This is default featured slide 1 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.

This is default featured slide 2 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.

This is default featured slide 3 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.

This is default featured slide 4 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.

This is default featured slide 5 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.

Thursday, 15 January 2015

Cholera kills 20 in Rivers


At least 20 persons have been reported dead following the
outbreak of cholera in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers
State, where 171 cases have been recorded. The state
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, disclosed this
in a statement he issued in Port Harcourt.
Parker, in the statement, said the local government area rapid
response team and the state emergency response team
responded swiftly.
The state emergency response team and the social
mobilization team, he said, were on ground to contain the
outbreak.
The commissioner stated that government had established
two treatment centres in Ebukuma and Okoli’ile to handle
reported cases, advising affected persons to access the
facilities.
Parker urged members of the public to remain calm, as
situation was under control, adding that steps had been taken
to provide potable water in the affected communities.

NLC must query FG on oil theft —Oshiomhole


Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has tasked the Nige­
ria Labour Congress (NLC) to ask questions from the Federal
Government on how hundreds of barrels of crude oil are
allegedly stolen without check, on a daily basis.
Speaking at the ground breaking of the Labour House in Benin
City, Oshiomhole said Nigeria was being run in a directionless
manner and the labour movement must show more interest in
the national discourse so that the ship of state could be
steered in the right direction.
“Issues of the management of the treasury, issues of oil theft
are not the preserve of the political class. Oil is being stolen.
Nigeria has a capacity for 2.5 million barrels a day. We have
oil performing on an average of $108 a barrel over the past
few years; it has hovered on that average. Sometime, it went
to $111, at a time it dropped to $106 per barrel.
“Oil performance has been stable and we budget at $98, with
the difference over a period of three years; we ought to have
huge reserves now, so that when occasion like this comes, we
will live as if there is no fluctuation. But while this was going
on, we suddenly heard of crude oil theft, sometimes about 700
barrels per day is allegedly stolen. Seven hundred barrels per
day, these are big vessels.
“I think the NLC needs to show more interest in this politics of
oil theft. Who are the people stealing this oil? Since when?
What has changed about the territorial boundaries of Nigeria?
In good times, we were told this thing is being stolen and in
bad times, we are told to fasten our belt.”

Police foil plot to bomb Imo INEC office


Imo State Police Command yesterday morning detonated a
bomb planted under a palm tree, 10 metres from Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in the state.
An eyewitness account said a loud noise was heard from
where the bomb was planted in front of the Owerri Capital
Development Agency (OCDA), which sent workers scampering
for safety
Spokesman of the state police command, Mr. Andrew
Enwerem (DSP), however, said the police got a tip-off and
immediately swung into action. He confirmed that the Bomb
Disposal Squad of the police detonated the bomb planted
under a palm tree at the gate of Owerri Capital Development
Authority office complex.
When Daily Sun visited the scene at about 11am yesterday,
there was a heavy presence of policemen to cordon off the
entire Owerri/Port Harcourt Road leading to INEC office.

Ohanaeze wants confab report implementation, flays Mbaka


Five months after the end of the 2014 National Conference, a
member who participated in the conference and President,
Anambra State branch of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Elder Chris Elue­
munoh has frawned on the non-implementation of the full
report of the conference by the Federal Government.
The situation, he said was not in the best interest of the
country.
Elder Eluemunoh said this while fielding questions from
newsmen at Nkwelle- Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area of
Anambra State.
His words: “ The key issue is the implementation of the last
confab resolution, which the All Progressives Congress (APC)
boycotted. That means the opposition APC does not believe in
the conference and will not implement it if at all it gets to
power.
“However, I have to state that the oneness of this country lies
with the implementation of that conference report. If that is
not done, Nigeria to thy tent will be the case.”
Eluemunoh noted that it was only the man who convoked the
conference in the first instance would be capable of
implementing its outcome. Non-implementation of the report,
he said would amount to an effort in futility.
On the comment credited to Enugu-based Catholic priest, Fr
Ejike Mbaka urging President Jonathan to resign for his
alleged non-performance, the Ohanaeze boss advised the
cleric to desist from dabbling into politics but rather
concentrate on praying and blessing his flock.
He added that the cleric’s pronouncements should be
disregarded, saying he was not speaking the minds of Igbo
people.
“The words Fr. Mbaka spoke were not from God. He must
have compromised with some politicians and that does not
speak well of a highly respected man of God like him,” he
said.
He advised politicians to mind their utterances in public,
warning that inflammatory statements might throw the nation
into political turmoil.

No demolition order for Katsina church –Gov Shema


The protracted dispute between the Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN) and Matazu community in Katsina State over
alleged official moves to demolish a 100-year-old church in
the community may soon be resolved.
This is because the state governor, Ibrahim Shema, yesterday
dispelled fears that there was an order for the demolition of
the church.
Speaking shortly after receiving the report of Katsina Interfaith
Committee mediating on the dispute, Shema decried a report
that quoted CAN as saying that he ordered the demolition of a
church.
“It is very unfair and I am not happy with it,” the governor,
who expressed shock over the incident, told the Christian
body, adding: “It is not impossible to continue to live in peace
and harmony with each other.
“They (Katsina Interfaith Committee) are suggesting that
government should construct the fence for the two separate
compounds with a provision for pedestrian gates to be located
at the sides of the compound. I have no problem with that.
Government will easily direct the relevant department to go
and erect walls to protect the two property (of the church).”
Shema, who emphasized his acceptance of the recommenda­
tions of the committee, said his administration would continue
to protect the interest of every member of the society irrespec­
tive of his language or religion.
“There is no reason why a government that has worked in
harmonious relationship with Christian community in the state
for seven and a half years to urge that any untold action or
activity should be taken against any group.
“It is not in our record, it is not in our character and it is not
in my style of leadership. Leadership from God means that you
have to be fair and equitable to all that you lead regardless of
their faith, colour or tribe or language. That is what we have
been trying to do in Katsina State,” the governor said.
Earlier, Chairman of Katsina Interfaith Committee, Isah Dodo, a
retired Grand Khadi of the state, urged the state government
to implement the recommendations of the committee as soon
as possible for continued peaceful co-existence in the state.

Ex-speaker, Dimeji Bankole loses out in Ogun guber race


The former speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji
Bankole may have lost out finally in his bid to contest the
February 28 governorship election in Ogun, as the resuscitated
Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the state yesterday publicly
presented incumbent Senator Akin Odunsi as its flag bearer in
the forthcoming polls.
This is coming just as the SDP said it was targeting 500,000
out of the over one million votes of the eligible voters in the
state in the forthcoming governorship election.
Speculations had been rife that Bankole, who along with eight
other aggrieved aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) in the state who had boycotted the December 8
governorship primary election of the PDP, and defected to the
SDP, was being favoured to fly its flag in the forthcoming
governorship polls.
Series of negotiations between the SDP, led by former
governor Olusegun Osoba and Bankole’s group was said to
have recently broken down irretrievably when it dawned on the
former speaker that the party’s leadership was not ready to
concede its governorship ticket to him.
But with the public presentation of Odunsi as the SDP
governorship standard bearer, the hope of the former speaker
of the House of Representatives to contest the governorship
poll in the state may have been dashed.
Presenting the SDP governorship candidate and his running
mate, Prince Segun Adesegun, who is also the current deputy
governor of the state to party supporters at the Ake Palace
Grounds, Ake, Abeokuta, Osoba said Odunsi had met all the
qualities that should be possessed by the next governor of the
state.
Osoba said: “You told me you want a governor who is level-
headed, is that not so? You told me you want a mature
governor, is that not so? You told me you want a governor
who has extensive administrative experience, a governor who
will share the benefits of democracy equally in the entire Ogun
State. You told me you want somebody who will be governor
of Ogun State; not governor for friends and family members.
You told me you want a governor who is deeply religious in
the Islamic way. Is that not so? Have you seen all these
qualities in the person of Senator Kamardeen Akin Odunsi or
not?”
The crowd of party supporters chorused a resounding “yes” to
Osoba’s questions.

2015: Jonathan will win without run-off


The 2015 presidential election is around the corner. Men of
God had foretold the outcome of the election, holding diverse
views. Joining others, the General Overseer of Revolution Fire
Christian Ministry Incorporation, Prophet Emmanuel Ezenwa
Nwazuo, said the result of the election has been determined in
the spiritual realm.
At his church in Lagos, announcing his prophetic revelations
for 2015 and beyond, the evangelist and prolific writer said
God told him that President Goodluck Jonathan will
convincingly defeat his opponents. According to him, there
would not be any run-off, saying that the president would
beat his strongest rival black and blue in the much anticipated
presidential election, holding February 14. He produced a
published version of his prophecy in 2011, where he said that
Jonathan would triumph at the election, which became a
reality. Excerpts:
In your 2015 revelation, what made you believe that President
Jonathan would be re-elected?
I am not the one saying; it is a revelation from God. I see
President Jonathan winning the 2015 election with a landslide
but the All Progressives Congress (APC) will revolt. In 2011, I
predicted that Jonathan would defeat his opponent. Some
people did not believe but the prophecy was fulfilled. He did
not just win but he won convincingly. Quoting his prediction
before 2011 presidential election, from a published Christian
journal: “The Lord took me in the spirit to the seat of power in
Aso Rock and showed me a bold inscription on the
Presidential seat with a heavenly seal on it ‘No vacancy here’.
Thus said the Lord to President Jonathan: “I appointed you for
another period of five years to lead Nigeria to greatness”.
Within these five years which symbolizes grace, no weapon
fashioned against you shall prosper.”
You said Jonathan would win with a landslide, are you sure
you heard it clear from God?
I heard very clear and simple. When I prophesied the death of
Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, many Igbo people were calling for my
head. Then he was not sick, when he became sick, people
said he would survive but I insisted he was going to die. I put
them in writing whenever God shows me anything. People
believe those prophets that would charge them money to lie
to them. What some of the top government functionaries do is
to begin to call for my head when they receive my prophecy,
they would begin to call for my head. Some have called me
and abused me and my God. A popular politician sent me an
SMS text. Jonathan is going to win again but with what God
is showing me, he may not finish his term because there is
going to be a lot of happenings.
Do you think Jonathan has performed well to be given another
chance?
Well, we have started praying for him. I am not campaigning
for Jonathan. If we compare all the presidents we have had in
Nigeria, I think Jonathan has the mind of God and not only
that, he also has the fear of God. I don’t agree with people
who say he is weak. I believe he has done pretty well.
President Jonathan has a human face. This is a trait that has
distinguished him from past leaders that ruled Nigeria before
him. I am saying people should give him a chance to finish up
what God has sent him to do. But they don’t want to give him
a chance. Four years is like four days.
Will the insecurity in some parts of the country not work
against Jonathan’s chances?
If you watch the insurgency very well, you will agree that
everything is politically motivated. It is more or less of the
Niger-Delta did it and they have what they wanted, then let’s
also do it to achieve our aim. This 2015, the situation is going
to escalate. But God will expose those sponsoring it. The
insurgency will surely give way for peace, after a period of
time. If Jonathan is given a better atmosphere, I see him
performing well. He is a man of vision who means well for
Nigerians. We should pray for him so that he will succeed. The
insecurity situation or Boko Haram activities in the North East
is a political trick to distract him. Let me quickly correct
something here that I am not campaigning for Jonathan. I
have never met the president not even any of his aides for
anything. My assignment is just to deliver the message that
God had given me. Most times, people get angry when the
prophecy does not favour them.
You said he may not finish his term if he wins?
Yes, I saw him cut short
Is it his government that would be cut short or Jonathan him­
self?
I would not want to go further than that but I see him cut
short.
What about if the election result turns out to be in favour of
Jonathan’s opponents?
I am repeating that I saw President Jonathan winning the
presidential election with a landslide. There is no going to be
a run-off. Then, I also saw in the revelation, opposition
constituting problem and declaring themselves as winner of
the election. Again, I am not campaigning for Jonathan but
what I am saying is what I am shown by God. What I am
praying for is for Nigeria to be better than what it is today
and that is my primary assignment.
Did God reveal the outcome of Lagos governorship to you?
Both PDP and APC have equal chances of winning the state.
It is open to both parties. However, there would be riot
immediately the result is announced, except much prayer is
rendered to avert it.

Inexperienced people can’t govern Lagos –Tinubu


National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola
Tinubu yesterday said inexperienced people could not govern
Lagos State.
Speaking during the flag-off of the APC governorship cam­
paign in Ikeja, Tinubu said the state could not be used for ex­
periment and governed by inexperienced people.
“We need an experienced person and good financial manager
to manage Lagos State. Lagos State is not for experiment, so
we cannot experiment in Lagos State,” he said.
Speaking on why Lagosians should vote for the APC gover­
norship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode, Tinubu said the APC
governorship candidate was more experienced and credible
than the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship can­
didate.
He, therefore, charged the people of Lagos State to vote for
APC for continuity of good governance in the state, noting that
it would be unfair to experiment with the state by voting for
the PDP candidate.
“The PDP governorship candidate was with us during the
Alliance for Democracy (AD) days and he failed. He went to
Afenifere and before Afenifere could cough, he failed. He came
back to Action Congress (AC) and we accepted him. He want­
ed to contest against Fashola but we told him to be patient
because Fashola is brilliant, more educated and knows the
job. He contested and failed and we told him to be deputy
governor to Fashola so that we can train him to know the job
but he refused and joined the Democratic Peoples Alliance
(DPA).
“He contested against Fashola again and we defeated him
during the 2007 governorship election. We all know where we
are coming from and we know where we are going. Nigeria
economy is in bad shape and therefore need an experience
financial manager as governor in Lagos State.”
In his address, Governor Raji Fashola also charged the elec­
torate to troop out en masse to vote during next month’s elec­
tion, saying: “Your right to vote is not a gift by any
government; it is the right that you have as a citizen in any
part of the world where democracy is practised. So, whether
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gives you
PVC or TVC, you have rights to vote and nobody can stop you
from voting. You should use your vote to send Jonathan away
and vote for Ambode for continuity in Lagos.”

Jonathan has not failed Igbo –Mbadinuju


Former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju,
has affirmed that despite some unfulfilled promises of
President Goodluck Jonathan to the Southeast zone of the
country, he has not completely failed. In this interview, he
spoke on the need to continue with the election and ensure
that violence does not erupt, among other issues.
Dr. Ekwueme had said that President Jonathan might not get
bloc votes in the Southeast because he has not done much
for the region. Do you agree?
Ekwueme is an icon, highly intellectual, exceptional in
thoughts and a man who foresees the future. He is a man
with several academic degrees in various disciplines. Even
with the little I have said, his politics qualified him to have
ruled Nigeria as of right in terms of wisdom, knowledge and
understanding of life in Nigeria. He stopped Gen. Abacha and
propounded the six zone formula, which Nigeria adopted by
his intellect.
What he said of Jonathan is a clarion call and a kind of
warning to Jonathan and his campaigners that there is
problem which, if not nipped in the bud, may cause a problem.
Ekwueme sounded a warning that Igbo, who usually gave
Jonathan bloc votes were very restive and uncertain of what
to do.
As our political father, not just in the Southeast but beyond,
Ekwueme has done his duty to alert the Southeast that things
are no longer what they used to be. It is just a warning, a
strong one for that matter. It should not be neglected by
handlers of President Jonathan.
It is true that Jonathan has done fairly for the Igbo but life
has changed drastically since six years of his administration.
So, for the Igbo, they will remember that Zik once said that if
one must get what he wants, it must be “money for hand
back for ground”. The Igbo will not chop promises. There have
been many promises, which have not been executed and the
All Progressives Congress (APC) are now using the unfulfilled
promises, as a weapon against Igbo.
At the end Jonathan will still get votes. It may have depleted
compared to what it used to be but it won’t be alarming.
So, Ekwueme has said what he must say as an elder and it
was what all Igbo expected to hear from him. It is now time
for reconciliation and I noticed it has already started.
Do you honestly think that he will get bloc votes in most
parts of the country, considering the fact that the APC
presidential candidate seems to be getting more popular?
There are areas where the opposition will have an upper hand.
A politician who always gets bloc votes against everybody
else must be watched. APC may get bloc votes in some of
their constituencies, so also will Jonathan. In the South-East
for example, nothing will prevent Jonathan from getting up to
80 per cent votes.
Bloc votes do not mean one hundred per cent vote. When I
won my governorship election to become governor of Anambra
State, I scored 96 per cent of all the votes cast. I can then
talk of bloc votes. Our constitution provides that a contestant
must win, at least, 25 per cent votes, even in doubtful geo-
political areas. However, one must be careful since winning 25
per cent in all states and constituencies will not win the
election.
Jonathan and Buhari, each has areas of control where they
will have more votes than the other, and that’s why
candidates concentrate on big states with large voting
population. This year’s general election will be quite interest­
ing because there will be upsets. No one, as at now, can
predict what will happen because we know that voters change
their minds, depending on mistakes made by candidates
towards the end of the election.
Furthermore, Nigerians have not yet seen the popularity of any
particular party at this early stage of the campaign. What we
may see as popularity is still to come when mistakes continue
to mount and facts and figures are evaluated by Nigerians
both home and abroad. So as your question goes, it may be
too early to talk of bloc votes because lots of changes are in
the offing.
There have been controversies over the possibility of an
endorsement of the President by Ohanaeze Ndigbo. What’s
your take? Should the Southeast endorse him? And if so,
what do they stand to benefit?
Even without endorsement of Jonathan by Ohanaeze, Igbo see
Jonathan as their friend and brother and that sentiment has
been working for him. No candidate or politician so far has
succeeded in breaking the age-long relationship between
South-East and South-South.
That Jonathan is the candidate of the Igbo does not mean
that no Igbo will vote for another candidate but it will be just
a token. Jonathan may have wronged the Igbo for unfinished
promises like second Niger Bridge, Onitsha- Enugu Road,
Enugu-Aba Road, insecurity, power and some other neglects
the Igbo have suffered as against other parts of the country,
but still they support Jonathan and every government in
power. The much Igbo get is the hope that it shall be well.
At the end of the day, supporting Jonathan is an act of faith.
The Igbo have already gone into it and they are remaining in it
as another person may not treat them better. In addition, Igbo
do not joke with their elders, especially the Ohaneze Ndigbo.
When the time comes, the elders will determine where the Ibo
vote should go. Only then can they talk of “bloc votes”.
What’s your view on Rev. Mbaka’s statement that the
President has failed the Southeast?
Rev. Mbaka spoke for himself and not for Southeast, as Igbo
still remain republicans in nature. However, Rev. Mbaka is
covered by our constitution of freedom of religion and other
freedoms. The problem is that the Reverend did not read his
bible properly, particularly in Romans Chapter 13:1-6 where
the Bible makes it clear that “every person (including Rev.
Mbaka) must be loyally subject to the governing (civil)
authorities, for there is no authority except from God…”
Because we are covered by our constitution does not mean
that everyone is free to libel anyone.
If any political party supports such words as Rev. Mbaka
spoke in his homily, attacking Nigeria’s President, then that is
going outside the prescriptions of both the Bible and the
constitution. For political reasons, we must not incur the
wrath of God. Southeast geo-political zone of our country is a
Christian zone.
As your question goes, it is not completely true that President
Jonathan has failed the Southeast. Rather, party opponents
can take such position but Jonathan’s PDP will not accept
such insinuations. It may result into religious anarchy, which
should be avoided.

Polls: We’re for Buhari – ACF, Northern elders


Ambassador Sule Maitama – led Northern Elders Forum (NEF)
, yesterday, formally made its position known on next month’s
2015 presidential race, saying it has endorsed General
Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congress (APC) .
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also endorsed the can­
didature of NEF head of state, saying with Buhari as the presi­
dent, Nigeria would be a better place.
Addressing journalists yesterday, Professor Ango Abdullahi,
Secretary of the Forum, said Buhari had better credentials to
lead the country out of its current challenges.
It also warned that any design to prevent the expression of
popular will in the February polls under whatever guise or
excuse, would be resisted by all Nigerians, stressing that the
elections must hold under secured and peaceful conditions.
It stated: “Northern Elders Forum has welcomed the emer­
gence of General Muhammadu Buhari as a presidential candi­
date, who has better credentials to lead Nigeria out of its cur­
rent challenges than President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Our
endorsement of General Muhammadu Buhari, in the same
manner Nigerians from all parts of the country are supporting
his candidature, is based on our belief that he and his running
mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, have the integrity,
commitment and experience to resolve our security problems,
fight corruption and fix our economy.
“We welcome the overwhelming nation-wide support they are
enjoying, and we appeal to all Nigerians to support them to a
victory that will end fear, impunity and destitution in our land.
“The forum is aware of sentiments being canvassed by anti-
democratic forces that an unconstitutional Interim National
Government or a similar illegal arrangement should be put in
place to stop the forthcoming elections.
“We want to warn in the strongest terms possible, that any
design to prevent the expression of popular will in February
2015 under whatever guise or excuse, will be rejected and
resisted by all Nigerians.
“The February elections must hold under the most secure and
peaceful conditions possible, and we have no doubt that the
administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is in a
position to guarantee this, if it wishes. We therefore, urge
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to rise to the occasion and
prove to Nigerians and the world that he can provide the
necessary and enabling environment to conduct credible
elections. We expect the President to openly and unequivocally
condemn any sentiments or efforts to truncate the political
and electoral process. The Forum is concerned that violence in
many forms is becoming one of the defining characteristics of
the campaigns and the preparations towards the February
elections. We are concerned that the insurgency which ter­
rorizes some parts of the North East may escalate as we
move nearer to the elections. This must be resisted by our
military, so that every Nigerian who wants to vote will do so
in safety. We are concerned that candidates’ campaigns at all
levels are being attacked, and utterances of many leaders ap­
pear to encourage such attacks. We are concerned that some
parties are being prevented from campaigning openly and
freely in some parts of the country. We are alarmed at the
disposition of many young Nigerians towards the use of
violence in support of candidates or parties. These tendencies
are frightening most Nigerians who just want to exercise their
choices over who governs them from February, in peace.
“The Forum urged President Jonathan and General Muham­
madu Buhari to publicly and jointly initiate activities that will
send strong signals that they abhor electoral violence. We
urge them as well as other presidential, gubernatorial and
national and state assembly candidates to sign statements
urging disciplined, responsible and peaceful campaigning.
The ACF, in a communique issued at the end of its National
Executive Council meeting under the Chairmanship of former
Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie,
expressed worry over the deteriorating security situation in the
country, especially in the North East.
“The Forum reiterates its call on the Federal Government to
step up offensive attack on the insurgents and bring an end to
this unnecessary wanton destruction of lives and property.
“That the NEC chairman’s statement on the issue of the Fo­
rum supporting a Northern candidate in the person of General
Muhammadu Buhari is hereby reaffirmed. It is the policy of
the ACF to support any Northerner in any presidential election.
“The ACF therefore, wishes to reaffirm that statement and dis­
sociate itself from any contrary statement issued by any other
member of the Forum. The chairman is constitutionally empow­
ered to direct the affairs of the Forum in a manner that is in
consonance with its aims, objectives and policies and also
project the image of the Forum at all times.
“Finally the Forum wishes to refer to the statement made by
the INEC chairman creating doubts on the possibility of
conducting elections in the areas affected by the current
insurgency, and reiterate its earlier statement that 2015
general elections must hold in all the nooks and crannies of
Nigeria. Internally Displaced Persons must be allowed to
exercise their civic responsibilities. INEC and the Federal
Government must ensure that the elections are successfully
conducted. No one should be disenfranchised.
“The ACF lamented the spate of violence with consequent loss
of lives and property of many Nigerian who have been
dislocated and made refugees in their own country and
neighbouring countries.
“Incidentally, only this morning (yesterday) the people of Biu
in Borno State were viciously attacked, however, we
understand that the Military was able to repel the insurgents
after heavy exchange of fire. The Forum therefore, commends
the gallantry of the Military and sympathises with the victims
of this latest carnage.

JSE, NSE Partner to Grow African Capital Markets


The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), South Africa and
the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) are forging a new
partnership that will lead to more opportunities for investors
and companies in the African capital markets. The partnership,
according to the Exchanges, will strengthen other African
economy.
Speaking on the partnership, JSE Director, Capital Markets,
Donna Oosthuyse, noted that though African securities
exchanges face many challenges the collaboration will help
grow the markets and also improve liquidity.
“We are of the view that everyone and indeed other markets
would benefit from this. We have been working with the NSE
for some time in this regard, and the joint goal we have is to
develop products and services that would be of interests to
issuers and investors in both markets. This would be of
mutual benefits. So, we would like to have South African
companies and products listed on the NSE. And we would also
invite Nigerian issuers and products to be listed on the JSE,”
she said.
Oosthuyse expressed the optimism that the cross border-
listing will greatly benefit investors and grow the continent’s
capital markets as opportunities abound for products and
services in cross-listing – companies that are listed Nigeria to
also list on the JSE.
“I had personally spoken to a lot of private wealth managers
that aspire and want to be exposed to the Nigerian economy
because they see higher growth than in many other markets
and they believe there is opportunity for greater returns and
they are willing to take the risk. So, we see cross-listings not
just from Nigeria to South Africa but also from South Africa to
Nigeria,” she said.
The JSE director added that the collaboration will also offer
both exchanges the opportunity of training programmes to
deepen their operational knowledge about topical subjects
relating to capital markets.
“We would welcome members from NSE coming over to spend
time at JSE and hope that our members would also be
welcome here so that we can learn from each other. From our
interactions, I think the industry professionals in the NSE and
in the ecosystem around investment are very good. Nigeria
has almost the same challenge South Africa has, which is how
to transfer these expertise into educating the issuers and
investors in terms of what value the Exchange brings to the
economy,” she added.
( THIS DAY )

Access Bank Opens Representative Office in China


As part of efforts towards becoming the world’s most
respected African bank, Access Bank Plc has recorded another
milestone with the opening of its representative office in China.
This development affirms the bank’s commitment to socio-
economic development of the continent through expansion
across the world and its resolve to redefine the financial
services operations.The Bank’s Group Managing Director,
Herbert Wigwe, explained that the opening of the
representative office is just the beginning of Access Bank’s
entry into the Chinese market as the Bank seeks to stimulate
economic growth of the country by partnering with Chinese
and African entrepreneurs. He said, “Access Bank is using this
as a platform to grow its business in one of the world’s
fastest growing economies, as well as fostering economic and
trade ties between China and Africa by becoming the link
between businesses in both continents thereby driving
economic development and business partnership”.He also
said, the decision to open a Chinese office was necessitated
as the country has become Nigeria/Africa’s major trading
partner with several Chinese companies seeking to do
business in Nigeria and several countries in Africa where
Access Bank has its presence. This will signal a new era in the
annals of financial service delivery as Access Bank Group will
deliver world class financial services by leveraging on the
groups robust and time – tested technological platform, its
prized expertise in trade finance to facilitate trade and its
innovative products and excellent service delivery which has
been acclaimed to be one of the best in the world.Also
speaking, Roosevelt Ogbonna, Executive Director, Commercial
Banking Access Bank, said, “The representative office would
offer a one-stop shop for such companies wanting to enter the
Nigerian market as the bank will offerfinancial and advisory
support for their businesses, and the country’s economy will
be positively impacted through their improved capacity”.
Access Bank’s presence in China further accentuates its
steady growth as an international financial services and an
attainment of its goal of becoming the world’s most respected
African bank.Access Bank Plc secured the approval of the
China Banking Regulatory Commission to commence business
of its representative office in Beijing in 2014, having satisfied
the official requirements prescribed by the CRBC. Access Bank
(China) Office will join its other subsidiary in the UK, Ghana,
Rwanda, Gambia, Zambia, D R Congo and Sierra Leone. The
Bank is set to replicate its world class service culture by
empowering citizens through its diverse products and services
designed to improve their lifestyles.

FG targets $68.1bn fresh FDI from 8 free zones


The Federal Government is targeting $68.1 billion fresh
Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) from eight newly licensed
free zones, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Export
Processing Zones Authority,Mr.Gbenga Kuye has said.
He said the enhanced efficiency of the agency, in line with the
Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, had
helped to fast-track approvals for zones, based on the new
checklist and methodology put in place for assessing requests.
Kuye, who spoke to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, said
the investments attracted already and incoming ones that had
been sealed, provided a solid foundation for a stronger
economy and greatly improved standard of living for Nigerians,
adding that the current administration should be commended
for that.
“Based on the new checklist and methodology put in place for
assessing free zone requests, the President approved a
number of facilities including the Centenary City Free Zone
(Business and Tourism Destination), with expected investment
of about $18 billion; Ogogoro Industrial Park, Lagos (oil and
gas activities) $160 million and the Nigeria International
Commerce City, Lagos, (formerly Eko Atlantic City) $38 billion.
“Others are Badagry Creek Industrial Park, Lagos, $1.3 billion;
Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Free Zone, $25.5
million; Dangote Refinery/ Petrochemical Park, $9 billion; Lekki
Deep Seaport (under Lagos Free Trade Zone) $1.4 billion and
Samsung Heavy Industries and Mega Construction Integrated
FZE (under LADOL Free Zone), $300 million.”
He added: “The authority is currently at advanced stages for
the approval for the proposed Kogi Industrial Park. We are
also presently consulting with the Cross River State
Government on the establishment of an Automotive Industrial
Cluster in the state.
“This is sequel to a bilateral relation agreement between
Nigeria and Japan, where Japan has proposed to help develop
an auto industrial cluster in Calabar. This is being done in
conjunction with the National Automotive Council (NAC) and
consultations are also ongoing for the revamping of the Idu
Industrial Area located in Abuja. According to experts, FDI can
be defined as the inflow of capital or capital importation from
Country ‘A’ to Country ‘B’ for the purpose of investment in
Country ‘B’.
“The word capital here is mainly in the form of plant and
machinery or professional services (not physical cash)
brought in from outside the country for the purpose of in­
vestment, which value can be placed upon and is quantifiable
in monetary terms.”
Kuye noted that since his assumption of office in 2013, the
authority had undergone massive transformation characterised
by the restructuring of its organogram to reflect the new
NEPZA, which is to be driven largely by in-depth research and
excellent investor relations.

$1trn capitalisation of Stock Exchange no longer feasible –Onyema


The dream of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to attain $1
trillion capitalisation across five asset classes by 2016 may
have after all turned a mirage as its CEO, Mr. Oscar Onyema,
said it is no longer achievable.
According to Onyema, who dropped the bombshell while
presenting the 2014 Market Recap and Outlook for 2015,
Wednesday in Lagos, going by the current situation in the mar­
ket and the prevailing environment in the country, the trillion
dollar capitalisation may be as good as a wishful thinking.
He lamented that bearish sentiments prevailed in the capital
market for most of last year as foreign investors divested from
the market citing currency risk. His words: “Foreign investors
steadily withdrew from the Nigerian market due to currency
risk and the recovery of developed economies, and the effects
of the US Federal Reserve tapering of its Quantitative Easing
(QE) policy. Several macroeconomic developments also
contributed to the decline in market performance. These
include fall in crude oil prices and related pressure on the nai­
ra; the impact of CBN’s monetary policy changes introduced
at various points throughout the year; Nigeria’s declining
foreign reserves; festering insurgency in the nation; uncer­
tainty around the upcoming 2015 elections and weak cor­
porate earnings. The air of uncertainty that hovered around
the Nigerian capital market throughout 2014 caused investors
to increasingly adopt a ‘flight to quality’ strategy.”
However, this notwithstanding, he promised that the Exchange
would focus on increasing local investors’ participation during
this year.
Onyema explained that the Exchange planned to achieve this
through strategic campaign to woo more local investors.
He also promised to promote the Nigerian capital market as
an African hub for growth companies, implement more
competitive price structure in conjunction with regulators and
other market participants.
He said the NSE would equally support reforms in the power,
oil and gas sectors, the diversification of government revenue
from oil as well as implementing the 10-year capital market
master plan.
Enumerating its 2014 achievements, he said the NSE made
history when it became the first African stock exchange to join
the Inter-market Surveillance Group (ISG), an international
group comprising securities exchanges, market centres and
market regulators that perform front-line market surveillance
within their respective jurisdictions. “Admission of the NSE is
an indication that the Exchange’s surveillance capacity is in
line with international standards,” he said.
He added that following a claims verification exercise initiated
in 2013, the first and second batches of claims verified under
the rules of the Investor Protection Fund (IPF) – 343 in total
– were approved for payment in December 2014. “Payments
will be made following the verification of claimants’ identities
by external consultants engaged by the Board of Trustees of
the IPF. The maximum payout is N400,000 per claim.
“And despite the market’s sharp downturn in 2014, it is not all
doom and gloom for 2015. Although many anticipate volatility
through the first half of the year, some stock prices are at
their lowest since the May 2013 sell-off, and some are below
book value, thus, presenting domestic investors with no
currency risk, an opportunity for cautious long term investing.”
Onyema explained that as the year progresses, underpinned by
a successful election with no or low levels of violence, a
tighter grip on the security situation in north-eastern Nigeria,
and a more certain macroeconomic outlook for oil prices,
interest rates and the naira, the market’s attractiveness could
improve rather significantly.

AFCON 2015: CAF insists on Ebola test for all teams


All players entering Equatorial Guinea for the African Cup of
Nations will be tested for Ebola. Julia Nchama Abeso Avomo,
the administrative attache at the country’s embassy in
London, said everyone entering Equatorial Guinea will go
through a short medical check upon arrival as a precautionary
measure.
Cape Verde was the first team to arrive on Tuesday and was
checked, according to the Confederation of African Football.
Congo, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Republic of Congo and Ghana
were to arrive yesterday.
“All the delegations are landing in Malabo for health checks,”
CAF said in a statement. “It was the case for Cape Verde
yesterday and DR Congo today. And it would be the case for
all the teams.”
Equatorial Guinea had no reported cases of Ebola.
The small oil-rich nation in Central Africa took over as host of
the tournament at short notice from Morocco, which didn’t
want to stage the championship because of fears over the
Ebola outbreak in West
Africa and fans travelling from that region. Ebola had claimed
over 8,000 lives, mostly in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Guinea is the only one of those three that qualified for the
African Cup. The 16-team tournament opens on Saturday, and
will be played in four cities, including the capital Malabo and
the largest city, Bata. The final would scheduled for February 8
in Bata.