Wednesday February 13, 2019 Edition

NEWS EXTRA

POLITICS

Anambra under siege •Cultists take over Awka and environs •Steal, kill at random •Villagers live in fear

The

Barr Okey Igwe, Abia House candiate, campaigns

•P46

•P9

VOX POPULI SACRUM

SPORTS

Why our events are on hold – Jesimiel

racle

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

•P43

www.oraclenews.ng ISSN: 2545-5869

Anglican Church bans Asoebi (uniform), mourning attire

Today

VOL.4 No.5 N200

•Asoebi not Igbo culture, escalates burial cost—Bishop Nwokolo •Widowers don’t wear mourning attires for long, so widows too should not •One standard burial brochure to be produced by the church •Knock-on effect expected in the Eastern Church

•P3

Bayelsa Community raises alarm over SPDC’s breach of oil spill compensation procedure From CLEM ONYEMAECHI, Yenagoa

T

ension is rising at Aghoro 1 community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa following alleged breach of oil spill compensation

Page 32

procedures by the Shell Petroleum Development Company’s in the leak that occurred in the area on May 17, last year.

The leak, which emanated from SPDC’s Trans Ramos Pipeline that ruptured, spilled about 1,114 barrels

of crude oil into the environment, affecting an estimated area of 113.03 hectares.

Our correspondent learnt that the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) report of the incident had con-

Cont’d on page 3

Sen Ayogu Eze: Why court judgment won’t stand test of time – APC

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

2

3

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

NEWS

Anglican Church bans Asoebi (uniform), mourning attire

By THEO RAYS

T

he Anglican Diocese on the Niger has banned Asoebi, a Yoruba word for uniform attires commonly won by a group of people to mark a special occasion—burials, birthdays, marriages and similar ceremonies.

The church has also banned widows from wearing mourning attires (white or black) for an extended period of time, arguing that since men don’t wear their mourning clothes for “longer than necessary”, women must also not wear theirs for “longer than necessary”, because in marriage and death, both men and women are equal.

These declarations were made by the Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo during the 30th Synod of the Church held at Umuoji in Idemili South Local Government area of Anambra State last year.

The Bishop is believed to have taken umbrage at Asoebi because of what he described as the “high cost of burials these days caused in large part by such unnecessary externalities as Asoebi,” as a high-ranking member of the clergy put it in a chat with The Oracle Today.

Bishop Nwokolo is also believed to have reasoned that women are being put under unnecessary stress at the death of their husbands, pointing out that wearing mourning attires for extended periods of time post-burials alienates them from society when, in reality, they should be more quickly reintegrated into society after the burial of their husbands so they can live normal life and fend for themselves and the families that such husbands must have left behind for them to cater for.

Bishop Nwokolo’s declarations are expected to have a knockon effect on the attitudes of the clergy to matters like this in other denominations of the Christian Church in Eastern Nigeria.

Already, some Christian leaders and social critics have lent their voice to the directive against Asoebi, describing it as a step in the right direction.

Chairman of Pentecostal Federation of Nigeria (PFN), Anambra State, Bishop Moses Ezedebego noted that “it is good for a leader to initiate moves to control his subject for a particular purpose.”

According to the PFN boss, “sometimes a leader can initiate moves to control the appetite of his subjects or to correct certain things that are not moving in the right direction.”

“The directive against Asoebi in ceremonies is no doubt aimed at cutting cost at the this time of tight economic situation in Nigeria, so I support it because the rate at which people lavish money on ceremonies doesn’t really represent Christ,” Ezedebego said.

But, be that as it may, The Oracle Today can report that Bishop Nwokolo’s declarations are already generating ripples in the Church.

These “ripples”, according to findings by The Oracle Today, are being generated by the inability of members of the Church in various Parishes of the Diocese to comply with the directive as they have continued to feature in Asoebi during burials.

According to our findings, the Bishop gave the directive to stop Asoebi with a view to cutting costs of ceremonies among the Parishioners, but the Parishioners seem not to be exactly impressed.

The development—the seeming refusal of parishioners to heed the Bishop’s directive--according to our checks, has made Bishop Nwokolo threaten to steer clear of any burial in which the survivors, friends and well wishers of the deceased dress in any form of Asoebi.

When our Correspondent visited the Diocesan Secretariat, the Bishop was not on seat but a senior member of the clergy who spoke on condition of anonymity, pleading that he was not authorized to speak to the press, said the issue was actually raised during the last Synod but that no measure had been put in place to monitor compliance by parishioners or impose sanctions on offenders.

Said he: “The issue was part of

the Synod but it was like a compelling piece of advice aimed at drawing the attention of the parishioners to the need to cut cost of ceremonies at this time of economic quagmire in Nigeria. We may not know whether the people are heeding the advice or not.

We are here in Onitsha and so we may not know what is happening in Obosi or Nkpor or Alor or Nnobi and other parts of the Diocese.

That is what I understand about it.”

Also speaking on the issue, Chairman of Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) Anambra State branch Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme advised Bishop Nwokolo and other Church leaders to be serious about the directives and adopt measures to checkmate the lavish, extravagant lifestyle in the society, especially in Christian-dominated environment because such lavish expenditure is contrary to the teachings of Christ.

The CLO boss decried the rate

at which people lavish money at ceremonies, noting that Church leaders, traditional rulers and town union PGs have to adopt measures to curtail excessive spending on ceremonies.

He cited the way the late Dr Dozie Ikedife, a former President General of Ohaneze was buried as the best way to do such things.

He lamented that some rich traders even as Church members lavish money on social clubs, parties and nite-clubs, girl friends and concubines while their fellow traders in the market are suffering from lack of capital to consolidate their businesses, calling on wealthy traders in various markets in Anambra State to endeavour to render help to the poor ones around them, even as they should also remember the needy and disabled in the society.

He observed: “What I am saying is that some are very rich but they don’t look at the poor around them; they don’t care about the needy and the disabled in the so-

ciety, but they spend heavily on women; some buy land and build houses for their girl friends, some give out expensive cars to young girls who have no means of maintaining such cars.”

“The funny thing there is that some of these rich men are notable Church members and they don’t understand the art of giving in Christian perspectives,” Ezekwueme added. “As Christians, people should learn how to give to the poor, the needy and the disabled and avoid lavishing money on immorality just to satisfy their flesh and do show-boy. Giving out alms can go a long way towards addressing the problems of poverty and crime in the society.”

The rights activist used the opportunity to call on traders in all the markets across Anambra State to endeavour to come out and cast their votes during the Presidential and National Assembly election on the 16 of this month as well as the State Assembly election on March 2, 2019.

•Wife of former Vice President and PDP Presidential Candidate Her Excellency Titi Atiku Abubakar being welcomed by Chief Vincent Udobi (Ike Dunukofia) at the Ifitedunu Civic Centre in Dunukofia LGA Anambra State last Friday

Photo Oliver Udeogu

Bayelsa Community raises alarm over SPDC’s breach of oil spill compensation procedure Continued from Pg 1 cluded that the leaks on the pipeline at three spots were caused by equipment failure.

The people of Aghoro are peeved that Shell is frustrating the community efforts to get redress following established templates of computing spill compensation rate based on volume of spill and damage assessment.

In a letter to the Managing Director of SPDC by the consultants to the community, Mr Furoebi Akene, Principal Partner FASF Associates officials of SPDC were trying to breach scientific procedure in spills response.

Akene argued that rather than await the outcome of a joint post

impact and damage assessment being carried out by regulators, SPDC officials were foisting a negotiation method on the people before the assessment report.

He said that the post impact assessment report being expected from National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) was the only legitimate method of ascertaining the compensation due to the community.

The letter reads in part: “We are compelled to write you this letter due to the oppressive antics adopted by your company since the spill occurred till date as though you are above the enabling laws of this country where you operate.

“This letter also becomes inevitable against the sad backdrop of the fresh moves by officials of the SPDC in Port Harcourt led by the Head of Lands in pathetic disregard for due process and industry’s best practices.

“The recent acts of your company by unilaterally luring the CDC Chairman of Aghoro 1 and another community leader to abandon proper compensation from Joint Post Impact Assessment (JPIA) and Damages Assessment (DA) is unacceptable “As the Managing Director and the Country Chairman of SPDC in Nigeria you should take the path of honour as a patriotic citizen of this country and as someone who

is law abiding, direct your staff to act according to the laws.

“I also want to implore you to ask your company and her officials to stop all dishonest actions and simply allow the report of the NOSDRA led PIA and DA report to be the basis for any future discussions between SPDC and Aghoro 1 Community, with us as their properly nominated Consultants”.

In his reaction, Bamidele Odugbesan, Media Relations Manager, SPDC had said that post-investigation activities including discussions on compensation to impacted people were underway.

He, however, declined comment on the allegations made by members of SPDC’s host community in Aghoro.

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

4

5

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION ‘Buhari has divided Nigeria’ – Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Northern Elders Forum •Endorse Atiku

L

EADERS and elders from various geopolitical zones across the country have accused President Muhammadu Buhari of dividing the country, even as they also agreed that his government has lost control of Nigeria.

The leaders while formally endorsing the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP) said the former Vice President ticked the boxes in their submission, as accordinmg to them, he was their preferred candidate.

These formed part of the resolutions arrived at during a meeting tagged: ‘Summit of Nigerian Leaders and Elders’, which held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, Sunday.

Present at the meeting were leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,

Northern Elders Forum, Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Middle Belt Forum, as well as a faction of the Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group.

Participants at the forum said they agreed on endorsing Atiku after meeting with various presidential candidates, further explaining that the decision not to support Buhariwas based on the current President’s loss of control of government.

They also accused the President of dividing the country.

Among those who attended the meeting were: Ayo Fasanmi (Afenifere), Dr Pogu Bitrus (Middle Belt Forum), Ango Abdullahi (Northern Elders Forum), Edwin Clark (Pan Niger Delta Forum), John Nwodo (Ohanaeze Ndigbo) and Buba Galadima.

Lagos, Oyo top drug abuse rate in S’West – PACEDA

L

AGOS and Oyo states have the highest drug prevalence rate of drug abuse in the South-West Zone at 33 per cent and 23 per cent respectively.

Team Leader, Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA), South-West Zone, Prof. Oluwatoyin Odeku, made the disclosure at a stakeholders meeting on Tuesday in Ibadan.

Odeku said that the rate of drug abuse in the state was alarming as the spate of violence and crimes among youths had been linked to unrestricted access to illicit drugs and psychotropic substances.

“Drug use epidemic has reached highly preoccupying levels with 40 per cent of our youths engaging in substance abuse.

“This is disturbing, because these are people between the age of 18 and 35. There is a rapidly evolving trend toward the non-medical use of prescription drugs, such as tramadol and codeine syrups.

“This spate of substance abuse has contributed to increased disease prevalence.

“As a committee, we are set to fight this menace of drug abuse and addiction through interaction with the public, advocacy and increased public sensitisation,” she said.

In his remarks, Dr Abubakar Jimoh, the Director of Public Affairs, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said that the fight against drug abuse and addiction required a multi-sectoral efforts.

Jimoh, who is also a member of PACEDA, identified environmental factors including peer influence as major contributing factors to increased drug abuse among youths.

“Factors contributing to drug abuse is multi-dimensional, including experimental curiosity among vulnerable groups and economic determinism. This has gone beyond unemployment and poverty because we now have children of elites and the rich engaging in substance abuse.

“Membership of NAFDAC in PACEDA is strategic because the

fight against drug abuse requires concerted efforts.

“The prevalence rate is an indication that the menace of drug abuse is not just a problem with the developed economies. It is a herculean task, but it is surmountable with collective action,” he said.

Also, the Oyo State Commander of NDLEA, Mr Ralph Igwenagu, vowed to crack down on illicit drug traffickers and suppliers in the state.

“The statistics released as a result of the survey conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is greatly alarming. The agency is ready to work round the clock to rid the state of illicit drugs and attendant crimes.

“Drug abuse has awful consequences on the society and we are going to change the narrative through collaborative efforts, enhanced public sensitisation.

“We are going to enhance our operations and ensure that the demand and supply of cannabis sativa and other illicit substances is reduced to the barest minimum,” he said.

Igwenagu also appealed to residents of the state to support NDLEA in the war against drug abuse and addiction.

•Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Senate President, Bukola Saraki; PDP Presidential Candidat, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the party’s National Chairman, Uche Secondus; Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, a reception in Asaba when the PDP campaign trail hit the state, weekend.

Finally, Ambode presents 2019 budget to Assembly

By VICTOR NZE

L

AGOS State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Tuesday presented the year 2019 budget proposal of N852.316billion to the House of Assembly, with a pledge that it had been carefully prepared to be all-encompassing and dedicated to complete major ongoing projects in the State.

The presentation follows months of bickering between the governor and the House members over allegations of misconduct leveled by the latter against the state’s chief executive, which culminated in impeachment moves.

Presenting the document before the House, the Governor said N462.757billion representing 54 percent of the total budget size had been earmarked for capital expenditure, while N389.560billion

representing 46 percent had been dedicated to recurrent expenditure, saying that key projects such as the Oshodi-Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road and Oshodi Interchange Terminal, among others would be completed.

He said from inception of his administration, nine key areas were given priority after careful assessment of the needs of the citizens, adding that such had informed the massive investment in the said sectors which he listed to include security, transport / traffic management, economy -including tourism and agriculture, housing, education, health, infrastructure - social and physical, water, wealth creation - skill acquisition/ microfinance, e-Governance and enhanced capacity building, sustainable environment and smart

PDP suspends campaign as bandits kill senator’s sister, others in Zamfara

P

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP)has suspended its governorship campaign in Zamfara state following fresh attacks on communities by bandits in the state.

The party’s governorship candidate, Alhaji Bello Matawalle announced the decision at a news briefing in Gusau on Tuesday. “l want to announce that I have suspended all my campaign programmes due to the renewed rising bandits activities in the state. l also wish to call on the government and security agencies to come up with practical measures that will adequately bring the bandits activities to an end,” he said.

Matawalle, who expressed concern over the attacks, lamented that the situation was now taking a new dimensions where victims were particularly identified before being either killed, kidnapped or maimed.

The bandits had on Monday stormed Ruwan Bore community in Gusau local government killing the elder sister of a serving Senator, Kabiru Marafa and several others.

An eye witness, Usman Makama told NAN that the hoodlums attacked the village head’s House,where they killed one of his wives before moving into the village.

“They put the gun in her mouth and blew up her head after which they abducted the village head and one other person and then moved inside the village.

“This morning, we carried out the burial rites of 13 persons including Ade, the district head’s wife and we were told that the bandits attacked two other villages of Tudun Wadan Mai Jatau and Takoka where they killed scores,” he said.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Mohammed Shehu said the police were on top of the situation but that details were still being scanty.

city projects.

Giving details of what informed the budget size, Ambode said the performance of Y2018 budget of N1.046trn as at November 2018 stood at 60 percent owing to reduction in revenue projections, while the total revenue stood at N530.192billion.

According to him, “In the outgoing year, however, we experienced a reduction in our revenue projections, which affected our projected performance and our desired implementation of the Y2018 Budget. The overall Budget performance as at November 2018 stood at 60 per cent/N574,206billion with actual cumulative total revenue of N530,192billion/64 per cent, Capital Expenditure closed at N311,930billion/49 per cent and Recurrent Expenditure performed at N262,276billion/82 per cent.

“In preparing the Year 2019 Budget, therefore, we were very mindful of the out-going year performance, the yearnings of our people and the fact that we are going into an election year.

Consequently, we are today presenting a Budget that will be allencompassing, reflect the level of resources that will be available and with special consideration to the completion of major on-going projects in the State.”

In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa expressed optimism that the budget would be of great benefit to the people of the State, just as he assured that the House would work with the executive to pass the budget.

6

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

AfDB, ECOWAS sign agreement on 1,000km Abidjan-Lagos highway

T

HE African Development Bank (AfDB) and ECOWAS, have signed an agreement for a study into a 1,000 km highway that will link Cote d’Ivoire’s commercial capital Abidjan, to Lagos.

Senior Communications Officer, Communication and External Relations Department of AfDB, Mr Chawki Chahed, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Chahed disclosed that the development would mark a new step in building regional integration and trade in the sub-region.

He explained that the proposed Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway, a six-lane and three-lane dual motorway, would connect the countries via Accra, Lome and Cotonou.

He said that the agreement was signed on Monday for a study on the technical, implementation and operational aspects of the project.

According to him, the agreement comes nearly five years after the presidents of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria, signed a treaty on the establishment of the highway, in March 2014.

The communications officer recalled that the President of the ECOWAS Commission Jean-Claude Brou and Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission Finda Koroma, attended the ceremony, which took place in Abuja.

He said that Nigeria’s Minister of

Power, Works and Housing; and Chairman of the Ministerial Steering Committee for the project, Mr Babatunde Fashola, and EU Head of Co-operation in Abuja Kurt Cornelis were also present.

Chahed disclosed that the bank had approved 12.6 million dollars to finance part of the study; and mobilised 9.1 million Euro grant from the EU Commission, bringing the total financing for this important study, to 22.7 million dollars.

“By linking some of Africa’s largest and economically dynamic cities, the road will promote cross-border trade and integrate fast-growing economies within the ECOWAS. “This is expected to contribute to reducing the poverty levels of the population that depends on inter regional trade for livelihood,’’ he said.

The official quoted the Senior Director of AfDB in Nigeria, Mr Ebrima Faal, as saying that the bank remained fully committed to the 2020 ECOWAS’ Vision.

•President Muhammadu Buhari flanked by All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Adams Oshiom“We will work closely with the hole (r) and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi (l) during a dinner meeting with APC House of Reprepublic and private sectors to un- sentatives members and candidate for 2019 election in Abuja, Monday. lock new sources of growth for Africa, while reducing inequality between countries and within countries.

“Together, we can unlock the enormous potentials of the West African region and deliver on the ICE-PRESIDENTIAL candidate bra State and in business, he and Sustainable Development Goals of the Peoples Democratic to the various problems bedevil- Atiku would put the economy in the for the region,” Faal said.

Party (PDP), Mr Peter Obi, ling the economy as the party had a path of recovery. on Monday said the party would workable blueprint to cause a turnaObi said a vote for PDP would address the challenges facing the round. mean that the issues of high povBesides, he said the party’s economy, if elected. erty rate, unemployment and other Obi gave the assurance in Lagos presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku signs of poor economy were tacked Abubakar, had a good understandthe execution of judgment of Justice while addressing traders at the Alaholistically.

Kolawole which declared the siege ba International market, Ojo, Lagos. ing of the economy “having sucThe PDP candidate added that Agcessfully managed the economy as on Peace Corps as illegal, unlawful The News Agency of Nigeria baje was passionate about what he and unconstitutional and imposed a (NAN) reports that Obi was accom- Vice-President in the past“. called a free and progressive Lagos Obi added that Atiku had manfine of N12.5million on Police for an panied on the campaign visit to the and urged residents to vote for him. unlawful act, the Peace Corps in its market by the party’s governorship aged several private companies sucSpeaking, Agbaje said Lagos resimotion is urging the appellate court candidate in Lagos State, Mr Jimi cessfully and that he would bring his not to grant audience to Police until acumen and experience to bear on dents could trust him to deliver real and impactful governance, if electthey have complied with the earlier Agbaje.

Obi, who addressed the traders in the economy. order, directing them to unseal the Obi said with his experience gar- ed.

Igbo, said the PDP was the answer He promised to fix roads leading office. nered as former governor of Anamto markets in Amuwo-Odofin area of the state, while assuring traders of the right environment for their EAD of Mission, International ment. Because to a lot of them, the (NAPTIP) were now active in Delta businesses to thrive.

“We are going to fix roads leading Organisation for Migration curses that these traffickers place state, further explaining that since (IOM), Mr Frantz Celestin, on them are stronger than pointing law enforcement officers were clos- to markets in this area. We will fix all said, Tuesday, that the intervention a gun at them. ing in on the traffickers in Edo State roads to ease your businesses, reof His Royal Majesty Omo n’Oba “And since the Oba removed that it was only normal for them to shift gardless of whether they are state n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, curse, they now have the boldness base, hence the increased vigilance or federal roads.

“Since you pay your taxes to has helped in fighting trafficking in to speak. I am sure that a lot of in Delta. the state, we will respond to your Edo state. people are escaping their bondage “So, Delta state has always been Celestin made this known in an simply because of that pronounce- on our radar as a state that we need needs. We will not abandon you, interview with the News Agency of ment. to look out and where we need to that I can promise,” he said.

Agbaje said he would protect the Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Abuja.

“We found out that a lot of peo- increase our programming. Even He explained that following the ple who are trafficked were de- before this shift we were very much interests of all who reside jn the Oba’s action of breaking curses ceived into it by people very close interested in Delta state but we state, irrespective of whether they were indigenes or non-indigenes. on trafficked girls and warning the to them, either in their church, fam- would try and do more there.

He said the state thrived on its voodoo priests to desist from aid- ily or communities.

“As we see the increase in numing traffickers a lot of trafficked “So, if we can have traditional ber of people migrate from there or cosmopolitan nature as people persons had started to speak out. leaders speaking against this it the criminal elements shifting from from different parts of the country Celestin said that by speaking would help the Law enforcement there it is absolutely necessary for had contributed to her development. out the victims had assisted law side tremendously. us to get more into this,’’ he said.

The PDP governorship candidate enforcement agents with helpful “The Oba’s pronouncement has According to Celestin, some chalinformation on the tactics of traf- helped the situation on our hands lenges in managing the migration urged residents to vote for Atiku/ fickers and how to catch them. as many people are now coming crisis include trying to address a lot Obi, him and other PDP candidates He said that if more traditional out to witness. of complex issues at the same time. for progress not only in the state and religious rulers being well re“Talking about their conditions, He said that the fact that the but for the country.

NAN reports that both Obi and spected by their followers raised how they were trafficked, and by criminals were getting smarter was their voices, it would help law en- whom, have helped in reducing the another great challenge adding Agbaje later visited traders in ASforcement agencies to curb human number of people being exposed that whenever a measure was put PAMDA market and Trade Fair comand drug trafficking to their barest to trafficking,’’ Celestin said. in place they found a way around it. plex.

They urged the traders to vote for minimum.

Celestin said that managing miHe said that to deal with this IOM “Since the Oba’s pronouncement gration crisis was not only a govern- constantly came up with new in- the PDP in the general elections, asa lot more people are coming for- ment’s responsibility but also that novations on trying to stay 10 steps suring them the party would implement policies to boost the econoward, a lot more girls and ladies of the society. ahead of them. who have been trafficked are talkAccording to him, with collective He said that in spite of the fund- my, if elected.

They also said the party would ing about it, it is bringing the spot- efforts governments can adequate- ing more money was still needed light to it. ly address the menace. to address the complexity of the give the necessary support to entre“So, I can imagine the fact that Celestin observed that the IOM issues and build the capacity of its preneurs and businessmen, who, they said, were the engine room of people are now free to talk about and the National Agency for the counterparts. the economy. it, which is bringing more enlighten- Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons

PDP ‘ll fix economy – Obi

Obey court orders on Peace Corps – Appeal Court tells IGP

T

HE Court of Appeal, Abuja Division has said that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) should respect Court orders mandating Police to unseal the corporate head of office of the Peace Corps of Nigeria in Abuja, sealed up about two years.

Justice Stephen Jonah Adah said that it is in the best interest of Nigerians that Police, as a law enforcement agency should obey lawful orders of court.

Justice Adah made the remark while reacting to an allegation made by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Joshua Musa, counsel to the Peace Corps of Nigeria, that Police have not obeyed two orders of the federal high court that the headquarters of the Corps be unsealed since 2017.

The Senior lawyer complained to a three-man panel of the appellate court justices that the action of Police on the Peace Corps was worrisome because the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice had written Police twice directing them to comply with the high court orders and vacate the Peace Corps office for the owners to occupy.

Musa contended that the siege lay on Peace Corps office since February 28, 2017 has continued unabated and appealed to the Appeal Court to issue an order to compel Police to obey the orders of the high court and unseal the Peace Corps office before giving Police audience.

Justice Adah, who presided over an appeal filed by Police against the high court judgment delivered in favour of Peace Corps, by Justice Gabriel Kolawole said that it is in the interest of peace and to avoid anarchy that Police should obey court orders.

However, the appeal by Police could not be heard because of multiple motions filed by both parties over the issue.

While Police in one of the motions, is praying the Court of Appeal to stay

V

Oba of Benin’s intervention helped check human trafficking – IOM

H

7

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

NEWS

Uncollected PVCs below 20% in Bayelsa -- INEC

I

ndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bayelsa, has said that the uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the state was below 20 per cent.

The new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr Monday Udoh, made this disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

Udoh explained that the commission had so far distributed more than 80 per cent PVCs to the owners in the state.

NAN recalls that INEC registered no fewer than 1,036,442 eligible persons during voters’ registration exercise in the state.

‘The distribution was decentralised at ward levels including the coastal communities to ensure that those, who registered, collect their PVCs before the general elections. ”As at today, the percentage of card collection is more than 80 per cent; what is left is small, because of the voter education that was carried out.

“We are still working hard to ensure that all PVCs get to the rightful owners. ”For the remaining ones, which is below 20 per cent, the commission will ensure that they are distributed before Feb. 8 deadline for collection. ”On terrain challenges in the state, the commission is in talks with the boat owners associations to engage their services during the elections. ”He expressed confidence that the forthcoming elections would be free and credible; that is, on the basis of one man one vote,” he stated.

(NAN) Meanwhile, INEC says 400,000 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were yet to be collected out of the 3,215, 273 registered in the state.

Mr Enabor Edwin, the Head of INEC Voter Education and Publicity Department in Rivers, Said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Port Harcourt.

Edwin said that the commission had received a total of 3,118,638 PVCs from Abuja.

He said that about 96,735 cards were yet to be received from the commission’s headquarters.

“About 2, 700541 voters have collected their PVCs in the state and we have about 4,18097 individual cards yet to be collected at the Local Government Areas as at January 31. Collection of PVCs is still ongoing in the state at the various LGAs,’’ he said.

Edwin said that relocation, deaths and transfers of workers could be some of the challenges that could affect the collection of PVCs before the deadline of Feb. 8.

He said that registered voters were expected to go to their various LGAs for collection of their cards.

“We expect that everybody that is registered should personally go and collect their cards from their various LGAs,’’ Edwin said.

‘APC-led FG has destroyed judiciary’ - Wike

R

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that it will be difficult for any judge to stand firm and give judgment against the interest of the Federal Government.

Addressing legal practitioners during an interactive session with lawyers in Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said that the determined onslaught against the Judiciary must be resisted.

He stated that should the Judiciary collapse, the nation’s democracy would come crashing down .

He said: “Today, it will be difficult for any judge to stand firm and give judgment against the interest of the Federal Government. They use propaganda to mislead the public on the activities of the judges.

“If this democracy must survive, there must be support for the total independence of the Judiciary. “ The governor said that should the

APC Federal Government succeed in destroying the Judiciary, the country will descend into full scale dictatorship.

“When the Judiciary collapses, there will be full scale dictatorship.

Thereafter, the Federal Government will start chasing people around “, he said.

Commenting on his achievements, Governor Wike reeled out key projects in the sector and scored himself over 98percent. He said the reopening of the courts and improving access to justice.

Different Law Groups at the interactive session endorsed the Rivers State Governor for re-election.

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN) lauded Governor Wike for accomplishing his pledges in the course of his first term.

He announced the endorsement

of Governor Wike for a second term, urging him to uplift legal practitioners in the state.

Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, Mr Sylvester Adaka described the venue tenure of Governor Wike as a period of abundance. He said that lawyers in the state are looking forward to a more rewarding second term for the governor.

Responding on behalf of Academic Lawyers, Dean of Faculty of Law of the Rivers State University, Prof Ovunda Okene expressed happiness that the governor has improved the Law Faculty which led to the full accreditation of the school’s law programme.

Joseph Belem of Young Lawyers Forum stated that the young legal practitioners have endorsed the reelection of Governor Wike because he has carried them along and cre-

• (From left): Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa with former Governor, Chief James Ibori at a grand ceremony in honour of the late Ovie of Idjerhe kingdom, Ododo Erhiekevwe, to receive their prestigious awards of National Patrons of the Nigeria Supporters Club

Spill: Bayelsa community berates SPDC over compensation procedure

T

he people of Aghoro 1 Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa have kicked against the breach of oil spill procedures in the leak that occurred in the area on May 17, 2018.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that there was a leak on the Trans Ramos Pipeline that ruptured and spilled about 1,114 barrels of crude oil into the environment.

The oil spill, which occurred at an oilfield operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) had impacted and polluted an estimated area of 113.03 hectares.

A joint Investigation Visit (JIV) report of the incident obtained by NAN had concluded that the leaks on the pipeline at three spots were caused by equipment failure.

According to the community, SPDC was frustrating the community efforts to get redress following established templates of computing spill compensation rate based on volume of spill and damage assessment.

In a letter on Monday in Yenagoa to the Managing Director of SPDC by the consultants to the community, Mr Furoebi Akene, the Principal Part-

ner FASF Associates officials of SPDC were frantically trying to breach scientific procedure in spills response.

According to Akene, rather than await the outcome of a joint post impact and damage assessment being carried out by regulators, SPDC officials were foisting a negotiation method on the people before the assessment report.

He said that the post impact assessment report being expected from National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) was the only legitimate method of ascertaining the compensation due to the community.

“We are compelled to write you this letter due to the oppressive antics adopted by your company since the spill occurred till date as though you are above the enabling laws of this country where you operate.

“This letter also becomes inevitable against the sad backdrop of the fresh moves by officials of the SPDC in Port Harcourt led by the head of lands in pathetic disregard for due process and industry’s best practices.

“The recent action of your company by unilaterally luring the CDC

Chairman of Aghoro 1 and another community leader to abandon proper compensation from Joint Post Impact Assessment (JPIA) and Damages Assessment (DA) is unacceptable.

“As the Managing Director and the Country Chairman of SPDC in Nigeria, you should take the path of honour as a patriotic citizen of this country and as someone who is law abiding, direct your staff to act according to the laws.

“I also want to implore you to ask your company and her officials to stop all dishonest actions and simply allow the report of the NOSDRA-led PIA and DA report to be the basis for any future discussions between SPDC and Aghoro 1 Community, with us as their properly nominated consultants,” Akene said.

Mr Bamidele Odugbesan, the Media Relations Manager, SPDC told NAN that post investigation activities including discussions on compensation to people impacted were underway.

Odugbesan declined to comment on the allegations made by members of SPDC’s host community in Aghoro.

ated avenues for them to grow in the profession.

Secretary of the Legal Cluster of Rivers Professionals for Wike , Prince Nyekwere assured the Rivers State Governor that there are 26,000 professionals across the state working to mobilise the people for his re-election. He said that Rivers State stands to gain more from the re-election of Governor Wike.

NULGE endorses Okowa’s re-election bid From JONATHAN AWANYAI, Asaba

C

iting workers-friendly posture of his administration, the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) on Saturday, endorsed the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for second term in office at a rally where the governor stated that for Nigeria to work, capable people should voted into office.

Elated Governor Okowa at the rally held in Asaba, Governor Okowa thanked members of NULGE for recognising his efforts to create a better environment for the workers.

The governor said, “the ability to make the right choice will make the state and our nation grow, in the coming days, we will have the options to choose who leads us, we should make the right choice.”

“I on behalf of members of my team, entire Deltans who are working to make our state better, thank NULGE for choosing me as their governorship candidate in the forthcoming elections, we are also, grateful to other unions for partnering with us; together, we were able to come out from the difficult position where as a state to where we are now,” Governor Okowa stated.

He continued, “as a former Secretary to the local government council and former Council Chairman, I will remain a member of NULGE, I will ever remain grateful to God for giving me the local government platform to start my political career; this rally to endorse my candature is not unusual of NULGE; in 2015, you gathered to support me and today, you are repeating the same feat; I thank you for being able to make the right choice.”

National President of NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel, described Governor Okowa as a great friend of workers who will remain so for the eight years that he will be Governor, asserting, “NULGE is coming in full force to support Governor Okowa second term bid; you (Governor Okowa) supported us in our critical moments, when other states were busy sacking local government workers during the critical times in the nation, you were promoting local government staff.”

President of the state chapter of NULGE, Comrade Ziko Ukwudi had in his speech at tge rally, said, “we are gathered here to appreciate you, our dear Governor, you paid the backlog of salary arrears of local government staff, you solved the challenges you inherited, local government workers are in support of you re-election bid, your humility has endeared you to local government workers.”

Former President of NULGE in the state, Comrade Olumami Oyibo disclosed that workers in the state were working for the second term bid of the governor based on the success stories of his administration and for the sake of equity in rotation of political offices in the state.

8

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

NEWS C’River earmarks N8.5bn for electrification in 400 communities

C

ross River Government has approved N8.5 billion for the provision of electricity in over 400 communities across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

Director-General of the State Electrification Agency (SEA), Dr Jake OtuEnyia, made this known on Tuesday in Calabar during a visit to his office

by Mr Ayodele Adegoke, the State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

He said that procurement processes had since commenced for the project.

“This is in line with the Cross River State Executive Council’s approval of 100 per cent electricity coverage across the state,’’ Otu-Enyia said.

He said the current administration in the state had done well by improving the electricity sub-sector

including the direct intervention, in the provision of electricity materials worth over N30 million in over 30 communities.

The director-general, however, promised to send a team of engineers to carry out a survey to ascertain the capacity of transformers required by the NYSC Orientation Camp in Obubra Local Government Area.

Otu-Enyia said he would communicate same to the governor for assistance.

Earlier, the state coordinator of NYSC had requested for an electricity transformer for the state’s NYSC permanent orientation camp.

According to him, the camp had been in darkness for decades, hence the appeal for the state government’s intervention.

Why Ijaws will vote for Buhari, Ogboru, Uduaghan- APC Chieftain From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri

I

jaw opinion youth leader and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr. Cletus Opukeme has urged the people across Niger Delta to vote President Muhammadu Buhari for second term so as to attract development to the region.

Opukeme, from Burutu LGA, a media guru and publisher of Daily Watch, an Abuja based online news who made the appeal during a media session with journalists in Warri, urged Ijaws in Delta state ‘never to make the mistake of voting Governor Okowa who abandoned the Ijaw riverine communities with no tangible projects for the four years, despite he was given block votes in the Ijaw area in 2015.’

He assured that if the Ijaws vote for Chief Great Ogboru as next executive governor and Dr. Emmanuel

Uduaghan as senator Delta South senatorial district, the duo will attract human capital, infrastructure development to the oil rich but abandoned riverine communities. ‘‘Buhari, Ogboru and Uduaghan will put their heads together to focus attention on the development of the riverine communities in Niger Delta. Chief Great Ogboru and Uduaghan will correct the infrastructure imbalance in Ijaw land as detribalized leaders who will pay attention in the development of Ijaw communities, if voted. ‘‘Buhari has a lot of goodwill for the people of Niger Delta and we as a people will not allow this great opportunity pass us. We will not vote for people again who will abandon us after election. Ijaws gave Okowa block votes and he in return gave them zero project allocation’’ he said.

Ariaria market traders bar Moghalu’s campaign train From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

T

here was mild drama in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, Tuesday, when the campaign train of Presidential Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, was denied access into Ariaria International Market.

Though no reason was given for the action of the traders, it was alleged that the leadership of the market union believed to be loyal to ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state may have orchestrated what Moghalu termed an “undemocratic act.”

Unfazed by the development, the YPP Presidential candidate who addressed Aba people in front of the closed the Ariaria market gate, described what happened a “desperate action,” insisting that, “we are in a democracy and we are not living in bondage.”

He wondered why he should be restricted from entering the market to speak to his people, as, according to him, he is a full-fledged Aba man, having lived and schooled in Aba in the 1970s.

He called on Aba people, nay Ndigbo, to wake up from their slumber and liberate themselves politically in Nigeria and shun the second fiddle role they have taken.

“We should not be relegated to the Vice President position only. We should not be made to believe that it is not our turn to lead this country.

Igbos are better equipped to lead Nigeria and election is a contest, whoever God gives a nod takes it,” he said.

Moghalu described Aba as an Industrial Power and stated his readiness to fix the Enyimba City so that it would take the first position among the comity of industrialized nations.

Moghalu said if given the mandate by the electorate, his administration would increase government spending on science, technology and innovation, which would form his government’s “strategic national priority.”

He also assured that he would protect the nation’s intellectual, adding that he would commence and complete a constitutional restructuring of Nigeria along geo-political lines to ensure that the federating units own any natural resources found within their area. He also said he would create regional and state police to ensure effective national security.

He promised that his administration would invest in the creativity of the Nigerian youth by prioritising the National Policy of 2009, with particular emphasis on literacy and encouragement of youth participation in democratic processes at all levels.

Abia State YPP governorship candidate, Joseph Nkoro, his deputy, Udo Okpere; Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency candidate, Barr. Mike Obi-Okezie and House of Assembly candidate for Aba North State Constituency, Chiagozielam Ihuka, attended the rally.

• A cross section of legal practitioners in attendance during an interactive session with the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt.

‘Fire incident won’t derail our election plans’ – Abia REC From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

R

esident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Abia State, Dr Joseph Iloh, has assured Abia electorate that the burning down of the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Umu-ikaa in Isiala Ngwa South local government area would not derails its plans for the conduct of the general elections which commences on February 16, 2019.

Iloh, while speaking in a radio programme monitored in Umuahia yesterday, explained that the entire building was not razed down as was being erroneously portrayed by reports, adding that the damaged Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) would be reprinted and issued to their owners before commencement of the polls. Reports said that about 15, 000 PVCs were damaged by the fire.

Iloh said that only a room was affected by the inferno as good Nigerians intervened quick and put out the fire before it could spread to other offices.

“The fire incident will not affect our preparations for the elections and the elections itself. We have taken delivery of materials and deliveries are going on to this local government. It is not going to blink an eye.

“We lost some PVCs and we have taken delivery of the Voters Identification Number (VIN) of the burnt cards and we have transmitted them to our

headquarters for reprint and will issue them to all those who have not collected their cards. It is going to happen,” Iloh said while responding to a question as to whether the fire incident would affect the elections.

“What happened is that some arsonists went into the premises. They are suspected to have scaled through the fence and threw some inflammable materials into one of the rooms and it ignited fire,” the REC said.

He was full of gratitude to the sympathisers that rallied to put out the fire. “However, we thank God for the agile intervention of God and children of God in that environment, the youth of that area, the Police, passersby, the traditional ruler of that community, Eze Onwuasoanya, he was very wonderful, he helped a lot to mobilize the young men and they contained the fire,” he added.

Iloh said preparations for the polls were well on course, adding that the INEC in Abia has taken delivery of generating sets and other non-sensitive materials and were delivering same to the local government offices of the commission for onward delivery to the Registration Areas.

He said trainings for some categories of ad-hoc staff, including Senior Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers have been concluded.

“We in INEC in Abia State are prepared for this election; we are just good to go,” he said.

The burning of the INEC office in Isiala Ngwa South Sunday morning has generated reactions from some governorship candidates and individuals in then state.

The Governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Alex Otti, while reacting through the Director-General of his campaign Organisation, Dr Max Nduaguibe, accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)and the state government of being behind the fire incident, saying it was designed to disenfranchise it teeming members in the local government, as well as to intimidate the opposition.

Also reaction through a statement endorsed by his Media Adviser, Great Imo Jonathan, the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Uche Ogah, also condemned the dastardly act.

Ogah said that the burning of 15, 000 PVCs was a deliberate act to sabotage one of his strongest political base.

“With the overwhelming momentous ground our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has gained in Isiala Ngwa South and other local government areas in the last one year, we are mindful to say that the failed PDP government in Abia State in their attempt to stop our victory in the coming elections may be behind this satanic act,” the statement read in part.

rials, but for the sensitive materials, that will be concluded by next Friday,” he said He said that the sensitive materials would be brought from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to INEC office on Thursday, adding that the distribution to local government areas would be done on Friday.

On the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), the INEC official said that the commission was impressed with the rate owners of the PVCs were responding to the collection. ”Before, we received the more than 180, 000 PVCs from our headquarters after the completion of the 2018 continuous voters registration, we had more than 120, 000 uncollected cards.

”This brings it to more than 300,000 the number of uncollected cards, but today the number has reduced significantly.’’

He said that available Information to his office showed that many people were going for their cards on daily basis.

Nkedife attributed the success in the PVCs distribution to intensified sensitisation and mobilisation by INEC, traditional rulers, media, political parties, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) among others.

He, however, called on those yet to collect their cards to ensure they do so before Feb.8.

‘Nkedife stressed “After Feb.8, all uncollected cards will be returned to INEC office, Awka till the end of the general elections.”

Distribution of non-sensitive materials in Anambra to end Friday -- INEC

I

ndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the movement of non sensitive materials to the 21 local government areas of Anambra will be concluded on Friday.

Head of Voter Education and Publicity, INEC Anambra, Mr Leo Nkedife, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Awka.

Nkedife said that the commission hired five trucks to fast track distribution of the non sensitive materials across the 21 councils in the state. ”Given the arrangements on ground, we will succeed in moving all the non sensitive materials to all the local government areas in Anambra

by Friday. ”We hired five trucks to enable us achieve the distribution of the mate-

9

POLITICS

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

Anambra under siege •Cultists take over Awka and environs

•Steal, kill at random

•Villagers live in fear

Awka Bureau correspondent, PAMELA EBOH writes on the increasing incidence of cultism in Awka, indeed, Anambra State as a whole, stating that the terror cultists and their sponsors have unleashed in the State is irredeemably damaging the State’s reputation as the safest place in the country.

T

here is a saying that the construction of a man’s mind cannot be seen on his facial expression. This saying can best describe the scenario in the quiet blacksmith city of Awka, created as Anambra State capital on August 27, 1991. The State, which is home to about 5 million people, had hitherto been promoted as the safest State in the country. Well, not any more.

For, that safety is gradually becoming a mirage as rival cult groups steadily but subtly turn the state to a battlefield of some sort as they take up arms against one another other. The cults involved in the raging war include Black Axe, Supreme Vikings Confraternity, Aiye, among others.

So far, over 50 lives have been lost in the sometimes daylight war. For instance, one person was shortly before the Christmas holidays gunned down at Amenyi area of Awka in the full glare of passers-by. It was learnt that the group of four attackers from a rival cult group trailed the deceased to Amenyi in a car and on getting to a close range, they stopped the car while one of them came out and shot the guy to death on the spot before they screeched off to an unknown destination.

The city of Awka is not alone in the raging storm as the war sometime last year finally reared its thorny head in Ihiala, Ihiala Local Government Area of the State with a spate of attacks by rival cult groups that unsettled the town for some time.

The youth leader of the town, Nwofor Ikechukwu who addressed journalists following some arrests then said peace returned to the town as a result of synergy between the police and Ihiala Progress Union (IPU) He observed that the newly instituted Ihiala Area Command of NPF under the leadership of Mr. Michael Falade (ACP) introduced a pro-active approach to tackling the hydra-headed problem of cultism in the area.

He revealed that the police have nabbed about 10 suspected cultists terrorizing the community and handed them over to the anti-cult unit of the Force at Enugwu-Ukwu.

According to him, the arrest has subsequently led to the calm and tranquil atmosphere experienced in the area.

He said: “We are very proud of ACP Falade and his team; they have proved their mettle in their brief stay in Ihiala, the Assistant Commissioner of Police during a town hall meeting charged parents to advise their children who are cultists to renounce cultism or leave the town.

“The war against cultism, I can report to you has been very successful, peace and stability has returned to our community, people are now free to carry out their legitimate businesses without fear of intimidation or harassment from cult groups that swooped on our community.”

Ikechukwu, however, urged police authorities to beam their searchlights on some masquerade groups who molest peace-loving individuals especially during burial ceremonies.

Some youths present at the meeting promised to cooperate with security

•Obiano agents to fight suspected cultists in the town by exposing them.

Also last year, more than seven suspected cult boys were killed in different spots around the villages in Awka. Though some arrests have been made, it has not stopped the evil activities of the group as it continues to thrive like a plague.

For instance, on January 22, this year, a suspected cult boy who sells second hand phones in front of Dike Park was shot dead in broad daylight by a rival group.

The Oracle Today gathered that the boy who is an Igala tribe but born in Awka was an active member of another cult group that recently carried out a hit in Awka. A source who spoke to The Oracle Today on condition of anonymity said the rival group had been after the boy for long.

He said: “I am not too surprised the boy was shot because I have had my suspicions about him, based on the way he talks and carries himself as well as the kind of boys that come to look for him here.”

Another young man was on Tuesday, January 28 killed around the eke Awka market round about at about 9pm.

A bread seller in the area, Mrs. Grace Onyia said loud sound of gunshot was heard around 9pm, which led to people scampering for safety.

“I left my goods and ran for my life when I heard the gunshot. Everybody ran to a safe place until the entire place was calm again. It was when we came out that we heard that a boy was shot and killed. We rushed to the place and saw the small boy

• Garba Umar lying dead in his own pool of blood.”

She said the village has become a no-go area once it’s 8pm saying that the cult boys move round the village attacking people and snatching their bags and phones. Onyia called on parents to prevent their teenage male children from going out in the night.

Similarly, on the night of Sunday, February 3, Unizik junction area up to Emma Nnaemeka area of the state was under siege for hours as six boys wielding pistols moved from shop to shop arresting and robbing people. Though no lives were lost, the incident sent jitters in the areas as people quickly shut their shops immediately after the scenario to return to the homes.

Emma Nnamemeka area, which is one of the thriving zones in the state is largely occupied by students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

Apart from killing of each other, these groups of young men who appear to be mostly students also engage in snatching bags and phones from unsuspecting young girls and women especially in the night.

They seem to have taken their act away from the town where foreigners live in the villages where mostly locals dwell. For example, the bag of a student of Federal Polytechnic Oko who works as a sales girl during the holiday was snatched in December while she was leaving her boss’s house in the night. According to the National Diploma final year student, (name withheld), immediately she stepped out of her boss’s home and walked towards a bend close to the house, she saw three boys walking to-

wards her.

“Immediately I saw them, I sensed they were cult boys, so I started running but immediately I took off, they pursued me and caught up with me. They asked me to bring the money on me but when I told them I didn’t have any money, they snatched my bag, saying, where’s your phone. They searched my bag but they couldn’t find money so, they took my phone, threw my bag at me and told me to start running, I had to run back to my madam’s house. She and her husband were surprised when they saw me because it wasn’t up to five minutes that I left them,” she stated.

The cult clash and killings have been linked to a leadership tussle between tricylcle riders (keke NAPEP and OKADA operators in Awka.

According to the confessions of 42-year old Chukwudi Machie, who has confessed to being a member of Black Axe Confraternity and vice chairman of Okada riders in Awka South LGA before the ban of okada riders, the cult war was a result of the struggle for who chairs the shuttle drivers in Awka South.

His words: “I joined Black Axe at the University of Jos 15 years ago but renounced membership in my church 11 years ago. I was co-opted to be part of brokering a truce between the two rival cults, Black Axe Confraternity and Supreme Vikings Confraternity when the fight started in January last year.

“About 90 per cent of the transporters

Cont’d on page 10

10

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

POLITICS Cont’d from page 9 in Awka are cultists. While Keke people belong to one cult, okada belong to another.

A man came up and said I should settle the case. I was one of the people that went to settle the case. Afterwards, they started fighting again. And that led to the recent onslaught that led to the death of several people in Awka,” Machie said.

A Keke driver who simply gave his name as Ossy, while reacting to the statement, denied any knowledge of the growing war between Okada riders and Keke riders saying that they have never experienced any direct attack from the cult boys at any of their loading points.

The state Commissioner of Police, Garba Baba Umar who addressed journalists during the parade of the arrested cultists had said that the police command have reviewed their crime prevention strategies following the recent security threat posed by cult activities in the state. He said the command has embarked on intensive patrol, aggressive raid of black spots and flash points and other criminal hideouts in order to nip in the bud all forms of crime and criminality in the state. The CP explained that the new strategy had already yielded results, leading to the arrest of 35 suspected cultists within Awka, Enugwuukwu, Obosi and Okija.

He said some of the suspects confessed to being members of Black Axe or Vikings Fraternity and have direct link with the ongoing cult activities in Awka.

Umar noted that the suspected cultists allegedly confessed to the killing of five people within the Awka metropolis. They include Victor Omemma, Chukwudozie Patrick Nwosu, Sunday Nwaboko, Nnamdi Anih and Ifeanyi Ndubuisi. He also reeled out the names of the suspects that confessed to the murders, including Ifeanyi Anazoba, Chukwuemeka Nwokoye, Obyeka Igboanugo, Chukwudi Machie and Chukwudi Igwebueze.

Others were Arinze Chimezue, Junior Vikings; Obunabo Uba, Black Dagger; Elenem Victor, Black Dagger; Chinwuba Ugochukwu, Black Dagger; Okwuchukwu Okafor, Senior Vikings, Egwele Chibuokem, Junior Vikings; Okafor Chiemerie, Junior Vikings; Akametaru Chibuike, Junior Vikings; Okeke Chidubem, Junior Vikings; Ibeh Chimezie, Junior Vikings; Ezeokoli Izuchukwu, Black Axe; Aka Izuchukwu, Junior Vikings; Obighara Nzube; Junior Vikings; Ikueze Chibuzor; Junior Vikings; Ezeokoli Chukwuebuka, Buccaneer; Nwabueze Chibuike, Junior Vikings; Ezeh Chukwuemeka, Black Axe. Also included were, Okwuchukwu Odilika, Buccaneer; Obi Chukwunonye, Junior Vikings; Udemmadu Obichukwu, Junior Vikings; Amobichukwu Izuogu, Costral Marine Patrol; Ekene Uga, Junior Vikings; Okpara Nonso, Junior Vikings; Chimezie Ifeduba, 2-2; Arinze Chiemelie, 2-2; Okwuchukwu Okafor, SVC; Chukwuma Aguneyie, Junior Vikings (JVC).

When contacted, the leader of Special Anti Cultism Unit, FSARS, Basset said he is not in any to give the details of the number of cultists that have so far been arrested in the state adding that the state police command is on top of its game to ensure that cultism activities is flushed out of the state. He said: “I don’t have the authority to give detail of the number of cultists so far arrested, only the PPRO has such right and he is aware of everything, maybe you speak to him.”

When the Police Public Relation Officer, SP Mohammed was contacted, he said he does not have the detail hand. He, however, promised to get the detail from the statistics department of the command but at the time of filing this report, the detail is yet to come. It would be recalled that no fewer than 103 suspected cultists and armed robbers have been nabbed by the Special Anti Cultism unit, FSARS and Divisional Police headquarters in the state.

The suspects were rounded off during a recent coordinated raid on Criminal hideouts and black spots in the state. According to a statement by the PPRO, the state command had between December 20 last

Anambra under siege

•Aiye fraternity

•Black Axe year to date arrested a total number of 100 suspected cultists from various parts of the State.

The areas include Umunnachi in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state where four suspected cultists were arrested, 17 in Onitsha, 15 in Umuoji, 15 in Umokpu Awka and four in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of the State.

Others are Anambra/Ifitedunu eight suspects, three in Awada, Obosi; three in Ekwusigo, three in Ezi-Alias, 1 in Ihiala.

Also, four suspected cultists/murder suspects were arrested in Aguleri axis, four in Okpuno/Abakaliki Street in Awka while 10 suspects were nabbed in Awka and six in Umuawulu/Nibo/Nise, five were arrested in Umoaba Anam, one robbery suspect /cultist arrested in Awka North, five in Nkpor and 12 in Ogidi area.

Weapons recovered from the suspects

include two matchetes, one jack knife, two axes and one butcher’s knife.

A statement by the PPRO read, in part: “Out of the 100 suspects arrested so far, 27 have confessed and charged to Court, 37 were screened and released while 36 others are undergoing investigation.

However, when The Oracle Today visited some villages in Awka South Local Government Area of the State, some villagers decried a situation where young men kill themselves at random in the name of cult.

While condemning their activities, Mr. Ositadimma Arinze said the amount of blood of young men that was wasted in 2018 is enough to curse the land.

Arinze who is from Umubelu village and a retired staff member of Agip, in anger spat to the ground and said: “What sort of wicked generation is this? People that have the mind to shoot a fellow human being to

death without guilt are lost.”

He said during the heat of the killings, that one young man was gunned down close to his home.

“I was sitting in my corridor that day receiving fresh air when I suddenly heard a loud sound of a gun, a shout followed and then I heard footsteps of people running while some others were screaming, “ they have killed him, they have killed him oo. I came out against the advice of my wife to know what was happening, only to see a young, handsome fair complexioned boy in a pool of his own blood. I was mad and I cursed whoever carried out that act. That was someone’s child wasted at a time he would be of help to his parents.”

The retired Agip staff member may not be alone in the lamentations as residents now live in fear of staying out late from their homes beyond 7pm.

11

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

LIFE Succour for the needy from a young, large heart From Enugu, CHUKS EZE writes on the philanthropic activities of a young busi“T nessman who is also support his party, the PDP in the run-up to the general election in the country.

•Chido and Benedette

”

he PDP deserves it; if I have more, I will even do more to support the party, its leaders”.

That was a polite, earnest response from Enugu humanitarian, Chidozie Idoko, the Chairman of Chido Group International, to a nosy guest, who had quietly scolded him for floating, “jumbo private support group for the State governor with his hard-earned cash, querying Chido’s rational for choosing to “fill an ocean from his little bowl of water”.

The event heralded the official inauguration of Chido Foundation through which he carries out philanthropic activities. According to Chido, his Foundation was formed mainly to give succour to widows and the needy.

Attendance at the occasion was massive what with several side attractions just as there were a lot of delicacies to savour. The youthful philanthropist also distributed gift items to over 400 widows and needy, such as small bags of rice, umbrella, cooking condiments as well as cooked food and drinks, among others, under the Chido Foundation, which he said had been on since the past five years.

Held at the expansive Umuonehe Primary School field, at Aji in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, the event was graced by several dignitaries including Enugu State Commissioner for Environment and Mineral resources, Prince Emeka Mammah, representing the State governor.

Other dignitaries at the outing were the Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Chukwuka Utazi. Others were the Zonal Chairman of PDP in Enugu North Senatorial District, Nze Mike Onyeze; Council Chairman of Igbo-Eze North LGA, Comr. Uwakwe Ezeja; state legislators representing Igbo-Eze North I and II Constituencies, Hon. Ethel Oyibo-Ugwuanyi and Hon. Tony Ogidi; PDP Chairman in IgboEze North, Chief Alex Urama; former Secretary to Enugu State government, Chief Innocent Agbo, as well as the Grand Patron of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council and Chairman, Igwe-in-council, Essodo, HRH Igwe Dr. Osisi Itodo, who was the royal father of the day, but represented by his son, Prince Engr. Williams Osisi Itodo, among several others.

In his address to the gathering, the host thanked appreciated all who had attended the event and also seized the opportunity to clear the air over contrasting various rumours and queries that had arisen he formed Gburugburu Is A Goal support group.

“Since we founded Gburugburu Is A Goal, tongues have been wagging both in loud and silent manners, questioning the motive behind the emergence of this group.

Several people have asked what do these people want; some have even approached me tooth-picking me to find out whether it has any political undertone.

“We are not politicians and we are not contesting any election. Apart from our state coordinator, none of us is a politician.

The rest of us are traders and students; youths and our aged mothers and fathers.

Chido told the gathering that he was overwhelmed by their huge turnout, stressing that he was delighted that irrespective of his age, the governor honoured his invitation just as many other elders, stakeholders and well wishers did, as well. May God honour you for honouring us”.

On why he cares for widows and the needy, Chido said, amid overwhelming emotions, that it was due to what his mother had passed through while struggling to raise him and his siblings, after their father’s death.

“This is the same rice that our mother would run around to purchase so she would cook for us, especially during festive periods, but to no avail due to acute poverty” he said, in an emotion-laden voice.

“As kids,” he continued, “we would visit our neighbours, to eat rice, aware they had prepared it, but they would tell us there was no food. And one day, overwhelmed by sor-

“As kids,” he continued, “we would visit our neighbours, to eat rice, aware they had prepared it, but they would tell us there was no food. And one day, overwhelmed by sorrow over our acute deficiency, I hit my chest severally, cried to God vowed that I would distribute free rice to the needy, if He ever blessed me.

That is what we are doing here today, and we have been doing this for the past five years,”

”

row over our acute deficiency, I hit my chest severally, cried to God vowed that I would distribute free rice to the needy, if He ever blessed me. That is what we are doing here today, and we have been doing this for the past five years,” he said.

In his speech, the council chairman of Igbo-Eze North, Comrade Uwakwe Ezeja, thanked Chido for his philanthropy and for initiating a support group for the state governor, describing the businessman as charitable, selfless and unique.

“We appreciate you, Chido. Our people celebrate you and the state is proud of you,” he said. “The lesson for all of us today is that rather than expecting government to do everything for us, we should endeavor to encourage our leaders and support them within our various capacities,” he admonished.

In same vein, Senator Utazi also appreciated Mr. Chido declaring that the formation of Chido Foundation, a non-profit organisation, as a huge lesson to the well-to-do in not only in Aji community and Enugu North Senatorial Zone, but in the entire state.

According to him, “through this uncommon gesture, this young man has today, pricked the hearts of so many guests here.

Chido has brought so many issues to ques-

tion today, which cannot be resolved in a day. Sometimes, we think that we have known much, but when you go further, you realise that you do not know anything. Chido has taught all of us a very important lesson today. May God bless and empower him more,” he prayed.

Chido’s mother, Benedette Idoko, in a chat with our correspondent, expressed immense gratitude to God that after she and her family had experienced many years of acute poverty, especially after the death of her husband, she lived to witness her son extending charity to the penurious.

“We lived, ate and wore hardship like garment. It was so bad that I would smash okra to squeeze out the foam to wash clothes because there was no detergent and no money to purchase some.

“I was using cassava, instead of beans, to make akara balls to feed my children because there was no food and no money to buy food. But today, it has pleased God to change our story. For that, I would never stop Chido from helping the needy because I am certain that the same God who has blessed him will always replenish his purse,” she said.

While appreciating God for His favours,

Mrs Idoko noted that it was only God that could make a family that could neither feed nor afford money to buy ordinary detergent to wash clothes to now feed multitudes and even have the honour of hosting a sitting governor. Describing Governor Ugwuanyi as her worthy in-law and a good man, the excited woman pledged to keep praying for more divine grace upon the governor to enable him to win the 2019 and advance his “people-oriented, and all-encompassing governance”.

While officially inaugurating the support group, with 17 coordinators for each LGA of the State, alongside Chido Foundation, Prince Mamah, who represented Governor Ugwuanyi, apologized to Chido and his group, as well as the entire gathering at the event, for governor Ugwuanyi’s absence, explaining that the governor was unavoidably absent.

“God has blessed you Chido. And for caring for the poor, God will continue to bless and enrich you in million folds. I am aware that in the current package, he is reaching out to at least ten beneficiaries per electoral ward. We appreciate you,” he said.

On Chido’s care for the needy, Prince Mammah assured the philanthropist that God would always use the widows and needy who find solace in him as points of contact for divine connection and enablement with him both presently and in future.

Mamah admonished the gathering to ensure they collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and as well guard them jealously as the general election approaches.

“What we have seen here today, shows that Chido Group alone has what it takes to deliver our governor; we therefore, expect 100 per cent votes from Aji and I think that with this group, we can go to sleep and channel our energy towards other sections of the state,” he said.

12

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

NEWS

Atiku will win, if… - Bishop Udeh

By IBE NWACHUKWU

G

eneral Overseer of Mount Zion Faith Global Liberation Ministries, Incorporated, a.k.a, By Fire

By Fire, Nnewi of Anambra State, Bishop Abraham Chris Udeh has prophesied that the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 16 general election in the country, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will have a land slide victory atthe polls if the election was conducted on a free, fair and transparent basis.

On the other hand, he said he saw in a spiritual world where the All Pro-

gressives Congress (APC) leadership is perfecting strategies to rig the election with active connivance of law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and the northern oligarchy.

In an exclusive interview with newsmen in his church cathedral, at Nnewi, Anambra state, yesterday, Bishop Udeh expressed the fear that the reason Buhari appointed acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and the new Director-General of State Services, thus silencing his perceived enemies, was part of the strategies to rig the election.

Udeh therefore advised all the East-

erners both young and old to come out on the election day and vote for Atiku and Peter Obi or else we stand to be mocked by the northerners for abandoning our own man. So, let us unite in favour of Obi. “I saw Buhari in the spirit world wielding a sword with which to slaughter those who spoke against him before, during and after the elections if he wins this second term but God will not allow him to come back.

He should retire to his Daura home and leave Nigerians alone”.

People can only have the courage to speak against the damages he be-

queathed to Nigerians starting from his role in overthrowing the past Shehu Shagari administration when he scuttled the second republic, to his election in 2015 as a civilian president but I am saying my own now because Thus says the Lord of hosts”.

“So, my special appeal to Nigerians is to assist me in advising Buhari to go home and rest because he has so many health challenges and age is not on his side as to continue in office as president of Nigeria. It is unfortunate that some cabals are still pushing him to contest the election just because they have an ulterior motive of milk-

Group tasks Ebonyi youths on PVCs collection

Polls: ‘Buhari should not expect victory’- SNPM

A

group, National Campaign Committee for Buhari (NCCB), has appealed to those yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Ebonyi to do so urgently ahead of the general elections.

The state Coordinator of the group, Chief Okenwa Uka, made the appeal on Tuesday, in Abakaliki, while addressing journalists shortly after the group was inaugurated.

He said that the group would mobilise its members to sensitise the electorate on dangers of not collecting their PVCs, before the February 8 deadline set by the INEC for the collection.

He described as `unacceptable’, the over 199,000 unclaimed PVCs in Ebonyi, saying that the group would do all it could to enhance collection through sensitisation of the voting public.

“The recent release by INEC on the status of PVCs collection in Ebonyi is worrisome, and our group being youth oriented, will do all we can to mobilise our people to go and collect their cards.

“With less than three days to end the collection of the voter cards, we shall intensify our campaigns in this area.

“If need be, hire transportation for those in the interior parts of our communities to enable them to move to the collection centres to pick their PVCs. “We cannot be talking about giving President Muhammadu Buhari massive votes in Ebonyi, when majority of the electorates are yet to claim their PVCs, which is their power.

“We shall mobilise the youths, women and even the men and we shall ensure that at least half of the 199,000 PVCs are collected before February 8,” Uka said.

The group further charged youths against indulging in election violence including political thuggery, hooliganism and ballot box snatching during the elections.

“Youths must be seen as agents of change and must, therefore, not engage in or be involved in any form of election violence of any kind and other acts capable of endangering the democracy.

“Youths must therefore have as their slogan ‘vote-not-fight’ and eschew all forms of electoral violence.

“The president is committed to a free and fair 2019 elections and we as youths must support the president to actualise this noble dream.

“No ambition of any politician is worth the blood of any Nigerian youth, so we are discouraging violence of all forms in Ebonyi,” he added.

He expressed confidence in the victory of Buhari and National Assembly candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the February 16 presidential election and the March 2 governorship election in Ebonyi.

Uka further commended Mr Tony Nwonye, the National Director of the NCCB, for organising the youths and for positively channeling their energies to play active roles in partisan politics.

ing Nigeria dry”.

I am also surprised that even the northern emirs who knew that he has health challenges are still supporting him to come back and re-enact another four years of blood spilling, hunger and terrorism. I want all easterners in APC to defect to other parties and leave APC alone because it is not favourable to the easterners. All the World Bank projects are not visible in the east, except in the north. So, we should use our tongue to count our teeth but one day the basket of marginalization will turn against other tribes”.

By IBE NWACHUKWU

T

• Immediate past Commissioner for Information, Ondo State and PDP House of Reps Candidate for Idanre/ Ifedore Federal Constituency campaigns at Idanre.

Tanko’s election tribunal illegal -- Coalition declares

By IBE NWACHUKWU

A

coalition of different political stakeholders comprising various political parties in the Eastern part of Nigeria, namely APGA, PDP, UPP, SDP, YPP and ADC, under the auspices of South East Youth Movement for Atiku / Obi campaign, SEYMAC, has declared as illegal the Election Tribunal constituted by Hon. Justice Tanko who was appointed by President Mohammadu Buhari upon the controversial suspension of Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria.

This was contained in a communique issued after an emergency meeting they held in Onitsha, Anambra state yesterday with some civil rights groups, namely, Movement Against Electoral Fraud, Youth Solidarity for Progressive Change, South East Movement for Resource Control, South East Movement for Restructuring Nigeria, Lawyers Advocacy Forum, Christian Women for Democracy, South East Christian Women for Justice, Nigeria Social Congress for Good Governance and Civil/Legal

Justice Congress.

In the communique, the group unanimously expressed their concern on the Election Tribunal Judges constituted by Justice Tanko who was appointed the acting Chief Justice by President Mohammadu Buhari under controversial circumstance.

In the communique jointly signed on their behalf by their spokespersons, Hon. Tochukwu Emmanuel Obi, Comrade Azubuike Imoka, Comrade Wisdom Okoye, Ezekute Jeff Mcsyndey, Stellamaris Agwaziam, Mrs. Madueke Ifeyinwa and Barrister Michael Akubowe, the group described the suspension of Onnoghen as a Coup d’état and went further to state that since the suspension of the CJN Onnoghen was done without recourse to NJC in breach of the constitution, the appointment of Justice Tanko and his consequent act in constituting the Election Tribunal judges was a fundamental defect.

They further stated that they shall file an originating process in court to determine the propriety of the Election Tribunal constituted by the acting CJN Tanko that was appoint-

ed in breach of the constitution.

They further stressed that the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT lacks the competence under the constitution to recommend the suspension of the CJN. They emphasized that by Section 3 of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Act, once a public officer’s attention is drawn by the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB that certain assets of the public officer was not declared or properly declared and the same public officer admits owning such assets and then declares them, the issue of non-declaration or insufficient declaration of assets will not proceed to the Code of Conduct Tribunal as obtained in the Onnoghen’s case.

They condemned in its entirety, the suspension of the CJN and described same as rape on democracy and calculated attempt by the APCled federal government to install a CJN that will favour APC in the event of a legal tussle in court after the 2019 general elections, which was why Justice Abrahim Mohammed Tanko immediately constituted a tribunal to perfect the script of APC led federal government.

he Southern Nigeria Peoples Mandate (SNPM) has called on President Muhamadu Buhari to stop blaming previous administrations who presided over affairs of the country between 1999 and 2015 for their inability to transform the country into a developed nation.

In a press statement issued, Tuesday, in Onitsha, Anambra state by their President and Secretary-General, Augustine Chukwudum and Rafiu Diya, SNPM noted that in as much as they were not defending PDP’s failure to impact positively on the life of Nigerians, they would wish to remind Buhari that while he was Campaigning for 2015 Presidential election, he promised to better the lives of the suffering masses but on assumption of office, he turned the nation into a hell for the poor masses.

According to SNPM, “Buhari never promised us hell as we all are seeing today. Today majority of Nigerians go to bed on an empty stomach and all our President will tell us is that he knows our suffering and yet he is not doing anything to alleviate it”.

“Our question to Mr. President now is; is this the Change Nigerians voted for in 2015? because what average Nigerians are seeing today shows that APC led Government has nothing to offer if given another mandate in 2019 and that is why Buhari keeps blaming former President Obasanjo and Jonathan for failure to fulfill his campaign promises”.

“Today, Nigerians are wondering whether Buhari is in charge or some cabals are controlling the Government.

All things that have been said by Buhari nothing has changed. Instead we are moving from frying pan to fire. Prices of goods are sky rocketing on daily basis and our economy are now out of control and very soon one USA dollar will amount to N1,000”.

“Therefore, if President Buhari is elected for the second term, because the Government is not doing anything to make Nigeria a productive country, instead of the Administration to tackle the situation, they are busy condemning past leaders as an excuse for President Muhamadu Buhari failed administration”.

“To add salt to injury, today the Government sells all our national assets to their Kinsmen so that Nigeria will be a complete failed nation. We hereby urge all the Civil Society in the Country to rise up and protect this Country because if we fail to vote this Government out, things will get to a point where Nigerians will become personal Business of some criminals called politicians”.

The truth must be told that Buhari is not interested in bettering the life of average Nigerians, rather what he came for was vendetta. We hereby urge every Nigerian to vote him out during the February 16 Presidential election.

13

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

NEWS Uba leads APC campaign team on Anambra tour

By OGE ONYEANUSI, Nnewi

E

lectorate in Orumba North council area has adopted candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC) as their preferred choices for the 2019 polls.

The people who trooped en-masse to receive the APC candidates in their various wards stated that their reason for adopting the APC candidates was because they are best qualified to represent the LGA at the National and State Assembly.

The APC Anambra South Campaign led by Senatro Andy Uba which commenced with the tour of the various wards in Orumba North witnessed massive endorsement of the candidates of the party in the election from the people.

Receiving the candidates at Oko, His Royal Highness, Eze Prof. Laz Ekwueme expressed satisfaction with the quality of the party’s candidates and pledged the support of Oko community for them.

At Oko civic center, the venue for the Ward’s campaign, the entire community declared their support for Sen. Dr. Andy Uba, Hon. Bar. Uchenna Okonkwo Okom (who is their son) and Engr. Mrs. Constance EzeugwaIlo at the polls.

The campaign team later moved to Ufuma community where they were received by a joyous community. The Ufuma community expressed their satisfaction with Sen. Andy Uba who have executed a number of Constituency projects in the town and declared that APC will receive all the votes in the community.

The campaign team further moved to Awgbu with a courtesy call on the Igwe of the Town, HRH, Igwe M. C. Okekechukwu who declared the support of the Town for the candidates.

The Igwe emphasized that experience matters in lawmaking, therefore the Awgbu Community will be supporting the candidates of APC for their experience and qualification. It was a total shutdown at AborNato Hall where the community gathered to receive the APC candidates. The people stated that APC candidates are their consensus candidates and will get bulk of their vote The campaign team further advanced the tour to Nanka Community where the people declared their support for them. The community in particular noted that APC candidates have made significant impacts in various ways in the town, therefore deserves their votes and support.

Speaking at the various campaign stopovers, Sen. Dr. Andy Uba, who is the Leader of the team stated that the APC candidates are the best for legislative representation in the Anambra South, noting that candidates of other parties are petty traders who mistakes national assembly as a trading Zone. Some of them, he said can barely write their names very well.

The Senator further stated that he has executed projects in all the wards in the Anambra South Senatorial district and promised to do more if returned by the Constituents for third time. Also speaking, the candidate of APC for Orumba Federal Constituency pledged total commitment of APC candidates in the zone, stating that as Representatives in the ruling Party, that they are better position to affect the zone positively than other mushroom parties and their barely literate candidates.

The Orumba State Assembly candidate, Engr. Mrs Constance EzeugwaIlo also stated that APC remains the party of choice for people of Orumba, declaring that their representation in the national assembly and State will witness tremendous development for the people of the zone

Igwe front-runner as Umunneochi prepares for House of Assembly election

• He will win– stakeholders From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

S

takeholders of Umunneochi Local Government chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have expressed optimism that the party’s Abia State House of Assembly candidate for Umunneochi State Constituency, Barr. Okey Igwe , would coast home to victory in the March 2, 2019 governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Chairman of PDP in Umunneochi, Richard Mbanefo Agbadogo and a former Commissioner in the state, Barr. Chima Mgbeke, were unanimous that the party and its candidate would win with a landslide.

Agbadogo and Mgbeke said Igwe

who is the immediate past Executive Chairman of the local government possess intimidating credentials of performance while in office and has demonstrated strength of character that has earned him the trust of the people as one who would always deliver.

Said Agbadodgo in an interview yesterday, “Igwe will win with a very clear margin. Our people don’t want to be associated with APC. Our candidate will win in all the wards and polling units.”

“Okey Igwe, when he was there as the Executive Chairman, he did a lot of work. He promised us one thing – restoration of electricity to Umunneochi - and he fulfilled it. He is very

upright. He stands by his words and doesn’t make empty promises.

“He is already made and not someone you can push around. He is the only who can go for us because we have confidence in him that he will bring back the dividends of democracy to our people. Some politicians will go to the House and sell off the right of their people, when there is a big offer,” The Umunneochi party chairman remarked.

Similarly, Mgbeke, the immediate past Commissioner for Rural Development and Poverty Reduction in the state, told The Oracle Today in a telephone interview yesterday that Igwe would emerge with a landslide in the Umunneochi House of Assem-

• Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (l) with the Access Bank Group Managing Director, Dr. Herbert Wigwe (r) during the presentation of prizes to winners of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, weekend

Reps candidates for Nnewi constituency shun debate

By OGE ONYEANUSI, Nnewi

G

roup, Center for Strategic Leadership and Youth Orientation (CENSTLEYO), an NGO, Saturday, February 2, 2019, at the C.W.O Hall of Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral, Nnewi, Anambra State, organised a Town Hall Electoral Debate/ Dialogue for candidates of the House of Representatives vying to represent Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency.

The meeting was attended by hundreds of people drawn from youths, women and religious organizations, traders, politicians, non governmental organizations, among many others.

However, out of three political party candidates invited for the programme, namely the PDP, APC and APGA candidates, only candidate of the PDP, Hon. Chris Emeka Azubogu, with his supporters turned up for the town hall dialogue; while those of the APC and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Hon. JK Onyeka and Hon. Iju Anthony Nwabunike, respectively, with their teaming supporters, shunned the meeting.

While presenting his scorecards, Azubogu said he has constructed over 40kms of roads across 15 communities within the federal constituency, managed many erosion problems, supplied hundreds of computers to

schools, built/renovated many classroom blocks, constructed perimeter fences in schools, built palm oil and garri processing plants in some communities, sponsored training of over 1,000 persons in different skills, constructed bridges to link communities and villages within the constituency, provided free medical treatment for over 8,000 patients having different health challenges, among many other achievements.

Earlier in his address of welcome, Mr. Imma Felix Emeka, the Initiator of the programme, said that the purpose of the debate was to help voters make informed choice at the ballot box; stating that political debates benefit democracies in many ways, including encouraging candidates to focus on public policy issues rather than personality or religion; reducing the potential for violence by prompting civil discourse; and holding elected officials accountable to their campaign promises once in office.

“Debate of this nature presents us with the opportunity to directly listen to our would- be representatives to present and defend their views face-to-face, which enables them to further develop and articulate their positions before open electioneering campaign ends. In doing this, statements, policy positions, and promises made becomes part of public record with which constituents depend on

to holding them to account during post election debate or constituency score presentation”, he added.

Addressing newsmen at the end of the programme, the Head of Directors of the NGO, Dr. Kingsley Ubaoji, said that the three candidates invited for the programme were carried along throughout the processes of organizing the event; and expressed surprise that even after speaking with the candidates in the early hours of the day, informing them of the arrangements on ground already, yet, they shunned the exercise.

He said, “This organization carried the three candidates along in all the processes and steps of preparing for this event. Specifically, the APGA candidate proposed for this town hall debate. We bought into the initiative and informed the APC and the PDP candidates, and they accepted it.

“We are therefore, very surprised that even the person who initiated this idea is not here. While the APGA candidate is saying that Governor Obiano invited him to Awka for an emergency meeting, the APC candidate is telling us that President Buhari summoned him for an emergency meeting in Abuja.”

Highpoint of the event was presentation of certificate of participation to Hon. Chris Azubogu by CENSTLEYO.

bly contest.

“PDP,” according to Mgbeke, “has 80 per cent chances of winning the House of Assembly elections in Umunneochi. Our candidate who is the leading candidate is the immediate past Executive Chairman of Umunneochi local government area. He did excellently well in building infrastructure.”

Igwe will be slugging it out at the polls with the incumbent lawmaker representing Umunneochi State Constituency and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Barr. Eze Chikamnayo and son of late Sentor Uchechukwumerije, Chaka, who is flying the flag of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Mgbeke maintained that Igwe has posted an intimidating performance during his tour of duty as Executive Chairman of Umunneochi local government area, adding that his experience as a lawyer of high repute with sound Western Education has put him head above shoulders of other candidates.

Igwe has gained wide acceptance in Umunneochi because he performed creditably as Council Chairman. I wish to refer you to the Lomara Nneato road. That road was impassable when he assumed office but due to the palliative work he did on that road, it became passable.

“I want to remind you also that there was no light in Umunneochi for about 20 years, but he (Igwe) came and restored electricity in Umunneochi. I want to also tell you that he, as a local government chairman, with the help of the Office of the Deputy Governor, resolved the boundary crisis between Lekwesi community in Umunneochi and Ishiagu community in Ebonyi State.

“Also, in conjunction with his brother, Prince Odinaka Igwe, he did a lot of empowerment programmes for various groups. He also constructed market stalls in Amuda and elsewhere,” he said.

The former Commissioner also noted that the many democracy dividends of democracy to the people of Umunneochi by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu would further boost Igwe’s chances.

He said that Ikpeazu reconstructed the Nneato bridge, constructed many roads, gave the people more than 50 appointments and contributed immensely to the restoration of electricity to Umunneochi. “That is why our people are happy and would support PDP candidates in the forthcoming elections,” he said.

Examining the chances of other candidates, Mgbeke said that the APGA candidate, is a statrter and has little or no experience. He added that the SDP candidate he has held a lot of positions in the state and has failed to use such positions to impact on the local government while the APC candidate was looking for third tenure, alleging that he dumped the people that helped him to win election into the House on PDP platform and would not make it. “So, PDP has every chances of winning this election in Umunneochi,” he averred.

“Our expectation is high because our candidate is coming from the Western background. He is a lawyer who knows the process of making laws and already has his template.

He cannot afford to fail because he has a name to protect,” Mgbeke added.

14

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

NEWS Extra ‘Don’t let my opponents deceive you’-- Umahi tells civil servants

By CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki

G

overnor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, Tuesday, urged civil servants in the state not to fall to the antics of his opponents, saying he has their best interest at heart.

Umahi who spoke Monday at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally held at Afikpo North Local Government Area assured the civil servants that his administration meant well for them.

The governor lampooned the state All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Senator Sunny Ogbuorji, for making workers’ welfare his campaign slogan, saying he should be ignored because he doesn’t know anything about governance.

He said Ogbuorji’s present lifestyle is enough to convince anybody that he is out to deceive the people and nothing else.

Umahi said his administration has judiciously utilized every Kobo accrued to the state for the betterment of the people including the civil servants.

He noted that while other states were increasing taxes and school fees to be able to meet up with the economic predicament facing the nation, his administration rather reduced both taxes and school fees in the state.

He futher said apart from regular payment of salaries, he has been paying 13th month to civil servants, pensions, provided 4bn naira soft loan for them as well as payment for their health insurance; just as he further assured the civil servants that his administration would continue to initiate programmes aimed at bettering their welfare.

“You know, the only campaign slogan that this Ogbuorji has is: I will do this, I will do that to civil servants. And I pity him and those falling for such antics. First of all, let him open his house let people come in. That is how you will know a human being. But he will always close his house.

“You know, talk is cheap. You must say something. And he is the one that is looking for the cross without the ground. You talk about what is inside the house without entering the house. I will do this for civil servants and I will do that for civil servants.

“I asked somebody yesterday who said he is contesting for governor.

I said: can you define GDP for me?

What is the GDP of Ebonyi state now?

Because that is the nucleus of the entire thing we are talking about; the welfare of Ebonyians. How do you do it Or just want to talk?

“So, I want you to ignore him. I want the civil servants to know that we have their best interest at heart.

These civil servants are our brother and sisters and they must know that every Kobo we are having we are using it judiciously for the betterment of Ebonyi people.

“Before, nobody wants to say he is from Ebonyi state. We reduced school fees whereas others people are increasing school fees in their universities. We reduced taxes but others are increasing their taxes. We pay 13th month to our civil servants. We give our civil servants rice. We give them 4bn naira loan.

“So, our civil servants should not fall to the antics of people who will not near Government house. We have saved money to pay for our civil servants health insurance scheme, and we are paying our own contribution.

“The same thing with pension fund.

We have paid their own and we have paid our own. The same thing we are going to do at the local government level. So, I want you to know that we mean well for you”, said the governor Umahi.

Sick mother regrets son’s membership of IPOB

By OGE ONYEANUSI, Nnewi

S

ick mother of a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mrs Olive Ikueze, has expressed regret over her son’s membership of the Biafra agitation group, stating that it was the major cause of her lingering illness.

Giving details, she hinted that she saw her son, Nzubechukwu Olisaemeka Ikueze, last on 30th May 2016, few hours before the massacre of IPOB members at Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra state on the fateful day stating that before he left their

Onitsha residence, her son told her that IPOB was marking the remembrance day of Biafran war heroes (veterans) on that fateful day.

According to her, “while I was expecting the return of my son, Nzubechukwu Olisaemeka Ikueze, the next I heared was that scores of IPOB members have been massared

by Federal Govenment Joint security taskforce that included, military, police, Civil Defence corps, Federal Road Safety Commission and local vigilante group and that the worse was that corpses of those massacred members were taken away by the security operatives who were on the trail of

those that escaped being killed at the scene”.

“The next day the Joint Taskforce came to our residence in search of my son to kill him but they did not know that he has not even returned since he left house on that fateful day to God knows where as he has disappeared for safety if he is still alive.

“I am just being consoled by my neighbours and sympathisers that my son, Nzubechukwu Olisaemeka Ikueze, may have fled out of this country because they are looking for him and others to kill.

“When he joined IPOB i knew it was not a good omen for me and my fam-

ily because the Federal government sees it as rival group even if they are agitating for a sovereign state of Biafra without violence and that made the Federal Government to tag them terrorist group.

“I know the only remedy or medicine that will cure my sickness is to see my son, Nzubechukwu Olisaemeka Ikueze, the baby of the family, who sources said that he ran away out of the shores of this country to avoid being killed as IPOB member especially as the group has been declared a terrorist group.

“Governor Willie Obiano, I was told, tendered an unreserved apology to the IPOB members over the massacre and exonerated himself from his alleged involvement in the massacre that went viral and I believe his hands are clean,” she narrated.

Okorocha to Ndigbo: Vote wisely

G • Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel inaugurating the General Hospital, Ikot Okoro in Oruk Anam Local Government Area as part of his visit to campaign for a second term in the area

Atiku in Abia restates commitment to job creation if elected president From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

P

residential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, used the last lap of his campaign in Abia State to reiterate his commitment to revamping Nigeria’s economy.

He, however, insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari “must go” on February 16, urging Nigerians to vote out the present federal government which has plunged Nigeria into economic hardship.

Speaking at the PDP presidential campaign rally at Umuahia Township Stadium, Atiku said that about 21 million have lost their jobs in less than four years of APC rule.

The former Vice President, however, promised to salvage the economy by creating millions of jobs for unemployed Nigerians, with an assurance that the country would reclaim her lost glory when he becomes the next president.

He said Abia would benefit more as he would take advantage of the Small and Medium Enterprises in the state to create millions of jobs.

He alleged of plots by the APC to rig the forthcoming general elections and called on Nigerians to be vigilant and protect their votes by not leaving the polling centres after casting their votes but stay behind to witness announcement of results at the polling booths, adding “Buhari must go.”

National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, warned against importing people from Chad and Niger into Nigeria to vote during the elections, saying that PDP would not accept the result of any rigged elections.

Vice Presidential candidate of PDP, Mr Peter Obi, stressed that no government would favour Abia more than the one headed by Atiku because of its commercial inclination.

He assured that Atiku would create jobs, check hunger and return Abia

to its past glory.

Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, urged Abians to support the Atiku-Obi ticket, adding that it would be well with Abia if the duo emerges victorious.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues from the state, said that apart from supporting the Atiku Obi ticket, Abians should equally ensure that all PDP National Assembly candidates from the state were elected to facilitate their penetration of the federal government when the PDP presidential candidate and his Vice would have formed the next government at the centre.

After an interaction with Abia State Council of traditional Rulers, the royal fathers honoured Atiku with the chieftaincy title of Aha Eji Agamba.

The mega rally was attended by PDP heavy weights, including Senators Dino Melaye, among others.

Nigeria Legion calls for synergy among law enforcement agents

By Theo Rays, Onitsha

T

he Nigerian Legion Corps of Nigerian Commissionaires (CNC) Anambra State Command has called for synergy among law enforcement agents towards maintaining peace and security of lives and property of citizens in the country.

The Legion CNC State Commandant, Corp Commander Prince J.N Ogbonnia made the call during the passing out parade (P.O.P) of batch ‘C’ cadet officers at the Chuba Ikpeazu stadium, Onitsha, Anambra State.

Prince Ogbonnia said that the Nigeria Legion CNC which was founded in 1962 and operating under Decree No. 37 has the objective of supporting the law enforcement agents in managing a safe environment noting that other

objectives of Nigeria Legion CNC was to provide public and private security services, traffic and crowd controls, fire disaster management and welfare to the families of fallen heroes.

He said that to carry out the business of security, no security agency should work alone, adding that there should be synergy void of misunderstanding among partners in progress.

“We liaise with other security agencies because a tree cannot make a forest. There must be synergy for us to achieve maximum security. Despite occasional misunderstanding let us make progress like married couples”. Ogbonnia said.

Similarly, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Garba Umar ably represented by DPO Fegge, Onitsha, CSP Rabiu Garba promised that the

Police would work cordially with the Nigeria Legion CNC in promoting crime prevention and security of citizens. “Nigeria Legion is part of us, even those not in uniform are encouraged to perform our duty of promoting security. We are preaching to some of our men who are yet to understand to recognize that fact” said Garba.

Meanwhile, the colorful passing out parade saw the commissioning of about 113 officers although 66 officers were part of the military parade and the empowerment of 52 widows of Ex service men A total of 52 widows of fallen heroes were empowered with items like, popcorn making machines, grinding machine, electric oven, bags of rice and wrappers (Fabrics).

ov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo, has called on Igbos to ensure that they cast their votes wisely in the upcoming presidential elections.

Okorocha, who gave the warning at a press briefing in the Government House, Owerri on Tuesday, described the ongoing politics as a “war in a different dimension”.

He said that Igbos would fail woefully if they did not vote wisely noting that the choices they made in the past did not favour them.

According to him, Igbos will enter into another era of political captivity if they fail to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari.

While calling for votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC), the governor also urged voters not to look for instant gratification but focus in the future.

He maintained that voting for any other candidate would only serve to ensure a “systematic colonisation of the Igbo and he vowed to resist it.

“There is a new political battle in Nigeria, similar to the civil war when Igbo went to war without knowing what they were going into.

“The same war is coming but in a different dimension and it requires intelligence; if the Igbo people do not behave well this time, they will suffer politically,” Okorocha said.

The governor explained that his desire to become a senator was to represent the interests of Imo people in particular and Igbo as a whole and also remained politically relevant.

He said that he regretted that some members of the National Assembly representing the zone were more interested on personal enrichment and promised to change the trend if elected.

• Gov Okorocha

15

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

NEWS Extra Anambra CP receives petition against Amanuke Vigilante members

Umeh doles out N20m for women empowerment in Anambra Central

From CYNTHIA IGBOKWE, Awka

S

A

nambra State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Garba Umar has received a petition against some members of the Amanuke Vigilante Group (AVG) for offences ranging from attempted murder, threat to life, threatening violence, assault, grievous bodily harm, to conduct likely to cause breach of peace with impunity.

The petition from I.C Machie Esq to the CP accused one Charles Nnanube, Theophilus and their gang of threatening the lives of Mr Maduka Basil Obikwelu and Peace Maduka both of Isiogwugwu village Eziama Amanuke , Awka North local government area of Anambra state.

The petition read in part: ‘’We have been briefed and our professional services retained by Mr Maduka Basil Obikwelu and Peace Maduka of Isiogwugwu Village Eziama , Amanuke, Awka North local government area of Anambra state whom we shall hereinafter be referred to as ‘’Our Clients’’ on their definite instruction we now write as follows. ‘’Sir, our clients have not known peace in the hands of the above named suspects who conspired and levied war on our clients for reason best known to them. ‘’Sir, the suspects Charles Nnanwube, Theophilus and their gang in gestapo style met one of our clients Basil and started assaulting him with weapons such as machete and rods.

As he was pleading with them for reason behind the ugly act, one of the suspects who was boasting that he is an AVG member ran home and came with a Pump Action and as he was about to shoot on our client Maduka, our client then ran away as he nearly escaped death in their hands. ‘’Sir, after dispossessing Basil of his two phones by stealing same, they told him that he may run but cannot hide. The suspects then rushed the sister, our second client Peace and started beating her as she sustained wounds in the hands of the suspects also. ‘’Sir, both our clients were beaten to coma. All pleas from our clients to the suspects for the reason behind the ugly act fell on deaf ears. They threatened that they must wipe away clients’ family. That eliminating the family and killing them all is an assignment they must do without any plea. ‘’Our clients are now hospitalized with various degrees of injuries. They are still looking for them to be eliminated.

The petition concluded: ‘’Sir , as a law enforcement officer of the state with regards to the security of life and property, may you be pleased to use your good offices in calling the suspects to order and bring them to justice speedily and unravel the secrete behind the ugly acts to avoid breakdown of law and order.

Nobody is above the law, hence this petition to your office. ‘’Thanks for your anticipated cooperation in matters of this kind as our client will avail your men with all relevant facts, evidence and logistics that will aid their investigation’’.

By IBE NWACHUKWU

enator Victor Umeh representing Anambra Central Senatorial District of Anambra state has disclosed that he has set aside a total of N20 million for the empowerment of about 400 rural women within the senatorial zone.

Umeh who made the disclosure at Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state, Tuesday, when a group of tricycle, motorcycle and shuttle bus drivers unianimously endorsed him and other candidates of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA as preferred choice for the February 16 and March 2 general elections, said the scheme

had already kick off in earnest.

He explained that the empowerment programme was designed in such a way that in every community within the Senatorial District, between five and 10 rural woman would be given N50,000 each to expand her business scope, adding that already, more than 50 percent of the 400 women had benefited, while others are expected to benefit before the end of this campaign tour of all the communities in the district.

He commended the group for endorsing him and three other namely Chief Dozie Nwankwo representing Anaocha/ Njikoka/Dunukofia constituency in the House of Repre-

sentatives, Hon. Timothy Ifedioranma representing Njijoka I and Hon. Pete Ibida representing Njikoka II constituencies in Anambra state House of Assembly and assured them that his scholarship scheme for 70 persons would be expanded.

He further disclosed that he distributed 31 tricycles to the beneficiaries in December, 2018 as part of his constituency project, adding that some power brokers wanted to corner the tricycle money by approaching him to seek his consent to share the money with him but when he threatened to unleash EFCC on them, they now released the money out of fear.

In their remarks, Chairman of the

Movement for Good Democracy, the group that organized the event, Hon. Jude Akpua; Chairman of Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria, MTUN, Njikoka local government chapter, Chukwunweike Mmuo and the Chairman of Abagana Tricyclists Operators, Ugochukwu Chikendu, said they decided to endorse the four of Umeh Nwankwo, Ifedioranma and Ibida because of their effective representation so far in their first tenure.

They gave the assurance that come February 16 and March 2, the four would be re-elected to their various seats, through their dint of hard work.

N’Delta bishops laud Presidential Amnesty Programme

B

• (From left): Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Deputy, Ipalibo Gogo Banigo, State party Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah, during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign rally at Community Secondary School, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Saturday

1999 constitution fraudulent – Reps aspirant

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

A

House of Representatives candidate for Bende Federal Constituency on the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Dr. Charles Chukwunaru, has promised to canvass for a return to the 1963 constitution, saying that the 1999 constitution has foisted a false federal system of government which denies the people the control of their resources.

He argued that any constitution that denies the people the right to control their resources was fraudulent.

He noted that Nigeria’s problem have its roots in the fundamental defects of the recent constitutions, adding that the problems were being aggravated because the system was operated by people who do not understand the basic principles of public policy in government.

He said if elected as a parliamentarian, he would vigorously canvas for a return to the 1963 Nigerian constitution, as what the country was currently operating are the products of the 1979, 1989 and 1999 constitutions.

According to him, a constitution that would stand the test of time must be subjected to a referendum.

“If any constitution is going to be written, it has to be agreed upon by all the ethnic nationalities of Nigeria and it has to be subjected to referendum and if passed by the majority, becomes a constitution.

“What we call the 1999 constitution is not a constitution, it is a federal working document because it is not prepared by “we,” the people of Nigeria, because there was no referendum to either accept or reject it.

“Now, this federal working document has so bastardized Nigeria’s federalism: there is no state police, there is only 13 per cent resource control. It should be the other way round.

“The State will collect their resources and give to the centre and not the centre collecting the state resources and giving to the people that have it, that is a fraud. It never happens in anywhere in the world.

“The people of Abia State, for instance, cannot extract anything that is beneath their land which God has given to them and has

been passed down to them by their ancestors, it belongs to the Federal government, what is the meaning of that? That is an affront to natural justice.

“They say they will pay you compensation and give you whatever they like and then they can take trillions of dollars and pollute your environment and when you talk, they kill you,” he said.

“That is why I have to work vigorously with like-minded people to make sure that we eliminate the existing and established status quo which is hostile to the people,” he hinted..

Chukwunaru wondered why the country’s leadership should approve the exportation of the crude oil, while their counterparts rarely do same, except for bilateral reasons or politics.

“You see we have people who do not understand the basic principles of public policy analysis in government. We have people who are economic illiterate, otherwise, they would have known that no developed country sells its crude oil unless for diplomatic or bilateral reasons,” he said.

ishops and Clergy Council of Niger Delta, Nigeria (BCCNDN) says the Presidential Amnesty Programme has impacted positively on the lives of Niger Delta people.

They made the commendation on Tuesday when they visited Prof.

Charles Dokubo, Coordinator of the Programme.

The gospel ministers, whose mission fields were in various parts of the region, noted that skills acquisition and other projects of the Programme initiated by Dokubo had yielded positive results and drastically reduced militancy.

Archbishop of Calvary Temple, Port Harcourt, Boma Lawson, who spoke on behalf of the 22-member delegation, pledged their support to the amnesty coordinator.

“The main reason for this visit is to identify with you and to encourage you for the good work you have been doing since your appointment.

“Since your inauguration as coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, we have noticed tremendous improvement in the lives of our people.

“Incidents of pipeline vandalism, kidnapping of oil workers and attacks on the national economy is almost becoming a thing of the past.

“The other reason for the visit is to register our support for the present management of the Amnesty Programme.’’

Lawson expressed the desire of the group to partner the office in the area of counseling ex-agitators enrolled in the programme.

According to them, this is to restore morals that will impart positively in the lives of beneficiaries of the programme.

In his remarks, Dokubo urged the council to always use their churches to inform people of Niger Delta the need to utilise the opportunity given to them.

“We have trained people; pilots, doctors and lawyers among others.

We have all of them here in the programme.

“So, you have gotten these things, it was through conflict that the Amnesty Programme was created.

“Now, as part of conflict resolution, they have set up organisations and agencies to deal with our people because of our peculiar situation.

“If we do not use it well, the fault will not be in our stars, but in ourselves. That is the way it will be.”

The bishops conferred on the Amnesty Coordinator “Apostle of Peace” award.

16

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

NEWS Ndigbo cannot wait another 4yrs for Presidency – Obaze From PAMELA EBOH, Awka

C

hairman, Anambra State Chapter of Atiku-Obi Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, weekend, said that over 40 million Igbo people cannot afford to wait another 4years to realize the “so called” promise of being handed over to by the APC government.

He said that with Obi as the Vice President, it will provide emotional and spiritual exhilaration for the Igbo people who have been feeling neglected, marginalized and excluded in the running of Nigeria.

Obaze called on Ndigbo to come out en masse and vote for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the February 16 polls saying, “cogent reasons exist for Ndigbo to come out en masse and vote for PDP’s Atiku/Obi.” He explained any vote for Atiku Abubakar is also a vote for Peter Obi, who would be saddled with managing the economic responsibilities of the country.

Obaze who was the party’s governorship candidate in 2017 governorship election stressed that Igbos who are predominantly business-minded people, as well as Nigerians in general, stand to benefit maximally from topnotch conceptual and empirical knowledge the Atiku/Obi team will offer.

He said, “Atiku has executive democratic and political experience, just like his running mate, Peter Obi who he described as “a working and resourceful match.

With the duo in office, Igbos and Nigerians will rejoice and relish a new political and economic paradigm.”

“Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Babatunde Fashola, both potential 2023 presidential candidates, have said publicly and without any apologies that President Buhari will hand over to the Southwest in 2023. Their permutation does not feature Ndigbo.”

“Beyond deploying his reach and office to chart a new vision and mission for the Igbo and Nigerians, Peter Obi also fits well into the bill of strategic succession planning.”

“Moreover, Atiku is a son-in-law of the Igbo people, by virtue of one of his wives from Onitsha. He is an Igbo son by our customary law of marriage and he has chosen our natural son, Peter Obi as his running mate — this is a double chance, if not obligatory reason for the Igbo people to vote for PDP.” The retired Diplomat observed that Atiku as a human being has his shortcomings like every other human or other presidential candidate adding that Nigeria will be far better off with Atiku-Obi than what currently obtains in the system.

Police nab man for killing lover in Abia O From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

peratives of the Abia State Police Command have arrested one Agwu Ukoha Nwaojo for allegedly beating to death, his 24year old girlfriend, Rose Otenkwa.

Nwaojo, from Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, was said to have fallen in love with the deceased when she was sent to undergo training in nursing at a private hospital in

Ohafia and reportedly impregnated her.

The hospital authorities had to expel Otenkwa as it was against the rules and regulations of the hospital, a development that forced the deceased to park in and lived with her boyfriend.

However, things went awry on January 12, this year when the suspect reportedly beat his lady friend to death.

Confirming the incident, elder brother of the deceased, Mr. Iche Otenkwa, said the sudden death of his sister came to the family as a rude shock.

He narrated that the late Rose was registered as to train as a nurse in a popular private hospitals along Asaga-Ebem Ohafia Road few months ago, with an accommodation rented for her, only for them to discover that she has been allegedly impreg-

nated by her boyfriend.

This led to her expulsion by the hospital authorities and she had to move into the boy’s house, without the knowledge of her family before her sudden death.

Iche Otentwa further disclosed that investigations revealed that the deceased died of severe beating before she was taken to an unknown hospital in the area.

According to him, Nwaojo and a nurse on-duty at the hospital where the lady died suspected to be responsible for the sudden death of his sister have been arrested and were being detained by the Police in Umuahia.

Otenkwa said the family was eager to see the State Police Criminal Investigative Department (SCID) charge the case to court without further delay.

NLNG disowns recruitment programme

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

N • Leader of the Fruits and Vegetables Handling and Packaging Project of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), Mr. Deji Badejo alongside the Team members with the Mile 12 Market Executive members during a visit to the market, Monday

Elections: Whole world watching us — Anyaoku

F

ormer Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government and the relevant institutions to ensure that the February and March elections are free and fair.

Anyaoku gave the advice while speaking at a symposium to unveil the new logo of The Nigerian Tribune in Lagos.

The theme of the symposium was “Electoral Integrity, Legitimacy of Democratic Institutions and Good Governance”.

Anyaoku said the expectations of the people and indeed the international community were that the elections would be credible.

He urged the government, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security agencies and other relevant institutions to meet the expectations.

Anyaoku said the rest of the world was keenly watching Nigeria and the conduct would determine how the country would be viewed and treated by the international community.

“As our country is preparing for the general elections in two weeks time, I have three observations to address the Nigerian government, INEC and others.

“First, Nigeria’s friends and the whole of the international community are watching. Watching the behaviour of Federal Government and its agencies, including especially the police, the army and the other lawenforcement agents, to see how far we respect the country’s constitution, the rule of law and the obligation to act well in playing their roles in respect of the elections.

“From my long experience in international politics, I must say no country is an island unto itself, especially in our increasingly globalising world.

“Therefore, our Nigerian government, like other governments all over the world, while of course guarding its sovereignty, should pay heed to the views of the international community.

“Otherwise, the country would return to the pariah status which happily exited in 1999 when it once more embraced democracy.

“My second observation is that INEC had earned deserved compliments for its commendable handling of the last gubernatorial elections in Ondo and Anambra States.

“But it must be admitted that it attracted criticisms for its conducting subsequent similar elections in both Ekiti and Osun.

“I urge INEC to remain aware of the fact that the credibility of the results of our forthcoming elections will depend on the level of impartiality and transparency it demonstrates in ensuring all aspects of the elections are free and fair, thereby making the results to truly represent the will of the people.

“Indeed, the image and standing of our country within the international community will be significantly affected by how INEC and the Federal Government as a whole are seen to behave in all matters relating to the elections,“ he said.

Anyaoku decried what he called the debasement of lives by incessant killings in the country, saying the problem should be tackled holistically The former diplomat said a return

to true fiscal federalism was imperative to move the country forward.

He commended African Newspapers PLC, publishers of Nigerian Tribune for its great contributions to the media industry.

Anyaoku said the contributions of the media organisation to nation-building were as note-worthy as those of its founder, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He said he had no doubt the unveiling of a new logo by the newspaper would herald another chapter of service to the people and the nation.

In her address, Chairman of the media organisation, Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, said Nigerian Tribune had played its part in nation-building since it was founded 70years ago.

She said the unveiling of the new logo was in continuation of the newspaper’s long-standing vision to be the voice of the people and advocate of a better Nigeria.

Prominent Nigerian including Bishop Matthew Kukah, who delivered the keynote address; a leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; a former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel: a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr Femi Pedro: and Convener of Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare were present at the occasion.

Presidential candidate of Young Democratic Party, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu and the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje, were also present at the occasion where the new logo of the newspaper was unveiled.

igerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has disowned a training programme purportedly organized by consultants seeking to groom workers in the company’s upcoming Train-7 project.

Corporate spokesman, Mr. Andy Odeh, said in a media statement that “NLNG expressly disassociates itself from this training programme,” adding that “NLNG IS NOT collaborating with any company for the recruitment of personnel for its Train 7 Project.

He said no company has been awarded the EPC contract for Train 7, explain that the selection process for the award of the contract was still ongoing.

Mr. Odeh warned members of the public to take necessary steps to verify claims of persons purporting to act on behalf of NLNG, adding that members of the public are also advised not to make financial transactions in response to such claims and to report any of such incidents to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

He made it clear that “NLNG’s website, credible national newspapers and electronic media remain sources of credible information regarding NLNG’s Train 7 project.”

“NLNG expressly disclaims any liability for any losses incurred by any person (s) as a result of reliance on such fraudulent communications, emails or publications,” he said.

His statement came in response to oil and gas training programme purportedly organized by a career development in partnership with a private engineering and professional mentoring and capacity building school allegedly for NLNG’s Train 7 Project.

Mr Odeh said the organizers had alleged that NLNG mandated consultants to organize training sessions for those interested in participating in the project. “They also claim that attendees of these training shall be enlisted for employment in the database of the main Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor.”

17

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

BU$IN£SS

•Energy •Finance

•Stock

•Insurance

•Aviation

•e-Platform

High shareholders optimism awaits banks’ 2018 dividend payout

By KAYODE OGUNWALE

O

N the heels of economy instability, investors on the Nigerian stock market are anxiously awaiting leading banks dividend payout for financial year ended December 31, 2018.

Amid struggling Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in half year of 2018, decline yield on Treasury Bills and liquidity crunch, these leading banks reported improved earnings, coupled with interim dividend payout in half year results of 2018.

The likes of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank) and Zenith Bank Plc declared interim dividend of 30 kobo per share respectively, while the management of Access Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa (UBA) proposed an interim dividend of 25 kobo and 20 kobo per share for the period under review respectively.

Capital market analysts who spoke with our correspondent said that Tier-1 banks are always competing on dividend payout to shareholders despite challenging business environment, stressing that shareholders are always on alert every financial year ended December 31.

GTBank had paid a final dividend of 240 kobo per unit of ordinary share held by shareholders in addition to interim dividend of 30 kobo per unit of ordinary share bringing total dividend for 2017 financial year to N2.70 kobo per unit of ordinary share.

Zenith Bank’s proposed a dividend of N55.57 billion (N2.45 kobo per share) as against N48.66 billion (N1.77 kobo per share) in 2016 and interim dividend paid in 2017 and 2016 was at N7.85 billion respectively.

For UBA, shareholders were paid 65 kobo for every ordinary share of 50 kobo in 2017 as against 55 kobo that was paid in 2016.

GTBank in a statement to NSE recently said the lender’s board and directors met on January 30, 2019 to consider its audited financial statement for year ended December 31, 2018 and issues relating to full year dividend.

The statement signed by the company secretary, Mr. Erhi Obebeduo noted that the audited accounts

Buying(NGN)

Falcon Corporation leads N27.1 bn LPG revolution P20 NCC receives 118,784 consumers’ complaints P22

Travel

Marriott hotels in Nigeria unveil ‘February Specials’ would be forwarded to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for approval prior to the release of the results on the floor of the NSE. In his own, Professor of finance at Nasarawa State University, Prof.

Uche Uwaleke said, Tier-1 banks have constant dividend payout policy over improved earnings.

According to him, the dividend policy of these Tier-1 banks is active dividend policy as opposed to residual dividend policy.

“Banks like GTBank, Zenith Bank, UBA and Access Bank have maintained consistent dividend payout to shareholders in the last five years. Access Bank in 2017 financial year paid interim dividend of N0.25 kobo and later paid final dividend of N2.00. A total dividend paid by Access Bank was N2.50- that was one of the key points the bank used in the merger with Diamond Bank.

“Their dividend policy is driven by their competitors. GTBank is looking at what Zenith Bank is paying dividend. We expect that with 2018 financial year, these banks should pay dividend to shareholders.”

He noted that the dividend payout to shareholders would impact on these banks share price going forward.

Speaking further he said, shareholders should be expecting im-

Central (NGN) Selling(NGN)

US DOLLAR 305.75 POUNDS STERLING 401.8778 EURO 351.4596 SWISS FRANC 307.8123 YEN 2.8151 CFA 0.5136 WAUA 426.4945 YUAN/RENMINBI 45.598 RIYAL 81.5203 S/A RAND 23.0247

Energy

e-Platform

CBN Exchange Rates JANUARY 31, 2019 Currency

•Tourism

306.25 402.535 352.0344 308.3157 2.8197 0.5236 427.1919 45.6731 81.6536 23.0624

306.75 403.1922 352.6091 308.8191 2.8243 0.5336 427.8894 45.7481 81.7869 23.1

proved dividend or they maintained the same amount paid to shareholders last year.

“I expected Access Bank to pay dividend higher to what was paid in 2017. At worst, the lender will maintain N0.25 kobo dividend payout to shareholders in 2017.

“Banks with low Non-Performing Loan Ratio in the Tier-1 region are also expected to pay dividend. However, banks with NPL ratio above 10 per cent as guided by CBN are not expected to pay dividend to shareholders. That was why, a bank like Diamond bank was unable to pay dividend for sometimes.”

He noted that Tier-1 banks might struggle to improve on their performance in 2018 and the major concern is the plummet of leading banks share prices.

“The share price of Zenith bank and GTBank are trading below their intrinsic values on the exchange.

Going into this year, I see their share price appreciating but it will be based on the outcome of 2019 election.

“Once there is violence towards the election or after the election, this predication may not come true.

The investors will run away from stocks despite their devaluation.

Their true value will not be seen until after the election. Everybody is

watching to see the outcome of the election.

The Managing Director, Cowry Assets Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, said the big banks are expected to pay good dividend to shareholders.

According to him “they will pay good returns, at least match last year return payout ratio. You will recall that the big banks actually did well in the half year results matched with interim dividend despite the difficulties in the nation’s economy.

“The economy was sluggish in 2018 and the best we could achieve was 1.91 percent growth in GDP. The real sector of the economy was also sluggish which is tight to companies that provide funding to the economy.

“I want to believe that the likes of GTBank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank and UBA will pay shareholders reasonable dividend.

A shareholder leader, Mallam Mikail Shehu said, shareholders are anxiously expecting banks earnings and improved dividend for 2018 financial year.

He maintained that, leading few banks might report improved dividend payout over impressive profit stressing that companies in the other sector might struggle.

P26

Insurance

PenCom approves 2,831 applications for annuity retirement

P28 Equity & Capital Market

Why Access Bank jettisons proposed N75bn Rights Issue

P30 Money Market

FG revenues loses N910bn in Q4 2018 P31

Stock Market Highlights As At 31TH JANUARY, 2019

Summary

ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE EQUITY CAP BOND CAP ETF CAP

30,745.05 2,909.00 183,670,788.00 N1,040,487,806.68 N11,464,982,486,336.51 N10,251,379,067,860.60 N6,076,047,617.11

S/N Coy (By Volume) FIDELITYBK 36,621,738 TRANSCORP 34,271,875 DIAMONDBNK 29,467,617 ZENITHBANK 10,910,309 UBA 6,968,705 REDSTAREX 20,732,000

Value(N) N82,399,774.44 N43,682,808.38 N68,068,495.13 N249,785,744.80 N50,069,203.80 N109,016,843.60

5 Top Gainers

Symbols Last Close NB N74 STANBIC N45.3 REDSTAREX N5 CUSTODIAN N6.5 DANGFLOUR N5.8

5 Top Losers

FO TOTAL NASCON UACN CHAMPION

N29.5 N223.3 N17.9 N9.2 N1.8

Current Change %Change N77.9 3.9 5.27% N46 0.7 1.55% N5.5 0.5 10.00% N6.8 0.3 4.62% N6 0.2 3.45% N27 N220.9 N17.65 N9 N1.62

-2.5 -2.4 -0.25 -0.2 -0.18

-8.47% -1.07% -1.40% -2.17% -10.00%

18

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

BUSINESS

Moody’s places Access Bank ratings under review for downgrade

•Diamond Bank ratings on review for upgrade Stories by KAYODE OGUNWALE

M

OODY’S Investors Service (Moody’s) has placed on review for downgrade Access Bank Plc’s B2 long-term local currency deposit rating, its B3 long-term foreign currency deposit rating, its b2 Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) and Adjusted BCA, its B1 long-term Counter-party Risk Rating (CRR) and its B1(cr) longterm Counter-party Risk Assessment (CRA).

At the same time, Moody’s has placed Diamond Bank Plc’s Caa1 long-term deposit ratings, its caa3 BCA and Adjusted BCA, its Caa1 CRR and its Caa1(cr) CRA on review for upgrade.

The reviews of the banks’ ratings follow the approval of their announced merger by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the 18 January 2019, after a preliminary approval of the transaction by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in December 2018.

According to Moody’s latest report, Access’s ratings are placed on review for downgrade to reflect the potential negative pressures on its capital and asset risk metrics as a result of the merger, while Diamond’s review for upgrade reflects the expected convergence of its creditworthiness and ratings with those of Access upon completion of the transaction.

“The primary driver underpinning Moody’s decision to initiate a review for downgrade of Access’s ratings is the expected weakening of the bank’s solvency profile,

driven by a lower tangible common equity (TCE) ratio amid higher asset risks. Access will acquire a large balance sheet (about N1.6 trillion as of September 2018), mainly consisting of net loans (about N730 billion), which will increase its risk weighted assets, while Diamond’s undercapitalization will likely strain Access’s TCE.” Moody’s expects Access’s post-merger TCE ratio will decline to around 10 percent, reducing the bank’s loss absorbance buffers. The TCE would also decline below the median for global peers with b2 BCA. In addition, the rating agency expects Access’s asset risk to increase because of the additional risk assets it will acquire from Diamond.

The rating agency views Diamond’s risk management and underwriting procedures as weaker than those of Access and therefore expects a higher formation of nonperforming loans (NPLs) from Diamond’s loan book that Access will acquire. The rating agency also expects substantial operational risks to be introduced by this sizeable acquisition.

For Diamond, the review for upgrade is driven by the fact that upon completion of the merger, Diamond’s assets, liabilities and undertakings will be assumed by Access, a stronger entity, who will become the obligor of former Diamond’s creditors.

The review on both banks will conclude upon the legal completion of the merger and will take stock of any new relevant information that might be available at that time.

For Access, the rating agency says

•Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; Chairman/CEO, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Mr. Hiroyuki Ishige; Chairman, United Bank for Africa(UBA) Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu; and Senior Director for Global Strategy, JETRO, Mr. Makoto Matsumura, during the talk between JETRO and UBA to promote medium and small scale enterprises across Africa, in Lagos on Monday.

that the review for downgrade will focus on the impact of a successful completion of the merger on Access’s solvency ratios (asset risk and capital metrics), the extent to which the merger will improve Access’s profitability and funding and liquidity profiles, and any integration challenges that will arise from onboarding Diamond’s assets and liabilities and staff.

The review will assess how Access will implement measures to increase its capital buffers to enable it to absorb new credit losses that will come from Diamond’s loan

Afreximbank positions to support African businesses

T

HE operationalization of the newly-created Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) moved into high gear with the holding of the pre-incorporation meeting of the board of directors in Cairo.

FEDA, a wholly-owned development-oriented subsidiary of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has been set up to implement the Bank’s Equity Investment Programme by providing seed capital worth $100 million to companies in Afreximbank’s key focus sectors, including agri-business; manufacturing; consumer and retail; financial services; technology; travel and tourism; transport and logistics; and industrial parks. It will invest across all market segments but will have its greatest focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.

The long-term objective of FEDA is the provision of equity capital and related financial, non-financial and support services to operators in Africa’s tradable and support sectors, with emphasis on activities that support intra-African trade and value-added exports.

The Fund, which has been set up with an initial $100 million commitment, will also seek to leverage on the role Afreximbank has played in mobilising trade finance into Africa to also mobilise foreign direct investment (FDI) into the continent.

Addressing the pre-incorporation meeting, Prof. Benedict Oramah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of FEDA and President of Afreximbank, said that the fund would expand Afreximbank’s offerings to include vital equity investments that would

boost intra-African trade.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FEDA, Dr. Philip Kamau, said that a feasibility study conducted for Afreximbank had identified a funding gap which was inhibiting intra-African trade. FEDA had, therefore, been set up to provide equity and to leverage FDI to help close that gap.

He announced that FEDA would start investment activities in 2019, with a target to invest $10 million during the year. It was also targeting to raise $450 million in FDI during the period.

In addition to Prof. Oramah and Dr.

Kamau, the other members of the Board of Directors are: Jean-Louis Ekra, former President of Afreximbank; Vishwanathan Shanker, Partner and CEO of the private equity fund Gateway Partners and former Board Member and CEO for Europe, Middle East, Africa and America at Standard Chartered Bank; Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, Director- General, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa; and Dr. Deji Alli, Non-Executive Director, Asset and Resource Management Company Ltd., Nigeria, which was named the Best Fund Manager in Nigeria in 2018.

book. The rating agency will assess any plans by Access to reduce its risk assets and improve its capital upon completion of the merger.

The review will consider the impact of Diamond’s loan book on Access’s asset quality, including the amount of NPLs that Access will inherit from Diamond, and the level of provisions of the NPLs, although management indicated that a large portion of Diamond’s current NPLs will be written off before conclusion of the transaction.

“Moody’s will also assess the positive impact of Diamond’s largely retail deposit book to Access’s deposit structure and tenor. As of September 2018, Access would acquire N1.1 trillion customer deposits from Diamond, providing it with deposits that are cheaper than its current cost of funding. The rating agency will consider the impact of possible revenue enhancements and any long-term cost savings, viewed against short-term restructuring costs.”

Moody’s stated that, the review will take into consideration material implementation challenges associated with the acquisition of a large bank such as Diamond. As of September 2018, Diamond’s total assets constituted 34 percent of

Access’s assets and Moody’s estimates that Diamond’s total assets will contribute about 23 percent of merged entity total assets. Access will need to successfully integrate its newly acquired staff and IT and processing platforms while ensuring that the business does not suffer during the integration period.

Moody’s recognizes Access’s good track record in mergers and acquisitions.

However, the review for upgrade on Diamond’s deposit ratings reflects the prospects that the rated deposits and liabilities of Diamond will benefit from Access’s stronger risk profile, and the rating agency will align Diamond’s long-term deposit ratings with those of Access.

These are currently B2 on review for downgrade for local currency, and B3 on review for downgrade for foreign currency.

The rating agency will assess the extent to which Diamond’s current solvency weaknesses that are a result of its high NPLs, low provisions and low capital will be addressed by the merger. The rating agency will also consider the implication of the merger to Diamond’s foreign currency liquidity, in light of the significant refinancing needs in the first half of 2019.

UBA, Japan Trade Office collaborate on Africa MSMEs promotion

U

NITED Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has indicated its readiness to support the Japanese government in its drive to promote Small and Medium Scale Enterprises across Africa.

The Chairman, UBA Group, Mr. Tony Elumelu, indicated this on Monday, when the members of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), led by its CEO, Mr. Hiroyuki Ishige, were hosted at a cocktail at the UBA House, in Lagos.

Elumelu who welcomed the guests, noted that the deliberations had earlier begun in Davos, Switzerland, adding that like UBA, JETRO shared the passion for transforming lives and helping to build businesses and trade across the world.

According to Elumelu, “When global leaders visit a country, they bring global attention. These inves-

tors who came from Davos have seen Nigeria as a business destination and have come to the country for the first time to visit us and see how things work here. The fact is that we all share the same passion to help transform lives and businesses around the world’.

Continuing, Elumelu said to the Japanese delegation, “We are aware of the various investments you have made recently to develop Africa and African businesses and this is what we also stand for at UBA, developing enterprises across the African continent. We believe that this visit will mark significant milestones and progress as we work towards empowering the youths and small and medium scale businesses.”

Elumelu stated that collaborations and partnerships such as these will help towards employment creation,

poverty alleviation and building sustainable businesses that contribute towards economic growth.

Ishige who was full of praises for the bank’s management, noted that he found Nigeria very interesting with many wonderful opportunities for investment.

He remarked that JETRO aims to contribute to further development of Japan’s economy and society through promoting trade and investment as well as research in developing countries. “We like what we have seen here and we want to seize this opportunity to invite UBA to our oncoming Afro Japanese Summit which will be taking place in Yokohoma, Japan this August.

“I am convinced it will be a great opportunity for both countries to showcase themselves and come together towards the common aim of building and supporting small and

medium scale businesses,” the Japan Trade boss said.

He explained that JETRO through its domestic and oversea networks supports small and medium enterprises, adding that the organisation cooperates with relevant organizations, local governments, etc. to provide services that match the needs of the company.

As a company, the Japan Trade organisation fully utilizes domestic and overseas networks consisting of about 50 domestic bases, promotes investment, agriculture, forestry and fishery products.

“We will actively and efficiently work on exporting food products and on supporting overseas expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises, and contribute to Japanese corporate activities as well as trade policies through surveys and research,” Ishige said.

19

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

BUSINESS

Market regulators demand disclosure on ESG risks

By JEROME USHAKANG

S

ECURITIES regulators from growth and emerging markets across the globe have deliberated on development of sustainable finance in capital markets as well as their roles and proposed 11 recommendations for emerging market member jurisdictions as they seek public feedback on their stand.

Among other things, the recommendations proposed requirements for disclosure of material Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) specific risks, aimed at enhancing transparency.

IOSCO´s Growth and Emerging Market Committee (GEMC) which is the largest committee within IOSCO, representing about 80 per cent of the IOSCO came out 11 recommendations.

These are: ESG-specific disclosures and reporting, Data quality,Definition of sustainable instruments, Eligible projects and activities while recommendations 5 to 9 dwells on integration of ESGspecific issues into the investment analysis, strategies and overall governance of institutional investors.

However, recommendation 10 focuses on building capacity and expertise for ESG issues and in conclusion, the GEMC said it is expecting comments from the public on the consultation report on or before April 1, 2019.

The consultation report published last weekend (February 1, 2019) explores the trends and challenges that influence the development of sustainable finance in emerging capital markets. It

also provides an overview of the initiatives that regulators, stock exchanges, policy makers and others key stakeholders in emerging markets have undertaken in this area.

The report also identified the pre-requisites for creating an ecosystem that facilitates sustainable finance, such as an appropriate regulatory framework and fit-forpurpose market infrastructure, reporting and disclosure requirements, governance and investor protection guidelines and mechanisms to address needs and requirements of institutional investors.

Given the global nature of sustainable instruments, the GEMC believes its recommendations will benefit both issuers and investors by improving the consistency of regulation of sustainable finance in emerging markets.

Meantime,IOSCO is the leading international policy forum for securities regulators and is recognized as the global standard setter for securities regulation.

The organization’s membership regulates more than 95 percent of the world’s securities markets in more than 115 jurisdictions and it continues to expand. . The IOSCO Board is the governing and standard-setting body of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), and is made up of 34 securities regulators. The Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong, Mr. Ashley Alder, is the Chair of the IOSCO Board.

The Board’s objectives through its permanent structures are: To

Guinness Nigeria’s H1 revenue down by 4%

By KAYODE OGUNWALE

G

UINNESS Nigeria Plc, has announced its unaudited results for its first half year period ended 31st December 2018.

The results which were released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), showed that profit before tax increased to N3.8 billion driven by lower finance charges, as a result of the rights issue, which more than offset operating profit decline in a challenging operating environment.

Guinness Nigeria net sales declined 4 percent in the half year ended 31st December 2018. This was primarily driven by the ongoing pressure in the lager segment as a result of the continued challenging operating environment.

Double digit growth in spirits and continued growth in Guinness mitigated some of the decline in the period. Gross profit declined 15 percent as a result of net sales decline, as well as continued inflationary pressure on our raw material costs and lower fixed cost absorption. Marketing spend decreased 10 percent as we continued to focus our investment behind the biggest growth opportunities.

Operating profit declined N2 billion as the productivity initiatives around marketing spend, distribution expenses and administrative expenses mitigated some of the inflationary cost of sales pressure.

Speaking on the announcement, Mr. Baker Magunda, Managing Director/CEO, Guinness

Nigeria plc said, “In the half year ended 31st December 2018, Guinness Nigeria delivered results that reflected the continued challenges in the operating environment.

While lager remains a challenged sector, Guinness and spirits recorded strong growth, and our non-alcoholic malt drinks grew in the face of intense competitive pressure. This re-affirms our Total Beverage Alcohol portfolio strategy as a key driver of sustainable growth in the market. Looking forward, we will continue to focus on our strategy which is now based on four strategic pillars of growing our premium core faster, delivering our target cost absorption, continue innovating to meet consumer needs and driving productivity harder to improve performance in the business. Whilst we are conscious of the continued challenging operating environment with double digits inflation and pressured consumer spending, we remain optimistic about the execution of our strategy for the remainder of the 2019 financial year”.

On his part, Mr. Babatunde Savage, Chairman of the Board of Guinness Nigeria Plc, said, “The Board is confident that our strategy is sound, and we are making the right investments in the company to ensure long term competitiveness”. He further stated that “the Board continues to support the Management in its efforts to build a business that aims to consistently deliver growth for stakeholders.”

•Prof. Benedict Oramah, Chairman, Board of Directors, FEDA, and President, Afreximbank (3rd right), with other Board members (L-R): Jean-Louis Ekra, former Afreximbank President; Dr. Deji Alli, Non-Executive Director, Asset and Resource Management Company Ltd.; Dr. Philip Kamau, CEO, FEDA; Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, Director- General, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa; and Vishwanathan Shanker, Partner and CEO, Gateway Partners, following their meeting in Cairo.

cooperate in developing, implementing and promoting adherence to internationally recognized and consistent standards of regulation, oversight and enforcement in order to protect investors, maintain fair, efficient and transparent markets, and seek to address sys-

temic risks; To enhance investor protection and promote investor confidence in the integrity of securities markets, through strengthened information exchange and cooperation in enforcement against misconduct and in supervision of markets

and market intermediaries; and to exchange information at both global and regional levels on their respective experiences in order to assist the development of markets, strengthen market infrastructure and implement appropriate regulation, among others.

Coca-Cola acquires full ownership of Chivita

C

OCA-COLA company has acquired full ownership of Chivita limited (Chi Ltd), a leading Producer of Juice and value-added dairy beverages in Africa.

The beverage giant company which first announced a minority investment of 40 percent stake in Chi Ltd three years ago in 2016 from Tropical General Investments Group, the holding company for Chi Ltd has now acquired full ownership of the company.

Chi is recognized in West Africa as an innovative, fast-growing leader in expanding beverage categories, including juices, value-added dairy and iced tea. The company was founded in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1980.

It produces juice under the Chivita brand and value- added dairy under the Hollandia brand, among many other products.

The deal which was sealed about eight days and Coca-cola in a statement said the acquisition further signals Coca-Cola’s optimism about Africa’s consumer opportunity and

a commitment to its long-term investment and growth plan on the continent, where it has been present for more than 90 years.

Coca-cola stated that it would continue to evolve as a total beverage company, and Chi’s diverse range of beverages perfectly complements its existing portfolio, enabling it to accelerate expansion into new categories and grow the business in Africa.

The President of West Africa business unit of Coca-Cola, Peter Njonjo, in his remarks said. “We will support the Chi management team in building on the company’s remarkable heritage and achievements, while using the scale of the Coca-Cola system to replicate their success in more markets across Africa.”

The Coca-Cola Company which delisted from The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is quoted on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and operating in more than 200 countries and territories across the

globe.

In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola brands, its portfolio includes some of the world’s most valuable beverage brands, such as AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Costa coffee, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, smartwater, Sprite, vitamin water and ZICO coconut water.

Coca-Cola said, “We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping to bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide.”

By KAYODE OGUNWALE

increase from 10 sectors in Q1.”

The group’s concern was raised in its Macroeconomic Outlook, titled ‘Steering Nigeria through the inclusive growth pathway: What strategy should government adopt?’

The Chief Executive Officer of NESG, Mr ’Laoye Jaiyeola, noted in the report that 2019 would come with uncertainties, security concerns and new challenges for policymakers being an election year.

“But it also presents an opportunity for the Nigerian government to make the radical changes and reforms that will address the pertinent economic challenges facing the country. In 2019 and beyond, the government of Nigeria at all levels must exercise the political

will to drive the country’s development process,” he added.

The group further noted that a critical pillar of inclusive growth is achieving broad-based economic growth that leads to a significant reduction in unemployment, poverty rates and improvement in other social and economic indicators.

“The idea behind the broadbased growth concept is to attain quality economic growth, which is driven by several critical sectors of the economy. Nigeria’s post-recession growth pattern is still skewed towards few sectors, showing the limited capacity of the economy to create jobs and reduce poverty, NESG said.

NESG tasks govt on economic, social inclusion

T

HE Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has said that for the country to achieve economic and social inclusion, government must first tackle the current sluggish economic growth in the country.

NESG stressed that the nation’s economic recovery remained fragile as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate declined from 1.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2018 to 1.5 per cent in the second quarter.

“It improved to 1.8 per cent in the third quarter. On a sectoral level, 12 out of the 46 activity sectors recorded negative growth in Q3, an

20

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

ENERGY

Falcon Corporation leads N27.1 bn LPG revolution •Marketers take position for fuel demand shift

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

A

TEAM of leading indigenous petroleum companies is silently working to restructure the demand pattern in the domestic fuel market with collective investment of over N27 billion in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) production, storage and distribution.

The investments most of which are in project stages will translate to over 130,000 metric tons of new cooking gas supplies in the domestic market per year and significantly diminish already dwindling demand for kerosene and diesel for domestic and commercial application.

The Oracle Today reports that total market supply stands at over 560, 000 tons per year with some 350, 000 tons of the volumes coming from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited. And the total supply which enters the domestic market through limited quay facilities and reception logistics in Lagos area suffers crippling bottlenecks in distribution of the product to remote parts of the country where demand remains very strong and prices very high.

The Oracle Today reports that the NLNG Limited which supplies about half of all LPG in the domestic market unfortunately cannot meet demand in its host community due to acute infrastructure and facility deficits in the country.

Even in Lagos where the company dumps it supplies, the export tankers must anchor in the deeper water zones while shuttle vessels ferry the smaller cargoes of LPG to shallow key facilities where only authorized offtakers receive the products.

Managing Director of NLNG Limited, Mr. Tony Attah, stated in a presentation that the company’s intervention in the domestic LPG market “has significantly contributed to the stimulation and development of the domestic LPG market in Nigeria and has effectively brought down the price of cooking gas from over N7,000 in 2007 to less than N3,500 per 12.5kg cylinder today.”

“NLNG is committed to delivering 350,000 tons of LPG into the Nigerian market annually and has signed Sales and Purchase Agreements (SPAs) with fifteen off-takers (all Nigerian companies) for the lifting of LPG for the domestic market,” he said.

Market survey by The Oracle Today shows that marketers in the downstream petroleum industry are currently in scramble for LPG market following swing in demand for domestic fuel as the traditional kerosene becomes unofficially deregulated and pump prices soar.

Our checks show that the household kerosene (HHK) and the dual purpose kerosene (DPK) which traditionally filled the domestic demand for cooking fuel have become the costliest products in the downstream petroleum market, forcing a radical shift in demand pattern.

A procurement officer in one of the biggest petroleum marketing companies in the country told us that all their company owned and operated retail outlets plus third party owned and operated outlets have been required to restructure their retail sites to include LPG filling plants.

Apart from the compelling need to position for demand shift in the market place, he explained, the company which recently acquired some multi-

Prof. Joe Ezigbo national competitors to become one of the largest petroleum marketing companies in the continent sees LPG as the biggest revenue center in the market where Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) currently dominates supplies and determines commercial margins for other players.

He said NNPC currently supplies all market players in the country, adding that most of the marketing companies currently selling white products operate on very thin margins allowed by the corporation.

“My brother, any marketer who is not selling LPG now is just playing in the market. In fact the reason why you see most of the big companies diversifying their portfolios is because there is nothing driving growth from the sale of traditional white products,” he noted.

The Oracle Today reports that most of the traditional Players in the nation’s fuel market have all diversified or switched business interests in the sector. Some have also totally divested from the market following inability of the market to commercially deregulate.

One of the leading players, Oando Plc, have since diversified across the full business loop in the petroleum industry, becoming of one the leading indigenous upstream producers, occupying huge space in the oilfield service sector, leading innovations in gas and power, operating huge portfolios in the non fuel retail, lubricant, additives and ancillary products manufacturing.

Oando actually scaled down its exposure in the thin margin fuel retail business.

Core investors in Forte Plc, Zenon Group, are reportedly seeking divestment from the company which used to hold the largest retail facilities in the fuel market.

American multinational major, ExxonMobil, had totally divested its stakes in the local Mobil Oil Nigeria

Plc; and NIPCO Plc which acquired the space of the exiting ExxonMobil is building emphasis in the group’s lubricant business as the traditional fuel retail business suffers low margin cycle.

Conoil Plc is currently only the business complement of the upstream Connoil Producing, while maintaining a run in the lubricant business.

Total Nigeria Plc, while remaining strong in the fuel retail and lubricant business, is also a low income complement of the upstream Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (TEPN) Limited.

An industry workers’ union official at Mobil said the company is currently restructuring to take a bigger space in the LPG market, explaining that the demand for kerosene would soon be completely displaced by the rising demand for cooking gas in mainly urban centers.

He said Mobil is currently building a huge LPG plant at its Lagos terminal as part of the plans by the company to meet demand at its retail stations nationwide. He said key Mobil stations in Lagos and major towns across the country have been reconfigured to accommodate gas filling plants while processing are running to penetrate the rural areas.

Parent NIPCO Plc is already stabilized in the Lagos LPG market, accounting for over 55 percent of total maker supplies or 270,000 metric ton per annum. Nipco also has LPG filling plants in almost all its retail stations in Lagos. The company remains leading LPG factor in the supply and retail markets.

Other marketers, mainly independent companies, are also measuring up to the competition. Being either affiliates or associates of Nipco Plc, nearly all the independent petroleum marketers are taking early advantage of the burgeoning LPG market to capture customer loyalty.

However, while the race for early and greater market share for cook-

ing heats up market competition, the scramble for both supply and retail positions inadvertently spur demand boom that retailers are finding difficult to cope with, especially in markets very remote from Lagos import facilities.

A logistics services provider to some of the LPG marketers at the Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Bassey Akpan, told our correspondent that price disparity between Lagos and markets in the northern, Southeast and South South zones of the country is beginning to widen as demand in the developing markets become increasingly difficult to meet.

He said the higher cost of LPG in the hinterland is suppressing demand as more and more households cannot find good reasons to switch from firewood or kerosene to gas. He said price reduction in the hinterland would lead to demand explosion.

Taking audacious strides to boost supplies in the eastern hinterland is the savvy indigenous natural gas distribution factor, Falcon Corporation, which is currently working on N2.5 billion scalable LPG plamnt that would see accredited offtakers supplying over 12,000 metric tons of LPG to major towns in the 11 states of the South East and South South zones of the country.

Managing Director, Prof. Joseph Ez’igbo, told our reporter that the plant would come in three scalable modules of 4,000 metric tons per annum (4,000 mtpa) each, adding that the first phase of the project would be ready by the end of the year.

According to him, Falcon Corporation is also working on commercial arrangements with offtakers that would operate supply concessions in for the company in at least three key demand centers in each state of the zones.

He did not disclose whether the company would import LPG or source from NLNG but he said his

team was working on a parallel arrangement to debottleneck supply channels into the South South and South East.

The Oracle Today reports that Falcon has already begun site preparations for the construction and installation phase of the plant, and would soon obtain regulatory approval to break ground in Calabar, Cross River State.

Prof Ez’igbo said Falcon has also entered into a supply deal with another industry player for the supply of one million gas cylinders with which it plans to ensure coverage of all areas of demand in the market niches within the next three years.

Apart from Falcon Corporation, Dozzy Group is also working on scalable LPG plant in the same axis while another company forms a fringe player with less ambitious capacity.

The three companies would collectively stake N6.12 billion for 30,000 mtpa capacity within the year, The Oracle Today gathered.

In Lagos, the capacity and budget profile for the Mobil’s LPG plant are still uncertain as the project appears to be under considerations for modular configuration. But our source said initial cost estimate was approximately N5.0 billion.

Also Aiteo Group, which drives integrated industry operations, is also staking huge investments in LPG facilities at its terminals in Apapa, Lagos; while the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery is expected to be a major source of new supplies when the plant comes online next year.

In all, total capacity for new LPG supplies in the domestic market would exceed 150, 000 mtpa, while the investment staked by indigenous players in scalable LPG plants is calculated to be about N27 billion. However, whereas Falcon Corporation is expected to deliver the first phase of its plants by the end of the year, it is not clear when the other plants will come online.

21

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

ENERGY

NNPC drops bit for deeper search in Gongola Basin

By SOPURUCHI ONWUKA

N

IGERIAN National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is returning to the Gongola Basin for deeper hydrocarbon search; an area earlier foraged and abandoned by world’s technology leaders in exploration and production after failed exploration.

The corporation which dropped the drill bit for Kolmani River II Well last week says it would deploy more recent technology to drill deeper than earlier wells in the terrain, pointing at seismic data that suggest possibility of commercial hydrocarbon deposits in the sedimentary terrain.

The Oracle Today reports that the sedimentary basins that currently host Nigeria’s petroleum industry activities are Niger Delta, Dahomey, Anambra, and deep and ultra-deep offshore terrains.

Gongola Basin is part of the Benue Trough; one of four sedimentary basins in the northern parts of the country where prospects of commercial oil discoveries influenced vain exploration investments by government for several decades.

Other sedimentary basins in the northern parts of the country are Sokoto, Chad and Bida.

Early exploration efforts by international oil companies in the nation’s inland basins yielded only marginal results in the Anambra Basin where Orient Petroleum Resources (OPR) currently operates integrated production and processing activities. Exploration efforts in Bida, Sokoto, Chad and Benue Trough all ended in dry holes and sub-commercial gas shows.

Collaboration by the northern governors in 2005 bid round to secure oil blocks in the four sedimentary basins, and subsequent exploration attempts failed to yield encouraging pointers.

However, the corporation’s return

to the area is widely viewed in political circles as part of the moves for the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to evolve oil and gas industry in the northern parts of the country where robust gas distribution infrastructure is simultaneously being developed.

Exploration in the Gongola Basin would be second strident move

by NNPC to drive extensive drilling campaigns in the northern sedimentary basins where independent geologists and seismic services providers have written off for bright spots.

The corporation exploration arm, the Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL), has since 2015 been vehemently driving costly seismic data acquisitions and exploration drilling campaigns in the Chad Basin, relying mainly on the extrapolation from commercial discoveries in the Chadian side of the basin.

However, disappointing results were worsened by security challenges to force NNPC to scale down activity rate in the region where the murderous Boko Haram extremists had attacked the corporation’s field exploration teams in the past.

The Frontier Exploration Services/ Surface Geochemistry Sampling Team comprising Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Constultants from University of Maiduguri, Military and civilian escort in the Magumeri area of Borno State were attacked by the dreaded Boko Haram militants in July 2017, forcing government to suspend the Chad Basin exploration campaign.

Having exhausted chances at any hint of discovery in the Chad Basin, the corporation last week declared a new exploration drilling campaign in the Gongola Basin, discarding existing records that previous oil search by multinational players failed to hit commercial pay.

In a ceremony that also attempted at chalking up some political campaign points for the President Mu-

•NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, presenting a plaque to the newly appointed Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Abubakar Mohammed Adamu during the AIG visit to his office Tuesday in Abuja. hammadu Buhari, the corporation hosted a high profile ceremony to mark the spudding of the Kolmani River II Oil Well.

Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, indicated that the Kolmani River-II well would drill 14,500 feet deep. The well, he said, would be an improvement on Kolmani River-1 well which was drilled 9,000 feet deep my commercial players in the same terrain.

The event came as the second attempt at actual oil drilling in the basin following an earlier attempt by Shell in the late 1990s. Dr. Baru said the quest to meet the presidential directives for oil discovery in the in-

land basins acquired advanced data and technology to drill deeper.

“There is already a well that was drilled back in 1999 by SNEPCo, and at that time, the amount of hydrocarbons were not commercial in their own judgement but when we reviewed the data, we felt they did not complete the process and we came here based on the 3-dimensional seismic and other studies we have done.”

“Of course, as you are aware, the Niger Delta is well explored and exploring frontier basins in areas that have not been explored are normally very risky and costly, and because the private sector does not

Kachikwu, others to discus business climate at Malabo oil confab

T

HE upcoming APPO Cape VII Congress and Exhibition in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, will provide the platform for policy debate over the right set of regulatory and fiscal frameworks that would position the African countries for enhanced international investment funds.

The focus on business environment, The Oracle Today reports, comes at a time of increased competition for limited explorations and development funding by international players who, analysts say, are currently seeking profitability in a low price market.

Limited funds means that investors move to business environments that best guarantee stability and commercial viability of operations, and Nigeria has remained on the losing side since 2008 when fiscal disputes erupted in the industry following record heights in oil prices.

Whereas the oil firms seek increased returns on invested capital, resource owners advance a lot of fiscal and regulatory guidelines that seek increased local content value from petroleum industry budgets, higher resource revenue and enhanced exploration ventures in active licenses.

African focused business advisory consultancy group, African

Energy Chamber (AEC), which has endorsed the planned oil congress, has called for a pragmatic commonsense approach towards local content, stating that improved business climate would attract more investment and create sustainable jobs for Africans.

According to the organizers of the event which is hosted by the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) under the Auspices of President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, the summit is expected to provide the platform to promote energy cooperation and infrastructural collaboration.

Current APPO President and Nigerian Petroleum Minister, Dr. Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, announced last month that the organization would mobilize up to $2.0 billion to promote such collaboration across African oil markets.

Also, the Executive Chairman of the AEC, NJ Ayuk, declared: “The oil industry is proud to support African oil nations as we desperately need to speed up our collaboration efforts and develop joint projects to maximize efficiency across the value-chain. From transnational pipelines to shared gas development infrastructure, collaboration can play a considerable role in boosting hydrocarbons develop-

ments.”

“We must do everything to improve the business climate by embracing better governance, limited government’s role in business activity, low taxes, and regulatory efficiency.”

The Congress will also be central in promoting, and advocating for, a stronger African content throughout the value chain.

APPO plans to achieve a 30 percent share of local content services provided to the African hydrocarbons industry by 2030, which requires harmonizing local content laws and regulations across oil jurisdictions.

“Local content is at the core of Africa’s energy industry future.

Without increased dialogue between the oil industry and governments, the regulatory frameworks needed to build local capacities cannot be properly implemented,” added NJ Ayuk.

“We congratulate APPO on making such strong commitment to the African content. The oil industry is ready to share with APPO members best practices that have worked and delivered results and opportunities that improved the quality of life of everyday Africans through jobs.”

The APPO Cape VII Congress & Exhibition is organized by Africa

Oil & Power and is part of Equatorial Guinea’s Year of Energy 2019, which will also see the organization of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum’s 5th Gas Summit in Malabo next November.

want to take that risk, they expect the government to go out and look for it and once the reserves are established, then the private sector will come in and develop them,” he said.

Dr. Baru said the Corporation had learnt a great deal from previous operations in the Niger Delta, saying NNPC was conscious of the environment, and was working relentlessly with host communities ahead of planned field activities in the area.

President Buhari declared at the event that Nigeria needed to diversify her petroleum sources away from developed oil basins to guarantee a new Nigeria with balanced resources distribution, strong economic base, and industrial evolution.

In pointing at the central role of resource diversification in his government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) the president assured that inland exploration would would also be stepped up in Chad, Bida, Dahomey, Sokoto, and Anambra basins.

Nigeria listed in 2019 top deepwater producers

•Global deepwater oil to surpass 10 mbd

N

IGERIA will be among the first four leading suppliers of crude oil from the deepwater in the year following calculations from producing and newly developed deepwater oilfields around the world.

Norwegian research group which provides advisory services to the industry, Rystad, stated in its latest report that new deepwater production from Nigerian would contribute significantly to the expected 700,000 barrels of oil per day (700 kbd) growth in the global deepwater production in the year.

The Oracle Today reports that Nigeria started the year with the commissioning of the Egina deepwater oilfield which holds nameplate capacity to pump about 200 kbd. And the country help deepwater production profile of over 800 kbd before Egina came online on schedule in the last days of December 2018.

With Egina coming on stream, Nigeria’s deepwater oil production would now exceed the million bar-

rels per day mark. Production boost from the Nigerian deepwater is also expected from the imminent development of proximate Porewei field also operated by Total.

According to Rystad Energy, global deepwater oil production was expected to grow 700 kbd this year to hit a record high of more than 10 million barrels per day (mbd).

“With a number of large fields starting up in Brazil and US Gulf of Mexico, deepwater liquid production will reach 10.3 million b/d in 2019,” Rystad said Friday.

“In addition to Brazil and the US, Angola, Nigeria and Norway will continue to be the largest deepwater producers,” it added.

Deepwater projects have attracted nearly half of global exploration investment over the past decade and have delivered a similar share of new production volumes.

As global oil production from maturing shallow water areas such as the North Sea and Niger Delta declines, new offshore volumes are expected to come mainly from deepwater fields.

22

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

e-Platform

NCC receives 118,784 consumers’ complaints

•Resolves 92,757 Stories by VICTOR NZE

N

IGERIAN Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that it received 118,784 service-related complaints from aggrieved telecom consumers in the last two years.

Director of Public Affairs, NCC, Mr Nnamdi Nwokike, who made the disclosure in a statement, Sunday in Abuja, added that 92,757 of the complaints were successfully treated and resolved.

He said that the information was part of the report by Alhaji Ismail Adedigba, the Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, on the commission’s consumer protection activities during a consumer awareness campaign held in Niger state recently.

Nwokike stated, “Between January 2017 and December 2018, the commission received a total of 118,784 complaints from consumers.

“92,757, representing 78 per cent of the total complaints received during the two years period were successfully resolved to the satisfaction of telecom consumers,” he said.

He further quoted the report to have also stated that 5,010 appreciations were received from consumers, who expressed satisfaction with the handling of their cases by the commission.

He said that while some consumers wrote formally, others called personally to express their grati-

tude to the commission for its efforts.

Nwokike said the consumer’s feedback came through the NCC toll-free Line – 622, the NCC Consumer Portal, consumer complaint redress email and written complaints.

Other channels were the social media platform, consumer town hall meetings, consumer outreach programme and telecom consumer parliament.

He said that no fewer than 31, 202 consumers were engaged face-toface through the three consumer outreach programmes held across the states of the federation on a rotational basis.

He said that participants at the programmes were adequately educated on their rights and privileges, with respect to the provision of telecom services within the last two years.

He said consumer fact sheets developed by the commission on various service-related and topical issues were also distributed at such fora to educate consumers on various issues in the industry.

He said that the commission placed a lot of importance on consumer-related issues, hence it initiated programmes aimed at enlightening and protecting the consumers.

He said that the essence was to ensure that consumers got quality services and value for the money they spent on telecom services, be it voice or data.

•Facebook’s Jocelyn Muhutu-Remy (left), Sisi Yemmie; Comedienne Wofai Fada; Guardian Life Editor, Chidera Muoka (standing) at a session tagged; ‘Art of monetising good storytelling through the social media’ hosted by The Guardian during the Social Media Week at Victoria Island, Lagos.

“Also, we ensure that we embark on initiatives aimed at providing wider service options and also put more control in the hands of the consumers to determine what they receive, especially in terms of value-added services.

“This is in line with our mandate of protecting, informing and educating the consumers,” he said.

T

their sector in the next 12 months.

National operators including Towerco of Madagascar and Wananchi of Kenya have also recently hired investment banks for sales, while large regional subsea cable business such as Seacom of South Africa and MainOne of Nigeria are also thought to be weighing up sale and investment options.

Leaders from the largest African telecom, media and technology companies, investment banks and investors are meeting to assess the latest investment opportunities at the annual TMT Finance Africa in Cape Town 2019 conference on March 28.

Over 60 key speakers have been announced for the event, which

“As a commission, we shall continue to create more awareness on DND in order for consumers to have control over the kind of unsolicited text messages they receive.

“We expect that this number will continue to grow as more consumers become aware of the DND Short Code through continuous awareness campaigns,” he said.

Aligning with the Safer Internet Day call to action – “Together for a better internet” – by joining hands with more than 20 non-profit organisations and government agencies, the campaign aims to raise awareness about Internet safety and security concerns such as cyber bullying and cyber-crime.

Facebook is supporting the Safer Internet Day by sponsoring the printing of online safety awareness booklets, facilitating training sessions, as well as creating a family-friendly animation to help raise awareness of the Facebook Safety Centre.

“We know that safety is a shared conversation, which is why we are excited to be working with so many stakeholders around the continent to make the Internet a better place,” says Sherry Dzinoreva, Public Policy Programs Lead at Facebook Africa. “Together, with Safer Internet Day as a platform, we can address emerging online concerns, so that people and especially children and the youth, can get the most from

their Internet experience.”

The campaign covers most of sub Saharan Africa, including; Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In Nigeria, the Paradigm Initiative Nigeria will run workshops on safer internet use as part of its LIFE programme in Kano, Lagos and Aba. Facebook’s Safe Online trainers will run two-hour workshops in both PIN’s LIFE Centers and at schools in Kano and Lagos for this initiative.

“Working with Facebook on online safety aligns with our focus on driving digital inclusion and educating the youth about their digital rights,” Tope Ogundipe, Director of Programs at Paradigm Initiative Nigeria “This programme promises to equip the children who participate with skills and knowledge that will enable them to make confident use of the Internet in their day to day lives.”

Leo as: operating within an average time of five minutes; useful to people within the ages of 18 to 24; had one million subscribers within one year of its existence; and had 70 million conversation on the platform.

Abolusoro said that as regards answers to attending to customers’ needs, Leo when not being able to give the required information, would automatically hand the customer over to a human being.

He said that a major difference between the bank’s bot and its competitors was the stability of the platform because of its partnership with global giants.

Abolusoro said that as regards security, the bot having an artificial intelligence was one and also its being a digital platform, also makes use of

the security of the mobile banking platform.

“One can do a lot of lifestyle-related activities on Leo, from weatherchecking to football fans knowing updates of their Premier League clubs.

“In terms of user-friendly, it is the most-friendly platform one can come across as it chats with one as though one is chatting with friends.

“That is one of the reasons why people stay a lot on social media because of the fun of it. You are chatting and somebody is responding to you.

“It is the same way with Leo, you will just feel you are chatting with a human being. The point is, Leo responds instantly at any moment, ‘’ he said.

Facebook partners over 20 African NGOs for Safer Internet Day 2019

F

ACEBOOK has officially kicked off a campaign spanning 15-plus African countries in support of the Safer Internet Day, February 5.

Transactions in Africa TMT’s IPOs, M&As to hit 10bn

MT (telecom, media and technology) infrastructure mergers, acquisitions and fundraising in Africa is predicted to continue growing in 2019, as investment news provider TMT Finance predicts that transactions for the year will exceed $10 billion, due to increasing dealflow across the region and appetite from global industry and investors.

TMT Finance exclusively reported last week on the US$1bn sale of South African datacentre firm Teraco Data Environments to US private equity firm Berkshire Partners.

Teraco was reported to be valued at 22 times its 2018 EBITDA of US$4045m, reflecting outstanding growth expectations comparable with European and US datacentre businesses. TMT Finance reported that the sale of the Permira-owned datacenter also attracted interest from global industry players Equinix and Digital Realty in a highly competitive sale and market.

TMT Finance has said that it expects 2019 to be a record year for investment and M&A deals in TMT infrastructure in Africa with many large deals planned, particularly by telecom infrastructure providers looking to make public flotations to tap into public investment fund appetite and fuel further growth plans. These include leading regional African digital and mobile telecom infrastructure operators Liquid Telecom, IHS Towers, Eaton Towers and Helios Towers Africa, all of which have been hiring investment banks to arrange for IPOs and are expected to float or consolidate

He said that the commission created the ‘Do-Not-Disturb (DND) 2442 Short Code’ in 2016, as part of measures to put more control in the hands of consumers to determine what they received on their mobile lines.

Nwokike also said that no fewer than 12 million telecom consumers have activated DND code, according to the report.

features CxOs and senior executives from Vodacom, MTN, Helios Towers Africa, CSquared, Dark Fibre Africa, Seacom, Angola Cables, Standard Bank, IFC World Bank, DLA Piper, Rand Merchant Bank, WIOCC, Paix Data Centres, BCX, European Investment Bank, Investec Asset Management, GreenWish Partners, Convergence Partners and others.

Key sessions at the senior executive only event include: Telecom Leadership Africa; Digital Infrastructure Africa; Media; Powering Mobile Tower; Data Centre and Cloud, Mergers and Acquisitions; Investors; Broadband; Financing TMT; Fintech and Mobile Money; and Smart City.

UBA unveils AI Chatbot to improve financial services

U

NITED Bank for Africa (UBA) on Monday unveiled the first Artificial Intelligence Chatbot in Africa.

Group Head, Online, Mr Austin Abolusoro, who made this known during the 2019 Social Media Week (SMW), Lagos, said the move is in a bid to improve financial services with the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The SMW has as its theme: “Stories: With Great Influence Comes Great Responsibility’’.

The SMW is one of the world’s premiere conferences and industry news platforms for marketers.

It provides brands, agencies and technology providers with the latest insights, trends and best practices together with access to a global

community of marketing decision makers.

Abolusoro said that the Chatbot named Leo was developed in partnership with some global giants, like the Facebook.

“Leveraging on technology has many possibilities which are unlimited and UBA has explored it and brought out the AI Chatbot based on our roadmap to enable financial inclusion.

“Leo is a financial assistant developed with best on class AI technology that has natural language, multilingual processing, machine-learning and available on two most popular social media channels.

“Leo is built in-house right here in the UBA house,” he said.

He listed some of the statistics on

23

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

e-Platform

HP Computer recall: CPC advises dealers, consumers Stories by VICTOR NZE

C

ONSUMER Protection Council (CPC), has advised consumers with faulty HP notebook computers and mobile workstation batteries to contact their nearest dealer for a redress.

CPC’s Director-General, Mr Babatunde Irukera, gave the advice in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Irukera urged HP dealers in Nigeria who stocked or sold the products to notify their customers of the significant safety threat and make replacements available.

Irukera recalled that HP Inc. recently announced an expansion of its ongoing worldwide safety recall and replacement programme for certain notebook computers and mobile workstation batteries.

According to him, the recall covers lithium-ion batteries compatible with HP products HP11, HP ENVY m6, HP Pavilion x360 and HP ZBook (17 G3, 17 G4 et Studio G3).

He said it covered HP x360 310 G2, HP ProBook 64x (G2 et G3),

HP ProBook 65x (G2 et G3) and HP ZBook Studio G4 products.

According to Irukera, products with battery bar codes beginning with 6GAVV, 6EZPC, 6FDWN, 6EZZE, 6EZZF, 6EVXH, 6ETGL, 6FSRV, 6FWBF, 6FWBH are also covered.

“The product name can be found by using the keyboard shortcut ‘fn+Esc’ or on the barcode label under the notebook PC. “To identify if your specific battery is affected by this recall, customers can use the battery validation utility by logging on to https://batteryprogram687.ext. hp.com/.

“Consumers should note that the defect discovered can lead to overheating batteries which constitutes a significant fire and burn risk.’’

The director-general said it was possible that some of the affected products were already present in the country or would be present in the near future.

He said the Council would provide relevant updates, warning, or further advisories, where applicable in the recall.

LG will continue making phones despite financial losses

L

G Mobile lost $700 million last year while the company’s other divisions were reporting record profits. However, the CEO of LG Electronics, Qiao Yujin, has stated that the company will not be leaving the mobile phone business.

“LG’s business portfolio includes cars and home appliances, both of which are related to smartphones, so we have not considered exiting the smartphone business,” said Qiao.

LG Mobile has posted operating losses for nearly four straight years (15 quarters). In 2017 it lost $192 million. LG is counting on 5G and new form factors to turn its fortunes around this year.

Meanwhile, the company has announced a record yearly revenue of $54.4 billion and record profit of $2.4 billion, 10% higher than in 2017.

The mobile division is weighing it down, however.

LG Mobile had a revenue of $7.08 billion and posted an operating loss of $700 million. The company claims that the division is showing signs of improvement thanks to better control on spending and inefficiencies.

This year LG will rely on operatordriven markets (North America and Korea) for stable sales and will push 5G phones and devices with

“different form factors” to try and go back in the black.

LG Home Entertainment posted a record profit of $1.35 billion. It will lean on its premium OLED TVs and large 4K TVs to increase revenue and profits.

LG Home Appliance also posted a record profit of $1.35 billion and was LG’s strongest performing unit in 2018.

The LG Vehicle Components Company took in $1.24 billion, the highest in the division’s history. This is attributed to the high demand for infotainment hardware and a strong performance of ZKW. LG acquired 70% of ZKW’s shares in 2017 for €1.1B, the largest acquisition in the Korean company’s history.

W

Keystone Bank introduces first ‘Cheque Deposit’ in mobile app

K

EYSTONE Bank Limited has introduced ‘Cheque Deposit’ feature in its mobile banking application, the new ‘Keystone Mobile App’.

The feature which is another first from the Bank and in the Nigerian banking sector, enables customers to pay cheques into their accounts at their convenience through their mobile phones even with zero data.

Speaking on the development, the Group Managing Director/ CEO of Keystone Bank Limited, Dr. Obeahon Ohiwerei, said the new feat is in demonstration of the bank’s commitment to continuously deliver superior and innovative banking solutions to its customers.

“The Keystone Bank brand is

built on meeting and exceeding customer expectations by providing simple and convenient banking services at all times.

“With the new cheque deposit feature, you have one less reason to make that trip to the bank.

“In our fast-paced and evolving digital world, service literally has to be at the speed of thought; the rules of engagement are changing so fast that customer expectations are as diverse as our lifestyles and choices.

“It is no longer a question of stepping out to the bank but about the convergence of innovative services, digital technology and Omni-channel platforms coming to us at breakneck speed.

“Mobile Banking for one isn’t entirely new in the industry, but

Google + to shut down personal accounts on April 2

B

ACK in December, Google announced that it would shut down Google + sometime in April due to low usage and Google’s wish to shift its resources towards something else.

In a blog post, Google outlines its phasing out of the social network. Google + will begin to shut down personal (consumer) accounts beginning on April 2 and users will have until then to

WhatsApp for iOS adds Screen Lock feature HATSAPP has updated its iOS app to add a Screen Lock feature.

The app leverages the Face ID or Touch ID feature on your phone to lock the app.

To enable the feature, simply go to Settings > Account > Privacy and enable Screen Lock. Depending on your phone, you can either use the old Touch ID or the newer Face ID method.

What this does is basically lock the entire app behind your authentication system, so only people authorized to unlock the

•New Panasonic Lumix mirrorless camera range.

phone can now unlock the app.

You can’t lock select chats within the app yet but even an app-wide lock method is a useful feature.

The update is now available to download on the App Store.

download all their Google + data.

Pictures on Google Photos won’t be deleted.

Starting February 4, you won’t be able to create new Google + profiles, pages, communities, or events. In the coming weeks, you will not be able to sign into websites with Google + and may be replaced with a Google sign in button.

As for G Suite customers, these users’ Google + account will remain active. Google is only shutting down Google + for consumers, or those who don’t have a paid G Suite account.

Google + came at a time when Facebook was the dominant social media platform after the use of Myspace declined. It was

thought that Google + might become the dominant force over Facebook as it slowly rose in popularity during its initial year. Unfortunately, the platform wasn’t compelling enough to keep people away from Facebook.

Gboard adds 50 new languages, brings total beyond 500

G

OOGLE’S popular keyboard has extended its functionality by reaching over 500 supported languages.

In its latest update Gboard has gained support for 50 new languages, most of which you’d likely not have heard of like Alas,

Amis, Brahui, Choctaw, Gayo, Giryama, Gorontalo, Gusii, Hehe and Iban.

Currently the new languages are live through an update on Android, iOS users should receive the update soon as well.

• Gboard

there is no end to innovation in delivering customer convenience; at Keystone Bank that’s what sets us apart and that shall continue to be our strength.

“We are determined to be your preferred bank; dependable, responsive and always within reach,” Ohiwerei stated.

Other notable features of the mobile App are, zero data banking (which enables customers enjoy banking services on their mobile phones without data), easy account opening, convenient self- booking and liquidation of fixed deposits, an expanded list of bills-payment options and easy activation of standing instructions & recurrent future payments.

Others include, a “Switch Card ON/OFF option” which allows users to disable their cards temporarily if missing & re-enable at the click of a button, the “Hide Balance Feature” which is an additional safeguard against thirdparty viewing and the “Meet Your Relationship Manager Option” which allows users to call, text and email their account officers right within the app.

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

ISSN: 2545-5869

The

EDITORIAL

racle www.oraclenews.ng

Today

24

VOX POPULI SACRUM

Election 2019: Getting it right (I) E

very election year evokes fear nationclose marking as they distribute sensigan the continuous voter registration wide, partly because the electoral tive and non-sensitive electoral materials.

(CVR) last year. Certain areas lacked body (INEC) almost always skews the Trucks and vans are currently moving registration materials and competent electoral process to favour particular these materials across states, and from registration officials. Queues stretched candidates or sections of the country. the vaults one branch of the Central Bank as far as the eye could see. The result Though INEC officials are quick to deny to another. Opposition parties in particuwas that many were frustrated and thus wrongdoings in their public statements lar should not wait until Election Day to were disenfranchised. In certain other and on radio and TV programmes, this monitor movements of electoral materiareas, however, the process proceeded year does not promise to be different. als. Computers in INEC’s situation room smoothly, and even foreigners and little There is no sign that the 2019 general and collation centres should be examined children got registered. election starting next week will be free, One issue concerns the permanent voter properly by tech-savvy members of parfair or credible. ties. Result sheets (appropriately numcards and their collection. Irregular Yet, this year’s polls ought not to be prebered) must be sighted and examined registration must have given rise to nonceded or accompanied by tension. The before materials are moved to polling collection of PVCs: either they belong presidential election is simply a contest stations. to non-existent people (and therefore between two northern Muslims in the Now is the time for parties to ensure that meant to be purchased by fraudulent APC and the PDP. No geopolitical zone genuine members are recruited as their politicians) or their owners live far from should feel too strongly about either agents in polling stations. No polling where they were registered (and thus candidate, and the vice-presidential slot booth must be spared! It is also time to see no value in travelling long distances is not one any zone should be excited establish lines of communication with the just to pick a “near-worthless” PVC, since about. If anything goes wrong, therepolice, INEC, army, DSS and other authorithey believe the elections have been fore, the blame should rest squarely on ties involved in the polls. Vigilant party rigged).

INEC and security agents, both institu- Another act of discrimination by INEC has members can put them on their toes and, tions sustained by public funds and if need be, counter fraudulent activities been noticed in the current recruitment which ought to be impartial. They have that may be perpetrated through these of ad-hoc staff: returning officers, collano reason to show preference for one institutions. Many international observtion officers, presiding officers, polling party over another. ers are already in the country; they will be clerks and others already hired or being INEC started failing from the time it bewatching events closely too. hired are mainly people whose names INEC and security agencies say they are were prepared in government ready for the polls. Let us believe them. houses and handed to INEC. Of Next week, we shall see the preparations course, most of them are parthey have made, and we shall continue to tisan politicians. On Election point out their failings and strong points.

Day, voting materials will arrive Nigeria deserves peace. late in some places but will be delivered promptly in other Our Vision places. The card reader is likely TO BE among the top five newspapers in Nigeto malfunction in certain zones ria and, in due course, the Numero Uno; to be a but work efficiently in other newspaper of records that effectively caters to zones. “Incident forms”, ostenthe information needs of all segments and secsibly banned by INEC, may still tions of the Nigerian society as well as all social resurface in some areas but get classes and cultures. Essentially, we want to be a missing in other areas. Result responsible corporate citizen, a commercially viable, properly organised media business, which sheets may be stolen on the meets its obligations to society, government way to some towns but remain intact until they are delivered to and the workforce. other towns.

Mission After conducting six rounds of WE INTEND to contribute to the development election in this Fourth Republic, of an inclusive Nigerian society, with a view to INEC ought to have got its beargetting rid of the dark sides of our national life ings right. Thousands of fraud(slothfulness, greed, corruption, nepotism, totalsters and political thugs should itarianism, etc); to continually engender and sushave been in jail now to serve as tain national debates that would ultimately lead a lesson to future criminals. By to the enthronement of healthy national valuesnow, election petitions would -hard-work, justice, equity and fairplay, transparhave become rare. What is INEC ency, good governance, resulting, in themselves, the egalitarian Nigerian society of our dream. We up to this year? will give voice to the voiceless and at all times, At this time, we can only sugstrive to be balanced, objective, honest, truthful gest ways to ameliorate an and fair to all sides; so that through The Oracle already bad situation. And we our people, the Nigerian people can see advise political parties to muster Today, a bright light at the end of what has been a very enough will and resources to dark tunnel. And we shall do all this in absolute give INEC and security agents trust in God who blesses good intentions.

25

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

OPINION

By ODILIM ENWEGBARA

N

o modern capitalist economy allows its forex management policy to be in the hands of just one man – one man so powerful that he decides who gets the forex and how much. It’s even worse where the one man in question is not only unelected but came directly from one of the country’s commercial banks. And with this immense power, he could only pretend to decide the value of the naira in respect of other currencies.

Of course, it can’t be more bizarre that this is happening in a modern capitalist democracy with the chief banker of the nation overly powerful to be handing forex to whom he pleases.

Can’t we, then, understand why rather than our current forex management policy -- particularly CBN’s dirty floating of the naira -- being proinvestment, pro-economic growth and pro-job creation and anti-poverty, it is the opposite?

No one seems to be alarmed that Nigeria’s current forex management policy based on multiple windows is what is causing the biggest forex fraud ever in the country’s history. Or should those who are supposed to be alarmed be when, in order to keep their mouths shut, they have been fully bought over? Atiku Abubakar in his infinite patriotism and based on his understanding of the clear difference between clean and dirty floating is telling Nigerians what no other politician currently seeking election would dare raise their voice about.

Before Atiku, the Emir of Kano (Emefiele’s predecessor) as well as my humble self has been voicing it out: that Emefiele is mismanaging the country’s forex and is doing so with his multiple forex windows. We have noted time without number that it is this multiple window, dirty floating of the naira that has helped forex hoarders create artificial forex scarcity that creates huge supply and demand gap, and, as a result of the gap between the official and parallel market rates, the business of round-tripping has created billionaire men and women who by mere telephone calls and with access to the apex bank governor make millions of dollars.

In his endless warnings about this fraud, the outspoken Emir of Kano has continued to insist that the Buhari administration is knowingly creating forex subsidy billionaires who rather than engage in real-sector business now engage in forex round-tripping, the same way previous governments created oil-import billionaires

Atiku’s plan is what the economy needs who did nothing other than using oil subsidy to engage in round-tripping. He has even gone as far as telling us that it is CBN governor Ifeanyi Emefiele’s four multiple forex windows that are at the root of the unheard-of fraud that is causing the country’s forex instability and the governor’s spending of over $15 billion annually while pretending to be defending the same naira though forex intervention.

Atiku’s boldness comes from his argument that the four forex windows — namely bureau de change, interbank, investment and export, and official window — are the puzzle that scares international investors and multilateral institutions. Management of these multiple exchange rate windows has certainly depended on the discretionary decisions of one man, the governor. It is this governor’s forex allocation at will that has continued to distort what should have been market-determined equilibrium rates. Those who understand forex economics know the immense drag and fraud that go on here, since sustaining discretion in the exchange markets does not enthrone transparency let alone corruption-free forex management policy especially in a way that prevents forex round-tripping. Understandably, it is these forex hoarders whose banks’ free access to cheap forex has ensured they only sell the same forex to importers of finished consumer goods instead of to importers of plants and equipment, and manufacturing raw materials.

This is why it has become extremely difficult for the real-sector economy to have enough forex to effectively deploy to the country’s economic development and job creation.

It is also bizarre how the governor, as soon as he took over from his predecessor, turned the apex bank into a fractional reserve banking system. This has given some powerful businessmen like Aliko Dangote discretionary forex in billions of dollars along with billions of naira handed them without thoroughly involving risk analysts, given that the Dangote Group is debt-ridden. In fact, performing the same role commercial banks have the sole licence to perform means challenging their role since the 17th century when fractional reserve banking was invested and reserved only for commercial banking.

Why is Emefiele fighting back? Why is he arguing that Atiku’s clean floating of the naira is going to be “disastrous and a road to perdition” when he knows that it is his unnecessary four forex windows along with his frequent interventions that have continuously distorted the forex market and as a result leading to dollar subsidy that are causing fraud and artificial scarcity in the forex market? It is also diverting the CBN from what central banks all over the world are known for, which is policy institution.

First, Emefiele should agree that when a currency is fully floated the following will happen: the value of that currency becomes stable, given that it is at the mercy of supply and demand and the currency will cease to be at the discretionary power of the country’s central bank governor, including handing the likes of Dangote billions of dollars in forex at far below what is obtainable at the bureau de change window.

Second, he should know that with the naira fully floated, it becomes extremely difficult for forex hoarders to create artificial scarcity that has to require the governor’s interventions falsely seeking the currency’s stability. With this opening up of Nigeria’s financial economy to the world, this will trigger unprecedented dollars inflows into economy. This will drastically grow forex supply in a way that equally raises the values of the naira. The continued high arbitrage in financial system will lead to over one hundred billion dollars brought into the country’s economy by foreign investors scrambling to take full advantage of that.

Third, President Atiku Abubakar’s floating of the naira and making the currency have its true value will drastically reduce the economy’s high import dependency. This is because without forex subsidy importers of finished consumer goods would have their imported goods easily priced out of the reach of most consumers. And it is also because importers of 41 items banned from accessing official forex still do so at the black market that the prices of these items have skyrocketed, leading to high inflation rates in the economy. The question that comes to mind is: if these 41 items were banned from accessing forex officially, how come official forex intervention has not reduced?

Fourth, of course, Atiku is fully aware that our

endless import dependency, especially on manufactured consumer goods, has continued to make forex demand always far outstrip supply, with resultant pressure mounted on our foreign reserves. And that also has meant exports of millions of jobs we are supposed to be creating here for our unemployed youths.

Fifth, when we fully float the naira, we stop distorting the forex market through unnecessary defence of the naira that does nothing other than subsidising dollars for importers at the expense of the local producers of same goods such as the Aba shoemakers and the Kaduna textile manufacturers.

Sixth, with President Atiku floating the naira, the present unheard-of forex round-tripping business that has caused the equally unheardof forex fraud will immediately come to an end, as banks’ attention will shift from forex trading to real-sector financing. This is the kind of good news that the economy badly needs.

Finally, it is very important to note here that all we need for our economy to begin to grow at as high as double-digit is not by engaging in the frequent forex intervention, but rather — and Atiku fully knows that — by giving the economy the kind of investor confidence it is right now lacking.

To bring foreign investors in their large numbers, we need an Atiku-led government that knows how to provide the right business environment.

Unfortunately, the Buhari administration has so scared foreign and local investors that they prefer sitting on the fence while it lasts.

Atiku’s floating of the naira will signal to global investors that Nigeria is now a place to do business, since there wouldn’t be any more obstruction of forex inflows into the country and outflows from the country. This is the secret and the game changer that we need right now, especially at a time we badly need foreign investors in our infrastructure development as well as foreign investors more in the Greenfield than in the Brownfield industries. It will not only lead to a lot of portfolio investors’ forex into the economy, it will lead to their keeping their money in the country for a long period, leading to the stabilisation of the naira value.

•Enwegbara, a development economist, can be reached at basil_enwegbara@yahoo. com or 07038501486

How APC’s 4+4 sign taunts, haunts opposition

By EHICHIOYA EZOMON What’s in a symbolic salute - the double fourfingered (“4+4”) electioneering sign - adopted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari, and the government controlled by the party?

A lot, to both sides of the political divide in the race for the 2019 general election that begins with the presidential balloting at 8 a.m. on February 16 - a mere 12 days from today, February 4!

To the ruling APC, the double four-fingered salute signifies victory, and “four more years in office for Buhari and the party.” But to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its backers, the symbol is allegedly related to “terrorists” and terrorism.

Notwithstanding, the 4+4 gesture is sweeping the APC arenas, second only to the waving of the party’s symbol of broom, and the slogan, “AAA-PPP-CEEE”. It has become a “tormentor” of sorts to the opposition.

Hence, it has tried every trick in the book to discredit it right from late 2018 when Buhari and APC chieftains displayed it at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, tattooed the four fingers of both her hands with the sign.

So, in the run-up to the polls, nothing riles the opposition more than the 4+4 sign displayed by APC members, such that whenever it’s flashed, the PDP faithful accusingly quickly “turn away their faces, or flick to another channel if they are watching the television.”

As a friend confided the other day, “the opposition can’t fathom a situation where President Buhari and the APC would be ‘rewarded’ with another four years for their reported incompetence and non-performance since 2015.”

One specific opposition’s strategy to soil the 4+4 sign is to link it to the Muslim Brotherhood, a fiery sect in the Middle East that won the Egyptian election, but was overthrown by the military, which jailed the platform’s elected President Muhammad Mursi in 2013.

However, the four-fingered salute is not a symbol of terrorists, as the opposition wants Nigerians to believe, but a “superior” victory sign adopted by pro-Brotherhood demonstrators to counter the two fingers in a “V” shape displayed by the anti-Brotherhood protesters in support of the crackdown by the Egyptian military.

The image - “a black hand, with four fingers raised and the thumb drawn across the palm” is called “R4bia,” a reference to the “Rabaa AlAdawiya Mosque, the Cairo site of a pro-Brotherhood sit-in.”

According to the english.alarabiya.net, the “new victory sign has been flashed across Egypt to remember the Rabaa al-Adawiya protest camp, which was dispersed... in a deadly military crackdown on demonstrators in support of former President Muhammad Mursi.”

“The ‘four-fingered salute,’ as it has come to be known, is being publicized by bright yellow signs posted on social networking websites by Egyptian masses wanting to remember Rabaa protesters, who camped out for weeks in Cairo,” the site says.

Other sources note that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a staunch opponent of Mursi’s ouster and the deadly violence which ensued, “is one of the first to promote the flashing of the Rabaa salute – if not the instigator of the trend.”

The sign was also reportedly raised by several Turkish footballers after scoring goals. “From there on, the sign was adopted by international anti-coup activists,” writes Motasem A. Dalloul in a blog for the Middle East News Monitor.

So, how does this Arabic word, “rabaa,” meaning four, or fourth and which “appears to suggest the four-fingered salute is superior to the two-fingered ‘V’ for victory,” equate to terrorism or a symbol of terrorists, and linking of same to the APC because its members display it at campaign stops? Or is the opposition alluding that the APC and its members are terrorists?

Anyway, objected to or rejected by the opposition, the 4+4 salute has literally taken on a life of

its own, and freely displayed by members of the APC, especially at campaigns, to signify four more years for President Buhari and his party till 2023.

It’s a sign, and reality the PDP-led opposition has to deal with until the presidential poll of February 16 opens, ballots cast and results collated and announced. If the election favours the opposition, the conventional victory sign “V” will take over, and the “double four-fingered salute” will die a natural death.

But if victory goes the way of Buhari and the APC, the “mythical and magical” 4+4 salute will further be deployed to taunt and haunt the opposition in the battle for the governorship and state legislative poll scheduled for March 2.

Last line: Marafa’s APC defeat wish answered Senator Kabiru Marafa’s over the moon, as his preference for the APC to lose Zamfara in the 2019 polls is becoming a reality. The INEC, appearing to succumb to his blackmail, has shunned a High Court ruling in Gusau, which ordered it to enroll APC candidates in Zamfara for the elections on February 16, and March 2.

Marafa’s “cutting his nose to spite his face” replicates the biblical woman, who would rather a child that wasn’t hers be divided into two, so she and the actual mother would not benefit in the end. In other words, if it’s not Marafa’s way, it must be the highway!

This man, who professes to be loyal to the APC and Buhari, has the effrontery to ask the president not to attend the party rally in Gusau on Sunday (yesterday), February 3. And that if Buhari attended, he (Marafa) would organize a “mega rally,” to demonstrate that he’s more popular than his political rival, Governor Abdul’Aziz Yari.

Certainly, Marafa is a typical Nigerian politician: Boastful, self-centered demi-god, who preaches loyalty to party, but sabotages it the moment his interest is affected!

Nonetheless, INEC is to blame for inserting itself in the matter by taking a hasty decision it’s now hiding under “conflicting judgments”

to maintain. What would it have done if there was only the High Court ruling in Zamfara that favoured the APC? Would it have rejected the verdict to sustain its position?

As an observer, and not arbiter in party primaries, INEC should have followed the rule, which holds that, when there’re two conflicting submissions (judgments), creating doubt, the issue is resolved in favour of the accused - in this instance, the APC and Zamfara candidates.

• Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

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

26

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

Travel & Hospitality

Marriott hotels in Nigeria unveil ‘February Specials’ •Drop room rates to N40, 000 for Valentine’s Day Stories by VICTOR NZE

S

HERATON Lagos Hotel has unveiled a host of what it termed ‘February offerings’ which the iconic destination in Ikeja said have been lined up not for ‘for Valentine’s Day enthusiasts but for diners who will enjoy special treats every week of the love month.’

According to the Hotel’s Deputy General Manager equally in charge of Food & Beverage, Farrukh Maqbool: “Our loyal patrons can expect to see our special offerings activated from the 2nd of February 2019 with the celebration of International Crepe day at our Pumpkin Leaf Restaurant.

“Our second special for the month will commence on the 9th of February, 2019 with the celebration of ‘Pizza day’. We encourage you to get your eating game on and indulge in our yummy variety of pizza offerings. At the lobby bar and goodies pub, a free slice of pizza will be given out to anyone who orders a beer.

“At Sheraton Lagos we are known for our tasty variety of innovative pizza options such as our new suya pizza. We urge all our visitors to stop over and purchase this great tasting addition.

“Everyone loves a glass of wine, be it red or white and with this in mind, the hotel is glad to celebrate ‘drink wine day’ which comes up on the 18th of February 2019. Every diner who arrives at our Italian restaurant gets a free glass of house wine. A glass of wine goes perfectly with all meals

and we are sure that our guests would enjoy this.

“Last but definitely not the least, on the 22nd of February 2019, the hotel will be celebrating world margarita day for those who relish a delightsome cocktail. Margaritas come in different flavors, from strawberry to mango and this is what makes it such a classic drink.

“To celebrate, we will be carrying out a buy one get one free.

So for every margarita bought, a free one will be given. We are particularly excited about this and we cannot wait for our Bar experts to show off the various margarita offerings they have created to thrill our guests,” reeled out Farukkh.

Also commenting, General Manager for Marriott Hotels in Nigeria, Mr. Barry Curran, said: “Our hotel teams have truly ‘gone beyond’ to create unforgettable love filled moments for all who come in through our doors.

According to Curran, room rates at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel Rates will start from N66,000, adding that those who book these rates will get inspirational valentine gifts.

“To add more spice to your day with us, a photo booth will be set up beside our Pumpkin Leaf Restaurant where lovers can take pictures and selfies. We then encourage our Guests to head up to our Pumpkin Leaf or Italian Restaurants for a delightful Valentine’s Day dinner; specially curated to spark up the evening and all-inclusive of a valentine’s day

•(From left): South African Tourism Regional Manager, West Africa, Thekiso Rakolojane; Co-founder Diamond and Pearls Travels, Wonuola Lamidi, and Sun International Market Manager, West Africa & Indian Ocean, Didier Bayeye, during the Sun International awards in Lagos.

welcome cocktail at N16,500 per person and N33,000 per couple.

“Our ingenious Executive Chef and his expert team have come up with a variety of sumptuous dishes and our customers are sure to delight their palates with offerings such as smoked Norwegian salmon, shrimp cocktail with tropical fruits, prawns bisque, prime beef fillet, heart shaped potatoes, whole oven roasted ram, roast chicken a l’orange, jollof rice, white forest gateau and more.

“We will offer roses to the ladies, a live band to keep diners

Sun Int’l deepens Nigeria partnership with trade awards

S

UN International, one of Africa’s largest hospitality group have strengthened its partnership with the Nigerian travel trade through award recognition of outstanding performance.

In a lifestyle cruise event held along the Lagos waterways, Sun International awarded top and loyal travel agents who have been selling the brand for the past year, 2018.

According to Didier Bayeye, Sun International Market Manager, West Africa & Indian Ocean, the second edition of the annual Sun International awards is to continuously appreciate the outstanding effort and doggedness of the Nigeria travel trade who have prioritize the selling of Sun International properties to Nigerian travellers.

Diamonds and Pearls Travels and Tours, Afro Tourism and Njetours scooped the Top Achiever award while 1860travels and Apeiron Global won the Loyalty Award.

“Our Nigerian travel trade partners are outstanding supporters of brand Sun International who despite the many competition in the South African hospitality industry show wholesome com-

mitment to our brand,” stated Bayeye.

He continued, “From the Maslow in Johannesburg, Table Bay in Cape Town, Time Square in Pretoria to Sun City and indeed all other Sun International properties across South Africa received a quality number of Nigerian visitors in 2018 orchestrated by our Nigeria trade partners.”

One of the highlights of the cruise was the out pour of encomiums on Sun International by Juliet Ibrahim, a celebrity movie star and brand influencer. She told the story of her beautiful vacation with her son in South Africa where she experienced the Sun International Time Square, The Maslow and Sun City exquisite properties.

The delectable actress used the opportunity to announce her special birthday getaway travel package billed for South Africa from 28th February to 6th March this year which is supported by Sun International, South African Airways and South African Tourism Wonuola Lamidi, Co-founder Diamond and Pearls Travels appreciated the recognition as a Top Achiever by Sun International and promised to continue selling the

brand as their customers were excited and happy at all the Sun International properties visited in the past.

Among the several personalities at the event is Ohis Ehimiaghe, South African Airways Regional Manager, North, West and Central Africa and Thekiso Rakolojane, the new South African Tourism Regional Manager, West Africa based in Lagos.

entertained and to top it off, 20% discount dinner vouchers will be handed over to each couple who dines at our Italian Restaurant during the Valentine’s evening.

Continuing, Curran said also that Sheraton Abuja Hotel teams have put together a unique collection of Valentine’s Day experiences.

“The packages include special Valentine’s day offers for diners at all our four restaurants, a transformational arrival through a Love tunnel as well as free rose stems for the first 80 ladies to arrive.

“To ignite the reason for the season; we will set up a cozy love photo booth for those pictures and selfies that create long lasting memories.

“Couples are welcome to enjoy an elevated buffet dinner at our continental Papillon Restaurant or indulge in an inspiring waterfront buffet dinner experience at our Pool Bar & Restaurant all-inclusive of a complimentary glass of mocktail on arrival and live music entertainment for just NGN11,000 Per Person.

“We are also happy to offer an

original taste of Italy at our Luigi’s Italian Restaurant for our patrons looking to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at just NGN22,000 Per Couple with a free glass of wine on arrival.

“While at NGN30,000 Per Couple you can enjoy an enriching 3 course set menu at our Obudu Grill steak house restaurant and a complimentary bottle of prosecco.

“A complimentary proposal package is available for our customers who call on or before the 8th of February 2019 for pre-arrangements. All Diners will stand a chance to win either a couple’s weekend get-away or a couples Steam & Sauna session at the Sheraton Abuja Hotel “Our accommodation package is not left as you can equally relax over a staycation with us from the 14th – 17th of February for just NGN39,999 Per Night all Inclusive of taxes & breakfast for 2 Adults.

“Sheraton Lagos and Sheraton Abuja will be beautifully decorated to reflect the valentine spirit as we look forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day with everyone,” said Curran.

Food enthusiasts will discover Dubai through its food by indulging in an impressive three-course meal, enjoying coveted seats to an exclusive epicurean journey, seeking out authentic ethnic dishes hidden in the city’s bustling streets, and trying out the newest food concepts to hit the block.

This year’s event will feature festival favourites including swyp Beach Canteen at Sunset Beach behind Sunset Mall, featuring new food concepts, entertainment and a dedicated family area; Hidden Gems and Dubai Restaurant Week.

New elements including Foodie Experiences, Limited Coffee Edition, DFF retail offers and mall events will also be on offer.

Speaking on the experiences awaiting guests, including Nigerians, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, Ahmed Al Khaja said: “Dubai Food Festival has become a final part of Dubai’s culinary calendar and annual retail calendar, building the city’s reputation as a gastronomy destination within the region and across the world.

Over the past five years, we had strengthened local partnerships and widened our reach, and this year we are all set to take the DFF experience to a whole new level with added layers to celebrate every facet of food. We look forward to welcoming people of all nationalities, cultures and tastes to take part in this city-wide celebration.”

Excitement as 2019 Dubai Food Festival begins

F

OOD enthusiasts from across the world will converge on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the sixth edition of the Dubai Food Festival (DFF) as from February 21.

The DFF, which will run until March 9, is a citywide culinary celebration that showcases the Emirate’s emergence as the gastronomy capital of the Middle East through a packed 17-day programme of food-related events, activities, promotions and appearances by food celebrities.

This sixth edition, set to be the biggest yet, will see Dubai come together to give residents and visitors the opportunity to experience its diverse and vibrant dining options.

27

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

AVIATION

Aviation contributes $2.7 trn to global GDP Stories by VICTOR NZE

T

HE International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council has disclosed that the aviation sector provides employment and sustainable careers to over 65 million people worldwide.

President of the body, Dr Bernard Aliu, who made the disclosure in a keynote address to the Global Aviation Investment Summit in Dubai on Tuesday, said the sector had contributed more than 2.7 trillion dollars to global Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

Aliu said that aviation was essential to states as they sought to access regional and global markets in order to enhance consumers benefits and choices, create jobs and significantly stimulate tourism and trade.

According to him, in 2018, some 4.3 billion passengers and 58 million tonnes of freight are carried by global commercial operators on 38 million flights.

“With this massive volume of operations, and noting air transport’s important access and connectivity benefits, it is not difficult to appreciate why our sector is responsible today for providing meaningful employment and sustainable ca-

reers to over 65 million men and women worldwide “It has contributed more than 2.7 trillion dollars to global GDP,” he said.

Aliu also highlighted that both air passenger traffic and air freight traffic globally should be more than double by 2035.

He noted that the countries which made the needed investments required now in national and regional infrastructure, capacity and technologies, would also be the ones that would benefit most in the coming decades from aviation’s rapidly accelerating global connectivity.

Aliu stressed the importance of developing and implementing national and regional aviation infrastructure programmes and plans in full cooperation with the investment stakeholder community.

According to him, state planning must also have strategic infrastructure targets and performance ambitions that are guided by and consistent with ICAO’s Global Plans.

“This facilitates compliance with the ICAO standards and recommended practices which underpin the safe, secure, and sustainable development of the international civil aviation network,” he said.

Dana Air pledges capacity support to Cabin Crew

D

ANA Air has pledged to continue supporting capacity building initiatives and professionalism in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The airline made this known when the winner and organizers of the first ever cabin crew contest paid a courtesy visit to its MMA2 office in Lagos recently.

Dana Air’s Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo while speaking during the visit said, ‘’Dana Air is resolute in its support for initiatives like the Cabin crew contest and any concept that encourages professionalism and standards in the aviation sector and we see these as part of ways to further imbue and entrench it in our industry.

“We are glad to have received the winner and we believe she has gone through the rudiments. It is now time for her to undergo our training which is also strictly based on standard operating procedures and customer service.’’

Also speaking at the brief ceremony, the CEO of Crew Training Institute, Katheryn Lademo said, ‘’we are grateful to Dana Air for the wonderful reception today. We are indeed proud to have you as the official sponsor for the Cabin Crew Contest.

Out of about 200 contestants who participated in season one, Toluwani Abayomi who hails from Ondo State emerged winner and is now a proud staff of Dana Air. Season 2 which will hold in 2019 is planned to be even bigger and better especially with our new media partners. Unlike season one, participation in season two will not be restricted to Nigerians only; instead we plan to make it a Pan-

African event and this means wider participation across Nigeria and Africa and we look forward to a continued, mutually beneficial partnership with Dana Air as we forge into 2019.’’

Dana Air is the headline sponsor of the first ever cabin crew contest.

The airline’s commitment and investment in training and retraining of its crew which she describes as safety officers has seen the airline’s flight operations crew bag numerous awards.

Currently, The airline’s crew members – Master Collins Ginika and Ms Chiogor Okani are the reigning King and Queen of the air at the 2018 edition of the Nigerian Aviation awards, a recognition they bagged as winners of a cabin crew contest among domestic airlines at the awards ceremony.

In terms of suggested solutions, he said that states must determine strategic infrastructure targets by conducting national and regional gap-analysis between forecasted demand and current capacity.

Aliu further noted that business case analyses should also be conducted to accurately delineate all requirements, reduce investor risk and evaluate projected returns.

He said this in turn required the

establishment of institutional, legal and regulatory frameworks, together with monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

Aliu also made a very strong recommendation that primary focus should be placed by all concerned on investments, earmarked toward educating and training the next generation of aviation professionals.

“Infrastructure development ab-

•(From left): Media/ Communications Manager of Dana Air, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa; Training Manager, Mrs Magdelene Onyeukwu; winner of the Cabin Crew Contest, Miss Toluwani Aboyomi, and Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, during the courtesy visit of the winner and the organizers to Dana Air recently in Lagos.

Nahco aviance to invest N3.6bn in equipment

N

IGERIAN Aviation Handling Company (nahco aviance) has stated that by the end of the year it would have invested N3.6 billion in equipment to maintain its leading position in the business.

This is just as the ground handlers said it has spent N1.9 billion also on equipment in the last few months.

Group Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer, Olatokunbo Fagbemi, disclosed this while speaking with Aviation Correspondents at the organisation’s corporate headquarters, Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.

The investment, she explained is part of efforts to further maintain

its position as the leading ground handling company in the country.

Explaining further, Fagbemi stated that the company would refurbish equipment, buildings among others things the company already has to make them more functional.

The GMD said that to move NAHCo forward, the management had a strategic meeting in November 2018 in Frankfurt, Germany, where a new vision, mission and the company’s core values were spelt out.

Fagbemi, who became the GMD in December, 2018, added that NAHCo Aviance has also fashioned out five years strategic plan built on five pillars; safety, integrity, reliability, innovation and respect that would sustain its leadership posi-

manufacturer, Thales has never been a frosty one as some media reports would have it. In fact it has been very cordial and we are poised to continue to keep it that way. You will recall that we cleared some consignments of spare parts for TRACON last year from the same Thales.”

He disclosed that apart from the spares already received, another consignment of spares has landed Apapa port and is being presently cleared while other consignments are already being shipped to Nigeria from France according to the shipping schedule sent to the agency by Thales, adding that payment has already been made for all consignments ordered for.

The NAMA boss also revealed that as part of efforts to keep pace with global best practices, TRACON would

in a few months’ time undergo a total reconditioning process that would ensure that the entire system attains the acceptable reliability level specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). He described this process as “a sort of Turn-aroundmaintenance” which is to be carried out by the equipment manufacturer, Thales Group.

Akinkuotu said the acquisition of spares for TRACON is in line with the agency’s decision to be proactive in maintaining the nation’s radar facility.

“Availability of spares would ensure that parts of the radar equipment would be readily available whenever and wherever they are needed. There are some that would immediately be used for replacement while others will be kept in the warehouse pending when they will be needed.”

NAMA takes delivery of critical spare parts for TRACON

T

HE Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has taken delivery of another consignment of critical spare parts required for the continuous service and operation of the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON).

The consignment which was cleared at the Apapa port in Lagos from Thales Group, in France include MES1 1400A power supply modules, control units and other critical units that would be used by NAMA engineers to effect repairs on any of the nine TRACON installations across the country as may be required to ensure optimal functioning of the system.

Speaking on the development, Managing Director of NAMA, Capt.

Fola Akinkuotu said “the relationship between NAMA and the equipment

solutely requires aligned financial investments and enhancements in human capacity development, which are completely co-dependent.

“There is no point in upgrading technologies and facilities to the latest performance specifications if the personnel are not on hand to professionally operate them or provide appropriate oversight,” he said.

tion in the ground handling business in Nigeria.

The NAHCo boss revealed that a programme management office has been set up to drive the vision and mission of the company, adding that the way forward is to be open and transparent.

He urged investors to invest to buy NAHCo shares, adding that five years from now the value of the shares would increase.

On the ongoing restructuring in the organisation, the GMD said that it would not lead to loss of jobs but that the company would bring in professionalism.

“It is not our intention to lay off staff but we will introduce automation to provide excellent service. A lot will be required.”

Speaking on the ground handling market share, she stated as the market leader has 65 per cent of the market share, adding that the company intend to maintain its leadership position.

According to her,”We don’t want to be a leader without excellent service. We want to be a leader that drives the ground handling business and show the way. We don’t want to leave on past glory.

We want a NAHCo of the Future.”

On what the company will do under leadership to retain its old customers, the GMD said that NAHCo, “We will do everything possible to retain our old customers and do new things to attract new customers. We are in the business where our customers are stronger than us and they are trying to cut cost and we must provide them with excellent service,”

28

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

INSURANCE & PENSION PenCom approves 2,831 applications for annuity retirement

• Recovers N564.67m un-remitted pension Stories by VICTOR NZE

N

ATIONAL Pension Commission (PenCom) has approved 2,831 applications for payment of retirement benefit under life annuity plan.

The commission, in its 2018 third quarter report posted on its website, said the 2,831 retirees received N1.7 billion as lump sum payment and were paid premium of N16.04 billion to insurance companies.

This, PenCom said resulted in total lump sum payment of N68.17 billion and monthly annuity payments of N3 billion respectively.

It added that the approved annuity applications for the quarter under review increased the total number of retirees receiving their retirement benefits through the annuity plan to 57,302.

On retirees under Programmed Withdrawal (PW), it said N15.23 billion was paid to 6,464 retirees as lump sum and N367.00 million as monthly programmed withdrawals during the quarter.

PenCom said the total number of retirees presently receiving their pensions under the PW increased by 3.49 per cent from 185,092 in the previous quarter to 191,556 in the third quarter of 2018.

“A sectoral breakdown shows that 66.01 per cent of those that received pension under the PW were from the public sector while retirees from the private sector accounted for the remaining 33.99 per cent.’’

On withdrawal of 25 per cent of Retirement Saving Account (RSA) balances, it said approval was granted for payment of N5.09 billion to 13,176 RSA holders, explaining that the RSA holders were under the age of 50 years and were disengaged from work and unable to secure another job within four months of disengagement.

PenCom said the cumulative number of RSA holders who were paid benefits for temporary loss of job was 289,126 and were paid a total of N98.28 billion.

It said the payment was the 25 per cent of the balances of their RSAs as prescribed by the Pension Reform Act 2014.

According to PenCom, the private sector accounted for 95.62 per cent of those who benefitted from the payments while the public sector accounted for 4.38 per cent.

On death benefits, PenCom approved payment of N8 billion as death benefits to the beneficiaries of the 2,426 deceased employees during the quarter under review.

This, it said brought the total number of deceased employees from both public and private sectors to 53,237.

It said the death benefit paid during the quarter moved the total payments of death benefits to N164.12 billion.

For en-bloc payments, it said it granted approval for the payment of the entire RSA balances of the categories of retirees whose RSA balances were N550,000 or below.

According to PenCom, the RSA balance of the affected retires have been considered insufficient to procure a programmed withdrawal or annuity.

It said the recovered contributions in the quarter represented a principal contribution of N199.01 million and a penalty of N365.67 million.

This, PenCom said, brought the total recoveries made to date to N14.95 billion, comprising principal contribution of N7.62 billion and penalty of N7.32 billion.

On transfer of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) contributions to members Retirement Saving Account (RSA), PenCom said 741 NSITF applications totaling N46.50 million was received, processed and the amount transferred to RSAs of members.

According to the commission, N9.82 billion has been transferred to the RSAs of 136,578 NSITF contributors to date.

On monthly NSITF scheme pensions, the commission processed pension payments totaling N59.00 million for 3,470 NSITF pensioners during the quarter.

It said the total pension payment to NSITF pensioners’ was N4.32 billion during the quarter under review.

It further said the total monthly pension contribution made by contributors from both the public and private sectors was N4.94 trillion.

This, it said, showed an increase of N171.74 billion, representing 3.60 per cent over the total contributions made at the end second quarter 2018.

It said a review of the aggregate total contribution showed that

50.85 per cent of the contributions came from the public sector, while the private sector contributed the remaining 49.15 per cent.

It, however, said contributions from the public sector amounted to 45.71 per cent of the total contributions received during the third quarter while the private sector contributed 54.29 per cent during the same period.

According to the commission, the aggregate total pension contributions of the private sector increased from N2.33 trillion as at second quarter of 2018 to N2.43 trillion in third quarter 2018.

This, it said, represented a growth of 3.99 per cent, whereas, the aggregate total pension contribution of the public sector increased by 3.23 per cent from N2.43 trillion to N2.51 trillion over the same period.

On implementation of Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) by state governments, PenCom said state governments continued to make progress in the level of implementation of the CPS. “As at the end of the third quarter of 2018, 24 states of the federation had enacted laws on the CPS while six states were at the bill stage.

It, however, said five states had decided to adopt a pension scheme other than the CPS. “In this regard, two states had already drafted pension reform bills that are undergoing legislative processes, one state had not commenced reforming its pension system.’’

Apart from state governments, enacting laws on the CPS, the commission said 12 out of the 36 states had commenced remittance of contributions into the RSAs of their employees.

It, however, said eight states had commenced the funding of their Retirement Benefit Bond Redemption Fund Accounts (RBBRFAs).

On compliance reports presented by operators, it said the major issues observed from the review of the reports showed that un-credited pension contributions remained a challenge.

“The issue mostly affect electronic payments made by employers without attaching the schedule of payment, which will enable the Pension Fund Custodians and Administrators credit the RSA holders appropriately,’’ it said.

It, however, said the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria with the Nigerian Inter Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) had developed electronic pension contribution collection system to address the problem.

Another issue of concern, PenCon said, was delay in payment of retirement benefits to retirees due to delay in the release of Accrued Rights by the Federal Government.

It, however, said federal government was increasing its monthly releases of funds to meet its accrued rights obligation.

This, the commission said, had significantly reduced the accrued right owed.

It said approval was also granted for payment of RSA balances to foreign nationals who decided to return to their home countries after making contributions under the CPS. Accordingly, the sum of N996.72 million has been paid to 3,614 retirees, from 220 public sector organisations and 3,394 private sector retirees.

“Consequently, 99,444 retirees received en-bloc payments totaling N24.96 billion from inception to the end of the third quarter of 2018.’’

It said the pension fund investment based on unaudited valuation reports grew from N8.23 trillion as at June 30, 2018 to N8.35 trillion at the end of September 2018.

This, it said represented a growth of 1.39 per cent, adding that the growth indicated a decrease in the growth rate compared to the 3.64 per cent for the previous quarter.

In a related development, the Commission has issued licence to the Nigerian University Pension Management Company Ltd (NUPEMCO) to carry out the business of a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) in universities.

PenCom’s Head of Corporate Communication, Mr Peter Aghahowa in a statement on Monday in Abuja said the approval was based on detailed evaluation of NUPEMCO’s compliance with the requirements stipulated by the Commission.

NUPEMCO was earlier set up to manage the retirement benefits of staff in Nigerian universities.

It has the mandate to improve the post working standards of staff of Nigerian universities.

Meanwhile, PenCom says it has recovered pension contributions and interest totaling N564.67million from defaulting employers during the third quarter of 2018.

The Commission, in its 2018 third quarter report posted on its website, said it engaged the services of recovery agents to recover the outstanding pension contributions and penalties from the defaulting employers.

PenCom said the affected employers were issued with demand notices to remit the outstanding pension contributions after their liabilities had been established by the agents.

According to PenCom, some of the employers had remitted the outstanding contributions and penalty.

•Acting Director General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Hajia Aisha Dahir-Umar (5th from left) handing over licence to the delegation from the Nigerian University Pension Management Company Limited (NUPEMCO) to carry out the business of a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Monday.

DO House of Assembly on Monday passed a Bill for a Law to establish the Edo State Health Insurance Commission.

The law would enable the state government provide improved and affordable healthcare services to residents.

The motion for the house to consider the bill clause by clause was moved by the Deputy Speaker, Justin Okonoboh, and seconded by Roland Asoro, the Majority Leader.

The passage of the bill was sequel to the suspension of House Rules, following a motion moved by the

majority leader and seconded by the deputy speaker.

The 8 parts bill, was adopted with minor amendments to parts 1and 2 to include that a representative of the house of assembly not below the rank of a director should be a member of the board.

The bill also stipulated that a former member of the house who must be a medical doctor should also be among members of the board.

The board would comprise of a chairman, director general and other members, not below the status

Edo Assembly passes Health Insurance Commission Bill E of a director from state Ministries of Health, Economic Planning, Education, Justice, Office of the Secretary to State Government and the Office of the Head of Service.

The representatives of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and Civil Society Organisation would also be members of the board.

The bill, according to the house when completely domesticated in Edo, will enable government have access to funds from NHIS which will be complemented by the state

government for the effective operations of the commission.

The bill also sought to protect families from the hardship of huge medical bills and regulate, supervise, implement and ensure effective administration of the state contributory health insurance scheme.

The house also passed a Bill for a Law to Eliminate Violence in Private and Public Life.

It prohibits all forms of violence against persons and provides maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders.

29

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

INSURANCE & PENSION

Insurance-linked securities market grows to $93bn in 2018

Stories by VICTOR NZE

G

ROWTH of the insurance linked securities (ILS) market reached $93 billion in 2018, up from $88 billion during the prior year, according to the new ILS Market Update from Willis Re, the reinsurance division of Willis Towers Watson.

In the face of multiple smaller catastrophic events in 2018 and a meaningful series of catastrophes in 2017, non-life cat bond issuance remained strong with about $9.2 billion of new capital delivered, said the report, defining cat bonds as ILS transactions with meaningful liquidity.

Willis Re noted that 2018 marked the second-most active calendar year for cat bond issuance after 2017’s record of $9.7 billion.

Of $535 million in bonds issued during the fourth quarter of 2018, $125 million of capacity will provide protection from California wildfire liability, $200 million will provide peak multiperil protection, and $210 million will provide U.S. earth-

quake (workers’ compensation) protection.

Lines of demarcation within the ILS space are blurring, according to the report, as ceding companies and intermediaries look to the range of cat bonds, sidecars, and other collateralized ILS, to identify the best tools to meet specific challenges, continue to develop new solutions, and refine existing structures.

“We are seeing the convergence of convergence,” says William Dubinsky, managing director & head of ILS at Willis Towers Watson Securities.

“The overall ILS figure is today a much more meaningful measurement of market size than focusing on cat bond and sidecar issuance alone,” he said. “ILS capacity and products are growing organically and dynamically as gaps between different products and subsectors fill in, and innovation and market necessity create new capacity and products. Our confidence in the speed that new solutions will emerge gives us a favorable outlook for ILS in 2019.”

FG partners Allianz to grow insurance business

F

EDERAL Government has concluded plans to partner Allianz, the global insurance group, to promote insurance business in the country.

The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, declared this in Lagos at the launch of Allianz Nigeria Insurance Plc. Vice President, who was represented by Dipe Olu, welcomed the company to the country, while urging the promoters of the company to deploy their wealth of experience towards promoting the level of insurance business in Nigeria.

He noted that insurance has a serious role to play in the country, adding that Nigeria has great potentials for the insurance industry.

“We look forward to partnering you as you build your brand in Nigeria,” he said.

Regional Chief Executive Officer, Allianz Africa and board member, Coenraad Vrolijk, said the company is strongly committed to its business in Africa, where it is present in 17 countries, stressing that the company is dedicated to deploying its considerable technical skills, resources and innovations to strengthen business for clients.

He said Allianz Group views Africa as one of the important future growth market, adding that in 2017,

over 140,000 employees in more than 70 countries achieved total revenue of 126 billion euros and an operating profit of 11 billion euros for the group.

He posited that the firm is one of the world’s largest investors, managing over 650 billion euros on behalf of its insurance customers, while their asset managers- Allianz Global Investors and PIMCO, manage an additional 1.4 trillion euros of third-party assets.

Managing Director, Allianz Nigeria Insurance Plc, Sunkanmi Adekeye, said the company will deploy four key resources, namely, skill, technology, product development and investment in driving its operations.

He said coming of Allianz to Nigeria, will enable it contribute to offering the best products and services to Nigerian customers in both personal and commercial lines, stressing that he is optimistic about the limitless potential of Nigeriaís growing insurance market.

He noted that Allianz currently offers micro-insurance solution to 500,000 low-income households on the continent, adding that this is a business opportunity the firm looks forward to exploring fully and that attention will also be focused closely on cyber liability insurance coverage.

IICC’s training on compulsory insurance set for Asaba

T

HE Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC) has vowed to intensify efforts in the promotion of insurance awareness in Nigeria.

To this end, it would start with a training programme on compulsory insurance scheduled to hold on February 6, 2019, at Asaba, Delta State.

The training, which is one of the initiatives of IICC, is aimed at actively encouraging insurance education and will see participants receive training and sensitisation on the categories of compulsory insurance and the laws governing them, among other topics.

Participants will be given deep insight into liability/compulsory in-

surance, assessment and rating of compulsory insurances and claims administration.

Already, participants for the programme have been drawn from government parastatals in Delta State and the private sector.

Chairman of IICC, Eddie Efekoha, stated that the council was totally focused on promoting the growth of the sector and the training is one of the platforms it was leveraging on.

“This training further serves to reiterate, the commitment of the IICC to achieving its laid down objectives and to promote insurance awareness in Nigeria. With insurance, you have the ultimate keys to live and work with freedom.

•Representative of United Capital Trustees Limited, Abimbola Ibrahim (left); Managing Director, CEAT Fixed Income Fund, Babatunde Tinubu; Chairman/representative of United Capital Trustees, Mrs. Tadeni Balogun; and Company Secretary, CEAT, Mrs. Joy Sulucainan, during CEAT’s second general meeting in Lagos.

Sovereign Trust Insurance settles N4.2bn claims

S

OVEREIGN Trust Insurance Plc says it has settled claims totaling N4,243,642,157.36to various insured spread across the country in the last one year.

The company’s Spokesperson and Head of Corporate Communications & Brand Management, Mr. Segun Bankole, in a statement, declared that the STI is not about paying lips service to settlement of genuine claims when they occur.

He however, stated that the claims experience in 2018 was quite humungous which he attributed to the downturn in the economy. According to him, “every insured wants to claim at every given opportunity which really escalated the claims figure for the year.

The summary of the claims paid in 2018 shows that Energy had the highest figure of N2.1b with Fire Insurance ranking second with total claims settled to the tune of N664m.

Motor Insurance claims amounted

to N567m while Marine & Aviation claims stood at N447m. The total sum of N333m was paid as claims on General Accident Policy with Engineering closing the figures with N41m bringing the total claims paid to N4.2b.

While commenting on the intent of the organization as regards claims settlement, the Executive Director, Technical Operations, Mr. Jude Modilim had this to say, “there is no compromise to genuine claims settlement in Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc because the major focus of the company is to ensure that our teeming customers get to enjoy the benefits of taking out any form of insurance policy with us through prompt settlement of their claims when the need arises. That to us, is the only way to prove that we are well and alive to our responsibilities as an Underwriting Firm in the country. We intend to uphold this obligation and we will always continually strive to

make good our promise.

In the same vein, the Managing Director/CEO of the organization, Mr. Olaotan Soyinka also stated that the company has put in place a friendlyclaim-process with the major aim of putting smiles on the faces of its various customers across the country by ensuring that claims are settled within the shortest period possible on completion of all necessary documentation.

Our commitment to uphold the tenets of our Vision and Mission has made the company one of the country’s most relevant and responsive insurance companies in the country. Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc is no doubt a formidable force to reckon with in the Nigerian Insurance landscape with a network of offices spread over (18) locations in the country buoyed by cutting-edge technology in delivering seamless and convenient insurance service to all teeming customers in the country and beyond.

Jo’burg set to host 46th African Insurance Organisation confab

T

HE African Insurance Organisation (AIO) will hold its 46th conference and annual general assembly at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 8 to 13 June 2019. Each year the event attracts senior delegates from across Africa and the rest of the world to discuss and workshop the most pressing issues facing the insurance industry on the continent at the time.

Under this year’s theme – Insurance Penetration in Africa: Insuring the Uninsured – the conference will focus on insurance distribution and inclusivity across the continent.

Other topical issues under discussion will include micro-insurance and the effects of climatic events (such as floods, droughts and wildfires) on the industry and the economy in general.

“We have managed to secure a number of highly regarded speakers, panellists and facilitators from all over Africa – and beyond – for this year’s conference,” says AIO vice president Delphine Traore Maidou “We have also got some quality bookings and are very happy at the rate that seats are filling up. As always, I am sure my colleagues from

across the continent will network, do business and drive further crossborder collaboration.”

CEO of the Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA), the official host of the conference, Thokozile Mahlangu, expressed delight that the event will be held in South Africa this year.

“South Africa has a very active insurance community, with ties to

many other countries on the continent,” she says. “With the support of SA Tourism, the organising committee is thrilled at how we will be showcasing our country – especially during this exciting election year.

“We invite anyone who has an interest in insurance in Africa to reserve a spot by visitingwww.africaninsurance.org/events,” says Mahlangu.

Over 100,000 benefit from Health Insurance in Oyo

E

XECUTIVE Secretary of Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme (OYSHIA), Monday said that over 100,000 people had benefitted from the scheme within 18 months of its inauguration.

Akande said this during a two-day media dialogue on improving access and uptake of healthcare for children and women through social insurance scheme in Oyo State.

The programme was held in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Akande said that the scheme had performed over 100 caesarian sections for pregnant women, employed medical doctors and renovated some hospitals in the state.

The executive secretary, while thanking UNICEF for the meeting and helping in the area of sensitisation, said the programne would highlight key achievements and challenges of the agency.

Akande also said that it was only Oyo State that had two per cent of its IGR for health insurance scheme in the country.

“This won’t be the last engagement with the media. The scheme is also to protect pocket against financial hazard. We have had tremendous benefits and testimonies since we started. “It makes you to see your doctor when nothing is wrong with you and also improving your health seeking habit,”he said.

30

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

EQUITY & Capital Market Why Access Bank jettisons proposed N75bn Rights Issue Stories by JEROME USHAKANG

T

HE Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc , Mr. Herbert Wigwe has announced the annulment of its proposed N75 billion Rights Issue saying the bank took the decision because it now has a clearer understanding of the capital strength required.

Wigwe who held a conference call to update analysts and investors on progress with its merger and other sundry issues, disclosed that it will, rather, drawdown on US$250 million of 5-year tier II capital in the first quarter of 2019.

The Access Bank CEO also provided a revised time table of the merger and Court ordered meetings expected to hold in March. Tentatively, Access Bank has scheduled its court-ordered meeting for the 5th of March, 2019.He also revealed that the expected time of completion of all necessary processes is April 2019.

However, he stressed that this is subject to the shareholder and regulatory approval. According to him, the bank estimated that N150 billion in cost synergies will be created over the next three years. On the cost side, synergies would amount to N88.1 billion, while on the revenue side synergies would amount to N62.2 billion. Wigwe also confirmed

that the bank will seek forbearance from the Central Bank of Nigeria pertaining to writing off loans.

He stated that the bank would shut down 57 branches over the next two years. However, the GMD reassured that there would be no staff redundancy, as affected staff would be retrained. According to him, the affected branches were arrived at after deep customer analytics.

In response to a question by Ola Warikoru an analyst with SBG Securities pertaining to the banks waiving off interest on subsidy-related loans, Wigwe clarified the actual request made by the CBN, saying the apex bank asked banks to waive the interest for one year on subsidy backed loans.

In response to a question from Glori Fadipe of CSL Stockbrokers, Wigwe stated that the need for provisions pertaining to loans granted to 9Mobile was highly unlikely. The bank he noted, had made the highest provisions with respect to the loans granted the telco.

No form of integration has taken place Victor Etuokwu, the Access Bank lead for the integration process stated that no cross-functional activity had taken place. The interoperability of ATM cards across both branches was something that could be pursued by any bank.

Meanwhile, the following are the

EAC Group launches book on investment at NSE

Seasoned Nigerian Investment Banker Mrs Toyin sanni Monday launched her book “Riding the Eagle: A Guide to Investing in Nigeria”at the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE).

The event brought together stakeholders in the financial services sector and the capital market. In his opening remarks, the Chief Executive of the NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, noted that the book was a welcome narrative to efforts of government regulators, and the organised private sector in attracting investment into the country, and thereby accelerating economic growth.

Onyema described the book as a useful resource for those seeking to make profitable investments in Nigeria.The book according to the NSE’s CEO guides investors on navigating the sharp corners and bumpy roads of the local investment climate.

Also speaking at the event the Acting Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Mary Uduk said “As a result of its large population, Nigeria offers rich human resource-base with quality human capital and relatively low labour costs and investment opportunities riding on the back of major development gaps”.

She said that the book is a trailblazer in a series of other books by professionals that disclose relevant information and analysis to promote investments in the economy.

Uduk stressed that providing investors reliable information will enhance transparency in the Nigerian financial market and improve its global reputation.

“It is imperative therefore that we all as stakeholders continue to take positive steps to attract and retain

ZSE, MSE rule African stock exchange in 2018

T

HE year, 2018 was not investor friendly for equity investors in Africa, especially, during the last four months, September—December.

Market statistics collated during the year under review revealed that only two African exchanges managed to buck the global trend, as judged by this table of performance of main indices for investors looking for USD returns, although four had a positive return for local currency investors.

However, in some of the exchanges, overall market performance was better for local investors, since the strong US dollar over the year as the Federal Reserve hiked rates helped depress returns of the stock exchange indices when rebased into US dollars in addition to pushing down prices as global investors turned away from frontier markets.

The soar away success indices were the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, where the index soared by 50.4 percent in US$ over the year, and nearby Malawi Stock Exchange,

where it climbed 22.2 percent. The ZSE local index shows a US$ return but the currency is not liquid and its value questionable.

So, price rises on the ZSE have been inflated as many domestic investors feel the bourse provides part protection against inflation or currency decline.

Also, during the period, Mauritius Stock Exchange was close to breakeven, with a US based decline of 0.30percent.This was better than a drop of 6.20 percent in the S&P 500 index over the year, including more than 19 percent from its high in September 2018 and the worst in December since 1931 when it fell 14.5 percent during the ‘Great Depression’.

However, in the United States, markets have trended more positive since the start of 2019, with world eyes on the Fed and how fast it raises a key interest rate.

On the chart, close to the bottom is the JSE FTSE All Share Index, with a fall of 27.9percent to US dollar investors, compared to a fall of 11.4percent to investors focused on ZAR returns.

•GMD of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe

•GCEO of NSE, Oscar Onyema key takeaway from the Access / Diamon merger: The two banks released a new timeline of the proposed transaction which will be concluded by April 2019, two months ahead of initial schedule while court both local and foreign investments to stimulate economic growth and develop critical infrastructure necessary for our country’s development” Uduk said.

In her assessment, the Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to the President on Industries, Trade and Investment Dr Jumoke Oduwole commended Mrs Toyin Sanni, who she described as go-to person on the reform efforts of the Federal Government in the area of “Ease of Doing Business”.

She used the opportunity to explain that the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council has engaged major arms of the government, sub-national governments and ministries, departments and agencies to drive reforms.

Oduwole informed guests at the launch that the target of the Federal Government was to lead Nigeria to the top 100, in the next World Bank Ease of Doing Business survey.

Chairperson of the event and Executive Vice Chairman Famfa Oil Mrs Folorunsho Alakija noted that the book was practical and pragmatic drawing from the perspective of an investment manager and banker with over 30 years of experience in the industry.

ordered meetings are to hold in March 2019.

The management of both banks said they are yet to commence formal integration of both institutions rather they are putting in place integration plans to ensure smooth takeoff of the combination which will kick off officially in April 2019.Both banks’ customers have been given free ATM access charge on the bank’ machines nationwide.

Access Bank’s Group CEO said the bank would no longer need to raise N75 billion in Tier I capital via rights issue as previously announced fol-

SEC extends Multiple Subscription Deadline to Dec 2019

I

N a move to ensure more investors regularise their accounts thereby reducing the volume of unclaimed dividends in the Nigerian capital market, the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC has announced an extension of forebeafance on such accounts to December 31, 2019.

This among others was part of the decisions reached at the end of the 3rd Capital Market Committee, CMC meeting held in Lagos, Thursday. Recall that the SEC had announced December 31st 2018 as deadline for regularisation of multiple accounts.

Briefing newsmen, Acting Director General of the SEC, Ms. Mary Uduk said the committee considered the issue and decided its best

Guinea Insurance refutes suspension news report

G

UINEA Insurance Plc, has described as untrue reports by various newspaper publications that it has been suspended by its regulator , National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) from writing new businesses on Thursday, 31 January, 2019.

According to the newspaper reports, “NAICOM, it was gathered, suspended the company because of its failure to appoint a substantive Managing Director, failure to secure reinsurance treaty, among others.

The Chairman, Board of Directors , Godson Ugochukwu in a statement sent to the NSE said, ”On the basis of this, we are constrained as a Company to set the record straight by informing the general public, business associates, shareholders, prospective investors and policyholders that the report posits compelling stand for a rebuttal as the Board of Guinea Insurance PLC

lowing further assessment of its regulatory capital requirements. The bank would instead drawdown on the US$250 million of the five -year Tier II capital before the end of first quarter 2019.

Stakeholders raised concerns over the huge non-performing loan of Diamond Bank which had risen further by about 28 percercent Both lenders said aggressive recovery efforts were on-going and adequate provisions have been made against recent earnings. The combined entity would have an NPL ratio of 14.1percent.

had on 15th February 2018 appointed Mr. Babatunde Oshadiya as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the proposal for his appointment was submitted to NAICOM for approval.

The said notification captioned “Guinea Insurance appoints Oshadiya MD/CEO” was uploaded on Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) portal and also published in various Nigerian media namely: The Punch, Business Journal, The Authority Daily, Blueprint, Supernews, Newscorner, The Revealer, Businesstodayonline, Inspenonline etc. between 2nd – 7th March, 2018. was published in a press statement.

Meanwhile, on the reinsurance treaty, there is available and incontrovertible evidence showing that Guinea Insurance PLC has a treaty backup for 2019 packaged by its Lead Reinsurance Broker - Glanvill Enthoven Reinsurance Brokers Limited.

to give investors more time to regularise their multiple accounts in order to derive the benefits from their investments.

She said “I am delighted to report that on the lingering issue of multiple subscriptions and forbearance for shareholders with multiple accounts, the CMC agreed that the forbearance window should be extended by another year from the December 31, 2018 deadline previously communicated. We expect investors to take advantage of this opportunity to claim their unclaimed dividends and bonuses”.

Uduk also announced a twopronged approach to addressing the intractable challenges associated with transmission of shares related to the estate of deceased investors.

“The first step would involve engagement with and enlightenment of the Probate Registry with a view to providing solutions to the cumbersome process of transmitting shares. “Secondly, Rules would be developed around the time frame for transmission shares and the fee structure” Worried by issues of identity theft in the capital market, the Acting DG said the Commission will work with other major stakeholders in setting up a committee that will look into and proffer solutions to problems around identity management in the Nigerian capital market.

Similarly, Uduk said as part of efforts to eliminate underhand dealings, the Commission is set to take enforcement actions against any persons engaged in trading in the shares of public unlisted companies outside a recognised securities exchange as provided by the Rules.

31

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

MONEY Market

FG revenues loses N910bn in Q4 2018 Stories By KAYODE OGUNWALE

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), at the weekend released its Economic Report for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018, showing that the Federal Government’s expenditure could not be significantly cut, revenue dropped for the period, after oil and non-oil revenue under performed.

It earned N946.9 billion in non-oil revenue was below the proportionate quarterly budget estimate of N1.4 trillion and the level in the preceding quarter by 32.4 percent and 17 percent, respectively.

The fiscal operations of the Federal Government resulted in an estimated deficit of N910.41 billion, an increase of N421.79 billion, or 86.31 percent over the proportionate quarterly budget deficit of N488.62 billion.

Specifically, the report showed that federally-collected revenue (total collections before distribution among the three-tiers of government) at N2.412 trillion in the review period came 27.4 percent below the N3.321 trillion. It also was 4.8 percent lower.

Of the total accruals, the Federal

Government retained N916.44 billion, as against its N1.826 trillion expenditure, resulting in an estimated deficit of N910.41 billion during the period.

The expenditure was however lower than the proportionate quarterly budget estimate of N2.376 billion by 23.1 percent and that of the preceding quarter by 3.4 percent.

A breakdown of the total expenditure, the CBN added, “showed that the recurrent component accounted for 87.8 percent, while capital and statutory transfers accounted for 5.9 and 6.3 percent, respectively.

The bulk of recurrent expenditure went into non-debt obligations, which gulped 53.8 percent, while debt service payments accounted for the remaining 46.2 percent.

Specifically, the apex bank put gross oil receipt at N1.465 trillion or 60.7 percent of total revenue, which was below the proportionate quarterly budget estimate by 23.7 percent, but higher than receipts in the third quarter of 2018 by 5.1 percent.

“The lower non-oil revenue relative to the proportionate quarterly budget estimate was due to the shortfalls in receipts from Federal Government Independent Revenue and VAT in the review period.

•Regional Head, Commercial Banking, Lagos, Heritage Bank Plc, Abiodun Agbaje; Divisional Head, Corporate Communications, Heritage Bank, Fela Ibidapo; and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Olushade Adesola, at the grand finale of the Lagos 2019 international para lifting competition in Lagos.

Heritage Bank task stakeholders on How Leo won a million hearts in 12 months •More than one million Africans now bank on Leo generational, healthy athletes

M

ANAGING Director/Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo has tasked stakeholders in the sports industry to key into the vision of the bank to help build a generation of healthy and strong athletes as well as set a platform that will continue to create, preserve and transfer wealth and talents across generations.

The MD made the remark at the grand finale of the just concluded 2019 Lagos International Para-Powerlifting Championship hosted by the Lagos State Government.

Sekibo who represented by the Divisional Head, Corporate Communications of the bank, Fela Ibidapo noted, “At Heritage Bank, we understand the importance of sports as an essential part of education, national development and a unifying factor in our diverse cultural setting.

“Hence, our vision as a generational bank; is one poised to help create, preserve and transfer wealth across generations” in all spectrum of life.”

Nigeria emerged the overall winner of the competition, winning the 20 gold medals on offer to assert its world dominance in the sport. It also won 15 silver and 7 bronze medals, making a total of 42 medals.

Cote d’ Ivoire and Cameroon also registered their names in the invitational tourney with three bronze medals each, while Ghana went home with two bronze medals.

Other countries that participated in the championship were Guinea, Tanzania and Mali.

The President of Para-Powerlifting Federation of Nigeria, Queen Uboh noted that the Nigerian Para Powerlifters had always made the nation proud by winning medals and most times topping the medals table.

W

ITH ever-increasing customer expectations of quick service and near real-time transactional support, United Bank for Africa (UBA) committed resources to Artificial Intelligence (AI) a year ago, birthing Leo, a Banking Chatbot that helps customers carry out key banking transactions anywhere, using mobile devices and personal computers.

According to Head, online banking, UBA, Austin Abolusoro, “Our customers are increasingly asking for mobile services that make their lives easier, and Leo is becoming a growing choice for his convenience and personal solutions.”

He said, Leo combines the latest technology in AI; predictive

analytics and natural language, to be a virtual financial assistant to customers, who can interact with it any way they choose, including texting or tapping options on their screen.

Leo has proven to be an important financial assistant, helping users to search for transactions, view account history and balance, pay bills, as well as track spending trends. Leo is also developing interest in other aspects of users’ lives and currently helps them to check football scores and weather information. Leo will continue to learn and become more involved in the lives of users to better meet their needs and address their queries, he said.

“As we continue to advance our work on AI-driven developments,

have a N25 billion minimum capital base, IBTC merged with Chartered Bank PLC and Regent Bank PLC in 2005 to become IBTC Chartered Bank PLC, which effectively transformed it into a universal bank. Two years later in 2007, IBTC Chartered Bank PLC merged with Stanbic Bank Nigeria Limited, the Nigerian subsidiary of Standard Bank of South Africa, to become Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC. The reforms in the Nigerian financial system, which led to the review of the Universal Banking Policy of the CBN and the introduction of a holding company model, led to the adoption of a HoldCo structure by Stanbic IBTC in 2012 to retain its non-core banking businesses.

Stanbic IBTC is the only triple A rated financial institution in the country, which reflects its financial strength, strong leadership and heritage. Four of its subsidiaries are ISO certified, a mark of consistent quality service delivery. It has also continued to burnish its image as a good corporate citizen with a robust corporate social investment policy. Its flagship CSI initiative, Together4ALimb, continues to provide prostheses, healthcare

and education to children from disadvantaged areas of the society.

“We remain committed to operating to the highest level of corporate governance standards while delivering sustainable long term value to clients and other stakeholders through world-class innovative operations and our customer-centric approach,” Sanni assured. According to the chief executive, the Group’s achievements are an indication that its strategy is delivering on set goals and objectives. He assured that the organisation will continue to invest in its people, processes, and its communities to ensure business sustainability.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, a member of Standard Bank Group, is a full service financial services group with a clear focus on three main business pillars - Corporate and Investment Banking, Personal and Business Banking and Wealth Management.

Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC Holdings belongs, is the largest African bank by assets. It is rooted in Africa with strategic representation in 20 countries on the African continent.

Stanbic IBTC assures of quality service on 30th anniversary

S

TANBIC IBTC, member of the Standard Bank Group which has been in operation for over 155 years, is celebrating 30 years of providing quality financial services to its clients. The company has grown from its early days as a merchant bank to become the leading end-toend financial services provider in the country, with a balance sheet size close to N2 trillion and a market capitalisation valued at approximately N500 billion in December 2018.

In 30 years, Stanbic IBTC has built a culture of excellence in providing its clients with innovative financial products and services as well as contributing to the attainment of the developmental aspirations of the country. Today, many of its subsidiaries are market leaders in their segments; these include Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, Stanbic IBTC Capital, and Stanbic IBTC Nominees.

“It gives me immense pride celebrating this milestone with the Stan-

bic IBTC family, our clients, who have believed in us and entrusted us with their financial needs all these years, our partners, shareholders, and Nigerians. We have come a long way since 1989 when the business was started in Lagos to having a strong presence in the 36 states and Abuja and becoming part of a multinational concern and one of the top seven most capitalised companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange,” Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Mr. Yinka Sanni, said. “We are indeed very excited about our future prospects, the economic and environmental challenges notwithstanding, as we continue to work with our clients to provide relevant and top quality financial solutions aimed at enabling real growth for individuals and businesses,” Sanni added.

The financial services institution has experienced several transformations in its 30-year history. Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited (IBTC) was incorporated on 02 February, 1989 as a merchant bank.

Following the introduction of universal banking and a regulatory requirement for financial institutions to

it is important that we listen to our users today and further enhance Leo to align to client feedback in order to better meet and anticipate needs and even give them increased value as Leo clocks one,” Abolusoro added.

This milestone reflects the bank’s continued focus on providing industry-leading digital capabilities as part of its high-tech, high-touch client experience.

Everything learnt over the last one year of Leo’s work will help UBA improve on its digital offerings, says Abolusoro, who assured customers of “nothing short of the very best innovation in the coming months”.

Leo is set to become a financial control centre for its wide range of users, offering them accessible and intelligent ways to manage their money. It will also be recommending ways to save money and automatically switch to the best value products available to the user.

Leo who speaks multiple languages and is extremely user friendly, has become the preferred Banking Chatbot in Nigeria and the only available AI banking chatbot in 15 other countries across Africa, including Cameroon, Zambia, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, Congo DRC, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and UBA’s latest subsidiary, Mali.

In 12 short months since he was launched, Leo has won several awards, including the Euromoney Award which aptly validates his dominance in the digital banking space. Euromoney is a globally renowned organisation which appraises more than 20 global product categories, best-in-class awards and the best Banks in over 100 countries around the world, recognising institutions that have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and momentum in the markets in which they operate.

32

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

NEWS Charging fees for political debates wrong – Commission From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

A

bia State Coordinator of National Anti-corruption Volunteer Commission (NAVC/ ICPC), Rev. Blessed Amalambu, has condemned charging candidates fees to enable to feature in political debates, describing it as corruption.

In the run up to the February and March general election in Abia State, many groups have organized political debates and candidates were charged certain fees by the organisers to enable them to participate.

In a particular debate for governorship candidates, some candidates who were unable to foot the bill were excluded. The development drew loud complaints from the affected candidates and condemnation by some members of the public.

Reacting to the complaints, Amalambu said in an interview in his office in Umuahia that it amounts to an act of corruption to deny a candidate the opportunity to participate in a political debate simply because he could not afford the fees for such programme, adding that it was extortion by other means.

The State NAVC/ICPC Coordinator argued that it the goal of a debate by governorship candidates was to assist the candidates reveal their vision to the masses, it should be a free, all-inclusive exercise, not just for a selected few wealth candidates.

The Anti-corruption boss stressed that such debates should be an avenue for every candidate to tell the electorate what stuff he/she is made of and not just for a selected few, rich candidates.

“I presume, the reason for Abia state gubernatorial debate was aimed at allowing the candidates to air their views, showcase their manifesto to the general public as a way of selling themselves to the people, letting them know about their credibility, character and qualifications.

If that was the aim, then placing a price tag on it as a qualification for every participant is wrong. It should not be commercialized. It is absolutely wrong.

“It means the organisers have ulterior motives and I must ask, are they turning it into a fund raising forum or will that price tag help the public know how well the candidates will better the lots of the populace?

“In my own perspective, I see it as extortion of money. They’re trying to take advantage of the people who are desperate to showcase their goodwill for the people and it is also corruption because any act of extortion of money through any means is corruption,” he said.

Rev. Amalanbu maintained that such exercises ought to be free and fair; and condemned charging a candidate huge sums of money, arguing that such debate should be made accessible to all and sundry, as one’s financial status should not be a criteria “in times like this.”

Sen Ayogu Eze: Why court judgment won’t stand test of time – APC • Nothing to celebrate – PDP From CHUKS EZE, Enugu

T

he Sen. Ayogu Eze Governorship Campaign Organisation has explained why it urged supporters of the governorship faithful to disregard the recent Federal High Court ruling that recognized Barr Tagbo Ogara as the authentic APC governorship candidate in Enugu State, saying “the declaration is strange and cannot stand the test of time.”

Spokesman of the Campaign Organisation, Okey Ezirigwe, had in a statement shortly after the judgment filtered in, described it as strange and “reckless adventure from the bench,” urging party sup-

porters and the general public to disregard the court ruling.

“Our lawyers have briefed us about a strange judgement by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja which tends to void the primaries conducted by our party in Enugu State,” the release read in part.

“Our lawyers have assured us that all necessary legal steps are being taken to discharge this obvious miscarriage of justice within the next couple of days”.

While thanking supporters for what he described as overwhelming outpouring of solidarity, the spokesman maintained that the Ayogu Eze camp was not bothered by the development, insisting that “Distin-

guished Senator Ayogu Eze remains the governorship candidate of All Progressive Congress Enugu State.

“We are going on with our campaign in full assurance that Ayogu Eze, CON, will emerge as the Governor of Enugu State come March 2, 2019,” he maintained.

Meanwhile, when contacted over the development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state said the court judgement meant nothing to the party.

Spokesman of PDP Campaign Organization, Nana Ogbodo, told our correspondent that the judgement did not matter to PDP at all, pointing out that the 2019 governorship election had since been won by the

PDP candidate and incumbent governor of the state and that it did not matter whether Senator Eze or Barr Tagbo Ogara emerged as APC’s flagbearer.

“The judgment is of no moment; whether they declare Senator Eze or Barr Ogara as the gubernatorial candidate of APC in Enugu State, it means nothing to us.

In his early reaction to the judgment, Ogara had praised the FHC. He described the development as victory for the people and urged party members to close ranks and form a formidable force to “go for victory in the forthcoming election”.

Distribution of non sensitive materials in Anambra to end Friday – INEC

T

•APC governorship candidate for Enugu state, Sen Ayogu Eze arrives at St. Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral, Nsukka for a debate organised by Political Enlightment Committee of Nsukka Senatorial Zone for all candidates in the zone.

Youths say non-violent, peaceful general elections non-negotiable

Y

ouths in Enugu say that nonviolent and peaceful general elections in 2019 are non-negotiable before, during and after the polls in the state.

The youths, on Tuesday, marched peacefully through roads in Enugu metropolis to Enugu State Police Command with a big banner message of “Vote Not Fight – Election No Be War’’.

They also distributed fliers on the need for peaceful elections to the residents, with the inscriptions; “Vote Wisely’’; “Don’t Sell Your Vote’’; “Your Vote is Your Power’’ and “Youths Behave Responsibly’’.

Addressing over 100 youths at the Police Headquarters in Enugu after a five-point demand presentation, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Danmallam, said that it was heart-warming that youths wanted violence-free and peaceful elections.

Danmallam was represented by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ebere Amaraizu.

He said that it was good that youths were talking to their fellow youths to see how the country could enshrine credible elections devoid of electoral manipulations.

“Police as the lead security agency in election security management

had put all necessary machinery as well as trainings in place to ensure hitch-free elections especially in Enugu State.

“As an apolitical institution, we will ensure that we maintain and restrict ourselves to the duty of providing security and will remain non-partisan.

“We are assuring all Nigerians, especially the residents of this state of adequate security before, during and after the elections,’’ the police boss said.

The commissioner, however, assured that the command would look into the demands of the youth in details and ensure that the message gets to the various Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and unit heads.

Earlier, Enugu State Coordinator of Vote-Not-Fight Campaign, Mr Chukwuma Okenwa, said that the Vote-Not-Fight campaign “ is a nonpartisan and youth-focused voter education campaign’’.

“It has been promoting constructive youth participation in Nigeria’s political and electoral processes since the 2015 general elections,’’ he said.

Okenwa said that the campaign was meant to increase youth voter turnout and mobilise against hate

speech, electoral violence and votebuying.

He said that the group’s demands from the police include: “Charge your officers to be fair to all political parties without any form of bias in the discharge of their responsibilities before, during and after the Election Day. “Promptly arrest and prosecute all electoral offenders including political actors and elected officials without immunity.

“Provide adequate security during the voting process and do not allow ballot boxes and other election materials to be hijacked by interested members of the public.

“Train your officers to be civil and allow every voter to exercise his or her constitutional right without any form of intimidation or restriction during the election.

“Work closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure a rapid response to distress calls by voters, election officials and election observers.’’

The youths, who marched for about two hours, started at Okpara Square, passed through Presidential Road, Ogui Road, Zik Avenue, Ogbete Road, Okpara Avenue Road and finally ended at the Police Headquarters in Enugu. (NAN).

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the movement of non sensitive materials to the 21 local government areas of Anambra will be concluded on Friday.

Mr Leo Nkedife, Head of Voter Education and Publicity, INEC Anambra, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Awka.

Nkedife said that the commission hired five trucks to fast track distribution of the non sensitive materials across the 21 councils in the state. ”Given the arrangements on ground, we will succeed in moving all the non sensitive materials to all the local government areas in Anambra by Friday. ” We hired five trucks to enable us achieve the distribution of the materials, but for the sensitive materials, that will be concluded by next Friday,” he said He said that the sensitive materials would be brought from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to INEC office on Thursday, adding that the distribution to local government areas would be done on Friday.

On the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), the INEC official said that the commission was impressed with the rate owners of the PVCs were responding to the collection. ”Before, we received the more than 180, 000 PVCs from our headquarters after the completion of the 2018 continuous voters registration, we had more than 120, 000 uncollected cards. ”This brings it to more than 300,000 the number of uncollected cards, but today the number has reduced significantly’’.

He said that available Information to his office showed that many people were going for their cards on daily basis.

Nkedife attributed the success in the PVCs distribution to intensified sensitisation and mobilisation by INEC, traditional rulers, media, political parties, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) among others.

He, however, called on those yet to collect their cards to ensure they do so before Feb.8.

‘Nkedife stressed “After Feb.8, all uncollected cards will be returned to INEC office, Awka till the end of the general elections”. (NAN).

33

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

Love and Living

...With Ireto Temofeh

MODEL OF THE WEEK

LOVE NEWS

Cardi B rocks purple ensemble as she reveals she he’s taking things slow with on-again hubby Offset

C

ardi B has never been one to just blend in with the crowd when it comes to her hair styles and fashion choices.

And with that penchant to stand out, comes some bold and colorful choices.

This latest go-around the superstar rapper busted out with a eye-catching purple ensemble on her with the caption: ‘Barney could never,’ in a cheeky reference to Barney the dinosaur from the popular children’s series Barney & Friends.

In one of the pics, the I Like It rapper rocked the glossy number while striking a chic full-body pose with her left finger pointed at the corner of her mouth.

Faux-fur lining around the collar and at the end of each sleeve gave it a heavy dose of added flare.

There’s also a built-in-belt that helped accentuate her waist and enviable curves, while the thigh-high cut showed off her toned legs and half of that massive tattoo on her right leg.

Cardi’s also opening up about changes surrounding her love life - specifically her fragile and sometimes intense relationship with hus-

band Offset.

The couple are back together, after about a seven week split following a cheating scandal nearly ended their marriage.

This time they’re hoping to pipe down the drama and keep their relationship out of the public eye, as much as possible, ‘It’s a personal thing…My relationship — my marriage — is not for them. It’s not for them,’ Cardi told.

She added that since their breakup, they are ‘just taking things slow. We have a baby right now. That’s like our real big focus.’

Cardi continued, ‘I hang out with him, I talk to him every day and we do our thing. It’s just like — to make things perfect…it takes time. You know, f*****g and hanging out doesn’t mean that you guys are on like a perfect note, it takes time. It takes time. And it’s a marriage and there’s a child involved and family involved.’

Cardi and Offset started dating in February 2017, and got married in September 2017. They share a daughter Kulture, six months, together.

Offset has three other children from previous relationships.

Name: Emelda Mobile: +234 816 633 9597

• If you want to be our next ORACLE GIRL, e-mail or forward your photos/data to ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714.

ODD NEWS

‘Netflix effect’ sees nearly a MILLION Britons cancel their TV licence

T

he number of people ditching their TV licenses in favour of streaming services such as , Amazon Prime Video or Now TV. More than 860,000 TV licenses were cancelled in 2017-18, compared to 798,000 in 2016-17.

The figures amount to 2,300 cancellations a day.

Television licenses are compulsory to watch live television or use the BBC’s iPlayer service.

The charge applies whether the show is being watched on a TV set, computer, tablet or any other equipment.

In March last year, 25.8 million licenses were held.

It is now believed that the ‘Netflix effect’ is leading viewers to abandon their BBC TV licenses entirely.

Streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Now TV do not require any license.

A basic Netflix subscription costs £5.99 a month (about £72 a year).

The annual cost of a television license is £150.50 at the moment.

The BBC has confirmed the price will increase to £154.50 starting from April 1.

More than 670,000 licenses were cancelled in the first nine months of 2018, reported.

Netflix alone is believed to have 9.78 million UK subscribers.

The BBC is currently having talks with ITV and Channel 4 about setting up a British rival to Netflix with a monthly fee, offering access to programmes on iPlayer for up to a year after broadcast.

7 per cent of households were found to have evaded the license fee despite watching TV. Programmes shown on the BBC

include Strictly Come Dancing, Killing Eve, Bodyguard, EastEnders and the World Cup. Customers can now buy their TV license with small cash payments or direct debit.

A Government-funded scheme proving free TV licences to older viewers will come to an end in June, 2020.

According to Age UK, about 50,000 UK pensioners could be pushed below the poverty line if the free TV licence is scrapped.

ROMANTIC JOKE WIFE’S ARRIVAL

A wife arrived home after a long shopping trip, and was horrified to find her husband in bed with a young, lovely thing. Just as she was about to storm out of the house, her husband stopped her with these words: “Before you leave, I want you to hear how this all came about. Driving home, I saw this young girl, looking poor and tired, I offered her a ride. She was hungry, so I brought her home and fed her some of the roast you had forgotten about in the refrigerator.” Her shoes were worn out so I gave her a pair of your shoes you didn’t wear because they were out of style. She was cold so I gave her that new birthday sweater you never wore even once because the color didn’t suit you. Her slacks were worn out so I gave her a pair of yours that you don’t fit into anymore. Then as she was about to leave the house, she paused and asked, “Is there anything else that your wife doesn’t use anymore?”

“And so, here we are!”

34

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

True Confession

I slept with my mother’s sugar boy’

R

ight now, I’m in love and love is blind. That’s why my love for my man is threatening to tear my family apart. In fact, it has made me and my mother enemies. But is it really my fault? They say that when love comes in, everything else goes out the window.

That’s why I don’t give a damn.

My mother was a single mother and she raised me in the best way a single mother could raise a child. On her own she worked hard to feed me, clothe me, shelter me and send me to school and I appreciate her for it.

My mum had married at a very young age and my father had died two months before I was born. My mum was still young and needed a man to take care of her, so I grew up used to seeing different boyfriends around my mother. She instructed me to call them ‘uncles’ and that, I did respectfully.

However, at 19, I was ready for my own relationships and men started flocking to the flat I shared with my mum to look for me. My mum warned me to beware of men, but I didn’t feel such a warning was necessary as I was used to seeing men around my mum.

“Sade,” my mummy said, “men are not to be trusted, so be careful with them.”

But if men were so bad, I thought, why

was mother still seeing them? How was I to know that my failure to heed mother’s warning would make us quarrel over a man?

By the age of 27 I was in my final year studying Micro-biology in one of the universities in the South-West and returned from school one day to meet my mother in the arms of a very handsome young man in our living room.

His name was Adams and I fell in love with him at first sight. I desired him from the very first moment I set my eyes on him, and I was willing to pay any price to unite our hearts and bodies together.

When he looked into my eyes, I felt weak in the knees.

Thoughts of Adams were like spangles on my heart. Dreams of him were like petals on my soul. Life was beautiful with him and nothing else in the world made me wake up in the morning.

In no time, the chemistry between us had grown to the point that I made him start cheating on my mother by going out secretly with me.

Adams was certainly much younger than my mother. My mother was like a sugar mummy to him. So I didn’t really feel guilty about dating him. After all, I thought, why should mum be going out with a younger man, especially one young enough to be my boyfriend?

The first time Adams made love to me was in my off campus apartment at school. The moon had risen and his kisses seemed to drown me.

They were so sweet that I just held on to him and let him undress me. He held me like a lover in a million and when he caressed me between the thighs, I longed for him to go further and take all of me.

Our illicit affair had been on for three years without my mum’s notice when Adams suddenly proposed marriage to me.

“Adams, are you out of your mind?” I asked him.

“How do you expect me to marry you when you are my mother’s boyfriend?”

“If my mother finds out, what do you think she’d do to us?”

“I’ll talk to her about it and make her see reason,” Adams replied.

“After all, she knows that I could never marry her. I’m too young for her and besides, I’m madly in love with you,” he said.

“Please let us not take our luck that far by getting married,” I pleaded.

Adams swore that he would talk it over with my mum and secure her consent to marry me. He said he would talk to her the following weekend, so I hurriedly

packed my bags and ran back to school. I didn’t want to be there to see my mum’s reaction.

Expectedly, mum got very angry when he told her, and she told me to come home and pack my things and leave the house.

Now, I’ve moved in with Adams and we plan to wed in a few weeks time. I’ve begged my mother to forgive me but she said over her dead body.

I feel so bad about having hurt my mum so much. She says I’ve added insult to injury by opting to marry her gigolo.

But I’ve pleaded with her that all I feel for Adams is love.

Mum says we’ll never have a happy married life. But come to think of it, mum was only using Adams as her bedmate, and at the end of the day, she was going to use and dump him. Why do sugar mummies ruin young men’s lives?

I know for sure that mummy would never marry him. So why can’t she just let go and wish us well? All I know is that by agreeing to marry Adams I’m following my heart and love is all that matters.

Do you have a comment on this story?

Call 07031028714 or 08077821830.

Do you have a story for us? Call 07031028714 or 08077821830.

35

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

Relationships and Love Advice

My boyfriend still keeps pictures of his ex

Love Search Women seeking relationship/ marriage

Chiommy, very tall, fair, sexy, hippy, busty, needs a sugar daddy who will take good care of her and she will satisfy him very well. 09028379398.

Chinyere, 35, dark, single mum, humble, works, seeks a hardworking man from 38 years and above for marriage.

09038028331.

Viky, 52, widow, working, Igbo, chocolate, average height, wants to get connected to a man of 53-60 years (not a divorcee) from any tribe.

08036309809.

Humble, 40, needs a sponsor in her theology school. 09026452405.

Rose, in Lagos, just rented a shop, needs someone to support her in starting a business. 08107458039.

Funke, 44, needs a man (widower or divorcée) of 50-55 years for a serious relationship. 08185083988.

Lora, graduate, works, HIV Positive, based in Jos, wants a HIV positive man of 35-40 years for marriage.

08090925014.

Dear Love Doctor,

I

’m in a relationship with my boyfriend for more than 3 years. He still has his ex’s photos and refuses to remove them. They were with each other for 5 years. He says that he doesn’t have any feeling about her or her pictures but these photos have to be saved because they are his memories and remind him of his past. He also mentions that I will never

see them but maybe, after 20 years or so, we will check them together and laugh. I say why shoud he have these photos of being in each others arms, hugging or kissing each other or their portraits. I can’t understand it.

From Helen.

Dear Helen,

E

to go back to his past lover.

However, sometimes people keep old photos or maintain contact with their ex because they are unhappy with their present lover. It’s usually the most recent ex that attracts their attention. There is an old saying that you should never get involved with someone who is rebounding from a failed relationship. Other times, peo-

E-Mail: ireto007@yahoo.com Go to foodstuffs.com.ng. Call Love Doctor: 07031028714, 08131161840.

Men seeking relationship/ marriage

Love Doctor’s Advice: veryone has past relationships. However, for lovers to feel confidence and trust in one another, they need to know that the past is over and done. How can you feel confident about your boyfriend if he holds onto photos of his ex girlfriend? You cannot. Your boyfriend needs to assure you that he is happy and content being with you, and does not intend

A single mother needs a responsible man for a relationship. 08140599563.

ple cannot let go of the feelings they had for their previous lover. This does not bode well for the success of the next relationship.

Painful as this might be, you may have to give your boyfriend the choice of you or the pictures. I doubt that you will ever look back on the photos in the future with a laugh. It’s not a laughing matter.

Do you have advice on this problem? Please share your thoughts. Call 07031028714 or 08131161840. Email: ireto007@yahoo.com Do you have a marriage/wedding, birthday, anniversary or club or town meeting announcement to make? Call 07031028714 now!

Uche, a graduate in Lagos, needs a kind woman or man to help him in his new business. Text 08131161840.

Divine, 36, wants a beautiful, highly educated, tall, fair, working class lady from 25-30 years for marriage. 09054199030.

Diamond Prince, 28, living in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy. 07069498904.

Emmy needs a mature lady or widow in Lagos for companionship. 08077821830.

Godspower, 33, tall, from Kogi, based in Abuja, wants a sugar mummy from 40 years and above based in Abuja, to satisfy her very well. 0810069625, 07018735547.

Emeka, 54, in Lagos, needs an educated woman between 32-35 years for a wife.

08118482541.

36

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

It happened to me:

I lied about being a lesbian I lied and said that my last relationship had really C made me distrust men and that I couldn’t picture a future hristian and I had been best friends for ages when he was horribly dumped by his longterm girlfriend. I’d just got out of a relationship myself and been absolutely crushed by it.

We were together in my apartment one night, drinking and complaining about how cruel love was, when one thing led to another.

By the end of the week, we were a couple.

Things were great at the beginning. It helped that we had a long history and understood each other, but then Christian began to get really needy. He began hinting about marriage and babies.

It was just too fast for me. I knew it was a result of him being dumped, but as a friend, I felt really bad about discouraging his crazy ideas, so I didn’t.

But I was slowly feeling trapped, so I subconsciously began to distance myself from him.

That made things even worse. He

with a man any more... I went on to say that I had been interested in women for a really long time but fear of rejection had made me never pursue the idea.

would text me up to 10 times a day.

One day, he arrived on my doorstep and asked me what was wrong.

I didn’t have the heart to tell him it was him, so I did the worst thing possible and said I thought I was a lesbian.

I lied and said that my last relationship had really made me distrust men and that I couldn’t picture a future with a man any more.

I went on to say that I had been interested in women for a really long time but fear of rejection had made me never pursue the idea.

Christian was surprised, but took

it really well because it wasn’t his fault. He turned into my best friend again and was very supportive. He even tried to set me up with his lesbian friends!

I went along with it for a few months. We would go to the mall and “check out” girls together or we’d research articles on the Web about lesbianism.

It was really good to have my best friend back, even though I felt bad about lying to him. In the meantime, he was out and about and met a girl he really liked.

After a few dates, they were

an item. I was happy that he had moved on.

I eventually met a guy I was interested in and told Christian that the lesbian thing was a phase and I’d finally met the guy who could turn things around for me.

At that point, he was so delighted with his relationship that he was happy for me!

Because of that massive white lie, I managed to salvage our friendship.

I can’t feel bad about that. It only cost me a few months of singledom … and a long-term guilt trip!

37

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

The Law and You

With Barr. Ken Akpom 08162016410

Divorce in statutory marriage

I

am compelled to treat this topic because of a desperate caller. This week’s topic is on marriage and divorce as in matrimonial causes Act. WHAT IS MARRIAGE

As I earlier said in my previous edition on the question, it is a divine decree by God to bring a union between a man and a woman. A customary marriage is contracted under customary Law or native Law and custom of parties in existence and according to the various Laws of the parties involve. Statutory marriage, which I shall base my discussion in this edition is a marriage regulated by statue in Nigeria. Matrimonial causes Act and Rules governs this aspect of marriage.

For the interest of some of us who are not learned in Law, I shall explain briefly on what constitute the matrimonial causes Act. This Act includes proceedings for a decree of dissolution of marriage, judicial separation, restitution of conjugal right and activation of marriage.

PARTIES TO A DIVORCE PETITION There are primarily two parties namely Petitioner and Respondent however, in case of adultery the third party co-Respondent manifest.

JURISDICTION OF COURTS ON THIS ACT It is only the High Court of the states that has jurisdiction (that is powers) to entertain the matter as in Order I rule 4 (I) and Section II 4 (I) MCA. However, some of the state Laws may empower a magistrate to entertain it. It should be noted that the basis of jurisdiction of a court on this matter depends on the domicile of parties as in Section 2 MCA CAP M7 LFN 2004. Note further that any person domiciled in any state within the Federal Republic of Nigeria may institute actions in any state High Court whether or not he is domicile in that particular state as in Section 2 (3) MCA. In same way, generally a wife’s domicile is that of her husband.

This implied for instance that an American (or foreigners who marries a Nigerian can institute a matrimonial cause in Nigeria as in Section 7 MCA, Advocate v Jaffrey). Please, there are more to this and only the experts on this field, the Lawyers, can assist you further not to make mistakes or misinterpret the Law. Consult them for details.

MATRIMONIAL RELIEFS A) DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE: Section 30 (I) matrimonial causes Act and Orders IV of matrimonial causes Rules deals on the rule of time. It states that no proceeding for divorce may be instituted within two years of marriage except with the leaves of the country as in Fisher V Fisher (1948) probate 243. This rule (CA) is meant to curtail the mistakes of most couples who rush into marriages for what they experienced at the first phase of a relationship and without thinking properly and examining one another to see if they can blend together when they become husband and wife.

Some couples, especially the female folks, are easily being deceived by intangible material things by the male folks to accept their hands in marriage and when the realities of life start unfolding in their marriage lives soonest after the marriage (probably, very society and lavish types of marriages) fighting, quarrelling and misunderstanding come in. The next step is for one of them or even both to seek for divorce. It is for the prevention of couples rushing into marriages due to ill-advice and love at first sight and in less than two years of the marriage start rushing out that the rule comes into being. However, there are some exceptions to this rule of not dissolving a marriage within two years of contracting the marriage. These exceptions are; (1) The court may grant leave to institute a dissolution within two years if it (Courts) is convinced that its refusal to grant the leave would impose exceptional

hardship on the applicant (2) If it is a case involving exceptional depravity on theapplicant.

(3) Where it is in the interest of the children of the marriage.

HOW SHOULD THE PROCEEDINGS IN RESPECT OF DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE BE? Proceedings in respect of dissolution of marriage must unless in recognized exceptions, be heard in open Court unlike in the case of Oviasu V Oviasu (1931) ALL NLR (Part II) 75. In this case, the hearing of the case took place in the Judge’s chambers. Neither the counsel nor the parties requested for such hearing.

The Supreme Court condemned the action of the trial Judge in hearing the case in chambers suo motu because the petition and answer do not contain such matters which by Law, ought to be heard in “camera”.

It further held that all that happened in the Judge’s chambers did not constitute a regular hearing of an action in a court.

THE PROCEDURE FOR SEEKING OF LEAVE TO DISSOLVE WITHIN TWO YEARS A caller asked me to explain this to her but I asked her one pertinent question: “Can you spend the num-

ber of years and sleepless nights that lawyers put into researching and studying to understand these procedures?” She replied “NO” so I told her and which I still state that I only give out the general knowledge of the noble course for my readers to know their rights in Law and to approach Lawyers who are learned on the field to handle Legally their matters. So for the procedures, please consult any Lawyer around you or text me if you still need my assistance.

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE A party can present petition for dissolution of marriage on one of the following grounds that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.

1. Lack of consummation: This where the spouse sleeps together and no sexual urges and intercourse takes place regularly for a very long time without good reason(s). This to me is hatred.

2. Adultery when this is intolerable.

3. A partner’s irresponsible attitude/behavior, for example,drunkenness, being convicted for crime, negligence, as per support, etc.

4. Presumption of death; 5. ETC. Please, consult your Lawyer for detailed explanation because mere literal meaning may mislead you.

• Do you have questions or seek legal clarification on issues concerning your marriage, probate, property, etc? Send a text message to Barr.

Ken via 08162016410 or 08075763840. Email: kenakpom@yahoo.com

38

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

With Douglas Omoyooma

I want a man with deep pockets

– Queeneth Agbor, actress Star of Marriage Rules and graduate of Microbiology, Queeneth Agbor has definitely come a long way as far as Nollywood is concerned. The thespian who has also starred in movies like Hooked, Finally in Love and Wannabe Girl among many others in this chat with THE ORACLE TODAY opens up on her career and why marriage isn’t on her front burner at the moment.

D

eclaring her relationship status, Agbor began: “I’m not in a relationship and I’m not searching either. I’m happily in love and in a serious relationship with myself; that’s the best kind of relationship.”

When does she think is the right time to walk down the aisle? “Marriage, to be honest scares me but when we get to that bridge we shall cross it but for now I’d say marriage is far from me at the moment.

For now I’m still thinking of building my empire.”

Could she describe her ideal man? “My ideal man? I want a man with a deep pocket, not necessarily a fine boy or a guy with six-packs but definitely not ugly. I want a giver; a man that surprises me always but above all, he must be God fearing.”

Raised in Calabar, the Cross Rivers State capital, she goes down memory lane recalling her growing up years: “I was a very dramatic child. When my grand mum saw me in a movie for the first time she was so excited she quipped ‘finally, my drama queen is where she truly belongs.’ I’m the first of five siblings. I lost my mother last year. She was my mum, my dad and my best friend; I could tell her anything. She was the most important person in my life.

The world could go against me but she’d always be by my side. No mater the challenges, no matter what happened, as long as I had my mum by my side, the world could go to hell!”

Hollywood Today, she is a known face in Nollywood.

How has 2018 been and what were her challenges as a green horn? “2018 was wonderful! It’s been God all the way. I give him all the praise, I’ve been pretty busy with work back-to-back. I didn’t really pass through any challenge because I started out on the right foundation. I attended the Royal Arts Academy which helped in putting me on the right track. Thank God my parents were supportive especially my mum. God rest her soul, she was my

number one fan; she supported me all through.”

Commenting on her most challenging movie she continues: “I think it should be Hooked. I had to use Ghanaian accent. Another movie, Namaste was quite challenging because I had to use Indian accent.

For Namaste I dedicated time to watching ZeeWorld just to get the accent right and I even had to make lots of Indian friends.”

Most memorable moments “I’ve lots of memorable moments,” she says breaking into an infectious smile.

“The recent one was when I went to the gym and the receptionist stopped me and said I had a package. She handed over to me a Samsung S7 which had only recently just hit the market then. She said a fan dropped it for me but requested to be anonymous; I was scared at first but gladly took it.”

Aside movies, what else do you do?

“Nothing for now but I’m currently working on a project and when it ripens, you all will know.”

Gratitude and advice Having come a long way, the actress expresses her gratitude to God for her success. She also has a word of advice for wannabes. She says: “God has been faithful to me. I believe that in everything you do, you should know your worth. Pray, don’t be in a haste and things will fall into place at the right time. It’s God that has helped me this far; it isn’t by my talent.

“As a wannabe, I believe that you should be quick to listen; don’t be a talkative. If you listen more than you talk, you’ll gain more. You should also be humble and submissive because it can take you even further than you expect. You should endeavour to have a good working relationships with your colleagues. That way, people would recommend you to other producers. Pride cannot take you anywhere; it has never helped anyone so, be submissive.”

• Queeneth Agbor

39

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

NEWS Akinmade to open up agrarian Idanre communities

T

he Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Kayode Akinmade has lamented the bad state of roads in Idanre and promised to draw the attention of the state and federal government to the plight of the agrarian communities.

The candidate who was on campaign tour of Omifun, Olowo Ofeariwo, Okolo and Aleepa communities observed that the area which is noted for its agricultural production has been neglected over the years by successive governments.

The candidate who is the state’s immediate past Information Commissioner, also visited Jimgbe, Oniyeri and Legbira communities

to solicit votes.

He promised the people, who are mainly cocoa farmers, that he would spare no effort in ensuring that government at state and federal levels addressed the neglect of the area.

According to him, “at a time efforts are being made to improve the nation’s agricultural production, every encouragement must be given to farmers in the area”.

While he commending them for their decades of contribution to the nation’s cocoa output, the PDP House of Reps candidate noted that opening up the area would be mutually beneficial to the government and the communities.

I formerly known as OGUGUA PETER ANAETIONWU. now wish to be known as OGUGUA PETER CONDITION. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

I formerly known as Miss UZOCHUKWU MARY OGOCHUKWU now wish to be known as Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I Formerly known as EZE MARTINA NNEOZOR, now wish to be known as OKONKWO MARTINA CHINYERE. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

I formerly known as OZUE AMARA now wish to be known as OGBODO AMARA PEACE. Former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public take note

I formerly known as OKAFOR ODIRACHUKWU STELLA now wish to be known as MRS EKWOSIOBI ODIRACHUKWU STELLA. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

I formerly known as UMEZULUIKE MERCY NKIRUKA now wish to be known as MUONEKWU MARCELLINA NKIRUKA. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as FESTUS AKINMULEYA now wish to be known as UKWUEZE EMMANUEL COLLINS. All former documents remain valid. Please Banks and General Public take note.

I formerly known as OKAFORASOGWA CHINEDUCHARITY EBERECHI now wish to be known as UKWUEZE CHARITY EBERECHI. All former documents remain valid. Please Banks and General Public take note.

I formerly known as MADUEKWE CHIOMA ANASTECIA now wish to be known as MRS. IFEGBUIKE CHIOMA ANASTECIA. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as ONWE INNOCENT JOHN now wish to be known as ONWE INNOCENT ITUMA. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

“We are here to send a strong message to the Police high Command and Inspector-General of Police that the persecution and killing of our members in Bayelsa is not acceptable.

“On Saturday, one of our members who was attacked during a rally

Saleh stated: “The Nigerian Police is a Federal Institution and the Command under my watch in Bayelsa is poised to be fair to all in the discharge of our duty, I am aware of the allegations and counter allegations even before my deployment.

“We shall look into the cases even the ones reported before my arrival, the problem we have is that while a case is being investigated it is not strategic to keep it in public domain,

I formerly known as EZEJA UWAKWE JOSEPH now wish to be known as UWAKWE JOSEPH EZE. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note

I formerly known as OKECHUKWU CHUKWUMA now wish to be known as ONWE OKECHUKWU CHUKWUMA. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

I formerly known as EKWEALOR CHIGOZIE JOHN now wish to be known as OKOYE CHIGOZIE AUGUSTINE. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as CHUKWUEBUKA REBECCA OBIA now wish to be known as CHUKWUEBUKA REBECCA FAVOUR. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

This is to confirm that ADEKOYA ADEJUMOKE GELIANA is same person as DOSUNMU JUMOKE JULIANA. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as EZE JOSEPH OMEERAAM now wish to be known as EZE OMEERAAM SUOBERE. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

I formerly known as OKAFOR CHINEDU JOHN now wish to be known as OBI PATRICK CHIDUBEM. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

I formerly known as OBI JULIET OLUCHUKWU now wish to be known as OGBUOBELE JULIET OLUCHUKWU. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

I formerly known as ONUIGBO CHUKWUEMEKA now wish to be known as ONUIGBO DANIEL CHUKWUEMEKA. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

I formerly known as GODWIN JOSHUA CHIGOZIE now wish to be known as GODWIN CHIGOZIE ISAIAH. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

I formerly known as EGOCHUKWUMA PATRICK NNAJI now wish to be known as NNAJIEGO PATRICK CHUKWUMA. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

I formerly known as ADIMORA G I CHRIST now wish to be known as ADIMORA GODWIN IFEDILIOH. former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take.

I formerly known as EMEKA AMARACHI AGATHA now wish to be known as NNA AMARACHI AGATHA .Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

I formerly known as OBUMNEME CHARLES now wish to be known as ONUORAH CHRISTIAN CHUKWUEBUKA. Former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note

I formerly known as AHUBE CHIOMA CHIDIRIM now wish to be known as MRS OKEREKE CHIOMA CHIDIRIM PRECIOUS. former documents remain valid .NYSC, Banks and General public take note

• Sir Nweke Umezuruike Chairman, ESVARBON, (standing 6th from right); Mr. Ahmed Kuru, Managing Director, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) holding a copy of the “Green Book”; Mr. Aminu Ismail, Executive Director, AMCON; holding another copy of “Green Book” Mr. Victor Alonge, Board Member, Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON); Dr. Eberechukwu Uneze, Executive Director, AMCON and Mr. Joshua Ikioda, Group Head, Resolution, AMCON and other officials of both agencies in a group photograph at the end of ESVARBON visit to AMCON, in Abuja on Tuesday

Sylva leads Bayelsa APC on protests over killing of its members in Bayelsa

By CLEM ONYEMAECHI, Yenagoa

L

eader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva on Monday led members of the party in protest over the killing of its members in its rallies ahead the 2019 polls The protesters, which included the minister of State for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri marched to the headquarters of the Bayelsa State police command Addressing thousands of party followers who had marched from the party secretariat to the Police headquarters chanting solidarity songs, Sylva said that the killing of an APC member at a rally in Sagbama was one too many.

He recalled that the party campaigns have been riddled with several attacks by members of rival political party while their perpetrators have not been brought to book.

Hear Sylva, “We have been watching the scenario where members of our party are being attacked while we are canvassing for votes, two of them were killed recently in Nembe and we reported the incidents but the Police is not doing enough.

in Sagbama died, and we are here today to register our displeasure and demand that just as the Police is providing security for those in PDP, they should protect us also.

“We demand that the Police should be fair in their duties to avoid a situation where those denied security would be compelled to seek self help”.

Also speaking, Lokpobiri urged the Police to be thorough in its investigations of the cases reported as faithful of the party were awaiting justice.

He said that APC in Bayelsa was conducting its campaign across the state in a peaceful manner but have come under attack by rivals resulting to death of many.

He said that as a law-abiding organization, the party leaders have been urging members to exercise restraints and report issues of violence to law enforcement agencies.

Responding, Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa Mr Aminu Saleh dismissed the allegations that the Police in the State was partisan.

• Sylvia but it does not mean that we are not working.

“On the killing of Saturday, we are already working on it and arrests have been made and I hereby assure you that once we conclude our investigations, we shall brief the general public about it.

“It is our duty to provide security cover to all political parties and the presence of our men deployed to Sagbama prevented the breakdown of law and order”.

One person, according to a Police Spokesman, DSP Asinim Butswat died while two others were injured while thugs attacked faithful of All Progressives Congress (APC) at a rally in Sagbama area of Bayelsa on Saturday

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

INTERVIEW Agriculture is a very vital sector of the state economy. What impact would create in the sector if elected?

I must tell you that in the 60s the Eastern Region exported palm products of not less than $54billion, but recently the sector has not been given so much attention. I will build farm settlements in the three zones of the state to boost food security and productivity in the state. I will invest heavily in the agro industries to create value agricultural chains. Through this medium a lot of youths will be meaningfully engaged. I will rejuvenate all the agro allied industries in the state and attract the private sectors to improve the agric sector.

The economy of the state is indeed the bedrock of sustainable development.

How do you intend to improve the economy?

You see, the problem we have in the state is mediocre leadership. Imo State has good potentials to brace up its economy. We have saw-dust which is seen as waste in the timber market, but in foreign countries like China it is used for furniture. If we build industries that could transform this raw material to finished products it could boost our economy and engage the youths. The agricultural sector, like I said earlier, has one of the biggest potentials, and if properly harnessed it will increase our GDP beyond imagination. There is a rubber plantation in Emebia in Owerri West and it could be revitalized. We have the best clay in the World in Okigwe, and so many others, and if given proper attention would open up the economy of the state.

40

Owerri is the city of prostitutes – Okey Eze The governorship of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Imo State, Mr. Okey Eze, on Friday February1, 2019, had an interactive session with the Imo State Youth Parliament at his country home in Umuihuocha Community, Obohia Ekwereazu in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area Imo State, where he fielded questions from the youths on a wide range of issues in the polity. He spoke with From AUSTIN ECHEFU in Owerri. Excerpts…

What would you do with the educational sector to improve its quality?

Basically, if anyone tells you that education is free in the state, then that is a fraud. There are still some fees paid in the institutions. But I will give scholarships to very bright students and equally have students loan scheme which could be accessed with some basic merited criteria. I will overhaul the school curriculum which has gone moribund and inject innovative and practical curriculum that will enhance the educational system.

What programmes do you have for the health sector, more especially the 27 general hospitals which were initiated by the outgoing government?

There is nothing like 27 general hospitals in Imo State but what we have is brick and mortar. It is not necessary to build 27 substandard hospitals, but rather I will build medical facilities in the rural areas. I will build three world-class specialist hospitals across the zones of the state which would be fully equipped to its best standard. We would ensure that we bring world class health professionals to partner with our home-based medical practitioners for effective and efficient health system.

What positive impacts would you create in the civil service?

What we have in the civil service today is a fraud. Do you know that the civil service commission still pays with a manual cheque? This is how ghost workers are paid in the state. Do you know that the total revenue of the state is about N3.2bn and the overhead expenditure is about N4.5bn? This is because those who are not productive

•Okey Eze

in the civil service get paid for doing nothing while the civil servants are always owed. I will introduce bio-metric system of enrollment and payment to curb this fraudulent activity in the civil service. We would engage some of our civil servants in the farm so they can be more productive and they will be paid for their services adequately.

How would you enhance the security of the state?

Let me tell you, most of the criminals you see in the society today are oppor-

tunistic criminals and not pathological criminals. If they opportunistic criminals are gainfully engaged they won’t think of perpetrating crime. The pathological criminals are below 10% and they could be described as kleptomaniac and would steal even in abundance.

So, if we have our youths engaged in something meaningful they will think less of crime and thereby we could have a crime free society.

How would improve the sports in the state?

The sports sector is another huge insight we need to look into. I brought the Assistant Coach of Galatasary to Imo to groom footballers from the state. I brought a boxer of the Netherlands to train some youths in that angle and today some of them have been exported. Imagine if we produce one Iheanacho from this state every year!

In Imo State of today we do not have football academy. We will partner with European clubs to build football academy in the state and enhance the tal-

41

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

INTERVIEW

Please sir, tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Okey Eze. I am a writer, poet, journalist, banker, publisher, entrepreneur and humanitarian with strong impact in diverse areas of endeavors in remarkable time. I attended Federal Government College, Okigwe, and graduated from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in 1991 as the best graduating student in Mass Communication. I hold a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Benin in 1998. I am a consummate professional with 27 years cognate experience in financial services laced with rich banking experience with leading multinational bank (Citibank Nigeria) in a 15 year career, spanning Operations & Technology, Internal Control, Private, Commercial & Corporate Banking. I rose to senior managerial cadre. I am the Chief Executive Officer of Savvycorp Limited.

Addendum to the Okey Eze interview

•Ikedi Ohakim

ents of our youths and equally engage them meaningfully. I will build medium sports centers in the local government to encourage youths in the rural areas to develop their talents and compete with other youths all over the world.

How can you improve the tourism in the state?

I must tell you that what we have currently in the state is not tourism but high level of prostitution. According to UNDP research conducted recently, Owerri is the fastest rising city of prostitution, and that is absurd. If we must look at tourism we must first upgrade our infrastructure. We would revamp the Oguta Wonder Lake which used to have a golf course. We open up our museums and Mbari Centers to lure tourist all over the World.

Generally, are there other innovations of the past administration you would like to sustain if elected?

Yes. More especially the IROMA. It is a wonderful idea but not sustained. I would want to equally introduce public works that will work 24/7 to ensure that roads and drainages are maintained adequately. The ICAPS is a good idea equally but not properly implement-

ed. I would introduce vocational skills acquisition programme that would empower our youths. There are welders in the oil rigs that earn five times than oil field workers. We will equally train youths on aeronautical maintenance and they will earn hard currency if engaged after training, and so many lucrative skills. Adapalm is another program I would sustain and I will overhaul the system and build a standard palm refinery and plant improved palm seedlings to boost oil production.

Would you conduct local government election if elected?

In my first 100 days in office, I will conduct local government election and we have youths of 30-40years in its administration. It will give them room to be ripe to govern the state in no distant time. The local government has to function and must get all their necessary entitlements without state government interference. I will open city centers in the local government and development the local government and build facilities that will generate income and revenue to the local government. I will make the local government work again.

Generally, how would you improve our internal generated revenue?

Firstly, I will overhaul the board of internal revenue and automate it and curb the resources. I will improve the taxation plan and would make it affordable for Imolites. I will revamp the uncompleted power plant at Egbema distribution center and give 24/7 electricity to the state. This will attract investors and improve small scale medium businesses. I will reactivate hanging fruits that could benefit the state, For instance the bank of industry which has no presence in the state and other multinational organization to give assistance to public and private to boost productivity and enlarge revenue in the state.

What advice do you have for the electorate?

Election is like a chicken and egg approach. We must be ready for make sacrifices and avoid those mediocres who steal from us to the detriment of our future. As educated persons we must have some spirit of discernment to make sound judgments and know who is best for us.

Generally, are there other innovations of the past administration you would like to sustain if elected?

Yes. More especially the IROMA. It is a wonderful idea but not sustained. I would want to equally introduce public works that will work 24/7 to ensure that roads and drainages are maintained adequately. The ICAPS is a good idea equally but not properly implemented. I would introduce vocational skills acquisition programme that would empower our youths. There are welders in the oil rigs that earn five times than oil field workers. We will equally train youths on aeronautical maintenance and they will earn hard currency if engaged after training, and so many lucrative skills. Adapalm is another program I would sustain and I will overhaul the system and build a standard palm refinery and plant improved palm seedlings to boost oil production.

I will build farm settlements in the three zones of the state to boost food security and productivity in the state.

We would revamp the Oguta Wonder Lake which used to have a golf course.

It is unfortunate that most programs and projects of his (Ohakim’s) first term have not been sustained, except the Orji flyover that has motorists scared of using the finished but uncommissioned yet renovated structure.

My dear Parliamentarians, if Okey Eze is willing to bring back these projects - IRROMA, OGUTA WONDER LAKE, ICAPS, ETC, how much more can the initiator and originator, Ikedi Ohakim, who is in same guber race for just a term, do?

His Excellency, Ikedi Ohakim is the brain behind all those and much more.

If supported and elected, we will have these programs revamped and those whose professional researches that is yet to be implemented will kick start first day after swearing in.

Ikedi Ohakim understands the terrain of Imo State. He has the experience. He has done professional studies of various projects, executed, half executed and yet to be implemented.

Support Ikedi Ohakim! We must go for the best at all times, and right now in our political life, Ikedi Ohakim remains the very best with just a term.

You shouldn’t support people playing chess and fighting out their failed agreements with our well being. They have nothing worthwhile for us.

Ohakim is very genuine to give us the best!

The charter of equity among other reasons, will be soothed.

racleToday

The

www.oraclenews.ng

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

Advertisement Rate Black & White

Sizes N

Full Page (14 x6 cols) 400,000.00

Half Page (7”x6cols) 185,000.00 14” x 5 cols

333,500.00

14” x 4 cols

266,672.00

14” x 2 cols

133,336.00

10”x 6 cols

285,720.00

10”x5 cols

238,100.00

10”x 4 cols

190,480.00

10”x3 cols

142,860.00

9”x6 cols 257,148.00 9”x5 cols 214,290.00 9”x4 cols 171,432.00 8”x5 cols 190,480.00 8”x3 cols 114,288.00 7”x5 cols 166,670.00 7”x4 cols

133,336.00

Quarter Page (7x3 cols) 100,002.00

6”x3 cols 85,716.00 6”x2 cols

57,144.00

5”x5 cols 119,050.00 4”x3 cols

57,144.00

4”x2 cols 38,096.00 3”x2 cols 28,572.00 2” x2 cols 1”x2cols 1”x1col

19,048.00

9,524.00 4,762.00

Colour

Special Pages (3,4,5,6 &7)

Sizes N

Full Page (14”x6 cols) 520,000.00 Half Page (7”x6 cols) 27o,000.00

14”x 5 cols

433,300.00

14”x 4 cols

346,640.00

14”x2 cols

173,320.00

10”x6 cols

371,400.00

10”x5 cols

309,500.00

10” x4 cols

247,600.00

9”x 6 cols

334,269.00

9”x 3cols 167,130.00 9”x 4cols 222,840.00

N

Full Page (14x cols) surcharge of 30% 676,000 10 x 5 cols surcharge 30% 402,350 Half page (7x6 cols)

surcharge 30% 351,000 Quarter Page (7x3 cols) surcharge of 30%

168,987 Inside Front cover (full page) surchage 30% 780,000 Inside Back cover (full page) surcharge 30% 780,000 Outside Back page (full page) surcharge 30% 1,000,000 (Earpiece

400,000

Special Position

N

Front Page strip 2 x 6

465,000

Backpage strip

2 x 6

450.000

7”x5 cols 216,650.00

Back Page strip

6 x 2

530,000

7”x4 cols 173,320.00

Front Page solus 6 x 2

500,000

Quarter Page

Earpiece Window (2 x 2) Front 205,000

8”x5 cols 247,600.00 8” x3cols 148,560.00

125,000.00

6”x3 cols 111,426.00 6”x2 cols 74,280.00 2” x6 (Strip ROP)

74,280.00

4”x3 cols 74,280.00 4”x2 cols 49,520.00 3”x3cols 55,710.00 2”x2 cols 24,760.00 1”x3 cols 18,570.00 1”x2cols 12,380.00 1”x1 col 6,190.00

Earpiece Window (2 x 2) back 179,000 Centre Spread

1,000,000

Double Spread

850,000

Wrap Around

16,500,000

Half Wrap Around

10,000,000

Classified

3,000

Loose Inserts Rate Per 1000 Copies 43,000.00 Handling Charge 45.000.00

For adverts placements and bookings contact the following number: 09061836916, 08033580234, 09078310060

43

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

SPORTS

Why our events are on hold – Jesimiel Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

C

ONTRARY to the earlier held view that at least, one of the two national swimming championships mapped out for the first quarter of the year will hold before the Presidential and National Assembly elections which are to take place on the 16th of this month, but unfortunately nothing of such will take.

This much was exclusively disclosed to The Oracle Today Sports by no other person than the Chairman of the Facilities Committee of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF), who also doubles as the man in-charge of Open Water, Rev. Sam Jesimiel during a chat at the weekend.

According to the Akwa Ibom State-born former national swimmer, the board of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) disclosed that in their earlier meeting, they had agreed that at least one of the two national swimming events billed for the first quarter of the year will take place in January, while the other will hold after the general elections.

He, however, regretted that due to the tension in the country occasioned by high wired election campaigns, the board felt it would better that the competition should not take place as many parents will not like to release their children and wards for the competition.

“My brother, it is true that the board agreed to stage one of the two aquatics tournaments billed for last month (January) but looking at the situation we are in country at the moment, I believe that is the reason the championship did not

take place. Hopefully, I believe that after elections, the tournaments will take place,” Jesimiel said.

“Of course everyone is aware of the tension in the land occasioned by the electioneering.

“I can assure you that the two tournaments billed for the first quarter of the year are likely going to take place. Of course the Presidential election and National Assembly elections are going to take placing the 16th while the Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly are to take place on the 2nd of next month.

“Of course, parent wouldn’t like to release their children and wards during this period of high tension in the land and if the athletes are not available then the purpose of the tournament will be defeated which is not the goal of the tournament.

So, the board are only trying to be careful and proactive,” Jesimiel.

Speaking further, Jesimiel who just returned from a trip from Ebonyi State, where he had gone to seek partnership with the state government on how to develop the aquatic sport in the salt of the Nation explained that the two tournaments that the board of NAqF had mapped out to take place in the first quarter of the year are the flagship tournament of the federation, the Chief of Naval Staff Open Swimming Championship and the maiden President Muhammadu Buhari National Open Water Swimming Champion which will hold in Jabi Abuja.

It is noted that the Federation’s flagship tournament, the CNS Open Swimming Championship has not hold for the last two years because of the inability of Lagos State Government’s to fulfill its promises to

Rio Olympic gold medallist, Sophie, retires from international hockey

B

•President Muhammadu Buhari. the stage the championship even as it refused to allow the board of NAqF to take the competition to another state as it continues to pledge its readiness to host the tournament.

Rohr counts on Mikel’s experience to boost Eagles

S

UPER Eagles’ Technical Adviser, German Gernot Rohr, has disclosed that Eagles’ Captain and Middlesbrough of England midfielder, John Mikel Obi will make his team to the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, simply because the Nigerian team needs the player’s influence and personality.

It is true that Rohr acknowledged that no player should be treated as a sacred cow in the squad, the Franco-German tactician believes the Nigerian team will need their captain’s experience at AFCON 2019.

Consequently, though Mikel is now playing for a second-tier club, Rohr is ready to stick with his skip-

per, who he believes can make a lot of difference when the chips come down.

That means Mikel is set to star at the African soccer showpiece for the fifth time, having also been there in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2013.

Though Rohr affirmed that the former Lyn Oslo of Norway, Chelsea of England and Tianjin Teda of China star will need to fight for his place in the Eagles’ starting line-up, it would appear those words are a mere formality from the coach.

While stressing the need for all players to be up and doing in the countdown to Egypt 2019, the Eagles’ coach admitted Mikel’s role in

the team is more than just showing his presence in camp, as his experience and leadership qualities will come in handy.

Rohr attested: “We need good players, we need experience, we need Mikel in good fitness so he can bring something to the team.

“His experience again is very important and to be respected like a team if you play international tournaments or very important games.

“You need somebody like Mikel with his personality and influence on his teammates, sometimes also on the other people, it can be interesting.”

It is recalled that Lagos was the last host of the CNS Open Swimming Championship and that was in 2016 and at closing ceremony, Governor Akinwunmi through his representative expressed happiness on the success of the tournament and used the occasion to asked the board of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation led by Fatayi Babatunde Williams not to bother to look for another host as Lagos, which pride itself as the State of aquatic splendor will make it a double by hosting the 2017 edition but failed to honour the pledge.

Again, in 2018, the state equally failed to play host to the tournament thereby disappointing not only the athletes, coaches and other officials but the entire swimming fans in the country even as the stated succeeded in retarding the growth and development of aquatics sports not only in the state but the entire country for two good years following their inability to play host to the tournament.

RITISH Olympic gold medallist Sophie Bray, has announced her retirement from international hockey.

The 28-year-old - nicknamed the ‘baby-faced assassin’ by her teammates - won European gold in 2015 in addition to the Olympic title in Rio a year later.

Bray scored 44 goals in 134 appearances for England and Great Britain.

“After a very tough couple of months it is with great sadness that I have taken the difficult decision to step down from international hockey,” she said.

Writing on Instagram, she added: “It has been a huge honour to represent Great Britain and England, and I will be forever grateful for all the incredible memories in an international shirt.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has supported and believed in me and made the amazing journey so special.

“I still have a lot to give the sport I love and I am looking forward to what the future holds.”

Bray, who plays club hockey for East Grinstead, also won European bronze in 2017, as well as Commonwealth Games silver and bronze.

Along with the rest of the 2016 Olympic team, she was made MBE in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to hockey.

Great Britain and England Hockey performance director Ed Barney said: “On behalf of the organisation, I would like to offer Sophie a huge thank you for her years of dedication and commitment to the sport.

“Sophie has been an integral member of the programme and brought a huge amount to our attacking play. She was a key player in a very successful period for the women’s programme and her skills, quality and tenacity have been invaluable to the women’s team.

“We respect Sophie’s decision and we will miss her as she steps away from the international programme.

We wish her all the very best in the future.”

Badminton Confederation of Africa commend Nigeria/Rivers

S

AHIR Edoo, Secretary General of the Badminton Confederation of Africa, has commended host Nigeria/Rivers State for accepting to host the All Africa Senior Badminton Championship, which comes up in Port Harcourt in April.

Edoo, who is on facility inspection to the country, expressed satisfaction over what he has seen so far and described Nigeria as a country to be proud of having produced many African champions who have done well at global events.

While on a courtesy call to the Ministry of Sports, Edoo said that the facilities so far were top class and

noted that players were ready to storm Port Harcourt for the championship.

The permanent secretary of the ministry, Olusade Adesola, who represented the minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, expressed delight over the hosting right, which Nigeria won last year and expressed the ministry’s readiness to support the event.

He lauded the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih and his board for bringing the competition back to Nigeria after 19 years. He described the BFN board

as viable for taking the federation to greater height and making it the envy of other federations.

Adesola charged the BFN to organise a befitting championship as it could go a long way in attracting youths to the game and in turn provide employment.

Orbih stated that arrangement was in top gear to ensure a successful hosting of the event. According to him, the first Rivers National Badminton Championship held in Port Harcourt in December was in preparation for the Africa Senior Badminton Championship and also a test run of facilities.

44

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

SPORTS

How Ethiopians sweep top prizes •As Ambode assures race has come to stay

Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

I

T is no longer news that since the beginning of the Access Bank sponsored Lagos City Marathon in 2016, No Nigerian has been able to mount the podium to receive any colour of medal, rather it has always been foreigners that will go home with the mouthwatering top prizes of $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000 for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed winners of the annual event.

The story was not different in the 2019 edition which is the 4th edition of the competition where the Ethiopians, Suntayahu Legese and Dinke Meseret were the hero and heroine as they came top in both male and female of the 42 kilometer road race.

It is recalled that at the maiden edition of the event, Kenyan national, Abraham Kiptum completed the race in 2:16:21 seconds to emerge champion while in the female category, an Ethiopian, Halima Hussein Kayo, returned with the time of 2:38:36 secs to also emerge champion.

In 2017, Abraham Kiptum defended his title, finishing the race in 2:1:20 secs while his female compatriot, Rodah Jepkori Tanuyi emerged as the first place winner in the women’s category.

While in 2018, French-Kenyan national, Abraham Kiprotich, finished the race while setting a new record time of 2:13:04 hours in the men’s category while Ethiopian national, Alemenesh Herpha Guta came first in the women’s category.

In this year’s edition on Saturday, February 2nd, 2019, in a race that set the record of the highest number of participants with over 100,000 athletes competing for the top prizes at the end of the 42km race, Ethiopians, Suntayahu Legese and Dinke Meseret came tops in both male and female categories as Nigeria’s woes in the long distance race continues.

In the male category, Suntayahu Legese returned in the time of 2:17:28secs to emerge cham-

pion, while Kipkorir Joshua of Kenya came second with a time of 2:18:16secs to beat fellow countryman, William Yegon to the third place as he returned with a time of 2:19:04secs.

In the female category, it was the Ethiopia show in the keenly contested female category of the marathon as the first three positions went to their athletes.

Meseret came first with a time of 2:48:02secs while Alemnesh Herepa came second with a time of 2:49:05secs and Kebena Chala placed third with a time of 2:49:09secs.

Meanwhile, while presenting the star prize of $50,000 to the male winner, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode praised all the athletes for putting up a good fight in the race just as he obversed that the race was keenly contested and assured that the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has come to stay.

Speaking further the Lagos State Governor expressed appreciation to the management of the title sponsor, Access Bank and other co-sponsors and partners for making the race a reality and a huge success.

Meanwhile, just like what happened in the 2018 edition, Nigerian female athletes that participated in the 42km and 10km races protested the results announced by the organisers. In their view, they were denied their hard won victories at the race and complained openly and bitterly.

“This is terribly bad. We were denied our hard won victories and we will not accept it,” said one of the aggrieved athletes.

However, General Manager of the race, Yusuf Alli, defended the position of the organizer on the complaints of the athletes saying they were technically deficient and that affected their results. The former runner, however, promised that the organisers will look into their protests.

One of the shortcomings of this year’s edition of the annual Access Bank Lagos City Marathon was that

•From Lef: Gov Akinwunmi, winner of the men category, Ethiopian’s Suntayahu Legese and the MD of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe. the commemorative medals for all the participants that finished the race were inadequate as most of the runners complained openly because it was a carryover of what many of them went through in the

L

•Joe Gomez

lined for six weeks, but have now refused to set a specific timescale for the England international’s recovery, although he is expected to play again this season.

“Liverpool can confirm Joe Gomez is to undergo surgery to assist his recovery from a lower leg fracture sustained at Burnley on December 5,” the club said in a statement.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp added: “It’s a blow for the boy and for us — because prior to the injury he was in such fantastic shape.

“But he is too valuable to take any risk with, both for our present and future, so we get this procedure done and he comes back when he’s ready.”

Meanwhile, Gomez said it had been difficult finding out he would be sidelined for longer than first thought.

“Obviously being out for longer than we’d first hoped for is hard to swallow but it’s part and parcel of the industry,” he said. “It was an injury caused by an impact, like

himself on Saturday.

Top Nigerian musicians led by D’banj, Teni and Olamide thrilled the crowd with some of their popular tracks before the presentation of prizes.

Build healthy athletes in Nigeria, sponsors task stakeholders

M

ANAGING Director/Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo has tasked stakeholders in the sports industry to key into the vision of the bank to help build a generation of healthy and strong athletes, as well as set a platform that will continue to create, preserve and transfer wealth and talents across generations.

Speaking at the just concluded 2019 Lagos International Para-Powerlifting Championship hosted by the Lagos State Government, Seki-

Liverpool: Gomez to undergo leg surgery IVERPOOL’S Joe Gomez is to undergo an operation in the hope of aiding his recovery from a lower leg fracture, the Premier League leaders announced Monday.

Gomez suffered the injury in a 3-1 victory at Burnley early in December.

Liverpool’s initial assessment was that Gomez might be side-

previous edition in 2018.

“I ran the 40 km race but I’m lucky to be given a medal meant for 10 km runners. What about others in my category that did not even get anything,” a marathoner consoled

nearly all the injuries I’ve had in my career, so I know it’s just a case of when it’s fully healed I’m good to go again.

“The hardest part is not being able to help the team and contribute on the pitch at the moment, so it’s important I come back ready to go and this procedure will help with that.”

Liverpool, last crowned champions of England in 1990, will go five points clear at the top of the table if they win away to West Ham later Monday.

bo, who was represented by the Divisional Head, Corporate Communications of the bank, Fela Ibidapo noted, “At Heritage Bank, we understand the importance of sports as an essential part of education, national development and a unifying factor in our diverse cultural setting.

“Hence, our vision as a generational bank is one poised to help create, preserve and transfer wealth across generations in all spectrum of life.”

Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Tanzania and Mali featured in the competition, where Nigeria took at the 20 gold medals on

Emery admits Gunners need help in top 4 race

T

HIS may not be the best of time for Arsenal and their manager, Unai Emery, following the 3-1 defeat they suffered in the hands of Manchester City at the weekend.

In his reaction to the defeat, the Arsenal Manager Emery said his side “need big help” to finish in the top four after Sergio Aguero’s hattrick condemned them to a 3-1 defeat at Manchester City.

The Londoners bounced back from Aguero’s first goal, scored after just 48 seconds, to equalise through Laurent Koscielny, but the

Adepoju urges consistency in Nigeria Professional Football League

F

ORMER Super Eagles player and former General Manager of 3SC of Ibadan, Mutiu Adepoju otherwise called “Headmaster” Monday called for consistency in Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Adepoju said that consistency in Nigeria’s professional league was the only key to making the league be at par with European league. He said that all hands must be on deck to catapult the country’s league to an

offer to take the first position.

Reacting to the athletes’ performance, national coach of the Nigeria Para Powerlifting team, Feyisetan Are said he did not expect anything less from the athletes, while commending them for doing the country proud.

The coach said effort would be made to develop the rising talents who took part in the championship.

“I must say that the future of powerlifting in Nigeria is bright, the upcoming athletes really proved their worth in the championships and we will continue to nurture them to stardom,” he reiterated.

enviable height.

“We know it may not be very easy to get there but with consistency, we will get there,” he started.

“Although, LMC is trying but more need to be done in order to make the dream realisable,” Adepoju said.

The former-international therefore, commended League Management Company (LMC) for the efforts being made in repositioning Nigeria’s league, saying that there was hope for NPFL.

City striker restored his side’s lead before half-time and added his third in the second half. The result left Arsenal sixth in the table, three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

Asked on Sky Sports about their top-four chances, Emery said: “After losing 3-1, it’s not easy to say that, but know we need big help.

“They (City) showed their superiority in 90 minutes. They held their level in 90 minutes, and our level in the second half was worse than the first.

“Our challenge now is the next week, to continue to work and improve, and to think how we can work and be better.”

The Arsenal manager told the BBC: “Last week we won and were with Chelsea in fourth position, but we lost today and lost this position.

“But we are going to go game by game thinking: ‘Win the next match.” Maybe if we win, we can take the opportunity in the near future to be near the other teams and play with this motivation,” he said.

45

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

SPORTS

Rangers win 1st CAF ConFed Cup Group stage Stories by MADUABUCHI KALU

N

IGERIA’S representatives in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup, Enugu Rangers kicked off their group stage campaign on a good note, as they defeated visiting Salitas of Burkina Faso 2-0 in their Cup Group B match at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday.

With this victory, it means that the Nigerian representatives began their group stage campaign on a good note.

The Flying Antelope got off to the perfect start as they broke the deadlock just two minutes into the game through Godwin Aguda.

The midfielder, Aguda beats Salitas goalkeeper, Sawadogo Adama to make it 1-0 for Rangers to the delight of the home crowd, who trooped out in their numbers to give them the much needed morale boost.

Salitas tried to push for the equalising goal with Iliasse Sawadogo leading the visitors’ attack but couldn’t as Rangers’ defense was too tight for them to penetrate.

Rangers were leading 1-0 at halftime thanks to Aguda’s early goal.

The hosts continued to attack after the restart and they were awarded a free-kick in a promising area just before the hour-mark.

Isaac Loute then stepped up and scored from the set-piece with a beautiful strike to make it 2-0 to Rangers.

Salitas made two changes in the 68th minute as they looked to grab at least two late goals to ensure that the game ended in a draw.

Nevertheless, Rangers stood firm at the back in the dying minutes of the match and they ran out 2-0 winners over Otoho.

Meanwhile, as Rangers are celebrating, Nigeria’s other representative on the more lucrative league, the CAF Champions League, Lobi Stars of were not that lucky as they were beaten by their visiting opponents, Wydad Raja Casablanca via a penalty.

The defeat would have been 2-0 but thanks God for the Lobi goalkeeper, Femi Thomas, who saved one of the two penalties awarded the visitors.

Nigeria’s anti-doping compliance status to be reviewed

T

HE Minister of Sports and Youths Development, Hon. Solomon Dalung, on Monday assured that Nigeria was working hard to ensure that its non-compliance status at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was reversed.

Dalung who gave the assurance at the opening ceremony of a two-day anti-doping stakeholders meeting in Abuja said this was because much progress has been made in a positive way.

“Prior to the receipt of the notice from WADA which designated Nigeria as non-compliant, we were working to ensure compliance, but our pace was a bit slow.

“One of the key areas of concern identified by WADA is the passage into law, the setting up of an independent national anti-doping organisation.

“They also wanted to be provided the opportunity to review such bill to ensure conformity.

“I can assure now that we have since made progress and this much has been acknowledged by WADA and I am optimistic that, very soon, Nigeria’s status will be reviewed,” Dalung said.

The minister however identified lack of continuity and funding as two major challenges facing the institutionalisation of anti-doping measures in Nigeria.

“We have secured budget line item for anti-doping activities in the 2019 budget. We have also secured approval from Mr President (Muhammadu Buhari) for the funding of the National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC).

“The process of releasing funds is ongoing at the Federal Ministry of Finance. As soon as that is done, further activities required for WADA compliance will commence,” he said.

On tackling the issue of lack of continuity in the administration of anti-doping policy, Dalung said he had discussed with stakeholders and sought special approval to source manpower for the NADC. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill for the establishment and funding of a national anti-doping agency is one of the demands stipulated by WADA. It has now passed the second reading at the House of Representa-

tives.

The Chairman, House Committee on Youths and Sports, Goni Bukar, confirmed the status of the legislation in his goodwill message at the event.

Bukar added that it would have been passed if not for the fact that it was being overtaken on the queue by other crucial issues of national interest.

“We are at the verge of passing into law a bill for the establishment of a National Anti-Doping Agency.

The bill has gone through second reading and a public hearing.

Dalung hails Ambode for sustaining Lagos City Marathon

T

HE Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Hon. Solomon Dalung, has congratulated Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for a 4th consecutive successful Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

He made the remark on Saturday in an interview with journalists at Eko Atlantic where the race took place.

Dalung said that Gov Ambode has set a precedence in sports development by adding not only to the economic value of the state and country, but also empowering a large number of Nigerian youths through sports.

“Governor Ambode has set up

a very viable sports event that has strengthened the tourism potentials of Lagos state.

“Over 100,000 athletes from 58 countries participated in this edition of the Marathon which means that the world is beginning to accept the Lagos City Marathon.

“Personally, I am overwhelmed that it happened during my tenure as a minister and I pray for the sustainability of this marathon.

“If you assess the Lagos City Marathon, they have done well because you have to look at the history of where they’re coming from.

“From a background of an abandoned situation, Nigerian athletes are now coming up. Those who

made it last year also took the first position at the Ibadan City Marathon, meaning that they are progressing.

“I want to challenge states like Taraba and Plateau where potentials of Marathon reside. They should go back to the drawing board and save Marathon race in Nigeria by investing in it. As a Ministry we are also going to direct our policies towards deliberate support and encouragement of Marathon races in Nigeria. Earlier, Governor Ambode thanked Lagosians especially the runners who trooped out to participate in this year’s edition.

John Lang’at who recorded 30:06.6 ahead of Moses Koech in 30:07.2 The 2017 1500m World Youth bronze medallist Edinah Jebitok of Keringet won the Nakuru Country 6km junior women cross country race at the Nakuru Athletics Club (NAC) at the weekend.

Jebitok, who also won a silver medal in the 1500m at the 2018 Africa Youth championships in Algiers, finished first in a time of 17minutes 35.1secs.

Hot on her heels was Deborah Chemutai who clocked 18:41.1 ahead of third-placed Zena Chemutai who was timed at 19:50.9.

“I am extremely happy for winning the race but my aim is to win a ticket to represent South Rift in the regional championship in Kericho and later feature in the national cross country championships in Eldoret,” said Jebitok.

In the 8km junior men, Nicholas Chelule won the race after cutting the tape in 25:07.2 ahead of his teammate Benard Yegon (25:08.7) followed by Patrick Lang’at (25:11.9) to complete a 1-2-3 finish for the impressive Keringet team.

In the 10km senior women, Keringet reigned supreme dominating the race that was run under hot and windy conditions.

Eveline Chirchir, who took command of the race from the bell, went on to clinch the race after clocking 33:34.4 with Lena Cherotich coming second in 34:24.2 ahead of Winrose Chepkorir who was timed at 34:43.5.

As expected, Keringet also ruled the men’s category with Leonard Lang’at taking command of the 10km race with blistering pace that saw him win in 30:04.7 followed by his compatriot John Lang’at who recorded 30:06.6 ahead of Moses Koech in 30:07.2.

“My aim is to represent Kenya in the World cross country championships in Aarhus, Denmark next month,” said Leonard Lang’at.

All the top six winners in each category will represent the county in the regional championship in Kericho •Solomon Dalung, Sports Minister next weekend.

Jebitok wins Nakuru junior cross country race

K

ENYA’S Edinah Jebitok leads the 1500m finals during the Iaaf Athletics Championship at the Moi International Sports centre,Kasarani on July 15, 2017. Jebitok is in the athletics team that will represent the country in the Youth Olympic Games due October 4-16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In the 8km junior men, Nicholas Chelule won the race after cutting the tape in 25:07.2 ahead of his teammate Benard Yegon (25:08.7) followed by Patrick Lang’at (25:11.9) to complete a 1-2-3 finish for the impressive Keringet team In the 10km senior women, Keringet reigned supreme dominating the race that was run under hot and windy conditions Keringet also ruled the men’s category with Leonard Lang’at taking command of the 10km race with blistering pace that saw him win in 30:04.7 followed by his compatriot

Hearn criticises Wilder, Finkel for not cooperating in Joshua’s talks

T

HE boxing world has been in anticipation of witnessing two giants of the sport in Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder square off against each other at some point this year.

But, as things stand, it seems we would have to wait a bit longer than expected for it to come to fruition.

The World Boxing Council have officially ordered both Tyson Fury and Wilder camps to conclude their negotiations within February 5 for a rematch in spring.

On the other hand, Joshua, who has been searching for a worthy opponent since successfully defending his titles against Alexander Povetkin, has zeroed in on undefeated American star

Jarrell Miller for a June 1 showdown.

Although Dillian Whyte was also in the mix to fight AJ, he is expected to face Dominic Breazeale next.

Meanwhile, Matchroom Sport chief Eddie Hearn launched an extraordinary attack on Deontay Wilder’s promoter Shelly Finkel and gave his take on the recent comments made by Wilder.

46

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

NEWS Extra Barr Okey Igwe, Abia House candiate, campaigns

Photos: Chidiebere Chido

My social contract with the people of Umunneochi •Next level campaign for Abia State House of Assembly BARRISTER PHILLIP OKEY IGWE emerged Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State at a time of deep economic recession in Nigeria. But, a development expert and prudent and disciplined manager of men and material, Igwe, an American trained lawyer who was also in the American Air Force, practically plunged himself into the new assignment, his first outing as a public officer. Sooner than later, the results began to show.

In this article, he recalls how it all started: what he saw, did and or could not and what he plans to do at the next level—a second outing public service, this time as a Member of Abia State House of Assembly.

A

little under two years ago today, I presented myself to the good people of Umunneochi local government in an election for the office of Executive Chairman. Before the vote, I penned an op-ed article for The Oracle Today Newspaper captioned My Social Contract with the People of Umunneochi. In that op-ed, I articulated the main thrust of my campaign to serve my people as chairman. It was my first stint at political and or elective office, but it was pretty easy for me to capture in concrete terms the policy ideas I had hoped achieve in office during the two-year tenure. The ease of articulation was borne out of a heart willing to do right by our people, and a wealth of experience garnered over a lifetime of vigilant observation of the political process.

The policy vision contained in my op-ed were itemized to include (1) to set a new template for governance in local government administration, (2) to restore electricity which had been non-existent for over two decades, (3) to ensure security of lives and property, and (4) to empower the youths and women towards a sustainable economic path. We have, for the most part, accomplished these set targets. The crescendo being the restoration of electricity to the local government about one year in a feat made possible by interventions from numerous quarters, most notably the Governor of Abia State Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu and support from progressive men of goodwill across the local government.

We moved on the premise that anything is

possible and any challenge is surmountable anytime people are galvanized around a fuctional, common idea. And I am most persuaded that never again will a local government chairman sit aloof and do nothing to move the ball of governance in Umunneochi local government. We have set the template and shifted the paradigm; our people now have a benchmark with which to hold successive governments accountable. Ultimately, we walked the walk, did the deed and kept faith with people of Umunneochi.

The indices are visible across the nooks and crannies of the local government for those whose minds are receptive of progressive achievements. Challenges remain, but change is an incremental process.

To be sure, our performance has been appreciated and rewarded by the landslide victory accorded us in the just concluded PDP primaries for Abia State House of Assembly, Umunneochi State Constituency. And so, as a candidate Abia State House of Assembly, I Barr. Phillip Okey Igwe, hereby, renew my social contract with the people of Umunneochi and further reiterate that (1) our campaign and tenure (when we win) shall be about people first; (2) we shall continue to strive to reinforce the new template for governance, albeit from a much elevated state platform, by working towards a general paradigm shift; (3) continue to empower - and permit me to explain that my idea of empower aligns with bold and innovative visions such as the Enyimba Economic City project that is capable of commercially transforming the state and indeed Igboland and unleashing millions of employment opportunities for our teeming youths. It is

such a watershed idea that President Buhari identifies with it and is supporting the state governor. I am patently averse to the notion of empowerment that hands out peanuts to our young men and women as an instrument of political subterfuge - our youths and women for economic sustenance through effective and purposeful representation and legislation geared towards achieving these targets; (4) provide constructive checks and balances of the Executive department through budgetary control and oversight tailored towards actualizing the hopes and aspirations of the people of Umunneochi; and (5)continue our electricity project through constituency intervention and also supporting successor local administration(s) to stick to the comprehensive blueprint we have midwifed.

Finally, our people have seen me in action while ploughing the instrumentality of local governance. They fully understand that I mean what I say and I say what I mean. In that spirit, I solemnly renew this social contract and also formerly solicit, once again, the support and goodwill of the entire peoples of Umunneochi for the forthcoming General Elections. The climb will be stiff and I intend to slug it out with candidates of other parties, whom I genuinely respect (we just have a difference of opinions and ideas) but I shall within the outer limits of civility present my case to the electorate and God willing achieve victory in the end. I pledge to keep the faith with every fibre of my being. So help me God. Barrister IGWE was, until recently, Executive Chairman Umunneochi LGA of Abia. He is the PDP Candidate for ABHA 2019

The Oracle Today Wednesday February 13, 2019

NEWS Extra

47

WEDNESDAY February 13, 2019

The

www.oraclenews.ng

48

racle Today

VOX POPULI SACRUM

ISSN: 2545-5869

This inexhaustible national cake!

E

verywhere you turn in Nigeria, there’s a drama of the absurd to watch. The issue of the national minimum wage is one of them. An assembly of former and current leaders of the country (the Council of State) has prescribed N27, 000 while the House of Representatives has “debated” and passed N30, 000 as minimum wage (MW).

All have been playing politics, it seems. And leaders of organised labour are the greater politicians: their motive is not to achieve better conditions of service for Nigerian workers or the wellbeing of the common man. The whole MW affair is a fraud, and, like all frauds, it is meant to cause trouble.

Otherwise, I don’t understand why a piece of legislation that cost several months of “hard work” and incredible billions of naira has become non-implementable.

Many state governments that accepted to pay N18, 000 about eight years ago have yet to comply, and now a higher amount is being imposed on them. They can’t pay until the revenue allocation formula is altered in their favour. Labour could go on indefinite strike!

The noise about MW has become deafening. Somebody should call the noisemakers to order. In fact, they have already put all of us in trouble. Landlords, transport operators and traders have been listening to the announcements with keener interest. Prices of goods and services have been going up, but the real trouble will come when the implementation of the socalled MW begins.

More worrying is that government employees make up less than 10% of Nigerian workers. For now, nobody’s attention is on the private sector – there will be no opportunity to negotiate with privatesector employers anyway. So, those that are outside the civil/public service (90%) have no hope of earning the MW, though all of us go to the same markets. The truth is that, in the informal sector of the economy, many self-employed people and their employees earn less than N18, 000 per month. When the new MW comes into effect, these underemployed workers may choose between becoming poorer and becoming jobless; there will be no Labour Congress to negotiate on their behalf. And we have not even mentioned the unemployed – some 80million school leavers and unskilled labourers who are still roaming the streets or filling forms at the Civil Service Commission in search of non-existent jobs.

It might be easy to implement the MW as soon as the naira gets devalued again.

It’s N360 to the dollar now, thanks to interventions by the Central bank with billions of dollars so far. When the naira is floated, the exchange rate is likely to hit N1, 000 to the dollar. Who will be benefitting from the MW when a loaf of bread will cost N1, 000? By the time some global financial institutions finish with Nigeria, N50, 000 would not be able to purchase a bag of rice.

The myopic labour leaders had better start negotiating for N1million as MW from 2021!

In any case, there are many ways to kill a rat. The federal and state governments can decide to pay the MW now and still get by.

They could sack 80% of their workers almost immediately. Under Obasanjo, it was “rightsizing” or downsizing that eliminated over 120, 000 jobs. Those who earn obscene salaries and allowances in the NNPC, CBN, NDIC, and as lawmakers or other political appointees might suffer a salary cut.

Labour might oppose mass retrenchment but it can’t prevent government from

laying off all those that have violated the Civil Service Rules: “evil” servants that lied under oath -- those that falsified their age or their certificate. If all the civil servants in Nigeria are subjected to MRI tests, I’m sure it will be discovered that 80% lied about their age. Indolence, fraud and redundancy could also be given as reasons for sacking many.

Stories about missing files, “Oga no dey” and “Madam is not on seat” would end when

professionals take over the civil service.

Our civil/public servants have been enjoying a form of social security scheme, that is, they’ve been getting paid for not doing any work. All of us deserve to enjoy the scheme, however. Were the government and labour leaders sincere, they would have reduced the MW to N15, 000 and then accommodated more people – the unemployed, the unemployable, the

physically and mentally challenged, the elderly and the indigent. After all, everything in Nigeria is about sharing the commonweal.

For instance, the lawmakers that passed the MW bill earn about N15million monthly for doing nothing. Today we have 40-something ministers, each with special advisers, senior special assistants and personal advisers.

Former, current and future “militants” in the Niger Delta are earning N60, 000 monthly under an “amnesty” programme; and some opinion leaders are asking that the same be extended to Boko Haram members in the north. What a country!

No other nation, I presume, can withstand so such deadly assaults. I started hearing about the “national cake” while I was a boy in primary school over 45 years ago. That “cake” has yet to finish, even though the aim of everybody – Nigerians and foreigners – has been to get a piece of it since then. Nobody bothers to bake the cake. And that leads me to a Freudian slip committed by then head of state General Yakubu Gowon in 1974: “Nigeria’s problem is not money but what to do with money.” Over the years Gowon has struggled to give the correct interpretation of that statement. But he need not deny anything. It was the naked truth put into his mouth perhaps by an unseen voice. The author of a novel I read 18 years ago – I’ve forgotten his name but he was a lecturer at the University of Nigeria – lends Gowon support. He writes something like this: “Nobody works in Nigeria. Everybody is just struggling to get a share of the oil wealth of the country...”

Little wonder General Ibrahim Babangida, as military president, once expressed surprise that the Nigerian economy had not collapsed. Twenty-seven years after that statement, Nigeria remains more than a miracle in progress. But never far away is a reminder of our wastefulness and corruption: the existence of too many poor people in a very rich nation.

Labour’s agitation should be for good governance that has eluded this country.

Ironically, civil servants have been the accomplices of politicians that have been looting public funds. Some own estates and pay their children’s fees in hard currency in America and England. Such evil “servants” don’t really need the minimum wage.

E

because they have not been validated by the National Universities Commission (NUC) or its equivalents. Maybe their promoters have not paid the right fees! NUC’s interest is not in the quality of education students receive there. If it were not so, not even the “legal” or accredited tertiary institutions would still be standing.

It might be necessary to relax the law as it pertains to setting up private schools.

Let everyone who can design curricula and hire appropriate teachers be allowed to do so. Maybe they will be able to run the educational institutions we need – schools that will enable their students to acquire skills needed by employers. Bad schools won’t survive because they won’t have students. I believe in the efficacy of market forces!

Minister Adamu spoke as if anybody worries about the NYSC anymore. And where are the jobs to be picked by graduates from the legal universities anyway? He and

the government he represents should simply advise young people to avoid unaccredited institutions. But he should never unleash security operatives or EFCC on the schools.

Let the market be the judge. Whether one would be excluded from the NYSC or government jobs shouldn’t be Adamu’s business. It is the business of those who choose to attend only approved varsities to seek information from JAMB, NUC and other regulators.

Proliferation of tertiary schools is inevitable.

Less than 20% of 1.6million UTME candidates secure admission each year, and Adamu has yet to offer the rest (about 1.3million young people) valuable advice. He has yet to improve his own “legal” universities one bit. Otherwise, ASUU wouldn’t be on strike for a half of every academic year, and the accredited varsities wouldn’t be finding illiterates and criminals “worthy in character and learning” at graduation ceremonies every year.

GUEST COLUMNIST Aniebo

Nwamu

•Senator Chris Ngige

Not Minister Adamu’s business

very minister of education in the last 15 years or so has issued statements condemning the existence of “fake” or “illegal” universities in the country.

But rather than disappear, the “illegal” universities have multiplied. The current education minister, Adamu Adamu, has just joined the chorus. He has warned that graduates from those varsities would be holding empty papers as certificates and wouldn’t be eligible for the NYSC or jobs.

Where there is a law, it should be obeyed or enforced. But some laws are not enforceable: the warning to avoid nonaccredited primary and secondary schools has always been given, yet the majority of schools in Lagos, Abuja and other big cities todays are not accredited. The number of “fake” universities is equally huge now – it perhaps exceeds that of “genuine” federal and state varsities put together.

Many varsities, polytechnics and colleges of education are labelled “illegal” or “fake”

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.