Wednesday May 10 Publication

The

The Oracle SEPTEMBER 2, 2016

VOX POPULI SACRUM

racle

Today Today

www.oraclenews.ng

WEDNESDAY MAY 10, 2017

ISSN: 2545-5869

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VOL.2 No. 20. N200

The Oracle Today Comment Buhari: The Long-absence President

NIGERIANS are not asking the right questions. It is no longer enough to ask where the President is. Nor is it adequate to know that the President is in the presidential residence in Abuja. Things passed those stages long ago. We are in a new era with the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency. It is important that people

This is not about the President working from his home or office: It is about who the President of Nigeria is, today. understand it in that manner and appreciate where the country is heading with all the uncertainties that such a Presidency creates.

This is not about whether the President is working from

his home or office – it is about who the President of Nigeria is.

The question may have to be asked so pointedly if we

are to get an answer.

Nigerians have gone into the default mode with the

Cont’d on Page 24

Financial scandal hits Aids Corps • N654m allegedly misappropriated •FG may scrap TAC • Allegations false, mischievious –DG TAC From TONY AILEMEN, Abuja

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put the money in fixed deposit accounts to earn some interests, which, at the end of the day, are usually pocketed by the exact same privileged officials.

Indeed, the agency, according to sources, has been short-changing the Federal Government to the tune of about N654, 000,000 annually in the past three years through excess budgetary provision for the allowances of volunteers.

There are allegations that in the past three years, the agency has been maintaining barely 200 volunteers outside the country as against 1,400 it started with close to three decades ago.

The allowances paid volunteers according the information available The Oracle Today is

HE Directorate of Technical Aids Corps (TAC), an agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is currently under watch by anti-graft authorities for what insiders have called ‘monumental fraud’ rocking the agency, The Oracle Today investigations have revealed.

Sources who spoke with this newspaper under condition of anonymity claimed that most of the beneficiaries, what they call ‘volunteers’ in TAC parlance, have remained unpaid for very a long time now, for inexplicable reasons, a situation that has put them at the mercy of the countries of their posting.

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, (centre), with the Acting Director-General of NIPSS, Jonathan M. Juma, The reason for the delay, The mni, (fifth right), when he led members of Study Group One of Senior Executive Course No.39, 2017, of the institute Oracle Today gathered, is that on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu ... during the week. superintending officials usually •Continued on Page 2

Nnamdi Kanu: CG-IPOB commends Ndigbo for ‘courageous’ action

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

NEWS

Financial scandal hits Aids Corps

Continued from Pg 1 between $1,000 and $1,500 offshore and between N20,000 and N25,000 on-shore each.

Lawyers and medical personnel and usually paid higher, ($1,500 and N25,000) off-shore and on-shore while the rest are receive $1,000 off-shore and N20,000 on-shore.

There is also the sum of $500 paid to each of the volunteers as resettlement allowance at the completion of their assignments abroad, which is in excess of $600,000 when multiplied by 1,200.

The on-shore allowances are equally paid in arrears of between three and six months while the off-shore is usually in arrears of between six an 12 months and sometimes the resettlement allowance is not paid at all, it was further gathered.

The Technical Aids Corps (TAC) was established 28 years ago as

a foreign police instrument to advance the country’s image positively and promote SouthSouth cooperation.

At the early stage, more than 40 countries from Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific embraced the programme but now only about eight countries are participating, thus drastically reducing the number of volunteers being sent out to just 200 volunteers a year.

This development, our source revealed, stemmed from a decline in the quality of volunteers being sent out since the authorities set aside initial selection process, which guaranteed that only the best were selected and given adequate orientation before their departure, began to conduct recruitment on quota basis.

Following this turn of event, the host countries started rejecting some of those posted to them on account of such volunteers’ incompetence and ques-

tionable behaviour.

One of the volunteers, simply identified as Abiodun, for instance, was allegedly jailed in Zambia for robbing a foreign national.

However, despite this sharp decline in the number of volunteers being sent out yearly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was gathered, has consistently budgeted for the allowances of 1,400 candidates in addition to the cost of air tickets, orientation and accommodation.

Some members of staff of the agency, who volunteered information expressed fears that, with the way things were going, the Federal Government might be pushed to scrap the agency since the main trust of setting it up has been eroded by the fact that “we are no more sending and maintaining volunteers outside the country.”

But the Director General of the Directorate of Technical Aids Corps (TAC), Dr. Pius Os-

unyikanmi, described the allegations as “uncharitable and mischievous”, describing them as the handiwork of some people who are bent on destroying his reputation “As you know, African remains at the centre of Nigeria’s foreign policy and as a member of South South Cooperation, we need these programmes to give assistance,” he said in response to inquiries from The Oracle Today.

He added that Nigeria’s role as a big brother to other African countries makes it mandatory for the country to continue with the programme as she did during the era of decolonization of Africa, where Nigeria deployed resources to free many African countries.

Dr. Osunyikanmi, while also making case for the policy to continue, said it would continue to help in creating positive image for the country He disclosed that the number of people posted out of the country at any one point in time is not

fixed, but based on requests which he also said “don’t come at the same time.”

“In the case of Teachers for instance, this has to do with the country’s resumption time and this is not fixed,” he said.

“We are in the neighborhood of about 200, and their money is sent through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and disbursed by the Ambassador or Head of the Foreign Mission in that country,” he added, noting: “I do not think an Ambassador will approve payment to a wrong person.”

On the issue of delays in paying the Technical Aids Corps volunteers, he disclosed that “the delays are usually due to technical reasons,” which he did not explain.

He declared: “It is not correct that we maintain 1400 as against the 200. We have had to call investigators to look into allegations by those who claimed to be journalists,” he said.

CG-IPOB commends Abaribe, others for NDDC Chief declares Abia safest in S/East, S/South ‘courageous’ action From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

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HE Customary Government of IPOB (CG-IPOB) has commended the “historical sacrifice made by those who signed the bail bond to free Nnanmdi Kanu from detention.”

In a release signed by Vincent Anaenugwu, Director of the Directorate of Information, CG-IPOB, the group reserved special praise for “these three Biafrans viz Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Chief Priest, Immanuu-El Shalom and Mr Tochukwu Uchendu.. these three gallant men (who) stood up at a time when the fighting spirit of Biafrans was

put to test…(who) staked everything they have to sign document(s), which many saw as death warrant.”

It added: “The Customary Government of IPOB (CG-IPOB) is happy that Nnamdi Kanu has finally been released on bail. It is not uhuru yet but it is the beginning of good things to come.

No doubt, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu along with others still in prison custody – Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and others in various detentions elsewhere, have proven to the world that Biafra cannot be traded with gold or silver, hence their courageous pos-

ture throughout the period in Kuje and court.

“With the latest development, the bar has been raised, the expectation is high. Customary Government of IPOB (CG-IPOB) can confirm to Biafrans that there is nothing to be afraid of. All the high expectation(s) will be met and we shall march forward together to clinch our star prize –Biafra.

Note that we might disagree to agree on adopted methodology. However, efforts are being made to bring all the Leaders of pro-Biafra groups to a round table to further the Biafra unity discussion.”

JDPC celebrates with widows, beggars, others

By MEJEE MEJEE, Onitsha

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USTICE Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), S.S. John and Paul, Iba Pope, Awada in the Idemili North Local Council of Anambra State recently hosted widows, beggars, the physically challenged persons and the less privileged in the state, showering them with gift items such as rice, biscuits, tomatoes, clothes, shoes and cash.

The event organized by the parish priest, Very Rev. Fr. George Nzemuoba, took place at the church premises with over 150 beneficiaries in attendance.

Speaking to the press, the

chairman of the JDPC in the parish, Bro. Sunday Okpala said the gesture is an annual event to fulfill Christ’s injunction of being, “our brother’s keeper”.

He appealed to the government to find a way of rehabilitating the beggars, widows and the needy in the country.

In his own remarks, former president of CYON in the parish, Comrade Ben Chiekezie also stated the need for government to provide for the needy, appealing to the wealthy in the country to use the members of JDPC to reach out to the less privileged.

He commended Fr. Nzemuoba for remembering the poor.

Others who spoke at the event included Bro. Charles Obiekezie, Comrade Alphonsus Ike and Collins Obinwa, who underscored

the importance of helping the less privileged to live meaningful lives.

Arch. Bishop Valerian Okeke

From DANIEL MADUAGWU Umuahia

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HE Abia State Chief Executive Officer of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. George Iroh has singled out the state as the safest and most peaceful area for oil company operations in Nigeria.

He also praised the people of Ukwa West Local Council of Abia State for their support for the NDDC in their town.

Mr Iroh made this known at Oke-Ikpe, the Headquarters of Ukwa West Council, while addressing a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Commission for stakeholders in Abia.

He pointed out that unlike in most other oil producing states, Abia has provided a peaceful area for the NDDC, stressing that the traditional rulers and youths of the area have done a lot to foster understanding between host community and oil companies.

“I am from Edo State and we all know that in the entire South South area, the place most times are hot because of youths’ actions, but things like that are absent here as the youths and traditional rulers apply dialogue.

“In fact, if every oil producing state will be like Abia there would be little or no worry for us (NDDC) in Nigeria,” Iroh said, amidst applause.

He also urged the people to shun every act that could lead to the sabotage of NDDC projects in their area, reminding them that destroyed or aban-

doned projects would be to their detriment.

The NNDC Chief Executive maintained that the missions of the NDDC in Ukwa land have led to the rehabilitation of a major road in the area, which connect Ukwa East and West councils, to Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

Iroh reminded the participants also that the road was in a terrible condition before the current NDDC leadership of Nsima Ekere intervened.

However, most of the youths present during the parley urged the Federal Government to consider Ukwa West indigenes for oil block awards and construction projects, adding that their land being a hen that lays the golden egg should not be fed with crumbs while non-indigenes enjoy the real deal.

They opined that Ukwa is blessed with qualified manpower in oil sector that could fit into key departments, warning that the peaceful nature of Ukwa people should not be misconstrued for ignorance.

Also speaking, the local government chairman of Ukwa West Council, Mr. Goodluck Nwobiwe, promised to maintain a good relationship between his people and the oil companies operating in his area, charging them to team up with his administration in its resolve to transform the area.

He also attributed the peace in his area to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration, which he thumbed up, for community-oriented policies.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Ugwuanyi to workers: I’ll not fail you • Say Enugu is forging ahead • Organised Labour honours gov with double awards at May Day rally From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

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HE governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has assured workers in the state that his administration will continue to make their welfare and general affairs its top priority.

The governor made the pledge in an address during the 2017 Worker’s Day Celebration at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, where he was also honoured with double awards – Most Labour-Friendly Governor – by the organised la-

bour in the state, appreciation of the labour-friendly stance of the Ugwuanyi administration since its inception.

Both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) conferred the award to the governor on separate notes.

Governor Ugwuanyi, on his part, also poured copious encomiums on the workers for according his administration great understanding, patience and support since the advent of his administration.

According to the governor, the

massive infrastructures and other developments being recorded in all parts of the state were possible largely because of the uncommon industrial harmony that existed between the government and the organised labour in the state, which, he said, was also occasioned by prayers and cooperation of workers and the people of the state.

“You have given us immense cooperation as we sort to navigate through the very difficult economic and social conditions that we met.

You have really been there for us

from the very first day, showing us understanding and patience.

And against all odds, we are paying salaries as at when due. We are enjoying industrial harmony and we are carrying out massive infrastructures and other developments in all parts of the state for the benefit of our people.

“To the glory of God, while others are lamenting the harsh effects of the recession, we are forging ahead in all areas of development and strengthening the bonds that bind us together. Even our pensioners

Communities in FCT still reject twins, triplets –NGO

LGs soon to get financial autonomy – D/Speaker ocal Governments in Nigeria Ltonomy would be given financial auin the ongoing constitu-

non-governmental organiA sation, Divine Inheritage Home, Kiyi, Kuje, Federal Capi-

tal Territory (FCT), says it has received reports of increased cases of rejected twins and triplets in the community in recent times.

The management of the home has therefore pleaded with Nigerians to show concern for such babies, noting that they ought not to attach myths to their births.

Founder of the home, Dr Chinwe Steven, who said this when the Latiwa Development Foundation, also a non-governmental organisation, inaugurated a girls’ empowerment programme in Kuje, Monday, also disclosed that some communities in Nigeria still view twins and triplets as mysterious babies, believing that they are evils and gods that should be put away from communities.

She, however, commended the efforts of missionaries who she said had checked this belief drastically in Nigerian communities.

“The children we have here are not complete orphans, some have one parent and others both parents, we are saving twins in Bassa Komo community in Abuja where they believe twins are not human beings.

“They believe they are evil and gods; and immediately their mothers give birth to them, they stop breastfeeding them, resulting in the deaths of some of them.

“They believe by the deaths of such babies, including the albinos, they will have good harvest in their farms. But the home is trying to orient the people in the communities, especially their mothers that the children are gifts from God and not gods.”

She urged the National Orientation Agency to create awareness and enlighten those in Bassa Komo, Gbagyi Yama and Ganagana communities of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

are not left out in the celebration of this new dawn as they now receive their pension regularly, he said.

On his awards, Governor Ugwusnyi described it as gratifying and a gift he will never take for granted.

He appreciated the workers for the awards and urged them to remain true to their obligation and approach their duties with greater zeal and commitment, assuring them that he has taken note of all requests that were presented by their leaders and promised to look into them accordingly.

Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State and others during the May Day celebration.

Ajaokuta-Onitsha Waterways dredging to prevent flood, grow econ0my S ome residents of Kogi have observed that the dredging maintenance of the Ajaokuta-Onitsha waterways would reduce flood in the state.

Some of them, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate inteviews in Ajaokuta on Monday, expressed delight about the initiative and commended the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for it.

Apart from preventing flood, Mr Adoga Ibrahim, Special Adviser to the state Governor on Multilateral Agencies and Special projects, said the dredging exercise would create employment for the youth.

“It is a fantastic initiative for Nigeria and for the state and we are really happy about these happenings because it will open up the business potential for our state.

“We are going to see growth in

employment opportunity for our youths, we are happy as this can reduce flood because when the river is dredged, it can flow better,’’ he said.

Similarly, Mr Yakubu Osani, the Chairman, Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, said the river was connecting 28 states and dredging it would boost the economy of the states.

“The dredging is so important in the history of the state because looking at the economy aspect of it, it is enormous.

“The dredging is going to connect several states meaning that the economy activities will be much and Kogi indigenes will benefit a lot from it.

“If this initiative had been in place, the flood disaster that occurred in 2012 would have been prevented,’’ he observed.

Similarly, Chief Musa Achuga, Chairman, Ajaokuta Traditional Council, appreciated the govern-

ment for bringing the initiative which would boost the activities of the community.

“We thank God that he has brought this progress to us this time around and we are very happy for what is happening today, it is part of progress we are envisaging ,’’ he said.

Also, Chief Kasin Ibrahim, the head of Ajaokuta, pledged that the community would give full support to ensure that the project was successful.

“It is a pleasure having this type of project, we have been expecting it, it has come to materialise and we thank the government.

“The community is giving its full support to ensure that this project completed,’’ he said.

Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi inaugurated the 162-kilometre waterways dredging maintenance of AjaokutaOnitsha on April 29 to be completed in two months.

tion review, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yussuff Lasun, has said.

Lasun, who is the Chairman, Ad hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, disclosed this at a one-day retreat of the committee on Friday in Abuja.

He said that there was the need to ensure financial independence for local governments because they were essential to democracy and development in any country.

“It is very dicey because it will involve you to amend so many sections of the Constitution, but what I will assure you is we’re going to push for financial autonomy. We are concerned because if you go all over the country today, local governments are no longer in existence.

“That is not good for democracy, it’s not good for development and that is why it has become very difficult for the people of the grassroots to feel the impact of government,” he said.

The deputy speaker described local government is an important part of democracy.

“Once they cannot operate on their own, once they don’t have elected officials at local government level, once they don’t have access to their own money, definitely, it will be difficult to do anything at that level.”

Lasun said that all over the world, local government was responsible for almost 40 per cent of development, hence the need to push its financial autonomy in the country.

He said that the onus for constitution amendment lay with the state assemblies.

“If the States want the Constitution to be amended, they will append their signature to what we pass at the National Assembly,” he added.

On the report of the National Conference conducted by the last administration, the deputy speaker said that it would be considered for inclusion in the Constitution amendment.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION Increasing workers’ salary necessary due to rising cost of living -- Dogara

By VICTOR NZE

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peaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara has stated that increasing workers’ salary has become necessary in view of the rising cost of living in the country.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, to mark the 2017 Workers’ Day, Dogara said that the House is committed to passing a new minimum wage bill.

The Speaker reiterated the resolve of the parliament to enact a new minimum wage bill for Nigerian workers.

“I wish to congratulate the entire Nigerian workers as they join their counterparts the world over in commemorating the International Workers’ Day. “While commending you for your commitment to the service and building of the nation, I wish to assure you that the National Assembly remains committed to the passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill when presented by the executive,” Dogara said.

The Speaker further stressed that the 8th House of Representatives in particular was committed to initiating other laws and legislative interventions that will promote the welfare and well-being of Nigerian workers.

Dogara, however, enjoined workers, especially civil servants to rededicate themselves to duty and support government’s laudable policies and programmes.

“As you mark this historic day, I wish to remind Nigerians of the sacrifices made by the working class in nation building. And I urge you to commit yourselves to doing even more in supporting government’s activities that will better the lots of our citizens “, Dogara stated.

Masari restates commitment to reposition Katsina State

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atsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, has restated the commitment of his administration to reposition the state into an economic hub of the country.

The governor gave the assurance at an interactive session with the state indigenes resident in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Masari, who described the session as bipartisan gathering, said it was aimed at reviewing the various policies implemented by his administration since inception with a view to charting a way forward.

He stressed that the goal of his administration was to create an enabling environment that would encourage both local and international investors to invest in the state.

Masari said that the government was open and not scared of constructive criticism, adding that such criticism would spur the government to be proactive and deliver more dividends of democracy to the electorate.

He blamed decay in the state’s infrastructure to negligence from successive governments and relevant stakeholders.

The governor said that stakeholders in the state had ignored the state government over the years, instead of holding them accountable to spur positive economic changes in the state.

“We do not have reason to be where we are. Stakeholders in the state have decided to ignore and expect just few people to take up responsibility of changing the narratives of Katsina.

“In terms of poverty, Katsina ranked third position; in Federal Government allocation, Katsina ranked seventh position; the state also has 15 honourable members at the National Assembly, ranking fourth highest represented state,” he said.

He said the wage bill in the local government was about half, if not more than the allocation accrued to the state government from Fed-

eration Account.

According to Masari, when he took over the mantle of leadership of Katsina, he found the state in a deplorable situation, adding that its health sector was in bad shape.

The governor explained that the current administration had so far improved the state healthcare service delivery by engaging highly qualified medical personnel in the sector and upgrade facilities.

He said as part of efforts to reduce cost of governance, state officials rarely travelld on foreign trips except occasionally where they are sponsored by host country for major functions.

The governor, therefore, called on investors to invest more in the state, describing the state as investors’ haven, with assurance that his administration would continue to prioritize education in the state.

Masari disclosed that his administration had introduced a number of empowerment and resettlement schemes to reduce redundancy

8 LGs shared N1.3bn Paris Club refund in Bayelsa –Commissioner

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Kano chief judge frees 12 prison inmates

By VICTOR NZE

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he Acting Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Nura Sagir, has freed 12 Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATI) who had over- stayed in prison custody.

According to a statement by Musbahu Lawan, the Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Prison Service (NPS), Kano, explained that the gesture of the judge was part of the processes to ‘decongest over-populated prisons in pursuant to the power conferred on him by section 1 of the criminal Justice (Released from custody) special provisions Act 1977.’

The release of the inmates was made after a visit by the Chief Judge to Goron Dutse Prison where he reviewed their case files.

Sagir also promised to assist in the decongestion of prisons by speedy trial of cases in High Courts, Magistrates and Sharia Courts and called on prisons authorities to cooperate with the Judiciary in the exercise.

He urged the freed inmates to be good ambassadors of their community.

Earlier in his remarks, the Comptroller of Prison, Alhaji Aliyu Achor, said the NPS was willing to cooperate with the State Judiciary in reducing the menace of congestion in prison.

The Kano Command of the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) had also listed 43 awaiting trial inmates with minor offences who have stayed for four years and above in the 10 prisons in the state.

and curb the activities of a notorious group in the state. ”We have also intensified our collaboration with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to help curb the rising rate of drug abuse in the state,” he added.

The Katsina State Commissioner for Health, Mrs Mariatu Usmam, disclosed that arrangements had been concluded to establish Katsina Teaching Hospital, College of Midwifery and Post Basic Nursing Institute.

She said that the state government had renovated, upgraded and equipped over 100 health facilities across the state in the last two years.

Sen. Abu Ibrahim, representing Katsina South Senatorial District, commended Masari for harnessing the great potential of Katsina through investment drive.

The lawmaker said under Masari much success were being recorded in education, agriculture, health, water resources, work, housing and transportation.

Abia state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (right) in a chat with Comrade Uchenna Obigwe, Chairman NLC Abia state chapter during the 2017 May day celebration in Umuahia.

Aregbesola to set up probe panel over Adeleke’s death O

sun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has stated that his administration would set up a panel to probe the cause of the sudden death of Sen. Isiaka Adeleke.

Aregbesola who made this promise in a statement by his media aide, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, described Adeleke as a man of peace, who he said defected from the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the August 2014 governorship poll in the state because he could not stand violence.

According to the governor, the state government had planned a befitting state burial for the late politician but was scuttled by some person” crying more than the bereaved” who unleashed terror on dignitaries, who came to honour the

departed soul.

“Senator Adeleke was a man of peace. He preached peace and lived it through his life. He left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because he could not stand violence.

“This was after he was beaten up by some leaders of the PDP during a meeting in a hotel in Osogbo. It is a profound irony and most unfortunate therefore that a few disgruntled elements purporting to protest his death desecrated his funeral with violence and attacks on innocent persons. ”They dishonoured him and did his memory a great disservice by keeping his friends, political associates and well-wishers away from his burial. The best we could do in the circumstance was to declare three days

of mourning throughout the state and fly national, state and our party’s flags at half-staff in his honour.

“The State Government of Osun, using the instrumentality of the law, is setting up an inquest to unravel the circumstances of this unfortunate and sad incident, in order to put the record straight on his death.

“He is irreplaceable in our hearts.

We commiserate with his family, the good people of Ede, associates, friends, constituents and generality of our people on the passage of this patriot. As we pray for the repose of his soul, we equally pray for the strength to bear this heavy loss”.

Adeleke, who was representing Osun West Senatorial District, died on April 23.

ommissioner for Local Government Administration, Bayelsa, Dr Agatha Goma, said the eight local government areas in the state shared N1.3 billion from the N14.5 billion Paris Club refund remitted to the state by the Federal Government.

She gave the figures in a news conference, Monday, noting that the councils deployed the fund which was the first tranche of the Paris Club fund to clear salary backlogs in the eight local governments.

She, however, said that the fund was not sufficient to clear the entire backlog as various councils have varying wage bills even as their fund receipts and revenue earnings varied.

According to her, the breakdown of the sharing shows the following — Brass Local Government; N158.5 million, Ekeremor Local Government; N182.2 million, Kolokuma/Opokuma; N122.6 million and Ogbia; N157.9 million.

Others are Sagbama; N155.4 million, Nembe; N147.9 million, Southern Ijaw; N209.4 million and Yenagoa; N199.1 million.

“It is important to restate that what the councils in Bayelsa are facing is as a result of the recession which has taken its toll on the revenue accruable to all tiers of government, nobody tampers with council funds in Bayelsa.

“Even though we run a unified local government system, the same amount that accrues to the local governments is what is remitted to them and they are financially autonomous.

“The local government component of both the bailout funds from the Federal Government and the Paris Club refunds were remitted to the eight local governments and they were judiciously used,’’ Goma said.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on March 23 approved the disbursement of the second tranche of the Paris Club loan refunds to states that had disbursed the first tranche to local governments.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

NEWS

Catholic bishop donates relief materials to lepers From RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka

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ATHOLIC Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. (Dr). Paulinus Ezeokafor, recently paid a humanitarian visit to the Oji River Leprosy Centre during which he donated food items and other relief materials to the inmates.

Delivering the food items, Bishop Ezeokafor said the gesture was part of the missionary work of the Church, noting that Oji River Leprosy Centre, which is under his diocese would never be abandoned.

The Catholic prelate said his first visit to the centre was in 1986 in his second year as a Catholic priest, noting that he had never looked back since then.

“I started in 1986 in my second year as a priest; you know, as a young priest, I had just little. But, that did not deter me from reaching out to them.

I do it every year. The items increased after my consecration as a bishop 10 years ago,” he said.

The bishop, who gave them words of spiritual uplift, urged them to be joyful and have it in mind that God is aware of their plight.

He exhorted them to continue to believe God who heals all sicknesses and to engage in acts that would guarantee them heavenly kingdom.

He noted that it would be bad for anyone to suffer on earth and also suffer hereafter.

Bishop Ezeokafor, who is the Chairman, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Committee on Laity, called on the Enugu State Government to take more deliberate steps to ameliorate the suffering of the inmates of the centre.

He said the Church would continue to contribute to the training of the children at the centre, adding that already no fewer than 27 of them are on the scholarship of the diocese.

Speaking to The Oracle Today, the chairman of the Oji River Leprosy Centre, Mr Benjamin Udenze who said he had been there for 15 years, revealed that there are no doctors or medicines for the patients, noting that the poor attention they receive has resulted in the deaths of no fewer than five patients out of the about 193 persons, including children quarantined since January this year.

He said the hospital at the centre is

not functional, as the federal and Enugu State governments are not paying attention to their plight.

Udenze, who complained that families of most members have been abandoned, said serious lack of access to food and medicare has made his members resort to street begging to make ends meet.

Also speaking, Rev. Fr Romanus Okongwu, the Catholic chaplain of the centre and the Parish Priest of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Ugwuoba, said it is not in the best interest of public health that the leprosy patients are allowed to roam the streets and markets.

Okongwu said there is need for

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ov. Willie Obiano has declared two days-Monday, may 8 and Tuesday, may 9, 2017 work free days to enable workers in the state participate in the on-going continuous registration of voters exercise.

Gov. Obiano dropped the hint in his May Day address at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.

He regretted what he described as the non-challant attitude of the people in the state towards elections participation in the previous times, blaming it on the inability of the people to register during the build-up to the main elections.

lain, Rev. Raphael Amazu, thanked the bishop for his continued support for the centre, noting that apart from medical deficiency, the buildings and other amenities at the centre are in a dilapidated state and that most inmates now choose to remain in the cities.

Rev. Amazu said beddings, toilet and bathrooms at the centre are no longer adequate for human use and begged government at all levels to come to the assistance of the victims.

Some of the food items distributed included bags of rice, bags of semolina flour, bags of garri, cartons of noodles, tubers of yam and a host of other items.

(From left) Barrister Okey Igwe , Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Council, Abia State with Sir. Romanus Madu, Permanent Secretary, Government House, Umuahia and a guest during the cornation ceremony of Eze Sunday Udochukwu Ijeh at Isuochi, Abia State... recently. Photo: Oliver Udeogu.

Ndigbo to Kanu: Don’t abandon Biafra From DANIEL MADUAGWU, Umuahia

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OLLOWING the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, from Kuje prisons recently the Federal High Court after

Voters register: Anambra declares two work-free days From CHUKS COLLINS, Awka

government to take the front seat in the care for the people and ensure that the primary school at the centre becomes effective to secure the future of the children of the inmates.

He said efforts should be made not only to check the spread of the disease but ensure that people who came to the centre are healed and freed to return home.

Fr. Okongwu called on the government to save the inmates and public from further pains by delivering consistent wellbeing service to the centre.

He thanked those who have shown concern.

In his remark, the Anglican Chap-

He, therefore, explained that the decision to declare the work-free days was to ensure that workers who have not registered before or who have challenges with their registration or want to transfer their voters cards, have the opportunity to rectify the problems.

Obiano also advised the workers and citizens of the state against double registration, as that would invalidate their registration. He urged them to ensure that before the election, they would go to ascertain their status when the independent national electoral commission (INEC) displays the register for observations, corrections and rectification.

about a year and six months in prison, Igbo people have called on Kanu not to allow his ugly experiences in prison make him abandon the Biafra struggle.

This came as many supporters of Kanu in Umuahia have expressed their happiness about his release while urging him to rebuff every overture that may tempt him to abandon the Biafra cause.

Also, a cross-section of Abians has poured praises on Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator representing Abia South District, for signing the bail bond for the release of the leader of Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB).

They described him as a true representative of the Igbo nation at the National Assembly whose selflessness has brought dignity to the South Easterners.

The commendations came from the Chairman of Isiala Ngwa North Council of Abia State, Hon Ginger Onwusibe, while commenting on the role played by Senator Abaribe towards Kanu’s freedom.

He described the Senator as “a man who fights for justice and equity for his people any day.”

Also, a former Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Prince Clinton Uba has described Senator Abaribe as “Egwuatu” (a fearless person)

for securing the freedom of the IPOB leader, while urging Ndigbo all over the world to rally round him for more democracy dividends.

According to Mr. R. Nwokojii, a chieftain of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Abia State, “Kanu has made the Igbo nation proud by refusing to be cowed into surrender.”

Nwokojii, a retired director in the state also called for a united front; this, he said, would enable Ndigbo achieve their socio-political agenda in Nigeria.

Adding his voice, an Igbo traditionalist and anthropologist, Nze Nelson Arukwe described Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as “Okenwa (Great Son) of Igbo land who has shamed the Nigerian conspiracy against Ndigbo,” while also urging other Igbo Senators to be brave like Enyinnaya Abaibe.

Dr. Arukwe said that the development represented a sign of the shape the country would soon be in, as according to him, the “Hausa Fulani hegemony has collapsed, giving way to a new shape of things where the masses will no longer tolerate wanton deceit and misrule from bad rulers.”

A veteran of the Nigeria/Biafra war, Chief Sylvester Anyaehie called for the erection of Nnamdi Kanu’s statue in Umuahia city centre to celebrate his heroism.

NLC rejects 70% salary from Imo State government From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

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HE workers in Imo State under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday observed the commemoration of 2017 edition of Workers Day, otherwise known as May Day in Nigeria, with a declaration that the state government is not telling the whole truth about workers’ salaries in the state.

According to the Chairman of the NLC in Imo State, Comrade Austin Chilakpu, who spoke at the event which was held at the Heroes Square following the breakdown of Dan Anyiam Stadium where the event is usually held: “It is a lie that Imo State government is not owing civil servants salaries. Imo civil servants are the saddest in the country. We work under intimidation and fear. We are not paid in full and the workers of Adapalm have not been paid in the last 30 months.”

The workers bemoaned the payment of 70% salaries to them by the state government, saying that they are not comfortable with the arrangement. They said that finances of the state have improved enough for government to properly cater for them as statutorily required in the financial books of the civil service.

They called on the State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to make use of the Paris Club Refund made available by the federal government to pay their salaries and other entitlements in full.

The NLC also said that they are not in support of the treatment meted to the pensioners in the state by the state government, stressing that a situation where the government opts to pay 29% of pensions with a form asking each pensioners to sign off that he is no longer being owed by the state government after collecting the cheque is not acceptable to them.

Responding to the workers, Governor Okorocha who arrived the venue of the event late congratulated the workers for their immense contributions to the development of the state.

He commended the leadership of the NLC in the state for its selflessness and commitment to leadership.

He called on the workers to recall that he was the first to pay Minimum Wage of N20,000 against the approved N18,000 by the federal government.

He also reminded the workers that he gave them wardrobe allowance that saw them having enviable dress code, saying that his concern for the workers in the state remains outstanding.

He promised the workers that he would henceforth pay their salaries in full and also ensure that their promotion allowance is paid to them.

The governor also said that he is setting aside the sum of N2.5bn for the payment of three months arrears of pension in the state, even as he promised the workers more goodies.

Change of Name I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ani Gladys Tobechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs, Uba Gladys Tobechukwu.

All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

6

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

NEWS

DSS recruitment: Group threatens action, asks Daura to resign From CHUKS COLLINS, Awka

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non-governmental human rights pressure group under the aegis of the South-East South-South Network (SESNet) has reacted to the alleged lop-sidedness in the latest recruitment exercise into the State Security Service (SSS).

The group observed with dismay how the SSS scandalously chose to recruit more persons from the northern states of the country than from the south in 2016.

“So lopsided was the hiring pattern that more people were employed from President Muhammadu Buhari’s Katsina State alone (51) than from all the South-East states combined (44). Katsina is also the home state of the Director General of the SSS, Lawal Daura.

“A breakdown of the newly commissioned cadet officers on geopolitical basis revealed that 165 are from the North-West, about four times as many as those who were picked from the South-South (42). The figures for the other zones are North-East 100, North-Central 66, South-West 57 and

South-East 44,” the group stated.

It pointed out that the recruitment has jettisoned established and constitutionally provided Federal Character principle.

The spokesman for the SESSNet, Mr Daniel Elombah, who signed the statement, saw the development as a dangerous trend taken too far, hence must be checked in the interest of unity, peace, good neighbourliness and democracy.

According to the SESSNet, “This lopsided recruitment carried out by the SSS, which has become a recurrent decimal of this administration, would further widen the gulf between the Northern and Southern peoples and deepen the marginalisation of South-East and South-South by the Muhammadu Buhari-led northern oligarchy and the domination of the security agencies by the northern region.

“As champions of true federalism in Nigeria, SESSNet strongly condemns the lopsided recruitment carried out

by Lawal Daura-led SSS. “We also challenge the presidency to provide details of the alleged lop-

sided recruitment that occurred in 2014/15 which they claimed justifies the present scandalous recruitment pattern.”

SESSNet called on the federal lawmakers from South-East and South-

South to ensure zero allocation to the State Security Services (SSS) in the 2017 budget if the government fails to address the lopsided recruitment in SSS. SESSNet also pointed out that it has

lost confidence in the capacity of the SSS Director, Daura to handle such a vital national security organization and thereby called for his resignation within 28 days.

Ihie Isuochi gets new monarch

By UDEOGU OLIVER UDEOGU

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T was celebration for the people of Ihie autonomous community in Umunneochi Local Council of Abia State as their new traditional ruler, HRH Eze Sunday Udochukwu Ijeh, was crowned.

The coronation of Eze Ijeh was performed amid pomp and pageantry as he wore the crown as Atuga II of Ihie autonomous Community, Isuochi.

The glamorous event attracted prominent personalities from within Abia State and beyond, including Barr Philip Okechukwu Igwe, the executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Council, Commissioner for Rural Development in the state Barr Chima Mgbeke, Sir Romanus Madu the permanent Secretary (fin) Government House Umuahia, who represented the State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu at the event.

There were scores of traditional rulers both from within Umunneochi

and Abia State at large at the event, including the Chairman of the occasion HRM Eze (Dr) G. I. Ezekwesiri the Ochi I of Isuochi ancient kingdom.

Other dignitaries were the Methodist Bishop of Onitsha Diocese, the RT. Rev B. L. Onuagha who was the spiritual father of the day, and other clergymen.

Receiving an award of excellence, Barr Okechukwu Igwe described the new monarch as a man whose honour from the people is well deserved, urging him to lead his people with wisdom and fear of God. The Council Chairman promised to look into the area with regard to rural infrastructural development.

Highlight at the event was the conferment of chieftaincy titles on prominent sons and daughters of Isuochi, Abia State and beyond.

HRH Eze Sunday Udochukwu Ijeh ascended to the traditional stool of Atuga II, following the death of former monarch of the community in 2003.

The Executives of CMO, St Jude Fegge, Onitsha, with Rev.Fr. F.G Obiegbu Parish Priest (middle).

Anambra poll: I can’t be Obiano’s deputy –Ezeemo From DOM EKPUNOBI, Onitsha

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rogressive People’s Alliance, PPA, governorship aspirant in the November 18, 2017 election in Anambra State, Mr Godwin Ezeemo, has declared that he would never serve as a running mate to the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

Mr Ezeemo made the declaration during an interaction with members of the Correspondent Chapel of the Anambra State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Awka.

It has been speculated that Ezeemo and Obiano are into discussions on the possibility of the two running on one ticket in the November election.

Mr Ezeemo said the rumour was

targeted at deceiving the people and giving the impression that he has compromised.

He said: “There is nothing like that and there will never be anything like that. The rumour is far from the truth and I have not met Governor Obiano in private.

He said he had only met the governor at functions in the last one and half years and could not have discussed such a serious matter at a public function.

“I have been offered the opportunity of being the deputy governor on two or three occasions in the past and I refused. So, why should I accept it now?” he queried.

He said his decision to vie for the governorship of the state to was

borne out of the desire to bring change in the state and put smiles on the faces of the people who have suffered so much.

“My interest to serve the state was not borne out of personal wish, but triggered by the passion to mitigate the hardships facing the people.

“What I learnt and where I had been had taught me that a leader must see himself as a servant to the people that voted him into power.

He should serve the people well by making them happy first for them to repose their confidence in him.

“It is with this mindset that I have come to give Anambra the very best they never had. No amount of threat and intimidation can stop this because it must happen by God’s will.”

NULGE calls for scrapping of state electoral commissions Stories from RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka

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IGERIA Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has called for the abolition of state independent electoral commissions.

The union said such electoral commissions should be expunged completely from the constitution because they are often hijacked and manipulated by state governments.

Speaking to our correspondent during an exclusive interview in Awka, Anambra State NULGE President, Comrade Jerry Nnubia stated that local government is the government closest to the people but expressed worry that they had not been empowered having been denied the requisite financial and administrative autonomy that would help them to operate effectively.

Nnubia disclosed that NULGE has

been in the vanguard of agitations for local government autonomy given that the constitution made provisions for democratically elected local government officials.

The NULGE President said what exists in the 774 local councils in the country is a situation where state governments have hijacked the running of the councils thereby making the LG system inefficient.

He said local council autonomy is long overdue and chided state House of Assembly members who, he alleged, are “poorly” representing the people, stating that Members of the Assembly were supposed to push for local council autonomy but are on the contrary serving the interest of their “paymaster” to the detriment of the generality of the people who elected them into office.

According to him, NULGE and other labour unions have continued

to advocate a system where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would conduct all elections in the country while state independent electoral commissions

are expunged from the constitution.

He argued that elections into local government councils should be done simultaneously with national and state house of assembly elections to

guarantee transparency, credibility and autonomy, which would help the councils execute their constitutional mandate as well as resuscitate council administration in the country.

Nigerians are paying for darkness –NLC

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IGERIA Labour Congress (NLC) has said that Nigerians are paying for darkness as a result of what it described as erratic and unstable electricity supply across the country.

It blamed poor power generation and distribution on inefficiency, adding that privatisation of government establishments should be done on the basis of efficiency to guarantee the functionality of such parastatals in the hands of private owners.

Anambra State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),

Comrade Jerry Nnubia stated this while chatting with The Oracle Today at the NULGE House in Awka, the state capital.

Nnubia disclosed that there have been promises by electricity suppliers to provide prepaid meters for consumers but that such promises have not been fulfilled thereby resulting in people continue to pay for what they had not used.

He said government should ensure that privatised enterprises in the country are made to ensure efficiency and prompt service

delivery, adding that for small and medium scale enterprises to thrive, there must be steady and uninterrupted power supply in the country.

On the welfare of Nigerian workers, Nnubia noted that inflation has increased and the prices of goods and services have skyrocketed yet workers have received what he described as peanuts for salaries in the last six years.

According to him, there should, as a matter of urgency, be an upward review of workers’ salaries in the country.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

NEWS

PPMC nabs illegal kerosene peddler Stories from ESSIEN ESEMA, Uyo

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ETROLEUM Products Monitoring Committee (PPMC) has arrested an illegal kerosene peddler and sealed the surface tank used in storing the adulterated kerosene at Ndiya Street in Uyo. Chairman, PPMC, Obong Essien Esema, who led the monitoring exercise, caught the kerosene peddler pouring the adulterated kerosene into the surface tank to further dispense to the public.

Esema, who is also the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Petroleum Matters, described dispensing adulterated kerosene to consumers as an act of murder.

He added that the suspect would be prosecuted accordingly.

He warned those who indulge in adulterating the product to desist forthwith or be ready to face the full weight of the law once they are arrested.

He pledged his commitment to clamping down on all kerosene dealers dispensing explosives to the public in the guise of kerosene, emphasizing that given the mandate by Governor Udom Emmanuel to monitor petroleum products in the state, he would not waver in the fight to rid the state of criminals who smuggle adulterated kerosene into the market.

According to the suspect, Celes-

tine Edet, who said he was not aware he was selling adulterated product, “I just helped my brother Francis who is the kerosene dealer to pour the product from polythene bags we used in conveying the kerosene to the surface tank.”

Chairman, Surface Tank Kerosene Peddlers Association (SUTAKPA), Mr. Idorenyin Ibanga, who confirmed the product as adulterated kerosene, expressed disappointment over the incident.

He stressed that top of the priori-

ties of SUTAKPA has been how to eradicate kerosene fire explosion usually caused by adulteration, adding that with the devastation caused by mixed kerosene, no one should be involved in dispensing the product to the public

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige (middle), during the National Workers Day celebration in Abuja... on May 1.

A’Ibom lawmakers consider bill on youth dev. fund

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bill for the establishment of Akwa Ibom Youth Development Fund aimed at providing a sustainable platform for empowerment of youths of the state is currently before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

The bill, which is sponsored by Hon. Emmanuel Bassey of Ini State Constituency, has passed the second reading.

The Speaker of State House of Assembly, Mr. Onofiok Luke, said the Youth Development Fund bill when passed into law would also provide a sustainable youth policy framework for the state.

The Speaker said the state is currently in the phase where the youths are taking advantage of the presence of a large number of youths in government to actualise

their development causes.

Recalling the days of “political struggles” by some prominent youths in the state between 1999 and 2011, the Speaker noted that the proposed law to create a youth development fund is an example of how the youths are benefitting from past struggles for political space by young people.

“As a beneficiary of the youth struggle, let me thank the sponsor and cosponsors of the bill and let me thank the younger people of Akwa Ibom who have decided to engage in the struggle in line with best practices,” the Speaker said.

“Prior to now, the struggle by the youths of the state was for the enlargement of the political space, for the accommodation of youths in the government. That struggle yielded

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result, and this result is seen in the fact that most of us here today are relatively young people. That youth struggle has materialised today in the sense that the present class of young people can leverage on the political offices that we hold to push their agenda. These agenda would have been difficult for the elderly to understand. It could only take a young person to propose this bill.

Indeed, this is the beginning of the concretisation of the youth struggle for development in the state.

“I must commend this young generation for the astute manner they have engaged government, and at this level, it has become an intellectual struggle. It is no more some form of enlargement of the political space; it is now a struggle for an institutionalised framework for youth

development. While elsewhere they resort to arms struggle and restiveness, we have decided in Akwa Ibom State to engage government intellectually.”

The Akwa Ibom Youth Development bill seeks the establishment of Akwa Ibom State Youth Empowerment Fund “into which shall be paid all monies received as 10% Oil Derivation Fund, grants, and subventions from national and donor agencies for the purpose of youth development…”

Members of the House spoke in support of the bill.

The bill was committed to the joint committee on Youth and Sports and the subcommittee on Economic Development for necessary research and subsequent briefing of the House.

CHANGE OF NAME We, formerly known and addresed as:

Livinus Onyewuchi Achionye, Esther Olachi Achionye, Blessing Chigozie Achionye, Christiana Chinonso Achionye, Uchechukwu Confidence Achionye, Chidiebube Victory Achionye NOW wish to be known and addressed as Livinus Onyewuchi, Esther Olachi Onyewuchi, Blessing Chigozie Onyewuchi, Christiana Chinonso Onyewuchi, Uchechukwu Confidence Onyewuchi, Chidiebube Victory Onyewuchi.

The general public should please take note. All former documents bearing our former names remain valid.

Bayelsa:

Teachers threaten to shut schools wages From CHRIS EZE, Yenagoa

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EACHERS in Bayelsa State under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), have threatened to embark on a three-day warning strike after the May Day celebration over nine and half months of unpaid salaries.

In a communiqué issued by the union after its State Executive Council meeting in Yenagoa, it urged the state government to as a matter of urgency pay the full monthly salaries owed primary school teachers to place them at par with other civil servants in the state.

The communiqué signed by the state chairman, Kala-AMA John Tonpre and Secretary, Johnson Hector, urged the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Post Primary Schools Board to complete the 2013 and 2015 promotion exercises and conduct the 2016 promotion exercise due for primary and secondary school teachers without delay.

The union also urged the government to decentralize the payment of secondary school teachers’ salaries from the services of the Sterling Bank alone, adding that government should also take care of the cost of bank transactions to ease the burden on secondary school teachers during salary payments in order to avert deductions made on their salaries.

The union called on government to carry out employment of qualified teachers to replace the retired and deceased ones over the years, which have created vacancies in staffing of primary and secondary schools in the state.

They equally called on the state government to source for funds and immediately commence the payment of the N18, 000 minimum wage arrears to teachers.

According to the union, failure by the government to meet the demands would compel them to resume the suspended 2016 strike particularly in primary schools.

Council boss builds new secretariat complex in Ibeno From ESSIEN ESEMA, Uyo

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LL is now set for the construction of an ultra-modern council secretariat complex in Ibeno, following the groundbreaking ceremony performed by the Transition Committee Chairman of the council, High Chief Williams Henry Mkpa, in Ukpenekang.

At the ceremony at the council headquarters, Chief Mkpah said the foundation laying ceremony would soon be performed by the governor of the State, Mr Udom Emmanuel.

He disclosed that he was driven by the sterling performance of the governor to also impact on the wellbeing of his people and also commended Mr. Emmanuel for opening up the area through the construction of Eket-Ibeno road.

He also announced that he would commence the payment of bursary to students from the area currently studying in tertiary institutions.

He said all building materials such as sand, cement, iron rods, etc, needed to commence the secretariat project have been put in place, adding that the manpower requirement has also been made available, as workers were readily mobilized to site for the project expected to be completed in 24 months.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

NEWS

Delta invites community to security meeting over face-off with Chevron From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri

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HE lingering crisis between the Kokodiagbene Community, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, and American oil giant, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) over electricity has assumed a worrisome direction as representatives of the community have been summoned to a security meeting by the State government.

The Oracle Today gathered that representatives of the Kokodiagbene community were invited to the State Security Council meeting for further deliberation on the face-off between the community and Chevron oil company.

AC Abuah, the Director of Security Services Department, Governor’s Office, Asaba, who invited the representatives to the meeting, said: “I am directed to invite you to the State Security Council Meeting…to de-

liberate further on issues your community is having with Chevron Nig. Ltd. Venue is the old Exco Chamber new Government House Asaba by 11am. Kindly come with the usual representatives from the community.

Thanks and best regards.”

Contacted, the Chairman of the community, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, confirmed the invitation to the State Security Council meeting.

He, however added: “We are not going to succumb to any intimidation,

blackmail and threat to our lives. We have made our position very clear on this issue and there is no going back. The State government should prevail on Chevron Nigeria Limited to do the needful by providing the suffering people of Kokodiagbene community with electricity. We are not going to back out on our plan to relocate to the Utonana flow station being operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) to enjoy electricity with the staff of the company. We

Policemen detained over man’s death From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri

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O fewer than four mobile policemen who are on special duty at the Sapele Police Station have been arrested and detained at the Sapele Police Station over the sudden death, under controversial circumstances, of a 52-year-old Sapele/Okpe high chief, Lucky Ayomanor.

His Elder brother, Mr. Felix Ayomanor told The Oracle Today that “Chief spent a happy time with some of us before he retired home at about 8:30pm on Wednesday night.

“At about 12 midnight, I received a call from one of our senior brothers, Chief Ikama Ayomanor, saying he received a phone call that Lucky had been arrested with a loaded pump action gun by a team of mobile policemen, at the Uruakpa axis of the town and that he was being taken to the police station in Sapele.

“Again at about 1am, I got a call from another brother of ours, Mr. Godwin Ayomanor that Chief Lucky was dead and his corpse deposited at the Sapele General Hospital Mortuary by mobile policemen.”

A senior police officer at the Sapele Police Station said: “Four mobile policemen detained in connection with the death of the Chief were drafted to Sapele to checkmate kidnappings,” adding that since their arrival in the area, the trend has greatly reduced.

He also said: “The Chief was arrested at Urhuakpa axis of Sapele in the midnight of Wednesday with pump action gun loaded with ammunition.

“Recall that kidnapping in the area is in the upsurge. He started shaking terribly when he was arrested and was being taken to the police station by the mobile policemen. He died before they could get to the police station and the same mobile policemen took the corpse to the mortuary.”

The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aiamaka, confirmed the development, adding that: “The incident happened. The Chief developed unknown illness when he was arrested with an arm loaded with ammunition and died. Investigation is on and we are waiting for the autopsy report that will prove his cause of death. The Police are currently investigating the incident.”

When this reporter visited the Sapele Hospital Mortuary, no trace of bullet shot was found on the corpse, though his clothes, light blue Guinea-brocade attire was damp with sand particles.

are going to make this point known at the meeting in Asaba like we have been doing.”

Hundreds of indigenes of Kokodiagbene had, on February 1, this year, stormed the Utonana flow station operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) protesting against the company’s alleged refusal to supply electricity to the oil-rich community and threatened to shut down operations of the company at the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum.

They alleged that all peaceful moves made in the last few months for the company to meet their demand yielded no positive results and threatened to go ahead with their relocation to the Utonana flow station to enjoy electricity with staff of the company should the company continue to delay in meeting their demand.

Soldier, militant leader killed as JTF engages bandits in gun duel From CHRIS EZE, Yenagoa

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Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left) and the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Wilson Oharisi III, during the 25th coronation anniversary of the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, which took place in Ughelli, Ughelli North local government area of Delta State.

ASATU elects new leaders From HENRY CHIGOZIE DURU, Awka

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NAMBRA State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), an umbrella body of all the 179 communities in Anambra State, has held its general election to elect over 21 new executive members to pilot its affairs for the next three years.

The election, held at ASATU Secretariat, Anambra State Government House, Awka, had 149 accredited voters as against the total of 179 members that make up the body.

The Electoral Commission chaired by Barr Stan Nwata with Hon. Emeka Anaeto as secretary, declared Hon. Alex Onukwuo as the elected National President of ASATU having 87 votes against Dr. Nwachukwu Nwosu with 62 votes.

One of the contestants to the office of the National President, Engr. Obiora Uyadi, for personal reasons, steeped down from the race on the election day.

Similarly, Peter Obidimma, President General (PG) of Okpuno community was elected the National Secretary with 76 votes defeating his opponent, Dominic Obieke, the PG of Nise, who polled 70 votes.

In the same vein, Chuka Odenigbo was elected the Legal Adviser II with 81 votes as against his op-

ponent, Titus Akpudo, who garnered 62 votes.

Occupants of other positions in the state executive, it was gathered, were nominated unopposed by their zones.

They are: A. A. Ogunna, 1st National Vice President; Okoye Nonyelu, 2nd National President; Wilson Ndedigwe, 3rd National President; Charles Nwadigwe, 1st Assistant National Secretary; Felix Dozie Nwosu, 2nd Assistant National Secretary; Ifeatu Uzowulu, Financial Secretary; and Charles Nwangwu, Treasurer.

Others are: Christian Okafor, 1st Auditor; Innocent Ikechebelu, 2nd Auditor; Cyprian Ike, 3rd Auditor; Ogalanya Okoye, Publicity Secretary; Joseph Obiajulu, 1st Assistant Publicity Secretary; Ugochukwu Udemeze, 2nd Assistant Publicity Secretary; Silas Akaneme, Social Secretary; Chukwudi Ekwunife, 1st Ass. Soc. Sec.; Charles Okadigbo, 2nd Ass. Soc. Sec.; Peter Ugboja, Provost; Dennis Muomaife, 2nd Ass. Provost; Emma Okpala, 3rd Ass. Provost; Chika Dumije , Legal Adviser and Dave Enuah, 3rd Legal Adviser.

The electoral committee adopted open secret balloting to ensure transparency and fairness.

Declaring the result, the electoral chairman, Barr Nwata, thanked all the contestants for their peaceful disposition and maturity. He charged the newly elected officers

to work together in order to deliver on their electoral promises and move the association forward.

Nwata, who is also the 1st Publicity Secretary of ASATU, explained that the committee was able to achieve success due to its strict observance of ASATU rules and regulations.

Speaking to The Oracle Today, the National President of ASATU, Dr. Jude Okolo, commended the PGs for following the guidelines adopted by the electoral committee, saying that such showed that they are true leaders and good representatives of their individual communities. He noted that the election of new officers would help ASATU to continue serving as a veritable platform for PGs from various communities to meet, interact and foster inter-communal relationship.

The National President-elect, Hon. Alex Onukwuo, on behalf of other officers thanked the PGs for giving them the opportunity to serve. He thanked the outgoing executive led by Dr. Okolo for their contributions to the growth of ASATU. Hon Onukwuo said that ASATU has taken another giant stride in the promotion of participatory democracy in Anambra state and advocated for massive participation of people in the grassroots to drive down the dividend of democracy.

HE Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta has said it lost a soldier and killed a suspected militant leader when the bandits launched an attack on troops in Ondo State.

In a statement issued by the spokesman of the JTF, Major Abubakar Abudullahi, the Task Force said three soldiers were injured in the incident, which occurred at night.

Abdullahi assured that the JTF remains committed to its mandate of securing oil facilities and checking criminality and maintaining peace in the Niger Delta region.

“Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in a special operation repelled an attack on troops’ location around Ajakpa community, in the creeks of southern Ondo State last night.

“The attack was led by one notorious gang leader, Ossy Ibori, with a hideout at Ajakpa in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

“The leader was gunned down during the gun duel, along with some of his gang members.

“His body was identified by the locals in the area. While search for other criminals who jumped into the water with gunshot wounds is ongoing, troops have recovered one AK-47 rifle and 4 magazines.

“Sadly in the process, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price while 3 others sustained gunshot wounds.”

He explained that the operation is ongoing and appealed to lawabiding residents of the affected communities to remain calm and vigilant.

The spokesman urged the people to support troops with valuable information on the whereabouts of other criminals.

Abdullahi recalled that criminal gangs led by the late Ibori had been terrorising parts of Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo States prior to this operation.

He alleged that they committed many atrocities threatening the peace and security of the area.

“They (wounded troops) have since been evacuated to military hospital for proper medical attention,” Abdullahi stated.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

NEWS

University Education Should Promote Values –Anya From MALACHY UGWO, Mowe

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HE university system, as the crown jewel of the education sector, has a responsibility not only to inculcate academic and vocational education in people but to also expose them to relevant values. The diligence with which such assignment is discharged will enable civilised societies, including Nigeria, to have the human capital to act as leading lights in the different sectors of their national life.

The Pro-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Professor Anya O. Anya made the submission while delivering the first public lecture of Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State at the institution’s first matriculation ceremony recently.

Professor Anya stressed the need for the existing universities to regard themselves as institutions with the teaching authority of parents.

“In the long established universities of the Western world, the function of the university was not only as a centre of teaching, learning, research and acculturation but was also recognised as being … in the place of parents”, the pro-chancellor stated.

“The university was also viewed as a community standing in the place of parents of her students. As parents, it was expected to inculcate values and virtues of the society. The transformation of student bodies into culturally diverse communities has modified the mode of interaction in the university making for less cohesion and cooperation in the residential universities,” he added.

The scholar pointed out that each country is shaped by its elite and enjoined the pioneer students to make realistic contributions to their fatherland on graduation.

“Each society with its social values and belief system is the creation of its elite. The elite generally are the most highly educated and the best informed of their age and nation. I enjoin you to commit to a leadership of service through your education that will leave Nigeria better than it is at present. Your peers in other nations have built on the foundations

they found. In Nigeria you need a new foundation that will lead to a nation determined to pursue the two fundamentals of present-day Nigeria, namely national integration and national development. It can be done and must be done by you, the new Nigerians,” Professor Anya concluded.

In his address, the Chancellor of Christopher University, Chief Christopher Ezeh said the maintenance of standards of excellence in academics, sports, behaviour and professional skills acquisition in universities remains the responsibilities of the students, their parents and the universities.

Chief Ezeh noted that the performances of the students in the aforementioned critical areas would help form a yardstick for evaluating educational institutions.

“To you my dear students, I charge you not to let your parents and Christopher University down,” the Chancellor admonished.

“As the pioneer students of this university, your names are already etched in marble in its annals. You are the face of the university; the image you portray of it will shape the perception of the outside world” The Chancellor enjoined the parents to show profound interest in developments in Christopher University, so as to help the university set the pace for others.

“You equally have a duty to ensure that the standards are maintained by periodic interactions with the university management through the Parents Forum,” Chief Ezeh noted.

He urged the management of Christopher University to act like the early missionaries and the explorers who exhibited unmatchable zeal in order to succeed in their assignments.

The Chancellor paid tribute to different individuals and institutions like the National Universities Com-

A

mission, NUC, the Federal Ministry of Education for their support towards the establishment of Christopher University.

On his part, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State noted that hard work would always remain a gateway to genuine success and advised the pioneer students to take their studies seriously.

In a message, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Professor Abubakar Rasheed congratulated Christopher University and wished it success in its

determination to empower Nigerians through quality, standard and functional education.

Professor Rasheed pledged the readiness of the NUC to always support the university to set the pace especially in its chosen fields of specialisation.

The Vice-Chancellor of Christopher University, Professor Friday Ndubuisi recommended the revival of the Nigerian Students Loans Board to make higher education accessible to more Nigerians.

Professor Ndubuisi faulted the ex-

clusion of private universities from the list of beneficiaries of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), noting that it contradicts all sound logic.

The matriculating students were spread across three foundation schools and seven departments.

The schools are those of Business Studies, Social Science and Humanities. The departments are those of Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, English Language, Political Science, History and Strategic Studies as well as Psychology.

CMO marks 32nd anniversary, installs patrons Stories by MEJEE MEJEE, Onitsha

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ATHOLIC Men Organization (CMO), St Jude Parish, Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State, has

Group vows to resuscitate Zik’s ideology group of elite Nigerians has vowed to reactivate the ideology of Zikisin and keep it alive in the minds of positive-minded people in Igboland in particular and Nigeria and the world in general.

At a ceremony performed on Zik’s birthday, the group operating under the auspices of Zikism Association of Nigeria (ZAN), marshaled out 27 values, which they said Zik lived and died for. They include “one Igboland”, “one Nigeria”, “one Africa”, “one humanity”, “one God”, “restoration of dignity of man”, “religious tolerance”, “ethnic tolerance”, “economic determinism”, “social regeneration”, “living education” and “political Risorgimento”.

In a welcome address, the President of ZAN, Prince Amaechi Idaboh, called for adoption of 16 November as a public holiday in Nigeria in honour of the father of One Nigeria.

The ZAN Director of Media and Education, Prince Chinedu Nsoffor gave a lecture on the “Perpetuity Mega PLC Initiative (PMP) and the DownTop-Mechanism (DTM)” which the organization had researched and presented to Igbo land as the solution

Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) gather around newsstands at the popular Old Market Road, Onitsha, Anambra State, exchanging views in joyful mood upon getting the news of the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Photo by MODESTUS IGUDOBI.

to the current political and economic challenges facing Ndigbo and Nigeria, “PMP is an antidote to corruption and economic recession. It will lead to political Risorgimento, which Zik envisioned in the ‘Renaissance Africa’, especially when coupled with DTM as its complement,” he said.

He argued that if 30 companies in every Igbo state were promoted to PMP status, Igboland would gain economic independence in less than 20 years from now.

He claimed that DTM would cut down electoral expenses by 90%, lead to zero violence in election, put square peg in a square hole, thus moving the economy to optimal performance.

Nzedike submitted that DTM could lead to an egalitarian society where people are free, developed and happy.

Secretary of the Association, Comrade Jude Eze said that for Ndigbo and Nigeria to move forward, Zik’s legacies of sportsmanship, hard work, positive environmentalism, love, joy and peaceful life should be taught to all Nigerian youths and children.

marked its 32nd anniversary, which coincided with the “Fathering Sunday” celebration in the Catholic Church.

The event, which began with a Mass officiated by Rev. Francis Gozie Obiegbu, the Parish Priest, featured installation of patrons and patronesses among whom was Dr. Amaka Akudo, the special assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on special duties and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Akudo revealed the various achievements of Governor Obiano and the need for Anambrarians to re-elect him in the

November 2017 election.

In his sermon at the Mass, Fr. Francis Obiegbu reiterated the need for Christians to exercise absolute faith in the resurrection, which is the basis of Christianity as exemplified by Jesus Christ.

Earlier in his address, the chairman of the St. Jude Catholic Men Organization, Bro Albert Okeke, listed the achievements of the organization and those who have made some impact in it since its inception and which qualified them as patrons and patronesses of the organization.

The organization’s secretary, Bro

Sylvester Orajiaka advised fathers to reappraise their roles in the upbringing of their children, especially now that many children have taken the wrong path morally.

Those installed as CMO patrons and patronesses included Chief (Sir) Felix Onwughalu, Dr Amaka Akudo, Ide Anthony Akajiobi, Sir Elias Ezeokeke, Pharmacist Emmanuel Odionyekachukwu, Chief Leonard Alachulam, Mr. Godwin Chinyeluba and Hon. Patrick Aniuno, the member representing Onitsha South I Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, amongst others.

Manpower shortage major burden of Nigeria’s health sector –Provost

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OUNDER and Provost, School of Basic Health Sciences, Onitsha, Chief Michael Umeezuoke, has observed that shortage of manpower is a major burden of the nation’s health sector, stating that it was the quest to help fill this vacuum that prompted him to establish his health institution.

The Provost disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The Oracle Today.

The School of Basic Health Sciences, according to Chief Umeezuoke, was approved by the Anambra State Ministry of Education in 2008 and has been undergoing inspection routines over the years,

leading to the accreditation of its health administration courses.

He pointed out that it is not the responsibility of any Ministry of Health in the federation to approve schools but that of the Ministry of Education irrespective of whether the school is for health sciences or otherwise.

Ume-ezuoke stated that the institution, since its approval by the appropriate ministry, has been living up to expectation with about 12 matriculation ceremonies so far held since its inception, adding that the school has been complying with the applicable rules and regulations including payment of

taxes to the Anambra State government.

He revealed that the State Ministry of Health has approved the institution’s request to have its students deployed to state hospitals for a three-month industrial works experience programme.

He, therefore, advised all those seeking professional training in health services to enroll in the school irrespective of whatever the detractors might have been saying about the institution, pointing out that no negative reports would destroy the image and high standard which the school has attained in the country.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

Bold n’ Blunt Kanu: Despite stringent conditions, South-East Senate He was given what has been described as ‘impossible’ bail conditions. His traducers, apparently buckling under local and international pressure, seemingly wanted to be seen to have yielded to such pressure, so they gave bail conditions that amounted to what the Igbo would refer to as ‘take so you don’t stare me to death’ gesture. But, to the consternation of everyone, non-Igbo that is, those impossible conditions became possible in a jiffy, thanks to the admirable kindred spirit of the Igbo. TITUS AGBO (Abuja) and COLLINS UGHALAA (Owerri), report.

Nnamdi Kanu

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EADER of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu who was taken into custody on October 14, 2015 by the State Security Service (SSS) on allegation of ‘treasonable felony’ last Tuesday, that is April 25, granted bail by Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, with stringent conditions.

Justice Nyako attaché the following conditions for Kanu’s temporary freedom: • He must not hold rallies • He must not grant press interviews • He must no be in a crowd of more than 10 people • He must provide three sureties in the sum of N100million each • One of them must a highly placed Igbo extraction such as a Senator • Another highly placed Igbo extraction with a landed property and resident in Abuja • Highly place Jewish leader • He is also to deposit his Nigerian and British passports and must submit progress of his health and treatment on a monthly basis to the court.

Kanu’s lawyers were unable to meet the bail conditions same day, leading to Kanu returning to the prison same day, while his lawyers promised to meet the bail conditions in 48 hours. And true to their promise, last Thursday, April 27, to be precise, Kanu’s bail conditions were met, with South East Senate Caucus rallying round him and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, a prominent member of the Caucus, signing the bail bond.

Ekweremadu Reprieve came Kanu’s way after a long battle for bail, indeed. This battle had been on since 2015 when he was first arraigned at a magistrate court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). His case was later transferred to a Federal High Court where he continued his struggle for freedom but Justice John Tsoho, in a ruling on January 29 last year, refused him bail.

Thereafter, he was moved back Kuje Maximum Prison.

Undeterred by the temporary setback, he appealed against the January 29, last year’s ruling on his application for bail describing it as an abuse of court process and a breach of his fundamental human rights. Again the appellate court rejected his appeal on May 25, last year.

Again, refusing to give up the fight to get the courts to grant him bail from detention, he had also approached the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community West African States, (ECOWAS) to challenge the ruling of the court against his bail. In November of the same 2016, the IPOB leader made another approach to the Federal High Court, but again, his bail application was rejected.

However, after his accusers sought and amended the charge against him in March this year, the IPOB strong man and others charged with him filed another bail application. His co-defendants are Chdiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi who were not so lucky as only Kanu was granted bail on what Justice Nyako called ‘health grounds.’

The bail conditions, which have been described by many legal luminaries and

legal watchers as the most stringent (not to say ridiculous) in the history of the judiciary in Nigeria, appeared insurmountable but prominent Igbo sons and daughters rose to the challenge and within a record time the bail conditions were met.

The Oracle Today gathered that although Senator Enyinna Abaribe, being Chairman of the South East Caucus in Senate, was its face, it was actually a formidable group of Igbo sons and daughters that rallied to meet the bail conditions for Kanu and get the IPOB leader out of the dungeon. Prominent members of that group, put together by the South East Senate Caucus, were Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Former Aviation Minister and Corps Marshal Osita Chidoka and other eminent Igbo leaders operating mainly from the FCT. The group, it was gathered, met the same day Kanu was granted bail, in the house of the Deputy Senate President, who happens to be the South East Leader in the National Assembly, to discuss and agree on how to perfect the bail conditions.

At the meeting, it was resolved that because Kanu hails from Abia State, a senator from his state would stand for his bail and the lot was to fall on Senator Theodore Orji, a former governor who represents the IPOB leader in the Senate but eventually Senator Abaribe was chosen apparently due to his position as the chairman of the South East Senate Caucus.

Having resolved that, his (Kanu’s) lawyer was contacted to intimate him.

The resolution of the South East Senators to get involved in the perfection of Kanu’s bail conditions was not surprising when situated against their earlier demands from President Mohammadu Buhari in Aso Rock Vila in November last year. The South East Senate caucus had during meeting demanded among other things the unconditional release of the embattled IPOB leader from detention.

Three sureties who signed his bail bonds were, Chief Tochukwu Uchendu, Senator Abaribe and Jewish Chief Priest Immanuel El-Shalom Oka-Ben Madu.

Several others lke Senator Ike Ekweremadu were said to have worked behind the scene to ensure that Kanu did not stay in prison beyond the week and

by Friday everything was perfected and Kanu was out of detention.

The solidarity spirit the IPOB leader enjoyed in the fulfilment of his bail conditions could be likened to the zeal and determination that saw the Igbos prosecute the civil war of the 1967 against the Nigerian troops from nothing. It goes to once more demonstrate that the best of the survival instinct of an Igbo comes out best when he is pressed beyond tolerance. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s bail fulfilment indeed turned out a major test case once more for the entire Igbo nation, which the nationality passed with A+.

Lawyers speak on bail conditions Even then, the stringent bail conditions handed down to Kanu by Justice Binta Nyako have been widely condemned by lawyers. In a chat with The Oracle Today in Owerri on the bail conditions, a prominent lawyer and former governorship aspirant in Imo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Mike Ahamba described the bail conditions as unprecedented and outrageous.

“In my 43 years of legal practice I have not seen such bail conditions before,” he declared. “It’s as if there was intent to make sure they were not fulfilled, and the law is against that.”

The legal luminary, however, added: “Nobody should be worried because his lawyers have said the conditions would be fulfilled…and if they don’t get that done, they can go back to the court and ask for the variation of the terms of condition.”

For his part, Barr Emma Chukwuka, an Owerri-based legal practitioner, said though the bail conditions were onerous and stringent, the most important thing is that Kanu has been granted bail.

Chukwuka said: “He [Kanu] has been given bail, though the conditions are very stringent. But he has promised to meet the bail conditions. The conditions were quitter onerous all the same, but if he cannot meet them he can go back to court and seek for variation.”

Another lawyer, Barr Ken Akpom who reacted to the development from Lagos, said the constitution allows bails to the discretion of the Judge, but such conditions must not be greater than the offence for which the accused is charged.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

Bold n’ Blunt

Caucus stuns Nigerians, gets IPOB leader out on bail

Chief Osita Chikoka Enyinnaya Abaribe

Chief Nnia Nwodo He said: “There is no doubt that the right to bail is constitutional. It is trite that the right to admit an accused to bail is at the discretion of the court, but such discretion rests on the judge who must exercise it judicially and judiciously. This means that the conditions of the bail must not be excessive with respect to the offence charged.”

He agreed that the bail conditions were onerous, saying that he was shocked that Kanu’s right might have been infringed upon.

“Now, Nnamdi kanu is standing trial for an offence of treasonable felony; it is my humble view that the conditions of bail granted him are onerous to the extent that he should not be seen in a gathering of not more than 10 persons. On this alone, I am shocked to note that Mr. Kanus’ right to freedom of worship is being eroded. In fact, he cannot employ more than 10 lawyers in his defense henceforth.

“That, to me is a huge problem and the courts have held in many cases that bail should not be seen as a form of punishment. This is the height of the severity of the conditions to which Mr. Kanu will be subjected, should he perfect the bail.”

He expressed the hope that Kanu’s lawyers would live up to expectations and seek to vary the bail conditions.

“I hope his defence team will appeal to vary the bail conditions soon, else we will find ourselves in a tight corner as this forms part of judicial precedence in future.”

No retreat no surrender Many had thought that the arrest and prosecution of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, would make the youths in Igboland, especially the leadership and members of IPOB and MASSOB, take a deep breath and calm down. But they were not deterred.

Notwithstanding the series of rallies that almost locked down the South East and the South South and which also claimed the lives of so many pro-Biafra agitators, the Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) said that the arrest and detention of Kanu was instead shaping their minds.

Recall that when news of the arrest of

Kanu broke, members of IPOB and MASSOB spontaneously embarked on protests in some parts of the Eastern regions of the country, notably in Anambra, Abia, Imo, Rivers and Delta States.

Comrade Uche Madu, the spokesman for a faction of MASSOB, decried what he said was the cowardly arrest and detention of Nnamdi Kanu.

According to MASSOB: “We see the arrest as part of the price to pay for our non-violence struggle. No agitation is complete without arrest, detention and prosecution. It shapes the minds of activists, drawing sympathy from internal and external observers; it also shows that Nnamdi Kanu and Radio Biafra have become a factor to reckon with in Nigeria.

“The arrest and detention of Nnamdi Kanu by DSS will assist immensely in reviving the consciousness and sympathy for Biafra actualization in higher dimension, which was temporarily halted by Ralph Uwazuruike’s deviation and lust for wealth. This singular arrest will cause more diplomatic harm for Nigeria’s image than good.

“Before Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest, he had succeeded in rooting the Biafra struggle in about 78 countries including Biafra land through Radio Biafra, international tour and secret diplomatic build-up.

“MASSOB warns government to quickly release Nnamdi Kanu now or face an eruption of Biafra worldwide demonstration and protest which will endanger the already battered image of Nigeria before the International community.”

Ohaneze to convince Kanu to accept restructuring Meanwhile, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo may have concluded plans to meet with Nnamdi Kanu with a view to convincing him to join in the call for restructuring of Nigeria rather than seek secession.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohaneze, Chuks Ibegbu disclosed this to newsmen. He said: “Ohanaeze will definitely discuss with him (Kanu). Ohanaeze has been making efforts to parley with all the pro-Biafra groups and find a point of agreement with them on these issues.

“Even before now, Ohanaeze had

wanted to send a delegation to see Kanu in Kuje Prison. We planned it before he was granted bail. We will engage him and some of his associates so that we can find a common ground. He is our son; we understand him and he will understand us.

“If there are areas of divergence, we will find ways to address them so that we can work together.

“At the planned meeting, Ohanaeze intends to make Kanu understand and appreciate its position, which is the restructuring of the country, rather than secession. Ohanaeze’s position is restructuring and his (Kanu’s) position is secession. We will not tell him to drop his desire for self-determination but we will make him understand that Ohanaeze’s position is the position of the Igbo people.

“He has the right to seek self-determination, but we will make him appreciate Ohanaeze’s position, which is restructuring and social justice. Ohanaeze’s position is the position of the totality of the Igbo people. We will also make him understand that there is no need to insult anybody in the agitation, and no need for violence – of course he has never been violent.

“Restructuring is the only solution to the problems in this country. With restructuring, even the issue of corruption would be addressed. What generates corruption? When the system is suffocating people, when the system is not properly coordinated, people will be stealing here and there.”

My husband will not abandon Biafra struggle – Kanu’s wife However, Kanu’s wife, Uchechi OkwuKanu, has said that her husband is not giving up on Biafra struggle.

According to her: “Anybody thinking that my husband will renounce Biafra is certainly mistaken,” she said, adding that “this type of news as distressing as it is, is laughable because no group can postulate what my husband can or cannot do or say. This is not only an insult to our belief but also a despoliation of our rights as a people perpetrated by dishonourable minds.”

Okwu-Kanu made the remarks following the claim by the Movement for the

Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) that the Federal Government was negotiating the possible release of Kanu from prison.

“It is now apparent that the charges against my husband are politically motivated and not a judicial process as President Buhari would have the world believe,” Okwu-Kanu continued.

“This singular act of tyranny and injustice against my husband amongst others is reprehensible to every reasonable mind and is one of the critical reasons for the emergence of the Niger Delta Avenger (NDA) who [had] in their quest consistently called for the release of my husband which President Buhari has underplayed.

“Subsequently, Nnamdi Kanu should be present at any negotiations and I can refer President Buhari to F.W. de Klerk of South Africa on how to negotiate with a freedom fighter,” she said.

Another May 30 is here…

Meanwhile, IPOB has called on its members to ensure that all roads leading to the South East zone were blocked on 30 May, a day set aside to honour its members who lost their lives during the civil war.

This was made known to newsmen in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, ordering every Igbo person to sit at home and remember their heroes and heroines past.

According to the press statement: “We should not be discouraged by the court ruling of April 25, 2017. Rather, we should be focused on May 30, 2017 remembrance day, which is the priority of every IPOB member to ensure that no movement of any sort, both human and vehicular, across Biafra land on that day, will take place.

“We must make sure that all areas occupied by Biafrans for the remembrance and honour of our heroes and heroines, who laid down their lives during the genocidal war are shut down.”

“Our leader (Kanu) has been in high spirit since his arrest in 2015 and we cannot afford our spirit to be dampened towards the liberation of Biafra because of conditions attached to his release,” Powerful surmised.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

FOCUS

Isiwele: Why Nigeria needs Transport Bank The Executive President of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), High Chief Musa Shehu Isiwele has, over the years, consistently advocated the establishment of a Transport bank in Nigeria. Besides, he also wants the government to return the tollgates.

EKUSON NW’OGBUNKA, who has been following the issue, captures High Chief Isiwele’s views below.

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FOR High Chief Musa Shehu Isiwele, the road transport sector of Nigeria’s economy will continue to play little or no significant role, unless the federal government establishes a transport bank and return tolling system, which was destroyed some years back by the Obasanjo Administration.

It is a common knowledge that in Nigeria, aside the Boko Haram insurgency, road accident remains the second highest source of violent deaths in Nigeria. Nigeria is ranked second in the rate of road accidents among 193 countries of the world, according to statistics from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). This is just as the World Health Organization (WHO) adjudged Nigeria the most dangerous country in Africa with 33.7 deaths per 100,000 population every year.

There is no doubt that these very dangerous trends can be addressed with better road infrastructure. Nigeria roads, which have thus been tagged ‘death traps’ will greatly benefit from better road infrastructures expected to come with the establishment of a Transport Bank.

High Chief Isiwele, who is the current executive president of RTEAN, and who has played major roles in the development of the sector, said the association has done a lot and still has much to offer to support the current government to move the country to the expected level.

Such support, he said, is needed because the government can’t do it alone, especially in the face of dwindling revenue from crude oil.

Restoration of tollgates on the highways, according to him, would contribute immensely, providing the much-needed funds to maintain the roads infrastructures and improve the economy. He reiterated that since the removal of the tollgate, the country has been losing a lot, adding that with the tollgates back on the highways, the impact of the dwindling crude oil price will not be felt in Nigeria.

The executive president said he has been able to observe that many countries of the world have been surviving through tollgates.

He also came up with suggestions on how to manage the tollgates to avoid some dubious people who would go and print tickets and sell them to innocent road users. Isiwele, therefore, opted for cashless payment through e-payment in order to outsmart those who would try to be funny.

“We have been calling on the Feder-

al Government (FG) to bring back the tollgates on the highways, because that would support the country’s economy. The price of oil as the main stay of the economy is falling everyday and the tollgates if returned and well managed, would boost the economy.

“To avoid some unscrupulous and greedy elements from printing the tickets and be selling them and converting the proceeds to their personal use, the government can introduce cashless payment through e-payment. We are in support of the government and as I said earlier, tollgates if returned will help in reviving of the economy.”

Although he is very passionate about the country getting a Transport Bank, he said no formal requests for such have been made to the government.

He declared that several efforts made to the previous administration to return tollgates throughout the country received initial interest, but nothing was done to actualize it.

“Had it been that the tollgates were returned, monies collected from drivers would have been used to rehabilitate the roads, thereby making them better and safer to travel on and the journeys shorter.”

He noted that RTEAN fully supported

‘

With good roads, I will have food on my table as a transporter and you know that those of us in the sector, if encouraged can contribute a lot to the economy. Vehicle tyres and parts are very costly and if roads are in order, our vehicles will be in order and it will be easier for us to do our business

‘

High Chief Musa Isiwele the government during the closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, as member vehicles were among those that were used in conveying passengers to and from Kaduna and Abuja.

“Due to the recognition and cordial relationship between RTEAN and the government, Vice President Yomi Osinbajo made use of some of our buses to and from Kaduna and Abuja airports when the Abuja airport was undergoing rehabilitations. That will show you that we have working relations with the government,” he stated.

Another area Alhaji Musa Shehu Isiwele said he would like the government to assist RTEAN is in giving wavers on duties paid on vehicles his association imports into the country.

The union, he said, has concluded arrangements to massively bring in vehicles into the country, to ease transportation, adding that that the commercial buses would be about 100 in number and would be plying between Lagos and Abuja.

The arrival of the vehicles, according to him, would create jobs in the country as drivers, security men, vulcanizers, conductors, among others will be employed. He however added that through the vehicles, they would make transport fare cheaper than what is obtainable in the country at the moment.

He also assured that the Union would give special concession to students, the aged, people living with disabilities, among others, saying that it is another way of supporting the government.

He said that those vehicles they are expecting are part of an arrangement

made earlier with an unnamed investor.

He, however, reiterated the need for establishment of Transport Bank to enable them access loan at an affordable interest. He said the Transport Bank would help them in their business as well as in economic development in the country.

He admitted that the Federal Government has invested heavily in roads development which the Honorable minister of works, Raji Fashola has been supervising, but said that the country needs more good roads, noting that good roads save life and put food on the table of the transporter.

Chief Isiwele observed that if roads are good, transport fares would be cheap and movement of goods and services as well as passengers from one place to another easier than what is obtainable when the roads are bad.

“We see the handiwork of the government on the roads, but they need to put more efforts,” he said. “With good roads, I will have food on my table as a transporter and you know that those of us in the sector, if encouraged can contribute a lot to the economy.

Vehicle tyres and parts are very costly and if roads are in order, our vehicles will be in order and it will be easier for us to do our business.”

“On the other hand, if the roads are not in good shape, instead of you to be going from Kano to Port Harcourt once a week, you do it once a month.

So, good roads will go a long way to addressing the problems in the nation’s transport sector, which will ultimately impact positively on the economy,” Isiwele surmised.

13

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

POLITICS

Sad tale of injured APC chieftain ‘abandoned’ by party A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Mr. Francis Odum, from Ogbaku in Mbaitoli Local Council was recently at the Owerri office of The Oracle Today, where he narrated the ordeals he has been through while serving his party. From Owerri, COLLINS UGHALAA reports.

O

DUM, who spoke in severe pains as result of the accident he had while returning from a campaign rally for the Governor Okorocha in 2015, had his left leg badly injured in the accident. Besides, he sustained a fracture in his left hip, which has left him walking with the aid of crutches.

According to the APC chieftain, who described himself as ‘part of the hen that laid the golden egg,’ he is “crying for assistance from the state government, party and office holders, both in my local government and elsewhere,” adding that he had “approached so many political leaders and so many of them are aware of my plight”.

Trouble began for Mr. Odum, who is the Publicity Secretary of the APC in his ward and Mobilization Officer for the Buhari/Osibanjo presidential campaign for the local council, in 2015, when, on his way from a campaign rally in Mbaitoli Local Govrnment Area of the State, he had an accident.

“I happened to be a member of the Rochas Rescue Mission campaign team in 2015,” he explained. “We moved from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). I was the Publicity Secretary of my ward, both when we were in APGA and now that we are in APC.” How it all began Odum further narrated: “My problem started in 2015 when the last election was held. I happened to be the party’s mobilizer and we had to organize for a rally somewhere in Mbaitolu Local Council called Ama-Ihe Play Ground. After that, we retired to Chief I.B Okeafor’s house where we were hosted. The governor was there too and we left very late.

“We left the venue at about 8:30pm and I was riding with my Ward Chairman on his motorcycle. We were seeing the governor off through a very bad road. Along the line, we were hit by an oncoming motorcycle, which fell upon my left leg directly, severely injuring me in the process. I had four fractures on my left leg and one in my left hip.

“The accident happened in the presence of the then TC Chairman of Mbaitoli Local Council, Dr. Pat Nna, who hails from my own ward. The accident also happened in the presence of then flag bearer for the party for the state house of assembly election in the Council, Chief Israel Nnataraonye, popularly known as Olugbu, who is currently the House Member representing Mbaitoli State Constituency in Imo State House of Assembly.”

He said that at the time of the accident that left him badly injured and in need of urgent help to travel to India for proper medical attention as advised by the doctors, he was the Assistant Campaign Director for Nnataraonye who is now in the State House of Assembly representing his local government.

He was rushed to the nearby traditional bone setters in Orodo, pointing out that he was there for a period of four months. He also disclosed that he got infected at the bone setters home, which he said made his condition worse. He also disclosed that all his efforts to reach the party officials and those in government did not work, adding that some had come from the deputy governor with only N70,000 assistance for him.

“At that time, I was his (Nnataraonye’s) Assistant Campaign Director. I came to that campaign ground with him. So, when we were hit, they took me to the nearby traditional bone setter’s home at Orodo, because it was very close to Orodo, on the road to the Deputy Governor’s House, negotiating Mbaitoli Roundabout. It was very close to the police station too,” Odum added.

“When they took me to the bone setter’s home, I was there for about four months. I ap-

pealed to the members of the party and officials of the government at the various levels but no help was coming. The party Chairman of Mbaitolu Local Council, Barr Chidinwogu, who was also the past Owerri City Development Agency (OCDA) Chairman, came and said he was instructed by the Deputy Governor to ascertain what it would take to put me back on my feet. He gave me N70,000 and said it was from the Deputy Governor. But the bill was given to him but I didn’t know what happened in between. I couldn’t get much help.

“I cried out to the party members. I was encumbered by my circumstance because I was on the sickbed. But the party chairman was coming to see me until he fell sick and stopped coming.

No other person was coming to see me and I felt I was abandoned. After all my suffering for the party I was abandoned on my sickbed. I am the Publicity Secretary of my ward, and it was my duty too to mobilize my ward to ensure that everybody attended the rallies.

“My local government chairman with whom I rode on his motorcycle was not injured but I was badly injured. I felt abandoned and my case became worse, having four fractures on the left leg and one in the hip.

“Because of lack of medication there, I got infected and my case grew worse. But, sympathizers and friends came and managed to take me to the National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu. Unfortunately for me then, the Resident Doctors were on strike and I was disappointed the way I was treated there.”

Several surgeries yet no success The agonizing APC chieftain said that life has been hell for him and his family in the situation he found himself, saying he had sold off all his properties, including land, to ensure he was well and walking, all to no success.

He said he had a series of surgeries at the National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu, but his case became worse after that.

“When I came back from the bone theater, I went through three surgeries in the hospital in Enugu. But when I came out the work was not successful and I was advised by the doctors to go to India but I have nobody to do that for me.

I was lost. My leg was shortened six feet to the ground,” Odum agonized.

He said he left the Orthopedic Hospital because he could no longer pay the bills, stressing that he had spent more than N2.5M in his treatment, even as he disclosed that going to India for the treatment would cost him about N10M. “I was discharged because I could not pay more bills. Honestly, for the treatment of the infection I had at the bone setters home, I was given a bill of about N1.5M, apart from drugs and other nursing care. I put everything together I spent more than N2.5M from Orodo to Enugu. I sold my land and other properties but it was not enough. No office holder from our party was coming to assist me, even though I reached out to them. But the few who were coming were only telling me sorry,” he further agonized.

Getting to Dep Gov Eze Madumere was like a nightmare He also narrated his efforts to get to the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, who comes from his local council, saying that it has been a nightmare trying to see the Deputy Governor.

“I was discharged on December 15 and spent about one year and in the process I was making effort to reach the political office holders in Mbaitoli,” he explained. “I tried to get to the Deputy Governor but it was difficult for me. I know he is a kind-hearted man and he knows what had happened to me. I want him to come to my aid, but

getting to him is like a nightmare. I tried to use all the political heads to get to the Deputy Governor but it was impossible for me.”

No fund to help me at Imo Foundation Apart from making effort to reach the Deputy Governor, the severely injured Odum went to the Imo Foundation, an agency of the state government said to be for the assistance of people in need, noting that he was turned back by the DG because there was no fund to help him in his condition.

He said: “I tried to find my way to the Imo Foundation, but when I got there, I met with the DG. He was sympathetic to me and promised that whenever funds were available, they would assist me.

But I have not heard from them.”

He also said that in his bid to get help in his condition, he went to see some of the commissioners, saying that on one occasion, he fell down from the staircase at the secretariat as he was going to see the commissioner.

“I have tried to meet with some commissioners and I met some of them one on one. There was a particular ugly incident one day and I fell down from the staircase of the secretariat trying to see to see a commissioner. The commissioner came there and saw me lying down. They took me to Imo Foundation, but no help came from there. I was taken home. I have been at home up to this moment,” he narrated.

I am a committed party member, why should I

be abandoned?

“The bitterness I have in my heart is not that I had an accident and broke my leg and hip alone, but I am a very faithful APC member. In my ward in Ogbaku, no one can talk about APC without mentioning my name. There is no way you can talk about APC in Ogbaku without mentioning Francis Odum. I am the Publicity Secretary, and there was no mobilization without me. My worry now is, “why will I die in this condition? Why will I be abandoned?”

“I have tried to get to the governor and his wife who are so passionate about charity. I know my case is not different. This is a case of getting injured in active service. Since 2010, I have been an active member of the APC. Tracking Owelle down at the Imo International Conference Center (IICC) is too difficult for me. I am severely injured and barely walk on one leg with two crutches.

“I am using this medium to reach to my Governor, since even reaching to my SDC leaders is like a brick wall. It is a no-go area. So I am begging through this medium to reach the Governor. My party should not see it an offence because there is nothing else I can do. I cannot keep quiet and die, when I know that the Governor and his wife can help me, because they have been helping other people. I need about N10M to go to India for proper medical attention. I am his servant, a sincere and dedicated servant.”

14

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

POLITICS

What next for the PDP…in Imo State?

Alagbaoso

Ihedioha

Udenwa

Kema Chikwe

Okorocha government is not doing well.

We will do all we can to make sure we go back to the state government house in 2019,” he assured.

Reassuring the members that he had not abandoned the party as speculated in the media, Hon Jerry Alagbaoso, who represents Oru East/Orlu/Orsu in the Federal House of Representatives, said that “this rally was jointly funded by all the members of the House of Representatives from Imo State under the PDP and we asked that Lady (Mrs.) Maria Mbakwe, Hon Ichie Ken the venue be at Hon Onyewuchi’s house.

Agbaegbu, Sir Ambrose Ejiogu, Dr. Doug- And we thank God we have such a huge las Acholonu, Nze Osita Nwaneri, Chief Benji Azike, Chief Vitalis Ogueri, Chief Mike Ahamba, SAN, Dr. Kema Chikwe, Hon Jerry Alagbaoso, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Chief Ebere Udeagu, Chief Achike Udenwa, Chief (Dr) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Chief ThankGod Ezeani, among others.

As factionalized as the PDP is in Imo State, it was reassuring for many to hear from the Chairman of the Party, Chief Ezekwem, who said that the meeting was that of the Imo PDP and that the crowd he saw reminded him that he had a responsibility.

“When I saw this crowd I realized I have a huge responsibility on my shoulders,” he said, adding that many people had left the party because they felt bad at the ruling of the Court of Appeal on the lingering leadership crisis rocking the party at the national level.

“We will continue to do more. We have been working and we will continue to do more. The PDP is a strong opposition in Imo State and we will continue to do our best to hold the government to account. This

The PDP has not been able to hold itself together since it lost the 2015 presidential election. But, there are indications that despite the obvious challenges confronting the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, the people still have a lot of confidence and hope in the party, writes COLLINS UGHALAA, in Owerri.

T

O say that PDP’s internal crisis, which has led to sharp divisions within the leadership, has confused the masses who look up to the party for credible opposition, is to belabour the obvious.

But hope seems to have breathed on the people of Imo State as the Makarfi group of the party led by Barr Charles Ezekwem, in what may be considered a shock move, held its stakeholders’ meeting at the home of Representative Ezenwa Onyewuchi.

The meeting, which was planned for about 4,500 people, for only the local council and ward executives of the party, ended up as a rally of some sort as the premises of Hon Onyewuchi was filled to the brim with countless party faithful pouring into the street for lack of space. Following the unexpectedly impressive turnout of people, the organizers were left with no other option than to order 2,700 more chairs, which were still not enough to seat all present, causing many more to hang outside.

Among the dignitaries present at the PDP “rally” were Chief Charles Ezekwem, Prof Jude Ejiogu, Hon Nnaemeka Maduagwu, Chief Joe Ikunna, Hon Ray Emeana,

‘

We opposed Sherif because he was new to the party and had not fulfilled the period of probation in the party before he could occupy such position.

The BoT opposed him, but we later agreed he would stay for three months. We did not know he had in mind to run for the presidency in 2019

‘

space here.”

Speaking on the leadership tussle in PDP Orlu Zone between Senator Hope Uzodimma and Chief Achike Udenwa, he said: “We have one leader in Orlu and he is His Excellency Chief Achike Udenwa. He is capable of resolving our problems. When we have problems, we take them to him and whatever he says, we take it like that. Nobody is contesting that.”

He added: “There are some people who claim to be in the PDP but they end up being with another party. We don’t have any party other than the PDP. Onwa is the only leader we have and we will rally round him.”

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu almost moved the party members to tears when he took time to narrate for the first time the genesis of the leadership crisis currently rocking the PDP. He said: “You know it is my duty to bring you up to date on the leadership crisis rocking the PDP at the national level. You know I will not lie to you. I will only tell you the true position of things in the party.

“After we lost the 2015 general election, someone chose someone to be the Chairman of the party when Muazu left. Some of us opposed it because we knew he was not a member of the party. Today I have been vindicated.

“We opposed Sherif because he was new to the party and had not fulfilled the period of probation in the party before he could occupy such position. The BoT opposed him, but we later agreed he would stay for three months. We did not know he had in mind to run for the presidency in

15

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

POLITICS

What next for the PDP…in Imo State?

Jude Ejiogu 2019. This man’s behaviour is the cause of the turmoil in the party now. He was to stay for three months but he had started making contacts for running for the presidency and had got someone to run with him as Vice President. Everything we have done was legal and in line with the constitution.

It was an error to bring Sheriff to the party.

He is not qualified to lead the party.”

However, what might have been the icing on the cake was delivered by the former Governor of Imo State Chief Udenwa, when he issued an order that the leadership of the party at ward level should go home and get more people into the party.

He assured that the battle ahead required more people as few people could not achieve such feat.

“When I see the quality of people here, it means we are doing very well. At this stage, what is more important to us is mobilization. The fight in Imo State will not be easy. It requires many hands. The greatest mobilizers I know are women and they are the ones that will help us to mobilize. The fight for 2019 is not to try our luck. We are going to win the gubernatorial election and others.

“We have been assured by Iwuanyanwu that we will win the appeal at the Supreme Court, but if that does not work, we are making alternative plan. We pray it (the Supreme Court case) does not go that way, but we are together and anything that happens, we will move together.”

Udenwa’s statement of alternative Plan B on Sunday was the second time the issue of alternative plan by the Makarfi faction in Imo State was made open. The first time was when Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioiha let the

Ikunna

Ahamba

Iwuanyanwu

cat out of the bag and shocked many with the news of the Plan B. But what may worry discerning party loyalists is the nature of the said Plan B. Will it result in any good outcome for the PDP family in Imo State? How sure is one that the party loyalists will stand firm and not opt for exodus when the going gets tough?

Events of recent years in the party ap-

‘

Things did not remain the same for Imo PDP because the equation changed. Worse still, many of those who remained in the party did not work for the party but for the Rescue Mission Campaign. The outcome was that the Udenwa group did not win the election but the PDP did not win either.

And that is arguably what has brought the party to its sorry state in Imo

‘

Osita Nwneri pear to make this fear real. Just in 2015 after the governorship primary election of the party, some top members of the party decamped and joined or worked for the ruling party in the state, and that contributed greatly to the emergence of Governor Okorocha for a second term. It would be recalled that Senator Ifeanyi Araraume led the pack of those who left the PDP and things fell apart. Chief Chukwueke left too.

Chief Charles Amadi of OZOPOLF fame also ditched the PDP and joined the governor. The list is endless.

Earlier in 2010/2011, Chief Achike Udenwa led the pack of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Dr. Charles C. Ubah, Dr. Alex Obi, Senator Chris Anyanwu and others and joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Things

Charles Ezekwem did not remain the same for Imo PDP because the equation changed. Worse still, many of those who remained in the party did not work for the party but for the Rescue Mission Campaign. The outcome was that the Udenwa group did not win the election but the PDP did not win either.

And that is arguably what has brought the party to its sorry state in Imo. Against the backdrop of these experiences, it remains to be seen how much PDP stakeholders would stick to the party and remain faithful to it in the event of the case in the Supreme Court going against them.

Will it become another case of dumping the party for a more “auspicious” platform when the chips are down, particularly as the 2019 general elections are around the corner? Only time will tell.

16

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

POLITICS

Anambra needs redemption, says Dona Okonkwo CHIEF DONATUS OKONKWO, a multitalented entrepreneur and philanthropist, believes that the vibrancy and dynamism that youths bring to bear on any area of human endeavour in which they are involved, are lacking in Anambra State for the precise reason that youths have been excluded from governance in the current dispensation. He has promised to change the narrative for the good of Anambra State and all its indigenes and non-indigenes alike, writes RAYMOND OZOJI, in Awka

A

PC GOVERNORSHIP aspirant, Chief Donatus Okonkwo says that Anambra State needs redemption from what he calls the ‘deception of the people’ by the incumbent APGA-led state government.

Okonkwo is of the opinion that rather than alleviate poverty and improve on the living standards of the people, the present administration seems to be moving round in circles without clear-cut economic policies and programmes geared towards getting the youths actively involved in decision making and execution of government programmes.

Thus, Okonkwo who is relatively young is unhappy that Anambra youths are relegated to the background and subjected to acting as political thugs, ballot box snatchers and what have you. As a result, he feels that the time has come for youths to take their destiny in their own hands and resist all forms of temptations to be used as weapons of mass destruction in the forthcoming November 18th Anambra governorship election, and beyond.

Chief Okonkwo, who is the Chairman of Tetrazzini Group with about 23 outlets of food chain and over 1,160 workers on his payroll, is worried that the present Anambra State government has no plans for the youths of the state.

He said rather than being employed by the state government and stuffed into an already bloated civil service, youths on the other hand should be wealth creators and employers of labour. It is for this and some other reasons that he decided to run for the governorship seat of Anambra State to enable him introduce what he calls a youth-operating government--a system of government where by youths would run the ministries, departments and agencies of government as commissioners and what have you.

The multi-national business tycoon restated his commitment to ensuring that youths occupy the front burner of government’s action plan. Although he observed that all is not well, as he argues that so much damage has been done to youths in Anambra State due to rejection and outright abandonment on the part of government, Chief Okonkwo who played host to a team of journalists in his country home Ojoto in Idemili-South Local Council of Anambra State recently to unveil his

intention to contest in the November 18th Anambra governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke vehemently against the present state government.

He said: “The APGA government pretends to be serving the interest of Anambra people but in truth they are serving their own personal interests.” The youthful governorship aspirant said he believes that he is the only person that can assuage the feelings of youths in Anambra State because, according to him, they have been deceived for too long by the APGA government.

Okonkwo also noted that he has been confronted with the question of why he is venturing into the murky waters of Nigerian politics, judging from the fact that politics has been turned

into a theatre of war in the Nigerian context. He said from his observations, people have a general belief that politicians speak from both sides of their mouth.

B u t , Okonkwo pointed out that he has come to correct that impression that all politicians are the same, pointing out that there are politicians who speak the truth and stand by it.

He added that there are politicians who have not compromised their integrity and reputation and that he is one of those politicians who have not compromised or sacrificed their integrity on the altar of falsehood and hypocrisy in a bid to acquire governmental powers for personal aggrandisement. He said the people of Anambra are looking for leaders they can trust and count on.

The business mogul also noted that even though the government of Chief Willie Obiano has a pass mark in the security of lives and property of the people of Anambra State, it is not enough credential to qualify him for a second term in office. He maintained that from his assessment of the present administration, the Obiano-led APGA government in Anambra has failed woefully.

Okonkwo said the flyover bridges constructed by the Obiano administra-

tion is not infrastructure but a mere contraption that may collapse in no distant time.

According to him, it would be foolhardy for a sitting governor to use payment of workers’ salaries as campaign strategy, pointing out it is a constitutional responsibility that a governor must pay workers’ salaries and other fringe benefits as and when due adding that such statutory obligations should not be politicised.

Chief Okonkwo recalled that as at the last count, he has about 23 outlets of food chain across the federation with over 1,160 workers on his payroll. As an employer of labour, he does not consider paying his workers an achievement. So, he does blow his trumpet his trumpet because it is statutory and workers deserve their salaries and other incentives. Therefore, the incumbent Anambra State government, he said, should not bask in the euphoria of paying workers’ salaries as an achievement but pride itself as having excelled in poverty alleviation schemes, which, according to him, is the basis for measuring success in governance.

Okonkwo further re-emphasized that political achievements, especially as governor of a state, have to do with poverty reduction amongst the people and execution of better-life programmes to enhance living standards.

Though he expressed dissatisfaction that Anambra State has currently been listed as the 26th poorest state in Nigeria evident in the comatose nature of the state economy, he stated that government should be creating wealth, alleviating poverty as well as enriching the people through strategic implementation of viable economic policies and programmes. He also made it categorically clear that road construction, security and other social amenities government should provide for the people are not achievements, insisting that wealth-creation and poverty alleviation are basic parameters for measuring and assessing achievements in government.

Most importantly, the people need dividends of democracy, Okonkwo noted, disclosing that these economic gaps he identified in Anambra State are what he intends to bridge if elected the next governor come November 18th this year. He believes that good leadership brings about a functional State and booming local economy.

17

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

BU$IN£SS •Energy •Finance

•Stock

•Insurance

•Aviation

How online retailers can make travel cheaper, by operators

•e-Platform

Energy

Power Sector Crisis: DISCOs grow debt by N24.8 bn in January

By VICTOR NZE

A

n online travel agency or OTA, for short, basically allows you to book flight tickets, holiday packages, hotel rooms, train tickets and others right from the comfort of your room using a smartphone or a laptop computer.

In Nigeria, the market is driven largely by the rise of the smartphone or other mobile devices hence, its popularity is best among the techsavvy populace.

However, more hospitality outfits like hotels and airlines are also embracing the online platform for booking and reservations, in the same way as land transport companies in the country who now provide online booking options for their customers.

The OTA market as it is in Nigeria may not be described as heavily competitive, as the players are not swelling in numbers by the day.

However, the OTAs, many agree, may be edging out the traditional Travel Management Companies (TMCs) out of business.

A typical travel management company (TMC) is a business travel agent that manages a firm’s business travel requirements. Some companies also create a Protocol department to oversee the task, while others still outsource to a traditional TMC to make the reservations and help that client organisation gain control and visibility of their business travel spend.

According to a cross section of operators in the industry, the reason for the low volume of the players in the industry may not necessarily be the failing of the operators, but is more to the hospitality firms who provide the services in the first place, than the hotel customers who patronize it.

Managing Director of a major OTA in the country, Jumia Travel Nigeria, Mr. Kushal Dutta, believes the market in the country is still ‘opaque’ on account of the fact that hotel guests are largely in the dark in terms of pricing and price differentials as far as room rate is concerned.

Dutta further posits that this unwholesome situation is now being exploited by the hotels considering that unsuspecting clients do not

P16

e-Platform FG set to bring down cost of Internet in Nigeria P17 Newly-appointed Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mr Folarin Coker, (m) flanked by Executive Council members of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) who paid a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja ... recently. have the time to search out the correct price for hotel rooms let alone the comparative pricing alternatives in the industry.

The situation, he continued, is further compounded by the fact that there is no standard rating, pricing, categorization mechanism for fixing room rates as well as grading hotels in the country’s leisure market.

“In Nigeria, the OTA market is a little opaque. Customers do not really know the real price of the hotel or room or flight ticket to pay and do not have the convenience to search out comparative prices for that service, so the operators, be it the hotels or airlines, exploit this loophole and fleece the guest.

“Then again, there is no standard pricing mechanism for the room rates fixing since a five star hotel in Kano will not charge you what the same rated hotel in Lagos will charge you. They say it’s the location that determines the pricing instead of the facility, as obtained in other climes.

“So you see the OTA finds himself adjusting to this unusual system when fixing prices for his services.

CBN EXCHANGE RATES APRIL 28, 2017 Currency

US DOLLAR Pounds Sterling EURO SWISS FRANC YEN CFA WAUA Yuan/Renminbi RIYAL DANISH KRONA SDR

Buying (NGN) 304.85 394.5064 333.2011 307.6186 2.7353 0.4866 416.7529 44.1995 81.2803 44.7835 417.3397

•Tourism

Central Selling (NGN) (NGN) 305.35 305.85 395.1534 395.8005 333.7476 334.2941 308.1231 308.6276 2.7398 2.7443 0.4966 0.5066 417.4365 418.12 44.2724 44.3454 81.4136 81.547 44.8569 44.9304 418.0242 418.7087

And it’s not supposed to be so.

“The client or guest should be availed of the opportunity to choose his hotel or flight by comparing other prices for the same service and then arriving at a choice influenced by various indices including cost to his pocket,” he said.

While a hospitality consultant, Mr. Bruce Prins, believes the OTAs have also inadvertently created a ‘market war’ among the hospitality establishments, which should ordinarily be to the advantage of the customers, some also posit that the lack of awareness on the part of the customers appear to have scuttled any chance of reaping these benefits.

“The OTAs have forced the hoteliers and airline operators into a price war as it is even though on the down side the competition among many hotels has also undermined the industry’s perceived value, and also created a lot of degradation in so far as the quality on offer is concerned.

“Reduced services and ill-maintained facilities also contributed to

the latter due to the price wars.

“In 2017, there will be more recreational facilities, and services will be required; better reservation systems that are 24-hour accessible, and easy to action will be the deal-breaker.

Ease or disease of air travel will affect everything; renovation and maintenance will make a hotel, and the lack thereof will break a hotel; and social media is, and will be even more so the most powerful marketing tool,” Prins said.

For Mr Martins Okonkwo, a Lagosbased TMC operator: “Yes there is now a price war and there are now cheaper prices for hotel rooms but to what purpose is it to the guest if he doesn’t know about it or if he is told that what Hotel A is charging does not apply to Hotel B, as the latter hotel is located in one posh area of town?

As it is, the country’s tourism management and regulatory bodies may have to wade in by way of standardizing and categorizing operations in the hospitality industry for the impact of the OTA to be appreciated by hotel and airline customers.

Aviation IATA to stakeholders: Commit to aviation safety framework P20

Insurance LASG not owing pensions –Ambode P22

Stock Market Highlights As At 28 April, 2017

Summary

ASI 25,758.51 DEALS 3,598.00 VOLUME 366,467,226.00 VALUE 2,875,994,863.45 CAP 8,912,898,934,536.83 Most Traded S/N Coy (By Volume) Volume

Value

5 Top Gainers Company WAPCO NESTLE STANBIC NASCON ASHAKACEM

Last Close 48.5 725.5 25 7.71 9.95

Current 50.92 727 26.25 8.49 10.44

Change 2.42 1.5 1.25 0.78 0.49

Top Losers Company Last Close Current Change 1. ACCESS 119,718,173 790,260,557.87 JBERGER 41.95 39.86 -2.09 160 159 -1 2. FIDELITYBK 42,278,426 34,681,849.52 DANGCEM 3. ZENITHBANK 30,843,771 460,457,564.16 FBNH 3.5 3.17 -0.33 32.05 31.81 -0.24 4. FBNH 23,560,295 75,580,648.07 UNILEVER NB 123.22 123.01 -0.21 5.

DIAMONDBNK 20,134,786 15,936,880.10

18

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

BUSINESS

FG to to support 360,000 MSMEs yearly –Presidency

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pecial Adviser to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Mr Tola Johnson, has disclosed that Federal Government’s target of empowering 360,000 MSMEs annually is on course.

Johnson, a member of the recently inaugurated 22-member council for Nigeria’s MSMEs sector said this in Abuja, adding that the empowerment process is being done through the MSMEs clinics.

The MSMEs clinics is an initiative of the Presidency, aimed at addressing grassroots problems of MSMES across Nigeria.

Vice President Osibanjo had inaugurated the programme in January in Aba, which was home to many local manufacturers in the country.

“The target of the MSMEs clinics is to try and affect positively, the lives of 360,000 MSMEs in a year.

People keep saying it is a very tall order, but it is achievable.

“So far, we have only gone to three states and we have successfully engaged with 4,602 MSMEs and we haven’t even touched Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano.

“In May, I’m sure the number will double significantly because we are going to five states.’’

Johnson said that the Federal Government was presently working toward reopening at least six industrial development parks in the country, one for every region.

“The government has about 23 industrial parks, only about two or three of them are working, the others are moribund.

“We have gone to inspect the

one in Abuja for a start, and look at a few around the country, to see how we can either through Public Private Partnership or whichever way the government decides to quickly reactivate at least six.

“We plan to have SMES access them, because what this does for them is that it will help solve many of their business problems.

“When they co-exist in a shared facility, once NAFDAC regulates and confirms that this shared facility meets the standard, you have made the standard, she has made the standard, and he has made the standard.

“Also, these clusters of 50 to 200 businesses won’t likely be asked for collateral. Your access to loan will be easier and you will not be as risky as you were before.

“So, the industrial development

parks will de-risk the sector in those aspects,” he said.

Johnson said that from the 4,602 MSMEs they had interacted with so far, contrary to common belief, access to finance was not the main bottleneck of MSMEs in the country.

For instance, he said many of them do not know how to put up a profit and loss account, which hinders effective management of funds.

He said first of all, owners of MSMEs in the country were in dire need of capacity building then access to the right kind of financing facility.

“This is why you have businesses that open in January and shutdown in December. So many of them need capacity building then access to finance.

“Access to finance has to be in the right structure to be of benefit to MSMEs, because if you want a loan you can go to any commercial bank and get it at 25 to 30 per cent.

“However, access to finance for at least five years tenure, single digit is the right structure for these businesses and the government is already working to address this with the newly established Development Bank of Nigeria.

“The core function of the DBN is to address the bottlenecks in the MSMEs sector.

“It intends to clean it up, make it more attractive and serve as wholesale banker to commercial banks, Microfinance banks so they can lend to the MSMEs at a good rate and longer tenure.’’

Johnson said that through the MSMEs clinics, other challenges faced by the businesses were being addressed on the spot, from

difficulties getting NAFDAC number, adequate electricity and tax clearance, among others.

“I can tell you that at least, hundreds of NAFDAC numbers have been collected since we started the clinics.

“For NAFDAC, when the clinics started, the first thing they did was to reduce MSMEs product registration by 50 per cent.

“Bank of Industry (BoI) also decided that the MSMEs fund they had inaugurated about two years ago, which wasn’t doing particularly well, they said `you know what, lets re-launch this fund this year in line with the MSMEs clinics.

“We told them you cannot use universal criteria to judge the MSMEs. So try and reduce some of the criteria.

“If you have your documentation right, if you need between one and N10 million credit facility, you don’t need collateral. Just get two solid guarantors. So once this is achieved, it will be a step forward,” he said.

When asked if the government may consider granting tax breaks to MSMEs as encouragement, Johnson said the government was looking at every option that could make their lives easier and better.

“From the Federal Inland Revenue Service, to the Vice President, they are looking at so many options, to give MSMEs breathing space to strive and expand,’’ he said.

NAN reports that other members of the council include the Ministers of Finance, Trade and Investment, Budget and National Planning, Agriculture, Power, Works and Housing, Central Bank Governor, and President Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.

How Nigeria lost $850m to gas flaring –DPR •The Aviation Handling Company of the year 2016 award being presented to the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) at the 5th edition of the annual Nigerian Transport Awards and Lectures which held at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos, last weekend

Sterling Bank gross earnings improve by 12%

By VICTOR NZE

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terling Bank Plc has reported 12 per cent growth in gross earnings for the first quarter ended on March 31.

The bank’s first quarter unaudited result released by the bank showed that gross earnings rose to N28.55 billion against N25.50 billion posted in the comparative period of 2016.

The bank, in the unaudited result statement issued on Saturday in Lagos, said that the top-line earnings performance was driven by increase in interest income and improved cost management.

It said that the net interest income improved by 18.3 per cent at N13.5 billion in first quarter 2017 as against N11.4 billion in first quarter 2016.

Net interest margin, which measures the underlining profitability of the core banking business, improved marginally from 8.1 per cent in first quarter 2016 to 8.2 per cent in first quarter 2017.

The report stated that the bank was able to reduce operating expenses through strategic cost control measures taken in response to inflationary pressures.

Its operating expenses declined to N12.2 billion during the period under review from N12.6 billion in first quarter of 2016.

Operating income stood at N14.2 billion while pre and post-tax profits stood at N2.03 billion and N1.88 billion in first quarter of 2017.

The balance sheet of the bank remained strong as total assets rose by 6.8 per cent to N891.3 billion compared with N834.2 billion recorded at the beginning of this business year.

The bank’s Managing Director, Mr Yemi Adeola, in the statement said that the first quarter of 2017 performance was in line with the expectations.

He said that earnings remained resilient with a double-digit growth despite the macroeconomic headwinds

that persisted during the period.

Adeola said that the bank made significant progress in its efficiency drive through the adoption of strategic cost management initiatives.

He said that this resulted in 3.3 per cent reduction in operating expenses and a 190 basis point improvement in cost-to-income ratio.

He added that net interest margin also improved marginally to 8.2 per cent in spite of the crowding out effect of sovereign borrowing which kept interest rates high.

Adeola stated that the bank had retained its cautious stance on lending while continuing to strengthen its risk management framework across people, processes and information technology systems.

“Going into the year, we will continue to explore innovative ways to improve revenue, while simultaneously enhancing the overall efficiency of our business operations,” Adeola said.

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HE Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has disclosed that Nigeria, the ninth largest gas producing nation in the world, lost over 850 million dollars to gas flaring in 2015.

Deputy Director, Head, Upstream, DPR, Mrs Pat Maseli, gave the statistics at the just concluded 10th Annual Sub-Saharan Africa Oil and Gas Conference in Houston, Texas, United States.

A statement issued in Lagos by Chairman, Energy Corporate African, Mr Sonny Oputa, the organiser of the conference, said that the development led to a loss of 3,500 megawatts of electricity generation and about 400 million dollars carbon credit value emission.

She said, “55 million Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE) was lost and 25 million tons of carbon dioxide emitted.

“The country is recording decline, but the scale of gas flaring is still worrisome’’.

She said that with almost 8 billion cubic meters of gas flared annually, according to satellite data, Nigeria had the seventh largest gas flaring in the world.

“At the same time, approximately 75 million Nigerians lack access to

electricity.

“In recent years, Nigeria has shown significant progress by reducing gas flaring by about 2 billion cubic metres from 2012 to 2015,’’ she was quoted as saying.

Maseli said that prior to now, there were no gas terms in place, but the department had recently developed policies on gas terms and utilisation.

“This was passed to operators for their input which will subsequently be sent to the National Assembly for its passage “The Gas Master Plan seeks to deliver gas to commercial sub sector for use as fuel, captive power and related end-use, to consolidate Nigeria’s position and market share in high value export markets.

“It will create regional hub for gasbased industries, including fertiliser, petrochemical and methanol.

“It will also transform the gas sector to a value-adding sector,’’ Maseli said.

On the breakdown of the 20082013 Domestic Gas Supply Obligation (DGSO), she said that compliance was about 23 per cent.

It said that in 2016, the DGSO was achieved at 38.18 per cent, while in 2017, it was 40 per cent.

19

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

BUSINESS

NSE, LSEG renew capital market agreement

By SAMSON AKINTARO

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he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) have announced the renewal of their strategic capital markets partnership agreement.

The renewal of the agreement, which took place at the NSE office in Lagos, extends the original 2 year partnership agreement between the NSE and LSEG, allowing the two

Exchanges to build on the progress achieved to date.

First signed in November 2014, the capital markets partnership agreement seeks to strengthen cooperation and promote mutual development between the two exchanges. The agreement supports companies seeking dual listings in London and Lagos. Since entering into this partnership, the two exchanges have held three hugely successful NSE/LSEG

Dual Listings Conferences aimed at providing global visibility and access to deep capital pools for companies and issuers from both markets.

Commenting on the development, the Executive Director, Capital Markets at NSE, Haruna Jalo-Waziri, said: “The NSE is delighted to renew this agreement with LSEG, as it reflects a successful partnership story.

“Our collaboration with London Stock Exchange is deliberate and

strategic. It is geared at encouraging seamless cross-border access between our markets to ultimately develop larger capital markets that enable capital formation for businesses and governments; create deeper liquidity pools and greater competitiveness for investors; as well as enhance capacity and promote diversity of investment products to meet the needs of a wide range of investors and issuers”.

Also on the development, Ibukun

Adebayo, Co-head, Emerging Market Strategy, LSEG said: “London Stock Exchange Group is proud of our continued partnership with Nigeria and Lagos. This new agreement cements the relationship between our two exchanges.

“It also demonstrates our commitment to encouraging further dual listings in Lagos and London, and promoting the developments of the Nigerian capital markets infrastructure on a global stage.”

Ecobank shuts 74 branches in Nigeria

By VICTOR NZE

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(L – R) Pai Gamde, Acting Head, Corporate Services Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Stephanie Busari, Supervising Producer – Africa, CNN; Oscar N. Onyema, OON, Chief Executive Officer, NSE; Richard Quest, International Business Correspondent, CNN; Ade Bajomo, Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, NSE; Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Capital Markets Division, NSE and Tinuade Awe, General Counsel and Head of Regulation, NSE at the Closing Gong Ceremony at the NSE, Friday.

Electronic fraud: CBN to create database of suspects

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he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has concluded plans to create a database of suspected fraudsters through the establishment of a central repository account.

The move is part of efforts to curb electronic card fraud in the banking sector.

Speaking while briefing Newsmen on the outcome of the Bankers Committee, in Lagos, the managing director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe disclosed that once the database is set up, systemic fraud would be drastically reduced.

Wigwe explained that measures will be put in place to ensure that people do not commit such crimes.

He said if there are repeat offenders, they will be cut out and taken out of the banking system to sanitise the industry.

Speaking at the event, the CBN director of banking supervision, Mr Ahmed Abdullahi, said the Apex Bank has introduced new windows in the foreign exchange market to bring the prices of forex downwards.

Mr Abudullahi listed the Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs access and Investor-Exporter window, as available and accessible arena where prices could be determined by market forces.

According to him, “this is a window that will allow investors to come in and trade their Forex in the price that they consider appropriate, is going to improve the in-flow of Forex in the economy”.

Mr Abudullahi stated that the Bankers Committee position is on the financing of Agriculture and

SMEs using five percent of the bank’s Profit after tax, adding that this would fast track the country’s recovery from recession.

In remarks also, the CBN acting director of corporate communications, Mr Isaac Okoroafor, noted that the nation’s economy would soon come out of recession as the

global price of oil is gradually becoming stable.

He said that the factors including inadequate Forex which caused the recession are being addressed.

“Agricultural production has greatly improved, it is impacting on food prices, farmers are going

back to the farm, in-fact a good number of our people are withdrawing from the urban to the rural areas, encouraged greatly

by CBN programmes, farmers are taken loans, so the collective action of all factors point to greater growth,”Okoroafor said.

Marriott expands in Africa with Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Hurlingham

By VICTOR NZE nited States-based global hotel U chain, the Marriott International, Inc. has strengthened its foot-

hold in Africa with the announced of its first property in Kenya following the opening of the Four Points

by Sheraton Nairobi Hurlingham.

Owned by Kamcan Properties Limited, the hotel is strategically located in the upmarket suburb, close to the city center and within easy access from the surrounding business areas of Westlands, Kilimani and Nairobi Central as well as from the Kenyatta International Airport and the Wilson Airport.

“Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi, Hurlingham is a significant addition to our fast growing portfolio in the region offering a perfect blend of stylish comfort and genuine service at an honest value,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “The hotel is yet another example of our conversion friendly strategy that highlights our ability to convert hotels successfully within a short period of time and have them join our sys-

tem while delivering value to our partners and creating memorable experiences for our guests in exciting new destinations.”

Designed for the modern traveler with an emphasis on approachable design and stylish comfort, Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi, Hurlingham features 96 spacious and modern rooms as well as food and beverage options including an all-day dining restaurant, a rooftop restaurant with spectacular city views and a bar and lounge where guests can experience the brand’s signature Best Brews programme featuring an array of local beers – the ideal spot to watch sports matches and unwind with friends and colleagues.

Other hotel facilities include a fitness center, a rooftop pool and 8500 square feet of flexible meeting spaces. The hotel provides all of the brand’s defining elements including the signature Four Points bed, free bottled water in all rooms and suites, fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and an energizing breakfast with fresh coffee that helps guests start and end the day right.

“By introducing a Four Points

property, we expect to attract travelers familiar with this popular global brand and everything it has to offer,” said Vivek Mathur General Manager Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Hurlingham “and we are confident that the hotel will emerge as a preferred choice for travelers looking for stylish accommodation and a relaxing atmosphere whether they are on business or on leisure.”

Marriott International is also currently developing a 365-room JW Marriott in Nairobi slated to open in 2020 which will substantially enhance Marriott International’s presence in the country.

In East Africa alone the brand is set to open three more hotels later this year with the opening of Four Points

by Sheraton Nairobi Airport, Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salam and Four Points by Sheraton Arusha.

Marriott, which bought over the Starwood properties in Nigeria including the Sheraton Hotels in Lagos and Abuja, the Four Points by Sheraton in Lagos and Ikot Ekpene, Le Meridien in Ibom and Port Harcourt, is Nigeria’s biggest foreign hospitality chain.

cobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the Ecobank Group, says it has merged 74 of its branches. It also added that it would deploy staff from the merged branches to other projects.

A statement by the bank said the move was informed by its ‘commitment to digital transformation, which would enable customers carry out banking activities online, thereby reducing the need to visit physical locations.’

Managing Director of the bank, Charles Kie, said the bank hopes to shift its activities to digital channels and improve customers’ experience at reduced cost.

This, he said, also supports the bank’s financial inclusion strategy and the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Kie said the bank has enhanced its retail internet banking platform with the Ecobank mobile app that enables customers to do instant payments; open accounts, as well as do instant transfers across 33 countries in Africa.

“After a detailed analysis of the physical network of branches needed to serve our customers, the decision was made by the Ecobank Nigeria board, and approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria, to optimise 74 out of its 479 branches.

“We are deploying staff and other resources from the merged branches to other ongoing projects, while also strengthening the existing branches to make them more resourceful and up to speed in their daily activities,” Kie said.

MTN Nigeria sacks 280 workers under VSS TN subsidiary in Nigeria has M terminated the appointment of 280 staff under its recently in-

troduced voluntary severance scheme )VSS), which provides a window for one week in April, for persons who have served in MTN for five years and above to take up.

Those who decided to leave under the VSS were to be paid the equivalent of their three weeks gross salary for every year they worked with MTN. “What it means is that if one worked in MTN for five years, one would be paid three weeks of their gross salaries times five,” a source explained.

Eventually, all 280 staff were disengaged under the VSS and paid their benefits, the source said.

Many of those sacked have said to have spent up to 15 years with the company having joined when it opened its business in Nigeria in 2001.

20

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

ENERGY

Shell, Vitol complete $250m Vivo divestment deal

By Sopuruchi Onwuka

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he eleven electricity distribution companies in the country collectively owe power generation companies and gas producers princely N24.8 billion in the first month of the year, worsening the liquidity crisis that currently threaten the government’s gas-to-Power programme.

According to payment performance report by Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) the distribution companies were supplied electricity worth N35,018,270,073.49 in the month. However total payment form the companies for electricity sold in the period is recorded as N10,261,162,961.73, or 29.30 percent of total invoice, leaving behind a payment shortfall of N24,757,107,111.76.

According to the report, Abuja and Eko distribution companies scored highest in chain commercial returns with payment performance of 45 percent.

With 12.86 percent of total energy received, Abuja Distribution Company incurred an invoice of N4,509,937,768.87 but paid only N2,030,000,000.00, leaving a shortfall of N2,479.937.87.

Eko Distribution Company which received 8.88 percent of the total energy invoiced for the month inherited a bill of N3,114,838,681.16.

The company paid only 45 percent of the bill amounting to N1,415,805.404.28 and left a shortfall of N1,699,032,276.88.

Ibadan follows with 35 percent payment performance. It received 12.84 percent of total supply in the month, incurred a bill of N4,504,087,408.90 but managed to pay only N1,580,980,978.00 and left a deficit of N2,923,106,430.90.

Next is Ikeja which accepted 11.30 percent of total power supply in the month with an invoice of N3,962,826,037.30 but paid only N1,614,386,210.12.

Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company also ranks first in the list of electricity retailers that traditionally rejected bulk of the power generation in the country, thus forcing the power generating companies to whittle down capacity by shutting units in the process of spin control.

Enugu distribution company received only 9.45 percent of power produced in the month and accompanying bill of N3,315,620,337.02 but paid only N1,100,000,000.00 and leaving a deficit of N2,215,620,337.02 or return performance of 33 percent.

Benin which received 9.10 of total power supplied in the month recorded 24 percent payment performance in January after throwing in just N770,801,077.76 against an invoice of N3,190,490,098.57.

Kaduna disco received 7.72 percent of total electricity supply in the month, an invoice of N2,708,910,374.56 but paid only N600,000,000.00 of 22 percent payment performance. The company is responsible for shgortfall of N2,108,910,374.56.

Kano received 5.31 percent of total power supplied the market with an invoice of just N1,861,925,147.54. it paid N400,000,000.00 or 21 percent of the bill and left behind a deficit of N1,461,925,147.54.

Port Harcourt which is proximate to multiple power generation sources was supplied only 8.28

S

Power sector debt crisis:

DISCOs grow debts by N24.8 bn in January percent of total electricity flow in the month with an invoice of N2,904,914,907.44. The company made returns of N610,032,130.56 or 21 percent of the invoice, leaving behind N2,294,882,770.88.

Yola got 2.36 percent of total supplies and an invoice of N826,955,755.26 but it paid N165,391,151.06 or 20 percent of the bill, leaving behind a deficit of N661.564,604.20.

Jos received 4.56 percent of total delivery for the month, an invoice of N1,598,075,952.60 against which it paid N239,711,392.89 or 15 percent of its debt for the month.

The 11 distribution companies thus collectively received 92.65 percent of total eleltricity supplied the market in the month with a total invoice of N32,498,582,469.63 against which they paid a total of N10,261,162,961.73 or 31.57 percent of their bill, posting a deficit of N22,237,419,507.90.

Out of the gross debt of N35,018,270,073.49, international consumers that traditionally receive supplies from the country are responsible for N2,519,687,603.86 or 7.35 percent to total energy supply invoice.

The January commercial performance of the distribution companies is a prime index of traditional loss pattern in the sector where

crippling debt has plunged investors across the entire commercial relay into acute liquidity crisis.

Under the commercial arrangement which places the commerciality of investments in gas supply and power generation in the hands of the distribution companies, the deficits recorded by the companies translate directly into debt to power generation and gas companies participating in the government’s Gas-to-Power programme.

President of the Nigerian Gas Association, Mr. Dada Thomas, told The Oracle Today that the power sector has remained the biggest consumers in the domestic gas market, adding that the indigenous companies in the country supply over 55 percent of gas used in the country and about 80 percent of gas used for power generation.

He warned that the huge debts owed gas suppliers by players in the power sector was capable of plunging the economy into deep crisis, pointing out that the reluctance of the power sector to pay for gas was inherited from the transition from public sector through privatization of defunct NEPA. He pointed out that NEPA was taking gas from Shell Gas without paying.

Industry expert and analyst, Frank Edozien, stated at the conference that government had pro-

vided the power sector over N24 billion to offset part of the $60 billion legacy gas debts.

Dr. Edozien who participated in the power reforms pointed out that gas producers voluntarily offered to enhance fuel supply to the power sector during the privatization process.

He blamed the distribution companies for the crisis in the system, saying that Nigerians are willing to pay for electricity if supplies were adequate and steady. He pointed out that average Nigerian homes would prefer to exit use of microgenerators that cost more money than normal electricity bills.

At a power sector conference in Abuja, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had declared that the inefficiency of the distribution companies has plunged the entire value chain into tragic illiquidity, pointing out that the distribution companies have not lived up to their pre-privatization promises.

An official of the regulatory agency who battled the wave if criticism against NERC for weak control of the distribution companies blamed the prevailing debt crisis in the sector on the failure of the companies to plug average technical, collection and commercial (ATC&C) losses in the market.

hell and Vitol have finally concluded a deal to swap equity for cash in a divestment that would see the Aglo-Dutch major cash out from Vivo Energy Holding B.V. In a statement, Shell said it has completed the sale of its 20 percent interest in Vivo Energy Holding B.V. to Vitol Africa B.V. for a total amount of $250 million.

This sale was originally announced near the end of 2016 when Shell signed an agreement to divest its interest in this venture.

Completion of the transaction follows regulatory approval and is consistent with Shell’s strategic commitment to focus downstream activity in areas where it can be most competitive.

Shell fuels and products will continue to be available in 16 countries in Africa via a longterm brand license agreement with Vivo Energy.

Simba sells name, equity to Essel

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ssel Group ME (EGME) announced that Simba Energy Inc. has become Simba Essel Energy Inc. The Simba name change was effective on April 24.

At its recent annual general meeting, shareholders of Simba voted in favor of approving the two agreements that Simba entered into with EGME in 2015.

This included an agreement under which EGME was granted the right to earn a 60% interest in Simba’s PSCs in Kenya, Chad, Liberia, Ghana, and Guinea, by contributing 100% of the funding to carry out an exploration program on the PSCs. Following receipt of shareholder approval, the TSX Venture Exchange has also advised that it has no objection to Simba proceeding with the EGME transactions.

Simba’s Board of Directors is to meet in the near future to review the seismic program and other related data assembled in preparation of a drill program later this year on Block 2A, Kenya.

•Simba Energy starts life as Simba Essel Energy after Essel deals approved

21

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

e-Platform FG set to bring down cost of Internet in Nigeria –Minister Stories by SAMSON AKINTARO

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he Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, has announced ongoing plans and efforts to reduce the price of internet in the country, even as the Ministry pushes ahead with new ICT strategic roadmap to enhance digital capability of the country. The Minister at meeting hosted by Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), in Lagos, said that a recent report by the international body has shown that high cost of broadband may hinder the Achievement of UN Global of Universal Internet Access by 2020.

To address this concern in Nigeria, Adebayo said the Communications Ministry “is working round the clock to set a more ambitious target for getting broadband prices down. The report serves as a wake-up call to us in the Ministry.

A lot of work needs to be done; immediate collaborative action is required” adding that all stakeholders must work together “to build open and competitive markets that can drive affordability, applicability, availability and accessibility (4As)”.

The Minister noted that the Federal Government has recognized the urgent need to increase access to, and usage of Internet and broadband in Nigeria. “As part of its over-reaching national development plan, Vision 20:2020, which outlines the Federal Government’s aim to make Nigeria a

top 20 global economy by 2020, ICTs have been given a central role. In order to rationalize the work towards achieving Vision 20:2020, the Government of Nigeria has developed the new ICT strategic roadmap, which is before the Federal Executive Council for approval, it details how Nigeria will leverage ICTs to become a knowledge-based, globally competitive society by 2020” he said.

Speaking further on the government’s efforts on internet, the Minister said a stakeholder consultation on the establishment of an Internet industry code of practice has been approved, adding that the NCC would soon invite all affected and interested stakeholders for consultation as part of its internet Governance functions. “The Ministry, through the NCC seeks inputs from stakeholders in the development of a code of practice in support of an open internet. Ministry favours a multi-stakeholder model of engagement in the process of policy development for Internet Governance. The code of practice seeks, among other things, to: Establish best practices for Internet Governance in Nigeria in line with emerging issues and global trends; and Provide transparent rules for the assignment and classification of Internet content” Adebayo said.

Meanwhile, the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) has ranked Nigeria third in its Africa

World smartphone market grows 4.3% in Q1

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he global smartphone market grew stronger than expected in the first quarter, by 4.3 percent to 347.4 million units, according to IDC. Market leaders Samsung and Apple saw their sales little changed year-on-year, while Huawei, Oppo and Vivo continued to grow strongly, the market researcher said.

Samsung led the market with a 22.8 percent share, after falling behind Apple in Q4. The company shipped an estimated 79.2 million smartphones in the quarter, unchanged from a year ago. Apple took a 14.9 percent share, based on 51.6 million iPhones sold. Huawei was in third place, growing 22 percent to an estimated 34.2 million phones shipped, equal to a 9.8 percent market share. Huawei’s share was up from 8.4 percent a year ago. Oppo also grew its share, to 7.4 percent from 5.9 a year ago, and Vivo was at 5.2 percent of shipments, versus 4.4 a year earlier.

•Adebayo-Shittu Affordability Drivers Index, out of 27 countries studied by the group.

The Africa Regional Coordinator of the group, Onica Makwakwa, made the disclosure at the unveiling of the Africa Affordability Report 2017 in Lagos. The report is an annual publication of A4AI, examining the policy and regulatory framework that had allowed some countries to make internet more affordable, accessible and universal.

It suggested what other countries could do to catch up on internet affordability. A detailed breakdown of the report showed that Mauritius topped the table with 61.70 per cent, followed by Morocco with 57.75 per cent. Nigeria came third with 56.58 per cent, with Botswana on the fourth position with 55.37 per cent and Cote d’Ivoire scoring 53.25 per cent. According to the report, Rwanda is on the sixth position with 61.48 per cent, while South

Africa scores 51.20 per cent and Ghana, 50.01 per cent. Benin and Kenya post 48.95 per cent and 48.82 per cent, respectively. The report shows that only five out of the 27 African countries have affordable internet– they are Mauritius, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Sudan. “Affordable internet is one Gigabyte (1GB) of mobile pre-paid data for two per cent or less of average monthly income.

“However, 1GB of data costs an average citizen nearly 18 per cent of their monthly income. “Overall, African countries score less than five out of 10 in all policy areas, indicating the crucial need for improvement.” The report cites the International Telecommunication Union as saying that only 25 per cent of the African population is online. It said that the continent had 16 per cent of mobile broadband penetration and that there was 23 per cent internet use gender gap in Africa.

Airtel partners ZTE to deliver 4G in Nigeria

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irtel Networks Limited and ZTE have announced a strategic partnership to launch 4G (fourth generation wireless mobile telecommunications technology) in Nigeria. Airtel, which claimed to have been the first telecoms operator in the country to complete a successful 4G trial, in Lagos in December 2012, said it is looking to continue to influence the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria in line with its commitment to pioneer innovation and lead a mobile Internet revolution in Nigeria.

Speaking on the partnership with ZTE, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, said, “This is a new dawn for mobile Internet in Nigeria. Airtel and ZTE’s collaboration to roll out 4G service pan Nigeria will dramatically improve mobile Internet experience

for telecoms consumers across the country. “Indeed, Airtel is committed to strengthening its position as a true pioneer of innovation in the Nigerian telecommunications domain, as this is in line with our overall corporate vision of becoming the mobile Internet service provider of first choice for every Nigerian.”

Also speaking on the planned 4G deployment across Nigeria, Regional VP of ZTE Corporation, Mr. Zhang Ruigang said: “As a reliable partner, ZTE will cooperate with Airtel Nigeria to build the first-class 4G LTE network, and provide the best long term service to Airtel Nigeria.” 4G LTE is a truly global mobile phone standard for advanced mobile broadband. Airtel’s 4G LTE will aim to offer users faster, more reliable mobile broadband internet for devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops.

•Segun Ogunsanya

Technology Empowerment Centre to train 100 girls

Women’s Technology EmTsaidhepowerment Centre (W.TEC) has it would train 100 girls through

its annual ‘Technology Camp for Girls.’ W.TEC Communications Manager, Mr Yemi Odutola, said in a statement in Lagos that this would be achieved through the hosting of two separate technology camps.

Odutola said the number of trainees was the highest ever planned for by W.TEC for the camp. “This new development is another big achievement of W.TEC for its technology camp from hosting 15 girls in 2008, to hosting 40 girls in camp in 2016. “The camp also has a functioning and active alumnae network of over 150 ladies, some of whom annually attend their reunion during W.TEC’s annual technology camp for girls.

“W.TEC is indeed looking forward to the next phase of its Technology camp for girls. “As usual, the camps will be fun, learning experience with its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum plus other extracurricular activities,’’ Odutola said. He said that W.TEC had expanded its annual ‘Technology Camp for Girls’, with an additional camp established in Oyo State.

Odutola said that since its inception in 2008, W.TEC’s flagship programme ‘The W.TEC Technology Camp for Girls’ had only been held at a location in Lagos State. “This year, W.TEC will host for the first time, two separate camps in Lagos and Oyo State. “This is in line with the vision of W.TEC’s camp of giving more girls in Nigeria the privilege of world class, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills empowerment. “W.TEC intends to expand its annual Technology Camp for girls from its current and only location in Lagos State to several other locations across Nigeria,’’ he said.

22

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

e-Platform

NCC moves to stop illegal use of spectrum …Says Nigeria needs 80,000 base stations Stories by SAMSON AKINTARO

T

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given telecoms companies who are illegally using a certain frequency spectrum 14 days to stop or risk facing sanctions. The Commission highlighted that the use of any spectrum by telecoms companies who do not have the necessary licenses is criminal offence and could lead to heavy fines and decision makers could face imprisonment.

Prof. Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of the NCC, particularly warned the all unauthorized users of 5.470-5.725 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum band to desist from doing so in order not to incur the wrath of the Commission. “The Nigerian Communications Commission hereby informs the general public that the 5.4GHz band spanning 5.470 – 5.725 GHz frequency range is a licensed band in Nigeria,” Dambatta said.

Danbatta reiterated that the transmission of signals or use of equipment in any form on the band without a frequency license obtained from the NCC is illegal and shall not be tolerated. He warned all concerned operators and companies or any person(s) using the band to note that it was a criminal offence pursuant to the section 122 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003 to operate on any frequency not duly assigned by the Commission.

He added that “The Commission shall without further resources and upon expiration of the stipulated deadline commence appropriate enforcement action including but not limited to prosecution, fine and confiscation of equipment used in the illegal transmission”.

Meanwhile, the EVC has said Nigeria needs at least 80,000 telecommunication base stations to actualise its dream of being a smart country.

Prof. Danbatta said that such number of base stations would spur Nigeria to join countries working toward making Internet of Things

(IoT) a reality.

Danbatta said that IoT could be realised by leveraging on fourth generation (4G) and 5G networks. He said that the country currently has less than 50,000 base stations. “3G, 4G going to 5G networks are going to usher this country into smart applications, the Internet of Things or the smart world and cities we are talking about. “And of course because of the additional burden on infrastructure, the present capacity of telecommunications infrastructure is grossly inadequate to cater for these additional platforms or services we talk about. “Therefore, we will need from 70,000 to 80,000 base transceiver masts to be able to provide the effective capacity that is needed to deploy 4G going to 5G,” he said.

Danbatta called on approving agencies at all levels of government in the country to synergise with NCC with a view to achieving the 80,000 target. He said that the United Kingdom, with a population of almost one third of Nigeria already has close to 60,000 masts. On concerns about health implications to exposure to electromagnetic field, Danbatta said that researches so far conducted in the area had not indicated any adverse health concerns.

“With regards to other professional bodies like Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), we don’t have any quarrel with their positions.

“The only question is when we say exposure to electromagnetic field is hazardous to health, what level are we talking about? “We have to define the level of exposure that is hazardous to human beings. “Of course, if you generate a massive electromagnetic field of unprecedented proportion and put a person inside, there will be medical consequences. “But what we are saying is that provided the limit specified is observed and NCC is there to ensure compliance with that limit, there is no health hazard,” he said.

•Prof Umar Danbatta

MainOne launches Data Center project in Sagamu

W

est Africa’s leading connectivity and data center solutions provider, MainOne has pledged its commitment to boost Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Ogun State with a data center project in Sagamu. During a recent courtesy visit of the company’s Board and Management to the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Senator IbikunleAmosun and his cabinet, the company’s Chairman, Fola Adeola, disclosed MainOne’s plans to make investments that will boost ICT development in the State.

Affirming the company’s commitment to the digital transformation of Nigeria, Mr. Adeola highlighted the untapped investment opportunities in the country, noting that ICT infrastructure investments will support rapid technology proliferation in the State. “Given its market and reputation as haven for manufacturing and other enterprises, growth potential, investmentfriendly disposition and proximity to Lagos State, Ogun State has the potential to become one of the major hubs of industrialization in Nigeria. Technology has a major role to play in that evolution. The focus of the state government on infrastructural development is a welcome development, and technology will be critical to achieve the full potential for economic development.”

L-R: Deputy Governor, Ogun State, Yetunde Onanuga; Chairman, MainOne, Fola Adeola; Executive Governor, Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and CEO, MainOne, Funke Opeke, following the meeting between MainOne and the Ogun State Government in Abeokuta… recently.

In his comments, the Governor highlighted the investor-friendly posture of his administration, and its focus to ‘Rebuild the Gateway

State’, which is already attracting a significant portion of new FDI investments into Nigeria to the state.

“We believe that infrastructure

development is a vital component for Ogun State’s economic growth and have continued to invest in new road and rail infrastructure within the state, which is already

transforming the ease of doing business. In addition, Ogun State has a network of 21 tertiary institutions, which guarantees employers a capable indigenous workforce”, he said. Corroborating these statements, the Chief Executive Officer of MainOne, Funke Opeke explained “As a pioneering broadband company in Nigeria, we are excited to partner with Ogun State by creating in Sagamu technology hub, capable of attracting local and international technology companies to do business in the state. This is similar to what we have achieved in Lagos, where we transformed the Yaba area into Nigeria’s undisputed “Silicon Valley” that is now attracting international attention and investments. Yaba is home to a significant number of Nigeria’s tech hubs and start up community and has created thousands of direct jobs and tens of thousands of indirect jobs, by stimulation of the ISP, e-Commerce and ICT sectors.”

MainOne hopes to start building its Data Center in Sagamu, Ogun State later this year. The facility which is based in the Flowergate Industrial Park is designed to provide services to the burgeoning base of industry in Ogun State and serve as a backup for businesses in Lagos who will enjoy easy access through the Lagos-Ibadan expressway once repairs are complete.

23

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 10, 2017

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

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EDITORIAL

The Long-absence President Continued from Front Page Buhari Presidency. The President is rarely referred to by name these days. The actions of the government are attributed to the Presidency, a vacuous way of saying that many are acting for the President.

Problems abound with a vacuous Presidency and some of them are obvious. President Buhari was elected on the steam of the promises that he made to remodel Nigeria from the ‘decadence’ that he told us was unacceptable. Under our Constitution, the President has enormous powers to do most of the things he promised. The Constitution allows him to do the things personally, or delegate some to the Vice President, his Ministers or other officials, as the law permits.

Appointments, defence, security, policy statements, directions of the country, diplomatic relations, the economy (almost on its knees) are key areas that are under the command of the President.

He is President, Commander in Chief, by the spirit and dictates of the Constitution. In addition, Buhari is not an ordinary President.

His admirers and haters freeze at the mention of his name. His Ministers do nothing, absolutely nothing, until he prompts them, which is a rare occurrence. Buhari believes so much in himself that delegation is not part of the roles he expects to play in his administration.

Buhari had come to power with the perception

that everyone is corrupt, except himself. The few he has chosen to work with are under his grilling suspicion that they may be momentary saints to meet his acclaimed affinity for probity, a claim that has fallen into disrepute with the long absences of the President.

What Nigerians know is that the President had health challenges even before he was elected.

He had been in and out of foreign hospitals with a frequency that worried many who had said that at his age and with his known health issues, he should not have been elected in the first place.

Nigerians bought the change magic wand that Buhari sold to them. No questions were asked, in the same way that no questions are being asked about what it means for the President to be working from home.

Why is he being kept away from the public? Why can’t he address the nation? Why is he unable to attend Federal Executive Council meetings week after week, and he is in Abuja? Why is it important that he hangs on to an office that he appears unable to run? What is it about being President that is more important than the health of the individual?

Who is the Presidency? Suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal asked the question when he was removed from office weeks ago. The implication of a powerful man who walked the corridors of the Presidency, casting doubts about who represents the Presidency was lost on most who made jokes out of the question.

It is possible that people would hide under the cover of the President to wield constitutional powers that should be the President’s. It is also possible that the President is unaware of the decisions that are being made in his name, and on behalf of the mandate Nigerians gave him.

Speculations about the health of the President have been rife. We are concerned that no efforts are made to address them, or deploy constitutional tools that are available for the effective running of the government until the President gets well.

Power mongers are investing every means in ensuring that they do not lose in the power game. They are leaning on precedence. For the more than two years that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was ill, nothing was spared to maintain secrecy over his health. His medical trips were secret and for days, government stumbled from one indecision to the other without anyone knowing if anyone was in-charge.

The constitutional provision of a sick President handing over to the Vice President was observed when, earlier in the year, the President was in London for a seven-week medical vacation. Since he returned on 10 March, he has made few public appearances, hardly spoke directly to Nigerians, and major policy issues have been in abeyance.

Occasionally, we get assurances that he is recovering or are urged to pray more for the President’s recovery. Sometimes, it sounds as if the inefficacy of the prayers of Nigerians was responsible for the President failing to recover. At other times, Nigerians are reminded that they are lucky to have a living saint, Buhari, who had accepted to redeem them at a time the country had collapsed.

None of these gratuitous insults attends to the major challenges that Nigerians face with the President.

If he is not well, should he not resign? Has he become too sick to resign? Do we need the intervention of the National Assembly, as was the case with Yar’Adua, for the Vice President to run the country? Has who runs Nigeria become so unimportant that silence addresses the question?

“There is no need for apprehension over the health of our President, who works mostly from his home where he has a fully equipped office,” Garba Shehu, a presidential media aide said.

We worry for different reasons. The country is on hold. Someone who Nigerians did not elect may have usurped the important decisions that only the President can take. Nigerians do not know who is responsible for the affairs of government.

Nigeria is in dire straits. The issues are daily worsened by the uncertainties over who is steering the ship of state. Nigerians need to know who is running the country; it is no longer an issue for speculations.

More importantly, it is time the National Assembly applied the full weight of the Constitution to ensure that the country runs without encumbrances until the President fully recovers, otherwise the country would fall into the hands of the Presidency – anonymous individuals who would run the country without responsibility or accountability.

We wish the President quick recovery.

Our Vision TO BE among the top five newspapers in Nigeria and, in due course, the Numero Uno; to be a newspaper of records that effectively caters to the information needs of all segments and sections of the Nigerian society as well as all social classes and cultures. Essentially, we want to be a responsible corporate citizen, a commercially viable, properly organised media business, which meets its obligations to society, government and the workforce.

Mission WE INTEND to contribute to the development of an inclusive Nigerian society, with a view to getting rid of the dark sides of our national life (slothfulness, greed, corruption, nepotism, totalitarianism, etc); to continually engender and sustain national debates that would ultimately lead to the enthronement of healthy national values--hard-work, justice, equity and fairplay, transparency, good governance, resulting, in themselves, the egalitarian Nigerian society of our dream. We will give voice to the voiceless and at all times, strive to be balanced, objective, honest, truthful and fair to all sides; so that through The Oracle Today, our people, the Nigerian people can see a bright light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel. And we shall do all this in absolute trust in God who blesses good intentions.

25

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

OPINION

Six geo-political zones or six geo-political suicide? (2)

By OBASI IGWE

V

ARIOUS South-South arrangements had actually been in the past already tried in some ways with nothing but disastrous consequences. Read On A Darkling Plain and see the venom poured on the Bonny Igbos and their fleeing chiefs by iconoclastic Ken Saro-Wiva, who started the ethnic cleansing of Bonny, including the dismantling of everything he thought to be connected to Igbo on the island, when he was operating as the wartime Administrator of the place. Go back to the regimes of Diete-Spiff, Melford Okilo and other Ijaw rulers of the old Rivers state, to find the unprecedented oppressions and cruelties inflicted upon the Ikwerre, Etche, Opobo, Ahoada, Bonny, Obigbo, Ndoni, Ali-Ogba and other Igbo communities and leaders that were slow to subscribe to the ethnic cleansing Abandoned Property programme and the “we are not or we are no more Igbo” tests of Rivers “patriotism”.

On the other hand, there was an ill-thought and ill-fated war-time “Republic of Benin” that was supposed to embrace the Anioma Igbos and others in the old Mid-West Region.

No sooner than the mediocre experiment failed than the other tribes embarked upon the mass slaughtering of their Igbo compatriots - men, women, children, sick, infirm, boys, girls, chiefs, etc. Many were buried alive - by those who would be together with the Igbos in a South-South region!

Ndigbo and the lessons of history: Igbo leaders who are interested in the good of the Igbos, and the just and proper restructuring of Nigeria should, therefore, find time to read Igbo and Nigerian history, and stop forthwith, the habit of messing up the Igbo nation by their ill-thought advocacies. The Igbo masses look towards a homogenous Igbo nation, from Igbo Akiri in Edo State, through Agbor, and right up to Aba Omege in Ebonyi State, and from the last points of Obollo Afor to the Atlantic coastline. Jaja’s

pride, Opobo, including the boatyard, and port facilities, should be modernized and expanded, so that import-export trade through the Imo River and up to Azumini, Akwete, etc, will be restored as in olden days. The ports of Port Harcourt and Bonny should be dredged, expanded, linked up by road and rail, and modernized, to carry the full weight of business that Igbos are capable of, and to for once bring prosperity to the doorsteps of the Ikwerre, Bonny, Etche, Ali-Ogba and other southern Igbos, at least to reward them for obliging the “patriotic” schizophrenic pretence of not being Igbo, which they had been cruelly forced into by Gowon and his successors for the sake of their hate-filled notion of one Nigeria. Even without restructuring, Rivers state would still be Rivers state, and the modernization of these ports would still bring prosperity to the Mbamiri and other Igbos, as well as Nigeria.

Igbos greatly thank the Yorubas for their hospitality, permitting the use of Lagos for the conduct of Igbo business. But, for a stable Nigeria, Igbos also need to develop their place, using the Igbo ports and other facilities already founded, used, and owned by them since ancient times. Igbos would themselves build a modern rail-line between Igbanke (Igbo Akiri)/Agbor and Abakaliki, a second and third, etc. Niger bridges as the case may be, a multi-lane highway and rail links between Onitsha/ Nnewi and Port Harcourt through Owerri and, of course, the same through Aba. It would be easier, shorter and cheaper to develop the North-East, North Central and Middle Belt, through Igboland, especially with a second or third Benue bridges, than via the roundabout route from Lagos. Lagos would be lesser pressured, and the inter-tribal antagonisms, occasioned by unplanned demographic concentrations, would abate. Above all, with the openingup of Igboland, there would be more than

enough to occupy the youths in the development process, and all manner of separatist agitations would be considerably minimized.

Role for the OHANAEZE: A new Ohanaeze leadership would be a disaster, if it goes on like its predecessors, obliging some Nigerians by continuing the pretence that the true test of patriotism for any Igbo leader is to treat the Igbos outside the five Eastern states, as not-to-be-mentioned Igbos, to be manipulated anyhow by other Nigerians, or that the Igbos are happy with the arrest, murder or criminalization of peaceful protesters, whether Nnamdi Kanu or whoever else. The Igbos made a presentation at the Oputa Panel rejecting the ethnic cleansing Abandoned Property programme in the Rivers state, and other forms of organized violence sponsored by the Nigerian state on anyone else against her citizens. By rejecting those crimes, Igbos effectively upheld the traditional and age-long unity of the Igbo nation down to the coastline, as well as the peaceful democratic traditions of the Igbo nation. Anything that runs counter to that principled and civilized Igbo presentation, such as the six geopolitical zones mania, is not only dangerous, but also suspect. It should be made clear from the onset that restructuring is intended to be a step to justice, equality, peace and development, and not the erection of new parameters for the oppression of anyone in Nigeria, especially the Igbos. Above all, it should no more be concealed that the non-modernization and full commercial utilization of the Port Harcourt, Bonny and Opobo ports, is a continuation of the economic blockade, financial squeeze, and ethnic cleansing against the Ig-

bos. These should not continue if the Nnamdi Kanus are to be persuaded that Nigeria is a fine option.

Place for optimism: Let the Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, Efik-Ibibio-Annang-Ogoja, BiniUrhobo-Itsekiri-Isoko, and the OgoniAndoni, each have their separate regions and independent accesses to the sea, with the provision for voluntary mergerships to form bigger entities. That would amount to six regions in the South alone, with the possibility of a reduction to four or five after mergers. Igbos are open to such peaceful mergers, but are not looking for anyone to exploit, or whose destinies to shoulder, and would not support a design by any Southern ethnic group, to divide, re-determine or control Igbo destiny, whether or not by a landlocking ethnic cleansing Abandoned Property design. Let the (Hausa-)Fulani caliphate states, the Kanuri North-East and related tribes, the Tiv and three or so other Middle Belt tribes, also have their regions, making about six, but equally reducible to about four. Small groups will merge to form bigger and more viable and competitive units, while big ones shall form undivided, more or less homogenous individual blocs. Altogether, Nigeria would be having between eight and twelve more efficient, strong, self-sustaining constitutive units, run on modern democratic principles of secular constitutionalism and legality. Problems would not disappear from the universe, but with this fair and rational restructuring, they would be considerably minimized in Nigeria.

Ended.

•Prof. IGWE, head of the political science department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), delivered this speech at the 18th Annual Convention of the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) under the theme TOWARDS A MORE UNITED, STRONGER, BETTER NIGERIA…recently

PRCAN, Ministry of Finance and affirmative PR action (1)

By Chido Nwakanma

T

HE award of a brief to a foreign firm for the public relations campaign for the Debt Management Office of Nigeria in its effort to sell Eurobonds has understandably drawn the ire of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN).

PRCAN protested, and the Ministry of Finance has responded, claiming some criteria, none of which addresses the issue.

One writer in Brandish has since taken up the cudgel on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Finance and against Nigerian communication professionals, publishing a piece that argues the case for the ministry’s ill-informed decision (“The Africa Practice PR brief and why PRCAN should step up their game”). Alesh Adeduro supports the Ministry of Finance because he claims Nigerian agencies lack the “global presence” and competencies necessary to execute the task. He then makes a case for Africa Practice on the basis of being a “strategic consulting firm” and having global presence.

A closer examination of the matters would show otherwise and the need for a universal call to the Ministry of Finance to defend the best interest of Nigeria and for PRCAN to raise the decibel of its advocacy.

National briefs The first point to note is that in matters of national briefs across the world, countries give preference to their citizens. Plain and straightforward. Check out other countries of the world.

Blueflower Limited only recently handled

a brief for the European Union in Nigeria, as did a few other firms. The EU gave the contract to a company based in Italy. They, in turn, sub-contracted to Blueflower Limited as the agency with an understanding of the Nigerian market. Since the job was for the Nigerian market, the EU Office in Nigeria could have approached Nigerian firms directly. Nay--not in the interest of EU nationals! They followed global country practices where knowledgeable patriots run the bureaucracy. They gave the job to an EU firm, which then decided the best way to handle the assignment.

It is disingenuous to hear the Ministry and apologists argue that they carried out this disservice to Nigeria on the grounds of requisite experience, professionalism or presence in those countries. A Nigerian public relations agency would have subcontracted a company in the United States, Europe, or Asia to carry out aspects of the assignment specific to those geographies. It would also in the process gain experience and knowledge of those markets. We learn to do by doing.

It is stacking the odds in favour of foreign companies ab initio for the Federal Ministry of Finance to add “global presence” to the qualification criteria and even worse for any Nigerian, no matter how negative or uninformed, to applaud such a measure.

The Ministry of Finance skewed the bid from the beginning. They interviewed three overseas registered companies following the RFP for the USD$4.5billion FGMTN Issu-

ance Programme (2016-2018) and issuance of USD100 billion Eurobond. They interviewed the firms in London: Africa Practice, Bell Pottinger, and Citigate Dewe Rogerson.

Affirmative action Check it out. The Chinese are all over Africa and the developing world granting loans for projects. What do they do? They give contracts for those jobs, even in Nigeria, to Chinese firms. Even for the smallest portions of the contracts. The Chinese companies can then subcontract the jobs or bring in their personnel all the way from China. We have already mentioned the European Union. It applies similarly to other institutions, groups and nations.

Countries call it affirmative action, a term the writer of the Brandish opinion and the folks in the Ministry of Finance may pretend not to have heard. Countries across the world practise it. According to Wikipedia, “Affirmative action (known as reservation in India and Nepal and positive discrimination in the UK; also known in a narrower context as employment equity in Canada and South Africa) is the policy of favouring members of a disadvantaged group who suffer or have suffered from discrimination within a culture.”

Nigeria now has a Local Content Act because of discrimination against Nigerian service firms in the oil industry. At a point, there were about 400 firms of British origin in the Nigerian oil services sector. Now, because of legislation and advocacy by groups similar to PRCAN, the oil and gas industry gives oppor-

tunities to Nigerian firms. They, in turn, are growing their sinews, acquiring experience and increasing in skills and knowledge.

Skillsets of Nigerian public relations agencies • Nwakanma is a past President of PRCAN and Chief Executive of Blueflower Limited.

To be cont’d next week

THE GROUP Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Ikeddy Isiguzo Editor Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Deputy Editor/Head, Lagos Bureau Sopuruchi Onwuka Production Editor Henry Duru Business Dev. Manager Amaka Onumajulu Head, Graphics & Designs Nnamdi Alex Chukwu Circulation Manager Ben Obika Head, Advertising Femi Anamelechi

26

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 10, 2017

Travel & Hospitality 16 organisations to participate in Igbo Diaspora Cultural Festival Stories by VICTOR NZE

M

ore than 16 organisations in United States as well as South Africa have confirmed interest to participate in the Igbo Diaspora cultural heritage festival scheduled for September 1 and 2.

According to Chairman of the Organising Committee for the festival, Prof. Okechukwu Oranika, more organisations and groups have also indicated interest in participating in the planned cultural festival.

Oranika who explained that the festival`s theme’ “Igbo Diaspora Cultural Heritage Festival 2017”, is aimed at promoting and propagating Igbo language and culture, the high level of interest shown by in-

ternational organizations towards has necessitated an expansion of the event.

“The Organising Committee has received interests from more than 16 Igbo organisations across the United States and South Africa. As a result of the huge interest shown, we have decided to expand the event hosting opportunity in the coming years to other cities and communities in the United States, Canada, South Africa and Nigeria.

“For instance, Igbo Union of New England under their able leader Dr. Ejike Eze would be hosting the festival in 2018. Several Igbo organizations in Atlanta Georgia, the gateway to the Southern United States would be hosting the event

in 2019,” he said.

Oranika, a Faculty member at several United States universities, said that the Planning Committee had secured a venue for the event in Lanham Maryland, a suburb of Washington DC, adding that this year’s festival will take place at the Events and Conference Center at 5900 Garden Parkway Lanham Maryland.

He also disclosed that the event Planning Committee had made significant progress and would ensure that a flawless event was held in September.

“The Organising committee is happy that the Igbo across the world are showing great interest on issues concerning how to keep their language and culture alive for

future generations.

“Also, young Igbo born in the diaspora are showing great interest in Igbo language and culture, many of these young Diaspora born children are adopting Igbo Traditional marriage ceremonies as part of their marriage process.

“The festival will cover anything about Igbo language and culture, with emphasis on Igbo Unity going forward, Oranika said.

He noted that young Igbo children from some established Igbo Schools in the United States including PILA school in Baltimore, Igbo School of New England and new Atlanta Igbo School to be inaugurated on June 10, would be taking center stage at the festival.

‘FESTAC@ 40’ to address negative messages in contemporary Nigerian music

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he commemoration of 40 years of Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ‘77) will be used to address conveyance of negative messages by some Nigerian musicians and dancers, an official has said.

Director-General, Centre for Black Arts and African Civilisation (CBAAC), organisers of the celebration, Dr Ferdinand Anikwe, have assured in Lagos.

FESTAC held between May and September 1977 is also known as FESTAC’77 reaches the 40th year milestone in May this year.

The Commemoration is expected to last from this May and end in November.

Anikwe said that the 40 years anniversary celebration would be used to revive preaching of morals and national unity and progress through music as done by old high life music tunes and dances, even as he noted that legendary Nigerian musicians such as King Sunny Ade, Victor Olaiya, the late Celestine Ukwu, the late Osita Osadabe, Ebenezer Obey and Paulson Kalu propagated messages of honesty, hope, peace and unity.

According to him, music by Mike Ejeagha, the late Sunny Okosun, the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and some others also preached morals.

According to Anikwe, the works of these legendary musicians would be focused on at the celebration, adding that these artistes as well as their works promoted Nigeria’s culture, unity and progress contrary to nowadays music which conveyed little or no desirable messages.

Anikwe said that reorientation programmes would be held to sensitise musicians to the need to convey positive messages through their works.

“We intend to appreciate the legendary musicians and their music, and use them as examples for younger artistes so that we can have an organised environment and sound minds.

“Some of these legendary mu-

A cross section of Igbo chiefs at the CBAAC ‘Rolling Out the Drums’ for the Festac @ 40, which held last month in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital as prelude to the Festac ’77 Grand Commemoration ... recently.

sicians and dancers will be made to urge younger musicians to promote African cultural heritage through their music and consolidate on what their predecessors put down,’’ he said.

Anikwe noted that the rolling

out of 40 African drums at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library on the March 3 marked the beginning of the FESTAC’77@40 celebration.

He urged Nigerians to participate fully in the celebration and

gain moral instructions as well as benefit from associated huge business transactions.

“There will be arts and crafts exhibitions, concerts and all manner of social, cultural and economic activities,’’ he said.

Lagos govt. registers 14 cinemas in 2 years

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he Lagos State Government has disclosed that it registered 14 cinema houses in the last two years.

Acting Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in her office at Ikeja, Lagos, Monday.

“The Lagos State Government

registered the cinema houses between March 2015 and March 2017.

“Prior to now, it was only 11 cinema houses that registered with the government; but, with the additional three newly built cinemas, this makes up the 14 cinemas in the state. All the 14 cinemas have registered with the government through the La-

gos State Film and Video Censors Board.

“The idea is to have the records of the cinema houses existing in the city,’’ Akinsola said According to her, the additional three cinemas centres include “Genesis de Luxe’’ in Sangotedo, “Silverbird Cinema’’ in Amuwo Odofin and “Metropolitan Cinemas’’ at Onipanu.

18 states, 8 countries for African Drums Festival

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o fewer than 56 cultural troupes from 18 states of the federation as well as eight African countries including the West Indian nations of Haiti and Cuba participated at the just-concluded African Drums Festival which held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The cultural fiesta held from April 20 to April 22.

The festival was also attended by eminent personalities at the opening ceremony including the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Sole Soyinka, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

Closing the ceremony, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, assured the support of the Federal Government towards all efforts aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of the nation, just as he remarked that the festival was important because of its focus on a key aspect of Nigeria’s cultural heritage which had been taken for granted and gradually fading away.

“Drumming is an aspect of our culture that we must not allow to die or allow to be overshadowed by the contemporary strain,” he said.

Mohammed, who commended the Ogun government ‘for blazing the trail’ by hosting the drums festival, also urged it to ensure the sustenance of the programme, enjoined other states of the federation to ensure that they continue to promote the rich cultural heritage of the nation.

‘I implore the Ogun State government to sustain this festival and also urge other states to borrow a leaf from the gateway state by organising their own drums festival culminating in the national drums festival that will bring together all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, ” he said.

Much earlier, Secretary to the Ogun State government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, had disclosed at a news conference to unveil the official logo of the festival, that the growth and acceptance of the festival as a melting-pot for cultural fraternity necessitated the need to yield to the demand to scale up its scope beyond Nigeria to include the African continent and other countries.

“The legion of commendations and acknowledgements showered on the first edition were as a result of the cultural renaissance it created on the African continent, particularly with the unveiling of the world’s tallest drums of 17 and 18 metres at the event.

“We are working toward the registration of the tallest drum in the Guinness Book of Records as part of efforts to stamp the state and Nigeria on the world map,” he said.

The state governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, who was represented by the deputy governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga said: “We are proud to showcase the display of different drums, dances, and performances from different parts of Africa as an integral part of our cultural heritage, which must be preserved.”

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The Oracle Today May 10, 2017

AVIATION

Commit to aviation safety framework

–IATA urges stakeholders T Stories by VICTOR NZE

he International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged aviation safety stakeholders to reinforce their commitment to safety framework based on global standards, cooperation, dialogue and effective use of data.

IATA’s Director General, Mr Alexandre de Juniac, made the call in a statement issued on the IATA Safety and Flight Operations Conference in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

“Safety is the top priority for all involved in aviation, and aviation is the safest form of long-distance travel. Last year there were over 40 million safe flights.

“That’s an achievement that we can all be proud of and it was made possible by a framework that incor-

porates respect for global standards, cooperation and the value of data.”

De Juniac identified air accident investigations as a key area where greater cooperation on global standards was needed.

“Global standards exist, but they are not being applied universally.

The investigation process is one of our most important learning tools when building global standards.

“However, a recent study showed that of the approximately 1,000 accidents over the last decade, accident reports were available for only around 300 of them.

And of those, many had room for

improvement.

“To learn from an accident, we need reports that are complete, accessible and timely. We also need states to fully respect the standards and processes enshrined in global agreements for participation in the investigation by all specified parties,” he said.

De Juniac also called for increased dialogue between regulators and industry to ensure that industry experience and know-how is incorporated into new regulations and standards.

Turning to the use of data to improve safety, De Juniac urged

speed and innovation.

“The data generated from the 100,000 safe flights each day can help us understand where the next threat or challenge may arise. We need to move ahead in this area with speed.

“The IATA Global Aviation Data Management programme (GADM) is vital to our future. It includes data from more than 470 organisations.

“Information provided through IATA’s Flight Data exchange programme, a component of GADM, already is helping to identify potential hazards through the analysis of de-identified aircraft flight

recorder data.”

“Another area where more data is needed involves the use of drones around airports and their potential hazard to aviation.

“The great majority of drone wners operate their devices responsibly, but it is also the case that the number of incidents is rising,” he said.

According to him, there is significant work being developed at the International Civil Aviation Organisation to produce standards for the larger drones that are equipped to share the airspace with manned aircraft.

Air Peace to train pilots for international flights with B777

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omestic operator, Air Peace has announced its plan to launch itself on the international route, following the training of four of its pilots in the handling of Boeing 777 aircraft.

The airline made the announcement in a statement issued by its Communications Manager, Mr Chris Iwarah on Thursday in Lagos.

Iwarah said the training, which took place at the Boeing Training Centre in the United Kingdom, was the first by any Nigerian airline He said the carrier’s Chief Pilots, Capt. Victor Egonu, Capt. Victor Iwo Brown, Senior First Officer Ahmad

•Boeing Regional Sales Manager, John Barrett, flanked by Air Peace Chief Pilot, Capt. Victor Egonu and SFO Ahmad Abdullahi on completion of the Boeing 777 course done at Boeing Training in the United Kingdom.

NCAT takes delivery of first Diamond trainer-aircraft

Nigerian College of Aviation TtakenheTechnology, Zaria, has officially delivery of a new DA42 Dia-

mond aircraft to aid its training programmes.

This is just as the institution would soon take delivery of an additional 19 more type aircraft courtesy of the Federal Government to boost training at the college.

Inaugurating the newly-donated aircraft, Monday, in Zaria, Kaduna State, Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, said the Federal Government was committed to transforming the college into a world-class aviation training institution.

He commended NCAT management for the initiative in acquiring the aircraft essentially to boost the training capacity of the college.

“The plan by NCAT to acquire new aircraft had become necessary considering the fact that the current trainer aircraft used for training has become too old to give them the kind of training they need. The fuelling and the cost of maintaining the aircraft is extremely very important.

“I want to assure you that the Ministry of Transportation is in full support of this exercise.

“It is in concert with the statutory responsibility of the college and I must commend the effort of the management and staff of this college,” he said.

Sirika, however, advised the college to do more in acquiring more training and expertise in order to transform the country into a knowledge-based economy.

He also assured that the provision of more aircrafts for NCAT’s fleet would continue until the college attained international standard.

Remarking, Rector of the college, Mr Abdulsalam Muhammed, said that the current 29-trainer aircraft in the college were old as the newest was purchased 15 years ago and had become expensive to maintain, just as he disclosed that NCAT would acquire 20 of the Diamond Aircraft comprising five multi-engine DA42 and 15 single-engine DA-40 trainers.

“These aircraft used for ab-initio training TB9, Trinidad TB20GT and

Beech Baron 58 are old, the earliest being purchased 15 years ago and quite expensive to fuel and maintain,’’ he said.

“Today, the college is taking delivery of the first DA-42 multi-engine aircraft.

“This new trainer-aircraft will significantly improve our flight training experience and from the angle of cost efficiency, our analysis shows they will significantly reduce our operating cost, especially in the area of maintenance and fuelling.

“They are also equipped with glass cockpit and germin 1000, which will make it easier for our graduating pilots to transit to new generation commercial aircraft,” he said.

The NCAT boss also disclosed that the college was awarded the Global Aviation Training Achievement Award in South Korea in 2016, adding that NCAT also received the two awards in the categories of highest number of training instructor course conducted and highest number of ICAO courses conducted in Addis Ababa recently.

Abdullahi and First Officer Emmanuel Iwhiwhu participated in the training which ended on April 16.

According to him, the airline launched its regional operations with its maiden flight to Accra-Ghana on February 16.

Iwarah said Air Peace had been designated by the Federal Government to fly into Johannesburg, London, Atlanta, Mumbai, Dubai and Mumbai and Guangzhou-China.

He said the airline would be acquiring more aircraft, including some B777s to beef up its rapidly growing fleet.

Kaduna Airport lifts 189,734 passengers in 6 weeks T he Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), says a total of 189,734 passengers and 3,273 aircraft movements were processed at the Kaduna International Airport between March 8 and April 17.

FAAN made this known in its monthly statistical report made available by its Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, Friday in Abuja.

The report indicated that a total of 175,931 passengers were processed on scheduled domestic flights, comprising 89,655 arrivals and 86,276 departures.

It also revealed that 1,474 passengers, comprising 472 arrivals and 1,002 departures were processed on non-scheduled domestic flights during the period under review.

According to the report, the

airport also processed 12,329 passengers on scheduled international flights, comprising 5,638 on arrivals and 6,691 on departures.

On the whole, a total of 3,274 domestic aircraft movements comprising 2,340 scheduled and 736 nonscheduled flights were recorded according to the statistics.

It also showed that the aircraft movements for scheduled international flights were 122, while nonscheduled flights recorded two aircraft movements during the period.

According to the report, the airport received 84 cargo flights through courier service.

Flight operations began at the airport on March 8, following closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for its runway rehabilitation.

Nigeria Immigration Service Tandhe(NIS) has redeployed 518 Officers men of the service from five in-

International Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano,. ‎Others are the Port Harcourt International Airport, and Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu.

The NIS boss who said that the measure was also meant to‎ ‎reduce the number of officers and men in the formations by half, for efficient service delivery, added that the directive which is part of the on-going reforms in the service will also help to checkmate sharp practices among the affected officers.

NIS redeploys 518 personnel from airports ternational airports and state commands in its bid to enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

NIS spokesperson, Mr Sunday James, who disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja said that the Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede ordered for the massive redeployment as part of plans to instill professionalism and enhance service delivery to the public.

Babandede said that the airports involved are; the Murtala Muhammed

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION FRC gives nod to NCRIB on members’ financial statements

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he Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) has said that the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has directed the council to henceforth undertake the submission of its members approved financial accounts for onward submission to FRC. The President of NCRIB, Kayode Okunoren made this known at the April Edition of NCRIB Members’ Evening hosted by Prestige Assurance in Lagos.

According to him the council delegation met with the chairman of the FRC, Dotun Sulaimon on a courtesy visit and presented the touching issues of fines and penalties for late submission of audited accounts by brokers to FRC as well as the submission of financial statements.

He said both council also agreed that the accounts submitted will be reviewed by FRC based on the concerns raised by the regulators and that FRC will collaborate with the NCRIB to organise enlightenment programmes for brokers.

On fines and penalties he said it was agreed at the meeting that no fines or whatsoever will be imposed on brokers for any accrued acts of non-compliance with FRC act.

He however said that the FRC admonished its members to ensure they register their companies, CEOs and CFOs with the FRC as well as update their membership.

On the code of corporate governance, the NCRIB President said the meeting affirmed that insurance broking companies are sole entities and that the code has been suspended and presently under review.

The meeting further agreed that the new code will take into cognisance of the peculiarities of different sectors and that the exposure draft will be made available to in due course for review to the public before it will come unto force.

He said that the FRC chairman further promised that the council will be pro-business and prodevelopment. He further urged members to take advantage of the opportunities to submit their accounts to the NCRIB for onward submission to FRC.

•L - R: Joyce Ojemudia, general manager, marketing, Linkage Assurance Plc; Haruna Jalo-Waziri, executive director, capital markets, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); . Pius Apere, managing director/CEO, Linkage Assurance Plc and Imo Oyewole, non-executive director, Linkage Assurance Plc; at closing gong ceremony at The Exchange in Lagos.

LASG not owing pensions –Ambode Stories by KINGSLEY CHRISTOPHER

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he Lagos State Government does not owe pensions and salaries, in the midst of biting financial and economic constraints in the country, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

He said that in the context of present economic realities in Nigeria, this is a commendable position especially as revenues have significantly fallen while the cost of providing essential services has risen astronomically.

The Governor represented by Commissioner for Establishment, Training, and Pension, Dr. Akintola Benson made this known last week at the Year 2017 1st Bi-Annual Lagos State Public Service Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) meeting held in Lagos.

Benson stated that in the face of all odds, the State has been committed to the advancement of the cause of the welfare of all stake-

holders in Lagos State and in the public service in particular.

He said: “The administration of His Excellency, the Governor pay salaries and pensions as and when due in the midst of biting financial and economic constraints in the country. It has also embarked on projects that have both tangential and direct benefits on all officers of the Lagos State Public Service and the State at large.

“These include the maintenance and opening up of new roads in the State, implementation of the ‘Light Up Lagos’ Project ,continuing implementation of the ‘Housing for All’ programme in the rent-to-own project, acceleration of the ‘Eko Atlantic City’ project, The building and rehabilitation of pedestrian bridges at Berger Bus stop, Ojota and many other locations.

Other projects which the state government has embarked upon, according to the Commissioner, include the expansion of Bus Stops

•Gov. Ambode and provision of additional buses for the Bus Rapid Transport initiative and qualification for recognition as one of the 100 resilient cities in the world, noting that this has

been an award earned as a result of the Governor’s innovative leadership, investments in infrastructural development and widening influence.

PenCom assures stakeholders of pension assets safety

he National Pension CommisTticularly sion has assured Nigerians, parthe Retirement Savings

Accounts holders that the contribution into their RSA is safe despite the change in executive management of the Commission by the federal government.

According to the statement from the Commission, the change in the leadership of the agency was a routine thing and has nothing to do with the custody and administration of the pension assets, noting that the safety of the funds has been clearly defined by the Pension

Reform Act. In addition, the release informed the publics that the security of pension assets is guaranteed by the parent institutions of the Pension Fund Custodian (PFCs) in an event of loss even as there has been no loss of pension assets in over 12 years of Contributory Pension Scheme.

The statement read in parts; “National Pension Commission wishes to notify the general public that following the replacement of its executive management by Mr. President, an Acting Director General in

person of Mrs. Aisha Dahir-Umar has been appointed to steer the affairs of the commission pending the confirmation of appointment of the new executive management by the Senate.

The statement signed the Head, Corporate Communications of the agency, Mr. Emeka Onuora noted that there change has brought about issues in both print and social media, that the transition has been successfully completed.

“The general public and particularly registered members of the CPS and retirees are invited to

note that the cardinal principle of PenCom is the safeguard of their pension assets and ensuring that retirees are paid their benefits as at when due. These objectives shall continue to be pursued with all the deserving commitment and dedication”.

As part of the established institutional framework, the statement continued, that pension assets under the CPS are held in-trust licensed PFCs on behalf of the contributors, stressing that neither the PenCom nor the PFAs have access to the assets and that the parent

companies of custodians had issued guarantees to the total of pension assets held by custodians.

It, however, stated that should there be any loss of the assets, the PFCs and the parent companies will make up the loss.

The Commission maintained that there has not been any case of loss of the pension assets or financial infraction under the CPS since the commencement of the scheme in 2004, while it remains totally dedicated to the safeguard of pension assets and upliftment of the entire pension industry in Nigeria.

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The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

INSURANCE & PENSION

Prestige Assurance pays $14m claims on Dana crash

By KINGSLEY CHRISTPHER

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he management of Prestige Assurance Plc has disclosed that its paid $14million claims to families of victims of Dana airline that crashed in 2012. The figure was the company’s hare of risk covered. The firm also said its total assets currently stand at about N11billion.

The the managing director of the company, Balla Swamy, who disclosed this in Lagos recently added that the company’s sol-

vency margin now stands at 200 percent while it achieved a profit of N350million in 2016.

Dr. Swamy, also said that the company is committed to Nigerian community as against insinuations that it only has been responsible for its captives, the Indian community. “Such claims that the firm only committed to India community is not true”. He said.

He urged brokers and clients to ignore such comment, adding that the company is quoted on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, this ac-

cording to him, made Nigeria a part owner of Prestige Assurance brand.

Addressing insurance, he added that the company broker’s network has grown from 45 brokers in 2015 to 162 brokers by April.2017, this he said is an indication that the company.is committed to brokers relationship.

The Prestige boss further explained that a total of $14million claims paid was part of its share to families of Dana Airline victims out of the total $42million dollars totals, saying that 70% of the business

was ceded abroad while prestige controlled 30 percent.

On plans for 2017, he said they are working on technology driven method aimed at ensuring effective services delivery to its clients.

Earlier the President.of NCRIB, Kayode Okunoren commended the company for their continued support for the broking business.

According to him Prestige Assurance has shown to brokers that they are committed to the welfare of brokers and the growth of the industry in general.

•L-R: Deputy President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Shola Tinubu; a Past President, Prince Feyisayo Soyewo, President, Mr. E. Kayode Okunoren and Managing Director, Prestige Assurance Plc, Mr. Bala Swamy at the April Edition of NCRIB Members’ Evening hosted by Prestige Assurance held in Lagos recently.

Africa’s insurance industry highlights new challenges A t the just concluded retreat of African insurance regulators, CEOs and other experts converged at high profile meeting in Dakar, Senegal to share views on insurance trend and development in the continent; five key areas of challenges were highlighted.

The areas identified by stakeholders include product design, pricing and underwriting, distribution and administration as well as claims management and of course, technology.

However, the technology trending described as a major disruptive took a centre of discourse, noting that for years now, digital advances have been transforming a range of industries and that insurance industry especially in Africa has generally been slow to adopt new digital approaches, but times are now changing.

This shift is manifesting itself in major – and disruptive – trends in four areas: product design, pricing and underwriting, distribution and administration, and claims management, with leading insurers already playing a frontrunner role in driving their adoption.

A billion dollar question asked at the event was how could Africanbased insurance firms cope with the pace of technological advancement to remain relevant and still

make money? That was the main issue discussed during the high profile Continental Reinsurance 4th CEO Summit held in Dakar, Senegal from April 5-7.

Femi Oyetunji, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos based Continental Re told his guests that besides usual challenges that the insurance industry is grappling with such as under insurance, inappropriate pricing, and moral hazards, a new challenge has emerged.

“The pace of technological advancement is unbelievable. Our industry may become obsolete if we do not build a lasting legacy,” he said, “ We created this platform, Continental Re CEO Summit, to bring industry leaders together to deliberate on issues like this.”

To make the situation even worse, Oyetunji said a number of African countries have also been faced with currency devaluation due to low commodity prices on the international market rendering balance sheets of insurance companies on the continent easy preys for acquisitions.

The worst performing currency in 2015 worldwide, according to Bloomberg data was the Zambian kwacha, which lost around 40per cent of its value against the dollar as the country’s exports plunged.

Zambia is heavily dependent on sales of copper, the price of which slumped by a quarter during the year.

Ghana’s cedi lost nearly 20per cent over the year, while in Mozambique; the metical lost 36%.

In Nigeria, one of the continent’s largest economies, the Central Bank restricted access to dollars, in an attempt to slow the flight of hard currency out of the country, and to strengthen the local currency, the naira.

“For that, I appeal to our regulators, let it be Africa for Africans…

Let us keep African premiums in Africa,” he said.

But this can’t be achieved if the insurance industry is fragmented, he said. For instance, Nigeria has 50 insurance companies, Ghana 46, Kenya 47, Mozambique 18 companies, and Liberia with a population of only four million has 20 insurance companies, and Uganda 29.

As such, he suggests the need for insurance firms to merge operations within country and across borders, so that they have large insurance and re-insurance companies with balance sheets that are better able to ensure lasting legacy and compete with the biggest and the best in the world. “Otherwise, the big global will pick us up for

cheap one by one until there’s no one standing. Guess who the losers will be. In this, I am also speaking to the brokers,” he said.

This comes at the time insurance premiums in Africa dropped from US$72bn in 2013 to US$69bn in 2014, according to the latest data from the Africa Insurance Organization’s survey dubbed Africa Insurance Barometer 2016.

Life insurance accounted for about two thirds of the 2014 total, with the remainder going to Non-Life insurance. South Africa dominated the African insurance market with 71er cent share of the total premiums.

In the 10 largest markets – South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, Algeria, Angola, Namibia, Tunisia and Mauritius- generated a premium of US$ 63.4 million, or 92per cent of total African premiums.

However, insurance penetration accounted for only 2.8per cent of African Gross Domestic Product.

And with the exception of South Africa and Namibia – where insurance penetration levels reached 14per cent and 7.3per cent respectively – the contribution of insurance to Gross Domestic Product was significantly lower than the global average of 6.2per cent in all other African countries.

Banking industry deploys data base to eradicate e-fraud T

he banking industry is set to deploy a data base aimed at eradicating electronic and card frauds from the system.

This was disclosed by the Managing Director/CEO Access Bank Plc. Herbert Wigwe as fallout of the Banker Committee meeting held today in Lagos.

Briefing the press immediately after the meeting, Wigwe noted that once that data base was deployed, any attempt to carry out fraudulent activities via SMS will be detected and offenders will be bound from operating in the nation’s banking industry.

“The committee deliberated on topical issues that had to do with fraud and one of that is the electronic and card fraud and part of the deliberation was that there is need to create a central depositary which is a database of suspected fraud through the system.

So once that data base is set up and there is suspected case going through the system we can have ways of ensuring there is strong deterrent for people who are known as fraudsters in the system.

Hopefully if that is implemented what you will see is that the level of fraud which is coming through SMS and bank cards will decrease significantly.

Very strict measures will be implemented to make sure that people don’t do it and repeat offenders are taken out of the banking system to make sure that we sanitize the system. It is different from credit default”, he assured.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, Ecobank Plc., Charles Kie called on the banks to continue to be supportive towards nation’s economy’s revival.

“Overall what the bankers committee also reemphasized was the need for all the banks to continue supporting the economy and ensure that they can effectively help the country get out the recession.

All the measures that have been taken are meant to support that and obviously the banking industry is taken a strong view on the level of support they want to bring and we are all committed to the decision that have been taken in terms of improving the FX market and also on the decision that has been taken on ensuring that fraudsters going forward are not only identified but are taken out of the system in order to ensure there is sustainability in the banking industry”.

Finally, the Acting Director Corporate Communications CBN, Isaac Okoroafor highlighted stability in the Niger Delta, increase and stability in the oil price, improvement in agriculture through Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) and adequate supply of Forex among others as pointer that Nigerian economic will come out recession in the third quarter of the year.

30

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10 2017

Export Platform

By CHINYEMIKE TORTI

Export your skills, attract

ICT experts

H

ITHERTO, conventional economic wisdom had pontificated that the emigration of the professional and executive class across borders in search of greener pastures as ‘brain drain’. From the development perspective this depletion or loss of individuals with technical skills, knowledge from less economically endowed countries, to more affluent domains was analogous to capital flight, which was not exactly a laughing matter for governments in developing countries. Part of the reasons why Nikita Khrushchev in the Soviet Union, and Leonid Brezhnev, in East Germany, issued restrictions to make foreign travel almost impossible to its citizens was, to stem the flight of its intelligentsias to western Europe.

In contemporary times the loss of brain power from Africa, South East Asia, Philippines, Iraq, South Africa, assumed a near crisis dimension; of the best and brightest being poached in a reverse brain gain almost leading to the collapse of regional economies, and even jeopardizing health infrastructures in places like Philippines and South Africa where workers and medical personnel migrated in large numbers abroad.

However with the emergence of a globalised economy and accession of countries to the WTO General Agreement in Trades in Services, GATS, treaty, the entire brain drain/brain gain saga is being structured into the global architecture of manpower demand/supply, production, trade and finance .In effect countries that develop reform and services trade policies and key them into WTO type international trade commitments, rake in

huge incomes from diasporas earnings like the India software engineers who are reputed to be scooping over $10billion annually but also attract foreign direct investments that will reverse the decline and rot of infrastructures like transport, education, aviation; shipping, health, financial, insurance etc . At least we have witnessed improvements that were ushered into our telecommunications industry.

With over 40 million Nigerians unemployed, will the ‘flight’ of our legion of out of work intelligentsias not be a good recipe to ameliorate executive joblessness? The recent CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement signed, ensures that any Caribbean business can establish anywhere in the European Union .For the purposes of clarity the European Union countries include, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

This provision includes the issuance of automatic work and resident visas to the concerned Caribbean key personnel e.g. managers and specialists and graduate trainees on intra-corporate transfers for a period of up to three years. Senior staff responsible for establishing a commercial presence are entitled to 90 days in any 12-month period while new graduate trainees are qualified for one-year visa. It is hoped that the Nigerian officials negotiating ongoing EPA pact with the European communities will do well to include a GATS mode 4 type of liberalisation of

labour mobility.

Conceptually, trade in service refers to the sale, disposal, and delivery of an intangible product called a service between a producer and a consumer. Trade in services takes place between a producer and a consumer that are in legal terms domiciled in different countries.

“Trade” in services is not just trade in the conventional sense where a product is manufactured in country “A” and sold to consumers in country “B”, but we mean the whole range of international transactions including foreign investment and international movement of people as consumers or providers of services. Services are often seen as intangible, invisible and perishable. Thus International trade in services is defined by the four modes of Supply of the General Agreement on Trade in Services, GATS. (Mode 1): Cross border trade, which is defined as delivery of a service from the territory of one country into the territory of other country.

(Mode 2): Consumption abroad-this mode covers supply of a service of one country to the service consumer of any other country.

(Mode 3): Commercial presence-, which covers services - provided by a service supplier of one country in the territory of any other country (Mode 4): Presence of natural personswhich covers services provided by a service supplier of one country through the presence of natural persons in the territory of any other country. The tourism, the financial services, telecommunications, examples services sectors.

During the Uruguay round of the General

Agreement on Tariffs, GATT, the general Agreement on trade services was drafted, and became enshrined as one of the four pillars of the international treaty comprising the WTO Agreement in 1995. Regional Trade in services agreements are also negotiated and signed between regional economic groupings such as CARICOM, North American free trade Agreement, NAFTA, and ASEAN. Some other examples of trade in services would be: banking, check-ups done by a doctor and IT (Information Technology), audio visuals, entertainments, education, distribution, air transport, road transport, postal, courier services, storage, business services, communication, environment, business services.

International Trade and investments in services are a formidable part of global commerce. Advances in information and telecommunication technologies have expanded the scope of services that can be traded across the border.

Many countries now encourage foreign investments in the newly privatised and competitive markets, for key infrastructure services such as energy, telecommunications and transport. More and more citizens are jetting abroad to consume tourism, education and medical and to supply services ranging from construction to soft ware development.

Deep industry sources aver that services are the fastest growing component of the global economy; and trade and foreign direct investments, FDI, in services have grown faster than the goods over the past decade and half. Therefore there is a strong consensus that liberalisation of international trade in services

31

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

Export Platform

investments via trade in services

Medical practice is an exportable skill... drives economic growth and development. It puts in place a dynamic environment that promotes infusions of capital and technology that in turn generate new economic growth.

Services contribute to every aspect of a country’s economy as they are a fundamental part of the economic infrastructure and can help determine Poser is?

What are the causes of trade in services?

There are two attributes comparative advantage and gains from specialisation call centres in India provide customer care services for US firms. Nigerian engineers and architects ply their trade in Ghana. Or Nigerian medical personnel serving in Saudi Arabia exemplify the comparative argument point. On the obverse, Nigerian importers travel to Cotonou or Lome seaports to clear their cargoes. Thousands of Nigerian students are moving in their droves to Ghana to acquire educational services.

Still on Ghana, their money market is literally swamped by Nigerian banks offering financial services. In the Gambia, SLOK Airlines, a Nigerian operator is the de facto national carrier. Nannies from a particular state in southern Nigeria are in hot demand abroad, to provide childcare services just like the Burkina shipper who travels to Tema or Abidjan to freight his export orders. Trade in services is also driven by gains from specialisation, wherein a product is highly valued by its consumers. What readily comes to mind is the Nigerian home video industry known as Nollywood; whose captive market is the ECOWAS sub region and diaspora Nigerians.

So what to do at the national nay regional level to actualize the benefits of trade in services? The mantra we should be chanting now is full blown GATS compliant liberalisation in the various sectors be put in place to attract the badly

needed FDI and technology. Not the type of ‘privatisation’ policies, which have been a euphemism for asset stripping of public corporations in the past.

Liberalisation should be accompanied by reforms and improvement in regulatory standards, transparency, adopting gold standards and best practices. Each time we talk about liberalisation it trips off a cross-fight between productivity versus employment advocates, which to all intents and purposes is a misplaced duel.

There is no denying the sacrosanct fact that jobs and the infant /home industries must be protected from alien ‘invasion’ Recall that since our independence in 1960, we have been shielding our industries with all manners of parochial and restrictive fiscal, tariff policies to shield them against foreign competition all to no avail. People are beginning to wonder of what use is it to keep spoon-feeding a 49-year-old overgrown baby.

However part of the problem is that the industries have been hamstrung with infrastructural deficits in a hostile operative environment. Service industry ie energy, transport, shipping, is comatose. The Nigerian Railways Corporation, Nigerian National Shipping Company, Nigerian National Petroleum Company, and Nigerian Ports Authority Nigerian Airways are literally dead. Not to mention Power Holdings Corporation of Nigeria, PHCN. All these utilities have stultified the growth of the service sectors.

Services not only foster economic growth, but also strengthen inclusiveness and reduces poverty. Services slash trade costs; facilitate regional economic integration through trade and investment expansion, which motivates regional cooperation, including cooperation in infrastructure development, generating a virtuous cycle. Factors like

high freight costs, delays in customs clearance, unofficial payments, slow port landing and handling, and poor governance create barriers to trade. Institutional bottlenecks (administrative, legal, financial, regulatory, and other logistics infrastructure), information asymmetries, and discretionary powers that give rise to rent seeking activities by government officials at various steps of trade transactions also impose costs.

The bane of exporting in Nigeria is the prohibitive costs of both sea and air freight tariffs to the outside world. To ship a 40ft container of wood charcoal to a buyer in Hamburg costs nothing less than 1300 euros: which is almost 50 per cent of the fob cost of the product (wood charcoal) you are selling. The international market price for wood charcoal as at April 2009 stood at 170 euros/ton fob Apapa-Lagos. With some luck you can stuff a maximum of 23 tons of charcoal into a 40ft container. Airfreight charges from Murtala Muhammad Airport are the most outrageous. To airlift a ton of raw shea butter to a cosmetic manufacturer in Bordeaux, France, would slice a big hole into your pocket and render the entire transaction a loss-making venture.

The airlines charge a total of N600/kg, which translates to N600, 000 for a ton of shea butter that costs less than N200, 000/ton fob.

The upshot of all this is services, contribute to every aspect of a country’s economy as they are a fundamental part of the economic infrastructure and can help determine a country’s success in exporting goods and agriculture. Part of the reasons Nigerian are fleeing abroad is principally due to a decrepit infrastructural services. According to the global asylum statistics released recently by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, indicates that more

Nigerians are seeking asylum in Europe and other developed countries around the world. The report released in Geneva showed that in 2008, more Nigerians fled the country to seek refuge in foreign countries. Nigeria with 12, 573 asylum seekers is listed alongside Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Somalia. For instance, while the percentage of asylum seekers in Afghanistan rose by 85 per cent, that of Zimbabwe rose by 82 per cent, Somalia by 77 per cent, Nigeria 71 per cent and Eritrea 34 per cent. These, the report say are the “major countries of asylum seekers” recording significant increases. The report categorised these countries as having “experienced unrest or conflict in 2008”. But Nigeria is not at war. Unemployment, harsh economic conditions and abrasive services condition principally are the major contributors to this malaise.

Liberalisation of the Nigerian services sector is the only plausible solution to attract the requisite level of external funding capital and technology that will resurrect our economy. Liberalisation has to be complemented with appropriate regulatory structures. This is critical for companies operating globally because it provides them with predictable investment conditions, and thus more incentives to put their neck on the chopping block. The Asian Tigers did just that.

China erstwhile hotbed of communism opened up its various markets. Today it is one of the most attractive investment locations in the world. We could also join the club of beautiful brides if we open up.

• Chinyemike Torti is a trade consultant and the Chief Executive of Federation of Nigerian Exporters and Export Gazette Nigeria. Email:tortichinyemike@gmail. com

32

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 10, 2017

Love and Living

... With Ireto Temofeh

Oracle Girl of the Week

LOVE NEWS Mel B’s lesbian lover claims singer ‘hid bruises and covered up husband’s abusive behaviour’

M

Name: PACIFIK Nigerian: Singer/Songwriter Twitter: @Pacifik_Peace Email: pacifikofficial@gmail.com *Do you want to be our next Oracle Girl? Send your photos to ireto007@yahoo.com and call 07031028714.

ODD NEWS

EL B’s lesbian lover has claimed the Spice Girl made up “excuses” to disguise husband Stephen Belafonte’s alleged abusive behaviour.

The 41-year-old is currently locked in a bitter divorce battle with her spouse of 10 years, and has accused the film producer of domestic violence in court papers.

Now Mel’s former lover, Christa Parker, has claimed in an interview with The Mirror the singer went to great lengths to disguise the visible signs of their allegedly abusive relationship.

She said: “Melanie should’ve divorced Stephen a few years ago, maybe she should never have married him knowing his track record.”

Telling the publication how she had repeatedly confronted Mel over bruises on her arms, she claimed: “Mel would say she fell, or make up an excuse that covered for him.”

Bruises were visible on the star’s arms during the X Factor final in 2014 – with reports claiming at the time they had been caused by Stephen, which Mel vehemently denied then.

Mel dated Christa, who now lives in Ohio, before she met Stephen after their children attended the same school.

Stephen, 41, has strenuously denied all the claims his estranged wife has made against him since they announced their split in March.

The couple married in Las Vegas in June 2007 following a five month romance.

They had one daughter together, Madison Brown Belafonte, born September 1 2011, while Mel has three children

from previous relationships.

The former Spice Girl has been granted a temporary restraining order against her husband, and he appeared at Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday as the divorce saga continues.

Divorced deacon chosen for popular Austria hermit job

L

iving in a cave with no running water or electricity would sound more like a punishment than a dream job to most people.

But divorced Belgian Stan Vanuytrecht had to fight off competition from 50 people to get the position as one of Europe’s last hermits in the Austrian town of Saalfelden.

The Mayor of Saalfeden, a town in the west of Austria near Salzburg, said they chose Mr Vanuytrecht, a Catholic deacon, because “his personality appealed to us”.

“He radiates calm and comes across as well-anchored,” said Erich Rohrmoser.

Mr Vanuytrecht, 58, is a retired surveying technician and former artillery officer from Belgium.

“I thought I didn’t have a chance,” Mr Vanuytrecht said to the Austria Press Agency, adding that he was instantly drawn to the job.

“When I read about the Saalfelden hermitage I thought to myself: that’s the place for me,” he said.

The 350-year-old hermitage is built into a cliff above the town and is open from April to November.

Its resident is not totally isolated as people often walk up to the hermitage to enjoy the view and confide in the hermit.

Mr Vanuytrecht said his previous experience working with the homeless, drug addicts and prisoners has provided him with the skills needed for the role.

“It’s important just to listen without talking oneself and without judging,” he said.

Mr Vanuytrecht said the poverty he experienced after his divorce from his ex-wife and her experiences with mental illness had also taught him crucial lessons.

His predecessor, former priest and psychotherapist

Thomas Fieglmueller, said: “Life in the hermit’s cell is spartan but the nature is very beautiful. I met lots of nice people and had good conversations.”

Mr Fieglmueller has decided to return to Vienna to write after just one season in the hermitage.

33

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 10, 2017

True Confession

‘He made me believe in love again’ M

Y name is Christiana. I’m 32 years old and reside in Lagos. My husband and I actually met at a gym. I had just completed the one year compulsory national youth service programme and started working due to my big aunt’s connections.

Before then, I had never thought of going to work out in a gym because I thought that a gym was not meant for girls but only for boys. I felt that I had no strength to carry weight or do push up and sit up exercises.

But my aunt had complained that I was getting too fat because I now had more money to spend on food. She encouraged me to register at a gym in order to reduce weight, which I did.

It was on my first day at the gym that I spotted the sexy, muscular man whom I would later marry. I initiated it because we made la ot of eye contacts and smiled at each other and it was really fun.

He sent me a friend request on Facebook. And later on he called me and we talked until midnight. He was like, oh we should do something like have a serious relationship leading to marriage and I agreed and we began to send text messages to each other everyday and see at the gym and other places.

I would go to the gym twice or three times a week just to see Patrick. He took me out on many occasions and we even went to the movies and it was fun and the experience made me begin to believe in love.

Romantic love is the most important of all kinds of love. It is the most interesting, the one that fills us up and launches us into the heights of our art or lack thereof. Even when we think we are talking about something else, perhaps another type of love, we are still talking about romantic love.

We always seek (romantic) love. When we enter the right age, we carry our inner mission to seek it in our classrooms, neighborhoods, offices, churches, and everywhere else. We need it. We’re always sniffing and digging for it like dogs and rabbits because it’s simply natural to do so.

However, the fact is that having the will is not enough to get love. You must be an agreeable person to get another person to love you. Love is generally a celebration of life and happiness.

I believe strongly that if you really want love in your life, you must do your part to get love. “Working for it” is not actually the same as “doing something about it.” Some people are luckier than others. They lift a finger and love comes pouring down from the sky like heavy rain on them. Other people can grow a farm full of red roses and love wouldn’t come to them.

For this reason, I am eternally grateful to God for bringing love into my life just when I needed it most. I can’t count all what I did for love because I know that I did many things, including stupid things, just to get men (or a man) to love me.

Every woman (and man too) does that, even though some try to deny it.

During our period of courtship, I sent my man a lot of romantic text messages. I love romantic text messages and I just can’t do without them, especially when I’m in love. Here are some of the text messages I sent to Patrick my love.

“Before I met you, I didn’t know what it was like to look at someone and smile for no reason at all” “Sometimes words cannot explain the feeling, but still I can find the love in your eyes.”

“I am not the best, but I promise I will love you with all my heart.”

“My love for you is a journey, Starting at forever and ending at never.”

“If you’re mine you’re mine, I don’t like sharing.”

Love always defies our expectations in that it is never how we imagine it to be. Love at its most basic level is sexual.

There must be a semblance of physical attraction to support the love.

Sexual attraction is a stepping stone for one to reach the more advanced levels of the emotion. Therefore, I’m not ashamed that even as I loved Patrick, I felt a high level of sexual attraction towards him.

People who have always had love or are more experienced in it can handle it more gently. They’re like regular drinkers of alcohol who know which bottles to touch and not to touch. They know how many glasses before they become immobile.

But me, I was kind of crazy about my man because I hadn’t

really had love in my life. All I needed when I met Patrick was love and peace of mind in my life.

Patrick too was so crazy about me that he wanted to see me everyday, both on week days and on weekends.

One Friday, we had a little argument and he was like, I don’t care about you anymore. Later, he changed his mind and said, “I want to see you, and I’m coming to get you.”

Then on Saturday, he came to my place again and took me out for swimming. We had lots of fun and he was really close to me, and we kissed.

Then he took me to his place and we made love.

After that night, I didn’t know what would happen since he didn’t text me the day after.

We just talked for about 10 minutes that night.

And I wasn’t sure if he still wanted me.

But the following day he came to my place and apologized, claiming that his boss had given him too much stress the previous day. That was why he had not been able to come and see me.

Patrick was always honest to me right from the start of our relationship. He proposed to me one evening while we were having sex in the shower.

After I said yes, he took me out for dinner and then we got ice cream and sat in his car talking.

It was so romantic.

Before I met Patrick, a couple of men had broken my heart. Some friends had tried to make me think that all men are the same and that they are callous heartbreakers.

But after meeting Patrick, I had to confront my fears and overcome my doubts because he really seemed to love me with his body and soul. I knew that there was no way he could be faking such a feeling. I can now see that indeed, all men are not the same.

It gladdens my heart now to see that our love has grown into something that is the envy of all.

Patrick made me believe in love again and I thank God everyday for making it possible for me to meet such a nice man who respects women.

We have so much fun together and still look forward to many happy years together. We have a wonderful family of two boys and our lovely baby daughter.

True love and happiness with the one you love is really the recipe for a happy marriage.

Your say: Have your say about this love confession. Call 08131161840 or 07031028714.

34

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 10, 2017

Relationship and Love Advice

‘Since she started working, she no longer satisfies me in bed’

Love Search Women seeking relationship/marriage Maureen, 24, needs a kind and sincere person who can love her. 08035653647.

Precious, 25, student from Enugu, orphan, needs a kind person to help her in her education. 08172047663.

Uchechi, 36, a graduate, tall, fair, needs a tall, fair, graduate, Igbo evangelist, pastor or God fearing Igbo man for marriage.

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08168485612.

Dear Love Doctor,

E-Mail: ireto007@yahoo.com Go to foodstuffs.com.ng.

Call Love Doctor: 07031028714, 08131161840 for Counseling, fertility problems & Direct Hookup.

Men seeking relationship/marriage

W

hen I first started dating my wife about eight years ago we had no problem. We used to have sex daily and I loved her with passion. We got married and she was great. She cleaned, cooked, and the sex was even better. I have a great paying job and she always wanted to get a B.Sc. Well I paid for her to further her education to university level. Once again everything was great at this time.

But after she graduated and got a job with a bank things changed. She was working a full time job. That was fine by me but I simply asked that she continue to contribute around the house and she should not tell me that it would affect our sex life because she was tired.

However, to my surprise we stopped having sex regularly and sometimes I have to cook what I’m going to eat myself because she’s hardly there when I need her.

I have never turned her down for sex but she does it to me all the time nowadays.

She tells me her job is so hard but that is unacceptable to me. Since my wife got a job and started work, our sex life has gone down. Sometimes I feel like sending her away and getting another woman? What do I do?

From Chief.

Goodheart wants a tall, fair, beautiful, working class Yoruba, Akwa-Ibom, Kogi or PortHarcourt lady for marriage.

08030725296 Daniel, 25, student, needs a sugar mummy or a single mum in Minna, Abuja or Kaduna who can take care of his educational finance. 08167627446.

Steven, from Anambra, in Lagos, wants a lady from 22 to 30 years for a serious relationship.

08081972446.

Gavin, 35, from Enugu, in Lagos, needs a female from 3045 years for a relationship that will take them to the future.

09039290091.

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Frank, 27, in Enugu, needs a loving and caring sugar mummy. 08096522435.

Larry, 33, in Lagos, needs a beautiful and sweet mummy or widow for dating.

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Ogbonna, 40, from Ebonyi, in Abuja, business man, needs a working class lady between 30-40 years for marriage.

09069054706.

Special Request:

Love Doctor’s advice: Dear Chief,

A

ll your wife needs to do is to try to strike a balance between her work and family. Starting work does not mean a spouse should abandon his/her responsibilities to a partner. However, you too need to show more understanding in this matter and be patient with her. It’s quite difficult, really, for a woman (and a man too) working hard at the office all day and coming back home exhausted in the evening/night and yet still having to fulfill her sexual

and other responsibilities at home towards both her husband and children.

Since you say that you previously enjoyed a great sex life, it’s clear that her job is what is causing her sexual tiredness. Tell her to find a way to manage her time and stress better. Time and stress management are very important here. You need to help her to find time to relax. Also try to control your demand for sex and restrict most of the sex you have as a couple to maybe weekends when your wife is free

or off work.

You can also help her out by suggesting ways in which she can reduce her work load and therefore reduce her stress. You need to face the reality that her new work schedule may not allow you to be together as often as you were previously. Therefore discuss with her on how both of you can reorganize your leisure time in such a way as to improve intimacy. Spending your little spare time together wisely and romantically may help. Good luck!

I am a 53-year old widow, an educationist from Edo State, with grown-up children, looking for a God-fearing and honest 60-67year old widower from South-West Nigeria, preferably Catholic and living in Lagos, as a soul partner. Please call Iziegbene on 09099203751.

Call Love Dr. 07031028714, 08131161840.

E-mail: ireto007@yahoo.com Note: If you have fertility problems like childlessness, inability to conceive or get pregnant, miscarriages, fibroid, low sperm count, STDs, or need a male child or female? Call 08153536405, 08122352054. Love Doctor can help you succeed in your marriage/relationship.

35

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 10, 2017

It happened to me:

My online girlfriend turned out to be a man

I

N February of 2008, I met a girl online. She was living in America, I was living in Australia. I was about to turn 18, she told me she was 19 turning 20.

We became fast friends and talked every day, nearly all day on Skype using microphones and I would get on my webcam but she said she would get one. Within the first few days she had me, she sent me a bunch of pictures of herself, she was beautiful and so was her voice.

After a couple of months it was clear that we wanted to meet up and have an intimate relationship. I asked her why she couldn’t get a webcam. After six months or so, she just said she really wanted for me to wait and see her in person for the first time .

She always told me that I’d look so much better if I cut my long hair. For her 20th birthday I went out and cut my shoulder-length hair to a very short length, got home and showed her on the webcam, she was speechless and very happy. By now we were very, very close and were open about how much we loved each other, even though we had never met.

She told me I couldn’t come and visit her and she couldn’t come and see me because she needed to finish college first and would miss me too much if I came and left or she came to see me then had to go back. After some more months she admitted to me that her father beat her and that when she came to see me she’d never go back to America and that she’d be leaving her family for good. She would get very upset when I mentioned anything about us meeting up.

As the year went by she would always tell me about her gay friend, Chris, who was her best friend. She was also ex-

tremely needy and obviously had issues but I was there for her 24/7. She would get very upset if I wanted to go out and see friends, I didn’t go out much at all and was stuck inside the house, I even missed out on my friend’s going-away party. She would get mad at me over tiny little things like if I needed to eat and she didn’t, she’d get mad and say I didn’t like spending time with her anymore.

Some of you may find it sick or weird, but we were so inseparable that we would go to sleep together, with our mics on and our laptops in bed with us.

One night, we were both woken up by her mother yelling at her, only she was calling the name ‘Chris’. I thought to myself “OH MY GOD, she isn’t who she says she is and she’s really her gay friend Chris”. When she got back from being yelled at she explained to me that her mother recently found out that Chris was gay and would tease her by calling her Chris all the time. I thought this was odd but I bought into it.

Another night I got on facebook and searched her school, I found one of her friends she had told me about and as I was going through the people at her school, I saw a profile with a picture of ‘my girlfriend’ – who shall remain nameless. The profile had a different name to hers. She’d told me she had no facebook or myspace. I questioned her about it and she was shocked, she told me it must be Chris messing around and not to worry about it. I believed her even though my gut feeling told me not to.

It was my birthday, we’d been together well over a year, day after day of staying in my room and talking to her. She was upset about something, so I was trying to get it out of her. Eventually she just told me, “I’m not a girl, you can call me Chris.” My heart stopped. She told me

that she was born neither girl or boy, so her parents had to decide what gender she would be, they chose male. All her life she has felt like a girl stuck in a boy’s body. She tricked me by sending me pictures of a girl from her (or should I say ‘his’) dance class. The girl in the pictures was the one whose profile I’d found on facebook. I’d only seen the real Chris once in a picture long ago.

I was devastated and after an hour or two of crying and fighting with her, I closed my laptop and had some time to myself. She had told me she might as well be dead if she can’t have me. I couldn’t live with myself if she hurt herself because of me so I sent her a text.

She got back on Skype and so did I, she told me she was about to kill herself in the shower before I texted her.

A few months have passed and I still talk to her nearly every day. After a few weeks I went back to how I was with her because I didn’t want her to hurt herself or to think that no one would want her if they knew the truth. She wants a sex change and wants to come and be with me. I’ve been treating her pretty much like I did when she was my ‘girlfriend’

30 Seconds

A

just to help her confidence.

She is way too needy and I still feel betrayed. I tried to tell her the other day that I can’t do it and its best I just be her friend, after a small break she sent me a suicide text. She didn’t say she was going to kill herself but she said she didn’t want to be around anymore and I caused her too much pain and she couldn’t live with it. I know her well enough to know what she meant by ‘not wanting to be here’.

So I was nice to her and treated her like she was my girlfriend again. I am at a stage now where I don’t know what to do. I can’t let her hurt herself and she won’t have me as just a friend. I feel bad when I treat her nicely and give her hope, she thinks we’ll be together one day but I just can’t do it, I feel too betrayed and honestly I don’t want to be with someone who has had a sex change.

I feel like a total jerk and I don’t know what to do. Yeah I was a fool to get in such a serious relationship like that in the first place but it happened slowly and before I knew it I was doing everything for her.

What should I do?

Romantic Joke

guy and his wife are sitting and watching a boxing match on television. The husband sighs and complains, “This is disappointing.

It only lasted for 30 seconds!” “Good,” replied his wife. “Now you know how I always feel.”

36

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 10, 2017

My L0ve & Life

Truth or happiness in relationship HOW hard does the truth hit you? Is the truth capable of disrupting the happiness in a relationship? Would the aspiration for happiness be enough reason to discard the truth? Is happiness the substitute for truth? IFY ARONU considers the complications of the truth in a relationship, ad where truth implicates happiness. She is as usual, charming, chatty and wonders what you want when you ask for the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

May the Almighty help you with the answers that you get…

E

VERYONE craves truth. In fact, even the sworn liar wants to hear the truth. Truth is the bedrock of lasting relationships and this explains why one of the earliest questions asked in relationships border on truth, “Tell me your past and I want the whole truth” or “I need to know everything about you, good and bad”.

You want the truth no matter how bitter it tastes but have you determined how much truth you can even bear to hear? As you ask for the truth are you willing to tell others the truth about yourself?

On my radio programme recently, an interesting caller, Samson, told of how he sent his wife of 13 years away despite having three children together.

He did that after a mutual friend of theirs disclosed a secret about his wife.

Back in the university, when they were merely dating, Samson’s wife had a one-night fling, which she never mentioned to him. Thirteen years later, Sampson sent her packing and is now set to marry another woman whom he already gave the condition of absolute truthfulness else the same fate that befell his ex-wife visits her.

That’s how hard the truth hit him but he maintained that it would have played out differently if his ex-wife had opened up back then instead of keeping him in the dark. Exactly how much truth do we need to know in a relationship? Suppose we do not remember some things? At what point in a relationship do we tell the “whole truth and nothing but the truth”? is a partner expected to forgive some forgotten truth?

What’s baffling though is the extent of Samson’s reaction to that situation. It remains to be imagined how he would have reacted if he had been told as soon as it happened. And to think that they weren’t even married at the time of the slip! I couldn’t help but wonder if Samson himself is infallible seeing his rigid stance despite having children together. But then, what if his ex-wife still has other skeletons in her cupboard waiting to come to light?

Asking for the truth is one thing, handling it is another. If you think you are strong and brave enough to shoulder the truth, just know that you can’t determine the weight of it until it’s said,

and there’s no taking it back once said.

It’s a rather strange world where the unthinkable keeps happening every passing second of the day; many people hold hurtful pasts and in most cases full disclosure causes more harm than good. But why do you care to know how many people your partner has dated! Why press for details, which might frustrate your efforts at building a once promising relationship.

The safest way to avoid the nightmare of having to tell your partner someday about all the wrong things you ever did is to live with caution. The key is never to do what you cannot tell in the future.

Young people, take note!

Indeed, truth is wonderful, yet it might prove most helpful and healthy to restrict disclosures to issues that might affect your relationship in the future; trust me, any extras could just mean too much information and is so unnecessary. What is love if it can’t forgive anything and everything? Work on building love to sustain your relationship despite the strains. If you truly love your partner, you will focus on who they are now not what they were. Be truthful and even more, stay happy.

37

The Oracle Today, Wednesday May 10, 2017

The Law and You

Making a will and types of wills

I

received a lot of calls from many of our numerous readers all over the nation and the one that prompted me to delve into this particular topic was that from a young lady just recruited into the Navy. She appears to be doing so well in life but she is afraid of what may become of her dependents whom she loves so much if she dies in the course of her duties.

She has no time to visit or consult a lawyer to perfect what she calls her last wish of how her acquisitions on earth should be ‘distributed’ to her beneficiaries (that is her loved ones whom she would love to possess her wealth when she must have gone).

She went further by expressing her fears that at her death some gold-digger “wicked relatives” of hers may challenge her will as not competent and disputable with allegations or controversies.

Most of the fears of this my naval officer friend are properly taken care of in law, but the mistake that most people make is that they are ignorant over certain issues and instead of approaching the experts to assist them, they prefer to use people who do not know it like the experts do.

For some, their reason for this wrong approach in making their wills is that lawyers, the experts, charge exorbitantly. Come to think of

it, is it not even better to spend just a little fraction of your income on a lawyer who will make you sleep peacefully in the bosom of the Lord when your time comes than to die and exist after death in agony?

Many of the disputes over wills of deceased (dead) persons deal with controversies or allegations over the following issues: i. Undue influence ii. Forgery iii. Lack of proper execution of the will iv. Revocation v. Incapacity of the testator to make it.

If you do not fully understand these facts please call on me or any lawyer near to you for detailed addressing.

Types of wills Furthermore, there are different types of wills or different ways to make a will, which include: a. Formal will: This is as required by the Will’s Laws. b. Nuncupative/Customary will: This is an oral directive made by a deceased to his heirs to execute after his death. c. Mutual or Reciprocal Will: This is the type that husband and wife or with children made together. d. Privileged will: This applies to certain categories of persons in actual service like my navy

Case 1:

‘My wife tore my will to pieces’

With Barr. Ken Akpom (08162016410)

friend who called me, soldiers, seamen and crew members on a plane. e. Holographic Will: This is the will written in the hand of the testator (the maker). Does it stand? Call me or any lawyer near you. f. Statutory Will: This is made in accordance with the requirement of certain laws/statutes.

It is my honest advice that you must bear in mind that in as much as these types of wills exist, how best to make and use them in order to have complete peace of mind lies with the expert – the lawyers who know the law best and who will ensure the full implementation of the will when the testator (the maker) is dead.

Advantages of making a will Come to think of it, are there any advantages in making a will? The answer is capital YES. My reasons are as follows; i. It avoids the problems most families face after the death of the testator especially the legal wife and children of the deceased. The ‘gold-digger’ who never sowed while the man was alive would like to apply customary law to outwit the deceased’s intentions after his death as was in the case in my previous discussion that happened in a wealthy man’s family in Delta State. ii. The deceased (that is the dead) has the opportunity of approving those he wishes to be the administrators of his estates. iii. It affords the testator (The maker of the will before death) the opportunity to select or

appoint a guardian/s to look after his children especially if they are young. iv. It affords the testator the privilege to make a positive demonstration of his wishes/desires to whoever he chooses. v. It saves time and money especially when the deceased died intestate in seeking for probate and waiting for a Letter of Administration before managing the deceased’s estates after his death. A Will makes it happen immediately.

Finally, as I earlier said, it makes the testator very happy even when he is aware that death is imminent, because he would have arranged his house and estate very well.

General requirements of a valid will What makes a will valid?

A will is not valid unless it is in writing (except Customary Will in Nigeria), and signed by the testator (the person making the will) or by another person, in the presence of, and at the direction of the testator. The testator’s signature must be made with the intention of executing the will, and in the presence of two or more witnesses. These witnesses must attest and sign the will in the presence of the testator. They need not be in the presence of each other in order to sign the document, as long as the testator is present at the time of each signing. *Do you have questions or seek legal clarification on issues concerning your marriage, probate, property, etc? Call Barr. Ken: 08162016410, 08075763840. Email: kenakpom@yahoo.com

Case 2: How can I be sure that my will is valid or accepted?

Dear Lawyer,

I

n 2011, I made a will and bequeathed my residential house to my second son who was doing very well in life the way I desired; but my wife stumbled on the copy of the will in my safe when I mistakenly forgot the key and she tore it to pieces saying that it was not fair. I was very angry and felt very troubled. Please, can this destruction stand since I did not consent to it?

I

From, Nwoke Imo State

From Ogbuefi, Imo State.

Lawyer’s Answer:

T

am an educated man and I recently wrote my will without the assistance of a lawyer. How can I be sure that my will is valid or accepted?

Lawyer’s Answer: Dear Ogbuefi,

Dear Nwoke, hanks for your mail. Please note that another person may destroy a will on behalf of the testator and at his direction and in the presence of the testator. That is only if the testator clearly intends that the

Dear Lawyer,

will be destroyed. However, accidental destruction does not revoke a will.

Call me for further explanation or consult any lawyer near to you for more advice and action.

A

valid will must be in writing to avoid doubts, however customary will may not be. Secondly, it must be signed by the testator in the presence of witnesses. Thirdly, those witnesses must at-

test to it in the presence of the testator even without knowing the contents of the will.

Finally, there should not be alteration, interlineations or obliteration. Call me or consult a lawyer for more assistance.

Lawyer Jokes What happened?

A

man walks into a friend and sees that his friend’s car is total loss and covered with leaves, grass, branches, dirt and blood. He asks his friend, “What’s happened to your car?”

“Well,” the friend responses, “I ran into a lawyer”.

“OK,” says the man, “that explains the blood... But what about the leaves, the grass, the branches and the dirt?”

“Well, I had to chase him all through the park.”

Man in a bar

A

man walks into a bar. He sees a beautiful, well-dressed woman sitting on a bar stool alone. He walks up to her and says, “Hi there, how’s it going tonight?”

She turns to him, looks him straight in the eyes and says, “I’ll screw anybody any time, any where, any place, it doesn’t matter to me.”

The guy raises his eyebrows and says, “No kidding? What law firm do you work for?”

38

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT Lagos Jazz Festival 2017 partners charities Lagos International Jazz Festival 2017 has selected Sesor and Downs Syndrome Foundations as official charity partners for this year’s 505050JAZZ Lagos@50 Special Edition of Lagos International Jazz Festival.

Speaking, founder of the festival, Ayoola sadare of Inspiro Productions said: “We are proud to be associated with the Lagos International Jazz Festival this year and look forward to telling the stories of the amazingly resilient survivors of emergencies from Maiduguri, Lagos, Benue and other parts of Nigeria,” said Ler Jonathan-Ichaver, Sesor Executive Director.

Also, the Administrator of Downs Syndrome Foundation, Muyiwa Majekodunmi, said, “I’m so thrilled that this partnership/support for the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria from Inspiro Productions, organisers of the Lagos International Jazz Festival, is eventually coming to fruition. I believe that music, the arts, entertainment and others should be used as a vehicle to bring awareness, and raise support for people living with Down Syndrome and others. Many thanks to Inspiro Productions for charting this course.

Hopefully, many others will follow.” Inspiro Productions’ CEO and Jazz Festival director, Mr. Ayoola Sadare, said, “The festival is pleased to be Joining forces for good with two charities this year. We look forward to working with Sesor to advance the cause of the displaced and other disaster survivors across Nigeria. We are also partnering with The Down Syndrome Foundation.

Both charities do critically important work and we hope that the platform Lagos International Jazz Festival provides for the promotion of these causes

I am no messiah –Censors Board boss

T

HE new Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Alhaji Adedayo Thomas has challenged the staff of the Board to come up with new ways of generating revenue for the organization.

Thomas stated this when he made his maiden visit to the Lagos office of the Board.

According to him, he was not happy with what he saw at the head office in Abuja stating that he was scared by the signals he received from the staff and stressed that he is not a Messiah.

He challenged the staff to come up with ideas to move the Board forward, insisting that he wants a turnaround in the Board in 90days rather than the traditional 100days.

Ariya Repete: Nine acts qualify for quarter finals will go a long way towards improving the lives of the Nigerians they serve.”

Lagos International Jazz Festival holds at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos Island, from April 28 through 30 with various events to be held across the city of Lagos in the month of April to mark the

Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) which climaxes with the UNESCO-recognised International Jazz Day on April 30.

Why I dragged Ifeanyi Onyeabor to EFCC

A

S Nollywood eagerly awaits Tribe, the film that led to the confinement of filmmaker, Ifeanyi Onyeabo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in 2011, his partner in the project, Steve James has attributed the skirmishes to breakdown of communication between him and the director.

Satisfied that they have put the matter behind them, he cautioned investors and players in the industry to open channels of proper communication to forestall such ugly incidents.

“I blame the problem on breakdown of communication between us. I was new in the industry and naturally reacted the way someone would react when third parties come to tell him that he is about to lose his investment. Luckily after everything, I discovered that Ifeanyi, actually meant well, and his lawyer and my lawyer sat down and agreed to withdraw the matter from the Economic and Financial

Among others, the ED directed that two buses at the Lagos office that had been abandoned for over 18 months be immediately repaired and told members of staff that he will suspend payment of outstanding vouchers he inherited till the financial position of the Board improves, noting that he was welcomed to the head office with news that the staff of the Zonal Office in Onitsha had been ejected from their rented office over debt of N1.5 million.

Advising the staff to eschew tribalism and religious sentiments and concentrate on their duties, he revealed that he would introduce the Whistle Blower Policy whereby a staff receives a certain percentage of any monies he or she generates.

Crimes Commission.

“Ifeanyi is not a fraudster. Everything is over now and we are back again as partners, looking forward to more projects that will shape the landscape of African entertainment. The second edition of our cultural reality TV show, ‘Heroes: Back to the Roots’ will soon kick off. Other initiatives will be unveiled soon to the entertainment community.”

Appreciating the film, Steve James, said, “I am not surprised that Tribe is getting a lot of attention at the international level. It is because of the technical details of the film as well as the story and plot.

It is a must-watch-for-all but not a free-watch-for-all”.

Tribe which commenced recording in 2010 in Ghana employed the services of actors and crew members from eight African countries and Jamaica after a 3-nation tour for auditions.

Last year, during the Exra-Ordinary People’s Awards in Texas,

USA, Tribe, clinched awards in four categories including Outstanding Film Producer of the Year, which Onyeabor promptly dedicated to Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Governor of Enugu State.

Meanwhile the case with suit number: ID/155S/11 was struck out for want of diligent prosecution on May 26, 2014, by Justice Ipaye of the Ikeja Division of the Lagos High Court

A

TOTAL of nine contestants have made it to the quarter final stage of the ongoing Ariya Repete, a talent hunt competition for fuji and juju musicians. The auditions were held in Akure and Ibadan on April 19 and 21 respectively.

Seven fuji and three juju artistes were chosen from each city to compete at the selection party, where two winners emerged from each category in Akure, while three from Fuji and two from Juju emerged in Ibadan.

They are Aliu Inaolaji, Taiye Akanji and Ashafa Olusila, while the Juju artistes are Oshinbanjo Gabriel and Wale Daniel. In Akure Oladele Damilola and Afolabi Ibrahim emerged from Fuji category, while Osadare Abayomi and Ojo Abiodun emerged from

Juju category.

The artistes will compete at the quarter finals slated for June 30th in Akure with winners from other auditions in Ilorin, Ijebu Ode, Oshogbo, Abeokuta, Ado Ekiti and Ile Ife. The semi-finals will take place on July 7 in Abeokuta with the grand finale scheduled for July 14 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to Emmanuel Agu, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout brands: “The brand is using the new platform to extend its drive to discover new talents in the two indigenous Yoruba music genres and the move is in line with its commitment to promote the culture and tradition of the people of the South West Nigeria.”

Maranatha TV debuts

T

HE nation’s broadcast industry received a huge boost recently, as the management of Maranatha Television Channel (MTVC), announced the debut of the Channel’s live TV streaming service.

Though faith-based, the channel, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the Channel, Mrs. Titi Fasuyi, is not restricted to religious programmes since it boasts of an array of quality, spanning sports, entertainment, socials and others.

She said the service

which is actively available on social media is targeted at subscribers, who prefer to explore other television channels besides the traditional terrestrial TV and cable packages because of its cost efficiency. Explaining some of the qualities that the Channel would be bringing to the table for its subscribers, the General Manager of the Channel, Mr. Ola Oladipo, stated that the Channel is being strategically positioned to become the foremost provider of live streaming TV channel in Nigeria.

39

The Oracle Today, May 10, 2017

ENTERTAINENT

Veronik Adaa unleashes inspirational song, Itoro F

OLLOWING the success of her last single, Do Me Like This, singer and song writer, Veronik Adaa is heating the entertainment scene up as she has just released her third single entitled Itoto.

“I am so excited. The response has been awesome! It is an inspirational song that inspires people. The message is no matter how bad it is, if you are hardworking, you can still make a good life in your country “In Paris I see a lot of stranded Nigerians in Sambro, a lot of girls standing along the streets and waiting for men to pick them up. I see a lot of blacks suffering. And I am like, instead I staying here and suffering, I would rather go back to my country and live well.

Itoro is telling them you can have a good life in your country. Even if you are from a poor background, you can still be something. So the song is a kind of encouragement for all those who are down.”

Among others, the fast rising singer who returned home to Nigeria a while ago is currently working on an EP project to showcase the cultural diversity of her music and dynamic rhythm.

Born April 2 in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital into the family of the Cyprians’ Veronik Adaa is the oldest of her siblings. From her childhood days she has always nursed the dream to become a widely recognized artiste

in pop culture, Veronique Adaa’s interest in music began at the tender age of five in Church. This passion for music carried her through as she started writing her own songs at the age of 18, the same time she started singing in pubs, as well at several live acoustic performances. She later left the shores of Nigeria for France

Why I accept kissing roles –Esther Audu-Ojire

A

CTRESS, Esther Audu and video director, Philip Ojire had their traditional engagement ceremony as well as their white wedding in July, 2016, and ever since, they have been enjoying marital bliss. And unlike some Nollywood ac tresses who maintain low profile after marriage, sultry actress, Esther Audu, is not ready to change her lifestyle, just because she has transcended from Miss to Mrs. She told Inside Nollywood how she has been coping with life as a married woman and maintaining her acting career: “Yeah, I am married now but it makes no difference to me.

I am still the Esther you used to know. The only difference is that I

am now Mrs. Ojire. Aside that, I still live my life normally.

Luckily, for me, my husband supports my acting career. He is also into entertainment; he is a music video director. He told me bluntly that if I get kissing roles I should take it and do it well; after all, it is all acting.”

She also added that she has since forgiven her Nollywood friends that failed to show up at her wedding.

“I understand they were busy, a lot of them were on set. But I thought they would sacrifice a bit for me.

I know their careers are important but marriage is meant to be a once in a lifetime event. I know I would do that for some of them but it is okay.

That is in the past now.

and auditioned in ‘Nouvelle Star’, a popular talent show in Paris, unfortunately by then her French was just at the early stage. This spurred her to perfect it, as she went ahead to write songs in English with a mix of French, all in a sweet manner.

Veronique’s first official single, Radio Now, recorded several successes, with heavy rotation in nite clubs

across Gabon. Her last single ‘Do Me Like This’ was released on February 20 and produced by Fliptice. This was shortly followed by the visual, which was shot in Paris and Nigeria.

Veronik Adaa is multi-talented. She has displayed skills and love for fashion. She created the costumes for her photo shoots and video.

40

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

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41

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

EDUCATION

A provost’s sermon to matriculating students The menace of cultism in institutions of higher learning in the nation is rather alarming. Many promising young men and women have had their ambition cut short by the activities of fellow students who are members of dare-devil groups.

From Yenagoa, CHRIS EZE writes on efforts by concerned stakeholders to curb the menance, especially at it affects the Adaka College of Education in Bayelsa State.

A

LARMED by the increasing incidence of cultism in institutions of higher learning, the Provost of the Isaac Adaka Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama in Bayelsa State, Prof. Saviour Nathan Agoro at the institution’s 7th matriculation ceremony, waxed spiritual and used the occasion to preach sound morals to the 250 fresh students who took the matriculation oath, warning them against associating with any clandestine groups in or out of campus.

He told the students that they were in the right place, assuring them of the preparedness of the Visitor to the college, and the Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson to upgrade the college to a degree awarding institution, affiliated to a recognized and reputable university. He, therefore, charged them to settle down to business and make something out of their lives.

The provost averred that success is not cheap to achieve, nor could it be achieved by wishful thinking. “It is deliberately planned for and worked for. It could entail a measure of risk taking,” he said.

According to him, every success is worth celebrating, since those who deserve it must have made sacrifices. “These range from sacrificing sweet hours of sleep, deferment or cancelled dates to suspension of promising union,” he noted, adding that all of those make it imperative to celebrate success when ultimately achieved.

The professor further said that success can’t be realized through forceful or illegal means, but through mutual respect for others.

“This is the kind of relationship in which respect for one another is the watchword,” Agoro added. “It is devoid of any kind of intimidation of anybody because of his/her size. It is free from any type of molestation of anybody by another person or group of persons as it is being witnessed among cult groups in some schools.”

According to Agoro, for the high premium he places on the safety and well being of citizens of the state, Governor Dickson has outlawed cultism in every institution of learning in the state. The professor emphasized that it is good for people to come together for a worthy cause, and bad for people to come together for a cause, which could be inimical to the operation of a wholesome society.

The Provost took time to analyze why many students indulge in cultism and other vices on campus.

According to him, many young people do join cults for group feeling and companionship.

“The need for companionship should not lure any individual to associate with wrong people. Wrong companionship is bad.

Those who are in cult groups for the sake of companionship are urged to desist and seek wholesome companion that would build them than the type that destroys,” he counseled.

“The second reason why people join cults is the need to possess power and use it to oppress people. Cultivating satanic power to use it to hurt people will be counter-pro-

ductive in the long run. I want to advise you to realize that nothing good could be got from serving Satan.

“The third factor that motivates people to join cult is laziness. This is because some lazy students feel that they will join cults in order to intimidate feeble-minded lecturers to award them higher grades in examinations where they deserve to fail. Some weak lecturers will just pass them to avoid any untoward consequences.”

The Provost further observed that the motive to join cults for others is to acquire cheap popularity among their peers, and the desire to posses some esoteric knowledge that will make them have protection and safety.

“They are given to believing that the college campus is like war front. They think they need to protect themselves, so they join cults,” he further explained.

“For others, they join cult to extort favors from people. Don’t join cults because you want to belong to a forum in which you can steal and cheat people. You don’t need to be ruled by wrong values. You are created to be people of worth. Don’t allow a negative self-concept lure you into cults. You are created a wholesome person. If you are sick in your mind, seek help in Christ. In fact, it will not be wrong to say that cult members are a group of psychotic patients. Depending on their orientation, they should seek counseling in the church or in hospitals.”

But he was not done yet as he stressed that some students have the tendency to rob so they look for an outlet in which they will disguise their nefarious propensities to forcefully take what does not belong to them.

“While others see in cult membership, a cheap means of intimidating female students in order to have sex with them, for some, cults provide them the opportunity to bully others for their sadistic pleasures,” Prof. Agoro agonised. “Some see cults as a forum to be associated with high and mighty in the society. Hence, each cult group prides itself with the names of the high in the society whom it claims are secretly linked with it.

Some join cults as a way of seeking vengeance against real or perceived enemies”.

To the Provost, there is no acceptable reason why a decent person will demean himself or herself to belong to a cult group that he or she will not be comfortable to tell others about. He noted needless deaths that have resulted from cult wars in the country and said stories abound of intimidation and the perpetual servitude wicked people have subjected their peers to in many institutions.

Agoro said his dream is that Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro College of Education, Sagbama will be a little haven devoid of all cult related problems, just as he pleaded with all to resist every kind of lure to engage themselves with membership of any cult group.

He cited the book of Ecclesiastes 1:10 where he quoted Solomon as saying: “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.”

He said that while the college will try to protect all students of the institution from the menace of cultism, it will deal with everybody as a potential adult who is accountable to the laws of Nigeria and who would

Prof. Savior Nathan Agoro, Provost IJABCOE, Sagbama be prosecuted whenever he/she willfully infringes on the law.

“Our prayer, therefore, is to plead with you all in the words of Paul: do not be deceived, bad company ruins good morals.”

He advised that any pressure by any cult to recruit them should be reported to thecollege authorities.

He made it clear that they were admitted into the college to prepare them for a career as the years they will spend will help to shape their future in a decisive way.

“The decision you make about life will determine the path and the direction that will eventually enable you arrive at a destination,” he pointed out, calling on the students to avail themselves of the numerous ways they could learn in class and out of class.

“You should attend lectures promptly which is the easiest way to succeed.”

He said that Continuous Assessment (CA) is valued at 40%, while the examinations are assessed over 60%, which according to him every dutiful student should be able to work hard to earn grades without demeaning him or herself.

“Feel free to make use of the human resources you have in the lecturers and in your colleagues. Ensure to contribute to the success of others and work towards your success too. Do not be slack with any duty assigned to you or keep complaining and grumbling out of your life. Live decent and disciplined lives,” the Provost insisted.

He urged the students to respect the lecturers, but should not treat them as gods.

He charged them to believe everything the lecturers would tell them, but listen and pay attention to discriminate between the correct information within the context of the lecture and other things that are said in the course of the lectures, which are not part of it.

He also warned them against being carried away by the wild claims some spread in the class, saying it is dangerous for any lecturer to sow seed of discord in the hearts of students.

On handouts, he also warned students to be wary of lecturers who make the purchase of handouts as the precondition for participation in a CA exercise. He said it is immoral and deserves the strongest condemnation in the college authorities, urging students to alert deans about those lecturers who are high-handed or overbearing towards the students.

Similarly, he warned students also not to lie against the lecturers or malign them.

Agoro equally warned the students against involvement in examination malpractice, which he described as a criminal offence punishable under the laws of Nigeria. Thus, in order to spend the three years for National Certificate of Education (NCE), he urged students to work assiduously to pass their examination without resorting to cheating.

42

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

Development Sen Uwajumogu preaches ‘green revolution’ at own hall meetings From COLLINS UGHALAA, Owerri

S

ENATOR Benjamin Uwajumogu representing Imo North Senatorial District in the Senate has embarked on town hall meetings across Imo North, otherwise known as Okigwe Zone, in his bid to stimulate the interest of rural dwellers in agriculture.

The Senator said this was to further sensitize his constituents at the rural level, and farmers in particular, on the need to focus on agriculture for sustainable development, and to answer their questions on agriculture-related issues and other pressing state and national issues.

Speaking during a town-hall meeting at Achara Autonomous Community in Obowu Local Council and Obinulo Okwelle Autonomous Community in Onuimo Local Council, Uwajumogu disclosed that Nigeria’s new agricultural policy termed the “Green Alternative” is geared towards reviving the country’s economy on the path of inclusive growth, attracting more youths into agribusiness thereby cutting down on the high import bill on food.

He explained that Nigeria depended on Agriculture for economic development before the discovery of oil, noting that the country’s concentration on oil while abandoning Agriculture was the root cause of the country’s economic woes.

“Before the discovery of oil, our economy depended on Agriculture and was doing well until 1978 when the presidential committee to manage the importation of rice was inaugurated. At about 1978 also, countries like Vietnam set up committees to manage production of rice in their countries and today, almost every African country imports rice from Vietnam.

“My dream and aspirations as your Senator remains to bring development to Okigwe zone, use legislation as a veritable tool to work for revitalization of moribund federal and state government abandoned projects in the zone, get the people to queue into government policies and programs that will be beneficial to the people and the zone.

“I am here today to sensitize and encourage our people to take advantage of the federal government’s huge investment in the agric sector and the high demands for agricultural produce in the entire Africa due to increase in population to go into agriculture to cultivate enough food to drive away hunger in our land and sell to our neighbours in exchange for their money,” Uwajumogu told the huge crowd of Obowu and Onuimo people.

On his decision to focus on agriculture for the development of his senatorial district, Uwajumogu said Nigeria’s agricultural commodities and food import amounted to over N1tr in 2013 and 2014, with foods like rice, fish and other crops accounting for 93 percent of the total cost of imports, a situation he wants his constituents to take advantage of to turn things around in the zone.

He said his agro initiative for Imo north senatorial district will see to the clearing of lands for farmers, rehabilitation of existing dams, creation of mood pools from perennial water bodies to encourage fish farming, as well as provide farmers with trainings and necessary inputs like seedlings, fingerlings, juvenile fishes, etc, with a guaranteed buyback package that will improve yield, production and income for the farmers.

According to him, the first phase of his agro program, which has already kicked off in Dioka -Nzerem, Ehime Mbano Local Council with the clearing of over 200 hectares of arable land is expected to be replicated in the six local coucils that make up the zone.

Sen Uwajumogu addressing his constituents on Agriculture.

Rice crops He said the programme has the potential to provide more than 6000 direct jobs for skilled and unskilled youths and farmers, and another 20,000 indirect jobs for various scheme dependants.

Excited at Uwajumogu agro initiative, the traditional ruler of Achara Autonomous Community, Eze Ken Nnaji commended the Imo North Senator, Benjamin Uwajumogu for his intervention in the government’s efforts at providing food security for the citizenry, creating jobs and reducing dependency on food importation.

The traditional ruler of Obinulo autonomous community, Eze Dr. Alex A Uzoma, thanked Uwajumogu for choosing Obinulo, Okwelle autonomous community as the pilot community for his agro initiative. He pledged the readiness of his community to provide all necessary support for the project.

Potato

Tomatoes

43

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

HEALTH

Olanrewaju: We are prepared to deal with meningitis in FCT DR. MICHAEL OLAREWAJU is the President of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter.

In this interview with our Abuja Bureau Chief, ANTHONY AILEMEN, Dr. Olanrewaju bares his mind on the preparedness of the FCT administration to tackle the menace of meningitis currently ravaging some Northern States in Nigeria and other issues affecting medical doctors in FCT in particular and the country in general. Excerpts:

M

ENINGITIS is currently ravaging parts of the North, how prepared are hospitals within the FCTA to cope with this and other epidemics?

Yes, we are fully prepared. We have a task team in place in all the hospitals within the FCTA and they have been fully sensitized to ensure that if they see any epidemic, they swing into action. About three weeks ago, there was a committee that was set up by the acting Secretary for Health. Managing Directors of all the hospitals in FCT were put on red alert and the doctors are on ground.

Do you have the vaccines?

We have been informed that the vaccines are there. The department of public health is fully in charge and they can give you more information about the vaccines, but what l can assure you of now is that residents of the FCT have no need to entertain fears as we are fully on ground to deal with the issue.

What is your assessment of health sector within the FCTA? In our association, we have staff strength of over four hundred doctors. So fair enough, I will say that FCT has quite a number of doctors though they may not be enough. They need to employ more doctors because the existing facilities cannot cope with exploding population in FCT. They need to open up more facilities and when you open up more facilities, you need more hands rather than take one person from here to there or continue to reshuffle. For instance, the Minister of FCT Mohammed Bello has given directives that Karu hospital be opened within the next few months and also that the hospital in Zuba should be opened. I work in Asokoro hospital; in a way we are under-staffed. I work every day of the week and with a day off, that’s how most people work here. So, we need more hands. We need more hands though the new hospitals will take care of people in those locations, but they need to employ more people.

In terms of equipment, they are trying--I will give that to them. But, they can do better. We have major equipment on ground but then we run residency training programme here. In a few months I will become a fellow, but not everybody is involved in the training We may need to open more training departments. Right now we have just two departments training obstetricians and family medicine. I am aware that Ophthalmology has been given accreditation, so, very soon they will start training so that many people will not be leaving FCT for three years or more for training elsewhere so that there might not be migration. What happens is that when people stay here two or three years without training if they see opportunities in Federal medical centers where they

can be trained they leave. That’s why they are training some of us.

In the area of equipment, there are consulting rooms. This hospital (Asokoro hospital) is a district hospital and it has been stressed far beyond the facilities available.

You can see yourself. We try as much as possible to reduce the waiting time of the patients. We enjoin the FCT minister to expedite action in opening new centers. Even though we are a secondary health facility, we operate more like a tertiary institution.

We do all manner of surgery. We have neurosurgeon, obstetrics, etc. We have so many physicians, including cardiologists. We have pediatricians. Fairly all the sections are well represented in this hospital. We provide world standard services to the best of our abilities Are there Challenges?

Yes, we have our local challenges. You can’t use what obtains in FCT hospitals though to compare with those of other states because to a very large extent, we are by far better equipped. The remuneration in the health sector is not what it should be. You know that purchasing power has dropped and there is inflation and recession.

What N1,000 bought before is not what it can buy now. Remuneration is not what it should be and we want to urge the federal government to come to our rescue. Whenever doctors call for strike, it is not about money but for improvement of infrastructure in our hospitals. Most of the equipment in our hospitals across the country are obsolete. Most of them have been there way back. When you talk about Sustainable Development Goal we need equipment. When you go to our hospitals and federal medical centers, it is an eye sore. When you look at it nationally, it is still poor even though everybody knows that FCT is way ahead of other states in terms of healthcare delivery and or equipment.

Are you worried that government officials travel abroad for minor treatments?

I am worried. As the head of a medical body, l should be worried. That’s why we talk about equipping our hospitals. All we need is in this country in terms of personnel.

The issue is about trust. If you have catarrh for instance and you have the money to travel abroad you can travel. That’s what we are working on.

The second issue is that some unscrupulous elements don’t want to be treated here because of estacode. Some people also partner with the patients to sign documents that take them abroad. They come and meet you and say they need the doctor’s support to refer them abroad. So, why do I need to refer you abroad. You want me to refer you to India so that you go on medical check up even when l know that this is what we can

Dr. Olarewaju do here? (Not a chance).

That is why you see the pressure from National Association of Resident Doctors and other unions in trying to see that the country moves foreword. The government of the day promised us change. They promised us that so many things will change and we believe that mantra of change. So, with our willingness Nigeria will change. But charity must begin from home. Government should equip the hospitals and employ more hands and improve training. Our association is trying to get them do the right thing so that our standard of education in Nigeria also can improve.

How do you feel when you hear that our President has to go abroad for treatment?

We feel bad. That is the same thing we are talking about. If the hospitals in Nigeria were well equipped, he would not travel there. So, it is not the issue of lack of capacity alone; trust is part of the issue. Like I said before, I cannot comment on the health of the President because I don’t know what is wrong with him. As a doctor I respect people’s privacy.

Is it so difficult to get equipment?

Well it depends. As I said, I don’t know what is wrong. The medical practice is moving to the next level and that’s why when you are talking about obsolete equipment, it as if we are not ready. For example, in this center, there are procedures that are supposed to be done in order to carry out surgeries. We do fibroid operations here.

But if you tell someone to run such a procedure, the person will need testimonials from other people who have done the operations here that this thing can be done here. Even at that, the person may not want his health status to be divulged to other people. That’s the aspect of secrecy. As long as there are health workers, doctors in particular, that oath of secrecy must be there: you have to respect your patients.

What exactly is the patient load in FCT hospitals?

The patient load is increasing because of growing population in FCT. Someone in Kogi

State will want to come to Abuja because he wants to make money and when he comes to Abuja, he brings a relative and before one year when the relative gets stabilized, he will bring another person. Before you know it, it is a factor of 10. So, one person can bring about 10 people. This is also in addition to the security problem in the North East, which forced people to reside in Abuja.

Now, looking at it holistically, this hospital is called Asokoro hospital built for people in FCT but I can tell you that 90 per cent of people we treat here comes from other axis--Maraba, Karu, New Nyanya and other areas in Nasarawa State. People from Asokoro or Garki hardly come here and the reason is not far fetched: there is no such facility in Nasarawa State and you don’t blame them. When they are sick, they have to find the nearest standard hospital to get treated.

Nyanya General Hospital is very small and cannot handle large numbers of patients.

So, the patients’ load is increasing and that’s why we are asking the government of the day to try as much as possible to build more hospitals and increase the staff number.

There seems to be no effective collaboration among various labour unions in the health sector. Why is it so? How can we curb incessant strikes by various labour unions in the health sector?

Permit me to speak on behalf of doctors whom I represent. If you observe, in the last one year there was no strike by medical doctors because of leadership. Even though we are not getting answers from government over the doctors’ remuneration we have been asking for, we have been patient. Government has come out and told us there is recession and the recession is obvious and palpable, you can see it yourself. When doctors are asking for their entitlement people see them as being unreasonable. There are actually many unfulfilled promises dating years back that government signed with the Association of Resident Doctors but they are not willing to implement them.

However, the Association of Resident Doctors is trying to stabilize the system as everybody is working for the interest of patients. The teeming population come to hospital everyday you chase them away that you are on strike. We don’t want that. We also want the government to reciprocate by giving us our entitlements.

I can assure you that we have not been on strike for a very long time because we are exploring alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

As the President of Resident Doctors what’s your last word?

To our colleagues, I want to thank them for having faith in us. The way we came during the last election shows that everybody is aware of the politics going on in the sector and they have that confidence that we can steer them out of the doldrums and take them to the next level and that is why we trying to move FCT health sector to that next level. And then to our management I want to thank them for the achievement we have so far and for harmonious relationship we enjoy. We want that relationship to continue. To the public I want them to continue to patronize us. Our hospitals are well equipped.

44

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

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45

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

SPORTS

•Gianni Infantino

Stop this goalkeeping distraction, Chukwu tells Nigerians

Super Sand Eagles disadvantaged –Akinwunmi

F

•Says “Allow Rohr concentrate on his job”

By MADUABUCHI KALU

C

hristian Chukwu, former captain and coach of the Super Eagles has admonished Nigerians to stop distracting the national team gaffer, Gernot Rohr with the issue of goalkeeping crisis with the team as they prepare for the 2019 African Cup of Nations Qualifier against the South African national team in June.

According the General Manager of Enugu the Nigerian league champions, Enugu Rangers there is no goalkeeping problems with the national team rather he sees the clamour by many Nigerians to recall former goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama due to the injury that has sidelined Carl Ikeme as distraction.

He recalled that when Enyeama left the national team following his row with the former national team captain and coach, Sunday Oliseh, Ikeme was discovered and he has so far given good account of himself and that now that Ikeme is ruled out for the game against South Africa in June,

Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi should be given the opportunity to prove themselves.

Chukwu reasoned that during Super Eagles friendly game against the Teranger Lions of Senegal, Ikeme was not the one that kept for the team but someone else and wondered why the absence of Ikeme due to injury should be made a serious issue to distract the team’s handler.

“Well, as far as I am concerned, I do not see any goalkeeping problem with the Super Eagles,” Chukwu began.

“I see the clamour for something to be done about the Eagles’ goalkeeping problem as distraction because I do not see problem in that department.

“The Super Eagles recently played a friendly game in London and Ikeme was not the goalkeeper that kept in that game. What happened? Did Nigeria suffer defeat as a result of Ikeme being injured? You see, I don’t know why we always want to create

problems where none exists!

“When Enyeama left the national team, did anybody know who Carl Ikeme was? But he was brought in from nowhere and today Nigerians are making it look as if without him Nigeria cannot play football again.

“It is not like that and I am not saying that he is not important, he is as important as any other player in the team and if any other player is sidelined due to injury or any other thing, someone else should replace the player. That is the way it is. Nigeria cannot stop playing football because Ikeme is injured after all before his arrival to the scene we have been playing football.

“I believe that the way Ikeme was given opportunity to show what he is capable of doing, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi should also be given opportunity to contribute to the national team. So, goalkeeping like I said earlier is not our problem,” Chukwu declared.

Speaking further, the former

Harabee Stars of Kenya coach said where he saw problem in the team was in the attack. He explained that if the team have a potent attacking force, they can go to places.

“To me, I think that if there is any department of the team that I have reservation, it is the attack. If we have a very potent attack, we will be able to score goals and goals are what win matches.

“I, therefore, would like the Gernot Rohr to ensure that he monitors our attackers scattered all over Europe and beyond and field those of them who are in form during the game against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.

“So, I don’t see any goalkeeping problem in the team rather our attack should be strengthened to enable it get us the goals that we need. And more importantly, Nigerian should stop distracting Rohr with this issue of goalkeeping problem that does not exist in the first place,” Chukwu advised.

Fashanu blames Alli’s loss on NFF’s power tussle

By MADUABUCHI KALU with agency report

J

ohn Fashanu, former Wimbledon FC iconic striker and captain, has blamed Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) power tussle for the loss of Nigerian born, England and Tottenham Hotspur midfield maestro, Bamidele Jeremiah Alli to England.

According to Fashanu, the NFF should be blamed for the country’s inability to lure the 2017 EPL Young Player of the Year award winner, Alli to play for the Super Eagles instead of the English national team, the Three Lions.

Speaking further, Fashanu explained that about four years ago when Dele Alli was just 17 years, he used his connections in England and established contact with Dele Alli and they spoke at length concerning him

playing for Nigeria. He said Alli agreed to play for Nigeria but requested that his parents should be spoken to as he could not make such decision being 17 year teenager.

The former Wimbledon striker explained that he contacted the NFF and wanted them to join him in going to England as he was travelling then to enable them have discussion with Alli’s parents but they never paid any attention due to the power tussle that was going on then.

Fashanu stated this in chat with online sports paper owngoalnigeria. com. He explained that Alli could have been playing for Nigeria but for the nonchalant attitude of the eggheads at the Glasshouse.

“I used my connections at the club to get through to him (Alli) and we spoke at length but he requests we meet his dad as he was just 17 then

and too young to make such a decision,” he told owngoalnigeria.com “However, when I got through to the NFF as I need travel with them to have talks with his parents; nobody was willing to listen to me as they were back then involved in a power tussle that was how we lost Alli to England,” Fashanu lamented.

Dele Alli joined Tottenham Hotspurs two year ago from MK Dons, a team Fashanu has strong links with and the teenager is now proving his worth in his first season at White Hart Lane and now an England international.

Alli was a key player for England at the last European championship took place in France last year.

It is recalled that Dele Alli just won the prestigious PFA Young Player of the Year Award in the EPL just like he did last year.

•John Fashanu

irst Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Chairman of Lagos State Football Association (FA), Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, has declared that one of the continental representatives to the ongoing FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup; the Super Sand Eagles are disadvantaged going into the global Beach Soccer fiesta.

According to the lawyer turned football administrator, Nigeria does not have beach soccer league which would have made the team strong unlike what obtains in other parts of the world. He explained that had the country Beach Soccer League, he would have been confident that the Nigerian representatives would make great appreciable impact in the ongoing FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup which is holding in Bahamas.

“Well, I think that the Super Sand Eagles are disadvantaged going into this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup,” Akinwunmi began.

“The team is disadvantaged in the sense that we don’t have Beach Soccer League in the country unlike what obtains in other countries of the world.

“So, the players that make up our team are the regular energetic and stamina filled football players.

“Of course, Beach Soccer is quite different from the regular football. It is more energy sapping than regular football.

“Had it been that we have beach soccer league, I will be rest assured that our boys would go far in the championship,” Akinwunmi said Speaking further, Akinwunmi expressed regret that the team did not get the best of preparations before jetting out of the country for the tournament in Bahamas. He, however, expressed confidence in the determination, hard work and patriotism of the team, which he believes would take them far in tournament.

“Apart from not having a beach soccer league, I am of the view that the team did not have the best of preparations before departing the shores of the country for the tournament.

“However, despite the disadvantages, I still believe that they can still give good account of themselves as Nigerians. The Nigerian spirit is always there and it will enable them at least give good account of themselves.

“Of course I trust their determination, their hard work and patriotism.

I wish them well,” Akinwunmi declared.

This year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup kicked off last Thursday, April 27 in Nassau Stadium, Bahamas. The beach soccer tournament will end on May 7.

Nigeria and Senegal are African representatives at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Sixteen countries are taking part in the ongoing tournament and they include: Bahamas, Switzerland, Ecuador and Senegal in Group A, Nigeria, Italy, Iran and Mexico while Group C comprise of United Arab Emirate, Paraguay, Portugal and Panama and Group D is made up of Brazil, Tahiti, japan and Poland.

46

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

SPORTS

Prince Oduah lauds ‘The Oracle Today’

(December to be precise).

“I have followed the newspaper with keen interest and I can tell you that The Oracle Today is doing a very good job. As new newspaper, they have done very well because I see the quality of stories that the paper churns out in every edition.

“The paper itself as a product is fantastic, very beautiful. My prayer is that they maintain the quality of the edito-

rial work.

“The Oracle Today I want to tell you is one newspaper that belongs to the Igbo nation. I must be frank with you, as an elderly person, apart from the Oracle Today, there is no newspaper that I can proudly say belongs to Nd’Igbo. That is why the true Igbo citizens must support the paper by way of advertising in The Oracle Today.

“As a newspaper man with many years of cognate experience, advert is the life wire of any newspaper organization. That is why I would like to call on the management of the newspaper to ensure that they recruit experience and goal getting advert staff to drive the department for optimum result.

“I can tell you that no newspaper covers the Southeast and South-South like The Oracle Today. Go and check.

“Since no newspaper covers the two zones of Southeast and SouthSouth like The Oracle Today, the two zones should give the paper maximum support to enable it continue to play the important role it has been playing in bringing to the fore the activities of the two zones in particular and the country in general,” Oduah pleaded.

Speaking further, the former board member of Anambra State Sports Council said: “You see what people particularly the younger generation does not know is that Onitsha used to be original home of newspaper business in Nigeria.

“Therefore, the siting of The Oracle Today at Onitsha brings back the memories of Zik’s newspaper called (The Spokesman) in the 40’s. That was the very first newspaper established by the late Great Zik of Africa and it was sited at Onitsha.

“It was after he rested the paper that he established the West African Pilot in Ghana. So, Onitsha has been the traditional home of newspaper business in Nigeria,” Prince Oduah explained.

teams for the median edition of the late Pa Ighalo football match was based on the fact that, his son Odion Ighalo is a product of Ajegunle.

“As a matter of fact, he played on this turf, the Maracana Stadium,that is why we have this team on Blue and White Jersey as Ajegunle All Stars while the Salami All Stars are donning the Red and White Jersey.

The Salami All Stars is made up of players that reside on Salami Street, Ajegunle which is the street that the late Pa Ighalo lived before he was •late Pa Paul Ighalo and his son Odion called by his maker at the ripe age.

“This memorial match in honour and Ajegunle All Stars,” Daniel as- advising upcoming football players of Pa Ighalo is going to be an annu- sured. to be humble and cool headed like al event going forward. Next year’s Speaking further, Abdul Merik him. edition by the special grace of God Daniel said: “Let me say one thing, “Odion is somebody that is God may feature Nigerian internationals odion Ighalo is a role model. I am fearing, he is humble, honest, sin-

cere, committed and above all he does not forget his root. As you can see, the turn out to this median edition of the football match in honour and remembrance of his late father is overwhelming because of personality.

“This is as a result of what Odion has been doing back home in Ajegunle, his root. He has impacted so much on the young ones and I am advising every young player to look up to him as a model,” Daniel advised.

“Meanwhile, I would like to use this medium to thank all the people who participated in one way or the other to make this median edition of Pa Ighalo Memorial football match success. I am talking of the fans of Odion Ighalo, supporters and well-wishers. I would also want to specifically thank individuals like Dele Bob Manuel, Lawrence Nwamkpa, Igura, the MD of Igura Services and a host of others too many to enumerate, who came out to honour this game. Of course the event was soley bankrolled by me,” Daniel revealed.

The immediate elder brother of former Super Eagles’ captain and coach, Austin Eguavoen, Murphy Eguavoen was one of the stars that featured for the Ajegunle All Stars. Some of the dignitaries that graced the event included former international, Monday Odiaka among others.

•Says “Siting paper at Onitsha brings back memories of Zik’s Spokesman” Stoires by Maduabuchi Kalu

P

rince Isidore Oduah, the former member of the defunct Nigeria Football Association (NFA), has commended the Publisher of The Oracle Today, Prince Okey Igwe for his foresightedness in siting the Corporate Headquarters of the newspaper at the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State.

Speaking with The Oracle Today Sports recently, the veteran sports administrator eulogized Chief Okey Igwe for not toeing the part of some other publishers who believe that newspaper business can only thrive in Lagos.

He explained that it takes a man of extra ordinary vision to do what Chief Igwe has done even as he praised the management and dedicated staff of the newspaper organization for the excellent work they have been doing since berthing on the news stand last December.

The Anambra born sports administrator, who worked as the Advert Manager of the Punch Newspaper for several years, said he so much love The Oracle Today that he wanted the paper to prosper saying the

A

bdul Merik Daniel, the sponsor of the median edition of Pa Ighalo memorial football match which was played at the popular Ajegunle playground otherwise known as “Maracana Stadium”, has declared Nigerian international and Changchun Yatai FC of China striker, Odion Ighalo as a role model, that aspiring footballers should look up to.

Daniel made the declaration in exclusive interview with Oracle Sports on Saturday after the interesting memorial match in honour of late Pa Paul Ighalo, the father of Odion Ighalo. The football players’ agent, otherwise known as “Soccer Ambassador”, described Ighalo as a humble, dedicated, committed and down to earth individual who does not forget his root even as he disclosed that the Edo State born football star has impacted so many lives in Ajegunle otherwise known as AJ City.

“It was a good game in honour and remembrance of one of passing to glory of late Pa Paul Ighalo, the father of Super Eagles and Changchun Yatai of China striker, Odion Ighalo,” Daniel began.

“This is the median edition of the football match in honour and remembrance of Pa Ighalo. Today’s game was played by Ajegunle All Stars and Salami All Stars.

“As you are already aware, the game ended 2-1 in favour of Salami All Stars. The selection of the two

paper belongs to the entire Igbo nation and South-south geo-political zone.

He, therefore, called on Nd’Igbo and South-south people to rally round the paper to enable it become a huge success as in no distant time as it has consistently covered the two zones more than any other newspaper in the country.

“I would want to first and foremost commend the publisher of this beautiful newspaper for his foresight in siting The Oracle Today in the commercial city of Onitsha,” Prince Oduah began.

“It is a beautiful thing to hear that Onitsha is the headquarters of The Oracle Today. I am so impressed hearing this cheering news that the corporate headquarters of this beautiful paper is at Onitsha. It is a commendable initiative by the publisher I must confess to you.

“Siting the paper at Onitsha rubbishes the notion that newspaper business can only be successful in Lagos. Of course, there is every need to maintain your presence in Lagos like the paper has done with its Bureau Office in Lagos. I commend the Publisher for that decision to deviate from the norm. It is an innovation if you ask me

•Prince Oduah because over time, national newspapers tend to be headquartered in Lagos and Abuja,” Prince Oduah explained.

“Again, I must also use this medium to equally commend the management and dedicated staff of the newspaper organization for the wonderful work they have been doing since berthing on news stand some five months ago,

Ighalo is role model – Daniel

47

The Oracle Today Wednesday May 10, 2017

SPORTS Asia Olympic chief quits FIFA role over bribery

Spurs’ve nothing on Arsenal –Henry

S

heikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, the FIFA Council member who also runs the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), said on Sunday he was resigning all his posts in football after being drawn into the latest bribery scandal to hit the game’s governing body.

The Kuwaiti issued a statement on Saturday “strongly” denying any wrongdoing.

His comments came after U.S. Court documents made reference to a Kuwaiti OCA official as being involved in the bribery case of FIFA’s audit and compliance committee member, Richard Lai. Lai, also president of the Guam Football Association (GFA), pleaded guilty on Thursday to wire fraud conspiracy charges before U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen in Brooklyn, according to U.S. prosecutors, who said he had taken close to $1million in bribes.

“With regards to alleged illegal payments to Richard Lai, I can only refer to my previous statement and vigorously deny any wrongdoing,’’ Sheikh Ahmad said in a statement released by the OCA on Sunday.

“I intend to work with all relevant authorities to disprove these for me totally surprising allegations.

“However, I do not want these allegations to create divisions or distract attention from the upcoming AFC and FIFA Congresses.

“Therefore, after careful consideration, I have decided it is in the best interests of FIFA and the AFC (Asian Football Confederation), for me to withdraw my candidacy for the FIFA Council and resign from my current football positions.’’

The FIFA Council replaced the largely discredited Executive Committee as FIFA’s decision-making body under reforms instituted in the wake of the 2015 corruption scandal.

The AFC will elect four members, one a woman, to the FIFA Council at a congress in Bahrain in May. FIFA president Gianni Infantino thanked Sheikh Ahmad for standing down from the body.

“I have taken note of the decision of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al Sabah.

I want to thank him for taking this decision which certainly was not easy to take but is in the best interest for FIFA,’’ Infantino said in a statement.

•Says “In 20 years, they’ve nothing to show for it”

T

‘What a fight!’ – Nigerian stars react to Joshua’s knockout win over Klitschko

K

anu Nwankwo and his compatriots were thrilled with the Nigerian-Briton’s victory over the legendary Ukrainian boxer on Saturday Kanu Nwankwo, Carl Ikeme and Leon Balogun have hailed Anthony Joshua’s magnificent victory over Wladimir Klitsc-

hko.

Joshua, who is of Nigerian descent, claimed the world title by knockout in the 11th round after knocking the Ukrainian down twice.

The result which got people talking also had the Nigerian footballers weighing in. kingkanu4

Well done to both Anthony and Wladmir,but huge congrats to @anthony_joshua CHAMPION Great fight!#champion Leon Balogun @LeonBalogun Man like @anthonyfjoshua Innocent Idibia @Tubaba

Nigeria’s footballers good but lack structures –U.K. Scout A

•Cem Sagar

Director in Diamond Sports Academy (DSM), U.K. Cem Sagar, says that Nigeria has abundant football talents but lack structures and organisation to expose them to the right clubs.

Sagar, a world football governing body, FIFA agent, made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the DSM football trials in Lagos.

NAN reports that DSM, U.K. in partnerships with Ezeani Football Academy, Nneni, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra recently conducted football trials at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The one week football trials hosted players from across Nigeria and had no fewer than 200 players jostle for a chance to eke playing time in one of the clubs affiliated to DSM in England.

The trials aimed at scouting for

budding talents from Nigeria, was however declared successful by the Europeans football scouts.

Sagar said that Nigeria was blessed with talented footballer but lack organisation to fit them into the requirements and standards in Europe.

“It’s not in doubt that Nigeria is blessed with abundant talents but what is lacking is organisation. I think there should be better organisation from what I have seen.

“I really think the organisation is poor because the talent is there, so they really need to improve on the organisation of the game.

“We are looking at all the attributes of the players and the abilities as well.

How far a player can go will depend on the player and his ambition.

“Every player is different and what every team is looking for is also different. The stakes are not the same,’’ he said.

Sagar said with his assessment,

hierry Henry has carped Tottenham Hotspurs despite the Gunners’ North London rivals dealing a deadly blow to their hope of a top four finish, after handing them 2-0 defeat on Sunday. The Arsenal legend insists he is not envious of the direction Tottenham are heading in Spurs again closed the gap between themselves and Premier League leaders Chelsea to four points with the victory, while also dealing a blow to the Gunners’ hopes of a top four finish.

And though the rivals appear to be moving in opposite directions in terms of success, former Arsenal forward, Henry believes that Spurs need to win trophies before they overtake Arsene Wenger’s men in the north London hierarchy.

“Not envy, because after 20 years they still don’t have anything to show for it, so far,” Henry said on Sky Sports. “I know they are trying to.”

Referring to fellow player-turned-pundit Frank Lampard, who won three Premier League trophies, four FA Cups, and two League Cups during Chelsea’s upward trajectory under Roman Abramovich, Henry insists until Spurs do something similar that there is no shift in power between them and Arsenal.

“I have a man next to me, for a long time we were beating them,” Henry added. “Then, at one point, I was like ‘hang on a minute, they [Chelsea] are doing something right’.

“At the moment I don’t see any shift.”

Former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp agreed with Henry, and went on to suggest their performances in European competition also need to improve.

“Thierry is right – they need to start winning things,” Redknapp said. “You can’t be going out of the Champions League as early, and you need to be winning trophies, the FA Cup - that’s what will take them to the next level, that’s what Chelsea did.”

Nigeria has more players in the defence and central midfield, adding that he was much impressed with the quality of players in those departments.

“On my assessment, we have been watching eight teams playing among themselves and we are looking for players with strength that is what we are looking for.

“We want to take them to Europe as a project. These players are young and they will have to come in as projects. They will have their careers planned.

“We will give targets, work on what they need to work on. I am in particular impressed with the central midfield players. We have found some good central midfield too.

“I am disappointed with the strikers in this tournament, I was expecting more, but we’ve got left footed players but playing in the midfield,’’ he said. (NAN) •Thierry Henry

The www.oraclenews.ng

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OT too long ago, not many would bother if you were Nnamdi. I just imagine a telephone conversation in which the man at the other ends says, “I am Nnamdi.” It is almost natural that the retort would be, “Which Nnamdi?” partly out of curiously, and more likely out of the expectation that Nnamdi Kanu was calling you. It could have happened, it almost did, until some men and women of good will rallied resources to perfect the bill conditions of Nnamdi, who has been in detention for 18 months, for allegations that kept changing at each court session.

Things got to a head when the prosecution wanted a secret trial on the bases that some of the charges against Nnamdi and his colleagues bothered on terrorism.

The judge knocked some of those charges out, especially the ones on terrorism, yet the prosecution said it wanted a secret trial because security operatives could be in danger, if they testified in the open.

It seemed that the young man would perish in jail with his convictions about Biafra. The despair was telling in some of the tales about the moves Nnamdi was said to have made to get out of Kuje Prisons. None of these reflected in the defiance that he portrayed at each court appearance.

Then at the hearing for his bail, Enyi Igbo Peter Ayodele Fayose appeared with Nnamdi, in solidarity, though tribe and tongue differ. With him was Femi Fani-Kayode. They made my day, as we momentarily wondered where Ndigbo were.

Ndigbo took up the challenge to get Nnamdi out of detention. The conditions were set at a bar that they appeared unapproachable. With the collective will of a people, nothing can stop them. With the fame that Nnamdi has gained in his struggle, it would be difficult to control him, some would assume.

The situation is entirely different from that expectation. His bail is like a death sentence. He cannot organise or attend rallies, he cannot be with more than 10 people at any given time (meaning that any form of assembly is out of his span whether a church, a market, a village meeting, a party (whether in his honour or someone else’s), shopping. If he steps out on the street, he has to be careful that there are not more than 10 people around.

In his own interest, if he suspects that more people would be on the street at the time he wants to use it, he has to remain indoors. He cannot use some types of means of transportation – air (the airport has more than 10 people at any given time), train (there are train stations that are cities), bus (unless he asks the others travellers to disembark). Would they oblige him?

The only means of transportation available to him would be a car. He has also to make some arrangements, including ensuring that he does not stop to fuel at places that harbour more than the court-permitted number. If the vehicle breaks down, it would be the duty of those minding him to ensure that Nnamdi does not attract passersby to his plight.

I would have suggested a bicycle, but how would he know that others would not be on the road? How are we to ensure that he does not have a crowd tailing him

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Which Nnamdi Are You? saying, he remains our child; we understand what he is saying because we feel what he says.

To the judge who made those conditions, it is clear now that discrimination against tribe and tongue could be reflected in bail conditions. Would it not have been enough that a Senator should bail him? Suppose there was no Igbo Senator ready to stand for Kanu? Suppose the Judaism religious leader refused to sign? If there were no Igbo Senator to sign the paper, does it mean that the judge would have stuck to her unique interpretation of the law? Is ethnicity now a binding criterion for implementing bails, such that an Igbo man cannot find one of his kind to bail him, he would spend eternity in jail?

Soon, if not already, only a few would be asking, “Which Nnamdi”, for it seems now that there is only one Nnamdi Kanu.

Those who thought his followers would forget him, have made him more popular by locking him away, and more importantly – help him discover the many perspectives of life.

In the midst of these, it is still important to ask what Nnamdi and his colleagues, who security agents kill at will, have done through their agitations that some other groups have not done. I have stopped wondering why some insist the law is an ass, you ride it, as you like, unwilling as it may be.

Did You Hear That...

Kanu’s colleagues, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawusi are still awaiting bail. as he rides for leisure, exercise or travel from one part of his constituency to the other?

On entering a facility where there more than the stated number of people, does he leave, or the people would leave out of sympathy for him? Would they stay to implicate him for breaking the conditions of his bail? How is he supposed to know the number of people in the facility?

Nnamdi is pliable for the moment. He appreciates the great effort that was made to get him out. He also knows that his conduct would affect the chances of his mates being freed.

What they did, how they did them, and why they did them, would remain matters for speculations for a long time. As one source told me, “The important thing is that Nnamdi is out. It doesn’t matter what role any individual or group played

in getting him out. We are grateful to all who participated in meeting the bail conditions. We are glad that many of them have expressly asked that they should not be named.

“The unwillingness on their part to claim credit for anything has further mystified the release of Nnamdi. It is a great day for the common good, it is great for Ndigbo, it is a great day to shame all who had said that Ndigbo loved money so much that none of them would contribute to the N300 million required to free Kanu or put up his reputation to save the young man.”

As he rests, mending his body, searching his soul all over for more reasons to continue the struggle, plots new strategies for getting his colleagues out, one thing would be certain; his people have rallied behind for once. In a way they are

NIGERIA loses $5 billion (N380bn) year from cashew nuts by exporting unprocessed products. Nigeria exported a cashew valued at $300 million in 2016.

India’s cashew exports earned over $2.5 billion and Vietnam generates as much as $3 billion each year, mostly from processed kernel.

A POLICEMAN on Facebook to threaten to kill 300 Nigerians if President Muhammadu Buhari dies. The police claim to be investigating the posting and the one behind it, but nothing has been heard almost two weeks after the threat.

SOME people are insisting that President Muhammadu Buhari would run for the 2019 election though uncertainties over the man’s heath persists. When will the insults heaped on Nigerians are end?

INVESTIGATGIONS into the $43.4 million, N23 million and £27,000 cash found into the Osborne Towers in Ikoyi, Lagos is progressing slowly. It should worry us. Are investigators recounting the money, cannot identify it as money or are simply working hard to say something about the money? Why has the government plunged into an investigation in this instance, instead of the usual practice of arresting the suspects and charging them to court? Or are there no suspects?

The Oracle Today is published by The Oracle Newspapers Limited, 116 Awka Road, Onitsha, Anambra State. ISSN: 2545-5869 Email: oracletoday2016@yahoo.com, Twitter: @oraclenewsngr. Facebook: oraclenewsngr@facebook.com Website: www.oraclenews.ng Advert hot lines: 09078310060, 09061836916. Editor: FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU.