Tuesday, september 13, 2016 binder1

Eid el-Kabir: Recreation centres record low patronage

lNigerians blame low-key celebration on recession

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s Muslims celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir, operators of recreation centres in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

and Lagos have expressed frustration over low patronage of their services.

A check at some recreation centres showed that there was not much hap-

pening at the facilities.

At Magicland Amusement Park in Abuja, few

families, friends and children were seen playing indoor games because of the wet weather arising from the early morning rain in

Five die as buses collide on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway }9

the city.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that few people were at Silverbird Entertainment, Monaliza and Millennium CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Multiple earth tremors rock Kaduna }6

/newtelegraph /newtelegraph

Vol. 3 No. 937

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Fulani herdsmen moving with }4 guns are foreign terrorists –Sultan

Police arrest 65 officers for murder, extortion }4

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

Varsity admits four Chibok schoolgirls }36

N150

APC, PDP leaders mull new party early 2017 El-Rufai

Abubakar

Owoseni

Some of the students

Politicians hold secret meetings abroad, in Nigeria South-West, North-East leaders team up }2 Nigerian migrant gives birth on on Mediterranean rescue ship }4

Baby Newman Otas after the delivery on the Mediterranean Sea.

Baby Otas with his brother, a midwife, Jonquil Nicholl and his mother, Faith Oqunbor

Troops foil bomb attack, kill suicide bomber lArmy: B'Haram now disguise as lunatics lSoldiers, Civilian JTF sustain injuries }4 Exercise reduces risk of cancer, heart disease in drinkers }7

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NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

APC, PDP leaders mull new party early 2017 Temitope Ogunbanke and Wale Elegbede

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arring any unforeseen circumstances, a new political party that would challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would emerge in the first quarter of 2017.

New Telegraph learnt from authoritative sources that the political party, which would be a third force, will be made up of aggrieved members of the ruling APC and the opposition PDP. It was also learnt that though clandestine, talks on the emergence of the party are at advanced stage with leaders of the main two political parties involved. It was gathered that meetings on the new party have been held both in Nigeria and outside the country.

It was learnt that the emergence of the party became imminent following a research revealed by a United Kingdom-based professor that Nigerians are neither happy with the governance style of the APC nor the present state of the PDP. Thus, concerned leaders of both parties, who are equally not satisfied with the goings on in the polity, are “talking to find a way out of the Muhammadu Buhari presidency.”

A top APC leader from the South-South told New Telegraph over the weekend that talks were still ongoing. According to him, it is not certain that the APC or the PDP would go into the 2109 election as presently constituted.

“Yes, there are talks about a new political party. I would not be honest with you if I say I am not aware of it. People are

talking across party lines.

I am aware that there is an opinion poll showed me by a United Kingdombased Nigerian Professor (names withheld), which showed that Nigerians are not happy with the APC. By the same token, they are not sure where the PDP would end with this crisis.

The opinion poll is one of the many conducted recently, which showed that Nigerians are fast losing hope in the APC. Nigerians are particularly irked by the non-inclusive nature of the party and the protracted crisis in the PDP. The opinion poll also showed that Nigerians would not be happy to see the PDP return to power under the same name. For many who have seen the report, it is a wake-up call,” he said.

It was gathered that even though some top politicians in the APC are still on the surface, showing solidarity with President Muhammadu Buhari, they are rankled by the strength of what they called the ‘cabal’ around the president’s cabinet.

Thus, many top members of the party are dissatisfied with the vice grip of the group on the president.

The politician added: “You could see that their bent on holding the president is manifesting negatively for the party. All the promises made before the 2015 general elections are not kept. It is as bad as the Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, asking us why we are using drop in oil prices as an excuse for the economic downturn. Oil is only 15 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). So how can the failure of 15 per cent of our GDP drag us into recession? It is simply because those who are around the president have made it so hard for him to address the problems

Abuja under tight security as Muslims mark Eid-el-Kabir Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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uslims in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja yesterday joined their counterparts across the country to mark this year Eid-el-Kabir celebration under tight security.

Armed policemen guarded Abuja Central Eid Prayer ground along Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport road while Islamic faithful performed the spiritual obligation.

Many strategic places such as the National Mosque, National Stadium, Millennium Park, as well as roads, streets and

junctions around the city were also manned by security operatives.

Other places such as roads to cinemas and amusement parks were also under the watchful eyes of policemen who stationed their patrol vehicles at key points.

It would be recalled that the FCT Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Mustafa had, ahead of the Muslims' festival celebration, ordered a security beef up in the nation’s capital city, Abuja to ensure a hitch free celebration.

There were, however, no incident or crime recorded in Abuja as fun seekers troop to parks, cinemas and malls.

frontally. We are not happy with the development.”

Sources told our correspondents that at the head of discussions for the new party are a party leader from the SouthWest, another one from the North-East and others in the National Assembly who feel that the way things are running at the Assembly was not right.

The trio forms the core of the leadership even as members of the PDP who are not sure of the way the pendulum would swing in the battle against Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s faction of the party have joined the discussion.

Already, the PDP governors and the Ahmed Markarfi faction of the party have filed a suit at the Appeal Court to challenge the Justice Okon Abang’s ruling on the party, which recognised Sheriff as the National Chairman of the party.

A PDP governor from the South-South, told New

Telegraph at the weekend that they were hopeful that the Appeal Court would give the matter an accelerated hearing from September 19.

“Our only constraint now is the Sallah festivals coming up this week. We had hoped that from September 12, the Appeal Court would begin sitting.

All the papers have been filed. We are only waiting for the break to pass. As from September 19, we will push for an accelerated hearing and throw Sheriff out. We hope that the Judges of the Appeal Court would see reason with us on the decision of the National Convention that dethroned Sheriff and restored mandate to us. By that, we will be able to make progress in the party.”

While not unaware of the plot for a new party, he said that those looking for a new party were deluding themselves. He said that the Buhari presidency was

too strong to be threatened by the formation of a new party.

He said: “Make no mistake about it. This is not a Jonathan presidency where all sorts of things happened. If you make the false move now and they know, all they need is to show you some papers and tell you what you had done in the past. That is trouble.

The cabal now is stronger than that of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Don’t be fooled that you can threaten them. Our safe passage is to go to Appeal Court and get judgement and start rebuilding our party.”

Indeed, another top politician from the South-West PDP told New Telegraph that talks are at advanced stage. He emphasised that the PDP, as at now, cannot convince Nigerians on returning in 2019, hence the need for another vehicle.

“You heard what former President Olusegun Obasanjo said last week

about the state of PDP in opposition and APC in governance. Neither is strong to give Nigerians hope. There are ongoing talks now. By November, it would be clearer. The truth is that talks are at advanced stage. They are being spearheaded by the people you know from both the APC and PDP. It is going to be a very strong party that will rival the big two. What is not clear is, for instance, if people would remain in the PDP after. But the way Sheriff is behaving shows he has a back up from the APC-led Federal Government. So, we don’t know if PDP will survive it. There is need for a back up on our side.”

It was learnt from multiple sources that many leaders in the APC are unhappy with Nigeria sliding into recession under their leadership. Multiple sources attributed the state of the economy to a lack of capacity of those saddled with the responsibility.

L-R: Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar; President Muhammadu Buhari and Magajin Gari of Daura, Alhaji Musa Umar, during the Eid El-Kabir Prayers in Daura, Katsina State… yesterday.

Graft war: Don't panic, Buhari tells patriotic Nigerians lSays FG committed to get Nigeria out of current challenges Anule Emmanuel Abuja

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has assured patriotic Nigerians never to be afraid of the on-going war against corruption.

The president, who said that his administration would not relent in the fight against corruption, stated that those who abuse public trust would face justice.

He said prosecuting them would be in addition to returning their stolen assets to the nation’s coffers.

Buhari stated this yesterday in Daura, his hometown, where he spoke with journalists after attending prayers to celebrate EidEl-Kabir.

In a statement by his

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the president thanked Nigerians for supporting the Federal Government’s policies, programmes and actions aimed at improving security and revamping the economy.

He said: "We should thank God this year, the reports I’m getting, which is very pleasing, is that we will have a bumper harvest this year.

“I want Nigerians to realise that what this government inherited after 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government was no savings, no infrastructure, no power, no rail, no road and no security.

“Nigerians can see what we have done on Boko Haram and what we are doing to resolve

the problem in the Niger Delta.

“Before the elections, we identified three major problems confronting our country. The first is security; we need to sufficiently secure our country to manage it well.

“The second is economy, especially jobs for the youth and fighting corruption which is continuous."

He continued that "for the youth, graduates and non-graduates who are interested in agriculture, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are doing something to provide employment for them.”

Buhari joined Muslim faithful at Kofar-Arewa Eid-ground, Daura in Katsina to observe the Eid-el

Kabir prayer.

The prayer, which started at 9:45 a.m., was led by the Daura Emirate Chief Imam, Sheikh Safiyanu Yusuf.

In his sermon, Yusuf stressed the importance of sacrifice in Islam, adding that it could be done with ram, sheep, goats, cattle and camel.

Buhari and the Emir of Daura slaughtered their rams after the prayer at the ground.

The prayer was attended by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouq; Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Musa Daura; Garba Shehu, traditional rulers in the Emirate, among others.

Eid-el Kabir prayer is performed on the 10th day of Zulhajj, the 12th month of Islamic calendar.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Troops foil bomb attack, kill female suicide bomber Emmanuel Onani Abuja

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he Nigerian Army said its troops have foiled a suicide bomb attack at a checkpoint in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State.

A female suicide bomber, who plotted the attack on troops, was killed.

According to the Army, the female bomber was primed with Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED), which exploded shortly after she was shot at.

The disclosure was made in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman.

Two soldiers, as well as a member of the Civilian JTF, sustained injuries from the explosion.

"On Sunday, 11th September 2016, evening, a suspected female suicide bomber was seen approaching troops check point located at Kara Cattle market axis, Dikwa, towards Antul and Mukdala, Dikwa Local

Government Area, Borno State.

"She was challenged from afar by the vigilant duty sentry, she refused to stop claiming to be coming from Monguno to see her parents in Dikwa.

"Troops, sensing the direction of approach was suspicious and abnormal, fired a shot at her and the gallant sentry was proven right as she was carrying a Person

Borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED) which exploded with a loud bang, killing her instantly and causing minor injury on two soldiers and a Civilian JTF assisting them.

"The injured soldiers and the civilian have been treated and have continued with their duties," Usman said.

He added that the "incident has shown that

there are a few of the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists that are determined to carry out criminal acts to create panic and insecurity in some areas."

Meanwhile, the Army has drawn attention to the fact that suspected Boko Haram fighters now disguise as mad men and women, to perpetuate their bloodletting campaign.

Umar Abdullahi Sokoto

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he Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared that the Fulani herdsmen moving with guns, causing violence, fighting with farmers are not Nigerians, but foreign terrorists.

Abubakar stated this in his Eid el-Kabir message to the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.

According to him, these are foreigners coming into Nigeria to cause a breach of the peace.

“They are, therefore, terrorists and should be treated as such by the Nigerian security agencies.

“The Nigerian herdsmen are very peace-loving and law abiding,” he said.

The Sultan, who noted with concern that some ‘‘bad eggs” had infiltrated the Fulani herdsmen, challenged the security agencies to be proactive.

Abubakar, however, acknowledged that there were problems between the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers, which should only be resolved

through dialogue.

The monarch further stressed the need for all Nigerians to live peacefully with each other, irrespective of any religious or ethnic differences.

The Sultan also underscored the imperative of sustainable peace, if the country was to fully develop.

His words: “Nigeria would continue to lag behind if there is no peace and unity. Our diversity should be our strength and God has not made a mistake by creating us with diverse differences,”

he said.

On the ongoing hardship in the country, the Sultan appealed to Nigerians to go back to the farms.

He also urged Nigerians to learn to be more productive, rather than solely waiting for the government to provide all their needs.

Abubakar also commended the three tiers of government for their ongoing efforts to provide succour to Nigerians.

The monarch promised to continue to offer prayers, and provide wise counsel to the federal and state governments.

He also stressed the

need for leaders at all levels to continue to be just to all Nigerians, irrespective of any religious and political differences.

In his remarks, Governor Aminu Tambuwal pledged to support the Federal Government’s effort towards establishing cattle grazing routes as a means of solving the long-time conflict between the Fulani and farmers in the state.

The event was witnessed by Second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the state’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu and Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, among others.

Police arrest 65 officers for murder, extortion

lPersonnel face dismissal, demotion, trial

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Nigerian migrant gives birth on on Mediterranean rescue ship

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any seemingly mentally unstable or mad men or women found wandering and report same.

"Therefore, it is imperative for all to be more security conscious and vigilant, especially during the Eid festivities and public holidays.

"The public is further enjoined to report any suspicious persons or movement to the security agencies."

Fulani herdsmen moving with guns are foreign terrorists – Sultan

L-R: Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; her husband, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo; National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the Eid-ElKabir celebration at Tinubu’s residence in Lagos …yesterday.

Nigerian woman has given birth to a boy on board a rescue ship in the Mediterranean after being plucked from an overcrowded rubber dinghy.

Medical charity, MSF, said because the baby was born in international waters, his nationality was still under debate.

A midwife on board the ship MV Aquarius described the birth as "normal... in dangerously abnormal conditions."

Thousands of refugees and migrants risk the dangerous crossing from Libya to Europe in search of a better life.

It will be recalled that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had earlier raised this alarm.

The DAPR said: "There is also very reliable information that remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists now disguise or pretend to be mad men or women in order to gain access to some locations, especially in Maiduguri.

"Consequently, all should be very wary of

Last year, more than 3,700 people are believed to have died attempting the journey.

MSF said that the baby's parents, Otas and Faith Oqunbor, had named him Newman Otas. They had been making the perilous crossing with their two other children, aged seven and five, and were rescued just 24 hours before the baby was born.

MSF communications officer, Alva White, reported the baby's birth in a series of tweets yesterday from the Aquarius – a search and rescue vessel run by the group, SOS Mediterranee, in partner-

ship with MSF. "Just over an hour ago, a baby boy was born on board the Aquarius. Mum, bub, dad and two big brothers are all well," she said.

"The gorgeous little guy was born in international waters, so his nationality is still under discussion."

Ms White told the BBC that such events were rare on rescue ships, although another baby was born on the Aquarius in May to a woman from Cameroon.

She said that the 392 people now on board the Aquarius included seven pregnant women.

Mrs. Oqunbor said she had been "very stressed"

on the rubber boat and had been having contractions for three days.

MSF midwife, Jonquil Nicholl, who delivered the baby, said: "I am filled with horror at the thought of what would have happened if this baby had arrived 24 hours earlier - in that unseaworthy rubber boat, with fuel on the bottom where the women sit, crammed in with no space to move, at the mercy of the sea.

"And 48 hours previously, they were waiting on a beach in Libya, not knowing what was ahead of them."

Culled from BBC

o fewer than 65 police personnel have been arrested for various offences in the last one-month in Lagos State.

The arrests were made in different parts of the state by the Anti-Extortionist Squad in the Lagos State Police Command.

Already, some of the arrested policemen have been recommended for dismissal and others are to be demoted.

Those involved in murder have been charged to court while some others involved in criminal offences are undergoing departmental orderly room trials.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the squad arrested 33 persons as at August 8, 12 more as at August 24, and another 20 by September 8.

“Some of them have been recommended for dismissal; some to be demoted in ranks. Those involved in unlawful killing have been charged to court for murder.

“Some others are undergoing departmental orderly room trials. There is no place for corrupt and unprofessional po-

lice in Lagos command,” he said.

The Lagos police boss said that the action was in compliance with the directive of the InspectorGeneral of Police on zero tolerance to corruption and unprofessional conduct in the force.

As part of efforts to ensure that officers in Lagos keep to the ethics of the force, Owoseni said he embarked on re-orientation and retraining.

He said 75 constables had undergone training in arms handling at the Ikeja Police College, in a move to check accidental discharge.

He said every action of the officers and men would be accounted for, stressing that the second batch of such training would come up soon.

“The police must know when and how to use force and they will be accountable for any force used in the course of their operation.

“They are to use force proportionately. Their action should not make anyone orphan, widow or widower.

“Policemen are servants and not masters.

That is the training we had and we must keep it so,” he said.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Offer-Circular

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Federal Government of Nigeria (“FGN”)

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NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful, after the Eid-El-Kabir celebration, in Osogbo… yesterday

L-R: Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari; Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, during Eid El-Kabir prayers in Ilorin …yesterday

L-R: Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III; his son, Prince Adebukola; Senator representing Oyo North, Fatai Buhari and monarch's son, Prince Oyekunle, during the Eid El-Kabir prayers in Ogbomoso …yesterday

Some children praying during the Eid El-Kabir prayers at Dodan Barrack, Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Eid el-Kabir: Recreation centres record low patronage Multiple earth CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

parks in the nation’s capital and operators blamed the situation on the hard economic situation and the rain.

Mr. Paul Oko, Personnel Manager of Magicland, said that the park made adequate preparations to satisfy customers, but that the low patronage was discouraging.

“The rain that fell this early morning contributed to the low patronage, even though a lot of people have complained of economic crunch,” he said.

In Lagos, tourist sites witnessed low patronage of visitors.

A visit to the Badagry Heritage Museum, the first storey building, Seriki Abass Museum and the Vkelete Slave Market revealed that there were little or no turnout of tourists to these sites.

The Seriki Abass Museum, usually besieged at occasions such as this by tourists, recorded a zero turnout between noon and 2:30p.m.

A tour guide, Mr. Anago James, had blamed the low turnout on present economic recession.

“The current recession in the country has resulted in low patronage of tour sites in the city and this is having a negative effect on tourism here,” he said.

Mr. Ezekiel Viavoni, the Tour-Guide for the First Storey building in the country,

also decried the low turnout of tourists.

Also, there were no tourists at the Badagry Heritage Museum, just as the Vkelete Slave Market was closed down for renovation.

Residents of the FCT have blamed the low-key 2016 Eid-el Kabir celebration on the current economic recession in the country A NAN correspondent, who went round some parks in the FCT, reports that the usual hustling and bustling associated with the celebration was lacking.

The residents said that the low-key celebration and low turnouts to the parks by fun seekers was because of the current economic recession.

At the Water Fountain Park, Kado, Mr. Dauda Ibrahim, a resident who was there with his children said that the economy was not favourable for elaborate celebration.

“It is no longer news that the country is in recession; therefore, I do not expect people to have elaborate celebration in this year’s Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

“There are people who cannot afford to buy ram for the sacrifice; some of them went to the market and bought meat to celebrate with their families.

“I pray that the country overcomes this recession because it is not easy; people are suffering and with the situation, you don’t expect people to celebrate,” Ibrahim said.

Another fun seeker at the park, Suleiman Mohammed, a civil servant, said that he came to the park with his children to make them feel the joy of Sallah.

Mohammed said it was regrettable that inflation was on a steady rise and people would prefer to have a low-key than elaborate celebration.

“The money is not even there; what my salary can afford some years ago, it can no longer afford; it is just unfortunate that things are like this.

“The low turnout to the park is not a surprise, some schools have resumed and some will soon resume; parents will prefer to pay children’s school fees than spending for Sallah.

“However, I pray that the government will do something very fast to cushion the effect of the hardship in the country,” Mohammed said.

At the children play ground in Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Maitama; Malam Yahaya Iliya said he came there to play with his children.

According to him, there is suffering in the land and thus, most people cannot buy ram, thereby resulting to buying beef to eat with their families.

“We should not allow the hardship in the country to take away our willingness to sacrifice for one another and to live in peace with one another.

“The current economic situation is unfortunate, but we should be optimistic that it shall be well, and the country will be great again,” Iliya said.

At River Plate Garden in Wuse II, few fun seekers were seen sitting on mats and playing Ludo and Whot games.

One of the fun seekers, John Oche, a trader at Wuse Market, corroborated Ibrahim and Mohammed’s position; that the celebration was low-key.

“I can count the people in this park; no money, dollar is out of reach and the market is a ‘no go area’ because of daily increase in the price of goods.

“Everything is upside down; I don’t know where this country is going to; how can people celebrate when there is no means to celebrate,” Oche said.

The low-key situation was not different at Magic Land Amusement Park located near the City Gate.

Mr. Peter Okoh, the Manager of the park, said that turnout of fun seekers to the park was low.

“Last year, a lot of people came here to have fun; but this year, especially this Eid-El-Kabir celebration, the turnout is low.

“Though I am not surprised because the economic situation is biting hard on the people. Nevertheless, we thank God for everything; we only pray that things get better for all Nigerians,” Okah said.

tremors rock Kaduna

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everal earth tremors recorded in three locations in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State has left residents in a state of panic.

The tremors that occurred on Sunday and early hours of yesterday at Kwoi, Nok and Samban Dagi, also left scores of structures with mild cracks.

Mr. Ishaya DanAzumi, a Geologist from the State’s Ministry of Environment, while explaining to newsmen at one of the sites, described the incident “as deep seated fault in the earth crust trying to regenerate itself.”

Dan-Azumi said: “Contrary to widespread speculation that the incident was an earthquake, there was no evidence supporting that claim, but it was just earth tremor.”

In a remark, Mr. Ben Kure, the Interim Chairman of the local government, urged the people not to panic as earlier suggested by experts that had since moved into action.

Mr. Stephen Musa, who resides in Kwoi, said the loud sound, coupled with

$21.3m

The total pay (including salary/ winnings & endorsements) of Fernando Torres (Soccer) for 2015.

Source: Forbes.com

the shake, devastated his entire community.

“We had no option other than call on the Almighty God for protection,” he said.

NAN reports that there was, however, no loss of life in all the locations.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has appealed for calm and sympathised with the residents of Kwoi, Nok and Samban Dagi in Jaba Local Government Area, following the report of earth tremor.

The government said, in a statement signed by Samuel Aruwan, Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, that it has made a formal report to the appropriate authorities to investigate the development.

The statement noted that Governor Nasir El-Rufai has notified the geological and emergency agencies of the incident.

“He has directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to mobilise to the area and comfort the citizens.

“The Kaduna State Government is receiving updates from the area and relevant government agencies have been directed to take steps to comfort the residents and to assuage their unease as they come to terms with an unusual event.

News|National

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

FRSC convicts 45 motorists in Kaduna

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he Kaduna State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said yesterday that it had secured 45 convictions of motorists for various traffic offences in Kaduna.

The Command’s Legal Officer, Mr Ibrahim Tanko, made the disclosure in interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said the motorists were convicted via a mobile court during Sallah and ember months’ operations, which commenced September 7.

Tanko said that 19 of the offenders were convicted for Drivers Licence violations, six for seat belt and two for driving with forged documents.

He said that six others were convicted for passengers manifest violation and 11 for windscreen violation, while the others were convicted for vehicle licence violation, road obstruction and use of phone while driving.

NAN reports that FRSC had commenced a special

Sallah and ember months’ patrol to ensure zero accident across Kaduna State.

The Corps Marshal, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, announced the deployment of 406 marshals, six ambulances, 30 patrol vehicles and 400 special marshals for the operation in the state.

Oyeyemi, who was represented by the Corps Auditor, FRSC Headquarters, Abuja, Malam Shehu Mohammed, said that the measures became necessary to curb the incessant road crashes often recorded during ember months and Sallah celebrations.

“There is usually high vehicular movement on our roads during ember months with increased movement of people for festivals throughout the length and breadth of the country.

“Also, Sallah is just around the corner and people have already started preparations to travel and as such, there is need for the operation to sensitise motorists on safety measures on the highway,’’ he said.

NAHCON to bar officials from Hajj next year Ibraheem Musa Makka

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hairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Muktar Muhammad, a lawyer, has said that all government officials responsible for the annual Hajj exercise might be stopped from performing the rituals in Saudi Arabia as from next year .

The NAHCON chairman, who made this known at a press conference at Arafat, said that combining the job of guiding pilgrims and performing Hajj is difficult, adding that past experiences explain why the Commission is contemplating the new policy.

According to Barrister Muhammad, combining guiding the pilgrims and performing Hajj is so difficult that “sometimes, you don’t have the right state of

mind to really do the needful in terms of performing your official functions.”

“From next year, we will discuss with other stakeholders to find a way of making it as a policy in partial implementation and then gradually we will enforce it as a policy in the whole nation,” he promised, adding that even if Nigeria did not consider the policy, the Saudi authorities would in the near future impose it.

“I am certain that even if we don’t do it as a nation, a time will come when the Saudi authorities will do it.

If you are in the Kingdom for the purpose of observing Hajj, you observe it; and if you are an official who is supposed to officiate Hajj activity, they would not allow you to perform the Hajj and they would put that restriction,” he said.

Muhammad, who re-

vealed that he and a number of NAHCON staff voluntarily sacrificed their Hajj this year, said that he would continue to encourage individuals to volunteer on their own before the proposed policy comes on

stream.

The NAHCON boss said that the policy would help officials to perform optimally on their duties as it would help them monitor and assist pilgrims.

“This concept will not be restricted to only the staff of the commission or those who come under it but will also go down to the states, because that is where the bulk of the work in terms of management of the Hajj is,” he said.

Anglican bishops decry state of South-East roads Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

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he economic downtur n, incessant threat to lives and property by activities of herdsmen, poor state of roads, among others was prominently highlighted as Anglican Bishops under the umbrella of the Province of Enugu, convened at the Cathedral Church of St. Mary, Ngwo, Enugu North Local Government of the state.

The Anglican Bishops comprising ten dioceses

Group urges Buhari, EFCC to investigate PENCOM Wale Elegbede

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he Centre for Public Accountability (CPA), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to order an immediate investigation into alleged sundry fraudulent practices in the National Pensions Commission, (PENCOM).

In a petition addressed to the president and signed by the Executive Director of the Centre, Comrade Olufemi Lawson, CPA said the petition was intended to bring to the attention of the president the long list of infractions, mismanagement and maladministration that is ongoing at the commission under the leadership of Mrs. Chinelo AnohuAmazu.

A copy of CPA’s petition which was made available to newsmen, read: “Mr. President, as you may be aware, the Pension Reform Act was enacted in 2004 for sustainable management of retirement benefits of citizens who worked within the public or private sectors of the federation. As at today, the accumulated pension assets stand at about N5.4 trillion. From that period to date, we want to assert that the commission has never been in the worst state than it is today.

“We affirm that the commission is bedeviled with multiple infractions, violations of the law and widespread corruption that warrant immediate and urgent attention of Mr. President.”

7

Kids having fun at Water Park, Ikeja during the Eid-elKabir celebration in Lagos… yesterday.

of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) that form the Enugu Province, expressed concern over the prevailing harsh economic situation and called on the Federal Government to urgently declare a state emergency in the sector.

In a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting attended by other delegates of the church and signed by the Provincial Chairman, Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma and Secretary, Venerable Augustine Orah, the church stated that it was unhappy that the minimum wage paid to Nigerians could no longer afford a bag of rice in the market.

“This is sad and the least of provocations that could be meted to the people. If the least paid worker earning N18,000 minimum wage cannot afford a bag of rice which now sells at N22,000 with his monthly earning, it means that something urgent must be done about the economy.”

N110.63bn The total amount of Imports from Belgium for the 2014 Q4.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

£104,000

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

The weekly salary of Emmanuel Adebayor of Tottenham Hotspur in 2014/2015.

Source: Paywizard.co.uk

Exercise reduces risk of cancer, Abubakar warns against infrastructure vandalism heart disease in drinkers Appolonia Adeyemi

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n an effort to reduce preventable deaths and disability, scientists have alerted that regular exercise can offset the harms of alcohol, including cancer and heart disease.

That is according to findings in a study published in the ‘British Journal of Sports Medicine’.

The researchers found that adults who drink regularly but do an hour’s physical activity a day are no more likely to die than people who do not drink alcohol.

Experts said exercise counteracts many of the harmful processes which occur in the body after drinking alcohol.

These include inflamma-

tion of the cells and a rise in certain hormone levels, which trigger cancer and other illnesses The findings by University College London and the University of Sydney researchers are further evidence of the enormous health benefits of exercise.

Earlier this Summer, a major international study found that an hour’s exercise a day offset the harms of a nine to five office live.

The study concluded: “Meeting the current physical activity public health recommendations (two and a half hours) offsets some of the cancer and all-cause mortality risk associated with alcohol drinking.

“Our results provide an additional argument for the role of physical activity as a

means to promote the health of the population even in the presence of other less healthy behaviours.”

Professor Matt Field, from the United Kingdom (UK) Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies at the University of Liverpool said: “This is a rigorous piece of research with some clear conclusions.

“The relationship between drinking alcohol to excess and increased risk of death is significantly weaker in people who are physically active.”

On his part, Professor Kevin McConway, an expert in statistics at the The Open University, said adults should not just assume they could drink as much as they wanted as long as they exercised.

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former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar,(rtd) yesterday advised Nigerians to stop vandalising infrastructural facilities provided by governments for the development of the nation.

Abubakar gave the advice at the Minna Central Mosque after the two Rakaat prayers for the Eid-el-Kabir.

“The ongoing destruction of our infrastructural facilities in the country is capable of hampering our development if it is not checked,’’ he said.

He appealed to individuals and groups engaged in such act to make their grievances known to government

by reporting to the appropriate authorities to address their issues, instead of taking the law into their hands.

The former Head of State said that meaningful development could only take place in a conducive environment.

“If we must develop, we must stop destruction of our facilities to enable us achieve greater heights,’’ he said.

Abubakar called on Nigerians to live in peace irrespective of their ethnic and religious affiliations.

He advised the people to support President Muhammadu Buhari to enable it provide dividends of democracy for the country.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO Undergraduate killed, dumped in lagoon ...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Dominic Adewole ASABA

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ody of David Kalu, a student of the Federal University of Petroleum, Warri, Delta State, has been found floating on the lagoon.

The police have, however, arrested a Hostel Manager at the university, William Odiete, the alleged murder of Kalu.

The police also arrested two students, Tega Waritoma and Abubakar Ogbebor, for allegedly participating in Kalu’s murder.

The victim, whose body was dumped in the lagoon near the university, had reportedly escaped being killed on two occasions.

Prior to his death, it was learnt, the victim allegedly had a quarrel with his roommate, Kalu Joseph, but the matter was reported to the hostel manager.

Sources said the manager later led some other workers of the hostel, as well as Waritoma and Ogbebor to the victim’s room, forcibly broke into the room, dragged him out and began to flog him. He, however, later managed to escape.

The victim also escaped being lynched when another attempt was made on his life by the same people, by scaling the fence of the hostel.

Confirming Kalu’s murder at the command headquarters in Asaba, the state Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim, said “he (the vic-

tim) managed to escape from the scene but his corpse was later found in nearby lagoon”.

The commissioner said since they broke into his room and mobbed him on two occasions, they were the prime suspects in the murder.

Zanna said as soon as the Homicide Section of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) completed discreet interrogation and tracked down other fleeing suspects, they would be charged to court.

He also recalled how three suspects impersonated lieutenant colonels to defraud the commanding officer of the 222 Battalion.

The commissioner gave the suspects’ names as Musa Bello, Matthew Uwamenye and Ebo (surname unknown).

According to him, troops of 19 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area nabbed Bello and Uwamenye and handed them over to the area commander in Warri.

He said they were going to Agbarah-Otor in Ughelli North Local Government Area with the intent to defraud the 222 ‘B’ commanding officer.

“For how long they have been in the fraudulent business, where they have operated in the past and how they got Army kits would be unravelled before they face the wrath of the law,” the commissioner added.

City Brief Flora Onwudiwe

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children’s park at the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has been named after former Coordinator Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs. Marcella Ahmadu.

The late Marcella was the wife

Ahmadu inaugurating the park

Ag, IG Ibrahim

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

50-year-old man defiles girl, 13 Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

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50-year-old man, Joseph Sunday, now in police custody, has allegedly defiled a 13-year-old girl at Ilaro, the headquarters of Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Sunday allegedly ambushed the girl on her way to fetch water and dragged her into an uncompleted building where he reportedly had carnal knowledge of her.

The state Acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Abeokuta yesterday.

According to Oyeyemi, the incident happened at Abule Taju area of Ilaro.

Following a complaint from the girls’ mother, the suspect was arrested, the police spokesman said.

The PPRO added that the suspect confessed to the crime upon interrogation.

He said the state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, had ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour unit of the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID) for further investigation.

He said: “The commissioner of police therefore appeals to parents to always be watchful of their children in order to prevent them from becoming victims in the hands of people with devilish intention.”

NAOWA names children’s park after late coordinator to the former Core Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Major General David Ahmadu.

The park was an initiative of the Coordinator of NAOWA, 35 Artillery Brigade, Hajia Rabi Danwalis.

When General Ahmadu was the

core commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, his wife, Marcella, was the coordinator of NAOWA. The deceased built the NAOWA Secretariat/Vocational Centre at Alamala. But her successor, Hajiya Danwalis, reconstructed the park and built NAOWA Children’s Park.

The park, located in the NAOWA Secretariat/Vocational Centre, was inaugurated by General Ahmadu.

In her welcome address, Hajiya Danwalis expressed gratitude to the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Mohammed Danwalis, and other senior Army officers for their support towards ensuring the successful completion of the park.

Ahmadu, who also toured the facilities, appreciated the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, for giving

them the needed support and granting them the privilege to execute the project.

The general also commended the initiative of the NAOWA members for the laudable project which, according to him, will stand the test of time.

He also thanked the NAOWA coordinator and members for naming the park after his late wife.

Ahmadu urged other commanding officers to emulate the laudable project and to replicate same in their respective barracks.

He said that the project would be beneficial to personnel and their families as well as the neighbouring communities.

The event also witnessed a novelty football match and presentation of songs by the Women Fellowship.

METRO

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Five die as vehicles collide on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Nollywood actor arrested for robbery Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

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t least, five people were feared dead yesterday when a Mazda bus and a Mitsubishi Space wagon collided at Ogunmakin in Ogun State.

A lady, who witnessed the accident, said the crash occurred when the Mazda bus heading to Ibadan from Lagos collided with the Space wagon which was on its way from Ibadan to Lagos.

The witness told New Telegraph that she counted four bodies in the Mazda bus and one in the Space wagon.

The crash, according to her, caused a gridlock as travellers stopped to help in removing the dead and the injured from the mangled vehicles.

“I saw one of the dead men twist like a doughnut while blood was gushing from another’s ears. The accident happened right before my eyes. I saw rescue going on in the worst manner,” she said in a WhatsApp message.

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Scene of the accident

Two Osun varsity undergraduates still missing

Eke

Camillus Nnaji

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wo undergraduates, Samuel Eke (25) and Robert Akinduro (26), declared missing at the Osun State University, since Monday last week are yet to be found.

Akinduro

Eke and Akinduro are 400 level Computer Science students at the university before they got missing last week. It was learnt they had left their hostel at Suzy area to Citadel Hostel about 11p.m. on Monday, but never returned. They had not

been seen by their parents, fellow students and relatives till date.

The President, Nigerian Association of Computer Science Students (NACOSS) in the university, Mr. Yusuf Oluwakalo, said Eke and Akinduro were said to have gone to Citadel Hostel to sort out their project issue but did not reach the hostel.

He said: “On Monday, they left their hostel to meet another guy at Citadel Hostel to sort out their project issue. Whether they took motorcycle or trekked, nobody knew, but the guy at Citadel Hostel confirmed they had contacted him via AhataApp message that they were on their way.”

Akinduro added that since they were nowhere to be found and their parents never saw them, the institutions authorities had reported the matter at Okebale Police Station.

“Subsequently, the matter has been reported to the Commissioner of Police in Osun, Mr. Femi Oyeleye.”

n Anambra born Nollywood star, Mr. Ifeanyi Azodo, has been arrested by the police in Onitsha for an alleged robbery.

The Area Commander of Onistha Police Area Command, Abubarkar Yahaya, confirmed Azodo’s arrest to journalists in his office.

He said: “There was a case against him and we just invited him to make statement and we released him on bail because it is a ‘bailable’ offence.

“If you want details of the matter, then go to the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO). Don’t quote me wrong, I said we had a case reported against him and we invited him for questioning and along the line we found out that he took laws into his hands and in the course of our investigation we found him wanting.

“However, we have recovered about 80 per cent of the missing items in relation with the matter and investigation is still ongoing.”

Asked when police would arraign Azodo, the area commander said that would depend on the outcome of investigation.

He added: “I said we are still investigating the matter. It is the conclusion of

Charles Onyekwere and Blessing Njoku

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The suspected robbers

ties ranging from armed robbery to burglary, among others.

The PPRO said the suspects were picked up at various loca-

tions following a tip-off from members of the public.

According to him, the police have commenced manhunt for

the investigation that will determine the next line of action.”

A top police officer, however, told our correspondent that owner of a hotel in Ontsha reported the case of robbery against Azodo.

According to investigation, Azodo invited a 30-yearold man into the hotel. During their discussion, there arose a misunderstanding between them which attracted the hotel management which invited the police.

The man, who gave his name simply as Stephen, did not speak on the cause of the argument.

He, however, gave his phone number and said he would not want to say anything about the matter until after the police concluded their investigation.

When contacted through a text message, Azodo replied: “Ya bro got ur message. Will call u once am done shooting.”

However, Azodo did not call at press time.

The PPRO, ASP Nkiru Nwode, confirmed Azodo’s arrest.

Nwode said that it was a case of robbery and not homosexual as being rumoured in some quarters.

“Yes there was a case of robbery reported against him. I did not see it as a homosexual; it was a case of robbery,” the PPRO added.

Azodo

Police arrest six suspected armed robbers

olice have arrested six notorious bandits who have been terrorising Opanda, Nimbo and Adani communities in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement that the suspected hoodlums were apprehended on Friday.

Amaraizu gave the names of the suspects as Ernest Umeh, Okwudili Ugwuoke, Sunday Agbo, Arinze Agu, Ezeata Ugochukwu and Nnamdi Ojobo.

According to him, the suspects are helping the police in their investigations in relation to their alleged nefarious activi-

9

the remaining fleeing gang members.

Amaraizu said the police recovered one cut-to-size locally-

made gun and two short axes from the suspects.

According to him, other items recovered from them include on television set, one DVD player, six handsets and a standing fan believed to have been stolen from their victims.

The leader of the gang, Umeh, said he regretted every bit of their actions.

Umeh also blamed Satan for their actions. He, however, promised not to follow the evil ways if he is left off the hook.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, has applauded the efforts of his men and the synergy between the police and members of the community.

He promised that the command under his watch would continue to partner communities, sister security agencies and all relevant stakeholders to ensure a safe and secure environment.

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News|NATIONAL

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

ICC to investigate complaints against Amnesty Int’l Tunde Oyesina Abuja

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he International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague, Nether-

lands, yesterday said it will investigate a criminal complaint against the activities of Amnesty International (AI), Nigeria, written by a civil society organisation, the Centre for Social Justice,

GLO’s TV drama amplifies importance of public hygiene s Professor Johnbull, (Elizabeth) Yomi Fash-Lanthe TV drama series so (Olaniyi), Mercy JohnA sponsored by Globacom son Okojie (Caro), Funky enters Week 9, the need for hygiene and proper disposal of wastes becomes the focal point today on NTA Network, NTA International on DSTV Channel 251 and NTA on StarTimes.

In the episode entitled “Mobile Dustbin,” viewers of the compelling societal sitcom will find out how daily acts by everyone in the society could impact positively or adversely on public hygiene.

According to the programme’s Executive Producer, Globacom, “Mobile Dustbin is not only as hilarious as other episodes before it, the moral lessons contained in this episode are the type needed at a time like this, when the issue of deteriorating public health has become an important topical issue in our society.”

Aside regular key actors including Kanayo O. Kanayo (Professor Johnbull), Queen Nwokoye

Mallam (Mai Doya), Ogus Baba (Samson) and Junior Pope as Churchill, talented Nollywood actor, O.C Ukeje makes a cameo appearance on the edition as Efosa.

How did the morally upright academic view his son’s apprehension for flouting the laws relating to public health? Will he shift his moral grounds or stick to his didactic stance?

What led to the official restriction placed on Olaniyi’s popular Nkwobi joint? Who else falls on the wrong side of sanitation laws? How will Caro handle Olaniyi’s persistent love overtures?

Viewers are enjoined

by Globacom to hook up with Professor Johnbull at 8.30pm today on NTA Network, NTA International on DSTV Channel 251 and NTA on StarTimes. Repeat broadcasts hold on Friday at the same time on the same NTA channels.

$5bn trapped in tax appeal tribunal Akeem Nafiu

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Lagos-based lawyer and tax expert, Mr. Donald Egho, has raised the alarm that more than $5 billion tax funds are currently trapped at the Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT).

It will be recalled that various panels of TAT recently wound up their operations in the month of May 2016, having completed their constitutionally-mandated tenure of six years.

Egho while speaking with newsmen in Lagos, said the huge amount of tax due to the federation were disputed taxes cur-

rently subject to litigation and pending before the TAT. He said: “The continued failure of the Federal Government to urgently reconstitute the various panels of TAT means those taxes due to the Federal Government will remain suspended for as long as there are no panels to adjudicate on the disputes; thereby robbing both the states and the Federal Government of urgently needed revenue.

“As long as taxes are disputed, they remain in a state of abeyance, pending determination, one way or the other by the tribunal,” he further said.

Equity and Transparency (CESJET) .

The ICC further said it had received the complaints by the petitioner requesting the Prosecutor of the court to open a criminal investigation into the activities of the international human rights organisation.

The acknowledgment letter with reference number OTP-CR+265/16 was dated September 9, 2016 and was signed by Mr. Mark Dillon, head of Information and Evidence in the Office of the Prosecutor, ICC. Dillon said in the letter that the court was in custody of a complaint by a civil society organisation from Nigeria, Prosecutor to open a criminal investigation into the activities of the international human rights organisation.

The letter reads in part; “Office of the ICC acknowledges the receipt of your

document/letter.

“This communication has been duly entered in the communication register of the office.

“We will give consideration as appropriate in accordance with the provision of the Rome Stature of ICC.” The CSO had dragged Amnesty International before the International Criminal Court over its report, which accused Nigeria of human rights violation.

In a petition submitted to the Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC), Madame Fatou Bensouda, CESJET, through its counsel, Edward Omaga, a Nigerian lawyer, said AI in promoting and protecting human rights, had derailed into an incendiary and partisan goal.

The petition reads in part, “Against the background of its 2015/2016 Annual Report in which it raises questions

Abuja

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he Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday said the corps has arrested and prosecuted 30 people for vandalising critical public assets, installations and pipelines in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja between January

and this month.

This was disclosed by the FCT Sector Commander, Patrick Ukpan, while highlighting the efforts of the corps to stem rising tide of vandalism in the FCT. The commander revealed that those caught were involved in the theft of various government assets and installations and electricity installations such as gadgets to power transformers, armoured cables as well

legal detentions, and statebacked maltreatment of citizens, call for holistic reforms of the structures and institutions of democracy.

“Indeed, there may be real or perceived cases of arbitrary brutalisation of persons by security officials but these cases must not be exaggerated to denigrate the sovereignty and humanity of a nation.”

CESJET said records would show that the murderous terrorist group called Boko Haram had killed more than 20,000 Nigerians in cold blood since 2012.

The group also said the Niger Delta Avengers had continued to breach the peace while destroying the infrastructure of Nigeria.

CESJET said “they do this on the strength of Amnesty International’s affirmation that terrorist groups are untouchable by the Nigerian government.”

L-R: President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, after the Eid el-Kabir prayers in Sokoto …yesterday

Minister threatens to cut off FCT hospitals from Abuja DISCO Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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he Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has threatened to take many hospitals owned by the FCT Administration off Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) if its obnoxious and propensity for estimated and inaccurate billing of customers

does not stop.

He told a high profile team of AEDC officials led by the company’s Managing Director, Ernest Mupwaya, who visited him last week that the reality was that all customers feel that estimated billing was unfair, revealing that he met a huge electricity bill that was questionable on the part of AEDC. Repeating that the trend of estimated billing was

NSCDC arrests 30 for vandalising public assets

Yekeen Nurudeen

on the appalling human rights situation across the globe and scores Nigeria low as an abuser of human rights, it is pertinent to state that the ombudsman mission of Amnesty International in promoting and protecting human rights has been derailed into an incendiary and partisan goal.

“For now, lopsided views, shortsighted and hasty conclusions, some not backed by facts are Amnesty International’s hallmark instead of bold objectivity in the pursuit of its vision.

“No doubt, international law and human norms demand that Nigeria as a state and Nigerians as a people eschew every form of man’s inhumanity to man. Hence perennial cases of police brutality, high-handedness by security officials, a criminal justice system which has failed, with many innocent citizens wasting away in il-

as oil pipeline vandalism.

While seeking public cooperation in unmasking more vandals, Ukpan said FCT residents should “be at alert all the time.

“I want to urge Abuja residents to be alert, don’t live carefree lives, be careful and report suspicious-looking movements to us or security agencies. Be cognisance of your environment always,” he said.

Ukpan also assured resi-

dents of the FCT of continued eagle-eyed diligence and dedication to duty by NSCDC personnel, saying the body had sectoral divisions manned by competent operatives who had present in all area councils of FCT. “Security is everyone’s business. We liaise with communities and residents should make prompt reports on suspicious moves by persons to us for immediate action,” he said.

unfair, the Minister said most of the projects in Abuja were national priority projects that needed electricity to be functional all the time.

Some of these he listed to include street lights and water supply facilities which must be on always, regretting that there was no reason why electricity to water facilities should be shut down, an unsavory development that makes water supply irregular.

Considering the imperative of 24-hour water supply at the Lower Usuma Dam, Bello said his administration had to go off the national grid to get alternative power supply to power the dam’s facilities so that residents would enjoy uninterrupted water supply.

The Minister, however, gave the assurance that the FCTA would pay AEDC N500 million based on verified bills for which reconciliation has been made, adding that “we

will work towards the target of three months to be able to work on all these reconciliations, because your figure and ours have a difference of about N1 billion.”

Advising AEDC to differentiate between priority national projects and others, Bello told the AEDC team that FCT, being the nation’s capital, required a lot of power for its many projects.

But I’m assuring you that we have what it takes to pay, and I urge AEDC, however, to “be fair in your billing and give us discount,” he said.

Affirming that estimated billing was totally unacceptable, the Minister said having checked the estimated bills for FCTA against the cost of using diesel, it was economically to go off the grid, even as he requested AEDC to set aside a team of about two or three that would be in charge of Abuja street lights.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ebonyi Umahi's peace accord

Politics CHUKWU DAVID reports on the stunning revelation made recently by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang that the country's annual budgets and other bills in the last 17 years were passed by the National Assembly in breach of the provisions of the constitution

Interview Integrity of Edo poll depends on INEC – Nehikhare

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

16

NASS and illegality of Appropriation Act

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he constitution is the grundnorm of every nation. It spells out how the citizens, institutions and all the substrata of a country should operate in order to ensure harmony, peace and progress of the system.

Flowing from this axiom, the operations of the National Assembly as the highest lawmaking institution in Nigeria, are also strictly provided for and guided by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

However, it is shocking to note that these provisions notwithstanding; the apex legislative body has been operating in defiance to the constitution in the last 17 years of the present democratic governance.

This stunning revelation came recently, when the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held its annual conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

At the conference, the Legislative Lawyers Forum was given opportunity to make some presentations, and it was revealed that the lawmakers inadvertently turned lawbreakers, while carrying out their legislative functions.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) and member of the Legislative Lawyers Forum, Senator Ita Enang, presented a position paper on the

13

Bukola Saraki, Senate President

theme: “Fresh perspectives in legislative practice: Who makes the law, legislature in session, committees or legislators' bureaucracy?.”

In his presentation, Enang submitted that all the laws including the appropriation acts in the last 17 years of the nation's return to civil rule, were passed by the National Assembly in violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The presidential aide, who was a member of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2011, and a member of the Senate from 2011 to 2015, said he observed that all the national budgets passed by the apex assembly within these years including the 2016 Appropriation Act, did not follow due legislative process as specified by the constitution.

He said as practiced in the current dispensation since 1999, it was the legislators' bureaucracy and not the legislature in session that always made the laws by making the final draft of such laws, with additional inputs before forwarding such bills already passed by legislature in session to the president or governor for assent through the clerk to the parliament.

Enang also faulted the way and manner appropriation bills of the country had been considered and passed by the National Assembly over the years by only focusing on major sectoral allocations in the budget proposals alone, while considering the proposals in session.

According to him, the lawmak-

Enang

The apex legislative body has been operating in defiance to the constitution in the last 17 years of the present democratic governance

ers usually left other details of the budget as contained in the attached schedule to appropriation committees of both chambers to consider and approve for the affected government agencies and parastatals.

He said: “The first principal question is: When a bill has been passed by the legislature in session – state House of Assembly or National Assembly – can the legal draftsman or clerk of the Assembly re-draft, add, edit, clean, or in any manner alter the bill different from what is reflected in the votes and proceedings or the hansard of the legislative House in certifying to the president or governor for assent for bill to become law under the Acts Authentication Act? My answer is in the negative.

“The second principal question is: can the legislature be said to have passed an Appropriation Bill or any bill at all, when it passes the body or principal or indeed the frame of the act but leaves the schedule - the detail in the case of the Appropriation Act, to be worked on by the Committees on Appropriation of the Senate and House of Representatives in the case of the National Assembly or indeed by the chairmen of the committees. The answer is in the negative.

“Can the schedule to a bill, in this case the appropriations details which is not contained in the votes and proceedings of a legislative House, passed in the plenary or committee of supply and certified by the clerk to the National

Assembly or of the state House of Assembly as such, be said to be passed by the Assembly and can it be enforceable as a law?

“Can a legislator: Senate president, speaker of the House of Representatives or speaker of a State House of Assembly or chairman of a committee, in this case chairmen of Appropriation committees sign or in any manner certify the budgets of the agencies under their oversight jurisdictions under the act (Authentication Act) in addition to or independent of the clerk to the National Assembly or the state House of Assembly? I again answer in the negative.”

Enang said a classic example of such wrong practice as raised in the first poser, was the 2016 Appropriation Bill, containing approved provisions of the 2016 budget passed by the National Assembly in March this year, a final draft of which contained added expression or phrase not made in session by the Senate at the passage of the bill as shown in its records of votes and proceedings to that effect.

His words: “There is the common practice that after a bill may have been passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, the legal department now re-drafts the bill, perhaps changing certain words to give it a presentation in a legal draftsman’s perfect legislative draft. This in my view is inconsistent with the provisions of the law.

“An example is found in Clause 1(iii) of Senate Votes and Proceedings (1) of Wednesday March 23, 2016, which states: “No part of the amount afore said shall be released from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation after the end of the year mentioned in subsection (1) of this section.

“The bills as passed are reflected in the votes and proceedings and any drafting that introduces even a comma, or full stop or indeed the wordings that make the certified different from what is contained in the votes as passed on the floor contaminates and makes it devoid of what was passed in plenary on the authority of the mace in session. This practice appears age-long in Nigeria and to my knowledge from 1999 -2016.”

The presidential aide therefore, suggested that rather than allowing legal draftsmen who are members of legislators' bureau under the clerk to the National Assembly CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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POLITICS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Obaseki promises better healthcare for Edo people

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ith increasing reports of Lassa fever cases across the country, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 28 Edo gubernatorial election in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has charged health officials in the state to strengthen epidemiology surveillance and response in order to curtail the spread of the disease while promising to boost healthcare facilities for improved service delivery when elected governor.

Obaseki made the charge when he received a group of young medical students, who paid him a courtesy visit in Benin City.

In his address to the students, he noted that boosting education and improving healthcare delivery in the state are a critical part of his prosperity agenda for Edo people.

On the topical public health issue of Lassa fever, Obaseki said: “Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital is one of only two hospitals in Nigeria with functional laboratories for testing and confirmation of Lassa fever disease, and we must leverage on the institution’s expertise to ensure an adequate statewide response in case of an outbreak.

“We must not wait till there is an epidemic in Edo State before we take action. With the rising cases of Lassa fever across the country – including neighboring Delta – health institutions in the state must remain vigilant, and increase epidemiology surveillance and response so as to prevent an outbreak.

We must also pay more attention to sanitizing our environment and keeping our homes and communities clean. Improved personal hygiene will also go a long way in keeping our families safe and in good health.”

The APC flagbearer acknowledged the re-

markable efforts of the current administration in revitalizing healthcare institutions in the state while promising: “Our administration will continue the good works of Governor Oshiomhole by ensuring that our hospitals are equipped with modern health care facilities and staffed with sufficient and well trained care givers for better service delivery.”

In another development, Obaseki insists the leadership skill of individuals vying for the governorship seat is vital in who wins the poll.

Obaseki stated this during a tour of the Benin Technical College.

According to him, ‘leadership is very important, that is the key issue in this election. Who do we give power to, what is his background, what has he done before especially if he has been in power, what are his achievements?

“We must ask these questions because a leopard doesn’t change its spot.

So, it is important this election is not going to be about money but our future. In the last eight years, the leadership of the state has started something that the people can see. Why do we want to change what is already working?

The APC candidate added: “I know there are personal complains about the government but at least we agree that government have done roads. With time, by the grace of God, all the roads will be done. As the next governor, we know how to build roads, schools, we know how many we have done and those we have not done and we already have a plan over a period to ensure that the works continue."

He said that aside building infrastructures across the three senatorial districts of the state, the people would be the major focus by the incoming government of the APC.

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

or clerks to state Houses of Assembly as the case may be, to tamper with bills after passage during final drafts, a legal draftsman should be attached to every committee or bill for perfection in drafting to be done on such bills before final passage by legislature in session.

“The solution would be to attach a legal draftsman to every committee or bill, so that the perfection in drafting or cleaning could be done by the draftsman before it is considered in committee of the whole. And for a bill that has differences and is committed to conference of the House and Senate, it should be done at the stage of the Conference Committee.

“This will ensure greater detail and depth in the legislator when Bills are being considered in committee of whole

PDP wants prosecution of APC members caught with arms Stories by Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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do State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has slammed the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Henry Idahagbon, for allowing some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) caught with firearms to go free, saying this was a travesty of justice that would embolden them to further perpetrate heinous acts.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Ne-

Obaseki

hikhare, said in a statement that the travesty of justice is the more offensive to the PDP against the backdrop that its members have been relentlessly harassed, arrested and charged to court on trumped up charges.

The statement said: “The attention of the Edo State PDP has been drawn to the development whereby five thugs known to be regular escorts and personal driver of the member representing Orhionmwon/ Uhunmwode Federal Constituency, Hon. Patrick Aisowieren , who were arrested by the police for being in possession of AK47

Edo DECIDES

automatic assault rifles, ostensibly for wreaking havoc in the rescheduled Edo State governorship election, have been charged to a magistrate's court in Abudu for bail without mention of the illegal possession of firearms.

“It beats the imagination, therefore, that the

Ize-Iyamu

police would be creating a leeway for potential felons to escape justice. We cannot but impute political bias in this matter because the suspects are members of the ruling APC. “We consider this action of the police and the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Henry Idahagbon, as being counter to the public interest because allowing these hoodlums to go free would embolden them in the perpetration of their heinous crimes. We hereby call on the police authorities and Idahagbon to serve the course of justice by properly charging them to court.”

Onaiwu

APGA candidate seeks further shift of poll T he governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Edo State Mr. Osaro Onaiwu, yesterday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to further shift the poll to an “earliest possible date of October 1,” Oniwu’s call is coming in spite of INEC's postponement of the election from September 10 to 28, which has elicited mixed reactions from concerned stakeholders.

The APGA candidate predicated his call on the fact that Edo students participating in the current General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination would write Physics on the new date of the election.

He noted that the shift he was advocating will enable the students take part in the election after their exams.

He said education was number one pillar in APGA manifesto, even as he revealed that some of

the students have threatened to sue INEC if they were prevented from voting in the election.

On the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that it was on the verge of winning when the election was postponed, Onaiwu queried: "How do they know? Do they have everybody's PVC?" He took a swipe at the PDP for insisting that the election should have been allowed to go on, saying: "Are we going to wait for what happened in Rivers?

PDP is crying because they know what we don't know. Since security agencies said the election was not possible, everybody should abide by it."

Onaiwu who is confident that he will win at least 12 out of the 18 local government areas of the state, said the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and PDP are unpopular, pointing out that the feeling that the two parties were front runners in the election, was a creation of the media.

NASS and illegality of Appropriation Act and will give the legislator the ‘ownership’ of the act when assented to", he explained.

On the second poser, Enang said since a bill especially the Appropriation Bill includes the schedule containing full details of the budget sector by sector, both supposed to be thoroughly considered and passed by legislature in session, regardless of days or weeks that might take it, as against just passing the major sectoral allocations alone and leaving the schedule to respective appropriation committees to handle and send to various ministries or agencies in form of approval.

He alerted that the prevailing practice was contrary to extant laws of the land and rules of the parliament, thereby

making it illegal for any committee of the parliament to make laws or pass resolutions on its behalf.

Enang said that the practice was against the provisions of the constitution because at that point, the schedule could not be said to be passed by the National Assembly, saying, "under the Acts Authentication Act, it is only that which is passed by the National Assembly that can be certified by the Clerk to the National Assembly as provided for in Section 1 (2), 2 (1) (2) (3) and 3 (1).

He also cited sections 58(5), 55(4), and 62(3) and 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to buttress his point.

“By the authority of section 62(4) of

the constitution, the National Assembly cannot delegate to her Committees on Appropriations, Land Transport, FCT, and all other Committees the power to pass the schedule to the Federal Appropriation or the schedules thereof that are to be considered and passed by her at the committee of a whole or supply,” he stressed.

With the exposition of this legislative illegality, it is imperative for the members of the National Assembly to go back to the drawing board and critically examine this procedural error and correct it forthwith, so that Nigerians and indeed, the implementing agencies of government will accord the needed respect to acts of the apex parliament.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

UCHENNA INYA writes on how Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State brokered peace between Ezillo and Eza-Ezillo communities in Ishielu Local Government Area, which have been devastated by war by an eight-year communal war that claimed over 100 lives and property worth millions of naira

POLITICS

Umahi's peace accord

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he saying that a threat to peace anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere may have been taken into consideration by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State in the protracted Ezillo-Ezza/Ezillo communal war when he proclaimed peace in the area and planted a tree to demonstrate the need for lasting peace in the area.

The two communities have lived in peace; inter-married until May 10, 2008, when they took up arms against themselves. Trouble, which started between two men from Ezillo and Ezza, respectively over the erection 4x4metres thatched telephone booth, escalated on December 31, 2013 when over 70 people were massacred.

Pregnant women had their wombs ripped open, while children and other persons were slaughtered like animals. The Divisional Crime Officer in charge of Ishielu Local Government, a director in the Federal Ministry of Environment and indigene of Cross River State and other notable persons were among the victims. The killing of the top civil servant would have sparked off an inter-state crisis between Ebonyi and Cross River states but for the intervention of the Federal Government.

The Ministry of Environment official was killed alongside some of his family members while returning home for the yuletide season of that year. It was a gory site to behold as dead bodies littered the area with heads of the victims shattered with cutlasses and bullets. Some of the victims were burnt alive with their families in their vehicles while travelling along the highway.

Vehicular and human movements were halted along the Ishielu federal highway as warlords took over the road and unleashed mayhem on passers-by and motorists.

Travellers had to take Agba/Isu/ Onicha road to Enugu and other neigbouring states before getting to their destinations.

Security agents including soldiers and mobile policemen were drafted from Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa and other neighbouring states by the Federal Government to beef up security in the state and reclaim the federal highway blocked by the warlords.

The then state government said it was spending N70 million weekly to maintain the security agents. Some of the policemen drafted into the area were abducted and not seen till today.

The communal war became source of worry to all and sundry while the state government built a military post to checkmate the crisis. Other several efforts were equally made to find lasting solu-

Representatives of the warring communities signing the peace accord in Abakaliki. Inset: Umahi

tion to the crisis and resettle those affected but to no avail as people were abducted and killed secretly.

The war portrayed the state in bad light before the nation and international community.

However, while campaigning for his election last year, Umahi promised to restore lasting peace to the two communities and resettle displaced persons. Upon his election, the governor took the first step by securing the release of all those sent to prisons over their alleged involvement in the crisis. He followed it up with the setting up of 27-man Peace Committee comprising of 11 persons each from the two warring communities after meeting with stakeholders of the communities, who issued a 12-point communiqué on the best way to bring lasting peace to the area.

The peace committee was later reconstituted to a 10 member committee and chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, to continue to meet with stakeholders from the two communities and security agencies. The reconstituted committee was mandated to examine the position papers of the Ezillo and Ezza Ezillo leaders on the 2008 government white paper and propose a way forward.

The committee submitted its report on August 15. It made nine recommendations to the government. The State Executive Council meeting later constituted a 40-man Review Committee on the recommendations of the report. The review committee adopted all the nine recommendations of the Peace Committee for implementation.

The recommendations are “that the landmass situated at ‘Egu-Echara’ be increased from 317 hectares offered by the immediate past administration of the state to 500 hectares to resettle Ezza-Ezillo people including the displaced Ezza-Ezillo who are at the Enugu side of the Ebonyi River. This settlement is not to be considered autonomous community from Ezillo community.

“Permanent physical landmark like road is to be created as boundary between Ezillo and Ezza-Ezillo

There can be no development in atmosphere of rancour and bitterness, suspicion and anger

settlement within Ezillo community to forestall any further disputes. Ezza-Ezillo people are to enjoy equal rights and privileges enjoyed by Ezillo people within the entire Ezillo community. Ezza-Ezillo people should wholly respect the culture and tradition of Ezillo people.”

Consequent to this, Ebonyi State government pledged to pay compensation to families of those who lost their loved ones during the protracted crisis. And on September 5, history was made when 50 representatives from each of the warring communities signed a peace accord.

The event which took place at the instance of two ministers; Prof. Isaac Adewole of Health and Chief Audu Ogbeh of Agriculture, who inaugurated N350 million Lassa Fever Hospital constructed by the Umahi administration and flag off of the state agricultural programme – One man, one hectare – respectively, came after Governor Umahi planted a tree at the buffer zone symbolising enduring peace in the area.

The two communities later exchanged gifts to the admiration of the mammoth crowd that thronged the Abakaliki Township Stadium, where the event took place.

In his addressed during the event, Umahi said mercenaries were imported into the communities, which was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people during the protracted crisis.

His words: “The machineries were recruited by enemies of peace in the state as the Ezillo and EzzaEzillo people co-habited for ages and ordinarily regarded as brothers until the sad event occurred.

“When a part of the body is sick, the whole body suffers! If there is insecurity in any part of the state, the entire state is affected. So, when we came on board, we were actually conscious of the need to find a lasting solution to the seemingly intractable crisis in the Ezillo community.

It was manifestly clear to us that for peace to reign in the community, justice, fair play and the fear of God must be enthroned. ‘’By the powers vested in my office as the governor of Ebonyi State,

I hereby proclaim that the 500 hectares of land better described in the land demarcation with abuttal’s and delineation in the survey plan of the Ministry of Land and Housing and in line with the mutual agreement of Ezillo and Ezza-Ezillo be used to resettle all Ezza-Ezillo people within Ezillo community and in accordance with the recommendations of the Peace Committee and adopted by the Review Committee.

“This decision, taken in the interest of peace and unity, calls for sacrifices on the part of the people of Ezillo and Ezza-Ezillo, as well as the government including all that love peace for the well-being of Ezillo community and Ebonyi state in general. Government shall deal decisively with anyone that seeks to turn the hands of the clock backwards.

“This proclamation supersedes and overrides every other action or thing done in relation to the Ezillo and Ezza-Ezillo crisis by the previous administration through the broadcast of October 2, 2008, made by the former Governor, Chief Martin Elechi.”

He promised to compensate owners of properties destroyed during the communal war. “We are going to find a way to assist those who lost their loved ones. Some of the people lost their properties and we are not happy about this. So, we are on top of negotiation with them on the best approach to rehabilitate them, compensate them and reunite them as our brothers and sisters.

“There can be no development in atmosphere of rancour and bitterness, suspicion and anger. One of the virtues of a Christian is the ability to forgive. If you can't forgive honestly, I can’t take you seriously as a Christian, whether you are a minister or not.

“You can only develop by the reason of the peace you seek. You can only prosper by the reason of the love you share with one another. We are one people, one destiny, the same God,” he said.

With the Peace Accord signed by the warring communities, it is the expectation of all that peace has come to stay in the area.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion The pathway to freedom My Word CLEM AGUIYI totalpolitics@ymail.com 0803-474-7898 (sms only)

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or those who think I am a wailer because I write about the marginalization of the South East by the Buhari regime based on the unwritten rule to systematically destroy the region by starving it of social and developmental infrastructures let me make it clear that I do not scream and kick because I can stop this abuse of power, injustices and prejudices against us. I understand my helplessness.

I don’t protest so that those who are prejudice against us can have a change of heart as they lack capacity to change, but so that those in position to build a new Nigeria may understand the challenges they must overcome assuming truly they desire a nation bound in peace and unity.

I write so that the world would be aware of what is happening and factor it into their response to those who disagree with the ignorant, vindictive and sectarian policies of the current regime in Nigeria.

Despite what is said and unsaid about the Igbo by people who have no clue about nation building, I know in my heart that we are people who love and believe in Nigeria. We have made more contributions to the development of all sectors and sections of Nigeria than any other group. In giving our everything to Nigeria all that we ask is peace and freedom. We desire a Nigeria that is at peace with itself, where every citizen can reach the zenith of their dreams irrespective of class, creed or religion. Like every fair minded individual we desire a nation that is fair to all.

In the absence of a peaceful Nigeria where all citizens can co-exist without killing each other under the guise of culture shock or religion then we desire to live in freedom in

the land of the rising sun given to our fathers

by God the creator.

Rather than address the Igbo question, President Muhammadu Buhari was reported to have told a BBC Hausa service programme that the Igbo hate him because he killed them during the civil war, that he will not apologize to them and that if need be , he will kill them again to keep Nigeria one.

I doubt that the veracity of the above statement but if it is true, then we the Igbo must be prepared to pay the price of peace in Nigeria and the price of freedom in our own nation because so long as there’s breath in us from our breast; so long as the Lord lives; so long as our hope are not lost and so long as we are Igbo we must cherish our freedom in the land of the rising sun.

I have chosen to work for peace in Nigeria and for the freedom of our people. I want all those who desire peace and freedom to know they do not come free. There’s a price to be paid for freedom. We must understand that this is not an easy road. It will get tough and it will get rough but if we don’t give up, that day will come! And the tears will be the tears of fulfilled rejoicing!

Dr. Eke Eke who is one of the most cerebral and logical minds I have come across summarized my worries hence I share his thought below so that we can all be inspired and to know that peace and freedom have a price. The price of freedom is what Nnamdi Kanu is paying.

His plight is not different from the risks taken by all those who in history fought for freedom.

We may condemn him now but posterity will not condemn him for standing for his people.

The cost of what one believes or intends to do have been the determinant factor in whether he succeeds or fails, as only those prepared to pay the price of success succeed.

'For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he has sufficient to finish it? Luke 14:28 The Igbo say that 'Those who go to war, do not fear death.

'For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Matt. 15:25'

We desire a Nigeria that is at peace with itself

Both peace and freedom are invaluable and at the same time costly. Often, the love one has for his people or country is shown in their preparedness to pay the ultimate price if required.

Jesus recognized this and summed it as the ultimate demonstration of love.

Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:23' During the Second World War, many people willingly paid the ultimate price to secure the freedom we enjoy today. The words of John Maxwell Edmunds immortalized at the Kohima epitaph sums up the price of freedom and show of ultimate love.

“When you go Home, tell them of us and say; ‘For your Tomorrow, we gave our Today” John Maxwell Edmunds 1916 According to Dr. Eke. ‘The single litmus test for true and honest leadership, which has no deceit, is the preparedness to pay the ultimate price. I call it the Mandela Test. 'My freedom is inseparable from the freedom of my people'. A leadership that sees its welfare and happiness as inseparable from the welfare and happiness of the people is what Jesus meant, when he talked about the good Sheperd.

For several years, ANC, behaved towards Apartheid the way Igbos are behaving today towards, corruption, islamisation and Fulani terror.’

"Who will deny that thirty years of my life have been spent knocking in vain, patiently, moderately, and modestly at a closed and barred door? What have been the fruits of moderation? The past thirty years have seen the greatest number of laws restricting our rights and progress, until today we have reached a stage where we have almost no rights at all." Chief Lutuli, President of ANC 1953 and winner of Nobel Price for Peace.

Anyone, who is not prepared to lose his life for the good of his people and what he believes is right, honest ,loving and of good report is an imposter. However, this must not be through recklessness, it must be when other peaceful and non-violent means have been exhausted’.

This is the path we must follow!

Blasphemy: Time to end this psychosis Adekoya Boladale

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hristiana Oluwatoyin Oluwasesin, Florence Chukwu, Abdullahi Umaru, Methodus Chimaije Emmanuel, Bridget Agbaheme and Eunice Elisha all have one thing in common; they were gruesomely murdered in cold blood by religious fanatics acting on the disguise of impulsive cerebral dysfunction termed blasphemy.

For Christiana, a mother of two and teacher at the Government Secondary School in Gombe, all that was needed to end her life was the allegation that she touched the bag of her student which contained a Quran and such act interprets to a direct defilation of the Holy Book. She was dragged out of her classroom by ‘Allahu Akbar’ chanting students and beaten to death.

In a similar fate, Florence, a Christian teacher in Bauchi State met the wrath of her students when she confiscated a copy of the Quran from a student who was reading it during an English class. She did not only pay with her life but for that single act

twenty other Christians in the school were also executed by the students.

While Abdullahi was beheaded in Kebbi for his alleged provocative utterances against Prophet Muhammad, Methodus Emmanuel’s post on Facebook cost him his life. Can we forget in a hurry, the recent story of Mrs Bridget, whose only sin was advising a customer to move forward a bit from the entrance of her shop before performing the Ablution? Bridget was lynched to death by fanatic mob while her husband watched helplessly.

Mrs Eunice was hacked to death by errant mob in the Federal Capital Territory who felt uncomfortable with her early morning sermon about her faith.

To them, such disturbance is unforgivable and the adequate reward is nothing but death.

What about the undocumented eight students who lost their lives over a mere argument at the Audu Gusau Polytechnic in Zamfara?

The unabated summary execution of Nigerians under the disguise of defending a religious belief remains one of the most disgusting failures of government in protecting the sacredness

of humanity. It is most shocking that perpetrators of these horrendous acts are not only unchecked but armed by section 204 of Nigeria’s Criminal Code.

As a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the legalization of blasphemy by our Criminal Code contradicts Article 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 18 and 19 of that declaration on which basis Section 38 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) were written.

A dissect of the aforementioned Criminal Code shows clearly wide lacunae. The section states: “Any person who does an act which any class of persons consider as a public insult on their religion, with the intention that they should consider the act such an insult, and any person who does an unlawful act with the knowledge that any class of persons will consider it such an insult, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is liable to imprisonment for two years” The section fails to provide answers to some fundamental questions on which premises fanatics have continue to operate. By failing to describe the act(s) which constitute an insult to religion, the law offers a get-out-of-jail-free-card

to disgruntled elements who are at liberty to determine what is an insult or what is not. As in cases aforementioned, touching of a bag containing the Quran, posting on social media amongst others may be viewed as an insult.

The phrase ‘any class of persons’ is erroneous as it indicates that any individual, either with in-depth knowledge of the religion or not can determine what blasphemy is. What this interprets to is that what it takes to arrest or kill (as in most cases) is a baseless accusation by someone without adequate knowledge of the supposed crime.

I believe it is merely intellectual laziness that our country still concerns itself with religion when making laws.

While the argument is that laws are product of Custom, the neglect of native religions in the formation of the constitution erodes this argument. For Nigeria, imbibing Christianity and Islam as the basis of customary law contradicts Africanism which itself is the basic law.

• Boladale (Twitter @Adekoyabee) is based in Lagos, Nigeria

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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A governor's soothing balm

buru, one of the towns in Ebonyi state blessed with enough natural resources to boost the nations economy in this period of diversification is in the news for the very wrong reason. Teenager, Uzoamaka Chukwu, became the object of ridicule in the hands of a group of men old enough to be her guardian.

T he 14-year-old Junior Secondary School [JSS] Two student was stripped of decency, dragged on a muddy turf like a common criminal and forced to confess to acts she never perfor med while her tormentors recorded the scene and uploaded it for the world to watch.

Uzoamaka named her persecutors as Ogbonnaya Ene Odi, Coordinator of Ohaozara Development Center, his younger brother, Enekwachi and some policemen hired by the politician. These beasts in the form of men tortured this kid and posted the drama claiming it was done to her by the father who met the minor sleeping with a man in the family house.

The evil becomes hurting when one realizes that the poor little girl is indeed an orphan living in the village with her grandmother. Her uncle, Uchechukwu Agwu, while lamenting the inhumanity said he sent Uzoamaka to Uburu to keep his mother company.

Uzoamaka’s elder sister, Ukamaka Edna Chukwu, wept uncontrollably insisting that contrary to the reasons given by the men, her sibling was not wayward. “ She could not have done what they said she

did. They are deliberately telling lies against her just to damage her image. I know that God will punish them but I also want justice for my sister,” Ukamaka said.

The trumped up charges included sleeping with different shades of men from within and outside the community thereby disturbing public peace. There were many other girls who were adjudged guilty even without trial and would have suffered similar fate. They ran away from the town and the rabid panelists, before they could be apprehended.

Justice will definitely come.

Ebonyi state governor, David Umahi has swung into action . After condemning the act through his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, the gover nor visited the home of the

from Ebonyi when the governor visited, representatives of the family promised to bring her back to continue with her education.

Before the governor’s visit, Uzoamaka had found home and scholarship elsewhere. According to Okorie: “Uzoamaka has settled into the home of Ms Rita Nnenna Anoh, Group Managing Dirctor [GMD] , Veroz Group.

She is her benefactor. Accordingly, her full scholarship to university level has been activated. In addition, Uzoamaka

Before the governor’s visit, Uzoamaka had found home and scholarship elsewhere

Chukwus in Uburu.” Governor Umahi will not, in anyway, condone the violation of the rights of any Ebonyi resident, especially minors, by anyone, be he in government or the private sector,” the statement said.

Member of the Federal House of Representatives for Ohaozara, Onicha, Ivo, Linus Okorie, also joined in condemning the despicable act. Like many all over the globe he got to know through the social media.

Umahi has since matched his word with action by awarding scholarship to Uzoamaka. Although the girl was far away

is now a bona fide member of the peaceful and blessed home of Ms Anoh, who recently emerged the Most Celebrated Female Pe r s o n a l i t y of the Year during this year’s Nigeria Role Models Award in

Lagos.”

The traumatized girl will have to live with this humiliation at least for now. Her reaction to the governor’s gesture did not come as a surprise. She said she was happy with her new home and would not like to go back to Uburu.

Only time will heal her wounds, if we take into consideration the shame she was put through.” The coordinator asked them to strip me inside his sitting room. Thereafter, he brought a bottle of Rock hot drink and started pouring it all over my body, after which

they thoroughly beat me. The content of the hot drink made the flogging worse, it was just like my entire body was laced with pepper, “ Uzoamaka said.

The Odis and the policemen who violated this girl have not only been arrested, they have been charged to court. It shows that Umahi believes in the rule of law and has no intention of standing in the way of justice simply because a government official is involved. And like he promised, the law will take its course.

We commend the governor for rising to condemn the dastardly act. By visiting Uzoamaka’s family, it shows that he is concerned about the people he governs no matter their position. Where some other governors would have played politics, the Ebonyi governor chose the path of justice.

There must be a middle way between the gover nor’s gesture and her new found home. That will be the job of Uzoamaka’s family especially, her mater nal uncle who became her guardian following the parents’ death. She is still a baby in the realm of psychology and it is this same weapon that should be applied in shaping her future.

For those who made Uzoamaka go through hell, a more painful verdict awaits them.

There is no power from the government to protect them.

Governor Umahi has rightly shamed their action, an act which in itself rubbishes their alleged boast that nothing would happen to them while they assaulted the girl.

Simply put, no one is above the law.

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16

POLITICS

Mr. Chris Nehikhare is the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State. In this interview with CAJETAN MMUTA, he speaks on the forthcoming governorship election in the state, among other issues

Having toured round the nooks and crannies of Edo State, what do you think is the chance of your party, in the governorship poll?

We as a party have actually gone round the 192 wards and the candidate on his own had also gone round all the wards.

The interesting part of all these is that the feedbacks we are getting are actually very interesting and we are very glad and I will like to thank Edo people for the feedback and responses we are getting from them that the campaign train came to their neighbourhood. They told us the challenges they are having and we promised them that our government will stop multiple taxations, levies and extortion which the people are experiencing. We will work directly with people, encouraging them and making their businesses thrive in terms of public-private partnership.

The government that is coming in is going to encourage it, create an enabling environment which is going to be possible because of the security system we are going to put in place.

These are the issues in the simple agenda of the incoming PDP-led government but our joy today is the response we are getting from the people. We want to thank the people and we want them to come out on that day to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to effect a change in the party and government that is ruling the state. We will not emphasize that enough because people must come out on the Election Day. It is very bad that only 28 per cent of registered voters come out to vote in Edo South during last elections. So, we want them to this time to increase that to at least 60 percent of registered voters. We are confident that PDP will win the election if things work out well.

How prepared is your party to end the reign of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State?

The integrity of the election is dependent on the transparency of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and from what we are seeing right now INEC is not offering a level playing field yet but we will still give them chance. We have the information that INEC is working with the ruling party and giving them information and in the process giving them advantage over us. We don't have problem with

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Integrity of Edo poll depends on INEC – Nehikhare the electorate coming out to vote.

We believe they will come out to vote for the PDP. We have no problem with the results being announced at the polling units, we believe the proper results will be announced at the polling units.

Where we may have a little challenge is at the collation center where the results from the various polling units will be collated both manually and also from the new electronic system but we don't know these people are and I think we deserve to know. This is not just for the PDP but to every political party that is interested in the election, a meeting should be called to meet all these collation officers discuss with them to list out the rules of engagement.

Do you have trust in INEC for credible poll in Edo considering that previous elections by the electoral commission ended inconclusive?

It all depends on INEC. Our duty is to mobilize not only our party supporters but also the electorate to go and vote for the PDP on the Election Day and that is what we are doing. It is INEC that is going to be in charge of collating and announcing the results but it is also important at this point to state that as a political party, we have people in place in every unit where results will be announced. We are going to take record of those results and publish them ourselves. If INEC or the ruling party has anything to hide by wanting to change the result at the collation centre, they want to cause chaos.

I believe that the integrity of this election depends on the position and behaviour of INEC. We as a party believe in non violence, we are not going to take the laws into our hands but that doesn't mean our rights should be trampled upon. We are going to follow the rules of the game, go out, vote and wait for our votes to be counted, announced and go home to sleep.

But where we will get worried is when people tell us that APC has said that they are going to rig and write the results and they are now calling us to come and defend the votes.

I don't want to be defending votes, I want INEC to defend the votes but one thing for sure is that we will not leave the collation center unless the results of the units are recorded the way they are from the units. Let INEC also tell the military that if t h e y t r y to attempt t o chase anybody away from

If INEC or the ruling party has anything to hide by wanting to change the result at the collation centre, they want to cause chaos

the collation center because they delay the results into the night, they will meet a very strong resistance. We know that was the formula they used in Imo State and that was why results were changed at the point of collation and that was why PDP lost at the senatorial rerun that was held in Imo. We will not allow that to take place here in Edo. Election will be done peacefully and result will be announced peacefully. We are peaceful people but if there is any forced to be used both by INEC or the military in support of the government, we will resist with our blood.

INEC, police and soldiers should be aware that for election to hold peacefully, materials have to reach the polling centers on time. This is not the first time elections are holding in Edo State, therefore materials must arrive the polling centers on time. We expect INEC officials to arrive polling centers and units on or before 8 o'clock to take place as well as the accreditation of voters which is good. People are going to come out, do the accreditation, vote and go away and those who want to stay are free to stay.

Some people have expressed dismay that what should been issue based campaigns in some respects turned out to be scenes for attacks on individuals by both sides of political actors. What is your take on this?

First and foremost, our campaigns have been most issue based campaign.

You will agree that PDP is the only party in this campaign that documented its manifesto and is giving it free of charge to Edo cit-

Nehikhare

izens. We are campaigning with our manifesto; taking about how to better Edo State. We have been consistent on that matter.

On the other hand, I am sure the other party cannot point to any document discussing issues and instead of basing their campaign on issues, they resorted to character assassination of our candidate but our candidate ignored them and acted in a very mature manner not discussing it.

We have not really talked about the APC candidate; we have been on issue based and this came up because it was a public document and those documents when you look at them it does not add up and I think if you want to run for office in Edo State you come up and tell Edo people where the lapses are.

What is your message to people of Edo State, particularly the electorate?

We are telling them to come out en masse on election day and vote for the PDP; and a vote for the PDP is a vote against hunger, humiliation, starvation, inflation and recession. When the PDP wins in Edo State, it will send a serious message to the Federal Government that the people of Edo State and indeed Nigeria are indeed hungry, they are not happy with the way thing are; they will sit up and start doing the right thing. If peradventure APC wins, it is also a message to the national that thing are okay, if not APC wouldn't have won in Edo State. So, we have to be careful to make the right decision at the right time. Our message is that we have to put an end to the hunger; put an end to the recession and the inflation which we are going through for the government to sit up for the betterment of Nigerians.

But the APC at the federal level has attributed the recession to the failure of past PDP government?

It is a function of their incompetency. You see it's embarrassing if you have been in government for over one year and you are still putting blame on the government that left over one year ago. So, it is wrong for APC government to be giving excuses and making embarrassing statement against the PDP. Why didn't they credit PDP for some of the good things that are happening now? Why didn’t they talk about some of the good work of the PDP, which APC government met on ground, like the commissioning of the rail line from Abuja to Kaduna, the businesses, the youth awareness and so many others?

This government is clueless and confused; they are chasing shadows and they should work hard and get the economy right.

17

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Accommodation

Inside Abuja The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is home to both the affluent, the rich, the middle class, as well as the poor. Every social class has a stake in the territory. PHILIP NYAM and CHUWU DAVID report on where the rich and the poor live in Abuja

A

former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was once said that Abuja is not meant for the poor. Whether he was right or wrong, the fact remains that the cost of living in the capital city is incredible high. In fact, latest ranking of cities in the continent placed Abuja on 4th place in the list of most expensive cities of Africa.

However, it is not every district or area of Abuja that is expensive. Of course, there are slums and outskirts inhabited by the downtrodden and civil servants, the highbrow areas, which are the most expensive are occupied by the rich and the mighty. So, where are these places solely occupied by the well to do?

Asokoro District The State House (Presidential Villa) is located in the Asokoro District and it also housed majority of the top politicians, businessmen, senior public servants. It also houses the ECOWAS Secretariat, World Bank Country office and many embassies and Governors’ Lodges.

The quality of houses in Asokoro is comparable to houses in any part of the world. Indeed, the cost of living is extremely high and only moneybags or business tycoons can afford to live here.

Even with the biting economic situation in the country, the aver-

Onwuka NzeshI

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF nzeshi@newtelegraphonline.com

Š Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

How homeless people survive in Abuja

News Street parliament debates Buhari's 'change campaign

19 20

A tale of two cities

district and renowned Nigerians such as Prof. Jerry Gana all live in Maitama. Maitama is also home to Transcorp Hilton Hotel. Similarly, the Turkish University is also in Maitama. Maitama is certainly not for average or even above-average people to live. The 12-month rent of a two-bedroom apartment is N2.5 million.

Wuse II Wuse II is a combination of both residential and commercial concerns and has some of the most expensive restaurants, clubs, bars, and other hospitality centres. It also houses some high profile Nigerians. There are also embassies and high commissions and some diplomats, top politicians, businessmen, captain of industry. As a commercial nerve point of the city, almost all the banks have their branches scattered around the district. It is also home to retired senior military officers and public servants.

The Pope John Paul Centre, where late Pope John Paul II was accommodated when he visited Nigeria in 1996 is also found in Wuse II.

Asokoro - where the rich live

Gwarinpa (Life Camp) The Life Camp section of Gwarimpa is also home to some rich people in the capital city. It is also where the official residence of the minister of the FCT is located. It is also home to some of the above-average class of Nigerians cannot afford to live in Maitama and Asokoro.

Mpape - an abode for the poor

age cost of renting a two-bedroom apartment in Asokoro is around N4 million.

Some of the ministers residing in Asokoro include Chief Audu Ogbeh (Agriculture); Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Dr. Ibe Kachukwu (State for Petroleum Resources), and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu (Science and Technology).

Also residing in Asokoro is the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; former chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih; ex-PDP national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu; former FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed: former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

Other prominent Nigerians with residences in Asokoro are former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Barde; former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Group

Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Barkindo.

Latest ranking of cities in the continent placed Abuja on 4th place in the list of most expensive cities of Africa

Maitama District Like Asokoro, Maitama is also a highly expensive district populated by prominent personalities such as senators, diplomats, business tycoons, retired generals etc.

It also houses many embassies, high commissions, five star hotels etc.

The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara also reside in Maitama. The official residence of the Inspector-General of Police is located in Maitama, ditto the official quarters of the top echelon of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is also in Maitama.

The two factional chairmen of the PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sherriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi both live in Maitama. The United States Embassy is located in this

Jabi and Utako These two districts are also home to some powerful and rich personalities. It is also home to almost all the biggest transport companies in town and there is lot of commercial activities. The hospitality industry is also booming in these districts with some of the latest hotels in town such as Sandrarila Hotel and Chida Hotels.

The most powerful media houses in the northern part of the country, Daily Trust and Leadership Newspapers also have their headquarters located in Utako.

The federal ministry of works is also sited here. One of the popular night clubs, the Grand Cubana, is also located in Utako.

The poor Urbanisation and poverty are twin societal problems seriously facing most developing countries of the world especially those that are still battling to extricate from post-colonialism and the vestiges of colonial subjugation and exploitation.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

18

Inside ABUJA | SLUMS

The Nigerian Army recently took over the Maitama Extension, a new district where many rich and powerful Nigerians were allocated plots of land during the era of President Goodluck Jonathan. While the military authorities claimed that the land belonged to the Army, those who were on the land, including Kakatar CE, an indigenous construction firm, have cried foul.

ONWUKA NZESHI reports

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Drama as Army seizes Maitama District Extension

O

n Saturday, September 3, the Nigeria Army sealed off the road leading to Maitama Extension District in Abuja. The district was actually created alongside Katampe and Katampe Extension by the them Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Adamu Aliero, during the Yar’Adua administration in 2008.

The Maitama Extension district which is about 230 hectares of land has no fewer than 400 plots allocated to the powerful, high and mighty in the country. These were lands for which the FCD Administration (FCDA) had issued Certificate of Occupancy to their owners.

The soldiers also invaded the premises of Kakatar CE, the construction company, which is providing engineering infrastructure for the highbrow district. They drove away all the workers on the construction site.

Inside Abuja learnt that this exclusive zone was allocated to high profile politicians and elder statesmen. The proposed new residential quarters of the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the residences of other principal officers of the National Assembly are located here.

The army claime the land belongs to it. It did not however show any document to buttress its claim of ownership but has effectively deployed its officers and men to ward off any of the workers from the site. By that action, the company’s vital facilities like asphaltproducing plants, rock crushers, state-of-the-art fabrication workshop, heavy duty earth moving equipment like dozers and excavators, trucks, etc. have been trapped: they can neither be maintained nor repaired while those needed to be moved out for external jobs in other locations like Karshi and Kyami, where the company is also working for the FCDA, have also been barred from leaving the premises by armed soldiers.

Since that invasion, the district has remained under siege while the construction firm has been under lock and key. Kakatar is being run by a civil rights lawyer, Azibaola Robert, a cousin of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

In fact, the rumour mill has been

Completed structures in Maitama Exchange

One of the buildings under contruction at Maitama Extension

awash with stories that the entire district is owned by Jonathan and that Kakatar CE, was only a front established to hold the properties in trust.

A few days later, the Nigerian Army officially justified its action, saying that the land was its own and that it took it back to prevent further encroachment.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said that the premises of the construction firm was part of the land belonging to the Nigerian Army, adding that the army will not allow anybody to encroach on its land. Consequently, the property has to be sealed to prevent further encroachment.

Soured relationship The massive parcel of land overlooking the Katampe, Mpape, Guzape hills, shares direct borders with the Lungi Barracks of the Nigerian Army, making it possible for soldiers to always provide security for the Kakatar premises.

In fact, since the commencement of construction activities there in 2011, armed soldiers have always provided security at the gates of Kakatar while the firm allegedly paid stipends to the army for the services.

The relationship between the company and the army had been very cordial until that fateful morning when soldiers claiming to ‘be acting on instruction from above’, chased away the workers on site.

“We are on order from the Chief of Army Staff to take over this place and not to allow anyone in or out of the premises,” a junior soldier, mounting sentry at the first gate, warned a journalist, who attempted to penetrate the compound.

We are on order from the Chief of Army Staff to take over this place and not to allow anyone in or out of the premises

“It was one of our generals, who led the team of soldiers to take over this place last night but we do not know the reason for our being here,” the soldier said, but refused to give his name.

Inside Abuja learnt that the soldiers appear to have taken the action based on the speculations that Jonathan and his family owned the vast hectares of land in the district. Since his exit from office over a year ago, Jonathan and his close family members and political allies have come under constant pressure from the Federal Government and its agencies.

Some analysts believe that the sudden invasion of Kakatar and the seizure of the Maitama Extension might not even have the endorsement of the government but some persons within the top hierarchy of the Nigeria Army might be wanting to use brute force to seize the land from the allottees whom they believe must be allies of the former leader.

Investigations have revealed that Jonathan was not on the list of allotees even though the list parades the names of some former heads of state, former top military officials, former party leaders and some powerful and influential traditional and religious leaders in the country.

Project site Kakatar made history when it was awarded the contract for the development of the infrastructures. It was the first infrastructural development project in the history of the FCT to be awarded to a wholly Nigerian construction and engineering firm.

Over the years, it has been an unwritten rule that in every district where FCDA awards contract for the development of infrastruc-

ture, the contractor handling the job is usually provided with a temporary space for building its operational base. In a bid to exercise its oversight functions on the contractor, the FCDA normally maintains offices in the same yard. It is perhaps, for that reason, that Kakatar was provided with an area to use as its temporary site.

Under the contract, KCE was expected to construct a total of 23 kilometres of road of various types, four major bridges to link the various communities and into the Kubwa expressway, a cloverleaf interchange linking the district with the expressway, provide 26.4 kilometres length of storm water line of various sizes, 31.8 kilometres length of four sewer line of various sizes; 38.7 kilometres length of water supply lines with relevant accessories and a booster pump station and 1000m3 of clean water reservoir.

In addition, the company is expected to construct a network of electricity distribution and telecommunication ducts with a 33 KV/11KV injection substation and 11/0.415KV transformer as well as underground cables for distribution and plot connections.

Apparently to prove that it is capable of doing what a foreign firm can do, the company has gone far in the provision of relevant infrastructure under the terms of the contract. This is clearly evident in the FCDA budget which has earmarked N2.5 billion for the settlement of outstanding liabilities to Kakatar and the continuation of work on the Maitama Extension project in its 2016 budget.

Public Relations Officer of the firm, Mr. Austin Ekeinde, said that the action of the Nigerian CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Inside ABUJA

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Homeless people's tents behind the walls of a mansion

19

Makeshift tents for homeless people.

How homeless people survive in Abuja In spite of the efforts of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to rid Abuja of destitute and all those who could constitute some nuisance in the city, the population of homeless people squatting in unimaginable places has been swelling.

CALEB ONWE reports

E

xponents of egalitarian society may be honest about their desire to see an allinclusive human architecture that integrates both the low, high and mighty without an iota of disparity in distribution of resources that aid improved living conditions. But frankly speaking, such lofty expectations may inevitably remain an illusion and giggle puzzle that can only be solved in eternity.

Societal trends as evident both in the historical and contemporary ages lend an undisputable credence to the above assertion. Even the holy book recognised the fact that the poor will always be found in the society, and adequately provided rules that will ensure that the rich do not appropriate all the rights to themselves.

Abuja, the Capital City of Nigeria, one of the cities in the world reported to be harbouring more number of homeless people, from all indications was not designed with adequate considerations of the poor and other vulnerable members of the society, but despite the glaring barriers placed by the egocentric dispositions and manifest selfishness of the planners and architects of the city; the poor, against all odds have continued to engraft themselves into the community of the rich.

The areas where government’s attention is focused more in terms of infrastructural development and reasonable provisions of basic amenities, there is a subsisting caveat that technically and permanently excluded the poor. The caveat comes in form of neck-breaking house rent, utility bills and high standard of living that is an exclu-

sive luxury for the rich.

Unfortunately, the areas where by default, the poor masses are allowed to inhabit, life is as miserable as a dreaded path that leads to abyss. This is not unconnected with the infrastructural decay and poorly maintained amenities that dot the landscape of such areas; that is, where it is sparsely available. Lack of electricity and water supply to these places that are christened ‘Satellite Towns’, are also factors that have compounded the woes of the people.

Population explosion In recent times, the population of the homeless in the Federal Capital Territory has swollen beyond expectations, this development undeniably can be attributed to insecurity that has continued to destroy social architecture in several parts of the country.

The prolonged Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East that has destabilised many families and sent them on exile to live as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in different places in makeshift shelters.

Some of these IDPs who found their ways to the FCT, had no option than to look out for any available shanty or abandoned uncompleted buildings that could accommodate them, due to non-existence of any emergency camp.

Aside the phenomenon of IDPs that has contributed in swelling up the population of the homeless people in Abuja, there are people who migrated from different parts of the country in search of nonexistent white collar jobs in Abuja.

Most of these migrants end up settling in FCT without any arrangement for accommodation.

Inside Abuja visited some of the flashpoints within the city and made some shocking discoveries. At Area One, Church village, Dagba, behind the popular Dunamis Church, there exist a cluster of makeshift homes, some which houses large families, in some of the tents. It was learnt that up to 10 people can be found squeezed together. One common feature that is conspicuously noticeable is that many of the squatters in this place look very upset and hostile.

Inside Abuja observed that many of the people there have legal means of livelihood at face value, and from circumstantial evidence, many of them appear to be artisans who do not have the means for dignified accommodation.

Most surprisingly is the fact

Many of the squatters in this place look very upset and hostile

that many of these shanties, housing the homeless people are not concealed from the glare of the authorities, but hidden behind perimeter fences of some of the notable estates within the city centre.

A young man in his late 20s who simply identified himself as Effiong told Inside Abuja that he has lived in makeshift tent in Dagba Church village for more than four years.

According to Effiong, who sells groundnut packed in bottles, the place has suffered several demolition, but as soon as the bulldozers move away, the recalcitrant, but resilient members of the society resurges with their tent.

He said that many of the people in that camp have no valuable property to stake and therefore are not afraid of demolition.

Effiong added that "what the people are looking for here is just the place to put their head in the night, wake up in the morning and go in search of their daily bread."

On the possibility of this makeshift homes for the homeless labouring people that could constitute threat and danger to security, Pastor Godwin Chigbo who claimed that he runs an outreach in the area with a 'nameless' ministry, said that security agents know about the place and also comes around to pick up people suspected to be criminals.

From Inside Abuja's checks, the acclaimed housing deficit in Abuja is not the major cause of the homelessness, rather, it is affordability.

There are housing estates scattered all over the city, but not within the reach of the poor, and even the average income earners nor the up surging number of artisans and those who are not properly skilled to get a job that has a sustainable wage can afford it.

Interestingly, though, very repulsive to the elites, is the fact that these homeless people are not limited to the satellite towns that were technically created to separate the poor from the rich. They have continued to hang around the rich, at the risk of becoming susceptible to both potent and impotent threats from relevant authorities.

Another flashpoint of the homeless people investigated by Inside Abuja is located along Bannex-Kado expressway, there, one will find mushroom like structures that can be mistaken for chicken pens. Initially, this correspondent had the impression that the structures were being used for poultry purposes.

This impression was however erased when a middle-aged man

was sighted crawling out of one of the tents.

Inside Abuja observed that most of the homeless people located in this place are scavengers who are unperturbed by the dirty environment with an over-arching stench in the air.

Hamza is one of the inhabitants in this squatters' camp. He said he and his friends are staying there because they have no money to rent a house.

He claimed that the police dislodged them in one of the uncompleted buildings where they lived before.

On the cause of their dislodgement, Hamza honestly replied that some of them were used to smoking marijuana which made the owner of an adjoining building who lives there to invite the police who evicted them.

Security implications Pastor Chigbo who spoke with Inside Abuja at the Church village, Dagba, noted that one worrisome aspect of these set of people in the society is the lack of identity. He observed that many of them since they have no identifiable means of livelihood, and no property to stake can disappear at any time to an unknown address where no one can trace them.

A visit to any of the locations where these people are found, will reveal a high level of distraught, they are extremely upset and shockingly behave in way that one will quickly notice their disconnect with the larger society.

Inside Abuja observed that many of the homeless people are homeless by default. This is so because apparently many of them have no skills to get a job that can fetch any reasonable means of income.

Like those our correspondent encountered at the Bannex-Kado expressway, some of them hang around dump site from morning till late night, some are often seem taking hard drugs, with serious side effects manifested in their behaviours.

From checks, this set of people obviously are depraved and do not desire any form of rehabilitation or being reintegrated into the mainstream society.

One can see some signs of complacency and mediocrity in them.

They seem to derive some pleasure in being isolated from the mainstream society.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

20

INSIDE ABUJA \ NEWS

Street parliament debates Buhari's 'change campaign Monday Ruth Abuja

T

he unexpected austerity measures forced on people since the inception of the present administration has virtually made both literate and illiterate people public affairs analysts.

It is a common sight in Abuja to see crowd of free readers who besiege newspapers’ stands every morning trying to catch a glimpse of news headlines as presented by different papers.

These fellows who are often curious but most times ignorant of the underlying principles that guide government's policies, have the attitude of arguing about everything that is presented in the news, even when they demonstrate obvious ignorance, they lock horns trying to outdo each other in the argument that sometimes lead to unnecessary fight.

Those voices and opinions, no matter how neg-

ligible and unimportant they are, have undeniably become a kind of parliament that shows how much government 's policies impact the masses.

When Inside Abuja visited one of the newspapers’ stands in Wuse Zone 5 to get the opinions of people on the Buhari’s re-orientation campaign launch, tagged "Change Begins with you", one of the respondents who obviously was angry, wondered why the president is trying to divert attention from the issue of the moment, which is how to revive the country's economy that has been confirmed to be in recession, and put food on the table for the masses, he said that the change campaign was meant to deceive hungry Nigerians.

Another respondent gave his opinion concerning the re-orientation campaign programme thus: "This campaign will not solve the problems of Nigeria. Action speaks louder than voice.

The president should work towards achieving

How homeless people survive in Abuja CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

One of the homeless persons who squats with his friends in one of the mushroom-like tents, with high degree of incoherence speech told Inside Abuja that "me I like myself, big man no give me food, me I hustle in Abuja to get food."

From Inside Abuja's investigations, some of the homeless people were victims of demolition exercises that Abuja residents have experienced from successive governments.

Some of these people have reasonable means of livelihood, and can afford to rent a dignified accommodation at any of the sprawling ghettos in the nearby satellite towns.

However, the love for the city centre has continued to compel them to move from one uncompleted building to another without been shaken by the incidence of building collapse that is unfortunately becoming a common feature in major towns and cities across Nigeria.

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 8

Army is causing its company huge losses and untold hardship for hundreds of families whose bread winners are now being forced to stay at home.

“It is instructive to note that at no time did the company suggest or claim that the land upon which it was using as a site to coordinate the project belongs to Kakatar.

Never! All that we have been doing is to speedily complete the contract in accordance with the terms and pull out our equipment so that the plot owners can move into their property and live happily.

"We have been very very good neighbour with the army and certainly our presence has been beneficial to them.

No notice of any security breach or infraction has ever been sent to us by the Army. No enquiry as to our presence or intention to recover any land was ever sent to us before locking us out.

"We believe there is a failure of intel-

his goals before the end of his tenure. The programme should not be a means of changing or diverting the mindset of Nigerians from seeing the reality.

“The change campaign is to make Nigerians

think outside the present situation.”

Another respondent, Mr. Waziri Audu, said: "I think I love the programme because now everyone even the jobless are complaining that the country is hard but they

have refused to work towards their own success, instead they blame the government."

He wished Nigerians could be more enterprising than direct their anger on the government.

“The recent administra-

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

tion has made people to see things from different angles,” he said.

A woman at another newspapers’ stand, who declined to mention her name, was of the view that the programme launch can't help, because not everyone one understands the impact it is trying to make especially the illiterate. "The people who are suffering more are the poor people and definitely they can't understand what his trying to do by launching the programme," she added.

Street parliamentarians at teens stand

FG, PZ Wilmar partner to revive palm oil industry Caleb Onwe Abuja

T

he hitherto neglected palm oil industry in Nigeria is set to be revived following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Federal Government and PZ Wilmar industries.

During the MoU signing ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh disclosed that the

deserved attention which the present administration is giving to solid mineral development was a calculated effort to create jobs for about 80 million youths.

Ogbeh noted that next year budget of the ministry will give special attention to exploitation and random development of Agro industries, as a measure that will ensure that the country bounces back from economic recession.

He gave indications that the ministry might source loan from the World Bank and other

international financial institutions to import machinery and distribute to rural women for palm oil development.

Earlier in his remark, Chief Kola Jamodu said his group decide to diversify their investment in the palm oil sector to help Nigeria regain its lost place in the sector that was once a major contributor to the economic development.

Jamodu disclosed that PZ Wilmar already has 30,000 hectares where it is growing palm oil trees.

He also said that they are

partnering with the Nigeria Institute for Palm Research (NIFOR) to share knowledge that will further translate into relevant opportunity for the farmers and other stakeholders.

The Executive Director of NIFOR, Mr. Omorefe Asemota, described the MoU as a milestone from PZ, one of the major investors in Nigeria's industrial sector.

Asemota noted that the MoU will translate into human capital development in the area of research and information technology.

Drama as Army seizes Maitama District Extension ligence here. A fact check would easily have revealed that the land in question belongs to over 400 allottees and that it is the place to host the official residences of the Senate and Deputy Senate President and that allottees have already developed their plots to advanced stage," Ekeinde said.

Implication of raid Although, the management of Kakatar sent emissaries to the Army Headquarters to find out why the soldiers on its site office, they were not given any concrete answer by the army. It does appear that the siege is mainly directed at the construction as the military has not said anything about the other Nigerians who own plots of land in the vicinity.

The implications is that not only has the military taken over the district, the

owners of the over 400 plots may also forfeit their plots to the military.

Perhaps the only option left is for these plot owners to revert to the FCDA, which allocated the plots and issued them with certificates of occupancy. If the FCDA is unable to retrieve these plots from the military, it would either allocate alternative plots to these Nigerians or they will all meet in court.

Inside Abuja learnt that the FCDA may face multiple suits as the plot owners were already warming up to seek legal redress over the forceful takeover of their property.

The situation is further compounded by the fact that a good number of the plot owners were already developing them as could be seen across the district.

The seizure of the land by the army also raises fear that the construction of

the official residences of the Senate President, his deputy, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and other principal officers of the National Assembly, which was at various stages of completion, has been forced to a halt. In fact, the residences of the senior government officials are at level of being completed while the provision of infrastructure by the company has also reached an advanced stage.

But many privately-owned properties are already completed and ready for occupation waiting for Kakatar to complete its contract and handover. The major bridge linking all the facilities and segments in the district, has been completed along with many roads, water and sewage lines. If this siege is allowed to continue, it might signal the return of the ugly but forgotten era when might was right.

INSIDE ABUJA

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

21

When naked dancers took over Abuja Ebere Ameh

T

he people's anticipation of a cultural troupe to entertain them that hot Friday afternoon turned to surprise, then excitement and applause, when nude dancers of Tafuyi district of Apo, took over the stage.

Comprising both men and women, young and old, with charcoal rubbed on their bodies, they did a good job of their traditional Eli dance to the admiration of all.

It was at the ground breaking ceremony of the Federal Integrated Housing Scheme for civil servants that took place in Tafuyi District of Apo, Abuja recently.

An initiative of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, the housing scheme is designed to provide 1000 units of low cost houses for civil servants in partnership with American Building Systems International (ABSI) and Lafarge Nigeria.

Speaking to New Telegraph, the head of the dancers, Ayenajeyi Gimba, noted that the group has been in existence since the time of their forefathers.

“We inherited the dance from our forefathers. So it is an inheritance, a dance that generations past used to entertain themselves, and not a new group. We like it because it showcases our culture.

You can see the naked ones? That was how our ancestors lived. You also see those with firewood on their backs, others with pots on their heads, that depicts how our people lived, and we are happy to preserve it through this dance so that our children will get to know our past.”

On the nudity and the charcoal, Gimba who observed that not all are nude, explained that it is all culture and nothing to it.

“It’s all part of the culture and nothing to it. You can’t expect me to forget my culture, we propagate it so that future generations

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

It is regrettable that many of the satellite towns and settlements in Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital territory which include: Bwari, Nyanya, Kuje, Jikwoyi and Kurudu, among others that belong to this category of urban cities are seriously entangled in the poverty/ urbanism quagmire.

The life of an average Abuja semi-urban dweller in one of its satellite towns as Mararaba, Jikwoyi, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Guzape, Kurudu, Kuje and Nyanya can be likened to a Hobbesian state of nature where life is said to be nasty, brutish and short.

From Mararaba to Nyanya, Gwagwalada up to Bwari in Nigeria's seat of power, there are sore sights of sporadic shanties and squalors, lending credence to the prevalence of urban poverty and indeed crisis of underdevelopment.

Who and who are among those classes of city dwellers?

They are mostly low cadre civil servants, the itinerant traders, cobblers, artisans among oth-

The dancers

would know how our forefathers lived. The charcoal is part of it.

They rubbed it while going hunting and as you can see, hunting is one of the occupations depicted through this dance.

“In those days when I was growing up, I saw my parents rub charcoal on their bodies, I saw them do this dance too and I’m proud to be doing it too. When there is a celebration, they rub charcoal and we dance. As a matter of fact, we have different types of dance that depict differ-

We inherited the dance from our forefathers...

It’s all part of the culture and nothing to it

ent aspects of our culture like the Aguguma and Lagban,” he explained.

An Accounting graduate of Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Gimba who is happy for the development that has come to his community, is a civil servant working in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

“We are very happy because development has come to our side and if government can continue the project with the same amount of zeal it used to start it,

A tale of two cities

ers, whom Frantz Fanon classified in his famous classic as 'the Wretched of the Earth'.

Some paupers among these poorest of the poor are people who eke out a living from rented make-shift houses, containers, kiosks, wheel barrows and trucks. Moreover, these outlets usually block the major streets of the satellite towns, making human and vehicular movements very cumbersome.

The movement of people in these suburban settlements of the FCT on a typical rainy day is characterised by difficulties as most of the pedestrian paths are marshy, with heaps of stinking refuse dumps by the roadside and sometimes the garbage is littered on the middle of the road, making it traumatising to walk through the areas.

In Kurudu, one of the satellite towns in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), the kerbs that divide the NyanyaKarishi road into two halves

have been taken over by heaps of refuse. These dumps with uncontrollable and fowl stench oozing from it constitute the major health hazard for residents of this areas.

Most houses in the interior of the village are made of zinc and wooden materials as walls.

Drainages are channelled within the shanties. Only the chief ’s house, school, mosque are among the few houses in the community built from bricks.

At the weekends, you will see malnourished children in their numbers in tattered clothes, play in the open space used as playground within the location.

A quick glimpse at the children reflects hunger and deprivation from good things of life.

Aside some of the seasonal menial jobs such as breaking of logs of firewood, pushing of water trucks by water vendors and movements across the settlement by shoe cobblers, some of the residents especially the

street urchins make a living from crumbs from refuse dumps.

They look more of dejected and frustrated people, having been dwarfed and relegated to the background as hewers of wood and fetchers of water by the high and mighty living in highbrow areas of the Abuja metropolis such Maitama, Wuse, Jabi, Gwarimpa, Gariki and Utako, where the residents live ostentatiously.

The most traumatizing thing in these surb-urban settlements is that basic social amenities including pipe borne water, electricity, trunk A or B road, parks and other recreational facilities remain elusive and where it exists, it is in comatose throughout the year.

Due to rural-urban migration which was occasioned by low quality of life in rural and semiurban areas, the greater chunk of rural dwellers have been migrating to Abuja in droves and settling in the satellite communities, with its attendant incidences of shanties and squalors.

the project will be completed in time. We are indeed grateful as you can see that our chief and key members of our community are represented here.”

Adorned in his traditional regalia, the head of Tafuyi village, Chief Isa Dangiwa Chafuyi could not hide his happiness at the development in his community. Like the proverbial Oliver Twist, he asks for more.

“I’m very happy that development has come to us. We want more development to come our way. We are a very peaceful people and have never had any problem with developers or government, neither have we had any clash with non-natives. All we want is government presence and we are happy with what we see today,” Chafuyi said.

On the possibility of the bastardization of their culture with the influx of civil servants from across the country, who would inhabit the place, Chafuyi said they have a way to guard it and one of such is through their dance.

“We are not afraid that people coming will pollute our culture, we are very conventional people and would not only retain our culture, we shall introduce them to our beautiful and peaceful culture. There is no way we shall forget our culture; it won’t die in my time. We are ready to propagate it so generations to come would know how we lived.

“Our culture is a peaceful one, we are not violent. We have never had problem with non-natives and we don’t plan to have,” he said.

The event had in attendance President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of State for Power, Alhaji Baba Mustapha Shehuri; three serving ministers, representative of the Chairman, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who was the chairman of the occasion and a great number of civil servants and other dignitaries.

Urbanization and migration have therefore created an army of unskilled and unemployed class of people that have become the greatest challenge to developmental policies of FCDA in recent times.

To address the root cause of poverty in Abuja suburban centres and other developmental issues, there's the urgency of proper needs-assessment by development planners in the FCT and other authorities with these shanties and squalors as the centre of their focus.

This will certainly ameliorate the poverty and sufferings of these low income city dwellers, engender holistic development in Abuja and its environs and bring it at par with other urban cities in the world.

As most social pundits posit, the concept of development only makes sense when the level of it across different cities, states and or countries are placed side by side with those in other climes even with or without similar political, technological and such similar or exogenous experiences.

22

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Features

Unyielding spirits of fraud suspects The graffiti on the walls of detention facilities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) show that winning the war on graft is a tall order for the antifraud agency, writes JULIANA FRANCIS

W

hen the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) took journalists and civil society organisations (CSO) on a tour of its detention facilities on September 1, the idea was to showcase the neatness of the facilities and highlight the fact that the commission doesn’t beat or torture its suspects.

Recently, a fraud suspect, Mr. Desmond Nunugwo, died in EFCC custody barely six hours after he was arrested.

The Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said Nunugwo was arrested at Utako, Abuja about 5:33p.m. on Thursday, June 9.

He said: “His statement was taken, where he admitted receiving the money from the complainant, with the additional information that he transferred N30 million of the said money to Norway. But he could not explain the whereabouts of the balance of N61 million. The suspect was detained about 7:30p.m., in the absence of anybody to take him on bail.

“Six hours later, he suddenly complained of discomfort and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.”

After the suspect’s death, speculations were rife that EFCC operatives tortured Nunugwo to death.

Since the incident, the anti-graft has been trying to return its battered image, to its once respected one.

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

The EFCC building

One of the remedies, hastily arranged by the EFCC to launder its image, was the tour of the commission’s cells.

But the tour began to go awry when journalists were ushered into the cells. Rather than become impressed by the neatness of the detention centres, journalists were enthralled and intrigued by several writings on the walls.

The writings, clearly those of inmates, underscored the unyielding and unremorseful spirits of fraud suspects. Most of the writings did not portray people that were sorry for their alleged wrong doings. Some of the writings even elicited laughter. Others had people wondering if there would ever be an end to financial crimes in Nigeria, with suspects mocking the anti-graft agency and making mockery of the judicial system.

Some of the writings are: “Every dream has a price tag,” “Money is the answer all to things,” “No pain, no gain,” “The valley of the shadow of wealth is not only for the hardworking, but for the brave and strong hearted,” “They gave me countless charges, yet I’m still standing,” “EFCC House of reconciliation with God,” “Economic Community of countless charges,” “Money must be made, whether legal or illegal,” “Money is money, “EFCC connecting people,” etc.

Everyone peered at the writings, trying to see into the hearts and minds of the writers. Many of them were, however, no longer there.

On the day of the tour, the EFCC Deputy Director of Operations, Lagos Zone, Mr. Iliyasu Kwarbai, who conducted the guests round the facility, said at that moment, the commission had just 22 inmates, among them a woman, in its cells. Many of them, however, had been taken to courts before the visit.

A 'cell' in the EFCC building

Others had people wondering if there would ever be an end to financial crimes in Nigeria

The detention facilities are on the ground and first floors of the EFCC building at Okotiebo, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The detention facilities boast of tile floors, modern toilets and several students’ mattresses. Some of the inmates, who watched the invasion of strangers into their domain with mild curiosity, were sighted, clutching Bibles.

There are different sections for prayer; for Christians and Muslims.

One perceptible thing about the detention facilities, however, is the instant heat that assails one on the first floor, where the male inmates have their cells. It’s clearly not well ventilated.

Kwarbai said the reason for the tour of the detention facilities was to show members of the public how transparent the EFCC was. He said that suspects were never beaten, harassed or unduly detained.

He said: “We feed our detainees three times a day. We don’t beat or abused suspects. We don’t extort.

We are not armchair investigators. We go to banks and get our facts. Some of our suspects insult us, but we don’t reply. We are a

group of professionals. All we want are answers to some questions. We confront them with facts and figures.”

According to the deputy director, most suspects involved in high profile cases, easily fall sick once they are detained.

He said: “The moment we take them into our detention facility at Okotiebo, they fall sick. They fall sick because they have been living in luxury with our collective stolen wealth.”

Kwarbai, who also conducted journalists and civil rights organisation round the EFCC clinic, said it was for both suspects and staff.

According to him, once any suspect complains of ill health, the person is taken to the clinic, where there are standby doctors. If the EFCC doctors couldn’t handle the illness, the suspect is immediately referred to another hospital. The EFCC usually picks the bill for such medical expenses, Kwarbai added.

The publisher of Chief Detective, one of the highest selling crime magazines in the country, Mr. Dipo Kehinde, spoke on the writings on the EFCC cells’ walls.

He said: “These appear to be career criminals with twisted minds. They suffer from a sort of mental neurosis, thinking that the society is responsible for their plight. They obviously know how the system runs.

They scoff at the law because they know that the law is an ass.

“For these set of criminals, it is get rich at all costs or die trying. They are not new to police arrest, prosecution and jail. They have seen it all before.

They know that in a corrupt system like ours, money is the answer to everything. Some of them have been arrested up to 10 times for the same offence.”

The National Coordinator of Network on Police Reforms in Nigeria (NOPRIN), Mr. Okechukwu Nwaguman, also reacted to the graffiti.

He said: “Many of them sound unrepentant, a few are repentant. Taking them one by one: ‘Money is the answer to things,’ ‘No pain no gain,’ ‘The valley of the shadow of wealth is not only for the hardworking, but for the brave and strong hearted,’ ‘They gave me countless charges, yet I’m still standing,’ all these suspects sound hardened, convinced that crime is the only way to survive…

“Then, ‘House of reconciliation with God’ sounds like one who may have taken sometime in custody to reflect and come to terms that crime was not the way to go, and therefore, has ‘reconciled with God.”

23

TUESDAY, september 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Energy Paradox of Nigeria’s push for fuel price hike

Business

Aviation Aviation funds: Pill that fails to cure

25 29

What's news NERC: N120m meter investments’ shortfall ravages power sector

L-R, Director, Technology and Science Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Tina Eyaru, Director, Monetary Policy, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Moses Tule and President, Nigerian Statistical Association, Dr. Mohammed Tumala, during the 40th annual national conference of Nigerian Statistical Association in Abuja.

p.24

Nigerian airlines bleed as Delta, Lufthansa cut flights

p.24

Vessels jostle to discharge N47.08bn fuel at Lagos jetties SUFFICIENT There is adequate supply of premium motor spirit at Apapa wharf and jetties

Bayo Akomolafe

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan

N

o fewer than 12 merchant tankers are jostling for space at the various jetties in Apapa to discharge some 324.7million litres of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at N47.08 billion.

Apart from a vessel laden with aviation fuel, none of the ship is loaded with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

Already, Cineto and MSK Miyajiama have berthed with 30,000 metric tons and 23,313 metric tons of the product respectively.

According to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)’s shipping position obtained by New Telegraph, Cineto is currently discharging its product at Atlas Cove Jetty (ACJ), while MSK Miyajiama has been moored at New Oil Jetty (NOJ).

Also expected at ACJ are Hafnia Lupus, with 28,000 metric tons and Ridgebury John, 38,000 metric tons. Eship Barracuda is laden with 10,900 metric tons, aviation fuel (JET A1) and it is being expected at NOJ. Other vessels expected at Single Bouy Mooring (SBM) jetty are High Force with 32,000 metric tons; Stavenger Breeze, 38,000 metric tons; Twinkle Star, 34,492 metric tons and FSL Singapore, 38,000 metric tons.

Also, Torm Lotte will offload 27,000 metric tons at NISPAN, while MT Capt Gregory loaded with 25,000 metric tons has been moored at the Petroleum Wharf Apapa (PWA) since last Thursday.

Between last April and June, 26 merchant tankers had berthed at Apapa jetties with 677,670.74 metric tons of PMS valued at N98.93 billion.

Also, in April, nine tankers discharged 216,768.679 metric tons of the products valued at N31.65 billion, while 15 vessels arrived with 460, 902.61 metric tons valued at N67.29 billion in June 2016.

Also, last June, MT Histria Ivori offloaded 20,030 metric tons of aviation fuel at New Oil Jetty.

Others vessels that discharged

N1.539 billion Being the amount Nigeria spent on importation of petrol in the last one year, according to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

PMS in the period are: Spirit are Zoilo with 30,000 metric tons; High Beam, 24,032.191 metric tons; PW Cough, 34,000 metric tons, Memphis, 34,907 metric tons, STI Yorkville, 37,700 metric tons; Sti Benicia, 38,400 metric tons and FSL Hamburg, 35900 metric tons. Also, Cape Beira discharged 31,356.610 metric tons; Cenito, 32,000 metric tons; Cape Beale, 25,000 metric tons;; Moxon, 29,000 metric tons; BW Lynx, 37,603 metric tons; Sti Gramercy, 30, 000 metric tons; Twinkle Star, 20, 974 metric tons and Sea Clipper; 35,000 metric tons.

Also, last April, Alizea Daddo discharged 17,000 metric tons at Petroleum Wharf Apapa (PWP) jetty, Hinde Bluesea, 8,000 metric tons at Ijora jetty, MSK Meddittrean, 37,990.679 metric tons; Malbec, 30, 698 metric tons and Torm Trinity, 30,000 metric tons. Also, Cumbria discharged 10,282 metric tons; Champion , 23,000 metric tons; Oceana, 24,000 metric tons and Sti Milaukee, 35798metric tons. The bulk of the fuel came from Asian countries.

It would recall that in the last one year, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said in its report that the country had spent N1.539 trillion on importation of PMS alone.

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE July 2016 ...............................17.1 % June 2016 ..............................16.5% May 2016...............................15.6%

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

EXCHANGE RATE (Parallel Market as at August 26)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N423 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N564 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N470

l Foreign Reserves – $49.29bn as at 8/9/2016

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at August 26)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N306 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N408 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N345

24

TUESDAY, september 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |news

CRAZY BILLING 2.8 million Nigerians remain on estimated billing as Federal Government deadline lapses

Adeola Yusuf

T

he power sector is being ravaged by over N120 million investment shortfall for the supply of pre-paid metre to the 2.8 million un-metered customers, a document of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has shown.

This came as the power sector’s regulator outlawed the purchase of transformers, poles, cables and other power equipment by electricity customers without signed agreement with distribution companies (Discos) to refund the money over a period of time.

NERC, the document insisted, should also be carried along in such transaction as a “middleman” to prevent any of the parties from short-changing the other.

“About four million customers need to be placed on pre-paid metering system. While 1.2 million out of these customers are on analogue metering, about 2.8 million are still being placed on estimated billing system because they have no meter at all,” the document showed.

“There are currently 5,172, 979 power consumers in Nigeria, among which this nearly 54.15 per cent (2.8 million) have no installed meters at all,” NERC added.

With an average of N3,000 (N24,600 and N5,600) needed for each of the four million meters under the CAPMI scheme, an investment of N120 million is needed to close the gap.

The NERC document listed line loss rate and serious electricity theft as the major limitations.

Acting NERC Chairman, Dr. Anthony Aka, it would be re-

NERC: N120m meter investment shortfall ravages power sector

called, had said that the Commission had improved on metering system, adding that the pre-paid metering scheme is still faced with challenges.

“You have to order them; you have to configured them and protect the system. You have to deploy the technical expertise to ensure that these meters are not bye passed. But as we speak today, theses meters are being bye passed,” he said.

The Commission, he said, would sanction electricity distribution companies, which failed to comply with directives relating to the distribution of pre-paid meters.

“It is our responsibility to ensure compliance with these metering schedules. We have our monitoring team following them and we want to make sure that if they don’t deploy the number of meters

per month, per quarter or per year, we are going to sanction them severely for that,’’ Aka said.

Any customer that do not have electricity meter and who feels that they gave him a wrongful billing for that month, the NERC acting boss said, “has the right to reject that bill and he should only pay the last bill he accepted.

Any customer who paid for prepaid meter should also be metered within 60 days of payment.

“If they don’t meter you, the Electricity Distribution Company have no right to estimate you or bill you if you have given money to them and they have not given you meter after 60 days,” he said.

Aka said that NERC would ensure refunds were made to customers wrongly billed as well as install the new prepaid

meter.

Electricity Distribution Company was, according to Aka, purely a private-driven sector and not a government sector. Government was only providing a regulatory framework and enabling environment.

He maintained that fixed charges in electricity billing did not exist again, but had been recalibrated as part of the charges.

According to him, if there is no electricity, distribution company should not charge the customers.

He said: “We as a regulator, listen to Nigerians, we remove the fixed charges and recalibrated it into the energy charged.

“What it means now is that if I don’t have light, you don’t have any right to charge me, if I travel for three months, you

L-R: Acting Controller, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Osaremen Osakue; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fasola; Executive Director, Borini Prono, Paolo Prono and Site Manager, Michletti Augustin, during the inspection of the ongoing construction of a trailer park by the minister at Apapa, Lagos

Nigerian airlines bleed as Delta, Lufthansa cut flights DISHEARTENING Nigerian airlines are cutting back on maintenance and training

Wole Shadare

R

enowned economist and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, has expressed concern over the nation’s aviation sector concerning the present economic recession, lamenting that Nigerian airlines are bleeding.

In his monthly economic news and views bulletin made available to New Telegraph, he hinted that the airlines are unable to service debts and pay salaries; two issues that shows that the carriers are in dire straits.

The consequence of this, he reiterated, would lead to brain drain, as other nations, espe-

have no right to come back to my house and charge me.”

He decried the situation where consumers provide resources to restore faulty power installations or transformers to the company, adding that it was the obligation of the electricity distribution companies to provide the infrastructure, adding that the tariff paid by consumers covers infrastructure installations.

He urged electricity distribution company staff not to compel customers to provide resources to restore faulty power installations in the country.

“However, if communities want that, they should enter into agreement with us as a regulator, being a witness to that and to ensure that the cost of that agreement should be refunded over time by the distribution company,’’ Aka said.

Airlines can’t pay salaries, debts

cially China, could poach over 600 highly experienced pilots and engineers who are out of job, from the country.

Rewane stated that Chinese airlines are paying huge salaries for pilots, especially experienced ones, to meet rising traffic demand.

This is coming as global network carriers are cutting back frequencies and capacity. Emirates has cut 50 per cent of its flight frequency to Lagos after United and Iberia exited the market.

Lufthansa is reducing Abuja and Port-Harcourt frequency to four per week from seven this month. The German carrier is contemplating cutting Lagos to five flights per week from December.

Meridian now operates one flight per week from Milan to Lagos. Delta is cutting frequency from six per week to five on Lagos-Atlanta route.

Round trip on economy fares to New York is now N450,000 – N600,000. Passenger load factors are declining compared to 2015, which now average 80 per cent inbound.

The expert noted that outbound load factors are falling much faster, as fares with more expensive dollars and declining income impact demand, adding that Nigerian airlines are cancelling flights to New York and London.

Rewane, however, did not explain in details the extent of the bleeding of Nigerian carriers. But events in the past few months indicated that the carriers are having turbulent times with escalating foreign exchange against a very weak naira that has made acquisition of aircraft spare parts and aircraft very difficult.

The suspension of flight operations by Nigeria’s oldest airline, Aero Contractor, because of its inability to fix

its five airplanes, coupled with a crippling debt running into over N30 billion, helped to put the airline in danger.

Rewane said global air passenger traffic rose by six per cent in first quarter 2016, adding that passenger load factor was up at 79.2 per cent in first quarter 2016, 0.2 per cent marginally lower than 2015.

He noted that premium class traffic is lagging economy, with airline profitability up marginally in 2016.

The economic expert said that despite the consolidation in the domestic aviation, Aero and First Nation suspended flights, just as mounting bills are negatively impacting the airlines with declining revenue and static demand doing incalculable damage to their operations.

Nigerian airlines, he stated, are cutting back on maintenance and training because of lack of access to foreign

exchange.

The biggest problem airlines are contending with in terms of maintenance is the high cost of C-Check, which has compelled some carriers to abandon their airplanes in countries of repairs.

Airlines periodically carry out checks on their airplanes.

The checks are A to D. The A and B checks are lighter, while C and D are heavier.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in its wisdom, had imposed a calendar limit for a C-check at every 18 months and depending on the scope of work to be performed.

An average C-check costs $1 million. By today’s exchange rate of N310/$1, this can be conservatively N310 million per aircraft every 18 months.

The C-Checks became more problematic for the nation’s airline operators because most airlines were “unable to pay for the checks and eventually abandon the aircraft at the foreign MROs who usually refuse to release the aircraft to the airlines until all invoices are settled.

TUESDAY, september 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

energy

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Despite less than $50 per barrel price of crude at the global market, for the second time in three weeks, Nigeria has been faced with calls for another fuel price hike.

Adeola Yusuf reports

T

wo contradictory resolutions shook Nigeria’s oil sectors penultimate week.

While the largest oil traders in the world gathered in Singapore, came out with a resolution that the pain of low oil prices was not over, former Group Managing Directors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at a meeting in Abuja, gave a resolution in support of hike in price of fuel, one of many refined products from the low-priced crude.

Minister of state for petroleum resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, who according to a statement by the NNPC, was a party to the ex-GMDs resolutions, had in May said that the removal of subsidy, suspension of quarterly fuel imports allocations and liberalisation of the retail market will end fuel scarcity and stop arbitrary hike in price.

While many Nigerians saw the ex-GMDs’ resolution as anti-people, marketers and other promoters of the fuel price hike agenda began to regroup with a campaign to get the federal government’s nod for the price increase.

Oil has traded below $50 per barrel this year and traders said at the annual Asia-Pacific Petroleum Conference in Singapore that there would be a little relief to what has become the worst crude oil market slump in a generation.

All but one of 15 senior oil traders and executives expected crude to remain between $40 and $60 a barrel over the next 12 months.

Brent crude has traded in that range for the past five months.

The ex-GMDs’ position The former NNPC bosses however, said at a one-day meeting they had with the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru including the current Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, held on Saturday 3rd September, 2016 at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja,” that the PMS “price cap of N145/litre is not congruent with the liberalisation policy.”

To them, this anomaly is noticeable especially with the foreign exchange rate and other price determining components such as crude cost, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) charges and other remaining uncapped.

“They have keyed in into the noble course and their support for hike is seen as a big point by the promoters of the agenda who now believed that all that needed to be done is to get the President sing-in into the plan,” a management staff of one of the top oil trading firms said..

Executive Secretary of Major Oil Marketers Association (MOMAN), Thomas Olawore, could not be reached for comment as at the time of filing this report.

Fuel queues

Paradox of Nigeria’s push for fuel price hike He also did not reply to a text message seeking clarifications on the marketers plan, but a management staff of one of the leading product marketing and storage firms told this newspaper that the marketers are already regrouping to pursue the agenda.

“Of course, everyone knows that the issue of forex scarcity, the recession and other reasons bothering on importation of fuel have made the slight increase in pump price to be necessary,” he said, adding that now that “the former GMDs who have direct understanding and feel of these issues have spoken, we believe that the fair thing to do is to get the cap price to around N165 per litre.”

Denial of alleged price hike plan Kachikwu, Baru, and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), however denied plans of possible increase in the pump price of petrol otherwise called Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the country.

This is even as Senate spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North), frowned at the suggestion attributed to some past and present Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of NNPC. Kachikwu and Baru made the denials after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, describing reports of impending increase in the products as untrue.

Pressed on the issue by State House correspondents, Kachikwu asked: “Have you seen any memo to that effect?’’

On his part, Baru said that NNPC has no plan to increase the pump price of petroleum products, stressing, “there is nothing like that.’’

The GMD, however, directed the correspondents to go to the PPPRA for further clarification on the issue.

Oil marketers had indicated intention to increase prices of the products, citing continued scarcity of foreign exchange to finance importation of the products, as reason.

Also, the forum of former Group Managing Directors of the NNPC penultimate Sunday called for increase in pump price of petrol by calling for a removal of price cap in the pricing template.

Senate frowned at the suggestion attributed to some past and present Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of NNPC

PPPRA, NNPC reactions Reacting to the call by the NNPC GMDs, the PPPRA penultimate Monday, said that it would not accept the advice.

Acting Executive Secretary of PPPRA, Sotonye Iyoyo, who made the disclosure, said the proposal was the personal opinion of the former NNPC GMDs. “If it was a recommendation, that is what it is – a personal opinion. I’m not aware government is planning any fuel price increase. We are in a liberalised market already,” she said.

Spokesperson of the NNPC, Garba Deen Mohammed, who earlier issued a statement to convey the ex-GMDs resolution, later described the advice of the former NNPC chief executives as an “opinion.”

He said: “The forum was expressing its opinion, which it is entitled to. NNPC is a player in the petroleum industry and has a right to have its views about the industry.

Nobody is bound by the opinion.”

Senate kicks Notwithstanding the explanation by Iyoyo and Muhammed, the Senate spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North) cautioned the Federal Government against aggravating an already complicated economy by contemplating further increase in the price of fuel.

Aliyu, during an interview with journalists penultimate Monday frowned at the suggestion attributed to some past and present Group Managing Directors of the NNPC, that the current price of N145 per liter was no longer realistic.

He berated the NNPC GMDs for being responsible for the current woes that the country is going

through, noting that they did not have the moral standpoint to advice the government on what to do because they have a hand in it.

“Maybe they are sent to destroy this government, but we will not allow that. We will do everything we can to support this government”, he said.

The senator, who stressed that the suggestion by the GMDs is a slap on the faces of Nigerians, said that they ought to have been discrete with it, and insisted that no matter how good their intention was, it is obvious that the “leakages they created while in office is responsible for where the country is today.”

Aliyu argued that refineries in the country stopped working while the GMDs were in office, pointing out that the corporation itself has not been run transparently and the maximum benefit of the Nigerian citizens not taken into consideration.

“At least, I knew it was just in this our change administration that the Minister of State Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu was able to tell Nigerians that they have declared profits now and they are now trying to run.

“He has brought his wealth of public private sector experience to bear on that corporation that we need to work in a manner that we would be able to say yes we have operated, this is our operating surplus and so we are declaring profits,” he said.

The lawmaker however, explained that presently, President Muhammadu Buhari is grappling with inherited problems and trying his best to see that things are changed.

“I think that within this context whatever we need to do that we need to support him to succeed we have always being ready as we have always done since we came on board to support him. Now as far as I am concerned, if you look at the arithCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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TUESDAY, september 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Energy

Lender’s Q12016 net earnings fall 4% Adeola Yusuf

P

ower infrastructures in Nigeria are aging, expert at Sahara Group, the firm with majority stakes in Ikeja Electric, has said.

Business Leader (Distribution), Sahara Group, Rotimi Onanuga, raised this alarm at the 2016 Huawei Connect conference in Shanghai, China.

He maintained that this is in addition to other challenges facing the industry.

Onanuga lamented that despite the rich energy reserves, the enactment of the Power Reform Act and sustained government investments, Nigeria’s power supply still faces serious challenges.

As the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria vigorously develops its infrastructure and invests primarily in four fields: energy generation, power transmission, power distribution and renewable energy.

It was regrettable that the country is, according to him, experiencing such a crisis, “given that it is the most populous country in Africa, boasting of a population of 173 million people, which accounts for 16 per cent of the total population of Africa.”

Onanuga said: “The line loss rate can reach up to 40 per cent, which is much higher than that of European and American countries, pegged at eight per cent.

“20 per cent of consumers committed electricity theft and difficulties exist in supervision and regulation.”

Earlier in his presentation, the Rotating Chief Executive Officer, Huawei Technologies, Eric Xu lamented the slow development of infrastructure in Africa, noting also that information technology is still at its rudimentary level.

According to Xu, Africa needs a new operating model to provide modern services for its populace.

He said Huawei would provide better solutions to Africa, especially to governments that would help in the transformation of the continent.

The Huawei CEO, who disclosed that the firm, usually spends 12 per cent of its revenue on research and development, said countries should prepare to go digital or be left behind in the new phase of global development.

Recession: NGA, NIPCO seek ministry for gas FOCUS Stakeholders crave more space for gas in Nigeria’s energy mix Adeola Yusuf

N

igeria Gas Association (NGA), and NIPCO Plc have demanded more space for gas in Nigeria’s energy mix by creating a special ministry to make sure it has a special focus in policy initiatives.

President of NGA, Bolaji Osunsanya and Managing Director of Nipco, Mr Venkatapathy Venkataraman, made this call in Lagos.

They maintained that for Nigeria to effectively harness

her gas resources, there was a need for special policy focus on gas sector.

Osunsanya, according to a statement by NIPCO, said spoke when he led NGA’s council members on a courtesy visit to Nipco Plc. He said that Nigeria would only be referred to as gas heaven with low level of utilisation of the resource if proper attention is not given to the sector.

The NGA President affirmed that there is a need to give gas a new pride of place especially in the light of the nation’s economic predicament, adding that gas development at the levels of exploration and utilisation needs new focus.

The NGA President appreciated the concerns of Nipco MD in routing for attention to the gas sector at the highest level

metics, if things have been well, it is now that Nigerians are even supposed to enjoy because the price of Petroleum has crashed, as we know.

“If we are going to get the pains of not getting enough forex, if we have gotten the joy of having a lower price of Petroleum products, which right now we are not getting because the institutional base for it, which the NNPC fully represents as the fulcrum has been destroyed over the years by these same people who are assembled to

The Nipco MD told the visiting gas stakeholders that a great future lies ahead for the country in the gas sector in the country not only in view of the abundance resource but also in terms of its utilisation either for power generation of for domestic uses and saving forex in fuel importation .

Mr. Venkataraman informed that NIPCO remains a key player in the sector both in the realms of gas usage as auto fuel and for domestic purposes across the country.

In the area of Liquefied Petroleum Gas [LPG], he said the company had put in place massive gas storage facility with attendant distribution network through scores of gas trucks as well as inaugurating skid in some of its branded service stations.

Gas plant

BEDC clinches two awards B enin Electricity Distribution Plc. (BEDC) has again bagged two awards.

The honours according to a statement from the disco are African Quality Achievement Award as the Most Innovative Power Distribution Company in Africa in 2016 and the 9ja Safe Merit award respectively, in recognition of its excellent commitment to quality improvement in electricity supply across the network and for actively promoting health, safety and environment as cornerstone of business performance.

The African Quality Achieve-

ment Award (AQAA) is an annual event initiated at celebrating leadership innovation and creativity in quality management in Africa. It was organised and supported by African Quality Institute (AQI), Chartered institute of Quality Management of Nigeria (CIQM) and African Quality Organisation (AQO).

The 9jaSafe Award is the most prestigious and respected award for safety professionals/ practitioners across Nigeria.

Its objective is to recognise outstanding performances and laudable initiatives of companies and individuals, to foster

Paradox of Nigeria’s push for fuel price hike CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

of governance to further galvanise all stakeholders with the Association’s pledge to support advocacy in this direction for the needed industry growth According to him, there is a sense in focussing on gas whether you do it by creating a special ministry or you make sure it has a special focus in policy initiatives.

Osunsanya acknowledged the splendid contribution of Nipco to the sector so far, noting that the association is proud of its achievement.

He therefore enjoined the planning committee of the forthcoming NGA Biennial Conference /Exhibition to ensure that primacy of place is given to the company to exhibit its gas-powered vehicles at the event to further showcase the development,

advice.

“So no matter how well intentioned their advice is, it is unfortunate that it is coming from that particular group and as far I am concerned, they have being part of this mess all along,” he said.

Conclusion The ex-NNPC GMD under whose tenures the refineries became epileptic should lend hand of support on how to put them back to life. This will increase in-country refining capacity, reduce product’s importation and

demand for dollars.

The rate of fuel consumption by Nigerians has reduced since May 1 when the downstream market was liberalised.

Government needs to conduct an audit on actual daily fuel consumption rate by Nigerians to determine how many liters are required to supplement the in-country refined products.

Nigeria will, through this, know how much in terms of dollars is required to import the supplements and this will help to stop forex racket by some marketers.

and promote Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) best practices in the workplace and in the nation.

According to the organizers of the African Quality award, the criteria used in selecting nominees include; compliance, reliability, quality awareness drive, ethical standard and policies, service delivery, resilience, value and operational excellence The two awards, which were bestowed on BEDC in Lagos over the weekend respectively, reflected series of efforts put in place by BEDC to boost access to electricity and improved services to customers in its franchise, in addition to pushing safety both at the workplace and on the network including occupational health, safety and environment initiatives. The company’s initiatives in this regard include procurement of personal protective wears, distribution substations fencing, and safety jingles.

As part of the process to improve quality of power supply, the company has commenced the installation and activation of approximately 2000 transformers across its network. In addition, some BEDC network lines, which were initially mainly on Low Voltage Distribution Systems (LVDS), has been upgraded

to the High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) due to low customer satisfaction arising from the adoption of the latter, with a view to improving the quality of power and significantly reduce technical and commercial losses.

The major advantages of the new initiative are; elimination of power theft, and voltage drop/ fluctuations and provision of more reliable supply. BEDC has also earmarked the distribution of 100,000 meters for customers across the coverage states of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states for the remainder of this year, to bridge metering gaps amongst its customers.

In terms of enumeration for instance, a door-to-door enumeration of existing customers and potential customers including state of the network has begun.

In addition, improved and varied payment channels had been provided with options and convenience for customers in paying their bills. BEDC operates a multi-channel payment system for settlement of electricity bills by customers including Point of Sales (POS), and web-based payment apart from bank payment platforms, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and scratch card payment cards. The company has also started the electronic payment scheme for customers to enjoy online vending of meter tokens for prepaid meters, and also get payment alerts on every electricity payments made.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Homes&Property

27

n the last couple of weeks, some property owners in the exclusive neighbourhood of Ikoyi and other locations in Lagos have been licking their wounds following ‘flagrant’ demolition of their buildings by the Lagos State government.

Even while lamenting their losses, the state government is threatening to demolish more houses that run contrary to its physical and urban development law.

Some residents woke up penultimate Friday to see bulldozers from the state government pulling down their structures over illegal development and abuse.

Some of the houses demolished included a school building, shops and newly completed houses.

Officials of the state Ministry Some of the buildings demolished by Lagos State government, recently of Physical Planning and Urban Development, who were accompanied by policemen from the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit executed the demolition exercise.

Ikoyi axis was not alone in the gale of demolition exercise, as locations such as Lekki, Ikotun, Ijegun, Ejigbo and Igando in Alimosho local government areas of the state also received their Some property owners were, again, caught unawares last week as Lagos State government brought share.

Why Lagos may demolish more houses

Victims’ position Some owners of the demolished structures claimed they were not served any notice prior to the demolition.

Owner of a cafe, Ada Osakwe, whose fruit juice and meals cafe was demolished on 8, Rumens Road, Ikoyi, said in a post on Twitter: “How do you show up at 8.30 a.m. with bulldozers and armed policemen to terrorise shop owners and then proceed to level their stores and property to the ground with no prior notice?.

Even squatters have rights.”

Ms. Osakwe said there were six businesses occupying the building when the earth moving equipment arrived to tear it down.

In Hitech Estate, Odonikin village, in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area, four newly completed properties were also demolished.

The affected structures comprised five joint duplexes, a four-bedroomed duplex, a fivebedroom apartment and a threestorey building owned by a private school – Learning Lands.

The property owners said they had been thrown into debts due to the demolition.

Although the buildings were alleged to have been destroyed due to the inability of owners to secure necessary approval permits, the victims claimed that government did not give them prior notices before destroying their properties.

One of the affected persons, Mrs. Augustina Daniel, said that she received a call around 11a.m that fateful day that bulldozers were destroying houses.

According to her, she rushed to the scene with her husband only to discover that her building, comprising five duplexes, worth N200 million, had been brought down.

She said all appeals to the officials to stop the demolition

down their multi-million naira structures over contravention of the state’s urban development and planning law. Dayo Ayeyemi reports that more structures are likely to be pulled down fell on deaf ears, adding that she was told that her buildings were demolished because she failed to secure a building permit.

“We wrote a letter to the commissioner on Tuesday and it was not acknowledged. If a house is to be demolished, a notice should be given; we didn’t get that.

“The information we have is that the demolition was done because there are people in that area who have interest in those pieces of land,” she said in an emotion-laden voice.

Speaking in the same vein, Mr. Omomega Ashofor, whose fully detached four-bedroom duplex was demolished, said he “is seeking compensation from government for the damage.”

He also claimed that government did not serve him any notice prior to the demolition.

“Government is supposed to serve us notices if there is any contravention and give us time to respond. But none of that was done,” he said.

Another victim, Mr. Austine Kazeem, also stated that the state authorities did not serve him any notice before destroying his 5-bedroom flat.

Reasons for demolition Justifying its position, the state government said abuse of use, construction of properties without permit or approved building plans, defiance to building regulations, non-compliance to approved plan, and building on road setback and drainage channels, among others, were some of the reasons for the recent demolition.

A source at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, in a chat with New Telegraph, said what happened was not demolition but “removal of illegal properties.”

The ministry is not going back on its declared stance of zero tolerance for structures and properties without development permit or approved building plans

According to the source, going by the revised Ikoyi/Victoria Island Model City Plan, there is no provision for industrial setting in Ikoyi.

The Commissioner for Information, Steve Ayorinde, had said in a statement that the affected buildings were erected without compliance to construction regulations.

He said: “This is an exercise in progress; it is an on-going operation to sanitise the environment.

“We have also developed strategies to prevent re-occurrences of illegal developments and for the sustenance of a cleaner Lagos.”

Also, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Anifowoshe Abiola, said his ministry had noted with dismay the flagrant disobedience of building regulations in the state and had resolved to ensure removal of all structures that are in contravention of the law.

Anifowoshe expressed government’s determination to rid the state of illegal developments, saying: “In our effort to maintain a sustainable, organised, liveable and friendly environment, the ministry is not going back on its declared stance of zero tolerance for structures and properties without development permit or approved building plans.”

According to the commissioner, the buildings in question were situated in an area originally designated as residential.

The developers unilaterally and without recourse to government commenced development of industrial and commercial concerns in these locations, thereby distorting the master plan of the area; causing environmental nuisance, traffic snarls and, more importantly, a security threat to the neighbourhood.

On the claims that the buildings were not duly served with necessary

contravention, stop work and removal notices, the commissioner said the ministry had evidence of service of all statutory notices, adding that the buildings were also marked with the X red oxide to call the attention of the owners to planning issues.

He said: “Having served the statutory contravention notices on the offending structures and when owners of such structures failed to remove them within the statutory notice period, we are compelled to remove such structure.”

More demolitions underway Meanwhile, government has reiterated its commitment to rid the state of shanties and illegal developments by enforcing relevant rules and regulations guiding development in the state, as contained in the state master plan and other model city plans.

The commissioner for physical planning said that government was desirous of restoring the original master plan to all nooks and crannies of the state.

“Arbitrary location of kiosks, illegal parking lots, unapproved mechanic workshops, roadside beer parlours and other unplanned commercial centres have contributed in no small means to distorting the balance of the environment,” he said.

Conclusion Government has a role to develop strategies to ensure orderly physical development in the state.

In this regard, all stakeholders, including property owners, have the duty to avail themselves of the provisions of the Lagos State Physical Planning and Development Regulations for sustainable urban development.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Business | Homes & Property

Crisis looms over hike in building material prices Deficit Nigeria requires one million housing units annually

Stories: Dayo Ayeyemi

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he sudden increase in the prices of building materials has raised concern among stakeholders in the sector.

According to New Telegraph market survey, prices of major materials such as reinforcement bar, floor tiles and imported doors have risen.

Just last week, cement price was suddenly increased from N1700 to N2,300, representing a 35.29 per cent rise.

Also, the survey showed that prices of iron rods of 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, and 20mm also increased from N110,000; N95,000; N95,000; N115,000; N115,000 to N119,000; N120,000; N120,000; N120,000 and N125,000, leaving price differentials of N24,000, N25,000, N25,000, N5,000 and N10,000 respectively.

Also, white plywood of four millimeters (mm) thick, which sold for N5,300 in January now sells for N7,000; while the price of long span aluminum of 0.55mm thick has risen from N1,900 per metre square (pmsq) to N2,200.00.

Prices of both wall and floor tiles have also risen between N1,200 pmsq and N2,850 to N1,300 and N3,000 respectively.

Packs of reinforcement bar

There has also been marginal increase in the price of soft wood, plywood door, steel door and glass sheet.

Ceiling materials such as UPVC ceiling strips, POP preformed ceiling have increased by N2,500 and N50.00.

Also, paints, plumbing fittings, pipes and electrical materials have increased between 20 per cent and 30 per cent.

Expressing worries over major climb in prices, a former President, Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr. Chucks Omeife, stated that crisis loomed in the housing sector, following general rise in building materials prices.

He blamed the situation on economic recession in the country, coupled with

forex policy, and added that most building materials for housing construction were sourced abroad.

According to him, increase in forex and harsh economy would automatically lead to high cost of importation of goods.

The Managing Director, Akin Olawore and Company, Mr. Akin Olawore, said the ongoing recession had blown real estate sector hard, adding that it had limited investment in the sector.

He pointed out that companies had been relocating to other countries due to ongoing economic impasse, thereby increasing the number of vacant properties in the market.

Olawore blamed the lull in real estate

Paint firms asked to explore local red oxide

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n the drive to diversify the economy away from oil, paint manufacturers have been urged to explore locally available red oxide materials for their production.

Chief Executive Officer, Kofa Paints Nigeria Limited, Mr. Koluwagbemiro Fadipe, made this call in Lagos.

He said research has shown that red oxide is available in large quantity in more than 30 states of the federation.

This he said, would provide jobs for the teeming unemployed Nigerians, grow small scale industries and reduce pressure on dollar due to ongoing economic recession.

Red oxide is one of the raw

materials for paint manufacturing.

It is located both at land surface and underground in large commercial quantity.

He said that focus on this product would reduce pressure on the importation of raw materials for paint manufacturing.

Justifying his call, Fadipe said that investment in red oxide for production of paints would help the country to reposition by looking into mining of local minerals to generate employment.

To grow small scale industries in the country, the managing director of Kofa Paints tasked the Federal Government to support companies that require financial assistance through partnership to grow the

economy.

He said: “Employment generation is one of the objectives of going into business. When the business commences, it will be able to absorb at least 1000 workers, skilled and unskilled, after a year’s operation.

“So when many people go into small scale businesses with the support of government through granting of affordable loans, you can see the multiplier effects on the economy one year after.”

In a programme he tagged: “People’s Poverty Solution,” he disclosed that he had designed some business models to enable the Federal Government empower operators of small and medium scale enterprises to come out of recession.

Firm decries govt policy on gas

T

he management of Mallinson and Partners Limited has decried government’s policy on gas consumption, which allows local manufacturers to pay in dollars.

This policy, according to the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Afam Mallinson Ukatu, has caused over 25 per cent increase in the cost of locally produced building materials.

Utaku stated this during the launch of another one-stop building mart by his company in Alimosho area of Lagos.

He said the mart was just signaling proliferation of such across Lagos before extending to other regions

outside the nation’s commercial hub.

Mallinson and Partners are producers of range of floor tiles and plastics.

Ukatu stated that the government policy of gas consumption had led to reduction in the production capacity of building/construction industry.

According to him, the policy has not allowed building materials manufacturers in the country to have competitive edge over imported building materials.

Ukatu also decried the nation’s energy crisis caused by pipeline vandalism, saying that this act had forced many manufacturing firms to operate below production capacity.

The managing director, who said the vision of the mart is to have a one-stop shop, where people could purchase quality building materials at competitive price, pointed out that the country may not attain its dream of manufacturing her local building materials, if the issues of energy, gas and access to funds with lower interest rates are not addressed.

He said: “Nigerians are coming up with local manufacturing of building materials with the help of foreigners but that should not be the case.

“Nigeria has what it takes to manufacture products for local consumption.”

sector on the current forex policy and unnecessary government tariff.

“It is tough now. Government needs to reflate the economy so that there be money in circulation to grow the economy,” he said.

On developers’ attitude to the recession, he stated that developers had been strategising to cope with current government policy, adding that a lot of people wanted to participate in real estate’s investment but were wary of when to exit the business.

Olawore urged government to invest money in infrastructure to create more jobs for the citizens, who have been at the receiving end.

Ogun secures $11m housing loan from Shelter Afrique

O

gun State government has received a loan offer of $11 million from Shelter Afrique for the construction of 500 housing units.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing Development and General Manager of the State Housing Corporation, Mrs Olajumoke Akinwunmi, disclosed this to members of the state’s House Committee on Land and Housing during an oversight visit to the corporation.

She said the housing project is located at Idi-Aba, Abeokuta.

Akinwunmi said the proposed housing project would occupy 26 hectares of land, affirming that the public private partnership (PPP) arrangement would assist government to deliver on its set objective on the provision of affordable housing under its five cardinal programmes apart from meeting up with its industrialisation development.

She said: ‘’The state government entered into the PPP arrangement to further promote affordable mass housing for the people and create new benchmark in quality and economy to meet up with the ongoing industrialisation development in the state.’’

The general manager added that the proposed estate would be designed as flats, terraces, semi and full detached bungalows with self-built homes on serviced plots, stating that the corporation would send a request to the House of Assembly for the loan approval.

The Chairman, House Committee on Land and Housing, Adebiyi Adeleye, expressed satisfaction at the development, saying the corporation had turned around the fortune of the state with a request that the gesture be extended to other senatorial districts in the state.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AVIATION

29

Aviation funds: Pill that fails to cure Nigerian carriers are on life support and one hopes that they would continue to weather the storm. This, however, raises some posers about the N120 billion intervention funds that was given to them. WOLE SHADARE writes

Intervention funds ero Contractors, IRS, Chanchangi, Virgin Nigeria/Air Nigeria are some of the airlines that benefited from the N120 billion aviation intervention funds from government.

While others that partook in the largesse are wobbling and grappling with tough economic reality, the later have ceased to operate, leading to insinuation that the bail out made no impact on their businesses.

The cessation of operations, albeit temporarily by Aero, among others, shows that rather than resuscitate the dwindling fortunes of the carriers, the survival pill looked like poison, as virtually all of them are in precarious situation.

Virtually all the airlines received the funds to rescue their operations, but since then, four of them, Chanchangi, Air Nigeria owned by business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim, Kabo Air and IRS Airlines have ceased operations, leaving a backlog of unpaid debts in their trails.

A

Ailing signs A source that pleaded anonymity said that government was worried that despite the assistance to the carriers, they are showing signs of bankruptcy.

Investigation by New Telegraph reveals that the airlines have not applied the intervention funds judiciously, which made the status quo persist.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said out of the N120 billion intervention funds injected into the sector, only N39.5 billion had been recovered, while the balance of N81.2 billion was still outstanding.

The apex bank admitted that some of the 10 airlines that benefitted from the fund were now moribund or had folded up, which, according to him, was against the reasons behind the release of the fund.

Contrasting fortune Air Nigeria, IRS and Chanchangi Airlines have already folded up. Aero Contractors penultimate week suspended operations. Nobody knows the fate of the carrier. Not a few believe that the airline’s present crisis might lead to its extinction. The

An aircraft in flight

airline is seriously indebted to the tune of over N40 billion. The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCOM) had taken over the firm with the loss-making carrier almost lifeless.

Arik, Dana, Kabo, Overland, First Nation and Odenegene were still in operation on the strength of the intervention.

Air Nigeria, re-christened from Virgin Nigeria, was the highest beneficiary, receiving N35.5 billion, which was supposed to be monitored by the CBN as well as the Bank of Industry (BoI).

Other airlines that had benefited included Aero, which received N20 billion, Arik Air got N15 billion, Kabo Air got N6.66 billion, IRS and Chanchangi Airlines got N3.4 billion each.

Some of the least beneficiaries included Dana Air, which accessed N618 million, Caverton Helicopters got N1.348 billion, Overland Airways got N805 million and FirstNation Airways got N271.7 million.

Airlines cry out The carriers themselves claim that their problem is beyond intervention. At a forum held recently, the Managing Director of Arik Air, Chris Ndulue and the Chairman of IRS Airlines, Ishaku Rabiu, maintained that the industry was being crippled by high operating costs.

The CBN had said the responsibility of monitoring the utilisation of the fund by the beneficiaries was that of the Bank of Industry, being the facilitator of the loans to them.

But Mr. John Nnorom, who served as Finance Director of the defunct Air Nigeria, alleged that the diversion of the fund meant for the airline to other ventures led to the collapse of the airline.

He said: “The N34.5 billion drawn from the fund by the airline was diverted to other personal business by the owner, Jimoh Ibrahim.

“The very moment the N34.5 billion intervention funds was paid into the airline’s account through the United Bank for Africa, it disappeared into one of the private accounts of the owner without any amount from the fund injected into the airline, paving the way for its eventual collapse.”

To say the truth, Nigerian carriers are in dire straits. They are hemorrhaging and are faced with issues ranging from high cost of aviation fuel, import duties, high charges among others.

Nigerian carriers are in dire straits.

They are hemorrhaging

Call for more help Airline operators in Nigeria, early this year, told the Senate Committee on Aviation that unless the federal government promptly pumped intervention fundss into the aviation sector, all domestic airlines operating in the country will die.

The operators stated this during an emergency interactive session convened by the Senate Committee on Aviation.

Speaking on behalf of Airline Operators’ Association of Nigeria, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Arik Airline, Mr. Chris Ndule, said the economic state of the aviation industry had largely deteriorated. “The economic situation as it is today, is suffocating us out of operation,” he said.

Ndule said some other airlines, besides Aero Contractors, would collapse unless the Federal Government promptly intervened in the aviation sector.

He listed high interest rate of 24 per cent on bank loans, worsening exchange rate and multiple charges from various regulatory agencies as the factors militating against sustenance of aviation business in Nigeria.

“There are a lot of economic indicators that have made business more difficult, which are now manifesting in the inability of the airlines to continue to operate,” he said, explaining that

the airlines were operating in an industry that had very little (profit) margin.

He said: “If you have to borrow money and you have to pay 24 per cent and you don’t make a margin of 24 per cent, it means that you will find it very difficult to pay back the debt. And there is a limit to what you can do in terms of being able to manage the debt. These fundamentals are the things we need to address.

“The last time we were here (the Senate), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was here (too) and it was the CBN that made it clear to everybody that the intervention funds earlier granted, was not for the airlines.

In effect, what this meant was that the loans we took from some banks were transferred to the Bank of Industry and there was a reduction in the interest rate. To that extent, there was a little trickle down effect on the airlines.”

To ease the pressure of the fund on the airlines, the government had agreed on interest rates of between two and seven per cent, while the airlines had the grace to repay the loans between 10 and 15 years. Shortly after accessing the huge cash, most of the airlines suddenly shut down.

The situation has also put the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in serious dilemma as to how to recover its funds.

Conclusion They do not have a workable business plan. Give each airline N500 billion, they will still collapse, with the type of plans they have. This is where I blame the Nigeria Civil Aviation Agency (NCAA). If the CBN can determine who appoints a bank’s managing director and board, as a regulator, I see no reason why NCAA cannot do that in a more sensitive industry such as aviation.

30

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | AVIATION

FG inaugurates c’ttees to midwife airport concession INCHING CLOSER Concession of airports was in the over-riding national interest

Wole Shadare

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he Federal Government has begun the process for the consessioning of the four major airports in the country with the setting up of two committees.

They are the Project Steering Committee and Project Delivery Committee.

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, heads the Project Steering Committee as Chairman, which is to provide the general direction, and steer the course of Public Private Partnership project concessions in the Aviation sector.

He reiterated that the driving force behind the federal government’s resolve to concession the airports was the over-riding national interest in ensuring the establishment and sustenance of world-class standards in both infrastructural development and service delivery.

According to him, the misgivings some people have expressed concerning the exercise was borne out of misconception that concession is synonymous with Privatisation. He explained that the institutions being concessioned remained the properties of the federal government and that more jobs will be generated at the end of the day.

Among the Committee’s Terms of Reference are:

Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano

Approval of technical, financial and legal framework for the successful preparation and execution of the provision of policy guidelines and general direction on all matters relating to PPP and concession of projects and programmes in the Aviation Sector; The committee is to consider and facilitate necessary permits, clearances and carrying relevant stakeholders along in the processing of PPP / Concession matters; approve action plans, budgets and financial requests submitted by the Project Delivery Committee; and serve as the final decision-making body on PPP/ Concession matters on air transport generally.

Other members of the committee include: The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, relevant Chief Executive Officers, Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Director of Planning of the Ministry of Transportation, representatives of the Ministries of Justice, Budget and National Planning, the Ministry of

ASKY begins special fares on Lagos routes

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an-African airline, ASKY, has introduced special fares and additional baggage allowance for its numerous customers on the Lagos to Douala and Lagos to Libreville routes.

The special fare, according to a statement, is targeted at offering succour to the Nigerian travel public to these two destinations, considering the current economic challenges in the country.

Also, additional baggage allowance affords passengers the opportunity to travel with more baggage; thereby allowing them maximise the benefits of air travel.

With effect from September 2, 2016, passengers travelling on the airline’s service to Douala and Libreville will be able to book fares either from the airline’s office or from their travel agents, at lower fares, thereby allowing them save more on travel.

Also, Economy class passengers will be able to travel with 2 pieces of 23kg per piece, bringing their baggage allowance to 46kg instead of the usual 1 piece at 30kg.

Business class passengers however, will have the opportunity of carrying 2 pieces of baggage at 32kg per piece, also bringing their baggage allowance to 64kg instead of the 1 piece at 40kg they usually had.

The special fares and additional baggage allowance will continue till the 31st of October 2016.

Country Manager, ASKY Airlines Nigeria, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunwumi, stated, “We are concerned with the present economic phase Nigeria is in and we also empathise with our numerous customers who stuck with us through the years. It is only normal for us to offer them reasons to continue to fly at these trying times and to assure them that we are particularly sensitive to their needs and that we care”.

Finance, and the Deputy Director of the PPP Unit in the Ministry who will serve as the Secretary.

Similarly, the Aviation Minister of State inaugurated the Project Delivery Committee with a charge on members to be diligent and patriotic in the implementation of the decisions and policy guidelines as approved by the Steering Committee, as their success or failure would determine the fate of the whole process.

According to him, the members should see themselves as the foot soldiers of the concession process, which has no room for lapse, and to ensure that all their activities are in compliance with the guidelines of the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), as

well as recommend the terms of engagements and disengagement of concessionaires.

The Committee, which has the Ministry’s Director of Planning as Chairman, is also mandated to monitor and evaluate, as well as carry out impact assessment of PPP/Concession to ascertain value for money on investment; make recommendations to the Steering Committee on matters of policy reappraisal, review or changes, as may be necessary.

Responding on behalf of the two committees, the Ministry’s Per manent Secretary, Sabiu Zakari pledged their commitment to the assignment, considering the importance attached by the federal government.

Air France-KLM relocates cargo operations to SAHCOL

A

ir France-KLM Airline has relocated its Cargo operations; import and export services to the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL)’s warehouse.

The move which became effective on the 1st of September 2016 will ensure that all import shipments on Air France-KLM Airline flights to Lagos are to be warehoused in the SAHCOL ultra-modern warehouse before clearance, while all export cargo on the Air France-KLM flights from Lagos are now to originate from the SAHCOL warehouse.

This new relocation by Air France-KLM Cargo to SAHCOL is a further testament of the extra-ordinary impact the SAHCOL brand is having on the Nigerian Aviation ground handling market.

From December 2009 when the Federal Government of Nigeria relinquished ownership of the Ground Handling Company to the Taiwo Afolabi led SIFAX Group, a total of fifteen domestic and foreign airlines have joined the services of SAHCOL. With recent investments in state-of-the-art aviation

ground handling equipment, construction of an ultramodern cargo import and export warehouses, IATA and European RA3 certifications, manpower trainings and excellent customer services, SAHCOL has grown in confidence with existing and prospective clients.

Spokesman for SAHCOL, Basil Agboarumi said with this new endorsement by AirfranceKLM-Martinair of the SAHCOL brand, SAHCOL is further poised to ensure efficiency and speedy delivery of Aviation Ground Handling Services to all its clients hence making it a reference point where efficiency of a successful flight is born.

The Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited is an IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certified Aviation Ground Handling Company, providing services in Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling/ Warehousing, Training Services, Aviation Security, Baggage reconciliation, Hospitality, and other related Ground Handling Services, in all the commercially operated airports across Nigeria.

31

TUESDAY, september 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Decline Don laments decline in health workforce

Education

Ruins Enugu State Central Library in ruins

32 35

High cost of education, parents’ headache agony

Parents and school owners are lamenting the cost of educating Nigerian children, given the rising cost of school fees and other materials as schools resume for the new academic year next week

• School owners, parents bemoan economic recession

Kayode Olanrewaju

A

head of next week resumption of primary and secondary schools across the country for the 2016/2017 academic session, parents are worried over the education of their children and wards in the face of the current economic recession.

There is palpable anxiety over which schools to send their children, and how to cope with the soaring school fees and cost of school materials, as some of their worries.

While school owners are laughing to their banks, parents and guardians are groaning under the burden of new school fees regime introduced by many school owners a development that has become a tradition whenever schools open for new year.

Due to the high cost of education, despite non-payment of workers’ salaries in some states and coupled with the high school fees, many parents who have their children in some high profile private schools are withdrawing them in droves and registering their wards in less cost schools.

Investigations by New Telegraph indicated that these are not the best of times for parents and school owners as they prepared for the new academic session.

In most schools visited, the proprietors blamed the challenges on the biting economic crisis affecting various sectors of the economic, and especially the education sector.

Given the prevailing circumstance, many school owners, principals and head-teachers are lamenting the adverse effects of the current economy on their preparation for the new school year.

kayode olanrewaju Editor, education

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Some parents buying textbooks in Lagos. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

In many private schools, the cost of educating the children has not only soared, but has also been taken out of the reach of many parents, while the current prices of textbooks and other school materials such as school uniforms, sports’ wears, Mathematical sets, notebooks, sandals, bags, lunch bags, food flasks has doubled the last year’s prices.

For instance, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, which sold for N1,000 last years, is currently selling for N1,800, an increase of N800, which is attributed by the book sellers largely to the Dollar exchange rate, since the publishing materials including ink, printing paper are imported.

The New School Physics for SSS, which sold for N750 last year now sells for N1,200; a packet of 80 Leaves exercise book (long note), which cost N400 last year is now selling for N800; while a packet of 20 Leaves exercise book now sells for N500 compared with N250 it was sold last year.

The list is, however, endless as the small travelling bag which sold for N6,500 for the last two years, has now gone up to N15,500, while school bag and sandal that cost N1,500 last year, are currently selling for as much as N2,500 to N3,000.

With the present cost of school items and school fees, many parents, further investigations have revealed are withdrawing their wards from private schools to public schools in order to cut the cost of sending their children to schools, following the economic hardship in the country, where many state governors are owing their workers between six and 12 months’ salary arrears.

A market survey conducted by New Telegraph on prices of school

Items

Type/Category

Prices as at last year

Current prices

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

Advanced Edition

# 1000

# 1800

Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

Advanced Edition

# 750

# 1500

Oxford Mini Dictionary

Pocket Edition

# 150

# 300

40 Leaves Exercise Book

A Packet

# 300

# 600

60 Leaves Exercise Book

A Packet

# 400

# 800

20 Leaves Exercise Book

A Packet

# 250

# 500

80 Leaves Exercise Book (Long Note)

A Packet

# 400

# 800

A4 Papers

A Packet

# 550

# 1200

Joys of Motherhood

# 150

# 300

Arms and the Man

# 180

# 400

Romeo and Juliet

# 150

# 300

The Tempest

# 200

# 350

The White Wizard

# 150

# 250

Round Up Biology for SSS

# 600

# 850

Basic Science for JSS

# 450

# 750

New School Physics for SSS

# 750

# 1200

Stan Agricultural Science for JSS

# 700

# 950

Computer Sciences for Primary Schools

# 600

# 850

Exam Focus Literature-InEnglish for SSS

# 750

# 1200

Essential Physics for SSS

# 650

# 850

Essential Chemistry for SSS

# 650

# 850

Essential Biology for SSS

# 650

# 850

Comprehensive Accounting for SSS

# 350

# 550

Social Studies for Primary Schools

# 500

# 750

Novels and Literature Texts

Textbooks (for all classes)

Modern Biology for SSS

# 750

# 1200

English Language for Primary Schools

# 500

# 750

Lantern Comprehensive Mathematics for JSS

# 500

# 700

materials and books showed that at the Ovic Bookshop, Ikeja, a Chemistry, Physics, Biology textbook which used to sell for N1800 last year, now costs N2,100; while for the Junior Social Studies textbooks which was N600 last year is now N780.

With between 50 and 90 per cent increase in cost of textbooks, some of the books that sold for N500, are now selling for N700 or above the last year price.

The book seller, who lamented that it is no longer business as usual, when compared with last year’s sales, noted that books were affordable last year and with high patronage.

At Ambra Royal Bookshop, Iyana-Ipaja the New General Mathematics, which was sold for N850 last year had increased to N1,100; while Modern Biology, New School Chemistry and New School Physics had increased from N1,800 to N2100 current prices.

Basic Science that was sold for N850 has also increased to N1,000; while Basic Technology which was sold for N750 has increased to N900. The Macmillan English 1-3 increased from N650 to N800, while the price of Macmillan 4-6 has also increased from N700 to N850, and a packet of pencil which cost N120 is now N300, as well as a packet of Bic Biro which increased from N750 to N1450; Schneider Biro increased from N850 to N1,850 per packet; Mathematical Set from N130 to N200, while Longman Contemporary Dictionary moved from N1,800 to N2,600 per copy.

Grace Bookshop, which blamed the current high cost of materials on the foreign exchange rate and the increment business environCONTINUED ON PAGE 33

32

education

Baffa

T

he Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Dr. Bicchi Baffa, has expressed the determination of the agency to increase subventions and allocations to tertiary institutions in the current school year.

He also expressed the readiness of the agency to encourage locally organised trainings and conferences, saying the agency would not in any way support sub-standard overseas trainings.

Baffa said: “The organisation would ensure increase in funds and grants allocated

TUESDAY, september 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

TETFund boss pledges to increase allocation to varsities •As EKSU VC visits agency, lauds leadership to higher institutions in the country in 2017, and I want to express the readiness of the agency to encourage locally organised trainings and conferences, but would not in any way support sub-standard overseas trainings.”

This was as the management of Ekiti State University (EKSU), led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Bandele lauded the leadership of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund for the various interventions and support towards improving the infrastructural growth of the institution.

The vice-chancellor expressed the gratitude during the university management’s visit to Abuja, Head Office of the agency to congratulate the new Executive Secretary and

discuss further areas of collaboration to forge the development of the university.

Bandele, who commended the agency’s huge investments in the areas of infrastructure, research, training and general support to tertiary institutions in the country, said such interventions over the years had gone a long way in contributing meaningfully to the growth and improvement of the institutions The vice-chancellor, however, noted that the university has adhered strictly to the rules and regulations guiding TETFund’s award of contracts as well as judicious use of funds disbursed to the university, saying: “Almost 90 per cent of structures on the state university’s campus were funded

L-R: The VC of UNILAG, Prof. Rahamon Bello, exchanging pleasantries with Prof. Onajole and Deputy VC (Management Services), Prof. Duro Oni at the inaugural lecture of the university.

Don laments decline in health workforce Chidiebere Ejike

A

Professor of Community Medicine and Public Health at the Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Adebayo Temitayo Onajole, has lamented the decline in the number of health workers in the country.

This was part of the trust of the 15th inaugural lecture of the university, entitled: “Community Health - Key to Community Wealth,” she delivered at the Main Auditorium of the institution.

While analysing the situation of the nation’s Human Resources for Health (HRH), Onajole lamented the high decline in the health of a high number of workforces, noting that the situation is getting worse by the day due to the continual increase in disease and epidemics in the country.

He said: “There are systemic deficiencies in the planning,

management and administration of the health workforce.

There is an acute shortage of health workers in the public sector, while there are large number of unemployed trained and skilled health workers in the country.

“In recent times, newly graduated doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists and medical laboratory scientists do not readily get accredited facilities for their internship. Some have to wait for as long as two years before they could get placement. In the heat of the frustration some are noted to have abandoned their professions altogether and sought something else to do. The high burden of disease and epidemics has put a terrible strain on the health workforce, given that the production of health workers has not kept pace with nation’s need.”

He added that the geographical distribution of health workers in country is uneven, with fewer staff in less devel-

oped areas.

“There is concentration of health workers in urban areas, tertiary health care facilities and the southern part of the country. The uneven distribution of health workers is greater in some category of workers, as physician specialists being the most unevenly distributed,” he said.

According to Onajole, the resultant effects of inadequate number and uneven distribution of health workers include poor availability, distribution and utilization of health services and a dysfunctional health management system in the country.

The lecturer, in his recommendations, which he tagged “three essential elements of workforce development” include training of new staff, sustaining and retaining the existing workforce.”

He noted that improvement in the health status of a nation will to a large extent contribute to long-term economic development of the nation.

with grants from the agency.”

He added that the university could boast of ultra-modern multimillion naira edifices on its campus, niting that these have conveniently accommodated the students and members of staff as lecture theatres, examination centres,

laboratories and administrative blocks, as well as students’ hostels.

He, therefore, congratulated Baffa on his new appointment as TETFund boss, and wished him a fruitful tenure in office.

Meanwhile, Baffa promised to visit the university as soon as possible, especially for the commissioning of the new academic building.

UAC pledges more support for education sector Mojeed Alabi

U

AC Nigeria Plc has pledged its continued investment in the nation’s education sector, saying the current challenges of poor economy, violence and unemployment could only be fought through massive investment in the sector.

This, it explained the firm would do by grooming the future leaders through provision of sound and qualitative education.

Its Executive Director, Corporate Services, Mr. Joe Dada disclosed this during the closing ceremony of the company’s 2016 free holiday coaching organised for students in senior secondary schools in Lagos State.

Dada, who noted that the choice of the intervention by the company is part of UAC’s corporate social responsibility initiative, and in response to the deterioration in the education sector, added that the programme was designed not only to inspire the students, but to also guide them in their career choices.

He said it is a core belief of the company that no nation can grow beyond the quality of education it offers it’s younger ones, and advised the government to improve on its spending on the sector as well as initiate good monitoring policies to ensure judicious spending of education budget.

Dada thanked the Lagos State Government for supporting the scheme, even as he reminded participating students to remain focused.

In her remarks, the TutorGeneral/Permanent Secre-

tary of the state’s Education District I, Dr. Olufolayimika Ayandele lauded UAC for organising the holiday lessons and for bringing it to the district this year.

She noted that more than 300 students participated in the programme and that the knowledge acquired would go a long way in making them better in their studies when schools resume next week.

While disclosing that the district has the largest student enrolment and teaching workforce among all the six educational districts in the state, Ayandele promised that the district would continue to partner UAC and other corporate bodies and individuals to raise the bar of education quality in the district and the state by extension.

The six-week holiday lesson, tagged: “UAC Goodness League” and which had students from public schools in the state, was the ninth in the series since it was introduced in 2008.

According to the organisers, the coaching exercise, like its previous editions, featured the company’s senior members of staff who taught as teachers based on their areas of specialisations in subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Guidance and Counseling, Economics and Account.

Unlike the previous editions, which held at Lanre Awolokun Senior Secondary School, Gbagada and Newland Senior Secondary School, Ajegunle, this year’s edition took palce at the Government Senior College, Iyana-Ipaja.

YABATECH appoints deputy rectors

T

he Federal Government has approved the appointment of Deputy Rectors in charge of Academic and Administration for Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos respectively.

They are Dr. Olukemi Taiwo Oyelola (Academic) and Mr. Taofeek Omobayo Raheem (Administration).

The duo replaced Mr. Innocent Akhuemonkhan and Dr. Moroof Adebakin, whose tenure had since expired.

The approval letter signed by

Mr. E.O Fayemi on behalf of the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu stated that the two-year appointment had since taken effect from September 1.

A statement by the spokesman for the college, Mr. Charles Oni, said Oyelola, a Chief Lecturer is a former Director, Centre for Entrepreneurial Development of the college, while until this new appointment, Raheem, a Chief Lecturer in the School of Liberal Studies was the Dean of Students’ Affairs.

education

TUESDAY, september 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

33

School fees, cost of materials rattle parents C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 1

ment for book publishers, said the cost of textbooks on Biology, Chemistry and Physics has risen from N1,800 to N2,100; while Mathematics textbook increased from N850 to N1,100; the price of Accounts textbook rose from N700 to N850.

When New Telegraph visited Edison Group for cost of school materials such as school bag price, the sales boy, who identified himself simply as Frank, said that some school bags that sold last year for N2,500, now sell for N3,000, while those that cost N3,000 at last year’s market rate is now sold for N4500.

The school bags for kids, according to him, which were sold between N800 and N1,000 now sold for N1,500.

In like manner, Mr. Ugo Godwin, the owner of Ugo Stores, Ikeja said that most of the schoolbags are imported and due to high Dollar exchange, the prices of school bags kept increasing as a bag that sold for N3,000 last year is now sold for N4,500.

On school sandals, Mba Steve, a shoe and sandal seller at Ikeja said that school sandals which cost N3,000 last year is now sold for between N3,500 and N4,500.

At Ikeja food flask for kids which used to sell for N3,000 last year now costs between N4,000 and N4,500.

However, given the cost of the school materials, many parents have resorted to patronising the fairly used market, otherwise known as “Bend Down Select” to buy fairly used textbooks and other materials for their wards at more cheaper prices.

Nnmadi, one of such book sellers at Ikeja, said they are making brisk business as more parents now patronise them because they could not afford the high cost of new textbooks for their wards.

For instance, at bend down select bookshop, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics textbooks which sold for N400 last year, are currently selling for N500; while the price of Longman Dictionary and Oxford Dictionary had increased from N500 to N800, this year.

Some parents, who spoke with New Telegraph at some of the bookstores, lamented the soaring cost of textbook, saying they have to forgo some textbooks that are not important as they only purchased the essential ones such as Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Physics, Government and Literature-In-English.

“Unlike last year, I bought all my children’s textbooks at once and even bought story books for them, but this year, we had to skip some books on their list in order to buy the most important ones because of the high price of the textbooks,” Mrs. Funke and Mrs. Rita said.

In the meantime, school fees in most schools have shot up by almost 100 per cent.

For instance, in some middle class schools, such as Mayflower Private School, Ikenne in Ogun, the school fees have been increased by about 40 per cent.

In the 2015/2016, a student in the Junior Secondary School (JSS II), who paid about N250,000 per annum, is to pay over N360,000 this school year, excluding the cost of other school materials.

Unlike two years ago, when a new student (JSS I) paid about N270,000, currently such child is expected to

Some students going to school

pay about N375,000, if the current school bill is anything to go by.

However, the Federal Unity Schools, otherwise referred to as Federal Government Colleges are not spared in this skyrocketing school fees regime, despite the national economic crisis.

At the Federal Science and Technical College, Usi-Ekiti in Ekiti State, a student, who paid about N40,000 last year for feeding, accommodation and tuition fees should now pay N70,000, before such as student could be allowed to enter the school gate.

Also, parents sending their children to Edwards Private School, Lagos, would pay N21,500 per term for their children in Kindergarten class, while those in Nursery section will pay N23,500 and the Primary section will pay N28,500, a fees the Administrative Officer, Mrs. M. Adekoya lamented many parents could not pay due to the economic situation, which has also affected their preparation for the new school year.

Though, the owners of John Ideal Private School, Iyana-Ipaja insisted that the school was not considering any increment in school fees because of the country’s bad economic situation, the school charges N24,850 for Nursery arm; N27,350 for Primary section and N33,950 for senior school per term.

Meanwhile, as parents are agonizing under the yoke of high school fees, owners of some high flyer private schools in the country are laughing to their banks.

Though, some parents expressed bitterness over the fees charged by the so-called high flyer privates, which according to them, has placed education on the path of the highest bidder, they said sending ones children to school where they pay high tuition is a class thing.

“These schools are not for the children of the civil servants, because where would they get the money,” Mr. Niyi Bandele argued, saying any civil servant that has a child in such exorbitant schools should be investigated.

He, however, condemned the wide gap between the rich and poor in the country, wondering how some parents could not afford to send their wards to schools where they pay less than N20,000, while some have their children in the highbrow schools where they are paying through the nose.

Bandele blamed government for such disparities, even as he insisted

The economy is really biting hard on the education sector

that the poor state of public schools is pushing parents and guardians to send their wards to private schools even at the detriment of their income.

“In fact, it is a matter of choice, but who wants his or her children to attend poor schools in view of the demand of the knowledge-driven economy, where only quality schools could match,” he said.

But, in their preparations for the new school year, some school owners, who spoke with New Telegraph, explained that they are putting every necessary plan in place for the new academic session, even as they lamented that the schools are at the receiving end going by the economic downturn in the country.

For instance, the Principal of Bright Hope Schools, Ogba Road, Agege in Lagos, Mr. Awuje Augustine noted that parents only pay their children’s school fees when they could receive their incomes and this has continued to affect the management of the schools especially their preparation for the new school year.

He said: “We cannot meet all our needs before resumption be-

Schools

Location

Fees (per annum)

Regent School

Maitama, Abuja

N1.35m

Bloombreed High School

Port Harcourt

N1.5m

Lead British International

Abuja

N1.5m

Norwegian International

Port Harcourt

N2.548m

Nigerian Turkish International

Abuja, Ogun, Port Harcourt

N1.6m

Greenoak International (GIC)

Port Harcourt

N1.9m

International Community School

Abuja

N1.9m

Charles Dale Memorial International

Port Harcourt

N2.040m

Whiteplains British School

Abuja

N1.6m

Dowen College,

Lekki, Lagos

N2m

Chrisland College

Ikeja, Lagos

N2m

Atlantic Hall

Epe, Lagos

N2.27m

Corona Secondary School

Agbara, Ogun State

N2.55m

Hillcrest School

Jos, Lagos, Abuja

N2.65m

Loyola Jesuit

Abuja

N2.8m

Meadow Hall

Lagos

N3m

Greensprings School

Lagos

N3.185 m

Royal Hall Schools

Agege, Lagos

N25,000/N19, 000

Bells International School, Ota,

Ogun State

N30,000/N110,000

Babcock University School,

Ogba, Lagos

N70,000/78,000

cause of limited funds. Normally, we need to put so many things in place before resumption. We need to get new furniture, stock of books and other necessary things. Some parents are yet to pay their wards’ school fees for last term and this is also affecting our preparation for the new school year. By this time last year, many pupils and students had paid their school fees before resumption, but this year only few have paid. We cannot blame the parents because they pay when they get their incomes as well. Schools are at the receiving end of this economic crisis.

“We pray the situation does not last for a long period of time but your ability to manage your resources efficiently makes you to cope with this trying economic period.”

Similarly, Mrs. Adekoya lamented the ravaging economic situation in the country and its negative effects it has brought on the preparation for the new academic session.

Her words: “The economy is really biting hard on the education sector and this is seriously affecting our preparation for the new school year as we need to employ more teachers especially now that some subjects have been added to the school curriculum. We also need teaching aids, tables and chairs for staff and students, among other facilities.”

Like Mrs. Adekoya, a teacher at Weavers Private School, Agege and the School Manager of Seda Philips Montessori School, Mrs. Adekanye Elizabeth, have the same story to tell concerning what they described as biting economic hardship ravaging the education sector as a whole.

Despite the financial constraints in the country, the Secretary of DeGreat Grace Nursery and Primary School, Mrs. Olawuyi Olaitan told New Telegraph that the school had already commenced upgrading of the existing facilities to make the school environment more conducive for learning.

Ahead of the new school year, as their tradition, some school proprietress, proprietors, principals and head-teachers were already busy given their school a “new look.”

In some schools visited, renovation works are ongoing with the repainting of buildings, repairing worn-out chairs, changing of school uniforms where necessary, making synthetic grasses and new art works, especially on the school walls, as well as equipping laboratories and workshops and also procuring new textbooks to aid teaching of the newly introduced subjects by the Federal Government in the nation’s school curriculum.

Early this year, the Federal Government introduced some new subjects into the primary and secondary school curriculum which include Information Communication and Technology(ICT), Data processing and Fisheries, Security Education, Trading, Plumbing, Catering, Bricklaying, Secretarial Studies, Tie and Dye and Auto-mechanics were included.

As part of the efforts to promote learning, Bripet International School, Mushin, Lagos has adapted and introduced ICT to the pupils, which the Proprietress, Mrs. Bridget Enoma said its introduction would avail the pupils the opportunity of early acquisition of computer skills.

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education

TUESDAY, september 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Allegation of bias against TETFund

Olatunji-Bello: TETFund’s policies must be reviewed Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji is a former Acting VC of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo

Olatunji-Bello

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here is no doubting the fact that universities in Nigeria are confronted by the challenges of the dearth of teaching and learning facilities due to acute shortage of funds.

Most of the facilities available, especially in public institutions, are either obsolete or incomplete.

The long years of abandonment and neglect of these institutions by the government has led to serious decay.

We have a great challenge of getting

our researches going because of the poor state of our technology, poor state of infrastructure. That was why stakeholders applauded the introduction of TETFund.

However, the story of accessing the funds from the agency’s pool for many institutions has not been palatable.

We have funds that are supposed to be released to public universities, but there are so many bottlenecks that needed to be removed, such as the bottlenecks that hinder us from accessing these funds.

They should review these criteria if not the

funds will be there lying waste.

Others are getting it, while we are not getting it because there are so many things that they require that must be available; nobody wants to go anywhere and do something illegal so we have been asking for these things and we do not have it so let us just forget it which is why most universities are not able to access the TETFund allocations.

But other universities seem to be able to assess it, mostly in the north, but down south here, we are not getting much from it.”

Isah: There’re laws governing TETFund

NMC, LRCN’s helmsmen pledge quality service delivery Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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he new Director and Chief Executive of the National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Prof. Stephen Onah has pledged that his administration will ensure accountability, probity and transparency in all official conduct.

This was as his counterpart, the Registrar of Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN), Prof. Michael Afolabi has expressed his administration’s readiness to engage stakeholders in the Library and Information Science (LIS) sector towards the development of library in the country.

Onah made the pledge during his maiden interactive forum with members of staff of the centre in Abuja, where he warned that his administration would not tolerate impunity in the system.

While calling on all staff to sit up to their responsi-

bilities, he gave the assurance that the new leadership at the centre would lead by example.

The new helmsman said that in carrying out the tasks of his administration, due process would be the watchword; pointing out that every available fund would be used for the purpose it is meant.

This was as he said that he would run an allinclusive administration, where the welfare of the staff would be a matter of priority.

Onah, who until his appointment was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, hinted that his appointment is a call to serve, he therefore, urged all members of staff to be ready to serve diligently.

“I will be decisive, fair and firm in all my dealings. There will be no room for sycophancy, just as eye service will be seriously discouraged,” he noted.

In a related development, Afolabi, who took

over from Dr. Victoria Okojie, the pioneer Registrar of the Council disclosed that he was passionate to move the sector forward in line with global library practice for the betterment of the country.

He assured stakeholders of collaboration with other agencies of the government to reduce the cost, as well as working to ensure the inclusion of Nigerian libraries in the national development plans that would contribute to meeting the global 2030 Agenda and the Africa Union Agenda 2063.

The Registrar pledged to leverage on the legacies of his predecessor, by building on the foundation already laid and sustain the good work he inherited at the Council.

He promised that adequate attention would be paid to staff welfare and their promotion, even as said that his administration would enforce discipline among members of staff for effective service delivery.

Dr. Nasir Faggae Isah is the immediate past President of ASUU

T

he allegation of bias against the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) may not be tenable as there are laws governing its activities. It is truly incontrovertible that the agency is a creation of the idea mooted by our union and we have at different times called for modifications in its statutory roles, but that cannot be enough to insinuate what is not.

There are certainly

guidelines being followed by the agency to be able to release funds for the different applicants, and these conditions are apparently set to ensure accountability, because facts have emerged from various institutions abusing the utilization of the funds through diversion and other things.

It is also true that ASUU has advocated for the concentration of the funds on revitalising the

Isah

decaying infrastructure in the universities, and very recently, the former Chairman of ASUU at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Dr. Bichi Baffa, was named the Executive Secretary of the Fund, it does not in any way mean that he will singlehandedly change the laws governing the agency’s activities.

Dutse: Polytechnics deserve better treatment Mr. Usman Dutse is the President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP)

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hat is left in many institutions today in terms of infrastructure is the intervention by TETFund. In fact, certain states have almost abandoned their institutions but for TETFund, many schools would have been shut down by their owners.

However, we on the platform of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) feel there is some degree of bias against the polytechnics,

which in ideal societies are regarded as the builder of a nation, because of what their mandates cover; that is, to produce middlelevel manpower for the critical sectors of the national economy.

Nigeria seems to be in the habit of misplacing its priorities and that has for a long time impeded the country’s national development.

I will, therefore, like to urge the new leadership in TETFund to

Dutse

be fair and just in the allocation of the resources to the different institutions across the country. The fairness on the part of the agency’s management will ensure even growth among the higher institutions in the country and their impacts could easily be felt by the entire country.

interviews conducted by mojeed alabi

L-R: Former Information Minister and guest speaker, Mr. Frank Nweke, at the 17th Mike Okonkwo annual lecture, Chief Arthur Mbanefo and Bishop Mike Okonkwo during the lecture held at the Muson Centre, Lagos photo: tony eguaye

Foundation awards scholarship to 15 students Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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n Ilorin, Kwara State-based NonGover nmental Organisation (NGO), the Tajudeen Olesin Foundation (TOF), has paid the registration fees for three brilliant students’ Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO).

The three students were selected based on their brilliant performance during a summer school programme, organised by the foundation in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State.

This is as the Foundation also awarded scholarship to 15 students in the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) 1-2 classes for the out-

standing performance.

Besides, the Foundation has renovated a classroom block at the Government Day Secondary School Amule in Ilorin, the venue of the summer programme.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Mr. Ibrahim Tajudeen Olesin, while announcing the scholarships, expressed delight that students from public schools in the state competed favourably with their peers from private schools during the programme.

According to Olesin, out of the 23 students that performed brilliantly during the summer lesson, 19 were from public schools, while four came from private schools.

While recounting the foundation’s experience during the programme, he pointed out that the government should enhance effective teaching and learning process in public schools,

as well as adequate supervision and provision of basic infrastructure.

He assured the students and their parents that the summer school will be a yearly event, saying the foundation embarked on the programme “in recognition of the fact that it is imperative to support the state government’s efforts at providing the right education and creating a conducive learning environment to the younger ones.

He said: “We did not do it to get reward from anybody. We are only expecting reward from Almighty Allah. Moreover, our young men and women need to be empowered with the right education in order to deal with poverty related issues and help in opening their eyes and minds to advocate for policies that will better their lives and bring development to the community, state and nation.”

TUESDAY, september 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

campus

Enugu library in ruins Gideon Arinze and James Ojo UNN

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he once vibrant library and centre of academic and research exploit, where students and researchers across the country thronged to acquire knowledge and for research activities, is today in total ruins and a shadow of itself.

That is the story of woe of the Enugu State Central Library, located along Ogui Road, which is charaterised by dilapidated structures, dearth of facilities and obsolete textbooks.

It was established in 1958 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for the old Eastern region, as the first public library in Africa.

The 58-year-old library, which is now in shambles following its decayed infrastructure, according to the Acting Director of Enugu State Library Services, Mr. Jude Offor, was at inception equipped with adequate reading facilities which enhanced quality learning and promoted research in the region.

Lamenting the dilapidated situation of the library 58 years after, he said: “Then, diverse people from across the world visited here (library) for research. The members of staff were trained outside the country. They were sponsored to workshops to improve their knowledge on diverse fields. There were adequate textbooks and other read-

ing materials covering virtually every subject and field of learning that made the library the cynosure of all eyes.

When Telegraph Campus visited the library, it is in a state of shambles, as the building is deserted, with surrounding overgrown with weeds and the structures outdated.

“The entire library environment is deserted, while students or other library users hardly go there to read as a result of its poor state.”

The central library is located along the road in the highbrow of Enugu. In its surrounding are bus terminals with loud speakers mounted atop trees and shops. What you hear at intervals is screaming of conductors, hawkers howling their wares, and music from the speakers, thus constituting disturbance to library users.

Apart from these is the fact that the library users have to battle with frequent stenches oozing from refuse dung close to the library.

Inside the library are antiquated chairs and tables, in which some of them are worn out, making it uncomfortable for the users. Everywhere looks cramped up and the ventilation systems are not working. Most of the offices visited had their ceilings leaking; thereby making the library malfunction.

A look at the book shelves, leaves much to be desired as they are sparsely equipped and with no upto-date books on different subjects.

The library, which lacked any sign of modernization, has no functional computers or internet facilities that could provide e-library

services and easy access to virtual information.

Meanwhile, the only 10 computer sets available in the library, Telegraph Campus gathered, were donated by a women group, the Way Women in Texas, U.S.A. According to one of the library users, Franklin Igwe, the library is unorganised and lacked current books on several topics.

“I have come here several times for a research work on Financial Management, but which I could not do because I could not find any material related to that field of study in the library,” he said.

Also, Amaka Okwuiyi, a worker at the library, who said the library, is being faced with several challenges, however, added: “We do not have electricity and water here and there is no functioning ventilation system as the air-conditioners have long broken down.”

But, Offor attributed the poor situation of the library to government’s lukewarm attitude towards the facilitiy, alleging that the state government has not responded to the calls for adequate funding of the library.

According to him, some workers are being owed a backlog of salary arrears of about seven years amounting to about N50 million, while the retirees’ gratuity is about N45 million.

The Acting Director, who hinted that the library is a parastatal under education ministry only receives meagre subversion from the government, stressed that the subvention is used to pay workers’ salary instead of spending it on other pressing needs of the library.

education

NAUS to UNILAG: Reinstate sacked students’union leaders Eddy Uwoghiren UNIBEN

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he leadership of the National Association of University Students (NAUS) has pleaded with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) authorities to without further delay reinstate the suspended students’ union leaders.

The union leaders were suspended by the university following their participation in the April 6 and 7 protest staged by the students to draw the attention of the management to the deplorable state of facilities on campus.

NAUS made the appeal in a press statement made available to campus journalists at the Ekiti State University (EKSU), AdoEkiti, the National Secretariat of the association.

According to the statement jointly signed by the National President of the association, Jonathan Adekunle and Chairman of the Campus Monitoring Committee Lagos State Axis, Chinedu Anudu respectively, the union

Ayobola Lawal

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Visually-impaired student emerges association’s spokesman Chidiebere Ejike UNN

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visually-impaired student of Mass Communication at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Ademola Adeleke has been elected as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Mass Communication Students Association (MACSA) of the institution.

Ademola, a sophomore polled 189 votes in the election to beat his opponent, Prince Obiefuna in the association’s election conducted before the university went on its long vacation.

In an interview with Telegraph Campus, Adeleke, who is fondly

called Demola by his admirers, said his plan is to make information management at the departmental level one to be reckoned with at the university.

He pledged that he would ensure proper and timely dissemination of relevant information in order to keep his colleagues abreast of developments at the institution.

He said: “I realise that one of the most effective ways of passing information across to the students is the use of the social media platforms and I intend to effectively use the social media to achieve my aim.

Many would be surprised about how I would do this, but I have all it takes and the necessary applications that will be needed in the discharge of

my duties.”

However, on his disabilities, Adeleke added that he would not have any challenge going about to disseminate information and pass messages across to the students.

His words: “Going around to deliver messages or information will not be a problem for me because I have always moved around with ease.”

Adeleke advised students living with disabilities to think beyond their physical limitations and believe in themselves to succeed in life.

“Students living with disabilities should not allow their condition to limit their abilities. They should always believe they can achieve their dreams despite their challenge,” he said.

wondered why the management took such a decision, which they said was not in the best interest of students.

The union noted that the decision of UNILAG management was equivalent to infringing on the rights and freedom of the students, which contravenes the 1999 Constitution and Africa Charter on Human Rights which support the freedom of association bill that gives students the rights to elect their leaders and maintain a union without any interference from the university authorities.

Apart from the reinstatement of the suspended students’ union leaders, NAUS also appealed for the lifting of ban on the university’s Students’ Union and immediate conduct the students’ union elections.

“NAUS hereby appeals to the management of UNILAG to tamper justice with mercy and recall the affected students so that they could continue their studies,” the union pleaded in the statement.

Dons’foreign grants boost varsity’s research profile AAUA

The library building

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wo members of academic staff of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), have won the world-acclaimed Alexander von Humboldt Foundation of Germany (AVHF) and the International Foundation for Science (IFS), Sweden grants for research.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, who expressed delight over the grants, said: “Our researchers or lecturers have what it takes to compete globally.”

The lecturers are Dr. I.A Ololade, an Associate Professor and Acting Head, Department of Chemical Sciences, who won the International Foundation for Science $12,000 grant, and Dr. N.A. Ladoja, a Senior Lecturer and Hydrochemist, who won equipment grants valued at over 19,800 Euros.

The vice-chancellor, while inspecting the scientific equipment procured through the grants at the Bio-Chemical laboratory, described the grants as ‘big donations’ from the Foundations.

He expressed the confi-

dence that university has researchers that can compete favourably with their peers anywhere around the world, saying it would take only great scholars to win such world-acclaimed grants.

While insisting that the grants would, no doubt, add substantial value to research efforts of the university, the vice-chancellor added: “It is equally important for members of staff, particularly the academic staff, to compete for international grants to enhance scholarship and the image of the university locally and internationally.”

Ladoja, whose research grant is to support and develop research in Ceramic Membrane for ground-water deflorisation. , said he had enjoyed tremendous support from the university as it creates enabling environment for cutting-edge research to thrive.

Ajibefun

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education

TUESDAY, september 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AUN admits four Chibok schoolgirls Chidiebere Ejike

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wo years after they escaped from their abductors, four of the 24 Chibok Schoolgirls, who escaped from Boko Haram insurgents in 2014, were among fresh students admitted into the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State for their university education.

They undertook the matriculation oath of the private university during the just concluded Convocation and Pledge ceremony of the institution, last month, which attracted a large turnout of dignitaries from all walks of life including parents.

According to the university, since the students’ lucky escape, the 24 of them have been on the university’s scholarship studying under a special preparatory programmme.

The Boko Haram insurgents had invaded Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State in April 2014 and abducted over 300 schoolgirls while preparing for their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Among the new students that were administered the

university’s matriculation oath were those accepted from assorted applications for the maiden class of AUN’s newly established School of Law that took off this semester.

The AUN Law programme uniquely offers concentrations in Humanitarian, Gender and Environmental Laws.

Others, who took part in the ceremony were university graduates pursuing various postgraduate programmes; among whom were 18 winners of the 67 competitive AUN scholarships on offer, as well as several other students transferring from other universities in Ghana, Lebanon, Egypt, United States and some European countries.

Apart from the novelty of admitting its first class of law students, the university admitted the largest number of undergraduates in a semester in the past three years, signaling a return to pre-insurgency admission figures, even as commercial and other activities have peaked in Yola and other parts of the state.

Addressing the convocation at the Commencement Hall, the President of the university, Dr. Margee Ensign noted that the type of education the new students would receive at AUN will en-

sure that they become leaders in their respective chosen fields.

“This kind of education will train you to look at problems from varying perspectives,” she noted, even as President Ensign reminded the students that they were being trained to be continental leaders, who upon graduation are expected to solve the challenges that confront them, their communities, countries and their continent.

“All universities identified problems, come up with new ideas. They discover new truths and some change the society. At AUN, Africa’s first development university, this is what we are trying to accomplish,” Dr. Ensign added.

Whether those problems are poverty, literacy, inequality, injustice or violence, President Ensign continued, by engaging students in the real world, AUN students deal with such problems during their time at university, asking questions about them, and finding solutions that improve the lives of their fellow human beings.

“We not only provide you with a different kinds of education, we provide you with the intellectual tools to become the future leaders of Africa,” she noted.

Some of the students

Redeemer’s Varsity installs Danjuma as Chancellor Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

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he authorities of the Redeemer’s University, a private institution located at Ede in Osun State have installed an elder statesman and former Chief of Army Staff, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd) as Chancellor.

It was at the university’s eighth convocation ceremony, where the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Debo Adeyewa, described the elder statesman as a lover of education and who had contributed immensely to its growth.

Worried by the present economic recession in the country, he called on President Muhammadu Buhari to engage seasoned economic experts to reduce the effects of the current economic meltdown in the nation.

According to the vice-

chancellor, if economic experts are engaged to find lasting solutions to the economic problems, it would go a long way in alleviating the economic messy situation the country is finding itself.

In view of this, he, however, suggested that the government should be honest in making use of the seasoned economic advisers to do the job without bias or favouritism so as to get the expected results at the end of the day.

“These season economic experts could come from any circle as it is not necessary to use a person who we know is not capable to do the job from a political party all in the guise to favour him or her. The people to be saddled with such job should probably not come from any political party if better results are to be achieved.

Adeyewa noted that it is only when a round peg is put in a round hole that the country would be transformed for bet-

ter in all sector, saying: “The solutions to Nigeria economic downturn does not lie with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank or any international organisations, but with every individual to contribute towards embracing home made goods.”

Giving the breakdown of the graduating students, the vice-chancellor, said a total of 619 graduating students would receive their scrolls, out of whom 25 graduated with First Class Honours, representing four per cent of the graduating students, while 207 obtained Second Class Upper Division representing 33.4 per cent.

According to him, 290 students graduated with Second Class Lower Division (46.8 per cent); 97 students, representing 15.7 per cent obtained Third Class, while 84 students, representing 13.6 per cent came out with Pass degrees.

EDUPEACE

with Mahfouz A. Adedimeji (08066372516, sms only)  Dr Adedimeji is a Senior Lecturer and Director, Centre

for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin

Social media or social menace?

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he advent of the social me- position.” dia in Nigeria has come The indecorous use of lanwith many positive de- guage and the increasing resort velopments such as con- to verbal abuse (also as dangerous necting old friends and people as verbal abuse) by young Nigerigenerally, promoting business, ans call for concern. Dr. Reuben sharing information with ease Abati once talked of how “the cynas well as serving as education ics, the pestle-wielding critics, the and entertainment platforms, unrelenting, self-appointed activamong others. There are several ists, the idle and idling, twittering, opportunities that the cyberspace, collective children of anger, the especially social networking sites, distracted crowd of Facebook adhas opened up for the teeming dicts, the BBM-pinging soap opera netizens on Facebook, Twitter, gossips of Nigeria” gave him hell.

MySpace, LinkedIn, Instagram, Seventy years ago, George YouTube and the rest.

Orwell wrote his essay, “Politics However, as Nigerians have and the English Language”, in a predilection for distorting the which he lamented the deterioraoriginal idea behind everything tion that language had suffered new, social media is becoming a which made Modern English to be potent weapon of social menace. “full of bad habits which spread Given that at least, 7.2 million Ni- by imitation.” Orwell related gerians visit Facebook daily, out the atmosphere to language and of over 16 million active users it thought, submitting that “when has, it goes without saying that the general atmosphere is bad, perhaps the path to social sanity language must suffer” and that begins from ridding the social me- it is the “slovenliness of our landia from its multifaceted menace. guage” that “makes it easier for us Some of the social media-in- to have foolish thoughts.” duced social menace in our sociA casual excursion through ety today include giving us a false the social media space would acsense of association (we don’t re- tually prove how “foolish” many late with people again, we relate people are, since we are what we with technology), the growing think, through their indecorous spectre of cybercrime, distrac- language. This virus has even intion, crowd mentality (inability fested some religious and public to think independently thereby personalities whose speech and succumbing to mob mentality) writing, circulated wide on the soand breach of privacy. cial media, are a disgrace to those On crime, the unfortunate sto- they claim to represent. Some of ry of Cynthia Osokogu who left them now specialize in spewing Abuja in late July, 2012 to meet hate out of their odoriferous bucsome Facebook friends in Lagos cal and mental cavities.

There is also a silent but poweris still fresh in mind. These real fiends that posed as virtual friends ful feeling of low self-esteem that people unwittingly enultimately lulled her tangle themselves in. to a hotel in Festac Known as “amour where she was robbed, abused propre”, many people and strangled to Many people have have felt hurt, unloved, deserted and death. Though the exploited the social inferior just because perpetrators of the dastardly act their posts or photomedia space to were eventually have less likes throw all decorum graphs caught, the life of than their friends’. to the wind the young lady They become withhacked down at her drawn, frustrated prime could not be and desperate to gain restored. people’s attention.

Many people have exploited In essence, social media is the social media space to throw a double-edged sword that can all decorum to the wind. It is be- make or mar, depending on how coming normal for your sight to it is used. The essential thing for be assaulted with soft and hard all to be mindful of what they use phonographic materials in pho- the social media for because the tographs and videos unabash- chickens will come home to roost, edly posted or uploaded by those ultimately. seeking cheap attention. There is also the dangerous dimension of cyber-bullying through which foul language is used to relentlessly attack individuals and people whose crime may be as innocuous as nation bereft of ideas would holding a different opinion. always struggle to make This is the point stridently headway. The evil motive of made by the revered journalism the Federal Ministry of Health icon and Managing Director to handover health institutions of the News Agency of Nigeria to the foreign conglomerates (NAN), Mr. Bayo Onanuga, when is uncalled for and a threat to he was pounced on recently by our collective security. GMO is those he classified as “lynch- a threat to Nigeria agricultural mob, cyber-hyenas, cyber-vandals, business that could hinder mascharacter assassins” who are “al- sive employment opportunities ways on the prowl, looking for in the sector and threat to our preys to desecrate and mutilate, health. all because the victims’ viewpoint – Aina Akindele Oyembanji, Ketu, Lagos does not tally with their jaundiced State

Re: GMOs: Fire on the mountain!

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BUSINESS |Money Line

TUESDAY, september 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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No MDA exempted from TSA, CBN insists AUTHORITATIVE Policy reduces bank fees, other transaction costs

Tony Chukwunyem

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he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reiterated that no Ministry, Department or Agency (MDA) of government has been exempted from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy.

CBN Director, Banking and Payment Systems Department, ‘Dipo Fatokun, disclosed this at the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) Bi-Monthly Forum hosted by the apex bank in Lagos, at the weekend.

He dismissed speculations in some quarters that some MDAs had been exempted from the policy, stressing that as far as the CBN was concerned, TSA was applicable to all MDAs. He pointed out that agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had been operating the TSA even before the Federal Government gave the order for the full implementation of the policy last September.

According to him, contrary to the opinion held in some quarters, the TSA policy was not unique to Nigeria, pointing

out that countries operating the policy include France, United Kingdom, United States, Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Congo and Gambia.

He said that apart from the TSA ensuring that the government has a consolidated view of its cash resources, thereby eliminating inefficiencies in financial and cash management, it reduces overdraft, bank fees and other transaction costs.

He further stated that under the policy, which was introduced by the previous administration: “Government agencies are not to operate any bank account under any guise, outside the purview and oversight of the Treasury.”

Fatokun revealed that Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) were fully complying with the TSA policy, adding that the banking watchdog had devised measures of ensuring the lenders’ compliance.

Meanwhile, the CBN Director has disclosed ongoing plans by the regulator to extend Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration project to customers of Other Financial Institutions (OFIS) such as Microfinance Banks (MfBs), Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs), among others.

He said the CBN was considering having the OFIS customers enroll through deposit money banks, because of the high cost of procuring the machines.

“We are considering using commercial banks as registration points for the OFIS customers.

We also expected that many of the OFIS customers, who already have their BVNs will supply the data to their banks, while others without BVN will register afresh,” he said.

Fatokun said the BVN project, which is being coordinated by CBN, commercial banks and Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) has helped reduce the number of bank frauds in the industry.

The CBN director explained that before the coming of the

T

he Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA) has identified quality statistical data as indispensable to current efforts aimed at achieving broad-based national development on a sustainable basis.

The President of the association, Dr. Mohammed Tumala, said this at the opening ceremony of the body’s 40th Annual Conference in Abuja.

He noted that though funds for data production at federal and state levels had been improving in recent years, he believes that there is need for states to do more in areas of some data production that are not usually covered by national surveys.

As at

MPR 91-day NTB Bonny Light Ext Res**

Description 15.10 27-APR-2017 16.00 29-JUN-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 12.50 22-JAN-2026 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 Tenor (Days) Call 30 90 180

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 17.1

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 July, 2016

14 10.77 US$49.29 US$25,157,243,447

26/07/2016 Mar 2015 12/9/2016 8/9/2016 Source:CBN

FGN Bonds

TTM

Price 104.65 114.59 111.96 120.58 109.60 100.54 83.82 97.56

1.07 3.24 3.87 5.82 7.95 9.81 14.31 18.29

NIBOR

Rate (%) 4.4583 9.1071 11.0102 12.3790

Bid Yield 10.38 10.55 11.60 11.44 12.27 12.40 12.44 12.49

Change (%) -2.50 ▼ -0.74 ▼ -0.65 ▼ -0.68 ▼

Change (%) -0.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.00 ↔ -0.07 ▼ -0.08 ▼ -0.03 ▼ 0.02 ▲

Price 104.80 114.89 112.26 120.88 109.90 100.84 84.12 97.86

Tenor (Months)

Offer Yield 10.24 10.45 11.51 11.38 12.22 12.34 12.39 12.44

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

Spot($/N)

FX

Offer 199.24

Change (%) 1.12 ▲ -0.27 ▼ -0.17 ▼ -0.11 ▼ 0.03 ▲ 0.42 ▲

Money Market

Change (%) 0.57 ▲

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 199.0000

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016 Spot($/N)

196.00

197.00

Besides, he pointed out that improved funding of data production activities at all government agencies in federal, state and local government levels would go a long way to address some challenges policy makers encounter when formulating policies.

He said:”Censuses, including human population, establishment, household and agriculture are essential but attract prohibitive costs. The 2017 traditional population census taking for instance is being planned for about N300 billion, which is almost 10% of nationally collected government revenue.

This adds to the burden of funding statistics production in the country.”

While noting that the establishment of the National Statistical System, NSS by Act of parliament in 2007 helped addressed some of the challenges of

data production, the NSA President, urged the government to move a step further by empowering Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to produce data for their sectors.

“MDAs have the responsibilities of data production in their jurisdictions. Funding official statistics production does not therefore stop at funding the NBS and state agencies, but providing all MDAs with funds to produce statistics in their sectors”, Tumala said.

He insisted that the current economic crisis has made it imperative to “produce timely and comprehensive data on all aspects of the economy.”

This is even as the statistician gave assurance that NSA will continue to contribute to collaborate with the government to produce needed statistical data for national development.

Ecobank, Mastercard launch Masterpass QR payment in Nigeria

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 ▼ Bid 199.14

than one BVN. “I want to assure you that the BVN has assisted us a lot in the banking system. It has assisted us to check frauds, and we are working on a framework, that will enable us if not to blacklist customers, because of some legal implications, but at least to watch-list a customer that is identified to have been fraudulent, or have done what he is not supposed to do across the banking sector,” he said.

‘Nigeria needs quality data for planning’

Economic Indicators M2* CPS* INF

BVN, identifications previously used in the banking industry were not foolproof, as fraudsters easily go unidentified.

However, BVN has now made it easier for the CBN and banks to uniquely identify every customer or to be able to trace transactions when frauds are committed.

He explained that no bank customer, including Nigerian bank customers in Diaspora, is authorised to have more

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

E

cobank Group has partnered with Mastercard to launch Ecobank Masterpass QR, an enhancement to the Masterpass global digital payment service that will enable millions of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria to accept fast and secure digital payments from consumers for the first time.

Ecobank in a statement, said it has chosen Nigeria to first launch this mobile-driven, Person–toMerchant (P2M) payment solution with Mastercard, which will address challenges with the acceptance of electronic payments within the MSME segment.

Users of Ecobank’s mobile banking platform will be able to safely pay for online and in-store purchases by scanning a Quick Response (QR) code displayed at checkout on their smartphones, or by enter-

ing a merchant identifier into their feature phones.

Shoppers don’t need to carry cash or their physical bank cards – rather they can make fast, safe and simple digital payments using Ecobank Masterpass QR via their mobile banking app on their mobile device anywhere that Masterpass QR is accepted.

Group CEO Ecobank, Ade Ayeyemi said: “Ecobank Masterpass QR serves the rapidly expanding needs of individuals and merchants in Nigeria and across Africa who are increasingly turning to mobile for payments. Enabling prosperity in Africa is about bringing many millions quickly into an organised financial system on the continent and globally. MSMEs are Africa’s future wealth creators and Masterpass QR is designed with these increasingly tech-aware businesses in mind.”

38

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

TUESDAY, september 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |Financial Market News

TUESDAY, september 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

39

NSE to sustain competitive platform for operators ATTRACTIVE Nigeria’s natural endowments still made it a very attractive investment destination Stories by Chris Ugwu

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he Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema, has said

that the Exchange would continue to do its part in ensuring that a competitive platform was provided for players to partake in the financial market.

Onyema, who stated this at a forum in Lagos, added that aside the minimum operating standards recently launched to deepen the stock market, the Exchange has executed several initiatives to strengthen the operations of dealing members and to make them comparable with their foreign

Oil futures climb as US equities advance

O

il rose as US stocks rebounded from the biggest rout since June and as the dollar retreated from its highs.

According to Bloomberg News, futures climbed as much as 1.4 per cent in New York, after dropping as much as 2.5 per cent earlier.

Equities climbed before the last scheduled Federal Reserve speaker made comments ahead of next week’s policy meeting.

The US currency erased a 0.3 per cent gain, making commodities more appealing as an investment. Prices declined earlier after US producers increased drilling and OPEC boosted its estimate for rivals’ output next year.

“Crude is along for the ride with equities,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC, a New York hedge fund focused on energy. “Friday’s move seemed a bit overdone.

Markets have been on tenterhooks because of concerns about central bank policies, but some calm has returned today.”

Oil has fluctuated since rallying in August amid speculation the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia would agree on measures to stabilise the market later this month. All solutions are possible; Algeria’s energy minister said when asked if producers could raise output within the

framework of a freeze. A deal to cap production was proposed in February but a meeting in April ended with no final accord.

West Texas Intermediate for October delivery rose 15 cents, or 0.3 per cent, to $46.03 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Total volume traded was 37 per cent above the 100day average.

Brent for November settlement increased 10 cents to $48.11 a barrel on the Londonbased ICE Futures Europe exchange. The global benchmark crude traded at a $1.52 premium to WTI for November delivery.

Rigs targeting crude rose for a second week to 414, the most since February, according to data from Baker Hughes Inc. The count climbed by seven last week, boosting the numbers of machines added since the start of July to 84, according to the energy-services company.

OPEC flipped its forecasts for rival supplies in 2017. Production from outside the group will grow by 200,000 barrels a day next year, compared to a drop of 150,000 a day projected a month ago. The gain is driven by the startup of the Kashagan oil field in Kazakhstan. That means the organisation’s total output of 33.24 million barrels a day in August was 757,000 a day higher than the average amount the world will need from OPEC in 2017.

counterparts.

One of the initiatives, according to him, was X-Boss, which automates and enhances the regulatory and oversight function of the NSE over its dealing members in the area of rendition of regulatory filings, analysis of financial renditions, capital and liquidity monitoring as well as compliance monitoring and reporting in line with global best practices.

Onyema explained that the Exchange had implemented a strong regulatory environment to protect investors against infractions while enhancing investor confidence in the market.

The President and Chairman, Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe, said Nigeria’s natural endowments still made it a very attractive investment destination.

He noted that the endowments must be strategically supported by well thoughtout policies.

“The truth of the matter is that many foreign investors still regard Nigeria as a good investment destination because of our current political stability. However, they will be further encouraged if we also have some consistency with our foreign exchange policies in line with the global best practices. At the heart of the capital market is the issue of participation of local investors. Expectedly, it is the local investors who ultimately will bring stability to the equity market,” he said.

He said the stakeholders in the market were bound to worry when the market was in a downward swing.

He, however, noted that the downturn was one of the attributes of stock markets

globally, stressing that it was only normal for the market to swing upward and downward because that was what makes it a market.

Abe explained that the direction of the capital market at any given time was a reflection of the economy and “it’s been known that the economy has not been doing too well lately. In this regard, it is even the best time to invest in the capital market because once the economy gets better, the capital market will recover as well.”

Some of the factors that draw investors into the capital market, according to him, are positive expectation about the economy; adequate and positive information about the market; security of investment; good returns in the form of dividends and / or capital gains, and favourable government policies.

Avon CrownCaps reports N202m Q1 2016 loss

A

von CrownCaps & Container Nigeria Plc has reported N201.750 million loss after tax for the first quarter ended June 30, 2016.

The company, in a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), said it reported a loss of 201.750 million as against a loss of N27.244 million posted in 2015, accounting for a percentage change of 1318.

Loss before tax stood at N177.119 million for the first quarter, against a loss of N12.494 million reported a year earlier.

However, the group’s revenue grew by 20 per cent from N3.410 billion in 2015 to N4.077 billion during the review period.

Wilko Corporation indicated intention to acquire 20.64 per cent of Avon CrownCaps’ issued share capital.

Wilko Corporation, a private company incorporated

in the Bahamas, is the majority shareholder in Avon CrownCaps & Containers Nigeria Plc. The company’s plan according to reports, was contained in a statement published by the Exchange on its website.

The NSE said that Wilko proposed to acquire the entire minority shareholding of Avon Crowncaps, amounting to 141.16 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each or 20.64 per cent of the company’s issued share capital.

“The company has notified the exchange through its stockbroker, CSL Stockbrokers, that its board had received a restructuring proposal from the majority shareholder, Wilko Corporation, a private company incorporated in the Bahamas,” it said.

The proposed acquisition of the company’s minority

shareholding by Wilko, according to the exchange, will be effected by way of a Scheme of Arrangement under the Companies and Allied Matters Act. The NSE said that the proposed scheme would be subject to the approval of the shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting to be convened by an order of the Federal High Court and the subsequent sanction of the court.

It said that the cancellation of the scheme shares and issuance of new Avon Crowncaps shares to Wilko would result in delisting of Avon Crowncaps shares from the Daily Official List of the NSE. Besides, it said that holders of the scheme shares would receive N1.90 for each share offered in consideration of the cancellation, adding that the company would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Wilko after the exercise.

40

News|south-WEST

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ondo guber poll: Owo seeks Tinubu’s support for Akeredolu

Babatope Okeowo Akure

W

orried that the frosty relationship between the

governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN and the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME Oguchi: I, formerly known and addressed as Godswill Uchenna Okafor, now wish to be known and addressed as Godswill Uchenna Sunday Oguchi. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public please take note.

Oluwadunsin

I, formerly known and addressed as Awopetu Anthony Dunsin, now wish to be known and addressed as Awopetu Anthony Oluwadunsin.

All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

Samuel

I, formerly known and addressed as Ele Blessing Bassey, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Bassey Samuel.

All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

Adeyemi

I, formerly known and addressed as Adewumi Ayo Ololade, now wish to be known and addressed as Adeyemi Ayo Ololade. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

Dangari

I, formerly known and addressed as Samson Azeez Shodiya, now wish to be known and addressed as Dangari Samson Azeez. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

Hameed

I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Adenike Rashidat Otunla now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adenike Rashidat Hameed.

All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

Uloh

This is to notify the general public that the names James Effiong Uloh and James Effiong refer to one and same person. Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as James Effiong Uloh.

All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc, First bank Plc and the general public take note.

Aladekoye

I, formerly known and addressed as Akindehin Nancy Tope, now wish to be known and addressed as Aladekoye Nancy Tope. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

Izuchukwu

I, formerly known and addressed as Nwakanobi Raymond, wish to add Izuchukwu to my name.

Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Nwakanobi Raymond Izuchukwu. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The

Ojubayo

I, formerly known and addressed as Ayankoya Oluwasola Ajebowale now wish to be know and addressed as Ayankoya Olusola Ojubayo. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

Favour

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Inya Patience Akanele now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Wonah Precious Favour.

All former documents remain valid.

N.Y.S.C and the general public please take note.

Endoroere

This is to notify the general public that Edougha Endoroere was wrongly written as my name instead of Dougha Endoroere. Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as Dougha Endoroere. All former documents remain valid. General public should note.

Justina

This is to confirm that Goodness John Edet and Justina John refer to one and same person. Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as Justina John Edet. Also my correct date of birth is September 25, 1986. All former documents remain valid. First bank Plc, UBA Plc and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ISAAC OLUWOLE POPOOLA ORPHANAGE HOME FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and Allied matters Act. 2004.

The Trustees are: 1. Mrs. Kehinde Popoola Liadi - President 2. Mrs. Taiwo Popoola 3 Mr. Gbenga Popoola AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To cater for the welfare of orphans and abandoned children.

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

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

PUBLIC NOTICE

DE GALAXY OF BLESSED FRIENDS SOCIAL CLUB OF NIG.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part "C" of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Degree No. 1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Ekpe Bright Ugwulo.

2. Okeke John Obichereihe.

3. Livinus Chukwuemeka.

4. Onwumere Izuchuwu.

5. Onuohia Donatus Chikadibia AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PROMOTE UNITY AND PROGRESS AMONG MEMBERS. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Ahmed Tinubu may ruin their kinsman’s chance in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo state, Owo community in Owo Local Government area, yesterday moved on behalf of the APC’s candidate.

The community comprising of monarchs, senior citizens, youths and party chieftains pleaded with Tinubu to please forgive Akeredolu and support him in a bid to win the November 26 governorship election in the state. They also pleaded with other aspirants to cooperate with the candidate to ensure victory for him.

The community also pleaded with other aspirants who were aggrieved over the emergence of Akeredolu as the party’s flagbearer to sheath their swords and support him in the election with a view to ensuring that the APC wins the governorship election.

At a rally organized by the Owo Youth Alliance (OYA), the community said it was its turn to produce Dr Olusegun Mimiko’s successor as it had not produced a governor since the beginning of the present political dispensation.

Armed with different

placards including “Owo Supports Akeredolu” “Let us Support Akeredolu our son” and “It is our turn to produce the governor” among others, the youths who moved round the town, took their rally to the palace of Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi.

In his speech, one of the leaders of the community, Mr Adekola Adewoyin said the community needed Tinubu to support Akeredolu as he did in 2012, urging the APC National Leader to forget what had transpired between them before the governorship primary.

Adewoyin said: “We are begging our leader; he should see whatever might have happened during the primary as exuberance of a young politician. I stand to be corrected Akeredolu will never say anything nasty about him.

“We have confidence in him and we are begging him that without him, the fatherly roles in winning Alagbaka will be lacking.

Owo community is begging him to let bygone be bygone. Akeredolu has the highest regard for him and we are begging him to come, the battle has not

Ooni charges Muslims on peace, unity

T

he Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called on Muslim faithful to use Eid-el Kabir celebration to pray for economic stability, peace and harmony in Nigeria.

Ogunwusi yesterday made the call in his Sallah message to Muslims in Ile Ife, Osun state, urging them to pray for the nation as challenges facing the nation would not

last just as there would be an end to it in no distant time.

The Ooni appealed to all Nigerians to endure and persevere as Prophet Mohammed did while thanking God for making the faithful witnessed another celebration, saying there was the need for them to embrace peaceful coexistence across the country.

Eid-el-Kabir: Be patient with Buhari, Adebule tells Nigerians Muritala Ayinla

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s Muslims all over the world celebrated the Eid El Kabir Sallah festival yesterday, Lagos State deputy governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule has called on Nigerians to be patient and join hands with the reform agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration towards building a new nation that would be the pride of all.

Speaking after the Eid-el-Kabir prayer held at Dodan Barracks, Lagos where she led the state government’s delegation to observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayer, Adebule noted that what Nigerians were passing through in the face of the present socioeconomic situation was a temporal sacrifice needed towards building

a stronger and economically stable country as giant economies of the world had at one time or the other faced similar situation while undergoing their reform process.

While pleading with Nigerians to cooperate and support the ongoing reforms in the country, she said that with strong determination hard work and genuine commitment of the people to a new change agenda, Nigeria would wax stronger in no distant time.

She said: “I have no doubt in my mind that with perseverance, dedication, hardwork and our collective determination for a better and prosperous nation, Nigeria will soon overcome the present problem and become a must visit place for tourists in the shortest possible time to come.’’

been won. The general election is steering us in the face.”

OYA Coordinator and traditional chief in the town, Chief K C Aruwajoye pleaded with Tinubu and other aspirants to work together for the victory of the APC’s candidate as without unity, the governorship seat may elude the party again.

Aruwajoye said: “We are appealing to other aspirants who participated in the primary election that they should rally round Akeredolu and give him support so that the party can record victory in the coming election. We must also appreciate some of the aspirants that have given him their own support behind him.”

Ladoja flays INEC’s postponement of Edo election Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

N

ational leader of Accord Party and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja yesterday flayed the postponement of the Edo governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying that it was so because the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was not sure of winning.

Ladoja who stated this while speaking with newsmen at his Bodija home shortly after observing the Eid-prayer at the University of Ibadan Central Mosque, insisted that nobody was convinced by the argument predicated on the nation’s security challenge.

While lamenting that billions of naira had been wasted on the shifting of the election date, Ladoja said that the federal government should stop playing games with the life of Nigerians because the nation’s economy would improve if the leadership continues to waste scarce resources.

Ladoja said: “I am sure that if the APC was sure of winning the election, it would not have accepted

the excuse of security breakdown. They would have moved all the security apparatuses to Edo State to ensure the election was held and won. Nobody has convinced us about the postponement.

They said security reasons, billions of naira had gone down the drain. We are wasteful. I am not in their party. My party has no candidate in Edo. I just know that it is wrong.

We have fixed this date for a long time and they first said it was because of WAEC but the date has been shifted to a date which also has WAEC exams.

Are you now going to ask WAEC to change the date also? We are still playing games. I am sure that if APC were sure that they will win Edo election they would not have postponed it.”

On the launch of “Change Begins with Me”, Ladoja noted that the change should begin with President Mohammadu Buhari, his cabinet while Nigerians will follow suit, wondering how the attitude of those who were being owed over six months of salaries will change because the government had asked them to change their attitude.

...Tinubu, APC canvass sacrifice, charity Temitope Ogunbanke

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rs. Oluremi Tinubu, a senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District has urged Nigerians to see themselves as a community knitted together for service.

Senator Tinubu in her Sallah goodwill message yesterday, said Nigerians especially Muslims should see this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration as a time of sober reflection, sacrifice and charity toward fellow believers and others.

She said: “We must continue to see ourselves as a community

knitted together for service. Our country today needs us all to contribute whatever we can make - individually and collectively to make Nigeria great again.

“This critical time in our nation’s history requires prayers but also positive actions. I call on you all to remain in the spirit of humility and great sacrifice which form the foundation of Eid-el-Kabir.

Also, Lagos APC tasks Nigerians on service to humanity, asking the Muslim faithful to embrace and emulate Prophet Mohammed by imbibing the spirit of sacrifice, humility, love and service to humanity.

News|south-EAST

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Flood: Red Cross begins evacuation in Anambra Pamela Eboh AWKA

T

he Nigerian Red Cross yesterday commenced the evacuation of flood victims to the 28 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the eight local government areas of Anambra State affected by this year’s flood.

The IDPs, which had been equipped with all the essential facilities, including water, tents, toilet facilities, mattresses and blankets, are located in Anambra East, which has six camps, Awka North (3), Ayamelum (6), Ekwusigo (2), Ogbaru (3), Onitsha North (4), Onitsha South (2) and Ihiala (2).

Information reaching New Telegraph has it that Red Cross got involved in the exercise following reluctance of most by the

victims to vacate their flooded homes.

According to reports last week, water hyacinth was hindering efforts to evacuate the flood victims in the state to safer areas.

Speaking at a capacity building programme for volunteers of the organisation involved in the evacuation process in Awka, the vice chairman of the Anambra State chapter of the Nigerian Red Cross, Professor Peter Katchy said that the camps had been fully prepared to receive the flood victims.

He said though some of the flood victims were reluctant to leave their flooded homes, the volunteers had been trained to counsel them by reminding them that it would be in their best interest to relocate until the flood recedes.

Enugu to turn Zik’s residence into tourist site Charles Onyekwere and Blessing Njoku

E

nugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has assured that he would turn the Nsukka official residence of Nigeria’s first president, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, into a tourist attraction site.

The governor, who stated this yesterday when he paid a courtesy call at his Onuiyi Heven, accompanied by a former Minister of Information, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, second repub-

£387m The total value of Internazionale in 2016.

Source: Goal.com

lic politician, Chief Maxi Ukuta, the Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Prof. Mrs. Rose Onah and other top government functionaries, said they were at the residence to pay their respect and express the goodwill of the government and the people of Enugu State.

The governor commended the wife of Nigeria’s former President, Dame Prof. Uche Azikiwe, for the family’s continued support and service to the state government and the entire

nation, for upholding the legacies of her late husband, describing him as “the undisputed icon of Nigerian nationalism, most revered statesman, political philosopher, nation builder, international political figure, celebrated journalist, author, orator and more importantly, our beloved father and brother.”

He said: “We are very proud to have been associated with such a legendary personality.

“As the Premier of Eastern Nigeria (with

N790.78bn

The total revenue of 2015 Government Quarterly Collection from Petroleum Profits Tax and Non-oil taxes for the 2015 Q4.

Source: Firs.gov.ng

41

Enugu as capital), he made many visionary and enduring contributions to the development of the state, including the establishment of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka - the first indigenous university in Nigeria - as well as many important government institutions, organisations and edifices some of which are still standing today.

“He also made Nsukka his permanent home and was a notable advocate for the creation of Wawa (i.e Enugu) State.

N161.01bn The total amount of Imports from South Korea for the 2014 Q4.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

Ebonyi Assembly approves N120m for displaced communities Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

E

bonyi State House of Assembly has approved N120million for resettlement of three communities displaced at the Centenary City in the state.

The communities are: Nkaliki Upnuhu, Agbaja Upnuhu and Inyima Agbaja in Abakaliki local government area.

They were displaced with compensation by the last administration of Chief Martin Elechi during the acquisition of the area for the development of a new City it tagged Ochudo City which was changed to Centenary

City by the present administration.

Yesterday, Governor Umahi wrote to the Assembly seeking the approval of the N120million to resettle the communities.

He said the money when approved will help to ameliorate the sufferings of the people as he had promised to resettle the three communities when elected during his campaign last year.

After reading the letter by the leader of the House during plenary, the member representing Abakaliki South constituency, Hon. Luke Nkwagu, through a motion said the displaced people had suffered untold hardship.

Imo Deputy Governor salutes Muslims on Eid-El-Kabir T

he Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has congratulated the Muslim faithful on the occasion of the 2016 Eid-el-Kabir, calling for sacrifice for a more united Nigeria.

Madumere’s message was contained in a release signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Uche Onwuchekwa.

He said that the event in the Muslim calendar, known as festival of sacrifice, was not unconnected with the significance of God’s sacrifice in his providence to save mankind. He pointed out that such divine sacrifice should be emulated by all.

The Deputy Governor therefore charged Mus-

lim faithful to use the solemn festival of sacrifice to seek peace by imbibing the spirit of love and tolerance with a view to achieving a more united Nigeria.

He also called for understanding with the present economic realities, saying that Nigeria will emerge better given the effort of the Federal Government and other levels of government to re-engineer the Nigeria economic status.

He therefore urged the Muslim faithful to spare a thought for Nigeria and pray for God’s divine intervention in the affairs of the nation, while calling for patriotic spirit towards building a Nigeria of our collective dream.

Wife of the first President of Nigeria, Prof. Uche Azikiwe (left), with Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, during the governor’s courtesy visit to the residence of the Azikiwes, at Nsukka, Enugu State… yesterday

Grazing Bill: Beware of monetary inducement – Ohanaeze Okegwo Kenechukwu ONITSHA

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he first civilian Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife has called on the governors particularly in the South East geopolitical zone to beware of the Federal Government inducement plan over the Grazing Bill vehemently rejected by Nigerians.

Ezeife, who spoke with our correspondent in Onitsha, said: “Grazing bill is a mission impos-

sible. Nigeria people have rejected it; no governor can impose such on the people, if they said they don’t want it.

“No matter the amount of money or inducement I don’t think any governor will think it wise to consider the grazing bill without the consent of the people who voted him into office.”

On whether the monetary inducement at this time of economic recession was a ploy by the federal government to woo some state governors, particularly the South East

governors, to cue into the idea, Ezeife said it cannot be targeted at Ndigbo. According to him, it was not true that because Ndigbo loved money more than others. “I know that some even love money more than Ndigbo. Some can even sell their mother for money. Ndigbo cannot make such mistake, and any governor who dares to think along that line will be ready to incur the wrought of the people,” he said.

On his part, the former president General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr.

Dozie Ikedife, said his take on the parley between the state and the federal government was that grazing was just like another business, such as goat rearing, fish, pig, cattle and others. “It is a private business. Nobody has a right under the Nigerian constitution to go to somebody else land to rear cattle or another animal without permission.

“Cattle rearing are being practice all over the world and it is no longer in use in this modern era,” he said.

gress (APC) government, saying that never has the country been so polarised or a zone so marginalised as it is presently.

Nkole, who said this in Umuahia while interacting with journalists, noted that the APC government has through its policies of lopsided appointments and neglect of infrastructure, justified the cry of margin-

alisation in the zone.

He lamented a situation in which despite the persistent cry of marginalisation in the zone, no practical step had been taken to give the people a sense of belonging.

“We are being treated as if we are not part of Nigeria,” he said, adding that the “state of infrastructure in the South East is a pity”, while the

zone was at the receiving end of lopsided appointments.

The lawmaker regretted that even in the face of brazen bad policies of the present administration that had continued to polarize the nation, most Nigerians appear to have resigned to their fate and allowed the ruling party to ride the nation roughshod.

South-East at receiving end of FG’s divisive policy, says Rep

Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

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member representing Arochukwu/ Ohafia in the House of Representatives, Hon Uko Nkole, has said that the South East zone of the country has been at the receiving end of the divisive policies of the All Progressives Con-

42 News|south-South

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Three ex-militants arrested with two AK47 in Edo

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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hree for mer militant leaders in the riverine communities of Edo State have been arrested by the state command of the Nigeria Police.

They were arrested with two AK47 assault rifles at an undisclosed location near Benin City, the state capital.

A source close to the command said the former militant lead-

ers are currently in the custody of operatives of the State Criminal Investigative Department (SCID) of the command headquarters.

It was further gathered that arrangements were in top gear to arraign the suspects at the Magistrate Court, Benin tomorrow.

One of the suspects and alleged leader of the group was said to have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the party’s world press conference held in

the city.

Leaders of the PDP in the state have severally accused the state of clamping down on its members across the state.

The latest development came barely four days after officials of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) alerted Nigerians about reports of a terror attack in parts of the country, including Edo State, where governorship election slated for Saturday September 10, had been postponed

to Wednesday, September 28.

Both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continued to trade accusations over the sudden shift in the date of the governorship election which has 19 political parties and their candidates in the contest.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole had last week raised the alarm over alleged registration of about 8, 000 militants from neighbouring

states in the South-South with a view to making them participate in the governorship poll in Edo State, a design he said was aimed at causing violence during the exercise.

The leadership of the PDP in the state had since denied the state government’s allegation.

This was as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Edo State, Henry Idahagbon, denied the rumour that the militants were arrested in his hotel last

Nigerian vehicles to install speed limit devices – FRSC Pauline Onyibe Yenagoa

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o reduce auto crashes on Nigerian roads, vehicles in the country will henceforth be forced to install speed limit device that will monitor excess speed on the roads according to Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

According to the Deputy Corp Marshal,

Ojeme Ewhurajakpo, the enforcement date for this will be October 1, 2016.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme at the weekend in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the Deputy Corps Marshal said the enforcement, however, will start with commercial buses, which she said carry more people.

Ewhurajakpo said about 38 vendors have already indicated interest to handle the exercise.

The speed limit she said,

will be 100km per hour for intercity.

Although, the actual amount for the speed limit was not made known, the Deputy Corps Marshal said it was affordable, maintaining that it was better when compared to loss of life as a result of auto crash.

Arguing that there was nobody that had not lost a loved one, Ewhurajakpo said the House of Representatives has given the go ahead to contin-

ue with the plan, adding that ‘this is a reminder for drivers to know that there is no going back on this.’

She insisted that the unions were aware of the issue, adding that the device, when installed, could last up to five years.

However, a driver can go back to the vendor for a change of the device if defective, adding that the speed limit met with the Nigerian standard.

Also speaking, the Sector Commander, FRSC Bayelsa State Command, Wobin Ayuba Gora, said it is a must for drivers to comply with the directive, adding that the directive is from the Federal Government and it is meant to save lives.

He said: “If you don’t comply, we impound your vehicle until you comply. Representatives from other sister organisations also graced the occasion.

Friday.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the story is false and a figment of the warped imagination of the writer, no amount of false propaganda against my person or other members of the APC will stop the impending annihilation of the party in the state and the reduction to tunnels of the over bloated political ego of their candidate.”

Idahagbon said the “purpose of this fabrication is to obfuscate the arrest of one their imported ‘Generals’ who was arrested with two Ak47 assault rifles and was currently with the police.”

He said efforts made by some of the PDP leaders to get the suspects off the hook were said to have been rebuffed by the security agencies following pressure from some powerful people.

UNIUYO alumni hail new registrar Tony Anichebe Uyo

L-R: Wife of the former Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters, Jumoke Ekong; former Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters, Captain Iniobong Ekong and Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, during Ekong’s 50th birthday celebration in Abuja…yesterday

Okowa urged to revisit Isoko South senatorial crisis Gabriel Efeduku Ughelli

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elta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, was yesterday urged by stakeholders in the state to revisit the political crisis rocking Isoko South senatorial district in the state.

In a strategic move to revert power to the people as against superimposing executives on the party, members of Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state under the auspices of ‘Save Isoko South PDP Group’ urged Okowa to revisit the crisis in the area to avoid the disintegration of the party in Isoko South.

At a crucial meeting held in the local government which had Prof.

Ekoko Abednigo, Chief Etaloku, Sir M. O. Sieto, Hon (Chief) Dickson E. Egbare, among other lead-

ers from different wards in attendance, the stakeholders deliberated on the wellbeing and unity of the party.

The group also lamented the level of dictatorship displayed during the last PDP ward and local government executives’ congresses.

It said its aim was to put together all aggrieved members of the party back on track and convince them to remain in the party, that what is

happening to the party was not the fault of the party but that of a few individuals, warning that they will be forced to take a decision if nothing iwas done on the issue.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Coordinator of the group, Hon. Dickson E. Egbare, on behalf of the group, lamented the spate of dictatorship displayed during the congresses, which he said made stakeholders pulled out of the party.

3.88m

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

Source: Itu.int

61.6% The percentage

of the urban population of Portugal in 2012.

Source: Un.org

T

he University of Uyo (UNIUYO) Alumni Association has commended the appointment of Mr. Aniediabasi Daniel Udofia, as the new registrar of the institution.

The National President of the association, Prof. Gabriel Umoh, in a statement in Uyo, the state capital, expressed delight at the development, noting that by this appointment, Udofia had made history by becoming the first alumnus to rise to the top management cadre of the institution.

“This appointment demonstrates, once again, the sterling qualities that UNIUYO graduates are made of.”

He, therefore, urged the new registrar to deploy his wealth of experience in the task of developing his almamater.

Udofia, who hails from Obotim Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was until the ratification of his appointment at the 74th Council meeting of UNIUYO, the Deputy Registrar and Secretary of the Postgraduate School of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

News|north

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Recession: Bello calls for citizens’ patience Zacchaeus Ozovehe Lokoja

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ogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has urged the people of the state to be patience with President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration over the present economic recession.

This was even as he assured them that more than 100,000 youths and women in the state would be empowered through the empowerment programmes of the state government.

Addressing people shortly after the Eid-elKabir prayer in Lokoja yesterday, the governor said his administration is youth-focused, saying over 100,000 of them and women would be empowered so as to prevent them from being used to cause crises in the state.

Bello, who sued for peace and unity among the people of the state irrespective of their religion and ethnic background, urged them to

Jos

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former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gorge Daika, has expressed confident in the leadership of Plateau State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and former Minister, Hon. Damishi Sango in reconciling the aggrieved members and return the party to power in 2019.

He applauded the spirit of reconciliation initiated by the ex-minister when he took over control of the party’s leadership in the state, even as he called on critical stakeholders of the party to support the move to strengthen the party in the state.

Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora, Alhaji Sa’idu Namaska (right); Niger State Governor, Dr. Abubakar Sani Bello; Chairman, Kontagora Local Government, Alhaji Ahmed Attahiru; Gen. Suleiman Sa’id (rtd) and other worshipers, during the Eid-El-Kabir in Kontagora … yesterday.

live together as one entity to enable the state enjoy the patronage of foreign investors.

“We are doing our best to woo foreign investors to the state and without absolute peace and unity among the people, the state cannot enjoy such opportunity,” the governor said.

In his sermon, the Chief Imam of Lokoja Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba, who led the Eid prayer, cautioned Muslims against bad conduct.

Adamawa: Governor celebrates Sallah with IDPs Ibrahim Abdul Yola

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damawa State Governor, Muhammadu Bindow, yesterday moved the state cabinet to Malkohi camp to celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Kabir with the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in their camp.

PDP’ll bounce back in 2019, says ex-lawmaker Musa Pam

Daika, a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly stated this while addressing journalists in Jos. He cautioned those drumming support for him ahead of the 2019 governorship election, to join hands with the party towards reconciling aggrieved members.

He said: “In spite of the defeat PDP suffered in 2015 general elections, the party has remained the strongest party in Plateau State. With people like former Minister, Damishi Sango as chairman of the party and other members of the exco in the state, I am optimistic that the party will bounce back to power in the next general election.”

This was as he pledged the commitment of his administration to continue to support the course of humanity, especially the disadvantaged strata of the people.

Bindow, who assured the IDPs that his government would adequately integrate the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency during their rehabilitation, however, called on politicians in the state to support the administration to improve

LAFIA

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he Nasarawa State chapter of the Prison Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has decried the high number of prison inmates currently put at over 1,662 in the state.

To this end, the group urged the federal and state governments to set up a task force to ensure speedy trial of the 1,126 of the inmates said to be awaiting trial in order to decongest the prisons in the state.

Chairman of the state chapter of the Fellowship,

Mr. Andrew Eze made the call in his address at the 2016 annual stakeholders meeting, which took place yesterday in Lafia, the state capital.

Represented by Evangelist Nnamdi Chukwu, he noted that the congestion in the nation’s prisons had become worrisome, even as Eze urged judges, lawyers, the police and other relevant authorities to work towards decongestion of prisons in the country.

Specifically, he advised the judiciary and the police in particular, to resolve some

the welfare of the people in line on his party’s election campaign manifestos.

“We will continue to support the IDPs to give them a sense of belonging and my government will continue to identify with the disadvantage strata of the society and today demonstrates our commitment to identify with you by celebrating this year’s Eid-el-Kabir with you in the camp,” the governor said.

His words: “I am calling

on all the people, irrespective of political affiliation to support this administration to achieve its agenda of transforming the state.”

Also, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ahmed Sajoh, said that the state government would not abdicate its responsibility to provide security and social welfare to its people.

Sajoh said that the present administration would continue to execute people-

friendly programmes and projects, calling on the IDPs to be security conscious and keep vigilance in their immediate environment.

Responding on behalf of the IDPs, Mr. Dominic Samuel thanked the government for identifying with them, and expressed delight that the IDPs community would continue to pray for the success of the APC administration in the state and the nation in general.

Borno: Shettima marks Eid at Konduga

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orno State Governor, Kashim Shettima and the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Garba Abari, yesterday observed this year’s Eid prayers in Konduga, a town which was one of the territories controlled by the Boko Haram insurgents since 2014, when residents were violently attacked and chased out of the town.

The insurgents serially bombed public buildings including hospitals, schools, council secretariats, markets and private houses, forcing residents to flee the community in the last two years.

Due to their invasion,

Group decries high number of inmates in Nasarawa prisons

Cheke Emmanuel

43

of the cases without necessarily taking such to court to avoid congestion in prisons.

In his remarks, the Programme Coordinator of the fellowship, Pastor Wilson Kingsley explained that the meeting was organised to brainstorm on issues affecting prison inmates in the state.

He called on corporate bodies, non-governmental organisations, philanthropists and good-spirited individuals in society to support the group in its complementary efforts in managing the prisons.

several hundreds of the residents have become Internally Displaced Persons at government controlled camps in Maiduguri.

However, with the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the military finally took full control of the town early this year with Borno State Government embarking on reconstruction of public buildings, which paved the way for the return of the IDPs to Konduga barely two weeks ago.

In solidarity with the people, the governor yesterday departed Maiduguri, the state capital, at about 8:55am and ar-

rived Konduga by 9:45am in convoy of top government officials including NOA Director-General; Senator Baba Bashir Garbai, representing Borno Central Senatorial District; Senator Abubakar Kyari, representing Borno North; the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, security chiefs, members of the state Assembly; commissioners and other officials for the Eid prayers.

The governor was received by the council Chairman, Audu Ladan and the District Head of Konduga, Alhaji Zanna Yale at an Eid prayer ground, located along the palace of the Dis-

trict Head amidst a large turnout of the IDPS, who returned to Konduga two weeks ago.

The two raka’ats (Eid prayer) were led by the Imam Eidaini of Konduga, and Imam Goni Lawan, who later symbolically slaughtered his Ram in the presence of the governor to pave way for other worshipers to slaughter theirs.

According to Shettima, the decision to celebrate the Eid prayers outside Maiduguri, the first time any sitting governor would do that, was to identify with the people and give them a sense of belonging, especially at this Sallah season.

Benue: CAN identifies unity as key to development Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

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enue State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Akpen Leva, yesterday identified unity as the key to the development of individuals, organisations and the state in particular.

The cleric spoke during the commissioning of the new church building built by the NKST church, Iortyer Makurdi, the state capital.

Leva, the Resident Pastor of the church, said the

church was able to build the structure due to the prevailing unity of purpose among the members.

He, however, encouraged the congregation to continue in that spirit to achieve more successes, nothing that the church did not build the structure for the purpose of aggrandizement, but for the glory and the worship of God. The state governor, Samuel Ortom, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, James Anbua spoke extensively on unity, and enjoined the church to be united, even as he insisted that if the Christians

in the state imbibe such virtues, there would be lasting unity in the state given the percentage of Christians in the state.

According to the governor, there is hardship in the land, but if the people are united and put their hope in God, what they are going through would certainly be over.

He, therefore, urged the people to embrace farming at this difficult time, even as he assured the people that the hardship brought about by non-payment of salaries of civil servants would be over before the end of the year.

n n s e s t a r d n s

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WORLD \ NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Cameron resigns from British parliament

F

ormer British Prime Minister David Cameron says he has decided to resign from his seat in parliament with immediate effect.

“It is not going to be possible to be a normal backbencher as a former prime minister,” Cameron told the BBC yesterday. He added that his presence in parliament could be a “distraction” for his successor as Prime Minister, Theresa May. Cameron had pledged to support May, who has got off to a cracking start since she

became the nation’s leader in July. The ruling Conservative Party elected May to lead the country after Cameron resigned following his failed campaign to persuade voters to remain in the European Union in Britain’s Brexit referendum.

Cameron’s unexpected announcement on Monday will trigger a bye-election for his seat in Oxfordshire. Cameron had earlier resigned as Prime Minister after failing to convince British voters in June to remain in the EU in a ref-

erendum. He said at the time he planned to remain in Parliament although he would no longer have a leadership role in the Conservative Party.

It was not immediately clear when the bye-election for his seat would take place.

Cameron promised to support the Conservative Party candidate chosen to replace him in the bye-election that would be held to fill the vacancy. Cameron had won re-election in 2015, but his position became untenable after losing the EU vote on June 23.

Cameron

Death toll in Tanzania earthquake reaches 16

T North Korean leader Kim Jong Un provides field guidance during a fire drill of ballistic rockets by Hwasong artillery units of the KPA Strategic Force

North Korea ready for another nuclear test

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orth Korea is ready to conduct an additional nuclear test at any time, South Korea's Defense Ministry said on Monday, three days after the reclusive North's fifth test drew widespread condemnation.

Pyongyang set off its most powerful nuclear blast to date on Friday, saying it had mastered the ability to mount a warhead on a ballistic missile and ratcheting up a threat that its rivals and the United Nations have been powerless to contain.

"Assessment by South Korean and US intelligence is that the North is always ready for an additional nuclear test in the Punggye-ri area," the site of the North's five nuclear explosions, South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun told a news briefing. "North Korea has a tunnel where it can conduct an additional nuclear test," Moon

said.

South Korea is pushing for more sanctions against Pyongyang to close what it says were loopholes left in the last United Nations Security Council resolution adopted in March. Both China and Russia backed sanctions imposed in March following the North's January nuclear test, but their apparent ambivalence about fresh sanctions cast doubt on the Security Council's ability to quickly form a consensus.

"We expect that China, as one of the Security Council member states, should take this issue seriously and play a very constructive role to come up with a very effective and strong sanctions resolution," a South Korean foreign ministry official said. The Security Council denounced the latest test on Friday and said it would begin work immediately on a resolution. The United States, Britain and France - three of the five veto-wielding perma-

nent members - pushed for the 15-member body to impose new sanctions.

However, China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said sanctions alone could not solve the North Korean nuclear issue. The crux of the issue lay with the United States, not China, she added. Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said a "creative" response was needed.

Speaking to Lavrov yesterday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China "strongly urged North Korea and other relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint, and not take any new steps to intensify tensions", China's Foreign Ministry said.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said Lavrov and Wang condemned North Korea's latest nuclear test in a phone conversation on Monday. Russia and China are the remaining veto powers on the Security Council.

Zuma refunds $538,000 in home improvement scandal

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outh Africa's President Jacob Zuma has taken out a home loan to repay state money spent on nonsecurity upgrades to his private residence, his office said yesterday, after a scandal over lavish improvements including a swimming pool and amphitheatre.

In a stinging rebuke that hit Zuma financially and politically, the Constitutional Court ordered him in March to return some of the $16

million spent on enhancing his residence at Nkandla in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Near record unemployment and a stagnant economy have exacerbated discontent with Zuma's leadership.

He survived an impeachment vote in April over the Nkandla costs with backing from the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which has been in power since the end of white-minority rule in 1994. In August, the rul-

ing party suffered its worst losses in municipal elections and lost its grip in key cities including the capital Pretoria and the economic hub of Johannesburg.

The president's office said Zuma had taken out a home loan on standard terms from private black-owned VBS Mutual Bank to repay 7.8 million rand ($538,000) - the sum determined by the Treasury in June as the "reasonable cost" he should bear.

he death toll from the earthquake that struck northwest Tanzania at the weekend has risen to 16, the government said yesterday as smaller aftershock hit the area.

There were however no immediate reports of damage from the second tremor. The first shock, in the Kagera region on Saturday, measured 5.7 and injured 253 people in addition to those killed. Initial reports had put the death toll at about 10 people.

“Thousands of people have been left homeless as a result

of this disaster,” the prime minister’s office said yesterday in a statement. The statement added that 840 houses were destroyed and 1,264 others were damaged by cracks.

The Information Ministry said a second “smaller earthquake” hit Kagera late yesterday, without giving the magnitude. “But there are no reports of any serious damage,” the ministry said. President John Magufuli has postponed a visit to neighbouring Zambia to take charge of the government’s relief efforts, the presidency said in a statement.

Syrian war: Cessation of hostilities comes into effect

A

cessation of hostilities has come into effect in Syria, following a weekend of air strikes. If the truce holds for seven days, the US and Russia will carry out coordinated air strikes against jihadist militants.

Syrian state media said President Bashar al-Assad had welcomed the deal, struck on Friday in Geneva after months of talks between Russia and the US. But it is unclear whether rebel factions will abide by it. The cessation of violence officially came into effect at sunset yesterday.

Earlier, the Free Syrian Army group wrote to the US administration saying that while it would

"co-operate positively" with the ceasefire, it was concerned it would benefit the government.

Another major rebel group, the hardline Islamist Ahrar alSham, initially rejected the deal later it appeared to have softened its stance.

Opposition sources quoted by Reuters said that a forthcoming statement supporting the cessation "with harsh reservations" would be backed by "the largest groups", including Ahrar al-Sham. President Assad, speaking before the ceasefire was due to start, said the Syrian state was still "determined to recover every area from the terrorists, and to rebuild".

MH370 search: New debris in Madagascar includes burnt parts

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ive new pieces of debris that could belong to the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 have been found in Madagascar. Two fragments appear to show burn marks, which if confirmed would be the first time such marks have been found.

MH370, flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, had 239 people on board when it vanished in March 2014. The flight is presumed to have crashed into the southern Indian Ocean after veering off course.

The findings were made by debris hunter Blaine Gibson, who has previously found other parts of the plane. The most significant finding, according to Mr Gibson, is of the two alleged burnt piec-

es, recovered near Sainte Luce, in south-eastern Madagascar.

It is unclear, however, if the apparent burn marks were caused by fire prior to the crash or as a result of burning afterwards, he said.

Another small piece was found in the same area and two others in the north-eastern beaches of Antsiraka and Riake, where debris had already been found. All five fragments have the "honeycomb" material found in other MH370 debris.

The new discoveries were all sent to investigators at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), Mr Gibson said. A number of other pieces of debris, some confirmed to have come from MH370, have been found in countries near Madagascar.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Warinka rates Djokovic high despite US Open victory

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tan Wawrinka became the oldest US Open men’s champion in 46 years when he defeated world number one Novak Djokovic to claim a third Grand Slam title on early Monday morning.

Wawrinka, the 31-yearold third seed, triumphed 6-7 (1/7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3.

Sport

Despite defeating the best when it mattered, yet the quietly spoken Swiss is reluctant to climb up on the podium alongside the vanquished Novak Djokovic and the trio who constitute the Big Four of tennis.

He has beaten them all at some stage – his absent compatriot Roger Federer, Andy

Murray, Rafael Nadal and, in two of his slam finals, the best player in the world.

“Because first I think it’s not fair for them to put me there,” he said. “They have been there since more than 10 years. They have been in all semi-finals of grand slams, all finals, all semi-finals of Masters 1000, all finals.

Sport News Kanu loses Mum

46

Paralympics

Omolayo wins Nigeria’s sixth gold

Hui Liu claimed the bronze medal with a lift of 131 kg.

Similarly, Nwosu won the gold with a lift of 140 kg ahead of France’s Souhad Ghazouani who won silver also with a lift of 140.

Egypt’s Amany Ali finished third to take the bronze medal after lifting 127 kg.

Nwosu now joins Roland Ezuruike (men’s -54kg), Paul Kehinde (men’s -65kg) and Lucy Ejike (women’s -61kg) as gold medalists for Team Nigeria in the powerlifting event.

As at Monday evening, Team Nigeria are ninth on the overall medals table at the ongoing Rio 2016 Paralympics with a total nine medals.

Six of the total haul are gold, with two silver and a bronze medal.

Emmanuel Tobi

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igeria’s gold medals increased to six at the ongoing Rio 2016 Paralympics yesterday after Bose Omolayo and Ndidi Nwosu emerged victorious in the women’s -79kg and -73kg powerlifting event respectively.

Omolayo lifted 138 kg to finish top of her weight category with China’s Lili Xu winning the silver after lifting 135 kg, while Chinese Taipei’s Tzu-

Nwosu

Eagles’ form excites NFF Moses (left) in action against Tanzania in Uyo

Adekunle Salami UCL FIXTURES Basel

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Ludogorets 7:45pm

PSG

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Dynamo Kyiv vs

Napoli

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Man City

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he current form of Nigerian players in their respective clubs abroad is a thing of joy to the chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation as the 2018 World Cup qualifiers draw near.

Kelechi Iheanacho scored the second goal for City in the 2-1 win over Man United in the Manchester derby while Brown Ideye scored a hattrick for Olympiakos in their 6-1

win at the weekend.

Odion Ighalo and Simon Moses were also on target last weekend.

NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, said he was elated with the form of the players which he believed would be a morale booster for the forthcoming match against Zambia.

“I am very happy because the players are really bracing up for the huge task ahead. It is good for the team, good for Nigeria,” he said.

General Secretary, Muhammed Sanusi, was particularly happy with Iheanacho who scored a cru-

cial goal for Manchester City.

Sanusi said: “It is not easy for a young man like that to make such an impact in a big match. I am so proud of him. Look at Iwobi of Arsenal. That is another huge talent.

“Overall, we are so happy that we have the talents good enough to get us the kind of results we are expecting in the qualifiers.

“We are optimistic of a good start in Zambia. Ideye scored, Simon scored and everything is going well for our players as we move closer to the qualifiers.”

Iheanacho, Iwobi seek Champions League glory The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Emmanuel Tobi

S

uper Eagles duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi will be in action this evening when Manchester City and Arsenal feature in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League group-stage opening matches.

Iheanacho who created the first goal and scored the second in a 2-1 derby triumph over Manchester United at the weekend, is expected to feature for Manchester City when they host Borussia Monchengladbach

at the Etihad.

Apart from the ability to poach chances, Iheanacho is also capable of fulfilling the duties of the modern striker, able to hold the ball up using a physique that belies his age. He is a decent passer for a striker, averaging 78 per cent pass accuracy over this season.

City will be hoping a home advantage will play into their hands against a team they beat twice last season.

Similarly, Alex Iwobi and Arsenal will be guests to French Ligue 1 champions Paris

Saint Germain at the Parc des Princes.

Iwobi should be pushing for a starting spot after recovering from injury and featuring in Arsenal’s 2-1 win against Southampton in the English Premier League on Saturday at the Emirates.

The Nigerian international who missed the Gunners’ last two games due to a muscle injury came on for Theo Walcot in the 74th minute in what is his second appearance this season after featuring in the Gunners opening day defeat to Liverpool.

Iwobi

46

SPORT NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Etebo suffers fresh injury ahead of Zambia match left out of the team as a precaution, as he is recovering from a slight injury sustained in training.

The 20-year-old played in CD Feirense’s 1-0 loss to Rio Ave before the international break, his first competitive match after picking up a hamstring complaint against Colombia on August 10 at the Olympic Games.

Despite missing the Super Eagles clash against Tanzania, the former Warri Wolves star remains in the plans of Rohr , who plans to call him up for the World Cup qualifier with Zambia next month provided that he is in tip top condition.

Ajibade Olusesan

N

igeria’s U-23 attacking midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo, has suffered a fresh injury after CD Feirense coach José Mota left out the Nigerian from his 19-player squad list of Monday night’s clash against Tondela at the Estadio Marcolino de Castro in fourth round of matches in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

The manager has made three changes to the squad that faced Rio Ave about a week ago, omitting Nigeria international Oghenekaro Etebo and two other players.

It was scooped that Etebo was

Rohr rejects Abuja house

S

uper Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has rejected a three-bedroom apartment provided for him in Abuja by the Nigeria Football Federation saying it is “too big”.

The 63-year-old Rohr, who is

Rohr

married to an African, has inspected the three-bedroom property in Jabi, but has now told officials he could do with a much smaller apartment.

An official accommodation is part of the benefits captured in the two-year contract the Franco-German has signed to qualify Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup. Already, the NFF have moved fast to also provide an official car for the former Gabon and Burkina Faso coach.

The official car first purchased to be used by Sunday Oliseh is now being fixed after it was used

by Olympic team handler Samson Siasia beyond his time in temporary charge of the Eagles for the AFCON 2017 qualifiers against Egypt in March.

Rohr is on a staggering $47,000 a month and this salary is being bankrolled by a mystery sponsor.

Five referees fail FIFA fitness test in Abuja Charles Ogundiya

F

ive Nigerian male football referees have failed the FIFA Physical Fitness Test which took place at the main bowl of the National Stadium Abuja on Saturday. The match officials were among the 16 ungraded FIFA referees invited by the Nigeria Referees Association for a possible upgrade.

Seven male and nine female ungraded referees were invited for the test out of which five male failed.

Emmanuel Imiere, an instructor at the programme, who declined to mention the names of the referees, told NAN that five of them have missed the opportunity of being listed as FIFA badge referees.

“This is the first set of nonbadge referees that will take this test and it is not easy but some of them didn’t take it serious.

“About fifty per cent of them passed the test and I am happy for the invited female referees because all of them passed.

“Five out of the seven invited male referees failed the test and they will wait till next year for another opportunity.”

“They can come in November for another test for them to qualify to officiate in the

national league, but as an international referee, no,” Imiere said.

Etebo (left)

Emmanuel beats Michael to salvage point T

eam Tombim cruised past Kaduna-based Team Offikwu in their first round robin encounter winning two out of three matches on Sunday to wrap up the Tie 6-1.

The Abuja-based Team Tombim had on Saturday taken an insurmountable 4-0 lead and went up 5-0 when Edwards Christopher beat Emmanuel Idoko in the first reverse singles 6-2, 6-3.

However, Sylvester Emmanuel, ranked No.2, rescued some pride for the Offikwu team by upset-

anchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has said that “jealous people” will regret their words of criticism about Paul Pogba.

Ibrahimovic scored in the 2-1 derby defeat against Manchester City on Saturday, registering his fourth goal in four league matches, but midfielder Pogba

Kanu loses Mum

K

anu Nwankwo, Nigerian football legend and former Arsenal ace, has lost his mother.

According to Papilonews.com, Susan Kanu Iheme, matriarch of the Nwankwo family, died on Wednesday, September 7 in Owerri, Imo State.

The former Arsenal and Inter Milan forward has a reputation for frequently eulogising his now late mother, who was said to have told him that that one day, he would make her proud with his football talent.

“The loss of Mama is hard to bear. She is a rock that stood by me and all my siblings,” Kanu said.

“She showed us equal love and

Kalotari of Port Harcourt at the National Stadium in Lagos and Team FCT will face Team Hope of Asaba in Abuja.

Ten teams are competing in two round robin groups with the top two finishers from each group qualifying for the semifinals.

The NCC Tennis League, the first of its kind in Africa, is offering N7 million in prize money to the winners, N5 million to the runner-up, N3 million to third place and N2 million to the fourth place finishers.

Pogba’s critics are jealous – Ibrahimovic

M

Nigeria Referees Association President, Tade Azeez

ting national champion Moses Michael 6-3, 3-6, 10-5 ( tie break decider) in the second reverse singles.

In the mixed doubles match which ended proceedings, the Tombim pair of Henry Atseye and Lovette Donatus overcame the Offikwu pair of Albert Bicom and Aanu Aiyegbusi 6-3, 6-4.

The NCC Tennis league continues at three centres next weekend.

Team Anambra will be hosting Team Goshen of Ilorin in Onitsha, CBN Futures will take on Team

affection, and always prayed for each and every one of us. Her support and prayers for me right from the beginning of my playing career till the end were invaluable.

Kanu

had a quiet game.

The Swede was quoted

by Eurosport as saying: “All the jealous people who talk about him will swallow all of the words they have said about him. He will only improve and will get everyone behind him.”

Pogba was signed from Juventus for a worldrecord fee of £89.3 million but Ibrahimovic has stressed that there was room for improvement from the France international, who is still only 23 and wants to develop.

The Swede told SFR Sport: “My relationship with Paul is easy: I speak, he listens. Paul is a player with a lot of talent.

“Now, you have to be realistic: people are putting a lot of pressure on Paul.

His transfer created a huge amount of buzz.

“I didn’t know Paul before and, now that I do, I can tell you he’s someone who works enormously.

He really wants to improve and he has a super attitude.

But you mustn’t forget he’s young. That’s all I can say.”

Enrique rules Messi out against Celtic

B

arcelona boss Luis Enrique has insisted that Lionel Messi will not face Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday night unless the Argentine has fully recovered from a groin problem.

Messi picked up the injury during the recent international break and the Argentine was only a substitute in Barcelona’s shock 2-1 home defeat to Alaves in La Liga at the weekend.

“Messi, I would like him to play every single minute.

He would like that as well.

But it is about what the player is feeling here, what he feels in his leg. On Tuesday we will see if he can play many minutes. It is how well his legs are that will dictate how much he can play,” Enrique told reporters.

Messi has scored three times in five appearances for Barcelona this season.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

47

On Marble Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.

–Victor Hugo

Clem Aguiyi

Sanctity of Truth

The pathway to freedom

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016

}14

N150

Nigeria and the implications of a Trump presidency (1) Crossfire I support Mr. Donald J. Trump's presidential bid because he has admitted publicly that the American-inspired removal of Arab secularist leaders like Saddam Hussein, Muammar Ghadaffi, Hosni Mubarak and, more recently, the attempt to remove Bashir Al Assad were wrong, short-sighted, counter-productive and have led to nothing but chaos.

How many politicians, from either side of America's political divide, have that level of vision and understanding of world affairs?

How many have the courage to admit that succcesive American Presidents, including George W. Bush who was a Republican like him, were wrong on this issue?

Hussein, Ghadaffi, Mubarak and Al Assad were/are, though dictators, moderate Muslims who fought and supressed the Islamist terrorists and islamic fundamentalism in their respective domains.

Since the time they were removed or bogged down in fighting a civil war, as is the case with Assad, the Middle East, North, East and West Africa, Europe and indeed the world has become a far more dangerous place.

The Obama/Clinton/Kerry administration (whom I often refer to as the "evil triumverate" or the "unholy trinity") helped the islamist terrorists to spread their violence and evil throughout the world more than any other government in the entire history of the United States of America.

The questions that those that doubt my assertions need to answer are as follows: 1. Why did it take the Obama/Clinton/ Kerry triumverate literally three years to designate Nigeria's Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation and why is it that they waited until over 100,000 innocent Nigerians were killed before they did so in 2014?

2. Why did the Obama/Clinton/Kerry triumverate impose an arms embargo on Nigeria when President Goodluck Jonathan was in power and why did they stop the entire western world, including Israel, from selling us arms to fight Boko Haram?

Who benfitted from that policy more than Boko Haram itself and those in Nigeria that were using them to discredit and fight the government?

3. Why did the Obama/Clinton/Kelly triumverate encourage their closest Arab allies, including the Saudi Arabians, the Qataris and the Turks, to fund islamist terror groups like the Al Nusra Front and ISIS in Iraq and Syria?

4. Why was Mubarak removed and replaced with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt? How could this have been allowed to happen? It could only have happened under the rulership of the triumverate.

Mubarak's Egypt was America's greatest ally in North Africa and the Arab world and she was Israel's best friend.

When the Muslim Brotherhood came to power they got it so wrong that the Egyptian military had to do a coup, topple them and come back.

I am sure that the Obama administration were not too pleased with that because they were very comfortable with the Muslim Brotherhood and they welcomed their islamist agenda and antiIsraerli-sentiments.

5. How can the Obama/Clinton/Kerry

FEMI FANI-KAYODE ffk2011@aol.com

Trump

triumverate justify the mess in Libya?

They ensured that they toppled Ghadaffi through their Libyan and Gulf Arab state surrogates and European allies and after that Al Qaeda and ISIS moved in and flooded the place.

Libya is now in anarchy, turmoil and chaos and the terrorists control more parts of it than the government does.

6. Why did the Obama/Clinton/Kerry triumverate bring the relationship between Israel and the U.S. to such an alltime low that, for the first time since the creation of the Jewish state in 1948, an Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Binyamin Netanyahu, visited America in his official capacity without seeking or being granted audience by the President of the United States?

Those that think Clinton will not continue the evil that she and Obama started seven years ago in the name of political correctness and the subtle promotion of radical islam and terror are either dangerously naive or ignorant or both.

Trump has declared that his foreign policy will be focused on one thing: the elimination and destruction of those that espouse terror and radical islam and the protection of those that are victims of radical islam and the jihadi terrorists throughout the world.

He has rejected the Obama/Clinton/ Kerry approach of trying to appease the terrorists.

That is good enough for me. That is the only way forward if we want a better and safer world.

On 25th August 2016, Mr. Babatunde O. Gbadamosi wrote the following on his Facebook: "Trump must win. Kerry and the Democrats see Southern Nigeria as Fulani conquered territory, and the Fulanis

as our masters.

I say a prayer for Donald Trump today: May the Lord of hosts grant him resounding victory in the US Presidential elections, in Jesus' name".

"I say a big "amen" to that. The complicity of the Obama administration in what is going on in our country is self-evident.

They have weakened, undermined and further divided our nation by interfering in our internal political affairs and by encouraging and supporting an incompetent, sectional, dictatorial and essentially islamist government whose intention is to intimidate, bully and brow-beat our people into a cowering and grovelling silence, submission, slavery and captivity.

The support that the Obama administration and the Democrats generally appear to be offering the Buhari administration makes it imperative for any right-thinking person that believes in the secularity of the state, the plurality of our nation, the sanctity of our constitution and laws and the equality of all religious faiths and ethnic nationalities in our country to pray for Trump to prevail.

That the Obama/Clinton/Kerry triumverate and unholy trinity assisted President Muhammadu Buhari to come to power last year is no longer disputable.

That they had nothing but contempt and disdain for President Goodluck Jonathan simply because he refused to be their puppet, he refused to work for the CIA and for the establishment of a demonic "new world order" and he rejected the notion that gay rights and gay marriage should be given pride of place in our laws and his policies is a matter of fact.

That Obama's campaign manager David Axelrod was paid large sums of money (which according to some reports ran into 10 million US dollars) to assist the Buhari campaign is no longer debatable.

That John Kerry came to Nigeria a couple of weeks ago and insulted the collective sensibilities of the entire South and every self-respecting Christian in the country by visiting the Sultan of Sokoto, a handful of core Northern Muslim governors, an "Arewa-loving" Buhari and no-one else is irrefutable.

Not only did the Christian Association of Nigeria condemn this in very strong terms but such was the angst that it provoked that Mr. Kingsly Okah, a respected essayist and political commentator, was constrained to write the following: "John Kerry came for the Sultan of Sokoto's birthday and not a state visit. He came to perfect the western seed of discord foisted on us by the ouster of President Goodluck Jonathan. He came to lay credence to the American support of an Islamic agenda in Nigeria. He came to endorse genocide being commited by some reprobate Muslims whose foot soldiers are Fulani herdsmen and their grand patron Buhari".

To butress the point Mr. Galadima of the Christian Information Network went

further by writing the following to its members: "This is such a significant event that minority nationalities and Christians all over the country MUST digest and act.

1. John Kerry has just confirmed that spiritually, Nigeria is now an lslamic State.

2. His inspiring attacks on corruption, bad governance and all that stuff are thrilling but only a facade. He and the government of the United States of America are here to divert attention from the real thing.

3.They are pushing the absurd narrative that we should blame past governments, who they claim did not tackle poverty etc., for the rise of lslamic terrorism in the north and that the Sokoto Caliphate has always been the region which provides Nigeria with decent human resources for good governance.

Can anyone seriously dispute the veracity of both Okah and Galadima's assertions? Are they not absolutely right?

Not only is it utterly reprehensible but it also confirms the fact that Obama and his triumverate are not only partial to the Muslim north but that they also have a hidden agenda to further divide Nigeria along religious and ethnic lines and perhaps cause another major conflict just as was done in Syria.

A vote for Clinton is a vote to continue this shameless and utterly dangerous policy.

Worst still a Clinton victory would ultimately cost Nigeria dearly.

Donald Trump, who is well known for his disdain and contempt for radical Islam, his rigid opposition to islamist intolerance and jihadi terrorism and his concerns about the activities of those that seek to establish a new world caliphate where sharia law is applied to all and where Christians and non-Sunni Muslims are slaughtered and killed, would have none of that.

And neither would he, his Republican party or the evangelical Christian move-

ment in the United States of America, who are solidly behind him, support or engender such an evil agenda.

(TO BE CONTINUED).

Solution to B. Teaser 3

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