Tuesday, september 20, 2016 binder1

OPS lists 13 factors destroying businesses in Nigeria iting business growth and development in Nigeria.

The disclosure was made yesterday at the maiden meeting of the Presidential Quarterly

Anule Emmanuel Abuja

O

rganised Private Sector (OPS) players have identified 13 different factors inhib-

Business Forum with members of the OPS and other stakeholders, held at the State House Conference (Old Presidential Banquet Hall), Abuja.

These challenges, which include high cost of doing business, the forum said, were standing as clog in the wheel of Nigeria's economic recovery process.

Again, militants blow up NPDC oil facility }3

HINDRANCES TO BUSINESS GROWTH Access to finance Access to forex High interest rates High energy Transport, infrastructural deficit Weak export support Inconsistent government policies Absence of clear investment policies

Members of the OPS, who voted at the session listing the encumbrances in order of occurrences, said the issues of access to finance topped as the major challenge.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Ekiti: Herdsman gets two years sentence for grazing }40

/newtelegraph /newtelegraph

Vol. 3 No. 944

Fayose

Confusion over Patience Jonathan’s letter to EFCC }3

Mrs. Jonathan

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

Landlords' abduction: Victim's wife faints, hospitalised }8

Owoseni

Missing foodstuff: Turai Yar’Adua orders 70-year-old servant’s arrest }9

N150

x

Salaries, allowances:

How senators, reps short-change govt, aides }2

Lawmakers submit names of non-existent staff for payment L-R: Executive Director, Corporate Service and Commercial, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Jonathan Tobi; Acting Managing Director, Mr. Waheed Olagunju; Managing Director, Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Mr. Aliyu Abdulhameed and Legal Adviser, Seyi Ajinusi during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BoI and NIRSAL in Lagos… yesterday.

APC primaries: NWC rejects panel's report

lMembers to affirm Akeredolu’s candidature today }3

Cuddling, kissing cats dangerous to health –Study }7

2

NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

How senators, reps short-change govt, aides

S

ome members of the National Assembly have been accused of defrauding the Federal Government and cheating their legislative aides in the payment of salaries and allowances.

Some of the legislators’ aides earn as much as N950,000 monthly.

No fewer than 2,570 aides are engaged by 469 members of the 8th National Assembly.

As provided in the National Assembly Act, each lawmaker, excluding principal officers, is entitled to five aides – one senior legislative aide, two legislative aides, a personal assistant and a secretary.

It was discovered that in the provision, President of the Senate is entitled to 45 aides, his deputy 30 and 20 each for principal officers.

Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives has 35 assistants, Deputy Speaker, 15 and 10 each for the six principal officers.

An investigation published yesterday by the

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that many legislators draw the emolument of their aides from the assembly’s funds, but pay them fractions.

Some of the lawmakers employed only one or two aides, but are collecting the full salary for the five they are entitled to.

This act was discovered to be perpetrated more by the members through their constituency offices, which they are mandatorily expected to have in their areas, but deliberately failed to do so.

They submit names of non-existent staff in the constituency office to the National Assembly Service Commission and collect their entitlements directly.

An aide to a senator from the South-West, working with him in Abuja, told NAN that he had never heard of other aides or office his boss had in his constituency.

“All of us, his aides are here; it is only when he is travelling to the state that

he goes with the senior legislative aide and his younger brother.

“The brother works with him; he is not documented, but he is in charge whenever oga (the boss) is not around.

“But, all of us are always in the office in Abuja, I do not know of assistant or aide he has at the constituency level or in the state,” he said, adding that it was the same with some other lawmakers.”

The source declined to disclose his salary, allowance and pay point, but said that the emolument depended on the grade of the aide.

He, however, disclosed that the least-paid aide earned N120,000 from the assembly commission.

The lawmakers contacted on the issue declined to comment; with some of them saying that they were complying with the rules.

The Clerk of the National Assembly and officials in his office also rebuffed enquires on the issues.

The report shows that out of 2,570 aides on the payroll, 700 work for lawmakers in the Senate, while the remaining 1,870 are engaged by House of Representatives members.

The number of aides to each legislator, it was gathered, includes those in their constituency offices.

The monthly emolument of the aides, which ranged from N150,000 to N250,000, sources close to the assembly said, has been reduced to between N75,000 and N180,000 by the current leadership of the assembly.

The investigation revealed that in addition to the regular aides, the principal officers of both chambers have Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants and Special Advisers of varying numbers.

This category of aides, it was learnt, had a monthly salary of a minimum of N950, 000, but was reduced to N400,000 by the current management of the assembly. All the aides are paid from the coffers of the as-

L-R: Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Cybercrime, Foster Ogola; Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Samuel Egwu, during a visit to Saraki in Abuja…yesterday.

sembly.

However, NAN gathered that some of the lawmakers, especially principal officers, have more than the statutorily approved number of aides in their employ, who also draw their salary from the assembly’s funds.

New Telegraph investigations discovered that the total number of aides quoted in the survey (2,570) was the official prescription, but members of the National Assembly had, at different times, employed more or less.

In some cases, lawmakers employed not more than a secretary and a driver while the remaining slots were given to their relatives who may not even be in Abuja.

Our investigation revealed that Senate President Bukola Saraki has hired about 115 aides, while Speaker Yakubu Dogara employed 168; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu employed 60 and Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun, has 58 aides.

New Telegraph further gathered that the National Assembly management had, earlier this year, written to both Saraki and Dogara to reduce the number of aides they have employed. "But when the presiding officers argued that sacking aides would not be good in view of the widespread unemployment, they were advised to demote some of them to cut cost.

"However, as we speak, nothing has been done about it. They are still carrying on with the overbloated personal appointees," a source in the management disclosed.

Senate invites experts for solution to recession Chukwu David Abuja

T

he Senate will, on resumption today, meet in a closeddoor session with experts, who will brainstorm with the lawmakers and help fashion out a workable blueprint on how to navigate the country out of the present economic recession.

This is even as the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, will also, in plenary, lead a comprehensive debate on the worrisome economic meltdown that has hit the country and subjected the citizenry to untold hardship.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Baba Kaka Garbai, made the disclosure in Abuja yesterday, while briefing journalists on is-

sues that would top the agenda of the Red Chamber on resumption today.

Garbai hinted that the senators used their twomonth recess to visit their constituencies, where they observed that the constituents were undergoing serious agonies as a result of the recession in the country.

He said that sequel to this painful situation among the citizenry; the Senate would devote the next two months to engage on discussions pertaining to the economic crisis in the land and how to urgently proffer solution to the ugly trend.

His words: "Every senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has gone to his/ her constituency during the annual recess which is coming to an end tomorrow (today). We have also seen that people are actu-

ally going through a lot of hardship because of the various problems we are undergoing as a result of the economic recession in the country.

"The discussions, particularly within the next two months in the Senate, will be dominated by issues relating to economy, especially how to rescue the economy out of the recession we are currently facing. That is what will dominate this legislative session.

"We have several items in our order paper for tomorrow (today), but the discussion on the recession will dominate the session. And most part of the entire legislative session will be geared towards deliberations on how to bail out the economy from the current recession.”

He noted that five bills from the House of Repre-

sentatives would be introduced for first reading for Senate concurrence while some pending reports would also be laid on the floor for consideration.

He declined comments on the purported planned request for emergency powers by President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as a media speculation and insisting that the Senate had not received any official communication to that effect.

Meanwhile, New Telegraph learnt that the leadership of the Senate, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucuses would hold separate meetings on the state of the economy, preparatory to the sessions that would be devoted to discussions on the recession.

A source close to the leadership told our corre-

spondent yesterday that the leadership was trying to harmonise the Chamber to rid it of partisanship while considering issues pertaining to the recession and other critical national issues in the present legislative session.

According to the source, the President of the Senate would preside over the meeting of the APC Caucus while the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, would lead the meeting of the PDP Caucus.

It is after the separate meetings of the two caucuses, the source further revealed, that the leadership of the Senate would meet to articulate the various plans and ideas of the senators on how the apex Chamber would contribute towards rescuing Nigeria from the prevailing economic crisis.

These aides include Special Advisers (SAs), Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants.

The special advisers enjoy the same emoluments with federal permanent secretaries while SSA are of the rank of directors in the federal service, while some SAs are of the rank of deputy and assistant directors, but with consolidated salaries and allowances.

Majority of the aides are former lawmakers who could not make it back to the National Assembly.

For example, Saraki's chief of staff is a former senator, while his deputy chief of staff is a former representative. Similarly, Dogara's chief of staff and deputy chief of staff are his former colleagues in the House and most of the aides.

New Telegraph can authoritatively report that between 1999 and 2003, the salaries of the National Assembly’s legislative aides were under the control of the lawmakers, as the management of the institution paid the aides' monthly emoluments directly to the accounts of their principals.

This led to a lot of controversy because most of the lawmakers, after collecting the salaries of their aides, only paid them ridiculous sums, while the aides lacked the courage to protest the injustice for fear of sack or any other victimization.

However, when the National Assembly Service Commission came on stream, having known about the fraud that went on in the earlier assembly, the commission insisted that salaries of the aides should be paid to them directly to avoid shortchanging them by the lawmakers.

This direct payment started from the 2007 session to date, yet, New Telegraph found that this measure, notwithstanding, the federal legislators still devised other means of defrauding the country by submitting names of people who don't actually work with them to the commission for documentation while engaging other staff to do the work, who are then paid peanuts by the politicians from their pockets.

$6.24m

The capital importation of the Drilling sector of Nigeria in Q1 2013.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

£236,250

The monthly salary of Rafael Van der Vaart of Hamburger SV in 2014/2015.

Source: Paywizard.co.uk

NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

3

Confusion over Patience Jonathan’s letter to EFCC Foluso Ogunmodede

T

here was confusion yesterday over a letter purportedly written by the former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of a bank account containing $15.5 million.

The freezing of the account by the anti-graft commission is a subject of litigation in a Lagos division of the Federal High Court.

A lawyer, Mr. Timipia Jenkins Okponipere of First Law Solicitors, in a letter to the EFCC, accused the anti-graft agency of tactically taking over Mrs. Jonathan’s account, describing the Commission as ‘a big thief ’.

But lawyers in Jonathan’s camp said they had nothing to do with Okponipere and his letter to the commission.

Specifically, Mrs. Jonathan’s spokesperson, Chima Osuji, said Okponipere had no instruction of the former First Lady, describing the purported letter as the figment of the lawyer’s imagination.

In a statement made available to New Tele-

graph, the wife of the former president washed her hands off the letter authored by Okponipere to the EFCC. It reads: “A former First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Patience Jonathan has denied knowledge of a purported open letter by one Timipia Jenkins Okponipere of First Law Solicitors to the EFCC on the case involving the former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, where the former First Lady was referred to as the client of the First Law Solicitors.

"We would like to inform the general public, particularly the media, that Mrs. Jonathan has no knowledge of the said letter and has not engaged the services of any legal counsel to write such letter to the EFCC or any other institution or agencies in Nigeria or elsewhere.

"I want to charge members of the public and the media to disregard such insinuations or claims from any quarter. No such letter has not emanated from the former First Lady.”

But Okponipere told New Telegraph that he has the instruction of

Jonathan’s wife to write such letter, especially that it has to do with enforcement of fundamental human rights.

In the letter purportedly written on behalf of the former First Lady, Okponipere branded the anti-graft agency as ‘a big thief ’.

Besides, he said Mrs. Jonathan has given the agency a 14-day ultimatum within which to defreeze the account or be made to face the consequence of its illegal action at the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights at the Gambia where she has threatened to claim N5 billion in damages.

EFCC has already established a prima facie case of money laundering against the ex-First Lady and 10 others.

The agency had said that “a preliminary investigation has also indicted Mrs Patience Jonathan.”

But Okponipere said the ex-First Lady was not culpable to the alleged offence.

Instead, he said the EFCC had used the loopholes in the nation’s justice system to confiscate her legitimate funds.

“Indeed, Section 36(6) (a) & (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), contains or laid down a sequence or pattern of

commencement of investigation which must be followed strictly, to wit: a.) Persons charged with a criminal offence must be informed in the language they understand and in detail of the nature of the offence; b.) Such persons must be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of their defence; etc.

“Sir, instead of strict compliance with the above pattern, as laid down by Section 36(6)(a)

$533.14m

The capital importation of the Financing sector of Nigeria in Q1 2013.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

& (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the EFCC went after our client’s money by ordering a freeze of her accounts.

With all due respect, the EFCC is a BIG THIEF! “We are very much aware of numerous instances where EFCC used strong-arm tactics to dispossess hard working Nigerians of their legitimately earned money, only to turn around to brazenly and shamelessly loot the recovered loot,” he said.

27.23

The average age of football players in England in the 2009-2010 season.

Source: Football-observatory.com

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Governors' Forum/ Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama; and President Muhammadu Buhari, during the high level plenary meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York …yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Again, militants blow APC primaries: NWC rejects panel's report up NPDC oil facility Johnchuks Onuanyim Dominic Adewole ASABA

T

he Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate yesterday blew up the Afiesere - Ekiugbo delivery line, a shoreline being operated by the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in Ughelli, Delta State.

In the last six weeks, the group has destroyed three major delivery lines, including the major trunk/ delivery line that takes oil from Isoko to the Eriemu Manifold in Urhobo land, also belonging to the NPDC/Shoreline.

The militia group also bombed the major trunk/ delivery line of the same oil firm in Udu Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesperson of the group, Aldo Agbalaja, who claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place about 11:30p.m., said the militia group would continue to bomb oil and gas installations until the Niger Delta questions are answered.

According to him, the group carried out the attack with its "Opudo strike force."

The group said: "At about 11:30p.m. on Sun-

day, September 18, Opudo Strike Force struck the Afiesere-Ekiugbo delivery line in Ughelli, operated

by NPDC/Shoreline. The Operation Crocodile Tears is not slowing down, but determined to achieve its target. Until the Federal Government takes the proper steps, this song will continue to play.

"This is to, once again, emphasise our earlier revelation that the so-called Operation Crocodile Smile is nothing but a scam; some jumbled job, sewn together to retire some recently embezzled military budget.

Were it a serious endeavour, as the entire military system has sought to bamboozle Nigerians and the entire world to believe, the half-baked operation would have, at least, been reaping marginal results asides those wrong arrests, lacking in intelligence, that it had realised.”

The group said the military’s crocodile would soon shed tears.

The group said since the multinationals had failed in their corporate responsibility to their host communities and doing the biddings of the Federal Government, they should be prepared for disruption.

Abuja

T

he National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the report of the Appeal Panel Committee on the Ondo State governorship primaries.

Impeccable sources told New Telegraph that while two members of the threeman panel recommended the cancellation of the primaries that produced Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu as governorship candidate of the party, a minority report upheld the primaries.

Helen Bendega (chairman) and Musa Umar (Secretary) recommended the cancellation of the Ondo governorship primaries, but a member of the appeal panel, Nikky Eze, upheld the primary election.

Eze did not sign the report of the panel.

The appeal committee has recommended a cancellation of the election and ordered a fresh primary election be conducted among the aspirants as the gap between Akeredolu and others were minimal compared with the complaints of the swap of names on the delegates’

list.

In the report submitted to the NWC of the party, which was discussed yesterday without conclusions, the committee stated that the election was manipulated from the delegates’ list to favour Akeredolu.

It also said that the delegates’ list was manipulated and cannot be ignored by the party.

A copy of the report seen by New Telegraph read in parts: “Thus, in consideration of the above observed irregularities, and for the sake of equity and fair play, it is hereby recommended as follows: The election result should be cancelled; a rerun election should be ordered immediately in order to beat INEC' s deadline.”

The party headquarters should consider reverting to the earlier delegates' list which was distributed to aspirants whenthey came to Abuja shortly before the primaries.”

It further recommended that a new or harmonised delegates list be compiled for the new primaries. It added: “Delegates' lists should not as a policy be released too late i.e. on the eve of elections, but much earlier, in order to give suf-

ficient time for the smooth take off of elections and avoid being used in favour of one aspirant.”

The committee said that it premised the recommendations on the petitions submitted by six other aspirants who ran against Akeredolu.

At yesterday’s meeting, majority of the NWC members rubbished the panel’s report.

To protest the rejection of the panel report, the South-West National Vice Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyeleru, was the first to leave the meeting.

A member of the NWC told New Telegraph that the party leadership will today uphold the primaries.

The party’s national leadership yesterday adjourned its meeting held to consider the report till today.

The meeting, which lasted for over three hours at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja, had all the NWC members in attendance.

The meeting was specifically to consider the report of the Appeal Panel Committee on the Ondo governorship primaries conducted on September 3.

Controversies have trailed the result of the

governorship primaries won by Akeredolu (SAN).

Akeredolu defeated Engr. Segun Abraham, the preferred candidate of the national leader of APC, Senator Bola Tinubu.

Abraham, Olusola Oke and Senator Ajayi Borofice had petitioned the APC Appeal Panel Committee headed by Mrs. Helen Benaga, alleging irregularities on the delegates’ list for the primaries.

However, in attendance at the meeting yesterday to review the report of the appeal panel were: National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, two Deputy National Chairmen, South and North, Engr. Segun Oni and Senator Shuiabu Lawal respectively.

Others are: National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni; National Auditor, Chief George Moghalu; National Treasurer, Mohammed Gwagwarwa; National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso; Deputy National Secretariat, Hon. Oji Ngofa and all the National Vice Chairmen of the party.

Odigie-Oyegun stated after the meeting that it was adjourned to continue tomorrow (today).

His position was corroborated by Izunaso.

NEWS

4

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Conflicting judgements: Judges won’t go scot free –CJN lSays lawyers delay justice l22 new SANs sworn in

Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

T

he Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed yesterday said that the National Judicial Council (NJC) had received petitions against some judges who delivered conflicting judgements and that investigation is ongoing.

The CJN further stated that appropriate actions would be taken against any of the judges found guilty at the end of the investigation.

There have been a couple of conflicting judgements in recent times, both at the level of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court.

The most recent in the various judgements on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suit, emanated from both Abuja and Port Harcourt divisions of the court.

The CJN, who was delivering his address at the special session of the Supreme Court to mark the commencement of the 2016/2017 legal year and swearing-in of newly conferred Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), also blamed the delay in the delivery on justice on lawyers.

"While we all rush to rehash the age-old rhetoric that justice delayed is justice denied, the actions of our key stakeholders, particularly members of the bar, have often proven to be far from the words.

"Sadly, certain members of the Bar are conspicuous in utilizing unethical, frivolous applications and appeals, multiplicity of actions in courts of co-ordinate jurisdiction and other acts of calumny to frustrate the speedy dispensation of justice. The Supreme Court takes a dim view of such delays and we will constantly introduce measures to reduce delay in the administration of justice as the past year's statistics will doubtless testify," he stated.

Justice Mohammed further expressed dismay over the growing trend of the disregard for laid down precedent in decisions from various levels of courts, especially at the appellate court.

$32m

The total pay from endorsements of Rafael Nadal (Tennis) for 2016.

Source: Forbes.com

N290.23bn

The total value of payment channels made by ATM of Nigeria in February 2015.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

He stated that every court in Nigeria is bound by the decisions of the Supreme Court and shall not grant a different outcome from those expressly laid down by the Supreme Court.

"Several conflicting decisions were recklessly dished out by the Court of Appeal last year in appeals arising from various decisions of the Election Petitions Tribunals, given on election petitions filed by parties who lost in the general elections conducted in April 2015. Such decisions were made as a result of flagrant refusal of the Panels of the Court of Appeal involved, to be bound not only by its own decisions, but also by the decision of this court," he added.

The CJN also warned lawyers to cease writing petitions against judicial officers directly to President Muhammadu Buhari.

He, however, gave judges the marching order to deal with any lawyer that maligns them.

He advised lawyers to address their petition to the NJC, who, he promised would act on it without delay.

He charged the new SANs to imbibe the highest tenets of integrity and humility that befits their status.

In his speech, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of

Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) expressed concern over conflicting judgements from various courts in the land.

Malami, who was represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation, Mr. Taiwo Abidogun, called on the leadership of the judiciary to move fast in order to prevent the continuation of such occurrence.

He also charged the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee to come up with a policy, which will further ensure that those who are admitted into the inner bar are qualified both in practice and character.

He charged the new SANs to remain a shining light in the practice of law.

Speaking on behalf of

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

consistency in its policies, if it hopes to reflate the economy and place it on the part of sustainable growth.

He lauded the presidency for initiating the quarterly forum, saying government could measure its progress by getting regular feedbacks from the citizens.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Frank Udemba, President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said it was encouraging that government now realises the importance of the private sector as the engine room for growth.

"It’s a wonderful development, the fact that government now engages the organised private sector and recognising the fact that the private sector is possibly the engine of growth, the driver of the economy.

"So, we are happy about that. And this has given us opportunity to air our views and concerning the policies they have and how to get this country out of the current recession. It’s something that should be encouraged and we hope

the body of SAN, Chief T. J. Onomigbo Okpoko (SAN) noted that the judiciary had, in recent time, witnessed the show of shame brought about by courts of co-ordinate jurisdiction assuming jurisdiction to hear the same dispute, between the same parties and delivering verdicts that are totally in conflict with one another.

He, however, called on the CJN and the NJC to step in immediately to do the damage control so as to save the justice system from further ridicule.

The NBA President, A.B. Mahmud (SAN) reiterated the need for the bar to guard the reputation of the judiciary jealously.

"On our part, we shall

continue to be strong advocates of the greater independence of the judiciary.

But that means we will fight even those within who seek to undermine its reputation,” he said.

Speaking on the state of the nation, Mahmud admitted that the country is facing daunting challenges.

According to him, "getting out of our present situation demands concerted efforts of all citizens and all institutions. The expectation of the legal profession is enormous. We must demonstrate patriotism and leadership, as well as knowledge and skills. We must work to enhance confidence in the legal system, promote the rule of law, guarantee protection of citizens, as well promote the sanctity of contractual

obligations, thereby improving the business environment."

Speaking on behalf of the new SANs, the DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Law School, Mr. Olanrewaju Onadeko, called for an effective pupillage system for new entrants into the legal profession, adding that such will avail them of a period of hands-on apprenticeship in law establishments, for a total comprehension of law practice.

Earlier, the CJN had stated that the Supreme Court heard 1,489 matters, of which 908 were motions and 581 were substantive appeals.

He added that the court delivered 268 judgements.

Justice Mohammed is proceeding on retirement in November.

L- R: Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Executive Chairman/CEO, BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Business Forum with key industry stakeholders in Abuja… yesterday.

OPS lists 13 factors destroying businesses in Nigeria

In voting to identify the challenges, access to finance got 32 per cent.

Other hindrance to doing business in the country identified included access to foreign exchange, 23 per cent; high interest rates, 18 per cent and high energy cost, 18 per cent.

According to the OPS, these challenges were responsible for businesses that looked promising and vibrant at the onset, crumbling within the first five years of establishment.

The forum, which was chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who is the head of the Economic Management Team, also listed transport and infrastructural deficit scoring nine per cent, weak export support, inconsistent government policies, and absence of clear investment policies.

Other challenges are approval delays, low support for domestic manufacturing, Customs delay and security issues.

President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Michael Cole, advised government to show

that it would continue, they will sustain this initiative.

"Already, government has promised to sell off some assets to beef up the foreign reserve, that is key.

We have a lot of challenges of doing business, but basically, they have to pump in a lot of money into infrastructure because that is a quick way to reflate the economy," he said.

The meeting had in attendance members of the Economic Management Team (EMT) led by Osinbajo.

The meeting is part of the Federal Government's effort to continually engage regularly with different segments of the Nigerian public on its economic policies and direction.

The members of the private sector who took turns to list out the challenges and proffer both immediate and long-term solutions, called on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation's dwindling economy.

Speaking earlier, Osinbajo blamed the current economic challenge in the country on the restiveness

of Niger Delta militants.

He said for a country, whose budgetary expenditure was predicated on a daily crude oil production of 2.2 million barrels to be producing at less than 1.1 million barrels owing to the activities of militants who frequently destroy oil installations, it calls for concern.

Osinbajo said: "Perhaps it’s important for us to understand the nature of this recession in which we have found ourselves. In discussing this issue of recession, there is tendency for people to generalise; a lot depends on what sort of recession and how we got here.

"If we did not have vandalism in the Niger Delta as we are currently suffering, we will not have this recession today. Moreover, in looking at the solutions, we should try to focus on the type of problem we have and what instigated it, then we can begin to come up with better solutions," he said.

While assuring the Federal Government's readiness to address power sector challenges, Osinbajo explained that it would re-

HINDRANCES TO BUSINESS GROWTH Approval delays Low support for domestic manufacturing Customs delay Security issues High cost of doing business quire a 'revolution' to shore up power to adequate level nationwide.

"We are doing a whole lot by interfacing with the private sector because we realise their role in the economy, if the Dangote refinery comes on stream, it will help us overcome some of those challenges, like the sub-sea gas pipelines, it will take care of vandalism.

"But I think the more important thing is how to clean up the mess in the power sector, especially infrastructure. In the short term, we will try to bring up power to an appreciable level to help the manufacturing sector," he said.

The event was organised to seek ways to get the country out of the present recession pulling members of the organised private sector together.

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PDP crisis: We'll come out stronger –Makarfi Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

C

hairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Makarfi, has expressed confidence that the party would come out stronger from its present leadership crisis.

Makarfi, who spoke yesterday, however, said the party was doing everything possible to reconcile the differences to move forward.

"We are going through our baptism and we will come out stronger. We are doing everything pos-

sible; we will subscribe to reconciliation that is tenable and achievable.”

The chairman, who said he has been meeting secretly with members of the party across the country since the August 17 botched National Convention, said that though concessions will be made but such should be reasonable.

"Reconciliation is something you talk less about. Because certain actions being taken, if you talk about it you will indirectly be undermining the process.

"We are open to reconciliation. There must be flexibility when you are talking of reconcili-

ation. And of course the overwhelming views of majority of the members, even whoever you may classify as minority cannot also be ignored.

You must make concession here and there and I believe that the party is ready to do that. But that will be the basis of rational and reasonable demands. So, that we can all work as one family.

"Even if you are victorious in court, you will come back to reconcile with your party men. We are not setting any target.

We are not representing ourselves. We are representing the party. Whatever the party want we will give," he said.

'Cuddling, kissing cats dangerous to health' Appolonia Adeyemi

C

uddling a kitten, a juvenile cat may be considered a familiar and harmless practice by those who keep such domestic pets always but scientists have announced that it could be dangerous to health.

This was the finding of a study published in the

Danjuma, Okei-Odumakin lament poor family values Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

A

former member of the National Assembly, Senator Daisy Danjuma, and the President, Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, yesterday expressed concerns over the lack of values in Nigerian families.

The ex-lawmaker and human rights activist said the dearth of home values have had adverse effect on the socio-economic situation of the country.

Both spoke at the unveiling of HID Awolowo Foundation and inauguration of its Advisory Council held at the Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State country home of the Awolowos.

The event, which featured a lecture titled "The Nigerian women in the footprints of HID," was organised to commemorate the one year anniversary of the death of the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty.

Danjuma, who was appointed chairman of the foundation's Advisory Council, stressed the need for Nigerians to place premium on family values.

journal ‘Emerging Infectious Diseases’.

According to a report in The Telegraph of the United Kingdom (UK), Doctors from Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States (U.S) conducted a large-scale survey of the cat-borne bacterial disease-cat scratch fever.

Cat scratch fever, also called cat scratch disease (CSD), is a bacterial infection. The disease got its name because people contract it from cats infected with ‘Bartonella henselae’ bacteria, one of the most common bacteria in the world.

The researchers found the scope and impact of the potentially deadly disease was larger than they thought.

The disease causes fever, pustules and in extreme cases, the complications from the illness can cause death.

You can get cat scratch fever from a bite or scratch from an infected cat. You can also get the disease if saliva from an infected cat gets into an open wound on your body or touches the whites of your eyes.

Similarly, anyone who

owns a cat or interacts with a cat is at risk for contracting cat scratch fever.

You have an increased risk of becoming seriously ill from cat scratch fever if you have a weakened immune system as well.

Going by the findings of the study, the doctors have warned that hands should always be washed after touching cats, and to avoid kissing a cat or other member of the cat family where possible.

Furthermore, they also advised cat owners to ensure that their pet is protected from fleas.

Reacting to the study, Dr. Christina Nelson of the CDC said: "The scope and impact of the disease is a little bit larger than we thought. Cat-scratch is preventable. If we can identify the populations at risk and the patterns of disease, we can focus the prevention efforts."

Kittens and strays are more likely to carry the disease. The disease is spread when you are scratched by an infected cat, or when you don't wash your hands and touch your mouth after stroking an infected cat.

CAN calls for global action on insurgency in Nigeria Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

T

he President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Reverend Samson Ayokunle, has called for global attention to the plight of Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs) in Nigeria. That was just as he made a Save-OurSouls (SOS) call to the world powers to help Nigeria end the insurgency

in the North East.

According to him, the displacement is regarded by many international bodies as the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world, noting that it was most disheartening that the crisis has not received substantial humanitarian response from the world, particularly the world's most powerful nations as other disasters of smaller degree in other part of the world.

8

tuesday, september 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

METRO

ABIODUN BELLO abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com 08023938212

...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS

Oro cult: Itire chiefs can’t restrict movement –Lagos Muritala Ayinla

L

The scene of the incident

Landlords’ abduction: Victim’s wife faints, hospitalised Taiwo Jimoh

D

octors are battling to save the life of the wife of one of the landlords abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers at Isheri, a border community between Lagos and Ogun states.

Sources told our correspondent that the woman, Mrs. Esang, was not around when her husband and three others were kidnapped. But when she returned on Sunday evening and was informed, she collapsed.

“When Mrs. Esang returned and was told that her husband was among those abducted, she fainted and was rushed to the hospital. Up till this afternoon (yesterday) she is still in critical condition

at the hospital,” one of those close to the family told our correspondent.

Also yesterday, military personnel and marine police were said to have combed the creeks of Isheri for several hours.

“A combined team of military and Marine police searched the creeks for many hours today (yesterday) but there was no sign of the kidnappers or their hostages,” a landlord, who did not want his name mentioned, said.

The search involved Zone 2 Police Command, comprising Lagos and Ogun states. More than 100 policemen drawn from Lagos and Ogun commands, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) as well as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Zone 2 Police Command combed the creeks.

The search also involved aerial patrol

by the Police Air Wing Command.

Like a scene in a Hollywood movie, the gunmen invaded Isheri community on Saturday morning and abducted three landlords and their aerobics instructor.

The landlords from Oshorun Estate, about eight, had gathered in front of the Lekki Gardens Estate for early morning exercise.

But suddenly, the gunmen, who came in a speedboat through the creek, shooting sporadically swooped on the landlords. While some were able to escape, the gunmen grabbed the instructor identified as Mr. Ayo, Dr. Bello Omololu, Mr. Esang and Mr. Kennedy.

On Sunday, the kidnappers contacted families of those abducted and demanded N300 million for each of the victims, totalling N1.2 billion.

City Briefs Residents kick against DISCO’s exploitative billings Kayode Olanrewaju

R

esidents of William Eliot Estate, Abule-Egba, Lagos have condemned the management of Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) for giving them “crazy bills” in August.

The residents, who berated the electricity company for its penchant to impose high electricity tariff on the people, said the transformer serving the estate was damaged in July and hence there was no supply of electricity between July 29 and August 19 owing to the faulty transformer.

Despite this, according to the residents, the company charged them high tariff for electricity they did not consume.

One of the residents on Sunny Close in the estate, Mr. Niyi Bada, who condemned the N6,000 electricity tariff charged him for a three-bed room apartment for the period, wondered why they should be made to pay such high bills when there was no electricity supply for almost a month.

He said the previous month, he was billed N3,000 but in August it increased by 100 per cent to N6,000, especially since there was not electric-

ity supply neither did he add any new electrical appliance to his apartment.

In a SMS message sent to the mobile phone of one Mrs. Enyi, the marketing officer at Olayiwola Office, under Jankara Office in IjaiyeOjokoro Local Council Development Area of IKEDC, Bada said: “I received the unjust and, in fact, criminal billing from your office this morning (last Friday). You and I know that there was no light in my house and many other houses on Sunny Close between 29th July 2016 and 19th August 2016 due to a faulty transformer.

agos State government yesterday warned against restriction of movement in Itire community over the traditional rites of passage for the Onitire of Itire, Oba Lateef Abayomi Akanbi Dauda.

Traditional chiefs in the community had purportedly announced restriction of movement in Itire because of plans to stage ‘Oro,’ a traditional secret fiesta usually staged in the night; strictly for the initiates.

Women are forbidden from witnessing it and are usually sacrificed if caught.

Reacting to the announcement, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello, said in a statement that no individual or group had the right to infringe on the rights of citizens to freedom of movement and association as enshrined in the country’s constitution.

Bello said government was collaborating with security agencies and that arrangements had been made to guide against any molestation and harassment by anybody or group.

The SSG said the purported restriction of movement announced in Itire on Sunday night as part of traditional rites for late monarch was illegal.

According to him, government is alive to its core responsibilities of protecting the citizens and is collaborating with security agencies to put in place measures that will guarantee safety of lives and property of its citizens in every part of the state.

He said: “While the state government commiserates with the royal family, Onitire Chieftaincy Family Council and the entire people of Itire over the demise of the monarch and highly revered our tradition and customs, it would not condone any act that tends to infringe on the rights of its citizens which it has sworn to protect.

Ambode sacks LASEMA GM

Muritala Ayinla

G

overnor Akinwunmi Ambode has removed from office, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Michael Akindele.

The governor also appointed Mr. Tiamiyu Adesina to replace Akindele.

Adesina’s appointment takes ef-

fect from September 14.

At press time, reasons for the new appointment could not be ascertained but Akindele’s replacement was made known in a letter dated September 14.

The letter announcing Adesina as the acting LASEMA general manger was signed by the Head of Service, Public Service Office, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola.

Adesina started his career at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan, in 1982 and later worked in various capacities in both the public and private sectors which include the Lagos State Library Board, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPMN) and the National Theatre.

METRO

tuesday, september 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Kidnappers want N70m for six-month-old baby, farmers G Taiwo Jimoh

unmen, who abducted female farmers at Epe area of Lagos, have established contact with the families of their hostages and demanded a N70 million ransom.

On Friday morning, gunmen invaded a farm settlement at Epe and abducted Mrs. Oluwatoyosi Aboderin, her sister’s six-month-old baby, another female farmer, Mrs. Ogechi Maku, and a farm worker identified as Baba Togo. The women were kidnapped on Igbodu-Isiwo Road area of Epe. But yesterday, a farmer, who pleaded anonymity, said the kidnappers had made a demand of N70 million.

According to her, while the abductors demanded N50 million to release Aboderin, her sister’s six-month-old baby and Maku, they asked for N20 million for Baba Togo to be freed.

She said: “The kidnappers have made their demand. They asked the families of Aboderin and Maku to pay N50 million. But in the case of Baba Togo, the kidnappers contacted the management of the farm where he works directly and demanded N20 million.”

The farmer added that on Sunday evening, the kidnappers called the husband of one of the victims on the phone and demanded the ransom.

Another source said the abductors

IG, Ibrahim

also warned the family members not to involve the police.

When our correspondent visited the farm settlement yesterday, the farmers were apprehensive.

Some of them said they were afraid of what might happen to others in the area. They expressed concern that the area had become prone to attacks from kidnappers.

Earlier, Aboderin’s brother, Mr. Dayo Ogunkunle, had told New Telegraph that the abduction of his sister and his six-month-old niece had traumatised the extended family.

Ogunkunle said the baby belonged to his younger sister, who left him with her elder sister, while going to work.

The man described the victims as

poor farmers who should not have attracted the attention of kidnappers.

He said: “We cannot fathom any purpose behind the abduction.

These women are just peasant farmers, who are trying to work for a living. They have not offended anybody that could lead to abduction. We are confused! We can’t understand the rationale behind this abduction.

The family has been thrown into emotional torture now.”

Ogunkunle added that he and other frantic family members still had no clue of the whereabouts of his sister and niece.

He said that the baby was still breastfeeding.

According to him, it is quite normal for a lady, who is going to office, to leave her baby with her sister. He said that was what happened in the case of Aboderin and the baby.

Aboderin was to mind the baby until his mother returned from the office.

When contacted yesterday on the kidnappers’ demand, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, said the safe return of the victims was paramount to the command.

She said: “The command is not concerned about the ransom. Rather, we are working tirelessly to ensure the victims are rescued safely.”

Missing foodstuff: Turai Yar’Adua orders 70-year-old servant’s arrest Ahmed Sani Katsina

H

ajiya Turai Yar’Adua, wife of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, has handed over to the police her 70-year-old domestic servant, Malam Yusuf Jikwando and his two sons, over missing foodstuffs and an undisclosed amount of money.

Jikwando, who is the longest serving domestic servant to the Yar’Adua family, was allegedly arrested two days before Eid-el Kabir in his house at Samji Quarters in Katsina.

It was learnt that the arrest followed Turai’s directive to the state Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Mohammed.

A man close to the family said that five well-armed policemen invaded Jikwando’s house and searched the entire house, but only found three measures of rice and a quarter bag of maize.

According to him, Jik-

Yar’Adua

wando’s eldest son and second to the last born were later arrested.

He said while Jikwando’s family members and relatives tried to go and see the former first lady in Abuja over the arrests, five people, among them the man’s wife, had an accident near Kankara village.

According to him, the victims sustained serious injuries.

Sources said Jikwando served the Yar’Adua family

for over 40 years and was never found wanting by the late President.

According to one of Jikwando’s sons, the family hardly eats three square meals a day despite their father’s closeness to the Yar’Adua family.

He said their father celebrated the Eid-el Kabir in Katsina prison without being taken to court.

The son said Turai was not specific in her complaint against his father.

The Jikwando family members appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Bello Masari of Katsina State and the Human Rights Commission to come to their aid.

According to them, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Salisu Agaisa, said he was not aware of the arrests.

Agaisa, however, promised to investigate and get in touch with our correspondent. But he did not do that at press time.

Also, when contacted on the phone, Malam Abbas Aminu, a cousin of the late Yar’Adua, he was not aware of the arrest of Jikwando and his two sons.

Aminu, however, said he had known Jikwando with the Yar’Adua family for more than 30 years and could vouch for him.

According to him, Jikwando cannot steal anything.

9

Iroko

Man who named dog Buhari challenges trial

A

n Ota Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ogun State, yesterday fixed November 21 for the hearing of an application by Joachim Iroko, challenging a charge preferred against him for naming his dog Buhari.

The 40-year-old Iroko was arraigned on a one-count charge of naming his dog Buhari, and parading same at the Hausa section of the Ketere Market in Sango, Ogun, on August 22.

Iroko, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail.

When the case was called before Chief Magistrate Bolaji Ojikutu yesterday, counsel to the accused, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, informed the court that he had filed two applications to challenge the jurisdiction of the court.

The counsel told the court that the prosecution had declined service of the said applications in court, and had insisted that service be effected at his office.

Adegboruwa then urged the court to suspend the trial since the accused was challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

He also prayed the court to direct the prosecution to furnish the defence with the proof of evidence for the case.

After listening to arguments, the court fixed hearing of the application for November 21.

The court also directed the prosecution to furnish defence counsel with the proof of evidence.

In the motion on notice dated September 16, Iroko is seeking an order, quashing charge no: 671C/2016 preferred against him, for want of jurisdiction.

He is also asking the court set down his application for preliminary hearing and stay further proceedings before the court, pending the hearing and final determination of his application.

The applicant contended that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain and adjudicate on the charge.

He argued that the subject matter of the charge preferred against him did not disclose a criminal offence in law for which the applicant could be put on trial.

Iroko said that the court had the jurisdiction to quash a charge where there was no disclosure of an offence as the trial would amount to an abuse of the process of the court.

The applicant noted that he possessed the legal right to give his dog any name.

He added that he harboured no ulterior motives.

Buhari

10

NEWS | national

Buhari rallies support for military, victims of Boko Haram

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has urged member states of the NonAligned Movement (NAM), development partners and the international community to assist security personnel, victims and countries affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

This was contained in a statement by the spokesperson, Nigerian Mission to United Nations, Mr. Akinremi Bolaji and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday.

The statement quoted the president as making the call in his speech at the 17th Summit of NAM at the Island of Margarita, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

NAN reports that NAM is a group of states which are not formally aligned

with or against any major power bloc.

Buhari stressed the need to provide assistance to member-countries that had borne the brunt of Boko Haram terrorism and relief to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees.

He explained that the twin scourge of terrorism and violent extremism had continued to wreak havoc in Nigeriaandcountriesaround the Lake Chad Basin.

According to him, thousands of nationals have been killed and maimed in addition to the millions displaced from their homes.

He, however, stated that the capacity of Boko Haram had been severely degraded with huge sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces and those of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME

Adeleye

This is to confirm that Adegeye Fred Folorunso is the same person as Adeleye Fred Folorunso. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Adeleye Fred Folorunso. All former documents remain valid. Bank and general public take note.

Blomsma-Obikwelu

I, formerly known and addressed as Obikwelu Nora Nneka, now wish to be known and addressed as Blomsma-Obikwelu Nora Nneka. My correct date of birth is 26th August 1976. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. Netherland Government and general public should please take note.

Adetunji

I, formerly known, called and addressed as David Olatunji Olaleye now wish to be known, called and addressed as David Adetunji Olaleye. All former documents remains valid. Banks and the general public should please take note.

Allison

Onyeke

I formerly known and addressed as John Daniel now wish to be known and addressed as John Daniel Onyeke. All former documents remain valid. Diamond bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Gbolahan

I, formerly known and addressed as Fowoshere Sodiq Olatunji, now wish to be known and addressed as Fowoshere Sodiq Gbolahan. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and general public take note.

Oguntade

I, formerly known, called and addressed as Miss Iyowu Olubunmi Comfort now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Oguntade Olubunmi Comfort. All former documents remains valid. Banks and the general public should take note.

Oladapo

I, formerly known, called and addressed as Miss Monday Barizodun Stella now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Allison Stella. All former documents remains valid. EcoBank Plc and the general public should take note.

I, formally known and addressed as Mrs Titiloya Olubukola Bello Now wish to be addressed as Mrs Titiloya Olubukola Oladapo. All former documents remain valid and the general public please take note.

YAKUBU

Idjanere

I, formerly known and addressed as Boluwatife Ruth Adunni now wish to be known and addressed as Yakubu Ruth Adunni. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Nwaozuzu

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Vincent Goodness now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Goodness Vincent Idjanere. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Fadipe

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Christiana Ukachi Iwuagwu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Christiana Ukachi Nwaozuzu. All former documents remain valid. FMC Owerri, Imo State and the general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Fadipe Odunayo Opeyemi now wish to be known and addressed as Fadipe Suliyat Odunayo Opeyemi. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Ezeja

Nnaemeka

I, formerly known and addressed as Eze Juliana Amaka now wish to be known and addressed as Ezeja Juliana Amaka. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Augustus

I, formerly known and addressed as Uko, Sylvester Victor now wish to be known and addressed as Augustus, Sylvester Victor. All former documents remain valid.

First Bank Of Nig. Plc and general public please take note.

Anele

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ikenwa Obumneke Theresa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anele Obumneke Theresa. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Nweze Philip now wish to be known and addressed as Nweze Philip Nnaemeka. All former documents remain valid. Diamond bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

Nnabuagu

This is to confirm that the names Fidelis Okafor Nnabuagu is the same person as Fidelis Okafor .N. and Fidelis Okafor with which I opened my Diamond bank account and BVN registration.

Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as Fidelis Okafor Nnabuagu. All former documents remain valid. Diamond bank Plc and the general public should take note.

Abegi

I, formerly known and addressed as Abegi Wilson now wish to be known and addressed as Abegi Peredoughebofa Agala Wilson. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

tuesday, september 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Why I won’t give up on Chibok schoolgirls, by Ezekwesili Foluso Ogunmodede

F

ormer Education Minister and Coordinator of Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, at the weekend, reviewed the 891 days of the kidnap of the 219 schoolgirls abducted in Chibok, Borno State and concluded that justice had indeed gone into extinction in the country.

Besides, she said she would not give up on the abducted schoolgirls regardless of any intimidation by the Federal Government until the girls were reunited with their parents, saying only a nation that had lost its values would continue to subject the abduction of

the schoolgirls to debate.

Ezekwesili spoke in Lagos at a launch of a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), Catalyst for Global Peace and Justice Initiative (CPJ), midwifed by a renowned pastor, Abraham Sam Aiyedogbon.

The BBOG’s coordinator, who spoke on ‘Activating Credible Commitment for Good Governance and Social Justice,’ said justice had taken flight in the country as the abducted schoolgirls had continued to languish in the kidnappers’ den 891 days after their abduction.

According to her, it was injustice for the Federal Government to continue to subject to debate, the abduction of the schoolgirls over two years after

PUBLIC NOTICE GOD'S GLOBAL INTERCESSORS MINISTRY

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part "C" of the Companies and allied Matters Act of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Iwuoha Gabriel C. 2. Stella Gabriel Iwuoha 3. Rev. Iwuoha Ajuzi Emmanuel 4. Iwuoha Chinenye Theresa AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To raise an endtime armies who will stop at nothing to intercede for the salvation of the global world.

2. To put smiles on the faces of the oppressed, rejected, helpless, and hopeless, etc through our mission schools, orphanages, outreaches, etc.

3. To raise men and women like gideon who will cause positive changes in their generations through our outreachs.

4. To prepare men and women for the second coming of our lord jesus.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE CHRIST ZION VOICE OF GOD GLOBAL MINISTRY

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. Prophetess Oladewa Victoria Modupe 2. Oladewa Emmanuel Olufemi 3. Ajiboye Oyelaran David 4. Adeleke Joseph Timothy

5. Aworinde Babatunde David

6. Oladewa Kayode David

7. Amoo Omoniyi Muraina

–General Overseer –Secretary –Member –Member –Member –Member –Member

the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents abducted them on the night of April 14, 2014 in Chibok town.

Ezekwesili said: “I will not give up until this government does something about the schoolgirls. For 219 girls; children of this nation, created in the image of God, went to school and disappeared and nothing is being done and rather than the government to ensure they were rescued, their abduction has be-

come a subject of debate.

“Only a nation that has lost its ways will put the issue of 219 poor little girls to debate. The issue is that the children of this nation went to school and disappeared rather than decrying it; they sat in their little corners and began to discuss the abduction.

“BBOG does not receive a dime from both local and international donors; they made a critical decision.

This is what is keeping us."

Boko Haram: We’re ready to capture Shekau, hunters tells FG Ibrahim Abdul Yola

T

he Nigerian Hunters Association has expressed its readiness to overrun Sambisa Forest and capture Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau alive if given the permission.

Spokesman for the association in Adamawa State, Mr. Garba Tarfa, made the announcement in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

Tarfa said the association has stationed a significant number of experienced hunters who were eager and waiting for government’s permission to besiege Sambisa Forest to fish out the Boko Haram leader.

“We are ever physically ready at any given time if permitted to besiege Sambisa Forest to capture coward Shekau like fowl and his commanders.

“We know the nooks and crannies of Sambisa Forest; in fact, we know exactly where Shekau is hiding in the forest.

“They fear us more than the conventional army, be-

cause they know we knew their secrets," Tarfa said.

The spokesman claimed that the village where Shekau was living in Sambisa Forest was code named ‘Parisa,’ he was surrounded by heavily armed security men, from his commanders.

Tarfa, who was a retired police officer, confirmed that in the last three months, his members with the collaboration of the Nigerian Army intensified attacks on the suburbs of Sambisa Forest, where they rescued over 500 women and children, including five Chibok schoolgirls.

He said during the attacks, several Boko Haram members were killed, injured while some were arrested and handed over to security men.

He said over 50 Boko Haram members were captured by the hunters and handed over to the security.

He emphasised that if government would make use of the hunters' potentials, the Boko Haram terrorists issue will become a thing of the past.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ 2. To seek and save the lost through massive evangelism, mass service and outreach in the name of the lord Jesus Christ 3. To plant churches and engage in bible based Christian life 4. To engage in social and community project and child welfare whenever possible.

Economic solutions beyond talks, theories, says CSOs

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.

Abuja

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

PUBLIC NOTICE EMMAUS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

This is to inform the general public that the above named seminary has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the corporate and allied matters act cap C20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The Trustees are: 1. Pastor (DR) Ugbo Kingley Nosa (Chairman) 2. Professor Iyoha Friday 3. Dr. Ugbo Oswald Osemwegie – Member 4. Ugbo Nosayaba 5. Ugbo Kenneth Oghogho 6. Elder Abode Imohiosen 7. Abode Josephine 8. Okoduwa Nicholas 9. Odiase Doris Omovbiye

– Member – Member – Member – Member – Member – Member – Member

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To re-enforce Biblical value systems in the life of every student and expose students to the theological teachings and expansion of the ministry of Jesus Christ.

2. To encourage the children of God to salvation in Jesus Christ and to support, nurture and disciple every child of God in spiritual growth and commitment, the importance of evangelism and missions shall be emphasized.

3. To develop a sense of patriotism in every student, teaching them the Christian heritage of our nation and recounting to them how the Lord has blessed us as a people, respect those in authority shall be emphasized.

4. To develop in every student an understanding of biblical morals, ethics and values, and to encourage to read and obey the instructions of the holy bible as the only authoritative and inherent word of God. 5. To teach and communicate the theology and doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ from the inherent knowledge of the Old testament and New testament, in a religious atmosphere of servitude and discipline, using modern communication tools..

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: A.O. Idahosa Esq

Johnchuks Onuanyim

A

coalition of civil society groups has called on the economic team of President Muhammadu Buhari to go beyond talks and textbook theories and solve the country's economic problems.

The position of the CSOs was contained in a communiqué issued in Abuja after its emergency meeting to address the current economic.

President of the group, Mr. Etuk Williams, addressing journalists in Abuja, said it was no longer news that the country's economy was in dire straits as inflation has risen from stable single-digits to over

17 per cent, unemployment revolving around 18 per cent, exchange rate dropping rapidly, government revenues falling as fiscal balances deteriorate, trade balances are floundering and indeed the country is in recession.

The statement reads in part; "It seem to us that those entrusted with the management of this economy are bereft of creative ideas on the way forward, or worst still, do not understand the complexities of the current challenges.

“As far as we know, macroeconomic policies are divided broadly into monetary and fiscal. The fiscal authorities are generally entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring economic robustness."

11

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Accountability The big probe in Ebonyi

Politics Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, was in Umuahia recently, where the Ogwurube Ibeku and the entire Ibeku clan apologised to him to forgive his successor and their son, Chief Theodore Orji. He later spoke with journalists on state of the nation. Igbeaku Orji reports

Controversy Dust yet to settle over Kerry's visit

Your visit to Umuahia seems to be a kind of realignment, what does it portend in the nearest future?

Well, democracy is going to be very strong in our state, the SouthEast and in Nigeria. We are going to bring strong democratic ethics; we are going to show our people that we are going to do what we know how to do best, which is politics and the process of anchoring our people on true democracy.

Recently, the PDP said your political career is over given the ruling of the tribunal on your petition on Abia North senatorial rerun…

I can never disparage the tribu-

FELIX NWANERI

GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR nwanerif@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

16

Nigeria due for reassessment – Kalu

are not manufacturing is because of cost of power.

We have two three factories in Aba today but we cannot do much because of power issue. Our capacity can be 100 per cent but we are not doing up to four per cent.

We are not the ones losing; it is the economy that is losing though we are borrowing to pay workers, who are doing nothing. So I believe that the President needs to do more to the economy and I am sure he is consulting widely. I saw him recently with some economic experts. That is what he should be doing; he should assemble more experts to talk about Nigeria’s economy.

Your Excellency, what is the fate of your party – Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) at the moment?

Well, there is no political party in Nigeria today that is very prominent. Every party in Nigeria is struggling. All of them are in the same position and by the end of the year; people will see where all the parties stand.

There have been calls for restructuring of Nigeria, what is your take on that?

We don’t even need to be talking about restructuring because the country is due for reassessment, which is also restructuring. It is the right thing to do because when a man is overgrowing his shirt, he needs to go back to his tailor to do new shirts, so that he can move forward. And that is why we are saying that the country should have new arrangements, as well as new solutions to political and economic survival.

13

Kalu

nal despite its ruling. The tribunal expressed its opinion and I gave God the glory when I received it.

But judges and the courts have to be consistent with what they believe in. One court has rejected our petition but we will go to another court to hear our petition because that is the beauty constitutional democracy. The beauty of constitutional democracy is that it is step by step, and we’ll be moving to another step and we hope that the next step will genuinely listen to our matter because I respect the opinion of learned justices.

If the opinion of the Court of Appeal is the same thing with that of the tribunal, we will accept it.

But I think that the learned judges at the tribunal erred in law because there are some sections of the law which they did not apply well, so I hope that we will get justice at the appellate court.

What is your view on the country’s slide to recession is in recession and the way out?

This recession started in 2014, it’s just that Nigerians are biased.

I shouted that it was recession, when the Federal Government started borrowing money to pay federal civil servants in 2014. I said then there was recession but they abused me; they said all kinds of things but today they have seen it. You know that before you have malaria or typhoid, you see the symptoms coming. I saw the signs

The country should have new arrangements, as well as new solutions to political and economic survival

coming and people never believed it. I am an employer of labour with over 9,000 workers, so I am an authority no matter what they say. So, I believe that President Muhammadu Buhari needs an emergency power to introduce a stimulus into the economy.

I know what we are supposed to do. The Presidency should design a special law and send to the National Assembly for an emergency law on the economy because we have no two ways to go. We need to know that our belts should be tightened because it is rougher than you are thinking. All sectors of the economy are down and the capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector is below two per cent, which has never happened. The worst areas are going at six per cent. The largest sector of our economy today is the artisans and they are less than 20 per cent. So, what we should have done is to boost that sector, so that we can move the economy to 45 or 50 per cent.

This economy cannot survive by oil alone, so the President should introduce an immediate stimulus that will take the artisans from 20 to 50 per cent, so that the economy will stabilise. There should be a strong policy on importation because if we can manufacture all what we are importing, we will be able to conserve foreign exchange, our money will be here for us, there would be less import and more export because we have the capacity to manufacture. Why we

Do you think that the President would be able to manage emergency powers given his military background?

President Buhari is a Nigerian and he is capable of leading the country, whether with military background or not. Let me tell you, once we have the fabrics that make democracy and economy strong, anybody can run Nigeria. The issue is that indices that run a country, whether in security, power and economy must be there. If they are there, we will run very fine.

What do you make of resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta region and the way out?

The way out is still dialogue, there is no other way and the vice president was right because militancy is one of the problems that caused recession. If we are producing oil in full capacity, possibly we will have a mini-recession but now we are in full blown recession.

The call for Igbo sons and daughters to invest in the South-East seems to have fallen on deaf ears as they, including yo have continued to invest in other lands. How would you react to that?

I am not a tribalist. In the last three years, I have built two industries in Aba; Neya Nig Ltd, which is doing gauze for export and a new spare parts manufacturing industry. I cannot carry a sign board to advertise what I am doing but because the government in the state before was very evasive to me, I kept quiet and did not do any official ceremony to open them. There are 50 Indians running those factories. I am an investor and I invest anywhere there is money to be made. I also feel that our people should invest wherever is conducive, whether in Aba, Sokoto, Lagos, Birnin Kebbi or Abeokuta because it is always good to have a balance investment and portfolio.

12

POLITICS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

No going back on September 28 – INEC Stories by Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, assured Nigerians, especially the people of

Edo State that the state's rescheduled September 28 governorship election would hold as planned despite pressure from five political parties that the electoral commission should shift the election.

Speaking to New Telegraph in a telephone interview, INEC spokes-

PDP decries governor's vendetta against media

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has decried the role played by Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the transfer of some reporters of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Benin, out of the state.

Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Chris Nehikhare said in a statement that "the heat generated by the intense electioneering in the Edo State 2016 governorship election may have made the audience of the news programmes of the Nigerian Television Authority, Benin to notice the absence of three remarkable reporters in the past three weeks.

"The three reporters are: Beauty Eghobamien, Cele Osayande and Christy Macaulay.

"These three reporters who have, over the years, displayed outstanding professional competence have been transferred from Edo State.

"The reason for their sudden transfer is that their comprehensive reportage of the campaign activities of the PDP to which they were assigned, did not go down well with the comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole."

According to the PDP, "The governor is said to have taken offence, particularly for their unwillingness to compromise their reports.

"Using his connection, Governor Oshiomhole, therefore, tried to influence their sack. "However, the authorities, knowing that their sack may result in a scandal, opted for their transfer.

"Thus, these three elegant and efficient ladies were removed to please the governor and to water down the reports on the PDP governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his party.

This has been most evident since their removal.

"Also affected in this assault on professional competence and integrity is the former Assistant Director of News, Mrs Cecelia Essien, who stuck to her guns that NTA must run a balanced coverage of the activities of all parties involved in the election and, of course, the Zonal Director erroneously thought he was still under a democratic setup like he experienced under the previous PDP government and so he had stood his ground to defend the staff under him."

I’ll make Edo safe for investment – Obaseki

T

he candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 28 Edo governorship elections, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, said he will make the state one of the most attractive investment destinations in Nigeria by furthering the infrastructure development strides of the current administration and boosting security in the state.

Speaking at the formal endorsement of his candidacy by the Electronics and Computer Dealers Association in Benin, Obaseki lauded the reforms in governance instituted by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, which brought about enormous development in all sectors of economy of the state.

He said: “We will en-

sure that we provide a conducive environment so that businesses can flourish, and more people can be empowered with opportunities to develop and prosper.”

Also speaking during a meeting with members of the Grassroots Initiative (GYI), at Ikpoba in Okha Local Government Area of the state, Obaseki assured the people of the state that he will produce over 100 millionaires in the state in four years if elected as governor.

He said his administration will finish all that was started by Governor Oshiomhole and therefore urged the people to use their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to actualise the peoples-oriented plans already laid down by the APC.

person in Edo State, Mrs. Priscilla Sule, said: “we are not shifting anything; the election is holding next week Wednesday.”

According to her, the candidates had complained that “they didn’t have money” with which to continue with political campaign and other related activities and therefore want INEC to bring the election closer.

“They were talking with their mouth but we told them that in government you don’t talk with your mouth, you come with documents. They later came with letters to that effect and it had been forwarded to Abuja,” she said.

Oshiomhole

The position of the INEC’s spokesperson was as a result of last minute pressure being mounted on officials of the electoral commission to further shift the date.

New Telegraph investigation revealed that some political parties are of the position that the election should be scaled down to Saturday, September 24 while INEC and others political parties are bent on holding the poll on September 28 as already announced and communicated to all the parties and stakeholders in the state.

It was learnt that candidates of five out of

Igbinedion

Edo DECIDES

the 19 listed participating political parties had approached INEC last Thursday with requests for a downward shift in the date following what they cited as heavy financial burden on them due to the extension from initial date of September 10 to September 28.

The parties calling on

INEC to reschedule the election are Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), Peoples Democratic Congress (PDC), Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), KOWA Party and another one whose identity was not readily disclosed.

Although, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state Mr. Sam Olumekun, was quoted as telling the candidates that he had no powers to attend to their request since it was an oral request as such sensitive matter must usually be addressed in writing which compelled them to forward letters later to the commission.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC boss

Oshiomhole to Igbinedion: Guber seat no more family business

E

do State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, urged former Governor Lucky Igbinedion to jettison his ambition of returning the state governorship seat to the Igbinedion dynasty.

Speaking to journalists in Benin, the state capital, Governor Oshiomhole declared that never again would the governorship of the state be a family business.

Oshiomhole while reacting to statement credited to the ex-governor that the next governor of the state would be produced

by the Igbinedion family in the like of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, maintained that the embattled former governor was day dreaming.

“I am glad that I have been vindicated when I told Edo people how these families intend to destroy this state. And very interestingly, we saw in that same video after Lucky’s speech, how their candidate Ize-Iyamu assured that by this time next year, Igbinedion’s birthday will become a state event.

He said: “You can imagine how this people reason, so they think Edo State is

the personal estate of the father, the son and their house boy. But I want to make it clear to Lucky that the next governor can never be from Igbinedion’s family. The next governor will be people’s governor and that person by the special Grace of God is Godwin Obaseki.”

The governor stressed further: “I am aware that they are in pains since I became governor. I had to retrieve all they held hostage and gave back to the people. Our people will never go back to the dark days and my fight against god fatherism has

been successful and that is why today any Edo man or woman can become a governor without going to any god father. They are crying and I am happy and they will continue to cry.

“So, let me tell Lucky my good friend to forget about the result of the election because his PDP and Ize-Iyamu his boy will not win. He should ask himself what his PDP has done in Edo to deserve victory, nothing. So they should stop this bad dream that they will win.

Edo people have rejected the god fathers and they will never return.”

APC administration better than PDP's tenure – Commissioner

E

do State Commissioner for Oil, Gas and Natural Resources, Mr. Saturday Uwulekhue, yesterday said there was no basis for comparison between the 10 years administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and eight years of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Uwulekhue, Edo State nominee on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) stated this while playing host to Community Development

Associations chairmen and youth leaders from Orhionmwon Local Government Area at his residence in Benin.

He said it is hypocritical for PDP leaders to pose as if they have the capacity to win Edo State, boasting that no amount of propaganda by the PDP against Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki can save the opposition from suffering defeat come September 28.

He recalled the deplor-

able state of infrastructure in parts of Edo state during the PDP era and commended Governor Oshiomhole for the total departure from the poor state Edo used to be known to what it is presently, especially the uncommon foundation in education through the red roof revolution, the new face of health care with the new Central Hospital complex.

“We can also talk about massive investment in urban-rural roads, creation of an enabling environ-

ment for private sector investment to thrive in agriculture, the almighty Azura Power Plant and several other giant strides that have combined to make Edo a haven for all.

“Oshiomhole may not have answered all our prayers in Edo, as it is normal with all humans, but he has done it better than any other before him. So if he has urged us to support Obaseki as a man he believes in, it is only proper and sensible to go in that direction,” he said.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

UCHENNA INYA writes on the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum given to former council chairmen in Ebonyi State

by Governor Dave Umahi to refund N1.7 billion they allegedly misappropriated and the probe of some contractors handling projects in the state

POLITICS

The big probe in Ebonyi

S

ince Chief Umahi Dave Umahi came on board as Ebonyi State governor in May 29, 2015, he has not relented in recovering funds allegedly misappropriated by caretaker committee chairmen of the state’s 13 local government areas and some contractors, who handled various projects in the state under the past administration of Governor Martin Elechi, though he said he will not probe the administration as no one can probe a government he is part of.

However, discoveries of huge sums of public funds allegedly diverted and misappropriated by the council chairmen and the contractors have pushed him to make a Uturn. He said some of the contractors, who handled projects during the past administration of which most of them were not completed absconded with over N35 billion, while the former councils’ chairmen embezzled N1.7 billion.

Umahi had said during his first meeting with contractors in the state on assumption of office that he was not out to witch-hunt anyone but vowed to recover all funds looted by the chairmen.

His words: “Some people said they are being witch-hunted for joining another party and I want to say that nobody is witch-hunting anyone. What we are talking about is public funds stolen, which we have resolved to recover. Those who stole the money should not be afraid, all we want is the money because nobody is interested in the party they belong to and I am very happy that Mr. President is also pursuing people at the centre and we are pursuing people from here, let us see where they will run to.

“Some people destroyed the local government system, embezzled funds and when the House of Assembly asked them to come and account for them, they said government is chasing them because they are in the All Progressives Congress (APC). But I said if they like, let them be in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), or whatever you call it, if you stole any government money, you will bring it out. There is nothing that will stop you from producing it and I am happy that all parties in this country are on the same page because the only way this country can develop is when we fight corruption. Any where anybody runs to hide, the person can hide there but if you stole money, you will bring back the money.

“We are not interested in court action or the Economic and Finan-

13

Umahi

cial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

We will negotiate on how you will bring back the money to improve the lives of the people and then you are a free person. But if you don’t bring it and go and belong to any party to be free from your problem, there would be no way for you until you do what we are demanding from you. I will personally write a letter to the Chairman of the EFCC if anyone who stole public fund refuses to bring it back. I will prosecute the case myself if the person refuses to comply."

The state Assembly had after probe of the former caretaker committee chairmen recommended their sack. The House also recommended the sack of Treasurers and Head of Personnel Management in the local government areas for their involvement in the embezzlement of public funds.

Similarly, a committee set up by the state government to investigate the financial dealings of the former caretaker committee chairmen and the 64 development centres’ coordinators in the state submitted its report to Governor Umahi and also recommended the sack of the former chairmen.

The committee headed by the Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Religion and Welfare, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, also recommended the arrest and prosecution of the former chairmen.

It alleged that the N1.7 billion they allegedly embezzled between November 2014 and April 2015 were used for the last general elections.

Receiving the report, a visibly angry Umahi gave them a week to refund the money or face prosecution. The one week ultimatum has elapsed.

Speaking after receiving the report, the governor said: “For me, it benefits me nothing to destroy somebody’s political future, it doesn’t benefit me anything.

But because the House has probed them and directed us to do this, it becomes another corruption on the side of the governor and the

The sum total of funds with the contractors is not less than N35 billion and when we came in, they all ran away

government if nothing is done.

“So, they should come and negotiate how to bring this money.

We are not like the EFCC that will say you will bring all at the same time. Let us agree on how much they will be paying because they must refund the money. I was told by somebody that there is a new system of stealing government money but I told the person that I don’t want to learn the system because honesty is honesty. But since they did not apply that during their period in office, it means they are dancing naked and they have to refund the money. So, we are asking them to come and negotiate with government. We have told them that before. If after one week, nothing is done, we will take some legal actions to recover the money.

“I learnt that some of them are conspiring to go and stop our monthly federal allocation because we have not elected council chairmen but if you go and check those who have elected their local government chairmen, they may just be about five per cent. So, we are not different. We require about N800 million to conduct local government election, which we don’t have. Even if we have it, there is an appeal that queries the judgment of the Abakaliki High Court that dissolved the local government adminstration. So, until that appeal is disposed off and the House of Assembly releases us, we will not conduct local government election. ‘’So if Abuja is not enough, they can as well go elsewhere. But by this report, all those who are indicted and who are still civil servants should cease to earn salaries from today and those of them who are taking pension, stop their pensions until the exco takes a final decision.”

On the contractors, Umahi said: “We continue to say any project completed by the past administration, we have no problem about that, even if we are owing, we are going to pay. But anyone that is

ongoing, we have the right to know what we are paying for, if that amounts to probing, yes we will probe. But if we are justified that we inherited a project and you say we are owing and we say let us find out how much you have done or you just want us to close our eyes and pay whatever you say we are owing, we won’t do that. So, we are also using the medium to say for the last time that all contractors should go back to site.

“If we are owing you, approach us, there is no police with us. We have taken only Callifco to EFCC; we have not taken any other person to EFCC. The major reason we are angry with the man is that we gave him a contract of $12m dollars which is close to N5 billion now to supply brand new turbines and he bought a refurbished one and to worsen the matter, he said each turbine will take N500 million to run every month on diesel. Where do we see N500 million? It is either he doesn’t know what he is talking about or he is very deceitful because there should have been total disclosure before selling the turbines to us as no man goes to buy bicycle without knowing the charges of a vulcanizer.”

The governor spoke in the same manner, while addressing the management of Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), when they paid him a thank you visit at the Government House Abakaliki, recently. He alleged that 95 per cent of contractors, who worked with the past administration in the state have escaped with over N35 billion given to them for execution of various projects. ‘’Our experience is that 95 per cent of contractors in the past administration are with our funds.

The sum total of funds with the contractors is not less than N35 billion and when we came in, they all ran away. We said, okay, come let us do joint measurement. How can you owe us and you refuse to go to site? Let us do joint measurement because we don’t move about with police. So, what is the fear?

“We have now decided in our administration that you will be paid based on kilometres of road executed and I think it is the same policy adopted by the Federal Government. The contractors we brought to complete the remaining five kilometers FUNAI road tried to do funny things, you hardly see sincere people now, they are just going up and down making efforts to steal the little one we have but we won’t allow that. We have revoked the contract.”

No doubt, Umahi is committed to task he has set for his government but as the seven days ultimatum given to the former chairmen has elapsed, it is left to be seen the next step that would be taking by the Ebonyi State government.

14

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Give us peace or freedom now!

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 unwritten rule to systematically destroy the South East by starving it of social and developmental infrastructures by the current regime let me make it clear that I do not scream and kick because I can stop the ongoing abuses of power, injustices and prejudices against us. I understand my helplessness.

I don’t protest so that the architects of the prejudices against us will have a change of heart as they lack capacity to change, but that those who mouth One Nigeria and those in position to build a new One Nigeria may understand the challenges they must overcome assuming truly they desire like I do, one nation united in peace and freedom.

Like Paul the apostle, 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 vindictive and sectarian policies of the Fulani mob as championed by the man in Aso-Rock.

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 Nigeria. We have made more sacrifices and bore the burden of peace silently like the donkey.

In giving our best, all that we ask is peace or freedom. We desire a nation that is at peace with itself. Like fair minded people we desire a nation that is democratically fair to all. But whereby a peaceful Nigeria where all citizens can co-exist in peace and harmony then we the Igbo have the ultimate desire to live in freedom in the land given to our fathers, the land of the rising sun.

I don’t know the best way to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to restructure Nigeria now. I don’t know how to convince him to see himself as the president of every one. Recently he was reported to have told a BBC Hausa service 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 believe he was misquoted or the statement is one of those internet misleads but if it is true, then we must be prepared to pay the inevitable price of freedom for so long as there’s breath in us from our breast; so long as our hopes are not lost and so long as our God is on his throne we must cherish and live our freedom in the land of the rising sun.

But, over and above, I have chosen to work for peace and the freedom of our people. I want all those who desire peace and freedom to know that neither comes free. We must understand that the road to freedom is not an easy road. It will get tough and it will get rough; there will be sabotage , frustrations and death but if we don’t give up, even if it takes 2000 years 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 mind I have come across summarized my worries hence I share his thought here 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. 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 has been the determinant factor in whether he succeeds or fails. Only those determined to pay the price 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' Both peace and freedom are invaluable and at the same time costly. Often, the love one has for his people is shown in their preparedness to

Violent response is used to incapacitate the oppressor

pay the ultimate price if need be.

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. It is called 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 the Igbo are behaving today towards their exclusion from Nigeria politics by the rest of Nigeria.’

"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? 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.

Things changed, when Nelson Mandela took over and realized that there is a place for ‘just violence' in response to subjugation, injustice, terror and discrimination of the type apartheid imposed on his people. He made a clear distinction between terror and use of violence in the fight against tyranny and demonstrated that while terror is evil and targets innocent people to instill fear and subjugate, violent response is used to incapacitate the oppressor and force him to see the evil of his way.

Oshiomhole, Wike and botched Edo poll Luke P. Odion

N

igerians are annoyed that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government deployed some tactics, and seemingly connived with security agents and literally forced the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the Edo State gubernatorial poll, just a few hours to the commencement of the exercise based on security reports.

Nigeria’s economy which is already in deep recession, lost billions of naira due to that thoughtless postponement. Nobody knows when the nation’s economy under APC watch will recover from such action.

If the Edo poll was actually postponed because of visible security threats, it would be understandable.

But using security threats as alibi to pave room for the Edo APC to perfect their acts before the poll is conducted is indeed a rape of democracy. Nigerians in general and the Edo electorate in particular are aware of this

manipulation already. It is a pity that those dancing kokoma and ayaya over the postponement of the poll were the same characters that cried to high heavens and poured invectives on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when the 2015 presidential poll was postponed based on security reports.

If the APC chieftains had come out and told Nigerians on a national television that they were avenging in Edo what PDP did to them during last year’s general election, it would have been different. Perhaps, Nigerians would understand.

If there was no security threat when the APC held its mega rally in Benin City with music and some latest dance styles by some governors, including the host, it will be extremely hard for it to convince Nigerians that there was security threat some hours later. Even at that, no part of Edo State witnessed any violence or attacks during the period. No part of the state witnessed breach of public peace afterwards. Who is fooling who?

The postponement of the Edo poll shows that our democracy is still at infancy. It shows that most of our

politicians are self-centred and narrow-minded. They only think of what will benefit them and their families. They don’t care what happens to other Nigerians. That is why they arm-twisted INEC to postpone the Edo governorship poll and docile Nigerians accepted it without a whimper.

All our politicians have not learnt any useful lessons from past mistakes. Most Nigerians and the APC condemned last year’s postponement of the general poll. Why must the APC repeat the same exercise?

What is most annoying is the rationalization and justification of the postponement by APC chieftains.

The APC should not take Nigerians for a ride. They should not think that Nigerians are fools.

And to pull the wool over the eyes of watching Nigerians, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole decided to heap the blame of the botched poll on Governors Nyesom Wike and Ifeanyi Okowa of Rivers and Delta states, respectively. The Edo governor allegedly accused the two governors of sponsoring militants to

rig the Edo poll, an accusation that both Wike and Okowa had denied outrightly.

Wike, who spoke with members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Port Harcourt condemned Oshiomhole’s allegation that he and Okowa, had mobilized militants to disrupt the Edo poll. In his defence of Okowa, the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, said that Oshiomhole’s allegation is not only reckless but also unfounded as the Delta governor does not own or sponsor militants or thugs.

Perhaps, the ‘sins’ of Wike and Okowa could be that they attended the PDP rally in Edo state in solidarity with the party’s flag-bearer, Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu. Has Oshiomhole forgotten that he and 10 APC governors attended the APC rally in Port Harcourt with President Muhammadu Buhari? There is no point panicking simply because two PDP governors visited Edo on a political rally.

Let the APC and some of its chieftains leave Wike alone.

• Odion wrote in from Benin-City.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

15

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Umar and the Niger Delta

ecently Col. Abubakar Umar Dangiwa (retd) warned the Federal Government not to use military option in quelling militancy in the Niger Delta. The intervention of the former military governor of Kaduna State is not only timely but necessary at a time the government is seriously considering resorting to the use of force in dealing with the militants who have been responsible for destroying oil and gas installations and facilities in the Niger Delta with its attendant consequences for the Nigerian economy.

President Muhammadu Buhari had said he would treat the militants like Boko Haram, the terrorist group that had held the country, specifically the North East, to ransom in as many years.

The president first made this assertion in April in a meeting with the Nigerian community during his visit to China where he said that saboteurs and those who destroy oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta region would be treated like Boko Haram should they persist in their sabotage.

Buhari among other things said: “…Whoever is caught will not be spared. The government is still being dared, but those who are sensible should have learned a lesson. Those who are mad, let them continue in their madness. I am aware that in the last two weeks, the national grid collapsed a number of times. I

hope this message will reach the vandals and saboteurs who are blowing up pipelines and installations. We will deal with them the way we dealt with Boko Haram.”

Just last month Buhari reiterated his threat while holding talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Nairobi, Kenya. Obviously, this was an attempt to send reassurances to the international community, especially foreign investors, that their investments in Nigeria would be secure.

He also used the opportunity to assure his audience of security in the Gulf of

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against the nation and would be treated as criminals in line with the laws of the land.”

These are weighty statements of intent not to be taken lightly.

So, it is against this backdrop that the intervention of Umar, a respected former military officer, is timely. That a former officer like the president is the one making the call for dialogue and negotiation is crucial. Umar knows what is at stake and is in a position to counsel the presi-

Military action will only exacerbate an already volatile situation

Guinea, which is a hotbed of piracy and gun running.

To further accentuate the threat of the military option, the army also re-echoed the president’s tough stance on the issue of the militancy in Niger Delta.

“The military will employ all available means and measures within its rule of engagement to crush any individual or group that engages in the destruction of strategic assets and facilities of the government in the Niger Delta or any other location and they will stand to regret the consequences of their actions. The whole world has seen what they are causing in terms of economic terrorism

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dent whose frustration at the incessant sabotage of pipelines and installations can be understood.

An allout military

action will only exacerbate an already volatile situation. The terrain where the militants operate in the creeks is so treacherous that it will be difficult if not outright impossible to engage them.

If the military uses air bombardments, at some point during the engagement they will have to involve ground troops and that is where the danger lies. At any rate, would air bombardments discriminate between the militants and innocent civilians? The collateral damage will be colossal.

One which the government should be seriously bothered about.

We also note that equating the militants with Boko Haram is a

contentious issue. The militants are not terrorists properly so called, so talking about treating them like Boko Haram should not even arise. There are issues of justice, equity among others at play. Their lands have been devastated and degraded after many years of oil exploration without a corresponding increase in their living conditions.

Therefore, it is easy to conclude that government is only interested in ‘pacifying’ the restive Niger Deltants only to the extent that, that action will allow it to continue carrying out its economic activity of oil exploration.

So like Umar noted, objective Nigerians and the international community are not likely to support the use of military option in crushing militancy in the Delta. His clincher is that the creeks of the Niger Delta are saturated with oil and that the deployment of heavy explosive materials there will lead to a massive conflagration comparable to Dante’s allegorical inferno.

So, we aver that the best and only option is to dialogue and negotiate with the militants.

Although there will be those among them who may be recalcitrant, continuing government effort in this regard will ultimately yield the desired result.

We implore President Buhari to continue to explore all peaceful means to resolve the Niger Delta crisis as difficult as this may be.

16

POLITICS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Dust yet to settle over Kerry's visit The recent visit of United States (US) Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, to Nigeria attracted some criticisms, but ONYEKACHI EZE reports that such would not have been necessary if he had taken cognisance of the nation's plurality

J

ohn Kerry may not be the first Secretary of State of the United States (US) to visit Nigeria, but his recent visit has continued to generate controversies.

Before him, and in the most recent past, Senator Hilary Clinton, the present Democratic Party presidential candidate, was in the country.

Clinton, who was Secretary of State in President Barack Obama's first tenure, was in Nigeria in 2012 and met with former President Goodluck Jonathan but she was said to had cancel most of her scheduled meetings due to heightened security challenges in Nigeria then.

Foreign media reports later explained that Clinton could not pass a night in Nigeria because of security reasons. Her visit was at a time Nigeria was battling with the Boko Haram insurgency. A United States official who was on Mrs. Clinton's delegation reportedly said after a closed door meeting with Jonathan that the US would help Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram. He however said military option should not be the only solution.

“A security strategy is not enough. We know all too well from our own experiences in both Iraq and Afghanistan what can happen if soldiers and police are not operating under appropriate authorities. We will encourage them not to use excessive force and to look at this as a law enforcement operation designed to catch perpetrators and bring them to justice.

We can help them develop mechanisms for tracking and determining individuals who are likely to be engaged in supporting Boko Haram actively,” the official was quoted in the report.

The visit was Clinton's second visit to Nigeria as Secretary of State. Her first was in 2009, when Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua was president. Unlike during the second visit, Mrs. Clinton spent more time in the country, and even held a town hall meeting with civil society groups.

She said after one of the meetings: “I just finished a very interesting and important dialogue with leaders of both the Muslim and Christian communities. And I had to listen to everyone, because everyone had something very important to say.”

The make-up of Clinton’s audience, perhaps, explains why the recent visit by Kerry is receiving

L-R: Kerry, Sultan and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, during the visit.

hard knocks. For instance, the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) and some non-governmental organisations picked holes in the choice of groups the American Secretary of State choose to meet during his visit.

Kerry met with the spiritual head of Muslims in Nigeria and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III at his palace in Sokoto. He also met the 19 governors of the Northern region, who are mostly Muslims. And unlike his predecessor, the US Secretary of State, did not consider it necessary to meet with civil society groups nor the Christian community.

Speaking on the visit, CAN President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, said Kerry’s “lack of respect for the heterogeneous nature of Nigeria, amounted to favouring Northern Nigeria and Muslims to the detriment of the Christian community.”

Nigeria is a heterogeneous society with over 250 languages and three major religions – Christianity, Islam and traditional African religion.

The CAN president further alleged that John Kerry's visit to the Sultan was aimed at encouraging the Federal Government’s agenda of persecuting Nigerian Christians.

His words: “Why did he meet with 19 northern states governors, without southern governors? Is Nigeria the North alone? Why did he go to the North alone? There is a siege on Christians. Kerry’s actions speak volume. His actions and body language were very divisive.

“If the US Secretary of States is coming for official visit, it is understandable, but we demand explanation why he was selective.

Has the Sultan’s palace become another state house? Was Kerry invited by the Sultan? We have 36 states in Nigeria; he only selected northern governors to meet with.

It was a visit to the North, not to

Kerry’s actions speak volume.

His actions and body language were very divisive

Nigeria. It is surely a very divisive visit and it has heightened fear and tension among Christians in Nigeria. If they cannot bring us together, they should not interfere in our affairs.”

Ayokunle also said the action of the US Secretary of State proves allegations that President Barack Obama’s administration supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2015 elections.

A non-governmental organisation, Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade, on its part accused the US of harbouring an agenda to undo Nigeria's corporate existence.

The group in a statement by its National President, Alaowei Cleric, said Kerry's visit to the North was to “embolden the people of the region to continue the perpetuation of Jihad against Nigerians through the Boko Hara sect.”

It added: “We might not have issue with John Kerry's visit to the Sultan of Sokoto and the 19 northern states governors if he had made it on a clearly stated purpose. Our worry is how the US is trying to address Nigeria's problems through some few ethno-religious leaders only from the North without due regard to the secularity and/or plurality of ethnic groups/religions in the country.

“When has Nigeria become a mono-religious state? It concerned the US Secretary of States to warn the Federal Government of Nigeria from using excess force against the Boko Haram sect but feigned ignorant to the more troublesome issues that have been a threat to our corporate existence as a country.”

The group also observed that the menace of Fulani herdsmen's genocide attacks on the people of the Middle Belt and the Southern Nigeria as well as the unchecked religious killings of Christian faithful by the Muslim radicals did not bother Kerry.

The group advised President

Obama not to cause ethno-religious division in Nigeria, noting that the country is already on the brink of being polarised along ethnic/religious lines. “If the US cares about Nigeria's survival, then she should prevail on the present government to present itself as a national government other than government of a particular section,” it said.

Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, also observed that Kerry's meetings with northern Muslim leaders, 19 northern governors and the new Islamic Development Bank in the country are pointers that the present administration is “systematically pushing the Islamic agenda in Nigeria.”

Describing Kerry's visit as “garbage,” he said: “I listened to the garbage that John Kerry said to the Sultan. May God forgive him.

All I can say is that I pray that Donald Trump wins the US presidential election.”

But, Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima who briefed journalists after Kerry's meeting with the northern governors, defended the parley. He said the incidences of polio and Boko Haram insurgency affect the north more than any of the southern states.

The governor disclosed that the meeting was to seek US assistance for the numerous problems affecting the region. According to him, the meeting with US Secretary of State afforded them the opportunity to explain to him the underlying factors that led to Boko Haram insurgency, and to solicit for support in the areas of job creation, improvement in health facilities and development of renewal energy sources.

Shettima’s defence, notwithstanding, there is no doubt that such visit in future should be thoughtfully planned as the contentious issue of religion in a society, where faith carries an enormous weight cannot be dismissed.

17

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Dakwo In need of basic amenities

Inside Abuja

Street sweepers at Guzape district

News Malaria: African leaders provide 659m mosquito nets

18 20

Street sweepers

Travails of street sweepers They are tired, but can’t quit the job. They are scared of the future, particularly in the face of the current economic recession in various organisations and the rising cost of living in the country. This is the story of those who sweep the streets of Abuja. CALEB ONWE reports

S

weeping the streets in major city like Abuja may be a means of livelihood, but the inherent hazards are so scary that they sometimes obliterate the supposed benefits to the sweepers. A close look at the job could inject palpable fears in those who are at the verge of taking it up as a viable escape route out of joblessness in a season of recession.

These labourers that cut across all genders do not just base their decisions to go into street sweeping on the old mantra that suggest that “there is dignity in labour”, but on the exigencies of the hard biting economy.

This job, like any other unskilled labour, has always been a desired destination for people who cannot access white collar jobs, but are determined to have a source of income that will help them to knit the soul and the body together. However, the present excruciating economic recession

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has increased the influx of people into the business of keeping the environment clean for a fee.

The hazards of this job in a city like Abuja where the roads are as smooth as a well-polished Formica, has given many ill-cultured drivers the impetus to exhibit the art of reckless driving. This behavioural defect has undoubtedly created a lot of tension among those who are circumstantially stuck to the job.

Death on duty Inside Abuja’s decision to look at the plight of these sweepers stems from the recent unfortunate incident that claimed the life of a woman, one of the street sweepers in Wuse-Berger axis of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

An eyewitness account has it that the woman who was discharging her routine duty of sweeping the portion of road assigned to her by her supervisor, was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver. The deceased was said to have been rushed to Wuse District hospital in an attempt to revive her. However, she was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital.

The case of this indigent woman killed by a reckless driver is just one example of the ‘curse’ which the ‘blessing’ of a good road network in Abuja has continued to foist onto many innocent people who on a daily basis, are pricked out of their comfort zones by economic demands.

Though, the job of sweeping the streets, especially in Abuja is not reserved exclusively for ei-

Our supervisors will tell us to even sweep the centre of the main road, and they will not consider our safety

ther the men or the women, but an objective census in that industry will reveal that women are the dominant and indomitable force behind the environmental sanitation of the city.

Sweeping voices In an interview with some of the women, they revealed that they were motivated to leave their homes every day because of the need to maintain their divinely ordained position of “a help mate” to their spouses.

Maria Zechariah, a young woman in her late 20s, is one of the street sweepers working for one of the environmental sanitation consultants engaged by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) to clean up the city.

Her story was so pathetic and emotion-laden that only someone with a stony heart will not be moved to empathize with her.

She lives in Masaka, a densely populated slum in the nearby Nasarawa State, from where she comes to work in the FCT every morning. The journey from Masaka to her place of work, is a distance that will cost her not less than N300, to and fro every day, depending on the area where she lives in Masaka.

To ameliorate her situation, Maria stated that she is forced to wake up every day by 4a.m. to enable her catch up with one of the construction companies’ truck that comes to Masaka market bus stop by 5:30a.m. to pick their construction workers; and that she also have to wait for them at the close of work to come with them.

She disclosed that any day there is heavy traffic; she gets home 8p.m. and sometimes 10p.m. if the traffic is heavy.

The reason for this harrowing experience, Maria said, was to allow her save a little fortune from the beggarly wages she gets from

sweeping the street. When asked how much she is paid by her company, she philosophically told Inside Abuja that “it is not the salary that is pushing me out from my house, because it is nothing. What is pushing me out is the shame to be seen by my neighbours as an idle person.”

When pressed further to disclose what her wage was, she said “they pay me N15,000 every month”.

Another woman who initially declined to talk to our correspondent, but later decided to open up, said her salary is so little and that she cannot mention the exact amount. She added that she has remained on the job, not because she enjoys it, but because she cannot go and sit at home.

“I know that there is danger in this job. I am always afraid to come because of the way that some drivers speed. You can see that sometimes, our supervisors will tell us to even sweep the centre of the main road, and they will not consider our safety,” she said.

Some of the women that Inside Abuja engaged in a group conversation at Wuse II, confessed that they were scared and tired of the job but cannot quit, even though the salary is nothing to write home about.

Inside Abuja made an attempt to talk to one of the supervisors of a cleaning firm at AYA junction muster point proved abortive. He insisted that if there is any information needed about their job, the proper place to get was at Abuja Environmental Protection Board office or the firm’s management.

Life Insurance Cover A Road Safety officer who declined to mention his name, confided in Inside Abuja that the issue of providing these street sweepers CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

18

Inside ABUJA | SLUMS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Dakwo: In need of basic amenities Dakwo, one of the communities of the original inhabitants of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory, has survived several demolition exercises, but its story is not different from that of gross neglect and outright abandonment by government. RUTH MONDAY, who visited the community recently, reports

A residence in the community

A road in Dakwo

F

ragmented in size by many elite housing estates that has taken a great chunk of its landmass, this small community, said to have been in existence for more than 500 years is home to the indigenous people of Gbaygi.

Surrounded by several mega estates, like the Sunnyvale, City View Northstar and several others; this community remains a hiding place not only for the native Gbaygis but also for other tribes, especially the poor and low income earners who do not want to live far away from the city, but cannot afford the high rent of accommodation in the highbrow estates.

Head of the community, Mr. Sunday Bangiy, told Inside Abuja that apart from the economic hardship in the country, life in Dakwo is practically very difficult because there is virtually none of the basic amenities that add colour to life in existence there.

Bangiy gave a long catalogue of the challenges the residents of the community face on a daily basis.

Among the basic amenities which, he said, is urgently needed is electricity, healthcare centre and a secondary school. He stated that except for the ray of light from the estate around the community, his people have lived in darkness for a very long time.

On the efforts to provide them with electricity, he noted that elec-

A borehole in Dakwo

tric transformers have been procured but are yet to be installed.

Bangiy lamented that despite his letter of request to the FCT Universal Basic Education Board to bring a secondary school to his community, the place is still without a post-primary school for his people.

According to him, the only alternative is the government secondary school in Apo that is far away from them. The private schools in the nearby estates are far above what the residents of his community can afford.

Inside Abuja engaged several

When our children are on holidays, they become errand boys for the older boys who are drug addict in the area

The burden of education on parents has become overwhelming, owing to the present economic situation in the country, DEBORAH OCHENI reports

A

s the primary and secondary educational institutions re-open for academic activities this week, there are indications that many parents would find it very difficult to send their wards back to school due to the downturn in the nation’s economy and its effects on all the facet of life in Nigeria.

A report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) indicates that one out of every five Nigerian children is out of school. Inside Abuja’s chat with some parents proved this report right and without an iota of doubt, the rate of school dropout will be doubled if nothing is done to improve on

the economy and livelihood of the masses.

Ugona, a 39-year-old widow with three children, told Inside Abuja a pathetic story of how she has been coping with the education of her children after the demise of her husband.

She said: “I have been managing to send my three children to school after the demise of my husband with the little I earn, but I am not able to meet that responsibility this time owing to high cost of living that we are experiencing now. I tried saving money for my children school fees all these while that they are on vacation but I couldn’t because I cannot watch them die of hunger. Before now I can make a pot of

people there to find out how they survive against all odds. A few of them who offered to speak, pleaded passionately with the government to look into their plight and come and add value to their lives.

"Our major problem is health care centre and bad road. Because there are no gutters, whenever it rains, everywhere becomes muddy and most of us can't move out," said one of the residents.

Another resident said, "Dakwo village is an abandoned community by the government, simply because it is being occupied by poor people."

A period like this rainy season usually poses a huge challenge to them as all the major roads leading to the place are over-flooded.

Looking around the environment, cables and other electric fittings have been put in place, from one direction to the other raising the people's hope that light will one day come.

According to the village head, "If these transformers can be installed, the people here will be able to run their businesses since most of the people do their business within the vicinity."

Inside Abuja observed that there were many idle youths roaming about the community, a sign that the rate of unemployment in Dakwo community is high; forcing many of the youth to criminal activities like robbery, pick-pockets

and prostitution.

Bangiy decried the rate at which young ladies are going into prostitution.

"There is a place here known as Bakassi, that is where the ladies sell their body to men who wish to patronise them. Frankly speaking, Dakwo is not a place for new generation kids who have aspirations and dreams," said one of the residents.

Another resident, a woman who identified herself as Madam Nkechi, expressed grief over the overbearing environment, which she said is not conducive for their children.

"In this area, when our children are on holidays they become errand boys for the older boys who are drug addict in the area," Nkechi said.

Today, Dakwo is yet to see civilisation. Dakwo, though in the city centre, is devoid of any beauty.

There is no sign of government's commitment to the plight of the commoners in the society.

A pregnant woman who showed a sign of serious distress, expressed disappointment that a big community like Dakwo has no clinic or medical centre to cater for common diseases among the people.

"It is very bad that we have not been able to get hospital at least one in Dakwo. So, most of us go to clinics that are far away during delivery," she said.

Parents groan as schools soup and fufu with N700 but I cannot do that any longer. Whatever I earn goes into feeding, I am not happy seeing my children at home while their mates are in school but what can I do?”

Patrick Oche, father of two kids, complained that though the government has been trying to provide accessible and affordable environment for children to get formal education, there were still many challenges which parents are not finding easy to cope with in these schools.

“I have two daughters that attend public school. To be candid, the school fee is affordable but buying of textbooks, uniform and other hidden charges have gone up. I took my kids to school this morning and I was prepared to pay their fee but after

calculating everything that I was asked to pay, what I had in my pocket cannot even foot the bills of my younger child and there is no money. It took me months to save their school fees and now my whole effort is frustrated with hidden charges,” he said.

On the added charges, he said: “I will not blame the school, it is my fault because I was not at home when the school went on vacation and I did not bother to read the vacation letter that was sent to me through my wife.

It was indicated in the letter that there will be some adjustments in the bills as I learnt this morning after reading the letter.”

Isah Abdulahi, an Islamic education teacher, said the cost of sending children to school is weighty on the pocket now. “If we are able to reduce the poverty and illiteracy

Inside ABUJA

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

For a while now, the key actors in the Wuye Market crisis have been enmeshed in a legal battle to obtain justice, but the justice secured in the matter is being stripped naked, mocked and repudiated by those who ought to protect it jealously, CLEM KHENAOGBENA reports

Wuye Market: Traders threaten N500bn suit against police Wuye District, Abuja.

"That the defendants are hereby restrained perpetually either by themselves, servants, agents, privies however described from reallocating or in any other way giving possession of the plaintiffs shops and/or open spaces in Wuye Ultra Market which is also now called Wuye Ultra-Modern Market lying and situated in Wuye District, Abuja to any other person."

T

he crisis currently rocking the Wuye Ultra-Modern Market principally between the Association of Wuye Ultra-Modern Market Allottees (AWUMMA) and the FCT Police Command together with All Purpose Shelter Ltd, gives the impression that the justice sought on this issue is fast fading away.

The popular phrase that the “judiciary is the last hope of the ordinary man” is fast losing its relevance, taste and beauty in this dispute, over whose legitimate right it is to occupy or use the facilities of the market. It's a development that has unleashed assaults on both the judiciary and the principle of the rule of law.

This seeming violation of the right of citizens, played out vividly , when the officials of the National Human Rights Commission, led by its Director of Monitoring, Mr. Tony Chukwu, embarked on an on the-spot-assessment of the market, following the protest to the commission by the AWUMMA and the petition sent to the commission by the association’s lawyer, Mr. Sepiribo Cromwell Peters.

The attempt by the officials of the commission to gain entry into the market premises, however, met a brick wall, as a detachment of the Nigeria Police Force from the Wuye Police Division, led by its DPO, S. H. Jimbes, cordoned off the market.

Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Prof.

Ben Angwe, had earlier addressed the aggrieved members of AWUMMA and promised to look into the matter with an un-biased disposition. He then directed the head of the relevant department in the commission to move immediately with his team to the location of the market to ascertain the claims of

19

various shops to occupy them.

Harassment According to the traders, 28 of their members including four women, were reportedly arrested and detained by the police who also manhandled some journalists covering the crisis. In the process a serious altercation ensued between the representative of the commission and the DPO, Jimbes, as the human rights official insisted he was under obligation to go into the Wuye Market to assess the situation and ascertain the veracity of the claims made by the traders.

Policemen engaging traders at the market.

the traders.

In the petition, the traders association complained about the attitude of the police, regarding their failure to enforce the two courts judgements in favour of AWUMMA as well as the alleged arrest and detention of some of the traders by the police. It was on the strength of the petition that the commission promptly directed a team of his officials, headed by Tony Chukwu to proceed to the market for proper investigation and assessment of the situation.

Both the High Court and the Court of Appeal had earlier delivered judgements in favour of the traders, whom the courts said were the rightful occupants of the market, thus they could return to their

resume in our society, the number of formal education enrolment will be increased. Everybody in Nigeria is feeling the effect of economic recession.

I understand schools have also increased their fees but I don’t think that is a serious issue because it is something that most parents should be prepared for. Cost of formal education is weighty because of other miscellaneous expenses such as buying of school bags, lunch bag, new foot wears and uniforms which are on the rise because of the value of our currency," he said.

The way out Speaking on measures that will help curtail the recession on education, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Kogi State University, Dr. Salihu Danlami Musa said there is need for adjust-

It's a development that has unleashed assaults on both the judiciary and the principle of the rule of law

ment on the part of parents, government and school proprietors in order to cope with realities of contemporary times.

“The situation in the country is such that we are in an economic recession and so we must adjust our expenditure so that whatever little money that comes our way will be spent based on priority. As parents, it is not a period where we get everything we want, we are doing things with stress because the resources we have are not increasing and the needs are increasing on a daily basis. So, we have to do a kind of scale of preference.

"When it is time to pay school fees, you have so much sacrifice to make because we must survive and our children must go to school.

Some parents are withdrawing their children from private schools to public schools and those are the kind of adjustment we need to make. If you cannot cope having your children in private school and still meet your other needs then you look elsewhere where

Court decisions The traders said their claim of rightful occupancy of the Wuye Market is authenticated by the April 29, 2015 judgement of the Abuja High Court which affirmed: "That the plaintiffs are entitled to occupy, use and enjoy their shops and /or open spaces allocated to them (plaintiffs) by the 1st and 2nd Defendants in the said Wuye Market which is also now called Wuye Ultra-Modern Market, lying and situated in Wuye District, Abuja in view of Exhibits AA and in line with the evidence led by plaintiffs.

"That the defendants shall allow the plaintiffs to have and enjoy quiet possession, occupation and use of their various shops and/or open spaces lying and situated in Wuye Ultra-Modern Market which is also now called Wuye Ultra-Modern Market lying and situated in

you can cope and relocate your children. It is not a matter of pride but what you have in the pocket, you can still take your children to private school if things gets better.

“On the part of government, what they need to do is to work faster on economic policy and see how they can help to get us out of the recession, but certainly you do not expect things to be as easy as they used to be. I am paying my children school fees and I know how many things I have to forego because payment of their school fees is on my scale of preference.

“On the part of school proprietors, they may need to review their fees if not; they will have fewer children to attend their schools. Of course, they have to ensure the children are well-cared for but do your budget and minimise profit for now so that it will not be exorbitant. Actually, nobody can pay for education in the true sense of it but what I am saying is that, sacrifice should not be on one side alone, we have to be very calculative” he said.

Presidential intervention The face-off has received the attention of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to look into the matter dispassionately with a view to taking the necessary action in resolving the crisis.

The vice president's directive was contained in a one-page letter addressed to AWUMMA's lawyer, S.C. Peters Esq by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Vice-President, Mr. Ade Ipaye.

It was a response to an earlier petition written and forwarded to the vice president's office by the AWUMMA's lawyer, who had vowed to file a law suit against the police and the builders of the market.

The letter from the Office of the vice president dated August 9 and marked SH/ OVP/DCOS/ Misc/ was circulated to newsmen during a protest rally staged by the traders outside the Wuye Market, as they were barred from entering the market by the stern-looking police men.

N500 billion law suit The association has threatened to sue the police authorities for N500 billion for taking side and for failing to enforce the judgements emanating from two different courts in favour of the traders.

In an interview with newsmen, counsel to the traders’ association, Sepiribo Crownwell Peters said: "I think it is not only the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) but every stakeholder in our democracy ought to be aware that assault and insult on the judiciary by the police is something that ought not to be tolerated by anybody. So, we will inform the NBA formally, inform all other stakeholders that this is what is happening in the country, that a court gave a decision, a High Court for that matter gave a decision and the judgment of the High Court was enforced by putting in our clients in their respective shops, and thereafter, the aggrieved party, which is All Purpose Shelters Ltd, went to Court of Appeal to set aside the execution, and the Court of Appeal held that the execution was proper and that their stay there was also proper.

"So, for the police now to set aside the decision of the High Court and that of the Court of Appeal, I think is something which is painful, just to put it mildly. So, we will inform all necessary three bodies that this is what is happening, not only the NBA but the Human Rights Commission and we will inform reasonable and responsible civil rights groups that this is what is happening.”

20

INSIDE ABUJA \ NEWS

Obinna Odoh ABUJA

T

he African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), a coalition of 49 African Heads of State and Government, said it had provided a total of 659 million insecticidetreated mosquito nets to individuals for the prevention and control of malaria across Africa.

Executive Secretary, ALMA, Joy Phumaphi, told newsmen in Abuja that the group is working

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Malaria: African leaders provide 659m mosquito nets with governments across country and regional borders to achieve a malariafree Africa by 2030.

Phumaphi said that the programme, which was supported by the Global Fund and implemented by local experts, had saved 20 million lives and was on track to save

22 million lives in the continent at the end of 2016.

“The number of deaths caused by malaria declined by 50 per cent in the countries where the Global Fund invested between 2000 and 2015 and with continued support,

21 countries could eliminate malaria by 2020.

“In Africa specifically, malaria mortality rates have fallen by 66 per cent among all age groups and by 71 per cent among children under five years since 2000,” she stated.

According to Phumaphi, malaria had remained one of the top causes of morbidity in pregnant women and mortality in children under five years, adding that it was the reason for the renewed effort

to achieve a malariafree world.

The programme, she said, has also averted no fewer than 146 million new infections of HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria since 2012 in more than 100 countries.

Amaechi tasks staff on punctuality, diligence Clem Khena-Ogbena Abuja

M

inister of Transportation, Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, has urged the staff of the ministry to have a change of attitude by being punctual to the office and diligent in their duties.

The minister, who stated this at the weekend during the maiden edition of the Town Hall meeting held at the Women Development Centre, Abuja, warned that he would not tolerate indiscipline, corruption and habitual lateness to work.

He stated that President Muhammadu Buhari was extremely concerned about the current economic situation in the country, adding that the Federal Government was making concerted effort to bring lasting solution to the numerous challenges.

He said that the economic recession in the country would soon be over and enjoined the staff to be optimistic, saying the government

was not resting on its oars in addressing the present challenges facing the country.

Amaechi noted that the welfare of staff was paramount as this would motivate and boost their morale for better productivity.

He said there was need for staff of the ministry to be trained and re-trained, adding, that it has been the priority of the government to embark on staff training as this would enhance the performance of staff on their duty post.

Amaechi enjoined members of staff to advance themselves in the area of Information Technology (IT) to be able to make use of computers and internet facilities at their disposal, urging them to be law abiding and adhere to the Civil Service Rules and Regulations in order to enhance service delivery.

He noted that the government was committed to providing enabling environment and necessary tools that would enhance efficient performance of their duties.

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

with adequate road signs that will always give drivers caution notices ahead has been overstressed by relevant agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps, but the owners of the sanitation companies, who are entrepreneurs and are more profit-driven have constantly ignored such life-saving measures.

He also stated that in developed countries where things work the way it should, the street sweepers are entitled to certain insurance covers; that will make provisions for compensations and other benefits, in cases of accident that could result to death or permanent disability.

When asked if there are sanctions for these cleaning companies who are flagrantly abusing safety standards on the streets, by not providing the required safety instrument for these street sweepers, he was rather sarcastic, by giving an intone that suggests that he does not have such crucial information at the tip of his fingers as an officer.

The officer, who disclosed that the Road Safety Officers often receive dis-

Saints Margret Akwa Cross Community dancing, during the Holy Cross Catholic Church, Gwarinpa 2016 Cultural Fiesta in Abuja.…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Fake Seeds: Council partners NSCDC to enforce compliance Caleb Onwe Abuja

T

he National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have entered into a partnership agreement deigned to sanitise the seed market, weed out fake seed peddlers and ensure that the target of boosting agriculture and diversifying the economy was realised.

Director General of

Seed Council, Dr. Philip Ojo, stated this while addressing the press after a meeting with the Commandant General of NSCDC, Mr. Abdullahi Gana Mohammadu, at the weekend in Abuja.

Ojo said that his agency decided to take some proactive measures to prevent some desperate and unscrupulous people who are bent on jeopardizing the efforts of the government towards reviving the agriculture sector by adulterating seeds used in planting.

He said that the part-

nership with the Civil Defence Corps was for the purpose of enforcement of the rules of the council relating to seed development, processing and marketing.

“The seed council is partnering with the Civil Defence Corps because we believe in their capability and professionalism in protecting critical national infrastructure, they will also provide security for our enforcement team each time we need to go for enforcement in accordance with the Act

Travails of street sweepers

tress calls from ‘good Samaritans’ about accident on Abuja roads involving the street sweepers, also advocated the need for proper safety education for these women.

Unfortunately, most of these people who take to street sweeping to eke out a living do not know what their rights are; all they know is that they have the opportunity to clinch to some stipends that is not qualified by all standards to be called a ‘living wage’ at the end of the month.

When Inside Abuja asked them on the issue of getting an insurance cover from their company, many of them displayed ignorance about the subject matter. However, when the subject matter was broken down in a layman’s language to them, the group of about five women sweeping the street at Guzape District, chorused: “Please help us tell them to give us insurance and also increase our salary.”

A middle-aged woman, who simply identified herself as “Mama Gbaygi”,

who is regarded as an original inhabitant of the FCT, told Inside Abuja that she is sweeping the streets to help her children in school. She disclosed that she is a widow and cannot afford to fold her hands or go about to beg.

She however, said that the taste of the job almost became soured to her the day one of her colleagues was knocked down at the Gilmor Junction, at Guzape, while they were carrying out their routine duties of sweeping the streets. Although, the said woman did not die, she reportedly sustained serious injuries.

Mama Gbaygi also disclosed that her salary is N12,000 monthly, and that she is managing it with what she gets from her farm.

According to her, she is not spending the money on transportation, since she lives in Garki Village within the City Centre where she treks to the place assigned to her to sweep.

N477m equipment In most of the developed countries,

that established the seed council,” Ojo said.

He further stated that the council has critical infrastructures in the six geopolitical zones of the country that need protection, as some of them are very important as they serve the seeds need of the whole West Africa.

According to him, the agency’s technical headquarters in Abuja was very critical to the realisation of the present administration’s desire to return the country to agriculture.

street sweeping is reportedly done with modern mechanical sweepers, that reduces human involvement and by implication eliminating the needless human losses that result from reckless driving.

It is to this effect that the immediate past administration of Senator Bala Mohammed allegedly procured new equipment reportedly at the cost of about N477 million.

It was also reported that the administration procured and launched eight brand new mechanical sweepers and four mechanical litter pickers.

However, what is curious was the fact that this equipment are not in use anywhere in Abuja. It has remained the old way, where women are used to clean the street manually with all the attendant hazards.

Inside Abuja could not confirm the whereabouts of those equipment said to have been procured neither was it possible to ascertain the current state of these multi-million naira equipment.

21

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Features

…Governor Ambode flanked by commissioners and lawmakers, during the walk in Lagos...recently

Men kick against rape, domestic violence

T

he bustling at Festac Police Station on September 8 was unusual. As early as 7a.m., men from the community, civil society organisations, local government, police and others, were already at the station. The men were soon joined by all-male corps members.

The men gathered at the Festac Police Station to stage a walk against domestic violence, rape of women and children as well as child labour.

The walk was an epic event; it was the first time men, often perpetrators of female battering and rape, would be standing up to say: “Enough is enough to domestic violence.”

The event was organised by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT).

The epoch-making event was

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Men, usually regarded as the predators, through a walk led by Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, say enough to rape, wife battering and other forms of violence against women, writes JULIANA FRANCIS also simultaneously re-enacted at Alausa, Ikeja, where Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, led the walk.

The Festac walk was led by a member of DSVRT, Mrs. Bose Ironsi, who is also the executive director, Women’s Right and Health Project.

In her black jeans, green Tshirt and fez cap, Ironsi looked set and ready for battle. It was difficult for anyone to believe Ironsi just left hospital a day earlier, in order to attend the men’s walk against domestic violence.

The walk started from Festac Police Station, at 2nd Avenue went through 3rd Avenue and ended at Federal Housing Authority (FHA) field.

The walk caused gridlock as the men chased motorists to give them handbills, speaking against domestic violence and crimes perpetrated by men against women and children.

It soon started raining. One would have expected the people to disperse. They didn’t! They continued to distribute handbills, chanting: “Enough is enough! No more violence.”

It is the first time men are speaking out against domestic violence

At the Alausa end, Ambode vowed that his administration would leave no stone unturned to ensure that all perpetrators of domestic violence and rape were made to face the wrath of the law.

The walk, which proceeded from Ikeja under Bridge through Awolowo Way to Lagos House in Alausa, witnessed the participation of dignitaries from all walks of life, including members of the State Executive Council, members of the state House of Assembly, key government functionaries, entertainers, youths, artisans and workers, among others.

Ambode, dressed in a black Tshirt and armed with a placard with the inscription: “Stop Rape, Domestic Violence, Child Abuse,” said it was time for men to stand up and take the bull by the horn in tackling the menace of genderbased violence. According to him, recent research has shown that women are prone to being victims of these crimes.

He said: “There is also an evident trend of suppressing the voice of these victims due to the fact that these acts are perpetrated largely by men. We should

not take for granted the effect of having emotionally and psychologically damaged women in a society as the effect could transcend to their children who grow up in an environment, thinking this is the norm.”

According to him, his administration has initiated several programmes such as the provision of legal aid, shelter and psychological counselling services to assist these women.

The governor said it was also pertinent to address the violent behaviour of men as it concerns rape, domestic violence and child abuse.

He said: “The scale of men’s violence against women is enormous and its effects, demoralising. Men as grandfathers, fathers, brothers, sons, husbands and public advocates, have a pivotal role to play in condemning all forms of violence against women, girls and boys.

“We firmly believe that the way forward is to continuously engage the male folk as well as the community as a whole. Community engagement is an essential part of working to prevent and respond to all forms of genderbased violence. As men, we must stand up and speak in one voice, condemning these acts.

“No more would we condone or CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

22

FEATURES

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

tolerate paedophiles, women beaters and rapists. It is inhumane and totally unacceptable to protect or even ignore such behaviour when we see it manifesting in our environment.

“I will like you to join hands with me to say no to rapists, say no to women beaters and wherever they are. We know that the task force that we have set up will swing into action once it receives any petition from any member of the society. We are looking for the first 11 scapegoats whether highly or lowly-placed in the society. We say no to domestic violence and sexual abuse.”

At Festac walk, Ironsi marched in front like female Zulu warrior. She used a police mike to wake up the still slumbering Festac neighbourhood.

She spoke against fathers raping daughters, men battering women and other crimes perpetrated against women. She also talked about rising cases of men killing their wives and young men raping old women.

Shouting into the mike, Ironsi said: “If your husband used to beat you, speak out! Men, stop raping our children and house helps. Lagos State says enough is enough! Rapists can’t escape the law. Stop beating your house helps. Stop the violence!

Take care of our children. Don’t sell your children.”

Ironsi told our correspondent that the walk was one of the activities aimed at raising the awareness on domestic and sexual violence.

She said: “We are having all men walk. We are expecting more than a thousand men. They are saying no to violence. It is a unique walk because when you talk about perpetrators of violence against women, it is usually men. So, if men are saying no to domestic violence today, it means the game is up for those perpetrating it.”

The Women’s Right and Health Project director added that men who hit women usually do so because they have a lot of energy. Ironsi suggested they should use such energy wisely.

She said: “There has been increase in violence. We need to put the message across that just because men have energy, they should not use it to rape our girls and women. There is no excuse for hitting a woman.

“If you say you are angry with your wife and then hit her, why do not you get angry and hit your head against a wall? If you are angry, walk away.

“Women have been raised to be quiet and submissive; this is why issues of violence have remained for long. We have different types of violence. We have psychological, emotional and economic violence in the home. A man knows that his wife needs money, yet he would not provide it. Some of these men get angry and abandon the kids to their wives.

The men, who are on this walk, are sending a very strong message that they should stop domestic violence.

They are saying, ‘enough is enough.’”

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Festac Police Station, Mr. Monday Agbonika, who was part of the men on the walk, said the idea behind the walk was to enlighten people about the law.

According to him, Lagos State Law prohibits rape, defilement and sexual assault He said: “The offences are punishable by life imprisonment. It is wrong to assault our women and children.

“Homosexual is high in Festac.

Even when our policemen go for arrest, they would want to rape them.

Women in Festac now prefer women to have sex with them.”

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

No to child abuse, sexual assault

Participants at the walk

Youths and corps members

Agbonika addressing people during the walk

According to Agbonika, if a man slides his finger into a child’s private part, it can attract life imprisonment.

He added: “This walk is unique because it is being staged by men.

It is the first time men are speaking out against domestic violence.

“The walk will make a big mark in Festac. We have high incidence of domestic violence in Festac. At least, more than any other place I have worked. It is possible that such cases are being reported here in Festac because the victims are educated or it could be the occurrence is high.”

Agbonika said he was shocked to discover that some men, who were arrested and detained for battering

their wives, did not understand why they should be arrested.

He said: “They feel they own their wives. Like in Festac, the men are rich. After making money, a man goes to the village to marry a young girl. Some may even pay the wife’s brothers’ school fees. Within years, she had given birth to four kids.

“She is still relatively young and most of them are usually beautiful. When you see them, you would not believe they have given birth, let alone to have four children. The husband is usually quite older. The rich husband has bought her an expensive car. She is now a big girl, cruising around town in a Jeep. She has also started making friends in Lagos. She used to be controlled before, now she refuses to be controlled.

She refuses to obey. And the husband could not understand why she should not obey him. He feels he owns her just because he married and is taking care of her. Many of them do not understand why they should be prosecuted for beating their wives.”

Although there were hundreds of men who participated in the walk, one of them stole the show.

The man is Mr. Anthony David Takon Junior. He is the youth president of Festac Town.

He was tireless. He kept chasing motorists, to ensure they collected handbills. Even when it was raining, he continued with his distribution.

When others started lagging behind,

tired, Takon continued to run from one end of the road to the other, pursuing motorcycle riders and motorists.

Before he threw the handbill into open car window, he would yell, “don’t beat your wife.”

If the receiver of the handbill is a woman, he would tell her, “if your husband beats you, report to the police.”

Many motorists laughed at him, but he was undeterred.

Takon told our correspondent he was happy such an event was happening in Festac. According to him, there has been an alarming increase in rape in Festac. The youth president saw the walk against rape as timely.

He said: “In recent times, we have been experiencing alarming cases of rape in Festac. Girls going to church in the early hours of the morning are always raped. We have repeatedly complained to the police. We are, however, happy today, that this walk is happening here in Festac. We hope it will put an end to rape.

“As for domestic violence, for people that are married, men should understand. If your wife does not want it that way, be kind and gentle with her.

“It is, however, very important for ladies to study the men they want to marry, so they do not fall into the hands of men who beat women.

“This walk is for both young and old people. I appreciate the organisers and the Festac Police Station DPO, Agbonika. He is one of the best we have ever had.”

23

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Energy

Business

Curbing influx of contaminated petroleum products into Nigeria

Aviation Saving Nigerian airlines from extinction

25 29

Nigeria’s fuel intake drops to 27.9m litres daily

Oando cuts pump price to N141 per litre ADAMANT Federal Government insists on 60 per cent cut in products’ importation by 2018

L-R: Branch Manager, Daleko Branch, Lagos State, Sterling Bank Plc, Labake Awoniyi, winner, Sterling Bank Cash Reward Promo, Saka Jimoh and Service Manager, Daleko Branch, Sterling Bank Plc, Chukwuma Angela, at the presentation of prizes in the ongoing Sterling Bank Cash Reward Promo held in Lagos.

Adeola Yusuf

N

igerians premium motor spirit (PMS) also known as petrol consumption in August dropped by 1.1 million litres to 27.91 million liters daily, from 29.01 million litres in July, New Telegraph has learnt.

Data from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) revealed this.

It also showed that 12 million litres were cut off the daily consumption of over 40 million litres obtainable before May 11 announcement of petrol subsidy removal.

Checks by New Telegraph at the weekend showed that the petrol retail business remained bearish in August, forcing more marketers to reduce pump prices at their filling stations.

Oando, at the weekend, became the first major marketer to reduce its price to N141 per litre in filling stations across Lagos and parts of Ogun State.

A survey by this newspaper showed that this move by the fuel marketing and trading

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

company would see it compete directly with Nigerian National petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which is also selling the product at N141 per litre at its mega filling stations in Lagos and Ogun states.

“There is no sale like before.

It is very difficult for any filling station at any location in Lagos to finish selling 33,000 litre truck load of fuel in one day.

“Therefore, the in thing now at the fuel retail business is competition and every marketer is doing all he or she could do to outsmart another,” Sola Bakare, a dealer for Oando told our correspondent, confirming that the company had ordered dealers to sell at N141 per litre.

The deregulation of the downstream oil sector and the increase in the pump price of petrol from N86.5 per litre to N145 had since May 1 led to the reduction in the consumption of the product. The latest of the

reduction is over 30 per cent drop across the country in August.

The consumption of petroleum products by Nigerians slid to 882.13 million litres in April compared to 1,115.61 million litres in March 2016, the document obtained from NNPC showed.

It noted that the petrol scarcity, which culminated in the new pricing regime, was partly responsible for the slide in fuel usage.

“Before arriving at the new price regime, a comprehensive study of the costs of importation was undertaken,” the document stated.

All stakeholders, including marketing companies and independent experts, it added, were “consulted in arriving at the appropriate cost reflective regime.”

This is in furtherance of the Price Modulation Framework (PMF) rolled out in January 2016, which entails modulating prices down or up on a periodic basis to reflect actual prevailing costs.

The corporation noted: “In

57.43 million Being the barrels of crude oil and condensate produced for March 2016

April 2016, 882.13 million litres of PMS was sold compared with 1,115.61 million litres in March 2016. On the reason for a new price regime, NNPC noted that the rise in crude oil price and prevailing high cost of importation brought back subsidy regime.

“Due to decline in government income, related to crude oil price and limited crude oil output caused by the spate of renewed vandalism and sabotage of oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta, there is neither funding nor appropriation to cover this in the 2016 budget.

“57.43 million barrels of crude oil and condensate was produced for the month of March 2016, representing an average daily production of 1.85 million barrels reflecting a decrease of 3.10 per cent compared to February 2016 performance.”

NNPC said that there has been noticeable improvement in transparency of its activities.

“In business brief, we continue CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf

Rates Dashboard

Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

INFLATION RATE August 2016 ..........................17.61 % July 2016.................................17.1% June 2016 ..............................16.5%

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

Finance Editor

Taiwo Hassan Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

What's new

EXCHANGE RATE

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N423 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N550 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N470

l Foreign Reserves – $44.87bn as at 15/9/2016

Industry, Agric & Brands Editor

Chuks Onuanyin

EXCHANGE RATE (Parallel Market as at September 16)

(Interbank as at September 16)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N305 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N406 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N344

Source: CBN

Why Nigeria is yet to have maintenance hangar

Value of affordable housing shortage in 16 markets hit $700bn

p.24

p.24

24

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |news

SCUTTLED Plans by the German carrier, Lufthansa, to build a hangar in Abuja, did not materialise

Wole Shadare

F

ifteen years after the Federal Government partnered with the private sector to build aircraft maintenance hangar, the project seems to have been abandoned, New Telegraph has learnt.

Experts told this newspaper that the country would have saved over $300 million if the facility were built then, adding that it would cost over $600 million to build one now, considering the depreciation of naira against the dollar.

This is coming as there are deafening calls for an aircraft maintenance hangar as a way of ameliorating the pain of airlines who have to source for forex to ferry their airplanes to Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, Ethiopia and Europe for the repairs of their equipment.

In 2001, efforts were made by an American firm to establish a national aircraft hangar at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. The project did not take off because of certain issues including high-level politics.

For some years, foreign and domestic airlines as well as

Why Nigeria is yet to have maintenance hangar, by aviation experts

New facility may gulp $600m some industry players have been contemplating establishing a hangar.

Plans by the German carrier, Lufthansa, to build a hangar in Abuja, which was expected to serve as a major hub for aircraft repairs in West, Central and other parts of Africa also did not materialise.

Aviation security consultant, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), said building an aircraft maintenance facility for the repair of small jets would cost about $400 million, while a maintenance repair facility to handle bigger airplanes such as B737 and A310, A319 could double.

He regretted that Nigerian airlines would have saved a lot of money and perhaps still be in operation if government was serious about the sector many years ago, wondering if that would be possible again considering the tough

economic reality occasioned by the recession the country is currently grappling with.

Aviation safety advocate and a pilot, Capt Dung Rwang Pam, regretted that the national hangar project that was vigorously pursued by a former Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Kema Chikwe, between 2001 and 2002, was shrouded in secrecy. He added: “Nobody knows what has happened to it.”

Pam stated that most standard aircraft maintenance facilities are even more expensive than setting up an airline.

He said a good and standard aircraft Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) mush has the ability to handle heavy airplanes, power plans, repainting facility and avionics, stressing that the government should be willing to enter into partnership with a private sector to build one in Lagos or any other place it deem

necessary.

Nigeria has about 350 aircraft that are ferried overseas for major repairs, resulting in ridiculous capital flights.

Pam noted that an average C-check costs $1 million, adding that by today’s exchange rate of N310/$1, this can be conservatively N310 million per aircraft every 18 months.

Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, explained that in the agreement, the aircraft maintenance facility owners may charge a very attractive standard C-Check fee of $500,000, there are usually findings which are beyond the quoted cap that must be rectified when the aircraft gets to the facility and the actual work begins and panels are opened.

He noted that this is where the huge difference comes in that dramatically raises the final C-Check cost.

L-R: Principal Manager, Banking and Payments System Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Aisha Isa Olatinu; Chairman, Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN), Babajide Komolafe; CBN Director, Banking and Payments System Department, ‘Dipo Fatokun and Principal Manager, Banking and Payments System Department, Apan Nseobong, during the FICAN bi-monthly forum hosted by CBN in Lagos.

Nigeria’s fuel intake drops to 27.9m litres daily CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

with the successes of the 20 Fixes Initiative, which is the foundation of the present reform in NNPC with the focus on Shine the Light, having shown in the last edition the achievements of the efforts at Stopping the Bleeding, which includes the recent liberalisation of petrol price and its net positive effect on NNPC financial position.

“Stop the bleeding; shine the light; increase efficiency; manage performance and push; profitability,” it said.

The NNPC reiterated that its payments update to the Federal Government hit 933,116.78 in March, while the domestic Products Sales & Distribution in April 2016 stood at 882.13 million litres compared with 1,115.61 million litres in March 2016.

Confirming the drop in fuel consumption, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said: “We undertook deregulation at the time nobody thought it was possible and if there’s anything we leave for this industry, it must be the legacy of that deregulation.

Today our consumption of fuel has gone down by 30 per cent; we have no queues in the filling stations; we have one and a half months of self-sufficiency; we have strategic reserves in place that we are putting together and we have a funding scheme to enable the downstream to be able to adequately fund itself.

Justifying the need for an indigenous MRO, the aircraft pilot said it would bring significant savings to airlines and not only increase their survivability but also ensure that such capital can be applied to purchasing more airplanes to strengthen the carriers’ operations and schedule reliability, create more jobs for pilots, engineers and other category of airline staff.

Stakeholders say if Nigeria is to embark on functional MRO, various cost drivers such as aircraft characteristic, aircraft utilisation, economics of scale, fleet age, fleet composition, maintenance input costs, maintenance philosophy, maintenance planning, maintenance programme design, market positioning, network design, operational practices, and productivity amongst others, would need careful considerations.

MASSIVE Nigeria’s accumulated affordable housing shortage value was $28 billion as at 2012 Dayo Ayeyemi

T

op sixteen markets accounted for 35 million units in global accumulated affordable housing shortage, valued between $600-700 billion in 2012, New Telegraph has learnt.

According to Senior Housing Finance Regional Lead, sub-Saharan Africa, Financial Institutions Group, Inter national Finance Corporation, Thierno-Habib Hann, the value represented an effective and realisable formal market.

He listed the 16 countries that formed the top markets in global accumulated affordable housing shortage to include Nigeria, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Argetina,

Value of affordable housing shortage in 16 markets hit $700bn South Africa, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Philippines, China and Vietman.

Hann disclosed that the listed countries’ values of accumulated affordable housing shortage as rolled out by analysts from Mckinsey were $28 billion, $55 billion, $12 billion, $36 billion, $43 billion, $23 billion, $122 billion, $57 billion, $25 billion, $69 billion, $27 billion, $7 billion, $69 billion, $12 billion, $55 billion and $19 billion respectively.

Speaking during the African Union for Housing Finance (AUHF) conference, which ended in Abuja at the weekend on: “Housing and Housing Finance in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities,” Hann said that the value of housing shortages in each country has provided for global economic opportunity for investments.

The countries are grouped into three categories namely: High shortage and market

attractiveness; other emerging market opportunity and developed market with redevelopment opportunity.

Painting the pictures of chronic housing shortage in Africa, he said: “863 million urban residents live in slums, 94 per cent of people are with no access to formal housing finance products, and 96,150 housing units per day is required through 2030.”

He noted that sub-Sahara Africa has the highest construction costs of $700 per meter square (msq) of affordable housing compared to $350 per msq in India and $250 per msq in China.

The IFC experts pointed out that increasing urbanisation, growth in population and growing middle class, have led to rising housing consumption in Africa, leading to congestion, pollution and rise in informal settlements in cities.

To promote affordable

housing in sub-Sahara Africa, he canvassed for major reforms and investment across housing value chain, saying that these would catalyse markets to achieve goals that will lead to reduction in formal housing costs.

He urged for sector interventions in regulations, planning, construction and land, suggesting the need to boost housing demand through access to finance, enhancement of access to mortgages, construction finance and microfinance.

Besides, he said there was need to: “Improve city planning, building regulations and access to land; invest in basic pro-poor infrastructure and slum upgrading; strengthen residential rental markets; strengthen local construction and building materials sectors; support private housing development and expand access to housing finance.”

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Energy

25

The allegation that Swiss firms shipped toxic fuel into Nigeria, which has since been denied by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), tests the efficiency of the agency. Adeola Yusuf reports

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he Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) was again under fire last Thursday, as the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), a civil society organisation, accused two Switzerland companies, Vitol and Trafigura of engaging in nefarious activities by importing dirty and toxic fuel into Nigeria, a claim many saw as an expose of the ineptitude of the oil sector’s regulator.

The group, in conjunction with Public Eye, raised the alarm following the alleged shipping of some toxic fuel commodities by the companies to the country and other West African countries.

That was not the first time that dirty fuel allegedly found its way into Nigeria under the watchful eyes of the DPR. Nigeria, the biggest crude exporter in Africa with 2.4 million barrels daily exports, has turned to be the biggest importer of refined product in the continent due to long history of gross misconduct and corruption in its oil sector. The four refineries in the country are producing at lowest capacity or not producing at all at different occasions.

History of toxic fuel imports into Nigeria The 1996 importation of toxic fuel christened ‘Abacha Fuel’ was the most reported due to the far reaching effects it had on consumers. An Italian vessel named “Ostention” laden with toxic fuel had that year gained access into Nigerian territorial waters, leading to massive damage of automobiles, generators and other forms of machines that use fuel as their source of energy.

During this period, the contaminated or substandard fuel came with horrifying odour entirely different from the usual smell of fuel. Nigerians, however, were left with no alternative to the dirty fuel because that was the only one available then.

Similar case was recorded in 2003 and in 2008 came the Oando toxic fuel saga. Of all the cases recorded, it was only that of 2003 that happened five days into the announcement of deregulation.

Anatomy of toxic fuel A toxic fuel has high sulphur content and other harmful chemicals, which result in high incidence of diseases with attendant high cost in health and development.

The African Refiners Association, which revealed this in a

Nigerians on queue to buy fuel

Curbing influx of contaminated petroleum products into Nigeria document, confirmed that Nigeria and some other African countries have been importing toxic fuel with an average $1.6 trillion spent yearly to treat diseases traceable to petroleum products.

The fresh allegation Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the Executive Director, ANEEJ, Mr. David Ugolor, tasked the Federal Government to pay serious attention to the dangers posed to the health of citizens by these Swiss commoditytrading companies, Vitol and Trafigura.

He argued that due to poor regulatory activities of DPR, foreign companies like Vitol and Trafigura, Ugolor said, “take undue advantage of weak fuel standards in Africa to produce, deliver and sell diesel, petrol and gasoline, which damage the health of the people.”

The Swiss companies’ business model, according to him, relies “on an illegitimate strategy of deliberately lowering the quality of fuels for gain.

“Using a common industry practice called blending, Vitol and Trafigura and their conglomerates mix cheap and toxic intermediate petroleum products to produce what the industry calls African Quality fuels.

“These products contain higher levels of Sulphur and other harmful poisons that can never be found in Europe and the United States.”

The ANEEJ Executive Director contended that by “selling such fuel and diesel at the pump in Africa, the traders increase external air pollution, causing respiratory disease and premature deaths.

“We all know that poor air quality poses serious risks to public health.

As air quality declines, the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and chronic and acute respiratory diseases increases for residents of cities where the people rely on diesel to power their means of production.”

Ugolor maintained that the dirty fuel shipped to West Africa by Vitol and Trafigura are known to burn very fast, equally leading to huge economic losses to vehicle owners in the African sub-region. He said: “It is impossible to continue to remain

Nigeria and some other African countries have been importing toxic fuel

silent about this problem, especially for the short and long term repercussions on the health and economy of our people.

“Therefore, the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), an NGO strong in the areas of anti-corruption, environment, poverty alleviation and good governance, in collaboration with a Swiss NGO, the Public Eye, formerly the Berne Declaration, have carried out this campaign against Dirty Fuels in the West African sub-region with the intention to address it.”

The NGO also tasked the federal, states governments and other stakeholders to, among others, “work closely with the National Assembly and help to activate all environmental laws that would check the illegitimate business activities of Vitol and Trafigura and increase the oversight functions of all regulatory bodies like the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and participate in setting up a task force in the subregion to carry out a massive enlightenment on dirty fuel.”

The group further observed that given the increasing shipping of dirty fuel to the country, “there was need to bring to an end importation of dirty fuel whose risk is associated with diseases like stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic and acute respiratory diseases and other health challenges.”

Vitol refutes allegation Vitol has, however, denied the allegations, saying that it was inaccurate and misinformed. In a statement by Andrea Schlaepfer, the company said it does not control the supply chain, in which product from various suppliers, including major oil companies, is comingled, and that it therefore was unable to determine the quality of fuel sold at the pump.

He stated that in Africa, governments control and manage the import of fuels and only they are able to determine local fuel standards.

“Vitol takes its HSE responsibilities seriously wherever it works and is

investing extensively in upgrading Africa’s energy infrastructure, from EU standard terminals to a large gas to power project in Ghana, which will provide 15 years of thermal power to their economy.

He noted: “As the recent World Bank report highlights, pollution is a problem worldwide and measures to address it are welcome.”

Schlaepfer insisted that it is a government’s prerogative to define the country specification and local refining capability may be a key influencing factor.

“Vitol takes its HSE responsibilities seriously and where it is in a position to have an impact, it seeks to do so. Extensive investment is required in Africa’s energy infrastructure, particularly if it is to handle segregated supply and Vitol, through its terminal subsidiary VTTI has/ is building oil terminals in Kenya and South Africa and an LPG terminal in Nigeria.

All are built to EU safety standards.

“Also, in sub-Saharan Africa household air pollution (largely from using solid fuels, such as wood, dung, charcoal and coal, for cooking) causes over twice as many deaths as ambient pollution (464k vs 196k – source World Bank) and Vitol is a longstanding supporter of projects to distribute clean cook stoves.”

Health, economic effects of toxic fuel Notwithstanding the denial by Vitol, there is an imminent threat of respiratory disease and premature deaths from cancer if the claims by ANEEJ on the dirty fuel are anything to go by.

Aside from this, automobiles also stand the risk of damage due to the use of toxic fuel. Car owners in Nigeria usually experience qualms anytime toxic fuel finds its way into Nigeria. With huge losses that were neither compensated for by the Federal Government nor the respective fuel stations where this contaminated product is sold, the automobile owners have tales of woes to tell.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | Energy

‘2500MW trapped in uncompleted power stations in eastern/south regions’ SCHEDULE Federal Government speeds up power projects’ completion before December

Adeola Yusuf

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ver 2500MW of electricity from the Power Station located in the Eastern/ South-South regions of the country are trapped due to noncompletion of the Independent Power projects.

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC), an agency in the presidency, revealed this at the weekend.

It also stated that the national grid is being starved of this 2500MW volume due to dispute in communities and other different issues faced by contractors.

The company however, declared in a statement that it was working with contractors and stakeholders to ensure that all on-going independent power projects are delivered as soon as possible.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Company Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, in a statement, also debunked the rumour that NDPHC projects have been suspended due to

Chief host at the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) induction and Executive Chairman, Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr. Ayodele Subair; Immediate past district Chairman, CITN, Mrs Aderonke Oloruntoye; Newly inducted Chairman, Lagos District, CITN, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Campbell, being congratulated by immediate past President, Chief Mark Anthony Dike, representative of President of CITN, Mrs Teju Somorin

government’s plans to change the name of the company.

“I want to state categorically that all our projects are ongoing. There is no plan by the new management to change the name of the company neither has government ordered us to do so” he stated.

He said the new management is determined to complete all ongoing projects and the company

Chevron invested $2.8bn in Nigeria, others in 2015

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hevron expended about $2.8billion on various offshore development and natural gas projects in in Nigeria, Angola and Republic of Congo in 2015.

This was however, less than a fifth of the $16.6 billion the American major expended in oil and gas producing activities and non-oil and gas producing activities to advance the development of proved undeveloped reserves in the year.

Australia accounted for the largest of the company’s spend: about $6.4 billion or 39 per cent of the total, mainly for development and construction activities at the Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG projects.

In Asia, expenditures during the year totalled approximately $3.2 billion, or 19.5 per cent of the company’s overall spend, primarily related to development projects of the TCO affiliate in Kazakhstan, and in Thailand.

The United States and Canada queued behind Africa.

In the former, expenditures of about $2.7 billion related primarily to various development activities in the Gulf of Mexico and the midcontinent region. Development activities in Canada were primarily responsible for about $1.5billion.

At year-end 2015, Chevron

held approximately 2.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) of proved undeveloped reserves that have remained undeveloped for five years or more. The majority of these reserves are in three locations where the company has a proven track record of developing major projects.

In Australia, approximately 500 million BOE have remained undeveloped for five years or more related to the Gorgon Project. The company is currently constructing liquefaction and other facilities in Australia to develop this natural gas. In Africa, approximately 400 million BOE have remained undeveloped for five years or more, primarily due to facility constraints at various fields and infrastructure associated with the Escravos gas projects in Nigeria.

Reserves that remain proved undeveloped for five or more years are a result of several factors that affect optimal project development and execution, such as the complex nature of the development project in adverse and remote locations, physical limitations of infrastructure or plant capacities that dictate project timing, compression projects that are pending reservoir pressure declines, and contractual limitations that dictate production levels.

has been working with its contractors and stakeholders to ensure that projects are delivered as soon as possible.

A statement issued by the General Manager Communication & Public Relations of the Company Mr. Yakubu Lawal quoted the Managing Director as saying, “As recent as two days ago, Wednesday September 14, we had a full day meeting with

the Oronta Community of Abia State to resolve the lingering Right of Way dispute, which had hindered the completion of our 330KV Transmission Line passing through that Community.

Since the appointment of the new management of NDPHC, the Managing Director has consistently told stakeholders of determination of the new management to deliver all on-

going projects so that power will be delivered to Nigerians in line with the mandate of the Federal Government.

“Chiedu on assumption of office in June had visited Gbarain Power Station in Bayelsa State to resolve gas issues affecting performance of the Company.”

Last week, the Managing Director led the management team to Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State to assess the issues affecting wheeling power through the Transmission station, which will transport over 2500MW of Electricity from the Power Station located in the Eastern/South South regions of the country to the National Grid.

Chiedu had also met with the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to solicit his support in resolving community issues in the state as well as reaching out to his counterparts in the Eastern parts of the country to help NDPHC resolve all community issues in their respective state in order to pave the way for contractors to complete their projects.

Chiedu stated further that the dispute has now been resolved and the parties involved have signed terms of settlement “all other projects are going on unhindered and where there is an issue, I personally will go there to resolve the issue.”

Curbing influx of contaminated petroleum products into Nigeria CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

One of the easiest ways to identify a bad fuel is through its foul odour. Most contaminated or substandard fuel have a unique smell different from the usual smell of petrol known to a regular buyer.

President, African Refiners Association, Mr. Anthony Ogbuigwe, a former Group Executive Direc¬tor, Refining and Petrochemicals, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said, “Unfortunately, many of these poor quality petroleum products are coming from outside Africa because the industry is unregulated and people are bringing in products that have higher sulphur content and other chemicals, which are affecting our health.

“Many respiratory illnesses and sarcomatosis illnesses are traceable to this poor quality fuel. So, African Refiners Association (ARA) is saying, we are going to go to African regional bodies like African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), South African Development Commission (SADEC) and East African Community to plead with them for us to adopt specifications for better quality products.”

DPR allays fear Head, Public Affairs, DPR, Mrs. Dorothy Bassey, did not respond to our correspondent’s calls. However, she had in a reaction to enquiry earlier on toxic fuel imports into Nigeria, said there was no cause for alarm, as regards the incursion of toxic fuel into the country.

With the space open for everyone to get involved in the importation of petroleum products, DPR, she said, had equally made it difficult for importers to bring in sub-standard products into Nigeria. ‘‘Our officers have been put on the alert across the country while our laboratories are equally equipped with modern equipment to

detect any form of substandard petroleum product. Once any vessel berths on Nigerian territorial waters, we are already on ground to carry out the necessary tests.”

She said the agency was poised to protect unsuspecting members of the public against falling prey to the antics of unscrupulous businessmen, adding that once a vessel conveying petroleum products into the country falls short of the prescribed standards, such vessel would be sent back to the country of origin. ‘‘No businessman will want to waste his resources by having his vessel returned to the country of origin as a result of it not meeting the prescribed standards. Once this happens, the importer loses his resources and would be subsequently handed over to law enforcement agents,” she added.

The agency she continued was more prepared than ever because it is aware that there would be increased activities in the down¬stream sector, especially with the coming on board of more importers through the partial deregulation of the downstream subsector.

“Hence the decision of DPR to have two dedicated telephone numbers for the use of members of the public to report any sharp practices noticed on the part of importers or marketers,” she said.

Conclusion The Federal Government should institute an independent probe into the allegation of toxic fuel in Nigeria with a view to draining it from circulation and imposing due sanctions on importers of the dirty product.

Nigerians should also be wary of buying cheap petroleum products from retail stations owned by unknown marketers. This is for their health and safety as well as to protect the lifespan of their automobiles and other machines from being cut short.

TUESDAY, september 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Homes&Property

27

Housing finance experts and institutions in Africa converged on Abuja last week with a resolution to evolve workable and affordable housing finance scheme to enhance homeownership among citizens. DAYO AYEYEMI reports

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takeholders, comprising governments, policy makers, real estate developers, mortgage experts and finance institutions have been urged to find solutions to affordable housing scheme and finance in Africa.

Speaking at a three-day African Union for Housing Finance (AUHF) conference in collaboration with Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) in Abuja, the experts, who came from different countries across the continent, appraised various challenges confronting the delivery of affordable housing units to citizens.

Themed: ‘Housing and Africa’s Growth Agenda,’ the Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), Prof. Charles Inyangete, noted that the need for affordable housing globally was in the tune of 400 million units.

He added that Nigeria had an estimated 17 million units.

According to him, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt and Kenya need about 25 million affordable housing for their population.

He said that 235 million people lived in substandard housing worldwide.

Invangete said that 96 million urban households were financially overstretched, adding that by 2025, “106 million additional low income households will face the challenge of affordable housing affecting 1.6 billion people - about one-third of the urban population.”

While stressing the need to find solutions to providing access to affordable housing finance, Inyangete noted that the extent of inequality created by the crisis on the African continent was too high a price.

He noted that his company was responding to its vision to be the dominant housing partner in Nigeria by providing liquidity and access to affordable housing finance in Nigeria.

He said: ”For housing to be affordable, we don’t need to build with imported materials but to look inward and patronise locally made building materials.

“This will lead to creation of employment opportunities in the country.

“Solution lies in a comprehensive urban plan and delivery of not only affordable homes but also sustainable new communities.

We will only succeed in building homes by building sustainable

Presidential Mandate Housing Estate, Abeokuta

How to provide affordable housing finance, by experts communities.”

He stated that major concerns about affordability bordered on how to get solution to what is affordable.

“Countries can expand access to adequate housing and improve the quality of existing stock by addressing constraints for (affordable) housing suppliers, and improving access to (affordable) housing finance,” he said.

AUHF The AUHF, a member association of mortgage banks, building societies, housing corporations and the likes, works on the mobilisation of funds for shelter and housing, with the far reaching goal of promoting housing finance on the African continent.

It currently has 55 members from 15 countries, which include Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, United States of America, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Executive Director, Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa, Ms Kecia Rust, noted that the objective of AUHF was to raise issues faced by private sectors at the national level with their governments and to use the strength of the union to promote their interest across the continent.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, Tanzania Mortgage Refinance Company, Mr. Oscar Mgaya, stated that by engaging policy makers, provision of affordable housing would form a larger agenda in the continent.

According to him, double-digit interest rate charged by Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMI’s) for housing loans is not applicable to Nigeria.

Experts/policy makers’ views The Senior Housing Finance Re-

Governments should invest idle funds in mortgage market as a means of reducing the cost of housing

gional Lead, sub-Saharan Africa, Financial Institutions Group, International Finance Corporation, Thierno-Habib Hann, canvassed for major reforms and investment across housing value chain, saying that these would catalyse markets to achieve goals that will lead to reduction in formal housing costs.

He called for sector interventions in regulations, planning, construction and land, while suggesting the need to boost housing demand through access to finance, enhance access to mortgages, construction finance and microfinance.

AUHF Chairman, Dr. Oscar Mgaya, said that the union was working hard to connect members to the progress of policy and opportunities for investment and growth in their own local context.

According to Mgaya, the conference will be drafting an “Abuja Declaration,’’ which will propose the way forward in housing development in Africa.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, challenged housing stakeholders in the continent to embark on initiatives that will lead to mass production of houses.

Besides, he urged stakeholders to redirect their energy on solutions and relevance of Nigerian culture to any policy formulation of government that will lead to provision of affordable homes.

He advised governments to invest idle funds in mortgage market as a means of reducing the cost of housing.

In his presentation on: “Overcoming Challenges to Housing Affordability: The Fuller Experience,” Chief Executive Officer, Millard Fuller Foundation, Sam Odia, tasked stakeholders to think outside the box, seek creative financing solutions and to take advantage of economy of scale.

On the need to ensure that housing plays a critical role in championing Africa’s Growth Agenda, the

expert said: “We should make people our focus, concentrate on development of human capital, alleviation of poverty, creation of jobs and skills development.”

Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, disclosed that her ministry had adopted a housing finance initiative that will give birth to 300,000 affordable homes, supported by mortgages.

Expressing optimism about the housing project, the minister, who was represented by one of her aids, Mr Seye Senfuye, said that it would create about 700, 000 new jobs across board.

In her presentation on: “Nigeria’s Mortgage Market and Opportunities for Growth,” she stated that effective foreclosure law and expedited legal process for dispute resolution were needed to support the development of mortgage markets in Nigeria.

She also emphasised the need for monetary policies to support low interest rate as a means of boosting activities in the mortgage market, adding that Federal Government was committed to cutting down the current escalated interest rate.

According to her, single digit interest rates are critical to ensuring affordability of mortgages and long tenure repayment period is critical in acquiring mortgage loans.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, identified lack of access to construction finance by developers and high risk in current mortgage finance structure as major bottlenecks in the housing sector.

Represented by Director, Public Private Partnership (PPP), Mrs Eucharia Alozie, the minister stated that challenges of construction finance mortgage finance high risk did not support the buying-off of houses to enable developers recoup CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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TUESDAY, september 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Business | Homes & Property

Stakeholders seek more funding for housing Stories Dayo Ayeyemi

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layers in the housing industry have canvassed for more funding for the sector in order to boost the country’s economy.

Managing Director, Brent Mortgage Bank, Kola Abdul, said with the country’s economy falling back into recession in the second quarter, provision of fund to fill the housing shortfall will help to create jobs, enhance economic development and ensure speedy economic recovery.

He stated that housing provision required large capital outlay, which is far beyond the capacity of the average and low income groups, hence the need for adequate funding of the sector.

Speaking at the launch of

new mortgage products introduced by his company in Lagos, the managing director stated that adequate housing provision remained one of the three most important basic needs of mankind after food and clothing.

He urged the government to establish a housing scheme that offers housing credits for households, who ordinarily would not be able to access regular credit institutions.

Corroborating Abdul, another mortgage banker, Stephens Obi, said that bridging

housing gap scheme would help create over one million new jobs in the construction industry, urging states and local government authorities to take part through land donations, financial resources, tax reduction, infrastructure and registration of demand.

Other stakeholders in the housing industry said Nigerian cities were also facing several challenges resulting from the unplanned and uncontrolled urbanisation process, including a housing deficit of 17 to 18 million homes.

It is a point of note that of those in need of housing, most are from low-income families, a demographic that a government must never overlook.

Canvassing for increased investment of pension fund in housing, Principal Partner, Ubosi Eleh and Company, Mr. Chudi Ubosi, said that Nigeria was the most populous Africa country with over 180 million people and 17 million housing deficit, while the current housing production stands at 100,000 per annum.

Besides, he stated that 700,000 housing units were required annually to meet the deficit, while more than N59 trillion is needed to bridge housing gap.

He canvassed the need for the removal of regulation limiting direct investment, adding that the regulation should be amended to allow the PFAs invest in CPFA. The impact of this on housing development, he said, would be positive and the economy the main beneficiary.

How to provide affordable housing finance, by experts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

their investments on time.

According to him, lack of housing finance and double digit housing loans also constitute major challenges in the industry.

He added that other bottlenecks limiting mass and affordable housing production included high cost of land, escalated prices of building materials and inflation that brings about unemployment and decreased purchasing power of low and medium income earners.

According to the minister, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and NMRC have been established to help in reducing the cost of mortgage loan by improving market efficiency and only a meagre sum has been injected into organised housing finance system since inception.

“This accounts for less than 0.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as compared to other climes like UK and South Africa among others,’’ he said.

Reforms Fashola gave assurnce that FMBN, as the secondary mortgage institution, would be strengthened by ensuring full compliance with the National Housing Fund (NHF) Act “since housing is believed to be a long- term investment and should be protected against high inflation and unpredictable economic down turn.”

Fashola, while commending NMRC and other partners on advancing investment in affordable housing, said that the political will of the present administrationinhousingsectoragenda had been further invigorated.

He said housing is central to the present administration’s policy thrust and Nigeria needs aggressive new housing finance investments and opportunities.

Conclusion It is expected that governments across Africa will find the resolutions of the conference useful and implement them to ease affordable housing financing challenges in their respective countries.

Ongoing development at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos State

Minister to firms: Embrace rail transportation

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orried by the frequent damage caused by articulated vehicles moving heavy cargoes across the nation, transport companies have been urged to embrace rail transportation.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola made this call in Lagos after inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation of roads in Apapa, Lagos.

He said it had become imperative to revert to rail transportation as a means of moving heavy cargo to save the roads.

According to the minister, there is need for all the stakeholders including the government and all those in the transportation business, especially those in the trailer and tanker business moving cargo across the country, to agree on reverting to rail transportation.

The minister suggested that instead of building and reconstructing the rail-lines, the same containers and tankers could be configured to run on tracks.

He added that the current administration was now moving cattles by rail from the North to Lagos, saying that is how it should go to save the roads.

Commenting on the emergency intervention on road rehabilitation, he said, “This is why Ijora-Apapa Bridge failed because it was just over burdened with cargo for a very long time and after sometime it could not hold it anymore”.

The minister promised that reconstruction of the road facility would be accommodated in 2017 budget, noting that it was not appropriated for in 2016 budget.

Asked if there would be a review of contract costs given the rising cost of construction materials, Fashola said there was need for the entire stakeholders in the industry to adjust because of the prevailing difficult times.

He said: “As for the contractors and any prospect of project review, I think people have to adjust their expectations.

It is a difficult time and we all must join hands to build this economy “The Chairman, Senate Committee on Works is someone who is also committed to this project and to finish it.

“Unfortunately, the appropriation did not deal with it this year probably next year in a sense that will give some relief to the people of Apapa and the environs and we hope that as we go on we will be able to revive the old rail tracks even if all it

does is to move our cargo,” he said.

He also said that the Ministry of Transportation was already working to revive rail transportation.

In pursuing the rail project, the minister said that there had been a lot of interministerial collaboration between his ministry and that of transportation, adding that the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, who, according to him, understands the issues more than any other person, would be in a better position to explain the progress being made in the sector.

Nigerian cities, others to lead middle class growth in Africa

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ine Nigerian cities are among other urban centres listed as part of cities to drive middle class growth in sub-Saharan Africa between 2015 and 2030.

According to Euromonitor International report, rising urban income in Aba, Ibadan, Maiduguri, Ilorin, Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Benin, will play major roles in middle class growth across the region.

Kenya’s Kisumu, Mombasa and Nairobi, are also projected to take the lead in household income growth in the sub-Sahara.

However, due to low living standards, their income increase is expected to fall short of producing the kind of middle class growth seen across the leading cities in the region.

Johannesburg, Pretoria, Abuja, and Lagos are all expected to outstrip Kenya’s top cities in middle-income growth.

UN-Habitat, Professor Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, recently explained

that while rural to urban migration was inevitable, it would not be chaotic if cities are well planned to accommodate the drift whenever it occurs.

He lamented that many cities in the world still relied on outdated modes of planning and unsustainable forms of urbanisation, noting that planning regulations had been too detailed and inflexible, thereby, making compliance so challenging that people tend to bypass them.

He attributed structural unemployment in Nigeria as bane of urbanisation, saying this was as a result of movement of farming population to urban areas with skills not relevant to the urban modern sectors and a tertiary education void of practical skills and experience in the operation of industrial machinery.

Oyelaran-Oyeyinka pointed out that genuine accountability and administrative capacity to implement public polices based on accurate information entailed a new urban agenda.

TUESDAY, september 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AVIATION

29

Some Nigerian airlines finding it extremely dificult to remain afload

Saving Nigerian airlines from extinction Nigerian airlines are faced with so many barriers that have stunted their growth. To get out of these problems, the carriers need to be given a breather. WOLE SHADARE writes Barriers One of the biggest impediments to sustainable airline operations in Nigeria is the humongous debt profile of the carriers. Nobody knows the exact debts the carriers owe different aviation agencies. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have continued to give conflicting figures, but many are of the view that collectively, these debts are in the region of N40 billion. That is huge and the insistence that these carriers pay these debts under coercion or negotiation would only add to their burden.

Nigerian carriers are among the highly taxed. These taxes, they said are suffocating, but that is not an excuse to make them irresponsible by evading even the smallest of all the taxes.

NCAA talks tough Just recently, the aviation regulatory body, the NCAA alleged that airlines plying the country’s domestic routes were evading the payment of statutory taxes to the industry.

The Director General of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, lamented that the non-remittances of taxes by both scheduled commercial airlines and those on charter operations had stifled the various parastatals in the industry whose operations are tied to the taxes.

Usman alleged that some of the airlines were not just remitting but also making use of

the five per cent ticket, cargo and charter sales taxes, which they collect from passenger tickets and which they ought to remit to the NCAA. He therefore asked the operators to reconcile all outstanding debts to the NCAA within 60 days.

“It is imperative that all unremitted funds must be forwarded in full to the NCAA immediately. These sales charges are to enable all aviation agencies carry out their responsibilities of providing safe, secure and efficient regulatory services for the overall benefits of all aviation stakeholders,” Usman said.

“The five per cent ticket/ cargo/sales charges must be on gross ticket excluding VAT and passenger sales charge only.

The airlines must desist from using these funds,” Usman had said in a statement.

He also said all airlines must provide to the NCAA the breakdown of its recently introduced ‘taxes + fees’ component on all passenger tickets, which included the amount due to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), and five per cent VAT to the NCAA. Rather than the threats to ground debtor airlines, the situation the airlines have found themselves calls for concern.

Even with their inability to remit what they were supposed to remit to the various agencies, they are already down.

Suspension of services For close to one month, First-

Nigerian carriers are among the highly taxed.

These taxes, they said, are suffocating

Nation Airways grounded its operations in order to fix two of its airplanes over some snags. The airline is expected to be back in operations this week. Two weeks after FirstNation shut operations to fix its aircraft, Nigeria’s oldest airline, Aero Contractors predictably also shut operations after the airline was left with just one airplane with five others unserviceable and on the Lagos airport tarmac.

As if that was not enough, Nigeria’s biggest airline by aircraft size, Arik was also caught in insurance renewal imbroglio, forcing the airline to be off the sky for 24 hours. The airline had since resumed operations. It is, however, not uhuru for the airline and many others that are seriously hemorrhaging and on life support, Plea Just last week, the operators cried out to the Federal Government to assist them. They painted a gloomy picture that shows that they are in dire straits, as they struggle daily to carry out their operations.

The airlines are hit by perennial scarcity of aviation fuel.

Aside scarcity of the commodity, Jet A1 price has almost doubled from what it used to be last year. The selling price in Lagos is N240 per litre from N150 it was last year.

The airlines are not also helped by scarcity of foreign exchange. Aviation business is highly dollarised. While airlines make their revenue in dollars, they spend dollars to service their airplanes and to buy equipment.

Aviation is a pivot of the national economy that not only facilitates the movement of people and goods than any other mode of transportation but also ensures the ease of doing business

by making it possible to transact different businesses in several locations in a single day.

Experts fret Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Capt. Noggie Meggison, disclosed that it was no longer news that airlines in Nigeria charge very competitive fares in local currency but have to carry out numerous operational activities including maintenance and purchase of spare parts in foreign currency (dollars) thereby adding to the already unbearable burden the airlines have to carry on a regular basis.

He disclosed that the current forex constraint being faced by airlines has further exacerbated the situation and threatening to cripple airline operations in the country.

His words: “Aviation is an international business and irrespective of the environment an airline operates in we are all faced with the same challenges; but more so for Nigerian operators who have to also deal with many infrastructure challenges and inefficiencies in the system.”

An aviation safety advocate, Capt. Dung Rwang Pam was actually concerned with the rate at which the airlines were temporarily suspending operations.

He stressed that the airlines suspended operations because they are unable to send their aircraft for scheduled heavy maintenance normally called the C-Check.

“There is possibly no need for D-check, which is the heavier check because the operators and manufacturer is to fuse that D-check into C-Check. Historically, C-check should be carried every 18 months. Every airline CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

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TUESDAY, september 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS | AVIATION

COURAGE Less than 115 people completed solo circumnavigation of the globe by air

Air Djibouti, Cardiff Aviation back Nigerian’s global solo flight

Wole Shadare

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espite all the disappointment and challenges surrounding the first African Solo Flight Round the world, the pilot Ademilola “Lola” Odujinrin seems determined to get to his final destination having already completed a transatlantic crossing from Washington, D.C. Lola has faced quite some challenges to secure funds from his countrymen to execute the historic flight slated to put Africa, and Nigeria in particular on the map of global aviation with this incredible feat. However, help has come in form of some sponsorship from Cardiff Aviation in the United Kingdom and Air Djibouti CEO Mario Fulgoni.

Lola, who also is a pilot for Cardiff Aviation, the aviation services provider, aims to complete his mission to become the first African pilot in history to fly around the world solo.

Ademilola “Lola” Odujinrin embarked on the second leg of his historic journey in a Cirrus aircraft from North Weald airfield on 16 September and has completed a transatlantic crossing from Washington, D.C. in the light single-propeller aircraft; the Nigerian aviator is now heading to Malta.

He will then head on to Djibouti, where he flies as a com-

Lola by his SR22 aircraft which has been refitted and upgraded to fly seventeen and half hours with special configuration

mercial pilot for Air Djibouti, which is managed by Cardiff Aviation.

From there, Odujinrin will continue around the rest of the world through India and Australia, and intends to set a further aviation milestone with the fastest US coast-tocoast flight in a single-prop aircraft.

The flight is part of Project Transcend, a foundation,

which aims to inspire young people to achieve their goals regardless of their personal circumstances, and to never take ‘no’ for an answer.

Odujinrin said: “Less than 115 people have completed a solo circumnavigation of the globe by air, and it’s been my dream since my youth to join them. Air Djibouti CEO Mario Fulgoni and Cardiff Aviation Chairman Bruce

Saving Nigerian airlines from extinction CONTINUED FRO M PAG E 29

owner knows that. Every airline owner is expected to submit a comprehensive business plan that does not only show how he or she will run the operation but run it profitably before they start,” he added.

FG, airlines to blame He blamed both the airlines and the government for the problems affecting aviation in the country.

Pam stated that if the government and airlines don’t start thinking, airlines would cease to exist.

He lamented that the nation’s economy should not be in this current state, adding that Nigeria have had almost no single airline that has had longevity without huge support from the oil and gas sector.

To him, Aero Contractors has endured this long, warning that if care is not taken, this would be the last quarter Aero will exist.

“Despite government’s intervention years ago with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) administrating, that airline is hugely indebted with unsustainable debts, tax payers’ money, part of BASA funds was also used to make up the airlines’ intervention funds.”

“How many of those airlines

that have received these funds survived? Some of them are almost currently extinct - Chanchangi, IRS, Skypower etc, he stressed?

He said some of the airlines have benefitted and are not operating, wondering what would happen to over N120 billion they got as intervention fund, which seemed to have gone down the drain.

“That is tax payers’ money. That money should have gone into building schools and hospitals. The airlines that were rescued were not even operating. How many losses should we continue with? We need to change our method. Let us think of what we have done. If we have done this consistently, then we need to change our approach.”

Conclusion At this stage where airlines are finding it very difficult to do business, it is hoped that the Federal Government would explore the idea of coming to the aid of Nigerian airlines because of the huge employment they generate by offering start-up airlines three to four years tax holiday. They should also grant them those in operations waivers in order to ameliorate the problems that had hindered their smooth operations.

Dickinson share my love for flying and have been hugely supportive in helping me realise a lifetime ambition. I hope to set a world first and inspire a generation of people in Africa and beyond.”

The history-making aviator was waved off from the Essex airfield by Dickinson and Aboubaker Omar Hadi, Chairman of Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority,

which owns Air Djibouti.

Odujinrin currently has over 4,000 hours logged as a commercial Boeing 737 pilot, having earned his commercial pilot’s license six years ago. As a pilot for Cardiff Aviation, he is part of the company’s ‘airline-in-a-box’ proposition, which enables countries and companies to set up EASA-class airlines with minimal risk.

It’s a crime to allow Aero die –FG Wole Shadare

T

he Federal Government has indicated plans to rescue Nigeria’s oldest airline, Aero Contractors from collapse as the Minister of state for Aviation, State; Hadi Sirika, said he would write to the President, Muhammed Buhari to grant him permission to constitute an interministerial and interagency Committee to resolve the lingering crisis in the airline.

The inter ministerial and agency committee, according to Sirika will comprise : the Ministry of Aviation, which is the host, Ministry of Justice, Finance, Labour and Productivity. Others are: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), the Unions and workers of the embattled airlines.

Speaking with the Air Transport Senior Staff Services of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) at the weekend, Sirika stated that it would be a crime

to let the Aero Contractors brand die, but that there would be some sacrifice on the part of staff to ensure that the airline survives.

The minister who was sad that his role, because of the peculiarity of the Aero Contractors case, was limited, however, said that so long as Aero was under his Ministry he would do everything in his power to ensure that the airline survives, He pointed out that he would need the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to set up this committee and that the essence of the inter –ministerial committee is not only to get to the root of the problems of the airline, but also to know who is not sincere between the workers represented by the unions and AMCON .

He added that in the interim, he would appeal to the management to re-open Aero offices and allow workers go back to work and that the unions should guarantee that while this is done, they not exhibit any attitude that would give the management to feel unsafe while carrying out its work Sirika said: “We have

a very serious problem in our hands. It needs participation, understanding, sincerity. We have a fantastic brand in Aero. That brand is slowly being destroyed.

That brand is about to be extinct and except we join hands and do something together we may not be able to resolve the issue.

The issue is not about you and I, but about our children, who will inherit this from us.

“Many people blame Aero, but I don’t think; Aero’s problems did not start with AMCON coming in. It started way back. The world is watching what we are going to do, the president is concerned, so are the unions and the workers. How do we return the brand to the air and not kill it? How do we revive Aero, retain all the workers and ensure that it continues to operate? There is no how we would sit down as government and allow people to lose their jobs or sit down and kill businesses. There is no difference between Indomie and Aero Contractor. They are both brands. We have to collectively proffer solution to Aero’s problems.

Let us change Aero’s story and do something that will make Aero fly.”

31

TUESDAY, september 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

New vision Offa Poly creates new vision

Education

Scholarship Chinese scholarships for 54 UNIZIK students

33 35

SYMPOSIUM Last week, university teachers, under their umbrella union, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter, assembled eggheads and other members of the academia to deliberate on how to rescue the country from economic recession.

Mojeed Alabi

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head of the proposed joint confab of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on the nation’s wobbling economy, the university lecturers, penultimate week, assembled eggheads and other prominent members of the academia in the country to aggregate intellectual positions on how to proffer solutions to the economic woes besetting the country.

The brainstorming session was organised by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter of the union at the Akoka main campus of the 54-year-old university.

The theme of the symposium was: “Three Decades of Neo-Liberalism in Nigeria.”

One of the lead speakers at the symposium is one of the foundation members of ASUU and the Deputy Chairman of the defunct Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON), Prof. Omotoye Olorode; a Political Economist and DirectorGeneral of the Electoral Institute, Abuja, Prof. Abubakar Momoh; Prof. Ndubuisi Nwokoma and Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi, among others.

The session was chaired by the former National President of ASUU, Dr. Dipo Fashina; the incumbent National President of the union, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, and his predecessors, Prof.

Abubakar Sule-Kano and Dr. Nasir Faggae Isah, who were the special guests, while the Vice-Chancellor of the host university, Prof. Rahamon Bello, was the chief host.

kayode olanrewaju Editor, education

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

L-R: Sule Kano, Odukoya and Faggae Isa at the symposium

ASUU’s recipes for economic recovery •Insists IMF, World Bank-imposed policies bound to fail

In their welcome remarks, Fashina, Bello, Ogunyemi and Sule Kano, commended the timely intervention of the eggheads, and stressed the need for a larger forum that will expose the faults in the government’s socio-economic policies. They spoke of the urgent need to return to the drawing board without further delay to initiate result-oriented policies that will impact positively on the mass of the people.

According to the Chairman of the UNILAG chapter of ASUU, Dr. Laja Odukoya, the realities of the recession and its impact on the people, evidenced by deregulation, privatisation of public properties, de-industrialisation and casualisation of workers, among others, informed the union’s intervention.

He said, as reservoir for knowledge, Nigeria’s leadership is expected to draw from the large pool of resources in the universities to address the current crises posed by the economic recession.

The speakers, who took turn to analyse the downward trajectory of the nation’s socio-economic and political developments within the last 30 years, agreed that the adoption of the Breton Woods, otherwise known as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the WorldBank-imposed economic policies, rather than helping the developing nations, and Nigeria in particular, have worsened the lives of the poor working masses, while the few rich have continued to be richer at the expense of the people.

According to Nwokoma in his paper, the economic policy adopted

by Nigeria from the early 1970s till date, which he described as Neoliberalism, “is a social science and

Today, we have seen the nation’s economy being run by a few capitalists

largely economic policy model that transfers control of economic factors from the public to the private sector of the economy.”

He said with the adoption of the policy, successive governments in the country over the years, have adopted limited subsidies for essential commodities, expansion of tax base, reduction in deficit spending, opening up markets to trade, abolition of fixed exchange rates, promotion of private property ownership and deregulation, among others.

Nwokoma further explained: “The Shehu Shagari regime (19791983) systematized the subsidized sale and distribution of essential commodities to Nigerians, which were imported through the Nigerian National Supply Company and sold to Nigerians at rates below prevailing market prices.

These subsidies remained all through the Shagari era, but terminated with the introduction of SAPs in 1986.

“The first serious attempt to examine the role of the state in the Nigerian economy came in 1981, when the President Shagari regime raised a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to examine the parastatals. The Commission’s report recommended an increased role for the private sector in administering the partially government-owned organisations.”

Meanwhile, Olorode, who was more acerbic in his presentation entitled: “Thirty Years of Neoliberalism in Nigeria: Reform or Revolution?” described the adoption of neo-liberalism by the leadership of the country as the foundation for the current woes,

insisting that the new regime cannot resolve the contradictions except the workers rise in defence of their commonwealth.

According to Olorode, the control of economy by the few cabals, which he described as private sector, is evil and that its interest could only be accumulation of more wealth at the expense of the larger Nigerian society.

He said: “Today, we have seen the nation’s economy being run by a few capitalists, who now direct economic policy formulation and implementation at their will. When the President visited China, it was the chairman of Dangote Groups, Alhaji Aliko Dangote that led the government delegation, and very recently, the same Dangote took Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole to an African country, where he went to open a factory. Such are parts of the evidences of the loss of economic control to the few rich by the government.”

Explaining the challenges posed by such a system, and why the private sector cannot rescue Nigeria from its present crises, Olorode quoted an economist, Akpan Ekpo, saying: “The Nigeria private sector is not so much involved in manufacturing of semi and finished goods. The sector concentrates in buying and selling, assemblage and packaging.

“Thus, it is necessary to state that the private sector is not in business to promote economic development for the private sector, the bottom line is profit-development either a second or third best for the most part. In other words, if development occurs through growth, then the economies can CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

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education

Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

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he ongoing 2,000 teachers’ recruitment exercise in Enugu State has been enmeshed in fraud and bribery allegations against top management staff of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), the agency supervising primary and basic education in the state.

This was as New Telegraph reliably gathered that some people, allegedly acting as cronies for some members of the SUBEB were said to demand between N130,000 and N150,000 as kickbacks from applicants in order to get the job.

However, some of the applicants have condemned the exercise and rued what they described as “the poor conduct of the exercise.”

Piqued by the shortage of quality teachers in the system, the state government had recently commenced the recruitment of no fewer than 2,000 teachers for the primary schools across the state.

However, the Chairman of the

TUESDAY, september 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

ENSUBEB demands N150,000 bribe from applicants

Enugu State SUBEB, Mr. Ikeje Asogwa has vehemently denied the allegations leveled against the board and its officials, saying: “There was nothing such as that in the conduct of the exercise and nobody is demanding or collecting money in form of gratification from applicants to secure the teaching job.”

Asogwa added: “We have said it again and again that applicants should not fall victims of any form of extortion. We have also been announcing it on radio for about two weeks now that nobody should give money to anybody.”

Earlier in a media report, the Chairman had declared that the board would make use of the employment window to ensure that only best brains were employed so as to correct the agelong anomalies in the primary school system.

He noted that the board would not cut corners in the ongoing recruitment exercise, adding that the society and the state would be the greatest beneficiaries when best brains were employed to teach their pupils and children.

“It is high time we joined hands to reposition the primary school system in the state and this has to start with the recruitment of sound teachers to teach in our primary schools,” Asogwa stressed.

His words: “We cannot recruit poor brains in our schools and expect the best from our pupils and the system. So, somebody who wants to teach should be sound enough in mind and intellectually to do that. If we support the best, it will pay off in the quality of our primary school children.”

Though, Asogwa had denied

any knowledge of such sharp practices and bribery allegation against him and his officers, a non-governmental organisation, the Human Rights Observers, has called on the state government to probe the bribery allegation.

It added that “doing the right thing is the only way the state can get the best brains to handle its primary schools in terms of recruiting qualitative teaching personnel into the system.

In a statement signed by its President, Mr. Jeremiah Nwokolo, the organisation expressed worry over what it described as several unfulfilled promises to address the educational needs of the state, especially at the ailing primary school level.

The organization, therefore, assured that it would continue to check developments at ENSUBEB, and advised the governor to overhaul the entire system

in other to secure the future of the younger ones and children in the state.

The recruitment exercise, which was held simultaneously across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state as well as the College of Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu, was said to have attracted a large number of applicants.

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu State governor

FG confirms NOUN’s e-learning programme Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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Dr. Omotuyi in the laboratory

Kayode Olanrewaju

I

f the major research effort currently ongoing at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, is anything to go by, the university may be closed on the treatment and cure for the dreaded Lassa Fever and Diabetes.

The research being coordinated by the university’s BioComputing and Drug Development Centre, according to the institution, would position it on the global research map.

According to the Coordinator of the centre, Dr. Posi Omotuyi, researchers and scientists at the institution have perfected drugs sourced from locally plants which have properties that could potentially cure the dreaded Lassa fever and diabetes that have become prevalent in Africa, and especially Nigerians in recent times.

Omotuyi, who said the research has so far been promising, disclosed further that the centre has commenced moves to send the research work to reputable virologists who could test the drugs in diseases condition in globally-

AAUA’s drug centre set for Lassa fever, diabetes’ cure

accredited laboratories.

He expressed optimism that the drugs would scale through whatever rigorous condition, analysis and tests they are exposed to, saying: “Our research is very indigenous. We research into issues that affect the nation and its people, while our approach is global as we use the best practices all over the world.”

Describing the research as indigenous, Omotuyi added: “Our research is clearly our own and it belongs to us. We have come up with drugs that are awaiting test in diseases condition by leading virologists in the world. We have developed one that we believe can cure Lassa fever, which has threatening the country.

“We have contacted a Professor in Japan. He is one of the foremost Virologists in the world so that he can link the university with centres, which have facilities for laboratory and real cases testing of what

we have discovered.

“Our unit is working on something which we are confident can cure Lassa fever, but until we test it, we cannot make categorical statement. But, right now the results have been very promising. That is why I said we are already moving towards the point of talking to foremost virologists who can really test it in diseases condition in laboratories and see how it performs.

We have reached out to them and the response has so far been very positive.”

The Coordinator added: “I have told you about diabetes and Lassa fever. Let me also tell you that the centre is into Prostate Cancer research. All these cases are very local to us here and as a matter of fact, I make bold to say that there is a research going on at University of Benin (UNIBEN) by one of our alumni who is a lecturer at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, who came here to research into a plant with anti-diabetes properties.

he Federal Government has endorsed the e-learning programme of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), assuring parents, students and prospective applicants that there was nothing to fear.

It said that e-learning “is one of the avenues that the National Universities Commission (NUC) is exploring to increase access to university education without compromising quality.”

In a release issued in Abuja, NOUN’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mallam Ibrahim Sheme, said this confirms the position of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Abdalla Uba Adamu, that university is an Open and Distant Learning (ODL) institution and not a mere study-by-correspondence institution as some people erroneously believe.

The Federal Government’s endorsement of the programme was communicated to the university in a statement issued by the National Universities Commission, which indicated that three other universities running a similar programme also benefited from the approval.

The other beneficiaries of the e-learning approval are the University of Uyo; Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and the

University of Maiduguri.

NUC, in a statement signed by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Yakasai, had noted that “whereas the commission insists that online degrees are not accepted at the moment in the country, but this does not include the approved Nigerian universities e-Learning programme run within the shores of the country.”

While explaining its endorsement of the e-Learning programmes for some approved universities, NUC said: “The Nigerian universities e-Learning programme is a legitimate and well-thought out pilot initiative.

It is a Public Private Partnership initiative among the National Universities Commission (NUC), Park Associates E-Learning Group and four federal universities.”

The commission further explained that the goal of the initiative is to broaden access to university education for the citizenry, even as Yakasai added: “The commission wishes to use this medium to allay all fears and doubts concerning the legitimacy or NUC’s endorsement of the Nigerian Universities’ e-Learning programme.”

He said that the students running the programme are “advised to continue to pursue their studies without fear while prospective applicants are encouraged to enroll in the university.

SSANU begins voluntary saving scheme for retirement

S

enior workers at Ekiti State University (EKSU) under their umbrella group, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), have called on members of the university community to take advantage of the newly introduced EKSU Voluntary Savings Scheme to ensure that members of staff at their ripe retirement age enjoy blissful and prosperous retirement.

The Chairman of the association, Mr. A. Olatunji said the idea was aimed at taking care of the immediate needs of the workers

after retirement in case there is delay in the payment of their entitlements such as gratuity or pensions.

“The savings scheme will serve as a reservoir for money well saved, while interested staff members will be required to save a minimum of N1,000 to be deduction from their monthly salaries,” he said.

According to Olatunji, the savings scheme would be open to all categories of staff in the uiniversity.

TUESDAY, september 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

AGENDA

Major stakeholders in the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY), Kwara State, including the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), management, Governing Council and staff, among others, last week converged on the institution for one-day to brainstorm on how to fashion a new vision for the polytechnic

education

33

Offa Poly creates new vision

Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

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fresh move aimed at repositioning the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY), Kwara State was taken last week, when major stakeholders in the polytechnic project for one-day brainstormed on how to create new vision for the 29-year-old institution.

The vision, which will inject new breath into the system especially in the areas of academic and infrastructural development, is to place the institution among the 20 top-rated polytechnics in the country and on the world map.

Participants at the workshop included the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Dr. Masudu Kazaure, who was represented by the Deputy Director (Research and Statistics) in the agency, Mr. Anu Adeniran; the Acting Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Ayodele Olaosebikan; the Registrar, Mr. AbdulHamid; Bursar, Mr. K. Adegbemi; Dean of Schools; Heads of Departments and members of the Governing Council.

Setting the tone of the discourse, the Acting Rector, Dr. Olaosebikan, said the forum would midwife a Strategic Plan, which will serve as a Road Map in charting the broad path towards achieving the purpose for which the polytechnic was established.

To achieve this, however, the workshop identified 13 focal key areas with the capability of improving the standard of the polytechnic without discarding existing accomplishments and workable policies of previous administrations.

“It is very obvious that the new administration’s mantra is ‘change,” she noted, explaining that the polytechnic being a federal institution, cannot stand aloof from what is happening in the country, if it will remain relevant in the scheme of things.

He said the Federal Government is looking forward to tertiary institutions that will complement its economic diversification efforts, arguing that it is therefore the statutory responsibility of all stakeholders in the subsector to ensure that the institutions fulfill their mandates to the society.

The Rector listed the focal areas to include the development of a culture of academic excellence, application of technology for job performance, strengthening of administrative procedures and processes, mounting of new courses and research and fabrications.

Other areas are improvement in

L-R: Dr. Olaosebikan; Dr. Olatinwo; the Registrar, Mr. AbdulHamid Raji and the Bursar, Mr. Adegbemi at the workshop.

internal revenue generation, collaboration with local and international bodies, improvement in work ethics and moral discipline, students’ development and moral discipline, elimination of corrupt practices in the system, entrepreneurship training and development, campus security and a virile campus system.

Under the envisaged system, strategies would be put in place to ensure that activities of members of staff and students aligned with the academic calendar of the school, while measures will also be put in place to discourage corruption and eliminate the menace from all administrative processes in the system.

The polytechnic, Olaosebikan hinted would deploy ICT for all its processes, while giving room for a robust students’ unionism as well as strengthen campus security.

Her words: “The culture of academic excellence requires all academic and administrative staff to have as their cardinal objective the academic success of students. It requires Deans of Schools and Heads of Departments to ensure that the curriculum and course contents are up-to-date and delivered as required.

It requires lecturers to attend lectures and it requires that tests and assignments are given and marked regularly. It discourages academic corruption in every form including staff influencing marks for students for whatever reasons.

“We are in a technology-driven world. So, for effectiveness and efficiency, and for the fact that the polytechnic is a technology institution, we must use relevant technology for job performance. Hence, academic and administrative staff should encourage one another to acquire skills in ICT for teaching, learning and research to enhance all processes including administration, accounting, admission, registration and examination, among others.

“Our administrative processes shall be strengthened such that procedures and processes for students’ admission, registration, examinations and students results and transcripts are accomplished in such a way as to remove corruption, waste,

The polytechnic will continue to reinforce entrepreneurship training

stress and duplication as well as enhance efficiency and speed.”

On the need to expand its academic base and meet the growing demand for specialists in certain professions, the polytechnic the Rector stressed will mount new academic programmes in such areas as Agricultural Engineering, Printing Technology and Textile Technology.

We shall procure required resources work to secure accreditation for Catering and Hotel Management.

While saying that the polytechnic is well known for its research in Sweet Potato, she explained that it proposed to institutionalise research culture and celebrate research outcomes on a regular basis.

Towards this end, Dr. Olaosebikan assured stakeholders that members of staff of the polytechnic would be empowered to undertake adaptation and improvisation of machines, equipment, and gadgets to serve the need of the institution and the immediate communities.

“The polytechnic will continue to reinforce entrepreneurship training.

Presently, the institution’s Entrepreneurial Centre is working on about 42 trades and this should be expanded.

But, we need to evolve a system of training our students that prepare them physically, emotionally and psychologically for entrepreneurship and job creation on graduation.

On students’ unionism, the rector, who added that the management recognised the value of campus unionism, said the workers and students would be encouraged to engage in virile and enlightened unionism.

“We shall take the issue of campus peace very seriously. Without campus peace there can be no meaningful campus life for teaching, learning and research. Therefore, we shall strengthen the security unit of the polytechnic. And, to enhance the capability of our security personnel, the management will institute re-training programmes for capacity building of the workers.”

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr. Masudu Kazaure, who was represented by the Deputy Director (Re-

search and Statistics) in the agency, Mr. Anu Adeniran, lamented that the scenarios in most polytechnics with poor and dilapidated infrastructure underline the importance of strategic planning in the management and delivery of technical and vocational education in the country.

He added that the scenario is not unconnected with shortcomings associated with unplanned development and project characterising the polytechnic education system in the country.

Kazaure noted: “It is no wonder then that, looking around today, it will be noted that many of our Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions are characterised by abandoned projects, poorly planned study environment, mounting of academic programmes with little relevance to the institution’s mandate, shortage of critical study infrastructure, even when other non-critical ones are being undertaken.

“Furthermore, it is also common place to find in many of the institutions where physical structures and facilities are being over stretched and yet they are being poorly maintained. Hence, the list or rot goes on and on. The result of these is gross misalignment between the growth of institutions’ academic programmes and their physical infrastructure and academic facilities over a sustained period of time, therefore culminating in a vicious cycle of revenue shortage and falling academic standard.

“The above scenarios underline the shortcomings associated with unplanned development and projects and the importance of strategic planning in the management and delivery of TVET.” However, according to the NBTE boss, such scenarios should be in the past as with the current administration’s emphasis on prudent and efficient management of public resources, there is no better time for institutions to embark on strategic planning than now.

“In the face of dwindling revenue CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

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education

TUESDAY, september 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Disparities in WAEC and NECO SSCE performance

Ojijeogu: WAEC has been consistent Mr. Demianus Ojijeogu is the Acting Director of the Public Affairs unit at the Nigeria Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)

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he West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is a household name when it comes to conduct of external examinations, having been in existence in the last 64 years. We are not just an examination body based in Nigeria, but one that has its presence in other West African countries.

We are synonymous with integrity and throughout the world, we are known for excellence and this has been confirmed through our track records of excellence. The National Examination Council (NECO) is a baby of few years ago, and so there

is no basis for competition or comparison.

It is true that the syllabus being run by the two examination bodies and the candidates are the same as well, but I think over the years, WAEC has been consistent in its results and the improvement recorded this year was traced to certain developments.

These developments include, but not limited to efforts of various state governments and school administrators to improve the students’ preparation and ensure quality assurance in the system.

Many states have collaborated with foreign

Ojijeogu

donors and non-governmental agencies to adopt technology in the teaching and learning process, while WAEC has also engaged the teachers in training sessions. Also, our marking guides are also available for teachers in hard copies to guide them on ways to teach their students on how to answer examinations.

Abdulrahman: Timing is a major factor Dr. Fatimata Bintu Abdulrahman is the Principal of Government Secondary School, Kuje and immediate Past President of ANCOPSS

Abdulrahman

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e identified one of the major challenges affecting the performance of candidates in the examinations conducted by both

WAEC and NECO Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to include the timing of the examinations.

And, as a member of the board of WAEC and NECO while serving as ANCOPSS President, I brought this to the notice of stakeholders and NECO took the advantage.

For instance, before now, NECO SSCE used to hold three weeks after WAEC SSCE had been conducted and this to a large extent was seen to be negatively affecting

the candidates because many of them would have lost interest in NECO as they did not take it serious.

But today, NECO begins about five days after WASSCE, and by this time, the candidates are found to be in examination mood fully prepared to sit for the examinations.

That gives them additional advantage over WASSCE because they would have revised and also recognised their mistakes in the examinations taken earlier.

Otubela: Better performance in NECO not unexpected Otunba Yomi Otubela is the Proprietor of Lagooz Schools, Lagos and the National Deputy President of NAPPS

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bout three major factors are responsible for this and when I explained them, we will understand that the better performance of candidates in the NECO examination compared to the WASSCE is not unexpected.

The first of these factors is that the population of those candidates who enrolled for NECO is far less than those who sit for WASSCE and when you do the calculation based on percentage, you

would realise higher percentage of the students has recorded good performance.

Another factor is that about 90 per cent of NECO candidates are the serious ones, who are academically dedicated because the unserious ones hardly enrol for NECO because once they are through with WASSCE, they relax and do not show interest in NECO. So, with that, the performance is expected to be better.

The third factor

Otubela

is that the marking scheme is reportedly different from each other. We are made to understand that NECO makes use of the continuous assessment scores of the candidates that the schools submit, and as expected, candidates perform better in internal examinations than those conducted by external examination bodies.

interviews conducted by mojeed alabi

Niger earmarks N2.1bn to revamp schools Dan Atori MINNA

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etermined to tackle the rot in the state’s education system, the Niger State Government said it has awarded contract worth several billions of naira for the renovation of government-owned primary and secondary schools across the three senatorial districts of the state.

New Telegraph had last week reported exclusively the dilapidated structures and deplorable state of public schools across the country, a development which has propelled the state government into action to fix the educational sector.

Towards this end, the government in a bid to improve the level of infrastructure and promote qualitative education earmarked N4.29 billion in this year’s budgetary allocation to improve the education sector.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan

Vatsa exclusively told Our Correspondent that the reconstruction and renovation of schools across the state had already been divided into two sections to cover primary and secondary school sections.

“In the primary school section, as we speak now, the State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), the agency supervising primary school education sub-sector has awarded contract for schools across the state, as well as the contract for chairs and tables which its distribution to schools will soon take place.

“I can tell you that the contractors have been fully mobilised and have since moved to the sites with jobs ongoing and by next week, the state government will embark on inspection of schools before resumption,” he added.

Vasta, who further said that same efforts will be applied to the secondary schools section, but due to paucity of funds the state government is to kick off the rehabilitation project in select two schools each from the three Sena-

torial Districts in the state pending when allocations to the state will improve.

“The total overhauling of the system is government’s priority. All the schools are being fenced as the governor, Abubakar Sani Bello is according paying due attention to education in order to revamp the sector,” the commissioner added.

While chatting with our Correspondent on phone, the Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fatima Magudu, however, disclosed that over N2.150 million had already been spent by the state government on renovation of the six schools under its total school development approach.

According to her, the contractors had been mobilised to sites while the projects have reached 75 per cent completion stage.

She said: “I can tell you that, the schools will be renovated to UNESCO’s standard because they are currently at 70 per cent completion and will be completed before the resumption of students for the new academic session.”

Participants at the maiden education summit of the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN) held at UNILAG

Don seeks codification of customary law Kayode Olanrewaju

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renowned and Visiting Professor of Law from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUST), Prof. Michael Ntumy, has advocated that the codification of the Customary Law in Africa would promote unity and enhance the legal empowerment of vulnerable social groups.

He made the call at the Lagos State University (LASU) Faculty of Law Distinguished Guest Lecture Series, entitled: “Codification of Customary Law in Africa: Progress and Future Prospects.”

In his lecture, which took place at the Moot Court Complex, Faculty of Law, Ojo main campus of the state-owned institution, the guest lecturer noted that there was overwhelming evidence that the core benefits of the codification of

Customary Law has transformed the legal systems of countries that have codified their Customary Laws.

While insisting that the resulting unique legal systems from the codification of the customary law are impossible to replicate, Ntumy, an internationally acclaimed legal expert in Public Law and Judicial Education, however, noted that African countries that have not codified their Customary Laws are being faced with daunting challenges.

Thus, the don called on such countries to embrace codification as the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, even as the Visiting Professor of Law cautioned African countries which have not codified their Customary Laws not to give up doing so.

“If the codification of Customary Laws in Africa is not radically re-thought, Africa could be condemned to decades of broken

dreams,” he explained, saying as long as the framework of the national legal systems of these countries admit personal laws; there is no doubt that the most plausible scenario from the current stand point is a further codification of the customary laws of these African countries that were still lagging behind.

In his remarks, LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

‘Lanre Fagbohun, who described the lecture as stimulating, however, called for African renaissance of its custom and cultural values, if it must attain development and compete with other continents.

The Fagbohun, a Professor of Environmental Law lauded the Faculty for what he described as “pushing the frontiers of academic scholarship by bringing such an international scholar of repute, Professor Ntumy, as the guest lecturer.”

TUESDAY, september 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

campus

education

SUBEB, varsity sharpen primary school teachers’skills Ayobola Lawal AAUA

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The beneficiaries of the scholarship wit the VC and officials of the institute

Chinese scholarships for 54 UNIZIK students Franklin Onwubiko UNIZIK

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t was a moment of joy for some 54 students of the Confucius Institute of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka as they became recipients of scholarships awarded to them to further their academic pursuit in China.

The scholarships were awarded to the students, who had successfully passed through various programmes in the Institute by the Chinese Government and the institute respectively to pursue between one and four years programmes in various tertiary institutions in China.

Of the 54 beneficiaries of the

scholarship award, three will be sponsored by the Chinese Government, while the remaining are to be sponsored by the Confucius Institute.

Addressing the awardees at the reception organized in their honour, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku expressed delight over the efforts of the institute, which he noted are already yielding fruitful results.

Ahaneku, who reiterated his administration’s interest in the progress of various programmes run at the university including those of the institute, however, recalled his days as the Director of the Institute, a position he held for four years before his appointment as vice-chancellor.

He expressed satisfaction over

the quality of the institute, which he noted has deepened the students’ knowledge, even as he reminded the recipients that though they will leave for China in the next one week for further studies, they are going to be examined to further confirm if they are worthy in character and in learning.

While urging them to be good ambassadors of the university, the vice-chancellor further assured the students of the institution’s commitment to keep tab on their well-being and progress in China.

At the event were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Administration, Prof. Carol ArinzeUmobi, members of staff and students of the institute and university in general.

College adopts e-voting for students’union election Oladele Oge

FCE Eha-Amufu PIX: ICT he Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, has adopted Electronic Voting System (EVS) in the conduct of its 2015/2016 Students’ Union election.

With its introduction, the e-voting system replaced the traditional ballot paper method that had been in use in the last 35 years of the existence of the college to conduct elections into the students’ union offices.

The move is part of efforts of the college to be Information and Communication Technology (ICT) compliant in line with global practices.

The election, despite the heavy down pour began with the accreditation of students at about 8.30am penultimate week at the 750 MultiPurpose Lecture Theatre, which houses the Computer-Based-Test Centre of the college.

The students, who were said to have defied the rain and trooped in their large number to elect their leaders, in the election that ended at about 2.30pm.

Announcing the election results shortly after voting, Obaraezi ThankGod, a sophomore in the Department of Biology/Integrated Science was declared as the new President of the union with 430 votes, having defeated

T

his opponent, Idenyi Jonathan Elias linger in the memories of the enof the Department of English/CRS, tire students and other members who polled 358 votes. of the college community following Other elected officials were Eze the successful use of this modern Euphemia Chiamaka (Vice Presi- voting method. dent); Clement Theodora (Secretary); While commending the Students’ Eze Loretta (Treasurer); Ukwueze Affairs Unit for introducing the eUchenna (Sports Director) and Onah voting system, Onyishi thanked the Victor, who emerged as the Direc- members of staff of the ICT unit, tor of Transport. headed by Mr. Sam Onyeidu, who The Chairman of the Electoral ensured that the initiative became Committee and Dean, Students’ Af- a reality. fairs Unit of the college, Mr. Simon He, however, praised the students Onyishi, who announced the results, for their conduct before, during and described the election as a free and after the election, saying: “There fair keenly contested election. was no victor or vanquish in the While describing the e-voting sys- election.” tem as a major breakthrough in the history of the students’ union elections in the college, he noted that the previous elections were cumbersome as a result of the analogue method of voting.

Onyishi, however, reiterated that the conduct of the elecA cross section of students being accredited for the election. tion would

35

he management of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in conjunction with the Lagos State University (LASU) Faculty of Education have sharpened the skills of some primary school teachers in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

It was at the threeday intensive training, organised by the board in conjunction with the Faculty, which took place at the e-Library, Conference Room of Faculty of Law, Ojo campus of the institution.

Though, the training had come and gone, the participants are still

savouring the gains of the training, which according to the organiser, will definitely equip and redefine the skills of the participants in Information Technology.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the university Librarian, Dr. Adebambo Oduwole, urged the teachers to take the training very seriously and seek more of such knowledge and skill development drive.

The Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. A. Badejo, however, advised the participants to be more technology-friendly in order to cope with the challenges of the 21st Century.

Certificates were presented to all the participants drawn from public primary schools across the state.

History students bid colleagues, varsity farewell Sunny Ibeh UNIBEN

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raduating students of the History Department of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) will not forget in a hurry the activities of penultimate week as they rolled out the drums to bid themselves farewell, having completed their undergraduate studies.

The ‘Red Carpet’ ceremony took place at the Water Phase Event Centre, outside the university campus, with a brief remarks from the organising committee and a speech by the Director of Sports, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-South, South-East zones Sunny Ibeh, who apparently is one of the graduating students.

Ibe’s paper, which was entitled: “Within and Beyond UNIBEN,” was followed by brief remarks from the Speaker of the

History Supreme Parliament, Ejiribeofor Omeke Ajuluchukwu.

The Chairman of the event planning committee, Anklin Amadi thanked the graduating students for what he described as the spirit of unity which they exhibited in the past four years and their cooperation to make the event a reality.

“I am indeed grateful to everyone for upholding the spirit of unity and love in the past few years of our staying together as course mates. I wish to also commend us all for our efforts and financial support so far, “he said.

On his part, the immediate past President of the department, Ugwu Samson Chika lauded the students for making the event a worthwhile celebration, even as he attributed the successful completion of the course and that of the event to God Almighty.

“I must thank you my former course mates for being so committed to this course from the onset. I also praise the Almighty God for his benevolence, and for Whom I want to dedicate the success of the entire event,” he added.

The 2016 History graduating set of the university, who were admitted into the institution in November 2012, are today basking in the euphoria of the completion of their four years course study, and have also earned themselves the accolade as one of the most distinguished set in the History Department since 1975 it was established.

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education

TUESDAY, september 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Asuu’s new agenda for economy C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 1

reproduce itself thus guaranteeing more profit.”

As a way forward, therefore, Olorode, as Ekpo, recommended the socialist model, which he said, would organise society based on the public ownership of the means of production.

“This does not imply that there would be no private ownership of means of production. There would be, but not to take over the commanding heights of the economy. Hence, it is best for the leadership, policy-makers and technocrats to search and work towards inclusive

development within the context of a developmental state socialist economic blueprint. Anything else would be a return to the status quo implying the continuation of the development of underdevelopment–increase poverty, backwardness and misery,” he recommended.

The don, however, added that the anticipated change may not be achieved through mere dialogue and talk-shops, but through mass-based revolution led by workers, youths and women.

Momoh, whose paper dwelt on: “Neo-liberalism: Governance, Public Sector Reform and Inefficiency in Service

Delivery,” also castigated the leadership of the country for running down the country, and the workers and youths, for allowing the situation to have degenerated this far.

On his part, Momoh, therefore, recommended the need for a political class rather than a political elite, which now occupies itself in the leadership of the nation; need for a genuine alternative to break the cycle of the past 35 years, organic link between agriculture and industry, cultivation of protectionism ideology and the need for technocracy with skills and competence, among other recommendations.

Stakeholders’ vision for poly C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

resources, there is no more room for uncoordinated disbursement of physical and financial resources,” he said.

Other participants at the forum, who gave tacit support for the new vision of the polytechnic through their goodwill messages, include the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, who was represented by the Ojomu of Offa, Chief Bayo Akinola; Prof. Jamiu Oyawoye and the immediate past Rector

of the polytechnic, Dr. Mufutau Olatinwo.

The Acting Rector, who expressed confident that the institution has what it takes to pursue the new agenda in moving the system forward, also underscored the importance of participation of all the stakeholders in the polytechnic in such a dream.

She, however, promised that management will provide the required leadership to drive the plan as well as provide support in critical areas

as may be required.

She said: “I know we have the required staff strength and quality to take the polytechnic to greater heights. I also know that there will be challenges, especially that of inadequate funding. But, the essence of this strategic planning workshop is to find an effective way of utilising our current resources to get to where we ought to be as an institution of excellence. In the process, we may need to discard old systems and recreate new processes.”

Cross section of the participants at the seminar

School restates commitment to girl-child education Ayobola Lawal AAUA

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roprietor and Founder of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, Oregun, Lagos, Mrs. Leila Fowler, has reiterated the commitment of the college to ensure proper education of the girl-child to enable them attain the desired position in the society.

This was as she noted that there was need for concerted efforts to train, nurture and develop the required capabilities and competences for the girl-child.

While underscoring the importance of girl-child in the development of the society, the educationist noted that it had become imperative to focus on the girl-child with a view to providing them qualitative education, while also imparting moral values into them.

She added that since inception of the college, it has remained focus in improving the lives of the girl-child morally and academically.

Mrs. Fowler said: “There is the urgent need to nurture young girls to grow, live and function as unique and respectable adults, wives, mothers and professionals of tomorrow. The school has not only been focusing on academics, but also on moral, leadership and home management training.”

The Founder, who spoke during the 2016 graduation ceremony of the college, however, said that the school places high premium on guidance and counseling given the sensitive nature of the girls as they plough through the adventurous world of adolescence into adulthood.

The girls-only school, according to her, engages professional counselors to speak to the students in order to

achieve well-balanced moral and academic growth.

The students, she added, are encouraged to participate actively in various extracurricular activities which prepare them for leadership roles in the society, even as Mrs. Fowler explained that the college’s mission is focused on offering the girl-child qualitative and functional secondary school education.

“The mission also inculcates in the girl-child the pursuit of excellence as it brings out the best in the girl-child as shown in the students’ academic performance,” she stressed.

In her words of exhortation, the Provost of College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunshola advised the graduating students “to dare to be great, dare to be different and dare to overcome the challenges of life.”

EDUPEACE

with Mahfouz A. Adedimeji (08066372516, sms only)  Dr Adedimeji is a Senior Lecturer and Director, Centre

for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin

Breaking Boko Haram’s back

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he 4th international economic and public relations conference of U6, approaches are needed as time themed “Addressing demands. the Sustainable DevelIn essence, building peace opment Goals (SDGs) through in Nigeria and avoiding the Collaborative and Transna- perilous path of violent agitational Research”, was held at tions of either Boko Haram or the University of Cape Coast, any other lethal group rests on Ghana, between September 12 seven pillars. These include a viand 16. By the way, what is U6? brant education system that esU6 is a consortium of six uni- sentially develops the head, the versities (plus others) impas- heart and the hands of young sioned by the need to promote Nigerians. With functional eduSouth-South academic and re- cation, dysfunctional thinking search partnerships as a way that eventually leads to negative of advancing development in and destructive actions would Africa. Formed at the Univer- be curbed. sity of Ilorin in 2012, members Another pillar of peaceof the U6 include the Universi- building that would break ty of Cape Coast, Ghana; Cape Boko Haram’s back is commuPeninsular University of Tech- nication and the mass media. nology, South Africa; Jaramogi Since terrorism thrives on meOginga Odinga University of dia coverage, there should be a Science and Technology, Kenya; strategic engagement with the Kwara State University, Nigeria; amorphous Nigerian media to University of The Gambia, The put national interest above any Gambia and of course, the Uni- interest that might warrant versity of Ilorin, Nigeria. The hare-brained sensationalism membership of U6 has grown to that typifies its section. include the University of CalaBesides, without good govbar, Nigeria, and the University ernance and inclusive politics, of Eldorat, Kenya. The aims and there is every possibility for objectives of U6 are similar to the aggrieved and the socially those of the Global Universities disadvantaged to resort to selfNetwork for Innovation (GUNI). help. The more our politicians Invited to be a lead speaker see politics as service, not an on the sub-theme of Peace, Se- opportunity to self-aggrandizecurity and Development, my pa- ment, the more they will inspire per last Thursday (September the rest of the populace towards 15, 2016) was entitled “Breaking positive action. Many years afthe Back of Boko Haram and ter their death, Nigerians still Building Sustainable Peace in fondly remember our foremost nationalists for their sacrifices Nigeria.”

After all was said and done, and legacies, which still impact it was made clear that though on millions of people till today.

It is said that Boko Haram the basic needs is significantof man are ly degraded economic and in Nigeria all others are today, unAnother pillar of ancillary. In a like when it controlled situation where peace-building that people find the many local basic needs of governments would break Boko food, clothing like Ngala, and shelter a Kala-Balge, Haram’s back is luxury, their Marte, AsiraUba, Bama, communication and sense of selfGwoza, Mafa worth is diminthe mass media and parts of ished and they Kodunga and become vulnerAbadam in able. Economic Borno State empower ment and seized as much as 20,000 of our youths is a back-breaker square kilometres across Bor- for Boko Haram. no, Adamawa and Yobe States Other components of deof the Nigerian soil about two feating terrorism and violent years ago. agitations in Nigeria include Despite the unsuccessful building efficient and effective suicide attack on Sallah day security architecture, creating and its self-amusing threat of a value-based social system that seizing Mr President, Nigeria is nullifies corruption and upholdmuch safer than last year from ing the tenets of justice and eqBoko Haram. While the country uity in the polity.

Unlike Thomas Hobbes who was ranked 148th out of 162 in 2014 and 151 out of 163 in 2015, posited that the state of nature a slight improvement on our is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish Global Peace Index of 2016 po- and short”, I think the state of sitions Nigeria as149 out of 163 nature is beauty, the same reacountries. son for which we all appreciTo break the back of Boko ate natural (fresh) air, natural Haram, a number of approach- food and nature in its undiluted es are needed, which former form. Human beings, by the President Olusegun Obasanjo same token, are naturally good once referred to as carrot and but it is their families, cultures, stick. All of military, diplo- societies and politics that turn matic, strategic, educational, them evil.

BUSINESS |MONEY LINE

TUESDAY, SEPTEBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

DESIRE High rates impact the government’s capacity to borrow

Stories: Tony Chukwunyem

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ith the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) set to announce its decision today, the Federal Government has urged the apex bank to lower interest rates to enable it (government) borrow domestically to boost the economy, which is mired in recession, without increasing its debt-servicing costs.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who expressed government’s position in an interview with CNBC Africa, said high interest rates impact government’s capacity to borrow to fund critical capital projects.

She said: “We need lower interest rates, because when we are borrowing and interest rates go up, it increases our cost of debt service and it reduces the amount of money that is available to spend on capital projects.”

The Finance Minister said she wanted the CBN to reconsider its July interest rate hike, which it implemented to help support the naira and attract foreign investment.

“The attempt was to manage inflation and the trade-off for the economy right now is what is a bigger problem: Is

FG seeks interest rate cut as MPC announces decision today Standard and Poor’s (S&P) last Friday lowered Nigerian sovereign rating to B from B+, owing to marked contraction in oil production, restrictive currency regime and delayed fiscal stimulus.

“We already have quite strong indications and indeed we had some commitments. Even though we weren’t doing a deal we already have commitments to our bond offer, so we are very confident that it is just

it growth or inflation? For me it is growth. I would rather seek growth. We can manage inflation. I think for us, at the moment in the Nigerian economy, growth is the most important thing.”

Economists polled by Reuters last week predicted that though August inflation rose to 17.6 per cent from 17 .1 per cent in July, the CBN would keep its key interest rate at 14 per cent as part of efforts to resuscitate the economy.

Adeosun said some adjustment was needed to narrow the spread between the official and parallel market currency rates, which is running at 25 per cent since the CBN floated the naira on June 20.

“We still need to make some necessary adjustment to ensure that the spread is narrow, so that we have true price discovery,” she said.

The Minister said she was working with the Debt Management Office (DMO), the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the pension industry to issue an infrastructure bond to raise money for road and housing projects.

She also announced that Nigeria had received commitments to its planned $1 billion Eurobond from international investors, which it aims to issue before the end of the year, adding however, that pricing will be key.

Nigeria is seeking advisers and bookrunners and is currently accepting proposals from international and local banks for the bond sale.

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n a bid to reduce what it describes as the “growing exposure of banks on payments solution service providers ‘ platform, due to operational failures”, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed banks and Payments Solution Service Providers to give values to customers after settlement , at T+1 with regard to payments under the Guidelines on Electronic Payments of Salaries, Pensions, Suppliers and Taxes in Nigeria.

The abbreviation T+1 refers to the settlement date of security transactions and denotes that the settlement occurs on a transaction date plus

MPR 91-day NTB Bonny Light Ext Res**

Description 15.10 27-APR-2017 16.00 29-JUN-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 12.50 22-JAN-2026 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 Tenor (Days) Call 30 90 180

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 August, 2016

14 10.77 US$46.16 US$24,871,865,233

26/07/2016 Mar 2015 8/9/2016 16/9/2016 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

one day.

In a circular signed by its Director, Director, Banking and Payments System Department, Dipo Fatokun, the CBN, however, stated: “Exceptions that would necessitate instant value to customers are: Where the paying organisations and/or sending banks pledge collateral against their transactions , for which they require instant value to customers; (and where) the Payments Solution Service Provider’s Scheme operates a scheme collateral arrangement , which is adequate to offset irrecoverable exposures. In the event of any shortfall of such collateral arrangement, the shortfall shall be borne by the Payments Solution Service Provider.”

S

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 30-Jun-16 7.92 7.67 7.82 -0.51 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 3.83 8.08 -0.51 ▼ 6-Oct-16 8.59 8.34 8.71 -0.31 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 4.33 8.99 -0.31 ▼ 16-Mar-17 9.36 10.28 -0.07 ▼ 9.11 9.98 -0.07 ▼ Bid 199.14

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has said that it is planning an “immediate large injection of funds” through asset sales, advance payments for license renewals and infrastructure concessions.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, told a business conference the

0.00 ↔

government planned asset sales to inject more funds into the economy but gave no details. He also said the government had almost finished preparing a bill asking the National Assembly for emergency legislation powers to improve the business climate.

The Federal Government has spent almost N800 billion on capital expenditures since the budget got approved in May, officials have said.

The apex bank also directed all Payments Solution Service Providers to ensure implementation of adequate system exceptions monitoring tools, including alerts, to aid banks in detecting anomalies that could lead to exposures.

The regulator further stated that Payments Solution Service Providers will jointly determine with participating banks, ICT resource capacity planning for banks’ transaction levels, adding : “Banks and PSSPs shall ensure that their systems are not overstretched by the level of transactions being supported by providing necessary headroom for all critical ICT resource used in facilitating payments services.”

Sterling Bank holds MSME Academy workshop in Ibadan

As at N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 17.61

a question of pricing,” Adeosun said.

E-Payments: CBN directs banks to give customers T+1 settlement

Economic Indicators M2* CPS* INF

37

Offer 199.1000

Change (%) -1.75 ▼ -2.08 ▼

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

mall business owners in Ibadan will convene at Mouve 21 Event Centre, Ibadan from September 21 to 22, 2016 for the first phase of a four- day Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Workshop organised by Sterling Bank Plc. The second phase according to a statement, would hold at the same venue from September 28 to 29, 2016.

The lender had organised similar workshops in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Onitsha with over 300 MSME members trained. Similar workshop was also organised last month for members of the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (NASME).

The lender explained that the workshop would provide participants with the opportunity to fully appreciate the concept of entrepreneurship. “Participants will be well positioned to enhance their managerial capacity and well equipped to navigate the challenging operating environment”, the bank explained in the statement.

It said the programme will cover Basic Accounting Skills, Customer Service

and Team Building, Sales and Marketing, Essentials of Business Plans and Human Resources Management among others.

The Bank’s Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Mr. Shina Atilola had in previous communication on the workshop explained that the bank would be anchoring a series of workshops for MSME operators in various states nationwide.

According to him, the bank came up with the workshop to support MSMEs in the country and enable them grow to become established institutions, given the potential role they play in economic development.

His words: “SMEs remain the pillar of any growing economy and the operators in the sector must be well positioned and equipped for accelerated growth and positive impact on the economy”.

A cross section of participants who attended previous events expressed confidence that the training received at the workshop would go a long way in repositioning SMEs, which serves as the bedrock of the economy globally.

38

TUESDAY, SEPTEBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BUSINESS |FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS FMDQ Daily Quotations List

19-Sep-16

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute professional, financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information.

Bonds

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

Description 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 ^15.54 13-FEB-2020 14.50 15-JUL-2021 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 ^12.50 22-JAN-2026 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036

Price

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

27-Apr-12 27-Jul-07 31-Aug-07 30-May-08 29-Jun-12 23-Oct-09 13-Feb-15 13-Jul-16 27-Jan-12 14-Mar-14 22-Jan-16 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14 18-Mar-16

15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 14.50 16.39 14.20 12.50 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.15 12.4000

480.13 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 606.43 210.59 605.31 719.99 421.02 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 1075.92 310.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

6,451.16

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

5,831.34

Rating/Agency

Agency Bonds Nil

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Description

Issuer

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

FMBN

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 15-Jul-21 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 22-Jan-26 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34 18-Mar-36

0.60 0.85 0.95 1.69 2.77 3.09 3.40 4.82 5.35 7.48 9.34 12.19 12.67 13.17 13.84 17.83 19.49

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

19.23 20.04 20.35 18.17 14.56 14.75 14.97 14.89 14.86 14.97 15.19 15.11 15.09 15.08 15.06 14.94 15.25

18.95 19.83 20.15 18.06 14.49 14.61 14.85 14.80 14.78 14.90 15.13 15.05 15.03 15.00 14.99 14.88 15.19

97.69 92.31 90.91 89.44 103.13 81.26 101.45 98.65 105.47 96.59 86.74 99.35 85.43 62.77 70.87 82.71 82.37

97.84 92.46 91.06 89.59 103.28 81.56 101.75 98.95 105.77 96.89 87.04 99.65 85.73 63.07 71.17 83.01 82.67

6406.155565

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

03-Apr-12

17.25

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

0.60

03-Apr-17

0.36

2.94

19.54

99.19

19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21 09-Dec-21 16-Feb-22 27-Feb-22 30-Mar-22 31-Mar-22 27-May-22

0.58 0.54 1.28 1.10 1.11 1.29 1.30 1.48 1.68 3.17 1.86 4.19 4.28 2.51 2.54 3.09 3.30 3.33 3.27 6.46 3.42

1.00 5.71 2.39 1.00 1.00 3.82 3.56 3.82 2.02 2.01 1.00 1.30 3.76 2.53 1.00 1.52 4.01 1.00 2.52 1.79 3.04

20.15 24.72 21.95 21.18 21.14 23.35 23.07 22.73 20.23 16.81 18.63 16.22 18.68 17.99 16.42 16.27 18.87 15.87 17.36 16.66 17.96

94.64 94.74 91.44 93.53 93.50 90.84 90.56 91.54 93.81 94.44 94.23 91.89 89.40 93.42 97.19 98.19 94.59 101.47 100.29 101.20 97.68

0.60

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

0.60

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto‡ ; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A-/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR† Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto‡ A-/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto Bbb-/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto Bbb+/Agusto A-/GCR

LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA *BAUCHI *OYO *BENUE *PLATEAU KOGI *CROSS RIVER

19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 31-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14 09-Dec-14 17-Feb-15 27-Feb-15 30-Mar-15 01-Apr-15 27-May-15

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 15.50 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 16.50 OYO 16-FEB-2022 16.50 BENUE 27-FEB-2022 17.50 PLATEAU 30-MAR-2022 17.00 KOGI II 31-MAR-2022 17.00 CROSS RIVER 27-MAY-2022

10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00 15.50 16.50 16.50 17.50 17.00 17.00

57.00 11.33 25.00 23.44 4.22 9.45 7.01 18.70 12.55 80.00 19.40 87.50 5.00 3.74 3.76 14.37 4.17 4.30 27.10 3.00 7.34

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

428.37 402.88

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR Nil Nil Nil A/GCR BBB-/GCR Nil A-/DataPro†; CCC/GCR AAA/DataPro†; B/GCR A+/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto†; BBB+/GCR† BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR Nil A-/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB/GCR A/GCR BBB/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR A/GCR A/GCR AAA/GCR

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

NAHCO FSDH ***LCRM UBA *C & I LEASING *DANA#{r} #

*TOWER # *TOWER

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018

UBA *LA CASERA

#

*CHELLARAMS *DANA#{r} *FCMB NAHCO

*TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC *FCMB UBA FIDELITY *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC STANBIC IBTC STANBIC IBTC *NMRC

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.00 FCMB 6-NOV-2020 15.75 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 15.50 TRANSCORP 4-DEC-2020 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 16.48 FIDELITY 13-MAY-2022 16.00 TRANSCORP 26-OCT-2022 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 14.90 NMRC 29-JUL-2030

29-Sep-11 25-Oct-13 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12 30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12

13.00 14.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50 13.00 18.00

15.00 5.53 112.22 116.70 66.49 20.00 0.36

29-Sep-16 25-Oct-16 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17 30-Sep-17 30-Nov-17

0.03 0.10 0.22 0.58 0.79 1.03 0.71

1.00 1.34 1.00 3.55 5.25 1.88 1.88

19.76 18.78 16.27 22.70 25.10 22.29 21.44

99.78 99.46 99.79 96.72 94.00 91.83 98.57

09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11

16.00 18.00

3.60 1.45

09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18

0.80 1.22

3.15 6.35

23.02 26.13

95.23 92.18

09-Sep-11 30-Sep-11

16.00 14.00

0.40 35.00

09-Sep-18 30-Sep-18

1.22 2.03

1.00 1.17

20.78 18.22

95.20 93.08

18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14

15.75 18.00 16.00

1.50 0.23 4.50

18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19 01-Apr-19

1.08 1.41 1.28

4.42 6.11 3.28

24.66 25.23 22.84

92.28 92.00 93.11

06-Nov-15

15.00

20.87

06-Nov-20

2.13

4.47

21.18

90.38

14-Nov-13 04-Dec-15

15.75 15.50

2.05 9.76

14-Nov-20 04-Dec-20

4.15 2.65

1.00 3.55

15.92 18.79

99.43 93.51

20-Nov-14 30-Dec-14 13-May-15

14.25 16.45 16.48

26.00 30.50 30.00

20-Nov-21 30-Dec-21 13-May-22

5.17 5.28 5.64

2.51 1.00 1.00

17.38 15.87 15.87

89.53 101.95 102.15

26-Oct-15

16.00

10.00

26-Oct-22

3.82

2.77

17.71

95.55

30-Sep-14 30-Sep-14 29-Jul-15

16.29 13.25 14.90

0.10 15.44 7.82

30-Sep-24 30-Sep-24 29-Jul-30

8.03 8.03 9.25

1.00 1.00 1.00

16.04 16.04 16.17

101.10 87.64 94.34

10-Oct-20

2.27

3.37

19.61

91.69

535.52

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

515.67

Sukuk *OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

1.40

1.00

17.49

91.28

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

*AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

2.62

1.00

14.08

94.07

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

BBB-/Agusto

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

14.75

9.02

9.02 8.27

Supranational Bond

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

24.95 23.14 Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Outstanding Value ($’mm)

Coupon (%)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

FGN

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

6.58

6.35

100.63

101.51

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.70

4.24

100.73

101.52

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.65

6.50

98.51

99.30

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,499.32

Corporate Eurobonds B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

6.49

6.49

100.60

100.60

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

22.57

18.36

79.49

84.39

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.45

6.45

99.10

99.10

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

7.77

7.77

96.50

96.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

22.07

22.07

74.13

74.13

B-/Fitch; B/S&P B-/Fitch; B/S&P B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

8.25 AUG 07, 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

07-Aug-13 24-Jun-14 23-Jul-14

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

07-Aug-20 24-Jun-21 23-Jul-21

14.14 14.24 15.88

13.40 13.79 15.88

82.37 82.74 73.50

84.31 84.09 73.50

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

12.23

11.76

84.88

86.63

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

3,150.00 2,738.70 Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Yield @ Issue (%)

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

DTM

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Discount Rate (%)

18-Apr-16

11.00

16.80

18-Oct-16

29

2.03

19.83

19.52

Commercial Papers A-/Agusto

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PLC

UPDC CP 18-OCT-16

16.80

**TREASURY BILLS^ DTM 17 24 31 38 45 59 73 80 87 101 108

FIXINGS Maturity 6-Oct-16 13-Oct-16 20-Oct-16 27-Oct-16 3-Nov-16 17-Nov-16 1-Dec-16 8-Dec-16 15-Dec-16 29-Dec-16 5-Jan-17

Bid Discount (%) 17.35 16.85 16.83 16.82 16.89 15.90 15.71 13.85 13.79 14.15 16.90

Offer Discount (%) 17.10 16.60 16.58 16.57 16.64 15.65 15.46 13.60 13.54 13.90 16.65

Bid Yield (%) 17.49 17.03 17.07 17.11 17.25 16.32 16.22 14.28 14.26 14.73 17.79

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 28.4167 21.1834 21.5950 24.4267

NITTY Tenor

Rate (%)

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

26.17

Tenor

Closing Rate ($/N)

O/N

28.83

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M 6M 1Y

307.25 315.37 317.04 318.66 322.07 325.73 334.71 351.60

Tenor Call 1M 3M 6M

REPO

Rate (%) 27.00 23.33 24.00 24.67

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

19-Sep-16

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute professional, financial or investment advice. W e attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date. W e do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information.

Bonds

FGN Bonds

TUESDAY, SEPTEBER 20, 2016 Rating/Agency NEW TELEGRAPH

Issuer

SELL OFF The downswing was due to profit takings by market speculators TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds Stories: Chris Ugwu Nil

T

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

FMBN

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

he overall market performance indicators, A+/Agusto; A+/GCR LAGOS A-/Agusto *BAYELSA the Nigerian Stock A-/Agusto EDO A/Agusto; A+/GCR *DELTA Exchange (NSE) All A-/Agusto; A-/GCR *NIGER Share (ASI) and market A/Agusto‡ ; Index A-/GCR† *EKITI A-/Agusto *NIGER capitalisation each*ONDO declined A-/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR *GOMBE by 0.07 per cent to begin the Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR LAGOS BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR† *OSUN trading week on the Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR LAGOSdownBbb+/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro swing after days ofKOGI gaining A/Agusto‡ *EKITI A-/GCR *NASARAWA streak.

A-/Agusto *BAUCHI A-/Agusto At the close of *OYO business, Bbb-/Agusto *BENUE Bbb+/Agusto *PLATEAU there were 27 gainers against Bbb+/Agusto KOGI A-/GCR *CROSS RIVER 18 losers while its year-to-date TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE returns stood at -2.80 per cent.

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION The Bonds downswing according Corporate A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO to market watchers was A-/Agusto; A-/GCR FSDH Nil due to profit takings by ***LCRM Nil Nil market speculators following A/GCR UBA BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING appreciable gains some blue Nil *DANA A-/DataPro†;companies CCC/GCR chip achieved *TOWER AAA/DataPro†; B/GCR *TOWER recently .

A+/Agusto; A/GCR UBA Bbb+/Agusto†; BBB+/GCR† CASERA Consequently, the*LA All-Share BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS Nil *DANA basis Index dropped by 18.55 A-/GCR *FCMB Sub-National Bonds

#{r}

# #

#

#{r}

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB/GCR A/GCR BBB/GCR Bbb/Agusto; A-/GCR A/GCR A/GCR AAA/GCR

Description 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 ^15.54 13-FEB-2020 14.50 15-JUL-2021 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 ^12.50 22-JAN-2026 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

27-Apr-12 27-Jul-07 31-Aug-07 30-May-08 29-Jun-12 23-Oct-09 13-Feb-15 13-Jul-16 27-Jan-12 14-Mar-14 22-Jan-16 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14 18-Mar-16

15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 14.50 16.39 14.20 12.50 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.15 12.4000

Price

BUSINESS |FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

480.13 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 606.43 210.59 605.31 719.99 421.02 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 1075.92 310.00

27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 15-Jul-21 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 22-Jan-26 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34 18-Mar-36

0.60 0.85 0.95 1.69 2.77 3.09 3.40 4.82 5.35 7.48 9.34 12.19 12.67 13.17 13.84 17.83 19.49

19.23 20.04 20.35 18.17 14.56 14.75 14.97 14.89 14.86 14.97 15.19 15.11 15.09 15.08 15.06 14.94 15.25

18.95 19.83 20.15 18.06 14.49 14.61 14.85 14.80 14.78 14.90 15.13 15.05 15.03 15.00 14.99 14.88 15.19

97.69 92.31 90.91 89.44 103.13 81.26 101.45 98.65 105.47 96.59 86.74 99.35 85.43 62.77 70.87 82.71 82.37

97.84 92.46 91.06 89.59 103.28 81.56 101.75 98.95 105.77 96.89 87.04 99.65 85.73 63.07 71.17 83.01 82.67

3.56 3.82 2.02 2.01 1.00 1.30 3.76 2.53 1.00 1.52 4.01 1.00 2.52 1.79 3.04

23.07 22.73 20.23 16.81 18.63 16.22 18.68 17.99 16.42 16.27 18.87 15.87 17.36 16.66 17.96

90.56 91.54 93.81 94.44 94.23 91.89 89.40 93.42 97.19 98.19 94.59 101.47 100.29 101.20 97.68

1.00 1.34 1.00 3.55 5.25 1.88 1.88 3.15 6.35 1.00 1.17

19.76 18.78 16.27 22.70 25.10 22.29 21.44 23.02 26.13 20.78 18.22

99.78 99.46 99.79 96.72 94.00 91.83 98.57 95.23 92.18 95.20 93.08

4.42 6.11 3.28 4.47 1.00 3.55 2.51 1.00 1.00 2.77 1.00 1.00 1.00

24.66 25.23 22.84 21.18 15.92 18.79 17.38 15.87 15.87 17.71 16.04 16.04 16.17

92.28 92.00 93.11 90.38 99.43 93.51 89.53 101.95 102.15 95.55 101.10 87.64 94.34

19.61

91.69

17.49

91.28

14.08

94.07

Bid Price

Offer Price

100.63

101.51

100.73

101.52

98.51

99.30

100.60

100.60

79.49

84.39

99.10

99.10

96.50

96.50

74.13

74.13

82.37 82.74 73.50

84.31 84.09 73.50

84.88

86.63

Stock market down by N6bn points or 0.07 per cent from 27,858.48 index points last Friday to close at 27,839.93, while the market capitalisation of equities depreciated

by N6 Description billion or 0.07 per cent to close 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 at N9.563 trillion from N9.569 trillion.

Further analysis of the day’s 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 trading showed that Conoil Plc 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 topped the31-DEC-2017 day’s gainers’ table 14.00 EDO 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 with14.0010.24 per cent each to NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00 15.50 16.50 16.50 17.50 17.00 17.00

EKITI 09-DEC-2018 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 BAUCHI 9-DEC-2021 OYO 16-FEB-2022 BENUE 27-FEB-2022 PLATEAU 30-MAR-2022 KOGI II 31-MAR-2022 CROSS RIVER 27-MAY-2022

close at N35.10 kobo per share, as investors begin to restore 6,451.16 confidence on the stocks after 5,831.34 impressive results released to the Exchange last week.

Issue Date Coupon (%) Total Oil Nigeria Plc 03-Apr-12 followed with five per17.25 cent to close at N262.50 per share.

MRS Plc added 4.99 per cent to 19-Apr-10 10.00 close at N38.48 per share.

30-Jun-10 13.75 31-Dec-10 14.00 Up On the flip side, Seven 30-Sep-11 14.00 04-Oct-11 Plc led the 09-Dec-11 losers’ chart14.00 with 14.50 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14 09-Dec-14 17-Feb-15 27-Feb-15 30-Mar-15 01-Apr-15 27-May-15

14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00 15.50 16.50 16.50 17.50 17.00 17.00

29-Sep-11 25-Oct-13 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12 30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 30-Sep-11

13.00 14.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50 13.00 18.00 16.00 18.00 16.00 14.00

18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14 06-Nov-15 14-Nov-13 04-Dec-15 20-Nov-14 30-Dec-14 13-May-15 26-Oct-15 30-Sep-14 30-Sep-14 29-Jul-15

15.75 18.00 16.00 15.00 15.75 15.50 14.25 16.45 16.48 16.00 16.29 13.25 14.90

a drop of 4.98 per cent to close at N139.15 per share. Fidson Healthcare Plc shed 4.98 per cent to close at N1.53 per share.

Outstanding Avg. Life/TTM PZ Cussons Plc followed Maturity Date (Yrs) Value (₦’bn) with 4.89 per cent to close at 0.60 03-Apr-17 0.36 N18.07 per share.

0.60 On the activity chart, 0.60 banking subsector of the 57.00 19-Apr-17 0.58 financial services sector 11.33 30-Jun-17 0.54 25.00 31-Dec-17 1.28 dominated in volume terms 23.44 30-Sep-18 1.10 4.22 04-Oct-18 1.11 with 207.2 million shares 9.45 09-Dec-18 1.29

O

NAHCO *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC *FCMB UBA FIDELITY *TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC STANBIC IBTC STANBIC IBTC *NMRC

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.00 FCMB 6-NOV-2020 15.75 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 15.50 TRANSCORP 4-DEC-2020 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 16.48 FIDELITY 13-MAY-2022 16.00 TRANSCORP 26-OCT-2022 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 14.90 NMRC 29-JUL-2030

(OGP).

According to a statement obtained from the local bourse, the a g reed transaction consideration of US$ 115.8 million is conditional upon the receipt of regulatory approvals and subject to customary purchase price adjustments.

Upon completion, Oando will retain 49 per cent of the voting rights in OGP. The residual 2 per cent will be

S

tocks rose around the world, buoyed by a rally in TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION commodities, and the dollar weakened as traders braced Sukuk BBB-/Agusto *OSUN in the for key policy decisions TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE US and Japan this week.

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Global equities rose after Supranational Bond IFC aAAA/S&P two-week slide while the Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P greenback fellVALUE as *AfDB investors TOTAL OUTSTANDING TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION largely ruled out a Federal Reserve hike in September Rating/Agency Issuer and economists were split on FGN Eurobonds whether the Bank of Japan BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P will boost stimulus. The S&P 500 BB-/Fitch; FGN BB-/S&P Index BB-/Fitch; trimmed gains as Apple BB-/S&P Inc. losses VALUE in technology TOTALled OUTSTANDING TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION shares.

Crude climbed after Corporate Eurobonds fighting disrupted supplies from B+/S&P BANK PLC Libya.

The overnight ACCESS interbank B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK Kong PLC yuan rate surged in Hong B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC on speculation Chinese policy B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC makers are intervening toBANK fend B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS PLC II B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD off bearish bets on the currency .

B-/S&P ECOBANK NIG. LTD TOTAL OUTSTANDING to VALUE According Bloomberg TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION News, financial market volatility has picked up over the past Issuer two Rating/Agency weeks on concern policy makers Commercial Papers A-/Agusto

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21 09-Dec-21 16-Feb-22 27-Feb-22 30-Mar-22 31-Mar-22 27-May-22

1.30 1.48 1.68 3.17 1.86 4.19 4.28 2.51 2.54 3.09 3.30 3.33 3.27 6.46 3.42

15.00 5.53 112.22 116.70 66.49 20.00 0.36 3.60 1.45 0.40 35.00

29-Sep-16 25-Oct-16 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17 30-Sep-17 30-Nov-17 09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18 09-Sep-18 30-Sep-18

0.03 0.10 0.22 0.58 0.79 1.03 0.71 0.80 1.22 1.22 2.03

1.50 0.23 4.50 20.87 2.05 9.76 26.00 30.50 30.00 10.00 0.10 15.44 7.82

18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19 01-Apr-19 06-Nov-20 14-Nov-20 04-Dec-20 20-Nov-21 30-Dec-21 13-May-22 26-Oct-22 30-Sep-24 30-Sep-24 29-Jul-30

1.08 1.41 1.28 2.13 4.15 2.65 5.17 5.28 5.64 3.82 8.03 8.03 9.25

held by a local entity.

OGP is the pioneer developer of Nigeria’s foremost natural gas distribution network and 428.37 402.88 has subsequently grown to become the largest private sector gas distributor in Nigeria, delivering at peak, 70 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) to over 175 industrial and commercial customers via its vast gas infrastructure network.

With over 260km in

Global stocks rise as dollar falls TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

7.01 18.70 12.55 80.00 19.40 87.50 5.00 3.74 3.76 14.37 4.17 4.30 27.10 3.00 7.34

exchanged in 1,074 deals. The sub sector was enhanced by 6406.155565 the activities in the shares of Access Bank Plc and UBA Plc. Risk Valuation Premium subsector boosted Modelled Price Premium Yield (%) (%) by the activities on the shares 2.94 99.19 of FBNH 19.54 Plc and Zenith Bank Plc followed with 75.3 million units traded in 510 deals.

1.00 20.15 94.64 In all, investors exchanged 5.71 24.72 94.74 21.95 91.44 a2.39 total of 328.2 million shares 1.00 21.18 93.53 1.00 21.14 93.50 exchanged in 3,215 deals.

3.82 23.35 90.84 #

Oando signs $115.8m midstream pact with Helios ando Plc, one of the Nigeria’s indigenous energy group listed on both the Nigerian and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges, has announced the execution of a definitive agreement with Helios Investment Partners LLP, a premier Africa-focused private investment firm, to acquire 49 per cent of the voting rights in Oando’s midstream business subsidiary, Oando Gas and Power Limited

are contemplating the limits of increase is coming.” the unprecedented measures A report on housing which they’ve used to support their started today is the last bit economies. Since boosting of significant data to offer an 14.75 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 interest rates last December, indication 10-Oct-13 on the strength the Fed has refrained from a of US growth before the Fed subsequent hike amid global announces its rate decision. Data 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 11-Feb-13 10.20 growth concern, with traders last week offered contrasting 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 11.25 now seeing an only 20 per evidence of10-Jul-14 the state of the cent chance of action this economy: the cost of living rose Wednesday. Meanwhile, the BOJ more in August than projected, Description Issue Date Coupon (%) and the European Central Bank while consumer confidence are studying the effectiveness of this month07-Oct-11 held at the lowest 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 6.75 their own stimulus5.13programs. level since 12-Jul-13 April. A reading JUL 12, 2018 5.13 “There’s a chance for Monday showed confidence 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 12-Jul-13 6.38 volatility to remain, simply among homebuilders rose to because I don’t think the an 11-month high in September.

Fed is going to clear up any The MSCI All-Country World 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 25-Jul-12 7.25 uncertainty about the path Index rose 09-May-13 0.6 per cent at 1:24 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 6.88 NOV 08, 2018 08-Nov-13 6.00 of interest rates,”6.00 said Bruce p.m. in New York as U.S. crude 6.25 APR 22, 2019 22-Apr-14 6.25 May 21, 2019 21-May-14 8.75 Bittles, the chief 8.75investment climbed 1 per cent to $43.46 a 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 07-Aug-13 8.25 strategist 9.25/6M at USDMilwaukeeLIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 barrel. A gauge 24-Jun-14 of the dollar 9.25 SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 23-Jul-14 8.00 based Robert8.00/2Y W. USD Baird, which declined 0.314-Aug-14 per cent.

8.75 AUG 14, 2021 8.75 oversees $110 billion. “The Fed US stocks trimmed their will not raise interest rates this advance as Apple fell for a second week, but they will be pretty day to weigh on technology Description Issue Date Yield @ Issue (%) aggressive in saying a rate shares, while a rebound in

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PLC

UPDC CP 18-OCT-16

18-Apr-16

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

39

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

pipeline infrastructure built, OGP provides unique energy solutions primarily through its subsidiaries: Gaslink Nigeria Limited, Gas Network Services Limited (GNSL), and Central Horizon Gas Company (CHGC).

Speaking about the agreement, Oando Plc Group Chief Executive, Adewale Tinubu said: “This strategic alliance will firmly leverage our local knowledge and expertise alongside Helios’ strong financial capabilities.

Through the optimisation of our existing business operations and the expansion of our footprint, we will revolutionise the sector and position gas as a key driver for Nigeria’s economic empowerment. We look forward to completing the transaction, which will create a formidable leader of gas and power solutions in subSaharan Africa.”

Co-founder and managing Prices of & Yields partner Helios Investment Partners, Tope Lawani added: “This transaction is consistent with Helios’ strategy of investing in businesses that provide cost-effective and reliable energy access solutions. We look forward to supporting OGP’s continued growth and working with all stakeholders to improve the reliability of gas supply to the company’s numerous industrial customers, who Risk Valuation Discount Premium all playYield a critical roleRate in(%) the (%) (%) growth of the economy.’’

banks lost some momentum.

The S&P 500 rose 0.2 per cent to 535.52 515.67 2,142.95, after rising as much as 0.7 per cent.

9.02 10-Oct-20 2.27 3.37 European stocks recovered 9.02 some lost ground after their 8.27 worst weekly slides in three 12.00 1.40 1.00 months as11-Feb-18 raw-material 12.95 01-Feb-21 2.62 1.00 producers surged.

The Stoxx 24.95 23.14 Europe 600 Index climbed 1 per cent after Outstanding Value the gauge’s slide last Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield (%) ($’mm) week made it diverge by the most relative to U.S. shares6.58 since 6.35 500.00 28-Jan-21 early December.

The rebound in 4.24 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.70 commodities sent companies 500.00 12-Jul-23 6.65 6.50 from BHP Billiton Ltd. to Anglo 1,500.00 1,499.32 American Plc up more than 3.5 per cent.

350.00 25-Jul-17 6.49 6.49 Emerging-market stocks 300.00 02-May-18 22.57 18.36 400.00 08-Nov-18 6.45 the 6.45 gained as optimism that 500.00 22-Apr-19 7.77 7.77 200.00 21-May-19 Fed will delay raising 22.07 rates 22.07 300.00 07-Aug-20 14.14 13.40 rekindled risk demand.

400.00 24-Jun-21 14.24 13.79 450.00 23-Jul-21 Hungary’s stocks rallied 15.88 as the 15.88 250.00 14-Aug-21 12.23 11.76 3,150.00 won investment-grade country 2,738.70 status at S&P Global Ratings.

Outstanding Taiwan’s benchmark index DTM Maturity Date Value (₦’bn) jumped the most in a year. #

11.00

16.80

18-Oct-16

29

2.03

19.83

19.52

19-Sep-16

16.80

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute professional, financial or FIXINGS Money Market Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) NIBOR performance or17fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither results of any action17.49 taken on the basis of the Information.

6-Oct-16 17.35do we accept liability for the 17.10 OBB 26.17 Tenor Closing Rate ($/N)

**TREASURY BILLS^

24 31 38 45 59 73 80 Rating/Agency 87 101 108 122 136 150 157 164 171 178 185 192 199 206 213 227 234 248 255 269 283 290 297 304 311 OUTSTANDING VALUE 318 MARKET 325 CAPITALISATION 332 339 346

FGN Bonds

TOTAL TOTAL

Rating/Agency

13-Oct-16 20-Oct-16 27-Oct-16 3-Nov-16 17-Nov-16 1-Dec-16 8-Dec-16 Issuer 15-Dec-16 29-Dec-16 5-Jan-17 19-Jan-17 2-Feb-17 16-Feb-17 23-Feb-17 2-Mar-17 9-Mar-17 16-Mar-17 23-Mar-17 30-Mar-17 6-Apr-17 13-Apr-17 20-Apr-17 4-May-17 11-May-17 25-May-17 1-Jun-17 15-Jun-17 29-Jun-17 6-Jul-17 13-Jul-17 20-Jul-17 27-Jul-17 3-Aug-17 10-Aug-17 17-Aug-17 24-Aug-17 31-Aug-17

Issuer

16.85 16.83 16.82 16.89 15.90 15.71 13.85 Description 13.79 14.15 15.10 27-APR-201716.90 9.85 27-JUL-2017 15.47 9.35 31-AUG-2017 17.78 17.17 10.70 30-MAY-201817.51 17.65 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 17.85 17.58 ^15.54 13-FEB-2020 17.40 14.50 15-JUL-202117.78 17.72 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 17.65 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.12 17.85 ^12.50 22-JAN-2026 15.00 28-NOV-202817.83 17.79 12.49 22-MAY-202917.78 8.50 20-NOV-2029 17.77 17.76 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 17.93 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 17.90 ^12.40 18-MAR-2036 17.79 17.67 17.85 17.88 17.90 17.91 17.95

Description

16.60 16.58 16.57 16.64 15.65 15.46 13.60 Issue Date 13.54 13.90 27-Apr-12 16.65 15.22 27-Jul-07 17.53 31-Aug-07 16.92 30-May-08 17.26 17.40 29-Jun-12 17.60 23-Oct-09 17.33 13-Feb-15 17.15 17.53 13-Jul-16 17.47 27-Jan-12 17.40 14-Mar-14 14.87 17.60 22-Jan-16 17.58 28-Nov-08 17.54 22-May-09 17.53 17.52 20-Nov-09 17.51 23-Jul-10 17.68 18-Jul-14 17.65 18-Mar-16 17.54 17.42 17.60 17.63 17.65 17.66 17.70

17.03 17.07 17.11 17.25 16.32 16.22 14.28 (%) Coupon 14.26 14.73 15.10 17.79 16.32 9.85 19.04 9.35 18.47 10.70 18.94 19.17 16.00 19.48 7.00 19.23 15.54 19.08 19.62 14.50 19.61 16.39 19.60 14.20 16.59 20.08 12.50 20.13 15.00 20.23 12.49 20.30 20.45 8.50 20.60 10.00 20.90 12.15 20.95 12.4000 20.88 20.80 21.14 21.27 21.38 21.48 21.63

Bonds

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 28.4167 21.1834 21.5950 24.4267

Outstanding Maturity Date Value (₦’bn)NITTY 480.13 Tenor 1M 20.00 2M 100.00 3M 300.00 6M 9M 351.30 12M

27-Apr-17 Rate (%) 17.0286 27-Jul-17 17.0615 31-Aug-17 17.4360 30-May-18 19.3398 20.4883 29-Jun-19 22.6944

233.90 23-Oct-19 606.43 13-Feb-20 210.59 15-Jul-21 NIFEX 605.31 27-Jan-22 Current Price ($/N) 719.99 14-Mar-24 NIFEX Rate 324.0000 421.02 22-Jan-26 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 1075.92 18-Jul-34 310.00 18-Mar-36

O/N

28.83

REPO

Tenor Call 1M(Yrs) TTM 3M 6M

Rate (%) 27.00 Bid 23.33 Yield (%) 24.00 24.67

0.60 19.23 18.95 0.85 20.04 19.83 NOTE: 0.95 20.35 20.15 :Benchmarks 1.69 Bond 18.17 18.06 * :Amortising µ :Convertible 2.77 Bond 14.56 14.49 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 3.09 Management Corporation 14.75 14.61 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 3.40 Mortgage Bank 14.97 14.85 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria IFC: International Finance Corporation 4.82 14.89 14.80 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 5.35 14.86 14.78 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 7.48 14.97 14.90 O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development 9.34 15.19 Company 15.13 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 12.19 15.11 15.05 12.67 15.09 15.03 13.17 15.08 15.00 13.84 15.06 14.99 17.83 14.94 14.88 19.49 15.25 15.19

6,451.16

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

FMBN

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

03-Apr-12

17.25

Outstanding Value (₦’bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

0.60

03-Apr-17

0.36

2.94

19.54

99.19

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto‡ ; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A-/Agusto; A-/GCR BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR† Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto‡ A-/GCR

Modified Duration Buckets

<3 LAGOS 3<5 *BAYELSA >5 EDO Market

*DELTA *NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA

Porfolio Market Value (₦’bn)

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

960.51 1,333.89 1,309.21 3,603.60

Total Outstanding Volume (₦’bn)

957.73 1,325.30 1,667.49 3,950.52

Weighting by Outstanding Volume

24.24 19-Apr-10 33.55 30-Jun-10 42.21 31-Dec-10 100.00

30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14

Price

97.69 97.84 92.31 92.46 90.91 91.06 NA :Not Applicable 89.44 89.59 ^ : Market Prices # : Floating 103.13Rate Bond 103.28 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 81.26 81.56 DTM: Days-To-Maturity 101.45 101.75 TTM: Term-To-Maturity ‡ : Bond rating under review 98.95 98.65 †: Bond rating expired 105.47 105.77 N/A :Not Available 96.59 96.89 {r} :Issuer in receivership NGC: Nigeria-German Company 86.74 87.04 UBA: United Bank for Africa 99.35 99.65 85.43 85.73 62.77 63.07 70.87 71.17 82.71 83.01 82.37 82.67

6406.155565

#

Nil

Bid Price

307.25 315.37 Price 317.04 318.66 322.07 325.73 Offer 334.71 351.60

5,831.34

*for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the TTM Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums Agency Bonds **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M Offer Yield 3M 6M (%) 1Y

Weighting by Mkt Value

10.0026.65 13.7537.02 36.33 14.00 100.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00

0.60 0.60

Bucket Weighting

57.00 0.24 11.33 0.34 0.42 25.00 1.00 23.44 4.22 9.45 7.01 18.70 12.55 80.00 19.40 87.50 5.00 3.74 3.76

% Exposure_ Mod_Duration

12.74 19-Apr-17 29.59 30-Jun-17 57.68 31-Dec-17 100.00

30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21

Implied Yield

15.55 0.58 14.92 0.54 14.98 1.28 15.03

1.10 1.11 1.29 1.30 1.48 1.68 3.17 1.86 4.19 4.28 2.51 2.54

Implied Portfolio Price

134.2275 1.00 147.9978 5.71 109.2602 2.39 128.3085

1.00 1.00 3.82 3.56 3.82 2.02 2.01 1.00 1.30 3.76 2.53 1.00

INDEX

1,221.16 20.15 1,283.05 24.72 1,317.24 21.95 1,221.83

21.18 21.14 23.35 23.07 22.73 20.23 16.81 18.63 16.22 18.68 17.99 16.42

YTD Return (%)

94.6410.2279 94.7426.7122 30.8066 91.44 15.7933 93.53 93.50 90.84 90.56 91.54 93.81 94.44 94.23 91.89 89.40 93.42 97.19

40

News|south-west

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

arraign couple for 10,444 unregistered schools in Lagos to go Police stealing $5,000

Muritala Ayinla

L

agos State Government yesterday threatened to shut down10, 444 private schools recently discovered to be operating illegally across the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, who disclosed this, said that the schools did not registered with the state’s Ministry of Education and would be shut as schools in the state must comply with the set standard.

According to her, of the over 15,000 private schools operating in the state, only 4,556 were approved and registered, adding that a serious sanction awaited the yet to be registered ones.

She said: “Government is not comfortable with our discovery that over 15,000

private schools are operating in the state and only 4,556 are approved and registered. Let me state it clearly, henceforth, Lagos State Government will no longer allow private schools that are not duly registered by the Lagos State Ministry of Education to operate in the state, their operation becomes illegal henceforth in the state.’’

The deputy governor, who declared that a total of 119 prospective school owners that applied for registration had been granted provisional approval having met the guidelines set by the state government, warned that government would no longer allow private schools that were not duly registered and approved by the state Ministry of Education to operate.

Adebule noted that

government’s attempts to capture all schools irrespective of their approval status was frustrated as most unregistered schools failed to take the advantage the easy procedure had put in place by the state government.

However, she said the state government would commence census of all private schools operating in the state effective from September 26 while unregistered private schools will be closed down.

The enumeration / census exercise according to the state, was aimed at providing accurate data and necessary information on private schools with a view to setting effective quality control mechanism in place and monitor compliance.

Adebule, who spoke at the 3rd quarterly stakeholders’ forum of private schools owners held at

the Secretariat, stated that the state government was determined to ensure that school children had access to quality education irrespective of whether they attended private or public schools.

Adebule stressed that part of the tools at government’s disposal to achieve this was to have accurate and precise data on schools and their mode of operation, which the census, according to her would achieve.

She sought the cooperation of stakeholders especially, Proprietors of private schools to ensure the success of the exercise, noting that the task of making Lagos education a role model of excellence required stakeholders to consolidate on their energies, integrate their thought and ideals and work together as a team towards achieving the objective.

Principal Partner, Alabi-Macfoy & Co., Bashorun Alabi-Macfoy (right); representative of Lagos State Governor and member, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakub Balogun; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I, Sole Administrator, Lagos Island Local Government, Hon. Musa Nasir; former Chairman of the Local Government, Prince Adetoyese Olusi and others, during the inuaguration of Agarawu Street in Lagos Island Local Government, as one of the 114 Local Government Roads… yesterday

Herdsman gets two years sentence for grazing

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Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced one Ali Haruna to two years imprisonment for taking his cows for grazing in a farmland in Ado-Ekiti and destroying crops.

The Magistrate, Idowu Ayenimo, in his judgement, said the accused was arraigned in his court on Jan 22, 2016, over a two-count charge of wilful and unlawful damage of farm crops at Ago Aduloju in Ado-

52.48%

The percentage of expatriates’ football players of Italy in 20122013 season.

Source: Football-observatory.com

$858.12m

The capital importation of the Financing sector of Nigeria in Q4 2013.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

Ekiti.

The 18-year-old Haruna was confirmed by the four prosecuting witnesses to have been caught in the midnight, grazing his cow in the farm belonging to Abdulahi Yaho and Bello Mohammed.

The cash crops said to have destroyed by the cows in the farm included cassava, maize, okro and pepper, all valued at N3 million.

In his defence, the defendant had told the court that the owner of the cows lived in Ilorin, Kwara.

The magistrate said that the court did not believe Haruna’s defence as it was not credible.

He held that the Police prosecutor, Mr Olasunkanmi Bankole, had proved his case beyond reasonable doubt.

He thereby convicted the defendant as charged

without option of fine.

The magistrate ordered that sentence should run concurrently, explaining that the term was minimal because the offence was committed before the Grazing Law was promulgated in the state.

The defence counsel, Mr Chris Omokhafe, had prayed the court to be liberal in the dispensation of justice, saying that he was a first offender.

Akeem Nafiu and John Chikezie

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couple, Uchenna Eziamaka 43 and Nneka Eziamaka 41, were yesterday arraigned by the police before Magistrate A. O. Adewale of an Igbosere magistrate’s court over an alleged $5,000 fraud.

They were docked alongside Chinedu Benedict 32, on a four-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, stealing and issuance of dud cheque.

According to the police, the accused persons and others still on the run, allegedly obtained the money from a businessman under false pretence that they will help him send it to China.

The accused persons

however pleaded not guilty to the offence and they were granted bail in the sum of N1million each with two sureties in like sum.

Magistrate Adewale said the sureties whose relevant documents and addresses were to be verified by the court must be blood relations of the accused persons.

Further hearing of the matter has been adjourned to October 20.

Police prosecutor, Supol Eshiet Eshiet, had earlier told the court that the accused persons and others who were still being sought, allegdly committed the offence on October 7, 2015 at about 10.a.m at Shop 13, PLP Plaza, Alaba International Market, Ojo Lagos.

Lagos roads gulp N19bn, says Ambode Muritala Ayinla

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he Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday said that his administration has injected over N19billion to the state’s economy by developing road infrastructure in various local governments of the state.

The governor, who also said that his administration had remained committed to total regeneration of the state with a more technology-driven solid waste management, said that over 5,000 artisans were engaged in the construction of the 114 roads in the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in the state.

Ambode, said his administration would adopt a solid waste management approach in a way that had never been done in Africa, saying that the state government would engage more experts to evacuate waste on the streets of Lagos.

Speaking while commissioning roads on Mathew and Famuyiwa Olayiwola Streets in Mangoro and Agege area of the state, Governor Ambode who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare and the Olu of Agege,

Oba Kamila Oyedeji, said that the state government remains committed to running an all-inclusive government.

The governor described the roads as part of the newly constructed 114 roads by the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the state.

He said: “What you should expect is that this administration won’t go back from providing things that our community need.

“This is an inclusive government. That is why these streets were chosen by the LCDAs and not by the state government. This is a very important road that is connecting one part of the residents to the other part. I am assuring you that it is not about the road alone, it is about other things.

“We are reforming solid waste management in Lagos in a way that has never been done in Africa. We are bringing in major players in this sector to come and work for us and work with us in this sector. We are going to make it better, you will not see refuse all over the places anymore because we are going to use technology and we are going to improve on our capacity, both financially and technologically.”

LAUTECH ASUU begins indefinite strike over poor funding Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

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he Ladoke Akintola Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday declared total and indefinite strike against what they described as poor conditions of service they were being subjected to by both the Osun and the Oyo

State governments.

The declaration which was made at a well-attended Congress of the union on the campus was graced

by Chairman of the University of Ibadan Chapter, Drs. Deji Omole and Laja Oduja of the University of Lagos.

ASUU LAUTECH Chairman, Dr Abiodun Olaniran said the strike followed the endorsement

of the National Executive Council of ASUU which approved strike to press home for several hardships facing workers of the institution.

The strike was sequel to the almost three months of strike embarked upon by the non-academic unions of the institution.

Speaking, Dr Olaniran said the union was demanding a review of the condition

of service for academic staff, retirement plans including pension which he said was presently non-existent, payment of five months salaries including academic earned allowances.

Olaniran also said the strike would not be suspended until the 23 months subvention owed the institution was fully paid by the two owner states of Oyo and Osun.

While Oyo had owed eight months, Osun state owed 15 months unpaid subvention, it was disclosed.

According to ASUU boss, members of the union were Nigerians whose livelihood was being threatened by the current economic downturn while urging the two owner states to live up to their constitutional responsibilities.

News|SOUTH-EAST

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

IPOB demands Kanu’s unconditional release, plans protest in 100 countries Charles Onyekwere ENUGU

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he Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has again demanded the unconditional release of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu or else its would ground Nigeria.

The group also threatened that should their leader not be released, they will embark on a world-wide protest in over 100 countries of the world.

According to a statement signed by IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, the organization has set aside September 23 as the day their members all over the world will protest the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu.

The organisation attributed Nigeria’s present socio-economic woes to the arrest and detention of Kanu, noting that the problems would continue as long as he remains incarcerated.

“The indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) will leave no stone unturned come Friday 23rd September around major cities of the world, from Sydney Australia to Toronto Canada,

from Moscow in Russia to Sao Paulo in Brazil, everywhere will reverberate to the theme of freedom.

“Our indefatigability will be demonstrated across the globe to let Nigeria understand that Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is indeed a global phenomenon unrivaled in the history of modern freedom fighting, in more than 100 countries and territories around the world so that mankind will

know who Nnamdi Kanu is.

At the end of this exercise, countries will know who Nnamdi Kanu is more than any other African alive,” the statement reads.

It further stated that petitions and letters will be delivered to Presidents, Prime Ministers, Chancellors and Heads of State of over 100 countries where they would be marching on the 23rd of September 2016.

“Across towns and cit-

OWERRI

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overnor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has warned parents in the state, particularly mothers, that henceforth, indulgence in female genital mutilation (FGM) will attract a stint in jail.

Okorocha, who issued the warning yesterday during the launch of the campaign against FGM/C initiated by his wife, Nkechi Okorocha, in collaboration with the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), disclosed that as soon as the bill against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was passed into law by the State House of Assembly, the punishment for offenders will be several years of imprisonment as will be prescribed by the establishing law.

Describing the practice as barbaric and unacceptable, the governor maintained that “such barbaric cultures which are not beneficial to the people should be abolished.”

He urged the state House of Assembly to ex-

Five inmates regain freedom Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

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igeria Prisons Service, Ebonyi State command has freed five inmates of the Abakaliki federal prisons and handed over to them workings tools that would make them self-reliant.

This came a month after a botched jailbreak in the prisons in which some of the inmates lost their lives with other inmates and some officials injured.

Handing over the tools to the freed inmates in the presence of their family members at the prison yard,

Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi (middle), with students and staff of Mater Amabilis Secondary School, Adani, Enugu, during the presentation of a cheque to the school for the purchase of computers… yesterday

Genital mutilation: Recalcitrant parents to face prosecution – Okorocha Steve Uzoechi

ies of every nation on this God given earth, hardcore Biafrans, friends of Biafra, even enemies of Biafra in Aso Rock alike will feel the impact of this irrepressible human force yearning for freedom of their leader and their nation Biafra. It will be frighteningly unprecedented because for the first time doubting Thomases will come face to face with the might of IPOB worldwide that Nnamdi Kanu leads.

pedite action on the passage of the bill into law, to enable a permanent solution to the problem.

Earlier, the Governor’s wife, who led an awareness match with over 500

female students, women in the state and top female functionaries against the ugly practice, said that women in the state had vowed to put an end to Female Genital Mutilation.

ABSIEC may shift LG election Igbeaku Orji

UMUAHIA

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he Abia State Independent Electoral Commission [ABSIEC] may consider shifting the December date already fixed for the local government election. The development, according to the chairman of ABSIEC, retired Justice Igbozuruike Akomas, followed appeals by most of the political parties.

Akomas told newsmen after a stakeholders’ meeting with the political parties that the commission may consider the appeals of most of the parties which had through their different representatives asked for a shift in the date to enable them prepare well for the election.

He said they will go back and take a critical

look at the different appeals by the parties and come out on the next line of action.

Akomas during the meeting said that the election will hold on the 17th of December 2016, while the announcement of the results will be on the 18th of December, adding that runoff election will hold on the 24th of December 2016.

He also said that the fee for the chairmanship candidates will be N500,000, while that of the councilors will be N200,000, which included N15,000 that will serve as administrative fee.

“The administrative fee is to enable the Commission provide the necessary logistics for the election, our fees though moderate are in consonance with what obtains in other states of the federation.”

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the State Comptroller, Mrs. Emilia Oputa, disclosed that the Command trained them on various skills as part of its core mandate.

Five of them, Peter Nwankwo, Sunday Iboko, Sunday Ogodo, Moses Abarike and John Nwenyi, all married with children, were trained on carpentry, welding, electrical maintenance, tailoring and catering respectively.

They were jailed for conspiracy and attempted murder and had spent two years each in prison custody before freedom came their way at the weekend.

Oputa noted that they were able to procure the tools through government funding and individual contributions. She urged them to pay deaf ears to what people might be saying about them when they get home, and charged them to live a useful life and shun acts capable of bringing them back to prison.

She noted that both the federal and state governments had turned to agriculture to grow the economy, urging them to key into it to be self-dependent.

Oputa explained that the Command had trained many of the inmates on different skills and hand works, and solicited for the assistance of the public to enable them provide them with necessary tools, noting that government cannot not do it alone.

Egwu: New party not best option for PDP crisis Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

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ormer governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman Senate Committee on Commerce and Industry, Dr. Sam Egwu yesterday said formation of new party as being planned by some leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the lingering crisis of the party was not the best option.

He also said that some aggrieved leaders of the ruling All Progressives

Congress (APC) are also planning to team up with the PDP leaders to form a formidable party to confront the APC in the 2019 general elections.

Speaking with some journalists in his Umuebe country home, Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State, Egwu, a former Minister of Education, condemned formation of new parties in the country by some politicians each time their parties faced challenges which he said, was not obtainable in advanced countries.

“Yes, some people are of

Police probe artisan’s death Kenneth Ofoma ENUGU

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he Enugu State police command yesterday said it has commenced full scale investigations into the unfortunate death of a wielder in the state.

The incident occurred at Emene in which an artisan (wielder), one Ndubuisi, allegedly fell from a construction site and was later confirmed dead after being rushed to a nearby hospital.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Enugu State police command, Ebere Amaraizu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), in a statement said that “on

the fateful day, September 9, 2016, the deceased whose surname is yet to be identified was contracted by his co-artisan (wielder) dentified as one Okolo Chijioke to join him for construction work on a tank at the workshop of the said Chijioke located along Enugu/Abakiliki Expressway by PRODA junction Emene Enugu.”

The PPRO explained that in the course of the construction, the deceased allegedly fell and hit his head on another tank at the said workshop.

According to him, the police further gathered that the fall allegedly left him unconscious.

the view that a new party should be formed because of the lingering crisis. But one thing I believe is that in as much as I know that forming new party may be good option because the situation we have found ourselves in our party may be difficult to come out of it in the near future, the formation may not be the best option.

“Let me tell you, this agitation for formation of new party is not only in the PDP, it is also in the APC where some leaders are not happy the way they are treated.

They are also clamouring for that, that they want a new party where those who are aggrieved in PDP and those who are aggrieved in APC will come together.

So, a lot of formulations, a lot of theories are going on but some PDP states like Ebonyi and others, if you form another party, it will be difficult to convince the masses.

“PDP has been in government in Ebonyi State for 17 years and you need to convince the villagers here that there is another party.”

N146

The average price of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) of Kogi State in July 2016.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

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News|SOUTH-SOUTH

Bayelsa teachers embark on indefinite strike Pauline Onyibe Yenagoa

S

econdary school teachers in Bayelsa State yesterday made good their threat by embarking on an indefinite strike.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had issued a one-week warning to the Bayelsa State government on September 12, asking it to pay all their outstanding salaries or risk industrial action, but the state government did not yield to their demand, hence the strike.

Yesterday, the leadership of the NUT went round schools in Yenagoa, the state capital, to ensure full compliance with the strike order.

NUT’s decision to shut down schools in the state one week after resumption was tied on the refusal by the Bayelsa State government to fulfill several agreements it had with teachers in the state.

The NUT is expressing

dissatisfaction over Governor Seriake Dickson’s inability to pay its members for several months as it appeared effort to broker peace between the two parties had ended in a deadlock.

New Telegraph gathered that the teachers have also proceeded to the industrial court in Yenagoa to seek redress over the matter.

Our correspondent went round schools in Yenagoa metropolis for a firsthand information and a teacher who spoke, reiterated the teachers’ resolve to stay at home until government pays all salaries due to them.

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new batch of 60 children from the Niger Delta has been awarded the special secondary school scholarship of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Joint Venture, Cradle to Career. The schorlarship would cover tuition and other bills for six years in four of the topmost private

95

The sex ratio of women to 100 men of French Polynesia in 2012.

Source: Un.org

$5.5m

The total amount of salary/ winnings of Rafael Nadal (Tennis) for 2016.

Source: Forbes.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

60 Niger Delta students get Shell scholarship secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Brookstone Secondary School, Jephthah Comprehensive College, Archdeacon Brown Educational Centre (ABEC) and Bloombreed High School, all in Port Harcourt, received 60 beneficiaries, after a two-week orientation programme with introductory courses in academics, character and psychology.

The 60 students are the seventh set of beneficiaries bringing the total number of beneficiaries since inception of the Cradle to Career programme to 410.

The Managing Director of SPDC and Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor said: “This year, the first set of beneficiaries completed their secondary education and the report we have is that almost all of them recorded excellent performance in the school certificate and unified tertiary matriculation examinations. It means the aims of the programme have been achieved.”

Represented by the General Manager, External Relations, at the award ceremony in Port Harcourt, the managing director said

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, briefing state house correspondents on the political situation in Edo state, during a visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja… yesterday

Indiscipline cause of Nigeria’s economic recession – Group Clement James

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

Calabar

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he Rosicrucian Order, otherwise known as AMORC, yesterday said indiscipline was at the root of the current economic recession in the country.

The body said Nigeria would only come out of the woods if the nation’s political leaders adopted self and moral discipline, especially on economic matters.

This was the position of the Rosicrucian Order at a lecture held yesterday in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

According to the guest lecturer, Ekanem KofiEkanem, who doubled as the Grand Chancellor of Rosicrucian Order, the present economic challenges are man-made and only stringent economic discipline would take the country out of the woods.

He explained that greed and avarice had been entrenched in the country’s political system and until leaders were honest and took the interest of the people seriously, the economy may not recover.

“Recession is manmade; it is what we sow; what is currently called recession in the country is a planned ripping of our collective resources by a few people and we are just paying for their actions,” Ekanem argued.

Three die as communities clash in Cross River Clement James Calabar

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t least three people were said to have died at the weekend in Cross River State while several others sustained injuries when two communities clashed over a portion of land.

Also destroyed in the fracas were property estimated to be over several millions of naira.

The clash was said to have occurred between Alessi community in Ikom Local Government Area and Isabang community in Obubra Local Government Area in Cross River Central senatorial district of the state close to Ofutop in Ikom.

According to one of the chiefs in Ofutop, who simply gave his name as Aseobi, the conflict over the parcel of land dated back to centuries and casualties had always been recorded each time there was confrontation.

He said: “The land has been a source of conflict between the two villages, which has always led to killings and destruction

of property by combatants from both sides, and this time, about three people have been killed and several others sustained injuries.”

Aseobi, who could not tell which of the communities the victims came from, explained that the situation was hazy and until security agencies completely bring it under control, nobody would be so specific.

He said the conflict this time around took place in the forest where youths from both communities met and drew swords at each other, a situation which led to the death of the three.

However, when contacted, the Chairman of Ikom Local Government Area, Mr. Ayiba Ojong, while confirming the crisis, denied that any death was recorded.

“It is not true that anybody died but several people sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals in Obubra and Ikom for medical attention,” he said.

He explained that the land in contention was taken over by the state government some years ago, but was left without any form of development ‘which had allowed the communities to continue to encroach on the land for farming purposes.’

Flood destroys property worth millions of naira in Rivers Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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lood yesterday destroyed property worth millions of naira in Igbogo community near Choba in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The flood, which affected more than 12 buildings in the area, rendered some of the residents’ homeless. According to the residents, the flood was caused by those who erected structures on unapproved waterways and drainages.

Crisis looms in Delta community over kaolin, lignite discovery Dominic Adewole ASABA

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he discovery of kaolin and lignite in Ukwu-Nzu town in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State has set the state government and the indigenes of the community on war path.

The crisis yesterday snowballed into unimagi-

nable proportion following the dangerous twist the matter has assumed.

The Ukwu-Nzu Development Union (UDU) was angry that the state government used security operatives to disrupt their meeting because of the discovery.

Also, youths in the council area have expressed displeasure over the dimension the development has taken, describing the

SPDC and its joint venture partners have sustained the scholarship initiative despite the current economic challenges, because they see education as a right for every child and not a privilege.

Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, Mrs. Elizabeth Alagoa and Dr. Moses Onoriode Bragiwa, representatives of the Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states Commissioners for Education respectively, extolled the Cradle to Career scholarship scheme for complementing their governments’ investments in education. They praised the transparent selection process and the human capital development benefits of the programme to the region.

“SPDC has a passion for investing in people and we are happy to report that students in the programme have over the years been on the top of their classes in their respective schools.

We thank Shell and their joint venture partners for helping to ameliorate the problems of the Niger Delta,” said Christie Toby, the proprietress of one of the implementing schools.

The SPDC JV launched the Cradle to Career initiative in 2010 to provide for bright indigent students and improve on the positive results of its other portfolio of scholarship schemes for local and international undergraduate and postgraduate studies.”

action of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Chief Dan Okenyi and his Special Adviser, Chief Emma Ebofor, who led policemen to the community as ‘petty and unwarranted.’

They lamented that the exploration of the vital resource, which was intended to bring joy to the community, has become a curse.

They, however, appealed to the state government to come to their aid by working on the roads and drainages in the area, especially clearing the drainages for smooth flow of water.

Among the buildings submerged by the flood include that of the Deeper Life Christian Bible Ministry, where nothing was salvaged like other affected buildings, because the flood occurred at night.

One of the victims, Mr. Innocent Egwanwo, said they were sleeping on Friday night when he noticed that the floodwater had covered the whole room.

“I have stayed in this place for 10 years. For six years now, since people began to block the waterways with illegal structures, we have been witnessing flooding, but this is the worst. Somebody blocked the place where water normally flows. So, when it rains, water enters people’s houses.

“This is the worst I have experienced, because the height of the water, even speedboatscandrivethrough it. The flood brought down four fences.”

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

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head of the Supreme Court judgment on Ko gi State governorship election appeal billed for today, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has deployed more than 1,000 personnel to maintain peace in the state.

Commandant of the Corps in the state, Everestus Obiyo, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Lokoja, the state capital, said the move was to avert possible breakdown of law and order following the court judgment.

Obiyo stressed that the command would not hesitate to deal decisive-

News|north

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Kogi: NSCDC deploys 1,000 men Nasarawa procures ahead of Supreme Court’s judgement N300m technical tools ly with any individual or group of individuals who disturb public peace and order after the court verdict.

While insisting that peace is the hallmark of any meaningful development in the society, he urged the people of the state to remain calm and demonstrate high sense of maturity during and after the judgment.

He reiterated that the mandate of the NSCDC was to protect critical infrastructure in the state, even as Obiyo urged tra-

ditional rulers, religious leaders, parents and guardians to educate their people and children on the need to avoid acts capable of undermining the peace of the state.

The commandant, however, urged the youths to desist from any act that could land them in trouble, but to engage on lawful businesses and ventures as means of livelihood.

According to NAN reports, both former governor of the state, Idris Wada, who contested

his re-election under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, the running mate to the governorship aspirant, under the All Progressives Congress (APC), the late Prince Abubakar Audu, had approached the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the governorship election petitions tribunal, which dismissed all six petitions challenging the election of Governor Yahaya Bello.

L-R: Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Mr Martin Babale; Governor Muhammad Umar Bindow, and former Vice President/ chieftain of APC Atiku Abubakar, on Atiku’s arrival at the Yola International Airport on a condolence visit to the family of late Marafan Ganye, District Head of Jada, Alhaji Muhammadu Ardo in Jada Local Government Area… at the weekend.

Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

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asarawa State Government has purchased vocational tools and equipment valued at N300 million and installed them at the various vocational centres across the state.

This was as the state government yesterday pledged to partner with Singapore to build a vocational and skills acquisition centre for the training of unemployed youths in the state.

The N300 million equipment to be installed in the centres, according to the state governor, Tanko AlMakura, would go a long way in ensuring the achievement of the government’s goals towards the development of vocational and technical skills in the state.

The governor disclosed this yesterday, when he received a delegation from the Institute of Technical Education, Singapore, who were in the state to survey the site where the equipment will be installed.

He explained that the initiative was part of moves to diversify the economy and improve revenue generation as well as reduce unemployment and youth restiveness in

the state.

Al-Makura, however, noted that the vocational and skills acquisition institute would be geared towards three key areas, which include primary vocational centres, technical colleges and bio-medical technologies, where students will be trained in various skills with emphasis on electrical, electronics and plumbing.

On bio-medical technology, he said: “I want Nasarawa State to be the first in the country to be able to handle and maintain medical equipment of all kinds in order for our youths to develop themselves towards self-sustenance and to take them away from the streets.”

Accordingtothegovernor, the project was a follow up to hisearliertriptoSingaporein 2012,wherehewasimpressed with the vocational training and skills acquisition programmes of the institute.

The vocational centre, the governor added, would avail the youths of the state the opportunity to train themselves and acquire basic skills and knowledge to be able to live a worthwhile life, saying the government will provide the youths with relevant kits on graduation to facilitate the take-off of their businesses.

Minister debunks report on women 1,500 orphans, less-privileged get primary school kits abused in IDPs camps plained that the move was school children, added warned officers of the Ibrahim Abdul Yola

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inister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Jummai Alhassan, yesterday debunked allegation of women and girl-child abuse at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the North Eastern part of the country.

Alhassan, who addressed newsmen after a meeting with women at the Fufore IDPs camp in Adamawa State, said findings through her visits to the various IDPs camps in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, had revealed that the allegation credited to an international organisation was mere exaggeration.

The minister said: “I am happy to tell you that the allegation is not true. I have visited Dalori camp in Borno, Pompomari camp in Yobe and now Fufore camp in Adamawa. From what I gathered during my meetings with the women, there was no iota of truth in the allegation.”

The minister, who was on a fact-finding mission, said that she was directed by President Muhammadu Buhari to

investigate the allegation and that she would visit another camp in Mutum-Biyu in Taraba State before returning to Abuja to compile a comprehensive report on her findings.

While in Adamawa, she paid a courtesy call on Governor Muhammadu Bindow at the Government House, where she appealed for the governor’s intervention to recover the Yola Women Development Centre allocated to the Federal Court of Appeal by past administration.

Willie Danjuma GOMBE

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he Emir of Gombe, Dr. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III has called on parents to enroll their children in schools, saying this will enhance their future.

This was as the monarch enrolled no fewer than 1,500 orphans and less-privileged children into primary schools for the 2016/2017 academic year.

The Emir, who disclosed this during the presentation of school kits to the pupils in his palace over the weekend, however, ex-

aimed at promoting education in the state.

“The motive for doing this is to help orphans and less-privileged children in the state to have unfettered access to quality education and enhanced living standard in the society,” he said, recalling: “Last year we enrolled 1,500 and promised to sustain it. Today, we have just done that and it will cover all the 11 wards in Gombe Local Government Area of the state.”

The monarch, who regretted that the country has the highest out-of-

Malaria kills 350 in six months in Zamfara Idris Salisu Gusau

M

ore than 350 people were reported to have died in the first six months of 2016 of malaria in Zamfara State, it was gathered.

The figure was among the 8,000 malaria cases that were reported in hospitals in the state.

This was disclosed by the Manager of the State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP), Dr. Hamisu Dauran during the flag-off of the Zonal

Training Community Engagement at the weekend.

The training programme, which aimed at creating demand and access for malaria commodities in the state, was organised by the Nigerian Inter-Faith Action Association (NIFAA).

The manager explained that during the first and second quarters of this year, reports had shown that 276 children under five years were reported to have lost their lives, while 74 pregnant women also died of malaria complications with-

in the period.

He noted that the statistics received from the government health facilities in the state, exclude those unreported malaria cases and those treated at the private health centres.

Dauran, who further explained that malaria could be eliminated in the country, if adequate preventive measures were taken by using treated mosquito nets, therefore, chided some stakeholders whom he alleged are sabotaging the government’s fight against malaria.

that the Federal Ministry of Education recently announced that out of about 20 million out-of-school children around the world, 11 million are from Nigeria and majority of them are in the north.

Also speaking, the Child Ambassador to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Children, Khadija Salisu Isa, said that the true worship of Allah is to help the less-privileged in the society of which the Emir has graciously been doing.

Meanwhile, the Gombe State Police Commissioner, Mr. Austin Iwar, has

Command residing in the Police Barracks against felling of trees in their various residential areas.

The commissioner, while launching the tree planting programme with the planting of 400 trees at the police barracks in Gombe, said officers who failed to sustain the efforts of the campaign should be ready to vacate their official residence.

33m

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Arab States in 2007.

Source: Itu.int

Group trains CSOs, media on budget tracking Abubakar Abdul Birnin Kebbi

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Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Kebbi State, the Save the Children International Organisation has sharpened the skills of some members of the civil society organisations and newsmen on tackling and approaching the government tag on budget tracking on nutrition.

It was at a four-day workshop, which took place at the Peace Inclusive Hotel, Birnin

Kebbi, the capital of the state, with the theme: “Budge Training Manual for Budget Advocates.”

In his paper on the theme of the workshop, the resource person, Hajiya Hafsat Mustafa said that the aim of the training was to support and enlighten members of civil society organisation and media practitioners on how to challenge the government on malnutrition cases in the state and how to implement the budget specifically meant for the area.

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NEWS

WORLD \ NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

BoI, NIRSAL sign pact on lending Anti-government march turns Taiwo Hassan

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n a bid to reduce Nigeria’s $22 billion food import substitution, sustain food security and save foreign exchange earnings in the agric sector, the Presidency has directed the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The move is aimed at fine-tuning the refinancing of key agricultural projects in the country

which need urgent credit facility attentions.

The directive is in line with the Federal Government’s diversification agenda to place agriculture as the mainstay of the country’s revenue earner and also to stimulate growth and development in the sector, and get the country out of the present recession.

Speaking at the MoU signing between the BoI and NIRSAL in Lagos yesterday, the Acting Director-General, BoI, Waheed Olagunju, said the pact became necessary after the Presidency summoned the two agencies to a Federal

Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja few days ago, directing them to work out modalities that were targeted at redirecting the financing of agricultural projects in the country in order to stimulate growth and development in the country’s agric sector.

Olagunju explained that the MoU signing was also designed to boost import substitution, boost job creation, stimulate inclusive growth and realize the key objectives of the Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP) of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Boko Haram ambush troops, kill 6 civilians Emmanuel Onani

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he Nigerian Army yesterday said its troops, who were on escort duty, were ambushed by suspected Boko Haram fighters in Borno State.

The Army noted that the incident led to the death of six persons, even as three soldiers sustained varying degrees of injuries.

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

man.

"Today (yesterday) afternoon, suspected elements of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists who were foraging for food, ambushed troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, escorting commercial vehicles from Damboa to Maiduguri, at Sanda general area, Borno State.

"Unfortunately, five civilians lost their lives at the incident and another died on the way to the hospital. Three soldiers also sustained injuries.

The wounded have been evacuated to Maiduguri.

"Consequently, another robust patrol team has been despatched to reinforce the troops, clear the general area and pursue the terrorists. This unfortunate incident has brought to the fore the need for more vigilance and cooperation amongst all.

We would like to assure the public that we would not allow this isolated incident to thwart the peace and security commuters enjoy along the route and all other opened routes in the North East.

Navy destroys 18,000 litres of crude, 15,000 litres of refined AGO Emmanuel Onani Abuja

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he Nigerian Navy yesterday, announced the destruction of 18, 000 litres of (alleged) stolen crude, and 15,000 litres of suspected refined Automative Gas Oil (AGO).

The Navy, in a statement by its spokesman, Commodore Christian Ezekobe, further disclosed that an attempt by sea robbers to invade a ship, was resisted.

The statement reads: 'Operatives of the Nigerian Navy have successfully repelled attack by suspected sea robbers on Marine

Tanker (MT) HANZE KOCHI enroute Lagos from Port Harcourt. The attackers made spirited effort to board the vessel 50 nautical miles off Bayelsa State on 16 September 2016 at about 0250 hrs but were heavily engaged and overpowered in a gun duel by naval personnel.

“In a related development, a patrol team deployed by FOB Bonny in Rivers State has arrested Marine Vessel (MV) FB PERE IPAMO at Shell Slot Jetty in Bonny for alleged involvement in illegal bunkering activities. At the time of arrest on 14

September 2016, the vessel was carrying about 500 metric tons of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

“Similarly, on 17 Sep 2016, a patrol team deployed by NNS DELTA conducted anti-crude oil theft operations in which two illegal refinery sites were raided. The sites are located at Lakpaje and Ubeje Creeks in Warri South LGA of Delta State.

During the raid, the patrol team destroyed about 18,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 15,000 litres of suspected refined AGO.

Anyaeji, as the chairman, is themed: "Managing the Challenges of Infrastructure Deficits in Nigeria: A Cross-Country Analysis of the Roles of Engineers in Economic Development."

Instituted in 2015 by the Board of Trustees, National Council of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, NICE, a division of the NSE, the annual lecture series is, according to the organisers, in honour of Ette- one of Nigeria’s outstanding

engineers, and co-founding Principal, Etteh, Aro and Partners, an Ibadan, Oyo State based engineering firm.

The statement issued yesterday by the organiser, a copy of which was made available to New Telegraph, reads in part; "Engr. Etteh had a robust professional practice spanning decades of exemplary dedication to the tenets of the profession as well as training and mentoring of many engineers, who, today, can stand to be counted.

violent in Kinshasa, 17 dead

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t least 17 people including three policemen we r e killed when Congolese police and anti-government protesters clashed in the capital Kinshasa on yesterday during a march against President Joseph Kabila's perceived bid to extend his mandate.

The protest, attended by thousands, came at a time of growing local and international pressure on Kabila to step down when his mandate legally ends in December. The opposition accuse him of plotting to extend his tenure by delaying elections that

were meant to happen in November until at least next year. His supporters deny this. "Officially we have 17 dead in Kinshasa: three police and 14 civilians," said Interior Ministry spokesman Claude Pero Luwara. Earlier, a Reuters witness saw a crowd burning the body of a police officer in the Kinshasa suburb of Limete in an apparent act of retaliation for police gunfire.

Georges Kapiamba, director of the Congolese Association For Access to Justice, a local NGO, said that security forces shot dead seven protesters.

Rights groups reported dozens of arrests of pro-

testers and journalists in the capital as well as Goma and Kisangani where antigovernment marches also took place yesterday. Dozens of people died in similar protests against Kabila last year.

The vast, mineral rich central African state has never experienced a peaceful transition of power. Donors fear that growing political instability could mushroom into armed conflict in a country plagued by militias, especially in its lawless eastern regions. Millions of people died in regional wars in Congo between 1996 and 2003 that drew in armies from half a dozen countries.

A display of lifejackets worn by refugees during their crossing from Turkey to the Greek Island of Chois are seen in parliament Square in central London.

London's 'lifejacket graveyard' aims to send message to UN summit

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id organizations laid out 2,500 lifejackets symbolizing refugee crossings to Europe in a demonstration outside the British parliament yesterday timed to coincide with a United Nations summit on the worldwide migrant crisis.

The orange lifejackets spread out on the lawn of Parliament Square were worn by adults and children traveling from Turkey to Greece, part of a wave of migrants attempting the Mediter-

ranean crossing to get to mainland Europe. The United Nations refugee body UNHCR, International Rescue Committee, Migrant Voice, World Vision, and Médecins Sans Frontières collaborated for the display, which they called a "lifejacket graveyard" to illustrate the risks migrants take.

The UNHCR estimates 6,940 people drowned or went missing while trying to reach Europe between January 2015 and August 2016. "We hope this will send a message to the world

leaders to call for durable solutions," said Sanj Srikanthan, head of policy and practice at International Rescue Committee.

In New York, leaders of 193 states were gathering for the United Nations General Assembly, which was opening with its first ever summit specifically addressing global movements of refugees and migrants. Aid organizations have often called on Britain to take more refugees but Prime Minister Theresa May was preparing to defend her country's record.

New York bombing suspect, Rahami, captured in Idika Kalu, Setonji for Etteh's annual lecture in Lagos New Jersey lance has taken him away,"

Mojeed Alabi

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former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu and a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Setonji David, an engineer, are billed to present papers at the second edition of the Reverend Ette Ikpong annual distinguished lecture series.

The lecture,which will also feature the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Otis

A

n Afghanistan-born American sought in connection with a series of bombings that wounded 29 people in the New York City area over the weekend was in custody after a gun battle with police yesterday, a New Jersey mayor said.

Ahmad Khan Rahami of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was captured after firing at police officers in Linden, New Jersey, about 20 miles (32 km) outside New York, Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage said. Two

Rahami in a photo released by the FBI.

officers were shot, one in the hand and the other in a bullet-proof vest, he said. "Mr. Rahami also sustained shots and an ambu-

Bollwage said. Video from WABC television showed a conscious man described as Rahami on a gurney and being loaded into an ambulance.

Investigators believe more people were involved in the New York and New Jersey bombing plots, two US officials told Reuters.

Earlier yesterday, New York Police had released a photo of Rahami, 28, and said they wanted to question him about a Saturday night explosion in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport Adekunle Salami

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former international athlete and coach, Tobias Igwe, popularly known as Toblow, at the weekend said that the poor result recorded

by Team Nigeria at the 2016 Olympic Games was a disaster waiting to happen.

Igwe told our correspondent that aside the poor preparation of athletes generally for the event, it was obvious in recent years that nothing was going to come out from the Olympics especially in athletics.

Nigeria won only a bronze medal at the games following the 3-2 victory the national U-23 team recorded against Honduras in the third place match of the football event of Rio 2016.

Athletics representatives were not close to medals, some wrestlers and the only boxer were near bronze and Aruna Quadri was also close to medals range in the table tennis event. That was the summary of the country’s participation at Rio 2016.

Igwe said: “The poor result was a shame. It was disaster waiting to happen.

We never learn from our past mistakes and that is too bad.

“There are good athletes all over Nigeria but we are no longer working towards bringing them out to nurture them into world rated stars.

We are interested in quick results now and so grassroots means nothing to those in authorities.

“We certainly cannot continue this way. We have to return to how we used to do things smoothly to get

Sport News

Did you know?

Hamstring injury rules Simon out of Zambia clash

That 80 goals have been scored with 14 home wins and 13 away wins in the EFL as the competition enters Matchday 8

International Chelsea, Leicester in tough League Cup

46 47

Toblow: Olympics failure, disaster waiting to happen D’Tigers’ Josh Akognon (right) in action at the Rio Olympics

results. It is painful we are in this situation.”

The former national coach argued that Jamaica, Bahamas and Great Britain were at the same level with Nigeria but these countries have developed greatly.

“When you evaluate the medals table in

the past five to six editions of the Olympic Games, you will see how some countries gradually developed while we were either stagnant or fluctuating. We have the athletes and we also have good coaches, it is up to the administrators to do the right thing,” Toblow added.

The former international athlete how-

ever appealed to governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State to reinstate him as a coach of the state “I was removed just three years to my retirement and since then things have been difficult for me. If I am allowed to retire, I will have something to fall back on,” Igwe pleaded.

Kenya not scared of Falcons –Captain The Sport Team

Ajibade Olusesan

Adekunle Salami

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Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Kenya coach David Ouma

he Harambee Starlets of Kenya are not afraid of coming up against the highly-rated Nigeria when the Africa Women Nations Cup starts on November 19 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Kenya have been drawn in Group B alongside defending champions Nigeria, Mali and Ghana but captain Ann Oluoch Onyango said they would pose danger to the established sides.

“We are not scared for facing Nigeria at all. Yes we are underdogs but they

will be more under pressure facing a team they do not know much about,” she said.

Speaking about the body size and physical attributes of the Nigerian players, Onyango said what would matter was playing as a team and nothing would scare them.

“We know the secret to tame the West African sides,” she added. “We want to go and impress on our first outing in this tournament.”

Striker Esse Mbeyu Akida, who is one of the leading scorers at the ongoing Cecafa Women’s

Championship with five goals, said Kenya have been boosted by victory over Algeria in the qualifiers and are motivated to do well in Cameroon.

Kenya coach David Ouma concedes that his team does not have the experience of the West African sides, who even have players featuring in Europe, but he believes they have what it takes to cause some upsets.

“We are simply going to prepare well for the tournament and go without fear of facing any team.

Playing the best also brings the best out of a team,” he said.

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SPORT NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Eagles will fall in Zambia, says Sailet

Hamstring injury rules Simon out of Zambia clash Ugochi Akwueze

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uper Eagles’ forward Moses Simon will likely miss the World Cup qualifier against Zambia as it has been confirmed by his club, KAA Gent, that the lad has a hamstring injury.

T he 21-year-old suffered a tear in the hamstring in the closing minutes of the first half during Gent’s 1-1 draw with Sporting Braga in the Europa League last Thursday.

Although Hein Van-

Emmanuel Tobi

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ormer Zambian striker Zeddy Saileti has backed the Chipolopolo to beat Nigeria’s Super Eagles when both teams battle in the 2018 World Cup qualifier billed for October 9 in Ndola Saileti who was in the team that lost 2-1 to the Super Eagles during the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations final in Tunisia, added that the Eagles were beatable in Zambia.

“I think that Nigeria is a big team, it’s a big name in African football but they are beatable, there is no need to fear them,” Saileti told The Post of Zambia “Now we have a new

haezebrouck, Gent’s manager, did not reveal the number of days the Nigerian will have to spend on the bench, but it is assumed that he will be unavailable for selection for up to three weeks.

However, Super Eagles’ manager Gernot Rohr is yet to name players for the clash Nigeria will on October 9, play against the Chipolopolo of Zambia in Ndola, Zambia and will also face Cameroon and Algeria to secure the 2018 W/C cup ticket, having failed to qualify for AFCON 2017.

Buhari commends victorious Paralympic team

Eagles not ready for World Cup qualifiers – Rufai Ifeanyi Anyaka

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x- international, Peter Rufai, has said that the Super Eagles are not ready yet for the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Speaking during a live radio programme monitored in Lagos on Monday, Rufai stated that the squad was not strong enough to face any of their opponents in the World Cup qualifiers.

“As we speak, we cannot say we are ready or this is Nigeria’s team.

Rufai

During my own time, we had about three different squads, players were struggling to find a place in the main team but we don’t have that concept anymore.

Now, anybody comes to pick up national team jersey. In those days, you hardly can get a reserved jersey, talk less of making it into the starting eleven,” the former Eagles goalkeeper said.

“I charge the current national team coach to have standards that will make it tough for just anybody to pick a jersey.

“We need to assemble the squad before we can now beat our chest to say that we can qualify for any competition. If we don’t do this, we will not be able to make it to Russia 2018 World Cup.”

It’s trophy for Rangers or nothing else —Clement Ifeanyi Anyaka

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angers International of Enugu striker, Bobby Clement, has said the team is poised to win the Nigeria Professional Football League trophy adding that the players are not ready to settle for anything less.

Rangers currently occupy the top spot on the league table with 57 points while Rivers United are second with 56 points. Wikki Tourists of Bauchi are placed third with 54 points, while FC Ifeanyi Ubah

are the fourth with 53 points.

Clement who scored Rangers’ two goals against Sunshine Stars on Sunday expressed confidence in the team’s ability to lift the trophy.

“We have come so far and the fans deserved to drink from the league trophy. It’s is the title for Rangers or nothing less,” Clement told New Telegraph.

“We are not carried away by the level of our success nor under pressure to deliver but we are very optimistic that the trophy belongs to Rangers,” he added.

technical bench which means we just have to prepare very well, work very hard and if we work hard, we can win.

“You only lose or win on the pitch, so I can only encourage the players to put in everything, prepare well and we can surely make it, there is always the first time.”

The Football Association of Zambia announced last week that new assistant coach, Wedson Nyirenda, will be the caretaker manager.

However, FAZ are yet to appoint a new coach and the former Ferroviario de Beira coach will be in the hot seat against Nigeria.

Emmanuel Tobi

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Nigerian Paralympic team for its heroic feat at the just-concluded Paralympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

According to President

Simon Moses

Afe Babalola: Nigeria needs Onyali’s BOOST to revive sport Sulaiman Salawudeen ADO-EKITI

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espected legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) on Monday urged Nigerians to embrace Basic Olympics Opportunity Sports Training (BOOST), initiative of former Nigerian sprint star, Mary Onyali.

The founder of the Afe Babalola University said this in AdoEkiti after endorsing the Nigeria Olympic Fund, an initiative of former Nigerian Olympians, led by Onyali, to raise funds to support the training and preparation of new talents for future Olympics to forestall a recurrence of the dismal outing of

the country in the just-ended Rio Olympics in Brazil.

Commending Onyali for the initiative which he compared with the innovation of John Major through which the latter reversed Britain’s Olympics experience forever, Babalola said only private initiatives in sports was the indemnity Nigeria had for desirable upward improvements in sports.

“We will deliberately turn around our fortunes right in sports and indeed other areas of human endeavour. I must point out that government cannot do it alone. There is need for private participation,” he said Babalola who donated N10million to support BOOST, lauded Onyali for the initiative.

Buhari spokesperson, Garba Shehu, the team deserves more praises for its resilience at the Games.

“President Muhammadu Buhari warmly congratulates Nigeria’s team for an outstanding performance at the Paralympic Games in Rio, Brazil. President Buhari joins all sports-loving Nigerians in commending the athletes for doing the country proud by winning 12 medals and setting new records, which made them the top-performing African team at the 2016 Games,” Garba wrote on his facebook page.

He added: “The President extols the resilient spirit of the Nigerian Paralympic athletes, who were able to excel in the face of adversity. President Buhari applauds the athletes for their tenacity, focus and determination, which has brought glory to the country. The President also extends gratitude to all the officials and trainers of the Paralympic athletes, who made sacrifices and persevered to fly the country’s colours.”

Flamingos need no foreign tour – Peters Adeolu Johnson Abuja

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L-R: Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lasisi Oluboyo; Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Dayo Awude and the state’s PDP Governorship Candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, during Jegede Football Foundation Club’s friendly match at the Akure Stadium…at the weekend

ormer Super Eagles Coach and Assistant Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, James Peters, has said the national female U-17 team, the Flamingos, do not need a foreign tour before theirfirsttiewithBrazilonNigeria’s Independence Day October 1.

“I don’t think they need any exposure outside the country rather than to concentrate on their strategies and game plan while playing their

male counterparts,” he said.

“In 2010 when I led the team to the same tournament in Trinidad and Tobago, we got to the quarterfinals where we lost to eventual winner Korea Republic 6-5,” he added.

He said the team could win the championship for the first time if the players are focused and play to instructions.

The Flamingos will depart for Jordan, the venue of the FIFA U-17 World Cup on September 26th just as the head coach, Bala Nkiyu, said the team had stepped up preparation for the championship.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEW TELEGRAPH

Chelsea, Leicester in tough League

LEAGUE CUP Tuesday’s fixtures B’mouth v Preston Brighton v Reading Derby v Liverpool Everton v Norwich Leeds v Blackburn Leicester v Chelsea Newcastle v Wolves Nottingham v Arsenal

Klopp unleashes strong Liverpool on Derby

Mahze

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ntonio Conte was left utterly disappointed on Friday night after his Chelsea team suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season, but there is little time for the Blues to be downbeat with a tough EFL Cup clash against Leicester City coming up on Tuesday.

Chelsea were outclassed against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Friday night as Jurgen Klopp’s men put in a firsthalf masterclass to secure all

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Klopp

three points in west London.

Despite it only being Chelsea’s first loss of the campaign - they sit in fourth place in the table - Conte was unhappy at his side’s defending and called on his players to improve at the back if they are to navigate their way around Leicester.

The Foxes have enjoyed a good week after winning their first Champions League game before beating Burnley 3-0 in the league at the weekend, and they will certainly come into

their clash against the Blues on home soil confident of continuing their victorious run.

Chelsea captain John Terry will face a late fitness test to determine whether he has fully recovered from his ankle injury. If he hasn’t, David Luiz will continue in central defence alongside Gary Cahill.

Leicester’s club-record signing Islam Slimani will be one to watch for the hosts after netting twice in his debut at the weekend.

ermany forward Thomas Muller hopes to return to Bayern Munich’s line-up for Wednesday’s top-of-the-table Bundesliga clash against high-flying Hertha Berlin at the Allianz Arena.

Hertha and Bayern are the only two teams in Germany’s top flight to preserve their 100 percent records after the first three league games of the season.

Illness-hit Bayern were made to work hard on Saturday as head coach Carlo

short-term contract to the veteran Adebayor.

“Two players were approached.

For Mateta there was [interest from] Juventus and other French clubs. Emmanuel Adebayor had agreed to come two days late. You could make a transfer on one hand and a big payday on the other.

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In an indication of the 20-year-old’s importance to Mauricio Pochettino’s team, Alli has already been handed improved terms at White Hart Lane despite earning a new five-year deal in January.

The attacking midfielder, signed from MK Dons in February 2015, has been a revelation in north London since making his Spurs debut in August last year, helping the club challenge for the Premier League title and being selected for England’s Euro 2016 squad.

Speaking in an interview with the club’s website after they announced his new deal on Monday, Alli indicated he is still coming to terms with his meteoric rise in the game.

“I can’t think of anywhere better with the fans, the manager, the team.”@Dele_Alli after signing a new contract.

Allegri: Why I dropped Higuain for Inter game

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Adebayor

Hackers release Farah, Nadal, others’ medical records

our-time Olympic athletics champion Mo Farah and 14-time Grand Slam winning tennis player Rafael Nadal are among another 26 athletes whose leaked data has been revealed by hacking group Fancy Bears after a cyberAncelotti rang the changes attack on the World Antifor their 3-1 comeback win at home to Ingolstadt with Muller, captain Philipp Lahm and David Alaba all sidelined by a virus.

Muller returned to team training on Monday and hopes to start against Hertha.

“I’ll have to see how the next few days of training go,” Muller told FCB.de.

“I could start, but I don’t believe I can yet manage the Farah 90 minutes.”

Muller targets Berlin return

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Costa

Adebayor deal cancelled

by Genesio, say Lyon yon president Jean-Michel Aulas claims manager Bruno Genesio and his backroom staff took the decision to sign JeanPhilippe Mateta ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor.

Free agent Adebayor was expected to join the Ligue 1 club last week, only for the deal to fall through. Lyon cited concerns over the 32-year-old’s lack of availability during the Africa Cup of Nations and his ineligibility for the Champions League group stage, prompting an angry rebuke from the ex-Arsenal player.

Teenage forward Mateta has instead been recruited from Chateauroux, with Aulas hinting the acquisition of the 19-year-old on a five-year deal is likely to prove better business than handing a

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Dele Alli signs new Tottenham deal ele Alli has agreed a new D Tottenham contract, tying him to the club until 2022.

Cup tie

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iverpool manager Juergen Klopp is unlikely to rest first-team players for the League Cup clash against second tier Derby County, he said on Monday.

Premier League managers have often used the competition as a platform to give young players experience but Klopp, who led his side to the League Cup final last season, is determined to go one better this time round.

“In my opinion we only have strong line-ups. That’s good news. We will find a strong line-up. We won’t rest 100 percent fit players,” Klopp told reporters.

Liverpool will welcome back midfielder Roberto Firmino, who missed Friday’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea.

“There’s no decisions yet as the session this afternoon will be important. Then (we’ll make our) decisions. But (Roberto) Firmino is back in training,” Klopp said.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT

Doping Agency (WADA).

Farah, who successfully defended his 5,000 and 10,000 metres titles at last month’s Games in Rio de Janeiro, is one of eight reigning Olympic champions from Great Britain named on the latest list.

Others include golfer Justin Rose and two of the most high-profile members of the British rowing team in Peter Reed and Helen Glover, winners of their respective third and second Olympic titles in Rio. Also named is gold and silver medal winning cyclist Callum Skinner and a trio of hockey players in Crista Cullen, Alex Danson and Samantha Quek.

assimiliano Allegri has defended his decision to leave Gonzalo Higuain out of the starting XI as Juventus surprisingly lost 2-1 to Inter on Sunday.

The Argentina international, signed for a club-record fee of €90 million from Napoli in July, netted three goals in his first three Serie A appearances for the Bianconeri and started at home to Sassuolo last week.

But he was back on the bench in the Derby d’Italia at San Siro, where the reigning champions gave up the lead to suffer their first defeat of 2016-17.

But Allegri maintains he was justified in his decision.

“I thought about playing a physical game and I needed him when the match was in progress,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport, having introduced the former Real Madrid player in the 74th minute.

Allegri

On Marble “But better to get hurt by the

truth than comforted with a lie.”

–Khaled Hosseini

Clem Aguiyi

Sanctity of Truth

Give us peace or freedom now!

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

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N150

Nigeria and the implications of aTrump presidency (2) Crossfire Y et as hard as the Obama/Clinton/Kerry triumverate may try to cover it up, it appears that the message about the real situation in President Muhammadu Buhari's Nigeria is beginning to get across to the world.

As a glaring example of this permit me to share the words of a strong Trump supporter, Republican Congressman Tom Marino, which were contained in a letter that he sent to Secretary of State John Kerry a few days ago.

A newspaper captured the contents of that letter as follows: "A member of the United States Congress, Tom Marino, has written a letter to Secretary of State, John Kerry, asking the US government to withhold security assistance to Nigeria until President Muhammadu Buhari demonstrates a “commitment to inclusive government and the most basic tenets of democracy: freedom to assemble and freedom of speech”.

He also asked the State Department to refrain from selling warplanes and other military equipment to Nigeria until President Buhari establishes a track record of working towards inclusion.

In a two-page letter dated September 1, 2016 and addressed to Kerry, Marino, a Republican from Pennsylvania who assumed office on January 3, 2011, said there were a number of warning signs emerging in the Buhari administration that signal “the man who once led Nigeria as a military dictator might be sliding towards former autocratic tendencies”.

The Congressman, who is a member of the Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs, and the Chairman, Sub-committee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law, said the Nigerian government must “hold accountable those members of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Military complicit in extra-judicial killings and war crimes”.

In the six-paragraph letter to Kerry, Marino also expressed concern over Nigeria’s anti-corruption war, saying “of additional concern is President Buhari’s selective anti-corruption drive, which has focused almost exclusively on members of the opposition party, over-looking corruption amongst some of Buhari’s closest advisors. Politicizing his anticorruption efforts has only reinforced hostility among southerners”.

His letter to Kerry reads: “Dear Secretary Kerry, I am encouraged by the personal interest you have taken in aiding Nigeria and its administration as it takes on endemic corruption, multiple insurgent movements, and a faltering economy.

“Human rights groups like Amnesty International have widely documented torture, inhumane treatment, and extrajudicial killings of defenceless Nigerians since President Buhari took office.”

Quoting Amnesty International Report, he wrote, “in the last six months, Nigeria’s military has unlawfully killed at least 350 people and allowed more than 168 people, including babies and children, to die in military detention.”

He further wrote: “The Secretary to the Government of Kaduna State even admitted to burying 347 of those killed in a mass grave. And while President

FEMI FANI-KAYODE ffk2011@aol.com

Trump

Buhari promised swift condemnation, his words rang empty.

Instead of swift reforms, Buhari chose to reinstate Major General Ahmadu Mohammed, who Amnesty International revealed was in charge of the Nigerian military unit that executed more than 640 unarmed, former detainees.

“Also, in separate incidents concerning the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Nigerian Army has killed at least 36 – the real number is likely higher – people since December 2015 in an attempt to silence opposition and quell attempts by the group to gather publicly.”

Describing President Buhari as a former military dictator whose reign (as military head of state) was cut short by a coup, he stated that the President has continually shunned inclusivity in favour of surrounding himself with advisors and ministers from the north of the country and the region he considers home.

“Of President Buhari’s 122 appointees, 77 are from the north and control many of the key ministries and positions of power.

Distrust is already high in Nigeria and favouring Northerners for key appointments has only antagonized the issue.

These appointments are also primarily Muslim in the north and Christian in the south, adding a religious aspect to long-held regional biases.

He said the Obama Administration would advance justice by urging the Buhari Administration to act decisively to hold accountable members of the police and military.

The congressman said, “This is a logical first step in making a demonstrable, sustained commitment to inclusive democracy, with distributed power in Nigeria. Until President Buhari establishes a track record of working towards inclu-

sion, we ask the State Department to refrain from selling warplanes and other military equipment to the country.

“The State Department should urge President Buhari to form a government that represents the diversity of its citizens and allows dissenting voices to be heard. Democracy can thrive only if people are free to assemble, to express their beliefs, and voice their concerns.”

Congressman Marino ought to be commended. He has spoken the minds of millions of those who really care about what is going on in Nigeria from all over the world.

He has written what the overwhelming majority of Nigeria's ruling and political elite believe but dare not say publicly out of fear of persecution and reprisals from their own government.

Most importantly Congressman Marino reflects the mind of Mr. Donald Trump, his party's presidential candidate, on this matter and indeed the views of the majority of deeply concerned American Christians.

This is welcome support for those of us that are fed up with Buhari's pronorth, pro-Hausa Fulani and pro-Muslim agenda.

Congressman Marino has rightly observed the sad and shameful events that are unfolding in our country.

These are events that many of us warned the Nigerian people would end up happening if they made the mistake of voting Buhari into power during last years presidential election campaign.

Though we were ignored, insulted, humiliated, persecuted, falsely accused and treated with contempt and disdain for speaking the truth, our words have proved to be prophetic. Today we are witnessing those ugly events that we warned about unfolding before our very eyes.

The bottom line is as follows: if we want Nigeria to stop charting this shameless and utterly dangerous course and if we wish to get off the "road to Kigali" we must pray alongside our American friends for Donald Trump to win the presidential election in November.

Permit me to enrich this intervention with an interesting contribution from Mr. Richard Akinwande Olorunbi. After reading Congressmam Morino's letter he wrote the following on Facebook: "A foreigner is now speaking for southerners who are under oppression

by Islamist Buhari and his terrorist Fulani group. This reminds of a popular quote : ''I freed thousands of slaves, I could have freed thousands more if only they knew they were slaves". This is sad because a large number of the oppressed are so dumb that they still believe their oppressors and shout "sai Buhari". One thing is certain though, as the political situation in Nigeria deteriorates day by day. The Fulani terrorist murderers are now more likely to end up international

criminal court in the Hague".

How appropiate Mr. Olorunbi's words are and I say a big "amen" to his prayer.

In conclusion let us consider the words of Mr. Stephen Asake, an excellent writer, a devout Christian and a man who has earned the respect and affection of many over the years.

Mr. Asake is the convenor and administrator of the Christian Information Network (a WhatsApp chat room) and in his latest essay titled "Like Cyrus In The Bible, Like Donald Trump" he wrote, inter alia, the following: "The debate between the 'Trumpers' and 'Clintoners' is getting charged up by the day in Nigeria, rivalling the tempo in America.

Many talented writers and public affairs commentators have also written articles and public commentaries to make their preferences between the two candidates known.

One of such is no other person than the Cicero of our time, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, the former minister of Aviation and presidential spokeman during the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency.

Permit me to end this contribution by answering the question that he posed in his last sentence. In reference to the rise of Cyrus, the pagan king who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, he asked "how could this possibly have happened?"

The answer is as follows: it happened because the Holy Spirit is at work and because the Holy Bible tells us that "God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform". It also says "He uses the foolish things of this world to confirm the wisdom of the wise".

It follows that the Lord can use anything or anyone, including a loud, rumbustious, colourful and passionate pagan King, to effect His purpose and restore the fortunes of His people.

He did it with the Persian King Cyrus and, by His grace and power, He will also do it with Donald J. Trump.

Solution to B. Teaser 4

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