I Will Resolve MTN Crisis In 2 Weeks, New Chairman Assures

November 10, 2015

The newly appointed chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the MTN, Africa’s largest wireless operator Africa’s largest wireless operator, Phuthuma Nhleko has promised to resolve the company’s $5.2bn fine by the NCC within two weeks and reverse share price losses that followed reports of the penalty late last month.

He vowed to personally lead negotiations with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which imposed the record fine for failing to disconnect 5.1 million unregistered customers before a deadline.

“We are doing our best to try to arrive at an acceptable outcome,” Nhleko said in an interview on South Africa’s Radio 702.

The company’s shares have declined about 16 percent since the fine was reported on October 26.

Analysts say that more senior executives at the mobile network MTN may have to face the music after the resignation of its group chief executive officer, Sifiso Dabengwa on Monday.

“It was inevitable that heads would roll,” World Wide Worx managing director, Arthur Goldstuck said in his reaction to Dabengwa’s resignation.

This could be a sign that the CEO was ineffective at moving ahead with negotiations with the Nigerian regulator or that he was pushed by the board, said Goldstuck.

“One of the big criticisms is that MTN hasn’t kept investors informed. It’s strategic decision-making is slow,” Goldstuck said

Dobek Pater – a director and analyst at telecoms, IT and media research firm Africa Analysis – said he had expected senior executives at MTN’s Nigerian operations to step down first, rather than South African-based Dabengwa.

“I didn’t expect the CEO at group level to step down.”

Meanwhile, Per Second News gathered that the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is also investigating MTN for the way it made its announcement on Monday October 26 regarding the $5.2bn fine. Media reports about the fine surfaced hours before MTN made the SENS announcement on that day. The JSE said it is also looking into possible insider trading at MTN by studying the trades that happened before the announcement. [myad]

Bailout Fund: APC Accuses PDP, Wada, Of Cheap Blackmail

Greenbarge Reporters

November 10, 2015

National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Kogi State government and the PDP Governors’ Forum of engaging in cheap blackmail by the blaming the delay in the release bailout funds for the state on political interference.

”This accusation is in line with the new-found propensity of the PDP to blame everyone but itself for the woes that have befallen the party in recent times. If the opposition party is not accusing the APC of colluding with the judiciary over the election petition cases, it is accusing the ruling party of colluding with the CBN over bailout funds. This is sickening,” it said.

In a statement issued in Abuja today by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it has no business with the release or otherwise of the bailout funds to Kogi state.

”Our investigations have revealed that the Kogi State Government has not been able to justify the over 50 billion Naira it is asking for as bailout funds. It is curious that the chunk of the funds which the state is asking for, over 40 billion Naira, is for the payment of the salaries of Local Government workers.

”The state is saying the backlog of salaries owed to these categories of workers dates back to 2011.

“How can that be, when Nigeria was not even broke in 2011? How can the state be owing Local Government workers when it has been collecting 2.2 billion Naira monthly in allocation for Local Governments, amounting to over 100 billion Naira in four years? What happened to the Local Government allocations collected by the state if it is owing LG workers since 2011?

‘The figures and explanations tendered by the Kogi State Government to justify the request for 50.8 billion Naira in bailout funds are not tenable, especially because only 4.9 billion Naira of the amount is for the payment of workers in the state civil service.

”Nigerians should bear in mind that the bailout funds are not for anything beyond the payment of workers’ salaries. The onus is therefore on the Kogi State Government to justify its request for 50.8 billion Naira, and to assure the CBN that the state is not seeing the funds as slush money. It is the failure to do just that, rather than any so-called political interference, that has denied the state government of accessing the funds so far.”

APC reminded the PDP Governors’ Forum, which has been quick to jump into the fray without doing its own due diligence, that the initiative to bail the states out of their inability to pay workers’ salaries was at the instance of the Buhari Administration, and meant to provide much-needed relief to the workers.

”Therefore, it does not make sense for anyone to accuse the ruling party or an agency of the same government of frustrating the release of the funds. Kogi State has no one but itself to blame for the quagmire in which it has found itself over the bailout funds.”

APC said the Kogi State Government should go and sort itself out with the CBN, if indeed it wants to get the bailout funds.

“What kind of desperation will make a man to callously and viciously wage war against the release of resources meant for the people of his state? The Kogi State Government is of the firm view that the bailout fund is only a loan and not a presidential benevolence, a spokesperson for the PDP said Tuesday.

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State recently called on President Muhammed Buhari not to play politics with the issue of bailout fund earmarked for states, saying that Kogi is yet to get its portion months after fulfilling the necessary documentation.

The claim was upon statements credited to the APC gubernatorial candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu and his running mate, Abiodun Falake, at a campaign rally where they said they had prevailed on President Buhari to order the stoppage of the release of the bailout funds to Kogi State until after the November 21 governorship election. [myad]

Army Probes Its Officer In Ekiti, Osun, Rivers, A-Ibom 2015 Elections

Greenbarge Reporters

November 10, 2015

The Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, has constituted a five-man board of generals to investigate alleged partisanship of members of the Nigeria Army during the 2015 general election.

General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigeria Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, said he was made the Chairman of the board by General Buratai. Other members of the board are Brigadier General Sunday Araoye, Brigadier General Emmanuel Kabuk, Brigadier General Baba Ibrahim and Colonel Danladi Salihu who will serve as its secretary.

General Oyebade told newsmen that there are allegations made by the general public on the gubernatorial elections conducted in some states such as Ekiti, Osun, Rivers and Akwa Ibom among others.

“These allegations are weighty and Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Buratai is determined to get to the root of the matter. The COAS insists on maintaining a professionally responsive Nigerian Army determined on discharging its constitutional roles, and as such instituted this Board of Inquiry.

“The panel is to investigate these allegations and recommend appropriate measures to prevent a re-occurrence in the future. The military as a noble profession must remain apolitical in our democratic dispensation.

“Politics, we strongly believe should be left entirely to politicians. The role of the military must strictly be in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

“I must hasten to add, however, that despite these worrisome allegations, the military has to a large extent performed creditably as the foremost guardian of the nation’s democracy.”

“All petitions/memorandum are to be forwarded not later than Fri day, November 20. The panel shall commence its sitting from 9am – 5pm daily except Sundays starting from yesterday. [myad]

Biafran Republic Agitators Intensify Campaign In East, South-South

Greenbarge Reporters

November 10, 2015

Agitators for the establishment of the Republic of Biafra spread their campaigns which they state in Abia, Delta, Enugu and other Eastern states to Rivers state today.

The agitators, who are also protesting against the arrest of the Director of London-based Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal Government, staged a protest today, leading to paralyzing socio-economic activities in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The spokesman of the Police Command in the state, Ahmad Muhammad, said the protesters came into the state from Aba, Abia State on Monday night and that they spent the night at Oyigbo and commenced the protest from there before moving into Port Harcourt.

During the protest today in Port Harcourt, the protesters rode on motorcycles and flying Biafra flags, marched through Aba Road into Port Harcourt city, but were intercepted by the police with a barricade between Rumukrushi and 1st Artillery junction. This led to the scene becoming rowdy and the police had to use teargas in effort to disperse the protesters.

In the stampede that ensued, some of the protesters fell down as they scampered for safety.

But, some of them, who later converged on a spot in the area, claimed that the people that fell down were shot with live ammunition by the police.

One of the protesters, Samuel Elijah, 25, explained that the reason for the demonstration was to make the Federal Government to release Kanu.

Some residents of Aba Road, who were forced to shut their homes and businesses, decried the development, saying it was ill-timed and unnecessary.

They also said the protesters ought to have complied with the procedure for protests to avoid clash with security agents.

On the alleged use of live ammunition on the protesters, the police spokesman declined comment and did not also confirm if arrests had been made. [myad]

Customs Boss Vows To Jail Corrupt Officers, Block Revenue Leakages

Greenbarge Reporters

November 10, 2015

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, retired Colonel Hameed Ali, has made it clear that he would not hesitate to apply maximum jail term of 10 years on officers of the service that refuse to divorce themselves from corruption.

He also expressed his determination to block all revenue leakages in order to make system serve the purpose for which it was established.

Ali, who spoke in Sokoto when he addressed customs officers of Sokoto/Zamfara/ Kebbi Area Command said: “the minimum jail term for corrupt officers is five years, but I will make sure that any officer found to be corrupt gets the maximum jail term of 10 years. This is to serve as a deterrent to any officer who finds himself in the Customs to make money and not to earn money.

“I am not saying that there are no good, incorruptible officers in the service, but there are few bad eggs who are giving the service a bad name.

“Our work ethics must change to be in tune with the change mantra as championed by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Ali advised the Customs personnel to make integrity, honesty and transparency their watch words, saying: “you should all do this to minimize the chances of getting into trouble, except those who are criminally minded.”

The Customs boss stressed that the task before him was to reform the service, raise revenue, and improve the welfare of personnel, even as he called on the officers and men to strive to block all areas of revenue leakages, saying that the service would use part of the revenue to provide offices and residential accommodation for them.

Ali assured them that, henceforth, there would be no favouratism in promotions, transfers and postings. [myad]

Athletics Federation Promises Monetary Incentives To Qualify Athletes

Greenbarge Reporters

November 10, 2015

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has promised to give monetary incentives to athletes that attained the federation’s standard for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.

In a statement, by the Head of Communication and Media, that the Federation Olukayode Thomas, the (AFN) said: “the standard must be achieved between January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016. The highest being 50,000 dollars for any Team Nigeria track and field athlete that wins a gold medal in Rio.

“Athletes that intend to compete in the 100m men and women must run 10.09secs and 11.10secs respectively.

“For the 200m, the men must run 20.20secs and the women 22.50secs. In the 400m, the entry standard is 45.20secs for men and 50.90secs for women.”

The statement said the standard for athletes intending to compete in the men’s 800m is 1.45.30secs and 2.00.00secs for women.

“The men 110 hurdles standard is 13.35secs and women 100m hurdles is 12.85secs. Intending athletes in the men’s and women’s 400m hurdles must run 48.95secs and 54.93secs respectively.”

In the high jump event, AFN standard is 2.31m for men and women 1.98m, while the men long jumpers must jump 8.20m and women 6.90m.

The statement said: “Triple any jumpers dreaming of going to Rio must achieve 17.25m for the men and 14.60m for the women.

“For pole-vault, the standard is 5.70m for men and 4.60m for women.

“Men and women shot-put throwers must achieve 20.60m and 18.50, while the standard for discuss throw is 66.00m and 65.15m for women.

“For the hammer throwers, the standard for men is 79.00m and 72.20m for women.

“Male javelin throwers must achieve 83.00m and women 65.10m.

“In the decathlon 8,200 points was set as standard, while heptathlon is 6,300points.”

In the relays, the AFN set 38.50secs is for men 4x100m and 42.00secs for women.

“The 4x400m men must run 3.00.00secs to qualify and the women 3.28.00secs,” it said.

The statement said AFN would pay athletes that meet the standard $2,000.

“Athletes that make it to the finals in Rio will get 2,500 dollars. Gold medallists will receive 50,000 dollars, silver medallist 30,000 dollars, while the bronze medallist will get 10,000 dollars.” [myad]

Lamorde Ends Tenure As EFCC Boss, Magu Takes Over

Greenbarge Reporters

November 9, 2015

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde is proceeding on terminal leave ahead of the expiration of his tenure in February next year.

In his place, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Ibrahim Mustafa Magu as the Acting Chairman of the Commission.

A two-paragraph statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Magu, who is an Assistant Commissioner of Police, is to take over from Lamorde.

Ibrahim Lamorde who was born on 20^th December 1962, joined EFCC when it was created in 2003 as Director of Operations. In December 2007 when Nuhu Ribadu was removed as the chairman of the Commission by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua,, ostensibly to attend a training course Lamorde took over as Acting Chairman in January 2008.

He held this position until Farida Waziri was appointed Chairperson in May 2008. He was then posted to Ningi in Bauchi state. In December 2010, Lamorde returned to the EFCC, again as Director of Operations. He replaced Stephen Otitoju, the acting Director of Operations

When Farida Waziri was dismissed on 23 November 2011, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Lamorde was again appointed Acting Chairman. A number of other senior police officers were said to be competing for the position of EFCC Chairman. Lamorde’s association with Waziri dating back to their days with the SFU could be a handicap. However, Lamorde was confirmed as substantive Chairman of the EFCC by the Senate on the 15 February 2012. [myad]

Buhari Faults Justice Administration Of Electoral Tribunals

Greenbarge Reporters

November 9, 2015

Present Muhammadu Buhari has frowned at the justice administration of the Electoral Tribunals which seeks to cover-up electoral malpractices and offences.
The President, who spoke today when he swore-in the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu and five commissioners of the Electoral body, said that it is long overdue that “our justice system addresses these shortcomings.
“It is not just enough for an election to be cancelled and a new one ordered. It would be much better if all whose actions or inactions led to the cancellation of such election to be investigated and if culpable prosecuted whether they are individuals as candidates or party agents, Institutions such as political party, electoral body, or public officers as electoral staff or security agents.”
He insisted that perpetrators of electoral violence and thuggery should not be spared, stressing: “unless our system stops covering up all forms of electoral malpractices we can hardly get it right. No system endures with impunity.”
the Federal Government’s constitutional constraints in its engagement with the State’s Electoral Bodies. But the government has a social responsibility to protect the democratic rights of all.
“I am of the view that it is totally unacceptable to hide under the cover of the technicality of law to deny the citizens’ rights.”
President Buhari observed that in almost all the States, the Party of the sitting government wins all the Council Elections. Adding that while there is nothing wrong with that if it is the true wish of the people, majority of Nigerians more often than not think it is not.
This is why, he said, there has been little respect for the outcome of the council elections, a situation he said, that is responsible for questioning the integrity of such election winners throughout their tenure.
The President said that the Federal Government is considering a different strategy of engagement with State Governments on how to make state electoral commissions
much freer than many are today.
He said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government has promised Nigerians Change, saying that in electioneering, this change should be all embracing.
“It starts from change of attitudes, change of work ethics, change in attitude to corruption and corrupt practices, change of party political conduct-right from primaries to the emergence of candidates and finally the conduct of elections.
“In the conduct of elections, we promised to respect the independence of our electoral body, INEC. We promised non-interference in its activities and above all we promised to encourage them to conduct transparently free and fair elections. I hereby pledge to keep that promise.”
President Buhari made it clear that APC is not limited to the control of Federal Government alone, adding that he expected APC controlled states to do no less in the way they handle their various States’ Electoral Commissions.
“All of us, and this includes other political parties, have a responsibility to safe-guard the sanctity of democratic values; and the foundation of such values are free association, transparent electoral process and free and fair elections.”
While the President pledged to respect the independence of the Commission that he would not interfere with its operations, Buhari asked the electoral body not to allow itself to be unduly influenced or subject itself to the control of outside forces.
“You must respect the law and we will hold you bound by the oath which you have just taken. “The Nation has reposed a lot of trust and confidence in you. You cannot afford to fail.”
The President did not fail to thank the Press, the Social Media, various Local and International Monitoring Groups, International Community- particularly the Donor Agencies for the support of the nation’s electoral management and operation. [myad]

Dabengwa Resigns As MTN Chief Executive Officer

Greenbarge Reporters

November 9, 2015

The Chief Executive of MTN, Africa’s largest mobile operator, Sifiso Dabengwa has announced his resignation from his position and took the brunt for the company’s $5.2 billion fine by Nigeria.

“Due to the most unfortunate prevailing circumstances occurring at MTN Nigeria, I, in the interest of the company and its shareholders, have tendered my resignation with immediate effect,” Dabengwa said in a statement.

The company, which is facing the fine after failing to cut off users with unregistered SIM cards on its network in the country, appointed Phutuma Nhkelo as executive chairman in a temporary capacity, in the wake of Dabengwa’s departure.

Nhkelo, who is accredited with the company’s expansion into international markets including Iraq and Syria, has had a long tenure at MTN, serving as non executive director and chairman from July 2001 until June 2002, and thereafter as an executive director, before being appointed group president and CEO until March 2011.

Since May 2013, he has chaired the group in a non executive capacity.

Nhkelo said for the next six months he will “proactively deal with the Nigerian regulator and will continue to work with them in addressing the issues around unregistered subscribers as a matter of urgency”.

MTN has been trying to reduce the fine, imposed by regulators Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), after the company failed to disconnect 5.1 million subscribers between August and September. Nigeria is beefing up its efforts to verify all subscribers on telecoms networks, amid terrorism concerns.

Tony Ojobo, a spokesman for the NCC, said last week the regulator won’t buckle under pressure from MTN, stating that the country’s four operators agreed to a fine of around $1,000 for every unregulated SIM, with MTN the only company not to comply.

Information filtering in indicated that talks are at an advanced stage concerning the penalty, with MTN due to pay up by next Monday (16 November).

Nigeria is MTN’s biggest market, with more than 64 million connections, according to GSMA Intelligence.

Despite the controversy, NCC last week approved the renewal and extension of MTN’s operating licence for another five years, through to 2021. [myad]

Golden Eaglets ‘Take Mali Clean Mouth,’ Go Home With World Cup Again

Greenbarge Reporters

November 9, 2015

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets sent their West African opponents, Mali, into the back-seat early this morning with 2-0 win to retain, for the fifth time, the FIFA U17 World Cup title.

As predicted by many, it was largely an even first half contest between the Eaglets and their Malian counterparts who are Africa’s defending champion.

Nigeria blew away the chance for an early inside the first four minutes as Ebere failed to convert the penalty awarded for a hand ball offence by a Mali player.

That nonetheless, Golden Eaglets gangling striker Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock in the 56^th minute and three minutes later the lead by Nigeria was doubled as Funsho Bamgboye increased the tally with Classic finish hitting the roof top.

The sumptuous goal by Osimhen was his 10^th goal of the tournament which makes him the record holder of the most goals scored by an individual at one single FIFA U17 World Cup tournament.

The Golden Eaglets before the Mali clash had recorded good results at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar where they crushed Chile 5-1 in their second group phase match, annihilated Australia 6-0 in the second round and battered Brazil 3-0 in the quarter final.

The venue proved a lucky ground yet again as Nigeria triumphed over Mali albeit after early scares.

The successful defence recorded by Nigeria makes them only the second country after Brazil to record back-to-back wins in the cadet World Cup.

Brazil achieved that feat; winning the 1997 and 1999,editions. [myad]

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