being privatised, the power sector had been plagued by structural challenges that have hindered the progress of the sector.

In a landmark judgment last Wednesday, the court however, declared the hike in tariff illegal and directed that it should be reversed immediately. The court did not stop at this, it also held that the implementation of the 45 per cent increase constituted a violation of its interim order and awarded N50, 000 cost against the NERC. From two sides of the mouth Meanwhile, the NERC had

earlier stated that it would uphold the decision of the court, but the commission changed its stance after consulting its lawyers, as announced last Friday during a press briefing that was held at its headquarters in Abuja.

He expressed the hope that ultimately power consumers as well as institutions would come to a better understanding of the values of the choice made to privatise the power sector.

“Therefore we ask investors, as well as customers in the electricity market not to panic as we seek a resolution within the ambit of the established laws.

“The commission remains committed to continuously provide the right regulatory framework that would promote private sector investment in the electricity supply industry and also protect the interests of electricity customers as enshrined in the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005,” the NERC boss said.

Burden for power reforms The power sector is yet to attain a contractual market status. Under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005, the electricity market in Nigeria would be administered by a number of industry contracts and market rules.

The declaration of the Transitional Electricity Market (TEM) would signal the commencement of these contracts.

In 2015, TEM was declared but the conditions for declaring it are still far away. Without effective contracts – Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), Ancillary Agreements, Gas Supply Agree-

ments (GSA), Vesting Contracts between DISCOs and NBET and other industry contracts, TEM cannot be said to have taken off.

The roadmap by Fashola on incremental, steady and reliable power is hinged on bankable, commercial and enforceable framework contracts to procure additional generation capacities (greenfield and brownfield). The legal tussle on tariff hike could seriously affect these targets.

One of the key requirements for the declaration of TEM was the posting of payment securities in the form of back-to-back letters of credit (L/C) between DISCOs and NBET under the Vesting Contracts, and between NBET and GENCOs under the PPA. To date, a number of DISCOs have not posted their payment securities. This is a fundamental breach of the Performance Agreement between the Core Investors and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) as it is a clear indication of the lack of financial capacity of Core investors in DISCOs to adequately provide capital (equity and/or long-term debt) to fund DISCO operations.

In addition, NBET is yet to activate the PPAs with GENCOs. However, to its credit, NBET has just completed a securitisation process that would enable it post its own L/ Cs to GENCOs. Hopefully, that would lead to the activation of the PPAs soon.

The power sector is still faced with regulatory risks arising from regulatory uncertainties, government’s continued influence in the affairs of the regulator and ineffective regulation

of the sector by NERC. Conclusion The technical and operational capabilities of NERC need to be further strengthened to address obvious gaps in the Commission’s regulation of the power sector, which can be described as being reactive rather than proactive. For instance, NERC has no means of independently validating ATC&C loss reductions achieved by DISCOs. This perhaps is most crucial when one realises that ATC&C loss levels form a critical component of electricity tariffs and, in addition, is the main criteria for measuring the performance of core investors in DISCOs. It is now time for the Federal Government to constitute the Board of NERC. Enough of these inconsistencies!

President Muhammadu Buhari should, in the same vein, reduce the burden of three ministries of power, works and housing on Fashola. The difficulties in the meeting power demand, which has now climaxed with a Court case on power tariff hike show that the sector needs a full fledge minister who will face the power affairs squarely.

Although Nigerians are excited about the Court order, the legal battle is likely move to the Supreme Court, which would certainly delay the actualisation of their dreams. But the fact remains that all these developments would only delay and retard the slow but steady progress Nigeria has made in the power sector.

TUESDAY, juLY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Homes&Property

27

Mono rail line project in Lagos

As the economic downturn takes toll on every facet of the economy, facility managers have called on government to take the maintenance of existing ones seriously.

Dayo Ayeyemi reports

W

orried by the current cash squeeze in the economy, all tiers of government have been tasked to embrace facility management to preserve existing infrastructural projects rather than building new ones.

The call formed the basis of this year’s Facility Management (FM) Day where the stakeholders advised government on a cost saving strategy.

Facility management is an interdisciplinary field primarily devoted to the operation and care of buildings throughout the entire lifecycle.

It contributes to the economic development of a nation through efficient and cost-effective development and management of infrastructure, reduces household cost of living and also contributes to environmental sustainability.

Speaking at different fora organised by stakeholders to mark the day in Lagos, the experts stated that the best time to adopt management of facilities for development was now.

Theme: “Empowering People for a Productive World,” the fora were meant to draw attention of all stakeholders in the industry, including the government to the significant value that facility management brings to world economy, businesses and people.

Infrastructure: Call for facility mgt gathers steam Speaking in one of the events organised by his company for Union Bank officials, the Managing Director, Global PFI Limited, Dr. MKO Balogun, said the current economic recession in the country had made it compelling for the government to put structures in place for the renewal of existing infrastructure rather than developing new ones.

“This is the best time for facility management since there is no money to build new infrastructure. There is need to bring emphasis to the need of facility management especially in Nigeria of today where there is no money to build new infrastructural projects.

“We need to manage the whole thing and we need to put structure in place to do that,” he said.

Justifying his call, Balogun pointed out that the need for facility management became stronger in Dubai when there was lull in its economy and there was no money to build new structures.

He said: “That is why Dubai’s government started thinking facility management.

So, the same thing must take place in Nigeria and as this is progressing, we will see the economy bigger and stronger in the next three years.

“We need to maintain what has been built. You don’t have money to build new ones, maintain what you have so that it can sustain you for a long time.”

Also, the Managing Director/Chief Executive

The National Assembly should ensure immediate passage of FM bill

Officer, Alpha Mead Facilities and Management Services Limited, Mr. Femi Akintunde, corroborated Balogun, calling on the government to critically embrace facility management to revamp the existing infrastructure for economic development.

Besides, he urged the Federal Government to rethink its infrastructure provision strategy by creating a more investor-friendly framework that would allow Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to thrive in the country.

According to him, until investors are allowed to manage their investments, while government strictly restricts itself to monitoring, regulating and ensuring compliance, the country will continue to pay lip service to its dream of developing infrastructure stock.

Akintunde canvassed the need for facility management input on all PPPs, adding that such involvement would guarantee sustainable improvement of projects over time, continued efficient delivery of service and minimum total life cycle cost.

Speaking on the theme of the year, the Chairman of Global FM, Duncan Waddell, said the event was meant to highlight how FM professionals empowered people to reach their full potential and in turn create a productive world.

“FM is all about enablement; as a sector we enable people to work, we enable the economy, we enable technology, we enable social interaction – the list is endless,” he said.

Passage of FM Bill Earlier, Balogun seized the opportunity to call on the National Assembly to expedite action on the Facility Management Bill before it.

According to him, the bill, which had passed through the first reading, is still pending before the legislators.

He said: “The bill has gone through the first reading and we are working towards ensuring that the bill goes through the process at the senate and the House of Representatives because it has to be a joint legislature by both houses.

“We have written the speaker of the house, we have written the state governors, we have written the speakers of the 18 states houses of assembly, written the president and his vice to bring emphasis to the need of FM especially in Nigeria of today.”

Balogun said the bill was very important as the facility management industry is yet to be classified and valued as a contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He said that lack of regulation and structure in the industry was a major challenge affecting its growth.

According to him, facility management is capable of advancing performance of an organisation’s two most valuable assets - workforce and work place.

On his part, Akintunde said that the. recent call for the passage of the bill was good.

He, however, war ned stakeholders not to dissipate much energy on this, saying the country had enough laws to guide CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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TUESDAY, juLY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Business | Homes & Property

AUDIT Calls for creation of upto-date database on infrastructure investments gather momentum

Planner seeks experts’ input in infrastructural plan design

Dayo Ayeyemi

P

erturbed by inadequate and efficient infrastructures in the country, the Federal Government has been advised to involve built environment practitioners in the formulation and implementation of infrastructural plans and models for the country.

Justifying his position in his paper entitled: “The Role of Infrastructural Development in Economic Development: State of the Economy, Why We Are Here as a Nation and The Way Out,” the Managing Director of Bisi Adedire and Partners, Mr. Bisi Adedire, a town planner, said that it had become imperative for the government to diversify into other sectors such as housing, transport, health and agriculture where infrastructural development is key.

Deliberate investment in infrastructure, he said, would spur economic growth when allocated to high value projects and constructed in a cost effective manner.

He blamed huge infrastructural gap in the country on long-time neglect of built environment practitioners in major development processes.

Adedire described infrastructural development as “an inevitable necessity” to any nation’s economic growth and sustainability, saying that professionals in the built environment would never cease to advocate for proper infrastructural development planning.

The town planner noted that adequate infrastructural development would stimulate social, economic and technological growth, while its inadequacy would undoubtedly create a major setback in achieving a vibrant economic empowerment in the country.

Bemoaning the sorry state of infrastructure in the country, Adedire said: “Our roads have long decayed and urban dwellers spend a huge chunk of productive time in traffic jams resulting in economic loss in terms of petrol consumption and time wastage.

“Many homes are responsible for the provision of water for their use because the water pipelines are outdated and the pipes rusted; hence the water being transported to few homes linked to the government water pipelines is already contaminated.

“The unreliability and inefficiencies in electricity generation and distribution is a chief reason behind the collapse of many industrial and commercial firms.”

However, he expressed hope that the nation could chart a new course up the scaffold of economic boom and sustainability by investing in Infrastructure.

To do this effectively and efficiently, Adedire called for infrastructure audit in the country.

L-R: Head of Facilities Management, Union Bank, Mr. Kehinde Ayeni; Managing Director, Global PFI Limited, Dr. MKO Balogun and Head of Property Management, Union Bank, Mr. Tosin Osikoya, during the World Facilities Day’s celebration in Lagos.

He said that such audit would take a strategic approach that “provides a topdown assessment of a nation/ state’s infrastructure needs and also considers the future demand for infrastructure over a number of years, and delivers an evidence base for further gap analysis, long term planning and investment priorities.”

To promote economic

development of the nation, the settlement expert urged the government to partner with built environment practitioners, appropriate private institutions and international organisations to devise a daunting process of attaining brilliant infrastructure development in basic sectors.

He also sought the creation of up-to-date database on

infrastructure investments and operations, saying this would have multiplier effects as time would be better conserved and productivity would be improved.

“Also, an existence of an up-to-date database will generate less emotional and physical stress and also check corrupt practices. It would also aid a continuous audit process and will provide

Taipei 101 Tower is world’s Greenest Tall Building

T

aipei 101 skyscraper has been named the world’s Greenest Tall Building.

According to World Property Journal, CBRE and TAIPEI 101 have ushered in a new era for international green buildings, becoming the highest scoring Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4 project in the world to-date, and the first to reach the 90 points threshold.

TAIPEI 101 appointed CBRE’s sustainability Asia team to act as LEED consultant to guide them through the process of recertifying its existing LEED v2009 Platinum certification in September 2014.

LEED is a green building rating system developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) that has gained prominence on a global scale.

According to the report, some 6,700 projects of varying types, from interior fit outs to neighborhood developments, have been registered to-date in Asian, while more than 2,100 projects have gone on to be LEED-certified as green buildings.

However, while green buildings are increasingly common in Asia and around the world, the newer, more stringent v4 version of LEED- that was achieved by TAIPEI 101- has been slow to be adopted by the industry.

Head of Sustainability, CBRE Asia, Tim Shen, said: “The majority of projects continue to pursue the now familiar LEED v2009 rating system.

“However, LEED v4 has significantly raised the bar to help the real estate industry move towards the levels of green building performance we need to achieve.

“TAIPEI 101 management’s keenness

to embrace the challenge of this higher standard; to looking at new ways of integrating sustainability into real estate, and the leadership shown by their property management and engineering teams truly sets a new benchmark for the industry.”

Since the launch of LEED v4 in 2013, 66 buildings around the world have been certified with the system and of those, 24 have used the LEED O+M (operations and maintenance) rating system.

In that time in Asia, LEED v4 projects represented around 17 per cent of new registrations.

“We continue to see a strong increase in demand for green building and sustainable real estate practices from institutional investors, and the thirdparty verified performance that LEED O+M provides helps meet that.

“TAIPEI 101’s achievement is especially significant given the size and scale of the building, the number of tenants, and the fact that this has taken place in Asia.

“We believe that this will encourage others to make the leap from LEED v2009 to LEED v4, and marks a turning point in the greening of buildings worldwide.

This could have a truly transformative impact on cities,” Shen added.

CBRE was able to help TAIPEI 101- a supertall building with more than two million square feet gross floor area, 101 floors and 126 different tenants -increase their LEED score from the original 82 points achieved in 2011, with 100 per cent of submitted points being awarded and no points being procured through the purchase of renewable energy offsets, despite the use of the harder system, which was a key requirement set out by the project team initially.

a hold on the ideas to run with in the continuous development of the nation’s infrastructure,” Adedire said.

‘Why builders should use quality materials’ Nigerians have been urged to patronise property merchants who can deliver world-class building and apartments with good quality materials and a touch of Italian and Spanish finishing in a flood-free serene environment.

Infrastructure: Call for facility mgt gathers steam CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

the practice of the profession.

The AMFacilities boss is of the opinion that legal frameworks that will guide service level agreement and how the relationship between service providers and building owners are framed should be in place.

He said: “We have enough laws in this country. We have Building Codes, standards and the rest that could guide facility management.

Facility management is to provide implementing system and processes to be in line with those codes and standards.

“To my knowledge, I don’t think we need additional laws. I think what we need is to put institutional frameworks in place to ensure compliance of the laws we have currently.

“If we get the bill through and it becomes the law, this is good. But I think where we should dissipate our energy now is how to ensure compliance with the existing building codes, standards and the rest.”

It would be recalled that at the beginning of this year, the Federal Government disclosed plans to concentrate on rehabilitation and completion of all abandoned projects rather than building new ones.

Conclusion The National Assembly should ensure immediate passage of FM bill while all stakeholders must adopt facility management strategy for economic prosperity.

TUESDAY, juLY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AVIATION

Airbus A350 XWB

The interior of a customised B787

Interior of A380 Business Class cabin

Boing 787 in flight

29

Boeing, Airbus rivalry gathers steam For the past 20 years, the skies have seen huge jet airliners from only two companies; Boeing and Airbus. It is unlikely any other competition will take off to challenge these two anytime soon, writes WOLE SHADARE Fierce battle

I

t is a rivalry that dates back to many years and it seems to be becoming fiercer, as Boeing and Airbus, two biggest aircraft makers are at each other’s throat in a bid to gain market share.

For the meantime, their intense rivalry can almost be likened to two dogfighting planes, each one just waiting for the right opportunity to shoot the other down and gain dominance of the skies.

Antecedents Airbus started out as Airbus Industries in 1970. However, the company, as it is known today, was formed in 1999 out

of a consortium of aerospace manufacturers, the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company and the British BAE Systems. The stock-sharing scheme was then EADS with 80 per cent and BAE with 20 per cent. It was not until October 2006 that BAE sold its shareholding to EADS. The company currently employs around 63,000 people working in 16 sites in Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and France. They have final assembly production plants in Toulouse, France; Hamburg, Germany; and Seville, Spain.

Since 2009 they have also had a plant in Tianjin, China and now also have subsidiaries in Japan, India and the United States.

Airbus has the first commercially viable fly-bywire airliner, the Airbus A320 and currently the world’s largest passenger airliner, the A380.

Boeing goes back a long way to 1910 when the company was first established by William Boeing to build wooden-frame airplanes. They made planes for the US during WWI and then went on to make metal planes in the 1930’s and 1940’s.

By the 1950’s Boeing developed jet engine aircraft.

In the 1960’s, Boeing came out with the twin-engine 737,

Their rivalry can almost be likened to two dogfighting

what would later become the forerunner to their most famous plane.

It survived hard times in the 1970’s before finally coming out with the Boeing 747, then the plane with the largest seating capacity in the world.

Through the 1980’s until the present, Boeing has since seen its stock rise; it has even ventured into other fields like defense and the space program.

Boeing currently hires around 172,000 employees.

All its plants are in the U.S. in places including Alabama, Arizona, California, Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.

Their most successful planes are currently the Boeing 747-8 and the Boeing 777F. With Boeing already at a head start in the passenger airline industry, Airbus had to offer airlines something better.

It eventually came up with fly-by-wire technology, where the manual flight controls of a plane are replaced with an electronic interface. This technology enabled the addition of a computer that could automatically adjust to stabilize the aircraft even without input from the pilot.

Airbus was also the first to use composite materials in their planes, making them

lighter, although Boeing would later up the ante, using composite materials for 50 per cent of its 787 Dreamliner.

Airbus is now working on fitting composite materials in at least 53 per cent of its planes.

Airbus A380 vs. the Boeing 747 The two rival planes are not so dissimilar when it comes to dimensions. The A380 is 8.4 meters high and 7.15 meters wide while the 747 is 7.81 meters high and 6.5 meters wide.

Each company claims the better plane. Airbus says the A380 consumes eight per cent less fuel per passenger compared to the 747 and needs 17 per cent less runway for takeoff and landing. The A380 is also touted to have a cabin floor space of 478 square meters, almost half more than the 747-8.

However, Boeing claims the 747-8 is over 10 per cent lighter per seat and saves 11 per cent in fuel consumption per passenger. They also said their plane has a trip-cost reduction of 21 per cent and a seat-mile cost reduction of more than six per cent.

Their customers got in on the act, Singapore CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

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TUESDAY, juLY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Arik introduces exciting in-flight menu on int’l routes INNOVATION The quality is fantastic, obviously, it comes with a cost

Wole Shadare

N

igeria flag carrier airline, Arik Air has introduced new menus inspired by traditional Nigerian cuisine on-board its international flights.

The meal selection according to a statement, features new entrée, main courses desserts on all regional and international routes including services to London, New York and Johannesburg.

The good news however, is that the carrier has invested millions of dollars to provide both local and intercontinental meals in-house, thereby being in total control of getting enough meals to its huge customers including some of the best choice wines onboard.

Highlight of the new inflight dining options includes an appetizer of coleslaw salad and a selection of warm breads, hot goat pepper soup or fish cake and beetroot towers.

For the main course, Arik has done well to provide the pan fried sirloin with rosemary sauce served with sautéed potatoes and honey glazed carrots, seared chicken breast in an orange citrus sauce served with fondant potatoes, carrots and poached cucumber.

Other alternatives are beef

Arik business class meal presentation

suya and jollof rice or fried croaker fish with yam porridge.

Fresh fruit plate or lemon posset tart with homemade ginger bread biscuit is available for dessert.

All menu items are free of alcohol and pork. Regardless of passengers’ selection, jollof rice according to the statement, will always be available upon request.

For afternoon tea, the airline will offer on its flights to London and Johannesburg selection of sand wishes or chicken and Mediterranean vegetable kebab.

Approximately one hour prior to landing, Arik Air has assured

passengers of continental breakfast of orange juice or wake-up cocktail juice, fresh seasonal fruit bowl, selection of breakfast pastries or warm beef sausage, turkey bacon and egg roll or coffee and tea.

This is for New York-Lagos flight.

While introducing the menu choice in Lagos, Rodger Whittle, Senior Vice President, Standards and Service Delivery, Arik Air said the meal menu was introduced taking into consideration the airline’s expansion drive.

Whittle added that the menu will cater for its business class cabinet for domestic services as well as its regional central west Africa and west coast services.

“Our kitchen is going to be very busy. As a company, we have always thought of having a catering arm, which may be available to other carriers or customers but for now we are limited to our own,” he disclosed.

“Prior to this time, we were outsourcing foods.

The new development also

offers a very significant cost savings for us. The quality is fantastic, obviously, it comes with a cost and no matter what we do with flight originating from other countries, our Nigerian customers always say it never quite tastes as it does at home.”

Whittle explained that the airline has a loading ratio and with the business class cabin, it loads at about 120 percent, and has provision for extra catering on the refrigerator, the statement added.

Boeing, Airbus rivalry gathers steam CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 29

Airlines CEO Chew Choong Seng sided with the A380, saying it was performing better than the airline had anticipated, consuming 20 per cent less fuel per passenger than the 747-400’s in their fleet.

However, Time Clark of Emirates said the A380 is more fuel economic at Mach 0.86 than at 0.83. Observers have also noted that the A380 is 50 per cent quieter than a 747-400 on takeoff.

The two rival planes are not so dissimilar when it comes to dimensions. The A380 is 8.4 meters high and 7.15 meters wide, while the 747 is 7.81 meters high and 6.5 meters wide.

The Airbus A350XWB vs Boeing 787 The game changer between the two is in the way the fuselage is manufactured. As the A350 & the 787 are both constructed with CFRP, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic, the methodology between the two is HUGE. While the A350 is relegated to using the decades old process of “patching” together “panels” to produce the fuselage...Boeing being Boeing went for broke by producing a series of solid, one piece

BARRELS...and, of course patenting the process. The only “seams” on the 787 fuselage are the circular “joins” of the barrels.

The 787 fuselage arrives at the Everett final assembly buildings 40-26 & 40-36 in five sections from global suppliers. Two smaller joins complete the forward and aft sections.

Now the air frame is completed in the Final Body Join (FBJ) area, where the forward and aft sections are both connected to the huge center wing box.

The Airbus A330 versus Boeing B777 In contrast to recent widespread media reports over the A350-900 stealing a march on the 777-200ER, which has seen sluggish sales in recent years and Airbus’ latest advertisement that declared the Cash Operating Cost (COC) per seat of an A330 is “up to 15 per cent lower than the 777-200ER”, Chicago-based airframer Boeing refutes that Airbus’ claim is anything but misconstrued and “is not backed up by actual data”, according to a Boeing document obtained by Aspire Aviation.

Specifically, Boeing reiterated that the B777 remains as the “established market leader of the 300 to 400 seat market” and said there is a 1 per cent

improvement to the B777-200ER’s fuel burn through an existing Performance Improvement Package (PIP).

Showing their might at Farnborough At Farnborough in July 2016, Airbus announced that in a “prudent, proactive step,” starting in 2018 it expects to deliver 12 A380 aircraft per year, down from 27 deliveries in 2015.

The firm also warned production might slip back into red ink on each aircraft produced at that time, though it anticipates production will remain in the black for 2016 and 2017. The firm expects that healthy demand for its other aircraft would allow it to avoid job losses from the cuts.

Boeing’s newest aircraft, the 737 Max, was on display to the public for the first time this week at the Farnborough Airshow as the United States aerospace giant approaches its hundredth birthday, with orders remaining strong.

The 737 family is Boeing’s most successful aircraft range and the latest Max model – which is due to be delivered in 2017 with launch customer Southwest Airlines – was borne out the desire for airlines to have more fuel efficient planes.

Vice President and General Manager of Boeing’s 737 Max project, Keith Leverkuhn, told CNBC in an interview earlier last week that it goes back to when they launched the programme. “ So, we set about to try and create an iteration that brought in all the available technologies that would allow us to improve the fuel efficiency as well as the emissions and the noise.”

So far, the Boeing 737 Max has racked up a total of 3,256 orders. Its rival jet, the Airbus A320neo has around 4,700 orders.

Both jets are single-aisle aircraft, the highest-selling segment of planes.

Conclusion Some of the world’s biggest airlines prefer a mix of the two, although they might have more of one brand than the other. As to what models are still in the air, according to the 2013 World Airline Census, for Boeing there are still 148 717’s flying; 109 727’s; 5,438 737’s; 627 747’s; 855 757’s; 821 767’s; 1,094 777’s; and 84 787’s.

For Airbus, it was 234 A300’s; 84 A310’s; 5,170 A320’s; 927 A330’s and 106 A380’s.

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TUESDAY, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Interview Teaching won’t suffer under my watch – Anwukah

Education

Tree Planting YABATECH, AOCOED harp on importance of tree planting

33 35

LOGJAM Organised labour union and the Oyo State Government are at loggerheads over the alleged plans by the government to concession some secondary schools to mission and private owners Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

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ather than resolving the crisis rocking public primary and secondary school education in Oyo State, the partnership on education initiated by the state government, has continued to generate controversy in the system.

The partnership has also set key stakeholders in the state including the organised labour union, under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and parents, against the government.

As part of moves to resuscitate the ailing education system, bedeviled by incessant strikes, poor facilities, decayed infrastructure, poor quality and indiscipline, the Senator Abiola Ajimobi-led administration initiated a partnership aimed at returning the schools to their path of reckoning.

Towards this end, the government under the partnership had called on religious bodies and interested private investors to invest in some of the schools to enhance the future of the students and lift the poor position and rating of the state, especially in external examinations including the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) among others.

However, to give the education reform initiative a legal and administrative backing, the state government in a paid newspaper advertorial of May 25, called for applications from interested religious bodies, Christianity and Islam, as well as other private investors to corun some of the public secondary schools with the government.

As part of the modalities, the government pegged the fee for the application forms at N250,000, with

kayode olanrewaju Editor, education

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

The labour unions during one of their protests in Ibadan.

Govt, labour face-off tears Oyo education apart evidence of financial capability to fund and run the schools as an additional requirements.

Towards this end, on June 1, the government convened a parley to engage the stakeholders at the Parliament Building of the Government Secretariat to deliberate on the modalities for the partnership and how to make it work with a view to achieving the objectives it was set out for.

But, the government’s moves, however, drew the ire of the labour unions, which claimed they were not carried along in the proposal as major stakeholders in the state’s education enterprise.

To them, the state government’s plan was a surreptitious one designed to sell off the schools to private investors, thereby taking public education out of the reach of the poor in the state.

Worried by this development, the organised labour joined by some other pressure groups in the state stormed the venue of the parley, disrupted it and chased out the guests and stakeholders including Bishops, Imams as well as the government officials, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Olalekan Alli.

Their action, which the Ajimobi’s administration claimed to be an affront to the government’s efforts at reviving the ailing education sector, however, resulted in the arrest of no fewer than seven labour leaders, who were arraigned in court and remanded in prison for four days.

Led by the Chairman of the state wing of NLC, who also doubled as the Chairman of the state chap-

Ajimobi

We never said it that any of the school has been sold. Why would they spread such erroneous information?

ter of the NUT, Comrade Waheed Olojede, the workers, who stormed the venue of the meeting with placards of various inscriptions, had claimed that the government was already collecting N3,000 per session as school fees from the students which many parents have found difficult to pay.

According to the unions, the fees charged by the state government, has resulted in a situation in which many students had dropped out of school to become commercial motorcyclists and apprentices in various trades. “Should the government succeed in ‘selling’ off the schools to private investors, who would reasonably charge higher fees, the labour claimed that more children would have to drop out of public schools.

In an exclusive interview with New Telegraph, Olojede recalled that the labour union had all along been cooperating with the government to the extent that the decision to charge N1,000 per term per student was a joint agreement of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA).

He said the decision was reached last year with the aim of reducing the financial burden on the state government in the face of the dwindling resources from the Federal Government.

He explained: “Arrangement has been on ground for some time now on how to improve the standard of education in the state. But the expectation of labour unions was that the government should have given the stakeholders a feedback on how much was collected as school fees and how it was utilised to improve

on the facilities in our schools.

“What we later discovered instead was that the government came up with a new policy, inviting stakeholders to express interest in partnership and ownership of public secondary schools. And, when we discovered this through the advertorial we became more worried.

“What caught our attention mostly was the idea of ownership in the whole move. If it is all about partnership, it could take any form.

You can call on alumni to contribute to the progress of their alma mater. It could also be to call on parents or the community to build classrooms, toilet or buy instructional materials. This is what we understand by partnership. But when it was becoming ownership, we suspected some foul play and sharp practices. If care is not taken, it is possible for the government to transfer public schools to private hands.”

“The Edict 14 of 1975 clearly stated that government decided to take away schools from private owners because of their inability to offer the right quality of education.

That law that transferred schools to government hands is still potent. If the law has not been repealed, and government is taking action to return schools to the owners, it is a betrayal and a rape on that law. If the government knows the rule of law, it will not propose that policy. If they go ahead and do it, it is like returning public property to private individuals because over several decades, the people’s taxes had been CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

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TUESDAY, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG urged to focus on science education Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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he need for the Federal Government to anchor and refocus its developmental efforts on science education as panacea to the numerous challenges confronting the nation, has been stressed by the former President of African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Prof. Wole Soboyejo.

He made the call at the four-day Pan-African School of Materials Conference held at the Abuja main campus of the university, where the don reiterated that the country must look inward it is to solve its development problems.

This was even as he faulted the lopsidedness in the nation’s education system, where basic education is neglected, especially the teaching and learning of Mathematical Sciences at the rudimentary level.

Soboyejo, however, disclosed that a team from the Pan African Material Institute (PAMI) is currently working in collaboration with the World Bank towards enhancing teaching and learning of Mathematical Science at all levels of education in the country and other African nations.

According to him, part of the objectives of the project is to take all the materials from the kindergarten to senior high school and make them in digital form so that they could be accessed from schools all over Africa.

He said: “There is a programme that we have started with the World Bank, which focuses on

primary education on Mathematics and Science. It is called the Mathematics and Science for sub-Saharan Africa programme.

The motive behind this is to take all the materials from the kindergarten to senior high school and make it in digital form so that it can be accessed from schools all over Africa.”

Soboyejo explained that in order to ensure that the project is properly accessed and utilised there would be intensive training of trainers across African countries, who will then train the teachers to use the modules for the pupils in Mathematics and Science in schools.

“This, for me, is actually the next frontier and as you can see much of what we have been doing is at the top and now we realised that we needed to start from the basis and we are working with people from Singapore, China and India on this,” the former vicechancellor said.

Soboyejo further noted that the project is expected to be launched before the end of the year, adding that the idea was to make the materials freely available to anybody that wants to have access to them.

He expressed delight that Nigeria is one of the other 14 African countries that have expressed interest in the project and that would be for the next 10 years.

The incumbent President of the university, Prof. Kingston Nyamapfene, in his remarks, said the conference, was part of series of activities organised and coordinated under the auspices of Pan African Universities in West and Central Africa with collaboration with some American universities.

Why FG must regulate private schools , by Emodi Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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Ajibefun with Dr. Akande signing the MoU.

Ado Poly, varsity ink MoU for academic development

Kayode Olanrewaju

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Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will foster academic collaboration and development has been endorsed by the management of the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti and the Adekunle Ajasin University AkungbaAkoko (AAUA), Ondo State.

The partnership will lead to the award of various diplomas and degrees by the polytechnic under the affiliation and supervision of the university.

While signing the document on behalf of the university, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, lauded the Rector, Dr. Taiwo Theresa Akande for her administration’s stride and efforts at improving the polytechnic,

as well as for her determination towards making the polytechnic sector relevant to the development of the country.

The vice-chancellor lauded the efforts of the Rector in positioning the polytechnic one of the leading institutions not only in the country, but also in the world at large, stressing that the MOU could not have come at an auspicious or better time than this as it would open a new vista in the development of the polytechnic.

Ajibefun, who explained that the academic relationship would definitely open a new positive chapter for both institutions, further commended Dr. Akande for the ‘good job’ she has been doing in the polytechnic.

On her part, the Rector

noted that her dream of transforming the polytechnic to a degree awarding institution as obtained in other climes was gradually being met.

The Rector, who noted that Ajasin University was the first university in the country to enter into such partnership with the polytechnic, explained that the polytechnic had already entered into collaboration with some foreign universities and institutions in Ghana, the United Kingdom and the USA. Akande, who described the terms of reference of the MOU as mutually beneficial, expressed gratitude to the university authorities for approving the relationship, and promised to uphold the contents of the agreement.

7-year-old Nigerian-British girl wins reading award in London A

call has gone to the Federal Government to ensure proper regulation and monitoring of private schools operating in the country.

Former Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Joy Emodi, who made the call, however, lamented what she described as proliferation of private schools in all nooks and crannies of the country, saying that many of them are below standard in terms of quality tuition and infrastructure.

This was even as Senator Emodi called on the government to focus more on the public education sector, which according to her deserves “serious panel beating.”

While stressing that teachers in public schools should be well-motivated as part of moves to move the sector forward, she said: “Nigerian curriculum is very good, but the teachers are not encouraged, while some of the private schools are in a terrible situation.”

Senator Emodi added: “I keep saying it that the government should come out and be more serious about regulating the operations of private schools. Some of the schools operate under the bridge. Structures and buildings only do not make a good school, but the strength of the curriculum content and its delivery. Unfortunately, some of them are still operating the old curriculum.

“The government must properly regulate private schools to ensure that what they are giving Mayor Cllr Eileen S. Keller, presenting award to Erewunmi at the to the students is of quality as many of them are Barking Learning Centre, London. With them is a representative of the memorial shield. ill-equipped.”

Nigerian-British born youngster, Ruby Erewunmi, has been crowned as the winner of the Richard Feld Memorial Shield for the child aged seven or under, who has made the most excellent progress in reading.

She received the award at a special ceremony to celebrate reading progress, which was held at the Barking Learning Centre in London.

The event recognises the children’s progress through Reading Zones World Adventure, a year round reading challenge run by London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Libraries.

In total, it honoured nearly 50 young readers, two of whom took the top awards.

Seven-year-old Erewunmi, who uses Dagenham Library, received the Richard Feld Memorial Shield for the child aged seven or under who has made the most excellent progress in reading.

To win the award, she had gone through supervised re-

views of at least two hundred books.

The award was presented by the Mayor of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, Mayor Cllr Eileen S. Keller.

Expressing his joy, Ruby’s father, Nigerian based legal practitioner, Mr. Fatai Erewunmi said he was delighted with the girl’s performance in having gone to great pains to cultivate a reading culture at such tender age.

“The fact is reading is going out of vogue, so it is a joy seeing a youngster imbibing such an ennobled culture,” the father added.

For the mother, Mrs. Ekundayo Erewunmi, winning the award is a culmination of five to six years of careful induction into the world of reading.

She noted that apart from maintaining a large library herself, she has over the years made available to Ruby hundreds of children literature.

TUESDAY, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Teaching won’t suffer under my watch – Anwukah

Some of the unity schools are oversubscribed while others are under-subscribed, is government considering any plan to redistribute the students to avoid overstretching of facilities?

Well, oversubscription of students into some of the Unity Schools than others is the price you pay for quality and affordable education. Everybody wants quality and since schools like Queen’s College has quality, it must be ready to cope with the pressure from applicants.

But, the truth of the matter is that we will make sure that we ensure equitable distribution of the pupils so that some schools that are doing well are not unnecessarily punished. The pressure will be there, but we will continue to manage it.

Also on the skills acquisition projects, of course, we are trying to make sure that the values of skills acquisition and entrepreneurship is built in our pupils from the basics.

Why the delay in the release of the white paper of the Ministerial adhoc committees set up to investigate various allegations in about 10 higher institutions across the nation, while that of the allegation of sexual harassment at Queen’s College was promptly released?

It is true that when the allegation of sexual harassment broke out in Queen’s College, the Federal Government intervened by setting up a panel and quickly released the report of the panel. It was so because the situation was not as complex as we have in the higher institutions.

Also, in the process to be fair to all concerned, and to make sure that nobody is unduly punished, we are doing a thorough job. Meanwhile, once a thorough process is followed, as soon as we are through with that investigation the public will know the Federal Government’s position on the matter.

One of the challenges with the education sector in the country is the dearth of skilled teachers, and the unity schools are not exempted.

What is Federal Government doing to make sure the unity schools do not lose their old glories?

Really, it is a subject of concern and we are trying to make sure that the unity schools are returned to their good old days. The unity schools are also going to benefit from the ongoing 500,000 teachers’ recruitment. People have been asking us if the Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) teachers already in the employment of some of the schools will be absorbed into the process and we have always encouraged them to also apply. They should apply.

Indeed, as soon as we conclude the process of the employment, we would ensure adequate distribution of qualified and certified teachers to the schools.

It is not going to be business as usual, whereby unqualified people will be recruited into the teaching profession. If you want to be in the

Before his appointment as the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah was a ViceChancellor at the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri. In this interview with journalists in Lagos, he speaks on his plans for the basic education sector and the N-power teachers’ recruitment intervention, among other pertinent issues.

MOJEED ALABI reports classroom, this time we have insisted that whoever is going to be our teacher must be qualified in the art of teaching. Those, who are not qualified, will be made to go through thorough training. The training I am talking about is not going to be crash programmes of two weeks, but a thorough exercise. We have suffered inadequacy of teachers for so long and so we need not to be in a hurry to recruit those who are not meant to be in classrooms as our teachers. So, this time we will take our time to recruit qualified and certified teachers to correct the errors of the past.

How do you plan to go about the Npower scheme, which is expected to deploy graduates of universities, polytechnics that are not trained to teach?

Let us not go into that. The details are what the Federal Government is already sorting out. The teaching profession will not suffer, particularly under my watch. And I am serious about it. I am not for this crash programmes and our government will not in any way encourage the abuse of teaching profession.

We will not send to classrooms, take my words for it, anyone who is not qualified to be a teacher because the danger of doing otherwise is enormous, which we cannot afford to allow. The N-power initiative will address the details and teaching needs of the sector.

Specifically, how is the Federal Government going to address the infrastructural challenges facing the unity schools which are directly under your watch?

It is quite obvious that the country is currently going through financial constraints and I am not going to promise that tomorrow I am going to perform some magic to make huge funds available to the schools.

But there are certain efforts to give special considerations to some sectors particularly education. As earlier said, there is no magic wand that can do it, because the

Anwukah

Those, who are not qualified, will be made to go through thorough training

economy is nose-diving, but as economy of the country improves, we will ensure that funding of unity schools improves also.

For now, and given what we have, we are trying to ensure that adequate provision is given the unity schools.

There have been complaints about overloaded curriculum at the basic and middle school levels, but is the ministry looking into this?

Already, we are working on this.

We have met with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to make sure that we strike a balance. We are looking at the whole thing holistically to make sure that all contradictions are addressed. We are trying to make sure that our pupils are not overloaded again. The society is making some demands in terms of new areas of subjects they want our pupils to be taught.

But, we will see that it is balanced and that our pupils are only taught relevant things and not just anything.

There is the relegation of some subjects, especially History and indigenous languages in the school system, what is the position of ministry in this?

What you are asking is also not unconnected with the overloaded curriculum we have just talked about. The case of the mother tongues is a very disturbing one.

But, do you blame the schools for relegating the mother tongues, when parents have also abandoned the languages in their various homes.

They no longer talk to their children in these languages, and when you teach them it becomes issues when they get home and their parents themselves bar them from speaking those languages. But we have to look at it again and strike the balance, thus we appeal to the parents to stress the use of the mother tongues at home and let the schools complement such efforts. When you are speaking English to your children and you blame schools for not teaching them your language, I think that is not fair enough on the part of parents.

education

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Mimiko

Varsity tasks scholars on global competitive policies

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cholars, especially those in the field of Humanities have been challenged to initiate new areas of research and collaborations that would provoke new ways of thinking that would result in critical and competitive policies.

The Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, made the call in his opening remarks at the maiden Faculty of Arts International Conference of the institution.

The conference with the theme: “The Humanities and National Development,” took place at the Nelson Mandela Hall of the university.

The vice-chancellor, who was represented by his Deputy in charge of Academic, Prof. Oluyemisi Adebowale, said “Humanities as area of study are known for intellectual banter.”

“This is the beauty of academics.

There are bound to be arguments and counter arguments. But the synthesis of such arguments must be logically rendered in such a way that they can be actionable by both professionals and academic. Participants at this conference should provoke a new way of thinking that will result in critical and globally competitive policies,” he stressed.

Ajibefun, who noted that Humanities play a central role in scholarship and the society, added: “To be sure, Humanities occupy a critical blend in the generation of seminal ideas and ideals that we need to navigate through the global labyrinth in a world that is in dire need of ideological finesse, without which humanity will ebb lower or life will be very dull.

“In this way, Humanities cannot be lost in the cluster of ever forward-looking discoveries of science and technology. In other words, despite the pride of place the Humanities enjoy, the challenges being faced now must be creatively confronted.”

The vice-chancellor, who, however, noted that Humanities have a critical role to play in proffering lasting solutions to global religious and terrorist attacks on humanity and infrastructural formations, thanked the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Benson Akinnawonu, and the organisers of the conference for the stimulating conference.

Earlier in his welcome address, Akinnawonu had said that the conference was a response to a compelling passion to create an intellectual platform to promote scholarship and stimulate vibrant and intellectual engagements among scholars and practitioners in line with the university’s academic tradition.

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education | public discourse

How should pupils spend the long vacation?

Agboola: Pupils should be engaged productively

Mr. Rafiu Agboola is a Mathematics teacher at the Federal Government College, Ikirun, Osun State and Secretary of the school’s chapter of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN)

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s a teacher, we have discovered the sharp differences between what we experienced during our time and what our students today do during holidays, especially during long vacations like this.

In those days, apart from the fact that we would spend the period to assist our parents in whatever they do for a living, we would also struggle to prepare ourselves ahead of the new school session so that we would have read beyond the syllabus.

So, when we resumed for the new academic calendar year, we would have been refreshed and the teachers would be happy that we already got pre-

pared for the class.

These days, teachers are usually afraid of resuming to schools after a long holiday because the students would have forgotten almost everything they were taught during previous session. The irony here is that today’s students have access to more educational tools than we enjoyed during our time. Learning was very difficult during our days, but today, with mobile phones, students can learn easily. Yet, rather than using these tools for positive things, they deploy them to engage in negative activities by opening pornography sites, learning about gambling, and engaging in long hours of fruitless chatting.

They will, therefore, need to be very serious during this period of long vacation, and the parents too will need to be supportive and mindful of what they expose their children to. There are so many educational packages on television and the Internet and it would be proper for them to key into and avail themselves of these opportunities.

We will be willing to welcome back to schools, pupils who have enjoyed themselves during the break by relaxing their brains, and at the same time are refreshed with new ideas to engage their teachers in the new session.

Mr. Gboyega Oloniyo is the Chairman of the Parent-Teachers Association of the Peaklane Schools, Akute, Ogun State.

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fter a long while that they have engaged in thorough academic activities, it is very important the children relax their brains and expose themselves to various extra-curricular engagements be it indoor or outdoor.

They can visit cinemas and watch various educational and entertaining

grammes, otherwise known as summer classes wouldn’t be a bad idea.

If you look at the curriculum of the summer schools, you would understand that they are not overloaded like the regimented normal school curriculum. Such will keep them regulated so that they do not overplay and by the time they resume, they would still be fresh for full academic works.

Coker: It should be time for bonding Adebayo Coker is a parent, writer and author of many fictions including ‘A Man like Me: Noteography of a Father to his Son.

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n the past, we would be asked, about a fortnight to the end of a school session, to write how we are going to spend our next holidays. And expectedly, we would explore our dream places to visit, essays to write and educational movies to watch, possibly at cinemas.

However, in the recent times, the fad of summer break that sees many families jetting out of the country to those exotic destinations around the world is on the increase, which is a good thing for those that wouldn’t have to steal, beg or borrow to

fund such vacations.

As for some of us this should be a time for better bonding as a family.

I usually looked forward to a time like this in those years of my innocence when cousins, family friends and in fact, everyone with kindred spirit would converge in a particularly family house this week, and in turn we would go from one house to the other under the supervision of a competent guide. Educative games and movies void of instilling violence or vulgar, however minutest were usually allowed and

LAFOGRAMS rewards best pupils at valedictory Ayobola Lawal

Oloniyo: Attending summer schools won’t be bad idea programmes that could help in refreshing their brains about what they learnt in the previous session.

However, there should still be caution in doing all these because children could be very funny. If you allow them too much freedom, they could become too playful which may be counterproductive.

Therefore, allowing them to take part in schools’ holiday pro-

TUESDAY, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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or their brilliant performances in their academic work and for possessing good moral values and characters, some students of the Lagos African Church Grammar School, Ifako have been rewarded with various prizes including cash and scholarship awards.

The awards, which in various categories were sponsored by some individuals and corporate organisations including the mobile telecommunication giant, MTN, were presented to the beneficiaries during the school’s valedictory service held on the school premises.

The ceremony, which was attended by many dignitaries including the church’s National Education Secretary of the African Region, Mrs. Victoria Odetunde, was climaxed with the graduation of no fewer than 87 student from the Senior Secondary School (SS 3) and 100 from the Junior Secondary School (JSS III), who dressed in their academic gowns and garlands.

Ajayi Oyindamola, who emerged the best student in English and Mathematics smiled home with two awards, while Igba Jacob, who also emerged the best student in Science both received awards worth N250,000.

Mrs. Odetunde, in her message to the graduating students and the guests, advised the pupils to be of good behaviour in order not to be victims of bad influence after leaving school.

L-R: President, Lagos African Grammar School Old Students’ Association,Otunba Wole Paul; school’s Best Student, Sade Pelumi; Principal, Mr. Zacchaeus Omoliki, and his vice, Elder Babatunde Ogundipe during the school’s valedictory service.

Minister, Okebukola harp on need to restore Queen’s College’s glory Mojeed Alabi

D we would be given chores to do at home.

It was those times I started learning how to be independent; hand-washing my clothes, doing the dishes and in order to win my next scrabble games, I started picking books that litter my father’s study to learn new words and I usually came out a champion at the end of it all.

interviews by mojeed alabi

Speaking at the ceremony, which was the school’s 16th edition, the Principal, Mr. Zacchaeus Omoliki, expressed delight at the success recorded by the graduating class, even as he enjoined them to carry on the torch in their future endeavours.

While saying that the school had empowered them with the relevant skills that will make them live a fulfilling life, the principal said: “This school has taught you the value of spirituality and that being Godly is the only solution to the myriad of challenges confronting today’s youths.

We have imbibed in you sound moral values and good education, you are, therefore, expected to build on this to reward the efforts of the school and those of your parents with good character. We wish you the very best and we pray that God will continue to guide and protect you.”

In a chat with the school’s Counsellor, Mrs. Temitayo Olasupo, she said the school as part of its priority ensures the pupils are well guided in their career choice and that they are adequately monitored to achieve this.

She, however, added that the school also ensured that any issue that could affect the students’ academic performance is promptly attended to and resolved through proper counseling and prayers.

The guests were thrilled by the students with their various presentations including dancing competition, poetry rendition and drama performance.

espite the allegation of sexual harassment against a Queen’s College, Lagos teacher that rocked the school about three months ago, which they described as unnecessary distraction, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah and the former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, are canvassing support to return the school to its old glorious days.

The duo stated this penultimate week during their visit to the school to attend its annual speech and prize award ceremony.

In his remarks, the Minister, who was the special guest of honour, commended the leadership of the college, saying despite the enormity of the dis-

traction generated by the allegation of sexual harassment, the management has put it behind them and that all parties have closed ranks.

The Minister also inaugurated various infrastructural projects executed by the school which include the e-library built by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC); ICT Centre built by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); the 500KVA generator donated by the Zenith Bank and facilitated by the school’s alumni association, and the toilet facilities donated by the school’s Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA).

In a similar development, Prof. Okebukola, who was the keynote speaker at the event, noted that as one of the nation’s foremost girl-only schools, Queen’s College is a veritable tool to achieve gender-inclusive and all-round education.

TUESDAY, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

YABATECH, AOCOED harp on importance of tree planting

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he Rector, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr. Margaret Ladipo has expressed optimism that the yearly tree planting campaign initiated by the Lagos State Government, under Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) will contribute to the transformation of Lagos into a greener, healthier, safe and orderly megacity.

The rector, who spoke through her Deputy in charge of Academic, Mr. Innocent Akhuemonkan during the flagoff of the 2016 Tree Planting Campaign at the YABATECH Centre, however, lauded the government for sustaining the yearly tree planting exercise and for partnering the polytechnic in this.

She regretted the assault on the Nigerian ecosystem in recent times, saying: “Trees are being felled indiscriminately without replacement and this has exposed the environment to erosion and other natural and environmental disasters.”

She called on Nigerians to adopt the philosophy of “every-

campus

one planting a tree” to attain an environment that is free from pollution, erosion and other natural disasters, even as the rector noted that “this, no doubt, is in recognition of the importance of YABATECH to the success and sustainability of the programme.”

Dr. Ladipo said: “We share the passion of the Lagos State Government in this project, as we acknowledge the benefits inherent in tree planting, which include provision of shade, wind brakes, prevention of flood and desert encroachment, as well as reducing the effect of global warming, among others.”

The state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the 2016 tree planting campaign, with the theme: “Lend a Hand to Save Trees,” had become imperative in view of the peculiarity of the state as a coastal city-state.

According to him, the fast growing urban development areas across the state must cur-

UNN

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his year’s edition of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) 2016 Students’ Week, which kicked off last week, has come and gone, but the students are still savouring the cord of unity it brought about among the entire students.

According to the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Chukwunyere Nwusu, while receiving the students in his office on Monday, expressed happiness over what he called the level of cooperation among the students and pledged the support of the faculty for the yearly week.

The President of the Faculty, Hillary Nwauzoije, who said that the various activities lined up to mark the students’ week commenced at the Facultyon Monday, however, noted in a release issued by the students that the significance of this year’s cultural week described it as medium of uniting Nigerian Veterinary Medicine Students’ Association on the challenges facing the profession at this “digital age” especially in managing domestic and wild animals, as well the future

of the practitioners.

This was as he explained that the week would go a long way in giving the week new direction and reposition the ethical requirements of the profession through the series of lectures that will be delivered by some experts and professionals during the event.

Other activities lined up to mark the cultural week, which was attended by Presidents of the Nigerian Veterinary Medicine Associations across the 36 states of the federation are Academic Icon night, Animal Show, Novelty football match, launching of faculty magazine and rehabilitation of the students’ secretarial.

The event, which took place at the Continuing Education Centre (CEC) of the institution, was declared open by the Chairman, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Prof. Ibrahim Sharubutu.

He further explained that the week would feature a symposium, which will be presented by some guest speakers including Prof. B.B Fakae; former Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University for Science & Technology, Prof. Isaac Azuzu; Prof S.A Anika; and Prof. J.O. Okoye, among other scholars.

Ado Poly reappoints Registrar

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L-R: Mr. Adetunji Oluseyi, representative of the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment; Hon. Kola Abiola, Sole Administrator, Oto Awori LCDA, and Dr. (Mrs) Omolola Aina Ladele, Provost, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Oto/ Ijanikin, Lagos State during the 2016 Tree Planting Day Programme in the College held recently

tail the uncontrolled felling of trees and ensure all developers adhere to the town planning and greening regulations.

In a related development, the state governor during the tree planting exercise at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Oto/ Ijanikin, said that a world with-

Faculty of Vet Medicine students unite for culture

Oladele Oge

35

out trees is a world with life.

According to Ambode, at this year’s ninth annual Tree Planting Day of the state at the college, the people should embrace tree planting as one of the most reliable and cheapest means of combating the negative effects of global warming and climate change.

he Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, has approved the renewal of the appointment of the Registrar of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Mrs. Stephania Odusade Adediran.

The reappointment of Mrs. Adediran was conveyed in a circular of 1st July 2016, addressed to the Rector and signed by Mrs. H.U. Abdulahi, the Director of Tertiary Education in the ministry on behalf of the Minister.

The Letter reads: “I am directed to convey to you the approval of the Honourable Minister for the renewal of appointment of the Registrar, Mrs. Adediran S.O. for a second and final term of five (5) years with effect from 15th June 2016.”

By the renewal of the Registrar’s appointments for a second and final term of five years effective from 15th June, 2016, Mrs. Adediran will now serve till June 14, 2021.

It would be recalled that Mrs. Adediran was first appointed for a renewable term of five years as the fifth substantive Registrar of the polytechnic with effect from 15th June 15, 2011.

Born 59 years ago, a statement by the Deputy Registrar, Information, Mr. Ade AdeyemiAdejolu, said Mrs. Adediran graduated from the Adeyemi College of Education and the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) for her first degree and Masters in Public Administration and other professional qualifications.

Transport owner makes case for unemployed graduates Onyishi addressing the students at the event

Oladele Oge UNN

A

call has gone to the government at all levels to show commitment towards youth empowerment programmes it initiated in order to achieve better future for the younger generation in the country.

The advice was given by the Managing Director of Peace Mass Transit Limited, Mr. Sam Maduka Onyishi at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) during the one-day entrepreneurship summit, organised by the Christian Students Union of the university, which took place at the Christ Church Main Hall of the insti-

tution.

According to him, such call has become imperative as it would go a long way in preventing social vices as well revive the nation’s and bring it out of its current recession.

With the theme: “Business Opportunities in Nigeria,” Onyishi described good characters as a gate way to every success in life, and urged the students to humble themselves before their elders in order to make headway in life.

In his lecture, Onyishi counseled the students who have big dream not to procrastinate in harnessing their potential or delay their talents until they will have millions of naira to start their business.

“I recalled the time we

started the Peace Mass Transit with only two buses, some critics expressed doubts and fears if we could succeed. But, you can see us today; many people are trying to emulate the business. You too can start with any business as you are directed by God,” he said.

He enjoined any student who wants to join the business could do so by tapping from already existing business ideas generated to develop his or her own, even as he warned the students to, critically access people before partnering them in business concerns.

Such study, he said would go a long way in assisting them to avoid any booby trap that could result to the collapse of their business.

36

education

T

he Governing Council of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko has approved the appointment of Mr. Michael Sunday Ayeerun and Mrs. Veronica Olubunmi Ologun as Registrar and Bursar of the institution, respectively.

The appointments, which take immediate effect, were approved by the Council after considering the reports of the interview panel for the two positions at its emergency meeting.

Ayeerun, who has been

TUESDAY, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

New registrar for AAUA

named as the Registrar in an acting capacity hails from Ifira-Akoko in Akoko South East Local Government of the state.

He obtained a B.Ed. (Hons) degree in Adult Education and Political Science from the University of Calabar in 1987; M.Ed. in Educational Management from AAUA in 2006; Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management (PGDFM) also from the same university in 1996; and Certificate in Management of

Higher Education Institutions from the Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI), Israel in 2013.

The Registrar is a Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria (FCAI); member, Institute of Personal Assistants of Nigeria (ACPA); member, Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (MANUPA); and member, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN).

Crosssection of students protesting against the policy

Crisis over education policy C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 1

spent on those schools. That will not happen in this state.”

Still fuming, he said, “The laws of the land allow establishment of private schools.

That is why we have many private schools in our land today. What makes the difference between the public and private schools is the fee.

Those that cannot send their children to private schools because of the exorbitant fees have the option of public schools where they charge N1,000. If you now transfer these schools to private hands, it is like taking the schools away from poor parents. We have told government to encourage people to establish more private schools instead of taking the public ones.” Olojede further stated.

In spite of this expression of mistrust and suspicion by the unions, the state government, however, reiterated in its swift reaction that for the umpteenth time it never intended to sell the schools.

Ajimobi, it was gathered had publicly apologised for three fundamental mistakes the government made during the process, asking the people of the state to forgive him and his administration.

Specifically, while defending the government’s action, the SSG, Alhaji Olalekan Alli told New Telegraph in an exclusive interview that the government had no intention to sell the schools, but rather to engage some partners to manage only 31 public secondary schools out of the existing 631 in the state.

Under the partnership arrangement, the state government will still determine the

curriculum and supervise or monitor the schools in line with the government’s regulations.

Recalling the genesis of the proposal, Alli said: “We had an education summit in 2012 based on the government’s passion to move the state’s education forward and the essence of the summit was actually to re-engineer the necessary reforms with a view to transforming the education status of the state which currently occupies the 31st position on WAEC performance table.

“Based on this, one of the recommendations was to look into the possibility of improving the management of our public secondary schools and to ensure that the supervision assumes a wider dimension in terms of quality control, infrastructural provisions and improved teaching and learning environment. This was our intention of inviting all stakeholders including the labour unions to deliberate extensively to chart the way forward. But instead, it is unfortunate that they disrupted the entire programme and initiative.”

Meanwhile, he added that despite the disruption of the process, the government in an advertisement invited all stakeholders including labour for the rescheduled forum, which the union leaders refused to attend.

But interestingly, Alli recalled that the teachers through the NUT submitted a memorandum at the meeting brokered by the Oyo State House of Assembly, saying who is fooling who in this matter.

He words: “Let us be honest with ourselves. Nobody

should be hypocritical. Let people know where the government is coming from and where labour is going. They used the students as canon fodders to protest and destroy the government and public property.

“Some stakeholders that attended the rescheduled forum acknowledged that the initiative was well-conceived and that they were misled by the union,” the SSG added, saying the national leaders of the union in Abuja attested to this and that their action was based on assumptions. “How do you base information on rumour and assumptions when we have not indicated that we were going to sell the schools? We never said it that any school has been sold. Why would they spread such erroneous information? Where are the evidences and the receipts?

But notwithstanding their action, the government said its doors are still open for further deliberation on the issue,” Alli explained.

In spite of the pending litigation over the matter at the National Industrial Court, negotiations are still on to get the workers back to work, and for the students to return to schools.

However, with six months’ salary still unpaid, the teachers, who had been on strike in the last few weeks, have refused to return to classes, thereby disrupting academic activities in the schools.

The government had last week, through the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Toye Arulogun, ordered that the schools, which had been shut for over a month, be re-opened, but the striking teachers stuck to their guns.

EDUPEACE

with Mahfouz A. Adedimeji (08066372516, sms only)  Dr Adedimeji is a Senior Lecturer and Director, Centre

for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin

Ogbanago’s ample example

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security guard and employee of Technocrime Securities attached to the United Bank of Africa (UBA), Oba Akran Branch, Lagos, Muhammed Ibrahim Ogbanago, did something striking recently. He found a sum of $10,000 close to the gate of the bank he worked with and returned it.

Mr Onimago earns N30,000 per month and the money he found is equivalent to what he will earn in 10 years. But rather than pocket the money, he knew it belonged to someone else and returned it to the bank manager, who was pleasantly surprised by his honesty.

The Chief Executive Officer of UBA, Mr Tony Elumelu, would later commend the 29-year old Ogbanago.

According to him, “When I heard about this story, I knew I had to meet the man, who despite facing rising petrol and transportation prices and ‘tomato Ebola’ returned such a huge sum of money without recourse to himself…” He also leveraged on the young man’s honesty to project his bank: “Muhammed Ibrahim Ogbanago is an exemplary ambassador of the UBA spirit and it was fulfilling to meet and reward him for his conduct.”

Mr Ogbanago’s character is exemplary in our country where the rank of role models is fast depleting. For a man “squatting” with his brothers, who is struggling to get married but remains handicapped by resources, to return such money is a hallmark of good upbringing, honesty and self-discipline. He is an ample example that Nigeria is not hopeless and that not all of us are thieves when no one is watching, contrary to a Nigerian proverb.

Speaking on his motivation, Mr Onimago, who hails from Kogi State, said, “By the grace of God, I am a honest and sincere Muslim. I believe that a good name is better than riches.” He is not perturbed that the expectation of many Nigerians about huge financial reward is not met because he did not return the money to be rewarded with cash. “I did not do it to be rewarded…I have a good name. That to me is more important than any financial reward. My God will bless me with my own riches. I am a devout Muslim. I would never touch another man’s money,” he added.

Believe me, this is a Nigerian that should be celebrated for exemplary behaviour.

This is a Nigerian whose photograph should adorn posters and billboards, starting from the adverts of UBA, to

I believe that a good name is better than riches

showcase who a true Nigerian should be. This is a Nigerian who should be rallied around so that those who mock(ed) him for being honest will be put to shame. Honesty still remains the best policy, despite the high cost of living.

On those who would have kept the money, this is what would have happened to the person who lost it, quoting Mr Ogbamago. “Later, the man who came to withdraw the money came looking for it.

He prostrated on the ground for me and prayed for me on hearing what happened. He was only an employee asked to withdraw the money… The man was almost in tears saying he would have been locked up in Kirikiri had the money not been found. He added that the education of his three children in the University would have suffered a great deal. He told me he had no money to give me but prayed that his God would reward me.”

It would be a powerful message to the youth, who are vulnerable to being influenced by touts and thieves in politics and leeches and rascals in the entertainment industry if Mr Ogbamago is glorified. It is in the interest of the teeming young people who would be influenced by his story. Let the Elumelu Foundation sponsor his education to the University level; he already graduated from a College of Education.

Let him be a living example of how it is good to be good as he eventually gains more than the worth of the money he returned.

Ultimately, Ogbamago’s philosophy is good and thoughtful. According to him, “I believe there are three routes to popularity. One is through political office, second is through criminality and the third is through good deeds. And I chose the third.

I am happy and fulfilled seeing my name all over the internet, in the papers, on TV, hearing it on radio and it’s for a very good deed.”

BUSINESS |Money Line

TUESDAY, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

37

Again, IMF cuts growth forecast for Nigeria, others ●Reduces global estimate for 2016, 2017

DECLINE Brexit triggers uncertainty

Tony Chukwunyem

T

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) has again revised growth projections for Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries, saying that the action reflected challenging macroeconomic conditions in the continent’s largest economies, which are adjusting to lower commodity revenues.

In an update on its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO), the IMF also said that said that the uncertainty triggered by the United Kingdom’s unexpected exit from the European Union (EU) has worsened global outlook for 2016 and 2017 and could impact growth for both years.

Citing Nigeria where it said economic activity was now projected to contract in 2016, as the country’s economy adjusts to foreign currency shortages occasioned by lower oil receipts, low power generation, and weak investor confidence, the Fund said the

revisions for the largest lowincome country are the main reason for the downgrade in growth prospects for the lowincome developing countries group.

According to the Fund, while it was still early to quantify the potential repercussions of the UK’s exit from the EU, it was cutting global growth forecasts for 2016 and 2017 by 0.1 percentage points relative to the April 2016 WEO, to 3.1 per cent and 3.4 per cent, respectively, based on the assumption that the exit will impact growth.

It, however, said that out-

Currency dealers set dollar spreads to boost liquidity

F

ollowing naira’s sharp decline against the dollar on the interbank market last Friday, currency dealers yesterday introduced a maximum resale premium on dollar trades on the market to boost liquidity.

The naira traded without a pre-determined premium - or spread - last Friday, a trader at one of the 15 primary market dealers, told Reuters. Traders under the umbrella of the Financial Market Dealers Association (FMDA) set the spread at a ceiling of 0.50 naira per dollar yesterday, he said.

A spread in forex trading is the difference between the ask and bid price.

The naira tumbled 4.3 per

cent to N295.25 per dollar last Friday before recovering slightly to close at N290.

According to Reuters, the first trade of $780,000 occurred at N292.40 to the dollar more than three hours after the market opened yesterday. Another trader said activity was slow pending intervention by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“There is a lot of demand,” the trader said. “We can buy at any rate but resale spread should not be more than 0.50 naira,” he said, quoting an email from the FMDA. Traders were permitted to set their own spreads last Friday to try to attract liquidity, he said.

With primary dealers required to resell 70 per cent of

any dollars bought from the CBN on the day of purchase, low turnover on the interbank currency market has the effect of driving down the value of the naira.

Any resale of dollars must be backed by a specific customer order to avoid currency speculation.

The CBN said last month when unveiling currency reforms that the naira would trade with no pre-determined spreads.

It ditched its 16-month old peg on the naira last June to allow the currency to trade freely on the interbank market but thin liquidity has hampered activity, traders say, leaving the apex bank as the main supplier of hard currency.

Economic Indicators As at M2* CPS* INF MPR 91-day NTB Bonny Light Ext Res**

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 16.5 12 10.77 US$46.45 US$26,336,484,560

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 June, 2016 23/03/2016 Mar 2015 18/7/2016 14/7/2016

Source:CBN

Description 15.10 27-APR-2017 16.00 29-JUN-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 12.50 22-JAN-2026 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 Tenor (Days) Call 30 90 180

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 104.65 114.59 111.96 120.58 109.60 100.54 83.82 97.56

1.07 3.24 3.87 5.82 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.29

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.4583 9.1071 11.0102 12.3790

Bid Yield 10.38 10.55 11.60 11.44 12.27 12.40 12.44 12.49

Change (%) -2.50 ▼ -0.74 ▼ -0.65 ▼ -0.68 ▼

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

Price 104.80 114.89 112.26 120.88 109.90 100.84 84.12 97.86

Tenor (Months)

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

NITTY

Rate (%) 6.9949 7.2368 8.0819 9.2061 9.5872 10.5042

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Offer Yield 10.24 10.45 11.51 11.38 12.22 12.34 12.39 12.44

Change (%) 1.12 ▲ -0.27 ▼ -0.17 ▼ -0.11 ▼ 0.03 ▲ 0.42 ▲

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 7.67 7.82 -0.51 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 3.83 30-Jun-16 7.92 8.08 -0.51 ▼ 6-Oct-16 8.59 8.34 8.71 -0.31 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 4.33 8.99 -0.31 ▼ 16-Mar-17 9.36 10.28 -0.07 ▼ 9.11 9.98 -0.07 ▼

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.14

FX

Offer 199.24

Change (%) 0.57 ▲

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016 Spot($/N)

196.00

197.00

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

look was worse for advanced economies, which were down by 0.1 percentage points in 2016 and 0.2 percentage points in 2017.

The Fund said: “From a macroeconomic perspective, the Brexit vote implies a substantial increase in economic, political, and institutional uncertainty, which is projected to have negative macroeconomic consequences, especially in advanced European economies. But with the event still unfolding, it is very difficult to quantify its potential repercussions.”

It further stated that many commodity exporters still confront the need for sizable fiscal adjustments, adding that emerging market economies more broadly need to be alert

to financial stability risks.

Besides, it said: “Risks of noneconomic origin also remain salient. Political divisions within advanced economies may hamper efforts to tackle long- standing structural challenges and the refugee problem; and a shift toward protectionist policies is a distinct threat. Geopolitical tensions, domestic armed strife, and terrorism are also taking a heavy toll on the outlook in several economies, especially in the Middle East, with further cross-border ramifications.”

The Fund pointed out that prior to the June 23 vote in the United Kingdom in favour of leaving the EU, economic data and financial market developments suggested that the global economy was evolving as forecast in its April 2016 WEO.

IGR: Kogi re-appoints Skye Bank as lead collecting lender

L

ess than a week after Lagos State government directed all its agencies, ministries and parastatals to increase business relationship with Skye Bank, Kogi State has re-appointed the lender as its lead collecting bank for the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and services.

In a statement, the lender said the news of its re-appointment was contained in a letter signed by the State’s Accountant General, Alhaji Momoh Jibrin and addressed to the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Bank, Tokunbo Abiru.

Dated July 18 with reference number KSG/TRY/2/S.07/VOL. II/20, the four paragraph letter titled: Re-appointment as Lead Collecting bank for Kogi State Internally Generated Revenue

(IGR) and Services, lauded the track record of the bank in meeting its obligations and responsibilities, which informed the decision of the State government to re-appoint the lender, even as it promised continued patronage of Bank by the state.

The Lagos State government had expressed its confidence on the Board and management and leadership of Skye Bank, noting that the lender is safe and in good financial health.

Skye Bank has track record and pedigree of providing financial and innovative solutions to the economy of Lagos state - providing pivotal role in the transformation of the state and its constituent’s local councils, MDA, ministries and several agencies of government and the other two arms of government, the statement said.

UBA, MasterCard announce Pan African partnership

U

nited Bank for Africa (UBA) and MasterCard have announced a partnership, which will see the former act as the issuer for MasterCard in 18 new markets in Africa.

The deal, which came into effect in the second quarter of 2016, according to a statement from the lender, will see UBA issue MasterCard credit, debit and prepaid cards across these markets.

The pact will also focus on increased payments infrastructure across Africa, including the roll out of point-of-sale and mobilepoint-of-sale technology, to ensure merchants are able to accept the cards when introduced into these markets.

MasterCard and UBA are partnering across the 19 African countries in which UBA currently operates: Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Gabon, Guinea, GuineaBissau and Kenya. Also included are Liberia, Mozambique, Re-

public of Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

“As the needs of our customers change, we are adapting through strategic innovations and partnerships to provide them with excellent and convenient services.

Through these strategic partnerships, we are able to accelerate the drive for financial inclusion and economic well being across the African continent” said Kennedy Uzoka, Group Managing DirectorDesignate, UBA plc.

Division President for Sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard, Daniel Monehin said; “This focus on infrastructure and the roll out of easy-to-access solutions is a key part of driving financial inclusion and a move away from cash in these markets. MasterCard’s continued innovation in the payments space coupled with UBA’s extensive pan-African network will mean the introduction of increased competition and a stronger financial sector in these regions.”

38

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

TUESDAY, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

TUESDAY, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

SELL OFF Market closes downward with loss of N25 billion Stories by Chris Ugwu

T

he overall market performance indicators, the NSE All Share Index (ASI) and market capitalisation each declined by 0.25 per cent to begin the trading week on the downswing.

At the close of business, there were 10 gainers against

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

Stock market starts week bearish 29 losers, while year-to-date gain fell to 0.32 per cent.

The downswing, according to market watchers, was due to profit takings by market speculators following appreciable gains some blue chip companies achieved recently.

Consequently, the AllShare Index dropped by 71.55 basis points or 0.25 per cent from 28,805.45 index points last friday to close at

28,733.90, while the market capitalisation of equities depreciated by N25 billion or 0.25 per cent to close at N9.868 trillion from N9.893 trillion.

Further analysis of the day’s trading showed that Skye Bank Plc topped the day’s gainers’ table with 10.00 per cent each to close at 66 kobo per share, as investors began to restore confidence on the stocks after board

H1 2016: Oando issues profit warning

O

ando Plc, one of Nigeria’s indigenous energy group listed on both the Nigerian and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges, has issued profit warning in respect of its second quarter ended 30th June 2016.

The group said in a statement to the NSE that it expects to report materially lower earnings for the second quarter of 2016 due to the impact of the Naira devaluation against the US dollar (USD), resulting in unrealised foreign exchange losses.

“The impact of the naira devaluation by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is expected to amount to an unrealised foreign exchange loss arising from USD denominated liabilities, outstanding bank trade facilities as well as vendor payables.

“As at the time of the devaluation, the company had USD denominated borrowings of $261 million in our naira dominated earnings businesses, consisting of $68 million in core loans, $89 million in bank trade facilities, $83 million in asset financing and $21 million in other payables.

A circa 40 per cent devaluation in the value of the naira against the US dollar from the bank rate of N199.00:$1.00 to N280.00:$1.00, has effectively resulted in these significant

39

foreign exchange losses, which we have prudently booked into our financial statements,” the group noted.

“Despite the challenging operating landscape in 2016, we reiterate our focus of returning the group to profitability by growing our dollar earning higher margin upstream and export trading businesses, which will not be impacted by the volatility of foreign exchange rates to the naira. We remain confident in our diversified business model and the long-term prospects for growth in Nigeria and beyond,” it further stated.

Oando noted that further details of the group’s financial performance will be disclosed when the half year unaudited financial results are announced and during the subsequent results conference call.

It recorded a profit after tax increase of N4.1 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016, a 120 per cent increase compared to Q1 2015 figures.

The company’s financial highlights also indicated that turnover decreased by 34 per cent, with N64.0 billion realised compared to N97.1 billion for the same period last year.

Global crude pricing fluctuation has changed the corporate landscape for oil companies, and has had far-reaching economic implications on Oando

and many other indigenous firms in the industry.

The company’s Q1 results were a welcome contrast for investors and shareholders alike following Oando’s dismal 2015 financial performance, which was significantly impacted by impairments and foreign exchange pressures.

Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu, commenting on the results, highlighted the company’s drive to ensure profitability going forward.

He said: “This first quarter of 2016 demonstrates our dedication to return our business to profitability by the end of the 2016. We have implemented constructive corporate initiatives, which are driving forces for our business in this new global reality of economic restraint and lower oil prices in our industry. The successful and ongoing implementation of these initiatives reiterates our strategy of growth, deleverage and a return to Profitability by the end of 2016.

“As a group we have placed our focus on growing our upstream higher margined business while still holding fundamental interests in the midstream and downstream sectors. We look forward to a rewarding year, where we solidify our aspirations and return to profitability.”

changes.

Forte Oil Plc followed with 8.11 per cent to close at N194.90 per share. NPF Microfinance Bank Plc added 4.26 per cent to close at 98 kobo per share.

On the flip side, Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc led the losers’ chart with a drop of 8.33 per cent to close at 55 kobo share. Wapco Plc shed 5.08 per cent to close at N63.22 per share.

Arbico Plc trailed with 4.96 per cent to close at N4.79 per share.

On the activity chart,

banking subsector of the financial services sector dominated in volume terms with 200.08 million shares exchanged in 1,516 deals. The sub-sector was enhanced by the activities in the shares of Skye Bank Plc and UBA Plc. Premium subsector boosted by the activities on the shares of FBNH Plc and Zenith Bank Plc followed with 54.5 million units traded in 645 deals.

In all, investors exchanged a total of 315.57 million shares executed in 3,976 deals.

...Unilever Nigeria reports 28% PAT growth

U

nilever Nigeria Plc has recorded a 27.84 per cent growth in profit after tax for the half year ended June 30, 2016.

In a filing from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the company’s net earnings for the half year stood at N1.094 billion as against N85.573 million posted in 2015, representing an increase of 27.84 per cent.

Pre-tax profit also stood at N1.487 billion during the period under review, from N94.070 million posted a year earlier, accounting for 58.07 per cent.

The company’s revenue grew by 12.38 per cent from N28.721 billion in 2015 to N32.277 billion during the second quarter of 2016.

Unilever Nigeria first quarter 2016 profit after tax had grown by 76.30 per cent to N1.041 billion from N590.448 million recorded a year earlier.

The company’s pre-tax profit also increased by 64.09 per cent from N864.742 million during the previous year to N1.419 billion during the period under review.

Also, the company’s revenue rose by 12.55 per cent from N14.910 billion in 2015 to N16.782 billion during the first

quarter of 2015.

Unilever Nigeria full year 2015 profit after tax had dropped 51 per cent to N1.192 billion from N2.412 billion recorded a year earlier.

The company’s pre-tax profit also fell by 38.35 per cent from N2.873 billion during the previous year to N1.771 billion during the period under review.

However, the company’s revenue leapt by 6.22 per cent from N55.754 billion in 2014 to N59.221 billion during the financial year 2015 Unilever half year 2015 net earnings fell 94 per cent to N85.573 million from N1.464 billion recorded the previous year.

The company’s pre-tax profit was also down by 95 per cent from 2.077 billion during the previous year to N94.070 million during the period under review.

Similarly, the company’s revenue declined by 2 per cent from N29.280 billion in 2014 to N28.721 billion during the half year 2015.

The company had recently disclosed plans to further increase its investment in the country and set up new plants within the country to further enhance local production.

40

News|south-west

Ambode: No going back on war against noise pollution Muritala Ayinla

G

overnor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State reiterated his administration’s resolve to enforce relevant regulations on noise pollution in the state.

Speaking through his Special adviser on Primary Health, Dr. Femi Onanuga, Governor Ambode said no individual or corporate culprit would be spared in government’s renewed onslaught against defaulters.

The Governor urged the 250 beneficiaries of the MTN Foundation Hearing Aid Support Project in Lagos State to join the campaign against noise pollution in the society.

Also speaking, the Governor’s wife Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, hinted that coincidentally the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, COWLSO, would do a similar programme later in the year, and urge

the beneficiaries to use the devices as instructed and also handle them with care.

While handing the devices to some beneficiaries, Mrs. Ambode commended the firm for maintaining a clear lead in diligent fulfillment of its social covenant with the people and society.

She described the telecom firm as a company with a high sense of commitment to the execution of corporate social responsibilities.

Earlier, the Director, MTN Foundation, Mr. Denis Okoro stressed the commitment of the foundation to the continuous upliftment of the welfare of challenged persons.

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ex-Oyo NURTW boss, ‘Auxiliary’, four others bag 6 years Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

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mbattled former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila (a.k.a

41.4%

The percentage of expatriates’ football players of Italy in 20092010 season.

Source: Football-observatory. com

$170m

The net worth of John Travolta in 2016.

Source: Fropky.com

Auxiliary) and four other accused persons were yesterday convicted and sentenced to six years imprisonment by an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan.

The ex-union leader as well as his lieutenants, including Saheed Kareem, Abu Kareem, Kazeem Kayode and Taiwo Tijani, were tried for the mayhem in March, 2014 at the Iwo Road interchange, Ibadan which claimed many lives including that of Adekunle Oladipupo, a medical student of a northern university.

After their conviction was pronounced by Justice Eni Esan of the Ring Road High Court, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, counsel to

the accused persons, said his clients would appeal the judgment. He averred that since the court had acquitted and discharged his clients of murder and attempted murder, the conspiracy for which they were convicted did not exist.

While delivering judgment on the case, Justice Eni Esan said the accused persons were charged with a three-count charge of conspiracy, murder and attempted murder and that the first prosecution witness, Akeem Agbaje, in his evidence, told the court he was beside Adekunle Adedipupo on the said day when the accused, persons with oth-

L-R: MTN Executive, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola; wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; helping to fix a MTN Hearing Support Aid device on a beneficiary, Master Opeyemi Oke and Special Adviser on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, during the MTN Foundation Hearing Aid Support Project Distribution in Lagos…yesterday.

PDP divided over November 26 governorship election in Ondo Babatope Okeowo AKURE

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head of November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, a major dispute has broken out within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members in Ondo State over which zone will produce the governorship candidate of the party.

Already, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has tactically endorsed Mr. Eyitayo Jegede SAN, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as the candidate of the party for the next election.

But yesterday all aspirants of the party from Ondo North senatorial district kicked against the adoption of Jegede as the candidate of the party saying the seat should go to them or the South senatorial district.

They threatened to vote against the candidate of the party should the Governor impose a candidate on them.

In a communique reached at the end of the meeting held in Owo, in Owo Local Government Area of the State, the aspirants insisted that the Governor should jettison the choice of Jegede as the candidate, as the choice may spell doom for the party.

The aspirants including Senator Remi Okunrinboye, Rt. Hon. Dr. Bakkita Bello, Bamiduro Dada, Prince Nekan Olateru-Olagbegi, Hon Dare Emiola, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and Mr. Dayo Fadahunsi, among others.

ers at large, stormed the motor park in a Peugeot 604 belonging to Alhaji Mukaila and two other Micra cars, shooting sporadically.

The witness in his evidence-in-chief went further that it was during the shooting that a bullet hit the deceased who died immediately and that he too, sustained serious injuries.

Justice Esan also said that during cross examination, the PW 1 told the court that although the incident occurred around 9:45pm, he was able to identify the accused persons with the help of head lights of the cars that lit up the place.

Lagos women to Melaye: Apologise or risk criminal trial

Ogundokun donates six-room office block to council area

Muritala Ayinla

OSOGBO

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s the alleged verbal attack by Senator Dino Melaye on Senator Oluremi Tinubu, continued to generate controversies, scores of women under the aegis of Concern Group yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Lagos calling on Melaye to apologise or risk criminal trial.

The protesting women described the comment of the Senator representing Kogi West senatorial District as derogatory, condemnable and disgraceful.

The women were drawn from the three Senatorial districts in Lagos State and were armed with placards of varying sizes, saying Melaye’s alleged comments were shocking and saddening.

The angry women said the reported ‘attack’ of Melaye against Mrs. Tinubu during the closed door session of the Senate on July 12 where, according to them, Melaye allegedly threatened to beat up and impregnate Senator Tinubu was embarrassing to the

women.

The protesters said Melaye’s action was not only highly condemnable and disgraceful but also disgusting, irritating, shameful and most embarrassing to the collective psyche of not only the women folks but to the entire nation.

On their placards were inscriptions such as: “Melaye, Senate is not your father’s house”; “Dino, leave Tinubu alone”; “We say no to violence against women”; “Women folks stand up against Dino”, among others.

The group’s leader, Mrs. Anike Adekanye, while delivering a protest letter to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode at the Lagos House in Alausa for onward transmission to President Muhammadu Buhari, said with the development, Melaye has exhibited convincingly that he lacked the “poise, panache, finesse and minimum character to occupy a seat among sane, revered and distinguished men and women in the hallowed chamber of the sacrosanct Nigerian Senate.”

AdeoluAdeyemo

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community leader and an Iwo-based political stalwart in Osun State, Chief Abiola Ogundokun has commenced the construction of a six room block of office and other conveniences as his contributions to one of the newly created Local Governments Development Administration Area (LGDA) in the town by Governor Rauf Aregbesola led administration in the state.

Speaking at the construction site of the project (Iwo East LGDA) at Olomowere

Ooni is God sent to transform Yoruba race –Priest Adeolu Adeyemo OSOGBO

T

he Chief Priest of Obatala (Obaleesun), Chief Olaolu Oladotun yesterday described the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan-Ojaja 11, as one of the God sent deities to transform the Yoruba kingdom.

The chief priest, who made the remark in an in-

terview with newsmen in Ile-Ife, described the monarch as one of the fortified heavenly sent deities to irrigate the land with goodies and great transformation.

He said he was divinely sent to the earth, especially to the Yoruba race, to illuminate its darkness and at the same time provide it with shining light.

Chief Oladotun said: “Ooni of Ife is a spirit,

and not an ordinary mortal. The fact that Ooni is not an ordinary being but a spirit himself was manifested in the way the royal father and his entourage were welcomed by the American government.”

“The warm reception given to them was far beyond their expectation and the trip would forever remain a reference point in the history of Ile-Ife, and black Africa at large.”

area of the town, Chief Ogundokun said, he decided to construct the offices to make things work out in a speedy way.

The community leader who commended Governor Aregbesola’s administration for considering the town as one of the beneficiaries in the newly created local councils, assured that indigenes and inhabitants of the place would work in togetherness with him to make the state more virile.

He stated that with the commencement of the project, the state government would be encouraged to act fast to put its own structures on the site for the operation of the new council.

While commissioning the project, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Akanbi, Telu 1, described Ogundokun as a progressive minded community leader that should be emulated by all and sundry.

The monarch also said that if other well to do people in the community could emulate Ogundokun’s good deeds, the development of the town would be a second to none among other ones in the state.

News|SOUTH-EAST

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Enugu APC chairman, VON DG fight over Ekweremadu

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nugu State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ben Nwoye, has accused the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, of creating crisis in the state chapter of the party.

Addressing a press conference at the state secretariat of the APC in Enugu yesterday, Nwoye said his attention was drawn to publications in some newspapers purporting that he had sacked the Vice-Chairman of the APC in Enugu East senatorial district of the state, Chief Anike Nwoga, because he lambasted the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, for writing the international community over his alleged

forgery trial.

Nwoye accused Okechukwu of masterminding the publication as he composed and circulated alleged ‘falsehood’ to the press late Sunday evening using his personal e-mail address and merely adding ‘the name of a surrogate, one Mr. Emeka Anike, as the author.’

He said the Director General, who he described as ‘gossip terrorist’ had done a similar thing in the past, where he allegedly issued a statement using the name of Chief Anike Nwoga to attack Senator Jim Nwobodo, for joining the APC. The APC chairman said in the current publication, he (chairman) had personally called Emeka, whose name was used to issue the statement and that he (Eme-

ka) denied ever speaking to any journalists or issuing any statement.

He said Anike was a mere zonal organising secretary in Enugu East senatorial district and was not a member of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the APC. Nwoye explained further that Nwoga was suspended long ago by Enugu East district leadership of the party for other offences even before the charge of forgery was brought against Ekweremadu.

He said that even though he, as the state chairman of the party, lacked the power and authority to suspend Nwoga, but he couldn’t have suspended him because of criticising Ekweremadu, stressing that himself

(chairman) had already addressed a press conference condemning Senator Ekweremadu for involving international community in his alleged forgery trial.

Nwoye said: “Osita Okechukwu was hiding behind the microphone of VON; he failed to tackle those issues, to explain to the outside world that we are a sovereign nation.

“Director of VON is not a member of our executive, but he takes delight in carrying lies and misinforming people. Osita has made himself and has lived up as ‘gossip terrorist,’ he puts up these things to damage my person.”

When contacted, the VON DG, Okechukwu said: “Our dear Chairman, Ben Nwoye, should better clear

A cross-section of Nimbo congregation waiting for Fr. Mbaka…

his name from serial antiparty activities imbroglio he found himself; instead of chasing shadows.

He should give me a break. Otherwise, am I the one who diverted the seed registration money given to

him? Instead of accounting for the money, he suspended our Deputy Chairman, Comrade Adolphus Ude and our Women Leader, Lolo Queen Nwankwo, who had the guts to query the misappropriation.”

IPOB condemns Igbo forum Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

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political group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the leadership of the detained Nnamdi Kanu, has condemned the Ohanaeze Ndigbo organised Igbo Unity Forum held in Owerri.

The pro-Biafra group also condemned President Muhammadu Buhari, who it described as a terrorist and sponsor of Boko Haram.

The meeting, according to a statement from IPOB Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, is ‘insignificant and a jamboree.’

According to the group, the meeting was held at the instance of the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and was ‘stage-managed by their masters in Abuja.’

The statement also said that the forum was organised to confuse and deceive unwary Igbo people.

He read: “We IPOB Worldwide wonder why the stooge of those in Abuja would come out to be deceiving our people. We know that some of the people who don’t know the real agenda

of the meeting were there in order to know the outcome of the meeting, which outcome will not hold water because those who organised the meeting had a secret agenda.”

“We IPOB Worldwide under Nnamdi Kanu, are worried why those elders and some governors who attended the meeting organised by the man who destroyed the South East Governors Forum because of his selfish interest, would call them for a meeting in Owerri instead of Enugu.

Whenever the governors of the South East called a meeting in Enugu, the saboteur will boycott and disorganise it.

“We all know that Enugu State is the headquarters of the Eastern Region not Owerri, so, why those elders, traditional rulers and some governors who were present at the meeting refused to ask questions, how can somebody who was dragging the position of who will lead the South-East Governors’ Forum, brainwashed them to say things against their people?”

Police avert another protest in Owerri over relocation of market

Umahi offers orphans, ex-service men N20.68m

Steve Uzoechi

ABAKALIKI

OWERRI

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mo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, yesterday averted a planned protest scheduled for Owerri by Oha/Owerri elders over government’s plans to relocate Ekeukwu Owerri Market to Egbeada in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.

Oha/Owerri elders summoned an emergency meeting of both youths and women in the town hall to carry out a protest to press home their grievances over government’s proposed relocation of the market.

According to the police chief, “if the protest was not averted, it would have caused serious breach of peace in Owerri metropolis.

“We got information about a meeting of Oha/ Owerri elders, who were planning to protest against government’s decision to relocate their market. We quickly rushed to the venue and appealed to the elders on the need to shelve the protest and embrace

dialogue,” they said.

According to the commissioner, after appealing to youths and elders of the community, they decided to shelve the planned protest and negotiate with the authorities.

Governor Rochas Okorocha had earlier announced plans to relocate Ekeukwu Owerri Market, which is situated at Douglas Road in Owerri metropolis.

Uchenna Inya

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bonyi State Governor, Chief Dave Umahi, yesterday disbursed N20 million to churches in the state for the less-privileged - the orphans, destitute, the sick and the poor.

Also, N68, 000 was disbursed to 68 retired soldiers in the state.

Handing over the N20 million cheque to the

representatives of the churches at Pastoral Centre, Mile 50, Abakaliki, through his Senior Special Assistants on Religion and Welfare Matters, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, Umahi said it was his desire to touch the lives of the less-privileged in the society.

He said the N20 million and the N68, 000 will be monthly donation to the beneficiaries and charged leaders of the

Ugwuanyi to residents: Stop illegal construction on waterways

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nugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has called on residents of the state to stop erecting structures on waterways to avoid the incidence of flooding caused by blockage of the drainage system.

Ugwuanyi made the call while inspecting the erosion site along the old Okigwe road by Ugwuleshi community in Awgu Local Government Area of the state that washed away the culvert on the road.

The governor, who frowned at the cause of

the erosion and the threat it has posed to the people of the community and its environs, promised that his administration would in spite of the present economic challenges, reconstruct the culvert not minding that it was a Federal Government project.

He told the people of the area to continue to support and offer special prayers for the progress of the state and the country in general, assuring them that he was committed to his campaign promises to

advance good governance in the state.

Responding, the Transition Chairman of Awgu Local Government Area, Hon. Stanley Okeke, on behalf of the people of the council, thanked the governor for his visit and his promise to intervene in the challenges facing his people as a result of erosion.

He said the governor had always come to their rescue whenever they were in difficulties, assuring him of their prayers and support at all times.

churches to ensure that the money was handed to the beneficiaries.

He added that his administration was paying N20, 000 monthly stipends to a blind man, whose wife died after delivering twin babies.

He explained that he had placed priority on emergency situations such as accidents, cancer, spinal cord injuries, brain turmoil and collapsed buildings, among

others, hence his decision to offer the monthly N20 million to victims of such emergencies.

0.19%

The capital importation percentage share of Marketing of Nigeria in 2008.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

$34m

The pay of Neymar of Barcelona in 2016.

Source: Goal.com

FG urged to strengthen post-UTME screening

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former Commissioner of Education in Enugu State, Prof.

Chris Okoro, yesterday called on the Federal Government to assist in strengthening the postUniversity Tertiary Matriculation Examamination in order to improve the quality of tertiary education in the country.

Okoro, a senior lecturer in the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), said the quality of graduates from tertiary institutions in the country had

improved tremendously since the post-UMTE screening started.

He said: “Before the advent of post-UTME screening, majority of the students who scored high marks in JAMB exams has many carry-over courses in their first and second semester exams, I am talking with experience as one that had spent over 32 years in the system.

“In the past, you will see a class of 200, but at graduation, few will bag degree certificates while the rest get references.

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NEWS | south-south

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he Osagie IzeIyamu Campaign Organisation yesterday told Edo State people to be wary of the 200, 000 jobs being promised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the September 10 election in the state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, describing such promise as deceitful and fraudulent.

He said the economic problems bedeviling the state today was foisted on it by the ‘punitive and se-

Ize-Iyamu to Edo people: Don’t be deceived by Obaseki’s 200,000 jobs

lective tax regime’ promoted by the APC candidate as head of the economic team of the Adam Oshiomhole administration in the state.

In a statement issued by the media unit of the campaign organisation in Benin-City, it said the

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

Abubakar

I, formerly known and addressed as Alhaji Salah Babagana & Babagana Muhammed Salah now wish to be known and addressed as Mohammed Abubakar. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Winifred

I, formerly known and addressed as Ojuneku Onyeka Hanaah now wish to be known and addressed as Ojuneku Onyeka Winifred. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

Lucky

I, formerly known and addressed as Akpome Destiny Junior now wish to be known and addressed as Lucky Great Ufuoma. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

Omirin

I, formerly known and addressed as Ojewusi Oluwatosin Muyiwa now wish to be known and addressed as Omirin Oluwatosin Olumuyiwa. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Daramola

I, formerly known and addressed as Afolabi Taiwo Oluwakemi now wish to be known and addressed as Daramola Taiwo Oluwakemi. All former documents remain valid.

STANBIC IBTC BANK and general public take note.

Ebenezer

Folahan

I, formerly known and addressed as Oseni Adenike Olawunmi now wish to be known and addressed as Folahan Olawunmi Adenike. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

Itighise

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akon Blankson Efiong now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akon Mfon Itighise. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Raymond

I, formerly known and addressed as Okrinya Ramoni now wish to be known and addressed as Okrinya Ramoni Raymond. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc and the general public please take note.

Leigha

This is to confirm that the bearer of these names Mark Doubra and Leigha Doubra refer to one and the same person.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Leigha Doubra. That all documents bearing the above mentioned names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Amassomaowei

I, Bomiehga Amassomaowei do hereby state that my correct name is Bomiehga Amassomaowei but was wrongly written as Bomiehga Amassomawei during my voter’s card registration. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Bomiehga Amassomaowei. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Onovughakpo

I, formerly known as Emmanuel Thomas now wish to be known and addressed as Emmanuel Bangye Ebenezer. All former documents remain valid.

General public, please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Taribolow Dick now wish to be known and addressed as Lucky Onovughakpo. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Isah

Onwezeh

I, formerly known as Hassana Salisu, now wish to be known as Hassana Isah. All former documents remain valid.

General Public should take note.

ADEDAYO

I, formerly known as Adenike Oluwaremilekun Adebanjo now wishes to be known and addressed as Adenike Oluwaremilekun Adedayo.

All former documents remain valid.

Ogun State Teaching Service, general public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nweke Anuli Josephine now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onwezeh Josephine Anuli.

All former documents remain valid.

Diamond bank Plc, GT Bank Plc, EBSU, NULGE and general public, take note.

Ifiezibe

I, formerly known and addressed as Jackson Miller now wish to be known and addressed as Miller Precious Ifiezibe. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

good people of Edo State would not be deceived again by the dishonesty of the APC-led government, adding that youths unemployment and underemployment remain a big problem both at the state and federal levels with eight out of 10 qualified youths unable to find jobs.

The organisation said data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that Edo State currently has one of the highest rate of youth unemployment in the country.

According to the statement; “When Governor

Adams Oshiomhole assumed office in 2008, with the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, as the head of the economic team, he promised to create 100, 000 jobs each year, meaning that 800,000 new jobs would have been created over eight years.

“But Oshiomhole has not kept his promise. The governor and his economic team have not succeeded in replacing those they retired from Edo State civil service. What more? Almost all the thriving businesses - Bendel Breweries Limited, Okpella Cement

Factory, Ewu Flourmill, Michelin, Edo Transport Service, which the APC inherited from the PDP, have collapsed because of the suffocating business environment Oshiomhole and his economic team deliberately created in the state in the last seven and a half years.”

The Ize-Iyamu campaign organisation blamed the present high rate of unemployment in the state for the predominant incidence of youth restiveness, armed robbery, kidnapping and cult related activities.

Delta denies N144.7bn allocation, others Dominic Adewole ASABA

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elta State Government yesterday denied that it has received N144.7 billion from the Federation Account in the last one year as being speculated in some quarters.

The state said neither it nor its 25 local government areas got such an amount from May 2015, when Governor Ifeanyi Okowa resumed office, to June this year.

The state described the contents of a front page publication in one of the national dailies (not New Telegraph) on June 13, 2016, as incorrect and misleading.

Governor Okowa in a signed statement routed through his Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, said the publication was untrue, but that the state actually got N88, 271, 852, 589.55 and not N144, 706, 571, 893.61.

"The period covered gave the impression that FAAC

change OF NAME

Odukale

I, formerly known as Adeola Olawunmi Odutayo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeola Olawunmi Odukale. All Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

TARI

I, formerly known as Miss Rone-Orugboh Arubisan now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tari Arubisan.

All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Ashiru

I, formerly known as Moshood Rasidat Bola now wish to be known and addressed as Ashiru Bolanle Rasheedat.

All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Edidiong

I, formerly known and addressed as Blessing Ime Benson now wish to be known and addressed as Edidiong Ime Benson. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

receipts for June 2016 had been received by June, 13, 2016. This is incorrect because the FAAC meeting for June 2016, which approves release of fund for the month was held on June 21, 2016 and funds for that month were received on June 27, 2016 by the Delta State Government," it read.

The governor lamented that the report failed to distinguish what accrued to the state from what was allocated to the council areas, ‘a separate tier of government,’ it emphasised.

It further said the quoted figures ignored deductions at source from the gross allocation, thereby giving the

impression that the entire amount accrued and were released to the state.

"For the purpose of keeping the records straight, we state that for the one-year period of the administration of His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the financial summary of FAAC receipts from June 1, 2015 to May 31, 2016 is as follows: Gross Allocation: N111, 642, 776, 745.82, Deductions: Bonds, Foreign and Local Loans and Refunds To FAAC: N23, 370, 924, 156. 27; Net Allocation to Delta State: N88, 271, 852, 589.55; Allocation to Local Government Councils: N28, 561, 041, 308.32.

tuesday, july 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

DELSU gets full accreditation for engineering programmes Gabriel Efeduku Ughelli

T

he National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved accreditation for three engineering programmmes for the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.

The engineering programmes, whose full accreditation status expired in 2012 that got the nod of the NUC were Civil Engineering, Electrical/ Electronic Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Victor Peretomode, made this disclosure during a press conference at the institution.

He said: "Gentlemen of the press, I am happy to inform you that the result of the NUC organised accreditation visit to the engineering programmes are now out and they are positive. Civil Engineering that was denied accreditation in 2012 now has full accreditation and it will remain in that status until 2021. So, we don't have to bother ourselves on accreditation till 2021.

"Electrical and Electronic Engineering, whose accreditation status was denied in 2012 has now achieved full accreditation status and the maturity date is 2021."

Ex-deputy gov’s wife tasks FG on women entrepreneurship Tony Anichebe Uyo

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s Nigeria looks beyond oil to diversify the economy into agriculture and solid minerals, wife of former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Grace Christopher Ekpenyong, has made a case for more women participation in the key policies and programmes of government.

According to her, women as very strategic partners in the economy have major roles to play in the area of manufacturing

and packaging of exportable agricultural goods for local consumption and export.

Ekpenyong, the chief executive officer of Amazing Quality Limited, an agricultural and food processing firm, spoke in an interview with journalists in Abak, Akwa Ibom State, at the end of the just-concluded Export Stakeholders’ Forum and Exhibition held in Abuja.

The fair oragnised for women entrepreneurs by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) was graced by the wife

of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari; Ministers, captains of industry and other functionaries of government.

The theme of the exhibition was; ‘Achieving Zero Oil Growth through Women Inclusiveness in Global Export Trade.’

Ekpenyong, while showcasing her products before the President’s wife at the fair, said women have the entrepreneurial potentials to aid the economic diversification drive, but lamented that lack of resources and infrastructure combined to limit their efforts.

Tam George: Wider consultation should drive FG’s economic policies

R

ivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Austin Tam George, has urged the Federal Government to base its policy objective on popular debate and wider consultations to enhance participatory democracy and confront the many challenges facing the country.

Tam George, who stated this while receiving the Rivers State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mr. Oliver

Worlugbom, on a courtesy call in his office, yesterday pointed out that such inclusive approach to policy formulation would fasttrack development in all sectors of the economy.

He said the National Orientation Agency has a critical role to play in the mobilisation and sensitisation of Nigerian on government policies and programmes.

The commissioner said the policy objective of the Nyesom Wike administra-

tion in Rivers State was driven by the input of critical stakeholders to promote transparency and accountability in governance.

According to Tam George, part of government’s efforts to promote popular participation in governance was the establishment of a social media unit in the Ministry of Information and Communication as a platform of reaching out to a geographically disaggregated audience.

News|north

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kano: EFCC convicts 19 offenders in six months Muhammad Kabir KANO

K

ano State Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it has convicted 19 offenders for various financial crimes within the last six months.

The offences, according to the commission, range from Obtaining by False Pretences (OBT) to cheating and criminal breach of trust.

Other convictions secured by the EFCC legal team include issuance of dud cheques, misappropriation of funds, forgery, conspiracy and possession of counterfeit currencies.

The commission added that 17 of the convictions were obtained from various state high courts and the Federal High Courts sitting in Kano respectively, where the Honourable Justices N. Y. Galadanci, Faruk Lawan, Dije Aboki, A.M. Bayero, U.M. Na’abba and Aisha Ya’u hold sway. The others are Honourable Jus-

tices Fatu O. Riman and J.K. Omotosho.

However, the case of cheating involving Halilu Momoh in suite No KDH/Z/6c/2015 brought against him by Prof. Idris Alao Lawal and presided over by Justice Kabiru Dabo was decided at High Court 3, Zaria on April 25, 2016, where he was also convicted.

According to the com-

mission, another conviction was secured in Kaduna High Court 7 under Justice Tukur Mu’azu in suit No. KDH/KAD/6/ EFCC/2015 involving Mohammed Lawan Usman in a case of cheating brought against him

by Mohammed Dahiru Aminu, in which he had been sentenced on March 3 to one year imprisonment.

Borno IDPs get 10,000 radio sets Ahmed Miringa MAIDUGURI

I

n a bid to equip Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and ensure they are well-informed about the happenings around them and in their environments, the Management of Radio Dandal Kura has distributed 10,000 radio sets to the IDPs in Borno State.

While flagging-off the radio distribution ceremony at the Dalori IDPs Camp, the Managing Director of Dandal Kura Radio Station, Alhaji Faruk Dalhatu, said

the gesture is to keep the IDPs well informed about the government policies and programmes and also about what is happening around them.

Dalhatu said: “Apart from keeping the IDPs to be informed, the radio set will also enlighten and entertain them, which will in turn will reduce the psychological and trauma problems among the people in the camps.

“Now, we are targeting 10,000 IDPs, but at the end of the day no fewer than 50,000 IDPs would have benefited from the gesture, because at least five to six people will

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (second right), showcasing one of the leather works produced in Sokoto to the UNIDO team, during their visit to the state house in Sokoto

43

listen to a radio set at once.

We are not only going to stop at that, but any other thing that will be of great benefit to them, will be provided in future.”

Earlier in his speech, the Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Mohammed Bulama, lauded the management of Radio Dandal Kura for the gesture, pointing out that the radio sets will keep them informed about the happenings around them.

The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Yahaya Dankoli, however, urged the beneficiaries not to sell the radio sets, but to put them into good use and for the purpose the facilities were met for, assuring the IDPs that they would go back to their respective communities very soon as the Joint Military Task Force and other security agencies are working hard to ensure that they return to their various communities.

The Executive Chairman of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Satomi Ahmed, an engineer, thanked the management of the radio station, saying the radio sets will go a long way in keeping the IDPs abreast of the happenings around them, especially in terms of government activities and programmes.

Herdsmen kill Plateau monarch, four others Jigawa gov mobilises contractors back to site Musa Pam Jos

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first class monarch in Plateau State, the Saf Ron Kulere and Chairman, Bokkos Traditional Council in the state, Saf Lazarus Agai and four other people were yesterday murdered by suspected herdsmen in the state.

Agai was said to have been murdered yesterday evening with his security detail in his home village, Sha, by the gunmen.

The killing of the first class monarch came barely one month after another traditional ruler, Saf David Adake, was also killed in Manguna village of Bokkos Local Government Area, where the former Governor of the state and senator representing Plateau Central in the National Assembly, Senator Joshua Dariye, hails from.

Former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Titus Alarms, confirmed the killing of the traditional ruler, including four other persons to New Telegraph on phone yesterday.

According to him; “It is true that the first class chief was killed, includ-

ing four other persons, but we will get more details tomorrow morning,” he said.

However, the Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Terna and a member representing Bokkos Constituency in the state House of

Assembly, Hon. Sunday Muchen and other sources in the local government, confirmed the incident.

New Telegraph gathered that the chief was attacked and killed together with his security when he went to his farm on Monday evening.

Ortom pledges support for vigilante group Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

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overnor Samuel Ortom of Benue State yesterday assured the state’s chapter of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) of his administration’s support in the discharge of its duties.

The governor, who received members of the group at the Government House, Makurdi, the state capital, said law enforcement agencies needed support from the government and other organisations for them to succeed.

He said his administration would continue to accord priority to the maintenance of law and order, even as the governor advised the vigilante group to regularise its operations in

such a manner that would not conflict with other security operatives.

Ortom insisted that the government would, through the office of the Special Adviser on Security, ensure that the group is properly backed by law, disclosing that progress is being made by the law enforcement agents and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, especially the recently arrest of some people with four AK 47 rifles, one pump action, 250 rounds of live ammunition and eight magazines.

The governor said he had announced that the state government would now be strict with criminals after the carrot approach had been used during the amnesty period, noting that no criminal would be spared henceforth in the state.

Muhammad Kabir KANO

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ollowing fresh agreement entered into with the Jigawa State Government, contractors handling Arewa, Baturiya Road Project have been mobilised back to site.

The agreement was reached after the governor, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar’s 15 per cent discount from the initial total contract sums of N11 billion by the former administration of Alhaji Sule Lamido.

In a statement signed

by the Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Auwalu Sankara, the road contract was said to have been awarded by the Sule Lamido administration at the cost of N11 billion, but in which construction works were stalled due to the prudent management of public resources of the present government.

He added: “Governor Badaru has inspected the Arewa to Baturiya Road, the contract which was awarded by the previous administration at the cost of N11 billion was divided into three phases.”

UNIDO sets up technical committee on Sokoto leather

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lans by Sokoto State Government to revitalise its leather industry, yesterday received a boost following a seven-day assessment visit to the state by a team from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

The team, under the auspices of Investment/ Technology Promotion Office is expected to meet the stakeholders in the state and other experts with a view to mapping out strategies on how best to produce, package and market Sokoto leather

works for export.

Receiving the delegation in Sokoto, the state capital, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said his administration was determined to lay solid structures for the industrial development of the state.

The governor said: “Sokoto leather is one of the best in the world. We are determined to properly nurture the sector to ensure that our people benefit significantly from it. Your coming here has further demonstrated our administration’s commitment to this objective.”

He, however, said that the contract was renegotiated and the company offered 15 per cent discount which made the state government to re-mobilise the contractor to the site, while the second phase of the road project would be completed in good time.

However, the governor, who inspected the township roads in Kafin Hausa, also visited the Sule Lamido University, located in Kafin Hausa, where he inspected the Senate Building, hostels, the Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge, library and staff quarters and pledged the readiness of his administration to provide all the necessary educational inputs required by the stateowned institution.

Badaru, who promised to do all within his powers to fast track the development of the state, especially in agriculture, hinted that the state would be repositioned to become one of the largest producers of sesame and other produce found in the area.

He also noted that his drive towards industrialisation of the state is achieving the desired results following the Dangote Groups’ plan to build the largest sugar cane company that will provide over 300,000 jobs.

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WORLD \ NEWS

FEATURES

Nigerians must give towards Education Tunde Olofintila

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rontline legal icon and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has called on the National Assembly to amend the country’s Tax Laws to engender tax credit to individuals and corporate bodies who make donations to educational institutions or organizations that spend 75% of their charity budget on interventions in the education sector for Nigeria’s education sector to be up and running.

This way, such individuals and corporate bodies will be able to channel charitable giving towards education institutions, thereby augmenting the pitiably low government budgetary allocation to education.

Babalola who has always maintained that education is too important and expensive business to be left to governments alone cannot fund in the face of innumerable and competing other needs to be met, decried a situation whereby the 2016 budget of Stanford University in the United States of America is far in excess of the pitiable and unpalatable N392,263,784,684 which Nigeria budgeted for over 200 universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education and the UBEC within the same time frame.

With this scenario, the proponent and protagonist of quality education postulated that it would be impossible for Nigerian Universities to compete favourably with any of the top universities in the world let alone drive innovation and maintain qualitative levels of delivery without donations, endowments or gifts from sources other than government, adding that the lesson from the Stanford University is that Nigerians, corporate bodies and Rotary must contribute generously to education in accordance with international best practices.

His words: “Improving education is a social issue that affects the potential competitiveness of any economy.

Social improvements in this area can only lead to socio-economic benefits generally. Indeed education could be the most effective way of addressing many of the world’s pressing problems.

“Education is so important because it helps us acquire knowledge of the world around us and changes us for the better, it helps us form opinions on many aspects of life, it converts information to knowledge and changes the social status of humans who acquire it. It solves problems and equips man with the ability to solve his problems… examples of outstanding American universities best illustrate the benefits of giving to education.

“Education is the best legacy that can be given to citizens of a nation. For total growth, the legacy of education should be embraced for total growth and development of persons. Educational institutions are pivotal to the development of all other social institutions. Education redefines the individual by teaching, empowering, and exposing him to various skills which enable him to handle problems and manage other legacies.

“It improves the quality of life and reflects in all aspects of business, finances, health, law and development.

Education also sharpens the brain, and opens the eyes to new developments and invention. It brings about critical reasoning, sound intellect, and enlightenment.

This will be lacking where people are not

equipped with proper education”.

Speaking on the subject “Imbibing a vibrant philosophy of philanthropy as a catalyst for driving the provision of qualitative education in Nigeria: The Role of Rotary International” at the investiture of the 8th District Governor of Rotary International District 9125, Nigeria, Rotarian Bisi Adegoke, in Osogbo over the weekend, Babalola said: “It is a notorious fact that Nigeria has never funded its tertiary educational institutions properly and it never can, given the attitude of Nigerians to endowments, donations and gifts as well as the enormous social and economic challenges which the government is always faced with the limited and scarce resources which it has to apply and the attitude of Nigerians to donation or giving”.

He quickly pointed out that the staggering revenue of some American and British universities running into billions of naira is due to generous donations, endowments and gifts from selfless individuals and concerned organizations, a practice that appears alien to most Nigerians.

In consonance with the four-way test of Rotary International, to wit: Is it the truth, is it fair to all concerned, will it build goodwill and better frienships, will it be beneficial to all concerned?, Babalola called on Rotary International and Rotarians to assist government and Non-Governmental Organizations with their resources from national and international sources to help return Nigeria to the path of progress.

Specifically, he encouraged Rotary International to contribute to the education sector in Nigeria where poor or lack of education has been the catalyst to most of its developmental problem so that governments and Founders of private educational institutions are not left alone to solely fund the education sector.

Said he: “No one government or individual can fund education alone, especially at tertiary level. It is a collective responsibility. Education can supply the needed manpower and skills to deliver efficient improvement in the economy, and the technology to produce goods that satisfy local demand”.

He observed that while Rotary has embarked on numerous laudable projects such as eradication of polio and fighting disease, youth exchange and development of leadership skills as well as saving mothers and children, some of which affect the educational sector, it is not yet uhuru, stressing that a comparative analysis of the endowments available to Universities in the USA and UK such as Stanford, Yale, Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge and London with Nigerian Universities reveal that there is a wide abyss in the area of funding and endowments.

He therefore called on Rotary and Rotarians in Nigeria to design a robust template or program for giving meaningfully to Nigerian Universities and Private educational institutions in particular either in cash and kind to help save education in Nigeria from persistently dwindling quality.

Because of his twin belief that education is the best inheritance and asset for any child and that all Nigerian youths are in dire need of education or re-education, he advocated for a strong collaboration by all concerned especially Rotary International and all Rotarians to ensure adequate, qualitative and affordable education for Nigerian youth.

•Olofintila wrote from Ado-Ekiti

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Turkey widens post-coup purge, demandsWashington hand over cleric

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here are conflicting reports about whether a former Turkish air force commander has confessed to planning Friday's attempted military coup. At least 232 people died and 1,400 were wounded in the ensuing violence, and there have been mass arrests.

The state-run Anadolu news agency quoted Gen Akin Ozturk as telling interrogators he had "acted with intention to stage a coup". But two private broadcasters said the general had denied playing a role. NTV quoted him as saying: "I am not someone who has planned or directed the coup attempt.

I don't know who did." Anadolu said he was one of

112 generals and admirals who had been detained.

Fifty had been remanded in custody pending trial, it added.

The interior ministry also reportedly dismissed almost 9,000 police officers yesterday, as part of a purge of officials suspected of involvement.

That followed the arrest of 6,000 military personnel and suspension of almost 3,000 judges over the weekend. Turkey's Western allies have expressed concern at the crackdown and urged President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to respond in a measured way.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Mr. Erdogan yesterday that Turkey's ambitions to

join the European Union would be over if he carried through on a threat to reinstate the death penalty. Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised the great courage of the Turkish people, but added that a valued ally had to ensure full respect for democracy.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu meanwhile dismissed as "unacceptable" a claim by the EU enlargement commissioner, Johannes Hahn, that the government in Ankara had drawn up arrest lists before the coup attempt. The government has blamed the coup attempt on supporters of a US-based Muslim cleric, Fethullah Gulen.

People watching at the funeral for police officers and solidiers killed during Friday's failed coup attempt at Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara, Turkey

Iraq’s Biblical Garden of Eden named world heritage site

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wetland in Southeast Iraq thought to be the biblical Garden of Eden and almost completely drained during Saddam Hussein's rule, has become a UNESCO world heritage site, Iraqi authorities said.

Fed by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the marshlands of Mesopotamia are spawning grounds for Gulf fisheries and home to bird species such as the sacred Ibis. They also provided a resting spot for thousands of wild fowl migrating between Siberia and Af-

rica. Saddam Hussein, who accused the region's Marsh Arab inhabitants of treachery during the 1980-1988 war with Iran, dammed and drained the marshes in the 1990s to flush out rebels hiding in the reeds.

After his overthrow by the US-led invasion in 2003, locals wrecked many of the dams to let water rush back in, and foreign environmental agencies helped breathe life back into the marshes. The marshes, which covered 9,000 square kilometers in the 1970s, shrunk to just 760 sq km by 2002 before

regaining some 40 per cent of the original area by 2005.

Iraq said it aimed to recover a total of 6,000 square kilometers. Vast, remote and bordering Iran, the marshes had been used in recent years for drugs and arms smuggling, receiving stolen goods and keeping hostages for ransom.

The Marsh Arabs had lived in the wetlands for millennia, but are on the fringes of Iraqi society. A study put their population at 400,000 in the 1950s, but several hundred thousand fled Saddam's repression or became economic migrants.

Suicide bombers attack Yemeni army checkpoints, kill 10

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wo suicide bombers tried to ram vehicles laden with explosives through two Yemeni military checkpoints near the government-held port city of Mukalla yesterday, killing at least 10 people, the army and medics said.

Al Qaeda's Yemeni branch claimed responsibility for the attacks near the capital of Hadramout province on the Gulf of Aden, the latest in a series of bombings since forces

loyal to Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, backed by troops from the United Arab Emirates, drove out the Islamist militants from the city in April.

The Yemeni army's Second Military Command, which is based in Mukalla, said militants had used a booby-trapped bus at a checkpoint in alBurum, southwest of Mukalla, and a booby-trapped car in al-Ghaber, to the west. "Forces at the checkpoints were able to confront

the vehicles and prevented them crossing the security barriers," an army statement said. It said six soldiers had been killed and 18 wounded. Medics said four civilians were also dead, and that 15 soldiers had been taken to hospital, five in serious condition.

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said in a report on the messaging service Telegram that dozens of Hadi troops were killed and wounded in the attacks, according to US monitoring group SITE.

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TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport The man Le Guen

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aul Le Guen who was born March 1, 1964 is a French football manager and a former player. His last role was as manager of the Oman national football team, from which he was relieved in November 2015.

During his playing career, Le Guen played at Stade Brest for six years, Nantes Atlantique for two years, before leaving Brittany for Paris St. Germain where he played for seven years (with 478 appearances and a Cup Winners’ Cup medal in 1996).

At international level he played 17 times for France due to injuries and he was part of the team which lost out on a trip to the World Cup in 1994, along with Eric Cantona and David Ginola.

He ended his playing career by taking part in a friendly where his home region of Brittany faced Cameroon on 21 May 1998. The match finished 1–1.

Le Guen had a successful managerial career in France, most notably leading Olympique Lyonnais to three consecutive Ligue 1 titles. He has also managed Stade Rennais, Paris Saint-Germain, Glasgow Rangers and the Cameroon national team.

Le Guen was named Cameroon national football team manager in July 2009, signing a five-month contract. He made an immediate impact by leading the team to qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Towards the end of the 2010–11 season, Le Guen claimed he had received job offers from several Ligue 1 clubs that were seeking new candidates to fill the remaining vacancies, but he turned them all down. He eventually accepted an offer from Oman national football team on 11 June 2011. He led Oman to qualification for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, where they were to be absent in 2011. Oman were eliminated in the group stage of the tournament with one win and two losses. He was sacked on November 19 2015 after a poor start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. As a manager of the team he played against Nigeria’s 2016 World Cup qualifying group opponents, Algeria.

Did you know?

Musa: I’m like Vardy, we’ll fit well together

That Nigeria’s best performance at the Olympic Games was at Atlanta 96 after winning two gold medals from Chioma Ajunwa in Long Jump and the U-23 team in football. One silver and three bronze medals were also won.

International Europe award: Ronaldo, Messi top UEFA 10-man shortlist

46 47

Why we picked Le Guen –Pinnick

NFF silent on Frenchman’s salaries, resumption Federation assures on payment of salaries by sponsors Salisu, Amakapabo, Alloy to assist Eagles Manager

Salisu Yusuf

Alloy Agu

Ajibade Olusesan Adeolu Johnson

Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Decisions at a glance

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

Le Guen

Imama Amakapabo

and other miscellaneous expenses as the NFF had already secured sponsorship that would cover that. igeria Football Federation He said: “The first thing we have President Amaju Pinnick has done was to get a partner to take care said the federation is satisfied of every one not just the foreign manto have appointed a manager capable ager but all our coaches. of qualifying the Super Eagles for the “We have sent a request for about 2018 World Cup in Russia. five coaches, which includes their New Telegraph had exclusively re- salaries, accommodation amongst ported early last month that Le Guen other things but the company feel very was the ‘choosen one’. strongly that we should make it private The Technical and Development and at the appropriate time they will Committee of the federation on Mon- come out and tell the whole world. day named Frenchman Paul Le Guen, “Whatever we are doing now, 52, as the new manager of the senior we are trying to avoid all kinds national team, Super Eagles’ ahead of mistakes. For example the of Salisu Yusuf and Tom Saintfiet issue of not paying the coachwho had earlier been shortlisted for es, we expect patriotism from the plum job. players when they are playing, Pinnick said the federation not only that, we are trying to was keen to do a thorough job make sure we offset all the which necessitated the delay coaches’ arrears.” in naming the new handler Meanwhile, the federafor the national team and tion has failed to reveal assured Nigerians that the wages of the coaches the wait would be worth, it has not also said spePinnick while. cifically when the foreign will resume.

He said the federation had learnt However, he is expected to get his from mistakes of the past and was baptism of fire when the Eagles file very determined to appoint the best out against Tanzania in a 2017 Africa coach for the team.

Nations Cup qualifier in the first He said the federation had worked week of September. so hard to ensure it creates a conduSpeaking after the meeting , the cive environment for the new manag- NFF technical committee member er by securing funds for the payment Paul Bassey who made announceof salaries and other emoluments. ment in Abuja yesterday said Salisu He assured there would not be had also been appointed the Chief problems regarding the salary of the Coach for the national team. new coach and his assistants includ“Paul Le Guen has been appointing accommodation, transportation ed Nigeria new coach and he will be assisted by Yusuf and Imma Amakapabo of Enugu Rangers, we also made recommendation that Alloy Paul Le Guen: Eagles Manager Agu should be goalkeeper trainer.

“We recommended Bitrus BewaSalisu Yusuf: Eagles Chief coach rang as national Technical Director and Nduka Ugbade should return to Imama Amakapabo: Eagles asst coach U-17 to assist Manu Garba, those are Alloy Agu: Goalkeeper trainer the decisions we have taken,” Bassey said.

Nduka Ugbade: Asst coach U-17 team

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The Sport Team

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Sport News

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SPORT NEWS

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Release funds for Olympics, Adamu begs Buhari Dapo Sotuminu

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he former Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Dr. Amos Adamu, has sent a passionate appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently release the needed funds to the Rio Olympicsbound Team Nigeria, through the Sports Ministry.

Adamu noted that, the president should put aside the long wait for the Sports Ministry to retire the N2.9 billion released for the 2015 All Africa Games and the 2016 Olympic camping exercise, and do the needful by speedily releasing the N2 billion to execute the Olympic Games proper.

“Time is running out fast and it is late pressing the Sports Ministry to retire funds earlier released last year.

The truth of the matter is that there is no way the former Director General of the Sports Commission, Alhassan Yakmut, wouldn’t have retired the funds he collected before being posted to another Ministry.

Musa (right)

Musa: I’m like Vardy, we’ll fit well together D

“At the moment that is not the pressing issue, but for Team Nigeria to get to the venue of the Olympics early enough so as to participate in some friendly competitions that would go a long way in preparing the athletes and coaches for the challenges of the Olympics, since the team didn’t embark on a comprehensive foreign training tour.”

The former FIFA and CAF Executive Committee member, stated that, the deed had been done concerning the N2.9billion released by the president last year, suggesting that the issue could be revisited after the Olympics, but the Team Nigeria’s good performance at the Rio Olympics is what should be on the front burner of the federal government now.

Adamu’s call came just as the Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Mr Ben Akabueze, gave the assurance on Monday that the money for the Team Nigeria athletes will be released on Wednesday. He said the ministry of sports will get N600m for the games.

IAAF World Junior: Amusan, Ekevwo set to shine in Poland Charles Ogundiya

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ew Leicester City signing Ahmed Musa is looking forward to working with star striker Jamie Vardy and believes they have many similarities.

The Nigeria international joined the English Premier League champions from CSKA Moscow in a deal reportedly worth a club-record £16.6 million.

Musa scored 13 league goals in Russia last season and compared his style to that of Vardy, who netted 24 times in the English top flight.

“I was a goalie between 10 and 12, but changing was the best decision of my life because I would never have been good enough to become a professional goalkeeper,” he said.

“It was difficult at first but then you get used to the fact you are not very big. A lot of people used to tell me, ‘Musa, you are too small to be a striker.’

“But I said: ‘It doesn’t matter

what size you are, it’s what you can do that matters’. I think I am like Jamie Vardy. I have speed, I like to work hard, we are similar in lots of things.

“Am I faster? I can’t say yet, I have never played with him, but I am looking forward to finding out.

I’m looking forward to playing with Vardy. I like his style. I think we can fit well together.”

Musa spent time with VVV-Venlo in the Eredivisie before his move to Russia in 2012, where he succeeded at CSKA. The 23-year-old said the intensity of training at Leicester had already taken him by surprise.

“When I started my first session I was thinking, ‘Wow’,” Musa said.

“I have never seen that in Russia but now I am getting used to it The intensity here is quite different to Russia. Here it is a little bit harder, in Russia they are more laid back

No problem playing different roles for Eagles, Man City – Iheanacho

Ajibade Olusesan

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anchester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, has said he is coping well playing in an attacking midfield role with the Super Eagles even though he is a striker for his English Premier League side.

Iheanacho scored 15 goals in all competitions in his first season at the Etihad Stadium to overtake Cote d’Ivoire’s Wilfred Bony as the second preferred striker for the Eastlanders but he plays deep in the midfield in his three inter national matches.

“In my country, that’s where I started playing. I was a No 10. For my club,

I play more as a striker but I can play in both positions,” he said.

“I can play as a striker or I can play as a No 10. I can even play on the wing as well. I can play in any position.

“When we start the season, we’ ll find out what the coach is going to bring to the team.

“The atmosphere is g reat. We want to achieve a lot this season and I think we’re in good shape to do it. We can reach our goals.”

“Last season was great for me and there were some good highlights. Scoring my goal against Crystal Palace and playing ag ainst Real Madrid in the

Ber nabeu, those were good feelings,” he said.

espite the paucity of funds affecting the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, the country will begin her quest for glory at the IAAF World Junior Championships which gets underway on Tuesday, July 19 (today) in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

10 home-based athletes departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday evening, and were joined by three of their US-based compatriots in Poland to make 13 athletes that will be representing the country.

Star of the team, Oluwatobiloba Amusan, will be competing in

her first major international competition after winning medals at the African Youths Championships and All Africa Games in Ethiopia and Congo respectively.

The University of Texas El Paso freshman is expected to compete in her main event, the 100m Hurdles, as well as the 100m, and she is ranked No.1 in the former (12.83secs) and 14th in the latter (11.50secs).

In the men’s category, the onus will be on Nigerian Junior Champion in the Boys’ 100m, Raymond Ekevwo who will race in the 100m and 4x100m in Poland. He comes with a Season’s Best of 10.35s and is

Amusan

Keshi’s Jo’burg memorial set for July 23

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memorial service for Stephen Keshi has been announced for July 23, 2016 in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

The former Nigeria international and coach died on June 7 in Benin City, Nigeria after a brief illness The event which is being organised under the

auspices of the “Friends of Keshi” will precede the official state funeral in Nigeria on July 29.

Fo r m e r Nigeria Goalkeeper and spokesman of the “Friends of Keshi”, Idah Peterside told Supersport.com that “ We are determined to honour Keshi to provide a platform for fans,

Kanu backs Nwakali to succeed at Arsenal

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ranked 20th on the 2016 World Junior rankings.

Emmanuel Arowolo will compete in the sprint double as well as the 4x100m, and comes with SB of 10.48secs and 21.01secs in 100m and 200m respectively.

anu Nwankwo has touted Kelechi Nwakali to eclipse him and become a superstar at new club Arsenal, upon the completion of his move from Diamond Football Academy.

The deal for the highly-rated 17-yearold was reportedly sealed last week, with the Gunners paying £3million to secure the services of the Nigeria Under-20 international captain.

The box-to-box midfielder, who was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2015 U-17 World Youth Championship, is set to kickstart his Arsenal career in August - once he turns 18-years-old.

Speaking to owngoalnigeria.com, Kanu stated his belief that Nwakali could surpass his achievements at Arsene Wenger’s side.

“He is going to Arsenal at such a young age which means he could stay there longer than I did and develop properly above all he could win more laurels than I did during my time at the club,” Kanu said.

“I have high hopes on him succeeding at Arsenal, he is so talented for his age and he has a very good sense of listening, he will succeed at Arsenal, I have no doubt about that in my heart.”

The player, who was reportedly being chased by the likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, West Ham United, Sporting Lisbon, Olympiakos and Udinese, last week revealed that he had signed a five-year-deal with Arsenal, despite piquing the interest of a number of teams in Europe.

Nigerians and other legends who cannot make the trip to the state funeral in Nigeria an opportunity to honour the “Big Boss”.

“Keshi won the Afcon 2013 here in South Africa and has a lot of friends and fans here” Peterside also confirmed that some of the leading football figures will be in attendance “ We are in touch with Neil Tovey, Kalusha Bwalya, and a host of legends who will grace and speak at the service.”

Peterside also provided details of the venue and time, noting that the memorial service will take place at 10.00am at the Christ Ambassadors Church in Kempton park “The venue is directly opposite the Kempton Park Civic Centre, 1, Cnr C.R. Swart and Pretoria Road in Kempton Park” he said.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Europe award: Ronaldo, Messi top UEFA 10-man shortlist U

Costa hands in transfer request at Chelsea

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iego Costa has reportedly handed in a transfer request in a bid to force through a move away from Chelsea.

It has been reported that the Spain international is keen to return to Atletico Madrid.

The 27-year-old scored 16 goals for Chelsea last season, but it was a disappointing campaign overall as the West London outfit failed to defend their title and fell to 10th in the standings.

Costa made a quick impression when he

moved to Stamford Bridge from Atletico in 2014 by scoring 21 goals in 37 matches, but it is understood that the striker wants to move back to Spain.

Costa

FIFA secures new World Cup sponsor

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IFA, which has struggled to find commercial partners since it was battered by a corruption scandal last year, named a Russian bank as its first regional World Cup sponsor.

The global soccer body on Monday said Alfa Bank would “activate sponsorship initiatives” around the 2018 World Cup, which is being hosted by Russia.

FIFA said that, under a new commercial strategy for the World Cup, up to four

packages were being offered for regional sponsors in each of the five regions.

It listed the regions as Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa, and Asia.

It said there was a growing interest in the approach.

FIFA was thrown into turmoil last year after criminal investigations were launched into the sport in the U. S., where several dozen former soccer officials have been indicted, and Switzerland.

Countdown to

Russia operated doping programme at Winter Olympics in 2014

EFA on Monday revealed the 10-man shortlist for the Best Player in Europe award, and unsurprisingly, the list is dominated by stars from the recent UEFA Euro 2016 competition.

Two men to feature are Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, the Real Madrid superstars who enjoyed unforgettable campaigns in the European Championship.

Elsewhere, Lionel Messi – last year’s winner – also stars after winning the league and cup double with Barca and helping his national side reach the Copa America Centenario final.

Another standout player to make the list is Antoine Griezmann, the Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner of UEFA Euro 2016, after guiding Les Bleus to the final before losing to Portugal in extra-

time.

There were some surprise exclusions, as Leciester City’s 2015/16 heroes Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy finished in 11th and 12th respectively.

Blaugrana ace Neymar, the man who made the 2015 final Ballon d’Or shortlist, enters at 19th spot – tied with Andres Iniesta, Renato Sanches, and Eden Hazard.

10-man Best Player in Europe Shortlist includes Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Pepe (Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Luis Suarez (Barcelona) Journalists from each of UEFA’s 55 member associations provided a list

Ronaldo (left) and Messi

of their five best-ranked players, with the first receiving five points, the second four and so on.

The ten players with the

Z

latan Ibrahimovic has told Eric Cantona that he will become a “god” at Manchester United after the club legend claimed that the summer signing could be the Red Devils’ new “prince”.

The Sweden international joined Jose Mourinho’s team on a free transfer at the start of the month following

N

Neymar

a four-year spell at Paris Saint-Germain.

Cantona, who is known as ‘The King’

by United fans, recently told Ibrahimovic: “There can only be one King in Manchester. You can be the Prince if you want to.”

The 34-year-old, though, is keen to be much more at Old Trafford. He told Aftonbladet.

Days to Go

Neymar tips Brazil to win first gold eymar has expressed his strong desire to win the Olympic Gold for Brazil, as it is the only FIFA prize missing in their trophy cabinet, which has ever eluded the “land of football”.

Neymar led Brazil at the 2012 London Olympics where they reached the final only to lose out to Mexico.

However, he is keen to seize the moment this time at the Rio Olympics 2016 and win it on their home turf.

The football games will be conducted from the August 3 to 20 with the final to be held in Rio de

most points advance to the second vote, which will determine the three finalists to be named on 5 August.

I will be a god at Man United, Ibrahimovic replies Cantona

Olympics

R

ussia operated a state-sponsored doping programme at the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014, claims a new report.

An investigation commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency says Russia’s sports ministry “directed, controlled and oversaw” the manipulation of urine samples provided by its athletes.

The commission looked into allegations made by the former head of Russia’s national anti-doping laboratory.

Grigory Rodchenkov claimed he doped dozens of athletes before the Games.

The two-month investigation was led by Dr Richard McLaren, who said he had “unwavering confidence” in his findings.

The damning report will fuel calls for a complete ban on Russia from the 2016 Summer Olympics, which get under way in Rio de Janeiro on 5 August.

47

Janeiro at the Maracana.

Speaking to Brazilian television, Neymar said, “I know that this gold medal has eluded Brazil so far, and we will do everything to try to win it. It’s rare that a country like Brazil, considered the land of football, still hasn’t won this gold.”

On paper, Brazil are placed comfortably in a group involving South Africa, Iraq and Denmark with the hosts set to play their first match against South Africa in Brasilia on 4th Aug. The draw suggests they could be facing Colombia or Nigeria in the quarters.

16

Siasia

U-23 team’s woes continue as Ndidi opts out of Olympics

T

he woes of Samson Siasia led Nigeria Olympic team is to be compounded as Belgium-based midfielder Wilfred Ndidi will be the latest foreign-based pro to opt out of next month’s Rio Olympics.

Odion Ighalo (Watford), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) and Turkey-based Musa Mohammed are already some of the overseas pros who will not be available for the Rio games.

AfricanFootball.com can exclusively reveal that Belgian club Genk are yet to receive assurances from Siasia about how much of a role Ndidi will play at the Olympics and so will not let go the player.

“Genk will not release one of their top stars to go and sit on the bench in Brazil and now it looks very much like Wilfred will not be released for the Olympics,” a source told AfricanFootball.com The 18-year-old Ndidi has within a short time established himself at Genk, who are aiming to qualify for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.

On Marble “You can’t always please everybody,

but you can do what makes you happy and just hope that those around you will be happy for you.”

Clem Aguiyi

Sanctity of Truth

Obiano: Obi’s crumbling legacy

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

–Robert Tew

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

}14

N150

Public arena T he column you write

Ending arbitrary killings

Adewale Kupoluyi

T

he sad occurrence that reared its ugly head a few days ago when a 42-year-old mother of seven, Mrs. Eunice Elisha, was reportedly murdered by unknown assailants while evangelising around the Gbazango-West area of Kubwa, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory, continues to elicit sympathy, condemnation and anger of Nigerians. The deceased, a Deaconess of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, was allegedly killed in a brutal manner such that she had deep cuts in the neck, stomach and other body parts in the dastardly act.

Similar unpleasant and callous cases have been recorded in the country. There is the need to recall some of them so that we can appraise the severity of what has come to be a social problem and the need to put a stop to these senseless and extra-judicial killings. Not long ago, there was the gruesome killing of Mrs. Bridget Agbaheme by suspected extremists in the Kofar Wambai market of Kano State, over allegations that she blasphemed Holy Prophet Muhammad. The deceased, who was an indigene of Imo State, was said to be in the company of her husband when she was gruesomely murdered following an argument bordering on religion. Agbaheme, the 74-year-old-Christian was said to have had an altercation with a Muslim man who came to the front of her shop to perform ablution while she allegedly objected to the Islamic washing rite in front of her shop.

Also, a clergyman belonging to the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Reverend Joseph Zakariya was reportedly killed by attackers suspected to be Fulani Herdsmen in Obi LGA of Nasarawa state. During the attack - just like Elisha and Agbaheme - body parts of the victims such as arms, legs and head were chopped-off. Still fresh in our memory is the 1995 decapitation of one Mr. Gideon Akaluka in Kano State, also by alleged religious fanatics. Akaluka, a young Igbo trader was accused of desecrating the Koran and was then arrested.

Following this, Akaluka was imprisoned by the police until a group of Muslims reportedly took the laws into their hands by breaking into the jail, killed him and confidently walked around the city by parading his severed head! Till date, nothing has really been heard in terms of arresting those responsible for Akaluka's brutal murder.

We cannot also forget so easily, the 1987 episode of the Dawodu brothers in Lagos; the Apo six in Abuja, the alleged complicity of the police in the death of the Aluu four undergraduates of the University of Port Harcourt and countless others that the state has failed to resolve.

Many other extra-judicial killings either remain unreported or covered-up. While it can be argued that at the moment, the nation’s criminal justice system appears weak and ineffective in curbing crimes and criminality that are increasing by

CAN President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle

Acting IGP, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris

Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar

the day, extra-judicial killing, otherwise known as ‘jungle justice’, a common feature of a lawless society, such as ours, requires severe and drastic approach by the appropriate authorities toward its eradication, if we are to be seen as a progressive nation. Barbaric killing of persons remains a crude, criminal, illegal and totally unacceptable option to resolve perceived differences under any civilized society.

It is unfortunate to note that in most cases, when there is indiscriminate killing, whenever such heinous offences are committed; perpetrators of the killings are never brought to book, if ever apprehended by the law enforcement agents.

This poor punitive approach to a grievous act such as this, makes it almost impossible to curb the wicked act. The most troubling and alarming aspect of such extra-judicial killing is that they are carried out by ‘mobs’ with a high tendency that innocent citizens can become victims.

Back to Elisha, we should be reminded that the constitution of Nigeria allows for freedom of expression as well as that of religion. It is a secular state that does not promote the adherence to any religion. In otherwords, religion is meant to be a personal thing not an official matter. Then, why prevent someone from proclaiming his/her faith publicly, if that is what one desires? Why kill someone that decides to preach the gospel, if he/she has the calling to do so? Why this brutality against an innocent soul that is expressing his/her fundamental rights? If the offenders or attackers felt uncomfortable with the message she was delivering before being hacked to death, why not leave her alone and just walkaway. Or, are we in an Islamic state or atheist country that officially prohibits

as much as possible, individualistic or personal religious practice? Maybe for her, she had a sacred duty to perform in the course of evangelism/evangelisation? Why not leave her alone?

These questions continue to trouble my mind without any hope of getting answers. That is why I am troubled that we were gradually turning into that lawless society, where the sanctity of human life has no meaning. Hence, this case of senseless murder should not be allowed to die a natural death just like the previous ones before now. We pretend as if we cannot fish-out the wicked souls that kill others with impunity. Many other people could just be killed without any justification. Why kill under the name of religion? All efforts should be made to identify the killers. The continued killing gives Islam a bad name and this should not be. When this is done, it would send the right signal that anyone that engages in such barbarity would be dealt with irrespective of status, religion, tribe or ethnicity. Another issue that should be addressed is the insensitive act by passers-by that often resort to video recording or taking of photographs of victims of jungle justice. Rather than assisting others, they fester on the scenario by having fun and posting such infringement on the social media.

This insensitivity should no longer be happening in our country.

The government should not be unnecessarily silent over sensitive matters that could give an erroneous impression that it is supporting one religion over others. As a matter of duty, the new Acting Inspector-General of the Federation, Ibrahim Idris, should prove to Nigerians that he is coming into the saddle to make a big difference. He should ensure that thorough investigations are conducted

into the matter while those found culpable are made to face the full wrath of the law. By that, it would send out the right signal that no crime committed, especially with such severity, would be punished. We cannot continue this way.

This irrationality and lawlessness must stop!

Solution to puzzle 21

•Kupoluyi writes from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), adewalekupoluyi@yahoo.co.uk,@AdewaleKupoluyi

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