Tuesday July 2-7, 2019 Edition

POLITICS

Fulani vigilance groups tough proposition to stomach in South East

BUSINESS

Nigeria’s economy waits on OPEC •P19

The •P13

VOX POPULI SACRUM

FOCUS

Of pipeline explosions, deaths and matters arising

SPORTS

Eagles’ bonus row: NFF may be innocent

racle •P30

•P37

www.oraclenews.ng

TUESDAY July 2 - 7, 2019

ISSN: 2545-5869

Today

VOL.4 No.26 N200

Again, FG’s Fulani welfare plans spark controversy •Count South East/South South out of Ruga settlements—Umuahi •State Police, not settlements, answer to insecurity—Umeh •Plan ill-motivated—former Abia Commissioner •P2 •Move violates extant laws and court judgment—experts

It’s a shame Super Eagles lost to ‘unknown’ Madagascar --Westerhof

By SAB OSUJI

D

utchman, Clemens Westerhof, on Monday fumed with rage over Super Eagles 2-0 defeat by Madagascar in their last group B match in the ongoing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The shock defeat meant the Indian Ocean Island nation finished top of the group B table with seven points, with Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who have won the trophy three times in

the past finishing second with six points. Westerhof bitterly reacted over the result, describing it as a ‘shame’.

“Its unbelievable”, fumed Westerhof from the Netherlands.

“Its a shame that Madagascar could beat the Super Eagles (2-0) in the Nations Cup. “Who is Madagascar?”, he queried rhetorically.

“Where are they in Africa (football)? Who are their players?”, he demanded fu-

Cont’d on page 2

Page 23

•Youths protest against Ruga Settlements in Benue State

NDLEA: Female undergraduates major drug users

From PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Nigeria Drug Law EnTLEA)HEforcement Agency (NDhas indicted female

undergraduates as major drug users in universities while exonerating male students in the usage of drugs.

The Public Relations Officer of Anambra State command of the drug agency, Mr. Charles Odigie said in Awka, Monday that though the situation was unfortunate, it remains the reality in the society.

At a one day symposium

tagged “Curbing school dropout and drug abuse,” Odigie noted that the number of female undergraduates arrested during the command’s recent arrests of drug offenders was higher than male, as he harped on the need for re-orienta-

tion.

He bemoaned the high rate of drug abuse in tertiary institutions, saying that “it is an indication that students allowed themselves to be influenced in the

Cont’d on page 10

SEC moves to leverage FIRS, others to nail Oando

2

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 -7, 2019

NEWS

Again, FG’s Fulani welfare plans spark controversy, angst From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia; CHUKS EZE, Enugu and CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

L

IKE the Grazing Reserve Bill before the National Assembly, the mooted Cattle Colonies, Fulani Vigilance Groups in the South East and plans by the government to import grass from Brazil to feed privately-owned cows in Nigeria, the reported commencement of construction of Rugas (Fulani Settlements) in parts of the country by the Federal Government has sparked national controversy and angst, with many accusing the Buhari Administration of hatching elaborate plans for land grabs across the country on behalf of Fulani herdsmen.

Socio-cultural groups warn against ‘land grabs’ Reacting shortly after the announcement by the Federal Government, Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation and groups in Benue, faulted the government’s plan, describing it as “ill-motivated.”

According to Afenifere in a statement issued by its spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, “the Federal Government simply wants to carve out land from every community to give to the Fulani,” further describing the plan as part of the ‘Fulanisation’ agenda of the Buhari Administration.

“When former president, Obasanjo said there was a plan to ‘Fulanise’ Nigeria, they said it was not so, but what are you doing?

For us in the South-West, no inch of Yorubaland would be given for Ruga because it is a plan to colonise the country. It is like what the British did,” he added.

Responding to a question from a national newspaper, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Emeka Attamah, appealed to President Buhari to give peace a chance in Nigeria.

“Ohanaeze is appealing to the Federal Government to allow peace to reign in Nigeria. Buhari should pursue the global best practices in his quest to plant his kinsmen in all parts of Nigeria,” Nwodo said.

He warned that Nigeria is sliding into a state of anarchy the way the Federal Government is carrying on.

“The Federal Government’s violation of provisions of our constitution on the administration of land in Nigeria, its total violation of valid laws made by Benue State Government in accordance with her inherent powers under our constitution and its violations of extant court judgment on grazing and ranching is a clear pointer to anarchy,” Nwodo said.

He added: “When respect for the rule of law is jettisoned and sheer power, religious bigotry and nepotism displayed, an inevitable resort to self-help and anarchy is being courted. Our country is sliding into avoidable anarchy and doom.”

Similarly, the three main socio-cultural organisations in Benue, namely, the Mdzough U Tiv, the Ochetoha K’ Idoma and Omi Ny’ Igede, said ‘Ruga settlement’ was another ploy to claim Benue land and deprive indigenes of their land for the benefit of Fulani herdsmen.

In a statement signed by Chief Edward Ujege, Adoya Amali and Bem Okpa, the groups vowed that the people of the state would resist the establishment of Ruga

settlements with the last drop of their blood.

They declared: “We hereby state unequivocally that the Fulani herdsmen have never occupied or owned the Benue valley. The Federal Government, under the present leadership and the Miyetti Allah are one and the same. Benue has an established law: a law that prohibits open grazing and establishment of ranches, in 2017. Ruga settlements cannot hold…”

FEC Resolution does not amount to law The disavowal, by the socio-cultural and other groups and individuals in Nigeria, of ‘Ruga Settlement’ as an acceptable means of resolving the herdsmen-farmers clashes across the country came in the wake of steps already taken by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to give effect to the Ruga propos-

al.

In a letter dated May 21, 2019 and signed by Dr. Hussaini Adamu, Director of Procurement, the Procurement Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture awarded a contract to Mas Prudent Limited, Abuja for the construction of RUGA INFRASTRUCTURE WITH SANITARY FACILITIES (RED BRICK STRUCTURE) IN TARABA STATE (8 LOCATIONS).

In the letter, Hussaini wrote: “I am directed to inform you that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its meeting held on the 8th May, 2019 approved the award of contract for the construction of 8 Nos Ruga Infrastructure with Sanitary facilities (red brick structure) each as detailed in the attached to your company at the total sum of N166,336,380 (one hundred and sixty-six million, three hundred

and thirty-six, three hundred and eighty naira) only inclusive of vat with a completion period of four weeks with effect from the date of this letter.”

Similarly, somewhere in Benue, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development evidently mounted a billboard indicating a site for the establishment of ‘Pasture Plots Grazing Reserve Benue State, Otobi Road.’ The contract was apparently awarded to Clear Sky Broad Band Ventures Limited.

Govt denies that Ruga Settlement is land grab plan Although the Kebbi State governor and Vice Chairman of the National Food Security Council, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has denied that the the Ruga Settlement project is part of Federal Government’s plot to acquire

•Former President Goodluck Jonathan in red cap, Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State consoling the chief Mourner Ajia Jennifer Douglas Atiku Abubakar during the burial of Jennifer’s father and father in law to former vice President of Nigeria and PDP Presidential candidate in 2019 general election Alhaji Atiku Abubakar at Okosi road in Onitsha

Jonathan, PDP chieftains pay tribute to Atiku’s father-in-law in Onitsha From THEO RAYS, Onitsha

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HE burial of High Chief Anthony Chukwuka Iwenjiora, father-in-law to the former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), in the 2019 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, at his country home in Onitsha, Anambra State, was always going to be a grand event.

Former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan led the army of who is who in the PDP that also included former Governor of Anambra State and Vice Presidential candidate of PDP, Mr Peter Obi and Governor Emeka Ihdioha of Imo State.

Among the others are former Governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Boni Haruna; former Governor of old Enugu State Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo; the Deputy Governor of Enugu State Mrs Cecelia Ezeilo; representatives of governors of Delta and Awka Ibom states; one time presidential aide, Senator Ben Obi, Senator Uche Ekwunife, Dr ABC Nwosu, Chief Tom Ikimi, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu.

In his tribute, Atiku described the

late Onitsha High Chief as a great father-in-law, friend and disciplinarian who loved education dearly seeing it not only as a vehicle for individual and group advancement but also a veritable tool in the promotion of understanding and integrity among groups.

He stated: “The pain (of losing him) was made more severe because it did not seem that long since he and I met despite his failing health and had another of our usuall discussions about the challenges facing our country and what can be done to meet those challenges. His love for this country and desire for the unity of its people played a central role in his willingness to accede without reservation to my request to marry his beautiful daughter, Jennifer, despite obvious ethnic and religious differences.

Jonathan, in his tribute, stated that, “Pa Iwenjiora was a man of great resources and companion whose unwavering desire to build human capital endeared him to marry in his community and beyond. His great accomplishment and dedication to work ethics

inspired the younger generation mostly in the academia and business world.

He stated further that Iwenjiora “was committed to the unity of our beloved country and his legacy is evident in the children and family he raised that are left to honour him and sustain all the positive virtues that he represented.”

The chief mourner, Jennifer Douglas Atiku Abubakar said of her late father, “Daddy you have laid solid root for a generation of Iwenjioras to carry on your legacy.

You are gone but you will always be on our hearts.”

In their separate speeches, Peter Obi, Okwesirieze Nwodo, Ben Obi, described the late Iwenjiora as a mentor and father to be emulated and urged Atiku, Jennifer and the Iwenjiora family to take heart as God in his infinite mercy would grant the deceased eternal rest.

High Chief Iwenjiora. Iwenjiorah, a banker and businessman also known as Asagwali Omeikpo of Onitsha died at the age of 90 and was buried according to the traditional rites of Onitsha Ado N’ Idu kingdom. He was survived by 13 children and many grand children.

lands and surreptitiously settle Fulani herders in other parts of the country, there are indeed fears that the project is all part of what some have described as “a grand design by the Buhari administration to grab people’s lands in different parts of the country and resettle the Fulani using public funds for what is purely private individuals’ business.”

Those who hold such view argue that the establishment of Ruga Settlements or pasture plots in Benue runs counter to the State’s 2017 Edict banning opening grazing.

They argue that neither an executive order made by the President nor a decision of the Federal Executive Council (by which the Federal Ministry of Agriculture is pushing the Ruga or Pasture Plots programme) supersedes an Act of the Parliament of Benue under which the State banned opening grazing of cattle.

They also point out that the latest move by the Federal Government runs counter to a valid court ruling banning open grazing in the country.

The Oracle Today checks revealed that in 1969, Justice Adewale Thompson had at the Abeokuta Division of the High Court, in a suit No AB/26/66 on April 17 of that year, ruled inter alia: “I do not accept the contention of Defendants that a custom exists, which imposes an obligation on the owner of a farm to fence his farm whilst the owner of the cattle allows his cattle to wander like pests and cause damage. Such a custom if it exists is unreasonable and I hold that it is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and, therefore, unenforceable…in that it is highly unreasonable to impose the burden of fencing a farm on the farmer without the corresponding obligation on the cattle owner to fence in his cattle. Sequence to that, I ban open grazing for it is inimical to peace and tranquility

Cont’d from Pg 10

It’s a shame Super Eagles lost to ‘unknown’ Madagascar --Westerhof Cont’d from Pg 1 riously over the phone.

Winner of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles after failed attempts at Algiers 1990 and Senegal 1992, Westerhof paraded big and experienced players good enough to over run Madagascar.

The man who took Nigeria to her first FIFA World Cup finals in USA in 1994, hauling the squad to a second round feat, blamed the outcome of the game against Madagascar on what he called “ too many changes” in the Super Eagles starting line up in the match.

“They won against Burundi and Guinea. Yes, you qualified but why too many changes in the team (against Madagascar)?

“Yes, maybe the players were complacent or underrated Madagascar. It is unfortunate, shameful (that) Nigeria lost that way”.

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

NEWS

Anambra State sets up revenue court to trial illegal collectors From OGE ONYEANUSI, Nnewi

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he Anambra State Government has set up revenue courts in its commitment to rid the state of fake revenue collectors who have continued to reappear in markets in the state.

In Awka, Friday, the state

Commissioner for Trade Commerce and Wealth Creation, Dr Christian Madubuko disclosed this to journalists as he paraded three suspected fake revenue collectors arrested in different markets of the state.

According to him, the state Governor Willie Obiano has put measures in place to arrest illegal

Insecurity erodes progress, impairs nation’s unity, NUJ warns From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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he Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has cautioned that if the insecurity in the country continues, the progress the country has made over the years would be eroded and unity impaired.

In a communique at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NUJ held in Umuahia, Abia State, at the weekend, the union also noted the difficult conditions under which journalists were working, like the failure of media owners to pay salaries.

While calling on the Federal Government to take adequate measures to check insecurity in the country, they advised media owners to be alive to their responsibilities.

The President of NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, said that the worsening insecurity in the country was a sign of underdevelopment as Nigerians were constantly on edge as blood continues to flow and properties destroyed.

Noting the insurgency in the North East, banditry in the North West, herdsmen attacks in North Central, kidnappings in the South West, he said that no zone in the country was immune from insecurity.

Calling on the Federal Government to rise to the

challenge of protecting lives and property of Nigerians, he disclosed that a national monitoring network for safety of journalists has become operational and would be replicated at state levels as his administration seeks measures to ensure that journalists were guaranteed safety as they discharged their duties professionally.

The State Deputy Governor, Ude Oko Chukwu who represented the state governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, said, “if there is any time that this nation needs the services of journalists more than ever, it is now that insecurity is pervading the nation.”

Former Secretary to the State government, Pastor Ralph Egbu, charged NUJ leaders and members to be in the vanguard in the search for ways to make Nigeria a progressive and productive nation.

He said journalists must begin to intervene positively in national affairs by asking critical questions and demanding answers because, “time has come to clearly define the type of Nigeria we want in order to make progress and journalists should lead the way.”

Chairman of Abia Council of NUJ, John Emejor, appealed to the state government to complete the permanent secretariat of the union in the state.

revenue collectors and halt their activities in markets in the state.

He said: “The State Government has a task force and will not relent in its efforts to flush out miscreants and hoodlums parading themselves as revenue agents.”

He called on traders to consult call centres established by the

T

he Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has urged the Federal Commissioner representing the State in the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RAMFAC) to press for increased revenue allocation to Abia.

While making the charge in a congratulatory message to Comrade Chris Alozie Akomas, a former Deputy Governor, on his inauguration by President Muhammadu Buhari as

the representative of Abia in RAMFAC, Ikpeazu drew the Federal Government’s attention to the disparity between Abia’s contribution to the Federal purse and its presence in the state.

In a statement the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, Ikpeazu noted that the experience of Akomas “as a former Deputy Governor of the State arms him with the requisite knowledge about the fiscal challenges faced by the state and the clear understanding that the need for an upward

admitted to breaking the law.

One of the suspects, Nathaniel Ogunna from Okposi Umuala Izza North of Ebonyi State, who admitted to collecting money at the new toilet at Oye Uga market named Sir James Umezuruora from Umuolu Uga, as his employer.

The second suspect

Stephen Umenze from Nnobi , who had a bunch of receipts said he was arrested at bicycle spare parts in Ogbunike in Oyi LGA and was employed by Emma Anyaegbunam from Awka-Etiti. Meanwhile the third suspect, Okwudili Ezeolu, who was also arrested at the bicycle spare parts Ogbunike denied being involved.

NDLEA fingers female undergraduates as major drug users in schools From PAMELA EBOH, Awka

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he Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has indicted female undergraduates as major drug users in universities while exonerating male students in the usage of drugs.

The Public Relations Officer of Anambra State command of the drug agency, Mr. Charles Odigie said in Awka, Monday that though the situation was unfortunate, it remains the reality in the society.

At a one day symposium tagged “Curbing school

dropout and drug abuse,” Odigie noted that the number of female undergraduates arrested during the command’s recent arrests of drug offenders was higher than male, as he harped on the need for re-orientation.

He bemoaned the high rate of drug abuse in tertiary institutions, saying that “it is an indication that students allowed themselves to be influenced in the school environment, where they have more freedom.

Said the PRO: “There is high rate of drug abuse in tertiary institutions due to absence of school hostels on

campuses, making it difficult to control students who abuse these substances.

“For instance, majority of students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) live off-campus in lodges where neither the landlords nor caretakers are there to control them.

If they are to be within the school premises, the story would have been different.

The failure of parents to care for and monitor the activities of their children in the tertiary institutions is one of the contributory factors to the high rate of social ills in the society.

While noting that

the malaise was more prevalent in a particular tertiary institution in Awka, the NDLEA spokesman identified shisha, a popular local hard drug consumed by youths, using pipes as the most widely abused by the female students.

While he assured that the agency will continue to sensitize the public on the dangers of drug abuse, he called on other government agencies and non governmental organizations (NGOs) to tilt their activities towards the sensitisation of the masses on drug abuse, and encourage people to always report cases of abuse

Umeh plays down crisis in APGA as normal development From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

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ormer National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and former senator representing Anambra Central senatorial zone, Chief Victor Umeh has described the crisis of leadership in the party as a normal development.

Umeh pointed out that APGA is a unifying force and a political bloc needed to deal with various challenges currently facing the county.

About 500 members of APGA and aspirants for various elective positions in Anambra, in the December

Ikpeazu campaigns for increased federal allocation to Abia From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

government in the markets to facilitate arrests, towards taking them to the Revenue Courts for trial.

The Commissioner said that the three suspects, who were at the Central Police Station Onitsha pending their trial, had money already collected for the day and receipts in their hands as evidence against them and they have

review of the revenue accruable to the State from the federal purse has become very compelling.”

Ememanka stated further: “Ikpeazu is confident that Akomas will be an excellent representative of our State in his new assignment and will use his exalted position to further draw the attention of the Federal Government to the glaring imbalance between the contributions of Abia to the development of the economy of the country and the quantum of federal presence in the state, with a view to correcting same.”

2018, demanded a refund of the nomination fees and expression of interest fees they paid. They also demanded for the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Chief Victor Oye, alleging fraud and nonconduct of credible primary elections. Recently, the aggrieved party members, renewed the called for Oye’s resignation, alleging sharp practices and ineptitude, among other grievances.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, in Abia State, Ebere Uzokwa, also berated the APGA boss, accusing him of clumsiness and urged him to resign following the growing

lack of confidence in him by party faithful.

But Umeh, in Enugu, at the Second Session of the Seventeenth Synod of Enugu Anglican Diocese, said there was no cause for alarm yet.

According to him, “every human organization has challenges and APGA will do everything to resolve whatever people may see or hear happening in the party.

I am sure that the leadership of the party is capable of resolving all differences.

“APGA has a divine role to play among our people. So, Ndigbo and all citizens must look up to the party.

“Today, we are challenged

in Nigeria and APGA will remain a unifying force and political bloc that we need to be able to deal with our problems as a nation.”

On the controversial proposed establishment of vigilance group by Miyetti Allah, Umeh urged the Federal Government to desist from pursuing any policy that would engender the feeling of unrest, fear and suspicion.

He added that, “anything you want to do and you feel the pulse of the people and you notice some public resistance, you should drop that idea because government is about the people and for the people.

Okowa salutes Dein of Agbor’s purposeful leadership at 42 From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

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he Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has congratulated His Royal Majesty Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I, Dein of Agbor Kingdom on the ocassion of his 42nd birthday anniversary, which he marked on June 29.

The Governor said Dein has provided purposeful, courageous and tenacious leadership for the Agbor people over

the years and deserves to be celebrated at 42.

In a statement in Asaba, Saturday, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, the governor commended the monarch for making Agbor kingdom peaceful and investor-friendly since he ascended the throne of his forefathers.

He lauded the monarch’s contributions to the issues of unemployment, social deviance and value orientation among

youths, which has culminated in the establishment of the Agbor Youth Learning, Development and Empowerment Centre.

“His Majesty equally instituted cultural and traditional reformes to enhance the cohesion of the kingdom, hedge up its competitiveness, raised its visibility at the national and trans-national fora, and increased it’s strategic relevance in the increasingly relevant traditional institution in our dynamic polity.”

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

NEWS

Ebonyi Council boss takes 21 repentant cultists to church for cleansing From CHINEDU NWAFOR Abakaliki

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wenty One cultists who denounced their membership of their various cults to escape the curse placed on members of cults in Ezza land, Ebonyi state have been taken to church for spiritual cleansing by the Chairman of Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State.

The former cultists turned their back to cultism through the assistance of the Council Chairman Ogodo Sunday and had prayers offered for them during a thanksgiving church service to celebrate the conduct of a successful 2019 general elections in the area.

Ogodo did a roll call of the repentant-cultists as they filed out from the

congregation to receive the prayers. He assured that henceforth, their security are guaranteed, as their names have been sent to security agencies for appropriate action.

The council boss said, “this is for your own good and for the deliverance of your souls from the hands of the wicked ones. I will meet with you my Government will do everything possible

to make sure you are placed in a place that will make you smile.”

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ezza South LGA, Celestine Okpoko, thanked the council chairman and commended those who have denounced their membership of cultism for taking a bold step of victory.

Ikeja Hotel intends to raise capital for renovation

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keja Hotel Plc is planning raise additional in the near future to restructure four of its floors in order to generate more revenue and continue to provide luxury and standard services within and across the globe.

This was disclosed by the new management of the company recently during ‘Facts Behind the Figures’ (FBTFs) presentation to the capital market community on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Addressing market operators, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Theophilus Eniola Netufo, revealed that the firm

would be seeking to raise capital to rehabilitate the first to fourth floor of the Sheraton Lagos.

According to him, the fifth and sixth floors were renovated in 2017, adding this led to increase in the revenue of the company as the room rate is very high. Netufo, linked the improved performance in profit to effective cost of management and planning which was established by the new management team.

“We want to move now.

We want to move as quickly as possible because many hotels are coming up, and

we don’t want to be caught in the web. We want to reposition the hotel so we can stay competitive”. He stressed.

He said, “We want to improve our banquet facilities. We see what’s happening in Lagos.

Especially, Federal Palace Hotel He also stated that Ikeja Hotels made enormous savings in the 2018 financial year, due to prompt payment of all required payments to the federal government and other agencies, improved marketing and cost reduction.

He said, “We have zero

tolerance for default. All our reports are returned at the appropriate time. We don’t wait for any government agency to slam us with fine.

In 2018, we did not pay a dime. No penalty. No fine”.

We want to replicate the same thing.”

Also speaking, Divisional Head, Listings Business, NSE Mr. Olumide Bolumole, while presenting the replica of the gong to Netufo, expressed his optimism that the company’s growth will be retained because measures have been put in place to ensure that statutory obligation will be complied with.

Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Peter Obi, vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections, were part of the dignitaries who attended the burial ceremony of Chukwuka Iwenjiora, a father in-law to Atiku Abubakar, PDP presidential candidate, in Anambra state on Saturday.

Jonathan, PDP chieftains pay tribute to Atiku’s father-in-law in Onitsha From THEO RAYS, Onitsha

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he burial of High Chief Anthony Chukwuka Iwenjiora, father-inlaw to the former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), in the 2019 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, at his country home in Onitsha, Anambra State, was always going to be a grand event.

Former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan led the army of who is who in the PDP that also included former Governor of Anambra State and Vice Presidential candidate of

PDP, Mr Peter Obi and Governor Emeka Ihdioha of Imo State.

Among the others are former Governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Boni Haruna; former Governor of old Enugu State Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo; the Deputy Governor of Enugu State Mrs Cecelia Ezeilo; representatives of governors of Delta and Awka Ibom states; one time presidential aide, Senator Ben Obi, Senator Uche Ekwunife, Dr ABC Nwosu, Chief Tom Ikimi, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu.

In his tribute, Atiku described the late Onitsha

High Chief as a great father-in-law, friend and disciplinarian who loved education dearly seeing it not only as a vehicle for individual and group advancement but also a veritable tool in the promotion of understanding and integrity among groups.

He stated: “The pain (of losing him) was made more severe because it did not seem that long since he and I met despite his failing health and had another of our usuall discussions about the challenges facing our country and what can be done to meet those challenges. His love for this country and desire for the unity of its

people played a central role in his willingness to accede without reservation to my request to marry his beautiful daughter, Jennifer, despite obvious ethnic and religious differences.

Jonathan, in his tribute, stated that, “Pa Iwenjiora was a man of great resources and companion whose unwavering desire to build human capital endeared him to marry in his community and beyond.

His great accomplishment and dedication to work ethics inspired the younger generation mostly in the academia and business world.

Igboezue inaugurates Abia State chapter

By OLIVER UDEOGU

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he Igboezue International Association of Nigeria and in Diaspora (IIAND) inaugurated its Abia Chapter, and elected Chief Joshua Nnanyerem Ogbonna a journalist as chairman.

The new executive members pledged to work assiduously to reposition Ndigbo in the scheme of things in Nigeria, which is the sole aim of the group.

The National President of IIAND, Chief Pius Uchenna Okoye had praised the Abia chapter for its organization, saying Abia remains one

of the important states in the South East owing to its rich cultural heritage.

Okoye charged the new executives to carry the affairs of Ndigbo at heart wherever they reside. He lamented the apathy towards the Igbo language by Ndigbo, saying unless urgent is taken, the language would die out.

In attendance were State chairmen of the association in the South East, representatives of Delta and Rivers states, the northern coordinator of the association Rev. Hon. Emeka Benjamin Obianyor, traditional rulers, captains of industries and the clergy.

Total rewards Shareholder’s with N4.75bn dividend for 2018

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or the financial year ended December 31, 2018, Total Nigeria Plc shareholders have approved the payment of N4.75 billion final dividend, amounting to N14 per share.

The shareholders gave the approval at the company’s 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos.

The company had earlier distributed the sum of N1.02 billion as interim dividends, representing N3 per share.

Speaking at the meeting, Sunny Nwosu, Founder, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, commended the company for consistent and enhanced dividend in spite of unfriendly operating environment.

Mr Nwosu said the company had paid regular dividend in spite of proliferation of taxes, late payment of subsidy and high cost of operation.

He, however, called for full deregulation of the downstream sector to boost employment rate as well shareholders return on investment.

The shareholder activist said government should deregulate the sector and allow operators to compete favourably.

Mr Nwosu said government interference in the sector was affecting shareholders return on investment.

He said government should consider the shareholders who always expect increased dividend at end of every financial year.

Also speaking, a shareholder, Matthew Akinlade, said government as a regulator should not be competing with operators in the downstream sector.

Mr Akinlade said unemployment rate would continue to grow if government continues to muscle power with operators in the downstream.

Responding, Total Nigeria Chairman, Stanislas

Mittelman, described 2018 as a challenging year for the company, downstream petroleum sector and the country at large.

Mr Mittelman, explained that some of the key challenges were security issues, delayed payment under the Petroleum Support Fund scheme, high cost of investment, reduced capital inflows and weakening crude oil prices.

He said the company had continued to experience sustained pressure on its cash flow due to late payment of subsidies resulting in huge financial expenses.

“All of these add significant costs to doing business, had negative impact on our sales and affected our profitability,’’ he said.

The chairman said the company had entered into a storage arrangement in Lagos area which would allow it capture opportunities in line with its import and logistics optimisation strategy.

“We signed a 15 year power purchase agreement with a manufacturing company in Ogun State to provide 999kWp solar hybrid solution,’’ he added.

Mr Mittelman said the company would continue to strengthen its solar business to boost profit as well as increase dividends payable to shareholders.

He noted that 55 stations were now powered by solar energy, with a combined capacity of 1MW, adding that it produced more than one gigawatt hour of clean electricity.

The chairman assured that the company consolidate on its past achievements and deliver value to shareholders and other stakeholders.

The company’s turnover increased to N307 billion in contrast with N288 billion in the corresponding period of 2017.

Profit after tax stood at N7.96 billion against N8.01 billion in the corresponding period of 2017.t

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

NEWS

FUTO recovers 4, 456 hectares of land from Imo State Govt

By ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU

T

he Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) has recovered 4,456 hectares of land along AvuPort-Harcourt highway from the Imo State Government, after a protracted court process.

The Vice Chancellor of FUTO, Prof Francis Eze said that the recovery was amicably done, based on an out of court settlement by both parties.

Prof Eze told journalists at the University Mini Senate conference hall that the former

administration in the state took over 75% of the FUTO’s land and relocated it to the Federal Ministry of Science and Productivity.

He lamented the incessant encroachment on the institution’s land by members of the host communities who use youths and thugs, but it was the involvement of the state government that spurred the University to sue the government in a state High Court.

According to him, the former state governor, Rochas Okorocha retraced his steps after

he saw the documents justifying the ownership of the land. He subsequently gazettes the land in favour of FUTO. While re-assuring the host communities of his FUTO’s commitment to its responsibilities towards them, Prof Eze vowed that the institution will not cede the University land to any person or group because the University legitimately acquired the land.

A Certified True Copy of the court judgment made available to journalist was signed by Chief Justice B.A Njemanze and the court Principal Registrar Mr.

Emeana C.C. The terms of settlement as agreed by both parties made reference to letter signed by Mr. B.E. Ogwunga, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Planning on behalf of the then Commissioner and for the state government.

The letter, was entitled “Restoration of all those parcels of land exercised by the land excision and revocation of rights of occupancy order of 14th July, 2012 to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.”

Both parties agreed that the

letter be admitted as evidence as both parties agreed that the terms of settlement be made the judgment of the court and parties to be bound by the terms of settlement.

The terms of settlement stated that the defendants have rescinded their revocation of the land of the claimant, which is the subject matter of the suit, and the defendants, by themselves, servants, agents etc are restrained from interfering with and disturbing the claimant’s usage, rights of ownership and possession over the land.t

Woman, 20, in police custody for alleged murder From PAMELA EBOH, Awka

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he Police in Onitsha Anambra State have arrested a 20-year-old woman, Makoduchukwu Ndubisi of No 16 Dinking Street, Nsugbe, allegedly murdering her husband.

It was learnt that the suspect had a scuffle with her husband, one John Bosko Ngu aged 35 years of the same address after which she stabbed him on his chest with a sharp object.

Archbishop Okpala inducts Etiaba, Okeke, others as AYF patrons

I only spent N1.2bn on funeral not N2.3bn – Fmr. Bauchi Governor

Groups campaign against suicide among youths in Anambra From OZO RAY, Awka

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hree associations have moved to halt the growing rate of suicide amongst youths in Anambra State and the nation at large, arguing that suicide was not an option in the face of dire economic reality.

The associations, Youth Advocates For Peace, Justice and Empowerment Network (YAPJEN), Association of Southern Nigerian Students and Rotary Club of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, argued that youths should be hopeful and equally explore their innate potential in the midst of turbulence, rather than succumb to the temptation of suicide.

During a sensitisation roadshow in Awka at the weekend, the groups stressed the need for youths to exploit their

talents for self-empowerment as government was not in a position to provide jobs for all.

An Executive Director of YAPJEN, a non-governmental organization (NGO), Ambassador Timothy Nwachukwu, stressing that “suicide is not in our culture and any temptations that may bring such deadly thoughts should be resisted and discarded.”

The important option is for youths to disabuse their minds from suicide and embrace hope for a better future.

A representative of Southern Nigerian Students, Rotarian Udochukwu Ofomata urged the government to create guidance and counseling offices for the depressed and create soft-loans for the unemployed graduates in the country willing to start small and medium scale enterprises.

He said: “Government should urgently reduce tuition fees in

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Haruna Mohammed said, “police detective visited the scene of the crime and victim was rushed to Boromeo hospital Onitsha for medical attention but was certified dead on arrival by the Medical Doctor.

“Meanwhile, the body was deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy while police continues with their investigations to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Nigerian universities to make education accessible to the poor and less-privileged.”

He further suggested the creation of more sporting centers for youths to engage in outdoor social activities as a way to curb idleness and redundancy.

A representative of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Nnamdi Azikiwe University chapter, Ambassador Collins Igwe said young adults should see suicide as an act inimical and detrimental to the industrious nature of the Nigerian person, stressing that the act was also an abomination to the dignity of the human person .

He called for strong and functional institutions of government and other corporate bodies to curb the menace of suicide amongst young persons in the country at large.

By ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU

T

he Archbishop, Province of the Niger, and Bishop, Diocese of Nnewi, Most Reverend Prof Godwin’s I.N Okpala has inducted patrons of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger Council of Youth Fellowship (AFY) Nigeria.

Among the patrons are member of House of Representatives (Awka North and South Federal Constituency), Chinedu S. Onwuasor; former deputy governor of Anambra State Dame Virgy Etiaba; Deputy Governor of Anambra; Dr Nkem Okeke; Brother Humphrey Ngonadi; Sir Isaac Ezeofor; Sir Emma Ezenwaji; Chief Sunday Eze; Chief R.C Uzoigwe; Sir Isaiah Ezeezika; Somtochukwu Udeze and ThankGod Uzochukwu.

In his sermon, the Bishop, who performed the ceremony at DCC Nnewi, warned youths on the dangers of serving God carnally by going to Church without spirituality. He urged the Youth

Fellowship to be champions of evangelism in order to win souls for Jesus Christ.

The Niger Provincial Anglican Youth Fellowship, (AYF), Akam Moses Emenike Nnanyelugo tasked members to be true ambassadors of Christ in AYF by being exemplary in character.

The former National President of AYF, Rev Chukwuebuka Eze and former state chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Frank Maduka advocated the need for youths to embrace education and craft for a better future.

President Joint Council of AYF, East of the Niger and National Vice President 1, AYF, George Onyemenonu decorated the patrons while the former National President, Rev Eze decorated Archbishop Okpala as life member of provincial AYF. The Nnewi Diocesan AYF President, Evang Chukwuemeka S. Ajiero commended the outgoing Provincial AYF President, Evang John Agom and reminded the new Provincial AYF executive led

by Moses Akam to be faithful in service.

Google trains 150 Abia youth on using internet to grow SMEs From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

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s part of its global commitment to the growth and development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the world, internet giant, Google, has trained 150 Abia youths

on the use of digital platforms to boost businesses.

Also, Google plans to set up 20 Google-based internet platforms in Aba at strategic locations to provide free internet services to business clusters.

These were made known by a team from Google that was in the State for the official

commencement of the Google SME Community Launch, which is a platform that provides Google ICT backbone to support small businesses, giving them global visibility through free internet support facilities.

The official launch of the program took place in Aba where the Secretary to the State

Government, Barr. Chris Ezem, represented the state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, last Thursday.

According to the team, the youths who have received Google’s free internet training were now Google Certified Internet Programmers and would be deployed to different business clusters in Aba to train small

business owners on the use of digital platforms to expand the scope of their businesses.

“The leader of the Google delegation, Seember Nyager, said, “this is part of the global commitment of Google to the growth and development of SMEs across the world,”

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

NEWS

Septuagenarian petitions IGP on Police invitation following ‘frivolous’ allegations

By IBE NWACHUKWU

A

77-year-old member of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Delta State Police Command, Martin Eloka Obinani has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and other top ranking police officers to intervene in an allegation of threat to life against him by a female debtor.

The petition to the IGP, was copied to President

Muhammadu Buhari, the Police Service Commission, (PSC), the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, Benin, the Officerin-Charge of Police Public Complaints Rapid Response Unit, Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, FPPRO, Abuja, and the Officer-in-charge of Public Complaint Bureau, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

In the petition, also made available to newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra State, Obinani maintained that the said woman, (names

withheld), a customer, has been owing him over N1 million since 2002, after he supplied her a pure water processing machine.

According to him, rather than paying him, she took her allegations of “criminal defamation and threat to life” against him to Zone 5 Police Headquarters, Benin City, which prompted the Criminal Investigations Department, CID of the Zone to invite him for interrogations over the allegation.

He stated that he could

not honour the police invitation as a result of health challenges.

Obinani, an executive member of the PCRC, stated in his petition that in spite of his ill-health, he had received anonymous phone calls the day before he received the police invitation letter threatening to deal ruthlessly with him.

He claimed that all efforts to get the caller to trace the caller proved abortive as several calls by himself and his relations, including newsmen were not

answered and when the calls were picked, the phone was immediately switched off.

Obinani said that as a result, he equally went into hiding while seeking medical attention over his spinal cord injury and visual impairment.

The Zone 5 Police Command had invited Obinani to appear before the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of the Zonal Command CID, Benin, for an interview on June 19. Obinani, didn’t honour the invitation, but told

newsmen on phone that he was admitted into an undisclosed hospital where he was receiving medical attention pending the intervention of the IGP. The FPPRO, Frank Mba advised him to honour the invitation by either going with his lawyer or meeting a senior police officer first before answering the undersigned.

Mba who spoke to newsmen on phone, said it was not in the interest of an invitee to shun an invitation and resort to writing petition.

Anambra Police Retired Naval Officer vows to transform Ufuma community in Anambra Command smashes crime syndicate in Awka From OZO RAY, Awka

From PAMELA EBOH, Awka

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he Anambra State Police Command have smashed a crime syndicate that specializes in snatching cars and phones, robbing students and unwary passengers in intra city commercial vehicles in Awka, the state capital.

The operatives of Operation Puff Adder of the State Police Comman According to Police reports, the suspects arrested during the police stop and search exercise in Okpuno area of Awka South Local Government Area, include the driver of the shuttle bus, Nonso Okakpu, 39, Vincent Nweke, 25, Onyebuchi Odogwu 20 Nkerefi and 20-year-old Emmanuel Paul Udeh. It was gathered that the suspects are all residents of Okpuno Meanwhile, victims of the syndicate have been trooping to the Police Command to the station to reclaim their possessions after explaining the circumstances surrounding their loss.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Haruna Mohammed stated that items recovered from the suspects include, one

locally made double barrel pistol, a fabricated double barrel pistol, one locally made revolver pistol, four live .9mm ammunition, one expended .9mm ammuni five live cartridges, five Infinix hot-5 phones, one Techno phone, one Nokiaw phone, one XQ Mobile phone, one Q-UP Mobile phone, one TKK phone, assorted suspected charms and N11,740 cash.

He said that case is under investigation after which suspects would be charged to court for prosecution.

In another development, the Police spokesman said operatives of Operation Puff Adder in collaboration with the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) arrested one Emeka Onuku, 20, along Nteje/Otuocha road, in Oyi council area.

The suspect and his accomplices, now at large, are believed to have snatched at gunpoint a Toyota Corolla car from one Obiorah Ifeanyi of No. 104 Authur Eze Street,Awka on 27th June, 2019 at about 6 am.

He added: “Exhibits recovered in his possession include the Toyota Corolla Car, while investigation continues and effort is ongoing to apprehend the accomplices.”

A

retired Navy Commodore, E m m a n u e l Okechukwu Enemuo, has expressed his commitment to develop his community in Anambra State, after years of fruitful active service in the Nigerian Navy.

Enemuo said his decision to transform his Ozego Ufuma community in Orumba-North Local Government Area through industrialization and job creation was borne out of

the affection he has for the community, from where he joined the Navy and served in various capacities and positions for many years.

Speaking to our reporter at an event in Ndiowu Orumba-North LGA at the weekend, he disclosed that as part of his resolution to give back to his community, he has created job opportunities for people in the area and reduced poverty.

He said he has built the biggest fish farm in Ufuma community, where many people are employed.

T

•Acting IGP, Mohammed Adamu

wo drivers attached to a traditional ruler in Anmabra State have been arrested by the police for allegedly stealing a car belonging to the monarch in Onitsha.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the arrest said the arrests were made by police detectives attached to Central Police Station Onitsha in collaboration with Federal Highway Patrol team attached to Enugu State Police Command.

through borehole while he settles their electricity bills.

The retired Naval officer posited that he has plans to do more in the area of human capital development noting that “I am moved by the community, which can raise a man like me to serve the country. I will do as much as God empowers me to.

Enemuo recognized the socio-economic development and growth in Anambra and hailed Governor Willie Obiano’s vision, which he admitted equally motivates him.

Deplorable state of roads in Anambra worries lawmakers From OZO RAY, Awka

M •Governor Willie Obiano

Police nab palace drivers for car theft From PAMELA EBOH, Awka

His farm, Sil Baker Memorial Agro-Allied Farms Limited is situated in Ozego, Ufuma.

He described agriculture as a veritable means of job creation and rural development and said that his master plan is to diversify the agro-business to create more jobs in different areas like snail farming, poultry, piggery and fishery.

Apart from creating employment opportunities, Enemuo said that he has equally provided water for the people free of charge

It was learnt that the suspects Ifeanyi Jude and Okwudili Okoli conspired to steal the car where it was parked in the monarch’s residence.

Mohammed said that the suspects conspired with one Okwudili Okoli, 30, and stole a Toyota Corolla car with registration number HRH -01NEN belonging to the Igwe of Adazi Ani Community, Robert Nwankwo in his compound at No. 1 Niger Drive GRA, Onitsha.

He said, “the suspects initially denied any knowledge of the incident when the vehicle was stolen until the principal

suspect Ifeanyi Jude was intercepted with the vehicle along Nsukka Road in Enugu State before he indicted his friends in his confession.

“Following more reports, a Lexus RS300 car with registration number ENU 654 NX stolen from one Okafor Cyril Chima of No.4 Oforma Street, Enugu was recovered at No. 5 Achalla StreetNkpor by police detectives attached to Ogidi Division.

The PPRO said that the vehicle was stolen at the complainant’s residence saying that effort is being intensified to arrest the culprits.

embers of the Anambra State House of Assembly have decried the dearth of road infrastructure in their various constituencies, and implored the Commissioner for Works to tour the state to ascertain the level of dilapidation.

At their sitting Friday, John Nwokoye (AwkaNorth state constituency) said the state commissioner for works should initiate a prompt response to remedy the situation after touring the state.

According to Nwokoye, one has to go through five local government areas in order to access the headquarters of AwkaNorth in Achala whereas the journey, “would ordinarily take a maximum of 10 minutes if the road to Isuaniocha - Urum -Achala-Amanuke road was constructed.”

Noble Igwe (Ogbaru 1) state constituency bemoaned the fact that his constituency has suffered in terms of road infrastructure as he wondered that Okpoko, one of the communities in Ogbaru 1 has not seen any

road construction for years.

He urged the state government to show compassion to his constituents by constructing at least one road in the area.

Edward Obiefuna Ibuzo (Onitsha-North 2) drew the attention of the commissioner for works and the state government to Akpaka road in his constituency, a vital road that required urgent construction because of the commercial nature of the area.

JohnBosco Obi (NnewiSouth constituency 2) named the Ukpor-Ozubulu road among other roads required construction so that his constituents would feel government presence.

The representative of Aguata 2 state constituency Okey Okoye said that the road connecting Isuofia and Ekwulobia General Hospital was in a total state of disrepair and told the House that the contractor handling the road project is suspected to have absconded.

He claimed that his constituents were willing to construct the IsuofiaEkwulobia road, if the contractor remained at large.

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7 , 2019

NEWS

Amechi blames the present dysfunction on military rule

By THEO RAYS

F

IRST Republic Minister of Aviation Chief Mbazulike Amechi, has traced the present misdirection in the country to the 38 years of military rule in the country.

While hosting the recently posted Area Commander, Nnewi Police Command, ACP Sani Abdullahi Sani in his home in Ukpor, Nnewi South local Government Area, Anambra State, Amechi told his visitors that all the years the military was in power in Nigeria, “they were doing what they know how to do best--looting the treasury.”

“They were trained to fight, to conquer but not to run a country. But they ran Nigeria for 38 years. And the rot has continued to the extent that

it has led to the situation we are in now,” the elder statesman added. “Today we have a country in which we don’t have peace; we have a country where stealing public funds is the order of the day.

I was a minister for six years but I didn’t build this house when I was a minister.

“The late Azikiwe, who was the premier of Eastern Region and first President of Nigeria didn’t build a personal house anywhere, same for the Sarduana of Sokoto and Awolowo. But that’s not what is happening today. The military introduced stealing and so forth because of oil money.”

Recalling how as a young man he participated in the struggle for independence alongside Dr. Azikiwe, Awolowo, Sarduana of

Sokoto, Balewa and others, he said: “It is a pity the military came and disrupted the orderly development of this country and distorted history.

“The military stopped the teaching of history in the schools because they didn’t want future generations to know that there were people who fought for the independence of the country. And so many people do not know.”

He continued: “Many of us sacrificed our youth, went to prison several times. My first imprisonment was at 21; I was just coming out of secondary school. Many others suffered too. Tony Enahoro at 24 had gone to prison three times or so. We fought and got independence for the country.

“Unfortunately, only six years after independence,

an unpatriotic military came and disrupted the whole thing, killed so many people and installed themselves in power. We have not recovered from that.”

In his narration, Amechi noted that the military remained in power after the war and the cycle of coups started with the ousting of Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who prosecuted the war, by Murtala Ramat Mohammed.

“A succession of military leaders culminated in the sacking of the late President Shehu Shagari in 1983 as he was about to serve his second term.

“After Buhari ousted Shagari, the military remained effectively in power till 1998 when former military General, Olusegun Obasanjo was elected president.

Building Ukpor Police Station

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he nonagenarian, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, told the Area Commander that, “I built the Police Station in Ukpor.”

Updating the ACP on the history of the Police in Nnewi, Amechi explained why he built the police station.

He said: “In those days, there was a police post headed by an Inspector. A kindhearted man gave the Police a room in his house, which served as the Police Post.

“So one afternoon, the mother of the landlord was spreading some medicine he got from a native doctor to cleanse the house.

“When the police saw her, they arrested her, accusing her of using juju to hurt them in the house. They locked the old woman in the cell in her son’s house. This was going to cause a big commotion in the village.

“I stepped in and asked for two months to separate the Police and their landlord. I acquired a land and in the third

Sanitation: Rights Group cautions Lagos over restricting movement

By ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU

human rights group, has advised the Lagos State A Government to discard the

•The CEO Apams funeral home Sir Kelvin Chukwumaobi with his wife Nkem during the funeral ceremony of Akiku Abubakar’s father In law .late Chief Chukwuka Iwenjiora in Onitsha on Saturday. Middle is veteran high life musician Ikem Mazelli performing on stage

PUBLIC NOTICE RETRACTION OF STATEMENT AND APOLOGY Pursuant to the decision of His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr KON Orizu 111,CON, JP the Igwe of Nnewi in the arbitration between Lady Adaeze Nzewi and Lady Chidimma Udeaja and Anor. I Lady Chidimma Udeaja do hereby notify the general public that I committed a grave error by calling Lady Adaeze Nzewi an Osu. This is not true and it is sincerely regretted.

I have since found out and understood that she is not an Osu. She is a native of Enugwu Agidi and daughter of Late Igwe Stephen Obidigbo Nzeamalu Okafor, the Okpalariam 1 of Enugwu Agidi and thus cannot be Osu. Moreso, I now understand that Enugwu Agidi being part of Nri Kingdom does not have any Osu and do not recognize the term Osu and it’s concept.

I hereby tender unreserved apology to Lady Adaeze Nzewi for the said statement and any inconvenience this might have caused her and the entire Nzewi family.

I also apologize to HRH, Igwe Dr KON Orizu 111, CON JP, the Igwe of Nnewi and Grand Patron Anambra State Traditional Rulers, HRH Igwe Mike Okekeuche, the Okpalariam 111 of Enugwu Agidi and the entire Edoji Community.

Signed Lady Chidimma Udeaja

month, I completed the building.

“I got the vice president of Nigeria then, the late Alex Ekwueme and the Minister for Police Affairs, Bob Osamor to commission the building.”

Amechi told the delegation “the Police here are my children and even you as the Area Commander; you are by extension my son.”

Sani, who said that he was deployed from Rivers State, “the most turbulent state in the country,” where he hardly slept, noted: “You are not only a father to me, you are father to Nigeria, because you struggled for our independence.

The national anthem recognizes your contribution and sacrifices. It is because of your sacrifices that we have a country today and we are enjoying our independence.”

He promised to always return to him for consultations as long as he remained in Nnewi, where “am sleeping with my two eyes closed. Everywhere is quiet.”

idea of reintroducing the monthly sanitation exercise in the state if it will restrict the movement of people between the hours of 7am and 10am or any time on the designated day.

According to the group, Human Rights and Empowerment Project (HREP), any attempt to carry on with such idea will be an affront to a judgment of the Court of appeal, and any person that enforces such policy will be liable for contempt of Court.

In a press statement by the Chairman of HREP Ikenna Okoli and Executive Director Gozie Francis Moneke, HREP frowned at the mutation of re-introducing of sanitation in Lagos by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The statement noted: “Our attention has been drawn to reports in the media that the

CHANGE OF NAME

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GODWIN: I formerly known as Uzochukwu Godwin, now wish to be known and addressed as ABRAHAM GODWIN. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and general public take note.

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Banks and general public take note.

STELLA: I formerly known as Miss OGARAKU STELLA IJEOMA now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs OGUZUO STELLA IJEOMA All former documents remain valid.

Banks and general public take note.

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VICTORY: I formerly known as ONYINYECHI VICTORY now wish to be known and addressed as CHIMA ONYINYECHI VICTORY. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

MARTIN: I formerly known as OFIAELI UGOCHUKWU MARTIN now wish to be known as OFIAELI IKECHUKWU MARTIN. Former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

HENRY: I formerly known as OMLIKA SUNDAY CHUKWUNAEME now wish to be known as MOFUNANYA HENRY EKENE. Former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

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OHANEJE: I Formerly known and addressed as OHANEJE NGOZI ANGELA now wish to be known and addressed as IBECHEM NGOZI ANGELA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public to take note.

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newly inaugurated administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu plans to reintroduce the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos. This planned move is purportedly predicated on the increasing level of waste accumulation in various parts of the State, which casts a slur on the image of the state and tends to jeopardize the health of the populace.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the abolition of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise sometime in November 2016 by the former governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, was not a policy summersault, but was informed by or premised on the compelling order of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division in its judgment in the landmark case of Okafor v Lagos State Government.”

It was stated that HREP sponsored the case and prosecuted it “from the High Court of Lagos State up to the Court of Appeal.”

According to the press statement, the Court of Appeal reversed the decision of the Lagos State High Court on the issue, and held that the fundamental right to freedom of movement which is guaranteed under Section 41(1) of the Constitution cannot be taken away or curtailed by a mere executive order or policy, or even a law.

Noting that environmental sanitation is not a justifiable reason to restrict the right to freedom of movement, the statement stated that, “nothing stops the State government from implementing a seamless and robust sanitation policy without restricting the movement of people as it is done in other civilized nations.

“Indeed sanitation exercise ought to be a continuous or regular exercise that should not be limited to a once-amonth ritual. It is incumbent on the government to recreate that culture of sanitation in the people of the state, and what is more, set up a functional and effective sanitation and waste management body that will be saddled with the responsibility of keeping the state clean at all times.”

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

NEWS

Again, FG’s Fulani welfare plans spark controversy...

Cont’d from Pg 2 and the cattle owners must fence or ranch their animals for peace to reign in these communities.”

Sources who spoke with The Oracle Today noted that in the absence of any valid evidence that the aforementioned judgment was vacated by the defendants at any point in time, it means that the Federal Government’s Ruga Settlements or Pasture Plots projects are in clear breach of a ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria and are, therefore, illegal, null and void.

Ruga Settlement breaches extant laws, court ruling The government’s move also came in obvious breach of a provision of the Land Use Act, which vests control of all lands in the State in the governor.

“The Federal Government cannot just commandeer a part of a State for any use without the onsent of the State Governor, who would have been properly briefed about the plan and has consented to such use in the interest of the people,” a ‘concerned government official’ who would not disclose his identity ‘for fear of victimisation by the authorities’, told The Oracle Today. “There is no evidence that the Benue State Government or any other government in the country, for that matter, was taken into confidence by the Federal Government as it planned to seize people’s lands to ‘dash’ to people doing their private business.

There are, in fact, indications that protests by officials of the Benue State Government’s that they were not aware of the “Pasture Plots” project were met the following day with a movement to the site by the contractors engaged by the Ministry of Agriculture to build the Ruga Settlements on the ‘Pasture Plots’.

More stakeholders denounce Ruga Settlements, Pasture Plots Reacting to the controversy surrounding the RUGA settlement saga and establishment of vigi-

lante for Miyetti Allah’s quest to establish vigilance groups in the South East, former National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Senator Victor Umeh told The Oracle Today: “Anything you want to do and you feel the pulse of the people and you notice some public resistance, you should drop that idea because government is about the people and for the people. If you go ahead and do it, you will see the force of resistance that would follow.”

Don Ubani, former Commissioner for Information in Abia State said: “Whether you call it grazing reserve, cattle colony, takeover of river banks or Ruga settlement, all of them are geared towards achieving the alleged Fulanization and Islamization of Nigeria.

“In this age of global modernization, scientific and technological development, is it not absolutely painful and worrisome that a Federal Government supposedly elected for a second term has

spent a full month of its span with nothing to canvas for except cattle related issues?”

Ubani agonised that the greatest danger that confronts the Nigerian State today, “is the shocking determination of the Buhari -APC Federal Government to impose the Fulani on the various ethnic nations of Nigeria.”

This, he said, was “in deadly pursuit of the two pronouncements that had been attributed to the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello to the effect that non-Fulanis must not be allowed to rule Nigeria and that the country ought to be the estate of the Fulani.

He noted that contrary to the Land Act Decree of March 1978, which vested all urban lands in each State of the federation on state governors and non-urban lands on local government chairmen, “the Federal Government has currently, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, unlawful-

•Buhari

Brain, spinal disorders crippling Nigeria -- Experts

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xperts from various fields of medicine and surgery and beyond across the globe with African roots have bemoaned the dwindling state of healthcare on the continent and subsequent medical tourism abroad.

In particular, they were alarmed at the spate of Brain and Spine Disorders and called for urgent interventions by the government and stakeholders to stem the tide.

Speaking at a two-day seminar powered by Genesis Specialist Hospital, Ikeja and Lagos Neurosurgery Course, with the theme: New Horizons in Brain and Spine Disorders, Professor Oheneba Boachie-Adjei, a world-acclaimed Orthopaedic/Spinal surgeon and Founder/President of the renowned FOCOS (Foundation of Orthopaedic and Complex Spine) Orthopaedic Hospital in Ghana, noted that healthCare in Africa is going into a rot, because it is becoming very expensive, challenging, needing lots of sophisticated facilities and diagnosis which drives the cost up.

“Problem is that we are still battling with primary healthcare; issues like public health, malaria, infectious and respiratory diseases. Forgetting that as we live

....seek more intervention longer we’d be facing non- communicaBle diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, issues of the joint/ spine for instance.

“Meanwhile, non- communicable diseases account for 70% of mortality in the world; with a large part of it in Africa because we didn’t tackle the diseases while we were kids.”

Speaking on severe spinal deformities, their treatment and outcomes, Boachie, who disclosed the condition could commonly be divided into Alpha, Omega and Gamma deformities, stressed that the condition plagues all the regions of the world with Africa the highest sufferer.

Dr Debo Adebayo, American-based interventional pain management specialist with focus on management of spines/cancer related degenerative diseases in adults, lamented that back pain “accounts for 40% of disabilities and is a major cause of impairment, lost jobs and income.”

Adebayo, who is also Co-director at Genesis Hospital, said back pain could be as a result of injury,

degenerative disease or the effect of old age.

Corroborating, Rogem Olade, CEO of Genesis Hospital, that was set up 5years ago to tackle complex surgeries and critical patient care, identified lukewarm attitude to see the doctor for treatment as a major problem.

According to him, many for mostly money reason self-medicate and only seek medical treatment as a last resort and urged the government and relevant agencies to provide better, improved and affordable healthCare.

“Ninety percent of those that come here are too late. They would have taken panadol for a while, then alabukun for 6 months, gone to church and everywhere else before being sent here when unbearable.

“Government should improve the health sector by providing standard equipment, facilities; cheaper and affordable so the low, middle income class, who are the majority unable to access Care, can benefit also.”

ly and humiliatingly embarked on what it calls Ruga Settlement.

“The Ruga Settlement drive of the Buhari government is another frontal, abusive and insensitive step by his administration to impose his Fulani kinsmen on the indigenous people of Middle-Belt, South-East, South-South and South-West. Ruga is a Fulani adjective, which synonym is fast. It, therefore means a fast settlement.

“By the desire of President Buhari, the Federal Government intends to use Nigeria’s tax payers’ money to establish six Fulani colonies in each of the thirty-six states of the federation, plus six in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, making a total of two hundred and twenty-two (222).

“In the very unlikely event of this forceful imposition being realized by the Buhari government, it would mean that apart from the areas in the North of Nigeria subdued and taken over by the Fulani, President Buhari, in line with the pronouncements, threats and boasts of Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, would have seamlessly and craftily created 222 new and additional emirates for the Fulani in Nigeria, forcefully using other peoples’ ancestral land.”

He held that “what President Buhari is currently doing is a glaring undemocratic, illegal, destructive and most unacceptable pursuit of Fulanization and Islamization.”

The solution to the incessant herdsmen-farmers clashes in parts of the country, according to Umeh, is not to forcibly take people’s lands to establish Fulani settlements but to let each State organise its own security system in the spirit of true federalism.

Umeh stressed that: “We have said it very clearly and very loudly too, that every community should be allowed to cater for their security. That was why we tinkered with the issue of State Police. It is improper, for whatever reason, that you would go to somebody’s land and begin to establish security apparatus there. So, government must accede to the clarion call for State Police so that we would be able to decentralize our security operations in Nigeria to make it more effective.”

South East, South South Against Ruga Settlements, Pasture Plots...

Meanwhile, South East governors and their South-South counterparts have reportedly rejected Ruga Settlements in their states.

Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Technical Committee on Farmers-Herdsmen Clashes appointed by the National Economic Council, Engr.

Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State said in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor: “There is no plan for any Ruga settlement in any part of South East and South-South zones; but we made a proposed deal with Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) that can allow the zone do very good business with sale of grasses to the herdsmen in exchange for meat.

“There will be no part of the South East that will be given out for the purpose of establishment of Ruga; the zone is purely agrarian with limited landmass for farming and therefore cannot accommodate Ruga establishment.

“We actually proposed a deal with MACBAN to take their cattle to the Northern parts where grazing reserves were established a long time ago and rely completely on the grasses grown in the South for feeding their cattle.”

NDLEA fingers female undergraduates as major drug users Cont’d from Pg 2 school environment, where they have more freedom.

Said the PRO: “There is high rate of drug abuse in tertiary institutions due to absence of school hostels on campuses, making it difficult to control students who abuse these substances.

“For instance, majority of students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) live off-campus in lodges where neither the landlords nor caretakers are there to control them. If they are to be within the school premises, the story would have been different.

The failure of parents to care for and monitor the activities of their children in the tertiary institutions is one of the contributory factors to the high rate of social ills in the society.

While noting that the malaise was more prevalent in a particular tertiary institution in Awka, the NDLEA spokesman identified shisha, a popular local hard drug consumed by youths, using pipes as the most widely abused by the female students.

While he assured that the agency will continue to sensitize the public on the dangers of drug abuse, he called on other government agencies and non governmental organizations (NGOs) to tilt their activities towards the sensitisation of the masses on drug abuse, and encourage people to always report cases of abuse to the command.

Man In Homosexual Act Escapes From Vigilante Group

embers of the Vigilante M Group in the Ayobo Ipaja area of Lagos State and the police

in the state are after an alleged homosexual, Emmanuel Amadi John ,who is suspected to have escaped out of Nigeria .

The suspect went into hiding after one of his partners,Niyi Olaifa was arrested and handed over to the police by the security operatives ,who caught the two partners in the act .

Emmanuel Amadi John escaped from the country ,after a cousin to his arrested partner, Bisi Olu hinted him on what happened to Olaifa .

Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that Amadi had been involved in homosexuality ,since days in secondary school , when he got hooked up with an unidentified school mate .

Investigations by the security operatives also revealed that Amadi continued with his homosexuality escape during his university days ,when he had another partner .

Family pressure forced the wanted alleged homosexual into marriage , which is blessed with children but the suspect continued the act with a partner that he met at a mall in the state .Since his escaped from the vigilante group, his whereabout has been unknown although the possibility of his escaping out of the country is not ruled out.

It is now in the open to members of Amadi’ s family and friends that he was into homosexuality, which has forced many of them to distance themselves from him .

Homosexuality is a serious crime in Nigeria and,whoever is found culpable of the act is liable to spend at least fourteen years in prison .

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

News FAAN confirms Air Peace P/H runway incident, as airline apologises to passengers Stories by VICTOR NZE

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ederal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed, Saturday, that an Air Peace flight numbered 5N BRN, flying from Abuja to Port Harcourt, same day, skidded off the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagba, runway at about 15:00hours.

The incident involving a Boeing 737-500 aircraft type operated by the carrier, occurred during a heavy downpour at the airport.

“There were no casualties however, as all 87 passengers and 6 crew members on board the flight were safely evacuated. The runway is already been cleared by the Authority so that normal flight operations can continue,” reported the agency in a statement issued by its General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Yakubu Henrietta.

Meanwhile, Air Peace’s Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, in swift reaction, blamed the incident on the flood-

ing of the runway.

“We confirm that Air Peace Flight P47291 Abuja-Port Harcourt had a runway excursion upon landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport on June 22 due to downpour. ”Our professional crew quickly recovered within seconds of the incident and the aircraft was successfully normalised.

“Our esteemed passengers on board the flight were calm during the incident and disembarked normally.

“Our teams of experts and the authorities are currently reviewing the incident and we will give our cooperation for a thorough exercise.

“We apologise to our esteemed passengers for the inconvenience caused them and wish to assure them that we will continue to prioritise their safety in all our operations,” Olajide said. he affected aircraft have been granted for inspection by the aviation authorities.

Enugu airport on course for rehabilitation; as Govt, FAAN reach agreement

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anaging Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has stated that the Authority is collaborating with the government of Enugu State to address the menace of airport encroachment at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

Capt. Yadudu made the disclosure, Wednesday, following a joint facilities inspection visit to the airport by the Management of FAAN and the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Expressing his gratitude to Governor Ugwuanyi for his swift response to this issue by directing that all illegal structures on the airport be demolished after a week’s notice of evacuation, he noted that human habitation within the airport’s airfield is a safety concern to the Authority because of the heavy equipment that moves within the environment.

“On the runway, we are very much in control, we have done all necessary preparations with our engineering team, our consultants and Federal Ministry of Aviation and very soon, we will begin a comprehensive rehabilitation to ensure safe and reliable flight.

“Another one is where we promptly need the state government

Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)- Capt. Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu (m) introducing his Management Team to the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (r), during a joint facilities inspection visit to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport by the FAAN team and the Enugu State government, Wednesday.

timely intervention and prompt action as you (referring to the governor) demonstrated in the case of the market place. This is about the issue of illegal residents on the airfield.

This poses risk and safety concerns, when you have people living on the airfield and sterile area, you have people living in area where you have heavy machinery and equipment moving, and any presence of human being has the risk of major incidents or accidents because human activities come along with collateral activities in the household, with livestock and others.

“This is why we are asking for

more support and cooperation in the resolution of this final safety hazard, that is the issue of the people living in the airfield, so that the Federal Ministry of Aviation and FAAN can continue with the final stage of the improvement of this airport, and that is the certification of the airport as an international airport and the completion of the revamping of the runway”, he said on Wednesday.

He also thanked Ugwuanyi, for relocating the Orieneme Abattoir from the runway area, saying the governor assisted in averting serious security danger.

“We want to express our profound appreciation for acting just as you promised about the market place on the approach end of Runway 06. It was a very severe security hazard, safety risks, and when you made the promise to relocate, it was achieved in a timely manner”, he said.

Yadudu, who also held a town hall meeting with staff of the airport where he assured them of Management’s commitment to improved facilities and infrastructure, added that the Authority will continue to ensure safe and secured airports in Nigeria.

Boeing to ground flagship Dreamliner B787 over safety issues ...Mulls rebranding ill-fated B737 Max

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critical fire-fighting system on Boeing’s £160million Dreamliner fleet was found to have the possibility of malfunctioning, as manufacturer, Boeing issued an alert, warning that the switch used to extinguish an engine fire and sever fuel supply and hydraulic fluid to stop flames from spreading on its B787 aircraft failed in a ‘small number’ of cases.

The B787 is the biggest carrier in the Boeing fleet, which replaced the now rested B747. It is feared that what has befallen the B737 Max fleet now stares the

Dreamliner in the face.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the problem was ‘likely to exist or develop in other products of the same design’, warning that ‘the potential exists for an airline fire to be uncontrollable’. FAA, however, decided not to ground the Dreamliner but ordered airlines like the British Airways or TUI to check the switch every 30 days.

Pilots claimed that passenger and crew safety is being compromised, with one pilot telling a British newspaper: ‘If

there was an engine fire on a transatlantic flight and the aircraft had one of the defective fire switches, then we would have to fly with a burning wing for up to three hours before we could safely land.’

Boeing warned that longterm heating could cause the fire switch to become stuck in the locked position, meaning it could not be used to release the two fire extinguishers in each of the aircraft’s engines.

Boeing said fewer than 1 per cent of fire switches proved

defective and is supported airlines with inspections and replacement parts.

Meanwhile, the Boeing Company’s CFO, Greg Smith, has revealed on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show the possibility of a name change for the troubled 737 MAX plane. The aircraft has been grounded in several countries after two catastrophic crashes that took the lives of 346 people.

“I’d say we’re being openminded to all the input we get,” Smith said on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show.

Dana Air, Project Pink Blue to conduct free cancer screening

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ana Air has announced its partnership with Project Pink Blue to conduct free prostate cancer screening for 3,000 men across the country.

Communication Manager, Dana Air, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, who made the disclosure Thursday in Lagos, said the exercise was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) of giving back to the society.

He noted that the free screening initiative which was tagged, “Men on Blue Project’’ would begin on June 29 and would take place in Abuja, Niger, Nassarawa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

The Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo while speaking during a visit by the Project PINK BLUE, said at some point in 2014, the airline felt the need to redirect its CSR drive.

“We realised that cancer was becoming a big secret killer but the awareness is really low.

“Then we decided to partner Project PINK BLUE in 2015 to assist survivors, create more awareness and conduct free screening for Nigerians at intervals.

“Last year, we partnered the Rotary to conduct blood donation camps in Lagos and we are planning other lifesaving CSR projects in the coming months.

“We have a lot of initiatives ongoing at the moment and we are glad to announce that we have impacted millions of lives in a positive way.

“We can only thank our guests for their support and Nigerians for embracing these initiatives,” Mbanuzuo said in a statement by Ezenwa.

Mbanuzuo, while commending the foundation, encouraged more corporate bodies to support them, adding that at Dana Air was unrelenting in its humanitarian efforts across the country.

The statement said that the Executive Director of Project Pink Blue, Runcie Chidebe, also commended the airline for supporting the foundation since 2015.

Chidebe noted that every October, several organisations created awareness about breast and cervical cancer.

He said: “However, prostate cancer is always missing, leaving several men to die in silence and pain of discovering their prostate cancer at late stages.

“Cancer is responsible for 70,327 deaths annually in Nigeria and prostate cancer has become a major health concern among men.

“It is the leading cause of cancer death among men with incident rates of 32.8 per 100,000 men and mortality rates of 16.3 per 100,000 men. Over 15 Nigerian men die every day from prostate cancer.

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2- 7, 2019

HEALTH

Aetiology of prostate cancer: prevention, needs for freedom

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t has been observed in medicine that lifestyle, genetics and environment are risk factors among the causes of prostate cancer.

Smoking is associated with a moderate increase in the risk of prostrate cancer. This association is much stronger and the increase more pronounced for aggressive or fatal cancers, particularly in current or heavy smokers who appear to be at a 2-fold or higher risk. Current smokers are also at a higher risk of prostrate cancer-specific mortality and recurrence. A stronger relationship with aggressive cancers is important and suggests that smoking may be involved in promoting metastatic spread.

A recent overview has suggested that increased BMI (Body Mass Index) is associated in advanced cancer but a decrease in localised disease, which may explain some of the conflicting findings in earlier reports. Over weight or obesity has always been a factor for prostrate cancer cases. Analysis of the Prostrate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) reported similar findings.

No clear links with specific dietary factors have been established although many items, including red meat, diary protein, dietary fat and coffee have been suggested. A sedentary lifestyle has been linked to higher PSA(Protein Specific Antigen) in one large survey and a meta-analysis of 19 cohort and 24 studies found a small inverse relationship between physical activity and prostrate cancer risk. Adult height has also been associated with increased risk, where the height and the weight are not properly equated.

The possible role of endogenous hormones in the aetiology of prostrate cancer has been investigated in prospective epidemiological studies. For sex hormones, a pooled analysis of individual participant data from 18 studies found no significant associations, but more data are needed to explore the relationship where both, decreased overall risk and an increased risk of high-grade cancer have been reported. For insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), a pooled analysis of individual participant data from 12 studies showed a significant positive association between circulating IGF-I and prostrate cancer risk, more data are required on IGF-II and IGF binding proteins. These risk factors were separated into 3 groups as non-modifiable (including known genetic mutations/polymorphisms, and where no specific gene(s) have yet been identified), external exposures, including lifestyle factors when modification might be possible, and blood based markers, which might be a result of a mixture of the above.

Paramount among these is age. In unscreened populations, prostrate cancer has the steepest age-incidence curve of all cancers and increases at approximately the 6th power of age. Only 25% of cancers are diagnosed before the age of 65years in Europe. Racial variation is also pronounced, with

black men of African ancestry in the USA having 58% greater incidence and also within Africa in African environment and 144% greater mortality rates, Hispanics having 14% lower incidence and 17% lower mortality rates compared to those for whitemen of European ancestry. Considerable geographic variation is also observed. For example, within Europe, incidence and mortality in Sweden is about twice that in Spain and 1.5 times that in Italy. Incidence in immigrant populations from less developed regions is also lower

than native Caucasian populations in more developed nations. Asian Indians/Pakistans living in the USA have a standardised incidence ratio (SIR) of 0.54 (95% CI 0.49-0.59) compared with native whites.

However, the incidence in these immigrants is considerably higher compared to that in their country of origin. This could at least partially be due to the absence of population screening in their country of origin. Similar findings for immigrant populations in Sweden, have been recently reported and this study also demonstrated that the differences reduced with

HEALTH With Dr. JOHN

NWABUEZE •Calls only: +234-8127227226, Email: ogudoben@gmail.com

increasing length of stay, suggesting that lifestyle is an important component of these differences and adjustment to environment.

The genetic relative risk of developing prostrate cancer is higher (RR= 2.48; 95% CI 2.25-2.27) in men who have a first degree relative with prostrate cancer.

This risk is higher in men under 65 (RR= 2.87; 95% CI 2.21-3.74) compared to older men, and if the affected relative was a brother rather than a father (RR= 3.14; 95% CI 2.37-4.15). Family history is clearly important, but only 35% of the familial risk is currently explained by known genes.

Although rare (about 1 per 300), a BRCA2 mutation confers up to an 8.6-fold increased risk in men below 65 years of age, and such mutations have also been related with aggressive cancer. There are other rare mutations reported in

BRCA1, HOXB13, NBSI and CHEK2.

The HOXB13 G84E mutated is the only other identified factor with an aggressive relative risk (3-4 fold) and the abnormal allele frequency is about 1.3-1.4%. Studies have uncovered more than 70 lower penetrance susceptibility loci (per allele Ors of 1.1 to 1.3 in general) with much higher allele frequencies. These are individually of little direct value, except for the potential to identify mechanism of carcinogenesis, but when used collectively in panels may be able to help with risk stratification. They appear to act multiplicatively, and if so, can identify 1% of the population with a 4.7-fold relative risk. Other potential familial risk factors for which a genetic basis has yet to be determined include some types of male pattern baldness and digit length but they need further confirmation, and their value in risk stratification remains uncertain.

Both ionizing radiation and UV (Utra Violet) radiation from sun exposure have been linked to prostrate cancer, but further confirmation and more detailed risk estimates are needed. There have also been some reports of increased risk in individuals exposed to cadmium, but a high exposure is rare and the risk is at most small, so it has rather minimal impact on a public health scale, but should not be neglected. Some studies, but not all have suggested that the risk for prostrate cancer is increased in men with a history of urinary tract infections. Recent studies have provided some evidence for a role of Trichomonas vaginalis, whereas the evidence for the importance of other agents such as human papilloma virus and cytomegalo virus is weaker. Infections might influence the risk for prostrate cancer by causing chronic intra-prostrate inflammation, and pathological studies have also suggested that inflammation may be involved in the development of prostrate cancer. More research on these topics is needed, and currently the role of urinary tract infections and chronic inflammation in the development of prostrate cancer remains uncertain, though it corrolates. Alcoholism has been a risk factor that has never been disputed in the history of prostrate cancer. Men should take precaution in handling life issues as it regards prostrate-reproductive health. Life has no duplicate.

Regular comprehensive health check is important in identifying early prostrate cancer problems. •Dr. John Nwabueze

POLITICS

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink...in Onitsha Pg 14

Irona: Towards secure, prosperous Imo State ‘Ugwuanyi’s government inspiring •Chris Uba Pg 15

Fulani vigilance groups tough proposition to stomach in South East –Mbazulike Amechi

WHAT do you make of the recent moves by the Fulani to set up a vigilance group and a colony in the South East region?

It is a tough proposition to stomach. It is all part of the grand plan to Islamise the country and to them, the easiest way is to start with Igbo land, because the Igbo are the downtrodden of the country, as at now.

They regard the Igbo as a conquered people from whom they expect the least resistance.

They can’t go to Yoruba land and say such a thing. They can’t even go to the South-South and say it. If they try it in the South-South, the boys there will take up guns and other weapons, whip them and blow up the place.

It is only in Igbo land that they can attempt such because the Igbo, being a conquered people also lack central leadership now.

We have governors who are supposed to be leaders of the people but our governors are so myopic, self-centered and individualistic. They are not so interested in the future and collective interest of the Igbo land. They are interested in the money they are grabbing to build houses in Dubai, America and so forth. This is unlike in our time when we were thinking of the collective interest of the people. Not one of the governors as far as I know is interested or thinking about the collective, if there is anyone of them thinking like that, others are not collaborating. And the governors are very vital.

• Says plan shows Fualni contempt for other Nigerians, Ndigbo especially • Restructuring inevitable for Nigeria’s survival • Igbo can be president in 2023 At his sprawling country home in Ukpo, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, foremost politician and nationalist, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, who at 90 is the only surviving member of the Zikist Movement of the First Republic politics, spoke with THEO REYS, our Anambra State Correspondent. As forthright as ever, Amechi faults the governors of the South East for their seeming acquiescence in the matter of Fulani incursions into the zone. He also revealed how the Igbo can be president in 2023. Excerpts:

The senators who should also help to mobilize the people are not pulling their weight.

This is why the Fulani and the people who want to colonize Ndigbo, simply see Igbo land as the first place they should overrun.

But what I tell the Igbo that we are never cowards; we must be what God created us to be. Igbo young men should get ready; they are disarming them, but it doesn’t matter. We fought the Civil War with weapons made in our backyards but if they provoke us again, we are going to defend ourselves.

Ndigbo should get ready to defend and protect themselves and not allow this rubbish to happen here.

Do you think any solution can be found at the level of the federal government?

The Federal Government is behind what is happening and you are asking them to find a solution…

Are you not looking perhaps at an institutional intervention from the federal government to stop the impunity?

There is only one solution. We are already in a crisis in the country because the nation’s constitution is not a people’s constitution.

Nigeria has to be restructured, there has to be a constitution that brings out true federalism, not a federation where one side will be lording it over the other sections of the country or one side seeing itself as the ruler and the other sides as the servers. There is need for Nigerians to come together and write a constitution for themselves. Outside that, there will never be peace. The present leaders might be indolent but the ones that will be coming up might not be as indolent.

How can Ndigbo get leadership, which you identified that they lack?

Leadership will appear either by itself or it is groomed. You have to be in a position to give leadership maybe as a governor, senator, a party chieftain or you do patriotic or philanthropic services that make you stand out in the minds of the people. When you stand out, the people will follow you. Actually, one doesn’t need to occupy an elective position to aspire to lead. God can just set someone aside to be a leader in Igbo land.

•Amechi What do you think of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)?

What I tell members of IPOB is that they should not advocate violence, and they are not advocating violence. I have always advocated that the federal government must listen to them; you don’t just go and keep them and kill them because they are saying that ‘if you don’t want us to be part of Nigeria, let us go.’ That is what is happening. IPOB is saying that ‘we have been in this country but you don’t want to treat us as Nigerians.

Let us go; allow us to go.’ Then the Federal Government is in a situation of not letting them and not treating them as equals in the country. It will be the fault of the federal government if at a stage IPOB becomes so provoked and goes violent. Government should listen to them. If the problem is because they are asking for plebiscite, the question is, what’s wrong with it. Some years ago, Scotland told England that they wanted to go away from Britain. The British government didn’t arrange soldiers to shoot them, they

simply said, ‘okay, let your people vote.’ And the majority voted against the proposition and they have remained there.

Are you sure that if a plebiscite is called for in Igbo land today that the Igbo will say that they want to go? They might even vote that they want to remain in Nigeria. And that is the actually the attitude of the Igbo. They really don’t want to leave Nigeria but it is the action of the government that is pushing them out.

Is this problem about Buhari or about poor governance; will having a different set of people in power change the situation?

Buhari became a politician after being a military man. And so, you cannot say that the military element in his brain would be totally discarded. If Buhari doesn’t respond favourably to IPOB or Ndigbo for instance, all hopes are not lost. Buhari has only three years and some months left. Someone else who might be reasonable enough to listen to people might come. On the other hand,

Igbo are clamouring to be president, but you cannot be president by merely wishing to be president. You have to organize, mobilize, and strategize to be president. And there is the possibility that they will still be president. You don’t become a president by talking. Together as a united Igbo front, we can find out how we can be president. There is possibility the Igbo can be president in 2023 if the Igbo will sit down and be honest to their purpose. I’m not talking about the president under the PDP or APC; it could be any political party.

How does it feel to be 90 years old?

I feel very happy; I don’t feel 90, I feel 19.

And I thank God that at 90 He has given me so many gifts. Am mentally balanced, physically am not too bad as I can still drive a car around the compound. I eat anything that I like and if any doctor tells me to stop eating anything, I will tell him to tell the thing make e no hungry me. If e hungry me I go chop am.

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

BOLD & BLUNT The late literary icon Chinua Achebe once described Onitsha, West Africa’s largest market town, as the ‘Eagle on the Niger’. He was obviously referring to the symbiotic relationship between the pulsating commercial/industrial city east of the Niger and the majestic river.

Onitsha derives its fame as much from the incredible energy of its residents as from its location on the bank of the River Niger. And the Niger? What other landmark along its its course defines the great river more than Onitsha? Yet, consider this irony: despite the Niger, Onitsha has no water to drink--literally.

Today, residents in high-rise apartments that dot the city do not have water running in the taps and house boys and maids ferry bucket and jerry can loads of water up to six or seven floors.

A 50-litre of water from a borehole sells for N20. Water vendors pushing their carts are common sights in areas like Fegge and Odoakpu in the commercial city.

The immediate impact of the lack of potable water might not be the cost of getting water but the health problems it bodes. A medical doctor in Onitsha General Hospital, Dr Joseph Uyamadu is surprised that an epidemic has not broken out yet in Onitsha going by the lack of potable water. He fears that the poor sanitation in some areas could engender an outbreak of diseases like cholera.

He is concerned that there is nothing pure about the so-called pure water business, which is flourishing. His worry is that for a town that doesn’t have a good water supply, it is inevitable that the sachet water would be big business.

“But people should be able to question what kind water is packaged. Another health problem is the continuous licking of lead and paint on the sachet into the drinking water.

The quantity is almost insignificant but the unhygienic method of handling could be an issue,” he said.

The Principal Consultant, Emani Global Network Limited, Emmanuel Osiegbu also raised concern over the proliferation of unsafe drinking water, saying it remains one of the fastest routes to common health disorders such as cholera and typhoid.

He said: “We have heard reports of people producing water in their room and to sell.

Some abandon the treatment of their boreholes during rainy season and others use fake materials in the production, while others don’t know what water treatment means. This has a dangerous impact on the health of the public.”

Indeed, according to a civil servant, Austin Nduka, “borehole is not the best for water supply and many even refer to water from a well as borehole.”

Is water such a problem?

A retired railway worker, Mr. Innocent Ejinkeonye recollected that water was running in the taps “when I returned to Anambra from Enugu and we paid little amount every month for water.”

An activist, Comrade Ositadimma Obi said: “I relocated to Awka, precisely Aroma junction immediately after the creation of Anambra.

Water was flowing in those days from January to December. The source is the Imoka Water Scheme.

“Things started going bad during the administration of Mbadinuju. The supply started being inconsistent; we were having supply once or twice in a week and from there, the thing dried up till date.

“People have been depending on borehole and it is really bad. It is affecting all of us badly, affecting our time, the economy and everything. Water is important but what is happening in Anambra is bad governance.

How can Awka, the state capital not have pipe-borne water? Constant water supply is better than a flyover.”

Mr. Paul Okeke from Ekwulobia insisted that in the last 10 years, there has been nothing like potable water in the Aguata area of Anambra State.

A very watery sense of History The Greater Onitsha Water Scheme was built by the administration of the late President Shehu Shagari in early 1980s. It was later ravaged by erosion. The scheme had supplied water via an effective reticulation process to Onitsha and neighbouring communities such as the Federal Housing, 33, Nkpor, Awada and some parts of Okpoko with monthly water charges collected by Anambra State Water Corporation (ANSWC).

The scheme went comatose for several

Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink...in Onitsha PERHAPS, nature has not been completely fair to metropolitan Onitsha, one of the most populous cities in West Africa with a population of over 5 million and the largest market town in West Africa.The fact that Onitsha has the River Niger, the biggest body of water in West Africa running through it, has not guaranteed its residents potable water. ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU reports...

•People have been depending on borehole and it is really bad. It is affecting all of us badly, affecting our time, the economy and everything.

years. In December 2013, former Governor Peter Obi reactivated the scheme.

When the water gushed, the governor warned Onitsha residents: “Due to the enormity of the damage to the Water Scheme, we had many challenges trying to fix it, but we are happy that the work is now going on very well and is being handled by a competent contractor, PCI Africa.

“But for now, the water can only be used for washing, not for drinking. What you are witnessing is the testing of the distribution points and repair of old and burst pipes, the purification of the water has not commenced.”

An elated Obi hoped that everything would be completed before the end of his tenure. But that never happened, as he handed over to Obiano.

In May 2017, Governor Willie Obiano, at the second pastoral visit of Most Rev. Valerian Okeke to Saint Benedict’s Parish, Fegge Onitsha, said that his administration understood the strategic importance of the Greater Onitsha Water Scheme.

He promised that the Scheme would become functional within six months. That didn’t happen. And in June 2019, tales of dilapidation, vandalisation, confusion, corruption, misdirection crumbling infrastructure about the Scheme still rent the air.

For quite a while, UNICEF and EU have been collaborating under the Water and Sanitation Hygiene, (WASH program), which is in its final phase in Anambra. The impact is doubtful, but the people are hopeful.

During a recent visit by a delegation from Sector Wide Approach for WASH, to brief the Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke on the round off stage of the WASH intervention programme of the UNICEF and EU in the State,

Okeke appealed to them to devise means of helping the state as the WASH programme ends.

Leader of the team, Mr Ibrahim Conteh, who is the UNICEF Chief Field Officer, Enugu, recommended that Anambra State government partner with private sector for more effective functioning of the water sector. He promised that UNICEF would continue to assist the state, as it remains one of its favourites in the federation based on the cooperation of the present government.

The Anambra State Programme Manager, Real Water Supply and Hygiene, Ministry of Public Utilities, Mr Victor Ezekwo, lamented the decay of facilities at the water project sites.

During his second-term election campaigns Obiano assured that his government would resuscitate the Onitsha Water Scheme, a promise he made through his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke at one of their campaign stops.

In April 2016, Obiano commissioned three water projects at the Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu University, Igbariam campus, where the government buit a 420,000-litre capacity water scheme with 11 kilometres reticulation coverage, a 475-litre scheme in Ihiala Local Government Area with 40 kilometres reticulation with 20 kilometres of water reticulation in the first phase achieved, and the largest regional water scheme of 870-litre storage capacity with 40 kilometres reticulation in Umunze in Orumba South LGA. It has been tales of dry taps in Onitsha, Awka and Obizi of the over 75 water schemes in the state. The questions continue to pour: when will the water schemes in Anambra, particularly Onitsha water scheme work? Is the problem sabotage or lack of expertise from contractors? Have the water schemes become political

projects?

Shortly before he left office, Peter Obi reached an agreement with a South African firm PCI Africa, to rehabilitate the Onitsha Water Scheme. The Scheme would serve the over five million residents of Onitsha from its three major water intakes located in MCC Onitsha, Army Barracks and Nkisi, with a combined storage capacity of 135,000 cubic litres.

Obi’s commissioner for public utilities and water supply, Chief Emeka Nwankwu said the main source of water supply to the scheme would be Ogbunike Lake in Oyi LGA. Obiano is blamed for not towing the path of continuity despite promises that he would continue with the projects left behind by his predecessor, Obi. In his inaugural speech on March 17, 2014, Governor Willie Obiano did not mention water in his wheel of development. Yet again, as he started his second term on March 17, 2018, Obiano, in a speech “Consolidation of Excellence,’’ didn’t recognise water as an issue.

Hope for water

By March 2012, Obi had resolved to give Onitsha clean water supply because many of the privately-owned boreholes everywhere could not be said to have clean water supply for the residents. Onitsha required a plant that could supply at least 300 million cubic litres of water every day.

Obi’s government had entered into a concessional agreement with Water Trade International Ventures Nigeria Ltd in 2009 to rehabilitate and restructure the scheme. They were expected to run the scheme for 15 years before handing it over to the water corporation but the company could not raise the funds required to execute the project. The State Execu-

15

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

BOLD & BLUNT

•Governor Obiano

tive Council (SEC) cancelled the concessional agreement.

In 2009, the contract was awarded to FungTai Engineering Company But it was terminated on August 24, 2010 by the then Minister of Water Resources, Chief Obadiah Andoh.

Andoh had said: “This project is shoddy, behind schedule and did not follow laid-down specifications. A probe panel will be set up to know whether the quantity of work done at the site corresponds with the amount released to the contractor.’’ That was the end of that project. The minister apologised to the residents for the Onitsha for the delay in the execution of the project and assured them of President Goodluck Jonathan’s determination to restore regular water supply to Onitsha.

Challenges and a plethora of problems Mr Emeka Nwankwu, the then Commissioner for Public Utilities said: “The challenges facing the resuscitation of the water supply projects include inadequate finance, impact of gully erosion on water facilities, erection of buildings on water pipelines’ right of way and vandalism of water facilities by water vendors.’’

He admitted that the huge cost of rehabilitation of Onitsha Water Scheme and hence, the partnership between the state government, the Federal Government, EU and UNICEF. He claimed that the state government under Obi constructed sizable water schemes in the three senatorial districts, so as to empower the state’s water corporation to resume its operations.

On February 12th, 2012, the State Government entered into partnership with a Chinese Railway Construction Corporation to resuscitate the Onitsha Water Scheme.

Hosting a delegation of the company led by the Chairman, Mr Shin Chum Lin at the Government House, Awka, Obi said then that the provision of regular water supply and effective environmental management were fundamental in the drive to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

The Chairman explained that they will first recover the existing water in-take and water plant at Nkisi to make them functional.

Obi felt sad that Onitsha with over five million people remained without water for many years, while many federal officials have continued to visit the Scheme without budget for the project after it was awarded in 2007. He expressed the readiness of the State to partner with the Federal Government and a competent company under the Public Private Partnership arrangement to turn around the facility.

Anambra under Obi collaborated with the Federal Government, European Union (EU) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to rebuild existing water facilities including the Onitsha Water Scheme. Obi’s administration initiated more than 17 small town new water projects across the state at the tune

HIGHLIGHT •N150bn Onitsha Water Scheme, others abandoned in Anambra •Cholera outbreak imminent in Onitsha over impure water • 5 Million people at risk •Anambra Govt abandons Water Board •UNICEF, EU abandon schemes in Onitsha, Uga, others •Obiano commissioned Onitsha Water Scheme handed over by Obi •Obiano’s govt. accused of causing failure of Onitsha Water Scheme • N600 million, N90 million allegedly diverted of over N10bn. Greater Onitsha Water Scheme failed more than 20 years ago.

From Mbadinuju to Obiano Former governor, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju had set the tone for the collapse of the water schemes in the state. He was owing the workers and this led to incessant strike by the staff of the state water corporation.

The State water board then started selling sachet water and was even in competition with the then popular PAANI pure water. Incidentally, the Water Board was able to pay most of their bills and received subvention from the government to complement staff salary.

When Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige succeeded Mbadinuju, he revitalised the board but only paid a few months’ salaries from the backlog.

Obi ignored the bill until the state water board took him to the arbitration panel, where he lost on three occasions.

Obiano cleared almost all the arrears, pension and gratuity of the board between 2000

to 2011.

His failure to reconstitute the board or absorb them in other sectors, led to another period of unpaid salaries, which ran into billions.

The workers meanwhile had another order to collect their salary after doing nothing. And there was no water supply.

Confirmation of suspicions A retired director in the State Ministry of Public Utilities, Water Resources and Community Development as it is called now, who would not want to be named, said, “Greater Onitsha Water Scheme was rehabilitated by the Obi administration. The contract was awarded to a South African firm, PCI Africa, Peterson Candy.

They are good at what they do. That contract lingered into Obiano’s administration.

“The water scheme used to be a Federal Government project in Onitsha. It used to be under the national budget for water resources, as at 2006/2007. The Federal Government awarded the contract to revamp the Greater

Onitsha Water Scheme to a company Fung-Tai based in Enugu. The consultant is Obiukwu and associates, the contract was at N1.2 or N1.4 billion or so.

“While Fung-Tai was working, they left the treatment plant in Nkissi where the problem was, went and started doing borehole base, they didn’t go to Nkissi at all. There was poor supervision.

They said they have worked boreholes in GRA like seven or thereabout, repaired pumps in Army barracks. The minister said that he thought Nkissi was the main place.

“When the contract was terminated in 2012 government took it from the Federal Government.

“At the end of the day, they gave it to Biasa, a Turkish firm. They agreed to bring 70 per cent of the fund while Anambra Government would bring 30 per cent. We had a concession contract with Biasa worth N10.3 billion, for the whole Greater Onitsha Water Scheme.

“Peter released the government’s 30 per cent to the ministry, and we didn’t see the Turkish people again. We wrote assessment reports severally and at a point Obi said that he is not sure that these people know what they were doing. The government started asking questions on what what it will cost to rehabilitate the plants and to know the people who were good in plant rehabilitation. The government settled for PCI Africa.

“PCI Africa did a marvellous work in Onitsha and water started running in Onitsha. What killed the success was that there were no structures to manage it and the government of Obiano abandoned it. It has been about money.”

The Director narrated how the Upper Intake at Nkpor was vandalised before government called in the Civil Defence to guard all the installation at the treatment plant. That is still intact.

Other developments have altered the landscape in the water saga in Onitsha. First, the face-off with the Water Corporation was resolved in favour of the work force; a Water Law came into effect and it demanded the unbundling of Water Corporation.

Anambra Water Schemes Security is tight at the premises of Greater Onitsha Water Scheme at Onitsha. But things have remained in limbo. The donors - World Bank and European Union were not part of the Onitsha scheme though they played some roles. They were involved in the Awka Water project and they cannot be blamed for its failure; they played their part, and the question is whether government played its part.

Our source said: “If you start the generator in Awka or Amawbia now, the water will start rushing, so it is still management problem.

“The EU is involved in the Obizi-Uga Regional water scheme, but a visit to the area reveals that apart from the old facilities at Obizi, nothing else is happening there. The transformer is disconnected and the people are still experiencing difficulties accessing water.

“There are water schemes but there are challenges. Awka is not working, Onitsha is not working, Nnewi is not working to capacity, Agulu Aguiyi Water Scheme, Aguata, Ihiala, Orumba are not working.

“If you get to Nibo, there is water in that scheme, but it is not working to full capacity.”

Said Emeka Umeagbalasi, Chairman of the Board of Intersociety: “The water scheme in Onitsha is not working; as long as government water scheme is concerned, it is a fraud. The only aspect of the water scheme that is working is the boreholes government constructs for communities.”

The World Bank, EU, UNICEF and other donor agencies have at various times been involved in the project of ensuring that water runs in the taps in Anambra generally. But their intervention hasn’t quite lifted the water scheme in Onitsha.

A former Commissioner for Public Utilities and Water Resource, Prince Chinedu Emeka noted: “We obtained funding for water supply from many sources, state government, MDG, European Union and UNICEF. To date MDG has funded 186 more water schemes in health centres and schools. The EU has funded three urban schemes in Awka, Udoka and Amawbia and small 14 water schemes.

He explained that the state needed a passage of the water supply and sanitation bill, which will streamline the water sector for greater efficiency and productivity and regulate how people do their business in the sector.

It is awkward to discourage people from drilling boreholes when you have not provided a source of water for them.”

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

POLITICS S aturday, June 29, 2019, was exactly one month Governor Emeka Ihedioha and the Deputy Governor, Hon. (Engr.) Gerald Irona, took their oaths of office and legally assumed office as Governor and Deputy Governor of Imo State respectively. This one month has nonetheless been action packed. It has been one month of rebuilding Imo State and enhancing the fortunes of the people. No doubt the people are happy.

If you are familiar with the happenings in Imo State, particularly in the last eight years, you would need no soothsayer to tell you that the former Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, left the state in disarray.

The high level of insecurity he bequeathed to the Ihedioha administration that was born on May 29, 2019, was alarming. For example, the people of Ohaji-Egbema LGA, especially the Awarra/Asaa/Obiti axis, have known no peace since 2011. The locals have since fled their homes. In Oguta Local Government Area also, particularly the people of Agwa Clan, the local folks do not know the taste of peace for close to a decade now. Several persons have been killed and properties worth billions of Naira destroyed. Women have been raped and people robbed of their precious belongings.

Apart from the activities of the oil exploration companies operating in the oil producing communities, the ezeship selection processes forced on the people by the Okorocha administration, the destruction of the town union system and the hogwash Community Government Council (CGC) of that government were factors that heightened the insecurity in the areas.

The manner the Okorocha administration descended on the culture of the people and ripped it apart in furtherance of his hooey CGC forced the people into taking up arms.

Perhaps the most worrisome part of the ugly tale of insecurity in the state since 2011 is the recruitment pattern of the criminals. In their efforts to run down the communities, they forcefully recruit the innocent young boys and girls. They would come to your home and in the full glare of everyone forcefully take away your innocent young children. Pronto, you have lost those innocent souls with bright futures led before them. Next they are armed against the community and everyone is unsafe. Under the command of a strange leader they begin to torment the entire community. Under this atmosphere no meaningful development can take place.

This is the reason the state government led by Governor Ihedioha is frontally dealing with the situation, so that the people will not only have respite from criminal activities, but also the government would have the space to come in and invest. It is investment that will bring development and improve the living conditions of the rural folks, not criminal activities.

With determination, and moved by love for the people, the government of Governor Emeka Ihedioha is leaving no stone unturned in delivering to the people a peaceful and safe state for the people and investments. Not only can the people not achieve their dreams in an atmosphere riddled with violence and crime, the government on its part, no matter how well intentioned, cannot do much in an environment where crisis seems to be the singsong. No government or investor can put his money in a community where there is no security.

To holistically address the challenge of insecurity, the state government is seeking a stakeholder buy-in so that joining hands together they could address the issues. The government appeals to community leaders and politicians alike to partner the state government and therefore give peace a chance in their communities so that the people can reach their aspirations.

A peaceful atmosphere will afford the government a strong pedestal to engineer the right investment for the people.

Driving the message of peace and security home, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Hon. (Engr.) Gerald Irona, on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, during his working visit to Agwa Clan in Oguta Local Government Area of the state urged the people to give

•Gov. Ihedioha

•Gerald Irona

Irona: Towards secure, prosperous Imo State COLLINS UGHALAA, in Owerri, reflects on the historic election and inauguration of Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State and his deputy Engr. Gerald Irona and notes that after one month in office, there is evidence that the new government in Douglas is, indeed, focused. peace a chance. He told the community leaders and political leaders to desist from arming the youths in the community. “I am aware that some of the youths causing trouble here were armed by some of the leaders. One of the dangers in arming any youth to do your bidding is that at some point he would become too strong for you to control and he would be doing his own bidding. I want to advise our leaders to stop arming the youths, because if you allow your son to slap an elderly person, time would come when he would slap you because you had taught him to slap an elderly person and nothing would happen”, he said.

The Deputy Governor’s statement struck the right cord. A community leader from Agwa confessed to the media that the crisis in the area could not have been so bad had the community and political leaders not armed the youths. He said that the Deputy Governor was honest with the people and understood the situation very well. “What we have in this place (Agwa) is a problem forced on us by people we call our leaders. They are the people that arm these boys. They use them to fight their opponents either for the purpose of oil politics, community politics as in ezeship contest or for political positions or during general elections. But as it is now the boys they had armed and indoctrinated have grown beyond them and many of them

are on their own, doing their own bidding.

They have ravaged the fabrics of our community and now break away from their leaders and form their own group. To me, this is where the claim of cultism comes in.

But the problem is not actually that of cultism. It is the offshoot of rivalries between the leaders and we are forced to pay for it.

We are looking up to the government to help address the situation”, he said.

The insecurity in Agwa is such a serious matter, so much that socioeconomic life of the people has almost come to a halt.

There is hunger and deprivation in the area, and access to medical facilities have become a nightmare as they have either been vandalized by hoodlums or the medical staff have been driven away. Successful indigenes are also scared away from coming back home to invest and develop the communities. A prominent traditional ruler in the area, HRH Eze I.O. Asor, the traditional ruler of Obudi Agwa Autonomous Community, captured the severity of the situation he said that “The activities of these boys are bigger than we can handle. Since 2015, we do not have police here and we had to go to Oguta or OhajiEgbema to get police. It is a distance. The rate of crime here is alarming, from cultism, vandalism, rape, robbery and others.

This clan has six autonomous communities but the boys have chased away five of the traditional rulers and I am the only one

left here”.

Several parts of the state suffer from security challenges. But as a government that belongs to the people, the Imo State Government is not resting on its oars until no part of the state is under threat. This resolve was captured by Deputy Governor Gerald Irona who assured that “The state government under His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha will ensure that Agwa is safe for the people and conducive for business and government investment. We shall take over this police station and complete it and put security here so that the people and whatever investment we make here shall be safe.”

It is important to note that the state government is adopting multiple approaches in resolving the issue of insecurity in the war-torn Agwa Clan. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Rabiu Ladado, while noting the height of insecurity in the area assured that the police will restore peace and order to the devastated community, promising that the state command would intensify security presence in the area. “This clan has a record of high rate of crime, but we shall move quickly to address the situation. We shall have interim measures to restore sanity in this place. From today, we shall improve Police presence here.

We will establish SARS, Anti-Cultism or Anti-Kidnapping here, pending the actualization of the divisional police.”

While the security chiefs in the state will do their best in addressing the security challenges, the state government will move in quickly and invest in the area so as to meaningfully engage the youths who have become tools for criminality.

“I advise young men to drop their arms, embrace peace and give the government the opportunity to develop this place. We have better things to give you. Just give us a little time and we will develop this place. Those who want to go to school would do so and those who want to learn one trade or the other would have a conducive atmosphere to do so. We shall set up industries and empower you meaningfully. Under the Governor Ihedioha administration, we shall provide electricity here”, reiterated the Deputy Governor.

He added, “These people are very resourceful, but when you have a group of youths that are unemployed you would have this kind of situation. The moment this building is completed and operational we shall move quickly and develop this place and find a way of engaging the youths in a way that they will be useful to themselves, the society and the government.”

Earlier on Sunday, June 23, 2019, the Deputy Governor while addressing journalists at the Sam Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, gave the assurance that the state government was committed to tackling the security challenges in the state, especially addressing the menace of kidnapping, robbery, armed robbery, cultism, child theft and militancy in the oil producing communities of the state. He said that the government’s resolve to tackling insecurity was borne out of their commitment to provide security for all in the state, and that to do that the Governor appointed one of the best security experts in the country who was a Director in the Department of State Services (DSS), Raymond Nkemdirim, as his Special Adviser on security to help fashion out strategies for adequate security in the state.

“There have been a lot of security challenges in the state: kidnapping, robbery, armed robbery, child theft and militancy in the oil producing communities, but we are going to tackle all of them. We needed a well experienced security officer to help the security chiefs in the state. That was why the Governor appointed Raymond Nkemdirim, one of our best in the country. The Special Adviser on Security will add value to the security initiatives of the state government. He will assist the security chiefs in the state to rejig the security architecture and provide round the clock security for all in the state”, he said.

17

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

ENVIRONMENT

Anambra youths, students, raise awareness on climate change

By ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU

S

TUDENTS, professionals, youths and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) gathered in Anambra State to raise awareness and demonstrated on effects of climate change as they beckoned on the government to implement policies that will aid in the global fight against climate change.

The students were in collaboration with the Nigeria Coalition of Eco-Social Research (NCEHR), Live Mother and Child initiative and Mind Savers Youth Initiative in the campaign against the devastating effect of climate change in Nigeria, especially in the South-East.

The campaign, was part of a global initiative by students to demonstrate, under the auspices of an international movement, Friday for Future (FFF).

The movement is aimed at awakening the consciousness of the government for actions aimed at observing practices to protect the environment towards a sustainable future for the next generation.

The campaign, which was carried out in six different towns across the SouthEast states. In Nigeria, the FFF was organised by the Nigerian working group of the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research (NWG-CCGHR), which comprised Nigerian students at the University of Victoria (UVic) and British Columbia.

Others involved in the movement, as members within their various communities are, Grace Women Fellowship International (GWFI) and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning of University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC).

Among the Schools that lined out are the Community Secondary School Enugwu-Agidi; SUSU College, Nkpor; Lighthouse Academy, Okija; Golden Star Secondary school, Amichi, Nnewi and the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Medical Student’s Association (COOUMSA), Awka.

The campaign appealed to citizens to practice greener lifestyles as the various organizers voiced fears of the impact of increasing carbon dioxide levels. They called for collaboration with the government to minimize actions that trigger global warming. The floods and storm surges experienced in Anambra State since 2012 were seen as patterns consistent with climate change.

The campaigners highlighted several practices like deforestation, poor waste management, use of fossil fuels that increase carbon footprint, which are all detrimental to the environment.

One of the students and member of NWG-CCGHR, Dr. Ngozi Joe-Ikechebelu, while highlighting the devastating effect of the climate change in the Eastern part of Nigeria, called on individuals, communities, civil society organizations and governments to implement approaches that can promote a low carbon, high growth, climate-resilient path for national sustainable development.

She applauded the success of the 2019 movement, noting that NWG-CCGHR is “working as part of a collaborative student-led groups designed to foster research and networking in global health among campus communities from all disciplines and levels of study in British Columbia (BC).”

According to her, “CCGHR is a knowledge and research based organization

that promotes equity in accordance with six principles that govern their operation. As a coalition organization, CCGHR works to develop capacities to support relevant equity-oriented research and its effective use in helping to reduce the ‘know-do gap.’

“Our group is committed to the coordination of efforts to ensure that Canada-supported health researchers contribute to the strengthening of national health research systems in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

“CCGHR, as a coalition group, engages with key policy actors and the public to raise awareness about Nigeria’s leading role in global health and the importance of research in the field.”

While addressing journalists in Onitsha,

Ikechebelu expressed joy that Nigeria students called out on the government on the state of climate in the country.

According to her, “the students spoke out their present fears and future impacts of increasing carbon dioxide on global warming. There is an urgent need for them to be heard locally and globally for the needed change to better our environment. They displayed their placards and angrily demonstrated within the school environment for about an hour, showing their dissatisfaction on the state of our environment.

“It was a brave attempt to take control of their future by joining the global fight against the destructive activities to our planet that adversely affect the climate.

It is evident now that more than ever before, climate change poses a more immediate existential threat to the future of all life on our planet. Indeed, it was a campaign aimed at creating awareness and showing support for climate change action.”

During a visit to COOU, where NCEHR is domiciled, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Greg Nwakobi commended them for their efforts in creating awareness on the threat the environment faces and assured them of his collaboration and support.

He further encouraged the group to be committed to their common goal while ensuring that their interest in research development will be supported.

18

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

PEOPLE

70

Sir G.U. @ Okeke:

An ocean of native wisdom

‘In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.’ – Abraham Lincoln

By CHRIS AJUGWE

E

lse we should be left out, we join millions of admirers to pay homage to a quintessential gentleman at his 70th birthday. A man of integrity, endowed with uncommon entrepreneurial spirit, a consummate philanthropist, a faithful Christian of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, a born leader of men and women, a security nightmare to hoodlums and criminals alike – Sir Godwin Ubaka Okeke is a man for all seasons!

In him the above dictum of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th USA president, holds sway. For he has lived a life worthy of emulation and admiration over these years which has also impacted positively on many others including this writer!

He was born in Onitsha in June 6, 1949 to Joseph Ikeokwu Okeke (Chikaagba) and Madam Christiana Nwoye ‘Ocheze’ (Nee Ezenwa) all of blessed memories who hail from Eziora village, Adazi-Ani in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. He is the 6th child of his parent’s 8 equally outstanding children of 7 boys and a girl.

He attended Central School, Onitsha and Community Secondary School, Nnobi. He trained at Man O War Leadership Institute which the Nigerian/Biafra Civil War cut short. He married one of the most wonderful women in the whole world, Dr. Lady Patricia Okeke, who was just recently on 5th May, 2019, singled out with others and decorated with a prestigious award of “WOMAN OF HONOUR” at All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, approved by the Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo.

BUSINESS After the Nigerian Biafra Civil War ended in 1970, Sir G.U. Okeke started life as a taxi driver commuting from Onitsha to Enugu with his father’s Peugeot 404 car. He started business as an ordinary Onitsha trader. He was a wholesale dealer, distributing towels, bed sheets, handkerchiefs, pillow cases, baby napkins, male and female under wears, etc. He went to Lagos to buy these goods and returned to Onitsha to sell them. He lived at No. 3 Amobi Street, Odoakpu, in his father’s property from 1970 to 1973. His business boomed but he maintained a low profile lifestyle, which he later impacted on his children. He is a typical Onitsha trader and has refused to live elsewhere but Onitsha city. He made his first trip overseas in 1973 to London and thereafter, to China, Honkong and Japan when the exchange rate was 10k to 1 USD and 60k to British pound.

OMATA He was elected the president of Onitsha Market Amalgamated Traders Association, (OMATA) in 1998. His 5 year tenure as OMATA president witnessed rapid growth of the markets. Businesses, industrial and manufacturing activities in Onitsha markets accelerated,

•Sir G.U. Okeke:

leading to Onitsha Market becoming the largest single international market in West Africa. The fame and apogee that Onitsha Markets attained during his successful tenure was cut short by military interference in 1993 under the regime of Col. Mike Attah as the Military Administrator, Anambra State.

Main market is yet to recover from the havoc wrecked by the imposition of government appointed interlopers to run the affairs of the traders in Onitsha Markets.

LUXURY BUS OPERATORS While he was still trading in Main market Onitsha, he invested in Luxury Bus business. He operated mainly the Onitsha-Lagos routes.

Here again, he excelled. His company G.U. Okeke & Sons Ltd, transport division, is a leading transport company in Nigeria today. It is presently efficiently and expertly run by his children with his first son, Engineer Mmaduabuchi Okeke as the company’s Managing Director. He has modernized the bus transport operation, taking the business to a new level of profitability and pas-

sengers’ satisfaction. Of course, Uche, Emeka, Ebuka, Ubaka and Kenechukwu are all directors in the company and they all work wonderfully as a team.

Sir (Dr.) G.U. Okeke, MON is a trustee of Incorporated Trustees of Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON). Other members of the board of trustees and motor transport moguls are: Chief (Dr.) Vincent Obianodo, MON; Chief (Dr.) Chidi Anyaegbu; Mr. Frank Nneji, OON; HRH Igwe Leonard N. Ezeh; Chief Eugene N. OjukwuMON; Prince Ejike C. Okoli; Chief Joseph C. Ejiofo; Sir Dan Okemuo; Chief S. Udemba; Chief Godfrey Obi; Prince (Dr.) EmekaMamah; Chief Collins G. Ikeaka; Chief Anthony Ekwosimba; Chief Festus Egwin.

As a young lawyer in 1993,the writer had the advantage of representing one of the factions at a meeting at the conference hall of Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja between the Directors of now defunct Luxury Bus Association of Nigerian(LUBAN) and

National Luxury Bus Owners Association of Nigeria(NLBOA) with the then Registrar General of CAC, Barrister Abdullahi presiding. Sir Okeke’s sharp intelligence, natural wit, mediation and conciliation skills came to the fore and helped in the resolution of the impasse, leading to the merger of the two contending corporate bodies into one association – ALBON. He had refused to take any executive position in ALBON but her members know that Sir G.U.O is the guiding spirit of the Association behind the scene.

As chairman of Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company Ltd ANAMMCO, he and his son, Uche Okeke Esq, are poised to revitalizing the once dormant giant into an industrial motor empire. He equally has interest in vast real estates all over Nigeria.

HIS MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVISM In his residence at GRA Onitsha, Sir G.U. Okeke holds Court every morning from Monday to Saturday before venturing out to do his businesses. Even when he goes to play Lawn Tennis at Onitsha Sports Club, where he was president from 2006 to 2013 and now one of the Trustees, he would still quickly rush back to his house to attend to multitude of people with sundry problems waiting for his intervention, one way or the other. He would invite into his living room, the priests and pastors of the Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal churches first and foremost and deal with their issues. He would then emerge into the ‘General Court Hall’ to entertain the complaints and problems of the others.

Some come for financial help to start up a business. Some come for advice to run them. Some couples have come for settlement of matrimonial disputes. Others are widows whose husbands’ properties are being confiscated by their husbands’ brothers, or even their sons! Most traders come for resolution of dispute arising with other traders or with their line executives. Entire families; father, mother, brothers and sisters of even well to do members in society would come to plead with him to mediate and resolve their domestic disputes before they become a conflagration that could consume them all if not put under check with the tact and wisdom of Solomon that Sir G.U. O is evidently blessed with. Yet others come for job placement in government and private establishments.

Politicians in Anambra State and beyond equally come for blessing and counseling. Sponsorship is ruled out. He is no one’s political godfather. He belongs to no political party. Not that he is apolitical; it is that he is pragmatic in things political. Where he perceive the interest of Ndi Anambra as a whole is better served, he would come out openly in the mass media to clamour for support as it happened in the last Nigerian General Election.

Of course, there are those that come primarily to find solution to security challenges, like those whose close relations have been kidnapped and other victims of violent crimes.

His method is to listen to the parties or individuals very attentively, ask questions, make calls and consult widely to affected persons and parties and personalities, even institutions and find solutions. If the resolution requires pleading, he would go down on his knees to beg any person or group no matter how lowly placed the person is in the eye of the society. To him, every individual is a king in his own right. If it needed money, he would provide it from his pocket there and then. At times, he issues cheques free of charge. In other cases, a non interest free loan. Yet

in others he would go with the borrower to the bank manager and serve as guarantor to the loan facility. Doubtless, the sort of cases and matters he presides in his ‘Court Hall’ are varied as human society is complex. He and his wife are worthy patrons of the physically challenged persons and widows in Anambra State. Space cannot contain their investment in the deaf, the blind, the lame, etc.

However, his activism in highly security issues is worthy of not only applause and celebration, it is a sensitive subject worthy of a different journalistic exploration which is being undertaken in a forthcoming book.

G.U. OKEKE AND PATRICIA OKEKE’S FOUNDATION He and his wife established a charitable organization – GODWIN & PATRICIA OKEKE FOUNDATION. The foundation built Rise Clinic Hospital Adazi-Ani, which is efficiently run by Dr. Emeka Franklin Okeke, his third son. The clinic is famed for being a specialized centre for the treatment of Epilepsy and other kindred diseases in collaboration with foreign partners.

GUO FOOTBALL ACADEMY His passion for youths and human capital development of the talented but less privileged youths led to this multifaceted personality to set up Youth Football Academy in Lagos and Asaba under G.U.O. Football Academy Ltd. A DEVOTED CHRISTIAN Then there is this surprising spiritual angle in his household, of which Dr. Lady Patricia Obiageli Okeke (Nee Ozoh), his amiable wife, is the Chief Priest. A graduate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Proprietress of Supreme Knowledge Schools, Onitsha, Lady Okeke is highly spiritual and so is Sir G.U. Okeke! This might sound incredible but it is true, nevertheless.

The writer and his family once attended the Okekes’ family Saturday prayers and were shocked to observe how the entire household prayed, sang praise to God and read the scriptures with Sir G.U. Okeke himself preaching the sermons. By putting God first, every other thing had been added to the Okekes. He is a knight of St. Christopher in the Anglican Church. We will disappoint those who think he is in a secret society and carry charms and talisman to wade off his enemies as a big man. For indeed his protection and that of his family lies in the hands of the Lord God and His son, Jesus Christ, who made the Heaven and the Earth.

The couple is blessed with remarkable and hardworking children and their spouses who have equally imbibed the spirit of Godliness in their lives and workplaces: Maduabuchukwu John Okeke, Engr. Uchechukwu Godwin Okeke, Barr. Dr. Chukwuemeka Franklin Okeke; Mr. Chukwuebuka Joseph Okeke; Mr. Ubaka Patrick Okeke; Mr. Kenechukwu Emmanuel Okeke; Mrs. Esther Nkiru Okafor, Mrs. Bisilola Regina Okoli.

The amiable, affirmable Okeke couple stands in locus parantis to their two lovely daughters as they aren’t their natural parents. Bisilola, for instance, is the daughter of Dr. Oluola and Mrs. Felicia Oni of blessed memories, who hailed from Erin Oke, Ilesha in Osun State, South West Nigeria. She assimilated easily into the Okeke family in infancy at the death of her parents.

Mrs. Esther Nkiru Okafor’s natural parents are from Anam. As we pen this down on June 10, 2019, Sir G. U. and Lady Okeke are still bed sitting in their daughter’s house in Atlanta USA for the past two months as Bisilola was delivered of twin bouncing baby boys. The Okekes children and their spouses are all graduates.

Continued on Page 31

19

BU$IN£SS The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

•Energy •Finance

•Stock

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

Nigeria’s economy waits on OPEC

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA, with agency reports

W

ith members and nonmembers of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries begin series of meetings to salvage the value of the crude oil in the global commodity markets, the key decision will ultimately prolongation of the existing production ceilings that seek to curb supply overflow and support prices.

The meeting which is coming directly on the heels of a parallel meeting by world’s biggest energy consumers already had agenda to extend grip on market supply following signals that resolution of trade feud between the United States of America and China as well as dousing of nuclear tension in the Korean Peninsula would trigger demand in the market.

For oil dependent economies that have little or no infrastructural support for domestic economic growth, the friendly overtures from President Donald Trump who faces reelection challenges in the United States offers hopes of greater global demand as trade booms arising from improved relations would definitely trigger industrial activities and fuel consumption.

The feelers from the sidelines of the G20 meeting also carries the risk of market oversupply and price drop if producers are allowed to unleash capacity in a traditional rush to capture greater market share and revenue returns.

The 14 member OPEC and another 10 cooperating countries who had technically withdrawn daily supply of 1.2 million barrels of crude oil from the market since December 2016 have tasked participants in the deal to limit output to the market for greater unit price as a way of earning more from oil in the long run.

However, a country like Nigeria which depends on oil for nearly 95 percent of its total foreign exchange income and over 80 percent of total exports has been coping with the requirement following low domestic production capacity and consequent high dependence on imports.

This means that compliance would be difficult for members of OPEC whose monoculture economies depend on oil revenue.

A study sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme and run by the Initiative for Policy Dialogue found out that it was easiest to track flow of resource wealth in Nigeria by following the pattern of government’s

• President Muhammadu Buhari monthly fund sharing system.

The report showed that oil income also accounts for nearly 80 percent of total funding support to annual budgets by the three tiers of government in the country. And the volume of monthly cash disbursements by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) also tally with the returns by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which manages petroleum assets for the government.

With huge domestic pressure on the government to earn more from oil, Nigeria has been constantly listed in the low ends of quota compliance at OPEC, and the impending decision by OPEC to extend production cuts posts gloom for the country’s economy for the rest of the year.

It would also be difficult for Nigeria to differ with other influential members of the production cut coalition led by Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had already struck a deal with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to extend the OPEC+ agreement at current production levels for the rest of this year and potentially into early 2020.

Speaking at the Group of 20 summit in Japan, the Russian president said the extension of output cuts -- which expired at the end of June -- could be

CBN Exchange Rates As At Thursday, June 20, 2019 Currency Buying(₦) US DOLLAR 305.95 Pounds Sterling 401.3146 EURO 346.1518 SWISS FRANC 305.0653 YEN 2.731 CFA 0.509 WAUA 424.7326 YUAN/RENMINBI 45.6075 RIYAL 81.5801 S/AFRICAN RAND 21.8806 DANISH KRONA 46.3673 SDR 425.3317

for six or nine months.

Saudi oil officials later confirmed their support to the extension, although cautioned they still needed to discuss the deal with other OPEC ministers.

Riyadh and Moscow ended years of animosity in 2016, joining forces to manage the global oil market in an effort to prop up prices. The current version of the deal by the so-called OPEC+ coalition calls for production cuts of 1.2 mbd.

“We have agreed: we will continue our agreements,” Putin said in Osaka.

“In any event we will support the continuation of agreements, both Russia and Saudi Arabia, in the volumes previously agreed.”

The announcement marks the first time a senior leader from the group has indicated the curbs could be needed into 2020. That reflects a somber outlook for oil supply and demand next year due to a combination of slowing global economic growth and rising U.S. shale output.

The Russia-Saudi deal followed an agreement made earlier in Osaka between the U.S. and Chinese presidents to restart trade talks, and comments by Donald Trump that he wouldn’t impose new duties on Beijing for now.

Hours after the Osaka meeting, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih

•Tourism

Energy

said on his arrival to Vienna for the OPEC meeting that the kingdom supported extending the deal for another nine months until early 2020. “But we have to talk to other ministers,” he cautioned on the early hours of Sunday in the Austrian capital.

Other OPEC and allies also expressed support for extension of the oil supply cuts until the end of 2019.

Iran and Iraq joined top producers Saudi Arabia and Russia in endorsing a policy aimed at propping up the price of crude amid a weakening global economy.

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh told reporters on Monday he would support prolonging output cuts by six to nine months. Tehran has in the past objected to policies put forward by arch-rival Saudi Arabia, saying Riyadh was too close to Washington.

“I have no problem with a production cut ... It’s going to be an easy meeting as my stance is very clear,” Zanganeh told reporters upon arriving in Vienna.

The United States is not a member of OPEC, nor is it participating in the supply pact. Washington has demanded Riyadh pump more oil to compensate for lower exports from Iran after slapping fresh sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear program.

OPEC and its allies led by Russia have been reducing oil output since 2017 to prevent prices from sliding amid soaring production from the United States, which has become the world’s top producer this year ahead of Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Government report confirmed that the U.S. crude output soared to new heights in April, highlighting OPEC’s dilemma just days before the producer group meets amid growing geopolitical threats.

A government report on Friday showed U.S. production grew 2.1% in April to 12.16 MMbpd as booming shale production from places like the Permian basin of West Texas enabled U.S. oil output to overtake Saudi Arabia and Russia.

At the same time, trade disputes and escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf have clouded the outlook for the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which is expected to extend current output cuts next week.

“It really means that OPEC has to make a decision to balance the market or shale will do it for them,” said Jim Lucier, managing director of Washington, D.C.-based Capital Alpha Partners LLC. “Despite all the talk about Wall Street forcing capital discipline, we’re not seeing any diminishing production yet.”

Partners await closure of Savannah’s N97.2 bn acquisition deals P24 Insurance

Sunu Assurances lauds new Capital base requirement for Insurance sector P26

Equity & Capital Market

SEC asks defunct Skye Bank shareholders to process unclaimed dividends P25

Money Market

AfDB blacklists Nigeria’s company for 48 months for fraudulent practices P29

STOCK MARKET HIGHLIGHT AS AT THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019

Summary

Central (₦) Selling(₦) ASI 29,851.29 DEALS 3,089.00 306.45 306.95 VOLUME 189,956,606.00 401.9705 402.6263 VALUE N4,161,622,651.03 346.7175 347.2832 EQUITY CAP N13,154,608,527,766.64 305.5639 306.0624 BOND CAP N12,506,600,342,304.10 ETF CAP N0.00 2.7354 2.7399 0.519 0.529 Top 5 Trade 425.4267 426.1208 S/N Coy (By Volume) Value(N) 45.6824 45.7574 1. ZENITHBANK 29,647,644 N592,873,874.25 81.7135 81.8468 2. GUARANTY 22,422,975 N700,200,184.80 3. WAPCO 14,776,254 N170,665,733.70 21.9164 21.9521 4. ACCESS 12,277,737 N84,380,584.75 46.4431 46.5189 5.

MTNN 9,756,433 N1,268,436,763.00 426.0268 426.7219

5 Top Gainers Symbols SEPLAT MOBIL NB DANGCEM WAPCO

Last Close N497 N164.5 N57.5 N182 N10.5

Current Change N510 13 N170 5.5 N60 2.5 N184 2 N11.55 1.05

%Change 2.62% 3.34% 4.35% 1.10% 10.00%

5 Top Losers NESTLE STANBIC CAP AFRIPRUD FIDELITYBK

N1400 N1350.3 N41.5 N40.65 N27.9 N27.5 N3.54 N3.41 N1.8 N1.73

-49.7 -0.85 -0.4 -0.13 -0.07

-3.55% -2.05% -1.43% -3.67% -3.89%

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

ISSN: 2545-5869

The

EDITORIAL

racle www.oraclenews.ng

Today

20

VOX POPULI SACRUM

One Nigeria without the Igbo

W

ith the inauguration of the National them, a hundred contestants emerge. EveNdigbo are not good politicians. They should no Assembly and the election of its princiryone claims to be better than anyone else – longer expect to get anything tangible from the pal officers, the leadership of Nigeria’s there is no spirit of compromise. If a Nigerian “federal” authorities or from political activities central government has now totally excluded from the north, for instance, desired to punish in Abuja. Their inputs in decisions on things like the Igbo of southeast Nigeria. The heads of an Igbo, they would use another Igbo to do the security and justice in the nation are not expectall security agencies, the lower and higher job. The majority of people from every other ed anymore. Even in meetings of the National courts, the legislature, the presidency, the tribe protect the interests of their people first Council of State, there will not be an Igbo voice. juicy federal agencies, and the commanding before thinking of Nigeria; Ndigbo are differForced by the necessity of building up their enheights of the economy have been firmly ent: the majority see themselves as Nigerians clave, they should now resort to private capi“cleansed” of the Igbo. first and do everything to hide their tribal tal, their entrepreneurs and their scientists in It appears this major part of the country whose identity. That is why they have more properdifferent parts of the world. They should hold people championed the cause of independties outside Igbo land than in the five states their governors to account, and ensure that the ence from the British and who have been they have been boxed into through an unfair necessary infrastructure needed to make Igbo driving commercial activities in the country federal structure. land conducive for investments is put in place. have been pushed out of Nigeria once again. President Muhammadu Buhari has made Igbo Already, the nation’s economy is down – bufWhen something similar happened in the marginalisation clearer. Right from his first feted by foreign debts and terrorism, it will past, Ndigbo were left with no other option inauguration in 2015, he has disrespected the continue to be in recession for a long time to than to declare a separate state called Biafra.

“Federal Character Principle” enshrined in the come. With the Igbo’s exclusion in the manageThe unity that existed among Ndigbo of the fraudulent Nigerian constitution with impument of Nigerian institutions, the outcome is 1960s has obviously evaporated, however. nity. Nobody has challenged his ethnic bigotry fairly predictable.

Though all the forecasts of Nnamdi Kanu, leader except in subdued voices and innocuous comThe Igbo have no culture of begging; it is now time of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), mentaries in the media. Thus unrestrained, to disregard the monthly federal allocations have finally come to pass, we do not advise Buhari seems set to perform his last act as from Abuja and work for the benefits of Ndigbo that Ndigbo should declare their independpresident of Nigeria. in their homeland. Nigeria is a fraud. Those who ence once more. This time calls for introspec- If the Igbo truly constituted a problem for Nigeria, invested in housing and other landed properties tion: why have they often fared so badly it might be necessary to watch non-Igbo Nigerioutside Igbo land should now begin to rethink within the Nigerian state since after the civil ans go on with “one Nigeria”. It would be nice their business strategy. An “ultimatum” to leave war? Why have Ndigbo been reduced to an into see what progress could be made without (similar to the ones given by organised urchins significant minority in the country the constithe Igbo. But the state of the country in the last in 2014 and 2017) should be expected anytime, tuted a majority? Is it that many of them got four years does not give any hope that Nigeria for there is no doubt that Ndigbo’s ingenuity killed through the war of 1967—70? Why are could make appreciable progress without the and industry are a source of envy. But a people they hated in a country they have laboured most hardworking, talented and competent rejected should not reject themselves. Ndigbo, harder than any other to build? people at its driving seat. The country has think home!

The trouble with Ndigbo has been their failure never been this divided in its 105-year history.

Our Vision to love one another. They can hardly act like Whither “One Nigeria” even without the Igbo?

TO BE among the top five newspapers in Nione; it is every man for himself. Selfishness For the Igbo, our advice is this: they should lick geria and, in due course, the Numero Uno; could destroy a people! And that is why, their wounds quietly. What is deducible from whenever there is a position reserved for recent happenings in the political sphere is that to be a newspaper of records that effective-

ly 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.

Culled from Asukwo blogshot.com

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.

21

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

OPINION

Nigeria’s Revenant Security Trends

Oseloka H. Obaze

N

igeria is security challenged. No national interest issue has singularly dominated Nigeria’s political and socio-economic discourse as insecurity and government’s antipathy towards related public outcry. No nation is insulated from security challenges.

Some nations have well-developed response systems and mechanisms. In contrast, Nigeria’s systemic modalities for responding to insecurity focus on “safeguarding” establishment and policy options that are not working.­ Concerns are being expressed of a diametric failure in the security sector; the emergence of ungoverned spaces and government’s “crude surrender” to security threats posed by militancy. This amounts to government’s failure to undertake fully the responsibility to protect its citizens.

Nigeria’s inability to tackle insecurity holistically is an overarching factor. Her muchtouted security sector reform have yielded less than the desired results as affirmed by the fact that no fewer than 25,794 Nigerians may have died in violent crises in the first four years of the Buhari administration. Such evidential recidivism of revenant insecurity calls for a pause.

The prevailing nature and scope of insecurity in Nigeria attest to an admix of “receding, emerging and resurging issues and trends in the security sector.” Overall, insecurity has been incremental even as one must admit that the present scope has its genesis in the failings of successive governments. For Nigerians, the multidimensional nature of insecurity is a cause for deep trepidation; and a shared sense of bleakness, imminent threat and present danger. Another broadly shared view is that “very few parts of Nigeria are exempt from menace of banditry and kidnappings.” Relatedly, the government, via policy miscues and dismal response to insecurity, has wittingly engaged in the “beatification of stealing” and “pacification” of violent and pillaging herdsmen.

Globally, the nature of insecurity and the methodologies required for tackling them have metamorphosed. Correspondingly, Nigeria now resorts to multilateral measures

and mechanisms, such as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to tackle Boko Haram, the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS) and the Gulf of Guinea Yaoundé Code of Conduct to tackle piracy. Domestically, government now deploy variants of military operations to tackle insecurity. What is missing is a strategic balance in the use of military “hard power” and civilian institutions’ “soft power” mechanisms and civilian police conflict resolution methods.

We are a nation in denial. Rising insecurity in Nigeria did not happen in a vacuum. The “indicators of conduciveness” were discernible. Disconcertingly, their cumulative negative impact are being exacerbated by the lack of state penetration, lack of state monopoly of force, lack of border controls, external interference, shifting demographics, and rogue non-state actors’ obvious possession of adequate infrastructure and funding.

The six most dominant security issues and trends in Nigeria are; farmers-herders conflict, Boko-Haram/ISWAP terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and cultism, oil-related militancy, and separatist agitations. That these challenges fester can be linked to governmental shilly-shally, as evidenced by its unwillingness to deal decisively with herdsmen violence.

Meanwhile, the national death toll from various incipient and entrenched conflicts are spiralling upwards; while 3,641 people died in the clashes from 2015 to late 2018, presently the fatalities are over 4,000 lives. The resultant effect of Boko Haram and herdsmen attacks have resulted in an unprecedented peacetime internally displaced persons (IDPs), now estimated at two million.

Now in its seventeenth year, the fight against Boko Haram is mutant. While Boko Haram’s attacks on soft targets may have waned, there is evident upsurge in its attacks on military installations. Since 2015, Boko Haram has attacked and sacked twenty-two military posts and annihilated scores of Nigerian soldiers. Its cleft splinter, the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) is increasingly robust. ISWAP now occupy parts of Borno State, collect taxes and provide basic services to occupied communities. Both entities also

“

We are a nation in denial. Rising insecurity in Nigeria did not happen in a vacuum.

The “indicators of conduciveness” were discernible. We compartmentalize security to our own detriment.”

“

continue to exploit a large swathe of impressionable and unemployed youths. So long as their funding and rearmament sources are not determined and curtailed, their destructive capacity will not abate.

Well beyond its most debilitating and destructive phase, militancy in the south-south is “receding”, but the downturn bears no correlation to any governmental preventive action. Rather, the militants and the government seem to have found a dubious common ground; militants, who hitherto engaged in disruptive attacks of national oil facilities, now resort to less disruptive activities of making money from crude oil theft. Government, for its part, has opted for this route of least resistance. It is “accepting oil theft because it is less injurious than militancy.” Whilst this disposition may represent a pragmatic approach of “cutting losses” or “cost of doing business,” its flip side represents an insidious invitation to other criminals to join the kidnapping and oil theft fray.

In the realm of outlawry, a clear nexus exists between the twin scourge of banditry and cultism. Whereas cultism is receding from the campuses of our tertiary institutions, it is being entrenched incrementally in our under-monitored streets and homesteads.

Yet our national ambivalence to cultism persists, even as some deem its proliferation as “something that cannot be separated from

the poor environment where students live and learn.” Nigerians can’t ignore a troubling corollary; cultism promotes human insecurity and vice versa.

With youth unemployment hovering around 30%, the assertion by Andrew Nevin that “being young in Nigeria is very challenging” assumes a damning and insidious meaning.

Moreover, semantics matters little when grappling with banditry or cultism in Nigeria.

“In reality, the usage conflates two underlying problems;” ineffective law enforcement and the emergent crisis of ungoverned spaces.

The eerie spectre of separatism continues to haunt Nigeria. Despite exhortations and protestations, little attention is being accorded to Nigeria’s ethnic proclivities. That Nigeria continues to encounter trenchant calls for restructuring and separatist agitation is indicative of simmering discontent. Also resurgent calls for Biafra are now buffeted by calls for Oduduwa Republic, Arewa Republic, and Niger Delta Republic. Such clamours underpin existing separatist fault lines. The political will to address the separatist agitations robustly seems lacking as evidenced by the recent “unbalanced” leadership change in the legislative arm of government, which have only aggravated this insensitivity.

Dangers posed by emerging conflicts are as bad as those arising from recidivism. Hence, lack of political will and purposeful leadership will continue to impact negatively on how Nigeria responds to receding, resurging and emerging security issues. We must, nonetheless, be cognizant that for our security mechanisms to be efficacious and “for security to last, we have to move from safeguarding it to actively promoting it.” We must also eschew divisive rhetoric and avoid sectionalizing and compartmentalizing security threats, challenges and solutions.

Finally, Nigeria’s political leadership must find ways of regaining public trust and confidence on critical national security issues. It must also explore the security solutions that serve national interest at all times.

Obaze is the MD/ CEO Selonnes Consult, Awka.

Strong personalities versus strong institutions (1)

By DONS EZE

N

ebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, Hannibal and, in recent years, Napoleon Bonaparte, Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Saddam Hussein...these were powerful men, strong personalities who wielded absolute or authoritarian powers, made waves and shook the world during their own periods.

Nobody could withstand any of these men during their own time. They were next to God, possessing absolute rulers. They had all the power and authority of the three arms of government as enunciated in modern democracy rolled in them.

But as soon as their backbones were broken, as soon as their tricks were discovered, they all fell like a pack of cards, crumbled and fizzled away. They left no good legacies, no good things to remember them. This was because their systems were built on quick sand.

In Africa, we also had our own strong men, strong personalities, like His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie I, the Elect of God, the King of Kings of Ethiopia, Emperor of Ethiopia, and the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah; Life President, Field Marshall Idi Amin Dada; Life President, Field Marshall Mobutu Sese Seko Nkukku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga (the Cockerel that never tires); Emperor Jean Bedel Bokasa; Master-Sergeant Samuel Doe; Colonel Muommer Gaddafi and so many others.

These were very powerful men whose names were synonymous with their individual countries. They were more powerful and, in many respects, richer than their respective countries. For them, what mattered was ab-

solute loyalty to their individual persons and not to the state as an institution.

Nobody dared look them in the face or attempt to stand in their way. They could crush any such person and make bornfire of him.

These were men who put Africa on the world map for the very wrong reasons.

Nigeria is not immune to these strong personalities, these strong men in power. She has produced many powerful Presidents, not only during military dictatorships but also in our civilian democracy: Presidents who believed themselves to be more important and more powerful than the country itself, who are worshiped or adored as if they were God; who could wake up any day to sack heads of the other arms of government without qualms, and who could seize or withhold local government funds and nobody was bold enough to challenge them.

Under the unitary system of government which we currently operate, our Presidents are very powerful people. They are strong personalities, sole dispensers of government patronages. They own the country and determine who gets what and the manner they would get it. They share the resources of the country according to their whims and caprices, first to themselves, and then to their family members, friends, relations and cronies.

As political philosophers would tell us, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. In Bertrand Russell, it is “power” that is the driving force in man. In Karl Marx, it is “economic” that is at the base of all man’s activities. Our Presidents are in love with both Bertrand Russell and Karl

Marx in both their pursuit of absolute power and primitive acquisition of wealth.

In consequence, they usually would end up not achieving anything, fail to make their marks in the sands of time save to acquire to build power around themselves and accumulate huge personal resources. Any wonder that 21 years after his death, we still talk about the loots recovered from “Saint Sani Abacha”.

The irony is that while our Presidents would be busy accumulating wealth and acquiring power by destabilizing other arms of government in order to build their strong personalities, they, almost always, end up not achieving anything for the country, not doing anything even for their own home states.

For instance, what can we say that former President Olusegun Obasanjo did for his own people of Ogun State, in his eight years in office as President? Even former President Goodluck Jonathan, while he was busy building Almajiri schools in the North to please those he thought would keep him in power, he forgot to build the only road leading to his own village.

Today, President Muhammadu Buhari may believe himself to be very powerful, having conquered both the Judiciary and the National Assembly, but Katsina State, his home state, is still one of the poorest states in the country, and life very miserable for the ordinary residents of the state, and he could do nothing, as President, to change the situation.

Thus, for us, those who currently advocate Igbo Presidency under the present system of

government as panacea to the Igbo problem do not seem to understand the dynamics of the Igbo problem. The problem of the Igbo in Nigeria does not have a one-off solution. It is complex and far beyond having a figure head as President of Nigeria, one who would not be able to do anything for the Igbo under the present circumstance.

THE GROUP Managing Editor/COO Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Deputy Managing Editor/COO Sopuruchi Onwuka Chairman Editorial Board Igwebike Mbanefo SE/SS Editor Odogwu Emeka Odogwu Acting BDM Kelechi Nze Head, Graphics & Designs Nnamdi Alex Chukwu Circulation Manager Felix Oti

22

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

S

OMETIME ago, Rwanda MTN was fined $8.5 million for breaching the terms of its licence. But here in Nigeria, we pamper the monsters.

Why can’t severe deterrence measures be adopted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) against Telecos flouting the rules? Where is the Telephone Subscribers Regulation 2011, which says that network operators were required to remove from their network system any SIM with incomplete registration and only activate such SIM upon fulfilment of the necessary fields for registration? This is why the NCC on October 2015, imposed an unprecedented N1.04trn fine on MTN Nigeria for its inability to disconnect about 5.1 million improperly registered subscribers on its network. Why can’t these sanctions continue?

Registration of SIM gulped N6.1 billion approved by the National Assembly in 2011 after it gave six months deadline for that. The committee had set weeks to perfect their findings.

The discovery led to a taskforce committee by NCC to forestall such negligence by Telecos.

The NCC 12 member Taskforce members set up in 2017 were Mr. Efosa Idehen, Head, Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement at NCC as Chairman; Mr. Bashir Idris, Head, Projects; Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye, Head, Legal & Regulatory Services and Mr. Salisu Abdu, Head, Enforcement.

They are NCC members.

The telcos have a member each including Mr. Tobechukwu Okigbo (MTN); Mr. Oluwatosin Cole (GloMobile); Mr. Sola Adeyemi (Airtel) and Mr. Damian Udeh (ntel). The list also include Mr. Ikenna Iheme (9Mobile); Mr. Gbolahan Thomas (Smile) and Ms Barbara Anozia (Visafone); Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is represented

by Major Emmanuel Akpan Bassey. Have these men failed us or stood the test of time?

Where is their report and its significance?

The Taskforce should also look at the sources of these improperly and pre-registered SIM Cards by asking operators to look inwards to forestall insiders abuse; Processes are regularly fine-tuned to establish the integrity of data captured; clear up the systems regularly to wipe off and segregate between real and fake data; the taskforce is also to re-examine the 2015 agreement the Commission had with telcos with a view to harmonizing that and add new solutions; and to put in place proactive measures to nip criminal activities in the bud, beating them in their own game; as well as suggest preventive measures for the telcos to beef up the integrity of their registering processes.

Is it that telecos don’t know that SIM card registration is key to addressing national security?

Why would Nigerians continue selling pre-registered SIM cards as if it is nothing? With this committee, security will be guaranteed in Nigeria hopefully.

NCC’s SIM Registration Regulations set very clear requirements for subscriber registration. Why can’t those hired to register SIM cards adhere to NCC’s SIM registration regulation like the Biometric Information needed -four fingerprints; clear facial image of the subscriber; full name; mother’s maiden name; gender;

NCC’s new vigour against unregistered, improperly registered SIMs (2)

In

CORNUCOPIA

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu Telephone number: 08060750240

E-mail : odogwuchampionawka@yahoo.co.uk date of birth; Proof of Identity: any of the following must be sighted: National Identity Card, International Passport; Driver’s Licence; Letter of authentication by traditional ruler/community leader, affixed with passport photograph (in rural areas).

Are these instructions being observed or in the breach?

Crimes have been burst because SIM cards were registered and when insurgency heightened telcos were given timeline to deactivate SIMs. And as a result, NCC’s Head, Compliance and Monitoring Unit, Efosa Idehen, said 18.6 million SIMs’ data were deactivated and returned to MTN; 7. 49 million to Airtel; 2.23 million to Globacom and 10.46 million to then Etisalat.

It is amazing that such number of SIM lines are unregistered, yet in operation.

Why would Dealers and Agents not understand the essence of internal security and observe registration of SIM cards in accordance with, “Sections 19 and 20 of the Nigerian Communications Commission (Registration of Telephone Subscribers) Regulations, 2011 which states: “Any licensee who fails to capture, register, deregister or transmit the details of any individual or corporate subscribers to the Central Database as specified in these Regulations or as may be stipulated from time to time by the Commission is liable to a penalty of N200,000 for each subscription medium.

“A licensee, who activates any Subscription Medium without capturing, registering and transmitting the personal information to the Central Database commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine of N200, 000 for each unregistered activated Subscription Medium.

“Any licensee who activates or fails to deactivate a subscription medium in violation of any provision of these Regulations is liable to pay a penalty of N200,000 for each unregistered but activated subscription medium.p “Where the Commission is satisfied that a body corporate is culpable, the Director, Chief Executive Officer, Manager or Secretary shall also be liable to pay a fine of N200,000 unless, having regard to the nature of his functions in that capacity and to all the surrounding circumstances, he proves that-

announced its readiness to begin the second phase of its audit of SIM registration data and registration processes across all MNO platforms in the country.

This is targeted at enhancing national security objectives, consumer protection, and zero tolerance for registration related infractions as well as further assure on the integrity of its Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) registration database.

This 2nd phase audit is specifically to monitor operators’ strict adherence to the technical and other specifications for the subscriber registration as prescribed by the NCC’s Telephone Subscribers Registration Regulations of 2011 and the Technical Standards and Specifications issued by the Commission in 2011 and subsequently without prejudice to the ongoing “backend verification and scrubbing” of SIM registration data already submitted to the Commission by MNOs such as MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9Mobile and Mtel.

If perfected, crimes like kidnapping, financial crimes, armed robberies, banditry, cattle rustling and others which leverage on easy access to the national telecoms network would be minimized greatly as all SIM cards will be traceable to their real owners with the least effort.

•Umar Garba Danbatta

the offence was committed without his knowledge, consent or connivance; and he took all reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to prevent the Commission of the breach,” NCC said.

“The public is also notified to stop purchasing pre-registered SIM cards and insist on being registered personally for any new SIM card purchased.

“All violators will face stiff sanctions as the NCC will enlist the assistance of law enforcement agencies to address and curb this menace.”

Has this committee done a good job? Were they able to observe the references given them? What has it achieved for Nigeria? Is our future as Nigerians secure or do we await more pains and agonies of life inflicted by evil minded people sequel to unregistered and improperly registered SIMS? Let us imagine for instance that a crime minded person, snatches away a phone from one Idika Mgbemena, and uses it to defraud someone. He had called but the number, which is his is has the registration and ID of another person, like Pastor Amunike. Who takes the blame for fraud committed with such a phone? And who will the victims lodge complaints against? There

are multiple variations to this scenario and these are serious concerns about unregistered and improperly registered SIM cards.

It is a wonder why NCC could not tackle such mess headlong even with a committee set up since November 2017 for a final onslaught on the menace of unregistered SIM. This has the potentialities of ending crime to the barest minimum if wellhandled and implemented. But we are still battling over the mess.

After the November 2017 committee, there was a joint Industry Working Group comprising senior representatives of the NCC, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) set up with the singular mandate of harmonizing the subscriber registration process with the National Identity Card Registration Project.

The Industry working group is already doing verification and scrubbing of SIM Registration data to ensure the integrity of data submitted to the Commission by the MNOs, before the cleaned-up data will be uploaded to the central database warehoused by NIMC. In May 2019, the NCC

Existence of improperly registered, unregistered and pre-registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Cards in any part of Nigeria is not only a threat to internal security but an aide to crime as law enforcement agencies may never carry out any meaningful investigations.

Why can’t NCC use laws before it to save Nigerians from the hands of fraudsters rather than allow this unfortunate situation linger?

Cybercrime and e-fraud are done using telecommunication platforms and NCC has warned consumers to be guided. Why should agents continue to fraudulently violate the SIM card registration rules, thus risking the security situation in Nigeria?

The NCC one-day sensitization workshop in Keffi, Nasarawa State revived the agitation on the dangers of using fraudulently activated SIM cards. They discussed and searched for ways to resolve the challenges leading to non-compliance with the instruments of SIM registration.

If NCC’s renewed vigour yields the expected results, then NCC must have delivered one single, credible national citizens’ identity database, which is sorely required to fast-track the attainment of the Federal Government’s national security and reform agenda in accordance with its promise to remain committed to sanitizing the mess by Mobile Network Operators.

Concluded.

•Phone Number: 08060750240 e-mail: odogwuchampionawka@yahoo. co.uk

23

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

BUSINESS

SEC moves to leverage FIRS, others to nail Oando Stories By JEROME USHAKANG

T

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is planning to partner the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), over Oando Plc‘s alleged corporate infractions.

The commission in a statement disclosed that it plans to share findings from Oando Plc’s forensic audit with other regulatory institutions in order for further actions to be taken.

According to the statement, SEC is referring to the alleged corporate infractions leveled against the oil and gas company that include –corporate governance lapses, insider abuse, internal control failure, and capital market abuse.

The Plan: The capital market regulator will refer to the alleged violation involving the over-deduction of withholding tax on dividends paid to shareholders in 2014 to the FIRS. A statement from SEC disclosed the following “There were several corporate governance lapses stemming from poor board oversight.

These include irregular approval of directors’ remuneration, directors’ participation in matters in which they had declared interest, unjustified disbursements to directors and management of the company, and failure of the audit committee to hold meetings with management, internal auditors and external auditors.

“Oando Plc deducted an amount representing 24 per cent of the dividend paid to shareholders in 2014 as withholding tax; this exceeded the statutory requirement of 10 percent as required by the Companies Income Tax Act. “Oando Plc failed to comply with several tax laws such as the Companies Income Tax Act and Value Added Tax Act, etc.

These tax-related violations are being referred to the FIRS.” More so, SEC will refer to the issue of an alleged failure of internal control, issue arising from the sale of its subsidiary, as well as insider and suspected

market abuse. to the NSE. “Oando Plc failed to establish an effective system of internal control as required under section 61 of the Investment and Securities Act 2007 over its financial reporting thereby compromising the integrity of the company’s financial controls and reporting as revealed by the misstatements in the financial statements, high number of related party transactions and unjustified disbursements to directors.

“In 2013, Oando Plc reported the sale of its subsidiary, Oando Exploration and Production Limited to Green Park Management Limited without obtaining the approval of the commission in violation of the provisions of the Investment and Securities Act 2007 and the consent of the Minister of Petroleum as required under the Petroleum Act, 1969.

“The purported sale of OEPL enabled Oando Plc to report a profit instead of a loss, thereby misstating its financial statement in 2013 and 2014 and consequently misleading investors. This ‘fictitious’ profit reported in 2013 enabled Oando Plc to declare dividends.”

“The 2013 misstated accounts and quarterly reports of Oando Plc were included in the 2014 rights circular, thereby misrepresenting the financial status of the company to the public in violation of section 64 of the provisions of the ISA 2007.

“In 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, certain insiders of Oando Plc sold shares of the company during ‘closed periods’ despite having the knowledge of active closed periods by the company and contrary to the rules of the NSE.” On the issues to be recommended to the CAC for further action, the document said these included alleged false disclosures and non-disclosure of beneficial ownership.

For some time now, Oando Plc and SEC have been at loggerheads since the regulatory body released its investigation into the activities of the management of the company. SEC accused the management of Oando of market abuses and false disclosures, demanding the resignation of Tinubu, the

• SEC Ag. DG, Mary Uduk Board chairman, and other executives and directors of the company.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is planning to partner the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), over Oando Plc‘s alleged corporate infractions.

The commission in a statement disclosed that it plans to share findings from Oando Plc’s forensic audit with other regulatory institutions in order for further actions to be taken.

According to the statement, SEC is referring to the alleged corporate infractions leveled against the oil and gas company that include –corporate governance lapses, insider abuse, internal control failure, and capital market abuse.

The Plan: The capital market regulator will refer to the alleged violation involving the over-deduction of withholding tax on dividends paid to shareholders in 2014 to the FIRS. A statement from SEC disclosed the following “There were several

• GMD/CE OANDO, Wale Tinubu corporate governance lapses stemming from poor board oversight.

These include irregular approval of directors’ remuneration, directors’ participation in matters in which they had declared interest, unjustified disbursements to directors and management of the company, and failure of the audit committee to hold meetings with management, internal auditors and external auditors.

“Oando Plc deducted an amount representing 24 per cent of the dividend paid to shareholders in 2014 as withholding tax; this exceeded the statutory requirement of 10 percent as required by the Companies Income Tax Act. “Oando Plc failed to comply with several tax laws such as the Companies Income Tax Act and Value Added Tax Act, etc. These tax-related violations are being referred to the FIRS.” More so, SEC will refer to the issue of an alleged failure of internal control, issue arising from the sale of its subsidiary, as well as insider and suspected market abuse. to the NSE. “Oando Plc failed to establish

an effective system of internal control as required under section 61 of the Investment and Securities Act 2007 over its financial reporting thereby compromising the integrity of the company’s financial controls and reporting as revealed by the misstatements in the financial statements, high number of related party transactions and unjustified disbursements to directors.

“In 2013, Oando Plc reported the sale of its subsidiary, Oando Exploration and Production Limited to Green Park Management Limited without obtaining the approval of the commission in violation of the provisions of the Investment and Securities Act 2007 and the consent of the Minister of Petroleum as required under the Petroleum Act, 1969.

“The purported sale of OEPL enabled Oando Plc to report a profit instead of a loss, thereby misstating its financial statement in 2013 and 2014 and consequently misleading investors. This ‘fictitious’ profit reported in 2013 enabled Oando Plc to declare dividends.”

“The 2013 misstated

accounts and quarterly reports of Oando Plc were included in the 2014 rights circular, thereby misrepresenting the financial status of the company to the public in violation of section 64 of the provisions of the ISA 2007.

“In 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, certain insiders of Oando Plc sold shares of the company during ‘closed periods’ despite having the knowledge of active closed periods by the company and contrary to the rules of the NSE.” On the issues to be recommended to the CAC for further action, the document said these included alleged false disclosures and nondisclosure of beneficial ownership.

For some time now, Oando Plc and SEC have been at loggerheads since the regulatory body released its investigation into the activities of the management of the company. SEC accused the management of Oando of market abuses and false disclosures, demanding the resignation of Tinubu, the Board chairman, and other executives and directors of the company.

Commercial Paper: Nigerian Breweries launches series 3, 4 of its issues … To raise N15bn Stories By JEROME USHAKANG

T

he Nigerian Breweries Plc (NB), is raising a total of N15 billion in the third and fourth series of its N100 billion Commercial Paper (CP) Programme.

The company said that both the series three and four commercial papers, which opened on Monday, June 24, 2019, have a tenor of 91 days and 172 days, respectively.

The Nigerian Breweries in a statement has notified

the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the investing public of its intention to raise the money via Commercial Paper (CP) Programme.

The Nigerian Breweries explained in a statement to the NSE that the funds are being raised to support its short-term funding requirements.

The statement in part read; “In addition to providing an opportunity for non-equity investors to invest in the Company, the CP Programme continues to support the Company’s cost management initiatives with the overall aim of reducing

its cost of fund. The CP also serves as an additional source of funding for the Company.

“The company had earlier in April announced is intention to raise N15 billion in the first and second series of its N100 billion CP Programme, which was later concluded.

Nigerian Breweries Plc is one of Nigeria’s leading brewers who is currently competing with the likes of International Breweries and Guinness Nigeria Plc for market share.

A review of its first quarter 2019 results shows that the company posted a revenue of N91.3 billion as

well as a profit after tax of N8 billion.

About Commercial Paper: In the global financial market, a commercial paper is an unsecured promissory note with a fixed maturity of not more than 270 days.

It is a money-market security issued (sold) by large corporations to obtain funds to meet short-term debt obligations and is backed only by an issuing bank or company promise to pay the face amount on the maturity date specified on the note.

Since it is not backed by collateral, only firms with excellent credit ratings from

a recognized credit rating agency will be able to sell their commercial paper at a reasonable price.

Commercial paper is usually sold at a discount from face value and generally carries lower interest repayment rates than bonds

due to the shorter maturities of commercial paper.

Typically, the longer the maturity on a note, the higher the interest rate the issuing institution pays. Interest rates fluctuate with market conditions but are typically lower than banks’ rates.

24

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

ENERGY

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

N

igeria’s oil and gas output has remained on the increase with total crude oil and condensate volumes adding 1.32 million barrels a day (mbd) since 2016 to reach 2.32 mbd last week.

The rising figures which were announced by the outgoing Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, come in spite concerns of production impediments raised by internal financial and risk advisory consultancies.

However the current production level combining crude oil and natural gas liquids is yet to reach developed production capacity which, according to regulatory sources, stands at about 2.7 mbd.

The Oracle Today Reports that part of Nigeria’s economic mandate to the upstream oil and gas industry since 2003 is to grow production capacity to 4.0 mbd and boost reserves to 4.0 billion barrels (Bbbls).

However, a combination of internal and external factors has worked against realization of the mandate.

According to Dr. Baru, the ability to push production has come as a consequence of several factors, both internally and externally.

Part of the internal hindrances are security challenges in the industry host Niger Delta region, fiscal disputes between government and commercial investors, and natural production declines from mature fields.

External hurdles comprise mainly the output restrictions imposed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and rising competition for market shares among producing countries following the entry of the United States of America in the export race. Before the United States achieved internal energy sufficiency, the country was importing over half of Nigeria’s total oil export.

Dr. Baru stated in Abuja that

Nigerian oil output hits 2.32 mbd

•NNPC Headquarters

production volumes have defied security challenges in the Niger Delta to rise by some 1.32 mbd from about 1.0 mbd in 2016 through 2.1 mbd in 2018 to 2.32 mbd last week.

According to him, Nigeria still focuses on increasing production of oil, gas and condensates.

At a separate event in Abuja, he added that gas production has also increased significantly following leading role of the NNPC in domestic gas supply.

Dr. Baru declared that the corporation’s Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) has become the largest gas supplier to the power sector which consumes about 70 percent of total gas volumes in the domestic market.

He said security challenges that hampered exploration and production activities have been tamed; new business models have been developed across NNPC businesses, leading to phenomenal boosts in producibility.

NCDMB takes stake in modular refinery

T

he Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has acquired a stake in the 12,000 bpd Azikel hydro-skimming modular refinery.

The refinery is located in Obunagha, Gbarain, Bayelsa State.

The refinery, when completed in 2021, will produce about 1.3 million liters of premium petroleum as well as diesel, kerosene, mixed LPG and a small percentage of heavy fuel oil per day.

Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, and Director of Finance and Personnel Management, Isaac Yalah, signed the shareholders agreement and the share subscription agreement, while President of Azikel Petroleum Limited, Dr. Eruani Azibapu Godbless and Vice President Mr. Presley Asemota

signed for the company.

Mr. Wabote, who spoke at the ceremony, said the Azikel modular refinery is the second and largest in the board’s portfolio, adding that the partnership would help in creating jobs, value retention, making petroleum products available and develop in-country capability.

The project, he said, “fits perfectly with the company’s vision of serving as catalyst for the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”

He said the NCDMB was also in the final stages of commencing partnership in the development of another modular refinery in Calabar, Cross River State capital before the end of 2019.

Please find a release on the extinguishing of the Ojumole Well 1 fire for your use in your esteemed media organization.

Many thanks for your continued support to our organization.

Partners await closure of Savannah’s N97.2 bn acquisition deals

By Sopuruchi Onwuka

F

ate swings for hitherto partners of embattled Seven Energy which is currently under acquisition deal with British independent explorer, Savannah Petroleum, as the acquisition would either improve relations or mar realization of existing deals.

Savannah Petroleum declared weekend that it was working to secure the right level of funding to close the $270 million or N97.2 billion acquisition; while awaiting consent for the acquisition from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The company agreed in 2017 to acquire stakes in two assets of Seven Energy as well as taking a 20 per cent interest in Accugas Ltd. The acquisition commands attention from players in the midstream section of the Nigerian industry who have shown visible curiosity about the wild cat explorer.

Particularly, investors in the indigenous Frontier Oil Limited curiously await conclusion of the acquisition of Seven Energy with which it shared close business bonds to have a clearer business outlook.

The Oracle Today reports that Savannah Petroleum Plc which holds its main upstream

operations in Niger Republic is putting a strong foot forward into Nigeria with bullish gas asset acquisition deals that would rewrite partnerships between interests in the Central Gas Processing Facility affiliated to the Uquo field operated by Frontier Oil. Savannah had spun surprises in the industry with a bold move to acquire Seven Energy, a partner of Frontier Oil in a number of gas related businesses. Acquisition of Seven Energy means that Savannah would inherit a number of partnerships, including one with Frontier Oil. The deal which sees the exit of Seven Energy is interpreted to leave Frontier Oil with a strange bedfellow; and concerns are high over the control of critical assets and existing commercial arrangements with gas offtakers especially with signals that the new investor might be interested in full control of assets on arrival.

Savannah declared weekend that it was progressing smoothly with its deals to procure financing for completion of acquisition of Seven Energy in record time, adding that financing closure was imminent.

Savannah explained it was in the “final stages” of the ministerial consent process and

once received, the transaction will complete in line with an implementation agreement signed in February.

President Muhammadu Buhari who was the Minister of Petroleum Resources dissolved his cabinet in June upon reelection for a second tenure.

He is expected to announce new ministers later in July.

Thus, there is currently no substantive minister for the petroleum ministry, but The Oracle Today learnt that the Director of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Permanent Secretary of the ministry or any other high ranking ministry official with delegated powers could approve the acquisition deal.

Savannah said it was making “good progress” for its other workstreams for its Seven Energy interests. This includes the finalizing long-form documentation for the African Infrastructure Investment Managers investments and Accugas debt restructure.

In Niger, Savannah expects its planned Amdigh-1 well test to be approved following the completion of the Seven Energy transaction. Timing of this test, however, depends on its ability to secure the long-lead items needed to undertake the operations.

Addax stakes $138 m on FPSO Adoon extension

A

ddax Petroleum has entered a lease agreement to retain its off production vessel, Kock Adoon, for another four years following expiry of the existing contract.

Vessel owners, Yinson, declared in a regulatory disclosure that its business unit managing fleets of offshore production equipment secured contract extension with Addax on the floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO)

vessel.

According to the company, Addax would now retain the vessel till 2022.

Yinson said in a stock exchange announcement that its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Adoon Pte Limited, entered into an addendum with Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Limited to further extend the contract for the charter of FPSO Adoon with retrospective effect from Oct 17, 2018 to Oct

16, 2022.

The FPSO charter contract is worth $137.5 million for Yinson.

The original contract for the FPSO Adoon was awarded on Oct 17, 2006, for a period of eight years, with an option to renew for up to eight years.

FPSO Adoon achieved 100% uptime throughout 2018 said the company adding that it was, “a perfect streak which has remained unbroken since Q2 2015.”

25

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

ENERGY Public schools under NNPC zonal science quiz competition

By Sopuruchi Onwuka

A

total of 37 students from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will participate in the NNPC Zonal National Science Quiz Competition as the state competitions conclude.

However, the NNPC science quiz competition continues to show widening quality gap private secondary schools have over public schools in the country as only about 13 of the 37 students representing 3t5 percent of the successful students emerged from public schools.

Group General Manager in charge of Public Affairs Division of the corporation, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, stated that 13 out of the 37 students came from public schools while the 24 students or 65 percent of the total came from private schools.

Even at that, the 2019 competition recorded significant improvement in the performance of public schools from the previous records.

According to Mr. Ughamadu, the 13 state winners from public schools along with their 24 counterparts from private schools are scheduled to lock horns in the Competition’s Zonal level comprising South South Zone,

Chevron puts out Ojumole Well 1 fire

C

hevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has announced that it has safely put out the raging fire at Ojumole Well No. 1 in the Ojumole field operated under Joint Venture with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Chevron’s local affiliate, CNL, which operates the NNPC/ CNL JV expressed gratitude to stakeholders that assisted to ensure that the fire incident “caused by third party interference,” was safely put out.

General Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Esimaje Brikinn, stated the company remains grateful to neighboring communities, Ondo and Delta State governments, regulatory authorities and security agencies for helping during the fire crisis.

South East Zone, South West, North Central, North West, and North East zone.

A retired school principal from Lagos State, Taoheed Oyeyemi Alabi, stated that investment by some state governments in the development of secondary school education in recent years accounted for the rise in the number of winners from public schools.

Mr. Alabi said Lagos State Ministry of Education invested in the training of its teaching workforce and provided instructional materials and books under a scheme called “Eko Project.” He explained that such intervention shored up the quality of teaching and learning in many public schools in recent years.

He explained that contests such as the NNPC National Science Quiz Competition presented opportunities to psyche up students from public institutions and rid them of complexes.

The 2019 NNPC Zonal National Science Quiz Competition had begun with the grassroots leg of the competition administered across local governments in the country.

Mr. Ughamadu stated that the 2019 edition was to build on the gains already recorded in previous editions.

He stated that “accredited independent environmental consultants have been continuously monitoring the environment since the incident occurred with support from regulatory agencies. In addition, CNL employees are on site and normal activities are ongoing in the area.”

According to him, CNL is currently diligently working on all the requisite postincident activities, which will be consistent with the relevant environmental laws, regulations and guidelines.

Esimaje reiterated CNL’s commitment to protecting people and the environment, emphasizing that CNL places the highest priority on the health and safety of communities neighbouring its areas of operation, its workforce and the protection of the environment and its assets.

“We continue to conduct our operations safely, reliably and efficiently, with utmost consideration for protection of people and the environment,” he remarked.

• Outgoing Group Managing Director of the corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru.

Eland’s Gbetiokun field yields 9,880 bpd

E

land Oil & Gas saw an average net production in Nigeria for January to May 2019 increase by 32% to 9,880 bpd compared to 7,505 bpd for the same period in 2018.

System uptime including planned and unplanned outages of 88% was recorded for the period, up from an average of 84% for the same period in 2018.

Field development activities in Gbetiokun, which include the utilization of an early production facility (EPF) for production growth, have progressed successfully.

The EPF is expected to be mobilized to site and the company expects the field to come onstream in July with initial gross production of approximately 12,000 bpd from Gbetiokun-1 and Gbetiokun-3 wells.

Following successful re-entry operations in 2018 the Gbetiokun-1 well was completed as a dual completion to produce from the E2000 and E6000 reservoirs. Cleanup testing in Q1 2019 on the E2000 reservoir achieved choke-limited rates in line with expectations.

For the deeper E6000 interval, testing during the 2018 completion operations had highlighted the potential for limited cement behind casing and clean up testing appears to confirm this.

As a consequence, despite good well rates, the E6000 produced with limited water from a shallower water wet sand when opened to flow. Going forward this completion will be managed to maximize E6000 production whilst minimizing water production, the company stated.

It said Gbetiokun-3 was drilled as an appraisal well in Q4 2018 with the dual completion on D9000 and E4000 reservoirs being installed in Q1 2019.

“During pressure testing, a small leak was identified on the shallower D9000 completion string. Following further diagnostic logging, the leak was located and a remedial tubing patch is scheduled to be installed in the near future which will allow the string to be opened up to flow. The deeper E4000 interval was cleaned up in Q1 2019 and achieved chokelimited rates in line with pre-drill expectations.

“The EPF will process all reservoir fluids produced under the initial phase of the Gbetiokun development and the facility has a nominal capacity of 22,000 bpd, which will allow for production from the additional Gbetiokun development wells being drilled in 2019 and 2020. A modular-concept approach has been adopted for the facilities, allowing for production growth beyond 22,000 bpd.”

In line with Eland’s strategy of early monetization, the EPF development will employ the Company’s approach of shuttling crude production in tankers between the Gbetiokun field and the main OML 40 export pipeline.

Like the EPF, the facilities and process have been designed in a modular fashion allowing for the evacuation of increased levels of production over the coming 12 to 18 months while the permanent export solution is developed.

Furthermore this evacuation process allows the company to

export via an alternative export terminal should its primary export route be hindered.

On its drilling operations, Eland reported that the OES Teamwork Rig has undergone an extensive and rigorous maintenance and refurbishment campaign during the past three months. The upgrade program included the installation of new CAT engines, new mud pumps, new top drive, and a refurbished blow out preventer. It is disappointing that the refurbishment has taken longer than expected due to delays with the contractor carrying out the work but commissioning is expected to be completed in July.

Following the commissioning of the refurbished rig the OML 40 JV will continue with the Gbetiokun Phase I drilling program as outlined in the field development plan (FDP), which covers the drilling of five additional production wells (Gbetiokun-4 to -8). The first two of these planned wells, Gbetiokun-4 and -5, will be drilled back-toback by the OES Teamwork rig, commencing in July. It is expected that following completion of these two development wells production through the Gbetiokun EPF will be in the region of 20,000 bpd. Thereafter it is expected that the rig will move to the drilling of the 78 million barrel Amobe nearfield exploration prospect and further infill wells on the Opuama field: Opuama-12 and -13. In early 2020 it will drill Opuama-13 and thereafter it is expected to return to Gbetiokun to complete the Phase 1 drilling.

NNPC board gets interim Chairman

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

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new chairman has been appointed for the governing board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) following the dissolution of the executive cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the outgoing Group Managing Director of the corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, President Buhari appointed Dr. Thomas M.A. John the “Acting Alternate Chairman of the NNPC

Governing Board” pending the reconstitution of the federal executive council.

The appointment takes immediate effect.

Dr. John, a former Group Managing Director of the NNPC, has been a member of the NNPC governing board, and would now function as chairman until a new Minister is appointed to supervise government’s agencies in the petroleum industry.

Dr. Baru who personally signed the announcement stated

that Dr. John “will hold the position of the Acting Alternate Chairman of the Governing Board until a new Minister of Petroleum Resources or Minister of State for Petroleum Resources is appointed to assume the Chairmanship or Alternate Chairmanship position, respectively in line with Sections 1(3) and 2(1) of the NNPC Act.” It would be recalled that the president had earlier appointed a new set of technocrats into the Group Executive Directorate

of the NNPC following the retirement of Dr. Baru early July. The appointments also come with retirement of some powerful executive directors and Chief Operating Officers (COOs) closely associated with the outgoing GMD. Expectations are still strong that some of the retiring NNPC chiefs might fit into the imminent list of ministers and heads of parastatals as President Buhari embarks on another slow process of selecting his cabinet members.

• President Muhammadu Buhari

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

INSURANCE & PENSION

26

Sunu Assurances lauds new Capital base requirement for Insurance sector

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he Managing Director, Sunu Assurances Nigeria Plc, Mr Samuel Ogbodu, has commended the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) for increasing the capital base of various categories of players in the industry.

According to Ogbodu, the proposal is expected to consolidate the sector with more buoyant opportunities for large ticket transactions and also position insurance companies in the country as big players, instead of serving as agents to foreign insurance underwriters.

Speaking in Lagos at the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) Quarterly Forum tagged: “Deepening insurance penetration through effective broker engagement”, Ogbodu disclosed that insurance brokers would

have more creative roles to play towards harnessing the benefits of the new capital base requirement.

Ogbodu explained that Nigerian insurance sector if wellpositioned would take its rightful place in the country’s economy.

He noted that NAICOM is well-positioned to drive the implementation of the compulsory housing policy, which was valued at over one trillion naira.

“If you look at some estates in Lekki, Ikoyi and Victoria Island alone, securing policies for them would amount to over N500billon, and when you consider houses across the country, it will be over N1 trillion,” Ogbodu stated.

He said the various efforts aimed at boosting the insurance sector contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to surpass its present 0.1 per cent level would be accelerated with

the implementation of the new capital base.

Ogbodu was optimistic that insurance penetration in the country would surpass one per cent with proper implementation of the capital raising exercise as players would be forced to harness new grounds.

Stressing the role of brokers in the sector, Ogbodu said the sector’s earnings were mainly due to the contributions of the brokers that stood at 80 per cent.

“Without the brokers, there won’t be insurance; they contribute about 80 per cent of the earnings. We place very high premium on brokers,” he said.

Ogbodu assured shareholders and stakeholders that Sunu Assurances Nigeria would surpass the new capital base of N10 billion.

“Sunu is positioned to take up the new challenges, having been

rightly placed to meet up with the new capital requirement of N10 billion, even as the framework for the new policy has yet to be released,” he stated.

He said the new era would open doors for new products, reduce challenges posed by liquidity in the sector, strengthen financial inclusion and as well reopen new regulatory windows for regulators.

The managing director said Sunu Assurances with presence in over 14 countries combined robust product offerings and a unique technology-driven platform that proffered insurance management solutions at competitive costs to individuals and institutions.

Also speaking, Executive Director, Strategy and Performance, Mr Karim Dione, debunked the negative appellation given to brokers, saying “a lot of

Managing Director, Sunu Assurances, Mr Samuel Ogbodu.

them are doing the right thing.”

Lauding the recapitalisation effort of the insurance sector, he said, “the movement to recapitalise, for the Sunu Group, makes sense. The enforcement of regulatory policies also makes sense.”

He said the players needed to have profitable businesses adding that the potential in Nigeria in terms of size, potential, and resources was enormous for the Sunu Group ready to meet the new capital base.

“SUNU is here to stay because Nigeria is the real market in Africa in size, potential, resources and population,” Dione said.

He said the company’s fully paid capital presently stands at N7 billion against N10 billion required for general insurance.

Dione said the company would fully comply with the commission’s policy but needed more clarification from NAICOM on its shareholders funds or paid-up capital.

Dione said enforcement of the new capital requirement would boost penetration, and also enable companies to take bigger risks.

“Nigeria is extremely competitive, when there are too many players in the industry, it will lead to price dumping.

“We need to reduce the players in the industry to boost the reputation of the industry,” Dione said.

Mr Ladi Oyekan, YOA Insurance brokers while responding to some issues raised, said that ideal insurance penetration had not been attained based on the country’s penetration.

Access Bank ‘B and B’ ratings affirmed; outlook stable

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ollowing the acquisition of Diamond Bank, Access Bank has upped its market share to 25 percent and its cost of funding will likely decline, this according to S&P Global Rating.

The rating agency however noted that Access Bank’s asset quality indicators diluted and the operational integration of Diamond Bank is unfinished.

According to the agency, “We are therefore affirming our ‘B/B’ global scale and ‘ngA/ngA-1’ Nigeria national scale ratings on Access Bank.

The stable outlook points to our expectation that Access Bank will maintain a broadly stable credit profile over the next 12 months.

S&P Global Ratings affirmed its ‘B/B’ issuer credit ratings on Nigeria-based Access Bank PLC. The outlook remains stable. We also affirmed our ‘ngA/ngA-1’ Nigeria national scale ratings on the bank.”

The affirmation balances the benefits of the Diamond acquisition for Access’ franchise

and prospective cost of funding with the bank’s diluted asset quality indicators and integration risks.

S&P believed that, the Diamond acquisition will cement Access’ leading franchise in the competitive Nigerian banking sector.

“The combined entity has total assets of about Nigerian Naira (NGN) 6.4 trillion (approximately USD17 billion), representing nearly one-quarter of the system’s total assets. We believe Access’ expanded customer and loans base will underpin stronger revenue generation and stability going forward.

At the same time, we see slight pressure on the consolidated bank’s asset quality indicators, because the bulk of Diamond’s nonperforming loans (NPLs) were transferred to Access when the merger became effective on March 19, 2019. We expect that cost of risk will increase to 1.4 percent-1.5 percent in 2019, since Access will have to take additional provisions.

We also expect the bank to write

off about NGN120 billion in 2019 and around 0.5 percent-1.0 percent of average customer loans between 2020 and 2021. However, we anticipate that Access’ cost of risk will remain below the sector average, based on our estimate of the sector’s credit losses of 2.8 percent in 2019 and 2.5 percent in 2020.”

“We project Access’ riskadjusted capital (RAC) ratio will hover around 3 percent- 4 percent through 2021. Although we consider this RAC level to be weak, we expect the Diamond deal to strengthen Access’ earnings capacity, with core earnings climbing to about 2.5 percent of managed assets through 2021. We forecast the net interest margin will increase toward 7 percent throughout the 2019-2021, while fees and commissions will rise by NGN30 billion. Diamond’s retail focus enables the bank to build a low-cost and stable retail deposit base (2.7 percent in 2017 versus 4.7 percent on average for peers). In addition, Access plans to close about 80 branches, thereby

reducing its operating cost base.

Still, we forecast the bank’s cost-toincome ratio to increase to about 60 percent-63 percent, reflecting the integration of Diamond, and this compares unfavorably to the best performing banks in the Nigerian banking sector.”

Post-merger execution risks are generally pervasive for a transactions of this nature, particularly due to the banking environment within which Access operates and the elevated NPL levels. However, we believe that Access’s integration of Intercontinental Bank in 2011 was successful, and that it boasts a strong management team.

We expect that Access similar to its rated peers in Nigeria will continue to see funding that is largely contractually short term.

This is manageable, in our opinion, given that the bank’s stable funding ratio remains well in excess of 100 percent while its broad liquid assets to short-term wholesale funding ratio amounted to 2.77x in first-quarter 2019. Net broad liquid

assets covered 47 percent of shortterm deposits at the same date. The bank holds a long position in U.S. dollars, stemming from domiciliary accounts and funding raised in dollars in the past four years, the rating agency said.

The stable outlook indicates our expectation that the integration of Diamond will likely translate into higher earnings capacity over the next 12 months with manageable operational and integration risks.

“We would lower the ratings, in the next 12 months, if Access fails to successfully integrate Diamond, or if its asset quality deteriorates beyond our expectations. We could also lower the ratings if we see a marked deterioration in the bank’s capitalization, with RAC ratio weakening below 3 percent for longer than expected. We could also lower the ratings if we were to take a negative rating action on Nigeria (B/Stable/B).

A positive rating action appears remote in the next 12 months, because it would hinge on an upgrade of Nigeria, it stated.”

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

EQUITY & Capital Market SEC asks defunct Skye Bank shareholders to process unclaimed dividends T

NSE begins enlightenments campaign on ETF

Stories By JEROME USHAKANG

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he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has advised shareholders of defunct Skye Bank Plc that have unclaimed dividends to contact Cardinalstone Registrars in order to process their dividend payments.

The commission in a statement said that the acting Director-General, Ms Mary Uduk, was quoted to have said that SEC is committed to ensuring shareholders get the benefits of investing.

Uduk said the Commission has directed Cardinalstone Registrars and STL Trustees to ensure that all genuine claims of beneficiary shareholders are addressed forthwith.

The SEC boss maintained that since the company was no longer in operation, the unclaimed dividends had to be made available to the rightful owners.

“We have informed shareholders of the defunct Skye Bank that unclaimed dividends declared by the bank are being held in trust on their behalf.

This will further help reduce the volume of unclaimed dividends in the market and boost investor confidence “Investors that have unclaimed dividends are, therefore, advised to contact Cardinalstone Registrars to process their dividend payments.“They invested in a company and since the company has gone under, there is no reason why they should not have access to their unclaimed dividends. That is why we are calling on them to take advantage of this opportunity and claim their dividends.” She stressed.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on September 21, 2018

• SEC Ag. DG, Mary Uduk announced an immediate revocation of Skye Bank Plc’s operating license. The bank’s share capital had run into negative territory due to bad loan deals. It was also in urgent

need of recapitalisation which its shareholders could not achieve.

As part of this development, therefore, the bank’s name was changed to Polaris Bank Limited;

NSE to dialogue with CBN over banks’ recapitalisation plans

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he Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema, has disclosed that the Exchange will dialogue with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in the implementation of a fresh recapitalisation for banks.

Onyema stated this at the recently-held Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Nigeria Economic and Business Conference in Lagos.

As capital base in the banking sector continues to weaken, Onyema said the full picture of the recapitalisation plan is, at the moment, unclear to the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Defending why the NSE is very much concerned about banks’

recapitalisation in the country, Onyema stressed that the last banking sector recapitalisation in 2005, raised the sophistication and liquidity of the Nigerian capital market.

“We are still studying the pronouncement that was made last week; we are not quite sure what it means, but what I can say is that historically if you look at the last big recapitalization efforts for the banking sector, the capital market was greatly used for raising the financing and indeed it was very beneficial to the capital market to the extent that the market became more sophisticated and a lot more players came into the market from the investors perspective.

“Till today, the financial sector is still one of the most liquid sectors listed on the stock exchange. So, we know that potentially, it could be very beneficial to the capital market.”

Governor Godwin Emefiele of the Central Bank of Nigeria had recently announced the apex bank’s intention to recapitalise commercial banks in the country.

The CBN boss said the move is aimed at repositioning Nigerian banks in order that they may be among the top 500 banks in the world. The plan is also aimed at reducing the risks and the possible impact of any economic crises that may befall the financial sector.

a bridge bank which is to oversee the liquidated entity until Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) finds a new buyer.

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has commenced a three-day enlightenment campaign to increase investors’ awareness and participation in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) market. The campaign which runs from June 26 to 28, 2019, will see the Exchange engage investors through social media, radio, email and in-house workshop, on the benefits of ETFs as transparent and low cost investment option.

Speaking on the campaign, Mr. Jude Chiemeka, Divisional Head, Trading Business Division, NSE, said that “this initiative is in line with the NSE’s strategic objective of providing new and accessible opportunities for citizens to create durable wealth.

He explained that the Exchange continues to showcase the benefits of ETFs as a sound and viable investment option to tap into the capital markets.

He said: “I am pleased with efforts made by ETF providers and advisers to create and introduce more ETFs that align with the needs of institutional and retail investors thereby deepening the ETF market segment.”

ETFs are professionally managed vehicles designed to give investors broad exposure to the market by tracking an index (market cap allocations) or specialized themes that consider factors such as value and growth investing (smart beta strategy). The evergrowing investment vehicle gives institutional and individual investors access to a wide range of asset classes such as stocks, bonds, commodities, real estate and investment themes, that is Shariah investing, sector bias, dividend yield and more.

ETFs can be purchased on the NSE just like Stocks and Bonds through Dealing Member Firms as well as online trading platforms. Investors are advised to take advantage of the discounted trading fee regime offered by the ETF Market Authorized Dealers Stanbic IBTC Securities Limited and Vetiva Securities Limited which is open till the end of June 2019.

VAT exemption on Stock Exchange transactions expires on July 25

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he expiration of the Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption of Commissions on Stock Exchange transactions will expire on July 25, 2019.

The Order was made in 2014 by the then Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonji Iweala in exercise of her powers under section 38 of the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act, Cap. V1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Based on the VAT provisions, this confers exemption from VAT on commissions: Earned on traded value of shares; Payable to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC);

Payable to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); and Payable to the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS).

The Order, which became effective on July 25, 2014, was to operate for five years as part of the Federal Government’s policy measures to encourage investments in the Nigerian capital market.

However, subject to any extension of the Order by the Minister of Finance, VAT would become applicable to commissions earned or payable on transactions conducted on stock exchanges in Nigeria effective July 25,2019.

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

MONEY Market

Senate President vows to amend NDIC Act Stories By Kayode Ogunwale

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enate President has promised that the upper chamber of the National Assembly under his leadership would immediately commence work on the Bill to Amend the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) Act 2006.

Work on the bill, he noted, will begin afresh, given its importance, as the work earlier done by the 8th Senate had lapsed with the expiration of that Assembly.

In recognition of the importance attached to the bill, Lawan who spoke while receiving the management of the corporation further assured that the 9th Senate would give the bill the accelerated consideration it deserved.

Speaking earlier, according to a statement by Sunday Oluyemi, director, Communication & Public Affairs Department of the corporation, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, Umaru Ibrahim, who led the team, urged the 9th Senate to quicken the passage of the NDIC Act, 2006 (as amended) currently before the National Assembly.

Alhaji Umar who congratulated the Senate President on his election, along with the returning and firsttime Senators on their victory at the polls, pledged the corporation’s resolve to work closely with the Senate leadership and the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions to ensure a stable banking system which is critical to the stability of the nation’s financial system.

He recalled that in the past, the NDIC worked with the Senate to Amend the NDIC Act 2006 by holding seminars, workshops and actively participating in public hearings.

He lamented that the inability of the 8th Senate to pass the Bill unlike the House of Representatives which accorded the process the priority it deserved.

He, therefore, urged the Senate President to expedite passage of

the Bill in view of its importance to the stability of the nation’s financial system.

Umar recalled the various challenges facing the economy and observed that only a stable banking system could guarantee the sustainable growth of the economy.

He added that the NDIC is partnering the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and other relevant stakeholders through effective supervision and prudential regulation of the banking system.

The NDIC boss also enumerated the supervisory challenges facing the nation’s Banking System over the past few years, including issues related to risk management, corporate governance, nonperforming loans, and the need for more efficient management, cybersecurity systems as well as consumer protection.

T

T

he African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has blacklisted Abuja-based construction firm Oceanic Construction and Engineering Nigeria for a minimum period of 48 months for fraudulent contract bidding.

An investigation conducted by the Bank’s Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption established that the company misrepresented its year of incorporation, the value of its reference contracts, and the experience of its key personnel while bidding for two works contracts under the Bankfinanced Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Project in Nigeria.

The Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Project aims at enhancing access to safe water supply services in the Nigerian states of Oyo and Taraba through, among other components, extension and rehabilitation works on the

water transmission and distribution network.

The debarment, pronounced by the independent Sanctions Commissioner of the Bank, renders Oceanic Construction and Engineering Nigeria ineligible to participate in Bank-financed projects during the debarment period. The debarment qualifies for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions, including the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank Group.

At the expiry of the debarment period, Oceanic Construction and Engineering Nigeria shall be eligible again to participate in Bank-financed projects only conditional on the implementation of an integrity compliance program consistent with its guidelines.

PwC reveals Nigeria’s real estate is holding about $900 billion to ransom

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Chairman, Association of Chief Audit Executives of Banks in Nigeria (ACAEBIN)Yinka Tiamiyu; Deputy Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mohammed Balarabe; Ag. Chief Audit Executive, Fidelity Bank Plc, Onyinyechi Ekweronu at the Association of Chief Audit Executives of Banks in Nigeria’s (ACAEBIN) 42nd Quarterly General Meeting in Lagos.

Afreximbank approves $69 million dividend pay-out he African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) will pay a total of $69 million to its shareholders as dividend from its 2018 earnings, according to decisions reached during the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) of the Bank.

The shareholders also appointed one new member to its Board of Directors and decided to retain Nigeria, which has been its Chairman since the last meeting in Abuja in 2018, in that position for one more year.

In another decision, the AGM approved the Bank’s 2018 Annual Report which includes the 2018 Financial Statements.

In his report to the AGM, Prof.

Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, said that the Bank’s total revenues rose by 24 percent in 2018 to reach $806 million while the net income increased to $276 million, representing a 26 percent increase on the level in 2017.

The Bank’s total assets, including

Continuing, he assured that the Financial Services Regulation and Co-ordinating Committee (FSRCC), comprising the CBN, NDIC, National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), amongst others, would continue to collaborate to ensure financial system stability.

He thereafter reiterated the corporation’s commitment to the sustenance of excellent relationship with the Senate particularly the distinguished Senators who would be on the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions. The cordial working relationship, he noted, was not only crucial to the passage of the amendment of the NDIC, but other important Bills.

AfDB blacklists Nigeria’s company for 48 months for fraudulent practices

contingent liabilities, went up by 15 percent from $13 billion in 2017 to $15 billion in 2018, said President Oramah. That profit performance reflected strong growth in interest and fee income from diversified sources by geography and financial products.

He informed the shareholders that during its extra-ordinary session in Nouakchott in July 2018, the African Union Heads of State Summit had approved the accreditation of the Bank to the AU, allowing the AU to adopt most of the Bank’s flagship initiatives as continental initiatives. That action would help to accelerate adoption of such initiatives at the national level, thereby improving the pace of implementation at lower cost.

Prof. Oramah explained that the accreditation was a privilege which was previously enjoyed only by the African Development Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

India, largest export market for Nigeria in Q1 2019-NBS

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he National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said India was the largest export market for Nigeria in the first quarter (Q1) of 2019 with a net worth of N744.9 billion.

The bureau said this in its Commodity Price Indices and Terms of Trade (Q1 2019) on its website.

According to the report, Nigeria’s export trade to India accounted for 16.43 percent of total exports, equivalent to N744.9 billion.

It said that the largest export commodity to India was crude oil valued at N684 billion followed by liquefied natural gas at N47.1 billion.

Others, it stated, included Sesame seed (beniseed) valued at six billion naira, and Urea at N2.5 billion naira, among others.

On the other hand, Nigeria imported motorcycles valued at N65.3 billion, Kerosene, Jet

fuel worth N15.2 billion, other antibiotics valued at N9.3 billion, among others during the period under review.

It said that China, Spain, France and the Netherlands were also other major trading partner countries of Nigeria in the first quarter of 2019.

The bureau also said that the country’s major export to these countries were crude petroleum and natural gas.

According to the report, the major imports from these countries are motorcycles, motor spirit (ordinary) and machine for reception, conversion and distribution of voice and images.

Nigeria’s export trade with China in the first quarter it said was dominated by liquefied natural gas valued at N88.6 billion.

The bureau said that this was followed by crude oil at N38.7 billion, and Sesame seed at seven billion naira, among others.

igeria with its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $530 billion, growth expectations hinged at 2.3 percent in 2019, and a longterm average growth rate of 3.5 percent, still holds between $300 billion to $900 billion worth of dead capital in residential real estate and agricultural land alone.

According to a report recently released by PriceWater House Coopers limited, the high-value real estate market segment holds-in value between $230 billion-$750 billion, while the middle market segment holds in value between $60 billion-$170 billion.

Experts have long emphasised on the need to explore the untapped potentials in a bid to grow the economy. This is especially in respect to the volatile crude oil prices in the world oil market which has posed a challenge.

The report revealed that, the residential and agricultural real estate sector are one of the major forms of dead capital. With over 40 million households in a total country population of 200 million. The report reveals that a typical Nigerian house is over capacity with an occupancy rate of seven persons in a room.

Furthermore, the report revealed that approximately 95 percent of Nigerian household dwellings have no title or a contestable title.

Despite various developmental plans, Nigeria continues to wrestle with rising poverty and unemployment levels, coupled with the epileptic manufacturing and industrial base. This is despite the fact that economic development could have been made possible by harnessing capital from areas that are often overlooked by people.

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

FOCUS J

UNE 22, 2019 will go into the history books as another dark day for Nigeria. It is another pipeline explosion, this time in Kom Kom community, Oyigbo Local Government Area, in Rivers State. And yet again, the multiple deaths involved those who had ventured into the swamps where the pipeline was leaking fuel, to scoop free fuel. It was a disaster waiting to happen.

One of victims, Sunday Uwakwe, whose two legs were severely burnt, said: “I was standing on the side of the railway line watching those scooping fuel when the explosion occurred. The sound was so loud it was like an earthquake and it threw me across to the other side close to where they were scooping the fuel and that was how the fire got to me. I was not in the pipeline area. The ball of fire was very large. And the heat was so much. Someone close to where I landed had his two hands burnt.”

Most of those who lost their lives were aged between 15 and 35. There were among them, students, artisans, and jobless youths who were eager to earn quick money. A father lost his two sons. The elder son had scooped 25 liters of fuel on Friday evening.

On Saturday morning, he woke his younger brother to join to scoop fuel. Both died in the inferno that ensued.

A sad South-South Zonal Director of NOSDRA, Cyrus Ukagwum restated the dangers of scooping refined fuel from a damaged pipeline or from any fuel storage leaking fuel because of the high chances of a fire outbreak.

“The first thing is safety. How much would they have made from the fuel? Now, they are gone. It is sad. We keep enlightening people to stay away when there is a fuel spillage. But they never listen. Some even stored the fuel in their homes, and the whole place ignited when the explosion occurred.”

The pipeline explosion occurred barely 10 days after a gas cylinder explosion at a shopping mall in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Five employees of one of the restaurants in the mall were severely burnt; the legs of one of the victims were amputated.

The start of investigations Soon after the explosion on June 22, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a full investigation to ascertain the circumstances o the explosion.

But a week after, no government agency, the Police or the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has submitted a report; so, the cause of the explosion remains a subject of conjecture.

The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Police Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said on Thursday, June 27, that the investigative team set up by Commissioner of Police, Usman Bellel, will submit its report to the commissioner on Friday, June 28.

Ukagwum, who led a joint investigation

plosion before reporting to the authorities in the council. A health expert who visited the scene had wondered why there were no health experts to assist the youths in the evacuation of the decomposing corpses from the swamp. “This is risky for the community. There could be an outbreak of epidemic proportions. The youths were carrying out the evacuation of the bodies without professional assistance or supervision and they didn’t have any protective gear. The authorities need to cordon off the area and subject all those involved in the evacuation to medical test. The youths are having direct contact with decomposing bodies and this is dangerous for the community,” he said.

Of pipeline explosions, deaths and matters arising FromPortHarcourt,NATHOMAMEJr.writesonthedevastation that recent pipeline fire in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State caused in the Garden-City State. team with officials of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), the arm of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that maintains pipelines, also stated that the company will submit its report to the Federal Government on Friday, June 27.

By Saturday, June 28, there is no public statement regarding the cause of the explosion.

Fear of an epidemic as more bodies are found

As at Friday, June 28, 40 bodies of those who had gone to scoop fuel, had been evacuated from the swamp. Ten bodies were evacuated on Saturday after the explosion, and 22 more were recovered on Saturday. The leader of the youths in Kom Kom community, Effel Okorie, said eight additional bodies were recovered on Saturday night.

Health experts from Oyigbo Local Government Area were at the scene of the ex-

What happened?

The Joint Investigating Team of NOSDRA, led by Ukagwum, couldn’t access the swampy area because fresh fires broke out on Monday. The Executive Director of UTM, Port Harcourt to Enugu, Kennedy Azamche, the company contracted by PPMC regretted that nothing could be done, because, “we have to wait for the fire to the put off before we can begin our investigation. Now, we have come to see for ourselves.”

So far, the nearest the nation has come to knowing what happened was the revelation by Kennedy Azamche that preliminary investigations showed that the pipeline was vandalized. According to him, officials noticed a leakage on Friday, June 21, and had resolved to return on Saturday, June 22 to fix it. Unfortunately, the explosion occurred in the morning before the officials arrived.

He was unhappy that security agencies did not cordon off the area three days after the explosion.

Azamche said that the joint investigation team would wait for UTM to put off the fire before embarking on its assignment.

“We will open up the pipeline to ascertain whether it the pipeline was punctured, or whether it was a leakage or a spill as has been alleged. But we doubt whether it was a leakage. However, now that we are here, we will carry out a thorough investigation of the pipeline to see what actually happened to it,” he said.

The pains of history The recent explosion at Kom Kom is not a solitary case. Nigerians have always defied the dangers of death and severe burn to rush to any scene of oil spillage. Such is the pull of free money to be made and so near is death, fiery death.

In 1998, hundreds died at Jesse in Delta State when a clash of aluminum buckets sparked a flash that started an inferno that raged for days. Many families were affected; it was either they lost someone or knew someone who was affected. Okagwum said, “no amount of free fuel or money is worth the anyone’s life.”

Obiano: Kudos to a great warrior

By OGEDI JOHNBOSCO NWADIALO

C

hief Willie Mmaduaburochukwu Obiano, Akpokuedike Aguleri and executive governor of Anambra State light of the nation, came into the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as a 21st Century prophet. He ventured into the most secret avalanche of political parties in Nigeria. Stories of economic strangulation abound in the country today. Governments of various states in the federation often tell these stories of cash crunch thereby starving the masses, including those working for their political parties, of democratic dividends.

These tales of no funds, no doubt, have been a recurring decimal in the land with those in positions of authority stashing away the common wealth of the masses in foreign banks.

The usual saying of ‘’Monkey dey work while Baboon dey chop’’ syndrome regrettably, has become the order of the day today in the country. Most annoying is the fact that they have a pretentious outlook and come up with spurious defences when antagonized by the masses. Tales of inflated contracts, favoritism, and gross abuse of power which are attributes

of executive recklessness have characterized governance for quite some time now in this part of the world. It really saddens one’s heart when government fails to live to its billing by providing for the welfare for citizens. In this way, the masses are subjected to untold hardship as a result of bad governance.

On his assumption of office as governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano tackled insecurity head log, creating social and financial security for the teeming youths of Anambra by providing them jobs, revamping dilapidated infrastructures and ailing parastatals in the state thereby giving them a face lift. Never in the history of the State, have residents slept with both eyes closed. The governor added an unprecedented vigor by rewarding party faithful. He demonstrated this kind gesture by providing operational vehicles to Chairmen of his political party APGA. This singular gesture by the governor had gone a long way in erasing unpleasant memories in the minds of political followers who always had the feelings of being used and dumped. . Such attitude by some Chief executives was usually associated with personal aggrandizement and self intoxi-

cation that usually tally with political gimmick.

This glory by this proclaimed messiah of our time saw to the destructive approach of those who maneuvered the party primaries recently, while trying to bring in confusion by removing ward executives and other principal officers in the party, who are the bed rock of the party.

This action was orchestrated on a self intuition and propagation intended to kill the party indirectly with some obnoxious terminologies which seemed blind folding, which the Governor cannot be conjured into even by their fetish Priests, as he authoritatively ordered a back to status quo, which chairmen of the party and other principle officers are forever grateful, including a most distinguished philanthropist whose native sagacity have elevated Onitsha constituency 11 to an outstanding height because of his commitment to the wellbeing of youths, widows and the less privileged in his constituency.

The governor in his intellectual propensity together with his seasoned aides had organized a peaceful congress in APGA which saw to the emergence of credible leaders at all levels of the party. No doubt APGA had maintained

that Igbo adage of ‘’Nkea bu nke anyi ‘’ thus making the fore runners of the party whether living or dead to heave a sigh of relief. We thank God for that..

Indeed Governor Willie Obiano has been delivering the necessary democratic dividends to people of Anambra and no doubt is giving a good account of his stewardship to the people of the state.

His economic policies have in no small measure made Anambra an economic hub in the country. Dilapidated roads are being rehabilitated in the state with street lights bright at night making motorists have free flow of movement. No wonder Anambraians are full of praises for this dynamic governor whose philanthropic gesture cuts across societal strata’s and religious boundaries.

There is someone of mention that needs to be commended because of the vibrant and vicious way of handling matters in the party.

The distinguished Nwachi Obianwu member Board of Trustees of APGA is indeed a blessing to APGA as he would live to his vicious articulation.

•Hon Ogedi Johnbosco Nwadialo is the APGA Chairman

31

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 1 - 7, 2019

FOCUS

H

itherto, the Anambra State Secretariat complex was in a complete state of disrepair: it had leaking roofs, corroded floors, bad toilets and conveniences, dilapidated office apparatuses and epileptic power supply, among others, thereby making work environment unfriendly and inconvenient for maximum productivity and motivation. It is in order to address such shortcomings that Governor Willie Obiano extended priority attention to the secretariat complex and embarked on rehabilitative works on the old and new buildings of the complex respectively so as to bestow a befitting status on the complex as the nerve-centre and engine room of Anambra’s political economy.

As at press time, one of the workers who spoke with our correspondent on the spot at the complex regarding the ongoing renovations , Engr.Oluwadare Ajibola Samuel a representative of O-Ben Developers said they were renovating the block A and B axis of the secretariat complex and that the project commenced about a week ago.

He said: “There were a lot of cracks on the walls inside. We also rectified electrical faults and worked on faulty air-conditioners. There are lots of leakages in the roofs, so we changed a lot of things. We changed the roofs and also changed some sinks there to make sure that everything is perfect. So, there is are no more leakages there. We are also replacing the interlocks with stamping concretes to make the place more beautiful.”

Anambra State Head of Service, Barr.

Harry Uduh who also spoke about the renovation exercise, said it was in tandem with Governor Willie Obiano’s philosophy of a conducive, convenient as well as habitable work environment where workers are expected to ensure maximum productivity.

“Governor Willie Obiano is interested in the welfare and well-being of workers,” Uduh added. “Apart from salaries and wages, you are as good as your work environment. This place has not been renovated for more than 12 years. And he saw the need to upgrade the look so that it will also help the psyche of those who work in a clean and conducive environment. If you work in a dirty environment, it will affect your psyche and quality of your work.”

So, in this case and in spite of paucity of funds, he undertook massive renovation of the place. The block A for instance, the structure there was donated by the federal government and nothing has been done there since 1991. Internally also, the facilities are also being repaired and replaced.

And to compliment that, facility managers have been engaged to make sure that the standard of cleanliness and decency expected is maintained .

Uduh further disclosed that in spite of too many contending needs, the governor decided to deploy resources to the facelift and upgrade of the state secretariat complex Awka. As part of measures to address erratic power supply at the secretariat complex, the Head of Service explained that the governor recently commissioned

PEOPLE

Continued from Page 18

The Spouses of the Okekes’ children include: Mrs. Olivia Okeke; Mrs. Ijeoma Okeke; Mrs. Ogechukwu Okeke; Mrs. Adaobi Okeke; Mrs. Ifeyinwa Vanessa Okeke and Mrs. Chizoba Okeke, Mr. Charles Okafor and Dr. Echezona Okoli.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH DEATH Over these years, he has had varied close encounters with Mr. Death. By the grace of God, he had outsmarted death by the whiskers using his famed native intelligence.

About June 1969, during the Nigeria/Biafra Civil War, he was logistic supervisor for humanitarian aids to war ravaged civilian population. In June 1969, he arranged trucks to transport loads of relief materials from Uli Airport to Owerri & then to Umuahia. It was at the dead of the night. At Okwe Biafra Refinery near Okwele near Orlu, Nigerian Air force Jet bombed the convoy. Though his heart jumped to his mouth, but he was brave enough to order the absconding driv-

New face of Anambra Secretariat...12 years after The Anambra State Secretariat complex in Awka is currently wearing a new look due to the ongoing aggressive renovation works at the complex, writes OZO RAY from Awka.

the Awka Sub-station of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company which he believes would help supply constant electricity to the secretariat complex . Also he noted that there is an effort to get electricity from the Awka station of the Central Bank of Nigeria dedicated centre and that the governor has equally made provisions for the purchase of more bigger generators for the secretariat and government house respectively and to compliment others together with other long term power initiatives intended to address power outages at the secretariat complex .

Uduh was however of the opinion that workers in the employ of the state government has no reason not to be happy with the governor’s developmental strides es-

pecially as it concerns therir welfare and upkeep adding Anambra state ranked top on workers’welfare and better conditions of service . He said while the governor is beautifying the secretariat complex, there was need also to ascertain as well as identify those on the state government’s payroll to avoid leakages and wastages in the state work force. This according to him , prompted the on-going workers’ verification exercise which also includes political appointees . Although the Head of Service stated that the payroll verifications was a routine exercise but not intended to witchhunt any employee of the government . He said the last payroll verification exercise was conducted in 2016 but emphasized that it was necessary that government

ers to drive the trucks into the bushes that camouflaged them. It was a heavy bombardment but miraculously they survived and continued after the jet bomber had emptied its weapon of death in nearby bushes and flew away.

Sir Okeke’s high profile kidnap saga on August 24, 2009, which ransom was paid by his wife to secure his release from captivity readily comes to mind. He had disarmed his abductors by promising that he would pay them N1billion upon his release and that whatsoever his wife would bring was for kolanut. He was brave enough to hunt his kidnappers down one by one to face justice.

The Okeke’s philanthropy equally extends to the members of University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Onitsha Branch, through Lady Pat Okeke, who is the Goodwill Ambassador of UNAA. In the Daily Sun Newspaper feature article of March 2, 2019, dubbed: “Diamond Couples” Lady Okeke was asked by reporter, Jeff

Amaechi Agbode: “What do you like most about your husband?” Unequivocally, she responded, “What I like most about him is his fearlessness, his agility, and care for others, trying to make the lives of others better.

It’s my passion too and I thank God that he toed that line”. And I would not agree more with this excellent mother of mothers!

We are celebrating a man who has an innate contempt for injustice, a hero, a truly rare champion for the emancipation of the oppressed, less privileged masses. His wide horizon and vision transcend religion, and tribal differences and social stratification.

70 hearty cheers to an indefatigable Transport Guru / industrialist, endowed by the Creator God with an uncommon gift of native wisdom!

•Chris Ajugwe, Esq. is the principal partner, law firm of Chris Ajugwe and Associates and the President, University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Onitsha Branch. cajugwe@gmail.com. 0803-668-0177

conducted it so as to ensure that those being paid salaries really deserved to be paid even as he pointed out that with the imminence of the new national minimum wage , the payroll verification was necessary to ensure proper implementation. He said government was making frantic efforts to instill discipline and integrity into the payroll system of the government stressing that it is the duty of public servants to identify and report colleagues who take to truancy and redundancy at the workplace.

The Head of Service however re-echoed the fact that the payroll verification exercise would not preclude any worker from getting his salaries but to help regulate the payroll system of the government to guard against loss of revenues .

33

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

With Douglas Omoyooma

The sky gladiators…

Glo-powered CNN African Voices shares the story of three sky gladiators

I

n continuation of its tradition of showcasing talented Africans who are carving out a niche in different fields of endeavour, Globacom-sponsored CNN African Voices will this weekend bring to viewers the exciting story of two pilots and a paraglider.

The first guest on the programme is Kenya’s hot air balloon pilot, David Eris Nguruga, who from childhood nursed the dream of flying airplanes. The desire has blossomed into a 12-year romance with hot air balloons. He takes viewers through his interesting journey to stardom, including how he grew from being a crewmember to a pilot. “I had developed a liking for flying airplanes when I was a kid. I remember, we were having lunch and this fighter jet came out. I stepped on my food just to see this plane. I was like, ‘whoa’. I said I want to be in one. So, I think I developed that from my childhood but never thought that I could do it,” he says.

David Eris Nguruga

Tumi Carter Katisi

Next on the show is Tumi Carter Katisi, a commercial pilot from Pimville, Soweto, South Africa. She developed a love for flying in her tenth year in school when she was assigned to shadow a professional in the workplace. Because of her childhood dream to be a doctor, she chose to carry out the assignment in a hospital. However, she was not successful in this endeavour as none of the hospitals she approached gave her the green light. She then decided to visit her aunt who worked with South African Airways.

After that first visit, Katisi went back to the airport at every opportunity she had, and this helped her build a relationship with pilots who shared their secrets with her and allowed her to be part of their simulator time. Her passion for flying got a boost when her community helped pay her fees up to last year when she got her commercial licence. She now uses her experience to train other young South African females who may wish to toe her path.

Also to be featured on African Voices this weekend is Hans Joachim, a paraglider from Mauritius, who engages in the recreational art of flying foot-launched glider aircraft. He enjoys the adventure because of its lack of rigid primary structure. He sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing from which he has ruled the Mauritius skies, flying like a bird for years.

According to him, “the development of our ability to identify these rising, warmer and therefore lighter air bubbles allows us to paraglide across the island – from North to South and from East to West.”

Hans Joachim

34

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

Entertainment Falz explodes over arrest of Kano musician who mocked Ganduje

P

opular Nigerian rapper, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz has kicked against the sentence of Kano musician, Mohammed Yusuf, aka AGY to two years imprisonment for defaming the character of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in a viral song.

DAILY POST had reported that a Magistrate’s court in Kano sentenced artiste, Mohammed Yusuf, to two years imprisonment for defaming the character of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in a viral song.

Popularly known as AGY, Yusuf recorded the hit song which mocked the governor’s alleged dollar bribe, creation of new Kano emirates and election rigging.

The singer was arrested by the police last Monday night and arraigned before Magistrate Court 72, Noman’s Land presided

by Aminu Gabari. During the summary trial days later, the court found Mr Yusuf guilty of threecount charges of releasing a song without the approval of the Kano State Censorship Board, releasing a video without obtaining same

approval and defamation of the character of Mr. Ganduje.

On count 1 and 2, the singer was sentenced to six months each with an option of N50,000 fine each, while on count 3, the musician bagged one year without option of fine.

Part of the song read: “Kano governor has already turned blind, I swear what you did is hurting us, For lucre, governor is more than a thief, For lucre, the governor can sell out Goggo”.

Reacting to his arrest, Falz took to his Instagram page condemning the court ruling, adding that ‘state machinery should not be used to harass citizens’.

The controversial rapper describing the court ruling as shameful, called on Nigerians to stand against it.

He wrote: “Hate to see stuff like this! This is 2019. Any individual who feels defamed by any statement made by another person can sue for libel or slander under the law of defamation.

“It is shameful to see public officers using the machinery of the state to harass citizens and attempting to hinder our inalienable freedom of expression.

“Anyone who knows the musician Mohammed Yusuf personally should please get in touch with me. We need to contend with this unjust sentence.”

Nollywood actor, Akpor dies on set

BBNaija 2019: Meet the housemates for 2019

A BBnaija 2019 host, Ebuka Obi Uchendu.

Here are the 21 housemates that will make you stay glued to your TV screen all through the 12 weeks: 19. Tacha – 1. Avala – Age: 30 State: Ogun Gender: Female

11. Tuoyo State: Delta state Gender: Male

16. Gedoni – Age: 31 Gender: Male

12. Sir Dee – Age: 28 State: Kogi Gender: Male

17. DianeAge: 23 State: Kaduna Gender: Female

3. Omatshola – Age: 38 8. Kimophra – State: Delta Age: 23 Gender: Male Gender: Female

13. Seyi – Age: 30 State: Ogun Gender: Male

18. Mercy – Age: 26 Gender: Female

4. Frodd – Age: 28 State: Anambra Gender: Male

9. Isilomo – Age: 27 State: Edo Gender: Female

14. Esther – Age: 22 State: Lagos Gender: Female

5. IkeAge: 26 State: Imo Gender: Male

10. Jackye – Age: 23 State: Anambra Gender: Female

15. Telma – Age: 26 Gender: Female

2. Khafi – Age: 20 State: Ekiti Gender: Female

6. EllaAge: 30 State: Anambra Gender: Female 7. Nelson – Age: 26 State: Rivers state Gender: Male

Rape Allegation: Pastor Biodun steps down

Age: 23 State: Rivers Gender: Female 20. Jeff – Age: 30 State: Anambra Gender: Female 21. Mike Age: 28 State: Lagos Gender: Female

nother Nollywood actor, Kagho Harley Akpor is dead.

Akpor, is also a director and writer, drowned in the swimming pool of a popular hotel in Asaba, Delta State, according to The Sun. The newspaper reports that he was at a film location shooting a movie along with other crew members when he fell into the pool.

It added that Akpor may have drown as a result of lack of swimming skills, adding that by the time he was rescued from the water, a lot of damage had been done.

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Adeyinka Adeleke, confirmed the incident.

The CP, however, did not give details of the cause of death.

35

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

ItENTERTAINMENT happened to me: Canon, world-leader in imaging solutions, understands the importance of the settings and ambiences of physical shops as they become more than just a buying space, an opportunity for the brand to build and maintain relationships with its customers.

We know that customers are becoming more and more demanding and that is why brands must be able to quickly develop their concept and this adaptability is made possible thanks to digital printing.

The growth of e-commerce has already transformed the retail landscape and with double digit annual growth predicted into the next decade, this disruptive force shows no signs of abating. Yet although almost a third of consumers report shopping in-store less often, just under 90% of worldwide retail sales still take place in physical stores, reflecting their enduring appeal for both retailers and consumers.

For retailers, physical stores play a role in sales 79% of the time and excel at converting interest to sales and increasing the value.

For consumers, shopping in-store provides things digital cannot; atmosphere, face-toface customer service and the ability to see and try products.

From the perspective of the consumer, shopping is about customer experience, not channels. This is why the movement of consumer spending from bricks-andmortar retail to e-commerce doesn’t mean the end of physical retail. In fact, it is driving the transformation of physical retail into an immersive experience and opening opportunities for speciality print service providers (PSPs).

The new role of physical retail Most retailers that continue to thrive are those embracing ‘omni-channel’ strategies; focusing on delivering a seamless customer experience across every channel where they have a presence – physical stores, catalogues, e-commerce, mobile, social media and more.

In this omni-channel scenario, physical and digital touchpoints must complement one another to deliver a unified journey.

This, combined with customer expectation of greater personalisation and preference for experiences over things, is driving a fundamental change in the role of the physical store. Clever retail brands capitalise on their stores’ ability to engage shoppers with the emotional and multi-sensory experiences that are missing from online purchases.

For design professionals and service providers active in retail décor, physical retail’s new role represents an exciting opportunity to create spaces where customers want to spend time.

From functional store to immersive brand experience ‘Retailtainment’ and ‘the experience economy’ are concepts that originated almost three decades ago, but have only really begun to transform the retail landscape in the last 10 years. With retailers increasingly competing on the basis of ‘time well spent’ instead of just product or service offering, the retail landscape is moving towards showroom-style environments that encourage consumers to experience products, or stores in which cafés, events or workshops invite shoppers to linger.

Cycling brand Rapha, for example, calls its 22 stores around the world ‘clubhouses’.

They are cafés that screen live cycling, have programmes of events and rides and also

The age of ‘retailtainment’: How digital disruption is driving trends in physical retail décor • The growth of e-commerce has already transformed the retail landscape and with double digit annual growth predicted into the next decade sell the brand’s high-end cycling clothes and accessories. Italian food brand Eataly’s stores provide a space in which people can eat, shop and learn about Italian food, combining groceries and kitchenware with a café, restaurant and cooking school in more than 20 stores globally.

The vital role of décor in immersive retail Delivering both atmosphere and sensory appeal, interior décor is an essential consideration when creating an immersive experience that encourages consumers to spend time as well as money in-store. 59% of shoppers want an inviting ambience in-store and 51% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands whose stores are ‘interesting or different’, rising to 63% for consumers aged 18-34.

Driving footfall Retailers seeking to stimulate repeat visits from consumers and attract new clientele need to refresh store environments regularly to make them visually enticing, keep up with changing fashion trends and maintain the surprise factor to encourage footfall. The flipside is that tired retail interiors can quickly turn off consumers and send them to competitors.

Encouraging dwell time The décor of physical stores and popup retail spaces is becoming an important part of the customer journey. In addition to ensuring that shopping in-store is visually consistent with every other touchpoint where customers interact with a brand, décor has an unparalleled ability to create

a welcoming ambience and make a space a pleasant place to spend time. Indeed, unless a brand specifically wants to lead with convenience, the best store designs are those that make consumers want to stay.

This is why we’re increasingly seeing décor being used more to create a branded experience and encourage dwell time, than to directly drive sales. If you look at children’s clothing retail, examples run from a life-sized doll’s house in French brand, Bonpoint’s, children’s store to a playground that runs through the displays in Spanish brand, SuperMoments’, Valencia shop. In both these examples, retail décor is simultaneously creating an experience reflecting the ‘personality’ of the brands, and encouraging consumers to spend more time in the brand environment.

Enabling connected experiences Almost half of consumers’ inspiration for purchases today comes from social media, but its power is even greater when you consider that the most persuasive source of information for shoppers is recommendations from family and friends that’s who make up most consumers’ social networks! So it’s no surprise that retailers are trying to engage shoppers on social media while in-store.

Mobile-empowered shoppers are taking more photographs in-store, so retailers are incorporating design features that encourage social sharing – from purpose-built selfie opportunity areas to ‘shareworthy’ fitting rooms. London department store Selfridges, for example, promotes “selfie sticks and Instagram-worthy backdrops” in the fitting

rooms of its third-floor Designer Studio. This phenomenon also demands that interiors are regularly updated and kept looking fresh.

The opportunity for print Retailers need pragmatic solutions that can create a particular ambience or reflect what is ‘trending’, but with minimal disruption and waste and often within tight budget constraints.

This plays to the strengths of digital print in terms of flexibility, turnaround time, cost effectiveness and sheer diversity of materials.

In turn this creates exciting opportunities for PSPs, whether they come to retail décor from a background producing retail display graphics or bring décor expertise from other segments such as hospitality.

With contemporary media, digital print and finishing technology, PSPs can offer a diverse range of creative and functional retail décor applications from bespoke branded wallpaper and creative pop-up displays and features, to comprehensive retail refits comprising wall coverings, window and floor graphics, and branded surface décor on counter tops, changing room doors and so on.

The PSP’s ability to realise the retail brand owner’s creative vision and ensure that the décor elements can withstand the physical stresses of the retail environment should mean that customised printed décor is a key element in creating more welcoming, immersive and captivating instore experiences.

•Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

racleToday

The

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Head Office: 116 Awka Road, Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. Lagos Bureau Office: 25 Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Hotlines : 09061836916 , 08033580234, 09078310060

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37

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

SPORTS Wilfried Zaha

•Super Eagles, (Inset) John Obuh.

Eagles’ bonus row:

NFF may be innocent –Obuh ... Says “Federation should have ‘Plan B’

By MADUABUCHI KALU

F

ormer national team Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations winning coach, John Obuh, says the country’s football governing body, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) may be innocent of the Super Eagles bonus row at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt.

According to Obuh, the fact that the NFF thanked the Federal Government for making funds available to them to attend to their finance responsibility to the national team means the Federationwere not at fault after all.

He explained that the issue of bonus row is not entirely a Nigeria thing, rather an African thing because there are other teams at the ongoing tournament in Egypt that have the same issue of their bonuses not being paid by their respective federations and call on those saddled with the responsibility to ensure that this particularly problem is confined to the dustbin of history.

Coach Obuh bared his mind on the recent refusal of the national team to train at the ongoing Africa Nations Cup due to non-payment of their bonuses and allowances. He made his feelings known in exclusive interview with the Oracle Today Sports.

“Well, I don’t think that the non payment of bonuses and allowances of players is a Nigerian thing because we are all aware that the Super Eagles are not the only team that protested the non payment of their bonuses and allowances,”

Obuh began.

“I am not saying that it is norma. No!Rather, what I am saying is that African countries should endevour to avoid this recurrent problem and embarrassment of nonpayment of bonuses and allowances to players before, during and after any major tournament.

“What I don’t know is whether the non payment of bonuses and allowances to Super Eagles’ players is the entirely the fault of the Nigeria Football Federation or that of the Government. Mind you, I am not trying to defend the NFF rather I am looking at the issue objectively.

“What we don’t know is whether money was released to the NFF and they refused to pay which is not likely any way.

If money is released to them and they refused to pay the players their entitlement, then we can blame them but if the government did not release funds to them, then they have no case to answer,” Obuh explained.

“And from the look of things, it is like the government did not release money on time for them because we recently heard the NFF thanking the Federal Government for releasing money to the team.

“That’s call to mind, the need for the government to have plans on how to fund sports in this country. Sports is a peculiar industry that should be treated differently from other sectors of our national life. It should be placed on the first line charge because everything about sports is urgent and needed urgent action,” Obuh disclosed.

My first AFCON goal ‘ll remain indelible –Omeruo

By MADUABUCHI KALU

K

enneth Omeruo, Super Eagles and on loan Chelsea defender, has disclosed that he will ever cherish his first tournament goal for the national team and that it will remain indelible in heart.

It is recalled that Super Eagles’s victory in their second group match was made possible by the Abia State born defender when he scored via nodding, the only goal of the match on the 73rd minute against Guinea to hand the three time African champions a round of 16 ticket last Wednesday in Alexandra, Egypt.

According to him: “I will ever cherish my first AFCON goal for the Super Eagles in the ongoing AFCON tournament.

“We needed a goal and it came at the right time. We have so far defended well which have yielded us two

•Omeruo

clean straight sheets in the ongoing tournament which is good for our confidence as a team.

“As a defender I’m glad, we are yet to concede a goal in the tournament.

“We will keep pushing because it is glaring there are no small teams in African football anymore and that is the reason for the slim victory in the first match against Burundi which ended 1 nil in our favour, this match against Guinea also that ended in 1 nil victory for us.

“The most important thing is that we have gotten the six points that progresses us to the next round of the tournament.

“We are not talking about the cup for now, we just want to remain focused and also not distracted as well, but we are effectively working hard to see what the future holds for us in this ongoing tournament” Kenneth Omeruo said.

Transfer:

Cristal Palace Zaha wants Arsenal switch

By MADUABUCHI KALU with agency report

C

rystal Palace winger, Wilfried Zaha, has told the club he wants to join Arsenal this summer, according to SportsMail reports.

The winger has informed told Palace in clear term of his desire to transfer his services to the Emirates Stadium and therefore, urged them to reach an agreement with the Gunners, who he supported as a boy.

Palace have already struck a deal worth over £50 million with Manchester United for the sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

And the South London side already insisted that only one of their academy products would be allowed to leave.

But Zaha remains determined to secure his own bigmoney switch from Selhurst Park too.

Palace have put a huge £80m price tag on the 26-year-old, which would put him out of Arsenal’s price range. The Gunners have a starting budget of around £45m, following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.

That has left Zaha hoping that Palace chairman, Steve Parish, will lower the club’s demands to make his dream switch a reality.

NBF pick 20 boxers for 6 weeks camping ahead of African Games

By MADUABUCHI KALU

N

o fewer than 20 boxers have been selected by the Nigerian Boxing Federation (NBF) to head into a six-week intensive camping ahead of the 12th African Games holding in Rabat Morocco from August 16 to 31.

The boxers were selected for the intensive camping exercise after the trials that took place at the BraiAyonote Gymnasium, National Stadium, Lagos.

Nigeria will feature in the boxing event at the Games with two boxers in each weight category. Ten male and 10 female boxers make up the list of 20.

The final list for male boxers has Adesodun Michael and Adeniji Yusuf representing the country in the 56kg, OsobaAzeez and OsitaUmeh (69kg), LukmonLawal and DanlukoEkele (81kg), Arinze Franklin and Gabriel Francis (91kg). In the super heavyweight, Adebayo Imoleaye and Segun Ibrahim have been selected.

Selected in the female category are AishatOriyomi, Caroline Linus, Oshoba Elizabeth, Ukah Juliet, YetundeOdunuga, FadilatTijani, Abdulwahab Aisha, Shobgamu Bola, Ekung Mary and AdejumolaToyin.

Boxing it is recalled used to be one of the country’s strong areas where at every international sporting events like All Africa Games (AAG), Commonwealth Games and the Olympics but in recent years, the country has not been showing that strong impact that she used to by dominating in the various weight categories at international summits.

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The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

SPORTS Aiteo Cup: Niger Tornadoes end Smart City’s dream in Ilorin

N Kanu lampoons Ighalo for being selfish against Guinea … Says “football’s team sport not individual game’

By MADUABUCHI KALU ormer national team captain, NwankwoKanu has berated Super Eagles’ goal poacher, Jude OdionIghalo for being selfish in Eagles’ second group game against Guinea at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

According to the former Ajax, Inter Milan and Arsenal striker, Nigeria would have defeated Guinea with more than a goal in the match had Ighalo not being selfish during the encounter.

He disclosed that the Edo-State born striker had the opportunity of passing his wasted effort to Ahmed Musa, who was better positioned to slot in the ball into the waiting net but Ighalo refused and ended up wasting what was golden opportunity.

The former Portsmouth striker explained that despite the fact that Musa was beckoning on Ighalo to pass the ball to him, the China based striker still went ahead to kick the ball out of target.

“We are more relaxed now after the win over Guinea to advance to the next round,” the former Arsenal striker began.

“It is quite unfortunate that Ighalo played that way. Ordinarily he ought to have passed the ball to Musa who was in a better position to score.

“It is true that we won but the goal margin would have been better than just a goal, however, what is more important is that we won and have advanced to the round of 16.

“As we are all aware football is a team sport and not an individual

T

President Buhari Golf Tournament tees off in Abuja

F

he Grand Finale of the President MuhammaduBuhari Golf Tournament got underway at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja on Saturday.

The two-day event, organised

by Media Trust Limited, the publishers of Daily Trust newspaper, attracted over 250 golfers of various categories.

This group comprises professionals, amateurs, special guest players, captains of golf clubs, lady captains and veteran players.

Speaking at the tee-off ceremony, President MuhammaduBuhari noted that golf has the potential to unify Nigerians across all social strata if properly harnessed.

Represented by Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, Buhari said sports have played a crucial role in unifying Nigerians.

“I am here on behalf of Mr. President. I’m delighted to represent the President, as this is the first golf tournament in his honour. President Buhari told me he plays hockey and squash, but that he likes golf.

“In his words, sports play a critical role in keeping the peace of the country. In sports, it doesn’t matter your background. It doesn’t

game. Hence, every member of the team must put the collective interest of the team above any other consideration. That is what team sports is all about and that is what is expected of every members of the team,” Kanu explained.

Speaking further, the Abia State-born Arsenal legend explained that Eagles had the opportunity of scoring more than a goal in match against Guinea saying the team had more chances than they had in their first encounter against Burundi.

“Of course, we had few chances to score more goals in the first half when OdionIghalo had a good chance to pass the ball to Musa but he did not do so. Guinea are no pushovers any way, but then we took our chances.

iger Tornadoes Football Club of Minna on Friday defeated Smart City FC of Lagos in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Aiteo Cup. They won 5-4 in a penalty kicks shootout after a goalless draw at regulation time in the match at the Kwara Stadium Complex in Ilorin.

The Oracle Today Sports reports that while Smart City FC looked the better side for most of the proceedings, Niger Tornadoes’ experience counted for much in the encounter.

Tornadoes were the first to

miss during the shootout as the kick rebounded off the goalkeeper to hit the post and went out of play.

Smart City also missed their first kick as well.

But the Minna-based side converted their second opportunity as the Lagos-based Smart City lost theirs.

Thereafter, both sides failed to miss their kicks.

But the deed was already been done and Niger Tornadoes are now the one with the dream run to the next stage of the competition.

Guinea FA slam Eagles over Naby Keita’s injury

T

he Guinea Football Federation (FEGUIFOOT) have reacted angrily to the injury sustained by its star midfielder, Naby Keita in their 1-0 loss to Nigeria last week Wednesday.

Keita was doubtful for their crucial last group game at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations against Burundi on Sunday.

He suffered an injury in the very physical encounter against the Super Eagles.

Keita’s ailment is a recurrence of a groin injury he suffered during the semi-final of the Champions League against Barcelona on May 1.

The Liverpool star was in pains after a clash of legs with Kenneth Omeruo and he went down again after a challenge by Wilfred Ndidi before he subbed out in the 70th minute.

In a statement, the Guinean Football Federation blasted the Super Eagles players for injuring Keita.

“The victim of several blows against Nigeria, Naby Keita saw the doctor on Thursday,” FEGUIFOOT stated.

“Although, there is no serious injury, Naby is very uncertain for the match against Burundi.

“He was left at the hotel to continue receiving treatment, while the rest of the squad trained on Friday.”

It is recalled that NabyKaita was replaced in the encounter against Guinea which the West African country lost to the three time African champions via Kenneth Omeruo’s goal on 73rd minute of the encounter.

Stephen Odey pens 5-year deal with Racing Genk

By MADUABUCHI KALU

S recognise those social differences people use to colour the society,” he said.

While commending the organisers and players for honouring him with the tournament, Buhari appealed for continued promotion of peace and unity of the country through sports.

The Oracle Today Sports

reports that the maiden President MuhammaduBuhari Golf Tournament was conceived to “appreciate the President’s zeal and determination to strengthen the nation’s unity through sports”.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Media Trust Limited, Mannir Dan-Ali, said Daily Trust had been at the forefront of promoting the game of golf.

uper Eagles star, Stephen Odey, has completed a move to Belgian First Division A champions, Racing Genk.

The Belgium club confirmed the signing of the Nigeria international following a successful medical.

The former FC Zurich star signed a five-year deal tying him to Genk until June 30, 2024.

Describing their new signing, Genk stated on their official website, “Stephen is a fast and explosive attacker. He stands firmly on his legs, is efficient and plays with a lot of energy.

“At FC Zürich he played 45 games last season in which he scored 15 times and gave 3 assists.

Stephen is also a Nigerian International with 3 caps.”

Though the transfer fee paid

by Genk to FC Zurich has not been disclosed, a fee of 3.5 million euros has been mooted.

The 21-year-old Odey started his professional career in Nigeria with Mountain of Fire and Miracles FC before he was acquired by FC Zurich in 2017.

39

The Oracle Today Tuesday July 2 - 7, 2019

SPORTS We mean business in 110m hurdles –Sewell

J We deserve commendation not vilification –Oshoala

By MADUABUCHI KALU

S

uper Falcons and Barcelona Ladies’ striker, AsisatOshoala has expressed dismay over the criticisms that trailed their ouster at the 2019 Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Women World Cup in France.

According to the former Arsenal and Liverpool striker, it left a sour taste in the mouth for the Super Falcons to be bombarded with criticisms after their ouster following defeat in the second round of the competition by Germany who handed the 9th time African champions a 3-0 defeat on Wednesday.

She explained that as far as she is concerned the Super Falcons deserved commendation not vilification.

She explained that the Super Falcons had a very good outing in France because they were able to break a 20 year old jinx by making it to the second round of the championship.

She said that alone shows that did their best for the country even if that was not good enough saying

commending them would motivate them to do more rather the avalanche of criticisms they have been getting from Nigerians since losing to Germany in the second round of the FIFA Women World Cup. “Well, as far as I am concerned, I believe we had a very good outing at FIFA Women World Cup which is still ongoing in France,” the Ikorodu Lagos State born goal poacher began.

“I am surprised with the type of criticisms that have trailed our ouster at the World Cup in France after we were eliminated by Germany.

“I am not happy that we are being criticized this way.

As far as I am concerned, the Super Falcons did well. And I am of the opinion that instead of vilifying us, Nigerian ought to commend us for doing them proud at the World Cup. “We may not have won the championship but we did our best against the very best teams in the world.

“If not for anything, Nigerians ought to commend us for breaking the 20 year record. It is no mean feat to have broken or equal a 20 year record.

Aguero inspires Argentina to defeat Venezuela 2-0 ...To set up semi-final clash against hosts, Brazil

By MADUABUCHI KALU with agency report

M

anchester City and Argentina striker, Sergio Aguero was in superb form for his country Argentina on Friday as he inspired his teammate to hand a 2-0 defeat to Venezuela. The Manchester City goal poacher was involved in both goals as Argentina aim for their third straight final.

Aguero’s low drive was flicked in by Lautaro Martinez and goalkeeper WuilkerFarinez then spilled the striker’s shot for Giovani Lo Celso to tap home.

Venezuela created very little and Ronald Hernandez saw his shot from close range kept out

by Franco Armani.

In fact, that was Venezuela’s only shot on target with River Plate goalkeeper Armani redundant for much of the game, though he did prove to be an

effective aerial presence.

Lionel Scaloni’s side will play Brazil in Mineirao at 01:30 BST on Wednesday after the tournament hosts edged past Paraguay on penalties following a 0-0 draw.

Though he was largely quiet against Venezuela, captain Lionel Messi will take heart from knowing Argentina are one win away from another Copa America final.

They have been beaten on the past two occasions on penalties by Chile and lost in the final in four of the past five tournaments.

Argentina were the better side in a fragmented game not helped by Colombian referee WilmarRoldan handing out six yellow cards and stopping play on a number of occasions to consult about incidents with the video assistant referee.

Mikel, our motivator in-chief –Etebo

By MADUABUCHI KALU

S

uper Eagles’ and Stoke City midfielder,Oghenekaro Peter Etebo has described Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel as the team’s motivator in chief, saying the former Chelsea player motivates the players whether or not he’s on the pitch.

“I must tell you he is a good leader, quality leader for that matter.Even when he is not on the pitch, he always encourages everyone,” Etebo said in the mixed zone.

“The most important thing is that every team that want to succeed sticks together because that’s what the manager use to say, whoever is playing or not.”

The three time African champions have been brilliant in defence so far at the AFCON, posting two shut-outs in back-to-back matches, but have struggled to break down the opposition having scored only two goals.

“The most important is that we get the three points, you saw the game between Ghana and Benin, they had a 2-2 draw. Even if you score one goal and you have three points, it is very important and it’s vital.

“That doesn’t count if you score three, four or five goals, the most important is to get a win and three

points,” added Etebo.

On the Super Eagles advancing to the last 16 with a game to spare, the Nigeria number 8 said “I am excited about it, not only just me but the nation is excited about it.”

It is recalled Nigeria started her 2019 AFCON campaign with a 1-0 win against Burundi penultimate Saturday and in their second match, the team’s Technical Adviser,Gernot Rohr made some changes to the squad that prosecuted the first match against Burundi by dropping five players last Wednesday’s second Group B match against Guinea, including his influential skipper, John Obi Mikel.

amaica will have a very good 110m h ­ urdles team in Doha, Qatar, for the IAAF World Championships this September.

Moreover, one coach believes that the 110m hurdles will soon be one of Jamaica’s premier events. Craig Sewell, who has coached newcomer, Orlando Bennett to a place on the team to Doha, says the world had better look out for Jamaica in the barrier race.

At the JAAA/Supreme Ventures National Senior Athletics Championships on Sunday, respective 2018 and 2014 Commonwealth champions, Ronald Levy and Andrew Riley were split by Bennett in the final, with Levy winning in 13.23 seconds.

Those three will join 2017 winner Omar McLeod as all defending champions have a guaranteed spot in the first round in Doha.

“It’s very good, a very good unit with the likes of Levy and also Riley,” Sewell said. “He had a little setback. He got injured, but he’s a competitor, a very good competitor.”

Noting that the ISSA/GraceKennedyBoys and Girls’ Athletics Championships Boys Class One, Two, and Three records have all been broken recently, Sewell agrees that the Jamaican hurdling surge could run through the 2024 Olympics.

Tyson Fury slams Eddie Hearn ...Says “you know nothing about boxing”

By MADUABUCHI KALU with agency report ormer WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury has launched a stinging attack on boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn following criticism of his straightforward victory over Tom Schwarz, claiming he “knows nothing about boxing” and that he is only lashing out because his “golden goose” Anthony Joshua got “splattered by a fat man”.

The heavyweight domestic rivalry between Joshua and Fury has transformed into a war of words between Joshua’s promoter, Hearn, and Fury instead, and with no bout between the pair on the horizon, looks set to rumble on for much of the near future.

But, after Hearn criticised the ease with which Fury’s latest victory came in his Las Vegas debut, the former WBA and WBO heavyweight champion launched a fierce verbal tirade on Hearn for what he perceived as a lack of boxing education, given the way that two of his boxers in Joshua and Derek Chisora suffered recent defeats.

He also claimed that Hearn was only trying to deflect from the troubles that have engulfed his stable of boxer’s by criticising Fury, who remains undefeated in 29 fights.

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Man Utd sign Wan-Bissakain £50m deal

M

anchester United have signed England Under-21 right-back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace in a £50million deal.

The 21-year-old, who made his first-team debut for Palace last year, has agreed a five-year contract that will earn him up to £80,000 a week.

United are paying £45million up front, making WanBissaka the club’s fifth-biggest signing, behind Paul Pogba, RomeluLukaku, Angel di Maria and Fred.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling and an honour,” WanBissaka said.

Manchester United confirmed the signing on Saturday.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Wan-Bissaka was “one of the best upcoming defenders in the Premier League”.

He added: “He has the right work ethic, talent and mentality to play for Manchester United and he fits exactly the type of player that we are looking to bring into the squad to help us improve and push on further.”

The defender is the club’s second summer recruit, after Wales international Daniel James, 21, joined from Swansea for £15m.

United have the option to extend Wan-Bissaka’s fiveyear deal into a sixth year.

Wan-Bissaka, who has been on international duty this month at the European Under-21 Championship, joined Palace’s academy when he was 11.

The defender was on £10,000 a week at Selhurst Park, the lowest-paid player in Palace’s first-team squad.

TUESDAY July 2 - 7, 2019

The

www.oraclenews.ng

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UR North-East has been the theatre of an international civil war, but we are the last to know; a surrogate war masterminded by foreign powers. The socioeconomic and humanitarian consequences of our second civil war have been far more devastating than those of our tragic Biafra war 1967 to 1970. The recent disaster at 157 Battalion base in Metele, where scores of our brave soldiers perished, dramatises the horrors of our second civil war; a tragedy that sears the conscience of every patriot.

The insurgents had invaded the base at 6.00 p.m. camouflaged in the uniform of the Chadian wing of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). Our men realised too late that they were enemies, not friends. They invaded with overwhelming firepower, including rocket-propelled grenade launchers and anti-aircraft gun trucks. After a battle that lasted only 40 minutes, our men and officers, including the base commander, lay dead.

A lucky few managed to escape into the primeval savannah. When a rescue mission arrived to repatriate the dead and wounded, they also fell under enemy fire; many of them were killed and their armoured tanks captured by the battle-hardened rabble of the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWA). The ultimate national humiliation.

A video clip is doing the rounds, showing ramshackle 1972 Czechoslovakian tanks and other obsolete equipment recently destroyed by ISWA. An unknown soldier recently sent this impassioned plea to the media: “We beg the Nigerian media to help us by echoing out our muffled voices. The children of poor Nigerians have been turned into chicken meant for easy sacrifices by our commanders… We are being killed on a daily basis as if our lives don’t matter… As soldiers, we signed to lay down our lives in defence of this country, but certainly not in the manner we are being presented for slaughter without dignity…”

We live in dark times.

Several reasons explain why we are losing the second civil war. First, some of the people in power cannot completely be trusted. Former President Goodluck Jonathan lamented that he found himself wining and dining with Boko Haram. When General Muhammadu Buhari was in the opposition, he declared that any attack on Boko Haram is “an attack against the North.” We heard him loud and clear and have never forgotten.

Second, our military capability is deficient. Our military lack the tools to defeat the enemy. Our armed forces were once respected in UN peacekeeping missions in the Congo and in Lebanon and in our own West African ECOMOG. Gone are the days. Today, our military chiefs have become venal potentates who are feeding fat on the blood of our soldiers. Napoleon Bonaparte famously remarked that “an army marches on its stomach.” Ours have been forced to march on empty bellies. Unsurprisingly, there have been mutinies. Soldiers have gone AWOL rather than face the certainty of death. One young soldier, I was told, feigned madness so he could be evacuated into the safety of a mental institution.

Three, there is no military strategy to speak of. It would seem that our high command are innocent of the first principles of strategy. If they did, they would have known that what we face is not just an insurgency but an international civil war on our doorstep. They would have understood that there are international forces hell-bent on turning our country into a dead carcass like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). They would never have naively trust-

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racle Today

VOX POPULI SACRUM

ISSN: 2545-5869

The second Civil War and the last Nigerian GUEST COLUMNIST

OBADIAH

MAILAFIA ed our MNJTF who are neo-colonial agents of world powers who see us the Carthaginian power that must be destroyed. Make no mistake about it – they want to destroy Nigeria, slowly. And they would have known that the shadowy ISWA are 70 per cent foreigners and only 30 per cent Nigerians. They would also have understood the asymmetrical nature of this conflict that combines guerrilla warfare with traditional military battles, anchored on the doctrine of fitna – a war of attrition based on continuous warfare that aims to demoralise victim communities. We are too intellectually bereft to grasp the nature and complexity of the enemy.

Finally, we have no coherent security architecture. The intelligence services have been at war with each other instead of working in concert. What emerges is an

incestuous relationship. Some may be double-agents owing allegiance to foreign powers. It is an irony that foreigners who hate our country with such venom are the ones running the show while true Nigerians have been reduced to being spectators in their own fatherland.

Lest my gentle readers forget: Without consulting parliament or stakeholders, the current administration smuggled our country into the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), a military alliance founded

by Saudi Arabia in 2015. It is an irony of history that Saudi Arabia, one of the financiers of world terrorism, is the leader of a coalition supposedly committed to fighting terrorism.

The IMCTC is a Sunni alliance committed to checkmating Iran and the Shi’ites in what has become a new Cold War in the Middle East. A

thousand Shi’ites were cold-bloodedly massacred in Zazzau in December 2015. It patently amounts to an illegal, illegitimate abuse of power to drag our country into foreign entanglements of which we know nothing.

Military strategists-- from Sun-Tzu, Giap, Monty, Rommel to Zhukov-- have known that an army is first defeated in the mind before it is routed in battle. We must first win the war of hearts and minds. We must retool the military and redesign doctrine and strategy. We must re-inject new life into our comatose security architecture. Let’s disband the MNJTF and close our borders, including all trucks going to neighbouring countries.

We must exercise mastery of the rules of engagement required in asymmetrical warfare.

We must mobilise all our capabilities – technology, traditional sciences, communities, economic warfare and mass propaganda.

We need a grand strategy.

It’s time we took the war to the enemy instead of being on the defensive. Shadowy foreign powers have operated military training camps along our borders. We should make a list of all their economic interests in Nigeria. All is fair in love and war. We must internationalise our campaign by enlisting help from Israel and Russia. Let’s go for the jugular, deploying technology and total mobilisation of our forces.

•MAILAFIA wrote this article originally for Tribuneonline

•The insurgents had invaded the base at 6.00 p.m. camouflaged in the uniform of the Chadian wing of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

Our men realised too late that they were enemies, not friends.

The Oracle Today is published by The Oracle Newspapers Limited. Head Office: 116 Awka Road, Onitsha. Lagos Office: 25 Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA Ikeja. Abuja Office: 1st Floor, Plateau House, Central Business District, Abuja, FCT. ISSN: 2545-5869 Email: oracletoday2016@yahoo.com, Twitter: @oraclenews.ng Facebook: oraclenews.ng@facebook.com Website: www.oraclenews.ng Advert hot lines: 09078310060, 09061836916. Editor: FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU.